This, then, is the face of the freedom and democracy Iraq is to be blessed with. Starting with the "shock and awe" of the first bombings, through the sickening perversions at Abu Ghraib to the animalistic execution of Saddam Hussein, Iraq, the cradle of civilisation, has been turned into an atrocity exhibition.With the unprecedented media coverage and public attention that the current situation in Iraq continues to receive, it has become something of a microcosm of the seminal evils that plague humanity today. The war in Iraq needs to be analysed and put into proper perspective so that we may learn a lesson from it. This might be our last chance to realise how shallow and jaded we have become. It might be our last chance for preserving what is left in us that is good and pure and noble.It is perhaps our last chance for redemption. Regardless of what personal travails and domestic mandates tie us down, we cannot absolve ourselves of sharing the responsibility for the iniquities of our Governments and armies. We cannot feign ignorance of what is happening in Iraq. We cannot profess innocence. We are the gluttons that enrich and empower megacorporations with our conscious consumption of this planet's limited resources. We are part of the vicarious socioeconomic structure that requires war, that requires robbing the resources of the already destitute. We elect and re-elect the Governments that execute unjust wars and the Governments that aid and abet them. It is from the taxes we pay that the weapons that massacre innocents are bought. It is in our name and with our aid that all these misdeeds are perpetrated and that is why we should care and that is why we share a duty to do something. The other reason why we should care about what is happening in Iraq is that though we may forgive ourselves for our apathy and may quiet our collective conscience, history will not forgive us. We are setting a precedent for others-when it is our turn to be run through the mill, our cries will meet with silence too. The follow up to the war demonstrated the shameless dishonesty not only of certain politicians but also of the western media. Any pretence of impartiality in delivering the news was shed and the media by and large took part in creating an entirely false perception of Iraq's military capabilities and it's links with terrorism. The huge power yielded by megacorporations became evident as oil and reconstruction firms made immense profits within months of the commencement of the war. The sanguivorous version of capitalism fathered by Milton Friedman and his Chicago School economists was on display. Awarded a Nobel Prize for his dehumanising of modern economics, Friedman's "Laissez-faire" dream has become a nightmare for the poor and desenfranchised.To maintain obscenely excessive societies, the robber barons of the west continue scavenging profits from the rest of the world. There are limited resources in this planet we inhabit; the excesses of some must mean the deprivation of others. When private enterprises grow unchecked, they grow out of control and eventually become destructive manifestations of human greed. After every justification of the Iraq invasion was found lacking, the western media has now engaged in a childish rant blaming the Iraqis themselves for the current state of affairs. The poor Iraqis apparently lacked the will to set aside their differences and establish democracy. How unthankful of them, especially after all the sanctions, the bombing and Abu Ghraib. Three thousand people died in the attacks of September 11, 2001. Heaven and earth were moved to avenge these deaths, it was said that the World was forever changed by those attacks on American soil. "We will never forget" is the affirmation on each anniversary of the attacks. The question is, who will mourn for the Iraqi men women and children dying every day? It is 9/11 every day there; should we have an anniversary every day of the year for them? Why does the world not act with the same decisiveness and the same passion as they did after September 11, 2001 after each atrocity that takes place in the world? To quote Shylock's speech from Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice"; ..."fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, heal'd by the same means, warm'd and cool'd by the same winter and summer as a Christian is... If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die?" Civilisation and free thinking are not idiosyncrasies of western society.They have existed since the Sumerian's built cities at the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates.The Epic of Gilgamesh was written two thousand years before the story of Noah's Ark made it's first appearances as scripture. Yet the leaders of the west behave as if the Iraqis are savages who cannot be trusted to coexist like normal human beings, for them it is still the "white man's burden" to be hated for bringing civilisation to the savage. They still ask in disbelief "why do they hate us?" It is time to raise our voices, be it a muslim, christian, jewish or any other voice. It is time to let those we call our leaders and who act in our name know that we will not accept this war. That we will not accept any war. That we will not let this world that belongs to all of us become the hollow existentialist wasteland they want it to become.

There's not much to say other than the highlighting the hell that's going on over there. The hatreds and barbarities! I just hope the wounds can heal as soon as those instigators get the hell out of there. "There's no war crime greater than a war of aggression". That was said by a leading American jurist after WWII, and it never seemed more apt than today.

I have written a thousand times that President Bush should order President al-Maliki to separate the fighting parties immediately! That's pure common sense and moral duty when too much blood is being spilled in fighting between brothers! Sunnis should be sent to the left, and Shiites to the right. No exceptions! It does not take a rocket science, Gen. Petraeus, to use some barbed wire to cut Iraq in two from where the Tigris River enters Kurdistan, up to the Persian Gulf! You can patrol the DMZ to insure that there are no crossings. It's a necessary measure which need not be permanent! When the parties come to their senses, then we can talk about a sovereign Iraq!

"Stunning statistic" is right. It wiped the smile off my face for the whole day. What are we doing there?

..and our idiot President was on television just this morning saying that "The Surge" was working. Tell me it ain't so! How many more people are going to die before this out of control failure is gone? How many of our children will be returned home, broken or maimed before we see the backside of this monster? Congress, I have TWO SONS IN IRAQ!!! I want every dime cut off for this folly. If Bush veto's that legislation, then repass it again. Do not pass one piece of spending authorization without a suspension of all funding for Iraq attached. Let Bush shut the government, if he is insane enough to do so. No Social Security, No Medicaid, No paychecks for government workers; not one dime for anything gets passed until thids madman is forced to do the will of the Amercian people.

We're with you Mike Oregon, and while we're at it, can we put congressional retirement on Social Security????

Of an estimated 25,000,000 population in Iraq, 2 million of the best and brightest have fled the country, 1.5 million have been displaced internally, another 1/2 million or more are dead or wound as a result of the US invasion, and now we hear that there are some 3,000,000 widows in the remaining population. Gas lines are an all day event. Electricity is on for 2-6 hours in Baghdad. We are winning the hearts and minds with tanks in the streets, roadblocks at major intersections, snipers in abundance and soldiers kicking in the doors all hours of the day and night. We have an ongoing civil war and most of the world, that we needlessly humiliated, wants to see us get our butts kicked. Our military is close to broken, our vets are being treated disgracefully and the war cost will likely rise to more than 20 times the original $50 billion that we were sold by this administration. And all of this because 19 Saudis, trained in Afghanistan and funded from Pakistan, launched an attack in the U.S. with no involvement from Iraq. The politicians are talking about some kind of victory as if this were a high school football game, but with less planning. And we have nut jobs over here who say that we are winning?????

So last night George W. Bush plays the part of stand-up comic while the grotesque humanitarian nightmare caused mainly by him and his war of choice based upon manipulated intelligence and lies becomes bloodier by the hour. This spectacle only grows uglier as we, the public, are once again receiving yet more false messages from this mendacious White House that, due to the surge, conditions in Iraq are improving. What an incredibly sad, dispicable chapter in American history.

I could not have put it better than Jason Falls. That is the most moving, most damning and most honest indcitment of not only of what we have done in IRAQ,but of all the motives underpinning colonialism and its wars. The shame is everlastingly ours.

Are this administration doing anything about the issue or left it to itself like everything else? These women need some support, but knowing the Arab world a little, these women are going to be left to themselves. The only thing to get them feel worthwile is finding something for them to do. Training them to be nurses is one thing for a start, considering the number of injured civilians they have. No body seems willing to talk about the number of injured U.S soldiers in Iraq, but the scandal of Walter Reed Medical Center gives us a very good idea. What did we do after War World II and other wars to deal with our women? I think there are plenty of things this country can do to help. After all we got them and ourselves in this mess. I think the problem is finding those "real heroes" who can step up to the plate regardless of their political affiliations. God helpess for our indifference.

What about our widows here in the United States? I'm sure everyone reading this story has a "widow" in their family. But we are "winning"!!! At what cost do our politicians consider a "win"?

Wow Jason, what are we supposed to do if another Hilter, Mao, Stalin, Napolian, Alexander, Pott or any other ruthless murderer gains access to 21st century weapons, and is blindly determined to end western influence on the planet at any cost. Chamberlans efforts in the early 20th century sure helped about 60 million innoncent people. Do you really believe that you live in the time when men tire of power. Get your head out of the sand, before you to cause destruction to the only good and decent influence in the world, the west.

so none of you feel that we should bear the responsibility of making sure iraq becomes safe and secure since we're the ones that put it in the state it is? you think running out and abandoning it to the radicals and civil war is the answer? you all are seriously deluded. if we live it a disaster it will turn into a massive regional conflict and we will be back within 2 years. mark those words. we should be spending more money, not less to stabilize the country as soon as possible, its a better outcome for everyone. and for the young philosopher up top, war has been a part of human history a lot longer than civilization. your lofty ideals are nice, but wars are reality. thinking something should be better doesn't make it so. and romantic visions of the past are incomplete and inaccurate. the collective weakness of the US is what the terrorists and radicals count on. they know that if they spill enough blood americans will run away with their tails between their legs. not the military mind you, that's why they attack civilians and rarely engage US troops. but everyone back home isn't willing to pay the price for freedom and security. i believe its a concept known as appeasement. but if you give an inch, they want two more. see generally Hitler, USSR, Napolean and every aggressive conqueror in history. stand up and fight and let it be known that you will not be defeated under any circumstances. they fight for power and they get recruits because the kids have nothing. you won't fight because you're fat and happy with your big screen TV and too comfortable to risk it. but the time will come when the threat grows to the point where it must be fought. they're not going to just go away, but we can wait until its a lot worse.

This is what happens when we elect and appoint too many pro-pro-Israel politicians in D.C.; we, i.e., Americans have no reason to be there.

Mr. President, we have a saying where I'm from; I'm sure you have the same one in Texas. "If ONE person calls you an ass, that's their opinion - if MANY people call you an ass, get fitted for a saddle." Mr. President, I have a feeling that you'd buckle under the weight of the saddles you'd have to wear. The American people have voted. The American people have polled. Your Generals have spoken. The rest of the world is in shock. Just how many more do you need to realize that your map of TEXAS won't get you around anywhere but TEXAS? When will you get that even the LONE RANGER came, got rid of the bad guys, and left the people to fix their town up? And if the HEIRS TO THE ROYAL THRONE are getting ready to deploy, why aren't your daughters at least enlisted??? I'M MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GONNA TAKE ANYMORE!!!!

If we ( U S Forces ) leave, then what? Will there be no more killing?

God, please help all of the people to realize that this is not an easy question. If we leave the Middle East now....what message does it send to the terrorists? That we give up? Or that they win and we are afraid of them? No one wants anymore young American to die or be maimed. But the Muslim world is a large one. And they are all fanatics. The awful thing is....we really can't win in this area of the world....we could not hundreds of years ago...or now.

I am a US solider and i have one question for the american people, do you enjoy your everyday life? think about it before you anwser and remember it is because of soilders like myself and ones that have fallen that give you the right to freedom, freedom comes with a price and part of that is war and during war people will die innocent ones to, is it right no but it is our country and freedom that we are dealing with so stopping the money wont effect the president it will hurt us as soiders, husbands,wives,children,fathers and mothers

Only yesterday Goerge Bush was shown on tv referring to bloggers in Iraq claiming that calm has returned to Baghdad as everyone seem to be able to return to work, schools and stores now opened etc. I hope he reads this story as he continued to live in his own world. Tell a widow whose responsibility to it is now to take charge and provide for her children that stores now open then all is well! Pray will stores been opened bring the dead husband, son and father? The widow now becomes the family bread winner, the mother and father to her children. Bush is a liar and will continue to busy his head in the sand like the oshrict.

Bush and Cheney should be trial for war crimes! They are the true terrorists!

What are we doing there? It is easy to get caught up in the media hype and the constant drone of "we need to pull out." But thought needs to follow what will happen if we pull out now. "What are we doing there?" Trying to bring stability and establish peace. If we pull out things will be much worse. We need to remember the accomplishments of our military. A dictator has been removed. Do not forget the millions of Iraqis who put there lives on the line to go out and vote. Do not forget the absolute joy that was on their faces at being given the oppurtunity to vote. Do not forget the new constituition that has been written. It will take time for demoracy to take hold in this part of the world but our Big Mac mentality here in America wants everything now. And when it doesn't happen quick engough - everyone wants to quit. I am glad we sent a message to this part of the world - You can believe anything you want but you can not kill people just because they have different beliefs. Yes - there are many widows in Iraq. There were many widows at the end of World War II as well. Please remember - Freedom is not Free!!

Of course we (Westerners) are responsible. Since oil was discovered on the Arabian penninsula, the U.K. and the U.S. have sought to divide, manipulate and control various families, tribes and countries. To some extent Arabia was a theatre for cold war U.S.-Soviet antagonism. It would be very naive to believe that Iraq's internal fighting (call it civil war if you like) wasn't intended by our Master Statescraftmen!

Sara, Muslims are NOT all 'fanatics' as you say. They are human beings, homo sapiens, just like us. They just happened to be born in Arabia and not in Chicago. If you study history, you'll understand that WE created the 'terrorists', i.e., pissed them off to the degree that now some of them hate us. That's what happens to oppressed people who have been screwed over.

President Bush you are not your father. He at least had the sense not to continue the engagement the first time in Iraq. We never should have engaged in this conflict in the first place. You are corrupt, selfish, insensitive, idiot. You say we must win. What for? This is a slaughter on every side. Just who are the fanatics? I agree wholeheartedly with Jason Falls who is very accurate in his comments. He says it all. Geepa

I would bet that sombody in jason falls' family tree fought a war so that he/she could have the freedom to make to make this comment.

OIL, OIL, OIL - Thats what this is all about. Iraq has the second largest reserves of oil in the world, next to Saudi Arabia. Installing a puppet govt. in Iraq would give US full, unlimited control of oil supply. Is it a wonder that the first thing the US did after invasion was secure the oil supplies and pipelines? We are seeing 21st colonialism: Create a drama, fool your people you are doing good and invade another country for their resources. We are doing what the govt. wants us to do: argue. They want us to take our focus away from oil and argue whether our troops need to stay or come back. Our troops are more than enough.. but 80% of them are securing the oil installations.. because to us, OIL is more valuable than blood. If not, would we be consuming 80% of the world's resources with a population thats less than 15% of the worlds? All those who argue about eliminating terrorists, thugs are just chickens. There are other smarter ways to prevent terrorism that invading a country. If your neighborhood is surrounded by mosquitoes, you will never win if you go killing all the mosquitoes one by one. They will keep coming back. The smartest thing to do is secure your home with a net or a mosquito spray.

I still don't understand why we are there. You can't not fight against something that has been going on for many many many years. My children and I are consistently without the man of our home thanks to the awful President Bush. Sad thing is I actually voted for him both times because I knew that the military would get a raise. Well keep your money and give me back my husband and my children's father. We need him more than Iraq. My belief is if they want democracy they would have already made huge progress lets get out of there before anymore loved ones leave.

I know that the Jewish people have "KOHAN" and "JUDAH" where the former can claim direct descendant from Moses and the latter being directly descended from king DAVID. And it seems like these peace loving Brothers and Sisters get along quite well and rarely kill each other over such G-d given titles and right. So, why is the SUNNI and SHIA in Iraq, and elsewhere, are killing [each other] over their titles purporting it was given as an EXCLUSIVE inheritance from Mr. Mohammad himself et al to one side and not exclusive to Sunni folk? Are Judah folk and Sunni's folk SECONDARY Citizens or are Shia & Kohans folk FIRST CLASS ?????

It seems to me that the Division of Iraq is evident in coming future. This is the only hope for peace when three countries will emerge out of current Iraq. Shia, Sunni and Kurd areas can formulate these new countries. The violence did not start after the invasion of Allied forces. The first most major clash among the two sects occurred right after Prophet Mohammad when his grandson Imam Hussein was beheaded by the self appointed Caliph Yazeed right there at Karbala, Iraq marking divisions between Shittes (followers of Ali the fourth Caliph) and Sunnis (Followers of Prophet’s way of life or followers of all four caliphs). It is the curse of the massacre in Karbala 1400 years ago that the land never found peace and will never have till the end of time has reached. It’s been predicted by many.

If its bad now, wait till the Americans leave. Whole scale killings on an unprecedented level.

Let the UN babysit the region, US military should not be babysitters. Civilization might have started there but it has degraded to children with guns and bombs fighting each other over thier religeous beliefs.

Matt, Yes I enjoy my liberties and freedoms as a U.S. citizen-- and I (sincerely) thank you for your service as a soldier. WWII may have been a war for and about "freedom". The Iraq War, however, is really about oil and international energy statecraft. As long as there is chaos and insecurity in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, UAE and Iran will continue to sell oil cheaply... a good thing for an importer like the U.S.

Shane in Golden- Our soldiers are not there to "restore" peace; that was never the intention. We caused the havoc and now we're keeping it going. This 'civil war' WAS the plan. Have a Coors and thank our CIA.

'Idiocracy' Have you watched the movie? Mr. President, seems like somebody made a movie about you. It is so sad, so sad that America has been raping the countries in the Persian Gulf for over 3 decades now. Playing politics, turning friends into enemies, violating neutrality treaties secretly. Promising power and taking away power. Creating the Shaw of Iran, Creating Saddam, Creating Bin Laden and strangling them. They would have never become who they are today without the wily, cunning political games played by 'US'. Now they have been bleeding Iraq endlessly. Law of nature would demand this burden to be bourne by the innocent people who voted these ediots to power. In some way....in some form....."Father forgive them, for they know not what they do"

Sara jackson, first of all you're obviously a racist, because no they're no all fanatics there so you need to stop talking if you're that damn ignorant!! I'm originally from there and a huge majority are normal people like you and me(maybe not like you!!) but the one thing you do have right is yes its a huge world over there and if there's just one percent that are fanatics then wow, we're gonna have to fight for quite a while!!!! I do agree though that I believe we can't and won't win there, you just can't defeat a whole population of people. I'm an American in the US army and have already been there and I saw it everyday!!! Have we not learned anything from history, from the 20th century to the begining of all religions, occupation and colonization doesn't work especially when the people don't want you there E.G. Vietnam, korea, afghanistan for the russians, all the way to the crusades and the muslim world invasions of back then!!!!!! NONE OF THEM WORKED!!!! If somebody attacks the US one day and tries to occupy it, I know that I will definitely be up in arms fighting the occupier in any way possible, probably be called an insurgent and a terrorist doing the same things those insurgents are doing in iraq right now. The occupier would probably be thinking that he is bringing us justice and his version of democracy and I hope that alot of americans would join me!!!!! Why do we think that those Iraqis are asking too much of us when they want us to leave!!! We actually had a movie guys, remember it anyone "RED DAWN" with american so called insurgents!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also why do we not just let them fight their civil war, hello almost every great nation had one including us!!!!!! WHY ARE WE BUTTING IN!!!!!!

I will bet that the terrorists aren't interested in America in the way it's been presented. They may or may not like our way of life, but considering the conflicts in the Middle East have been in existence for CENTURIES, the only reason that we're a target is because we're interfering with it. A lot like why police officers hate responding to a DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE call. They mean well in helping, but frequently the parties involved turn on their supposed "saviors". Please explain to me how this is any different (in the grand scheme of the way things are working, please - no nitpicking).

im glad we went into iraq we need to show the world we will not put up with terror. this country needs to pull its head of its rear better there than here because it WILL HAPPEN AGAIN next time it will be in your back yard. the demorats have no idea about any thing. they pulled our troops out of somlia, first of all our troops wanted to stay to fight but clinton and the rest of the demorats did he not only in 1998 lob rockets at iraq and what reason for that.....monica maybe. so where we in iraq the first time one word OIL not FREEDOM this country most people has forgitten about 9/11 the troops incrase im all for it the only mistake we made in iraq is we should of done it 2003 i support our troops and they will come home but the job isnt done yet.

Why is it that some care more about the perception of winning a war which can not be won than bringing our brave troops home.I for one shed tears when i think of all the kids whose parents are being killed or mamed never to be able to enjoy what this country is all about again.If this war was justified it would be a whole other story but that slime ball bush lied and decieved our nation into this mess.As for iraq let them fight it out amongst themselves, it is after all their country.

Sarah you’re wrong, I'm originally from there and a huge majority are normal people like you and me, one thing you do have right is yes its a huge world over there and if there's just one percent that are fanatics then wow, we're gonna have to fight for quite a while!!!! I do agree though that I believe we can't and won't win there, you just can't defeat a whole population of people. I'm an American in the US army and have already been there and I saw it everyday!!! Have we not learned anything from history, from the 20th century to the begining of all religions, occupation and colonization doesn't work especially when the people don't want you there E.G. Vietnam, korea, afghanistan for the russians, all the way to the crusades and the muslim world invasions of back then!!!!!! NONE OF THEM WORKED!!!! If somebody attacks the US one day and tries to occupy it, I know that I will definitely be up in arms fighting the occupier in any way possible, probably be called an insurgent and a terrorist doing the same things those insurgents are doing in iraq right now. The occupier would probably be thinking that he is bringing us justice and his version of democracy and I hope that alot of americans would join me!!!!! Why do we think that those Iraqis are asking too much of us when they want us to leave!!! We actually had a movie guys, remember it anyone "RED DAWN" with american so called insurgents!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also why do we not just let them fight their civil war, hello almost every great nation had one including us!!!!!! WHY ARE WE BUTTING IN!!!!!!

Further evidence that we should appreciate the opportunities and degree of stability we have in the US.

What if these terrorists think of themselves as freedom fighters as was done in Israel? We were lied to for justification but Sadam was a bad man. So where was the justification? How many Bad Men has the allied actions created? The Muslim religion is being subverted and pervirted to kill innocents. Where are the Imams to blast these lies and preach the truth? The true enemy is just a little south, that's where we should have seeked our revenge, but they were too powerful and Bush lacked the resolve. It's past time for partition to save those remaining.

I'm a American and I hate that our service personel and getting killed and wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. I grew up during the Vietnam war and thought that was a stupid mistake also. It stopped the spread of communisim which was a major threat to our freedom. I can't image what the world would be like if the United States hadn't stepped in and confronted this threat. Wars are a terrible waste of young lives but everyone in the wolrd needs to know, you can't attack us or threaten our freedom without facing severe concequeces. I agree we should not be in Iraq now but how many inocent people will die if we leave now? A lot of people call our president an idiot. What do you call a man that wants nuclear weapons and thinks Israel should be wiped off the face of the earth? Look at the suffering in Dafur. What country has stepped forward to tackle that problem? As usual the world waits for the U.S to take action and then complain about the way we try to help. Name one country that has tried to help the worlds people more than the U.S.

Just a quick qestion, How many widows did saddam make out of his own people. As bad as it is now if this country got back to supporting our troops we could make shorter work out of it and reduce the number of people that have to suffer both our and theirs. if we did nothing how many widows would there be,and would we still be singing this tune. If we did nothing we got talked about, if we do something we still get the same treatment and whats worse it come from the same people that said that we just dont care. Well what the hell did you think war was, a walk in the park ! What the hell do you think it will be if we leave. With this many deaths happening with all the troops we have on the ground what the hell do you think thr numbers will be if we leave too soon.It's time for you bleeding hearts to grow a set and realy back the troops even if you hate the president they are still our troops in harms way.They also have moms and dads and sad to say widows.You want an end realy want an end give the troops all you support and stop the COWARDLY DEMONSTRATIONS BURNING FLAGS AND PUPPETS REPRESENTING OUR TROOPS. you need to ware masks to protect the faces of the cowards that you are. This country is what it is because of our brave men and women in the service and the you cowards can thank them for your freedom to make asses of yourselves any time you want. But at least have the balls to show your faces be brave not the COWARDS THAT YOU ARE. God Help all the people over there including our troops.

The Bath Party loyalists and Al-Qaida is killing the innocent Iraqis not the US. Tha Bathists have killed millions before they were thrown out of power. I guess some things never change despite US trying to free the people of Iraq. The Bathists will keep killing innocent Iraqis and the so-called liberals everywhere will blame US for everithing, as always.

I have always felt badly for the women in this region. When I view news reports from the Middle East I only see men out the streets fighting, pulling people out of rubble, or chanting in large groups. The women that are shown are always in black and crying over a loved one who has been killed. I cannot imagine being a woman and living in that country. Seeing your family killed by these groups just for living in a certain neighborhood. The groups that are causing all the violence are made up of all men. I wonder if the men that belonged to these groups had to cope with the same things that women deal with every month I bet that would keep most of them off the streets for at least a week or more. And seeing that there are so many of them not everyone would be off at the same time. That might hinder them going out to all those neighborhoods and hurting people. Anyway, I really feel badly for all the women and hope that someday they will not have to wear black in mourning and be able to live in a peaceful region. Peace to all!

When all you have to offer is hopelessness then that is all you will get and it is easy to lead youth like sheep over the edge. This war that we made is senseless and useless. It only created more hatred among all sides. It will be a long time coming before the wounds will be healed...if ever!

Anyone who wants to know where the internal strife in Iraq is coming from needs to look no further than the history of our intervention in Latin America. Does no one find it confusing that the sect of Sunni and Shiite that have been intermarrying and living in peace for hundreds of years are now killing eachother in the same fashion that the contras were doing when we were training them? The US is the state known all around the world as the terrorist state. This is known even in Europe.

As long as we are all feeling so sorry for the Iraqi's and Saddam, and don't forget about his darling sons, lets not forget who started the eight year war with Iran and invaded Kuwait. Millons lost their lives also in those wars too! Sometimes wars are needed just like police are needed, we don't want them and don't always like them, but unfortunately we live in a very dishonest world.

Impeach Bush @ www.votetoimpeach.org and tell congress enough is enough. Let this senseless war be over. Bush is only doing this war for himself, not America. It's along time waiting for Bush to go, and noe is the time. he has done enough damage.

I believe it's time. It's time for the United States to leave Iraq. Why we went there is no longer a reason to stay, the reasons have all been proven a lie or at the least missleading information from those we are supposed to trust to filter the bad information out. This war has become a travesty. I grant you that if we leave someone else will come in to take over, yes it will probably be Iran, because we have killed the Sunnies who were protecting the Country of Iraq from becoming totally Shia. What a hugh blunder. We are still killing them while we support a government that is allowing us to do their dirty work. We have a great propaganda machine in the US, copied almost verbatim from the German/Nazi play book, even our children are being indoctrinated in early school years to the glory of being a soldier and the glories of war. I agree, we need a strong military to protect our Homeland, but we don't need to protect the rest of the world. We as a country can withstand ANY attact on our country, and keep ANYONE out we don't want in if we'd only uphold the laws we presently have on the books. We must come home... For every Iraqi family we humilate by design or by accident we create a hundred years of terrorism from their relatives. Pull out, secure our borders, Stop letting Israel conduct our foreign policy based on the "Chosen people" nonsense. We have given Israel enough. I am retired military (26) years, I am not a "peacenik", but neither am i an IDIOT!! It is time for Congress to STOP lying to the American people re their opposition to the war and start doing their job. Our congress is just one big well of smart lawyers, called STAFF who tell OUR representatives what to say and do, they are unelected, uncontrolled and we continue to allow it. Wake up America, or is it already to late?.. I think it's time as well to "Throw the bums out".

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