Al-Sadr loyalists take over Iraqi television station

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/special_packages/iraq/16092045.htm

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Followers of the militant Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr took over state-run television Saturday to denounce the Iraqi government, label Sunnis "terrorists" and issue what appeared to many viewers as a call to arms.

The two-hour broadcast from a community gathering in the heart of the Shiite militia stronghold of Sadr City included three members of al-Sadr's parliamentary bloc, who took questions from outraged residents demanding revenge for a series of car bombings that killed some 200 people Thursday.

With Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki relegated to the sidelines, brazen Sunni-Shiite attacks continue unchecked despite a 24-hour curfew over Baghdad. Al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia now controls wide swaths of the capital, his politicians are the backbone of the Cabinet, and his followers deeply entrenched in the Iraqi security forces. Sectarian violence has spun so rapidly out of control since the Sadr City blasts, however, that it's not clear whether even al-Sadr has the authority - or the will - to stop the cycle of bloodshed.

"This is live and, God willing, everyone will hear me: We are not interested in sidewalks, water services or anything else. We want safety," an unidentified Sadr City resident said as the televised crowd cheered. "We want the officials. They say there is no sectarian war. No, it is sectarian war, and that's the truth." snip

"The occupying forces have been giving cover to the militias and criminal gangs," al-Dhari said. "The government has been seen setting the atmosphere for them with the curfews to aid them in catching the victims and carrying out their attacks."

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Holy shit - they took over the "state-run" Al Iraqiya????

...for TWO fucking hours??? That's the TV network that was CREATED by the US military and the CPA!:wow:

[katinmn]

2. Heckuva job, Junior. Quagmire accomplished!

The longer we stay, the worse it gets. And if that spoiled frat boy has his way we'll be in Iraq until every Iraqi is dead.

The president is a lying peice of dung.

[annabanana]

3. "included three members of al-Sadr's parliamentary bloc"

Here it is folks. . This is what Americans have been dying for over there. And people will be stunned and surprised, because our miserable excuse for a media has given us content-free news of the conflict from the very beginning.

Can we stop seeing the use of the word "insurgent" now, please?