A lot of us are too busy polarizing Iraq as “the President’s mess” when the fact is that things are a lot better. It’s apparent even in the media footage from before all of this started versus what we see now.

One of the most public segments was when NBC interviewed people during the curfew. People in normal dress were smiling and laughing. They were playing games in the park. Those images were a far cry away from the resigned faces of browbeaten people we saw prior to the ousting of Hussein.

Back on polarization, whether this is a mess or not is still up in the air. But you’re damn right there’s been progress despite many claims otherwise.

None of this is meant to say that what’s going on is a “good” thing. The senseless killing of innocents is heinous, but it’s a good time for us to step back, and allow Iraq to prove itself once and for all.

I, for one, think that President Talabani and company are at an important crossroads, and have an important opportunity in front of them that’s more important than any Golden Mosque. The way that they’re conducting themselves thus far shows initiative, and affords them a great deal of respect from their public. It’s an important step in unification.

Sometimes you have to take your silver linings wherever you might find them.

An even bigger accomplishment would be to keep it up at the same pace