Blast Heard at Iraq Hotel Where Wolfowitz Staying

[treefrogjohn]

Just posted on Reuters

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&e=1&u=/nm/20031026/ts_nm/iraq_blast_wolfowitz_dc

[Liberal Veteran]

1. I'll say some prayers....

...althought they might not be the one's that evil bastard expects.

[alcuno]

4. And I'll cross my fingers.

I'm sure it's just the Baghdad Welcoming Committee.

[Nottingham]

2. Uh OH! Wolfawitz

:bounce: The Bush people are going to start realizing things are getting out of control in IRAQ SOMEDAY!

[Scimmio]

145. maybe he leaked the 'memo'

now he gets to find out what happens when one crosses Rummy. heh-heh. time for the real entertainment to begin, a nice internecine* feud...


*in its common usage today, no lectures from lexicography geeks please

[hedda_foil]

3. I'm trying VERY hard to keep a straight face.

VERY unsuccessfully. Must try harder, hedda.

<snip>
At least one person was wounded, but there was no immediate word on the whereabouts of Wolfowitz and his senior aides, a Reuters journalist at the Rashid Hotel said

[cliss]

5. I can't write what I'm thinkin'

I'll get in trouble. However, I can rejoice about the fact that Wolfowit's boss appears to be in trouble.

You know what that means for the subordinate???? Office Politics 101: If you are perceived as having a weak boss, you in turn will suffer. Your position will be in jeopardy, because he cannot protect you like he should. In an ideal situation, we should have a strong boss who will protect us & the department from attacks.

So -- let's hope the Old Windbag's days are numbered. That will hopefully mean they will throw the baby out with the bath water.

[IndianaGreen]

11. And neither can I

but if anyone deserves his just dues, is Wolfowitz for being one of the architects of PNAC and the man that said that US troops would be welcomed by Iraqis "dancing in the streets."

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

122. welcome wolfowitz--welcome to your nightmare

[soleft]

6. six to eight rockets hit the hotel

being reported now on CNN - Wolf okay

[Liberal Veteran]

8. Damn!!!!!

I was hoping for some instant karma!

[Minstrel Boy]

9. Iraqi or American ordinance?

I bet right about now, some troops are feeling up for some serious fragging.

[Minstrel Boy]

7. Maybe someone simply burst his balloon.

God knows there are millions of eager thumbtacks.

[0rganism]

10. I hear Iraq is a blast this time of year, Mr. Wolfowitz

Enjoy your stay...in HELL!

[mikehiggins]

14. Gotta wonder

if any old friends of Mrs. Wilson are stationed in Iraq.

[pruner]

12. it wasn't a blast

it was merely the sound of thousands of flowers simultaneously landing on the ground after being thrown in Wolfowitz's direction by thankful Iraqis.

[BeHereNow]

24. Naw, actually there was a typo in the memo...

The Iraqi welcome wagon coordinators received the
following memo:

"Wolfowitz visiting Iraq: Send GUN POWDERS a.s.a.p."

It was SUPPOSED to read...

"Wolfowitz visiting Iraq: Send SUN FLOWERS a.s.a.p."

Silly translators!
BHN

[Pale Blue Dot]

63. LOL

funniest post I read all day.

[madrchsod]

13. bbc has it as

blasts were heard near the hotel

[jenk]

15. he was probably whisked away to some secret bunker

.

[IndianaGreen]

16. BBC: Explosion near Baghdad hotel (one wounded)

Last Updated: Sunday, 26 October, 2003, 03:59 GMT

Explosion near Baghdad hotel

There has been a series of explosions near a hotel in Baghdad, where a top American official has been staying.

US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz was staying at the Hotel al-Rashid, but there is no immediate word about whether he was in the building at the time.

Reports say that at least one person was injured.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3214901.stm

[jenk]

17. Faux news has the headline up now

all is well, they love us!

Those rockets were loaded with flower petals.....honest

And now common sense with Cavuto...

"Everybody knows the Liberals are responsible for this rocket attack....."

[Beetwasher]

18. Message To Wolfowitz

They knew you were there. They've got good intel. They were gunning for you. They are coordinated, concerted, angry and legion. Get it yet?

[alcuno]

22. Bingo. Didn't they shoot at the Blackhawk shortly after he left Tikrit?

Wasn't there a should-fired missile that went up shortly after Rummy's plane was leaving Baghdad? Coincidence?

[PartyPooper]

19. When I read this headline, I thought Wolfie had some 'indigestion'

and, he simply farted after a 'bad' meal!

:evilgrin:

[dArKeR]

20. Do you think he'd rather be in a CSPAN forum or in a Baghdad hotel?

[DUGA]

21. Terrible

It's disgusting to read some of the replies on this thread. Frankly, those who (in not so many words) would wish the death of a fellow American is quite frankly sick. I would suggest a mental health professional.

[alcuno]

25. You reap what you sow, DUGA.

I think it was Reagan who thought Wolfowitz was crazy and threw him off the NSC.

[Military Brat]

27. Wishing "Cry Wolfowitz" dead?

Well, surely you can understand someone wishing just desserts for a major architect of the war, can you not?

As for me, I want him kept alive, and tried for crimes against humanity. That is, if there is any justice to be found in this world.

[piece sine]

28. oh, don't be so christian....

it's dog eat dog in here, darling. Really, it's quite vicious. You might as well bail early; save yourself the trouble of processing all the conflict you'll find here. This isn't for everyone. After reading this thread, I don't know what it means to be liberal any more. These people have lost the plot.

It's like driving past a highway car wreck. You just have to stare.

[Brucey]

35. The same people who say it's okay to murder

Saddam's sons, to drop bombs on civilian marketplaces... the same people who are constantly asking we pacifists: If you could go back in time and kill Hitler, wouldn't you do it? These same people now want us to be soooo sympathetic to Wolfowitz, the architect of thousands of murders. Okay, I don't want to see anyone killed. That's why I hope Wolfowitz learns a lesson and stops the Americans who are killing innocent civilians daily with no justice, no trials, no investigations, only laughter. Read the damn news, for christ sake!

[piece sine]

101. when I read the news

I may get angry but I do not wish anyone I'm reading about to be killed. I really don't. You're going to have to accept that. People can be angry - and yet not as angry as you -- and still be angry. Still grasp their moral compass. Still keep everything in focus.

[PartyPooper]

75. "oh, don't be so christian...." Please, leave Christ out of your reply.

The original poster didn't assert a particular religious point of view...including the 'Christian faith'. So, your response was way out of line in that regard. As a Christian myself, your post offended me.

Thank you.

O8)

[atreides1]

29. Maybe DU Isn't For Your Gentle Taste

Wolfowitz is a coward who was instrumental in sending 345 Americans to their deaths. Him being killed by Iraqi resistance fighters would be nothing short of justice.

I don't wish for his death, I would just like to see justice done.

[Phatfish]

40. what a sickening choice of words

this is why the Repubs have such success painting Liberals as wanting the worse to happen.

[Minstrel Boy]

45. but the worst has already happened.

And the longer the Wolfowitz States of America occupies Iraq, it will only get worsterer.

[sushi]

126. I think the Repubs

are the bloodthirsty ones! Applauding the invasion of a weak country knowing very well innocents will be killed!

[BeHereNow]

31. DUGA, I agree...

It IS terrible to wish the death of a fellow American.
That is why we are starting a fund raiser for Wolfie to
receive the best psychiatric care available.
You see, he has sent hundreds and thousands of
his fellow Ameircans to die for an illegal and unjust war
designed to benefit his corporate circle of friends.
Would you care to donate for his rehabilitation effort?
If not, than please enlist immediately.
Wolfie needs more bodies- his delusions of hegemonic
rule are waning as the military casualties rise.
BHN
Welcome to DU.

[0rganism]

36. Yes, you're right. Sudden death is too quick to be justice for Wolfowitz.

A long life of slow misery as a shrapnel-saturated quadruple amputee would be far more fulfilling for the man.

[homelandpunk]

46. people who wish nazis "the best" are mental

as well.

[truth2power]

149. I'd concur with that.

If Wolfie had been killed, you wouldn't find me shedding any tears. Sorry.

[leesa]

53. He's not a 'fellow American'. He is the architect of three hundred plus

American soldier deaths and tens of thousands of innocent Iraqi deaths. Grow up little boy.

[alfredo]

67. Naw, I don't want him dead, I want him to stand trial

along with the rest of the Junta.

[Zhade]

106. Well, here's the deal.

I don't WISH death on anyone, even a lying, murderous traitor like Wolfowitz. Death, in fact, is too good for him. He needs to sit on trail at the Hague, along with the other fascists in the Bush administration.

If he were to die, though, there'd be no tears. He's already helped cause thousands of deaths, why cry for a monster?

[sushi]

124. Wishing the death

of innocent fellow human beings, like innocent Iraqis, or considering that "normal" (it's collateral damage, happens in war), is okay?

[Zhade]

131. Did you actually READ what I wrote, or jump to judgement?

"I don't WISH death on anyone, even a lying, murderous traitor like Wolfowitz."

I. Don't. Wish. Death. On. Anyone.

That should be clear from the fact that I, you know, WROTE as much.

As far as innocent fellow human beings - I did not state this was okay or normal, nor would I. Hell, I didn't even write the words you just attributed to me.

[Zhade]

132. ARG! I'm sorry!

I am SO sorry - I misread your reply under mine, thought you were replying to me!

My face is soooooo red.

*bows repeatedly in apology*

[maggrwaggr]

130. Wolfowitz is no American. He's an enemy of the people

He's a murdering treasonous bastard and he can't burn in hell long enough.

[SoCalDem]

146. Hey Duga.. I would suggest

linkie

[DUGA]

147. Huh?

What gives you the idea that I would be interested in reading Republican rubbish? I simply voiced my particular opinion that I thought it was pretty sad to see people expressing these extreme opinions.

[KoKo]

23. CNN just did big report. Six Rocket attacks (not suicide bomber) and Wolf

owitz, is okay. It was the Rashid Hotel in Baghdad not some other one as earlier reported. Sounds like some folks were injured, but they aren't saying more. Reporter in Baghdad says rocket attacks can be launched from a "distance."

Meaning from Iran (I suppose). The reporter in Baghdad says "with the borders open people in Baghdad are getting used to these attacks." (with the borders open.....hmmmmmm....)

[madrchsod]

32. interesting..

the lastest archaelogy magazine has an article about the artifacts that were stolen and the us army guy in charge stated that there is no cooperation with iran in stopping the smuggling of the iraqi treasures thru the border of iraq-iran. every other country around iraq has cooperated in stopping the flow. i guess when you piss off the country you should really be making friends with shit happens ,doesn`t it?

[IndianaGreen]

26. faux has live report NOW - several wounded

on TV

On edit:

Simon Marks is reporting a number of casualties.

On second edit:

Marks thinks it was an attempt to assassinate Wolfowitz. He is reporting on the phone.

On third edit:

Marks said the blast occurred exactly at 6:15 am, the blast woke him up. US helicopters hovering overhead. Marks heard 2 very distinct blasts. Raising long term questions as to how can the coalition can use facilities like the Rashid hotel.

[flamingyouth]

92. I'm very sorry for the wounded people

Like I've been sorry for all of the dead and wounded in Iraq, Wolfie, you monster.

(Apologies to monsters.)

[Judi Lynn]

30. This must be downright terrifying for a chickenhawk like Wolfowitz

These men spared no effort to protect themselves during the Viet Nam war.

[KoKo]

37. I hate to say it....but he may enjoy it....

No flames, please, but anyone who pushed us into this war with lies, has got to be enjoying it all.

A sick thought, but I have no other explanation for these PNAC folks, but that they are "getting off" on it all.

sorry :-(

[saigon68]

42. Cowardly chicken Hawks

Yes, you bastards--Are you scared shitless yet?

When the going got tough--- these assholes got going. Straight to a wine and cheese party at college.

That really wasn't what pisses off the Vets though. It was their (the chicken hawk's) smirking attitude that we must fight Kommunism, with someone else's blood.


Rot in hell scum.

[Phatfish]

33. Common guys...

We may have severe differences with the administration but lets not act happily after our fellow countrymen were attacked. Nobody deserves to get attacked by RPGs while in their hotel room. I hope everyone is ok and that they perpetrators are found and punished. Best of luck to our military i nthat area.

[IndianaGreen]

39. Bring the troops home NOW!

End the occupation of Iraq NOW! Anything less than that is to condemn young men and women to an unnecessary and wasteful death.

[Phatfish]

41. that is the definition of War itself

n/t

[Brucey]

55. This isn't a war,

it's an invasion and an occupation. Get off your stupid patriotic cliches. Nationalism is a mental illness. The US invaded a defense-less country, bragged about shock and awe, killed thousands of innocent civilians, occupied their territory, stole their resources, suckered the US citizens, and now terrorizes Iraq with no remorse or policing. When one of the architects of this criminal activity goes there, he should expect a "warm" welcome. Suppose another country invaded and occupied the US, and then one of the masterminds came to visit. Would you say, common guys, let's sit down and have a beer with him? Patriotic dribble. Killing is killing. We need to stop the terrorists, and that includes Wolfowitz. Most people on earth understand this. Everywhere Bush* goes we see the signs: World's #1 Terrorist. Stop defending a rotten psychopathic greedy war criminal just because he happens to live on the same large expanse as you.

[EX-CONservative]

134. Patriotism...

Don't confuse patriotism with nationalism.

Patriotism is support for one's nation and the ideals it stands for.

Nationalism is merely the thoughtless obedience to one's leaders.


Loving America is patriotism. Worshipping Bush and the dirt he stands on it nationalism. ;-)

[Zhade]

144. I think he might mean "wasted lives" is war itself. As in, a bad thing.

NT!

[Mattforclark]

47. hm

If we just packed up and left Iraq, the country would fall apart. It was a bad idea to attack Iraq in the first place, but we cannot simply abandon it.

[saigon68]

52. but we cannot simply abandon it

This is the thinking, that kept Viet-Nam going for 16 long years.

[IndianaGreen]

57. Exactly, that sort of thinking kept us in Vietnam for a long time

A poll released this week showed that 67 per cent of Iraqis view the American-led coalition as 'occupying powers', more than 20 per cent higher than a survey conducted shortly after the fall of the former regime. According to the poll, conducted by Iraq's Centre for Research and Strategic Studies, the number of Iraqis who view the coalition as a 'liberating' force has dropped from 43 to 15 per cent, and very few feel safe in the presence of the police or foreign armies controlling the country.

The poll highlights a growing contradiction in Iraq. As security and electricity appear to be improving, the violence directed at the occupiers in certain parts of the country, especially in the so-called Sunni triangle northwest of Baghdad, is growing. These attacks are expected to increase during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which starts this weekend.

In a second blow to US and British hopes for a Western-modelled democracy in Iraq, the poll also revealed that the vast majority of Iraqis preferred an Islamist government - 33 per cent supporting a theocracy and 23 per cent an Islamic democracy such as that in Iran.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1071460,00.html

[Mattforclark]

66. Yep,

In a second blow to US and British hopes for a Western-modelled democracy in Iraq, the poll also revealed that the vast majority of Iraqis preferred an Islamist government - 33 per cent supporting a theocracy and 23 per cent an Islamic democracy such as that in Iran.

I could have told you that before the war. (You probably would get similar numbers in the US if you replaced the word Islamist with Evangelical).

But why does this mean that the consequences of leaving Iraq would be better than the consequences of staying and trying to stabilize it?

[NickB79]

135. But what can we do to change their preferences?

Those who support an Islamic government are most likely ardent supporters of it. US propaganda isn't going to sway their opinion away from their desire for an Islamic state. There is nothing we can do to help stabilize Iraq. No matter how much money we invest into their infrastructure, nothing short of reinstating a strong dictator like Saddam was will prevent a civil war that will destroy everything we would have built. That is almost inevitable at this point. We can dump all the money into that country, but in the end it is their responsibility to rebuild it as they see fit.

Our choices seem to be:

1) Stay 5+ yrs, rebuild, and leave only to see it all destroyed in a civil war

2) Leave now, see a civil war break out, and help the victors rebuild

3) Stay and try to police Iraq DURING their civil war and lose massive numbers of US soldiers.

Sorry for being so pessimistic, but the anamosity that exists between the Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds makes it appear inevitable that Iraq will eventually have to be divided into seperate countries just for its people to survive.

[IndianaGreen]

142. The Iraqis will drive the US out of Iraq

That's inevitable! The only question is how many people will die. If we leave early, fewer people will die. If we leave later, more people will die. The choice is ours.

[Mattforclark]

58. That is true,

but in the case of Vietnam handing over control to the UN was not an option. If Bush were smart, thats what he would do...

[flamingyouth]

94. Exactly - and your sigline says it all

Unfortunately.

[EX-CONservative]

137. I think...

I think we should get UN peacekeepers in and get outta there.

If they got an Iranian-style government, it'd be the best of all outcomes that has more than a 1 in 10,000 chance of being implemented.

My gut tells me getting rid of Saddam unglued Iraq much like the overthrow of King Mohammed Zahir Shah in 1973 unglued Afghanistan.

We're fucked, however way you slice it.

If we don't reverse course to pre-2001 diplomacy soon after the 2004 elections, it will be the beginning of the end of the United States.

I am convinced our superpower days are numbered. The 21st century superpower will be the People's Republic of China.

Maybe this is part of the PNAC plan? :shrug:

[alcuno]

56. Welcome to DU, MattforClark

I agree with you; that we cannot abandon Iraq. However, from the beginning this should have been an international effort and that's what it should be now.

[Mattforclark]

60. Thanks.

Greetings, alcuno!

[Minstrel Boy]

59. It's a particular damn shame for Americans then

that the White House abandoned America.

[leesa]

65. Bullshit. Such a paternalistic response. The Iraqi civilization

has existed and thrived quite well without the US for many many centuries and I am sure they could do MUCH better without us there.

[IndianaGreen]

71. Iraq had a thriving civilization way back when our European ancestors

were being intimate with their sheep.

This ethnocentrism is killing me!

[Mattforclark]

79. WTF?

Did I ever say otherwise? I am lucky enough to be taking classes about that thriving civilization. What ethnocentricism?

[Mattforclark]

72. It is a shame

that anyone can perceive my opinion as being paternalistic. I am not supporting everything we are doing in Iraq right now and I am certainly not supporting how we are going about doing it. We should be doing it right, with Iraqis themselves playing a greater roll in shaping their own future, with massive aid from us and help from the UN. We have to take the situation that Bush has made and leave it manageable, not as another Beirut.

[EX-CONservative]

76. We screwed the pooch...

Longstanding tensions between the Kurds in the north, Sunnis in the center and Shi`ites in the south are being awakened.

Iraq is a country but is not a true nation. It is a British frankenstein taken from three administrative units of the Ottoman Empire.

Due to the ethnic and sectarian rivalries, a strongman was needed to keep Iraq together, explaining the long list of despots.

The only hope for peace in Iraq after foreign intervention is to let Iraq spit into three nations like it should have.

Democracy in Iraq with Iraq intact as a nation would be very tenous.

I think we might be seeing another 3-way civil war. Think Bosnia redux.

[sushi]

81. You're right

but it's clear the US wants to be in control of Iraq, even after it has left. For this to happen it needs time to "establish" itself there.

[saigon68]

48. that they perpetrators are found and punished

Get real, in a war you don't punish the enemy---You KILL HIM

[leesa]

61. No of course not. Not even reporters who are fired on by US military

in their hotel rooms. This creature IS NOT a "fellow American". He is responsible for the unnecessary deaths of soldiers and Iraqis in Iraq. He created the nightmare, if he dies in it well so be it. Won't make me sad. "The perpetrators" are probably plain Iraqi citizens who were minding their own business until the US illegally and immorally decided to invade and murder them.

[bpilgrim]

34. UPDATE: Wolfowitz unharmed after Baghdad blast (reuters)

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=393877§ion=news

peace

[Phatfish]

38. I hope everyone else

is ok as well. Let's wish the recovery efforts all the best.

[homelandpunk]

43. Wolfowitz has visions of future generations

singing the praises of the PNAC for their actions. That is what he said. He has this "glory" syndrome not unlike the "glory" the nazis told themselves would ensue their actions. When you have top level policy makers trying to attain "glory" thru warmongering, that is fucking scary. The glory of fire, smoke and rubble is all these deluded people ever end up with, or end up UNDER should I say. Nazis always end up there eventually.

[MisterP]

49. no, that was Perle

"If we let our vision of the world go forth and we embrace it entirely, and we don't try to piece together clever diplomacy but just wage a total war, our children will sing great songs about us years from now."

[hail to the thief]

44. I've got a question

Am I being foolish in hoping that this is finally the beginning of the end and that they will finally see the folly of their ways? Those freakin' rockets should have been laser guided. lol

[Mattforclark]

51. RPGs

are shoulder fired rocket launchers of Soviet origin. They are similar to WW2 bazookas, and are most certainly not laser guided.

[bemildred]

54. You are being foolish.

They will go to the grave convinced they had it right all along.

[EX-CONservative]

Yes

The PNAC nuts actually think they were saved by God.

They are delusional and if anything, things will get worse... :cry:

[smallprint]

50. CNN reporting possibly several dead

Jane Arraf by phone on the scene... she lost contact and then they dropped the whole thing and went back to that horrid interview with Barbara Bush... :puke:

Anyone else confirming deaths?

[IndianaGreen]

62. She is back on. She says it was mortars

several wounded and some dead.

[smallprint]

64. CNN's Arraf says they were MORTAR attacks

not rocket attacks... also small arms fire... definite casualties, fire in the building, possibly several dead...

on edit: now they are saying they WERE rocket attacks!
:wtf:

[KoKo]

69. Geeze how many times does CNN change stories. Earlier, rockets and that

replace another earlier report of bombs! I guess it's hard to tell when you report from a bunker under the ground in a safe part of Iraq (which I'm sure these reporters do...these days). They probably rely on their cell phones for most of the reporting.....and even then the person at the other end is a media filter.

[alcuno]

70. Troops were fired on from a different direction during the mortar

attack. Either FAUX or CNN said that troops had to "hit the ground" when the mortar attack began because they were fired on from several nearby buildings. Sounds pretty coordinated.

[Pale Blue Dot]

68. These deaths are the responsibility of Wolfowitz

and his boss. Not that they will see that.

[hail to the thief]

73. Wolfie's in fantasy land

That's it this man has officially lost all of his marbles. He looks like shit warmed over, his voice is shaking and trembling worse than Katherine Hepburn and he's STILL giving the hoorah speech? What is this guy smoking?

[corarose]

74. Where is Jr at tonight?

I bet he is cleaning house.

[IndianaGreen]

80. He is hugging his pillow

crying for his mommy!

[madrchsod]

85. you are cruel

but,but he has his pickle to comfort him.

[madrchsod]

82. at camp david

tucked in bed with pickles..they`ll wake him up in the morning like they did with ronnie...

[flamingyouth]

113. You mean the "lump in the bed?"

Oh, yeah, HER...

[JohnyCanuck]

88. I think it's safe to assume, Dubya is sawing logs right now.

It's way past his 8:00pm bedtime. Maybe when he scans the newspaper headlines tomorrow morning he might notice there was some more shit went down in Iraqi territory overnight.

[fizzana]

78. The good news just keeps flowing out of Iraq.

At least the schools are open.

[cliss]

83. Clarification

I would like to set the record straight. I didn't say I wanted one of the rocket-propelled mortars to land in Wolfowit's hotel bed.

Please note I shook it off and decided to focus on his boss, RUMSFELD. He's in trouble right now, and that means Wolfowitz's position is in jeopardy. That's what I meant when I wrote "let's hope the Old Windbag's days are numbered.... here I meant RUMSFELD, the Old Windbag. That should absolve me.

However, I will not wish him good things. No way. Not ever.

[IndianaGreen]

84. CNN: Wolfowitz survives mortar attack

Wolfowitz survives mortar attack
Sunday, October 26, 2003 Posted: 1:03 AM EDT (0503 GMT)

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Several mortars have slammed into the Baghdad hotel where U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz was staying, injuring several people, coalition officials have told CNN.

As many as six mortars were fired at the Al-Rasheed Hotel -- used by many coalition officials -- about 6 a.m. local time Sunday morning (0300 GMT), officials said.

There were reports of injuries but Wolfowitz was unharmed and led away from by security forces, said U.S. officials.

Wolfowitz, a major force behind the Iraq war, was paying his second visit to Iraq in three months and stressed the need to speed up the formation of a new Iraqi army, police force, border guard and civil defense corps, Reuters reported.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/10/26/sprj.irq.hotel/index.html

[smallprint]

87. US Military Official Spokeswoman: no confirmation of casualties

Jane Arraf: Yes there are casualties... soldiers saw them going out... civilians in their pajamas rushing out after explosions hit, taken across street to another building... now saying they WERE rockets, not mortars... coordinated gunfire (small arms fire)...

[Cat Atomic]

89. Well, I think Ashcoft should be able to find the leaker now.

Wolfowitz- who knew? Too bad he can't defend himself.

No, no, seriously- I'm not wishing Wolfowitz any harm. At the same time, I'm not going to act like I'm deeply concerned about the welfare of some warmongering creep either.

[IndianaGreen]

90. MSNBC: At least 3 hurt

Notice how MSNBC refers to the attackers as "anti-American guerrillas," no more pretending that they are members of Saddam's old regime.

Rockets hit Baghdad hotel

At least 3 hurt; Deputy Defense Secretary Wolfowitz uninjured

MSNBC NEWS SERVICES

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Oct. 26 — Anti-American guerrillas attacked the Baghdad hotel where Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz was staying Sunday with a barrage of rockets, but the Cabinet member survived the blasts, U.S. officials said.

AT LEAST THREE people were wounded — two of whom were carried away on stretchers — said a Reuters journalist at the Rashid Hotel, where the attack occurred at about 6 a.m. local time.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/870749.asp?0cv=CB10

[Cat Atomic]

95. The new line seems to be to suggest that they're all Al-Qaeda,

and therefore Iraq is "the new front in the war on terror". So the whole Baathist thing is just sort of being erased fromt the public consciousness.

[IndianaGreen]

100. Jim Miklaszewski is reporting this was an attack on Wolfowitz

the rockets hit the side of the hotel were Wolfowitz was staying. Jim thinks that it was an attack on US leadership.

Now LIVE on MSNBC.

[alcuno]

103. 2 floors below

He said that Wolfie was about two floors above the "worst" of it. I mentioned above that it was reported that at the time of the attack, troops on the ground were fired on by people in nearby buildings. Coordinated.

[IndianaGreen]

108. I heard the same thing, GIs had to hit the deck because of small arms fire

A well-coordinated attack by perhaps some of the 400,000 Iraqi soldiers that were fired by Paul Bremer several months ago against the advice of the State Department.

[PartyPooper]

112. Do you suppose that these folks know all about PNAC and BFEE?

I'm shocked. Absolutely shocked, I tell ya'!

:tinfoilhat:

[alcuno]

105. If so, someone told them where wolfie was snoozing.

Why go to the US when the US will come to you?

[grasswire]

99. miclacewski on live from baghdad

The blast was on the same side of the hotel as Wolfowitz.

[grasswire]

102. more than eiight blasts

mic.....eleven or twelve blasts.

He counted ten or eleven strike points in the side of the building. A concrete facade was penetrated in several places. Inside the building was calm, evacuated. One room on his floor was blown apart and the door blown off, one man buried under rubble in that room. Water pipes burst, flooded the floor, smoke in the halls. GIs evacuated the hotel.

[grasswire]

104. a blue van near the zoo...

....might have been the location of the weapons.

Mic saw Wolfo briefly. Surrounded by staff, in a small room on first floor, trying to figure out what to do next.

[grasswire]

109. yesterday Wolfo was traveling in a blackhawk!

His copter left shortly before that other helicopter was attacked.

[grasswire]

110. wolfowitz will hold a press conference soon

He'll play the victim.

Watch.

[IndianaGreen]

114. I think Wolfie is being targeted

and now the fool is announcing that he is going to give a live press conference. Why not give the coordinates while he is at it?

[alcuno]

125. Remember Rummy's trip?

A shoulder-fired missile was fired at a plane shortly after Rummy's plane took off from the Baghdad Airport. Just another coincidence?

[IndianaGreen]

111. Wolfowitz to hold press conference soon

according to MSNBC.

[KoKo]

116. Mic is over there? Saw him on C-Span one day. A real PNAC supporter.....

He was disgusting. I wonder if we can believe his report. Hate to be that cynical. I posted about "Mic" on Du I was so upset when I saw him!

[EX-CONservative]

91. Rule of Thumb...

If Paul Wolfowitz is someplace, stay at lest 5 miles away from him...

[w13rd0]

96. Wolfowitz is on now...

...calling this an act of terrorism, appears quite shaken. Says we are taking the fight to the enemy. Desperate act of a dying regime of criminals.

Gee Wolfy, it was an assassination attempt. Hey, didn't we attempt to "assassinate" Saddam? Oh yeah, we said that was a tactical strike on a legitimate target. I wonder if that's what the perps are saying about their attempted hit on Wolfy. Man, he must feel like a moving target. Wonder if Bush's nickname for Wolfy will now be "RocketBait".

CNN is now commenting on how lavish the hotel is. Gee, so Wolfy was staying in a lavish hotel. That seems to go with what I've been reading about the posh accomodations the CPA and Iraqi Council enjoy. Expensive suits, bulletproof buicks, armed plainsclothes guards, shiny wingtip shoes and $2000 dinners...

Wait, wasn't one of our many changing reasons for invading Iraq because Saddam lived in luxury while "his people starved"? And isn't the food ration program supposed to be ending in January because Rummy and Condy think that spanks of socialism?

[DS1]

97. insta-spin "WOLFIE THE WAR HERO COMBAT VET!"

watch, I guarantee some right-wing idiot will spin it into this...

[IndianaGreen]

98. Wolfie looks like a rigor mortis Bela Lugosi in this picture

According to MSNBC, Wolfie has been in contact with Rummy and the Chimp, but he will keep his schedule.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

127. Spot on! Good God, he does!

I can imagine what he's thinking: "Holy shit, they took this war personally!"

[smallprint]

107. MSNBC anchor can barely wipe the smile off his face...

CNN's British anchor was similarly gloating... even throwing some sharp questions at Wedeman... clearly the thought of "chickens coming home to roost" is going through many heads right now...

[grasswire]

118. CNN: people with missing limbs

Some deaths, according to GIs on the ground

[smallprint]

121. Uggh. The reality hits.

Pain. Suffering. Death.

Stop this horrible war NOW.

:scared:

[eleny]

115. "Bring it on" comes to mind

My only concern is for innocent victims. And we know who doesn't fall into that category.

This trip was probably part of the "good news" spin. Instead, Wolfowitz will now forever be associated with this attack. I hope it hounds him as he well deserves.

[IndianaGreen]

120. I guess this will put a damper on the Sunday talk shows

little likelihood of they spinning this into some sort of happy news.

[Flying_Pig]

117. So neonazicon Wolfowitz survives. Tens of thousands of innocent

Iraqis did not. There is no justice, ...yet.

[IndianaGreen]

Mala yerba nunca muere

Spanish for "bad weed never dies."

[MetaTrope]

119. Maybe another runaway American tank couldn't find a family to run over

:nopity:

[hail to the thief]

128. Wolfowitz' Press Conference

I'd love to hear the spin he puts on this, some b.s. like " Oh, they were rocket propelled flowers" those upity iraqis don't they know we own them now? Acting like they have an opinion, the nerve!

[TheReligiousLeft]

133. This just in from Reuters

<http://www.reuters.com/printerFriendlyPopup.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=3690202>
15 wounded. Isn't the first time that hotel had been fired on with rockets. I think you people know the rest.

[grasswire]

138. wolfie's voice is shaking again

he says it's an attack on American heroes

[Kat 333]

123. LOL

[IndianaGreen]

139. One American dead

Wolfie looks like death warmed over!

[drfemoe]

136. How can we get them out now?

"Wolfowitz, a major force behind the Iraq war, was paying his second visit to Iraq in three months
and stressed the need to speed up the formation of a new Iraqi army, police force, border guard and civil defense corps." << from Reuters

Once these forces are armed and trained what is to stop them from turning on the coalition?
Don't be surprised if we have to bomb our way out of there when we do get ready to leave.
Just another little side adventure to bomb the snot out of a helpless people.
Make sure to sell them the black boxes before we have to haul a**.

Disclaimer: I DO support the troops. (way more than you will ever know).
I am NOT interested in harming our 'government'.
After all, we are a government OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people.
I do not wish harm on our GOVERNMENT!
I wish we could say the same for the witch hunters running amok in the world.

...

Ramadan has started in some areas .. supposedly Iraq is starting it Monday.
But coalition leaders lifted the overnight curfew at 4 am 10/26 (Iraq is 8 hrs ahead of EST).

During the month, they don't eat, drink, smoke or have sex during daylight hours.
That is going to give them plenty of time to blow things up, and make them grumpy I would think ...

[grasswire]

140. one american dead, some injured

eom

[grasswire]

141. criminals in hit and run attacks

that's what he called them.

He's done now.

[smallprint]

143. He was clearly freaked out

Voice wavering, pale, tense, showing little emotion, probably in mild shock (medically speaking)

Can't guarantee safety of those in Al Rashid Hotel...


on edit: they just showed the replay... he wasn't just scared, he was TERRIFIED... he sounded like he was about to cry... obviously his first experience with anything resembling a real war...

[IndianaGreen]

77. Wolfie did look kind of pale, didn't he?

All vampires look pale when they first get out of their coffins.

[gauguin57]

86. I'm glad Wolfie survived ...

... because I want him alive ... to join Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, et al when they're all summoned to the Hague to face war-crimes charges!!!!!!!!!!!

How's the weather in the middle of that nice rocket attack, eh, Wolfie?

[grasswire]

93. his voice often quavers..

...but it's usually when he sitting before a panel of Senators.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

129. I saw Biden go after him not too long ago

asking about the billions for Iraq.

I bet he wishes he were sitting in Washington being grilled by Joe Biden now...

[IndianaGreen]

148. Update: Briton Injured in Baghdad Hotel Attack (US colonel dead)

1:03pm (UK)
Briton Injured in Baghdad Hotel Attack

By John Deane, Chief Political Correspondent, PA News

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw sent his sympathies today to a Briton injured in the rocket attack on a Baghdad hotel seen as a symbol of the US-led occupation.

The man, on secondment from the British Government to the Coalition Provisional Authority, has undergone surgery for serious, but not life-threatening, injuries. He has not been named.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Mr Straw said: “I have just spoken to the UK’s Special Representative to Iraq, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, about the rocket attack on the Al Rasheed Hotel in Baghdad.

“He was on his way to see the British member of staff who was injured. I asked Sir Jeremy to convey to him my great sympathy and concern for his injuries, and hope that he makes a speedy recovery.

http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2099657

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- In a daring strike, insurgents attacked the heart of the U.S. occupation Sunday, unleashing a barrage of rockets against the Al Rasheed hotel where U.S. officials live and where visiting Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz was staying. Wolfowitz escaped, but an American colonel was killed and 15 people were wounded.

<snip>

The slain American was a colonel, Wolfowitz said, without identifying him. That would be one of the highest ranking U.S. military officers killed in the Iraqi insurgency. Since President Bush declared an end to major combat in Iraq on May 1, 109 U.S. soldiers have been killed by hostile fire.

The 15 people wounded included seven American civilians, four U.S. military personnel and four "non-U.S. coalition civilian partners," according to a statement by the U.S. command. One Briton was among the wounded.

http://ap.indystar.com/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ?SITE=ININS&SECTION=HOME