Reading yesterday's entry I realize I never did get around to describing my meeting with Dr. Ali Aldabbagh, chief spokesman to Iraqi PM Maliki. Dr. Aldabbagh told me that a precipitous US withdrawal would be a "huge gift" to the terrorists. He also described Muktada Al-Sadr as a man of "restraint" and said that, like it or not, he is a "player." Events of today have perhaps put those statements in an interesting light. For a full report see my story at Cybercast News Service.
We made a quick Blackhawk trip from the International Zone to Fallujah on Monday night, and were met at the helipad by Captain Duncan of Gary, Indiana. He escorted us to our quarters which were a pleasant suprise - a modular unit with actual beds and a unit just down the line with internet. That was very welcome of course, but it put things in perspective when we learned today that one of the Iraqi internet technicians who installed and maintained the service was murdered, presumably for his collaboration with US forces.
In the morning LTC Foster gave us a unclassified briefing on operations in Anbar province. Fallujah itself was largely pacified in the famous battle of 2004. That doesn't stop the odd insurgent from lobbing a mortar onto the base and one person was killed in such fashion a couple days ago. Ramadi is the provincial capital, and the Marines have made progress in taking control and setting up a cordon making it difficult for insurgents to enter or resupply. But this is a large province, and work remains to be done. There has also been significant progress in recruiting and training Iraqi police and military. The goal of course is to turn operations over to the Iraqis as soon as feasible.
This afternoon we observed a martial arts training session. Every Marine must obtain martial arts proficiency of at least a tan belt level. This was an advanced course, and the session we saw was amazing. Instructors in the middle of the ring fought for three minutes with each member of the class. Those not fighting were doing an array of very strenuous physical exercises. At the end of the three minutes the Marines rushed to get the fighter out of his protective gear and place it on the next man up. It was an exercise not just in toughness and skill but also in teamwork. As Top Sergeant Franklin [pictured right in photo with Captain Duncan left] explained, it's not about one guy emerging as the toughest or best - it's about the team succeeding.
We'll be heading to other Marine bases in Anbar on each of the next two nights. . .
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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"And I'm quite sure the
November 14, 2006 - 16:30 ET by Dave R"And I'm quite sure the American people will continue helping us and supporting us in creating a new Iraq, a democratic and stable country," he said.
I certainly hope Dr. Aldabbagh is right. I'm not quite that optimistic, given the fact that the redepolyment proponents (read that the surrender then cut and run spineless wonders) within our own congress seem to be gearing up in earnest.
Let's all hope that doesn't happen.
Watch out for those mortars!
Democrats are a lot of talk
November 15, 2006 - 12:45 ET by SportPoliticsDemocrats are a lot of talk. They want a withdrawal schedule - perhaps they will manage that, but I heard vote no for my draft bill Rangle on Hannity radio last night, and he hedged the heck out of pullout completely. He twisted and wrangled and hubuffed and ballyhooed, and in the end he pretty much said, " uhhh... progress ". ( Now the goose cooking for the democrats is starting ) The "democrat consensus" will have to do with talking to people, and then they can brag about peace relations. Heck they told us during/after Clinton " peace and prosperity" even as slicks war raged in the balkans, under the "peacekeeping" slogan.
" A new direction " ( Hillary's group think focus group tested slogan) - is the fact that Maliki and others there will have to listen to the democrats whine and write nasty letters, and moan and complain, and pretend, and in the end the democrats will be just that. Give them 6 months and they'ell start bragging about their major accomplishments -- in Iraq...
" Our new direction turned it all around. " " This is what competent leadership can do. " " We started talking, and now people are talking to eachother again. "
Oh I can see it coming. The news will have to morph as well. The news will "refocus", by giving democrat credit for "accomplishments" we never saw reported before, while they whine about President Bush.
The Iraqi NG and police forces ( getting into very high numbers and having a good amount of training and live action ) soon will be said to be holding their own...they will filter in those reports and reslant them...the ones they have been crushing for years now...
Yes, it will be a burdgeoning demoratic move toward the light.... some special thing they can announce and take credit for - Sadr negotiations or something ... anything that gives them the chance to take credit...yep that ell do it - they'ell find something.
Stay safe and thanks for yo
November 14, 2006 - 18:04 ET by NortonPeteStay safe and thanks for your post.
Mark,Keep up the great work y
November 14, 2006 - 19:28 ET by BlondeMark,
Keep up the great work you're doing.
Everything you've written is fascinating.
The MSM would have had a really hard time hijacking the Iraq discussion if we'd had this kind of coverage, daily, over the duration....I'd bet the "anti-war" vote would have been kind of slim.
Mark, Great job, as usual. Gl
November 15, 2006 - 07:01 ET by Indiana JoeMark,
Great job, as usual. Glad to hear you're safe and seemingly well-cared for by our troops. I'd imagine they're GLAD to have someone sympathetic over there.
But I wish I'd have responded sooner, assuming you have much time to check these posts. "Captain Duncan of Gary, IN." As I sit and type, I'm in GARY, INDIANA!!! It's been "home" to me for forty years!!!
If you get the chance, tell him Gary is proud to be represented by the likes of him, and we look forward to the day we can welcome him home after his excellent service to our country. I'm just thrilled that you had a chance to meet one of our "home town boys."
Stay safe, keep up the good work, buddy,
Joe Rodino
Mark, maybe (probably) it's
November 15, 2006 - 07:44 ET by sarcasmoMark, maybe (probably) it's obvious to Iraqis anyway, but has anyone there considered whether it's a wise idea to put peoples' religious denomination on state issued identity cards? Seems to make mass kidnappings more-convenient, but I can't think of any legitimate reason for the Iraqi government to care one way or the other. Also, the news media -- shockingly -- never seems to want to cover a certain aspect of Iraqi life (even when they were passing a constitution, which you'd think would include debate about self-defense rights vs gun control!) but I have a simple question about Iraqi life. Let's say I'm a law-abiding Sunni research institute professor of some sort in Baghdad, and because many scores remain to be settled with the Shiites, I'm quite worried about a mass kidnapping (followed by torture/murder) perpetrated by them. How hard is it for me to get Iraqi government permission to own/carry an ordinary 9mm pistol?
JMR
"How hard is it for me t
November 15, 2006 - 08:19 ET by Indiana Joe"How hard is it for me to get Iraqi government permission to own/carry an ordinary 9mm pistol?"
sarc,
Mark is definitely the source here, but I'd like to take a wild guess. I'd think that, legitimately, it would be VERY difficult if not impossible. Now, Illegitimately, on the other hand,.... probably very, scarily, easily.
Don't misunderstand my "scary" ref, either. I'm a lifetime NRA member. I just mean, the "insurgents" get them, so they're probably out there.
(and just btw, I'm partial to the .45 ACP myself. Less rounds, but more stop!) ... ;^)
and just btw, I'm partial to
November 15, 2006 - 08:37 ET by Dave Rand just btw, I'm partial to the .45 ACP myself. Less rounds, but more stop!
I second that in a big way.
Well, in the USA I'd agree,
November 15, 2006 - 09:06 ET by sarcasmoWell, in the USA I'd agree, but as Joe Iraqi research-professor, I was focused on what's likely to be more available to ordinary citizens over there. I'm imagining zillions of ancient Browning Hi-Powers float around that country, but my guess is that probably only elite US units use .45 pistols. Also, many shooters have found that the much-hotter non-SAAMI 9mm is pretty-good, the key is to avoid any ammo that's been polluted by lawyers in the production-process. :) Anyway, my whole point in asking the question is that there's this weird idea out there that the principles behind the Second Amendment work only in the USA. I, OTOH, have this weird-seeming idea that giving average Iraqi university professors a means of self-defense instead of no-means of self defense might make future mass-kidnappings more difficult. Also, have you noticed that even in the USA, when you buy a firearm, big government is for some reason interested in what race you are? Maybe our government should start asking "what religion" next, and putting that on all identity cards, since that's working so well in Iraq. (All of this brings to mind the years-old Jay Leno joke about letting the Iraqis try using our Constitution, since we're not...)
JMR
"but as Joe Iraqi resear
November 15, 2006 - 10:32 ET by Indiana Joe"but as Joe Iraqi research-professor,"
sarc,
I almost thought that was a slam at me! LOLOL!!! (I think I may be getting hyper-sensitive in my old age .... ;^)
But I get your point: there are liable to be ...oh, gosh...MILLIONS of old NATO pistols, rifles, RPGs, etc laying around there. That's why the ".45" comment was just an aside.
And you're also right, the idea that somehow only we "Americans" could be trusted with the 2nd Amendment, let alone the WHOLE Bill of Rights, is something that I have this feeling floats around the back of the mind of an awful lot of "enlightened" leftists out there. I mean, look how many leftists throughout history have thought that an armed populace was a BAD idea.
But I think that really opens up a whole 'nother thread.....
[Oh, good a place as any to mention this, too. I recently received an email that ...6, was it?....states released their CCW holders lists. The Boston Globe, I think, combed through them to publish the names of sports stars and celebs that were "carry permit" holders. WTF??? It hits home to me because one of those states was INDIANA!!! (thought we had more sense than THAT!)So, now what? Should I just strap on a Peacemaker? What's the point of "concealed carry" if you're going to publish the list of permit holders???]
Anyone else hear about this? Or is it BS?
PARTY POOPER!You are right, o
November 15, 2006 - 16:10 ET by Dave RPARTY POOPER!
You are right, of course. I didn't consider the supply situation, as we Americans can usually obtain ammo in the desired caliber fairly easily. Well, most of the desired calibers, anyway. If I need some "specials" for the old Glock 21 .45 acp, I can just dial up my cousin, the handloader extroadinaire and, within a couple of days I have more than I need. I guess you can't really do that in the deserts of Iraq.
Its just that, around here, the 9mm cal is considered so, ah (whispering quietly now) wimpy.
"I didn't consider the s
November 15, 2006 - 23:21 ET by Indiana Joe"I didn't consider the supply situation,"
That's right! I think sarc said he was a "loggie" in another thread.
Or maybe it was "another life." LOL.
Once a "loggie" ... ;^)