I will check the articles out, thanks. I enjoy reading clear-headed Iraq analyses, and I think you're right about Sadr. He's been the one to watch all along.

I find it interesting that whenever his name comes up in the mainstream media, 9 times out of 10 he is referred to as "the anti-American cleric" or just "anti-American." It's interesting, because nobody else is referred to in this way, even though I would be willing to bet that "anti-American" would cover a lot of the players in Iraq. Sadr himself probably wouldn't quibble at the term, but from what I've seen, he's more accurately "anti-occupation."

Sadr is definitely grooming himself for bigger things. He is currently receiving religious instruction to gain a higher Muslim title. This will mean he will have the authority to issue fatwas, for instance. Mainly, he's trying to step into his father's shoes, and for that he needs to have more religious authority. Kind of like an advanced university degree in this country.

This is one of the reasons for his cease-fire, because he's been busy hitting the books, as it were. It's not the only reason, but it is one of them.

In any case, he is definitely someone to watch. The irony of us "bringing democracy to the Middle East" is that the popular leaders in the Middle East are almost guaranteed to not be who we would choose to deal with, you are indeed right about that.

-CW

http://www.washingtonindependent.com/view/the-insurgent-as

In the fourth part, the focus is on Muqtada al’Sadr: The Insurgent as Counterinsurgent. This is a very interesting piece. In fact, I think the gist of the article hits the proverbial nail squarely on the head. The only way out of this fiasco, for everyone involved, is political accommodation and, in that regard, Sadr is an INDISPENSIBLE player. The US could learn a lot from him, I would dare say.

I am reminded of the recent hearings held by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the way forward in Iraq. A panel of experts was asked who, in their opinion, are the leaders in Iraq who are capable of actually leading and making things happen. The experts agreed that Muqtada al’Sadr was the closest thing to that person and that the US needs to understand that the leaders who emerge in Iraq will probably not be the people who agree with US Iraq policy.

According to various public statements made by Senator Biden, Sadr is the only major sectarian leader in Iraq who has not supported - publically or quietly - the Biden strategy to promote a sustainable political settlement based on federalism and Iraq's constitution.

It is completely understandable that Sadr, who has been against the 'occupation' from the beginning - and that is really what it is - has been against any form of federalism. Under the yoke of occupation, federalism can easily be seen as a not so veiled attempt to divide and conquer, a tactic that part of the world has known too well over the course of its long history.

I can actually see Sadr as a strong proponent of what Senator Biden is proposing - but we first need to get past the status quo of the current US military posture in Iraq, somehow or other. Of course, strong and competent US leadership would be required. Any bets on when or if that might occur?

I may actually get to see the new Newseum this summer, as I will be in DC for a short visit. My wife saw the earlier location of the Newseum and loved it, so we may make time for this in our trip.

But as you pointed out, a MIDOJE award might not be possible on a weekly basis, due to lack of qualified entries...

-CW

Al Eisele warned today, over at the Huffington Post, that journalists risk extinction if they do not become “MPCP’s, or multi-platform content providers.” In fact, journalists miss the point - AGAIN - if they believe that, in the age of the internet(s), they must simply become MPCP’s. Journalists must provide context or the content they provide is distorted and meaningless, at best, or dangerous, at worst. It will be the lack of context and the inability to inform the people about what they need to know that orchestrates the continuing demise of journalism and the further weakening of American democracy.

These days, it is not nearly enough for the press to be free. It must be intelligent, too, if the
democracy it serves is to survive and thrive.

We should all make it our mission to highlight and celebrate the increasingly rare examples of real journalistic excellence, wherever they may be found, in an effort to promote and encourage more of the same, everywhere. Perhaps it is time to add another award to the Friday Talking Points column - Most Impressive Display of Journalistic Excellence Award...or something. Of course, the pickings would be pretty slim and so an ongoing contest to find the deserving candidates each week might save you a lot of time and effort.

...Stan