bayouranter

Crossroads Arabia � Not What It Seems

2004-12-08T07:40:00.000-06:00

Crossroads Arabia � Not What It Seems
Crossroads Arabia blog is quickly becoming one of my favorite blogs on Saudi Arabia. She has State Department experience in the area and gives a balanced view of whats happening in the Kingdom. This Article she has posted is on the effects of American Policy in the region Also go to her main site that gives a run down of arab newspapers reaction concerning the attack on the embassy.

Nanny Knows Best: Nanny Bans Boris

2004-12-08T07:31:00.000-06:00

Nanny Knows Best: Nanny Bans Boris
The very funny Nanny Knows Best Blog has a look at British MP Boris Johnson. Boris Johnson is sort of as the blog mentions a free spirit in the Parliament. Despite a minor sex scandal he is probally one to watch in the Conservative party in the future. In fact it is my speculation that perhaps elements of the already bland leadership of the party used this minor scandal to put him in his place. Go take a look above and click.

The New Republic Online: A Fighting Faith (1 of 2)The Democrats and What They Must Do

2004-12-07T15:19:00.000-06:00

The New Republic Online: A Fighting Faith (1 of 2)
A very interesting opinion piece in The New Republic about The Dem Party and the elements it must defeat in its own party as to its views on the War on Terror. Great read and sound advice. Having this country return to the era of where both parties recognized the threat that is against America will make this country safer.

2Slick's Forum lloks at the Tillman case

2004-12-07T14:57:00.000-06:00

2Slick's Forum
Because of the events of the last week I was unable to read much about the Pat Tillman controversy besides what was in the paper. Note, you never no how indispensible the internet is for news untill you have to rely on the your local paper for a week. Any way 2slicks forum has a great view of the events to which I totally agree.
I am often amazed that in friendly fire incidents a villian must be established and harked on. This is not to say what happen was not tragic and the proper investigations should not be made. However, after reviewing some of the gripping war footage its amazing that this doesn't happen more in the time of war. For example try to get an accurate account at what happens at a multiple car accident scene. Then multiply that by 100 times plus the fear of death all around and bullets going by you. Any way thats my rant for today click above for a soldier's viewpoint.

I am Back

2004-12-07T14:44:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the delay in posting of almost a week but because of a personal crisis I was and still having to attend to I was unable any time time to my blog. So lets get rolling again.

Ligt POsting Till Thursday Night

2004-12-02T13:22:00.000-06:00

Posting will be Light Due to Work Activities Till Thursday Night. So be Sure to come back or explore my links

Terrorism Unveiled: Honor Killings, Up Close and Personal

2004-11-30T22:39:00.000-06:00

Terrorism Unveiled: Honor Killings, Up Close and Personal
After reading some of the postings of maxoutmama I have started to wonder what it will take besides military victories to promote democracy in the Middle East. It has become apparent to me that we must support groups in the Islamic world that wish to reform or to get back to the basis of Islam. However what is the line between religion and culture. For often what we see as religion has nothing to do with such but is a mixture of customs and social morays. At times we must remember that to change such attitudes could last longer than the cold war as depressing as that thought might be. The blog Terrorism Unveiled is an excellent blog that shows what is happening in the moderate state Jordan. The blogger is a young woman who is studying in Jordon to learn more about the middle east and terrorism as a part of her degree work. She has got up front and personal with the most "westernized" Jordanians. Her insighti s thought provoking and troublesome.
The first post we will take a look at is on the matter of honor killing. Typically we hear about such killing when a daughter or sister is killed by the family to perserve the families honor for the entire post go to this link. Excerpts follow below.
First she explain what is an honor killing and how does it involve the family.
When a family learns that the girl has threatened their “honor” in the community, they discuss this without the girl’s presence, even with the mother, and they just “know” that the girl has to be killed in order to regain their standing in the community—even though the community may not know about the relationship. It’s not even a choice, but a duty.
The mother knows this is the fate for her daughter, and even agrees to it, sometimes choosing the manner in which she will die…perhaps being burned alive, her throat cut, stoned or clubbed to death.
The family leaves the house, and the person who is chosen to kill her comes in and does it as the family is away so there are no witnesses. The whole community knows of the killing and accepts the family into the community with open arms because they have wiped their slate clean with the blood of their child.

Now remember it is important to remember that is hanging out with the cultural elite of Jordan what follows is pretty shocking
Today I was visiting the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan and my roommate, we’ll call here Sally, went with me because she had to meet with the same professor as I.
She started crying in the taxi on the way back home telling me about her experience the other night with her Jordanian boyfriend, we’ll call him Malik.
Sally and Malik haven’t been dating for very long and I won’t go into the details of their relationship, but she really did like this guy, and I liked him as well. He seemed very Western, spoke English well, acted respectably, dressed nice, came from an affluent and well-off family. He even lived in Europe for two years and had relationships with girls there.
They went out to eat last night and she brought up the subject of honor killings. Malik nonchalantly said that he would be willing to kill his sister or support his uncle or dad if they killed her if she had sex.This really upset Sally. They were holding hands and she immediately jerked away. He looked at her quizzically and asked what was wrong. She said she couldn’t be touched by someone whose hands would kill his own sister for doing things that this guy enjoys fairly often with females.
Malik just didn’t get it. He said it was just his culture. Sally said that she can’t be around someone who would kill his own sister, and she asked him what he thought of her, did he even view her as human or was she just some object since she was an American girl?
Malik couldn’t explain himself, indeed it’s a position that cannot be rectified.
These people think they are so free here, but they’re shackled in their own chains. They try to be so Western, so modern, so rich but they are wallowing in their own backwardness.
There’s a stark difference between not condoning promiscuous behavior and killing someone over it, especially when the guy is not held culpable.
Malik just explained that he was only being honest with her, and that if most guys here were really honest, they would tell her the same thing. “It’s just our culture.”
What backgound does Malik come from? she continues

I guess what’s really upsetting is that Malik is from the rich in society, which seem to be so much more liberal and modern. You generally think of honor killings as coming from the lower classes, but I will tell you, it’s not the case, the sentiment is there in the upper classes as well. And only “20 per year” isn’t the case either. Many go unreported because the people in villages support the act and the man is never turned in for his crime.
The only reason there are less honor crimes with the upper class is because the girls have enough money to get abortions. It’s common practice here for girls to revirginize themselves before they get married, because if they are found out to not be a virgin when married, they are shamed for the rest of their life and their husband may kill them or leave them. Indeed, it’s not just them that is shamed, but also their family and entire tribe. Everyone is so related here, that you shame an entire community, and the only way to expunge that shame is to do away with the girl.s

She ends with this advice:
Don’t believe it when people tell you how modern a lot of the people in Jordan are.
It's one big facade.
They may be one of the most modern Middle Eastern countries, and they drive their 8 series BMWs, the women have the nicest clothes, they engage in talks about “freedom” and “feminism,” they seek out capitalistic business ventures, and they can quote Locke and Marx and Hume all they want.
These people are living lies. All the women here are veiled, whether the physical fabric is covering them or not.
And the men are just as blind.

I strongly recommend to see what the young rich and "western' Jordanians think of Bin Laden go to this link. Another great post from her experience and interations with young elite arabs that shows a cultural reality we face.

CTV.ca | Anti-war protesters clash with police in Ottawa

2004-11-30T16:39:00.000-06:00

CTV.ca Anti-war protesters clash with police in Ottawa
Update on previous post a more organized demonstration appears to be occuring. with some arrest. Further updates as to the Bush's visit will occur on this posting.
<strong>During an early afternoon news conference with Prime Minister Paul Martin, Bush said he was pleased with the welcome he received Tuesday morning.

"I want to thank the Canadian people who came out to wave -- with all five fingers -- for their hospitality," he said with a chuckle.

5:06 update I appears that the numner of protestors are far below the 15,000 mark theey ere hoping for.
Organizers said about 5,000 people, many of whom rode buses overnight from across Ontario and Quebec, held a rally at Ottawa's City Hall before a planned march on Canada's Parliament buildings. Police put the figure at between 2,500 to 3,000.

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Yahoo! News - Early anti-Bush demos fizzle in Canada

2004-11-30T16:22:00.000-06:00

Yahoo! News - Early anti-Bush demos fizzle in Canada
Oh well, maybe this should send a message to certain memebers of the Canadian govt.

MaxedOutMama: Imams, Germany and Turkey

2004-11-30T08:45:00.000-06:00

MaxedOutMama: Imams, Germany and Turkey
Maxed out Mama has a must read post on her sight if you have any interet in Germany, Turkey, and Islam in the area. Very well researhed and has great links too. A must read on something of importance that you will never hear about on the news, even C-span.

President Vist To Canada and The Canadian View Of the US

2004-11-29T14:59:00.000-06:00

Canadian Bush Trip Post tp BE up Soon
Well Bush is going to Canada tomorrow for a two day visit. In my opinion this is way overdue. This trip is important for several reasons to which I shall go into some detail below. The first is the nescessity to start mending problems in a relationship that by culture, geographic location, and common goals should be one our number one priorties, Second, to discuss aalot of urgent matters especially realating to trade. Third, the signs Bush gives there and his performance to a government that has not always been friendly too him might serve as a indication of what one should expect on Bush's European trip next year.
As Dustmybroom blog has pointed out the coverage of this trip has been dismal by the msm so far. Most of the air time is given some fringe group of lawyers that want to arrest Bush for war crimes. Dust my broom says in this posting:
First off, the commentator announces that there has been some friction between Canada and the US since the beginning of the Iraq war. He then says Canada and the US used to sing together, and then I almost choke as they break to a scene of Mulroney and Reagan singing Irish Eyes. This lasts about 15 seconds.A small break as they interview a couple of people in what looks to be downtown Toronto. Basically they don't like Bush. The "reporter" rolls off that 45% of Canadians are anti-American and 75% are anti-Bush. No references.The "reporter" comes back on and announces the main differences between Canada and the US is that Canada no longer has the death penalty and allows same-sex marriages in some provinces.And that was it. Someone may hammer on me for this, but man, I miss the CBC.
Keep in mind thats from ABC, from an Anchor that used to be a Canadian citizen and whose news organiztion is suppose to have some special relationship with the CBC(canadian Broadcast Corporation). So what are the issues?
The CBC at this link has a pretty good take on what the leaders will be discussing. People in certain ares especially as to the timber and beef industries should take note. The issues that will be discussed at ,as the Canadian PM has called "working meeting-ie this is just a photo-op, are first.Canadian Beef. No Canadian Beef has been exported to the US since April 2003 becasuse of the mad cow scare which you can bet has got a lot of farmers up in arms. Guess what the President will be dining own at the big dinner they are having. Second , the timber issue and the exports of timber to the US. This is huge and I know in my area of the Country is being watched closely. Third is missile defense which seems to be getting somewhat of an frosty reception there. The fourth big issue is of course International relations ie Iraq. This has been the cause of alot of the problems but the other economic issues as well as Nafta reforms have played a part in the rather frosty realtionship as of late.
What also should be discussed but its not clear it will be is the horrible state of the Canadian Defences. The US and Canada have always been close partners in Defense. For instance did you know one of the main men protecting us on Sept the !!th was Canadian. Yep, a Canadian was in charge at NORAD that day and in my view did a excellent job However articles such as this one should give a lot of concern to the US. The Ottawa Sun reports
SHORTAGE of planes has forced the Canadian military to cut an anti-terrorism air surveillance mission down from six months to just two. Two Aurora maritime patrol aircraft and their crew of 65 will pull out of Operation Sirius, the air force's contribution to the war on terrorism, by Christmas -- they deployed only last month.
Lt.-Col. Yvan Boilard, commander of the Canadian contingent stationed in Sigonella, Italy, said the planes' age and the need for upgrades have limited Canada's ability to answer NATO's calls for air surveillance.
That as well as stories Of Canadian troops having to use hand grenades that are inferior but must be bought from a Quebec company as well as the litany other articles out there on the status of Canadian defense forces is a huge concern.
The other issue of importance is the anti-americanism thats becoming it appears more mainstream everyday. The anti Bush forces have a great schedule of events planned for Bush when he arrives. In fact go to one of the leading oraganizers web site to see just part of the events planned. I suspect America media will cover this greatly. But take heart a group of pro Bush Canadians are preparing a counter demostration. Sounds like fun. This is organized by what appears to be a Caandian version of the US'S Free Republic(Freepers). Their site Free Dominion is excellent and will be in my web links soon. For a nice article on all the antics that will take place go here.
The real interesting question is how does the average Canadian feel about us in the United States. Here is a great article by the Washington Post about an American in the the land up north. Notice specially if you acess the full article it seems he is not some far right winger. Here is the link.(It might require registration but is worth it). here are some excerpts:

... after nearly four years as an American in the Great White North, I've learned it's not all beer and doughnuts. If you're thinking about coming to Canada, let me give you some advice: Don't.
The anti-Americanism I experience generally takes this form: Canadians bring up "the States" or "Americans" to make comparisons or evaluations that mix a kind of smug contempt with a wariness that alternates between the paranoid and the absurd.
in the wake of 9/11, after the initial shock wore off, it was common to hear some Canadians voice the opinion that Americans had finally gotten what they deserved. The attacks were just deserts for years of interventionist U.S. foreign policy, the increasing inequality between the world's poorest nations and the wealthiest one on earth, and a generalized arrogance. I heard similar views expressed after Nov. 2, when Americans were perceived to have revealed their true selves and thus to "deserve" a second Bush term.
Canadians often use three metaphors to portray their relationship with the United States. They describe Canada as "sleeping with an elephant." Even when the elephant is at rest, they worry that it may suddenly roll over and crush them. They refer to the U.S.-Canadian border as "the longest one-way mirror in the world" -- Canadians peer closely at Americans, trying to make sense of their every move, while the United States sees only its own reflection. Finally, they liken Canada to a gawky teenage girl with a hopeless crush on the handsome and popular boy next door. You know, the one who doesn't even know she exists.
The self-image conveyed in these metaphors is timid and accommodating. Perhaps this is how Canadians see themselves (or would like to be seen), but my experience is that they are extremely aggressive (if somewhat passively so) when it comes to demonstrating their deep ambivalence toward Americans. Take the popular TV show "Talking to Americans," which simultaneously showcases Americans' ignorance about Canada and mocks Canadians' unhealthy preoccupation with what Americans really think of them. Of course, there's often something of the stalker in that gawky teenage girl, isn't there?
Part of what's irksome about Canadian anti-Americanism and the obsession with the United States is that it seems so corrosive to Canada. Any country that defines itself through a negative ("Canada: We're not the United States") is doomed to an endless and repetitive cycle of hand-wringing and angst. For example, Canadians often point to their system of universal health care as the best example of what it means to be Canadian (because the United States doesn't provide it), but this means that any effort to adjust or reform that system (which is not perfect) precipitates a national identity crisis: To wit, instituting co-payments or private MRI clinics will make Canada too much like the United States.
The rush to make comparisons sometimes prevents meaningful examination of the very real problems that Canada faces. (For me, it has become the punch line of a private joke that whenever anything bad happens here, the first response is a chagrined cry of "But we're Canadian!" -- the "not American" can be inferred.) As a Canadian social advocate once told me, when her compatriots look at their own societal problems, they are often satisfied once they can reassure themselves that they're better off than the United States. As long as there's still more homelessness, racism and income inequality to the south, Canadians can continue to rest easy in their moral superiority.
Many Canadians have American relatives or travel frequently to the United States, but a large number are pretty naive about their neighbors to the south. A university student confidently told me that there had been "no dissent" in the United States during the run-up to the Iraq war. Toronto boosters argue that American cities lack the ethnic diversity found in Canada's largest metropolis. The author of a popular book on the differences between the Canadian and American characters (a topic of undying interest here) promotes the view that Americans are all authority-loving conformists.
Ultimately, Canadian anti-Americanism says more about Canada than it does about the United States. Because some 80 to 90 percent of this country's trade is with the United States, the reality is that Canadians need Americans to sustain their economy and thus the quality of life they value. Such dependence breeds resentment. In "officially multicultural Canada," hostility toward Americans is the last socially acceptable expression of bigotry and xenophobia. It would be impossible to say the things about any other nationality that Canadians routinely say -- both publicly and privately -- about Americans. On a human level, it can be rude and hurtful. (As it was on the afternoon of Sept. 11, 2001, when an acquaintance angrily told me that she would now have to curtail her travel plans because she was afraid she might be mistaken for an American.) And there's no way to argue against it. An American who attempts to correct a misconception or express even the mildest approval for the policies of U.S. institutions is likely to be dismissed as thin-skinned or offensive, and as demonstrating those scary nationalistic tendencies that threaten the world.

So the question becomes how much of this anti americanism is the result of geography and the way history ran it course.. Two bloggers though from Canadia got my attention today. Both post show to me that perhaps the Canadian media might be over doing anti americanism sentiment. After reviewing the Canadian blogs I have noticed a great many conservative US symphatic blogs. Rite Turn Only Blog had this to say regarding the anti Bush anti US demostrations.
OTTAWA -- A coalition of anti-war protesters, left-wing lawyers and anti-capitalists refused repeatedly yesterday to condemn those who might resort to violence during the "loud" demonstrations planned for the visit next week of U.S. President George W. Bush.My, isn't that nice? The drool is already seeping from their little mealy-mouths as they anticipate the arrival of The Evil One. The veins in their little pea-brains are about to explode as they lay in wait hoping to ambush the Disciple of Death. Actually we kind of feel sorry for them in a strange way. How pathetic and boring the lives they live must be. How sad it is that we have citizens in this country who feel so inferior and insecure they not only must they gather enmasse but must threaten violence to force others to hear their meaningless and unimportant opinions. Therapy does wonders you know - should try it sometime.But there's another point we want to address. We've read many stories about how the frothing-at-the-mouth liberals can't wait for Bush to get here. They continually refer to the illegal war as one of the major reasons they feel that way. Let us play their game. By the same standards, wasn't Clinton's continued bombing of Iraq illegal? Wasn't Clinton's war in the Balkans illegal? Wasn't Canada's bombing of the Balkan's illegal? Where were the protestors? We suppose it's only illegal if the right is doing it. But so much for liberal logic.As a sidebar, by whose standards are we defining illegal anyway? The UN? Who gives a flying fuck what the UN thinks? The left of course! Big government for everyone!! The BIGGER the better!! We're too stupid and too lazy to look after ourselves, besides it's not our responsibility - that's what we have BIG government for! Yah for BIG government!

Also are Canadians that much different on the whole from us as to the issues of "values". I ran across an interesting comment from the Western Standard blog. He comments on an interview that he had with the CBC. He states:
My main point was that English Canada and the United States is not as different as the media story line has it, that Canadians have not recently had the opportunity to discuss moral and cultural issues (although the topic is brought up during elections, the issue is never truly explored) and that the primary difference is that Americans are not affraid to debate these issues while Canadians never discuss them. We'll see if that comes through in the sound bites the show's producers choose.
Thats an interesting point. However he failed to expand on the nuts and bolts of why this is so. Is it something particular about Canadian politics. (perhaps some Canadian bloggers can expand on this.} Anyway more tomorrow.

FORE- I Am Sure This Has Bin Laden TEE ed OFF

2004-11-29T01:36:00.000-06:00

Its great to have a good news story early in the morning . Remember afghanistan, where we still have troops doing tremendous work to bring Democracy. Well, you know its going well when you can say the words Afghan Open. It appears that Kabul has its Golf course reopened, has a resident golf pro, and has had their first tournamnet. Democracy is spreading. For an excellent article on the the first afghan open go here. Npr also has a audio file story thats great too about the golf club. Maybe one of our exclusives clubs can hold a charity event to get them some grass Tip to Rantburg for point me to this.
QARGHA, Afghanistan, Nov 26 (Reuters) - At a resort that became a battlefield, Afghans teed off on Friday in their country's first open golf tournament in more than 30 years.
As is still the way in Afghanistan, the first shot of the day at the Kabul Golf Club went to the local militia commander, applauded by his men with shouldered Kalashnikovs.
But organisers say they hope their tournament, contested by 40 local caddies in a picturesque valley just outside the capital, will help bring a new era in which the only risks are from golf balls, not bullets, flying down the fairways.
The club describes itself as the best and only course in Afghanistan and promises "golf with an attitude". Hazards are unorthodox, from the bombed out club house below the dramatic first tee on a ledge high up the valley, to the odd spent shell or scurrying lizard. Club pro Mohammad Nazir Popal insists there is no danger, even though the nine-hole course became a battlefield in the 1990s when rival Mujahideen factions fought amongst themselves over overthrowing a Soviet-backed regime. The club was forced to close because of the fighting and then when the Taliban swept to power all hope of playing golf, which the hardline Islamic regime associated with wealthy Western diplomats, was lost.
It reopened this year, but only after it was thoroughly checked for mines and other unexploded ordnance. Popal, 50, said the aim of the Afghan Open, was to select players who could eventually go on to represent Afghanistan in international tournaments.

A Look At Iraq Nov 28 2004

2004-11-28T21:43:00.000-06:00

A LAST LOOK at the Battle of Fallujah
2Slick'Forum in his Nov 27 posting has provided a wonderful letter from a West Point Grad just fresh from the battle of Fallujah. This e-mail from this officer is a good reminder of the heroics of our soldiers as well as the very real threat that was eliminated in Fallujah. The e-mail is quite good in giving an overall view of what was going on in Fallujah on a day by day basis. Also it has some tidbits that haven't been reported widely.
"In that first day of fighting, the Marines took 5 x KIA and many more wounded, but they also did their job very well. Along the way, they found HUGE caches of weapons, suicide vests, and many foreign fighters. They also found unbelievable amounts of drugs, mostly heroin, speed, and cocaine. It turns out, the enemy drugged themselves up to give them the "courage" and stupidity to stay and fight."

BBC Footage- For the best and compelling TV piece with a embed reporter go here and click on the right side of the page the video link entitled Inside Fallujah Paul Wood's Account of the Assault .The embed was excellent and show the honor of our men and what they were up against. I don't say these often but good job BBC (Tip of the hat to rantburg.com

ELECTIONS
One of the reasons the Battle for Fallujah was the nescessity of having the area participate in the elections. DaggerJag Blog has an interesting viewpoint on the election in Iraq up close and personal in his November 26th post.. This blogger is a military lawyer helping the Iraqis prepare for the elections. Dagger states that on Jan 30 the process of how an individual votes and the process that it is counted by will have similiarties to the U.S. elections but there are significant differences. Because of time constraints the election will have some inherent problems that are not easy to remedy, he states: "...the UN and the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) decided to make all of Iraq a single electoral district. This means that, unlike ach state is guaranteed representation in Congress based on population, there is no guarantee that each of the Iraqi provinces will have representation. The ballot is the same in Basra (far south) as it is in Mosul (far north) and the Iraqis will have a choice of at least 156 political "entities." How will the winner of elections be determined then. Dagger gives this example: "the number of seats each party gets is based on a "threshhold" number of votes. If, for instance, all of the estimated 15 million eligible voters cast ballots, then the threshhold number is 54,454 votes (15 million dividied by the 275 seats in the National Assembly). If a party garners that many votes then the first candidate on their list wins a seat in the National Assembly. Confusing...I know. Dagger informs in this post that the equitablity of this system is a problem but this is a result of Iraq not having a valid census for the different regions and thus possible electoral districts for the assembly. But as Dagger say the purpose of this Assembly is to draft a new Constitution which will be voted on by referendum in the fall of 2005 ,and that this assembly will only seat for one year. Then the new assembly will be voted in under the new procedures. Will the elections go off in time . Dagger states: " I've seen a lot of statements and rumors that the elections will have to be delayed but from the ground level it seems to me like there's still a good chance that they will go off on time. It's likely going to be a messy affair but so long as they are viewed as legitimate elections and all of the disparate factions and sects participate then I really think they will be a success and will be seen as the first stepping stone to a legitimate Iraqi democracy. Only time will tell."
An Iraqi and also a budding politician has some interesting observations in his November 28 posting at Iraq The Model regarding the Iraqi elections and some of the motives of some political parties to delay the election, Be sure to read his whole post, because he makes some interesting observation of the French Diplomatic corp and what may be drawn from that. He states " Some of these parties cannot think beyond their partisan interests and it seems they want things to calm down in the so-called Sunni triangle so that more Sunnis participate in the elections. This seems like a reasonable demand, but the problem is that they do not seek that as much as they seek to strengthen their own individual and partisan positions. I know it's just an assumption and I should not accuse them without a solid proof, but I know these people and they're not too stupid to notice that the terrorists dream is to delay the elections as much as possible if they can't prevent it. f Check the whole article out its a good read.

IRAQI HERO"S
Often the press never seems to have havee the chance to talk about the peple of Iraq that are hero's and fighting for their country. Wonder why that is? I guess the Peterson trial, theendless debate on the basketball fight, and the Michael Jackson case are too time consuming. Well the San Francisco Chronicle has run a story about one today to their credit Meet Sister Beninia Hermes Shoukwana. She heads up a Catholic School and has been leading that school before the days of Saddam. Her courage resisting the forces of oppresion under saddam to the terrorist of today is inspiring. She not leaving either and she is encouraging Christians to stay as well. The excellent article states in part(hit excerpt fo link to full article) Sixteen of her charges, mostly Christians, recently left the country. Every day desperate parents visit her office, telling her they are frightened and are thinking of abandoning Iraq. She urges them to stay. "I try to explain to them that wherever they go, they'll always be immigrants," she says. "Iraq is like our house. It's our duty to try to clean up our house." Also of interest is 2 bloggers ,one Christian, the other Muslim, both attended thiss school and know her. Go to Live from Dallas blog and look at this posting. Bagdad Dweller has another great perspective of her interactions with her at this posting.

Geaux Irish Beat USC

2004-11-27T13:34:00.000-06:00

Usually I post about current event news, and poiltics on this blog. However we have more urgent matters to talk about today. That is the importance of Notre Dame putting the most media hyped whining football team in there place. For the past year all LSU fans have heard is how great USC is and that they are the National champions. But more on that later. I urge all LSU fans and fans from other programs to pray and root for the fighting Irish. Why? Besides that beating USC would be nothing beyond orgasmic, it would certaintly show to the media types that there are a ton of programs out here that deserve recognition and shouldn't have to wait for a team that didn't even make it to the national championship last year to dictate where we all stand. (SEE UTAH) Othere Reasons?

Touchdown Jesus
How can you root against a team that is God's favorite. Message to Catholics out there who are if you are like me and probally betting that you might have to make a pitstop in Purgatory before getting to the final flag, I surely wouldn't want to be in your shoes when the big day comes if you are find to be on the wrong side of the fence today.

Plus, for all you Conservatives out there give a little back. Bush got the the "mass going" Catholic vote last during the election. Also wouldn't you want to support a school with the ethos of the hard working Irish than the school of the hedonistic, surfer dudes,m-tv culture californa. But the main reason is this.

All we have heard is USC USC for almost a year and a half. These are the facts. USC is a media darling. In fact, the only reason they have been assured that number 1 spot so far and teams such as Auburn and Oklahoma and Utah have to scrape and beg just to get to the big game don't get a look is because of a little guilt from the establishment over last year. Message to USC. YOu are not Co-National Champions. The Championship game was at the Suger Bowl last year and I didnt see you there. For all the bitchin about BCS computers, somehow the fact that coaches and sportwriters who don't hardly look at what is going on outside their conference determination of number 1 status doesnt hold much weight to me. So offer a little prayer today USC haters. I know what my intention at mass will be this afternoon.

OUR LADY OF NOTRE DAME PRAY FOR US
As you walk toward the Grotto, you hear the Fight Song begin play.... it get's louder ...then louder ...then even LOUDER! ...until your blood begins to boils and you feel your body tense with excitement!! It's game day and you're ready to help the IRISH the best way you know of. As you reach the foot of the Grotto, you are a bathed in hundreds of little lights. You focus on the soft lights lit all around and feel a sudden unity and tranquility. It's time to let a higher authority know about your pride...

Can't go to church today and offer up prayers for the fighting Irish to pull it out. Can't go to to the grotto and offer up a prayer for the fighting Irish. Then go to Mesto's Cyber gotto and lite a cyber candle and send out a prayer for them. I believe!!Any way Geaux Irish.

NOTE- To all Catholics that go to USC and feel for whatever reason you must root for your school. I am reminded from a line that repeated in Clint Eastwoods movie "Two Mules For Sister Sarah" In dire situations "the Church grants certain dispensations" For everyone else yall aint off the hook

UPDATE- Well it looks like the forces of darkness have prevailed. I am sure its just God testing us in some way. As they say the Lord's ways are mysterious. Perhaps it is make the suprise win by next week UCLA even more of a blessing. All i have to say is geaux UCLA

LSU ROAST RAZORBACKS 43 to 18

2004-11-26T20:12:00.000-06:00

Looks like LSU is Orlando Bowl Bound

LSU v arkansas(GEAUX TIGERS) Kickoff 2 pm Central

2004-11-26T13:50:00.000-06:00

Mike V eating a little Arkansas pork here.

LSU defending Da Boot(Geaux Tigers).

Our favorite fans The GoldenGirls

Well the Tigers are out to kick a little more a** today. This week playing cousin marrying Ark Razorbacks. Geaux Tigers

There will a special football posting for all Notre Dame fans and USC Haters tonight.
To our LSU Fan,blogger ,Patriot and fellow lawyer at Klotzy's Contemplation Corner , I hope you will be able to find a place to watch the game in Bagdad, I have one for you. Stay safe. Fellow bloggers why don't you go to his site thanks him for his service.

Save the UK Put Prince Harry In Charge (Reasons why you should be concerned about the UK and other tidbits)

2004-11-26T01:51:00.000-06:00

No, I am not going to blog on the Prince Harry alleged kidnapping, while drunk in a bar in Argentina incident. Its just a funny photo and is all the rage with the talk shows over there today. But with some of the laws being proposed in the UK, I wonder if Prince Harry might not be a better choice. At least he couldn't cause any more potential damage. Note to my fair skinned UK'ers don't get a DWI here the flushed cheeks give it away. Anyway I think one reason I concentrate on UK subjects at certain hours is because I listen to a talk radio station out of London called LBC during the nighttime hours(I am a classic insomniac) while I am surfing the web. I would recommend it because its available on the net and the announcers and callers are great. There is only so much art bell I can take. Also if you want to see how the State Dept, or/and the Voice of America is falling down on the job as to representing our views just listen to the their callers for a week. It can get pretty disheartning especially since if we lose the UK we are really in deep you know what in Europe. So here is some interesting tidbits of things of interest to Americans
A cheer for journalist Janan Ganesh in this article Let's Here It For The Marines that appeared in the Nov 24 edtion of the London Times. A great read and a tip of the hat to UK blogger Attempting Escape for pointing it out for me. SHe states in part: Jack Nicholson’s “you can’t handle the truth” routine in A Few Good Men has become an iconic monologue of modern cinema, but the point he was making is rarely grasped. The injustice Nicholson laments is not that we expect a noble minority to pay the blood price for our security — it was ever thus — but that we demand the right to tell them how to do it. Shackled by laws, norms and protocol concocted by legalists, the US Armed Forces — who have done more for freedom of the press than all the world’s journalists combined — are put in an impossible position. It is nauseating enough that they are now casually disparaged as “hicks” and “rednecks” by do-nothing civilians, without the supposedly objective media joining in. Way to go Janan we need all the help we can get in the UK papers and I am sure our Marines appreciate it.
The other note of interest is a sentiment that small "c" conservatives in the UK are starting to feel about the upcoming elections. The blogger of The England Project remarks in this blog posting that: Neil, over at German for Beginners has a three parter up on England, his country and why he is no longer a supporter of New Labour.I can't help feeling that many of us are rapidly running out of people to vote for. Who's to blame, do you think? What he is referencing is that the government is increasing their interference in peoples lives every day. Go to the above link on the German for Beginners blog. Currently that blogger is living in Germany and doesn't like what he sees happening in the the mother country. He states in part: I don't like being told what I can and can't do to myself, my property and to those who give me their permission without duress.3. Common law, the English Bill of Rights, Milton, Locke, Sydney, classical liberalism. I believe the people are the country and society, whereas the state is a distinct construct, the agent - not the master. He later states in his excellent post that I'm the son of a family that has lived in the same village since the Domesday book, went to a normal school, had parents who earned below average wage, who is seeing the fabric of his part of England ripped up by a spiteful metropolitan elite. And no, I'm not sure exactly what action to take, but I do know that I'm not the only person that thinks like this. It seems we might have a little replay of blue state/ red state thing over there. The problem is that the conservatives with a small "c" are as The England Project blog has stated are running out of choices. Will they go on to the Tory/Conservative party. People should really pay attention to what the Labor party is proposing over there. As one American Blogger, A NAtion of Riflemen said : Britain is like the proverbial canary in the mineshaft of government, if you will. In other words, whats happening there is going to to be proposed here by the Dean faction of the Dem. party. Go to this article/opinion piece in the Telegraph to see whats being proposed in the UK. The Highlights are The Civil Contingencies Bill where the Govt can be able to repeal or suspend any Act, apart from the Human Rights Act, The Civil Partnership Bill where the Govt grants rights, similar to those enjoyed by married couples, to cohabiting homosexuals, anAnti-Social Behaviour Bill. that will gives additional powers to "community support officers" - those people who dress like policemen, but aren't - to confiscate alcohol and probally issue fines, a housing bill that charges more fees to sell a house. When coupled with proposed laws against advertising "unhealthy foods" till after children go to bed, anti smoking laws, making possession of drugs in the blood stream a crime, making more people to be compelled to take drug test for minor offenses, and national id cards it appears the Nanny State or what was called back in the days of Clinton "The Third Way" looks alot like the "Old Way" of the seventies.
So can small "c" conservatives go to the traditionally conservative Conservative party. I noticed something last week in a telling comment in the Conservative's Partys response To the Queen's Speech it said in response and contrast to Labor''s view of Gov stated they wanted to cut back waste and bureaucracy in government, and ensure that taxpayers get better value for money while setting Britain on a path to lower taxes. Can you imagine A Republican saying "setting the US on a path to lower taxes" Hell no! Every politician knows that if there is money left it gets spent. You reduce taxes not only to help the economy but to force the Govt sometimes to reduce its level of ever expanding programs. You of course go ahead and cut taxes. One major problem is that to my eye it appears that the Tories are sort of "labor Lite" One area you can see this is on the subject of the UK and further intergration into the EU. Basically among the conservative bloggers in the UK I sense a real level of frustration on the part of the Tories to confront this issue. Also there appears to be a rethinking of how far the average Britian wishes to become part of Brussel's neverending web of regulation. Several polls have shown some uneasiness amony the masses as it were. It appears though the Tories haven't got the hint. When confronted with members of the conservative partythat wanted a clear answer as to what was the Tories position on the whole EU question was they responded: that "there would be no change of policy or change of emphasis" as to European question and that the Conservative party's leadership would under no circumstances talk about an withdrawal from Europe. Mr. Murry at the England Project states: ""no change of policy or emphasis is a pretty clear statement of intent by the Tories and they will have little chance of winning back my support with that kind of attitude." Republicans in the US won the last election by firing up the base to get out and vote. It doesn't sound like to me that the base is too fired up over there.
As I stated earlier one reason to be concerned about what happens in the UK is that you can bet this alot of this nonsense will be introduced over here. An excellent site that should be on your everyday blog list is Nanny Knows Best. Insightful and humerous its a great read. His stories often lead you to regulations and laws that are being proposed that are often under the radar of the major UK papers. As the U.S. blogger A nation of Riflemen states here :"Frankly, I couldn't be bothered to keep up with NuLabor's bullshit all the time, because of the frequency of the RCOB moments when reading the British Press.But help is on the way, in the form of Ken Frost's excellent Nanny Knows Best website, which should be a frequent read for everyone.Sadly, many of the atrocities he describes are already taking place in the U.S. -- but I think that we have a better chance of dismantling them than the Brits do.As an early warning system, therefore, NKB is an invaluable asset, and will go into the "Behind Enemy Lines" (Brit Division) immediately.Remember you've been warned.

UPDATE I
Wow, well the benefit of having to retype this post after blogger said "Internal error 500" when I tried to publish it originally is that you can get good update pretty quick. Non-Trivial Solutions blog, another UK blogger has alot to say on what the Tories should do. This excerpt will take you to the entire post.
It strikes me that there is a serious point to be made on the subject of the Tories handling of the ID card issue. As a bit of background, the Tories are sitting on the fence with their heads in the sand (I love a mixed metaphor) hoping that the issue will go away. It won't. If the Tories come out in favour of ID cards, they will pass easily, and a little more ideology dies (ideologies are like fairies - if you say you don't believe enough times, they die...). If they come out against ID cards, Labour will pin them to the wall in the media, figuratively speaking...
The Conservatives should come out strongly against ID cards, purely on a matter of principle. Talk about being proud of Britain, being proud of freedom and democracy. Talk about every British citizens' right to wander freely without fear of having to identify his or herself to another soul, let alone the state. ...
Parody them. Teenage pregnancies? ID cards will fix that. Terrorism? ID cards. Anti-social behaviour? ID cards. Passive smoking? Hmmm, ID cards? MRSA? Slap the bugs with ID cards. Police bureaucracy? Give them an ID card check form to fill in. Talk about Blunkett's destruction of civil liberties - trial by jury, double jeopardy, trials without evidence, holding people without trial, etc.....

and here is my favorite from our young uk blogger

Do not assume the media battle is lost. I sense that the people at CCO have no faith in their ability to control the media message. Don't wanna take on the New Labour media machine? Get out, you're fired. We want a big dog in this fight, not a bitch.

Now thats the spirit that could get the Conservatives elected!

UPDATE II

The last update as to this post but found something I couldn't resist. Tip of the hat to the Guy Fawkes Blog on this. Lady Thatcher appears at Parliment today. Boris Johnson a conservative mp blogs on it today. As a side note it appeared that Mr JOhnson was one of The Tories shining lights. But a few weeks ago he got sacked over a "sex scandal". In the UK the sex scandals come quickly and seem to be lethal. Just the week before some Scottish politician was involved I think in some sort of 'Orgy" scandal If I remember right. Anyway, I know many were concerned in the U.S. when Lady Thatcher came to Reagans Funeral and the press raised issues as to her health. It appears she is doing fine click here for the account

A URGENT CALL TO ALL MY MALE READERSHIP AND ANY OTHER RED BLOODED MALE THAT CAME HERE THROUGH BLOGEXPLOSION

2004-11-25T17:22:00.000-06:00

All men please go to this LINK and please leave a nice comment and ask her to post more photo's and stories about her life. If you happen upon her site through blogexplosion be sure to rate her a ten. I give this blog the best template award ever. I think I am in Love. So men do your part for foreign relations and encourage our neighbor across the sea.

URGENT UPDATE- Boy is my face red. The woman that I said "I was Love With" is not the woman on the the template. In fact its the model actress Monica Belucci who portrayed Saint Mary Magdalan in The Passion of Christ. Let me tell she looked quite different in the movie. Quite a difference btween 1'st century fashions and fishnet hose. Anyway I still like our mysterious blogger since she says the pic matches her personality(which makes her all the more intriguing). Anyway go by and say hi.

Giving Thanks And Remembering Our Military And Their Families Who Have Made The Supreme Sacrifice So That The World May Be Free

2004-11-25T15:14:00.000-06:00

DoD News BriefingSecretary Of Defense Donald Rumsfeld; and General Richard Myers, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 2:30 p.m. EST
SEC. RUMSFELD: As our country prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving, we will take time to remember the truly outstanding men and women in uniform who continue to bring the hope of freedom to millions around the world. We thank them. We thank their families and their loved ones. And we will particularly remember the families and loved ones of those who have given their lives in service to our country and those in hospitals, whether in Germany or here in the Washington area or elsewhere around our country, who are recovering from their wounds. They will all be in our thoughts and prayers.
GEN. MYERS: Let me just add on to what the secretary just said. I want to express the condolences of all the joint chiefs of staff to those who have been killed or wounded, to their families, their loved ones, their friends, over this entire global war on terrorism. As the secretary said, they're doing what they do so we can live in this country, our friends and allies can live in peace and freedom. So we owe them a real debt of gratitude, and we will remember them, especially as this holiday season progresses.

Tip of the hat to cryptome.org for the pictures that are in the following post. They do provide quite a service for us in remembering our fallen soldiers and their families. The photos are very compelling. Click on this link and look at the 5 categories of pictures entitled Eyeballing the Iraq kill zone. Of note is a conservation I had with a friend that has now received training for Military funerals in the Lousiana National Guard. Many of us watched the funeral of Pres. Ronald Reagan, however many people do not realize that every military veteran is allowed almost the exact same honors.

Our Heros and Their Families

2004-11-25T15:12:00.000-06:00

Cindy Miles weeps at the casket of her son, Army PFC Timmy Brown, Jr. of Conway, Penn. as she is comforted by Maj. Steven Chung, Deputy Provost Marshall for the 99th Regional Readiness Command, after Timmy's funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Friday, Aug. 22, 2003. Timmy, assigned to D Company, 510th Military Intelligence Batallion at Fort Bragg, N.C., was killed by an explosive device August 12th in Taji, Iraq. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Charlene Stroud, center, is comforted by Brig. Gen. Mastin Robeson, right, after he presented her the American flag from the casket of her son, Lance Cpl. Brian E. Anderson after funeral services Tuesday, April 15, 2003, in Durham, N.C. Anderson was killed in Iraq on April 2. At left is Stroud's husband James.(AP Phfoto/Bob Jordan)

Buddhist Monks escort a Marine honor guard carrying the casket of Marine Cpl. Kemaphoom Chanawongse, of Waterford, Conn., during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Monday, April 28, 2003. Chanawongse was killed on March 23 during operations on the outskirts of Nasiriyah, Iraq. For the first time in memory, a Buddhist monk is presiding over an Arlington National Cemetery burial ceremony. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

An unidentified relative offers prayer at the funeral pyre of U.S. Army Sgt. Uday Singh in Chandigarh, India, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003. Singh was the first Indian killed in the Iraq conflict on Dec. 1, when his convoy was ambushed in Habbaniyah, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Baghdad. Also seen in background are U.S. Army Sgt. Richard Allan, top left, and Sgt. Jeffrey Smith, top center. (AP Photo/Gurinder Osan)

Excellent Powerpoint Prresentation on the Success of the Fallujah Operation

2004-11-25T11:55:00.000-06:00

I can't reccomend this link enough. Lots of great stats, photos, and maps about the the truth about what was happening in Fallujah. Its a powerpoint presentation and takes a minute to load but highly worth it. Anyone who says after viewing this presentation that the Fallujah operation wasn't a success is living on another planet.

Cool Pic of The Night

2004-11-24T23:34:00.000-06:00

Just saw this photo on a blog and thought it was so way cool dude.(My fever must be getting worse). Anywho this picture is of what the Earth looks like during a solar eclipse. This was taken from the MIR in 1999. The black area of course is the result of the moon going in front of the sun. Now if you want to see a real cool optical illusion go here(This is not an animated gif but a true illusion). Tip of the hat to miss information blog.

UK Sun Reporting That Blair will call Election For May 5

2004-11-24T22:29:00.000-06:00

The Sun Paper inthe UK is reporting that Tony Blair will call the Election for May 5, 2005 . To go to a very abbreviated web version of the story go here.

AAAGH I'am Sick

2004-11-24T17:04:00.000-06:00

Posting will be more heavier than I expected the over the next two days. No its not because I don't have a life or I'am so addicted to the net that I can't do Thanksgiving. No. my luck is running its usual course and I am sick with a flu like virus. PRICELESS. No going home tonight. Too make it worse , can't go the LSU game up in Little Rock. EXCELLENT!Anyway looks like all you people that will be reading my blog over the next day will have to be my company. Welcome. By the way ignore my comments about addiction and having no life. I am sure you have an excellent life and are just hitting the web while the coffee is being prepared after your turkey dinner.

The Guardian - Fair and Balanced as Always

2004-11-23T02:46:00.000-06:00

Thanks for all the comments on my Kevin Sites defense. Everyone was quite sensible and civil. One comment I heard was the problem of inflaming anti Americanism among Arabs Its apparent that anti Americansim is very apparent in the Guardian. On the day that the Queen's Speech as well as the Ozzy Osborne heroics trying to stop a Robbery at his home( I not making that up) look what the Guardian does. How many days has it been since the incident? But the Guardian gives front page coverage to Sites letter on his blog. Then adds four pictures of the scene itself. Notice the investigation of the UK Troops(which is baseless from what I 've I have read geaux Blackwatch) is way down at the bottom. Priceless

BayouRanter's Exclusive Shocking Details Of the Queen's Speech Today-Bayouranter Exclusive

2004-11-22T22:08:00.000-06:00

Bayouranter has learned from exclusive sources from Westminster that the Queen will deliver shocking comments and directives in her Queen's Speech today. For all of you people in the Colonies who are ignorant of such things the Queen's Speech is where the Queen in all pomp and circumstance outlines the programs the Government(In this case the Labor Govt) plans to introduce in Parliament. But tradition is about to put on its head. According to sources the queen will say the following:
1. That all this business of the government creating this nanny state in her kingdom and intruding into peoples lives is so 70's. Therefore by Royal Fiat Parliament is dissolved until the political partys can come to their senses.
2. The queen doesn't understand how creating another level in Govt can solve anything regarding point one so all intergration into the EU is halted. Plus the Queen can't quite understand how some secular pencil pusher in Brussels can have more power than her.
3. The Queen will heap praise on the Colonies and Australia for their elections and that their leaders understand that socialism doesnt work and that terrorism isn't all caused by Israel and by not enough heaping money to Arab dictators to bribe them into not attacking us.
4. However she will state that Canada is a bloody mess and that she hates to get involved but must appoint Brian Mulrony Prime Minister again since he was the last one that had any sense up there.
5. Also the Queen of England in her role as Head of the Church of England will inform the church leaders as much as she hates to do it serious reforms will have,to be made. In her words, "who is going to spend a hour at services and listen to a bunch of leftist loons that can't even keep a church one fourth filled." Therefore rectifying a horrible mistake the Church of England will Reconcille with the Church of Rome andthe Pope, God bless him, will recognize her right to rule.
6. Finally for all those that thinks the Queens speech is a bunch of "Bollocks" she will remind them that under common law all the land in the UK belongs to the Soverign and the rent is due at the end of the month.

Oh well we can dream can't well? Today(Tuesday) is the Queen's Speech. Again this is where Tony Blair's government will outline their programs. For more on the Queen's speech and its history go here. So what can we expect? It seems National Id cards. Not doesn't sound promising. The BBC reports that The biometric cards would be introduced in 2008 as part of efforts against terrorism, illegal working, misuse of public services and illegal immigration. A decision on making them compulsory is not expected to be made until 2014 but Mr Blunkett says he is now thinking it could come sooner - perhaps between 2010 and 2012. Civil liberties groups fear the scheme will enable officials to compile too much information about people and inflame race relations.
Let me tell you that would never happen here. One thing us loony red staters know is our book of revelations and that's the sign of the beast. Anywho what else can we expect, Rules for the EU constitution vote and new laws on charities are also likely to be among more than 20 law plans. For an overview go to this bbc page and more detailed analysis plus the text of the actual Queen Speech will be in a later posting. I think its x-files time so I be back soon.

UPDATE I TEXT OF QUEEN"S SPEECH HERE

UPDATE II OPPOSITION PARTIES SLAM SPEECH CLICK HERE AND HERE

Urgent Warning For All BlogExplosion Addicts

2004-11-22T21:25:00.000-06:00

Linux News: News: Staring at Computers May Cause Glaucoma
If you are addicted to Blogexplosion like I am, you Definately don't want to click here. Especially if your like me who thinks he is coming down with some disease every other month. But if you do click there be sure to click here for the reasons why The Apologist blog gives us some reassurance why these so called docters might be bluffing about this.

My Defense of Kevin Sites

2004-11-22T13:58:00.000-06:00

I have wanted to blog on this issue of the journalist who reported on the Marine shooting incident for some time. However, I wanted Kevin Sites to have a chance to defend himself. He has now done that in an open letter to the troops he is embedded in. The letter can be found on his web site www.kevinsites.net. First, let me say my defense of Mr Sites is not an defense of how the MSM, or NBC News, or Chris Matthews, or any one else who made the decisions in what context to put this story or how they reported it ,or for that matter the merits of the embed system. Kevin Sites has come under alot of criticism from alot of us conservatives types as to his bias, motivation, ego, morals, and patriotism. If you want to see an example of this just go to www.freerepublic.com and put his name in the search engine and look at the freepers reaction. In full disclosure, I am a "freeper too". In some ways the "freepers" reactions are understandable because, they like myself are concerned about the Marine in question as well how the MSN has reported on this. However, I am some what emphatic to Kevin Sites's situation.
First, what are Mr. Sites qualifications. Fom his bio on his web site, to which I have no reason to doubt it states:He has worked in local, cable and network news, including ABC's This Week with David Brinkley and NBC's Nightly News with Tom Brokaw. Additionally, he has published numerous articles in newspapers and magazines and was the author of a monthly media column for the New Times alternative weekly. Sites has a Master's Degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Also from those who remember he gave excellent reports from the frontlines in afghanistan. His bio goes on:Sites also spent nearly six months on the front lines in Afghanistan for NBC and MSNBC News, covering the Northern and Eastern Alliance forces prior to and after the fall of the Taliban. He shot some of the earliest video of ground combat there, including the first American casualty--a journalist wounded during a Taliban mortar attack. Its also most important to remember he has been on the front lines of the Iraq conflict since it started. What is most important is this little tidbit here.Most recently, as a non-embedded correspondent for CNN, Sites provided viewers with independent reports from the frontlines of Northern Iraq. Traveling with Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sites broadcasted live as coalition air strikes hit Iraqi positions in Chamchamal and Kirkuk. Sites's reporting was cut short, however, when Iraqi Fedayeen militia outside of Tikrit captured him and his team. They were stripped of all their equipment and threatened with death until their Kurdish translator negotiated their release after four hours in captivity. For an article on that event go here The most compelling quote from that article is this:
"There were times we truly thought we were going to die," Sites said on CNN hours after his ordeal. "... But it was a roller coaster ride. There were times when they really said they were going to kill us and then the times they said they were going to set us free. It kept on going back and forth for about four hours.
"And that was the most frightening aspect of it -- the uncertainty of the whole thing."

What should be apparent for of us out here in the blogsphere that criticize these doom and gloom journalist who don't go outside their hotels in Bagdad is perhaps we should give the benifit of the doubt to someone who seems to really like soldiers, by looking at his site, and despite his past harrowing experiences got back into the game and went on one of the most dangerous battles of the war in Fallujah to boot. Here Are some excerpts from his open letter:

Since the shooting in the Mosque, I've been haunted that I have not been able to tell you directly what I saw or explain the process by which the world came to see it as well. As you know, I'm not some war zone tourist with a camera who doesn't understand that ugly things happen in combat. I've spent most of the last five years covering global conflict. But I have never in my career been a 'gotcha' reporter -- hoping for people to commit wrongdoings so I can catch them at it. This week I've even been shocked to see myself painted as some kind of anti-war activist. Anyone who has seen my reporting on television or has read the dispatches on this website is fully aware of the lengths I've gone to play it straight down the middle -- not to become a tool of propaganda for the left or the right.
It's time you to have the facts from me, in my own words, about what I saw -- without imposing on that Marine -- guilt or innocence or anything in between. I want you to read my account and make up your own minds about whether you think what I did was right or wrong. All the other armchair analysts don't mean a damn to me. ...
I hear him say this about one of the men: "He's fucking faking he's dead -- he's faking he's fucking dead."Through my viewfinder I can see him raise the muzzle of his rifle in the direction of the wounded Iraqi. There are no sudden movements, no reaching or lunging. However, the Marine could legitimately believe the man poses some kind of danger. Maybe he's going to cover him while another Marine searches for weapons. Instead, he pulls the trigger. There is a small splatter against the back wall and the man's leg slumps down. "Well he's dead now," says another Marine in the background. I am still rolling. I feel the deep pit of my stomach. The Marine then abruptly turns away and strides away, right past the fifth wounded insurgent lying next to a column. He is very much alive and peering from his blanket. He is moving, even trying to talk. But for some reason, it seems he did not pose the same apparent "danger" as the other man -- though he may have been more capable of hiding a weapon or explosive beneath his blanket. ...

During the course of these events, there was plenty of mitigating circumstances like the ones just mentioned and which I reported in my story. The Marine who fired the shot had reportedly been shot in the face himself the day before. I'm also well aware from many years as a war reporter that there have been times, especially in this conflict, when dead and wounded insurgents have been booby-trapped, even supposedly including an incident that happened just a block away from the mosque in which one Marine was killed and five others wounded. Again, a detail that was clearly stated in my television report. No one, especially someone like me who has lived in a war zone with you, would deny that a solider or Marine could legitimately err on the side of caution under those circumstances. War is about killing your enemy before he kills you.In the particular circumstance I was reporting, it bothered me that the Marine didn't seem to consider the other insurgents a threat -- the one very obviously moving under the blanket, or even the two next to me that were still breathing. I can't know what was in the mind of that Marine. He is the only one who does
did not in any way feel like I had captured some kind of "prize" video. In fact, I was heartsick. Immediately after the mosque incident, I told the unit's commanding officer what had happened. I shared the video with him, and its impact rippled all the way up the chain of command. Marine commanders immediately pledged their cooperation. We all knew it was a complicated story, and if not handled responsibly, could have the potential to further inflame the volatile region. I offered to hold the tape until they had time to look into incident and begin an investigation -- providing me with information that would fill in some of the blanks.For those who don't practice journalism as a profession, it may be difficult to understand why we must report stories like this at all -- especially if they seem to be aberrations, and not representative of the behavior or character of an organization as a whole. The answer is not an easy one. In war, as in life, there are plenty of opportunities to see the full spectrum of good and evil that people are capable of. As journalists, it is our job is to report both -- though neither may be fully representative of those people on whom we're reporting. For example, acts of selfless heroism are likely to be as unique to a group as the darker deeds. But our coverage of these unique events, combined with the larger perspective - will allow the truth of that situation, in all of its complexities, to begin to emerge. That doesn't make the decision to report events like this one any easier. It has, for me, led to an agonizing struggle -- the proverbial long, dark night of the soul.
I interviewed your Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Willy Buhl, before the battle for Falluja began. He said something very powerful at the time-something that now seems prophetic. It was this:"We're the good guys. We are Americans. We are fighting a gentleman's war here -- because we don't behead people, we don't come down to the same level of the people we're combating. That's a very difficult thing for a young 18-year-old Marine who's been trained to locate, close with and destroy the enemy with fire and close combat. That's a very difficult thing for a 42-year-old lieutenant colonel with 23 years experience in the service who was trained to do the same thing once upon a time, and who now has a thousand-plus men to lead, guide, coach, mentor -- and ensure we remain the good guys and keep the moral high ground." I listened carefully when he said those words. I believed them.So here, ultimately, is how it all plays out: when the Iraqi man in the mosque posed a threat, he was your enemy; when he was subdued he was your responsibility; when he was killed in front of my eyes and my camera -- the story of his death became my responsibility.The burdens of war, as you so well know, are unforgiving for all of us.I pray for your soon and safe return.

These are just excerpts and dont do justice to the whole story so you should go to his site. Now am I saying that the everything went down in that mosque just as Sites said it did? No. As an attorney it always amazed me that in criminal trial i could have several eyewitness to the same event and they all saw it differently. Thats just life folks. The term "war is hell" is just not a cliche but a reality. That doesn't change my opinion that we have to engage in it and especially engage in at this place at this time. If you read the papers I am often shocked how such papers as the NYT can't even get Basic military concepts or terminology right. I think Sites does perform a service to us in that regards.
Lets look at two bloggers I respect and hear what they have to say. First lets look at Rantingprofs blog. This guy is as bout as critical of the press as anyone. He gives his insight of Sites here. Here is an excerpt:It's no accident, to my mind, that it's NBC, whose crew shot the tape and was there, whose reporters have been most sympathetic to the Marine.
The bottom line is that the quality of the reporting from Fallujah was simply an order of magnitude better than what we were getting up to that point. In fact, if you were paying attention during Fallujah to which pieces were coming from the embedded journalists, and which were being put together by those who were in Baghdad as round-up pieces on the violence throughout the country, the contrasts were pretty stark. He goes on to say and be sure to follow his link before it goes into the "have to pay to view archives":Emotions are running hot, and I understand that. He's at the center of that, not only because it was his report but because he's a bit of a smirking smart ass: he's likely to set people off.
But there's just no excuse for the treatment he's getting.
One other Blogger I respect is Iraqnow. This guy performed a tremendous service in Iraq and often takes the media for task for getting its facts wrong. It also should be mentioned this blogger continued his service to a even greater degree because he was activated again twice to deal with the hurricanes in Florida. In other words he is a guy that sticks up for the fighting man Here are his comments and take on sites:My take: Sites is a reporter. Not a houseplant.You cannot shoot someone who is hors de combat in front of a rolling camera and expect a reporter not to cover it. It's what reporters do. It's their job.It's not his job to edit himself and only cover stories convenient to the military. It's not his job to whitewash anything.His first loyalty is to the truth.And the truth is the Marine shot that man.I would have aired it, too.Splash, outJason
[LINK] posted by Jason Van Steenwyk : 11:25 EST, Saturday, November 20, 2004

Finally as an attorney, I am emphatic to Sites. I often hear how can you represent someone charged with "x". My response is I am part of the system of justice and despite it flaws it works out in the end and our freedom is perserved. I am pretty proud of that no matter if I am "scum bucket" defense lawyer. Sites is apart of that system. He may be an arrogant smart ass as the above blogger has mentioned but looking at his blog and watching his reporting, his love of soldiers should not be in question in my opinion. You know to end this post on a humorous note, I remember being at a bar and watching news coverage and he was the reporter. It was like 50/50 guys/girls there. Well sites appears in his long hair, goatee and in a poncho and all the girls there are swooning. The guys reaction is, I know because it was mine also, good looking guy, has a job we only can dream about while we go about our 9 to 5 lives ,and probally gets "Laid" all the time when he tells his exploits-Yeah hate him. In other words ,and not to downgrade all people's criticism of sites to sexual envy, I think there are some critics in the blogsphere -not the majority- who have been waiting for him to get his for some time. Again go to www.newrepublic.com to see that. Anyway off to court see yall tonight.

UPDATE I- Rightwingsparkle has apost on this with alot of good links. I disagree with her final conclusion, that he did this for career advancement but good commentary and like I said some links to the opposing point of view. So far though it seems he checked with the military first so I still think he was not morally wrong here.

WH Pool Report From the President's Trip to Chile

2004-11-22T10:18:00.000-06:00

WH Pool Report: Cleoy Coy
Alright I been waiting all weekend for the liberal but sexy wonkette to post the White House Pool report from Chile. However hate to disappoint not much on the "Chile security guards/Secret Service/Bush Fracas. But all is not lost he even offers you a prize if you can answer a question correctly. We all need a grey or brown vinyl attache case don't we? So interested in Chile foodstuffs. What did the President and the World leaders eat? Mold? Anyway a pretty entertaining pool report today.

Aaron's Rantblog, aka Aaron the Liberal Slayer � Condi�s First Meeting as SecState with the Saudis� in Riyadh

2004-11-21T22:45:00.000-06:00

Aaron's Rantblog, aka Aaron the Liberal Slayer � Condi�s First Meeting as SecState with the Saudis� in Riyadh
This has be my web site of the night. Its Aaron's rantblog. The post I have linked is what Condi's first meeting with the Saudis might be like. Plus lots of good links in the post. Its a older post from Nov 15 but worth the read.

Iraq Military Bloggers Shows That Even In Iraq Christmas Shopping Starts Bfore Thanksgiving

2004-11-21T21:34:00.000-06:00

The Questing Cat
If you like Iraq and Afgan military bloggers like I do this guy is one to put on your list he is the questingcat. Besides telling some gripping stories he tells about his other observations from the great to the mundane. Here is a link to his trip to the px in Iraq. LInk above an excerpt below.
just got back from LSA Anaconda and its glorious PX. I walked in the front door and I'll be damned if there wasn't a Christmas tree sitting there! I shook my head and continued on my way, making a beeline for the CDs (my two addictions are sex and rock & roll), where I was greeted with some puny garlands. I picked up some CDs (Bat Out of Hell Live, MTV Headbangers Ball Vol. 2, and s'more), then went looking for Easy Mac. I scoured the food aisles but turned up only disappointment, so I resigned myself to a case of Code Red and got into the checkout line. Looking around, I saw lots of Chrismas posters up on the walls--"Every Gift is Magic"--more garlands, and even a few ornaments. It's not even Thanksgiving yet! At least, out here, AAFES had the decency to wait until after Halloween: back home I know the Christmas decorations hit the shelves about a week after Indepenance Day.

Telegraph | News | 'Hey, hurry up. You're holding up my men' An Embed Reporter tells of His Experiences In Fallujah

2004-11-21T00:46:00.000-06:00

Telegraph | News | 'Hey, hurry up. You're holding up my men'
Fascinating article about how it was to be an embedded with the troops in Fallujah.

2theadvocate.com: News - Third runner-up endorses Boustany for Congress 11/20/04

2004-11-21T00:26:00.000-06:00

2theadvocate.com: News - Third runner-up endorses Boustany for Congress 11/20/04
Thank God for this endorsement. We often have a problem with Republican Unity in Louisiana. I believe this race is in the bag for Republicans. Especially since the Dem that made the race is having a hard time getting the support of the other Dem State Senator Cravins. Now if we can get the same Unity in Tauzin's race there will be at the end of the year just one Dem in the House of Representatives from Louisiana.

2004-11-20T16:57:00.000-06:00

Ok Just One more Pic GEAUX LSU

2004-11-20T16:50:00.000-06:00

In response to a request and in honor of the LSU/ole miss game one more pic of the Golden Girls

Where Iraq is on November 20 2004

2004-11-20T09:10:00.000-06:00

Here we go again. This my second attempt at this post Blogger last night ate half my post. I think we need to take a step back and see where we stand in Iraq. Despite what was a very successful and hard fought campaign this week, the media still portrays a scene of doom and gloom and defeat. Of course that is a personal opinion based on my observations, but I think a valid one. Often I notice the media gets hung up on one story and it sets the whole tenor of their outlook the whole week. The story of the week was very badly handled "Marine shooting story". So lets look where we stand.
One my favorite bloggers as of late, a military blogger that served in Iraq now in Kuwait I believe by the the blog name of 2Slick's forum. He is quite familar with the area thats been in the news especially Mosul where in the he was stationed. Lets look at what he has to say. On his Nov 20 th post it appears that 2Slick's is quite frustrated with the media outlook too. In his post "Whats next for Fallujh?" he writes:
This simple answer to this question can be found by looking at the current state of affairs in Samarra, Najaf, and Sadr City. Oh, I'm sorry- the press isn't telling you anything about that. Well, the short story is that our forces are steadily working on financing and supervising reconstruction projects- employing a substantial Iraqi work force and getting the towns back on their feet. Newly trained Iraqi cops provide security and protection, and US forces just sort of monitor the situation and help where they're needed. This is what we in the business call an "exit strategy."
It appears 2slick's is a little frustrated at the media also. Often the media coverage is driven around the topic of Individuals whether they are good guys or bad guys. For instance you often hear the phrase or something like it that "we're not winning the war on terror because we haven't got Bin laden" This week the media seem to follow the same theme by portraying the the battle for Fallujah as partly a failure because "we didn't get al Zawari". Please! What was the media expecting, that Al Zawari would make his last stand in Fallujah similar to scenes from The Alamo. Another great blogger to which I quote today by the the name of The Adventures of Chester Blog has a link to very important article about what was really going on in Fallujah. This article states:

Insurgents captured in Fallujah have told Iraqi military
interrogators that most of those fighting in Fallujah were former security
officers for the regime of Saddam Hussein. The insurgents said Saddam
organized special operations units, starting in 2001, to counter any foreign
invasion in Iraq. Most of those units, the insurgents said, are still active in
the Sunni Triangle. Officials said the Sunni insurgency was being directed
from Syria. They said Saddam loyalists were receiving funding and orders from
senior aides of the former Saddam regime based in Damascus, including ex-Vice
President Izzet Ibrahim Al Douri.
Iraqi Interior Minister Faleh Hassan Al Naqib said his government and the U.S.-led coalition faced a revolt throughout the Sunni Triangle, Middle East Newsline reported. Al Naqib said the revolt was being directed by a unified command and control network led by Saddam loyalists. He said the insurgents sought to prevent or disrupt national elections scheduled for Jan. 27.
"The battle for Fallujah has become the test for Saddam loyalists," an Iraqi official said. "Fallujah was the center of the terrorism and the symbol of the terrorists."
The uprising in the Sunni Triangle has included insurgents who had been based in Fallujah. Officials said Sunni insurgents, including Abu Mussib Al Zarqawi, and up to 2,000 fighters left Fallujah over the last two months to launch a revolt in other cities.

That article tells us alot. The most important being that the the Iraq viewed Fallujah as a very crucial test for the Saddam Loyalist. In that test the Saddamittes failed. Also The other aspects of this story must be followed up on. Saddam way back in 2001 must have realized that an invasion was likely. If this insurgency is being directed from former Saddam officials in Syria, then Syria must be brought into line either by the carrot or sitck approach. The former regime elements also seem to have the same thinking that is echoed by Al Zawari's letter that was found earlier this year, that being when the Iraq citizens feel they have power and start thinking they the people run things then the jig is up.
So whats up in Fallujah? Its amazing that so many press accounts have conflicting pictures. For instance what do the people in Fallujah feel about whats happening. The blogger
Last Nights BBC News has great illustration of how we must be careful of what the msm is saying. The venerable Bebe reports fom a supposed independent journalist in Fallujah. He "reports" in this article the following

US forces control most of the city now, except for some areas in the south.
We keep hearing that aid has arrived at the hospital on the outskirts of the
city, which is now in the hands of the Americans. But most people in this area
are too weak or too scared to make the journey, or even to leave their homes.
For now, the best option is to stay put. I would like to escape Falluja, but
I fear I will end up getting killed if I try. A group of journalist friends
left the city by car last week as the assault was starting. I have no idea what
happened to them. Not one of their mobile phones works and I fear the worst.
Food and water are all but finished. I have enough dried dates and water to
last me another few days. If, in five days' time, it is still impossible to
leave the city or get any supplies, I might have to raid my neighbour's vacant
house for food and water. I can enter their place by jumping from our roof
onto theirs. I am completely out of touch with the situation in the rest of
Iraq. Looking at Falluja now, the only comparisons I can think of are cities
like Beirut and Sarajevo

Elsewhere the BBC provides more breathless quotes from this eyewitness/journalist the above link will take you to those interview too here is a sample:

Different clans in the city have their own militias but they all seem
to be working together to fend off US forces. The people of Falluja are very
clannish - but they have also always been very religious and right now faith is
a stronger bond than family. relations between local fighters and police have always been good - a deal struck some months ago means the police are welcome in the city provided they do not take orders from the Americans. There are more police on the streets than usual - possibly to protect the property of residents who are leaving the city. But the risk of looting is small - the local militias have a reputation for being very tough with the criminalsI am not aware of any foreign fighters in Falluja. If there are any foreigners here, they have blended in very well with the locals. Foreigners used to frequent the city in the past, but many of them were forced to leave under a deal the city's leaders struck with the government.
Ninety-nine percent of the fighters here are Fallujans.
I could go on and on from quotes from this "Journalist" but lets see what the London times reported in this article shall we.

Mutilated bodies dumped on Fallujah's bombed out streets today painted
a harrowing picture of eight months of rebel rule.As US and Iraqi troops
mopped up the last vestiges of resistance in the city after a week of
bombardment and fighting, residents who stayed on through last week's offensive
were emerging and telling harrowing tales of the brutality they endured.
Flyposters still litter the walls bearing all manner of decrees from insurgent commanders, to be heeded on pain of death. Amid the rubble of the main
shopping street, one decree bearing the insurgents' insignia - two Kalashnikovs
propped together - and dated November 1 gives vendors three days to remove nine market stalls from outside the city's library or face execution. The pretext
given is that the rebels wanted to convert the building into a headquarters for
the "Mujahidin Advisory Council" through which they ran the city.Another
poster in the ruins of the souk bears testament to the strict brand of Sunni
Islam imposed by the council, fronted by hardline cleric Abdullah Junabi. The
decree warns all women that they must cover up from head to toe outdoors, or
face execution by the armed militants who controlled the streets.
"They would wear black masks, carry rocket-propelled grenades and
Kalashnikovs, and search streets and alleys," said Iyad Assam, 24. "I would hear
stories, about how they executed five men one day and seven another for
collaborating with the Americans. They made checkpoints on the roads. They put
announcements on walls banning music and telling women to wear the veil from
head to toe." It was not just pedlars of alcohol or Western videos and women
deemed improperly dressed who faced the militants' wrath. Even residents who
regard themselves as observant Muslims lived in fear because they did not share
the puritan brand of Sunni Islam that the insurgents enforced.One devotee of
a Sufi sect, followers of a mystical form of worship deemed herectical by the
hardliners, told how he and other members of his order had lived in terror
inside their homes for fear of retribution."It was a very hard life. We
couldn't move. We could not work," said the man sporting the white robe and
skullcap prescribed by his faith. "If they had any issue with a person, they
would kill him or throw him in jail."
I agree with the beforementioned blogger that perhaps someone should question the BBC's "journalist:"in Fallujah as to his bias. One good question Last Nights BBCs News said should be asked of him was how was he so freely able to report in this "religious"controlled town. I will let you decide whom to trust but I am putting my money on the London Times reporters.
Lets move on to other areas of Iraq right now particually Mosul that was so breathless reported on this week. Remeber I said 2slick was stationed in mosul he coomments on sections of this a ap article excerpts below:
At least 13 other insurgents were captured in Mosul, authorities said.

In western Mosul, Iraqi National Guard and a special police force
raided several areas Thursday night, killing 15 insurgents and capturing 10
others, Deputy Gov. Khasro Gouran said.The raid on the al-Zaharawi hospital in
Mosul - Iraq's third-largest city - was conducted by Iraqi commandos with the
Ministry of the Interior's Special Police Force, backed by U.S. troops.Forces
cordoned it off after getting information that insurgents were treating their
wounded there, said Lt. Col. Paul Hastings with Task Force Olympia.

2Slick's observations on this are
Well, that didn't take very long. It also looks like I was right about the rapid mobilization of LTG Petraeus' Iraqi Sooper Troopers. These guys are looking more compitent and confident every day. That's a very good sign.
The ap article goes on to say:

U.S. and Iraqi forces began a major military operation Tuesday to wrest
control of Mosul after gunmen last week attacked police stations, bridges
and political offices in apparent support of Fallujah guerrillas. On Friday,
three of the city's five bridges were reopened to traffic and most of the
city remained calm, though U.S. forces came under some "indirect fire" that
caused no injuries, Hastings said.
2slick response is Yep- this sounds like the Mosul I remember
The Adventures of Chester Blog, again a soilder that was there I think sums it up nicely here in his November 17th posting:
So coalition forces strike the city of Fallujah, and Iraqi insurgents respond by attacking in Mosul, Baquba, Kirkuk and Suweira. This, we now hear, proves that the more insurgents the U.S. kills, the stronger the insurgency grows. Call it the Obi-Wan Kenobi school of international relations: Strike him down, and he'll only become more powerful.In real warfare, of course, killing the enemy means there are fewer enemies to kill. And in one week in Fallujah, and at the cost of some 40 American soldiers' lives and several Iraqi ones, about 1,200 insurgents were killed and another 1,000 taken prisoner. The insurgents have been denied their principal sanctuary. Their torture chambers--a stark indication of what they intend for all of Iraq if they're allowed to prevail--lie exposed.More important is the demonstration effect: Ordinary Iraqis can take heart that the Allawi government and the U.S. mean business, something that had been put into doubt by the failure to take Fallujah back in April. The sooner and more aggressively the fight is taken to other insurgent strongholds, the better the chances that January's scheduled elections can be held on time, in conditions of relative security, and with Iraq's Sunni minority committed (or resigned) to pursuing their options at the ballot box. Assessing the ultimate impact of any battle takes time: It is true that of the 5,000 insurgents estimated to have been in Fallujah, the majority, including terrorist ringleader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, appear to have gotten away in the exodus of civilians that preceded the battle. These insurgents will no doubt continue to mount gruesome attacks throughout the country, with the aim of cowing the silent majority of Iraqis who'd like to be on the side of freedom if given the chance.Still, it is instructive to note the view the insurgents themselves took of the battle. In an audio recording transmitted on the Internet, a voice said to be Zarqawi's warns, "Once they have finished in Fallujah, they will head toward you. You must not let them succeed in their plan." That sounds more like the voice of desperation than it does the voice of confidence. Another point in the Zarqawi recording bears attention: "This war is very long, and always think of this as the beginning, and always make the enemy think that yesterday was better than today." In Israel, this is known as the question of the barrel: Is there a bottom to it or not? Beyond whatever tactics the Iraqi insurgents may employ, their strategy is to convince Americans that there is no bottom; that their cause enjoys huge popular support; that it feeds off the resentments that "occupation" inevitably engenders; and that it can go on undeterred by whatever damage U.S. forces inflict.Sadly, there are plenty of Westerners willing to buy into this hypothesis, since it sits so well with those who think the war was a mistake and thus can't imagine that we can still win. Yet apart from the military success, the big news of the Fallujah campaign is that most Iraqis quietly supported it. The protests from nationalist politicians was far more muted than in April, perhaps because they have seen from the car bombings and beheadings what the Zarqawis also intend for them.
Their principal santuary is gone. I do expect viloence to continue because of the elections but its appears to me that significant tactical, political, and psychological milepost has been reached. By the way not much to report from the Kurd area up north pretty calm. Also what about Southern Iraq. Remember how the Media was repeating Basra every five minutes and predicting the whole country was going to rise up against us. Well its been pretty quiet. There of course there are problems in area of Bagdad but I expect with their sanctuary where they were free to build car bombs to their hearts content that the situation should improve there. Especially in light of the Iraqi governments campaign to crack down on "hardline Clerics" such as they did yesterday. Lets not get weak in the knees people. Lets examine the info we get carefully and lets finish the job there.

UPDATE I
Fadhil Badrani is the the indepenent journalis/eyewitness that i referenced above as working for the BBC over at Biased BBC in the comments section several observant bloggers made the following comments you can see all comments at this link
If you put the name al-Badrani into media databases you will find that the very first reference to Fadil al-Badrani - with the first name spelt Fadel - is from 25 September 2004. It was carried by the Reuters news agency. It's a story about a US airstrike in Falluja. So he's been a journalist - or, at least, a journalist working for a western news organisation - for all of two months.However, on 2 January 2004 US forces detained, and then held for three days, three Reuters employees and one NBC one near Falluja. They had attended the scene of a downed US helicopter. They were allegedly abused by US troops during their captivity. Reuters protested about the alleged abuse subsequently. The names of the four detainees? Salem Ureibi, Ahmad Mohammad Hussein al-Badrani, Sattar Jabar al-Badrani and Ali Mohammed Hussein al-Badrani.Henry 11.18.04 - 1:45 pm #

and
Maybe. But if you put the name al Badrani into the media database I used you get only 400-odd articles mentioning that name. These refer to about ten different people, mostly Iraqis. That doesn't make it 'pretty common'.And I think it's at least possible that the thee journalists called al-Badrani detained and allegedly beaten up by US forces near Falluja in January, and the man called al-Badrani in Falluja criticising the US occupation in 2003 (and Dr al Hakim al Badrani of Falluja hospital, who also features in media reports) are related to the fadil al-Badrani now reporting for Reuters from Falluja. Which, I think, suggests that Fadil may not be quite the impartial and objective observer he is represented as being by the BBC and others.Henry 11.18.04 - 3:48 pm #

also
Oh, and in July 2003 Reuters carried a story from Falluja quoting 'real estate agent [!] Mohammad al-Badrani' as saying "Saddam is an Iraqi, he's of our flesh and blood, but these foreigners are intolerable. We are suffering."I wonder whether any of these al-Badranis are by any chance related?

2004-11-19T13:26:00.000-06:00

Jindal, as I said before is going to be a rising star in the party. He has already been elected head of the incoming Freshman class of Represenatives. Being the is, Jindalhe go getter that he had a letter delivered fed ex to each incoming Representative on Nov 3rd 2004. Expect the Republicans to make great gains in the Indian community because of his win. For an article on Jindal go here.

Notice Something About This Picture

2004-11-19T11:31:00.000-06:00

I have to admit I love events such as the opening of Clinton's library yesterday because they bring all the former Presidents together. I always think its a great symbol of the peaceful transfer of power. Of interest is the absence of two figures in the above photo. President Ford and his wife Betty. I have scoured the news links and it appears he was scheduled to come to the event but all of a sudden couldn't attend. I was not able to watch the Media love fest coverage yesterday so I am not sure if the media noted the reasons for his absense. I hope its not because of Health reasons. Ford was truly a great President for very difficult times

House of Commons Tell Aristocratic House of Lords and Barbaric Country Folk to Bug Off--700 Year of Fox Hunting Comes To a End

2004-11-19T01:38:00.000-06:00

Dawgs out of a Job?
I had a little bit of the toss and turnings in bed so I decided to get up and surf the web a little while listening to the morning shows in the UK. The morning news is all about fox hunting and boy are some people to put it mildly are quite irate. It appears that the 700 year tradition of fox hunting(600 according to the times) has come to a end. Now I do't know alot about fox hunting, my knowledge comes mainly from two movies those being Mame and the Omen III. However as being a little bit of a traditionalist( I still support the right of our Louisiana people to go gamble a few bucks on cock fighting) I tend to support the fox hunters. It appears that this isn't over yet. An organization called The Country Alliance appears ready to go to court over this and say that the whole bloody thing was illegally done. This appears to involve something called the Parliment Act which basically allows the House of Commons to tell the House of Lords to go jump in the lake. Also it appears Mr Blair concerned about his own election tried to reach a compromise which only resulted in alot of members of his party getting really mad. The country folks are promising civil disobedence. The papers seem pretty devided on the issue too. The Guardian has one overall piece on yesterday events here. For alook at the political chaos that happened in the Commons go here to the article A great bally ho at the death of tally ho. It appears that the country folks as well as all the people who depend on fox hunting aren't going to take this lying down and and are going to opening rebel against the Nanny state. In this article ,again in The Guardian one very peod guy said "It's all this nanny state crap, and people won't stand for it. People are actually joining hunts because they can't stand being told what they can and can't do. Hunting's the new cool; rebel and come out hunting. " . Well this makes the Gay marriage debate look tame. Well thats it for me happy blogging out there see you in the morning.

U.S. and German Military Honor German Pows Who Died In The US And A Part Of US History That Might Be Near You And You Did't Know It

2004-11-18T16:20:00.000-06:00

I ran across a fascinating story at work today and I have been researching it in my spare time at work. Did you know at American military cemetaries across the U.S. and across the world that Americans and Germans have been honoring the German Pow's fromWWII that died here in their captivity. Prison camps were located all over the country, with a 2/3 majority in the southern states. When the war ended there were 511 branch camps and 155 base camps in the United States. Most of the camp locations was in the South and the Southwest because of the weather and the need for farm workers. However, camps were located all over the Country from Maine to California. In fact there two near where I live ,Camp Ruston and Camp Claiborne. It is is not unusal for an ex German pow family members in hand to show up at the local museum and ask for assistance to find where he spent a great part of his life. Unfortnately, its becoming more unusual I guess since so many are dying off. Its a shame that more of these camps were not saved for historical reason. By the end of the war over 500,000 German POWs were here. Anyway November the 15 was "Volkstrauertag" -- Germany's day of mourning. Go here for a wonderful recount of one ceremony as well as a general overview of the story of WWII German pows. The German POWS stories are fascinating to read. This story is pretty neat, a former pow now an American citizen recounts his time at Fort Knox. Whats really ironic is that both his sons completed their basic training there. This link goes to tell the stories of the German Pows that were in Mississipi. One entertaining story thats recounted there was that one farmer's wife fell in love with an German pow pilot. She helped him escape. They were later arrested trying to locate a plane to take them to Greenland. Escapes were quite rare and hardly ever successful because it was like where were you going to go if you did escape. This link retells an pow's experiences working in a camp in Maine. Two great sites to go to if you have more interest in this topic. Both have a great collection of links and stories as well as photos. This site list the camps and the states they were located in as well as links to some of the places that have web sites. This site has some great interviews with former german pows. One must wonder what the average civilians were thinking who were near these camps. I do remember seeing a picture in a local museum of local women making a German flag for a coffin for one guy that died. Thats pretty astonishing ,being that their sons, and husbands were likely fighting the Germans. What did local African Americans think seeing prisioners being treated better than they were probally being treated? It seems the only negative that some pows felt were being turned over to the French or worse yet the Russians after the war. Some felt a will sense of betrayal. Anyway hope you enjoyed.

Reasons Why LSU Will Beat OLE MISS -Our Secret Weapon- THe GOLDEN GIRLS

2004-11-18T11:47:00.000-06:00

Hold my Tiger, Hold My Tiger, uhm I mean hold that tiger Goldengirls from LSU. If you wish to hear "hold That Tiger" the best college football band pregame and touchdown song ever go and click here and then clip on Touchdown(Hold that Tiger)

Why LSU Will Slaughter OLE Miss this WEEKEND-- Golden Girls II

2004-11-18T11:41:00.000-06:00

Golden Girls halftime show during Lsu/Bama football game. Secret plan is that Ole Miss football players instead of going in during halftime and having their coach explain what is a x and what is a o on the chalkboard will stay on the field and see what real southern women look like

2004-11-18T11:37:00.000-06:00

I am sure these Golden girls are LSU fans too.Wow, that Bea Arthur is freakin Hot.

PoliPundit.com � Vunerable Dems in the 2006 Senate Races as Welll as Potential Challengers

2004-11-18T11:18:00.000-06:00

PoliPundit.com � Breaking Filibusters
PoliPundit has comprised a list of some of the Dem Senators up for reelection in 2006 that might be vunerable. Check it out as well as the comment section where he invites bloggers to speculate what challengers might come up against them. Last check he had 152 comments.

MaxedOutMama: European Reflections

2004-11-18T11:02:00.000-06:00

MaxedOutMama: European Reflections
Maxedoutmama has an excellent post on some current issues as to the EU. She has some great thoughts as to the distinct cultural issues and conflicts that there are between the US and Europe by comparing our elections and theirs. Oh and for all those who think that Europe is so tolerant of opinions be sure to go down her post and see what happen to one Swedish pastor when he voiced his.

Boston.com / News / Politics / Presidential candidates / john kerry / Party questions Kerry's war chest

2004-11-18T09:57:00.000-06:00

Boston.com / News / Politics / Presidential candidates / john kerry / Party questions Kerry's war chest
This a cardinal "no no" in campaign politics. The rule is spend ever dollar in a tight race. Expect this to get a little more heated behind the scenes because the campaign managers and consultants who have professional lives after the camapaign don't wont to tied with up with this mistake.
- Democratic Party leaders said yesterday they want to know why Senator John F. Kerry ended his presidential campaign with more than $15 million in the bank, money that could have helped Democratic candidates across the country.

The Diplomad(Republican Foreign Service officers take on the Depart of State, Colin Powell and Whats NExt

2004-11-17T15:38:00.000-06:00

The Diplomad
I just saw a blog that www.rantburg.com led me to. Its a great blogs that its bloggers describe themselves as"A Blog by career foreign service officers. They are are Republican(most of the time) in an institution (State Department) in which being a Republican can be bad for your career -- even with a Republican President!"
Looks like a good one to have on your blog list. Go take a look. In this addition they give an assessment of Powell as well as what needs to be done to reform foggy bottom.

JustOneMinute: Turmoil At The CIA(Whats really Happening)

2004-11-17T15:08:00.000-06:00

JustOneMinute: Turmoil At The CIA
Have you got the news the last few days? The leader of a very powerful country after consolidating his powers is purging the Government. All those whose loyalty and political allegiance is suspect are being eliminated. The purge is going to all levels of governent to eliminate all dissent and to make sure there is blind obedience to the leader. Even some of the leaders closet friends in government that were established by formal family ties have been exiled. Now the all powerfull intelligence chiefs are being liquidated. Wow, this sounds like the news media is covering the Stalinst purges of the Soviet Union after WWII. Are they stuck in some time warp? No its just the media's coverage of the Bush administration minus the guns and gulags. Its has been a pretty hysterical week for the media and this shows one aspect of the journalism they have given us for the last year. Basically, the conclusion of the media is that Bush is trying to eliminate all disloyalty to Bush by putting in souless yes men(Or woman as to Rice) that will offer no opinion to the master they serve. Pleaseeee! The CIA case is a eye opening example as to this viewpoint of the media. Wasn't the media a few months back castrating Tenet and was saying how the CIA did't work , and lets not forget how the media made so much of the 911 commision's statements on the CIA. Well that was then and this now I suppose. It appears though that Bush is trying to do something about a spy system that doesn't work very well. The above blogger has given a excellent post as well as references to what really is going on as to the CIA situation

Update- Anger and Opposition over Proposed German Muslim Public Holiday Continues

2004-11-17T13:34:00.000-06:00

Expatica � Living in, moving to, or working in Germany, plus German news in English
A followup to yesterdays post on the proposed action of the the governing Green party in Germany to make a public Muslim Holiday. Hint its not going well. Click above for full article Excerpts below.

German opposition and government members reacted with anger Wednesday to calls by the Greens party - which serve in Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's coalition - for establishing a Muslim holiday in the country.
Schroeder's Social Democrats (SPD) are markedly cool to the proposal following a failed bid earlier this month to abolish the German Unity Day holiday in a bid to boost the economy.

SPD Interior Minister Otto Schily slammed the proposed Muslim holiday as "absurd."

Nobody would dream of proposing to Saudi Arabia that they should celebrate Pentecost," noted Greens parliamentary leader Katrin Goering-Eckardt.

Haaretz - Israel News - NATO invites Israel to joint exercises

2004-11-17T13:05:00.000-06:00

Haaretz - Israel News - NATO invites Israel to joint exercises
Big news here. Just when you think you got Europe figured out they do something like this. I am curious how the NATO's members parliments are going to feel about this. Tip to rantburg.com

Davids Medienkritik Blog Looks at the Silence of the German Media Lambs on Oil For Food Scandal

2004-11-17T12:57:00.000-06:00

Davids Medienkritik
Before we leave the topic of Germany, this blogger, who observes German Media has a nice post on how the German media has almost completely ignored the UN's Oil for Food Scandal. he writes in part:

Not that the German media give or gave a damn. And consequently the German public doesn't know much about the UN oil for food scam in Iraq. Throw "oil" and "Iraq" at an average German, and he'll respond "George W. Bush", "Dick Cheney" and "Haliburton".
Not unless George W. Bush, Dick Cheney or Haliburton are indicted in the oil-for-food scam will the German media (and the German public) get excited about the topic...

Click above for more interesting observations.

Guardian Unlimited Politics | Special Reports | Blair has stolen our clothes, says Howard

2004-11-17T10:34:00.000-06:00

Guardian Unlimited Politics Special Reports Blair has stolen our clothes, says Howard
Continuing our UK focus in this morming of birthday blogging, The Guardian has a great interview with Michael Howard the leader of the Conservatives in the United Kingdom. What is so fascinating about this article is if you change date of the article to 1996 ,and every time the name Tony Blair is mentioned replace with the name Bill Clinton and every time Labor is mention replace with Democractic its sounds as if this was the same situation Republicans felt they were facing. Excerpts below full article link above.

Michael Howard today admits that his efforts to win the next election are being frustrated by Tony Blair's ability to capture Conservative territory as his own.

Mr Howard also admits to being frustrated by the task he faces because the prime minister - whose winning talent is to "look and sound like a Tory" he says - succeeded in persuading voters in 1997 "that he was a politician like there has never been. People feel completely taken in and deceived."

"The government stole our language. Their policies are very different from ours, much less effective than ours

"I probably shouldn't have said it at the time, but I did. My reasoning was that the Labour party was never going to win an election until they had a leader who looked and sounded like a Tory. So I am not surprised that he became prime minister, to be absolutely honest in answer to your question.

BBC NEWS | Politics | Meet The Tories "Karl Rove"

2004-11-17T10:19:00.000-06:00

BBC NEWS | Politics | Howard's wizard of Oz
Well the Conservatives in the UK have hired their own "Karl Rove" in an attempt to wrestle power from Blair and the Labor party. He is an Australian , by the name of Lynton Crosby that masterminded the victory of Liberal Party and Prime Minister John Howard in the land down under. --NOTE to American Readers This is where its gets confusing for us isolated Americans. In Australia its just not the timing of the seasons that are reversed but the political names. The Liberal Party in Australia is actually the party that is the cloest in philosophy to the Republicans here and the Tories in the UK. Also John Howard is the Prime Minister of Australia while Michael Howard is the leader of the Conservatives(Tories) in Britian. Expect British Bloggers to have great fun at your expense trying to trip you up on that when there in a testy mood. Anywho here is quick excerp.t The whole article is a pretty good read how both parties are bringing in "American style campaign tactics" CLick above for the full read. Here is the excerpt-
What Mr Crosby does best, according to one journalist who has watched him at close quarters, is "below the radar" campaigning.
That is, the ruthless targeting of marginal constituencies with highly localised campaigning, latching on to local issues and personalities.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

2004-11-17T01:08:00.000-06:00

Wow, well has the time flown, Well, alot of it this week has "flown" while I was on blogexplosion trying to get you people to visit my blog. So instead of taking a great deep look at myself or where I am going lets do what 34 year old men do, that is avoid the hard questions and go to something trivial.

PEOPLE WHO SHARE MY BIRTHDAY
To my great surprise Jesus shares my birthday. No, I not talking about a man of spanish or hispanic descent. I mean Jesus of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity fame. At least that is the viewpoint of ancient Church father and Theologian St. Clement of Alexandria. Don't believe me go here. For a bio of St Clement who has quickly in the last ten minutes or so gone to number one on my list of church fathers go here. Well Jesus is tough to beat but lets look at other noteables who were born today.
1887 - Field Marshal Bernard (Law) ‘Monty’ MontgomeryBritish Army commander of ground forces at Normandy landing [1944]; British Eighth Army; died Mar 24, 1976
-Since I share B-days with Monty I now believe he really got the shaft in Patton
1916 - Shelby Footehistorian, writer: The Civil War
- Wow he looks good for his age
1925 - Rock Hudson (Roy Harold Scherer Jr.)actor: McMillan and Wife, Giant, A Gathering of Eagles, Ice Station Zebra, Magnificent Obsession, Pillow Talk, Written on the Wind; died Oct 2, 1985
1942 - Martin Scorsesedirector: Mean Streets, The Color of Money, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, New York, New York, The Last Temptation of Christ, Cape Fear, Michael Jackson’s Bad video
1944 - Danny DeVitoEmmy Award-winning actor: Taxi [1980-81]; Twins, Batman Returns, Hoffa, The Jewel of the Nile, Romancing the Stone, Terms of Endearment, director: Throw Mama from the Train, The War of the Roses, Jack the Bear; married to actress Rhea Perlman
1948 - Howard Dean Governor and Democractic Presidential candidate wack job and loon
-Howard you must be smart if we share B-days pleaseeee run again or beetter yet get the head DNC job

FAMOUS EVENTS THAT OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 17 1970
1970 - Elton John recorded an album live, on what was WABC-FM in New York City. It marked the first time that a concert was aired live and recorded for release as aired. The LP was titled, 11/17/70. (Wow thats sort of not that impressive, was everyone asleep at the wheel that day jeezzz)

FAMOUS EVENTS THAT OCCURED ON NOV 17 (ANY YEAR) THIS IS MORE IMPRESSIVE
1558 - Elizabeth I became Queen of England upon the death of Queen Mary this day. ‘Good Queen Bess’ ruled Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1558 to 1603 and during her reign, England became a world power
-YEAH AFTER SHE ROYALLY SCREWED THE CATHOLICS, OH WELL
1877 - The first production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s opera, The Sorcerer, was presented -- in London.
1954 - Golfer Arnold Palmer signed a contract with Wilson Sporting Goods and became a pro
1993 - The U.S. House of Representatives approved the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), by a vote of 234 to 200. The Senate voted 60 to 38 for approval of the legislation on November 20. The bill was signed into law by President Clinton on December 8, 1993. It took effect on January 1, 1994. Under NAFTA, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico become a single, integrated market with $6.5 trillion worth of goods and services
annually.
???- Also i read some place this is the day that William Tell shot the apple off his son's head.

WHAT OTHER DAYS HAVE THE AUDACITY TO SHARE MY BIRTHDAY
Well for starters it Suez Canal Day. To learn more about thee Suez canal go here
Its also World Peace Day. Wow, maybe I can go to a World Peace day event dressed in a Kerry shirt ,and find some hot progressive chick to feel sorry for me and then later that night oh well lets not go there. To learn more about World Peace Day go here.
Finally I share my B-day with National Bladder Health Week. To learn more about continence go here

WHAT SHOULD I DO DURING THE DAY FOR MY BIRTHDAY
I will probally take most of my birthday off tomorrow(Criminal defendants are slow this year, well let me rephrase that there alot of people becoming criminal defendants since christmas is upon us. Lots of "shopping/shoplifting" at Dillards Target etc to help get christmas gifts but very few defendants hiring lawyers). So i will either (1)surf the web endlessly with blogexplosion in a seperate window so I can look every minute or so see if I am interested in the blog and then click and repeat the process 400 times. (2) read one of my favorite four books. Either The Prayer for Owen Meany(has an anti war undercurrent but its so funny and greatly written, The Lords of Discipline, great writing very vivid and sensual for a male writer, The Stand, The best Stephen King Novel ever, or The Witching Hour, Ann Rice's greatest book- and how her latest ones have sucked so badly, (3)Contemplate where I am going in Life --nope thats off, (4 )veg out and watch all my favorite shows on tv Comments suggestions

Omaha Marine dies in Iraq same day his son is born

2004-11-16T23:22:00.000-06:00

Lincoln Journal Star Online
I was so infuriated yesterday watching the evening news shows. The Marines conducted a very brilliant operation The sad by product being at this point 38 deaths and many wounded. But what was the lead story and not only the lead but the story in the middle and last part of these broadcasts. The story of an Marine killing a wounded man(perhaps the news should have thought about not showing such sensational video untill the whole thing could have been sorted out). Oh well, there is a hundred great stories to tell out of the last 7 days in Fallujah but that doesn't matter because we have "sensational video". This is what passes for balanced and informed journalism. The story above is also tragic and shows the cost of freedom. I hope some bloggers(in the spirit of article I posted below about blogger giving) in Nebraska might set up a fund for donations or at least a give a forum where to send letters of support can be sent to give this newborn a chance one day to know how Americans felt about his dad's sacrifice. Perhaps a blog where people can write , or where soilders who served with him can post comments. Just a thought.

UPDATE This link is more detailed about the life of the Marine

Syria Struggles to Stay Afloat

2004-11-16T23:07:00.000-06:00

Syria Struggles to Stay Afloat
Another reason how democracy in Iraq will create a wave of freedom in the region. Syria seems to be barely holding on. The Syrians have no interest in having citzens next door taking the affairs in life in their own hands. They might ask the good Dr. Dictator why not here. Good read on the conditions of the military and the economy. Click above

Lets see what the German'Government's response to the situation in the Netherlands- Why have a German Muslim Holiday

2004-11-16T22:36:00.000-06:00

Expatica � Living in, moving to, or working in Germany, plus German news in English
Got to love that goofy but loveable Green Party in Germany. They run the Government, which is first sign somethings amiss in Germany. Click above for the whole read excerpts below tip of the hat to rantburg.

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's Greens coalition partner called on Tuesday for establishing a Muslim public holiday in Germany as a reaction to violence in the Netherlands following the killing of Islam-critical film director Theo van Gogh.
Both Germany's Greens Environment Minister, Juergen Trittin, and the deputy chairman of the Greens in parliament, Hans-Christian Stroebele were quoted in the newspaper Die Welt as backing the move.
"Exactly such a sign is needed given the attacks in Holland," said Stroebele, who like Trittin hails from the party's "fundi" left-wing.
But Schroeder's Social Democrats (SPD) were cool to the idea following a row earlier this month over a proposal to abolish the German Unity Day holiday in a bid to boost the economy. SPD government officials swiftly dropped the idea.
In a related development, a Muslim preacher in Berlin issued a public apology for making strongly anti-German comments in a mosque which were secretly filmed by Germany's ZDF public TV.
"These remarks were offensive and wrong," said a letter by the preacher who has not been named by media.
The ZDF film shows the preacher at the Mevlana Mosque in Berlin's heavily Turkish Kreuzberg district saying: "These Germans, these atheists, these Europeans don't shave under their arms and their sweat collects under their hair with a revolting smell and they stink ... Hell lives for the infidels! Down with all democracies and all democrats!"

List of Iraqi parties approved to run in the upcoming election

2004-11-16T22:15:00.000-06:00

Live From Dallas: November 2004
Well despite the calls from msn that Rome is burning, it appears the process toward democracy keeps rolling on in Iraq. Live from Dallas blog has a list of the 24 parties so far that are running.

The Volokh Conspiracy -Garrison Keillor r or Prairie Home Companion audio clip of bashing born again Christians

2004-11-16T21:07:00.000-06:00

The Volokh Conspiracy -
This is a must here .Volokh blog has an audio clip of this weeks Prairie Home Companion. Hear delightful Keillor in his down home style bashes born again chrisitans much to the delight of his audience. Whats amazing is the list of positions he says born again Christians believe. Such as unemployment is by God so you can be more dependent on him. What? I was raised a Southern Baptist till I was 18 I never heard that before or any other of his perceived "born again" ideals. Its amazing that a man of such intelligence can so easily believe sterotypes Well click on the link above to hear "the news from Lake Wobegon". As the blogger points out once the show starts fast forward to about 3min and 30 seconds into the show to hear the bile.

The New York Times > Giving > Blogs Tackle Big Topics, Small Causes

2004-11-16T20:28:00.000-06:00

The New York Times > Giving > Blogs Tackle Big Topics, Small Causes
Nice article int he NYT that talks about how blogs are helping small charities and the success they are having. Often a blogger will adopt a small charity and ask for donation There has been a suprising amount of success. Might require registration but free.
For years, bloggers have been building bonds with their readers by
sharing everything from their opinions on Iraq to pictures of their cats. Mr. Nelson is part of a diffuse effort to turn that trust toward a higher purpose. He has put together a new blog coalition, Strengthen the Good, to focus attention on microcharities, like that California mother. Other bloggers have adopted their own causes, from breast cancer research to ambulances in Israel to television stations in Iraq

Tom Carter's Notes A bloggers Personal Recollections of Colin Powell

2004-11-16T20:14:00.000-06:00

Tom Carter's Notes
A blogger recouts the days where he worked very intimately with Colin Powell while he was stationed in Germany. Great account that shows the kind of man this country has been lucky to have serve it. Good read

Hostettler mounting campaign to change the name of Interstate 69(The Most Ridiculous Piece of Legislation)

2004-11-16T12:39:00.000-06:00

Hostettler mounting campaign to change the name of Interstate 69
You know some politicians just leave themselves open to abuse and ridicule. Shall we vote to take it out of the number system next. Also I am little suspect of what' Religious conservative groups" are wasting their time on this proposal. I suspect none we have heard of.

Saddam's Illegal Take Much Larger Than Believed

2004-11-15T12:13:00.000-06:00

KBCI 2 Boise, Idaho
Congressional investigators believe that Saddam illegaly profited from the UN's Oil for Fodd Program to the the tune of 21.3 BILLION DOLLARS. Thats alot of zero's folks. I have never been one of these "get us out of the UN' folks but reports like this, coupled with the UN's reaction to Sudan and Arafat is quickly making me a fast believer. The question I have to the Liberal/progressive folks who might pop by this blog is ,"where is your outrage". Why doesn't Michael Moore do a movie on the UN? I am not saying that many progressives would not be appalled by this level of corruption. However, if your point is that Bush is wrong because he is going it alone and alienating the UN then we have a problem. How can we trust an organization that is at the very least is so badly run that corruption at this level goes on. I hope "progressives" ,if they wish us to listen to their arguments about the importance of UN approval, would quit spinning conspiracy theories about the carylie and haliburton corporations and join us in demanding accountabilty. Well sorry for that "rant" the number quoted above just took my breath away. Off to court, see yall tonight.

The Quiet Americans in the Uk

2004-11-15T11:54:00.000-06:00

The Quiet Americans - November 15, 2004 - The New York Sun
Nice article here about Bush supporters in the UK. The moral seems to be if you don't want to be subject of a 30 minute tirade on the streer by one of our English cousins then its best to stay quiet.

Nanny Knows Best: Nanny's Traffic Lights System to ban Foods

2004-11-15T11:18:00.000-06:00

Nanny Knows Best: Nanny's Traffic Lights
Again this blogger shows whats wrong with over intruding Government with a bit of humor. In this post, we look at the UK"S silly proposal to wrap foods in different colors so as to signify if they are bad for you. By the way I will try to update this page today with a similar silly policy regarding banning certain kinds of food that is being proposed in Canada.

Big Dick Cheney, Oh, Yes, Very Big

2004-11-15T10:34:00.000-06:00

Big Dick Cheney, Oh, Yes, Very Big
Hey thats WONKETTE'S headline not mine. Well the mysterious picture that was the object of a previous post down the page has been found. Conservatives from the free Republic as well as Liberals have been scouring all over Wisconsin to try to find it. The thread was pulled on Free republic but I expect another one will be up today. To recap quite a stir was created when a photo appeared in a Milwaukee newspaper showing Cheney's showing a little bit more than he probally wanted too. One radio talk show host in Milwaukee was heard on the air to utter "Its like a Scud Missile". The whole funny story can be found at www.milwaukeemagazine.com (I had trouble direct linking the article). It was quite the talk of the town. Anyway the photo which by mistake got in the paper without being "cropped" was suddenly not available for sale by the paper. Well the search is over click above. I report You decide. All in all a pretty funny and harmless story that relieved some of the tension after the election.

ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOILDERS

2004-11-15T01:30:00.000-06:00

I know this picture is mighty controversal to some Catholics and other Christians . But for me it fills me with pride that Catholic soldiers are going into battle with an symbol of their faith before them. I mean if you don't think the Blessed Mother and her Son is opposed to this war and for liberating the oppressed why not go into battle with the Rosary. Lets get some input from everyone? Is it inspiring to some? Do others think it portrays images of the crusades? Just curious. Comments welcome. By the way here is a link about volunteers making special war time rosary's for our troops

NOTE TO NEW READERS

2004-11-15T01:14:00.000-06:00

If your new here and from blogexplosion welcome. You will notice that I am experimenting with different fonts and formats for quotes from articles I like to post. Please forgive me, we shall have a more uniform standard in a couple of days. I just was getting tired of Blocking the quotes because one post looked like it went on forever and probally was not very alluring to read at first glance because of perceived length. I def want you to read them and comment on them because I have most of you for only 30 seconds to make the sell. Thanks again

Well Lets See What Our Friends In Europe Have Been Saying While You Were Sleeping

2004-11-14T23:47:00.000-06:00

Well lets start off with a major foreign policy speech that Prime Minister Blair will be giving today. For those in the Labor Party that think Blair will step away from Bush, the war on terror, or the anglo alliance might be disappointed. The Financial Times reports in a preview:
The prime minister will defy leftwing critics of the war in Iraq to mount an impassioned defence of Britain's “special relationship” with the US.
The prime minister returns to the offensive over the Anglo-American relationship despite deepening unease among Labour backbenchers about the aftermath of the war in Iraq and Mr Blair's dealings with the US president.
A Downing Street insider said on Sunday night: “What you need is democratic world opinion to be united in the pursuit of democracy. In various parts of the world, and the Middle East is one of them, while America has the power Europe has immense amounts of areas of influence.”
However the war is the main focus in many of the papers .TheTimes has a great compelling piece on the action a must read. However since they require a paid subscription a nice poster at the Free Republic utilized this thread where he posted the whole story. The Times reports:
The last hours of the mujahidin are terrifying. With the city they once ruled with the absolute authority of medieval caliphs now overrun by American and Iraqi troops, they have to keep moving. To pause even for a few minutes can mean instant death from an unseen enemy.
From a house across the road, the explosion flushed out another group of guerrillas. Deafened by the blast, they stumbled out into the street, formed a ragged line and started off on the marathon to postpone their deaths, the drone dogging their every step.
Any guerrilla who could make his way back up from the last pockets of resistance in the south would see the mujahidin graffiti — “Jihad, jihad, jihad, God is Greatest and Islam will win” — replaced by slogans daubed by the US-backed Iraqi Army, posted the length of the route. Standing on a street reeking of decomposed bodies, the ruins of a five-floor building silhouetted behind him, Lieutenant Fares Ahmed Hassan said that the destroyed city would send a strong message to a nation where force has long been the lingua franca of government. “When the people of Fallujah come back and see their houses, they will kick out any terrorists. This will be an example to all Iraqi cities,” the Kurdish officer said.
Pretty compelling stuff. The Times also has a statement from the commander that planned the attack that shows the key to its success. Again go to this thread at the Free Republic to see the whole article The Times Article states:
US Marine Major-General Richard Natonski, who devised the ground attack, yesterday revealed one of the key ingredients of Operation Phantom Fury: several days before the start of the real attack, a large “invasion” force, with up to 200 armoured vehicles, carried out several “feint” attacks to the south of Fallujah, charging right up to the edge of the city in what is known as dynamic manoeuvres.
General Natonski said that these feint invasions confused the insurgents, who assumed that the attack was going to come initially from the south and built up their forces in that part of the city.
In fact, the main thrust of the invading force was made up of six battalions of US Army and Marine troops, punching through defensive lines across six points in the north of Fallujah. The feints to the south also forced insurgents to open fire from their secret bunkers, which immediately exposed them to bombing from the air and artillery fire.
The Guardian had a story on the fight too.(actually ran in the Sunday edition) However being The Guardian they make the Americans look like a bunch of uneducated "rednecks" From The Commander on down. Click here for full story with all their emphasis on funny "backwood" pronunciation. Heres a few quotes:
In the huge, muddy field which serves as a forward base, Major-General Richard Natonski prepared his troops for the battle ahead. 'We're goin' in to raise the Eye-raqi flag above Falluja - to give it back to the Fallujans,' he shouted, the eyes of the entire 1st Marine Division on him.
Only two songs send a shiver up my spine,' said one marine, his face scored with the pockmarks and confidence of youth. 'The marine hymn, and that song by Toby Keith after 9/11 which says "we're gonna kick you up the ass - that's the American way".'
Oh well theres more but I will let you read their "world class reporting". Continuing the war coverage, The Telegraph has an inspiring story of an British soldier who became a amputee and went to great lengths to rejoin his unit. Quite an inspiring story, Click last link to read it. Also in The Telegraph is an interesting article on how the "conservative" members of the Tories might be pushed out of power and influence by the "Bush Loving-Sarcarism here" Torie leader Michael Howard. Guess the Tories didn't learn much from the US elections as they move more and more toward the mushy middle. Good article though click here for the link

NOTE- The two articles I cite from the London Times are actually in their Sunday editions but I thought the reporting was so good I wanted to include them.

LifeSite Special Report - U.N. Demands Poland Overturn Laws Against Abortion

2004-11-14T19:32:00.000-06:00

LifeSite Special Report - U.N. Demands Poland Overturn Laws Against Abortion
This article is pretty amazing. It is beyond my comprehension while genocide is allowed to take place in Sudan and anti human right regimes are coddled the UN goes to Catholic countries like Poland and uses it influence to try to overturn anti abortion laws or weakened them. I wonder what the Polish reaction is to this intrusion in their soverignity, I agree with the another blogger that their reaction is probally "UN Picks Up Where Hitler Left Off". Hope that doesn't offend you but perhaps countries that had to endure so much genocide might should be listened too. Lets say that in the next 4 years Roe vRade is overturned. Contrary to popular thought that would not make abortion illegal. If Roe was overturned completely(doubtful IMHO) then the decision to restrict expand or eliminate abortion would be left up to the states. I can't imagine a UN commision coming to Louisiana and trying to influence legislation. Of special note is that there is an american on this commision by the name of Ruth Wedgwood. How did she vote or what were her feelings on this issue? I don't know but I hope to find out. Mrs. Wedgworth has a pretty impressive bio. To look at it go here. Also I find an impressive interview she did discussing the Patriot Act and the status of terrorist in our custody that can be found here. Well worth the read and not the usual nonsense that passes for discussion on the patriot act. Hattip to cybercatholics blog

Telegraph | News | Kerry's ex-girlfriend relives their affair in graphic novel

2004-11-14T18:06:00.000-06:00

Telegraph News Kerry's ex-girlfriend relives their affair in graphic novel
Another gem from The Telegraph it appears that Kerry's ex girlfriend is writing one of those "its fiction because I don't want to get sued but based on fact"novels. Pretty heated stuff it appears in some sections. Gosh, Kerry might have wished this came out before the election. The Telegraph quotes one of the most heated moments:

In another part of Hedge Fund Mistress, Nikki tells a friend about a particularly wild encounter over dinner with her political paramour, Sen Jim
Hoyt. "We were sitting at one end of the long dining room table and suddenly we were feeding each other and kissing, and all over each other, and undressing
each other and plates were falling on the floor, food was everywhere, you know, our usual combustible frenzy, and then he carried me to the bedroom," she
writes. Asked by her friend what happened next,Nikki says: "We made mad, passionate love and he immediately fell asleep." The unfortunate Nikki, however, almost dies as the senator lies snoring while she goes into anaphylactic shock from eating
shellfish.

For the full article click above. Wow I starting to feel like wonkette

Telegraph | News | Bush will visit as Britain gears up for election

2004-11-14T17:27:00.000-06:00

Telegraph News Bush will visit as Britain gears up for election
Wow, this trip a going to make a lot of bloggers happy. Imagine the backdrop when Bush arrives in the Mother Country. First, we will have all that great background noise from the UK anti war crowd and all their demonstrations. Then we have the usual suspects , BBC, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, and other tabloids with full frontpage pictures of an angry English mothers who lost sons and 15 point headlines proclaiming such calm things as "I want To Strangle Bush's Neck". You know responsible and balanced jouralism. Then we have the saga of Blairs election with the upside down world of an Republican supporting an Labor Minister and The Tories still mad at Republicans and vice versa. Wow and that only the first stop in Europe. No telling what the media and other loons of the European Left have in store for our President. I know we had bloggers at the both conventions. Heck I want to live blog this trip.--Note to Karl Rove If you happened to come to my site via Blog Explosion can you please put in the comment section where I may send my resume ,also I would prefer not to be seated by that obnoxious report from msnbc but prefer sitting next to one of the cute Fox reporters . Thanks. Getting back to business the following is a outake from The Telegraph.(Full article link above)

For Mr Blair, the presence of the President carries the risk of
costing him support among Labour voters implacably opposed to Britain's involvement in the American-led campaign in Iraq.The visit will also put Michael Howard, the Conservative leader, on the spot because it will reopen the row between the Tory high command and the White House over Mr Howard's
attacks on Mr Blair over his decision to go to war in Iraq.
Karl Rove, Mr Bush's closest adviser, is reported to have told Mr Howard's aides two months ago: "You can forget about him meeting the President." Last week, in an interview with The
Telegraph, Mr Howard refused to express pleasure on Mr Bush's re-election and added: "I am not going to be told by the White House how to do my job."
With an election looming, protocol dictates that Mr Bush would have to meet the Tory leader as well as the Prime Minister, even though he last week declared himself a firm political supporter of Mr Blair, calling him a "big thinker" and a "rock-solid leader".Mr Blair, meanwhile, was careful to
remain strictly neutral in the run-up to this month's US presidential election between Mr. Bush and Mr. Kerry.

Southern Appeal Another Jewel In My Blog Links

2004-11-14T16:13:00.000-06:00

Southern Appeal
This the second in a series of post that I am doing on the links in my bloglist and why you might wish to wander over there. A few days ago I talked about maxedoutmama. Today I wish to direct you to Southern Appeal. Southern Appeal is one of those blogs I read daily. It also a team blog with alot of good minds contributing their wisdom. You have to love a blog thats descripition is "The random musings of a Southern Catholic Federalist and his Co-Conspirators". Southern Appeal has a daily dose of poilitics, news and musings on the law all with a good dose of wit. I very much like their postings on the law and current legal issues. It appears that they have a couple of Law students doing that over there. Law students are great because there in the thick of it and more current than practicing lawyers like myself that are specialized in one area. Ah, to talk about the commerce clause over beers well I digress. The head of this blog himself is a pretty impressive lawyer looking at his bio. Anywho, take a look it also has a pretty impressive group of links to other political sites as well a a nice set of links to conservative(I prefer the non-political term orthodox) Catholic links. Enjoy

How to Support the Troops during the holidays

2004-11-14T12:58:00.000-06:00

The Art of the Blog: Support the Troops
The holidays are upon us ,and in that spirit please vist the link above. This blogger has collected numerous links of how you can support our forces during the holidays. From gifts,books, to letters of support. Its amazing how with a little effort we can show how much we care.

MIKE V - "The Most Intimidating Mascot In The Country" CBS sportline.com

2004-11-14T11:47:00.000-06:00

Well we won, now on to the other matters of the world. Congrats are in order to a heck of of an Alabama team that has gone through some rough years and has improved greatly. The game to watch next week , besides LSU/OleMiss(Geaux To Hell Ole Miss), will be the Auburn/Bama game. One not to miss. Anyway LSU home football games are an experience that can't be described. If you don't trust my biased opinion go here and turn yp the volume on your speakers.

LSU 26 Alabama 10

2004-11-14T11:27:00.000-06:00

"Baton Rouge happens to be the worst place to a be a visiting team. Its like being inside a drum." Coach "Bear" Bryant of Alabama

GEAUX TIGERS BEAT BAMA

2004-11-13T13:48:00.000-06:00

I know this will fall in the hands of the cultural elites , but heck if SEC fans can't make fun of our fellow red staters then life ain't worth living.

2004-11-13T13:46:00.000-06:00

LSU Fan Advice-- Darlin this ain't Gulf shores

2004-11-13T13:32:00.000-06:00

Well that its for blogging for a while. Now time for the serious stuff. Partying and Watching My LSU TIgers Kick A little Bama A**. See you tonight. GEAUXXXX TIgers

Nanny Knows Best: Blunkett's Bouncers(UK "Nanny State" Goes Berserk)

2004-11-13T11:57:00.000-06:00

Nanny Knows Best: Blunkett's Bouncers
When ever I try to imagine what the "progressive" United States of America would be I come up with a blank. I guess the fact that we have a tradition of less Govt is the reason. Nannyknowsbest shows what that State would look like. Based out of the UK, this site shows what is the relationship between the Govt and it citizens. Ouch scarry. After you read the post on "Community Police Officers" go to his main page and take a look at the other horror stories.

Klotzy's Contemplation Corner An Great New Blog From A JAG Officer Just Back From Iraq

2004-11-13T10:23:00.000-06:00

Klotzy's Contemplation Corner
I am adding this guy to my bloglist. Thanks maxedoutmama for pointing him out. This guy has alot of great things going for him. He is Officer, Lawyer(both in the private world and military), and he is from Louisiana. Now if he turns out to be a LSU fan he will be batting a 100.Geaux Tigers Beat Bama. Seriously he seems to have alot of good perspective on events on the ground. Also as a lawyer, he will have a keen idea of how the Iraqi Govt ,both local and National , is shaping up. Here is an excert from his blog:
"When you wipe away all the hype over the Iraq war, you are left with
competing visions of the future. Some people believe (fear would be a better
word) the future should not be guided by people with great and expanding vision.
President Reagan was a good example. The country had been dealing with the
Soviet union, the satellite states with oppressive regimes, the Berlin wall,
etc. for almost 40 years by the time Reagan took office. Many on the left (who
really liked socialism and communism) wanted at lest the status quo, if not a
continued march of communism. What they really, really did not want was a
President who was willing to look beyond all this to a new world without Soviet
Russia. Reagan used to say he did not see the political spectrum as horizontal
(ie left to right) but vertical (up and down). He saw the tyrannical state run
communism as an abyss which kept the people down and he wanted to pull them up
out of that abyss and give them a chance in the light of freedom. So when he
called the Soviet Union an "evil empire" the realist, chicken littles saw the
sky falling. My goodness he actually thought he could change the world."

"President Bush has the broad vision of changing the world. He wants to bring
freedom to a people who have lived under oppression for a long period of time.
The "realist" want to keep the status quo because they can't see over the
horizon whether there is a dawn or sunset. If we stay frozen in fear of the
unknown, then we will NEVER see a peaceful world. A fundamental change in the
way government is conducted over here must take place to have the possibility of
peace. The status quo only resulted in 9/11."

The Autorantic Virtual Moonbat (SITE OF THE DAY)

2004-11-13T09:35:00.000-06:00

Sean Gleeson - Introducing the Autorantic Virtual Moonbat
Having a hard time impressing your liberal friends at parties but just can't keep up with all the conspiracy theories of the election. Think that liberal guy or gal is hot but you don't want to sound like you just came off conservativematchmaker.com. Well help is here for click above and go to the Autorantic Virtual Moonbat.(hint set everything to random and then press rant it hillarious)

Scotsman.com News - International - Black Watch capture death squad(UK TROOP)

2004-11-13T09:19:00.000-06:00

Scotsman.com News - International - Black Watch capture death squad
Nice read here on what the famous Scottish Black Watch are doing in the operation. Go Guys. tip of the hat to rantburg.

BLACK Watch soldiers supporting the US assault on Fallujah yesterday
intercepted a suicide bombing squad after a series of fire-fights and a
helicopter chase across the desert.

Two insurgents were last
night being interrogated at the troops’ Camp Dogwood base after a huge cache of
bomb-making equipment was found in their car.
Both vehicles
contained large quantities of suicide bombing equipment including plunger
detonation devices, electrical circuit boards and three 155mm artillery shells -
the explosive part of a vehicle-borne bomb.

Both vehicles contained
large quantities of suicide bombing equipment including plunger detonation
devices, electrical circuit boards and three 155mm artillery shells - the
explosive part of a vehicle-borne bomb.

Morale soared as word spread
among the Black Watch’s 850-strong battle group at Camp Dogwood
last night.

Great read click above for the rest.

CBS, CNN and ABC: Caught in the Tank with Kerry (MEDIA INDEPENDENCE?)

2004-11-13T08:53:00.000-06:00

CBS, CNN and ABC: Caught in the Tank with Kerry
Great link here to a story that should be investigated here about the conduct of the networks on election night. Hattip to Tim Blair.

KRT Wire | 11/12/2004 | Foreign fighters now reviled by Fallujah residents

2004-11-12T19:01:00.000-06:00

KRT Wire | 11/12/2004 | Foreign fighters now reviled by Fallujah residents
This might be the most important message sent because of this campaign great read excerpts below.

The turning point for a young man named Hudaifa came the day he saw a Yemeni fighter whipping an Iraqi in a public square. He recalled his humiliation this week in a conversation with other Fallujah residents now in Baghdad. Still fearful, the men asked that their last names not be published.

"An outsider beating an Iraqi in his own town?" Hudaifa asked, outrage still in his voice. "It's such a shame for us."

Other residents said foreign militants wore out their welcome months ago, when they imposed a Taliban-like interpretation of Islamic law that included public floggings for suspects accused of drinking alcohol or refusing to grow beards. Women who failed to cover their hair or remove their makeup were subjected to public humiliation. Those accused of spying for Americans were executed on the spot, residents said.

An look at the air war over Fallujah

2004-11-12T18:50:00.000-06:00

The Houma Courier
Its amazing that so many people were opposed to air power back in WWI. I remember reading many just didn't think planes would be effective. Now we layers of aircraft and remote control drones being piloted every day. Nice overview of the Air War this week

2004-11-12T18:28:00.000-06:00

Press Conference At White House Between Blair and Bush

QUOTE OF THE DAY: From the Press conference: Question - Mr. President, first. The Prime Minister is sometimes, perhaps unfairly, characterized in Britain as your "poodle." I was wondering if that's the way you may see your relationship? And perhaps, more seriously, do you feel for the -- PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: Don't answer "yes" to that question. If you do, I would be -- (laughter.) That would be difficult.Question - Do you feel, for the strong support that Britain has given you over Iraq, that you have to pay back Britain for that support in some way?

PRESIDENT BUSH: "The Prime Minister made the decision he did because he wanted to do his duty to secure the people of Great Britain. That's why he made the decision. Plenty capable of making his own mind. He's a strong, capable man. I admire him a lot. You know why? When he tells you something, he means it. You spend much time with politics, you'll know there's some people around this part of the -- this kind of line of work where they tell you something, they don't mean it. When he says something, he means it. He's a big thinker. He's got a clear vision. And when times get tough, he doesn't wilt. When they -- when the criticism starts to come his way -- I suspect that might be happening on occasion -- he stands what he believes in. That's the kind of person I like to deal with. He is a -- I'm a lucky person, a lucky President, to be holding office at the same time this man holds the Prime Ministership.

These are troubled times. It's a tough world. What this world needs is steady, rock-solid leaders who stand on principle. And that's what the Prime Minister means to me."

SCOTT PETERSON FOUND GUILTY

2004-11-12T16:54:00.000-06:00

Well for all you bloggers you were concerned we were going to talk about politics forever salvation has arrived. Peterson has been found guilty and now we will be engulfed in the death penalty phase. Like many in the blogsphere,I am kinda of shocked with the verdict since most "thought he would get away with it". Unlike many though I am not entirely pleased. I don't like Peterson but I hope the jury found him guilty because they thought the state proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt and not because he was a creep to put it bluntly. I thought the evidence was very shakey in this case and some of the police conduct in the investigation pretty shoddy. However as a lawyer we all take an interest in these cases because we get asked all the time about them from friends, neighbors, and strangers off the street it seems. I will give a more detailed view of this case after I examine some of the notes I took on it.

Bayouranter side Link of The Day MAXEDOUTMAMA

2004-11-12T16:00:00.000-06:00

Wow, I really hit the mystery credit bonaza today at blog explosion so I better type something good here. Seriously, how come I can be on there for hours and rack up like 6 credits and today I rack up 75 in 45 minutes. There is hope for you yet. Every day this week I hope to highlight the links on by blog link list. I luv links. However often a person has 100's of links which makes it difficult to go through them all. I try to keep my to a reasonable length so as to see my interest. Also you might notice there some heavy hitter links over there, like andrew sullivan and instapundut. But lets face it everyone has those and they don't really need my help. I often have links to sites,in this case political, that have just as good content as the majors. Also I found most of them through blogexplosion. So this week I hope to entice you to a few of them. Today maxedoutmama( www.maxedoutmama.blogspot.com ). This is one I check out every day. Very good reasoned commentary on the politics of the day as well as great perspective on affairs abroad. Also she has alot of links to sites that we don't often hear about. Just last week there was nice info on the situation with Europe and the EU. Her links to info and her commentary on the past week of political comment on the election has been excellent. Check her out. Tomorrow I will promote Southern Appeal blog. Stay tuned

Evidence of Insurgents Turning on Each Other?

2004-11-12T13:30:00.000-06:00

Interest!ALERT: Quality Content
Article here on what some troops to their surprise found in Fallujah

residents said the U.S-led offensive opened strains between the local insurgents and the foreigners. When a senior Zarqawi commander was found dead of a bullet to the head during the battle, many interpreted his death as the result of an insurgent execution.

Besides the commander's death, the bodies of 20 foreign fighters ao were found shot to death execution-style, military officials said.

This is good sign. Lets hope that this part of a trend.

An Englishman's Castle: The State we are in(commentary on The British State)

2004-11-12T11:58:00.000-06:00

An Englishman's Castle: The State we are in
An Englishman's Castle Blog has an interesting article from Martin Kelly. Kelly laments the state of English society and the economy. He states in part:

...the liberals control social policy with a rod of iron. Children are presented with images of sexuality from the earliest age - politicians express shock when they start having sex young. Intercourse is presented as an entertainment without consequences - the Sunday Telegraph has recently reported that the taxpayer-funded British Pregnancy Advisory Service is sending women to Spain in order to obtain abortions that are illegal in the UK due to the stage of their pregnancy. The debris of this ruinous liberalism wanders round our towns at all hours of the day and night. The institutions of the state, provided by the citizen for their own protection, do not function unless in this liberal atmosphere. The citizen is not permitted to protect his home without having to make a lawyerly judgment in a split-second decision in combat against intruders, in the middle of the night. So paralysed is the police service by its institutional liberalism that it cannot keep the streets of Nottingham and Birmingham free from a gun culture that would shame LA's ganglands.

Click his link to the Washington dispatch for whole article. It will be interesting to see how UK politics develops over the next year. There was quite a vote against an another Regional parliament or assembly last week. It seems that the Brits might think ,after having to have govt workers make decisions for them in Westminster and Brussels, that more govt is not the answer. We shall see.

FrontPage magazine.com :: Jihad at San Francisco State by Lee Kaplan

2004-11-12T08:40:00.000-06:00

FrontPage magazine.com :: Jihad at San Francisco State by Lee Kaplan
Since what the kind, calm, unbigoted blue staters are doing at San Francisco State. The college Republicans came under of a bit of unfriendly fire. You have to read to believe this one. I suggest we send a donation to the College Republicans to show our support.

We're Not Sorry Site

2004-11-12T08:20:00.000-06:00

We're Not Sorry
Yesterday I posted about a site www.sorryeverybody.com that ask for the world for forgiveness for the election of W. Well in response supporters of the President have a new site , www.werenotsorry.com. Click above its a hoot.

Australian Embed talks about how the IRAQI forces are performing

2004-11-12T08:15:00.000-06:00

PM - Fears for civilians in Fallujah
Interesting perspective from an embed journalist of the performance of Iraqi troops. The good news is that their performance has vastly improved. He states in part:

From what I'm hearing, they've been acquitting themselves rather well. I mean, 12 months ago they weren't the same outfit really. 12 months ago they were raw recruits who were probably just hoping to get a pay check at the end of the week and then spend the weekends with their families. This time around, they know that things are a bit more serious than that – that the Americans just aren't a cash cow.

They're here to fight and they have fought in Samarra, in Najaf and now in Fallujah and those previous encounters have hardened them somewhat, given them a bit of experience under fire and they know what to expect now. And the number of troops that are running away or not turning up for the fight has decreased somewhat.

So they tend to be… they're developing also that NCO (non commissioned officer) regime within these ranks where it didn't exist before. So they seem to be tightening up as a fighting unit and doing quite well by all accounts.

Tip of the hat to th fourth raail(www.billroggio.com)

Carnivorous Conservative: Telegraphing From the Front

2004-11-12T08:04:00.000-06:00

Carnivorous Conservative: Telegraphing From the Front
Awesome perspective on the battle in fallujah from this blogger. Also look at graphic he has at the top of the post. Its useful because it shows where the actual units we hear about on tv are located.

FLASHRADAR FRONT PAGE(Winner of Wacko Site of the Night)

2004-11-12T01:15:00.000-06:00

FLASHRADAR FRONT PAGE
Gosh some people make the Democratic Underground folks look sane. Not only does he have the usual articles on 'THE STOLEN ELECTION" but also "PROOF" that the Govt is controling our minds and the weather.

The New York Times > International > Middle East > The Marines: Black Flags Are Deadly Signals as Cornered Rebels Fight Back

2004-11-11T23:44:00.000-06:00

The New York Times > International > Middle East > The Marines: Black Flags Are Deadly Signals as Cornered Rebels Fight Back
This article might require registration but its worth it. This reporter from the New York Times has been doing some great stories excerpts below:
Nov. 11 - The stars began to glimmer through a wan yellow-gray sunset over Falluja on Thursday evening. The floury dust in the air and a skyline of broken minarets and smashed buildings combined for the only genuine postcard image this country has to offer for now.

Sitting on a third-story roof, Staff Sgt. Eric Brown, his lip bleeding, peered through the scope of his rifle into the haze. Moments before, a lone bullet had whizzed past his face and smashed a window behind him. "God, I hate this place, the way the sun sets," Sergeant Brown said.

Sgt. Sam Williams said, "I wish I could see down the street."

But these marines did see a black flag pop up all at once above a water tower about 100 yards away, then a second flag somewhere in the gloaming above a rooftop. And the shots began, in a wave this time, as men bobbed and weaved through alleyways and sprinted across the street. "He's in the road, he's in the road, shoot him!" Sergeant Brown shouted. "Black shirt!" someone else yelled. "Due south!"

The flags are the insurgents' answer to two-way radios, their way of massing the troops and - in a tactic that goes back at least as far as Napoleon - concentrating fire on an enemy. Set against radio waves, the flags have one distinct advantage: they are terrifying.

2theadvocate.com: News - Romero won't endorse Tauzin or Melancon 11/11/04

2004-11-11T23:36:00.000-06:00

2theadvocate.com: News - Romero won't endorse Tauzin or Melancon 11/11/04
This involves one of the two Louisiana congressional races in runoffs. Not good news. This election in this district will be on very local issues. Hopefully the other Republican challenger will come to his senses. I am writing up a piece on this district which I hope to present this weekend.

trucandygirl's Xanga Site A Marine's Wives Blog

2004-11-11T22:11:00.000-06:00

trucandygirl's Xanga Site
I think this blog is excellent and really heart wrenching at times. See one wife view as she blogs daily about her husband who is in Fallujah

BIG Dick Cheney

2004-11-11T21:46:00.000-06:00

Big Dick Cheney

While such a photo of the VP is clearly inappropriate, it's also a harmless mistake and could be seen as - dare we say - flattering. Just ask WKLH's Caine, who dug through her recycling bin to find the photo."It's like a Scud missile, for crying out loud," Caine said.

Hey who says conservatives never are a bit naughty. Check the BIG thread on the Free Republic. Ok, don't pretend you are not going to there tomorrow lurking around when someone does find the picture. Click above to find out more on the search for Cheney's "chief of staff". Tip to wonkette.