Nine more U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq

Yes, this reporting is getting repetitive.  Regardless, it is the most pressing issue that our country is facing.

Today, the military announced the deaths of nine U.S. soldiers -- three of which lost their lives on Saturday in a roadside bombing outside Baghdad.

Meanwhile, earlier this morning in Karbala, a bomb went off outside one of the holiest Shiite shrines in the Middle East.  That blast killed 55 people:

The explosion took place in a crowded commercial area near the ImamHussein shrine in Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, officials said.At least 55 people were killed and 70 wounded, said Salim Kazim, thehead of the Karbala health department.

A car bomb exploded in the same area on April 14, killing 47 and wounding 224.

There were a number of other security incidents today in Iraq, as bodies turned up all over the place:

BAGHDAD - Seventeen bodies were found across Baghdad in the past 24 hours, police said.

BAQUBA - A total of 27 bodies were found around Baquba, 65 km (40miles) north of Baghdad, police said. Fifteen decomposing bodies werefound in a field. All were handcuffed and had gunshot wounds. Another12 bodies with gunshot wounds and showing signs of torture were foundin different areas.

BAIJI - Gunmen abducted an oil facilitysecurity official and his driver in Baiji, 180 km (112 miles) north ofBaghdad, police said.

Back in the states, retired general William Odom demanded that President Bush sign the withdrawal plan that the House and Senate passed this week.