While Bush is listening and learning and thinking about Iraq, the death toll mounts in his war

No wonder Laura Bush doesn't want the media to report on George Bush's quagmire. Unfortunately, what the Washington Post reports today is the reality in Iraq:

Seven more American service members have been killed in Iraq, the U.S. military reported Tuesday. It is the second deadliest month of the year for troops.

With five days left in December, 87 service members have died, according to figures provided by the military and news releases of combat deaths. The deadliest month this year was October, when attacks in Baghdad and the western Iraqi province of Anbar killed 105 U.S. troops.

The total number of U.S. military deaths in the Iraq war announced by the Pentagon is 2,961.

Because almost everyone is telling Bush that it's time to start winding down our involvement in Iraq, he has to do the opposite. His only solution is an escalation of his war -- because these numbers aren't high enough.

I'm sure George, Laura and the girls had a terrific Christmas -- and got lots of sleep.