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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As always, thanks! Have sent it on with your link.
What exactly do all these results mean ?
“The willingness of these leaders to come to the patrol base demonstrates that
the grip of al-Qaeda has loosened and the people no longer fear for their lives by talking
with Americans,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Poppas, 5-73 Cav. commander.
In other areas of the Diyala River Valley, tribal leaders who previously lacked
confidence in the Iraqi Security Forces are now reaching out to the IA and police.
Reports like this would tend to lead to the conclusion that we are 'winning', but then next week all hell breaks loose and Petraeus says it is a 'difficult' situation without any guarantees.
I also disdain the MSM for its calculated defeatism, but it is virtually impossible to make any sense out of these disjointed reports. For example, in the area discussed in this press release, who is 'talking' and what are they doing besides 'talking'? Who is NOT talking and why can't we just 'discuss' things with them with extreme prejudice ? Do we 'know' who the problem parties(ie. collaborators with the opposition) are and simply are being too 'civilized', or do we really not have a clue and depend on 'luck' and 'good timing' to strike blows against the 'baddies'?
I don't think it's really the lack of 'good' news that is the problem. I think it's the lack of 'coherent' news ,and the perceived inability to demonstrate to the 'convincible' in Iraq that they had better get with the program OR ELSE. Al-Queda is seemingly still the BAD guy on the block, and until that changes all 'progress' is likely to be non-decisive. That is what is eroding support at home, IMO. But I could be wrong ---- AGAIN.
Get a grip trooper this Iraq war is all but over, you guys did good and all but the Islamic mind is not prepared to hold onto any thoughts but Islam, tribe and family. democracy ain't gonna happen there.
Now you guys need to get ready to pull out cause that's the mood here in the states. reminds me of 1973 Vietnam it's soon about to be all over.
Time to re-rig and prepare for the next battle.
Where? who knows!
We survived Vietnam and perhaps we will survive Islam.
A nation cannot fight and win any war divided between surrender and victory parties, a hostile media and a population that frankly ain't got a floggin' clue their necks are on the chop block.
Overall Iraq gave us the skills we as a Military needed to fight Islam in our own country which is where the main battle is now being fought.
The battle will be won or lost by the returning vets who seek political office to protect our freedoms and laws and change the ones the idiots make that aid our enemies, Iraqi/Afgahn/WOT war vets are the key to beating this scourge of Islam, pick a political party and get to work!
Barry 0351 - Are you saying that our laws and having military members in Congress are going to prevent future 9/11s here in America? I disagree. Playing defense will never work. As has been stated many times, with that strategy, America has to be right 100% of the time, while our enemies only have to be right once. It is impossible to be right 100% of the time unless we take away many freedoms and live in a dictatorship and police state.
In my opinion, Islamism is not the Communism of the Vietnam era, it is the Naziism of the WWII era. Would it have been the right strategy to sit back and not get involved in WWII and just wait for the Nazis to come to America? That was Hitler's plan in Mein Kampf. The Koran is simply the Mein Kampf in Arabic.
Greyhawk - Excellent post. You do a fantastic job of collecting all the stories of progress and success from the war effort.
dougf,
"Reports like this would tend to lead to the conclusion that we are 'winning', but then next week all hell breaks loose and Petraeus says it is a 'difficult' situation without any guarantees."
Managing expectations while simultaneously showing progress is a pretty difficult magic trick.
Every upsurge in violence could be the other guys final push...or it could be yet another peak followed by a yet another lull...
No one will know until it is over..
You guys are good. I was think about looking up how many terrorist our troops kill/captured in a week and send it off to my local paper and the white flag waving congressmen just for a reaction. Thank you for saving me the trouble.
Michael in MI,
You are exactly right.
BTW dougf we ARE winning, but you'd never know it by the MSM coverage, or perhaps it is your own predilection for the "loudest voice".
If you want the truth, listen to those who are on the ground and can actually see the battle. Don't focus on those whose livelihood is predicated on the highest ratings.
Yes, Iraq is got to be put to bed and done so in a fashion that we can keep bases open there, train there, bolster the IA when needed and run OPs into other areas in the ME.
But...
There is a war going on here at home as previously stated. It hasn't come to any bloody confrontations yet, but it doesn't have far to go in some areas. Actually it has, but so far it has been limited to our law enforcement officers including of course our Border Patrol.
The illegals are still coming over, slowed a little in the last few months, but still thousands per month. They are killing citizens also, so I can't say that the bloody confrontations statement is entirely true.
Our prisons are full of them, also full of American prisioners who are converting to Islam. aQ has people here waiting for the word, Hammas, Hisbolla are here too. The American Imams and Mullahs are preaching hate and how to overthrow America from the inside.
Returning Vets who opt out of the Military need to get involved in the groups forming to combat these forces that are determined to do our Republic harm and to change our way of life forever. The Internet will allow you to find these groups, they are just starting now and will grow and prosper with the addition of our Veterans of all ages and branches.
This is a call to arms, not only bearing arms but to get involved in the politics of your communities, your states and even at the Federal levels.
If we lose either of these battles or the one in the Afghan, we will suffer greatly, our children and their children will suffer even more.
Papa Ray
West Texas
USA
End of mission. Everybody knows we are pulling out. Time to celebrate, not be cynical.
The media HATES the military, HATES America, and hates any military victory. File this under Duh.
ANY war except a boutique war against say Grenada must be one of national mobilization, every male 18-45 in the Service, at risk, 40% of GDP or greater devoted to fighting it, press censorship, shared sacrifice and the like.
Not to win against the enemy. Well at least not Al Qaeda. But the Media which ALWAYS allies itself (because it is run by elitist ivy league leftists who idolize the enemy).
We will withdraw from Iraq, defeated, on the homefront, by Al Qaeda. Also Afghanistan. And get nuked. Lose a couple of cities. Because weakness invites aggression.
Then we will nationally mobilize, and get to killing on an industrial scale. A tragedy. Ugly mass killing that could have been avoided. If the enemy Media didn't hate America so much. But it does and there you have it.
I disagree Shortime,
The most popular candidate in America running thus far is Rudy Guiliani and he does not support the loser side of cut and run.
You've been manufactured to believe in something unrelated to reality. The Democrats are using you to get votes but they will never satisfy your desire to defund the war in Iraq. You are on the Democrat Party planation where they will trot you out every so often in order to score a few political points but when you get too uppity for their political needs they will shove you to the back of the plantation bus.
GH,
As usual, you have pointed out that despite the media and Dhimmicrats throwing in the towel, our Men are continuing to kick ass and take names, while feeding the starving, caring for the sick, and generally being the sole remaining friends of Iraqi children and small dogs.
Do our guys do us proud or what? It should go almost without saying so. And, surprise, because of the MSM, it is going without saying so.
Press on, Men. You continue to win and we all bless the mission you are doing so well.
Subsunk
Meanwhile, the DumbasCraps parade out a retired REMF to give their weekly radio address.
Have any of my military brethren worked with this clown before?
General Odom
Well done. But we still need to influence the MSM. I'm on a campaign to spike the ratings of the worthwhile stories in mainstream news. I'll do some research of my own, of course, but I hope you'll post any MSM stories that are worthy of America's attention.
The American people want their troops home.
What happens to all of those "detainees" ? Well they stay in jail for some time then they are released but this time they hate the Americans even more
The American people want their troops home.
So true. Unfortunate that without stabilizing Iraq first we'll have to go to Afghanistan instead - there to confront an enemy no longer fighting on two fronts, with a recruiting boom from victory in Iraq, and supreme confidence thet we'll quit there, too.
More here.
Ok wow you guy's have sure killed alot of Muslim's. Wow BRAHVO. Nice "freedom your giving them. But maybe did you every think of getting OFF Muslim land in the frist place? Thats all the ask. But noo. You'd rather kill them.
Nice. Way nice.
Sorry, I never respond to those who can't splel or forget verbs in sentences.
EXAMPLE: "iraq war wrong"...where's the verb? C'mon Spanky McSpankster, get the language right if you're going to troll over here from Al-Jazeera.
BTW, what does Bill frist have to do with this post?
Ok wow you guy's have sure killed alot of Muslim's. Wow BRAHVO.
Your irrational disdain for America ... or is it just plain ol' BDS ... is showing.
Actually, it is the insurgents you apparently think are "freedom fighters" that are killing the Muslims. We are acting to protect them ... by finding and killing the killers.
It is not in the human nature of one who is truly fighting for freedom in a nation, to intentionally target and kill one's fellow citizens.
Nice "freedom your giving them.
It is.
Ask the Kurds.
Ask all the Iraqis who, at the risk of their lives, proudly exited their polling places with purple fingers.
Ask those outside of al-Anbar and Baghdad, who are now living in peace, free from Saddam's totalitarian rule.
Ask those tribal leaders within al-Anbar, who are turning on the jihadis.
But maybe did you every think of getting OFF Muslim land in the frist place? Thats all the ask.
No, that is not all they are asking ... or seeking.
The opponents of our forces seek to impose their will upon Iraq ... and once again put the nation under totalitarian rule ... overriding the will of her purple-fingered citizenry.
Some of them, if they carry the day, will seek to export that totalitarian rule ... as Saddam did before them ... to other nations who do peacefully interact with us, through terrorist attacks, and/or possibly conventional warfare ... both fueled by the significant resources and infrastructure of Iraq.
What right do they have to do that? And, how much damage to the global economy -- and its ability to facilitate the freedom and prosperity that works against terror and for peace -- will they do in the process?
If they are successful in these effort, they ... like every totalitarian ruler before them with the will and capability to expand ... won't stop there. Left unchecked, they will attempt to "expand" over top of our own borders.
Then, we will be left with the following choices.
>Surrender, and watch as they impose Sharia upon our children and grandchildren, and drag our nation back to the 8th Century.
>Fight a WWII-scale conflict, see MILLIONS of Americans and Muslims die in the process, and set our own civilization back 100 years -- BTW, a setback that will be well on its way to being realized, before the war starts, by the disruption of the interconnnections our global economy depends upon for its efficient operation.
>Scorch the earth of the Middle east with nuclear fire, and kill MILLIONS of Muslims.
You think this can't happen, if we leave them alone? Keep in mind that Germany went from broken-down to blitzkreig in just seven years ... in a far less technically-advanced era, where you couldn't acquire the means to kill millions virtually overnight.
But noo. You'd rather kill them.
Only the ones who wish to impose totalitarian rule upon Iraq, through terror tactics.
So we can avoid killing millions, on both sides.
We are the lifesavers here.
Now, do you see just how pathetic your opposition to the war is?
Be careful what you ask for ...
This American public will go down in history as the dumbest American public ever.
Hundreds of attacks are already planned and ready here in the U.S. All they are waiting for is us to pull out of Iraq. One big win for terrorism and thousands will die here. Will anyone blame the surrender monkeys when it happens. I say yes and a lot of surrender monkeys will rue the day they supported the terrorist.
Reading the news today has made it clear that the left wing radicals are losing here in the U.S. already. How many liberal dominated colleges and U's have been effectively taken over by the radical Islamist? Check around, the left has lost control of a dozen or so strong holds and more is on the way down. Soon they won't be welcome on the campus's they have destroyed with their radical left wing liberalism. Islam will be in charge, that is where they aren't already.
Can someone explain to me what "Muslim Land" is...outside of Vatican City...there is no such thing as "Christian Land"...hasn't been for centuries.