Today in Iraq

War News for July 14, 2004 Bring ‘em on: Iraqi Olympic head survives assassination attempt in Baghdad. Bring ‘em on: Ten Iraqis killed, 40 wounded by car bomb in central Baghdad. Bring ‘em on: Bulgarian hostage reported executed by insurgents. Bring ‘em on: One Iraqi killed, one wounded in convoy ambush near Baghdad. Bring ‘em on: Two ICDC members killed, 14 wounded in roadside bomb ambush near Baghdad. Bring ‘em on: Iraqi police ambushed in Mosul. Mahdi Army controls Sadr City. “The dominant presence of the Mahdi militia reflects the profound lack of security in Iraq. And it's a big challenge to the authority of the nascent Iraqi government, which has talked tough on security but lacks manpower. The Mahdi Army has entrenched itself despite taking heavy casualties while fighting American troops in Sadr City and in towns in southern Iraq following April's uprising.” Crooks. “As lobbyists, public relations counselors and confidential advisors to senior federal officials, they warned against Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, praised exiled leader Ahmad Chalabi, and argued that toppling Saddam Hussein was a matter of national security and moral duty. Now, as fighting continues in Iraq, they are collecting tens of thousands of dollars in fees for helping business clients pursue federal contracts and other financial opportunities in Iraq. For instance, a former Senate aide who helped get U.S. funds for anti-Hussein exiles who are now active in Iraqi affairs has a $175,000 deal to advise Romania on winning business in Iraq and other matters.” Iraqi bloggers. Commentary Opinion: “To absolve Bush of disqualifying responsibility for this true scandal, this is what you have to believe. The most glaring example involves one of the CIA's major National Intelligence Estimates about Iraq's unconventional weapons "programs" about six months before the invasion. Like any of these estimates, sent to the top security officials of the government, there is a brief summary and then gobs of more detailed material. You have to believe that in processing all of this, Bush never bothered to look beyond the summary or to inquire in depth whether it was supported. You then have to believe that Condoleezza Rice never had her large national security staff in the White House take a long look at the backup material on Bush's behalf. You have to believe that in getting ready for a war, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his huge operation never snuck a peek, either.” Casualty Reports Local story: Kansas airman killed in Iraq. Local story: Idaho Marine killed in Iraq. Local story: Virginia Marine dies in Iraq. Local story: Pennsylvania soldier dies in Iraq. Local story: Ohio soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: California soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: Oklahoma Marine wounded in Iraq. Local story: Ohio soldier wounded in Iraq. 86-43-04. Vive La France. Today is Bastille Day. Thank you, Rochambeau. You too, Lafayette. Regards, YD.