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Steve Gilliard, 1964-2007
It is with tremendous sadness that we must convey the news that Steve Gilliard, editor and publisher of The News Blog, passed away June 2, 2007. He was 42.
To those who have come to trust The News Blog and its insightful, brash and unapologetic editorial tone, we have Steve to thank from the bottom of our hearts. Steve helped lead many discussions that mattered to all of us, and he tackled subjects and interest categories where others feared to tread.
Please keep Steve's friends and family in your thoughts and prayers.
Steve meant so much to us.
We will miss him terribly.
Hubris Sonic: "Short Iraq Update"
Labels: Iraq
Escalation
BAGHDAD (AP) A raging, daylong battle erupted in central Baghdad on Tuesday and four Iraqi soldiers were killed, 16 U.S. soldiers were wounded and a U.S. helicopter was hit by ground fire at the close of the second month of the massive security crackdown on the capital.
...
The resumption of violence was in stunning contrast to Monday, when a 24-hour driving ban left the capital eerily quiet on the fourth anniversary of its capture by American forces. But just hours after the ban was lifted before dawn Tuesday, artillery fire echoed across the city. By day's end, at least 52 people were killed or found dead nationwide in strife confined mainly to Sunni enclaves.
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In Muqdadiyah, most of the victims of the woman suicide bomber had taken police exams just days earlier and were assembled to learn the results
more here
Tens of thousands of followers of young Shiite nationalist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr rallied in the Shiite holy city of Najaf south of Baghdad on Monday, protesting the continued presence of US troops in Iraq. They burned US flags and held up posters saying, "America will fall, will fall." Chillingly, some of the demonstrators appeared to be soldiers in the Iraqi army. -- Christian Science Monitor
The U.S. military announced the weekend deaths of 10 American soldiers, including six killed on Sunday.
-- AP Story here
And so it goes...
These and all the other little tales leaking out of Iraq are showing to me at least that the initiative is still in the insurgents hands all that Cheney Bush has done is increase the level of tension requiring more grease to keep things moving between the players here, in the form of blood. With the currently visiting Tokyo Iraqi PM still refusing to give a goal date for the Iraqi army being ready to take over security or be involved to any degree. I think we looking a more of hard slough and probably have to re-re-re-take Baghdad, its going to be one hot summer.
PLUS:
just found this piece by Robert Fisk that has to be included...Must read
- posted by Hubris Sonic
Robert Fisk: Divide and rule - America's plan for Baghdad Revealed: a new counter-insurgency strategy to carve up the city into sealed areas. The tactic failed in Vietnam. So what chance does it have in Iraq?