@Chengora:

Also, you missed Falk’s point about occupation.  While whether there is a civil war in Iraq is debatable (I don’t think there really is, but it’s a fluid situation anyway), it nevertheless is an occupation.  And resistance to occupation is most certainly protected under the fourth Geneva Convention as well as the Hague Convention of 1908 (I think it was that year).

Occupation entails authority.  The US Army or government has no ruling authority or power in Iraq; hell, the legitimate Iraqi government can tell us to leave and we should if that happens.  Before the Iraqi government was established, we could have been called occupiers, but not anymore.

When I used the term non-combatant, I should have used the term ‘unlawful combatant.’

You mention that the minimum criterian is an open display of arms, but most of them don’t even do that.  Even if you try to be flexible with the criteria, they still can not possibly be defined as ‘comabtants’.

If these people are trying to kill US troops, then they are terrorists.  Terrorists have no statutes in the Geneva Convention.Â

Simplistic and misleading. The Geneva Conventions do cover civil war and resistance against occupation. So, your initial “If-then” is just painful to the eyes.

First off, there is no civil war in Iraq.   A civil war is defined as "a war between opposing groups of citizens of the same country."  There aren’t factions of Iraqis fighting each other miltiarily, but politically speaking, that’s another story.  8-)Â

Second, the Geneva Conventions do cover resistance movements but there is criteria that the movement has to meet (Got it all from Wikipedia):
   
1. that of being commanded by a person responsible for his subordinates

We think it’s al-Zarqawi.  If it is al-Zarqawi, this is how Wikipedia describes him: "a Jordanian terrorist. A convicted murderer, Zarqawi is the guerrilla leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq."  Anyone that fights for him is a terrorist.Â

2. that of having a fixed distinctive sign recognizable at a distance

This is an obvious no.

3. that of carrying arms openly

Some do, some don’t.  Some carry assault rifles and other weapons openly, while others strap explosives to themselves and such.

4. that of conducting their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war

Taking civilians hostage and chopping their heads off is not in accordance with the laws and customs of war.

You may or may not think they are terrorists, but these “resistance fighters” are certainly non-combatants by definition and thus the Geneva Conventions do not apply to them.

I understand.  -0.5 then.

Intelligent Canadian jokes = -1 

@Mary:

God forbid we return to the days of… a robust economy :roll:

Real GDP is up 3.3% this quarter. Since the beginning of 2003, the economy has had good, consistent, even spectacular growth, considering how high the oil prices are. Plus, inflation has been kept in check. Economic growth with very little inflation - an economists’ dream come true.

http://www.bea.gov/briefrm/gdp.htm

But it was a jobless recovery? The current unemployment rate is 4.9%.

http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet?request_action=wh&graph_name=LN_cpsbref3

Look at the raw job creation numbers, very positive again.

I think the economy is pretty robust, except for the oil prices, if you actually look at the numbers and do the research. Every indicator
suggests a robust economy: job growth, GDP growth, consumer spending, industrial production, inflation, etc. I feel sorry for the people who are bitter and stubborn who try to downplay and criticize the strength of the U.S. economy right now because they are mostly ignorant to the facts.

As for the budget deficits, we just need to control the spending. I hate to say it but President Bush and Congress spend like crazy (Democrats and Republicans). Nonetheless, the budget deficit continues to decline because of increased tax revenues. But there haven’t been any increases in taxes, so how can that be???

http://www.finfacts.ie/irelandbusinessnews/publish/article_10002188.shtml

Back to the Topic.

I don’t know if this has been mentioned yet, but did anyone here about Democrat Representative of Louisiana William Jefferson used the National Guard to salvage some of his property while many were holding on for dear life?

http://abcnews.go.com/US/HurricaneKatrina/story?id=1123495&page=1&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

Louisiana needs a huge government shake up - starting with the removal of the governor and the mayor of New Orleans, either through impeachment or some sort of a recall process.

His early material was excellent. Sean Penn was great in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Bad Boys, and At Close Range, but other than that, crap.

Kesselring was the overal commander of German forces in the Mediterranean; when the Battle of Kursk was going on, Kesselring was preparing defences in Sicily. He conducted a brilliant defence of Italy against the Allies.

Could you be more specific in what you mean in “greatest.”

I just wanted to add that the term for redrawing the voting districts is “gerry mandering.” That is all.