Get Together

"Come on people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another
Right now"

As violence grows, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq has a message to its people. From the NY Times:

Mr. Khalilzad, in a conference call with reporters, said: "What we've seen in the past two days, the attack has had a major impact here, getting everyone's attention that Iraq is in danger."

The country's leaders, he added, "must come together, they must compromise with each other to bring the people of Iraq together and save this country."

I'd like to see that happen, but this isn't a new situation; it's merely the tipping point. These groups have hated each other from the beginning. This is nothing new. The violence isn't new, it's just intensified. Even before the bombing of the shrine, there seemed little hope of all sides finding common democratic ground. Now? Well, it just got that much harder. Not that it means Khalilzad shouldn't try, of course. It's just that idea of 'compromise' is not likely in this environment (see also: Israel/Palestine).

And President Bush said this: "Iraq remains a serious situation. But I'm optimistic."

You were optimistic before the war. How'd that turn out? Those are roadside bombs, not roses, they are throwing at our feet, sir. Perhaps it's time to start withdrawing our troops (who are a lightning rod for violence in that country) and start letting the Iraqis figure this out for themselves. I know, Mr. Bush, that you feel guilty for invading their country without a plan, for telling the insurgency to bring it on, and for wasting the goodwill (and treasury) of the American people on this war. But eventually we're gonna have to take the training wheels off their bike and let them go. Now seems a good time to start.

[See also- AP: Baghdad Sealed Off to Stem Violence]