BAGHDAD, Oct. 23, 2007
U.S. Deaths In Iraq Continue To Decline
Officials Credit Troop Surge For Drop In U.S. Military And Iraqi Civilian Deaths
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Photo
U.S. Army troops guard a checkpoint in the Mansour district in western Baghdad. The death toll for U.S. soldiers, as well as Iraqi civilians, is on pace to decline for a second straight month in October. (AP Photo/Wisam Sami)
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Profiles of U.S. soldiers who've died in Iraq, a look at the war's toll and pictures of mourning.
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Battle For Iraq
The government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos.
Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch points to what the military calls "Concerned Citizens" - both Shiites and Sunnis who have joined the American fight. He says he's signed up 20,000 of them in the past four months.
"I've never been more optimistic than I am right now with the progress we've made in Iraq. The only people who are going to win this counterinsurgency project are the people of Iraq. We've said that all along. And now they're coming forward in masses," Lynch said in a recent interview at a U.S. base deep in hostile territory south of Baghdad. Outgoing artillery thundered as he spoke.
Lynch, who commands the 3rd Infantry Division and once served as the military spokesman in Baghdad, is a tireless cheerleader of the American effort in Iraq. But the death toll over the past two months appears to reinforce his optimism. The question, of course: Will it last?
As of Tuesday, the Pentagon has reported 28 U.S. military deaths in October. At the current pace, the monthly total will be about 37 or 38. That would be the lowest total since 31 in March 2006 and the second lowest monthly toll stretching back to February 2004, when 20 soldiers died.
In September, 65 U.S. soldiers died in Iraq.
Part of the trend can be seen in a volatile and violent band of lush agricultural land on Baghdad's southern border.
The commander of the battle zone - Lt. Col. Val Keaveny, 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne) - said his unit has lost only one soldier in the past four months despite intensified operations against both Shiite and Sunni extremists, including powerful al Qaeda in Iraq cells.
Keaveny attributes the startling decline to a decrease in attacks by militants who are being rounded up in big numbers on information provided by the citizen force - which has literally doubled the number of eyes and ears available to the military.
In other developments:
© 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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See all 87 CommentsWhy Don''t You Know Ron Paul??????
The corporate media will not give Ron Paul any Exposure. Because, NBC is owned by GE. GE is one of the world''s largest war-makers. They make things that go boom. They make $Billions on war. A Ron Paul administration would be bad for business. CNN is owned by AOL. Majority share holder is Saudi Royal Talal who is also partners with GHWBush in The Carlyle Group. Another major warmaker. And on and on. You get the picture. This is why they are doing a Media Blackout on him. Because they don''''t WANT YOU TO KNOW THE TRUTH!
Who is Ron Paul?
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/about
Ron Paul WON The GOP Debate On Sunday!
Again No EXPOSURE!
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RON PAUL IS THE ONLY POLITICAN REPUBLICAN OR
DEMOCRAT THAT WILL STOP THE WAR! NO ONE ELSE
WILL, PERIOD! WAKE UP AMERICA! VOTE RON PAUL 2008
TAKE CARE OF AMERICA AND OUR PEOPLE FIRST, INSTEAD
OF HAVING OUR CHILDREN DIE IN A B.S. WAR!
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Re: "October is on course to record the second consecutive decline in U.S. military and Iraqi civilian deaths and American commanders say they know why: the U.S. troop increase and an Iraqi groundswell against al Qaeda and Shiite militia extremists."
The U.S. military does not "do" body counts, remember?
The majority of our forces are hiding in the Green Zone, and the craven, sub-human mercenaries of Blackwater just got their chain yanked, so they are not available to stage as many bombings, and blame them on the dubious and fictional "al-Qaeda-in-Iraq".
Plus, having killed 1 million Iraqis so far, in this illegal and disgraceful effort, having wrongfully imprisoned countless others, and having displaced millions more, there just aren''t as many opportunities for "our troops" to kill Iraqis as there used to be.
This is why they are able to give the perception of fewer casualties.
That doesn''t stop "our troops" from trying to rmap it up, though. Some cowardly morons in our military just murdered 11 more Iraqi civilians.
It is safe to conclude that anything claimed by cowardly boot-licking war criminals like Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, is an intentional lie aimed at justifying their own crimes and atrocities, unless proven otherwise.
"People are fed up with fear, intimidation and being brutalized. Once they hit that tipping point, they''re fed up,"
This craven fascist is correct on this point, but when the tipping point is reached, the life expectancy for U.S. propaganda tools like Lt. Col. Val Keaveny, is expected to drop sharply.
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isnt that what you are selling? FEAR..imaginary fear
Regards,
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Posted by Nancy_Naive at 04:40 PM : Oct 23, 2007
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the problem with that is..these terrorists DO NOT ABIDE TO YOUR PHILOSOPHY...they will gladly kill your arse..anywhere..anytime..EVEN IF YOU DONT FIGHT...(they prefer the ones that dont fight)
when this is said and done..history will know who cowered in fear and sided with the enemy...
DEMOCRAT THAT WILL STOP THE WAR! NO ONE ELSE
WILL, PERIOD! WAKE UP AMERICA! VOTE RON PAUL 2008
TAKE CARE OF AMERICA AND OUR PEOPLE FIRST, INSTEAD
OF HAVING OUR CHILDREN DIE IN A B.S. WAR!
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Posted by StopTheWarrr at 04:57 PM : Oct 23, 2007
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RON PAUL was also a REPUBLICAN who voted NAY on the SSCHIP dealio to overturn Bush''s veto.. SHAME on him.
This is bull s h i t and you righties know it. But you say it because you have nothing else to offer other than extremism. You say this lie just to antagonize because that''s who you are. When this is said and done, history will still recognize the immoral (and un-American) nature of the Iraq war, whether win, lose or draw.
when this is said and done..history will know who cowered in fear and sided with the enemy...
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Posted by xzavierbrown at 06:37 PM : Oct 23, 2007
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tell me again who our enemy is? Right.. Al Qaida. Was Sadaam protecting Al Qaida? The answer is NO. So why did we invade their sovereign nation? Oh yeah, we uprooted their people, and forced at least 2 or so million people to flee the homes they''ve lived in for generations. Can''t you UNDERSTAND that? The insurgency isn''t Al Qaida... it''s the natives of Iraq who feel betrayed by our gov''t because we went in there and slaughtered innocents which just creates MORE resentment and MORE revenge killings by Iraqis! If another nation came in and invaded YOUR home and killed your father, mother, sister, brother... would YOU be hugging the troops who did that? or would you swear to get your revenge on them?? Let''s say they came over to free you from your terrorist leader, George Bush... Well, get ready, because i bet that''s going to happen and YOU will be called the "insurgent" and "enemy combattant"... amazing how the neoCONS just don''t GET IT.
We fight where we are needed to fight. Iraq is not one of those places. But as usual, the neocon talking point of "liberals never fight" has to be pushed, doesn''t it?
Yeah, how am I an immoral criminal? I didn''t realize being against unjust wars is immoral. And I am not extreme left, I am moderate who leans to the left. Oh, but I forgot. To you neoclowns, if you aren''t a goosestepping Busher, then you are extreme left.
Nope, Saddam didn''t. Saddam wouldn''t allow anyone in his country who could vie with him for power. The lie you push is a common righty talking point. So effective that a third of Americans still believe 9-11 was launched by Iraq. But except for an offer to provide cash for families of suicide victims against Israel, Saddam was in a box.
And YOU tell us again how Iraq didn''''t let them train on their soil as well as provide money to attack the US...GROW UP and stop believing in the fu(ked up conspirocy theroy you love to cater to...
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Posted by sbbm at 07:04 PM : Oct 23, 2007
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wow, more LIES you spread.. Sadaam and Bin Laden were ENEMIES because Sadaam was SECULAR.. i.e., NON RELIGIOUS... do you not get that? He had zero control of the area of iraq that the camp was in. Furthermore, even your Emporer George Bush flat out admitted that Iraq had NOTHING to do with 09/11.
Al Qaida was NOT a nationalized force of Iraq and they were NOT funded by Iraq... no matter how you spin it... so how do you justify war with Iraq?
Last letter from doomed Al Qaida chief: "We are so desperate for your help"
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2007/ss_iraq_09_30.asp
Iraq insurgency: People rise against al-Qa''eda
Damien McElroy spent a week in the heart of the insurgency in Anbar province in Iraq. In the second of seven exclusive reports he describes how peace and prosperity have returned to a town formerly riven by sectarian killings.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/08/wanbar308.xml
Al Qaeda Dealt Devastating Blow in Iraq
The U.S. military says it has dealt devastating and potentially irreversible blows to Al Qaeda in Iraq in recent months, leading some generals to advocate a declaration of victory over the group, which the Bush administration has long described as the most lethal U.S. adversary in Iraq, the Washington Post reported Monday.
Al-Qaeda In Iraq Reported Crippled
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/14/AR2007101401245_pf.html
REHAB IS NOT JUST FOR HOLLYWOOD TERRORISTS NOW
U.S. Tries Rehab For Religious Extremists
Singapore Has Reduced Its Detainee Ranks With Islamic Reeducation; A Model For U.S.?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/09/world/main3347089.shtml
the Iraqi war is legal, demonic-rat hero oscar, emmy, nobel prize winning al bore says so,,,
it actually never ended since it only stopped by the signing of a ceasefire,,, just like the korean war,,,
the resumption of hostilities was only a matter of time since iraq broke the ceasefire agreement,,,
blame saddam for iraq,,, Even clintoon and the dems wanted the resumption of hostilities back in 1998,,,
"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country." - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
"Iraq''s search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power." - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
Moreover, no international law can prevent the United States from taking actions to protect its vital interests, when it is manifestly clear that there is a choice to be made between law and survival. I believe, however, that such a choice is not presented in the case of Iraq. Indeed, should we decide to proceed, that action can be justified within the framework of international law rather than outside it. In fact, though a new UN resolution may be helpful in building international consensus, the existing resolutions from 1991 are sufficient from a legal standpoint. - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/gore/gore092302sp.html
What''s the matter Laes, kicked off the board AGAIN?
Also, it sounds like the Iraqis are standing up so that the US can stand DOWN. Guess it''s time to bring the troops home... We honor our troops... we don''t want any more to die in this fight.... please send them home and do *NOT* fund this war with another 196 billion dollars please.
NONE OF US IS FREE UNLESS ALL ARE FREE!!!
WHY IS IT NOT ONE MUSLIM COUNTRY GRANTS EQUAL RIGHTS TO NON MUSLIMS???
Being non-Muslim in Islamic nations means ''protection''--and problems.(World: Iraq)
The official term for this right is "dhimmitude." The world''s foremost expert on the subject, Bat Ye''Or, coined the word in 1983 to describe the legal and social condition of Jews and Christians (dhimmis) subjected to Islamic rule. Broadly interpreted, it appears benign: Non-Muslims enjoy a protected status among their Muslims neighbors: But dhimmitude becomes problematic because its supposed safeguards and protections can be withdrawn as selectively as they are applied by rulers or governments of Islamic states.
In Iraq, as in other predominately Muslim states, Christianity has existed side by side with Islam for centuries. For some observers (as well as those who experience it firsthand), the status of Christians is not one of cheery coexistence. Rather, it may be more like the old racial divides in the United States, where blacks lived near, but not integrated into, white society, and where they "kept their place"--separate and unequal.
In a July 24 interview with NCR, Baghdad Archbishop Jean Sleiman, leader of Iraq''s Latin Catholic church, said that in Iraq, "Christians and Muslims can I-live] side by side--but only side by side. Side by side, but not equally. No mixing, no integration."
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-121763784.html
CANYOUTELLME
cuz i would really like to know if there are any out of all the terrorislamic countries,,, is there even one that grants equal rights to non muslims???
and please please please CANYOUTELLME why they do not???
and CANYOUTELLME if that is legal under international law???
CANYOUTELLME
cuz i would really like to know if there are any out of all the terrorislamic countries,,, is there even one that grants equal rights to non muslims???
and please please please CANYOUTELLME why they do not???
and CANYOUTELLME if that is legal under international law???
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Posted by rerrorislam3 at 07:30 PM : Oct 23, 2007
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That is just ridiculous.. flat out ridiculous. Nothing in international law requires that countries must grant equal rights to all citizens regardless of their ethnicity. I can cite many NON muslim countries that ALSO do not grant equal rights to all citizens.
Just go away.. CBS has banned your multiple IDs so you keep coming up with more.. just disappear please.
in the words of Team America:
"America, F**k YEAH!"
Posted by CANYOUTELLME at 07:40 PM : Oct 23, 2007
name them please,,,
Posted by CANYOUTELLME at 07:40 PM : Oct 23, 2007
name them please,,,
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Posted by rerrorislam3 at 07:46 PM : Oct 23, 2007
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since you can come up with links all the time, do your OWN research... look up the following:
"foreigner" "own land" "country" and you will find that foreigners who become citizens in other lands are NOT granted the same rights to own land as the natives of the land are. That is ONE such difference that DOZENS if not HUNDREDS of countries subscribe to.
18 year olds are not granted the right to drink legally, but 21 year olds are. Explain that one to me. Also those under 18 don''t have anywhere NEAR the same rights as those 18 and over. In addition, look up property ownership rights in hawaii... you''ll be surprised at what you find. I guess the US is run by Terrorists then too eh? what a joke you are.
i am not talking about foreigners,,, i am talking about citizens that are not muslims,,, in a muslim country,,,
are you trying to justify the way terrorislam torments non muslims??? because of land ownership,,,
name one non muslim country that does not allow a citizen of that country to own land???
the question is equal rights granted to adult citizens that are not muslim in muslim countries,,,
are under 18 yo non muslim citizens granted equal rights in muslim countries???
did not think so,,,
try to focus,,,
Thats a GWB personal victory. The surge is working pretty good. There are no more truck bombers in crowded markets. No more death squads. Anbar province is a roses garden.Al qaeda in Iraq is defeated.
Thats why democrats are so desperate and hystericals.
That sounds good.
Only 37 or 38 hearses to line up outside the church to greet Jenna, the happy bride and her proud dad.
In the meantime, only 37 or 38 families to mourn their sons and daughters who, unlike Jenna, will never marry and raise a family.
Hail to the Butcher of Crawford!!!
LOL
Thats why democrats are so desperate and hystericals.
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Posted by I_Say_So at 08:50 PM : Oct 23, 2007
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ROFLMAO Right!! IF America listens to you clowns we''re still hearing Mission Accomplished!! ROFLMAO You think that American''s, NOW KNOWING Bush LIED us into a War, a War we did NOT have to fight because there WERE NO WEAPONS... WAS no CONNECTION to Bin Laden, has cost our kids futures.. has allowed those who attacked us to completely rebuilt..you think America is going to be okay with all that because YOU say the surge is working? ROLFMO These people are religious extremist sparky, they are going to fight, the question is when. It would appear they are going to wait us out... how much are you willing to pay out to this insanity??? Sieg Heil Bush.
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Posted by screen_ident at 09:01 PM : Oct 23, 2007
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Sir, I''m a combat Veteran and you are absolutely sick!! Now when Bush decided to start this war I was listening VERY carefully to ALL arguments. IF we listen to "Libs" we allow those inspectors to continue... we allow them to PROVE to us that there were no WMD''s and a lot of American Families have a loved one this Christmas. You can''t make this mess right...it was based on PURE LIE!! Now we have a very big hole to dig out of here, the entire world is turned on us, we are spending money we can''t afford, trying to save a Policy that WE the PEOPLE want ended. Try... PLEASE just try to be an American HERE!! When it''s been 5 years and we still do not have a functioning Government in that nation, I don''t think you should mention what "Lib''s" thought.
The fact that we''''re spending at least a trillion dollars in Iraq and thousands of lives while Bin Laden is free to build his network and even put out press releases is glaring proof of what a total failure Iraq is.
Posted by beecuster
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Since none of us can go back in time, what is your poin? When do you just except that mistakes are made and give an opportunity to move on from there? There does come a time when you just have to move on.
Would you rather there be no improvement? Would you rather not, as an American citizen wish the best for all concerned?
Posted by MCVet
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So what is your answer?
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I would question the crediblity of your "inspectors"..
your inspectors apoligzed for allowing money to be funnelled to saddam ILLEGALLY..your inspectors blundered africa and burma..your inspectors are constatly bit*chslapped around..
rohink
It''s a failed policy and a disaster that''s simply being punted to the next administration. It''s a war with no end in site. The whole reason for the surge was to make way for political reconciliation. That''s simply not happening.
xzavierbrown
The inspectors were right about Iraq. You and idiots like you were dead wrong as usual.
The Dems are a joke and as soon as Hillary has to debate Rudy, she is going down
Why Don''t You Know Ron Paul??????
The corporate media will not give Ron Paul any Exposure. Because, NBC is owned by GE. GE is one of the world''s largest war-makers. They make things that go boom. They make $Billions on war. A Ron Paul administration would be bad for business. CNN is owned by AOL. Majority share holder is Saudi Royal Talal who is also partners with GHWBush in The Carlyle Group. Another major warmaker. And on and on. You get the picture. This is why they are doing a Media Blackout on him. Because they don''''t WANT YOU TO KNOW THE TRUTH!
Who is Ron Paul?
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/about
Ron Paul WON The GOP Debate On Sunday!
Again No EXPOSURE!
Who Owns The Media: http://www.mediaowners.com
***************************
RON PAUL IS THE ONLY POLITICAN REPUBLICAN OR
DEMOCRAT THAT WILL STOP THE WAR! NO ONE ELSE
WILL, PERIOD! WAKE UP AMERICA! VOTE RON PAUL 2008
TAKE CARE OF AMERICA AND OUR PEOPLE FIRST, INSTEAD
OF HAVING OUR CHILDREN DIE IN A B.S. WAR!
***************************
Ron Paul Goes Head To Head With Bernanke "Federal Reserve" Explaining Why Our Economy Is So Poor! Watch This Video America So You Can Understand Your Own Dollar And The Hidden Inflation Tax!
WATCH THIS VIDEO:
http://tinyurl.com/345s6g
Join The ReVoLuTiOn In Your City Stand Up America:
http://ronpaul.meetup.com/cities/
jedi08
What is victory in Iraq, a bumper sticker?
Posted by micma at 09:54 PM : Oct 23, 2007
There are those who say we need more time for inspections to "work." To this I respond that it is not a matter of how much time to give inspectors but of how much time we have already given Iraq. And in these 12 long years, the regime has yet to even accept disarmament in principle, according to Dr. Blix. At this point, giving Iraq more time may well be wishful thinking. Arguing for more time is essentially telling Saddam Hussein that the threat of "serious consequences" is hollow, just like every other threat made over the past 12 years. It does none of us any good to let Saddam Hussein think he can wear us down into his version of business as usual.
http://www.state.gov/s/d/former/armitage/remarks/17094.htm
THEY ARE LOSING
Last letter from doomed Al Qaida chief: "We are so desperate for your help"
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2007/ss_iraq_09_30.asp
Iraq insurgency: People rise against al-Qa''eda
Damien McElroy spent a week in the heart of the insurgency in Anbar province in Iraq. In the second of seven exclusive reports he describes how peace and prosperity have returned to a town formerly riven by sectarian killings.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/08/wanbar308.xml
Al Qaeda Dealt Devastating Blow in Iraq
The U.S. military says it has dealt devastating and potentially irreversible blows to Al Qaeda in Iraq in recent months, leading some generals to advocate a declaration of victory over the group, which the Bush administration has long described as the most lethal U.S. adversary in Iraq, the Washington Post reported Monday.
Al-Qaeda In Iraq Reported Crippled
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/14/AR2007101401245_pf.html
REHAB IS NOT JUST FOR HOLLYWOOD TERRORISTS NOW
U.S. Tries Rehab For Religious Extremists
Singapore Has Reduced Its Detainee Ranks With Islamic Reeducation; A Model For U.S.?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/09/world/main3347089.shtml
al qaeda is dead in iraq,,, ask osama mama,,, hahaha
sillywilly4
Of course, the troops are to be commended for doing a fantastic job even though they are being led by a criminally incompetent administration who''s sent them on a fools errand. Al Qaeda is there because we are there. By the Pentagon''s own estimates, they represent less than 5% of the insurgency.
%u201CWhy we stand for immediate withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq%u201D
%u201CTHE U.S. occupation of Iraq has not liberated the Iraqi people, but has made life worse for most Iraqis.%u201D
%u201CTens of thousands of U.S. service people have been killed or maimed, and hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis have lost their lives as a result of the U.S. invasion in 2003, the ongoing occupation, and the violence unleashed by them.%u201D
%u201CIraq''s infrastructure has been destroyed, and U.S. plans for reconstruction abandoned. There is less electricity, less clean drinking water, and more unemployment today than before the U.S. invasion.%u201D
%u201CAll of the justifications initially provided by the U.S. for waging war on Iraq have been exposed as lies; the real reasons for the invasion %u2014 to control Iraq''s oil reserves and to increase U.S. strategic influence in the region %u2014 now stand revealed.%u201D
%u201CThe Bush administration has insisted again and again that stability, democracy, and prosperity are around the next bend in the road%u2026But the U.S. has deliberately stoked sectarian divisions in its ongoing attempt to install a U.S.-friendly regime, thus driving Iraq towards civil war.%u201D
%u201CWe call on the U.S. to get out of Iraq %u2014 not in six months, not in a year, but now.%u201D
www.ipetitions.com/petition/OutNow
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