W E D N E S D A Y , S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 0 5Chaos In Iraqby Michael in New York on 9/21/2005 12:00:00 AMMore on the story behind that photo of a British soldier inflames that John posted below.</p><p> If you didn't see that imageand only read the NYT, you'd believe this: British soldiersworking under cover were arrested by Iraqi police.</p><p> Whenofficials refused to hand them over to the coalition forces, thesoldiers were "freed as a British armored vehicle blastedthrough the wall of their jail." Sounds sketchy and not good --but wait until you read the Independent's far more explosiveversion:British troops were struggling to maintain control inBasra last night after the city exploded into bloodyviolence following the alleged killing of an Iraqipoliceman by a British soldier.Two British servicemen, dressed in civilian clothes, wereheld at Basra's main police station after the incident.Outside, rioting began as the city threatened to descendinto anarchy.Last night, British forces used up to 10 tanks -supported by helicopters - to smash through thewalls of the jail and free the two British servicemen.John Reid, the Defence Secretary, later confirmed they wereback with UK forces.Around 150 prisoners were said to have escapedduring the assault, which was condemned as "barbaric,savage and irresponsible" by Mohammed al-Waili, theprovincial governor.</p><p> But the Ministry of Defence disputedthe claim, saying that the release of the soldiers had been"negotiated".British troops using massive force to free soldiers being held by theirallies? Sparking a riot in a major city and freeing dozens of Iraqiprisoners in the process? This is a tipping point for the UK'scommitment to Iraq.</p><p> Another word for it? Chaos.</p><p> Add New CommentYou are commenting as a Guest.</p><p> You may select one to log into: Logged in as Logout from DISQUSLogged in asusing Facebook Connect (Logout) HuffPost PoliticsMohammed Jawad, Gitmo Detainee, May Be TriedIn U.S.</p><p> Court - WASHINGTON — The Pentagon'stop lawyer said Friday that the Obamaadministration has not abandoned the possibility oftransferring some prisoners from ...9 minutes ago Daily KosOpen Thread and Diary Rescue - *Tonight's crew ofRescue Rangers were vcmvo2, grog, dopper0189,shayera, and joyful.</p><p> In the meantime, dadanationlooked editorial.</p><p> Oh yeah, a big shout ...51 minutes agoThink ProgressReport: Cheney wanted to illegally deployAmerican troops in U.S. cities. - The New YorkTimes reports that in 2002, Vice President Cheneyand his administration allies urged President Bushto deploy American troops into the suburb...1 hour ago EschatonOvernight -1 hour ago Crooks and LiarsOpen Thread - Andy K here blogging about AndyKaufman (no relation), who's on the same stagewith Wolfman Jack? Whelp, there goes that theory.h/t to Ben Folds (yes, ...1 hour agoJ O H N ' S P H OT O S Show AllA M E R I C A B L O G T VEnd Deadlock? Yes With ISVoters select one issue: lawmakers must resolve itor be replacedIssueSelection.orgFree WSJ.com RegistrationThe Wall Street Journal Online.</p><p> Free Registration.Sign Up Now.www.wsjregistration.com Next 6AMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth: Chaos ...http://www.americablog.com/2005/09/chaos-in-iraq.html 1 of 57/25/09 1:31 AMVisit ourAMERICAblog TV site.see all 329 videos >I collect with vodpod A two minute explanationof the warped and cynical The economy is better.But....</p><p> Judge order San Diego toget rid of the seals Massive brawl in SouthKorean parliament Mormons may havesecretly baptizedAMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth: Chaos ...http://www.americablog.com/2005/09/chaos-in-iraq.html 2 of 57/25/09 1:31 AMEzra KleinTab Dump5 hours agoWonk RoomF-22 Killed BySeven-Meme Voltron6 hours agoNYCeveHuge victories: Maloney& Pingree - Health CareHeroes, Clyburnreceives petition - video6 hours agoDaily DoseWill Doctors in theHouse, SenateInfluence Debate?7 hours agoThe TreatmentDoes the GOP ReallyHave an AlternativePlan in the Works?7 hours agoG AY P O L I T I C S Visit our new gay politicssection, AMERICAblog Gay.F E E D S Blog RSS AMERICAblog TV RSS Twitter RSSTwitter Feed Get the blog by email: Subscribe me! Top AdAdvertise in this spot.H E A LT H C A R ER E F O R MAMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth: Chaos ...http://www.americablog.com/2005/09/chaos-in-iraq.html 3 of 57/25/09 1:31 AMS E A R C H AMERICAblog Web SearchS E N D U S T I P S &C O M M E N T Samericablog@starpower.netB L O G A R C H I V E Blog ArchiveS I T E S W E L I K EAir America RadioAlan Colmes' blogAri Melber (The Nation)Ben SmithBicycleMark's blog &podcastBilericoBradBlogBring It OnCarrie FisherCrooks and LiarsDailyKosDan Savage's "Slog"Daou ReportDemocratic UndergroundEschatonEzra KleinFire Dog LakeFiveThirtyEight.comFreeway BloggerThe Gavel (SpeakerPelosi's blog)Good As YouGlenn GreenwaldHoly Bullies and HeadlessMonstersHuffington PostHullabaloo (Digby)Jack and Jill PoliticsJed ReportJesus' GeneralKenneth in the 212Margaret and HelenMatthew GrossMedia MattersMike Signorile's "The Gist"MudflatsMyDDOpen LeftPlum LinePolitical Punch (JakeTapper)Political WirePolitics 1Pop SurfingProgressive Blog DigestQueers UnitedRawStoryRex WocknerRude PunditSmirking ChimpTalk LeftTappedTaylor MarshThink ProgressTowleRoadVetVoice.comWashington NoteWayneBesen.comWonketteWorth Repeating N E W S L I N K SUSWashington PostNYTAP PoliticsReuters PoliticsRasmussen PollsTimeNewsweekRoll CallThe HillABCNews P L E A S E S U P P O RTA M E R I C A B L O GOne-time donation$ Recurring monthlydonation$ Donations are nottax-deductible.L A B E L S Select a labelL A S T 1 0 0 V I S I T O R SRecent Visitors A B O U TA M E R I C A B L O GWhy AMERICAblog?Because a great nationdeserves the truth.What issues do youcover?US politics overall with aparticular focus on theObama Administration, theradical right, and civilrights.Who are you?John AravosisEditorWashington, DCJoe SudbayDeputy EditorWashington, DCChris RyanAssociate EditorParis, FranceRobert ArenaContributing EditorBaltimore, MarylandJacki SchechnerContributing EditorWashington, DCAMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth: Chaos ...http://www.americablog.com/2005/09/chaos-in-iraq.html 4 of 57/25/09 1:31 AM© 2009 - John Aravosis | Design maintenance by Jason RosenbaumSend me your tips: americablog@starpower.netAMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth: Chaos ...http://www.americablog.com/2005/09/chaos-in-iraq.html 5 of 57/25/09 1:31 AM
