Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Daily Briefing on Iran

When I get caught up with reports on the Daily Briefing on Iran, it will be the last day you will receive just a piece of the news I receive from Iran. That should be soon. I'm on Sunday right now, and today is Wednesday. This is because it has come to my attention that the more we share this information, the better oppportunity we have of some of this news actually reaching inside Iran.

Daily Briefing on Iran has been blocked by the Iranian government. It is up to us to post each day's Daily Briefings.
The Telegraph is reporting what we have heard for a long time that the regime has blocked our site. Guess who the 1 are or 2 Iranian readers of our blog are (see the sidebar’s neocounter report of nations reading our blog). These readers often post pro-regime comments here. That is why we started our blogosphere supports real democracy in Iran campaign.

Fellow bloggers: republishing our reports on your blog makes it almost impossible for the regime to block access to the important news on Iran.
Please join us in this effort. You can look forward to news from Iran everyday here! Have a good day.

Daily Briefing on Iran, Sunday, 11/26/2005

Iran's President Engaged in a Titanic Power Struggle

Angus McDowall, Independent News:
A power struggle of titanic proportions has broken out between Iran's newly elected President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the country's parliament.

Now the President's domestic political agenda is in danger of collapse, after MPs refused to accept his choices for the top post of oil minister.

And a new scandal in Tehran municipality tarnished his election promises to weed out corruption. The President's former parliamentary supporters say they have been alienated by his closed-door style of rule that has opened deep rifts in the ruling conservative faction. READ MORE
Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

**Amir Taheri, Arab News reported that Ahmadinejad knows that a revolution is like a bicycle: It keeps you up and going as long as you keep pedaling. He asks: How Long Can He Pedal?
**Iran Focus reported that a senior officer of the Revolutionary Guards boasted that Lebanon’s Hezbollah group learnt suicide operation tactics from Iran.
**Iran Focus reported that Iran’s conservative government appointed a senior cleric with no academic experience as the head of Tehran University. He is best known for his oversight of "prosecution chambers."
**Iran Focus reported that Iraqi police uncovered a military centre with a large cache of explosives near the Iranian border. American and British Intelligence officials believe the high-explosives have been shipped into Iraq by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards with the full consent of the Iranian government.
**Iran Focus reported that Rafsanjani on Friday demanded a pullout of United States-led troops in Iraq after the country’s upcoming elections in December.
**Reuters reported that in a "show of force" thousands of members of Iran's volunteer militia, the Basij, paraded and formed human chains in Iranian cities. But state television showed human chains and small crowds, mostly numbering several hundred people, much fewer than expected.
**Amir Taheri, Asharq Alawat reported that despite what the circles opposed to the toppling of Saddam Hussein say about the need for a timetable for our withdrawal from Iraq. The truth, however, is that a timetable has been in place from the first day of the war.
**The Associated Press reported that President Ahmadinejad said that the Bush administration should be tried for War Crimes.
**The Economist reports on Ahmadinejad's struggle to win control of the oil ministry.
**Reuters reported that Iran offered North Korea oil and natural gas as payment for help in developing nuclear missiles.
**Amy Kellogg, FOX News released part five of her reports from inside Iran: U.S.-Iran Relations Strained. Video also available.
**Mehrangiz Kar, Rooz Online reports the murder religious and secular intellectuals in Iran are permitted in article 226 of the Islamic Penal Code. A must read.
**Meysam Tavab, Rooz Online reported on the serial murders of Iranian dissidents by Iranian intelligence and how those responsible have actually returned to official positions and have been responsible for other violent policies in the country.
**Meysam Tavab, Rooz Online asked why the Basij Volunteer Militia has started arming some of its units with heavy arms.
**And finally, Curt, The Committee to Protect Bloggers reported that blogger Ahmad Seyyed Saraj has escaped Iran to the Turkish city of Van and needs our help.

To read the entire briefing click here:
Sunday's Daily Briefing.

Miriam's Prayer

This is part of a prayer for the Christians who've been kidnapped by terrorists in Iraq. She has written this beautiful prayer as an article in her blog, and she has asked me to share it with you. Even if you do not agree with her, please do not ignore her. If you would, please distribute this article so more people may pray for the lives of these kind people. Thank you.

Pearls of Iraq: Free the Christian Pearls of Iraq

Please do not ask for a ransom. Most of the people are poor, they gave up everything to serve God by helping the Iraqi people. Regardless of religion, peace builders are poor in hand…rich in love for God and service to others. You will receive your ransom in love, respect and dialogue. Maybe this is what the insurgency groups wants…dialogue, real dialogue. I will tell you, if you want people to dialogue and really listen, do not go to the military, go to these people. They will really listen, wallah. It is Islamic and Christian peace builders who should replace the military, inshallah, inshallah.

I will not go on and on tonight, people know the space I am in right now. I do ask that prayers be made to release our brothers who, in their love for God and the Iraqis, are there to serve. I ask that this blog be given to this group if possible and will answer questions as best I can concerning peacebuilding and nonviolence. Fellow Islamic peacebuilders speak out now in support of our Christian brothers. I conduct Islamic peacebuilding but honor, respect and love my Christian peace builders, in particular, this very special group in Iraq, who have been in my prayers for almost 3 years. [read the whole prayer].

Ugandan Rebels Seek Peace Talks

Senior commander Vincent Otti of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has stated a willingness to face the International Court to face justice in order to bring peace to the region. He has also stated that the Ugandan government should be willing to go the International Court to face charges of crimes committed in Northern Uganda against the people.

The LRA has fought in northern Uganda and Sudan for 19 years, abducting children and forcing them to fight.
This is very good news for the peace in this region. There has been much suffering, fear, death, slavery, and war. It is time to lay down arms, and allow people to choose their freedom.
"I am Lieutenant-General Vincent Otti and want this talk with the government of Uganda to end the rebellion, because now we fought for 20 years, we are ready for this talk from today," he said.

He called on the government to respond to the request for peace talks, and said he was speaking with the backing of rebel commander Joseph Kony.

Along with others, these two LRA commanders are wanted by the International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
There has been many attempts to hold peace talks before, with President Yoweri Museveni desiring only a military solution.

There were peace talks on the table more than a year ago, but they broke. They are not the only thing that is broken. This country is 93,070 square miles (about the size of Oregon) with a population of approxiametely 26 million people. They appear to have the resources for a booming economy, if given the opportunity. Here is some information about Uganda.

Most of the information in this article was obtained from Passion of the Present, a very fine source of information. The focus is mostly on Darfur, Sudan, but they cover many other areas in Africa when time permits. SaveDarfur.org is also a very good site for information.

These people are doing a great job informing others so we may not stay ignorant. Only by knowledge can we truly effect change. Hey, if we don't know what is wrong-let alone if there is indeed something wrong-how can we demand justice?

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Tuesday, November 29, 2005

News (Apparently) Unfit to Print

Gay & Right has a remarkable story about how the terrorists in Gaza Strip are trying to deny freedom of speech to the jounalists whom are trying to erase corruption from the government and the AP who is allowed to stand there to take pictures for propaganda. How is this, you ask? Hmm. Good question.

There was also another trial that did not receive much press. It is the trial in Jordan of the 13 people who plotted to spread a deadly chemical weapon on Jordan. (But there are no weapons, right? Think again!)
The government says if the attack had been carried out, it would have sent a cloud of toxic chemicals across Amman, killing thousands. [read the whole story]
They were threatening to bring down the monarchy. Only 9 are in custody, while the other 3 are being tried in absentia.

I have three very good articles from Counter Terrorism. The first one, written by Evan Kohlmann, covers the twisting of the facts by the Washington Post. Not only this, this journalist goes after Vice President Dick Cheney without any basis.

The second story, written by Victor Comras, covers the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba as it continues to interfere in the rescue and aid missions in Kashmir. This is an arm of al Qaeda. Thirdly, written by Olivier Guitta, let us give credit where credit is due. Morocco is fighting al Qaeda! All three stories are excellent reads, and they provide much needed information.

Now for a little humor.
In order to be a Liberal...
1. You have to be against capital punishment, but support abortion on demand.
2. You have to believe that corporations create oppression and governments create prosperity. (This one is really important)
3. You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens are more of a threat than nuclear weapons technology in the hands of Chinese and North Korean communists or Islamic fundamentalists.
4. You have to believe that there was no art before government funding.
5. You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected by cyclical documented changes in the earth's climate and more affected by soccer moms driving SUV's. [read the rest here]
Okay, this is taking it too far!
"But did you know that the majority of nativity scene sets, and yes, even especially the ones with popular names with Italian design, are now being made in China?" (Classic Nativity Scenes).
These last two are from our Military. One is from an American Marine. The other is from Big Dog. They both have to do with Christmas.

A letter from a Marine in Fallujah, and Just Say Merry Christmas.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Believe it or not...

Okay. Before we cover this story, I want to make it clear to one and all that there ARE good, sensible people in Canada. They are just NOT in the government! lol.
Having blamed him for just about everything else, some Canadian Liberals now have President George W. Bush taking pot shots at space aliens. [read the article here]
Now, I do not know about you, but I think someone may have had a little too much to drink or smoke!

Breaking News: Saddam's Trial

At 1:50 am PCT time, ABC News broke in with the news that the trial of the Century was about to begin. (My words, trial of the century. May the other totalitarian governments watch and shudder in fear.)

It should be a 15-20 minute delay to reach the USA TV. As I remember hearing it, they are making sure that everyone who is supposed be in the Courthouse is there, so there is no scene like there was the last time.

His lawyers will, of course, try to post-pone the trial, but the people outside and all over the country will not have it. They want a quick trial, and then a quick hanging. They are convinced he is guilty. So am I, but justice must prevail.

He has murdered 148 people in Dejai. If for some freak of nature he is found not guilty, there are many more charges waiting in line to be brought against him.

Oh yeah, Clarkie boy is there. That's all I say about him at this time. Stay tuned.

If you would like to see a short vidoe, here is the clip. You may also find a written article.

It is rather tense, dangerous and exciting all at the same time. This mass murderer will finally see one of his days in court. This is more than he ever gave to any of his victims. May you rot in hell.

Update: Trial has been postponed until December 5 so one of the 8 defendents may find counsil. (Don't you think he would have known by now to get a lawyer?) One witness has testified by tape, because he was very ill. Four days after the testimony, he was laid to rest. He was one of the prison guards. (?)

Sunday, November 27, 2005

How the Pilgrims Made Progress

From the OpinionJournal.com.

Behind the Pilgrims' bad harvest in 1621: a lack of property rights.
Friday, November 25, 2005 12:01 a.m. EST

The textbooks don't explain why the Pilgrims had only a meager harvest in 1621, so we will. For their first two years in Plymouth, the settlers conducted an experiment in communalism. It wasn't until 1623 that they divided the land into private plots and could look forward to the kind of bounty that many of us enjoyed yesterday. In his "History of Plimoth Plantation," the colony's governor, William Bradford, wrote about how the settlers studied human nature and laid the foundation for true Thanksgiving: [read more].

News from Iran 11/27/2005

Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005
EU may resume Iran nuclear talks-diplomats The EU is ready to resume talks with Iran on its nuclear programme provided it agrees to discuss a Russian proposal that it shift plans to enrich uranium to a joint venture in Russia, diplomats said on Tuesday.

The talks could take place on December 6, even though Iran has failed to meet an EU demand that it stop uranium conversion -- a stage before enrichment in the nuclear fuel cycle.
**Iran Press News reported that a Kurdish journalist sewed his mouth up in the Marivaan Prison in protest.
**Mehdi Khalaji, The Washington Institute produced a concise review of Tehran's renewed war on culture. A must read.
**The Middle East Quarterly reported on the Iranian security forces arrest of 28-year-old Iranian journalist and weblogger Arash Sigarchi and other bloggers.

Thursday has been combined with Wednesday and Friday.

Friday, Nov. 25, 2005
The EU Plays the Human Rights Card in Our Poker Game with Iran "Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provides for the right to hold opinions without interference and the right to freedom of _expression. Recent cases have cast doubt over the Iranian authorities’ commitment to these obligations”, the statement said.
**The Telegraph UK reported that Britain and key European allies are using intelligence briefings to convince major powers that Iran is trying to develop nuclear warheads for its Shahab-3 missiles.
**Dow Jones Newswires reported that the failure of Iran's ultraconservative president to appoint an oil minister acceptable to Parliament has raised concerns about the fate of some major energy projects and created a domestic political crisis.

Saturday, Nov. 25, 2005
Ansar Hezbollah: “We must do battle with America in Iraq" Yalsarat Al Hussein, the weekly publication of the terrorist group Ansar Hezbollah which is under the direct supervision of Ahmadinejad, in one of its’ recent issues, explicitly called for: “the dispatch of suicide bomber terrorists to Iraq in order to “do battle with America in Iraq." READ MORE
**Adnkronos International reported that Rafsanjani said Iran is prepared to remove all ambiguities regarding its nuclear program.
**Iran Press News reported the trial of Abdollah Nasseri, ex-general manager of the other regime-run news agency IRNA will begin on Saturday, Nov. 26th. He has been charged with "“intent to stir up public opinion through publication".

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Ban EU Air Flights Into USA

European Court of Justice's Advocate General Philippe Leger's opinion toward sharing information about it's air passengers into the United States with the USA is unconstitutional. (This is amazing, since they do not yet have a constitution, unlike the Iraqis.)

He has presented an Advisory Opinion to the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice which is expected to rule on the case in early 2006. This Opinion is a challenge to the May 2004 agreement.

The Counter Terrorism Blog has a remarkably disturbing article about this.
The Advocate General Opinion found that the agreement, while authorized by the EU Council , lacked a sufficient legal basis and was contrary to existing EU law. His Opinion called for the agreement to be annulled. The EU Commission had previously held that the agreement fully met European privacy restrictions criteria. The Advocate General’s finding bolsters a previously existing court challenge to the agreement initiated by the EU Parliament several months ago.
This is a very odd means of governing, but one which we should always be aware. Are they truly friends and allies of America? You be the judge.

All links and vast information is provided by Victor Comras at the Counter Terrorism Blog.

News from Iran 11/26/2005

Sunday, Nov. 19, 2005
Iranian President prevents bullet-proof cars.
**Iran Focus reported that a visit to Iran by Iraq’s top security official and his profuse praise of the Iranian government’s policy have aroused serious questions.
**Iran Focus reported that a top official in Iran’s notorious Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) was running the secret Iraqi Interior Ministry prison in Baghdad.

Monday, Nov. 20, 2005
According to BBC Persian and Persian service of IRNA, the hardline ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi has announced that the Iranians living in the US need 5000 Islamic clerics for their religious services.
**Cato.org asked: Is Iran a Trap?
**The Times of India made the case against Iran.

Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2005
**Reuters reported that the EU powers and Washington have suspended their bid to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council instead focuses its efforts on a statement voicing concern about a document received by Iran which contained partial nuclear bomb-making instructions.
**ABC News reported that Iran has built, with the help of North Korea, dozens of underground tunnels and facilities for the construction of nuclear-capable missiles.
**Iran Press News reported on several bloggers and political prisoners being framed and threatened by regime.
**ET, View from Iran found an interesting conversation with Nasser Zarafshan, Ganji's attorney, published in Germany, under the title: Tehran’s reformist mask has come off.
**Intel Iran won't need exit strategy. Iraq's national-security adviser, and other Iraqi officials chastised Iran for supporting Shiite militias and aggravating the insurgency. More gently, they asked for Tehran's help. Mainly the Iraqis demonstrated that, at a strategic level, they are thinking about what their country could look like after the Americans leave.
**Spiegel Online reported that Germany's Angela Merkel says she'll take a hard-line against Tehran if Mahmoud keeps up the madness.

Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2005

All dates have many more articles. To reach the articles, click on the day of the week. Thank you.

Friday, November 25, 2005

International News 11/25/2005

Two Sudanese Soldiers Sentenced to Death (Nov. 16, 2005)
KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP)-- A court set up by Sudan to try war crimes in its violence-plagued Darfur region issued its first sentences Wednesday, condemning to death two soldiers in the torture killing of a Sudanese citizen.
Liberia's Johnson-Sirleaf Pledges Change, By JONATHAN PAYE-LAYLEH (Nov. 23, 2005)
MONROVIA, Liberia (AP)-- Africa's first elected female president pledged in her acceptance speech Wednesday to end Liberia's history of corrupt, brutal and male-dominated rule.
Why did the press swallow Massey's stories? By , POST-DISPATCH WASHINGTON BUREAU 11/05/2005
Media outlets throughout the world have reported Jimmy Massey's claims of war crimes, frequently without ever seeking to verify them.

For instance, no one ever called any of the five journalists who were embedded with Massey's battalion to ask him or her about his claims. <...>

But none of the AP reporters ever called Ravi Nessman, an Associated Press reporter who was embedded with Massey's unit. Nessman wrote more than 30 stories about the unit from the beginning of the war until April 15, after Baghdad had fallen.
Sunni Leader Calls for Unity After Bombing, By HAMZA HENDAWI
MAHMOUDIYA, Iraq (AP)-- A day after 30 people died in a suicide bombing here, the preacher at a major Sunni Arab mosque Friday condemned the horrific attack and called for unity between Iraq's rival Muslim communities.
Political Crisis Intensifies in Uganda, By HENRY WASSWA
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP)-- Uganda's main opposition leader again refused to answer terrorism charges in a military court Friday as a political crisis intensified in this East African country ahead of next year's presidential election.
Investigator Says Big CIA Prisons Unlikely, By ALISON MUTLER
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP)-- The head of a European investigation into alleged secret CIA prisons in Eastern Europe said Friday it was unlikely that there were large clandestine detention centers in the region.
U.S. Troops Find Abused Cheetah Cubs, By ANTHONY MITCHELL
GODE, Ethiopia (AP) -- U.S. soldiers discovered two endangered cheetah cubs being held captive and abused in a restaurant in this dusty, remote Ethiopian village and have launched a campaign for the animals' rescue.

Op-ed by bosun: Three great women of the conservative movement

I could not pass up this picture . I got it from a Hannity Forum page.

Conservative Angels: Michelle Malkin, Ann Coulter and Laura Ingraham

The liberals, democrats and leftists all combined have NO chance against these three women of the conservative movement in our great country.

http://www.michellemalkin.com/
http://www.anncoulter.com/
http://www.lauraingraham.com/

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Cross-posted: The Bosun Locker, The Bos'un at MSN

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Troops Express Thanks and Share Thanksgiving with Iraqis

From Stars and Stripes Newspaper:

Troops express thanks, invite Iraqis to share their holiday mealSoldiers stationed in north-central Iraq celebrated a cheerful but contemplative Thanksgiving, thousands of miles and a war zone apart from their families. And in a move reminiscent of the first Thanksgiving, base leaders invited local residents — Iraqi government and military leaders — to celebrate alongside them. Read the story in Stars and Strips

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Cross-posted: The Bosun Locker, The Bos'un at MSN

Meet Sgt. Furman

This is an e-mail from Sgt. Furman. These are soley his words...and great ones they are!

Hello everybody, this is Sgt. Furman from Mosul, Iraq again. After sending out my thank you letter, many people wrote back and asked that I try to send out updates on my progress in Iraq, some even suggested that I start my own blog. Well, time didn’t allow me to start my own blog, but as my deployment comes to an end, I thought I would write a final letter on my thoughts, and let everybody know that I made it through okay.

The hot summer days and nights seem to have come to an end, and the days are now growing cooler as fall begins to sweep her hand over Northern Iraq. In a little over a month or so, I will be sitting on a plane headed back to the states, slowly leaving Iraq behind with only my pictures, thoughts, and memories to take with me. Even as I begin to pack, it hasn’t set in that I am finally leaving this place that I have come to know with both hate and love so well.

This experience has been, and will no doubt be, the most challenging of my life. When I first arrived here, I really wanted to hate this place. Try as I might, I found it impossible to hate Iraq. Although there is no place like the United States, Iraq is as beautiful a country as any. Sometimes you might have to look a little beyond the surface to find the beauty in it, but I assure you, it is there. There is no more an awe inspiring sight than that of an Iraqi night.

While in the city of Tall Afar for a few days, I sat outside my “hooch” under the night sky and listened to the sound of 155mm Howitzers keep a thundering cadence on a distant target, and watched as a countless number of shooting stars passed over head.

Under that same moon I have contemplated what my loved ones back home were doing at that very time; have had many great conversations with my fellow Soldiers; and let the lingering thoughts from the day pass out of my mind before I would go to sleep. And at times, it seems that Iraq had literally sucked all life from my body. There have been times that I felt that I was little more than a walking zombie.

The history and culture of Iraq has much to give to the world. I have found the Iraqi’s to be kind, loving, gentle and extremely resourceful. I feel that we have as much to gain from their friendship as they have to gain from ours. It seems to me that most Iraqi’s want nothing more than what the average American wishes for. A family to love, a home to come to at the end of the day, and most of all, the freedom that we all enjoy and love. It is my most sincere hope that they all get this and more.

As for the war itself, it is hard to put my thoughts and feelings into words, but will try to do my best. After a year of participation and observation, I can only say that war is horrible. Perhaps the most horrible of all actions. It’s not an adventure, or a right of passage. It’s visceral and evil. Carnage and violence at it’s worst. It is a place where one man willingly dispatches the life of another, lest that fate come to him.

It is the only place where the amount of blood shed in the street is the measure by which you can judge success. It is not a movie that you can watch abstractly from the comfort of a theater seat. It is very real. It is a place where people die, and their loved ones are left heartbroken. At times it seems to be a living breathing entity. The most horrible monster you can imagine. It has no rhyme or reason, it just is. There is no point in trying to make sense of it, because there is no sense to be found in it. Yet, even through all of this, we have brave men and women who continue to charge into battle, and fight for all they can so others unknown to them may gain something from it.

Horrible as it is, it is a necessary evil. After a year, I still hold firm in my opinion that we are doing the right thing in Iraq. I don’t want you to mistake me for a warmonger, because that is as far from the truth as could be. I don’t believe there is a Soldier who is currently serving that is happy they are serving in a war.

Don’t mistake pride of service for your country and your fellow man for joy of war. It is not the same. Believe me, the battles that are won here every day are not known to any human outside of the borders of this country. I don’t mean the major military victories that you can see on the news, or read in the paper, but the victories of the heart and will of the human.

Every day an Iraqi awakes with the realization that they are free. That they can willfully speak their voice, right or wrong. Every day, as shown by the referendum, more and more Iraqi’s begin to place trust in their country, and in the protection that we are here to give to them. As contradictory as it might be, watching a country begin to take shape from this monster is an awesome thing to behold.

It will be hard for me to leave Iraq. Our time is done here, and now the battle is in another’s hands. I know that when I board that C-130 for my flight out of Mosul, and take my last breath of the Mosul air, that I will leave a piece of me in Iraq, and take a little piece of her home. She will be with me forever. The memories of her smiling children’s faces, the hot summer air, the gorgeous Arabian nights, and most assuredly, the thought of all the brave men and women who have fought and died for it all.

We have all followed the headlines of the vote in congress about a possible pullout of troops here. In my opinion (I want to make this clear, this is only my opinion, and I am only a Soldier, not a policy maker), a pullout at this time would be the most detrimental of all actions that our country could make, not to mention irresponsible.

Truth be told, I don’t understand why there was ever a need for congress to even push the issue? What’s to debate? I will admit that I wasn’t completely sold on the war in Iraq in the beginning either, but after a year of witnessing the war for myself, I truly believe in what we are doing here. To me it doesn’t matter why we are, I am a Soldier, and go where I am ordered, but on a personal level, at the beginning, I thought hunting terrorists in Afghanistan was a more worth while fight. I was wrong.

There are as many terrorists (not “insurgents”) here. I’m most certainly biased, but I’m certain that the U.S. Armed Forces are the best in the world, and I know for a fact that we are doing the best we can over here. Most of the Soldiers I have talked to feel exactly the same way. LET US DO OUR JOB!

If we were to pullout now, everything that my unit has fought for this last year will be for nothing. Not to mention all of the men and women who suffer through severe injuries, and who’ve given their lives. It would be the ultimate of injustices to them to pullout now. Let us see this through to the end. If not for all the other reasons that I have mentioned; then for the simple fact, that it is unquestionably the right thing to do, and that all the people of Iraq, especially the children deserve it. I write this knowing full well, that I face the possibility of another deployment.

Many of us are looking to the future with optimism, both for Iraq, and our own lives. Some of us don’t know what the future holds for them, but will no doubt be just as successful as they were here. Unfortunately, for some, this war has taken a greater toll than just a year of life. Some of us have paid almost as much as the ones who will never again breath life, going home to broken lives due to the stress of being so far apart from their significant others.

Personally, I will go back to my civilian job, and my family. I have a great girl that is waiting for me, and I just can’t wait to hold her in my arms again. Since I last wrote, I have re-enlisted in the guard for another 6 years (a sure sign I believe in what I preach), and don’t know if I will have to come back here again. If I do return here, I will hold my head high knowing that all of you great Americans back home are supporting me and have my back!

I just want to let all of you know that during the harder times in Iraq I have re-read some of the e-mails that you all have sent to me, and I still check the account for any new ones that might come my way. This has done wonders to lift my spirits at some very challenging times. Thank you! Please continue your support for us, and say thank you to any service member of any conflict that might come your way. They all deserve it. Maybe someday our lives might cross paths. If not, thank you again.

As I sit here and write this on Thanksgiving, although I have a lot to be thankful for this year, I thought I would share a little with you about what I am thankful for today. I am thankful for my family, they have been there for me, and without their guidance, I would be completely lost. I am thankful for God, that he has seen fit to protect me this last year, that he helps my battalion make it safely back home, that he continues to protect the troops that will still be here, and that he has taken into heaven with open arms, the men and women who have given their lives in this war, who he just couldn’t live without in heaven.

I am thankful that I was born in America, and not a country like Iraq. As strange as it may seem, I am thankful that Americans still have the right to voice their opinions about this war (whether I agree with them or not), if America still has the right to voice it’s opinion, that means we’re doing our job over here, and doing it well!

Most of all, I am thankful for my fiancé, who has braved one of the most ultimate in hardships this last year, and stuck with me throughout it all. For certain, true love does exist. Finally, I am thankful that there are people back home who understand what we are fighting for, and proud of us.

God Bless!

Sincerely,

Sgt, Furman
Mosul, Iraq

Happy Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving I would like everyone to set a place at the table for the Soldier who is not home for this year's Thanksgiving. We owe them the Honor they are and have earned. We owe them the respect for the call to Duty they have answered. We owe them for protecting America from enemies, foreign and domestic, so we may be with our Families this Day.

We also owe them the Truth. If you know the truth about the Thanksgiving Day story, share it with your children. It is more likely than not they did not learn it in school. You see, it has to do with God, and giving Thanks to Him in times of Testing as well as in times of Blessing.

If you would care to research the history of Thanksgiving Day, here is the Columbia Encyclopia. Here is the text of the proclamation by President George Washington. It is found in the Avalon Project (on speeches), provided by Yale University.

Have a wonderfully Happy Thanksgiving, and God bless you.

Update: The Opinion Jounal has a very nice article on the the first Thanksgiving upon whence the term "We Gather Together" became an American hymn for Thanksgiving Day.

Norman Sider, a commenter, provided this link to the words and tune. Just click on "Thanksgiving."

Update 2: Please forgive me, Big Dog! For those of you who do not know what trackbacking is, it is when you link to someone else's site. You do this in a way where only a small part of your article is shown. Then people can come to your site and visit. What happened was this. I trackbacked at Big Dog's, but I FORGOT to add his name to this article! This is considered VERY RUDE!

I do apologize. He does have a wonderful site, let me tell you! He is also having an open trackback. That means you may trackback at his site at this particular article. Please forgive me, Big Dog. ;)

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Elections: Author, Afghan Warrior

After 8 weeks of slow counting, the results of the parliamentary elections were finalized on Saturday, despite allegations of fraud in the counting process. Afghan people hope that their new parliament will start its work soon, and this parliament will be a great step towards democratic stability.

A number of eminent leaders, mostly jihadi leaders and one female candidate, nominated themselves for the post of speaker in the national assembly. We hope an honest person will be elected for this post.

Although 40 percent of the winners are former jihadi leaders and warlords, the final result shows that more than 50 percent of the winners are the supporters of President Karzai. This should mean there is not a big challenge to the Karzai government.

Most candidates who lost complained about fraud, but I think even if there wasn't fraud in the counting process they still wouldn't win. Most candidates that lost the election were new faces in Afghan politics. Although some of them were well educated, they didn't have much influence among the people. Other candidates who didn't have higher education managed to win, such as warlords and jihadi leaders.

I voted for Ramazan Bashardost, the former planning minister and he was elected to the 3rd position in Kabul. During his job as Minister of Planning, he was working hard and honestly and therefore many of Kabul's people voted for him. Even though he was a new face, his wonderful speeches won the hearts of the Kabul people. His presence in parliament will be very useful.

Women will also play a great role in the parliament. They are more trustworthy and kind. Afghan women never had a strong voice in politics but now they can fight for their rights.

Right now we need a parliamentary house, and the Indian government is working to build one. It costs $25 million (USA), and it's hard to tell when the new parliament will officially start it's work. I hope after the announcement of the speaker post, our new parliament will start its work. I also hope our parliament will open the best way to rebuild our country.

This was written by Afghan Warrior. You may reach him by clicking the link provided. Thank you for keeping us up to date, Waheed. Great job!

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Freedom of Religion Watch Update 11/23/2005

"We live in a culture increasingly hostile to Christians and their faith. America has become a nation where public school students are prohibited from praying, acknowledging their dependence upon God, and forming religious clubs; where schools and communities are challenged from displaying nativity scenes, the Ten Commandments, and other symbols of our religious and moral heritage." ~ Thomas Moore Law Center


Here are some interesting Freedom of Religion issues from around the country:




ACLU threatening school for 'altar call'
Looking for lawsuit plaintiff against prayer at grad ceremony
--WND

Falwell nixes Christmas diss
Boston backs down on disenfranchising Christians with 'holiday tree'
--Boston Herald


No free expression on public sidewalks in Concord
ADF-allied attorney files suit against city for highly restrictive policies against free speech on public sidewalks
--ADF Media Relations

Free at last
After 10-year battle, ADF attorneys secure permanent injunction against NY Board of Education for Bronx church using school for meeting place
--ADF Media Relations

Access denied: Unemployment advocates banished from open forum Presence of Bible verses leads to censoring of ads
--ADF Media Relations

On the air: Massachusetts cable station ends prohibition on religious programming
ADF attorney assists pastor's lawyer in getting city of Gardner to drop religious program ban
--ADF Media Relations

A Little Leaven Leavens the Lump
The Human Rights Campaign may soon be visiting your church, but it won’t be to protest . . . it will be to change your church’s views on sexual behavior and the way you speak about it.
--Baptist Press

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Cross-posted:The Bosun Locker, Bosun also at MSN

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Op-ed by bosun: New questions about who outed Valerie


The following information was obtained from World Net Daily:

It appears that Joe and Val may have violationed CIA regulations that bars contact with reporters without permission. "Joseph Wilson's agency-employed wife Valerie Plame apparently accompanied him to a breakfast meeting with New York Times reporter Nicholas Kristof in which they discussed the ambassador's controversial mission to Niger one month before Plame allegedly was "outed" by Robert Novak." New Questions About Who Outed Valerie .
"Wilson makes a stunning admission to Vanity Fair magazine reporter, Vick Ward, who reported it in the January 2004 edition of the magazine. It has been theretofore overlooked. The wording of the relevant paragraph needs to be repeated in full since it is clumsy enough to allow misinterpretation: In early May, Wilson and Plame attended a conference sponsored by the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, at which Wilson spoke about Iraq; one of the other panelists was the New York Times journalist Nicholas Kristof. Over breakfast the next morning with Kristof and his wife, Wilson told about his trip to Niger and said Kristof could write about it, but not name him." Woodward revelation may be moot
This story has more twists and turns than Lombard street in San Francisco. Not a day goes by when new revelations come out or old ones overlooked by Patrick Fitzgerald and the biased mainstream media are located.

What the heck are we spending good taxpayers dollars for when these "slipshod investigations" and "dog and pony shows" miss so many details? One has to wonder if there has been a miscarriage of justice in this case. Perhaps if the US Attorney had gotten ahold of some good investigators in the first place, the whole story would have come out. "Piece-meal" investigations are like "half-baked" policitians, both waste time and valuable resources. And, they seldom produce favorable results.

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Cross-posted: The Bosun Locker, The Bos'un at MSN

Michael Yon Media Appearance: Laura Ingraham Radio Program

Media Alert


Wednesday, November 23, 2005 : Michael will appear on the Laura Ingraham talk show, syndicated to over 250 stations nationwide. To find the time and station broadcasting closest to you, please click this link.

Info to Help Free SpecOps Jack Idema

How many of you understand that Jack Idema is a Special Ops man who is imprisoned in Afghanistan? The Afghanistan justice system has cleared him and the 3 others (one journalist) of all charges. They have done this twice.

I listened to an interview that he was allowed to give, and I was shocked. I urge you, if you can tear yourself away for an hour, listen to this interview. I know it can explain what is happening better than I.

You say you support the troops, right? Well, here is an opportunity to put your money where mouth is.

In the meantime, Cao has written extensively and wonderfully about this situation. Please visit her site.

She is also having an open trackback on this Wednesday. If you could write about Jack, that would be awesome. She will have to okay it first, though. Remember, no foul language, and no negativity. This is not your site you will be trackbacking from!

If you would like to join the Free Jack Idema Team, please e-mail Cao. Thank you.

Update: Rottweitler Puppy has a wonderful article ready for your eyes. It is wonderfully written, not the content. The content confirms why we need to make enough noise to reach the White House! Check it out.

Update 2: Please forgive me, I have forgotten to inform you about Super Patriots. This is also a magnificant site! Please visit...often.

Update 3: Kevin from Pundit Review has written an article about this situation. He is very kind, since I asked him to looked into it around 4-5am this morning! lol.

Abu Ali Convicted for Plot Against President

In Alexandria, VA today, Ahmed Omar Abu Ali was convicted of conspiring to assassinate President Bush in a 3 week trial. He was interviewed in Saudi Arabia, where he claims he was tortured into making the confession that was used against him.

OPINION: I don't care whether or not it is true. The rest of the evidence was equally, if not more so, convincing.

BACK TO THE NEWS: He is facing life imprisonment on February 17, 2006 when he appears for sentencing. Read the whole article.

If you will notice, I used two sources. I would like you to notice the word for word similarity! They appear to be written without any investigating into whether or not the AP is indeed correct. Is there bias? You be the judge.

A Tribute to Our Boots on the Ground

THE FINAL INSPECTION

The Marine stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you Marine,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

~Author Unknown~



It's the Soldier, not the reporter
who has given us the freedom of the press.
It's the Soldier, not the poet,
who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Soldier, not the politicians
that ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
It's the Soldier who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag,
and, whose coffin is draped by the flag.
Pray for our men and women who have served,
those who are currently serving our country, and
pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

THESE COLORS DON'T RUN

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

MEMRI Special Dispatch: Reformist Saudi Author: Religious Cassettes Advocate Jihad by Emphasizing Martyr's Sexual Rewards

Here is one of the advance emails that I receive from MEMRI each week. If you have not visited MEMRI, it may be worth it. For those of you who are regular visitors to MEMRI, bear with me. R/Bosun

Reformist Saudi Author: Religious Cassettes Advocate Jihad by Emphasizing Martyr's Sexual Rewards

To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit:
http://www.memri.org/bin/opener_latest.cgi?ID=SD103205

In a November 15, 2005 article in the Saudi daily Al-Iqtisadiyya, Sa'ad Al-Sowayan, a reformist Saudi researcher and columnist, argued that religious cassettes, which are widely available in Saudi Arabia, advocate Jihad by emphasizing the sexual reward awaiting the martyr in Paradise. This is aimed at tempting teenagers who can find no sexual release in conservative Arab society. An English translation of the article was published in the Saudi Gazette on November 17.(1)

The following are excerpts from the translation:

Religious Cassettes Promoting Jihad

"So ubiquitous are the religious cassette shops that they are outnumbered only by groceries. The bulk of cassettes sold in these stalls are motivational. On closer scrutiny, you will realize that their contents are confined to a system of thought that serves to prepare youth to accept its ideas, yield to them, and adopt its Jihad program.

"These cassettes mostly urge people to carry out Jihad through taking up arms, without specifying the zero hour or the Jihad battlefield. As such they advocate Jihad for Jihad's sake. It's a mobilization campaign in which Jihad becomes a state of mind, a mode of living. They want you to give up this foul and mean earthly life, renounce worldly pleasures, devote your life to Jihad, and seek to die in the Jihad battlefield so as to win martyrdom."

Spiritual Martyrdom is Reduced to Jihad for Lust

"The basic Islamic issue - carrying out Da'wa (Islamic propagation), calling people to Allah, spreading monotheism (Tawheed), security and Islam, establishing justice, and treating people on equal terms - is reduced to a marginal matter in comparison to the pleasures in the Hereafter that the martyr can win, pleasures that supersede worldly pleasures and must be given up.

"The modern martyr has thus reduced spiritual martyrdom [for the sake of Allah] to a Jihad for lust, for the utmost pleasure and intoxication a Nirvana state of mind.

"The Jihad cassette describes the path that must be followed in order to win martyrdom and deserve the Hoor Al-Een fair females with wide, lovely eyes. It reduces the lofty objective of spiritual martyrdom to mere lust and a selfish search for sexual pleasure, regardless of what martyrdom can achieve for the public interest or for upholding Allah's word.

"In their call for giving up this world in preparation for the hereafter, and through their description of the martyr's reward - they are trying to program the mind to accept as principle the idea of committing suicide by blowing up oneself. Whoever is convinced of the reward of lust awaiting him will not hesitate to commit suicide: He will seek death with no fear, focused on the pleasures of the hereafter as compensation for the worldly pleasures abandoned.

"The sweetest thing for a teenager, especially in a conservative society like ours, is sex, and the discourse of the religious cassettes is directed toward these very youngsters in their sexual peak of life. They access these youth through the Hoor Al-Een, just as how the youth of our time were drawn to slide pictures of actresses and female singers. So should we not consider sexual suppression in conservative societies as one of the factors leading to such deviation?."

A Magical Prescription to Join the Hereafter: Blowing Yourself Up

"You never hear them speaking about worldly matters of so much concern to the people. The only reform program they offer is for the Hereafter. They speak as if they - and not the all-forgiving and merciful God - have the keys to Paradise in their hands. They have a magical prescription with which you can join their program of the Hereafter; that is, by blowing yourself up.

"Listen carefully to what these religious cassettes convey and you will find that the mythical supersedes the religious intent. They have converted this world to a filthy and mythical place and the Hereafter into a fabled utopia. They first divide the world into two parts: one belonging to God, which you are for, and the other to Satan, which you are against. The next step is to step up the value of the myth and draw the recipient into a world of mythical thinking in which rational thinking stops and the mind becomes receptive to suggestions and irrationalism."

Arab Culture Suffers from Sexual Phobia

"Then again, maybe the phenomenon of Jihadists seeking martyrdom in order to win the Hoor Al-Een is just a symptom of a vein-deep disease within society, which is ravaging the cultural system. The disease I mean is the sexual phobia that Arab culture is suffering from. Before the Arabs solve their problems with their governments or before their governments solve their problems with terrorism, they must first solve their problem with the other sex."

Endnote:
(1) Al- Iqtisadiyya (Saudi Arabia), November 15, 2005; The Saudi Gazette (Saudi Arabia), November 17, 2005.

***************************************************************************
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) is an independent, non-profit organization that translates and analyzes the media of the Middle East. Copies of articles and documents cited, as well as background information, are available on request.

MEMRI holds copyrights on all translations. Materials may only be used with proper attribution.

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI)
P.O. Box 27837, Washington, DC 20038-7837
Phone: (202) 955-9070
Fax: (202) 955-9077
E-Mail: memri@memri.org
Search previous MEMRI publications at www.memri.org

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Cross-posted: Bos'un Locker

Darfur Peace and Accountability Act: S. 1462

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: The Darfur Peace and Accountability Act has passed the Senate, still awaits action in the House.

The Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (S. 1462) passed the Senate Friday evening, November 18, and now awaits action in the House of Representatives. We at the Save Darfur Coalition would like to thank all of you who have taken the time to urge your Senators to act. Your efforts have made a real difference and you should be proud of having helped move this important piece of legislation forward. While we believe that it is important to tell our elected officials that we expect them to take action on Darfur, it is just as important that we thank them once they have acted. Therefore, if you are a constituent of Senators Brownback, Corzine, Lugar, Frist or any of the bill’s cosponsor listed here, please take a moment to send them an email thanking them for supporting this bill. Click here to find contact information for your Senators.

Our work is not over, however. Now the focus shifts to the House of Representatives, where members of the International Relations Committee continue to negotiate. We are hopeful that the full International Relations Committee will complete its work on the bill soon by holding a markup of the legislation when the House returns from the Thanksgiving recess in early December. In the near future, we will let you know how you can help push the bill down the home stretch to the President's desk for signature. Again, thank you for your help.

Monday, November 21, 2005

Hear SF Jack Idema Monday, Live!

This Monday evening at 5pm EST (2pm PCT), Special Forces Jack Idema will be granted an interview with Mike Levine, on his Expert Witness Radio Show via streaming audio. Please, be sure to listen.

This is a man whom has given much, asked for nothing, and has received a traitorous State Department's kick in the teeth.

As I have have stated in an earlier article, there has been much injustice befalling this brave hero. It is important that we stand up for our heroes as they defend us far from home.

To read more about this, please go to Big Dog's WEBLOG. Also, pay a visit to Cao's Blog. She is fabulous! She can keep you up to date. Thank you, and have a great day.

Update: If you missed the interview, do not fret. I have a link for you to listen to it. Please leave a comment, and let me know what you think of the interview after you listen to it. Also, let me know if you have any trouble listening to it. Thank you.

Rick Roberts Op-Ed: PULL THE TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ?


Re-posted from Rick Roberts website at 760 KFMB Radio, November 21st, 2005

"You’ve got to tip your hat to Congressman Duncan Hunter who made the liberals in the House put their vote where their big mouths are.

He asked for a vote of Congress which basically read “if you want the troops to pull out of Iraq now, vote for them to be pulled out.”

The measure went down in overwhelming defeat.
Only 3 libs voted for pulling troops out of Iraq now.

They were Cynthia McKinney, (D-Georgia) Jose Serrano (D-New York) and Robert Wexler (D-Florida), all well-known crazies.

You’ll remember this whole debate was sparked by Democratic Congressman John Murtha’s call for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq.

Not even John Murtha voted for his own idea – when it came right down to having to put up or shut up.

On November 17, 2005 he said of our troops “IT IS TIME TO BRING THEM HOME.”

On November 18, 2005 he voted against the immediate withdrawal of our troops from Iraq.
So what does this tell you about the political rhetoric you’ve been hearing from the loudmouth liberals?

Do they really believe what they are saying? Evidently, not enough for a vote that goes on the record.

This reminds me of what happens when you confront a bully on the playground. Except these bullies are messing with the lives of our troops and the credibility of our country."

Read more commentaries from Rick Roberts at his blogsite on 760 KFMB

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Cross-posted:The Bosun Locker, Bosun also at MSN

Congress Gets Stealth Pay Raise

The United States Congress helped itself to a $3100 pay raise while no one was looking. In the final hours of a break neck session prior to the holiday recess, Congress made sure it got its hands a bit deeper in the pockets of Americans. The Congress has a unique way of handling pay raises. Unlike other legislation that they actually have to vote on, pay raises are automatic unless they vote against them. This reverse method of legislation is designed to keep attention away from the pay raises by having them take effect with little fanfare.

Members of Congress are aware of the distrust America has for their members. In the past, Congressional pay raises were more noticeable and people would raise a stink when they voted themselves hefty pay raises, especially during difficult economic times. These stealth pay raises help the representatives get more money without inflaming their constituents. It truly is out of sight, out of mind.

There have been suggestions in the past that Congress deserves more money. The claims have been made that they are paid much less than those in the private sector with similar responsibilities. What people fail to recognize is that executives in the private sector are held accountable for their performance. If a private sector executive has as dismal a record as members of Congress then that person would be looking for a new job. Additionally, being an elected official must be lucrative or people who believe they have such a wonderful earning potential would not stay in the jobs for their entire lives.

Read it at the Washington Post

Cross posted at Big Dog's Weblog

Ganji Receives the Golden Pen of Freedom Award

There was held a wonderful ceremony, possibly in Italy, by the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). They awarded Ganji with the Golden Pen of Freedom Award and "respectfully bowed to his suffering and resistance."

They praised Ganji for his efforts to pursuade the Iranian government to allow freedom of speech and human rights. Also, they joined in his resistance. They demanded, once again, that Ganji be immediately released, but to no avail. This is usual, as Iran does not feel moved at all by the world community.

Ganji has become the major symbol of bravery and integrity. He will not allow corruption to defame his religion, nor will he remain. Because of this, the guards have denied food.

There have been many stories written, many rallies and protests, and his wife has begged the government for his release without any movement toward freedom. Please, read the entire article. Help in whatever way you can, even if it is only by writing about his plight. Thank you.

Sunday, November 20, 2005

(OP-ED by bosun) A question posed on John Murtha


John "Jack" Murtha, was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1974. Since being elected, Murtha appears to have had a liberal voting record on economic issues and supported the military on military issues. (GOVTrack.us) Murtha was the chair of the defense appropriations subcommittee before the Republicans took over the House in 1994. Murtha appears to have had a reputation of a pork-barrel hall of famer, but, he has not been much of a "barn burner" in congress. Murtha appears to have performed about average status quo along with his other colleagues.

Now for a question posed by a reader yesterday, "What do you think the chances are that Rep. Murtha, due to his pro-military reputation, was told to make his statement by the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer?"

My response: We know that the extreme left wing has hijacked the Democratic party and they, the Dems, have not been quite rational since. However, I do not think that Murtha was or has ever been Pelosi's (or Hoyer's) lackey.

According to Sean Hannity in one of his articles, Rep. Murtha Calls for U.S. Withdrawal from Iraq , Murtha is a close adviser to Pelosi. Hannity also indicated that Pelosi was absent from Murtha's news conference. Perhaps Pelosi knew what Murtha was going to do and decided to absent herself. It is quite possible that the Dems talked it over to gauge their damage control efforts. But, no, I don't see Murtha being her lackey. He is a self-made Democrat congressman.

My question is, "Was Murtha's conduct outlined in some "secret" democratic strategy memo?" Only the Dems know for sure and they obviously are not saying anything about it. Remember the "secret" senate memo of 2003: Dems close-Senate playbook in 2003 memo advising leaders to 'pull the trigger' on investigation? It is purely speculation to say that this is another harebrained Dem scheme to disrupt the Conservatives. If it was a scheme, it backfired. There has been so much intrigue with the Dems these days, it is hard to keep up on who is doing what to who.

My second question is, "Why is Murtha being billed as the "hawkish" democratic congressman by the mainstream media (MSM)?" He voted for the war initially, as did most other Dems. However, Murtha is on record in 2003, having reservations about the war. He cranked up his anti-war rhetoric in 2004.

True, Murtha is a decorated Marine with about seven years of active service. Murtha spent the remainder of his career as a drilling reservist and rose the rank of Colonel before he retired. Murtha deserves a strong "thank you" for his military service. But, Murtha does not deserve a pass on the stunt that he pulled on our President and also on our military personnel currently in harms way.

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Cross-post: The Bosun Locker

Saturday, November 19, 2005

(OP-ED by bosun) Johnny Depp - I can't stay in riot- ravaged France


DEPP DOES NOT WANT TO STAY IN FRANCE ANY LONGER!!!!

According to the news out of france, Johnny Depp wants to move on, again. Johnny is so shocked and traumatized by the riots in france, he's moving. Johnny says, "It's insane, that setting cars on fire is the new strike."

So, I thought that I would write Johnny a letter to help him out:

Dear Johnny,

I remember when you said in an interview,
"the United States was a stupid, aggressive puppy and he would not live there until the political climate changed....America is dumb, it's like a dumb puppy that has big teeth that can bite and hurt you, aggressive".
What is the matter Johnny, reality of the world showing itself? Why don't you and the rest of your the hollywood socialists, leftists, communities, and whatever other "ists" you represent move to Iran or one of the other countries more to your idealalogy. Johnny, you can take Jane Fonda, Barbara Streisand, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Sean Penn, Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen, Michael Moore and the rest of your friends with you.

After all, most of you have no morals, values, ethics, integrity, beliefs, or principals.
I figure, when a guy, girl, cross-person, or other type of halfbaked socialite pertender from hollywood such as yourself spends their whole life playing people they are not, you are bound to get confused. Just don't get confused around me. And please, don't resettle back in the United States. After all, I don't watch your movies, or buy your videos anyway and could care less of you are depressed about the current living conditions in france.

Hey, wait a minute, did not the U.S. mainstream media go along with that french president and
french media to say that the original coverage was rather excessive. Thought that there is not much happening there. I put the french disturbance in the back of my mind because it was so minor. If you can find any area in france that resembled a movie set, maybe you could film a war movie or something.

Heck, I don't even know why I am writing this letter to you anyway. It is not a script that you have to memorize. I doubt that you would understand what I am saying anyway.

Peace, love, and jihad.

Your buddy in the worlds greatest country, The United States of America
Bosun


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Cross-posted: The Bosun Locker, The Bos'un at MSN

Democrats Beaten At Own Game

For several months the Democrats have been beating their anti-war drums and declaring that we should pull out of Iraq. This had roots in John Kerry's Campaign with the "Wrong war, wrong place, wrong time" theme and was carried to excess by Cindy Sheehan.

The Democrats turned up the rhetoric this past week and it appears they hoped to have this issue brewing in the public during their holiday recess. It would appear they wanted the issue to be on everyone's minds through Thanksgiving giving everyone the impression that they, the Democrats, wanted out of Iraq. They were calling for immediate withdrawal.

Be careful what you ask for is a popular cliche. In this case the Democrats got more than they wanted when the Republicans introduced a resolution calling for that very thing. This was a gutsy move because if it backfired the Republicans would have been dealt a serious blow. Instead, it forced the Democrats to put up or shut up. The resolution made them vote, publicly, to show America where they stood. Now they were the ones between the rock and the hard place because if they voted to bring troops home it would show they did not support them and if they voted to leave them it negated their position.

With the exception of 3 representatives, the Democrats voted to keep the troops in Iraq. Their hand was forced and they now have lost a lot of ground on this issue. As is usually the case, they lacked the courage to stand up for what they were saying but that did not stop them from crying dirty politics. It is evident that the Republicans averted dirty politics by taking away the Democrat's ability to milk an issue for political gain.

There is a related story at my blog.

America is Worth Defending, and Here is Why

I found this over at one of friends, so he is going to receive full credit for it. Thank you, Bill, from Small Town Veteran.
I received an email from a mother whose son is currently fighting in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division. He and his platoon have penned a message to the American public that is a little different from the message we are getting via the MSM. He asked his mom to help get this message out and she asked me. Here it is from the soldiers on the ground…
Mom,

Be my voice. I want this message heard. It is mine and my platoon’s to the country. A man I know lost his legs the other night. He is in another company in our batallion. I can no longer be silent after watching the sacrifices made by Iraqis and Americans everyday.Send it to a congressman if you have to. Send it to FOX news if you have to. Let this message be heard please…
[Read the rest at Hook's place. Hat tips: Small Town Veteran, Soldiers' Angels New York, Mudville Gazette]
This is a very moving letter. One I recommend everyone read, write at your homepage (giving credit where credit is due), and answer his call to contact all the people of influence. Thank you.

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American Classes Needed to Interpret ME

Mohammed has done it again. He has written an insightful article about the situation in Iraq, and the effects and reasons for the terrorist attacks against his people. He has the authority to speak, because he is in Iraq. This, unfortunately, is a daily occurance. It is, however, getting better. Slowly, but it is working. Please read his piece.

Friday, November 18, 2005

Phone for Sen. Murtha...from Iraq!

Sen. Murtha has been heard all the way to Baghdad, and they do not like what they are hearing. Let me correct that. There are a few who would appreciate his offer. They are al Qaeda, Syria, and Iran.

Egypt, the Emerates, Jordan, and most other ME states do NOT believe it is a good idea for America to cut and run.

I must offer my OPINION on this but before I do, please allow me to share with you an Iraqi voice. Mohammed, of Iraq the Model, has a very good article facing this issue. You really should read it. He is there and could give a better perspective on the ground than I.

I have been watching very closely to this war, because I consider it to be part of the War on Terror. I will not argue whether or not Saddam had a hand in 9/11/2001. That cannot be proved, and that is not why I was in favor of this war.

I believed then, as I do now, that the Iraqi people have suffered enough. There has been mass graves found with approximately 400,000 people falling victim to Saddam and his sons. That whole government was corrupt and evil, and these people did not deserve to live like that.

Also, Saddam was supposed to comply with the 18th resolution of the UN, which he did not. It was up to him, not President Bush, to come clean about his weapons. I remember the 3000 chemical suits that Iraqi soldiers left behind in a hurry. Why would they have them if there were no weapons?

Why did Sen. Rockefeller go to Syria in January 2002 to warn them that President Bush had made up his mind to go to war against Iraq? We were still fighting in Afghanistan! That gave Saddam and Assad 1 year and 3 months to hide all of the weapons in the entire world! Is this sedition? I am not a lawyer, but I do not believe the Constitution was written for lawyers. If it were, there would not be so many jokes about getting rid of them! lol.

I remember how Saddam treated the Shiites who rose up against him after the war in 1991. We should be ashamed that we left them to fight on their own, and that is what you are asking us to do now?

Then there was a northern and southern no-fly zone. Why? Because Saddam stole the Kurdistan land and brutalized both the Kurdish people and the Shiite people. Do you remember Chemical Ali? He murdered several thousands of people. This was genocide. Are you okay with that? I am not.

In 1991, we had a cease-fire, not a treaty. Saddam continuously shot at our planes. Planes that were intended to protected those people from this monster. Factually, we had the right to continue the war at that very moment, because the cease-fire was broken.

I know it is easy and much more comfortable to push all this into the back of your minds. This is definitely true. After all, we cannot help everyone. Does this mean we should help no one? I believe we should help those we can. Especially when it is in our best interest as well.

How is this in our best our interest? That is a good and reasonable question that should be answered. There are many reasons, starting with the fact that Saddam was supporting terrorists (paying Arabs $25,000 for murdering Israelis). We knew he had weapons. We knew he wasn't feeding his own people, even with the money from the Oil for Food scandal. We knew he was a cruel dictator. Yes, he had the second largest oil supply in the world. Would you prefer to walk, you hypocrite?

Take all the reasons, lump them in a pile, and I am going to tell you what you have been missing. We did not go to war for all of those reasons. That's right. President Bush had a vision that is much larger than that.

We went to war do supplant dictators with a democratic government so the people, including women, could be free. There is a poison that is exploiting Islam for the worst of the degenerates. The only way to fight that kind of a war is change the hearts and hopes of the people themselves.

Give the power to the people. Why not? You have it. Do you want to deny it for others? Are you that selfish? I do not believe you are. Truly, I do not.

If you would remember a long way back, the first draft of the war was to democratize the WHOLE REGION. The Democrats were the ones who denied the Saudis, Syrians, Iranians, Jordanian, Lebanese, Yemenese, and others their God-given right to be free. And they are for the troops and the little guy? Yeah, and I'm for communism...in your dreams (and my nightmares!).