uhh, shouldn't counter terrorism officials be able to read Urdu? (or at least have some translators available), since the US is fighting a war in afganistan against accused terrorists who speak Urdu (well the pakistani/afgani ones would anyways)

The difference between Sunnis and Shia Muslims is insignificant, both draw their theological legitimacy from the same source, The Quran and the Prophet (PBUH) . Where they divert is the source of Juristic tradition, Shiites base it on Papal like figures, called Imams, who are reverred to the boundaries of mysticism.The Origin of Shia Islam began in the wake of slaughter of Prophet's(PBUH)family at the hands of decendants of the Ummayid vagabonds . It was a struggle for upholding the Islamic Principles of a Consultative and Power-Sharing Political Practice instituted by the Prophet(PBUH) and His four Caliphs. Prophet's Grandson ,ElHussein, was the champion of that tradition, while the Ummayid appointed self-claimed Calipfh, son of Muawiya ,was determined to drag the young Muslim political tradition into the dark tunnel of monarchist and despotic rule , from which the Muslims have not recoverd until this day. Shias were the group of people who wanted to avenge Prophet's family's murder and the mainstream of muslims, came to be named as Sunnis, who also supported , for diverse reasons, mostly the preservation of status quo , the Ummayid Dynasty and the following lineages of Kings, Monarch, Despots and Dictators until to this day. Shias never had the opportunity to for a government except for a brief stint in Egypt and Persia .
What is important to understand the "sectarian killings " in Iraq is that it is not motivated by their differences in interpreting Islam but it is a Political Issue, Millions of Shias live in Muslim Countries around the World ,and nothing like Iraq happens. The Major factor in igniting this madness is the "Saudi Factor ". The Wahabis and their Disciples around the World, either out of their religious convictions or for reasons of monetary gains mostly funded by Saudis,inflame violence against Shias , because in the twisted perception of Wahabi Islam, all Muslims who do not adhere to their "Salafi"Islam are heretics and targets for elimination. The hapless Shias have been oppresssed by the political regimes in Country after country such as Iraq,and now they a hope of ruling the country .The Desiples of Saudis see their rise to power as a threat to their influence among Muslims .
I do not believe this space is enough for explaining these differences from the view point of a liberal mainstream Muslim to the American Reader, what is vital is the realization of the American Administration that if they can clip the Saudi Wahabis'influence in Iraq, the Killings would stop ! What I am saying could only be understood if you listen to the private lectures of the Saudi Clerics and what their young people are taught in Schools and a normal Saudi would react to wards Iran or a Shiite Person. The Americans are looking for the source of this inferno in the wrong place. The real culprits sit in Riyadh and not Tehran . I know some would accuse me of being a Shia and many things, but I am a Sunni and it saddens me to see the way Saudi Islam which verges of degenerative madness, is destroying the fabric of the inter-muslim existence.Saudis supported Talibans in Afghanistan, and until this day their Imams call for their Salvation and victory in Friday Prayers, because they were Wahabis and so is Bin-Laden, a born again Wahabi, because his father was not.

If any westerners out there are interested in finding out where the differences between Shiite and Sunni come into play they can read "No god but God" by Reza Aslan. Like most westerners, I did not have a clue what Islam and what Muslims where all about. Since I have started to educate myself about such things, it's much easier to see where the USA is faulty in their policies toward Iraq and the Middle East. I, an average American Citizen, took the time to do this only so I could have a better understanding of the crisis in the Middle East. To find out that Congress and the intelligence and law enforcement communities have not taken it upon themselves to do the same is alarming. This is just another sign to me that the US is in an area meddling in things that they should not be involved in.

No splitting hairs in the FBI. This intelligence agency is able to distinguish the Sunni from the Shiite by the use of facial profiling (with this revelation I hope that I have not violated any of George W. Bush’s interpretation of what is good to know and what is best never known---now that we have Bush’s judgment about good-and-evil in place of our rights to a writ of habeas corpus, I would not look forward to the corrective powers of water boarding), but back to facial hair.

It is the beard baby. Now if either Cheech or Chong were ever going to be found to be Islamic suspects (and we can be certain they are not---more likely fallen-way Unitarians) the one with the beard would definitely be a Shiite and possibly an Ayatollah. There you have it.

No splitting hairs in the FBI. This intelligence agency is able to distinguish the Sunni from the Shiite by the use of facial profiling (with this revelation I hope that I have not violated any of George W. Bush’s interpretation of what is good to know and what is best never known---now that we have Bush’s judgment about good-and-evil in place of our rights to a writ of habeas corpus, I would not look forward to the corrective powers of water boarding), but back to facial hair.

It is the beard baby. Now if either Cheech or Chong were ever going to be found to be Islamic suspects (and we can be certain they are not---more likely fallen-way Unitarians) the one with the beard would definitely be a Shiite and possibly an Ayatollah. There you have it.

I think the "intelligence officials" were pulling our legs here. The current situation in Iraq represents the worst intra-Muslim sectarian conflict in centuries, and is a result of deliberate US policies to divide and conquer by playing Sunnis against Shiites. If US policymakers claim they don't know the difference, they are playing the "shocked! shocked!" game.

On Urdu, however, I remember a case a couple of years ago in which someone was released (from Guantanamo?) from US custody after it emerged that evidence against him had been based on work by a US intelligence translator who mistook Urdu for Arabic, a wholly unrelated language, and thought he recognized one word.

Thank you,Salem McSand, for your excellent brief on Muslim Religion! Snorri Sturluson you are right as to using the old "divide and conquer" tactic. This is not about the old religions it's about the new religion of Capitalism. Which is the modern version of Feudalism. We must not let them use religion to divide the people of this world! The "Money Mongers" only want the resourses of all of the countries on the planet! The misuse of religion for political and economic gain is as old as the population of this planet. Religion is simply mind control! It's purpose has always been to control people so they weren't always fighting and killing! It's supposed to instill socialism in the population so they can live together without destroying the planet. When watching these political manipulators,leave religion out of it! Take off the rose colored glasses and SEE what is really all about!

We can greatly admire those from among us that step into harm’s way in defense of all of the rest of us.

We need not admire those that twist support for our brave troops to justify their questionable actions and judgment—particularly when what is proposed and excused mires our service men and women in a place of grave danger.

These magnificent members of our military stand and fight and do not hide behind anyone; the man that has sent them there should not try to hide behind them.

How long will George W. Bush try to conceal his misjudgment behind their valiant service? In his State of the Union, he claimed we cannot fail in Iraq. The fact is that Bush already has. His war in Iraq is a failure and the task we now face it to pick up the pieces as best we can.

The failure is not that of our troops; it is that of a man who has misused their valor, dedication to duty, and precious lives. The failure is also that of those that are still willing to tolerate his disgracefully incompetent leadership.

All distortions that attempt to mask the horror that is Iraq will not change what is obvious; we have an incredibly incompetent president backed by a straggling band of sycophants. This man can only lead sheep--may his dwindling flock of followers have a nice bah, bah, bah.