No one safe on Baghdad's roads, Iraqis say

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=5580909

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Jawdat Abd al-Kadhum was not surprised that U.S. troops opened fire at a car carrying a freed Italian hostage to safety. He lost a leg to an American bullet fired from a convoy
travelling ahead of him.

The 23-year-old says fear, confusion and misunderstandings on all sides have made roadc in Iraq's capital perilous. Now he says he makes sure that any car he is in stops when a U.S. military convoy
transporting soldiers or equipment nears.

"There is no safety on the roads. Everyone should expect anything to happen on these roads. Foreigners, Iraqis we are all exposed to the same risks," said al-Kadhum, his left tracksuit trouser leg tied around the stump of his leg. snip

Many have a tale to tell of someone they know that has been shot at, killed or harassed by U.S. forces in convoys or at checkpoints dotted across the country.

more

[Blue to the bone]

1. Yes, it's called a 'war zone'.

Mission Accomplished.

[otohara]

2. Shame On US

Poor Iraq, what a fucking mess of fear, death, amputation, depleted uranium, pollution, death, death, death for decades to come.

[mistertrickster]

11. Agreed--PBS ran a FRONTLINE on "Dog company" in Iraq. While it

showed the soldiers in a sympathic light--as it should have--it also showed business-as-usual which means the following:

whenever a convoy comes under attack, even from a few "potshot" rifle rounds, our boys just open up with everything they got in every direction. I saw a taxi driver cut to ribbon by our troops. No insurgents were killed since our troops didn't even know where the fire was coming from.

what the army calls "check points" are often times just a few soldiers standing by the side of a road. They aren't marked with signs and blinking lights or anything. When cars approach, they fire a "warning shot" at about 500 yards--can a driver even hear that?--and if the car doesn't stop, they spray it down with everything they got.

I'm not saying that our guys should put themselves at risk--I'm saying that this is no way to win a war, setting up situation in which civilians are going to be killed with knowledge aforesight.

Now that it finally happened to a European, maybe something will change.

[stillcool]

3. Brings a whole new meaning to 'Road Kill'..................n/t

[saigon68]

4. Freedom is on the MARCH

"BRING EM ON" shouted the AWOL CHIMPANZEE

[Yavin4]

5. Look, He's Not Following the MSM's Script

The Iraqis voted and now everything is just fine.

[oasis]

9. He is following the script. The one that reads "Nothing to see here" in

regards to the Italian journalist rescue/assasination attempt. "Shootings are routine" will be the cover mantra.

[detroitguy]

6. Freedom on the march...

...my ass. We need to get out.

[DoYouEverWonder]

7. Yes everyone knows that this road is dangerous

that is why the officials who were transporting this high profile hostage, let everyone know all the way up the chain of command that she was on her way to the airport and that Italian troops were waiting for her there.

This story is complete cover up crap. These weren't insurgents that attacked this car. It was well equipped US troops with the latest in communication gear. There is no excuse.

[Erika]

8. Our troop deaths continue - 1,508 and counting

See at www.icasualties.org

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

10. But....But.....But......The Situation Is Under Control

Democracy is on the march! Iraq is safer than it was under Sadamm. Isn't it?

[jefferson_dem]

12. No One Safe on Baghdad's Roads, Iraqis Say

No One Safe on Baghdad's Roads, Iraqis Say

Sat Mar 5, 1:55 PM ET

By Elizabeth Piper

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Jawdat Abd al-Kadhum was not surprised that U.S. troops opened fire at a car carrying a freed Italian hostage to safety. He lost a leg to an American bullet fired from a convoy traveling ahead of him.

The 23-year-old says fear, confusion and misunderstandings on all sides have made roads in Iraq (news - web sites)'s capital perilous. Now he says he makes sure that any car he is in stops when a U.S. military convoy transporting soldiers or equipment nears.

"There is no safety on the roads. Everyone should expect anything to happen on these roads. Foreigners, Iraqis we are all exposed to the same risks," said al-Kadhum, his left tracksuit trouser leg tied around the stump of his leg.

"Now if I see an American convoy, I stop until it has gone."

<SNIP>

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=564&u=/nm/20050305/ts_nm/iraq_shootings_dc&printer=1

[Jacobin]

13. When there is no command and control

soldiers are no different from a mob of thieves

[leftchick]

14. One shot up car from today! No Comment from US!

Two Iraqi men look at a damaged car after it was shot at in the restive city of Ramadi, 100 kms west of Baghdad. The occupant of the car was killed when shots were fired from what witnesses said were US soldiers on patrol. There is no US military confirmation on this.(AFP/Mohammed Fakhri)

[daleo]

15. Here is some circular reasoning.

1 - Invade a country based on lies about WMD.
2 - Kill its citizens routinely, and also foreigners.
3 - Say that it isn't your fault, as it is a war zone.
4 - Ignore the fact that it is a war zone because of your actions in step 1.
5 - When in doubt, point out your soldiers are the real victims (scared, in danger, young), even though the only reason they are there is because of your actions in step 1.