Categorical Aperitif

This past weekend the AP noted that "Away from the headlines and debate over the "surge" in U.S. ground troops, the Air Force has quietly built up its hardware inside Iraq, sharply stepped up bombing and laid a foundation for a sustained air campaign in support of American and Iraqi forces." This "foundation" includes more warplanes (including the big B-1) flying bombing missions, improved bases and air traffic control centers, more reconnaissance flights, and so on. The article does not delve into this, but increasing reliance on air power is significant because it typically means (a) lower American casualties, (b) higher civilian casualties, and (c) lots and lots more money being spent on planes, fuel, fancy weapons, etc.

Meanwhile, TomDispatch has been talking about the under-reported air campaign in Iraq for several years—and has not shied away from pointing what it means to be dropping more bombs, smart or not, into crowded cities.

And they wonder why we love our alternative media.