Today in Iraq

War News for February 28, 2004 Bring 'em on: US troops ambushed by roadside bomb in al-Qaim. Two Iraqis killed, three wounded. Bring 'em on: Five US soldiers wounded in two bombings in Tikrit. (Last paragraphs.) Bring 'em on: Oil pipeline ablaze near Samarra. Bring 'em on: One Iraqi policeman killed, five policeman wounded by bomb in Baquba. Bring 'em on: Two suspects killed after attack on Iraqi police checkpoint in Mosul. Bring 'em on: Iraqi police officer killed in roadblock attack in Kirkuk. Bring 'em on: US troops under mortar fire near Fallujah. Bring 'em on: One Iraqi killed in RPG attack on PUK offices in Kirkuk. Bring 'em on: US convoy attacked near Ramadi. Bring 'em on: US convoy ambushed by roadside bomb near Khalis. Bring 'em on: British patrol ambushed by roadside bomb near Basra. Terror in Basra. "Gangs of armed militants, operating with almost complete impunity, are terrorizing the streets of Iraq’s second-largest city, assaulting and killing alcohol and video merchants in a campaign to impose their rules on what was once the most liberal city in the country." Bush administration opens new front in propaganda campaign against the US electorate. Shi'ite members walk out of constitutional discussions. Resolution 137 and the future of Iraq. Al-Sistani demands elections before end of the year. IGC unable to meet deadline for draft constitution. Donor conference begins in Abu Dhabi. Putin says Iraq is now a haven for terrorists. Ol' Pooty-poot knows all about terrorists. Ocotber surprise? "Iran's state radio, quoting an unnamed source, today said that Osama bin Laden was captured in Pakistan 'a long time ago.'" A falling out among thieves. "The senior officials said the White House's mood toward the INC changed markedly after Chalabi told a British newspaper Feb. 18 that it didn't matter whether the group's prewar information was correct because its goal of ousting Saddam has been achieved… Several officials said Bush was angered by Chalabi's comments and was determined to find out if the INC or anyone with ties to it is seeking personal gain from the war in Iraq. 'His (Chalabi's) time is rapidly coming,' said one senior official." Bullshit. Everybody knows these INC jokers are cashing in on the Iraq boondoggle. Lieutenant AWOL is pissed because Chalabi embarrassed him and now the Bushies want to get even. Ask Paul O'Neill how these assholes operate. "Moral clarity," my fat ass. A small town in Iraq. "Abu Yousef said some villagers sympathize with the fighters, and while they might not provide them with help, they don't report them to the Americans either. 'If this continues much longer, many people will be active fighters. The Americans are not welcome here.'" Commentary Analysis: "The American conundrum is that while Washington seeks to restore Iraqi sovereignty as soon as possible, it wants to ensure that the future leaders of Iraq will safeguard its interests. It is a tall order because the US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq has unleashed forces which even America's military may not be able to control effectively." Opinion: "While some believe that, prior to the invasion of Iraq, supporters of the war abused the phrase 'support our troops' mostly as a tool to intimidate those who were unsure of the invasion's necessity, there must have been at least some genuine concern on the part of the war's supporters for the safety of our armed forces. Today, however, those same war supporters are virtually silent about showing support for our troops who are tragically being killed and maimed daily. Like so many others, they have become desensitized to the tragic and unnecessary loss of our soldiers' lives." Letter to the Editor. "The Iraq war has been nothing but an ill-conceived smokescreen. How naive could this bunch of warriors in Washington be to think that we would roll in and roll out—victorious, triumphant, with lasting peace and democracy in a region where America and all it stands for are reviled? Such beliefs by President Bush and his administration are simplistic and misguided at best, manipulative and Machiavellian at worst." Opinion: "When President Bush ran for office in 2000, one of the major messages coming from his campaign was 'military men and women, help is on the way.' He has since sent the United States military into two significant engagements and has relied on their professionalism and efficiency to support his reckless foreign policy. But surely, with soldiers so close to the President's heart, he has ensured that their needs are taken care of." Casualty Reports Local story: Massachusetts soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: Arizona soldier killed in Iraq. 86-43-04. Pass it on.