Today in Iraq

War News for October 11, 2003 Shi'ite anger growing against US occupation. "Shiite Muslim anger against Americans spilled into Friday Prayers in Sadr City, the poor Baghdad district where two Iraqis and two American soldiers were killed Thursday night. The violence and subsequent public outrage raised fears of new dangers to United States troops from the followers of Moktada al-Sadr, a young anti-American Shiite cleric. Up to now, the main threat to American forces has come from loyalists to Saddam Hussein."? Background on Shi'ite resentment, Moqtada Sadr, and Bush's policy failure in Iraq. "Bremer, in line with Pentagon thought, has repeatedly said that Iraqis are disqualified from managing themselves. Sheikh Saleh says, 'Iraqis have been qualified to do it since the first month of the occupation, [but not being able to] has brought all sorts of problems to the Iraqis and also to the Americans.' The sheikh insists that "we still don't know the political and economic reasons for the occupation. They have used us as a training field, in the beginning of a big strategy.'" Angry Iraqi farmers threaten resistance. "Claiming his lush date and orange groves provide camouflage for resistance fighters, the U.S. occupation forces leveled Khalil's plantations." Source of Iraqi violence and instability: Bush's incompetence. "In Bush's own words: 'There are some who feel that the conditions are such that they can attack us...My answer is, bring 'em on' Twenty American soldiers were wounded in attacks across Iraq the day after the president's pugnacious statement, suggesting that the sources of violence may be more widespread and the ways of combating them much more complex than Bush hopes....In spite of Wolfowitz's assertions to the contrary, Iraqis did not regard Falluja, prior to the war, as a 'hotbed of Baathist activity'. To the contrary, Falluja has a reputation as a deeply conservative town, famed for the number of mosques and its adherence to Sunnis...The anger is certainly an expression of frustration with the continuing lack of stability and essential services. But it also has roots in a growing nationalist identity focused on rejection of the occupation." Moqtada Sadr announces alternate Iraqi government: Iraq "plunged into turmoil." Oil pipeline ablaze near Kirkuk. Military says cause "unknown." Islamic summit calls for US "eviction" from Iraq. "Divisions over Iraq threatened to prevent Islamic leaders from finding a unified voice to address a widespread feeling that the war against terrorism has turned into a war against Muslims." Mysterious "astroturf" letters from soldiers appear in unsuspecting newspapers across America. Foreign aid donors design trust fund to keep out of Bush's reconstruction funds sticky fingers. Crime soaring in Baghdad's post-war security failure. News from the Chickenhawk Cheerleaders Tour L. Paul Bremer tells Americans "life is near normal" in Baghdad. Wolfowitz of Arabia receives "Keeper of the Flame Award" from conservative pro-war group, and promises American troops will continue to fight for his failed policies. I hope he gets to hang that award on the wall of his prison cell. Veterans protest Bush's Chickenhawk Cheerleaders Tour in New Hampshire. "Dearborn served in the Army for 20 years, rose to the rank of sergeant first class, and served in Korea, Vietnam and Germany. On Thursday, he held a sign that read, "Out the door in 2004" - a snipe at Bush's tenure in office. 'I was a Republican all my life until about a month ago. I switched over to send a message,' said Dearborn...In response to the president's visit to Manchester, a three-story-high inflatable rat was set up in Veterans Park. The rat bore a sign saying, 'Hello, my name is George W. Bush.'" Emphasis added. Laura Bush stands by her rat. Casualty Reports Local story: Washington State soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: Nebraska soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: California soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: Wounded Oregon Guardsman returning to Iraq. Local story: Alabama soldier wounded in Iraq. Local story: Montana soldier wounded in Iraq. Commentary Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Iraqi Stabilization Group merely continues Bush’s non-policy of domestic spin. "Rice and other senior administration officials already have embarked on a vigorous effort to get the message out that the situation in Iraq is better than the press portrays and improving every day, really. Which of course contradicts the pressing need for an Iraq Stabilization Group." The Stuart News, Ft. Stuart, Florida: Why all the secrecy at Gitmo? News-Press, Falls Church, Virginia: WMD report cries out for application of the "L" Word. Be sure to stop by at TownHall.com for a full smorgasbord of conservative gasbaggery.