US troops to be out in force in Baghdad on election day, commander says

[leftchick]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050105/pl_afp/iraqusvoteviolence&cid=1521&ncid=1480

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US troops will be out in force in Baghdad on election day January 30 but ordinary Iraqis must come forward with information to help stave off suicide car bombings and insurgent attacks rocking the city, a top US commander said.


Insurgents assassinated the governor of Baghdad on a city street and ran an explosives-laden vehicle into an elite Iraqi commando base Tuesday in a day of attacks that underscored concerns about the viability of the elections.


"I can tell you every single soldier assigned to Task Force Baghdad will be out or supporting the election in some way on election day. And that will be in excess of 35,000," said Major General Peter Chiarelli, who commands US forces in the Baghdad area.


"I promise you we will be out in force in support of the Iraqi government, where they want us to be and in consultation with them. We're working those plans right now," he told reporters via a video teleconference from Iraq (news - web sites).


Chiarelli, who leads the US 1st Cavalry Division, said his forces have had greater success in recent weeks in finding car bombs, or what the military calls vehicle borne explosive devices (VBED), before they explode.

[oldtime dfl_er]

1. how many casualties will we suffer on that day?

[fertilizeonarbusto]

2. Lots.

Pray for the troops, gang.

[Rose Siding]

11. Bloody Sunday.

How many casualties will Iraq suffer on that day?

[Verve]

3. Oh! Can't they say the same thing about D.C. on 1/20? How many troops

will be out then?

Welcome to our election system Iraq!

[Mithras61]

4. I'm sure that having U.S. troops out in force...

will inspire trust in the election and a large turnout of legitimate Iraqi voters. After all, who could possibly think that having an armed occupier out in force would put any sort of damper on an election? /sarcasm

[saigon68]

5. Maybe US troops will KILL a few Voters TOO !!!

Like these victims "greased" BY THE TROOPS=--

GOTTA LOVE THE TROOPS.



An Iraqi boy reacts after seeing his sister and both of his parents killed in the car, in Ramadi, 100 kilometers (60 miles) west of Baghdad, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2005. Four Iraqi civilians were killed and two others were injured when U.S. soldiers opened fire after their convoy was attacked by rocket-propelled grenades in central Ramadi. The U.S. military had no immediate information about the incident. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein



A wounded Iraqi is carried away, left, as another man reacts after learning that his sister and parents were killed, in Ramadi, 100kms west of Baghdad, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2004. Four Iraqi civilians were killed and two others were injured when U.S. soldiers opened fire after their convoy was attacked by rocket-propelled grenades in central Ramadi, 100 kilometers (60 miles) west of Baghdad, according to Dr. Riyad al-Hiti of the Ramadi hospital. The U.S. military had no immediate information about the incident. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

ON EDIT ---LOOKS like the Marksmen really VENTILATED THE SHIT out of that Car Roof and windows.

[Barkley]

13. Moving photos

These pictures are disturbing to me but they must be seen.

I would like to just embrace the boy that lost his family, but I'd feel dirty doing it knowing that the actions of the U.S. gov't is the cause of his anguish. I am complicit in the act -- even though I am totally against the war, occupation and oppression etc.


Thanks saigon68 your pictures and comments always make me think.

[saigon68]

19. You are MOST welcome

I don't make this shit up. Its out there to see, if one bothers to be "INFORMED"

Alas most of the SHEEP are sound asleep tonight after starting to read Amber Frye's new $29.95 book ( they can only read 10 pages per hour) or dreaming about who is going to play Amber in the upcoming movie.

[leftchick]

16. yep! The US, making new terrorists Daily in Iraq!

How Fucked Up! :grr:

[Botany]

6. All of the PNAC bunch should have to go to Iraq.

Instead of our troops how about Cheney, rummy, Wolfiwitz, the whole bush
family, rush, and so having to get into a humvee w/ a M-16 and do some duty that day.

[saigon68]

7. Say Hello to the Nice Blackwater MERCENARIES from North Carolina.

Iraq (news - web sites)'s Interim Prime Minster Iyad Allawi (C) walks in with the President of the National Olympic Committee of Iraq Ahmed al Sameraie (2R) and Iraqi athletes, following a meeting in Baghdad, January 4, 2005. Allawi reportedly called the U.S. President George W. Bush (news - web sites) following Monday's spate of violence in Iraq to discuss the existing obstacles to Iraqi elections due to be held January 30. REUTERS/Wathiq Khuzaie/Pool

On Edit:--- It sometimes HARD to keep the MERCENARIES out of the picture.

[Massachusetts]

12. These Blackwater employees

are nothin but a bunch of premature ejaculating thugs, with a license to kill compliments of the chimpenator.:mad:

[Just Me]

15. Those mercs love Busholinis' privatization!!!

After all, they can make $150K/yr "guarding" the inner circle of the most powerful elitists,...compared to the measely salaries paid to US troops.

Are ALL private military/defense companies owned by Republicans?

[leftchick]

18. I saw some pics with mercs guarding Powell and Jeb as well!

From Indonesia this morning! :puke:

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

8. they're being sent in to VOTE

[0007]

9. Free Election! Free Election, whoopee!! - Let's have a parade, a circus

a carnival and big street affair.

Wait a minute is Baghdad the only voting place in Iraq?

[warrens]

10. It's gonna be what they call

A target-rich environment

[Just Me]

14. Seriously, the thought of possible outcomes on that day,...

,...gives me the chills. I am pretty sure it will be a day no one will forget,...only, the Busholinis won't be bragging.

*sigh* I dread this whole freakin' month.

[Javaman]

17. First rule of combat, don't group up. Oops someone didn't read the memo...

This should and will be a mess.

[R Hickey]

20. "If nominated I will not run, if elected, I will not serve..."

That is the speech I would be giving, if I were a politician in Iraq.