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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.
Iraqis underwhelmed by media circus for Barack Obama visit -- [Times Online]
...The circus was repeated outside Jalal Talabani's presidential compound, which sits just outside the green zone but is also formidably guarded.
The contrast with the attitude of ordinary Iraqis could not have been greater. Most were oblivious that the Obama visit was even taking place.
“Who is Mr Obama?” asked Muhammad Saed, 29, who owns a small supermarket in Baghdad. “I stopped reading the news after the invasion because it only talks about car bombs and people being killed.”
Maliki Feints -- [Commentary Magazine]
What is Prime Minister Maliki up to with his seeming endorsement of Obama's 16 month withdrawal timetable, followed by a quick backtrack by his spokesman?
...The Iraqi prime minister's seeming endorsement of Barack Obama's troop withdrawal plan is part of Baghdad's strategy to play U.S. politics for the best deal possible over America's military mission.
In other words, Maliki is not really trying to push U.S. troops out by mid-2010, as Senator Obama proposes. In fact he’s being careful to say that a mid-2010 departure is a “hope”—not a firm demand. (His spokesman explained today that “the government did not endorse a fixed date.”) He is playing politics—Iraqi politics.
Note on casualties -- [TigerHawk]
Make of it what you will, but only five Americans have been killed in action in Iraq in the 24 days since June 26.
When Obama Comes Marching Over -- [Newsweek - David Botti - embed in Iraq]
The biggest news on this particular day seemed to be that a coffee shop opened back at their main base to replace the one damaged by a deadly rocket attack in April.
After hearing of Obama's intended arrival, some said they simply didn't care about politics. Others, like 21-year-old Specialist Jeff Cole, didn't see how it would affect their day-to-day lives as a platoon of infantryman partnered with a unit of Iraqi National Police.
"It's good for his campaign, but it doesn't really matter for us," he said.
...Further up Charlie Company’s chain of command, First Sergeant Brian Disque also saw Obama’s visit as being primarily a opportunity for the candidate to educate himself.
“When I hear certain peoples’ interpretations of what’s going on in Iraq, it concerns me,” Disque said.
Obama Overflies Iraqi Mass Graves -- [Confederate Yankee]
Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama overflew the Iraqi cities of Baghdad and Najaf today, where the mass graves for an estimated 240,000 victims of sectarian violence killed since 2007 were visible even from altitude.
Iraqi leader meets Obama, calls for U.S. troops out by end of 2010 -- [McClatchy News]
BAGHDAD — After talks with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki reaffirmed that Iraq wants U.S. combat troops to withdraw from Iraq by the end of 2010, a few months later than Obama had proposed.
Obama in Iraq -- [Greyhawk]
Maliki Walks Things Back -- [Baldilocks]
Says that the words about a concrete date for a pullout were misconstrued via the translation and that
In the Middle East, Diplomacy = Weakness -- [Iraq the Model - Iraqi blogger]
In a matter of just a few days several important developments have taken place in the Middle East, all likely to have negative repercussions on the already tense situation in the region. The first development was the awkward prisoner exchange between Israel and Hezbollah. Then there were the unprecedented decisions by the American administration to take part directly in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, and reportedly to resume some level of diplomatic ties with the country. Finally, we had the White House agreeing to set a “time horizon” for troop withdrawal from Iraq.
For 'Surge' Troops, Pride Mingles With Doubt -- [WaPo]
Soldiers Leave a More Secure Iraq but Are Unsure if Hard-Won Gains Will Hold
...Wilhite said he leaves Iraq feeling enormously proud. But he worries that upcoming provincial elections could incite violence if Sunnis don't feel they have made adequate political inroads.
He said he was not the arbiter of the success of the "surge" strategy. "You'd have to ask the Iraqi people," he said. "You have to ask the Iraqi government that."
Gen. Petraeus Visits Samarra - [ubdumb]
THE OBAMA HAS LANDED... Barack Swoops Into Baghdad -- [Gateway Pundit]
Of course, he was able to fly safely into Iraq thanks to the success of the Bush Surge that was put into place last year. Barack Obama opposed the surge and would have allowed genocide in Iraq if it were his choice. Instead, today the War in Iraq is won and antiwar Democrats like Barack Obama are able to safely travel there.
...Today, Obama will meet with General Petraeus, a man he opposed and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a man he's frequently ridiculed.
Mullen- Iraq wouldn’t be where it is now without the surge
Banjo and the Colonel -- [OIF - Vince - In Iraq]
"Banjo and the Colonel are at the Hadditha Hospital in Western Iraq. Banjo was hoping to see some children but the type of visit was focused on the project. We will be constructing a new wing in place of one that was destroyed by a vehicle bomb several years ago. The project will also install additional equipment like a modern X-Ray machine."
Battlefield commanders act as judge and jury in dealing with former insurgents who have attacked U.S. soldiers -- [IN Iraq - Jim Foley - embed in Iraq]
In order to reconcile, former insurgents who are suspected of attacks against Iraqis must turn themselves in to the Iraqi judicial system. However if insurgents admit to only attacking U.S. soldiers they are "forgiven" according to battlefield commanders in Salah Ad Din province.
MND-B Soldiers, IA make effort to protect Iraqi children (pdf) -- [Warrior News - via Stryker Nrews]
...“At fi rst the people that we made contact with were apprehensive to talk to us,” said Sgt. 1st Class Steve Purvis, native of Lexington, N.C., and platoon sergeant with Company C, 1st Bn., 14th Inf. Regt. “But when they realized we were there to inform them and about recent ploys to exploit their children, and that we care about them and their children, they were more receptive and openly began to talk with us.”
Coalition forces capture suspected Hezbolla Brigades propaganda expert (New Baghdad) -- [MNF-I]
Coalition forces captured a suspected propaganda specialist of the Hezbollah Brigades early Monday morning in the New Baghdad district of Baghdad.
Based on intelligence information, Coalition forces targeted the location of a suspected propaganda expert affiliated with the Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq. Information taken from suspected criminals already in custody indicate that the man uploads web sites with imagery and video taken from attacks on Iraqi Security and Coalition forces.
Iraqi, US forces keep pressure on the Mahdi Army -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
A flurry of raids has gone unreported, but shows the senior Mahdi Army commanders continue to remain in the crosshairs.
MilBlogs TV - Episode One (Iraq, 21 Jul 08) -- [MilBlogs - Greyhawk]
Baghdad residents and businesses receive quality water -- [MNF-I]
Baghdad – Serving more than 2000 homes and businesses, two water networks at a cost of $2.6 million are almost complete in the Kadamiyah area of Baghdad. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Division and the Baghdad Water Authority are working together to replace the old and damaged pipeline system in the Kadamiyah district to supply a better quality and quantity of water. According to the Gulf Region Central districts International Zone project engineer, Malath Al Rawas, approximately 17,000 linear meters of ductile iron water pipe was laid at each of the sites.
Upgraded Substation Provides Reliable Power to 300,000 in Al Kut -- [MNF-I]
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA — The people of al Kut are receiving more reliable electricity, thanks to the upgrade of the Old al Kut substation 33kV switch gear, which increases the availability of power for transmission and distribution. Two sections of the antiquated substation were replaced and came online approximately two weeks ago. Government officials celebrated its completion during a ribbon cutting ceremony, July 16.
Whither 'Buck Sargent'? -- [AMERICAN CITIZEN SOLDIER - in Iraq]
"The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and professional excellence of REDACTED [aka, "Buck Sargent"]. In view of these qualities and his demonstrated leadership potential and dedicated service to the U.S. Army, he is, therefore, promoted from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant ... effective 1 JULY 2008."
Any of you sons of Iraq calls me Staph Sargent... I'll kill ya.
The Tempest -- [Greyhawk]
In comments through the (currently ongoing) While America Slept Series, recently embedded Iraq reporter Nathan Webster and I have been discussing the relative merits of the troop increase ("the surge") and the recruitment of local citizens (Awakening Movements, Sons of Iraq, Concerned local Citizens groups, former insurgents, and a host of other names - your choice - I'll use any and all below) in the fight to stabilize Iraq.
I think this comment is a reasonable statement:
Lots to update… -- [Notes from Tommie - in Iraq]
After coming back I went inside and was told to go stand by the wall in the back of the room. Boy was I surprised when Col. Dewhurst came in and gave a service coin to me along with four other people. Basically it just shows appreciation for performing at the measure of excellence. (Considering I’ve only been in a year and: already have PFC, combat division combat patch (10th MTN), in the line up for a combat action badge, and recognized for good work I don’t think my military career is doing too badly.) Later on I’ll try and get pics of it up so you all can see what it looks like.
Running With the Devil -- [The War on Big Tobacco - in Iraq]
Hell, I’ll be the first to admit my failures. If you want to read blogs about soldiers who are in love with themselves,go over here. If you want a blog about a perfect platoon sergeant, go over here. But if you want to get in the truck with me, keep reading. It’s only going to get worse.
I had a choice after the PT test. I could accept the platoon that I was given, or turn them into the platoon that I want them to be.
Checking In -- [Sgt Hook - in Iraq]
Just a quick check in to let everyone know all is well. Busy as hell, but well. R&R leave was incredible and couldn’t have come at a better time. It has been full throttle since I’ve returned and I apologize for not getting on here more to write. Honestly, I’m not sure how often I’ll be able to as we fight through these final 5 months of the deployment.
Afghanistan Doesn't Need a 'Surge' -- [WSJ - ANN MARLOWE]
Afghanistan needs many things, but two more brigades of U.S. troops are not among them.
...In Afghanistan, the situation can differ radically in provinces just a half-hour helicopter ride away. There has been much recent hysteria about an incident on July 13 when nine American soldiers were killed in an insurgent assault on a combat outpost in Want, in Nuristan (mistakenly reported as taking place in Wanat in neighboring Kunar Province). This was the deadliest attack on American soldiers since 16 troops were killed in Kunar in 2005. It was a tragic event, but does not demonstrate that the American effort in Afghanistan is on the brink of disaster, as some commentators have risibly argued.
"RC-East has pushed up to new areas and the bad guys are pushing back there," a serving U.S. government official who requested anonymity told me.
Chaplain Bell Puts in "The Fix" at Bagram E/R
...looking at a picture that was recently sent me by the hospital Chaplain for TF Med, Bagram, I suddenly remembered that the author wrote about some wounded soldiers that the doctors felt were beyond their power to save. They would patch the patients up as best they could, then ask Father Mulcahey to "Put in the fix", as they called it. And these cynical, college-educated doctors would watch in awe, again and again, as wounded men survived for no reason that medical science could explain.
Soldiers recount deadly attack on Afghanistan outpost -- [Stars and Stripes]
..."It was some of the bravest stuff I’ve ever seen in my life, and I will never see it again because those guys," Stafford said, then paused. "Normal humans wouldn’t do that. You’re not supposed to do that — getting up and firing back when everything around you is popping and whizzing and trees, branches coming down and sandbags exploding and RPGs coming in over your head … It was a fistfight then, and those guys held ’ em off."
Stafford offered a guess as to why his fellow soldiers fought so hard....
MilBlogs TV - Afghanistan, 22 July 2008 -- [Greyhawk]
Ok, so I lied... -- [Cheese's Milblog - home on R&R from Afghansitan]
...The only downside to being home has been not knowing what's going on in Afghanistan. As I was walking into a movie with my fiance, I got a phone call letting me know that nine soldiers had died in Kabul. While that ended up not being exactly true I still spent much of the rest of the movie texting under my jacket, trying to find out the truth. Since attacks like that don't happen in Kabul, especially not without my company's involvement, I was pretty certain that the incident had involved people that I knew.
Commandos, SOF forces rescue kidnap victim -- [Combined Joint Task Force - 101]
A young Afghan man's prayers were finally answered July 17 when a team of Afghan National Army Commandos and U.S. Special Operations forces freed him from captivity after discovering him shackled near a Taliban jail in the village of Parmakan in Western Afghanistan's Herat province.
O Weighs In On Chai -- [Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure]
...At the very last village in this particular valley we encountered some Afghans who really thought we were Russian. Their misinformation led them to believe that we were here to eat their children and disgrace their women. When we did no such thing it was a unique reaction. After the last building was searched and all was cleared so to speak, the Afghans spread out a blanket and insisted we eat lunch. All the while a fierce firefight was occurring a few thousand meters below us.
...We immediately embraced “Chai with a Bad Guy”, a term we repeated many times throughout our tour.
The Example of Musa Qala -- [The Captain’s Journal]
We have previously covered the secret negotiations between MI6 agents and mid-level Taliban commanders, the result of which was the agreement between British forces and one Mullah Abdul Salaam who had promised military help when British and U.S. forces retook Musa Qala late in 2007. The military assistance never materialized, and instead of engaging in the battle, Salaam and his “fighters” stayed in his compound in Shakahraz, ten miles east, with a small ...
Fort Lewis, Washington -- [Richard's MIL BLOG]
...Recently I met a group of Soldiers with whom I was deployed to Afghanistan, and after some polite conversation we all reluctantly revealed the same thought, "I wish I was still there, in Afghanistan, doing a job I loved with people I cared about." And this thought was expressed by a group of Army Reserve Soldiers, all of whom had good civilian jobs and happy families. If they feel this way, how much more do "full-time/career" Soldiers miss their recent deployments?
Mick's Soldier's Mom Posts... -- [MilBlogs - Chap]
Aaaaand here's a teaser:
Many portrayed the dismal conditions (apart from the one with the beach towel, Speedos and the blow up doll)
Sunday Breakfast with Obama in Afghanistan -- [Greyhawk]
Forget Obama's Afghan Dog and Pony Show; Listen to Our Military Commanders -- [The Conservative Voice Daily - Jim Kouri, CPP]
Nevermind what presidential hopeful Barack Obama is saying during his current campaign photo-op in Afghanistan. The people to whom Americans and congress -- both sides of the aisle -- should listen are our military commanders on the field of battle. To put it bluntly, Senator Obama is an "empty-suit" attempting to dupe American voters into believing he really knows what he's doing when it comes to warfare, national security and geopolitical strategy. And, with the help of the anti-military news media, he's succeeding.
Obama Vows 'vigor' in Terror Fight
Two U.S. airmen rescued after giant B-52 bomber crashes into the Pacific ocean -- [Daily Mail]
At least two U.S. airmen miraculously survived after a giant B-52 bomber crashed off the island of Guam last night.
Rescue crews were searching a vast area of floating debris for other survivors this morning, officials said.
The survivors' condition was not immediately available, a U.S. Coast Guard official said.
Pakistan -- [LWJ]
Thirty-three Baluchi rebels and nine Frontier Corps paramilitaries were killed during a battle in Dera Bugti. Five Taliban were killed during an assault on a PAksitani fort in Hangu while the fighting has spread to neighboring Kurram. The Taliban torched a school in Swat. Baitullah Mehsud ordered an investigation of an intra-Taliban clash in Mohmand Agency that resulted in 10 Taliban killed.
The Bin Ladens of the Balkans, Part I -- [Michael Totten - in Kosovo]
... the likes of Al Qaeda wanted to “help.” Representatives of Osama bin Laden approached a Brooklyn man named Florin Krasniqi and said they wanted to send men into Kosovo to fight a jihad against Serbs.
Krasniqi is an Albanian-American roofer who ran what he called the Homeland Calling Fund to raise money for the KLA back home. He raised 30 million dollars from Albanian-Americans and sent cargo planes stocked full of weapons and uniforms from the United States to Northern Albania where the goods were then smuggled over the border into Kosovo. “We were approached by fundamentalist Muslims from every direction
Somali Pirates Set to Kill Thousands -- [MilBlogs - Eagle1]
Usually pirates grab ships and ransom them and their crews while stealing valuables.
In the lawless state of Somalia one effect of piracy, if left unchecked, will be the deaths of tens of thousands of people.
The UN World Food Program can't find naval
Iran's insidious expansion campaign -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
...Interestingly, Saudi King Abdullah accused Shiites of trying to convert Sunnis and added that he knew exactly who was behind this campaign, clearly pointing his finger at Tehran.
Is Iraq the “Central Front” in the War On Terror? -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
somewhere along the way to establishing a utopian Islamic state and a fortified base for jihad in the Middle East, something went terribly wrong for Al-Qaida. Indeed, it can hardly be denied that, over the past two years, Al-Qaida has suffered a series of crippling setbacks in Iraq—marked by consistent and startling accusations from fellow Islamic militants of corruption, fanaticism, and even murder. Major Sunni insurgent organizations in Iraq, even former Al-Qaida allies, have adamantly distanced themselves from Zarqawi and his ilk, even going so far as to suggest that “the Al-Qaida network has actually made people here think that the occupation forces are merciful and humane by comparison.” When asked about the repeated, insistent demands by Al-Qaida’s Deputy Commander Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri for Sunni insurgents to join under the banner of Al-Qaida in Iraq, a spokesman for a dominant insurgent faction known as the “Al-Rashideen Army” countered,
Analysis of the Global War on Terror: Contentious Ground -- [Castle Argghhh! - Kat]
The question: Why did Al Qaeda fight in Iraq?
...If it is true that Al Qaeda only went to Iraq because the United States was there, implying that it was absolute and obvious, then why is it that only civilians knew this obvious knowledge? And, by implication, neither the military nor civilian government agencies planning the invasion knew? Nor planned for it?
Shifting fires -- [Neptunus Lex]
...While Jihad, inc. has not entirely abandoned making mayhem in Iraq, weak governments in both Afghanistan and Pakistan leaves the Pakistani FATA as a much more congenial place from whence to plan and execute terroristic savageries. The Iraqi people have seen the Qaeda vision up close and - ultimately choosing to believe that it could be defeated in an alliance of convenience with a coalition unwilling to cut and run - rejected it, opening up for themselves a brighter, more prosperous future. No matter how deeply the current of anti-westernism and anti-Americanism runs in the middle east, it has not escaped local notice that the Iraqi people - faced with the choice between violent and autocratically imposed sharia law and democratic self-determination informed by their cultural character chose the latter, often at hideous personal cost.
WOUNDED WARRIORS ARRIVED IN MISSISSIPPI -- [Keep My Soldier Safe]
The five Wounded Warriors. Three from the Wounded Warrior Project and two local veterans, Norris Galatas and Lex, the MWD. Some of the Mississippi Patriot Guard Riders also were on hand to welcome these Wounded Warriors to Pearl, Mississippi. I was told that this was a first for the Wounded Warriors on their road tour, for the Patriot Guard Riders to come and welcome them.
Angel Update - Louisiana Lap Blanket Campaign -- [Soldiers’ Angels Louisiana]
Blankets for our Veterans!
***Louisiana Lap Blanket Campaign - I f you can sew, knit, crochet or buy a blanket - great. We also need help distributing fliers to local hobby, yarn and fabic stores to get more people involved!!!
Download the flier for our lap blanket campaign and place it in your local fabric, yarn and hobby stores or public bulletin boards.
Soldier's Angels Could Use Some Help -- [BlackFive - Laughing_Wolf]
Right now, Soldier's Angels is:
• Helping people deal with events in Afghanistan
• Helping with Run for the Fallen
• Helping the families of Sergeant Alex Jimenez and Private Byron Fouty
• Provided flights to some special people for a special event when another organization fell through
• Providing more flights and other support to families of the fallen for an event this weekend
• Doing a special MWR event for wounded that will get them out of the hospital for a while
• Continuing their work at WRAMC, Bethesda, BAMC, and elsewhere
• Continuing to support the troops worldwide
Things are tight, and there is much to be done.
Infuze Marketing Partners With Soldiers’ Angels -- [Soldiers Angels Network]
Roseville, Calif., July 17, 2008- Local marketing and communications firm, Infuze Marketing, has joined forces with Soldiers’ Angels of Northern California in support of its efforts to launch the first annual “Thank You For Your Service” event for Veterans with physical disabilities. An open house of Paralympic sports and wheelchair softball games will be held on September 20 at River Cats Independence Field in Sacramento.
Loss of a close friend and a brother-in-arms -- [Bouhammer]
I am so sorry Fayez that you died the way that you did. You will be truly missed, not only by your Afghan family and friends, but also by your American brothers-in-arms. May Allah bring you in as a true martyr for your faith. You more than deserve it.
Local Soldiers Return Home -- [News 4]
It was a time for joy, a time for hugs, and a time for families to be reunited again. Ozark Police and the Patriot Guard safely escorted two dozen soldiers of the 164th Airfield Operations Group to Fort Rucker on Sunday
As the crowd waited for their arrival, emotions were running wild.
...While they were missed, the group was hard at work taking part in operation Iraqi freedom
Village Of Waverly: Welcome home, soldier -- [Morning Times]
A crowd of family and friends gathered in Waverly Glen Sunday afternoon for a homecoming party in honor of Sayre native Rich Wells.
Wells, 39, is a specialist in the U.S. Army and just returned from a yearlong deployment in Iraq. A member of the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment - Regiment Support Squadron, he spent time in Baghdad before moving on to Camp Stryker and Camp Warhorse.
105 Va. Soldiers Returning Home From Iraq -- [WRIC, VA]
The National Guard says that 105 soldiers will be coming home Sunday evening, four days after touching down at a base in Wisconsin. The welcome home ... Guard unit from West Point returns Richmond Times Dispatch
Va. Guard unit returns from Iraq Daily Press
Welcome home service set for 296th soldiers -- [Brookhaven Daily Leader]
9, at the reserve center to salute, thank and welcome seven soldiers home from a year of serving in Iraq. First Lieutenant Fern Freeman, Staff Sgt. Emanuel ...
F-35 Chief: Boeing 'Pissing Us Off' -- [Danger Room]
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Charles Davis, the Pentagon's top official in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, has accused aerospace giant Boeing of "spreading lies and half-truths" in the media about the $350-billion, Lockheed-built F-35. This according to Stephen Trimble at Flight International.
The Human Face of War -- [Melissa’s Musings]
I was reminded of Erin’s story when I read soldiers’ blogs (warblogs/milblogs) for class this weekend. Somehow these blogs capture the human face of war in a way that the mainstream media often fails to do. Sure, we hear about heroic acts, fallen heroes, and wartime controversies. But most of mainstream media’s coverage of Iraq seems to focus on the politics of war. And its coverage is always one-step removed - even an embedded journalist can’t provide the perspective of a real-life soldier.
...Blogs are one way to get the Iraq story straight from the main players - soldiers and Iraqi citizens. I’m not saying that soldier or citizen blogs do a better job of war reporting than traditional media. We can’t do without big-picture analysis. But I think the combination of mainstream media coverage with firsthand soldier and citizen accounts paints a more complete picture than we’d get from just turning on the nightly news.
Army Blogging = Horror Story Waiting to Happen? -- [Danger Room]
Two weeks ago Army Secretary Pete Geren told an audience of soldiers and defense contractors that the Army was falling behind jihadists when it came to using the Internet to share ideas. One solution he proposed, "Find a blog to be a part of."
But one long-time Army IT professional told DANGER ROOM that Geren "missed the boat." "Secretary Geren correctly states the problem, but incorrectly states the answer,"
Milblogs Conference Update -- [Greyhawk]
Panels for the 2008 Milbogs Conference are shaping up. Yes - the Greyhawks will be there. Hope you will, too!
Happy Trails To You, Until We Meet Again! -- [GM's Corner]
I have been blessed to be a member of a number of blogging groups including The Wide Awakes (Cao, are you out there dear friend?) and the South Park Republicans, a jolly bunch of misfits if there ever was one. I've made friends from the left to the right and all points in-between. I've engaged in spats, cursed, been cursed at, had thank you's and hosannas tossed in my direction as well as more than a few spitballs. And I've enjoyed every minute of it. And now the time has come to close a chapter for now. Well, maybe not forever, but for the nonce while I gather my forces, and think about where I want this blog to go and what I want it to look like.
Troops Angry At Media Bias and Laziness -- [Strategy Page]
...The troops are angry because, while the Taliban got lucky (such attacks are rare), the enemy did not succeed in taking the U.S. position, and fled the battlefield after suffering heavier casualties. The U.S. troops are much better shots, and know they killed far more of the Taliban. Moreover, they saw smart bombs and missiles hitting buildings that Taliban were firing from. From long experience, they know that people inside bombed buildings rarely survive the explosion.
The Origins of the "Terrorist Fist Jab" -- [Weekly Standard]
Christopher Beam of Slate explains how his original misleading report on the infamous phrase "terrorist fist jab" was amplified by the right-wing freak show Time, Politico, Andrew Sullivan and friends:
AP Stringer Detained Over Filming of Two Murders, Questions Remain -- [Jawa Report]
It looks like our story got some attention in Afghanistan. AP stringer Rahmatullah Naikzad was detained for two days after he filmed the brutal murder of two women by the Taliban accused of prostitution. The incident was first noted by us here and, as Fox News reports (hey, you guys don't know how to link?), "the AP has been following this case closely with some concern," after we raised several questions about Naikzad's relationship with the Taliban.
MSNBC Airs Video of Ledger's Joker After McCain Intro -- [NewsBusters]
Nope, there isn't any leftward tilt at MSNBC, is there? How could there be when MSNBC was introducing a John McCain clip during a "news" story and instead of the video of John McCain, up popped Heath Ledger as "The Joker."
NYT REJECTS MCCAIN'S EDITORIAL; SHOULD 'MIRROR' OBAMA -- [Drudge]
An editorial written by Republican presidential hopeful McCain has been rejected by the NEW YORK TIMES -- less than a week after the paper published an essay written by Obama, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.
Generation Kill – The Cradle od Civilization -- [OP-FOR - Richard S. Lowry]
In part two, The Cradle of Civilization, Ed Burns’ and Eric Wright’s credibility started to erode. While the series remained visually stunning and the characters seemed like real Marines, the story started to stray from the truth.
Team Obama issues dress code for female reporters -- [Hot Air]
The Barack Obama campaign wanted to make sure that the reporters traveling along with the presidential candidate on his foreign tour presented themselves properly.
...First, wouldn’t women traveling to the Middle East already understand at least some of this, especially the journalists? This gives more than just a faint whiff of paternalism, lecturing professionals about how they should comport themselves. All appearances to the contrary, the media entourage does not work for Team Obama. One might think that the women of the press would get offended by treating them like schoolchildren or idiots.
Obama Wants To Be President For 10 Years -- [Gateway Pundit]
Add this latest Obama gaffe to the growing list:
"The objective of this trip was to have substantive discussions with people like President Karzai or Prime Minister Maliki or President Sarkozy or others who I expect to be dealing with over the next eight to 10 years."
Congratulations SSGT! -- [MilBlogs - Chap]
McCain Backs Timeline to Get Obama Out of Iraq -- [ScrappleFace]
Republican presidential nominee John McCain today for the first time said he can now support a timeline to reduce the American presence in Iraq, specifically advocating the withdrawal from Iraq of Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama, and several battalions of U.S. news anchors and reporters.
“It’s time to bring them home,”
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
