Sources: Al-Sadr supporters take over Najaf

[Theophylact]

Not good.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Supporters of maverick Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr controlled government, religious and security buildings in the holy city of Najaf early Tuesday evening, according to a coalition source in southern Iraq.

The source said al-Sadr's followers controlled the governor's office, police stations and the Imam Ali mosque, one of Shia Muslim's holiest shrines.

Iraqi police were negotiating to regain their stations, the source said.

The source also said al-Sadr was busing followers into Najaf from Sadr City in Baghdad and that many members of his outlawed militia, Mehdi's Army, were from surrounding provinces.

But are we discouraged? NO!

Despite the rising death toll, Paul Bremer, the top U.S. civilian administrator in Iraq, said "there is no question we have control over the country."

"I know if you just report on those few places, it does look chaotic," Bremer said on CNN's "American Morning." "But if you travel around the country, what you find is a bustling economy, people opening businesses right and left, unemployment has dropped.

"The story of the house that doesn't burn down is not much of a story in the news," he said. "The story of the house that does burn down is news."

Always look on the bright side of life, is wot I say...

[Pexster]

I think having all of those guys bused in is a good idea. Let them all gather in one place, then surround the city and don't let them out.

[Bill in SD, CA]

This is a good time to help a lot of people on their way to martyrdom.

Courtesy of people who don't have their thoughts locked into the 11th. century.

Bill