ANALYSIS-Doubt in Mosul highlights range of risks to US bases

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/MAC227733.htm

BAGHDAD, Dec 22 (Reuters) - The Pentagon's hesitation over naming the cause of Tuesday's bloody pre-Christmas attack on a U.S. base in Iraq highlights the range of threats the camps face and raises troubling questions about the troops' security.

One serious concern is how far militants can infiltrate bases where Iraqi forces and staff are appearing in greater numbers as Americans train them to take over security and allow U.S. forces to go home.

After initial reports of a mortar strike -- a common if rarely deadly hazard at U.S. installations -- the military says it rules nothing out. A suicide bomber may have staged the deadliest strike of the war on the Americans, or a time bomb could have been planted under the floor.

Security experts said the casualty toll of 94, including 22 dead, seemed too high for one man strapped with explosives and that carrying a heavier bomb would have aroused suspicion.

A bomb might have been built under platform flooring at the mess hall and timed to go off to cause maximum harm over lunch, just before Christmas, one Western security expert said.

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[GOPFighter]

1. 22 Dead

Merry effen C'mas, troops! This admiistration seriously screwed up this war and you're paying for it.

[davhill]

2. Either way we lose

If we don't train Iraqis our troops can never leave. Current policy anticipates a trained, loyal and efficient force to take our place. If we do train Iraqis we are exposing our troops to greater danger since those we train are drawn from a population that hates us.

[atreides1]

7. No Offense

But US troops will never leave Iraq or Afghanistan, both countries provide this administration with forward bases near the borders of both Syria and Iran.

Even if they trained twice as many Iraqis, it wouldn't matter, don't buy into the BS that the US will leave when Iraq is secure.

[Swamp Rat]

3. Let's not spoil the war and x-mas holidays for Rummy!

[Jazzgirl]

4. Swamp Rat, your lizard pictures really get me.

This is by far the best one of rummy. He looks so.....lizard-like! :evilgrin:

[Solly Mack]

5. According to AFN (Armed Forces Network) radio , the FBI

was flown in to Mosul.

I'm overseas and we get AFN TV and radio.

They said "The Whitehouse reported that the FBI was flown in to Mosul at 2 A.M. local time"

I'm not speculating.

[frankly_fedup2]

6. I'll never forget what the news reported last night . . .

The bravery of some men who ran into the "tent" (a frigging tent for our soldiers to eat in), to try to help as many as they could. They overturned tables to carry the wounded out as fast as possible. Also, the bravery of the soldiers inside.

Then they reported that, "Some soldiers just fell to their knees overcome with emotion."

A soldier that would have that reaction is screaming out for help.

Bring them home NOW!

I dread this so-called election on January 20th 2005. Hell, we cannot have legal elections. How can there be elections in a country that has no law and order and still chaos?

Bush will not allow the date to change no matter what. Even if they say "Thousands will be killed" Bush will still demand that the election to go as scheduled while stating that they are doing this because they hate freedom and those that sacrificed their lives did so for democracy.

The Bullshit award of the year should go to Dubya with runner up Rumsfield.

Bush stated yesterday that Rumsfield was a good human being.

Well, the Christian Bible I was taught and studied does not consider a good human being as a person who continues, due to their decisions, continues to cause death and mayhem.

[Wright Patman]

8. The Christian Bible

teaches "there is none good; no, not one" and thus is posited the need for a savior.