The surge of 30,000 troops has led to some small steps of reconciliation between Sunnis and Shiites.  "We've been the cops," Army Capt. Erik Peterson says. "We've been the local army. We've been the ambulance service."

"It's still a somewhat fragile security," says Col. William Hickman, a brigade commander in Baghdad.  The surge is "working," Petit says.  "The question is how long will it work."

What has helped led to this success?  The existence of a local force called the Ghazaliyah Guardians.  It's made up mostly of former insurgents believe it or not.  The Guardians are a U.S. funded effort to build security.  The number of local citizens has grown nationwide to 60,000.

The U.S. military pays them about $380 a month which is in increase of $80 since I last wrote about this group.  The military says this is a temporary measure.  

"We can't pay them to stand on street corners with weapons forever," says Army Col. Martin Stanton, who handles reconciliation issues in Baghdad.  Iraq's government is "deeply suspicious of any organized group of Sunnis, especially ones that were former insurgents," Stanton says.

He adds that the Iraqi government is giving the idea "grudging acceptance."

U.S. commanders acknowledge, however, that the relative peace is fragile.

Iraq's government has yet to reconcile over provincial elections and distributing oil revenue.  The bad economy and lack of basic services as water, electricity and sewage is causing frustration.

Shiite militias are now running criminal operations now.

I have a few questions.  What happens when the Surge of troops are withdrawn?  Will Iraqi's continue to stand up against violence?  Will they do it without the U.S. having to pay them?  

VP Cheney predicts a remarkable success story by 2009, does this mean our troops will be home by the end of 2008?

Lastly, if this surge of an additional 30,000 troops saved as many lives as the military and the White House are now claiming - just imagine how many lives could have been saved if President Bush had sent the right amount of troops in the beginning, as his now fired General suggested, or even if Bush had `changed his strategy - but refused to admit the need to do so' as the Democrats have been demanding since back in 2004?  

Imagine the lives that would have been lost if Democrats had adhered to the Republican Party's view - Don't criticize the President in a time of War.

Coonsey's View http://www.freewebs.com/coonsey/

Poll Did Pres Fail The Troops By Not Sending Enough Troops? Yes - thousands died No - lesson learned Impeach them both - Failed Troops Votes: 2 Results : Vote Link : Polls