Iraq MPs hold emergency session (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7317935.stm)Iraq's parliament is due to hold an emergency session to try to end fighting between Shia militias and Iraqi security forces.

They haven't settled this YET? Who thinks the government should lay the smack down? But then again radical cleric Moqtada Sadr seem so... radical.. heh... pfff... why the hell are we in Iraq again? oh yeah the oil...


Michael

Just another speedbump in the War on 'Terra'.

It's good to see the lazy Iraqi's killing their own again!!

So is Baghdad secured yet? Its been five years now.

Not even the road from the airport to the Green Zone is secure.

They haven't settled this YET? Who thinks the government should lay the smack down? There is no government. There hasn't been an Iraqi government of Iraq since the spring of '03.

The Central Authority, or Vichy Government in Baghdad, has some military, but so does Sadr. Laying the smack down presents problems.

Then Sadr ought to be killed. Or rather he should have been killed years ago. I doubt anyone has the guts to do it now.

I thought an armed militia was important to maintain democratic principles.

It's good to see the lazy Iraqi's killing their own again!!

Muqtada Al-Sadr's forces aren't killing Iraqis. They're focusing all of their firepower and resources against the U.S. troops. Sadr's a brilliant man who has tons of support, and personally, I appreciate the future he sees for Iraq. He envisions an Islamic Democracy, and a lot of people are starting to jump on the bandwagon with this.

Of course, you have the U.S. funding various Sunni groups against Al-Sadr (Shi'ite), and to protect themselves, Sadr's militia must fight back. Thus, a civil war ensues.

Al-Sadr wants to unite Iraq.

"You, the Iraqi army and police forces, don't walk alongside the occupiers, because they are your archenemy."

"God has ordered you to be patient in front of your enemy, and unify your efforts against them — not against the sons of Iraq."

What a joke, Kadark.

Al-Sadr is a religious kook who has no interest in seeing anything other than a theocratic state modeled on Iran, who happens to be one of his biggest backers, come to be in Iraq. The fact he has no problem offing his neighbors simply because they don't pray the same way he does says all you need to know about the man.

He should have been taken out long ago, as he has largely been a huge thorn in the peace process, but no one wanted to do that.

Yeah, keep playing that broken record. Your first sentence speaks volumes about your faulty knowledge on the issue. Al-Sadr doesn't want a theocracy - he has been quoted numerous times as saying he wants a democracy. Sadr has also called for a peace plan with the Sunnis, and wants to work with them unconditionally.

"I am ready to cooperate with [Sunnis] at all levels - this is my hand I stretch out to them."

Yes, he has been a thorn, but certainly not in the peace process. He's been a thorn in the U.S.'s efforts of establishing an obedient government with delightful oil policies.

Sadr has said he wants a theocratic state similar to — but independent from — Iran in the Arab press. There would be elections in such a state, but ultimately the clerics would rule, just as they do in Iran.

And it's one thing for Sadr to talk about peace, it's another to compare his rhetoric with his actions. He has demagogued and insighted violence against American, coalition and Iraqi troops (your previous post suggests as much), supported terrorism and begun uprisings against a government popularly elected by the Iraqi people.

So what about this man, other than his violence toward a power you hate, is impressive? I think he's just a well-armed brigand who saw a power vacuum after the collapse of the Baathists and figured he could take advantage of it. Predator drones and hellfire missiles are made for people like him.

The resemblance of Iran you're talking about is the Shi'ite influence in office - not the theocratic nature. Without question, Sadr wants a democracy. You were wrong in saying he wanted a theocracy. Your ten minutes of Wikipedia searching does little to convince me that you know jack shit about Sadr.

So now you don't like him for "terrorism" and acts of violence? Too fucking bad. He and his militia have every right to shoot American soldiers in the face when and where they meet them. He has every right to unify the disorganized factions of Iraq into one power to remove the American OCCUPATION. He has every right to pursue the highest throne in Iraq. His own father was assassinated by Saddam's government. The man is on a mission, and a righteous one at that. You start a war, and then you complain because people are fighting back?

How fucking rude of them to defend themselves.

I think I will just let the tenor of your remarks stand on their own...

I think the USA should just leave - today couldn't be soon enough. Let them have whatever they want for a goverment. In the end they will have another Saddan regardless. That's always the case in the ME. So lets get out now.

I think the USA should just leave - today couldn't be soon enough. Let them have whatever they want for a goverment. In the end they will have another Saddan regardless. That's always the case in the ME. So lets get out now.

Yeah, they always have a "Saddam" when CIA officials plan organized military coups to establish the system they want. The Iraqis had a great leader, the Honorable General Abdul Qasim, who rose to power by the support of his own people. Yet, he was toppled by external forces. So yeah, it's little wonder why lunatics like Saddam attain power.

There will never be a better time than now for the US to back out of this colossal mistake, and just go home.

It's all downhill from here, because the incongruous, increasingly despised USAmerican presence is the kiss of death to any domestic attempt at order in what's left of Iraq.

Yeah, they always have a "Saddam" when CIA officials plan organized military coups to establish the system they want. The Iraqis had a great leader, the Honorable General Abdul Qasim, who rose to power by the support of his own people. Yet, he was toppled by external forces. So yeah, it's little wonder why lunatics like Saddam attain power.Abdul Qasim also known as "The Leader" geee just change that to Dear Leader and you'd have Kim Jun Il's title :p

Anyway, I'm all in favor of a US withdrawal today.

Abdul Qasim also known as "The Leader" geee just change that to Dear Leader and you'd have Kim Jun Il's title :p

Yeah, except Qasim's is truly a title given by the public - not a personal monicker like Kim's. Frankly, I'm a little offended that you could even compare the two. Then, however, I quickly realize how unknowledgeable you are about politics and history, and how you like to draw fake conclusions and make illogical connections. The Iraqis still, to this day, refer to Qasim's capture of power (destroying the British-established monarchy) as the 14th of July Revolution. You're going to compare this national hero to Kim Jong Il?

They haven't settled this YET?

No, there was a cease-fire agreement with Al-Sadr's militia which is why fighting has been calm-er the past few months, not due to the Surge, although hey, more troops do help, but the amount we sent isn't much.

- N

You're going to compare this national hero to Kim Jong Il?for most North Koreans Kim Jung Il is more than a national hero he is the living God. How dare you insult his name!

Look, maybe Abdul Qasim would have done a good job or maybe he'd have been an utter failure. I personally remember when Iraqis had one of the highest standards of living in the ME and this was under Saddam.

Anyway, the idea of building a nation on the back of a national hero is perfectly in tune with how the people in ME probably need to be ruled. So, I agree, it's too bad Abdul Qasim wasn't around to rule the place.

I still wish the USA would pull out all of it's troupes.

Muqtada Al-Sadr's forces aren't killing Iraqis. They're focusing all of their firepower and resources against the U.S. troops. Sadr's a brilliant man who has tons of support, and personally, I appreciate the future he sees for Iraq. He envisions an Islamic Democracy, and a lot of people are starting to jump on the bandwagon with this.

Of course, you have the U.S. funding various Sunni groups against Al-Sadr (Shi'ite), and to protect themselves, Sadr's militia must fight back. Thus, a civil war ensues.

Al-Sadr wants to unite Iraq.

"You, the Iraqi army and police forces, don't walk alongside the occupiers, because they are your archenemy."

"God has ordered you to be patient in front of your enemy, and unify your efforts against them — not against the sons of Iraq."

Muqtada al-Sadr

Iraqi militia leader: My influence is waning