Iraq Now: 20 Questions

June 22, 2003 8:28 AM

Iraq Now: 20 Questions An attempt to answer the many questions about the Iraq war--how many troops are now there? Shia "revolt?" How many civilians killed? What is happening to the Kurds? etc etc
posted by Postroad (7 comments total)

Ah, XQ, so it's just failed then, the test is over, close your blue books and go home, check the list for your social security number to see your grade?

In Local Councils, Seeds of Self-Rule in Iraq and Aim to Empower Grass Roots indicate that all is not, perhaps, lost.

Oh, and XQ: Even the Guardian is sticking by skeptics, finding compelling evidence not only that the 170,000 items [figure] was a huge exaggeration, but also that some of the looting may have been an inside job, [with some treasures] plundered by senior Baathists long before the war. In addition, we found a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and other arms in a storeroom. This seemed to prove that the museum had indeed been a prepared military position, just as the Americans had claimed. Many items, including the 5000-year-old Vase of Warka, have been returned. What does seem clear is that George is prone to exaggeration: he wouldn't let this reporter into the museum to confirm his account (and American soldiers guarding it, by then, hustled her off after she nearly stepped on a grenade). His professional reputation should be trashed.
posted by dhartung at 10:50 AM on June 22, 2003

Great link, Postroad. These stories are so rarely followed up that it's useful to see so many answers in one link.
posted by subgenius at 11:39 AM on June 22, 2003

this is a great link - thanks Postroad.
posted by madamjujujive at 8:38 PM on June 22, 2003

I just have to say I feel SO sorry for our troops if the biggest "recreational event" is a concert featuring Wayne Newton opening for Kid Rock. That's just shudderworthy.
posted by thorswitch at 9:33 PM on June 22, 2003

If this is such a great link, I'll desist from criticizing it as being a simple link to yet another news item about Iraq, then, shall I?

...after all, it is a useful piece, and the subject captivates my interest and stirs my ire, too, which gives me license to ignore the specific injunction by the site owner against posting stuff like it, and my interests override those of the group, right?
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 10:48 PM on June 22, 2003

[/curmudgeon]
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 10:49 PM on June 22, 2003

Well, stravos, it seems like the bluff worked. But what will happen next time if Matt doesn't delete this thread?
posted by magullo at 8:36 AM on June 23, 2003