I question the timing:
(OH we got instalanched that's where the comments came from- for those of you new to wizbang, please read the update below.)
Saddam's 2nd in Command Reported Captured in Tikrit
Patricia Nunan Baghdad 05 Sep 2004, 13:57 UTC Iraq's Defense Ministry has announced the arrest of the most wanted man in Iraq: Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, a deputy to Saddam Hussein. Other officials say at least 70 people were killed in the operation. Defense ministry officials say Iraq's National Guard backed by U.S. forces made the arrest on the outskirts of Tikrit - Saddam Hussein's home town and a stronghold of support. Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri was the most senior aide to Saddam Hussein and the most senior official to escape capture, until now.Interior Ministry officials say clashes surrounding the arrest left at least 70 dead. Another 80 supporters of Mr. al-Douri were captured.
U.S. officials have not confirmed the arrest.
UPDATE: OK From the comments it is apparent we have some newbies here. For future reference- If you ever hear me echoing the goofy liberal line of the day, it is only to mock them. It's called sarcasm. Trust me I have no tinfoil hat.
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War On Terror
Comments (54)
If the timing was political... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Alexander Holt | September 5, 2004 10:59 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
If the timing was politically motivated, don't you think they would have waited just a little bit longer.
1. Posted by Alexander Holt | September 5, 2004 10:59 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 10:59
2. Posted by Paulie T | September 5, 2004 11:05 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Question this (holding my phallus in my hand)!
2. Posted by Paulie T | September 5, 2004 11:05 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:05
3. Posted by Paulie T | September 5, 2004 11:05 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You are an idiot.
3. Posted by Paulie T | September 5, 2004 11:05 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:05
4. Posted by Scarab | September 5, 2004 11:09 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
So....to avoid recriminations of political motivation, America should suspend the war on terror and and cease to pursue Al Queada for the nest sixty days?...I don't recall that being part of the McCain-Feingold act....
Scarab
4. Posted by Scarab | September 5, 2004 11:09 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:09
5. Posted by JO | September 5, 2004 11:09 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I question your IQ. Does the scale go that low?
5. Posted by JO | September 5, 2004 11:09 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:09
6. Posted by Paul | September 5, 2004 11:13 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Guys Guys Guys... You must be new here... That was sarcasm personified.
I was mocking the liberals.
sheeze- tough crowd.
6. Posted by Paul | September 5, 2004 11:13 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:13
7. Posted by Jim Thomason | September 5, 2004 11:14 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Have none of the previous commentors heard of the concept known as "sarcasm"?
7. Posted by Jim Thomason | September 5, 2004 11:14 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:14
8. Posted by Junkyard God | September 5, 2004 11:16 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
What is to question regarding the timing?
If this happened before the Dem convention you would question the timing.
If this happened during the Dem convention you would question the timing.
If this happened after the Dem convention you would question the timing.
If this happened before the Republican convention you would question the timing.
If this happened during the Republican convention you would question the timing.
If this happened after the Republican convention you would question the timing.
If this happened last December you would question the timing.
If this happened in April you would question the timing.
If this happened in October you would question the timing.
When would you NOT question the timing? After the election. But then people would say Bush is losing the war. But they say that anyway.
8. Posted by Junkyard God | September 5, 2004 11:16 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:16
9. Posted by Junkyard God | September 5, 2004 11:17 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Oh...sarcasm doesn't translate well on the Internet...Sorry
9. Posted by Junkyard God | September 5, 2004 11:17 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:17
10. Posted by Beldar | September 5, 2004 11:17 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I question the timing of your claiming that you were being sarcastic in questioning the timing. But you may choose to question my timing in questioning your timing of questioning the timing.
This is a line of argument that the cut-and-paste function is sure to promote.
Anyway, very droll, Paul. Gave me two good laughs — the one you intended, and the one your first few commenters didn't.
10. Posted by Beldar | September 5, 2004 11:17 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:17
11. Posted by Paul | September 5, 2004 11:18 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Junkyard, read my comment or my update-- it was sarcasm- I agree with every word you say.
11. Posted by Paul | September 5, 2004 11:18 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:18
12. Posted by Paul | September 5, 2004 11:21 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Now I'm not so much questioning the timing as I am questioning not saying it was sarcasm in the first place. LOL
P
BTW Kevin, it looks like you have a whole bunch of new readers.
12. Posted by Paul | September 5, 2004 11:21 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:21
13. Posted by R. G. | September 5, 2004 11:21 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
This seems to be a far more important story:
U.S. Troops in Iraq See Highest Injury Toll Yet
13. Posted by R. G. | September 5, 2004 11:21 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:21
14. Posted by Burt | September 5, 2004 11:22 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
While we are questioning timing... I was struck by a rather perverse thought.
is it possible that Bill Clinton's upcoming surgery is actually an elective (election) procedure? It is quite convenient that he will not be forced to stand beside the ultimate suicide bomber, John Kerry while John goes into self-destruct mode.
14. Posted by Burt | September 5, 2004 11:22 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:22
15. Posted by Jay Tea | September 5, 2004 11:24 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Paul, I've found it helps if you emphasize the hell out of "question the timing." I did that when I completely derailed the Caption Contest winners a couple weeks ago, and it seemed to work OK...
J.
15. Posted by Jay Tea | September 5, 2004 11:24 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:24
16. Posted by -S- | September 5, 2004 11:24 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Paul, you're a conspiracy!!
~;-D
16. Posted by -S- | September 5, 2004 11:24 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:24
17. Posted by ACE | September 5, 2004 11:25 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I caught the OBVIOUS sarcasm. Bloggers need to use emoticons for the more anal rententive readers.
Just imagine what the Dems will say if we catch ObL before the election. They'll no doubt say we've been keeping him somewhere waiting for an October surprise.
But, according to one General, we're hot on his heels, and it just might happen.
The way Kerry is nosediving and showing signs of mental instability, no captures will be needed to win the election.
Some of the Dems can't wait for the Deathodometer to hit 1K (it was at 979 last time I looked). Liberal newspapers will probably have the headline ONE THOUSAND US DEAD IN IRAG on their front pages when that happens. Even though Kerry has said he'd do essentially the same thing Bush has done (with more sensitivity and UN and foreign leader involvement), many Dems who are voting against Bush because of the War in Iraq will see that as justification for their vote.
17. Posted by ACE | September 5, 2004 11:25 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:25
18. Posted by Eracus | September 5, 2004 11:25 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Right. The Iraqis are working for Karl Rove with the SwiftVets, making Iraq safe for Halliburton. Meanwhile, the GOP Convention was a spectacular success, Bush bounces to a double-digit lead in the polls, and suddenly der Schliekmeister needs heart surgery just as the battle is joined. How's that for timing??
18. Posted by Eracus | September 5, 2004 11:25 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:25
19. Posted by Duane | September 5, 2004 11:25 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You question the timing? I question why I'm even commenting to this post.
"All right now, first week of September, contingent on how W's polling, let's capture that Izzat dude. If you can manage it, kill or wound a 150 or so of his gang while you're at it. It'll be great for the numbers."
Right.
19. Posted by Duane | September 5, 2004 11:25 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:25
20. Posted by Beldar | September 5, 2004 11:30 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
R.G., casualty reports are always serious and disturbing. Whether they're "more important" depends on whether your focus is on the goals of the War on Terror or its costs. But thanks for the link.
20. Posted by Beldar | September 5, 2004 11:30 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:30
21. Posted by Beldar | September 5, 2004 11:33 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
And not to highjack the thread, but the WaPo story you linked has this interesting info:
"The sharp rise in wounded was, for the first time, accompanied by a far less steep climb in battlefield fatalities. Since the start of the war in March 2003, 979 U.S. troops have died in Iraq and almost 7,000 have been wounded. Until last month, however, the monthly tallies of fatalities and wounded rose and fell roughly in proportion."
So the story could have been headlined, "U.S. Troops in Iraq Cut Fatality Rate Despite Stepped Up Pace of Combat Against Terrorists." Not that we're likely to see that headline from the WaPo.
21. Posted by Beldar | September 5, 2004 11:33 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:33
22. Posted by Dr. Applebreath | September 5, 2004 11:39 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hey R.G. - that is a very interesting story you mention, here's the interesting part:
"Commanders said they had no immediate concrete explanation for why the number of wounded increased so sharply without a comparable rise in combat deaths.
"All I know is I've got more patients here," said Col. Ryck Beitz, commander of the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, which admitted 425 patients last month, a new high.
One possible explanation lay in the brawn some units brought to the fight in crowded city centers. In Najaf, for example, two of the three U.S. battalions squaring off in close quarters against a Shiite militia were categorized as "heavy armored." Army officers said their Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles not only offer substantial protection from incoming fire, but also answered with immediate and overwhelming large-caliber salvos.
"We've been given the best tools in the world for waging war," said Maj. Tim Karcher of the 2nd battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division's 7th Regiment. In two weeks of almost constant combat, the heavily armored battalion sustained several injuries, but not a single fatality, as it fought its way through Najaf's crowded old city."
22. Posted by Dr. Applebreath | September 5, 2004 11:39 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:39
23. Posted by LargeBill | September 5, 2004 11:40 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The folks who did not get the sarcasm obviously haven't heard the silly BS from the standard bearers of the Democrat party. It doesn't matter when bin Laden is caught (5 September to 1 November) the Ted "Hiccup" Kennedy's and the Howard Dean's will question the timing.
23. Posted by LargeBill | September 5, 2004 11:40 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:40
24. Posted by Lee Rado | September 5, 2004 11:50 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Please do not send people to liberal websites that require you to register. Most of us on the web resent this intrusion into our private lives. New York Times, Washington Post etc. If you do not register they will have to stop this action or go out of the Blog business. Thank you for your support and pass this on.
24. Posted by Lee Rado | September 5, 2004 11:50 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:50
25. Posted by Dan | September 5, 2004 11:59 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Okay, but who's timimg the questions?
25. Posted by Dan | September 5, 2004 11:59 AM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 11:59
26. Posted by Beldar | September 5, 2004 12:03 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Lee, assuming you're using Internet Explorer (I can't speak for other browsers) and have your Status Bar turned on in your View options, then when you put your cursor over a link, you'll see in the Status Bar at the bottom of your browser where the link will take you before you click it. So if you don't recognize the site, or you have concerns about whether it may require you to register or may give you viruses or spyware or whatever, you don't have to follow that link.
With due respect, that's your job to do as a reader, and it would be counterproductive if the blogosphere stopped linking sites that someone, somewhere, on some basis, might object to.
26. Posted by Beldar | September 5, 2004 12:03 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 12:03
27. Posted by betsybounds | September 5, 2004 12:03 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The timing? Dear Lord. In these fraught times, people insist on viewing the world as though it were a reality created for and controlled by some manager somewhere. Things happen when they happen, and that's it, and that's all of it. Madison Avenue isn't the beginning and end of reality, and we've swallowed the line that manipulation is everything. But it isn't.
27. Posted by betsybounds | September 5, 2004 12:03 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 12:03
28. Posted by Monty | September 5, 2004 12:23 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You know what, if all of the terrorists in the world wre struck dead by bolts of lightning and the voice of GOD himself boomed from the sky that he wants everyone in America to vote for Bush, all of the democrats everywhere would question the timing. They would scream for God to answer why he did not do that sooner, and why he waits until now to support Bush. If the world imploded tomorrow, somewhere, someone would "question the timing", so just get over it and accept THAT IT WAS SARCASM! OK!
28. Posted by Monty | September 5, 2004 12:23 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 12:23
29. Posted by Jim | September 5, 2004 12:45 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
They're going to drag out the ghost of Uncle Ho and report Hitler has been found alive and well in Argentina a week before the election. Ho will be the one wearing the lucky hat.
29. Posted by Jim | September 5, 2004 12:45 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 12:45
30. Posted by Big Daddy T | September 5, 2004 12:46 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I like squirrels.....
30. Posted by Big Daddy T | September 5, 2004 12:46 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 12:46
31. Posted by GOp68 | September 5, 2004 12:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It may have been sarcasm..but how would anyone know?..it is nearly impossible to project sarcasm in the written word
31. Posted by GOp68 | September 5, 2004 12:48 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 12:48
32. Posted by ACE | September 5, 2004 12:56 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Here is my 14-or-15 word answer: I'll not have anyone who has not served in Vietnam question this man's sarcasm!
In fact, if you didn't serve in Nam, even if you weren't born then, you have no right to criticize or even question anyone!
;-)
32. Posted by ACE | September 5, 2004 12:56 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 12:56
33. Posted by Rodney Dill | September 5, 2004 12:58 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I just looked up sarcasm in the dictionary, and it had Paul's picture by it. Unfortunately for Paul this provided us with the opportunity to get an early start on the next week-end caption contest. You may question my timing on this.
33. Posted by Rodney Dill | September 5, 2004 12:58 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 12:58
34. Posted by Jumbo | September 5, 2004 1:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The bottom line is, this spectacularly ugly guy was the "King of Clubs" in the "Saddam Deck of Cards". Just about all the "blackjack" cards have been collected. heh
34. Posted by Jumbo | September 5, 2004 1:00 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 13:00
35. Posted by Rodney Dill | September 5, 2004 1:04 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
R.G.
Probably not as important as the link below. It appears the the US Military has reached a NEW HIGH fatality count in tailgating. AND this is while not
Protecting this country
unseating a dictator.
building a democracy
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1875228
The sad truth is the next casuality always sets a new high death toll in this encounter. The crime is in over dramatizing it as the media continues to do.
35. Posted by Rodney Dill | September 5, 2004 1:04 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 13:04
36. Posted by bug not | September 5, 2004 1:38 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
LEE -- Use bugmenot.com to provide instant usernames and passwords to registration sites. You get in and they get bogus data.
36. Posted by bug not | September 5, 2004 1:38 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 13:38
37. Posted by Randy Charles Morin | September 5, 2004 1:39 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Just how many 2nd in commands did Bush have?
37. Posted by Randy Charles Morin | September 5, 2004 1:39 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 13:39
38. Posted by Randy Charles Morin | September 5, 2004 1:40 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Oops, should have been
Just how many 2nd in commands did Sadam have?
38. Posted by Randy Charles Morin | September 5, 2004 1:40 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 13:40
39. Posted by Paul | September 5, 2004 2:06 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
That's OK Randy, we're used to you not make sense.
39. Posted by Paul | September 5, 2004 2:06 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 14:06
40. Posted by R. G. | September 5, 2004 2:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
This guy had a 10 million dollar bounty on his head, and it took this long to bag him?
To answer Beldar, the focus should be winning the war against al Qaeda and the like. But in the mean time, are we winning in Iraq or just managing a civil war?
40. Posted by R. G. | September 5, 2004 2:16 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 14:16
41. Posted by Jeff | September 5, 2004 2:22 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Link on my blog to a BBC report that says no arrest has been made.
41. Posted by Jeff | September 5, 2004 2:22 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 14:22
42. Posted by John Davies | September 5, 2004 2:22 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Debka is reporting that the report isn't true and he wasn't captured.
I question the timing of the Debka report.
So there.
42. Posted by John Davies | September 5, 2004 2:22 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 14:22
43. Posted by Jim R | September 5, 2004 2:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Misinterpretation of your comment by those of your own political persuasion has given you a good view from the outside looking in. Interesting isn't it?
To many take themselves and their politics way too seriously. Of course it also helps to have a sense of humor in the first place.
43. Posted by Jim R | September 5, 2004 2:27 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 14:27
44. Posted by Joel Gaines | September 5, 2004 2:39 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Debka is a great source - 50% of the time. I question HER timing.
I, on the other hand, have no timing. That's why I use this hand.
errrr... was that my outside voice?
44. Posted by Joel Gaines | September 5, 2004 2:39 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 14:39
45. Posted by SFC SKI | September 5, 2004 3:05 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Well, I hope that Al Duri's capture is true, he has been long sought after. Why did it take so long to find him with a price on his head? Bounties only owrk if the informant thinks he will live long enough to claim it.
45. Posted by SFC SKI | September 5, 2004 3:05 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 15:05
46. Posted by gijoe | September 5, 2004 4:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
you question the timing..
jeez
you are an idiot.
46. Posted by gijoe | September 5, 2004 4:44 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 16:44
47. Posted by McGehee | September 5, 2004 6:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
What was the question?
47. Posted by McGehee | September 5, 2004 6:16 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 18:16
48. Posted by Marty Johnson | September 5, 2004 6:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I question the ability of some people to read an entire post before commenting.
(Have a cocktail, relax, and read it again, gijoe.)
48. Posted by Marty Johnson | September 5, 2004 6:20 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 18:20
49. Posted by Jumbo | September 5, 2004 7:12 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"I question the ability of some people to read an entire post before commenting."
(or any of the 73 posts spelling out in exquisitely painful detail the fact that it was s-a-t-i-r-e. )
49. Posted by Jumbo | September 5, 2004 7:12 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 19:12
50. Posted by AuntMyrtle | September 5, 2004 8:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
too funny.
Yes, the timing, it has to be the timing... Well, I don't know why they arrested him, but it must be the timing.
It's all about the timing, right?
50. Posted by AuntMyrtle | September 5, 2004 8:16 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 20:16
51. Posted by Ted | September 5, 2004 9:07 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I thought the sarcasm was obvious. But the propeller beanie does look good on you.
51. Posted by Ted | September 5, 2004 9:07 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 21:07
52. Posted by Redhunter | September 5, 2004 10:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I find the timing of these posts to be suspicious
52. Posted by Redhunter | September 5, 2004 10:16 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 22:16
53. Posted by Jim Kouri | September 5, 2004 10:43 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I contacted Kiran Chetry of Fox News Channel regarding the alleged capture of Al-Douri. She tells me that this is not the Al-Douri who serves as bin Laden's lieutenant. I hope she's wrong.
53. Posted by Jim Kouri | September 5, 2004 10:43 PM |
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Posted on September 5, 2004 22:43
54. Posted by Jumbo | September 6, 2004 12:17 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Seriously, it looks like we DO NOT have him. The initial report if capture was put out by the Iraqi govt.
Still, it doesn't track that a nobody would have enough security with him to have accounted for 70 bad guys killed and the 80 captured....if those numbers are reliable.
54. Posted by Jumbo | September 6, 2004 12:17 AM |
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Posted on September 6, 2004 00:17