Iraq: Look what's happening out in the streets, got a revolution...

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Declaring an end to a fragile cease-fire, insurgents loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr battled fiercely with U.S., British and Iraqi forces in four cities on Thursday in fighting that killed one U.S. soldier, seven Iraqi civilians and seven militants. A U.S. helicopter was also shot down.

"This is a revolution against the occupation force until we get independence and democracy," al-Sadr spokesman Ahmed Shaybani told The Washington Post in a telephone interview.

“What do these criminals want from Iraqis? They sometimes target the Sunnis, the Shiites and the Christians and other times they target the police and the army. They, however, do nothing to the Americans,” said Zayd Hadi, a civilian who was outside the station and suffered wounds to his face and stomach.

Near the town of Samarra north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said it staged a series of raids on suspected insurgents and detained nine people. Operation Cajun Mousetrap II began early Thursday morning, targeting groups suspected of planning and financing attacks on Iraqis and coalition forces, the military said.

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. "The party's over ...it's time to call it a day..."

Sadr didn't like the not very diplomatic impolite gesture of surrounding his mosque with tanks. The US government doesn't have much of a record of success with in middle east unless it backs tyrannical despotic rulers, and even then, the success is temporary.

[MaryH]

5. I just posted this, too.

I wonder what will happen if alSadr and his group win. I suppose its possible - he is kind of a hero to the poor and Iraq has a lot of poor Shiites.

Nothing like a whole nation of "macho men" all fighting it out with each other.

Personally, I think I like the "girly men" better. They tend to be smarter.

[Alpharetta]

2. a few ways to look at it

1.
It's a civil war. It will only be resolved when one faction gains dictatorial control

2.
It's a law enforcement/new government problem. A lack of adequate funding for adequate police forces has allowed the militias to flourish. As soon as the Iraq police can demonstrate military superiority over the resistance factions, support for the resistance will melt away. Once prosperity is offered to the average Iraqi, they'll lose interest in fighting their government.

3.
It's a propaganda war. The average Iraq needs to be convinced to stop supporting the resistance factions.

I think it's either 1 or 2. I don't think it's #3. Until the Iraqi police are properly funded (that would require trust from the U.S.) the most likely outcome is #1, in my opinion.

[TrustingDog]

3. your pic: The coalition of the 'Billing'...

aren't they all a row of cuties...

::hork::

[hatrack]

4. "Operation Cajun Mousetrap II"??? Tell me this is some sort of joke!!

Please, please, tell me it's a joke!!!

Will Major General Paul Prudhomme be leading our troops to a spicy and satisfying gumbo of victory over terrorism?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

6. "Operation Blackened Catfish Roach Motel"

Come up with your own! It's FUN!

:evilgrin: