Article

2004-07-03 Iraq-Jordan

Breaking on FoxNews TV : Hostage Marine Executed

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Frank G 2004-07-03 13:08|| || Front Page|| [11133 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 W, it's time to act. You are either going to find your lost nuggets or you're going to wuss out and let this stand. If there really is a video of this atrocity, then it's time to roll out the big guns.

Do not disappoint me, George.

Posted by Chris W. 2004-07-03 1:31:18 PM|| 2004-07-03 1:31:18 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 What's your plan, Chris? What would you do differently, given the exact circumstances faced by Bush at this moment?

Posted by .com 2004-07-03 1:37:09 PM|| 2004-07-03 1:37:09 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 It's time to call a horse-thief a horse-thief:
I have to wonder who in the administration is advising against a firm response to these outrages.
The savages in Fallujah were spared a couple of months ago, and the offensive has not been resumed even in the face of multiple atrocities.
This immunity from consequence looks like victory to the jihad scum and their followers: the Americans are afraid to act even when their people are butchered on television.
The advocates of this policy undoubtedly know this, and are therefore deliberately sabotaging the war effort at the political level.

All Kerry has to do at this point is declare, "you know, the invasion was wrong but we managed to trap a big force of jihadis and foreign terrorists in Fallujah. They are real enemies and we should have killed them. I wouldn't have let them go, and I wouldn't stand for any more of these outrages."
Is it impossible that he would make a statement like this? Not at all, why do you think they call him "Flipper."

Posted by Atomic Conspiracy 2004-07-03 1:41:30 PM|| 2004-07-03 1:41:30 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 Can't speak for Chris, .com, but I would resume the offensive in Fallujah, politics be damned. It is the number one rat's nest in the world right now, a symbol to Islamo-fascists and Euro-media of American failure and weakness. Surround the rats, and kill them to the last man.

Posted by Atomic Conspiracy 2004-07-03 1:43:56 PM|| 2004-07-03 1:43:56 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 .com,
There is a rumor here that the threat to Bahrain is a possible Chemical attack. Have you heard anything about that?

On topic now: God bless the soul of this Marine.

Posted by Anonymous4617 2004-07-03 1:45:38 PM|| 2004-07-03 1:45:38 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 I tend to agree; what's needed in certain sections of Fajita right now is extensive house renovations.

Posted by Raj 2004-07-03 1:54:11 PM|| [http://angrycyclist.blogspot.com] 2004-07-03 1:54:11 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Give the Fallugah Brigade 48 hrs,sh#t or get off the pot.48 hrs later cut the Marines loose,
1)suround and cordon the city block by block
2)Give the innocents 30 min to clear the area the go in,no quater no mercy

Do this block by block from 1 end of town to the other.No stopping,no quater

Posted by Raptor 2004-07-03 2:00:11 PM|| 2004-07-03 2:00:11 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 I'd let Allawi take care of Fallujah. He can be MUCH more brutal than we can and it will only increase his stature among Iraqis for cracking down on the criminals. If we do it it's going to be a much harder road and we'll be putting americans in the line of fire for no reason.

From the stories I've read Allawi is cracking down hard.

Posted by Damn_Proud_American 2004-07-03 2:06:35 PM|| [http://brighterfuture.blogspot.com] 2004-07-03 2:06:35 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 Reports were troops inoculated who were involved with evacuation as a precaution.

Posted by rich woods 2004-07-03 2:07:56 PM|| 2004-07-03 2:07:56 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 You guys have to realize that if we want this to work it's time to back off and see if Iraqis can handle it themselves.

Btw, don't get me wrong... if we get specific intelligence on a Zarqawi location I'm all for taking it out. But we're past the point where we can do cordon and searches or it will be a setback.

Posted by Damn_Proud_American 2004-07-03 2:09:20 PM|| [http://brighterfuture.blogspot.com] 2004-07-03 2:09:20 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 More details on the beheading:

Beheading

1 minute ago

CAIRO, Egypt - An Iraqi militant group claimed on Internet site Saturday that it beheaded a U.S. Marine of Lebanese descent.

The group, called Jaish Ansar al-Sunna, posted a written statement on an Islamic web site claiming that it had killed Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun.

"We would like to inform you that the Marine of Lebanese descent has been killed, and you will soon see the movie with your own eyes," said the statement, signed in the name of the group's leader, Abu Abdullah al-Hassan bin Mahmoud.

The U.S. military in Baghdad said they are aware of the report of Hassoun's death and are checking into it, but they have no comment nor confirmation for the moment.

On June 27, pan-Arab satellite station Al-Jazeera broadcast a videotape showing Hassoun blindfolded and militants threatening to kill him unless the United States releases all Iraqis in "occupation jails."

Hassoun, from West Jordan, Utah was last seen about a week before the videotape was broadcast, the military said.

U.S. forces initially believed Hassoun may have gone missing, but last month's Al-Jazeera video had led to the military changing his status to "captured."

The New York Times, citing a Marine officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity, has reported on its Web site that Hassoun had been traumatized after seeing one of his sergeants killed by a mortar, and was trying to make his way back to Lebanon. The officer told the paper that Hassoun sought the help of Iraqis on the base, was betrayed by them, and was handed over the extremists.

Hassoun's eldest brother, Mohammad, who lives in a Salt Lake City suburb, denied the report.

Posted by Anonymous4617 2004-07-03 2:12:28 PM|| 2004-07-03 2:12:28 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 goddamit not again! ima geting tire this bullshit.

Posted by muck4doo 2004-07-03 2:15:50 PM|| [http://meatismurder.blogspot.com/] 2004-07-03 2:15:50 PM|| Front Page Top

#13 Well, his ROP(ma) and Brotherhood of Muslims didn't help him much, did it?

Posted by Frank G 2004-07-03 2:16:24 PM|| 2004-07-03 2:16:24 PM|| Front Page Top

#14 Okay - A/C addressed the key issue of operating within reality with a hard decision: "politics be damned".

We just turned over sovereignty - therefore we are not "free" to operate completely independently. Certainly there must be circumstances where we can, per our agreement with the Interim Gov't, but also certainly it's not a blanket permit. Is retribution for effectively luring, capturing, and killing a US Marine available without concurrence from Allawi / Yawar? If not - and they don't agree with the action - is this what you're saying, A/C? Regardless of what they say? Ink not yet dry, but... ? And toss in the AP rumor (another article today here on RB) that Allawi, our hero last week, is considering an amnesty? WTF?

This is some hardcore shit here, folks. We've agreed to leave when they say - and here we are at a nexus. If we tell them to fuck off - they may publicly demand we leave. Then where are we? We'll see, but I think the box is very very small, now. The odds of making rubble, bouncing rubble, reducing the insurgency via mil action has been reduced dramatically. We have Sadr calling for resistance, again. Same problem.

Reality is a bitch. I want the Fallujah nest cleared, too - all willing to fight us DEAD. I want Sadr DEAD. BUT, we have a maze to negotiate first. Handled perfectly, we might get what we want without becoming the bad guys. But the odds are now against us unless Allawi / Yawar are solid and the stories to the contrary are multiculti LLL BS. Just my $0.02.

Posted by .com 2004-07-03 2:21:30 PM|| 2004-07-03 2:21:30 PM|| Front Page Top

#15 DPA, the Iraqis have had 2 months to deal with the rat's nest. Yesterday, Allawi even proposed an amnesty for the scum.
The beheading of Wassef Ali Hassoun was their response. The Fallujah brigade does not have the training, numbers, or firepower to deal with this, and many of its personnel have gone over to the enemy.
Allawi can bring in other Iraqi forces if he likes, and combine them with the remnants of the discredited Fallujah brigade to make it look good, but the Marines and Special Forces must take the offensive and destroy this sanctuary once and for all.
Beyond that, military PR must drop its traditional squeamishness and make an effort to get more images of dead jihadis into the media.

Posted by Atomic Conspiracy 2004-07-03 2:24:31 PM|| 2004-07-03 2:24:31 PM|| Front Page Top

#16 .com, Allawi is dead meat if he throws us out and he knows it.
I think he can be persuaded to take action that is, after all, aimed at eliminating his most dangerous enemies.

Posted by Atomic Conspiracy 2004-07-03 2:30:14 PM|| 2004-07-03 2:30:14 PM|| Front Page Top

#17 .com, I'm not sure whatI would do to be honest with you. What I AM sure of is that our intelligence gathering personnel know a whole heck of a lot more than we civilians do when it comes to identifying hot spots and likely hiding places for the ~~terrorist scum~~ insurgents. I have little doubt that there is a treasure trove of info that has been gathered and not disclosed to the press for obvious reasons. Even some things that HAVE been disclosed to the press have not been reported accurately, for other obvious reasons.

No, I think W. has been quite weak in his responses to these insurgents for quite some time, and his weakness goes all the way back to his Thanksgiving visit to Bahgdad. That's the last time I can remember him doing something "pro-active" in this war, for lack of a better word. Fallujah was a joke, al-Sadr is still breathing and this is looking to be the THIRD American beheaded by these scum and the fourth to be publically executed.

Frankly, I think the last known whereabouts of al-Sadr and al-Zarqawi should be levelled to the ground, "civilians" and all, until these local Iraqis get with the program. Apparently, the "civliians" hate us SO MUCH that the $25 MILLION reqard for al-Zarqawi is not good enough for them to renounce their alliegance with these animals! That makes them the ENEMY, not "civilians", as they were given every chance they could possibly be given to get with the program. Turn their cities to dust, destroy al-Jazerra for their assisting the enemy, and imprison any and all entities who fund al-Jazerra. Didn't W say 2.5 years ago that those who assist terror would be brought to justice? Well, DO IT.

Posted by Chris W. 2004-07-03 2:30:43 PM|| 2004-07-03 2:30:43 PM|| Front Page Top

#18 Beyond that, I am not convinced that Allawi and the new Iraqi government are really the ones counseling restraint.
I see the dead hand of State Department Arabists and appeaseniks behind a lot of the recent events.

Posted by Atomic Conspiracy 2004-07-03 2:37:23 PM|| 2004-07-03 2:37:23 PM|| Front Page Top

#19 So, if I'm hearing you guys right, it seems the hard answer is for a surprise trip by W to meet face-to-face with Allawi and Yawar, read them the riot act (because Zarqi HAS thretened to kill Allawi - there should some serious leverage there), and demand:
1) Arrest or kill Sadr, nothing less is acceptable and we'll do it if they won't
2) Ultimatum to Fallujah et al and follow through, with or without Iraqi participation

Is that about right?

Posted by .com 2004-07-03 2:41:32 PM|| 2004-07-03 2:41:32 PM|| Front Page Top

#20 Unfortunately, .com, yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. Damn it. I hate to say that because it is political suicide for a President who is already hated by far too many voters.

W dropped the ball by not handling these insurgents while we still had official control of Iraq. We are still paying the price in lives and W has indeed painted himself into a corner since he handed over Iraq without CRUSHING these insurgents first.

It's been said before: Does W even want to win a second term? What other explanation can there be for a man who was 85% right during the first year of the WOT to suddenly and without warning loose his marbles and make so many ill-advised decisions since?

Posted by Chris W. 2004-07-03 2:48:14 PM|| 2004-07-03 2:48:14 PM|| Front Page Top

#21 I tend to agree with #14, ie.com's post. We are between a rock and a hard place, now that we have officially handed over sovereignity. We cannot turn around a few days later and say, oops, Fallujah and beheading of our GI's are an exception to Iraqi government calling the shots in their own country.

Unless we are prepared to pull our troops out of Iraq, I cannot see any way we could send the marines in holus bolus to "level" Fallujah. In that regard, I agree with #17. GWB should have okayed tough action against Fallujah months ago. Now it's too late. It's Allawi's call AND he would need to put some Iraqi military leading the charge to show official Iraqi government seal of approvql for this mission.

Maybe I'm wrong on this but as I recall...our GI's can act unilaterally on foreign fighters in Iraq, giving the Iraqi military a heads up on the mission. But with regards to Iraqi fighters,ie Fallujah,the initiative has to come from the Iraqi government/military.

Can anyone remember the agreement with regards to military ventures in Iraq after the sovereignity hand over?My memory fails on the details...rather complex as I recall.

Posted by rex 2004-07-03 2:52:00 PM|| 2004-07-03 2:52:00 PM|| Front Page Top

#22 Iraq's interim heads of government need to be shown a ticking countdown timer. Yes, we want them to take decisive action. No, amnesties are not part of that game plan. The routing out of Fallujah is. It's difficult to see where the Fallujah brigade is going to make even a remote dent in the insurgency.

We need Sadr's head on a platter d@mn soon if there is going to be any hope of squelching the terrorists' burgeoning sense of success. The Shi'ites declaring that Saddam's rule would be preferrable to American liberation is proof enough of their self-delusion.

We do need to maintain some degree of circumspection per the fledgling Iraqi government, but any amnesty nonsense will need to result in some strong corrective measures. Our assistance should rightly carry a price tag of proper cooperation and not be eroded by the usual slough of Arab double-dealing and back-stabbing.

Posted by Zenster 2004-07-03 2:56:41 PM|| 2004-07-03 2:56:41 PM|| Front Page Top

#23 Damn_Proud_American----Good point on Falluhah. We need the Iraqis in on cleaning up this rathole. It will add legitimacy to the govt to take responsibility. I have a feeling that Allawi will do what he needs to, or he will fall. It is rubber-meets-the-road time for Iraq. We cannot fight their battles for them. The Iraqis will have to step up and be counted. Hundreds of Iraqis boomed, killed, and injured by these vermin hurts them, too.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2004-07-03 2:57:27 PM|| 2004-07-03 2:57:27 PM|| Front Page Top

#24 Shit, Chris - that's easy: politics. He stopped listening to his own inner voice, the hated neocons, and hardliners -- and started listening to the political nuancers and spinmeisters. You see it in every Prez campaign (and prolly all national campaigns) - some candidate stops doing what he believes in and starts sticking a wet finger in the wind... and loses support in the process. Sigh. Oldest story in the world: you can't please everybody, so don't try. As a Clinical Psyche friend used to joke:
If you're a banana, be the best goddamned banana you can be. Trying to be a plum to please the plum-lovers is stupid. The best plum you can be is half-assed - and when you're doing it neither the banana-lovers nor the plum-lovers will want you. So be a great banana and tell the plum-lovers to piss off.

I hate politics.

Posted by .com 2004-07-03 3:00:05 PM|| 2004-07-03 3:00:05 PM|| Front Page Top

#25 One thing at a time, .com.
It's unfortunate that Sadr is still running around loose, but the little-publicized destruction of his so-called army has done a lot to reduce his status among Iraqis.

I think Allawi might be eager to play ball on Fallujah, if he can be sure that we will not flinch, and his forces could take action that we cannot.

Posted by Atomic Conspiracy 2004-07-03 3:02:12 PM|| 2004-07-03 3:02:12 PM|| Front Page Top

#26 I'm sure we'll know soon. The idiocy of the amnesty story was just breathtaking - from a Western POV - and so perfectly Arab in nature that it rings as true as the fucking Liberty Bell. Sigh.

But I just wondered if anyone was going to argue this within reality, instead of the fantasy crap that's so common: "We need to do this. And we need to do that. And make no mistake, we should blah, blah, fucking blah." Wotta load of armchair twaddle.

Within reality, what can we reasonably and rationally expect to be the options? Which option makes the most sense, from our perspective? Which from Allawi's / Yawar's perspective? --- It's time for a hardcore dose of reality cuz we may suddenly find ourselves looking at reality (such as the amnesty idea becoming real - or even beginning to draw down troops) and saying, WTF? How did we get HERE?

Easy, we got there by ranting silly shit instead of working it through as Bush and Allawi have to work it through. So much crap confuses the issues. And the nay-saying / back-biting of those who refuse to accept reality is very very old, too. It's simply Western-style seething and hypocrisy.

:-/

Posted by .com 2004-07-03 3:16:39 PM|| 2004-07-03 3:16:39 PM|| Front Page Top

#27 There are so many places I could step into this conversation...I've written a bit on desertion, soldiers and Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun and the emense sadness of his fate. But leaving that alone for now...and passing on Chris' great question, "Does Bush even want a second term?" (I got off that train at Fallujah, and Gen. Conway's decision to pull back), and leaving aside my general call, like Cato the Elder, "Fallujah Delente Est," I would still like to direct your attention to a good piece of video out of Al Kut from CBS News.

It is understood that Al Kut was never as bad as Fallujah, but it was certainly bad enough with Sadr's men roaming the streets a little while ago...so take a look at this, and maybe have a little hope that Iraq can still be pulled out of the fire.

Cut and past this link:

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml

and watch, "Rare Scene in Iraq." It should show as a title on the lower left.

Watching this might give us all pause in our desire to level Fallujah. Maybe like Al Kut, Fallujah, in time, might also be turned around.

Best Wishes,

Posted by Traveller 2004-07-03 3:16:46 PM|| 2004-07-03 3:16:46 PM|| Front Page Top

#28 the link is not work.

Posted by muck4doo 2004-07-03 3:21:24 PM|| [http://meatismurder.blogspot.com/] 2004-07-03 3:21:24 PM|| Front Page Top

#29 Traveller,
Al Kut is different because Sadr's thugs were wiped out, while the Fallujihadis were spared.

Posted by Atomic Conspiracy 2004-07-03 3:21:34 PM|| 2004-07-03 3:21:34 PM|| Front Page Top

#30 Hi muck4doo, I just tried the link and it does work, however the story is lower right, (my bad), below the main video on Brando. There is so little good news out of Iraq, that I thought that this video was of some importance...it is visual and interesting and hopefully telling. Like the commander of the 101st (Pontaneus (sp?), good commanders will find a way.

Of course, AC is correct, Al Kut is not Fallujah...but then I would have systematically, patiently squeezed Fallujah for weeks, killing whoever was necessary to kill...whoever bore arms, women, children, whoever.

But that's just me.

Best Wishes,

Posted by Traveller 2004-07-03 3:34:28 PM|| 2004-07-03 3:34:28 PM|| Front Page Top

#31 Yep, Traveller, we had them by the 'nads in Fallujah back in April. The Marines were good progress, methodically reducing the enemy sanctuary to a small section and, more importantly, killing the rats in wholesale numbers.
In the all-important propaganda war, the enemy media, led by the BBC, made a significant tactical blunder by glorifying the Falluhihadis and turning their nest into a supposed center of epic resistance.
In doing so, they played Hitler to Fallujah's Stalingrad, making it impossible for the jihadis to simply skulk away or otherwise retreat. The jihadis were doomed, and the administration's about-face provided a miraculous rescue.

Posted by Atomic Conspiracy 2004-07-03 3:47:05 PM|| 2004-07-03 3:47:05 PM|| Front Page Top

#32 ...it was, AC, for the Islamists, almost like the, "Miracle of Dunkirk," was for the British at the beginning of WWII.

And it was something we should not have allowed them. You fault the media and BBC, but I strongly disagree. This was a problem that the Bush Administration had a duty, a moral obligation, to manage, and had they wished, they could have done so. Management of the media is a primary function of the Presidency, and if Bush isn't up to this task, he shouldn't be President, whatever other values he brings to the office.

Regarding Fallujah, he should have, easily could have, for 21 straight days called a news conference asking the people of Fallujah to surrender their arms and obey the lawful orders of the CPA. He could have chided the news media for glorifying the insurgents, and kept insisting that the Islamists were a dire threat to the future of Iraq and all the Iraqi people. Which they were and are.

He could have repeatedly paid homage to the Insurgents as soldiers, but at the same time maintained that they were mistaken in their opposition to the New Iraq. He could have educated the United States, (not to mention the rest of the world), on the true nature of war...it is to kill people that bare arms against the United States...he could have apologized for this terrible truth, but all the while he could have been ordering the further squeezing of Fallujah.

This is what our soldiers do, it is an Honorable occupation and we send them forth to work our will. This is a simple story that people would instinctively understand because it is true. We beg the population of Fallujah to surrender their arms, and if they don't we will take them from them. And then just do it...apologizing all the while.

This was the winning strategy in Fallujah.

Best Wishes,

Posted by Traveller 2004-07-03 4:37:20 PM|| 2004-07-03 4:37:20 PM|| Front Page Top

#33 Well, that's that. A bazillion potential futures at every instant in time. Pick a point, any point, and make a decision. Voila! Another bazillion potential futures from there. But, universus coitus interruptus! The MilCmd's decision to try the Fallujah Brigade Experiment, and everyone in the chain giving them their head, not micro-managing as was done throughout Vietnam - letting them be the Professional Soldiers who know what's happening on the ground and do what they think best, was the uber-nexus of nexii. And who's to blame? Who do you want to skin for it? Wow.

Okay, folks, that's a wrap.

Posted by .com 2004-07-03 4:58:12 PM|| 2004-07-03 4:58:12 PM|| Front Page Top

#34 Well, .com, I will let you have the last say. What is done is done, and the bazillion potential different futures you mention do vanish in a puff drifting smoke, and are about as substantial.

But damnit, man, everytime I turn around Fallujah seems to be jumping out again to bite me on the ass. I'm sick of Fallujah, sick of thinking about it, sick of pondering how to manage that rebellious city of some 300k people.

I don't want to see Fallujah become like Cambodia, a sanctuary, a refuge for the insurgents, a place to re-fit, re-fuel, a springboard to re-attack.

I only wish that Fallujah were, "a wrap."

Oh, and if you need someone to blame...blame me...everyone blames me for everything anyhow...lol

But I'm telling 'ya, I didn't go 'n shoot no Archduke Ferdinand, it was that damned Gavrilo Princep's fellow. (smile)

Best Wishes,

Posted by Traveller 2004-07-03 5:29:19 PM|| 2004-07-03 5:29:19 PM|| Front Page Top

#35 yep - it's Traveller's fault...unless, of course, it's the Joooooos

Posted by Frank G 2004-07-03 6:47:49 PM|| 2004-07-03 6:47:49 PM|| Front Page Top

#36 a few things:

1) Its not politically feasable for us to go in and clear Fallujah. Not anymore. Bremer and the State Department weenies screwed that one up for us a while back. We would rip what credibility Allawi has away, and inflame all the Muj, Fedayeen, Baathist, and Shia, and generally blow the entire nation into rebellion, opening the doors for all kinds of terrorsts to be supported there. Yeah, you and I may wish we could tear Falluja the new *ssh*le it deserves, but wish in one hand and sh*t in the other and see which one fills up first. Have to face reality.

2) Even if we could level fallujah, how would you do it? Where specifcially are the mooks that are pulling this beheading crap? How will you be sure you got them? FYI: US Intel is apparently *still* weak in the region - look at how many blown opportunities there have been. So dont *overestimate* our capabilities in the region the way you have been. Remember, we cannot recover from over a decade of neglect (starting with Bush I, and really accelerating during Clinton) in only a few years.

3) Give Allawi time to properly frame this for his people. He knows eventually he has to clean out that nest of vipers in Fallujah or else it will end up detroying him and his government. What he needs is a better armed force (why the hell have we not gotten these guys armored vests and proper weapons after over a YEAR?), and breathing space so it looks like he is going in on his own, not as a puppet being yanked there by the US.

4) This also gives Sistani a chance to condemn the wannabe-Muj and set the Iraqi Shia against these Iranian Shia, Saudi Wahabbi, and Syrian Baathists. This way he can reclaim lost ground from Sadr, and distance himself at the same time. And it buys him the middle ground, and makes later actions by Allawi look like they were done at the request/backing of Sistani: which stabilizes Allawi and raises Sistani's influence.

so what do we do?

1) Increase our pressure on the "Fallujah Brigade" - drop weapons support and disband them where possible. Start raids into the city with the regular Iraqi police force and Iraqi national guard, letting them "borrow" our armored HMMV's, body armor and heavy MGs, letting US "Observers" ride with them to call in airpower or artillery. But be sure there are only Iraqi faces on every camera during any and all actions. This has to be their fight. And be damned sure to drag out Iranians, Saudis and Syrians, and parade them (or their corpses) before the cameras as such.

2) Bush has to make Congress invest in more HUMINT and counterintel over there, and has to get them to commit for a decade or more of funding. Add to that an increase in technical intel sources. Pay more money for linguists to train up and hold onto them instead of letting them go every 4 years. Price of freedom - paid in blood or money? Now's the time to choose.

3) Get the damned equipment to Allawi *NOW*. Let him hire some Mercs to train his people. Get him some of those billions to buy equipment from the Egyptians and South Africans and South American countries - hell even let em buy from Germany (small arms and ammo). Just get the stuff NOW and get it int he hands of his troops andpolice.

#4 Get better contacts with Sistani and remind him of where his bread is buttered. Make those useless Diplos get out and ride a camel to see him and open solid lines of communication with him - so we can let him know what bad is coming if he doesnt get his ducks in a row, and what good happens when he does.

Watch for #4 - thats the tipoff. If Sistani is sharp he will realize this is his chance to get into the game again, and if he makes a statement, it changes the whole ballgame for everyone over there.

Posted by OldSpook 2004-07-03 8:41:15 PM|| 2004-07-03 8:41:15 PM|| Front Page Top

#37 Well, OldSpook, that was a deserving final word.

You Be Good and Best Wishes,

Traveller

Posted by Traveller 2004-07-03 8:55:47 PM|| 2004-07-03 8:55:47 PM|| Front Page Top

#38 I have heard of a Muslim U.S. Marine who went AWOL and was captured by the militants in Iraq (heard it on Rush or Mike Galllagher program).

Is this that Marine? Has anyone else heard that story?

Posted by Les Nessman 2004-07-03 11:39:53 PM|| 2004-07-03 11:39:53 PM|| Front Page Top

#39 This is the one. But read the story - some details are unknown...

Posted by .com 2004-07-04 12:20:23 AM|| [http://www.amble.com/images/Bush_topples_another_hostile_regime.jpg] 2004-07-04 12:20:23 AM|| Front Page Top

#40 #37 Well, OldSpook, that was a deserving final word.

Agreed, Traveller. OldSpook, may peace of mind find you on our nation's glorious birthday. I cannot thank you enough for all you've done in her name.

Posted by Zenster 2004-07-04 12:35:41 AM|| 2004-07-04 12:35:41 AM|| Front Page Top

#41 It's becoming painfully clear how Zapatero won.

Posted by .com 2004-07-04 1:31:34 AM|| [http://www.amble.com/images/911_meccax.jpg] 2004-07-04 1:31:34 AM|| Front Page Top

#42 I think the US should follow Zapatero model and flee Iraq. This way, I guarantee you that you will be saving a lot of heads.

Posted by Anonymous15578 2004-07-04 3:25:06 AM|| 2004-07-04 3:25:06 AM|| Front Page Top

#43 DUBAI (Reuters) - The Army of Ansar al-Sunna issued a statement on its Web site on Sunday denying reports that it had killed a U.S. soldier abducted in Iraq.
"This statement that claimed to be from us has no basis in truth...and we have an official Web site through which we publish statements," the group said, referring to a statement issued on two Islamist Web sites on Saturday in the name of Ansar which said the militant group had beheaded the Lebanese-born soldier.

Posted by rich woods 2004-07-04 10:52:23 AM|| 2004-07-04 10:52:23 AM|| Front Page Top

02:17 Anonymous3245697
02:25 Anonymous3245697
10:52 rich woods
03:25 Anonymous15578
03:18 Anonymous11121
01:31 .com
00:35 Zenster
00:20 .com
23:55 Aris Katsaris
23:40 Pappy
23:39 Les Nessman
23:37 Pappy
23:08 Barbara Skolaut
23:06 .com
22:56 Jarhead
22:49 .com
22:46 .com
22:46 Barbara Skolaut
22:43 Frank G
22:37 .com
22:30 Jarhead
22:09 Eric Jablow
21:53 .com
21:49 Frank G