Servicemembers Die in Iraq (twelve in four days)

[Robbien]

A roadside bomb killed two U.S. soldiers southeast of Baghdad today, officials announced the deaths of five other servicemembers in Iraq in recent days, and the Defense Department has identified six servicemembers who died recently in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The two soldiers killed today were assigned to Multinational Division Baghdad. Officials also announced that two Marines assigned to 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, were killed in action in Iraq's Anbar province - one yesterday and the other on June 21. Also, a Multinational Division Baghdad soldier died yesterday in what officials called a "non-combat incident."

Army Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti, 30, of Raynham, Mass., and Army Staff Sgt. Patrick L. Lybert, 28, of Ladysmith, Wis., died June 21 in Gowardesh, Afghanistan, when they encountered enemy forces using small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Both were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 71st Calvary, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

Four Marines - Cpl. Christopher D. Leon, 20, of Lancaster, Calif.; Lance Cpl. Brandon J. Webb, 20, of Swartz Creek, Mich.; Pfc. Christopher N. White, 23, of Southport, N.C.; and Staff Sgt. Benjamin D. Williams, 30, of Orange, Texas - were killed in action June 20 in Iraq's Anbar province.

http://newsblaze.com/story/20060623151319tsop.nb/newsblaze/TOPSTORY/Top-Story.html

[osaMABUSh]

1. Barely makes the news anymore

Online (e.g., cnn.com) US deaths are buried in an article about some Al Qaeda capture. And the daily Baghdad bombings, executions, kidnapings, etc. are likewise buried.

[nealmhughes]

2. This may sound simplistic,

but rather than trying to "remake" Iraq from scratch, why does the US, the Iraqi government (if there is one) and the international community start remaking Iraq one city at a time?
Instead of trying to have a massive ineffective sect-divided national army and police force, why not try to make the smaller cities over, that is to say, to provide the basic units of civilization such as security from random attack, means of earning a livelihood, housing, education and health care then extend the radius outwards? Then all the country could be gradually covered, by Iraqis in charge of Iraq's security.
Chopping up Iraq is only a problem for 2 groups: the West and Sunnis, the and the the Kurdistan's neighbors.
The West and Sunni allies because it would result in the south being dominated by Iran.
The Kurds' neighbors because Kurdistan Irrendita would make be a thorn in the side of Syria and Turkey.
Oh! The Shia's over the bulk of the oil going to the Sunni area and the Kurds!
What a mess has resulted from Ottoman/Anglo-American imperialism!

Meanwhile our boys are fodder. Bakers are kidnapped for not supporting Hussein or is it for supporting Hussein? Or is it Ali? I get so confused these days.

[Olney Blue]

3. This war isn't working.

How many more will die?