Death Squads return to Iraq!

[weester87]

Death Squads And Diplomacy
Robert Dreyfuss
October 05, 2005


A flurry of Arab diplomacy over the last few days is unfolding in a rear-guard effort to prevent the crisis in Iraq from exploding into what Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal warned last month could be a regional civil war involving not only Iraq, but all of its neighbors.

The main, and well-deserved, target of Saud’s ire was the increasingly authoritarian and brutal rule of the main Iraqi Shiite parties, especially the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), whose Badr Brigade militia are terrorizing Iraq’s secular, urban Shiite population and carrying out death-squad attacks against Sunnis. The attacks against the Sunnis are aimed not only at the Iraqi armed resistance but at secular, nationalist Sunni leaders and activists.

Last week, I reported on the fear of Shiite militias and death squads as reported by Aiham Al Sammarae, an Iraqi oppositionist and former minister under the interim government in 2004 who is trying to broker a deal with the Iraqi resistance. Since then, other reports have surfaced concerning the extensive violence carried out by paramilitary forces tied to SCIRI and to Al Dawa, SCIRI’s partner in the Shiite religious bloc in Iraq. By now it is clear that if Tony Soprano lived in Iraq, he’d be a member of the Shiite militia. Consider the following report from CBS News:

CBS News correspondent Lara Logan reports there is a secret, ruthless cleansing of the country's towns and cities. Bodies—blindfolded, bound and executed—just appear, like the rotting corpses of 36 Sunni men that turned up in a dry riverbed south of Baghdad.

CBS News traced 16 of those men to a single street in a Baghdad suburb, where family members showed CBS News how the killers forced their way into their homes in the middle of the night and dragged away their sons and fathers.

"My uncles were tortured, they even poured acid on them," a young boy told CBS News.

Clutching photographs of the murdered men, the women and children left behind came together to grieve.

One woman said as her husband was marched away she sent her son after him with his slippers, but his abductor sent the child back with a chilling message: No need for slippers—he will come back dead.

They were targeted for one reason alone: all were Sunnis.

Or this, from the Chicago Tribune :

In the dead of night, bands of armed men in Iraqi commando uniforms stormed Baghdad's Hurriyah neighborhood in late August, breaking down doors with sledgehammers and grenades.

If the family inside was Shiite, the gunmen moved on to another house, witnesses said. If the family was Sunni, the gunmen tore through the building, demolishing furniture and manhandling those inside. More than 70 young Sunni Arab men were whisked away.

Countless atrocities, too, have been perpetrated by Sunni gangs and by terrorists associated with Abu Musab Al Zarqawi. But the killings by the Shiite militias are far more chilling because they have an entirely different quality: They are carried out by gunmen tied to the U.S.-supported regime in Baghdad. They don’t draw criticism from U.S. officials, and most American media reports continue to portray the Shiites as victims and the Sunnis as aggressors.

Still, it is the ferocity of the Shiite fanaticism governing Iraq today, and the ruling circle’s ever-closer ties to Iran, that prompted Prince Saud to warn of a regional civil war sparked by the Shiites. He brought that message to Washington last week, talking to senators and to the Washington press corps. He then flew back to the Middle East to attend a meeting of Arab foreign ministers, including Iraq’s Foreign Minister Hossein Zebari. We’ll come to the Arab League meeting shortly, but first some background:

After Saud’s criticism of Iraq’s Shiite crazies, one of them—Iraqi interior minister Bayan Jabor—lashed out at Saudi Arabia. “This Iraq,” said Jabor, who as interior minister is directly responsible for the Shiite hit squads, “is the cradle of civilization that taught humanity reading and writing, and some Bedouin riding a camel wants to teach us!” He went on to lambaste Saudi Arabia and threaten to provoke an uprising of Shiites who predominate in Saudi Arabia’s oil-rich Eastern Province. “There are more than four million Shiites in the kingdom who are considered second-class citizens,” he sniffed.

Later, at the Arab League foreign ministers’ meeting, two important things happened. First, the Iraqi foreign minister, Zebari, a Kurd, abjectly apologized for Jabor’s calling Saud a Bedouin. More important, the League decided to launch an Iraqi peace initiative. The secretary-general of the Arab League is going to Baghdad on a mission to find common ground among Iraq’s warring factions, including the Iraqi Sunni-led resistance. And the League is putting together a plan to convene a conference led by Iraq’s Arab neighbors along with all Iraqi factions, in an effort to prevent civil war and stabilize the country. It’s a very important step, one that probably does not have much more than token support from the Bush administration, which is stuck on its stay-the-course fantasy of a victory strategy. But important people in Washington believe that Jordan and Saudi Arabia, both Sunni kingdoms, are the best mediators between the United States and the Iraqi opposition.

In that context, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad managed to find his way down to Saudi Arabia this weekend to talk to Saudi Arabia’s crown prince about Iraq. Iraq—and its Shiite fundamentalist ruling clique—may be too far gone to be salvaged. Perhaps civil war is inevitable. But if the United States would get out of Iraq, give the Arab League and the UN a chance to manage things there, and take part in Arab-led talks with the Sunnis, catastrophe might be averted. It’s not likely, but at this point we need straws to grasp at

[1QWIK6]

[SFITurbo]

Terror is an excellent tool used for the purpose of controlling a body of people at any level. It has never left the battlefield of the MIddle East and never will. A small number of people can make a huge impact on the unprotected, ignorant, or poor, of any civilization. That is why the Iraqi situation is taking so long. The Middle Eastern mentality understands strength and power, and will trample weakness or take advantage at any sign of it. One more reason why America needs to follow through with their commitment to a free and democratic Iraq. Thank You for finally showing your support (in a round about way) Weester, Theres hope for you yet!

[Red Regal T]

Originally Posted by 1QWIK6

This is a perfect example that shows the left doesn't know which side is the enemy. Terrorists benefit because the left through propaganda and lies has blurred which side is good and which is evil. Specifically, the left has reversed the political polarity. It sees the United States as evil and if it does not necessarily see the jihadists as good, it views "evil America" as the cause of jihadism.


American leftists want "peace," but don't realize that peace is a result of defeating evil. The left mainly wants to use the war for partisan political gain, that would be the DIMocrats, and are trying to deprive President Bush of any credit for victory because it could benefit him politically. ........How sick is that?

Iraq is a sanctuary among sanctuaries. Losing this war would guarantee Iraq would become a recruiting and training center, exporting terror worldwide. There is no turning back. This is what too many critics refuse to see. They indulge in fantasies like "Bush lied" about weapons of mass destruction and began the war under false pretenses.

President Clinton's National Security Adviser, Sandy Berger, stated flatly, "Saddam will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has 10 times since 1983." Clinton's Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, said the "risk" that a "rogue state will use nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face." President Clinton, who now keeps company with war critics, said in 1998, "If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program."

The Bush administration has finally started to reply to these sunshine patriots. Certainly a mistake that they had waited so long but the truth on the ground in Iraq is coming out. We are winning and Iraqis want to be free.

[weester87]

Terrorism is a way of life in the middle east and we cant change that! Our very presence has increased the terrorist threat. The sunnis, shiites and kurds all live by this code and no amount of pressure or U.S. involvement will change that! Why do you think Israel is building a wall around their country? Its not a defeatist attitude its REALITY and the sooner you accept their way of dealing with confrontation the sooner you will realize how inconsequential our involvement is. We removed one dictator who tortured and maimed his citizens and now the predominant group/shiites in Iraq are resorting to the same tactics. We have been training their troops, are we teaching them these tactics? H@ll no, but they continue to resort to the way they know best! You want to create a democratic state in the middle east? Ban their religion and a 1000 years of history.....

[SFITurbo]

"Our very presence has increased the terrorist threat."
Our EXISTENCE IN THE WORLD is the reason for the terrorism. We appear weak, thats why they went for the jugular vein on 9/11. Now they are biting our ankles because "we" finally demonstrated to them that the U.S. won't roll over and expose our bellies at the first sign of trouble. One final stomping and let the Iraqis start standing up on their own. Now some people want us to once again show that America's all beek and no azz. Follow this thing through and you shall see an attitude shift in Iraq. It may not be exactly what we desire in a democracy, but it WILL be better for the human race than what they had or will be faced with if the coalition decides to cut and run. Come on Weester, I'm holdin' on to that hope for you

[Red Regal T]

Originally Posted by SFITurbo

Come on Weester, I'm holdin' on to that hope for you

In this case, you're a dreamer. But if you need to prove it to yourself that common sense won't prevail, you will.

[weester87]

SFITurbo,

Invading Afghanistan was RIGHT, Invading Iraq was a huge mistake. We havent changed the way they think, they are still torturing and killing their own. We removed one dictator and he will be replaced by another, its their way! If we would have caught Bin Laden and executed him it would have had a huge impact on Al Queda, we cut and ran to Iraq because of the neo con agenda. I'm all for hunting down and destroying Al Queda, so why didnt we continue to pursue? Al Zarqawi would have never come to Iraq if we hadnt invaded!

[bruce]

Originally Posted by 1QWIK6

Rawhide....Originally Posted by Skylark-69
Sung to the Rawhide theme:

Trollin, trollin, trollin, Qwik just keeps on trollin, unstable and foamin,
says Bush lied!
Ignores the facts whenever
Full of it forever
No decency and likes to lie
Unable to listen
The left's ass he's kissin
His illness he's unable to hide

MoveOnorg, make it up
Make it up, MoveOnorg
MoveOnorg, make it up

Qwik LIES!!!!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

Part II

Trollin, trollin, trollin, Qwik just keeps on trollin, unstable and foamin,
says Bush lied!
Ignores the facts whenever
Full of it forever
No decency and likes to lie
Unable to listen
The left's ass he's kissin
His illness he's unable to hide

MoveOnorg, make it up
Make it up, MoveOnorg
MoveOnorg, make it up

Qwik LIES!!!!!

Keeps losin, losin, losin
his claims are disproven
TB he's pollutin
Qwik LIED
Don't try to understand him
A loon you can brand him
A coward who just wants to hide
Mindless emulatin
Must parrot Move On's hatin
Can't think for himself cause his brain's fried

Qwik LIED
Qwik LIED

[bruce]

Originally Posted by weester87

Invading Afghanistan was RIGHT, Invading Iraq was a huge mistake.

We havent changed the way they think, they are still torturing and killing their own. We removed one dictator and he will be replaced by another, its their way!

Once clueless, always clueless.

To YOU it was a mistake since you refuse to get past your narrowmindedness.

We're not there to change the way they think!, only a moron would state that we were there to do so.

If they elect a dictator, that's FINE!, it's their election. Try reading up on Food for Oil and the UN sanctions for openers, that way you won't constantly look so ignorant on the subject.

But in the mean time, thanks again for the laughs.

[Mac in SD]

Another impeccably balanced journalist selected by the Chief Jackoff!

Robert Dreyfuss is a freelance writer based in Alexandria, Va., who specializes in politics and national security issues. He is a contributing editor at The Nation, a contributing writer at Mother Jones, a senior correspondent for The American Prospect, and a frequent contributor to Rolling Stone. His book, Devil's Game: How the United States Helped Unleash Fundamentalist Islam, will be published by Henry Holt/Metropolitan Books in the fall.

[weester87]

"Another impeccably balanced journalist selected by the Chief Jackoff!

Mac's PMS'ing again.......LOL

All y'all have to do is READ, these are facts. They are sending out death squads and they are killing innocent iraqi citizens. But go ahead and bury your head in the sand or turn on RL T.V....................

[weester87]

"If they elect a dictator, that's FINE!, it's their election"

What a maroon, why bother removing saddam if y'all are going to replace him with a clone.............doh! Explain that to the soldiers in iraq.

[bruce]

Originally Posted by weester87

"If they elect a dictator, that's FINE!, it's their election"

What a maroon, why bother removing saddam if y'all are going to replace him with a clone.............doh! Explain that to the soldiers in iraq.

maroon?.

LOL, you're a real joke.

Get another clue, not all dicators are ruthless killers like Saddam was.

Thanks for again showing how totally clueless you are.

maroon, LOL

Thanks for the laughs.......

[Drew L]

Originally Posted by weester87

SFITurbo,

Invading Afghanistan was RIGHT, Invading Iraq was a huge mistake. We havent changed the way they think, they are still torturing and killing their own. We removed one dictator and he will be replaced by another, its their way! If we would have caught Bin Laden and executed him it would have had a huge impact on Al Queda, we cut and ran to Iraq because of the neo con agenda. I'm all for hunting down and destroying Al Queda, so why didnt we continue to pursue? Al Zarqawi would have never come to Iraq if we hadnt invaded!

talking out both sides of your mouth again? I pretty sure you're not a Military Tatician. To make a statement saying so and so wouldn't have done something because of the US presence is ignorant.............completely ignorant

[UNGN]

Originally Posted by weester87

Al Zarqawi would have never come to Iraq if we hadnt invaded!

That would be true IF he wasn't already there. Zarqawi was in Iraq in 2002. NOBODY contests this. Democrats avoid the question when asked. He even went over to Jordan and killed a US diplomat.

Just to be sure you understand, we invaded Iraq in what year again?

better up the meds.

[Drew L]

Originally Posted by UNGN

That would be true IF he wasn't already there. Zarqawi was in Iraq in 2002. NOBODY contests this. Democrats avoid the question when asked. He even went over to Jordan and killed a US diplomat.

Just to be sure you understand, we invaded Iraq in what year again?

better up the meds.

[1QWIK6]

Originally Posted by bruce

Rawhide....Originally Posted by Skylark-69
Sung to the Rawhide theme:

Trollin, trollin, trollin, Qwik just keeps on trollin, unstable and foamin,
says Bush lied!
Ignores the facts whenever
Full of it forever
No decency and likes to lie
Unable to listen
The left's ass he's kissin
His illness he's unable to hide

MoveOnorg, make it up
Make it up, MoveOnorg
MoveOnorg, make it up

Qwik LIES!!!!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

Part II

Trollin, trollin, trollin, Qwik just keeps on trollin, unstable and foamin,
says Bush lied!
Ignores the facts whenever
Full of it forever
No decency and likes to lie
Unable to listen
The left's ass he's kissin
His illness he's unable to hide

MoveOnorg, make it up
Make it up, MoveOnorg
MoveOnorg, make it up

Qwik LIES!!!!!

Keeps losin, losin, losin
his claims are disproven
TB he's pollutin
Qwik LIED
Don't try to understand him
A loon you can brand him
A coward who just wants to hide
Mindless emulatin
Must parrot Move On's hatin
Can't think for himself cause his brain's fried

Qwik LIED
Qwik LIED

LOOKS LIKE BRUCY IS ON HIS SOAPBOX WITHOUT HIS MEDICATION AGAIN.