Friday, March 31, 2006

Iran Launches New Missile


Iran once again is trying to flex some muscle and intimidate the international community amid increased pressure about its enriched uranium program.
Friday the Iranian military announced that is has successfully test-fired a domestically produced missile that can avoid radar and hit several targets simultaneously.
" Today, a remarkable goal of the Islamic Republic of Iran's defense forces was realized with the successful test-firing of a new missile with greater technical and tactical capabilities than those previously produced," said Gen. Hossein Salami, the air force chief of the elite Revolutionary Guards.
" This technology is completely new, without copying any other missile systems that may exist in other countries," Salami said, adding that the missile could carry multiple warheads. " This missile can evade radar and it can evade anti-missile missiles," he said.
With our troops fighting in Iraq right next door and the ever increasing proof that Iran is supplying the Terrorist we are fighting, it is time we show some muscle. Israel is even in more danger now with this threat now from these missiles.
" This news causes much concern, and that concern is shared by many countries in the international community, about Iran's aggressive nuclear weapons program and her parallel efforts to develop delivery systems, both in the field of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles," said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev.
" The combination of extremist jihadist ideology, together with nuclear weapons and delivery systems, is a combination that no one in the international community can be complacent about," said Regev.
If the president of Iran is looking to push his country closer to war with us, all he has to do is threaten us or our allies and he will have the death he can handle. It will not matter what France or Germany say or how much others whine, we will protect ourselves.

Thursday, March 30, 2006

The U.N Decides On Iran


The United Nations Security Council gave Iran 30 days to clear up any and all suspicions that it is trying to acquire a nuclear weapon. Secretary of State Condolezza Rice warned Iran Thursday that the " International community is united" in the dispute over its nuclear program.
After about three weeks of tough negotiations, the 15-member Security Council approved a statement Wednesday asking the the United Nations watchdog, The International Atomic Energy Agency, to report back in 30 days on Iran's compliance with the demands to stop enriching uranium.
The American people are sick and tired of useless statements and resolutions, we want action. We want the United Nations to accomplish something besides impeding American interests around the world and allowing brutal dictators to run free.
" The onus is on Iran to show the international community that its program is entirely for civil purpose and for no other," said British Foreign Minister Jack Straw. " We have shown very good patience with Iran. They in turn have miscalculated. They thought the international community would be divided on this issue but in fact they have become more and more united."
With Russia and China not fully on board with the U.S. and English it is very hard for me to actually believe that the U.N. will act beyond talk and possible sanctions. The U.N. is very weak and with no power, but maybe they will all show us wrong, I certainly hope so.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

U.N. Replaces Discredited Human Rights Panel


On Monday the highly discredited U.N. Human Rights Commission held its last meeting before being replaced by a new body.
Over the past few years it has become very clear that the Human Rights Commission was nothing but a joke. While attacking the United States at every opportunity, the countries in the commission themselves have horrid human rights records.
Sudan, Libya, Zimbabwe and Cuba are a couple of the countries that would use their position to shield themselves and others from having their performances held up to scrutiny.
The new 47-member Human Rights Council will hold its first meeting June 19 in Geneva and the U.N. General assembly will vote on new members May 9th.
The United Nations has been without real power for quite some time. Take Iraq for example, the U.N. told Saddam that if he didn't comply with the inspectors that serious consequences would happen. Of course we all know that they didn't do anything. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction, we cant expect to much, but hopefully the U.N. can actually accomplish something

Monday, March 27, 2006

U.S. And South Korea Launch War Games

On Saturday the United States and South Korea began its joint military exercises despite protests from the communist state North Korea, which has stated that they believe the annual exercises are preparations for a pre-emptive nuclear attack.
Some 25,000 American soldiers along with a undisclosed number of South Korean soldiers, backed by the Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear powered aircraft carrier, will participate in the week long exercises. These exercises involve a computer-simulated war game and field exercises aimed at improving the U.S. and South Korean forces capabilities, according to the U.S. military.
North Korea can complain and protest all they want, it doesn't change the fact that we need to train with our allies and make sure they stay fresh with tactics, not to mention the fact that if anything ever happens it is a good idea to know how to work together.

" The purpose of the drill is defensive," said Kim Yong-kyu, a spokesman for the U.S. military command in Seoul, dismissing as " nonsense " North Korea's claims that the military exercises are preparation to invade.
North Korea broke off high-level talks with South Korea over the war games issue, saying the drills would also set back efforts to end the standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
About 29,500 U.S. troops are stationed South Korea as a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War that ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty, leaving the two Korea's techically still at war.

Friday, March 24, 2006

Operation Swarmer Comes To A End

Without much notice from the national media Operation Swarmer ended yesterday, without any casualties reported and all tactical objectives met by the coalition forces.
Operation Swarmer started last Thursday involving 1,500 Iraqi and coalition forces, including some 50 Blackhawk helicopters which delivered the soldiers into a 10-by-10-square mile area northeast of Samarra, which is about 60 miles north of Baghdad.
The combined coalition forces moved through area using the intelligence and planning primarily by the Iraqi security forces. The operation resulted in the capture of 104 suspected terrorists, and 24 weapon caches were discovered.
That cache included six shoulder-fired surface to air missiles, more than 350 mortar rounds and three mortar systems, 26 artillery rounds, a variety of bomb-making materials and other military items, more than 120 rockets, more than 3,200 rounds of small-arms ammunition, 86 rocket-propelled grenades and 28 launchers, six land mines, 12 hand grenades and 40 rifle grenades and 24 rifles and machine guns of various types.
Also yesterday east of Baghdad, elements of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division found five weapon cache sites. The caches contained 17 pressure plate initiators, 18 106mm heat rounds, 400 blasting caps, 20 radios with timers, 40 artillery rounds of various sizes and large amounts of .50 caliber rounds.
With this kind of success, you would think that many more operations such as this one are in the planning. Hopefully the Iraqi forces have shown that they are a capable and willing to take the fight to the enemy.
With the weapons and explosives we have been finding, there is no doubt in my mind that the terrorist have been receiving help, most likely from Iran. With there help the terrorist have been able to use more potent and destructive IED's, not to mention the personal they are sending into the country. We must defeat this enemy and we can not run from from our obligation.

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Israel May Be Next al-Qaida Battleground

Israel has been fighting terrorism since the countries inception, and now it appears it has over lapped with the efforts of the U.S.
Signs are mounting that fanatical terrorist loyal to al-Qaida are setting their sights on Israel and the Palestinian territories as there next jihad battleground.
Israel has indicted two West Bank terrorist for al-Qaida membership, Egypt arrested operatives trying to cross into Israel and a Palestinian security official acknowledged al-Qaida is " organizing cells and gathering supporters."
Palestinians in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and Lebanon have established contacts with al-Qaida followers linked to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, according to two Israeli officials. They went on to indicate that, Zarqawi has established footholds in the countries neighboring Israel - Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan, and are interested in bringing the fight to Israel.
Israel has always been one of best allies and it is imperative that we support them even more. They are an island of hope in a sea of hate in the Middle East.
Tuesday's indictment of two terrorist on charges of belonging to al-Qaida and receiving funds from the group for a planned double-bombing in Jerusalem was Israel's most concrete allegation linking al-Qaida to the West Bank Palestinians. The indictment described in detail how the two, Azzam Abu Aladas and Balal Hafnai, met with al-Qaida operatives in Jordan, arranged for secret e-mail exchanges and received thousands of dollars from al-Qaida to carry out the attack. The indictment came only three weeks after Palestinian President Mahoud Abbas told the London-based Al Hayet newspaper that al-Qaida had infiltrated in the West Bank and Gaza.
This is just the latest test for Israel, and i believe in the end part of al-Qaida's undoing. Israel has been very effective in taking key terrorist out and with our full support they will continue to be a effective ally on the war on terror.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

North Korea Talks Tough

On Tuesday North Korea suggested it had the ability to launch a pre-emptive attack on the United States.
" As we declared , our strong revolutionary might put in place all measures to counter possible U.S. pre-emptive strikes," said the North Korean spokesman. " Pre-emptive strike is not the monopoly of the United States."
" We made nuclear weapons because of a nuclear threat from the United States. We have our traditional way of directly tackling the pressure and we will take this kind of way to the United States."
I do believe that North Korea was the one who attacked the south and the U.S., but I guess they will believe whatever they want to.
The North Korean spokesman also disputed last week's U.S. national security report that said, among other things, that North Korea poised a serious nuclear proliferation challenge.
" In a word, it is a robbery-like declaration of war", the spokesman said. " Through this document the Bush administration declared to the world that it is a group of war fanatics."
This from a country that can't even admit it started the Korean war.
The spokesman went on to say, " we have built nuclear weapons for no other purpose than to counter U.S. nuclear threats." These kind of comments are very telling, they show us very clearly the type of people we are up against and who they are. We will deal with this impending threat the way the United States always has, with great courage, honor, and personal sacrifice. We will not be intimidated bye the likes of these people.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Iran Says U.S. Must Apologize

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday said the west, mainly the U.S., should apologize to Iran fro accusing it of trying to develop a nuclear weapon and said his country would continue to resist international pressure to halt its nuclear energy program.
" Today they tell our nation that nuclear energy is a bad thing and it is not necessary for our people to have it. But the nation of Iran has stood(for its right)," he said in a televised speech to mark the Iranian new year. " Those who head war and crimes accused the Iranian nation of war seeking. They insulted our nation. I do advise them to apologize."
If I am not mistaken I believe they have been calling us the " great Satan" for years, and let us not forget the Iranian hostage crisis, and they say we insult them?
Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but western countries who believe otherwise have pushed for United Nations action, including possible sanctions against Iran.
I am under the impression that if that wanted purely energy they would't have turned down the offer presented to them bye the Russians. This president is doing everything in his power to provoke us to attack him. If he wants to bring that much death to his people the international community will see how crazy he really is.

Monday, March 20, 2006

Bush Urges Patience In Iraq

The third anniversary of the Iraq war took place yesterday with the Bush administration arguing that U.S. troops must remain in Iraq, with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warning that to abandon the divided country would be the same as leaving postwar Germany to the Nazis.
I personally think its a shame that Rumsfeld and others are having to defend everything they say and do to the liberal media. How are they suppose to accomplish anything when others around them try to pull everything down.
President Bush, Donald Rumsfeld along with Dick Cheney have been mounting a aggressive political defense of the Iraq war and its importance on the fight against international terrorism and its fanatical followers.
" Turning our backs on postwar Iraq today would be the modern equivalent of handing postwar
Germany back to the Nazis," Donald Rumsfeld wrote in the Washington Post. " It would be as
great a disgrace as if we had asked the liberated nations of eastern Europe to return to Soviet domination because it was too hard or too tough or we didn't have the patience to work with them as they built free countries."
President Bush speaking in his weekly radio address said evidence of progress in Iraq was " too often lost amid the more dramatic reports of violence." Also saying, " more fighting and sacrifice will be required to achieve this victory, and for some, the temptation to retreat and abandon our commitments is strong."
Do these politicians such as John Murtha not understand that if we cower and leave Iraq our enemies will only be emboldened. How does running away with our tails between our legs make us safer? All it does is show our enemies that if they wait us out that we will lose patience and the will to defend ourselves, than my friends we are truly lost and I fear for us all.

Friday, March 17, 2006

Operation Swarmer Moves Forward

On Friday the highly touted and public Operation Swarmer rolled forward trying to clear the area around the small town of Samarra. U.S. military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Barry Johnson indicated that the U.S. led forces roughly 1,500 soldiers, 650-800 of those Iraqis, were searching a 10-mile by 10-mile (16-km by 16-km) area for the fanatical terrorist loyal to the madman Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, and that no casualties have been reported by Iraqi or U.S. forces.
Johnson also reported that 50 people had been detained thus far in the operation and that 30 people still remain in custody.
Thursday's operation appeared to be concentrated near four villages - Jillam, Mamlaha, Banat Hassan and Bukaddou, which is about 20 miles north of Samarra. These villages which are located near the highway leading from Samarra to the city of Adwar, this highway has been the
scene of repeated terrorist roadblocks and ambushes.
It seems fitting that now that our troops are out there looking to fight that the enemy is no where to be seen. It also appears that the media has vastly overreacted in the wake of Operation Swarmer, describing it as merely a political stunt by President Bush. It's very obvious to me that the media is just looking for another reason to bash the President.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan denied the allegations, " this was a decision made by made by our commanders,"he said.
All the troops are doing is there job and the Iraqis are there right next to us making up half the attack force, how dare the media call these young men laying there lives on the line a stunt, it makes me sick and it should you to.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Biggest Air Assault Since Invasion


On Thursday the U.S. military said it has launched what it has called the biggest air offensive in Iraq since the 2003 invasion. The massive air offensive is targeting fanatic terrorist loyal to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in the area near Samarra, which is about 60 miles (100km) north of Baghdad.
Operation Swarmer, which involves more than 1,500 soldiers, 50 aircraft, mainly the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and some 200 armored vehicles is looking to take the fight to the enemy after increased violence after the bombing of a Shiite shrine on Feb. 22.
The offensive which is striking at the heart of the insurgency in the Sunni triangle has already met with success. " A number of enemy weapons caches have been captured, containing artillery shells, explosives, IED-making materials, and military uniforms." said a military spokesman.
The military also said the attack began spearheaded by the Iraqi army's 1st Brigade, 4th Division, the U.S. 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team and the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade conducting a combined air and ground assault to isolate the objective area. Operations such as this one are what is needed most to show the Iraqi people themselves that they don't have to live with fear.
Close to half of the soldiers some 650-800 that are taking parting in this operation are Iraqis themselves, showing that they are becoming more of a partner and leader in the fight instead of a hindrance.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Saddam's Trial Rolls On


Since October Saddam Hussein has been on trial faced with the charges of killing 148 Shias and imprisoning and torturing other during a 1982 crackdown in the town of Dujail. Today was the first day that judge and prosecutors were able to question him directly on the charges.
Since the beginning of the trial Saddam has turned this into a circus while using democrat talking points, trying to blame President Bush and America, as part of his defense. Saddam has often disrupted the proceedings with his outbursts and antics, preventing the trial to move forward effectively.
Wednesday was no different, reading from a prepared statement he insisted, that he was Iraq's elected president, and calling the trial a " comedy". He urged all Iraqis to stop killing each other and rise up against the American and British invaders.
It was finally enough for chief judge, Roauf Abdel-Rahman to interrupt saying he (Saddam) was not allowed to give political speeches in court. " I am the head of state," Saddam replied. " You used to be a head of state. You are a defendant now," the chief judged stated.
Last month, Saddam stood up in court and acknowledged that he ordered the trial of the 148 Shias before his revolutionary court, which sentenced them all to death. The ousted dictator insisted it was his right to do so since the were suspected in the attempt to kill him.
All these actions are making a mockery of these proceedings, but this trial is a necessary thing. I believe this trial is more symbolic more than anything, and I do not believe that Saddam will ever go free. If there is justice in this world the Iraqi people will be able to sentence this broken man to death and show the world that every tyrants time comes to an end.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Bush Blames Iran For Helping Insurgents


President Bush on Monday blamed Iran directly for helping Shi'ite militias in Iraq build more effective and powerful roadside bombs, the most lethal weapon facing the United States military and coalition forces. The IED's, or improvised explosive devices, is the weapon that is responsible for more tan half of the U.S. combat deaths. The IED's are very effective and simple weapons to use, and place the terrorist at a very low risk, which is why the attacks from these weapons have increased steadily.
" Some of the most powerful IED's we're seeing in Iraq today include components that came from Iran." said President Bush speaking to an audience at George Washington University. " Our Director of National Intelligence, John Negroponte, told the congress Tehran has been responsible for at least some of the increasing lethality of anti-coalition attacks by proving Shia' militia with the capability to build improvised explosive devices in Iraq. Coalition forces have seized IED's and components that were clearly produced in Iran."
The President's comments follow strong and clear statements from two senior cabinet members. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the United States faces " no greater challenge from a single country than from Iran." Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld accused Iran of not only sending bomb technology into Iraq, but also of sending members of an elite force of it's Republican Guards.
This only shows the contempt they have for our country and our efforts in Iraq, but what is also does is make them partially responsible for the deaths of American soldiers. Iran's time will come of this I have no doubt, and I for one am truly grateful that I have leaders who are standing up to these cowards.

Friday, March 10, 2006

Abu Ghraib To Have New Ownership

On Thursday the U.S. Military said that it would begin moving upwards of 4,500 prisoners to a new lockup near Baghdad's airport within three months and hand over the facility over to the Iraqi authorities.
Abu Ghraib has perhaps become the most famous prison in the world, known as the location where U.S. soldiers abused some Iraqi detainees and, earlier for it's notorious torture chambers controlled by ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.
The massive facility which is on the western outskirts of Baghdad, will be turned over to Iraqi authorities once the prisoner transfer to Camp Cropper and other U.S. military prisons in the country is finished. This process will take several months, said Lt. Col Barry Johnson, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad.
The U.S. government initially indicated that it wanted to tear down the prison after it became the symbol of the scandal and provoked further insurgent attacks. The need for the facility has kept it open and now with the opening of Camp Cropper it's importance has declined.
General Peter Pace Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said, " There are facilities being built so that the U.S. can pull out of Abu Ghraib. Then it will be up to the Iraqi government to decide what they want to do. I do not know that the Iraqi government had decided. It's an Iraqi decision, I just don't know that they've made that decision."
Hopefully this will be the end to a very sad chapter in American military history.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Port Deal Near End

Republican congressional leaders told President Bush Thursday the House and Senate both appear ready to block a Dubai-owned company from taking over operations of several U.S. port terminals. This has been a hot topic since it broke a month ago, there was many calling for they end of the deal on the claims that it would be dangerous to national security.
Dubai has since proceeded with a 45 day review of the deal to ease the collective mind of the American people. President Bush has promised to veto any legislation blocking or delaying DP World from being able to operate U.S. port terminals as part of its takeover of Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co. , a British company that now holds the contracts at the terminals.
On Wednesday the House Appropriation Committee voted by a margin of 62-2 to ignore that threat and voted to bar DP World, which is run by the government of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, from holding leases or contracts at U.S. ports.
Since House lawmakers attached the ports language to a must-pass $91 billion measure financing hurricane recovery and the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, President Bush's threats of a veto might not carry as much weight. This measure all but dooms this deal, which in my opinion never had a chance to begin with. We will have to wait and see what happens next, whatever it is, it's sure to happen soon.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

The Showdown With Iran Continues

Over the past few months Iran and the United States have been having a war of words, and with the almost certainty that Iran will be brought in front of the U.N. Security Council things have heated up. On March 7th Vice President Dick Cheney declared that the United Nation Security Council would " Impose meaningful consequences." On Iran if they proceeded with its uranium enrichment activities. He went on to say," For our part, the United States is keeping all options on the table in addressing the irresponsible conduct of the regime, and we join other nations in sending that regime a clear message: We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon." This is after a breakoff in negotiations of a deal between Russia and Iran involving enrichment of uranium on Russian soil, but Russia backed off after pressure from the United States and other European allies. Wednesday in Vienna Austria, Ali Asghar Soltanieh a senior Iranian delegate to the 35 nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is meeting to focus on Tehran's refusal to freeze uranium enrichment stated," The United States has the power to cause harm and pain, but the United States is also susceptible to harm and pain. So if that is the path that the U.S. wishes to choose, let the ball roll." These types of statements make it very clear what there intentions are and the respect they have for the International community. The White House has dismissed the comments," I think the proactive statements and actions only further isolate Iran from the rest of the world, and the International community has spelled out what Iran needs to do." said White House press secretary Scott McClellan while touring the Gulf Coast with President Bush. Others though didn't dismiss the comments so quickly, U.N. ambassador John Bolton said of Iran," Their threats show why leaving a country like that with a nuclear weapon is so dangerous." Also saying that the Iranian comments are " Reflecting their determination to acquire weapons." This is a situation the should be coming to head next week when the issue should be brought in front of the United Nations Security Council. Hopefully this time the U.N. will actually show a backbone and prevent Iran from realizing its dream of obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

A Hero Has Fallen

On Monday March 6th, Hall of Famer and former Twins centerfielder Kirby Puckett died of a stoke suffered on the day before. When I heard the news of Kirby's death my heart sank, as I'm sure it did for all Twins fans and baseball fans across country. Arguably the best and most popular Twins player of all time, but there is no doubt in my mind. When I was 6 yrs old I remember watching him and the Twins in the '87 World Series. He is the reason I started playing baseball in the first place. Everyone I played with loved Kirby Puckett, we all wanted to have his number, we all wanted to bat just like Kirby. Than later on in the '91 World Series his legend grew even more when hit the game winning home run in game 6 and when he flew into the Plexiglas wall making that dramatic game changing catch. In his 12 year career from 84-96 he racked up impressive numbers and awards including a batting title in '89, a RBI title in '94. He was a 10 time consecutive all-star, with 6 Golden Glove awards and Silver Slugger Awards. He was a lifetime .318 hitter with 207 home runs and 1,085 RBI's. His career was cut short when he retired in July of '96 due to irreversible retina damage in his right eye. Still in 2001 in his first year of eligibility he was voted into the Hall of Fame. The way he played the game is an example for all players today and he may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.

Monday, March 06, 2006

Activist Teacher Exposed

One would think that if you sent your child to school and they had to take world geography, that they would actually be learning about geography. Well not so on March 2nd in Colorado's Overland High School, where world geography teacher Jay Bennish was suspended with pay for remarks caught on tape by sophomore Sean Allen. About a 150 students walk out in protest of the teachers suspension. The teacher who caught on tape rants about President Bush, comparing him to Adolf Hitler, that the United States is the most violent country in the world. He try's to justify the 9/11 attacks, compares our flag with that of the Nazi's. In one such rant about President Bush he states,"He started off his speech talking about how America should be the country that dominates the world. That we have been blessed essentially by God to have the most civilized, most advanced, best system and that it is our duty as Americans to use the military to go out into the world and make the whole world like us." If this is the state of our schools and the mindset of the ones who are teaching the youth of this country than we are in serious trouble. The 16yr old student who brought this to national attention has since received threats because of it, which also shows the level of brainwashing that this teacher and his ilk have accomplished. In a interview on Fox's Hannity and Colmes, Sean stated that only about 20% of class was ever about geography, the rest of the time was devoted to the personal politics of the teacher. The school has suspended the teacher for the remarks he made, but the bigger question is why he isn't being fired for the obvious lack of just doing his job. He even goes to far as to imply that the CIA want to kill innocent people. Things of this nature are very serious and as a student they rely on there teachers to give them correct and un biased information. Obviously this is not happening, fortunately for us we have brave young men like Sean Allen who stand up and voice opposition when they know the truth is not being told. Maybe stories like this will make the teachers think twice about using taxpayers dollars to try and brainwash and preach to the students they are suppose to be teaching.

Friday, March 03, 2006

The New Iraqi Army


In March 2003 the United States armed forces along with coalition forces proceeded with the utter destruction of Saddam's military forces and infrastructure. We took out top leadership in the regime, as well as all the military vehicles and tanks. People wonder why the Iraqi army hasn't taken all of the fight on need to remember a few little things. First we are building an army from nothing, no leadership, and very little equipment, along with tanks and armored personnel carriers or apc's. Building an entire army takes time and patience, especially as these men have to battle the insurgency at the same time. They are being attacked while standing in line waiting to sign up and fight for their new country. As of Oct 5 2005 there was 1 battalion, or 750 soldiers who where trained and equipped enough to operate independently. They have 230,00 personnel (2006 est.). They have 10 T-55 tanks, 77 T-72 tanks, 4 MT-LB apc's, and 180 M-113 apc's(2005 est.). They also have 80 battalions or 60,000 troops that can operate with such limited support such as logistics and strategic planning. Keep in mind that these troops are not equipped with the firepower the U.S. troops and coalition forces are. Many believe it is a bad idea to hand over weapons to troops who are being killed at larger numbers, for fear that the insurgents may recover them and use them against us. As long as these men stand and fight we as a country need to stand by them, they fight as we did for their countries freedom.

Thursday, March 02, 2006

The Best And The Brightest


People try and say that the only reason young men and women enter the military is that they are not that smart, uneducated and have no other options. I believe these critics are woefully wrong. I also believe that most who go in are of my mindset. They believe as I do, that we have a responsibility to defend our country and our way of life with all of our freedoms. There is also people who go in because of the incentives, such as getting a signing bonus, money to help pay for college, and to see the world. These young men and women all know the risks of what they have undertaken, they all sign on the dotted line and are not forced to do so. That is the reason we have such a good military, only the people who want to serve do so. They also believe that this country is worth giving there life. They all deserve and demand our respect. One thing more than most is that they believe that this country doesn't cut and run faced with cowards who target civilians and and have no honor to face them in battle. People need to accept the fact that we have the most powerful military in the world, this is not going to change. When your on the top, your always the biggest target, we have to face these challenges and overcome them like we always have. These young men and women are doing this for us so we can enjoy our own freedoms, never forget that.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Muslims show true colors



I've resisted talking about this issue for quite some time, I was hoping it would die away. That has not happened. The Imams won't allow it. It was they who started all of this. They are showing the world how crazy and full of hate the Muslim world really is. Now the cartoons that they are mad about may be in bad taste, I don't think anyone is debating that. Now with it being said we live in America, we have free speech and you know what, stuff gets published and showed on TV that offends people everyday. We also have the ability to turn that TV off or not buy that magazine. The thing is we actually have the ability to reason and think, which apparently is lacking in the Muslim world. They do whatever these crazy imams wants. What they are showing me the most is that we as a country have much, much more work ahead of us. With people this willing to kill and die for the will of madmen it will certainly keep our lives interesting for years to come. Yet me must never forget the enemy we face. These are the monsters who saw peoples heads off while chanting for their god. When was the last time you saw Americans chanting death to a country, burning flags and killing people rioting? I'm sure you have heard many times that not all Muslims are terrorist, but it is a sad and telling fact that all terrorists are Muslims.