Shiites In Iraq Show Restraint Despite Repeated Sunni Attacks

nytimes.com:

BAGHDAD Shiite clerics and politicians have been successfully urging their followers not to retaliate against a fierce campaign of sectarian bombings, in which Shiites have accounted for most of the 566 Iraqis killed since American troops pulled out of Iraq's cities on June 30.

Read the whole story: nytimes.com

Comments

[JerryLevy]

The vast majority of people in Iraq are desperate for peace and prosperity but the Iranians and other radical Middle Eastern elements are doing all they can to destroy this country's chance at democracy. It poses a threat to the surrounding Arab dictatorships if the people of Iraq end up being able to vote, have basic human rights, and build a capitalistic society. So the canard that somehow these terrorists or insurgents are fighting "occupation" was just a lie. They are seeking to take power and build a totalitarian, theocratic regime at the expense of basic human rights for the Iraqi people. It is one of the reasons so many of the leads on where these terrorists are hiding are coming from the Iraqi people themselves.

[Whitley2009]

To those of you who think the conflict between the Shiites and Sunnis can be peacefully resolved, I have several rather large bridges in the Carolinas I would like to sell you - cheap.

[Roozbeh]

Iranian government would certainly sacrifice Shiites in order not to lose its influence in Iraq. It is trying to esclate the terror in Iraq to galvanize the Iranian population behind itself. Of course, more needs to be done to expose the true nature of the Iranian regime worldwide and in any way possible (VOA; for example) inside the country itself.

[MARNIE2]

SOUNDS COMPLICATED , SHIITES MUSLIM VS SUNIS MUSLIM ! CAN'T GET A LONG
WITH ONE OTHER / WHY ? [ALL] IN THE SOME FAITH [ ISLAM] - ALLAH ? WE IN THE [US]
HOPE TO HAVE A PEACE MIDDLE EAST POLICY WITH [FAIRNESS] TO ALL [MUSLIMS] ?HOW ?
WHEN MUSLIM VS MUSLIM ARE FIGHTING & KILLING ONE OTHER [CAUSE] OF NO TOLERANCE
IN EACH OTHER [FAITH] &POLICY'S ! WHAT KIND OF BRIDGE CAN BE BUILT TOWARDS {PEACE } ??????? ************ IS COMPLICATED !

[blutigeroo]

The whole Sunni-Shiite issue stems from a difference in opinion about caliphs from 1400 years ago. They lived in relative peace except for the odd hate attack here and there, much like Protestants and Catholics in Ireland. The violence was always contained.
It was NEVER as bad as it is now. Saddam's true religion was "Power"… his sect was "Brutal Oppression". Most people knew that if you as much as uttered something against him, you were gone. It didn't matter what your religion or sect was.
Shiite grievances in Iraq are genuine but Sunni dominance of government was not through armed Sunni-Shiite conflict as has been repeatedly suggested. It was mostly foreign interference and influence first and then power and politics and power-politics throughout the past century of modern Iraqi history. Many believe that it is the history of defeat and frequent subjugation has led to a cult of death and martyrdom within Shiism

[omobob]

The Sunnis killed the Prophets grandson in Karbala, ending the direct bloodline to the Prophet. Hardly what I would call a "difference in opinion". Research will help to sell your message. "They lived in relative peace except for the odd hate attack here and there, much like Protestants and Catholics in Ireland. The violence was always contained. " 4,000 people died in the Catholic / Protestant War. Stop marginalizing their deaths to make a spurious comparison. Shame on you.