Mr. Hill: I trust that you aren’t drawing too much of a conclusion based on the two bombs (I don’t think remote detonated bombs on the retarded count as ‘suicide’). Taken in the context of trends, past situations, etc. gives this event much less traction (though it DOES indicate that perhaps eager martyrs are getting tougher to find these days… but, for myself as well, it’s too few data points to draw too much of a conclusion). The power situation in Iraq is, if not a canard, at least rarely spoken of in the correct context: for those that would point out too little power, they should also say how much demand has increased (you know, for perspective). Since Iraqi power isn’t metered, you or I can only make a guess, but having put my own eyes on a lot more consumer electronics and A/C units in 2006 than in 2004, I know which way -I- think the demand is trending. Point being: context. In the realm of a war, no matter how small, 40k lbs of bombs isn’t a big deal. Proximity to Baghdad is only interesting for those looking for a gripe… two or three times the ECR and it’s only important in terms of news cycles. If you are comparing the infrastructure and government capabilities of Iraq and Afghanistan, and trying to draw conclusions on either one based on the other, I’d suggest that you are on the wrong track and likely haven’t witnessed either one in person (not that only those that have been there can comment on such things, but just that it really is apples and oranges in all but the most general of terms… and seeing it helps with, again, perspective and context).
So I’m not saying anything that you said is incorrect… but I would say it is incomplete.
