Mr. Zarqawi Regrets

He's unable to mastermind today.

Victor Davis Hanson adds:

Zarqawi's death is very important at this juncture, for symbolic in addition to operational reasons. Although al Qaeda in Iraq was decentralized, the loss of its prime strategist there will insidiously have long-term repercussions. And in the short-term it adds to the sense of momentum following Prime Minister Maliki's selection of the remaining key three cabinet posts, in addition to tranquilizing, if only for a few days, the media's obsession with Haditha. The Americans were wise to lower expectations, give center stage credit to the Iraqis, and note that Saddam's capture likewise did not end the insurgency. Yet in a region where honor and sway are everything, the demise of this mass murderer only adds to the prestige of the new government at a time when it was desperately needed.

Speaking of lyrics, I heard this in a coffeeshop today. It brought back my first year of college, when this was hot and we played it in a band I was in (rhythm guitar) that began with "The," as all bands did in that time. It's stuck with me, and I think of it whenever I congratulate myself for working a job where I can still wear floral Hawaiian shirts in the office.

But today, this one's going out with a shout to the late Mr. Zarqawi:

What are we gonna do now?!...
Taking off his turban, they said is this man a Jew?
'Cos they're working for the clampdown
They put up a poster saying we earn more than you!
When we're working for the clampdown

We will teach our twisted speech
To the young believers
We will train our blue-eyed man
To be young believers

The judge said five-to-ten but I say double that again
I'm not working for the clampdown
No man born with a living soul
Can be working for the clampdown
Kick over the wall, cause governments to fall
How can you refuse it?
Let fury have the hour, anger can be power
D'you know that you can use it?

The voices in your head are calling
Stop wasting your time there's nothing coming
Only a fool would think someone could save you
The men at the factory are old and cunning
You don't owe nothing, so boy get runnin'
It's the best years of your life they want to steal

You grow up and you calm down
You're working for the clampdown
You start wearing blue and brown
And working for the clampdown
So you got someone to boss around
It makes you feel big now
You drift until you brutalise
Make your first kill now

In these days of evil presidentes , , ,
Working for the clampdown
But lately one or two has fully paid their due
For working for the clampdown
But ha! Gitalong! Gitalong!

Gitalong, you SOB.