CNN just said that over 500 people have died from the no. Iraq bombing.

And yet yesterday, some idiot general said that when they announced 150, the number would go down (I figured they'd count two kids as one).

New link: Officials: Iraq massacre killed 500 --front page

Officials: Iraq massacre killed 500
At least 500 people are now thought to have been slaughtered by truck bombs in north Iraq, local officials said today. A U.S. general said the attacks were "trademark al Qaeda" adding it was "an act of ethnic cleansing."

This is supposedly a car bomb? This sounds like dropped ordinance or big artillery damage.

and we have little presence there, because even with the surge, we simply cannot cover a country of 23 million angry, spite-filled people who view us as an invader and occupier, with 180,00 troops and 180,000 law-breaking, murderous mercenaries.

invasion has been.

Without a Tito-like strongman enforcing discipline, this is what the future holds. Iraq will fracture, and the actors all around the fringes and with their own critical mass are going to grab for their piece of the pie. This was an act of genocide, targeting non-Arab, non-Muslim Yazidis, because of who they are and how and what they worship.

If I were a member of any minority sect or faith with any presence there, I'd be scared shitless.

but even members of a large minority or a majority are at risk for reprisals.

All of these pesky side players need to be neutralized so they don't get any "enemy of my enemy" ideas.

Once the playing field is cleared, stand by for Shi'a VS Sunni Lalapaloooza: The Fight For Ultimate Control of the HOLY PLACES, Part ONE!!

That's what the deal is, downstream. And we're just standing around watching this shit--we're not directing any activity, we're just stupid bystanders who sometimes don't know how or when to duck. Our best bet is to take our damned ball and go home.

rid them of their ruthless leader and brought Bush-style freedom and democracy to their people? Unfortunately, with a lethal war machine of this size and scope, there will always be a little unintended, inconsequential collateral damage, but that's to be expected. :sarcasm: oozing :sarcasm: dripping :sarcasm:

collateral, medial, and any other ligamental damage you can name. I am so pissed at these jerks and will get angrier as they spin this shit.

n/t

is what I read.

-----------

Kurdish Bombing Claims 250 Victims
Deadliest Attack In Single Area Since Start Of War

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/iraq-war/13896790/detail.html

POSTED: 8:27 am EDT August 15, 2007
UPDATED: 3:09 pm EDT August 15, 2007

BAGHDAD --

It's now the deadliest attack on a single area of Iraq since the start of the war there.

A regional health minister now said at least 250 people are dead from a series of suicide
truck bombings that targeted a small Kurdish sect in northwestern Iraq.

Dozens of bodies were uncovered today in the wreckage of clay houses.

In addition to the 250 killed, 350 others were wounded.

Members of the Kurdish sect have been denounced by Muslim extremists who consider them infidels.

And a U.S. general says yesterday's attacks were an act of "ethnic cleansing."

An American military spokesman blames the killings on al-Qaida.

Previous Stories:

* August 14, 2007: At Least 175 Killed In Iraq Bombings

This was ethnic cleansing by sectarians, either Sunni or Shia most likely, pure and simple. Funny how they blame al-qaida whenever they get a chance.

which was pretty easy to get considering the SEVERAL HUNDRED TONS the US did not bother to secure. It sort of seems like it was part of the plan, eh?

when he mentioned that the surge was working.

Either this god person has a really warped sense of humor, or nothing any person says on behalf of this administration can be believed. And I don't believe that god exists.

500 and rising.

Do you think this would have happened if Saddam was still in power.

and they had been targeted to do it from the beginning, or if we'd persuaded other Arab and Muslim nations to do it instead of us, if we had done it differently, and 'planned for peace.' If there had never ever been a single American boot on the ground, this still would have happened once the Strongman was eliminated.

Saddam ruled with a Titoesque iron fist. There was no freedom and everyone ratted everyone else out. All of those minority religions (and even the squashed majority, the Shi'a) had one thing in common--they were persecuted by Saddam's Sunni buddies. That was their focus. They couldn't even think about self-actualization or freedom of expression, they were in survival mode.

Enemy of my enemy, and all that. Saddam held the place together with bubble gum, baling wire and FEAR. Now there's no fear of a central government, and everyone's grabbing their chunk of the pie, and getting rid of their enemies, too. That's why Muslim segments wanted to do a little housecleaning, and get rid of those "Satan Worshipping" Yazidis, (who aren't even Arabs, fachrissake!!). This is Ethnic Cleansing, 101, happening here. It has nothing to do with US forces or the surge--it has EVERYTHING to do with "opportunity" though.

This is an opening salvo in a Holy War. For those who think this is the standard Shi'a - Sunni - American Occupier bullshit, get that OUTTA your head.

This is "Muslim/True Believers/Blessed by Allah/We are the Good Guys vs. Yazidi/Satan Worshippers/Zoroastrians/Horrible People." Well, NO, it actually isn't that, but that's how the Muslim side is portraying it. That's how they're justifying this genocide.

When Saddam was in power, no one fucked with the minority religions. And the Yazidi are double minorities--they aren't Muslims, and they aren't Arabs.

Let the games, or shall we call it "cleansing," begin.....

saying it was going to get bad in northern Iraq. I hope his son is okay.

This bombing did not target US forces at all. It targeted Kurdish Yazidis. It was a religious and ethnic mass murder.

:sarcasm:

I wonder whether the president has spent his political capital yet.

The US showcase Kurdish area is now a tarnished showcase.

twice as Kurds--not directly, but by saying they were Yazidis, and Yazidis are Kurds. A=B, B=C, by transitivity, A=C.

But you're right. They don't constantly and incessantly reiterate it over and over, repeatedly and redundantly saying and restating the same thing multiple times and time and again. So it's as good as not mentioned at all, really.

:eyes:

:eyes:

:eyes:

;)

http://www.cnn.com/

Officials: Iraq massacre killed 500
At least 500 people are now thought to have been slaughtered by truck bombs in north Iraq, local officials said today. A U.S. general said the attacks were "trademark al Qaeda" adding it was "an act of ethnic cleansing."

If true, this is TERRIBLE. How many people died when Saddam gassed the Kurdish town(s)? This sounds like it's almost on the same scale ...

800-5000.

Depends on the source.

WAR CRIMINALS!!!!! But for their obnoxious greed, this shit would NOT BE HAPPENING!!! :mad:

PERLE RICE POWELL ROVE BOLTON

the list is much longer, though

,...Carlyle Group, Robertson and his christo-control machine, the GONZO,...

Yes. The list is longer,...but intimately connected via back room deals to control the world.

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FUCK THE POLITICIZED MILITARY

what with those top leaders being chastised for proselytizing the job, in uniform and against their own troops?
When the Inspector General says stop, you know it has to be serious.

Then again, Rummie and Cheney worked hard to remove all indie thinking leaders. The top leaders have been culled and the religious, faith based, Cheney adoring generals have been promotoed. I was worried when prayer meetings arund tanks, rosaries around tank turrets, and hazing of nonbelievers took place in 2003-2004. I was very worried when the stories about the Air Force academy came out. But now, unless we clean out all religion from the military, I fear for our country's safety. BECAUSE of our military.

It's important to do so.