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

Zarqawi in defiance of his master?s warning? -- [Iraq the Model - an Iraqi in Iraq]
Abu Musaab Al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq said in an audio tape dated October 7 that the militants under the principles of Islam have what justifies killing civilian infidels.

Advice from Al Qaeda -- [Austin Bay]
Filed under: General? site admin @ 10:26 am
For months StrategyPage and several commentators (including me) have been arguing that Zarqawi?s bloodbath in Iraq has damaged Al Qaeda politically. Middle Eastern media haven?t hidden the attacks on Iraqi civilians and the relentless murder of Shias. Zarqawi is at war with the Iraqi people.

Minutemen, Mosques and the Geneva Convention -- [Bill Roggio - Fourth Rail]
The jihadis continue to violate the laws of warfare. In Ramadi, insurgents used a school as an ammunitions depot. In Haditha, the "minutemen" used a mosque as a firing point and a shrine to store various weapons. CNN producer Arwa Damon, who is embedded with the 3rd Battalion 1st Marines, reports:

Downward spiral -- [Iraq Calling - in Iraq]
I've been following developments in Iraq closely. I'm confident that progess is happening. The current offensive along the Euphrates is a good sign. That so many Iraqi troops are involved in the fight is better. It means the center of insurgent operations is getting further and further from population centers and butting up against the Syrian border.

The Metaphor -- [Sisyphus Today... - in Iraq]
The IED that caused that crater would have taken out my side of the truck and me along with it. But strangely, I had no real reaction to that consideration; no fear, no shock, no feeling of fortune. Nothing except the idea that it signified something.

6th CAG improving lives in Fallujah -- [ Live in Iraq]
The Marines of the 6th Civil Affairs Group, 2nd Marine Division, arrived in Iraq several weeks ago, launching humanitarian operations in Al Anbar province.

The purpose of the CAG is to connect with the local Iraqi community and government, and promote good relations.

Iraq Pictures - Saturday, October 08, 2005 -- [Iraq Pictures - in Iraq]
U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to USS Nimitz's (CVN 68) rescue and assistance team approach a dhow that was taking on water and later sank in the Persian Gulf. Nimitz rescued the seven fishermen before the dhow sank. Because no one died, the American media declined to run the story.

Choices -- [A Soldier's Thoughts - in Iraq]
Everyone has choices. I have made mine and must live with them. My choices have me thousands of miles from home for the second time, with weapon in hand. I find myself surprised at times, wondering how it came to be that I am where I am, but then I look behind me and I can see every turn that brought me here.

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

Sunni Arabs Urge 'No' Vote in Referendum -- (AP)
TIKRIT, Iraq - Politicians in Saddam Hussein's hometown urged Sunni Arabs to vote "no" in next week's constitutional referendum and insurgents killed one Iraqi and injured 10 with roadside bombs and drive-by shootings on Saturday. On Friday, six Marines were killed by bombs as the U.S. military announced it had completed a major sweep in western Iraq aimed at suppressing al-Qaida militants before the constitutional vote.

Bulgaria postpones Iraqi pullout -- (The News International)
SOFIA: Bulgaria said Friday it would postpone pulling its 380-strong troop contingent out of Iraq until after general elections there in December. "We will stay until December 15 and begin to w...

Al-Qaida tells terror chief to kill people less brutally -- (The Guardian)
Al-Qaida has urged its commander in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, to shoot rather than behead hostages because brutal executions alienate the Muslim world, according to American officials.

Zarqawi Justifies Killing Of Civilians -- (Washington Times)...Reuters News Agency
Iraq's al Qaeda leader Abu Musab Zarqawi said militants were justified under Islam in killing civilians as long as they are infidels, according to a new audiotape attributed to him yesterday.

Fears Of Death Squads Swirl -- (Houston Chronicle)...Sinan Salaheddin, Associated Press
The 22 bodies, lined up in coffins in a mosque courtyard Friday, are as shriveled as ancient mummies after lying a month in the desert where they were dumped, bound and bullet-ridden. They were Sunni Arabs, rounded up from their Baghdad homes one night by men in police uniforms.

British Army Strikes Back Against The Shia Renegades In Basra -- (London Daily Telegraph)...Adrian Blomfield
British troops wrested Basra from the control of Iranian-backed renegades yesterday, arresting 12 police officers and suspected militia commanders in a series of overnight raids.

Ministers In Dock Over Missing Billions -- (London Times)...James Hider
FIVE former Iraqi ministers who held posts in the interim Government installed by the United States last year are facing charges of corruption and abuse of power, a senior Iraqi judge said yesterday.

The Clock Is Ticking In Iraq -- (San Francisco Chronicle)...Douglas A. Borer
...To win the war in Iraq, Bush must start by firing some generals, not because they can serve as scapegoats for a failed policy, but because the United States has a military problem that it has not faced up to. Despite what critics say, the war is not lost, and a military-directed solution, rather than a purely political one, is still possible in Iraq. The overarching objective of democratizing Iraq need not change, but democracy will be stillborn if the insurgency remains vibrant. Wars are run by generals, and thus far, no U.S. general has been able to show progress in the counter-insurgency campaign in Iraq.

DOD REPORTS ON IRAQ

IRAQI ARMY TAKES CONTROL OF FOUR BAGHDAD DISTRICTS
BAGHDAD, Iraq ? The Iraqi Army reached another historic milestone when the 6th Iraqi Army Division took over authority of the Kharkh, Rusafa, Thawra and Adhamiyah districts of Baghdad from Task Force Baghdad during a ceremony at the Muthana Airfield Oct. 3.

Iraqi Forces 'Unbelievably Better,' General Says -- {Defense Link}
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2005 ? Iraq's security forces are better organized and more combat-ready than they were a year ago, a senior U.S. military officer told reporters here Oct. 6.

OPERATION IRON FIST CONCLUDES -- {Centcom}
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq ? Approximately 1,000 Marines, Soldiers and Sailors assigned to Regimental Combat Team ?2 concluded Operation Kabda Bil Hadid, or Iron Fist in English in the Al Qa?im region of Western Al Anbar late on Oct. 6.

IRAQI, U.S. FORCES NAB 34 TERROR SUSPECTS -- {Centcom}
BAGHDAD, Iraq ? Task Force Baghdad Soldiers teamed up with Iraqi Special Police Commandos to conduct a series of raids in south Baghdad Oct. 6 and netted 34 terror suspects.

Four potable water systems will benefit 31,000 people
Baghdad, Iraq? More than 31,000 Iraqi citizens in the Ninewa and Basrah Governorates are expected to benefit from the construction of four potable water projects. These compact potable water treatment plants and the installation of deep wells, pumps and distribution networks in Ninewa and Basrah were identified by Provincial Regional Development Committees and local authorities in conjunction with the Ministry of Municipality and Public Works.

AFGHANISTAN

HIgh HIgh High -- [Siegrist Blog - in Afghanistan]
Today BW was back up on the hill looking for effects of the Casa Plane crash from last winter. The sad part was that not much was left over. Seems most of it had been carried off by the hill people. But the good news was BW validated the Mtn. Tng. that was done a few months ago.

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

NATO Prepares for Expanded Afghan Mission -- (AP)
CHAGCHARAN, Afghanistan -- Wrecked Soviet warplanes line the dirt airstrip in this remote NATO outpost, a stark warning to the alliance as it plans a major expansion of its peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan....

Mass Grave Haunts The Afghan Election -- (London Daily Telegraph)...Tom Coghlan
Bleached human bones protruding from the sand of a drainage ditch in the southern Afghan province of Paktika have led government officials to what they believe is a war crime.

4 Afghan Police Officers Slain In Error By U.S. -- (Los Angeles Times)...Times Wire Services
U.S. troops engaged in combat with militants killed four Afghan policemen after mistaking them for the enemy, officials of both nations said Friday.

DOD REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

COALITION INVESTIGATING 4 AFGHAN POLICE DEATHS, 1 WOUNDED NEAR GERESHK -- {Centcom}
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan ? U.S. and Coalition forces are investigating an incident where four Afghan National Policemen were killed and another was wounded near Gereshk in the Helmand Province yesterday.

Joint U.S.-Afghan Patrol Combs Zormat Area -- {Defense Link}
ZORMAT, Afghanistan, Oct. 6, 2005 ? U.S. Army paratroopers from 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and Afghan National Army soldiers recently conducted security patrols and searched for criminals in the Zormat area.

Paratroopers Train Afghan Troops on Artillery -- {Defense Link}
SALERNO, Afghanistan, Oct. 7, 2005 ? For Afghan National Army soldiers, the opportunity to see American artillery at work came during a recent visit to Forward Operating Base Salerno.

OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

GSPC: "Defeating Evil America" Will Bring Peace to Algeria -- [Counterterroism Blog]
In a new communique dated September 27, the top commander of the Algerian Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat (GSPC) Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud has addressed an Algerian government amnesty proposal for Islamic militants willing to lay down their arms.

From my cold, dead hands... -- [CounterCoulumn]
The U.S. owes it to free and to oppressed peoples all over the globe to maintain control over the Internet, and keep it out of the hands of China, North Korea, and the Arab thugocracies.

Mouloud School Renovations (Doing Great Things X)
MOILED, Djibouti - Members of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa joined the Mouloud community in Djibouti, Africa, and area officials to celebrate the dedication of the Mouloud Primary School Sept. 26.

In The Wake Of Michael Moore -- [Barbarian Envoy - in S Korea]
J H and I just returned from the Haeundae Megabox where JH and I saw the PIFF premiere of Korean-American novice director/writer/camera-holder Mora Stephens? Conventioneers. All I need to say is, that it exceeded my expectations. If you know me, you would know I intentionally pad my own skepticism to keep from becoming disappointed. For a movie with cameos from Al Franken, Michael Moore, and the Rev.Jesse Jackson, I?m willing to allow that a better film could be made with another screenplay, another cast, and any other political topic.

MSM REPORTS ON OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Hundreds Dead in Powerful Asian Earthquake -- (AP)
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake reduced villages to rubble in Pakistan and India on Saturday, killing hundreds of people. Pakistan's army described the damage as widespread and said it included villages buried in quake-induced landslides.

Guantanamo Hunger Strike Labeled 'Serious' -- (Globe and Mail)...Reuters
The International Committee of the Red Cross said yesterday the situation was serious inside the US Guantanamo Bay prison camp, where a number of prisoners are on hunger strike.

Merkel To Be Chancellor After Deal With SPD -- (London Financial Times)...Hugh Williamson and Bertrand Benoit
The Christian Democrat leader Angela Merkel is set to replace Gerhard Schr? as Germany's next chancellor, in a political deal that will see the departure of Mr Schr? from the political stage, senior members of the ruling Social Democrats have told the Financial Times.

KATRINA

150 More Buses Went Unused in New Orleans Evacuation -- [Wizbang]
If you were the Mayor of New Orleans and you needed busses fast to evacuate the city, would you:

Those Doggone Marines Are Lucky We Were There -- [Camp Katrina]
In spite of a stalemate following a heroic battle to set up a massive mutant tent in the soggy Mississippi gloom on our first night at Stennis International Airport, we Army National Guard soldiers of Ohio?s 73rd Troop Command were confident that, when daylight came, the rest of our shelters would be conquered lickety-split.

The Guard and Katrina Relief -- [Miserable Donuts - back from New Orleans]
First, a note on timing. The National Guard Bureau had sent out it's version of "calling all cars" on August 31, 2005. The National Guard of every State, Territory, Commonwealth and the District of Columbia was put into motion. I, myself, was at my armory and ready on September 2nd - and I was part of the second wave of troops heading into LA or MS. Anyone saying that the decision to put troops into the situation was too slow is simply wrong.

No help for Katrina victims from Leahy -- [Cool Blue Blog]
Back on September 19, I proposed some "earmarks" destined for Vermont that might be cut from the budget to help pay for Katrina relief.

One such program I figured the state could do without was the construction and rehabilitation of the

MSM REPORTS ON KATRINA

Nagin Hopes Casinos Will Attract Tourists -- (AP)
NEW ORLEANS - Mayor C. Ray Nagin hopes to attract tourists and their cash back to his ravaged city with an "out-of-the-box" plan to install Las Vegas-style gambling in the city's biggest hotels. Nagin put forth the casino proposal Friday as a way to jump-start New Orleans' economy and help its people get back to work in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

La. Senators Fight Over Aid for Katrina -- (AP)
WASHINGTON -- Louisiana's bipartisan front in seeking federal help to recover from Hurricane Katrina crumbled Friday as the state's senators - a Democrat and a Republican - fought over whether their local governments should have to repay federal loans to keep essential services operating....

Labor Crunch Hits New Orleans -- (Washington Post)...Ben White
A lack of skilled contractors promises to make post-hurricane reconstruction slow and painful.

MSM REPORTS ON TERRORISM

N.Y. Threat Tip Came From Source In Iraq -- (Washington Post)...Bradley Graham and Spencer S. Hsu
The information that led Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg to raise a public alert about a "specific threat" against New York City's subway system originated in Baghdad from an Iraqi informant who approached U.S. authorities in the past two weeks, U.S. officials said yesterday.

NYC Attack Was Scheduled for Sunday -- (AP)
NEW YORK - Details emerged about an alleged plot to attack the city's subways with bombs hidden in bags and possibly baby strollers as local and federal officials jostled over the credibility of the threat. A Department of Homeland Security memo obtained by The Associated Press said the attack was reportedly scheduled to take place on or around Sunday, with terrorists using timed or remote-controlled explosives hidden in briefcases, suitcases or in or under strollers.

Evil Snitch Boasted: 'Too Late' To Halt Killers -- (New York Post)...Niles Lathem and Andy Soltis
The al Qaeda member who triggered New York's subway alert told the anti-terror squad that arrested him they were "too late," it was reported yesterday.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Halloween Ideas For Our Troops -- [Holly Aho - A Soldier's Angel]
Here are a few ideas for supporting our troops during the holidays (specifically Halloween since it's the next one coming up) that are fun to do for adults as well as kids. The first idea is one for kids to do with the help of their parents. Kids love to trick or treat, dress up and get all that candy, and with this idea they can do that with an additional purpose.

A Voice For Military Families -- [Andi's World]
Two weeks ago outside of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, I was fortunate enough to meet a wonderful woman, Becky Davis.

Even in the Rain, A Good Night at Walter Reed -- [The Gunn Nutt]
Neither rain nor snow nor gloom of night, will keep the FReepers from their fight - against the tyranny of commie-Pinkos that haunt the gates of Walter Reed. Not surprisingly, there was a pretty sparse crowd tonight, but the faithful showed up in sufficient numbers to again out-do the hippies.

Last few pictures -- [Steven Keil - in Iraq]
Below are the last pictures of the stuffed animals and soccer balls. Hopefully, in the next week or two, I'll get some more pictures of us delivering them from the helicopter.

Thanks again to all of you who donated the things, and for all of you who supported us through the year.

MILBLOGS

Published Milblogs -- [Doc in the Box]
There?s a flood of War Memoirs coming out of Iraq over the next few weeks and NPR?s Talk of the Nation did an audio story with guests, Colby Buzzell of the blog, My War and book My War: Killing Time in Iraq (rank # 2703 at Amazon) and Nate Fick, Author of One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer (rank #364 at Amazon).

Another blogger whom I know personally is also coming out with a book.

MILITARY

Veteran Wants Wiccan Symbol on Headstone -- [Andi's World]
Well, this is certainly unusual. Or is it?

SEATTLE Christians get a cross. Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist veterans are allowed to have their religious symbols engraved on military headstones.

So a Seattle-area Navy veteran thinks he should be allowed to have the symbol of his Wiccan faith on his marker when he goes.

Did you know that the Department of Defense doesn't allow such a symbol, although they've recognized the Pagan tradition?

MSM REPORTS ON MILITARY

Criteria On Test Scores Relaxed For Army -- (Baltimore Sun)...Tom Bowman
Faced with the toughest recruiting climate in nearly a decade, Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey told reporters this week that he would begin accepting more people who score in the bottom third on the military's aptitude test. What Harvey didn't say was that the Army has already done that.

ENLISTING

Enlistment Day -- [Desultory Butterfly]
I'll never forget this day...ever. It began first on Sunday evening. I hadn't heard from my recruiter all day and I was bit freaked out because I knew I was enlisting Monday morning and had to be at MEPS at 5:30am. Finally, recruiter calls at 10:30pm. Let's just say that he partied so damn hard that he didn't call me until then. He tells me to call him at 3:30am to make sure he's up so he can pick me up. If not then I'll just drive over there and he'll take me from there. I was thinking, watch my ass get pulled over on the way there, too.

POLITICS

President Bush - Calling It Like It Is -- [Holly Aho - A Soldier's Angel]
Did you miss the speech given by President Bush yesterday? Not surprisingly, it wasn't covered in the MSM. He got all the big words right and said them faster than a tongue twister - not how they'd like him to be portrayed I guess....smart and on top of things. Atlas Shrugs has the entire speech transcript, along with a link to watch the video.

Cruciphobia, Revisited -- [Smash - Indepundit]
A CALIFORNIA JUDGE has ruled that San Diego's Proposition A, a voter initiative to preserve the Mt. Soledad War Memorial by transferring the property to the National Parks Service, is unconstitutional. The proposition, which was approved in July by over 75 percent of San Diego voters, has now been invalidated by the opinion of one judge.

MSM REPORTS ON POLITICS

Poll: Groups Unhappy With Bush Performance -- (AP)
WASHINGTON - Critical elements in President Bush's political coalition have grown less enthusiastic about the job he is doing, an AP-Ipsos poll found. That's a troubling development for a president trying to firm up his base of support. Evangelical voters, Republican men, Southerners and Protestants have lost some intensity in their support for the president since the beginning of this year.

The Right, on Fire Over Miers -- (Washington Post)...Colbert I. King
If Harriet Miers is capable of causing the right to weep, wail and gnash its teeth, she can't be all bad.

THE MEDIA

CNN and the Iraqi Army -- [One Marine's View - in Iraq]
On the topic of CNN here is a news flash, the footage they use isn?t even the right places they talk about. Their reporters hang out in Baghdad and report stuff about a good 24hrs late.

Bush Rips Ungodly Tale About Wars -- (New York Post)...Ian Bishop
The White House yesterday blasted an upcoming BBC documentary that claims President Bush told Palestinian leaders that God instructed him to invade Afghanistan and Iraq.

MSM REPORTS ON MEDIA

LEGENDARY UK JOURNALIST DAVID FROST JOINS AL-JAZEERA... (BBC News) - via Drudge
Sir David is to appear on al-Jazeera International, the pan-Arab news network's new English-language channel, due to be launched next spring.

HUMOR

President Hints at Greenspan Replacement -- [Scrappleface]
In the midst of a Republican firestorm over his so-called 'stealth' appointment of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court, President George Bush today would only hint at who he has in mind to replace Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who will retire January 31, after 18 years steering the nation's monetary policy.

CONGRATS

TTLB's Wild Ride -- Daves not Here - in Iraq]
As a metric for measuring my performance in the blogosphere I have been using the TTLB Ecosystem, and watching my blog evolution very closely. It has taken several weeks, and a lot of effort to bring attention to dave's not here without feeling as though I'm trying to game the system. My climb has been rewarding as I've seen the blog go from Flippery Fish to Large Mammal status in about a three month period of steady work.

WELCOME HOME

Home... Finally. -- [A Storm In Afghanistan - home from Afghanistan]
I am home.

Finally.

It was quite the journey. Originally, we'd been booked out on a Lufthansa flight direct to Frankfurt.

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