Promise of the People

I'm sure this won't be headline news anywhere. There's no explosions, no wailing Iraqis and no American to blame for the carnage. It's not the first of its kind and won't be the last.

RAMADI — Along the banks of the Euphrates River, 400 municipal leaders and local professionals gathered July 7 for the “Promise of the People” conference in Ramadi.

“This conference occurred just a few days after a major al-Qaida attack against the tribes of Ramadi was thwarted by coalition and the Iraqi security forces,” Charlton said.

“Even in the face of recent threats, the people of al Anbar continue to stand united against these threats.”

Attendees included both Shiite and Sunni leaders from across various provinces including Baghdad, Salahuddin and Karbala. The Alwani Tribe of Ramadi planned the conference to build community ties and celebrate the unity with coalition and government forces, while denouncing insurgent activities.

Heaven forbid the American people see any of this joy on the headline news. They might see hope and we can't have that, now can we.