e-peeking

When I saw this was available I put it on my Christmas list. Never thought its would be released, but here it is.

I'm going to get it, too. Somebody in the family bought it for me. Know how I know? Amazon just ruined the surprise for me. I clicked over to the page to see if it had actually been released (it has now - it was delayed a week) and right at the top of the item description page it said: Instant Order Update for Greyhawk. You purchased this item on December 13, 2006.

I've never been one to peek under the wraper to see what my presents were. I don't even check the gift tags on the boxes under the tree to see which ones are mine. Anyhow, thought I'd better pass on this warning* to anyone who orders Christmas gifts via Amazon - don't do it on a computer the recipient will use.

And BTW, whoever at Amazon thought that spoiler was a great idea should be fired. (Or at least lose their Christmas bonus this year.)

*Or, I suppose this hint for those who can't resist searching all over the house for their Christmas gifts.

Iraqi forces ready to take over security responsibility in Nejaf province

Via email, the latest news from Haider Ajina:

Greetings,

The following is my translation of a headline and article, which appeared in Iraq's ‘Buratha News’ on December 14th.

‘Iraqi forces ready to take over security responsibility in Nejaf province’

'Colonel Ahmed Hussein Abdullah commander of Iraqi security forces in Nejaf province said that the Iraqi security forces are ready to receive full responsibility of security operations in Nejaf province, from the multinational forces. He added, ‘The governor of Nejaf province Mr. Asaad Sultan Abu-Kellal visited the USA consulate in Babylon province to prepare for the final steps to transfer security to our forces’. The Colonel pointed out the strong coordination between Nejaf police and the Iraqi Army in the province. The province is enjoying excellent security due to this mutual coordination.

'The Colonel spoke about a new police brigade for the city of Hillah, which will protect the city and all the new police stations to be opened throughout the province. This is in addition to Theqar Brigade (under command of the interior ministry) and Saqer (Falcon) brigade (under command of the Iraqi Army), both assigned to Nejaf province.

'Dr. Ali Aldabagh spokes person for the Iraqi government said, on Thursday, that security responsibility for Nejaf will be transferred to Iraqi forces from multi national forces on December 20. Dr. Ali Aldabagh added, in a conference held at the conventions palace in Baghdad, ‘Nejaf province is experiencing calm and security because of the presence of Iraqi security forces. This situation facilitates the transfer of security to Iraqis'.

Haider's comments;
Our military has obviously done a good job training Iraqi security forces in Nejaf province. It is one of the calmest provinces with economic activity booming and constantly improving health care etc… Alqaida and the Baathists have extreme difficulty killing Iraqis or setting off bombs in this province. Because of that, sectarian strife is almost nonexistent in Nejaf. Sunnis, Shiites, Sunni Kurds and Christians live in peace and harmony in this province. This situation is mirrored in Kurdistan (the Kurdish provinces in northern Iraq).

Sectarian violence and strife is prevalent in what is called the Sunni Triangle. This is because Alqaida and the former Baathists (mostly Sunnis) are killing innocent civilians, evicting Shiites from Sunni areas, setting bombs in Shiite neighborhoods and market areas. This is then met with reprisal attacks by Shiite militia. Alqaida and the Baathist terrorists are further supported by the ‘Association of Muslim Scholars’ (except for its Basra Chapter which broke ranks last week by denouncing the killing of Shiites and all Iraqis) who appears to be the political arm of Alqaida and the Baathists. These activities further undermine the elected Iraqi government and weaken it. We must decide who our enemy is and who is our friend in Iraq. Most of the attacks against our military in Iraq are carried out by the former Baathists, Alqaida in Iraq, and their sympathizers. These groups are also causing most of the casualties amongst Iraqi civilians. Our continued sympathy with the representatives of the ‘Association of Muslim Scholars’, due to our Ambassador’s Sunni bias, is hurting our mission, not helping it. Our ambassador Khalil Zad (Strong Sunni separatist) is scheduled to leave Iraq by the end of the month. If you look back, you will notice that much of the escalation in violence in Iraq started shortly after Khalil Zad took over as our ambassador from Negroponte (summer of 2005). Perhaps we will see a decline in violence once our new ambassador takes over and, hopefully, calls for stronger support of our friends and stronger challenge of our enemies. Iraqi papers report that Ryan Crocker, who is our ambassador to Pakistan, will take over our embassy in Baghdad.

Regards
Haider Ajina
McKinleyville CA