Today in Iraq

Today in History: On September 19, 2002, George W. Bush asked Congress for authority to ''use all means,'' including military force if necessary, to disarm and overthrow Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein if he did not quickly meet United Nations demands to abandon all weapons of mass destruction. War news for September 19, 2003 Bring ‘em on: US cannot confirm reports of “heavy casualties” in yesterday's ambush near Khaldiyah. Bring ‘em on: Two US soldiers wounded in ambush near Ramadi. Bring ‘em on: Three US troops killed, two wounded near Tikrit. Fighting continued from 8:00pm (local) until daybreak. “In what the commander of the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade called a ‘coordinated attack,’ Saddam loyalists armed with rocket-propelled grenades, heavy machine guns and assault rifles attacked two operating bases on the western bank of the Tigris River and ambushed a patrol on its east side.” Bring ‘em on: Mortar rounds fired at US bases in Samarra, and Baghdad airport. CENTCOM reports US soldier electrocuted while clearing dangerously low hanging power lines. US troops accidentally kill translator for Italian official. Iraqi police launch crime crackdown in Baghdad. “’Tonight marks the night that the Iraqi citizen takes back control of Baghdad streets,’ U.S. Army Colonel Ted Spain said, ahead of an exercise intended partly as a show of force to boost public confidence.” This guy sounds like John Walsh. “‘It looks like a bad episode of 'Cops','' said a passing U.S. soldier to a colleague” Iraqi privatization plans postponed. Sen. Kennedy calls Bush’s War a “fraud,” “made up in Texas,” and says US policy is “adrift.” Also accuses Bush administration of being unable to account of over half of the $4 billion spent in Iraq every month. ''My belief is this money is being shuffled all around to these political leaders in all parts of the world, bribing them to send in troops,'' he said. US scientists find no evidence of smallpox program in Iraq. “Smallpox fears were part of the case the Bush administration used to build support for invading Iraq.” Chicago Sun-Times commentary: Bush's Big Lie strategy is coming apart. Baltimore Sun commentary: When will Bush come clean on WMD lies? Brazil rejects US appeal for troops. Bush personally begs Japanese PM for troops. Turkish business group wants UN resolution before committing troops to Iraq. Pakistanis demonstrate against sending troops to Iraq. Myers: US wants Muslim troops in Iraq. Anti-US sentiment in Europe highest since Vietnam War. Bush seeks to isolate France at UN Security Council discussions. Master of Low Expectations seeks to lower expectations on UN resolution. Thousands turn out in Kosovo to welcome President Clinton. “The reception contrasted starkly with the maximum security visits to Iraq recently by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Colin Powell, both of whom had virtually no contact with ordinary local people.” Eat your heart out, rushbox. This is what a real President can accomplish. Rant of the Day A soldier sounds off.