I will never forget 9/11. I refuse to change the way I feel 6 years later from the way I felt when our nation was attacked. Time will not heal my wound. Unfortunately, I fear that too many have forgotten the pain of 9/11. What was OK in 2002 is not not OK because "time heals". Those that have forgotten the pain of 9/11, must look back on the feeling of 9/12 and think they are an over reaction.
(NYT via. Instapundit)
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For six years, Central Intelligence Agency officers have worried that someday the tide of post-Sept. 11 opinion would turn, and their harsh treatment of prisoners from Al Qaeda would be subjected to hostile scrutiny and possible criminal prosecution.
Now that day may have arrived, after years of shifting legal advice, searing criticism from rights groups — and no new terrorist attacks on American soil.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Torpedo Away!
As usual, the Democrat/media spin machine and a defenseless President Bush have "topedoed" any chance of stopping nukes in Iran. Let's just hope they use them on someone else, first. John Bolton on the NIE in the Washington Post.
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...there is little substantive difference between the conclusions of the 2005 NIE on Iran's nuclear capabilities and the 2007 NIE.
...
The real differences between the NIEs are not in the hard data but in the psychological assessment of the mullahs' motives and objectives. The current NIE freely admits to having only moderate confidence that the suspension continues and says that there are significant gaps in our intelligence and that our analysts dissent from their initial judgment on suspension. This alone should give us considerable pause.
...
In a background briefing, intelligence officials said they had concluded it was "possible" but not "likely" that the new information they were relying on was deception.
...
That such a flawed product could emerge after a drawn-out bureaucratic struggle is extremely troubling. While the president and others argue that we need to maintain pressure on Iran, this "intelligence" torpedo has all but sunk those efforts, inadequate as they were. Ironically, the NIE opens the way for Iran to achieve its military nuclear ambitions in an essentially unmolested fashion, to the detriment of us all.
--------------------------
...there is little substantive difference between the conclusions of the 2005 NIE on Iran's nuclear capabilities and the 2007 NIE.
...
The real differences between the NIEs are not in the hard data but in the psychological assessment of the mullahs' motives and objectives. The current NIE freely admits to having only moderate confidence that the suspension continues and says that there are significant gaps in our intelligence and that our analysts dissent from their initial judgment on suspension. This alone should give us considerable pause.
...
In a background briefing, intelligence officials said they had concluded it was "possible" but not "likely" that the new information they were relying on was deception.
...
That such a flawed product could emerge after a drawn-out bureaucratic struggle is extremely troubling. While the president and others argue that we need to maintain pressure on Iran, this "intelligence" torpedo has all but sunk those efforts, inadequate as they were. Ironically, the NIE opens the way for Iran to achieve its military nuclear ambitions in an essentially unmolested fashion, to the detriment of us all.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Emotionally Invested in Defeat
The Weekly Standard sums up all who support victory in Iraq coming. There is no option but victory. And we're almost there.
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As expected, today’s extraordinary front page article in the New York Times on progress in Iraq is causing aneurysms across wide swathes of the left-wing blogosphere. You might think the news that “the security improvements in most neighborhoods are real” might be cause for bipartisan celebration, or at least cautious optimism.
Think again. Instead, left wing bloggers are doing everything in their power to deny or disparage the gains that our soldiers are making--with increasingly little concern for intellectual honesty of their arguments.
It seems they’re determined to prove right Senator Joe Lieberman, who warned earlier this month that Democrats today are “emotionally invested in a narrative of defeat and retreat in Iraq”--regardless of the evidence.
-----------------
As expected, today’s extraordinary front page article in the New York Times on progress in Iraq is causing aneurysms across wide swathes of the left-wing blogosphere. You might think the news that “the security improvements in most neighborhoods are real” might be cause for bipartisan celebration, or at least cautious optimism.
Think again. Instead, left wing bloggers are doing everything in their power to deny or disparage the gains that our soldiers are making--with increasingly little concern for intellectual honesty of their arguments.
It seems they’re determined to prove right Senator Joe Lieberman, who warned earlier this month that Democrats today are “emotionally invested in a narrative of defeat and retreat in Iraq”--regardless of the evidence.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Celebrate the Progress
An inspirational update on the progress in Iraq from Michael Yon.
A photo essay.
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A Bishop came to St John’s Church in Baghdad today, 15 November, where a crowd of locals welcomed him home.
...
LTC Michael told me today that when al Qaeda came to Dora, they began harassing Christians first, charging them “rent.” It was the local Muslims, according to LTC Michael, who first came to him for help to protect the Christians in his area. That’s right. LTC Michael told me more than once that the Muslims reached out to him to protect the Christians from al Qaeda. Real Muslims here are quick to say that al Qaeda members are not true Muslims.
...
Today, Muslims mostly filled the front pews of St John’s. Muslims who want their Christian friends and neighbors to come home.
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Side Note: The interpreter, a local in army fatigues, is not masked and has openly allowed his picture to be taken and published. This is as big a sign that things are changing as any.
A photo essay.
---------------------
A Bishop came to St John’s Church in Baghdad today, 15 November, where a crowd of locals welcomed him home.
...
LTC Michael told me today that when al Qaeda came to Dora, they began harassing Christians first, charging them “rent.” It was the local Muslims, according to LTC Michael, who first came to him for help to protect the Christians in his area. That’s right. LTC Michael told me more than once that the Muslims reached out to him to protect the Christians from al Qaeda. Real Muslims here are quick to say that al Qaeda members are not true Muslims.
...
Today, Muslims mostly filled the front pews of St John’s. Muslims who want their Christian friends and neighbors to come home.
---------------------
Side Note: The interpreter, a local in army fatigues, is not masked and has openly allowed his picture to be taken and published. This is as big a sign that things are changing as any.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Progress 6: From Iraqi
Iraq continues to improve at an astonishing rate. Many things could be said about the doom that awaits, but the facts are that it is improving. Until it starts going to other way, all other prophecies are moot. This is from IraqPundit, from Iraq about Iraq. May the progress continue. And may the message of success reach those who are held in the dark by the mainstream news.
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I know those who are wedded to the idea of a failed Iraq are calling me a deluded idiot and worse. But things are improving slowly. My relatives in Baghdad say there's no comparison; things are much better than they were six months ago. They can visit friends in different areas and walk about the neighbourhood in the evening.
Frankly, I don't understand why so many mock us for wanting a future for Iraq. Is your hatred for George Bush so great that you prefer to see millions of civilians suffer just to prove him wrong?
It really comes down to this: you are determined to see Iraq become a permanent hellhole because you hate Bush. And we are determined to see Iraq become a success, because we want to live.
-------------
I know those who are wedded to the idea of a failed Iraq are calling me a deluded idiot and worse. But things are improving slowly. My relatives in Baghdad say there's no comparison; things are much better than they were six months ago. They can visit friends in different areas and walk about the neighbourhood in the evening.
Frankly, I don't understand why so many mock us for wanting a future for Iraq. Is your hatred for George Bush so great that you prefer to see millions of civilians suffer just to prove him wrong?
It really comes down to this: you are determined to see Iraq become a permanent hellhole because you hate Bush. And we are determined to see Iraq become a success, because we want to live.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Proud of Our Heros
Confessional: This is a stream of conciousness inspired by this video about the hero's who are sacrificing for our great country.
looking at the sweaty finger prints on my mouse pad
I really can't fathom the sacrifice of our soldier. I can't go away for a night and not miss my daughter. These people go away for more than a year. And maybe never come home. Why can I not fathom this? Why wasn't I taught this? I suppose it's unteachable. I'm a supporter. But there are people who watch this and don't feel the way I do - unspeakable, unthinkable pride?
You can't know this unless you take the leap and sacrifice. How can I sacrifice? And will I? Money? Time? What gave these people the courage to do it? Who taught them it was worth it?
They are heroes, not victims. They don't want pity. They want support. We should feel proud. We should feel sad for them. But not because they shouldn't be there, but because they have to be there and they do it voluntarily. I cry when I watch this - they are tears of pride.
looking at the sweaty finger prints on my mouse pad
I really can't fathom the sacrifice of our soldier. I can't go away for a night and not miss my daughter. These people go away for more than a year. And maybe never come home. Why can I not fathom this? Why wasn't I taught this? I suppose it's unteachable. I'm a supporter. But there are people who watch this and don't feel the way I do - unspeakable, unthinkable pride?
You can't know this unless you take the leap and sacrifice. How can I sacrifice? And will I? Money? Time? What gave these people the courage to do it? Who taught them it was worth it?
They are heroes, not victims. They don't want pity. They want support. We should feel proud. We should feel sad for them. But not because they shouldn't be there, but because they have to be there and they do it voluntarily. I cry when I watch this - they are tears of pride.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
None Die in Devastating Iraqi Car Bomb
Haven't seen this headline? Probably because you cannot accompany it with charred remains of children. (Jeff Emanuel)
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This weekend, for the first time in four attempts this year, Iraqi National Police in Samarra were able to avoid being hit with a devastating suicide car bomb (or ‘SVBIED,’ for Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device). Terrorists from the Islamic State of Iraq (or ‘ISI’ – also known as ‘AQI,’ or ‘al Qaeda in Iraq’), attempting to drive a VBIED up to an NP outpost in the southwestern part of the city and detonate it, encountered a surprising amount of resistance from the National Police there. The NPs succeeded in destroying the rolling bomb before it was able to reach their position.
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Jeff Emanuel is an independent journalist working in Iraq. You will find success stories from independent journalist who seek to report the facts as they see them first hand and are not driven by ratings.
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This weekend, for the first time in four attempts this year, Iraqi National Police in Samarra were able to avoid being hit with a devastating suicide car bomb (or ‘SVBIED,’ for Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device). Terrorists from the Islamic State of Iraq (or ‘ISI’ – also known as ‘AQI,’ or ‘al Qaeda in Iraq’), attempting to drive a VBIED up to an NP outpost in the southwestern part of the city and detonate it, encountered a surprising amount of resistance from the National Police there. The NPs succeeded in destroying the rolling bomb before it was able to reach their position.
--------------
Jeff Emanuel is an independent journalist working in Iraq. You will find success stories from independent journalist who seek to report the facts as they see them first hand and are not driven by ratings.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Radio Silence
I haven't heard much on the war since General Petraeus repoterd progress to congress. Is the war over? Did we win? Or is it only good news, and you can't sell that.
From Bill Roggio's new site The Long War Journal
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Coalition special operations forces continue to attack the Iranian-backed Special Groups operating inside Iraq with the same ferocity as it attacks al Qaeda. Twenty-five Special Groups fighters were killed during an engagement northwest of Baqubah this morning during a raid on a Special Groups leader.
Coalition forces called in an airstrike on a building after taking “heavy fire from a group of armed men fighting from defensive positions.” Special Groups fighters attacked Coalition forces with AK-47s and RPGs, and spotted what appeared to be a fighter “carrying what appeared to be an anti-aircraft weapon.” At least 25 terrorists are believed to have been killed in the airstrike. The engagement took place in a village near Khalis, a US military officer told The Long War Journal.
From Bill Roggio's new site The Long War Journal
-----------
Coalition special operations forces continue to attack the Iranian-backed Special Groups operating inside Iraq with the same ferocity as it attacks al Qaeda. Twenty-five Special Groups fighters were killed during an engagement northwest of Baqubah this morning during a raid on a Special Groups leader.
Coalition forces called in an airstrike on a building after taking “heavy fire from a group of armed men fighting from defensive positions.” Special Groups fighters attacked Coalition forces with AK-47s and RPGs, and spotted what appeared to be a fighter “carrying what appeared to be an anti-aircraft weapon.” At least 25 terrorists are believed to have been killed in the airstrike. The engagement took place in a village near Khalis, a US military officer told The Long War Journal.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Gore MIA
Here's a summary of the effort to get Al Gore to debate climate change. Gore is unresponsive.
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In ads appearing in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Washington Times, [Czech President Vaclav] Klaus has called on Gore to face him in a one-on-one debate on the proposition: "Global Warming Is Not a Crisis." ...
The Heartland Institute, a Chicago-based free-market think tank, launched the debate campaign in April, using ads, press releases, and other tactics to prod Gore into confronting those who reject his alarmist views on global warming.
...
Gore's refusal to take on the likes of Klaus, Avery and Lord Monckton is no isolated incident of the former vice president's lacking the courage of his convictions. In June, Professor Scott Armstrong of the University of Pennsylvania urged Gore to put his global warming money where his mouth is. Armstrong, one of the world's leading experts on forecasting, has studied the forecasts made by Gore and such organizations as the UN's Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) and found their methodology wanting.
-------------------
In ads appearing in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Washington Times, [Czech President Vaclav] Klaus has called on Gore to face him in a one-on-one debate on the proposition: "Global Warming Is Not a Crisis." ...
The Heartland Institute, a Chicago-based free-market think tank, launched the debate campaign in April, using ads, press releases, and other tactics to prod Gore into confronting those who reject his alarmist views on global warming.
...
Gore's refusal to take on the likes of Klaus, Avery and Lord Monckton is no isolated incident of the former vice president's lacking the courage of his convictions. In June, Professor Scott Armstrong of the University of Pennsylvania urged Gore to put his global warming money where his mouth is. Armstrong, one of the world's leading experts on forecasting, has studied the forecasts made by Gore and such organizations as the UN's Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) and found their methodology wanting.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Who made Bollinger the Ambassadors of Insult?
Dean of Columbia University, Lee Bollinger, tried to make it seem like his invitation to the President of Iran was useful by putting him on the spot and insulting him. I'm sorry, but this was ineffective, immature and futile. Am I to believe that the Dean planned all along to invite "Ahm-a-nuttah-job" just to insult him? 1) No, I don't believe that. 2) If it was, why does Bollinger get to appoint himself the voice of America vitriol towards Iran? Shouldn't this be the role of the State Department or the President? I'd prefer to hear President Bush calling Ahm-a-nuttah-job "a petty and cruel dictator" and suggesting he is "astonishingly uneducated".
Here's a round-up of reaction from cheer to jeer at American Digest:
--------------------
Charles Johnson at LGF holds his line: lgf: Ahmadinejad's Columbia Speech, Thread 2
Lots of readers seem to think Columbia president Lee Bollinger deserves credit for his opening speech. I don't. I think it was an attempt to redeem his reputation and keep the money flowing in from alumni, and does not even begin to make up for the atrocity of giving this creature a podium at one of America's most prestigious schools.
Koz Kids (which Johnson links to in the same item) agree with him, but for slightly different reasons: Daily Kos: Bollinger's Diatribe
As an American, I was stunned and embarrassed by Bollinger's harangue of Ahmedinejad. It was a craven and cowardly capitulation to political pressures, and unworthy of the academic institution that Bollinger represents.
----------------
UPDATE:
From Gateway Pundit's round-up, this is my fear about this invitation:
---------------
(After the Dean chastises Ahmadinejad for wanting more research into the holocost)
"But, from the applause Mahmoud's getting from the university audience, Bollinger is the one who looks ridiculous."
Here's a round-up of reaction from cheer to jeer at American Digest:
--------------------
Charles Johnson at LGF holds his line: lgf: Ahmadinejad's Columbia Speech, Thread 2
Lots of readers seem to think Columbia president Lee Bollinger deserves credit for his opening speech. I don't. I think it was an attempt to redeem his reputation and keep the money flowing in from alumni, and does not even begin to make up for the atrocity of giving this creature a podium at one of America's most prestigious schools.
Koz Kids (which Johnson links to in the same item) agree with him, but for slightly different reasons: Daily Kos: Bollinger's Diatribe
As an American, I was stunned and embarrassed by Bollinger's harangue of Ahmedinejad. It was a craven and cowardly capitulation to political pressures, and unworthy of the academic institution that Bollinger represents.
----------------
UPDATE:
From Gateway Pundit's round-up, this is my fear about this invitation:
---------------
(After the Dean chastises Ahmadinejad for wanting more research into the holocost)
"But, from the applause Mahmoud's getting from the university audience, Bollinger is the one who looks ridiculous."
Hollywoods deals out punishment
Not sure who made Hollywood the parents of America, but they seem to feel that its their duty to punish America for being an economic and human-rights leader. By undermining success in the middle-east, they feel that America will be sufficiently punished for projecting her power for sucurity. Future wars and attacks on the west will surely still be further punishment for these wars. Certainly, Hollywood's weakness in the face of fascism will not be a source of the enemy-of-freedom's inspiration.
LA Times presents opposing views on the anti-war movies about to debut this fall. This includes a fictional (slanderous) movie about our soldiers in Haditha, Iraq by Brian DePalma, "inspired by true events". Yeah. The only truth being that there are soldiers in Iraq. The rest is propaganda to push for political change at the expense of America security.
From the Anti-Hollywood perspective, Andrew Breitbart:
------------------
To the Hollywood defeat set the Iraq War is painted as Abu Ghraib and a soldier raping an Iraqi 14-year-old girl and killing her family. Anomalous hideous behavior for which the perpetrators are rightfully prosecuted is used to slander the majority in the pursuit of political propaganda intended to demoralize a nation in the pursuit of ending the war. Brian De Palma admitted as much. Shameful. Predictable.
LA Times presents opposing views on the anti-war movies about to debut this fall. This includes a fictional (slanderous) movie about our soldiers in Haditha, Iraq by Brian DePalma, "inspired by true events". Yeah. The only truth being that there are soldiers in Iraq. The rest is propaganda to push for political change at the expense of America security.
From the Anti-Hollywood perspective, Andrew Breitbart:
------------------
To the Hollywood defeat set the Iraq War is painted as Abu Ghraib and a soldier raping an Iraqi 14-year-old girl and killing her family. Anomalous hideous behavior for which the perpetrators are rightfully prosecuted is used to slander the majority in the pursuit of political propaganda intended to demoralize a nation in the pursuit of ending the war. Brian De Palma admitted as much. Shameful. Predictable.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Democratic Leader
Blatant lying from the Democratic leader, Harry Reid. (via. Hugh Hewitt interview with Victor Davis Hanson)
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HH: Well, on the weekend, Harry Reid told a Nevada newspaper that a million Iraqis had been killed in Iraq since the invasion. That’s trafficking in propaganda.
VDH: Yeah, it is. He’s unhinged. I think that people have to realize that he’s unhinged. You know, when he said the war was lost, or that Petraeus was untrustworthy, this was a man, remember, that on October 12th, 2002, gave a speech and said that he didn’t care about WMD, because we were in a de facto war with Saddam since ’91 when he broke the armistice accords, and we had to go to war with him. So I think he’s just somebody who’s…he’s almost a poster boy for the Republicans.
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HH: Well, on the weekend, Harry Reid told a Nevada newspaper that a million Iraqis had been killed in Iraq since the invasion. That’s trafficking in propaganda.
VDH: Yeah, it is. He’s unhinged. I think that people have to realize that he’s unhinged. You know, when he said the war was lost, or that Petraeus was untrustworthy, this was a man, remember, that on October 12th, 2002, gave a speech and said that he didn’t care about WMD, because we were in a de facto war with Saddam since ’91 when he broke the armistice accords, and we had to go to war with him. So I think he’s just somebody who’s…he’s almost a poster boy for the Republicans.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Your Commander-in-Chief?
Should one be elected Commander-in-Chief if one does not trust one's generals? 69% of Americans trust the military. Shouldn't you're president be in this segment of the population?
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“You have been made the de facto spokesmen for what many of us believe to be a failed policy. Despite what I view as your rather extraordinary efforts in your testimony ... I think that the reports that you provide to us really require the willing suspension of disbelief.”
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- Hillary Rodham Clinton 9/11/07
This is political speak for, "I don't believe you."
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“You have been made the de facto spokesmen for what many of us believe to be a failed policy. Despite what I view as your rather extraordinary efforts in your testimony ... I think that the reports that you provide to us really require the willing suspension of disbelief.”
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- Hillary Rodham Clinton 9/11/07
This is political speak for, "I don't believe you."
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Hsuicide?
Now we learn that Norman Hsu, the Clinton/Democratic fund raiser busted for shady fund raising and donations, has left a suicide note. Brings back memories of the Vincent Foster story.
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Vincent Walker Foster, Jr. (January 15, 1945 – July 20, 1993) was a deputy White House counsel during the first term of President Bill Clinton, and also a law partner and personal acquaintance of Hillary Clinton. His death was ruled a suicide by multiple official investigations, but became a subject of conspiracy
----------
Vincent Walker Foster, Jr. (January 15, 1945 – July 20, 1993) was a deputy White House counsel during the first term of President Bill Clinton, and also a law partner and personal acquaintance of Hillary Clinton. His death was ruled a suicide by multiple official investigations, but became a subject of conspiracy
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Hobson's Choice
From Wikipedia:
"Hobson's choice is a free choice in which only one option is offered. The choice is therefore between taking the option or not taking it. The phrase is said to originate from Thomas Hobson (1544–1630), a livery stable owner at Cambridge, England who, in order to rotate the use of his horses, offered customers the choice of either taking the horse in the stall nearest the door—or taking none at all."
Mario Loyola at NRO
---------------
... Democratic-party leaders are faced with Hobson's choice. They must play the pessimist's part – it is the only way to maintain their majority. Anything else is political suicide for them. They are irretrievably invested in defeat. They therefore have to deny that we are making progress, no matter how obvious that progress is — and no matter how relieved they are, deep down inside, as Americans, that we are making it.
"Hobson's choice is a free choice in which only one option is offered. The choice is therefore between taking the option or not taking it. The phrase is said to originate from Thomas Hobson (1544–1630), a livery stable owner at Cambridge, England who, in order to rotate the use of his horses, offered customers the choice of either taking the horse in the stall nearest the door—or taking none at all."
Mario Loyola at NRO
---------------
... Democratic-party leaders are faced with Hobson's choice. They must play the pessimist's part – it is the only way to maintain their majority. Anything else is political suicide for them. They are irretrievably invested in defeat. They therefore have to deny that we are making progress, no matter how obvious that progress is — and no matter how relieved they are, deep down inside, as Americans, that we are making it.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Chuck Schumer - Shame...
The despicable Democrat from New York, Chuck Schumer slanders our troops. Then, realizing what he said, apologizes? No. He tries to re-write history. Sorry, Chuck. You Tube remembers what you said...
-----------
And let me be clear. The violence in Anbar has gone down in spite of the Surge, not because of the Surge.
The inability of American soldiers to protect these tribes from Al Qaeda said to these tribes, "We have to fight Al Qaeda ourselves."
-Chuck Schumer 9/5/07
-----------
(via. Gateway Pundit)
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And let me be clear. The violence in Anbar has gone down in spite of the Surge, not because of the Surge.
The inability of American soldiers to protect these tribes from Al Qaeda said to these tribes, "We have to fight Al Qaeda ourselves."
-Chuck Schumer 9/5/07
-----------
(via. Gateway Pundit)
Moveon.org's Pre-emptive Strike
In an effort to shape opinion on what should be a discussion of facts, Moveon.org has placed an add in the New York Times calling General Petraeus "General Betray us". Comments from the Weekly Standard:
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Let's be clear: MoveOn.org is suggesting that General Petraeus has 'betrayed' his country. This is disgusting. To attack as a traitor an American general commanding forces in war because his 'on the ground' experience does not align with MoveOn.org's political objectives is utterly shameful.
...
So, veterans who served in Iraq ask the Democratic leaders in Congress: Does MoveOn.org speak for you? Do you agree with MoveOn.org? Or do you repudiate this despicable charge?
---------------
Let's be clear: MoveOn.org is suggesting that General Petraeus has 'betrayed' his country. This is disgusting. To attack as a traitor an American general commanding forces in war because his 'on the ground' experience does not align with MoveOn.org's political objectives is utterly shameful.
...
So, veterans who served in Iraq ask the Democratic leaders in Congress: Does MoveOn.org speak for you? Do you agree with MoveOn.org? Or do you repudiate this despicable charge?
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Follow-Emulate
I have long thought about how a population, generations in the making, who have only known tyrannical rule, could open their eyes to being a free and open society. The answer is here in Michael Yon's latest. A life of following is perfect if we are the ones they follow. The Marines.
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Over the next several days, I saw how much the Iraqis respected Rakene Lee and the other Marines who were all courageous, tactically competent, measured, and collectively and constantly telling even the Iraqis to go easy on the Iraqis. It’s people like Rakene Lee who are winning the moral high ground in Iraq. It is people like this who are devastating al Qaeda just by being themselves. Over those same several days, I would also see the Iraqi Lieutenant Hamid treat prisoners with respect and going out of his way to treat other Iraqis the way he saw Americans treating them. Lieutenant Hamid, in his young twenties, seemed to watch every move of the Marines and try to emulate them.
------------
Over the next several days, I saw how much the Iraqis respected Rakene Lee and the other Marines who were all courageous, tactically competent, measured, and collectively and constantly telling even the Iraqis to go easy on the Iraqis. It’s people like Rakene Lee who are winning the moral high ground in Iraq. It is people like this who are devastating al Qaeda just by being themselves. Over those same several days, I would also see the Iraqi Lieutenant Hamid treat prisoners with respect and going out of his way to treat other Iraqis the way he saw Americans treating them. Lieutenant Hamid, in his young twenties, seemed to watch every move of the Marines and try to emulate them.
Data has no Political Bias
Here is an excellent post about the latest casualty figures from Iraq. Civilian deaths were steady even though 1/3 of these casualties came from the worst attack of the war (400 people). US Military deaths were flat, but at pre-surge levels. These are the signs that we are winning in Iraq. And we must continue until the war is won.
--------------
Although I wish more progress were evident in the civilian casualty chart, one has to say that the new strategy adopted by General Petraeus is showing results. Actually, the results have been quite spectacular, but this fact is obscured by the high number of civilian casualties that are still evident. I have thought all along that if civilian casualties did not drop very substantially by the Fall "deadline," Harry Reid would use that fact to successfully convince the American public that "this war is lost." And because most Americans do not pay close attention to the details and therefore do not really understand what is happening in Iraq, I had thought that surrender (to al Qaeda) would be in the cards.
I don't think that any more. In fact, I am amazed that Americans (and even some Democratic leaders) are able to appreciate the momentous turn of events that has occurred in Iraq lately. More and more Americans seem to understand that we really are in a war against al Qaeda in Iraq (whether or not Iraqi politicians reconcile with each other), that al Qaeda has made it so, and that losing to al Qaeda would have profoundly negative consequences. They also seem to appreciate that the tide has turned against al Qaeda in a very big way even though the terrorists remain capable of launching sneak attacks against and slaughtering unarmed and completely innocent men, women and children. Although the mainstream media often refers to these attacks as being carried out by Sunni "militants" or "extremists," the American public seems to appreciate the glaringly obvious fact that these attacks are instead carried out by "terrorists." Al Qaeda terrorists, in fact. They are doing so not because they are participating in a Sunni-vs.-Shiite civil war but because they are trying to provoke a civil war to bring down the Iraqi government and to demoralize you (so that you will throw your support behind Harry Reid and like-minded anti-victory Democrats).
I have long pointed to the eerie code of silence that Democrats have adopted on the subject of al Qaeda in Iraq. On those rare occasions when they do happen to mention al Qaeda in Iraq, they typically deny its importance and point to the absurd notion that the real terrorists are in Afghanistan. You know that this is false. All you have to do is add up the number of civilians killed by foreign suicide bombers in Iraq this year and compare it to the number killed by suicide bombers in Afghanistan over the same period of time. It would be something like 2000 (Iraq) vs. 60 (Afghanistan) in 2007 alone. Obviously, al Qaeda's leaders are hiding somewhere along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan, but they are sending their foot soldiers to Iraq to evict American forces from that country first. Then they'll turn their attention to Afghanistan (at which point the Democrats will finally be right about where the real terrorists are).
--------------
Although I wish more progress were evident in the civilian casualty chart, one has to say that the new strategy adopted by General Petraeus is showing results. Actually, the results have been quite spectacular, but this fact is obscured by the high number of civilian casualties that are still evident. I have thought all along that if civilian casualties did not drop very substantially by the Fall "deadline," Harry Reid would use that fact to successfully convince the American public that "this war is lost." And because most Americans do not pay close attention to the details and therefore do not really understand what is happening in Iraq, I had thought that surrender (to al Qaeda) would be in the cards.
I don't think that any more. In fact, I am amazed that Americans (and even some Democratic leaders) are able to appreciate the momentous turn of events that has occurred in Iraq lately. More and more Americans seem to understand that we really are in a war against al Qaeda in Iraq (whether or not Iraqi politicians reconcile with each other), that al Qaeda has made it so, and that losing to al Qaeda would have profoundly negative consequences. They also seem to appreciate that the tide has turned against al Qaeda in a very big way even though the terrorists remain capable of launching sneak attacks against and slaughtering unarmed and completely innocent men, women and children. Although the mainstream media often refers to these attacks as being carried out by Sunni "militants" or "extremists," the American public seems to appreciate the glaringly obvious fact that these attacks are instead carried out by "terrorists." Al Qaeda terrorists, in fact. They are doing so not because they are participating in a Sunni-vs.-Shiite civil war but because they are trying to provoke a civil war to bring down the Iraqi government and to demoralize you (so that you will throw your support behind Harry Reid and like-minded anti-victory Democrats).
I have long pointed to the eerie code of silence that Democrats have adopted on the subject of al Qaeda in Iraq. On those rare occasions when they do happen to mention al Qaeda in Iraq, they typically deny its importance and point to the absurd notion that the real terrorists are in Afghanistan. You know that this is false. All you have to do is add up the number of civilians killed by foreign suicide bombers in Iraq this year and compare it to the number killed by suicide bombers in Afghanistan over the same period of time. It would be something like 2000 (Iraq) vs. 60 (Afghanistan) in 2007 alone. Obviously, al Qaeda's leaders are hiding somewhere along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan, but they are sending their foot soldiers to Iraq to evict American forces from that country first. Then they'll turn their attention to Afghanistan (at which point the Democrats will finally be right about where the real terrorists are).
Monday, September 03, 2007
Sacrificing America to defeat Bush
This is a sad highlight of the pending anti-Bush/anti-America movies about the be released just in time for the election.
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However, most of these films will serve to reinforce the negative messages delivered daily by the MSM to a public largely ignorant of what’s really going on.
Just as in Britain during WWII there’s no guarantee that we’re going to win the War on Terror. However, unlike then, most of today’s filmmakers and actors, along with most journalists, feel no compunction to rally the people to the cause. They want to see Bush defeated, and if that also means defeat for America, and the consequences for the Middle East and the Western democracies that such a defeat would entail, then so be it.
Hopefully continued progress in Iraq and Afghanistan will diminish the public's appetite for fictionalised bad news stories. And perhaps more film-makers who, while not necessarily cheerleaders for the war at least aren't invested in the idea of defeat, will produce more balanced, even positive movies (where are you Bruce Willis?). If so, and if movie-goers shun the anti-war polemics, then Hollywood will be hit where it hurts – at the box office – and might just get the message.
--------------------
However, most of these films will serve to reinforce the negative messages delivered daily by the MSM to a public largely ignorant of what’s really going on.
Just as in Britain during WWII there’s no guarantee that we’re going to win the War on Terror. However, unlike then, most of today’s filmmakers and actors, along with most journalists, feel no compunction to rally the people to the cause. They want to see Bush defeated, and if that also means defeat for America, and the consequences for the Middle East and the Western democracies that such a defeat would entail, then so be it.
Hopefully continued progress in Iraq and Afghanistan will diminish the public's appetite for fictionalised bad news stories. And perhaps more film-makers who, while not necessarily cheerleaders for the war at least aren't invested in the idea of defeat, will produce more balanced, even positive movies (where are you Bruce Willis?). If so, and if movie-goers shun the anti-war polemics, then Hollywood will be hit where it hurts – at the box office – and might just get the message.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
"Leaders"
The Democratic "leadership" has changed direction now that the polls tell them to. This is not leadership. This is pandering for job security. For Shame.
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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has backed down from demands for a withdrawal of our troops in Iraq by next spring.
Selling voters on cut and run was always tough, but now a new UPI/Zogby Poll finds that 54% of Americans believe the Iraq war is not lost.
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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has backed down from demands for a withdrawal of our troops in Iraq by next spring.
Selling voters on cut and run was always tough, but now a new UPI/Zogby Poll finds that 54% of Americans believe the Iraq war is not lost.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Money Quote
I haven't read the book, but this quote has got me looking on Amazon to put it on my wish list. At Captain's Quarters, Herschel Smith reminds us of the scale of war during WWII and where we are today. He references the book, Marcus Luttrell’s “Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of Seal Team 10″, about the failed SEAL mission in Afghanistan where the SEALS were afraid to kill a witness who ended up ratting on them resulting the death to 19 elite US Soldiers (and the failure of the important mission which arguably resulted in the deaths of many more).
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“Look at me right now in my story,” Mr. Luttrell writes. “Helpless, tortured, shot, blown up, my best buddies all dead, and all because we were afraid of the liberals back home, afraid to do what was necessary to save our own lives.
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“Look at me right now in my story,” Mr. Luttrell writes. “Helpless, tortured, shot, blown up, my best buddies all dead, and all because we were afraid of the liberals back home, afraid to do what was necessary to save our own lives.
Summary and Status
Here's a quick political status of the war From the Charleston Daily Mail.
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America has been torn over this war. It had enormous popularity early on, which has evaporated into a seething cynicism.
This is not the first time. More than 140 years ago, America faced a similar crisis. The Copperhead Democrats wanted to make peace with the South and leave slavery alone. Too many people had died, the Democrats argued.
At Gettysburg, President Lincoln told them no, he would not allow our troops to die in vain.
Elections have meaning. This past one put Bush on notice: Win the war or be done with it.
He seems to have heard America.
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America has been torn over this war. It had enormous popularity early on, which has evaporated into a seething cynicism.
This is not the first time. More than 140 years ago, America faced a similar crisis. The Copperhead Democrats wanted to make peace with the South and leave slavery alone. Too many people had died, the Democrats argued.
At Gettysburg, President Lincoln told them no, he would not allow our troops to die in vain.
Elections have meaning. This past one put Bush on notice: Win the war or be done with it.
He seems to have heard America.
Friday, August 24, 2007
The Brave Democrat
Democratic Rep. Brian Baird has visited Iraq and has written a piece for the Seattle Times. This is a thoughtful perspective on the war. I respect criticism of the management of this war. But what matters is that we win and Al Qaeda loses, not Dem. or Rep. Thank you Representative Baird for saying what needs to be said, not what you've been instructed to say. Please read this article for criticism of the war and for encouragement for victory.
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The invasion of Iraq may be one of the worst foreign-policy mistakes in the history of our nation. As tragic and costly as that mistake has been, a precipitous or premature withdrawal of our forces now has the potential to turn the initial errors into an even greater problem just as success looks possible.
As a Democrat who voted against the war from the outset and who has been frankly critical of the administration and the post-invasion strategy, I am convinced by the evidence that the situation has at long last begun to change substantially for the better. I believe Iraq could have a positive future. Our diplomatic and military leaders in Iraq, their current strategy, and most importantly, our troops and the Iraqi people themselves, deserve our continued support and more time to succeed.
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The invasion of Iraq may be one of the worst foreign-policy mistakes in the history of our nation. As tragic and costly as that mistake has been, a precipitous or premature withdrawal of our forces now has the potential to turn the initial errors into an even greater problem just as success looks possible.
As a Democrat who voted against the war from the outset and who has been frankly critical of the administration and the post-invasion strategy, I am convinced by the evidence that the situation has at long last begun to change substantially for the better. I believe Iraq could have a positive future. Our diplomatic and military leaders in Iraq, their current strategy, and most importantly, our troops and the Iraqi people themselves, deserve our continued support and more time to succeed.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
You may laugh....
... but I think Hugh Hewitt is right.
-----------
Reagan was often attacked as a dangerous ideolouge who needed to reconcile himself to the facts of the world, but he never succombed to Beltway realpolitick.
"Here's my strategy on the Cold War," Reagan declared. "We win, they lose."
This is also George W. Bush's approach to Islamist fanaticism. And a generation from now his resolve concerning the War on Terror will be as esteemed as Reagan's resolve to triumph in the Cold War.
-----------
Reagan was often attacked as a dangerous ideolouge who needed to reconcile himself to the facts of the world, but he never succombed to Beltway realpolitick.
"Here's my strategy on the Cold War," Reagan declared. "We win, they lose."
This is also George W. Bush's approach to Islamist fanaticism. And a generation from now his resolve concerning the War on Terror will be as esteemed as Reagan's resolve to triumph in the Cold War.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Progress 5
This is impressive (IraqSlogger via. Bill Roggio):
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In an unprecedented combined action in Diyala Province, Iraqi police and citizen volunteers defeated a coordinated attack of approximately 40-60 al-Qaeda terrorists in the southern Burhitz area of Baqubah, Wednesday, and killed an estimated 21 insurgents, wounding more.
As the terrorists entered the city of Burhitz, a group of concerned local citizens, called ‘Baqubah Guardians,’ and IPs stationed in Burhitz engaged the first wave of attackers, killing seven. At least two suicide bombers were killed before they reached their intended targets, with the bomb vests detonating prematurely.
The IP notified the Provincial Joint Coordination Center and requested Coalition Force attack helicopter support after the first engagement. Attack helicopters arrived and engaged another large group of heavily armed fighters staging near the first attack site, killing or wounding an estimated 14 terrorists.
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In an unprecedented combined action in Diyala Province, Iraqi police and citizen volunteers defeated a coordinated attack of approximately 40-60 al-Qaeda terrorists in the southern Burhitz area of Baqubah, Wednesday, and killed an estimated 21 insurgents, wounding more.
As the terrorists entered the city of Burhitz, a group of concerned local citizens, called ‘Baqubah Guardians,’ and IPs stationed in Burhitz engaged the first wave of attackers, killing seven. At least two suicide bombers were killed before they reached their intended targets, with the bomb vests detonating prematurely.
The IP notified the Provincial Joint Coordination Center and requested Coalition Force attack helicopter support after the first engagement. Attack helicopters arrived and engaged another large group of heavily armed fighters staging near the first attack site, killing or wounding an estimated 14 terrorists.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Killing for Congress
Ralph Peters in the NY Post.
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August 16, 2007 -- TWO days ago, al Qaeda det onated four massive truck bombs in three Iraqi vil lages, killing at least 250 civilians (perhaps as many as 500) and wounding many more. The bombings were a sign of al Qaeda's frustration, desperation and fear.
The victims were ethnic Kurd Yazidis, members of a minor sect with pre-Islamic roots. Muslim extremists condemn them (wrongly) as devil worshippers. The Yazidis live on the fringes of society.
That's one of the two reasons al Qaeda targeted those settlements: The terrorist leaders realize now that the carnage they wrought on fellow Muslims backfired, turning once-sympathetic Sunni Arabs against them. The fanatics calculated that Iraqis wouldn't care much about the Yazidis.
...
But the second reason for those dramatic bombings was that al Qaeda needs to portray Iraq as a continuing failure of U.S. policy. Those dead and maimed Yazidis were just props: The intended audience was Congress.
----------------
August 16, 2007 -- TWO days ago, al Qaeda det onated four massive truck bombs in three Iraqi vil lages, killing at least 250 civilians (perhaps as many as 500) and wounding many more. The bombings were a sign of al Qaeda's frustration, desperation and fear.
The victims were ethnic Kurd Yazidis, members of a minor sect with pre-Islamic roots. Muslim extremists condemn them (wrongly) as devil worshippers. The Yazidis live on the fringes of society.
That's one of the two reasons al Qaeda targeted those settlements: The terrorist leaders realize now that the carnage they wrought on fellow Muslims backfired, turning once-sympathetic Sunni Arabs against them. The fanatics calculated that Iraqis wouldn't care much about the Yazidis.
...
But the second reason for those dramatic bombings was that al Qaeda needs to portray Iraq as a continuing failure of U.S. policy. Those dead and maimed Yazidis were just props: The intended audience was Congress.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Politics as Usual
Micheal Yon comments and follows-up:
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Almost everyone (by now) must have heard about the “lazy” Iraqi parliament members who, like so many Neros fiddling while Rome burns around them, are taking a month off. ...
False advertising is afoot. I write these words from Indonesia, soaking wet, having just returned from photographing rice paddies in a pouring rain, wearing a Florida Gators shirt. That means there is a green alligator on my chest. While supporting my team, my shirt perpetuates the myth that alligators are green, when in fact they are black when wet, gray when dry.The mantra that “there is no political progress in Iraq” is rapidly becoming the “surge” equivalent of a green alligator: when enough people repeat something that sounds plausible, but also happens to be false, it becomes accepted as fact. The more often it is repeated—and the larger the number of people repeating it—the harder it is to convince anyone of the truth: alligators are not green, and Iraqis are making plenty of political progress.
----------------
I have never really understood the "Iraq has not agreed on oil sharing.. Iraqis need to undo de-baathification laws..." imposed America milestones. Who are we to set their milestones? Our job is to make it safe for sustained, organized government. Once it's sustainable, we can leave and let them take 5, 10, 100 years to optimize their society. As long as they don't send death to our families, our goal has been achieved.
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Almost everyone (by now) must have heard about the “lazy” Iraqi parliament members who, like so many Neros fiddling while Rome burns around them, are taking a month off. ...
False advertising is afoot. I write these words from Indonesia, soaking wet, having just returned from photographing rice paddies in a pouring rain, wearing a Florida Gators shirt. That means there is a green alligator on my chest. While supporting my team, my shirt perpetuates the myth that alligators are green, when in fact they are black when wet, gray when dry.The mantra that “there is no political progress in Iraq” is rapidly becoming the “surge” equivalent of a green alligator: when enough people repeat something that sounds plausible, but also happens to be false, it becomes accepted as fact. The more often it is repeated—and the larger the number of people repeating it—the harder it is to convince anyone of the truth: alligators are not green, and Iraqis are making plenty of political progress.
----------------
I have never really understood the "Iraq has not agreed on oil sharing.. Iraqis need to undo de-baathification laws..." imposed America milestones. Who are we to set their milestones? Our job is to make it safe for sustained, organized government. Once it's sustainable, we can leave and let them take 5, 10, 100 years to optimize their society. As long as they don't send death to our families, our goal has been achieved.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Disaster Porn
I completely agree with James Lileks.
----------------
Headline over at KSTP:
“Hear the screams from inside the bus.”
You know what? I don’t want to hear the screams from inside the bus. I don’t want to hear someone’s kid shrieking in panic, begging her mom to come save her. Why would I?
This is the point in the story where we start to debate what’s news, and what’s just disaster-pr0n....
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This is what we accept news today. Entertainment. The pain and suffering of others.
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Headline over at KSTP:
“Hear the screams from inside the bus.”
You know what? I don’t want to hear the screams from inside the bus. I don’t want to hear someone’s kid shrieking in panic, begging her mom to come save her. Why would I?
This is the point in the story where we start to debate what’s news, and what’s just disaster-pr0n....
----------------
This is what we accept news today. Entertainment. The pain and suffering of others.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
People we should all know
The weekly radio show, Pundit Review Radio (AM680 WRKO Boston, Sundays 7-10PM), is a fantastic radio show. They have a terrific segment called "Someone you should know" where they highlight a US military hero from the War on Terror. This week they featured New Hampshire resident and citizen soldier SPC. Richard “Buddy” Ghent. Listen to the podcast for a real feeling for his heroism. And Thank you, SPC. Ghent.
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Armed only with a 9mm pistol. Facing insurgents who had just blown up his Humvee, wounded him with shrapnel and a gun shot wound to the back, killed his best friend and badly wounded his sergeant, he charged. With a pistol. Against unwounded insurgents with assault rifles.
He charged them.
And he drove them off and held his position until relieved by another element of his platoon. With a pistol.
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Here is their archive of heroes recognized on their show.
You can subscribe to Pundit Review Radio on iTunes or visit their sight to listen to their show if you are unavailable Sunday evening.
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Armed only with a 9mm pistol. Facing insurgents who had just blown up his Humvee, wounded him with shrapnel and a gun shot wound to the back, killed his best friend and badly wounded his sergeant, he charged. With a pistol. Against unwounded insurgents with assault rifles.
He charged them.
And he drove them off and held his position until relieved by another element of his platoon. With a pistol.
----------------
Here is their archive of heroes recognized on their show.
You can subscribe to Pundit Review Radio on iTunes or visit their sight to listen to their show if you are unavailable Sunday evening.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Translation
The Washington Post quotes Sen. John D. Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) on President Bush's "electronic surveillance of overseas communications in search of terrorists." (If you don't recognize this program, liberals and CNN call it "Domestic Spying".)
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"Given the continued threat environment and some recent technical developments, I have become convinced that we must take some immediate, but interim, step to improve collection of foreign intelligence in a manner that doesn't compromise civil liberties of U.S. citizens,"
----------------
Allow me to translate:
"Now that you have re-elected us to stop Bush, we must do what is right for the country and continue with Bush's policies on the war and on domestic spying. Oh, and thank you again for your vote."
Bottom line - as I have posted on before, the democrats have two choices, go against the president and put Americans in danger, or accept the fact that Bush is doing what needs to be done to protect America. The latter is their duty. The former is their career.
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"Given the continued threat environment and some recent technical developments, I have become convinced that we must take some immediate, but interim, step to improve collection of foreign intelligence in a manner that doesn't compromise civil liberties of U.S. citizens,"
----------------
Allow me to translate:
"Now that you have re-elected us to stop Bush, we must do what is right for the country and continue with Bush's policies on the war and on domestic spying. Oh, and thank you again for your vote."
Bottom line - as I have posted on before, the democrats have two choices, go against the president and put Americans in danger, or accept the fact that Bush is doing what needs to be done to protect America. The latter is their duty. The former is their career.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
The Last Open Front
This seems to me to be the last open front that the US has in the war against Iran - open until the liberal, anti-war political faction decides to shut it down like they've done with terrorist money tracking and the international terrorist surveylance project (CNN falsely and deliberately calls this the "domestic spying program")
Strategy Page
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Much to Iran's annoyance, the U.S. is cracking down on financial institutions that moves money to terrorist organizations Iran supports. This includes Hizbollah and Hamas. The U.S. has ramped up its intelligence effort to discover who is paying who, and is ordering banks to cease providing services to terrorist related organizations, or face being cut off from the American banking system. Iran has to scramble to find banks that do not fear U.S. banking sanctions, and is discovering that this is not easy.
Strategy Page
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Much to Iran's annoyance, the U.S. is cracking down on financial institutions that moves money to terrorist organizations Iran supports. This includes Hizbollah and Hamas. The U.S. has ramped up its intelligence effort to discover who is paying who, and is ordering banks to cease providing services to terrorist related organizations, or face being cut off from the American banking system. Iran has to scramble to find banks that do not fear U.S. banking sanctions, and is discovering that this is not easy.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The Fleecing of CBS
Powerline does an excellent job of dissecting the misleading report by CBS on President Bush's speech in South Carolina on 7/23/07. I often listen to the mainstream media pick and chose to make their point. And they drop clear lies that the liberal left has accepted as fact. I wish I had time to do this type of fleecing on many CNN, NBC, etc. stories. I would hope it would be eye opening to some.
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CBS's attack on Bush is remarkable. The network essentially called the President a liar. Here are some of CBS's key statements; let's take them one by one:
President Bush appealed today for more time for his Iraq strategy to work, but this time with a new rationale. *** President Bush's rationale is clearly shifting, from policing sectarian violence to targeting al Qaeda.
As the White House pointed out today, the President has talked about the threat of al Qaeda in Iraq in more than 40 speeches and other public appearances this year [including the speech that CBS cherry picks a quote from]. It's interesting, too, that CBS thinks the old rationale was "policing sectarian violence." I'd be interested to see a single instance where President Bush has said that our mission in Iraq is "policing sectarian violence."
...
It is inconceivable that CBS's reporters would broadcast this segment without reading President Bush's speech of January 10. It is equally inconceivable that they could read that speech without realizing that there is, in fact, no contradiction between it and the President's speech in South Carolina yesterday. The obvious inference is that CBS has deliberately chosen to mislead and misinform its viewers on the most vital issue of our time. I would much rather not believe that. But what other explanation can there be?
------------------
CBS's attack on Bush is remarkable. The network essentially called the President a liar. Here are some of CBS's key statements; let's take them one by one:
President Bush appealed today for more time for his Iraq strategy to work, but this time with a new rationale. *** President Bush's rationale is clearly shifting, from policing sectarian violence to targeting al Qaeda.
As the White House pointed out today, the President has talked about the threat of al Qaeda in Iraq in more than 40 speeches and other public appearances this year [including the speech that CBS cherry picks a quote from]. It's interesting, too, that CBS thinks the old rationale was "policing sectarian violence." I'd be interested to see a single instance where President Bush has said that our mission in Iraq is "policing sectarian violence."
...
It is inconceivable that CBS's reporters would broadcast this segment without reading President Bush's speech of January 10. It is equally inconceivable that they could read that speech without realizing that there is, in fact, no contradiction between it and the President's speech in South Carolina yesterday. The obvious inference is that CBS has deliberately chosen to mislead and misinform its viewers on the most vital issue of our time. I would much rather not believe that. But what other explanation can there be?
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Boring Story
Most of the stories from Iraq these day are boring - but in a good way. Michael Yon posts and talk to Instapundit that he hasn't seen any fighting in a day in Baqubah. Baqubah was the center of the insurgency 30 days ago, now it's 90% pacified. Ninety percent is not 100% and 10% bad guys means there's still work to be done. But from 100% to 10% in 30 days is huge progress.
And Michael Totten is now in Baghdad going out with our troops and he seems to be 30+ days to late for the action. His sector of Baghdad is quiet, too. You can follow his days in Baghdad with the 82nd Airborne at his site, but here are is a little from his latest post.
--------------
Everyone was friendly. No one shot at us or even looked at us funny. Infrastructure problems, not security, were the biggest concerns at the moment. I felt like I was in Iraqi Kurdistan – where the war is already over – not in Baghdad.
...
[Totten]“This is not what I expected in Baghdad,” I said.
[Lieutenant Wolf] “Most of what we’re doing doesn’t get reported in the media,” he said. “We’re not fighting a war here anymore, not in this area. We’ve moved way beyond that stage. We built a soccer field for the kids, bought all kinds of equipment, bought them school books and even chalk. Soon we’re installing 1,500 solar street lamps so they have light at night and can take some of the load off the power grid. The media only covers the gruesome stuff. We go to the sheiks and say hey man, what kind of projects do you want in this area? They give us a list and we submit the paperwork. When the projects get approved, we give them the money and help them buy stuff.”
...
“The kids here do seem to like you,” I said to Lieutenant Lord.
“They do,” he said. “In Sadr City, though, they throw rocks and flip us off.”
The American military is staying out of Sadr City for now. The surge hasn’t even begun there, and I don’t know if it will.
...
“Man, this is boring,” one of them said to me later. “I’m an adrenaline junky. There’s no fight here. It won’t surprise me if we start handing out speeding tickets.” So it goes in at least this part of Baghdad that has been cleared by the surge.
...
“Man, this is boring,” one of them said to me later. “I’m an adrenaline junky. There’s no fight here. It won’t surprise me if we start handing out speeding tickets.” So it goes in at least this part of Baghdad that has been cleared by the surge.
“When we first got here,” said another and laughed, “shit hit the fan.”
It was all a bit boring, but blessedly so.
And Michael Totten is now in Baghdad going out with our troops and he seems to be 30+ days to late for the action. His sector of Baghdad is quiet, too. You can follow his days in Baghdad with the 82nd Airborne at his site, but here are is a little from his latest post.
--------------
Everyone was friendly. No one shot at us or even looked at us funny. Infrastructure problems, not security, were the biggest concerns at the moment. I felt like I was in Iraqi Kurdistan – where the war is already over – not in Baghdad.
...
[Totten]“This is not what I expected in Baghdad,” I said.
[Lieutenant Wolf] “Most of what we’re doing doesn’t get reported in the media,” he said. “We’re not fighting a war here anymore, not in this area. We’ve moved way beyond that stage. We built a soccer field for the kids, bought all kinds of equipment, bought them school books and even chalk. Soon we’re installing 1,500 solar street lamps so they have light at night and can take some of the load off the power grid. The media only covers the gruesome stuff. We go to the sheiks and say hey man, what kind of projects do you want in this area? They give us a list and we submit the paperwork. When the projects get approved, we give them the money and help them buy stuff.”
...
“The kids here do seem to like you,” I said to Lieutenant Lord.
“They do,” he said. “In Sadr City, though, they throw rocks and flip us off.”
The American military is staying out of Sadr City for now. The surge hasn’t even begun there, and I don’t know if it will.
...
“Man, this is boring,” one of them said to me later. “I’m an adrenaline junky. There’s no fight here. It won’t surprise me if we start handing out speeding tickets.” So it goes in at least this part of Baghdad that has been cleared by the surge.
...
“Man, this is boring,” one of them said to me later. “I’m an adrenaline junky. There’s no fight here. It won’t surprise me if we start handing out speeding tickets.” So it goes in at least this part of Baghdad that has been cleared by the surge.
“When we first got here,” said another and laughed, “shit hit the fan.”
It was all a bit boring, but blessedly so.
Monday, July 23, 2007
They will Believe
Just throw in any old adjective to de-legitimized the war. The Anti-Bush will believe you. (Powerline)
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The report quickly transitions to the fact that the administration is now willing to hold bilateral talks on Iraq with Iran:
The announcement came days after Washington said it was ready to hold direct talks with Iran on the deteriorating security situation in Iraq amid U.S. allegations that Tehran is supporting violent Shiite militias in the country.
But wait! The security situation in Iraq is not "deteriorating," it is improving, by any statistical measure.
...
The AP will, of course, do whatever it can to make sure that "any attempt to paint a positive picture of the war" fails, whether that positive picture is accurate or not.
The AP wants readers to think that the U.S. is approaching Iran because the security situation in Iraq is deteriorating. In fact, it is not the situation on the ground that is worsening, it is the political climate in the U.S. And for that fact, the AP itself bears a great deal of responsibility.
---------
The report quickly transitions to the fact that the administration is now willing to hold bilateral talks on Iraq with Iran:
The announcement came days after Washington said it was ready to hold direct talks with Iran on the deteriorating security situation in Iraq amid U.S. allegations that Tehran is supporting violent Shiite militias in the country.
But wait! The security situation in Iraq is not "deteriorating," it is improving, by any statistical measure.
...
The AP will, of course, do whatever it can to make sure that "any attempt to paint a positive picture of the war" fails, whether that positive picture is accurate or not.
The AP wants readers to think that the U.S. is approaching Iran because the security situation in Iraq is deteriorating. In fact, it is not the situation on the ground that is worsening, it is the political climate in the U.S. And for that fact, the AP itself bears a great deal of responsibility.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
This is how I see it
Don't be offended. It's just how I feel. If you disagree, please just contemplate my thoughts. Thanks.
The Democrats want Iraq to be a failure so they can gain control of our goverment (president and congress in 2008). That's the bottom line.
The Republicans as less to blame but should still feel shame. They show no leadership for a country that is looking for some straight talk of a coarse for the future.
Don Sauber talks about the failure of our congress and alludes frightening to what the future of the country holds. Not being taken over by Islamo-Fascists, but of the total collapse of confidence in government of our citizenry. What happens then?
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Instead of addressing the energy crisis, tax reform, securing the borders or even increasing production of U.S. oil to end America's reliance on foreign oil, Democrats have one agenda item: Putting Bush's head on a plate.
...
Instead of debates, we get stunts like this week's all-night filibuster.
...
Instead of tackling problems, we get hundreds of investigations into Bush.
Instead of civility we get Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid of Nevada taking a below-the-belt verbal jab at Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and then making Specter wait 30 minutes to respond.
Democratic leaders want to do nothing. They want to portray Republicans as obstructionists and Bush as evil, in the hopes of securing the presidency in 2008 and a 60-vote majority in the Senate.
...
But what if it doesn't? What if the public sees this cynicism for what it is? Whither the democracy?
...
For the sake of the Republic, I hope that Democrats will get together at some point, review the public's reaction and come up with a plan to accomplish something other than pin-the-blame-on-the-elephant.
The Democrats want Iraq to be a failure so they can gain control of our goverment (president and congress in 2008). That's the bottom line.
The Republicans as less to blame but should still feel shame. They show no leadership for a country that is looking for some straight talk of a coarse for the future.
Don Sauber talks about the failure of our congress and alludes frightening to what the future of the country holds. Not being taken over by Islamo-Fascists, but of the total collapse of confidence in government of our citizenry. What happens then?
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Instead of addressing the energy crisis, tax reform, securing the borders or even increasing production of U.S. oil to end America's reliance on foreign oil, Democrats have one agenda item: Putting Bush's head on a plate.
...
Instead of debates, we get stunts like this week's all-night filibuster.
...
Instead of tackling problems, we get hundreds of investigations into Bush.
Instead of civility we get Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid of Nevada taking a below-the-belt verbal jab at Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and then making Specter wait 30 minutes to respond.
Democratic leaders want to do nothing. They want to portray Republicans as obstructionists and Bush as evil, in the hopes of securing the presidency in 2008 and a 60-vote majority in the Senate.
...
But what if it doesn't? What if the public sees this cynicism for what it is? Whither the democracy?
...
For the sake of the Republic, I hope that Democrats will get together at some point, review the public's reaction and come up with a plan to accomplish something other than pin-the-blame-on-the-elephant.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Community Journalism
Here is a good example of the power of the blog, or citizen journalism. A report of 50 Iranian rockets aimed at a US base is reported. Blackfive sees a picture of the "rocket" and says, "Those little things they are set on are not rocket launchers, and if they actually ignited those shells sitting on those stands they would spin around and likely kill the idiot who emplaced or fired them." Next comes a confirmation from a reader that they are real, so Blackfive says, "...I would love to see some ambitious EOD tech or whoever, fire one of these and film it, 'cuz I swear I can't see how it would fly. ...Ask and ye shall receive from Karl B." Follow the link for the full story and the video.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Progress 4
"Car Bombs Kill 100's" does not sound like progress. But in the details, we can find hope. The latest bombings were far from Baghdad. And they weren't even in Baqubah, the latest focal point of fighting.
Bill Roggio
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The attacks in northern Salahadin and along the Iranian border highlight the progress of the Baghdad Security Plan, al Qaeda's capabilities in Diyala, and current holes in the Iraqi security forces in the region. First, the major attacks were conducted for away from the center of gravity in Iraq, which is Baghdad, or even the center of gravity in Diyala, which is Baqubah. A major goal of the Baghdad Security Plan is to secure the capital and the outlying regions.
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Alas, the bombings had their effect. The media played up the death count and the blood photos. This is why Al Qaeda conducts these bombings. So you, you Americans, can see that this is a hopeless fight. But it's not. Your media is falling for the enemy propaganda, hook line and sinker. If you don't seek out the truth, you're bound to fall for the enemy's bait, too.
This war is not over by a long shot. Follow along with Bill Roggio. He brings you the context behind the headlines of the war. And the context cannot be misinterpreted.
Bill Roggio
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The attacks in northern Salahadin and along the Iranian border highlight the progress of the Baghdad Security Plan, al Qaeda's capabilities in Diyala, and current holes in the Iraqi security forces in the region. First, the major attacks were conducted for away from the center of gravity in Iraq, which is Baghdad, or even the center of gravity in Diyala, which is Baqubah. A major goal of the Baghdad Security Plan is to secure the capital and the outlying regions.
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Alas, the bombings had their effect. The media played up the death count and the blood photos. This is why Al Qaeda conducts these bombings. So you, you Americans, can see that this is a hopeless fight. But it's not. Your media is falling for the enemy propaganda, hook line and sinker. If you don't seek out the truth, you're bound to fall for the enemy's bait, too.
This war is not over by a long shot. Follow along with Bill Roggio. He brings you the context behind the headlines of the war. And the context cannot be misinterpreted.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Strange Times
It seems about once a weeks someone so clearly states the opposition's ignorance of the Iraq war. This week is is Don Surber. He points out the bizarre contradictions in the New York Times's editorial calling for the immediate withdrawal from Iraq. Read the whole thing as every line is as clear as the last - we are at war for our safety and the only coarse is victory (a stable Iraq).
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The Times argument is the war is unpopular so we should. That is childish. Was the war right because it was popular at the time? Should we execute criminals because that is popular? The Times has too long a history of unpopular things that it supports to make the “applause-o-meter argument.”
War is not a television game show to be cancelled after 4 seasons.
The consequences of suddenly abandoning 25 million people to cutthroats and jihadists would make Darfur, Sudan, look like a weekend in Disney World.
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via. Instapundit who has more on the NYT editorial
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The Times argument is the war is unpopular so we should. That is childish. Was the war right because it was popular at the time? Should we execute criminals because that is popular? The Times has too long a history of unpopular things that it supports to make the “applause-o-meter argument.”
War is not a television game show to be cancelled after 4 seasons.
The consequences of suddenly abandoning 25 million people to cutthroats and jihadists would make Darfur, Sudan, look like a weekend in Disney World.
-----------------
via. Instapundit who has more on the NYT editorial
Friday, July 06, 2007
Progress: Baqubah
I seems like just yesterday when Baqubah was center of hell in Iraq. Today, Michael Yon is posting pictures of kids clamoring for photos and politicians walking the streets, talking to their constituents. Go see the pictures of the kids.
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Most Iraqis I talk with acknowledge that if it was ever about the oil, it’s not now. Not mostly anyway. It clearly would have been cheaper just to buy the oil or invade somewhere easier that has more. Similarly, most Iraqis seem now to realize that we really don’t want to stay here, and that many of us can’t wait to get back home. They realize that we are not resolved to stay, but are impatient to drive down to Kuwait and sail away. And when they consider the Americans who actually deal with Iraqis every day, the Iraqis can no longer deny that we really do want them to succeed. But we want them to succeed without us. We want to see their streets are clean and safe, their grass is green, and their birds are singing. We want to see that on television. Not in person. We don’t want to be here. We tell them that every day. It finally has settled in that we are telling the truth.
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Most Iraqis I talk with acknowledge that if it was ever about the oil, it’s not now. Not mostly anyway. It clearly would have been cheaper just to buy the oil or invade somewhere easier that has more. Similarly, most Iraqis seem now to realize that we really don’t want to stay here, and that many of us can’t wait to get back home. They realize that we are not resolved to stay, but are impatient to drive down to Kuwait and sail away. And when they consider the Americans who actually deal with Iraqis every day, the Iraqis can no longer deny that we really do want them to succeed. But we want them to succeed without us. We want to see their streets are clean and safe, their grass is green, and their birds are singing. We want to see that on television. Not in person. We don’t want to be here. We tell them that every day. It finally has settled in that we are telling the truth.
A Call to Arms
Senator Lieberman has proven he is a true leader. He speaks the truth regardless of the party line. He values our country and its people over his political career. Although I don't agree with his domestic policies, he speaks a great man when he speaks of national security. Today he emphasizes the danger out there and encourages us to defend our selfs now for the sake of our future. Read the whole thing.
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Iran's purpose in sponsoring attacks on American soldiers, after all, is clear: It hopes to push the U.S. out of Iraq and Afghanistan, so that its proxies can then dominate these states. Tehran knows that an American retreat under fire would send an unmistakable message throughout the region that Iran is on the rise and America is on the run. That would be a disaster for the region and the U.S.
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Iran's purpose in sponsoring attacks on American soldiers, after all, is clear: It hopes to push the U.S. out of Iraq and Afghanistan, so that its proxies can then dominate these states. Tehran knows that an American retreat under fire would send an unmistakable message throughout the region that Iran is on the rise and America is on the run. That would be a disaster for the region and the U.S.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Treasonous Document
Wretchard at the Belmont Club, as he so often does, speaks directly to the point. He posts from Samizdata who quotes from a Thomas Jefferson rough draft of the Declaration of Independence. Don't miss Samizdata's post. And Wretchard comments:
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Reading these words today, one is struck by their sheer audacity. The plotters, as they might well have been called, staked everything on the outcome of the enterprise. A noose awaited the losers. This is in stark contrast to the equivocating, weasely behavior of modern leaders who would, if it were possible, have their cake and eat it too.
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Reading these words today, one is struck by their sheer audacity. The plotters, as they might well have been called, staked everything on the outcome of the enterprise. A noose awaited the losers. This is in stark contrast to the equivocating, weasely behavior of modern leaders who would, if it were possible, have their cake and eat it too.
Via the Horses Mouth
Instapundit has yet to tarnish his reputation in my mind, so I trust that I would know the journalist who e-mails him to explain why the media does not report on the horror of our common enemy.
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WHY DON'T AL QAEDA ATROCITIES GET MEDIA ATTENTION?
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WHY DON'T AL QAEDA ATROCITIES GET MEDIA ATTENTION?
Monday, July 02, 2007
Truly Unreal Photo
Check out this photo. A security guard hosing down a terrorist who was on fire and still attempting to open his trunk to take out more bombs. If this were in black and white, it could be confused for a political cartoon. Do you think terrorists look at this photo with the exact opposite astonishment?
A man is saving another man who is trying to kill innocent men such as the man saving him.
A man is saving another man who is trying to kill innocent men such as the man saving him.
Al Qeada Ideology
Michael Yon reports on an Al Qaeda slaughter that defines it's ideology. Meaningless Death. Al Qaeda slaughtered an entire village of farmers - men, women and children. And not just Murder, but mutilation - decapitated heads of children. WARNING: The link has photos of decomposed, mutilated people. And you cannot read the story without avoiding the photos. I suspect it is meant to be that way.
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On 29 June [2007], American and Iraqi soldiers were again fighting side-by-side as soldiers from Charley Company ... and Iraqi soldiers..., closed in on a village on the outskirts of Baqubah. The village had the apparent misfortune of being located near a main road... that al Qaeda liked to bomb. Al Qaeda had taken over the village. As Iraqi and American soldiers moved in, they came under light contact; but the bombs planted in the roads (and maybe in the houses) were the real threat.
The firefight progressed. American missiles were fired. The enemy might have been trying to bait Iraqi and American soldiers into ambush, but it did not work. The village was riddled with bombs, some of them large enough to destroy a tank. One by one, experts destroyed the bombs, leaving small and large craters in the unpaved roads.
The village was abandoned. All the people were gone. But where?
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On 29 June [2007], American and Iraqi soldiers were again fighting side-by-side as soldiers from Charley Company ... and Iraqi soldiers..., closed in on a village on the outskirts of Baqubah. The village had the apparent misfortune of being located near a main road... that al Qaeda liked to bomb. Al Qaeda had taken over the village. As Iraqi and American soldiers moved in, they came under light contact; but the bombs planted in the roads (and maybe in the houses) were the real threat.
The firefight progressed. American missiles were fired. The enemy might have been trying to bait Iraqi and American soldiers into ambush, but it did not work. The village was riddled with bombs, some of them large enough to destroy a tank. One by one, experts destroyed the bombs, leaving small and large craters in the unpaved roads.
The village was abandoned. All the people were gone. But where?
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Now THAT's how you get the whole picture
I posted a couple days ago about how the media, in a need to sensationalize everything, crops and zooms to make things seem like more than they are. Gateway Pundit is famous for showing the whole picture regardless of what message it sends.
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A massive protest was held in Caracas on Wednesday against the Chavez government's removal of a leading opposition TV station, Radio Caracas Television (RCTV).
![[venezuela.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8AOL92yg12yfGHdIOPIQcVq1efnPcNlj0Z_2Ab4STIcOrLzCBoXSLt8RJWvk_KXcO6dhejLNI8AY1KusJGYPSjBzl99Q0QDZEdEHHTjeQoeOOyHnEAJvfFM_rk6hOYlRytp2Qg/s1600/venezuela.jpg)
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A massive protest was held in Caracas on Wednesday against the Chavez government's removal of a leading opposition TV station, Radio Caracas Television (RCTV).
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Signs of Progress
Stories that count are surfacing. Confederate Yankee notes two little-big stories.
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It is this kind of working within the community that makes this one small story in a large war worth noting.
The "neighborhood watch" that captured this cache is composed of 500 men from various tribes in the Taji area that once supported al Qaeda and the Sunni insurgency. As Dave Kilcullen notes above, it is the human terrain that matters, and the fact that these men are now actively working against al Qaeda and the insurgency, are attempting to join the political process and the Iraqi security forces, that is far more important than an increasing body count.
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It is this kind of working within the community that makes this one small story in a large war worth noting.
The "neighborhood watch" that captured this cache is composed of 500 men from various tribes in the Taji area that once supported al Qaeda and the Sunni insurgency. As Dave Kilcullen notes above, it is the human terrain that matters, and the fact that these men are now actively working against al Qaeda and the insurgency, are attempting to join the political process and the Iraqi security forces, that is far more important than an increasing body count.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Step Back to See the Whole picture
Michael Totten posts about the media sensationalization just to get TV rating. How can we be informed when the news "makes" news?
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Hardly any reporters ever bother to write paragraphs like these, preferring instead to wallow in the sensational because they need a “story.”
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Hardly any reporters ever bother to write paragraphs like these, preferring instead to wallow in the sensational because they need a “story.”
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Game On
Dispite Pelosi and Reid's race to lose the war in Iraq for their political gain, the new strategy in Iraq is moving into the next phase. The troop increase has been completed. The action will now begin.
Bill Roggio, Iraq Report
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With the last U.S. combat brigade in place for the surge, General David Petraeus stated today that combat operations have begun in the Baghdad belts. "Now for the first time we are going to a couple of the really key areas in the belts from which ... al Qaeda has sallied forth with car bombs, additional fighters and so forth," General David Petraeus told reporters in Baghdad. "In the last 24 hours we have launched a number of different offensive operations in the Baghdad belts," Petraeus said.
Bill Roggio, Iraq Report
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With the last U.S. combat brigade in place for the surge, General David Petraeus stated today that combat operations have begun in the Baghdad belts. "Now for the first time we are going to a couple of the really key areas in the belts from which ... al Qaeda has sallied forth with car bombs, additional fighters and so forth," General David Petraeus told reporters in Baghdad. "In the last 24 hours we have launched a number of different offensive operations in the Baghdad belts," Petraeus said.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Boring Story
Nothing to report here. That's why it's not in the headlines.
Pelosi and Reid have claimed that the surge is a failure. You know better, because you hear the stories from the front lines. Bill Roggio continues to tirelessly bring us the situation on the ground in Iraq. He brings the news regardless of it's sensationality. I don't miss his daily reports from Iraq.
Here is a story of success - success from persistence and the surge:
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...The city of Fallujah is the only city in Anbar province where the Iraqi Army owns the battlespace. The city is run by Iraqis, and has an elected mayor, 20 members on the city council and a police force the works closely with the Iraqi Army and U.S. forces in the region. Fallujah now has an estimated 400,000 residents as people continue to return to the city, and business is beginning to thrive, Col Simcock noted.
...
Col Simcock explained that RCT-6 is now focusing on securing the four regions, using the additional forces allotted in the "surge" to provide a permanent presence and establishing the conditions for the Iraqi security forces to assume control over the battlespace. Combined with the Iraqi Army units and Provincial security forces in his area of operations, Col Simcock stated he has enough forces to get the job done.
Pelosi and Reid have claimed that the surge is a failure. You know better, because you hear the stories from the front lines. Bill Roggio continues to tirelessly bring us the situation on the ground in Iraq. He brings the news regardless of it's sensationality. I don't miss his daily reports from Iraq.
Here is a story of success - success from persistence and the surge:
-----------------
...The city of Fallujah is the only city in Anbar province where the Iraqi Army owns the battlespace. The city is run by Iraqis, and has an elected mayor, 20 members on the city council and a police force the works closely with the Iraqi Army and U.S. forces in the region. Fallujah now has an estimated 400,000 residents as people continue to return to the city, and business is beginning to thrive, Col Simcock noted.
...
Col Simcock explained that RCT-6 is now focusing on securing the four regions, using the additional forces allotted in the "surge" to provide a permanent presence and establishing the conditions for the Iraqi security forces to assume control over the battlespace. Combined with the Iraqi Army units and Provincial security forces in his area of operations, Col Simcock stated he has enough forces to get the job done.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
The bottom line on immigration
I have been struggling with the immigration debate. I try to keep an open mind. And what I hear the immigration bill proponents saying, I can understand.
I believe those supporting the bill are saying that:
No matter home the illegal immigrants got her, they are here and they are contributing (for the most part) to our society. We all benefit from them whether we know it or not. Do you eat vegetables? Have you had construction done or been in a building constructed in the bast 10 years? If so you have probably benefited from lower cost.
I'm also concerned about the opponent's arguments:
* Why do we need a new law? The laws are already on the books.
* Build the wall you said you would build before you make another law to build a wall.
* They broke the law. They are criminals. They must not be rewarded. These are not the people we want in our country. And there a lines on people who are waiting to do it legally.
* Mass acceptance of this demographic will change the culture of our nation. Many are not people who have come here to become American. They want to make money, but be "home". This will be the end of our nation as we know it.
But what worries me the most is the speed and complexity of the bill. Government is never fast. Government is never in agreement. Why so on this bill?
This post at the National Review suggests a reason... and a bottom line:
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And we all know what will happen on the enforcement front: Congress will take out a loan to buy amnesty, promising payment in the form of enforcement. Within weeks, however, Congress will file for moral bankruptcy, and get to keep their amnesty while never paying back a dime's worth of enforcement…
I believe those supporting the bill are saying that:
No matter home the illegal immigrants got her, they are here and they are contributing (for the most part) to our society. We all benefit from them whether we know it or not. Do you eat vegetables? Have you had construction done or been in a building constructed in the bast 10 years? If so you have probably benefited from lower cost.
I'm also concerned about the opponent's arguments:
* Why do we need a new law? The laws are already on the books.
* Build the wall you said you would build before you make another law to build a wall.
* They broke the law. They are criminals. They must not be rewarded. These are not the people we want in our country. And there a lines on people who are waiting to do it legally.
* Mass acceptance of this demographic will change the culture of our nation. Many are not people who have come here to become American. They want to make money, but be "home". This will be the end of our nation as we know it.
But what worries me the most is the speed and complexity of the bill. Government is never fast. Government is never in agreement. Why so on this bill?
This post at the National Review suggests a reason... and a bottom line:
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And we all know what will happen on the enforcement front: Congress will take out a loan to buy amnesty, promising payment in the form of enforcement. Within weeks, however, Congress will file for moral bankruptcy, and get to keep their amnesty while never paying back a dime's worth of enforcement…
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Memorable Day
We took our 15 month old daughter to her first Memorial Day parade and ceremony, yesterday. It was another life changing day for me. One of those things you can only learn from being a parent.
My daughter will learn to love her country from her parents and her family. And she will learn it from her community and from her nation. She will learn it from before she can remember. It will not simply be a few semesters in school. She will not remember yesterday. Neither will most of the 3 and under kids at yesterday's ceremony. She will be bored in the coming years, as were the 3-10 year olds, yesterday. But one day, all of the memories from before she can remember will line-up and make sense. How did I learn the pride I have for our great nation? Why do I hold back tears when I see 300,000 people at a car race stand silently, with their hats off and hands over their hearts as our national anthem plays? Or at the introduction of a Medal of Honor winner or a soldier recently returning from Iraq? Because I was raised, not taught, to know that we are part of the greatest nation in history. My daughter will know this as well.
My daughter will learn to love her country from her parents and her family. And she will learn it from her community and from her nation. She will learn it from before she can remember. It will not simply be a few semesters in school. She will not remember yesterday. Neither will most of the 3 and under kids at yesterday's ceremony. She will be bored in the coming years, as were the 3-10 year olds, yesterday. But one day, all of the memories from before she can remember will line-up and make sense. How did I learn the pride I have for our great nation? Why do I hold back tears when I see 300,000 people at a car race stand silently, with their hats off and hands over their hearts as our national anthem plays? Or at the introduction of a Medal of Honor winner or a soldier recently returning from Iraq? Because I was raised, not taught, to know that we are part of the greatest nation in history. My daughter will know this as well.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Iran is not going away
This is the problem with surrender talk. It encourages the enemy. Any dimwit can see this. But when it is for political gain, it is spun as reason.
Pajamas Media
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The Democrats now desperately need George Bush’s surge and the efforts of American soldiers on the ground to fail in the long Iraqi summer.
...
Britain’s Guardian newspaper, which recently laid out evidence of Iranian meddling in Basra, weighs in this week with a report that U.S. officials believe Iran is coordinating with al-Qaeda in Iraq, other Sunni insurgent groups, and Shiite militias for a big summer offensive. Not terribly hard to believe, as it would only be an escalation of what Iran has been suspected of doing for some time. Playing both sides against the middle.
In short, Iran’s goal this summer is to shed enough blood and create enough chaos in Iraq to undermine any confidence in the surge and tip the balance in a wavering Congress.
Iran wants a Tet. So do the Democrats.
Pajamas Media
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The Democrats now desperately need George Bush’s surge and the efforts of American soldiers on the ground to fail in the long Iraqi summer.
...
Britain’s Guardian newspaper, which recently laid out evidence of Iranian meddling in Basra, weighs in this week with a report that U.S. officials believe Iran is coordinating with al-Qaeda in Iraq, other Sunni insurgent groups, and Shiite militias for a big summer offensive. Not terribly hard to believe, as it would only be an escalation of what Iran has been suspected of doing for some time. Playing both sides against the middle.
In short, Iran’s goal this summer is to shed enough blood and create enough chaos in Iraq to undermine any confidence in the surge and tip the balance in a wavering Congress.
Iran wants a Tet. So do the Democrats.
UN in the headlines
Two separate articles about the UN have shed light on this corrupt organization once again. The UN has been flying under the radar since Kofi resigned. Now Fred Thompson speaks. And so do the French - in unison with the US.
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Fred Thompson:
We ought to remember that the U.N. let Saddam steal tens of billions of dollars — money meant to be spent on food and medicine for his own people.
...
That’s why accusations made by former U.S. ambassador John Miller are so disturbing. Miller accuses the United Nations of promoting human trafficking by failing to punish U.N. officials and peacekeepers who have engaged in the trade.
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Jerusalem Post:
Sarkozy announced that France will join the official US-led struggle against head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed ElBaradei, who recommended that Iran be allowed to enrich uranium in some of its nuclear plants.
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Fred Thompson:
We ought to remember that the U.N. let Saddam steal tens of billions of dollars — money meant to be spent on food and medicine for his own people.
...
That’s why accusations made by former U.S. ambassador John Miller are so disturbing. Miller accuses the United Nations of promoting human trafficking by failing to punish U.N. officials and peacekeepers who have engaged in the trade.
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Jerusalem Post:
Sarkozy announced that France will join the official US-led struggle against head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed ElBaradei, who recommended that Iran be allowed to enrich uranium in some of its nuclear plants.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Fred Thompson
Fred Thompson says he's thinking about running for president. Thinking? From the sounds of this message, I'd say he's "about to be" running for president. Here are some interesting quotes (Pajamas Media)
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Whether or not the Internet can elect any particular candidate in any particular race, it’s clear that all of you and our many friends across the blogosphere and the Web are part of a true information revolution.
...
To solve our problems, we have to realize that our country is pretty evenly divided along party lines. With close numbers in the House and the Senate, there will be no real reform without real bipartisanship. Too often, what we are seeing isn’t an effort to find solutions, but rather insults and purely partisan politics.
...
Sowell asks us, “In this day and time, can’t we have a responsible adult discussion of issues while the nation’s fate hangs in the balance in its most dangerous hour?”
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Whether or not the Internet can elect any particular candidate in any particular race, it’s clear that all of you and our many friends across the blogosphere and the Web are part of a true information revolution.
...
To solve our problems, we have to realize that our country is pretty evenly divided along party lines. With close numbers in the House and the Senate, there will be no real reform without real bipartisanship. Too often, what we are seeing isn’t an effort to find solutions, but rather insults and purely partisan politics.
...
Sowell asks us, “In this day and time, can’t we have a responsible adult discussion of issues while the nation’s fate hangs in the balance in its most dangerous hour?”
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Friend's reaction to the "News"
I sent out a link to a HotAir piece by Michelle Malkin about the horrific rape, torture, mutilation and murder of a couple in Tennessee. Watch the story, first.
A Horror Story the MSM Won't Tell
I got this in response from a friend. With permission, I and post it in it's entirety.
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You know that if the victims had been black, this thing would have had some serious legs. It would have been a landmark case that brought out all the vermin like Sharpton, Jackson etc. It really is curious that this did not get more play. They say that only two of them may face capital punishment. Is there a single person there that shouldn’t be strung up? Is the politically correct thing gone so far beyond where it should be that white people don’t feel right about making a fuss over this. Or is the crime so horrible that we don’t want to examine it too closely in the light of day because we might have to admit that our fears and prejudices might be justified? I think the media is afraid of bringing up the black/white aspect of this thing because it is so volatile that the news outlet itself would be the target of criticism and rancor. I think there are a lot of reasons why this thing played out the way it did, and Malkin’s point has some merit too. It is scary that the media reporting is actually shaping our reactions to things, and is actually influencing society to place value on things that are meaningless and ignoring things that should have us marching in the streets. It is absolutely repulsive that they focus on celebrities and other mindless crap to the extent that they do. The Anna Nicole thing? Are you shitting me? It is still going on. A trailer trash slut gets daily coverage for months at a time? But they are in competition for viewers and they will air what they think will garner the largest audience. They trade their integrity for ratings, and even if individuals within the media abhor this strategy, they are fighting an uphill battle because that is not what they sell anymore. The fact that you have to actively seek out real news is horrible. But that is where we are at. I blame television. It now tells us what to think, what is cool, what is important, what to buy, who to like, what to wear. And we worship at that altar. I think a hundred years from now, social scientists will be able to examine TV’s negative influence and recognize how it dragged us down. I see the effect it has on my kids and their friends and I worry about what it will mean long term. The trash shows and “news” magazines” are so bad now what will they show 10 years from now to get ratings. Wow, what a rant !!!I I’m exhausted.
A Horror Story the MSM Won't Tell
I got this in response from a friend. With permission, I and post it in it's entirety.
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You know that if the victims had been black, this thing would have had some serious legs. It would have been a landmark case that brought out all the vermin like Sharpton, Jackson etc. It really is curious that this did not get more play. They say that only two of them may face capital punishment. Is there a single person there that shouldn’t be strung up? Is the politically correct thing gone so far beyond where it should be that white people don’t feel right about making a fuss over this. Or is the crime so horrible that we don’t want to examine it too closely in the light of day because we might have to admit that our fears and prejudices might be justified? I think the media is afraid of bringing up the black/white aspect of this thing because it is so volatile that the news outlet itself would be the target of criticism and rancor. I think there are a lot of reasons why this thing played out the way it did, and Malkin’s point has some merit too. It is scary that the media reporting is actually shaping our reactions to things, and is actually influencing society to place value on things that are meaningless and ignoring things that should have us marching in the streets. It is absolutely repulsive that they focus on celebrities and other mindless crap to the extent that they do. The Anna Nicole thing? Are you shitting me? It is still going on. A trailer trash slut gets daily coverage for months at a time? But they are in competition for viewers and they will air what they think will garner the largest audience. They trade their integrity for ratings, and even if individuals within the media abhor this strategy, they are fighting an uphill battle because that is not what they sell anymore. The fact that you have to actively seek out real news is horrible. But that is where we are at. I blame television. It now tells us what to think, what is cool, what is important, what to buy, who to like, what to wear. And we worship at that altar. I think a hundred years from now, social scientists will be able to examine TV’s negative influence and recognize how it dragged us down. I see the effect it has on my kids and their friends and I worry about what it will mean long term. The trash shows and “news” magazines” are so bad now what will they show 10 years from now to get ratings. Wow, what a rant !!!I I’m exhausted.
"Civil" War in Gaza
Instapundit: "Do you need a civil society to have a civil war?"
Sounds like civil war to me. But since the phase has been prematurely used and reflect on Iraq, the mainstream media doesn't want to apply it to the Palestinians. (timesonline)
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Sounds like civil war to me. But since the phase has been prematurely used and reflect on Iraq, the mainstream media doesn't want to apply it to the Palestinians. (timesonline)
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Yesterday’s fighting began at about 6am when a group of Hamas loyalists raided the Gaza home of Rashid Abu Shabak, a Fatah security chief, killing six of his bodyguards. Mr Shabak’s family was not home at the time. Later Hamas fighters mistakenly killed five members of their own military wing when they ambushed a Palestinian security convoy. Yesterday afternoon, Israel fired missiles at a Hamas military compound in retaliation for recent rocket attacks from Gaza, which injured several Israeli civilians. Four Hamas militants were killed while eating lunch in the camp cafeteria.
Israel has accused Hamas of using rocket attacks to provoke a military incursion from Israel into Gaza, which would unite feuding Palestinians against a common enemy.
...
Hamas has accused Fatah of “collaborating” with Washington, and accepting money and arms to bolster Mr Abbas’s elite Presidential Guard. One of Hamas’s first targets this week was a camp used by the force for training.
Fatah counters that Hamas fighters are undermining the unity Government’s authority and the Palestinian cause by refusing to lay down their weapons or fall into rank.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
History Lesson: US, Russia, Middle-East
An informative piece in the Opinion Journal by Bernard Lewis. He describes how the US and Russia treated the Arabs from the 70's until now, how the Russians played hardball and got respect, and how the US was soft until 9/11. Interesting history. Ominous future.
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During the Cold War, two things came to be known and generally recognized in the Middle East concerning the two rival superpowers. If you did anything to annoy the Russians, punishment would be swift and dire. If you said or did anything against the Americans, not only would there be no punishment; there might even be some possibility of reward, as the usual anxious procession of diplomats and politicians, journalists and scholars and miscellaneous others came with their usual pleading inquiries: "What have we done to offend you? What can we do to put it right?"
...
As Osama bin Laden explained, in this final phase of the millennial struggle, the world of the unbelievers was divided between two superpowers. The first task was to deal with the more deadly and more dangerous of the two, the Soviet Union. After that, dealing with the pampered and degenerate Americans would be easy.
...
From the writings and the speeches of Osama bin Laden and his colleagues, it is clear that they expected this second task, dealing with America, would be comparatively simple and easy. This perception was certainly encouraged and so it seemed, confirmed by the American response to a whole series of attacks--on the World Trade Center in New York and on U.S. troops in Mogadishu in 1993, on the U.S. military office in Riyadh in 1995, on the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, on the USS Cole in Yemen in 2000--all of which evoked only angry words, sometimes accompanied by the dispatch of expensive missiles to remote and uninhabited places.
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During the Cold War, two things came to be known and generally recognized in the Middle East concerning the two rival superpowers. If you did anything to annoy the Russians, punishment would be swift and dire. If you said or did anything against the Americans, not only would there be no punishment; there might even be some possibility of reward, as the usual anxious procession of diplomats and politicians, journalists and scholars and miscellaneous others came with their usual pleading inquiries: "What have we done to offend you? What can we do to put it right?"
...
As Osama bin Laden explained, in this final phase of the millennial struggle, the world of the unbelievers was divided between two superpowers. The first task was to deal with the more deadly and more dangerous of the two, the Soviet Union. After that, dealing with the pampered and degenerate Americans would be easy.
...
From the writings and the speeches of Osama bin Laden and his colleagues, it is clear that they expected this second task, dealing with America, would be comparatively simple and easy. This perception was certainly encouraged and so it seemed, confirmed by the American response to a whole series of attacks--on the World Trade Center in New York and on U.S. troops in Mogadishu in 1993, on the U.S. military office in Riyadh in 1995, on the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, on the USS Cole in Yemen in 2000--all of which evoked only angry words, sometimes accompanied by the dispatch of expensive missiles to remote and uninhabited places.
Stage One of the jihad was to drive the infidels from the lands of Islam; Stage Two--to bring the war into the enemy camp, and the attacks of 9/11 were clearly intended to be the opening salvo of this stage. The response to 9/11, so completely out of accord with previous American practice, came as a shock, and it is noteworthy that there has been no successful attack on American soil since then. The U.S. actions in Afghanistan and in Iraq indicated that there had been a major change in the U.S., and that some revision of their assessment, and of the policies based on that assessment, was necessary.
More recent developments, and notably the public discourse inside the U.S., are persuading increasing numbers of Islamist radicals that their first assessment was correct after all, and that they need only to press a little harder to achieve final victory. It is not yet clear whether they are right or wrong in this view. If they are right, the consequences--both for Islam and for America--will be deep, wide and lasting.
Monday, May 14, 2007
It's the Economy, Stupid.
Remember that phrase? Instapundit reader Thomas Prewitt writes:
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Funny how Bush 41 led a hugely successful military effort with Gulf War I yet lost an election because of the perception that "it's the economy, stupid."
The investment-related Bush tax cuts of 2003 have caused tax collections to increase dramatically. So far this year, those cuts primarily explain why the deficit is 56% lower than it was at this time last year.”
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Finally, some perspective. Remember, we're trying to pass funding for the war at $125 billion. "... the surplus for the month was $177.7 billion..."
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Funny how Bush 41 led a hugely successful military effort with Gulf War I yet lost an election because of the perception that "it's the economy, stupid."
Now, Bush 43 is in the tank because of the perception that Gulf War II is a disaster based on lies and gets no credit for a remarkable economic turnaround with record stock market highs, low unemployment, and huge chunks taken out of the budget deficit.
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Here's the punchline from Bizzyblog.
The investment-related Bush tax cuts of 2003 have caused tax collections to increase dramatically. So far this year, those cuts primarily explain why the deficit is 56% lower than it was at this time last year.”
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Finally, some perspective. Remember, we're trying to pass funding for the war at $125 billion. "... the surplus for the month was $177.7 billion..."
Thursday, May 10, 2007
The Emporer's Cloths
So the French elect a President that wants France to be more like the US? How can that be? They hate us? At least that's what our media tells us. Fred Thompson sheds some light on some indications that maybe everyone doesn't hate us.
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The election of Nicolas Sarkozy to the presidency of France has been a serious blow to those who claim that America has earned the undying hatred of Europeans. Oh, to be sure, the French media hates us, but there are a lot of people who say ours does too. Regardless, Sarkozy’s victory has sent shock waves through the world’s media centers.
A French president who openly admires America is an embarrassment to those who view us as the country bumpkin cousins of the sophisticated Europeans. ...
...He has praised America’s dynamism, freedoms and prosperity, and he promises to work for reforms that will make France more like the U.S.
So what’s happening here? Could it be that we’ve mistaken the French media for the French people? Might the same be true of Germany, where pro-American Angela Merkel beat a critic of the U.S. to become that nation’s leader?
...
... It has been a long road, but the forces of civilization and order are beginning to understand that we are in a global struggle against the forces of death and destruction.
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Just a reminder that Fred Thompson might be running for president. ;)
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The election of Nicolas Sarkozy to the presidency of France has been a serious blow to those who claim that America has earned the undying hatred of Europeans. Oh, to be sure, the French media hates us, but there are a lot of people who say ours does too. Regardless, Sarkozy’s victory has sent shock waves through the world’s media centers.
A French president who openly admires America is an embarrassment to those who view us as the country bumpkin cousins of the sophisticated Europeans. ...
...He has praised America’s dynamism, freedoms and prosperity, and he promises to work for reforms that will make France more like the U.S.
So what’s happening here? Could it be that we’ve mistaken the French media for the French people? Might the same be true of Germany, where pro-American Angela Merkel beat a critic of the U.S. to become that nation’s leader?
...
... It has been a long road, but the forces of civilization and order are beginning to understand that we are in a global struggle against the forces of death and destruction.
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Just a reminder that Fred Thompson might be running for president. ;)
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Hope in France
Stay tuned to the internet, because you won't learn that the new French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, is a conservative. Well, he's been labeled "center-right", but he is pro-America and anti-terror. David Kopel informs us of some quotes from his first speech as President-elect:
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"I want to launch a call to all those in the world who believe in the values of tolerance, of liberty, of democracy and of humanism, to all those who are persecuted by the tyrannies and by the dictators, to all the children and to all the martyrized women in the world to say to them that the pride, the duty of France will at their sides, that they can count on her."
"France will be at the sides of the Libyan nurses locked up for eight years; France will not abandon Ingrid Betancourt; France will not abandon the women who are condemned to the burqa; France will not abandon the women who do not have liberty. France will be by the side of the oppressed of the world. This is the message of France; this is the identity of France; this is the history of France."
"My dear compatriots, together we will write a new page of our history. This page of our history, my dear compatriots, I am sure that it will be grand, that it will be beautiful. And from the bottom of the heart, I want to say to you, with the most total sincerity which is mine at the time when I speak to you: Long live the Republic and long live France."
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"I want to launch a call to all those in the world who believe in the values of tolerance, of liberty, of democracy and of humanism, to all those who are persecuted by the tyrannies and by the dictators, to all the children and to all the martyrized women in the world to say to them that the pride, the duty of France will at their sides, that they can count on her."
"France will be at the sides of the Libyan nurses locked up for eight years; France will not abandon Ingrid Betancourt; France will not abandon the women who are condemned to the burqa; France will not abandon the women who do not have liberty. France will be by the side of the oppressed of the world. This is the message of France; this is the identity of France; this is the history of France."
"My dear compatriots, together we will write a new page of our history. This page of our history, my dear compatriots, I am sure that it will be grand, that it will be beautiful. And from the bottom of the heart, I want to say to you, with the most total sincerity which is mine at the time when I speak to you: Long live the Republic and long live France."
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Opposing Forces
Instapundit posts about an error by Reuters and comments on general Reuters trust.
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MORE BOGUS KYOTO HISTORY FROM REUTERS: "President George W. Bush pulled the United States out of Kyoto in 2001, arguing it would cost U.S. jobs and that it wrongly excluded 2012 goals for poorer nations such as China."
Er, no. The U.S. refused to ratify Kyoto under President Clinton. We've been over this before. It's all spelled out in Wikipedia, even. Really, if Reuters can't get simple things like this right, why should we trust them for actual news?
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He also mentions that the Bush administration should be fighting back. I wish Bush would fight back too. But I think Bush wants to stay out of it. I think he believes that in a free speech, capitalist society the truth will come out without his meddling. Supports of the truth should make his case for him. The problem is that the dominance on those who are not interesting in the truth. I agree with Instapundit, that Bush should speak up more. This action will aid those of us in the alternative media in presenting and policing the truth.
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MORE BOGUS KYOTO HISTORY FROM REUTERS: "President George W. Bush pulled the United States out of Kyoto in 2001, arguing it would cost U.S. jobs and that it wrongly excluded 2012 goals for poorer nations such as China."
Er, no. The U.S. refused to ratify Kyoto under President Clinton. We've been over this before. It's all spelled out in Wikipedia, even. Really, if Reuters can't get simple things like this right, why should we trust them for actual news?
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He also mentions that the Bush administration should be fighting back. I wish Bush would fight back too. But I think Bush wants to stay out of it. I think he believes that in a free speech, capitalist society the truth will come out without his meddling. Supports of the truth should make his case for him. The problem is that the dominance on those who are not interesting in the truth. I agree with Instapundit, that Bush should speak up more. This action will aid those of us in the alternative media in presenting and policing the truth.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Ignorance or Lies? Lies.
Ace of Spades clips pieces of an article in The New Republic noting the ignorance or lies that congressional leaders are using in order to get votes.
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Where all this leads is clear. Piece together a string of demonstrably false "facts on the ground" from a suitably safe remove, and you're left with a scenario where we can walk away from Iraq without condition and regardless of consequence. You don't need to watch terrified Iraqis pleading for American forces to stay put in their neighborhoods. You don't need to read the latest National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq, which anticipates that a precipitous U.S. withdrawal will end in catastrophe. Why, in the serene conviction that things are the other way around, you don't even need to read at all. Chances are, your congressman doesn't either.
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Where all this leads is clear. Piece together a string of demonstrably false "facts on the ground" from a suitably safe remove, and you're left with a scenario where we can walk away from Iraq without condition and regardless of consequence. You don't need to watch terrified Iraqis pleading for American forces to stay put in their neighborhoods. You don't need to read the latest National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq, which anticipates that a precipitous U.S. withdrawal will end in catastrophe. Why, in the serene conviction that things are the other way around, you don't even need to read at all. Chances are, your congressman doesn't either.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Please don't leave us to die
Just another first hand account that you will not get in the mainstream media. Straight from the Iraqi people to you. Thanks to Micheal Yon. Some of us hear you, loud and clear. (bold mine)
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There were many family members around, and though the men were happy to see us, they seemed skeptical that we are going to stay, voicing concerns that our soldiers have come there before, but not stuck around. As soon as the Americans leave, the terrorists move back in, which leaves the locals in the middle of what amounts to a gang war, and we are one of the gangs.
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There were many family members around, and though the men were happy to see us, they seemed skeptical that we are going to stay, voicing concerns that our soldiers have come there before, but not stuck around. As soon as the Americans leave, the terrorists move back in, which leaves the locals in the middle of what amounts to a gang war, and we are one of the gangs.
LTC Crider, the battalion commander of 1-4, assured the people that the Americans are there to stay until the Iraqis can take over, but I sense that Iraqis are more worldly than we might imagine. Many Iraqis seem to understand that the real decision-makers are Americans at home. Maybe with the 1-4 moving in, some would know they can move back.
Despite so much bad news, much of which I deliver, it’s heartening that most of the Iraqis are not fearful of Americans. What many Iraqis REALLY want—and they say it clearly—is to communicate directly with Americans at home.
The Pull-out Effect
Via Instapundit, Captain's Quarters comments on the southern Iraqi city of Basra where the British have set a withdrawal date:
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A look at the effect of timetables in Basra: "Now that the Brits and Danes have given the people of Basra a drop-dead date for their withdrawal, they have set in motion a fight for power that will only amplify as the withdrawal date approaches. Instead of throwing in with the central government, the flight of the Coalition has convinced Iraqis in that area that they have to find the strongest warlord for protection. We can expect this across the country if the US withdraws precipitately from Iraq. A pullout will embolden the violent and frighten the law-abiding, and the end result will be a completely failed state. Regardless of whether one supported the invasion or not, it is obviously not in the American interest to leave behind a collapsed Iraq where the boldest and most vicious terrorists rise to power in fiefdoms small and large."
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A look at the effect of timetables in Basra: "Now that the Brits and Danes have given the people of Basra a drop-dead date for their withdrawal, they have set in motion a fight for power that will only amplify as the withdrawal date approaches. Instead of throwing in with the central government, the flight of the Coalition has convinced Iraqis in that area that they have to find the strongest warlord for protection. We can expect this across the country if the US withdraws precipitately from Iraq. A pullout will embolden the violent and frighten the law-abiding, and the end result will be a completely failed state. Regardless of whether one supported the invasion or not, it is obviously not in the American interest to leave behind a collapsed Iraq where the boldest and most vicious terrorists rise to power in fiefdoms small and large."
Some people don't care, though, if it might give them a leg-up in the next election.
Friday, April 27, 2007
The Party of the People
You can bet that if the Iraqi's could vote in the US, the democrats would not be sacrificing them to slaughter.
Iraqi blogger Omar Fadhil
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I am am an Iraqi. To me the possible consequences of this vote are terrifying. Just as we began to see signs of progress in my country the Democrats come and say, ‘Well, it’s not worth it. Time to leave’.
To the Democrats my life and the lives of twenty-five other million Iraqis are evidently not worth trying for. ...
It is not lost. Quitting is not an option we can afford—not in America and definitely not in Iraq.
...
The political game the Democrats are playing has gone farther than it should have. Before they took over the congress they were complaining that there had been no feasible plan for winning the war. Now that such plan exists and thousands of American soldiers are working hard with the millions of good Iraqis to make it work, they wish to turn their backs on it.
...
In no time al-Qaeda and all similarly extremist factions will start boasting about how America is fleeing Iraq under the heavy blows of the “Mujahideen” planned by OBL himself.
...
Iraqi blogger Omar Fadhil
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I am am an Iraqi. To me the possible consequences of this vote are terrifying. Just as we began to see signs of progress in my country the Democrats come and say, ‘Well, it’s not worth it. Time to leave’.
To the Democrats my life and the lives of twenty-five other million Iraqis are evidently not worth trying for. ...
It is not lost. Quitting is not an option we can afford—not in America and definitely not in Iraq.
...
The political game the Democrats are playing has gone farther than it should have. Before they took over the congress they were complaining that there had been no feasible plan for winning the war. Now that such plan exists and thousands of American soldiers are working hard with the millions of good Iraqis to make it work, they wish to turn their backs on it.
...
In no time al-Qaeda and all similarly extremist factions will start boasting about how America is fleeing Iraq under the heavy blows of the “Mujahideen” planned by OBL himself.
...
“America’s will can be broken, America is not invincible,” they will say in a thousand ways. Is this the kind of message you want to send to the enemy?
Reconsider your position before it’s too late. For us and for yourselves.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Why listen when you know?
Maybe you heard this, but I hadn't.
Sure we've all heard that the congress has put a surrender date in the Iraq war spending bill. But did you know that the leader of the house will not attend the commanding general's briefing to the House? Actually, Leader Pelosi was not even going to schedule a hearing to congress for General Petraeus. Hopefully you heard this through the channels by which you get your news. Hopefully you didn't need to hear this from a co-worker who writes a blog who got it from another blog that pieced it together from and ABC News story and a CSPAN video clip...
The Pelosi-trich - Don Surber
Sure we've all heard that the congress has put a surrender date in the Iraq war spending bill. But did you know that the leader of the house will not attend the commanding general's briefing to the House? Actually, Leader Pelosi was not even going to schedule a hearing to congress for General Petraeus. Hopefully you heard this through the channels by which you get your news. Hopefully you didn't need to hear this from a co-worker who writes a blog who got it from another blog that pieced it together from and ABC News story and a CSPAN video clip...
The Pelosi-trich - Don Surber
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Blog Source
Below are two posts from individuals who have gone to Iraq to tell the story. They are not associated with any mainstream media. But their stories should be heard as clearly as those with the bullhorn.
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J.D. Johannes:
After inspecting my shot groups he took my hand and pulled me close.
As he looked at me, the gravity on his face not that of a 1st Lieutenant, but of a man who was a field grade officer in the former regime, who grew up in a country constantly at war and in tyranny.
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Michael Totten:
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J.D. Johannes:
After inspecting my shot groups he took my hand and pulled me close.
"Thank you for being here. Thank you. You are a reporter? Tell America how much we appreciate Marines. Tell the people thank you and that we want the Marines, the Army here to help us."
As he looked at me, the gravity on his face not that of a 1st Lieutenant, but of a man who was a field grade officer in the former regime, who grew up in a country constantly at war and in tyranny.
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Michael Totten:
“If America pulls out of Iraq, they will fail in Afghanistan,” Mam Rostam said.
Hardly anyone in Congress seems to consider that the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan might become much more severe if similar tactics are proven effective in Iraq.
“And they will fail with Iran,” he continued. “They will fail everywhere with all Eastern countries. The war between America and the terrorists will move from Iraq and Afghanistan to America itself. Do you think America will do that? The terrorists gather their agents in Afghanistan and Iraq and fight the Americans here. If you pull back, the terrorists will follow you there. They will try, at least. Then Iran will be the power in the Middle East. Iran is the biggest supporter of terrorism. They support Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Ansar Al Islam. You know what Iran will do with those elements if America goes away.”
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Progress 3
The car bombs are deadly and dramatic. But these are not tactics that can win over a population. At least not the local one. The new strategy underway by General Petraeus is showing results. Here is a long article by Max Boot on the progress. It's not over, but it is evidence that things are getting better. As long as they continue to get better, we are winning.
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Until recently Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, was the most dangerous city in Iraq if not the world. It was run by al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), which had declared it the capital of its Islamic State of Iraq. The Iraqi police presence was limited to one police station, which the police were afraid to leave. Soldiers and Marines engaged in heavy combat every day, losing hundreds of men since 2003, simply to avoid having insurgents overrun the government center and close down Route Michigan, the main street.
That began to change last year when the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Armored Division expanded the U.S. troop presence on the west side of town, losing almost 90 soldiers in the process. ...
"The price was heavy but worth it," says Colonel John W. Charlton, the burly commander of the 1st Brigade who directed the operations. "The enemy lost massively."
...
It is a horrific scene but also a hopeful one. "A few weeks ago you couldn't drive down this street without being attacked. When I went down this street in February, I was hit three times with small-arms fire and IEDs," Colonel Charlton tells me over the intercom system of his up-armored Humvee. Even though this is an unlucky day--Friday the 13th--we do not experience a single attack on our convoy. The only violence the entire day occurs when a rocket lands on the other side of the Euphrates River without hurting anyone. The previous week, Ramadi saw a much-publicized attack--a suicide bomber drove a truck filled with explosives and chlorine gas into a police checkpoint, killing 12 people (not the 27 or more cited in most news accounts). But such violence has become the exception; it used to be the norm. Ramadi, which used to see 20 to 25 attacks a day, now sees an average of 2 to 4 a day--and falling. Entire days go by without a single attack. By the time I visited, no U.S. soldier had been killed in the town for weeks.
....
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Until recently Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, was the most dangerous city in Iraq if not the world. It was run by al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), which had declared it the capital of its Islamic State of Iraq. The Iraqi police presence was limited to one police station, which the police were afraid to leave. Soldiers and Marines engaged in heavy combat every day, losing hundreds of men since 2003, simply to avoid having insurgents overrun the government center and close down Route Michigan, the main street.
That began to change last year when the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Armored Division expanded the U.S. troop presence on the west side of town, losing almost 90 soldiers in the process. ...
"The price was heavy but worth it," says Colonel John W. Charlton, the burly commander of the 1st Brigade who directed the operations. "The enemy lost massively."
...
It is a horrific scene but also a hopeful one. "A few weeks ago you couldn't drive down this street without being attacked. When I went down this street in February, I was hit three times with small-arms fire and IEDs," Colonel Charlton tells me over the intercom system of his up-armored Humvee. Even though this is an unlucky day--Friday the 13th--we do not experience a single attack on our convoy. The only violence the entire day occurs when a rocket lands on the other side of the Euphrates River without hurting anyone. The previous week, Ramadi saw a much-publicized attack--a suicide bomber drove a truck filled with explosives and chlorine gas into a police checkpoint, killing 12 people (not the 27 or more cited in most news accounts). But such violence has become the exception; it used to be the norm. Ramadi, which used to see 20 to 25 attacks a day, now sees an average of 2 to 4 a day--and falling. Entire days go by without a single attack. By the time I visited, no U.S. soldier had been killed in the town for weeks.
....
Monday, April 23, 2007
Lost for Whom?
Harry Reid says the war is lost. J.D. Johannes reports from the war that Reid may be right - lost for the jihadis. Go read the whole thing for a view of the success in what was the baddest part of Iraq, Al Anbar.
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A Marine Officer offered this thought to me, "could it be that we have won the war but are too dense to realize it?" From what I saw in Khalidiyah, I would say we are on track. Time will tell if the watchmen and IP will continue to progress and eventually choke out the jihadists. But from what I saw in my time, maybe they already have.
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A Marine Officer offered this thought to me, "could it be that we have won the war but are too dense to realize it?" From what I saw in Khalidiyah, I would say we are on track. Time will tell if the watchmen and IP will continue to progress and eventually choke out the jihadists. But from what I saw in my time, maybe they already have.
Sacrifices
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has decided to sacrifice the Iraqi people for his own political gain. Neo-Neocon spells it our clearly. There is no other explanation.
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Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has called the war in Iraq a failure.
How does he know this? Because of the “extreme violence in Iraq this week.” And what did that violence consist of? A series of terrorist bombings that killed around 200 Iraqi civilians.
Originally, Reid voiced his “failure” viewpoint to the President at a White House meeting. I have no problem with that. But to make such a declaration publicly shows a narrow focus on politics as usual that is almost breathtaking in its self-absorption and its ignorance (or dismissal) of the consequences of his words.
So now it appears that the enemy can win a war simply by killing enough civilians to demoralize the Democrats. Their own civilians, that is; not ours.
That may seem like an odd definition of victory—I certainly find it so—but it’s the inescapable conclusion to draw. As such, I think it not only odd but unique in the annals of warfare.
...
You don’t need, in fact, to be actually winning under any traditional (or even rational) definition of winning.
...
If Reid’s motive for his statement is the laudable and humanitarian one of aiming to stop the killing of civilians in Iraq, it would be hard to make the argument that an American withdrawal will aid that cause, either. It’s hard to escape the idea that he is cynically using concern for those citizens as a pawn in his own political game.
...
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I also suggest this the Blog Week in Review podcast on this top.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Monday's Suck
The Belmont Club, commenting on the global political climate in reference to the state of Russia:
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The years between the First and Second World Wars are sometimes called the Long Weekend by historians. Future historians may look back on the 1990s as the years when everyone was expecting history to end. But it didn't. The alarm clocks are ringing all over the world. It's time to get up.
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The years between the First and Second World Wars are sometimes called the Long Weekend by historians. Future historians may look back on the 1990s as the years when everyone was expecting history to end. But it didn't. The alarm clocks are ringing all over the world. It's time to get up.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Biden - Democrats
Instapundit links to Senator Joe Biden's comment that we should go into Darfur. Also at this link are the sober sentiments from Mudville Gazette.
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The harsh reality is that once we abandon Iraq we're going to have to put all the newly available troops in Afghanistan. Al Qaeda certainly will, and their recruiting is going to soar. Ultimately we'll lose that one, too, because they won't quit knowing full well that we will.
Then we can go to Darfur.
Behind much of the absurd talk of the impact of Iraq on military "readiness" there's a Democratic talking point: "Because we are in Iraq, we aren't capable of waging a war somewhere else." That's valid to an extent (but absurd to a greater one), but a more complete translation is that "because we are in Iraq we aren't capable of executing a war that Democrats could hypothetically support, because Democrats are tough on national defense, by golly, and there are plenty of wars in places other than Iraq we'd prosecute to prove it".
That's disturbing, I'm concerned they would do so a bit too eagerly given the opportunity. Biden seems to be going that route - but he could just be paying lip sevice to it to earn the "hawk" (or "tough guy realist") appellation the media bestows on guys like Murtha. (The actual "go to guy" for Dems when it's time to cut-and-run. See Somalia, for example.)
-----------
The harsh reality is that once we abandon Iraq we're going to have to put all the newly available troops in Afghanistan. Al Qaeda certainly will, and their recruiting is going to soar. Ultimately we'll lose that one, too, because they won't quit knowing full well that we will.
Then we can go to Darfur.
Behind much of the absurd talk of the impact of Iraq on military "readiness" there's a Democratic talking point: "Because we are in Iraq, we aren't capable of waging a war somewhere else." That's valid to an extent (but absurd to a greater one), but a more complete translation is that "because we are in Iraq we aren't capable of executing a war that Democrats could hypothetically support, because Democrats are tough on national defense, by golly, and there are plenty of wars in places other than Iraq we'd prosecute to prove it".
That's disturbing, I'm concerned they would do so a bit too eagerly given the opportunity. Biden seems to be going that route - but he could just be paying lip sevice to it to earn the "hawk" (or "tough guy realist") appellation the media bestows on guys like Murtha. (The actual "go to guy" for Dems when it's time to cut-and-run. See Somalia, for example.)
Monday, April 09, 2007
That's Democracy
This is often my response when something seemingly wrong happens in our government. It's also true for those that I believe are right. It is said, "We get the government we deserve." The truth is, our government is set up like this for a reason. Checks and balances, for good or bad, made America great.
Instapundit on Iran:
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Everyone says that a nuclear-armed Iran is intolerable, but they mostly seem inclined to tolerate it rather than actually do anything, and even mild suggestions about doing anything are treated as beyond the pale. The likely consequence of this squeamishness and sloth, of course, is that when things come to a head more people will die than if we took effective action now. But that's likely to be beyond the next election cycle, which puts it beyond the time horizon of most politicians.
Instapundit on Iran:
-------------
Everyone says that a nuclear-armed Iran is intolerable, but they mostly seem inclined to tolerate it rather than actually do anything, and even mild suggestions about doing anything are treated as beyond the pale. The likely consequence of this squeamishness and sloth, of course, is that when things come to a head more people will die than if we took effective action now. But that's likely to be beyond the next election cycle, which puts it beyond the time horizon of most politicians.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Orwell 1941
At New English Review, John Derbyshire questions the actions of the British soldiers captured by the Iranians. And a he presents poignant quote from Orwell...
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“15 British Agressors [sic] must be EXECUTED.” That was the placard being held up by some beetle-browed Iranian outside the British Embassy in Tehran. Well, I don’t entirely disagree.
...
(Orwell, 1941)
What has kept England on its feet during the past year? In part, no doubt, some vague idea about a better future, but chiefly the atavistic emotion of patriotism, the ingrained feeling of the English-speaking peoples that they are superior to foreigners. For the last twenty years the main object of English left-wing intellectuals has been to break this feeling down, and if they had succeeded, we might be watching the SS men patrolling the London streets at this moment. Similarly, why are the Russians fighting like tigers against the German invasion? In part, perhaps, for some half-remembered ideal of Utopian Socialism, but chiefly in defence of Holy Russia (the “sacred soil of the Fatherland”, etc etc), which Stalin has revived in an only slightly altered form. The energy that actually shapes the world springs from emotions—racial pride, leader-worship, religious belief, love of war—which liberal intellectuals mechanically write off as anachronisms, and which they have usually destroyed so completely in themselves as to have lost all power of action.
--------------
“15 British Agressors [sic] must be EXECUTED.” That was the placard being held up by some beetle-browed Iranian outside the British Embassy in Tehran. Well, I don’t entirely disagree.
...
(Orwell, 1941)
What has kept England on its feet during the past year? In part, no doubt, some vague idea about a better future, but chiefly the atavistic emotion of patriotism, the ingrained feeling of the English-speaking peoples that they are superior to foreigners. For the last twenty years the main object of English left-wing intellectuals has been to break this feeling down, and if they had succeeded, we might be watching the SS men patrolling the London streets at this moment. Similarly, why are the Russians fighting like tigers against the German invasion? In part, perhaps, for some half-remembered ideal of Utopian Socialism, but chiefly in defence of Holy Russia (the “sacred soil of the Fatherland”, etc etc), which Stalin has revived in an only slightly altered form. The energy that actually shapes the world springs from emotions—racial pride, leader-worship, religious belief, love of war—which liberal intellectuals mechanically write off as anachronisms, and which they have usually destroyed so completely in themselves as to have lost all power of action.
Deliberation
What Britain should do about Iran and the British hostages - The Belmont Club has some thoughts.
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...Teheran's game plan has worked as brilliantly as Whitehall's has been abyssmal and here's why. The principal uncertainty facing the Ayatollahs on the day they kidnapped the British sailors was how London would react. Would Whitehall respond through diplomatic channels or was this going to be treated as a crisis that would jump the green baize routine?
...
Teheran is doing well because they are not playing the diplomatic game. In fact, they are violating every rule in the diplomatic book. Threatening to try uniformed men as spies, demanding apologies from victims of what was essentially a cross-border snatch operation, displaying their captives on TV. And now, pelting the British embassy with stones and firecrackers. They are punching entirely below the belt while their opponent is locked into a Marquis of Queensbury stance. That's asymmetrical warfare.
...
Whitehall should withdraw the entire British diplomatic mission from Teheran and deal with the Ayatollahs through their representatives to the United Nations; they can expel every Iranian diplomat and official from the UK. And if possible, they should convince their European partners -- for whatever they are worth -- to do the same. Make the Ayatollahs beg for a diplomatic solution. Make them ask, "what's next?" Make them beg the British to talk to them.
------------
...Teheran's game plan has worked as brilliantly as Whitehall's has been abyssmal and here's why. The principal uncertainty facing the Ayatollahs on the day they kidnapped the British sailors was how London would react. Would Whitehall respond through diplomatic channels or was this going to be treated as a crisis that would jump the green baize routine?
...
Teheran is doing well because they are not playing the diplomatic game. In fact, they are violating every rule in the diplomatic book. Threatening to try uniformed men as spies, demanding apologies from victims of what was essentially a cross-border snatch operation, displaying their captives on TV. And now, pelting the British embassy with stones and firecrackers. They are punching entirely below the belt while their opponent is locked into a Marquis of Queensbury stance. That's asymmetrical warfare.
...
Whitehall should withdraw the entire British diplomatic mission from Teheran and deal with the Ayatollahs through their representatives to the United Nations; they can expel every Iranian diplomat and official from the UK. And if possible, they should convince their European partners -- for whatever they are worth -- to do the same. Make the Ayatollahs beg for a diplomatic solution. Make them ask, "what's next?" Make them beg the British to talk to them.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
For Shame
So shameful, the liberal, anti-war crowd. Victor Davis Hanson points out the obvious, only to be see by the those of willing conscience:
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I listened carefully to the Democratic Senators denouncing the effort in Iraq. All were supposed repositories of deep wisdom. Most of them voted for the war, once gave alarmist speeches on the threats of WMD, and now demonize the Iraqi reformers of all people as ingrates who weren’t worth our sacrifices. For each face that came to the podium, I remembered a past quotation: the now shrill Sen. Harry Reid once demanded that we go to war on the basis that Saddam had broken the 1991 armistice accords (a fact no one has contested);...
...
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If you can stomach it (and I'm not sure I can), read the whole thing.
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I listened carefully to the Democratic Senators denouncing the effort in Iraq. All were supposed repositories of deep wisdom. Most of them voted for the war, once gave alarmist speeches on the threats of WMD, and now demonize the Iraqi reformers of all people as ingrates who weren’t worth our sacrifices. For each face that came to the podium, I remembered a past quotation: the now shrill Sen. Harry Reid once demanded that we go to war on the basis that Saddam had broken the 1991 armistice accords (a fact no one has contested);...
...
“There is no military solution.” Who denies that? But such reductionism means nothing when no Iraqi politician can craft any meaningful compromise until Anbar province is first secure.
“It’s time the Iraqis step up.” Of course, they should. But it’s difficult for 25 million to do so when under daily assault by a few thousand killers in their midst who kidnap, behead, and now employ poison gas. How odd that liberals are the most vehement illiberal critics of liberal Iraqis.
“George Bush did …” Of course, as President he is responsible for the war. But he went to war only after seeking approval from Congress, and not only got it, but also as dessert impassioned speeches from the Democratic Congress on why he should. ...
“We are in the middle of a civil war.” It would be wise, then, to cite a civil war akin to Iraq....
We took our eye off the real war in Afghanistan.” Would some Democrat explain exactly how to invade nuclear Islamic Pakistan and kill the al Qaeda leadership responsible for 9/11?...
...Democrats the last two years called for Rumsfeld’s head, for more troops to be deployed, for a change of military leadership in Iraq—and now got all three. But no sooner has Dr. Petraeus arrived and inaugurated his radically different way of doing things, than the Democrats wish to cut off his funds before the verdict is in.----------------
If you can stomach it (and I'm not sure I can), read the whole thing.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Where is our pride?
If you frequent this site, you know I support the war. I see the need for making Iraq a country that will not harbor and send terrorist to the US to kill us. This is what Afghanistan was. So if you agreed that Afghanistan was a just cause, you have to believe the same for Iraq, today.
The Senate cowardly encouraged the enemy, yesterday. It's a tragedy. They let down America. They sacrificed millions who would be free and not hostile to the US. And they did it for money and for votes. Your votes. Because they think you want to quit a war that we can win, and are winning and have been winning.
War takes time. There is no fix duration. You're either in it to win or lose. And to the victor go the spoils. So if the terrorist win, we will pay, later. And pay more that if we pay now.
Instapundit sums up some reaction to the Senate bill:
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It's a disgrace, but par for the course for this bunch.
...
And Don Surber itemizes some of the pork and observes: "Disgusting is too nice a word for people who voted to send troops to Iraq in 2002, and less than 5 years later play political chicken with funding for those very troops."
The Senate cowardly encouraged the enemy, yesterday. It's a tragedy. They let down America. They sacrificed millions who would be free and not hostile to the US. And they did it for money and for votes. Your votes. Because they think you want to quit a war that we can win, and are winning and have been winning.
War takes time. There is no fix duration. You're either in it to win or lose. And to the victor go the spoils. So if the terrorist win, we will pay, later. And pay more that if we pay now.
Instapundit sums up some reaction to the Senate bill:
--------------
It's a disgrace, but par for the course for this bunch.
...
And Don Surber itemizes some of the pork and observes: "Disgusting is too nice a word for people who voted to send troops to Iraq in 2002, and less than 5 years later play political chicken with funding for those very troops."
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