More Violence in the Green Zone, Basra
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Kind of hard to keep selling that "we're winning the surge" meme when the Green Zone is being shelled, isn't it? CBS's* Lara Logan reports that 4 soldiers were killed and 31 injured (2 killed and 17 injured, 5-7 seriously in the Green Zone) today. Not surprisingly, Iraqi losses, other than the deaths of a family of four for non-specified reasons in Basra were not mentioned. Gorilla's Guides lists a far more serious count of 25 dead and 57 wounded, but I can't be sure if that includes Iraqis in the total.
Throughout the country by 21:30 the GZG authorities admitted to 25 dead and 57 wounded. There is very heavy fighting going on in Sadr city. The Americans have it under siege and are refusing all access to the city. American helicopters have bombed the city repeatedly. American snipers are being deployed on the roof tops. Imam Ali spokesmen say they are now desperately short of medical supplies. The Red Crescent attempts to get emergency medical supplies to the city which we reported yesterday have failed because the Americans will not let them through.
There are reports that the fires caused by the American bombing of the Jameela market are spreading and that there is no water being pumped to the city.
Of course with Petraeus and Crocker testifying in front of Congress, it's hard to make a convincing argument of the effectiveness of the surge when they can't even protect the Green Zone from being shelled.
UPDATE: Siun at FireDogLake has more, including the absurdity of blaming Iran for attacks on US forces.
* changed to reflect correct network
Surge?
It would be a lot worse if they were not in their final throes.
Please: let us speak out against these war crimes, for that is what they are. Let us not stand by in silence as civilians are brutalized again.
What's going to happen if the Iraqs assemble in the thousands in Bagdad? I saw an item a day or so ago and haven't heard anything ever since. If that happens the violence will explode. Wonder what Betrayus will say this week. Just give it six more months? Sigh.
Proof that the surge is working and that the invasion is a total success story to be told by war hawks err...war mongers for generations to come.
A special thank you to:
1. Bush and Cheney
2. The complicit Congress
3. The whores in the media
4. Lobby groups
5. Corporations (Blackwater, KBR....).
Maybe McWarmonger can do another shopping stroll with his jackass friends sometime soon, perhaps buy a few more rugs for 5 bucks! The Green Zone is flowing red with blood, is anyone surprised?
Vic is right. But Mccain can't go without his babysitters Graham and Lieberman.
Just 6 more months....6 more months and all will be better....
Is Sadr City the next Fallujah?
NBC is reporting tonight that Petraeus will tell Congress this week that the surge is working, at least 130,000 troops must remain, and that more time is needed. John MCain said as much today as well.
Yes, folks...welcome to perpetual war. Ignore what you see. We are winning. We've always been winning. We will continue to win. Those are true statements as long you keep changing the definition of "winning".
We've turned another corner.
We're going in circles.
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Laura @ 3:
Extremely well said. It cannot be said too often that it is the inflammatory presence of the United States military in Iraq that is the cause for the violence and bloodshed in Iraq.
Laura brings up a very good point. The United States is certainly most guilty of committing war crimes, crimes against peace and crimes against humanity. But the U.S. will not be held to account because every president, Democrat or Republican, has decided that the United States should not become a signatory of the International Criminal Court. After all, the last thing that the United States wishes to acknowledge is that that this country should be judged by the same standards as all other countries in the world. As the title of one of Noam Chomsky's books accurately states, What We Say Goes [along with American Exceptionalism].
Totally 100% amazing that Americans have not stormed the White House and the vice presidents mansion and pulled those two criminals out into the streets and burned them alive!!
Achoo @ 5:
Exactly!!
If they nailed that many people with a single barrage, I reckon someone from the inside must have got word out of which coordinates to target, and when.
When will the madness end. Nixon was forced out by members of his own party. Why are our leaders so feeble and incapable of doing the right thing? I'm sure the majority of the Americans would support impeachment. We just can't continue like this. I have never seen our nation so depressed and pissed off.
We must understand the motives of the neocon madmen, this is exactly what these fuckers want. If the escalation were to work then it would be time to leave, they don't want to leave, they want to stay forever and control, gasp, Iraqi oil. And don't forget the two rivers flowing with water there. Water will be what the next wars will be fought over.
Vic @ 17:
Reality is, this war is a money maker for those who started it and continue it. These people are traitors. They have sold out their country for a quick buck. They have much blood on their hands and sadly, most Americans are so ignorant about how deep this conspiracy goes, the bastards are likely to get away with it. The long term damage to our country may be catastrophic, however, they don't care.
Yep, your government has been hijacked.
yakfitguy, My mother is one of those ignorant fools. She honestly believes Bush is spreading Christianity! She has been told by the pulpit, that this is a holy war. She doesn't even know the about Feith, Wolfiwitz or any of the neo-cons. It's all religion for her and her parishioners. It is so easy to bury your head in the sand than have to face the reality. Sad, no?
yakfitguy @ 10:
" WAR IS PEACE " All hail Big Brother.
You can only turn so many corners before you start going around in circles...
here's some recent work in "The OC".
http://freewayblogger.blogspot.com/2008/04/orange-county.html
Hit LA yesterday, SF today.
Achoo @ 5:
Dont forget the dimwits that voted for Bush, twice. Talk about the suspension of disbelief!!!
Warning: The SURGEon General says playing God in Iraq could result in death or serious injury or illness. This Iraq should be taken only as prescribed by your doctor. Do not overdose, or take more than prescribed.
I do believe the "insurgency" knows quite well that Gen. Petreaus is testifying on Tue.
Betrayus is just buying time for Bush to leave this mess on the next Pres. And Georgie will do what he does best. Leave a major mess for someone else to clean up. What the Hell, he's been doing it his whole life.
yakfitguy @ 10:
The TimesOnline is reporting that General Petraeus is going to tell congress that Iranian forces were involved in the fighting that took place in Basra.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article3690010.ece
odanny @ 25:
This only proves they can still pick their time and place to attack.
odanny @ 25:
You are suggesting that this is just for show?
The surge is working.
Bush & Cheney & Maliki have started the war they've been salivating for.
Of course! Iran! That is the Neo-cons dream. They will not be satisfied until Iran is dust. Damn. Maybe we should repent. This President is capable of doing anything. God, 289 days left. That seems like a long time.
Does the "Green Zone" mean a signal to go and destroy everything in sight ?
Sure seems like it recently ..................
Christy Hannity @ 28:
And it also proves it's next to impossible to stop ...............................
Now if the Sunni militias (the ones being paid by the US to stop fighting Americans - but havent been paid) decide it's time to join Sadr and kick the occupiers out ..
Are Bush & Cheney gonna back down?
Or .. ?
Another corner turned?
let's hope the good people of PA do their part in helping to ensure this war (and nomination) come to a close soon....and reject one of its enablers....
Erroll @ 12:
Laura @ 3:
Indeed. How ironic, the nation that hung the Nazis and Imperial Japanese wartime leaders for crimes has now done the very things they hung their old enemies for. How can we look at ourselves in the mirror with a straight face? Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed seems to be the only part of the Bible our "Christian" president has read. Not the "love your enemies" and "resist ye not evil for evil" bits. God damn the Republican party, they have been shitting all over His words for seven years now, and before them, Clinton, and before Clinton, Reagan, all the way back to William McKinley.
Erroll @ 12:
Yep. Hard truth to swallow for most people though.
MountainMan23 @ 34:
If those in the Sunni militia pair up with Sadr , it is going to be impossible to halt the destruction .........
This idiotic and illegal invasion and occupation has to be the biggest clusterfuck in human history ; I hope those who voted for Chimpy , regardless of the fact he didn't win either election , need to be sent to Guantanamo along with their retarded simian hero and his horseshit administration/cronies..........
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nixon was removed from office because the repubs and the media went after him for the good of the country. with bush, the repubs and the media will protect him for the good of their pocketbooks.
beltman713 @ 27:
From your link, it states Moqtada al-Sadr, the radical Shi’ite cleric, has called for 1m people to march on Baghdad on Wednesday – the fifth anniversary of the fall of the capital – when Petraeus and Ryan Crocker, the US ambassador to Iraq, will be briefing Congress.
Could you imagine one million Americans marching against war? I can't.
redcat, I've been saying the same thing. Funny, you would think the Repugs would have the balls to tell Georgie to go. What the Hell!
Lara Logan doesn't work at CNN.
She's Chief Foreign Correspondent for CBS.
We're forgetting one thing: most people who would be convinced the war is working and the surge is working lack the little tender qualities called "logic" and "reason."
I usually like Lara but, the al-sadr-anti-american-iran backed frame of the report bothers me. What does it mean to be anti-american first pf all? Does al-sadr hate jazz, baseball, and apple pie, or just the military occupation and foreign control of Iraq. If the chinese army is in my neighborhood, does my desire for them to leave make me anti-china? Iran is hedging their bets by giving assistance to al-sadr for sure but, the main recipient remains al-hakim and the badr brigades, who are the main backers of al-maliki. The pending legislation to bar "militia," read mahdi, affiliated candidates from running in the next election ensures the badr brigade will henceforth be referred to as the Iraqi army. I don't think Talabani is going to be faced with the choice of resigning or disbanding the peshmerga either so the selective political application of the law is clear. Petraus' testimony is going to be analogous to Powell's at the UN and war with Iran with follow.
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Unlike the United States during the Soviet disaster in Afghanistan, the Russians have demonstrated remarkable restraint by not providing sophisticated weaponry to the Taliban such as shoulder-fired SAMs and anti-tank rockets. Ditto with respect to the Iraqi resistance. Armed with such weapons, both groups would have driven the U.S. invaders out by now. I predict that a U.S. attack on Iran will trigger the flow of advanced weapons to all groups engaged against the U.S. The Russians have already supplied Iran with advanced anti-aircraft radar and SAMs, while the Chinese and North Koreans are perfectly capable of doing the same.
The loss of two armies in foreign lands should be the final straw to break the Empire's back. All that will be left to do is mourn the victims and execute the leaders responsible for these disasters.
On Sunday, John McCain renewed his defense of a 100 year American presence in Iraq. Just days after his campaign accused Barack Obama of "dishonesty" and "nonsense talk" over Obama's claim that McCain "willing to send our troops into another 100 years of war in Iraq," the Republican nominee on Fox News again compared Iraq to Japan and South Korea. By doing so, John McCain once again showed that he fundamentally misunderstands - or worse still, willingly misrepresents - both American history and U.S. national security.
For the details, see:
"McCain's Dishonest Defense of "100 Years" in Iraq."
p.d. you would think they would tell georgie to hit the road since he has fucked up their party possibly beyond repair.
odanny @ 42:
The MSM would ignore it like all of the antiwar protests.
Christy Hannity @ 23:
And fear the dimwits of tommorrow who will vote for McSameShit because their candidate didn't win the nomination.
This occupation of Iraq is illegal. It must end sooner, rather than later.
General_Rennenkampf @ 37:
And Senators Beezlebub and SnakeOil with the able assistance of Miss Nancy, 'SellOut' Reid, Hoyer, Emmanuel, Brazile and Dean are standing by to continue the freefall to disaster. Very, very soon it will be time to act or we and our children will spend the rest of our lives as slaves.
I call upon every American to prepare to do what it's gonna take to stop this descent into hell on earth we will not be able to escape.
For myself I am determined, just as the Iraqi's are, to Live Free or Die!
AngryOne @ 49:
If McCain really wants to be honest about it, he will refer back to the American occupation of the Philippines from 1899 to 1946 (don't be glum, that is 53 years less than what McCain thinks we will have to endure).
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ohio progressive (typical non-typical white person) @ 36:
Che's Lounge @ 11:
wich one?
Hey Lara Logan, you COW, the Sadr militia's are NOT as "Iranian backed" as is the US/Maliki buds of the Badr militia! How about speaking the truth rather than speaking the Cheney "truth".
The US is fighting for and with Badr brigades, who are VERY tight with the Iranians, vs Sadr's militia, which are much less beholden to Iran.
P.D. @ 19:
Yes, it is very sad. Why do these people think it's okay to even spread so called Christianity to people in other countries who are of different faiths? We have no right to invade other countries that didn't attack us first let alone make it a so called holy war. Jesus would be so ashamed.
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ConcernedCanuck @ 38:
When you have the worlds largest military, economy and political influence then yes, what we say goes. Now unless each of you want to give up all of those things, which would mean giving up our advanced lifestyle, then we must not agree to some international court. Just because western Europe does it does not make it a good idea....
Why is Betrayus testifying?
They never act of anyone's testimony, do they?
What's the point?
No. 44 @ 62:
Only when that person's testimony supports their policies.
So Baghdad's burning or to be more precise Sadr City is now being Fallujahed
You mean CBS's Lara Logan, not CNN
BETRAY-us is testifying because everybody at the White House is a CHICKEN-SHIT... and besides, they want somebody IN UNIFORM to fulfill the President's responsibility to inform the Congress as to the situation in Iraq.
It will be a all-out assault of PROPAGANDA GRANDSTANDING of the highest order.
motorfingaz @ 14:
It doesnt get shown much on TV, but the executive has rather a large armed security detail.
Not many people are that stupid to take their pitchforks and go up against the Praetorian Guard.
You ever see that picture of the scared retard looking SWAT type with the rotary shotgun pointed at a crowd as Chimpys Limo speeds by ?
Vic , PD , Yakfitguy , I get so pissed off that sometimes I have to take an extra blood pressure pill ( no joke ) , at times I think to myself what's the sense in this , maybe it's better to join the crowd and bury my head in the sand but then I read posts like yours ( others as well ) and realize I ain't the lone ranger . Burying our heads is exactly what the scum want us to do , it is the friggin problem . If it weren't for people getting pissed off and ACTIVE the friggin Vietnam war would probably still be goin on .
Ah, Chris @ 61: Just what "advanced lifestyle" are you referring to? Guess you haven't been seeing where that lifestyle has been leading the states lately.
Great lifestyle, as long as you have an over inflated military, private corporations that print money out of thin air, and think you can just take what you want?
Give it up.
"Kind of hard to keep selling that “we’re winning the surge” meme when the Green Zone is being shelled, isn’t it?"
This will be spun around in the typical neocon way, they will somehow call the shelling of the green zone progress.
Vic @ 71:
And blame Iran!
Remember when the British said they were leaving Basra? That's off. It seems that too many Iraqi soldiers deserted.
oncall @ 56:
I simply do not understand why a senile old fart , who was a horseshit Navy pilot 40 years ago , believes he's some sort of ground war expert .
That's akin to Chimpy believing he's an All-Pro quarterback after being such a tremendous cheerleader during his college days............
John in Seattle @ 69:
Hang in there! Keep logged onto C&L and keep posting positive stuff. You're correct, the neocon scum want you to just STFU and go along with the tyranny, obviously you're smarter than that!
Green Zone = Red Zone
So, what are we going to do to stop the shelling of the green zone?
Are we going to send more bombs into buildings?
More people killed.
More people to hate us.
It will not stop until we leave. Idiots.
Where is that idiot that was claiming all the good crap that nobody has ever heard about that is happening in Iraq? (in his own little head)
Just remember to keep chanting...."the surge is working", ...."the surge is working", ...."the surge is working".......
The surge did work pretty well. The recent issue with Sadr is a different issue and already appears to be winding down.
I mean, ok, I wasnt for the war (unlike many here. I mean, almost 80% americans supported the invasion so some people here might not be as pure as snow on the issue) but you can't take these things out of context. And its not hard (or a new thing) to shell the green zone from time to time. They kill people now and again but this time they got lucky, media-wise, in that they killed american soldiers.
I'm not claiming that Iraq is a wonderful place right now but the sky isnt falling either. What happens if Iraq does slowly work its way into peaceful little shiite dominated country? Will the passionate anti-war types still be here hyping every carjacking and mugging as evidence of total and absolute apocolyptic chaos? It's not just the right-wing adminstration that needs to prepare an exit strategy but also the anti-war left that needs to prepare one from it's own doomsaying. Just in case that is. ;)
to mr. Mr. Bonestripper :
Go read Gorrila's Guide, again their entry of march linked in this post is extremely informative, in a way no thousands US reports could make us understand better the situation. Iran is a backe rof Al-Maliki, Al Sadr has spoken against Iran and US imperialism.
So how could a guy with his militia's prevail if the puppet government and the two major powers in the region decide to fight against him? It's impossible, unless of course you have the support of the whole population, because in their experience you are the real hero and their real protectors.
Its the same with Hamas. Every US and european dickhead is peeing in their pants and yelling terrorist organization (the most meaningless words nowadays), but in fact they are the ones building schools, hospitals, new homes for palestinians in gaza, when they would only see Fatah officials run away with their money. And for them fighting (mortars and suicide bombers) the big overpowered Israeli neighbor who is destroying palestinians homes with bulldozers to rebuild new homes for the jews, is just adding a freedom fighter element to the movement. So their landslide victory in Gaza was very normal.
The only thing not normal was Bush being reelected in 2004 when having achieved allready such a big mess, but then again if you are well known with US propaganda and typical white American people's ignorance, bigotry and racism you would know that reelection was very normal too.
r @ 8:
Do you really believe that in six months anything will change? Good God are you that incredibly naive? Where have you been hiding for the last 30 years? The names may change but the game still continues, no matter who is "in charge". Nothing will change. The corporations are the ones running the world and war is good business for them. Do you really believe that they'll willingly give up all that money. Remember, money is the bottom line for EVERYTHING in this world. The top 1% of the world are getting richer and richer. Meanwhile the average person is getting further and further into debt. The living standards are dropping year by year and we're brainswashed with American Idol and celebrity adoration. They are the ones pulling the strings. Wake up.
Lara Logan looked a lot less gaunt here than in the previous one with Face the Nation, I just hope there is enough justice in this world to at least allow her back home alive and in one piece at the end of all this.
That is if there is something left of this country to come home to.
r @ 8:
You Hope!
motorfingaz @ 14:
Well, you see, that would take effort.
Ah yes...green zone...the same color as decay.
ysbaddaden @ 85:
At this rate, they're going to have to change the name to
a) the Dead Zone
b) the Red zone
c) the Nonsense Zone
d) the All-rape Zone (thanks KBR...)
We Islamic Jihadists would like to thank you American liberals for continuing our informational war on America. Without your help would could not hope to force convert the entire world to Islam.
It is only by your hard work in fighting to stop those in America who call us terrorists and demand democracy for our Arab nations, that we have hope.
Behead all those who defame Islam and only enslavement for those who do not convert. Your places as Dhimmis will be your reward.
We Islamic Jihadists would like to thank you American liberals for continuing our informational war on America. Without your help would could not hope to force convert the entire world to Islam.
------------
Just plain silly.
ferrofluid @ 65:
So when does the White Phosphorus get dropped? ....oh yeah they don't use it /snark
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But, but according to CNN Princess Diana is STILL DEAD!!
Vic @ 75:
Exactly. I would also add that there's an even chance that in our lifetime, a revolutionary shift in our goverment will occur. The fascists in our goverment are becoming more exposed everyday they continue their activities. We still have enough freedom of the press to run websites like this one and document their crimes. They got away with Vietnam, they are barely getting away with Iraq. I have a feeling the next time (Iran, Syria, Venezuela, and even China), they won't be so lucky. It will take courage and fortitude from folks like us to stop them. Rememeber: The revolution of 1776 wasn't won easily or quickly, and neither will this one. Hang in there, we will prevail.
Osama Bin Laden @ 87:
Your ignorance is astounding. There's no more chance of the "jihadists" converting us to Islam than there is a chance of converting you to a rational, thinking person.
You moron. Your don't even understand what you're talking about.
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