3 US Troops Killed in Kerbala Battle ( Plus a FANTASTIC Tribute to our Troops! Gotta see it)

MetroSOurce newswire, http://www.armedforcestribute.com/ ^ | 10/17/03 | Newswire, R. Skaggs - tribute

[prisoner6]

From MetroSource Newswire...

3 US Troops killed, 7 WOunded in Firece battle in Kerbala.

(Paraphrased for time)

3 US military police were killed, 7 wounded in iraq as a firece battle rages around a mosque in Kerbala. The US troops were trying to disarm a group that had set up a perimiter around the mosque. It's not know how many iraqis were killed or wounded. At last report the battle was still going on.

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Sympathies and prayers for the soldiers and their families.

prisoner6

[Eternal_Bear]

Looks like we figured out that the Shi'ites were backed by the Iranians and we have started to go after them aggressively. There are three times more of them than Sunni Arab Muslims so we may need more troops. The Kurds have also threatened to launch a war against Turkish troops if they enter Iraq. Looks like we will be fighting all the groups soon. Better prepare, the real war may be just starting.

[Alter Kaker]

thank you for that information

[pawdoggie]

Better prepare, the real war may be just starting.

Actually, if we just read past the headlines we'd know that there are several Shia Ayatollah wannabes who are stirring up trouble (even with other Shia). That doesn't necessarily mean that the whole place is about to go up in flames. Don't forget that this is a group of Shia who pretty much meekly submitted to Saddam for 25+ years.

[radu]

I'm glad to know your son's ok! Whew!

Like you I thought the 101st was primarily in northern Iraq but I imagine they have troops elsewhere, in smaller numbers, wherever they're needed.

[radu]

In case you don't see this elsewhere (like the Canteen!), here's a ping to a real tearjerker!!

Isn't that tribute a beauty? I caught it first (last, for me) thing this morning.
Yep, I was glad I had my box of Kleenex close at hand. *sniff*
And I went to sleep praying for the families of the fallen troops.

[Consort]

Your way was tried in Afghanistan a few years back....and the Taliban took over. This is all part of the war on terror.

[Stultis]

Actually, if we just read past the headlines we'd know that there are several Shia Ayatollah wannabes who are stirring up trouble (even with other Shia). That doesn't necessarily mean that the whole place is about to go up in flames.

Exactly. Their supporters include some of the young hotheads who get off on posturing and spittle-flecked slogan shouting, or are in a hurry to get their virgins. They do NOT have great respect within the Shia community at large. The ringleader of these anti-coalition Ayatollahs, as mentioned in the article, is Muqtada al-Sadr. Last Saturday he proclaimed a new government, in opposition to the coalition and the Iraqi National Council. The response from the Shia community was a collective yawn. Even an al-Sadr's aide admitted he's losing credibility:

Aide: Cleric's credibility hurt (anti-coalition shia radical al-Sadr losing followers)

Here are some pics of al-Sadr:

Advisor: "The bad news, Excellency, is that your hatred of America is making you increasingly irrelevant here in Iraq. The good news is that the American DNC and several of their Presidential candidates would like to hire you as a consultant."

"Now look carefully and listen! This is what I'll be wearing when I flee the coalition soldiers, but I will only be dressed as a woman, so don't beat me and rape me as you would normally do."

[HiJinx]

I've wondered the same thing...why no report of enemy body count?

CENTCOM made a conscious decision very early in the conflict not to report body counts. Their given reason was to avoid any connection with the Vietnam experience.

I'm not going to say one way or the other what I think of their reasoning...but I would love to know that we're giving one he!! of lot more than we're taking.

Actually, I think we are. Rumsfeld was saying last month that terrorists from all over that part of the world are coming to Iraq to 'die for the cause', and we're obliging them. We're just not going to get the numbers.

[Wiggins]

I agree with you about the mosque's. Remember a few weeks ago or so when they said a car bomb blew up a mosque and it turned out to be a bomb under construction inside the mosque that prematurley detonated. We can't win a war when pc restrictions like not hitting a mosque are put to our forces. We have created a safe haven right amongst our forces where our enemies can plan and execute attacks against us. We never hear when an attack is launched against us from a mosque, but when and if the day comes that we start taking these targets out, the biased American and European press will be all over our military and our leaders. As powerful of a military force we have, we are showing a glaring weakness to the ememy.

[BushisTheMan]

Congratulations and I know that takes a heavy burden from your mind and soul. God, please take care of ALL our soldiers that are currently serving or have served in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hell holes around the world....

[FreedomPoster]

'64 is probably more like it.

I was trying to make the point to the guy that it is a very, very poor analogy.

[Eternal_Bear]

What about the Shia uprising of 91? That turned into incredible bloody mess. Saddam put that down by sending in helicopter gunships and turning their cities into free fire zones. Tens of thousands were slaughtered. The Shia are crazier than the Sunni. They actually want to be martyrs. The Iranian influence is worrisome. Eventually, the real war will consume the entire Middle East. It is inevitable.

[2111USMC]

"CENTCOM made a conscious decision very early in the conflict not to report body counts. Their given reason was to avoid any connection with the Vietnam experience.",

Actually, Centcom started this policy back in '91 during GulfWar I.

Perhaps it is only my wishful thinking, and my sincere hope, that we have probably killed many thousands of these a$$holes in both the Afgan and Iraq theatres.

[2111USMC]

"Thanks for sharing the link. This old Ranger doesn't get too emotional very often. My eyes watered on that one."

Dittos Ranger.

Thank you for your service.

[HiJinx]

Thanks, I hadn't heard about it during GW I.
I think you're right, I think we're cleaning up there.

[A Simple Soldier]

They weren't conquered. They were liberated.

Although the use of a protected site (e.g., a hospital, church, mosque) by one side to fire upon theother causes that site to lose its protected status in a strictly legal way, war is much more complex than that.

Flattening the mosque would be a massive strategic error, despite the possible short-term tactical gains.

[A Simple Soldier]

And the result of that bombing prolonged the battle for months, turning the abbey into a twisted nest of fighting positions.

War is much more than the application of firepower. We forget that at our peril.

[AdmSmith]

To get a perspective; the body count for the Russians in Chechnya is about 100/months!

[AdmSmith]

about 100/months =>about 100/month!

[TADSLOS]

Thanks for yours as well. Semper Fi.