9 U.S. Troops Killed In New Iraq Offensive

Military Says 6 Soldiers Killed In Booby-Trapped House In Diyala; 3 Others Die In Salahuddin

(CBS/AP)  Nine American soldiers were killed in the first two days of a new American drive to kill al Qaeda in Iraq fighters holed up in districts north of the capital, the U.S. military reported Wednesday.

The two deadly attacks came as many militants fled American and Iraqi forces massing in Diyala, a province of palm and citrus groves that has defied the trend toward lower violence. The campaign's scope is nationwide but is mostly focused on gaining control of the province and its most important city, Baqouba, which al Qaeda has declared the capital of its self-styled Islamic caliphate.

Six soldiers were killed and four were wounded Wednesday in a booby-trapped house in Diyala. The military also announced that three U.S. soldiers were killed and two were wounded in an attack Tuesday in Salahuddin province, north of Diyala.

All indications are that the al Qaeda fighters retreated north from Diyala, presumably to Salahuddin, before the current operation began Tuesday, said the top U.S. commander in northern Iraq, Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling.

"Operational security in Iraq is a problem," Hertling said Wednesday, noting that the Iraqi army uses unsecured cell phones and radios. "I'm sure there is active leaking of communication."

Only Baghdad province has been deadlier than Diyala the past two years, according to an Associated Press count.

And while violence has declined over the past six months in Baghdad and many other places in Iraq, much of Diyala has remained a killing field. At least 273 civilians were slain in Diyala last month, compared to 213 in June. Over the same span, monthly civilian deaths in Baghdad dropped from 838 to 182.

The reason for the surge of bloodshed is that insurgents who were pushed out of the western province of Anbar and out of Baghdad shifted their operations into Diyala, U.S. commanders say.

Still, the tree-lined farm region is more difficult terrain for fighting insurgents than the desert of Anbar, suggesting Diyala may not have seen the last of al Qaeda in Iraq. Compounding the difficulty for the military is the checkerboard pattern of Shiite and Sunni communities adjacent to one another.

The military will need a period of peace and stability to meet its goal of speeding up work on basic services and other civic projects that commanders believe will win more allies for the American effort.

Speaking in Baghdad, Hertling said there would be three basic phases to the offensive:

First, U.S. and Iraqi forces will try to clear areas of insurgents. Iraqi police will then move in to establish some law and order. Finally, the "Awakening Groups" or "Concerned Local Citizens" - mostly Sunni fighters who have joined the Americans in battling al Qaeda - will be relied upon to maintain stability after troops move on.

It is these Awakening Groups that are al Qaeda's bulls-eye of the moment. The terror group, perhaps spurred by Osama bin Laden's audio message late last year, has been carrying out suicide strikes on civilians who have sided with the Americans against al Qaeda in Iraq.

There have been other types of attacks as well. Hertling showed a video taken by a U.S. drone showing militants in Diyala dragging a man from the trunk of a car, throwing him into a ditch and then shooting him.

Asked about the timing of the U.S. operation, Hertling said the answer was simple.

"Why now? Because we can. Baghdad is more secure. Anbar is more secure," he said. "Why now? Because ... the enemy has moved into these (northern) provinces."

Hertling said that in his area of control - Diyala, Salahuddin, Kirkuk and Nineveh provinces - 24,000 American soldiers, 50,000 members of the Iraq army and 80,000 Iraqi police are taking part in the offensive against al Qaeda in Iraq.

"There are more U.S. and Iraqi security forces in Diyala now than there ever has been," he said. "We're attempting to increase the tempo of operations in that specific province."

Hertling said his troops had killed 20 to 30 insurgents so far.

Meanwhile, in Kirkuk, 180 miles north of Baghdad, a pair of nearly simultaneous car bombings damaged two Christian churches and wounded two people, according to a senior police officer there. Brig. Sarhat Qadir said the bombings at the Chaldean church of the Heart of Jesus and the Assyrian church of Mar Afram took place within 10 minutes of each other.

The two churches, about 700 yards apart, were empty at the time of the attacks, which came after a series of bombings Sunday targeted three churches in Mosul, 225 miles northwest of Baghdad. No one was hurt in those attacks.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite, told the Vatican's ambassador to Iraq on Tuesday that his government was working to ensure the safety of Christians in the country.

Christians, who make up about 3 percent of Iraq's estimated 26 million people, have been frequent targets of attacks by militants since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Many have fled to neighboring countries.

In other developments:

A handful of U.S. reconstruction team leaders based in Iraqi provinces have given President Bush mixed reviews on political success in the country. While some report success, many problems remain - a lot of them with Iraq's central government.

President Bush told reporters after his meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul that he supported Turkey's efforts to fight the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK rebels, in northern Iraq. Mr. Bush called the PKK an enemy to Turkey, Iraq and "to people who want to live in peace."

Nearly half of U.S. diplomats unwilling to volunteer to work in Iraq say one reason for their refusal is they don't agree with Bush administration's policies in the country, according to a survey released Tuesday. Security concerns and separation from family ranked as the top reasons for not wanting to serve in Iraq. But 48 percent cited "disagreement" with administration policy as a factor in their opposition, said the survey conducted by the American Foreign
Service Association, the union that represents U.S. diplomats.

Police said Tuesday that gunmen kidnapped eight members of a newly formed U.S.-backed Shiite armed group in northern Baghdad's Shaab neighborhood, one of the capital's most dangerous areas and a center for outlawed Shiite fighters. The men had been manning a checkpoint when they were seized Monday night, a police officer said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release information.

The number of Iraqis fleeing their homeland has declined in recent months, primarily because neighboring countries refuse to let them enter, the U.N. refugee agency said Tuesday. The improvement in security in some areas of Iraq also may play a role, said Ron Redmond, spokesman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. "It could be a whole combination of things," he said. An estimated 2 million Iraqis are living outside their country, most of them having left since the U.S.-led invasion nearly five years ago, according to UNHCR.



© MMVIII, 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 feelfree1 January 9, 2008 4:07 PM PST

Re: "Nine American soldiers were killed in the first two days of a new American drive to kill al Qaeda in Iraq fighters..."

9 more dead soldiers in an illegal and self-defeating war of aggression; dead from chasing the imaginary MADE-in-USA psy-ops hoax, known as "al-Qaeda-in-Iraq".

Didn''t the Butcher of Crawford tell us that this ficticious group was defeated, again?

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by antoniof123 January 9, 2008 4:09 PM PST

It begins again did I read that they had 138 dead and that is supposed to be good. I think if we extrapolate the Republicans have now killed more than the former dictator Saddam did in all his years.

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by superdem January 9, 2008 4:11 PM PST

I''m amazed this is being reported. The Republican owned media has been squelching such reports for months. I guess 9 dead is too hard to hide. McCain wants to stay in Iraq for 100 years, too. Get a nice big wall ready for all the names.

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by noloyalisti January 9, 2008 4:16 PM PST

Poor dumb kids. Still fooled by the scared bushco chickenhawk neocons. They could have gone to college.

We need to impeach ASAP.

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by baghdadshere January 9, 2008 4:21 PM PST

singinrick,,,,Funny to think FellFree1 is a male gay posting from Ukraine. But the truth is that he/she/both could be an arabic posting from Gaza strip, or even an al-qaeda member posting from the remote border of Pakistan/Afghanistan in an al-qaeda compound, or even a Russian vodka dependent who hates America, or even a comunist posting from Cuba. In any case his a SOB who somehow learned the English language and now stays all day posting his/hers/its lies.

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by citizenusa-2009 January 9, 2008 4:25 PM PST

When Kuchnich said baby Bush was mentally ill, he hit the nail on the head. While the politicians are running their campaigns and otherwise occupied, little George continues to play war at every one else''s expense. Sickening!

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by feelfree1 January 9, 2008 4:26 PM PST

From the last known journalist at CBS:

"Why our troops must leave Iraq"

By Walter Cronkite and David Krieger

The American people no longer support the war in Iraq. The war is being carried on by a stubborn president who, like Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon during the Vietnam War, does not want to lose. But from the beginning this has been an ill-considered and poorly prosecuted war that, like the Vietnam War, has diminished respect for America. We believe Mr. Bush would like to drag the war on long enough to hand it off to another president.

The war in Iraq reminds us of the tragedy of the Vietnam War. Both wars began with false assertions by the president to the American people and the Congress. Like Vietnam, the Iraq War has introduced a new vocabulary: "shock and awe," "mission accomplished," "the surge." Like Vietnam, we have destroyed cities in order to save them. It is not a strategy for success.

The Bush administration has attempted to forestall ending the war by putting in more troops, but more troops will not solve the problem. We have lost the hearts and minds of most of the Iraqi people, and victory no longer seems to be even a remote possibility. It is time to end our occupation of Iraq, and bring our troops home.

More at:

www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/x1211480742

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by feelfree1 January 9, 2008 4:34 PM PST

%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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by noloyalisti January 9, 2008 4:50 PM PST

poopus,singinrick and baghdadshere have shown they are part of the radical fringe. Most Americans want to end the occupation now and are liberal in their thinking. When the right wingnuts are proven to be wrong headed they start advocating violence.

The failed policy of the scared imperialistic neocons must be ended ASAP hopefully through impeachment. Those who don''t stand with the majority are the ones who should leave if they don''t like it. We progressives want to stay to make things better.

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by edward1975-2009 January 9, 2008 4:52 PM PST

Those who oppose the war lay the blame at the presidents feet, like he was the only one involved. What a pity for these blind fools. Short memories always benefit the uninformed, to justify their tunneled visioned views. We knew this would take time and it will continue to take time. I wonder what will be their spin when all is achieved.

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by rohink-2009 January 9, 2008 5:01 PM PST

Any compassion for those that lost their lives? They were someone that had family, loved ones and friends that will mourn them. Or are you just too busy with your agenda.

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by fitedafuture January 9, 2008 5:04 PM PST

WARNING TO ALL, POOPUS DOES HAVE LEVEL 4 CLEARANCE AT THE PENTAGON AND CAN BLACKLIST YOU AT A MOMENTS NOTICE.YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WARNED.

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by micma-2009 January 9, 2008 5:07 PM PST

2007 was the deadliest year so far for American troops. Looks like Bush is trying to best himself in 2008. Stay the curse!

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by feelfree1 January 9, 2008 5:08 PM PST

rohink,

Re: "Any compassion for those that lost their lives?"

Do you feel badly for the 1 million+ dead Iraqis, or the millions more that have been maimed, imprisoned, raped tortured, displaced, soddomized, and/or impoverished, as a result of this fraud-based and criminal war of aggression, waged by our Resident?

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by yongamerica January 9, 2008 5:14 PM PST

FeelFree1 you numbers are made up like all your lies. You have no facts, just the propaganda your Iranian handlers give you.

There is no war in Iraq. Everything you read about, and see on TV is a fabrication by the Iranians trying to start a war with the most benevolent nation on earth. Americans are a people of peace.

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by liberalme January 9, 2008 5:30 PM PST

Those who oppose the war lay the blame at the presidents feet, like he was the only one involved. What a pity for these blind fools. Short memories always benefit the uninformed, to justify their tunneled visioned views. We knew this would take time and it will continue to take time. I wonder what will be their spin when all is achieved.
Posted by Edward1975 at 04:52 PM : Jan 09, 2008

No weapons of mass destruction, no democracy, the surge is working, all Iraquis are back home, have water and electricity, we have all the oil Bush wants and our troops are coming home---yep pretty much achieved I''d say------NOT!!!

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by notblue January 9, 2008 5:38 PM PST

liberlme, Sadam used weapons of mass destruction on his own people. The Cemocratically elected Iraqi Government allowed Sadam to be tried, he was found guilty of genocide for the use of thosae weapons and executed by his own people. If he had been transparent with the world he would not have been invaded.

THe surge IS working, violence is down, even your beloved DEms like Murtha have admitted it.

If it not for the Islamic militants basic services would be restored by now.

THe Iraqis are returning, CBS news reported that story.

30,000 troops are scheduled to come home in the next 6 months as per announced.

So what are you talking about?????

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by smirk5 January 9, 2008 5:38 PM PST

If we actually had Al-Qaeda in Iraq on the run months ago, they''d have run out of Iraq by now. How long does it take a runner to finish a marathon? A few hours? If the enemy were on the run for months, they should be out of the middle east by now. I don''t think the enemy was ever really on the run. They probably head home for dinner in the evening to hang out with the family and for some TV when the electricity is on.

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by smirk5 January 9, 2008 5:39 PM PST

Bombings have risen in the past weeks. Now this. The surge is working less and less.

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by notblue January 9, 2008 5:43 PM PST

How did these brave men die? Radical Militants "booby trapped" a house. Just another day and yet another glaring example of the evil cowardly enemy we are fighting.

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by marcodele January 9, 2008 5:45 PM PST

If Iraquis came onto U.S. soil and invaded your house, wouldn''t you consider booby trapping it?

We don''t belong there.

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by liberalme January 9, 2008 5:48 PM PST

liberlme, Sadam used weapons of mass destruction on his own people. The Cemocratically elected Iraqi Government allowed Sadam to be tried, he was found guilty of genocide for the use of thosae weapons and executed by his own people. If he had been transparent with the world he would not have been invaded.

Who put Sadam in power? Who provided Sadam with those weapons?

The US took out what they created---and not for weapons of mass destruction but for oil.
Bush invaded an unarmed country--Bin Laden was not in Iraq!
The surge may SEEM to be working--do you really believe we scared them off? Naw--I don''t trust them anymore than I trust Bush---maybe Bush and Cheney know where they are-wouldn''t surprise me!

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by secundus2 January 9, 2008 5:50 PM PST

I didn''t get very far in officer training, but far enough to read the manuals on strategy and tactics. The book says that offensive operations into areas under enemy control will result in casualties in the attacking force, simply because the enemy have prepared defenses. The media may not understand that ''rule'' but the military certainly does. Glad I never had to be an officer to take such decisions, because commanders realize in advance that they will lose men.

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by smirk5 January 9, 2008 5:52 PM PST

The way to prove that we are now less cowardly than the enemy:
Arm our men with only robes, sandals, AK-47s, RPGs, and some explosives. No air support, no advanced communications or GPS, no artillery except small mortars, no tanks, no armored vehicles, etc. I''m betting our men wouldn''t we willing to do that.

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by searingtruth January 9, 2008 5:56 PM PST

I see we''re still playing whack-a-mole in Iraq, and declaring it victory.

And the more evil and brutal we become, the more who will turn against us, forever.
ST


"A brutal hand is despised by all it touches."
SearingTruth

"We became evil to fight evil, assuring its victory."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

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by smirk5 January 9, 2008 5:57 PM PST

The surge is working. Tap Tap Tap.
The surge is working. Tap Tap Tap.
The surge is working. Tap Tap Tap.
There''s no place like home. Tap Tap Tap.
And now Cons, this isn''t a Larry Craig reference.

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by liberalme January 9, 2008 6:05 PM PST

Bush and Cheney manipulated this war before 911. Their only mistake was, they were stupid enough to think we''d be in and out--Al Queda messed up their plans big time--shows just how stupid they are.

What they have done to this country and the Iraquis is history that will never be forgotten--what a legacy.
It is frightening to see what two uncontrolled people can do with no oversight and no remorse.

Sadly, it will be up to the next president to "fix" what these people have done, not only to this nation, but how other nations regard us.
Hopefully soon, we''ll all be able to walk with our heads held high and be proud to be Americans again.

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by liberalme January 9, 2008 6:14 PM PST

Our best chance for victory is to
(1) get ALL media out of Iraq
(2) prohibit all journalists, all reporting
(3) just fight like crazy to win. Whatever it takes, just do it.

Yep--going after Al Queda/terrorists is sort of like fishing in the ocean trying to catch the last fish!!

Can anyone say DUH??????????????

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by liberalme January 9, 2008 6:16 PM PST

This article is a lie, is not posted in the FOX NEWS WEBSITE. FOX NEWS never lies and will never twist the truth.
Posted by samt66 at 06:11 PM

HAhahahahahahahahaha--best joke of the year so far!!

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by noloyalisti January 9, 2008 6:25 PM PST

poopus,singinrick and baghdadshere have shown they are part of the radical fringe. Most Americans want to end the occupation now and are liberal in their thinking. I hope those guys are in favor of the war tax and are sending money in for the war effort.

When the right wingnuts are proven to be wrong headed they start advocating violence. Not very Christian. Pretty hypocritical actually.

The failed policy of the scared imperialistic neocons must be ended ASAP hopefully through impeachment. Those who don''t stand with the majority are the ones who should leave if they don''t like it. We progressives want to stay to make things better.

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by joyous88 January 9, 2008 6:25 PM PST

See what happens when the troops leave the green zone

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by joyous88 January 9, 2008 6:33 PM PST

the surge is not working , the troops have been standing down out of harms way in their bunkers, now that they have come out they are getting killed again,

as for the Iraqi''s no one knows how many of them are dieing, seen reporter out there lately?

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by liberalme January 9, 2008 6:34 PM PST

Totally agree with you Nancy!

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by inventagod January 9, 2008 6:36 PM PST

The Surge of Lies STILL is not working....
Centuries of sectarian division cannot be ''cured'' by a few more American troops. Security was temporarily tightened, but more troops died last year than ever.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has little incentive to act when American troops remain to provide some security and stability.
In truth, al Qaeda has regrouped, bin Laden is still at large, Afghanistan is still a quagmire and Pakistan is now melting down.
Bu$h and Cheney are not held responsible even now. Why not? Are they better liars now than in the past?
No - they are still just liars, but Congress is on the take, and getting richer.
Nothing will change until average Americans get off their butts and hold politicians responsible at last.
These are YOUR tax dollars they are spewing into the already-rich Middle East...

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by rohink-2009 January 9, 2008 6:45 PM PST

I see the answer to my earlier question is a no.

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by jackie0428 January 9, 2008 6:47 PM PST

MichaelT302: great job and great post. Yes, FeelFree1 is an Islamist-terrorist lover and supporter. I know that and most of us out here know it as well. Don''t let him get under your skin. He''s quite a buffoon, and has no idea what he''s talking about. Keep up the good work and the good fight. It is worth fighting to know the truth, even if you will not get any of it from traitors such as FeelFree1.

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by liberalme January 9, 2008 6:51 PM PST

FeelFree1


Don''t pay any attention to the war mongers they are a minority.

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by jerr11 January 9, 2008 6:55 PM PST

Looks like we need to pay more money to those sunni mercenaries.

Where''s the money coming from?

Print more of them! Bush and Cheney are very good at printing money in their basement.

Look at how far the mighty dollar has fallen since they took office!

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by jerr11 January 9, 2008 7:02 PM PST

Will Iraq last 19-years?

Posted by mocaleo at 06:57 PM : Jan 09, 2008



According to Comeback-grandad McCain, it could be 100 years!

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by robin22222 January 9, 2008 7:04 PM PST

Worldwide Coverage of the Sibel Edmonds Bombshell!
And in the United States of America...um....
Good news! The bombshell report on the front page of London''s Sunday Times on charges made by former FBI translator Sibel Edmonds, has finally led to press coverage by the mainstream media!

From one side of the globe to the other, as expected, the explosive whistleblower allegations concerning highly-placed, well-known U.S. officials in the Departments of State and Defense involved in an illicit, for-profit scheme to develop and protect a network of spies, who then stole and sold American nuclear secrets to the international black markets via Turkey, Israel and Pakistan, is now worldwide news!

That, even though the Times only covered "about 20%" of the story she has to tell, according to Edmonds, with whom we spoke late last night.

Sunday''s British blockbuster, detailing how nuclear secrets were then proliferated to Iran, Libya, North Korea, and potentially even al-Qaeda, was picked up on Monday and reported by international mainstream outlets such as The Times of India, Pakistan''s Daily Times, Iran''s PressTV, Israel''s Haaretz and even the Turkish Daily News.

Here in the United States, the mainstream media coverage included:

That''s right. Nobody. None of them. Zilch.

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by prinzowhales January 9, 2008 7:06 PM PST

It should be noted that the Zionists bombed Jewish targets in Baghad in order to encourage immigration to Israel to provide stoop labour for the Ashkenazi elites decades aqo and that the Bush Regime and its Neo-Con associates would not be above doing the same thing to Christian targets in Iraq if it would garner them more support at home. Assyrian Christians have been in hot water with their countrymen before by being visible in their support of the British occupation.

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by robin22222 January 9, 2008 7:10 PM PST

(cont)from below



Edmonds told The BRAD BLOG last night that her phone had been ringing of the hook since the Times story hit. From reporters around the globe, she said. As to America: "Not a single mainstream media channel, not even a newspaper."

Apparently American nuclear secrets, stolen by "moles" at America''s most sensitive nuclear installations, sold on the black market with the help and protection of highly placed American officials, which then found their way into the hands of America''s enemies, is not notable news to Americans. According to the American corporate mainstream media, anyway. We suppose they''re all too busy fighting the War on Terror in New Hampshire or something.

And you wonder how our country got into this mess?

Edmonds was no longer amazed by it all. We still are.

(Hat-tip to Mizgnn, a Kurdish blogger at Rastn, for her collection of foreign press articles covering the Sunday Times story. Note: Mizgnn also has some harsh words for the coverage of our friend Larisa Alexandrovna of RAW STORY at that same link. We are friends with Alexandrovna, and are thus likely compromised on this point. So we''ll stay out of it for now and let each of them deal with the particulars as they see fit.)

UPDATE 6:22pm PT Credit where it''s due. Independent American broadcast media outlet, INN World Report, seen on some satellite TV providers, covered the report in detail, including an interview with yours truly...

Reply to this comment

by jackie0428 January 9, 2008 7:10 PM PST

Prinzowhales, you are a complete and total liar. What you just said was total nonsense. Provide dates and URLS to back it up. If you don''t, your post stands as another one of your daily lies on CBS.

Reply to this comment

by bobnjersey January 9, 2008 7:11 PM PST

[You think we are losing, when we have been winning for over 6 months now. ]
[Posted by michaelt302 at 06:44 PM : Jan 09, 2008]

what defines winning?

Reply to this comment

by ajaxtheleast January 9, 2008 7:13 PM PST

NOW IT''S OFF TO THE MIDDLE EAST ! ! !

What is the difference between BozoMan desperately

searching for a positive legacy and DiarrheaMan

just discovring that his toilet broke?

The answer is off to the right of this

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by liberalme January 9, 2008 7:27 PM PST

Do you not have kids or families? Do you not care about the long-term future? Do you not care if your kids survive to grow up? Do you not care that your kids may have to re-fight this war 20 years hence if we don%u2019t win it NOW? The cowardice I see on CBS forums is unbelievable and unspeakable.

WIN WHAT????????????????????????????????
It''s like shooting fish in a barrel!!!
If it''s so easy--why haven''t we caught Bin Laden yet??? Why are most of the names on the FBI terrorist list Americans? Why haven''t ALL the terrorists all over the world been caught yet?
How long have we been in Iraq????
We don''t give a RA if they are living back into the 1400''s- that''s how long "those" people have been fighting---WE"RE NOT!!
And YES I have a grandson who has been to Iraq and is currently on standby AGAIN!!

Cowards??? I''ll bet most of those who blog here HAVE been in a conflict or two and they are against this debacle of a war!

What will we have achieved OIL for George?? Just exactly WHAT will we WIN???????????????????

Reply to this comment

by ioweign January 9, 2008 7:34 PM PST

[You think we are losing, when we have been winning for over 6 months now. ]
[Posted by michaelt302 at 06:44 PM : Jan 09, 2008]

what defines winning?


Posted by bobnjersey at 07:11 PM : Jan 09, 2008


We have been winning for a looong time...

Remember "Mission Accomplished" - 5/1/2003

Reply to this comment

by joyous88 January 9, 2008 7:36 PM PST

there is no war just a joke of an occupation;

osama bin laden scored a lucky hit on the world trade towers, he never had a thought in his head about them collapsing,

the tragedy here is that a criminal administration has gotten to manipulate the american people into borrrowing 9 TRILLION DOLLARS out of a self created fear of another attack as phony as this war.

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by liberalme January 9, 2008 7:36 PM PST

Well maybe my grandsons prize was coming back alive and in one piece.

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by liberalme January 9, 2008 7:49 PM PST

Well, I see the U.S. is sending 3,000 more World Police Officers to Afghanistan.
Posted by Nancy_Naive at 07:46 PM :

Probably because Osama is in Pakistan!

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[feelfree1]

Re: "Nine American soldiers were killed in the first two days of a new American drive to kill al Qaeda in Iraq fighters..."

9 more dead soldiers in an illegal and self-defeating war of aggression; dead from chasing the imaginary MADE-in-USA psy-ops hoax, known as "al-Qaeda-in-Iraq".

Didn''t the Butcher of Crawford tell us that this ficticious group was defeated, again?

[antoniof123]

It begins again did I read that they had 138 dead and that is supposed to be good. I think if we extrapolate the Republicans have now killed more than the former dictator Saddam did in all his years.

[superdem]

I''m amazed this is being reported. The Republican owned media has been squelching such reports for months. I guess 9 dead is too hard to hide. McCain wants to stay in Iraq for 100 years, too. Get a nice big wall ready for all the names.

[noloyalisti]

Poor dumb kids. Still fooled by the scared bushco chickenhawk neocons. They could have gone to college.

We need to impeach ASAP.

[baghdadshere]

singinrick,,,,Funny to think FellFree1 is a male gay posting from Ukraine. But the truth is that he/she/both could be an arabic posting from Gaza strip, or even an al-qaeda member posting from the remote border of Pakistan/Afghanistan in an al-qaeda compound, or even a Russian vodka dependent who hates America, or even a comunist posting from Cuba. In any case his a SOB who somehow learned the English language and now stays all day posting his/hers/its lies.

[citizenusa-2009]

When Kuchnich said baby Bush was mentally ill, he hit the nail on the head. While the politicians are running their campaigns and otherwise occupied, little George continues to play war at every one else''s expense. Sickening!

[feelfree1]

From the last known journalist at CBS:

"Why our troops must leave Iraq"

By Walter Cronkite and David Krieger

The American people no longer support the war in Iraq. The war is being carried on by a stubborn president who, like Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon during the Vietnam War, does not want to lose. But from the beginning this has been an ill-considered and poorly prosecuted war that, like the Vietnam War, has diminished respect for America. We believe Mr. Bush would like to drag the war on long enough to hand it off to another president.

The war in Iraq reminds us of the tragedy of the Vietnam War. Both wars began with false assertions by the president to the American people and the Congress. Like Vietnam, the Iraq War has introduced a new vocabulary: "shock and awe," "mission accomplished," "the surge." Like Vietnam, we have destroyed cities in order to save them. It is not a strategy for success.

The Bush administration has attempted to forestall ending the war by putting in more troops, but more troops will not solve the problem. We have lost the hearts and minds of most of the Iraqi people, and victory no longer seems to be even a remote possibility. It is time to end our occupation of Iraq, and bring our troops home.

More at:

www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/x1211480742

[feelfree1]

%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

[noloyalisti]

poopus,singinrick and baghdadshere have shown they are part of the radical fringe. Most Americans want to end the occupation now and are liberal in their thinking. When the right wingnuts are proven to be wrong headed they start advocating violence.

The failed policy of the scared imperialistic neocons must be ended ASAP hopefully through impeachment. Those who don''t stand with the majority are the ones who should leave if they don''t like it. We progressives want to stay to make things better.

[edward1975-2009]

Those who oppose the war lay the blame at the presidents feet, like he was the only one involved. What a pity for these blind fools. Short memories always benefit the uninformed, to justify their tunneled visioned views. We knew this would take time and it will continue to take time. I wonder what will be their spin when all is achieved.

[rohink-2009]

Any compassion for those that lost their lives? They were someone that had family, loved ones and friends that will mourn them. Or are you just too busy with your agenda.

[fitedafuture]

WARNING TO ALL, POOPUS DOES HAVE LEVEL 4 CLEARANCE AT THE PENTAGON AND CAN BLACKLIST YOU AT A MOMENTS NOTICE.YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WARNED.

[micma-2009]

2007 was the deadliest year so far for American troops. Looks like Bush is trying to best himself in 2008. Stay the curse!

[feelfree1]

rohink,

Re: "Any compassion for those that lost their lives?"

Do you feel badly for the 1 million+ dead Iraqis, or the millions more that have been maimed, imprisoned, raped tortured, displaced, soddomized, and/or impoverished, as a result of this fraud-based and criminal war of aggression, waged by our Resident?

[yongamerica]

FeelFree1 you numbers are made up like all your lies. You have no facts, just the propaganda your Iranian handlers give you.

There is no war in Iraq. Everything you read about, and see on TV is a fabrication by the Iranians trying to start a war with the most benevolent nation on earth. Americans are a people of peace.

[liberalme]

Those who oppose the war lay the blame at the presidents feet, like he was the only one involved. What a pity for these blind fools. Short memories always benefit the uninformed, to justify their tunneled visioned views. We knew this would take time and it will continue to take time. I wonder what will be their spin when all is achieved.
Posted by Edward1975 at 04:52 PM : Jan 09, 2008

No weapons of mass destruction, no democracy, the surge is working, all Iraquis are back home, have water and electricity, we have all the oil Bush wants and our troops are coming home---yep pretty much achieved I''d say------NOT!!!

[notblue]

liberlme, Sadam used weapons of mass destruction on his own people. The Cemocratically elected Iraqi Government allowed Sadam to be tried, he was found guilty of genocide for the use of thosae weapons and executed by his own people. If he had been transparent with the world he would not have been invaded.

THe surge IS working, violence is down, even your beloved DEms like Murtha have admitted it.

If it not for the Islamic militants basic services would be restored by now.

THe Iraqis are returning, CBS news reported that story.

30,000 troops are scheduled to come home in the next 6 months as per announced.

So what are you talking about?????

[smirk5]

If we actually had Al-Qaeda in Iraq on the run months ago, they''d have run out of Iraq by now. How long does it take a runner to finish a marathon? A few hours? If the enemy were on the run for months, they should be out of the middle east by now. I don''t think the enemy was ever really on the run. They probably head home for dinner in the evening to hang out with the family and for some TV when the electricity is on.

[smirk5]

Bombings have risen in the past weeks. Now this. The surge is working less and less.

[notblue]

How did these brave men die? Radical Militants "booby trapped" a house. Just another day and yet another glaring example of the evil cowardly enemy we are fighting.

[marcodele]

If Iraquis came onto U.S. soil and invaded your house, wouldn''t you consider booby trapping it?

We don''t belong there.

[liberalme]

liberlme, Sadam used weapons of mass destruction on his own people. The Cemocratically elected Iraqi Government allowed Sadam to be tried, he was found guilty of genocide for the use of thosae weapons and executed by his own people. If he had been transparent with the world he would not have been invaded.

Who put Sadam in power? Who provided Sadam with those weapons?

The US took out what they created---and not for weapons of mass destruction but for oil.
Bush invaded an unarmed country--Bin Laden was not in Iraq!
The surge may SEEM to be working--do you really believe we scared them off? Naw--I don''t trust them anymore than I trust Bush---maybe Bush and Cheney know where they are-wouldn''t surprise me!

[secundus2]

I didn''t get very far in officer training, but far enough to read the manuals on strategy and tactics. The book says that offensive operations into areas under enemy control will result in casualties in the attacking force, simply because the enemy have prepared defenses. The media may not understand that ''rule'' but the military certainly does. Glad I never had to be an officer to take such decisions, because commanders realize in advance that they will lose men.

[smirk5]

The way to prove that we are now less cowardly than the enemy:
Arm our men with only robes, sandals, AK-47s, RPGs, and some explosives. No air support, no advanced communications or GPS, no artillery except small mortars, no tanks, no armored vehicles, etc. I''m betting our men wouldn''t we willing to do that.

[searingtruth]

I see we''re still playing whack-a-mole in Iraq, and declaring it victory.

And the more evil and brutal we become, the more who will turn against us, forever.
ST


"A brutal hand is despised by all it touches."
SearingTruth

"We became evil to fight evil, assuring its victory."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[smirk5]

The surge is working. Tap Tap Tap.
The surge is working. Tap Tap Tap.
The surge is working. Tap Tap Tap.
There''s no place like home. Tap Tap Tap.
And now Cons, this isn''t a Larry Craig reference.

[liberalme]

Bush and Cheney manipulated this war before 911. Their only mistake was, they were stupid enough to think we''d be in and out--Al Queda messed up their plans big time--shows just how stupid they are.

What they have done to this country and the Iraquis is history that will never be forgotten--what a legacy.
It is frightening to see what two uncontrolled people can do with no oversight and no remorse.

Sadly, it will be up to the next president to "fix" what these people have done, not only to this nation, but how other nations regard us.
Hopefully soon, we''ll all be able to walk with our heads held high and be proud to be Americans again.

[liberalme]

Our best chance for victory is to
(1) get ALL media out of Iraq
(2) prohibit all journalists, all reporting
(3) just fight like crazy to win. Whatever it takes, just do it.

Yep--going after Al Queda/terrorists is sort of like fishing in the ocean trying to catch the last fish!!

Can anyone say DUH??????????????

[liberalme]

This article is a lie, is not posted in the FOX NEWS WEBSITE. FOX NEWS never lies and will never twist the truth.
Posted by samt66 at 06:11 PM

HAhahahahahahahahaha--best joke of the year so far!!

[noloyalisti]

poopus,singinrick and baghdadshere have shown they are part of the radical fringe. Most Americans want to end the occupation now and are liberal in their thinking. I hope those guys are in favor of the war tax and are sending money in for the war effort.

When the right wingnuts are proven to be wrong headed they start advocating violence. Not very Christian. Pretty hypocritical actually.

The failed policy of the scared imperialistic neocons must be ended ASAP hopefully through impeachment. Those who don''t stand with the majority are the ones who should leave if they don''t like it. We progressives want to stay to make things better.

[joyous88]

See what happens when the troops leave the green zone

[joyous88]

the surge is not working , the troops have been standing down out of harms way in their bunkers, now that they have come out they are getting killed again,

as for the Iraqi''s no one knows how many of them are dieing, seen reporter out there lately?

[liberalme]

Totally agree with you Nancy!

[inventagod]

The Surge of Lies STILL is not working....
Centuries of sectarian division cannot be ''cured'' by a few more American troops. Security was temporarily tightened, but more troops died last year than ever.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has little incentive to act when American troops remain to provide some security and stability.
In truth, al Qaeda has regrouped, bin Laden is still at large, Afghanistan is still a quagmire and Pakistan is now melting down.
Bu$h and Cheney are not held responsible even now. Why not? Are they better liars now than in the past?
No - they are still just liars, but Congress is on the take, and getting richer.
Nothing will change until average Americans get off their butts and hold politicians responsible at last.
These are YOUR tax dollars they are spewing into the already-rich Middle East...

[rohink-2009]

I see the answer to my earlier question is a no.

[jackie0428]

MichaelT302: great job and great post. Yes, FeelFree1 is an Islamist-terrorist lover and supporter. I know that and most of us out here know it as well. Don''t let him get under your skin. He''s quite a buffoon, and has no idea what he''s talking about. Keep up the good work and the good fight. It is worth fighting to know the truth, even if you will not get any of it from traitors such as FeelFree1.

[liberalme]

FeelFree1


Don''t pay any attention to the war mongers they are a minority.

[jerr11]

Looks like we need to pay more money to those sunni mercenaries.

Where''s the money coming from?

Print more of them! Bush and Cheney are very good at printing money in their basement.

Look at how far the mighty dollar has fallen since they took office!

[jerr11]

Will Iraq last 19-years?

Posted by mocaleo at 06:57 PM : Jan 09, 2008



According to Comeback-grandad McCain, it could be 100 years!

[robin22222]

Worldwide Coverage of the Sibel Edmonds Bombshell!
And in the United States of America...um....
Good news! The bombshell report on the front page of London''s Sunday Times on charges made by former FBI translator Sibel Edmonds, has finally led to press coverage by the mainstream media!

From one side of the globe to the other, as expected, the explosive whistleblower allegations concerning highly-placed, well-known U.S. officials in the Departments of State and Defense involved in an illicit, for-profit scheme to develop and protect a network of spies, who then stole and sold American nuclear secrets to the international black markets via Turkey, Israel and Pakistan, is now worldwide news!

That, even though the Times only covered "about 20%" of the story she has to tell, according to Edmonds, with whom we spoke late last night.

Sunday''s British blockbuster, detailing how nuclear secrets were then proliferated to Iran, Libya, North Korea, and potentially even al-Qaeda, was picked up on Monday and reported by international mainstream outlets such as The Times of India, Pakistan''s Daily Times, Iran''s PressTV, Israel''s Haaretz and even the Turkish Daily News.

Here in the United States, the mainstream media coverage included:

That''s right. Nobody. None of them. Zilch.

[prinzowhales]

It should be noted that the Zionists bombed Jewish targets in Baghad in order to encourage immigration to Israel to provide stoop labour for the Ashkenazi elites decades aqo and that the Bush Regime and its Neo-Con associates would not be above doing the same thing to Christian targets in Iraq if it would garner them more support at home. Assyrian Christians have been in hot water with their countrymen before by being visible in their support of the British occupation.

[robin22222]

(cont)from below



Edmonds told The BRAD BLOG last night that her phone had been ringing of the hook since the Times story hit. From reporters around the globe, she said. As to America: "Not a single mainstream media channel, not even a newspaper."

Apparently American nuclear secrets, stolen by "moles" at America''s most sensitive nuclear installations, sold on the black market with the help and protection of highly placed American officials, which then found their way into the hands of America''s enemies, is not notable news to Americans. According to the American corporate mainstream media, anyway. We suppose they''re all too busy fighting the War on Terror in New Hampshire or something.

And you wonder how our country got into this mess?

Edmonds was no longer amazed by it all. We still are.

(Hat-tip to Mizgnn, a Kurdish blogger at Rastn, for her collection of foreign press articles covering the Sunday Times story. Note: Mizgnn also has some harsh words for the coverage of our friend Larisa Alexandrovna of RAW STORY at that same link. We are friends with Alexandrovna, and are thus likely compromised on this point. So we''ll stay out of it for now and let each of them deal with the particulars as they see fit.)

UPDATE 6:22pm PT Credit where it''s due. Independent American broadcast media outlet, INN World Report, seen on some satellite TV providers, covered the report in detail, including an interview with yours truly...

[jackie0428]

Prinzowhales, you are a complete and total liar. What you just said was total nonsense. Provide dates and URLS to back it up. If you don''t, your post stands as another one of your daily lies on CBS.

[bobnjersey]

[You think we are losing, when we have been winning for over 6 months now. ]
[Posted by michaelt302 at 06:44 PM : Jan 09, 2008]

what defines winning?

[ajaxtheleast]

NOW IT''S OFF TO THE MIDDLE EAST ! ! !

What is the difference between BozoMan desperately

searching for a positive legacy and DiarrheaMan

just discovring that his toilet broke?

The answer is off to the right of this

[liberalme]

Do you not have kids or families? Do you not care about the long-term future? Do you not care if your kids survive to grow up? Do you not care that your kids may have to re-fight this war 20 years hence if we don%u2019t win it NOW? The cowardice I see on CBS forums is unbelievable and unspeakable.

WIN WHAT????????????????????????????????
It''s like shooting fish in a barrel!!!
If it''s so easy--why haven''t we caught Bin Laden yet??? Why are most of the names on the FBI terrorist list Americans? Why haven''t ALL the terrorists all over the world been caught yet?
How long have we been in Iraq????
We don''t give a RA if they are living back into the 1400''s- that''s how long "those" people have been fighting---WE"RE NOT!!
And YES I have a grandson who has been to Iraq and is currently on standby AGAIN!!

Cowards??? I''ll bet most of those who blog here HAVE been in a conflict or two and they are against this debacle of a war!

What will we have achieved OIL for George?? Just exactly WHAT will we WIN???????????????????

[ioweign]

[You think we are losing, when we have been winning for over 6 months now. ]
[Posted by michaelt302 at 06:44 PM : Jan 09, 2008]

what defines winning?


Posted by bobnjersey at 07:11 PM : Jan 09, 2008


We have been winning for a looong time...

Remember "Mission Accomplished" - 5/1/2003

[joyous88]

there is no war just a joke of an occupation;

osama bin laden scored a lucky hit on the world trade towers, he never had a thought in his head about them collapsing,

the tragedy here is that a criminal administration has gotten to manipulate the american people into borrrowing 9 TRILLION DOLLARS out of a self created fear of another attack as phony as this war.

[liberalme]

Well maybe my grandsons prize was coming back alive and in one piece.

[liberalme]

Well, I see the U.S. is sending 3,000 more World Police Officers to Afghanistan.
Posted by Nancy_Naive at 07:46 PM :

Probably because Osama is in Pakistan!