U.S. Death Toll In Iraq Tops 3,500

23 Deaths In First Six Days Of June, Almost Double That Of June 2006

(CBS/AP)  A guard shot the driver as he approached the building, but the truck still penetrated its blast walls and exploded, destroying the one-story structure, said Capt. Mohammed Ahmed of the army's Third Division. Rabia is 50 miles west of Mosul and about three miles from Syria.

An hour later, in Ramadi, 70 miles west of Baghdad, police said three policemen were killed and four wounded when a suicide driver blew up his automobile at their checkpoint near the traffic police headquarters.

U.S. military spokesman Maj. Jeff Pool disputed the report and offered different details, saying Iraqi police foiled the attack by shooting at a dump truck, causing it to explode. He said several civilians were wounded, but nobody was killed except the attacker.

In other attacks Thursday, mortar shells landing in two districts of western Baghdad killed two civilians and wounded 12 others, police reported.

On the offensive early Thursday, a joint Iraqi-American force raided locations in Baghdad's Sadr City and detained 16 suspected members of a "secret cell terrorist network" believed helping transport weapons, including advanced roadside bombs, from Iran to Iraq, the U.S. command reported.

An Iraqi police officer said two on-duty policemen in the area were wounded by random fire from the raiding party.

At midday, in another incident, an exploding roadside bomb targeting a U.S. patrol wounded two Iraqi civilians in the Neiriya area of eastern Baghdad, and two others were wounded when the Americans opened fire randomly at the scene, an Iraqi police officer said.

All the Iraqi police officers spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information and feared repercussions.

The U.S. command press information center said it had no immediate information on the casualties in those two incidents.

In another development, the British ambassador to Iraq, Dominic Asquith, issued an appeal to the kidnappers of five Britons, held since May 29, to release them or open negotiations.

The five — four security guards and a consultant — were abducted from the Iraqi Finance Ministry by some 40 heavily armed men who then rode off with them in the direction of Sadr City.

Iraqi officials have said they believe they were taken by the radical Shiite Mahdi Army militia, possibly in retaliation for the killing by British forces of the militia's commander in the southern city of Basra.

"I ask those holding them to release them so they may return to their families," Asquith said. Then, in a clear offer to consider demands, he added, "We have people here in Iraq who are ready to listen to any person about this incident, or any person who may be holding these men and who may wish to communicate."

Much of the Mahdi Army is believed loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who said Thursday that he maintains "friendship and good relations" with Iran but rejects any interference by Tehran in Iraq's affairs.

Al-Sadr made the comments in an interview on Iraqi state television, nearly two weeks after he re-emerged in public after dropping out of sight amid a U.S.-Iraqi security crackdown nearly four months ago.

The anti-American cleric dodged a question about his disappearance from public view during which he was believed to have been in Iran. But he said he rejected Iranian interference in Iraqi affairs.

"I must maintain friendship and good relations with Iran but nothing else," he said.

The Mahdi Army, which fought U.S. forces in 2004, has been blamed for many of the Sunni-Shiite sectarian attacks in Iraq. The U.S. accuses Iran of fueling the violence by providing weapons and training fighters.

[antoniof123]

seven-pesos chill man I am from the South and I don't like what is happening in fact I was against this from the begining were you? The other thing not all the people from the South are from the South, many have moved here from the North.

It is not the American peoples fault they were mislead back when this started and they lost focus on what the world was trying to say.

It is not too late but it will take time to stop the madness the best thing to do is keep the presure up like write you congress and tell them how you feel.

Congress does not read the news and we already know that the administration does not pay attention to anyone but themselves.

[toldyouso21]

but our VA will help him out, also my daughter and I. So until you have done 2 deployment in 3 years, KEEP YOUR *** OPINION to you self.
Posted by jvs1mom at 10:50 PM : Jun 07, 2007

Until you have actually dealt with the VA and the hlp you will or will not actually receive--you might want to do the same. We look forward to hearing your complaining when you find out how much you and your husband will NOT be getting for the forseeable future.

[toldyouso21]

Never ask people whose job is on the line--how they think they are doing--they have a vested interest.....in that, their job is on the line. Not many are going to say --that situation is going very badly or is fvcked--after all--to ask for an assessment is basically to ask them to self evaluate the job they are doing. Most people do not deliberately hamstring their own jobs.

Best to have the ISG or another group go and look--what military commander would say: "It is FUBAR and I don't know how to fix it but I'm told to buy more time" If the public did not pull the plug on such a person for the statements--his employer surely would.
Posted by toldyouso21 at 02:07 AM : Jun 08, 2007

[feelfree1]

This is a banner day!!!

CBS made it through an entire article concerning the Iraq debacle, without including a single fairy-tale about 'al-Qaeda-in-Iraq'.

The fact is, that the resistance in Iraq- armed and otherwise, has always been composed of the People of Iraq. We have squandered our blood, treasure, and honor there, mostly for the glory of Corporate plunder, and we have allowed our run amok regime to claim the lives of around 1 million Iraqis so far, in the mean time.

Obviously, the Iraqi people have every right to defend themselves against the brutal and illegal invasion of their country, and against invader collaborators, including the puppet government officials. That is the bottom line.

It is high time to put a stop to this:

www.ipetitions.com/petition/OutNow

[mh4cbs1]

"3500 US deaths in Iraq since 2003?...there have been over 49,368 [US] murders...from only 2003, 2004, 2005. Sounds like Iraq is the SAFE place to be." Posted by effallah at 09:04 PM : Jun 07, 2007

effallah:
See what happens to you when you watch FOx "News"! You start repeating their talking points as your brain cells deteriorate. That's why you sound like a senseless NeoCon zombie.

Let me help you with a little 3rd grade math (I'll even use your numbers), to try to pull you back from the dark side (poor thing!).
US troop deaths" 3,500/150,000 = 2.3%
US murders: 49,368/300 Million = 0.02%

I hope you didn't already move to Iraq (you mindless twit).

[bareemperor]

Real Americans must be asking "WHY"???

[vinepetal904]

the world is diverse, the cbs news front page is not so diverse ... there are lots of naked people in the world (half the world has no toilet), but none at cbs news begging for a toilet ... there are a lot of naked people, but not at cbs news screaming oppression ... there are a lot of five year olds with get well soons to issue to thier parents or teachers for this grievance or that, but not at cbs news ... there are many prostitutes, but not at cbs news because caging and collaring pros for money is moral ... there are lots of folk with no lunch money, but they are not in line at cbs news to beg for a bite ... i hate it

[mh4cbs1]

vs1mom:
"Keep your opinion to yourself"??

How UN-American. It is our duty as citizens to speak out against the sick policies of Cheney/Bush, which have cost the lives of 3,500 troops, 800 contractors, $500 Billion and at least a hundred thousand Iraqi lives. Thats why so many veterans are PROTESTING against this disgusting, anti-American Cheney/Bush regime!

It is obvious to anyone who has been paying attention that Cheney/Bush LIED us into Iraq as part of a long-standing goal (outlined in the PNAC position papers) to dominate the MiddleEast with military force. Now, sure enough, they are pressuring the Iraqi parliament to pass an Oil Law that turns over their nationalized Oil to US Corporations.

The sooner we get OUT of Iraq the sooner our troops come home, the sooner the region will stabalize.

[nothappyatall]

". We rarely seek gratitude...for we feel that it is our duty...a duty that fewer and fewer Americans are willing to commit to. "

That's because more and more people are waking UP to the lies, deceit and bullchit we have been spoon-fed by the Bush regime, but actually this started long ago with the cold war with Russia and how we were worked into a frenzy of fear about how Russia was going to take over the USA.

Years later, after billions squandered on missil silos now abandoned, tens of thousands of nuclear warheads, chemical weapons, battleships and more- we discovered in the 80s that gee, when we actually visited and talked to Russians they were people like us and the whole thing just fell apart with the cold war, arms race and threats that never existed.

[pdfr]

Just a poorly educated president. Its pretty hard to manufacture weapons of mass destruction under sanctions in Iraq because it has few natural resources other than oil. Second there were just around 30 Al Queeda terrorists in a camp in the no fly zone that iraqi soldiers couldn't attack without getting bombed. It would have been far cheaper to bomb that camp from the air. Instead of wasting so many lives in a needless war.

[seven-pesos]

history shows what happens when southerners get the power in america.

the south has a dark and sordid past.

bush is just the latest chapter to come out of that most militaristic and extremist region of america.

the south never does good for america.

always war, hate, phony christian creeps and crooked republican snakes.

ha,ha,ha.

that's the south for you, folks!

[jvs1mom]

I have sat here and listen to people downgrade this WAR. My husband SFC A.Shirah came hone from his 2nd deployment yesterday (June 6, 2007)/. He told me that there was alot of blodod shen, but our VA will help him out, also my daughter and I. So until you have done 2 deployment in 3 years, KEEP YOUR *** OPINION to you self.

[tucano2]

3500 LIVE armed troops on our Southern border would sure have been a much better use of the talent and training wasted in Iraq. Thanks to Bush and Kennedy and their clique the USA is wide open to destruction from within our own borders. So why are our young people in Iraq? Why is there a single Illegal Alien still in OUR country? Shame, shame, shame on those advocating white flag surrender to the Illegal Aliens.

[detherton63]

"Maybe you didn't didn't mean what you said...or perhaps you did. Before you post your deathwish for me and my fellow Soldiers in a public forum, you should remember that we do what we do for YOU. We rarely seek gratitude...for we feel that it is our duty...a duty that fewer and fewer Americans are willing to commit to. God Bless you, my fellow American...and God Bless our Great Nation"

I have to admit that when I read his original post I thought "what an a$$hole".

But then I realized that he was using sarcasm to get his message across and that he wasn't actually serious.
Posted by mcdazz at 09:56 PM : Jun 07, 2007


Sometimes sarcasm can send a powerful message. Please, for a moment, put yourself in the place of a CNA (Casualty Notification Officer), the Soldier who has the hidius task of knocking on a door at 6:00 am to tell a family member that his or her loved one is not coming home alive. It's the most painful scenario you could ever imagine, even if you never knew the Soldier. Please let us not forget the "Human Factor" when we are expressing our political views. Yes, the situation in Iraq is a mess. But, before we make heartless statements, let us remember that these Soldiers who are dying are our friends, sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, etc. Asking for more lives to make a political statement does not help the grieving process for those who have suffered unimaginable losses.

[ubrew12]

"3500 US deaths in Iraq since 2003?...there have been over 49,368 [US] murders...from only 2003, 2004, 2005. Sounds like Iraq is the SAFE place to be." Posted by effallah at 09:04 PM : Jun 07, 2007

Move there. Possibly 750,000 Iraqi deaths have also occurred, but... whose counting?

detherton63 wrote:

"Maybe you didn't didn't mean what you said...or perhaps you did. Before you post your deathwish for me and my fellow Soldiers in a public forum, you should remember that we do what we do for YOU. We rarely seek gratitude...for we feel that it is our duty...a duty that fewer and fewer Americans are willing to commit to. God Bless you, my fellow American...and God Bless our Great Nation"

I have to admit that when I read his original post I thought "what an a$$hole".

But then I realized that he was using sarcasm to get his message across and that he wasn't actually serious.

mh4cbs1 wrote:

"Then visualize Cheney as he sneers at the anti-war critics as he snarls that they "don't have the stomach far War". This from a 5-deferment draft-dodger.

Cheney and Bush LIED us into this needless, horrific War. JAIL these murderous thugs!"

Everytime I see Cheney open his big, fat, smug, cowardly mouth he makes me feel sick.

He would easily have to be one of the most morally bankrupt, evil and disgusting men to have cursed this earth with his presence.

He has no redeeming characteristics or qualities.

It's a d@mn shame that innocent Americans and Iraqis are dying so that this creeps net wealth can grow.

I hope he dies a long and painful death, and that he suffers one minute of excruciating pain for each and every innocent life that he has helped end.

[detherton63]

Quote from winnerindia: "The number of US troops killed or burnt on daily basis should be increased in order to save the money of an American tax payer. This would also force snakes to call back our troops."

" Tell that to the spouses, parents and children of our service members who are currently serving in the Theater of Operations. ...without reservation, to protect the likes of you.
Posted by detherton63

"I am never saying that our soldiers should be killed. I merely wrote in a stiric manner that the *** holes who are not calling back our troops should call back troops whatever the excuse may be. Will they call troops after they are killed in scores greater than Vietnam? I am afraid."

Posted by winnerindia

Maybe you didn't didn't mean what you said...or perhaps you did. Before you post your deathwish for me and my fellow Soldiers in a public forum, you should remember that we do what we do for YOU. We rarely seek gratitude...for we feel that it is our duty...a duty that fewer and fewer Americans are willing to commit to. God Bless you, my fellow American...and God Bless our Great Nation

[seven-pesos]

hallelujah!...

in the south they're singing praises to the lord...

3,500 american soldiers have met their fate and become martyrs for jesus christ.

they will be glorified in heaven... praise to george bush!

it's a great day in the south!...praised be the lord.

we must continue to fight these muslim aggressors.

christian soldiers...you must fight this scourage from the east.

forward soldiers!...let not the mourning of your mothers and sisters deter you from your appointed task.

your reward will be in heaven.

praised be the lord!

[bluestardad]

Here are a list of the Congress that is Responsible for keeping this War going! They are in the pocket of the Israeli Lobby Group AIPAC I hope the soldiers families in their states remember this!

Also Carl Levin (D)
Steny Hoyer (D)


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)