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

Tall Afar -- [Marketing in Iraq? - in Iraq]
Tall Afar is a northern city in Iraq that until recently was a hotbed of insurgent activity. 5,000 US and Iraqi troops swept the area in September 2, 2005 and roughly 57 insurgents were killed during the course of the day according to the Washington Post. Of course there are likely still insurgents in the city and certainly still in the region.

The good news is that things appear to be improving. Najim Abdullah al-Jubouri, the mayor of Tall Afar, recently wrote a letter to General George W. Casey, Commanding General Multi-National Force - Iraq, thanking US troops for their participation in the liberation of Tall Afar.

Redman and Rotten eggs -- [SandGram - in Iraq]
Dear Gang,
Well in the light of my glass half full, here is a post that hopefully will bring a smile to your face. This happened three months ago and is a bit of old news. The hardest part about writing is to make sure I don’t violate any operational security directives. That’s why you may only read the mundane side of life here and not the action. Although if I was in charge of the country, I would...

THE YOUNG MARINE BREAKS THE CODE -- [One Marine's View - in Iraq]
...below is Sgt M’s essay.
One day in the summertime, shortly after the invasion of Iraq, I was told to assist in the preparation of a memorial service that was for Marines who died in the first wave invasion of Iraq. I figured I would be setting up chairs and tents for the ceremony. That day, however, changed my life; my duty was much different from what I pictured in my mind. As we ushered the families of the fallen heroes, I realized how much had been given by these Marines. I was selected to accompany a young woman, who was approximately 20 years old, carrying two children. I took one of the children, and she wrapped her arm inside mine as we walked forward to the memorial service.
After you read it you too will agree America is lucky to have these young warriors on our side and so eager to serve,...

Of Quasimoto, Dogs, Death and God -- [Fire and Ice - in Iraq]
Out on the battlefield communication is important on many levels. Company commanders follow closely behind their Marines as they press forward through a maze of walled courtyards and Byzantine streets. With a radio handset pressed into one ear and a strangle hold on a well worn map these seasoned professionals orchestrate a deadly game of cat and mouse. Geometry of fire is the watchword of the day as they regulate the movement of their platoons trying to stay on line with flanking sister units while maintaining aggressive contact to the front. Often the only things these captains have to go on are the tin can garble of radio traffic, the sound of gunfire, and rising plumes of smoke. They ultimately have to trust their own experience and intuition. Most will tell you ...

Out with the big MTTS -- [An independent look at Iraq - journalist embedded in Iraq]
...This camp used to be an Iraqi mukhabarat facility, the old secret police under Saddam. Remember all those stories about torture rooms, vats of acid and wood chippers? The stories are true and they happened here.

One of Saddam's sons, Tim isn't sure if it was Uday or Qusay, would come here and have dissidents thrown into wood chippers -- feet first.

Saddam Sues Bush -- [Stop the ACLU]
In what one would expect to be satire, it isn’t!
Defence lawyers for Saddam Hussein Wednesday distributed copies of a lawsuit against President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair for destroying Iraq.

The future of Iraq -- [Peace like a River]
Maya Alleruzzo tells a powerful story in the Washington Times. It is the story of Capt. Furat, an Iraqi soldier fighting back from severe injuries. It is the story of the kind of man who will form the backbone of a free Iraq.
I know someone who fought with Capt. Furat, and who trusts him.

The Paths We Follow -- [Those Wacky Iraqis - in Iraq]
I sat in a meeting today with two retired Lt. Generals, a retired Brigadier General, a serving Brigadier General and a host of retired and serving officers from Colonels on down. I wonder sometimes how I got here and just what the hell I am doing with such an august group of Americans.

Operation Arabian -- [America's Son - in Iraq]
...So there we were...plodding along in our Stryker at a comfortable rate when the gunner yelled out into his mic, "STOP!...STOP THE TRUCK!", as he whipped his .50 cal around the the right side of the vehicle. At the time, I was standing in the rear gunner's hatch and had communication with the crew so I heard his gentle request. I immediately began scanning the barren landscape for any movement; ready to engage. The crew chief asked the gunner what he had. His response caused my heart to race. "Boss", he replied, "I think we just drove into a mine field". I looked outside the vehicle and saw symmetrical circles in the sand in a perfectly straight line on either side of our Stryker...our tires had miraculously passed directly in between two of these circles.

Age of Soldiers -- [Ask the Soldiers - in Iraq]
How many enlisted soldiers in the Guard are in their 40's? Soon to be 45 I'm wondering if I could hack a tour in Iraq. How are these middle age soldiers doing? I'm prior service (5 years in the chair-force)

ROUGH RIDERS IN IRAQ -- [2006 Tour of Duty - in Iraq]
When units deploy they always find a way to show off their logo and the cement T-barriers make a good place to show your art work. This is the Rough Riders and their motto "Strike Hard"...

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

General Sees Rift In Iraq Enemy -- (USA Today)...Rick Jervis
A deepening rift between radical foreign-led fighters and native Iraqi insurgents has turned violent, the top U.S. intelligence officer in Iraq says. That creates an opportunity for American forces to try to persuade local guerrillas to put down their weapons and join the political process, he says.

Insurgent Attacks Repelled -- (Washington Post)...Jonathan Finer
U.S. Marines and Iraqi soldiers repelled coordinated attacks on the provincial government headquarters in the western city of Ramadi on Tuesday afternoon, killing seven insurgents, the military said Wednesday.

Iraqi Army Getting Stronger -- (Miami Herald)...Jim Krane, Associated Press
With American help, the Iraqi army is emerging as a lightly armed counterinsurgency force that may control more of the country than the U.S.-led coalition by this spring, U.S. military officials say. But in coming years, the Iraqi army will remain too weak to defend the country and will be reliant far into the future on America to guarantee Iraq's sovereignty, experts say.

U.S. Military to Release Iraqi Women -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The U.S. military said Thursday it would release five Iraqi women detainees, a move demanded by the kidnappers of an American reporter to spare her life. A U.S. official said the release had nothing to do with the kidnappers' demand. The women will be freed Thursday and Friday as part of a release of 419 Iraqis to be freed after officials concluded there was no reason to keep holding them, said Lt. Col. Guy Rudisill, spokesman for the U.S. detention command.

Abduction Forces A Grim Look At What A Story Is Worth -- (Los Angeles Times)...Alissa J. Rubin
When Jill Carroll was kidnapped, other journalists in Iraq were aghast that something so horrible had happened to someone they knew. But many insisted privately that it never would have happened to them.

Prince Harry could be sent to Iraq -- (Yahoo News/AFP)
LONDON (AFP) - Prince Harry, completing his army officer training, has chosen to join a regiment which could be deployed in Iraq.

Dayton Wants Panel Hearing Into Claims About Tainted Water -- (The Hill)...Roxana Tiron
Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) is calling for Armed Services Committee hearings into allegations that Halliburton supplied contaminated water to the U.S. military in Iraq.

Jordan Jails 4 For Plotting To Attack Troops In Iraq -- (USA Today)...Unattributed LINK UNAVAILABLE
Jordan's military court in Amman convicted four Palestinians in two plots to attack U.S. forces in Iraq. The men were sentenced to prison terms of three to four years. Three other Palestinians were acquitted for lack of evidence.

Saddam's atrocities exposed on video -- (WND)
Footage released in response to charges dictator 'demonized'
Responding to accusations Saddam Hussein is being "demonized" as his trial resumes, a U.S. group has released videotapes documenting torture and murder ordered by the former Iraqi dictator.

AFGHANISTAN

Busy -- [Andi's World]
...Check out the differences between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to Afghanistan.

Back in Business -- [Fortunate Son - in Afghanistan]
We're back, baby! I've cleared it with my command to keep posting as long as I don't post pictures from the PRT or any of our operations and that none of the subject matter discusses any of our operations, past, present and future. Aside from the occasionally picture of me giving toys to a refugee or the standard mug for the team photo, this has never been an issue anyway, and I never discuss operational issues anyway as a matter of course, so it shouldn't have much of an effect on content.

Taliban break out of Pulacharke Prison -- [Cao’s Blog]
On the outskirts of Kabul, 7 members of the Taliban escaped from Pulacharke prison on Sunday. Disguised as visitors, these seven Taliban terrorists escaped what people are calling a ‘high security prison’ in Kabul. mheh. Some ‘high security’ prison when the prisoners are allowed to walk right out of there along with visitors.

Thursday, January 26, 2006 -- [goose0370 - in Afghanistan]
I shouted that at the top of my lungs the other day, but I couldnt hear myself, the roar of the wind in my ears and dust in my face.. I could barely breathe, the dust was so think and my adrenaline rushing so fast through me. Well, Im sure that after rocking the Ma Deuce (.50 Cal) was the reason my ears were ringing like Carol of the Bells...and as long as theyre ringing, it means they work, right? Either way, my adrenaline addiction was sated for the day, and several afterwords, I got the shakes again once we made it back to the wire. Im sure its just the body going through withdrawls of the natural high, at least I hope so.

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

Two awarded Soldier’s Medals for rescuing Afghan men -- (Army Times)
FORT EUSTIS, Va. — Two Fort Eustis soldiers who rescued a group of Afghan men from a burning building have received Soldier’s Medals — one of the highest recognitions a soldier can receive for heroism outside combat...

191,000 Iraqis put to work in 2005 -- (Azzaman.com, Iraq)
By Ikhlas Majeed. Labor and Social Affairs Ministry says it put more than 191,839 unemployed Iraqis to work in 2005 out of 611,688 registered jobless Iraqis. ...

Iraq needs $60 billion to revive domestic industry -- (Azzaman)
To modernize the country’s industry, investments in the range of $60 billion are needed, said Minister of Industry and Minerals Usama Abdulaziz.
The huge sum, he said, was not difficult to raise.
“Foreign investment and flow of foreign capital will make the money available,” he added.
Otherwise, Iraqi industry will not be able to cope with the rest of the world, he said.
He said currently his ministry was receiving only 10% of the actual allocations it needs to modernize the industry.

Afghanistan needs more US help than Iraq -- (Gulf News)
| I returned recently from a six-day trip to Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan inspired by the progress that has been made in the region. Afghans and Iraqis yearn for a new beginning predicated on freedo...

No end in sight to Afghanistan's years of violence -- (Reuters)
U.S. military warns of rise in bomb attacks on civilians and troops by Afghan militants.

OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

The Just War Theory and Iran -- [Officer's Club]
An excellent way to clarify the justification for military action against the Iranian regime is to examine the crisis through the lens of the Just War Theory.

Carnack the magician -- [Neptunus Lex]
...there’s a lot to learn from the electoral success of the Islamic “resistance” group Hamas during today’s Palestinian elections. And something to hope for as well.

For the frolicking folks from Yasser Arafat’s governing Fatah, who may now be forced to include Terror, Inc. executives in the ruling cabinet, it’s a reminder that the old Arafat days are well and truly over:

Leta's Kosovo Diary (Part the 5th) -- [Way Down In Kosovo - in Kosovo]
...We’re going to Stubbla today to the Catholic Church. Several of the Soldiers who are rotating out have donated blankets, etc. for the church to disburse to the poor. That just kills me – the poor. I always wonder just how they determine who is “poor” when the majority of the population is. The Soldiers were late in picking us up. At one point neither Danny nor Adelina (who speaks great English) were around so to call so I wanted Danny’s sister to call Danny to call them to find out where they were and when we could expect them……I needed to “talk” to Danny’s sister who speaks Albanian. I would speak English to Dada who would speak Serbian to Mr. Ilazi (who speaks Albanian and Serbian) who would speak Albanian to the sister then back around again. It was comical but got the job done. Anyway

MSM REPORTS ON OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Hamas wins upset victory in Palestinian election -- (Reuters)
GAZA (Reuters) - The Islamic militant group Hamas swept to victory over the long-dominant Fatah faction on Thursday in the Palestinian parliamentary election, a political earthquake that could bury chances for peacemaking with...

China opposes sanctions to resolve Iran dispute -- (Reuters)
BEIJING (Reuters) - China opposes sanctions against Iran's nuclear ambitions and urges countries to consider a Russian compromise, a Chinese spokesman said on Thursday, as Tehran's nuclear negotiator held talks in Beijing

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

The Pakistani Frontier -- [Threatswatch - Bill Roggio]
When more is not enough; Counterterror efforts net successes but fall short on The Frontier
The airstrike on al-Qaeda leadership in the town of Damadola has done more than just kill up to five senior al-Qaeda commanders, including Abu Khabab, the chief of al-Qaeda’s WMD program; it has shone a light on the largely hidden war occurring on the Afghan-Pakistani border, the pervasiveness of al-Qaeda and the Taliban in the tribal belts, and Pakistan’s struggles in fighting al-Qaeda in the region.

Europeans Question How Far to Go in Combating Terrorism, American Debate May Follow -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
My colleague, Olivier Guitta , in an excellent blog posted January 23rd, posited an improved level of cooperation between the United States and Europe in combating terrorism. Considerable strides have been made since the March 2004 Madrid bombing to enhance intelligence sharing and other cooperation between the US and Europe. Yet, public support, in Europe, for such cooperation is beginning to wane. This stems in part from a series of allegations during the past six months that the United States may have gone too far on issues that touch on European and American civil and human rights sensibilities

MSM REPORTS ON WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Bush: Bin Laden Should Be Taken Seriously -- (AP)
FORT MEADE, Md. (AP) - President Bush, defending the government's secret surveillance program, said Wednesday that Americans should take Osama bin Laden seriously when he says he's going to attack again. "When he says he's going to hurt the American people again, or try to, he means it," Bush told reporters after visiting the top-secret National Security Agency where the surveillance program is based. "I take it seriously, and the people of NSA take it seriously."

Europe's C.I.A. Inquiry Finds No Evidence of Secret Prisons (NY Times)
Correction Appended
STRASBOURG, France, Jan. 24 - An inquiry by the Council of Europe into allegations that the C.I.A. has operated secret detention centers in Eastern Europe has turned up no evidence that such centers ever existed, though the leader of the inquiry, Dick Marty, said there are enough "indications" to justify continuing the investigation.

Victoria Toensing: FISA Fears Shielded 9/11 Plotters -- [NewsMax]
Contrary to the claims of Bush administration critics, the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act has seriously hampered U.S. counterterrorism efforts - and actually helped to shield at least two key 9/11 plotters from detection by U.S. law enforcement.

The Power-Madness of King George -- (Slate)...Jacob Weisberg
Is Bush turning America into an elective dictatorship?
It's tempting to dismiss the debate about the National Security Agency spying on Americans as a technical conflict about procedural rights. President Bush believes he has the legal authority to order electronic snooping without asking anyone's permission. Civil libertarians and privacy-fretters think Bush needs a warrant from the special court created to authorize wiretapping in cases of national security. But in practice, the so-called FISA court that issues such warrants functions as a virtual rubber stamp for the executive branch anyhow, so what's the great difference in the end?

Terrorism, by the numbers -- (Asia Times)
Speaking Freely is an Asia Times Online feature that allows guest writers to have their say. Please click here if you are interested in contributing.

The US State Department is mandated by law to produce a report for Congress on an annual basis. The report should provide details of the past year's terrorist incidents, the idea being that Congress can then analyze and study the impact of terrorism. The theory goes that given this information, one can manage terrorism. Yet the idea has lost support within the State Department, and the statistical aspect of report has been dropped.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Stein, Again: An Officer and a Gentleman Responds -- [Fuzzilicious Thinking]
The American Thinker has published a gentlemanly but powerful reply to Joel Stein, written by the Lieutenant Colonel who commanded the Task Force that captured Saddam Hussein. It is the epitome of grace, class, and quiet confidence. In part, LTC Steve Russell writes:

Patriotic Essay - A Better Writer Than Joel Stein -- [Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho]
...Countless platoons are begging loved ones at homes to send shoes, school supplies, candy, clothing for the children of their war zones. “The kids here have nothing, we want to give them something,” I am told over and over. These youth that serve America are not motivated by materialism, but pure altruism. America’s youth in the military are motivated by a higher intent than to have the latest stereo, I pod, fast car, minimalist designer gear or get to the next great party. Don’t get me wrong, they are beautiful inside, and would love all those things just like the rest of our youth in America—and don’t get me wrong, I don’t begrudge our American youth anything, I am a parent and like most parents, want to give them everything. But America’s youth in the military have searched within themselves—and responded to a spiritual calling within their higher self, their soul, if you will. America’s youth in the military have chosen to put their own needs to the side,

The Ugliest of Things -- [Dadmanly]
Joel Stein dropped quite the incendiary device in Tuesday’s LA Times. He claims that he meant it to detonate on the flanks of his anti-war fellow travelers, but, since he commenced his tantrum with “I don’t support the troops,” the collateral damage potentially spreads to anyone in uniform. (That is, if we even bother to concern ourselves with what an LA Times opinion columnist thinks about anything military-related.)

MSM REPORTS ON SUPPORTING THE TROOPS

Battling Over Support For The Troops -- (Letter) -- (Los Angeles Times)...Maj. Daniel L. Davis
I am an officer in the active Army who has fought in Iraq and served in Afghanistan. As you might guess, I disagree with the views Joel Stein expressed, but I honor and respect his decision to disagree with what we're doing, and appreciate the fact he does so in a fairly respectful way.

MILITARY

The Soldier's Load. -- [Argghhh!]
Given the way the comments moved [well, the *serious* comments] in my Any Soldier, Any Era post, this is probably a good time to drag something up out of the archives.
...And it ain't just our Army, either. Any soldier. Any era. Just ask these Canadians.

Enlistment Oaths -- [Fuzzilicious Thinking]
All persons, upon entering Military Service and upon reenlistment, are required to take the Oath of Enlistment. At one time, the Oath of Enlistment was the same for all services. Due to changes in both society and the differing Military Branches, the Oath has undergone marked change and has been specifically tailored to each branch of the Military and their specific function. Here are the latest versions of the Oath of Enlistment as recently released by the Joint Chiefs of Staff: NEW ENLISTMENT OATHS...

What About This Torture Case? -- [Grim's Hall]
The Armed Liberal, who is one of the more honest and pugilistic folks in the blogosphere, threw down on the Army for letting CWO Lewis E. Welshofer, Jr., off of a murder charge and an assault charge, and convicting him of only a much lesser offense. Uncle Jimbo, former Special Forces, joins in the anger.

The Donald pushes back... -- [Counter Column]
...against the Krepinovich study, and argues that with a "total force" of more than 2 million, there shouldn't be any reason why we can't sustain a 138,000 strong force in Iraq.

MSM REPORTS ON MILITARY

US military 'at breaking point' -- (BBC)
Donald Rumsfeld said the military was capable and battle hardened
The US military has become dangerously overstretched because of the scale of its operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, two reports have warned.
One, by former officials in the Clinton administration, said the pressure of repeated deployments was very corrosive and could have long-term effects.

The second, ordered by the Pentagon and yet to be released, reportedly calls the army "stretched to breaking point".

Rumsfeld: Army Not 'Broken' -- (Washington Post)...Ann Scott Tyson
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld yesterday strongly rejected warnings in a Pentagon-contracted study that the Iraq war risks "breaking" the U.S. Army, and he said a recent decision to scale back U.S. troop levels in Iraq did not grow out of a need to relieve the strain on American ground forces.

Study: Most Reservists Earn More in Combat -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) - Most military reservists who left their civilian jobs to fight in Iraq or Afghanistan made more money there than in their regular jobs, according to a study that contradicts the notion that citizen soldiers lose money when they go to war. The study, by RAND's National Defense Research Institute, found that 72 percent of the troops surveyed made more while on war duty in 2002 or 2003 than they did in their civilian jobs in 2001. More than half made at least $10,000 more

No ‘Brokeback Mountain’ for overseas troops -- (Star & Stripes)
Officials: Film’s absence due to timing, not subject matter
Jake Gyllenhaal, left, and Heath Ledger star as cowboys — and ill-fated lovers — in “Brokeback Mountain.” As an independent film with limited prints available to theaters, it won’t make it to overseas military screens, officials say.

New Film Is Making Waves -- (Washington Post)...Ray Rivera
Navy distances itself from 'Annapolis,' which opens tomorrow.

Correction - Jan 25 2006
-- (Baltimore Sun)...The Baltimore Sun
An article in Tuesday's editions stated that Naval Academy personnel were instructed not to wear their uniforms to showings of the movie Annapolis. The academy says that is a misreading of the following instructions, issued by e-mail, to its personnel: "Navy personnel should avoid the appearance of support to the film as members of the Department of the Navy. Anyone attending a screening or promotional activity for the film should not attend in uniform."

POLITICS

It Ain't Gonna Happen, People -- [WuzzaDem]
ONLY 16% FIRM ON HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT
...If Hillary were to run, then, yes, it would be sweet to see her get stomped by Condi Rice, but that's never going to happen. I'm still not convinced Hillary will run. I have serious doubts about her willingness to open the Clinton closet and risk a skeleton avalanche.

MSM REPORTS ON POLITICS

New PAC To Back Antiwar Veterans -- (Los Angeles Times)...Ronald Brownstein
An organization of veterans disillusioned with President Bush's handling of the Iraq war plans to launch a political action committee today dedicated to electing antiwar veterans to Congress.

Senators Say Ethics Beyond Lobbying Reform -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Members of Congress must look at their own behavior as well as lobbyists' if they are to regain the trust of the American public, senators said Wednesday....

Sen. Clinton Blasts Bush on Eavesdropping -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton called President Bush's explanations for eavesdropping on domestic conversations without warrants "strange" and "far-fetched" Wednesday in blistering criticism ahead of the president's State of the Union address....

Schwarzenegger Approval Rating Recovering -- (AP)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's approval rating is showing signs of recovery after tumbling late last year, according to a poll released Thursday....

MILBLOGGING / BLOGGING

Cyber Patrol: Careless keyboards can kill -- [Cyber Patrol] HT: Argghhh!
ARLINGTON, Va. (Army News Service, Jan. 24, 2006) -- Fewer people would know about a deployment or operation if you screamed it out at the Superbowl than if you posted it on a Web log or blog.

Common sense will tell you not to discuss sensitive subjects on the streets of Baghdad. The same common sense should apply on the highways of cyberspace. Soldiers need to keep this in mind, not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it could land them in a world of trouble.

We're Supposed To Be Better Than This -- [Villainous Company]
James Joyner's oft-repeated observation aside, I've never been particularly daunted by what he aptly terms the food-fight nature of blogging. If I have something to say, I speak up. But trading thoughts in the marketplace of ideas is one thing. In any contest of logic, persuasive rhetoric, or ideology I've never hesitated to pit myself against other bloggers, commenters, pundits, or authors. After all, this is what the blogosphere is all about: a vigorous and free-wheeling exchange of ideas that enriches all who participate.
...But discussion - especially reasoned discourse between the Left and Right sides of the blogosphere - presupposes some rudimentary amount of civilized behavior from the parties involved. It is impossible to exchange ideas during a shouting match.

THE MEDIA

Scott McClellan Fights Back Against Liberal Media (VIDEO) -- [Political Teen]
MR. McCLELLAN: After Martha. Martha has got the floor, and then I’ll go to Ivan so he can get to the Pentagon. I’ve got to go to the National Security Agency, so I’m trying to go through this.

Rumsfeld To Reporters: Why Don't You Report The News, Not What "Might Be" The News? -- [RightWinged]
Reporters, as always, are trying to do press conference battle with Rummy... And as always, he's mopping the floor with them, busting their partisan BS all over the place.

I wish I had the video of this, but I thought I'd at least share the line I just heard with you all. After many minutes reporters trying to insist that the military is broken and Rummy destroying them all, someone asked another stupid question and Rumsfeld's response (just half listening to it in the background) was:

Oh, How I Love The Smell.... -- [Villainous Company]
...of schadenfreude in the morning...

Lawyers for a former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney told a federal judge Friday that they want to subpoena journalists and news organizations to seek additional documents they may have related to the leak of a CIA operative’s name.

There They Go Again -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
A NYT Op-Ed titled Al Qaeda's Big Boast offers an analysis of Osama bin Laden's recently released audiotape (free registration required).

The conclusion, neatly summed up in the last sentence, is that AQ is winning:

Curious Inaccessibility of AP (and Reuters, et. al.) Writers -- [Jammed Gun]
I am writing about something that is hardly original. And yet, not enough is made of the curious inaccessibility of ‘writers’ (scare quotes intended – to indicate that these characters are very often simply wannabe-editorialists with an overseas dateline) for the ‘wire agencies,’ such as AP, UPI, Reuters, AFP, and so on.

Commie Radio Comes Crashing Down! -- [The Real Ugly American]
At least according to Mark Cooper who should know. Marc worked at Pacifica’s KPFK doing a drive time show from 1998 - 2001.

You have to read the post. It is a fantastic insiders look and critique of the moonbat left, and the communists who run KPFK by intimidating and slandering anyone who differs with their written in stone ideology or crazy conspiracy theories.

The best part is how Marc’s post could be applied to the Democratic Party as a whole which is controlled today by the Pacifica / Moveon / Daily Kos crowd.

MSM REPORTS ON MEDIA

Telegraph loses Galloway libel appeal -- (Guardian)
The Daily Telegraph has lost its appeal against a £150,000 libel award to the MP and Big Brother contestant George Galloway.
The court of appeal today upheld a high court judgment in 2004 that the Telegraph libelled Mr Galloway in an article alleging that he received money from former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's regime.

WELCOME HOME

Back Home -- [365 and a Wake Up]
After 18 months away the 1-184 IN returned to the sunny shores of California last Monday. It has only been a week since A Co touched down, but when I look back at my days in Baghdad they seem somehow vaugely unfamiliar. It is almost as if I were watching the actions of an unfamiliar other move through my memories.

Doing Dishes at 32,000 Feet -- [A Storm In Afghanistan - home from Afghanistan/Germany]
...I'd like to say a big thank you to Continental Airlines for providing truly great service. The trip was wonderful. They even provided a bassinet that mounted to the wall for Thomas to sleep in. And in Newark, when we ran into some difficulties with our scheduled wheelchair, the flight crew STAYED with us to ensure we were taken care of. And by stayed, I mean they walked with us through security and one attendant followed us almost all the way to the next gate. Truly exceptional.

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