CNN: Radical firebrand Moqtada al-Sadr delivers fiery sermon

"From time to time, we hear of clashes between our brothers in the Mehdi Army and the brothers in the Iraqi police and army," al-Sadr said in a sermon at a mosque in the holy Shiite city of Kufa, south of Baghdad.

"Pay attention: This is an important point," he said. "As far as I know, the occupation is behind this, creating an excuse for it to stay in our beloved Iraq. So don't give it a reason, please."

Calling the message a fatwa -- a religious legal ruling -- al-Sadr said that "any fighting between the brothers is not allowed and forbidden as long as they follow the good and reject the wrong. I advise the dear brothers in the Mehdi Army to resort to peaceful choices if they are attacked by the weak souls."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/05/25/iraq.main/index.html

Good thing I knew he was a radical firebrand delivering a fiery sermon, 'cause in truth it sounded like a man of reason urging peace among his countrymen, while resisting the illegal occupation of his country.

:shrug:

(not the mass-murdering thug part, though).

according to whom...CNN? :eyes:

to many news sources--if he was a peace-loving sort, he wouldn't have any power in Iraq.

on the sectarian killings. Link please.

You just suck it up, don't you? Can I sell you some swampland?

I want to see where MAS advocated sectarian violence. Please.

*whistles*

up to you. I don't think the guy's a hero or a boy scout--his army has been blamed for sectarian killings, that's close enough for me. And as the wife of a serviceman, ANYONE who kills US troops is a murdering thug.

because he's not only not responsible for sectarian killings--he's repeatedly denounced them. He's often been blamed by the US government because he happens to be:

1) Outspoken against the US occupation
2) Very powerful

Blind patriotism will not help you either. Is anyone who defends their country from an illegal invasion also a "murdering thug"?

"They are a threat to your children, David...." "It's a danger to your children, Jim...."