Which Iraq War stories do you think are planted or false? Report them here.

[GePap]

This is form an article in the NYTimes. I just found it so funny:

By midmorning, the three Iraqi soldiers were sitting on blankets and picking from the bright yellow food packets provided by the Americans. They seemed ashamed to be prisoners, but made clear that a greater dread was life in the Iraqi Army.

"We are not cowards, but what is the point?" said Ahmed Ghobashi, an Iraqi colonel from Baghdad. "I've got a rifle from World War II. What can I do against American airplanes?"

Colonel Ghobashi talked on for a while, detailing his participation in the disastrous wars begun by Mr. Hussein in Iran and Kuwait. He had been a professional soldier, he said, and he did not sign up to engage in fanciful adventures. As Colonel Ghobashi talked on, his tone grew bitter, until he concluded that Saddam Hussein must have a secret agenda.

"He doesn't give us enough to eat, and he doesn't pay us," the colonel said. "And then he starts this thing with the Americans and then tells us to defend the country against the invasion."

Colonel Ghobashi pursed his lips in contemplation and rendered his final opinion on Mr. Hussein.

"I believe he is an American agent," he said.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Even through the telephone adn video phone (the Greek oens and I'm sure others) you could see whole squares of buildings being blown up.

Unfortunetly for your spin, the 'squares' of buildings all were contained in the Presidental Palace of Hussein, which is massive.

"Coalition forces are retreating" That is humerous!

[General Ludd]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

Even through the telephone adn video phone (the Greek oens and I'm sure others) you could see whole squares of buildings being blown up.

Unfortunetly for your spin, the 'squares' of buildings all were contained in the Presidental Palace of Hussein, which is massive.

The reporter on the CBC said it was an area with many government buildings, but also densely populated by Baghdad's middle and upperclass. And he'd actually been there before this started.

[DanS]

I believe he is an American agent," he said.

[GePap]

I agree DanS, but there is something more disturbing about that: here is a guy who just gave up cause he thinks Saddam is nothing but trouble, and who gets the underlying blame? The US..lets hope this sort of thinking is limited to Colonel Ghobashi.

[The Mad Monk]

Originally posted by Osweld


The reporter on the CBC said it was an area with many government buildings, but also densely populated by Baghdad's middle and upperclass. And he'd actually been there before this started.

Would that be the same middle and upper class that's scooted to Jordan, Iran and Saudi? That could explain the lack of civilian casulties.

[Japher]

The capture American Soldiers are not soldiers... they are human shields.

[Sandman]

According to Channel 4 news, there is not a shred of evidence that there was ever any plan to blow up the oil wells.

[Myrddin]

Many stories appearing as 'Breaking News' on news channels can be discounted

The TV coverage is proof that more is less - more pictures gives even less idea what is really happening. I have started to limit my TV viewing before I get lost inside the spin an rumour cycle

[GePap]

It looks like Saddam was telling the truth about not blowing up the oil fields (as compared to th news of charges being set, blah, blah, blah)

[Dis]

I don't think we are actually at war.

I believe the whole thing is staged in a Hollywood studio to boost the president's rating. The money for the war is being diverted to the Israelis.

[Alexander's Horse]

A few lies now becoming clear:

The 51st Iraqi division defending Basra hasn't surrendered.

The Iraqi army generally isn't surrendering, or "melting away" (aside from those melted by smart bombs).

The general population isn't dancing in the streets at liberation by the coalition.

"pockets of resistance" seem to be more than pockets.

[The Mad Monk]

Originally posted by Sandman
According to Channel 4 news, there is not a shred of evidence that there was ever any plan to blow up the oil wells.

You mean, besides the blown up oil wells?

[Seeker]

It is extremely difficult to judge what is lie and what is the 'fog of war', which must be even worse for the Iraqis....if some cut off commander hears that 'we are throwing the Americans back' why question that until he sees otherwise?

That said, I will call these 'inaccuracies' since we don't know whether they are lies or mistakes:

US

aircraft lost due to accidents

51 divsional surrender (definetly a mistake; the guy lied and said he was a divisional commander)

characterizing the action in the south in Basra as 'mopping up', the Iraqis contained within pockets of resistance; it seems more like the US forces were like a boat going into a lake, the water just flowed around them.

Oil fields: what is on fire? What isn't?

Missiles: Legal or illegal, SCUDS or what?

WoMD: a priority to find? Will they fabricate them, or ask the world to believe an Iraqi scientist enticed with, perhaps a nice salary in the new regime?

Population: are they cheering for the cameras and sniping at night? What does the population really think? Especially, will the Sunnis in the north be as happy as the Shiites? I think we are being shown a lot of positive images about candy distributing soliders, and I have a suspicious nature...

Iraqis:

The farmer and the Apache was pathetic. The guy did not shoot down an Apache in perfect condition with a bolt-action rifle.

Saddams 'military genius' seems less than apparent when you listen to him rant.

the oil-fields: on fire or not?

The Americans actually retreating anywhere: Are they kidding? I hope he didn't actually use the word rout...

Attacking some service battalion dudes 'from behind' guerilla style is great, big, huge, allah akbar, forking victory, yeah right....

[DanS]

I think showing that farmer that shot down an apache may backfire. That is intimidating aircraft to look at, even when shot down.

Overall, I think the resistance has been overplayed.