"A Canadian",
You said all of the US population has blood of innocent people on our hands. I'd like to say that you need to get your facts straight. I did not vote for Bush in either election, nor did I support this war. Many Americans do not feel that war was the correct choice, I am not alone. God bless you, Iraq, and the USA.

Regardless of what we think about the violence, the people, or the country of Iraq, we have lost the inertia in the Bush cause. We appear to have no control over Iraqi destiny and are simply being swept along. Our losses and future in the region is at this point subject to someone else. Our choice is a massive military effort or back off to a point where generals can say we are at new position from which we have some control.

I wonder if it's "hard work" for W to be as stupid as he is, or if it's just a gift.
He should be impeached and Rumsfeld shot be jailed.

I guess oil is not as cheap as blood. Too bad Bush never really served his country fighting a war. It's real easy for him to send more troops. Blood for oil!

General Abizaid once again puts happy face on situation in IRAQ. What has IMPROVED? Everything from
kidnapping 150 to 6 US Soldiers killed appears things are worse not better than August 2006.

Nov. 15, 2006
Asked about his testimony in August that Iraq could fall into civil war and that the sectarian violence was as bad as he had ever seen it, Abizaid said that more recently the situation has improved, while still troubling. He visited Baghdad in recent days.
“It’s certainly not as bad as the situation appeared back in August,” Abizaid said, adding that he saw growing confidence among Iraqis in their government. “It’s still at unacceptably high levels,” he said of the sect-on-sect violence “I wouldn’t say that we have turned the corner in this regard, but it’s not nearly as bad as it was in August.”

Asked by Levin whether he was considering increasing the number of U.S. troops in Iraq, Abizaid said he was considering “all the way from increasing U.S. combat forces all the way down to withdrawing” them. He said he would present recommendations to his superiors.

BAGHDAD, Nov. 15, 2006 Iraq - Three U.S. soldiers and three U.S. Marines were killed during combat in Iraq, the military said Wednesday.

The announcement came after Iraqi officials said about 70 of the people abducted in a brazen raid on the offices of the Higher Education Ministry have been released. It remained unclear how many remained captive.
Elsewhere, a series of attacks killed at least 20 Iraqis, including two journalists, and wounded 47 on Wednesday.

The day's deadliest attack involved a car bomb that killed at least 11 people and wounded at least 32 near a gasoline station in central Baghdad's Bab Shargi area, police Lt. Bilal Ali said.

The Higher Education Ministry said the confusion over the number of kidnap victims arose out of the difficulties in determining just how many employees, guards and visitors were in the building during the assault.
The two Iraqi journalists who were gunned down died in northern Iraq.

In Mosul, gunmen intercepted the car of journalist Fadia Mohammed al-Taie, killing her and her driver, police said. Al-Taie worked as a reporter for the independent weekly newspaper al-Massar.

In Baqouba, Luma al-Karkhi, who worked for the independent weekly al-Dustor, was shot and killed while on her way to work.

In other violence Wednesday Nov. 15, 2006:

A suicide bomber drove his car into a tent where a funeral was being held in the mostly Sunni-Arab neighborhood of Dora in southern Baghdad, killing three people and wounding 15.
A former member of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party was gunned down outside his home in the city of Kut.
Two Shiites were killed by gunmen who set fire to their home in southern Baghdad.
In the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, gunmen killed a police officer in a drive-by shooting as he was heading to work.
Three bodies, blindfolded with their hands and legs tied, were found by police in eastern Baghdad.

Nov. 12, 2006 Authorities said 159 people were killed or found dead nationwide Sunday, including 35 who died when two suicide bombers detonated explosives belts among police recruits outside a west Baghdad security forces headquarters.

Bush chairs Iraq strategy session Oct 19, 2006 at the White House.
Gathered around a Roosevelt Room conference table with Bush were Gen. John Abizaid, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East; Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld; Bush’s national security adviser, Stephen Hadley; and other officials. Vice President Dick Cheney and Gen. George Casey, who leads the U.S.-led Multinational Forces in Iraq, joined in by videoconference.

General Abizaid is not the EXPERT he is claimed to be by Bush and others. He has been TOTALLY WRONG about Iraq over 75% of the time. Check the facts on his statements to Congress and the Media in the past. I have included some of his statements below.
Sept. 2006 Army Gen. John Abizaid, who as head of U.S. Central Command oversees the war, said the United States might even increase the size of its force from the current 147,000, the highest since January. He also did not rule out holding in place U.S. units scheduled to leave Iraq in coming months.

May 2006, The "WAR" in Iraq is nearly over according to Gen. Abiziad and General Casey. Now we can concentrate on creating democracies in Iran, Egypt, UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Syria, North Korea and Turkey.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The top U.S. general in the Middle East Abizaid praised a major security clamp down in Baghdad on Thursday August 23, 2006 and said Iraq was far from civil war. The 88,000 troops that are patrolling Baghdad have gotten the violence under control.
78 US Soldiers killed in Iraq so far in Oct. Likely to hit 90. Highest rate since 2004. Attacks up 22%

Published: August 27, 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) .. The U.S. military issued a sober assessment Tuesday of
the Baghdad security crackdown, saying violence had decreased slightly but
not to ''the degree we would like to see'' in the two weeks since 75,000
Iraqi and American troops flooded the capital.

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Bombs killed more than 40 people in Iraq on Wednesday morning, including 24 at a market in Baghdad, where insurgents defied a U.S.-backed security clampdown in its fourth week.
Despite the crackdown, violence has continued around Iraq. A roadside bomb hit a car on a road near Buhriz north of Baghdad, on Wednesday, killing three women, a child and a man, all from the same family.

On Tuesday, police found the bodies of 20 victims of apparent sectarian death squads in Baghdad. Ten of the bodies were close to a school. A suicide car bomber killed 13 police outside the Interior Ministry building in Baghdad on Monday.

August 24, 2006
On a day when three car bombs and two roadside bombs killed four people and wounded 24 in the capital, General John Abizaid told reporters: "I think there has been great progress on the security front in Baghdad recently. We are very optimistic that the situation will stabilize."

August 15, 2006 according to Gen Abizaid:
"We’re putting additional Iraqi Security Forces in the field there as well. It’s very clear to all of us that have been serving in this region that Baghdad’s the key to Iraq, and that we’ve got to get the levels of sectarian violence down in order for Iraq to stabilize. We’re confident it can be done. We’ve seen some changes already that are somewhat positive. It’s still too early to say, but the combination of Iraqi Security Forces and our forces, along with some measures being taken by the new government, we’re confident can, over time, move Baghdad in the right direction."

Aug 21, 2006
On the subject of civil war in Iraq, today the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, General John Abizaid, said, "I think Iraq's far from it."

August 3, 2006
Abizaid said it was obvious a year ago that sectarian violence was on the rise, and that Iraq’s police forces did not develop as well as U.S. officials had expected.

Updated: 6:59 a.m. PT July 5, 2006
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Baghdad’s central morgue received nearly 1,600 bodies last month -- the highest number since the February bombing of a Shiite shrine sparked a wave of sectarian killings, a morgue official said on Wednesday.

The figures show the level of violence in Iraq has increased even after the killing on June 7 of al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in a U.S. air strike.

By Ann Scott Tyson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 2, 2005; Page A05

Gen. John P. Abizaid, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, said yesterday that the strength of the Iraqi insurgency is waning as a result of momentum from elections, and he predicted Iraqi security forces would be leading the fight against insurgents in most of Iraq by the end of 2005.

By Dana Priest
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, October 3, 2005; Page A10

Abizaid, speaking on CBS's "Face the Nation," said Iraqi forces were courageously engaged in counterinsurgency operations and are now taking more casualties than U.S. forces: "Are they going to be capable of taking over counterinsurgency leads over the next several months? The answer is yes."

Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 5:07 PM
Subject: General Abizaid

I listened to his testimony today which again was overly optimistic regarding the Iraq
situation. I wonder if he would change his tune if there was a penalty of reduction to
private if his testimony proves to be untrue 6 months from now.

March 16th 2006
Did the Iraqi's really take the "LEAD" today in Operation Swarmer?? Did the US Airborne troops lead the ground assault? Curious why only DOD reporters went along?? Selective reporting?


Jim Frego
Grants Pass, Oregon

Religion or not, it's time the women of Iraq and Iran gather together and save their children, themselves and their peaceable husbands. Deny sex, cooking, conversation and any other contributions that make life tolerable. Above all the women of the combatant mullas snould be especially firm to their commitment to a peaceful solution. Let the Women of Iraq and Iran live in silence as they accomplish their endeaveor. Men cannot live without them if they stick together. The world will remember them as the real Martyrs.

I believe we need to pull out 100% of our troops from Iraq, and let them have their own civil war. Why should we be the world's police?! they are not our responsibility!! the government seems to care more about Iraq and other foreign matters, rather than the fact of poverty, rising inflation, and other major problems here in our own country!!

To All Americans who want to remain Free, Nov 15
I am a writer and researcher, who recently came across some pretty ugly forecast For America.
For all of you who really don’t know what’s going on in Congress, please read the following.
All the lobby seats in congress that used to represent the People of the United States of America are now almost all completely sold to Multi-National Interest such as AIPAC the pro Israel lobbyist These people who take up over 2/3s of are lobby seats now tell congress to pass laws like the Military commissions Act of 2006 that allows the Government to sweep you away at night without Warrant .for breaking any State or Federal law. Its True read the bill. They may first say that its only for terrorist but they can label you as a terrorist for any crime you commit if they think its against your country . Now you may think that your not against your country ,but to all the Good Christians out there ,this bill will be set in place so when they pass the hate crime act already in place to be passed sometime in the beginning of the year, you wont be able to go to Church at Christmas and listen to your Sermon on how Jesus was crucified by the Jews. This will be punishable by law with sentences of 5 years or more, Its true these same people who lobbied our congress to pass these bills have already influenced Canada and England to pass such bills and already people are rebelling and being imprisoned for merely going to church. Also Multi National interest have bought a corridor spanning Texas to Indiana these new owners of our Highway are The ruling Family of Spain, Also an Australian Firm. Please people understand that these Multi national lobbyist are corrupting our Country and taking it right out from under us .These new acts and bills were set in placed before the Terrorist acts and the Government new that they could implement them because the people could easily be altered at a Time of War. We Have Sold Out to An Evil Multi National Corporation and I never wanted this and I Know all who read this wont either …Please see what’s going on in England and Canada over this new Act.. I am ,
Sincerely yours
The Patriot

I hope the violence settles down in Iraq, I really hate hearing about people dieing and stuff.Especially, Service Men and Woman who are trying to help out. Anyways, about those kidnapping at that Universtiy in Baghdad, Iraq didn't anyone notice anything suspicous about a bunch of people getting loaded up on a bunch of trucks? Im sure people did see it but maybe they were kind of afraid to speak up. I think the U.S. Army should make Iraq a little bit more-secure than it is now, yes a some things have improved, and yes we caught Saddam, but we really didn't improve alot since the war started. But I think we are doing a fair job right now even though bad things are happening in Iraq lately. I thank all U.S. Service Men and Woman for fighting for our Freedom and Iraq's Freedom aswell, THANK YOU. and Gob Bless you.

I'm a canadian citizen, have been my entire life. I'v never left north america and i don't assume to know much about other societies. That being said i still can't wrap my mind around this.
We have a number of countries opting to help Iraqs current government in creating a democracy. Yet they are not anywhere near ready for that level of social organization, sure there are some normal civilians that can want it, but in a war torn country that has civil unrest and no real government ( that is being respected anyways ) how can you expect a democracy which revolves around the entire population of a country being coefficient and working together to get something done to even work in a country such as Iraq. If anything it would most likely just lead to more corrupt groups gaining control.
When the western armies withdraw, and the weak Iraqi government is in control, what will happen?
Will it be broadcast on our news? Will we hear about all the killings, and the fights between all the militias and terrorist groups for power? Will the bloodshed be shown to us and made readily available?
I never understood how starting this war made sense, but after walking into a country and doing what we have done, as canadians, as americans, as Nato, as any group that has moved in to try and make peace.
Leaving will just put the country in an even worse position then where it was in when we first opted to go there.
Again, i'm only 19, i have no post secondary education. I try and think from an unbiased point of view, and that's all i can think of regarding this. I am probably wrong in a lot of my points, which bothers me, because the only thing i have to base any of this off is the media. Which is rarely accurate and usually distorts the truth.

( to the canadian who put all the blame on americans, we're there too mate. we didn't start it, but we're still there. )

If they want a civil war, let them. Nobody got involved in our civil war back in `61, and if they did, it would have been just like this situation.

The Iraqi government is a mockery of governance. It's filled by the same people we are eager to defeat. The Bush Administration and the former CPA really screwed up in the post-war Iraq, but that was because they didn't think it through.

It pays to plan first, THEN act.

lord of the flies ring a bell the strong are weeding out the weak i think george did well to get saddam but you can't reason with religous idiots my cousin in ireland married one(muslim) get out as you can but they are a waste of time and american lives get back afganistan and take care the original problem

How can the US not manage this situation properly? The Iraqi people have No where to turn! This has turned into a horrible, lawless mess. The US started this and they better be prepared to fix it!!! I am an ashamed American.

I am not getting into that learning from the past stuff, but some of the same things we are seeing happen here also happened and still are happening when the wall fell in Berlin.
This isn't just a "Bush" thing. This happens whenever a people are freed. Using religion, as any other type of crutch for power, is quite a factor. If people would die for a piece of ribbon as Napoleon said, one can see why many would die for(Insert deity here).
Common sense went the way chivalry did.

You have to wonder- when considering ALL options for peace....WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU PUT SADDAM BACK IN POWER?

it's a muslim problem that needs to be resolved by the muslims. we cannot protect them from themselves. move our troops to the borders and stop the flow of weapons. eventually the militias will run out of ammunition and in the meantime our troops are out of harms way.

I was in Iraq and witnessed first hand the cruelty between Iraqis. I agree that this is a religious war, but the problem also lies with the different Muslim groups within Iraq, and then outside of Iraq. I believe America got involved a little too soon, but given the events that led up to 9/11 it is understandable the timing. Bush was only trying to give the American people a little closure to the tragic events. Unfortunately, he did not predict the way the war would go very well, and things are a complete mess there. Iraqis killing Iraqis. It is not just religious beliefs either; it is certain people wanting complete control. Gunmen, Militiamen, police officers, Iraq National Guardsmen, everyone wants a piece of the complete pie, and it is not going to happen. Civil war is what needs to happen - unfortunately - for neighbors to love neighbors, for forgiveness, for peace, the long-lasting kind. No matter how many US troops (god bless their souls for following orders to serve and protect) you place in the line of fire - that’s all you are doing. Iraq is not a US territory - or we (as Americans) would have done a military lockdown, and these problems would desist. The Iraqi people - for the majority - are scared to stand up for that freedom they tried to fight for, because the more that try, the more are killed. This situation is going to get much worse before it gets any better, and I don’t foresee me going back to Iraq as a soldier or as a tourist for many many years. Possibly never again in my lifetime. There will always be conflict of ideas, religions, or people in this region, and no matter how much the US plays 'big brother' to smooth things out - the conflict will ALWAYS be there.

Read a few history books on the beginning of democracy in this country and then perhaps you will be able to understand that democracy takes time. Our troops will probably be in Iraq for a long time if America really wants this country to succeed. WWII ended over 60 years ago and our military is still in Europe.

Don't believe the lies anymore. If we leave their country, the killings will stop! The people we are arming there, are the same people doing all the killings. Bush and his gang of thieves are the real problem there. We invaded their country, Why? For oil! Nothing else! Our solders are dying so Bush and his buddies (the oil companies)can get rich. Bottom line! Don't be fooled by all the crap your hearing. It's all lies!!!

i don't have an answer. but i do know that this business about our invading countries to get their oil to make our oil companies rich because it's a Rep President is due to someone who has bought the lie the media fed him. I swear every country we have attempted to bring our ideals to has been because it had oil and would make us rich. Does this guy know what the war costs(including in lives)every single day? you couldn't make enough in oil to cover the cost and the lives of our soldiers is priceless.The best answer i can give is live a good moral life here and pray for peace.

Read a few history books on the beginning of Democracy in this country...the people of this country organized and decided on their own to over-throw their oppressors.

The Iraqis did not do this, and this is why the whol Bush Plan was doomed to failure. I mean, if you can't money in oil, how are you going to spear head a regime change?!

Do some people think that we are still in Iraq to help the people? How many Iraqi civilians have been killed under our protection, 500,000.or more. Electricity, jobs and other essential services are still scarce. From what I see and read from objective observers, life is hell for just about everyone who lives there, and let's not forget we spent a whole lot of money to make things worse, (that's another disgrace in itself). Make no mistake, it's not about Democracy and helping the Iraqi people, it's about the oil. Pull out and leave the oil fields, I don't think so. We still must drive our huge gas guzzeling vehicles, that truly make no sense, and the oil companies need to make their gargantuan profits, so we are stuck in Iraq, with a few brave soldiers fighting just about everyone who hates us in the Middle East,(which is just about everyone) No oil in Iraq, our troops would have been home a long time ago.

If grown men can't sit accross from one another and hash out a problem then situations such as what we see in Iraq will continue.The U.N was created so that dialogue and not bullets could prevail.However as long as you have nations that prosper from the proceeds of weapons sales then the U.N is merely an empty shell.Afghanistan, I could see due to the 9/11 attacks but Iraq no.The no fly zone was working well and I doubt that anyone seriously thinks that Iraq is or was a threat to the US.If anyone does I think they should wake up.There was an obvious rush to judgement here based on faulty intelligence.Lets just call "intelligence","stupidity" until its proven to be even remotely "intelligent".The problems created in Iraq now are far worse that what existed previously.