Right wing news organizations had been hyping the death of Al Queda leader Al-Zarqawi as a turning point in the war in Iraq.

However, in a little over 48 hours two U.S. soldiers have been kidnapped and another killed, and 31 people died as violence continued to spread across Iraq.

SO MUCH FOR THE DEATH OF AL-ZARQAWI BEING THE TURNING POINT IN THE WAR.

What the terrorists/insurgents have done is just what was predicted by those of us who have been in uniform for the United States of America.

The terrorists/insurgents have shifted their focus to killing and kidnapping of U.S. troops in Iraq and it is feared the latest killing of a GI and the kidnapping of two other soldiers is just the beginning of a new thrust of violence by Al Queda targeting U.S. forces.

It is hoped the people at the right wing news organizations, who did everything in their power to avoid military service, will stop their nonsensical comments that the killing of Al-Zarqawi would represent a turning point.

The only thing that has turned is Al Queda has refined their methods of attack and will now zero in on U.S. forces on the ground in Iraq.

The right wing news organizations can continue to LIE to the American public, but the American public are not buying their hype about how well the war is going in Iraq.

THE WAR IN IRAQ IS A CATASTROPHE AND IS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE AND EVERY GI AND FORMER GI LIKE MYSELF KNOWS IT.

Bill Corcoran, Chicago, Ill. corkcol@aol.com
Former Cpl. (E-4), Squad Leader, United States Army Combat Engrs.

We tell the Iraquis this: If you want us to help,and keep dying for you, you have to help us. If you want us to leave sooner than later, you have to assist us in fighting YOUR chaos and re-establish democracy. If you want Saddam back, tell us blantly that!
What do you stand for? Tell us!
We cannot fight a loosing battle, you've got to help guys. Otherwise we will leave and you're on your own once again with dire consequences.

We've got to either strengthen our contingent in Iraq(by another 100,000 soldiers) for a six months or so, or we're going to be killed left and right. We've got to show force and avoid checkpoints manned by only 3 or 4 of our soldiers and away from reinforcement, or 15 minutes away?! We need to impose
martial law. there is civil unrest and that is the only remedy. Extreme situations need extreme remedies. Democracy is far away as I see it, or will never exist in this land where fanaticism ir king.

democratic order is evolutionary. one must take baby steps. crooks and gangsters take advantage of freedoms .so sad that radicals corrupt young people into hate.who can blame the iraqis for thier anger.where is it going to end though.stay strong all parties .

I am incredibly saddened to hear firsthand the deception that goes on in your community. Unfortuanately, as I understand it(my husband is on his second tour of duty there) this is the rule rather than the exception. Americans need to stop blaming and trying to explain the reasons for all of this chaos. There have definitly been bad choices made, but the ultimate answer is there is no answer. My heart is full of compassion for you and your country. I know in many instances "you are damned if you do and damned if you don't." It must be horrible way to live. I can not even begin to understand what you all face daily. However, I do want to thank you for your courage everyday because as some have left unnoticed it takes you and your families extreme courage/bravery just to walk out your front door each morning. I applaud you for that. It is something many Americans take for granted. Please keep informing our country. Our nation's people need to understand this is more than about oil or politics. This is about people. I want my soldier home more than words can say. For me and our children, but since can not be, I am glad he is there working hard for strong individuals like yourself! Peace be with you through your struggles each day.

Ruth Martin, Townsend, Tennessee, wrote:

"Why is it that Muslim countries preach peace but then so blatanly have no respect for human life? Arent the Iraq people tired of this? Why are they allowing the continued bombing of their own people? Don't say they can't do anything about it either. The ordinary citizen must show strength against the terrorists and stop fighting among themselves."

* * *

To get a little perspective on this:

Aren't we, in our own country, tired of the murders, rapes, robberies and kidnappings that occur on a daily basis right here in America? We fight among ourselves every minute of every day! Iraqis see how we love/hate our guns, love/hate illegal aliens, love/hate gays and lesbians and on and on, right down to loving/hating Kentucky Fried Chicken. Ought we not stand up and "show strength" by not fighting, shooting, stabbing and litigating each other to death, etc?

Makes one wonder just exactly what sort of message we, as "liberators," are sending to the Iraqis. Maybe if we Americans stopped killing each other over the stupidest, most petty things, the Iraqis might choose a different path for themselves, following our example.

Yeah, mine is one of those spiral-eyed, idealistic, moonbat, liberal out-of-touch-with-reality opinions, but I still think it 'splains an awful lot.

Anyway, thanks for this great blog!

i hope this war will end as soon as possible innocent people dont has to live this way
stay positive and pray for solution every day

I spend 355 days in Iraq driving from Mosul to Anaconda better known now as Balaad. I observed carefully how these people live...they do not want to satnd for themself, why should we? It's a sad situation, there's no sanitation systems, the lights are always out...and constant violence...who can live like that...not americans, we have more desire for change, they don't..it's time for them to take charge of they own destiny as our fathers did 230-plus years ago.

we americans enjoy talking a little to much about Iraq. everyone has an opinion and believe they are right. Iraqis know that things are never black and white. there religion makes them feel right and pure but they all live in the grey area of life. hypocrite muslims , hypocrite americans ...how will it end?

Woever is sending these reports, give him a raise, dont lose him.

I would have to disagree with your subtitle "The Untold Story." Anecdotes like this are just about all we see and hear from you, and most other media outlets. When was the last time you told us about the 32 year old Shiite father of three who never had a real job during Saddam's reign, but is now proud to be an Iraqi Police detective, helping to hunt down the terrorists and car bombers your "local journalist" describes in this blog? What did your anonymous local journalist do for a living before the United States removed Saddam from power? I'd be willing to bet he wasn't a journalist! His neighborhood may be a more dangerous place for a while, but at least HE IS FREE to report what he sees in it!

I really feel for this guy. Prior to our invading his country under false pretenses the people were safe. As safe as any people in any other country. How does an individual begin to regain normalcy and control within his country? How could any of us change an unjust law or even do something so small as get the speed limit raised here in the US? 911, is remember by us all especially, us from NYC. However, one tragedy does not grant anyone the right to afflict another on someone else. Despite the fact that we've been dropping bombs on these people since the 60's and in doing so have killed hundreds of thousands of innocents since then, we simply shouldn't have gotten involved in a fight which has been raging for the last 2000 years. You don't join in a war with people that have been fighting for so long. You simply cannot win unless you're willing to give your life, and everything you stand for, as they are.

Seems to be a lot of Hatred all around here. Selfish behavior will ruin society and destroy mankind one day. One gun or one knife can terrify a fairly large group of people. Especially when the source of the violence can not be seen or identified correctly. You hypocrits remember how many people the D.C. Sniper scared? I live in North Carolina and we were careful down here from that one guy. How can you judge the Iraqi people and their intentions? If it is over oil as well who cares? You would be the same person complaining if the prices get any higher and accuse our government of gouging or the oil companies....when actually it is the drilling and refining and China increasing infrastructure that is causing the increase. China is the reason all the raw material and mineral prices increased. Do your research before making stereotypical comments.

We should have stayed in afghanistan until osama bin laden was caught. Now it is again unstable in Afghanistan especially in the southern region. Now, we need to somehow secure the borders in Iraq, though of course it wont be easy. If there is no progress by the end of the year we need to withdraw.

Great eyewitness account of the struggle. Democracy doesn't happen overnight. The shortsighted are of the same ilk that protested the cold war. Those that think we should turn a blind eye are fooling themselves.

When I think of the amount of money being spent on this war in Iraq it makes me wonder...I feel as of today the 2600 young men and women have died in vain and others have put their lives in harms way. I think its time we pulled out and let them fight among themselves. I honestly feel to do this and spend the money on security for our country. While President Bush is sleeping in a clean room, air conditioning, and the best food, with his daughters doing the same,
I am sure if it were his daughters there risking their lives he would be marching to a different beat. He talks a good talk but why doesn't he walk the talk?

After being attacked by the Japanese in 1941, it took us three and a half years to recover, build a better military and defeat them, while also fighting in europe. In four years we haven't even been able to catch Bin Laden, in spite of having the best military in the world, spending hundreds of billions and offering staggering amounts of money for rewards. No wonder in europe they call Bush and Blair the 'axis of feeble'...

Hi to all our US mates!
We are in there with you!
Thanks for all the support your chaps give us as our lot (UK goverment)do not give us enough equipment that works. What ever the rights or wrongs lets all pull together. Bless you all
Regards
Stephen