WHICH IS WHY WE HID MOOKIE FOR THE DURATION:

U.S. sorry after detaining powerful Shiite pol's son (BRIAN MURPHY, 2/24/07, Chicago Sun-Times)

U.S. troops detained the eldest son of Iraq's most influential Shiite politician for nearly 12 hours Friday as he crossed back from Iran -- the same route Washington thinks is used to keep powerful Shiite militias flush with weapons and aid.

Even though the U.S. ambassador issued a rapid apology, the decision to hold Amar al-Hakim, 35, risks touching off a backlash from Shiite leaders at a time when their cooperation is needed most to keep a major security sweep through Baghdad from unraveling.