MORE EVIDENCE THAT THE SURGE HAS FAILED

Recall that the strategic purpose of the Surge was to create the opportunity for political reconciliation.

Baath reform spurs uproar in Iraq parliament
The reading of a controversial draft bill ends in shouts and fist thumping. The measure would ease limits on former members of Hussein's party.

By Ann M. Simmons and Raheem Salman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
12:54 PM PST, November 25, 2007

BAGHDAD -- Reforms that would ease curbs on former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath party rejoining Iraq's civil service and military appeared headed for legislative gridlock after attempts today to read a draft bill in parliament disintegrated into yelling and finger-pointing.

It was the first time that Iraqi lawmakers had taken up any of the so-called major benchmarks that Washington has deemed crucial for the longterm cessation of sectarian violence and national reconciliation.

[POINT]
"In my opinion, there is an unannounced public amnesty by the government, that all [Baathists] will return to government offices, whether they made mistakes or not," Safia Suhail, an opposition party lawmaker, told reporters. "Then they may reach decision-making positions without punishment to [those who were] wrongdoers."

[COUNTERPOINT]
"It is not possible to try Baath as a system," said Neda Al-Jubbori, a female member of the Iraqi Front for National Dialogue. "This [legislation] puts all Baathists and security forces elements as guilty."