A small scale attack on the Fallujah Government Center; Fallujah Police form the SMG
FALLUJAH, IRAQ: As the American mission in Iraq is increasingly focusing on transitioning security responsibilities to the Iraqi security forces, the American Military and Police Transition Teams are becoming the focal points of Iraq policy. At the Iraqi Government Center in the heart of the city of Fallujah, the Police Transition Team (PTT) of the 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines is working to organize the local police and teach them to operate independently. The Fallujah PTT is commanded by Major Brian Lippo, a Marine Reservist and former Philadelphia policeman who works for the FBI. One of the primary missions of the PTT is to facilitate communications between the Fallujah Police, the Iraqi Army and the Marines in the Joint Command Center.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Isaiah 40:1-5
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: 'In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.' Isaiah 40:1-5 NIV
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Losing the Enlightenment - Victor Davis Hanson
A civilization that has lost confidence in itself cannot confront the Islamists.
by Victor Davis Hanson
Our current crisis is not yet a catastrophe, but a real loss of confidence of the spirit. The hard-won effort of the Western Enlightenment of some 2,500 years that, along with Judeo-Christian benevolence, is the foundation of our material progress, common decency, and scientific excellence, is at risk in this new millennium.
But our newest foes of Reason are not the enraged Athenian democrats who tried and executed Socrates. And they are not the Christian zealots of the medieval church who persecuted philosophers of heliocentricity. Nor are they Nazis who burned books and turned Western science against its own to murder millions en masse.
No, the culprits are now more often us. In the most affluent, and leisured age in the history of Western civilization — never more powerful in its military reach, never more prosperous in our material bounty — we have become complacent, and then scared of the most recent face of barbarism from the primordial extremists of the Middle East.
Our Unceasing Ambivalence - Shelby Steele
Possibly the most confounding feature of the Iraq war, from the very opening of hostilities to the present day, has been the American government's utter failure to define what victory would be in this war. "Victory" has been a conjure word for the Bush administration, a Churchillian allusion meant to evoke the heroic perseverance shown in the great wars of the past. But no one in the administration has ever said what victory would actually look like. And, lacking this description, even those of us who have supported the war have seen trouble coming for some time. Without a description of victory, a war has no goal.
Read the whole thing
Marine First Lieutenant Stephen J. Boada
Marine First Lieutenant Stephen J. Boada
1st Lt. Boada was attached to a platoon on routine patrol in the mountains of Afghanistan when over two dozen extremists attacked the Marines. As the unit’s forward air controller, Boada directed air attacks on insurgent positions. After two Marines were hit by fire while approaching an enemy cave entrance, Boada and a fellow Marine worked their way from boulder to boulder across roughly 25 meters to rescue them, all the while under machine gun fire from the cave. Boada hurled grenades into the cave, killing the fighters inside. Boada later directed further air strikes to cover the platoon’s withdrawal. 1st Lt. Boada received the Silver Star on February 1, 2006. When asked about his role that day, he said simply, "The Marines I was with that day deserve the recognition. They all need to be talked about, talked about more than me, they are all amazing."
1st Lt. Boada was attached to a platoon on routine patrol in the mountains of Afghanistan when over two dozen extremists attacked the Marines. As the unit’s forward air controller, Boada directed air attacks on insurgent positions. After two Marines were hit by fire while approaching an enemy cave entrance, Boada and a fellow Marine worked their way from boulder to boulder across roughly 25 meters to rescue them, all the while under machine gun fire from the cave. Boada hurled grenades into the cave, killing the fighters inside. Boada later directed further air strikes to cover the platoon’s withdrawal. 1st Lt. Boada received the Silver Star on February 1, 2006. When asked about his role that day, he said simply, "The Marines I was with that day deserve the recognition. They all need to be talked about, talked about more than me, they are all amazing."
John 6:25-29
Jesus the Bread of Life When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, 'Rabbi, when did you get here?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.' Then they asked him, 'What must we do to do the works God requires?' Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.' John 6:25-29 NIV
Friday, December 01, 2006
TPM Muckraker: Focus of FBI Probe, Mollohan May Oversee FBI Budget
Two senior Democrats have seen their leadership ambitions deep-sixed because of their murky ethics histories. Here's a third Democrat heading for a powerful post whom folks may want to keep an eye on.
Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV) is under investigation by the FBI. And he's set to assume a top post which would put him in control of the FBI's budget. Neat trick, eh?
The FBI's probing Mollohan for possible violations of the law arising from his sprawling network of favors and money which connects him to good friends via questionable charities, alarmingly successful real estate ventures, and hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarked funds.
Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV) is under investigation by the FBI. And he's set to assume a top post which would put him in control of the FBI's budget. Neat trick, eh?
The FBI's probing Mollohan for possible violations of the law arising from his sprawling network of favors and money which connects him to good friends via questionable charities, alarmingly successful real estate ventures, and hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarked funds.
Recent Momentum is Fading
The market showed incredible resilience again yesterday. It fluctuated through the day, but the S&P 500 index ended with a 1 point gain. This was despite the fact that there was a fair amount of bearish news.
Nevertheless, the S&P is now unchanged for the week. This could be the second straight flat week. The recent momentum is fading.
There isn't much news this morning. The ISM survey of national manufacturing conditions due at 10:00 ET could be the biggest event. The similar Chicago regional survey was weak, and the stock market sold off. If the ISM index, which was 51.2 in October, drops below 50 for November, a similar reaction is likely.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Kirk Kerkorian sold his entire stake in GM. GM's stock will take a hit. Oil is down $0.65 to $62.50 a barrel.
There will be a number of Fed officials speaking this afternoon and this evening. The tough talk on inflation is likely to continue.
The market is holding up surprisingly well. Seasonal strength may be helping. But the momentum is fading and there are widespread expectations of a correction in January. We remain cautious short-term.
Nevertheless, the S&P is now unchanged for the week. This could be the second straight flat week. The recent momentum is fading.
There isn't much news this morning. The ISM survey of national manufacturing conditions due at 10:00 ET could be the biggest event. The similar Chicago regional survey was weak, and the stock market sold off. If the ISM index, which was 51.2 in October, drops below 50 for November, a similar reaction is likely.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Kirk Kerkorian sold his entire stake in GM. GM's stock will take a hit. Oil is down $0.65 to $62.50 a barrel.
There will be a number of Fed officials speaking this afternoon and this evening. The tough talk on inflation is likely to continue.
The market is holding up surprisingly well. Seasonal strength may be helping. But the momentum is fading and there are widespread expectations of a correction in January. We remain cautious short-term.
Bill Roggio: Hunting the Takfiris in Iraq
Ansar al-Sunnah leaders captured, raid on al-Qaeda in Iraq cell
Ansar al-Sunnah.
DUBAI, UAE: Task Force 145, the Coalition hunter-killer teams that focus on al-Qaeda in Iraq, have been busy over the past week. Multinational Forces Iraq reports Ansar al-Sunnah leadership has taken a hit in central, western and northern Iraq, while a raid nabbed 8 al-Qaeda.
Ansar al-Sunnah.
DUBAI, UAE: Task Force 145, the Coalition hunter-killer teams that focus on al-Qaeda in Iraq, have been busy over the past week. Multinational Forces Iraq reports Ansar al-Sunnah leadership has taken a hit in central, western and northern Iraq, while a raid nabbed 8 al-Qaeda.
From China to Iran, Web Diarists Are Challenging Censors
Authoritarian states like China, Iran and Egypt are having trouble dealing with the burgeoning number of critical online diaries. These blogs, which multiply by the second, expose news about incidents that many regimes would prefer to keep hushed up. In many countries, blogs are giving people their first real taste of democracy.
Army National Guard’s Capt. Joel Arends
Then-1st Lt. Arends and his team of 30 soldiers operated just outside the Green Zone in and around Baghdad from February 2004 to April 2005. They were responsible for catching a number of terrorists, including one carrying bomb-making materials, jidhadist propaganda and large sums of cash. The terrorist claimed to be a professor at a major university in the United States. They also captured one of Saddam Hussein’s personal bodyguards. Another time, Arends’ team rescued Iraqi civilians from burning vehicles when insurgents attacked a checkpoint near their patrol area. Members of the team rushed into the flames and pulled several Iraqi civilians out of burning vehicles and administered life-saving medical treatment. For his efforts, Arends was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in March 2005. Arends is now a Captain in the Army Reserve.
Hebrews 10:32-35
Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. Hebrews 10:32-35 NIV
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