The Palestine Hotel in Baghdad
 

...has been hit and it is being reported that several Reuters journalists have been injured/killed as well as journalists from other countries.

It's well known that Jounalists occupy that hotel. Why was it hit?

The Al Jazeera offices were hit today killing one or more of their people. There will be some heat to take.

Was that an "accident"? Or a deliberate attack?

It is an early media report so who knows anything for sure. Actually the way it sounded to me the hotel itself was not hit but an explosion nearby caused the destruction and injuries. I repeat though, it is early media reports. This is in referrence to the Palestine Hotel.

As regards The Al Jazeera offices, I would assume it was an accident, but who knows.

I doubt anyone could be as stupid as to do that deliberately. With practically the whole Arab world hating the USA already, deliberately killing Al Jazeera reporters would be the most idiotic thing to do.

Oh I realize that. But in order to shut down the Arab propaganda machine, it would be convenient to lob a bomb over there and call it an accident. Al Jazeera has been fueling that hatred in the Arab world for quite some time.

I was just curious as to what the "official" word on that was.

A new report says snipers were firing from the Palestine Hotel.

If anyone deserves to be a victim of friendly fire, it's Al-Jazeera. Fuck them!

Right ON!

An interview that is taking place as I am typing, from a journalist that sounds British,claims that he did not hear any snipers and that an American tank intentionally fired on the Palestine Hotel.

Yeah, Bin Laden has used them as a vehicle for many years too. That's why I was curious.

This is part of the new plan for the loyal Iraqis they are going to places of civilians and journalists and firing at the US troops and the US troops returning fire are the ones killing the reporters and blowing shit up because they are getting drawn in.

don't shoot the messenger.

CENCOM gives its briefing at 4:00 AM my time, which is two hours from now. The General that gives the briefing will be bombarded with questions about Saddam, Al Jazeera, and now the Palestine Hotel. I suspect his answers will only be "its under investigation".

Journalists have been repeatedly and clearly warned by our Military that their safety cannot be gauranteed and that they are in harms way.

Or, "we can't yet confirm that".

Yeah he's going to spit out a bunch of propaganda bullshit. Let me tell you they didn't kill Saddam last night people it's propaganda to try and get the people of Iraq to be comfortable enough to fight for themselves and to get some of those loyal to Saddam to give up because their leader has died. Saddam left the country almost two weeks ago and went to a resort in Syria near the royal palace and under protection of Syria's military special service. They dropped 4 fucking bunker buster bombs on a restaurant just so there would not be conclusive proof Saddam was there. The first night of attacks when Saddam was in a bunker they only dropped 1 or 2 bunker busters on a fucking bunker and last night they dropped 4 on a restaurant. I rest my case. As far as shooting reporters it was US troops they are being drawn in to shoot civilians and when that didn't get enough play they are being drawn in to shoot diplomats like the Russians yesterday and the journalists today. With all that said we are still kicking their ass but they were always going to make it ugly and now they are.

I heard on MSNBC that there were indeed snipers firing from the hotel.

Why on earth would we purposely fire on the hotel? There were also load of US reporters in there.

You left off the cruise missiles that were also used on the first night against the very same target. I recall one source saying a combination of ordinance was used in, and around, Saddams location on that first night numbering to 40 total.

Nobody from Al-jazeera is in Baghdad anymore...

Oh, now I understand... It's Al Jazeera reporting the killing of civilians by the US bombs that " fuels" the hatred....

The BBC had two different reporters on air when it happened. One was on world service radio..his report is very interesting to listen to just because he keeps going until they make him stop.

The other was a tv reporter - who in my mind has made his name in this conflict - by the name of Rageh Omaar. If you do see clips of it it is scary. He hits the deck so fast.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/...og/default.stm is interesting to follow from time to time as it is a diary page for some of the journalists including Rageh.

Thats fucked up that those people got hurt in the middle of a war

well they claim the US is not in bagdad so they must blame a towel head

How could it be the US? Arent the soilders to busy commiting suicide

its the russians