Scores die in Iraqi attacks

[FarCenter]

Over 60 people have been killed in Baghdad and southern Iraq in attacks during a major religious festival. The violence comes at a time of high political tension.

In total, more than 20 bombs went off in Iraq on Wednesday, in one of the bloodiest episodes since US troops left the country in December.

Car-bomb explosions targeting Shiite pilgrims in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, killed and wounded dozens. Ten bombs and two shootings rocked the capital early in the morning leading to at least 19 deaths, according to an interior ministry official. The deadliest attack was in the Baghdad neighborhood of Karrada, where a car bomb claimed the lives of 16 people. Further bombs went off in other parts of the capital later in the day.

Car blasts also exploded in the mainly Shiite city of Balad, claiming several victims.

http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,16018227,00.html

[quinnox]

1. mission accomplished - yea, right

Another example of the futility of trying to force democracy on a foreign culture.

[FarCenter]

2. Had we allowed democracy in Iraq, they would have had a civil war and a Shiite government

So it was essential to fudge on democracy and to cobble together a multi-religious, multi-ethic regional federation.

It will, of course, fall apart in due time, but it was stable enough so the US could pull out.

[quinnox]

3. I hate to say it. but they need another Saddam

like figure who will rule with an iron fist, at least that way they can stop this insane violence.

[awoke_in_2003]

4. we shouldn't have gon there in the first place...

I know you know that, but I just wanted to get it out there.

[FarCenter]

5. Our mistake was to support Saddam in a war of agression against Iran

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Iraq_War

[awoke_in_2003]

6. Yes, that was also a mistake. nt