Zarqawi Dead? And This Means What?

The Washington Post reported this morning that Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and Gen. George W. Casey announced at a mid-day (Iraq time) news conference that most-wanted terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had been killed by a US air strike near the city of Baqubah along with seven of his aides. First, is it true? Second, what difference will it make? As to the first question, General Casey says we know it’s Zarqawi by fingerprints and facial and body scars. However, I personally, would not take General Casey’s word for anything. As to the second question, it won’t make any difference whatsoever. If in fact it turns out to be true that Zarqawi is dead the insurgency will proceed unabated. One small change is that after more than three years of fighting an unnecessary war and killing 2,484 American soldiers, the US can now say it accomplished one thing. A couple of interesting quotes: “This is a message to all those who use violence killing and devastation to disrupt life in Iraq to rethink within themselves before it is too late," PM Maliki said. “We killed him, and it's always great when you can remove someone that has caused this much harm," public affairs officer Maj. Frank Garcia said. The American military, Pentagon and White House should take Maliki’s message seriously. The US has continuously used violence, killing, devastation and the disruption of life in Iraq to affect its aim to own Iraq. And Maj. Garcia hit the nail on the head. Prez Bush and his army should be removed from Iraq. It's questionable whether George W. Bush or Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has created more harm. It’s the US that should rethink its presence in Iraq. It’s the US that should get out before it’s too late for Iraqis to put to rights the damage the US has caused.