Thursday, February 14, 2008

Thursday Iraq Report

February 14, 2008
Thursday: 31 Iraqis Killed, 40 Wounded

At least 31 people were killed or found dead and 40 more were wounded during the latest attacks, which included a serious bombing in Sadr City. No Coalition deaths were reported. Also, a British journalist held in Basra is said to be in good heath and awaiting release.

In Baghdad, five people were killed and 33 were wounded during a car bombing in the Sadr City suburb.

Nine people were shot dead in Ouja, the hometown of Saddam Hussein. Gunmen entered the home of a construction worker and killed his family, including his wife and children.

Flip-flopping Maverick Saint McCain


I use to have a modicum of respect for John McCain. There was an element of independence from him in a party that doesn't suffer well dissent in it's ranks. But that "Maverick" is no more. His transformation from so called maverick, to flip-flopping panderer to the amoral right, is sad to see. In the National Journal article I am linking to, McCain's pathetic effort to justify his vote against making waterboarding illegal for all government agencies is both enraging and so weak as to be laughable.
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McCain's vote against the bill seemed to contradict his public statements opposing torture generally and the practice of waterboarding in particular. McCain, who is trying to appeal to his party's conservative base, told reporters he believes his position is consistent.

"We always supported allowing the CIA to use extra measures. I believe that waterboarding is illegal and should be banned," he said.

"My position was very clear," he added. "We have said... that we would allow the CIA to use additional techniques that were not in violation of the anti-torture convention, that were not in violation of the Geneva Conventions and were not in violation of the Detainee Treatment Act."