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

Back to War -- [Michael Yon - traveling to Iraq]
In the few months since leaving the war, I’ve crisscrossed the United States several times, talking with infantrymen in their twenties and veterans in their eighties, helicopter pilots, special forces soldiers, families and friends of wounded and killed warriors, all for a book about the Deuce Four’s Battle for Mosul. But it’s time to take a break from writing to let the facts and details steep. I’ve headed back to war.
I am writing now from the Middle East, poised to reenter the war in less than 15 hours; this time without the protection of the military.

Baghdad without newspapers. -- [Iraq the Model - Iraqis in Iraq]
Me: who threatened them?
Papers guy: the death notes were signed by the mujahideen; they said that they will kill anyone who continues to print, distribute or sell newspapers.He then showed me one of those notes; the ban includes virtually every paper but basically "papers that promote Safawi [Persian] Shiasm, blasphemous secular ideas and democracy…".

How Massacres Become the Norm -- [Dahr Jamail - journalist writing for the Inter Press Service, The Asia Times and many other outlets - in Iraq]
US soldiers killing innocent civilians in Iraq is not news. Just as it was not news that US soldiers slaughtered countless innocent civilians in Vietnam. However, when some rare reportage of this non news from Iraq does seep through the cracks of the corporate media, albeit briefly, the American public seems shocked. Private and public statements of denial and dismissal immediately start to fill the air. We hear, "American soldiers would never do such a thing," or "Who would make such a ridiculous claim?"
It amazes me that so many people in the US today somehow seriously believe that American soldiers would never kill civilians.

New Abu Ghraib Photos - Part II -- [BlackFive]
Here's the link to New Abu Ghraib Photos - Part I...you won't see these at slate et. al.
More 'abuse' (water torture?) at the hands of a US Marine....

Back to the men in black -- [Baghdad Dweller - an Iraqi in the Netherlands]
Why Iraqi alliances are insisting on Al-Jaafari as PM? Al-Jaafari is from Pakistani origin he doesn't have the Iraqi tribal background (as a backbone), not even a history of struggle against the former regime (no public base support or a militia to relay on), conclusion: He will be a leader easy to control by the big parties
...Last weeks Iraqi officials gave some hints and remarks about a “Third Army” taking orders from the Americans, and don’t follow instructions from the Iraqi government, doing “secret illegal operations” or as report says “dirty operations” (see Al-Hayat report in Arabic: here).
The report goes further than this, it’s also says that the last attack on the Shiia mosque was done by the same group Iraqis disguise in military clothes escorted by the Americans.

Iraqi dreams gone with the winds.... -- [Emotions - an Iraq in Iraq]
On the third anniversary of the American invasion, I wanted to compare our sentiment toward the American soldiers. After the invasion we used to drive our cars behind the troops to feel safe and secured from those who may steel our cars, because of the absence of the police at that time. The soldiers were very nice and gentile with every one, specially the children.

Iraqi Perspectives Project - Part VI -- [Red Hunter]
The Iraqi Perspectives Project is "an unclassified historical report in book form on the Iraqi view of coalition military operations conducted in Iraq." Published in book form by the U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Joint Center for Operational Analysis, the project "the perspectives of the Iraqi civilian and military leadership involved in major combat operations gathered through interviews conducted during the fall and winter of 2003/2004, and an extensive review of Iraqi historical documents done in the months since then."

Too Personal -- [Madly in Love with Iraq - an Iraqi in UK]
...When we cannot fight the enemy we start fighting each other. We have to blame someone, anyone but our own selves.
We don’t have a high expectation, that is why you still hear people saying ‘Oh at least under Saddam we could go out relatively safe because we knew our borderlines and our limits’.
The Americans ruined our country, fine, but we let them, the terrorists are everywhere killing us, fine, but some of us housed them.

Happy New Year -- [Welcome to Beth-Nahrain - an Iraqi student in US]
...people who are using the 3rd anniversary to keep protesting the troops’ presence in Iraq are really getting on my nerves...for example, one demonstration that is supposed to take place in Atlanta on April 1st have flyers that are using “peace in Iraq” and “bring our troops home now” in the same sentence. Who are they kidding? Do these people honestly believe that pulling out the American troops now would bring peace to Iraq? That is the craziest thing I have heard. The troops leaving Iraq now would mean complete destruction to Iraq and whatever minimal idea of Democracy that is already in the making there.

Proud -- [Dustin - in Iraq]
I protected BIAP and patrolled the villages around it. We were shot at, nearly blown up, cursed at, and had our own MREs thrown back at us by some Iraqis almost every day. Most of them loved us, were glad to see Saddam gone, appreciated all the aid we provided and the chance at a better life they were given. My mission today is different than my first. Now I stay behind the wire and man a weapon system that knocks rockets and mortars out of the sky. I don't see much action. Sometimes I miss it, but I think I'd miss my limbs more. It's hard for us to do what we do when people protest the war, want us out of here. Did they forget what we stand for? That we stand for democracy and freedom? America is proud because we don't just live in our own sheltered existence. We are involved. Ignorant college students that think they know politics, know about life, are saying that American soldiers are dying for nothing. Die for nothing?

Against the world Media .. -- [Days of My Life - an Iraqi in Iraq]
The thing that bothers me so much is the MEDIA, all the Medias, American's, Iraqi's, Arabians'..., they DO NOT show the real life in Iraq, specially the citizens' real state of affairs, they always show an old woman with Abaya, a dirty child, or an old man wear ripped dress (Dishdasha) & slipper . Showing that these people represents the Iraqis! Don't you see that often?!
Even when there is a questionnaire, the media do not ask a doctor, nor an engineer, teacher or any educated citizen, they do not go to a university or a hospital.

Shocking Iraq War Video -- [Daily Dispatch]
(Video) Shocking_Iraq_Video.wmv

Message from Bulldog 6 -- [Bayji Iraq FOB Summerall - in Iraq]
Greeting from Iraq to friends and family of the Bulldogs! First, I want to again thank you for all the sacrifices you, at home, make on a daily basis to support these fine troopers here in Iraq. We have turned our attention to training our replacements here in Bayji, the Iraqi Army. Each Bulldog has taken this mission seriously, knowing this is our ticket to come home! Also, we have continued our goal of making Bayji the safest place in Iraq by detaining a number of high valued individuals. It is amazing to see the focus and determination of each Bulldog here in Iraq. You should be extremely proud of your soldier and his accomplishments as we continue to positively impact the citizens of the Bayji area.

A Wonderful Feeling -- [Daves not Here - contractor in Iraq]
...We've been forced to cut back so far that it should be obvious to everyone that the Army is changing it's methods here in Iraq. I'm not sure what the final picture will look like, but the Army is defenitely not spending as though every base will be here for the next 10 years. It is obvious that the Army is looking to close bases and reallocate forces, thus reducing the cost of this war. The question now is.....which bases are to close.

Cameras, Kuwait, and a plane ride North…. -- [JusticeSoldier]
Hello all! I am writing this from the place you read about on the evening news, the place that make all the Democrats and Cause-ologists (protesters) dread………..IRAQ! Oh god, the horror of it all, the nerve of George Bush to send me to such a heinous place….. hell, if any of you came here you would die laughing and then proclaim that you were never leaving. Well, maybe it is not that nice but I am not exactly roughing it- sure they are going to bomb us tomorrow morning but what are the odds of hitting little old me? Yes, everyone, this is my first email from Iraq- we have landed and all is well.

Saving farmland in Iraq -- [Grandma in Iraq - in Iraq]
I’d like to tell you about another water project that is very different than any we have in the United States. I know this seems strangely different than problems facing our farming communities, but let me try to explain why this drainage system and project are very important here in Iraq.
...I am explaining this in an effort to help you understand the multiple challenges faced by Iraq even for a situation that appears as simple as a drainage system to solve the irrigation problem.

Alright I’m getting burned out. -- [Just Another Thunderhorse Roughneck - in Iraq]
No, it’s not because I’ve been here for months already. It’s mainly because I haven’t had a day off yet. Well, I guess I shouldn’t complain since the last time I had a day off is Friday. I mean it’s only been like four days worth of missions.

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

Is the media telling the real story on Iraq? - (Reuters)
Welcome to the web coverage of the Reuters Iraq Newsmaker debate. This multimedia package includes a live webcast of the panel discussion, real-time blogging from around the world, a live chat, and related news. Please explore the entire experience as the panel addresses these issues: How accurately does the media tell the Iraq story? Can the media reflect reality, given the dangers and constraints? Is the agenda dominated by bad news? Do the Arab and Western media tell different stories?

Democracy In Iraq Not A Priority In U.S. Budget -- (Washington Post)...Peter Baker
While President Bush vows to transform Iraq into a beacon of democracy in the Middle East, his administration has been scaling back funding for the main organizations trying to carry out his vision by building democratic institutions such as political parties and civil society groups.

'We apologize for the inconvenience' -- (Houston Chronicle)
Iraqis in Ramadi get used to U.S. Marines dropping in during patrols of 'battle space'
...Pausing at a black gate, a Marine knelt and another stepped onto his back, hurtling over to unlock it from inside. There was no polite request for entry. The threat from insurgent bombs or snipers was too great.
"We apologize for the inconvenience," 31-year-old Staff Sgt. William Brooks of Houston said as a man, his wife and two children came to the door to watch Marines take up positions in their courtyard. "We're just stopping by. We'll be on our way soon."

IRAQ'S PATHETIC POLS -- (New York Post)
THE realists and pessimists say that Iraq can't become a democracy, that the whole idea is foolish and sentimental. The surprise visit to Iraq by Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and British Foreign Minister Jack Straw over the weekend would tend to reinforce that sobering view.
It's been almost four months since December's general election, and results were finalized two months later - yet here we are in April, and . . . nothing.

In Iraq, US Still Carries Big Stick -- (Christian Science Monitor)...Howard LaFranchi
Much of the money for rebuilding Iraq has already been spent, and Iraqi soldiers are gradually taking over for their American counterparts. So what can the United States still use as leverage? It may be that the strongest influence is the simple fear of what would happen if the US up and left.

Majority Of 32 Wisconsin Towns Vote For Iraq Pullout -- (Washington Post)...Kari Kydersen
Voters in the majority of 32 Wisconsin towns with local referendums on the Iraq war voted Tuesday to bring the troops home.

Two Deadlines And An Exit -- (New York Times)...John F. Kerry
We are now in the third war in Iraq in as many years. The first was against Saddam Hussein and his supposed weapons of mass destruction. The second was against terrorists whom, the administration said, it was better to fight over there than here. Now we find our troops in the middle of an escalating civil war.

Let The Iraqis Bargain -- (Washington Post)...David Ignatius
Americans are getting impatient about the formation of a new Iraqi government. That's what Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told political leaders in Baghdad this week, and she was putting it mildly. But it would be folly if American impatience torpedoed the slow but real progress Iraqi leaders are making toward a government that could step back from the brink of civil war.

Withdrawal Pleas: Courting Cataclysm -- (Washington Times)...John R. Thomson
...How sadly selfish, impatient and non-humane, after just three years, to weary of another people's search for the right national path and advocate picking up our marbles and returning home. Indeed, how very non-American.

Iraq PM rejects calls to step aside -- (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
| Iraq's interim-Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari has rejected growing pressure on him to resign, saying Iraqis must be left to choose their leader democratically

Clipped wings and a triumph for realism -- (Asia Times)
WASHINGTON - Although still united in pushing for confrontation with Iran, the coalition of hawks that propelled US troops toward Baghdad three years ago appears to have finally run out of steam.
Demoralized by the quagmire in Iraq, as well as President George W Bush's still falling approval and credibility ratings, the coalition of aggressive nationalists, neo-conservatives and the Christian Right that promoted the belligerent, neo-imperial trajectory in US foreign policy has lost both its coherence and its power to dominate the political agenda in Washington.

Working the Iraqi Healthcare System -- [Healing Iraq - an Iraqi in Iraq]
My latest post on corruption in the Iraqi healthcare system is in the new Guardian blog today.

With Iraqi Doctors Fleeing, Prognosis Is More Agony -- (Newark Star-Ledger)...James Palmer
...The Iraqi Medical Association estimates as many as 12,000 of the 34,000 doctors registered before the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003 have left the country in the past three years. The IMA says assailants have murdered at least another 2,000 Iraqi physicians, and kidnapped roughly 250 others during that period.

Walter Reed's World Of Hurt, Hope -- (Washington Post)...Susan Levine
Suffering of Iraq casualties takes toll on hospital staff.

AFGHANISTAN

Another View on Apostasy in Islam -- ['Safrang' - Afghani in US]
Many people have heard of Capt. James Yee, former US Army Muslim Chaplain who ministered to the prisoners in the US military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and who was arrested on charges of espionage and aiding the enemy, and later released and honorably discharged from the military. He was visiting my college yesterday to speak about his experiences in the military, his spiritual journey to Islam, his Guantanamo ministry days (particularly disturbing in terms of the details of how the prisoners are treated at the base), and his arrest and subsequent release by the US military (Read "The Strange Case of Chaplain Yee" for a good summary.)

Recent pictures from the front: Afghanistan -- [MilitaryPhotos.net]
...Gunnery Sgt. Paul Davis, company gunnery sergeant, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, from Laurens, S.C., aims in on suspected insurgents during a company-wide operation conducted near the remote mountain village of Salar Ban in the Shuryak Valley of Kunar Province in eastern Afghanistan.

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan: Inquiry Into Soldiers' Deaths -- (New York Times/Reuters)
The United States military said an investigation had begun into a southern battle last week in which an American soldier and a Canadian soldier were killed and five other soldiers — an American, three Canadians and an Afghan — were wounded, to determine if any were hit by their own side.

OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Chavez Oil Grab -- [Chris Cam]
No one seems to care that Hugo Chavez is a quietly gathering menace. The American press is more obsessed with Tom DeLay and Katie Couric than the Venezuelan dictator. This is the same press that assails the Bush Administration's lack of attention to various international crises. I suppose it doesn't matter that Chavez seized control of a French oil company's oil fields, but his threatening noises and motions combined with the financial wherewithall to finance anti-US activity on top of this latest issue is a seriously destabilizing force in the region. We need to be paying more attention to him.

MSM REPORTS ON OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Chavez: Copters To Deter Invaders -- (Miami Herald)...Jorge Rueda, Associated Press
Three newly bought Russian-made helicopters whirled overhead at an aerial demonstration attended by President Hugo Chávez as a top general said Venezuela plans to buy 30 more for its military.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

ARE YOU READY FOR HIZBOLLAH'S PREVENTIVE TERROR? -- [Counterterrorism Blog - Walid Phares]
In an article titled “Attacking Iran May Trigger Terrorism” in the Washington Post, journalist Dana Priest says “U.S. Experts wary of Military Action over Nuclear Program.” The gist of the piece is clear: If –or when the US- will engage in military activities against the Iranian regime over the nuclear crisis, one has to expect that Tehran would use its assets to respond against US targets in the region and beyond. The article goes on to explain the mechanisms of this equation. WP article

Jihad Bolognaise -- [TigerHawk]
From Stratfor's terror alert email this afternoon (blogging via Blackberry, so no link):
Italian authorities claim they foiled attacks against the Milan subway system and Bologna's Basilica of San Petronio, home of a 1415 fresco by Giovanni da Modena that depicts the Prophet Mohammed being tormented in hell, by deporting seven people linked to two Algerian militant groups....
I have some questions.
If militant Christians plotted to blow up Muslim artistic treasures in Egypt and a commuter train in Cairo, who doesn't think we would hear about it on every network and read about it in every newspaper?

MSM REPORTS ON WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Chief 9/11 Architect Critical Of Bin Laden -- (Los Angeles Times)...Josh Meyer
To hear Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed tell it, Osama bin Laden was a meddling boss whose indiscretion and poor judgment threatened to derail the terrorist attacks.

Iraq terror backlash in UK 'for years' -- [Times Online]
A leaked top-secret memo from the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) says the war in Iraq has “exacerbated” the threat by radicalising British Muslims and attracting new recruits to anti-western terror attacks.

No, international law doesn't have to be dumped because of al-Qaida -- (The Guardian)
...At first glance, they seem to have a strong point. It is quite true that al-Qaida hardly plays by Marquess of Queensberry rules. They do not, as article 4 of the third convention stipulates, wear a "fixed, distinctive sign recognisable from a distance"; they do not carry their arms openly, or conduct their operations "in accordance with the laws and customs of war". As we discovered last July, this enemy wears jeans and rucksacks and obeys no gentlemanly courtesies. Surely it makes no sense to pretend that Osama bin Laden's bombers can be treated like Steve McQueen and Dickie Attenborough in The Great Escape.

Bin Laden will never be captured alive: bodyguard -- (Hindustan Times)
Osama bin Laden has no intention of being taken alive. He has designated a "special gun" to be shot with in the event of imminent capture, according to one of the Al-Qaeda chief's former...

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Video Nightmare -- [Iraq War News]
Did you know our Heroes are working for a "handsome paycheck and benefits package?"
No?
Well, it was news to me too.
And yes, I'm being sarcastic. However, there is at least one person warped and stupid enough to believe that our Heroes are well and truly compensated - here's another of her gems:
"They're not laying down their lives for me to do anything. They're certainly not laying down their lives for democracy. They're laying down their lives for the bloodthirsty ...

Military Transition Article Web Site -- [Veterans in Motion]
We're still tightening up things with our new project. Our new project offers a way for people leaving the military, military families, and veterans to find articles on key topics they need. In other words, it's real hard to find quick information and tips on certain topics. You'll find yourself drowning in the internet to research certain topics to help you military transition. On our article directory, you're able to search a topic and find articles related to the topic you're searching. Articles are being added daily so be sure to visit the site frequently.

MSM REPORTS ON SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

A Marine's Mother -- (Washington Post)...Christopher Lee
Last August, Danielette James, 58, a federal custodian who cleans congressional offices five nights a week, unsuccessfully pleaded with her bosses for time off to welcome home her son, a Marine who was returning to Camp Lejeune, N.C., after seven months in Iraq.

MILITARY

Now *THIS* is a Memorial -- [Soldiers' Angels New York]
The USS New York is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft. It is being built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.
It also survived hurricane Katrina, since it is being built in Louisiana. Workers were back on the job 2 weeks after the hurricane, and are very committed to this ship because of what it represents. The USS New York motto is "Never Forget," a slogan among New Yorkers since Sept. 11. USS New York is about 45 percent complete and should be ready for launch in mid-2007.

Deny military recuriters and lose money -- [Southern Air Pirate's Haze Gray Thoughts]
I read the paper every morning when I come into work, while getting ready to start work. Just something to balance myself and get caught up on some of the things that I missed over the previous night. In the local paper today they had a statement out of Seattle, Washington. The major city near where my folks live and what I have to pay attention to get an idea of the big things going on back home for my folks. I read this little story in the Seattle Times when I got home. It is about an attempt to have an initiative passed for the next major election to kick military recuriters out of the Seattle School District schools.

MSM REPORTS ON MILITARY

Army Faulted for Security Guard Contracts -- (Washington Post/ AP)
The Army spent nearly $500 million on no-bid contracts for private security guards, some of whom had criminal records, Congressional investigators said.

Fight Focuses On Copter Records -- (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)...Rebecca Carr
One of the nation's largest defense contractors is suing the Pentagon to prevent the release of Black Hawk helicopter production inspection records, saying they would reveal confidential information to its competitors.

Allen's Controversial Choice Attacked -- (Richmond Times-Dispatch)...Peter Hardin
Sen. George Allen caught some political flak yesterday for backing a controversial Army general to lead the U.S. Special Operations Command. Allen's difference of opinion with fellow Virginia Republican Sen. John W. Warner, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, gave Allen foes some ammunition. Allen recommended Lt. Gen. William G. "Jerry" Boykin for the special-operations post in Tampa, Fla. Boykin is the Pentagon's deputy undersecretary for intelligence.

POLITICS

Cindy Sheehan To Speak At Public High School -- [Expose the Left]
Anti-war icon and activist Cindy Sheehan is to speak at Lowell High School in San Francisco at a closed door event. The event is to take place on Friday, April 7, 2005 at 9:45 AM. Lowell is a public school that is funded by taxpayer’s money. Only students of the school are able to attend without any outside opposing opinion. Local talk radio host Melanie Morgan learned about this event and asked the school if she could attend the event however was denied. Several attempts have been made to contact the school to find out more about Sheehan’s appearance; however they were reluctant to give any further information.

The Angry Immature Left -- [Dave's Not Here contrator in Iraq]
Townhall.com 's Dennis Prager speaks to the immaturity and anger of the Left in general and the Democratic Party in specific. This is a great read if you're wondering why your car got keyed for that Bush-Cheney sticker, your favorite speaker got boo'ed off stage at that recent speech, or you're wondering why the ELF torched a Hummer dealership in San Diego.

Dont forget to thank kennedy for immigration. -- [RedState]
In view of the recent immigration issues, I thought it best to remind everyone who co-authored the 1965 immigration act. None of than loveable Ted. Many think he's harmless and he may just take the country down.
some quotes from a time long, long ago

Master Gunner: Derails McCain-Kennedy's Immigration Bill! -- [Tanker Brothers]
If this crazy "Amnesty" bill actually passes, then I will begin researching how to obtain a refund from the BCIS for all costs incurred in bringing my wife (who is German by birth) over the LEGAL way.
Unlike the ILLEGALS that broke our laws and disrespected our National Sovereignty to get here, She and I jumped through hoops and went through all the proper wickets to get her visa.
I want some payback. Don't worry, we have all the receipts, for everything from Translators to application fees.
And I want it all back....

Under The Bus -- [Balloon Juice]
In which post I reiterate my apparently-controversial position that Congressmen and women who break the law should go to jail. That includes William Jefferson (D-LA2) and, assuming that evidence supports an indictment, Cynthia McKinney (D-GA4).

MSM REPORTS ON POLITICS

DEAR CONGRESSMAN MURTHA... -- (Philadelphia Daily News)... JOHN A. LUCAS
ISAW YOU ON TV recently. With all the venom and bile you could muster, you pronounced, "This is George Bush's war."
I understand fully what you were saying. You were telling the country and - more import- antly - our enemies, that this is not your war, that you do not support it.
More than that, you were saying that it is not your party's war. And, you were telling Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Osama bin Laden and their jihadist allies that it is not America's war: "This is George Bush's war!"

"I Tried to Represent a Better America" -- (Speigel/English)
Since leaving office, former US president Bill Clinton has devoted himself to making the world a better place. DER SPIEGEL editors Stefan Aust and Gerhard Spörl spoke to him about his Global Initiative and his influence beyond the White House.

THE MEDIA

NBC: STAGING THE NEWS AGAIN? -- [Michelle Malkin]
***update: a reader sends another message notifying Muslim activists that taping will take place April 8...see below...update: NBC confirms Dateline is working on the story...***
A source who monitors political e-mail lists sent me an intriguing message disseminated last week, which involved an apparent Dateline NBC solicitation to Muslim groups. Check this out:

ALL THE NEWS THAT'S FIT TO STAGE -- [Michelle Malkin]
***update: NBC official confirms that Dateline is working on the story...see below..Little Green Footballs sheds light on Tarek El-Messidi, Tennessee-based Muslim activist and purported author of the e-mail solicitation detailing Dateline's wishes; LGF also has details on a similar media sting operation by Czech TV...***

"Meeting the Media" -- [SigSpace - in Afghanistan]
This is the title of a helpful little pamphlet given us by the Public Affairs rep during one of the 800 billion briefings I attended back in Fort Sill during the mobilization. I thought I would share some of the insightful tidbits.
From the intro:

I am Media ... hear me whine! -- [KosovoDad]
Dennis Byrne wrote an interesting article in yesterday's Chicago Tribune about the lack of good news coming out of Iraq. Apparently, the NYT has decided not to engage in the traditional off-the-record sit-downs with the president that many news organizations engage in.
Now, as a military public affairs officer, I know we’re taught, “you never go off the record”. I also know from experience that you do go off the record, you sometimes let your boss go off the record, and going off the record can help you get a lot of stuff done—or avoid a lot of bad news—that you otherwise couldn’t.

MSM REPORTS ON THE MEDIA

Angry French scribe claims 'Syriana' plagiarized -- (Reuters)
PARIS (Hollywood Reporter) - A French screenwriter living in Jordan has sued Warner Bros. Pictures, George Clooney's production company and writer-director Stephen Gaghan, alleging that their film "Syriana" plagiarized entire scenes and characters from a script she wrote several years ago.

MILBLOGGING/ BLOGGING

Law professor implies Michelle Malkin is a fraud -- [TigerHawk]
Law professor Eric Muller strongly implied that Michelle Malkin has a ghost writer.
Oops. I'd say that Michelle's response was arrestingly civil, under the circumstances.
It is not surprising, actually, that Eric Muller cannot believe that Michelle Malkin works as hard as she does. With obvious exceptions, it may fairly be said that law professors work, oh, a tad less hard than, say, practicing lawyers with similar credentials.

Milblogs in the News: 'Cry Baby' Study Has Blogs Bawling -- [MilBlogging.com]
This week, the blog debate swirling around psychologist Jack Block's controversial study suggesting whiny babies become conservative adults, was featured on Blogophile.
Thoughts from bloggers were featured on the CBS site, too. Here’s a glimpse of what milblogger Seaspook had to say about the study:

HUMOR / SATIRE

If the Army wanted you to have a wife, it would have issued you one.” -- [Officers Club]
Ahh, Spring is in the air, and another one of my classmates has succumbed to the inescapable clutches of marriage. A buddy of mine fowarded me this short satire (yes, readers, this is fake, I assure you) on Army life with an Army wife

CONGRATS

Purple Heart -- [Across the Pond - in Iraq]
Finally…after all the paperwork and stupid Army bullshit, I received word that my Purple Heart has been approved. My boss actually brought it back with him from his trip down to higher headquarters this past weekend. I won’t actually get the award until the command decides on how they want to present it. I did get a chance to sneak a peak at it (since I work in the shop that handles awards) and it is surreal. I never in a million years thought I would see my name on such a prestigious award. Then again, I never planned on getting wounded in combat.

Happy Birthday Chloe Irene Kelley ! -- [Wordsmith at War - in Iraq]
My daughter, Chloe Irene Kelley, was born on this day in 2002. She is six now, and I am so very proud to be her dad. I will never forget the day she came into the world. I was in college at the University of Montana, in Missoula. It was still cold out. The mountains were frosted with snow. Missoula is a town of 30,000, only hours away from the Canadian border, and my wife and I were in a small, clean room in the Community Hospital there.

WELCOME HOME

MISSING WITHOUT ACTION -- [One Marine's View - home from Iraq]
...Waking up to the surf vise the shells and eating breakfast on the beach was a sure delight. Never needing to look far for a cold drink with their 12 bars and almost as many restaurants we had a nice time. Its not a spring break drunk fest as many cruise ships dock on the other side of the island. I met with many non Americans, British, French, Canucks and even Americans the same. Few mentioned the military, Iraq or anything regarding and when they did, I could have described things to them all day and I wouldn’t have done any justice to the events I had been through the past 2 years in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The long ride home -- [The Will to Exist - on R&R from Iraq]
The trip home took a LONG TIME. It was ridiculous. After catching a C-130 ride from Baghdad International Aiport to Kuwait, I spent a day scrambling to get a paperwork error corrected on my leave form. A missing signature threatened to keep me in Kuwait for up to five days, but my unit got the problem corrected and I was able to catch my charter flight from Kuwait to Atlanta, with a stopover in Germany.

IN MEMORY OF...

"Great Escape" Pilot Dies -- [MilitaryPhotos.net]
A former RAF pilot who cheated death much more than most of us ever will finally passed away at the ripe old age of 102. Sqn. Leader Eric Foster died peacefully at his home in England, outliving Steve McQueen, the actor that played him in The Great Escape, by more than 50 years. McQueen died of lung cancer in 1980 at the age of 50.

Some Gave All -- [Politics of a Patriot]
Last April 4, I woke up early because we had an all-day track meet that day—the Greenwood Relays. I remember watching the news that morning before school, as I do almost every day. The news caster announced that a Marine had been killed somewhere in Iraq… Now, I can’t even remember where. But I remember they did not say it was Fallujah. With guilty relief, I told myself it couldn’t be my cousin because he was in Fallujah.
...Along this time, I realized that I wanted to do something to support our military. I was reading everything I could get my hands on about the military, but particularly the Marine Corps, and I discovered Milblogs.

Passing of an American Hero -- [ROFA Six]
Yesterday, America and I lost one of our heroes. All of us who served in Vietnam, and especially those of us who flew there, crossed paths with Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Mike Novosel one way or another. His legacy permeates US Army Aviation and we will all suffer a bit of loss now that Mike has left us.