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

Iraq's Business Environment -- [Marketing in Iraq? - in Iraq]
I thought I would brighten the picture a little bit more for you all today. What I have in front of me is a break down of a multitude of topics (such as employment) during Saddam's regime and after the Coalition forces deposed him. It's dated December 12, 2005 and I cannot confirm any of this data. There is also no source to attribute. I did find it at the conclusion of an Iraqi press conference so I believe it was handed out to Iraqi media from the Iraqi government. Please share your thoughts on these accomplishments. I feel like these things are proof that the standard of living is increasing thanks to everyones efforts and sacrifices.

Losing in Iraq -- [Winds of Change - 'Callimachus']
They pronounce it with a wicked smile. They seem to like the feel of it on their loose lips.

"We're losing in Iraq." It sure riles up the wingnut contingent when you say it, eh? The right people. Let's say it again, as often as possible. Let's find evidence of it in every news story.

They positively squeal with glee when someone "respectable" like Republican Senator Chuck Hagel says, "The reality is that we're losing in Iraq." By "respectable" they mean someone they lampooned mercilessly as one of Chimpy's minions right up to the moment he said something they agree with.

Success in Iraq Depends on the Media -- [TBone's War Journal]
The mainstream media continues to highlight stories from any source that is critical of the war in Iraq, critical of the Bush Administration's decisions vis-a-vis the war, or critical of the conduct of US Forces engaged in the War Against Terrorist Scumbags. One such article in the Guardian Unlimited online entitled US army in Iraq institutionally racist, claims British officer deserves some attention and critique. The title alone gives us an indication of the article's purpose - to discredit the United States and its conduct in Iraq. I'd like to point out that the Brigadier doesn't sound malicious to me in his comments. The article starts out:

Hey out there -- [Writing in the Sand - in Iraq]
...As you all know, there is a lot of talk about handing the country back over to the Iraqis, so that we can leave. The Iraqis want this, and we do too. There will be no lasting peace without the Americans gone, but that can't happen until the Iraqi security forces and government are able competently take on that role. Well, a few weeks ago, we attended the ceremony of the hand over of battlespace to an Iraqi Army (IA) Battalion. This means that the IA will now have control of that area, only calling for American assistance if needed. This is a huge deal. It is only the third to occur in Iraq, and the first one in the North of the country.

Hub of the Hunkered -- [One Free Korea - in S Korea]
Since the South Korean contingent in Iraq won't go to where the mission is, someone had the bright idea of bringing a mission to them:

Korean authorities are looking into a request from the U.S. government to let the development agency USAID move its office in northern Iraq into the base of Korea’s Zaytun Unit stationed there.

Wow! Way more famous! -- [A Soldier's Diary - in Iraq]
I clicked on a Yahoo News Article on yahoo.com today and noticed we are in it! Sweet. Check this one out about troops upgrading their humvees.

"Drawing on the part-time soldiers' backgrounds as mechanics, electricians and carpenters, the 126th Armor Battalion based in suburban Grand Rapids, Mich., added thermal imaging cameras and a 6-foot boom that can be lowered in front of the Humvee. Dangling chains and an infrared countermeasure on the boom can help trigger explosives before the Humvee is directly over them, said Lt. John Caras."

Well this wasn't on the news -- [Courage Without Fear - in Iraq]
As the traffic on my blog increases, my time in Iraq is decreasing. Since I won't have as much first hand "Army stuff" to post about, I'm offering my blog as a place for warriors still in theater to tell about the stuff you don't see on TV.
This is the first of those posts.............

Roadside Clearing, Baghdad -- [Iraq War News]

A few gripes... -- [Rock and Roll Soldier - in Iraq]
First off, I'd like to let you people who read this thing know that our readership now includes my battalion commander... which could be good or bad.

Before i start: I'd like to say this: The Army's official policy on blogs is that as long as they don't violate OPSEC, they're good. Now, is this policy being followed? Nope...

Numerous soldiers' blogs have been shut down for being critical of things in the army. I found this quote by Jason Hartley, whose blog was shut down, and he was demoted and fined.

Iraq Pictures - 14 January 2006 -- [Iraq Pictures - in Iraq]
An Iraqi soldier celebrates the graduation of a new group of Iraqi police officers at the Iraqi police academy in Baghdad Pic: SPC Teddy Wade

It's time to bring in Disney -- [Those Wacky Iraqis - in Iraq]
If you have never been to the Middle East or any other Muslim run area you really have no idea why we are just not shocked at all by the headlines that 345 people were killed in a stampede during Haj. There is no order like you are used to in the West. People don't patiently wait in line for anything. They bunch up, yell, try and throw any weight around that they may have and are in general just quite rude about it. The more educated ones are not (The UAE and Bahrain are the exceptions) but the majority are like this.

Murtha: “Vast Majority of U.S. Troops Will Be Out Of Iraq By The End Of The Year” (VIDEO) -- [Political Teen]
JOHN MURTHA: I think the vast majority will be out by the end of the year and I’m hopeful –

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

MURTHA: VAST MAJORITY OF U.S. TROOPS WILL BE OUT OF IRAQ BY END OF YEAR -- (Drudge Report)
Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) believes the vast majority of U.S. troops in Iraq will be out by the end of the year and maybe even sooner. In his boldest words yet on the subject, the outspoken critic of the war predicts the withdrawal and tells Mike Wallace why he thinks the Bush administration will do it. The interview, a portion of which will appear on tonight's (13) CBS EVENING NEWS, will be broadcast on 60 MINUTES Sunday Jan. 15 (7:00-8:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

In a tactic reminiscent of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth assault on Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) during the 2004 presidential campaign, a conservative Web site yesterday quoted Murtha opponents as questioning the circumstances surrounding the awarding of his two Purple Hearts.

AP: Soldiers Upgrading Armor on Humvees -- (AP)
TIKRIT, Iraq (AP) - Soldiers exposed to Iraq's increasingly lethal roadside bombs, which can rip through armored Humvees, are drawing on wartime experience and stateside expertise to protect their vehicles with stronger armor and thermal detection cameras. The upgrades are being done by individual soldiers and units as the Pentagon decides how Humvees should be changed, and follow public criticism of the Bush administration for not armoring all Humvees ahead of the war.

All Dressed Up With No Way to Fight -- (New York Times)
THIS week Senator Hillary Clinton, citing a secret Pentagon report that suggested some marines killed in Iraq might have survived had they been wearing more body armor, became the latest in a long line of politicians to castigate the Pentagon for a supposed failure to adequately protect our fighting men and women. Well-intentioned as the senator might be, the body-armor issue, like so many in war, is just not that simple.

Military Copter Crashes Common in Winter -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of fatal U.S. military helicopter crashes in Iraq has spiked in recent weeks, fitting a wartime pattern of more frequent accidental and combat crashes during winter months....

Saddam trial judge plans to quit -- (Reuters)
SULAIMANIYA, Iraq (Reuters) - The chief judge in the trial of Saddam Hussein plans to step down, a source close to the judge told Reuters on Friday, in a development that could throw an already turbulent process into further disarray.

AFGHANISTAN

A Viking in the Salang Valley -- [Miserable Donuts]
A group of former NFL players came over to visit us early in 2005. The player who impressed me most was Matt Blair. Now, mind you, I grew up (and remain) a Chicago Bears fan. I was used to feeling very disappointed in Mr. Blair - usually because he was destroying some poor Bears quarterback...
Matt had been on several visits to see the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. When I asked him why he would do this so much, he told me it was an easy choice. He grew up with his father in the service - so...

al-Qaeda Attacked: Zawahiri Dead? -- [ThreatsWatch - Bill Roggio]
al-Qaeda's second in command was targeted in an airstrike in Pakistan, unconfirmed reports indicate he has been killed
Unconfirmed reports from Pakistani and U.S. intelligence sources indicate a CIA airstrike was carried out against a compound in Pakistan which contained Ayman al-Zawahiri, al-Qaeda’s number two in command, and four other unnamed senior al-Qaeda leaders. Eighteen people are believed to have been killed in the strike.

CIA Targets Ayman al-Zawahiri in Pakistan - Pakistan Officials Say He Was Not at Site (updated 1/14) -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
CIA airstrike against Al Qaeda's #2, Ayman al-Zawahiri in Pakistan - CIA got "good reporting" on al-Zawahiri's presence in a building and it ordered the Predator airstrike. But AP reports on Saturday morning that "Al-Qaida's second-in-command was not at the site of a U.S. airstrike on a Pakistan village near the Afghan border that killed at least 17 people, two senior Pakistani officials said Saturday."

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

US targeted al Qaeda No. 2 in airstrike -- (Reuters)
ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. airstrike in Pakistan targeted al Qaeda's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahri, but it was unclear if he had been killed, U.S. sources knowledgeable about the strike said.

OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Strpce: Go to hell, but protect us first! -- [Kosovo: A blur of chaos]
Kosovo is almost a unheard of place these days. A lot has happened in the world since the spring and summer of 1999. I still look back at that time a time where I learned the most about life, devastation, hate, pride, and so on. Living the daily life as a paratrooper in these mostly war torn villages and towns, I have a lot of memories that I will write about. I will write mostly just for myself to reflect back on that time. I am not a good writer, nor will I ever be (just a fair warning). I did change names for the privacy of people who just would prefer no to be mentioned.

Renews threats to end IAEA Inspections as cracks reappear in fleeting EU unity -- [Threats Watch - Steve Schippert]
Iran has threatened to end IAEA snap inspections of its nuclear facilities as provided by the Additional Protocol agreement, signed after the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In response to the growing clamor to have Iran referred to the United Nations Security Council, it has renewed the threat and grown increasingly belligerent in the face of international pressure to cease uranium enrichment work restarted at the underground Natanz facility. The value of having such IAEA inspection measures in place must be questioned in the shadow of recent events, as Iran defied IAEA observers by opening the Natanz IAEA seals themselves when the IAEA officials would not.

MSM REPORTS ON OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

RUSSIA: ACTING PRIME MINISTER PROPOSES POLIGAMY -- (AKI)
Moscow, 13 Jan. (AKI) - Muslim-majority Chechnya has lost so many men in its long-running conflict that survivors should be legally allowed to take several wives, acting prime minister Ramzan Kadyrov said on Russian radio. The pro-Moscow politician said this was "necessary for Chechnya because we have war - we have more women than men."

Britain's Celebrity Legislator -- (New York Times)
Some say George Galloway, the famously independent Scottish member of Parliament, went too far by appearing on a television game show, "Celebrity Big Brother," pretending to be a cat.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Senator Mikulski Responds -- [Michael Yon]
We are writing to urge you to formally request that the Government of Lebanon immediately arrest and extradite to the United States Mohammed Ali Hamadi, the cold-blooded murderer and terrorist who has sought refuge in Lebanon since being released from German custody last month. As you know, Hamadi brutally murdered a United States Navy diver, Robert Dean Stethem. Petty Officer Stethem was 23 years old and from Waldorf, MD. He was killed solely because he was an American serviceman.

Truthout's Accidental Truth -- [Confederate Yankee]
Left wing truthout has breathlessly issued a press release claiming they have a document proving that President Bush authorized NSA wiretaps prior to 9/11/01.

MSM REPORTS ON WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Al Qaeda's Zawahri the brains behind bin Laden -- (Reuters)
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Doctor and surgeon Ayman al-Zawahri is the brains behind Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network and most recently its public face, repeatedly denouncing the United States and its allies in widely aired video messages.

Gonzales to Testify on Domestic Spying -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Friday he will testify publicly at a Senate hearing on the Bush administration's domestic spying program, in the face of questions from lawmakers and legal analysts about whether it is lawful. Gonzales said he reached an agreement with Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to answer questions about the legal basis for the National Security Agency's warrantless eavesdropping on telephone conversations between suspected terrorists and people in the United States

Bush Rejects Call to Shut Gitmo Prison -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush rejected a suggestion by Germany's new leader that the U.S. close its prison at Guantanamo Bay, saying after a first meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday that the facility is "a necessary part of protecting the American people."...

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

WNY lives up to generous reputation!! -- [BayerBoysnAction]
(This letter to the Editor was published in the Clarence Bee).

Once again the people of Western New York have lived up to their reputation as being some of the most generous people in America.
As New York State Manager of Soldiers' Angels (www.soldiersangels.com) I initiated a donation drive to send stockings to our soldiers overseas for Christmas. Thank you so much to the Clarence Public Library. They offered to be a drop-off site for the donations. In a time of fiscal uncertainty and many library closings this shows how much a part of the community our libraries are!

MILITARY

robot killers -- [Blog Machine City]
In this month's issue of GX magazine, there's an interesting article about the Army's Future Combat Systems, or FCS. In short, it's the Army's program for a high-tech, networked force, comprising numerous manned and unmanned combat systems and vehicles, all tied together via a tactical network.

Eleven Bravo -- [Baghdad Guy - in Iraq]
To better understand it, Infantrymen shoot, move and communicate. In a nutshell, everything we do is centered around those three tasks, with the primary purpose of closing with and killing the enemy in close quarters (especially light infantry). Every other job in the Army supports us in one way or another in accomplishing our mission, which is the tip of the Army’s spear. From aviation to tankers to field artillery to transportation to quartermaster and everything else, their purpose aids our purpose. Aviation might be the pretty boys of the Army world, and a hellfire missile coming toward you from an Apache Longbow is going to result in you having a very, very bad day, but it’s the infantryman on the ground who is calling for and directing that Apache. It’s the infantryman who is calling for artillery fire. It’s the infantryman who needs to be moved from point A to point B.

POLITICS

Holocaust Denying Imam's New York Mosque Visited by Mayor Bloomberg -- [Jawa Report]
The spiritual leader of a New York City Shia mosque, the Al Khoei Islamic Center, has gone on record as a holocaust denyer. Sheik Fadhel al Sahlani told the New York Sun that the Nazi massacre of an estimated 6 million Jews during World War II "has been exaggerated". Al Sahlani joins the radical leader of Iran, President Ahmadinejad, in denying the extent of the Holocaust and calling for an international scholarly conference to reopen debate on it.

REPORT: Ted Kennedy Used Quote from SATIRE Piece to Attack Alito! -- [The Right Place]
Dinesh D'Souza, an editor of the Concerned Alumni of Princeton magazine during 1983-1985, which was used repeatedly by Sen. Edward Kennedy (Jackass-MA) to smear Judge Samuel Alito as a bigot by mere association during the Senate confirmation hearings this week, is quoted by ABC reporter Jack Tapper at his Down and Dirty blog as saying one of two articles used by Kennedy was a work of satire!

What The Mainstream Press Won’t Tell You About Congressman Murtha -- [NewsBuster]
You can’t swing a dead cat lately without smacking into an article concerning Congressman John Murtha’s (D-Pennsylvania) view of the necessity to withdraw American troops from Iraq. In fact, as reported by the MRC’s Brent Baker, Murtha is going to be on CBS’s “60 Minutes” discussing exactly that on Sunday with none other than Mike Wallace. However, for some reason, that same demised feline has little chance of ever coming in contact with a report of the Congressman’s proclivities to take funds from Washington lobbyists. Today, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette broke ranks from the mainstream media in this regard.

Instapundit and N.Z. Bear Want To Clean House (AUDIO) -- [Political Teen]
Earlier today N.Z. Bear released a letter titled “An Appeal from Center-Right Bloggers” that asks congressmen, basically to clean house. Over a dozen bloggers have signed on to it and shared it with their readers. The amount of traffic those blogs receive in a day is over 1,000,000 unique hits, which gives this letter huge visibility.

Through the Prism of Bush -- [Dadmanly]
Howard Kurtz, writing Media Notes in the Washington Post, posts a fine essay, Dems vs. Dems, and links to an even better essay by Peter Beinart, writing on Both Sides in The New Republic.

MSM REPORTS ON POLITICS

Murtha's War Hero Status Called Into Question (CNSNews.com Staff)
Having ascended to the national stage as one of the most vocal critics of President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq, Pennsylvania Democratic Congressman John Murtha has long downplayed the controversy and the bitterness surrounding the two Purple Hearts he was awarded for military service in Vietnam.

Web Site Attacks Critic of War -- (Washington Post)
Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.), the former Marine who is an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq, has become the latest Democrat to have his Vietnam War decorations questioned.

Steamed about Rice, Russian pol unleashes rant -- (New York Daily News) HT : Drudge
"If she has no man by her side at her age, he will never appear," Zhirinovsky ranted on. "Condoleezza Rice needs a company of soldiers. She needs to be taken to barracks where she would be satisfied.

"Condoleezza Rice is a very cruel, offended woman who lacks men's attention," he added. "Such women are very rough. … They can be happy only when they are talked and written about everywhere: 'Oh, Condoleezza, what a remarkable woman, what a charming Afro-American lady! How well she can play the piano and speak Russian!'

Laura Bush Sees Woman President in Future -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Laura Bush predicted on Friday that the United States soon will have a female president - a Republican, and maybe even Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. "I think it will happen for sure," Mrs. Bush said about a woman in the Oval Office....

Democrats May Delay Alito Nomination Vote -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrats confirmed Friday that they will make a last-ditch attempt to slow Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito's momentum by delaying the first vote on his candidacy....

MEDIA

It is a federal crime to publish classified information. -- [Counter Column]
Cori Dauber is reporting, via an informed source, that the military strenuously requested that New York Times and Washington Post not publish the results of a study on body armor.

MILBLOGGING / BLOGGING

One Marine's View - Interview w/ Capt B in Iraq -- [Uncle Jimbo - BlackFive]
Many folks asked for interviews with milboggers who are "boots on the ground", Capt B of One Marine's View is the first victim. I like his mix of enthralling stories and a bit of a smart ass tone, but you can decide why you like it for yourself. I sent some off beat questions and he came through with some flavor in return.

So long "Paper and Pencil?" -- [Miserable Donuts]
The front page of the Daily Illini features two articles on blogs. "Who's Behind Local Blogs" focusing on the local public and "Teacher Uses Blogs instead of Paper and Pencil" looks at changes in education.

The article about the local efforts even features Prairie Biker, who we link to on our "Friends of Donuts" list.

CONGRATS

Congratulations SPC Lewis! -- [Will to Exist - in Iraq]
I want to congratulate my fellow soldier, SPC Harold Lewis Jr. on the birth of his daughter. I’ll post her name here when I get it. Welcome to this crazy world, Alyssa!

IN MEMORY OF...

Fallen Warrior -- [Wordsmith at War - in Iraq]
These are the days you'll remember about being in a war - when a fellow soldier, leader, and friend meets death. LTC Michael McLaughlin was a force of nature. His dynamic personality and sense of humor were things no one could forget. Those who new him well called him "Colonel Mac," or just "Mac." There is a vast field of linguistics known only to people who are familiar with the military lifestyle. Its tomes are filled with quick comebacks, catchy phrases, acronyms, and rhetorical spoofs. LTC Mac knew them all, and could pull one out of a hat in any situation like a magician with a white rabbit. I once heard him say "Look, they might be the toothpaste, but I’m the one squeezing the tube, okay?"

From the TAG -- [Chris Whong - in Iraq]
My old First Sergeant from the 121st, now CSM Skip Adkins, forwarded this memo. SGT McMullen was in my training group for 2 weeks in Alabama before we deployed. He had much to contribute to the unit, and brought with him a sense of duty and an ethos of public service from his civilian job as a paramedic. He was one of the no-nonsense soldiers, who never complained and always kept things positive for all those around him. May he rest in peace.

WELCOME HOME

Day -7 - One Week Already -- [Big Al's Army Life - home from Iraq]
...We sure hope everyone is doing great - almost everyone should be home or is already home from the the 155 BCT - YAY! I know that it is a good feeling for everyone to not have to worry constantly, wait for the phone to ring or everything else that goes along with a deployment. I am sleeping through the night now and I am no longer married to my computer or the phone - but I have a real, live husband in my house which is wonderful and scary all at the same time. Transitioning from a deployment to being a full time newlywed sure is INTERESTING to say the least - not to mention the fact that I am a terrible control freak to boot. Yikes. Poor Al! It's a good thing he's the most laid back person on the planet!

THE LAST OF OUR GUYS IS HOME!!!-- [Some Soldier's Mom]
Vinny arrived HOME tonight quite unexpectedly!!! Seems when they got to Kuwait for their special detail, they were told that some other unit had picked up the work AND THEY WERE GETTING ON A PLANE TO GO HOME!

Christopher is back from Iraq! -- [BayerBoysnAction]
Christopher arrived back at Ft. Bragg NC around 4:15 am on Thursday, Dec. 29th. His plane came in over 2 hours early, so Julie, Calli and I were still enroute. Oh, well!! As long as they all made it back, that is all that counts.

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