10 school kids dead in Iraq. What a damn shame. This is the face of the enemy though. It’s tough to look at but it’s what we must face and defeat. All the left wing nuts and Europeans will continue to whine about how bad the US is yet they overlook these daily atrocities committed by Islamist. We target fighters and they target children. When will the appeasers learn you can’t satisfy those that wish to inflict terror? They will never be happy. It’s not in them.
Fallujah: Why are we continuing with the façade of a ceasefire? Yes, I understand the political desire to have the Iraq governing council seem useful but this is a waste of time. Take the city, the whole city then ask for a ceasefire. So far no insurgents have come forward to turn in weapons. Is that a surprise? '
Often times one thinks of a vacation as fun. Sometimes it turns out to be more work than fun. This was just such a vacation. While it had good moments it never felt relaxed. I guess only taking ten days to go to Germany is pushing things anyway. But it was nice and green.
The biggest problem was not seeing much news. The first few days were ok while visiting my sister but after that it was mainly Bayern food and walks and jet lag, with a beer thrown in for good measure now and then.
I watched with some frustration as the Marines in Fallujah halted their assault. I didn’t agree with that move. I was also a little frustrated with the completely obvious CNN International left wing biased. The announcers could barely contain the venom as they spoke George Bushes name. Oh well..
Made it to Germany yesterday. The weather is pretty normal for this time of the year. It’s in the 50’s and a little overcast. Not bad though. I hope to get out today and take some pictures. it’s Sunday so I don’t expect to do a whole lot. Just some walking around.
I wish they would just add a little leg room on the airplanes. Other than being cramped it was a good flight. The flight attendants were very good.
More later….
Memo is out but the left isn't satisfied. No surprise there!
Well the Memo has been de-classified and released. Was it the smoking gun that shows the Bush administrations lack of focus? Not hardly. What it contains is basic information. Nothing specific and nothing that one could act upon. But the anit-Bush crowd will continue in their frenzy to justify their weak positions as the “dumb” administration runs circles around them.
You know the military has always had its rivalries. The Marines always give the Navy a hard time, the Army complains about the comfort of the Air Force. But, I tell you watching the scenes from Fallujah this soldier can feel nothing but pride in our Marines. On the battlefield services are the same and I know the trash talking will always continue in the rear areas. But on the line we are all one team.
I was talking to my Dad last night about this. He was in the Navy many years ago. We talked about the camaraderie you just don’t find anywhere else. It hurts watching and hearing the battles in far away lands while you spend you time on the home front. You want so badly to stand beside your brothers in arms and hold the line.
It’s tough to write about politics or really anything else as all other issues pale while this fight is going on.
[b]Note: I’ll be out of the net for the next week or so, visiting my sister (Brother in law is in Iraq) and other family overseas. I may try to post now and then from vacation if I get time.[/b]
Do we have enough troops on the ground in Iraq? I’ve been thinking about this lately. The discussion of troop strength in general has been going on since the drawdown began in the early 90’s. Many have argued that we hurt ourselves by eliminating two complete divisions and now we are paying the price.
Due in part to fewer troops in the military, we rotate troops in and out with generally no more than a year time on the ground. Is this the right answer? How much experience are we losing in the transition of these units? Yes I know even suggesting longer tours are not popular with anyone. But to occupy takes many more resources than to invade. Should we not build on troop strength to the point that hot spots are overwhelmed with soldiers and Marines and no place for insurgents would be safe?
I believe the insurgencies grow in an unstable environment. When we try to use the minimal amount of force (strength and troop numbers) the insurgents have the time to build. With minor victories they can convince many fellow country men that they will defeat the governing forces even if that would be impossible. This only drags out the conflict and emboldens those who would do harm to continue.
Are we continuing to be in a hurry to rename combat as reconstruction?
Then again should we just pull out of the cities and let the Iraqis fight amongst themselves. Would democracy stand a chance then? Have we been too ambitious in thinking Iraq would even no what to do with a democracy?
Just some thoughts for discussion……
We continue to treat the Iraqi situation like a police action. We try so hard to be nice to them all hoping upon hope they will respond properly. How long will this go on? I say when ever they see a US Military member they should start violently shaking with fear. They should dread US Military ever leaving their compounds. They should fear us so much they go out of their way to keep the peace themselves so as to not let loose the rampages of the US. But we won’t do what is necessary for that to occur and continued violence will probably prevail. We’ll lose more and more damn good people for many who will never deserve or understand where they are headed.
Muqtada al-Sadr must not be allowed to continue to incite violence in Iraq. This ass has been at it since we got there and needs to be shut up….
Well another year goes by. What was I doing a year ago on my birthday? To be honest I can’t remember the day specifically. I know I was in Afghanistan waiting to head back to the States. There was no celebration.
Today I’m here at home reflecting on the news of the day, Iraq, the continuing War on Terror and what I’m back doing for a living. There have been a lot of changes since 9/11 for a lot of us.
I watch as others do, to see what our country’s reaction will be to the murder of our troops and civilian contractors in Iraq. I want swift action, I want a lesson to be taught to those that would work to destroy the only real chance Iraq has for a better country and I want it to be painful for them. I realize however that blind retribution isn’t necessarily the best way to go. I wait hoping our political and military leaders will authorize what must be done in Fallujah. We’ll see..
So what are my plans today? Well I really don’t have any. The first thing I did however was sleep in. That in itself is the best gift I could have given myself. I haven’t done that in a while now.
I might take in a movie later. Yeah I know just living it up. Hey I’m getting old……
