US Special Ops Capture Saddam Hussein!

[oldcarkook]

We got him.

One down and one to go.

WMD would be a nice Christmas present now.

[basketcase]

Taken alive and in possession of weapons, but no shots fired.

Captured with 3/4's of a million US dollars.

Apparently, his loyal supporters decided his arse was not enough to fight or die for, and the smugglers wouldn't take his money to get him out of the country.

And like all bullies, the cowardly scum didn't have the testicular fortitude to take himself out.

... Class guy, that Saddam.

[eljeffe]

Sunday, December 14, 2003

Iraqi wins $25 Million in Saddam Scratch-off Sweepstakes.

Today, Mohammed Abdula won the top prize in the $25 Million Saddam Scratch-off Sweepstakes©. When asked what Mohammed would do with the money, he was quoted as saying he was going to keep his job as a goat herder and use his money to buy is widowed mother a new clay hut.

Notice: The Saddam Scratch-off Sweepstakes is a copywright of the Texas Lottery :bliss

[DonHamblin]

Remember the "guys" doing the good work.

4th ID doorgunner "on mission" near Tikrit last month.

Don :clap

[chasman]

Today I had the great pleasure of telling my son and his best friend that Saddam had been captured. It was 7:00am and my son and his friend were dressed in BDUs and on their way to Army National Guard drill.

They spent most of 2002 in Germany as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Yesterday they were informed that as of now, they will be deploying to Iraq in March, April or May. For how long, they do not know. Ryan (my son) and Zach are 23 years old. They joined the Guard during their senior year in high school. Ryan rides an R11R and Zach a K75S. They are both fine young men. They proudly and unselfishly took an oathe to serve their country. They like so many in our Armed Services are mature beyond their years.

In our family we think of our brave men and women many times a day. They are doing a job that must be done. We thank them for their unselfish sacrifices.

As you share this holiday season with family, friends, and loved ones I hope you'll take a moment to think of the men and women serving far from home.

Merry Christmas to all of you. God bless our troops and God bless America.


Chuck Manley
Father, Ryan J. Manley, U.S. Army National Guard
Director, BMW MOA

[Cliffy777]

Chuck - please tell your son and his buddy thanks for me.

Thanks to the folks that found The Rat of Iraq. I thought it was interesting that a "military man" like Saddam didn't have the huevos to even fire a shot at the troops. Some macho leader he is - six feet down a hole.

[riderR1150GSAdv]

It is fitting that the scumball was found where he belongs, in a hole in the ground covered with lice and befuddled to the max.
The coward didn't even put up a fight, even after sending others on suicide missions.
Way to go A 'hole!

[iRene]

Huzzah, congratulations, THANK YOU and a special greeting
to our own Yankee Beemer serving in Iraq,
Sgt. Ted (TeaSea) we're so very proud of you!:clap

[fish]

Originally posted by eljeffe
Iraqi wins $25 Million in Saddam Scratch-off Sweepstakes.

Actually, I read something on CNN where they may not be giving up that $25M reward, since the informants gave the information under duress rather than tipping off the good guys.


More info here. (http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/12/15/sprj.nirq.saddam.reward/index.html)

[oldcarkook]

I have removed the entire contents of my original post.

I stepped over the personal line.

I stand corrected.

I am here for the bikes.

My apologies to anyone who was inadvertantly offended by my response. I am too personally involved in this issue to be objective, so I will stand down on this topic hence forth.

[kbasa]

I don't know. I saw that second link as pointing out how on one hand the government was asking for the supreme sacrifice on one hand and then cutting the benefits to the same folks on the other.

I didn't see it as calling those guys losers at all. I saw it as trying to help them after they got back more than anything.

:dunno

[Rad]

Daymn...I did not know I clicked on Jo Momma, I was look'n for BMWMOA

[knary]

Originally posted by Rad
Daymn...I did not know I clicked on Jo Momma, I was look'n for BMWMOA

the days grow colder and fuses shorter.

my 2 cents...
1. I have *no* idea if the Kurds had made any arrangement with Saddam. Information out of Iraq, and specifically from the U.S. military, has been of questionable quality since the start. This isn't an indictment. It merely reflects the chaos involved in what's "we" are doing over there.

2. Our service men and women deserve and *need* our support. Some have equated support with implementation. The quality of our support is defined not by the cost of the tank or the sophistication of the rifle, but by the human costs - health care, housing, etc.

[speed reed]

damned if you do damned if you don't!

Reed:rolleyes

[MarkF]

Originally posted by knary
my 2 cents...
1. I have *no* idea if the Kurds had made any arrangement with Saddam. Information out of Iraq, and specifically from the U.S. military, has been of questionable quality since the start. This isn't an indictment. It merely reflects the chaos involved in what's "we" are doing over there.

I think if you look throughout history you will find disinformation spread by the military and and the press, who have been mislead by government officials. It's all part of the plan to achieve the objectives.

I could are less if Saddam was in the Kurd's control for months. If having the press report that US troops took him helps us to achieve our goals and less soldiers are killed as the result, GOOD!

Afterall, who am I to complain about being misinformed when I'm sitting home, warm and safe on this Christmas Day?

MarkF

[Cliffy777]

I don't feel un-patriotic or a lessening of my moral support for the troops by checking out the sites listed above. I spent a few minutes looking into the rescue of Jessica Lynch - makes for some interesting reading. Who is telling the truth?
The media has been playing with our heads for a long, long time. I remember seeing WWII footage of Hitler dancing a little jig outside of a railroad car following the fall of Poland to the Nazis. I also read something which stated that the little dance the Fuher performed was manufactured by manipulating the film and done for propaganda purposes.
Does that mean I think Hitler was wronged? Was it wrong to show an image of a madman acting like a madman? Hell no, but you can't trust everything fed to us by the news media either, especially in a time when a no-talent guy like me with a computer can doctor up pictures in all kinds of ways.

[kbasa]

I was listening to NPR the other day and they had a commentator on who was relating that this administration actually releases less information to the press than any other administration in recent history.

They also slammed the press for allowing themselves to pushed around like that.

I don't know that we'll ever really know what happened with Jessica Lynch and Saddam. Either way, the end result was what we wanted, but it would be nice to know how we really got there.

[knary]

Originally posted by KBasa
I was listening to NPR the other day and they had a commentator on who was relating that this administration actually releases less information to the press than any other administration in recent history.

They also slammed the press for allowing themselves to pushed around like that.

I don't know that we'll ever really know what happened with Jessica Lynch and Saddam. Either way, the end result was what we wanted, but it would be nice to know how we really got there.

Yes.
This administration's tightly controlled dissemination of information seems to have little to do with our civil or military goals but a lot to do with their political ambitions and needs here in the U.S.

hangovers fuel cynicism

[manicmechanic]

My nickel's worth, is, yes, I have a right to know, but do I need to know. I really get tired of the press poking their noses into everything because of the right-to-know, but trampling on the other rights of others. As if the First amendment is the predominant. I do wish the media would get back to reporting the news, and spend less time trying to make policy. Last time I checked there were 3 parts to the government, and the media isn't any of them.

[knary]

Originally posted by manic mechanic
My nickel's worth, is, yes, I have a right to know, but do I need to know. I really get tired of the press poking their noses into everything because of the right-to-know, but trampling on the other rights of others. As if the First amendment is the predominant. I do wish the media would get back to reporting the news, and spend less time trying to make policy. Last time I checked there were 3 parts to the government, and the media isn't any of them.

Without the free exchange of information, without a vigorous press (aka media), we as citizens can not make informed decisions. If the only information available is that which those in power wish us to have, we can not properly excercise our right to govern ourselves.

Sadly, the press today doesn't take the politicians to task as they should.

[ian408]

Did you see what they found in Saddam's brief case?

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/1691673-M.jpg

All kidding aside. The media is so manipulated and no one seems
to realize it or care. Just look at the number of times some
business gets free advertising because they issued a press
release with the right "buzz" words and tone.

It's all about spin.

Ian

[speed reed]

Oh come on! I know a lot better roads to go down on my GS than the one your going down. Maybe political discussion is hurting the thread that binds us all, riding BMW motorcycles. There are sites for the political debate. I believe the political debate is a good thing but maybe not here. All joking aside its going to take a hell of a tire to get out of this muck.


Reed

[lorazepam]

I think that it doesn't matter who captured Hussein, there are going to be tribal power struggles in Iraq no matter what. The Tribes and Religious Groups have been held in check well over 100 years, first by the turks, then the French and English, after WW 1. This is the first time they have alledgedly had a chance to voice their opinion, and choose their own government in many generations. We have walked into a hornets nest trying to lead these people into democracy. It seems to me that politics and government have gone from helping the people to being 2 sided haters, no one wants to work to solve problems anymore, just talk about how bad the other side is. It sickens me to the point of having become apolitical. Every time a politican makes a move, from either so called party, the other side screams bloody murder. The hatred that each side displays for one another is so non constructive it is ridiculous. Bringing that crap into a motorcycle forum is in poor taste to me. Join a hate mongering political thread if that is what blows up your skirt.

[lorazepam]

Sorry you feel guilty, and think it is directed just at you, Eric. I am disappointed we went into Iraq, and now we have a big mess on our hands. I have to put up with right wing psychobabble all day at work, and then seeing it and left wing propaganda on a motorcycle forum just doesnt seem right or proper. Not picking on anyone in particular, just wish it would stay off the forum that's all.

[lorazepam]

Nah, freedom of speech, including the point of wishing topics aren't discussed, is still allowed in this country as far as I know. I was just expressing mine. Feel free to post any and all propaganda you wish. I never want to suppress anyone's right to express what they feel.

[speed reed]

Love you all. Wish I could meet evey damn one of you and ride the hell out of our BMWs. Ahh Shangrila! Did I spell that right?

reed:burnout

[kbasa]

{moderator}
We'll let it run as long as people don't start attacking each other personally. And yeah, it's campfire, so folks can talk about it. It seems to me that while everybody may not agree with everything everybody says, a little rational discussion can be a good thing.

One of the things I find cool about forums is that if you don't want to read a thread, you can ignore it without having it appear in your mailbox all the time.

Also, if you really, really don't like someone, you can put them on your ignore list.
{/moderator}

Carry on. :brow

[lorazepam]

I got ya there Dave. Just because you don't agree with someone in no way means you have do dislike them. It is funny how folks in forums that disagree seem to not like one another. Turning away from the alternate point of view, and ignoring others is a great way to becoming a small case idiot.

[kbasa]

See you in Spokane, Eric.

I'll bring bourbon.

:1drink

Dave

[lorazepam]

No death threats will come from me. Dave make that Wild Turkey, and I will do my best to make that rally. It figures that when I get 3 weeks vacation, I take another job and have to start over. My new boss rides a Gold Wing, and does a lot of touring, so he understands. Eric, I welcome objective debates, it is when mean spirited or pure hatred items come up that I get frustrated. Guess I am just testy because of the weather, and not being able to clear my head with a good ride.

[RickD]

Eric, "right-wing" is the explanation.:nra

[DesertRider]

Originally posted by RickD
Eric, "right-wing" is the explanation.:nra

That's quite an insulting statement, and it got me to thinking...

Timothy McVeigh was a right-winger. The Unabomber was a left-winger. Ted Bundy was a Republican, Jeffrey Dahmer was a Democrat. The KKK and the White Power people are are generally right-wing; Earth First, the Earth Liberation Front, and ALF/PETA are left-wing. The Nazi Party, which years ago occasionally did some violent things, was very far right; the Black Panthers, Weather Underground and others who were active about the same time were hard left. The IRA, Red Army Faction, and other groups that terrorized much of Europe for a couple of decades were all far Left.

I think there's more than enough homicidal tendency to go around. :brow

[RickD]

Please don't be insulted, it was a feeble attempt at humor.
Yes, you're right (left). each side can display violent tendancies.
I don't want to cause any hard feelings in a forum that we
subsribe to for enjoyment. I will be more careful in future posts.

[kbasa]

My experience so far has shown that idiots come in all flavors of race, political creed, religious preference and income level.

:dunno

[manicmechanic]

Never underestimate the power of human stupidity. There are enough people/groups out there who feel victimized, and that the world in general owes them something. I try to listen to what is said and judge the statement, not necessarily the person. And I don't necessarily follow the party line. In some places these ideas would cause us to "disappear." I thank everybody for keeping it cool and acting like adults. We can agree to disagree.

Now, when shall we meet at the beergarden and hoist a couple? Opinions welcome, leave the (bad) attitudes at the door. Reserve the right to walk (stagger, crawl) away. In my humble observations, Beemer people are some of the most intelligent, well-informed, well-read, and considerate individuals extant. Thanks for allowing me to share the planet with you.

[kbasa]

Originally posted by manic mechanic
Now, when shall we meet at the beergarden and hoist a couple? Opinions welcome, leave the (bad) attitudes at the door. Reserve the right to walk (stagger, crawl) away. In my humble observations, Beemer people are some of the most intelligent, well-informed, well-read, and considerate individuals extant. Thanks for allowing me to share the planet with you.

In.

:beer :beer :beer

[lorazepam]

In,

I am always up for a beer. I am also going deaf, so I will nod and smile if there is a lot of background noise. :p No arguments from me.

[The_Veg]

Mmmmmmmm, BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:beer

[RickD]

I'll drink to that! :)

[lancew]

Wow, nice job keeping this debate (mostly) civil... that's rare, especially on a web forum. People just don't realize that there's no way they'll change anybody's mind, and it usually turns into name-calling and mudslinging.

I'm no fan of George Bush, for a lot of things beside Iraq, and my g/f's entire family was around for the Holidays. Aunts, Uncles, Cousins were here for a week, and her folks stayed with us for two weeks. The uncle & cousin are militant Ann Coulter Republicans, and her father is less whacko but loves to start arguments and then step aside to watch. :stick

I tried to stay away from Politics, but wasn't able to... they spotted me when I didn't know what channel the O'Reilly Factor was on. Didn't help that we went through about 2 gallons of Maker's Mark. :dunno

I stayed away from insults, but got called "traitor", "hippie", and my favorite- "lefty pinko commie f*g" by the Uncle. All because (after drinks) I put the "parental control lock" on Fox News. It was a fun two weeks. Also, the cousin's 8 year old got a Lego Civil War playset, and I sneaked in (after drinks) and put all the gray soldier's hands in the air. That got me threatened with physical harm.

I told them (after drinks) if they wanted their Fox, everybody would have to go outside and let me take a picture of them hugging a tree. No takers.

Got 'em back though- One night (after drinks) I went out and put a "Regime Change in '04" sticker on Jane's dad's Mercedes and a "Howard Dean" sticker on the uncle's Buick.:bliss

Moral: don't mess with me when I've been drinkin'. We liberals are used to having to sneak around.

Hey, it would be a boring old world if everybody agreed all the time.

[kbasa]

Originally posted by lancew
Also, the cousin's 8 year old got a Lego Civil War playset, and I sneaked in (after drinks) and put all the gray soldier's hands in the air. That got me threatened with physical harm.

I told them (after drinks) if they wanted their Fox, everybody would have to go outside and let me take a picture of them hugging a tree. No takers.

Got 'em back though- One night (after drinks) I went out and put a "Regime Change in '04" sticker on Jane's dad's Mercedes and a "Howard Dean" sticker on the uncle's Buick.:bliss

Moral: don't mess with me when I've been drinkin'. We liberals are used to having to sneak around.

Hey, it would be a boring old world if everybody agreed all the time.

You sir, are one devious mofo.

I love it. :rofl :rofl

[lancew]

Confession: used scotch tape on the bumper stickers. Even I don't have the heart to screw up another guy's car, regardless of whether he has shat upon me.

< PS- No bumpers, critters, ozones, or trees were harmed in the production of this post... >

[kbasa]

Originally posted by Eric Blume
Damn, if Maker's Mark didn't work I suggest we move on to Knob Creek at the national!

Lancew thanks for speaking up. I thought I was the only Miscreant in this forum.
:D

Oh man. I am so IN.

I'm trying to track down some more Weller 19 yo. That stuff is terrific.

[oldcarkook]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I posted this thread because it was a positive event in a situation which has had a lot of negativity. I am proud of the people who are there and placed themselves in harm's way to effect this capture. I said that I would not discuss this but it does not mean that I do not read the thread.

I said that I am too close to be objective on this topic; that is because I have a very direct tie to [Col] Jim Hickey, the man who led the hunt and capture team.

I hold no ill feelings towards anyone here as a result of their views, whether I agree or disagree with them. Kbasa has said to avoid personal attacks or personal assaults. One of you needs to re-read your posts and tone it down on the personal level.

I will continue to not discuss Iraq because of my slanted views and personal involvement. I think it's pretty easy to figure out where I stand on this.

Semper Fi

[lorazepam]

Kook I figured you were a leatherneck, how else could you survive those cold temps and wind coming in under that helmet. :p I spent 4 years in the military, and one of the things I treasure and wanted to maintain during my watch, is the right to be from any political persuasion you want. I enjoy a good debate, weather it is about beer, booze, politics or whatever. It is when things get nasty, and the truth gets clouded by emotions that the debate loses it's interest and fun. I have seen and been subject to way too much violence in my life, and in no way will I be the instigator of threats to others. That said, I live less than 20 miles from kentucky and can find pretty much any bourbon you guys could want, at decent prices. Let me know, and I will be of service whenever you like.

[The_Veg]

Yeah but can you get me a bottle of Loch Dhu? Anybody who can will earn my eternal worship.

[jgr451]

Wow!! I realize that all this stuff is important;and that those who eschew politics are misguided as they(politics) are everywhere and everything;but threats?and personal atacks??
Only those directly involved in creating a new world order in Iraq can authentically comment on the meaning of events there,everything else is politics.
I do not see any reason to keep politics off this board because that is the air we all breathe,Americans like most of you,or Canadians like some of us.We are all,US!!!

The forces that unite us are far more concrete and real than the ones that divide us.Let us keep that in mind as these discussions continue.
Why should we censor ourselves or expect Kbasa to do that?Civility and respect should inform all our words.

[speed reed]

A friend sent me this last night.
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives." He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid I ask ed him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!" He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak. Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked gr eat. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous. Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story." I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cle aned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable." I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth. Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others. You now have two choices, you can: 1) Pass this on to your friends or 2) Delete it and act like it didn't touch your heart. As you can see, I took choice number 1. "Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly." It's National Friendship Week.

I hope we all have one.

Reed

[kbasa]

Like my mom said, "It doesn't take much to be nice to someone."