U.S. Soldier Among 43 Killed In Iraq

Mostly Shiite Targets Hit In Baghdad; 3 Sunni Professors And 1 Student Dead

(CBS/AP) 
A car bomb also struck a predominantly Shiite area in eastern Baghdad after the driver parked near a currency exchange office, then walked away, killing two people and wounding 10, police said.

The shop's owner said the attacker came in to ask permission to park the car and exchange some money.

"A seemingly normal person parked this car and told us that he would not be long," said the owner, who identified himself as Abu Talal. "When that person disappeared for more than 20 minutes, we tried to call the police but the car exploded."

Shop owners often insist that motorists get permission before parking their cars due to the frequent car bombings in the capital.

Insurgents have launched several bombings in the capital in recent weeks as they seek to maximize the number of people killed before U.S. and Iraqi troops launch a neighborhood-by-neighborhood sweep of the capital. Iraqi authorities have promised to crack down on Sunni insurgents as well as Shiite militia violence that has spiraled since the Feb. 22, 2006, bombing of a Shiite shrine in Samarra.

In all, 42 Iraqis were killed or found dead nationwide. Among them were 20 bodies, many bearing signs of torture, apparently the latest victims of sectarian death squads.

The three professors and a student were abducted by gunmen on Sunday as they left Nahrain University's law school in a predominantly Shiite neighborhood in northern Baghdad, according to the Ministry of Higher Education.

Nahrain University, formerly called Saddam University, is one of the main educational institutions in Baghdad. Its main campus is in the Jadriyah area on the southeastern banks of the Tigris, but the law school is in Kazamiyah.

Nobody claimed responsibility for the attack. Academics have been frequent victims of the rising sectarian violence, often targeted due to their relatively high public stature and vulnerability. Some professors also have been killed by students angered over poor grades or other grievances, or because of their past membership in the Baath party of Saddam Hussein.

"The continuation of the assaults on higher education and the bloodshed of its sons show again the presence of dark forces that try to stop the country's progress and try to spread hatred among the people of one country," the ministry said in a statement.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, meanwhile, offered a new endorsement of President Bush's plan to augment American forces by 21,500 to help stem the violence, but stressed that he considered it "a support to our Baghdad security plan," which would be an Iraqi-led operation.

He also said they would only ask for extra troops as a last resort. "We agree this will be assessed by those in the field, the military commanders," he told CNN.

[bluestardad]

It is common knowledge that Iraqi units are infiltrated by all types of Insurgents, Terrorist, and Execution Death Squads members of Both Religions. The Sunni supported by Saudi Arabia who are killing most of American troops, and Shiite supported by Iran. Those people who support this Surge of Troops in Iraq are forcing American Soldiers to sleep with the enemy in small units exposing them to undue kidnap threat. Americans soldiers who are captured by these enemies are without mercy, tortured and mutilated beyond recognition by their captors. Still our political leadership is planning to send these Brave Men and Women in to this environment. Would those Neocons or Chicken Hawks that pushed so hard for America to go into this war like to volunteer to live with death squad members? If American proceeds with this deployment our troops will be kidnapped and America will see such beheadings, torture and captivity that have never been seen before on Cable, Internet, and National Television. If you support this surge in troops and the tactics it brings you are responsible for every one of these deaths. Be prepared to watch American men and women begging for their lives on television while they are decapitated. Here is the contact address for your Senator! Send them a message of your opinion. All Class Two Senators are up for Reelection in 2008. http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_in
formation/senators_cfm.cfm

[bildooreilly]

Hey conduism, what you say about the republicans is true, but what are your democrats doing about it now that they have some power... absolutely nothing, "non binding resolution" can you say smokescreen you fool?

[feelfree1]

Re: "U.S. Soldier Among 43 Killed In Iraq"

A fresh layer for the Bush regime pile of death.

[cantshutup]

THE DRAFT IS HERE. Universal Nat'l Service Act of 2007.
NOT TO ALARM YOU OR ANYTHING. Just passing this along.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/
query/z?c110:H.R.393:

Universal National Service Act of 2007 (Introduced in House)
HR 393 IH
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 393
To require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed services or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, to authorize the induction of persons in the uniformed services during wartime to meet end-strength requirements of the uniformed services, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the favorable treatment afforded combat pay under the earned income tax credit, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 10, 2007

[condumism]

I'm still looking for an answer as to what the Republicon Party stands for??? I see that all reamaining Bush supporters still buy into Iraq as the cause of 9/11, Iraq as the center piece in the War on Terror, thus making Iraq a terminal threat to the USA. So please tell me cons, what is it that Republicon Party stands for these days? Clearly you're all delusional now that your in the purist form of fascism. Since your party doesn't stand for anything other than GREED, arrogance, pure self-ceneredness, why not face the facts that the Republicon Party is no more than a regional party that only represents the original Confederate States. May I suggest the old confederacy secede from America? May I also suggest our new Democratic Congress make war profiteering a treasonous crime against America, punishable by death. This would quickly end the Rethuglcicon Industrial War Machine that's done NOTHING good for america since its inception.

[j-whitman]

Bush's concept of "Support the Troops" -- Hiring another Pastry Chef for the White House

[bildooreilly]

Why do our politicians care what Henry Kissinger has to say even though for once in this instance he's right. Only time in his lifetime... fact is this guy has never been elected to any office, and he got tens of thousands of americans killed in vietnam and he's an international war criminal. I'm paying taxes for this ***?

[bildooreilly]

Funny americans voted for the democrats to end the war now they're going to extend it until march 2008 and continue kissing juniors butt like they have for the past 6 years, pretty pathetic... I'm sure glad I don't vote for the two major parties, I'd sure be feeling like a sucker about now.

[skyk-2009]

George W. Bush has no idea what his job is...he doesn't understand the concept of the PEOPLE being the boss. After the Elections ANY MORON would understand that the People of this nation want him to change directions yet he thinks he's the Dictator and NOT the Elected Representative of the People. He's one SICK little Nazi that's for sure.

[tuckerndfw]

To jh6379:

RE: "waging war for peace is similar to fornicating for virginity"

(vulgar vernacular for "fornicating" is usually substituted in the real world/non filtered message boards)

Sure you can.

I stole it from someone long since forgotten.

To the best of my recollection, it was used by those evil, pot smoking, dirty Godless Commie hippies during the Vietnam era.

Amazing how I've become aligned with the same kind of people Democrats were demonizing during the Vietnam fiasco.

You know they must be right if both major political parties oppose them.

[tuckerndfw]

Why is it that Bozo Bush, D. Cheney, D. Rumsfeld, Generals, or other "leaders" are never killed in combat or due to hostilities?

If they are "leading the troops," how do they manage to avoid leading from the front lines?

Aren't they really hiding behind the troops and taking all the glory? Medals are real nice, but a General's retirement package would seem to be much nicer than a peace of worthless ribbon on a tombstone.

Bring our brave men & women home NOW!

And, stop wasting American taxpayers' hard earned money on the shiithole we call "Iraq."

Waging war for peace is similar to fornicating for virginity.