What about al-Douri

For this recurring question, we'll go to the recent Commanding General's Briefing from Iraq on which I posted earlier.

Q: General Odierno, Bret Baier from Fox News Channel. There have been some raids in your AOR that appeared to be successful in the -- heading toward the hunt for Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri. Can you give us an update on that hunt and your perception of, perhaps, how close or not close we are?

Odierno: Well, we picked up another one two nights ago that are one of his close associates that are operating within this area -- very close in the Ad Dawr (ph) AOR. We are working them for information, but we have not gotten any specific information on where Mr. al-Douri is. There's contradictions about his health still, whether he's healthy, whether he's not healthy. There's -- we believe -- there's some reports that he's trying to put out false information purposely, to throw us off track. We're aware of that. But we are continuing to work it very hard.

Q: There was the belief that he was somehow doing some command and control with these attacks. What do you see his role as currently, as far as the former regime elements?

Odierno: I see it mostly as a -- again, I don't see him doing any direct coordination. I believe that he is trying in some cases, I believe, or people under him or close to him are trying to keep the fight alive by using his name, or he's doing it. I think it's more he's a rallying point. But I don't see any direction specifically on his part in directing anti-coalition activities.

But I believe, by capturing him, it's just another symbol that is taken away from the Iraqi people. But he nowhere near carries the clout that obviously HVT Number 1, or Saddam Hussein, carried. It's not equal.

But he is a figure that has been known throughout this AOR for being ruthless for many years now. So it would be helpful to get him off the streets.

If al-Douri is "nowhere near" carrying the clout that "HVT" (high value target) Hussein had, then considering the lack of let-up in insurgency activity when Saddam was "captured", the reduction in activity when al-Douri is claimed to be neutralized isn't going to register a blip. His symbology, then, I think could be considered non-existent.

If the military ever admits what they are fighting in Iraq, they might come a lot closer to a successful operation.

Or maybe have the sense to pull out.

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