The fighting in Iraq is a continuation of the war that began in March, 2003. While Saddam's army and government was quickly demolished, his supporters in Sunni Arab areas of central Iraq were still there. Saddam didn't rule Iraq with the army, but with a force of skilled and ruthless terrorists. With a strength of over 100,000 men (and a few women), the work was often done at night. Real, or suspected, opponents of Saddam were kidnapped, beaten or killed in the dark. Broad daylight executions, or mutilations, in public places, were also used. Terror is fueled by frightening images, either mental or visual. The work of these terrorists continues, but the victims are fighting back.
Saddam's thugs were chased out of northern Iraq ten years ago, with the U.S and Britain providing backup for the Kurds doing the chasing. In southern Iraq, Shia Arab gangs have been forming to go after Saddam's men in mixed Shia/Sunni areas of central Iraq. Saddam's thugs have been terrorizing and killing Shia Arabs. This is done mainly gain dominance and control in towns and neighborhoods with mixed populations. The thugs want everyone to know who the real boss is. The main target of the Sunni Arab gangs are the police and security forces. But these are increasingly staffed with Shia Arabs and Kurds. Saddam's men cannot threaten the families of Kurdish cops, and are having a harder time reaching the kin of Shia Arab police and soldiers.
Western journalists have a hard enough time covering the battle involving American troops, but they are almost completely cut out of this other war. All you hear reported is the occasional killing of a prominent Sunni Arab (usually a clergyman). But the body count on both sides is quite high, and trending against the Sunni Arabs. If the Sunnis gather together in large groups, to overwhelm local police, they risk getting caught, and demolished by American troops. Operating in smaller groups, and there is increasing danger from Shia Arab (and even Kurdish) death squads. This is a very dirty war, which will eventually get reported as such. But for the moment, it's a dangerous beat for reporters, because neither side wants journalists along, and will kill any who get too close.
Posted by: Steve ||
12/07/2004 3:05:00 PM ||
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#1
The Iraqi Sunnis better get on the electoral train before it leaves the station, and get some representation amongst the country's institutions (police, military). Otherwise, they look like they're heading for a well-earned extinction.
#3
But for the moment, it's a dangerous beat for reporters, because neither side wants journalists along, and will kill any who get too close.
At least both sides agree on something. Works for me, too. Attrition will steadily erode the base and power of the Saddamites. Their days are numbered. They are rowing against the current. Enough of them better start horsetradin' or they will just be out in the cold Jan 30----or dead.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
12/07/2004 17:54 Comments ||
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#4
Bush states" Terrorist won't rule Iraq's future"
Deb Riechmann, Associated Press.
Camp Pendlton, C.A. President Bush appearing before cheering U.S. Forces Tuesday, declared that terrorist won't be able to control Iraq's destiny because "free people will never choose their own enslavement" I feel Mr. Bush is promising roses to all, but we will get pricked with thorns- the world is not meant to have homeostasis! I could be wrong.
Posted by: Andrea ||
12/07/2004 18:48 Comments ||
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One of the key measures of a society's health is how easily you can insulate yourself from its underclass. In America, unless one resides in a very small number of problematic inner-city quarters or wishes to make a career in the drug trade, one will live a life blessedly untouched by crime. In Britain, alas, it's the peculiar genius of Home Office policy to have turned the entire country into one big, rundown, inner-city, no-go slum estate, extending from prosperous suburbs to leafy villages, even unto Upper Cheyne Row.
The murderers of John Monckton understood the logic of this policy better than the lethargic overpaid British constabulary. An Englishman's home is not his castle, but his dungeon and ever more so - window bars, window locks, dead bolts, laser security, and no doubt biometricrecognition garage doors, once the Blunkett national ID card goes into circulation. All this high-tech protection, urged on the householder by Pc Plod, may make your home more secure, but it makes you less so. From the burglar's point of view, the more advanced and impregnable the alarm systems become, the more it makes sense just to knock on the door and stab whoever answers.
Mr Monckton's killers thus made an entirely rational choice. He was a wealthy man, living in a prestigious neighbourhood of £3 million homes, and he presumably had the best security system to go with it. But time it right, get him to the front door, and the state-enforced impotence of the homeowner makes him as vulnerable as any old loser in a decrepit urine-sodden block on Broadwater Farm.
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Posted by: tipper ||
12/07/2004 8:36:20 AM ||
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Ooooh the touchy-feely mob are gonna love this.. Let's hope that the predicted change in the law occurs. The author may be right about common sense dictating the outcome of such trials. Let's hope this marks a turn towards elevating the rights of the common man above those of the criminal. Great post btw.
Posted by: Howard UK ||
12/07/2004 8:57 Comments ||
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#2
Obviouslt Steyn's back from his post-election R&R in a BIG way. Classic. Take back your basic rights, Brits!
Posted by: Frank G ||
12/07/2004 9:30 Comments ||
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#3
Obviouslt? *starts coffee drip*
Posted by: Frank G ||
12/07/2004 9:31 Comments ||
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#4
"and the state-enforced impotence of the homeowner makes him as vulnerable as any old loser in a decrepit urine-sodden block on Broadwater Farm"
Couldnt have said it better myself .
I live in a relatively good part of my city (nottingham - gun crime central) , but even after a number of years living in a run down area , I still keep my old hickory axe handle handy , and my dog is a vicious lil bugger when it gets going (poor old postman ) . Perhaps the laws were introduced to protect burglars from folk like me *shrug*
#5
Tony Blair's re-election campaign platform is reducing crime. I suggest he propose to allow his citizens to arm themselves with something more substantial than a rolled-up copy of the Daily Mirror.
#7
Here in Illinois, Home Invasion is a Class-X felony... making the perp eligible for the death sentence. I'd just as soon execute that sentence as soon as the jamoke crosses the threshold, and certainly before he reaches my carpet.
Not sure about my future state of Maryland, though. Anyone?
#8
Maryland is a concealed carry "may issue" permit state. Gun laws here.
Posted by: Steve ||
12/07/2004 12:34 Comments ||
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The one thing I want to know, is why the stiff-upper-lip route? Seems to me the impotence isn't so much state-enforced as it is personally inflicted. I seem to remember reading something somewhere about Americans taking up residence in London that were given instructions on "how to be a proper victim" when confronted, as the authorities had observed that Americans had a tendency to fight back.
Seems to me that what the Poms need to do in increasing numbers is fight back, instead of meekly acquiesing to the whims of public officials that can't even guarantee an individual's safety in his/her own home.
#10
eLarson, prepare thyself. Maryland is as blue as it gets.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
12/07/2004 12:53 Comments ||
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#11
Behold the gentle, superior Euro's wish to believe that violent crime is a purely American phenomenon caused by suburban red-state gun owners.
Yet another MSM meme in action here. In fact, the homicide data overwhelmingly indicate what is obvious to every American: violent gun injuries are concentrated in urban drug-dealer infested ratholes. The 98% of Americans who don't live in these ratholes have a lower risk of violent death than the average Finn, Swiss or Frenchman.
#12
eLarson, Maryland is a blue state that is getting decidedly pinker. We're still beholden to the Big Blue Machine that is Baltimore party politics, *but* the times, they are a changin'. E-mail me for details...
#13
Mrs. Davis - So is Illinois. :) Cook County is one densely populated area, and there are some counties along the Mississippi that are pretty blue, too.
#14
Hmmmm. I am glad I live in a come in here and die residence. Even in my "blue state" if I feel threatend and you are in my home uninvited your ass is mine. Thats the law. That is should not be the law is clearly insane.
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