BAGHDAD, March 29, 2007

At Least 122 Killed In Iraq Violence

Suicide Bombers Target Shiite Marketplaces In Baghdad And Town North Of Capital

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    • A man stands by a car bomb wreck in Baghdad's southwestern neighborhood of Bayaa on March 29, 2007.

      A man stands by a car bomb wreck in Baghdad's southwestern neighborhood of Bayaa on March 29, 2007.  (AP Photo/Asaad Mouhsin)

    • An Iraqi policeman cleans debris around a car bomb wreck in the southwestern neighborhood of Bayaa in Baghdad on March 29, 2007.

      An Iraqi policeman cleans debris around a car bomb wreck in the southwestern neighborhood of Bayaa in Baghdad on March 29, 2007.  (AP Photo/Asaad Mouhsin)

    • An Iraqi woman walks past the wreckage of a car at the site where a car bomb exploded at Baghdad's al-Bayaa neighborhood, March 28, 2007.

      An Iraqi woman walks past the wreckage of a car at the site where a car bomb exploded at Baghdad's al-Bayaa neighborhood, March 28, 2007.  (Getty Images/Ali Yussef)

    • An Iraqi police commando secures the site where a car bomb exploded in Baghdad's al-Bayaa neighborhood, March 28, 2007.

      An Iraqi police commando secures the site where a car bomb exploded in Baghdad's al-Bayaa neighborhood, March 28, 2007.  (Getty Images/Ali Yussef)

    • Medics help 9-year-old Shaheen Ahmed in Kirkuk, Iraq, on March 27, 2007. Ahmed was injured when a roadside bomb exploded outside his school.

      Medics help 9-year-old Shaheen Ahmed in Kirkuk, Iraq, on March 27, 2007. Ahmed was injured when a roadside bomb exploded outside his school.  (AP Photo/Emad Matti)

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(AP)  Five suicide bombers struck Shiite marketplaces in northeast Baghdad and a town north of the capital at nightfall Thursday, killing at least 122 people and wounding more than 150 in one of Iraq's deadliest days in years.

The savage attacks came as a new American ambassador began his first day on the job, and Senate Democrats ignored a veto threat and approved a bill to require President Bush to start withdrawing troops.

At least 178 people were killed or found dead Thursday, which marked the end of the seventh week of the latest U.S.-Iraqi military drive to curtail violence in Baghdad and surrounding regions.

The suicide bombers hit markets in the Shiite town of Khalis and the Shaab neighborhood in Baghdad during the busiest time of the day, timing that has become a trademark of what are believed to be Sunni insurgent or al Qaeda suicide attackers.

Three suicide vehicle bombs, including an explosives-packed ambulance, detonated in a market in Khalis, 50 miles north of the capital, which was especially crowded because government flour rations had just arrived for the first time in six months, local television stations reported.

At least 43 people were killed and 86 wounded, police said.

In the north Baghdad bombings, two suicide attackers wearing explosives vests blew themselves up in the Shalal market in the predominantly Shiite Shaab neighborhood. At least 79 people were killed and 81 wounded as they jammed the market to buy provisions on the eve of the Muslim day of rest and prayer.

The carnage in Iraq cast a shadow over Ryan Crocker's first day as ambassador. He takes over in the midst of the U.S.-Iraqi security sweep, for which President Bush committed nearly 30,000 additional troops to dampen what had become uncontrollable violence in the capital.

The Senate's rare rebuke to a wartime commander in chief came in a 51-47 vote to provide $123 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Senators also ordered Mr. Bush to begin withdrawing troops within 120 days of the bill's passage, and set a nonbinding goal of ending combat operations by March 31, 2008.

"President Bush's policy is the right one. There has been progress; there is also much more to be done," the 57-year-old Crocker said at his swearing in at the American Embassy in Saddam Hussein's former Republican Palace, which is now in the heart of the heavily guarded Green Zone.

Continued



© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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by j-whitman March 31, 2007 4:36 PM EDT
Lars,,, You're 19 years old -- ENLIST & SERVE YOUR COUNTRY
Reply to this comment
by randalds March 31, 2007 12:42 AM EDT
Oh no, theres no civil war in Iraq. Just a little patience (and more troops) and they will all be going to Sunday school, baking apple pies, and living the American dream. Because isn't that what everyone wants? And king george is just the one to force it upon them. He is just doing his christian duty. Oh yes, ol dubya, is a wonderful christian. Just ask any of his oil buddies.
Posted by msmithdznr at 08:29 AM : Mar 30, 2007

lol! That's right because inside every radical Muslim is an American Christian struggling to get out.
Reply to this comment
by lars008-2009 March 30, 2007 5:04 PM EDT
Widow attends massacre trial wearing Mohammed cartoon
http://eye-on-the-world.blogspot.com/2007/03/widow-attends-massacre-trial-wearing.html
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/blog/israel_palestine_cartoon.gif
http://www.zombietime.com/mohammed_image_archive/
http://face-of-muhammed.blogspot.com/
http://www.internetcurrentevents.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Best_Friends
http://www.scientomogy.com/south_park_scientology.php
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/010009.php#more
http://www.humaneventsonline.com/sarticle.php?id=12146
http://www.mohammeddance.com/
http://anonymous-infidel.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_anonymous-infidel_archive.html
More lies by the Imams
http://michellemalkin.com/archives/004505.htm
Egypt republished them in OCTOBER to general ho-hum.
http://egyptiansandmonkey.blogspot.com/2006/02/boycott-egypt.html
http://www.tomgrossmedia.com/ArabCartoons.htm
Iran Holocaust Cartoon Contest Translated...
http://switch5.castup.net/frames/20041020_MemriTV_Popup/video_480x360.asp?ai=214&ar=1280wmv&ak=null
The float carried two identical cartoon-style papier-mache figures, each wearing a suicide-bomber's belt and carrying a dagger and a pistol. The first was labelled 'the cliche,' the second was labelled 'the reality.'
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=24507_German_Muslims_Seething_at_Carnival_Parade&only
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/news/article_1265687.php/Carnival_attracts_3_million_in_Germany_-_Muslims_offended__Roundup_
Reply to this comment
by lars008-2009 March 30, 2007 4:59 PM EDT
NONE OF US IS FREE UNLESS ALL ARE FREE!!!

WHY DO MUSLIM COUNTRIES NOT GRANT EQUAL RIGHTS TO NON MUSLIMS???

FASCIST NAZI ISLAM SAYS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATES ISLAM LAW...

Universal Declaration of Human Rights
http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

For example, in 1981, the Iranian representative to the United Nations, Said Rajaie-Khorassani, articulated the position of his country regarding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by saying that the UDHR was "a secular understanding of the Judeo-Christian tradition", which could not be implemented by Muslims without trespassing the Islamic law.

http://www.un.org/terrorism/
http://www.un.org/terrorism/strategy-counter-terrorism.html
http://www.un.org/
Reply to this comment
by iceman_1960 March 30, 2007 4:50 PM EDT
"Oh no, theres no civil war in Iraq. Just a little patience (and more troops) and they will all be going to Sunday school, baking apple pies, and living the American dream." Posted by msmithdznr

This satire isn't very far from Bush's own Pie-in-the-Sky rhetoric about the goals in Iraq.

It's what Bush "believes."

"Don't confuse me with the facts. I know what I believe."

That's been Bush's attitude about this war all along.

Too bad so many have to die to keep Bush's castle floating in the sky.
Reply to this comment
by dogband March 30, 2007 3:07 PM EDT
Americans are simply targets of opportunity inside a civil war. The quicker we remove ourselves, the quicker we stop Americans from being killed or injured for no purpose at all.

When Americans go on patrol, they do not tell the local police in fear that our destinations/goals will be revealed to the enemy. And we are supposed to establish a democracy when we cannot trust the friendlies? Holy ***!! Anyone who believes this will happen is just plain stupid, and should immediately insist that your daughter, son, niece or nephew or neighbors kid or you yourself hop on a plane and help make this happen. Good God almighty, how friggin stupid can a population become?
Reply to this comment
by msmithdznr March 30, 2007 11:29 AM EDT
Oh no, theres no civil war in Iraq. Just a little patience (and more troops) and they will all be going to Sunday school, baking apple pies, and living the American dream. Because isn't that what everyone wants? And king george is just the one to force it upon them. He is just doing his christian duty. Oh yes, ol dubya, is a wonderful christian. Just ask any of his oil buddies.
Reply to this comment
by mcvet March 30, 2007 11:15 AM EDT
'benefit the most' - most of what? government healthcare - as if the top 1% uses government healtcare, 'investments' oh like government investments? ***?

Love socialism? Move to Hugo's Venezuela!
Posted by badaxmofo at 10:14 PM : Mar 29, 2007

Why can't you fascist just come out and admit why you support the LOSER you call a President. It's not because of any reason other than you are just plain GREEDY. I would respect you so much more if you were honest. You are willing to let everyone of us suffer, die and worse as long as YOU don't have to pay any more taxes. That's well within your rights to say that but at least BE Honest!! Sieg Heil
Reply to this comment
by mcvet March 30, 2007 11:12 AM EDT
The statistics for America's defense during the Clinton years reveal the deep-seated animosity of the administration toward those who served in the military. The Army was cut from 18 divisions to 12. The Navy was reduced from 546 ships to 380. Air Force flight squadrons were cut from 76 to 50
Posted by badaxmofo at 10:24 PM : Mar 29, 2007

Amazing! Now you tell us that the Pathetic LOSER we now have in office can't control a country not much bigger than the state of Ohio with that number? NOW that's INCOMPETENT. 12 divisions and we still can't see peace in Bagdad? Now I know you, being a fascist, never intended that result from your post but that's exactly what the results are. Sieg Heil.
Reply to this comment
by crater7 March 30, 2007 10:32 AM EDT
IT GETS WORSE; Cheneyburton, the Governments largest defense contractor, is doing business with Iran, throug, subcontractors. Makes one wonder why they move over seas?
Reply to this comment
by bluestardad March 30, 2007 10:20 AM EDT
Bush family Saudi Arabia is funding the Sunni insurgents! And Bush himself is funding Sunni Al Qaeda in Lebanon with the money from Iraq!
Reply to this comment
by crater7 March 30, 2007 10:02 AM EDT
SAUDIS BLAST U.S. "ILLIGITIMATE FOREIGN OCCUPATION" IN IRAQ.
BUSH ADMISISTRATIONS RESPONSE, "FORCES ARE IN IRAQ LEGALLY AND BY "IRAQS INVITATION."
By invitation only, please come and invade my country, bomb us into submission, and kill our children, and in reward give us the freedom to paint our fingers, and declare a democracy. Thank you Mr. Bush.
Reply to this comment
by karlimhof March 30, 2007 8:48 AM EDT
I SHAMEFULLY OFFER MY SINCERE APOLOGY TO THE FAMILIES OF OUR CITIZENS WHO HAVE DIED, TO THOSE IN IRAQ, TO THE WORLD COMMUNITY, FOR THE BARBARIC ACTIONS OF MY GOVERNMENT SINCE THE BEGINING OF THE BUSH WAR.

AN AMERICAN CITIZEN


Reply to this comment
by randalds March 30, 2007 6:23 AM EDT
The one hundred and twenty two who died in Iraq today were us. Until we accpet that, until we internalize that. Until we really understand that we have seen the enemy and he is us, we'll continue to murder them in the name of some people's ego and greed. Is this what we have become? Murderers? Is this what our "leaders" have brought us too?

Sadly the answer is yes. They have made cold-hearted murders out of all of us. If there was a god I'd pray that he forgives us for what we have let them do to us.
Reply to this comment
by randalds March 30, 2007 6:19 AM EDT
One hundred and twenty two people, so far, died in Iraq today. Many hundreds more were wounded and many of them will die. These were real human beings. They had desires, blood in their veins, ambitions and life. They were once babies who had real mothers and fathers look down upon them with joy and tears. They had mothers, fathers, children wives and husbands. They had jobs and bills and hopes and dreams and a life to try to look forward to and we killed them just as surely as if we had pushed the trigger on the bombs that blew them up. Still I never see a self-proclaimed Christian offer a single prayer for them. Why? Because to evangelical Christians like singingrick they were not real human beings. They were not worthy of their prayers because that hadn't accepted Christ as their personal saviour. They were not Christians and therefore are going to hel*l anyway so why bother. That is the disease of religion. That is it's sickness. That is what makes it the worst burden of mankind. There will always be death and torture and hate and bigotry on murder and genocide and all of the other SH*IT that goes along with praising a "god", until we get religion out of our worldview. Religion is equal to death.
Reply to this comment
by feelfree1 March 30, 2007 4:56 AM EDT
emhawks,

Thanks for the "War Prayer".
Reply to this comment
by feelfree1 March 30, 2007 4:53 AM EDT
Re: "Keep it up except try to be a little more angry with each other."

Razor sharp!
Reply to this comment
by feelfree1 March 30, 2007 4:49 AM EDT
Re: "The savage attacks came as a new American ambassador began his first day on the job"

Wow! This guy got right to work!
Reply to this comment
by randalds March 30, 2007 4:43 AM EDT
I wish it was a thousand dead on every side every day, die die die. Keep it up except try to be a little more angry with each other. More please, war is so wonderful. I just love to hear the death count. more more more
Posted by terryates at 11:39 PM : Mar 29, 2007

I too wish it was a 1000 dead on each side everyday, but for a more humane reason then you. Because with a death toll of a thousand a day then maybe it would finally sicken enough people to demand that our "leaders" stop playing politics with human lives, to stop having these egotistical pis*sing contests and to stop spending all of their time trying to prove who has the bigger balls and just cut it the FU*CK out! Real human beings are dying just for their greed and their egos and nothing else! It IS time for a REAL peoples revolution!
Reply to this comment
by iceman_1960 March 30, 2007 3:45 AM EDT
Mark Twain's "War Prayer" was written as a satire on pro-war religiosity.

(In the one chance in a thousand that anyone didn't realize that.)

Mark Twain wrote "The War Prayer" during the Philippine-American War. It was submitted for publication, but on March 22, 1905, Harper's Bazaar rejected it as "not quite suited to a woman's magazine." Eight days later, Twain wrote to his friend Dan Beard, to whom he had read the story, "I don't think the prayer will be published in my time. None but the dead are permitted to tell the truth." His editor was "responsible to his Company," he explained, "and should not permit laughs which could injure its business." In his private notebook, Twain expanded his thoughts about the rejection of the story into a series of maxims about freedom of speech:

"None but the dead have free speech.

None but the dead are permitted to speak truth.

In America -- as elsewhere -- free speech is confined to the dead.

The minority is always in the right.

When the country is drifting toward Philippine robber-raid henroost raid, do not shirk your duty, do not fail of loyalty, lest you win and deserve the reproach of being a "patriot."

The majority is always in the wrong.

Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform."

Words of Mark Twain.



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