14 US Marines killed in Iraq

MSNBC/Imus in the Morning

[leadpenny]

Roadside bomb in western Iraq.

[F16Fighter]

"We are the ONLY country strong enough to do it, as usual."

Do you really believe our fighting and dying in Iraq is going to change Islamofascism's "mind set"?

The best action was preventative....

As anyone with access to immigration rolls from Islamic countries to America, OR a camera at the Mexican border can plainly see, we are extremely vulnerable.

[Eagle Eye]

There aren't any cities in al anbar wirth a nuke.

[Alberta's Child]

Now I'm really confused. What is the "mindset" you are talking about?

[southernindymom]

The mindset of the terrorists that you and I are pond scum because we are not muslim

[dennisw]

I pray that 14 dead is way too high.

[68 grunt]

14 Marines dead today. Why? ...

I don't think you're growing cynical, I think you know exactly what you're doing. Yes, as a matter of fact there have been major operations and we've been killin' the hell outta them buggers. War is a bitter, ugly thing and weaklings can't comprehend it. Marines both joyously live and gloriously die by the sword and this is another thing lesser beings don't comprehend. I'd rather not discuss the illusion vs. the reality because to shake the illusion is to reject what Marines do the very best: giving themselves for their brothers. Mourn them, don't denigrate their sacrifice or service.

[Alberta's Child]

If that were really the motivation behind this country's foreign policy, then we'd be waging war in countries like Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Pakistan right now -- and Iraq would be one of the last places in the Middle East that would need any military pressure at all.

[A Longer Name]

Please restore kedr's account. He is not a troll, it's just that he is a Russian in Russia. Believe it or not, but his position is about as close to pro-American as it gets among the majority of Russians.

Unlike his compatriots kedr went out of his way to seek alternative opinions and sources of information. Let him participate in discussions, learn something, spread the word. We need people like him.

[Steelerfan]

Thoughts and prayers for them and their families.

[68 grunt]

Today's 14?

[walden]

Lots of those dead Americans in the cities are scum-- drug dealers, other criminals. On the other hand, the marines are among our finest Americans.

[carl in alaska]

I read that they were in an armored vechicle, so this must have been a massive roadside bomb, or multiple bombs. Possibly some guys were riding on top of the vehicle to cool off in the summer heat. One thing that the Iraq war has done is prove that the Baathists and AQ terrorists stand for nothing but terror and killing. If they can't support the end of a brutal, repressive regime and the start of a democracy, then all they stand for is terror. At least now we know without a doubt who are enemy is and what they believe in.

[george wythe]

I believe the administration needs to be looking for a different tactical and strategic direction.

I second that.

We can't keep doing the same thing and expect different results.

The military in Iraq must be given free reins to device creative solutions, since the Pentagon leadership in Washington lacks any successful ideas.

If I get a chance to meet President Bush in a fundraiser this year, I will personally tell him just one thing: Meet with a few junior officers from Iraq and have a few candid conversations on how to turn around the Iraqi situation.

[Steve_Seattle]

"So much for "Whupass" talk."

We have killed thousands of terrorists and captured thousands more. That seems like "whupass" to me.

[jbstrick]

I agree. Restore his account untill he proves himself a troll.

[chgomac]

Didn't President Bush make a veiled reference to what he would NOT have done? Something about not just shooting off a rocket to hit a camel in the ass?

[68 grunt]

Well, I like it!

[Jeff Head]

There are plenty of reports, from before the invasion back to the 911 time frame that indicated that Hussein was in bed with and consorting with terrorists. He was funding the suicide attacks in ISrael and paying off the families of those who carried them out. Most of the liberals scoffed at ties to AL Quida in particular, but documentrs taken after the fall of his regime attest to it as does Zarqawi and his activities before and after our invasion. It was much talked about here openly on FR and elsewhere. I believe that establishes the fact when you look at the events associated with the war to this date.

This also, at least to me, makes it self evident. The Mid East is rife with islamic fundamentalism. Establishing our presence and the opportunity for a free, self determining and secular regime in their midst is bound to attract those so fundamentally opposed to it like flies. The founders of our nation indicated that certain truths were self evident...you and I both believe that they were and are. I believe the same regarding this issue. In the same manner, it is self evident (at least to me) that if we go into Iraq that the other fundamentalist and terror supporting elements in the region (ie. particularly Syria and Iran which Iraq is nesteld right in between) ) would respond. All you have to do is look at a map and consider the nature of the geo-political situation.

Anyhow...as I said, it appears we disagree and that is fine with me. It is both of our right. I am content to let others read and make up there own minds as I am sure you are.

[Jeff Head]

I agree whole heartedly...there should have been a formal declaration in my opinion.

[Alberta's Child]

He also said he wouldn't use the U.S. military to engage in stupid "nation-building" exercises, so don't tell me what he said -- he's got absolutely zero credibility on that count. Tell me what YOU THINK this administration would have done differently.