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
--------------
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.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
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.
------------------
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)
---------
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?
---------------------
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?
---------------------
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
-------------------
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.
-------------------
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
-------------------
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.
-------------------
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).
-----------------
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
-----------------
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.
-------------
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.
-------------
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.
------------
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.
------------
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:
----------------
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.
----------------
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.
-------------------
WHY DON'T AL QAEDA ATROCITIES GET MEDIA ATTENTION?
-------------------
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.
--------------------
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?
--------------------
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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