I personally find it laughable that the Iraqi people/government can say anything bad about innocent people being killed in war. War is war. If they have a problem with what our soilders are doing then they should step up to the plate and accomplish more on their own. They shouldn't depend on the U.S. for all this support.
Now, that said, I believe this whole war is a joke. I totally don't support it. I think that everyone is so focused on the War in Iraq that the War on Freedom (and the hunt for Bin Laden) has been forgotten. It certainly isn't thought about, talked about, or heard about like it was in the months following September 11th.

Jenny Williams, Portage, WI

Laymen will say that Americans are arrogant, prideful and willing to sacrifice others for our own gain; to some extent this is true. But I ask you folks in the wider world to look past the rhetoric and actions of those in power and seek out the views shared by a large majority of average citizens here in the USA. We are not happy with innocent people being harmed by our military actions and do not expect a "pass" when this happens.

When the people of the world finally get in in their heads that they must think towards the whole of humanity instead of their own tribal/religious factions then maybe some concrete dialogue can occur. Compromise that is all inclusive with regards to individual rights is the only path towards peace.

Name a "religious" belief and you will find friction in the way they interact with others. A purely "spiritual" faith allows for acceptance. Let the "church" dictate action without compromise and the results are as they appear... negative.

Life is death

Nick, Seattle, USA

I am a Vietnamese. I was born and grown up in the war time. You can say any thing about the American GI but let me tell you. The VC was the worst of the worst, so the al-Qaeda, the Hamas...When the American GI bombed or killed ENEMIES. The report always comes out with the children and the women got killed, that makes people believe the GIs are the killers. They gain the political war so step by step, they will win the war like the VC in VN war. WAR IS WAR. So pls no complaint. GO GIs . Do what ever it takes to win.

Tony, Anaheim, USA, CA

It is a war and in war innocents die either as targets or bystanders. It is not right, it is not anything to glorify and never is it an act of valour or is it justifiable.

Islam and islamic governments have been reactionary since the 13th century when the West began its Renaissance. It has not been an overly proud period for the West but for the most part the world is a less meaner place and mankind a bit more nobler because of it. I would be the first to admit that much work is still left to do.

All peoples of the world, even islamic people, wish for peace, for freedom and for the welfare of their children and themselves. No system of idealogy based on terror and fear has ever lasted. Sooner or later the terrorists or if you wish the warriors grow weary and then sit down to talk and listen.

The irony of the end game on mankind is that as the world's most communicative species it may be our inability to hear one another which will eventually do us all in.

Patrick Shaw, Houston, Texas

Why do some of these posts ignor the massive buildup and special forces in Afgan prior to the Iraq invasion, or the lack of success in Iraq. In any war with the US, everything is carefully thought out. Objectives must be met... To split Iraq up would be the best legal outcome to secure energy contracts, remember Iraq was stable before, and was becoming a Allied member with Russia. The percieved oil riches of the Saudi family is the last refuge to the USA. Their oil reserves are going to decline rapidly. Iraq, Iran, Russia and South America, were dead set against USA. The USA is drunk on oil.... One only needs to wait, watch, and play the game. The USA will rapidly loose it's economic status. The fall of old Russia pales in comparison to future events in the USA. But remember, everyone whom was drunk with her lavishness shall suffer also.....

TL, D-town, USA

Sorry Bernie, the U.S. was not guilty of genocide in Europe or Japan in WWII. The U.S. (and Canada) suffered tens of thousands of casualties crushing the AXIS. The atrocities of war notwithstanding, it wasn't genocide. Iraq is not genocide either. U.S. forces do not target a single racial, ethnic or religious community. Your claim is absurd. Americans wrongly think they can make the world in their own image based on evidence their Constitutional Republic and open society provides the greatest opportunity for human progress in history. The problems are deeper-seated than claiming genocide, arrogance and negligence. We Americans have spent billions of dollars hoping to solve a problem the U.N., other Arab Nations are Europeans refused to work on, other than to milk the oil for food program for profit like old-world mercantile colonials.

Ron, California USA

Ron, Hemet, USA/California

Arab Nations are very proud of their heritage and would not welcome any stranger or any country in their homeland. Atleast When President Saddam Hussein ruled there was no infighting among them, agreed he ruled with an iron fist but so did Stalin but he is still remembered as the hero of Soviet Union. You've made a martyr out of a President.

Rahul Mehta, New Delhi, India

The problem with the United States is that any Nation who fought for its own protection is guilty of genocide. The americans think, talk and express themselves like donkeys: they don't look left or right and always walk by the edge of the road. Haven't they committed several genocides: Heroshima, Panama, Europe, Iraq only to name few? why aren't they brought to justice by the U.N. and why haven't they compensated those who suffered their atrocities? Is that fair?.
The americans think and believe they can do anything they wish but nobody else. I simply wish I wasn't born to witness these irrgularities, unfairness and unjustice.

Bernie Haddad, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

just say sorry and than blame the Iraqis tho be on the way. thats the way
America always do when they kill civilian

irineu, London,

From the US point of view, the Iraqi population is formed by women, children, and terrorists. There are no civilian men. Mario, it looks more probable that there were some al-Qaeda members in a flat, and the US bombed the entire building.

josu, spain,

....makes one wonder who are the real terrorists killing innocent women and children...

lolya, Port of Spain, Trinidad

I was a conscript sargeant in portuguese wars in Africa and I understand what colateral damage means. So,I condemn the the muslim figthers who keep women and children with them.The african figthers who opposed Portuguese Army in Africa never did that. Honour to them.In Irak they don´t.Shame on them

mario gomes, porto, portugal