Dawn Patrol 11/18/2009
[Mrs Greyhawk]
Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and various sources around the world. If you're a blogger, you can join the conversation. If you link to any of these stories, add a link to the Dawn Patrol too and your trackback will be added to the list. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.Refresh for updates.
Support Our Troops, Read Their Stories
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AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN
Boondoggle -- [3rd Time, New Country - in Afghanistan]
I know I am a little late on posting to my blog, but I returned from a boondoggle out to Mazar-e-Sharif in the Northern provinces. I even have some pictures to post with this entry. First, let me recap last week. We did make a normal trip to NDS. It was actually a clear, cool morning which is a rarity here in Kabul. The pollution is so thick that it is very rare to see the distant mountains. So, here is a picture of the snow-capped mountains, west of Kabul. This picture was taken last Monday. I haven't seen the mountains since. Other than that, it was a normal week of mentoring. There are always little things to work on and improve in the OT. Friday was another violent day here in Kabul. The Taliban used a SVBIED outside Camp Phoenix a little before 0800. There were no American casualties, but there were injuries.
Clinton in Kabul for Karzai's inauguration -- [Foreign Policy - AfPak]
U.S. President Barack Obama reportedly told CNN today that he is "very close" to making a decision about whether to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan and plans to make an announcement "in the next several weeks," after more than two months of deliberations (Reuters, Reuters). Obama is reportedly angry about the stream of leaks that has come out about his Afghanistan decision, telling CBS, "For people to be releasing info in the course of deliberations is not appropriate" and said yes when asked if that is a "firing offense" (CBS, Politico). Meanwhile
The war of leaks -- [Foreign Policy - AfPak]
The Obama Administration's social media prowess has been a novelty among latter day political media machines. It helped to crowd-source the campaign funding needed to put Barack Obama in the White House, and generated a populist gloss that was, at the time, convincingly fresh and transparent. What was equally admirable was its apparent internal discipline over when information made the transition from government secret to press release. Controlling the flow of data and keeping secrets secret is a challenge under any circumstance. Combine that with a predilection for Facebook and Twitter, and a hyperactive security officer might expect policy waters to muddy more quickly than they would under normal circumstances.
So when U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry's expressed his "discomfort" last week over a possible troop surge, via diplomatic cable to Washington, it's no wonder that the message ended up dominating headlines.
Ridding Afghanistan of Corruption Will Be No Easy Task -- [Los Angeles Times]
Afghans have a name for the huge, gaudy mansions that have sprung up in Kabul's wealthy Sherpur neighborhood since 2001. They call them "poppy palaces." The cost of building one of these homes, which are adorned with sweeping terraces and ornate columns, can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many are owned by government officials whose formal salaries are a few hundred dollars a month. To the capital's jaded residents, there are few more potent symbols of the corruption that permeates every level of Afghan society, from the traffic policemen who shake down motorists to top government officials and their relatives who are implicated in the opium trade.
Afghan Minister Accused of Taking Bribe -- [Washington Post]
The Afghan minister of mines accepted a roughly $30 million bribe to award the country's largest development project to a Chinese mining firm, according to a US official who is familiar with military intelligence reports. The allegation, if proved true, would mark one of the most brazen examples of corruption yet disclosed in a country where the problem has become so pervasive that it is now at the heart of Obama administration doubts over Afghan President Hamid Karzai's reliability as a partner.
Vision for Victory, Part I -- [Washington Times]
The news from Afghanistan all year has been dispiriting, and the last few weeks have been especially tough in terms of the violence. Yet most foreign and Afghan officials and officers who I encountered on a recent weeklong visit sponsored by the U. military are guardedly optimistic about our prospects. How can this be so?
U.S. Turns to Local Guns-for-Hire to Guard Afghan Outpost -- [Danger Room - Noah Shachtman]
The U.S. military is turning to guns-for-hire to guard one of its outposts in Afghanistan. But Blackwaters of the world, take note: simply hiring former G.I.s or American cops or even Nepalese Gurkhas won't do the trick this time. At least half of the 50-man force has to come "from within a 50 kilometer radius" of the base, according to a contract solicitation issued by the U.S. Air Force. Over the summer, the American military signaled its interest in hiring an army of contractors to help handle security at as many as 50 outposts in Afghanistan. It's one of several efforts efforts designed to free up uniformed troops for combat and counterinsurgency work. Now, U.S. forces appear to be taking the first step towards building that country-wide private security force, by soliciting bids for a team that watch over Forward Operating Base Lightening, in Paktya province.
NATO Chief Confident Afghanistan Will Have More Troops -- [Voice of America]
The NATO secretary-general says he is confident the United States and other NATO allies will send more troops to Afghanistan, where insurgent attacks have surged in recent months. He spoke at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Meeting in Edinburgh, where Britain's foreign secretary outlined the strategy his nation would support.
Germany to extend Afghanistan mission another year -- [AP]
Germany will extend its mission in Afghanistan for another year, the government said Wednesday, despite the growing unpopularity of the war at home
Pakistani Successes May Sway US Troop Decision -- [New York Times]
A month after the Pakistani military began its push into the Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan, militants appear to have been dispersed, not eliminated, with most simply fleeing. That recurring pattern illustrated the problems facing the Obama administration as it enters its final days of a decision on its strategy for Afghanistan. Success in this region, in the remote mountains near the Afghan border, could have a direct bearing on how many more American troops are ultimately sent to Afghanistan, and how long they must stay. Pakistan has shown increased willingness to tackle the problem, launching sweeping operations in the north and west of the country this year, but
Where are Taliban and al Qaeda commanders, US media asks Pak -- [Daily News & Analysis]
Washington: A day after senior Pakistani army commanders claimed that their forces have captured all major towns and population centres of the extremist-ridden South Waziristan, Taliban and foreign militants appear to have disappeared and not been eliminated.
Pakistani Army Shows Off Captured Taliban Posts -- [Washington Post]
A toy car booby-trapped with explosives, chemistry textbooks and handwritten case files from a Taliban court were among the debris left behind by fleeing Islamist militants in this remote village in the conflicted tribal region of South Waziristan. The now-deserted village, which was retaken by Pakistani army forces two weeks ago and visited by Western journalists on Tuesday for the first time since, had been a stronghold of Taliban forces for nearly five years.
IRAQ
Iraqi Kurds Warn of Election Boycott in Dispute Over Seats - [Washington Post]
Kurdish officials threatened Tuesday to boycott the upcoming national election in the three provinces they control in northern Iraq unless more parliament seats are allocated to the region. The threat came two days after Iraq's Sunni vice president said he would veto the election law passed last week unless more seats are set aside for representatives of Iraqi refugees. The majority of Iraqis abroad are Sunni. Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi has until Wednesday to veto the law, which legislators approved after weeks of wrangling, primarily over how the vote would be held in the disputed northern city of Kirkuk. The two ultimatums underscored the deep divisions among Iraqi politicians and raised fresh concerns about Iraq's ability to hold a credible election by Jan. 18.
Iraq's national elections in jeopardy as Sunni VP issues veto -- [McClatchy News]
BAGHDAD -- Iraq's pivotal national elections were thrown back into turmoil and potential delay Wednesday after Vice President Tariq al Hashemi vetoed part of an election law and sent it back to parliament.
US has time to reconsider Iraq drawdown plan-Odierno -- [Reuters]
The US military does not have to decide until April or May whether to push back the end of its combat operations in Iraq due to...
A few words from medics for the 41st Brigade -- [The Oregonian]
I spent an hour or two last month with Oregon National Guard medics who are based at Al Asad Airbase, discussing a little of what they've observed since coming to Iraq this summer. The discussion, as you might think, covered issues in two categories: The physical and the mental. The Physical - CPT Scott Johnson of Newport, who is the highest-ranking soldier in the medical support unit at Al Asad, said that medics are seeing a significant share of orthopedic issues that stem from the heavy loads that soldiers carry. Even though the war has wound down considerably over the last few years, soldiers on convoys and at checkpoints still wear a lot of body armor and carry a lot of ammunition and weaponry, as much as 65 pounds or even more. Over time, even young soldiers experience increased stress on their joints from walking, running and jumping with that much gear.
Goodbye to Iraq, and thanks -- [The Oregonian]
The soldiers of Oregon's 41st Brigade are about halfway through their Iraq deployment, but I'm finally home after a gruelling passage through Kuwait and a misadventure or two. I said goodbye to my last acquaintance in the Oregon National Guard on Monday afternoon in Salt Lake City. SSG Tom McNeil of Central Point was peeling off to fly to Medford, close to his home in Central Point, while I continued on to Portland. Have a terrific Thanksgiving at home, Tom. Thanks to all the folks along the way, especially the soldiers of Oregon's 41st Brigade Combat Team, for the many kindnesses extended to me during my sojourn among them. This toast to you, and I'm starting with you two, since you challenged me to do this, Scott and Mike
U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD
US, China in Strained Diplomatic Embrace -- [Wall Street Journal]
President Barack Obama was set to leave China on Wednesday after an awkward summit with some achievements but a long list of unfinished business - a result that suggests challenges ahead for the US as it struggles to come to terms with Asia's increasingly assertive superpower. The president secured a far-ranging framework for cooperation Tuesday with Beijing. But that deal was announced as frictions between the two nations appeared to increase over human rights and economic policy. President Obama and Chinese leader Hu Jintao issued their ambitious statement on cooperation in a clumsy fashion - at a media "availability" where they took no questions, didn't address each other and exhibited body language that seemed to say they had been frustrated by the entire exercise.
Obama: 'We've restored America's standing' -- [CNN]
A little more than a year after his election, President Obama said his administration has laid the groundwork for success on global and domestic matters. -- "I think that we've restored America's standing in the world
Somali Pirates : Maersk Alabama Attacked, Fights Back -- [Eagle Speak]
On the early morning of 18 November 2009, 350 nautical miles east from the Somali coast, pirates attacked MV Maersk Alabama, a US flagged, Danish owned, 155 meter long, Container ship.
Iranian COS Warns Russia: Your Security Is Tied To Ours -- [Memri Blog]
Iranian Army chief of staff Hassan Firouzabadi has warned Russia that delay in the supply of S-300 missile systems could harm Russia because its security is tied to that of Iran.
WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM
Suspected Fort Hood Shooter Believed to Be Self-Radicalized -- [Wall Street Journal]
Some lawmakers briefed Tuesday on the Fort Hood shooting said the suspect, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, was most likely a self-radicalized extremist. The briefing for select members of Congress came as Republicans with oversight of national-security issues called on Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to open a full congressional inquiry into alleged government miscues in the case of Maj. Hasan. He is charged with murdering 13 people Nov. 5 on the sprawling US Army base where he served as a psychiatrist.
Guantánamo Won't Close by January, Obama Says -- [NY Times]
President Obama acknowledged for the first time on Wednesday that his administration would miss a self-imposed deadline to close the detention center at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, by mid-January, admitting the difficulties of following through on one of his first pledges as president.
SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT
No Man Left Behind -- [Knottie's Niche]
We've all heard the military quote "No Man left behind" But it wasn't until last weekend as I sat listening to a veteran Marine talking to an Army Sgt about how the Army helicopter pilot who saved him and many others in Vietnam by flying in a hot zone repeatedly to save men that it hit home. The words took on a whole new meaning to me. When Micheal was killed the Army did not leave us behind. It started with a visit to tell us the news and they did not leave until there was no more they could do for us in that moment. Then there was the email to let us know no one else had been hurt from one of the medics. The Army did not leave us behind when they assigned us a causality assistance officer who walked us through each step, even offering to go to the store for us at any hour of the day if we needed anything at all. Then the emails, calls and instant message conversations from the men who served with Micheal began.
LTC Tim Karcher Update -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Wonderful update on LTC Tim Karcher, Commander of the 1st Cavalry Division's 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, wounded June 28 in Sadr City.
4 weeks later, after fighting for his life in Iraq, here in Germany, and at Walter Reed, the loss of both legs was the least of his problems:
Support SA while Christmas shopping this year! -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Through Soldiers' Angels, patriotic Americans can do their Holiday shopping or planning and support the troops at the same time!
The easiest way to do this is shop online at all your favorite stores. If you stop by GoodShop and Shop to Earn before you start, you can visit all your favorite online stores, purchase anything you want at the usual great prices, and a portion of what you spend will be donated to Soldiers' Angels--at no extra cost to you! On GoodShop, be sure you select Soldiers' Angels as the charity you are "GoodShopping for."
Trees for Troops: Helping Military Families -- [AdAge.com]
Military families. Transportation. Tree growers. Logistics. These seemingly incongruous words provide a case study in cause marketing.
FOX 5 Special: I-Team VA Loans -- [FOX News]
A FOX 5 I-Team investigation uncovered allegations of a nationwide scheme by banks and mortgage companies to defraud U.S. military veterans. The scheme, spelled out in court documents, claims banks are overcharging veterans on home refinancing loans.
The question raised in a racketeering and class action law suit is how many of those loans involved banks defrauding U.S. military veterans.
MILITARY
Muslim discrimination in the U.S. military. Not. -- [Castra Praetoria]
I'm done listening to any more bellyaching about how Muslims have it bad in the American military. It's a lie.
At this very moment there are American Muslims serving in our armed forces with valor. Muslim interpreters work along side us daily who aren't even American citizens and they have proven themselves as well. All these pansies wailing and moaning about discrimination against them because they are Muslims are not doing anyone any favors. Take it from a guy who has served along side Muslim Marines and Sailors in combat; worked with Jordanian and Iraqi interpreters in country; trained with Iraqi-Americans who have contributed to the effort by working as role players and training our troops in culture and language classes.
Time to revisit firearms policies on military posts -- [Atlanta Journal Constitution]
Just as legitimate questions were raised following the mass killings on the Virginia Tech campus in 2007, both military personnel and civilian citizens
Army's Record Suicide Rate 'Horrible,' General Says -- [Washington Post]
Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli on Tuesday called the Army's record suicide rate this year "horrible" and said the problem of soldiers taking their own lives is the toughest he has faced in his 37 years in service. As of Nov. 16, 140 soldiers on active duty and 71 soldiers not on active duty were suspected to have committed suicide. "We are almost certainly going to end the year higher than last year,"
WELCOME HOME
Veterans' descendants welcome troops home to Fort Campbell -- [Clarksville Leaf Chronicle]
Their day concluded with the Welcome Home ceremony for 80 soldiers who returned from a year in Afghanistan. "We are descendants of our country's first
'Greywolf' Among First CAV Troops to Return Home -- [DVIDS]
Once the buses arrived at Cooper Field, chants of "move that bus" were heard from Families waiting to welcome home their Soldiers. Tommy Tatum, from Kempner
THE MEDIA
Where are Taliban and al Qaeda commanders, US media asks Pak -- [Daily News & Analysis]
Washington: A day after senior Pakistani army commanders claimed that their forces have captured all major towns and population centres of the extremist-ridden South Waziristan, Taliban and foreign militants appear to have disappeared and not been eliminated.
Army officials said that they have killed as many as 550 Taliban militants a month after the military began its campaign into the lawless territory, yet they acknowledge that hundreds, perhaps thousands more have melted away.
As the offensive into the area, considered to be a sanctuary of al Qaeda and Taliban militants gained momentum, Boston Globe said, "Vast numbers of Taliban and foreign terrorists had disappeared into the vast desert scrub and craggy hills surrounding their strongholds of Sararogha and Ladha".
"Where are they? That's what bothers me," New York Times quoted a senior American intelligence officer as saying.
POLITICS
Republicans Criticize Obama's Call to Delay Hill Inquiries on Fort Hood -- [Washington Post]
The Obama administration's request that congressional committees slow their investigations of the Fort Hood shootings sparked denunciations Tuesday from Republicans on Capitol Hill, who pushed for an immediate inquiry of any warning signs before the massacre. House and Senate Republicans, emerging from the most detailed briefings given to Congress since the Nov. 5 attack killed 13 at the central Texas Army post, said delaying investigations would put off legislative efforts to give military officials the tools to prevent similar tragedies in the future. They said such an effort would not interfere with the criminal investigation of shooting suspect Nidal M. Hasan, an Army major who was scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan.
Obama Approval Dips Below 50% For First Time -- [Quinnipiac University]
Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Support For U.S. Troops In Afghanistan Drops Below 50% -- President Barack Obama's job approval rating is 48 - 42 percent, the first time he has slipped below the 50 percent threshold nationally ...
HUMOR / SATIRE
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Somebody, somewhere, must have a gallery of Saddam Hussein 'throne photos'. How powerful would such a thing be?
Or, maybe you might have just founded a photographic genre, Greyhawk, I haven't seen an idea communicated so essentially in a long time.
Yes.
Here is a different angle but with the same conclusion:
http://www.jessicaswell.com/MT/archives/001713.html
As most Liberals would say:
"It's good that Saddam Hussein is out of power, but...."
They just don't get it.
Thanks for a great post that explains it perfectly.
Good work!
Oh yeah!
Right on target!
Too bad we didn't also empty out Osama Bin Ladin's cave. Remember OBL? The man who *actually* attacked us? Or have you, like Mr. Bush, forgotten all about him? I don't have a problem with having gone to war post-9/11, but how about a little focus? Pfft.
Very nice. This also reminded me that the media, along with never playing Sept. 11th footage anymore, never plays the footage of Saddam's statues being pulled down anymore.
Thanks for that wonderful parrotting of Kerry's lies, Amy.
Amy-
I have 1 word for you...
multitasking....what can't walk and chew gum at the same time? In your words...Pfft....
Yes, Amy, no problem. And I am sure when Japan attacked us, we should have only fought them. Leave those pesky Germans alone. After all they never attacked us.
Iraq attacked (recently, 2000-2003) our ally, Israel. Iraq had a terror organization, in place. Iraq had called for terror attack on Americans. Saddam was killing his own people at a rate of 100 a day. Saddam was profiting from sanctions, and bribing UN officals.
Did you look at the picture above the 'throne'? Do you really think that he would not have made it come true if he could?
Even Kerry admits (just today for goodness sake) that he too would have gone to war with Iraq. Only he would have waited a bit longer.
We know he would not have been able to get the bribed French, German, or Russian to join us. Kerry know it too. He just pretends not to care.
Read that line again:
Kerry admits that he too would have gone to war with Iraq.
If you are convinced otyherwise then you don't see that, then Kerry has you conviced that he can have it both ways.
Amy,
Have you forgotten the terrorists that HAVE been captured or killed in Iraq. I guess they all just happened to be in the neighborhood when we invaded? I guess Sadaam's payoffs to terrorists who killed Israelis wasn't proof that he supported terrorism?
Wow, it's amazing how ignorant some people are.
Well, you have to remember: people like Amy were gloating that we hadn't caught Saddam yet. Until December of last year...
Makes me wonder what the cry will be when Osama is captured or his remains are identified.
Nicelt illistrated! Amy is a Liberal, and you must understand what happens in the mind of a Liberal. Liberalism is a deadly desease, as we all can see by watching this desease in action throughout Europe. Liberals say they are peaceful "anti-war" people, but spread hatred through the media and idols such as Michael Moore, Soros, Woopy, ect... Look at media outlets in Europe such as the Guardian, and you will see hatred driping off the pages posted by the Liberal left arm. Go to moveon.org and you will see hatred dripping from the monitor as you view the home page. Liberals believe that France and Germany are still our allies. No way, as they haven't been our allies for many years now. Our real allies in the year 2004 are never talked about by the left wing media in American, because Liberalism is a desease and only allows these people to see into the tunnel. Only a desease would allow a fair minded person to believe that OBL was the Terrorist and once removed the threat posed by Terrorism would go away from America. The rest of the world believes that Terrorism is a global threat, with thousands of leaders, in hundreds of countries, with so many heads, it can play hide and seek forever unless we have a leader such as Geroge W. Bush, who will hold anybody or any country that sponsors Terrorism accountable and cut the heads of the beast wherever they are found. You can't expect people like Amy to understand and comprehend this reality, as she is inflicted by a very powerful and deadly desease!
I've sat on that throne. Here are a few of my pictures:
http://phases.blogdrive.com/galleries?g=01
Check em out if you like.
I certainly wish I could believe that even Kerry (the ultimate pacifist) would have went to war with Sadaam. Sadly, I'm a pessimist. I think Kerry would NEVER have attacked Sadaam. Furthermore, I think Kerry will pull out of Iraq prematurely.
Amy- here's a free clue.
Kerry voted for the war. He thought it was ok to go to war with Iraq too.
Or do you have him confused for Howard Dean?
People like Amy are what is wrong with liberals and anti-war moonbats the world over. They care not for the outcome of the actions they call for but in the act of resistance itself. This 'moral' stand they appear to take is for one person only, themselves. Often you will find these people dissatisfied with their lives and suffer from low self-esteem that only attention of the kind they bring on themselves through their 'selfless' act of taking what they see as the superior moral high-ground. They have not thought their actions through as they care not for the outcome as long as they feel good doing it.
Amy, get a hobby or something that does not include the misery of others to boost your flagging ego.
Ceci n'est pas une pipe.
Amy ... have you been reading just the headlines again? .... or did you read the whole pile of crap (If it comes from the MSM) ...... Obviously, you have been indoctrinated ..... so sad :-(
Lovely. Point out an inadequacy in someone's logic, and get flamed for it in posts and get nasty email (and I quote: "It must suck to be you, Amy. You dumb bitch." wow. I'm so upset! *rolls eyes*).
Now, would anyone care to actually address the point I made? Oh wait, I forgot - you can't!
LOL
Have a lovely day. I shan't return, so you all needn't flame further.
a.
Everyone addressed your "point." You're apparently too stupid to understand.
"Now, would anyone care to actually address the point I made?"
Ok well it's like this....
"Have a lovely day. I shan't return, so you all needn't flame further."
Oh I see, well I guess I won't waste my breath educating you then. Run away little girl.
Many liberals think removing Sadam was bad! JFK has said both before and again after saying it was a good idea that it was *not* a good idea. Because it was a bad idea he voted against the funding for arms for the troops. This picture will be proof to them that the war is wrong! Its the old glass .5 full vs .5 empty deal.
Rod Stanton
Cerritos, Cal
Amy didn't have a point, or at least she didn't make it clear what had her panties in a wad. So I will fill it in. The point, not the panties.
No OBL in Chains. Amy belongs to the cult of personalty. She cannot understand that Oshama is a religous nutbag as are the rest of our enemies. They listen to allah and only allah. A cult of death, not personalty.
Kerry would not have caught Oshama either. He slipped over the border to Pakistan. It would have been war to go and get him. That would have turned our most valuable ally into a nuclear armed enemy. One day the assassins will get Mashariff (sp?) and Pakistan will then be our enemy. That is when we go after Oshama, hammer and tong. You think we got problems now, wait till every raghead with a donkey has his own nuke.
Just goes to prove my theory ... the LLL's favorite expression is ...... SO THERE!
--Have a lovely day. I shan't return, so you all needn't flame further.--
Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.
I had never seen that mural.
My God.
The madman's dream was to launch a nuclear strike.
He wanted to destroy half the world just so he could rule what was left of it.
America and Israel would have been the first countries targeted.
Just wait 'til you see his other twelve bathrooms!!
When American soldiers are dying in combat, there is no shame in suggesting that a course of action, though essentially good, could have been carried out in a much more intelligent and less burdensome manner. I support Iraqi Freedom; I will vote for Kerry. Is there some contradiction? Sure. Kerry has been nearly incoherent in forging his position on the issue, but Bush has been demonstrably incompetent. I would betray my support of our efforts in Iraq more by voting for Mr. Bush.
If Bush is incompetent, then so were FDR/Truman/Eisenhower/MacArthur.
For people like John Kerry, there is "always" one more negotiation we can try before going to war ... if for no other reason, because they can use it to paint themselves as today's Ghandi.
Unfortunately, they too often end up looking like Chamberlain, instead.
Amy liked the pretty colors in the big picture, and would like a gold chair too. Mike, Kerry has proven himself both incoherent and incompetent. Didn't you even read his own words from the interview ? That man represents a grave danger to the United States.
Let's see, the last time we went to work with the assistance of our glorious allies, we had to leave Saddam on his throne.
Remember the Gulf War? That was the price we had to pay so that the Saudis would give us access to their country and airspace.
That decision ended up getting a lot of Kurds killed. The Marsh Arabs lost their way of live. Thousands of Iraqis died, and we spent god knows how many millions running air interdiction over Iraq for the next 12 years.
Oh yes, that allowed Kofi to set up his humanitarian Oil for Food program that routed billions of dollars into the coffers of criminals and terrorist groups alike.
Anyone still think that kind of coalition building worked?
I have been back to this picture four times today. It still gives me chills.
And it sure makes me glad that I took the time to find out why I hadn't got my absentee ballot yet. And then got it. And then sent it back.
Excellent post.
Kerry says: "We'd have gone to war with allies in a way that the American people weren't carrying the burden."
Ponder that for a second. Kerry is saying that he'll be smart enough and persuasive enough and just downright Presidential enough to get other countries to fight a war that the United States wants to be fought. And he criticizes President Bush for 'out-sourcing' the Tora Bora battle? He would out-source entire wars! He's invented the concept of 'war without war'!
But, of course, what he'd really produce for us is 'peace without peace'
What a piece of work the guy is.
Incompetence is cureable.
Incoherence is not.
Remember that George Bush is a peacemaker. A peacemaker takes the battle to the enemy. A pacifist (liberal) sits back and does nothing but "negotiate".
Candidate wrong war, wrong time has strengthened the will of the very terrorists we are fighting thereby putting all in more danger. All his pathetic posturing about serving this country when his 'tour' lasted a mere 4 1/2 months is sickening. I pray to God that there are enough of us voting to keep this danger to America out of office.
Gotta love Amy's last post:
"Have a lovely day. I shan't return, so you all needn't flame further."
Guess she took her little green football and went home!
I guess shooting at our pilots for a dozen years while they were enforcing Useless Nations resolutions doesn't qualify as attacking us.
"But we support the troops!"
God help us. Please don't let these people take power tomorrow.
Kill 'em all and let Allah sort 'em out!
USA! USA!
Kerry is a "Monday morning quarterback" in the words of President Bush on the Iraq war. It is so easy to criticize and he still hasn't explained how he would conduct the war except for utilizing more allies. Of course, he won't get specific so all he is doing is complaining. The rule is always provide a solution to a problem, otherwise you're just a big whiner.
Ah! So the foe had *pictures* of WMDs. This changes everything, and I will of course reconsider my vote. Many thanks for bringing this to light.
Just after our invasion of Iraq, I remember
seeing a photo of two soldiers walking in front of a mural of the twin towers on fire. I haven't
been able to find it since. Can you help?
To the Mike that posted this:
"Kerry has been nearly incoherent in forging his position on the issue, but Bush has been demonstrably incompetent. I would betray my support of our efforts in Iraq more by voting for Mr. Bush."
Please watch Stolen Honor at:
http://www.stolenhonor.com/
After watching it, please tell me if you still believe the same way.
R.A.H., this what you were looking for?
http://www.spiritoftruth.org/911mural.htm
Having served for six months in Iraq, and having seen this throne, there is one more bit of information worth mentioning. The mural shown is on the west wall of the palace so that makes missiles westbound. Take a guess in what country their terminal points lie.
Since Amy won't be back (wink, wink, Amy) it is still important others consider what all the world (with the possible exception of France) was saying before the Iraqi war. Everyone thought Sadam had WMDs so today's 'Monday morning quarterbacking only confuses ones like Amy. I am not sure why they aren't happy to see milliions not live under a threat like Saddam, for me it is enough that they have hope of enjoying freedom like Amy. Though they most likely will know how they came about to enjoy it and not have it lost in their history to be ignored.
God Bless George W. Bush
Please. Elevate the discourse.
Ya' know, the missles in that image only go a few hundred miles. So your imagery dosen't fly very far either.
A friend pointed me to an article by Raymond S. Kraft that does a nice job of illustrating why the war in Iraq is necessary. I think you'll enjoy it:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1244632/posts
Amy spewed:
"Too bad we didn't also empty out Osama Bin Ladin's cave."
Yeah, it is too bad. Do you have any clue what such a accomplishment entails? We didn't get Hitler out of his bunker, either.
"Remember OBL? The man who *actually* attacked us?"
Do you realize this is a war on TERRORISM, not just as retribution for 9/11?
"Or have you, like Mr. Bush, forgotten all about him?"
I guess that's why we still have operations on the Afghan/Pakistani border, ya' think?"
I don't have a problem with having gone to war post-9/11, but how about a little focus? Pfft."
Do you have even the slightest clue what you're blathering about? Before inserting both feet in your mouth you should do a little research outside the MSM and academia. I'd suggest reading Tommy Franks "American Soldier" for a summary of how such opertions work (outside the Hollyweird scripts).
Oh, I'm sorry; liberalism says you're entitled to your opinion and asking that your actually use even an ounce of intellect in deriving that opinion is racist and suppression.
Try thinking between your ears, rather than between your legs, for a change.
Greyrat,
I'm impressed with your knowledge of the specifications of enemy missiles. What is the designator for the missiles pictured? What are the possible types of warheads these vehicles are capable of delivering? Assuming it's true that these missiles are limited by the distance you prescribe, how many innocent civilians are within "a few hundred miles" of Iraq? Does a leader that sits on a throne in front of an image of a sky full of missiles represent peace or terror?
I think the imagery flies pretty far.
Jeff wrote:
"I'm impressed with your knowledge of the specifications of enemy missiles. What is the designator for the missiles pictured? What are the possible types of warheads these vehicles are capable of delivering?"
Jeff,
Do you get the idea that most of the left's understanding of military operations comes from watching movies? Or their notions of intelligence from James Bond movies?
Or their entire world wiew for that matter...
Amy puked:
Lovely. Point out an inadequacy in someone's logic, and get flamed for it in posts and get nasty email (and I quote: "It must suck to be you, Amy. You dumb bitch." wow. I'm so upset! *rolls eyes*).
Now, would anyone care to actually address the point I made? Oh wait, I forgot - you can't!
LOL
Have a lovely day. I shan't return, so you all needn't flame further.
-----------
But we need to flame your dense, cement lined cerebral cavity.
No, you shan't return because your idiotic MSM/DU BS doesn;t fly here like it does on the left's normally captive audience (like schools...).
Mike farted:
"When American soldiers are dying in combat, there is no shame in suggesting that a course of action, though essentially good, could have been carried out in a much more intelligent and less burdensome manner. "
Such as, what maybe??
So easy to sit on the sidelines with your treasonable candidate....
Well, I still haven't forgiven Dennis Eckersley for throwing that 1-2 fastball in the 87 Series...
Man, the more the left shoots off their mouths, the more they drive people into the Bush camp.
Oh my God! This completely changes my mind about John Kerry! Before i'd seen this picture it had never even occurred to me that Saddam Hussein might be a really bad guy bent on destroying the West. Whew! Boy, i'm really glad now that President Bush lied to us so that he could get support for the war, because i can't imagine what a more dangerous place the world would be if it weren't for the peaceful island of democracy that we've established in the middle east.
If you'd like to make my day, please flame me for spouting half-truths in order to support my liberal "convictions". That stuff is absolutely hilarious, and we get a real kick out of it at the office.
One last thing before lunch is over:
http://www.victorhanson.com/articles/hanson071604.htm
And Kerry things Hollyweird is the bastion of American culture? The left needs some reality, not movies, to generate working PLANS. Kerry couldn't plan a circle-jerk!
OK, Amy, so Saddam didnt attack us. What would you call the firing of hundreds SAMs and uncountable AA rounds at our planes while patrolling over the (UN created no less!) no-fly zones over northern and southern Iraq?
To the mike that wrote:
'If you'd like to make my day, please flame me for spouting half-truths in order to support my liberal "convictions".'
You're right. The act of flaming people does little to support the credibility of the people doing the flaming, and the valid points that they may have. I do not intend to flame anyone, but would like to provide some additional food for thought.
Please understand that the President of the United States (not just Bush, but any President) is privy to information that only a select few in the intelligence/military sector have access to. Like it, or not, "need to know" is for the protection of the citizens of the United States. If the information is made available to the public, then the enemy is aware of the information.
President Bush said that he had reason to believe, based on intelligence reports provided to him, that Iraq was in possesion of WMD. Senator John Kerry voted for the threat of force, based on this same information. It does absolutely no good to threaten force if you don't plan to use it when your threat isn't responded to.
If you're saying President Bush lied by not providing all classified information to the public, then you need to know that all government officials (Democrat or Republican) with access to classified information "lie" for our protection. If you're saying that he lied by claiming that there were WMD in Iraq, and you think there weren't, then please look at this possibility: Could there have been WMD in Iraq that were transported out of Iraq before or during the war? Supposedly, there were 380 tons of plastic explosives that were on a military installation in Iraq and suddenly disappeared. Also, what are the possible military uses of 380 tons of plastic explosives (in a country where known terrorists were captured)?
Sigh. Mike, try and focus with me. Bush....did....not.....lie. Say it out loud. Think about it. Repeat as necessary. And the next time you go to the doctor you might want to have him look at that nasty case of moonbat pox you seem to have developed.
Mike ... who lied about stockpiles of WMD?
http://casebolt.blogspot.com/2004/10/before-you-punch-that-chad.html
Without complying with your knee-jerk instinct to label anyone who questions Bush a far-left crazy (a reaction which has been faithfully taught by this administration), think about what one would want in a president.
-someone who will face up to both successes and potential mistakes, and rationally analyze what needs to be done to make our country secure today and well into the future
-someone who will represent our country in a respectful, intelligent way to the rest of the world, because as we saw, when an atrocity like what happened on Sept. 11th occurs, the international community will support victims (us). We need a president who will utilize the goodwill afforded America, not one who will distance us from the rest of the world while tinkering with important civil rights policy
-someone who will preserve the quality of our environment for years to come
-someone who will look out for the economic well-being of more than his richest constiuents (his cronies or no)
-someone who has the mentality to lead the country, to deal with effectively with international threats while developing alliances, not alienating other countries with a misguided "us vs. them" mentality when "us" just waged a war (and, make no mistake, continues to wage a full-fledged WAR in Iraq) with no coherent exit strategy and no plans to change strategy based on past failures. Remember, like Bush has said in numerous interviews, he hasn't made any mistakes as President. Making mistakes isn't an indictment of one's character, but refusing to admit mistakes made, especially when your refusals cost more American lives, is traitorous at the bare minimum.
There is NO WAY that the scared little boy that is George W. Bush can come close to claming any of these abilities. Vote your conscience and allow our country to flourish in the next four years.
Kenny,
Does John Kerry have any of the abilities you seek in a President?
After his "success" in Vietnam, he returned to the United States and slandered the rest of our troops that were fighting (or had died in battle) in Vietnam. He said they were war criminals, and provided propaganda for North Vietnam to use against POW's. He cost more lives, by encouraging the North Vietnam government. Isn't that "traitorous at the bare minimun"?
Also, as part of his anti-war demonstration (in effort to gain attention) he threw medals over the White House fence -- The medals he threw over the fence weren't even his medals. His excuse was that he "didn't have them with him". I also find it strange that he wore ribbons on the outside of his fatigues, during his demonstrations, for two reasons: Ribbons are not part of a combat uniform (fatigues or BDU's); and if he was so ashamed of the medals he earned that he would (supposedly) throw them over the White House fence, why did he wear the ribbons that represent those medals?
Further, if you are looking for someone who will look out for the "economic well-being of more than his richest constiuents", then it's not Kerry. While he blames President Bush for increased Medicare premiums, the increase was actually the result of a law that he (Senator John Kerry) voted for in 1997.
It seems to me that all Kerry has done is propagate lies and blame President Bush for anything and everything that is going wrong in the world, today.
In the midst of a very heated campaign you expect either candidate to "admit mistakes" to be spun to death by the other? Hmmmph.
Benefit cronies? A partisan lie.
Mental capacity? A pretty good case has been made for a Bush IQ greater than Kerry's, a charge publicly made to Kerry with which he did not argue. But, he did let slip that his military records were hidden. Why is that?
Face up to successes and potential mistakes? The strategy is there. The communication of it has not been well done. (skipping the "face up to success" awkwardness.)
Aw, why bother with this? It's been done.
By the way, way back in this thread, to the question of whether the glass is half full or half empty, the answer is "It depends." What was the intent? Not enough information to formulate an answer.
Speaking of thrones...
Did the Butcher of Bagdad have a gold plated toilet? Also, please note, "Amy" is a typical close-minded person: "don't confuse me with another opinion now, I might have the liberal bubble broken!"
Amy most certainly does have a point. Unfortunately, it's on top of her head.
Mind boggling; how in the world can you believe anything that comes from this administration. From their "election" in 2000 to their dogged denial of anything going badly under their watch, they have ducked, dodged, prevaricated and outright lied. Wake up, folks. There were no "weapons of mass destruction", Saddam had nothing to do with the terrorists of 9/11 and Bush has failed to make anyone safer. On the contrary, Osama is alive and well and producing videos, Halliburton is under investigation and no one in this "administration" has been taken to task for all of it's failures. God help us if this goes another four years...are we going for six trillion in debt or more massive high income tax deductions? Wake up, folks...
Rey -- wake up, and read this to see who was the real liar about WMD:
http://casebolt.blogspot.com/2004/10/before-you-punch-that-chad.html
Mark Davis (on WBAP-AM in Dallas) said it best -- three years after 911, and the best Osama can throw at us is a VHS tape?
IT IS ELECTION DAY OOOPS NO IT IS 1;00 am so
it is really the next day - waiting for final
results.
They are saying that Florida and Ohio has
Bush - is this for real? How long do we stay
up and see if this is a dream?
Grayhawk and Mrs. you are in our prayers and we
will see you soon in our backyard and will drink
some beers to the victory - Bush and Grayhawk
have SURVIVED!! Forever XXXX OOOO
Leanne, It ain't over til it's over. You guys must get some sleep. I think you can rest easy, though. Love and miss you.
Well, I think that I lost a friend since Kerry lost the election. Yes - he is conceding.
I called my friend last night and she stated that she could not talk to me on election night.
We have always spoken about issues before - I hate to label ourselves, but we do have differing opinions and views.
She has stated that when interpreting the Osama video that Muslims (I understand this does not apply to all) brought down Russia and that they would bring down the USA. That this began with 9/11 and he will continue to attack financial targets and bankrupt as well. I stated that I did not agree with this theory - we are not comparing apples to apples - Russia to America?
My husband and I agree - didn't Ronald Reagan
and Star Wars help to bankrupt Russia?
Well, I have prided myself in not labeling - Republican, Christian, etc. and thought I could discuss this issue with respect for all, but when I very respectfully disagreed then all dialogue had to stop.
Can't we keep our values, but as Rodney King stated - Can't we all get along?