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 Dog Barks, But the Caravan Moves On -- [Fire and Ice - in Iraq]
Here's a set of sketches from my time in Hit, Iraq with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion of the 1st Marine Regiment. This company, along with the rest of their battalion, spent the better part of mid-October to mid-December in the field at the tip of the proverbial spear. These Marines stood toe to toe trading punches with the insurgency while standing eyeball to eyeball with the Iraqi man in the street. The insurgents were mostly foreign and, at this writing, mostly dead after squaring off with the Marines. The Iraqi citizens they interacted with during their daily forays through the streets of Hit slowly warmed to the weary often unwashed mugs of the affable Marines.

December 26, 2005 -- [While away - in Iraq]
...Everyone within our company recieved a gift from two of the locals we work with too. I thought it was very thoughtful of them to think of us. They gave everyone a traditional scarf that it seems EVERYONE wears here. Jason took a picture of Mike trying one on. :) It was a nice Christmas ;) Thank you everyone!!! :)

Glad Tiding to Mary -- [Hammorabi - an Iraqi in Iraq]
(Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word ("Be!" - and he was! i.e. Isa the son of Maryam) from Him, his name will be the Messiah Isa, the son of Maryam, held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah." (3:45 The Holy Quran)

Christmas Eve - My Trip to the USA... -- [Treasure of Baghdad]
...Then, all of us went to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church to attend the Christmas Eve Service. I was the only Iraqi and Muslim attending this service. However, I was welcomed by many people, including the pastor who thanked me for visiting the United States. When we were all singing the Hymn of Adoration, I loved the line that says, “Peace on earth, and mercy mild.” Within my heart I was praying and asking God to provide peace on Iraq. specially, these days.

Well, it's Christmas! -- [Wall - J Barne's Coffee Shop - in Iraq]
...I just don’t feel like all of this is fair. Not for me, this is the life I chose. For my wife who weeps for my embrace every night, especially tonight, her Christmas eve.
But you know what; I don’t feel sorry for my self at all. I have in my company some of the best damn men that have ever walked this earth. These men that are my new family were put here by God himself to be the providers of freedom, both for Americans and Iraqis alike. Every day, not just on Christmas I receive a wonderful gift, the gift of a new day, a new day to explore my self, a new day to spend with my buddies here in the VOODOO platoon.

Post-Christmas -- [Sgt Dan - J Barne's Coffee Shop - in Iraq]
The Day after Christmas was not without it's little bit of excitment. Not a slow day today at work to say the least. This war is not the same kind of war where you heard stories of Germans and Americans laying down arms to celebrate Christmas and drink together. This war the enemy would rather fight now more so than any other day. The insurgency knows it's a highly popular American/Christian holiday.

Monday, December 26, 2005 -- [Chairborne Stranger - in Iraq]
Christmas Day was a nice slow holiday off. What did it feel like to spend Christmas in Iraq?? Well, it didn't really feel like Christmas, that's for sure. It felt like some kind of holiday, and we had a turkey feast that the Iraqis prepared for us, and I have a Christmas tree up and I opened a lot of presents, but it still didn't feel like Christmas. I did get to call home and talk to my family and friends, which was nice. That doesn't always fit the bill for meeting that desire to spend Christmas with your family, though.
...The Iraqis made dinner for us, which was nice in itself.

Nothing says Merry Christmas like the sound of gunfire in the morning! -- [My Iraqi Saga - in Iraq]
Seriously, that is what I woke up to on Christmas day. I hear gunfire often but for some reason waking up to it on Christmas Day just didn't sit well with me. I had plans to go watch some people in my unit play football and hang out but after I woke up like that I changed my mind. And don't get me wring, I didn't think I would get hit or anything. I feel "relatively" safe where I am. It just kinda messed things up for me. So instead I rolled over and went back to sleep. That's where I stayed almost the entire day! I watched "White Christmas" on my laptop, watched a bunch of TV, read almost a whole book, and talked to all kinds of family on the phone.

Happy Holidays from Baghdad -- [Dan in the Desert - contractor in Iraq]
Happy Holidays, everybody. Even if you aren't religious, one can still appreciate the Winter. So I thought I'd make a "card for all types," to send to my friends. You gotta have a sense of humor!

Merry Christmas-Iraq Style -- [Combat Medic In Iraq]
Today we have many things planned, unfortunately it conflicts with what the higher-ups had in mind. There is a USO Show coming in today. Kelly Hu and some guy from the band SR-71 will be here during dinner. We also have a formation we need to be at before and after the Christmas meal. Tonite they have *mandatory fun* even planned in the form of a bonfire. Oh well though, Christmas is here in spirit if not in anything else.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, INFIDELS! -- [BRAINPOST - in Iraq]
...There was an American PSD (Personal Security Detail) vehicle that recently fueled at the Navistar fuel area. It had rained almost all day Christmas eve and part of Christmas. The vehicles were quite dirty. One of the PSD's decided to write in the collected dirt on his vehicle; Merry X-Mas Infidels.

It struck me, as well as many of those foreigners at the fuelpoint as quite humorous as the driver left down highway 80, once known as the highway of death.

Oh so close... -- [The Military Vote - in Iraq]
Merry (respective holiday here) everyone!
...Kevin is doing MUCH better. I spent about three hours today just sitting around talking with him. He remains seated for the better part of the day however he does attempt at walking now with the aid of a cane (and a walker at home). Those two items were sent to me by a very generous reader who has been thanked thoroughly. I think it's a little early for Kevin to be walking so much but... he's stubborn and determined so I gotta hand that to him. His former employer will be sending him to the green zone to see an American doctor ...

December 24th 2005 -- [We will make it through - in Iraq]
So...this one day I was walking to MWR from the PX, and I pass behind the FPS building. (I apologize for the acronyms, Morale, Welfare, Recreation, Post Exchange, and I don't now what FPS stands for, force protection something or other). I pass these guys having a barbeque. I'm not quite sure what it is, but it looks disgusting. They see me passing by and they call me over. I'm guessing they did, because it was in arabic and I couldn't understand, obviously. One of them in broken English offers me some of what they're cooking (at this point I figure it to be small rodents). I went with my first instinct, and said no, going against all the cultural awareness briefings we had so far. I was expecting shocked looks on their face, but to my relief

Irony -- [NcoDutyToWorkAndHome - in Iraq]
FOB Life.
What is FOB life? Missions, patrols, guard same ole same you think. Ha well you guessed it, its the same ole same everyday. To me for a lack of better terms, I describe it as Monday after Monday after Monday. You all know wat I mean. Remember the movie Ground Hog day??? Exactly. But after a few months you settle into a cycle where you make your days go by. Then the replacemnts show up, and now everything you were used to doing off cycle is thrown for a loop. I mean for months now you knew wen te best time to call home, use the computers or even take a hot shower. Now its like a hit or miss concept. Yesterday 1800 was ...

Will ten seats solve the crisis? -- [Iraq the Model - Iraqis in Iraq]
It’s become clear from the active shuttle-like movement of the rival parties and mediators that the intensity of the political crisis began to subside compared to how things looked like a week ago.
In spite of the violence that disturbed Baghdad this morning, the rival parties resumed their meetings and talks with some politicians playing the role of mediators; the most prominent of whom is President Talabani and even in the two main competing camps we’re hearing moderate voices emerge to propose solutions like the Virtue Party from the UIA and al-Mutlaq from Maram.

Waiting for the final results -- [Soonie - an Iraqi in Iraq]
Things are running very fast in Iraq and everyday brings more and more surprises. Let me talk first about the elections results. Well, what we were afraid of came true and the Iraqi people elected their representatives on "sectarian bases" and in my opinion this is the biggest problem so far. Our people still don't believe in the democracy to protect them and they find it a good way to show their affiliation only.

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

5 Blasts, 7 Dead: Havoc Returns To Metropolis -- (Los Angeles Times)...Borzou Daragahi
Also in Baghdad, a GI is felled by a grenade and two U.S. pilots die in a copter crash. Religious Shiites, Kurds dominate partial election results.

Sunnis Protest In Streets, Promise More Demonstrations Unless Revote Is Taken -- (USA Today)...Steven Komarow
Iraqi opposition parties on Monday promised a campaign of civil disobedience and other “peaceful options” in an effort to force a rerun of Dec. 15 national elections.

Chalabi Lacks Votes Needed To Win Spot In Iraqi Assembly -- (Washington Post)...Ellen Knickmeyer and Naseer Nouri
Unexpectedly low support from overseas voters has left Ahmed Chalabi -- the returned Iraqi exile once backed by the United States to lead Iraq -- facing a shutout from power in this month's vote for the country's first full-term parliament since the 2003 invasion.

Iraq Protesters Call for Unity Government -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq - More than 10,000 people marched through Baghdad on Tuesday in support of a national unity government of Sunnis and Shiites, but insurgent attacks killed six Iraqi policemen and two civilians in a fresh surge of violence. In the Shiite holy city of Karbala, municipal workers doing maintenance work uncovered remains that police believed were part of a mass grave thought to date back to 1991, when Saddam Hussein's regime put down a Shiite uprising in the south.

U.S. Airstrikes Take Toll on Civilians (The Washington Post)
RAMADI, Iraq -- U.S. Marine airstrikes targeting insurgents sheltering in Iraqi residential neighborhoods are killing civilians as well as......

Iraqis find "mass grave" at Kerbala -- (Reuters)
KERBALA, Iraq - Iraqi officials said they found the skeletal remains of 31 people in what they described as a mass grave in the Shi'ite holy city of Kerbala on Tuesday.

Dispute Delays Handoff to Iraqi Unit -- (Washington Postt)
BAGHDAD, Dec. 26 -- A dispute between the U.S. military and Iraq's Defense Ministry over who will command the Iraqi army unit assuming responsibility for some of Baghdad's most sensitive sites has led to the postponement of a formal handover scheduled for Tuesday.

IRAQ: AL-ZARQAWI VIDEO SHOWS BAQUBA AMBUSH -- (AKI)
Rome, 27 Dec.- The al-Qaeda in Iraq terror group has posted on the Internet a video showing the ambush of a convoy of Iraqi soldiers at Baquba earlier this month. The five minute clip contains footage of the 3 December gun battle in which 19 Iraqi soldiers were killed. The well-planned attack began with a roadside bomb against their convoy. The video, is the latest propaganda salvo from the group led by Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, which on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the deaths of at least 20 Iraqi policeman in scattered attacks around the country. The attacks marked an end of a lull in violence since the recent elections...

German Woman Says Kidnappers Were Kind -- (Arizona Daily Star (Tucson))...Associated Press
A German woman freed after being held hostage in Iraq for more than three weeks said in an interview broadcast Monday that she was treated well by her kidnappers.

Two US pilots die in Iraq helicopter crash -- (Reuters)
BAGHDAD - Two U.S. pilots were killed when their helicopter crashed in west Baghdad on Monday night, the U.S. military said on Tuesday.

"There was no hostile fire involved," it said in a statement, without giving details.

Troops lacking Sunnis -- (Denver Post / New York Times)
Baghdad, Iraq - An analysis of preliminary results released Monday from the Dec. 15 parliamentary election suggests that in contrast to the remarkable surge in Sunni Arab participation in the political process, Sunnis still have comparatively little representation in the Iraqi security forces.

Cross-party support for war probe -- (BBC)
More than 100 MPs from across the Commons have backed a call for an inquiry by senior MPs into the handling of the Iraq war and its aftermath.

AFGHANISTAN

Orphanage Trip -- [The Flying Swede - in Afghanistan]
Merry Christmas every one!
I hope you all had a good one! Today some of the guys here delivered a bunch of clothes and shoes to an orphanage here in Kabul. We have been collecting clothes and things for a while, and we received lots of stuff from home. Sorry that I was not able to ask any of you folks if you wanted to donate, but it would not have gotten here in time. If you would like to donate, send me and email and I can give you the name and address of the person who organizes it.

Happy Holidays -- [Squirrel's Nest - in Afghanistan]
Happy Holidays to all and thank you all for your gifts and support.
The past two weeks have been killing me. We lost another soldier during a TIC (troops in contact) and this one was kind of tough. Too close to Christmas and he has a newborn. I feel terrible for his kids.

We've also had several visits by the big wigs. Let's see, Rummy, General Abizad, General Schoomacher, and a whole host of others. These visits suck the life outta ya. They want briefings, to visit the troops and tell you about America's support. On top of all that, all ...

A Burning Passion for Ignorant Women -- [Strategy Page]
December 27, 2005: The Taliban announced, via satellite phone to a reporter, that they were not beaten, would not compromise, that ten percent of their fighters were now foreigners, and that they would use more suicide attacks. The U.S. announced that it would start pulling its troops out of Afghanistan next year, with a 16 percent cut. The Afghan army now numbers 26,000 troops, and there are 55,000 national police. There are still many more men in tribal militias, but the government is on good terms with

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

AFGHANISTAN: KABUL MAY SEEK DAMAGES FOR SOVIET INVASION -- (AKI)
Kabul, 27 Dec. - Afghanistan is mulling the possibility of asking Russia to pay compensation for the 1979 Soviet invasion of the country that led to a ten-year occupation before Moscow withdrew its troops and the Taliban seized power in Kabul. "The Afghan government is studying the matter," a spokesman for Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, was quoted as saying by the Chinese newsagency Xinhua. Afghanistan on Tuesday marked the 26th anniversary of the Soviet invasion.

Top Taliban Commander Threatens Attacks -- (The Guardian / AP)
| KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - A top Taliban commander said more than 200 rebel fighters were willing to become suicide attackers against U.S. forces and their allies - a claim dismissed as propaganda...

Afghanistan And Iran Sign Consular Pact -- (New York Times - World Brief)...Carlotta Gall
Iran's foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, made a one-day visit to Kabul, the Afghan capital, continuing his country's efforts to develop friendly relations with Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban four years ago.

Roadside Explosion Injures Soldiers, Civilians -- (Miami Herald)...Associated Press
A roadside explosion hit a patrol of international peacekeepers in northern Afghanistan, injuring two foreign soldiers and two Afghan civilians, officials said.

OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Reds Threaten To Attack US Troops -- (Philippine Daily Inquirer)...Delfin T. Mallari Jr. and Luige A. del Puerto
...They also aired a warning of possible assaults on American troops in the country and threatening attacks against the government. In a statement, the CPP criticized the US military for increasing intervention in the Philippines and urged militants to take steps to deter the US from "further plundering" the country.

Looking Back And Ahead -- [189th Transportation Co. - in Kuwait]
As 2005 draws to a close, we can take time to reflect on the accomplishments we have achieved over the last several months. As a unit was have come so far, both literally, and figuratively speaking, to arrive at where we are now. It is an enormous sacrifice to spend the holiday season apart from our loved ones, to ensure freedom for our country, our allies, and those who strive for peace throughout the world. Today, the people of Iraq get to join in with a foretaste of freedom and security to come

The Real Great Leader -- [GI Korea - in S Korea]
In case you have forgotten it is the 112th birthday of the most enlightened, honorable, and greatest leader ever, at least according to those well known "mainstream professors" at the University of California at Berkley. No I'm not talking about that other Great Leader Kim Il Sung, but the real Great Leader Mao Zedong the founder of communist China: ...

Mele Kalikimaka… -- [Calivalley Girl - in Germany]
…is the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas day!

Some people believe that for a Christmas to feel truly like Christmas, there must be snow. But that’s not the truth at all.

I have spent every Christmas in memory, except for one, in Hawaii. The title of this blog belies the fact that I have spent one third of my life in Hawaii, one third in Los Angeles, and the last third, and increasing majority of my life, in Germany.

MSM REPORTS ON OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

U.S. puts sanctions on Chinese firms for aiding Tehran -- (Washington Times)
Several Chinese companies involved in selling missile goods and chemical-arms materials to Iran have been hit with U.S. sanctions, Bush administration officials said yesterday.

N.Korea's priority is ties with US -S.Korea -- (Reuters)
SEOUL - North Korea is more interested in establishing diplomatic ties with the United States than it is in receiving economic aid, a top South Korean official said on Tuesday.

PAKISTAN: JIHADIS ALLEGE DESECRATION OF KORAN IN JAIL -- (AKI)
Karachi, 27 Dec. - (by Syed Saleem Shahzad) - After the reported desecration of the Koran in the Guantanamo Bay prison, which provoked riots in Afghanistan that killed at least fifteen people, a group of Islamic terror suspects in custody in Pakistan have gone on a hunger strike alleging that the Muslim sacred book has also been desecrated in their Pakistani jail. The 16 signatories of the letter, from Cell number 3 of Adyala Jail in Pakistan’s military capital...

WAR ON TERROR / TERRORISM

Now I lay me down to sleep -- [Peace like a River]
Daniel Pipes has a sobering column in the Chicago Sun-Times arguing we have returned to our pre-9/11 slumber. He lists some ominous warning signs. I won't list them all, but here are a few:

Politically Incorrect Airport Security -- [Strategy Page]
December 24, 2005: One of the most terrifying aftereffects of the war on terror has been the many new security procedures imposed on air travelers. Most of them have no impact on airline security. Not being able to carry a pocket knife or knitting needles has not stopped more hijacking attempts. What happened on Flight 93 (the one that crashed, when passengers realized what was happening and attacked the hijackers), has, as have stronger cockpit doors. Other measures, that address real vulnerabilities, have not been implemented. This is largely because real security improvements are not as visible, and thus are less valuable, in a PR sense, to politicians who pass these laws. For example, a glaring weakness in airports is background checks and security measures applied to airport personnel.

Illegal File-Sharing: Worse Than Terrorism? -- [Camp Katrina]
Can you say "dangerous double standard," Katrina Campers? From a recent AP article highlighting the escalating wars over illegal downloading:

...So let me get this straight: it's perfectly alright for the music recording industry to peek inside a computer without a warrant to look for downloaded songs, but it's a federal crime for President Bush to monitor phone calls to try to save American lives?

MSM REPORTS ON TERRORISM

Secret court modified wiretap requests -- (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER)
Intervention may have led Bush to bypass panel
WASHINGTON -- Government records show that the administration was encountering unprecedented second-guessing by the secret federal surveillance court when President Bush decided to bypass the panel and order surveillance of U.S.-based terror suspects without the court's approval.

Terrorists Said To Be Getting Aid In Balkans -- (Houston Chronicle)...Gregory Katz
A hidden alliance between terror networks and organized crime gangs that control heavily used smuggling routes in the Balkans is making it easier for terrorists to infiltrate Western Europe, according to law enforcement officials and intelligence experts.

Scientists Recruit Wasps For War On Terror -- (USA Today)...Mimi Hall
Insects could be used to detect toxins, explosives.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Any Angels Want To Help? -- [Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho]
This was a message sent by Carol on the Soldiers Angels' TLC Team, to all angels:

In response to the letter below she received:
"MY NAME IS NOT IMPRORTANT BUT MY SQUAD LEADER CPL SMITH IS A MAN WHO ALWAY THINKS OF US FIRST.

HE KNOWS I'M SENDING THIS BUT HE DOESN'T BELEIVE THERE WILL BE A REPLY.".

Wonderful Supporting Groups and Individuals -- [A Mobilized Year - in Iraq]
I am humbled. Humbled and proud. I want to take some time to describe the types of support that we have received over here from the American people. I thought that this flood of support would wane after a month or two after we arrived, but it hasn’t. Not even close. Here are some examples of the support we’ve received in just the last month or so:...

The Eve of Christmas Eve at WR -- [The Gunn Nitt]
We had an amazingly high turnout this week. It was wonderful to see so many show up to carry signs, wave flags, and say "Thank You" to the Troops as they entered and exited the hospital. Someone told me they had counted 41 on our side, while the most I counted across the street was 13 commie Pinkos.

Community Help for a Soldier's Family -- [They Call Us, "Doc"]
I remember returning from a night of shopping with my family in Virginia, only to come home to a house in flames. Our Christmas tree lights had caused the fire and we lost almost everything, but we had our lives. That was well over 20 years ago, when I was a youngster.

Here is a recent story about a community rallying around a fellow Guardsman, after he and his family endured the same:...

Christmas at Walter Reed -- [Andi's World]
Yesterday, I was pleased to see many people putting their own Christmas on hold to bring some Christmas Cheer to our wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Acting Secretary of Defense, Gordon England and his wife were making the rounds, spending time with the troops and delivering goodies to them. Provided a perfect entrance line for me, "Okay, so I'm not as important as your last visitor."

America Boycott Hollywood!!! -- [Sleepless Mind]
I've probably bought and sent to my adopted soldiers over 200 DVD movies in the past 24 months. I've chosen the movies with care....not too lovey dovey....not too gorey. Movies that I thought would give them a laugh or two, or one that would entertain through the fighting or mystery.

Then I read how all these overpaid, dope snorting, immoral, overrated bunch of hacks (so called entertainers) refuse to entertain our troops. Either out of fear or from "Don't support Bush's war".

Mother Sheehan’s Vanity Fair -- [Sweetness & Light]
Byron York at NRO’s Corner has gotten his mitts on the upcoming issue of Vanity Fair, which is dedicated to the passing year’s "Best of the Best — Heroes! Winners! Guilty Pleasures!"

Thank You. -- [SaulGood in da neighborhood - in S Korea]
Today we had a cargo plane full of cookies that were baked back in the states land. Each soldier or airman on base got a bag, also there were christmas cards from little kids with drawings on them and little messages for us, it warmed my damn heart. It sucks being over here, especially during the holidays but it's nice to know people are still thinking of you. Everyone out there who supports the troops....

And, speaking of guilty pleasure – ahem. (Though, actually it is clear Cindy is long past guilt, in any normal sense of the word): ...

MSM REPORTS ON SUPPORTING THE TROOPS

Pentagon Uses PR Muscle To Boost Groups Aiding GIs -- (Chicago Tribune)...E.A. Torriero
Patriotic housewife Amy Oxford is sending personal holiday packages of goodies and sundries to hundreds of U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq. And the Pentagon is using its mighty public-relations muscle to make sure Americans know about such efforts.

Shopper Pays for Marine's Engagement Ring -- (Washington Post)
TYLER, Texas - A Marine who's planning to marry a Texan got an early Christmas present: A fellow shopper picked up the tab for a $3,000 diamond engagement ring after the two struck up a conversation in a jewelry store.

MILITARY

Reading the Ribbons and Badges -- [Strategy Page]
December 27, 2005: The U.S. Department of Defense is awarding medals to troops who participated in relief efforts in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Actually, two medals may be awarded to participants; Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM), and Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM). Members of the Coast Guard (which belongs to the Department of Homeland Security) are eligible as well.

MSM REPORTS ON MILITARY

A Political Debate On Stress Disorder -- (Washington Post)...Shankar Vedantam
The spiraling cost of post-traumatic stress disorder among war veterans has triggered a politically charged debate and ignited fears that the government is trying to limit expensive benefits for emotionally scarred troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan

Once Home, Troops Face New Battle -- (Los Angeles Times)...Vanessa Gregory and Claire Miller
Company A is back from Iraq, but the National Guard veterans find few resources to help them adjust to civilian life.

POLITICS

Christmas Cheer From the Left -- [Andi's World]
Trying to keep up with the antics of the anti-war crowd here in the Washington D.C. area is a never-ending job. You would think that they could take a little time off for the holiday but no, even Christmas fell victim to their lunacy. A group based in Montgomery County, Maryland calling itself PeaceAction Montgomery is working to gather volunteers to participate in various anti-war and anti-recruiting protests. One such protest took place yesterday at the sight of the National Christmas Tree.

Defense Appropriations Pork -- [ROFA Six]
There is something extra wrong with pork barrel politics when it comes to appropriations for the Defense Department. It is more than the usual repugnance for politicians who don’t give a damn about the people’s money they spend. When it comes to the Defense Appropriations Bill, Congressional pork is a reminder how much money isn’t being spent on warfighting or soldiers... and it should be instead.

The 523-page conference report accompanying the spending bill, which passed the House early Monday morning and now awaits Senate action, includes:

MSM REPORTS ON POLITICS

Bush Seeks to Win More Battles in 2006 -- (AP)
WASHINGTON -- President Bush, bruised by months of setbacks, enters the new year hoping to win congressional battles over tax cuts and immigration, get rebellious Republicans back in step and nurture a new democracy in Iraq - the make-or-break issue of his legacy....

History Texts Take Up Clinton Impeachment -- (AP)
WASHINGTON - The impeachment of former President Clinton is in a gray area of history, too long ago to be a current event, too recent to be judged in perspective. Yet history is already judging Clinton in the place where millions of students get their information about him - textbooks.

Schwarzenegger Deleted From Web Sites -- (AP)
VIENNA, Austria -- The Terminator has been terminated in his hometown....

THE MEDIA

Montage Or Mirage -- [Michael Yon]
The election photo-montage I posted last week has a certain propagandistic feel to it. It has all the usual suspects: the waving flag, the iconic soundtrack (Fanfare for the Common Man, hardly on the Iraqi Top 40) and the sequence of photos selected to tell a story ALL IN BOLD CAPITALS. It seemed especially propagandistic given the fact that the United States government admitted to paying off media in Iraq for positive reportage. I spoke recently with a New York Times writer, Jeff Gerth, who broke parts of that story, and I came away with the impression that the matter is broader and deeper than we know at this time. Clearly, there is no doubt—-our government has admitted to it—-we are spinning “propaganda.”

Frustration with the Media's (So-Called Unbiased) Coverage -- [The Patriette]
I wish I knew why the media focuses so much on those who don't support the mission of our troops, on those who are against the war, and who think we are doomed to fail. Case in point: On the same day my husband came home on leave, there was an article about a mom protesting the war at the Capitol in Saint Paul. *sigh*

The Fourth Branch Of Government -- [Tiger Hawk]
In two years of writing online, I've been fascinated by the interplay between the blogosphere, a virtual free market of information, and the corporate owned mainstream media. As repeated scandals have shown, our "free press" is anything but free. Sadly, many journalists believe the First Amendment places them beyond accountability either to the public or the law, granting them absolute license to withhold and distort information at will.

Holiday Greetings from the Mass Media -- [Strategy Page]
December 24, 2005: One of the biggest gripes that the troops have had is the unrelenting negativity of the American media. In one interview on the Today show back in August, an Army officer told Matt Lauer, “Sir, if I got my news from the newspapers also, I’d be pretty depressed as well.”

MSM REPORTS ON THE MEDIA

Reservists Add Media Relations To Regimen -- [Boston Gloge]
DEVENS -- This spring, members of the First Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment will be on security detail in Iraq.

But before they go, First Lieutenant Nathan Braden wants them to know that the world will be watching. Braden recently ran a media relations workshop with a group of reservists -- including some from Nashua -- at the Devens Reserve Force Training Area.

Braden showed photos of prisoner abuse by US troops at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison to drive home his point -- words and actions of soldiers overseas influence how the war is perceived at home. Other advice includes tips to avoid speaking in military jargon and to be welcoming to reporters.

''Don't beat up a reporter," he joked.

MILBLOGGING

Holidays around Prescott -- [Doc in the Box]
...Today I went out to lunch with fellow blogger Some Soldiers Mom
and her husband at the Iron Springs Café and they showed me their house afterwards. I’ve lived in Prescott most of my adult life and the view from their balcony is the best one I’ve see of Thumb Butte anywhere (big mountain that sticks up like a thumb, here's the picture).

CONGRATS

I now pronounce you husband and wife... -- [The Space Between]
(pics)(pics)(pics)

HUMOR

More Disturbing Secrets -- [Bright & Early]
Part of the story behind the story in the interception of communications going outside the United States is the changes in technology to both make and monitor those communications. With the sharp rises in cell phone and internet use over the past decades, the entire face of these exchanges has been altered. The administration is within the law, in my opinion, to use the means at hand to keep us all safer as I have posted on here. Last night I said that I think that those responsible for the leaks should be found and prosecuted. However there is one program that is being allowed to continue that truly disturbs me.

WELCOME HOME

Day 336 - Hallelujah Chorus! -- [Wayne's World - son returns home from Iraq]
What does THIS smile say??
Five hundred thrity-five days after Wayne reported to active duty, he returned from Iraq this morning at 6:02.

Words cannot express our joy at his homecoming, our gratitude for his service, our humility for his safety.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly -- [Sisyphus Today... - home from Iraq]
GOOD: I knew I had no family to greet me when I returned, but I had plenty of time to deal with that notion. I hoped that my neighbors, the Richards, would b able to show up since I didn't even know if I had a ride home. They marched us into a big tent, behind a curtain. We could hear the crowd getting excited as they played some video of us downrange. Then the curtain opened and the crowd went wild. No one there that I knew. Drink water, drive on. Found a ride home thankfully. When I entered my building, I was greeted with a wonderful sign on my door. Someone Cares ;) Frau Richard did a wonderful job of welcoming me home and making it easy for me the first few days. I was set up with food and (good German) beer in my refridgerator, TP for the throne, and my key. She did this all on top of helping me with my residual bills while I was downrange. They both have been wonderful friends to me and I can't thank them enough for being there to help me during my tough times.

CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING -- [Momtana Thunder - home from Iraq]
I am sitting here at the Spokane WA Airport one step closer to home. Though my rental car is not ready (Enterprise) because the company booked a reservation for me here last week and neglected to tell me that they close early today and my Christmas boxes and luggage are lost and Northwest Airlines cannot find them, and a former SGM in the Army working for TSA called the airport security on me because I accidently had a unit swiss army knife in my backpack in Nashville, and my air flight was delayed, and I could go on and on about trying to get home . . .

Merry Christmas -- [Citizen Frank - home from Iraq]
Home Safe! Not going back to Iraq - so I'm home for good.

BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER -- [Keep My Soldier Safe - son returns home from Iraq]
At approximately 10:15 am this morning 4 chartered busses pulled through the South Gate at Camp Shelby with 204 soldiers on board. They first had to turn in their weapons and were then debriefed for approximately 1 hour. At exactly 12:18 p.m. the busses were pulling up at the holding area where they had the family members patiently waiting for their arrival.

Our Christmas Present..... -- [Our Soldier - son returns home from Iraq]
Our soldier, David, finally arrived home safe and sound a couple of days ago. There is no other gift we wanted for Christmas than his safe return. Our daughter is ecstatic. so is he, and so are we. Now, they can finally be "newlyweds".

Strong Love -- [The Space Between - boyfriend's home from Iraq]
J is finally home!!! Home meaning we are finally in the same country. I can't tell you how good.. although odd.... it is to know that he's home and he's not going back in 2 weeks! I only hope that the rumors I've heard aren't true and the other ladies' soldiers get home soon. I heard that even though they may fly out of their FOB on a certain date, once at another location that all flights might be stopped until after the first of the year... I just hope that is another incorrect rumor!

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