Happy Birthday,

...mom!

Love you, thank you.

Check 60

Looks like Appeal for Redress will get a big boost tonight when 60 Minutes covers the group.

Don't expect much investigative journalism from this piece - the online intro includes this:

"I'm not anti-war. I'm not a pacifist. I'm not opposed to protecting our country and defending our principles," says Navy Petty Officer Jonathan Hutto, an Iraq war veteran who, along with another veteran, initiated the petition.

The irony is that 60 Minutes missed a golden opportunity to do what once upon a time a long time ago they supposedly existed for - expose these sorts of frauds perpetrated on unsuspecting people.

Update: The story at the link has already been re-written, eliminating the claim that Hutto is an Iraq war veteran.

But in her "Reporters Notebook" video (at the link) Lara Logan describes Appeal for redress: "It's basically a grass roots movement amongst active duty, serving members of the U.S. military." And "We were very careful to look thoroughly at the group, and to look into their military backgrounds, and to make sure that this wasn't... people with something hidden in their past or some reason that wasn't the stated reason to be involved in this."

Wrong. I guess CBS isn't just guilty of bad reporting, they're actually helping perpetrate the fraud.

Fly High You Eagles, Soar

Contributed by Russ Vaughn

Fly high you Eagles, soar,
On you we all depend.
To serve, to stand, support our war,
Our fallen to defend.
Stand firm, stand brave before our Wall;
Deal those a sorry fate,
Who answer Fonda's hateful call:
Our nation they must hate.

Fly high you Eagles, soar,
Your keen eyes see below,
The leftist fools oppose this war,
To them no low's too low.
They seek our Wall to desecrate,
To enhance their losing cause;
They seek to doom our nation's fate;
They see nothing but our flaws.

Fly high you Eagles, soar,
Above those who seek defeat,
Who seek submission, nothing more,
To a terror they can't meet.
They falter when the course is long;
They're weak-willed, failed and bitter;
Got it all entirely wrong,
So typical of a quitter.

Fly high you Eagles, soar,
Stand proud before our Wall;
You are the nation's heart, the core,
The essence of us all.
Know that we stand there with you,
In spirit and in soul,
America's not lost, not through,
We've a long, long way to go.

Fly high you Eagles, soar, from your lofty, special station,
Know this is true forever more; you've the blessing of your nation.

Russ Vaughn
Vietnam Veteran

More Squalls Before the Storm

Video: The Pentagon Channel reviews Baghdad operations in 2006.

A pdf report on 2006 in Iraq here.

Confession: I'm linking without having read the document myself. I did run the video. Don't watch it if you're looking for a self-congratulatory exercise in back-patting.

On NPR, a "look" (it's audio only, of course) at the Anbar Salvation Council:

In Iraq, Sunni Arab sheiks angry over al Qaida attacks in the insurgent stronghold of Anbar province are urging their tribesmen to join the local police forces. So far, the United States has trained three battalions.

About 300 U.S. Marines returned Saturday to Camp Lejeune, N.C., from Iraq. The troops had been fighting in Anbar province.

Friday:

But now that congress has done their bit for al Qaeda and other killers in Iraq, it's time for them to return the favor. Expect their next best attempt at a Tet-like offensive soon...

BAGHDAD -- Insurgents launched a multi-pronged attack on a U.S. outpost north of the capital today, killing two U.S. soldiers and injuring 17, as violence in and around Baghdad left dozens of Iraqis dead.
<...>
Disjointed accounts of the 7 a.m. attack emerged in cellphone conversations with witnesses and law enforcement officials. An area police officer said the attackers came in three cars, at least one of them packed with explosives, and assaulted the downtown Tarmiya police station, used by U.S. forces as a base.

Insurgents opened fire with rockets mounted on a truck. Fuel tanks inside the base caught fire, setting off a huge explosion, said a police official and a Tarmiya resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

U.S. medical helicopters landed five times to evacuate the casualties. Two Iraqi civilians were also injured in the crossfire.

I expected something more, (yes, more even than this), or something more innovative (our enemy is innovative, see 9/11 for example) - but I often did when I was in Iraq before the January, 2005 elections, too. The press always made more out of whatever did happen, but while phenomenally successful from a PR standpoint, invariably the attacks were - like this one - essentially innefective. (Yes, those killed might feel otherwise.)

But I suppose I still haven't learned my lesson. I still expect more.

But I expect more of this, too:

Iraqi Army troops detain three after shooting

FORWARD OPERATING BASE YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — Small-arms fire near the Yusufiyah Joint Security Station led to the capture of three insurgents in a combined U.S. and Iraqi Army operation Feb. 16.

Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Iraqi police and troops from the 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division observed two men with AK-47s northwest of the JSS. The Iraqi police and U.S. forces engaged the men from the rooftop.

An Iraqi quick response force from the 4/4/6 IA went to the JSS and conducted a patrol to kill or capture the anti-Iraqi forces. Three suspects were detained. The three suspects are being held for questioning.

KALSU, Iraq – An Iraqi Army quick reaction force with a military transition team from 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division found insurgents in the act of constructing Explosively Formed Projectiles and found EFP-making materials, an EFP transporting vehicle and 10 107mm rockets in a house in Hilla, Iraq Feb. 17.

The Iraqi quick reaction force established a cordon and searched the building and discovered two insurgents. The material for manufacturing the deadly roadside bombs was found there, while the two were in the process of assembling EFPs.

A third suspect was captured later in the day in connection with the cache. The three suspected insurgents have been detained for further questioning.

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq — A Multi-National Division – Baghdad patrol southwest of Baghdad found an improvised explosive device and detained two men Feb. 17.

Soldiers of Company A, 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, “Wolverines,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) spotted the roadside bomb under an overpass while patrolling the major Iraqi highway known as Route Tampa at approximately 7 p.m. The patrol stopped to cordon off the area and a civilian vehicle crossed the cordon.

Soldiers stopped the vehicle and conducted a search, uncovering two locked-and-loaded AK-47s, a 9mm pistol, a hand grenade and a forged weapons permit. The two men were detained for questioning and the weapons seized.

“Any time you capture logisticians or financiers, you effectively cut off their ability to conduct terrorist operations in the area,” said Capt. John Sirhal, squadron fire support officer for 1-89th.

The IED was destroyed in a detonation controlled by explosive ordnance disposal technicians.

MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers teamed up with Iraqi Army forces and seized an anti-aircraft heavy machine gun and ammunition southwest of Mahmudiyah, Iraq, Feb. 18.

Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division discovered the cache just 20 miles southwest of Baghdad during a combat patrol.

The cache consisted of a ZPU-1 anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 20 30mm rounds, a tripod and three spare barrels. The weapon was in firing condition and configured for use.

The ammunition was destroyed during a controlled detonation conducted by an explosive ordnance team. The weapon was seized by MND-B troops.

RADWANIYAH, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers uncovered a weapons cache southwest of Radwaniyah, Iraq Feb. 18.

Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment “Golden Dragons,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) found the weapons cache during a routine combat patrol 30 miles southwest of the capital.

The cache consisted of four 2.5-inch rockets and four 60mm mortar rounds.

The cache was destroyed during a controlled detonation conducted by an explosive ordnance team.

RADWANIYAH, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained a suspected terrorist southwest of Radwaniyah, Iraq Feb. 18.

Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment “Golden Dragons,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) detained the suspect during a combat operation 30 miles southwest of Baghdad.

The suspect was detained after the Golden Dragon troops discovered improvised explosive device-making materials, to include crush wire initiators.

The suspect was detained for further questioning.

MOSUL, Iraq – On Feb. 16, soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division once again teamed with troops from D Co., 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, and executed a raid against a possible cache of military ordnance in the Domiz neighborhood of eastern Mosul.

The operation was successful and the joint raid netted two 60mm mortar tubes, 20 60mm mortar rounds, 25 grenades and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with 25 rounds. Ten miscellaneous vehicle license plates were also confiscated. No detainees were found at the scene.

The pairing of Iraqi army and Iraqi police units with Soldiers from 2-7 Cavalry has netted numerous caches in the past weeks, as well as precipitated a large number of suspected insurgents being detained with evidence of illegal weapons, smuggling or bomb-making materials.

Speaking of Mosul, here's an entry I posted on MilBlogs a few days ago:

Regarding that Yon link in the "Large Battle" post, I don't think I need to point out the awesome job Mike's doing over there, but even if there's just one reader here who isn't aware I guess it's worth it.

I've been highlighting numerous MNF-I press releases here for the past several days, mostly because they're the sorts of stories seldom seen in the mainstream news. Maybe, near the bottom of a story headlining the death toll in Iraq you'll see a statement to the effect of "Elsewhere in Iraq, coalition spokesman claimed four alleged insurgents were captured during a raid in sometown."

I glanced back through those MNF-I press releases trying to find one that might correlate with Mike's Roughnecks story. It might be this one:

Coalition Forces disrupted explosives cells in Mosul and Baghdad during two raids Sunday morning, killing a suspected key vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cell leader and detaining five suspected VBIED terrorists.

The raid in Mosul targeted a terrorist who is believed responsible for the production of explosives used in attacks against Coalition Forces in Mosul.

Upon entering the targeted building, Coalition Forces encountered two suspected terrorists. One of the terrorists ignored Coalition Forces instructions and suddenly reached into his jacket. Coalition Forces responded with proper self defense methods in response to the perceived threat. The terrorist subsequently died from his wounds.

The other suspect was detained and is also believed to be responsible for the attacks. Two other suspected terrorists believed to have ties to the Mosul VBIED network were also detained during the raid.

It's entirely possible though that Mike's story came from some other raid in Mosul this past week. Read both accounts; both are factual and unembellished, but Mike's story adds the details and life that no press release can. Though sometimes you'll find a gem of a quote included like that in the third paragraph above, it's more often than not like the difference between reading the final score of a football game you hadn't seen and reading a full account by a reporter who did, and knows more than the score.

Worse, the mainstream press, for some odd reason, generally chooses to provide only the oppositions "score".

I'm not addressing that failure here - that's a given. I actually want to point out the magnitude of the failure. Over the past week I've collected not a handful, not a dozen, but 55 such press releases here - and there are others I simply didn't have time to add. Fifty-five stories that could have been told in the way Mike did; unembellished, un-hyped, and simply factual, but with the level of detail that a press release can't provide. Fifty-five stories lacking only the teller to be told.

But for reasons unknown - to me at least - the press won't provide.

This can't be because newspaper or magazine readers don't want this sort of material - I've failed to link Mike's work here recently because the past several times I've tried to do so his servers have been overloaded to the point I've been unable to access his site.

Fifty freaking five...

(You can verify my count, if you wish. Previous entry here.)

The Beast of Abu Ghraib

Colonel Janis Karpinski blogs at the Huffington Post.

She seems to be writing as if the event described is well known, a failure perhaps shared by many with an over-developed ego. Or maybe the details she excludes are just, well, not supportive of her point.

Anyhow, here she is - endorsing an upcoming film:

When Ghosts of Abu Ghraib is broadcast across the country next week, I hope Americans are so annoyed and angry from watching the movie, it stimulates a renewal of demands for the truth and an independent commission to review the facts and render truthful conclusions.

But on the chance that I could save time and taxpayer dollars otherwise thrown at an "independent commission", here's what's probably the best start you can get (warning! - these are fact-based, not opinion pieces):

A combination of blurring and smearing

Porn Squad Commandos

Time permitting, I'll provide another "chapter" in time for the movie premier.

And anyone who wants to cite Colonel Karpinski as authoritative on anything might want to read this, first: Death Before Dishonor.

Some day someone might want to do a case study of a failure of command for a Service Academy or military professional development course - the Karpinski case would be useful for this, and valuable to students at various levels.

But even casual observers can search for the term "Karpinski" throughout the Taguba report and discover a wealth of information about how not to do things.

Including this example:

(U) During the course of this investigation I conducted a lengthy interview with BG Karpinski that lasted over four hours, and is included verbatim in the investigation Annexes. BG Karpinski was extremely emotional during much of her testimony. What I found particularly disturbing in her testimony was her complete unwillingness to either understand or accept that many of the problems inherent in the 800th MP Brigade were caused or exacerbated by poor leadership and the refusal of her command to both establish and enforce basic standards and principles among its soldiers.

Have you Been Polled Yet?

Interesting poll results: sixty-six percent of Americans - including a majority of Democrats - think victory in Iraq is important, and 58% are hopeful that we'll succeed.

That's in line with other poll results from immediately following the announcement of the surge:

Do you personally want the Iraq plan President Bush announced last week to succeed?

Yes 63%, No 22, Don’t know 15
Democrats 51% 34 15
Republicans 79% 11 10
Independents 63% 19 17

So perhaps my advice then is still valid now:

If I were an elected official who was quick out the gate with some anti-troop increase proposals this week I'd be a bit concerned with these numbers. And if I were among the majority of elected officials who haven't done so (""There is very little chance in the short run that we are going to pass any legislation," Clinton confided during her news conference. Asked to elaborate, she explained: "I can count."") I'd start responding - now.

I suspect future polls won't be asking this question (or if so, media coverage of future polls won't be mentioning it) but if this country had any leaders, they would reach out to this large group (and the 15% that "don't know" if they want American success or not) who're waiting for some actual leadership - quick.

Some journalists began to show signs of sanity at about the same moment the debate in congress began to ramp up. And even as al-Qaeda delivered an all-too predictable (though obviously not preventable, given current troop levels) and well-timed boost to the arguments of Jack Murtha, some media outlets responded with somewhat balanced coverage of the attacks.

At least 60 Iraqi civilians were killed and scores more wounded Sunday in a spate of ferocious bomb and gun attacks targeting mostly Shiite areas of capital, ending days of relative calm since the start of the latest U.S.-Iraqi effort to quell violence and restore order.
<...>
At the same time, Iraqi officials say the Baghdad security plan has significantly lowered the number of killings attributed primarily to Shiite militias around the capital.
<...>
The decline in death-squad killings suggests that the Baghdad security plan, which includes a major political component, has tripped up or partly neutralized organized Shiite militias even while it has failed to halt Sunni extremists targeting Shiite civilians with suicide bombings.

"The reason behind the decline is the security plan and the fleeing of militants to other places," said one ranking east Baghdad police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of policies that bar law enforcement from speaking to the media without authorization. "Even those who've remained don't feel free to move these days. We don't see armed groups these days."
<...>
U.S. officials say it will take months before all the additional 21,500 American troops arrive here and begin to make a lasting difference on the streets.

Operation nets 49 suspects, uncovers three roadside bombs

YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained 49 suspected terrorists and found three improvised explosive devices during a combat security operation Feb. 16-17 in Quarghuli Village, Iraq, southwest of Baghdad.

Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment “Polar Bears,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment and the 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division conducted the clearing operation coined as “Operation Polar Iron.”

The two-day operation, which consisted of air and ground assaults, was conducted in order to disrupt anti-Iraqi forces believed to be operating in and around Quarghuli Village, long known as a terrorist safe haven.

During the operation the soldiers received small arms fire, but no one was hurt. The IEDs were detonated during a controlled detonation conducted by an explosive ordnance team.

The suspects were all detained for further questioning.

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained seven suspected terrorists and destroyed a vehicle rigged with an improvised explosive device during a raid targeting foreign fighter facilitators east of Tikrit Monday morning.

Intelligence reports indicated a suspected terrorist with ties to the foreign fighter facilitator network was working the targeted area east of Tikrit.

Coalition Forces detained the targeted individual, along with six other suspected terrorists, during the raid.

During the raid, ground forces discovered one of the vehicles on the property was rigged with an improvised explosive device. Ground forces cleared the area of civilians, including women and children, before destroying the vehicle.

Ground forces destroyed the vehicle, rendering it useless to future terrorist attacks.

Ground forces searching the building also found numerous AK-47s, a sniper rifle, two machine guns, a pistol and a footlocker filled with ammunition. The weapons and ammunition were seized to prevent further use by terrorists.

Coalition Forces will continue deliberate and methodical operations in order to hunt down and capture or kill terrorists trying to prevent a peaceful and stable Iraq. These operations will continue to be successful with the support and cooperation of the Iraqi people.

BAGHDAD – Special Iraqi Army Forces captured two suspected members of a rogue Jaysh Al-Mahdi militia cell during operations with Coalition advisors Feb. 18 in southern Baghdad.

The Iraqi led operation was targeting a cell believed responsible for attacks against Iraqi civilians in the area. The cell is also suspected of participating in the kidnapping, torture and murder of an Iraqi Army officer in December 2006.

Iraqi forces carried out operations with minimal damage to the objective. There were no Iraqi civilians, Iraqi forces or Coalition Forces casualties.

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Oct. 16, 2006) -- Marines from 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment are now on deck and running combat operations in Fallujah after relieving Marines from 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment recently.

The battalion, home-based in Detroit, is serving a seven-month deployment with Regimental Combat Team 5.

“I was beyond ready to finally be here,” said Lance Cpl. Daniel P. Kennedy, a 22-year-old from Harrison, Mich., assigned to B Company. This is Kennedy’s first deployment to Iraq.

The battalion arrived here in Iraq late last month to begin turnover of responsibilities with 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment. They officially took charge of Fallujah earlier this month and have since been conducting patrols, raids, interdiction and security operations here.

The battalion’s journey to Iraq started in earnest months ago, according to Master Sgt. James E. Mitrink, a 42-year-old operations chief from Port Huron, Mich. Starting in April 2006, Marines within the battalion started their training in Michigan and Camp Pendleton, Calif. The battalion’s Marines officially mobilized for deployment June 1, and in August, they were working through their month-long Mojave Viper exercise, where they culminated their skills and applied the latest lessons learned straight from battlefields in Iraq.

In between, there were exercises throughout Southern California, including scenarios with Iraqi-role players, security and stabilization operations and full-on force-on-force drills using simulated munitions.

“We worked up for at least eight months even before we got to California,” Kennedy said.

“From what I’ve seen and how much we’ve trained, I consider ourselves the best-trained reserve unit deployed to Iraq so far,” Mitrink said.

That training has paid off so far. The transition of responsibility from 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment to 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment went smoothly. For several days in the turnover process, Marines from the incoming battalion shadowed the veteran battalion before they swapped roles.

“It was a real smooth transition,” Mitrink said. “The only difference from what we were doing in our training is that we’re now in a combat environment.”

The battalion was previously deployed to the Middle East in regions including Djibouti and Kuwait, but this is the battalion’s first deployment to Iraq. Still, there are Iraq veterans in the ranks. Nearly 350 Marines from 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment and 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment volunteered to deploy with the battalion for duty in Fallujah.

The battalion’s companies are all from America’s Midwest, with companies headquartered in Grand Rapids, Saginaw and Lansing, Mich., and a final company based in Ohio.

“We’re pretty typical of a reserve battalion,” Mitrink said. “We have quite a few policemen and firemen, but being from the Midwest, we’ve also got a lot of factory workers, blue-collar types. The rest of the Marines, mostly the younger guys, are college students.”

Lance Cpl. Christopher T. Benedict, a 22-year-old from Big Rapids, Mich., assigned to A Company, said the training proved true to what he’s experienced in his first weeks if duty in Fallujah. Still, he said some learning just comes by having boots on the ground.

“The training gave us a good idea, but you can’t believe until you see it,” said Benedict, who is on his first deployment to Iraq.

Kennedy said he didn’t expect to see how curious Iraqis were of Marines and their activities. He said whenever he travels through Fallujah, he’s taken aback by the bustling city and the streets teeming with Iraqis who pause to watch Marines.

“It’s like a big parade every time we go by,” he said. “What we’re hoping to accomplish is to bring better security for the citizens.”

Benedict added that he hopes his seven months in Fallujah help bring more Fallujans toward a self-sustaining country, and “to know that we’re on their side.”

“Our goals are same as RCT-5’s goals,” Mitrink said. “We want to train the Iraqi Police and the Iraqi Army so they can transition and be self-sufficient and do that with the backing of the populace.”

Meanwhile, the Tehran Times reports

U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton, a Democratic from New York and a front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination next year, on Saturday called for the Bush administration to start withdrawing American troops from Iraq within 90 days.

And lest we forget:

One Marine, Two Soldiers Killed in Iraq
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 2007 – One Marine and two soldiers were killed in Iraq Feb. 16 and yesterday, military officials reported.

One soldier died in a grenade explosion in Baghdad yesterday. The soldier’s unit was conducting a combat patrol when a grenade was thrown at his vehicle by an insurgent, killing the soldier.

Insurgent small-arms fire killed another soldier on patrol north of Baghdad yesterday. The soldier’s unit was conducting a combat security patrol on foot when it came under fire.

A Marine assigned to Multinational Force West was killed Feb. 16 while conducting operations in Anbar province.

The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Happy New Year!

Or is it Happy Pig Year!?

China's preparing for the year of the Pig, an especially auspicious year which begins on Feb. 18. But the run-up has been anything but lucky for pork fans. Pigs have been banned from appearing in any ads on the state-run broadcaster, CCTV, after an order that is now surrounded by confusion.

The order means that ads for consumer treats such as sausage snacks have been yanked from airing. A brand manager for Tenlow snacks says ads for his company's pork snacks deliver positive messages.

But CCTV has ordered major advertising agencies not to use pig images, cartoons or slogans "to avoid conflicts with ethnic minorities." That's a reference to China's 20 million Muslims, about 2 percent of the country's population.

Google didn't get the memo:

Which is rather odd, given their track record.

WTF, Over?

Hurricane Andrew Victim Gets Power Back After 15 Years

A Florida woman who lost power due to hurricane damage has finally regained electricity, CBS 4 reported this weekend.

Sound normal? Well, the hurricane that knocked out her power was Hurricane Andrew, which hit 15 years ago.
<...>
Soon after the hurricane hit, money from her insurance settlement ran out, and the contractor stopped working.
<...>
For roughly 15 years, her story went unnoticed.

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Police called to a Long Island man's house discovered the mummified remains of the resident, dead for more than a year, sitting in front of a blaring television set.

The 70-year-old Hampton Bays, New York, resident, identified as Vincenzo Ricardo, appeared to have died of natural causes. Police said on Saturday his body was discovered on Thursday when they went to the house to investigate a report of a burst water pipe.
<...>
Officials could not explain why the electricity had not been turned off, considering Ricardo had not been heard from since December 2005.

Get to know your neighbors.

Early Battles of "the Surge"

Care to guess what this small knot of reporters has gathered for?

Did you guess "school board meeting?" How about "Garden club announces 2007 planting schedule?" If so, you're wrong. This is the "crowd" gathered in Washington for Major General (Commander, Multi-National Division - Baghdad) Joseph Fil's Feb. 16 via-satellite press conference explaining the security strategy for Baghdad. (Full transcript here.)

To be fair, it should be noted that significant media resources are still being devoted to the Anna Nicole Smith story, and most outlets have limits to the overtime they can afford to pay.

Still, some of the General's comments did make it into yesterday's news.

Today? Today is another day in the life for our boys in Baghdad.

FOUR FOREIGN TERRORIST FACILITATORS KILLED IN RAIDS

BAGHDAD, Iraq –Coalition Forces killed four foreign terrorist facilitators and detained four other suspected terrorists while conducting operations Sunday southeast of Rutbah.

During the operation, Coalition Forces entered the targeted building and encountered four armed men. Coalition Forces used proper self-defense measures and killed the armed terrorists. Four suspected terrorists surrendered and were detained for questioning. Coalition Forces found three pistols and two AK-47s on the terrorists.

In addition, Coalition Forces found eight women and 23 children inside the building. Ground forces confirmed that none of the civilians were injured during the operation.

Another suspect with ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq was detained in Baquba.

This is another example of foreign terrorist facilitators putting women and children in harms way by hiding and operating among them.

Coalition Forces are making great strides to successfully disrupt foreign fighter activities around Iraq

BAGHDAD – Coalition Forces captured a suspected insurgent leader during early-morning operations Feb. 17 in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad. The suspect is reported to be a leader within an improvised explosive device and car-bomb network believed responsible for planning and conducting car-bomb attacks against Iraqi civilians and Iraqi Security Forces in the Baghdad area. He is implicated in several bomb attacks that are responsible for inciting sectarian violence in northern Baghdad.

Credible intelligence indicated the suspect was using an area hospital as a safe haven to avoid capture during ongoing security operations. Coalition Forces established security around the Al Numan Hospital and entered the hospital. Coalition Forces immediately met and coordinated with hospital staff to facilitate the search and quickly detained the suspect. Hospital staff provided information on two other persons staying overnight, but who were not listed as patients. Coalition Forces detained these individuals, believed to be associates of the insurgent leader, in a room next to where the insurgent leader was staying.

Coalition Forces worked closely with hospital staff to minimize time spent in the facility and their aid was crucial in the quick identification and detainment of the suspected insurgents.

Coalition Forces operations caused no damage and minimal disturbance to patients.

The operation occurred without incident.

BAGHDAD – Members of the Ninewa Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics team captured a suspected insurgent leader Feb. 17 during operations with Coalition advisers in eastern Mosul. The suspect is reportedly linked to Al Qaeda in Iraq and is tied to several recent attacks targeting Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces in the area.

Iraqi forces carried out operations with minimal damage and there were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or Coalition Forces casualties.

AR RAMADI – Ten city directors and representatives met with the mayor here Monday to discuss city problems and solutions.

The meeting was the second of its kind to be held since the appointment of Mayor Latif Obaid Ayadah in early January, and served as a forum for the leaders.

Representatives from Ramadi’s water department, sewage and sanitation department, electricity department, municipality department, and a few supervisors of other areas attended the morning meeting.

The collection of professional leaders addressed a variety of topics during the meeting, all focused on increasing the quality of life for Ramadi citizens.

Mayor Latif Obaid Ayadah, newly appointed mayor of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, listens to government representatives’ issues during a city directors’ meeting in central Ramadi on Feb. 12. Representatives from Ramadi’s water department, sewage and sanitation department, electricity department, municipality department, and a few supervisors of other areas attended the morning meeting. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul Robbins Jr.

A decisive moment approaches. Shoulder-to-shoulder with our Iraqi comrades, we will conduct a pivotal campaign to improve security for the Iraqi people. The stakes could not be higher.

Our task is crucial. Security is essential for Iraq to build its future. Only with security can the Iraqi government come to grips with the tough issues it confronts and develop the capacity to serve its citizens. The hopes of the Iraqi people and the coalition countries are with us.

The enemies of Iraq will shrink at no act, however barbaric. They will do all that they can to shake the confidence of the people and to convince the world that this effort is doomed. We must not underestimate them.

Though perhaps not "barbaric", having sent him to Iraq with unanimous approval, some Senators are now promising to be "relentless" in opposing Petraeus' strategy:

WASHINGTON - After Republicans blocked a Senate debate for a second time, Democrats said Saturday they'll drop efforts to pass a non-binding resolution opposing President Bush's troop buildup in Iraq and instead will offer a flurry of anti-war legislation "just like in the days of Vietnam."

The tough talk came a day after the House of Representatives passed its own anti-Iraq resolution and as the GOP used a procedural vote to stop the Senate from taking a position on the 21,500 troop increase.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said Democrats would be "relentless."

"There will be resolution after resolution, amendment after amendment . . . just like in the days of Vietnam," Schumer said. "The pressure will mount, the president will find he has no strategy, he will have to change his strategy and the vast majority of our troops will be taken out of harm's way and come home."

Squalls Before the Storm?

The implementation of the coalition's new strategy in Iraq is surging forward - even though only a small percentage of US troops designated to implement the plan in full are in place at this time.

The Pentagon said yesterday it is sending an Army division headquarters staff of about 1,000 soldiers to Baghdad three months ahead of schedule, a move intended to improve the Army's ability to command and control the thousands of extra combat troops that President Bush has ordered to Iraq.
<...>
There currently is just one Army division headquarters staff in Baghdad -- the 1st Cavalry Division.
<...>
Gen. Fil also said he has requested an unspecified number of extra attack helicopters and combat engineers, and that U.S. and U.S.-trained Iraqi army troops face a determined and ruthless foe in the capital region.

"They have a thirst for blood like I have never seen anywhere before," Gen. Fil said.

A division headquarters normally would command no more than about five brigades. Gen. Fil's division currently has eight ground combat brigades operating with it, including a brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division, which was the first of the five extra brigades under Mr. Bush's plan to arrive in Baghdad. It got there in January.

The next to arrive, the 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Riley, Kan., is now in Kuwait conducting its final training before heading to Baghdad later this month. The three other brigades -- including two from the 3rd Infantry Division -- are scheduled to go between March and May.

Democrats in congress and al-Qaeda leaders in Iraq, while not officially allied in this cause, do share a certain sense of urgency, recognizing that their best opportunity to stop this plan is now - before the remaining three brigades deploy and full implementation has occurred. But thus far al Qaeda appears to be laying low, and while the Democrats have passed a "non-binding resolution" opposing General Petraeus' plan, their talk of cutting off funding remains just that - perhaps until the weekend poll results are in from Americans who know little of the conflict beyond what they see in headlines and soundbites.

Some American media outlets are now rediscovering that the eyes above the boots on the ground offer a real look at the situation. The Chicago Tribune:

Battle Lines Drawn In Baghdad Streets

Officially known as Combat Outpost Casino, the Alamo represents the first attempt at putting U.S. and Iraqi forces in smaller stations where they will live together, in the middle of the neighborhoods they are assigned to protect.

Dozens of such posts are planned, and they will be manned by many of the 21,500 additional combat soldiers President Bush has pledged to send to Iraq. The idea is that living in the neighborhoods will do what three years of patrols launched from larger, more distant bases could not.

By the time Charlie Company's soldiers and their Iraqi comrades moved into the Alamo, the sectarian divisions in Ghazaliyah were so formal they could be printed on a map.

The Shiite Mahdi Army militia controlled the north. The center belonged to a Sunni militia called the Omar Brigade, and the south was a chaotic brew of Sunni militants, some aligned with the Omar Brigade, some with a nationalist militia called the 1920 Revolution Brigades and others with Al Qaeda in Iraq.

Gunfire and rocket bursts constantly crackle through the neighborhood.

"Right now, the only friendly out here is us," said Sgt. Jason McQueen, who mans the headquarters all night long.

The outposts also pose a crucial test for Gen. David Petraeus, the new U.S. commander in Iraq, and his plans to reshape the way the American military deals with the Iraqi insurgency.

Drawing on lessons learned from Vietnam and other conflicts, Petraeus last year led the redrafting of the Army's counterinsurgency manual, placing more emphasis on civilian security, use of local allied forces and isolating militants and insurgents by having U.S. troops live among the civilians.

At the Alamo, the soldiers have no heat or running water. But the hardships are offset by satellite television, junk food and PlayStation video games. On any given day, 105 American and about 100 Iraqi soldiers live together in the post's six houses.

`We see more . . . learn more'

Weeks of effort here have worked, but only to a point. Battles between militants are tamped down in minutes instead of hours. U.S. officers and local sheiks have exchanged cell phone numbers. Merchants have opened a few sparsely stocked shops, and residents are more willing to share information with American troops.

"We see more, we hear more and we learn more when we're out here," said Lt. Erik Klapmeier, a 24-year-old platoon leader from Geneva, Ill., who led the patrol down Exchange Street. "We've learned more in the last month here than we did in the two months before."

You can see the implementation of that strategy (so far so good, but General Petraeus' plan can work only if he's given the troops to accomplish it) in the Tribune story above, and in the videos below. These depict soldiers of the 5-20th Strykers operating in Eastern Baghdad, paratroopers from the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment ("White Falcons") returning fire at insurgents from the roof of their combat outpost in the Adimiyah district of Baghdad near Sadr City, and soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment conducting day long knock and search operations in Baghdad's Shaab and Ur neighborhoods as part of the new Baghdad security plan.

This is how dull Baghdad might be if "the surge" could play out as planned. Perhaps not quite as exciting as television or video games, but real life rarely is. Such efforts do lead to stories like these, though - today's news releases from Baghdad:

Iraqi security forces find weapons cache in east Baghdad mosque

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The increased presence of Iraqi and Multi-National Division – Baghdad forces on the streets of eastern Baghdad continued to produce results as Iraqi troops found weapons caches inside a mosque and several surrounding buildings in Al Shamisiyah Feb. 15.

The cache was found inside the Al Farkan Mosque and included six mortar tubes, multiple rocket-propelled grenades, several AK-47s and other weapons.

The cache was discovered by Iraqi Soldiers from the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the2nd Infantry Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division provided security for the operation while the Iraqis conducted the search.

BAGHDAD – Special Iraqi Security Forces captured two suspected insurgent cell leaders during operations with Coalition advisers Feb. 16 in the Rashid district of baghdad. The suspects are believed to be responsible for conducting attacks against security checkpoints in Baghdad and emplacing improvised explosive devices for attacks targeting Iraqi civilians and security forces.

BAGHDAD - As a military offensive seeks to bring Baghdad from the brink of anarchy, a top Iraqi security officer tried yesterday to measure its early stages using the grim logic of a place with daily bloodshed: by counting the bodies arriving at the morgue.

Ten corpses were collected off the streets - apparently all victims of the city's lawless jumble of gang justice and sectarian payback. The daily body tally recently has often been 40 or more, excluding major bombings, said Brig. Gen. Qassim Moussawi.

This was the basis for an upbeat message by Moussawi, a spokesman for the joint U.S.-Iraqi security sweep that began this week and has so far faced limited resistance. But his American counterparts remain much more guarded.

"I would say that it is way too early to establish any trends," said Lt. Col. Chris Garver, a U.S. military spokesman. "We've just started to focus our operations. We have months to go to see if we are going to succeed or not."

Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad, attributed the reduction in violence not only to the increased security presence but also to an apparent decision by the militias and insurgents to lay low for a while.

"But make no mistake, we do not believe... that's going to continue, and we do expect there are going to be some very rough, difficult days ahead," Fil said.

21 SUSPECTED AL QAEDA TERRORISTS DETAINED

BAGHDAD, Iraq –Coalition Forces detained 21 suspected terrorists during raids targeting foreign fighters and the al-Qaeda in Iraq network Saturday morning.

During operations in Ramadi, Coalition Forces targeted terrorists with ties to al-Qaeda’s senior leaders. The raids netted a suspected leader of improvised explosive devices and sniper cell networks in the Ramadi area. Seven others suspects were detained, including three believed to have close ties to senior al-Qaeda leaders and a foreign fighter facilitation network.

Coalition Forces also detained 11 suspected terrorists including an alleged senior level vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cell leader in the Baghdad area. Intelligence reports indicate one of the suspected terrorists is involved in anti-Coalition Force activities, including the procurement of weapons and supporting foreign fighters.

The suspected senior-level VBIED cell leader was detained with two of his associates in a Baghdad hospital. The hospital administration was very helpful during the operation and the detention occurred without incident or damage to the facility.

In Karabilah, two suspects were detained with alleged ties to a foreign fighter facilitation network.
Coalition Forces are working diligently to eliminate foreign terrorists and al-Qaeda supporters who are trying to hijack the development and building of a new stable and peaceful Iraq.

Speaking of Ramadi - Anbar Province, while also covered in the new strategy, has all but vanished from the American media. Here's one reason why:

For nearly four years, the tribes around Ramadi survived by playing both sides, working with U.S. forces when it suited them, while at the same time helping or tolerating Sunni insurgent groups and al Qaeda in Iraq -- the terrorist organization once led by Jordanian Abu Musab Zarqawi.

That changed in August, according to U.S. Army Col. Sean MacFarland, commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which has been responsible for security operations in Ramadi since June.

Al Qaeda in Iraq -- which has also turned its intimidation tactics on the tribal leaders -- kidnapped and killed Sheik Khalid of the Albu Ali Jassim tribe and left his body where it could not be found, preventing the family from burying him within 24 hours as prescribed by Muslim tradition.

"Al Qaeda overplayed its hand," Col. MacFarland said at his headquarters, a dusty base on the west side of Ramadi.

At a meeting that month, several sheiks drew up an 11-point declaration vowing to fight al Qaeda, within the rule of law, and declaring solidarity with coalition and government security forces. It is a movement referred to by the tribes as "the Awakening."

Al Qaeda "assassinated a lot of the sheiks," said Sheik Ahmed Abureeshah, 41, whose brother, Sheik Sitar, is the driving force behind the initiative. "They killed my father. They killed three of my brothers. They killed 14 other sheiks from different tribes. ...

"Then we met the sheiks of the tribe one after one, and we decided that we must put our hands together and fight to defeat these criminals."

The tribes sent hundreds of young men to join the police -- more than 1,000 in December and more than that last month, a record recruiting effort for the province.

The men were assigned to police stations in their own tribes' neighborhoods, giving the tribes a vested interest in their success and contributing to unusually high rates of policemen turning up for work. Others were organized into the ERUs, which operate in the countryside while the police remain in the cities.

Improved security, in turn, made it possible for the brigade to pour in reconstruction money, enabling some $3 million in projects to be undertaken.

As the benefits of cooperation became evident, "the tribes began flipping, like a domino effect," Col. MacFarland said. "Almost every week, we get another sheik knocking on our door."

We've been following that story for some time now.

But the rest of Iraq has been forgotten, right? Well, yes. But only if you mean "by the American media".

IA, CF units clear Jabouri Peninsula of terrorists
Multi-National Division – North PAO

BALAD, Iraq – Soldiers from the 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, and Iraqi army soldiers completed clearing operations on the Jabouri Peninsula.

The Jabouri Peninsula lies on the north side of the Tigris River and is 10 miles east of Balad. In October 2006, Sunni insurgents on the peninsula kidnapped and killed 14 Shia day laborers, which ignited sectarian violence in Balad from Oct. 14 to Oct. 18. More than 80 innocent civilians lost their lives.

This operation targeted high-value individuals, training areas and terrorist safe havens in an effort to restore and sustain peace in the peninsula and surrounding areas.
During the operation, 14 insurgents were killed, 23 were detained and multiple weapons caches were found. The caches included rockets, mortars, anti-personnel mines, hand grenades, various small arms and associated ammunition.

The 14 insurgents were killed emplacing roadside bombs.

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, in Salah ad Din Province have also established robust checkpoints, which are manned by the Iraqi police and army, along the provincial boundary with Baghdad.
The checkpoints were created to stem the flow of insurgents fleeing from Baghdad to find refuge on the Jabouri Peninsula and other areas in Salah ad Din and to prevent other fighters from entering Baghdad from the north.

“Although we believe some of the senior insurgents escaped from the peninsula before we could detain them, the Jabouri Peninsula is secure,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Dunlop, commander of the 3rd Combat Arms Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Regiment.

“Along with the IA, we will maintain a strong presence in this area and deny any insurgent or terrorist group from using this area as a safe haven,” said Dunlop.

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics Team members of Hilla SWAT arrested 21 suspected insurgent leaders during operations with Coalition advisers Feb. 16 southwest of Hilla. The suspects are believed to be Mahdawiyah leaders who are threatening the lives of Iraqi Security Forces and civilians in the area.

The Mahdawiyah group was involved in the battle against Iraqi Forces Jan. 28 in Najaf. Since the battle, the Mahdawiyah leadership has made death threats to Hilla SWAT policemen and their family members.

There were Iraqi arrest warrants for all the suspects. Hilla SWAT also detained 13 additional persons for questioning.

The operation by Hilla SWAT resulted in minimal damage to the objective. There were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or Coalition Forces casualties.

[Editors Note: The following are operational summaries over the last 24 hours from around the Task Force Lightning area of operations]

DIYALA – An Iraqi Department of Border Enforcement patrol seized a weapons cacheand one suspect after they noticed a donkey loitering in an area about 10 km from the Iraq-Iran border Feb. 14.

The patrol moved in to locate the owner when they identified a cache beside the donkey consisting of more than 30 mortar rounds and three anti-tank mines.

The two individuals, who attempted to flee, were located hiding behind a berm. The patrol captured one of the suspects.

The cache items were secured for disposal and the suspect was taken in for further questioning.

KIRKUK - An Iraqi civilian stopped a coalition patrol in Kirkuk Province Wednesday and led them to a weapons cache consisting of eight anti-aircraft rounds.

SALAH AD DIN – A Coalition patrol conducted a search of house near Balad where they found IED making material along with two suspects who tested positive for explosives residue. The material and suspects were taken into custody.

NINEWA - A joint patrol secured a cache site in Ninewa Province consisting of several projectile rounds and firing components along with three rifle grenades. The munitions were taken back to an Iraqi Army base for disposal.

ISF and CF throughout MND-North continue to root out suspects and materials used in attacks against the ISF, CF and Iraqi civilians in to order improve the security situation for the Iraqi people.

[Editors Note: The following are operational summaries over the last 24 hours from around Diyala Province]

• BAQUBAH – While conducting combat patrols east of Baqubah, Iraq, coalition forces discovered a weapons cache consisting of IED making material and small arms munitions. A coalition forces explosive ordnance disposal unit arrived on site and conducted a controlled detonation.

• KANA’AN – After receiving an evidence-based report, Iraqi Army Soldiers conducted a raid, detaining five suspected anti-Iraqi forces. The detainees are being held for further questioning.

And of course, America and Iraq aren't the only members of the coalition.

Iraqi and coalition troops begin major security operation in Basra

A major security crackdown was launched by Iraqi Security Forces, assisted by coalition troops, in Basrah Feb. 15. This is part of a nationwide effort by the Iraqi Government.

Operation TROY will last for 72 hours and involves the reinforcing and closure of the border crossing points between IranIraq, establishing a security ring around the city and increased activity within.

The operation aims to halt smuggling, contain criminal and rogue militia activity and conduct a series of intelligence-led operations against them.

It involves 2,000 Iraqi personnel from the Iraqi Army (IA), Department for Border Enforcement (DBE), Iraqi Police Service (IPS), Coast Guard Inland Waterways Department (CGIWD), Tactical Support Unit (TSU), Auxiliary Police and 1,200 British troops from 19 Light Brigade, part of the Multi National Division (South East).

Baghdad Security in Iraqi Media

Via email from Haider Ajina:

Greetings,
The following are two articles from Iraqi media:

36 suspects nabbed in Baghdad
Baghdad, Feb 16 (VOI, Voices of Iraq) - Some 36 suspects and wanted elements were detained, an explosive charge was defused and a large amount of weapons were confiscated in different parts in Baghdad, the central command of the Multi-National forces said on Friday.
"Three suspects were captured in al-Shawaka and al-Ghizaliya neighborhoods, five in al-Jihad and al-Bayaa suburbs and four others in al-Karada district", the central command said in a statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
"In Rasafa, east side of Baghdad, seven wanted elements were arrested, 16 in Adhamiyah neighborhood, in addition to another suspect, who admitted of perpetrating a lot of crimes in Al-Madain district, in Baghdad" it added.
The Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had announced on Wednesday the beginning of the major security plan codenamed (Rule of Law) in the Iraqi capital Baghdad in an attempt to drive out outlaws.
The US-backed plan received support from all Iraqi parties participating in the political process.

Baghdad Security Plan is war on terrorism and corruption.

Iraqi PM (Prime Minister) Noori Almaliki described the new Baghdad security plan as war against terrorism and corruption. The plan will travel along two parallel paths to achieve victory on two fronts, the terrorist front and the corruption front. In some case the corrupted are more dangerous that the terrorists.

While the PM and commander in chief Noori Al-Maliki announced, the launch of the security plan, from Karbala, units from the interior and defense ministries deployed and took control in Baghdad‘s ten districts. This move was described by a US commander as impressive well executed and successful.

AL-Maliki in his visit to Iraqi provinces in the central Euphrates area, said, “no one group can handle this alone, we all must participate in building Iraq”. He explained that the government has extended an olive branch to bring into society and the political process some of those who operate out side the law. The security operation did not start until all other avenues have been exhausted. He said, “those who love Iraq will respond to this effort”. He then talked about the plan to combat corruption. He expressed his dismay and disgust at those who finagle with the people’s money.

At this same time units from the military finalized their deployment in Baghdad’s Resafeh & Kargh regions (names of two areas on either side of the Tigris in Baghdad), by setting up check points and starting search, observe and control operations. Many locals (interviewed by Alsabah) expressed their endorsement and welcomed this new security operation. They said that traffic jams, traffic disruption and arriving late at work are far better than dying from explosions or car bombs. They also expressed great hope in this operation and the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces in curbing terrorism, assassinations and kidnappings. This successful deployment and launch shows the capabilities of the security forces to have a successful out come. An American general said, Iraqi forces have passed a critical test when over 70% showed up and deployed in their designated areas in conjunction with the U.S. forces to start the new security plan. General Martin Dempsey said that the Iraqi deployment for the security operation shows us what we can expect from the Iraqi forces in the future. He added, Iraqi forces are 75% of the units and Kurdish units from Suliamania and Kirkuk are already in Baghdad. We expect these Iraqi units to be deployed for six months before they return to their bases, there is no exact time line for their return however. Alsabah newspaper also received reports from eye witnesses that many Iraqi units are on their way to Baghdad from southern provinces (were conditions a stable).

The long awaited new security plan for Baghdad has now started in earnest. These Iraqi unites trained by us and the UK are performing well. As I have mentioned many times. It is hard to train Iraqi security to serve, protect and enforce the rule of law in three short years, when all they have known previously is oppression and dictatorship. Think about how long it takes for us to train our military, and our men and women have grown up in a society of rule of law and democracy. Democracy and rule of law has only been a dream for Iraqis up until four years ago. The training of the Iraqis is thus doubly challenging.

The new security operation looks and sounds good with Iraqis performing well. What is also interesting is the media campaign the Government has launched to support this operation. Extra billboards displaying hotlines numbers for tips, TV & Radio adds denouncing terrorism etc…

Popular and political support for this operation is the highest I have seen for any operation to date. Iraqi Arab Sunnis and Shiites as well as Kurds, who in Iraq are mostly Sunni, and Christians all support and have high hopes for this operation. Sentiment and hope is especially high amongst the displaced families who are now hoping they can return to their homes sooner rather than later.

Regards
Haider Ajina
Mckinleyville CA

While Congress was voting...

...this happened in Iraq:

The Roaring Silence

"The 'ayes' have it" ...and with that, an untold number of American troops and Iraqi citizens were sentenced to death.

But those who are about to kill you, salute you.

Nancy Pelosi:

We owe our troops a debt of gratitude, for their patriotism, courage, and service. As a sign of respect for them, particularly those who have lost their lives in the war, and for their families, I request that we observe a moment of silence.

As just one of the 21,500 I might be less offended by it if congress would also pass a measure indicating they had some inkling of an idea what the surge really is - thus far I've seen no evidence of that from either side of the aisle. If congress could "stop the surge" we'd still go to Iraq, just a few weeks later and in time to wave farewell to the troops we would have reinforced, facing an enemy emboldened and allies dismayed.

But now we have a measure that will indeed be heard, as Joe Lieberman said in the Senate:

What we say here is being heard in Baghdad by Iraqi moderates, trying to decide whether the Americans will stand with them. We are being heard by our men and women in uniform, who will be interested to know whether we support the plan they have begun to carry out. We are being heard by the leaders of the thuggish regimes in Iran and Syria, and by Al Qaeda terrorists, eager for evidence that America’s will is breaking. And we are being heard across America by our constituents, who are wondering if their Congress is capable of serious action, not just hollow posturing.

One person who should be pleased indeed is Al-Qaeda's deputy leader Ayman al Zawahiri, who called on American Democrats to hurry up and pass this measure mere days ago:

"The people chose you [Democrats] due to your opposition to Bush's policy in Iraq, but it appears that you are marching with him to the same abyss, and it appears that you will take part with him in the defeat."

He also said that “the people cooperating with the United States in Afghanistan and in Iraq would be abandoned by the Americans once they fail, the same way they did in Vietnam.”

Tony Snow:

...it's going to be interesting, because members of Congress have taken their own gamble here. They're gambling on failure...

And then perhaps another resolution demonstrating our lack of resolution, and so on, and so on...

Our task is harder, but still not impossible. But the bet is safe, the deck is stacked.

And contrary to current conventional wisdom, there hasn't been one single "moment of silence" on Iraq since 2002. Our enemy has never been short of encouragement from these shores. Had it been otherwise, "the sanctions" might have worked.

Notes:
* Again, Joe Lieberman, on the Senate's motion:

Cynics may say this kind of thing happens all of the time in Congress. In this case, however, they are wrong. If it passed, this resolution would be unique in American legislative history. I contacted the Library of Congress on this question last week and was told that, never before, when American soldiers have been in harm’s way, fighting and dying in a conflict that Congress had voted to authorize, has Congress turned around and passed a resolution like this, disapproving of a particular battlefield strategy.

Collections

This is good news:

IA Captures Weapons Cache in Baghdad Mosque
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Special Iraqi Army Forces captured a large weapons cache during operations with Coalition advisers Feb. 14 in central Baghdad.

Iraqi Forces entered the Barantha Mosque during operations targeting illegally armed militia kidnapping, torture and murder activities. The mosque is reportedly used as a place to conduct sectarian violence against Iraqi civilians as well as a safe haven and weapons storage area for illegal militia groups.

While Coalition Forces established security around the mosque, Iraqi Forces entered the mosque in search of the weapons cache. Security guards at the mosque cooperated with Iraqi Forces during the search. Iraqi Forces took every effort to have doors and locks opened by key holding escorts during the search.

Iraqi Forces found and confiscated three PKC heavy machine guns and 80 assault rifles.
Minimal damage occurred during operations and there were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi Forces or Coalition Forces casualties.

Iraqi, U.S. forces seize extensive caches in Iraq
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

LUTIFIYAH, Iraq — A combined operation of Iraqi and Multi-National Division - Baghdad forces discovered and destroyed two caches of weapons and improvised explosive device-making materials near Lutifiyah, Iraq Feb. 13.
Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division in conjunction with the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), discovered the stockpile west of Lutifiyah at approximately 12:30 p.m. while on patrol.
The first cache contained a land mine, a silencer, 20 feet of detonation cord, a nine-volt battery, a washing machine timer, 11 blasting caps, 10 feet of crush wire, 5,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five rocket-propelled grenade propellant charges, four RPG rounds, a Dragonov sniper rifle magazine, 60 unlinked rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 70 linked 5.56mm rounds, six AK-47 magazines, eight black masks, three tactical vests with Iraqi flags on them and a drum of ammunition for a medium machine gun.
The second cache, found nearby, contained 11 RPG rounds with propellant charges and five RPG launchers.
The weapons were seized and destroyed in a controlled detonation.

‘Polar Bears’ nab caches in unexpected finds
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

By Spc. Chris McCann
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

RUSHDI MULLAH, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad forces found several large caches along Iraq’s Mulla Fayad Highway near the village of Rushdi Mullah, Iraq Feb. 14.
Soldiers of Company C, 4th “Polar Bear” Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) were burning reeds along the highway to destroy concealment used by terrorists when they heard explosions caused by the fires at approximately noon.
They discovered a directional charge loaded with explosives, four empty directional charges, five tank rounds, a burned AK-47 and two magazines, two 60mm mortar base plates, and 300 rounds of AK-47 ammunition.
The remainder of the cache was destroyed with a controlled detonation.
Later that afternoon, a patrol from Co. C found five more caches in the same area, which contained four 120mm tank sabot rounds, Russian tank rounds, a sack of 12.7mm rounds for a heavy machine gun, 15 empty directional charges, five explosive-packed directional charges rigged with detonation cord, a 105mm rocket round and homemade explosives.
“We took 25 improvised explosive devices off the street today,” said Maj. Web Wright, spokesman for the 2nd BCT, of the find. “We are definitely making an impact on the Al-Qaida and former regime members’ freedom of maneuver, as well as their weapons stockpiles.”
The caches were seized and destroyed.

Here's why:

The raid, which took place Wednesday, angered the mosque's imam, who took the unusual step of canceling Friday prayer services at the historic Baratha mosque, where, Shiites believe, Muhammad's son-in-law, Ali, converted a Christian missionary to Islam in the seventh century.

The Quote "Surge"

A quick clip from MG Caldwell's Baghdad briefing yesterday:

"First, it will take time for all the additional troops being deployed to arrive and begin operations. Additional Iraqi and American troops comprising the, quote, "surge" will not be completely in place until late May."

I love starting a trend.

Here are the General's remarks pertinent to the "surge". The vast majority of the questions that followed were regarding Iranian weapons and Quds troops in Iraq. I suspect the media - in spite of vigorous denials by the administration - is trying to portray the US as on the brink of war with Iran. This allows Democrats - and Hillary Clinton in particular - to vociferously oppose this non-existent war. (To be fair, this also gets some conservatives very excited over the prospect of "taking out" Iran - their hopes will be dashed.)

By the way, reporters were so fixated on this issue they missed a more significant bit of intel regarding security operations in Iraq: "...we're all operating under the same instructions from General Abboud". That would be Lieutenant General Abboud Gambar of the Iraqi Army.

Durn Foreigners...

...an awful lot have been convicted in Iraq's courts lately. (And I do mean awful...)

Oddly enough, none are Iranian.

Math Problem

I'm busy getting ready to deploy somwhere, so I don't have a whole lot of time and I've come across a tough math problem I'm working on here. Help me out:

Top House Democrats, working in concert with anti-war groups, have decided against using congressional power to force a quick end to U.S. involvement in Iraq, and instead will pursue a slow-bleed strategy designed to gradually limit the administration's options.

+

Chairman Murtha will describe his strategy for not only limiting the deployment of troops to Iraq but undermining other aspects of the president’s foreign and national security policy.

+

Al-Zawahri called what he described as Bush’ failure in Iraq and the growing Taliban resistance in Afghanistan the “most important events” of the past year. He also said that “the people cooperating with the United States in Afghanistan and in Iraq would be abandoned by the Americans once they fail, the same way they did in Vietnam.”

= ?

My quick answer is "a s#!tty few months for US troops and Iraqi citizens, followed by worse". Can anyone check me on this?

(HT Instapundit for the first two parts of the equation.)

The Day Anna Died (II)

(AKA 55 stories CNN doesn't want you to know...)

Apparently I'm not the only one who noticed American networks abandoned a lot of opportunities to report real news this week. Via comments and email, others have weighed in.

J.P. at Resurgemus noticed a death that was all but unnoticed:

The same day [or the next day] the oldest living veteran in the US died. Anthony Pierro served in combat during the First World War.

BOSTON - Antonio Pierro, who was believed to be the last remaining World War I veteran in Massachusetts, has died, his nephew said. He was 110.

Pierro - who lived most of his life in Marblehead and Swampscott - died Thursday morning in a Salem nursing home. He would have celebrated his 111th birthday on Feb. 15.

His nephew, 58-year-old Richard Pierro, said his uncle also was believed to be the oldest man living in the United States.

Antonio Pierro lived with his younger brother, Daniel, 97, and his nephew until about six weeks ago.

The number of living World War I veterans is dwindling quickly. Mr. Pierro's death leaves only seven American World War I veterans known to be alive, said Laurie Tranter , a spokeswoman for the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Via email, Badger 6:

On the day Anna died, three of my Soldiers died trying to recover the CH46 that went down.

We do route clearance, they were in the lead vehicle. They were heros.

Then read this one from the Boston Herald:

Yesterday, minutes after Iraqi insurgents posted a Web video purportedly showing Swampscott Marine Capt. Jennifer Harris’ CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter being hit by a missile Wednesday, the stark two-minute clip literally made its way around the world. With Islamic chanting added to scenes of the burning craft’s final minutes, the clear intent was to delight in the deaths of the seven Americans who went down with the chopper.

But what looks like a piece of glorious propaganda to those insurgents also shows the skill and valor of a 28-year-old Swampscott woman determined to live out the dream of her life to its heroic end.

Peter Sack, the retired principal of Swampscott High School, who will forever remember Jenn Harris as one of the brightest, most gracious lights of his years as an educator, was sitting in a doctor’s waiting room yesterday afternoon when he caught sight of the video on CNN.

“I could hear the commentator’s voice say they believed it was footage of Wednesday’s helicopter crash,” Sack said. “The thought it was Jenn’s helicopter I was watching sickened me at first.

“Then, as I watched, I could see that the helicopter continues to fly even after it’s hit. It appears to stay level, even as flames and smoke are streaming out of the back. I thought of Jenn fighting to keep her craft steady and the level of excellence it must have taken to do that despite all that was happening around her. And I was awed by her incredible bravery.”

Taking a brief break from their Anna Nicole coverage yesterday, CNN found space and time for a front-page story on three other soldiers in Iraq

3 U.S. troops killed hunting weapons cache

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- An explosion killed three U.S. troops and wounded four others as the soldiers searched a building for a weapons cache in Diyala province in Iraq, the U.S. military announced Saturday.

The killings on Friday raise the February death toll for U.S. troops to 37.

Since it began in 2003, the war has taken the lives of 3,113 U.S. troops and seven Department of Defense civilians.

Here's what CNN saw as the key points to provide Americans about Iraq yesterday:

• Friday's troop deaths bring the February death toll for U.S. troops to 37
• Attacks in Baghdad, Mosul and Musayyib kill 13 people, wound dozens
• Of those 13, four killed when car explodes in Baghdad commercial area
• In Mosul, gunmen and bombers target Iraqi police, soldiers

And here are a few stories not worthy of their attention - all of which have been reported by CENTCOM or MNF-I in the few days since Anna Nicole Smith died:

Attention to All Who Enter

A notice of warning, written and posted on the hospital door by an injured soldier.

The Gift

Via email:

I read you guys everyday. I thought you might like to see this, and perhaps get it up on your blog to spread the word.

Mike is an extraordinary American. There are few people in our nation who love, honor, and respect our Warriors as much as Mike does. I have helped him be in contact with several families that lost Warriors in this conflict. I can tell you from first hand experience that his gift is a divine touch for these grieving families.

Please consider placing information about Mike on your site.

God Bless the Republic!

Joe Norman

"I found myself coming back from Vietnam, and I had a hard time for a few years just being able to feel. Took a lot of work by a lot of my friends, my wife, and a lot of people who loved me to allow me to reach this stage, where I could actually feel.

"Evening Magazine two years ago decided to do a little piece on all the celebrity portraits that I had done. We did a little five minute piece, it was called "Miller Time"...

"At the end of it, I said something to John Miller. I said, "You know, I've drawn the Pope, six presidents, and 137 Playboy playmates." John said to me, he said, "I guess that about does it all for you." And I said "Yep. That was it."

"That piece made it into the Evening Magazine piece. I believe that piece is why then - the next day it was distributed around the country - I believe that that comment is why I'm standing up here today.

"Two days after that piece aired across the country I got a call from a young woman in Boise, Idaho. Her name was Cherice Johnson. She said to me, "How much would you charge me to do a portrait of my husband?"

"Now of course, as an artist - and when I graduated from Burnley I was known as the only commercial artist getting out of art school that year - I thought to myself, 'Wow - some national exposure, I was going to make some money off some commissions, this was pretty great'.

"The next thing she said was "He died last year in Iraq."

"Well, being a Vietnam veteran I couldn't charge her. And I said 'Just send me the picture of your husband Michael.'

"...Little did I know what that comment was going to do to change my life."

Watch Mike's full speech here.

"If you know anybody that's lost anybody, these are totally free. I'm not charging a dime. These are free, and I'm very good. All you have to do is get me the information.

"I've quit my job, I've closed my studio, and given my life to this project because I love and respect these soldiers and their families."

Michael's home page is here.

His Fallen Heroes Project page is here. There you can make a donation to support his efforts.

A gallery of portraits he's completed as part of the project is here.

On the Day that Anna Died

...this happened in Iraq:

Gathering of Eagles

This could get interesting:

Leftist activists who march to the Pentagon next month will discover that their path won't be as clear as it has been in the past.

The group, led by Cindy Sheehan, Jane Fonda, Ramsey Clark and their ilk, plan to gather March 17 at the Vietnam Memorial Wall to begin a march to protest America's involvement in the Iraq war. The date marks the fourth anniversary of the war's beginning.

This time, however, protestors will see objectors if they spit on Iraqi veterans again, or throw paint on a war memorial. This time, they will encounter a buzz saw of Vietnam veterans and supporters who will gather to protect the Wall, and show their support for U.S. troops. The counter-protestors are calling themselves the Gathering of Eagles.

Meanwhile, Back in Iraq

A Sadr loyalist is arrested

Iraqi forces on Thursday detained a senior Health Ministry official accused in alleged corruption and infiltration of the ministry that has funnelled millions of dollars to Shiite militiamen blamed for much of the recent sectarian violence in the capital, the U.S. military said.

The raid was the latest action in a crackdown on al-Sadr's militia, coming a day after the chief U.S. military spokesman Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said a security sweep to stop the rampant attacks in the capital was under way.
<...>
The military statement did not name the official, but a ministry spokesman said earlier that U.S. and Iraqi forces had seized deputy Health Minister Hakim al-Zamili, a supporter of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, from his first-floor office in northern Baghdad.

The detainee was implicated in the deaths of several ministry officials, including the director-general in Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad, the military said.

He reportedly orchestrated several kickback schemes related to inflated contracts for equipment and services, with millions of dollars allegedly funnelled to the Mahdi Army militia that is loyal to al-Sadr, according to the statement.

The official also was suspected of providing large-scale employment of militia members who used Health Ministry facilities and services for "sectarian kidnapping and murder," the military said.

Joint U.S.-Iraqi forces stormed the Health Ministry compound early Thursday, causing all the employees to flee, spokesman Qassim Yahya said.
<...>
Baghdad's streets have been electric with tension as U.S. officials confirmed the new security operation was under way. U.S. armour rushed through streets and Iraqi armoured personnel carriers guarded bridges and major intersections.

New coils of barbed-wire and blast barriers marked checkpoints that caused traffic bottlenecks. U.S. Apache helicopters were in the air over parts of the city where they hadn't been seen before.
<...>
Caldwell said Wednesday, that the much-awaited Baghdad security operation was finally underway but would be implemented gradually.

MNF-I press release here.

Will the "Baghdad security operation" be reported as anything other than "increasing violence"? We'll know soon enough. But it may be difficult to tell when operations kick into high gear, as even though rarely reported, operations throughout the country have never ceased.

More news from the past two days in Iraq - see if you can identify the one story that represents the only sort that would continue if the U.S. were to withdraw:

Dissent at the Times

Via NewsBusters; New York Times Baghdad reporter John Burns talks Iraq with Tim Russert:

He's on dangerous ground - another Times reporter was recently publicly humiliated after committing a lesser thought crime.

The Sharper Image

Sharp-eyed readers will note a somewhat improved logo above, and a spiffy invitation to this year's Milblog Conference in the left side bar. The work of Mrs G, of course.

Could the return of the Dawn Patrol be near...?

Two From Baghdad

Via Haider Ajina:

Greetings,

The following are two articles from the Iraqi independent news agency Aswat Al-Iraq (voices of Iraq VOI) of February 6 2007.

Baghdad-Siege
Iraqi-U.S. forces besiege areas in eastern Baghdad
By Adel Fakher

Baghdad, Feb 6, (VOI) – Joint Iraqi-U.S. forces besieged on Tuesday morning the areas of al-Qahira and al-Suleikh in eastern Baghdad, according to eyewitnesses.

"The siege took place with armored vehicles and tanks while all main roads leading to these areas were sealed off," an eyewitness told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

These troops set up checkpoints on the entrances of both areas and inspected entering vehicles, the source added.

Iraqi forces from both army and police are resuming deployment in towns in the capital Baghdad while military patrols spread on the main roads in preparation to carry out the Baghdad security plan, codenamed (Rule of Law).

Maliki meets Iraqi military leaders on new plan

Baghdad, Feb 6, (VOI)- Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met on Tuesday with Iraqi army and police leaders to discuss the proper implementation of Baghdad's new security plan to secure the Iraqi capital.

Al-Maliki said in an address to leaders who gathered at his office whenever you were within a military operation, you should only serve Iraq and its people.

The Premier also said during the meeting aired by the official al-Iraqiya TV "the Baghdad security plan will show how great it is the role of the army, police and citizens altogether."

"We all should unify our stands so that no one would be seemingly represent a certain sect or party," al-Maliki added.

The Iraqi capital Baghdad suffers a great deal of violence that claims scores lives on daily basis.

Al-Maliki's government plans to send Iraqi troops for more noticeable presence in the capital to regain order under a plan codenamed "Rule of Law."

The new plan for securing Baghdad with extra U.S. & Iraqi troops and security forces seems to be in its early hours. Maliki has said in many speeches and interviews that the outlaws (all who carry weapons against the state no matter who they are) have no place to hide. They cannot hide in homes, libraries, Mosques, hospitals, schools etc..Moreover, all who aid the outlaws will be dealt with. No one in Iraq is above the law. Maliki also said that the neighboring countries and other Arab states who meddle in Iraq’s internal affairs do this to destabilize Iraq. He adds, they do this because they fear that freedom and democracy will spread to their countries, these leaders are but a copy of Iraq’s former dictatorship. Operation ‘Rule of Law’ has the support of many political and religious groups some who have their own militia. Already the Iraqi Army’s Tenth Brigade has moved from southern Iraq (were it is relatively stable) to Baghdad to participate in operation ‘Rule of Law’.

Regards
Haider Ajina
McKinleyville CA

SR70

Yesterday, in spite of efforts by Senate Democrats to block debate on Iraq, Senate Resolution 70 (expressing the sense of the senate that the commander of multinational forces-Iraq and all united states personnel under his command should receive from congress the full support necessary to carry out the united states mission in Iraq) was submitted by Senators McCain, Lieberman, Graham, Cornyn, Hutchison, Domenici, Thune, Hatch, and Roberts.

The bi-partisan resolution was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, where Senators Dodd, Kerry, Feingold, Boxer, Obama, and Webb will ensure it never again sees the light of day.

Text of the forbidden resolution below the fold.

Thanks, Joe

Senator Joe Lieberman, on the Senate floor, Monday, February 5:

Mr. President, our nation has reached a critical crossroad in the war in Iraq. More than four years ago, this chamber voted to authorize the use of force against Saddam Hussein, a tyrant who slaughtered his own people, attacked his neighbors, and threatened our security. Thanks to the courageous service of the men and women of our military, that evil regime was overthrown. And in its place came hopes of democracy in the heart of the Middle East and a victory in the war for the hearts and minds of the Muslim world.

As of today, those hopes have not been realized. Because of the ruthless conduct of our enemies, as well as our own failures, we instead today find ourselves on a knife’s edge in Iraq.

Now, a new course has been chosen. A new commander is in place in Iraq, confirmed by this Senate. A new Secretary of Defense is in place at the Pentagon, confirmed by this Senate. And a new strategy has begun to be put into action on the ground in Iraq by our troops.

It is altogether proper that we debate our policy in Iraq. It should be a debate that is as serious as the situation in Iraq and that reflects the powers the Constitution gives to Congress in matters of war.

But that, sadly, is not the debate that the Warner-Levin resolution invites us to have. I am going to speak strongly against this resolution because I feel strongly about it. I do so with respect for my colleagues who have offered it, but I believe its passage would so compromise America’s security, present and future, that I will say so in the clearest terms I can.

The resolution before us, its sponsors concede, will not stop the new strategy from going forward. As we speak, thousands of troops are already in Baghdad, with thousands more moving into position to carry out their Commander’s orders. This resolution does nothing to alter these facts.

Instead, its sponsors say it will send a message of rebuke from the Senate to the president, from one end of Pennsylvania Avenue to the other. But there is a world beyond Pennsylvania Avenue that is watching and listening.

What we say here is being heard in Baghdad by Iraqi moderates, trying to decide whether the Americans will stand with them. We are being heard by our men and women in uniform, who will be interested to know whether we support the plan they have begun to carry out. We are being heard by the leaders of the thuggish regimes in Iran and Syria, and by Al Qaeda terrorists, eager for evidence that America’s will is breaking. And we are being heard across America by our constituents, who are wondering if their Congress is capable of serious action, not just hollow posturing.

This resolution is not about Congress taking responsibility. It is the opposite. It is a resolution of irresolution.

For the Senate to take up a symbolic vote of no confidence on the eve of a decisive battle is unprecedented, but it is not inconsequential. It is an act which, I fear, will discourage our troops, hearten our enemies, and showcase our disunity. And that is why I will vote against cloture.

If you believe that General Petraeus and his new strategy have a reasonable chance of success in Iraq, then you should resolve to support him and his troops through the difficult days ahead. On the other hand, if you believe that this new strategy is flawed or that our cause is hopeless in Iraq, then you should vote to stop it. Vote to cut off funds. Vote for a binding timeline for American withdrawal. If that is where your convictions lie, then have the courage of your convictions to accept the consequences of your convictions. That would be a resolution.

The non-binding measure before us, by contrast, is an accumulation of ambiguities and inconsistencies. It is at once for the war but also against the war. It pledges its support to the troops in the field but also washes its hands of what they are doing. It approves more troops for Anbar but not for Baghdad.

We cannot have it both ways. We cannot vote full confidence in General Petraeus, but no confidence in his strategy. We cannot say that the troops have our full support, but disavow their mission on the eve of battle. This is what happens when you try to wage war by committee. That is why the Constitution gave that authority to the President as Commander in Chief.

Cynics may say this kind of thing happens all of the time in Congress. In this case, however, they are wrong. If it passed, this resolution would be unique in American legislative history. I contacted the Library of Congress on this question last week and was told that, never before, when American soldiers have been in harm’s way, fighting and dying in a conflict that Congress had voted to authorize, has Congress turned around and passed a resolution like this, disapproving of a particular battlefield strategy.

I ask each of my colleagues to stop for a moment and consider this history carefully. Even during Vietnam, even after the Tet Offensive, even after the invasion of Cambodia, Congress did not take up a resolution like this one.

Past Congresses certainly debated wars. They argued heatedly about them. And they clashed directly with the Executive Branch over their execution. But in doing so they accepted the consequences of their convictions.

This resolution does no such thing. It is simply an expression of opinion. It does not pretend to have any substantive effect on policy on the ground in Iraq.

But again, I ask you: what will this resolution say to our soldiers? What will it say to our allies? And what will it say to our enemies?

We heard from General Petraeus during his confirmation hearing that war is a battle of wills. Our enemies believe that they are winning in Iraq today. They believe that they can outlast us; that, sooner or later, we will tire of this grinding conflict and go home. That is the lesson that Osama bin Laden took from our retreats from Lebanon and Somalia in the 1980s and 1990s. It is a belief at the core of the insurgency in Iraq, and at the core of radical Islam worldwide. And this resolution—by codifying our disunity, by disavowing the mission our troops are about to undertake—confirms our enemies’ belief in American weakness.

This resolution also sends a terrible message to our allies. I agree that we must hold the Iraqi government to account. That is exactly what the resolution Senator McCain and I have offered would do. But I ask you: Imagine for a moment that you are a Sunni or Shia politician in Baghdad who wants the violence to end—and ask yourself how the Warner-Levin resolution will affect your thinking, your calculations of risk, your willingness to stand against the forces of extremism. Every day, you are threatened by enemies who want nothing but to inflict the most brutal imaginable horrors on you and your loved ones. Will this resolution empower you, or will it undermine you? Will it make you feel safer, or will it make you feel you should hedge your bets, or go over to the extremists, or leave the country?

And finally, what is the message this resolution sends to our soldiers? I know that everyone here supports our troops—but actions have consequences, often unintended. When we send a message of irresolution, it does not support our troops. When we renounce their mission, it does not support our troops.

We heard recently in the Senate Armed Services Committee from General Jack Keane, who said of this resolution. “It’s just not helpful… What the enemy sees is an erosion of the political and moral will of the American people… Our soldiers are Americans first. They clearly understand there’s a political process in this country that they clearly support… But at the end of the day, they are going to go out and do a tough mission, and I certainly would like to see them supported in that mission as opposed to declaring non-support....”

Everyone here knows that the American people are frustrated about the lack of progress in Iraq. Everyone here shares that frustration. And as elected representatives of the people, everyone here feels pressure to give expression to that frustration.

This is not a new challenge. It is one that every democracy in every long, difficult war has had to confront.

Nearly a century and a half ago, at a site not far from here, an American president wrestled with just this problem. It was in the midst of a terrible war—a civil war—in which hundreds of thousands of Americans were fighting and dying to secure the freedom of millions long and cruelly denied it.

“We here highly resolve…”—that was Lincoln’s message at Gettysburg. It was a message of resolution, of conviction against adversity, of hope against despair, and of confidence in the cause of freedom, which is America’s cause.

Today, in the depths of a terrible war, on the brink of a decisive battle for Baghdad, let us have a serious debate about where we stand and where we must go in Iraq. That is the debate we should have—but it is not the debate that this resolution would bring.

The sixty vote requirement to close debate was put in place by our predecessors as a way to stop the passions of the moment from sweeping across our country and through Congress in a way that will jeopardize our future. Because I believe this resolution, if passed, would have such an effect, I will respectfully oppose the motion for cloture.

I thank the President and yield the floor.

Day by day

The Glenn and Helen Show

Podcast with Michael Yon.

Surging On

Omar, writing from Baghdad, January 28th:

Azzaman says it learned from "informed sources in Baghdad" that major operations will start on the 5th of February. The anonymous sources, according to Azzaman, said that operations against leaders of militant groups and vital targets will be performed to as part of the preparations for major operations that will start on the first week of February.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- A suicide truck bomber struck a market in a predominantly Shiite area of Baghdad on Saturday, killing as many as 121 people among the crowd buying food for evening meals, one of the most devastating attacks in the capital since the war started.

The attacker was driving a truck carrying foodstuffs including oil and flour when he detonated a ton of explosives, destroying stores and stalls in the busy outdoor Sadriyah market, police said.

The late-afternoon explosion was the latest in a series of attacks against mainly Shiite commercial targets in the capital. No group claimed responsibility, but it appeared to be part of a bid by Sunni insurgents to provoke retaliatory violence and kill as many people as possible ahead of a planned U.S.-Iraqi security sweep.

The security plan isn't at work yet and Baghdad is receiving heavy blows. This is not unexpected because the enemies recognize what Baghdad means to the outcome of this war. Life and stability in this city will mean defeat for terrorists of all backgrounds and they feel they must fight hard to stop this from happening.

There was notable deployment of Iraqi army units and armored vehicles on the streets yesterday. I saw one of those armored units establish battle positions at one of the important intersections in Baghdad; soldiers were erecting tents and the vehicles were set in defensive formations. Maybe that intersection will become the border of one of the nine sectors.

Al-Mada had a report yesterday that spoke of similar activities across Baghdad:

Although the government didn't announce a date for launching the security plan, preparations can be easily seen through the deployment of security forces and the reestablishment of many checkpoints. Eyewitnesses told al-Mada that they saw army units deploying to the suburbs of Baghdad. Army vehicles drove through main streets asking people to remove the barricades they built earlier as a defensive measure against attacks from death squads.

...On the other hand al-Sabah paper which reflects the opinion of the government wrote what indicates that operations are imminent:

While the Baghdad security plan is still surrounded by secrecy, unofficial information says the plan is likely to be launched on Monday or Tuesday.

In other news the deployment of an Iraqi brigade from Kurdistan to Baghdad is now complete and two other brigades are reportedly on their way in the coming days.

BAGHDAD (Army News Service, Jan. 22, 2007) - The 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team arrived in Baghdad last week as part of the first wave of a planned escalation of forces in Iraq's capital city.

The paratroopers from the 2nd "Falcon" Brigade, who had been based in Kuwait as a ready reserve since early January, are to be followed over the next several months by four more combat brigades, bolstering U.S. forces in Baghdad by approximately 20,000 Soldiers.

As the surge rolls on, congress continues to pretend to be ignorant of the entire plan.

Debate on rival nonbinding resolutions — notably, one spearheaded by Senator John Warner, Republican of Virginia, that opposes any troop buildup, and another, led by McCain, that supports the administration's planned increase — is to begin Monday.

To add to the fun, all Republican Senators, including John Warner, have pledged to block the Warner Resolution. Credit them with a great degree of intelligence only if in doing so they at last publicly acknowledge the surge for what it is.

Whatever happens, it seems likely that news from Iraq will be prominent this week. Regardless of whether increased "security operations" in Baghdad begin or not, violent acts will occur. Twenty thousand additional troops are going in locked and loaded, and the enemy they'll confront is well aware of the enormous propaganda value of any action they take this week. As you read these words, American soldiers are counting ammunition, suicide bombers are preparing farewell videos, reporters are outlining stories, and speechwriters are typing furiously away.

As six million people in Baghdad wait and pray.