Baghdad Bush

Concerned about the recent turn of events in Iraq? Turn that frown upside down, you silly old worry-warts! The bombings, kidnappings and spiraling violence are proof that the surge is working! Or so said our preznit during a speech yesterday at the US Airforce Museum. Let's use the Media Reality-O-Meter to translate, shall we?

Bush: "Normalcy is returning back to Iraq."

Reality: Baghdad was on virtual lockdown Friday as a tough new curfew ordered everyone off the streets of the Iraqi capital and five other cities until 5 p.m. Sunday.

Bush: "The surge has opened the door to strategic victory."

Reality: That restriction didn't stop someone from firing rockets and mortar rounds into the capital's heavily fortified International Zone, commonly known as the Green Zone. One slammed into the office of one of Iraq's vice presidents, Tareq al-Hashemi, killing two guards.

Bush: "When it takes time for Iraqis to reach agreement, it is not 'foot-dragging,' as one senator described it. They're striving to build a modern democracy..."

Reality: A special session of the 275-seat Iraqi parliament convened Friday to discuss ways to stem the violence but fell far short of a quorum, blocking lawmakers from taking action.

Bush: "I would say this is a defining moment in the history of Iraq. There have been other defining moments up to now, but this is a defining moment, as well. This is a good test for them. I'm confident we can succeed unless we lose our nerve."

Reality: The Washington Post reported Friday that U.S. troops appeared to be taking the lead in the fighting in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City, with Iraqi army and police units largely remaining on the outskirts.

Has anyone been this delusional about events in Iraq since the former Information Minister, good ole Baghdad Bob? Truly, the mind reels...