And maybe an up-armored bus?
It turns out that John McCain was right: There really are "neighborhoods in Baghdad . . . you and I could walk through" today -- so long as one of us brings the body armor, five military helicopters and about 100 U.S. troops.

Is McCain a little embarrassed about the way his pre-trip proclamations of progress in Iraq mesh with the security precautions that were needed when he actually arrived in Baghdad over the weekend? Apparently not. McCain told reporters after his armed-escort tour: "Things are getting better in Iraq, and I am pleased with the progress that has been made."

-- Tim Grieve