hick politics: The Point: News From the Front

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:

** haystack's needles: **

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

Eight Strategic Pillars to Victory in Iraq:

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

President Discusses Recent Visit to Iraq by Secretary of State Rice and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld

President's Radio Address 29 April 2006

The President Discusses the Global War on Terror

The President Discusses Democracy in Iraq with Freedom House

Strategy for Victory: Freedom in Iraq

The President issues a Statement on the Formation of the Iraq Study Group

In Focus: Renewal in Iraq

In Focus: Afghanistan

National Security Strategy

The President Discusses theNational Security Strategy

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

UPDATED: US State Department Iraq Weekly Status Report:

** 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."

Dept. Of State Section 1227 Report on Iraq: 6 April, 2006

** 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

Dept. of State Section 2207 Quarterly Report on Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Funding and Expenditures [April 2006]

** 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

** NEW: Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction **

Special Report: Lessons Learned

US Embassy in Iraq: Latest Headlines

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

** NEW ** US Embassy in Afghanistan: Latest Headlines

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

USAID: Assistance for Iraq

Special Report: Civil Society Resource Centers

Program Financial Summary through 28 April 2006

** NEW ** USAID: Assistance for Afghanistan

FY 2006 Congressional Budget Justification

FY2005-2010 Strategy

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.

US Department of Defense

Quadrennial Defense Review Report

National Military Strategic Plan for the War on Terrorism

National Military Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction

Iraq reconstruction Headlines

Afghanistan Update

Current Headlines:

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

** IN FOCUS: Alternatives to the MSM **

AFIS News Aricles

Stars & Stripes

Web Special Reports

The Pentagon Media Channel [Windows Media 7.1 required]

Defense Visual Information

US Central Command

** Statement of Gen. John P. Abizaid before the Senate Armed Services Committee **

Multi-National Forces: This Week in Iraq

** Press Releases **

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

** IN FOCUS: What Extremists are Saying **

Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq

Multi-National Security Transition Command: Press Releases

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

Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System

DVIDS Headlines:

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

** NEW: Image Gallery **

Military Branch and Unit Publications

Featured Editions This Week:

Bagram Bullet

Iraq Reconsruction Update

** NEW: Air Force News**

** NEW: Army News**

** NEW: Navy News**

** NEW: Marine News**

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.