Iraqi Battalion Collapses

From Juan Cole:

CNN reports that the first new battalion of the Iraqi army being trained by the US has collapsed, with nearly half of recruits having resigned. Apparently poor pay ($60 a month) is one of the big complaints. But surely a further motive is their increasing suspicion that the same guerrillas who have wounded 10,000 US troops and killed hundreds will put them through the meat grinder as soon as they are deployed.

Swell.

The CNN article begins...

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- About 300 of 700 members of the new Iraqi army have resigned, citing unhappiness with terms, conditions and pay and with instructions of commanding officers, a representative of the U.S.-led coalition said Thursday.

This should speed up that speed up of turning things over to the Iraqis.

....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.