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

By the Twos -- [Fire and Ice - in Iraq]
The two individuals whose photographs appear today, Michael Phillips of The Wall Street Journal and Hollywood documentary film maker Pat Dollard, were my battle buddies while at Ar Ramadi's Observation Post Horea. These two gentlemen, though fundamentally different creatively and politically, have fearlessly shared the common lot of the Marines here in Iraq. Mike was here on his fourth visit and Pat his third. Mike, a seasoned photo-journalist, works diligently to maintain the aloof impartiality of a judge even while enduring all the dangers and hardships faced by the Marines he covers. In addition to dispatches appearing regularly in The Wall Street Journal, he's also written a book entitled The Gift of Valor: A War Story. Lest one thinks his prose is limited to arid reporting, his reviewers assure us that this book displays the hand of a sensitive and evocative wordsmith.

Outside the Wire -- [Wordsmith at War - in Iraq]
We’ve got to keep Haji on his toes, lest he think he can blatantly transport weapons and bomb-making materials through our area of operations. Those who would do us harm need to know that we frown on this behavior, we Americans fighting over here, and if they’re going to try, they better damn well be afraid of getting caught.

As I’ve stated many times in this blog, I am a communications officer. My job on this deployment is to keep my Battalion connected through various means. I advise the Commander and staff on all things Signal. Still, the Commander feels it is important for even his staff officers and NCOs to get out and participate in operations. This doesn’t happen all the time.

Funeral -- [MREater]
Here are some pictures, the likes of which you probably won't see in traditional media. This is a "ramp ceremony" for a soldier killed in Iraq.

Wake for a Sioux Warrior and U.S. Marine -- [Winds of Change - Robin Burk]
From a Native American colleague of mine who is also an Army officer:

This is a slide show that shows a Lakota Sioux wake and ceremony for a Marine that was killed in Iraq. It shows you the integration of 2 cultures and the specific Sioux culture. Native Americans have the highest per capita service than any other ethnic group. We are only less than 1% of the total US population.

Rewarding work -- [A Soldier's Diary - in Iraq]
I had a few realizations the last week of how starved I am to actually have more responsibility than just myself. A couple days ago my squad had to take some of our replacements to another camp through the "Red Zone" as we like to call it. These guys are fresh off the plane and this is their first time outside the International Zone (or Green Zone), so it is kind of a big deal for them. You can see the slight nervousness in all of them - we all had the same thing, but my squad has run this particular route probably 30 or 40 times and we know it to be a very safe road.

Quick note - [Team Med-fah - in Iraq]
Hi, all. Been very busy lately due to working with our REPLACEMENTS. Six of them arrived on the 28th; the remaining five on the 30th. We have all been very, VERY busy ever since, keeping the ball rolling on ops, etc., while explaining every nuance of our lives for the past eight months to them. They are all billeted with us, so we have doubled up occupancy (which was tight to begin with). They are all good to go; I am really pleased with them individually and as a team. I will NOT be disappointed to leave, but it is good to be handing everything over to a team who I fell will continue to grow it vice re-invent what we have already done.

Bet you didn’t know about MNF-Iraq.com -- [The Will to Exist - in Iraq]
...Did you know you can read transcripts of the weekly briefings given by generals in Iraq to the media? You can take a look at the PowerPoint slide presentations too. It’s not light reading, but there is gold buried in them thar hills if you’re willing to prospect a little bit. Plenty of other features will probably catch your interest, including video and photos. If you care about what is really happening in Iraq, you should see a side of things you probably haven’t seen in detail.

I KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN -- [One Marine's View - in Iraq]
So, Im in my sleep coma and life is good. Then the alarm clock from hell part two sounds off at 0130 Monday morning. The Super Bowl pre game is starting and I asked myself, self why am I getting up?? The Cowboys aren’t playing, the Broncos aren’t playing (the two greatest teams that exist-in that order I might add) so why get up? Knowing I could watch the game and enjoy a cold haji Pepsi and cigar was a good enough excuse to get up and check it out.

The Holy Grail -- [Marketing in Iraq? - in Iraq]
Last night we had a little going away party for one of the high ranking officials here in Baghdad. Some of you already know about General Order Number 1. The order basically says no alcohol, no gambling, no adult entertainment, and no fraternization. The alcohol part can be lifted temporarily based on the commanders discretion.

The party gave everyone a chance to change into civilian clothes for the evening too. So, here's how it happens though...we all got two beer tickets and burgers for the evening. It was extremely nice to sit down and have a cold beer which was my first in over two months now.

"Singing in the Rain" -- [SandGram - in Iraq]
I once wrote about the hazards you face while out here on Combat duty. You worry about the rockets and stuff, but it’s the simple things that can really hurt you around the base. Take for example the rain. When it rains here, it comes down like a cow pissing on a flat bed rock. Big ole’ drops that actually hurt when they hit. Since this is all talcum powder sand with a clay base, there is nowhere for the water to run off so it collects and forms little mini lakes around here.

Thunderstorms -- [Chapter: War - in Iraq]
We've had thunderstorms and rain that have soaked much of Iraq, and most of the areas I am in are a foot deep in mud. Everything is drenched including all gear, clothes, and weapons. The inside of the vehicle is soaked and smells. Mud is caked on everything.

It's raining, it's pouring...Boy do I hate this place! -- [Combat Medic In Iraq]
Well, along with winter months in any region comes precipitation. Unfortunately, since Iraq doesn't get a lot of rain strewn out over a few months or a season; it all just comes down at once! The accumilation of water hear is something like that seen in New Orlean's during the first stages of it's demise, or maybe this is what Noah built the *Ark* for...days like today!

FLOOD WATERS -- [2006 Tour of Duty -- in Iraq]
This is the rainy season in Iraq. When it rains it pours all the low areas fill up and the water does not soak in as fast as the soil is like clay. The total rainfall is about six inches a year. So far we had had about three inches...

Civil Engineering 201 -- [Fraser From Iraq - in Iraq]
The Air Force engineers forgot about something called drainage. So, instead of a muddy road- we now have a muddy pond. And the only thing that stands between us and the XXXXX (insert truck, shower, bathroom, food, gym, flight line, internet, mail, or pretty much anything) is a 2-foot deep pond of mud, and refuge.

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

Congress's Secret Saddam Tapes -- (Ny Sun) HT: [Stop the ACLU]
The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is studying 12 hours of audio recordings between Saddam Hussein and his top advisers that may provide clues to the whereabouts of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction.

War in Iraq not worth the life of another soldier -- (Times Union)
The ongoing debate about Iraq frequently overlooks the fact that false intelligence was hyped as a means to garner early support for the President's action, and now focuses on the negative consequences that might result should we make a premature withdrawal from Iraq.

Team Bush Shrugs Off 300B War Costs -- (New York Daily News)...Kenneth R. Bazinet
When the estimated cost of the Iraq war soared beyond $300 billion yesterday, White House officials said there were no regrets about humiliating two top aides who had accurately predicted the war's cost.

World In Brief -- (Washington Post)...Jonathan Finer
A row between Iraqi Transport Minister Salam Maliki and British forces has shut down the international airport in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, to civilian traffic.

Poland's Leader Hopes To Gain From Support Of U.S. Policies -- (Washington Post)...Craig Whitlock
Poland's new president, Lech Kaczynski, said his country might keep troops in Iraq until sometime in 2007 if necessary, in an extension of its military commitment there, even as other nations are withdrawing or making plans to do so

Attacks Rock 'Foundation' That Marines Built in Anbar -- (Washington Post)...Nelson Hernandez
HIT, Iraq, Feb. 6 -- The troops of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit had every reason to feel a sense of accomplishment. Violence in this ancient town along the western Euphrates River had dropped sharply since their arrival. They were only a few days from heading home. And they had not lost a single Marine during two months in Iraq's most dangerous province.

Split In Iraqi Insurgency Spawns New Sunni Militia -- (Arizona Daily Star (Tucson))...Wire reports
Sunni Arabs have formed their own militia to counter Shiite and Kurdish forces as part of an attempt to regain influence they lost after Saddam Hussein was toppled.

Two Explosions Kill at Least 7 Iraqis -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Two bombs exploded minutes apart Tuesday near a square in central Baghdad, killing at least seven people and wounding about 20, police and hospital officials said....

Tokyo Sees Troop Pull-Out From Iraq 'In Months' -- (London Financial Times)...David Turner
Japan will pull its soldiers out of Iraq "within several months", according to remarks attributed to a senior official.

Saddam Team 'Gives Up' -- (London Daily Telegraph)...Unattributed
Lawyers for Saddam Hussein said yesterday that they had all but given up on participating in his trial, insisting that America and Iraq's Shia leadership had fixed proceedings.

AFGHANISTAN

Just a few more weeks -- [The World From My Perspective v2.0 - in Afghanistan]
...A few days ago I was dispatch on a quick reaction force mission to secure the site of a suicide car-bomb attack. Not the most desireable of circumstances to leave the realitive safety of the forward operating base...I would much rather be handing out children's vitamins and school supplies, but that is beside the point.
...Three Afghan Army soldiers were killed, a farmer on a tractor, and the suicide bomber of course. I guess one positive you can take out of it was when the man was stopped at the checkpoint he blew himself up, it was presumed that he was heading towards the provincial capital of Khowst. I could only imagine the carnage he would have caused had he been able to drive himself to the university, the UN building, or any other number of suitable sites that Afghans frequent, going about their daily lives.

Afghans thwart al Qaeda suicide bomber -- [Cao's Blog]
Their target was General Atta Mohammad, one of the most powerful members of the Northern Alliance. General Atta joined forces with General Dostum to reclaim Mazar-e-Sharif from the Taleban in 2001.

Farewell to a brave Marine -- [AfghaniDan - in Afghanistan]
This past Thursday- James Joyce's birthday, for those in the know- I managed to get outside the wire, but for a solemn occasion: to fly out and attend the memorial for a Marine who was killed by an IED last week. He was by all accounts a dedicated, sincere young Marine who knew more about engines than anyone else in his mechanic shop...and those guys bust their butts to keep vehicles running in every sort of imaginable terrain and weather. Now he is the first fatal casualty in a battalion that saw more than its share of tragedy last year in Iraq, but one who continues to inspire his brothers to accomplish their mission. Now that's not a line from some public affairs officer, that's what they'll tell you, these warriors who stick their necks out each day when every convoy or patrol could bring a deadly encounter.

Afghanistan Battles Continue -- [ThreatsWatch - Bill Roggio]
The battles between the Taliban and Afghan Army and police units, backed by U.S. forces, enters the third day in the troubled southeastern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar. Six Afghan policemen are killed in a roadside bombing near Kandahar as U.S. air forces conduct strikes in the Ghoraz region, where “close-air support was called to the scene of the attack. British Harriers, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and B-52 Stratofortress aircraft responded to the scene, attacking enemy positions and forcing them to flee into a nearby town.”

The Stick (and the Rock) is Mightier than the Firearm (maybe tied with the Pen) -- [Miserable Donuts]
One big difference between Afghanistan and America involves sticks, rocks, guns and pens. In America if you are even seen with a firearm, people become, well, more aware of you. If you make a theatening move with one - people scatter and panic. Not the same case in Afghanistan. When our security at Humanitarian Assistance drops, the front gate of our base, or anywhere a group of Afghans (particularly the younger ones) would gather tried to be menacing looking with their rifles - the crowd yawned. If they reached for a rock or a stick, people became more aware of them and the kids would scatter at full speed.

Going Home -- [An Eagle's Story - in Afghanistan]
With our final heavy missions flown now, it is safe to say that everyone is now on their way home. Just wanted to take minuet to name the crew we lost that wont be making it home.

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

Afghans Protest Against Prophet Cartoons -- (AP)
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Norwegian troops opened fire on protesters who attacked a NATO base Tuesday in the second straight day of violent demonstrations in Afghanistan over the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad, Afghan officials said. In neighboring Pakistan, 5,000 people chanting "Hang the man who insulted the prophet" burned effigies of one cartoonist and Denmark's prime minister. And a prominent Iranian newspaper said it was going to hold a competition for cartoons on the Holocaust in reaction to European newspapers publishing the prophet drawings.

Cartoon Protests Stoke Anti-American Mood -- (Washington Post)...Griff Witte and Ellen Nakashima
Three Killed Outside U.S. Base in Bagram
KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 6 -- Afghan police shot dead three people who stormed the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan Monday to protest caricatures of the prophet Muhammad, as continuing demonstrations in Muslim countries grew more deadly and in places took on a new anti-American tone.

NATO Troops Fire on Afghan Attackers (Yahoo News/ AP)
KABUL, Afghanistan - NATO peacekeepers exchanged fire with protesters who attacked their base Tuesday in the second straight day of violent demonstrations in Afghanistan over the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad, Afghan officials said. One demonstrator was killed and dozens wounded.

Suicide bomber kills 13 in attack on Afghan police -- (Reuters)
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed 13 people and wounded 13 on Tuesday when he set off explosives outside the police headquarters in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, a government spokesman said.

OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Sherlock Whong -- [Chris Whong - in Kuwait]
This deployment has already given me a wealth of experience that typical M-day (one weekend a month) officers just don’t ever see or do. The latest and greatest is investigations! Of course I can’t go into much detail, but when bad things happen, an officer is assigned to investigate, find out what happened, and make recommendations for liability to whoever it is that gives out the punishment. The rank of the investigator usually corresponds to the level of the incident. Lieutenants investigate little things like physical altercations, missing equipment, minor infractions of policy and things of that nature

Mexico Invades US - again! -- [ROFA Six]
What is happening on the US-Mexico border? Once again, Mexican soldiers have invaded the US for the second time in two weeks.

This time it was caught on camera by El Paso Fox affiliate KFOX-TV as it was visiting the scene of a Jan 23 armed confrontation between US law enforcement and armed Mexicans on the US side of the border.

MSM REPORTS ON OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

House Bill Funds Guard Border Duty -- (Arizona Daily Star (Tucson))...Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services
Unwilling to wait for federal help, a House panel voted unanimously Monday to use state tax money to deploy the National Guard along Arizona's southern border.

Hawks Have Warplanes Ready If The Nuclear Diplomacy Fails -- (London Times)...Richard Beeston
IT IS the option of last resort with consequences too hideous to contemplate. And yet, with diplomacy nearly exhausted, the use of military force to destroy Iran’s nuclear programme is being actively considered by those grappling with one of the world’s most pressing security problems

Iran to publish Holocaust cartoons -- (AFP)
From: Agence France-Presse From correspondents in Tehran
IRAN'S largest selling newspaper announced today it was holding a contest on cartoons of the Holocaust in response to the publishing in European papers of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed.

"It will be an international cartoon contest about the Holocaust," said Farid Mortazavi, the graphics editor for Hamshahri newspaper - which is published by Teheran's conservative municipality.

Denmark warns its expats as cartoon protests rage -- (Reuters)
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Denmark urged its citizens on Tuesday to leave Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, as Islamic outrage over a cartoon controversy continued to rage across Europe, the Middle East and parts of Asia.

Chechnya bans Danish aid workers over cartoons -- (Reuters)
MOSCOW, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Chechnya's pro-Moscow government on Monday banned Danish humanitarian organisations from the shattered region in response to the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad.

Haiti votes for democracy under shadow of violence -- (Reuters)
Haitians vote for a president although many fear rival armed gangs could wreck the election.

Mayor: New Orleans will seek aid from other nations -- (My Way News/Reuters)
NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Shortcomings in aid from the U.S. government are making New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin look to other nations for help in rebuilding his hurricane-damaged city.

Louisiana governor vows 'hardball' with Washington -- (Reuters)
NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco warned state lawmakers on Monday that corruption could no longer be tolerated as the area rebuilds from the Hurricane Katrina disaster and vowed to "play hardball" with Washington over oil and gas revenues.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

More on my al-Maghribi speculation -- [Peace like a River]
In this post, I speculated that a chain of intelligence successes in the latter part of 2005 may have provided a lead that played a role in the Jan 13 missile strike in Damodala that killed perhaps as many as 5 senior Al Qaeda commanders.

Congressman Charges Bush Purposely Did Not Capture bin Laden -- [Expose the Left]
Add Congressman Maurice Hinchey to the list of those who have accused the Bush administration of either not capturing Osama “when they could have” or having alterior motives to go into Iraq.

Terrorists Seek Cases Tossed Due to NSA Spying -- [Jawa Report]
You had to know this was coming. The lawyer for Iyman Faris, convicted of plotting to blow up the Brooklyn Bridge, asked a federal judge today to throw out the case because the National Security Agency illegally spied on him.

MSM REPORTS ON WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

War Plan Targets Terrorist Resources -- (Washington Times)...Rowan Scarborough
The Pentagon yesterday issued its first comprehensive strategy for defeating Islamic terrorists, saying it has embarked on a war plan to deny extremists the resources they need to operate and survive.

Chief Of CIA's Counter-Terror Center Ousted -- (Los Angeles Times)...Greg Miller
The head of the CIA's counter-terrorism center was forced to step down Monday over concerns that he was not aggressive enough in leading the agency's pursuit of Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations, current and former intelligence officials said

Officers May Have Helped Prisoners Escape -- (Los Angeles Times)...Times Wire Reports
Investigators are looking into the possibility that Yemeni intelligence officers helped 23 Al Qaeda prisoners escape from an underground prison beneath a heavily guarded security headquarters, officials said.

Moussaoui removed from court after outbursts -- (Reuters)
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia (Reuters) - Declaring "I'm al Qaeda," Zacarias Moussaoui, the convicted conspirator in the September 11 terror attacks, was removed from court four times on Monday for disrupting jury selection in his sentencing trial.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Thank You V -- [Basic Training - in Iraq]
Packages for the Abu Ghraib elementary school children arrived from:
Deborah Tuttelman - El Cerrito, CA
Tom Buttrick & Val VanMeier - Nelson, NH (BCT Dad and Step-mom)

Thanks for All You Do -- [Courage Without Fear - in Iraq]
Recently there have been several comments from people who do not necessarily support the troops, or who just believe we should not be here. That is fine. It was citizen soldiers like me who guarnteed you your right to speak your mind by fighting for freedom and democracy since the Revolutionary War.

But there have been substantially more comments and emails from those of you who support me and my fellow soldiers. I thank you, as do my soldiers.

"Thank you" from the front ~ TISSUE ALERT -- [Yikes]
Remember way back at Christmas, y'all sent me a few gazillion Christmas cards to send to several units in Iraq that had suffered heavy casualties? Well, I got a letter from the Chaplain of one of those units today...

Drill Suprise -- [MREeater]
...When we mobilized in June 2004, a few thousand local soldiers assembled in a local arena for a goodbye tribute. Mayors from 6 local towns showed up, but the mayor of Boise didn't. He is a Democrat, and the rest are republicans. Our Adjutant General, a 2-star (Major General), spoke at the rally. He is the top state Guard officer, appointed by the (Republican) governor. At the rally he took a shot at the Boise mayor for not being there.

This put the Boise mayor on the defensive, and he showed up at our departure to shake everyone's hand and give out a City of Boise lapel pin. He also put together a plan for a big welcome home party, involving local units and many of the larger corporations and businesses.

New Book Encourages Americans To Support Our Troops -- [Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho]
Yes, I have another book out there, but this time it's not a children's book (fun as those are). This book is a non-fiction book, and I very much hope that it will inspire and encourage its readers to support our troops on an individual and personal level. The name of the book is From Here To There and is a collection of true short stories from my personal experiences supporting our troops as a Soldiers Angel, and also includes letters from our troops as well.

MSM LOCAL REPORTS ON SUPPORTING THE TROOPS

Supporting The Troops Requires More Than A Button -- (St. Petersburg Times)...Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite - SUBCRPTION ONLY -LINK UNAVAILABLE
As my brother, cousin and friends came home from Vietnam, I heard their frustration at not being allowed to win the war. It's a frustration I've felt and heard shared by countless Vietnam vets across my district.

...As bad policy choices compounded in Washington, our troops were not given the chance to win. The failure of the liberal left in Vietnam still haunts the Democrat Party today. But liberals did learn one thing: Their vicious rhetoric against our troops cost them dearly at the polls and took decades to correct. This is a mistake liberals are trying desperately not to make in Iraq.
As far as I can tell, when liberals say, "We support the troops," they mean this time around they aren't going to spit on our vets and they won't protest welcome-home celebrations.

When liberals say, "Support the troops," as far as I can tell, they mean refrain from personal attacks on our soldiers. This time, liberals are hiding behind the rhetoric of a button and a slogan.

I disagree. Support is not a slogan. Support is more than wearing a button. Support is active. Supporting the troops is not saying things that encourage our enemies. Support is not saying things that make it harder for our troops to fight. Supporting the troops requires a commitment to win.

MILITARY

Active Duty -- [Across the Pond - in Iraq]
In the past few weeks, I have been tossing around the idea with Kristen about putting in an active duty packet under the new "seamless transfer". Basically I put in a packet to the National Guard Bureau and they let me know which jobs I hold that the Army would take me back in. I already have 5 years of active duty time plus another 2 1/2 active duty time in the Guard. So in my 9 year career, 7 1/2 is on active duty. Depending on the job their are pretty good monetary bonuses associated with this program.

MSM REPORTS ON MILITARY

Same 2.2% Raise Proposed For Civilians And Military -- (Washington Post)...Christopher Lee
President Bush proposed a 2.2 percent pay raise for federal civilian employees and members of the armed forces yesterday, marking the first time in his presidency that he has called for equivalent raises for both groups.

Bush Budget Includes $250 Million For Tankers -- (Los Angeles Times)...Reuters
President Bush's defense budget plan for fiscal 2007 earmarks $250 million to start replacing the military's aging fleet of aerial refueling tankers, an Air Force budget official said.

Deploying Video On The Home Front -- (Los Angeles Times)...Lisa Richardson
...Called United Through Reading, a project of the San Diego-based Family Literacy Foundation, the videotape program was started by Betty Mohlenbrock during the first Gulf War. Working mostly with the Navy and the Marines, the foundation trains deploying personnel and volunteers at home to manage the program while ships are underway. A grant from Target Corp. will allow the program to expand to the other military branches.

POLITICS

ACLU Welcomes Senate Inquiry Into Warrantless NSA Spying Program With Full Page Propaganda -- [Stop the ACLU]
The ACLU are running this full page ad in conjunction with today’s Senate hearings over the NSA.

MSM REPORTS ON POLITICS

McCain Criticizes Obama on Lobbying Ethics -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican Sen. John McCain on Monday accused his Democratic colleague Barack Obama of "partisan posturing" on the issue of lobbying ethics reform - a charge Obama called puzzling and regrettable....

Bush's Budget Bolsters Pentagon -- (Washington Post)...Amy Goldstein
President Bush yesterday proposed a $2.77 trillion spending plan for the coming year that drains money from two-thirds of federal agencies, continues a large military buildup and predicts that the federal deficit this year will far eclipse the previous record, reaching $423 billion.

Mike pushes Silverstein for WTC control -- (NY Daily News)
Mayor Bloomberg warned yesterday that World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein would "run out of money" in a few years and leave "everybody high and dry."

THE MEDIA

Islamic Outrage -- [Those Wacky Iraqis - in Iraq]
Cartoons. Friggin cartoons. People wonder why we can't have meaningful dialoge with the insurgents. Here is a prime example. 1 billion uneducated, fanatical, fatalistic people willing to die for their .......religion. Yeah, over a cartoon. How many times have you seen the Christian God, Jesus, Buddha, Shiva, and other gods parodied? How many times have you seen something that is explicitly against your religious scruples and been made angry? Did you riot? Did you burn a building with innocent people inside? Did you state that they all deserved to die?

Soldiers' Angels Responds to the Washington Post -- [Iraq War News]
Soldiers' Angels has joined the ranks of those responding to the Washington Post and Tom Toles for their tasteless cartoon.
The letter reads, in part:
"The depiction of a severely wounded soldier in this cartoon, regardless of the point Mr. Toles was trying to get across was not only just tasteless, it was hurtful. Hurtful to the many soldiers who have suffered from traumatic injuries in the fight for freedom, both in this current conflict, and in past conflicts. Hurtful to the families who have had to endure and care for their loved ones. Hurtful to the many citizens who have a passion for supporting and serving the heroes who fight for our nation."

Fisking "Civilisation" -- [Dadmanly]
Efraim Karsh conducts a competent "fisking" of the namesake himself, in a review of Robert Fisk’s The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East, in Commentary Magazine. Karsh finds that, as a journalist, writer or historian, Fisk fails in this work:

MSM REPORTS ON THE MEDIA

Dying To Tell The Story? More Than You Know -- (International Herald Tribune)...Eason Jordan
...Just as we acknowledge, mourn, and salute the 61 (mostly Iraqi) journalists noted killed in the CPJ tally, we must pay the same courtesy and respect to the other 40 journalists and news organization employees killed or who died on the job in Iraq. Before I explain the disparity in the death toll tallies, let's examine how the Pentagon tracks the deaths of U.S. service men and women in Iraq.

MILBLOGGING / BLOGGING

SMASH Joins Panelists at the Milblog Conference -- [Andi - MilBlog Conference 2006]
I'm pleased to announce that Citizen Smash will be a panelist on Panel #1, Milblogs: Past, Present and Future. We're very happy to have Smash join the list of featured milbloggers.

HUMOR / SATIRE

Unseen Super Bowl Commercial -- [God Bless America]
A commercial that you won't see during the Super Bowl.

CONGRATS

The Day They Called Me Sgt. Grey Eagle -- [Grey Eagel- A Female Soldier - in Iraq]
Today I was pinned my sergeant’s stripes. That’s right. I am officially Sgt “Grey Eagle” Wilkinson as of February 01, 2006

I Got My Retirement Orders -- [TBone's War Journal]
I am very happy because I just got my retirement orders in the email!! I will return to the States soon and be on the retirement roll by summer. Woo hoo!!

I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date... -- [Jack Army]
...namely, my blogiversary! Yeah, February 1, 2005 started my adventure in the blogosphere. No, I won't bore you with a "year in review" or "where are they now?" recap of events. I will say that I've thoroughly enjoyed the blogging experience and look forward to continuing into the future... especially while I spend a year or so in Iraq.

IN MEMORY OF...

Godspeed, Mrs. Puller -- [Blackfive]
Victoria Evans Puller, the wife of Lieutenant General Chesty Puller, has passed away. Funeral services are on Saturday. She was 97 years old.

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