Iraqis' views of Baghdad (don't quite square with the Repubs')

[ProSense]

On the streets of Baghdad, workers divided on US troops

25 minutes ago

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But, he and other Baghdadis argue, communities have polarised further in the past six months and many neighbourhoods are now dangerously off-limits to members of other sects.

<...>

He doesn't need to explain. In Baghdad a card that can be used to identify your sect could be the kiss of death if shown to the wrong people -- US troop surge or no US troop surge.

Scores of Iraqis are killed daily, many rounded up at bogus checkpoints set up by militiamen or insurgents. Their bodies are found dumped in the streets or rivers, usually blindfolded, handcuffed and showing signs of torture.

<...>

Jeweller Khalid Tawfi, who owns an antique shop in Karrada, a mixed inner city district, believes the surge has been an outright failure.

"Can you go out on the streets? No! Do you read in the newspapers every day about people being killed? Yes! Do we have a curfew every night? Yes! Where is the security the US troops are supposed to bring?" asked the 30-year-old jeweller.

<...>

For some, the situation is worse than before the surge began because, they say, militiamen have taken complete control of the streets.

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[BridgeTheGap]

1. You mean Bush & the military are lying to us!?!

Who would've believed it?

[ProSense]

2. Kick! n/t