hick: an unsophisticated provincial person
bucolic, bumpkin, clodhopper, hayseed,
hillbilly, jake, Provincial, rube, yokel
politics: the art or science of government
and if you know where that came from, you TOO are old!
posted by haystack at 1:13 PM
|
2 comments
While commercial media and disingenuous detractors nip at the edges of the courage and sacrifice of our Men and Women in Uniform, I bring you this report:
A special note. "Operation: Noble Duty", an initiative begun by Bill Crawford, Tim Saler, and yours truly HERE and HERE is taking a lot of my time and attention. This initiative is to build a coalition of bloggers and individuals to help support the Texas Military Family Foundation who's Executive Director Julie Curtis-Win and her staff work every day to support our Soldiers-those returning from theater, and those preparing to deploy. I will be traveling to the Center on May 15 to visit with julie and the Soldiers there. I will provide updates here as they develop.
Kids Take Action
Messages from the Troops: From "America Supports You"
I'm only 19, i joined the Army last June right after high school and I just want to say "THANKS" to everyone that supports us and keeps our morale high when we get messages saying that the America people still supports us. So Thanks!
Dakota Wolfe,PV2.,US ARMY, Okla. city, Okla.
Thanks to everyone who is showing support to our country's military members... Please remember those who are coming home injured and need our support! Especially remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice 'Lest We Forget!' Your recognition of the sacrifice of our country's finest ensures we will succeed in the missions that we face! Thanks again!
Robert A. Talenti/MSgt/USAF, Irwin, Pa.
I'd like to thank my mom and my dad and my sisters for supporting me while my brothers and I are in the military. God bless them and protect them. I'd also like to thank all those civilians who supports the men and women of the US military. I love the US and its People.
Spc. Joseph Cabahug, US Army, New York City
Thank you to everyone out there that sends support. You may think that no one really reads the messages from you, but we do, and it gives us great pride to hear from you. So I would like to say that we really appreciate your support and love hearing from you, you are our reason for fighting. Thank You
Samuel Garrett / Spc / U.S. Army, Dallas Tx
Heroes in Action
America Supports You
Read What messages are being sent to our Soldiers
On our Soldiers' Kids
Call to Action
Soldier's Angels
Joint Special Operations
Help our Soldiers Call Home
Send a Package to a Soldier
Defeat the Terrorists and Neutralize the Insurgency
Transition Iraq to Security Self-Reliance
Help Iraqis Forge a National Compact for Democratic Government
Help Iraq Build Government Capacity and Provide Essential Services
Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy
Help Iraq Strengthen the Rule of Law and Promote Civil Rights
Increase International Support for Iraq
Strengthen Public Understanding of Coalition Efforts and Public Isolation of the Insurgents
Champion Aspirations for Human Dignity
Ignite a New Era of Global Economic Growth through Free Markets and Free Trade
Expand the Circle of Development by Opening Societies and Building the Infrastructure of Democracy
Develop Agendas for Cooperative Action with the Other Main Centers of Global Power
Transform America's National Security Institutions to Meet the Challenges and Opportunities of the 21st Century
Engage the Opportunities and Confront the Challenges of Globalization
** Highlights through 3 May 2006: **
1. Defeat the Terrorists and Neutralize the Insurgents
4/19: On April 13, MNF-I announced the killing of a wanted terrorist and known al-
Qaeda associate, Rafid Ibrahim Fattah aka Abu Umar al Kurdi. He died in an
early morning raid in Baghdad on March 27.
4/26: Soldiers from MND-Baghdad uncovered and destroyed a large weapons cache
on April 22 in two houses in a southwestern suburb of Baghdad.
5/3:Coalition forces killed the al-Qaida “Emir” of Samarra, Hamadi ‘Abd al-Tahki al-
Nissani, along with two other terrorists on April 28, approximately 15 kilometers
north of Samarra.
2. Transition Iraq to Security Self-Reliance
4/19: The 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, took control of an area
encompassing Balad, Al Duluyah, Yethrib, and numerous smaller villages in
Salah Al Din province on April 15 from the 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion of
Task Force Band of Brothers.
4/26: The Iraqi Army’s 1st Brigade, 8th Division, assumed security responsibility for a
nearly 11,583-square-mile area of the An Najaf Province on April 24 during a
transfer of authority ceremony with the 4th ID’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
5/3:158 new lieutenants graduated from the second 12-month Officer Basic
Course at the Iraqi Military Academy Al Rustamiyah on April 26. They will now
attend their specific branch training before their first assignment.
3. Help Iraqis to Forge a National Compact for Democratic Government
4/19: A scheduled April 17 session of Iraq's parliament was postponed by the acting
speaker on April 16, further delaying the formation of a government.
4/26: On April 22, Iraqi leaders announced agreement on the top leadership posts
for a national unity government. Iraq's new Presidency Council named Nouri
Al-Maliki Prime Minister-Designate, and he now has 30 days to finalize the
makeup of the Iraqi cabinet.
5/3:On May 3, Iraq's parliament met for its first full legislative session since it was
elected in December. Parliament Speaker Mahmoud Mashhadani announced
that the formation of a committee to review the constitution would not occur
until the new cabinet is appointed.
4. Help Iraq Build Government Capacity and Provide Essential Services
4/19: Construction was completed two weeks ago on the $3.44 million Hashem
Electric Substation project in Jasim Al Khidr. The Gulf Region Division -
Project Contracting Office (GRD-PCO) project provides increased power for
residents of the Wassit Province.
4/26:Renovation is complete on the Ibn al-Mathir Maternity Hospital in Ninewa
Province. The $7 million GRD-PCO project was completed on April 18. This
hospital provides 100 beds for inpatient care and services for approximately
35,000 outpatients in the greater Mosul area.
5/3:On April 28, the northern oil pipeline security project in Tameem Province was
completed. The $1.2 million GRD-PCO project included installing new chain
link security fencing, concrete block walls around pipes and valves, and
building concrete block guard towers at various sites. This construction aids
the security forces to secure, protect, and guard the pipelines from Kirkuk to
Bayji.
5. Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy
4/19: In early April, the World Bank Social Protection Project was approved, granting $6
million to help accelerate the USAID-sponsored Social Safety Net program currently
underway in Iraq. The funds will be used to build capacity and improve efficiencies
within administrative operations in Iraq’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the
Ministry of Finance.
4/26: Iraqi Finance Minister Allawi and Treasury Deputy Secretary Kimmitt co-chaired an
April 26 roundtable discussion with U.S. and Iraqi officials on Iraq’s macroeconomic
situation. The roundtable highlighted economic progress in Iraq to date and the
economic challenges facing the new government.
5/3:The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) published an updated Key Financial Indicators
(KFI) report for the period ending April 13, meeting an important IMF Stand-By
Arrangement (SBA) requirement.
6. Help Iraq Strengthen the Rule of Law
4/19: On April 17, a criminal expert's report was read in court which said Saddam's
signatures were on documents connecting him with the killing of 148 Shiite men and
teenagers after an attempt on his life in the town of Dujail in 1982.
4/26: On April 24, prosecutors in the trial of Saddam Hussein played an audiotape said to be
a phone call between the former Iraqi leader and one of his co-defendants discussing
the destruction of farmlands during a crackdown against Shiites in the 1980s.
5/3:The Central Criminal Court of Iraq convicted 12 security detainees April 19
through April 25 for various crimes including illegal border crossing, possessing
illegal weapons and joining terrorist groups.
7. Increase International Support for Iraq
4/19: On April 14, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) appealed for international support to Iraqi academics
and intellectuals and called for measures to protect them from a “heinous campaign of
violence.”
4/26: On April 23, President Talabani expressed his concern over reported Iranian and
Turkish troop concentrations on those countries' borders with Iraq. Turkey has moved
thousands of troops to the border region to against PKK terrorists inside Turkey. Iran
also reportedly has moved forces to the border.
5/3:The Politiken newspaper reports the Danish government plans to reduce
Denmark's contingent in southern Iraq by one-fifth to some 400 troops.
8. Strengthen Public Understanding of Coalition Efforts and Public Isolation of the Insurgents
4/19: In an interview with WBAP radio in Dallas on April 11, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld
said “the real battle is for the Iraqi people to fashion a government and get it in place
and win the confidence of the Iraqi people so that they can proceed forward. That
ultimately will have a favorable effect in repressing the insurgency."
4/26: Speaking to CNN on April 24, Iraqi Prime Minister Designate Nouri al-Maliki said that
“the main challenge that I see is the existence of a torn relationship in the Iraqi
community with all of the sectarian and ethnic backgrounds. There’s also a state of
misunderstanding that was spread in the last period, so I have to work first on uniting
all of these elements together and work on a measure of national reconciliation on the
basis of national dialogue and common interests."
5/3:Speaking to local reporters in Baghdad on April 26, Secretary of Defense
Rumsfeld said that the “hope is that we will see the [Iraqi] government formed
soon and that they will be people who are competent and capable and reflect the
best interests of the Iraqi people. And I must say, I came away from my meetings
with the government leaders today impressed with their seriousness of purpose,
the constructive approach they take with each other and optimistic about their
future."
** Main Categories **
1. Current mission and and measures taken to support it
2. Iraqi progress towards a sustainable political settlement
3. Conditions necessary for a transfer of security responsibility
4. Iraqi security forces capacity and readiness which contribute to the transfer of security responsibility
5. Criteria used to evaluate progress in that area
6. Our plan for successfully completing the mission
** Executive Summary's Main Topics **
Introduction - 2006: A Year of Transition
1. Challenges
2. Capacity Development
3. Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs)
4. IRRF Projects
5. Sustainability
6. Recent Project Approvals
7. Primary Health Clinics
8. IRRF Reallocations During The Quarter
9. International Donor Assistance
10. Conclusion
Special Report: Lessons Learned
U.S. Officials Launch Iraqi Virtual Science Library
Terrorists Desperate To Derail Iraqi Democracy, U.S. General Says
Rice Says Active International Community Contributes to Security
Rumsfeld Encouraged by Progress in Iraq
Bush Says Women's Empowerment Strengthens Emerging Democracies
"Democracy Dialogues" - New Web Site from the State Department
Statement by U.S. Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann at Inauguration of the Shah Shahid Shrine
This strategy is designed to set USAID/Afghanistan's strategic direction for the years 2005-2010. This document is not intended to be a detailed operational plan for the implementation of USAID activities, which is accomplished through the Mission's annual report and Congressional Budget Justification documents.
Successful implementation of this strategy will result in the following achievements:
A robust economy with sustained growth of between 9-11% annually, leading to an increase in household yearly income from $200 to between $300 and $340.
An accountable and independently functioning electoral administration, judiciary and parliament.
A growing rural economy that provides viable options to poppy cultivation in 10 priority provinces.
A balanced power supply including locally-generated and imported sources, increasing available power supply from the current 200MW to 1200MW.
Seventy-five percent of Afghans having access to basic health care and primary education.
Bush Honors Lieutenant's Memory at Oklahoma State Commencement
Coalition Forces Kill and Detain Terrorists in Firefight
Terrorists Use Internet for Propaganda, Defense Officials Say
Northern Iraqi Units Engaged in the Fight, General Says
Coalition Shows Zarqawi Outtakes During Press Event
Army Commander in Baghdad Meets With Iraqi Provincial Leaders
Iraqi Forces More Capable in Counterinsurgency Fight
U.S. Marines, Iraqi Forces Respond to Attacks
AFIS News Aricles
Stars & Stripes
Web Special Reports
The Pentagon Media Channel [Windows Media 7.1 required]
Defense Visual Information
CH-47 CRASHES IN KUNAR PROVINCE
AFGHAN BOY TO RECEIVE LIVE-SAVING SURGERY IN THE U.S.
ISF, COALITION FORCES LAUNCH OPERATION UNITED
TWO CACHES DISCOVERED EAST OF BALAD RUZ
THREE SUSPECTED INSURGENTS ARRESTED AFTER FLEEING CACHE SITE, TESTED POSITIVE FOR EXPLOSIVE RESIDUE
COALITION COMMANDER CONDEMNS SCHOOL BURNING
TF TIGER UNIT FINDS WEAPONS CACHE IN PARWAN PROVINCE
IEDS FOUND IN PAKTIKA, ZABUL AND KANDAHAR PROVINCES
TERRORISTS KILLED AFTER FIRING AT COALITION FORCES
Resident leads troops to cache
Troops get tip, find cache
Officers find explosive device near Al Kut
Soldiers detain two near Fallujah
Troops detain two near Saqlawiyah
More Than 300 Fallujan Men Brave Danger to Join Police Force
Connecting the World One Wire at a Time
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Troops Keep in Focus Mission in Iraq
Chaplain Continues Gospel Services at Taqqadum
Task Force Optometry Team Has ‘eyes On’
Servicemembers Go Unplugged at Q-West
Quick Reaction Force Keeps Taji Troops Safe
Featured Editions This Week:
Bagram Bullet
Iraq Reconsruction Update
America is fighting a war against Terrorism. On September 11, 2001 we were forced to say so publicly. Before that day, this sleeping giant was content to swipe at individual acts as they happened. When 3,000 of our souls were taken from us, we emerged on the other side having survived, but finding ourselves as a Nation mortally wounded. When the fires were finally put out, and as many of the bodies identified and claimed as possible, we arose from the ashes to face our enemy with resolve and righteous indignation. The phrase "Never Forget" meant something then, and for those engaged in the fight, it still means something today. We are in a war, and we must win.
Today, the two most active theaters of this war are Afghanistan and Iraq. Our Civilian leadership and our brave men and women in uniform are fighting for US, and in our stead. We owe them loyalty, support, honor, and commitment. Not through Political machines; power-hungry self-important aspirants to the halls of Congress or the Whitehouse, but through our direct involvement with, and understanding of the evils they face and the accomplishments they continue to make with dignity, courage, and faithful execution of the mission.
posted by haystack at 9:58 AM
|
0 comments
“The Texas Military Family is an organization with a small staff, a few great volunteers, and a lot of love. TMFF provides family members of returning soldiers flags to have while they await the arrival of their loved ones. TMFF also assists all deploying soldiers with playing cards, stickers, phones and a hug of encouragement before they load the plane to go forward on their mission.”Operation: Noble Duty is our way of saying Thank You; to Julie, to the TMFF and to all the brave young men and women in uniform that Julie and her staff work with every day.
posted by haystack at 1:04 PM
|
0 comments
A good friend of mine, Bill Crawford, of All Things Conservative and National Review Online fame tipped me to the Texas Military Family Foundation , and I want everyone here to know about them, visit their website, and donate ANYTHING you can to their cause.
They recently lost a major donor and need our help. Bill will be doing a story for NRO soon, and has written about TMFF at his blog. Please, take some time to visit with Julie in person, on the phone, or at her website. She takes our wounded and weary and downtrodden men and women in, loves and nurtures them, and helps renew their will to live and move on.
posted by haystack at 8:41 AM
|
1 comments
This is too new for detailed research, but Drudge is screaming that the Senate has moved to cut 1.3 billion off the War and Hurricane Relief appropriation and divert it to the Border. This is apparently from Judd Gregg, who moved for this amendment to the Emergency Appropriations bill runninig through Congress right now.
Hillary's claim:
"...Gregg's cuts would "take money from troop pay, body armor and even joint improvised explosive device defeat fund. Now that is a false choice and it is a wrong choice."will certainly help her claims of supporting the troops in the eyes of the middle of her party.
Judd Gregg from NH (a man I once voted for when I lived there) defended himself against this saying
To come down here and allege that these funds are going to come out of the needs of the people on the front lines in Iraq or Afghanistan is pure poppycock."
Bush has threatened a veto; not based on the diversion of funds to the border but instead for Congress failing to keep the amount at 95 billion instead of the 106 billion it appears headed for. If ever there was a veto I would enjoy (and there WOULD have been many) this one is it.
And not because I have a problem with giving the border badly needed cash. My problem with this whole boondoggle is that our political heroes will be able to SAY they are trying to address issues at the border and with the larger problem of immigration, while in actuality they will have accomplished nothing more than throwing money at a problem (and an insufficient amount at that, IMHO) and avoided once again their CIVIC duty to address these problems through legislation to fix the problem once and for all.
I want to know what others think. I personally think this is playing chess with soldiers and immigrants alike, while only further showing their political survival is their primary motivation, and that they really could care less about Hurricane victims, Soldiers, State and National Sovereignty and Security and even fundamental Fiscal Responsibility...and they all are due a fair amount of shame.
posted by haystack at 10:35 AM
|
3 comments
vol. IV, 1st Edition, 20 April 2006
[Note from haystack: I apologize to those of you who have come to look forward to these reports. Easter and all...with all my grandbabies I just felt the need to take a little time off for them. But, the sugar high is over, the conversations about Jesus with my 6 year old Granddaughter Katie behind me, I return with these latest updates...]
While commercial media and disingenuous detractors nip at the edges of the courage and sacrifice of our Men and Women in Uniform, I bring you this report:
Heroes in Action
America Supports You
Read What messages are being sent to our Soldiers
On our Soldiers' Kids
Call to Action
Soldier's Angels
Joint Special Operations
Help our Soldiers Call Home
Send a Package to a Soldier
Defeat the Terrorists and Neutralize the Insurgency
Transition Iraq to Security Self-Reliance
Help Iraqis Forge a National Compact for Democratic Government
Help Iraq Build Government Capacity and Provide Essential Services
Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy
Help Iraq Strengthen the Rule of Law and Promote Civil Rights
Increase International Support for Iraq
Strengthen Public Understanding of Coalition Efforts and Public Isolation of the Insurgents
Champion Aspirations for Human Dignity
Ignite a New Era of Global Economic Growth through Free Markets and Free Trade
Expand the Circle of Development by Opening Societies and Building the Infrastructure of Democracy
Develop Agendas for Cooperative Action with the Other Main Centers of Global Power
Transform America's National Security Institutions to Meet the Challenges and Opportunities of the 21st Century
Engage the Opportunities and Confront the Challenges of Globalization
** Highlights through 12 April 2006: **
1. Defeat the Terrorists and Neutralize the Insurgents
4/5: Iraqi Army and US soldiers detained 17 anti-Iraqi forces personnel and
discovered four weapons caches during Operation Red Light II in Salah Ad Din
province March 31.
4/12: On April 6, MNF-I officials announced the capture of Muhammed Hila Hammad
Ubaydi, aka Abu Ayman, in the al Mahmudiyah neighborhood of southern
Baghdad. Investigators delayed notice of his capture on March 7 until DNA testing
confirmed Abu Ayman's identity.
2. Transition Iraq to Security Self-Reliance
4/5: For the first time the Iraqi unit operated independently from the 4th
Sustainment Brigade, its American de facto higher headquarters. The
operation was the culmination of months of effort from the 4th Support
Battalion's Taji-based units, and 189th Corps Support Battalion.
4/12: First Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, took control of the Samarra and Tikrit
battlespace from the US Army's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
during a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Danger on April 3 in the Salah Ad
Din Province.
3. Help Iraqis to Forge a National Compact for Democratic Government
4/5: Senior members of Iraq's Shiite Alliance bloc publicly called for Ibrahim Jafari
to step down as prime minister to break months of deadlock over a national
unity government.
4/12: On April 9, Iraq's acting speaker of Parliament Adnan Pachachi said he would call
in the coming days for parliament to convene.
4. Help Iraq Build Government Capacity and Provide Essential Services
4/5: US Army Corps of Engineers’ construction is complete on the Basrah/Umm
Qasr water supply in Az Zubayr, Basrah Province. The $16.1 million project
will provide a reliable clean water supply to 2.5 million people in the Basrah
and Dhi Qar Provinces.
4/12:Construction is complete on three US Army Corps of Engineers projects for
the Fathah River Crossing in Al Tameen Province. The oil lines will restore the
pre-existing crude oil corridor capacity, restore refined oil distribution, and
enhance the Bayji Power Plant’s electrical capability.
5. Help Iraq Strengthen Its Economy
4/5: Security Financial Services, Inc., based in Michigan, rolled out its first pre-paid
purchase and Internet shopping cards in Iraq on April 2.
4/12: The Central Bank of Iraq’s Banking Supervision Department (BSD) completed its first
comprehensive On-Site Examination Report and Off-Site Examination Report in April,
which will help identify emerging systemic problems and represent a significant step
towards a modern risk-based supervisory process and a sustainable economic
framework.
6. Help Iraq Strengthen the Rule of Law
4/5: On April 4, the Iraq High Tribunal announced new criminal charges against Saddam
Hussein and six others, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity
stemming from a 1980s crackdown against Kurds.
4/12: On April 5, the Central Criminal Court of Iraq convicted 22 security detainees for
various crimes including illegal border crossing, coordinating deadly attacks and
joining terrorist groups.
7. Increase International Support for Iraq
4/5: Bulgaria sent the first troops of a 150-strong guard unit for duty at a refugee camp in
Iraq. The new NATO member is sending 120 soldiers and 34 support personnel to
guard a camp of Iranian refugees in Ashraf, some 40 miles north of Baghdad.
4/12: United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned the bombing of the Buratha
mosque in the Al Adhamiya area of Baghdad.
8. Strengthen Public Understanding of Coalition Efforts and Public Isolation of the Insurgents
4/5: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, during her visit to Iraq on April 2, stated that
“And indeed the international partners, particularly the United States and Great Britain
and others who have forces on the ground and have sacrificed here, have a deep
desire and I think a right to expect that this process will keep moving forward, because
it is after all the political process that will disable those who wish to engage in violence
against the Iraqi people.
4/12: In a joint op-ed released to the Los Angeles Times on April 11, Ambassador Zalmay
Khalilzad and General George Casey reiterated to the American public the
achievement in Iraq and the US commitment to democracy: “Americans and Iraqis can
be proud of what our common efforts and sacrifices have achieved…even as we
acknowledge that challenges remain to reaching the goal of a stable and democratic
Iraq.”
** Main Categories **
1. Current mission and and measures taken to support it
2. Iraqi progress towards a sustainable political settlement
3. Conditions necessary for a transfer of security responsibility
4. Iraqi security forces capacity and readiness which contribute to the transfer of security responsibility
5. Criteria used to evaluate progress in that area
6. Our plan for successfully completing the mission
** Executive Summary's Main Topics **
Introduction - 2006: A Year of Transition
1. Challenges
2. Capacity Development
3. Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs)
4. IRRF Projects
5. Sustainability
6. Recent Project Approvals
7. Primary Health Clinics
8. IRRF Reallocations During The Quarter
9. International Donor Assistance
10. Conclusion
Special Report: Lessons Learned
White House Report, April 19: Iraq, Personnel
Nations Must Continue Security in Iraq, Diplomacy in Iran
Coalition Forces Must Continue To Support Iraq, U.S. General Says
Carpentry Workshop in Iraq Creates Jobs for the Jobless
"The attack on the United States and the war that has been visited upon us
highlights a fundamental condition of our circumstances: we cannot and
will not know precisely where and when America's interests will be
threatened, when America will come under attack, or when Americans
might die as the result of aggression. We can be clear about trends, but
uncertain about events. We can identify threats, but cannot know when
or where America or its friends will be attacked. We should try mightily to
avoid surprise, but we must also learn to expect it. We must constantly
strive to get better intelligence, but we must also remember that there will
always be gaps in our intelligence. Adapting to surprise - adapting quickly
and decisively - must therefore be a condition of planning.
The Quadrennial Defense Review was undertaken during a crucial time of
transition to a new era. Even before the attack of September 11, 2001, the
senior leaders of the Defense Department set out to establish a new
strategy for America's defense that would embrace uncertainty and
contend with surprise, a strategy premised on the idea that to be effective
abroad, America must be safe at home. It sought to set the conditions to
extend America's influence and preserve America's security. The strategy
that results is built around four key goals that will guide the development
of U.S. forces and capabilities, their deployment and use:
Assuring allies and friends of the United States' steadiness of
purpose and its capability to fulfill its security commitments
Dissuading adversaries from undertaking programs or
operations that could threaten U.S. interests or those of our
allies and friends
Deterring aggression and coercion by deploying forward the
capacity to swiftly defeat attacks and impose severe penalties for
aggression on an adversary's military capability and supporting
infrastructure
Decisively defeating any adversary if deterrence fails"
America Supports You: NBA Trophy Tour to Visit U.S. Military Bases
Seabees Building Dormitory for Djiboutian Students
Iraqi, U.S. Soldiers Provide Medical Aid
Pier Construction Project to Help Djiboutian Village
Group Meets to Discuss Way Forward in Afghan, Pakistani Cooperation
America Supports You: Michigan Police Help Iraqi Colleagues
Governors Praise Troops Following Middle East Visit
AFIS News Aricles
Stars & Stripes
Web Special Reports
The Pentagon Media Channel [Windows Media 7.1 required]
Defense Visual Information
The doctors of Diwaniyah
Transition teams making a difference
Fallujah’s new police station
NEW POD PUTS CAS A PHONE CALL AWAY
CACHE SITE CONTINUES TO PRODUCE MUNITIONS
AFGHAN OFFICIALS VISIT VICTIMS OF SCHOOL ATTACK
TRIPARTITE COMMISSION 16TH MEETING
SPARTANS, KUNAR GOVERNOR CONFER ON SECURITY, RECONSTRUCTION
IRAQI CITIZEN'S TIP LEADS TO MND-B SOLDIERS CAPTURING WEAPONS CACHES
BLAST DESTROYS IRAQI POLICE STATION IN YUSAFIYAH
TRAINEES GRADUATE BASIC TRAINING, BECOME AFGHAN ACADEMY CADETS
AFGHANS, COALITION FORCES THWART TERRORIST ATTACKS
14 April :: Troops find cache in Baghdad
14 April :: Bombing suspects detained in Mosul
14 April :: Terrorist falls from truck, caught by police
12 April :: Man kills himself, wounds cohort in IED blast
12 April :: Iraqi Soldiers detain suspected terrorist
06 April :: Mosul police find cache
06 April :: Troops detain five near Ramadi
06 April :: Troops repel attacks, nab 10
PAX Terminal Gives Passengers a Lift
COSCOM Makes Long Awaited Transformation Into 1st TSC
Charlie Daniels Wraps Up Weeklong Tour for Deployed Troops in Iraq
Northern Governor’s Conference
Cold Steel “drops In” on Neighboring Town
2-17 Cavalry Soldiers Stay Trained While in Fight
Marine Engineers Build Maintenance Bay for Iraqi Mechanics
Featured Editions This Week:
Desert Bulls
Desert Voice
America is fighting a war against Terrorism. On September 11, 2001 we were forced to say so publicly. Before that day, this sleeping giant was content to swipe at individual acts as they happened. When 3,000 of our souls were taken from us, we emerged on the other side having survived, but finding ourselves as a Nation mortally wounded. When the fires were finally put out, and as many of the bodies identified and claimed as possible, we arose from the ashes to face our enemy with resolve and righteous indignation. The phrase "Never Forget" meant something then, and for those engaged in the fight, it still means something today. We are in a war, and we must win.
Today, the two most active theaters of this war are Afghanistan and Iraq. Our Civilian leadership and our brave men and women in uniform are fighting for US, and in our stead. We owe them loyalty, support, honor, and commitment. Not through Political machines; power-hungry self-important aspirants to the halls of Congress or the Whitehouse, but through our direct involvement with, and understanding of the evils they face and the accomplishments they continue to make with dignity, courage, and faithful execution of the mission.
posted by haystack at 9:45 PM
|
0 comments
I have a wonderful friendship with a woman, yes WOMAN, working in and around the distribution and use of IRRF funds arena. She is a fine person doing God's work (by any name). She is in Baghdad as we speak, facing tremendous security problems, and trying to help her people rise up from their own ashes and build a better life for themselves and their families.
I asked her to read THIS diary I posted here at RS because I was interested in her opinion. As she always does, she countered with a link of her own.
I ask everyone here at RS with serious commitment to understanding the problem we face in the fight against fill-in-the-blank [Terrorism, Islamo-Fascism, Extremism, Insurgency, Jihad, etc] to put down your religion, put down your politics, put down your foregone conclusion and read this rather well done perspective. This is no sales pitch on websites, or diaries...it is an offer of an opportunity to expose all of us to a different perspective than we have seen anywhere around these parts (at least that I have come across).
In order to get to the document, first travel HERE, then select the "Articles" tab, and navigate to the article called:
Contemporary Responses to Terrorism among the Abrahamic Religio-Political Movements:An Invitation to Dialogue
Any meaningful dialog and discussion here will be communicated back to her should such discussion warrant it.
posted by haystack at 9:42 PM
|
0 comments
Some of you may be aware that I spend a fair amount of time over at NoEndButVictory.com. In my role there I am truly blessed to have met and built friendships with many US Military personnel at CentCom, and with Iraqis and US Citizens who originally came from Iraq. With all we hear in the US media about All-Things-Bad-in-Iraq™ I am constantly energized by the news and information coming from them; my faith and hope are regularly renewed and refreshed.
posted by haystack at 1:44 PM
|
0 comments
My true hick inspiration
