Something too amazing to be believed: the AP is reporting that the ubiquitous concrete jersey barriers in Baghdad are going to be torn off all "major thoroughfares" The spokesman for the city’s security operations command center says in a statement, "No exception will be made anywhere in Baghdad."

One of the most depressing things about Baghdad in 2007 was going outside of Green Zone or the Camp Victory constellation of bases to see the streets looking like they were still inside a military base. A giant maze of concrete and bullethole-pocked buildings and broken asphalt and carbomb husks. Old appliances, car batteries, air conditioners and bathtubs used for roadblocks. 

Thank God this is going to change.