12 Marines killed in Iraq

[billvon 2,991]

Just heard via CNN that 12 Marines were killed in a battle in Najaf. That brings the total over the past 3 days to 30 US soldiers killed. Let's keep them in our thoughts. We like to argue here over politics and the Iraq war and all, and things get heated at times, but there are people out there to whom the issues we discuss are a lot more real.

[gmanpilot 0]

Thirty killed in three days? Shit. Heros, every one of them.

_________________________________________
-There's always free cheese in a mouse trap.

[chuteless 1]

I think it would be a good idea if the US Forces dropped about 15 Daisey Cutter bombs around the outskirts of Baghdad...and watch those snivelling murdering Iraqi cowards crawl back into their holes.


Then they should pass a law...anyone carrying a gun anywhere in Iraq (not members of the coalition) will be shot ...doesnt matter who, where, when, or why.

carry a gun or weapon...you are daid....real daid.

Bill Cole D-41

[Luv2Fall 0]

Warriors.....heart and soul.

[lawrocket 3]

Now these troops are more heavily engaged in MOUT. That's some truly heavy stuff.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[billvon 2,991]

>I think it would be a good idea if the US Forces dropped about 15
> Daisey Cutter bombs around the outskirts of Baghdad...and watch
> those snivelling murdering Iraqi cowards crawl back into their holes.

I don't think we'd be willing to kill so many kids. That's the problem with daisy cutters - they can't tell Iraqi resistance fighters from 9 year old girls. Soldiers can, but then you have news like today's.

>Then they should pass a law...anyone carrying a gun anywhere in
> Iraq (not members of the coalition) will be shot ...doesnt matter
> who, where, when, or why.

Don't let John Rich hear you saying that!

[Kennedy 0]

Don't forget me. I also think that's one of the dumbest ideas spoken relating to Iraq yet. Let's force the locals to be completely at the mercy of thugs and insurgents.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[chuteless 1]

I didnt mean to imply that the daisey cutters should be dropped anywhere that they would cause death or injury...just a show of force against those who are slaughtering American soldiers with bombs buried in the road, ambuses, and every other kind of betrayal they can devise.

Its time the Americans went in to WIN this war...and by not doing so, there will be a lot more American deaths. Stop playing stupid games...win the war or go home.

Bill Cole

[Kramer 0]

Yeah, I don't know about you guys...but I'm kinda sick of hearing about our troops being killed over there. I'm starting to wonder, is our 'security' and the Iraqi's 'Liberation' really worth hundreds of American lives? What about a few hundred more???

I, for one, am getting ready for this to end.

The FAKE KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!!

[Gawain 0]

I was talking to a friend of mine who's stationed at Pendleton a little over a week ago. He told me that as the rotations were being completed that the Marines were going to be assuming a far more offensive posture. The movements on Najaf and Fallujah appear to be the tip of the spear.

Unwavering support from me.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[Gravitymaster 0]

This is just the beginning. I predict we will be in Iran within 6 months or less.

[billvon 2,991]

>I didnt mean to imply that the daisey cutters should be dropped
>anywhere that they would cause death or injury...just a show of force
> against those who are slaughtering American soldiers with bombs
> buried in the road, ambuses, and every other kind of betrayal they
> can devise.

Don't forget, these are people who made it through years of tyranny under someone who is willing to be a lot more evil than we are. Are bombs dropped in the desert going to be more of a deterrent than taking someone's children and threatening to kill them?

>Its time the Americans went in to WIN this war...and by not doing so,
> there will be a lot more American deaths. Stop playing stupid
> games...win the war or go home.

How do you "win?" Bush declared the end of major combat almost a year ago. What's your definition of winning? Ending terror attacks? Will never happen. Ending attacks on US troops? Can't do it without killing millions and becoming more infamous than Hussein himself.

I wish there was a way out, a way that we don't have to watch as hundreds (and perhaps thousands) of US troops die over the next few years. But I just don't see it.

[Gawain 0]

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This is just the beginning. I predict we will be in Iran within 6 months or less.

I don't doubt that our operations will expand in the region, but I don't think it will be that soon (barring some other significant event). I think things would face west, toward Syria. Just my $.02.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[chuteless 1]

I am just sick over the loss of Americans...and I reallyu dont like killing other humans, but the manner of the Iraqis crosses the line of human beings. They are more cruel than the enemies of WW II, and I really dont want to see another Vietnam.

I feel so sorry for those at home in America, waiting every day to hear about their loved ones.

The worst thing is the Islamic terrorists will soon strike again on American soil...and thats not going to be nice. Even the administration says that is inevitable.

What a world ....

Bill Cole D-41

[ianmdrennan 2]

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I am just sick over the loss of Americans

I'm sick over the loss of innocent human life, regardless of their nationality. No-one "wins" a war...sometimes they are inevitable, but no-one wins.

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and I reallyu dont like killing other humans, but the manner of the Iraqis crosses the line of human beings. They are more cruel than the enemies of WW II, and I really dont want to see another Vietnam.

Really? Every single one of them? I guess America (or any other country for that matter) has never done anything cruel in wartime? Nothing happened in Korea or Vietnam? I seriously doubt that.

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The worst thing is the Islamic terrorists will soon strike again on American soil

I hope not, but it's now a part of life. We (america) are going to be a target as we have taken an "active stance". From a different perspective, we'd be considered terrorists though. Nothings as clear cut as it seems.

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What a world ....

You said it. It'll always be this way as long as there's intolerance, and I doubt that'll ever end.

Performance Designs Factory Team

[Gawain 0]

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The worst thing is the Islamic terrorists will soon strike again on American soil...and thats not going to be nice. Even the administration says that is inevitable.

What a world ....

Even weirder (and in my opinion, more of a reason to stay the course), is that our plans to begin transfer of power by the end of June, and begin compartmentalizing our occupation and eventual withdrawal, were within sight (not just for us, but these wackos and clerics).

All these militants had to do was wait. But their hatred is so misplaced, and so blinding that they have no foresight, no thought process. A coup could've been attempted, whatever...

Now, the Marines are moving in. They're gonna wish they stayed in bed.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[wmw999 2,447]

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I predict we will be in Iran within 6 months or less.

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I don't doubt that our operations will expand in the region, but I don't think it will be that soon (barring some other significant event). I think things would face west

Personally, I think that's appalling to consider as anything besides completely unacceptable.

Why are we there? Is it to preserve our way of life here 10,000 miles away? How, other than oil, does their existence impact our life?

And if it's because of the "inhumanity" of Saddam Hussein, why would we go for either Iran or Syria? Or do the rules change?

Do people really think it's OK to try to remake the world in our own image? To sacrifice our young men and women; soldiers, contractors, and Iraqis as well. All because we want Iraq to be more like us.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[rhino 0]

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Now, the Marines are moving in. They're gonna wish they stayed in bed.

I agree.. I have such a respect for our soldiers in foreign lands. Hell I have a respect for all of them.

The things they are going through in Iraq are unimaginable to most civilians. I have the highest respect for them.

I've lost 3 very close Marine buddies of mine so far in Iraq. Each of them knew exactly why they were going, why they were there and frankly they were willing to give the ultimate sacrifice. I say a prayer for all of them every day. Our troops. Their families.. Loved ones.. And the innocent Iraqi people that just want a glimpse of the freedom we take for granted here in our own country. They diserve to be free. It isn't about pushing our "way of life".. It's about humanity, and the right to be free.

I am praying for them all..........

Semper Fi brothers...

Sgt Cowan.. USMC..

Rhino

[Gawain 0]

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How, other than oil, does their existence impact our life?

I love that question. Iraq is not supplying any major amounts of oil. If we wanted only the oil, we would've continued to deal with Saddam.

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And if it's because of the "inhumanity" of Saddam Hussein, why would we go for either Iran or Syria? Or do the rules change?

Syria is certainly a valid target vis-a-vis the war on terror, or any acid test we applied in Iraq. They're an occupying force in Lebanon. Al-Asad is not much better than Hussein. Their support of terrorism is not in dispute.

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Do people really think it's OK to try to remake the world in our own image? To sacrifice our young men and women; soldiers, contractors, and Iraqis as well. All because we want Iraq to be more like us.

That's a little simplistic in my opinion. Under Hussein, the Iraqis weren't allowed to be like anyone, even Iraqis. We did not, and do instill our image on Germany, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Grenada, Panama...to name a few.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[billvon 2,991]

>I am just sick over the loss of Americans...and I reallyu dont like
> killing other humans, but the manner of the Iraqis crosses the line
> of human beings. They are more cruel than the enemies of WW II . .

Oh, I don't know about that. There were some real atrocities in WWII.

> and I really dont want to see another Vietnam.

I agree with you there. We are going to have to be very smart about how we handle the next six months if we are going to be able to get our troops out in one piece without Iraq ending up as a massive anti-US dictatorship.

>The worst thing is the Islamic terrorists will soon strike again on
> American soil...and thats not going to be nice. Even the
> administration says that is inevitable.

Yep, although they may not be Islamic. We tend to get complacent about other groups when our attention is focused on one. Twenty years ago it was the USSR, now it's the Islamic terrorists. If the next 9/11 style attack comes in another 20 years, it will likely be from a completely unexpected direction.

[Casurf1978 0]

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Unwavering support from me.

Same from me. Question though. What % of our armed forces are in Iraq?

[bluskidave 0]

I've got a son son who is a freshman in highschool involved in the naval junior rotc program that wants to join the Army go airborne and hopes that the shit in Irag and Afghanistan is still going on so that He can kill Al Quida and Taliban.I pray that this will all be over but it seems that this part of earth has been at war since the first recording of history and I hope that our politician's don't use votes to dictate policy!!!!!

[mikkey 0]

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I love that question. Iraq is not supplying any major amounts of oil. If we wanted only the oil, we would've continued to deal with Saddam.

Currently they do not supply much due to a smashed infrastructure and sabotage, but they sit on one of the largest oil reserves and they sit very close to Kuwait and Saudi. In oil terms Iraq is a very strategic place.

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Syria is certainly a valid target vis-a-vis the war on terror, or any acid test we applied in Iraq. They're an occupying force in Lebanon. Al-Asad is not much better than Hussein. Their support of terrorism is not in dispute.

Hold on, Iraq was about WMD's - the terror issue was not used because Iraq was not really supporting OBL (that is Saudi Arabia and others). Terror has become an issue after the occupation.

I thought you guys would finally start to understand that things in the middle east are a little more complex then "good guys vs. bad guys". The latest uprising is by Shia's not Suni's. A lot of people warned that invading Iraq without a good plan and broad support would cause all kinds of problems because the country and the region is so complex. And now there is a mess that will cost a lot lives and take a long time to resolve (if ever).

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When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

[Dougjumper 0]

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Thirty killed in three days? Shit. Heros, every one of them.

They were just doing their Jobs man...
Plain and Simple...

Tired of being Tired of hearing this...

The glass is half full or half empty doesn't matter. Let go and have the Lord guide your path. He will take care of it all.

[Gravitymaster 0]

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I thought you guys would finally start to understand that things in the middle east are a little more complex then "good guys vs. bad guys". The latest uprising is by Shia's not Suni's.

Gee Mikkey.. I would have thought you would know what you are talking about before making such an untrue statement.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4667742/

Quote from the article:

Sunni Muslim insurgents and Shiite Muslims loyal to a militant cleric challenged U.S.-led forces on two fronts Tuesday, mounting battles across four southern Iraqi cities and taking on U.S. Marines in Fallujah, where several columns backed by tanks met heavy fire as they tried to move in.