Happy Anniversary
May 1, 2003
And in commemoration we add these items celebrating the event:
In one of Baghdad's southern suburbs, meanwhile, eight U.S. soldiers were killed by a car bomb in one of the deadliest single attacks against American forces in weeks.
Here is an example, you can always tell the children enjoy the festivities...
Now, really it does appear that the commemorative fireworks, parades, floats, and general public displays of joy have been a little out of hand...
With the deaths of 10 American soldiers in Iraq yesterday, more U.S. troops have died in combat in April than in the six weeks of sustained military operations required to take Baghdad last year. Since April 1, more than 120 troops have been killed in action in Iraq, according to the Pentagon.
And what would a parade celebrating the end of major combat activities be without the Bush Administration seeing to it that bunting is added...
But we do have news of a renewed commitment to peace and prosperity in Fallujah (please feel free to spell it in the fashion you deem best):
The surprise agreement in Fallujah, which was authorized by Marine Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, is intended to give more responsibility to Iraqis for subduing the city while attempting defuse tensions by pulling Marines back from front-line positions. But some U.S. military and civilian officials privately expressed concern that Conway's strategy involves too hasty a retreat and relies too heavily on Iraqis whose combat skills and allegiances have not been fully examined.
After word of the agreement made its way though Fallujah, insurgents resumed firing on Marines, some of whom were preparing to depart. The exchange of fire prompted commanders to summon airstrikes, and Navy fighter jets dropped at least three 500-pound bombs on the city. [Gee, that doesn't sound at all like an accurate summary of the last year does it?]
...
The Marines will be replaced by a new militia called the Fallujah Protection Army, which will consist of 900 to 1,100 Iraqis who served in the military or other security services under former president Saddam Hussein, Marine officers said. The militia will be commanded by a group of former Iraqi generals, the officers said.
...
Some American officials familiar with efforts to pacify Fallujah said they were concerned about the background of the participants and questioned whether they would be screened for past human rights abuses and other crimes. Marine officers said they did not know the details of how the force would be assembled. One American with knowledge of the plan said procedures for vetting participants had not been detailed by Conway.
A Marine officer familiar with the arrangement acknowledged that some former insurgents may be part of the force, creating the potential situation of U.S. troops having to work with people who have very recently been shooting at them.
Oh well.
I LOVE A PARADE...
President Totally Awesome!
May 1, 2003
And in commemoration we add these items celebrating the event:
In one of Baghdad's southern suburbs, meanwhile, eight U.S. soldiers were killed by a car bomb in one of the deadliest single attacks against American forces in weeks.
Here is an example, you can always tell the children enjoy the festivities...
Now, really it does appear that the commemorative fireworks, parades, floats, and general public displays of joy have been a little out of hand...
With the deaths of 10 American soldiers in Iraq yesterday, more U.S. troops have died in combat in April than in the six weeks of sustained military operations required to take Baghdad last year. Since April 1, more than 120 troops have been killed in action in Iraq, according to the Pentagon.
And what would a parade celebrating the end of major combat activities be without the Bush Administration seeing to it that bunting is added...
But we do have news of a renewed commitment to peace and prosperity in Fallujah (please feel free to spell it in the fashion you deem best):
The surprise agreement in Fallujah, which was authorized by Marine Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, is intended to give more responsibility to Iraqis for subduing the city while attempting defuse tensions by pulling Marines back from front-line positions. But some U.S. military and civilian officials privately expressed concern that Conway's strategy involves too hasty a retreat and relies too heavily on Iraqis whose combat skills and allegiances have not been fully examined.
After word of the agreement made its way though Fallujah, insurgents resumed firing on Marines, some of whom were preparing to depart. The exchange of fire prompted commanders to summon airstrikes, and Navy fighter jets dropped at least three 500-pound bombs on the city. [Gee, that doesn't sound at all like an accurate summary of the last year does it?]
...
The Marines will be replaced by a new militia called the Fallujah Protection Army, which will consist of 900 to 1,100 Iraqis who served in the military or other security services under former president Saddam Hussein, Marine officers said. The militia will be commanded by a group of former Iraqi generals, the officers said.
...
Some American officials familiar with efforts to pacify Fallujah said they were concerned about the background of the participants and questioned whether they would be screened for past human rights abuses and other crimes. Marine officers said they did not know the details of how the force would be assembled. One American with knowledge of the plan said procedures for vetting participants had not been detailed by Conway.
A Marine officer familiar with the arrangement acknowledged that some former insurgents may be part of the force, creating the potential situation of U.S. troops having to work with people who have very recently been shooting at them.
Oh well.
I LOVE A PARADE...
President Totally Awesome!
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