Reply #7: You don't get what this agreement means... [View All]

Sadr has basically said, "Anyone who shoots at the Iraqi forces is not one of mine." This gives legitimacy to the Iraqi security forces when they go into Sadr City and no one can claim that they are targeting Sadr's supporters when security forces fight back when they are attacked. There will be no cries of outrage from Sadr about how his men are being targeted for political purposes. (That is if this agreement holds)

Like I said above, there are elements in Sadr City who are not going to abide by this agreement. Sadr does not have complete control over all of the JAM militias, some parts of it are just street gangs and thugs.

Oh, yeah, the agreement doesn't go into affect until Wednesday.

I've been to Iraq twice. I came back in Oct of '07 and still talk to friends that are over there. So I'm not basing my opinions on what I've read in the newspapers.

The bottom line is things are getting better in Iraq and if we as Democrats want to win in November, we need to acknowledge that and prepare our strategy accordingly. We need to be able to take the national security issue away from the rethugs.