The Surge Is Not Working (In Our Favor)

WP: Iraq projectile bombs at record high - washingtonpost.com Highlights - MSNBC.com:

Overall attacks using roadside bombs doubled in Iraq from 2006 to 2007 and number about 1,200 a month. They cause roughly 70 percent of the casualties suffered by U.S. troops, according to military statistics.

Total strikes by roadside bombs in Baghdad have increased in recent months, said Sgt. 1st Class Stuart Walker, a member of an engineering battalion that clears roads in eastern Baghdad. One reason for the increase, he said, is that there are thousands more U.S. troops in Baghdad. 'Before, we didn't present as many targets,' said Walker, of the 9th Engineer Battalion based in Schweinfurt, Germany.

You have to congratulate this Sgt. Walker on his logic. The number and lethality of the attacks on U.S. soldiers is increasing because the number of U.S. soldiers is increasing. Wow. Didn't see that one coming.

But wasn't the reason for sending more soldiers to Iraq to quell the violence there? If sending more troops is only increasing it, then shouldn't we be sending less troops; in other words, shouldn't we be decreasing the number of troops in Baghdad and Iraq if we want to quell the violence against them and cut the toll of death and injury? I think this Sgt. Walker is on to something here.