Sadr's men hold Iraq shrine in defiance of (US appointed) govt

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L21197593.htm

NAJAF, Iraq, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Fighters loyal to rebel cleric Moqtada al-Sadr were firmly in control of Najaf's Imam Ali mosque on Saturday, defying efforts by Iraq's U.S.-backed government to end a radical Shi'ite rebellion.

Militiamen brandished weapons around the mosque, the centre of a two week confrontation with U.S. forces that has helped drive oil prices to record highs and has presented the interim government with is biggest crisis yet.

"Bring those Americans here to fight hand to hand," said one militant, biting his finger for emphasis. "They are cowards. They stay thousands of feet away in their airplanes. They are scared, they know we will slaughter them."

Aside from sporadic exchanges of gunfire and a tank firing a few shells, Najaf was relatively calm on Saturday morning.

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[Danger Duck]

1. It's funny

this is one of the few "sensitive" things done by * and co, not entering the mosque because of it's cultural relevance. I wonder how long until the sensitivity training wears off, and we level the place. Oh well. that will probably have a ripple effect. I'm going to go bang my head against the wall some more.

[miss_kitty]

2. an unelected gov't in the democracy we forced on them

is anyone else aware of that definition of 'crazy?' that is, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?