[Digger]

Second thoughts: If we knew these guys were inside & surrounded why did we have to kill them? Why didn't we capture them - throw some tear gas in & go for it. Then maybe they would have told us where SH was.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Because we were more interested in saving the lives of our troops. We didn't feel comfortable holding our troops there for hours and hours-- easy pickings for insurgents.

Besides, apparently three of them were dead after the bombs fell. I think we bombed the place before we were even 20% sure they were actually inside. We didn't want them escaping and didn't have the force to really surround all the escape routes. This place was a mansion.

We already got burned on that mosque deal in Baghdad where it was rumored Saddam was hiding and we had a big firefight, but by the time it was over, there was no sign of anyone important enough for such a vigorous engagement against our troops-- presumably because there was plenty of time to escape.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Oh, and I don't think they knew where Saddam was at all. Saddam cares about himself more than knowing that his kids are kept informed of his whereabouts and condition.

What I want answered is what exactly happened the first night of bombing. I thought we would have collected enough cards by now so that we'd know who got crushed or injured in that bombing. Eyewitnesses were talking about ambulances and fierce digging and someone on a stretcher. I want more details. Was Saddam even in there or around there?