Iraqis Vent Rage On Call-In TV After Bombs Kills 43

Reuters ^ | 8/17/05

[areafiftyone]

BAGHDAD, Aug 17 (Reuters) - State television flashed grisly images of the latest bombing victims as the anchor told viewers their squabbling leaders would stabilise the country, in words that could only be termed reassuring in Iraq's chaos.

"It is a dialogue. They did not pull out guns and shoot each other," said the anchor on Iraqiya television, referring to Iraqi politicians struggling to draft a constitution.

Hours before they resumed negotiations, three car bombs killed at least 43 people and wounded 76 in an attack on a Baghdad bus station in morning rush hour, stepping up pressure on politicians to deliver on promises of security.

Al-Iraqiya quickly broadcast a call-in show, inviting Iraqis to respond to "the ugly terrorist crime" while broadcasting images of the latest carnage in Baghdad's version of U.S. and British breakfast television.

"This is a difficult test. We have to ask who they are (the bombers) and what they want," said government spokesman Laith Kubba, one of the callers.

But Iraqis are in no mood for questions. They want decisive action from a government paralysed by sectarian and ethnic divisions holding up efforts to draft a constitution.

"These men that kill 100, 50 and 70 men a day -- have they been put to death," said a caller named Abu Abbas. "How many have been put to death? How many? The National Assembly is supposed to represent the Iraqi people. All I hear is we will do this and we will do that."

Frustrated Iraqis were bombarded with footage of bloodied bodies and policemen standing in emergency rooms that have treated hundreds of bombing victims.

"When will Iraqi blood stop being spilled?" asked Om Hassan.

SECURITY FORCES

Between calls and comments, al-Iraqiya showed footage of Iraq's new army and security forces crawling under barbed wire and practising martial arts.

Such images have done little to ease anxiety in a country where guerrilla bombings have killed thousands of security forces and civilians.

The show's anchor interrupted the programme for a breaking news announcement that four men suspected of involvement in the bus station bombing had been captured.

"I call on the government to try these men on television," said a caller.

Some Iraqis in the capital say they are taking the law into their own hands in a city plagued by criminal gangs.

In the Sadr City area of Baghdad, militiamen pulled a man from the trunk of a car and shot him and two women, saying they were running a prostitution ring, witnesses said on Wednesday.

Angry callers yelled while Iraqi officials sat at the negotiating table again after failing to meet an Aug. 15 deadline to draft a constitution.

The anchor urged the officials to finish writing the document after telling Iraqis that Saddam Hussein's police state would never return, words that failed to soothe another caller.

"Instead of Saddam we now have thousands of Saddams," he fumed.

[Rokke]

Oh goody. More history lessons from TomasUSMC. Hey, Tomas, if you take another quick glance into the history books, you'll note that bombing Laos and Cambodia did not result in an American victory in Vietnam.

And by the way, it is very safe to assume that you have no idea what action we are taking inside Syria and Iran.

[TomasUSMC]

imprisonment at an air conditioned prison with "three hots and a cot." We are at war and we treat the killers like scofflaws with too many traffic tickets. What's the downside to terror??

---

BINGO!

Your right. ... a terrorist who goes to Iraq, he can just pay a bunch of teenagers to bury 155s with a cell, and just sit back and push buttons. IF he gets caught, oh well, go party with his friends in jail until uncle Abu bails him out.

Now if he was sitting around and just happened to see some Islamic Justice burn some guys eyes out on TV, because he was setting up and blowing up things, that might give him cause for concern.

Additionally, if everytime there was a huge carbomb attack like this, pipelines and bridges and dams, nuclear research facilities and other things started to blow up in Iran and Syria, you'd have - Syrian and Iranian governments sending agents to "persuade" these bombers to stop this chit before Syria and Iran where totally destroyed.

[need_a_screen_name]

"Maybe your screen name should be "Doesn't get sarcasm."

Well, with MNJohnie being the epitome of a Bush-but and an illegal alien apologist, it was an easy mistake to make. Check out just about any thread dealing with illegal immigration, and you will see him proudly flying the La Raza flag. He has even earned his way into the OBL Sock Puppet Brigade

As far as your humor and scathing wit, it was hardly original. Thanks, just the same.

[TomasUSMC]

you'll note that bombing Laos and Cambodia did not result in an American victory in Vietnam.

---

Wow. - not bombing would have been better? If you read your history you'll see our Air Force had to jump through a lot of hoops to bomb those places and when finally Nixon told the Air Force to 'go for it" back in December of 72, the communist came running back to the peace table.
Title: Vietnam—Linebacker II

Action: In the Vietnam War.

Text 1

LINEBACKER II—Objectives:
Dedicated effort to induce termination of the war
Clear policy
In contrast with the mistakes of the Rolling Thunder campaign, the conduct of LINEBACKER TWO highlights the proper use of airpower.


The objective of linebacker two was to end the war by demonstrating that the conflict was not sustainable, a subtle but significant change in policy. By finally being able to take the damage and destruction of war to the heart of the country, especially Hanoi and Haiphong (YOU CAN PUT IN DAMASCUS AND TEHRAN), the air war had effects that the ground campaign was never able to carry out.

This is a positive example of air power employed with regard to the principle of objective. Only after the Vietnamese air defense system was neutralized, and bombing missions were conducted virtually unopposed, did the North Vietnamese leadership finally realize that they were better off returning to the peace negotiations. This application of air power illustrates the ability of air and space forces to exercise the principles of mass and offensive action.

Linebacker II. Thats what we need to put on Iran and Syria. Instead President Bush does nothing at all. Nada. President Bush should have learned that his inaction in not retaliating for the USS COLE attack, especially since Clinton didn't, resulted in emboldening the terrorist. Our present inaction in Syria and Iran just emboldens the enemy more. They know they have safe haven in these two countries.

[Rokke]

Tomas, Hanoi and Haiphong were in North Vietnam. Not Cambodia and Loas. Maybe you should give up on history altogether and just start with basic geography.

[Rokke]

"As far as your humor and scathing wit, it was hardly original. Thanks, just the same."

This coming from someone who can't even think of a screen name? I'm hurt.

[Stultis]

"When will Iraqi blood stop being spilled?" asked Om Hassan.

Don't worry Hassan. We have people over here that are trying to bring "peace" to Iraq.

Oooops! It turns out most of them think the insurgency is fully legitimate (and the government you voted for illegitimate). Sorry, Cindy Sheehan and Code Pink insist you must continue to bleed until a rightful despot is returned to power (at which time you must bleed more profusely).

[TomasUSMC]

Some folks just don't know what a sanctuary is. In Nam, Cambodia Laos and North Vietnam were sanctuaries for the Communist.

Of course, at least LBJ/Nixon had some reasons for not going after the commies there. They were supported by not one but two Superpowers, Russia and China. Today Iran and Syria are supported by NOBODY. YET, our Commander and Chief, President Bush doesn't lift a finger against these sanctuaries that are supporting the terrorists today, Syria and Iran.

Its time for

Linebacker Redux

[MEGoody]

As far as your humor and scathing wit, it was hardly original.

So people have suggested that screen name to you before? Perhaps you should take the hint.

[need_a_screen_name]

"So people have suggested that screen name to you before? Perhaps you should take the hint."



No, not the same name you chose, or even close. Just the same type of making up funny names type of thing. It's no big deal. I've had other people tell me they always get a kick out of my screen name. Different strokes and all of that.

[MEGoody]

No, not the same name you chose, or even close.

Ah, then I was original. :)

[wolfcreek]

The Iraqi government needs to get its act together> The citizens of Iraq need to put aside their differences and come together to run the insurgents out of their country. Most of them are armed, so it shouldn't that difficult.

[pollyannaish]

I agree. Ownership is an important issue in this fight.