Line Between Militias, Civilians Blurred in Iraq

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Judging by the wounds and death tolls, the night-time battles between radical Shi'ites and U.S. troops in Baghdad's Sadr City slum are fierce and tactics dirty.

But determining whether the casualties are civilians or militiamen loyal to fiery cleric Moqtada al-Sadr may be impossible as fighting rages after dark in a district that is closed off by many American tanks.

This also seems to be the case with our forces as well. See this article for more info on the several brave men who repelled and attack on the US goverment's headquarters in Najaf.

Note Bene: I still have a hard time calling these men "private contractors". They are Americans and they are fighting for us. But I still think it is a debate we need to have in this country. Why is everything, including warmaking, being privatized? I want to make it clear that I am not impugning their motives. Suffice it so say that we should probably put this debate on the backburner for right now. But we will come back to it.