Dawn Patrol

Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs, other blogs, and the mainstream media. If you're a blogger, you can join the conversation. If you link to any of these stories, add a link to the Dawn Patrol too and your trackback will be added to the list. (We have a daily "Open Post" too, if you have something on another topic you can link there.)

IRAQ

The South...Where to? -- [Iraq the Model - an Iraqi in Iraq]
Abddul Aziz Al-Hakim the head of the SCIRI called to day for the formation of a federal state in the south of Iraq and Hadi Al-Amiri chief of the Badr organization (the military wing of the SCIRI) said that if the Sheat don't persist in forming this state they will regret it.
I don't really know why Amiri chose the word "regret" in addressing the people of the south, instead he could've said something like 'we would like to see a federal state in the south and we respect the people's choice about it' because I think this tone of threats to the people he's part of carries a lot of possible suspicious meanings.

Someone asked me this -- [John of Arabia - in Iraq]
I'd just like to know what you think about the war in Iraq. More specifically, what do you think we had to gain by going there?

It's hard for me to write about this, being where I am. To try and see the big picture when I'm coughing dust out of my lungs, but I'll try. Keep in mind, I'm just a dumb artilleryman, OK?

I think that the WMD issue, although it very well could have been possible, was the wrong reason for coming here.

We are in a war. You can't boil it down to "Oh, we invaded for this reason, or that reason." An entire book can be written on the WHY.

I've rewritten this 3 times already. Yes, we should have done what we did. We should be here. A free, stable Iraq will go a long way towards stabilizing the region. In the long run, I think ...

The constant question -- [Salemonz News Service]
When in uniform out in public, invariably someone will ask me if I am for or against the war.

War is an unfortunate side effect to life. At the heart of any drama or any segment of reality is conflict. And war is sort of the ultimate solution to the need for conflict. But I think people often fall in love with the romance of war -- of heroes and stalwart hearts fighting against evil and the unrelenting enemy. Men charge off to glory for hearth and home -- all that business.

Where I Stand: Where I Stand on Iraq. -- [The Jump Blog]
Francis ain?t one to hang out in the fighting position sucking on Charms and tossing dice to see who gets the Ham Slice MRE, so I?m not surprised he came out swinging over at his new happy home on the web.

What will it be? -- [The Makaha Surf Report - in Iraq]
Recently the U.S. military here in Iraq has taken some hard hits, the Marines in Al Anbar province, the 48th National Guard Brigade from Georgia, and the 42nd Infantry Division in Samarra all took larger than normal casualties. And like some grotesque clockwork nightmare, the anti war crowd stepped up their rhetoric to bring "the troops" home now. I am sick and tired of hearing that siren call to bring us all home. Apparently the people that believe this have no idea what will happen if we do what they want. The effect will be two fold if we cut and run right now.

"What Would You Do?" The Game Show -- [IRR Soldier - in Iraq]
This is the Blog game show where you, the reader, get to decide what you would do if you were faced with certain, shall we say, real life experiences. For those of you tuning in for the first time, I assume that?s all of you since this is the first time I?ve ever actually done this, let me go over the rules of the game. I will present each contestant with a situation and a list of possible answers. Since the game is called ?What Would You Do?? there are no wrong answers. However, since these are real life situations that have already happened there is one answer that could win you a trip to the always exciting lightning round. In fairness sake and for believability I have only chosen events that have been witnessed by Myself and at least one other person. If you don?t believe these events happened references can be made available upon request. If you pick all the answer to the situations that actually happened you will advance to the most exciting round of Blog Game Show play America has ever seen.

A genuine American Hero -- [Those Wacky Iraqis - in Iraq]
I am proud to know Butch Jacobs and even more proud to call him a friend. LTC (Now COL) Jacobs is a Southern Gentleman with the refined airs of the genteelness that still exists in places like South Carolina. Butch is a product of that state and that culture. He was our Mayor while in Iraq and I worked with him on an almost daily basis. He and I had many difficulties and hurdles to overcome but we managed to do so with out rancor even though conditions were harsh, we were under fire, and we had marginal support. We built a fine camp for our soldiers.

Duke in Iraq - 8/11/05 -- [Broken Masterpieces - Duke in Iraq]
It was about 0100 in the morning and I had just finished my workout. I was walking back to my trailer and I was very frustrated at the events of the day. Things happened here, at work back home, and with my medical mission plans for here and Mongolia that all had me frustrated. One of the most difficult aspects about being deployed is that when things happen back home there is often very little you can do about it.

SGT WONG IS A WALKING AMERICAN -- [Keven Kelley - Dixie Sappers - in Iraq]
I don?t know if you remember SGT Wong, but he is the soldier who lost both legs in an IED attack here at our FOB. I got word today from one of his leaders that SGT Wong is now up and walking around and getting faster and faster. He has been given his prosthetic legs and he may wear them out in the first year. I think everyone was joking when they asked how long the warranty was for. He had said he would be walking again as soon as he got home in the states. I did mention that he was also given his American citizenship while he was still unconscious, but his father was present. Looks as though SGT Wong is taking his first steps as an American in great strides. Everyone is always glad to get good news about people that are hurt while serving over here. Keep him and all the others in your prayers.

By Chris Boggiano - 12 November: Neil Gets Burned -- [Armor Geddon - back from Iraq]
This is Chris's entry from his notes. I thought his perspective was interesting. This is where I wanted readers to get caught up. - Red 6.
After driving out of the minefield area we turned south and worked our way along the outside of the city. Once we got to a good spot, we turned back into the minefield and pulled up to a spot near the big hole in the ground that I?d taken a crap in the day before. There were some big piles of dirt there, so we pulled our trucks up behind them as an added layer of protection and started looking into the city.

A REAL TOWEL HEAD -- [2005 Tour of Duty - in Iraq]
These guys wet the towels and put on top of their head to stay cool. The next time your out in the hot blisterin sun remember to bring a wet towel to put on your head. Try it sometime it really works

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

It is not only Iraq that is occupied. America is too -- (The Guardian)...Howard Zinn

My country is in the grip of a president surrounded by thugs in suits
It has quickly become clear that Iraq is not a liberated country, but an occupied country. We became familiar with that term during the second world war. We talked of German-occupied France, German-occupied Europe. And after the war we spoke of Soviet-occupied Hungary, Czechoslovakia, eastern Europe. It was the Nazis, the Soviets, who occupied countries. The United States liberated them from occupation.

Towns Left Vulnerable After Being Secured -- (USA Today)...Kimberly Johnson Special for
U.S. Marines who recently completed an offensive to disrupt insurgent supply lines in western Iraq say there are not enough troops to leave behind in towns to maintain security after U.S. forces leave.

Bombs Bad Enough, But Guns Worse In Baghdad -- (Chicago Tribune)...Liz Sly
July was a record month at Baghdad's main morgue, where the bodies pile up so fast they often have to be buried before they can be identified to make way for the next day's arrivals.

Osama Pal Has Iraq Post -- (Miami Herald)...Associated Press
An American accused in court papers of having ties to Osama bin Laden is now working for Iraq's Foreign Ministry, U.S. officials say.

UN extends mission in Iraq for 12 months -- (Chicago Tribune)
NEW YORK -- The Security Council extended the UN mission in Iraq for another year Thursday, reaffirming its role in helping promote a national dialogue aimed ...

America's new bogeyman -- (Asia Times Online)...Ehsan Ahrari
The Iraqi insurgency has emerged as the new bogeyman for the American military in Iraq. The dictionary meaning of "bogeyman" is: "A cruel or frightening

AFGHANISTAN

Lwara, Part I -- [Anything Goes]
...I write this Tuesday morning (6:30am L) from Lwara, which is on the border of Pakistan. The trip here last night was surreal. The mode of transportation was a fully loaded Chinook. Because we flew at night and I sat near the middle of the bird I couldn?t see anything but the mountain of ammunition that in front of me in the cargo hold that separated the seats on either side.

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

U.S. Soldier Slain On Afghan Road Project -- (Los Angeles Times)...Paul Watson
Guerrillas killed an American soldier working on a road construction project Thursday, causing at least the sixth American fatality in Afghanistan over the last week.

US says Taliban commander killed in Afghanistan -- (Reuters)
KABUL (Reuters) - A Taliban commander was shot dead and an American soldier died in a training accident as violence continued ahead of Afghanistan's parliamentary elections scheduled for next month, officials said on Friday.
A U.S. military statement said Qari Amadullah was killed near Wazikhwa in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday.

KOREAS

Off Limits and No Drinking Policy Letter -- [GI Korea Blog - in S Korea]
In response to planned protests in Uijongbu, the downtown area of Uijongbu has been put off limits.

A planned ?civil gathering? prompted the U.S. Army to warn its military and civilian personnel to avoid downtown Uijongbu city, the Uijongbu subway station and roads leading from the station to Camp Red Cloud on Wednesday and Thursday.

MSM REPORTS ON KOREAS

Korea?s GDP Expands 523-Fold Since Liberation -- (Korea Times)
South Korea?s annual gross domestic product (GDP) topped $680 billion in 2004, up 532 folds from $1.3 billion in the early years after the country was ...

SUPPORT THE TROOPS

Soldier's Angels Message -- [Soldiers Angels]
Soldiers are truly enduring the horrible. We must pull together as a country. I ask, you no I get down on my knees and I beg you support a soldier TODAY. Do something now to help, Adopt A Soldier,. Write a letter, go to your local veterans association, see if there is a wife with a husband deployed and mow her lawn, watch her children, give her a hug.. Help the wounded, DO SOMETHING to support these precious heroes. I need you, they need you for this is the type of person a soldier is:...

VALOUR-IT -- [Gun Line]
So there you are, just another ground pounder walking the dusty streets of Basra on a civil patrol, not really looking for the bad guys, just making sure everything is calm.

It's oppressively hot, and you feel the sweat dripping down your spine beneath your Interceptor body armor. The sun beats down on your kevlar helmet, and a thought flits through your memory that this is kinda like last summer's football camp, between your junior and senior year in high school, when it was so damned hot, but the coach made you practice anyway. As your eyes flit over your surroundings, you wonder whatever happened to that pretty girl that used to work at the internet cafe just down the-...

Visit Soldiers' Angels Germany, for the story of a Boy Scout helping our wounded heroes in Landstuhl: -- [Iraq War News]
HOOAH Scout Marvin Marroquin!
When Marvin Morroquin of Boy Scout Troop #67 in Lakewood, California needed to carry out a community service project as part of the requirements for achieving Eagle Scout rank, he could have chosen anything.

MSM REPORTS SUPPORT THE TROOPS

'Support Our Troops'--Bring Them Home Alive -- (USA Today)...Al Neuharth
They're burying young Marine reservists in Ohio this week. Fourteen of them, ages 19 and up, were killed last week when their amphibious landing vehicle was blown up by a roadside bomb in Iraq.

TERRORISM

'Able Danger' - Warnings Ignored -- [Open Fire]
The inevitability that became the incineration of 3,000 innocent people on September 11, 2001 has its roots deep in America?s politically correct culture. From missed opportunities to nab or kill bin Laden to an inability to stand up to Saddam?s continued defiance of the 1991 ceasefire agreement, all indicate a pre-September America that was asleep while the threat of Islamic terror was knocking at our door.

Steven Emerson on New Al Qaeda "Documentary" (updated with video) -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Steven Emerson discussed the new Al Qaeda "documentary" on Fox News Channel's "O'Reilly Factor" on August 10. In his opinion, the jihadists in the tape are quite clear in wanting to subjugate all of Islam to their view, and to "slit the throats" of all non-Muslims. The Iraq conflict is just another excuse for their jihad, but they hate Americans and Jews for who we are in pursuing freedom for all, including women.

An apology, heartfelt by a real hero -- [Redleg's Perpsective] HT: View from Tonka
This "Letter of Apology" was written by Lieutenant General Chuck Pitman, US
Marine Corps, Retired:
"For good and ill, the Iraqi prisoner abuse mess will remain an issue. On
the one hand, right thinking Americans will abhor the stupidity of the
actions while on the other hand, political glee will take control and fashion this
minor event into some modern day massacre.
I humbly offer my opinion here:...

MSM REPORTS ON TERRORISM

Officials Warn Of Possibility Of Attack Around Sept. 11 -- (New York Times)...Eric Lichtblau and William K. Rashbaum
A group of F.B.I. counterterrorism analysts warned this week of possible terrorist attacks in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago around Sept. 11, but officials cautioned on Thursday that they were skeptical about the seriousness of the threat.

Exclusive: CIA Commander: U.S. Let bin Laden Slip Away -- (Newsweek)
During the 2004 presidential campaign, George W. Bush and John Kerry battled about whether Osama bin Laden had escaped from Tora Bora in the final days of the war in Afghanistan. Bush, Kerry charged, "didn't choose to use American forces to hunt down and kill" the leader of Al Qaeda. The president called his opponent's allegation "the worst kind of Monday-morning quarterbacking." Bush asserted that U.S. commanders on the ground did not know if bin Laden was at the mountain hideaway along the Afghan border.

MILITARY

"Army of One" Means being a Jerk? -- [Assumption of Command - in Iraq]
Jack Army Pointed me to this post by Gordon about recent Recruiting Commercials.
I haven't been able to see these commercials. They don't put to many recruiting commercials on TV here.

I was never a fan of the Army of One Slogan. (but ...

Recruiting Numbers Up or Down? --[Jack Army]
Well, let's figure it out, shall we?

Let's start here, at the Intel Dump:
You'll be pleased to hear that "The Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force met or exceeded their active duty recruiting goals in July. The data in the report breaks down like this...

U.S. Army Hits July Recruiting Goal -- [Target Centermass]
The good news? July makes it two successful months in a row for Army recruiting and, hey, that makes it a winning streak. The bad news? It doesn?t look good for fiscal year 2005.

UNDER REPORTED

Arabian Shame -- (Washington Post) PG 18
SOME REMAIN skeptical of President Bush's concern for Africa, and there's no doubt that the United States could and should do more. But the latest report on Sudan from the United Nations offers a snapshot of an issue on which Mr. Bush has been a leader. So far this year the United States has given $468 million in foreign assistance to Sudan, mostly for humanitarian relief in the western region of Darfur. The U.S. contribution comes to 53 percent of all outside donations -- a proportion about twice the size of the nation's weight in the global economy

POLITICS

Impossible Day -- [Neptunus Lex]
...Still, it gave me the leisure to reflect upon what I believe to be a certain... inconsistency: I've noticed a tendency of certain of the anti-war set to label those who dare to have a pro-liberation viewpoint, and who themselves lack military service, as "chickenhawks." Stupid, I know - everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and there's no inherent value which adheres to the purely political side of a military decision, merely because it came from a military mind: If there are fewer idiots in the military than in the society at large, it's as likely due to the fact that we have a smaller pool to choose from, than from any special selectivity. Ideas have value independent of the value of the opinion holders, or else they are well and truly worthless, nu? Marketplace of ideas, and all that. And it didn't seem fair that an anti view could be held without service, but that a pro view was otherwise inauthentic. But there it is...

MSM REPORTS ON POLITICS

Bush: Ride'Em, Cowboy! -- (Newsweek)
During his monthlong departure from D.C., President Bush will cycle without the secrecy that normally surrounds his long weekend rides. The idea: to "demonstrate the importance of physical fitness," says White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan.

THE MEDIA

The only good wounded soldier -- [Chrenkoff]
"Like the rest of the 13,877 Americans wounded in Iraq, Rodgers has a story to tell." But Terry Rodgers isn't just your typical wounded veteran:

MSM REPORTS ON THE MEDIA

Antiwar Activists Decry Media's Role In Promoting Pentagon Event -- (Washington Post)...David Montgomery
Organizers of next month's planned antiwar demonstrations yesterday criticized media organizations, including The Washington Post, for co-sponsoring with the Department of Defense an event to remember the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks and to support the troops in Iraq.

MSM REPORTS ON MILBLOGGING

The New Ernie Pyles: Sgtlizzie and 67cshdocs -- (Washinton Post)...Jonathan Finer
There were no reporters riding shotgun on the highway north of Baghdad when a roadside bomb sent Sgt. Elizabeth Le Bel's Humvee lurching into a concrete barrier. The Army released a three-sentence statement about the incident in which her driver, a fellow soldier, was killed. Most news stories that day noted it briefly.

PODCASTING

Podcast for Aug 10th - Two Good Stories -- [A Soldier's Angel - Holly Aho]
Here's the podcast for today yesterday! In this podcast I talk about 2 stories that I had mentioned last spring in my blog, but they are great stories so I thought I'd share them in a podcast. Both are great positive stories about different people that have gone the extra mile in supporting our troops. I hope you enjoy it

HUMOR

ACLU: Effort to Marginalize Indians Succeeding -- [ScrappleFace]
The nationwide campaign to drum American Indians out of the public square chalked up another win this week as NORAD announced it would stop using Indian names to describe its air defense exercises. This follows last week's decision by the NCAA to ban Indian mascots from its college sports tournaments.

IN MEMORY OF...

Original Blue Angel pilot dies at age 86 -- (CNN News)...Larry Shaughnessy
A man whose pioneering flying career with the U.S. Navy began in the age of biplanes and ended in the jet age has died. Retired Navy Capt. Roy "Butch" Voris, an original Blue Angel, died at his home in Monterey, California. He was 86.

(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)