Where's Mookie?

Good question. He ain't in Baghdad, that's for sure. For those unfamiliar with the colloqualism, Mookie is Muqtada Al-Sadr. May he be properly ventilated soon.

Some think Mookie is in Tehran. Some think he is in Najaf. Either way, he has pitched out, hauled ass, left the building.

Ain't it interesting that once the battle is joined, Mookie decides to take a powder?

Rumor is that he took some of his leadership with him. I'm sure his street-level followers are proud that once the shooting starts, their jihadi leader finds it necessary to run away. That fact is sure to figure into their tactical planning. It seems the surge is working almost before it is properly launched. As Forrest Gump would say, "That's one less thing to worry about."

Regardless of where he might be, all he need to is hold a press conference to announce his whereabouts. Of course, he might be concerned that if we know his location the bombs will start dropping almost immediately.