http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/155560.aspxBy Richard Engel, Middle East bureau chief This week Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his six ministers out of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government, allegedly because the Iraqi leader refused to set a deadline for the withdrawal of American troops fromen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/155560.aspx#155794Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:54:40 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:155794H. WhiteI LOVE the pictures of these Mullahs (like al-Sadr). They always look like such "happy go lucky" sorts. One has to wonder if they go to some method acting class to get that scowl just right as they're ALL remarkably consistent. Does one have to be just bubbling over with hatred before the powers that be will consider one for such a responsible post? Were I looking for a religion... how could I resist following such a happy person. He obviously has HIS life together so well, he MUST be emulated !!!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/155560.aspx#155817Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:06:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:155817Jeremy Fischer, Lincoln, NEIt'll be interesting to see what's going to happen to the Malaki-led/Sadr-backed government when these 2 men no longer back each other. It has certainly seemed so far that no government force can contend with the radical agenda of a fundamentalist group, and I can easily imagine Iraq spinning further out of control into chaos that's reminiscent of the situation in Somalia. Curious how both of these nations will have the stamp of the U.S. on them.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/155560.aspx#155889Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:40:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:155889ZumaSadr is an always was a coward, and one who had delusions of granduer. What he truly is a fat worthless jerk who should be killed the second he returns to Iraq or shows his face. Iraq is much better with him gone! http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/155560.aspx#155923Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:53:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:155923You don't want to knowWhat a joke. that whole country is one big joke. The people are jokes. the governament is a huge joke. their police are jokes. Al sadr is a dangerous joke and i feel sorry for the people stupid enough to believe his crap. Can we please just level the whole area and make it an endangered species sanctuary. return the Tigris and Euphrates to the fertile lands they once were and marvel at the giant animal sanctuary we have created. can you imagine? A giant theme park with roller coasters and exhibits and all?I'm serious. We could ethnically cleanse the middle east and then the US, western europe and especially Isreal can live without looking over their shoulders. Sunnis and Shiites are feuding over a disagreement that dates back to the 7th century. What a bunch of idiots. Islam has worn out it's welcome on this planet and it's time we get rid of it. Burn it's books. level it's mosques and dispose of anyone who supports it. We'll make the holocaust look like the Boston Tea Partyhttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/155560.aspx#155952Wed, 18 Apr 2007 15:06:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:155952ROB, SAINT LOUIS, MO.Subject: World Peace Three guys -- a Canadian farmer, Osama bin Laden, and an American engineer are walking together one day. They come across a lantern and a Genie pops out of it. "I will give each of you one wish, which is three wishes total" says the Genie. The Canadian says, "I am a farmer, my dad was a farmer, and my son will also farm. I want the land to be forever fertile in Canada." Pooooof! With a blink of the Genie's eye, the land in Canada was forever made fertile for farming. Osama bin Laden was amazed, so he said, "I want an impenetrable wall around Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran with all believers of Mohammad inside and all Jews, Christians, and other infidels forever outside our precious state!" Pooooof! Again, with the blink of the Genie's eye, there was a huge wall around those countries. The American engineer asks, "I am very curious. Please tell me more about this wall." The Genie explains, "Well, it's 5000 feet high, 500 feet thick and completely surrounds these countries........ it's virtually impenetrable. Now what is your wish?" The American engineer smiles and says, "Fill it with water." Pooooof! WORLD PEACE http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/155560.aspx#156015Wed, 18 Apr 2007 15:42:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:156015Karla thompson, phoenix, azIs anyone surprised? We should have known this was comming. I understand this guy was power hungry, anti-Sadam and anti-american before we got there. Since we didn't have the sense to 'take him out' ahead of time we are to blame for for the mess he has caused in his quest for power. There is not much we can do now, he is part of the goverment and too powerful now.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/155560.aspx#156087Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:03:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:156087Mike, Edwards, CASadr realizes that Maliki is not his puppet and that if Maliki is allowed to secure the country that Sadr will never be in power. His only hope for power is to get the government to collapse before the country is secured. He realizes that the best way to do that is to pull out the puppets he does have in the government and continue his campaign to get the US out as quickly as possible. Maliki needs to keep telling him to pound sand. Arrest anybody affiliated with him and keep his up what he is doing in securing his Nation.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/155560.aspx#156105Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:07:57 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:156105stan morris caracas vewhy not sit down with all sides and seek a diplomatic solution? Fighting clearly is not the solution.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/155560.aspx#156124Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:14:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:156124Veiw from Texas, Fort Worth, TX Just as the White House makes comments on the press releaseing only negative data on the War, so does the White House as to what is really happening. I know we talk about it and discuss the subject, but I for one do not believe that the common folks of this Country know enough to fill up a timble about what is really going on. Civilan are still being KILLED by the hundreds, US Troops are still, being KILLED, luckly not by the hundres to adding up too,BILLIONS of dollars are still being spent and gher GOVERNMENT is breaking up. And the White House and McCain would like you to believe that things are getting BETTER. Could you tell your friends such and lie and expect them to believe you? http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/155560.aspx#156147Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:30:31 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:156147Neal Ahearn 3101 riggs lane greenville,nc 27834I think the iraqi goverment know better that I don't trust AL-SADR is at all cuz he would be dangerous and want to kill iraqi ppl in BAGHDAD We want to kill AL-SADR right now and do it search his place and their bad group for take all guns and ammuntions also arrest his group to put the trail to make sure as they are quilty for murders period We want to see there will be safe now but thank you for hanging Saddam Huesim too I hope the Iraqi goverment will be better in the future.......http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/155560.aspx#156149Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:31:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:156149Aaron, Champaign, ILThank you news media for hiding this incredibly important story underneath a hundred layers of relatively unimportant VT coverage.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/155560.aspx#156157Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:34:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:156157Quite concernedIt's no coincidence that Sadr called for protests and quit the government just as the Iranians are making announcements regarding uranium enrichment. This is an ominous sign that Sadr and his Iranian paymasters have decided to go for broke - meaning, the leaving the government is tantamount to declaring a revolt. Violence hasn't erupted just yet as I think both sides are waiting for the catalyst. Today's bombings might be an excuse to kill Sunnis but I don't know how Sadr can twist as he always does, this into being caused by the U.S. and then start fighting our soldiers. What amazes me is 1. Sadr is still alive, reflecting the lack of backbone of our people here and there - this guy declares revolts, kills at least 60-80 American soldiers, and not only is he alive but given ministerial positions in the government. My G-d! and 2. The "Surge" is supposed to boost security in the capital in the event something like this would happen and should have been expected would happen - and 2/3 of the "Surge" forces won't be there until June! To say I'm quite concerned about our own competence is an understatement. Either send them in which might make Sadr think twice - especially if there are a few "incidents" with "rogue" Sadr elements and he gets his butt kicked, or pull the hell out. The current level of forces has not been able to handle such upheaval and tension in the capital thus far. I don't know what we're waiting for. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/155560.aspx#162368Sun, 22 Apr 2007 02:08:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:162368AnonymousLast week a break occurred between Muqtada al-Sadr and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. I, like many others, read the news and was led to the conclusion that Sadr was objecting to Maliki's government refusing to set a timetable for the