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al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence

By Jeralyn, Section War on Terror
Posted on Sun Jun 11, 2006 at 06:18:52 PM EST
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The U.S. Military runs another delay ruse by us. Just this morning, the New York Times reported:

With rumors circulating in the Iraqi news media that Mr. Zarqawi had begun to run from the house as the first bomb struck, American officials said Saturday that two military pathologists had arrived in Iraq to perform an autopsy on his body to determine the precise cause of his death. The results from the autopsy, and Mr. Zarqawi's precise location at the time of the airstrike, will be disclosed soon, an American military official said.

The autopsy is now complete but the military is not releasing it yet.

"The autopsy is completed. However, we are not releasing results yet," Maj. William Willhoite told The Associated Press. Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said officials were awaiting the results of a DNA test.

Why do they need to wait for the DNA test, which will take 2 to 3 days, when Gen. Casey said on Fox News today they are 100% sure the dead man was al-Zarqawi.

We have a 100 percent match on the fingerprints, and we have a good match on scars and tattoos on the body.

It now appears there are two witnesses to the alleged beating of wounded Zarqawi after his capture? The LA Times reports:

An Iraqi police lieutenant who said he was among the first people at the scene told The Times on Saturday that after Iraqi police had carried Zarqawi to the ambulance on the stretcher, U.S. troops took him off the stretcher and placed him on the ground. One of the Americans tried to question Zarqawi and repeatedly stepped on his chest, causing blood to flow from his mouth and nose, said the lieutenant, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

A man identified only as Mohammed, who said he lived near the Zarqawi hide-out, told Associated Press Television News that he had witnessed Americans beating Zarqawi. "They stomped on his stomach and his chest until he died and blood came out of his nose," he said.

Meanwhile, in additon to the violence already occurring as a result of al-Zarqawi's assassination, more is being threatened by an Islamic website purportedly belonging to Al Qaeda in Iraq.

"We plan large-scaled operations that will shake the enemy and rob them of sleep," the statement said.

So far,

Four people are killed and at least 10 injured in a car bomb attack in the central Karrada district of Baghdad

A bomb attack in the north of the city severely injures a senior police officer, Maj-Gen Ali Hussein, and kills his driver

Gunmen shoot dead an official of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani's party the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and at least one other person in the northern oil city of Kirkuk

Police in the southern town of Amara say five civilians were killed in a gun battle between British troops and insurgents on Saturday which left one British soldier wounded.

Update: Another news report citing two witnesses to beating Zarqawi.

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    • al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence | 36 comments (36 topical)
    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#1)
    by anon55 on Sun Jun 11, 2006 at 07:01:32 PM EST
    As they dragged the wounded man from the ruins of the house, an ambulance and Iraqi forces turned up, taking the total number of people at the scene to about 14. The men had barely finished placing him in the ambulance when seven US helicopters landed by the house and four Humvees rumbled through the dust. "They were shouting and screaming and in a very tense and agitated mood," said Abbas. "They lined us up in a ditch and told us to turn our faces. We thought they were going to execute us. I started reciting koranic verses to myself." The soldiers then took the wounded man from the back of the ambulance, placing his stretcher on the ground. Once the soldiers had established the man was not a threat, they started to kick him in the chest, said Abbas and an Iraqi policeman also there. "They kept kicking him, shouting, 'What's your name?', but the man only moaned and said nothing," said Abbas. As the small crowd of Iraqis looked on, the wounded man grew paler and blood oozed from his mouth and nose. It took about a quarter of an hour for him to die from the time when he was removed from the ambulance, Abbas estimated.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#2)
    by anon55 on Sun Jun 11, 2006 at 07:04:42 PM EST
    Link to article

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Jun 11, 2006 at 07:18:09 PM EST
    Anon, please pick another name or use a consistent number after it so that we know your comments are written by a single person.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#5)
    by Che's Lounge on Sun Jun 11, 2006 at 10:33:17 PM EST
    "A commander spoke to us all together and told us, 'We know you have nothing to do with this and that you came to the scene to help your neighbours, but these people were terrorists'. We murdered a six year old girl because it was more convenient than surrounding the house and giving them a chance to release her.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#6)
    by Che's Lounge on Sun Jun 11, 2006 at 10:34:45 PM EST
    Not release her but give a chance to let her get out before a last stand. She never had the chance. Mission Accomplished.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Jun 11, 2006 at 10:46:14 PM EST
    Fenrisulven is history. Don't bother responding. Don't feed the trolls and don't become one.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 06:15:57 AM EST
    All the national and international media reported for the last two years that Zarqawi had one leg. They even told when and how he lost it. The quote often was "how hard is it to find a one legged man in Iraq". Then we see a video of a two legged Zarqawi and a corpse of a two legged Zarqawi, how did that miracle of science happen?

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#8)
    by Aaron on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 06:22:34 AM EST
    While the DNA and the fingerprints may prove that this is indeed the terrorist we've come to know as Zarqawi, there does seem to be a lot of conflicting accounts, there may actually be a number of people using this moniker. Along with being a noted computer expert he was suppose to be something of a seasoned fighter. But when I was looking at the much touted recently released video, I had my doubts that the man in the video could be such a trained cadre. In it Zarqawi looked as if he'd never handled a firearm in his life. At one point the bolt got stuck on the weapons receiver and it had to be cleared for him by someone standing off-camera. At another point he swung the SAW around with a live round in the chamber leveling it for a moment with the head of one of his followers. That always makes for a great propaganda video, exploding one of your followers heads for the camera. Cut take-2. Too bad we couldn't get this al-Zarqawi and Dick Cheney together with a roomful of their followers and a bunch of ammunition. The more you look at this nice neat little package which has been provided for us since day one, with the Jordanian government immediately stepping forward, and everyone revealing their intelligence sources, that's the moment you know to open your eyes wide, and listen very carefully. Far from being a coordinated attack it looks more and more like they just got lucky even with the help of Al Qaeda, and were able to call in a couple of planes which were on routine patrol. Beware of nice neat little packages when examining such counterintelligence scenarios. And of course it wasn't enough to just kill him, we had to kill his whole family, women and children. Another highly touted victory for the neocons and the neo-con agenda... I'm sure they must be very proud.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#9)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 06:28:04 AM EST
    Che - Civilians and military operations against terrorists that have deliberately hidden themselves in the general population are always going to create sad deaths. Our choice in this matter is to continue the fight, as carefully as possible, or to withdraw. In the Zarqawi situation it was Zarqawi, knowing that he was a target himself, who had the women and child with him. As we live in a country that routinely and rightly arrest people for leaving children alone in a car in the summer heat, I find it confusing that you do not condemn Zarqawi and other terrorists for their actions. As to why we didn't use ground forces and give the women and children a chance to come out, you are speculating that we knew they were in the house.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 07:35:22 AM EST
    I don't believe a word of what Gen. Casey Said. Zarqawi never existed. At least the terrorist one. It's all propoganda. Since when does a sullen Gen. Casey have to confirm what some already know is to use to press to brainwash and bombard us with dogma and story telling. This is my opinion I have no proof and in my mind they meaning the propagandists apologists have zero proof neither. This War on Terror is occupation and defience of human life by our leaders. We have zero right to be in Iraq.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#11)
    by Peaches on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 07:36:37 AM EST
    As we live in a country that routinely and rightly arrest people for leaving children alone in a car in the summer heat, I find it confusing that you do not condemn Zarqawi and other terrorists for their actions.
    If all the atrocities attributed to Zarqawi are correct, he should be condemned. If he purposely hides near children, so they will die when he is killed, he should be condemned. I do not know if either of these assumptions are true, but if they are, I condemn him. But, I will also condemn any military decision that disregards the possibility of loss of innocent life and justifies it by placing the blame for this loss of life entirely on the enemy. Using an example similar to yours, Jim. If a parent decides to drive their automobile without securing their infant child in a car seat he or she should be condemned and charged with negligence if the child dis killed in an accident. If the accident involved a collision caused by a drunk driver who was entirely at fault for the collision, then the drunk driver should also be punished to the fullest extent of the law for the death of the child, regardless of the negligence of the parent.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#12)
    by Che's Lounge on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 07:39:05 AM EST
    Our choice in this matter is to continue the fight, as carefully as possible, or to withdraw. That wasn't careful. It was a scorched earth approach to an apprehension, and an innocent little girl was murdered by the Bush war machine in the process. Some slick military leadership there. By your logic we should just nuke the entire area. Problem solved. After all, according to the cabal, nukes aren't just for deterrence anymore. I say withdraw. Now. The mission is accomplished anyway if you go by the words of the Monkey King. And you NEVER fail to go by the word of the Monkey King.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#13)
    by Slado on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 07:44:21 AM EST
    CNN has some autopsy coverage. Looks like the army doctor who posted yesterday was on the money. CNN

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 08:10:40 AM EST
    It's a wonderful world when the press has spent the last four days, and I'm sure many to come reminding us that al Zarqwai is still dead! I wonder if he will still be dead tomorrow? I will check CNN and Faux news often. It's nice to be well informed isn't it.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#15)
    by Jlvngstn on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 08:17:41 AM EST
    What is the estimate of the number of Iraqis who died under the sanctions imposed by the UN and recommended by the Clinton administration?
    Critics of the sanctions say that hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, disproportionately children, died as a result of them, [2] although certain skeptics claim the numbers to be less. [3] [4][5] UNICEF has put the number of child deaths to 500,000.[6] The reasons include lack of medical supplies, malnutrition, and especially disease owing to lack of clean water. Among other things, chlorine, needed for disinfecting water supplies, was banned as having a "dual use" in potential weapons manufacture. On May 10, 1996, appearing on 60 Minutes, Madeleine Albright (then U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations) was presented with a figure of half a million children under five having died from the sanctions. Not challenging this figure, she infamously replied "we think the price is worth it," though she later rued the comment as "stupid."[7]
    So which is worse????

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#16)
    by Jlvngstn on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 08:18:52 AM EST
    I wonder how many of those "mass graves" our government has been touting are actually mass sanctioned graves....

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#17)
    by soccerdad on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 08:22:41 AM EST
    "This breaking news just in Generalíssimo Francisco Franco is still dead!" well gee you wouldn't want to hear about this would you

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#18)
    by scribe on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 08:48:19 AM EST
    So, Z is dead, and AQI names a successor. Cut off one of the Hydra's heads, get another or two, even. Like so many predicted.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#19)
    by Sailor on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 08:49:53 AM EST
    2 x 500 bombs to target an individual is overkill, literally. Knowing you are going to kill civilians to hit a military target is a war crime.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#20)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 09:29:26 AM EST
    I appreciate the opportunity to comment on your site. It is a shame that more on both the left and right don't allow comments. Bombing Zarqawi was probably the surest way to make sure we got their quick enough to actually kill him instead of getting their slow enough to make sure he got away again. Most likely F-16's armed with Laser Guided Weapons stay on station continually to support US troops. It was a simple matter relay the information and to have the bombing complete in minutes. Rather than put together a force and risk having it exposed. No doubt that the Iraqi forces are penetrated at several levels by people who would have liked Z-man to live. In addition attacking a high value target who has committed himself to dying could be quite risky for US Soldiers. I do not think that the risk to US soldiers should be raised simply to save his family members. Cold blooded no doubt but those US Soldiers have families I want them to get back to.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#21)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 09:43:43 AM EST
    Sailor... 2 x 500 bombs to target an individual is overkill, literally It was a meeting... of several people. And when did you become a weapons "expert"? I know this might be hard for you to grasp...but when there is a target of opportunity (a meeting that might not last long ..so you have lttle time to react) you call in the closet guys (that can get there the fastest) and in this case..it was F-16's loaded with 500 pounders. What would you have suggested? Being an 'expert' & all? Knowing you are going to kill civilians to hit a military target is a war crime. Really? Care to point out where it states that? And also, please explain how one is to "know" there are civilains in the area? And, is it feasable (to you) that any 'civilain' in a house where an Al Quida meeting is taking place isn't really innocent?

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#22)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 11:19:20 AM EST
    To Pierre Legrand... those US Soldiers have families I want them to get back to Thanks for thinking about our soldiers! They seem to be the enemy!

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#23)
    by Che's Lounge on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 01:45:59 PM EST
    That little girl wasn't a soldier and this isn't a war. As in undeclared. Major combat operations ended in May of 2003. We turned the corner in 2004 and the insurgency was in it's last throes in 2005. WTF kind of delusion are you war mongers holding onto to allow, no ENCOURAGE the continued mass killing of innocents in our names and not be demanding an immediate end to this useless, stagnant, vile, putrid, atrocity? Try acting like human beings for once. Try this: Look at yourself in a mirror and say, "I need to protect myself from a man with a gun 10,000 miles away and I don't care who I have to kill to get him." Think about it.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#24)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 01:48:51 PM EST
    I can't claim any inside knowledge of this case; I saw the same photos that everyone else saw. My post about his injuries was only an educated guess. The key thing for me in that picture was the blood running from the left ear, indicating exposure to blast overpressure. Blown-out eardrums and hemo-otorrhea (blood in the ear canal) are both clinical red flags we use in the field to assess a person's potential for serious blast injury. It's possible to have "blast lung" without eardrum rupture, but it is uncommon. If he didn't bleed to death, his pulmonary injuries are probably what killed him. Space limitations preclude an in-depth discussion of the difficulty managing "blast lung" injuries, but there is often a heterogeneous mixture of hemorrhage and alveolar rupture, such that ventilating these patients becomes very very tricky. Even using a little too much pressure with the ambu-bag can push air into the bloodstream and produce air embolism (inspiratory pressures are nearly impossible to regulate without a proper ventilator). He may not have been killed outright, but I doubt there was much for the arriving troops to finish off; he was already doomed by his injuries.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:14:07 PM EST
    If Zarqawi died 52 minutes after 6:12 pm wouldn't it still be daylight out. When is sundown rule in Iraq.link to article.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#27)
    by squeaky on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 06:36:50 PM EST
    One thing that also seems very curious in this curiouser and curiouser case is this: How were they able to identify his DNA? Don't they need a sample on file to compare it to? I am sure that he did not register his DNA with the US gov. And if they had his DNA without him being there to give it how do they know that it was his? Odd.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#28)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 10:40:31 PM EST
    All signs point to the curtain coming down on this tragi-comic farce. This was a cue for an exit stage left for Iraq. We will "kill" Bin Laden next month and give up the whole enterprise. The troops will be rotated to the proper Gulf to shore up the levees and actually protect the homeland before the next Cat 5 hurricane comes along. Ahh but if only we lived in such a world where the government cared about its own people.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#29)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 11:15:31 PM EST
    Think about killing a man who has repeatedly declared he wants to murder me...? Exactly what is there to think about? The fact that he is 10,000 miles away is his problem. Maybe next time he shouldn't be threatening anything until he gets closer. Over and over I hear the same refrain that Iraq was no threat. This is puzzling to me for several reasons. Saddam Hussein did indeed try to have his attache to Prague arrange to blow up the Radio Free Headquarters. That attache managed to defect with 150,000 dollars to Britain. He was debriefed by the English and both the US and Czech Foreign service were alerted. The next man in to attempt to complete the job was the Notorious Ahmed Khalil Ibrahim Samir al-Ani who was ejected prior to the missions sucess. He was ejected after being found video taping the RFL headquarters...I suppose you must some sort of benign explanation for that? Btw that is the same Iraqi who met Atta in Prague...not once but 3 times. To repeatedly state that Iraq was no threat does nothing but hurt your desire to gain power again.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#30)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 11:30:10 PM EST
    TL, re: your last housecleaning of trolls. Looks like you missed a spot.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#31)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 11:44:32 PM EST
    Ernesto, who do you mean? Pierre has been gracious and is expressing his disagreement with our views. He doesn't seem to be a troll. All viewpoints are welcome here. The problem is with how some people express them.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#32)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 12:37:30 AM EST
    He just rehashed several of the most odious debunked wingnut Iraq talking points of the past 4 years in one neat little bundle. It's almost like there is a software application out there continuously running since 2002 to generate this stuff. Certainly, humans cannot be so drone-like, not even them.
    He was ejected after being found video taping the RFL headquarters...I suppose you must some sort of benign explanation for that?
    And Israelis were videotaping the WTC towers, remember? That means Israel was behind 9/11. Stop the presses. Yawn.

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#33)
    by jondee on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 12:43:26 AM EST
    Pierre - He wants to kill you because you should've stayed home. Whence comes this sense of entitlement that frees you forever to wreck whatever havoc you wish in someone elses part of the world? And lets see some sources for those stories of Iraqi "threat".

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#34)
    by Sailor on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 07:27:27 AM EST
    Article 57.-Precautions in attack
    1. In the conduct of military operations, constant care shall be taken to spare the civilian population, civilians and civilian objects. 2. With respect to attacks, the following precautions shall be taken: (a) Those who plan or decide upon an attack shall: (i) Do everything feasible to verify that the objectives to be attacked are neither civilians nor civilian objects and are not subject to special protection but are military objectives within the meaning of paragraph 2 of Article 52 and that it is not prohibited by the provisions of this Protocol to attack them; (ii) Take all feasible precautions in the choice of means and methods of attack with a view to avoiding, and in any event to minimizing, incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects;
    (iii) Refrain from deciding to launch any attack which may be expected to cause incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, damage to civilian objects, or a combination thereof, which would be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated;
    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#35)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 08:19:47 AM EST
    Che'.... That little girl wasn't a soldier and this isn't a war. Everyone appreciates your concern... really. The death of a child, in any circumstances as terrible. I just wish you (and people like you) that show all this concern for innocent children killed in this war (and it is a war whether you think so or not) would show the same concern (aka - outrage) for the other guys. You know, the ones that hide among the civilian population and "intentionally" put them at risk. But...we hear nary a peep out of the likes of you for these outrageous 'crimes' do we? And another thing... did it ever dawn on you that this child's parents are the ones that actually put her at risk be hiding (welcoming, ..or what ever word you'd like to substitute here) Mr. Zarqawi and his ilk into their home!!!! Squeaky... One thing that also seems very curious in this curiouser and curiouser case I have to hand it to you. When it comes to conspiracies.. you are the man! In post after post you seem to always raise that issue. So, how about this... (something I have heard mentioned in other places) how about the possibility that they actually put civilians in harms way...or place already dead ones at the scene.. in order to get the negative reactions from the world (& people like you) in an attempt to make the US look bad. Any thoughts on that possibility? Ernesto... The troops will be rotated to the proper Gulf to shore up the levees and actually protect the homeland before the next Cat 5 hurricane comes along I know this is a bit off topic... but I have a win/win/win plan for that. We dig a moat on the border and use all that dirt to shore up the levees in New Orleans. Then we take a bunch of those nasty alligators that have been eating people in Fla. and put them in the moat. See.... this solves 3 problems all at once! What do ya think? Jondee.... And lets see some sources for those stories of Iraqi "threat". There are plenty or stories out there..that you chose to ignore them is the problem. Sailor... And the point of your post is? Oh wait..I know. Our soldiers are murderers! Why not just continue to say that & save the bandwidth?

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#36)
    by soccerdad on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 08:23:00 AM EST
    There are plenty or stories out there..that you chose to ignore them is the problem.
    he has nothing as usual

    Re: al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence (none / 0) (#37)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 06:59:50 PM EST
    Thank you kindly Talk Left...it is certainly novel to have a site as visited as yours with open comments.
    He just rehashed several of the most odious debunked wingnut Iraq talking points of the past 4 years in one neat little bundle. It's almost like there is a software application out there continuously running since 2002 to generate this stuff. Certainly, humans cannot be so drone-like, not even them.
    He was ejected after being found video taping the RFL headquarters...I suppose you must some sort of benign explanation for that?
    And Israelis were videotaping the WTC towers, remember? That means Israel was behind 9/11. Stop the presses. Yawn.
    Well that followed the fact that his predecessor defected with the money that Saddam gave him to arrange the bombing of Radio Free Europe. Do you have information that shows that to be false? I would be happy to consider such information. Are you denying that Saddam made an attempt on a Former President's life? Is Seymour Hersh your only evidence?? If so please provide corroborating evidence. Was it merely talk that had Saddam Hussein giving bold threats to our Ambassador Glaspie back in 1990? On July 25,President Saddam Hussein of Iraq summoned the United States Ambassador to Baghdad, April Glaspie If you use pressure, we will deploy pressure and force. We know that you can harm us although we do not threaten you. But we too can harm you. Everyone can cause harm according to their ability and their size. We cannot come all the way to you in the United States, but individual Arabs may reach you. Was that threat made in jest or was it merely the boast of a person who had no ability to follow through on such a simple threat? Why am I here? Because I am desperate for a loyal opposition to President Bush that isn't centered around merely taking the opposite position of President Bush. Liberals and those on the left were some of the fiercest defenders of America's liberty in WW2 and I have been hoping that this sort of leftist/progressive/liberal or whatever is still in evidence. We can argue social crap and the perils of capitalism later on after we take care of what I believe is an existential threat to all of our freedoms. My mother who is at best a Socialist and was at times a Communist have been doing this all of my life and have been able to respect each other at the end of the day. She is an old line Leftist who still vehemently defends the programs of Roosevelt as she still remembers the food trucks. But now she is what I call loyal opposition in that she see's the threat of Islam or Radical Islam if we buy into what Bush is selling and understands that some threats are bigger than others. The US and Soviet Russia worked together to rid the planet of the Nazis. Oh well as I write this I understand that it may not be possible. No harm in asking.

    al-Zarqawi: Autopsy Complete, More Violence | 36 comments (36 topical)