Collaborate and Die

[babylonsister]

Collaborate and Die
Submitted by davidswanson on Thu, 2007-09-13 19:02. Media

Bomb Kills Sunni Sheik Working With US in Iraq
By Associated Press

Baghdad - The most prominent figure in a U.S.-backed revolt of Sunni sheiks against al-Qaida in Iraq was killed Thursday by a bomb planted near his home in Anbar province, 10 days after he met with President Bush, police and tribal leaders said.

Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha was leader of the Anbar Salvation Council, also known as the Anbar Awakening -- an alliance of clans backing the Iraqi government and U.S. forces.

Officials said his assassination would be a huge setback for U.S. efforts in Iraq, because it sends a message to others who are cooperating with coalition forces or thinking about cooperating against al-Qaida.

Abu Risha and two of his bodyguards were killed by a roadside bomb planted near the tribal leader's home in Ramadi, Anbar's provincial capital, said Col. Tareq Youssef, supervisor of Anbar police.

A spokesman for Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, confirmed the report.

"It is confirmed that the sheik and two of his bodyguards were killed today near or outside his home," Col. Steven Boylan said in an e-mail from Washington, where Petraeus testified before Congress this week on recent successes in Anbar province.

more...

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/26723

[acmavm]

1. Another good man dead, a man who tried to help his people, all

because of the war criminals in the White House.

[babylonsister]

2. His reputation as a good man depends on who you talk to:

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/13/sattar-abu-risha /

Sattar Abu Risha: risha– the head of the Anbar Salvation Council who President Bush had credited for ushering in “bottom-up reconciliation” in Anbar — has been killed in an IED attack. Just 10 days ago, Bush visited Risha in Iraq and hailed his efforts in “cooperating with the United States against al Qaeda in Iraq.” Today, he was killed in an explosion near his house in the Anbar province. Risha had an unsavory reputation with many Sunnis. Abu Aardvark’s Marc Lynch referred to Risha as “a two bit, corrupt petty shaykh.”

[acmavm]

3. Hell, they are all good and bad. It depends on who you talk to.

But he thought he was going to be able to accomplish something for his people (who have gone through one hell of an ethnic cleansing in a lot of parts of the country).

I don't know how we'll ever sort out good from bad really. Some see al Sadr as a good man because he gave the Shi'ites power in Iraq where they had none before. I personally think he's horrible. But he is a hero to his people.

I guess maybe I should just stick to none of them would be dead if not for our corrupt government and the lies they told to get us all where we are today.

[shain from kane]

4. Follow the money. We are over there paying those people big bucks to change sides. We are providing

them weapons. Same people who were killing USA troops last month. Maybe one of his own buddies killed him so that he could control the shit pot full of money. What people will do for money.

[acmavm]

5. You know what though, they're killing armed invaders that are occupying

THEIR country. That is that part you always have to remember. The were an innocent, defenseless people that we went in and massacred. We are the guilty party in this whole obscene mess. Unfortunately, our military personnel are having to pay with their lives for these crimes.