And some other words with meaning

...a bit deeper into the article:

Joint operations by US and Iraqi forces, meanwhile, netted a group of senior Al-Qaeda linked insurgents, said the interior ministry operations director, Brigadier General Abdel Karim Khalaf.

Success against Al-Qaeda's Sunni militants came as security forces also put pressure on radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia, probing his eastern Baghdad stronghold and targeting supporters.

So far, Sadr's men have stood aside during the three-week-old security operation, but Tuesday's attacks risk provoking his Shiite militants into carrying out reprisal attacks.

Khalaf told AFP that 29 Al-Qaeda members had been rounded up since Sunday in northern Iraq, including two brothers of Abu Omar al-Baghdadi.

Re: Words have meaning

I can accept that an Iraqi who attacks American troops - or violently opposes the government of Iraq - can correctly be called an insurgent. But applying the term to someone who slaughters religious pilgrims is wrong. (As is applying the term to non-Iraqis.)

But of course, if insurgents slaughter pilgrims, then when the U.S. leaves they will stop.

300

Victor Davis Hanson reviews 300. (More background here.)

Renewting the Contract?

If the current Republican field of candidates is leaving you less than enthusiastic for the coming electoral battle of Hamburger Hillary, perhaps THIS may help give you hope.

Be sure and set aside at least 30 minutes to watch so as not to fall victim to the very public ADD symptomatic of American politics, an unfortunate trend that this lecture series was conceived to combat.

Should he decide to run, looks like I've found my candidate. And no, I don't mean Cuomo.

Words have meaning

via AFPl

118 Shiite pilgrims slaughtered in Iraq 06/03/2007 18h53

©AFP - Ali YussefBAGHDAD (AFP) - Insurgents slaughtered at least 118 Shiite pilgrims in a surge of attacks across Iraq on Tuesday that included a double suicide bombing on a crowded street that claimed 90 lives.

AFP has finally described the violence correctly...now if they could describe those doing the SLAUGHTERING in appropriate terms, folks might understand.

Actions Have Consequences

A conviction for desertion.

Spc. Agustin Aguayo basically decided he was't going to go back to Iraq with his unit for "moral" reasons.

OK, and now he can spend up to 7 years contemplating that decision. In prison.

Live-Blogging the President's Speech

President Bush just arrived at The American Legion to speak. I'm live-blogging if you're interested.

Firstest with the mostest

General Forrest would approve.

Nato and Afghan forces have begun what they say is their largest offensive against the Taleban in the south.

Operation Achilles will eventually involve more than 4,500 Nato troops and nearly 1,000 Afghan soldiers in Helmand province, the alliance says.

Who Is This Man And Why Does He Look So Cool?

Here's someone you might want to know.

I know I'll get an "amen" from the bubbleheads out there. It's a good article.

Updated: Re: Delusions

Updated via WaPo

TACOMA, Wash. -- Police arrested three people early Monday during a protest of Iraq-bound Army vehicles at a Washington state port.

Several dozen people showed up at the Port of Tacoma to protest the shipment of Stryker vehicles and other equipment from Fort Lewis. Caitlin Esworthy, Walter Cuddeford and Jeffery Berryhill were arrested for investigation of assault......Esworthy, Cuddeford and Berryhill were being held on $10,000 bail each at the Pierce County Jail.

The Seattle-Tacoma MSA is 3.2 Million people, more than 1% of the population of the US.