• I suppose I could mention this over at rathergate.com, and I probably will, but I’ve already given an open thread there. For here, where few seem to dare to comment, I can note an an AP article detailing how, despite Jill Carroll’s release yesterday, everyone is being kidnapped and killed in Iraq. A terrorism expert plucked for the article relates that it is a deadly combination throughout Iraq: being a reviled American who is in that country.

    It does admit that some speculate that the terrorist thugs are failing to make the kidnappings work for them, and that the coalition forces are better at catching the kidnappers.

    The quote an “terrorism expert” who is not in Iraq, which quote made it to the bleak headline: “In an environment like this, hostage-taking can only be expected to increase.” The environment to which this expert refers is, of course, QUAGMIRE, QUAGMIRE, VIETNAM!

    The article ends by quoting a more optimistic expert, however:

    “The measure of success is to some extent shaped by the support of the local population,” Pfaltzgraff said. “The more popular we become, the greater our ability to track down the kidnappers.

    “Getting a new government in place in Baghdad would be a very good step in the right direction,” he added, referring to the deadlock over negotiating a coalition Cabinet.

    They’ll get their new government.