After laying out the violence in Iraq, a reader opined in a recent comment that a draft would end the war in Iraq because “it exposes everyone to the attrocities, and hardships of war, because THAT, Steve, is what we’ve given to the Iraqi people.”

Energetically begging to differ, cited in response was the relative peace of the Kurds in the north and the insertion of violence among the Sunnis from al-Qaeda abroad as well as the insertion of violence among the Iraqi Shi’a from neighboring Iran (chiefly seeking to replace the moderate Sistani with revolutionary Iranian-style Shi’a clerics), with both parties requiring chaos and violence to achieve their aims.

After the lengthy response, stumbled upon was an incredible 11-minute ‘flip-book’ Kurdistan presentation:

Iraqi Kurdistan by Ed Kashi

Kashi is a photographer who shot the images while on assignment for National Geographic last year. The compelling Flash presentation is worthy of MSNBC’s broadcast air, but will likely remain a lost gem on the news network’s website. Many thanks to Ed Kashi for excellent work.

Watch it. Save the link and pass it along. It’s that good. And that important.

The difference between the lives of Iraqi Kurds and the lives of Iraqi Sunnis is essentially al-Qaeda jihadis and allied insurgents and the sapping of safety and liberty.

The difference between the lives of Iraqi Kurds and the lives of the Iraqi Shi’a is essentially Iran, their supported militia thugs and the sapping of safety and liberty.

The difference between them is most certainly not America and American soldiers. Ask a Kurd.