A couple of items percolated up through the post-5 PM Friday bad news dump:

Daily Kos diarist Susan G brings us mixed tidings about that whole “training the Iraqi Army to stand up so we can stand down” thing:

So much for fearless leader's repeated recounting of how great that training of Iraqi forces is going.

Pentagon: Iraqi troops downgraded

No Iraqi battalion capable of fighting without U.S. support

The only Iraqi battalion capable of fighting without U.S. support has been downgraded to a level requiring them to fight with American troops backing them up, the Pentagon said Friday.

The battalion, made up of 700 to 800 Iraqi Army soldiers, has repeatedly been offered by the U.S. as an example of the growing independence of the Iraqi military.

The competence of the Iraqi military has been cited as a key factor in when U.S. troops will be able to return home.

Funny, just last month, Bush said, "Today, 125 combat battalions are fighting the enemy, and 50 of those are in the lead. That's progress."

What he forgot to tell us in January was that only one of those battalions was capable of fighting without U.S. support.

And as of today, there are zero.

Somehow I don't think our troops will be coming home for Christmas ... even Christmas 2008.

Well, that’s a fine how-do-you-do. And here we thought things were going so well, and that the troops would be brought home, or at least deployed elsewhere in the Middle East, and we were beginning to kick the curb over all those millions and billions we’ve spent building those 14 10 4 “enduring bases” that weren’t going to be occupied by US forces. I guess they’ll be staying a lot longer.

On the other hand, the return of US troops to the Heimat would permit Mr Bush to declare martial law next year after the terrorist catastrophe, and suspend the mid-term congressional elections, if it looked really grim for the Republican Party. With no other trustworthy military available other than the surely by then Evangelized Air Force to sweep the civil rights dissenters off the streets, things might get a bit politically dangerous.

But, just when you start to really worry, the clouds break just enough to display a silver lining:

Through our good friends over at E Pluribus Media:

January 10, 2006

BLACKWATER USA UNVEILS NEW SUBSIDIARY

Blackwater Airships, LLC Is The Newest Addition To The Firm's Security Portfolio

Moyock, NC - The national security of the United States depends upon innovative and flexible solutions in the global war on terror. Blackwater USA, the world's premier security, peace and stability operations firm recently unveiled its plans to create a new subsidiary; Blackwater Airships.

Blackwater Airship's initial focus will be the development and deployment of small remotely piloted airship vehicles (RPAVs) that can operate from 5,000 - 15,000 feet, move and hover, and stay aloft for up to four days. The airships will be equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and detection equipment that can detect, record, and communicate in real time to friendly forces the movement and activities of terrorists.

Gary Jackson, president of Blackwater USA said, "This project is in keeping with Blackwater's support of peace and security throughout the world."

Follow-on phases of the project will include larger airships that will carry tons of payload in support of remote humanitarian and peacekeeping missions. Blackwater, who is already involved in stability operations throughout the world, continues to innovate in support of peace and security, and freedom and democracy everywhere.
The first Blackwater Airship will be available in December 2006.

Blackwater is committed to supporting national and international security policies that protect those who are defenseless and provide a free voice for all. Other Blackwater subsidiaries include: Blackwater Training Center, Blackwater Target Systems, Blackwater Security Consulting, Blackwater Canine, and Raven Development Group.

For more information, please visit ww.blackwaterusa.com.

Yes, that was national and international security.

Looks like we just might have our Sturmabteilung – one of the few missing pieces in the analogy to Weimar Republic, 1932.