Baghdad Car Bomb Kills 35 As SUV Plows Into Volunteers

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A sport-utility vehicle packed with artillery shells slammed into a crowd of people waiting to volunteer Thursday for the Iraqi military, killing at least 35 people and wounding 138, the Iraqi Health Ministry said.

U.S. Army Col. Mike Murray said none of the recruits was among the casualties. But survivors and Iraqi officials said many of the victims had gone to the center to volunteer for the government security force.

Capt. Hani Hussein of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps said about 100 volunteers were trying to enter the recruiting center when the vehicle smashed into the crowd. A large plume of smoke rose over the city after the blast.

These guys are willing to die in order to turn a successful war into a real tar baby situation.

Of course, it was to avoid all these problems that we did not go into Baghdad after the 1991 Gulf War. 911 changed everything and made going after Saddam with the effort, IMHO, but all the death by bombs and sneak attacks tend to wear one down. Bush knew it was a big risk to go into Iraq and if it keeps up, it may well cost him his presidency. I am glad that for him, doing what he thought was right was more important than doing what was most safe for his reelection.

Hopefully, we can get this turned over to the Iraqis as soon as possible and they will use the strong arm tactics needed to put down these terrorists.

911 changed everything and made going after Saddam with the effort, IMHO, but all the death by bombs and sneak attacks tend to wear one down. Bush knew it was a big risk to go into Iraq and if it keeps up, it may well cost him his presidency.

He can only blame himself if that happens. You don't go into a region like that and attempt to fight a PC war and run around attempting to show everyone how compassionate, and what a nice guy you are. It didn't work, and it won't work.

This cost us lives. Being humane at the risk of more American lives is not acceptable.

"This cost us lives. Being humane at the risk of more American lives is not acceptable."

I agree. Fallujah should have been destroyed a long time ago. I remember that city being a problem right from the gitgo. First, our guys had to shoot a bunch of protestors after they got out of hand and then they shot down a couple of helicopters near Fallujah.

Remember April 29, 2003 — American soldiers shot dead what hospital officials said were 15 people at an anti-American rally here

and

Published on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 by the Associated Press
U.S. Soldiers Fire on Iraq Demonstrators Again
by Niko Price

BAGHDAD, Iraq - For the second time this week, U.S. soldiers fired on anti-American protesters Wednesday in the city of Fallujah; the mayor said two people were killed and 14 wounded.

The shooting in Fallujah, 30 miles west of Baghdad, occurred less than 48 hours after gunfire during a demonstration Monday night that hospital officials said killed 13 Iraqis.

and

US helicopter shot down near Fallujah
Baghdad
December 10, 2003

A US helicopter made an emergency landing yesterday near the town of Fallujah west of Baghdad, apparently after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

The US military said an OH-58 Kiowa observation helicopter from the 82nd Airborne Division made a "controlled landing" at 2:30pm near Fallujah.

and

Nov. 2, 2003: A Chinook is shot down near Fallujah, killing 16 American soldiers and injuring 26. The military believes a SA-7 shoulder-fired missile slammed into one of the chopper's rear-mounted engines.

If you are going to go to war, go all the way, with no holds barred. There is no substitute for victory.

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