Article

2006-11-26 Iraq

Calls for calm as crowd stones [motorcade of] Iraq PM

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Posted by gorb 2006-11-26 16:16|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Sadrites stoning Shia PM Malikme. Semi-Boggle. But that's cuz I'm a Westerner.

Here we are. 2006. The Sunni-Shia schism began with Mo's death in 632. They've been at each other's throat ever since. Now, both sides have the oil money and today's weapons are of sufficient lethality that this idiocy endangers the entire world.

Sure, they want to wipe us out and restore some sort of Caliphate, but they hate each other more - and each wants that Caliph to be one of their own.

We're both a target of opportunity and a hindrance in the first modern battlefield where this is playing out. Logically, in Western terms, they should ally against us, truly coordinate with each other, sharing intel and manpower and leadership, but they can't manage it. They're just too fucked up. The hateful treatment each gives the other when in power overrides everything - vengeance, blood libel, ancient hatreds and jealousy.

I happen to think it doesn't make much difference which of them "wins" - they're just different strains of the same pathogen. Equally dangerous, equally fatal, equally deserving of eradication, since they already have the "truth" and there will be no reform or honest brokerage possible. It is written.

Posted by .com 2006-11-26 17:17|| 2006-11-26 17:17|| Front Page Top

#2 By removing the coalition check points, al-Maliki has caused the deaths of inummerable civilians, Shia and Sunni alike. He represents exactly what is wrong with reconstructed Iraq and the sooner he stops a bullet the quicker real progress can be made.

Posted by Zenster">Zenster 2006-11-26 17:33|| 2006-11-26 17:33|| Front Page Top

#3 Maliki is Shiite, no, so are the Sadrists?. Perhaps he's not pro-Persian enuf?

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-11-26 17:35|| 2006-11-26 17:35|| Front Page Top

#4 I thought there were at least two styles of Shiites, the Sistani-Iraqi and the Sadr-Persian. Couldn't that be the reason for the stoning of a Shiite? Or perhaps he's an adulterer?

In any case, we are most likely to be playing one group off against another for a while, at least till the General War breaks out; and I don't expect that for at least 5 years. So until then, we do need to care which "wins" so that we can assure that the defeats are spread evenly.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-11-26 17:53|| 2006-11-26 17:53|| Front Page Top

#5 NS, I like your hint of machiavellism there.

Posted by twobyfour 2006-11-26 18:07|| 2006-11-26 18:07|| Front Page Top

#6 the Sistani-Iraqi and the Sadr-Persian.

hell, that's what I thought, now I hear that Sadr is the real Iraqi-nationalist Shia groupen.

Posted by Shipman 2006-11-26 18:11|| 2006-11-26 18:11|| Front Page Top

#7 #1 - what a truly excellent summary of the situation out there.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2006-11-26 18:56|| 2006-11-26 18:56|| Front Page Top

#8 No kissing up to the mods. Their egos are big enough already.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-11-26 18:58|| 2006-11-26 18:58|| Front Page Top

#9 Credit where due, Nimble Spemble. It takes a certain unusual boldness to try to herd this bunch of cats. Besides, that is a nice little summary .com wrote. And since I'm terribly fond of both of you, you're now sitting neatly in the horns of a dillemma: if I'm kissing up to him, I must be to you, also... but ladies don't kiss up, so.... ;-)

Posted by trailing wife 2006-11-26 19:35|| 2006-11-26 19:35|| Front Page Top

#10 So you two are left out in the cold again. :-)

Posted by gorb 2006-11-26 19:42|| 2006-11-26 19:42|| Front Page Top

22:45 ErickWahne
23:45 Swamp Blondie
23:39 Swamp Blondie
23:29 Zenster
23:25 Glenmore
23:21 Anguper Hupomosing9418
23:06 Zenster
23:06 Anguper Hupomosing9418
22:59 Silentbrick
22:56 Anguper Hupomosing9418
22:52 Anguper Hupomosing9418
22:48 Anguper Hupomosing9418
22:45 ErickWahne
22:35 Chuck
22:26 Zenster
22:25 Hilaliburton Bondi Barbie Div.
22:09 Old Patriot
21:58 USN,Ret
21:57 USN,Ret
21:53 .com
21:52 USN,Ret
21:41 trailing wife
21:32 Frank G
21:30 Frank G