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

Keep that K-pot on your head, soldiers! -- [A Soldier's Diary - in Iraq]
...My old roomate, Frank, asked me about the new improved army helmets a long time ago and I kept forgetting to give him some info. Well, Frank, here you go. The first kevlar helmet I was issued was incredibly uncomfortable and unstable as far as I was concerned as well as anyone with any experience with it whatsoever. This first picture shows the MILES system (think laser tag, but with real weapons using blanks) which adds to the instability - it is horrifying trying to lay down with that on your head in the first place - add on a few pounds from the MILES system and ...

Iraqi security forces successfully guard 1 million Shiites celebrating Ashura -- [The Will to Exist - in Iraq]
To say that I don’t understand Ashura would be an understatement. Flagellating myself has never been an attractive idea, and I certainly wouldn’t want to lacerate my own head with a knife. But hey, that’s a choice for free people to make, and Iraqis are working on becoming a free people, at least relative to what they lived under during the reign of madman and mass murderer Saddam “Insane” Hussein. Progress is progress.

The Ingrahammer in Iraq, Part III -- [Political Pitbull]
Here's a clip from today's show. Laura spoke with General George Casey about the security situation on the ground, the progess of Iraqi force training, future troop reductions, and U.S. opinion polls, among other things. For those of you sick of listening to the so-called experts and pundits on cable news, I think you'll find this interview refreshing.

Drier and Happier -- [Fraser From Iraq - in Iraq]
It was a long mission the other night, 5 hrs sitting in the aircraft. I will never ever complain about the seats in the jet at work. You can recline the seat, and there is actually a seat cushion in the airliner cockpits. Our helicopter seats might as well be made out of bricks. They are made out of Kevlar, which is good because it stops bullets. But they don't recline

2/8/2006: Half-way Home -- [Capt Shack's Tour of Duty - in Iraq]
This update finds us about half-way through our deployment and already starting to see our redeployment as a small light at the end of the tunnel. But in the mean time my soldiers continue to do an amazing job on a daily basis in an incredibly challenging environment and on an incredibly challenging battlefield. Morale continues to be high and we continue to be as busy as we have been during this entire deployment with the vast majority of us out on mission on any given day.

Cookie Tin -- [Fraser From Iraq - in Iraq]
OK - so there is The New Guy in town. Everybody is The New Guy when he arrives, no matter how many tours he has under his belt. So, of course he arrives just prior to the local tsunami I’ve been writing about. After arrival he is trying to get caught up on the sleep cycle, which is hard enough.

Only the best for our guest!! -- [SandGram - in Iraq]
You have to love VIP’s, those Very Important People who cause all sorts of chaos around the area as they just stop by for lunch and some “I love Me” pictures with the Marines etc. I received a call from higher headquarters somewhere out in the green zone that we had 6 congressmen arriving who just wanted to pop in say hi and then go tour another base. I said, “that’s fantastic, give them my number, I’ll say hi and they can stay there with you!” He just laughed at me “Nice try bubba, they are coming to you, I’m tired of dealing with them, and so I’m passing this monkey to your back.”

Secret Weapon Rushed to Iraq: Green Laser Pointers -- [Winds of Change - Joe Katzman]
Feel the force...Army Times reports that the US Army Rapid Equipping Force (REF) at Fort Belvoir, VA is expediting the first shipment of 2,000 new laser devices to Soldiers in Baghdad, Iraq. No, not devices like the ones in this $1.37 billion order. Just simple green laser pointers. Having one pointed at you seems to be very effective at stopping aggressive oncoming traffic and personnel as they approach checkpoints et. al. As civilian laser pointers like Megalaser show, hand-held green laser pointers can be quite bright; their beams are visible in low light conditions and carry effectively.

Poem -- [America's Son - in Iraq]
I wrote the following poem after returning from a particularly "challenging" mission.
I’m a man whose been torn in two;
giving all to my family and the job that I must do.
It is my hope that one day they will understand,
it is for them that I fight in this foreign land.

Freedom...ahhh... -- [My Iraqi Saga - in Iraq]
Hello eveyone...just wanted to drop in and say hi. Nothing much going on here, it's been pretty quiet. We did have a get together where General Order #1 was excused for the night and we were each allowed 2 beers and got to wear civilian clothes...that was really nice! I found Stongbow beer which was awesome, sweet and apple juice-ey...mmm. I felt like a human being with choices and options for just a minute. I actually felt like a girl for a night.

Semper Fido -- [Politics of a Patriot]
...Fluffy is a blonde 6lb. female Maltese currently assigned to the 7th Marine Division K9 unit serving in the Iraq Anbar province. Recently she assisted the Marines in the capture of 21 insurgents. Fluffy's handler, CPL Brian Sunland said, "Congress thought they were going to screw us again with their 'kinder/gentler' war bullsh*t when they sent us Fluffy. They forget that Marines have a history of making men out of boys and we used that same training regimen on Fluffy."
...To save money spent on dog food, frustrated anti-war members of Congress are threatening to send the Marines Chihuahuas to replace their existing large breed K9 corps. The unit's Gunnery Sergeant proudly told me, "I'd rather have just one them 'Yo quiero, taco bell' dogs then 50 of them 'pendejo' congressmen. At least dogs are loyal." "They can send us a gerbil and we'll train it to do night recon. Send us a goldfish and we'll train it to think it's a piranha", said another Marine.

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

Facts vs. Fiction: A Report from the Front -- (The American Enterprise - Karl Zinsmeister)
Has the Iraq war been too costly?
In Iraq, 4 percent of our soldiers have been killed or wounded. Those losses are lower than we suffered in nine previous wars. The Civil War, Mexican War, War of Independence, Korean War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam, and Philippine War were all half-again or more as costly as Iraq has been.
But aren’t our losses mounting?

Peace Prevails in Iraq as Shiites Observe Holy Day -- (LA Times)
Unlike in previous years marred by bombings, pilgrims throng shrines across the country in relative calm. US cites improved security.

Iraqi Shiites March in Religious Ceremony -- (LA Times/ AP)
KARBALA, Iraq -- Tens of thousands of Iraqis marched and beat themselves Thursday in blood-soaked processions through this holy city and other Shiite centers across the country to mourn the 7th century death of their revered martyr, Imam Hussein.

Attacks 'cripple Iraq rebuilding' -- (BBC News)
Iraq's rebuilding is being undermined by continuing insurgent attacks and will cost more than the $56bn (£32bn) forecast, US officials say. | Special Inspector-General Stuart Bowen said the cost of rebuilding

Troops in Iraq 'to lose support' -- (BBC News)
Support among Iraqi people for British troops will decline as the foreign force begins to withdraw, a senior soldier says.
..."You almost move from being part of the solution to becoming part of the problem," he added.

Iraqi Voices Drowned Out in a Blizzard of Occupiers’ Spin -- (The Guardian)
Three years after invading Iraq, George Bush and Tony Blair are still dipping into the trough of deception and disinformation that launched the war: Hailing nonexistent progress, declaring sanctimonious satisfaction with sectarian elections and holding out the mirage of early withdrawal. In reality, the occupation and divide-and-rule tactics have spawned death squads, torture, kidnappings, chemical attacks, polluted water, depleted uranium, bombardment of civilians, probably more than 100,000 people dead and a relentless deterioration in Iraqis’ daily lives.

We lost Iraqi hearts and minds long before current occupation -- (The Seattle Times)...Bert Sacks
I recently attended an alumni meeting in Seattle of a well-known East Coast college. The president of the college spoke and a hundred alumni came to listen. I used the chance to speak to several of them about something I know well from my nine trips to Iraq: the 12 years of U.N. and U.S. economic sanctions on Iraq, reinstated after the Gulf War in 1991 and ending with this war in 2003.

Kidnapped U.S. Reporter Appeals for Help -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Kidnapped American journalist Jill Carroll appeared in a video aired Thursday on a private Kuwaiti TV station, appealing in a calm, composed voice for her supporters to do whatever it takes to win her release "as quickly as possible."...

Clinton blasts Bush on war -- (Newsday)
WASHINGTON - Ignoring GOP criticism that she's too angry for prime time, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton yesterday walloped Karl Rove and President George W. Bush for "playin...

UP IN THE AIR -- (The New Yorker)...SEYMOUR M. HERSH
In recent weeks, there has been widespread speculation that President George W. Bush, confronted by diminishing approval ratings and dissent within his own party, will begin pulling American troops out of Iraq next year. The Administration’s best-case scenario is that the parliamentary election scheduled for December 15th will produce a coalition government that will join the Administration in calling for a withdrawal to begin in the spring. By then, the White House hopes, the new government will be capable of handling the insurgency. In a speech on November 19th, Bush repeated the latest Administration catchphrase: “As Iraqis stand up, we will stand down.”

AFGHANISTAN

Afghan Tea Quest -- [Miserable Donuts]
One constant feature of Afghan hospitality is tea. And damned fine tea it is. Afghanistan is a player in the tea market, as they consume so much. Others have noted how the Afghans make and drink it.

The Amateur Assassins of Afghanistan -- [Strategy Page]
February 10, 2006: Prior to 2005, suicide bombings were rare in Afghanistan, with perhaps one or two occurring since the war of liberation from the Taliban began in October of 2001. But during 2005 there were approximately 25 such attacks. And so far this year there have been eight such attacks

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

AFGHANISTAN: MOVIE-MAKING AFGHAN STYLE -- (AKI)
Jalalabad, 9 Feb. (AKI) - Four years after the fall of the hardline Taliban regime in Afghanistan, satellite dishes now dot the city skylines and cable television is also widely available. It's a stark contrast to the Taliban era when all forms of television, imagery, music and sports were officially banned. However those in Afghanistan's burgeoning film industry say there are still difficulties in putting together an Afghan film. Adnkronos International (AKI) spoke to Afghan actors Najeebullah Sadiq and Mashooq Shadaab on the trials of movie-making in Afghanistan

AFGHANISTAN: AT LEAST FIVE KILLED IN SUNNI-SHIITE CLASHES -- (AKI)
Kabul, 9 Feb. (AKI) - At least five people were killed and dozens injured in clashes between Shiite and Sunni Muslims in the city of Herat in western Afghanistan. The violence began as the Shiite Muslims were marking Ashura, the commemoration of the death in battle of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. Reports say that the fighting erupted after insults were exchanged between the Shiite and Sunni Muslims.

US AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Armed Resistance Against Kim Jong Il? -- [GI Korea - in S Korea]
The Daily NK is reporting armed border attacks against North Korean guard posts along the Chinese border that may be from armed resistance:

Taking one for the team... -- [Far east Cynic - in Japan]
Here in Japan, there are some hopeful sighs of relief.
Princess Kiko is pregnant. "The Imperial Household Agency announced that Princess Kiko, the wife of Emperor Akihito's second son, is pregnant.

MSM REPORTS ON US AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

White House Knew of Levee's Failure on Night of Storm -- (NY Times)...ERIC LIPTON
The Bush administration was alerted to broken levees and flooding in New Orleans hours after their collapse, documents show

Russia invites Hamas to Moscow talks -- (Globe and Mail)
Moscow -- Russia intends to use contact with the Hamas leaders to urge them to "responsible decisions" and peace with Israel, the Kremlin said yesterday.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

President Bush Releases Details of Foiled Terrorist Hijacking (updated) -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
President Bush today at the National Guard Association (text of speech at White House website): In October 2001, Khalid Sheik Mohammed, who masterminded the 9/11 attacks, set in motion a shoebombing plot to hijack plane and fly into Liberty Tower in Los Angeles (actually the "Library Tower," since renamed the U.S. Bank Tower), the highest building on the West Coast. He recruited young men from SE Asia and tapped Hambali of JI (Jemaah Islamiyah) to lead it, who then recruited operatives training in Afghanistan. They met with Osama Bin Laden and began preparations. In early 2002, a "South East Asian nation" arrested "a key operative." The debriefings revealed the plot and helped others capture the other operative.

Mental Wires: Revising Definitions, Compromise, Vision, and Wire Tapping -- [Bobby's World]
...It's an interesting concept, but one, unfortunately, that is not likely to be implemented. The Republicans have taken to reflexively protecting the President, while the Democrats have taken to reflexively attacking him, and so both want this issue to continue for their own selfish reasons-- why seek a political compromise that could actually produce results for this country, when you can grandstand and oppose each other on every issue? The GOP, meanwhile, don't want to resolve the issue because they know they actually win elections when Americans emphasize national security; the Democrats. meanwhile, love the controversy because the idea of a runaway wiretapping program reminds

MSM REPORTS ON WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Bush details Qaeda plot to hit LA -- (Reuters)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush disclosed new details on Thursday of a thwarted al Qaeda plot to use shoe bombs to hijack a plane and fly it into a Los Angeles building, as he sought to justify his tactics in fighting terrorism.

L.A. Mayor Blindsided by Bush Announcement -- (AP)
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Thursday he was blindsided by President Bush's announcement of new details about a purported 2002 plot to crash a plane into a downtown skyscraper....

Poll: Surveillance Wins Some More Backers -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush's campaign to convince Americans that the government's eavesdropping program is essential to the war on terrorism has made an impact: Last month people disapproved, 56 percent to 42 percent. Now it's basically 50-50....

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

A Special Forces Friend -- [Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho]
Last year I met a wonderful woman named Anne. I've mentioned her a few times in the past in my blog. I met her visiting Kyle, and she volunteers at the AFCS. She's the neatest lady, she's been visiting the wounded and doing all sorts of things to support our troops since 1968. She recently joined Soldiers Angels and adopted a soldier. She's on the level of a saint with her dedication to our troops. She visits the wounded every single day, sitting and talking with them for hours. Every day for years.

Angels in Times Square -- [Soldiers' Angels New York]
Angels met in New York City at Times Square on Tuesday, February 7th, to support the troops as part of the Guinness World Record attempt to send the largest ever electronic valentine.

MILITARY/ MILITARY LIFE

Life -- [Pinwheels and Orange Peels - in Guam]
...I'm on the deck of the loader, waiting to take the patient from those on the ground. We lift her gently, then move her to the front of the loader where we all kneel in preparation for the lift. I help a family member on board and show him where to kneel until we're in position. The loader's engine, designed to lift sixty thousand pounds of cargo, spins up and we rise slowly to the door of the aircraft. It has never lifted anything more precious. The crew goes into action, swiftly moving the patient and accompanying bags onto the aircraft. Our job done, the loader settles back down to the ground, ...
People ask why I like working in the Air Mobility Command (AMC) so much. The hours are long, we fly 24-7, 365 days a year, and fighters are much sexier. They can keep 'em. It's missions like these that make working for AMC so rewarding.

MSM REPORTS ON MILITARY

Still Shortchanging the Troops -- (NY Times)
Pentagon budgeters showed themselves so pathetically unable to restrain spending on expensive ships and planes that they actually cut back, rather than increased, the overall size of the Army over the next few years to pay for it.

It would cost about $4 billion to $5 billion a year to give the Army 30,000 more troops, the minimum it needs to check its alarming slide. Instead the Pentagon chose to begin the construction of two unneeded new stealth destroyers, which will end up costing $2 billion to $3 billion each.

POLITICS

Dean Compares Bush’s Wiretapping To Something “A Country Like Iran” Would Do (VIDEO)-- [Expose the Left]
Wiretapping is certainly necessary and the Democrats certainly approve as spying on al -Qaeda. What we don’t approve of is breaking the law to spy on americans. The present law is very adequate and the white house itself said so four years ago. All we ask is that they we not turn into a country like Iran where the President can do anything he wants.

Fear of ACLU lawsuits force Scouts to scrap troop charters -- [Stop the ACLU]
Troops of Boy Scouts in Macomb County and around the country are scuttling their organizational charter agreements with local governments, fearing legal action from the American Civil Liberties Union for requiring allegiance to God.

MSM REPORTS ON POLITICS

Libby: White House 'Superiors' OK'd Leaks -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney told a federal grand jury that his superiors authorized him to give secret information to reporters as part of the Bush administration's defense of intelligence used to justify invading Iraq, according to court papers....

Ex-Cheney Aide Testified Leak Was Ordered, Prosecutor Says -- (NY Times)...NEIL A. LEWIS
I. Lewis Libby Jr. told a grand jury that he was authorized by his "superiors" to disclose classified information in June and July 2003.

No Senate Run for Activist Cindy Sheehan -- (AP)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Peace activist Cindy Sheehan said Thursday she will not run against U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the Democratic primary....

THE MEDIA

NYT Says "No" to Muhammad & donkey, "Yes" to Crap on Mary -- [Gateway Pundit]
The New York Times has no problem printing a picture of the Virgin Mary covered in dung in today's (Wednesday 2-8-06) edition:
But just yesterday they refused to print this picture of Muhammad with a donkey:

Any Time Now... -- [Baldilocks]
...we Christians will start rioting.
...One problem with that, however: a portrait of the Virgin Mary covered in dung--and looking suspiciously Sambo-like--does absolutely nothing to shake the faith of those who believe in her Son as the Savior of mankind. Yes, it's offensive, but burning down the New York Times building or issuing some form of Christian fatwa--an idea that is completely foreign to this Christian at least--on the artist (Chris Ofili) would violate the tenets of everything in which Christians believe and bring absolutely no credit upon Jesus Christ nor his followers. The editors of the New York Times know this. That's why they feel total comfort in publishing a photo of this painting, but balk at showcasing the Danish cartoons in question.

MSM REPORTS ON MEDIA

Islam and free speech -- (Economist)
WHEN, last September, the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published a dozen cartoons of the prophet Muhammad, it knew it was testing the limits of free speech and good taste.

MILBLOGGING / BLOGGING

This Is Gonna Piss Off The Blogs... -- [Winds of Change - Armed Liberal]
The LA Times today has a Page 1, Column 1 article on journalist/blogger Michael Yon.

It's an interesting 'personality' article about him; not very deep or analytical - and not much news that those who haven't followed him in the blogs won't know.
...Boy, you'd think the story would go deeply into the wide-ranging debate on the specific quality of his work.
read the rest!
Instead, we get the Carl Prine quote that was widely circulated around the blogs:
"As someone who has seen a great deal of combat in my life and who earns his daily bread as a reporter," Prine opined on the Internet, "I can assure you that a lot of what Michael Yon writes is misleading, inaccurate and vapid."

Interviewed -- [Sgt Hook]
I had the pleasure of being interviewed recently by the good folks over at My Music Highway, just wish I had some of the pizza! Sgt Hook out.

Blogs get things done -- (MSNBC)
Plus... 55 mile per hour Parcheesi
A few recent news items highlight that bloggers continue to use basic investigative and networking skills to get things done beyond the virtual world.

CONGRATS

Birthday In Iraq (February 11th) -- [Grey Eagle - in Iraq]
One year younger…..

Well, readers it is that time for me to let everyone know that the clock has officially moved back a year again… Yes, I am 26 for another year. Okay, so I have been 26 for a while now. But who is counting….

HUMOR / SATIRE

Fear, Loathing, And Excrement in Iraq -- [Hardtack and Havoc - in Iraq]
On the bright side, I was moved to permanent quarters the other day. Very nice, room to myself, a chifarobe to hang clothes in a chest of drawers to my skivies in and a bed to sleep on and my very own bathroom. It rocks! There is one unfortunate problem with my new largesse. I have an eastern style toilet, also known as a squat thruster. It is essentially a hole in the floor and I suspect it contributes mightily to the Ode du A$$ bouquet ever present in my room.

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