[Deleted]

[Deleted User]

[Deleted by Admins]

[Charlie P]

I think we sat down in a big pile of poop.

[Aught Six]

Thoughts anyone?

I think the terrorists are failing miserably. Even with the relentless attacks going on, the Iraqis are still living their lives, going to work, and providing for their families. And when you consider how open to democracy many have become (even the Sunnis who boycotted the election are now saying it was a mistake to do so), I don't think the terrorists are going to win.

I'm sure more people will die, but I believe these attacks are the dying gasps of an impotent terror movement.

[Deleted User]

[Deleted by Admins]

[Aught Six]

Attacks like this cannot continue to be possible if a stable democracy is to grow. If they continue like this, it makes a "Hardline - Crackdown Regime" more likely to gain control of the Iraqi gov. - Islamic in nature or otherwise.

I see your point, but I have to disagree. Look at all the domestic and international turmoil we dealt with early on in America. It is possible to have both democracy and justice in the face of tyranny. The Iraqis can fight terrorism and crime as we do, and they can win if they put their hearts into it. So far, I see promise in this. Citizens continue to line up and join the police and military forces despite those who want to splatter their blood across the block.

The average people are defying the terrorists even though it may mean certain death. This shows me they take the prospects of a free Iraq very seriously.

125 dead in a flash is not part of daily life nor should it be. The Iraqi people can't blow these things off like some of us do across a wide ocean. Attacks like this must be acknowledged and dealt with.

I don't think anyone over there is blowing it off. But even an attack that devestating still can't make time stand still. Any person in any country who wants a better life will dust himself off, take stock of what he has left, and move forward towards his goal.

The national guard and police and still working and fighting against the nutjobs--let's not talk about defeat until it happens. Doing so would play into the hands of Zarqawi and the other murderers over there.

[Deleted User]

[Deleted by Admins]

[Aught Six]

As I sit here and type what puzzles me the most is why the Iraqis don't get INFURIATED at these attacks and take dramatic action themselves. The bomb targeted Iraqis -- not US soldiers.

I hate these muderous acts and I hate to admit this,,,,,, but,,,,, if attacks like this don't make the Iraqis want to fight back against the terrorists, nothing we can do or say will convince them and we should pull out soon if that proves to be the case. Of course, if the Iraqis show they are willing and begin to take meanigful action - we should stay and help them as long as need be.

They are. Come on, you know the news in America never shows the positive side of the story. The more terrorists kill civilians, the more civilians say the nutjobs are cowardly muderers and stand up to them. Iraqis know the al Qaeda and the Sunni "insurgents" are grasping at straws, and they see the chance to beat them once and for all.

If I had extremists setting off bombs in my town, I'd be out there with a rifle looking for them. I think most of us (with any fighting spirit) would do the same thing. The Iraqis are inspriring everyone with that attitude. They were dominated and brutalized for generations, and now that they have a taste of freedom, most are not going to turn back now.

So far I have been VERY disappointed with the quality and motivation of the Iraqi security forces.

Agreed. However, they are getting better and stronger, and we're doing a better job of seeing it happen. The doubts are slowly disappearing from the minds of Iraq's skeptics.

I'm still looking for a sign.

There are signs all over the Middle East. The wheels are turning. I'm just waiting for the conclusion. Then we can come home and enjoy some peace.

[Deleted User]

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[Aught Six]

Of course, it may be happening right now for all I know - but what a morale booster it would be for all concerned!!!!

Amen to that!