L.A. Times drops "on the verge of Civil War" rhetoric, cuts to chase and discusses IRAQ CIVIL WAR.

[Human Torch]

Wave of retaliation sweeps Iraq
Shiite bloc's threatened walkout could lead to the government's collapse.
By Solomon Moore, Times Staff Writer
November 25, 2006



Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr warned the prime minister not to meet with President Bush.
(Alaa Al Marjani / AP) November 24, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq25nov25,0,1345526.story?coll=la-home-headlines

BAGHDAD — Iraq's civil war worsened Friday as Shiite and Sunni Arabs engaged in retaliatory attacks after coordinated car bombings that killed more than 200 people in a Shiite neighborhood the day before. A main Shiite political faction threatened to quit the government, a move that probably would cause its collapse and plunge the nation deeper into disarray.

The massacre Thursday in Sadr City — a stronghold of Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada Sadr and his Al Mahdi militia — sparked attacks around the country, reinforced doubts about the effectiveness of the Iraqi government and U.S. military and emboldened Shiite vigilantes.

In a sermon Friday, Sadr, a strong opponent of the United States, said the Pentagon's refusal to grant full control of Iraqi security forces to the Baghdad government was leaving the populace vulnerable to insurgent attacks.

And as Sadr's militiamen took matters into their own hands in battles with Sunni Arabs, his political representatives demanded that Prime Minister Nouri Maliki signal his displeasure with the U.S. military occupation by canceling a meeting with President Bush next week in Jordan.



President George W. Bush talks to troops from Camp David, Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2006. The President called members of the Armed Forces who are stationed overseas or who have recently returned, to wish them a happy Thanksgiving and thank them for their service to our Nation. White House photo by Eric Draper

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. This is a major shift

Bush is toast.

[Human Torch]

2. It's a major, major milestone that (I believe) will go unnoticed by many.

When you read the article, it can initially seem like any one of a thousand media pieces on the violence in Iraq. Then you realize that they are no longer dancing around the subject and it hits you right between they eyes.

Iraq's in a Civil War, and it didn't "start" today. The L.A. Times started calling it a Civil War today.

:patriot:

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. There' s a report in GD

that everyone else started calling it a civil war today.

I wonder how this will effect Bush's trip to Jordan or if he'll chickenhawk out again?

[Human Torch]

4. A few thoughts on that...

...first, his sole motivation in any situation seems to be to improve his own standing, and I don't think this trip will accomplish that.

Second (from the article):

And as Sadr's militiamen took matters into their own hands in battles with Sunni Arabs, his political representatives demanded that Prime Minister Nouri Maliki signal his displeasure with the U.S. military occupation by canceling a meeting with President Bush next week in Jordan.

Sadr's representatives said they would withdraw from Maliki's government if the prime minister did not meet their demands.

Anyone believe that's an empty threat from Sadr?

Do the math on this one and it all comes up empty for Junior. The people carrying out the bloodshed in Iraq aren't interested in being on the receiving end of Bush's "democracy."

:patriot:

[DoYouEverWonder]

5. Bush and Cheney need a distraction

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2629303

it looks like they are letting this mess go out of control.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. K&R