[jwpjr]

Isn't this the sect of Islam that could not hold these pilgrimages for the the 25 years or so because Saddam and his people were of a different sect and denied them permission to practice this particular aspect of their beliefs?

[edpc]

....and a hush falls over the media as they learn the US is not to blame for this. I guess in some obtuse way, they'll figure out how to pin it on Bush.

[kabar]

These kinds of accidents or tragedies happen almost annually during the Haj to Saudi Arabia. When you get huge mobs of people together in a relatively undisciplined and unstructured environment, then you will have the increased risk of stampeding crowds. It also happens at soccer games in Latin American and Europe.

[Americanexpat]

From what I read this morning the guard rail did not collapse. Someone shouted there was a suicide bomber on the bridge and that caused the panic. The article stated that 648 people died from the stampede, with an additional 7 killed when terrorists mortared the shrine these people were going to. So this wasn't just an accident, it was the result of the terrorists activity whether the terrorists actually exploded a bomb or not.

[nuconvert]

The casualty figure is now up to almost 700 dead, with most being women and children.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,167906,00.html

[blasater1960]

Okay lets leave Mr tempestous alone and focus on the fact that this was reportedly another Zarqawi event. Our forces have got to take him out, even if he is in Syria. N O W !