Last Throes

"The level of activity that we see today from a military standpoint, I think, will clearly decline. I think they're in the last throes, if you will, of the insurgency."
--Vice President Cheney May 31, 2005

It's been one year since that criminally ignorant statement. How are things going now?

For starters, not only are we not near an end, we're actually sending more troops in-

The US military has deployed about 1,500 additional troops to Iraq to back up US and Iraqi forces trying to restore order in western Al Anbar province, a Pentagon spokesman said.

General George Casey, the top US commander in Iraq, ordered the deployment of two armored battalions from Kuwait, said Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman...

Sounds like we're turning another corner, as they stand up we'll stand down, etc etc.

The Pentagon states that the insurgency is in its last throes steady through 2007.

Meanwhile, relentless violence in Iraq killed 54 people yesterday alone and wounded over 120 others.

Finally, as Rep. John Murtha continues to insist there was a coverup of the Haditha massacre of civilians by U.S. marines, the murders increase tensions between the U.S. and Iraqi leaders. The Prime Minister said he was losing patience with excuses from U.S. troops that they kill civilians by 'mistake' and wants an investigation. Worst of all, the new Iraqi ambassador- our big ally, ya know- said on CNN today that Marines killed his cousin during the massacre. He stated "I believe he was killed intentionally. I believe that he was killed unnecessarily." He said Gen. George Casey (top U.S. commander in Iraq) is aware of all the details of this incident, but they haven't been forthcoming with them. That's some pretty serious shit. As TruthDig notes, "This is huge: The ambassador of a newly minted 'friendly' country went on national TV to accuse the U.S. of murdering a relative. Diplomatically speaking, it’s a violent smack across Bush’s face." And just like the Dubai ports deal and numerous other important issues, the President only found out about the massacre when he heard it from the press. Shameful.

Did we win those hearts and minds yet?

Firedoglake has a great take on all the latest Iraq news-
So Much for the Pre-Election Troop Withdrawal?

Is it 2009 yet?