Thursday, February 23, 2012  At least 62 dead, hundreds injured
The greatest gift to reporters covering Iraq is al Qaeda in
Mesopotamia. Without it as the constant catch all, so many might
be forced to do actual reporting. Instead they can make
assertions and claims freely, in a manner that would result in
liable or slander if they used it in another setting.  Iraq has
yet again been hit with a series of spectacular attacks. Instead
of addressing the attacks, the reporters hide behind garbage
like "a hallmark of Al Qaeda in Iraq" (AP) and "Sunni insurgents
affiliated to al Qaeda" (Reuters). One bombing attack after
another. [Credit to to participate in this game. And, please
note, the Ministry of Interior has proclaimed it was al Qaeda in
Iraq on their website though AFP's the only outlet noting that
in their coverage -- the only outlet mentioning al Qaeda in
Mesopotamia that bothers to note they're repeating a charge of a
ministry.] And the press continues to blame al Qaeda in Iraq.
There was no al Qaeda in