Behold how the mighty ABC News fails to connect the dots, even though the dots are within the same paragraph:

While members of the U.S. House of Representatives take turns weighing in on President Bush’s planned troop surge in Iraq, the focus in Iraq is not on the arrival of more U.S. troops, but the departure of one of the country’s most powerful men, Moqtada al Sadr and members of his army.

Reminds me of those articles talking about how the crime rate has been dropping “in spite of” an increased prison population.

Meanwhile, “Sources” have cleverly put their fingers on the bearded thug’s likely motivation for beating feet.

Sources believe al Sadr is worried about an increase of 20,000 U.S. troops in the Iraqi capital. One official told ABC News’ Martha Raddatz, “He is scared he will get a JDAM [bomb] dropped on his house.”

“Sources” really have a keen grasp on the subtleties of the situation:

Sources say two scenarios are possible: Either al Sadr will be driven further into extremist mode or he will continue going forward with the political process.

Hang by your thumbs, Mook. Write if you get work.