Finally, a winning strategy for Iraq

In today's Chicago Sun-Times, crime reporter Frank Main writes about Chicago gangbangers who are serving in Iraq. Our hometown heroes, according to the article, are making us proud with their graffiti and all around wholesome gangsta nature. (Picture at right is the work of a Latin King, a Little Village gang.)

It turns out the military's new found we'll-take-anyone approach to recruiting has given us soldiers who have criminal backgrounds, and known gang ties before entering the military. And even better, gang bangers wearing the uniform are saying their leaders urged them to join so they could bring their urban warfare skills home to Chicago, L.A., and New York, among other places.

A familiar quandry, no? Haven't we been concerned for the last few years about Al Qaeda sending their guys into Iraq for training?

When I read this, I thought, "man, just when you think you couldn't be more pissed off about this war." But, inherently I'm a positive gal. Maybe this is a good thing. The insurgents will get up close and personal with the craziest American bastards we can serve up, and probably more importantly, gangbangers will become better shots and hit their targets--eachother--instead of kids playing in parks.