McClatchy Papers Spin Iraq Successes

I know, I know, a real shocka there. Check out the headline:

Combat deaths in Iraq decline; reasons aren't clear

To anyone who has actually been paying attention and has watched how General Petraeus has executed his surge plan, this is not news at all. He has implemented a policy that ousts the al-Qaeda insurgents by coopting the local tribal leaders and towns people who have grown weary of the Sharia law oppressing them. He has worked to exterminate insurgents that stand and fight and he has done it all in a relatively short period of time. The piece begins:

WASHINGTON — American combat deaths in Iraq have dropped by half in the three months since the buildup of 28,000 additional U.S. troops reached full strength, surprising analysts and dividing them as to why.

U.S. officials had predicted that the increase would lead to higher American casualties as the troops "took the fight to the enemy." But that hasn't happened, even though U.S. forces have launched major offensives involving thousands of troops north and south of Baghdad.

Of course US officials predicted higher casualties as with any major offensive thrust, the Marines and Soldiers are more open to attack, however, the military has gotten smarter as to how to do counter-insurgency work and have learned from past mistakes, hence, we have fewer of our bravest dying.

September is here and the report to be delivered by Petraeus is coming in eight days. Will it change anything? To those on the left who are hoping for our defeat, no it will not. They are "all in" on defeat and nothing said will change their feeble minds. The crucial group is the people in the middle who want victory but are tired of the long slog. If they believe that we are making progress (and indications are that they are), they will begin to believe in the war effort again as well.