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I'm trying to get as many Iraqis on the phone today so the rest of the world can hear what they're concerned about.

I remember from my own trip to Baghdad and the Kurdish areas back in May 2003, there were so many stories that went unreported. With the terrible violence now, it's not hard to imagine that the stories we are getting, are just the tip of the iceberg.

One of the ways that we are hearing news and information out of Iraq is through weblogs - online journals. There are now several hundred in Iraq. And here's a roundup of what's being said online.

Riverbend writes on her blog :

If the current Iraqi government could choose ANY day for their day - what better day than April 1? It’s ‘Fool’s Day’, after all. They have been foolishly trying to get a government together since they announced the election results and we’ve been patiently waiting. It’s like being under the threat of punishment for weeks and finally just wanting to have it over with.

Mohammed blogging at had this to say:

There is a majority of politicians who want to avoid confrontation and are willing to form a government - they are not working hard enough though. On the other side there are militias who think they can enter an armed conflict and come out victorious. Politicians recognize the great price that everyone will have to pay if such a terrible possibility becomes reality, there will be no winners.

from San Diego

For the time being at least, this is largely an Iraqi conflict. The Iraqis must win. We can support - but they have to fight. This is their battle. Afghanistan went through this. Iraq must pass through this as well. To me, the situation seems dicey - but improving.