Don’t believe Petraeus

Word is out that the report being delivered to Congress today by Gen. David Petraeus was written in the White House, not in Iraq.

So much for the General’s progress report. And to top it off, the statistics have been twisted. Now it seems that dead Iraqis with bullet holes in the front of the skull are tabulated as murder victims, not victims of sectarian violence. There has to be a bullet hole in the back of the head to make Petraeus’ list. Uh-huh. Also, Shia on Shia violence doesn’t count, despite the internecine battles raging amongs Shia groups. Nor does Sunni on Sunni violence count. And he will make great hay of the slight decline in violence in areas where Sunnis have been completely driven out. No targets left and suddenly the Shias become peaceful. Imagine that!

For the best reporting from the ground in a U.S. paper, go to McClatchy.

For continuing coverage, check out Juan Cole’s blog in the sidebar to the right.

~ by bothwellsblog on September 10, 2007.