And now, not your Small Dead Brainstem News.

Once upon a time, Canada's Lowest Common Denominatrix™ was ever so moist over the idea that Iraq's provinces were being given back to local control little by little:

"One by one, the 18 provinces of Iraq are being turned over to the Iraqis"

Followed by loyal, subservient lapdog commenter "ron in kelowna":

And again, more 'tell-it-like-it-is' truth at sda than in our beloved media.

Yes, Ron, that's why I go to SDA -- for the unvarnished, unspun truth. Yeah, that must be it. In any event, and Ron's slavering adoration aside, one wonders what those folks are going to do with this ugly new development:

Another delay in returning Iraq to local control
Pentagon report highlights difficulties in developing Iraq police forces

WASHINGTON - In another sign of U.S. struggles in Iraq, the target date for putting Iraqi authorities in charge of security in all 18 provinces has slipped yet again, to at least July.

The delay, noted in a Pentagon report to Congress on progress and problems in Iraq, highlights the difficulties in developing Iraqi police forces and the slow pace of economic and political progress in some areas.

It is the second time this year the target date for completing what is known as “Provincial Iraqi Control” has been pushed back. The Pentagon report submitted to Congress on Monday hinted at the possibility of further delays.

No, I don't think you'll be reading that at SDA any time soon. But I'll bet Kate will have another picture of a temperature station any day now. She's big on pictures of temperature stations, is our Kate. Apparently, around SDA, that's mighty exciting stuff.

P.S. In case you were still suitably impressed by that "7 out of 18" percentage, allow me to disabuse you of that notion here, here and here.

No, no, don't thank me -- slapping the bejeezus out of the Canadian Wingnut-o-sphere is what I live for.