Curmudgeonly & Skeptical

Amid criticism that coalition forces let Iraqi insurgents get away in Fallujah, a top Marine colonel there says that of 28 Iraqis identified as leading anti-coalition operations, 27 were captured or killed by Marines.

Col. John Coleman  says Marines could have easily crushed the insurgency months ago, but that would "rubble the city" and make their work harder. So, instead, Marines offered unemployed Iraqis meaningful work securing their city.

And, Coleman tells The Wall Street Journal, within days 900 Iraqi men had signed up for "the Fallujah Brigade," which now patrols the streets of Fallujah and acts as a liaison between the coalition and local religious leaders. - FNC