Iraqi Shiites Hit Streets To Protest U.S.

Fourth Anniversary Of Saddam's Ouster Marked With Marches In Baghdad And Najaf

(CBS/AP)  Tens of thousands draped themselves in Iraqi flags and marched peacefully through the streets of two Shiite holy cities Monday to mark the fourth anniversary of Baghdad's fall. Demonstrators were flanked by two cordons of police as they called for U.S. forces to leave, shouting "Get out, get out occupier!"

Security was tight across Iraq, with a 24-hour ban on all vehicles in Baghdad starting from 5 a.m. Monday. The government quickly reinstated the day as a holiday, rescinding its weekend order that had decreed that April 9 no longer would be a day off.

The Najaf rally was ordered by Muqtada al-Sadr, the powerful Shiite cleric who a day earlier issued a statement ordering his militiamen to redouble their battle to oust American forces, and argued that Iraq's army and police should join him in defeating "your archenemy."

Al-Sadr remains in hiding, but today, again, he proved that he commands an enormous following among Iraqs largest religious group, reports Martin Seemungal for CBS News.

Demonstrators marched from Kufa to neighboring Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad. Those marching were overwhelmingly Shiite but Sunnis, who are believed to make up the heart of Iraq's insurgency, have also called for an American withdrawal.

Some at the rally waved small Iraqi flags; others hoisted up a giant flag 10 yards long. Leaflets fluttered through the breeze reading: "Yes, Yes to Iraq" and "Yes, Yes to Muqtada. Occupiers should leave Iraq."

"The enemy that is occupying our country is now targeting the dignity of the Iraqi people," said lawmaker Nassar al-Rubaie, head of al-Sadr's bloc in parliament, as he marched. "After four years of occupation, we have hundreds of thousands of people dead and wounded."

But elsewhere in Iraq, like in the southern city of Basra, people were out celebrating the anniversary but not in Baghdad. Officially, the anniversary of the liberation is a public holiday, but for security reasons, the Iraqi government ordered a 24-hour lockdown — the streets are empty and Baghdad is virtually a ghost town, Seemungal reports.

A senior official in al-Sadr's organization in Najaf, Salah al-Obaydi, called the rally a "call for liberation."

"We're hoping that by next year's anniversary, we will be an independent and liberated Iraq with full sovereignty," he said.

Al-Sadr did not attend the demonstration, and has not appeared in public for months. U.S. officials say he left Iraq for neighboring Iran after the Feb. 14 start of a Baghdad security crackdown, but his followers say he is in Iraq.

Iraqi soldiers in uniform joined the crowd, which was led by at least a dozen turbaned clerics — including one Sunni. Many marchers danced as they moved through the streets.

The demonstration ended without violence after about three hours, but two ambulances could be seen moving slowly with the marching crowd, poised to help if violence or stampedes broke out.

Col. Steven Boylan, a U.S. military spokesman and aide to the commander of all U.S. forces in Iraq, praised the peaceful nature of the demonstration, saying Iraqis "could not have done this four years ago."

"This is the right to assemble, the right to free speech — they didn't have that under the former regime," Boylan said. "This is progress, there's no two ways about it."

In other developments:

Some 13,000 National Guard troops are receiving notice to prepare for possible deployment to Iraq, making it the second tour for several thousand of them. The orders had been anticipated, but the specific units were not announced until Monday. They are the Army National Guard's 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, based in Little Rock, Ark.; 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma City; the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Indianapolis; and the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Columbus, Ohio.

Violence persisted Monday. In southern Baghdad, a sniper killed a civilian and a policeman, and a mortar round killed one person and wounded two others, police said. Police in Buritz, about 35 miles north of Baghdad, said clashes broke out between unknown gunmen and al Qaeda fighters - leaving 30 people injured.

In a rueful reflection on what might have been, an Iraqi government insider details in 500 pages the U.S. occupation's "shocking" mismanagement of his country, a performance so bad, he writes, that by 2007 Iraqis had "turned their backs on their would-be liberators."

Senator John McCain says the House, the Senate and the majority of the American people are all wrong when it comes to Iraq. He set out to prove it last week by walking into the heart of Baghdad. What he said about security after that walk set off front page outrage in the media. In an interview with CBS' 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley, McCain says he "misspoke" about security during his visit.

Continued

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© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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by tbweb April 9, 2007 6:41 AM EDT

It's ironic that while everyone was focused on a potential full blown civil war between Shiite's and Sunni's that it now appears to have Morphed into a Shiite backlash against U.S. forces and the U.S. is now the full blown target! The U.S. should fasten its seat belts and brace for the worst!

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by kretos-2009 April 9, 2007 7:00 AM EDT

we ****** up iraq... yeah people suferring each days more people dying who will answer God about those dead kids innocent people WHO? GOD knows best.......

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by ramos937 April 9, 2007 7:30 AM EDT

To the list as to why we should not be in Iraq today, add in the Pope - the head of the Roman Catholic Church - wants us out and that the people are now demonstrating againist us and that the Iraq police and army will very likely go againist us. What will convince Bush/Cheney to leave?

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by swwils April 9, 2007 9:21 AM EDT

It doesn't matter what we do for those people in Iraq,they are still going to blow each other up and kill each other taking us with them.That country has been in turmoil since it was the host of the first known city to man.It will never change their religion dictates violence and that is the way it will be long after we Americans are gone from their.That is just the way it is!

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by preacherbob1 April 9, 2007 9:42 AM EDT

We have no business in Iraq! Carefully examine how and why we went in the first place, and we find either terribly wrong )dishonest) intelligence OR a pack of lying politicans led by Bush.

Yep, looks like we ruined that country - it is much worse than under a terrible dictator.

We need to concentrate on getting our country back on track. A sad situation.

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by bluestardad April 9, 2007 9:55 AM EDT

billysmith6; good post, well said

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by thehobman April 9, 2007 10:12 AM EDT

The Press Is A fountain Of Information For The
Enemy But We Have To Protect Them. I Think As Long
As They Are Over There They Should Protect Themselfs..They Have All The Ratings And Money.
They Never Have Any Good News On Anything Good
We Do, Only Everything Bad}}}
Because They Are Experts They Hide Behind Freedom Of The Press,,,They Have Killed Many Solders Because Of There Information They Let Out On Everything We Do,,,,If I Was In Charge I Would Tell Them Get Out..Or Go On The Otherside And See
How Long You Will Last...

Im Sick Of The Press All Doom And Gloom

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by bluestardad April 9, 2007 10:29 AM EDT

Here you go write Levin tell him not to give Bush funds for this war without a time table firm to get out! Israeli lobbiest are trying to remove the time table because they want America to stay in the Middle East! Tell him American interest first! WHEN ALL AMERICAN SCHOOL KIDS HAVE THE SCHOOL SUPPLIES THEY NEED THEN WE WILL TALK ABOUT SENDING MORE MONEY TO THE MIDDLE EAST!

Levin, Carl- (D - MI)
Class II
269 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm



If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

The House Speakers email address: [e-mail]

[e-mail] Here is the Republican Party email address too!

[e-mail] Here is the Democratic Party email address also!

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by radiob-2009 April 9, 2007 10:41 AM EDT

Monday, hundreds of thousands of Shiites from Baghdad and around the country poured into two holy cities to join demonstrations against the U.S.

Hundreds of thousands as in a couple hundred thousand? How did they manage to do this with the daily violence? If security is that good, bring our boys home. Reality is that it is not, and this war keeps dragging on with Al Sadr now calling for attacks on our soldiers. The Al Malki government allows such a statement and AL Sadr and his militia to roam free, some friend.
End this war.

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by davegf April 9, 2007 10:50 AM EDT

swills wrote:

"It doesn't matter what we do for those people in Iraq,they are still going to blow each other up and kill each other taking us with them.That country has been in turmoil since it was the host of the first known city to man.It will never change their religion dictates violence and that is the way it will be long after we Americans are gone from their.That is just the way it is!"

How many car bombings were there in Iraq in the years before the terrorist u.s. invasion??

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by irishbitch1 April 9, 2007 10:50 AM EDT

Call all of your representatives in congress and tell them to cut the funding for this war and bring our boys home, These people do not want us there so let them kill each other off and not waste one more Soldier's life for them. They are not worth it! I am a Soldier's mom and my son's life is too precious to waste on bush and his f@@king war!

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by formrusmcsgt April 9, 2007 10:55 AM EDT

Monday, hundreds of thousands of Shiites from Baghdad and around the country poured into two holy cities to join demonstrations against the U.S.

Gee, too bad Cheney wasn't there to preside over the ceremonies, eh?

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by skyk-2009 April 9, 2007 10:59 AM EDT

Im Sick Of The Press All Doom And Gloom

Posted by thehobman at 07:12 AM : Apr 09, 2007
+ report abuse

YOU think the Gloom and Doom is created by the Press? YOU think that IF the press doesn't tell us about it, then all will be well? That's absolutely REDICULOUS. The Press is free BECAUSE they will tell us what is REALLY going on from many prospectives. What you want is to pretend that the ONLY Fascist American President is fully Competent and we're winning this thing. By the time you found out that we WEREN'T, that the blunders and Incompetence has lost it for us, we wouldn't be able to turn it around. Now go play with your Bush Wind Up Doll and let the rest of us discuss what to do here. After all long after Sir Lies-A-Lot is gone, we the people will still be responsible for what happens.

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by formrusmcsgt April 9, 2007 10:59 AM EDT

Im Sick Of The Press All Doom And Gloom

Posted by thehobman at 07:12 AM : Apr 09, 2007

It appears that you have a problem with reality. You obviously would prefer rosy propaganda as opposed to actual reporting of events.

Ever try Fox News?

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by bluestardad April 9, 2007 11:00 AM EDT

WHAT PART OF PULL OUT THE TROOPS DONT YOU UNDERSTAND! BUSH, CHENEY, RICE, SHOULD BE TRIED FOR WAR CRIMES!

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by bigsk8fan April 9, 2007 11:02 AM EDT

I wonder if McCain is walking around the crowd today so that he can tell us how safe he feels.

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by radiob-2009 April 9, 2007 11:03 AM EDT

Gee, too bad Cheney wasn't there to preside over the ceremonies, eh?
Posted by formrusmcsgt


How many battalions, tanks, helicopters etc. would he need to make that appearance? McCain and him could just walk down the streets, no body armour,no guards and just take a leisurily stroll.

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by afmca April 9, 2007 11:07 AM EDT

Repeat after me ... al-Sadr IS NOT al-Qaida ; al-Sadr IS NOT al-Qaida ; al-Sadr IS NOT al-Qaida . Now that this is established, Bush/Cheney's argument that we are fighting al-Qaida in Iraq is relegated to a loadt of manure. al-Qaida is aligned with the Sunnis; our soldiers are currently being killed by Shiites. The same Shiites that use to be cannon fodder for Saddam. The truth is American soldiers are being killed by Iraqi Sunnis and Shiites that are waging a civil war - with al-Qaida , Iran, and Syria just stoking the fire enough to not get burned, but to keep the violence burning. We are in Iraq for ONE reason .. after the end of the Cold War, American defense contractors and oil companies needed another war to keep themselves profitable. Their latest quarterly numbers reflect how profitable they have become from the blood of American soldiers and Iraqi citizens.

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by davegf April 9, 2007 11:11 AM EDT

"Call all of your representatives in congress and tell them to cut the funding for this war and bring our boys home, These people do not want us there so let them kill each other off and not waste one more Soldier's life for them. They are not worth it! I am a Soldier's mom and my son's life is too precious to waste on bush and his f@@king war!"

Typical american attitude. Invade, kill hundredas of thousands, and ruin a country, then blame the Iraq people for the mess afterwards and put the invaders wellfare first. LOL

The u.s. would be an even bigger mess if we were invaded and destroyed. Just look at how terrible the american people behaved after bad weather (Katrina). Murders, assaults, rapes, robberies....simply because of a weather event.

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by barbaraf4 April 9, 2007 11:13 AM EDT

"Four years later, Iraq's largest ethnic group has come out in force to rally against the American forces that led the charge to topple Saddam."

I say we give these people what they want. Let's pull our troops out.

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by iceman_1960 April 9, 2007 11:14 AM EDT

"Yabani, a former Olympic class weightlifter, remembers the days when virtually every neighborhood was safe to walk in."

That was a few days ago, when John McCain was in town.

By the way, have there been any big pro-American demonstrations in Iraq recently ?

Don't tell me they're too scared, after all these years. They weren't too scared to vote in that big showy election, were they ?

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by davegf April 9, 2007 11:15 AM EDT

Forgot to add, the u.s. has a murder rate 3-5x that of most industrialized nations (Example: Canada, France, Germany, UK, Norway, Ireland), and 8x that of Saudi Arabia.

Makes me sick when I hear americans try to act as if the rest of the world is uncivilized compared to us. Ridiculous.

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by iceman_1960 April 9, 2007 11:17 AM EDT

Kudos to 60 Minutes, for pulling the public relations mask off John McCain last night, and showing the truth behind his bogus claims for safe strolling through Baghdad.

Those troops and armored vehicles guarding him looked like something out of "Robocop."

I could walk through hell itself, with bodyguards like those.

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by formrusmcsgt April 9, 2007 11:17 AM EDT

-I wouldn't expect the liberal cbsnews.com to have a headline any different.
Posted by singinrick at 08:11 AM : Apr 09, 2007

And just why should they have a different headline if such is the nature of the news being reported?

If you want rosy propaganda instead of news, go to Fox News, rick.

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by formrusmcsgt April 9, 2007 11:29 AM EDT

I just went to fox news
the headline there is "Al Sadr stirs up trouble"
giving the impression it was more or less just one guy
Posted by ainttaken at 08:27 AM : Apr 09, 2007

Imagine that.....

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by pwrslm April 9, 2007 11:37 AM EDT

Ya, they used to do the same thing for Saddam.

Assad can do it, so could the Taliban.

Doesnt mean anything, its nothing more than a small (yes, very small) expression by the followers of a man who would be the next tyrant of Iraq.

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by formrusmcsgt April 9, 2007 11:40 AM EDT

Doesnt mean anything, its nothing more than a small (yes, very small) expression by the followers of a man who would be the next tyrant of Iraq.
Posted by pwrslm at 08:37 AM : Apr 09, 2007

Only you would call a couple of hundred thousand voices a "very small expression", pwrslm.

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by formrusmcsgt April 9, 2007 11:43 AM EDT

Considering that the demonstrators outnumbered our entire military presence in Iraq, by your definition pwrslm, we only have a "very small" military presence there, eh?

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by perception5 April 9, 2007 11:43 AM EDT

I just went to fox news
the headline there is "Al Sadr stirs up trouble"
giving the impression it was more or less just one guy
Posted by ainttaken at 08:27 AM : Apr 09, 2007

Imagine that.....
Posted by formrusmcsgt at 08:29 AM : Apr 09, 2007

........formrusmcsgt, that's because ONLY ONE person called for the protest......Al Sadr.......unfortunately for folks on the CBS (Censoring Broadcasting Station) gives the FALSE perception it "others"......... but it's not......really sad.

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by bluestardad April 9, 2007 11:45 AM EDT

PULL OUT! NOW! When American School kids all have school supplies then we will send money to the Middle East!

ASK THESS GUYS IF THEY ARE PART OF THE SELL OUT AMERICA CROWD AND FUND THIS IRAQ WAR WITHOUT END DATES AS ISRAEL WANTS THEM TO!

Write AIPAC as they brag about buying your Elected Representatives while American soldiers are being killed and our school kids cant get supplies!

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm

Congress email http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Speakers email address: [e-mail]

Republican email [e-mail]

Democratic email [e-mail]


Baucus, Max- (D - MT)
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (D - DE)
Durbin, Richard- (D - IL)
Harkin, Tom- (D - IA)
Johnson, Tim- (D - SD)
Kerry, John F.- (D %u2013 MA
Landrieu, Mary L.- (D - LA)
Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ)
Levin, Carl- (D - MI)
Pryor, Mark L.- (D - AR)
Reed, Jack- (D - RI)
Rockefeller, John D., IV- (D - WV)


Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

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by radiob-2009 April 9, 2007 11:47 AM EDT

From the BBC

Up to one million people were expected in Najaf after an appeal by Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr, who branded US forces "your arch enemy" in a statement.


If Al Sadr is able to pull this off without limited violence , who becomes the leader of Iraq?And with these numbers why are we there?

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by formrusmcsgt April 9, 2007 11:51 AM EDT

........formrusmcsgt, that's because ONLY ONE person called for the protest......Al Sadr.......unfortunately for folks on the CBS (Censoring Broadcasting Station) gives the FALSE perception it "others"......... but it's not......really sad.
Posted by perception5 at 08:43 AM : Apr 09, 2007

Yeah right. The hundreds of thousands who responded mean nothing, eh?

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by radiob-2009 April 9, 2007 11:51 AM EDT

Typo without is supposed to with.

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by perception5 April 9, 2007 12:01 PM EDT

An excerpt from the Associated Press this morining...... not sure why CBS wants to give the impression that it wasn't al-Sadr who ORDERED the demostration:


"The Najaf rally was ordered by Muqtada al-Sadr, the powerful Shiite cleric who a day earlier issued a statement ordering his militiamen to redouble their battle to oust American forces, and argued that Iraq's army and police should join him in defeating "your archenemy."

........just more facts folks...

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by formrusmcsgt April 9, 2007 12:07 PM EDT

not sure why CBS wants to give the impression that it wasn't al-Sadr who ORDERED the demostration:

........just more facts folks...

Posted by perception5 at 09:01 AM : Apr 09, 2007

You obviously can not read. From the article above:

"Powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his militiamen to redouble their battle to oust American forces and argued that Iraq's army and police should join him in defeating "your archenemy."

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by radiob-2009 April 9, 2007 12:07 PM EDT

Ordered or not ordered, couple hundred thousand to a million people is no small event and demonstrates who holds the power in Iraq. He has stated that the US is his arch enemy. Not a good enviroment with these numbers.

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by ramos937 April 9, 2007 12:16 PM EDT

To ainttaken - dam but you are right. We "fought" to give Iraqs the freedom to chose their own way in the world. Now, they are "inviting" us to hit the road. We have completed our objective so why are we still there?

My take is that Maliki & Company want to stay in power and do not want the cleric to take over. If he does, there would be hell to pay. By staying, we protect Maliki & Company. Is this really worth American lives and funds??

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by notblue April 9, 2007 12:16 PM EDT

The BBC claimed that up to 1 million would attend the rally, The TRUTH is a couple thousand showed up. The rally was put on by RADICAL cleric Al Sadr. I guess if he says we should leave then that's what must be done. What a joke! Typical CBS story!

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by culligancan April 9, 2007 12:26 PM EDT

I just read that some of you folks are going to FOX News...shouldn't that be FAUX News? I can't believe folks actually think they are a new agency. Don't they all work for the Republican Party and the Religious Right? I can't even watch that garbage.

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by dallison7 April 9, 2007 12:26 PM EDT

The BBC claimed that up to 1 million would attend the rally, The TRUTH is a couple thousand showed up. The rally was put on by RADICAL cleric Al Sadr. I guess if he says we should leave then that's what must be done. What a joke! Typical CBS story!
Posted by notblue


YOU NEOCONS ARE UNBELIEVABLE!! YOU CAN SIT THERE AT YOUT KEYBOARD AND TYPE LIES LIKE THAT WHEN THE ARTICLE JUST ABOVE YOU PROVES YOU ARE LYING!!

INCREDIBLE!!


"Tens of thousands draped themselves in Iraqi flags and marched through the streets of two Shiite holy cities Monday, with some demonstrators calling for U.S.-led forces to leave."

Reply to this comment

by bigsk8fan April 9, 2007 12:30 PM EDT

"The BBC claimed that up to 1 million would attend the rally, The TRUTH is a couple thousand showed up. . . What a joke! Typical CBS story!" Posted by notblue

These neocons just don't get it. There are protests everywhere. Even in the USA, we have had protests. And all you can say is "wow, only a few thousand people!" A few thousand here, a few thousand there, pretty soon you are talking a lot of folks, eh neocon? This is a bad war, in a country that did NOT attack the USA. Al Sadr has always been opposed to foreign US occupation. After all these years, W still hasn't managed to turn his opinion around. Time to get a new President who can work with these folks. And get us out of Iraq.

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by radiob-2009 April 9, 2007 12:34 PM EDT

"Tens of thousands draped themselves in Iraqi flags and marched through the streets of two Shiite holy cities Monday, with some demonstrators calling for U.S.-led forces to leave."

From earlier

Monday, hundreds of thousands of Shiites from Baghdad and around the country poured into two holy cities to join demonstrations against the U.S.

CBS does need to get the facts straight here, tens of thousands is still significant and if it becomes a million as the BBC is suggesting then who is in charge of Iraq, ordered or not ordered, tens of thousands or more is alot to command to oppose our presence.

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by briannorwood April 9, 2007 12:35 PM EDT

Just great. 10 of our soldiers are killed this weekend and these ****heads are burning the American flag.

Lets give them what they're asking for! Bring our troops home and let 'em kill each other.

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by bigsk8fan April 9, 2007 12:38 PM EDT

"I just read that some of you folks are going to FOX News...shouldn't that be FAUX News? I can't believe folks actually think they are a new agency. Don't they all work for the Republican Party and the Religious Right? I can't even watch that garbage." Posted by culligancan

Yes, you can lead a neocon to the library. But you can't make them read a single book. Don't confuse the neocons and Fox with the facts. They have their own perceptions which can not be disrupted by the facts.

Reply to this comment

by profnyc April 9, 2007 12:40 PM EDT

This is so typical of our corporate media. Fox TV says that the protest march was only a couple of thousand, CBS says thousands, but the media from the REST of the world says hundreds of thousands to a million people. This is why Americans continue to be among the least politically informed and educated among the developed nations.

I wish that the politically challenged Fox TV viewers would please open up their minds to the possibility that our democracy is nearly gone. To paraphrase Jefferson, when there is a well-educated and well-informed populace, democracy is safe. In the case of the US, we have neither.

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by inventagod April 9, 2007 12:41 PM EDT

Out of the mouths of Bu$h...

"And there is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I'm sorry it's the case, and I'll work hard to try to elevate it."%u2014 Speaking on National Public Radio, Jan. 29, 2007


"You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror."%u2014Interview with CBS News, Washington D.C., Sept. 6, 2006

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by dallison7 April 9, 2007 12:46 PM EDT

Congress may not need to battle Bush over sthe war.

The Iraqis may do it for them!

Probelm is, more of our troops will die!!

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by condumism April 9, 2007 12:48 PM EDT

Here%u2019s a list of the Republican Senators up for Reelection in 08. Ask them how much Israel influences their vote on Iraq? These sell out America for Israel traitors are listed below:

Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

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by nothappyatall April 9, 2007 12:51 PM EDT

ProfNYC is right, Fox, CBS and the American media are watering this down as usual, when you go read/see the media in places like Ireland that a friend recently visited for a week- he reported the media take on the war and events are 180 degrees different- the TRUTH and reality being shown there, it's filtered and watered down HERE.

www.aljazeerah.info

Al-Jazeerah.info has been a US independent forum promoting peace between the US and the Arab and Muslim worlds and between Israelis and Palestinians, for the last five years.

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by condumism April 9, 2007 1:06 PM EDT

Where are all the FASCISTS, NEOCONS, RETHUGLICONS (all one and the same?) I know they're not working, because none of them have ever had a job based upon merits, only cronyism. The US Military idustrial complex is by far the worst when it comes to emplyment by cronysim. Take the National Labs for instance: 5 crony employed cons doing the work of one lib, while at the same time running a private business while on the federal payroll. This is a fact of life at the USA's National Labs!

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[tbweb]

It's ironic that while everyone was focused on a potential full blown civil war between Shiite's and Sunni's that it now appears to have Morphed into a Shiite backlash against U.S. forces and the U.S. is now the full blown target! The U.S. should fasten its seat belts and brace for the worst!

[kretos-2009]

we ****** up iraq... yeah people suferring each days more people dying who will answer God about those dead kids innocent people WHO? GOD knows best.......

[ramos937]

To the list as to why we should not be in Iraq today, add in the Pope - the head of the Roman Catholic Church - wants us out and that the people are now demonstrating againist us and that the Iraq police and army will very likely go againist us. What will convince Bush/Cheney to leave?

[swwils]

It doesn't matter what we do for those people in Iraq,they are still going to blow each other up and kill each other taking us with them.That country has been in turmoil since it was the host of the first known city to man.It will never change their religion dictates violence and that is the way it will be long after we Americans are gone from their.That is just the way it is!

[preacherbob1]

We have no business in Iraq! Carefully examine how and why we went in the first place, and we find either terribly wrong )dishonest) intelligence OR a pack of lying politicans led by Bush.

Yep, looks like we ruined that country - it is much worse than under a terrible dictator.

We need to concentrate on getting our country back on track. A sad situation.

[bluestardad]

billysmith6; good post, well said

[thehobman]

The Press Is A fountain Of Information For The
Enemy But We Have To Protect Them. I Think As Long
As They Are Over There They Should Protect Themselfs..They Have All The Ratings And Money.
They Never Have Any Good News On Anything Good
We Do, Only Everything Bad}}}
Because They Are Experts They Hide Behind Freedom Of The Press,,,They Have Killed Many Solders Because Of There Information They Let Out On Everything We Do,,,,If I Was In Charge I Would Tell Them Get Out..Or Go On The Otherside And See
How Long You Will Last...

Im Sick Of The Press All Doom And Gloom

[bluestardad]

Here you go write Levin tell him not to give Bush funds for this war without a time table firm to get out! Israeli lobbiest are trying to remove the time table because they want America to stay in the Middle East! Tell him American interest first! WHEN ALL AMERICAN SCHOOL KIDS HAVE THE SCHOOL SUPPLIES THEY NEED THEN WE WILL TALK ABOUT SENDING MORE MONEY TO THE MIDDLE EAST!

Levin, Carl- (D - MI)
Class II
269 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm



If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

The House Speakers email address: [e-mail]

[e-mail] Here is the Republican Party email address too!

[e-mail] Here is the Democratic Party email address also!

[radiob-2009]

Monday, hundreds of thousands of Shiites from Baghdad and around the country poured into two holy cities to join demonstrations against the U.S.

Hundreds of thousands as in a couple hundred thousand? How did they manage to do this with the daily violence? If security is that good, bring our boys home. Reality is that it is not, and this war keeps dragging on with Al Sadr now calling for attacks on our soldiers. The Al Malki government allows such a statement and AL Sadr and his militia to roam free, some friend.
End this war.

[davegf]

swills wrote:

"It doesn't matter what we do for those people in Iraq,they are still going to blow each other up and kill each other taking us with them.That country has been in turmoil since it was the host of the first known city to man.It will never change their religion dictates violence and that is the way it will be long after we Americans are gone from their.That is just the way it is!"

How many car bombings were there in Iraq in the years before the terrorist u.s. invasion??

[irishbitch1]

Call all of your representatives in congress and tell them to cut the funding for this war and bring our boys home, These people do not want us there so let them kill each other off and not waste one more Soldier's life for them. They are not worth it! I am a Soldier's mom and my son's life is too precious to waste on bush and his f@@king war!

[formrusmcsgt]

Monday, hundreds of thousands of Shiites from Baghdad and around the country poured into two holy cities to join demonstrations against the U.S.

Gee, too bad Cheney wasn't there to preside over the ceremonies, eh?

[skyk-2009]

Im Sick Of The Press All Doom And Gloom

Posted by thehobman at 07:12 AM : Apr 09, 2007
+ report abuse

YOU think the Gloom and Doom is created by the Press? YOU think that IF the press doesn't tell us about it, then all will be well? That's absolutely REDICULOUS. The Press is free BECAUSE they will tell us what is REALLY going on from many prospectives. What you want is to pretend that the ONLY Fascist American President is fully Competent and we're winning this thing. By the time you found out that we WEREN'T, that the blunders and Incompetence has lost it for us, we wouldn't be able to turn it around. Now go play with your Bush Wind Up Doll and let the rest of us discuss what to do here. After all long after Sir Lies-A-Lot is gone, we the people will still be responsible for what happens.

[formrusmcsgt]

Im Sick Of The Press All Doom And Gloom

Posted by thehobman at 07:12 AM : Apr 09, 2007

It appears that you have a problem with reality. You obviously would prefer rosy propaganda as opposed to actual reporting of events.

Ever try Fox News?

[bluestardad]

WHAT PART OF PULL OUT THE TROOPS DONT YOU UNDERSTAND! BUSH, CHENEY, RICE, SHOULD BE TRIED FOR WAR CRIMES!

[bigsk8fan]

I wonder if McCain is walking around the crowd today so that he can tell us how safe he feels.

[radiob-2009]

Gee, too bad Cheney wasn't there to preside over the ceremonies, eh?
Posted by formrusmcsgt


How many battalions, tanks, helicopters etc. would he need to make that appearance? McCain and him could just walk down the streets, no body armour,no guards and just take a leisurily stroll.

[afmca]

Repeat after me ... al-Sadr IS NOT al-Qaida ; al-Sadr IS NOT al-Qaida ; al-Sadr IS NOT al-Qaida . Now that this is established, Bush/Cheney's argument that we are fighting al-Qaida in Iraq is relegated to a loadt of manure. al-Qaida is aligned with the Sunnis; our soldiers are currently being killed by Shiites. The same Shiites that use to be cannon fodder for Saddam. The truth is American soldiers are being killed by Iraqi Sunnis and Shiites that are waging a civil war - with al-Qaida , Iran, and Syria just stoking the fire enough to not get burned, but to keep the violence burning. We are in Iraq for ONE reason .. after the end of the Cold War, American defense contractors and oil companies needed another war to keep themselves profitable. Their latest quarterly numbers reflect how profitable they have become from the blood of American soldiers and Iraqi citizens.

[davegf]

"Call all of your representatives in congress and tell them to cut the funding for this war and bring our boys home, These people do not want us there so let them kill each other off and not waste one more Soldier's life for them. They are not worth it! I am a Soldier's mom and my son's life is too precious to waste on bush and his f@@king war!"

Typical american attitude. Invade, kill hundredas of thousands, and ruin a country, then blame the Iraq people for the mess afterwards and put the invaders wellfare first. LOL

The u.s. would be an even bigger mess if we were invaded and destroyed. Just look at how terrible the american people behaved after bad weather (Katrina). Murders, assaults, rapes, robberies....simply because of a weather event.

[barbaraf4]

"Four years later, Iraq's largest ethnic group has come out in force to rally against the American forces that led the charge to topple Saddam."

I say we give these people what they want. Let's pull our troops out.

[iceman_1960]

"Yabani, a former Olympic class weightlifter, remembers the days when virtually every neighborhood was safe to walk in."

That was a few days ago, when John McCain was in town.

By the way, have there been any big pro-American demonstrations in Iraq recently ?

Don't tell me they're too scared, after all these years. They weren't too scared to vote in that big showy election, were they ?

[davegf]

Forgot to add, the u.s. has a murder rate 3-5x that of most industrialized nations (Example: Canada, France, Germany, UK, Norway, Ireland), and 8x that of Saudi Arabia.

Makes me sick when I hear americans try to act as if the rest of the world is uncivilized compared to us. Ridiculous.

[iceman_1960]

Kudos to 60 Minutes, for pulling the public relations mask off John McCain last night, and showing the truth behind his bogus claims for safe strolling through Baghdad.

Those troops and armored vehicles guarding him looked like something out of "Robocop."

I could walk through hell itself, with bodyguards like those.

[formrusmcsgt]

-I wouldn't expect the liberal cbsnews.com to have a headline any different.
Posted by singinrick at 08:11 AM : Apr 09, 2007

And just why should they have a different headline if such is the nature of the news being reported?

If you want rosy propaganda instead of news, go to Fox News, rick.

[formrusmcsgt]

I just went to fox news
the headline there is "Al Sadr stirs up trouble"
giving the impression it was more or less just one guy
Posted by ainttaken at 08:27 AM : Apr 09, 2007

Imagine that.....

[pwrslm]

Ya, they used to do the same thing for Saddam.

Assad can do it, so could the Taliban.

Doesnt mean anything, its nothing more than a small (yes, very small) expression by the followers of a man who would be the next tyrant of Iraq.

[formrusmcsgt]

Doesnt mean anything, its nothing more than a small (yes, very small) expression by the followers of a man who would be the next tyrant of Iraq.
Posted by pwrslm at 08:37 AM : Apr 09, 2007

Only you would call a couple of hundred thousand voices a "very small expression", pwrslm.

[formrusmcsgt]

Considering that the demonstrators outnumbered our entire military presence in Iraq, by your definition pwrslm, we only have a "very small" military presence there, eh?

[perception5]

I just went to fox news
the headline there is "Al Sadr stirs up trouble"
giving the impression it was more or less just one guy
Posted by ainttaken at 08:27 AM : Apr 09, 2007

Imagine that.....
Posted by formrusmcsgt at 08:29 AM : Apr 09, 2007

........formrusmcsgt, that's because ONLY ONE person called for the protest......Al Sadr.......unfortunately for folks on the CBS (Censoring Broadcasting Station) gives the FALSE perception it "others"......... but it's not......really sad.

[bluestardad]

PULL OUT! NOW! When American School kids all have school supplies then we will send money to the Middle East!

ASK THESS GUYS IF THEY ARE PART OF THE SELL OUT AMERICA CROWD AND FUND THIS IRAQ WAR WITHOUT END DATES AS ISRAEL WANTS THEM TO!

Write AIPAC as they brag about buying your Elected Representatives while American soldiers are being killed and our school kids cant get supplies!

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm

Congress email http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Speakers email address: [e-mail]

Republican email [e-mail]

Democratic email [e-mail]


Baucus, Max- (D - MT)
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (D - DE)
Durbin, Richard- (D - IL)
Harkin, Tom- (D - IA)
Johnson, Tim- (D - SD)
Kerry, John F.- (D %u2013 MA
Landrieu, Mary L.- (D - LA)
Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ)
Levin, Carl- (D - MI)
Pryor, Mark L.- (D - AR)
Reed, Jack- (D - RI)
Rockefeller, John D., IV- (D - WV)


Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

[radiob-2009]

From the BBC

Up to one million people were expected in Najaf after an appeal by Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr, who branded US forces "your arch enemy" in a statement.


If Al Sadr is able to pull this off without limited violence , who becomes the leader of Iraq?And with these numbers why are we there?

[formrusmcsgt]

........formrusmcsgt, that's because ONLY ONE person called for the protest......Al Sadr.......unfortunately for folks on the CBS (Censoring Broadcasting Station) gives the FALSE perception it "others"......... but it's not......really sad.
Posted by perception5 at 08:43 AM : Apr 09, 2007

Yeah right. The hundreds of thousands who responded mean nothing, eh?

[radiob-2009]

Typo without is supposed to with.

[perception5]

An excerpt from the Associated Press this morining...... not sure why CBS wants to give the impression that it wasn't al-Sadr who ORDERED the demostration:


"The Najaf rally was ordered by Muqtada al-Sadr, the powerful Shiite cleric who a day earlier issued a statement ordering his militiamen to redouble their battle to oust American forces, and argued that Iraq's army and police should join him in defeating "your archenemy."

........just more facts folks...

[formrusmcsgt]

not sure why CBS wants to give the impression that it wasn't al-Sadr who ORDERED the demostration:

........just more facts folks...

Posted by perception5 at 09:01 AM : Apr 09, 2007

You obviously can not read. From the article above:

"Powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his militiamen to redouble their battle to oust American forces and argued that Iraq's army and police should join him in defeating "your archenemy."

[radiob-2009]

Ordered or not ordered, couple hundred thousand to a million people is no small event and demonstrates who holds the power in Iraq. He has stated that the US is his arch enemy. Not a good enviroment with these numbers.

[ramos937]

To ainttaken - dam but you are right. We "fought" to give Iraqs the freedom to chose their own way in the world. Now, they are "inviting" us to hit the road. We have completed our objective so why are we still there?

My take is that Maliki & Company want to stay in power and do not want the cleric to take over. If he does, there would be hell to pay. By staying, we protect Maliki & Company. Is this really worth American lives and funds??

[notblue]

The BBC claimed that up to 1 million would attend the rally, The TRUTH is a couple thousand showed up. The rally was put on by RADICAL cleric Al Sadr. I guess if he says we should leave then that's what must be done. What a joke! Typical CBS story!

[culligancan]

I just read that some of you folks are going to FOX News...shouldn't that be FAUX News? I can't believe folks actually think they are a new agency. Don't they all work for the Republican Party and the Religious Right? I can't even watch that garbage.

[dallison7]

The BBC claimed that up to 1 million would attend the rally, The TRUTH is a couple thousand showed up. The rally was put on by RADICAL cleric Al Sadr. I guess if he says we should leave then that's what must be done. What a joke! Typical CBS story!
Posted by notblue


YOU NEOCONS ARE UNBELIEVABLE!! YOU CAN SIT THERE AT YOUT KEYBOARD AND TYPE LIES LIKE THAT WHEN THE ARTICLE JUST ABOVE YOU PROVES YOU ARE LYING!!

INCREDIBLE!!


"Tens of thousands draped themselves in Iraqi flags and marched through the streets of two Shiite holy cities Monday, with some demonstrators calling for U.S.-led forces to leave."

[bigsk8fan]

"The BBC claimed that up to 1 million would attend the rally, The TRUTH is a couple thousand showed up. . . What a joke! Typical CBS story!" Posted by notblue

These neocons just don't get it. There are protests everywhere. Even in the USA, we have had protests. And all you can say is "wow, only a few thousand people!" A few thousand here, a few thousand there, pretty soon you are talking a lot of folks, eh neocon? This is a bad war, in a country that did NOT attack the USA. Al Sadr has always been opposed to foreign US occupation. After all these years, W still hasn't managed to turn his opinion around. Time to get a new President who can work with these folks. And get us out of Iraq.

[radiob-2009]

"Tens of thousands draped themselves in Iraqi flags and marched through the streets of two Shiite holy cities Monday, with some demonstrators calling for U.S.-led forces to leave."

From earlier

Monday, hundreds of thousands of Shiites from Baghdad and around the country poured into two holy cities to join demonstrations against the U.S.

CBS does need to get the facts straight here, tens of thousands is still significant and if it becomes a million as the BBC is suggesting then who is in charge of Iraq, ordered or not ordered, tens of thousands or more is alot to command to oppose our presence.

[briannorwood]

Just great. 10 of our soldiers are killed this weekend and these ****heads are burning the American flag.

Lets give them what they're asking for! Bring our troops home and let 'em kill each other.

[bigsk8fan]

"I just read that some of you folks are going to FOX News...shouldn't that be FAUX News? I can't believe folks actually think they are a new agency. Don't they all work for the Republican Party and the Religious Right? I can't even watch that garbage." Posted by culligancan

Yes, you can lead a neocon to the library. But you can't make them read a single book. Don't confuse the neocons and Fox with the facts. They have their own perceptions which can not be disrupted by the facts.

[profnyc]

This is so typical of our corporate media. Fox TV says that the protest march was only a couple of thousand, CBS says thousands, but the media from the REST of the world says hundreds of thousands to a million people. This is why Americans continue to be among the least politically informed and educated among the developed nations.

I wish that the politically challenged Fox TV viewers would please open up their minds to the possibility that our democracy is nearly gone. To paraphrase Jefferson, when there is a well-educated and well-informed populace, democracy is safe. In the case of the US, we have neither.

[inventagod]

Out of the mouths of Bu$h...

"And there is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I'm sorry it's the case, and I'll work hard to try to elevate it."%u2014 Speaking on National Public Radio, Jan. 29, 2007


"You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror."%u2014Interview with CBS News, Washington D.C., Sept. 6, 2006

[dallison7]

Congress may not need to battle Bush over sthe war.

The Iraqis may do it for them!

Probelm is, more of our troops will die!!

[condumism]

Here%u2019s a list of the Republican Senators up for Reelection in 08. Ask them how much Israel influences their vote on Iraq? These sell out America for Israel traitors are listed below:

Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

[nothappyatall]

ProfNYC is right, Fox, CBS and the American media are watering this down as usual, when you go read/see the media in places like Ireland that a friend recently visited for a week- he reported the media take on the war and events are 180 degrees different- the TRUTH and reality being shown there, it's filtered and watered down HERE.

www.aljazeerah.info

Al-Jazeerah.info has been a US independent forum promoting peace between the US and the Arab and Muslim worlds and between Israelis and Palestinians, for the last five years.

[condumism]

Where are all the FASCISTS, NEOCONS, RETHUGLICONS (all one and the same?) I know they're not working, because none of them have ever had a job based upon merits, only cronyism. The US Military idustrial complex is by far the worst when it comes to emplyment by cronysim. Take the National Labs for instance: 5 crony employed cons doing the work of one lib, while at the same time running a private business while on the federal payroll. This is a fact of life at the USA's National Labs!