LA Times: Sunni Leader Held In Error
Now is the time for all "small-government" fools who are cheering on the government in all things to remember why they're pro-"small government" in the first place:
BAGHDAD -- U.S. forces aggravated sectarian tensions in Iraq on Monday by mistakenly arresting a prominent Sunni Muslim leader as suicide bombers killed at least 25 people in a Shiite town and soldiers continued their offensive against insurgent networks in Baghdad.
Mohsen Abdel Hamid, head of the Iraqi Islamic Party, was detained when U.S. troops raided his home shortly before dawn. He was released after Iraqi government officials, including Prime Minister Ibrahim Jafari, criticized the action. Hamid has been a voice of reconciliation, urging Sunnis to work with the Shiite-dominated government and condemning a surge in sectarian killings.
A statement released by U.S.-led forces said the raid, which left Hamid's house with battered doors and smashed windows, was a case of mistaken identity. "Mr. Hamid is being returned to his home," the statement said. "Coalition forces regret any inconvenience and acknowledge Mr. Hamid's cooperation in resolving this matter."
Speaking on Iraqi television, Jafari called Hamid a well-respected politician and noted that the detained leader had once served as president of the former Iraqi Governing Council. The Iraqi government worried that the embarrassing incident would deepen Sunni suspicions about the new government and its American backers.
"I will demand a clear accounting...." said Jafari, a Shiite Muslim whose administration has been negotiating with Sunni leaders to avert further sectarian violence. "No civilian should be arrested without just cause."
And Cheney says he's offended by Amnesty International. Hey libertarians, the government is asserting new powers. Where are you? This government governs more, much more than any prominent Democrat that I can think of would in a similar position. Why do you still support the Bushies?
P.S. Does the war have to be over before we as a nation can process the cognitive dissonance? Because We, The People have a lot of processing to do at some point, and here's hoping it's sooner rather than later.