Managing the news from Iraq

Not an easy job, apparently.

From Capitol Hill Blue today:

U.S. Helicopter Goes Down Near Tikrit

...Two helicopters were flying when witnesses heard a loud explosion and saw the second aircraft spinning out of control. It crashed in farmland about a mile away. U.S. soldiers, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

... In Baghdad, the U.S. military command said the Black Hawk, from the 12th Aviation Brigade, crashed while supporting a combat patrol but gave no cause. The statement said that once it crash-landed, it was hit by RPG and small arms-fire.

However, witnesses about a mile away, including an Associated Press reporter, heard no explosions once the aircraft was down. The U.S. statement said one soldier was injured. An earlier statement put the injured figure at five.

A soldier who said he was among the first to reach the crash site said four people were aboard the aircraft. Three were evacuated away and one was taken to a clinic here for treatment, he said on condition of anonymity.

Further in the report:

In a videotape delivered to Associated Press Television News, a heretofore unknown group — Ansar Saddam al-Jihadiya or Saddam's Jihad Supporters — claimed responsibility for attacks on Americans. The tape showed three men — their faces covered — holding a weapon and a picture of the ousted leader.

"Our organization, with the help of God, has carried out attacks on many American targets and a number of local traitors and agents," one of the three said. "These operations will continue until the atheist army will leave Iraq."

Wait till General Our-God-Is-Bigger-Than-Your-God Boykin hears about this. Atheists he called us! Jerry, you simply cannot let them get away with that. I'm counting on you, Jerry.

....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.