Iraqis who cooperate are targeted

[VermontDem2004]

BAGHDAD, Oct. 12 — Sitting on a sofa in his fourth-floor room at the Baghdad Hotel on Sunday, Mowaffak Rubaie had been talking about how to solve what he regarded as Iraq’s biggest challenge: writing a new constitution that would please Sunnis and Shiites, Arabs and Kurds, religious hard-liners and moderates, men and women.

“IT WILL not be easy,” Rubaie, a member of Iraq’s U.S.-appointed Governing Council, said with a sigh.
Then, as he was about to outline his proposed path to compromise, a thunderous blast jolted the hotel, shattering the window and sending Rubaie flying to the floor. As his security detail hustled him and a Washington Post reporter into the hallway, fearful of a second explosion or a small-arms attack from across the street, the practical challenges of politics at its highest form were eclipsed by the crudest act of dissent.
“What did we do to deserve this?” Rubaie asked as he sat on a blanket in the hallway, clutching his right arm, which had broken his fall.

To those fighting the U.S. presence in Iraq — loyalists of former president Saddam Hussein, religious extremists, foreign terrorists — Iraqis cooperating with the U.S.-led occupation have become the new target of choice. From police officers to Governing Council members, they are regarded by opponents of the occupation as collaborators — and as much easier prey than U.S. soldiers and civilian reconstruction workers, whose compounds are now encircled with tall concrete barricades, dirt-filled barriers and miles of razor wire.

MSNBC

[Barrett808]

1. "They can't get to the Americans"

Umm, right. Three GIs dead in 24 hours?

He means that they can't get to Bremer. The proconsul is safe in his Republican Guard fortress.

[saigon68]

2. Quislings and Vichyites

Every broad based resistance group shoots, kills and disembowels the collaborators, who kiss the hand of the invader. NOTHING NEW here.

[monobrau]

3. As they should be

If my country was occupied by an invader, I would make it my mission to inflict as much pain and suffering on the occupational force and the traitors as possible. And I say that as the brother and inlaw of soldiers who are having to face this danger every day. I have no doubt my siblings would react the same way to a foreign occupation.
Anything else is cowardice.

[saigon68]

4. Agreed

No self respecting Patriot would allow a bunch of invading foreigners, who look like storm troopers, who don't speak the language, to continue to ravage the cities, frighten children, abuse women or hurt old people.

Especially when the invaders primary mission apparently, is to steal the natural resources for the profit of a millionaire ruling class, which spends a lot of its time, in Vail and Miami South Beach.