Power Line: "Aiding and Abetting the Enemy": "January 15, 2005
'Aiding and Abetting the Enemy'
That's what the press is doing in Iraq, according to this superb piece by Lt. Col. Tim Ryan at Blackfive. You should read it all, but here are a few excerpts:
I just read yet another distorted and grossly exaggerated story from a major news organization about the 'failures' in the war in Iraq. Print and video journalists are covering only a small fraction of the events in Iraq and more often than not, the events they cover are only the bad ones. Many of the journalists making public assessments about the progress of the war in Iraq are unqualified to do so, given their training and experience. The inaccurate picture they paint has distorted the world view of the daily realities in Iraq. The result is a further erosion of international public support for the United States' efforts there, and a strengthening of the insurgents' resolve and recruiting efforts while weakening our own. Through their incomplete, uninformed and unbalanced reporting, many members of the media covering the war in Iraq are aiding and abetting the enemy.
Much of the problem is about perspective, putting things in scale and balance. From where I sit in my command post at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, things are not all bad right now. In fact, they are going quite well. We are not under attack by the enemy; on the contrary, we are taking the fight to him daily and have him on the ropes. In the distance, I can hear the repeated impacts of heavy artillery and five hundred-pound bombs hitting their targets in the city. The occasional tank main gun report and the staccato rhythm of a Marine Corps LAV or Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle's 25-millimeter cannon provide the bass line for a symphony of destruction. Right now, as elements from all four services complete the absolute annihilation of the insurgent forces remaining in Fallujah, the area around the former stronghold is more peaceful than it has been for more than a year. The number of attacks in the greater Al Anbar Province is down by at least 70-80% from late October -- before Operation Al Fajar began. The enemy in this area is completely defeated, but not completely gone. Final eradication of the pockets of insurgents will take some time, as it always does, but the fact remains that the central geographic stronghold of the insurgents is now under friendly control. That sounds a lot like success to me. Given all of this, why don't the papers lead with 'Coalition Crushes Remaining Pockets of Insurgents' or 'Enemy Forces Resort to Suicide Bombings of Civilians'? This would paint a far more accurate picture of the enemy's predicament over here. Instead, headlines focus almost exclusively on our hardships.
The scene is repeated all too often: an attack takes place in Baghdad and the morning sounds are punctuated by a large explosion and a rising cloud of smoke. Sirens wail in the distance and photographers dash to the scene a few miles away. Within the hour, stern-faced reporters confidently stare into the camera while standing on the balcony of their tenth-floor Baghdad hotel room, their back to the city and a distant smoke plume rising behind them. More mayhem in Gotham City they intone, and just in time for the morning news. There is a transparent reason why the majority of car bombings and other major events take place before noon Baghdad-time; any later and the event would miss the start of the morning news cycle on the U.S. east coast. These terrorists aren't stupid; they know just what to do to scare the masses and when to do it. An important key to their plan is manipulation of the news media. But, at least the reporters in Iraq are gathering information and filing their stories, regardless of whether or the stories are in perspective. Much worse are the 'talking heads' who sit in studios or offices back home and pontificate about how badly things are going when they never have been to Iraq and only occasionally leave Manhattan.
On the whole, I think Col. Ryan is too kind to the American press. I think that the press's undermining of our war effort is, in many instances, deliberate. It appears to me that many, if not most, American reporters, editors and news executives want to make it impossible for America ever to fight a war. To further this goal, I think they use their reporting to undermine our effort in Iraq. The idea is that if we are defeated in Iraq, it will be difficult, if not impossible, for us to fight another war anywhere for a generation. Is this assessment too harsh? I don't think so."
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Indonesia/ No thanks
baldilocks: "Go to Hell With Your Aid!" She says, among other things:
Over the last 40 years the Indonesians have used both Russian and American war materiel; the Air Force currently is flying US-made Douglas A-4 Skyhawk aircraft from the 1960s, which are overdue for replacement. The Northrop F-5 Tiger IIs from the 1970s are looking pretty long in the tooth, too; and even the newer F-16s have issues with spare parts. While most of its major weapons systems are US-made, Indonesia is under a US embargo, thanks to US disapproval of Indonesian suppression of East Timorese separatists. Even if the embargo was lifted, any arms supplied by the US would probably have strings attached limiting their utility against other separatist movements --which is the primary reason the Indonesians, beset by several such movements, want modern weapons. One Indonesian politician's response to the US embargo, in mid-December before the tidal wave brought American aid en masse, was succinct: "Go to Hell with your aid!" [bold mine]
Over the last 40 years the Indonesians have used both Russian and American war materiel; the Air Force currently is flying US-made Douglas A-4 Skyhawk aircraft from the 1960s, which are overdue for replacement. The Northrop F-5 Tiger IIs from the 1970s are looking pretty long in the tooth, too; and even the newer F-16s have issues with spare parts. While most of its major weapons systems are US-made, Indonesia is under a US embargo, thanks to US disapproval of Indonesian suppression of East Timorese separatists. Even if the embargo was lifted, any arms supplied by the US would probably have strings attached limiting their utility against other separatist movements --which is the primary reason the Indonesians, beset by several such movements, want modern weapons. One Indonesian politician's response to the US embargo, in mid-December before the tidal wave brought American aid en masse, was succinct: "Go to Hell with your aid!" [bold mine]
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Great personal account from Afganista by a US soldier!
Chrenkoff
From a reader, CSM Tim Green at the Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan:
"I have been in the Army over 27 years and have been here 15 months. My tour was a year and I extended it because I knew my first week here one year wouldn't be enough for all the work that needed to be done. Though many people here would rather be home, I have never met a troop of any service or any coalition partner who doesn't feel they are contributing something positive to the cause. I love the attitude of the troops over here.
"[We have] the pack of regular kids... that hang out at the front gate everyday. They sell their trinkets, junk, cigarettes, DVDs (bootleg), etc, to our guards and the Pakistani truck drivers bivouacking outside awaiting entrance onto the base... Last November I gave base ID cards to seven boys. The group is up to 18 boys ranging from six to about 14, and two girls, both about 12 maybe, one city slick and the other not too shy herself. It's a program to teach kids all the boy and girl scout virtues, allow them on the base to hang out and learn from Americans, pick up trash at the Friday bazaar in return for a share of the money we collect from the vendors to clean up afterwards, and recover something of a fun childhood the last few generations never knew...
"The luckiest boys in Afghanistan took tae kwon do with the Koreans and got their own uniforms, they have the biggest wardrobes of any 10 kids in Afghanistan. We pay for them to go to winter school (they take winters off since they can't heat the classrooms. We pay for three teachers and bought space heaters for three classrooms), they get to go to the dining facility every Friday before cleanup, and went on Thanksgiving and Christmas. [These kids also] act as translators for the guards, MP, and truck drivers as their English is coming alone fantastically...
Tae Kwno Do graduation Posted by Hello
"We have a mission to help the country and many of us with the time and desire get personally involved. My goal was to take a few kids and develop them into clean, healthy, educated kids that have a great hope to be influential adults in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. I take them to the doctor when they're sick; I teach them proper nutrition when we go to the dining facility, and the danger of all the damn candy people give them; they have appropriate seasonal clothing, we teach them personal hygiene... One boy in particular shows great maturity for his age and I tell him my goal for him is to become the president of Afghanistan in 30 years.
Mobarez - the future president Posted by Hello
"For the girls I bought their mothers all new kitchen ware. I set them up with a female soldier who had girls day with them every Tuesday until she left herself. Now they have two new American girl friend. They go to the recreation facility and play games or watch movies, go eat lunch, come hang out with me for a while, go shopping at the PX. And they aren't dumb, either. I took them to the PX and let them select some things they wanted or needed: new scarves, hair brush, shampoo, hair bands, t-shirt, Vaseline. My bill came to $62.00!!!!!"
As Sergeant Major Green writes, these kids - like most of their peers throughout the country - haven't had a great childhood. While it's not part of their mission, don't you wish there were enough servicemen and women over there to extend friendship to every Afghan child?
From a reader, CSM Tim Green at the Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan:
"I have been in the Army over 27 years and have been here 15 months. My tour was a year and I extended it because I knew my first week here one year wouldn't be enough for all the work that needed to be done. Though many people here would rather be home, I have never met a troop of any service or any coalition partner who doesn't feel they are contributing something positive to the cause. I love the attitude of the troops over here.
"[We have] the pack of regular kids... that hang out at the front gate everyday. They sell their trinkets, junk, cigarettes, DVDs (bootleg), etc, to our guards and the Pakistani truck drivers bivouacking outside awaiting entrance onto the base... Last November I gave base ID cards to seven boys. The group is up to 18 boys ranging from six to about 14, and two girls, both about 12 maybe, one city slick and the other not too shy herself. It's a program to teach kids all the boy and girl scout virtues, allow them on the base to hang out and learn from Americans, pick up trash at the Friday bazaar in return for a share of the money we collect from the vendors to clean up afterwards, and recover something of a fun childhood the last few generations never knew...
"The luckiest boys in Afghanistan took tae kwon do with the Koreans and got their own uniforms, they have the biggest wardrobes of any 10 kids in Afghanistan. We pay for them to go to winter school (they take winters off since they can't heat the classrooms. We pay for three teachers and bought space heaters for three classrooms), they get to go to the dining facility every Friday before cleanup, and went on Thanksgiving and Christmas. [These kids also] act as translators for the guards, MP, and truck drivers as their English is coming alone fantastically...
Tae Kwno Do graduation Posted by Hello
"We have a mission to help the country and many of us with the time and desire get personally involved. My goal was to take a few kids and develop them into clean, healthy, educated kids that have a great hope to be influential adults in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. I take them to the doctor when they're sick; I teach them proper nutrition when we go to the dining facility, and the danger of all the damn candy people give them; they have appropriate seasonal clothing, we teach them personal hygiene... One boy in particular shows great maturity for his age and I tell him my goal for him is to become the president of Afghanistan in 30 years.
Mobarez - the future president Posted by Hello
"For the girls I bought their mothers all new kitchen ware. I set them up with a female soldier who had girls day with them every Tuesday until she left herself. Now they have two new American girl friend. They go to the recreation facility and play games or watch movies, go eat lunch, come hang out with me for a while, go shopping at the PX. And they aren't dumb, either. I took them to the PX and let them select some things they wanted or needed: new scarves, hair brush, shampoo, hair bands, t-shirt, Vaseline. My bill came to $62.00!!!!!"
As Sergeant Major Green writes, these kids - like most of their peers throughout the country - haven't had a great childhood. While it's not part of their mission, don't you wish there were enough servicemen and women over there to extend friendship to every Afghan child?
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
RWN's 2nd Victor Davis Hanson Interview - Right Wing News (Conservative News and Views)
RWN's 2nd Victor Davis Hanson Interview - Right Wing News (Conservative News and Views) John Hawkins of Right Wing News interviews Victor Davis Hanson on Iraq, Fallujah, Iran, Syria, Vietnam, illegal immigration and many other topics. VDH always has interesting things to say. Good!_Joe
Shocking info on Cost of Torts
Redstate || Collaborative Republicanism for the Masses: "In 2003, according to Tillinghast, the tort system cost $246 billion -- meaning that the average American paid $845 for it via more expensive goods and services. But the really shocking thing is where the billions went. Injured plaintiffs -- the fabled little guys for whom the system is supposedly designed -- got less than half the money. According to Tillinghast's 2002 data, plaintiffs' lawyers swallowed 19 percent of the $233 billion. Defense lawyers pocketed an additional 14 percent, and other administrative costs, mainly at insurance firms, accounted for a further 21 percent. The legal-administrative complex thus guzzled fully 54 percent of the money in the tort system, or $126 billion. That's 43 times as much as the federal government has budgeted this year to combat the global AIDS pandemic."
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Letter from Iraq
This post is an excellent write telling a little of how it is from a soldier's point of view._Joe
One of the most important documents of this Christmas Season...
I know the Christmas season is over, but this email touched me and several others in such a way that I felt it must be posted. I am glad to say that the man who wrote this is a great friend and a true Christian. I have removed the last names for obvious security reasons.
manteca
All,
Merry Christmas from the other side of the world. Did a little map research the other day and discovered that I'm only 527 miles from Bethlehem (as the crow flies). This is probably the closest I will be to the holy land, at least planned. Of course I should be considerably close to where we all began, the Garden of Eden. Who knows, I may be sitting in it. I can tell you that if I am, the Lord has definitely hid it from our eyes well.
All that being said I would like to share a couple of thoughts with you because I feel everyone I'm sending this to will understand the incredibly complex situation that is unfolding here in Iraq.
On the day before Thanksgiving I was invited to a special lunch in our interpreter building. We have a nice building where our linguists hang out until we need them for a mission. These are all Iraqi nationals who risk their lives to accompany us on dangerous missions and also get threatened when they return home because they work with the American "Jews"....
This particular lunch was in memory of a very dear man who had worked with 1st Armored Division as an interpreter and also worked with us for over 8 months. He also dabbled in some contracting work. His name was Dr. Fike as we called him. He taught at Baghdad University and also did an outstanding job of writing articles for the local newspapers to inform Iraqis about the Transitional Authoritative Law. I ate dinner and visited with Dr. Fike on many different occasions. He was definitely a mover and a shaker, full of energy, loved to converse about numerous things, and very entertaining to share time with. His English was very good and like many other linguists had been to the US and other parts of the world. It's amazing that the Iraqis trying to solve problems here have been OUTSIDE of Iraq and understand what there is to gain with a democracy here.
Dr. Fike was reported kidnapped back in late September. We are unsure if he was kidnapped just for money or because he was working with Americans. Probably a combination of both. He was held for ransom, but after the ransom was paid he was shot and killed. We received news of his death about mid November.
It was decided to have a special meal in memory of Dr Fike. The meal was a wonderfully interesting selection of Iraqi cuisine. We had kabobs of beef, grilled tomatoes and cucumbers, ground lamb roasted over an open fire, fresh flatbread, and some very interesting pickles. Dessert was a variety of pastry sweets that were very unusual but very delicious. We finished the meal with tea served in the traditional Iraqi way. It comes in small tea cups, served hot, and fairly strong. As if the meal wasn't good enough the conversation afterwards was even better.
Major Andy and I stayed for the tea while some other officers who attended dismissed themselves. The organizer of the meal was a shop owner that comes in and sells various things outside the interpreter building. We call him Habibi, which is Iraqi for friend. He offered us some cigars and I accepted which provided a little entertainment for the room as they watched a novice puff on snort on a big Cuban cigar.
Our discussions led us to remember what a good man and good friend Dr. Fike was. We eventually started to discuss the tougher issues on as to how and why things like this happen. We contemplated what else could be done to help Iraq get above this type of violence. One of the other Iraqi shop owners said a prayer in Arabic over us all during this time. They all agreed that even though times are tough, it is much better to be rid of Saddam.
Andy and I shared with them the significance and celebration of Thanksgiving in our country. We explained that it was very fitting to have shared a wonderful meal with our friends in this country during the Thanksgiving time of year. They were very interested in the holiday. I also explained to them how recently on leave I shared the plight of the Iraqi people with my church. I told them how concerned and hurt that Americans are for the sufferings of Iraqis. I also explained how people in my church are praying for them everyday to have a safer and freer Iraq for them and their children. There was silence in the room after an interpreter translated what I had shared. One of the Iraqis said God Bless You, and then Habibi, with a tear in his eye, said "we thank you and your church for loving us and praying for us."
It's hard for me to describe the feeling of that afternoon. I never felt so close to people who were from such a different culture than me. I never felt more compassion for a people who have never experienced the kind of blessings and freedoms we enjoy in the US. I have never felt such love for my brothers here on earth was we struggle through our existence and through our shared pains of life.
I stayed in the tactical operations center (TOC) all day Thanksgiving prepared for an attack by rockets or mortars. We felt that because the enemy knew we would be celebrating Thanksgiving lunch that he might try to capitalize on large groups of soldiers with an attack. We were ready and waiting. I had a plan together with hundreds of soldiers and aircraft scanning areas that I knew were possible and past firing points for them. It was an honor for me to stay ready to shoot back and guard our post while others celebrated. I'm not a big crowd kind of guy anyway. Luckily that was a quiet day.
Today I played Taps for another memorial service for a great young soldier who lost his life serving his country and making Iraq a better place for it's people. I did not know the soldier, but his commander and platoon leader gave a very good glimpse of this commendable young man. He was simple, short on words, always ready for a mission, not known to gripe, and when attacked by the enemy had the reputation of being first to lay down suppressive fire and maintain a calm demeanor in danger. Not unlike many other great soldiers in our nation's history, he will be sorely missed by those who knew him, and he will be missed in a society that desperately needs more people that have such an unselfish attitude towards serving a greater good.
This soldier was killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) ripped his humvee in half throwing him out into the road. He was then hit by some heavy trucks hauling captured enemy equipment that his unit was escorting. He was still alive when medevaced and it was hopeful that he might pull through. Unfortunately, he passed away later at the hospital due to complications.
I didn't tell that story just to gross anyone out or shock them. I feel it is important to share that so that the next statement is brought more into perspective. His fellow soldiers who treated him on site said his last words were "I love you guys!" Funny how just a few words can say so much.
I suppose what I'm trying to share is that I feel these two events a very symbolic of our struggle here in Iraq and on earth. Jesus came and laid down his life for our sins. We continue to struggle in this world to live up to that gift and charge. The two men I mentioned have reminded me to live up to the sacrifice that Christ made for us over 2,000 years ago. He did so knowingly and freely for our sake. What a wonderful time of year to reflect on and celebrate that gift given to us, and one that we hope to share with others.
Soldiers in Iraq are not perfect, but we continually strive in the face of danger to maintain the moral high ground. Detainees ask to be turned over to Americans from the Iraqis because they know we will treat them more humanely. We are criticized by Iraqis for being too soft often times and that we should make more examples out of some. We strike with incredible lethality and force when need be but we continually strive to solve problems through rebuilding infrastructure and provide security for a new government constantly attacked by terrorists.
I certainly would like nothing more than to be with my family this Christmas, but I'm proud to be here serving a higher purpose. Thank you to everyone back home, who prays, sends packages, mails letters, and continues to support our soldiers. Don't forget about the police and emergency personnel in our own country who maintain our laws and protect us from harm at home. I am constantly comforted by the support of the American public and even feel guilty that the Veterans of Vietnam weren't as fortunate as I. We should remember that our country is full of people who served our great nation even when it wasn't popular and wasn't very easy. Thank you Dad for what you sacrificed when I was Sam's age. Your sacrifice and service have always been an inspiration in my life.
Thank you to all the people who make sure my family is taken care of in Hope. I am comforted knowing that I have wonderful neighbors and friends that will do anything at anytime to help out Janis. I know many of you have come even in the middle of the night to help Janis. I even have great band students like Zach and his father come and take care of my yard, it's so incredible to have such great friends help out. Thank you all for supporting the fight to help Iraq through your support of me and my family.
Thank you Mom and Janis for being military wives who hold down the home front and sacrifice so much to raise children and take care of everything while your husbands are gone. I can't imagine having to be the one on the other end waiting and praying and doing so much on your own. I am comforted to know that I have a wife that I fully trust to take care of my children, home, and finances. I love you Janis.
Just as Thanksgiving I plan on staying in the TOC with my section again through the days around Christmas. Watching vigilantly for someone to try and get a shot off at us and hopefully putting together a plan that inhibits them from being able to do so. I'll do it in honor of my fellow soldiers and do it proudly thinking of the people I love back home who have done so much for me and my family. Lastly, I'll do it to make Iraq a better place for people like Dr. Fike and Habibi who are desperate for a better place to raise their families and live in freedom.
I promise all my emails won't be this sappy in the future. Just had to share some things in my head with people I feel would get something out of it. I love you guys.
Merry Christmas,
Major Michael
One of the most important documents of this Christmas Season...
I know the Christmas season is over, but this email touched me and several others in such a way that I felt it must be posted. I am glad to say that the man who wrote this is a great friend and a true Christian. I have removed the last names for obvious security reasons.
manteca
All,
Merry Christmas from the other side of the world. Did a little map research the other day and discovered that I'm only 527 miles from Bethlehem (as the crow flies). This is probably the closest I will be to the holy land, at least planned. Of course I should be considerably close to where we all began, the Garden of Eden. Who knows, I may be sitting in it. I can tell you that if I am, the Lord has definitely hid it from our eyes well.
All that being said I would like to share a couple of thoughts with you because I feel everyone I'm sending this to will understand the incredibly complex situation that is unfolding here in Iraq.
On the day before Thanksgiving I was invited to a special lunch in our interpreter building. We have a nice building where our linguists hang out until we need them for a mission. These are all Iraqi nationals who risk their lives to accompany us on dangerous missions and also get threatened when they return home because they work with the American "Jews"....
This particular lunch was in memory of a very dear man who had worked with 1st Armored Division as an interpreter and also worked with us for over 8 months. He also dabbled in some contracting work. His name was Dr. Fike as we called him. He taught at Baghdad University and also did an outstanding job of writing articles for the local newspapers to inform Iraqis about the Transitional Authoritative Law. I ate dinner and visited with Dr. Fike on many different occasions. He was definitely a mover and a shaker, full of energy, loved to converse about numerous things, and very entertaining to share time with. His English was very good and like many other linguists had been to the US and other parts of the world. It's amazing that the Iraqis trying to solve problems here have been OUTSIDE of Iraq and understand what there is to gain with a democracy here.
Dr. Fike was reported kidnapped back in late September. We are unsure if he was kidnapped just for money or because he was working with Americans. Probably a combination of both. He was held for ransom, but after the ransom was paid he was shot and killed. We received news of his death about mid November.
It was decided to have a special meal in memory of Dr Fike. The meal was a wonderfully interesting selection of Iraqi cuisine. We had kabobs of beef, grilled tomatoes and cucumbers, ground lamb roasted over an open fire, fresh flatbread, and some very interesting pickles. Dessert was a variety of pastry sweets that were very unusual but very delicious. We finished the meal with tea served in the traditional Iraqi way. It comes in small tea cups, served hot, and fairly strong. As if the meal wasn't good enough the conversation afterwards was even better.
Major Andy and I stayed for the tea while some other officers who attended dismissed themselves. The organizer of the meal was a shop owner that comes in and sells various things outside the interpreter building. We call him Habibi, which is Iraqi for friend. He offered us some cigars and I accepted which provided a little entertainment for the room as they watched a novice puff on snort on a big Cuban cigar.
Our discussions led us to remember what a good man and good friend Dr. Fike was. We eventually started to discuss the tougher issues on as to how and why things like this happen. We contemplated what else could be done to help Iraq get above this type of violence. One of the other Iraqi shop owners said a prayer in Arabic over us all during this time. They all agreed that even though times are tough, it is much better to be rid of Saddam.
Andy and I shared with them the significance and celebration of Thanksgiving in our country. We explained that it was very fitting to have shared a wonderful meal with our friends in this country during the Thanksgiving time of year. They were very interested in the holiday. I also explained to them how recently on leave I shared the plight of the Iraqi people with my church. I told them how concerned and hurt that Americans are for the sufferings of Iraqis. I also explained how people in my church are praying for them everyday to have a safer and freer Iraq for them and their children. There was silence in the room after an interpreter translated what I had shared. One of the Iraqis said God Bless You, and then Habibi, with a tear in his eye, said "we thank you and your church for loving us and praying for us."
It's hard for me to describe the feeling of that afternoon. I never felt so close to people who were from such a different culture than me. I never felt more compassion for a people who have never experienced the kind of blessings and freedoms we enjoy in the US. I have never felt such love for my brothers here on earth was we struggle through our existence and through our shared pains of life.
I stayed in the tactical operations center (TOC) all day Thanksgiving prepared for an attack by rockets or mortars. We felt that because the enemy knew we would be celebrating Thanksgiving lunch that he might try to capitalize on large groups of soldiers with an attack. We were ready and waiting. I had a plan together with hundreds of soldiers and aircraft scanning areas that I knew were possible and past firing points for them. It was an honor for me to stay ready to shoot back and guard our post while others celebrated. I'm not a big crowd kind of guy anyway. Luckily that was a quiet day.
Today I played Taps for another memorial service for a great young soldier who lost his life serving his country and making Iraq a better place for it's people. I did not know the soldier, but his commander and platoon leader gave a very good glimpse of this commendable young man. He was simple, short on words, always ready for a mission, not known to gripe, and when attacked by the enemy had the reputation of being first to lay down suppressive fire and maintain a calm demeanor in danger. Not unlike many other great soldiers in our nation's history, he will be sorely missed by those who knew him, and he will be missed in a society that desperately needs more people that have such an unselfish attitude towards serving a greater good.
This soldier was killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) ripped his humvee in half throwing him out into the road. He was then hit by some heavy trucks hauling captured enemy equipment that his unit was escorting. He was still alive when medevaced and it was hopeful that he might pull through. Unfortunately, he passed away later at the hospital due to complications.
I didn't tell that story just to gross anyone out or shock them. I feel it is important to share that so that the next statement is brought more into perspective. His fellow soldiers who treated him on site said his last words were "I love you guys!" Funny how just a few words can say so much.
I suppose what I'm trying to share is that I feel these two events a very symbolic of our struggle here in Iraq and on earth. Jesus came and laid down his life for our sins. We continue to struggle in this world to live up to that gift and charge. The two men I mentioned have reminded me to live up to the sacrifice that Christ made for us over 2,000 years ago. He did so knowingly and freely for our sake. What a wonderful time of year to reflect on and celebrate that gift given to us, and one that we hope to share with others.
Soldiers in Iraq are not perfect, but we continually strive in the face of danger to maintain the moral high ground. Detainees ask to be turned over to Americans from the Iraqis because they know we will treat them more humanely. We are criticized by Iraqis for being too soft often times and that we should make more examples out of some. We strike with incredible lethality and force when need be but we continually strive to solve problems through rebuilding infrastructure and provide security for a new government constantly attacked by terrorists.
I certainly would like nothing more than to be with my family this Christmas, but I'm proud to be here serving a higher purpose. Thank you to everyone back home, who prays, sends packages, mails letters, and continues to support our soldiers. Don't forget about the police and emergency personnel in our own country who maintain our laws and protect us from harm at home. I am constantly comforted by the support of the American public and even feel guilty that the Veterans of Vietnam weren't as fortunate as I. We should remember that our country is full of people who served our great nation even when it wasn't popular and wasn't very easy. Thank you Dad for what you sacrificed when I was Sam's age. Your sacrifice and service have always been an inspiration in my life.
Thank you to all the people who make sure my family is taken care of in Hope. I am comforted knowing that I have wonderful neighbors and friends that will do anything at anytime to help out Janis. I know many of you have come even in the middle of the night to help Janis. I even have great band students like Zach and his father come and take care of my yard, it's so incredible to have such great friends help out. Thank you all for supporting the fight to help Iraq through your support of me and my family.
Thank you Mom and Janis for being military wives who hold down the home front and sacrifice so much to raise children and take care of everything while your husbands are gone. I can't imagine having to be the one on the other end waiting and praying and doing so much on your own. I am comforted to know that I have a wife that I fully trust to take care of my children, home, and finances. I love you Janis.
Just as Thanksgiving I plan on staying in the TOC with my section again through the days around Christmas. Watching vigilantly for someone to try and get a shot off at us and hopefully putting together a plan that inhibits them from being able to do so. I'll do it in honor of my fellow soldiers and do it proudly thinking of the people I love back home who have done so much for me and my family. Lastly, I'll do it to make Iraq a better place for people like Dr. Fike and Habibi who are desperate for a better place to raise their families and live in freedom.
I promise all my emails won't be this sappy in the future. Just had to share some things in my head with people I feel would get something out of it. I love you guys.
Merry Christmas,
Major Michael
IBN_ALRAFIDAIN: Rambling Post (1)
IBN_ALRAFIDAIN: Rambling Post (1)
Friday, January 07, 2005
Rambling Post (1)
Now, continuing what is said in the previous post, scrutinizing your comments, one can deduce:
1. People saying these comments reflect intellectual way of thinking.
2. These people live in communities dominated by law.
3. They are aware of their duties & rights.
4. They know what the means of implementing law are and how to use them.
5. They did not live for more than forty years under oppression which hindered the community resulting in a twisted way of thinking here in Iraq.
6. There are notable cultural differences in perceiving certain concepts.
Now, I can understand all the comments you have made and I agree with most of them. But once again I say that we, the Iraqis, need educational rehabilitation to start moving toward civilized values. One of my favorite visitors to my blog, Papa Ray, directed me to a blog interview with Steven Vincent on Chrenkoff . Vincent toured in Iraq for four months as a freelance and wrote a book about his journey "In the Red Zone: A journey into the soul of Iraq". He says describing the Iraqi society:
"… Imagine children whose father physically and emotionally
abused them for
years. Now imagine that the authorities jail the father and
tell the children
they're free to live their own lives. Theoretically, they
are free, but the
traumas of their past will still haunt them, limiting and
afflicting their
freedom. That's the condition of most Iraqis. As if that
weren't bad enough, add
in the regressive pull of tribalism and reactionary
Islam…"
Good way to describe the aftermath society in Iraq. I think that many Mideast societies resemble the Iraqi. The question is "Should the 'civilized' world break up with such societies and seclude itself?" and if this hypothetical decision was made, would these retrogressive societies leave the 'civilized' world alone? The answer could be found in what Chrenkoff says in his post Steve Vincent goes "In The Red Zone":
"…it was the September 11 attack, which Vincent watched
unfolding from the roof
of his apartment, that destroyed his comfortable old
certainties, alerted him to
a new danger facing the West and awakened inside
him the need to learn more
about it."
Now back to your comments, Vincent is a westerner and to avoid making preconception, he came to Iraq trying to understand what's going on. I can say, for sure, that most of you can not visit Iraq nowadays. So let me try to do my best to put you closer to the Iraqi society, though I know it is not easy to understand certain issues because of the cultural differences.
Iraq with its nowadays geographical area did not exist till the year 1920. The modern state introduced to the Iraqis, and many of the Middle East peoples, by the British. Till then, Mesopotamia was part of the Ottoman Empire and the tribal system was the dominating way of life.
A book entitled (A Study in The Society of Iraq) by Dr. Ali Wardi (an Iraqi sociologist 1913-96), in which he made a very good effort to develop a hypothesis which says that the Iraqi society is very influenced by the Bedouin culture. He believes that the pivot point of the Bedouin culture is (unfair competition); I can not find the exact translation for the Arabic word.
The Bedouin has three major Cultural Complexes, according to Dr. Wardi, which are:
1. Tribal sectarianism: consists of strict adherence to the tribe, chieftain(ism), revenge, succor, lineage boast, protecting woman…etc.
2. Incursion(ism): consists of boasting about power & bravery, fighting & booty, sense of honor, frankness, disdain, to contempt work…etc.
3. Magnanimity & generosity: consists of boasting about hospitality & generosity; helping aliens, neighbors, comrades, allies, and every weak person asking for help.
These three cultural complexes require that a Bedouin should have a powerful tribe which can invade other tribes. He can participate in its raids on other tribes.
A Bedouin should prove his bravery through booty quantity he can gain. And to prove his generosity, he should surpass others through granting as much as he can from the booty. For that the Bedouin is described as (plunderous-granter or donator).
After emerging as a new state, Iraq made a notable progress toward modernization till the year 1958 in which a military coup took place. After that coup, Iraqi society started to slow down in its movement toward being civilized one. And since the year 1979, in which Saddam seized power, the Iraqi society witnessed a significant relapse into tribal values.
To be continued…
Friday, January 07, 2005
Rambling Post (1)
Now, continuing what is said in the previous post, scrutinizing your comments, one can deduce:
1. People saying these comments reflect intellectual way of thinking.
2. These people live in communities dominated by law.
3. They are aware of their duties & rights.
4. They know what the means of implementing law are and how to use them.
5. They did not live for more than forty years under oppression which hindered the community resulting in a twisted way of thinking here in Iraq.
6. There are notable cultural differences in perceiving certain concepts.
Now, I can understand all the comments you have made and I agree with most of them. But once again I say that we, the Iraqis, need educational rehabilitation to start moving toward civilized values. One of my favorite visitors to my blog, Papa Ray, directed me to a blog interview with Steven Vincent on Chrenkoff . Vincent toured in Iraq for four months as a freelance and wrote a book about his journey "In the Red Zone: A journey into the soul of Iraq". He says describing the Iraqi society:
"… Imagine children whose father physically and emotionally
abused them for
years. Now imagine that the authorities jail the father and
tell the children
they're free to live their own lives. Theoretically, they
are free, but the
traumas of their past will still haunt them, limiting and
afflicting their
freedom. That's the condition of most Iraqis. As if that
weren't bad enough, add
in the regressive pull of tribalism and reactionary
Islam…"
Good way to describe the aftermath society in Iraq. I think that many Mideast societies resemble the Iraqi. The question is "Should the 'civilized' world break up with such societies and seclude itself?" and if this hypothetical decision was made, would these retrogressive societies leave the 'civilized' world alone? The answer could be found in what Chrenkoff says in his post Steve Vincent goes "In The Red Zone":
"…it was the September 11 attack, which Vincent watched
unfolding from the roof
of his apartment, that destroyed his comfortable old
certainties, alerted him to
a new danger facing the West and awakened inside
him the need to learn more
about it."
Now back to your comments, Vincent is a westerner and to avoid making preconception, he came to Iraq trying to understand what's going on. I can say, for sure, that most of you can not visit Iraq nowadays. So let me try to do my best to put you closer to the Iraqi society, though I know it is not easy to understand certain issues because of the cultural differences.
Iraq with its nowadays geographical area did not exist till the year 1920. The modern state introduced to the Iraqis, and many of the Middle East peoples, by the British. Till then, Mesopotamia was part of the Ottoman Empire and the tribal system was the dominating way of life.
A book entitled (A Study in The Society of Iraq) by Dr. Ali Wardi (an Iraqi sociologist 1913-96), in which he made a very good effort to develop a hypothesis which says that the Iraqi society is very influenced by the Bedouin culture. He believes that the pivot point of the Bedouin culture is (unfair competition); I can not find the exact translation for the Arabic word.
The Bedouin has three major Cultural Complexes, according to Dr. Wardi, which are:
1. Tribal sectarianism: consists of strict adherence to the tribe, chieftain(ism), revenge, succor, lineage boast, protecting woman…etc.
2. Incursion(ism): consists of boasting about power & bravery, fighting & booty, sense of honor, frankness, disdain, to contempt work…etc.
3. Magnanimity & generosity: consists of boasting about hospitality & generosity; helping aliens, neighbors, comrades, allies, and every weak person asking for help.
These three cultural complexes require that a Bedouin should have a powerful tribe which can invade other tribes. He can participate in its raids on other tribes.
A Bedouin should prove his bravery through booty quantity he can gain. And to prove his generosity, he should surpass others through granting as much as he can from the booty. For that the Bedouin is described as (plunderous-granter or donator).
After emerging as a new state, Iraq made a notable progress toward modernization till the year 1958 in which a military coup took place. After that coup, Iraqi society started to slow down in its movement toward being civilized one. And since the year 1979, in which Saddam seized power, the Iraqi society witnessed a significant relapse into tribal values.
To be continued…
The Convoginators
The Convoginators
Jeff Madlock posted an email he received at Christmas from his best friend, who is a Major (and a public school teacher) serving in Iraq, on his site, Convoginators. He describes a dinner he shared with a group of Iraqis in honor of an Iraqi translator who was kidnapped and held for ransom, and then murdered after the ransom was paid. It's a touching email; read it all. This is just one brief excerpt that is timely at the moment . Read it all: The Convoginators
Jeff Madlock posted an email he received at Christmas from his best friend, who is a Major (and a public school teacher) serving in Iraq, on his site, Convoginators. He describes a dinner he shared with a group of Iraqis in honor of an Iraqi translator who was kidnapped and held for ransom, and then murdered after the ransom was paid. It's a touching email; read it all. This is just one brief excerpt that is timely at the moment . Read it all: The Convoginators
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Power Line: The End State in Iraq
Power Line: The End State in Iraq
Austin Bay is a guy whom I have been vaguely aware of, but hadn't taken the trouble to focus on and pay attention to. (My fault, not his.) Tonight Hugh Hewitt interviewed Bay on his radio show; he was a superb guest. Bay is a novelist and an Army reserve Colonel who served in Iraq for six months. His web site is here. Bay isn't a blogger. Yet.
Austin Bay wrote an article for the current issue of the Weekly Standard titled "The Millenium War". Bay's keen intelligence, his first-hand knowledge of events in Iraq, and his skills as a novelist are all on display. Here are a few excerpts:
Iraqi cops and Coalition force advisers arrested one Ahmad T. Tahir (also known as Mohammad Bogy) at the wake of a man Tahir had murdered on August 22. Tahir had ties to Saddam's regime, possibly serving as an enforcer for one of Saddam's intelligence services. When the Coalition forces arrived, Tahir tried to flee into his victim's house. When the police chased him he tried to hide behind the daughters and wife of his victim. The women then began slapping Tahir and pushing him forward toward the police and security troops, who proceeded to capture him. The women told the police that "[Tahir] didn't think we could do anything to him, and that's why he was here."
In street slang, Tahir/Mohammad Bogy, the killer, was strutting his stuff until Iraqi police backed by Green Berets jammed an assault rifle into his nose. Thug arrogance is all too common a feature of the world's hard corners, where the criminals have dominated for so long they are certain their iron wills and unmitigated violence will continue to cow all opponents. It's why the only way to beat the arrogant is to beat them and punch a rifle barrel into the cold amazement of their eyes. I state it crudely with good purpose, for this is a rubber-meets-the-road example of what scholarly strategists mean when they describe war as a clash of wills.
And this:
Babylon was an old-style military empire that attacked its neighbors, then ruled them by force. Our contemporary world is filled with petty empires that differ very little from Babylon, fake states where gangs or tribal clans rule by oppression, not consensus. In too many hard corners of our planet the foundation for a modern state never formed, but the trappings--capital, an army, a seat in the U.N., IMF loans--can be acquired. Legitimate authority? Rule of law? Forget it. The bayonet to the throat remains the only process for establishing authority, making "sovereignty" within Rand McNally borders a constantly contested notion. In such tribal, feudal, and anarchic quarters, lip service may be paid to common humanity, but the implementation of laws protecting basic human rights is rare.
For centuries the fake nation-states didn't matter too much. Tribal battles remained local horrors. Not any more. Enforcing local dictatorial control with arrows or assault rifles is one thing--but now the rogue rulers use nerve gas. With ballistic missiles at hand, with terrorists willing to fly commercial jets into skyscrapers, rogues' possession and use of chemical weapons is no longer a local matter: Technological compression means a local war can become a global war. We learned, at a terrible price, that Islamofascist plotting in Afghanistan produces terrorist crime in New York and Washington. To return to an era where distance made a difference requires ditching essential technology. Ban the Internet? Ban the 747? Ban satellite television?
This is why the End State in Iraq matters, and why there is no Exit Strategy from the task in Mesopotamia.
Iraq, long plundered by despots, should be a wealthy country. It has water, an agricultural base, a source of capital (oil), and people willing to work. It is the best place to begin to reform the dysfunctional political systems that shackle and rob the vast majority of Middle Easterners. Success in Iraq would create conditions to break the region's endless cycle of robbery and violence. It would also force angry Middle Eastern Muslims to finally confront the inadequacies of their own societies instead of blaming Europe, the United States, and Israel for their centuries of fossilization and decline.
Listening to Austin Bay on Hugh's show tonight, I was struck by the thought that it's no wonder that many journalists feel threatened by the new media. The fact is that very few of the smartest people around are journalists. And today, people aren't forced to get their news and commentary from journalists. It's a good thing.
Posted by Hindrocket at 07:30 PM
Austin Bay is a guy whom I have been vaguely aware of, but hadn't taken the trouble to focus on and pay attention to. (My fault, not his.) Tonight Hugh Hewitt interviewed Bay on his radio show; he was a superb guest. Bay is a novelist and an Army reserve Colonel who served in Iraq for six months. His web site is here. Bay isn't a blogger. Yet.
Austin Bay wrote an article for the current issue of the Weekly Standard titled "The Millenium War". Bay's keen intelligence, his first-hand knowledge of events in Iraq, and his skills as a novelist are all on display. Here are a few excerpts:
Iraqi cops and Coalition force advisers arrested one Ahmad T. Tahir (also known as Mohammad Bogy) at the wake of a man Tahir had murdered on August 22. Tahir had ties to Saddam's regime, possibly serving as an enforcer for one of Saddam's intelligence services. When the Coalition forces arrived, Tahir tried to flee into his victim's house. When the police chased him he tried to hide behind the daughters and wife of his victim. The women then began slapping Tahir and pushing him forward toward the police and security troops, who proceeded to capture him. The women told the police that "[Tahir] didn't think we could do anything to him, and that's why he was here."
In street slang, Tahir/Mohammad Bogy, the killer, was strutting his stuff until Iraqi police backed by Green Berets jammed an assault rifle into his nose. Thug arrogance is all too common a feature of the world's hard corners, where the criminals have dominated for so long they are certain their iron wills and unmitigated violence will continue to cow all opponents. It's why the only way to beat the arrogant is to beat them and punch a rifle barrel into the cold amazement of their eyes. I state it crudely with good purpose, for this is a rubber-meets-the-road example of what scholarly strategists mean when they describe war as a clash of wills.
And this:
Babylon was an old-style military empire that attacked its neighbors, then ruled them by force. Our contemporary world is filled with petty empires that differ very little from Babylon, fake states where gangs or tribal clans rule by oppression, not consensus. In too many hard corners of our planet the foundation for a modern state never formed, but the trappings--capital, an army, a seat in the U.N., IMF loans--can be acquired. Legitimate authority? Rule of law? Forget it. The bayonet to the throat remains the only process for establishing authority, making "sovereignty" within Rand McNally borders a constantly contested notion. In such tribal, feudal, and anarchic quarters, lip service may be paid to common humanity, but the implementation of laws protecting basic human rights is rare.
For centuries the fake nation-states didn't matter too much. Tribal battles remained local horrors. Not any more. Enforcing local dictatorial control with arrows or assault rifles is one thing--but now the rogue rulers use nerve gas. With ballistic missiles at hand, with terrorists willing to fly commercial jets into skyscrapers, rogues' possession and use of chemical weapons is no longer a local matter: Technological compression means a local war can become a global war. We learned, at a terrible price, that Islamofascist plotting in Afghanistan produces terrorist crime in New York and Washington. To return to an era where distance made a difference requires ditching essential technology. Ban the Internet? Ban the 747? Ban satellite television?
This is why the End State in Iraq matters, and why there is no Exit Strategy from the task in Mesopotamia.
Iraq, long plundered by despots, should be a wealthy country. It has water, an agricultural base, a source of capital (oil), and people willing to work. It is the best place to begin to reform the dysfunctional political systems that shackle and rob the vast majority of Middle Easterners. Success in Iraq would create conditions to break the region's endless cycle of robbery and violence. It would also force angry Middle Eastern Muslims to finally confront the inadequacies of their own societies instead of blaming Europe, the United States, and Israel for their centuries of fossilization and decline.
Listening to Austin Bay on Hugh's show tonight, I was struck by the thought that it's no wonder that many journalists feel threatened by the new media. The fact is that very few of the smartest people around are journalists. And today, people aren't forced to get their news and commentary from journalists. It's a good thing.
Posted by Hindrocket at 07:30 PM
Monday, January 03, 2005
Power Line: Iraqis Undeterred By Violence
Power Line: Iraqis Undeterred By ViolenceJanuary 03, 2005
Iraqis Undeterred By Violence
We've said before that, with few exceptions, those who want to postpone the elections in Iraq are those who would prefer that they never take place at all. Haider Ajina adds further support for that view with this translation of poll results that appeared in the Iraqi Arabic newspaper Alsabaah this morning. The poll was of 4.974 Iraqis living in and around Baghdad:
Will the security problems cause you to?
Not come out and vote the day of elections = 18.3%
Come out and vote the day of elections = 78.3%
No opinion = 3.4%
Do you support military action against the terrorists?
Yes = 87.7 %
No = 11.1%
Don’t Know = 1.2%
My guess is that the turnout in Iraq at the end of the month will exceed what we normally get in a Presidential election here in the U.S. If the terrorists aren't deterring the Iraqis, why should they deter us?
Iraqis Undeterred By Violence
We've said before that, with few exceptions, those who want to postpone the elections in Iraq are those who would prefer that they never take place at all. Haider Ajina adds further support for that view with this translation of poll results that appeared in the Iraqi Arabic newspaper Alsabaah this morning. The poll was of 4.974 Iraqis living in and around Baghdad:
Will the security problems cause you to?
Not come out and vote the day of elections = 18.3%
Come out and vote the day of elections = 78.3%
No opinion = 3.4%
Do you support military action against the terrorists?
Yes = 87.7 %
No = 11.1%
Don’t Know = 1.2%
My guess is that the turnout in Iraq at the end of the month will exceed what we normally get in a Presidential election here in the U.S. If the terrorists aren't deterring the Iraqis, why should they deter us?
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Monday, December 27, 2004
In Iraq for 365: Two Iraqis
In Iraq for 365: Two Iraqis
Two Iraqis
Both of them were blown from their seats by the blast, which they described as, “very powerful, lots of noise and heat.” The two Iraqi soldiers were both dazed. One of them could only hear a loud ringing sound in his ears. The other couldn’t believe his eyes: Every where he looked people were gasping for air or bleeding profusely. Before the two Iraqis lay a helpless American soldier, who staggered across the smoke-filled mess hall at first only to fall on the ground. They couldn’t understand a word coming out of the American’s mouth. They only saw the blood spewing from his leg.
These two men, both in their 20s, saw carnage caused by the very people they took an oath to defend Iraq against. These two men were proud Iraqis who were trained by U.S. Army Special Forces. These two men had seen enough people die at the hands of terrorists, and on December 21, 2004, they would do everything in their power to save every person they could.
The human body has several vital points. A sharp piece of metal to the jugular and a person is gone within seconds. A shot to the temple, a person will never even know what hit him. A slug to the heart or spleen and the person’s collection of memories will flash before his or her eyes in an instant. A hit to the femoral artery leaves a person minutes, maybe hours, but their final moments will be agonizing.
The suicide bomb sprayed bb-like fragments throughout the Marez dining facility. One piece of shrapnel sliced through the femoral artery of a U.S. soldier and his only chance for survival was in the hands of these two Iraqis.
Recalling the medical classes they’d received from the special forces, the Iraqis reacted calmly, fastening a belt above the wound, creating a tourniquet, which stopped the gushing stream of red. They moved the soldier to a MEDVAC vehicle via two-man litter carry. After they hoisted the soldier in the truck, the two Iraqis – one an officer, the other an NCO – ran back to the facility and began treating the other wounded without regard for their safety.
When the dust settled and the mess tent had been evacuated, everybody who could talk was questioned about their health. When the medics came to the two Iraqis, the ING soldiers only wanted to know how everybody else was. When asked why did they do it, they simply stated, “this was our duty; we are a team, and we take care of each other.” Even the Americans.
This country needs more people like these two Iraqi soldiers. If more shared their passion and determination, the terrorist’s fear tactics of beheadings, public killings and kidnappings would not work. If more believed in their vision of Iraq, there would be no fighting; there would only be encouragement for their fellow man and peace. If more people understood their sacrifices and followed their lead, this country would not be as dependent upon others. But they can’t single handily change their country, so they decisively lead by example without trepidation.
Rather than running, they stood strong and saved a man’s life. Because of them, somebody’s son is still breathing. Right now, the U.S. Army is trying to give these two Iraqis prestigious awards. But all the Iraqis want to do is check on the soldier they saved. “I just want to make sure he is OK.”
By now, the American, who is still in the hospital recovering, knows the story of the two Iraqis. And I’m sure he looks forward to the day he can look his Iraqi brother-at-arms in the eye and say, "Thanks for saving my life."
Two Iraqis
Both of them were blown from their seats by the blast, which they described as, “very powerful, lots of noise and heat.” The two Iraqi soldiers were both dazed. One of them could only hear a loud ringing sound in his ears. The other couldn’t believe his eyes: Every where he looked people were gasping for air or bleeding profusely. Before the two Iraqis lay a helpless American soldier, who staggered across the smoke-filled mess hall at first only to fall on the ground. They couldn’t understand a word coming out of the American’s mouth. They only saw the blood spewing from his leg.
These two men, both in their 20s, saw carnage caused by the very people they took an oath to defend Iraq against. These two men were proud Iraqis who were trained by U.S. Army Special Forces. These two men had seen enough people die at the hands of terrorists, and on December 21, 2004, they would do everything in their power to save every person they could.
The human body has several vital points. A sharp piece of metal to the jugular and a person is gone within seconds. A shot to the temple, a person will never even know what hit him. A slug to the heart or spleen and the person’s collection of memories will flash before his or her eyes in an instant. A hit to the femoral artery leaves a person minutes, maybe hours, but their final moments will be agonizing.
The suicide bomb sprayed bb-like fragments throughout the Marez dining facility. One piece of shrapnel sliced through the femoral artery of a U.S. soldier and his only chance for survival was in the hands of these two Iraqis.
Recalling the medical classes they’d received from the special forces, the Iraqis reacted calmly, fastening a belt above the wound, creating a tourniquet, which stopped the gushing stream of red. They moved the soldier to a MEDVAC vehicle via two-man litter carry. After they hoisted the soldier in the truck, the two Iraqis – one an officer, the other an NCO – ran back to the facility and began treating the other wounded without regard for their safety.
When the dust settled and the mess tent had been evacuated, everybody who could talk was questioned about their health. When the medics came to the two Iraqis, the ING soldiers only wanted to know how everybody else was. When asked why did they do it, they simply stated, “this was our duty; we are a team, and we take care of each other.” Even the Americans.
This country needs more people like these two Iraqi soldiers. If more shared their passion and determination, the terrorist’s fear tactics of beheadings, public killings and kidnappings would not work. If more believed in their vision of Iraq, there would be no fighting; there would only be encouragement for their fellow man and peace. If more people understood their sacrifices and followed their lead, this country would not be as dependent upon others. But they can’t single handily change their country, so they decisively lead by example without trepidation.
Rather than running, they stood strong and saved a man’s life. Because of them, somebody’s son is still breathing. Right now, the U.S. Army is trying to give these two Iraqis prestigious awards. But all the Iraqis want to do is check on the soldier they saved. “I just want to make sure he is OK.”
By now, the American, who is still in the hospital recovering, knows the story of the two Iraqis. And I’m sure he looks forward to the day he can look his Iraqi brother-at-arms in the eye and say, "Thanks for saving my life."
Power Line: They stopped thinking about tomorrow
Power Line: They stopped thinking about tomorrow: "They JUST DON'T GET IT!
Michael Barone looks back on the 2004 election and is 'struck by how many of the constituencies supporting Democratic candidates oppose, rather than seek, change -- how they are motivated not by ideas about how to change the future, but by something like nostalgia for the past.' The Democratic party, he argues, is defined by 1930 era views on social security, 60s views on the state of race relations and the use of military force, and 70s views on feminism. Cosmetically at least, this state of affairs constitutes a reversal of roles from 1996 when the Democrats claimed they couldn't 'stop thinking about tomorrow,' while Bob Dole promised to be 'a bridge to the past.'
Ironically, John Kerry, the icon of 1971, outpolled President Bush among young voters. The Democrats take heart from this, and reasonably so, although one wonders how much of a role Kerry's scare talk about reinstating the draft played. In any case, it is doubtful that the Democrats can sustain any edge they might have with younger voters unless they adopt a less backward looking approach to the issues. "
Michael Barone looks back on the 2004 election and is 'struck by how many of the constituencies supporting Democratic candidates oppose, rather than seek, change -- how they are motivated not by ideas about how to change the future, but by something like nostalgia for the past.' The Democratic party, he argues, is defined by 1930 era views on social security, 60s views on the state of race relations and the use of military force, and 70s views on feminism. Cosmetically at least, this state of affairs constitutes a reversal of roles from 1996 when the Democrats claimed they couldn't 'stop thinking about tomorrow,' while Bob Dole promised to be 'a bridge to the past.'
Ironically, John Kerry, the icon of 1971, outpolled President Bush among young voters. The Democrats take heart from this, and reasonably so, although one wonders how much of a role Kerry's scare talk about reinstating the draft played. In any case, it is doubtful that the Democrats can sustain any edge they might have with younger voters unless they adopt a less backward looking approach to the issues. "
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