It’s a pretty big deal. The Sunnis are now joining the Iraqi Security Forces, which are dominated by Shiite.

“This is an historic occasion,” said the 2nd Squadron commander, Lt. Col. Myron Reineke, as he shook hands, first with Fasul Abued Hasson al Joburi, a Sunni sheik who led about 100 members of his clan onto the base to apply for security forces jobs, then with Lt. Col. Fakhir Idair Al Bahadpy, who heads a 400-man battalion of Iraqi police.

Iraqis call the phenomenon of Sunnis joining local security forces “following the light in the west,” one of the U.S. soldiers at JSS Cougar said. In Anbar province, most Sunnis have switched allegiance this year, from backing al-Qaida to supporting the coalition, a move that has led to a drastic reduction in violence west of Baghdad.

If only we had pulled our troops out when the liberals wanted…

“I bring my people here to join up to protect our area. It is something new in our life. We want all the Iraqis to mix in here without any problem. Just together in one Iraq. When the Sunni and Shia mix, it will be better. Not just one side,” al-Joburi said, through a translator.

Local Sunnis do not trust the police, he added, “… but if police come with American Army, we are safe because Americans believe in human rights, unlike the police.”

There is hope in Iraq. Hope of victory. Yet the libs in COngress continue to pass bills that put a date of retreat on our military. They still want to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. It staggers me.

Let the men and women finsih what they started. Fund the war and shut your mouth. You’re out of your element here.