The Stupid Fail

From Patrick Cockburn: Why the Surge Has Failed:

US commanders are often cheery believers in their own propaganda even as the ground is giving way beneath their feet. In Baquba, a provincial capital north-east of Baghdad, US and Iraqi army commanders praised their own achievements at a press conference held over a video link. Chiding media critics for their pessimism the generals claimed: “The situation in Baquba is reassuring and is under control but there are some rumors circulated by bad people.” Within hours Sunni insurgents, possibly irked by these self-congratulatory words, stormed Baquba, kidnapped the mayor and blew up his office.

Believing one's own propaganda is a recipe for failure. The Nazis are the most famous example, but the US may ultimately wear that historical mantel. Stupid people do stupid things based on stupid ideas. As always, reality brings everything to ground, and the stupid fail and perish (and often take everyone around them down as well). Incompetence is a crime.