America's North Shore Journal

As you read here first

The Sons of Iraq – local security volunteers credited with helping reduce violent attacks and terrorist influence across the country – marked two major milestones Wednesday [April 1 2009]: Coalition forces completed the final transfer of Sons of Iraq members to Iraqi control, and the Government of Iraq secured the funds to pay back wages to Sons of Iraq in four provinces.

So, the short answer is bureaucracy. It does not appear that any sort of anti-Sunni feelings are involved.

More than 140 suspected criminals turned themselves into the Joint Coordination Center in the city of Balad, May 22.

Three tribal leaders from the area ended their standoff with U.S. and Iraqi forces by bringing in all men under their influence who have a criminal history.

After years of war and terrorist activity from insurgents and al-Qaeda in Iraq, the citizens of this area south of Baghdad are learning to trust the path of democracy. They are also discovering the process begins not at the top, but in their own neighborhoods.

The small Iraqi city street clamored with singing, dancing and rejoicing. It was a time of celebration.

Marines of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1 and local Iraqi security forces and community officials celebrated the opening of al-Tareq Ela al-Salaam, which translates to “The Road to Peace,” here, April 14.

The Iraqi Government has personally been involved in directing a campaign to bring safety back to Basra, and to show the Iraqi people they are concerned about their safety.

The 1st Iraqi Army, 1st Division, 3rd Brigade began delivering 180,000 1-liter water bottles and 4,000 boxes of food to local residents April 4.

Remember Tet. We wiped out the Viet Cong entirely and set the North Vietnamese back a year or more on their plans for conquest. Yet, due to the mood of the media, we were told that we lost those battles, that the entire war was lost. It may become a similar sentiment for today’s media in the next few weeks.