American soldiers still leading military assaults in Iraq

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Americans loom large on 'Iraqi-led' operation

OWESSAT, Iraq (AFP) — The American lieutenant in full battle gear strode like a giant in front of the wiry Iraqi soldiers in tilted helmets and oversized flak jackets lined up in front of him.

"I want this soldier, and this one too," Lieutenant Gordon Bostick said, picking out troops for a night raid on a suspected Al-Qaeda base south of Baghdad, on the kind of mission that is in theory led by the Iraqis.

The troops assembled by torchlight at Camp Falcon for a mission to the farming village of Owessat, which American and Iraq forces believe is being used as a staging ground for bombings in and around the capital.

As with nearly every operation in Iraq these days, the Americans insisted that the Iraqis were in charge, leading the fight against Al-Qaeda and other armed groups with US forces cast in a supporting role.

But the scene at Camp Falcon told a different story: six years after the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, the Americans not only vastly outnumbered the Iraqis, but they were giving orders and providing vital logistical support.

read: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5judmHzpOwNhjEbUELH7k6Qrw-2Qw

[Mari333]

1. the big cover up

they keep the troops there to secure the oil companies and huge ridiculous american embassy and its interests..
we might bring 'some' of them home but we will watch BUCHO tax dollars wasted as we replace some of the troops with mercenaries...
and in the meantime, this occupation will continue being legitimized as long as no one in the Obama admin speaks out and calls it for what it is or accuses the previous admin of war crimes.

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2. they have the same philosophy

. . . that their military assaults are some defense of our national security interests . . . or, at least they posture like their militarism there is a defense against 'al-Qaeda." That's what makes it harder fro them to make a clean break from Iraq. They're still caught up in trying to 'win' something or another to come out without their tails between their legs. They're just prolonging the inevitable.

[Fireweed247]

3. we need to hit the streets again

What happened to the anti-war movement?

It is possible that Obama wants us to protest, is waiting for us to protest, so he can say to the Military Industrial Complex- 'I had to shut it down. The people have demanded it'

What happened to the anti-war protests? WE are not done yet!!

[Mari333]

4. united for peace and justice

There is a small protest still in our little town every friday. god bless them, they still stand there as they have for years.

[Fireweed247]

5. why haven't they organized any larger protests?

I think many progressives would hit the streets again, but they are waiting for one of the big groups to organize. Individuals just don't have the mailing list that UFPJ or ANSWER or True Majority or After Downing Street or Code Pink has....where is our organization? This isn't going to stop until we stop it.

[Mari333]

6. here is their webpage

http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=4019
I will attend any march they have.

[Fireweed247]

7. Thanks

I will contact them and ask.

Here's the contact if anyone else wants to request an organized massive protest
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/contactus.php