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

Live from Iraq: Reports and Pictures -- [No End but Victory]
Reports are starting to come out of Iraq underneath the radar of the Media about how things on the streets, and in the lives of Iraqis engaged in this latest fight to establish Democracy from the ashes of the Hussein regime, are REALLY beginning to unfold. With the grace of God, and the courage of the Iraqi people, a Democracy will be borne to the Iraqi people and they will begin to truly engage in the essence of life, liberty, and the pursuit of their own happiness.

The Parlimentary Elections in Iraq / December 2005 -- [Photos From Iraq - Iraqi in Iraq]
Iraqi ink-stained fingers...
Empty Streets of Baghdad one day before the elections, and Iraqi policemen patrol the deserted streets.

We got our purple fingers!`(Updated) -- [Iraq the Model - Iraqis in Iraq]
We have noticed on our way to the polling station that the streets are much quieter this time than they were back in January.
Of course we did hear a few explosions, probably RPG or mortar fire but nothing compared to the attacks we had last time in number or size….so far at least.

Yes it was the right decision -- [Sooni - an Iraqi in Iraq]
Today I watched and listened to President Bush speech about the "war on Iraq and terrorism" to an audience at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington and I can't say but that his speech made me admire him more and more.

The Purple Revolution -- [The Iraqi Vote]
Very soon, Iraq's mosques will call upon believers to wake up and pray, shortly thereafter, a Greek ghost named DEMOCRACY will call upon all Iraqis, believers and non-believers, Muslims and Christians, Kurds and Arabs, Sunnis and Shi'a, Turkomen and Yezedis, everyone over the age of 18 to go and vote for the first full-term democratic government in the history of this ancient land.

Baghdad with one day to the Elections -- [An Average Iraqi - an Iraqi in Iraq]
In less than 12 hours the poll station will be open. Of course there is a curfew, so we have to walk. But who cares??. This is the biggest elections any Iraqi could ever participate in. Previous elections were important, but this is the big one. This is the one that everyone has been preparing for for at least a month before.

Thursday, December 15, 2005 -- [A Family in Baghdad - Iraqis in Iraq]
Good morning…..
Yesterday I went to vote. These were happy moments for me, for I thought of them as the beginning of welfare for Iraq and the Iraqis, to form a new government, hoping it would be more honest and efficient than the former one, hoping it can fulfill the needs of people and the difficult phase we are all going through, and hoping it would be a beginning to put the destiny of Iraq in the hands of the Iraqis themselves,

Historical Day in Iraq and the Region -- [Hammorabi - an Iraqi in Iraq]
...Iraq today will challenge the terrorism and will vote freely for a government which will stay for 4 years only.

The Iraqis today will show the world that they will vote for the Freedom, Democracy and Civilization. They will vote to say No for the terrorists.

Purple reign -- [Iraqi Pundit - an Iraqi in Canada]
The telephone rang this morning, and my cousin from Baghdad said: "Before I greet you, who did you vote for?"
I said I voted for Allawi.
"You did well!" came the reply.

IRAQIS VOTE: -- [Instapundit]
A multimedia presentation from the Detroit Free Press (Video)

It has begun... -- [Major K - in Iraq]
The polls are now open. I have some predictions to make based on the scuttlebut that I have been hearing from the Iraqis. I will wait to post them until the polls have closed. It is a big day here - obviously. The TOC is buzzing with activity. Other than handling a little computer troubleshooting and coordination with the Coalition Forces, the Iraqis are running this show.

Uh-oh! -- [Argghhh!!]
by 1st Lt. Bob Miller December 12, 2005 Capt. Robert Duchaine, Company B commander, 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, distributes toys to kindergarteners in a school in western Baghdad. Iraqi forces from the 6th Iraqi Army Division also participated in the visit with the U.S. Soldiers. This photo appeared on www.army.mil.
More failure to follow the script. A journalist writes:

Considering another side Think about everything you’ve heard about the conditions in Iraq, the role of U.S. forces, the multi-layered complexities of the war.
Then think again. ...

Mission Accomplished -- [Dude, where's the beach?]
This is what the United States Democratic Party considers a failure.
This is what the rest of the world considers as freedom.

Never forget who stood and fought.
Never forget who wanted to cut and run, leaving these people behind.
Never forget those who gave everything so that Iraq could be free.

Never stop being proud of what we've accomplished.
Never let anyone take that pride away.

To my Brothers and Sisters in arms, and to the Iraqi people...
We did it!

MISSION EIGHT: PURPLE FINGERS -- [Smash]
TIME CRITICAL: IMMEDIATE EXECUTE
This simple idea comes to us from SFC Tim Sumner, US Army (retired).

ORDERS:

1. Go to the MoveOn.org site, enter your zip code, and find out when and where they will be delivering their Cut & Run petitions to the offices of pro-victory Congressmen in your area. ...

What is going on in Iraq? -- [J Barne's Coffee Shop - in Iraq]
...Voting for these people may be the last thing that they do. An insurgent would kill someone for supporting the "new Iraq". If they risk their lives to vote for their new leaders, that will be a large leap in the direction towards a dedicated society in this area. If they are not willing to give their lives for their country's future, then why the hell should I. If you don't fight for your freedom, if someone you love doesn't fight for your freedom, if you don't sacrifice everything you hold dear in your heart for the chance to live your life as a free man, then freedom will mean nothing. Lets see what the people of the Suni Triangle choose, will my fallen comrades lives be given in vain. I do not curse the people of Iraq because we are here, I just hope and pray that we are not here putting our lives on the line for nothing!

Iraqis Protest Against Aljazeera the "Terrorist Channel" -- [Gateway Pundit]
Iraqis demonstrate in the southern city of Basra to protest against what they claimed were defamatory comments about Shiite Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani aired on Al-Jazeera television. A massive security clampdown brought Iraq close to a halt on the eve of a key election aimed at restoring full sovereignty and stability to the turbulent country.

Foot Patrol - Part 1-- [Greg Notes - in Iraq]
This is a rather large video…
Foot Patrol through Haswah. This is part 1 of many. I will post them in parts and then when finished I will post the whole video. I hope you enjoy it.

Tragedy before the big vote. -- [An independent look at Iraq. - journalist embedded in Iraq]
...Many Sunnis believe the US will leave once the government is seated. It’s something their politicians and imams have told them over and over again during the campaign. While this is true, the departure probably won't happen for many years.

I did just hear some terrible news. Ozzie's brother was just killed by insurgents. I almost lost my brother this week, so I can understand his feelings to a degree. But Ozzie's case is different. He's local and has been targeted before. I don't know why they killed him but I can guess.

U.S. Soldiers Nab 43 Suspects South of Baghdad -- [Iraqi bounty hunter]
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2005 – Task Force Baghdad soldiers detained 43 suspected terrorists during recent operations conducted to ensure a safe environment for Iraq's upcoming national elections, military officials in Baghdad reported today.
On Dec. 10, soldiers discovered a house containing an makeshift bomb and detained four suspected terrorists in separate incidents

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly -- [TBone's War Journal]
There's lots of good things to see in Iraq. We have soldiers helping people. There are people smiling there, and people starting to see the light of a brand new way of life. The chance at a new, free, united government. The Iraqi people have been making the best of a bad situation for decades, so they are pretty resilient. The good is out there, but it is rarely reported and so the American public doesn't know. When we (MilBloggers) talk about it, people want to paint us as pollyannas.

Report from Fallujah: Courage under fire -- [Marine Corps Moms]
Another email from the front (passed along by JHD), this one by a wounded Marine who provides excellent insight into the third iteration of this war as his men engage in "fighting the enemy, protecting the innocent, aiding the weak, defending one another".

The Shitty Ribbon Cutting -- [Those Wacky Iraqis - in Iraq]
Today we had a special event. We built a pumping station for sewage over the course of a few months and it was opened today. It was a big challenge and we were quite proud even though it was something as simple as a pump station. The challenges in this theater to just conduct normal construction are extreme.

It may seem bizarre to have a ribbon cutting ceremony for a sewage station but we try and put some celebration in every event here.

A Day for Happy Tears -- [Some Soldier's Mom]
It has been a long year... a long year... sometimes, I feel like I've aged 10! I have had excited emails from a number of 3rd Brigade moms and wives -- even a girlfriend or two. They do not make a meter that can measure this excitement as it builds. Last week the mood was a little blue about the Guys not being home for Christmas, but this week, this letter was posted on the Brigade's website. As I read this letter, tears sprang to my eyes... THE DAY is really coming.... A Day for Happy Tears! ...

Army Arm-Cycle -- [Camp Katrina]
Major John Worthington was good enough to toss us this great story from Army Public Affairs that will put a big ol' smile on your faces, Katrina Campers. Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment recently delivered something a bit out of the ordinary to one small farming village: an “arm-cycle” for an Iraqi man who lost his legs as a teenager. From the story:

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

U.S. Military, Insurgents Agree On Vote Truce -- (Washington Times)...Paul Martin (link coming soon)
After months of painstaking dialogue, U.S. officials have persuaded most of the main insurgent groups to cease violence for today's election and its immediate aftermath, U.S. officials said yesterday

Scattered attacks fail to disrupt big Iraq vote -- (Reuters)
BAGHDAD - Only scattered insurgent attacks marred Iraq's election on Thursday as disaffected Sunni Arabs joined in the vote, determined to have more say in government.

With delight and fervor, Iraqis cast ballots -- (Reuters)
BAGHDAD - There may not be the same sense of history this time round, but the joy and determination of Iraqi voters emerging from dictatorship is still evident.

One step at a time in Iraq -- (LA Times)
TODAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS in Iraq should represent a major step toward getting substantial numbers of U.S. troops out of the country — soon. Those elected will choose a government that is...

Polls open as blast hits Baghdad -- (Reuters)
BAGHDAD- Iraqis began voting on Thursday for their first four-year parliament since the fall of Saddam Hussein, with young and old walking to polling sites as a blast echoe...

7,655 candidates are contesting elections -- (Khaleej Times /AFP)
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s electoral commission has finalised the facts and figures for today’s historic general election in which 7,655 candidates are competing for 275 seats in parliament.

Pentagon loses responsibility for rebuilding Iraq -- (Financial Times)
| President George W. Bush yesterday announced that the State Department would lead all US post-conflict reconstruction, a move that supercedes the controversial decision to give that task to the Pent...

AFGHANISTAN

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

Gunmen Kill Cleric in Southern Afghanistan -- (Arab News)
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, 15 December 2005 — Unidentified gunmen riding motorcycles yesterday shot dead a well-known pro-government Islamic cleric in Afghanistan’s volatile southern cit...

Afghan govt dismisses Taliban order against Karzai -- (The News International)
KABUL: The Afghan government on Tuesday dismissed as propaganda an order from the Taliban for Muslims to unite against President Hamid Karzai and his international backers.

U.S. Soldier Killed in Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- A U.S. soldier was killed and another wounded in a firefight with insurgents Thursday in southern Afghanistan, the military said...

WAR ON TERROR / TERRORISM

Thursday Winds of War: 15DEC05 --[ Winds of Change]
Welcome! Our goal at Winds of Change.NET is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from the global War on Terror that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused every Monday & Thursday.

The Thursday Winds of War briefing is compiled weekly by Colt of Eurabian Times and Steve Schippert (aka USMC_Vet) of ThreatsWatch.

The Bottom Line…The USA PATRIOT Act Saves Lives -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
As a former senior executive of the FBI, responsible for terrorist financing, the investigative initiatives I oversaw were direct beneficiaries of the USA PATRIOT Act. Make no mistake about it; the PATRIOT Act facilitates investigative success. The ultimate beneficiaries of such success are the American people. Why is it that certain members of the House and Senate choose to overlook this basic fact? After all, isn’t ensuring our safety and security a paramount responsibility of our elected officials?

MSM REPORTS ON TERRORISM

FRANCE: THREE AL-QAEDA LINKED SUSPECTS ARRESTED -- (AKI)
Paris, 15 Dec. - French anti-terror police on Thursday arrested three suspects they believe have "indirect" links to al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, The swoop, carried out in the northern Oise region, was similar to a series of raids on Monday that led to the arrests of 25 suspects, police spokeswoman Catherine Casteran was quoted as saying. She provided no further immediate details of Thursday's arrests.

TERRORISM: NEW EVIDENCE FOR POLISH CIA JAILS DISCLOSED -- (AKI)
Warsaw, 14 Dec. - Evidence is mounting for the existence of secret CIA prisons in Poland, located in an "internal zone" within the Stare Kiejkuty military training complex in the northeast of the country, according to a report due to be published in the German weekly Stern on Thursday. Stern's disclosures back allegations made by the US Washington Post in early November that the CIA hid and interrogated al-Qaida suspects at Soviet-era compounds in Eastern Europe, as well as other countries such as Afghanistan and Thailand.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

An Anonymous Angel -- [Soldiers' Angels New York]
Two little girls in Brighton, New York who are coping with an extraordinary loss are getting an extraordinary gift from an anonymous person their grandparents call "an angel."

When Michael Pernaselli left for Iraq, he asked his parents to take care of his daughters. A petty officer first class in the US Navy, Pernaselli, 27, was killed in a suicide bombing attack on an Iraqi oil terminal in the Persian Gulf on April 24, 2004. Since Michael's death, his parents have kept their promise and are raising 5-year-old Dominique and 4-year-old Nicole.

But, the Pernaselli's found out that someone else is watching out for them too.

Spec.-Ops Brand and Soldiers' Angels Partner to Deliver $10,000 in Gift Certificates to Deployed Troops
"This was such a gratifying project to work on", said Lisa Nyberg who coordinated the partnership for Soldiers' Angels. "It was the credibility of our organization that provided the opportunity for us to benefit our soldiers. It was a great partnership because Spec Ops had the product and we had the contacts to make sure that the soldiers were able to take advantage of this fabulous donation."

Thank you from a Soldier -- [Yikes!!]
Well, I got an email from my Ga. Nat'l Guard 48th BCT Soldier today ~ the Christmas cards I sent to his platoon on 11/30 got there on 12/14!!!!! :-) I had a big ole envelope for each individual guy in the platoon, all sixteen of 'em... each guy got no less than 60 cards each (and, of course, my "officially adopted" soldier got more like 100... yeah, blatant favoritism, haha!) Anyway, I got an email from him today and wanted to pass his thanks along to y'all. We will begin Valentine's collection on January 1 ~ more info to follow!

We are planning a New Years Eve Party for our Soldiers -- [Web of Support.com - the blog]
You are all invited to help Web of Support.Com Soldier Adoption Program create a New Years Eve Party for our wonderful soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq. We have shipped out several large boxes of all kinds of party favors, sparkling cider and lots of food.....but we still could use more party food and favors.....we have alot of soldiers who will be away from family and friends at this time of the year...if you would like to participate please email me at Pjdahling@aol.com and I will give you the address and some ideas as to what they could use.....thanks to all of you who have made our Web of Support.Com Soldier Adoption Program a huge success.

More vile anti-soldier propaganda from the left -- [Countercolumn]
"Did you kill any civilians?"

"I followed orders. We got a few terrorists here and there."

This is how our troops are being portrayed in films now. This short film, Catastrophic Success, portrays Marines as mindless murderous pathetic losers - and does it with a straight face.

I'm sure the filmmaker is proud of himself. Sounds like something a high schooler would have written.

But they support the troops, right?

MILITARY

The Marine Corps Goes Commando -- [Strategy Page]
December 15, 2005: After much discussion and planning, on October 28th the U.S. Secretary of Defense approved a recommendation by the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and Marine Corps to create a Marine special operations command. The Marine Corps had long resisted such a step, largely because of its belief that Marines are inherently superior warriors, capable of highly specialized missions. This attitude began to change during Operation Enduring Freedom, when marines were assigned to support SOF forces in Afghanistan.

Emergency Sortie -- [Neptunus Lex]
True story!
Once upon a time, in the summer of the Year of The Big Guy one thousand nine hundred and eighty-seven, your humble scribe and his band of merry brothers were in the bight at Diego Garcia, swinging on the hook on account of the fact that there wasn’t enough money to steam the great warship aboard which he had the honor to serve. Ronald Reagan was at that time Head Guy What was in Charge of Stuff, which may sort of help you put that whole “there’s never enough money to go around” thing into perspective, nearly 20 years on.

MSM REPORTS ON MILITARY

How To Do Better -- (Economist)...Unattributed
After brutal blunders in Iraq and Afghanistan, the American army has become more intelligent—and hopes to be more effective.

Short Of Recruits, Army Redoes Its Math -- (Christian Science Monitor)...Mark Sappenfield
This week, the Department of Defense reported that for the second month in a row, the service hit hardest by the recruiting shortfall - the Army - exceeded its monthly recruiting goals. Yet both this month and last, there has been hardly a peep about that success. The reasons have more to do with math than media bias.

POLITICS

Ivy League For Sale -- [Camp Katrina]
Check it out: Harvard and Georgetown have apparently lapped up $40 million from a Saudi prince in exchange for expanding their Islamic studies programs. From the story:

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, who gave $20 million to each university, is a nephew of the late King Fahd and worth upward of $20 billion, according to Forbes

MSM REPORTS ON POLITICS

Pentagon Subpoenaed for Katrina Documents -- (AP)
WASHINGTON - The Republican chairman of a special House investigation panel has subpoenaed the Pentagon, and is considering sending another to the White House, to get documents detailing the government's response to Hurricane Katrina. The unusual legal action was the latest twist in the congressional inquiry of failures that occurred during the Aug. 29 storm that killed more than 1,300 people in Gulf Coast states. The investigation continues Thursday with a Senate hearing to examine New Orleans levees unable to withstand Katrina's might.

THE MEDIA

We Just Can’t Win In The Media -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
Instead of hearing about the quiet and calm over the MAJORITY of Iraq as elections begin, we get reports of “an explosion.” Instead of hearing about the 100’s, possibly thousands, of Iraqis lined up to dip their fingers in purple ink and vote for first constitutionally elected parliament since Saddam took office (not that he was constitutionally elected), we hear about isolated “reports of violence.”

Check out the early news coming out of Iraq on the elections that just opened:...

According to Juan Cole, Iraq is stillborn: -- [TigerHawk]
...Cole, who is obviously a smart and knowledgeable scholar, would be a lot more persuasive if he did not constantly give the impression that he hopes that American policy in Iraq fails. While one might quarrel with every line of this pessimistic paragraph, I will confine myself to three.

Cole cannot imagine why anybody hopes "that these elections are a milestone on the way to withdrawing US troops from Iraq." Well, of course they are. If ...

Tony Blankley Nails It on the Calls for Iraqus Interruptus! -- [JammedGun]
Tony Blankley, himself an immigrant to this country from England is – among other things – a gifted columnist for the Washington Times.

MSM REPORTS ON MEDIA

The media's war (Washington Times)
The media seem to have come up with a formula that would make any war in history unwinnable and unbearable: They simply emphasize the enemy's victories and our losses.

MILBLOGGING / BLOGGING

Milblogs’ vie for top spot -- (Marine Corp Times, Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times) ...Gordon Trowbridge Times staff writer
Several deployed service members are among the authors of 15 Internet Weblogs competing for the title of best military blog in the 2005 Weblog Awards.

Internet Opens New Paths for Journalism -- (Arab News)
EMERGING technology is creating interactive channels for mass communication that is redefining media. It is creating a new breed of citizen journalists who can get news to the world without using the well-worn pathways of traditional print and broadcast outlets.

...The influence of new media technologies such as weblogs (a.k.a. blogs) and online services allow both professional and citizen journalists to help shape breaking news and influence public opinion.

Case, who has managed the blog-service provider Blogger for Google since 2003, said the weblogs have created an alternative source for news and a new forum for political opinions. Many young Americans have become skeptical of official reports and the existing channels for reporting, prompting them to instead turn to blogs.

HUMOR

Leave to women to do it right! -- [Proud Infantry Wife]
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer
each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl. We should've known... ONLY women would be able to ...

Bush Admits He’s Trapped in Bubble -- [ScrappleFace]
President George Bush today, confirmed a recent Newsweek magazine cover story, admitting that he’s “living in a bubble” — isolated and aloof.

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