The puppet takes a shot at the puppeteer

Yesterday, the U.S. military chiefs told us that Iraq had agreed to a timetable to crack down on the militias. Today, Al Maliki calls them liars. It sure sounds like things are going well over there doesn't it?

BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. and Iraqi forces on Wednesday raided Sadr City, the stronghold of the feared Shiite militia led by radical anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, but Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki disavowed the operation, saying he had not been consulted and insisting "that it will not be repeated."

The defiant al-Maliki also slammed the top U.S. military and diplomatic representatives inIraq for saying Iraq needed to set a timetable to curb violence ravaging the country.

"I affirm that this government represents the will of the people and no one has the right to impose a timetable on it," al-Maliki said at a news conference.

It's rather strange when the puppet talks back to the puppeteer.