Saddam's Followers Raise Bounty for Dead Americans

[ozymandius]

By Alastair Macdonald

TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) - Killing an American may now be worth $5,000 to an Iraqi in Saddam Hussein's heartland -- a quadrupling of the bounty that the U.S. commander in the region said is a sign of desperation among guerrilla diehards.

"The word is the price has quadrupled for doing attacks on U.S. forces," Maj. Gen. Ray Odierno told a news conference on Thursday at his headquarters in Saddam's hometown, Tikrit.

Rates some weeks ago were about $250 for an attack and $1,000 for a "successful" one, he said: "We believe now that's gone to about $1,000 and $5,000, something in that area."

story

[gratuitous]

1. Why those dirty birds!

Don't they know that it's only Lil George who can make payouts for corpses? I'm sure there will be the usual gang of idiots on TV and radio who will be shocked (shocked!) to find out that there are bounties being put on the heads of Americans.

[bif]

2. Time to get the hell out!

What's it going to take? They're never going to have democracy. We're not going to restore law and order. We can't even restore water and electricity. Pull out and cover our losses.

[lanlady]

4. was talking to an extremely pro-Bush Vietnam vet

the other day, an old friend of mine. He said that if we're not out of Iraq by the end of the year, we'll be stuck there for years to come and we Dems will have THE campaign issue we've been waiting for.

I was surprised by his pessimism, since, until now, he has worshipped Bush.

[beanball]

10. Pullout

never,as long as there is oil for the sponsors of Bush war two.Remember the poor troops are expendable,poor people hve always been expendable." class warfare,you damn right it is"

[wyldwolf]

3. yep! $5000.!!

A fortune in Iraq.

[Maeve]

5. Don't ya just love the free-market???

$5,000 is still cheap compared to the $25million offered for Saddam.
:eyes:

[chadm]

6. Bush 2004 Campaign slogan:

"Improving the self-worth of Americans."

[northzax]

9. can you see it now?

"In early summer, 2003, an American life was only worth $1,000! In only one month's time, through my leadership, that value has risen to $5,000! God Bless America!" <wild freeper cheers>

[northzax]

8. there's a difference, by the way

$5,000 is a comprehenisble amount of money for most people. $30,000,000 isn't.

[pbeal]

7. not " a sign of desperation "

It is a sign that they are getting more funding.

[Neutrino]

11. I think it's crap! Just another excuse to kill more Tikrit civilians.

"We believe", "the price is going to---". From what source?
"The word is"----? The FACT is that wholesale slaughter of
Iraquis is getting bad press--read NYT today--and a softer
image is desired, hence the manufactured bounty rumor.

Nobody in Iraq right now has megabucks to throw around--except
the U.S. Army.