36 More Dead in Iraq

From MSNBC.com:

"BAGHDAD - As many as 36 people were killed in a fierce battle early Monday between Shiite militiamen and British forces doing house-to-house searches south of Baghdad, Iraqi police and hospital officials said.


"More than 100 others were injured in the fighting in Amarah, located 200 miles southeast of Baghdad, the officials said.


"A doctor at the city’s general hospital said 36 bodies had been taken to his facility, though he could not determine how many were militiamen and how many were civilians. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to media."

What bugs me about this is that I wonder how much of this violence spontaneously erupted because of these house to house searches coalition forces maintain. Furthermore, power outages, and lack of infrastructure in Iraq continue to frustrate US and Iraqi relations:

"But the ban on vehicle traffic and large gatherings led to steep price hikes for fuel, and fresh food as well as longer power outages than normal because people were forced to remain home, putting an additional burden on the power grid. Baghdad is routinely off the central grid for as long as 20 hours a day.


"Sunday saw some of the longest gas lines since Iraqis began suffering what are now chronic shortages. The lines stretched for a mile or longer, in some cases weaving around several blocks, stretching from main roads deep into side streets."

This is insane. How does Iraq have gas shortages? That's like 42nd street having a shortage of bootleg DVDs. Furthermore can you imagine how the Iraqis must feel? No wonder sectarian violence is rising. To the common Iraqi, Democracy must look completely inept and corrupt. September can't get here fast enough.