Dawn Patrol

Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and other sources around the world. 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. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.

IRAQ

Fardh Al-Qanoon Update: MND-B general sees change, progress
BAGHDAD — Five months into Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon a senior leader with the Multi-National Division – Baghdad said Iraqi Security Forces have shown continued improvements since the operation began in mid-February.
“The biggest change since we arrived in Baghdad has been the establishment of the Baghdad Operations Command March 1st,” said Brig. Gen. John F. Campbell, the deputy commanding general for maneuver for MND-B and the 1st Cavalry Division. “That command, under Lt. Gen. Abud, and the subordinate Karkh and Rusafa area commands, has given the Iraqis increased command and control of their own forces. It has enabled them establish a planning process and will help them take the lead in the command and control of division-level operations.”
Campbell called this period of the operation a critical time, as American forces are now in place throughout the country, working side-by-side with their Iraqi counterparts. While a lot of attention has been given to “surge” of American forces, Campbell said nine additional Iraqi Army battalions were also brought into Baghdad as part of Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon.

Securing Iraq -- [Pentegon Channel]

A Pivotal Moment in Time

Iraqi Soldiers participate in first ever advanced infantry course -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD — Soldiers from 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division participated in the first-ever advanced infantry course, dubbed the "Commando Course," at the Iraqi Army compound in Mahmudiyah, Iraq.

Iraqi Army cleans Baghdadi of insurgency -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDADI — Members of the Iraqi army patrolled the palm groves here recently during an operation to seek out insurgent activity in the area.

ISF Primer -- [Acute Politics - in Iraq]
In America, neighborhood watch means a sign with an all seeing eye bolted to a pole, and perhaps a slightly higher chance that the residents of the area will call the police over suspicious activity. In Iraq, neighborhood watch means men with AK-47s and medium machine guns manning hasty checkpoints built from cinder blocks and rubbish.
There are three general divisions of Iraqi Security Forces:
The highest level in the Iraqi Army- the soldiers of an IA brigade are drawn from a broad region, and they generally have the best training of Iraqi troops. Some IA divisions are considered to be quite competent- for example,

Superman -- [Michael Yon - in Iraq]
..In a city like Baqubah, where I sit writing these words [and whose roads I was on today when the soldiers I was with shot and killed two armed men just hours ago (15 July 07)], Al Qaeda and other groups have so seeded many of the roads that areas remain “black” (off limits to travel) nearly a month after the launch of operation Arrowhead Ripper. The terrorists’ main target is not Americans, but other Iraqis.

Al Qaeda in Iran -- [Michael J. Totten - Noah Pollak]
It is long past time that one important piece of fantastical rubbish be finally sent on its way: this is the idea that Islamists maintain some kind of fastidious ethnic and theological separatism when it comes to who they're willing to work with on killing people. The co-option of Hamas and Islamic Jihad (Sunni Arab) by Iran (Shia Persian) is one piece of reality that intrudes on this comforting notion; so is the Iran-Syria alliance, along with the reality of Iranian support for both Shia and Sunni insurgents in Iraq.
A final nail in the coffin comes today from Eli Lake, the New York Sun's talented national security reporter (and good friend). Eli's scoop is about the National Intelligence Estimate, an unclassified summary of which will be released today, but whose classified final working draft concludes that:
One of two known Al Qaeda leadership councils meets regularly in eastern Iran, where the American intelligence community believes dozens of senior Al Qaeda leaders have reconstituted a good part of the terror conglomerate's senior leadership structure.

Iraq: More U.S.-Iranian Talks Coming Soon -- [Stratfor]
A second round of meetings between the United States and Iran over the future of Iraq is likely to take place soon, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said. While Mottaki said there is a "high possibility" of more talks, Zebari was more certain, saying an ambassador-level meeting on Iraqi security and stability will be held in Baghdad soon.

Iraq Report: Major Offensive Underway in Babil -- [Roggio Report]
Iraqi and U.S. forces have launched a multi-brigade operation south of Baghdad as the pursuit of al Qaeda in Iraq continues in Diyala and the north. Al Qaeda in Iraq and allied insurgent groups conducted multiple mass casualty attacks in the northern city of Kirkuk, killing over 80 and wounding upwards of 200. Meanwhile, Iraqi and Coalition forces continue to hunt the deadly "Special Group" cells associated with Muqtada al Sadr's Mahdi Army.

Iraq Briefing -- [Pentegon Channel]

Khadamiyah Comeback -- [Hot Air]
Yesterday, in the footnote to my post about counterinsurgency (which the military abbreviates as “COIN”) efforts in Al Salam, I noted that the Khadamiyah neighborhood in Baghdad had recently taken a turn for the worse as Jaish al-Mahdi activity had increased. Khadamiyah is the neighborhood that Michelle and I walked around and met with locals during our visit to Baghdad back in January, and at that time it was one of the city’s most quiescent sectors.
...Update on Khadamiyah. We have regained momentum against JAM over the last few weeks. We have JAM leadership on the run. The people are fed up with the organized crime and extortion that accompanies JAM. Although we still have plenty of political interference in Khadamiyah, I think we have swung the pendulum back in the direction of economic progress and protecting the people from extremists on both sides.
Throughout our area of operations we have made significant gains against defeating Al Qaeda (AQI). We are actively collaborating with former Sunni insurgents to drive AQI from their neighborhoods. If we stop the AQI intimidation, we take a lot of wind out of the militia sails.

Teufelhunden -- [The Gunner's World - in Iraq]
...I am riding on through the streets of Habbaniyah with the Marines of 3rd Battalion 6th Marines. We ride on and stop at numerous combat out posts (COPS) and I move among the Marines and take pictures and do a couple of interviews. My job out here “get this now” so people will remember what is being done here so we will not forget the sacrifices made and years from now their story can be told to the next generation.

A Physician's Report from Iraq -- [Strategy Page]
This past week I spent most of my time in the intensive care unit. Sometimes I feel like a utility ballplayer the way I am used. So far, I have worked in ICU, the Intermediate Care Ward, EMT(aka ER), and in the clinic. In the ICU, I gave thrombolytic therapy(clot buster) to a 48 year old Jordanian contractor having a massive stroke, took care of an overdose of antidepressants, cared for a gun shot wound to the abdomen, an IED blast with neck and extremity wounds, a number of concussions and some burns among others. There is very little cardiology going on here. My favorite patient Abbas, was transferred to an Iraqi facility this week. We treat them until stable, then ship them out. He was a 22 year old new Iraqi policeman who was blown up by a suicide bomber and sustained a spinal cord injury with resulting paraplegia (paralyzed below the waist). He was only recently married four months ago. In spite of everything, he always had such a nice smile for me whenever I would care for him or pass by his bed. I will miss him.

It’s Good To Be Missed -- [Civilian Irregular Information Defense Group -- in Iraq]
...Out here in Anbar, the war is going fairly well. You know how I know? The incoming doesn’t come in anymore. The Retrograde Yard has fewer destroyed vehicles in it. There are fewer helos dropping off casualties. Things are getting better where I’m at. I’m winning my part of the war. The people around me are winning their part of the war. There are successes all over this country, but, back in the rear, one Aw, Shit erases 100 Attaboys, and all al Qaeda has to do is set off a bomb and the NYT/WAPO/LAT/CNN/PMSNBC/ABC/NBC/SeeBS branches of al Jazeerah wail and gnash their teeth about how we can’t win, we’re in a quagmire, the Surge has failed, we must cut & run, yadda, yadda, et cetera, et cetera, yessir, yessir three bags full. And way too many of my fellow Americans are ready to pull the plug on us. Us’ns out here are winning our part of the war, but y’all in the rear are letting us down. Y’all ain’t doing YOUR part to resist the enemy propaganda. Y’all ain’t doing YOUR part to hold defeatists accountable for their treachery. Y’all ain’t doing YOUR part in providing our leadership with some FOLLOWERSHIP!

VOICES FROM THE FRONT -- [ONPoint]
With the news from Iraq being as much “political” as “military” in the last week, OnPoint has decided to focus today’s feature on something different’ today’s feature is that of our Marines in the field.
...Marines exterminate terrorists in Karmah
When Marines arrived in Karmah near the beginning of June, it was not the warmest of welcomes. Citizens were hesitant to come outside, much less smile and shake hands with those in uniform. Less than a month later, children fool around in the streets trying to get Marines to play soccer. Men sit outside reopened shops and approach the patrols, pointing out houses with suspected threats.

Fallujah--From Near, from Afar -- [Matt Sanchez - in Iraq]
The guards have “Rules of Engagement” or “ROE” for vehicles that don’t belong or don’t follow directions, which is pretty much the same thing. The last escalation on the rules checklist is disable the driver, which means several well-aimed bullets through the windshield. From the outside, the FOBs (Forward Operating Bases) are foreboding places, hardly welcoming, but once inside you’re in one of the safest areas of a country where explosions are a leading cause of death, right behind shot wounds to the head. As we approached the gate the Marines locked in rounds, bolts drew back and bullets snapped into chambers, just a firing pin tap away from discharge.

General Petraeus' September Report -- [Duty in the Desert]
The more I've read and watched General Petraeus interviews the more impressed I am with him. A great communicator. A leader. Finally this war has a 'military face' to it and someone who uses the media to get his images and messages out to the American people and our allies.
General Petraeus has that 'it' factor. One of those nebulous, undefined and subjective attributes one either has or doesn't have. This General has 'it'. Not bravado. But confidence and something else. That you-know-it-when-you-see-it factor. We haven't had a uniformed face to a war, really, since General Norman Schwarzkopf in Operations Desert Shield/Storm 16 years ago.

Winning the Narrative -- [SWJ - Bing West]
The National Review On-Line recently posted an interview with LtGen James N. Mattis, commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Forces CENTCOM. Mattis is widely-known for his boldness and ferocity in combat. Yet Mattis did not discuss operations. Instead, he focused on perceptions. "I noticed (in the newspaper) today that 'a bomb went off in Baghdad'... the moral bye, the passive voice by our media, makes it appear like what the enemy is doing is just an act of God of some Godamned thing...getting our narrative out will be as important or more important than tactics."

Plus and Minus -- [Rock and Roll Soldier - in Iraq]]
As a brigade, our convoy security teams find far more IEDs than other convoy teams. We've got damn good soldiers who have saved a lot of lives by virtue of simply paying attention and doing their jobs.
...In the beginning of the war, soldiers rolled around in soft skinned vehicles with no ballistic protection. Now, we have fully armored HMMWVs which, while not perfect, are much better at keeping troops alive. And don't even get me started on the advancements in EOD as a job.
...I'm also pissed that I can't reenlist into the guard while in country, if i chose to do so. IRR soldiers who want to stay in the national guard can't recieve a tax free bonus unless they get lucky enough to find a recruiter that can push all the paperwork through during the same month they get back. As a result, we also can't receive schools while our guard brethren can. I submitted awards for my soldiers for saving some lives by cordoning off an IED (which required driving past it) so a civilian convoy didn't drive past it. I was told they "were just doing their jobs."
Yet we have people getting bronze stars just for being here, and many of the folks who will receive it don't leave the wire.

Saddam's Place -- [Desert Flier- in Iraq]
I've learned over the past few years how conversations usually go when you talk to an OGA. That stands for "other governmental agency". In other words, you have no idea who they work for, what they are doing, or how long they are staying. Our modern day version of government 'spooks'.
A few of us took them up on an invite to an isolated part of Ramadi along the banks of the Euphrates for some weapons range time. These guys live in a fairly nice house. It used to be an Iraqi General's house during the Saddam regime. Marble floors, top shelf tiling in the bathroom. Was that a Viking rangetop in the kitchen? Not only do the OGA's live in top digs, they have their own cook. This was getting better by the minute! Prime rib cooked to perfection and steamed asparagus to start. Now I know how the other half of Iraq lives...

When Anthropologists Go to War -- [Danger Room]
One of the more fascinating ideas to emerge in military circles of late is the concept of the Human Terrain System, which is "designed to address cultural awareness shortcomings at the operational and tactical levels by giving brigade commanders an organic capability to help understand and deal with 'human terrain'-the social, ethnographic, cultural, economic, and political elements of the people among whom a force is operating."
In practice, this system entails recruiting and deploying anthropologists as part of small teams deployed with forward-operating forces.
Now, one of the first anthropologists being deployed to Iraq has started a blog where he plans to talk about his experiences in Iraq. I would suggest reading several of the entries for context, but here's an excerpt

AFGHANISTAN

Suicide bomber kills only himself -- [ISAF News Release]
KABUL, Afghanistan – An explosion occurred July 14 in Khowst province, when a suicide bomber detonated before reaching his target.
Hamid Khan, the bomber, was the only person killed in the blast. No local nationals, ANP or ISAF troops were in the vicinity at the time.
“Incidents like this highlight the senselessness of the enemy’s suicide bombing tactic,” said Maj. John Thomas, ISAF spokesman.

Freedom Watch Afghanistan -- [Pentegon Channel]

The latest from Operation Enduring Freedom showing the activities of American troops in country. Produced by AFN-Afghanistan.

Military begins battle to sell mission to Quebec -- [Globe and Mail]
Most Quebeckers remain skeptical about the role of Canadian Forces in Afghanistan
QUEBEC -- As more than 2,000 Quebec-based troops are deployed to Afghanistan this summer, the Canadian Forces are opening up a new front - a political and public relations battle to win over the support of Quebeckers for the mission.
The foot soldiers in that battle will be the 180 from the Royal 22nd Regiment, headquartered at Valcartier military base near Quebec City, who return from their tour of duty in Afghanistan over the next few weeks. Their experience in conducting security for the provincial reconstruction team at Camp Nathan Smith near Kandahar will be used to help sell the mission to Quebeckers who remain skeptical about the role of Canadian Forces in Afghanistan.
"There is a greater need for education," Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier said in a telephone interview. "When they come home and get a chance to talk to friends, neighbours and community organizations, clubs, schools, and get a chance to tell the story of what they were doing, what they engaged in and what values they see, that will be one aspect of helping Quebeckers ... understand better why Canada is doing what it is doing."

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Italian Ambassador Treats Wounded Troops to Mediterranean Hospitality -- [Media Blog - Tom Gross]
It is rare that we come across a story about European generosity to American troops, so this piece, from the American Forces Press Service, provides a welcome change to all those negative stories about European attitudes to America.
Too bad it hasn’t appeared in the mainstream media. Here are some highlights:

Bank Robber Says He Wanted to Raise War-Crimes Awareness -- [The Tank - W. Thomas Smith Jr.]
This story would be sad if it were not so laughably ridiculous:
Apparently, rogue Army Ranger Luke Sommer robbed a bank, and then blamed it on what he alleges were war crimes he witnessed being committed by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. He says he wanted to use the public exposure he would surely receive from robbing the bank to create awareness for war crimes.

Shari’ah Courts in America? -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
An issue in Zeyno Baran’s recent Counterterrorism Blog post jumped out at me because of my current research into how Islam has been treated by U.S. courts. Zeyno’s note dealt with the recent appointment of Imam Talal Eid to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which she questioned, in part, because of his suggestion in his Harvard Divinity School dissertation of “the establishment of Shari’ah courts which would manage the family affairs of American Muslims and mediate their religious affairs within the scope of American law.”

Why The South No Longer Fears the North -- [Strategy Page]
The South Korean military admitted, when pressed by parliament, that they monitor many North Korean military activities in real time, using a combination of technology and agents. The growing corruption in the north has been a major assist to South Korean military intelligence. The reliability of the spies can be checked via air reconnaissance, spy satellites and other sensors, making the South Koreans confident they know what's going on up north. The South Koreans are less and less impressed with North Korean military power, which is slowly eroding because of money shortages and declining morale and discipline.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htpeace/articles/20070717.aspxStirring Up Old Threats -- [Strategy Page]
July 17, 2007: More World War II and World War I naval mines are showing up in the Black Sea, as post-Cold War economic growth puts shipping into areas that have not seen a lot of it for nearly 70 years. The northwest part of the Black Sea, and especially the Danube river delta, were heavily mined during both World Wars. The most dangerous mines are the ones held in place by a chain (attached by an anchor that lies on the ocean floor in shallow coastal waters).

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Al Qaeda Tries To Change The Rules -- [Strategy Page]
July 17, 2007: Terrorists tend to be poor historians. Throughout the last century, terrorist groups achieved few of their objectives, and ultimately faded away. The media tends to concentrate on the few terrorist objectives that have been achieved, ignoring the (boring, and thus not news) fact that the terrorists usually fail. A recent study published in "International Security" magazine ("Why Terrorism Does Not Work") took 28 terrorist organizations that have been operating during the last six years, counted their objectives, and found that only seven percent of those have been achieved. Not very encouraging for the bad guys.

Report Claims Al Qaeda Leadership Meets Regularly in Iran -- [Gateway Pundit]
It is believed that Iran is protecting Saad Bin Laden, the son of Osama Bin Laden, and other Al Qaeda leaders including Saif al-Adel who fled Afghanistan in 2001. The Al Qaeda leadership holds regular meetings in eastern Iran according to a new report.

Zawihiri Close to Capture? -- [Jawa Report]
This is what DEBKA is claiming:
Until the middle of last week, Zuwahiri sheltered with the local Pashtun tribes in Bannu, a town in the northwest Pakistan tribal federation of North Waziristan. The approach of Pakistani and US intelligence and special forces caused him to switch hiding places and move to Tank or Tang, a town 120 km south of Bannu.

Interesting Thoughts On The Latest Osama Tape -- [Stop the ACLU]
Many have speculated that hidden codes were in Zawahir’s latest message as well as Osama’s, despite it being unreleased footage from 2001. Blogger Eteraz thinks he may have broken the coded message:

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Landstuhl Heroes Deserve Your Support -- [Military.com]
Recovering troops at the U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany need your help. During a recent visit there, American Legion National Commander Paul A. Morin and American Legion Auxiliary President JoAnn Cronin found these war heroes are in need of comfort items and essentials that could improve their quality of life.
The National Commander, the National President and Sons of The American Legion Commander Earl Ruttkofsky are asking your help in raising at least $50,000 for this cause. Don't let the well-deserved media attention given to Walter Reed Army Medical Center detract from the needs of the heroes at Landstuhl. These veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars must not be forgotten as America is engaged in a war on terror to protect all of our freedoms.
Click here to read their report and to donate to this worthy endeavor.

Family Heartaches Unnoticed -- [Spouse Buzz]
Next time someone talks about supporting the military members, think of their families as well. You may not know this, but a lot of military families are broken just because of military errors. For example, I am a military wife, my husband is active duty. I move back to Illinois a few months back because my husband was scheduled for deployment. We were advised by commander and first sergeant to clear housing and move to where ever we were planning on staying through out deployment. They said they were FOR SURE leaving by that date. So a few months ago we packed everything up and moved me and my kids to Illinois. We had got all of our belongs packed and a lease signed with tenants and the next day was informed that my husband was not deploying till a later date, due to the extension of deployment months change from 12 to 15. Now we are forced to live apart.

New Idea -- [Military Motivator]
I've enjoyed making the posts here and more over have enjoyed the positive responses that the posts have generated. I recently posted a motivator that someone sent me. I'd like to do more of that.
So, if you have an idea for a motivator or an image that you think would be appropriate, email me and I will post it (please mention how you'd like to be credited). You can generate the full motivator using the link to the right. It's all in good fun and if a single person donates to the links to support our uniformed men and women then this site has been a success.

Iraq Star -- [Pentegon Channel]

A non profit foundation in St. Louis helps wounded veterans recover.

Where’s MEGEN? 07/2007 -- [Chaotic Synaptic Activity]
At the USS IOWA Turret Nr 2 Gun Crew Memorial in Norfolk, VA
It seems “Pinch” Paisley was on a road trip and took some time to get pictures and publicity for the ValOUR-IT project the week of the 4th of July, while doing some active duty time…Stay turned for more outstanding naval settings where MEGEN has been showing up at!
Update 07/16/2007: Pinch has posted an entire set of great photos of MEGEN, in the company with ships a and planes and at memorials. Not only are they fun to look at, but they are great to copy and send around to your friends, complete with an explanation of the ValOUR-IT program!

A presumption of innocence: I’ll deliver your email to suddenly silent John Murtha -- [9/11 Families for a Safe & Strong America]
Updated: Latest emails added July 17, 2007, 06:55 a.m. EDT
If the lives and liberty of United States Marines were not at stake, Congressman John Murtha’s new found silence would be hilarious.
You know the story. On May 17, 2006 — to celebrate the 6-month anniversary of his first demanding a timetabled withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq — John Murtha held a press conference in D.C. and stated that Marines in Haditha had, “killed innocent civilians in cold blood.” Even before the preliminary investigation had been completed and before the Marines under investigation had a chance to defend themselves, Congressman Murtha used his office to inquire and publicly pronounced them guilty.
Last week, the investigating officer recommended that the charges against LCpl Justin Sharratt be dismissed, in his strongly worded official report:

The Lie Mutually Agreed Upon -- [Strategy Page]
July 16, 2007: Yet another Marine has won a court victory in the investigation of the battle at Haditha – adding more doubts to the claims of a massacre. In this case, the officer conducting an Article 32 hearing (equivalent to a grand jury hearing in civilian courts) has ruled that charges should be dropped. In essence, the claims of a massacre at Haditha are now looking false. That said, al Qaeda, through some adept media manipulation, has still won a victory.

WELCOME HOME

Almost home -- [The Zeke - coming home from Iraq]
How can I explain the joy of seeing my homeland once again? We're so close to home right now. A thunderous roar was heard from our company as we crossed into American air-space. We're not quite home yet, it will be days. But I'm in the land of the free and the home of the brave, and it feels so good.
I forgot what so much grass looked like! One of the first things I did was flop down in some grass by the air field and just lay there. No dust in my eyes, no sweat soaking through my clothes...clean, fresh air. Humidity! Trees everywhere. LAKES!!! What a site to behold. I never want to leave again.

POLITICS

Vets On The Hill -- [Flopping Aces]
Vets For Freedom is converging on Washington DC tomorrow to get their message through the thick numbskulls of those Senators who still do not understand that the Iraq and Afghanistan war is a just and necessary fight, and one we should not run from

Defeatists Are Not Looking Past 2008 Elections -- [ThreatsWatch]
Most of those in Congress who now oppose the war were at one time all for it. Today of course they claim to have been duped, lied to, though there is pretty solid evidence that most of them did not bother to evaluate the available information themselves. Politicians are busy, fair enough, but if they are determined not to be fooled again then you would think that they would wait to get some solid, authoritative information about the state of Iraq before they decided on their strategy for Iraq. The surge did not begin in earnest until a few weeks ago and General Petraeus is not due to give his first status report until September. So why are some already calling the surge a failure and arguing for withdrawal now?
The fact is that those calling for “re-deployment” are less motivated by data or facts and more keen on supporting anything “not-Bush.” These are politicians after all, so that is to be expected, but such a strategy is only going to be useful until 2008. Then what?

First Muslim in Congress - Whack Job? -- [Broken Masterpieces]
Bush like Hitler, says first Muslim in Congress | International News | News | Telegraph
America's first Muslim congressman has provoked outrage by apparently comparing President George W Bush to Adolf Hitler and hinting that he might have been responsible for the September 11 attacks.
Addressing a gathering of atheists in his home state of Minnesota, Keith Ellison, a Democrat, compared the 9/11 atrocities to the destruction of the Reichstag, the German parliament, in 1933.
The scarier part is that the audience was applauding. The absolute hate for George W. Bush is bordering on crazy. I know a lot of us didn't like Bill Clinton and some went overboard but this is even beyond that.

THE MEDIA

Bush as Hitler -- [Media Blog - Greg Pollowitz]
Rep. Keith Ellison has gone and compared President Bush to Adolph Hilter. So, what does the Minnesota Star Tribune have to say about the comment? They defend it, of course:
What's more interesting is that Rep. Ellison made these statements last week and they're only now coming to the attention of the MSM.

'Today' Depresses Troop Morale, Highlights Group Calling for War Defunding -- [NewsBusters]
As NBC's Matt Lauer advertised Harry Reid’s "all-nighter" to debate Iraq’s funding, his colleague, Jim Miklaszewski, buttressed Reid's theatrics by showcasing military families, whose "anger over the war is growing," and even highlighted a group calling for the war’s defunding. On this morning's 'Today' show, Miklaszewki, aired soundbites from three war opponents but he didn’t gave any air-time to supporters of the war effort.
The following is the full, unbalanced, segment as it occurred the July 17th Today show:

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

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