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U.S.: Al Qaeda Using Iraqi Government Vehicles, Ambulances
October 22, 2007 7:53 AM
Citing evidence that insurgents and al Qaeda terrorists are using Iraqi government vehicles and ambulances to carry out missions, Gen. David Petraeus has ordered a new system of checkpoints for almost all Iraqi official convoys and motorcades.
The only exceptions, according to an unclassified version of Gen. Petraeus' order, obtained by the Blotter on ABCNews.com, are "Tier 1" motorcades, such as that of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
U.S. officials in Washington confirmed the order and say it has been in effect since early October.
Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.
The checkpoints, according to the order, expressly target Iraqi government vehicles because of reports they are being used to "transport weapons and contraband, and to generally support illegal activity."
Gen. Petraeus, in the order, says the checkpoints are intended to "undermine the movement of terrorists and armed militias" and "to reduce corruption within the Iraqi government."
This post has been updated.
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October 22, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (67)
Al quaeda and insurgents are closely related. They both conduct terror operations and do not care who they kill or terrorize in order to complete there objective. Just another reason why we need to stay in the fight.
Posted by: imjustconcerned | Oct 22, 2007 8:35:23 AM
This goes to prove how much the US can trust the Iraqi Government. There is something fundamentally wrong with a governemnt that attacks its own people because of differences in their religion.
Posted by: Deputy Dawg | Oct 22, 2007 9:08:03 AM
Controls on the movement of "enemy" officials should have been in place years ago, but it is never too late. We can give the Iraqis back their freedom when their "civilian" belligerents stop shooting and start talking. There has been no excuse for treating Iraqis like they are all victims. They are all, one way or another, participants. Put the whole country on a Twelve Step program and let them accept responsibility for their own freedom.
Posted by: Mike Maus | Oct 22, 2007 10:32:28 AM
My tax dollars at work directly supporting the evildoers. Silly me, I'd rather they were spent at home than in Iraq providing vehicles for "police" who are in cahoots with al Queda. Time to leave and wish them well.
Posted by: Sara BB | Oct 22, 2007 11:25:06 AM
Reminds me of catch 22. We never should have gone there. Another stupid war brought to you by the biggest dumb ass President in American history. Remember. We were attacked by Osama Bin Laden out of Afghanistan. Iraq had nothing to do with 911. We will never bring democracy to Iraq. It is all about the oil. Oh by the way. Feel free to blow Osama's head off if you see him. Know the right enemy.
Posted by: chris clarke | Oct 22, 2007 11:28:01 AM
Al Quada is just another base name for those against the west.
Posted by: yes | Oct 22, 2007 11:29:32 AM
These people have survived a hell that we can only imagine. Freedom is a word to them, they have seen horrors that cannot be expressed. To beleave that every one is healed over night is unrealistic. It took years to help Germany after WWII and there were internal battles then with youth who could not see the meaning of Freedom. A time ahead is before us,the people want to trust us but news reports must confuse and worry them as to our resolve to stay the course. As friends we must understand their fears and answer them with truth and understanding We must try to see from their eyes.
Posted by: texas-t | Oct 22, 2007 11:46:21 AM
These vehicles are provided at US tax payer expense I presume? We are arming and training the Palestinians, thousands of weapons are missing in Iraq, isn't this fairly consistant with our war on terror phylosophy? Give your enemy everything they need to perpetuate the war?
Posted by: Richard | Oct 22, 2007 12:02:12 PM
Yes like Mik Maus's comment, put the whole country on a Twelve Step program...Step 1 through 12...GET OUR TROOPS OUT!!
Posted by: Georgia Mom | Oct 22, 2007 12:33:46 PM
" Just another reason why we need to stay in the fight." Posted by: imjustconcerned
We, kemosabe? Are you over there fighting? Or sitting on the sidelines with a bag of potato chips and a diet coke?
Posted by: elmerg | Oct 22, 2007 1:00:44 PM
It is time to close the books on Iraq and get out of this dump site. The entire Iraqi government is rotten to the core just exactly like the entire Bush Administration is rotten to the core.And today these two IDIOTS Bush and Cheney cant wait to bomb Iran..And start yet another war.
Posted by: Joe Murphy | Oct 22, 2007 1:02:36 PM
Al Qaeda, Al Qaeda, Al Qaeda. Does anybody know or remember that Osama bin Laden was trained by the CIA to fight against the Soviets in Afghanistan during the 1980's? Doe anybody know or remember that Sadaam Hussein was also trained by the CIA at the age of 18 in 1953 or 1954? Does anybody care that the United States was the one who put in Sadaam in power in 1979? Does anybody know or care that the United States was the one who gave him the chemical weapons that he subsequently used on his own people? Take care.
Posted by: John O'Neill | Oct 22, 2007 1:26:37 PM
Sometimes, I just kick back on my rocking chair and chuckle at Bush's democracy in the Middle East. This yahoo president thinks politics is like ridding a horse...spur it and it will run as you wish.
Posted by: wmd5 | Oct 22, 2007 1:26:59 PM
They are all Particapants in what. We assisted them in loosing their freedom first by placing a dictor into power, yes Saddam, after all we propt him up to power spit and chewed him out when he was nolonger of any use to us. then we falsly made statments of weapons of mass destruction. then we invaded a country that we were advised by the world would be a big mistake. I think We need to understand where we went wrong with our logic before we blame others. it is insurgents that attack majarity of the time not the average Iraqi citizen. to all whom supported the invasion, I just want to say I TOLD YOU SO. THIS WAS A MAJOR MISTAKE. now our kids pay the price with death. are you happy NOW. let this be a lession Americans should not play follow the leader, A true American takes goverment wisdom with skepticism
Posted by: Adeeb N. | Oct 22, 2007 1:29:38 PM
Can you believe people of the USA,calling the President an idiot!!!!!!!!!Unbelievable,having spent 3 years in Iraq and 1 in Afhanistan I have seen the good and bad.There is hope for these countries.The whinning,bleeding hearts of America should come over or shut up.
Posted by: Gunny | Oct 22, 2007 1:37:53 PM
The LIBS just don't get it. The LIBS have tied their political fortunes to a U.S. failure in Iraq. It is sad that the party of FDR now has become a supporter of U.S. enemies and desire the defeat of U.S. forces for their own selfish politics.
Posted by: mbcsmith | Oct 22, 2007 1:38:41 PM
Our enemies in the Middle East have already admitted that they want to instigate and embroil the U.S. in as many wars as possible to weaken us and wear us down over time. And, of course, all of these wars are un-winnable. And GWB has taken the bait and fallen for it. Now is Iraq next? We should not enter any war without the substantial help of a multi-national force who is commited to stay in it as long as we are in it. Most other countries have pulled their forces out of the Iraq war because they know it is a lost cause. Let Iraq start solving their own problems. There were no WMDs there, so Cheney and Bush were dead wrong in saying that there were. If it weren't for oil we wouldn't even be there. Zimbabwe has an evil dictator, Mugabe, who is commiting genocide on his own people, but we aren't there to "help the people" because there is no oil there. This is all such a farce. Get out of Iraq. Then, if they don't sell the world their oil at a fair price, the G8 countries can get together and just go in there and take it. Get out now and let the chips fall where they may.
Posted by: Tom | Oct 22, 2007 1:40:59 PM
You don't tell us the truth,it's all about oil.If not, why not Mugabe who is malnolishing people to death?
Posted by: Ambewe | Oct 22, 2007 2:39:14 PM
The Conserv's just don't get it! The Bin Laden family helped financial G.W.Bush's gubernatorial bid. Their pals. Bush isn't an idiot! The dumb people who believe this is real war are. This is just occupation for oil.
Bush even said that he doesn't know where Osamma is and frankly doesn't worry about him. The secret society(Bushes) paid Osamma to attack the U.S. to keep the Republican War Machine active. The Republican Party benefits from Human Misery. (War, Cigaretts, Disease(no health care) and poverty.)
They are the "VERY BEST AT CREATING SUCH!"
Posted by: Marcus | Oct 22, 2007 3:00:16 PM
Texas T.
Words of wisdom, just wanted to say WOW. hope to hear more words of wisdom than the,arrogance I normally read from others, thanks again.
Posted by: Adeeb N. | Oct 22, 2007 3:15:28 PM
And Bush wants $46 billion more to support such activity ???
Posted by: Marty | Oct 22, 2007 3:33:17 PM
This is all precisely laid out in the book, "Management of Savagery". It describes how these groups will infiltrate the infidels and use their institutions and resources against them. Doesn't ANYBODY read in this administration??????
Next, rebuilding will be undertaken in small steps, first, making them look like the good guys, as is being done by Hamas. And we can all see how well Hamas is liked by the local people there.
Posted by: JAG | Oct 22, 2007 3:51:47 PM
Presumably these vehicles have been paid for by the US taxpayer as part of the reconstruction effort. At least that small fraction of the money left over after the contractors took their cut.
Posted by: gunsnbibles | Oct 22, 2007 4:04:44 PM
This is the same technique being used by the Mexican drug cartels... I wonder if there are some BKMs (best known methods) being passed around as Mexicans smuggle terrorists across our borders..?
Posted by: Peter4 | Oct 22, 2007 4:07:21 PM
To cut and run would be a huge mistake. Regardless of whether or not you like Bush or think that the U.S. should have invaded, the fact remains that an unstable Iraq exists, and if the U.S. does not see this out, then it will breed new enemies and Americans will not be able to experience the type of freedom we've had for decades to come.
I don't think Bush-bashing is productive, nor is complaining that "my tax dollars are paying for this!" Anyone can complain, but it takes a better person to contribute or make suggestions for improvement.
Posted by: Mike | Oct 22, 2007 4:09:26 PM
Yep, the republicans are right. It is so much more in America's interest to provide Al Queda with vehicles than to provide our nation's neediest children with health care. Why do republicans hate America so much and are trying to destroy it?
Posted by: Peter Dick Johnson | Oct 22, 2007 4:21:08 PM
>>>The LIBS just don't get it. The LIBS have tied their political fortunes to a U.S. failure in Iraq. It is sad that the party of FDR now has become a supporter of U.S. enemies and desire the defeat of U.S. forces for their own selfish politics.<<<
It is this kind of lack of thoughtful analysis that got us into this mess in the first place.
Posted by: JAL | Oct 22, 2007 4:32:08 PM
Uhuck, well at least we got control of all those WMD's!!!
It's a shame so many innocent people had to die for the GOP to prove their incompetence at running things. Thanks for the 20 year mess and the never-to-be-paid National Debt, morons.
Looks like Daddy Bush was right about why we should have NEVER invaded Iraq.
Posted by: Matt | Oct 22, 2007 4:36:00 PM
Gunny when they get here i have lots of guns to fight with. We invaded them remember, what would you do to an invader of our country? I think you would shoot them just like they shoot at their invaders.
Posted by: pesojoe | Oct 22, 2007 4:56:25 PM
That's why we need to get the hell out of there. The people don't want us there, and will continue to use our own resources against us.
Posted by: Shag | Oct 22, 2007 6:27:11 PM
Here the government(Ours) fnds some important information on how the insurgents are accomplishing their objectives and lets the whole world know what they have found out, so now the insurgents can change their tactics to once again avoid detection to kill more American service. WHATS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE!!
Posted by: Sid | Oct 22, 2007 7:15:57 PM
To the naysayers-
You are all missing the point- we're at war with radical Islam. I lived and fought with the Iraqis for about a year. Simple people. Not bad people. But different people. Yes, our culture is generally superior. I wipe my backside with multiculturalism because it is a lie. A dangerous lie.
Yeah. Let's just quit and come home. Great idea. Walk away from the fight. I got news for you- it ain't like that, and the fight will go on. You- we- are in it whether we like it or not.
Most of you have NO idea what you are spouting off about. These radical moslems ALL want you dead. And your kids. And your families. It isn't a war over territory or oil. It's about one group dominating or killing the other group. They're happy to die and kill all kinds of people to get at YOU. It is the will of Allah. It's been going on for years, and you just haven't paid attention to it.
People like me will go fight your wars, while you sit on your dumb $&%$&%^ and sing your sanctimonious liberal mantras. I have more respect for the stinky %$#&%$^$ than I do for you. At least they take a side.
Get us out? Of what? Earth? Reality? Give the stinkies a time out?
This is a fight which will last a long time and only one side will prevail. The other will cease to exist.
Posted by: Marc McCracken | Oct 22, 2007 7:18:36 PM
I notice that there are a few who cannot understand that this is not a GOP vs the Libs situation we have here. All of the one party system players are benefiting from this. And for those who think their duty in life is to go fight a war so the rich can get richer. Have at it. Just leave my tax dollar here at home where we can use it for securing our border. And take your chicken hawk president with you.
Posted by: Richard | Oct 22, 2007 7:27:16 PM
why is abc reporting this? i don't want anyone knowing a order given 20 or so days ago. abc is closer to al qeada than sunni's in al anbar province.
Posted by: mark | Oct 22, 2007 7:33:26 PM
HOW, are government vehicles falling into the hands of the enemy? Yea, really well thought out. Will there be any accountability when pedestrians are blown up? Probably not.
Posted by: pfffffffft | Oct 22, 2007 8:08:56 PM
Al-Qaida using Iraqi government vehicles
Drug smugglers using official Texas vehicles
Posted by: matt | Oct 22, 2007 8:17:37 PM
Bottom Line folks is that you piece together the information as you get and work on the puzzle.
Just like the other guy does.
There is information that will never be know as to why we are in Iraq . . . and IT IS NOT ABOUT OIL.
Personnally, it is better to take them on and fight them in their back yard then have them running amuck in my back yard.
Then you can listen to the ACLU bring up whatever when they blow up something here OR they get killed trying to do something here.
All the whining is over when they bust you in the chops. Then you have to Stand up fight
Posted by: Dill I Gaff | Oct 22, 2007 8:21:48 PM
Marc, you are 100% correct in that this war discussion should not continue as a partisan political discussion. We are in a huge mess in Iraq. Yes, Bush was/is the person most responsible for it, but now the discussion must turn to how to get out of there before our country's economy goes to "hell in a hand basket", not to mention American lives that are being lost over there. This was is another Vietnam, where we are trying to distinguish the good guys from the bad ones and they all look the same. Wars cannot be won that way. Wars can only be won by massive killings, like what happened in Japan and Germany. If we arent prepared to do that, then lets get out, save our country's econony, if it is not too late, and fight insurgents over there with strategic bomb attacks and covert activities. (Islamic Extremists are widespread in the Middle East and Iraq is not the biggest threat to American interests even.) If it will make Bush feel any better about things, then bomb the hell out of Iran for good measure, but bring the troops home and get to work securing our borders and protecting real American interests rather than pandering to Big Oil and other big business interests. It's time for Americans to realize that Dems and Republican politicians are all in the game for themselves. Rush and Micheal Moore likewise for that matter. They cannot relate to the Average American working class, because they have never been in their shoes and don't intend to be.
Posted by: hiram | Oct 22, 2007 8:44:25 PM
The war in Iraq is being managed by men who were taught their skills by the idiots who lost a ten year war in Vietnam. No wonder we can't win. The generals were promoted because they NEVER take chances, at least not with their careers, and not because they know what the hell they are doing. Pencil pushers never win wars. If a six year old was in charge and told to win the war by doing the OPPOSITE of what the generals decide he would win it. Giving the Iraqi's time to steal a million pounds of high explosives, failure to secure or destroy all artillery ammunition, allowing civilians to walk around in long flowing robes instead of shorts and T-shirts, allowing civilians to have any weapons, allowing ANY civilian vehicle traffic, not having Baghdad under 24/7 overhead surveillance, not having enough Predators overhead when our troops are on patrol, are all just asking for trouble. We've spend half a trillion dollars fighting a phoney, useless and unwinnable war. It's time to get out, impeach the those who took us there, and then send them all to prison for the rest of their lives.
Posted by: Oldfatguy | Oct 22, 2007 9:37:22 PM
Everyone here misses the point. I was in the first gulf war (desert shield/Desert Storm), one of the reason we did not go to baghdad last time was for these very reasons, it would breed terrorism, it would be a war that would have dragged on for decades. President Bush lied to the american people on the reason we went to war in Iraq, I see the GOP tslking about how we are doing good over there, we did not go there to do good, we went because Bush said Iraq was am "imimenent threat", the mission goals have changed so many times because we need a reason to stay. we will need a military presence in iraq for ever because they are needed to protect our interest, the new american embassy.Our new mega billion embassy could not function without our troops there to guard it. Bush needs to be honest with the american people for once and tell them exactly why we are doing what, but then his last few supporters would see him for what he is a liar. These resources need to be in Afghanistan, not iraq. There was no threat to us in Iraq before we invaded, now its full of terrorists, thats not our fault, its Bush's fault. You bushies can support this war all you want, you will also be the ones responsible for letting osama get away, the real threat to this country, all because you want to support a theif and a liar without question. For that guy who said he has spent 4 tours there, well guess what, if your still in you will go back, your obviously not in the army because their tours are 12 months, and recently extended to 15, but you can bet your kids will end up going to iraq if they join the military.
Posted by: Phoenix, Az | Oct 22, 2007 9:39:28 PM
Big Oil is what runs the economy. I'll fight for it, odd, how the Iraqis I worked with were amazed we didn't just seize their oil. We didn't because it is theirs, and we and they stand to make a lot more money and have much better results all around if they run that program- and hell yes we have companies which would be glad to help make that happen. Everyone wins.
Let's get it straight- We're not fighting against Iraq. Our flag, when it flies, flies next to the Iraqi Flag over there. We are working and fighting together over there. I have no problem going back. It is nothing like Vietnam, though that is what the McDonald's (apologies to them for the analogy) of media want it to be, try to spin it to be. Most of us have or will volunteered to go, and will volunteer to go back. That said, we indeed do need to get our own border secured, but that is a topic for another discussion. I had Iraqi friends who gave their lives for their new country.
On 8 December 1941, we didn't look at the "tragedy of Pearl Harbor". It was a treacherous act, and we didn't mourn, we resolved to go after them and wipe them off the face of the earth. We didn't mourn, call it a tragedy, and call in the grief counselors. We went after those SOBs and we damn near obliterated them- and rightfully so.
Either we have the resolve to do the same to non-state actors, and states which support these terrorists, or we don't. 911 wasn't the act of a single man, or a nation- it was the work of a worldwide terrorist network, which was indeed supported by certain states. You won't find documents, because you are dealing with people who don't work in the same parameters that we do. But they do sit around the same campfire.
Posted by: Marc | Oct 22, 2007 10:02:23 PM
Sure. Catch one guy and the war is over.
Posted by: marc | Oct 22, 2007 10:11:20 PM
As for all of you who want to bomb Iran, keep in mind that if we do, chances are they will immediately send their troops across the border into Irag (all 1 million of them). Russia and China will side with Iran. Also keep in mind that we can't even build a cruise missile without buying parts from China. So let's see. We have a population of just over 3million. There are over a billion muslims worldwide, well over a billion Chinese who along with the Russians have nuclear weapons, as does Pakistan (not really our ally) A few of you criticize the generals for not knowing how to run this war. If the generals were left to do it their way it would have been over. Unfortunately they had to listen to a bunch of Chickenhawks. I mean come on even Bush admits he was a "C" student. He isn't reall bright. All his talk about listening to the Generals, yet everytime one disagrees with him they're fired.
Posted by: Robert | Oct 23, 2007 4:30:42 AM
THIS IS YET ANOTHER REASON TO PROVE WE SHOULD NOT BE OVER THERE...ITS SURVIVAL OF THE FITEST AND WE NEED TO LET THE STRONG PREVAIL AND THEN WORK WITH THAT GROUP FOR ACCEPTABLE GOVT STANDARDS...LET THEM KILL EACH OTHER AND THEN WE CAN GO IN AND HELP THE WINNERS OR CONTROL THE WINNERS IF DANGEROUS...THERES A MILLION OTHER DANGEROUS GOVTS OUT THERE AND WE ARE DOING FINE WITH THIER EXISTANCE...WHATS ONE MORE...SO LONG AS WE KEEP THEM PEGGED DOWN....
Posted by: Brian Anderson | Oct 23, 2007 4:37:23 AM
How can John McCain say we are 'winning' against Al-Qaeda?
Posted by: JL | Oct 23, 2007 5:50:15 AM
All of the evidence points to the fact that we can't win in Iraq, there is NO good reason to be there now, since the mess has only gotten worse and the fact is the people there are participants against us and we need to leave because we are accomplishing nothing except killing more of our people and wasting our treasury. We aer a trillion dollars in debt to China, India, Japan, Mexico and God knows who else to finance this godawful mess...and for WHAT? What exactly is being accomplished? We are losers in every way, every day longer we stay there and our presence is not preventing anything that won't happen anyway, with or without us in terms of some new disaster.
Posted by: JL | Oct 23, 2007 6:00:06 AM
The reason we and I say WE as americans went into war against Saddam was in part his oun doing, see bear with me here while I try to reason; anybody likes Boxing? Has anybody been on a scuffle with a bully before, or better yet has anybody seen how Iran surfaced to world NUKE potential ever since the Iraq Invasion? LOL, Okay here it goes and I hope some of you see it my way, Sadam was in fact bluffing about WMD's, reason why? let's see he had a good reason sitting North East of Iraq, Iran! there.... He should have had better INTEL on what Iran was up to then, let's not forget they were at war for 10 years I think, so it was on sadam's best interest to keep Iran guessing did he had WMD's no? there is the bluff, we just made Iran's work easier read the news and follow up on Iran ever since 2005.... shalom, Buen dia and god bless the USA!!!!!!!
Posted by: T-arai | Oct 23, 2007 6:05:30 AM
Americans can't seem to understand history very well. At no time, history tells us, does a conventional force ultimately win against a guerilla force and an insurgency. Look at our own revolution. We succeeded against one of the world's largest and best equipped army at that time by using unconventional tactics, improvising with what was available, and the united desire to get rid of the occupying forces
Posted by: Traveler | Oct 23, 2007 7:33:19 AM
when bush leaves i hope sense prevails in the usa we cannot control the world
by naked aggression,you cannot force
your style of democracy on others
the war mongers are gathering to attack
iran,who poses no threat to usa,bush has no problem dealing with horrible
dictators ,but i blind to darfur and
palestine
tom
Posted by: tom field | Oct 23, 2007 8:34:51 AM
What does Bin Laden and Iraq have in common??? The Middle East. While we can not blam Iraq or Saddam for 9/11 we had/have the opportunity to promote democracy into a region that is know to grow idiots who are willing to kill in the name of religion. Perhaps their is a long term benefit to a stabilized Middle East that is not apparent now. Just perhaps this footstep of democracy (if we are allowed to finish the job) will be the begining of the end to the terrosit training ground the Middle East has become.
Posted by: Rick I | Oct 23, 2007 8:51:25 AM
Take the politics out of the war! Take the gloves off let our troops do what needs to be done and get them home.
Since they dont want us over there. Leave them and see how their country is in the next two yrs.
Eric
Posted by: Eric | Oct 23, 2007 8:56:02 AM
If Bin Laden was financing and conspiring with GWB to gain the presidency, how come you didn't mind the Chinese financing The Clinton presidency, and once again doing the same for Hillary. If your comments aren't sheer fantasy, then it is just selective outrage.
Posted by: Col. Pettibone | Oct 23, 2007 9:17:03 AM
Time for both the Bush bashers and the the Lib lobbers to grow up. The war on terror is lost.
History will record that we might have prevailed if the word United meant anything. Citizens of the United States can unite on almost nothing. Politicians of all ilks serve only politics. We are as united as the Iraqis.
Only the Muslim extremists are united in their determination to kill as many as possible, to destabilize all governments, to destroy the old Islam utterly; and to replace it with their own perverted version of "The Koran according to Osama".
So let's eliminate all this political rhetoric and start building the mosques, prayer rug factories and burqah manufacturers our future will require.
Posted by: Allen Trickey | Oct 23, 2007 9:35:06 AM
As stupid as it was to go over there and as stupid as it is to carry the war out as we have. It is of utmost importance that we stay until the Iraqis have a stable society. I don't believe that "follow us home" argument. Actually I don't believe any of the predictions that the current administration et. al makes since they have been wrong on everything they have predicted. I don't believe that a middle eastern democracy is the key to solving the problem of radical islam. My reason is much more basic than that, human decency. The Iraqis didn't ask us to come over there. We decided to to tear apart the only sense of structure that they knew. We decided every aspect of how they're society would be rebuilt. So to me it would be an unconscionable act for us to suddenly decide that it's too hard, and to leave their society in a broken state. We broke it, and it is our responsibility to fix it.
Posted by: Eon | Oct 23, 2007 10:20:17 AM
So people actually think the Iraqis are learning about this new tactic from ABC News? I think they probably figure it out the first time they hit a checkpoint.
So let me see if I got this straight. We have now reached the point where EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN IRAQ BELOW THE RANK OF PRIME MINISTER cannot be trusted. Now that's what I call making progress.
Posted by: Greg | Oct 23, 2007 10:29:09 AM
Al Qaeda is on the US payroll, just like Blackwater, etc., why wouldn't they get vehicles we pay for?
Posted by: coal_train | Oct 23, 2007 1:13:41 PM
There are lots of good points here. I am a servicemember stationed in DC and let's talk about us for a minute. WE don't believe in this war. We're doing our job, like Vietnam. OHHH, you can't compare the two...yes you can. We had no business there. The military did their job as well as they could just like Iraq. Like Vietnam, the war is being run from Washington and not the Pentagon. Bomb here, don't bomb that mosque..etc etc.
We were led into this war because of pride, arrogance, and blind illusion. GW never had any idea what he was doing. Cheney is reminded by THE DAILY SHOW nightly about his comments a decade earlier about how invading Iraq was a bad idea, but now that he stands to gain from it, he's all for it. The old fart isn't going to make it to the end of his term without croaking over but still he wants that Haliburton $$.
As for whoever was speaking about Radical Islam, they hate us for what we do to them. STAY OUR OF THEIR COUNTRY and they won't bomb US. The US has grown into a new USSR. We're spreading "DEMOCRACY" like the Soviets were spreading communism. That has failed on it's own and Russia is a shell of its former self. WE'RE HEADED THE SAME WAY!!
Wake up America, we can't afford this forever!!!
Respect to the troops over there dying for our leader's arrogance.
Posted by: MDDV8 | Oct 23, 2007 2:08:15 PM
Bush never read history as such he will never learn any lesson out it.He is a star gazer and can predict the Future Democracy such an one on the birth in Iraq , He don't have anything to loose why should he bothered . Next in his prediction of democracy in An American DREAM is Iran ! Good Luck GWB
Posted by: S.M | Oct 23, 2007 2:13:38 PM
I am not an expert on whats going on in iraque. As an american citizen I declare that the American people need to unite to take back our government and end the lobbying and corruption that is swelling with what the Bible calls "Self Seekers." Our nation will not maintain itself unless we Stand United. One nation under the One God who gave his only begotten son so we can have everlasting life. Do you know who Jesus Christ is? Do you know him personaly? If not read John 3:16 in the Bible
Posted by: JW | Oct 23, 2007 2:51:40 PM
Every war run by polititians or which the generals have asked for guidance or had to pay lip service to politicians has always been lost. This is a timeless principle. The allies only won WW2 because their generals called the shots and ran the war doing what they had to do. Hitler won all he had to win while he let his generals run the war. When his political appointees took the reigns he started losing right away, than goodness. So, as long as the White House and the Pentagon paper pushers run the war in Iraq, it is lost. And in that case, as someone said before, and allowing Barak obama to enter the scene, American citizens, the times... they are-a-changing... The enemy is in your midst and using your laws and means to work against your forefather's beliefs and all that your country was founded on. The barbarians always win, thanks to the yellow politicians... just because you believe you are not at war with Islam does not mean it is not at war with you and at which that implies....A famous general who had the vision to take elephants over the Pyrinees and the Alps to defeat Rome, could have told you all this, :)
Posted by: Al Silva | Oct 23, 2007 2:52:11 PM
Listen up People!
Kudos to Sid & Coal_Train.
You speak your mind and that is what is needed here. Alot more...
Read their comments folks...
Remember & Learn
Never forget the past and those who changed it for us.
For without that knowledge, we can not change the future into something we can live in.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
George Santayana, The Life of Reason, Volume 1, 1905
US philosopher (1863 - 1952)
My addition to that quote:
"Unfortunately, they will take the rest of us on that nightmarish-hell ride..."
Posted by: Watcher | Oct 23, 2007 3:43:20 PM
WAR FOR OIL? IF THAT IS THE CASE WHY DON'T WE ATTACK CHAVEZ IN VENEZUELA? YOU LIBS & BLEEDING HEARTS NEED TO WAKE AND STOP SMOKING YOUR LUNCH, WE NEED TO STABILIZE THE REGION BEFORE GOING INTO IRAN, AND WE WILL GO INTO IRAN, THE WORLD NOW IS AT A PINNACLE, JUST LIKE 1939. IF YOU ALLOWED HISTORY TO BE TAUGHT OUR YOUNGSTERS WOULD KNOW IT TOOK A LOT OF BEGGING FROM EUROPE TO ENTER WWII, WE WERE IN GERMANY 8 YEARS AFTER THE WAR, TOKYO 6 YEARS, THIS IS NO "DRIVE THRU" SITUATION, STAY THE COURSE, FIGHT UNTIL IT IS FINISHED, OR WE WILL NEED TO ARM OURSELVES AND FIGHT IN OUR STREETS.
Posted by: BEN | Oct 23, 2007 4:52:44 PM
Although I shouldn't be, I was really surprised - somewhat astonished by some of the comments that preceeded me, in regards to the above article. Maybe the mainstream public (in general) and their seemingly total naievity - worse yet, out and out stupidity that poses a bigger threat to our (American) way of life than does all of the terrorists of this world. My goodness, if these same people are actually representive of those of whom are electing our political "leaders" into office, then Lord help us all. Our educational system is in much greater disarray than I would have ever thought it could possibly be.
Posted by: Al Pippin | Oct 23, 2007 5:42:00 PM
It seems like even the government that we put in place hates us and wants us out asap.
And no wonder
==============
We are becoming more and more like Sadam every day. killing civilians and torture etc. Our private security forces might as well be terrorist, the way they kill indiscriminately. The U.N estimated 3/4 million dead because of US occupation in Iraq. I think that is 1 in 20 people , real good job goody two shoes. If that is what it takes to win, we will make Sadam look great by the time we are forced out.
Posted by: ndy | Oct 23, 2007 7:18:22 PM
ndy
If we are as bad as you say we are, that's great news. Let that be a warning to all those dictators who want to get in our face. We'll just burn you down. . We Bad, We Bad. . . Who's your daddy? That’s right America is! Ha Ha Haaa
Posted by: Tony | Oct 24, 2007 4:33:11 PM
All of this fighting for what? So someone can be top dog. How long will that last?
Posted by: WebSpeak Ezine | Nov 1, 2007 6:57:20 PM
We, do not know who... The people in the cells are. The groups AlQada are fighting for GOD as they believe. Jesus had nproblems with the babylonians as we are having trouble with the babylonians (Iraqies) The Cleric back in 1993 when we were ther the first time said "If you come back you will be fighting untill the last blood is shed.So the real target is "WHO" is in the sleeper cell...
Posted by: Arthur | Nov 2, 2007 5:41:14 PM
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