Moktada al-Sadr Gives up Terrorism, Goes into Politics

The New York Times ^ | Aug 19, 2004 | JOHN F. BURNS

[NationSoConceived]

--snip--

For two weeks, Mr. Sadr has led his militia force, known as the Mahdi Army, in some of the deadliest fighting with American troops since the invasion 16 months ago. But faced with a deadline of hours from Iraq's interim government to back down or face attack by Iraqi troops, he abruptly signaled a change of course, and suggested he would accept demands to vacate Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, disband his militia and transform it into a political party.

--snip--

Even as American and Iraqi officials were weighing Mr. Sadr's intentions, a menacing new dimension was added to the Najaf crisis by a report on Al Jazeera television that Iraqi militants calling themselves the Martyrs' Squad had captured an American journalist, Micah Garen, and threatened to kill him within 48 hours if United States forces did not pull out of Najaf.

--snip--

[NationSoConceived]

Apparently, neither "put up" or "shut up" are acceptable options for the rebel cleric in residence at Najaf's most holy shrine. Numerous trigger-happy Mahdi militiamen were said to be "very dissapointed" by the clerics prevarication.

"To the last drop of my blood" looks more and more like a bid for office on the part of al-Sadr. Talk about grandstanding. Sound like anyone we know? ;)

By the way, Al Jazeera makes me sick.

[GeronL]

what a headline.

Bundy gives up murder, becomes politician...?

[South40]

Moktada al-Sadr Gives up Terrorism, Goes into Politics

That's interesting; so did John Kerry.

[GAGOPSWEEPTOVICTORY]

Unreal.. the Slimes glorifies this wacko. Hopefully, our soldiers get to him before he breaks the next cease fire and he takes a permanent dirt nap.

[South40]

"To the last drop of my blood" looks more and more like a bid for office on the part of al-Sadr. Talk about grandstanding. Sound like anyone we know?

It reminds me of this guy:

"...never submit to fight beneath the banner [the American flag] with a Negro by my side. Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds."
Senator Robert KKK Byrd (D) West Virginia

[yonif]

Doesn't this sound familiar? Yasser Arafat Gives up Terrorism, Goes into Politics

[Atomic Vomit]

New York Times gives up journalism, goes in to politics

AV

[mewzilla]

That's just who I was thinking of.

[techcor]

Moktada al-Sadr Gives up Terrorism, Goes into Politics

So he's becoming more evil all the time,eh?