Teribus--

Can't understand why you don't want to tell us how "national reconciliation" is progressing in Iraq.

Or perhaps, as a fossil in good standing (whoops, sorry about that--just slipped out--) you're back in the good old Vietnam syndrome days--where body count--up or down--was supposed to tell the tale.

Sorry, things have changed. You may want to start reading a bit more.

If you don't believe me that the "surge" was only a means to an end, and that end was "national reconciliation", read what Gen. Petraeus says.

Not that I want to tempt you to take your rose-colored glasses off--I'm afraid you couldn't see at all without them.

But when you're finally ready to face reality, a particularly salient issue which you've been studiously ignoring is, as I've said: the attitude of the Maliki government toward the Sunnis who are now ready to become part of the armed forces and the police.

Since at least Petraeus has been smart enough to completely reject your singularly shortsighted--did I say stupid?--idea that the Sunnis deserve, in your words, "no consideration".