Terrorists have claimed to use "chemical weapons" on at least half a dozen occasions in the past in Iraq with exactly zero media coverage. To the right is an image from a video produced by a terrorist group in Iraq called JAMI in which they used chemical weapons against U.S. forces. But now, mass casualties after chlorine laced bombs targetted civilians. The LA Times, CNN, The Chicago Tribune, and the New York times continues to call the Salafi terrorists who specifically target civilians with WMD "Sunni insurgents". Reuters calls them "militants".

If you object to calling people who target hospitals with chemical weapons "terrorists", I really have no use for you. You're either a total pussy or an asshole. Either way, you deserved to be f*cked.

Our nation's paper of record:

A truck bomb that combined explosives with chlorine gas blew up in southern Baghdad on Wednesday, and officials said it might represent a new and deadly tactic by insurgents against Iraqi civilians....

The bombing involving chlorine gas on Wednesday followed an explosion on Tuesday north of Baghdad of a tanker filled with chlorine that had been rigged to explode, killing nine people and wounding 148, including 42 women and 52 children. At least one other attack with chlorine took place on Jan. 28, according to the American military’s statements. Sixteen people were killed in that attack, in the Sunni-dominated Anbar Province, when a dump truck with explosives and a chlorine tank blew up in Ramadi.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:48 AM | Comments (15) | Add Comment
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A few days old, but visceral and powerful nonetheless:

The "nonbinding resolution" telling the world that we intend to surrender to terrorism and abandon Iraq may be the most disgraceful congressional action since the Democratic Party united to defend slavery.

The vote was a huge morale booster for al Qaeda, for Iraq's Sunni insurgents, and for the worst of the Shia militias.

The message Congress just sent to them all was, "Hold on, we'll stop the surge, we're going to leave - and you can slaughter the innocent with our blessing."

We've reached a low point in the history of our government when a substantial number of legislators would welcome an American defeat in Iraq for domestic political advantage.

Posted by: Good Lt. at 09:46 AM | Comments (27) | Add Comment
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1 Thank you .. thank you  ... thank you for having the courage to call this for what it is, cowardice.
 
Thank you for pointing out to the masses that President Lincoln was a Republican. ( Not that it matters as back then, he was an American FIRST)
 
Now the show has already started kiddies... so let me bring your attention to the next little episode that is not being brought into clear focus for you, yet.
 
Our politcal correctness has set the stage for sepratisim. Allow me to introduce the next limo driver for that pig faced sorry sack of maggot infested camel shit " we give up!!!!" pelosi.
 
ibra "I want to be corn holed by a pig" ham ahmed. 38 year old somolian who tried to murder ,and almost succeeded, two Americans with his cab after they paid him for a ride that included some " disscussion " about religion.
 
Please note little one's that there is ...no charge of hate crime, no charge of terrorism and certainly only a small mention that the cab company MIGHT NOT FELL COMFORTABLE WITH HIM TO COME BACK TO WORK FOR THEM.
 
Why you ask? How could this happen? ( and why do you want my gun?) Because at vanderbuilt, the libs " I dream of another mans colon" are supreme. Never before was there a  larger and stronger support, for example, of john ford ( You need to read about the ford family in Tn politics elected by dead people and 1...2....3 firearms violations that would send any of the less informed away for felonies requiring 10 years life in Jebs last job for strike 3 with weapon although when shooting a shotgun on an interstate at at interstate trucking company will normally mean ... you go to jail. ) But they at vandi supported fords blackness, the other white half really didn't get much mention...obama mama are you ready? 
 
Why what could this have to do with the troops? How could this be tied together? I'll put the two ends of the same string together for you. When you deny what is real based on what it is not, you get fucked. Get it? Pretty damn simple. A system is in place that the terrorists will be able to use to destroy this country and libs are leading the charge, it's war kiddies make no mistake an the biggest enemy is in charge.  Don't forget to vote.
 
ps: There is more homage to the necrophiliacs dream date with Nicole than this issue..... I wonder why.

Posted by: wb at February 20, 2007 12:57 PM (lw93R)

2 "Cowards Give Up on GIs"

That would be our current administration. Ever take a peek into how they are treating the wounded? Fucking assholes are putting out troops through the ringer. Check into it. It's a fucking disgrace. I'd say to send Cheney over to Iraq to fight, but he'd probably contribute to friendly fire. We all know how he is with a shotgun.

Posted by: osamabinhiding at February 20, 2007 03:49 PM (ZxuJ4)

3 That's not quite what the editorial, which focuses on the Democrat's position of "I support the troops - at election time and when we undercut their missions."

That said, I quasi-agree with your assertion that the vets in this country aren't treated nearly as well as they deserve by the government. That's been a problem through many administrations (including the military-slashing, 'peace-dividend' paying Clinton years.)

This is also, however, a doozy an argument against government-managed healthcare, since the veterans' health system is run by the federal government. If the government can't manage healthcare for a small, truly deserving subset of the population, what makes Congress think that it can run a nation's healthcare system?

Posted by: Good Lt at February 20, 2007 04:16 PM (D0TMh)

4 osamaisatroll:


Yes, President Bush and Vice President Cheney are personally making sure that wounded veterans are put "through the ringer." We all know how much they hate the troops.


We also know how much you love the troops. Like the Dems, you would never feign concern for political gain. You have too much integrity.


Disingenuous, finger pointing moron. Don't you leftoids use any legitimate debating tactics?

Posted by: Jeff Bargholz at February 20, 2007 06:19 PM (Dt3sl)

5 Shit WB. I'm impressed.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 20, 2007 08:51 PM (XmI6X)

6 osamabinhidinghisdumbbrain: The current administration didn't build the Veterans Administration. In truth 85% of the lazy assholes that work for the Federal Government are liberal democrats and the other 15% are to cowardly to stand up and not be promoted.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 20, 2007 08:54 PM (XmI6X)

7 osamabinhiding! Back that up with something besides talking points from the left!                                 USA, all the way!

Posted by: Michael Weaver at February 21, 2007 04:18 AM (2OHpj)

8 Michael...here ya go:

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/02/20/countdown-shameful-treatment-of-the-troops-at-walter-reed/

Before you diss it for where I found it and who's reporting it...just watch it. I've tried to do the same with links you've given me! I got so pissed after seeing this. Like Lt. said thought, you can't blame it all on one administration.

Gayrotorrooter: Shut the fuck up and stop blathering about shit you know nothing about. Who do you think is slashing coverage for vets? Your evil dems? Look it up shit brains.

Last and always least...Buttholz:

"Yes, President Bush and Vice President Cheney are personally making sure that wounded veterans are put "through the ringer." We all know how much they hate the troops."

Same reply I gave Gayrooster, you wingnut clone.

"Disingenuous, finger pointing moron. Don't you leftoids use any legitimate debating tactics?"

Don't you wingnut trolls ever stop sucking Coulter's cock? Tell me what is so legitimate about you coming in here like a chimpanzee, throwing your feces at anyone who disagrees with you? To think you have the mincy little balls to accuse anyone of anything. Scumbag poser.

Lt: I agree. It's politics as usual in Washington. I also cringe at the thought of where healthcare is going in this country. It's already screwed up as much as it is. I mean, really...it's a shame that Jeff Buttholz isn't taking his meds!

Posted by: osamabinthere at February 21, 2007 04:33 AM (ZxuJ4)

9 crooksandliars?  Ah, that bastion of truth and substance! 
hahaha.  Next you'll be linking to greg's favorite, Alex
Jones.  So, Osama, are you moving to Minnesota so you can vote for
Al Franken in '08?

Posted by: Oyster at February 21, 2007 11:59 AM (FFmKq)

10 Lefturds like osamabinhidingblackthingsinhisass doesn't know when someone is attempting to fix things his lefturd anti-military leader Clinton attempted to fuck up. Stupid bastard. Back to your bathhouse and get your mama off that dirty mattress before her clients consider a quarter too much. Friggin black muslim ass kisser. They've got your daddy talking to Hannity above.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 21, 2007 12:00 PM (smCdV)

11 osama can't link to anything but lefturd crap because thats all he believes in.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 21, 2007 12:02 PM (smCdV)

12 Oyster: Honestly now, did you even watch the clip? Is that all you have to say?

Gayroosterbinsuckinghissonscock:

You're feeble attempts at insults only reflect your own stupidity. You call me a disgrace to the white race...you are a disgrace to the human race. The lowest of the low. Old fuck.

Posted by: osamabinhiding at February 21, 2007 03:18 PM (ZxuJ4)

13 grey rooster, you really piss people off.... that's pretty cool.

Posted by: wb at February 21, 2007 06:48 PM (PqCqd)

14 "Michael...here ya go:

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/02/20/countdown-shameful-treatment-of-the-troops-at-walter-reed/"              
                       
                 Checkin it out ...
                      
                       
                             USA, al the way!

Posted by: Michael Weaver at February 21, 2007 09:24 PM (2OHpj)

15 Osamabinpunked:


The Dhimmiecrats want to surrender to the terrorists for domestic political gain. You pathetic attempts at misdirection cant obscure this very simple fact. Your link is as ridiculous as you are.


If you were any dumber, you would be legally classified as dirt. This is an unfair statement, I know. Dirt has its uses, you don't.

Posted by: Jeff Bargholz at February 22, 2007 01:21 AM (Dt3sl)

16 It's time for the US government to peacefully give up power to the people, or they can all face the rope.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at February 22, 2007 09:16 AM (eGb9y)

17 Buttholz:

"If you were any dumber, you would be legally classified as dirt. This is an unfair statement, I know. Dirt has its uses, you don't."

Actually, if I was any dumber, you'd elect me as your next president. Chimp loving dick-weed.

Michael: I don't like Olberman either. It's just a shame to see soldiers disrespected like that. That's why I got so burned up watching that clip. I know vets have had bad hospitals long before Chimpy was in office.

Posted by: osamabinhiding at February 22, 2007 03:41 PM (ZxuJ4)

18 Osamabinpunked:


If you were any dumber, you'd be made Senate Majority Leader.


Even Plastic Pelosi is smarter than you, and she eats out of toilets and shits in refrigerators.


|Say the word, and I'll gladly kill you. Please give me permission.

Posted by: Jeff Bargholz at February 23, 2007 02:39 AM (Dt3sl)

19 Jeff, I only give you permission to kill yourself. The quicker the better.

"Duh....running out of insults....must try to be a bully.....duhhhhhh...better show dis guy I'm tough....duhhhh."

Posted by: osamabinthere at February 23, 2007 05:02 AM (ZxuJ4)

20 P.S.

Threats don't work on me, jackass. Especially from hypocritical wing-nut lunatics.

Posted by: osamabinthere at February 23, 2007 05:04 AM (ZxuJ4)

21 "Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent" -Asimov

VERY true, indeed.

Posted by: osamabinthere at February 23, 2007 05:22 AM (ZxuJ4)

22 Actually competence is often shown through efficiency in acheiving the desired result. If violence is the best path to a given result, it by default, becomes the choice a competent person would make. Room for debate exists when your still trying to decide what the best path actually is, but once you reach a conclusion, IF violence is the clearly superior option, you would be INCOMPETENT not to use it.
 
      I'm a pragmatic pacifist, which I define as someone who enjoys peace, and is willing to kill if that's the best way to get it.                           USA, all the way!              

Posted by: Michael Weaver at February 23, 2007 11:25 AM (2OHpj)

23 Not to say that the terminally incompetent won't just stupidly lash out like an enreged animal because they can't even consider whether there was a better option. I think that is where Asimov was going. Asimov would realize that situations arise where violence is a natural, and even a positive force. We could debate this if anyone is missing the point ...                                 USA, all the way!

Posted by: Michael Weaver at February 23, 2007 11:31 AM (2OHpj)

24 I think the key word was "refuge". As in to seek safety or shelter, in this context as a last resort. Basically, if you want to sift through the archives, you'll find that Jeff hurled the first insults from the beginning. I don't take crap from assholes (or bargholz) so I insult him back just the same. He obviously feels threatened, otherwise he wouldn't try to threaten me. If his fragile ego can't handle the written word, he should get some anger management. I prefer our discussions because even if we take a swipes at each other, it doesn't get personal. Don't forget, it takes two to tango & Jeff/Rooster exacerbates this drivel as much as I do.

Posted by: osamabinhiding at February 23, 2007 02:07 PM (JVqe0)

25 Well I don't agree with every single thing greyrooster or Jeff say, but I've never ended up calling them names either. I'll pose you a challenge. You know I think a civil war is a possibility. Show me it doesn't have to end up like that. Reach a civil discourse with Jeff, and greyrooster! You don't have to agree with them, but see if you can encourage an insult free discussion. I know it is a 'Jeff' trademark to use the altered name thingy, and I don't know if he can stop doing that, but who knows?  No time limit. Personally I think it would be a miracle.                   USA, all the way!

Posted by: Michael Weaver at February 23, 2007 03:21 PM (2OHpj)

26 Ha! Btw, another note on civil war: What exactly are you basing your opinions on? What you read? What you see? I forget where you live, but are your peers thinking the same thing?

As far as a insult free discussion with Rooster or Jeff, if they stopped, I would too. That simple. It would be a miracle if they stopped.

Posted by: osamabinhiding at February 23, 2007 07:40 PM (JVqe0)

27 For the record I don't lean to left at all. I am a American first and foremost that happens to be a Republican. I have been on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan and knows that we (American Troops) don't belong in Iraq in the current capacity policing a civil war. I disagree greatly with troop withdrawal timelines and many other "Left/Liberal" Agendas.  Any questions on where I stand on the many issues that plague our great nation can be answered by e-mailing me @ sam_schultz_in@yahoo.com

Posted by: Sam Schultz at April 01, 2007 10:12 PM (HvtRc)

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It seems a lovers spat had emerged amongst the members of the ISI.(Islamic State of Iraq) And to think the bad gay circle of the scented lotion they held was just a short time ago.

Via Talismans Gate: Al-Zawra began running some anti-Al-Qaeda messages in its news ticker, and the jihadists began to mumble and some even penned invectives against al-Jebouri.

Yesterday, however, Al-Jebouri gave a whole anti-Al-Qaeda speech and this drove the jihadists berserk: the premier jihadist organ had begun to badmouth the jihad!

These are al-Jebouri’s main points:

-Al-Qaeda provoked the Shi'as and then failed to protect the Sunnis from retaliation.

-Al-Qaeda is forcing all the other insurgent groups to pledge allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq under Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, and is punishing the hold-outs.

-Al-Qaeda is killing and abducting Sunni notables who were part of the insurgency.

-Al-Qaeda wants to impose a Taliban-like Islamic State on Iraqi Sunnis, who are the worse for it—they don’t even have enough to eat.

-Al-Qaeda killed an emissary sent by al-Jebouri, who has wanted to negotiate with al-Baghdadi.

-Iraqi Sunnis across the board are preparing to clash with Al-Qaeda as is already happening in Anbar Province.

Al-Jebouri gets into details and names names, and he addresses his speech to Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, questioning the validity of pledging allegiance to an anonymous phantom.

Is al-Zawraa supported by the Islamic Army in Iraq, a Baathist dominated insurgent group, or al-Qaeda in Iraq's Mujahideen Shura Council? The distinction may be meaningless, as the two organizations have worked together in the past.

To the media, the Islamic State reminds that al-Qaeda in Iraq, along with “thousands of fighters” from several groups including the Islamic Army in Iraq, Mujahideen Army, Conquering Army, Ansar al-Sunnah, Twentieth Revolution Brigades, and Iraqi Union, are components of the Islamic State of Iraq.

the larger umbrella group (which is just an al Qaeda front), which used to call itself "The Mujahideen Shura Council" is now called "The Islamic State of Iraq". This is headed by al Baghdadi Al Qaeda in Iraq, headed by Masri, is just one of the organizations that belong to "The Islamic State of Iraq". Back when Zarqawi was over al Qaeda, the other jihadis wanted an "Iraqi" to front the group since he's Jordanian. But, really, they are all "al Qaeda" in the "al-Qaeda 3.0" sense of the word. Same goals, same tactics, just different organizational structures and commanders.

So, it came the blessed step of building the solid basis for the Islamic State in al-Rafedain land (Iraq) , following the Prophet's example, there the building is rising , and seen by every supporter and hateful, and this is what drove the enemy of Allah Bush to say after the blessed appearance of the State, they design to found an Islamic State from China to Spain.

Here he was truthful even if he is a liar!!

Now, after the Islamic Army has lain with the devil, it wants to split the sheets. The Islamic State of Iraq issued what appears to be a response blaming IAI for the troubles. Heh, a “he said, she said.

“You the Sunni people don’t have after four years of humiliation and occupation but only the jihad. Al-Dajjal Army and the pigs of al-Ghadr dare to attack you as they do now. You don’t have anything but your sons the Mujahideen to defend your homes and mosques. The Crusaders and the Safawis are using the members of the Islamic party as tools and life savers to save themselves from their disaster.”

Also see: Hot Air.

Update: OSC JN Bureau has a narrative of Al-Juburi's speech here. more...

Posted by: Howie at 09:07 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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The tide is turning. Maybe.

An Associated Press reporter riding a public bus last month heard one of the passengers telling the driver in conversational Egyptian Arabic to drop him at a stop. After the man, carrying a bag, left the bus, Iraqis began arguing with the driver about why he had let the man on. Several passengers searched the seat where the man had been sitting to make sure he had not left a bomb.

Posted by: Vinnie at 03:14 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Credit where it's due. 60 Minutes shows Iraq's dirty little secret, a fairly peaceful Kurdistan. Of course, the bad news is the Kurds are surrounded by Turks that hate them, Persians Iranians that hate them, and Arabs that hate them.

When visiting Kurdistan, one can see nation-building wherever one looks—Kurds are building their country day by day. There are more cranes here than minarets and there’s a run on cement. A new mall with 8,000 shops and stalls is going up. So is an apartment complex known as "Dream City," in which some of the units are selling for $1 million. A giant bowling alley is almost finished, and an opera house is not far behind. What’s behind the boom? Security.

You can watch the video here.

stein hoist: He Who No Make Fire ugh.

Posted by: Vinnie at 03:35 PM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
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Watch the video and try not to laugh. It's wrong to laugh..... A VBIED suicide bomber survives an attack on American forces in Baghdad... briefly.

Posted by: Rusty at 09:58 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Heartwarming story sent to me from a reader. I know we have some bad soldiers, but I also know that the overwhelming majority of them are the best of the best. That is why I find it so hard to believe accusations of war crimes or attrocities against them. Not because I don't believe anything bad happens when you have over a hundred thousand people under extreme conditions of stress, but because I know the people who serve in the military.

They are living testimonies of the goodness of America. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 09:28 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Diplomatic relations between Iraq and Saudi Arabia were severed in 1990 when Saddam invaded Kuwait. Effective today, formal ties are resumed.

From Arab News:

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari reopened his country's embassy in Riyadh after 17 years as part of its efforts to strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries.

Speaking to reporters, the minister emphasized the need for exchange of wanted persons in both countries. "Some of the persons wanted by Iraq have been found in the Kingdom while some others wanted by Saudi Arabia have been arrested in Iraq," he said.

Zebari also said that there are "Saudi citizens who have been brainwashed" operating with militants in Iraq. He did not provide an estimate of the number of Saudis the Iraqi government believes are operating in Iraq. He said the two countries must coordinate better to root out expatriate insurgents in Iraq and potential terrorists in the Kingdom.

Additionally, with regard to perception, it's clear that the re-opening of the embassy helps further the legitimacy of the new Iraqi administration within the region and beyond.

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 04:57 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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ABC News is reporting that Moqtada al Sadr has fled to Iran along with members of the Mahdi Army:

ABC News—The story tonight in Iraq is not the arrival of more U.S. troops, but the departure of one of the country's most powerful men, Moqtada al Sadr and members of his army.

According to senior military officials al Sadr left Baghdad two to three weeks ago, and fled to Tehran, Iran, where he has family.

Al Sadr commands the Mahdi Army, one of the most formidable insurgent militias in Iraq, and his move coincides with the announced U.S. troop surge in Baghdad.

Sources believe al Sadr is worried about an increase of 20,000 U.S. troops in the Iraqi capital. One official told ABC News' Martha Raddatz, "He is scared he will get a JDAM [bomb] dropped on his house." ...

Companion post at OpinionBug.com

Posted by: OpinionBug at 07:20 PM | Comments (21) | Add Comment
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From the Dems' weakly radio address today, delivered by John F'n Kerry:

Another 21,000 troops sent into Iraq, with no visible end or strategy, ignores the best advice from our own generals and isn't the best way to keep faith with the courage and commitment of our soldiers. This week in Congress, a majority of Republicans prevented the Senate from holding a full and open debate on the issue of Iraq. Why? Because this so-called surge, which is nothing more than the escalation of a misguided war, is a bad idea. If there was a straight up or down, yes or no vote this week on whether the United States should keep up an indefinite presence in Iraq, it would be voted down.

But on the first day the Senate turned to the Warner-Levin resolution, a procedural disagreement arose. The Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, said his entire caucus would vote against considering the Warner-Levin language unless the Democrats agreed to also consider other Republican alternatives — and to require 60 votes to approve any of them.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid refused both these conditions, so all but two Republicans voted against bringing Warner-Levin formally to the floor for debate (it takes 60 votes to ensure against a filibuster, and Reid could only muster 49). Through the rest of the week, negotiations between the two leaders continued, while individual senators took to the floor to present their individual views of the war and buildup.

Ya know, we should probably come up for a word for what happens when two opposing sides of an issue take turns arguing for their side in an open forum. Sounds like that's been happening a lot lately, but I don't know what to call it. more...

Posted by: Ragnar at 11:33 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 Excellent post. I was argueing with lefties who was saying 'You've had control of both the House, and Senate, and gave Bush a Rubber Stamp for whatever he wanted' and this actually gives a good example of how nothing gets 'rubber stamped' without a huge majority. To many people don't know how the system works. American's need to pay attention to something besides 'Survivor'. More articles like this please? I can use them to beat up lefties I know                       USA, all the way!

Posted by: Michael Weaver at February 11, 2007 01:32 PM (2OHpj)

2 If the Democrats define full and open debate as we'll do it our way or not at all then...... yes they did.  It is a possibility since the Democrats define victory as retreat and surrender.

Posted by: Buzzy at February 11, 2007 02:15 PM (CXz7T)

3

Paybacks are he**.....

Posted by: civil behavior at February 11, 2007 08:45 PM (d0Z5T)

4 Don't put too much hope into Americans paying attention to anything
that isn't shiny any more Michael, because the average American I see
it nothing more than livestock.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at February 12, 2007 09:11 AM (eGb9y)

5 Y'all need to understand and soon that your precious Repubics and your loathsome Demorats don't represent anything other than a way to keep you distracted with all this my side their side BS (this site serves its master well). Wake up America! There are no sides except the ultra rich vs the rest of us.

Posted by: tbone at February 13, 2007 02:16 PM (HGqHt)

6 Weebone:


Ah yes, class warfare. Workers of the world unite!

Posted by: Jeff Bargholz at February 13, 2007 02:35 PM (Dt3sl)

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It has been reported today that a sixth chopper was downed in Iraq on Jan 31st. The Sea Knight transport made a landing and the crew were evacuated by a second Sea Knight.

Via ABC News: BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A helicopter operated by a private security firm came down in Iraq last week, U.S. officials said on Thursday, an incident that marks the sixth downing of a helicopter in three weeks.

Reports of the January 31 incident, in which no one was killed, come a day after seven crew members and passengers aboard a U.S. Marine helicopter were killed when it crashed near Baghdad, possibly after being hit by ground fire.

The U.S. military, concerned that militants have changed tactics or are using more sophisticated weapons, has said it is adjusting its tactics.

One U.S. military official told Reuters he had heard reports that the private security helicopter came down under fire.

"It did not crash, it made a hard landing. They were able to get all crew and equipment out," the official said.

I have extracted the chopper clip from a much larger Jihadi video. Both are available on request.

It is unclear if the chopper had mechanical problems or was forced down by enemy fire. It looks like a textbook extraction. Sorry to disappoint Kos, but not one of the security contractors on board were hurt in either the forced landing or the rescue.

Update: Google is done... Video added below the fold. more...

Posted by: Howie at 12:13 PM | Comments (19) | Add Comment
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1 Howie, trust me when I tell you that these pictures are not from the incident in question (and I think the press is confusing a couple previously reported incidents and creating this out of thin air actually...)  Can you point me to the video online?  I'd like to see it and try to figure out when it's from, as I don't think it's very recent at all...

Posted by: Mike the Marine at February 08, 2007 03:18 PM (/hs21)

2

Private contractors are flying SeaKnight helicopters with Navy/USMC color schemes? Sounds fishy.

Posted by: BohicaTwentyTwo at February 08, 2007 03:28 PM (oC8nQ)

3 Howie,
FYI,
The Arabic scribling at the bottom of the pictures you've posted reads something like "Crusading forces rush to evacuate [a word I don't understand] by other intervening aircraft."

So yes, these are definitely from the bad guys.

The scribling in yellow at the left margin below the pair of crossed swords reads "Jaish al-Mojahedeen" which means "the army of mojadedeen" which I guess identifies the specific terrorist group claiming responsibility.
In Bluto's words "D@mn their vile souls to hell" which I guess is redundant.

Posted by: Garduneh Mehr at February 08, 2007 03:42 PM (vixLB)

4 Its a state dept mission(whatever that means SOURCE nyt "helicopter supporting State Department operations"). The vid was released recently. I downloaded it the 5th. It does match the descriptions of botht eh NYT story and the ABC story. I'm sending mike a copy. The link to the original vid is here http://www.filesend.net/download.php?f=965221ca850a382338de3eedf56c931b
chopper at aboput 23 minutes or so.

Posted by: Darth Odie at February 08, 2007 03:45 PM (YHZAl)

5 My suspicions are 100% on the Mullahcracy of Iran supplying shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles to the bastards.
I'm basing this on the fact that during the Israel Hizbullah battles of last summer, the Hizbullahi's were found in possession of such weapons and succeeded in bringing down one Israeli chopper.

Perhaps one of the readers with military experience could educate the rest of us on how effective such weapons might be against different kinds of aircraft, rotary wing attack, rotary wing tranport, fixed wing CAS, fixed wing fighter/bomber, fixed wing transport etc.

Posted by: Garduneh Mehr at February 08, 2007 03:48 PM (vixLB)

6 Smaller windows media copy of just the chopper seq that google has not processed yet.  Slow bastards. Also reports are that this was from simple heavy caliber machine gun fire.



http://www.filesend.net/download.php?f=59e45014262f2add7d9de1fc2ad99adf

Posted by: Darth Odie at February 08, 2007 04:05 PM (YHZAl)

7 Darth Odie,
So, these guys just typed the Arabic lines on top of pictures released by the U.S. state department, did they?

Posted by: Garduneh Mehr at February 08, 2007 04:38 PM (vixLB)

8 No where are the pics from the state dept?

Posted by: Darth Odie at February 08, 2007 04:43 PM (YHZAl)

9 Garduneh Mehr, alot still depends on what type of weapon it was. There's a big difference between an SA-7 left over from Vietnam and an SA-18 recently purchased from Russia. SA-7s can come from just about anywhere. SA-18s can only come from a few select countries that currently purchase weapons from Russia. Unfortunately, both Iran and Syria have them. Speed and altitude of the target is probably the biggest factors in using a shoulder launched SAM. This is why helicopters are the most vulnerable, followed by slow moving fixed wings landing or taking off.

Posted by: BohicaTwentyTwo at February 08, 2007 04:55 PM (oC8nQ)

10 Darth Odie, I misunderstood you. Very sorry about that.

BohicaTwentyTwo:   Thanks for the explanation.

And the pricks running Syria and Iran need a good hard kick in the teeth especially if it's verified that they supplied the weapons which constitutes a brazen act of war against all coalition nations.

Posted by: Garduneh Mehr at February 08, 2007 05:11 PM (vixLB)

11

I don't know if it matters, but as far as targeting helicopters, the only person I ever spoke with about it was trained to use the "redeye". He explained that jets were nearly invulnerable because of the short time they remained inside your attack radius. Even with choppers they may be flying by at one or two miles a minute, so your reaction times are short. Can the target fly outside your radius before your missile gets to speed, and reaches the target? Good question.

Further, with the "redeye" at least, how a helicopter vents its exhaust plays a part in how vulnerable it is to attack. Actually this was true of jets also. Where the hot spots are, is where the missile will go, and the better view of the hot spots, the more likely the missile is to hit its target. Some soviet choppers he was trained to ID, and attack, vented their exhaust to one side, and if you weren't on that side, your chances of a hit were reduced considerably.

Lastly, he said that the missiles he was trained with had a narrow feild of sensitivity, and shooting could be tricky because the missile drops about 15 degrees from its launch angle before it achieves a direct flight path. A careless shot will take your missile outside of its field of sensitivity and it will go after the wrong target, or just fly blind until it hits something.

Suppossedly this was offset by the FC at the firing end. If I am not getting my missiles confused, the firer could point at the target, and make sure the missile was picking it up, before launching. I apologize for the uncertainty here, but I'm reaching back about 30 years or so.

Anyway he made it seem pretty obvious that you needed a clear feild of fire, and at least a few seconds to get your ducks in a row. I am not sure how SA-7 compares to that, but since they are also older missiles, it might be fairly close. I hear they are more accurate, but I beleive the warhead is the main problem with those. They get stuck in fusilages without blowing up!

As for SA-18' I'm going to guess has worked out that problem. If we are seeing choppers get hit by missiles that consistently detonate, and with sufficient force to down a large copter, they are probably SA-18's. Especially if they are being fired from urban sprawl at passing targets of opportunity. The engagment window would be small, and the missile would have to be able to 'find' it's target, if it wasn't a direct fire situation. Anyway, I'm no expert, but I thought I'd share what I THINK I know

USA, all the way!

Posted by: Michael Weaver at February 08, 2007 06:55 PM (2OHpj)

12 It is worth mentioning that ATGW, and RPG can be used against  hovering helicopters, although this depends alot on the chopper sitting relativly still and staying within range. I doubt either is a likely culprit n these reported incidents.                 USA, all the way!

Posted by: Michael Weaver at February 08, 2007 07:02 PM (2OHpj)

13 M.W.,
Thanks for the info.

Posted by: Garduneh Mehr at February 08, 2007 07:14 PM (vixLB)

14 Oh and I'm not sure what a security contactor is   fisked.

Posted by: Howie at February 08, 2007 08:14 PM (YHZAl)

15 How do you not see that this makes us look like incompetent fools? We are not fighting a regional power let alone another super-power and this is the mess that has resulted... How are other countries supposed to take us seriously when we can't even keep control over a desert country the size of California that we've been bombing for 20 years? Where's the sewage treatment, electricity, running water or gasoline? Maybe we should put Rambo back inside our pants now and see what the geeks can do for awhile.

Posted by: tbone at February 09, 2007 01:01 PM (HGqHt)

16 Weebone:


Dream on, fantasist. For every chopper downed, a hundred thousand terrorists are greased. So much for American incompetence.


Iraq is roughly the size of Arizona, and smaller than New Mexico. California is 40,000 square miles larger than Iraq. That's roughly the size of Ohio, you ignoramus. California is larger than the majority of the world's countries, by the way. It produces swinging studs like me.


The Iraqi infrastructure is far more extensive now than it was under Saddam. Using outdated lefty media lies just makes you look stupider than we already know you are.


Letting the geeks raise taxes and kiss islamopithecine ass never worked in the past. We don't need moree 911s, increased national debt and more effeminate men.


No, the men are still in charge. Executive power is vested in the President's office, not the parasites in Congress.


There's not a damn thing you can do about it.

Posted by: Jeff Bargholz at February 09, 2007 03:49 PM (Dt3sl)

17

Jeff, please. The men? Swinging Studs? You need analysis bro (Ted Haggard is free). Just keep repeating: it's not the size that matters. It's not the size that matters...

Posted by: tbone at February 10, 2007 04:28 AM (iK3oF)

18 Weebone:


Why am I not surprised that you want to believe size doesn't matter?


How big is Iraq? How many terrorists have been greased by coalition soldiers. Who wields executive power in the U.S?How small is your pee-pee, anyway?


I'm a california native. What crappy little state are you from, loser? Assuming you're even an American. You write like a foreigner with a terminal case of america envy. I can make a woman cum 10 to 30 times in one session, and impregnate a woman using protection. The day you can claim the same is the day you can question my stud status.


Limpy.

Posted by: Jeff Bargholz at February 10, 2007 01:29 PM (Dt3sl)

19 Jeff, Maybe if you take out a banner ad on Jawa more people will get the message and stop questioning your ultra-hetero nature. 10 to 30 times? That's all? And you brag about this? What a tool.

Posted by: tbone at February 13, 2007 11:55 AM (HGqHt)

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Well, this certainly sucks. I'm not sure which is worse: having a guy in the Iraqi parliament who is a terrorist; or not being able to determine if the guy in the Iraqi parliament who shares a name with a convicted terrorist is that terrorist. Either way, it speaks loads about ineptitude on a number of levels. more...

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The US says it will change the flight tactics used by our helicopters to reduce the risk of them being shot down.

Via Boston Globe: BAGHDAD -- The US command has ordered changes in flight operations after four helicopters were shot down in the last two weeks, the chief military spokesman said yesterday, acknowledging for the first time that the aircraft were lost to hostile fire.

The crashes, which began Jan. 20, follow insurgent claims that they have received new stocks of anti aircraft weapons -- and a recent boast by Sunni militants that "God has granted new ways" to threaten US aircraft.
Major General William Caldwell said the investigations into the crashes of three Army and one private helicopters were incomplete, but "it does appear they were all the result of some kind of anti-Iraqi ground fire that did bring those helicopters down."

It was the first time a senior figure in the US Iraq command had said publicly that all four helicopters were shot down.

Ok new tactics. The tactic I suggest we use is to find out who sent these SA7 missiles to Iraq and send them a message.

Say if it was Baathists in Syria I would think that Assad's palace would be a fair trade for two of out fine Pilots. Hopefully he will be home when the message is delivered.

Same thing if they came through Iran.

The video was released by the ISI formerly known as Abu Musab al-Zaqawi's MSC. These are terrorists who have murdered over 1000 Iraqis in one week. Any state we find sending them weapons and support should be held to account, and none too gently at that.

Hat Tip: Jason.

Update: I've noted serveral problems with the video other than the low quality see below the fold. more...

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Two high-ranking Iraqi generals are suspected of involvement in the Karbala attack of Jan. 20th.

Still no word on what Drudge said a couple of days ago about Iran's involvement.

No links on the FN site yet. Maybe someone will update this whilst get back under the thumb of The Man.

UPDATE: Here is the link, via Greg Tinti.

Posted by: Vinnie at 10:22 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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You have to read deep into to the story to begin to realize why this is so important: these are Shi'ite terrorists. Yeah, some Iraqi spokesman is keen to say that there were Sunnis in the terrorist death cult as well, but show me a Sunni that awaits the return of Muhammad al-Mahdi and I'll show you a Shia. In fact, it sounds to me that this so-called 'death cult', which wanted to kill pilgrims in an attempt to bring to pass the advent of the "hidden imam", isn't so very far off of the religious beliefs of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Hojjatieh sect.

The only caveat? I'd take that 200 killed figure with a grain of salt until there was confirmation by the U.S. Also, if that figure turns out to be true, I'll give it 24 hours before we start hearing about the Iraqi Waco........

UPDATE: Bill Roggio reports that there may really be Sunnis involved in this, and from al Qaeda. Also, body count may be over 300. But given that the Salafi, especially al Qaeda, now consider the Shia and Iran a greater threat than the U.S and Israel, it's hard to fathom such an allliance. But, stranger bedfellows have been made.... more...

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Centcom press release:

BAGHDAD — A neighborhood north of Ramadi celebrated the reopening of a school Tuesday. Also this week, U.S. and Iraqi forces provided aid to citizens in Adhamiyah, and Iraqi Forces distributed winter clothes and blankets to students in Tal Afar Monday.

Iraqi Soldiers and Coalition troops joined the celebration in Ramadi, and community leaders asked Maj. Derek Horst, civil affairs team leader, 4th Civil Affairs Group, to cut the ribbon for al Haitham School. The school provides classes for the children of Abu Jassim tribe.

The school temporarily closed in November for renovations. Tribal leader Sheik Taher, who oversaw the renovations, led the group of military and community leaders on a brief tour of the building after the ribbon cutting.

"We're making progress day after day," said 1st Lt. Stuart Barnes, civil affairs team leader, Company B, 486th Civil Affairs Battalion. Barnes said school attendance proves the increase in stability there.

The school, which began holding classes again earlier this month, has an estimated 200 to 300 students, Barnes said.

In other news, residents of the Adhamiyah section of eastern Baghdad picked up needed supplies this week following a visit by Soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team and their Iraqi Army counterparts.

U.S. Forces and Iraqi troops cooperated with the Adhamiyah district council to deliver clothes, toys, vitamins and toiletries to more than 500 residents.

“Soccer balls and comic books were especially popular with the children,” said Capt. Drew Corbin, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment. “This would have been impossible without cooperation between both the Iraqi’s and the Americans.

The Iraqi police were very helpful today. They provided security and helped distribute the humanitarian assistance bags."

Posted by: Vinnie at 12:58 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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Iraq's Interior Ministry has told CNN that US and Iraqi forces have killed between 250 and 300 insurgents in a fierce battle inside an-Najaf, Iraq.

Reuters is reporting that a U.S. military helicopter was shot down in the fighting; the military declined comment it said.

Hotair.com is following this breaking story as well.

Update by Vinnie: That would be 18,000 - 21,600 virgins raisins for you who are keeping score at home.

Update by Tim: In a special report on the fighting, CNN says the U.S. military has confirmed that one of its helicopters was shot down killing the two-man crew.

A plot to kill Grand Ayatollah Sistani triggered the intense fighting when Iraqi security forces intervened to stop the plot. Iraqi officials estimated that 600 gunmen were involved in the battle that it now says is 90 percent complete.

Posted by: OpinionBug at 02:08 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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Richard at Hyscience claims that a source in Iraq has seen the autopsy report of the Blackwater employees killed in Iraq, and that they were shot in the head after they were already dead.

The second bird came in, received extremely heavy fire, and crashed into a house located in the middle of the action. Autopsy shows that three of the four personnel in the second bird died on impact. The men were NOT stripped of their clothes, but their gear had been taken. Autopsy showed that they had been shot in the head AFTER death.....

The fourth man to die in the second bird survived the hard landing, and fought to the death.

On a sidenote, I was able to convince the Kuwaiti webhost for the group that posted the video to take down their website.

Posted by: Rusty at 04:08 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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New details are arising from a case where terrorists in Iraq dressed in U.S. uniforms and driving an SUV common for U.S. officials attacked Karbala. It looks like the poor soldiers were first captured, and then murdured. The next time someone on the left complains about Geneva Convention violations, do us all a favor and kick them square in the nuts.

I'm not sure which part of the story is worse: the AP angle which seems to gloat over the fact that they caught the military "lying" (I'm sure the military's motives had nothing to do with trying to protect the families of the slain) or the fact that those responsible could be either Sunni or Shia, and that they might have been English speakers. A blond English speaker leading them, by some reports.

UPDATE: Could this have been an Iranian operation? Not a lot of blondes in Iran, but they are there. Remember, that "Iran" means "land of the Aryans".

Allah is thinking this is the work of a Shia group. Me? No idea. I want to guess al Qaeda, based on their past attacks in Karbala and on the sophistication of this attack, but if it was al Qaeda I would expect they'd claim it. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 02:40 PM | Comments (21) | Add Comment
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Some optimistic, some pessimistic rhetoric out of Iraq. In parliamentary session today, the Iraqi Prime Minister promised that no one was off limits in the ongoing effort to bring Baghdad under control. And recent arrests of both Sadrist militiamen and the battle against Sunni terrorists on Haifa street attest to that fact.

But he also all but accused one of the Sunni MPs of being a terror supporter. Either way that's bad. Because if he's wrong, he's just inflamed more sectarian division. But if he's right.......

Read the whole thing. And I'll add that Pajamas Media has really improved in the last few days. I'd also spend some time reading this story from the Philippines. 100 years of fighting Islamist rebels, and still going.

Posted by: Rusty at 05:33 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Or so, that is what some Iraqi sources are saying. Then again, the Iraqis are claiming 30 dead bad guys & 27 detained, while the U.S. is sticking with a 7 detained figure. CENTCOM had announced this joint operation earlier today to finally put Haifa street under Iraqi control.

A propaganda video produced by insurgents had been released a few weeks ago about the "battle of Haifa strett", in which the jihadis pronounced victory.

Payback: aint she a bitch? more...

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Two seperate insurgent groups are now claiming the downing of a Blackwater, USA helicopter. Ansar al Sunna and The 1920s Revolutionary Brigade. Four of the five men on the plane were murdered, shot execution style in the back of the heads, according to U.S. and Iraqi officials. Images and a video of the downed helicopter below. more...

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The Army of Ansar al Sunna, a Salafist terror organization in Iraq with ties to al Qaeda, has claimed the downing of a Blackhawk helicopter over Iraq. The U.S. military has confirmed that a helicopter operated by "Blackwater, USA" crashed today in Baghdad and that five civilians were killed.

Along with the claim, the terrorist group posted several pieces of photo identification which they claimed to belong to one of the pilots. We'll go ahead and hold that identification, since the Army of Ansar al Sunna has posted false reports in the past. Other terror organizations have also posted the IDs of supposedly "dead" Americans, when the soldiers were alive and well. I certainly hope this man got out alive.

While Blackwater is hated by some on the Left, it should be remembered that these are Americans providing a critical service to those trying to rebuild the war-torn country: security.

What's unique about this is the sheer speed of the claim. The downing of the helicopter, the posting of the IDs, and claim of responsibility were made on the same day. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 04:38 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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The US also says that 33 Sunni cell leaders were captured in Baghdad.

From Agence France Presse:

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraqi and US forces have captured more than 600 fighters loyal to firebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, the US military said, while violence across the country claimed another 31 lives...

There are currently over 600 illegal Jaish al-Mahdi (JAM) militia in detention awaiting prosecution from the government of Iraq," a statement said.

It said Iraqi and US forces had also detained 16 high-level militiamen and killed one commander in a series of operations against the Mahdi Army, known for its fierce anti-US stance...

Combined Iraqi and US forces have carried out 52 operations in the past 45 days focused on the Mahdi Army as well as 42 operations that targetted Sunni extremists, it said.

The operations against Sunni extremists led to the capture of 33 cell leaders in Baghdad, the statement said, charging that the detainees were mainly involved in facilitating the entry of foreign fighters into Iraq.

Posted by: Bluto at 03:23 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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This article by Frank Rich seems to be getting a lot of publicity. It's all the buzz in the commiesphere. Excerpt:

This White House gang is so practiced in lying with a straight face that it never thinks twice about recycling its greatest hits. Hours after Mr. Cheney’s Fox interview, President Bush was on “60 Minutes,” claiming that before the war “everybody was wrong on weapons of mass destruction” and that “the minute we found out” the W.M.D. didn’t exist he “was the first to say so.” Everybody, of course, was not wrong on W.M.D., starting with the United Nations weapons inspection team in Iraq. Nor was Mr. Bush the first to come clean once the truth became apparent after the invasion. On May 29, 2003 — two days after a secret Defense Intelligence Agency-sponsored mission found no biological weapons in trailers captured by American forces — Mr. Bush declared: “We found the weapons of mass destruction. We found biological laboratories.”

Though I think President Bush is not particularly up to the challenges our modern world presents, I don't think he's a liar. Starting with the supposed "lies" identified in the above excerpt, it was the consensus of the world intelligence communities prior to the invasion that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. No, not everyone agreed with that general consensus--but I doubt many people took Bush's words to mean "every single human being in the world" agreed Saddam had WMDs. I'll concede that Bush should've chosen his words more carefully on the second point. Anti-Bush folks were jumping on the "See? no WMDs!" bandwagon very early on in the invasion. It would've been pretty much impossible for Bush to get the jump on them. It makes him guilty of engaging in hyperbole and being sloppy with language discussing established facts. Does that rise to the level of being a "liar?"

These days, the left throws around the words "liar," "racist" and "fascist" at the drop of a hat. Using them all the time may get them temporary thrills and a little publicity, but there's a price to pay. Those words lose their power when they're overused, and the lefties are doing their best to wear them out.

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