C Heathcote, this is what the second amendment says:

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed"

Any reasonable person might think that's a recipe for genocide and tyranny rather than security and freedom - but it's what Americans are supposed to believe. So why are they trying to "infrige the rights of the people" in Iraq to form "a well regulated Militia"?

Kate, Southampton, UK

I think everyone should think about switching to "Decaf" coffee, try some deep breathing exercises and try to relax. You will not change a thing by popping a blood vessel or starting a bleeding ulcer. Go read a history book and you will see that this sort of thing has been going, all over the world, for a very long time. The real problem is this planet is made up of Homosapiens, who, once they discovered out how to injure or kill one another, in order to dominate them, take something or someone that they desired, have done so, throughout time. Many rationales are put forward, but it's always the same. So, if you live in a place where you are allowed to vote, go vote and try to change the system. I doubt much will change, because, after all, you will be putting in power another human being, who has the same flaws. In the mean time, try to enjoy what life you have. All of us will die soon enough and the world will continue on, as it has for centuries. Cheers

Nick, Ventura,

If Sadr does declare war then he should be the number one target

David Cartright, Birmingham,

We may not agree with the original decision to invade Iraq. But now that it's been done, it is very important for the US-led coalition forces to win, and to win CONVINCINGLY. If necessary double the force in Iraq. The world-wide repercussions of not winning, or of appearing to be bogged down in a relatively small country, are too terrible to contemplate.

Charan Muzaya, Bristol, UK

"A free and democrtaic Iraq." Its an oxymoron.

Bruce Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA

Some nations cant seem to survive without dictators.

Paul T, Glasgow,

Methinks he thinks he is losing.Press harder.

robert everitt, wolverhampton,

Yes Kate, that's exactly what the Second Amendment to the Constitution says....

C Heathcote, Brick, USA, NJ

Well then Thompson Palmer, why don't you move to Iran ? The USA is not Nazi Germany, and George Bush certainly is no Hitler.For being 66 years old you certainly are naive. Our country is not a "killing machine", and if you hadn't noticed there is a Presidential election coming along in a few months to replace the current President. That's how democracies work, unlike Nazi Germany, formerly Iraq and currently Iran. It's great to have an opinion about your country but you should try to stick to facts and not your obviously biased opinion against America. As I said, if you don't like it, leave it...

Ian, Austin,TX, USA

Why isn't the US trying to prevent the disarming of the Mehdi army? According to the second amendment of their own constitution, gangs of armed thugs are the very bedrock of liberty.

Kate, Southampton, UK

Al Sadr would not have made such a bold statement without the support of Iran. A war with Al Sadr, while possibly overdue, just might (probably) will result in a proxy war (or worse) with Iran. Everyone should be getting prepared for this eventuality.

MW Smith, Birmingham, Alabama

I am 66 years old and born in American. I can not believe what American has become in a few short years. What makes this country a know it all for the other nations in the world. We can not solve our own problems. This war like so many wars only makes the poiltians richer and takes away from the less fortuate. I am shocked at what this nation has become, a killing machine. Killers are killers, Saddam, Hitler and yes George Bush, Dick Channey and those that every day add lives they destroy. How many more children must die before the real Americans stand up to the George Bush's and demand impeachment for his kind.

Thompson Palmer, Oakdale, Louisiana

If by 'all out war' this nutter means fighting out in the open, without the benefit of women and children as human shields, without placing his rocket launchers in areas of high civilian population, without resorting to the mentally ill to act as unwitting suicide bombers then great, bring it on.

Somehow I doubt that is his intention.

David, St Albans, UK

Bombing (necessarily indiscriminate) recruits more guerillas than it kills.

dab ktibs, fort collins, colorado

WHY FEAR WITHDRAWAL?

It is time to give Iraqis their nation back before too few are left to remember that most Shiite, Sunni or Kurd Iraqis described themselves as Iraqis above all else and religious or sectarian group members second…..

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/04/why-fear-withdrawal-from-iraq.html

PacificGatePost, N.A., U.S.

The failure to address the danger of sectarianism in Iraq steems from mainly 2 sources:
1 Defeatism and incompetence - indeed Basra was not liberated, it was handed over to the sectarian militias immedeatly after Saddam was toppled by a British military that decided to do put up a simple show in order to not risk any conflict with eventual losses because this would have not been politically comfortable for the government.
2 The idiotic Rumsfeld doctrine that prevented sufficient troop levels when they were needed the most: just after liberation when those militas were forming, sometimes simply to prevent crime or retribution by the Baathists after the Saddam regime collapsed.
The sectarian militias filled the vacuum that was produced by the incompetence of the Coalition leaders as well as by the callous "anti-war" movement that prefers Iraqui suffering to the effort of helping their liberty.

Mel Olontha, Bensalem,

This report could use some objectivity and balance.

Jeff Perren, Sandpoint, USA / ID

It is clear the US intends to commit genocide in Basra as was done in Falluja and level this new "mission" to the ground if that is what it takes to bring Sadr and his resistance army into line. There will be freedom and security at the whim of the US and at the point of a gun or aerial bombardment.. When no cities are left, when no people are left, the US will state democracy has come to Iraq and its people. Oh, and the oil will still belong to us as well as all the exported revenue to those profiteers and Big Oil. Lovely.

Ron, Miami, Florida

Why is the Iraqi government not trying to disarm the Kurds? They have their own militia.

R.Pinney, luling, Texas

Ironically, Rice fails to realize that the Badr Brigades are REALLY linked to Iran, as the military arm of what was called the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), which are now trying to hide their unity with the Islamic Revolution in Iran.

So the attack on Sadr has nothing to do with links to Iran!

The Badr Brigades are the Iranian faction.

Doug Korthof, Seal Beach, California

Some comments on this forum are from people who are completely in the dark about the complex tribal issues that exist in Iraq. It may be compared with the middle and southern African countries that, after the end of colonialism, resulted in fighting among the different tribes in order to gain strength and acheive dominance - Power corrupts as they say. The US & UK "waltz in" with all their know how, billions of dollars and countless lives lost, where has it got them? Stuck in a rut of war that may never end. Sedated for years under Saddam Hussein are tribes vying for power, who are going to fight it out for themselves, perhaps to the bitter end. In some countries democracy just does not work, getting rid of Moqtada Al Sadr & his Milita will do little to quell the violence, it will be passed on to another when he's gone. But no worries for Bush, stuck in his ivory tower, he'll go back to his mansion and his little flower garden, by January he'll be the US's worst history.

tony, Lancashire, UK

Iraqi "democracy" is a farce and non-existent. While lip service to democracy and freedom is rampant, every Iraqi official is pursuing a strategy of self-interest and power without regard for the country or its people. As the occupying force in Iraq, the USA is complicit in this corrupt grab for power, even to the extreme of being duped and bilked out of hundreds of billions and thousands of lives. None of those currently in power cared enough about their country to remain in Iraq while Saddam was in power -- they fled to the safety and comfort of London and Tehran until the US took Saddam down -- now they and their respective militias are engaged in looting Iraq for all it is worth! It is no wonder that insurgent groups see their resistance as ta true act of patriotism.

John helgerson, Victoria, Minnesota, USA

Iraq has a democratically elected government which sooner or later will have to deal with the private armies in it's midst. Whilst US and British support will gradually decrease, especially if there is a Democrat victory, Iranian support for Sadr is increasing, so better to strike as soon as possible.

Pauline Renton, Camberley, UK

Boffin 1.20 20.4.08
Debra Haynes in Baghdad, whilst Moqtada Al Sadr is allowed to continue in charge of his little world, the British and American troops will have to stay, he has been allowed to much of a free hand for to long now, and it must be realised that he is the strong link between Iraq and Iran and there will nver be the peace that is required until he is taken down a peg or two, there is not enough power behind the throne in the iraqi government at present, so there has got to be a decision made about closing down his little world.

Stanley Stephens, South Cambs., England

Few Americans realize that the four southernmost counties in California have more police than the US has troops in Iraq---when you try to occupy a country with this small a force you have to expect problems. The time has come for the US Air Force to deal with the religious fruitcakes of Iraq--while US ground forces take a back seat.

jim harrison, charlottesville, va usa

"Moqtada al-Sadr has threatened all-out war unless Iraqi and US forces halt operations against his fighters."

Uh?

His big hat must have overheated his brain.

Antonio, Estepona, Spain