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Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers

By Jeralyn, Section War In Iraq
Posted on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 09:00:54 AM EST
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The Mujahedeen Shura Council, believed to be affiliated with al-Qaeda in Iraq, has claimed on its website it is holding the two U.S. soldiers who have been missing since an attack Friday at a checkpoint in Yusufiya, about 30 miles south of Baghdad.

The statement said, "the strongest army in the world is turned around, ashamed of their failure [to find the soldiers] and we will give you more information on the incident in the following days."

The military has identified the missing soldiers as Pfc. Thomas Lowell Tucker, 25, of Madras, Oregon, and Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, 23, of Houston, Texas.

No video has been posted on the website and the group's claim has not been verified.

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    • Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers | 30 comments (30 topical)
    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 10:07:04 AM EST
    Rumsfeld should answer to this one.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 10:35:05 AM EST
    RE: "The Mujahedeen Shura Council, believed to be affiliated with al-Qaeda in Iraq." Believed? Not to confuse 'alQaeda-in-Iraq' with the alQaeda of binLaden/Afganistan fame. Nope, we sure woudn't want to muddle it all together. Let me clue you in on the big secret: Iraqis are fighting US occupation. --------------------

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#3)
    by james on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 11:03:54 AM EST
    Rumsfeld should answer to this one.
    It's something that happens during war - Rumsfield should be answering for his total ineptitude and all of it's consequences. Now, we could take the White House's response to this saddening episode. Mr Snow, the press secretary, marginalized their capture instead trying to focus on rounding up 'hundred' of fighters. Basically 'they aren't our top priority, please shut up about them'. The media seems to be complying. Another Snow goodie: When asked about the death toll in Iraq for US servicemen and women reaching 2500 he responded 'it's just a number'. Is 6 million also 'just a number'?

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 12:27:22 PM EST
    Weren't tha last soldiers captured hung from that bridge north of Bagdad? I'm curious, did ya'll know that we currently have 140 dedicated C-130 re-supply missions a day to Iraq. This is in addition to having half of tha C-17 airfleet dedicated to re-supplying Iraq. Also over tha weekend I found out that in order to make up for tha lack of replacement troops, currently 8,000 sailors and 6,000 airmen have been re-trained by tha Army to fulfill groundpounder assignments. Did ya'll know tha re-enlistment bonus' are up to $150K and they aren't getting enough takers to fill in tha cadres. Morale is sinking faster than 100 lb. rock dropped into tha water. One last thing, I don't know how many of yall are ex-military, but during a "time of war" for any Active member of tha military to speak out against his Superiors....is to risk being charged with Mutiny and Dereliction of Duty. Tha last soldier convicted of such was at tha end of WW2, he faced a Firing Squad. I don't think any of our soldiers are that stupid, but in private, they are pissed off that they are being wasted for DC/B.S. And ifn yu think that tha cost is high now, wait until we have to replace all those worn-out tanks, trucks, airplanes, etc., not to mention worn-out troopers.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#6)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 01:06:58 PM EST
    et al - Heaven forbid that you guys should blame the terrorists when America is always right here and ready to receive your bile. I mean, if they wanted to really treat our guys bad, why not just put'em in prison, give'em Bibles, diets that match their religion and lawyers??? I mean that would be terrible... wouldn't it? And they don't need tribunals to determine if they are really US soldiers... them being in uniform, carrying weapons openly and all that GC requirement stuff. I would fall down laughing if I could see the floors through my tears while crying....thinking of your claims and inverted values. zebm1 - Let me see:
    currently 8,000 sailors and 6,000 airmen have been re-trained by tha Army to fulfill groundpounder assignments.
    I don't believe you Zeb. Give us your source. and...
    Did ya'll know tha re-enlistment bonus' are up to $150K
    Source? I might wanna give that one a shot... of course they won't take me, but still.. anyway... SOURCE??
    but during a "time of war" for any Active member of tha military to speak out against his Superiors....is to risk being charged with Mutiny and Dereliction of Duty
    Been awhile, so can you quote the UCMJ on that?

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#7)
    by Che's Lounge on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 01:12:22 PM EST
    I would bet that the soldiers are already dead. If they are cutting off heads of civilians, I highly doubt there is anything we can do to save the soldiers even if they are still alive. You would like that wouldn't you Narius? Gets you off. More blood for your lust. Here's hoping our troops can rescue two of their own.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#9)
    by cmpnwtr on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 01:27:09 PM EST
    More blood on Bush's hands and his lapdogs! We're at a turning point.... Victory is ours! What a total waste? These kids died a tragic death for nothing but the vanity of Bush and Rove, who sit on their "fat back sides" in air conditioned offices in Washington and accuse others of being cowards.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#10)
    by Lww on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 02:22:46 PM EST
    "More blood on Bush's hands and his lapdogs!" You just don't get it do you. BUSH and his political cronies are the lapdogs. Just like the democrats. Money and fear of retribution at election time basically castrates these people when it comes to doing whats right for the country. Take the Iran situation? For the last week Iran has been kissing our ass yet the only thing Bush can do is threaten them. Can't let this "crisis" die down. North Korea. If that isn't the mouse that roared I don't know what is. Lets re-introduce the draft(no exemptions) and stop this nonsense.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#11)
    by Lww on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 02:45:21 PM EST
    I googled "reintroduce the draft" and lo and behold second on the list is "Talkleft" from Feb, 2004, discussing it. You wonder if it had been implemented how many lives would've been saved? The Bush daughters and some children of the well-heeled sweating it out in a humvee would have brought the troops home. No doubt about it.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#12)
    by jen on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 02:46:21 PM EST
    Why should they give our guys lawyers, it's not like we give their guys lawyers.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#13)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 03:14:39 PM EST
    The Bush daughters and some children of the well-heeled sweating it out in a humvee would have brought the troops home. No doubt about it.
    Amen. Instead what we get is gung ho keyboard warriors that won't even bite for a 150k bonus, more than content to let others fight the battles they supposedly believe in.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 03:29:24 PM EST
    "I would bet that the soldiers are already dead. If they are cutting off heads of civilians, I highly doubt there is anything we can do to save the soldiers even if they are still alive." Narius, So ignorant, yet, so representative of the US majority. While "they" cut off the heads of civilians, warriors are considered different. The military men's actions will determine their outcomes. As I said on a different thread, perhaps they can "strike a blow for Bush", attacking the freedom-fighters by committing suicide.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#15)
    by John Mann on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 03:35:50 PM EST
    I would fall down laughing if I could see the floors through my tears while crying....thinking of your claims and inverted values.
    Why don't you just piss off, Jim? Why don't you just take your trolling ass and peddle your papers elsewhere? I feel sick about these kids. They'll be showing up on video before long. There's not a chance in the world they're already dead, and if you and your ilk think for a second that their release can be bargained, you're nuts.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#16)
    by Sailor on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 04:17:16 PM EST
    knock it off jim, you know most of those statements are true, e.g. "Been awhile, so can you quote the UCMJ on that?" So if I prove to you with links that that is the case will you apologise? or just viatra another strawman?

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#17)
    by John Mann on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 04:48:32 PM EST
    So if I prove to you with links that that is the case will you apologise? or just viatra another strawman?
    Obviously a seriously rhetorical question.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#18)
    by Sailor on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 05:48:31 PM EST
    actually JM, it was a bit snarky, but it was also a reasonable request that most other commenters on this site would agree to.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#19)
    by John Mann on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 06:11:29 PM EST
    actually JM, it was a bit snarky, but it was also a reasonable request that most other commenters on this site would agree to.
    Yours truly amongst them. I've been trying to get this guy to apologize for his BS for almost four years.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#20)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 07:07:38 PM EST
    Sailor - So let's see the link that proves what he said:
    but during a "time of war" for any Active member of tha military to speak out against his Superiors....is to risk being charged with Mutiny and Dereliction of Duty. ....is to risk being charged with Mutiny and Dereliction of Duty. Tha last soldier convicted of such was at tha end of WW2, he faced a Firing Squad.
    Mutiny and sedition require very specific actions.
    1) Mutiny by creating violence or disturbance. (a) That the accused created violence or a disturbance; and (b) That the accused created this violence or disturbance with intent to usurp or override lawful military authority. (2) Mutiny by refusing to obey orders or perform duty. (a) That the accused refused to obey orders or otherwise do the accused's duty; (b) That the accused in refusing to obey orders or perform duty acted in concert with another person or persons; and (c) That the accused did so with intent to usurp or override lawful military authority.
    I see nothing there that qualifies as "speaking out." UCMJ Link Perhaps Zebm1 can further define his meaning. I sure that he will now say that he meant was at least two of the definitions I have so thoughtfully provided. (Sarcasm alert!) This link details executions that cover the "end of WWII" time frame. If you care to read such sordid details you will note that none of them are associated with Article 94, "Mutiny." Here again I am sure that Zebm1 will immediately conclude that he really meant Article 92 and/or 93. As to the $150K, the most I found was $20K. Since I am getting weary, you are invited to prove me wrong. Just go ahead and use one of those links you speak of. I hope you can because these folks deserve every nickel. Now we come to his claim of re-enlistment. As this link shows,
    The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps continue to enjoy excellent reenlistment rates, meeting or exceeding all objectives. Active Army has reenlisted 52,190 Soldiers toward a YTD glidepath mission of 46,224.
    As for the Reserves, etc. Year to Date As of May 2006 Quantity - YTD Accessions Goal Percent Army National Guard 45,654 44,245 103% Army Reserve 19,364 20,175 96% Navy Reserve 5,775 6,808 85% Marine Corps Reserve 4,815 4,795 100% Air National Guard 5,545 6,246 89% Air Force Reserve 4,800 4,603 104% Gasp. The ANG, NR are only 89%, 85% and 96% respectively. But wait!!! I thought it was the Army and Marines who were in trouble?

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#21)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 07:16:13 PM EST
    Sailor - I just noted I didn't spec, " Dereliction of Duty." Obviously this falls under Article 92, and the UCMJ says nothing about lipping off or complaining being derelict in the performance of duties. But hey, we know what Zebm1 meant, don't we? He was just trying to make a point, and he thought he was being correct.... Kinda like the Bush dude, eh??

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#22)
    by john horse on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 07:57:18 PM EST
    I hope these guys make it home alive and unharmed. I hope they are treated humanely. I hope they are not treated like some of the American hostages have been treated. I hope they are not treated like we have treated some of the detainees.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#23)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 08:11:12 PM EST
    How about putting them in a dehumanizing hole for a few years til they hang themselves?

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#24)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 08:13:26 PM EST
    While "they" cut off the heads of civilians, warriors are considered different. The military men's actions will determine their outcomes. Hey, the invasion of Iraq was an illegal war of aggression. I guess that makes any soldier captured there an "illegal enemy combatant" rather than a "prisoner of war".

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#26)
    by john horse on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 08:30:12 PM EST
    I know that some of you are being satiric but lets reserve the hellholes for those that are responsible for sending our country to war rather than those who have been or are being traumatized by their decision.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#27)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 08:58:32 PM EST
    John Horse - Nice try.
    I know that some of you are being satiric but lets reserve the hellholes
    You know, I used to think they didn't know better. Now, I know they do. They mean what they write. One of the biggest differences between the tactics required by the Demos and the Repubs is defined above. The Demos have to keep increasing the red meat they throw to the base, because the base is adicted to hate. All the Repubs have to do is quote the anti-war Left. Guess which one seems reasonable and capable or running the country?

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#28)
    by jondee on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 09:20:19 PM EST
    The final arbiter of reason and capability speaks. I dont know about the rest of the people here, but that's good enough for me. How about another Klan quote to give us something more to hate Jim?

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#29)
    by john horse on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 04:10:35 AM EST
    PPJ, The point that I think some were making was that if the harsh interrogation techniques that the Bush administration has approved are acceptable against those we capture then those same techniques can also be acceptably used against American soldiers if they are captured. As a famous Middle East philosopher once said "Do unto others ..."

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#30)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 06:22:17 AM EST
    Jondee - Happy to oblige. I always like to link to authors who quote the Klan to show how evil and wrong they were. Too bad you aren't smart enough to read the article and see the context. So you just keep on making yourself look stupid when people read the article and see that you have lied. Link John - Think what you like. I believe otherwise. John Mann - You write:
    I feel sick about these kids.
    Your sickness is in the abstract. It is much, much, much worse when you actually know the dead. As I type this I can hear the news that the Demos are demanding withdrawal. Guess who else is hearing this? The Terrorists. Or, as the Left and MSM call them, "Insurgents." Guess what they're thinking? "Gee, all I have to do is wait and the Demos will make the US withdraw..." So John Mann, if you want to help, call up a Demo, tell him/her that you are going to leave Canada, move to the US and vote against them if they don't start supporting the troops.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#31)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:02:09 PM EST
    One of the biggest differences between the tactics required by the Demos and the Repubs is defined above. Teeny tiny little problem there, kid. I'm not a Democrat, have never voted Democrat in my life, and never ever will.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#32)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 10:30:52 PM EST
    PPJ -- this thread is about the Air Torture ad, please don't change the subject.

    Re: Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers (none / 0) (#33)
    by jondee on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 11:44:54 PM EST
    ppj - I read the article. What I see is someone who choses to quote in order to BOLSTER his argument, out of all the articulate voices of the last hundred years, an Imperial Wizard of the KKK. Oh, and then there's Mr. Red State himself who continually lnks to the article by the "Jacksonian" in which the final tally is Jackson Quotes:0 Klan Quotes:1.

    Al Qaeda Group Claims Capture of U.S. Soldiers | 30 comments (30 topical)