Iraq Roundup: An absolute mess today

Yesterday, Pentagon sources revealed to CBS News that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told his inner circle that the security in situation in Iraq is "nearly out of control."  But in a contradictory move today, Maliki ordered that the security checkpoints between around Sadr City, a long-time hot-bed for insurgents, be lifted.  U.S. forces have been ordered to leave their positions around the city as well:

A crowd gathered outside the local headquarters of Sadr'sorganization, some firing in the air in celebration at the end of whata senior follower called a "barbaric and savage siege" that marred lastweek's Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr.

As far as security incidents go, today has been yet another mess .  This is very sobering:

FALLUJA - A roadside bomb killed one policeman and one civilian in thewestern city of Falluja, 50 km (30 miles) west of Baghdad, police said.Two civilians were also wounded.

BAGHDAD - A car bomb ripped througha wedding procession in the northeastern district of Ur in Baghdad,killing 15 people, including four children, Interior Ministry andpolice said.

SUWAYRA - The bodies of three people were recovered from the Tigris river in Suwayra, police said.

TAL AFAR - Four "terrorists"and one Iraqi army lieutenant were killed during a raid on a buildingused by militants in the northern town of Tal Afar, about 420 km (260miles) north of Baghdad, the Iraqi army said.

TARMIYA - More than 40 people were missing aftergunmen ambushed minibuses travelling to Baghdad near Tarmiya, 30 km (20miles), north of the capital, a spokesman for the Joint CoordinationCenter for Iraqi and U.S. forces in the northern city of Tikrit said.

NEAR SUWAYRA - The bodies of five gunmen were found in an orchard whichwas the scene of clashes between gunmen and the police several days agonear the town of Suwayra, 40 km (25 miles) south of Baghdad, policesaid.

BAQUBA - The bodies of eight people were found, bound and gagged, inBaquba, police said. All the victims were shot in the head.

BAGHDAD - A roadside bomb targeting a police patrol killed a policemanand wounded three others near the southern Doura district of Baghdad,an Interior Ministry source said.

BAQUBA - Clashes betweengunmen and police left a policeman dead and three others wounded inBaquba, 65 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.

BAQUBA -Gunmen suspected of belonging to a militia run by Shi'ite clericMoqtada al-Sadr, shot and wounded the owners of two shops in Baquba,police said.

FALLUJA - An Iraqi army soldier died in clashes with gunmen in the Sunni city of Falluja, police said.

TAL AFAR - Four gunmen and an Iraqi army soldier were killed in clashes in the northern town of Tal Afar, police said.

BAGHDAD - A car bomb killed three civilians and wounded 10 others in northeastern Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source said.

So, how do you like our policy?  This is not what we were told was going to happen, and Americans are tired of it.

Comments

[george]

You know what was a mess today? John Fucking Kerry. Jeez. Nice work, jackass.

[Administrator: Todd]

I know this sounds stupid, but I'm actually glad Kerry got caught today. It just exposes what kind of a rhetorical time-bomb he is, and that he should NEVER be on a Democratic presidential ticket.

Ever since his pathetic response to Dick Cheney's GOP Convention address, I knew this guy was a loser. I try to be as objective as I can on this web site. But whenever I ever say anything negative about Kerry's political traits, I get hate email because of it.

What John Kerry said was so elitist and insulting to people my age that are fighting in Iraq. In fact, telling someone to get an education or fight in Iraq is like telling a poor person to find a high-paying job or stay in poverty. Kerry is so removed from reality.

Don't get me wrong: he is brilliant intellectually, and would be a way better president than the one we have. But when it comes to political skills, this guy is like Mr. Glass (from the movie Unbreakable).

[George]

i understand that he probably read the speech wrong but c'mon man. Why is he even making speeches now? Who needs to hear from John Kerry?

Now i have to sit here and watch clips of Bush indulging on someone's speaking gaffe. That's tough to watch.

Oh, and i saw Bush interview with Sean Hannity on Fox. Hannity asks him fluff ball questions like: "so you say the presidency is about making decisions. is that right?"

hahahaa. hannity is a total joke.