Marines Battle Enemy Fighters in Fallujah [Marines "control significant portion"]

Washington Post ^ | 4/6/04 | Pamela Constable

[saquin]

FALLUJAH, WITH THE 1st MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE, April 6--U.S. Marines have established control over a significant portion of the flashpoint city of Fallujah following two days and nights of resistance from insurgents firing from rooftops, windows and doorways at Marine convoys.

The Marines fought their way deep into the city -- the most hostile in Iraq's Sunni triangle -- starting early Monday, taking constant fire as they entered from automatic rifles, mortars and rocket propelled grenades.

Fighting continued Tuesday morning, but the streets were deserted and Marine units were well ensconced in force at two positions, one in the north of the city and one in the southeast.

From these positions, rifle squads on foot have been moving deep into the city, 35 miles west of Baghdad, to suppress resistance, entering homes as necessary to seize weapons.

[Turbo Pig]

We are not liberators, until we turn control over control to the Iraqis we are occupiers. As such, we should disarm or kill ANYONE who may be even a remote threat to our forces and the smooth transition to Iraqi civilian control. Once the Iraqis are in charge, abstract, constitutional questions can be posed. Until then it is the United States duty to its service members in theater, and those Iraqis who only want a peaceful existence, to be as harsh as need be on the trouble makers.

Being an oppressor is in the eyes of the beholder. I am sure that the Baathists felt they weren't oppressors as they marched their countrymen off to mass graves. I am sure that Sadr feels the US is an oppressor, in that we won't let him (and his Iranian puppet masters) use force to change the face of Iraqi politics. To the Iraqi who is tired of all the killing done in the name of Saddam, and Islam, I am sure that the same doesn't hold true.

[jimbo123]

I think Hollywood is more concerned with the welfare of the Sudanese foreigners in Fajullah who are trying to kill our Marines.

[jimbo123]

"Some of the fighters are young guys, the equivalent of dope peddlers, who do this for money. Others are holy warriors willing to die for a cause," said Capt. Will Dickens, another company commander whose troops were fired on repeatedly. "The die-hard [suicide fighters] just stand up in the open, fire from the hip and stay there until they kill or are killed."

[Ciexyz]

"If the Army and the Navy
Ever get to Heaven's scenes
They will find that they are guarded
By United States Marines."
(Marine Corps Hymn)

Go Marines!

[Happy2BMe]

"Marines Battle Enemy Fighters in Fallujah [Marines "control significant portion"]

You can bet your Sweet Baby's Bippie there is a healthy cluster of ACE USMC or ARMY SNIPER with itchy fingers in Fallujah about right now . .

[lugsoul]

And how do you feel about the 2nd Amendment? Or is "freedom" flexible depending on whether you are an American or an Iraqi?

[LetsRok]

Do you support disarming a population? Is everyone in this town guilty? Should they have a 2nd amendment? When does the US cross over from liberators to oppressors? I'm addressing this issue at an abstract, constitutional level. Rational answers only, please; no rants. I'm no troll.

I support disarming THIS population until the legitimate Iraqi government is elected and can take responsibility for the actions of its people. The US Military is currently responisble for the safety of the Iraqi people. They should be the only ones with guns until we leave.

[LetsRok]

And how do you feel about the 2nd Amendment? Or is "freedom" flexible depending on whether you are an American or an Iraqi?

No one should have the "freedom" to shoot at American troops. Our military is the police force of Iraq until they elect a government. Your second amendment right does not allow you to shoot at the police in your town if you aren't happy with whats going on. It's only for self-defense.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[lugsoul]

Hmmm... I didn't see anything in your post about shooting at Americans. You said the Marines should destroy any home with a weapon in it. Try again.

As for shooting at the authorities because you aren't happy with the way things are going - that is the very essence of the 2nd Amendment.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

I was unaware that there was a bill of rights in Iraq. Where have I been?

[lugsoul]

I didn't say there was a Bill of Rights in Iraq. But if we are claiming that we have brought them "freedom," I would hope that this at least approximates what we ourselves would view as "freedom." And blowing up a home just because a weapon is inside hardly qualifies.

[Samwise]

[SBprone]

Disarming the Sunnis in this area is a very important job. Their martial capabilities enabled them to enslave and oppress the rest of Iraq. They aren't interested in supporting the rule of law for altruistic reasons but if we can completely disarm these bastards, make them helpless and let them contemplate some overdue retribution from their Kurd and Shia neighbors then they may develop an interest in the kind of civil institutions needed to prevent genocide. THEIR genocide.

Take ALL of their weapons. Make them VERY afraid. And if that doesn't make them see the light then let the Kurds have them.

[blackie]

Death to all Terrorists ~ Hang 'em High ~ Bump!

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Actually, there is a bill of rights in Iraq, and rights and freedoms by law that the people haven't had for over 3 decades.

Can you imagine...our troops risking their lives voluntarily for over a year to do so much good in Iraq - to bring freedom to these people, and even our fellow Freepers don't know.

Our mainstream press is criminally negligent, imho.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

More on our Marines, w/ pics:  Pendleton Marines cordon Fallujah ~  Marine Link | 4/06/04 | Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva

[hollywood]

Drats, I've been outted. /sarcasm

[Turbo Pig]

And how do you feel about the 2nd Amendment? Or is "freedom" flexible depending on whether you are an American or an Iraqi?

The US Constitution does not apply to Iraq. Anyone who thinks it does is uninformed at best, and purposefully confusing the facts at worst. Iraq is an OCCUPIED country, only partially liberated, until such time that the US hands over control to a civilian Iraqi government. That doesn't mean that basic human rights are to be violated. What it does mean is that the Iraqis loose certain rights in order to ensure the safety of Coalition forces, and a smooth turn over of authority.

[WOSG]

Iraq doesnt have a constitution. Yet.

Forget abstract, be practical. We dont want any weapons in the hands of enemies or potential enemies that kill civilians trying to build the new Iraq. This town has forfeited its rights; it is under martial law now and should remain so until an unarmed American is able to walk alone through the town unharmed.