"No proof ? No problem."

What does this have to do with WMDs ? Sorry couldn't resist. :)

It is amazing that outlets reporting her rediculous story never stop and think, "It doesn't make sense!"

Just what Dorian said!. It completely makes no sense.

Reading your alarmingnews, I see no facts for your claim. It's clear you are a right wing extremist.

"Take the story of freed Italian hostage Giuliana Sgrena. This 'journalist' (actually a Commie propagandist) is taken prisoner in Iraq. It's very likely that Italy paid the jihadi terrorists money for her release"

Which part of that comment do you have an issue with?

If it's the 'propagandist' part, you just have to understand Communism to know there is nothing that isn't explicit propaganda. Everything is meant to convince people about the wonderfulness of that brutal system and to keep them in line.

If it's the random part, Italy has paid ransoms in the past and actually, that's this journalist's main claim: that America doesn't like negotiating with terrorists and that's why they shot at her.

As for me being a 'right wing extremist', I'll take it. I've been called worse.

I have no beef with calling Sgrena nutty (I'm with Barney Frank on the military-targetting-journalists issue), but isn't there something newsworthy about her claim that she was targeted? Reuters did note that she had no evidence to back up her ranting.

Communist propagandist Giuliana Sgrena had this to say on the Baathist Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) when asked:

“Do you think it was deliberate?”

She replied:
“I can't say it was deliberate because we can't say if there was a lack of information. But also a lack of information in this case is [their] responsibility because you are in a war field and you have the responsibility to pass immediately any information.
The information was given to the Italians to tell the Americans that we were on the road. Now, I can't say why they shot at us in this way but it's a very big responsibility and we ask for a response on what happened.”

Preposterous.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4324251.stm

According to the The Australian:

"Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported yesterday that the Italian Government had paid a ransom of between E6-8million ($10-13.4million) to buy Sgrena's freedom."

There's a difference between an accident and a deliberate act. If this report is true, then the Italian government is now deliberately financing terrorism.

It's very likely that Italy paid the jihadi terrorists money for her release

Assuming, of course, there were Jihadis in the mix. A few places I've been on the Interweb suggest that the whole thing was an elaborate stunt.

Otherwise, IMHO, this whole situation is like that of the Marine that shot that wounded insurgent a few months back. I think an investigation is necessary, but I have a hard time believing that the troops didn't follow SOP (ie. warning shots, flashing lights, etc.).

Graeme, she has used the word 'intentional' all over the place.

I think it would be helpful to illustrate how quickly those on the left suddenly found credibility to Eason Jordan's claims.

Like here: http://clarified.blogspot.com/2005_03_01_clarified_archive.html#110999018391803044

Basically, some people, Americans even (although I wouldn't call them as much) quickly decided to condemn our troops over the word of a notably anti-American, anti-War communist journalist without a second thought.

I can wait to hear what folks like that will have to say when our soldiers' actions are justified.

you know what i am pissed about.

If we did target her, that she did survie. Our soldiers are trianed better than that.

If we were actually trying to kill (or capture) some one in Iraq, we normally do it.

Only the pesky terrorists are able to stay away from our grips

I was waiting to see how you RepubliKKKan apologists would try to spin this attrocity. There's no way a low level soldier would carry out an attack on an unarmed hero like Giuliana Sgrena. These orders came down all the way from the top. Bush, Cheney, Rumsfield, Rice, and all the other attack dogs of war called this shot. What's that you say? It doesn't make sense? Why would we risk international fury and further strain relations with Italy by attempting to assassinate a high profile hero? That's what the RepubliKKKans want you to think. They knew that's what the head nodding class would say and they knew they could get away with this. Those of you who voted for Bush on Nov 2 unleashed the hounds of hell on all of us. The time has come to pay the piper.

Be careful invoking the KKK and republicans at the moment. Byrd ring any bells?

Highly unlikely that even the US Army deliberately targeted the woman. More likely they cocked up big time AGAIN!!!!!!! and because a secret service agent died as a result Italy is pissed and the press sees a chance to sell newspapers.

As for having a go that Italy paid her ransom so what???

Italian govt has a resonsibility to its citizens and if protecting them means buying terrorists off then fine it is their call. The fact that US and UK choose to allow our citizens to be killed is our affair. Can US Army be trusted to rescue every foreigner captured? NO. Can the British Army or Italian forces? NO. it comes down to what is more important. your own people or a principle not everyone shares.

Nick,

The Iraqi Government and US military, as acting partners is providing security in Iraq, have a clear responsibility to reduce incentives to terrorists. If we allow ransoms to be paid to terrorsts, we are actively incentivizing terrorists to take prisoners.

Worse still, now pro-al Qaeada Italians can work with the terrorists to get money from the Italian government. Go to Iraq, get "kidnapped", have Italy finance the next round of car bombings via ransom.

Italian journalists now know that they face less risk in Iraq, for their gov't will get them out, and terrorists are motivated to kidnap Italians. The result: increase kindnappings of Italians.

Considering that idiots on the left *cough* you *cough* will go on to blame the US for any future kidnappings, I'd say the US has a clear responsibility to prevent ransoms from being paid by foreign governments.

So, tell me, how does the US prevent ransoms from being paid by foreign governments?

Well they werent being kidnapped before we invaded were they?

1972 The men responsible for the kidnap and murder of israeli athletes take over a german flight and threaten to blow it up unless money is paid and the men freed. Over American and Israeli objections Germany acquiesed (for morons on the right "cough" you "cough" that means agreed) on the condition that the group and any others like it refrain from any more attacks on German soil or german civilians. Result. Name the last terrorist attack on Germany or on German citizens after 1972.

In principle maybe paying terrorists isnt wise but the italian govt has no responsibility to America and persoanlly speaking i would be a happier person and more inclined to go to places like iraq if i knew my govt was prepared to do anything for my safety.

"Left-wing journalist Giuliana Sgrena claimed American soldiers gave no warning before they opened fire and said Sunday she could not rule out that U.S. forces intentionally shot at the car carrying her to the Baghdad airport,"

Used the link that you provided Karol. Yep, the word "intentionally" appears, but I wouldn't say that it was an unequivocal accusation.

Nick - define 'they'. Islamist terrorists have been kidnapping and killing people for decades. By financing terrorism, Italians and the Germans have helped them do it.

If I thought my government would be willing to finance terrorism for 'my' sake, I'd be wary of travelling at all

By they i meant westerners. at least not on the same scale.

Whether or not paying terrorists off encorages or makes them back off depends i guess on the terrorist concerned. 1972, Cyprus 1970s and IRA 1998 are examples of negotiation and deal making working although i guess if a group has declared its goal to be your ultimate destruction then a pay off wont work longterm.

And is still dont think the US meant to attack the journalist,. just another cock up.