Violence drops in Iraq, 4,000 U.S. troops set to withdraw in October

The United States will withdraw 4,000 more troops from Iraq by the end of October, said the U.S. military commander in Iraq today during a congressional hearing. CNN.com reports that U.S. Gen. Ray Odierno spoke to the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee about the troop withdrawal and a decrease of violence in Iraq.

"Overall attacks have decreased 85 percent over the past two years from 4,064 in August 2007 to 594 in August 2009," Odierno said in a prepared statement. He also said that U.S. military deaths have decreased by 93 percent in that same time period.

President Obama has said that U.S. combat in Iraq will end by August 31st, 2010 with 35,000 to 50,000 support troops remaining.

My Take: While I am quite glad that U.S. troops are being withdrawn, I think the better story is the decrease in violence in Iraq. It is great to see improvement, and that we are not leaving the country in disarray.

Former Syracuse police officer jailed, accused of giving drugs to minors

A former Syracuse police officer was sent to jail today after police found mushrooms and marijuana at his house, Camillus police said. Syracuse.com reports that he is also accused of supplying illegal drugs to minors.

Frederick J. Baunee, 48, of 311 Westfall St., was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and accused possession of a banned substance, psilocybin mushrooms. He also was charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of marijuana.

This follows last week's misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child after children told police he gave them drugs and cigarettes, Capt. Steve Rotunno said.

My Take: Good riddance. While it is horrible that he gave these drugs to kids, it is worse that he used to be a police officer.

Browns quarterback flip flop continues, Anderson back as starter

After three losses, Derek Anderson will be replacing Brady Quinn as starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, espn.com reports today.

Browns head coach Eric Mangini benched Quinn at halftime of Sunday's humiliating 34-3 loss to Baltimore.

However, Mangini made his intentions clear saying, "What I'm looking for is for us to improve offensively. I'm not by any stretch saying it's been all Brady. That's not the case at all."

Anderson led the Browns to a meager three wins last season before getting hurt prior to week ten against the Denver Broncos. The Browns went 4-12 in 2008.

My Take: As a Clevelander and Browns fan myself, I think this team is atrocious. It is a tad early to bench Quinn when Anderson had a passer rating of 62.6 last season, but I suppose things can't get any worse. At least I hope not.