So far only 11 confirmed US troop deaths for the month of July 2008. It has been a while since one has been reported in Iraq. I wonder now, why the sudden halt in the numbers of deaths? Could it be that more Iraqi's are being paid to not attack US troops? Has there been a complete halt of operations outside of bases? Are the "insurgents" laying low for a while? Did the surge really work?

I cannot answer these questions, but all of them are debatable. Violence is still present, and there are still US troops reported as being wounded according to www.icasualties.org with over half of them returning to duty. (according to the site 153 have been wounded and returned to duty within 72 hours, and 73 wounded and did not return to duty within 72 hours) although I do not know of an accurate source of wounded troops, this article may help explain why http://fairuse.100webcustomers.com/fairenough/courier00.html
so icasualties.org may be as accurate as any reporting on wounded and injured troops.

Lately I have only read about Iraqi's being killed by Iraqi's or other militants of middle eastern descent. Which occurs in almost every Arab/Muslim/Middle Eastern country from time to time. But one thought I can't get out of my head is what is up with the number of wounded being reported? Has there been a spike in indirect fire incidents, and have these attacks not been as effective lately? Or has there simply been a ton of non-combat related injuries?

Aside from that, I can focus on the low numbers of troop deaths this month. Maybe it is a sign that it is a good time to get out of Iraq and let the Iraqi government take care of their own. No point in out troops being used to prevent attacks on the civilian population, that is why we spent the last 5 years training the Iraqi army! Funny, by now half of Iraq should be in the army. My point is, they can take over completely, and our troops can come home safe. The civilian contractors can stay if they want, but I am sure after our troops leave they won't like their job anymore.

Seriously, why keep waiting to see how the surge turned out? this could be a win-win for both sides. McCain and his neo-spawns can take credit for the "success" of the surge and feel like we won the war (what is the prize anyway?) and for those of us opposed to the occupation can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that all the troops are out (Hopefully not going straight to Afghanistan either).

Why wait? The only thing going on right now is those who do not want us there are busy planning new ways of killing US troops (Latest idea, Lob-Bombs) and waiting for a good opportunity to strike.

PULL OUT WHILE THE RISK IS LOW!