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)
--------------------
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.
--------------------------
...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.
-----------------
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.
---------------------
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.
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.
-------------
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)
--------------
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.
--------------
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
-----------
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.
-------------------
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."
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