Sharp drop seen in US deaths in Iraq

In this photo released by the U.S. Army, Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, commander of the U.S. army's Third Infantry Division, second left, speaks with Sunni Sheik Emad Ghurtani, right, in Haswah, Iraq Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007. October is on course to record the second steep decline in U.S. military and Iraqi civilian deaths in as many months, a testament, American commanders say, to the U.S. troop increase and Iraqi disgust with al-Qaida and Shiite militia extremists. Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch points proudly to what the military calls "Concerned Citizens," Iraqis, both Shiite and Sunni, who have joined the Americans to fight militants. He says he's signed up 20,000 of them in the last four months. (AP Photo/ Capt. Allie Weiskopf Chase, U.S. Army, HO)

Even the Globe has to acknowledge how awesome Rick is!

Sharp drop seen in US deaths in Iraq

By Steven R. Hurst, Associated Press Writer October 23, 2007
BAGHDAD --October is on course to record the second consecutive decline in U.S. military and Iraqi civilian deaths and Americans commanders say they know why: the U.S. troop increase and an Iraqi groundswell against al-Qaida and Shiite militia extremists.

Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch points to what the military calls "Concerned Citizens" -- both Shiites and Sunnis who have joined the American fight. He says he's signed up 20,000 of them in the past four months.

"I've never been more optimistic than I am right now with the progress we've made in Iraq. The only people who are going to win this counterinsurgency project are the people of Iraq. We've said that all along. And now they're coming forward in masses," Lynch said in a recent interview at a U.S. base deep in hostile territory south of Baghdad. Outgoing artillery thundered as he spoke.

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