Sunni/Shi'ite? Whaa? Details! Are You Tryin' To Piss Me Off?

During today’s hearing with Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) questioned Petraeus on what he called “the major threat” of al Qaeda in Iraq. Coming on the heels of his recent confusion over the nature of al Qaeda, McCain today seemed to refer to al Qaeda as a “sect of Shi’ites”:

MCCAIN: Do you still view al Qaeda in Iraq as a major threat?

PETRAEUS: It is still a major threat, though it is certainly not as major a threat as it was say 15 months ago.

MCCAIN: Certainly not an obscure sect of the Shi’ites overall?

PETREAUS: No.

MCCAIN: Or Sunnis or anybody else.

You have to wonder, is it McCain, who seems to need cue cards to get through a simple reality check on the actual facts abouit Sunni/Shi'itte Islam and it's relationship to al Qaeda or is it his attempt at Rovian political strategy? Keep repeating a lie over and over again and it becomes a factoid.
In any case.....

His lack of knowledge of the political dynamics of a war we're now five years (and 4,000 lives) into is embarrassing, especially considering he's running on that as his main strength. I mean, even if he didn't know it before, shouldn't he, y'know, take the time to learn it now?? And if not, shouldn't the press occasionally mention the fact that he appears to have no idea what he's talking about?

Why does this guy get a free ride from the press. Who in their right mind, and I know I am asking a ridiculous question in regards to the voting record of the fear crazed American public, would vote for this volatile, egoistical maniac to lead their nation.....

Why do I feel like I am asking a stupid question?

Here's a real good quote from Phil Donahue who produced the Body Of War film, today on MSNBC which gives a good perspective of how the War is percieved by the Majority Of Americans!
"This war is not fair to the American troops. This war is a massive blunder and we still have people like John McCain who want to throw more young people on the sword because “we have to win, my friends.” What…you know, the way he talks, he’s going to find that last terrorist and go [points finger like a gun] bang! [blows on finger] Boy, I’m glad that’s over! That’s the way they’re talking. This is a nightmare. It is a (sic) endless quagmire that is going to cost more and more American blood while the American people are losing this. They have no focus on Iraq any more and our economy is tanking."

That's right folks, The American Economy is tanking. Deal with it.

Later...Here is a quote from Joe Lieberman, you know, the guy who is supposed to be McCains Brain? Regarding al Qaeda in Iraq......

"Liebermann: …we can do it on conditions on the ground, but if we just pull out there will be chaos, maybe genocide and al-Qaeda and Iran will win."

So the Rovian playbook seems to be operating in full swing here. Any number of responsible analysists will tell you that al-Qaeda is a very minor player in Iraq. Most of the violence is sectarian and the biggest target of rage is the American occupiers and those who are regarded as representatives of them. Iran has been the power broker for sectarian violence and Lieberman just takes up the Cheney strategy book of throwing them all together with the insane belief that Iran is actually plottting to obliterate Israel....but Lieberman has never been anything more than a point man for Israel.