Go FISH

A leading print propaganda arm of the American elite, the USA Today, tells us in unambiguous terms - we are fucked:

American and Iraqi forces already are struggling with the military side of the conflict. If the elections go badly and the political side collapses into chaos, Americans will be facing a debacle that easily rivals Vietnam.

<gulp> Did you just say ... easily rivals Vietnam?

Indeed, if the estimated 20,000 insurgents succeed in destabilizing Iraq they will send a powerful message to potential future enemies of the United States: Americans do not have the will to wage a successful counterinsurgency.

<gulp> Did you just say ... the U.S. loss in Iraq will embolden terrorists worldwide to take up arms against the U.S. and its allies because Bush's debacle has shown that the U.S., for all its military might, is actually weak, and can be defeated, just as in Vietnam?

Much of the Sunni stronghold of Fallujah had to be taken room by room, with some Marines using a counterinsurgency tactic called FISH, or "fighting in someone's house." This entails clearing each room with a hand grenade before searching it.

Well, at least we're not 'razing the village to save it'.