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 Greetings! You are reading an article from The Mudville Gazette. To reach the front page, with all the latest news and views, click the logo above or "main" below. Thanks for stopping by! February 2, 2003 MilBlogs Archive - Dec, 04'By
...is a soldier coming home. 
Merry Christmas, ps Greyhawk, I've spent too much on Christmas presents this year, XXXXOOOO
_____
Dear Madam, DearSir, I we wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and all your friends. And a great Thank You to all the people who has supported us to help the wounded Soldiers and Marines in Landstuhl. We will all the wounded troops are staying for recovery over Christmas in LRMC here in Germany a still and peace loving Merry Christmas and a great and good Happy New Year and more Peace of Earth.
A Classic! Belleau Wood The Authors are : Joe Henry and Garth Brooks Copyright 1997
The life of a soldier, each brave and strong, Always making sure that things here don't go wrong. This holiday season, I want All to know, That our happiness and freedom, to each of You we owe.
Far from hearth and home, watching What tales we'll tell When things grim Some distant sunset, vision fading Saluting fallen friends whose names
- Greyhawk,
Deployed far from home and hearth this Holiday season, awaiting a bit of cheer via comments: Never heard of this place till now!!! And those who wait:
Baldilocks has done a superb job at doing a round up to a few of the best MilBlogs. I, Mrs G, will have to apologize for lacking in this department on this page. Been busy. Glad to see I can count on a another Milblogger to make sure the jog gets done.
Hugh Hewitt, on Time magazine noting a "blog of the year": This recognition is greatly deserved but also a little ironic --as if, in 1940, the radio networks got together to award a "television reporter of the year" award. Geeesh, some people just can't show simple gratitude. The fact that it's been a year since my response to Time's cover story reminds me that after another year with an increasing number of front-line blogs, emails home, and other real-time communication from GIs here we've seen little change from some sources in tone of coverage on the supposed "GI view" of the war. The fact that the media storyline hasn't changed is not surprising, the fact that so many are willing to believe it is unfortunate. The fact that blogs have come a long way in that same 12 months shows that increasing numbers of people are not so inclined, and I remain hopeful for the year ahead. So continue to put words in our mouths at your own risk, you priests of a crumbling temple. We've our own platform now, and we'll call you down from that lofty tower... Here's OIF vet Jason Van Steenwyk responding to the Christian Science Monitor via letter. Here's Michael at A Day in Iraq recounting stories of his previous assignment in Iraq and his ongoing preparations to return here. A quote: "I can't think of anywhere else I would rather spend over a year of my life." Now I could name a couple, (but here's to better years!) but I recognize his sincerity, and I know exactly what he means. Others in DCUs do too. Cori Dauber notes another case of the "demoralized military a la Vietnam" theme in the press. Rick Atkinson, author of the subject piece, wrote the book "In the Company of Soldiers", one of least informative accounts I've ever read from an embed on the invasion of Iraq. Atkinson recounts a large share of the negative reporting throughout the actual march on Baghdad; we trained for the wrong foe, sand and dust will stop us, Baghdad will be a nightmare of door-to-door combat, etc. etc. Even after the fact in the book he couldn't really bring himself to rise above his pre-war conclusions that 1) the war was unjustified and all about oil and 2) the war was a series of U.S. failures culminating in the capture of Baghdad but so what? Atkinson from Soldiers: On Forward Area Refueling Points (FARPs): With stupefying obtuseness, the military had named the FARPs for oil companies, despite Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's insistence that the invasion of a country with 112 billion barrels of confirmed reserves had "nothing to do with oil, literally nothing to do with oil". On the motivation of U.S. Soldiers: But most soldiers evinced a cool detachment toward their potential Iraqi adversaries. Certainly no hate lodged in their bones. Many had an inchoate conviction that this deployment was somehow linked to the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, a delusion encouraged by the nation's political leadership. Long before 9/11, however, the Army had become an expeditionary force that careered among global hot spots. If they were modern legionnaires, these soldiers nevertheless thought of themselves as defenders of a secular faith embracing sundry liberties and entitlements, including many that were noble, and others - such as the daily consumption of more than 25 percent of the world's oil supply by only 5 percent of the world's population - that were less so. On finding a warehouse complex full of boxes labeled 'Oil-for-Food': As we poked about, I catalogued the emporium. Warehouse No. 4: fifty-kilo sacks of sugar from France and twenty thousand bags of black tea from India. Warehouse No. 10: cooking oil from Malaysia. Warehouse No. 19: detergent powder - the place smelled like a lemon grove - from Algeria and Syria. Warehouse No. 5 was my favorite: bed sheets, Phillips flat-screen televisions, men's underwear, throw rugs, light bulbs, candles, compressors, pencils, erasers, light switches, trash bags, and, not least, a carton of box cutters. Perhaps, I thought, we had found the elusive link to Al-Qaeda. That final comment being particular ironic in light of the growing Oil for Food scandal. His otherwise straightforward account is marred by political injections into what is actually a 90 percent non-political look at an army at war. But in the end - perhaps in fear of being labeled a "Bushie" - he can't resist spilling his personal views out onto the page. His opinions on the war are anything but inchoate; his attacks are like little IEDs shoehorned in at various spots throughout his prose, catching you when you're off guard. Atkinson's previous effort, "An Army at Dawn", was a Pulitzer Prize-winning account of WWII battles in North Africa, a campaign marked by initial failures that nonetheless set the foundation for eventual victory. In "Soldiers" he actually recounts learning he'd been honored with the Pulitzer while in Iraq during the war. I haven't read that one, but I'd expect his problem is presenting real-time data vs. history, the latter being somewhat more malleable in the hands of someone unconcerned with accuracy, or a response from those who were there. Perhaps he expects that years from now his work on Iraq will be the definitive shaper of thoughts on this age? Here's a quote from his latest article: But as this war grinds on, as these dead stack up, soldiers and their families are faced with the appalling suspicion that their troops are risking their lives in a cause that is uncertain at best and illegitimate at worst. The son of an Army officer, Atkinson is ever careful to wrap his nay saying in a thin armor of feeble praise for those in uniform. But guys like Michael or Red Six or 2Slick keep showing up on the horizon, and certain 'embeds' would do well to take note. Even tanks get destroyed some times, don't you know. _____
The MilBlog family. An activated reservist Going Down Range _____
I, a GI in Iraq, found this through Power Line. By the way, if you’re interested in what combat troops have to say about the armor issue, read this. And in the amazing coincidence department, that story also involves Sgt Lizzie
An enigmatic farewell… From Ali
Last edition of "Good news from Iraq" for 2004
From The Jag
Today we conducted another detainee release mission. I've wrote about one way back during the summer but things have changed a bit since then. We still conduct the release missions every week or two. The detainees come up from Abu Ghraib on busses or trucks and we meet them in Tikrit and escort the busses to a smaller village outside of Tikrit. There, they are released at a "halfway house" of sorts. He's got more on the halfway house here. Excerpt: The director shared another anecdote with me about a released detainee who explained to the group how before he was detained, he thought all Americans were like Saddam Hussein's goons; cruel monsters who used their power to do whatever they wanted and killed anyone who got in the way. He said that when he was detained he was treated well and actually made friends with some of the prison guards. He said he had completely changed his mind about the Americans and wanted to tell everyone he used to hang out with not to attack the Americans anymore. Now I don't know how much of this is true but it does sound like the program is doing some good. And more on the upcoming elections here.
On a cold snowy night
Rough Men Hawk, It was my reading of that quote at your site so many times that inspired me to write something about it. It is a wonderful bit of wisdom, and combined with this quote of Haile Selassie's, is a rather effective way of making critics of the war ponder their position, if but for a moment, until their fuzzy logic takes hold again. Update: It seems there is a debate on where this quote originated. Now by all means, I'm no scholar but I can google and this is my conclusion. It may be a merger of the statment made in Orwell's essay on Rudyard Kipling (1942) [ "He (Kipling) sees clearly that men can only be highly civilized while other men, inevitably less civilized, are there to guard and feed them." ] and the definition of a pacifist from Orwell's" Notes on Nationalism" (1945) [ PACIFIST: Those who 'abjure' violence can only do so because others are committing violence on their behalf. ] Now who do we attribute this quote to? I say both. No one knows who created the exact quote that Greyhawk uses. Neither Orwell or Kipling said those exact words in any of their writings and we may never know who did so let's close the matter with what we do know. These two were brilliant men and the quote was obviously derived from these writings. And to the commenter who says on his site, Still, (mostly) warmongerers have been repeating this made-up phrase without question for a long time, and now with the "Good" attached - which in my opinion significantly alters the meaning of the quote which implies that the "good people" consent. Plenty of good people do not consent to most war. To this I say yes, you right, "Good" shouldn't be added because Bad people also sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. And the word "Good" added doesn't show consent by good people, it's just an undeniable fact and for your information all quotes are made up, that's how they become into existance. PS: "Take my word for it, the silliest woman can manage a clever man; but it needs a very clever woman to manage a fool. - Rudyard Kipling" Silly me
It is a sad day to here that Sgt Hook will be hanging up his boots and retiring from Blogging. Although he will sorely be missed, Greyhawk and I understand completely, Hooks position on this. Peace out!
SOA I'm moving this post up for those that may have missed it.
Iraq the Model bloggers Omar and Mohamed are touring America along with SoA founder Jim Hake (MilBlogger Grim got a coveted invite to one event!) demonstrating the new Arabic language blogging tool called Viral Freedom: Every blog developed using the Arabic blogging tool will include space that is under the control of organizations that we work with, such as Friends of Democracy. This space or “real estate” will be a portion of the blog header (top of the page) and the left column. The organizations will use the space to promote groups, individuals and news that, in the big picture, advance freedom, democracy and peace in the region. Thus, everyone that creates a blog will be promoting moderate and progressive information and viewpoints in the Arab world. Friends of Democracy will use the space to publicize pro-democracy groups, election information and related news. The blogs created under Friends of Democracy will be ambassadors of democracy in the Arab world. Contributions through Mudville thus far are enough to fund hosting of 50 blogs for one year in this effort (Note: contributions are to SoA to use as they see fit - will go where the need is greatest.) 
In honor of the whole series of events, I've decided to up the ante: all who donate 20 dollars or more via Mudville (click banner above) will receive not just pogs but 10,000 (Saddam era) Iraqi Dinar. See additional details here. (And yes, those who've already asked shall receive this too. Act now - offer good only while supplies last.) 
Email Via Blackfive Hi All, _____
Sometimes I get the feeling some folks forget that the military blogger isn't just spouting their opinion from mom's basement. Here's a must read from Smash. Just go. _____
Bill Faith has some more good news from his Iraqi-born friend Haider on his site here and here _____
I'll be posting various Military Christmas poems found on the internet during the next couple weeks. The Sands of Christmas Seems Bill thinks like me and has same poem also.
Sarah with a letter from a GI on the Armor issue - he makes another point we're all well aware of, but that I haven't heard used in this discussion yet. (And you'll probably not hear it anywhere else. There's only a few with the 'license' to say it.) Rebel Rouser has some interesting pics of the HMMWVs being used in Iraq, along with the latest and greatest.
BlackFive has been rubbing elbow With a lot of influential bloggers, at Harvard. man, spend a few months in Iraq and you miss out on everything
During my weekly run thru the MilBlog Ring (sorry can't do it more often but there are 113 of you), I found we will be losing one of our members. Mrs G _____
MilBlogger (Intel Dump) Phil Carter on the armor issue (and transformation in light of the the evolution in threat faced by the military) - in the New York Times: Many are taking the exchange, along with alarming new statistics on military preparedness from the House Armed Services Committee, as proof that the Bush administration has failed to give soldiers in Iraq the equipment they need to face combat. Actually, the problem runs much deeper than the current administration: it stems from the Pentagon's uneven effort over the last decade to turn a cold-war military into a force able to meet today's challenges. Well done, Phil! (Oh wait - it's Phillip now! ;) - Hey don't forget all us "little guys"!) _____ 12 Days til Christmas... Baghdad style Hat tip to Bill Arthur's Latest
We're not just in the Military Blog category! There are MilBloggers hidden throughout the 2004 Weblog Awards. And here is where you'll find them: EagleSpeak in the 6750+ category. Geek Empire and Chapomatic in the 3500 - 5000 category. The Common Virtue in the 1000-1750 category (Man down! Get there, stat!) Brain Fertilizer and Froggy in the 500-1000 category. Serenity's Journal and Ipse Dixit in the 100-250 category. The Mudville Gazette and The Evangelical Outpost in the This is the last day to place your vote, so what are you waiting for? Get over there!
Our friend Bill at Small Town Veteran has been corresponding with an Iraqi, and sharing opinions of an editorial. Iraqi Editorial ”Semi government” It really is an interesting read, something you won't find in the MSM.
Have you donated to the SoA Blogger challenge? Here's the sort of things you're helping to make happen. Iraq the Model bloggers Omar and Mohamed are touring America along with SoA founder Jim Hake (MilBlogger Grim got a coveted invite to one event!) demonstrating the new Arabic language blogging tool called Viral Freedom: Every blog developed using the Arabic blogging tool will include space that is under the control of organizations that we work with, such as Friends of Democracy. This space or “real estate” will be a portion of the blog header (top of the page) and the left column. The organizations will use the space to promote groups, individuals and news that, in the big picture, advance freedom, democracy and peace in the region. Thus, everyone that creates a blog will be promoting moderate and progressive information and viewpoints in the Arab world. Friends of Democracy will use the space to publicize pro-democracy groups, election information and related news. The blogs created under Friends of Democracy will be ambassadors of democracy in the Arab world. Contributions through Mudville thus far are enough to fund hosting of 50 blogs for one year in this effort (Note: contributions are to SoA to use as they see fit - will go where the need is greatest.)
In honor of the whole series of events, I've decided to up the ante: all who donate 20 dollars or more via Mudville (click banner above) will receive not just pogs but 10,000 (Saddam era) Iraqi Dinar. See additional details here. (And yes, those who've already asked shall receive this too. Act now - offer good only while supplies last.) A Dying Warriors Last Request via Blackfive
Hi All- Posted by / February 2, 2003 12:10 AM | Permalink |
November 26, 2010America@war [Greyhawk]
I think anyone who's ever pondered the "comment" option - once only available on blogs and bulletin boards, now ubiquitous on almost any web site - will appreciate this:
The so-called faculty of writing is not so much a faculty of writing as it is a faculty of thinking. When a man says, "I have an idea but I can't express it"; that man hasn't an idea but merely a vague feeling. If a man has a feeling of that kind, and will sit down for a half an hour and persistently try to put into writing what he feels, the probabilities are at least 90 percent that he will either be able to record it, or else realize that he has no idea at all. In either case, he will do himself a benefit. That's wisdom from the past, captured for posterity at the US Naval Institute, shared via the web on the institute's 137th anniversary. From their about page:
"The Naval Institute has three core activities," among them, History and Preservation: The Naval Institute also has recently introduced Americans at War, a living history of Americans at war in their own words and from their own experiences. These 90-second vignettes convey powerful stories of inspiration, pride, and patriotism. Take a look at the collection, and you'll see it's not limited to accounts from those who served on ships at sea, members of the other branches are well-represented. I'm fortunate to have met USNI's Mary Ripley, she's responsible for the institute's oral history program (and she's the daughter of the late John Ripley, whose story is told here). She also deserves much credit for their blog. ("We're not the Navy nor any government agency. Blog and comment freely.") We met at a milblog conference - Mary knew (and I would come to realize) that milbloggers are the 21st-century version of exactly what the US Naval Institute is all about. Once that light bulb came on in my head, I mentioned a vague idea for a project to her - milblogs as the 21st century oral history that they are. "Put that in writing," she said (of course - see first paragraph above!) - and here's part of the result. Shortly after the first tent was pitched by the American military in Iraq a wire was connected to a computer therein, and the internet was available to a generation of Americans at war - many of whom had grown up online. From that point on, at any given moment, somewhere in Iraq a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine was at a keyboard sharing the events of his or her day with the folks back home. While most would simply fire off an email, others took advantage of the (then) relatively new online blogging platforms to post their thoughts and experiences for the entire world to see. The milblog was born - and from that moment to this stories detailing everything from the most mundane aspects of camp life to intense combat action (often described within hours of the event) have been available on the web... And et cetera - but since you're reading this on a milblog, you probably knew that. And you know that milblogs aren't just blogs written by troops at war, that many friends, family members, and supporters likewise documented their story of America at war online in near-real time, as those stories developed. The diversity in membership of that group is broad, the one thing we all have in common is the impulse to make sense of the seemingly senseless, and communicate the tale - for each of us that impulse was strong enough to overcome whatever barriers prevent the vast majority of people from doing the same. Everyone at some point has some vague idea they believe should be shared - we were the people who, from some combination of internal and external urging, found and spent those many half hours persistently trying to write it down. But where will all that be in another 137 years? Or five or ten, for that matter. That's something I've asked myself since at least 2004 - when I wrote this:
Membership in the ghost battalion has grown in the years since, and an ever growing majority of those abandoned-but-still-standing sites are vanishing. Have you checked out Lt Smash's site lately? How about Sgt Hook's? If you're a long-time milblog reader you know the first widely-read milblog from Operation Iraq Freedom and the first widely-read milblog from Afghanistan are both gone from the web. If you're a relative newcomer to this world you may never even have heard of them - or the dozens upon dozens of others who carried forth the standard they set down. If you have a vague notion that something should be done about that, (a notion I've heard expressed more than once...) then you and I and the good folks at the US Naval Institute are in agreement. Preserving the history documented by the milbloggers is just one of the goals of the milblog project, the once-vague idea that we're now making real. And it's a big idea, if I say so myself - too big to explain in one simple blog post, so stand by for more. Likewise, it's too big a task to be accomplished by just one person. So if you're a milblogger (and exactly what is a milblogger? is a topic for much further discussion on its own) I'm asking for your help. All I'll really need is just a little bit (maybe just one or two of those half hours...) of your time, and your willingness to tell the tale. We've already made history, it's time to save it. (More to follow...) Posted 4:02 PM | Permalink |
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The Mudville Gazette is the on-line voice of an American warrior and his wife who stands by him. They prefer to see peaceful change render force of arms unnecessary. Until that day they stand fast with those who struggle for freedom, strike for reason, and pray for a better tomorrow.
 
 
 Furthermore, I will occasionally use satire or parody herein. The bottom line: it's my house. I like having visitors to my house. I hope you are entertained. I fight for your right to free speech, and am thrilled when you exercise said rights here. Comments and e-mails are welcome, but all such communication is to be assumed to be 1)the original work of any who initiate said communication and 2)the property of the Mudville Gazette, with free use granted thereto for publication in electronic or written form. If you do NOT wish to have your message posted, write "CONFIDENTIAL" in the subject line of your email. Original content copyright © 2003 - 2011 by Greyhawk. Fair, not-for-profit use of said material by others is encouraged, as long as acknowledgement and credit is given, to include the url of the original source post. Other arrangements can be made as needed. Contact: greyhawk at mudvillegazette dot com  Tending Distant Far from hearth and home, watching What tales we'll tell When things grim Some distant sunset, vision fading Saluting fallen friends whose names - Greyhawk, Baghdad, December 2004 |
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