More Saddam-style justice planned for Iraq

Still on my line of: the New and Improved Saddam, Billmon tells the story of a plan to bring Iraqi police from Baghdad to Najaf to take care of the problem of al Sadr. Apparently, fliers explaining that the cleric had opened fire on the police and been killed when the police defended themselves were prepared in advance. And, apparently, the police, who were sent to replace local police who deserted promptly returned to Baghdad as soon as they arrived in town, "because of lack of accommodation for them." Sure. Ooops. Plan failed. Can we get those fliers back? It'd be a waste to have to reprint them for the next try.

Things really are quite the mess. Check this report.

The old shot-while-resisting-arrest trick....Of course, since the Iraqi police in question - who were brought down to Najaf from Baghdad as part of the "truce" worked out between Sadr and the U.S. Army - promptly deserted as soon as they hit the streets, the plan was a failure right from the start. In fact, if I had to guess, I'd say the deserters themselves probably decided to dump the fliers they'd been given by their American masters in Baghdad.

I swear, at this rate the coaltion really will be forced to bring Saddam back on a consulting contact before this fiasco is over.

Saddam: Ok, I'll do it. But you gotta make peanut head give me my gun back!

Billmon post

And from Billmon's readers, a comment for your sports fans...

The US presence in Iraq in some ways reminds me of the guy in the pick-up games of hoops who has far less skill than any of the other players, but yet somehow thinks that because he brings the ball up court, or makes a pass, picks up the odd loose ball, is instrumental to the outcome.

Events have overtaken the US ... we are now the guy pushing the ball up the court - the game is being decided by those whose home court we are playing on and at a level beyond our skill.

...a couple for your movie fans...

There are strong influences of Mel Brooks in this Occupational Government.

And you all thought the Keystone Cops were retired.

...and one for your folks who are still trying to help out the misadministration...

Do we really have confidence that this wasn't planted by pro-Sadr people, insuring against anything like this actually happening?

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