(Edit) U.S. military says two Marines, one soldier killed in Iraq(54 for Dec so far)

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Two Marines were killed in fighting in the volatile Anbar province, and a U.S. soldier died in combat in northwestern Iraq, the U.S. military said Friday.

One Marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5 and one Marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team 7 died Thursday from wounds sustained due to enemy action in the insurgent stronghold west of Baghdad, according to a statement.

Also, the U.S. military said enemy fire killed a Task Force Lightning soldier assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, on Tuesday in Ninevah province to the northwest. Two other soldiers were wounded.

The troops' identities were not released, pending notification of relatives.

The deaths raise to 54 the number of American troops who have died in December, which is on track to being one of the deadliest months of the war.

more:
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/12/15/national/00...



Marines reportedly killed near Baghdad (53 so far in Dec)

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Gunmen killed a Shiite tribal sheik linked to British forces in a drive-by shooting Friday in the southern city of Basra, and two Marines were reported killed in fighting in a volatile province west of Baghdad.

One Marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5 and one Marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team 7 died Thursday after fighting in Anbar province, an insurgent stronghold, the military said.

The deaths raise to 53 the number of American troops who have died in December, which is on track to being one of the deadliest months of the war. At least 2,941 members of the U.S. military have died the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

A senior official from the Iraqi Red Crescent, meanwhile, claimed that harassment from U.S. forces is a greater threat to his group's work than insurgent attacks.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061215/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

[babylonsister]

1. The month isn't half over yet either, and the blivet wants to send

more breathing targets over there? When will Americans and Iraqis stop being expendable?

[SpiralHawk]

2. "Excuse me, I have another Xmas party to go to." - Commander AWOL

"I'm having a swell time, so don't both me with that liberal media bad news shit." - Commander AWOL

[Tight_rope]

5. LOL....Thats a great picture with the twin "drunkers" on the side!

[livetohike]

3. Anyone listening to Lynn Cullen??

Her niece's fiance died in Iraq yesterday . Lynn is of course, taking it really hard and still trying to do her show.

[maddezmom]

4. I just turned her on

It's my first time listening to her. Prayers to her family and his. So many families here, UK and Iraq, etc ruined forever.

[RamboLiberal]

6. I am listening - I'm a long time listener and I'm crying with her

and her family. As an emailer said, Matt was our Marine. Her sister Susan is on normally every Tuesday by phone with Lynn during the 10 o'clock hour. Ironically since she missed this Tuesday she was just on yesterday. Her daughter Lea was Matt's fiancee. Through Lynn and Susan we all felt we knew Matt and Lea and followed their wonderful romance. We heard small details about his phone calls and letters from Iraq.

Later today I want to compose as best I can an email for Lynn to forward to Susan and Lea expressing my condolences.

[livetohike]

7. Me too (want to send an e-mail)

I have tried to compose one, but none of my words sound right . This is just awful.

[maddezmom]

9. she's really doing a good job holding it together

[livetohike]

12. Lynn's a pro - I wouldn't be able to continue

I have "known" her for years. I'm glad I can stream her show now, but I listened to her all the time when I lived in Pgh.

[RamboLiberal]

13. What a shame too that Susan missed Matt's last phone call

Susan mentioned yesterday that because she had traveled to her parents home in Wisconsin this week that she and her husband Eric had missed a phone call from Matt this week. Normally he wouldn't call her of course but her daughter Lea who is an aspiring actress in NYC.

That too has to hurt that she missed the last chance to speak to him. I know the whole family loved Matt and it was a privalege for listeners like myself to get to know him through Lynn and Susan.

[Roland99]

8. Another great Christmas for the family and friends of the pawns in Iraq.

[tabasco]

10. Dead because of a corrupt Commander In Chief.

Sad days for America.

[Eugene]

11. MNF Iraq: One Task Force Lightning Soldier killed, two wounded (Tuesday disclosed Friday)

One Task Force Lightning Soldier killed, two wounded
Friday, 15 December 2006

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20061215-05

Dec. 15, 2006

One Task Force Lightning Soldier killed, two wounded
Multi-National Division – North PAO

TIKRIT, Iraq – A Task Force Lightning Soldier assigned to 4th Brigade Combat Team,
1st Cavalry Division, died Tuesday as a result of enemy fire while conducting operations
in Ninewa Province.

Two other Soldiers were wounded and transported to a Coalition Forces’ medical
treatment facility.

The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin
and release by the Department of Defense.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&ta...

[Supersedeas]

14. Nothing to see here--feed them more infotainment about Brangelina baby

[stanwyck]

15. Meanwhile, chickenhawk Glenn Beck

is saying if we don't "stay the course" we're the same as France. (always the ultimate insult from the ignorant right).
Why don't all those "warriors" on the right who constantly blather this macho talk just go ahead and get their butts over there?
My proposal is that any person using the term "surrender monkey" has to immediately get his/her butt down to the recruiting office and enlist.
You don't hear such miitaristic rants from the people who actually serve/served in the military. Hagle. Kerry. Even McCain. The responses are much more measured and sane.
No. The crazy talk is always from some guy sitting on the sofa with his gut overhanging his belt while spouting rage he heard from the cowards on the radio.
It's sickening.

[rodeodance]

16. 3 more GIs killed in Iraq this week

3 more GIs killed in Iraq this week

By KIM GAMEL, Associated Press Writer 15 minutes ago

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Three more U.S. troops died in fighting this week, the military said Friday, raising to 54 the number of Americans killed in
Iraq in December — nearly half of them in Anbar.


The month is shaping up to be one of the deadliest for Americans since the war started, especially for those trying to tame the Sunni-led insurgency in the volatile province west of Baghdad.

At least 25 of the U.S. troops killed this month — most Marines — died in the vast stretch of desert that extends from the capital to the borders with
Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Three U.S. aircraft also went down in a span of two weeks, starting with the crash of a fighter jet on Nov. 27.

The large number of casualties reflects the strength of Sunni insurgents, including al-Qaida in Iraq, in the region, even as violence in Baghdad shifts to a fight between Sunni and Shiite extremists.........

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061216/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq...

[RoyGBiv]

17. Three?

From December 10, 2006 thru December 14, 2006, thirteen (13) US soldiers died, three (3) from "non-hostile" causes. Of the non-hostile causes, one was a helicopter crash, one a heart attack, and another for unspecified "non-hostile" reasons.

Where do they get this "three" number?

http://icasualties.org/oif/prdDetails.aspx?hndRef=12-20...

[baldguy]

18. 2942

3000 by Christmas

[rodeodance]

19. Gunmen kill Shiite tribal sheik in Iraq (3 US troops killed)

Gunmen kill Shiite tribal sheik in Iraq

By QAIS AL-BASHIR, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 1 minute ago

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Gunmen killed a Shiite tribal sheik linked to British forces in a drive-by shooting Friday in the southern city of Basra, while two Marines and a soldier were reported killed in fighting elsewhere in
Iraq.

One Marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5 and one Marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team 7 died Thursday after fighting in Anbar province, an insurgent stronghold, the military said. In Ninevah province to the northwest, a soldier assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, was killed Tuesday, the military said.

The deaths raise to 54 the number of American troops who have died in December, which is on track to become one of the deadliest months of the war. At least 2,942 members of the U.S. military have died since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

Iraqi police said two car bombs being driven by suicide attackers exploded at U.S. checkpoints in the militant base of the Anbar provincial capital of Ramadi and American soldiers opened fire to foil one of the attacks, an Iraqi police lieutenant said on condition of anonymity because he was concerned for his safety. He said four Iraqi civilians were killed......

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061215/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq