I debated to write a composition or simply state the obvious, but, the stakes are too high and I morally have to address this correctly.

So.

Composition to follow.

Basically, al Sadr is doing what his heritage dictates him to do. He is the surviving member of religious leadership in Iraq. This is his right. The Grand Ayatollah is aging. Eventually, Cleric al Sadr will take his place. In the picture below and the accountings of Amara it is eminently clear that the young Cleric is respectful of the elected government of his people while taking no chances with the lives of his people.

Try this on for now. If the USA were to leave Iraq the Mahdi Army is already trained to protect the Shi'ites with techniques learned while opposing the toughest military in the world. Do you honestly think Iraqis aren't prepared to take care of themselves? That is all they have been doing since the invasion. These Holy Men of all the ethnicities provided the stability and guidance the people of Iraq needed. It would be a gross mistake to now kill off the very people that helped stabilize their regions while providing security Bush's military could never provide.


Composition to follow