[TheDon]

Of course it was deliberate. If you are not obeying the rules at a checkpoint, you will be deliberately stopped. It was unfortunate that the driver made such a terrible mistake.

[VeniVidiVici]

Ok. You caught us. It was deliberate. We tried to rid the world of a couple communists.

Damn! Foiled again!

[marron]

Between checkpoints a convoy like hers would stop for nothing. If they are taking fire, a good reason to not stop, if they weren't sure the shooters were Americans.

If this is a well lit checkpoint, there is no excuse for not stopping, and its too bad, but its not surprising they got shot up. The mystery then is why they didn't stop, especially since the men accompanying her were Intel agents who would be used to working with the Americans.

If this was a flying checkpoint, thrown up at an unexpected location, or if it was a patrol that was stopping them at random, if the spot were not well lit, then a warning shot would be interpreted as an attack, and they would naturally speed up to get out of the kill box.

Thats what it sounds like to me. If you knew they were Americans you would stop; if you just saw shadows and heard gunshots you would put the pedal to the floor and go-go-go.

[Casloy]

Stupid #*$% if she only knew the efforts the Americans took to find her. Also, American soldiers are getting killed regularly by car bombs running through check points. As she found out, you charge into a checkpoint at your own risk.

[cdrw]

There is an awful lot of hand waving and speculation going on here. Labrax3's call for an immediate and open investigation is exactly what needs to happen.

Maybe the Italians paid a ransom
Maybe the car blew a checkpoint
Maybe there was a lack of coordination
...

We've all learned long ago that the press is full of crap. Emotions are running high and accusations are flying on both sides of the issue. Right, wrong or otherwise we have a reputation in the world for being trigger happy. That means Burlosconi has a lot of explaining to do back home regardless of how sensible those calls for explanations are. It doesn't matter.

If we casually flip-off the Italians then every other current and potential ally will take note. Political support has to go both ways or we will have no allies at all. Political support in this case means respecting the Italians by conducting an open investigation and by being prepared to take responsibility for whatever that investigation may find (that sword cuts in the Italian direction as well for the conduct of their "extrication" team).

I've got my opinions about what happened and I fully expect our guys to be vindicated but I'll keep an open mind until a credible investigation is done. I don't trust ANY of the press as information sources. As far as I'm concerned we know virtually nothing at this point and everyone is just venting their emotions.

Asbestos suit on - flame away.

[MisterRepublican]

Below is a list of stories in Il Manifesto from "left-leaning"(COMMUNIST) "journalist"(ACTIVIST)
Giuliana Sgrena:

Ten thousand Iraqis in US and British prisons
GIULIANA SGRENA
il manifesto 29 December 2004

Two thousand victims in Fallujah
Giuliana Sgrena, Iraq
il manifesto 26 November 2004

Napalm Raid on Falluja?
GIULIANA SGRENA
il manifesto 23 November 2004

The death throes of Fallujah
Giuliana Sgrena
ilmanifesto 13 November 2004

“Stop the massacre”
GIULIANA SGRENA
il manifesto 12 November 2004

Bombs and tanks, hell breaks in Falluja
GIULIANA SGRENA
il manifesto 09 November 2004

Interview with an Iraki woman tortured at Abu Graib.
Giuliana Sgrena, our correspondent in Baghdad
il manifesto 01 July 2004

“Imminent attack” against Falluja
GIULIANA SGRENA
il manifesto 06 November 2004

Flight from a Falluja massacred by bombs
GIULIANA SGRENA
il manifestp 21 October 2004

UN: US crimes in Iraq
GIULIANA SGRENA
il manifesto 05 June 2004

Now why would the terrorists in Iraq "kidnap" someone who is obviously working for their side?

I theorize the whole "kidnapping" was contrived for propaganda purposes.

I doubt that anyone in Iraq doesn't know what happens when a car speeds towards a military checkpoint. Surely a "war-weary" "journalist" and her "rescuers" know by now about what happens to cars that speed towards and refuse to stop at checkpoints.

[ryan71]

What were they thinking?

Did they know US troops were nearby? Yes.

Did they know that a fast moving car would be a perceived as a threat to US troops? Yes.

Did they know that US troops would shoot at any perceived threat? Yes.

I don't care who might have known they were coming or what checkpoints they might have already passed, they acted very very foolishly. Period.

[hgro]

The Italians are not noted for being very astute in their escapades in the international arena. Italy has been a country with a large Communist political movement for years.
Fortunately it performs like the proverbial Italian firing squad.

[RightWhale]

Giuliana had information, and the US military did not want her to survive

If they wanted her gone she would be gone. The genius who said this is just running polemics for whatever his Cause is.

[Oztrich Boy]

"Giuliana had information, and the US military did not want her to survive," he added.

If she had information, she's now forgotten it?

[poindexter]

"The Americans and Italians knew about (her) car coming," Pier Scolari said

Somebody always fails to Get The Word.

[guitfiddlist]

None of us yet know exactly what happened during this checkpoint incident. HOWEVER, there are certain facts that are not in dispute.

1. Berlusconi paid a multi-million dollar ransom to terrorists, who will use this funding to kill our troops and innocent Iraqis. I'm waiting to hear from any Euro-weenies who might claim this money was going into the Al Qaeda college fund.

2. Terrorists, thanks to Berlusconi, have just discovered a new funding source.

3. This "daring rescue" was a ransom/hostage exchange, in which the bagman got killed.

So, enough of this "Berlusconi has been a steadfast ally" crap. He sold us out even before this incident.