Iraq War Update

From today's headlines on Democracy Now. The last one is very insightful, as to the delusion our "leaders" are living in.


Iraqi Government Investigates Militia-Linked Police

Meanwhile, the Iraqi government has announced its de-activating and investigating a police brigade of more than one thousand officers over possible links to death squads. The brigade is accused of complicity in the kidnapping Sunday of twenty six workers in a district under its control.


Report: Iraqi Education System Nearing Collapse

In other Iraq news, the Guardian of London is reporting the Iraqi education system is on the verge of collapse. Large numbers of students and teachers have fled the schools in the face of ongoing violence. Some schools have seen their student and staff numbers drop by more than half. Female students are routinely intimidated for failing to wear the hijab.


US Troops Suffer Record Three-Day Toll

Meanwhile, the US military is suffering one of its worst weeks since the invasion. Fourteen US troops have been killed since Monday. The military says that's the highest three-day total so far. A military spokesperson attributed the deaths to a record number of bomb attacks on US troops. Meanwhile a new poll by the veteran advocacy group VoteVets.org has found nearly two thirds of troops who've fought in Iraq and Afghanistan believe the military is overextended.


GOPers Allot $20M for "Day of Celebration" of Iraq, Afghanistan Wars

The New York Times reports House Republicans have earmarked twenty million dollars for a "commemoration of success" of the wars on Iraq and Afghanistan. The funding was attached to this year's defense spending bill. The measure empowers President Bush to designate: "a day of celebration" and to "issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities." The funding is allowed to roll over into 2007 if the President decides a celebration is not yet appropriate.