Two U.S. soldiers killed near Mosul; 10,000 Shiites stage anti-American demonstration in Najaf

Associated Press ^ | 07-20-03

[Brian S]

Two soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division were killed and one was injured in an ambush Sunday when their convoy came under rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire in northern Iraq, the U.S. military said.

The deaths brought to 151 the number of American soldiers killed in action since the March 20 start of the war, four more than the total killed in the 1991 Gulf war.

[alloysteel]

Business as usual in Iraq. Nothing personal against the Americans, you understand. Too many young men with too much time on their hands, and easy access to deadly weapons.

The fact is, that the coalition forces have done an excellent job of rounding up the fedayeen Saddam and elite Republican Guard pockets, and as this repressive force has become less of a factor throughout Iraq, the Shi'ites who claim this young imam Sadr as their inspiration, become more bold. This is being fed from Iran, as another branch of terrorism against the US, and probably has much stronger ties with al-Qaeda than were even apparent with the Saddam Hussein Ba'athist regime. These youngsters do not come with clean hands, or with the interests of the nation of Iraq at heart. They would probably dearly love to form a small Balkan nation of their own, and ally openly with Iran.

[arete]

The commander of coalition troops in Iraq said Saturday his forces were studying each attack carefully.

That's good.

Richard W.

[arete]

These youngsters do not come with clean hands, or with the interests of the nation of Iraq at heart.

Of course not. It's about power, control and money -- for everyone involved.

Richard W.

[Satadru]

Bring it on!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

This is the same cleric that refused to participate in the opening talks as members of different ideological factions met to forge a council representing the many voices in Iraq. As Amb. Bremer said, you don't participate - you don't have a say. It's the cleric's choice. He didn't have those choices under Saddam Hussein. As Gen Abizaid said, "No one has killed more Muslims than Saddam Hussein."

AP is once more giving the disruptors and enemies their mighty pen to attack America to the world. Haven't seen many articles about all the councils already set up and flourishing across Iraq, or the good work our troops do daily.

Credibility of the press past tipping point?

[arete]

I agree. The press is much too focused on hard news when what really need is more fluff pieces to prove to the world what a truly great nation we are. More pictures of the troops handing out candy bars to smiling Iraqi kids I say!

Richard W.

[Texas_Dawg]

"We're a bit shaken. Everybody is a bit shocked," said Mekki. "But when we were recruited and we came to Iraq, we knew there were risks. An incident like this is not unexpected."

I think the media and a lot of people jumping on the President right now (from the Left and paleo Right) would be smart to consider this statement.

[DCPatriot]

It's time to end this "death by a thousand cuts"...having us lose (on average) an American soldier every day.

Level an entire god-damned city, and then let's see how many show up for demonstrations against the liberators.

[mr.pink]

More pictures of the troops handing out candy bars to smiling Iraqi kids I say!

I hope Wolfowitz brought a lot of candy bars with him.

From a Rueters piece:
"But Wolfowitz said in an interview published Friday that no amount of planning could have foreseen the collapse in law and order after Baghdad fell."

Huh?....Too bad Bush won't consider that as an admission of grave incomptence as well as a formal resignation.... and accept it.

[Austin Willard Wright]

Bring it on? Two Americans dead! I hope you're kidding. This is a hopeless quagmire and not one more American should be put in peril in policing this medieval hell hole.

[Austin Willard Wright]

No get out! The world policers are caught on the horns of dilemma. If they follow a "level" a city (i.e. kill hundreds of thousands of babies), they will push more Iraqis into the ranks of the guerrillas. The current hearts and minds policy, on the other hand, puts soldiers in harm's way. The most logical solution is to declare victory, turn over authority the interim "government" and get out!

[snooker]

Dead cleric walking???

Some people can't be fixed.

[arete]

I think the media and a lot of people jumping on the President right now (from the Left and paleo Right) would be smart to consider this statement.

Why? It is just nonsense and excuse making.

Richard W.

[DCPatriot]

As heartless as it seems with your "Kill hundreds of thousands of babies" scenario...remember, the United States practices that annually in legaized abortions.

These Middle Eastern cultures teach anti-Western/anti-Jewish behavior straight from the cradle, ensuring a continous supply of suicide bombers and radical Islamists.

I'd give them 24 hours notice to vacate their city. The ones that do choose to leave will be rendered sterile and sent on their merry way.

At least we slow down this ages-old Christian-Islamic War.

I realize how over-the-top my words are, but if somebody can come up with a more humane way to ultimately defeat them and protect our future generations, then let me hear it.

[arete]

Level an entire god-damned city, and then let's see how many show up for demonstrations against the liberators.

That has to be one of the dumbest things I've heard lately. What the heck are you thinking?

Richard W.

[Austin Willard Wright]

What is your final goal in pursuing such a get tough policy? Democracy? Unity? Stability? This is a non-starter. There are thousands of caves in Iraq where guerrillas can hide.

The Russians tried your strategy in both Afghanistan and Chechnya (where seven more Russian soldiers died this week). It won't work. As I said, the world policers are caught on the horns of an impossible dilemma. Perhaps they should follow MacArthur's wise advice: "Anybody who gets American troops involved in a land compaign on the Asian mainland should have his head examined."

[Brian S]

You and I, my friend are in total agreement here. Bomb them into submission. Was most effective in dealing with Germany and Japan. They must fear us and fear us greatly...

Sorry my "compassionate" views are a bit skewed while our troops are being killed...

[arete]

They must fear us and fear us greatly...

Why? We are very beatable and they already know it and they have homefield advantage.

Richard W.

[Binyamin]

Level an entire god-damned city, and then let's see how many show up for demonstrations against the liberators

The administration lacks the political will. We won't even secure our own borders or raid US mosques - that wouldn't be PC.

President Bush is giving the 'rats EXACTLY what they need - an issue for 2004.