Iraq casualties reports the KIA to date is 2178, for 2005 it is 844, 4 short of the 2004 total... Let's not count the maimed, the alive but suffering in body and mind... their numbers shall not be known for years, not even for the decades they shall suffer among us.

How many corners did we turn?, how many words ring in our ears from Cheney (especially)?, from Rumsfeld? From Condi? From Colin who still gives them all cover, a servant to the end. And from Bush.

We hold lies in our hands, turned into human dust. American dust... Iraqi dust.

U.S. Army soldiers patrol in the Sadr City section of Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, March 18, 2005. This weekend marks the second anniversary of the U.S. -led invasion of Iraq. [AP]

I picked at random a Saturday report from Baghdad, AP thru the Kern County [Illinois] Chronicle:

In Baghdad, hundreds of cars lined up at gas stations as word spread that Iraq's largest oil refinery shut down two weeks ago because of threats of insurgent attacks. Nearly three years after the U.S.-led invasion, a fuel crisis again threatens to cripple a country with the world's third-largest proven oil reserves.
Violence went on unabated Friday, with at least 17 people killed in shootings, mortar attacks and a suicide car bombing in Baghdad. In the most serious incident, police said nine people were killed in a drive-by shooting — apparently because they were drinking alcohol in public.

Two Iraqi Army captains also were gunned down in the town of Dujail, north of Baghdad, as they drove home.

A senior Sudanese diplomat said his country closed its embassy in Baghdad in an effort to win the release of six kidnapped employees — including one diplomat.

AP via WaPo, updates this am, the Sudanese have been released.

The two new deaths of U.S. military personnel were announced Friday by the American military. A bomb killed one soldier when it struck his vehicle in Baghdad on Friday, while the second soldier was shot and killed in the western city of Fallujah.

Their deaths brought the number of U.S. military members killed so far in 2005 to 841, of whom 64 died in December. A total of 846 troops died in 2004 and 485 in 2003. The worst month in 2005 was January with 106 fatalities, followed by November with 96 and August with 85.

The United States hopes that as more Iraqi police and army forces are trained, they will slowly take over responsibility for security from American troops. Much of that expectation hinges on the ability of Iraq's ethnic and sectarian groups to form a broad-based government that will have the legitimacy to deflate the Sunni Arab-led insurgency. [soon to be announced as an turning corner, we are dizzy with all the corners we did not turn]

In Beiji, some 155 miles north of Baghdad and near Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, the deteriorating security situation led authorities to shut down Iraq's largest oil refinery Dec. 18, former oil minister Ibrahim Bahr al-Uloum told the AP.

Al-Uloum said the facility "is considered one of the vital refineries in Iraq" and produces about 2 million gallons of gas a day.

As word of the shutdown spread through the country, abut 1,000 vehicles waited at one of Baghdad's biggest gas stations, known as the Jindi al-Majhoul, or Unknown Soldier station.

Don't miss this tidbit, a hollow laugh should well up and strangle in the throat:

The oil crisis has already cost one job, that of al-Uloum, the oil minister, who was given a 30-day vacation last Wednesday and replaced with Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Chalabi.

Al-Uloum had opposed a recent decision to raise prices for fuel and cooking oil as much as ninefold. [Not to worry, we don't talk much about hearts and minds, we never did...]

Iraq's proven oil reserves, estimated at about 110 billion barrels, are the world's third largest after Saudi Arabia and Canada. Analysts have predicted that Iraq's oil production will average about 1.8 million barrels per day this year, about 10 percent less than 2004 levels of about 2 million barrels — and just over half the 1990 level. One reason is frequent insurgent attacks on pipelines and refineries.

Ah well. In my opinion, short range, the oil production was not the object (we can judge by appearances alone) the long range remains intact... geopolitical strategy and an equally strategic occupation. Land acquisition, privatisation of previously nationalised industries, including oil. Power and control for decades to come.

I do not see us coming home anytime soon. Arguments rise and fall, hopes rise and fall, yes, bring 60K home, yes do, save a few lives (call it christian kindness, lies are all over the place), but an equal or greater number will stay. Paramilitary numbers will grow (privatisation, baby!), the bases will be staffed. Occupation. For a long time. A bad end no matter what we do, as Fallows said last month in The Atlantic.

And don't forget, this is still going on:

Tal Afar September 2005 [AP]

And now for the harsh political comment:

The Democrats are running a passel of "fighting Dem" recruits for the '06 mid terms. David Ashe is making a second run for the House, against the incumbent R, Drake, in Virginia's 2nd District. He does have a primary challenger, Phil Kellam, Virginia Beach three time Commissioner of Revenue (an elected position).

The following grafs are drawn from an Issues page at the Ashe campaign web site. The "Strong US Israel Relationship" is the most densely packed Issues page at the site. I realise his district has a strong miklitary component, nevertheless we do not need another ''special interest'' politician tied to the US MIC, Israel and AIPAC. We simply do not. We cannot afford it. I have seen nothing in the past three years to support the long proffered belief of a military able to fight two wars, concurrently. So, what did it all mean, since WW2? Enough.

David Ashe supports our strong U.S.-Israel relationship. America has too powerful a position in the world to ever be viewed as anything less than staunchly pro-Israel. If we waiver even a fraction, the world will see and the enemies will act.

David is a student of Israel and Middle East history and understands the importance of key United States legislation condemning the ICJ's decision on Israel's Security Fence, Nuclear Nonproliferation as it pertains to Iran, and Foreign Aid. Unwavering support and acknowledgment that Israel knows best how to defend herself, will drive David's actions in Congress.

Israel shares American values of democracy, market economy and individual freedom. From that first moment in May 1948, Israel has had to fight for existence, and today stands with the United States in the war on terror against a common foe. America must continue to support Israel the way Israel has supported America.

No.

David is proud to have an official letter of endorsement from Senator Joe Lieberman based on their shared values and support of a strong Israel.

No shock there. On November 4 2004 at a GOPac breakfast (carried by C-Span) Gingrich and Mona Charen thanked Lieberman, publicly, for all he did "for us" during the election. Lieberman, at appearances in FL, Miami and elsewhere, stated flatly that Bush was "better for the security of the US and of Israel". I call that BIB, Bush is Better. I would say these men need to figure out who they support, but they have done so already. For whatever reasons it suits them to fly under the Democratic appellation, but that is all it is, cover of some sort. Enough. No.

Fallujah, March 2004 [mondodisotto italy]

Again from the Ashe campaigne web site:

Supporting the Israeli and American Security

One of the most spectacular successes of American foreign aid is our financial support of Israel and the mutual benefits both nations reap. Our security and commerce is directly supported by a strong Israel. As well, Israelis demonstrate tremendous pride in assisting the efforts and security of the United States.

[...]

The sheer numbers against which Israel defends requires that the IDF, to the last soldier and the last piece of equipment, be the best in the world. Israel has mapped out precise requirements in terms of aircraft, anti-aircraft and all weapons systems. However, Israel cannot meet these requirements alone.

No.

The Responsibility of the US Congress

Congress must be united in its support of Israel and in support of Israel's leadership. There are forces from outside and within that strain Israel's leadership. The recent aid package for Israel was a success and as a member of Congress I will staunchly support our assistance program for Israel. Our aid to Israel must bear in mind the strain of constant mobilization on Israel's economy. [...]

David Ashe supported President Bush's decision to use force in Iraq and was proud to be part of that military effort on the ground. One important result of the removal of Saddam Hussein is increased security of Israel. However, Iran still continues to ignore global calls to halt its nuclear build-up. Sanctions at every level must continue with the goal of eliminating this threat to Israel.

Insupportable. This war in its conception, selling, furtherance and conduct in theatre has only raised issues about the leadership, both civilian and non civilian, of the standing military of the United States. The years have not quelled concerns of rising, and barely checked, corporatism matched to militarism and religious obsession (Bush is outcome). Support for the defense of the nation is entirely different from a militaristic culture.

Lastly, it is entirely possible that we face an apocalyptic end in Iraq - stretched resources, inability to regroup, refresh and supply the war effort and surrounded by many, many millions, tens and hundreds of millions, with reasons to hate us.

We have walked into our own insanity.