A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
T. F. Boggs writes Get Up Stand Up “The battle raging the past few months concerning free speech (i.e. Muhammad cartoons) has gotten me thinking about what things are worth fighting for. Should we battle Islamic extremism in the world today? Should we fight for freedom of speech? Should we fight for freedom to be spread across the world to places that are unaccustomed to it?”
American Citizen Soldier writes DEMIGODS AND GENERALS “A coterie of retired generals have in recent weeks spoken out against the continued employment of the Secretary of Defense. And just like the campus chanters and chattering classes they echo, these Grumpy Old Men have not even bothered to elaborate on their surface critiques.”
Chris of Chris’ Blog writes No creative title today.... “So. I've been getting an increasing number of emails stating "wow, you must be busy if you haven't written" and "I/We check your blog every day, and nothing. What's up?". This indicates several things....”
Midnight in Iraq writes A Day in my Life (Part 1) “Be advised, this was an adaptation of one of my first blog entries detailing a day in my life in a timeline format. This version is the original that I sent to the NYT for publication. The version that appeared in the Times had a few edits, including combining Part 1 and Part 2 into one post, removing my joke about trebuchets and Canada, and changing the title. While this will not be new information for those who followed my blog from the beginning, I hope some who have joined since then will find it entertaining. It also may be interesting for Frontlines readers to note what the Times determined “unnecessary” to print.”
Jen writes Entry for April 27, 2006 “well i have finally moved into what is called a "can" it is a connex looking bldg that i live in, i can not complain for there is air conditioning and a bed! Yes i said a bed. no more cot! i am sooo excited! i even get my pillows and my christmas sheets....hey they're flannel and soft!”
John writes sand storm “This photo was taken a couple of days ago on a day that saw us going back and forth between sandstorms and thunderstorms. While we do not see the massive wall of sand that you see out in the desert we do get this otherwordly look when we get sandstorms. It looks like something from a movie set on Mars.”
Justice Soldier writes Outside the Wire, Part One… “Well, as a back drop, let’s let everyone know my job over here. I am an infantryman, and for the past 15 years I have trained to defend our nation, and its incredible people, by force of arms. While I am not some super soldier like a green beret, I am indeed a “ground pounding” type of soldier who is willing to do what it takes to watch that flag fly atop your flag pole as the sun breaks the horizon each morning.”
Serving the People of Iraq writes NFNcM - Thank You America “There are several instances that show that many Iraqis appreciate the liberation that the United States is helping them achieve. Like usual, it takes a little weeding to get to the important stuff. Here are a couple of examples I have found from the non-conformist media (well, Fox News is fairly non-conformist).”
American Soldier writes A day in the life of an American Soldier. “This will be an ongoing story of a group of soldiers serving in Iraq. The names, places and at times the events will be modified to protect identity and OPSEC.”
Andi of Andi’s World writes Fran's Update “On Tuesday evening, I spoke with someone involved in the Fran O'Brien's battle. They are still holding out hope that an eleventh hour miracle will happen, and are working behind the scenes to come up with one. Speaking of working behind the scenes, someone unaffiliated with Fran's has something in the pipeline. It's rude, I realize, but I can't say anything further at the moment. I'll just say that if it comes together according to plan, the Hilton will have a larger PR problem on its hands than it does presently.”
Princess Cat writes Hilton Corp “I finally figured out what really bothers me so much about this whole Hilton/Fran O'Brien's thing. Sure, it irks me that Hilton Corp is coming off like lefty wingnuts that don't support the troops/war, but in the end ... that is their right by everything our nation stands for.”
Rhymes with Right writes Hey Leftists – This Is Suppression Of Dissent “Interestingly enough, we are unlikely to hear any words of condemnation from Neil Young or others who accuse President Bush of being a dictator, a Nazi, or of suppressing dissent in this country. But then again, why should we be surprised. They like real dictators like the tyrant in Havana. And so they don’t mind the use of tactics like beating up old women.”
April 28, 2006
Quote of the Day
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. it is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God, your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is with-in us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Marianne Williamson
Marianne Williamson
April 26, 2006
I'm Out Of Here!
Okay all, I'm out of here.
Funeral tomorrow for a very special lady and I'll be back online again Friday.
Take care and keep on fighting the good fight.
Funeral tomorrow for a very special lady and I'll be back online again Friday.
Take care and keep on fighting the good fight.
The Forces of Nature are Against Me.
So where have I been for the last 4 days, no I did not meet my demise after leaving the parking garage after the Milblog Conference, nor Greta, did I cause further damage to my vehicle, oh to have a gorgeous woman witness your stupid mistakes. *Sigh*
Upon returning home on Saturday evening I spent the time with the family and medicated after sitting all day in those hard chairs, I should have just gone on the pub crawl, but if I had then I certainly would have met my demise…alcohol and my medications do not mix, and you can not…let me repeat that…can not go on a pub crawl and not drink. Sunday I went to church and afterwards spent the afternoon at my parents, doing a day early celebration of my wife’s birthday. It wasn’t until Sunday evening that I realized the forces of nature were working against me….I logged onto my PC at home to begin posting my updates and my thoughts about the conference when to my dismay; my cable modem would not connect. A toll free call to the tech support center confirmed that I was no longer on the net…and since I had TV it would result in a service call. The earliest time they could get there….Yep Tuesday afternoon.
Okay I thought no problem, I’m off Monday so I’ll make a true vacation of it with my wife, no phone, no papers, no interent news and celebrate her birthday by going out just her and I, and on Tuesday I’d just stay home after my treatment and wait for the cable guy to show up. As for my treatments, yesterday was the third of three, so now its three weeks of seeing how I progress. If I continue to get better and heal then good deal, if I do not progress or go backwards, then I need to go back sooner and we can discuss other options. The news I heard yesterday was not good it appears that I may never be rid of the pain. Something I'm not going to accept, there has to be a way to get over it, I beat it once, I know I can do it again.
After my treatment I went home to wait…and wait…and wait…and wait, and then about 1400 the cable guy, “Get R Done!” shows up. He hooks his handy dandy meter up to my cable…goes to another connection, goes outside...and finally goes to the box where their cable comes out of the ground. He pronounces much to my relief that it’s their fault, there is a problem in the line between their box and my house, most likely a mole that ran into the line and nibbled on the sheath and let the water in. Then the bad news…he doesn’t fix that. He is going to have to put in a work order for an L&F (Locate and Fix). “When will that be done?” I ask. Looking at his wrist, upon which no watch resides, he pronounces that "they should be here in a couple of days."
Yep you heard that right…a couple of days! And here is the really bad news…if they can’t fix the problem by splicing in a replacement piece, they are going to have to put a new drop in…and you guessed it again…that could take weeks to fix! *Sigh* So no internet at home for the foreseeable future.
Of course it’s not all bad, the sun is shining and I have a whole hour before I need to get the kids off the bus. That’s when I find out that being away from the news and paper for even one day can have consequences. My best friend’s mother has died and I missed the obituary in the paper the day before. He is coming in for the viewing which is Tuesday and Wednesday night then the funeral is Thursday. No time to nap, I need to get my clothes together and go to a viewing after dinner.
So anyway, I'm not dead, nor did I fall off the face of the earth, it’s just that the forces of nature are conspiring against me all of the sudden, and with the funeral Thursday during the day it shall be another day that I am gone from here. Of course I know that it will all work out in the end, I just don’t know when the end is going to happen.
Take care everyone, and I’ll be back on Friday.
Upon returning home on Saturday evening I spent the time with the family and medicated after sitting all day in those hard chairs, I should have just gone on the pub crawl, but if I had then I certainly would have met my demise…alcohol and my medications do not mix, and you can not…let me repeat that…can not go on a pub crawl and not drink. Sunday I went to church and afterwards spent the afternoon at my parents, doing a day early celebration of my wife’s birthday. It wasn’t until Sunday evening that I realized the forces of nature were working against me….I logged onto my PC at home to begin posting my updates and my thoughts about the conference when to my dismay; my cable modem would not connect. A toll free call to the tech support center confirmed that I was no longer on the net…and since I had TV it would result in a service call. The earliest time they could get there….Yep Tuesday afternoon.
Okay I thought no problem, I’m off Monday so I’ll make a true vacation of it with my wife, no phone, no papers, no interent news and celebrate her birthday by going out just her and I, and on Tuesday I’d just stay home after my treatment and wait for the cable guy to show up. As for my treatments, yesterday was the third of three, so now its three weeks of seeing how I progress. If I continue to get better and heal then good deal, if I do not progress or go backwards, then I need to go back sooner and we can discuss other options. The news I heard yesterday was not good it appears that I may never be rid of the pain. Something I'm not going to accept, there has to be a way to get over it, I beat it once, I know I can do it again.
After my treatment I went home to wait…and wait…and wait…and wait, and then about 1400 the cable guy, “Get R Done!” shows up. He hooks his handy dandy meter up to my cable…goes to another connection, goes outside...and finally goes to the box where their cable comes out of the ground. He pronounces much to my relief that it’s their fault, there is a problem in the line between their box and my house, most likely a mole that ran into the line and nibbled on the sheath and let the water in. Then the bad news…he doesn’t fix that. He is going to have to put in a work order for an L&F (Locate and Fix). “When will that be done?” I ask. Looking at his wrist, upon which no watch resides, he pronounces that "they should be here in a couple of days."
Yep you heard that right…a couple of days! And here is the really bad news…if they can’t fix the problem by splicing in a replacement piece, they are going to have to put a new drop in…and you guessed it again…that could take weeks to fix! *Sigh* So no internet at home for the foreseeable future.
Of course it’s not all bad, the sun is shining and I have a whole hour before I need to get the kids off the bus. That’s when I find out that being away from the news and paper for even one day can have consequences. My best friend’s mother has died and I missed the obituary in the paper the day before. He is coming in for the viewing which is Tuesday and Wednesday night then the funeral is Thursday. No time to nap, I need to get my clothes together and go to a viewing after dinner.
So anyway, I'm not dead, nor did I fall off the face of the earth, it’s just that the forces of nature are conspiring against me all of the sudden, and with the funeral Thursday during the day it shall be another day that I am gone from here. Of course I know that it will all work out in the end, I just don’t know when the end is going to happen.
Take care everyone, and I’ll be back on Friday.
"Spruce Up Your Firehouse" Contest
A friend and fellow firefighter writes:
College Park Volunteer Fire Dept. (where I volunteered while in college and for some years thereafter) has been selected as a finalist in the Maxwell House/HGTV's "Spruce Up Your Firehouse" Contest, and will get a much-needed kitchen makeover if they get the most votes. The firehouse is only about 10 or 15 years old, but the kitchen was not designed to handle the use of 20+ live-in firefighters/EMT's, plus the daytime career staff, and it is really "used up". Click on this link www.maxwellhouse.com to check out the contest, and please give College Park your vote!
Thank you!
Well there you have it...get on over there and vote! If you can't vote forPrince Georges County Company 12 - College Park, MD then at least vote for one near you, your local firefighters deserve at least that much!
Desert of Death
“As our bags were loaded into the Land Cruiser for the journey toward Dasht-e-Margo, the Desert of Death, a man wearing a bomb closes in. Before striking off, we again visit the PRT in Lashkar Gah, where Steve huddles with some Afghan employees. An entire British Army unit has defected, he said, with their weapons and equipment. The Afghans grow quiet, until Steve says, “And they joined the Taliban.” Thus begins Michael Yon’s most recent dispatch Dasht-e-Margo “Desert of Death.”
Once again Michael pulls us along hanging on his every word as him and his companion barrel across the desert of Afghanistan encountering poppy fields and avoiding enemy patrols. Ah the poppy fields, this is the bane of all that is Afghanistan for this crop brings in more revenue to Afghanistan than all other crop revenues combined. And this year’s crop is a bountiful one sure to end up in Europe and America feeding the addictions of our sick and fueling the Taliban with its dollars.
Follow Michael on his patrols through Afghanistan and the Desert of Death.
April 21, 2006
Web Reconnaissance for 04/21/2006
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
Ray Robison writes Fitting the pieces together “In February 2001, the Sunday Times ran the article Was this Saddam’s Bomb by Gwynne Roberts. I couldn't find the original but it is also on Globalsecurity.org .
I only recently read this article and found it interesting but very hard to believe. One of the newly released documents CMPC-2003-015757 contains the Roberts article in English. This is the first time I have seen it. I did some research and found no serious academic or professional rebuttals other than people who also found it hard to believe. However, it seems that supporting evidence has been right in front of us for a few weeks now.”
Captain Ed writes Terrorists, Inc. “The Hamas government of the Palestinian Authority underscored its terrorist nature by placing one of the more notorious terrorists in charge of its new Islamist security forces. Jamal Abu Samhadana, whose track record includes the murder of US Marines in Gaza during a diplomatic mission, will create and command the new force:”
Confederate Yankee writes Click. Print. Bang. “Greg Mitchell, editor of Editor & Publisher, asks the media do what it can to overthrow the Bush Administration. Within legal bounds, of course:
…Lacking an impending election, or a real impeachable scandal, what does Mitchell plead?”
From the diaries section of RedState, Mark Kilmer writes Dana Milbank defends evil “I've thought many untoward things about WashPost lefty Dana Milbank, and I've always know that his mind was weak enough to force him to support some nasty things because of his anti-Bushi-McChimpHitlerHalliburtonQuagmire BushLied™ passions. And I suppose I knew, deep down, that Milbank would support the murderous regime of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in an effort to take a few cheap shots a[t] President Bush.”
Andi of Andi’s World writes Being on the Right Side of an Issue “Last night I had a selfish moment. I won't bore you with the details, I'll only tell you that our wounded troops have a way of putting things into perspective, and leveling you. Mix them with an incredibly supportive spouse, and it's a powerful combination.”
t.f.boggs writes Music From Heaven “On my first deployment to Iraq I was stationed at a prison camp in southern Iraq. The invasion had just started and prisoners were coming in bunches. One of the main needs at our camp was for Arabic speaking translators that could assist the military with the handling of the prisoners. The translators were mainly from Kuwait but some were native Kuwaitis who were living as far away as London, England.”
ROFASix writes Generals & Cojones “Who is taking responsibility? That simple question was posed recently in the Philadelphia Inquirer. It was referring to the recent six-pack of “retarred” general officers who demanded the SecDef resign in a sudden flurry of media coverage last week. The article offered one of the more cogent and evenhanded versions of something I had written earlier about here, Dereliction of Duty (Again?).”
Ray Robison writes Fitting the pieces together “In February 2001, the Sunday Times ran the article Was this Saddam’s Bomb by Gwynne Roberts. I couldn't find the original but it is also on Globalsecurity.org .
I only recently read this article and found it interesting but very hard to believe. One of the newly released documents CMPC-2003-015757 contains the Roberts article in English. This is the first time I have seen it. I did some research and found no serious academic or professional rebuttals other than people who also found it hard to believe. However, it seems that supporting evidence has been right in front of us for a few weeks now.”
Captain Ed writes Terrorists, Inc. “The Hamas government of the Palestinian Authority underscored its terrorist nature by placing one of the more notorious terrorists in charge of its new Islamist security forces. Jamal Abu Samhadana, whose track record includes the murder of US Marines in Gaza during a diplomatic mission, will create and command the new force:”
Confederate Yankee writes Click. Print. Bang. “Greg Mitchell, editor of Editor & Publisher, asks the media do what it can to overthrow the Bush Administration. Within legal bounds, of course:
…Lacking an impending election, or a real impeachable scandal, what does Mitchell plead?”
From the diaries section of RedState, Mark Kilmer writes Dana Milbank defends evil “I've thought many untoward things about WashPost lefty Dana Milbank, and I've always know that his mind was weak enough to force him to support some nasty things because of his anti-Bushi-McChimpHitlerHalliburtonQuagmire BushLied™ passions. And I suppose I knew, deep down, that Milbank would support the murderous regime of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in an effort to take a few cheap shots a[t] President Bush.”
Andi of Andi’s World writes Being on the Right Side of an Issue “Last night I had a selfish moment. I won't bore you with the details, I'll only tell you that our wounded troops have a way of putting things into perspective, and leveling you. Mix them with an incredibly supportive spouse, and it's a powerful combination.”
t.f.boggs writes Music From Heaven “On my first deployment to Iraq I was stationed at a prison camp in southern Iraq. The invasion had just started and prisoners were coming in bunches. One of the main needs at our camp was for Arabic speaking translators that could assist the military with the handling of the prisoners. The translators were mainly from Kuwait but some were native Kuwaitis who were living as far away as London, England.”
ROFASix writes Generals & Cojones “Who is taking responsibility? That simple question was posed recently in the Philadelphia Inquirer. It was referring to the recent six-pack of “retarred” general officers who demanded the SecDef resign in a sudden flurry of media coverage last week. The article offered one of the more cogent and evenhanded versions of something I had written earlier about here, Dereliction of Duty (Again?).”
Murder in Iraq
The other day I highlighted Mohammed and Omar’s loss of their brother-in-law at the hands of murderous terrorists. I even went so far as to send out the entire post by Mohammed to my mailing list and prefaced it by saying that when I read stuff like this I know that our work in Iraq will come to a fruitful ending.
Yesterday Michael Yon stepped into the discussion with One Reason For Hope. He writes; “It is not the Coalition that gives me great hope for Iraq, but that I know there are many good, intelligent and courageous Iraqi men and women. Real sacrifice, real courage, and great hope emanate from this Iraqi man: Please read on…”
Mohammed and Omar and their fellow Iraqi’s are living in fear every day. Murderers, roam the streets of Bagdad taking the lives of anyone that they feel is inhibiting their ability to thwart freedom’s blossoming hold on the people of Iraq. Coalition forces are working to stabilize the situation, but it is people like Mohammed and Omar that will truly make or break the success of Freedom and democracy in Iraq.
Currently, forces that had been stalemating the process have conceded and stepped down and for the first time we see that civil matters are improving. Omar, Mohammed and their Brother-in-law were leading the “fight” in this arena, not as politicians, or as foot soldiers, but rather as voices of sanity amidst the chaos.
Their loss is felt by us all who oppose terrorism the world over.
Yesterday Michael Yon stepped into the discussion with One Reason For Hope. He writes; “It is not the Coalition that gives me great hope for Iraq, but that I know there are many good, intelligent and courageous Iraqi men and women. Real sacrifice, real courage, and great hope emanate from this Iraqi man: Please read on…”
Mohammed and Omar and their fellow Iraqi’s are living in fear every day. Murderers, roam the streets of Bagdad taking the lives of anyone that they feel is inhibiting their ability to thwart freedom’s blossoming hold on the people of Iraq. Coalition forces are working to stabilize the situation, but it is people like Mohammed and Omar that will truly make or break the success of Freedom and democracy in Iraq.
Currently, forces that had been stalemating the process have conceded and stepped down and for the first time we see that civil matters are improving. Omar, Mohammed and their Brother-in-law were leading the “fight” in this arena, not as politicians, or as foot soldiers, but rather as voices of sanity amidst the chaos.
Their loss is felt by us all who oppose terrorism the world over.
Michael Yon - Of Words: UPDATED
It was brought to my attention that the link in my post about Michael's most recent post Of Words leads to Yahoo mail and not his dispatch.
I've updated the link so that it now points to the proper dispatch.
Please stop in and support Michael in his endeavor to bring us all the truth.
I've updated the link so that it now points to the proper dispatch.
Please stop in and support Michael in his endeavor to bring us all the truth.
April 20, 2006
Web Reconnaissance for 04/20/2006
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
Captain B of One Marine’s View writes TCB “(Taking Care of Business) Got back from Norfolk, hid some Easter eggs, smoked some Easter Maduro Cigars and washed the car to only have it downpour on it. (Note to all third world country’s, if you have a shortage of rain and need an invasion, call the Marines and ask for me because it is a guarantee to have it rain shortly after I wash my car!)”
Midnight in Iraq writes Beaten Senseless “OK, maybe not senseless. Maybe I wasn’t really beaten at all, but I firmly believe I could have been.
I was going about my daily business Tuesday when I overheard someone jabbering with my driver, Corporal Andrey Marcus, about the large fixed blade knife he always carries attached to his belt. When I say large, I mean large – about 14”. I think it’s actually more of a small sword, perhaps a cousin of the defensive short sword that Jesus admonished the disciples to carry, even at the expense of their garments.”
Justice Soldier writes Operation Movie “Hello all! Well, things are decent here on Camp Crazy. We have actually had a little vacation from the mortar attacks lately- those that have been here awhile say they are just replentishing their supply, and they’ll make up for lost time. In the meantime, the weather has been taking its turn up front: this is possibly the only place in the world where it can rain 1/100th of an inch and the whole darn place floods! The other day I was attempting to beat some heavy rain to get back to my trailer……as I decided to make a go of it or wait it out, a chunk of hail the size of almost a quarter hit me square in the back of the head!!! So, I waited it out. The Russian engineers that helped design this base for old Saddam also never thought to make the streets built up in the low lying area - so 5 minutes of rain and the roads are gone….”
Fun With Hand Grenades writes First contact, part two “Slamming on the gas pedal I drove over the median in the road and “flipped a bitch” as we refer to it, now facing the opposite direction toward the blown up Humvee. Right as I stopped the two guys who originally bailed out of my truck piled back in.”
American Soldier writes Welcome to the real suck! “Where does one begin to recoup from a war? So many people say that by going to a counselor and talking about it that you will be ok.
“It’s going to take time.”
I cannot put it all into words. I am having trouble with normalcy. I try very hard to occupy myself. Heck I even got myself a few hobbies now. However, I feel out of place.”
Dafydd writes Ibrahim al-Jaafari Ready to Muck His Hand? “Today, Transitional Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari as much as threw in the towel.
Although he has not resigned, nor has he taken his name out of contention, he agreed to send his nomination back to the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) for a revote.”
Captain Ed writes Taliban, The Sequel “The hardline government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has ratcheted up the pressure on their already-restive population by initiating a crackdown on men and women who do not comport themselves to the strict code of Islam. Iran has authorized police to make arrests when women fail to secure their hijab or men wear unusual hair styles, orders that could result in jail time even for walking a dog in public:”
Sgt Hook writes Afghan Locals Provide Valuable Intel “The people of Afghanistan have been almost routinely providing coalition forces with information that has thwarted several terrorist and insurgent activities in the area…The willingness of the Afghan people to step forward and defy their enemies, those that would deny the citizens of the fledging democracy peace, is a sure sign that we are winning.”
Gateway Pundit writes Busted! Cindy Sheehan's Story Hits a Snag! “Last week Cindy wrote on why her son's grave is left unmarked. World Net Daily reported Cindy's response:
Cindy’s story would be heart wrenching and revolting...
If it were true!
After making a couple of calls, I talked with MAJ OCPA Nathan Banks at the Pentagon’s Department of Media Relations who was very helpful. This is what I found out:”
Michael J. Totten writes Back to Iraq Part V - By Force of Sheer Will Sean and I walked up to the front steps of the Political Science building at Dohok University and lit up a couple of cigarettes. We had just arrived in Dohok, Iraqi Kurdistan, and we had no ride, no guide, and no translator. What better place to pick somebody up than where the young and the educated gather to study, to meet, and to hang out?
Captain B of One Marine’s View writes TCB “(Taking Care of Business) Got back from Norfolk, hid some Easter eggs, smoked some Easter Maduro Cigars and washed the car to only have it downpour on it. (Note to all third world country’s, if you have a shortage of rain and need an invasion, call the Marines and ask for me because it is a guarantee to have it rain shortly after I wash my car!)”
Midnight in Iraq writes Beaten Senseless “OK, maybe not senseless. Maybe I wasn’t really beaten at all, but I firmly believe I could have been.
I was going about my daily business Tuesday when I overheard someone jabbering with my driver, Corporal Andrey Marcus, about the large fixed blade knife he always carries attached to his belt. When I say large, I mean large – about 14”. I think it’s actually more of a small sword, perhaps a cousin of the defensive short sword that Jesus admonished the disciples to carry, even at the expense of their garments.”
Justice Soldier writes Operation Movie “Hello all! Well, things are decent here on Camp Crazy. We have actually had a little vacation from the mortar attacks lately- those that have been here awhile say they are just replentishing their supply, and they’ll make up for lost time. In the meantime, the weather has been taking its turn up front: this is possibly the only place in the world where it can rain 1/100th of an inch and the whole darn place floods! The other day I was attempting to beat some heavy rain to get back to my trailer……as I decided to make a go of it or wait it out, a chunk of hail the size of almost a quarter hit me square in the back of the head!!! So, I waited it out. The Russian engineers that helped design this base for old Saddam also never thought to make the streets built up in the low lying area - so 5 minutes of rain and the roads are gone….”
Fun With Hand Grenades writes First contact, part two “Slamming on the gas pedal I drove over the median in the road and “flipped a bitch” as we refer to it, now facing the opposite direction toward the blown up Humvee. Right as I stopped the two guys who originally bailed out of my truck piled back in.”
American Soldier writes Welcome to the real suck! “Where does one begin to recoup from a war? So many people say that by going to a counselor and talking about it that you will be ok.
“It’s going to take time.”
I cannot put it all into words. I am having trouble with normalcy. I try very hard to occupy myself. Heck I even got myself a few hobbies now. However, I feel out of place.”
Dafydd writes Ibrahim al-Jaafari Ready to Muck His Hand? “Today, Transitional Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari as much as threw in the towel.
Although he has not resigned, nor has he taken his name out of contention, he agreed to send his nomination back to the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) for a revote.”
Captain Ed writes Taliban, The Sequel “The hardline government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has ratcheted up the pressure on their already-restive population by initiating a crackdown on men and women who do not comport themselves to the strict code of Islam. Iran has authorized police to make arrests when women fail to secure their hijab or men wear unusual hair styles, orders that could result in jail time even for walking a dog in public:”
Sgt Hook writes Afghan Locals Provide Valuable Intel “The people of Afghanistan have been almost routinely providing coalition forces with information that has thwarted several terrorist and insurgent activities in the area…The willingness of the Afghan people to step forward and defy their enemies, those that would deny the citizens of the fledging democracy peace, is a sure sign that we are winning.”
Gateway Pundit writes Busted! Cindy Sheehan's Story Hits a Snag! “Last week Cindy wrote on why her son's grave is left unmarked. World Net Daily reported Cindy's response:
Cindy’s story would be heart wrenching and revolting...
If it were true!
After making a couple of calls, I talked with MAJ OCPA Nathan Banks at the Pentagon’s Department of Media Relations who was very helpful. This is what I found out:”
Michael J. Totten writes Back to Iraq Part V - By Force of Sheer Will Sean and I walked up to the front steps of the Political Science building at Dohok University and lit up a couple of cigarettes. We had just arrived in Dohok, Iraqi Kurdistan, and we had no ride, no guide, and no translator. What better place to pick somebody up than where the young and the educated gather to study, to meet, and to hang out?
Happy Birthday Mike
Yesterday was Mike Stokely’s birthday and I can’t believe I didn’t write this then. To his family, please accept my apologies for being late. To his friends, and battle buddies, let’s raise a glass in his honor that we may never forget him. Born April 19, 1982 Mike lived a short but fulfilling life in the service of our Lord and his country.
What can we learn from a life lived in the service of our Lord and country that at first appearance seems to have been cut short, and unfulfilled? A lot in fact. Mike’s life was not cut short, and yes, while we would all love to have him here with us in the flesh, we know that he is still working through us and here with us in spirit. Mike led his life with a purpose and like everything he did he did it with the Lord and his fellow man in his mind. When duty called he said “Send me!” when others debated, he served.
He served.
Mike lived his life so that someone else wouldn’t have to do the things he did do. In thinking about the essay I shared with my friends from Confederate Yankee, Mike was a sheepdog. He devoted his life to making sure that the sheep, us, were kept safe. He trained, he suffered, he sacrificed, but always he was ready. When his friends that had left the service had expressed an interest in returning to join them in deployment, Mike said, “You served your time, now it is my time.”
When a life is taken from us our first inclination is to curse the Lord for taking this person away from us, but in doing so we have revealed to ourselves and those around us that this person was a driving force in our lives. When someone dies it should be a sad occasion and difficult for us, for if it is not then that person was not living their life touching others. Mike Stokely was born on April 19, 1982 and on God’s Calendar it was already determined that he would come home to him on August 16, 2005 at 2:22 am near Yusufiyah Iraq, and up until that day Mike lived a life serving others. It is only fitting that his passing be a solemn and sad occasion. But that does not mean we can not celebrate his life and strive to emulate him and his service.
Just after the first of the year I was afforded the opportunity to view the memorial service of Sgt Mike Stokely, His father had sent me a copy of the service on DVD so that I could be a part of the continuing shadow of his presence. In that service I heard the pastor say something that struck me as so fundamentally true and yet so simple that most people would never think of it, but it strikes true to our belief that service is the reward for our lives. The pastor said, “Honor is not the reward for what one receives, Honor is the reward for what one gives.”
Honor is the reward for what one gives.
How fitting a tribute to give on the birth day of a man that brought forth those words from a pastor over 20 years later. Major General Joshua Chamberlain spoke such similar words nearly 125 years ago at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Battlefield, he said:
"In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear; but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls. And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field, to ponder and dream; and lo! The shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls. This is the great reward of service. To live, far out and on, in the life of others; this is the mystery of the Christ,-to give life's best for such high sake that it shall be found again unto life eternal.”
Unto life eternal…this is the life Mike Stokely was born into on April 19, 1982. People are remembered for the things they endure, shall we be remembered for enduring enslavement or will we follow Mike’s lead and be remembered for a life of service in pursuit of freedom?
Rest in peace brother and Happy Birthday.
April 19, 2006
Web Reconnaissance for 04/19/2006
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
Guidons, Guidons, Guidons! Writes, She's at it AGAIN!?! “Eva is at IT again! ...So try and realize how the gravy train works...we aren't interested in what you think we just want to look at your (insert favorite body part here). You can talk about how much you love puppies, wild flowers etc. and how hot you find men in uniform...other than that keep your big yap shut...your career will thank me for it.”
Fun With Hand Grenades writes First contact, part one “It started like any other day. A later mission time was coordinated so we took the liberty of staying up late and sleeping in the next day. Not that I can sleep before four in the morning anyway. Upon arising I took a shower, shaved my face for the first time in three days, and did my usual pre-combat ritual. As usual we were delayed due to our chronic communication problems. Strangely, I didn’t feel the same adrenaline rush I normally do when we finally rolled out the gate, locked and loaded.”
Chris West of GXOnline writes Outside the Wire with the CA Team “This week I’m going to be tagging along with the 1/34th’s Civil Affairs (CA) team. These are the guys responsible for acting as liaisons between the troops and the local Iraqis. This includes everything from performing assessments of the local’s needs to building new facilities to resolving disputes.”
Politics of a Patriot writes Dissent is Patriotic; Hating America is Not “A middle school in Colorado has crossed the line. Citing conflict over the immigration debate, Shaw Heights Middle School in Adams County, Colorado, has banned all wearing of patriotic attire.”
GayPatriot writes Limousine Liberals Running Amok “I’ve used this term before to the sheer puzzlement of my liberal friends. What could I possibly mean? Well, a limosine liberal is one who is in favor of social programs being funded by raising taxes on the middle class because the liberal is mucho-wealthy and can afford to pay… whereas the middle class worker is punished.”
Crazy Politico writes Enviromental Idiots “Anne Applebaum has a great column today on the enviromental movement, and a group that a power company exec called the "BANANAism" movement.
BANANA is short for "Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything", and really is becoming the actual cause for many of our energy problems. Congress and the President can talk about anything they'd like, from Alaskan oil drilling, to new, more efficient nuclear power plants, but the BANANA crowd, along with their cousins, the NIMBY family will prevent it.”
Charlie Munn at OPFOR writes Iran: How Our World Views Affect Our Decision-Making “I want to do a quick thought exercise with you, before jumping into the main text of this post. I want to do a word association. I’ll write a word, and you tell me the first thing that comes to your mind. No tricks, no jokes, just think about the first thing that pops into your brain when I say:”
Mohammed at Iraq the Model writes Kill us, but you won't enslave us. “Last week we stopped writing for a while and we apologized to our readers saying that we lost a close friend but we didn't want to give more details as we were overwhelmed by an exceptional situation and a huge shock. We also were afraid from writing more about this subject for security concerns but now I think I must share this with you as it's part of the pain and suffering my nation is going through.”
Neptunus Lex writes Oh, death threats - those again “Taken as a whole, I have to confess that I’m not a charter member of the Michelle Malkin fan club. It’s not so much that I disagree with her on substance for the most part - it’s a tone thing: To hear her talk about it, it’s all about the forces of Good and Evil, the whistling arc and glad clash of absolutist, demonizing rhetorical scimitars, etc. Pundits have to choose a point of view I suppose, but I’ve often wished that along with the courage of their convictions, some of them would take the counsel of the occasional uncertainty, too.”
Atlas of Atlas Shrugs writes The UN has Become the Problem “HOW DYSFUNCTIONAL IS THE UNITED NATIONS? FDD Journalist-in-Residence Claudia Rosett has spent years investigating the corruption and conflicts of interest that afflict the U.N. Her cover story in the April issue of Commentary sums up much of it. She writes:”
Michael Fumento writes Ramadi and Miserable Military Down Time “The primary enemy of the freelance embedded reporter in Iraq is the incredible amount of lost time caused by military transportation procedures.
First, it takes a full day to fly from the United States to Kuwait. Okay, that's not the military's fault. But then you have to stay one or two days to catch your C-130 transport into Baghdad International. I lucked out and got a Royal Air Force seat on standby. Once you've arrived, now matter how early you get there, you have to wait until 2 or later in the morning to catch the armored Rhino into the International Zone. I can understand only traveling the route at night, but night is falling at about 8 now.”
Mrs. Greyhawk writes Fran O'Brien's Creates Charity For Soldiers “Via the Washington Post: The owners of Fran O'Brien's Stadium Steakhouse in Northwest Washington have created a charity to help fund the Friday night steak dinners they hold for wounded soldiers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
The restaurant's lease at the Capital Hilton, at 16th and L streets NW, expires May 1.”
Inaugural MilBlog Conference
It’s only a few days away now and I’m getting psyched up about finally meeting a lot of people who have contributed here and allowed me to contribute on their blogs. I’ll be heading down I-270 early Saturday morning so if anyone along the I-270 corridor would like to carpool let me know. I’ll be heading back up 270 sometime that evening.
For everyone that will be staying in and around DC, the attendees will now be meeting for drinks and conversation in the bar of Fran O'Brien's Stadium Steakhouse at 8:30 p.m. on Friday evening. Any and all conference attendees are welcome.
Fran O’Brien’s is located in the Capital Hilton
1001 16th Street NW, Washington D.C.
Directions can be found here.
For many of the attendees this may very well be their last time in a Hilton property, and it could very well be our last time in Fran O’Brien’s as we know it. If you are in town and able to attend, YOU SHOULD NOT MISS IT!
April 18, 2006
Of Words
UPDATE 4/21/2006 : Link corrected in post.
Okay, I'm breaking my word about no blogging but this was in my email box and requires more coverage. So if you are reading this here or read it earlier on Michael's blog, repost, cross post, whatever just get the word out.
Okay, I'm breaking my word about no blogging but this was in my email box and requires more coverage. So if you are reading this here or read it earlier on Michael's blog, repost, cross post, whatever just get the word out.
Greetings,
There has been much media play recently about my saying that Iraq is experiencing a Civil War. Many readers asked that I clarify those words, and so I have taken time to carefully describe my assertions.
More importantly, it's time that people know what our troops have to say. Please spread the word about our "Frontline Forum." If you know any troops who have something they would like to say in front of a large and distinguished audience, I am interested in publishing their words and photos. Please ask the troops to visit the "Frontline Forum." This isn't a writing or photography contest. We just want the truth, be it good, bad or ugly. My readership ranges from parents and family of deployed troops, to top military and civilian leadership, to Al Qaeda. (So please don't tell secrets). Rest assured, words published on "Frontline Forum" will be read by grandmothers, generals and top politicians.
Please visit Michael's site for the whole thing.
Respectfully,
Michael
No Posting Today
Had my second steroid treatment this morning, and it’s wiping me out. Its only 10:30 and I want to take a nap, but I still need to get to work, so there will be no posting today.
Don't forget the last journalist that supported the troops died today in WWII, Ernie Pyle, we need more Ernie’s these days, but thankfully we have Michael Yon, Michael Totten and a few others to help us out in this fight.
Until tomorrow.
Don't forget the last journalist that supported the troops died today in WWII, Ernie Pyle, we need more Ernie’s these days, but thankfully we have Michael Yon, Michael Totten and a few others to help us out in this fight.
Until tomorrow.
April 17, 2006
Web Reconnaissance for 04/17/2006
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
Captain B of One Marine’s View writes EASTER WITHOUT THEIR WARRIORS “Leave was great and now its back to the gridiron. Things have been going fast and Ive pretty much snapped into the routine here in the states now. There hasn’t been any PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) in my experience or really in many other Marines I know. We all experience being shot at and blown up but I guess the combination of getting old and the training we receive you just adapt to it. “OK Im not going to flip out or anything” (said from the Jerry McGuire Movie as you imitate the body spaz)”
Buck Sargent of American Citizen Soldier writes MORE TALES FROM THE FRONT “Failed totalitarian states like Iraq are case studies in field-tested anarchy; societies with very few hard and fast rules and a glaring lack of authority figures to enforce the ones that do exist. In many respects, Mad Max would feel right at home.”
Jen of Jen’s Blog writes Entry for April 17, 2006 “still no pictures yet...this place is really boring! all there is is sand to the left and sand to the right! but i do have to say i ran into a very famous person the other night...Charlie Daniels! got a pic with him and an autograph! went and saw his concert too! it was awesome. the heat was 120 yesterday with it ending in a huge sand storm. i thought the tent was going to fall over! the sand and dust even made it inside the tent. everything got dusty! then there was a huge thunder storm with a down pour of rain!
if anyone reads this and has gotten my mailing address from either myself or mom....send crystal lite to go packs! they are way WAY better than the blah water! assort flavors!
well back to work. i promise to get some more pics together as soon as i can!”
Bandit36 writes Happy Easter “Today was the first day that I've had so far that was really rough emotionally. Nothing particular happened, there was no triggering event really, I just woke up and felt like crap. I sat through my meetings wondering what it was all about, what do I have to look forward to, why am I here, what's the point.”
John Baker writes Ft Bliss reunion at the Famous Pearl in Doha “Originally uploaded by mensik_baker. Here is a photo of a little reunion from our training days at Ft Bliss. The people in the picture next to me are SGT Campos, MSG Newbill, COL Boyd and SSG Galbreth. We are standing in front of the giant Pearl which is a prominent monument to Qatars early source of wealth.”
Justice Soldier writes The REAL Welcome to Iraq “Well, the bad guys finally came over the other day and gave us our “real” welcoming party to Iraq. I was figuring that our baptism onto “Mortaritaville” had gone too easy and it was only a matter of time before things got more interesting. The festivities started early in the morning but got really good when I was eating lunch in the mess hall on that day (can’t say which) and we got attacked.”
Frank Staheli of Serving the People of Iraq writes News from the Definitely Non-Conformist Media “In a previous post I introduced what I hope will become a series on this site: News from the Non-Comformist Media. In this installment I highlight a news source that is the epitome of non-conformity, Rooz online, published by Iranians about Iran.”
John at OPFOR writes Cry Havoc “And let slip the dogs of anti-war...
As the tempo of Iranian chest-thumping and thuggish threats increases, so increases the volume of liberals who oppose military action against the theocracy.
It's not so much that the anti-war left is opposing a current military campaign, they are screaming mad over reports that the Pentagon may be planning for the eventuality of a military campaign.”
American Soldier writes Slow Adjustment “Adjusting has been interesting for me. I am still very ‘on edge’ when I get in crowded areas. I typically avoid a crowded room altogether. Being in a vehicle is still the same. I am constantly scanning, no because I want to but my mind is still sort of geared for that routine.”
Blackfive writes A Letter to the Muslim World “Submariners are an eloquent bunch. I'd jokingly say it's because of all that free time to study under the sea, but that would not be fair.
Subsunk, a Blackfive author and retired submariner - a man who spent a lot of time in the cold depths defending this nation, posted this comment that deserves a post on it's own. Please read this one:”
Jack Army writes Preparing to prepare “Well, enjoying this nice 4-day Easter Weekend, I'm reminded of upcoming activities by the huge rucksack and duffle bag waiting patiently in my living room. Not completely packed, but mostly so, both wait for Tuesday's travel to the National Training Center in California.”
Captain B of One Marine’s View writes EASTER WITHOUT THEIR WARRIORS “Leave was great and now its back to the gridiron. Things have been going fast and Ive pretty much snapped into the routine here in the states now. There hasn’t been any PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) in my experience or really in many other Marines I know. We all experience being shot at and blown up but I guess the combination of getting old and the training we receive you just adapt to it. “OK Im not going to flip out or anything” (said from the Jerry McGuire Movie as you imitate the body spaz)”
Buck Sargent of American Citizen Soldier writes MORE TALES FROM THE FRONT “Failed totalitarian states like Iraq are case studies in field-tested anarchy; societies with very few hard and fast rules and a glaring lack of authority figures to enforce the ones that do exist. In many respects, Mad Max would feel right at home.”
Jen of Jen’s Blog writes Entry for April 17, 2006 “still no pictures yet...this place is really boring! all there is is sand to the left and sand to the right! but i do have to say i ran into a very famous person the other night...Charlie Daniels! got a pic with him and an autograph! went and saw his concert too! it was awesome. the heat was 120 yesterday with it ending in a huge sand storm. i thought the tent was going to fall over! the sand and dust even made it inside the tent. everything got dusty! then there was a huge thunder storm with a down pour of rain!
if anyone reads this and has gotten my mailing address from either myself or mom....send crystal lite to go packs! they are way WAY better than the blah water! assort flavors!
well back to work. i promise to get some more pics together as soon as i can!”
Bandit36 writes Happy Easter “Today was the first day that I've had so far that was really rough emotionally. Nothing particular happened, there was no triggering event really, I just woke up and felt like crap. I sat through my meetings wondering what it was all about, what do I have to look forward to, why am I here, what's the point.”
John Baker writes Ft Bliss reunion at the Famous Pearl in Doha “Originally uploaded by mensik_baker. Here is a photo of a little reunion from our training days at Ft Bliss. The people in the picture next to me are SGT Campos, MSG Newbill, COL Boyd and SSG Galbreth. We are standing in front of the giant Pearl which is a prominent monument to Qatars early source of wealth.”
Justice Soldier writes The REAL Welcome to Iraq “Well, the bad guys finally came over the other day and gave us our “real” welcoming party to Iraq. I was figuring that our baptism onto “Mortaritaville” had gone too easy and it was only a matter of time before things got more interesting. The festivities started early in the morning but got really good when I was eating lunch in the mess hall on that day (can’t say which) and we got attacked.”
Frank Staheli of Serving the People of Iraq writes News from the Definitely Non-Conformist Media “In a previous post I introduced what I hope will become a series on this site: News from the Non-Comformist Media. In this installment I highlight a news source that is the epitome of non-conformity, Rooz online, published by Iranians about Iran.”
John at OPFOR writes Cry Havoc “And let slip the dogs of anti-war...
As the tempo of Iranian chest-thumping and thuggish threats increases, so increases the volume of liberals who oppose military action against the theocracy.
It's not so much that the anti-war left is opposing a current military campaign, they are screaming mad over reports that the Pentagon may be planning for the eventuality of a military campaign.”
American Soldier writes Slow Adjustment “Adjusting has been interesting for me. I am still very ‘on edge’ when I get in crowded areas. I typically avoid a crowded room altogether. Being in a vehicle is still the same. I am constantly scanning, no because I want to but my mind is still sort of geared for that routine.”
Blackfive writes A Letter to the Muslim World “Submariners are an eloquent bunch. I'd jokingly say it's because of all that free time to study under the sea, but that would not be fair.
Subsunk, a Blackfive author and retired submariner - a man who spent a lot of time in the cold depths defending this nation, posted this comment that deserves a post on it's own. Please read this one:”
Jack Army writes Preparing to prepare “Well, enjoying this nice 4-day Easter Weekend, I'm reminded of upcoming activities by the huge rucksack and duffle bag waiting patiently in my living room. Not completely packed, but mostly so, both wait for Tuesday's travel to the National Training Center in California.”
Honor a Hero (Revealed)
Last month I posted a cryptic email in regards to Sgt Mike Stokely, someone had followed a link to my site in regards to a post of mine about Mike Stokely. That person was Kat in Ga. of “Yikes!” That email started a new friendship that has only helped me in my mission of making sure that Mike Stokely is never forgotten.
Saturday Kat in GA sent me an email stating, “…I was going to wait until later next week to reveal the latest "Sneaky Kat Adventure" that I've been up to for the past several weeks, but I'm finding I just can't wait that much longer. Anyway, if you visited my little blog here between mid-February and earlier this month, you no doubt saw a link to, and some postings about, "Operation Honor a Hero." Various other bloggers around the internet, as well as myself, were asking our readers to please send a message of love and support to the family of a solider who had been killed in action, in honor of what would have been his 24th birthday on April 19.
Stop on by and wish her well, and please take a look at the album, it really is wonderful.
I was one of the many people that sent in an email to the family so that it could be used in the album. Mr. Stokely must have read everyone one of them for he sent me an email later thanking me for my submission.
Well, Mr. Stokely the privilege was all mine.
I know that this Wednesday (April 19) will be a difficult one for you, and I wish that it wasn’t as such for you. The rest of “your boys” are coming home but your boy Mike, came home a long time ago, just not the way we all expected that he would. Mike, I know though, is smiling down on us as we wander though this life, leading us to the proper place we should be. Unlike, a more famous Gold Star parent, Mr. Robert Stokely is not blaming President Bush for his son’s death, instead he knows exactly why Mike Stokely, Spc, Cav Scout died in Yusufiyah Iraq, he died simply because he loved this country more than anything. He died just because it was his duty; he died just because if he didn’t go on that mission another friend of his would have had to go. He died just because he accepted his purpose in life and he let nothing deter him from its path.
He closed his email to me by saying, “Thanks so much for your friendship, and listening as I talk and express my feelings.” How does one say thank you to a man that has lost so much and yet still thanks you for doing what is only right? I hope that I can do you justice in all that I do. Mr. Stokely, thank you for letting me meet Mike and you listening and my friendship and support are a privilege that I will always cherish.
Saturday Kat in GA sent me an email stating, “…I was going to wait until later next week to reveal the latest "Sneaky Kat Adventure" that I've been up to for the past several weeks, but I'm finding I just can't wait that much longer. Anyway, if you visited my little blog here between mid-February and earlier this month, you no doubt saw a link to, and some postings about, "Operation Honor a Hero." Various other bloggers around the internet, as well as myself, were asking our readers to please send a message of love and support to the family of a solider who had been killed in action, in honor of what would have been his 24th birthday on April 19.
Stop on by and wish her well, and please take a look at the album, it really is wonderful.
I was one of the many people that sent in an email to the family so that it could be used in the album. Mr. Stokely must have read everyone one of them for he sent me an email later thanking me for my submission.
Well, Mr. Stokely the privilege was all mine.
I know that this Wednesday (April 19) will be a difficult one for you, and I wish that it wasn’t as such for you. The rest of “your boys” are coming home but your boy Mike, came home a long time ago, just not the way we all expected that he would. Mike, I know though, is smiling down on us as we wander though this life, leading us to the proper place we should be. Unlike, a more famous Gold Star parent, Mr. Robert Stokely is not blaming President Bush for his son’s death, instead he knows exactly why Mike Stokely, Spc, Cav Scout died in Yusufiyah Iraq, he died simply because he loved this country more than anything. He died just because it was his duty; he died just because if he didn’t go on that mission another friend of his would have had to go. He died just because he accepted his purpose in life and he let nothing deter him from its path.
He closed his email to me by saying, “Thanks so much for your friendship, and listening as I talk and express my feelings.” How does one say thank you to a man that has lost so much and yet still thanks you for doing what is only right? I hope that I can do you justice in all that I do. Mr. Stokely, thank you for letting me meet Mike and you listening and my friendship and support are a privilege that I will always cherish.
April 14, 2006
Letter to the Marines
Cross posted from Blackfive:
Blackfive writes: A twelve year-old boy in Houston would like his message to reach the Marines fighting in Iraq. Feel free to pass this on. If you know of any Marines who would like to respond, send me an email from a military address and I will send you Marc's snail mail address.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention!
Blackfive writes: A twelve year-old boy in Houston would like his message to reach the Marines fighting in Iraq. Feel free to pass this on. If you know of any Marines who would like to respond, send me an email from a military address and I will send you Marc's snail mail address.
March 21, 2006
Dear U.S. Marines,
My name is Marc Macias I am very happy and proud that all of the Marines are fighting for the United States of America. I am always thinking about you and how brave you all are to be fighting in IRAQ. Is it possible that the Marines, Army, Navy and Air Force go to IRAQ together? I know that all the Marines will win the war and I am proud that all you soldiers would give your lives just to defend our country and that really means a lot to me. I hope all you soldiers will get home safely. I just want to know how you all are doing and not giving up because Miracles happen every day and you all will win the war because I know you’re the best!
Sincerely,
Marc Macias
Thanks for bringing this to our attention!
Web Reconnaissance for 04/14/2006
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
William Teach at Pirate’s Cove writes Libby Sets It Straight On Plame “I’m surprised that this story hasn’t seen wider airplay in either the Right-O-Sphere or in Liberal land:
An indicted former White House aide does not contend that President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney ordered him to leak the name of a CIA officer whose husband criticized the administration’s Iraq policies, the aide’s lawyers said.”
Jay Tea at Wizbang writes We hold these rights not to be self-evident “With the rioting, threats, and petulant demands by many of the world's Muslims over cartoons being revisited by South Park this last two weeks, I was put in mind of something I've been thinking about for some time. The United States Constitution spells out a set of rights for all people within the United States, and adds that these are not the only ones. (See the Bill Of Rights). Over the years, they have been expanded both explicitly and implicitly, but there are a whole set of so-called "rights" that have been gaining more and more prominence -- and they need to be addressed.”
Expose the Left has Newt: “When You Tell The Truth About Joe Wilson, He Looks Pretty Bad” (VIDEO) “Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich appeared on FOX News’ Hannity & Colmes last night and shut down Alan Colmes on the subject of Joe Wilson’s lies and hate against the Bush administration.
The proof is in the transcript:”
Michelle Malkin writes THE CROSSES THEY CANNOT BEAR “Look--liberal "tolerance" at work again! An unhinged feminist professor tells her students to wreck a pro-life display of crosses (via Cincinnati Enquirer):”
Dafydd at Big Lizards writes Argument By Redefinition - Again “So now we have a new "civil war," according to the creative redefinition of the New York Times. This one is in India, of all places -- and the other side of the supposed "civil war" are the Maoist guerillas in the northern mountain regions in the Himalayas, hard up against war-torn Nepal, and the poor, indigenous, central Indian state of Chhattisgarh.”
John at OpFor writes The Desert Fox Option, Revisited “Back in January, after the Iranian ditched the Vienna summit, the blogosphere erupted with "what ifs?" I was one of them, contending that if this spat did come to fisticuffs it would come in the form of a Desert Fox style air campaign, not a ground offensive.
In the latest from the Weekly Standard, retired Air Force General and former fighter pilot Tom McInerney envisions a similiar war option. General McInerney asks:”
Dadmanly writes Washington Party Games “Sidney Blumenthal opines in Salon that Bush is completely caught up in his own lies and deceit:
Aside from the usual suspects, I seriously doubt anyone takes talk of ethics from a Clinton insider, confident, and operative as particularly compelling. (I am disappointed in reacquainting myself with my erstwhile debating partner Liberal Avenger. I had hoped that his long silence was based on a change in interests. I suspect it is because he lost any ability to talk civilly with an avowed supporter of the evil Bush Administration.”
Michael Yon writes Kabul to Lashkargar “When we landed in Kabul, Steve put the driver in the back and drove us through the crowded streets. There was a thirty minute ride ahead of us, alternating between racing and jamming in traffic. As we drove away from the airport, there were fewer Coalition soldiers about, and on the hills surrounding the town a dense warren of mud and stone houses that could have been erected thousands of years ago, although many insist that Kabul was once a little paradise.”
t.f.boggs writes Call To Arms “There comes a time when like minded people need to stand up for what they believe is right. America is fighting today to battle Islamic extremism whose very beliefs threaten our way of life. Freedom of speech is under attack and if we hold it to be of importance in this great country of ours we need to fight back against those who wish it to be taken from us.”
The Redhunter writes Trouble in the GOP “I've been putting this off long enough. For some time now I've wanted to do a post on the terrible state of the Republican Party but just haven't gotten around to it. But then yesterday I saw this posted by George Conway on NRO, and figured it was time to take this issue on”
Chester at The Adventures of Chester writes Iran Extravaganza Post “This post will be about Iran, and divided into four parts. Each is more or less unrelated, except that they are all things that have been kicking around in my skull for the last few days and weeks. Take from them what you will.”
William Teach at Pirate’s Cove writes Libby Sets It Straight On Plame “I’m surprised that this story hasn’t seen wider airplay in either the Right-O-Sphere or in Liberal land:
An indicted former White House aide does not contend that President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney ordered him to leak the name of a CIA officer whose husband criticized the administration’s Iraq policies, the aide’s lawyers said.”
Jay Tea at Wizbang writes We hold these rights not to be self-evident “With the rioting, threats, and petulant demands by many of the world's Muslims over cartoons being revisited by South Park this last two weeks, I was put in mind of something I've been thinking about for some time. The United States Constitution spells out a set of rights for all people within the United States, and adds that these are not the only ones. (See the Bill Of Rights). Over the years, they have been expanded both explicitly and implicitly, but there are a whole set of so-called "rights" that have been gaining more and more prominence -- and they need to be addressed.”
Expose the Left has Newt: “When You Tell The Truth About Joe Wilson, He Looks Pretty Bad” (VIDEO) “Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich appeared on FOX News’ Hannity & Colmes last night and shut down Alan Colmes on the subject of Joe Wilson’s lies and hate against the Bush administration.
The proof is in the transcript:”
Michelle Malkin writes THE CROSSES THEY CANNOT BEAR “Look--liberal "tolerance" at work again! An unhinged feminist professor tells her students to wreck a pro-life display of crosses (via Cincinnati Enquirer):”
Dafydd at Big Lizards writes Argument By Redefinition - Again “So now we have a new "civil war," according to the creative redefinition of the New York Times. This one is in India, of all places -- and the other side of the supposed "civil war" are the Maoist guerillas in the northern mountain regions in the Himalayas, hard up against war-torn Nepal, and the poor, indigenous, central Indian state of Chhattisgarh.”
John at OpFor writes The Desert Fox Option, Revisited “Back in January, after the Iranian ditched the Vienna summit, the blogosphere erupted with "what ifs?" I was one of them, contending that if this spat did come to fisticuffs it would come in the form of a Desert Fox style air campaign, not a ground offensive.
In the latest from the Weekly Standard, retired Air Force General and former fighter pilot Tom McInerney envisions a similiar war option. General McInerney asks:”
Dadmanly writes Washington Party Games “Sidney Blumenthal opines in Salon that Bush is completely caught up in his own lies and deceit:
Aside from the usual suspects, I seriously doubt anyone takes talk of ethics from a Clinton insider, confident, and operative as particularly compelling. (I am disappointed in reacquainting myself with my erstwhile debating partner Liberal Avenger. I had hoped that his long silence was based on a change in interests. I suspect it is because he lost any ability to talk civilly with an avowed supporter of the evil Bush Administration.”
Michael Yon writes Kabul to Lashkargar “When we landed in Kabul, Steve put the driver in the back and drove us through the crowded streets. There was a thirty minute ride ahead of us, alternating between racing and jamming in traffic. As we drove away from the airport, there were fewer Coalition soldiers about, and on the hills surrounding the town a dense warren of mud and stone houses that could have been erected thousands of years ago, although many insist that Kabul was once a little paradise.”
t.f.boggs writes Call To Arms “There comes a time when like minded people need to stand up for what they believe is right. America is fighting today to battle Islamic extremism whose very beliefs threaten our way of life. Freedom of speech is under attack and if we hold it to be of importance in this great country of ours we need to fight back against those who wish it to be taken from us.”
The Redhunter writes Trouble in the GOP “I've been putting this off long enough. For some time now I've wanted to do a post on the terrible state of the Republican Party but just haven't gotten around to it. But then yesterday I saw this posted by George Conway on NRO, and figured it was time to take this issue on”
Chester at The Adventures of Chester writes Iran Extravaganza Post “This post will be about Iran, and divided into four parts. Each is more or less unrelated, except that they are all things that have been kicking around in my skull for the last few days and weeks. Take from them what you will.”
April 13, 2006
Historical Quote for Today.
Quote courtesy of Iraq War Today.
"The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country. Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation. We say we are for the Union. The world will not forget that we say this. We, even we here, hold the power and bear the responsibility. In giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free - honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve. We shall nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope of earth."
-- Abraham Lincoln
Web Reconnaissance for 04/13/2006
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
Some Soldier’s Mom wrote REMEMBER THAT SGT. MATT MAUPIN REMAINS MISSING IN IRAQ “Sunday will mark the second anniversary of the capture near Baghdad of Army Reserve Sgt. Keith Matthew "Matt" Maupin of Batavia, Ohio, the only U.S. soldier not accounted for in the three years of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"We can't make them find Matt. But I'm confident that when my son's job is done, he'll be home," he said.”
Clint Taylor at Nail Yale writes The Taliban Anti-Education Campaign “Taliban rockets fell in an Asadabad schoolyard and killed seven boys, injured thirty-four, and blew a teacher's leg off. Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammed Yousaf denied it was the Taliban's work, apparently convincing this Guardian reporter that it was unlikely that the Taliban was behind it, that they didn't fire the rockets, and that they were actually trying to hit the U.S. military base a half mile away with the rockets they didn't fire.”
Kevin Aylward at Wizbang writes DC Restaurant That Caters To Wounded Vets Faces Eviction “Marty O'Brien and Hal Koster, owners of Fran O'Brien's Stadium Steakhouse (just a stone's throw from the White House), have a serious problem. The problem is that they are being evicted from their basement location in the Capitol Hilton, due in no small part to the generosity they have shown to our nations wounded veterans.”
Michael J. Totten writes Back to Iraq Part III - The Kurdish Disaster TURKISH KURDISTAN “Sean and I dragged our sorry, exhausted, and malnourished selves to the car at 6:30 in the morning just a few hours northwest of the Turkish-Iraqi border. For the first time we had a look at our surroundings in daylight.
Turkish Kurdistan is a disaster. It is not where you want to spend your next holiday.
One village after another has been blown completely to rubble.”
A North American Patriot posts I'm Sorry Cindy... “...But when you say crap like this you're not honoring your son. Nope, you're honoring yourself…If it's too much for you to do, maybe you could let Casey's father or siblings make arrangements for the grave marker. All you'd have to do is pony-up the cash to pay for it. And, I'm sure; your handlers could take care of that minor detail for you.”
Atlas Shrugs posts Iran's A Bomb: The Brutal Truth ‘“Iran is not paying attention to what the Security Council said,” John Bolton told The New York Sun. The Islamic Republic's clerics “show why we feel a real sense of urgency,” he added. “Iran has to realize that it is clearly going down the wrong road.”’
Captain Ed writes Arizona Votes For Immigration Enforcement “The Arizona state legislature voted to enact a bill that would require its law-enforcement agencies to arrest illegal immigrants for violating state laws against criminal trespass, a measure that would trump resistance to cooperating with federal agencies in rounding up illegal immigrants. The bill now goes to Democratic governor Janet Napolitano, who has made veto noises on this issue:”
Michelle Malkin writes WHERE IS BILAL HUSSEIN “…One member of the Pulitzer-winning AP team was AP stringer Bilal Hussein. Hussein's photos have raised serious, persistent questions about his relationship with terrorists in Iraq and whether his photos were/are staged in collusion with the enemy. I've learned of an intriguing news development that strengthens those lingering suspicions…”
Sgt Hook writes Would You Know My Name “Having recently learned how to use Movie Maker, I put together this show, inspired by the No Tears in Heaven post…My sincere gratitude to Eric Clapton for the beautiful song, and the U.S. Army for the outstanding photos. Sgt Hook out!”
Some Soldier’s Mom wrote REMEMBER THAT SGT. MATT MAUPIN REMAINS MISSING IN IRAQ “Sunday will mark the second anniversary of the capture near Baghdad of Army Reserve Sgt. Keith Matthew "Matt" Maupin of Batavia, Ohio, the only U.S. soldier not accounted for in the three years of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"We can't make them find Matt. But I'm confident that when my son's job is done, he'll be home," he said.”
Clint Taylor at Nail Yale writes The Taliban Anti-Education Campaign “Taliban rockets fell in an Asadabad schoolyard and killed seven boys, injured thirty-four, and blew a teacher's leg off. Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammed Yousaf denied it was the Taliban's work, apparently convincing this Guardian reporter that it was unlikely that the Taliban was behind it, that they didn't fire the rockets, and that they were actually trying to hit the U.S. military base a half mile away with the rockets they didn't fire.”
Kevin Aylward at Wizbang writes DC Restaurant That Caters To Wounded Vets Faces Eviction “Marty O'Brien and Hal Koster, owners of Fran O'Brien's Stadium Steakhouse (just a stone's throw from the White House), have a serious problem. The problem is that they are being evicted from their basement location in the Capitol Hilton, due in no small part to the generosity they have shown to our nations wounded veterans.”
Michael J. Totten writes Back to Iraq Part III - The Kurdish Disaster TURKISH KURDISTAN “Sean and I dragged our sorry, exhausted, and malnourished selves to the car at 6:30 in the morning just a few hours northwest of the Turkish-Iraqi border. For the first time we had a look at our surroundings in daylight.
Turkish Kurdistan is a disaster. It is not where you want to spend your next holiday.
One village after another has been blown completely to rubble.”
A North American Patriot posts I'm Sorry Cindy... “...But when you say crap like this you're not honoring your son. Nope, you're honoring yourself…If it's too much for you to do, maybe you could let Casey's father or siblings make arrangements for the grave marker. All you'd have to do is pony-up the cash to pay for it. And, I'm sure; your handlers could take care of that minor detail for you.”
Atlas Shrugs posts Iran's A Bomb: The Brutal Truth ‘“Iran is not paying attention to what the Security Council said,” John Bolton told The New York Sun. The Islamic Republic's clerics “show why we feel a real sense of urgency,” he added. “Iran has to realize that it is clearly going down the wrong road.”’
Captain Ed writes Arizona Votes For Immigration Enforcement “The Arizona state legislature voted to enact a bill that would require its law-enforcement agencies to arrest illegal immigrants for violating state laws against criminal trespass, a measure that would trump resistance to cooperating with federal agencies in rounding up illegal immigrants. The bill now goes to Democratic governor Janet Napolitano, who has made veto noises on this issue:”
Michelle Malkin writes WHERE IS BILAL HUSSEIN “…One member of the Pulitzer-winning AP team was AP stringer Bilal Hussein. Hussein's photos have raised serious, persistent questions about his relationship with terrorists in Iraq and whether his photos were/are staged in collusion with the enemy. I've learned of an intriguing news development that strengthens those lingering suspicions…”
Sgt Hook writes Would You Know My Name “Having recently learned how to use Movie Maker, I put together this show, inspired by the No Tears in Heaven post…My sincere gratitude to Eric Clapton for the beautiful song, and the U.S. Army for the outstanding photos. Sgt Hook out!”
DADism # 17
"This'll put hair on your chest."
{For reasons incomprehensible to most women, men enjoy challenging other men - especially their sons - to push the limits of good sense and/or good taste and consume extremely spicy foods or disgusting amounts of liquor.}
Note: These is no scientific correlation between Tabasco sauce or tequila shots and the growth of chest hair.
{For reasons incomprehensible to most women, men enjoy challenging other men - especially their sons - to push the limits of good sense and/or good taste and consume extremely spicy foods or disgusting amounts of liquor.}
Note: These is no scientific correlation between Tabasco sauce or tequila shots and the growth of chest hair.
48th BCT GA Nat’l Guard is coming home!
Mr. Robert Stokely, father of Sgt Mike Stokely (KIA 08/16/05-Iraq) has notified us “that arrival dates are being set for the 48th Brigade GA National Guard to land in GA over the next three weeks. My son's unit, E Troop 108th CAV are awaiting their scheduled flight and still pulling missions. They are due to "head south" and then hop a plane to Kuwait and then on to the US by end of the month, first of May. Should be on the ground by May 5 at Ft. Stewart outside of Savannah GA.”
I can't wait to be there to welcome them home on behalf of my son, SGT Mike Stokely. I know he is looking down and smiling that "his guys" are coming home and will soon be reunited with their loved ones. I am proud and smiling as well.
Robert Stokely
proud dad SGT Mike Stokely
KIA Yusufiyah Iraq 16 AUG 05 IED
Welcome home boys and thank you for the good work you have done over the past 18 months. It will be a pleasure to have you all home and safe. To top it off, it will be a great birthday present for Mike to see you all return home so close to his birthday Wednesday, 19 April, 2006.
I can't wait to be there to welcome them home on behalf of my son, SGT Mike Stokely. I know he is looking down and smiling that "his guys" are coming home and will soon be reunited with their loved ones. I am proud and smiling as well.
Robert Stokely
proud dad SGT Mike Stokely
KIA Yusufiyah Iraq 16 AUG 05 IED
Welcome home boys and thank you for the good work you have done over the past 18 months. It will be a pleasure to have you all home and safe. To top it off, it will be a great birthday present for Mike to see you all return home so close to his birthday Wednesday, 19 April, 2006.
April 12, 2006
Illegal Immigration A Winning Strategy
John Hawkins of Right Wing News writes today that “If the GOP were united on illegal immigration, we could beat the Democrats brains out politically on the issue. Just look at the backlash that's being created by these incredibly obnoxious illegal immigrant rallies:”
I’d have to agree with him completely on this matter, in my Open letter to Ken Melhman, I stated exactly that, they have forced me to become a single issue voter simply on their obnoxious stance on illegal immigration. Let’s get it straight people, they are here illegally! There is no denying it, so why are you so afraid of enforcing current laws that deport them back and secure our borders. Having them here only keeps the wages of the poor unnaturally low, this should be the main talking points for the Living Wage group, but they seem deadly silent on the matter of illegals that are anathema to their entire position.
He concludes by writing: “All it would take to make this happen would be to split border security and immigration enforcement, which is extremely popular with people from both parties, from a guest worker/citizenship program, which is incredibly controversial with people in both parties. If the Democrats want to argue that we should leave our borders wide-open for months or maybe even years while we debate a controversial guest worker program, let them make that argument, but that's certainly not the position that Republicans should be taking.
The GOP should unite behind a simple principle on illegal immigration: "Secure the border and enforce our laws." After all, since Americans overwhelmingly seem to agree on at least that much, why not start there and leave the more controversial ideas to be settled later? It would be the best thing for the country and for the Republican Party.”
The ball is in your court Mr. Mehlman, if you really want my money and my support, get tough and get the party in lock step on this issue…your and our future as a Sovereign country is at stake here.
UCSC protesters push military recruiters off campus
By Roger Sideman Sentinel Staff Writer
Military recruiters packed up their displays and left a UC Santa Cruz job fair Tuesday after several protesters attempted to force themselves inside the fair while others blocked the entrance over the course of a tense hour-long standoff.
Citing safety concerns, the four recruiters from the Army and National Guard reversed an earlier decision to remain at the fair in a room separated from other job recruiters and protected by more than a dozen campus police.
Students Against War, or SAW, drew national attention following a similar protest against military recruiters last April when MSNBC reported that the Department of Defense surveillance program listed the group as a threat.
Under pressure from campus officials, the Pentagon says it has since removed SAW from the list.
Campus spokesperson Liz Irwin said UCSC complies with a 1995 federal law called the Solomon amendment, which denies federal funding to universities that bar military recruiters from campus. Last month, a challenge to the amendment failed in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Also reporting on this is Michelle Malkin who has pictures of an event from last year. Classy it is not.
See also:
California Conservative
The Right State
Web Reconnaissance for 04/12/2006
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
John Baker of Johns Iraq Blog (In Iraq) writes Me and SGT Doty before his last mission “Hello to all from QATAR!!!! Yes that’s right I finally got a pass that wasn’t canceled or denied and I am here in Qatar relaxing and enjoying some down time. Last night I had my daily allotment of 3 beers and it was wonderful!!! It had been six months since I have had a beer and it tasted great. I will of course be going back for more tonight!”
Bandit three six (In Iraq) writes PowerPoint Ranger “If you watched my "Bob Lives Again" video, you'll notice that I didn't really like working in the BATCON. For those who don't know, BATCON is Armyese for the battalion operations staff and as any staff officer will tell you, your primary mission in life is to MAKE SLIDES!!! Yes, it's sad, but true. So true, in fact, that many current and former staff officers, like my buddy pictured below, have gone so far as to institute (jokingly) a PowerPoint Ranger tab.”
Midnight in Iraq (In Iraq) writes Email from a Journalism Grad Student “Dear Lt. Barnett: I am an M.A. student in journalism at UW-Madison. I have read your blog and enjoyed it. I enjoy trying to understand the experience of soldiers in Iraq and your blog has helped me to do this…
Kathryn, Thank you for the email. I will be happy to field your questions, as this is a vastly interesting and controversial topic. I speak for myself and myself only….”
Sure Fire of Pass The Brass (In Iraq) writes Sit Rep “…Anyway, we’ve had a few commo blackouts in the past month, so I haven’t had too much opportunity to get on here. But things have been goin ok for me. Still rather boring….but the tensions are rising. Think of the “bad guys” as being a hibernating kind of animal….or a tourist rather. They only like to come out when the weather suits them. So now that it’s summer(sorta) and the rain is gone(for the most part), the “bad guys” are back in action. Now they are gettin down to business and hookin us up with a more “active lifestyle”. Read: More booms…”
Dadmanly (Back from Iraq) writes Underreporting (Bumped, see update at bottom of post) “Okay, I’m stumped by the underreporting – even among MILBLOGs – of two of the more potentially controversial items on the web in the past two days.
The first, which I posted about yesterday, was Senator John Kerry’s Op-Ed in the New York Times Wednesday, Two Deadlines and an Exit.”
Uncle Jimbo writing at Blackfive posts Which side is the national media on? “Is the US military allowed to have an information warfare strategy? Or is every effort we make to assist the Iraqis secure their country and win some hearts and minds to be exposed, ridiculed and countered by the media? I have stood on the tiny coral outcrop called Ie Shima where Ernie Pyle, the GI's best friend, died near the end of WWII. With him may have died the last time the press and the military felt like they were on the same team.”
Captain Ed writes Fizzlemas Strikes Again! “Those waiting for the Fitzmas That Never Came must suffer from terrible disappointment, and this week they have yet more reason to be morose. Patrick Fitzgerald delighted them with an extraordinary court filing that accused Scooter Libby of misrepresenting the National Intelligence Estimate and the uranium-procurement story as a consensus analysis by American intelligence. It turns out that St. Fitz did some misrepresentation of his own:”
Tanker Brothers post US Soldiers: At It Again! ...And Again! ...And Again! "Look like terrorism to you? I didn't think so… And I quote: "...and there is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women, breaking sort of the customs of the -- of -- of -- of -- historical customs, religious customs, whether you like it or not. Iraqis should be doing that."
-John Kerry”
Andi of Andi’s World writes Godspeed Bobby Clark “Sadly, on Saturday, the Patriot Guard Riders lost one of their own, and America lost another veteran. Spc. Robert "Bobby" Lee Clark was killed by a drunk driver as he was riding on his motorcycle to Ft. Carson, Colorado. Spc. Clark had planned to meet up with other patriots and participate in a vigil sponsored by Rolling Thunder for Sgt. Matt Maupin (MIA - Iraq) the following day.”
John Baker of Johns Iraq Blog (In Iraq) writes Me and SGT Doty before his last mission “Hello to all from QATAR!!!! Yes that’s right I finally got a pass that wasn’t canceled or denied and I am here in Qatar relaxing and enjoying some down time. Last night I had my daily allotment of 3 beers and it was wonderful!!! It had been six months since I have had a beer and it tasted great. I will of course be going back for more tonight!”
Bandit three six (In Iraq) writes PowerPoint Ranger “If you watched my "Bob Lives Again" video, you'll notice that I didn't really like working in the BATCON. For those who don't know, BATCON is Armyese for the battalion operations staff and as any staff officer will tell you, your primary mission in life is to MAKE SLIDES!!! Yes, it's sad, but true. So true, in fact, that many current and former staff officers, like my buddy pictured below, have gone so far as to institute (jokingly) a PowerPoint Ranger tab.”
Midnight in Iraq (In Iraq) writes Email from a Journalism Grad Student “Dear Lt. Barnett: I am an M.A. student in journalism at UW-Madison. I have read your blog and enjoyed it. I enjoy trying to understand the experience of soldiers in Iraq and your blog has helped me to do this…
Kathryn, Thank you for the email. I will be happy to field your questions, as this is a vastly interesting and controversial topic. I speak for myself and myself only….”
Sure Fire of Pass The Brass (In Iraq) writes Sit Rep “…Anyway, we’ve had a few commo blackouts in the past month, so I haven’t had too much opportunity to get on here. But things have been goin ok for me. Still rather boring….but the tensions are rising. Think of the “bad guys” as being a hibernating kind of animal….or a tourist rather. They only like to come out when the weather suits them. So now that it’s summer(sorta) and the rain is gone(for the most part), the “bad guys” are back in action. Now they are gettin down to business and hookin us up with a more “active lifestyle”. Read: More booms…”
Dadmanly (Back from Iraq) writes Underreporting (Bumped, see update at bottom of post) “Okay, I’m stumped by the underreporting – even among MILBLOGs – of two of the more potentially controversial items on the web in the past two days.
The first, which I posted about yesterday, was Senator John Kerry’s Op-Ed in the New York Times Wednesday, Two Deadlines and an Exit.”
Uncle Jimbo writing at Blackfive posts Which side is the national media on? “Is the US military allowed to have an information warfare strategy? Or is every effort we make to assist the Iraqis secure their country and win some hearts and minds to be exposed, ridiculed and countered by the media? I have stood on the tiny coral outcrop called Ie Shima where Ernie Pyle, the GI's best friend, died near the end of WWII. With him may have died the last time the press and the military felt like they were on the same team.”
Captain Ed writes Fizzlemas Strikes Again! “Those waiting for the Fitzmas That Never Came must suffer from terrible disappointment, and this week they have yet more reason to be morose. Patrick Fitzgerald delighted them with an extraordinary court filing that accused Scooter Libby of misrepresenting the National Intelligence Estimate and the uranium-procurement story as a consensus analysis by American intelligence. It turns out that St. Fitz did some misrepresentation of his own:”
Tanker Brothers post US Soldiers: At It Again! ...And Again! ...And Again! "Look like terrorism to you? I didn't think so… And I quote: "...and there is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women, breaking sort of the customs of the -- of -- of -- of -- historical customs, religious customs, whether you like it or not. Iraqis should be doing that."
-John Kerry”
Andi of Andi’s World writes Godspeed Bobby Clark “Sadly, on Saturday, the Patriot Guard Riders lost one of their own, and America lost another veteran. Spc. Robert "Bobby" Lee Clark was killed by a drunk driver as he was riding on his motorcycle to Ft. Carson, Colorado. Spc. Clark had planned to meet up with other patriots and participate in a vigil sponsored by Rolling Thunder for Sgt. Matt Maupin (MIA - Iraq) the following day.”
DADism #16
"Look at me when I'm talking to you."
{Most dads are under the misguided impression that they have their kid's full attention when they have achieved eye contact. That's why many dads insist that the child actually meet their gaze when getting a good tongue lashing.}
Michael Yon is in Afghanistan
Michael Yon lets us know that he is now in Afghanistan his most recent post is up and is titled Curious Circumstance Mysterious Land
“I met up with an old friend in Dubai. Steve Shaulis and I served together in the Army, and we attended the Defense Language Institute together. After we both left the Army, we headed in very different directions. Steve began doing business in places like Romania, Uzbekistan, Thailand, and Singapore, and I started a business in Poland. Still, over the past twenty years we’ve managed to stay in contact, encountering each other now and then on three continents and in perhaps a dozen countries.”
Stop in and read it then click on that little button on the right that says Support the Next Dispatch
April 11, 2006
No Blogging Today
Just got back from having the steroid treatment for my pain management, where the steroids are injected in to the epidural space of the spine, and despite feeling pretty good I’m behind the eight-ball now that I’m 3 hours behind schedule. So instead why don’t you stop by Serving the people of Iraq and read American Grace. A short summary of the article is provided:
You might also want to stop in and visit; Iraq War Today, Michelle Malkin, Captain Ed, Blackfive and while you are at it, head on over to Milblogging.com and check out the newest additions to the milblogging community.
Summary: Anecdotal evidence suggests that peoples the world over prefer dealing with American Troops as opposed to militaries from any other country. This is especially true in Iraq today, as the United States has made a generally very positive impression on Iraqis—especially the younger generation.So go over and finish reading it!
You might also want to stop in and visit; Iraq War Today, Michelle Malkin, Captain Ed, Blackfive and while you are at it, head on over to Milblogging.com and check out the newest additions to the milblogging community.
April 10, 2006
A Dark Alternative
I’ve been thinking about Subsunk’s post at Blackfive that I linked to in today’s Web Recon since I read it on Sunday, but especially I’ve been thinking about the post that Subsunk linked to in his post.
Dan Simmons writes a dark message there for us, and I can’t help but think that he might be right. Has the strain of Political Correctness so infused our lives that we can not even in our darkest times refer to what it is we are actually at war with? Do you fear that thought, the thought that we are not really at war with terrorism but with Islam who is using terrorism as a weapon against us? I do fear that, for if that is the case then we have a major struggle ahead of us and one in which hard choices will have to be made and I know the current leaders of our country can not make those choices for if they could illegal immigration would not even be a talking point. How can we expect our leaders in both parties to address Islam as the enemy when they do not have the fortitude to prosecute illegal action for fear of losing potential votes? Will President Bush be able to make this change, a man who has gone out of his way to point out that this is not a war against Islam but only those radical fringe groups that hide behind Islam? I fear that if it is true then we will all be fighting a war that will last a long time.
And the media will take this change in focus on with a vengeance for they have submitted to Dhimmitude, for they fear for their lives already. Their actions speak for them in the recent Mohammad cartoon episode when they feared publishing the cartoons to allow civil debate, and instead hid behind the pretense of not wanting to incite more riots and to protect the sensibilities of Moderate Muslims.
Moderate Muslims is there truly such a creature? Have any stepped forward to denounce their claims to the Caliphate and swear allegiance to the United States in this war against their brethren? Has CAIR ever taken a stand that supports the US or have they only ever taken stands that use the laws and rights of the US to protect their brethren? Or is the moderate Muslim a construct of the media outlets who are afraid to admit that possibly there are only two types of Muslims, those who partake in terrorism and war and those who hide silently behind their beliefs waiting for the Caliphate. Is there a mosque in this world that does not promote the advancement of Sharia, and if so where is it located?
It is a compelling argument Mr. Simons puts forth is it not, for is not terrorism a weapon like aircraft, rifles and tanks? Would you ever undertake a war against airliners, because that is what the enemy used against us on 9/11? It’s absurd to fight a weapon and not the users of the weapon. Is Islam the new enemy of the world as we know it and terrorism just one of their weapons, and is the United States able to step up to the new threat or will they continue to be less and less ruthless when it comes to war?
If Mr. Simmons is right how then do we explain the existence of Iraqi’s that welcome the US into their country and speak favorably of the good things that are happening as well as the bad being committed by those that wish the US to fail in their mission to stop the spread of radical Islam? Is this the Moderate Muslim that we have heard of and if it is, why are those Moderate Muslims here in the US speaking out in support of the war on terror?
The United States and the entire World stands at the threshold of a new world, one in which the freedoms of liberty can be the foundation of our cultures or one in which the freedoms of an orthodox Islamic society demand your allegiance. Many Nations-States have already fallen and have begun the process of Dhimmitude, they make excuses for the actions of Muslims in their countries and allow sharia to become a de facto part of the law of the country by not prosecuting those that still practice honor killings. If Mr. Simmons is correct, then we must be ready to take this war to the next level, and when that time comes I know our current leaders will not be the people that take us there.
Dan Simmons writes a dark message there for us, and I can’t help but think that he might be right. Has the strain of Political Correctness so infused our lives that we can not even in our darkest times refer to what it is we are actually at war with? Do you fear that thought, the thought that we are not really at war with terrorism but with Islam who is using terrorism as a weapon against us? I do fear that, for if that is the case then we have a major struggle ahead of us and one in which hard choices will have to be made and I know the current leaders of our country can not make those choices for if they could illegal immigration would not even be a talking point. How can we expect our leaders in both parties to address Islam as the enemy when they do not have the fortitude to prosecute illegal action for fear of losing potential votes? Will President Bush be able to make this change, a man who has gone out of his way to point out that this is not a war against Islam but only those radical fringe groups that hide behind Islam? I fear that if it is true then we will all be fighting a war that will last a long time.
And the media will take this change in focus on with a vengeance for they have submitted to Dhimmitude, for they fear for their lives already. Their actions speak for them in the recent Mohammad cartoon episode when they feared publishing the cartoons to allow civil debate, and instead hid behind the pretense of not wanting to incite more riots and to protect the sensibilities of Moderate Muslims.
Moderate Muslims is there truly such a creature? Have any stepped forward to denounce their claims to the Caliphate and swear allegiance to the United States in this war against their brethren? Has CAIR ever taken a stand that supports the US or have they only ever taken stands that use the laws and rights of the US to protect their brethren? Or is the moderate Muslim a construct of the media outlets who are afraid to admit that possibly there are only two types of Muslims, those who partake in terrorism and war and those who hide silently behind their beliefs waiting for the Caliphate. Is there a mosque in this world that does not promote the advancement of Sharia, and if so where is it located?
It is a compelling argument Mr. Simons puts forth is it not, for is not terrorism a weapon like aircraft, rifles and tanks? Would you ever undertake a war against airliners, because that is what the enemy used against us on 9/11? It’s absurd to fight a weapon and not the users of the weapon. Is Islam the new enemy of the world as we know it and terrorism just one of their weapons, and is the United States able to step up to the new threat or will they continue to be less and less ruthless when it comes to war?
If Mr. Simmons is right how then do we explain the existence of Iraqi’s that welcome the US into their country and speak favorably of the good things that are happening as well as the bad being committed by those that wish the US to fail in their mission to stop the spread of radical Islam? Is this the Moderate Muslim that we have heard of and if it is, why are those Moderate Muslims here in the US speaking out in support of the war on terror?
The United States and the entire World stands at the threshold of a new world, one in which the freedoms of liberty can be the foundation of our cultures or one in which the freedoms of an orthodox Islamic society demand your allegiance. Many Nations-States have already fallen and have begun the process of Dhimmitude, they make excuses for the actions of Muslims in their countries and allow sharia to become a de facto part of the law of the country by not prosecuting those that still practice honor killings. If Mr. Simmons is correct, then we must be ready to take this war to the next level, and when that time comes I know our current leaders will not be the people that take us there.
Sacrifice
This was sent to me from Kat in GA who “borrowed it from the Adopt-A-Platoon Forum. As always, with a long post there is more in the extended section.
I would like to take this opportunity to discuss sacrifice, and what it means to me. I used to think that when a soldier gave his/her life for their country they were making the ultimate sacrifice. This is something that no soldier wants to do, but is will to do if needed. My views have not changed, just expanded. I now realize there is so much more to it then that. Is it far to say that any man/woman who served his/her country has not sacrificed enough? After all, they signed their name on the dotted line and gave up the rights and privileges they fight to protect. They have trained in the blistering heat, frozen on the coldest nights, marched through the deepest mud and thickest brush just like the soldiers that gave their lives to make this the greatest and most feared military in the history of the world. No, I'm sure we can all agree that every man and woman who has served in the military has sacrificed something. Surely every person who has served their country could not have possibly sacrificed as much as they could. Could they?
Lets see, what about the 11B (The Infantry aka..The Grunt) who has never been wounded in combat? Maybe he has not sacrificed enough. Except, we learned from Vietnam that not all scars are superficial or even can be seen by others, some are deep and last forever. What if I told you that this unwounded grunt watched as his friend was killed in combat. Do you actually believe he wouldn't feel this loss for the rest of his life, possibly even feeling the guilt of not being able to save him? Trust me, he's done enough.
I know it's the 88M (The Truck Driver), all they do is take supplies from one place to another. I mean, who cares that no United States military unit could sustain themselves without them. All they do is drive. "Right?" Never mind the fact that they have suffered the most losses over here. They put their lives in harms way everyday convoying on the roads littered with mines, IED's, VBIED's and ambushes. Yet they know that getting the supplies through is so important that it is worth the risk. I think it's safe to say the truck driver sacrifices enough.
I've got it! It's the 91W (The Medic) who works in the field hospital, who is guilty of not giving enough. "Or is it?" Let's see, the medic only treat patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week non-stop. His/her job never ends. He/She see's all the pain and horror of war everyday. Trust me, these images never fade. He/She feels the sorrow in their heart as another American soldier dies on the litter right there in front of them. But there is no time to grieve, he/she must block it out and get back to work as he/she has another patient to work on. There will be time for crying when he/she redeploys. But for now he needs to treat the Iraqi prisoner with the same dignity and respect as the U.S. soldier he was trying to kill. This is not an easy thing to do! Guess it's not the medic.
I think it might be the "Angels" of Adopt A Platoon. Yes, the men and women that are safe back in the states, not getting shot at or blown up. They spend hours making phone calls, sending emails and holding rallies soliciting donations for our service members that are deployed all around the world. They spend hours shopping for people that they really don't know and my never meet. They write cards, letters and emails and seem to find the words to make their adopted soldiers feel loved and like they are part of the Angels family. All of this time and energy that could be spend with and on their own family members. Then they dip into their own pockets to ensure that the soldiers have what they need. Even if it cuts them just a little bit short, they then take all this to the post office and stand in line that seem to last forever. No, I think that sacrifice enough too.
The family member that's who is not sacrificing enough! The dad, mom, brother, sister, husband, wife, son and daughter are at home or their duty station where it is safe. They won't be killed by a bullet or bomb during this war, but do you really think that just because a soldier is willing to give his/her lives for our country; family members are willing to lose a loved one? Well, I have a wife and two little who most definitely not willing to make this sacrifice. However, they still find the strength to support us everyday. Are you kidding me? Family members are the real heroes in my mind; if anything they give the most of anyone. If something were to happen to me over here, it's not me who will have to live with the pain. Somehow, every time I say goodbye, my wife manages to fight back the tears and force a smile. Yes, my family; my true support, the reason a soldier can give so much and ask for so little in return. I think most soldiers will agree that it is the family member who sacrifices the most.
So then who? Who is not giving enough? I'll tell you who it is. It's the person who forgets that's who. That's right the dumbass with the picket sign that surely had a lapse in memory. He/She doesn't seem to remember that on September 11, 2001 terrorists hijacked four planes and flew them into our buildings and killed thousands of Americans. "I'll never forget!" When our Commander in Chief tells us there is a threat against our country, we don't question it; we don't wave signs assuming he has his own hidden agenda. We the soldiers simply react, and you the civilians need only offer your support. I am sure the President of the United States of America is a bit more informed than you are. So forget what you think you know and remember that America is the greatest country in the world, but it is only the greatest country in the world because the burden of shaping our country has been carried on the backs of the soldiers willing to sacrifice everything. How dare anyone forget that or worse yet, picket at a soldiers funeral! So you see, even though giving your life for your country is considered to be the ultimate sacrifice, I have come to realize that there is much more to it then that. Soldiers willing to serve our country and give up everything including their lives have made the ultimate sacrifice.
NOTE: This was originally written in 2004 by SGT Frank Herring and Revised by SGT John e. Washburn in 2006.
Web Reconnaissance for 04/10/2006
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
t.f.boggs (In Iraq) writes Advice for Soldiers “Who am I to give advice to soldiers? I have only been in the military for four years and am a reservist. I don’t know army regulations, how to fill out paper work, or exactly how to be a model non-commissioned officer. I guess I am learning but I am on the slow track to success.”
Sgt Allen of Contact Right…Taking Fire! writes Can You Believe It? “The doctor (retinal specialist) said "I guess we don't need to start the board process now do we?" That's right folks, my vision is now 20/400 the Army only requires a 20/800 to stay in. So God willing and the creek don't rise, I will be able to stay in the service. He also added that, "You are almost out of the woods" so until I am released I'll keep using the eye drops and being a good patient especially now that they said I can start working out again.
Thank you for all of your prayers. This dog is still in the fight. Just call me Lucky :P”
Midnight in Iraq (In Iraq) writes Assault Rifle Flare “In the quest to continuously better our weaponry, the M16 has gone through some significant changes. The adoption of the smaller, more versatile M4 carbine as our fighting rifle it has significantly broadened the options available to the rifleman. The quad-rail system from Knight’s Armament that replaces the handguards of the M4 has added the most versatility of all, giving you endless attachment options within compact package…”
Sgt Dock of Sgt Dock’s Holiday (In Iraq) writes In the Desert. “Everything that I have read about on other blogs kind of prepared me for this. It was kind of like researching for a big project. The air isn't too bad once you get used to the lack of moisture. The mini-sandstorms that have passed through have been similiar to the strong rainstorms back home. When you are driving and you see that huge wall of rain ahead... replace the rain with sand.”
Jen of Jen’s Blog (in Iraq) writes Entry for April 09, 2006 “…time sure flies when your having fun! well...you know what i mean! thought it would be time to update you all again. i am waiting for a special friend to im me and well i guess they are busy...so i will update you all here! it got really really hot out today i think maybe the 90's. went to a really fun range and put bullets down range, had to clean the weapon but it was good one on one with it!”
Subsunk writing at Blackfive posts The Message I Understand, The Oath I Swore “Subsunk here. A couple of folks have brought this to my attention. Some things in our country seem confused right now. How politics plays out in our national defense has always irritated me a bit, but I recognized there was not much I could do about it.”
Omar at Iraq The Model writes The reason why they chose 'Buratha'. “A new massacre has struck Baghdad when three suicide bombers attacked the Buratha mosque in Baghdad this afternoon. "More than 70 people were killed and more than 150 were injured" a doctor from Baghdad's medical city told me in a phone call.
A closer look at the targeted mosque makes me think that the ramifications of this massacre can possibly be much worse than the immediate death and pain this terror attack brought, the Buratha mosque is not an ordinary mosque, it has a special religious value for Shia Iraqis as it's thought to be one of the places where Imam Ali stayed and prayed.”
t.f.boggs (In Iraq) writes Advice for Soldiers “Who am I to give advice to soldiers? I have only been in the military for four years and am a reservist. I don’t know army regulations, how to fill out paper work, or exactly how to be a model non-commissioned officer. I guess I am learning but I am on the slow track to success.”
Sgt Allen of Contact Right…Taking Fire! writes Can You Believe It? “The doctor (retinal specialist) said "I guess we don't need to start the board process now do we?" That's right folks, my vision is now 20/400 the Army only requires a 20/800 to stay in. So God willing and the creek don't rise, I will be able to stay in the service. He also added that, "You are almost out of the woods" so until I am released I'll keep using the eye drops and being a good patient especially now that they said I can start working out again.
Thank you for all of your prayers. This dog is still in the fight. Just call me Lucky :P”
Midnight in Iraq (In Iraq) writes Assault Rifle Flare “In the quest to continuously better our weaponry, the M16 has gone through some significant changes. The adoption of the smaller, more versatile M4 carbine as our fighting rifle it has significantly broadened the options available to the rifleman. The quad-rail system from Knight’s Armament that replaces the handguards of the M4 has added the most versatility of all, giving you endless attachment options within compact package…”
Sgt Dock of Sgt Dock’s Holiday (In Iraq) writes In the Desert. “Everything that I have read about on other blogs kind of prepared me for this. It was kind of like researching for a big project. The air isn't too bad once you get used to the lack of moisture. The mini-sandstorms that have passed through have been similiar to the strong rainstorms back home. When you are driving and you see that huge wall of rain ahead... replace the rain with sand.”
Jen of Jen’s Blog (in Iraq) writes Entry for April 09, 2006 “…time sure flies when your having fun! well...you know what i mean! thought it would be time to update you all again. i am waiting for a special friend to im me and well i guess they are busy...so i will update you all here! it got really really hot out today i think maybe the 90's. went to a really fun range and put bullets down range, had to clean the weapon but it was good one on one with it!”
Subsunk writing at Blackfive posts The Message I Understand, The Oath I Swore “Subsunk here. A couple of folks have brought this to my attention. Some things in our country seem confused right now. How politics plays out in our national defense has always irritated me a bit, but I recognized there was not much I could do about it.”
Omar at Iraq The Model writes The reason why they chose 'Buratha'. “A new massacre has struck Baghdad when three suicide bombers attacked the Buratha mosque in Baghdad this afternoon. "More than 70 people were killed and more than 150 were injured" a doctor from Baghdad's medical city told me in a phone call.
A closer look at the targeted mosque makes me think that the ramifications of this massacre can possibly be much worse than the immediate death and pain this terror attack brought, the Buratha mosque is not an ordinary mosque, it has a special religious value for Shia Iraqis as it's thought to be one of the places where Imam Ali stayed and prayed.”
April 8, 2006
New blogger - Justice Soldier
I missed this new blogger when he hit the web but I’m glad I found him. Justice Soldier hit the ground running in Iraq and posted this great essay: Why I Fight. It’s a must read for anyone that is wondering why this war is taking place. When you read this essay you will soon realize that this is no ordinary soldier, for he is also completing his Graduate Degree in Counter-Terrorism, which gives him an insight into this war that many in this county have no idea about, since all they know is what the media tells them.
Here is but a snippet of his wonderful essay:
So stop on over and pay a visit to Justice Soldier and thank him for his dedication to the cause and his service to our country.
Here is but a snippet of his wonderful essay:
“This fascinating field has educated me more than I could have imagined, allowing me to see the current War in Iraq, and the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) for its realities, not the bullshit coverage we all see on the nightly news. Our current state of affairs is the latest chapter in the epic campaign of good versus evil, of right versus wrong. I am entering into this battle in full conscious of my decision and what I have volunteered for on behalf of this Greatest of Nations. Iraq was the right thing to do, and the fight is worth it. As we all sleep tonight, a movement that was started long ago continues to churn against us. This movement began in the 80’s, but did not show its face until the 1990’s, where it was ignored by a certain political leader. This allowed the movement to grow worldwide, and the evil has spread.”
So stop on over and pay a visit to Justice Soldier and thank him for his dedication to the cause and his service to our country.
Update on my Injury
Since my last update I've learned a lot about the epidural treatment for back pain, and I'm going to go ahead and have the first of three treatments on Tuesday April 11, 2006. The treatments should help the inflamation of the nerve go down and ease my pain if not take it away completely. Since my goal from the beginning has been to resolve this without surgery, I've found my option. Especially since the doc said I could go back to doing everything I used to...except for squats, that is the one excercise he flatly ruled out...too much pressure on the base of the spine for my spine and discs to handle.
However, the treatment will not cure my herniation, it will still be there and it always will be there. My fear about that was that I might be pain free due to the steriods being pumped into my spinal area but I could be wrecking my back even more and not know it because of the pain inhibiting abilities of the steroids.
The doc assured me that my chances of doing more damage was just as great with the treatments as with surgery. I'm not 100% sure I believe him but I'm going to risk it. I should begin to feel relief within a couple of days of the second treatment which will be on Tuesday April 18. But if I feel as good between now and then as I am today, I'll be very happy, and so will my family.
My wife informed me that it will be nice to have the old me back, apparantly I've been very grumpy and have been rippig the heads of the kids off for minor infractions lately. I guess she is write I am pretty quick to yell lately, I guess its from being on edge all the time from the pain. In that sense, I'll be glad to get back to the old me too.
So there you have it. We'll know more about how things are progressing within two weeks. Wish me luck and as always if you are the praying type, keep praying for me, I'll be more than happy to return the favor when you request it.
Take care all.
However, the treatment will not cure my herniation, it will still be there and it always will be there. My fear about that was that I might be pain free due to the steriods being pumped into my spinal area but I could be wrecking my back even more and not know it because of the pain inhibiting abilities of the steroids.
The doc assured me that my chances of doing more damage was just as great with the treatments as with surgery. I'm not 100% sure I believe him but I'm going to risk it. I should begin to feel relief within a couple of days of the second treatment which will be on Tuesday April 18. But if I feel as good between now and then as I am today, I'll be very happy, and so will my family.
My wife informed me that it will be nice to have the old me back, apparantly I've been very grumpy and have been rippig the heads of the kids off for minor infractions lately. I guess she is write I am pretty quick to yell lately, I guess its from being on edge all the time from the pain. In that sense, I'll be glad to get back to the old me too.
So there you have it. We'll know more about how things are progressing within two weeks. Wish me luck and as always if you are the praying type, keep praying for me, I'll be more than happy to return the favor when you request it.
Take care all.
April 7, 2006
A Letter from St. Louis
Pam at Iraq War Today sent me this letter she received from the St. Louis Community College- College Progressives for Peace that she is highlighting on her site today. This is group is associated with the St. Louis- Instead of War Coalition that Mr. Robert Stokely father of Sgt. Mike Stokely (KIA) wrote to last week and highlighted here. Read the whole thing and see if you don’t agree with me at the end.
Oh and as always with a long post, there is more in the extended section.
My post about the display of tombstones at a St. Louis college campus provoked visceral responses around here (myself included), and those commenting involved military widows, Soldiers' Angels, and some of the folks involved in putting on the display.Yesterday, I received this from some of the folks involved, and wanted to share it with you. I'm going to save any comment on the stated purpose and philosophy of such groups and displays for another day, and just let you see what they had to say:
The College Progressives for Peace, a student club at St. Louis Community College-Meramec, in response to a number of requests by bereaved military families for their loved ones names to be removed from our symbolic tombstone memorial, would like to clarify our purpose and intent for the memorial that was displayed from Monday, March 27th thru Thursday, March 30th at St. Louis Community College-Meramec.
Without hesitation, we have respectfully honored all requests to remove tombstones from the memorial display throughout the week. While our event has concluded, we will be sure to pass along any additional requests we receive to the St. Louis Instead of War Coalition, the creator of the display. I can personally assure you that they have been just as quick to respond to such requests in the past.
We are truly sorry if this display has caused you additional pain or hardship. Causing additional suffering to those who have already endured so much heartache was never the intent of our display.
For what it is worth, our club made great efforts to create a memorial that would truly pay tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in their selfless service to our nation. We truly stand in awe of the bravery, courage, and willingness of these brave men and women to sacrifice for our freedoms. We chose to display the symbolic tombstone memorial in an effort to raise the awareness of the generally apathetic youth of our nation. We had hoped it would be a powerful, yet respectful, reminder to many that there is still a long and costly occupation being waged by our nation.
We made a thoughtful effort to keep the events of Peace Education Week in separate areas from the tombstone display, so as to not utilize the names for political purposes. The only banners in the memorial area read, "Honor the Dead," and "Count the Costs," in between two America Flags; an additional banner read "At each end of the rifle, we are all the same;" and another additional American Flag stood alone in the middle of the display.
We also attempted to keep the events of Peace Education Week from being an anti-war protest. Instead we were seeking to educate people as to the "Real" costs of war -meaning the unknown, unseen, and forgotten costs of war. While we did have some speakers speak out against this war, we also had speakers educating people about PTSD, the lack of benefits for our returning veterans, and the effects of depleted uranium on our soldiers, the Iraqi people, and the environment. We had speakers reveal tactics used in military recruitment so that young men and women could make a more informed decision before enlisting. Other speakers discussed topics such as: our nations establishment of a military industrial complex; the large economic costs of war; what the money spent on the current war could have done for domestic programs at home; how we sent our soldiers into conflict without giving them the proper equipment to protect their lives; the dislocation war causes; the danger to our civil liberties in a time of war; information about conflict areas in other parts of the world; and other wide-ranging topics.
Our other main purpose behind peace education week was to work to find creative and innovative ways to create a more peaceful world; a world where we may one day utilize the courage and bravery of our young men and women for purposes other than war. On this positive side of our event, we had speakers covering topics such as: the need to create a world democracy similar to our own; how to create a declaration of peace; how to use active non-violence and civil disobedience to resolve conflict; how to unite as a movement to be a viable force for change; how to stay true to ones conscience in times of conflict and crisis; how to find adventure and work for a better world without joining the military; and other ways to overcome the countless obstacles to peace.
While we do not apologize for expressing beliefs and searching for solutions that may be different from you and yours, we do wholeheartedly apologize for any additional pain or suffering we have inadvertently caused, and for our inability to create a symbolic memorial that would only be filled with honor and dignity for those who have served. We would like to express our gratitude that the majority of the letters we received recognized and respected our right to express our opinions and beliefs. Thank you for respecting this fundamental right that your family members have given so much for to protect.
We also would like to assure you that the core members of our group are constantly evaluating the work we do in the pursuit of peace and progress, and will take considerable time to reflect on our Peace Education Week –especially the use of the symbolic tombstone memorial display. There were admittedly factors we did not consider. These included: not displaying the rank of the fallen soldiers –we did not realize this would be viewed as disrespectful to the considerable time and effort that went into achieving his or her rank; placing the names of the fallen Iraqi civilians with those of the fallen soldiers –we intended to recognize that there have indeed been casualties to those whom our nation is claiming to liberate, and did not realize there were concerns that these civilians might not fully be accepted as “innocent” civilians; and we also did not realize there was a sizeable group that was upset with any sort of display bearing the names of their deceased loved ones.
We do assure you that should we use any such displays in the future, we will take the time to reflect on this experience and make any changes to our display in order to make this a more respectful way to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation.
Sincerely and Peaceably,
The College Progressives for Peace
Warren Popp, Erica Popp, and Megan King
Founding Members
Pam
Proud Soldiers' Angel
Iraq War Today blogger
FREEDOM ISN'T FREE!!
For what its worth I believe you are lying when you state you “stand in awe of the bravery, courage, and willingness of these brave men and women to sacrifice for our freedoms.” If that were the case you wouldn’t be using their names in a cause that belittles their actions and sacrifices. If you truly expect peace to be achieved through out the world especially in areas where the lawless rule without our military protecting the peace by occupying ground that the enemies of freedom would occupy instead how buy what means would you achieve this? Do you expect the radial Islamists to just listen to you and suddenly put down their weapons, when they haven’t done so for decades, because they see the value of our freedoms only as you express them and no other?
Are we to believe that because you so readily wrap yourself up in the American flag when it suits your purposes that we should ignore the fact that you would rather burn that flag in defiance of your protectorate and call you patriots? If so then you are no better than “the sunshine patriots and summer warriors” that Thomas Paine wrote about nearly 250 years ago. Your patriotism is a feeling that you readily turn on and off depending upon whom you wish to address, and in that it is a false patriotism.
You, my fellow countrymen have no concept of freedom and the cost it entails, while on the other hand those fine men and women whose names you attempted to subvert for your own purposes know full well the cost of freedom. The simple fact that you have no concept of this cost and the disdain you have for the military who protect it for you is evident in the fact that, “we did not realize this would be viewed as disrespectful to the considerable time and effort that went into achieving his or her rank” To compound that disdain by adding the names of possible enemy combatants on these same “tomb stones” show an utter lack of knowledge on the entire issue.
As for any such displays in the future I do hope that you think heavily on that before you step into the realm of heroes, for everyone of those men and women you so cavalierly attempt to subvert for your own use is an American hero and far better than you will ever be. They understood that Freedom is not free, that it demands that the price be paid, while you my progressive friends think Freedom is a right that allows you to leave the table after you have eaten your fill and leave the tab for another to pay. Those “tombstones” are a testament to that fact.
If you are as you say you are, “constantly evaluating the work we do in the pursuit of peace and progress,” then perhaps at some point in the near future you will realize and come to understand that the Military is your only protection from an enemy that would just as soon as cut your head off as shake your hand. The enemy you defend hates you more than they hate the US Military for you believe that everyone is entitled to their own brand of freedom, a freedom that doesn’t cost a thing, where they believe that you must submit to their rules or be branded a criminal and executed.
Perhaps one day, I hope soon, you will grow up and realize that everything you strive for in this world is hated by the enemy you are assisting with your Anti-American, Anti-Military stances. All that is wrong with the world is not the fault of the US it is the fault of people like you that believe, incorrectly, that everyone wants the same thing and evil is the construct of the US government.
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