Have you noticed how the press is constantly referring to “the Holy City of Najaf” as if it were its official title? This doesn’t bother me that much, in the abstract. But I can’t help but think that the press keeps reminding people it’s a “holy city” so as to increase anxiety about American actions there and make people nervous — sort of like constantly saying “you break it you bought it.”

For example, if you search Google News for “Holy City of Jerusalem” you get four hits, all negative. Search for “Holy city of Najaf” and you get just under 7,000.