Ashoura attacked again this year...
I just want to note, even if belatedly, the terrible human cost the Iraqi Shiites have been paying over their recent commemoration of Ashoura, in terms of the more than four-score members of their community killed by suicide bombers who seemed to be targeting the Shiites gathered for their holy rites.
This year, as last year.
I also want to note the magnificent self-restraint with which the members and leaders of the Shiite community have so far responded to thse tragedies.
My goodness, can you imagine the carnage of revenge attacks that might under other circumstances have ensued?
Condolences to so very many bereaved families. Prayers for the ability of the leaders of all of Iraq's communities to be able to find a decent and workable national entente.
(And some big questions about the responsibility of the occupying power for these continuing, gross lapses in public security.... nearly two years after the occupation started...)
A comment written before the freeze, for what it's worth:
Question: Helena writes above about the self-restraint of the Shia Muslims in Iraq, who have refrained from communal collective revenge.
What about the negotiations that are now taking place between the US and the armed resistance?
Can the imperialists go all the way and embrace their former friends again, encourage them to increase their attacks on the Shia government of the "world's newest democracy", and thereby secure their Iraqi rear for an attack on Iran?
In my opinion, they can!
Scott Ritter says the Iran attack is scheduled for June. He has usually been reliable in the past. He also says the election results were "cooked". No surprise there, but is there any evidence?