Smoke rises over the Green Zone in Iraq
By John Amato Sunday Mar 23, 2008 12:00pm 
Here's a BBC report on the newest attacks in Iraq's green zone and in South Baghdad.
Download | play 
Download | play (h/t Heather)
In another deadly attack, at least seven shoppers in a Baghdad market were killed when gunmen travelling in three cars opened fire.
At least 16 people were wounded when the drive-by shooting happened in the southern Zaafariniya area of the city, police said. The gunmen fled the scene.
It's a very disturbing report on the mounting violence in Iraq to say the least. An Iraqi asks how could gunmen can enter an area so full of check points? Kinda seems like some money bought alliances are failing. I'm sure John McCain can tell us. Well maybe not him, but Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman can at least try to inform him. 4000 troops gone and over 30, ooo wounded.
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STAY THE COURSE!!!! THE SURGE IS WORKING!!!!
...not.
In an interview with BBC world affairs editor John Simpson, Gen Petraeus said violence in Iraq was being perpetuated by Iran's Quds Force, a branch of the Revolutionary Guards.
"The rockets that were launched at the Green Zone yesterday, for example... were Iranian-provided, Iranian-made rockets," he said, adding that the groups that fired them were funded and trained by the Quds Force.
"All of this in complete violation of promises made by President Ahmadinejad and the other most senior Iranian leaders to their Iraqi counterparts."
Last throes and another corner turned.
More blood on BushCo's already blood soaked hands.
you people have no faith..are you guys gonna believe senator bomb bomb mccain,lieberman or the liberal BBC? calm down people the surge is working ,the qaedas are on the run. The smoke in the green zone is from a bonfire or a BBQ grill.
I'm sure that many of the insurgents are using either Russian- or Chinese-made small arms as well. I don't see or hear us cry war against either one of them...
If they use American weapons against us, do we declare war against our own weapons' manufacturers?
The logic of the neo-cons' arguements are quite baffling at times.
ben @ 4:
I barbeque... and that sir, is no barbeque.
Perhaps if those bribe dollars had the monetary impact that they did before Bush/Cheney f$$ked things up we would see better cooperation.
Maybe they don't want McCain to win the primaries either.
Petraeus's comments to the BBC are troubling. Will this be the excuse Bush and Cheney use to launch air strikes into Iran? We've been expecting the Administration to pull something before November to retain power. This may be it.
Its working! the surge is...
looks like we're going to have to increase the DOD's "bribe budget"...
Expect a lot more "Iran-backed" attacks against the U.S. It's just what the neocons need.
Don't expect investigative reporting either!
The BBC also says:
"The most senior US general in Iraq has said he has evidence that Iran was behind Sunday's bombardment of Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.
Gen David Petraeus told the BBC he thought Tehran had trained, equipped and funded insurgents who fired the barrage of mortars and rockets."
Are we winning the occupation yet?
Is it too late to give peace a chance?
The surge (bribery) is working! Well, maybe not anymore.
Radically Moderate @ 7:
The Bushies forgot to pay them the bribe dollars.
ThunderMonkey @ 6:
So what about a bonfire? maybe they were burning trash in the green zone? maybe a cook from KBR accidentally spill some grease on a fire. Come on people, senator bomb bomd mccain,senator lieberman,and senator graham told us that the surge is working. The surge is working,the surge is working.
L.A. Confidential @ 2:
Ah...it's on BBC...it MUST be true...surely THEY wouldn't willfully participate in a campaign of misinformation! Not the BRITS!!! They've NEVER done anything sneaky.
Sadly, too many people believe the talking points about the situation in Iraq getting better. Better? Compared to what?
Bob @ 14:
I haven't seen the MSM do one piece the past 7 years saying,
Isn't it time we begin the Peace Process?
I'm digging in. These mother_ _ _ _ _rs are out of control.
So we can expect Bush to explain why 4,000 troops had to die?
WMD
or as Juan Cole says, "to nail down a major petroleum-producing country for US geostrategic goals (ensuring its resources are available to the US and can be denied to growing rivals such as China)spreading democracy
ousting Saddam
Leslie @ 22:
Vietnam. US dead: 58,209; 2,000 missing; wounded: 305,000
Knowing Bush Co they are thinking hey why you complaining! Only 4000 casualties! We're winning!
Right but let's remember that this is happening because 'they' are doing this in order to get the Democrats elected ... to 'tilt' the election according to McBush .......
They never said their would not be attacks, the overall country is looking better though.........
Tell Tony Blair we're going alone!
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=oah8zpAkVhQ
sigh.....the sweet smoke of progress.(sarcasm)
chris the new Paul Welston @ 25:
What are you smoking? And when are you going to volunteer?
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 18:
Those rockets were bought with the same US dollars that wer dumped into Iraq to bribe the Sunni's and Shiites to stop fighting.
Those US dollars probably bought more than a few Iranian missiles.
Anyway . Is there no defensive system in place in the Green Zone. It looks like some one has dropped the ball .
L.A. Confidential @ 23:
No, Cheney is thinking "So"! And Bush isn't thinking at all.
SCHRODINGERS CAT @ 29:
Schroedinger, is Iraq alive or dead?
Leslie @ 30:
This is what they think about.
http://tinyurl.com/3db785
Why did you use a BBC report for this item? Surely the American networks have to be giving this blanket coverage, right?
right?
chris the new Paul Welston @ 25:
Enlist. It's safe now according to your opinion.
Yeah! That surge thing is working SO WELL!!!
(If you can't read the snark, I can't help you)
There's that dang liberal media reporting facts again. Why would they want to report on a few people killed when, instead, they could report on the REAL progress, like children in Iraq freely being able to weave baskets.
Collateral damage. That's all it is.........until it's your family member getting killed.
(yes I am sarcastic)
Tom A. @ 36:
No, they're reporting on a Detroit political sex scandal!
"4000 troops gone and over 30,000 wounded."
Well, at least we won't have to worry about *them* now; it's not like the government has to pay them benefits or anything now that they've lost limbs or eyes, or are brain-damaged, and can't serve the military anymore.
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 18:
Let's see if I understand you correctly...We do not want to mix apples and oranges,
so let's accept what Faux Noise has to say about how wonderfully well the surge is
going in Iraq, but NOT accept the BBC report. Is that what you are saying?
chris the new Paul Welston @ 25:
I assume you are talking about the country looking better(scenery wise) because it
it Spring time and the flowers/ect. are now blooming...right?
ConcernedCanuck @ 34:
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, unlike yourself..........
chris JFK or RFK? @ 41:
So says millions of other anonymous posters on the internet. As a matter of fact, it's been described as "military jealousy" when more people on the internet claim to be vets, than there really are vets. But, I digress. And hey, why can't you stick with one name so people know who you are, or are you just trying to do that on purpose.
Doggiebobo @ 39:
Not at all...I think faux noose is THE propaganda network...all lies..all the time...
And apparently...I appear to have misread LA's quote...I read it to mean that the BBC was implying that Iran was training and supplying insurgents...my apologies everyone...
Though, I don't believe for a second, that the powers that be in Merry Ol' England, ain't thirsty for some of that crude too...
How dare they?
Just after Graham told us how wonderful everything is.
...as cheney licks his chops.. so damn tragic...
ConcernedCanuck @ 42:
Just ignore him CC...he gets off stirring up shit.
David Patraeus is blaming Iran for this attack
Petraeus says that he has evidence that Iran is behind the attacks. Given the bush regime's reputation for truth-telling, until I see the evidence I am not inclined to believe him. (Or as somebody else said, "I have a list ...")
NPR commented on Petraeus' remarks that, as usual, Petraeus offered little evidence to connect Iran with the weapons used in the attacks.
Of course, with this administration, evidence is shown by how many times like-minded people say the same thing.
oops, shoud'a read the thread.
doh!
oops should's checked to see if someone had posted it.
doh!
ConcernedCanuck @ 42:
Sorry, but its true, don't be upset if you lost the argument just be a man and say so.. The surge will work..
chris likes Barak @ 52:
Dale @ 53:
Containing Saddam was working better.
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 46:
LOL...it's fairly obvious when he changes his name more than his momma changes his diapers.
ConcernedCanuck @ 55:
Their is not reason for personal attacks, lets have a positive dialog shall we.. do you want to win in Iraq or not? its going to look really bad if we loose..
chris likes Barak @ 52:
Do you know anything about Iraq? How successful do you honestly think ANY military strategy will be, when a huge part of the infastructure (water, electricity, etc) are still not working? You can surge in a million soldiers but eventually some of them have to go home, and without hydro and water you are right back to square one.
I don't get "upset at losing arguments" to stupidity, just get tired of repeating like a parrot to people that obviously have no intention of dialogue at all.
chris loved capitalism.. @ 56:
It's lose, not loose. Lose what? What's a win or loss? EVERYthing good ol' Dickface Bush has stated for his reason to send in the forces has been achieved. WMD? check (none there). Get rid of Saddam? Check. Install puppet government? Check. Get oil contracts? Check. Chase Al keeda? Check. Not there. So what the heck is a win?
ConcernedCanuck @ 55:
Teeeheeeheee! Once again, CC, you have proven that you are the snapmaster...Hey, mebbe you should change your handle to SnapMaster Flex, Destroyer of Trolls!
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 59:
Ha! Naw, I'm not good at that sort of thing. Troll or no troll, at least they should have a sound argument that would make a person think. Not the same old tired mantra over and over. I was a member on the MSNBC boards, until I was permanently banned after reading the same posters over and over posting the same crap. Rather than MSNBC's board getting rid of those trolls/flamers, they banned me for snapping at them. Never could figure out WHY some of the best internet sites do that. Makes the site look like they pay trolls.
Looks like Photoshop enhanced smoke to me!
jwrjr @ 48:
Credible evidence, not colin powell -UN-a teaspoon of this shit detonated into the atmosphere style evidence.
mclame is fucking complacent and senile
LIEberman and lindsey are just two more war criminals
who need to have their balls tied around their necks.
The surge will work..
Really.
When?
ConcernedCanuck @ 60:
Don't worry, here in the liberal blogs you just have to toe party line and your fine, forget facts and rational.......
chris loved capitalism.. @ 65:
Ahahahahahahahaha!!!!!! Holy shit, Chrissy you're a real hoot! Weren't you on Last Comic Standing?
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. What a hack.
chris loved capitalism.. @ 56:
obviously an ESL (English as a Second Language) troll... good luck with that mr. chris
chris, when are you going to enlist?
Spock @ 61:
Seriously. Hasn't the anti-American MSM learned from Slightly-more-smoke-gate?!
redcat @ 68:
I already did, my time is over........
ben @ 4:
what a fucking bush pundit you are--
the smoke in the green zone is the gas out of your ass burning.
tell your deluded lies to a mirrow.
Spock @ 61:
I suppose it was trick photography on the actual video.
Smoke rises over the Green Zone in Iraq
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57tK6aQS_H0
chris loved capitalism.. @ 56:
You can't have dialogue with a red stater who can't spell or read.
why don't you re-up. the military needs experienced fighters.
chris JFK or RFK? @ 41:
t-shirt? You got a fucking t-shirt for what? I got a back full of metal. Chrissy, you wouldn't have the balls to go to war, so just go back moms basement with your t-shirt.
chris @ 70:
Who were you with chrissy? Did you reup from cub scouts to boy scouts? Give us branch of service, unit and dates. I'll give you mine... 27th infantry, 25th infantry div, Charley company, 67-68. (wolfhounds).
redcat @ 75:
Hey, if Chris has served his time in the military(maybe even Iraq), then he is entitled to
his opinions just as we are, and I'm of the view that anyone who has done his/her duty
of serving this country should not be jumped on just because we don't necessiarly agree. BTW: I think the "Surge" is not working; yes military casualities are down as
are street bombing, but as the ICRC(International Committee of the Red Cross) just
reported last week, the natives/civilians within Iraq are without sanitary conditions,
have insufficient clean drinking water, and almost no medical care..even worse than
when Saddam H. was in power, so "maybe" as to military conflict the surge is somewhat
better, but it is the people of Iraq who are suffering ..."the worst at any time in history"
as reported by the ICRC.
BBC NEWS
Bleak picture of Iraq conditions
Millions of Iraqis have little or no access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare, five years after the US-led invasion, according to the Red Cross.
The Swiss-based agency says Iraq's humanitarian situation is "among the most critical in the world".
It warned that despite better security in some areas, millions had been left essentially to fend for themselves.
Some families spend a third of their average monthly wage of $150 (£75) just buying clean water, the report found.
'Worse than ever'
An even worse humanitarian crisis in Iraq will only be averted if much more attention is paid to the everyday needs of Iraqi citizens, the report by the International Committee of the Red Cross said.
Healthcare in Iraq was "now in worse shape than ever" and the services that are available are too expensive for many people, the report said.
Iraqi hospitals lack qualified staff and basic drugs, facilities are not properly maintained and public hospitals provide only 30,000 beds, less than half of the 80,000 needed, the Red Cross reports.
The agency said the current situation had been exacerbated for the 27m population by decades of previous conflict and economic sanctions.
Vanishings
The report also says that tens of thousands of Iraqis had effectively disappeared since the start of the war.
"Many of those killed in the current violence have never been properly identified, because only a small percentage of the bodies have been turned over to Iraqi government institutions," it said.
Violence rates in the country have fallen 60% since last June, although the US military commander there, Gen David Petraeus, says the security gains are fragile and could be easily reversed.
But Beatrice Megevand Roggo of the Red Cross said: "Better security in some parts of Iraq must not distract attention from the continuing plight of millions of people who have essentially been left to their own devices."
Tens of thousands of Iraqis - nearly all men - are in detention, according to the agency, including 20,000 inmates at Camp Bucca near Basra, which is run by US-led multinational forces.
Iraq is the Red Cross's largest operation worldwide with an annual budget of $106m (£52m) and 600 staff.
"4000 troops gone and over 30, 000 wounded."
How about over 1 MILLION dead Iraqis? Why play the neo-con bait and switch game of focusing only on American lives like they are somehow "worth" more? As much as Cheney is psychotic, he is right when it comes to the fact that the US soldiers volunteered. Many of the Iraqi women and children did NOT volunteer to have invading soldiers to rape, torture and kill them.
To be logically consistent, if one disapproves of the war, one must also disapprove of those who volunteered to be a part of the war, be they military contractors, bureaucrats, soldiers, and officers. The soldiers who volunteered for the war, and then became truly evil by treating innocent Iraqis like torture/rape pets, are absolutely NOT immune to criticism and disgust. To not criticize the troops for acting in evil ways totally and completely legitimizes that behavior in its essence, that is, it's ok as long as certain people do it and not others. That is absolutely barbaric and disgusting. Yes, war is bad, yes wars have bad things happen. But every single one of those US soldiers made the personal choice of joining the army, carrying a gun, shooting at civilians, raping children, and torturing innocent citizens. We can cry about it, we can feel anger over it, but the fact is that the government lied, and people believed them. Governments ALWAYS lie. This country used to be a country if understanding this fact. But for some reason, globalization turned this country scared shitless, where everyone sought the help of the state in order to better their lives, be they US corporations competing with the world, or anti-corporate people seeking the state's help to deal with capitalism. BAD MOVE. The question should not be business or something else. It should always be "what should the state do and what shouldn't they do?" In 2008, it seems like many people want the state to do everything from ensuring our oil interests in the middle east are secure, to ensuring the stock market is up, to ensuring that people have healthcare and public schooling.
This country is consuming way too much and producing way too little, and we expect the government to fix the problems that this creates for everyone. We would have a weaker dollar if the government didn't threaten everyone to sell in US dollars or else. But a weaker dollar is symptomatic at the lack of production in this country, which was caused by the Federal Reserve's inflation. Instead of exporting products, we export our dollars, which find their way back here to create bubbles that will inevitably burst.
I can understand if people get angry at these comments. Wars, especially illegitimate wars, ALWAYS cause a decline in civilized society, and result in an erosion of life, happiness and prosperity. Welcome to the jungle!
Certain Americans are envious of the 160,000 troops in the Iraqi battlefields because it would be so "romantic" to be there.
I've always wondered why it seemed the entire MSM bought the "surge is working" story, especially as it doesn't seem all that long ago we heard long explanations about "seasonal variation" in violence in Iraq.
While I sincerely hope the surge (or diplomacy, or nation-building, or Mickey Mouse, for that matter) does genuinely decrease violence on both our troops and the Iraqis, I think I'll wait until July or August before I start seriously gauging the effectiveness of any violence-suppression strategy.
Anonymouse @ 82:
You mean you are UNSURE as of now? Like, the occupation based on a lie is not able to be judged NOW with regards to its "effectiveness"? I think you are quite capable of saying something about the occupation NOW, and not get bogged down in the details of surges or strategies like they want us to focus on. That's all smoke and mirrors. The whole occupation can be judged to be a disaster, and no surge or minor tinkering will take away from the fact that we are witnessing a totally inept group of government officials in action. They are without a doubt the worst leaders this country has ever had. This is no exaggeration. It's an amazing event to behold actually. 50 years from now, historians will look back at 2001-2008 as a time comparable to the Roman Empire under Nero, or Caligula.
They know this, and they know that they have bungled this country so badly, that they can only sleep at night by convincing themselves that in 50 years historians are going to look back and say they did the right thing, and that all of us living today are a bunch of fucking retards who can't differentiate their ass from a hole in the ground. Well, I have news for Cheney et al. The more you try to make the citizenry look bad and yourselves look good (which makes me spit coffee out of my nose just typing it), the more you make yourself look bad, because leaders are made not born, that is, leaders are leaders because they most fully represent the society's true attributes.
Their delusional idea that their actions will be judged differently in 50 years is absolutely psychotic.
Cheney and Bush ARE TODAY going down as the worst US leaders in the country's history. Everyone wrote about how bad Nixon was right after he resigned. That knowledge is still with us and is the reason he used to be the worst President. The amount of animosity towards Bush and Cheney are UNPARALLELED in history. This huge resentment is planting the seeds for future generations to look back at all the literature being written today, and so future historians will look back and READ everything being written today and conclude the same thing we are concluding today.
Bush and Cheney think that have an escape hatch, that is, historical interpretation. They actually think they are so evolved that they alone are cognizant of true reality and morality, so advanced in fact, that it's going to take 50 years for humanity to "catch up" to what they are doing? That's the most psychotic thing a person can think. It actually represents a decline in perhaps our schooling system or our culture, but for Cheney and Bush to think that they are 50 years ahead of everyone else is so incredibly laughable, it's almost embarrassing to think that they grew up in the same country, and that this country can produce animals like that. Bush and Cheney are the result of a cultural devaluation of mankind, they are primitive apes who ooh ooh aah ahh'd their way into the leadership.