Radical Iraqi Shiite leader calls on his armed followers to capture Saddam Hussein `dead or alive`

Haaretz ^ | 10/29/03 | Haaretz

[theDentist]

Someone's finally recognized that most of their problems presently stem from Hussein, and that the US isn't even going to consider leaving until Hussein's assumed room temperature.

[Argus]

Is this guy Sadr like the Al Sharpton of Iraq, or what?

[WOSG]

So a soldier saves US soldiers lives in the 'wrong' way, and gets punished for his brilliant heroism? ... whoa ... way to lose a war, guys!!!

[Marysecretary]

Well, with that slicked back greasy hair, he could be...

[StriperSniper]

a soldier saves US soldiers lives in the 'wrong' way, and gets punished

Sick, isn't it? Let's just hope that the attention it gets will lead to some changes that will prevent any more of this foolishness. Boortz did at least an hour about it this morning, including reading the code from the UCMJ which does state that the threat is indeed chargeable as assault. While it may make sense in civilian life(can't have everyone blowing off rounds to get there way), to charge soldiers in the same way when causing no harm(other than soiled shorts as Neal surmised ;-) when they could have just shot him as an enemy combatant is insane.

[deanjames]

Nice to see an Iraqi publically step up and have the balls to do something about Saddam.

Trouble is you can bet that Saddams sick followers will kill Sadr for making this statement before anybody gets a chance to nail Saddam.

I wish them all my luck though, who cares if this guy gains a bit of power for doing this.

This whole thing is about getting rid of Saddam right?
The quicker he's dead. Less innocent people die.

[RobbyS]

The problem is that few of his followers are in the Sunni area where Sadaam is hanging out.

[Burr5]

No. The "whole thing" is NOT about "getting Saddam".

The whole thing is about ensuring that Iraq becomes a peaceful, relatively pro-western DEMOCRACY.

This guy sounds like exactly the type we would hope to marginalize, especially if he's looking for power out of the deal.

[deanjames]

hmmm fair comment, but i know if somebody gets Saddam its really gonna help the current situation out there.

I hope it will anyway, there's been too many deaths already.

[BlackVeil]

This is all about increasing his power.

I agree with your insightful point. The problem with eliminating Sadaam Hussein is that the Shia population will see that he - obviously - can't come back. That is what is holding them back from militant action at the moment. As-Sadr wants the Shia to fight the US, but he knows that they will not do so while the shadow of Sadaam is over them. When it is gone .... then the whole of southern Iraq will be exploding like the "Sunni triangle."

[Michael.SF.]

It is called nationalism ... Some freepers don't appear to understand this simple idea

A simple idea? Some might disagree that the concept is simple. I would also add that there are many things done in the name of 'nationalism' which are very difficult to rationalize.

I am not sure why your comment made me think of the scene below, perhaps because I sensed a "British aire" in your comments, but also because I think your response was as inappropriate as was the Colonel's actions, which were also taken, in part due to 'nationlism':

"My God, what have I done"

[TexKat]

British soldiers secure the scene after Iraqi man Mohamed A. Shlash, 55, was assasinated by an unidentified gunman outside a school in the center of Basra, southern Iraq, Wednesday, Oct 29, 2003. Shlash, a former senior Baath party member, was on his way to be reemployed as a teacher when he got killed. ( AP Photo/Nabil Aljurani)

[Austin Willard Wright]

You miss my point. I didn't say that nationalism was always "good." I just said that it is a powerful force that many pro-war freepers ignore at their peril. BTW, Bridge Over the River Kwai is one of my favorite movies, an anti-war classic!

[Michael.SF.]

You miss my point. I didn't say that nationalism was always "good."

Actually, I think you may have missed my point.

I used the character from "Bridge" as an example of a person who has used his training and nationalism (plus other factors) for the wrong reason. In the end he realises what he has done and recognises the error of his way. The scene selected and the line he utters is that precisemoment when he knows that he has been 100% wrong all along.

Actually, I can see a parrallel between the character and the Democrats today. Both have full confidence in what they are doing, believe they are 100% loyal to their government, but both are 100% wrong.

Bridge is a classic, no doubt. I think also the charactor is the epitome of how Americans view the British and their sense of fair play, nationlism and sometimes misplaced loyalties (not a reference to Tony Blair, who has supported us, much to his credit).