it looks like the oil-hungry americans aren't doing such a good job. it's sad. i'm sorry for your losses.

What a terrible tragedy, a terrible mess. If only American statecraft were more intelligent, fewer people would have died. I fear many more will die.

I'm glad for this story to reach the press. In America we never talk about how much the Iraqis themselves are suffering, all we talk about is the 3000+ dead American soldiers, and we forget that millions of Iraqis have been REALLY affected. That's the luxury of fighting a war in a far-off land that most Americans have never even been to. During one of the presidential debates, a candidate stated "we need to remember that we are doing this for the Iraqi people" and the audience clapped. But are we? I don't know anymore. I now think that this mess was actually intended by the pentagon strategists. Iraq will NEVER recover.

thank you for sharing your heart-felt story, part of an enormous tragedy. may god bring peace to this turmoil. and may we find some politicians smart enough and courageous enough to end the bloodshed immediately.

this is one of the saddest postings yet.i am sorry for the families of these men. when will the government of Iraq decide for the good of the people to move forward on their behalf, instead of the benefit of some whacky religious leader they represent.The population of Iraq deserves to be reprsented no matter what branch of Islam they practice. Why a slight differance in their religion should cause an entire country to suffer like this is beyond ignorant. People are people no matter what religion they feel the same pain, bleed the same blood, and are just as dead when a bunch of narrow minded idiots get together to the detrament of all the good people who don't have the protection they deserve from their leaders. If you want to kill someone start with the so called religious leaders that preach death to anyone and watch them put a lid on it to save their own skins and if you want to drive the point home wrap the body in a pigskin as a lasting message to anyone preaching death from their so called church.

the average american thought we were doing a good thing, the right thing. we were lied to and misled. we thought we were going to help, but really we just made a mess of things. i am sorry for all the bloodshed in iraq. i don't know if we are really there for the oil or not, i don't know if we can trust our politicians or cia anymore. it's a sad state of affairs. i feel like i've been betrayed by my own government, my own people.

I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot even imagine the horrific conditions under which you live. I cannot wrap my brain around a reality in which human life is so devalued. I hope there will be peace in your nation one day soon.

to john in florida: killing is NEVER the answer.

It's a few months old, but relevant: Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, October 11, 2006; Page A12 "A team of American and Iraqi epidemiologists estimates that 655,000 more people have died in Iraq since coalition forces arrived in March 2003 than would have died if the invasion had not occurred." I'm sure the number is much higher by now.

HOW CAN WE IMPOSE SO CALLED DEMOCRACY ON OTHER NATIONS? IF OUR GOVERNMENT HAS REAL GUTS THEN IT SHOULD TRY TO MAKE NORTH KOREA AND IRAN DEMOCRACIES.

We are the peace keepers............why can't anyone see they are the ones killing even their own people. There is no God that believes one should kill another person for whatever reason. We have tried to reason with them and to no avail. It is sad that innocent people get caught in the crossfire. I stand for my President and for my Country. For those who don't leave the country and live somewhere else and see what freedoms you would have..........none........wake up

While this is, indeed, a tragedy, the article did not say that the gentleman was killed by American soldiers. What we are seeing is a civil war. It would have happened even if Saddam Hussein were still in power. Iraq is divided into three factions who are at war...the Curds in the north, the Sunnis and the Shites....each wanting power. Since Curd strength is not strong the Sunnis and Shites are duking it out. The U.S. and allies are ATTEMPTING to bring stability to Iraq. Does that count?

Testrun#1 : if you know someone that can talk to the clerics and get anywhere whith them count me in i"m up for that. But so far talk has done nothing but stretch this mess out longer. their idea of talk is THEY TALK WE AGREE IF WE DON'T AGREE TO EVERYTHING THEY WANT THERE IS NO TALK. SO WHAT'S THE POINT IN TALKING IT GET'S YOU NOWHERE WITH THESE POWER HUNGRY BASTARDS THAT DON'T GIVE A CRAP ABOUT THEIR PEOPLE. I wish talk could help.

Nothing will change until everyday Iraqi's arm themselves, and kill whoever they run into with their face covered, and carrying a gun. That's how the American West was won. The stagecoach robberies, bank robberies, and murderers were all killed when it was declared open season on them. Same with the Hells Angels. Open season means kill them on sight.

I, too, am sorry for your loss and for his family's loss. He was working for his country and was killed by those who only know hatred and greed. As an American I can only wonder how these thugs continue to survive and operate when it seems there are so many more Iraqi people than thugs. If the people would rise up against these murdering uncivlized thugs, along with the Iraqi military and the allied forces there, they should be able to report them, not hide them and speed up the peace process considerably. Do the Iraqis want this civil war to continue, are they supporting these thugs because they hate us so much or because they are so tunnel visioned that Sunni and Shia cannot see the common sense of living together in peace as they did under the ruthless dicator. Will it take ANOTHER ruthless dicator to bring peace - by sheer terror and force? That is how it looks to an outsider. In our country, our soldiers are loyal to our country whether they personally agree or disagree with what they are ordered to do. They respect our nation, the rule of law, our freedom to worship as we choose. They fight to protect our nation and to keep peace in our nation. Our people may disagree with each other on every issue under the sun, including religion, but --- each of us is loyal to the UNITY of our nation and our people. The world saw that after 9/11. Unity and respect for each other is the glue that holds us together and that has made our great nation what she is today. My husband was a soldier during the Viet Nam war - we didn't agree with it - but we were loyal to our country and our government. Many of us disagree with this Iraq war, but our soldiers do their loyal duty to country regardless of THEIR personal beliefs. Is there no pride of country in Iraq within the people? Why are the masses not standing up and saying they are not going to have their country torn apart any longer? Unless they are willing and have the courage to do that - this war will never end and the thugs will rule that nation in a harsher way than Saddam ever did. It is just so very hard for an American who loves my country and obeys the laws of our land and would fight anybody who tried to take our freedom. Is it because those people don't understand what freedom is? Is it because of their religious differences? If that is the case, then nothing and no one can help them. There has be tolerance for one's brother and one's neighbor. Intolerance and the greed for power and control is what feeds the radical thugs - no respect for human life at all. Is this so ingrained that it will be forever as it has been from the beginning of time with people in that region? I don't mean to be unkind - I have the deepest sympathy and respect for your loss - you are suffering personal pain and national pain as well. None of us wants to see our people or our soldiers die. I just have such a hard time understanding why the masses of people cannot or will not stand up and take back their homeland from the thugs who are blowing them up, kidnapping, killing, torturing, etc. We can only do so much, the gov. there can only do so much - when it comes down to reality - the people themselves must stop this insanity.

As an American, I am embarrassed by what our Government has done to Iraq and its people for oil money that doesn't belong to them. You and your country are in my prayers as are the Politicians who are trying to play God. There is only one God. God Bless you.

Oh Please! This is a recycled story and the same answer applies, if the local Iraqis would get out of their ghetto frame of mind and start turning in the terrorist that they know are living amongst them then the killings would subside.

Thank you for making this "personal". Each time I hear of one more American dying there -- accompanied by a story of Iraqi citizens killed at schools, while shopping, working and trying to rebuild their lives, I shudder over the losses WE have caused. Our original enemies who caused 9/11 have suffered so few losses, while innocent Iraqi citizens lose entire FAMILIES, even generations of families - due to our worst president-ever's idiocy and greed.

What an enormous loss for you, their family and friends. As an American, I am ashamed of the results of the horror the Iraqi people are enduring. Every day I see an increase in death and torture of innocent people there. This is a war of politics and America now has blood on their hands. The more time it takes to come out of Iraq, the more impossible it becomes. As an American, I want to say I am sorry for the actions of our leaders. But it seems as if it is too late. Every day there are more deaths and torture. The torture extends not only to the victims but to their families and friends. But still the question remains, how much longer will this continue?

One of the largest reasons that our soldiers and other man and women are geting killed is because congress is pushing so hard to pull out our troops. What is that going make our Nation look like, a whimp. we need to put an end to the fighting but we need to back the troops completly. We need to help them get the job done and get it done right. Yes I understand that it means more fighting but Islam and all of the other anti-american cults will fight and are fighting to bring the war to our homeland. Thats not what I want and its not what you want either.

Being able to voice opinions of what should or should not have been done with the war in Iraq is the VERY freedom that has been fought for and the soldiers fight to give us that freedom. We should be supporting our military instead of criticizing what they are doing. Many, many of the Iraqi people are glad to see us over there, as well as there are those that are not. To put the war down, from the American and Iraq standpoint, is to say that all that have perished have done so in vain. If you have not been in the military, have not fought for your country, have not had the opportunity to run this country, NEEDS TO KEEP THEIR OPINIONS TO THEIRSELF as they do not know what they are talking about. Walk a mile in the president and military's shoes and then, maybe then you can voice your opinion what should or should not have been done or what should be done now. Its a shame that so many lives have been taken whether they be American or Iraqi people, but the support should be there for the Iraqi army and the American soldier that puts his life in harms way for all of us. God Bless America, The soldier and our President.

Imagine in your town you fear death everytime you leave home to take your children to school or buy groceries! U.S. force withdrawal is dubbed as 'surrender'. Can these critics clearly define what 'victory' is? The definition keeps changing for political convenience. Will Iraqis be better off when we leave Iraq?

My heart goes out to you. I have read through some of the comments from your story and I agree with PATRIOT, I don't believe the average American understood what was happening within the realms of our government. I am an avid voter...but it seems as though my vote no longer counts due to American's being mislead. We are supposed to be able to trust our Government, our people or else what do we stand for? I have not lost all hope in my country...but it has broken my heart along with so many others that are feeling the losses as you have. God Bless.

I am so sorry for your losses. I am an American and I apologize even though I did not vote for the idiot who created this mess. The American people should all apologize for getting you into this mess. Maybe we thought we were doing the right thing but then when it was obvious what a mess it was, we reelected the same idiot again. I think we will never learn and you have suffered unnecessarily as a result.

It makes me sick to think about the patriotic platitudes this administration and its lackeys shove down our throats everyday such as our troops are fighting for our freedoms in Iraq. They're not fighting for my freedoms as far as I can see. If they were, why are stories as this so scarce in our media? If their deaths were really supposed to mean something to me, it wouldn't reach me in this roundabout fashion. Our troops are NOT fighting for our freedoms over there. But, even worse, they're not even fighting for the freedoms of the Iraqis who die by the hundreds every week due to violence, who cannot even go outside for fear of being shot or killed by a car bomb, who cannot go to school, who cannot find work, who do not have running water or electricity except for a few hours a week. Is that freedom?? Is that what we're fighting to defend?? They keep saying a sudden pullout would be disastrous. Well, it already sounds like a disaster has occurred. How much worse could it be without us there? We're certainly not stopping it. Our soldiers are fighting for two people: #1 themselves, just trying to survive so they can come home, and #2 for George Bush who is determined to waste every life he has to in order to prove he's not the inept, vicious-minded, lying jerk that the whole world already knows him to be. Thanks, Congress, for giving into this turd and prolonging the war. I won't forget.

Its sad, very sad. Terrible loss, I dont see as there will ever be peace, All these muslims killing other muslims, I mean its just like I go to the 1st street baptist Church and I am going to kill anyone from the 4th street baptist Church, Its all in education, Nothing more and nothing less, any radicalsz speaking out freely should be destroyed, and on the other hand I dont blame islam for wanting anything to do with the USA with all the gays and lesbians, ( stupid and barbaric,) I dont blame them a bit.........I think we also need to think about how we look to other people,

I am sorry for your loss. But, unlike most of the people who have responded. I chose not to cut down the American soldiers. My husband is one of them. It is a mess that we are in, but how would our country be if we just pull out now? How long will it take for the violence that you see in the streets of Baghdad everyday to end up here? Men and women like my husband are doing what they can to make a difference for everyone. It is sad that innocent Iraqis are having to die because of a bunch of people who kill just to be killing. But, just like those innocent Iraqis.........there are thousands of innocent Americans that die at their hands as well. So, instead of condeming the American men and women over there, why don't you help find a solution to the problem.............

America is not the killers in this story! Are you saying that are soldiers, their leaders (includes USA government), and other coalition soldiers and leaders are the blame for those that are willing to kill innocent people? I hope not. If you believe that the US government is responsible for evil people wanting to kill innocent people in Iraq or elsewhere then you need to leave the USA and live in another country because you just hate this country and what it stands for.

God Help us all, we the people of the US and the people of Iraq and the entire Middle East are simpley pawns in a rediculous and greedy power struggle. My heart felt sympathies go out to the families of this article. When will it end...!!!

I am sorry for your loss. I lost a good friend while serving there. We were en route delivery food to iraq's when we were hit by a roadside bomb. SO we are there to help the iraqi people. Its the Iraqi people that are detonation these roadside bombs. I don't know what to think anymore. Obviously there is a few bad apples that are spoiling the whole bag. If they would let us build the schools and help with there water lines and ect we could be done already. but no, we have to keep going after these insurgents because the iraqi people are too scared to defend themselves against there own? So i guess at this point it doesn't matter if we are there or not. because Iraqis are never going to stop blowing there own women and children up until IRAQI's take a stance against there own. Its too bad innocent people have to die because a type of religion thinks there going to heaven for a bunch of virgins if they kill themselves and whoever else.... hmm yeah right. good luck with that. the last comment didn't make any sense. Oil hungry country. if we were so oil hungry why are we paying out of our butts for gas right now at the pumps.. think about that. Again sorry for your loss..

Sorry to hear about the loss as well...the question I have is if the "WAR" wasn't going on and this gentlemen had died - would any of you really cared or would we have even known???? One thing that this war has done is brought a lot of attention to this part of the world that most people probably never really thought about before. I agree that the time has come to begin taking the steps necssary to reduce the American presence there - but now that you know about all of the Iraqi killings that the US presence has been accused of causing (I know I saw some astronomical figure reported in an earlier post) is it something that we need to rush before the chaos has been lessened?

What are Americans apologizing for? Iraq needs to take control of their own country, we are attempting to train them to do so. Or perhaps the apologetics are desiring this war to continue in our own country? Support our country, our soldiers, or leave.

I am sorry too as so many have stated. This is not the America I know and this war is not what our country is about. I knew immediately when I heard we were going into Iraq it would be a mistake, dreamed up by a very dangerous administration. I too wish to apologize for the actions of my country, I don't know how we will every make it up to you.

all Bush's horsemen of death; (Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, et all) All the king's soldiers; Can't put Iraq together again. GET OUT NOW!

Please explain to me why and how the Canadians have managed to stay out of this horable mess? If they could do it,couldn't we have done it too? Or our are so called leaders just too oil hungry?

What you are all forgetting is that it was our own CIA that set the groundwork for this "civil war". It's about the oil.

As an American, I am sorry and grieve for your pain. Too bad George Bush's administration doesn't share your pain (as he was warned repeatedly that this very thing would happen)! For the last couple of years, I am ashamed to be called an American. All I ever hear is "God bless America." How about "God bless the rest of the World." No, we are more interested in who wins American Idol..and mostly view the lives of non Americans (especially Muslims) as second rate. We will get ours one day (I am afraid).

Bush is a chimp. Cheney is a liar. Rumsfeld was an ass. The PNAC crowd should be lined up and shot.

I was in Iraq for one year (2006) There are a lot of good people in Iraq. If any one of citizens stood up agains the insurgance, they would most likely be killed. While I was there we had a maid that came in to clean areas of the house. She asked me for one favor, to teach her 6 yr old daughter how to swim. I saw so much light and potentical in this young girl. Because of meeting her it really turned my view around and I knew why I was there. I hope that the American and forign troops in Iraq will continue to do the right thing. I know I will always wonder for the rest of my life what that little girl is doing. Thanks

Drink until dawn? I think you are a liar? Are you george bush? Nope, can't be, you can spell....must be laura.

I'am so sorry for your losses. I'am ashamed to be an american and imbarrassed to have an idiot running our country. I'm glad i did not vote for him, but every dum person that voted for him should go to iraq and see if they return as heros.

The saddest thing is, Americans aren't killing these people, extreme factions are doing the killing. The Americans get the blame because we are there. That is no different than blaming a woman for being raped because she wore a sexy outfit. When will people wake up and realize the extremists are the ones causing all of the suffering and death in Iraq and Darfur and Afghanistan!!! The real idiots are the people who don't see and understand that the reason they use these tactics is to incite fear to get what they want, like the bully on the bus. Until someone stands against them and fights back, the world is doomed to more death of innocent lives.

The reality of this situation is that it is hopeless. We have gotten ourselves sucked into quicksand, and we walked into it voluntarily. The rest of the world is content to smugly watch the mighty 21st century US armed forces get "bested" by shadow armies fighting a 1000 year old grudge. And don't think of any quick pull out. We're going to be there another 10 years. Say goodbye to your Social Security and other benefits. We will need the money to pay for the war as well as taking care of the wounded from it. Bin Laden and his ilk know how to fight a war - use terror and proxies. You lose. If I sound bitter, there's a reason. It's how this whole global war on terror has been botched. And we are not safer! And to the gentleman who wrote that sad blog, please accept my sympathies, and I apologize for the rant.

A very sad tale indeed. However, our president says everybody must sacrafice for freedom if they want it or not. He knows what is best and he is the "decider." To bad for the folks in harms way because bush can not be stopped. The machine of government is busted and no one can fix it. We all have other things to do.

This story is both heartbreaking and tragic; unfortunately, it is probably pretty common. We cannot just blame Bush for the mess but also must blame the citizens who voted for him and support this war. The post above by Tina is classic herd mentality "I stand for my President and for my Country." Unquestioned support for your president and country is both servile and unpatriotic. Our founding fathers are spinning in their grave(s).Unquestioned support for your president and country is both servile and unpatriotic. Our founding fathers are spinning in their grave(s).

I am an Iraqi American who left Iraq when Saddam came to to power. I still have all my family in Baghdad that are so miserable due to our action. For those who are defending the president blindly, and calling themselves patriots i say to you, you need to get the facts right 1st. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 or with Bin Laden Iraq was not a threat to our national security Iraqis are Muslims Iraq has the 2nd largest oil reserve in the world this is a prime example of some ignorant people who are writing with emotions instead with brain "If you have not been in the military, have not fought for your country, have not had the opportunity to run this country, NEEDS TO KEEP THEIR OPINIONS TO THEIRSELF as they do not know what they are talking about." so according to Jane Doe (she did not even have to guts to write her own real name) if you do not agree with me then you are against me!! and you call this freedom and democracy! the other person "John from Florida" talking about religious leaders, what you think GWB is doing? isn't he the compassionate conservative that have so far managed to destroy a country that have done nothing to us and changed the people way of life with his own stupid action in Iraq? so it is ok for Christians to kill Muslims and not for Muslims to defends themselve against an army that don't even speak the local languages. is it ok for our soldiers to abuse Iraqis under the pretense of freedom and democracy and if they are resist us then we can call them terrorist. So American soldiers can kill any Iraqi they want in the name of security but if they kill us back then they must be terrorists. the mission has changed so many times, we should leave Iraq, rebuild that country, pay compensations and apologize. this is the honorable's way to finish this mess. The Idea that if we don't fight them there, they will follow us here, what a stupid idea. people who thinks this way must be insecure and incredibly stupid. I as an American citizen can't get our government to give my family a visa let alone let the terrorists in. people who thinks this way makes me sick.

Words can never say how the world feels about our president invading Iraq. For whatever reason he gives, right now innocent Iraqis are dieng for the glory he wanted instead got a civil war that is killing thousand of their own people as well as our soldiers. This would not, could have happened if Saddam was still in power. He kept order by ruling with a iron fist.

Many people that i know as well as myselfthougt we would be just where we are if the US invaded Iraq, but were unable to prevent the so-called war, it is just a bad as we were sure it would be, but now too late to change. We must ge out as soon s possible.

I would just like to respond to Jane Doe who feels that if someone has not served in the military or in politics they should not have an opinion. That is absolutely wrong! This country was founded by people who had an opinion about how government and military should be run. You mention that having an opinion is what makes this country great, but yet only certain people can have them? That sounds like a dictatorship to me. It is people who do not listen to the oppositions opinions who are close minded and make mistakes like our president has made. I SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! They did not decide to go to war. President Bush made that decision for them. I do not support the war because it was done specifically to avenge the hit Saddam Hussien had out on his father, former President Bush. I think we have all missed that point. We talk about patriotism and have been led by our president to believe that being a patriot means you support the war. That is wrong, being a patriot means you love this country and what it represents, freedom. Democracy is not for every country. Just because we thrive on it and love it does not mean everyone wants it. This is not a political war in Iraq, it is religious and it will continue no matter what the US does. It has been going on for thousands of years. The only thing we did, was stir the pot. I am saddened that people follow our government blindly. Our country was founded by people who question government and speak out! I feel sorry for the innocent people who have died in Iraq (both Iraqi and American). I want our troops to do their jobs and come home, but unfortunately they have not been given tools to win a war that has been going on long before the US was here. Why does the US feel we need to fix everyone's problems? Why do we feel that we are better than everyone else? Why can't we fix the issues we have here before creating bigger ones over seas like social security, health care, and oil prices. Maybe it is time we look in the mirror and realize that we have only created absolute choas in Iraq and start to practice a bit more caution when deciding what is right for others.

I agree that we need to get out of there asap. Ironically, I think that is the best thing that we can do to "help"... or at least to minimize the damage we've caused.

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