Ace Washington Post foreign policy correspondent Karen DeYoung is given a chance to snark away with a piece on members of Congress visiting Iraq. Lawmakers like Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Ga.) suggest that it’s impossible to make sound Iraq War policy unless you "feel the heat" and "see the dust" of this ravaged desert country. Of course, lawmakers see the heat and dust they want to see in well-scripted tours and meetings with members of the armed forces.

Understanding Government usually has at least one blog post a day critical of the Pentagon. But this article is occasion to at least defend the armed services in Iraq. It’s patronizing for lawmakers to spend a few minutes with the military, and then make an evaluation of the situation that invariably conforms to their evaluation prior to the trip. Pentagon officials should give lawmakers honest information, not show them authentic dust.-MB

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