ASÍ QUE los gloriosos insurgentes están ganando la batalla en Iraq, amedrentando a los paisanos y haciendo que rechacen a los malditos invasores imperialistas porque la situación es peor ahora que con el tiíto Saddam, ¿verdad?

HUNDREDS of thousands of Shiite pilgrims chanted "We are ready for martyrdom," as they streamed towards the holy city of Karbala this weekend to mark the birth of their messiah, after Al-Qaeda's frontman in Iraq called for "all-out war against them.

Monday marks the birthday, more than 11 centuries ago, of Imam Mehdi, the 12th and last imam of the Shiite Muslims, who believe he will return to rule them before judgment day.

"It doesn't matter if we are attacked. We want to receive martyrdom," said Kasem Zaghir, a 56-year-old electrician among those trekking the 110 kilometres from Baghdad southward to Karbala.

"To go on such a pilgrimage at this time is a response to Zarqawi's threats. He will not stop us from observing our rituals."

As Mr Zaghir set off on a three-day walk which will take him through some of the most dangerous roads in Iraq, he said no amount of danger could stop Shiites from marking the religious day.

"The situation under (ousted dictator Saddam) Hussein was worse and more dangerous. Then we faced arrest and being sent to jail" for taking part in such a pilgrimage, he said.

"But even under Saddam, this didn't stop us from going."

Además de esto, Wretchard comenta cosas, siempre jugosas, sobre George Galloway, y sobre la Ofensiva del Ramadán anunciada por los jihadistas para este otoño.