Remembering shock and awe

FREMONT, Ind. - There is an interesting duo of columns on the editorial page of today's Washington Post, both addressing the third anniversary of the commencement of the war in Iraq. On one hand, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld scribes a piece entitled “What We've Gained In 3 Years in Iraq,” promoting the United States-led effort. Conversely, George Will weighs in with his column, “Bleakness in Baghdad.”

The latter piece pessimistically observes:

Conditions in Iraq have worsened in the 94 days that have passed since Iraq's elections in December. And there still is no Iraqi government that can govern. By many measures conditions are worse than they were a year ago, when they were worse than they had been the year before.

Meanwhile, Mr. Rumsfeld writes:

The rationale for a free and democratic Iraq is as compelling today as it was three years ago. A free and stable Iraq will not attack its neighbors, will not conspire with terrorists, will not pay rewards to the families of suicide bombers and will not seek to kill Americans.

But if neither of these pieces strike your particular fancy, fear not – The New York Times has a commentary from its editorial board on the new season of “The Sopranos.” I'll reserve comment.