Iraq Qaeda chief says Rumsfeld fleeing battlefield

Reuters ^ | November 10 2006

[jmc1969]

A purported audio recording by the leader of Iraq's al Qaeda wing said outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld quit to flee the Iraqi battlefield.

Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri, said in the recording posted on the Internet that the group has 12,000 armed fighters and 10,000 others waiting to be equipped to fight U.S. troops in Iraq.

"I tell the lame duck (U.S. administration) do not rush to escape as did your defence minister ... stay on the battleground."

Stung by a "thumping" defeat at Tuesday's Congressional elections, U.S. President George W. Bush said Rumsfeld had resigned because there was need for "fresh perspective in Iraq."

Bush said he was open to any idea for a new approach and publicly reaffirmed a belief that "victory" was possible in Iraq. The change of guard raised speculation it was meant to pave the way for a swift U.S. troop withdrawal.

The speaker vowed allegiance to Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, the head of a Sunni Islamic state comprising Iraq's mostly Sunni Arab provinces which was announced in October by al Qaeda and groups affiliated to it.

"I say to ... the ruler of believers (Baghdadi) I vow allegiance to you," he said. "I put under your command 12,000 fighters who are the army of the al Qaeda," he said.

The speaker called on fellow Sunni insurgent groups in Iraq to join ranks under the Islamic state.

[capitalist229]

It feels like we are back in 1976 and the Jimmy Carter era.

Gentlemen, don your sweaters and turn down the thermostat.

BUMP

[yldstrk]

The Eureanization of America has its tentacles in our society. The culture war continues. This battle was won by the "War is not the answer" limp wristed pleasure seekers. But tomorrow is another day. There are still salt of the earth people with a solid grasp of right and wrong in this country. Keep on fighting!

[armymarinemom]

WTG America

[steveegg]

"We hope the Democrats don't forget their campaign promises. If they don't, we will deal with them in a brotherly way once the last American Soldier pulls out from Iraq," he (Sadirite Falah Hassan Shanshal) said.

I wonder if the Philly 'RATs will explain to their brethern that this is a deadly promise.

[Democratshavenobrains]

The Left would say these guys aren't the "real" Al Qaeda.

[YellowRoseofTx]

Will someone ask Pelosi what her timetable is for capturing Bin Ladin?

Very good question I hadn't thought of yet. I too want an answer from "The Queen"

[Mo1]

Will someone ask Pelosi what her timetable is for capturing Bin Ladin?

Kind of hard to do when they "redeploy" the troops out of the area

It's just another lesson the American people will have to learn

[Mo1]

The Left would say these guys aren't the "real" Al Qaeda.

Well of course .. because we are not in a war .. it's just a situation according to Pelosi

[Mr. Jeeves]

This is true. Pretty much every rogue country out there know they do as they wish, and if we threaten war it doesn't matter.

Well, that was the conventional wisdom on the USA before the Afghanistan invasion. Bush scared them for a few years, but now we are right back to where we stood in the late 90's.

[Hattie]

Oh for goodness sake quit your big talk Queida. Don't you know the Dems are going to sit down and talk with you now and we can all "just get along". They know how to work with the terrorists. No need for any more bombs.

[RoadTest]

"Iraq Qaeda chief says Rumsfeld fleeing battlefield"

He wasn't on the battlefield, useful idiot 3rd class! How can he leave it?

[Eclectica]

OBL knew America's leftwing Vietnam press was still in charge of this country. He knew Americans would surrender.

OBL knew enough NOT to appear with a "Kerry-for-President" button—just as he did before the 2004 election.

[excludethis]

No the DUmmies think Bush is in cahoots with them:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2607980

2. The current administration asked for this reaction.
And here it is. Stay strong, Madam Speaker, we are glad for your presence.

[roses of sharon]

As with any war, thousands of decisions will be debated from now until eternity, (just watch the History Channel).

But, the overall message from Americans will be surrender.

Because we have been conditioned by the MSM worldwide, for the last 30 yrs, that the Islamic Cults are victorious when they blow up civilians in the marketplace.

These Islamic Cults have been roaming the globe for decades, murdering innocents with impunity. And being painted as victims, oppressed, or having some rational for doing so. The US and Israel are the bad guys.

Its blackmail, and the MSM willingly participate in OBL's propaganda.

[Reaganesque]

Alternative Headline: "Al Qaida Pleased With Election Results".

[ohioWfan]

al Qaeda and RATS on the same page............again.

[RedEyeJack]

"has 12,000 armed fighters " depends on what your definition of "fighter" is...

We have never had any Iraqi or foreign "fighter" group stand their ground for more than a few minutes and never press a close assault. They are great at planting IEDs and then surrendering when caught knowing that most will not be detained for more than a few weeks at most. When they are wounded and captured they get our medical treatment (If there are American they have to wait until we are treated first).

They get high on drugs before they even engage in their standard "Pray and spray" tactics. The only thing they excel at is using our Rules of engagement against us. We have had two incidents in the last week where these brave "fighters" took cover behind women and children that they herded in front of themselves knowing that we would not fire back and kill women and kids.

If the Democrats don't mess this up we will win. The Sunnis are starting to fight back against these "heroes" in many places in Al Anbar (something we can't seem to get the NYTs to write about). Things were already changing before the election and the Iraqi Army and police are shouldering more responsibility every day. If we lose now it will be because those elected on 7 November don't have the intelligence to understand what is happening and expediently want to make the masses "feel good" now.

[RandallFlagg]

Okay, I'm getting sick of this.

Folks, please pass the word that I'll be working on bumper stickers that read something like, "I Didn't Vote For the 'Rats," when I get off of work.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I'll do what I can.

Happy Veteran's Day!

[Mad Dawgg]

"Democrats should respond with a rousing cry in support of Iraqi democracy and a denunciation of terrorism carried out by Islamic fascists."

Yes, and winged primates should immediately depart from my nether regions.

I am taking bets on which happens first.

[AmishDude]

He should be more afraid of our 25-year-old special forces than a 70-year-old bureaucrat.