The surge is working. Has worked. Whatever.

That must be why the residents of Basra are protesting their security situation. Many people fear that yet further violence will be attached to upcoming elections in a region where women have been routinely murdered for violations of a hardline Islamic dress standard.

The war that's costing us $3.5 billion per week, the one we're fighting for our freedoms, is working to our advantage, improving the US' security situation.

Except that it's continually strengthened Iran's hand (particularly the position of their hardliners) and weakened Israel, which now has only violence left as leverage against their neighbors. It's also been accompanied by a destabilization of Pakistan, with increased suicide attacks on the military, and the best news in a while being the election losses for the party of US friendly 'President' Pervez Musharraf to a more secular party that they'll now have to share power with.

The war in Iraq has also done wonders for Afghanistan. What with violence against women increasing and their poverty-stricken populace unable to cope with rising food prices and shortages even as they produce record opium crops. Yeah, they're better off than they were six (six!) years ago, making progress on their real problems just like we are.

Citizens are encouraged to continue their applause.