Category Archives: Iraq

Religion Leads To Death

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

Europe  had its hundred years of religious death and destruction before all agreed for a time out. Of course, the time out lasted until World War II when Germany decided to renew death and destruction of those whose religion was not the majority of people in a nation. The Middle  East daily is witnessing religion play a role in murder of the innocent. The Shiite government of Iraq has charged Sunni political leaders with being traitors while the Shiite President Bashar al-Assad has charged Sunnis with being behind the rebellion which has now lasted nearly a year.

Last week, 16 bomb blasts rocked Baghdad. Prime Minister Maliki  blamed it on Sunni militants. Vice Prime Minister Tariq al Hashemi, currently in Kurdistan to prevent his arrest by Maliki, told the media, “those who are behind all these explosions and incidents (were) part  of the government security forces.” Heck, Hitler used the same tactic to gain power, created a false fire scare in parliament and blamed it on communists.

The unanswered question is: are Assad and Maliki attempting to create bomb incidents in order go provide evidence they can attack Sunnis?

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Posted in Christianity, Conservatives, Education, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iraq, Iraq War, Islam, Liberals, Military, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Religion, Social Justice, Syria, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Drones Make Mistake!

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

President Obama and the US military insist that drones never make a mistake. When a drone spots a house in which there is a man who the drone knows is a militant, then the missile kills the right person. Turkish planes were alerted by a drone that Kurdish rebels were moving toward their border, so planes blasted away at the enemy. It turns out the “militants” were simply a group of smugglers who had loaded up goods on their donkeys and horses in order to do some honest smuggling. At least 35 are now dead and others are wounded.

The tragedy if that American officials and military “experts” insist that planes thousands of feet in the air are always right when blasting “militants” on the ground. America played this game during the Vietnam war when thousands of innocent Vietnamese were killed by plane attacks as part of the “body count” game that enabled the US military to proclaim it was winning the body war against the Viet Cong. The game goes on only today the body count is a Taliban or a member of al-Qaeda. Don’t you believe a drone knows what goes on in the mind of someone it is killing?

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Posted in Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, Iraq, Iraq War, Islam, Military, Multicultural, Politics, Religion, Social Justice, Turkey, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Goodbye Iraq, Hello Iraq?

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

The last American soldiers are leaving the free democratic nation of Iraq after eight long years of fighting. In theory, they depart from a nation which finally has got rid of its dictator and can enjoy the blessings of democracy. A day after US troops left, Baghdad was rocked with explosions that left 67 people dead and dozens wounded. But,  the bigger explosion  came, not from terrorists, but the government of Iraq. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, waited until Americans were gone to announce that Iraq’s Vice Prime ministe Tariq al-Hashemi was a traitor who tried to kill him.

Mr. Hashemi is a Sunni, not a Shiite as is Maliki. Other Sunni ministers are being charged with treason. Strange, only Sunni ministers betray the country. Hashemi took refuge in Kurdistan and Maliki is now threatening that area. He warned if they do not turn over Hashemi, it will lead to “problems.” I assume the “problems” will not entail use of American troops.

Sorry people of Iraq, YOU have a “PROBLEM!” And, it sure is not the United States!

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iraq, Islam, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Muslims, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Ron Paul, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

US Goes, Sectarian Conflict Arrives

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

Just as the last American troops were preparing to depart from Iraq the new  war began in that country over who rules and who does not rule. The Iraq government of Prime Minister Maliki has been based on cooperation between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. Ah, that was yesterday and today without Americans to pester anyone, the new world of Shiite control has appeared. Maliki charged Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi with plotting to kill him and other Shiite leaders. Bodyguards of the vice president confessed– during interrogation, that is.

Ah, but Maliki is not yet done with consolidating power. He asked for a vote of no confidence in his Sunni deputy prime minister Saleh al-Mutlaq on charges that he was incompetent. Gee, American troops leave, and suddenly Sunni leaders are charged with crimes. Actually, I thought being incompetent and corrupt was a given in the Maliki administration. I guess it only applies to those who are Sunni.

I  await new terror attacks. Don’t you?

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Education, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iraq, Islam, Military, Muslims, Politics, Religion, Social Justice, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Gen. Franks Frankly A Liar!

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

General Tommy Franks who played a key role in the George Bush fiasco in Iraq opposes making military decisions based on political concerns. “If we take action both in Afghanistan and Iraq based on what is politically viable then we’re making the wrong decisions.” Of course, during planning stages of the war in Iraq, then General Shinseki warned about the lack of sufficient troops on the ground, but “General” Rumsfeld knew more than an experienced field officer. And, who  backed up Rumsfeld? The name was Franks.

Of course, Franks still maintains “what we did in the first place and in fact that was to removed a sanctuary where people President George Bush  referred to an evildoers could plan our demise with impunity.” Huh!

1. There were no members of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. Saddam Hussein hated them.

2. There were no WMD in Iraq.

3. The Iraq army was a joke as well as being demralized.

4. So how and with what could Saddam plan our “demise??”

General Franks is a damn liar!

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, George Bush, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iraq, Iraq War, Islam, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Republicans, Ron Paul, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Violence In Sands Of Iraq

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

A certainty of life is that before the week concludes there will be at least one story concerning disputes between Sunni and Shiite Iraqians. A western      desert area known as  Al Nukhaib is providing opportunities for the two  religious factions to kill one another. A recent bus trip by some Shiites into the area led to the murder of  22 pilgrims headed to pray. Now, there are signs in the region demanding retribution for these murders.

About a third of the area is desert punctuated by valleys and hills. There are numerous caves which are perfect for terrorist groups seeking to kill someone for some reason. Nukaib’s  most important feature is that one must go throuth it in order to head for Saudi Arabia and pray in Mecca.

Let me get this straight. Religious Muslims want to pray. Other religious Muslims want to kill them because they entered this area in order to pray. I guess it makes sense, at least to those living in Iraq. Ah, for the days when Christians killed one another over  some reason.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iraq, Iraq War, Islam, Military, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Social Justice, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Turkey Fights PKK At Home And In Iraq

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

Turkish Prime Minister Recept Erdogan has been among the fiercest critics of Israel for its refusal to work in a cooperative manner with the Palestinian Authority in order to attain peace in the region. His comments have been on target and his goals seek an end  to conflict. However, when it comes to rights of Kurdish people in his nation, the man of peace is transformed into the man of war. Kurds in Turkey lack equal rights and the end result is violence.

Members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party(PKK) launched a surprise attack on security outposts near the border with Turkey. The result was 24 dead Turkish soldiers and at least 18 wounded. In response, the Turkish army invaded Iraq in order to kill those who killed Turks. About 18 militants were dead as a result of this action. There are reports of Turkish commandos being dropped in northern Iraq as part of the effort to destroy the PKK.

For one who believes in conciliation and seeks a peaceful resolution of conflicts between Israel and Palestinians, it is surprising no such attitude is evident  when the issue is rights of Kurds. Perhaps, we should not be surprised. It is much easier telling others to seek peace!

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Posted in Barack Obama, Education, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iraq, Islam, Military, Multicultural, Muslims, Politics, Social Justice, Turkey, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Go-Stay In Iraq?

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

It becomes increasingly clear that American forces will be leaving Iraq and none will remain to handle training of the country’s security forces. Iraq’s government insists if American troops remain they will be subject to Iraq law and could be placed on trial for violation of local laws or customs. Reality is that 400,000 of Iraq;s 800,000 Christians have fled their nation to escape Sharia law and the influence of fundamentalist clerics and Muslims. Iraq has changed from being a modern secular society under a dictator to a Muslim centered society under something termed, “democracy.”

No American president can allow our troops to be subject to Iraq law since that law includes religious features which violate international law. If Iraqis desire to impose religious law it is their right. It is also right on our part to bid a fond farewell to the clerics who believe their version of God should dominate daily life. There will be violence at an ever increasing pace because the Shiite government cannot even work a compromise with its Sunni minority.

The time has come to depart. We regret Iraq will fall under religious rule.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, George Bush, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iraq, Iraq War, Islam, Liberals, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Ron Paul, Social Justice, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Death Is Not Proud In Iraq

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

Death continues its daily voyage in the streets of Iraq cities. Suicide bombers blew themselves up before the gates of  police facilities and in the ensuing blood bath at least 25 are dead and hundreds are wounded. As a reporter noted: “the scene was horrific.” There is no doubt this caranage comes from Sunni militants who are allied with al-Qaeda.

During the famous “Awakening Councils” Sunni militants joined with American forces to crush al-Qaeda. But, now that Shiites rule Iraq, they refuse to acknowledge the need to forge alliances with Sunni militants and the end result is death in the morning, and death in the afternoon and death in the evening.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, George Bush, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iraq, Iraq War, Islam, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Republicans, Ron Paul, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Immunity From Iraq?

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Fred Stopsky| Leave a comment

American soldiers have been in Iraq for over nine years and in the coming months most will leave. However, it is expected that at least thirty thousand will remain in order to work with Iraq military forces. The Iraq government insists those remaining to train their soldiers should subject to Iraq law and tried in Iraq courts. “If we do not have agreement on the immunity, there will be no agreement on the number of trainers,” said government spokesperson, Ali al-Dabbagh.

Iraq’s government leaves much to be desired when it comes to issues of fairness, respect for law and democracy. We can not allow American soldiers to be subject to the whimsical machinations of  Iraq clerics who  seek to  prove they  are in control of the country. American soldiers in Iraq will be constantly subject to attacks by militants, and this, inevitably, will result in mistakes. Sorry, no American  can trust an Iraq court of law!

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, George Bush, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iraq, Iraq War, Islam, Judaism, Liberals, Military, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Republicans, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News