[Iraq]

Zarqawi Dead (?).

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is dead. This is how skeptical I've become about missives from our government--particularly when they come at politically beneficial times to our President. Bush played fast and loose with the terror alerts (funny: haven't heard from them in awhile), so he's not above playing politics with national security. As our sage-in-chief said,"Fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." Still, this appears legit, so I'll put aside my skeptism for the time being.

So Zarqawi's death means everything or it means nothing. I know bupkis about the issues of international terror and am skeptical that many of the so-called experts do either, so I guess we'll let time do its magic and see. Everyone seems to agree that the significance of his death seem far more symbolic than logistical, but never underestimate the power of symbol. Juan Cole, one of the few analysts I do trust, seems to echo this view (actually, I'm the echo, but you know what I mean).

Who knows, maybe it will matter. At this point, let's hope so.