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

Fresh food --[MREater - in Iraq]
We left after breakfast to drive to the far southern edge of our area, to meet with a sheik to discuss various matters. He was supposed to be around his home for about three days, so we drove out to see him.

REMINISCENCING THE GOOD OLE DAYS --[2005 Tour of Duty - in Iraq]
While talking to this farmer he begin talking of another time and place in his past when life was much simplier and things were different. We traded stories of record crop years and I listened as he shared his vision of the future. (pic)

Building the Backbone --[Major K - in Iraq]
While visiting 1st Brigade a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to spend some time at the Mini-NCO Academy that they had set up with the help of their MiTT Team. It was one of those experiences that really gives one hope.

Lines between crime and the insurgency --[Phil and Becky]
I wrote a little while ago about how sometimes the lines between criminal behavior and insurgent behavior can blur. We got an example of that recently.

Controlling Ramadi --[The Fourth Rail]
The situation in Ramadi is still unclear. Coalition and media reports are sparse on the subject of Ramdi, but it does appear operations are occurring, accompanied by an up tick in violence.

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

Car bombs in Iraq kill more than 110 --[Reuters]
Car bombs have killed more than 110 people, 25 of them children, in a surge of violence in Iraq ahead of an October 15 referendum on a new constitution.

Officials Fear Chaos if Iraqis Vote Down the Constitution --[NY Times]
Senior American officials say they are confident that Iraq's draft constitution will be approved in the referendum to be held Oct. 15, even though Sunni Arabs in Iraq are mobilizing in large numbers to defeat it.

Military Leaders Bring Mixed Message on Iraq to Capitol Hill --[NY Times]
An array of top American military leaders sought today to reassure Congress about progress in Iraq, but they made clear that American troops could begin withdrawing next year only if the country remained on its democratizing track and Syria and Iran stayed out of their neighbor's affairs.

AFGHANISTAN

Good News From Afghanistan vol.17: Sept 28/05 --[Winds of Change]
Anyone who has served or worked in Iraq and Afghanistan knows that it's a team effort. People step up, and we honor their service. Then they go, and others step up to take their place.

Ramp ceremonies, ISAF, and playing ball --[Going Down Range - in Afghanistan]
Over the past week I have been to three ramp ceremonies. One was for a French soldier who was killed right before the election. Soldiers from all the militaries on KAF lined up and rendered a salute as a coffin draped with the French tricolor was placed in front of the ramp of a French Armee de l?Air (Air Force) C-130.

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

Roadside bomb wounds four US troops in Afghanistan --[Reuters]
Four U.S. troops were wounded on Friday when their armoured vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb blast in the eastern Afghan province of Kunar, the U.S. military said.

OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Why Light Water Reactors Won't Work --[GI Korea]
Most people that follow the whole North Korea nuclear crisis know that North Korea won't give up their nuclear weapons just like we know the US won't build a light water reactor for the North Koreans as well.

UN Allows Kosovo War to Continue --[America's Liberty Security Force]
It has finally been reported that the conditions in Kosovo are not only bad, they are getting worse by the day. A whistle-blower from the UN, an ex-employee, has spoken to Sherrie Gossett of CNSNews.

MSM REPORTS ON OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

EU Wants International Control of Internet --[AP]
The European Union insisted Friday that governments and the private sector must share the responsibility of overseeing the Internet, setting the stage for a showdown with the United States on the future of Internet governance.

TERRORISM

Abu Azzam al-Iraqi: In His Own Words --[The Counterterrorism Blog]
Given the controversy that has erupted--and in an attempt to shed more light on the precise role of Abu Azzam al-Iraqi within Al-Qaida's Committee in Iraq--I am now making available a transcript of comments that Abu Azzam made during an Al-Qaida video recording released in December 2004.

Why Individuals Do and Do Not Matter in the Insurgency --[The Counterterrorism Blog]
The debate over whether the recently-killed Abu Azzam is really the second in command to Zarqawi in Iraq or an important figure in the insurgency, reminds me of how little we know of the internal structures of the enemy there, and, in a broader sense, of the al Qaeda network.

MSM REPORTS ON TERRORISM

US warns of possible terror in China's northwest --[Reuters]
The United States has warned American travellers to be vigilant against a terrorist attack in China's restive northwestern region of Xinjiang after Beijing told police there to be prepared for danger.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

It?s Over (230 Miles Of Fun) --[A Soldier's Perspective]
Big Bear was our release point where riders could stick around and enjoy BBQ or take off whenever they wanted. When we arrived at the Hot Spot in Big Bear I counted 52 motorcycles. We were able to raise over $600 on the ride. All $600 is being donated to three different groups that support our deployed soldiers and marines and their families...

From the bottom of my heart, I say THANK YOU! --[Soldiers Angels Germany]
I am writing to say thank you! Your beautiful eagle blanket made it's way around my fiance's shoulder!

Rodney is a medic, stationed about 50 miles north east of Baghdad. On the sixteenth of this month, his vehicle ran over a land mine. Rodney's injuries were mainly to his face....

Opportunities for you to support our troops (and their families) --[Soldiers Angel - Holly Aho]
Here are a few opportunities for you to help support our troops. Each one of these is important so pick one (or two) that you think best works for you.

We have a new Hero! --[This Soldier's Angel Journey]
Ok, so last night, put together a box for my newly adopted soldier David. Put the basics, cleaning wipes, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, washcloth and of course had to throw in some goodies to eat. Checked my email and have received an e-mail from one of our soldiers we sent a letter to from the Letter Writing Team. Here is what he wrote...

MILITARY

Successful Missile Defense Mission --[America's Liberty Security Force]
The Pentagon has successfully tested an upgraded surveillance radar in Alaska.
A long-range ballistic missile was fired across the face of the Cobra Dane radar on Shemya island in Alaska.

MSM REPORTS ON MILITARY

Army Faces Worst Recruiting Slump in Years --[AP]
The Army is closing the books on one of the leanest recruiting years since it became an all-volunteer service three decades ago, missing its enlistment target by the largest margin since 1979 and raising questions about its plans for growth.

POLITICS

A New Chief Justice --[Eric's Grumbles Before the Grave]
A few excerpts from his testimony before Congress should be interesting to those of us who believe the Constitution means what it says, not what we wish it said...

Gov. Blanco Sticks Up Senators: "No Questions. Hand Over Your Wallets" --[GM's Corner]
Director Michael D. Brown's charge that Louisiana officials were "dysfunctional" in handling the Hurricane Katrina disaster. She said that she wouldn't answer any questions, they said okay, and she asked for $40 Billion for job creation in her state. No questions, but where's my check?

The Indictment Was Earle's Finish Line --[Media Blog]
I?m going to write more later about this Tom DeLay interview with Wolf Blitzer, but I wanted to post the video and this comment from DeLay as soon as possible, because it?s important that people know what?s really going on right now.

MSM REPORTS ON POLITICS

Bush poll numbers improve in Rita aftermath --[Reuters]
Bush's approval rating climbed to 45 percent in a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll taken September 26-28, up from 40 percent in a similar poll taken a week ago.

Bush nearing decision on next Supreme Court pick --[Reuters]
With John Roberts installed as U.S. chief justice, President George W. Bush on Thursday appeared to be nearing a decision on who should fill a second Supreme Court vacancy, and an announcement was likely soon.

THE MEDIA

Liberal Times? --[ROFASix]
Am I too hard on the ?Times? or does it really have a bias in what it reports and how it reports it?
Here are the 10 Most Read Articles on NYTimes.com since Sept. 1...

Awright, take a chill pill! --[The Anchoress]
There is quite a testy little storm a-brewin? between CBS?s new media blog, Public Eye, and blogfather Hugh Hewitt....At the heart of both fights is the question: What - in these changing times - defines a journalist? While a journalist can also be a blogger, is it out of the question for a blogger to be a journalist?

Times Reporter Free From Jail; She Will Testify --[NY Times]
Judith Miller agreed to testify in the C.I.A. leak case after she obtained a waiver offered by her source, I. Lewis Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff.

THE MILBLOG FAMILY

The.Worst.Callout.Ever? --[Mostly Cajun]
My cellphone rang. I didn?t recognize the number that showed in the display. I answered.
The voice was immediately and unmistakeably familiar. ?Hey. Where?re you at??

?I just left the firetrucks rolling up hoses. My house just burned down.? I wasn?t ready to deal with people just yet, and here was this PERSON. An old friend and a client, but still, I didn?t want to deal with anyone.

NEWS OF THE WEIRD/HUMOR

At Wit's End, a Town Dithers Over Its Millionaire Pest --[NY Times]
Known across Britain by his tabloid nickname, the Lotto Lout, Mr. Carroll won ?9.7 million (about $15 million at the time) in the national lottery three years ago and showed up to collect his prize while wearing a police-issued electronic ankle bracelet.
MG NOTE: You have to read this story - hilarious!

Followed by this story (do I see a weird theme here?)

British Lottery Rapist's Name Kept Secret --[AP]
Critics called on the British government Friday to stop paying to protect the identity of a convicted rapist who won a $12 million lottery jackpot.

Rep. DeLay Admits to 'All Specific Charges' --[Scrappleface]
The three page 'bill of indictment' contains the specific allegation that the Texas lawmaker waived his right to avoid prosecution under the law.

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