This and That Redux

FoxNews online has been running a blog from Capt. Dan Sukman, presently on active duty in Iraq titled, “Soldier's Diary: A Day in the Iraq Life of Captain Dan”. Capt. Dan is writing a lot of insightful commentary we normally do not get a chance to read including Port-a-Johns, 'fufu' coffee and preparing to go home.

Morning all, today I thought I would tackle a few news releases from the military, a few comments and a few topics, I will try to keep it short, to the point, on topic and who the heck am I kidding, we all know I tend to go off at times, but I will try and be good.

The top of my list is a wonderful, informative interview by Blackfive of a Marine Gunny in Iraq, It is a good piece of work and Blackfive should be proud. Here is only the opening paragraph, stop and read it to learn the truth about the job our boys are doing and tell them Ranter sent you.

Written by Blackfive: “Want the truth on the ground in Iraq?”

“Thanks to the good folks at Central Command Public Affairs, I was able to interview a Marine that has rather been one my favorites to watch in Iraq. He is US Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Erik E. Duane, and he is a Civil Affairs detachment chief in the Denver Area of Operations. Since the Iraqis call their Gunnys "Lions" and Gunny Duane was inducted into a local tribe as a Sheik, he is Sheik Lion.”

Here's the interview unedited (except for my spelling errors) with Gunnery Sergeant Erik E. Duane:”

I receive the news release from CENTCOM and have been trying to build up something including them over at The Ranter’s News that Counts, but it is taking time. I will be updating that one today, in the mean time, I updated a release showing positive signs in Iraq, “Baghdad operation improving security” and here is a brief excerpt:

“BAGHDAD — Operation Together Forward, the Iraqi-led operation to reduce violence in Baghdad, is progressing well and improving the security situation around the Iraqi capital, a Joint Staff official said Aug. 23.”

One other addition over at the news site may be of interest: “IRAQI LEADER TAKES ACTION TOWARD PEACE”

I also added three other news releases to The Ranter's News that Counts. They are as follows:

Iraq:
Encouraging results in Police recruiting

CAMP AL ASAD — More than 500 Iraqi men were screened and accepted for service as police officers in their local communities during a three-day recruiting drive in Iraq’s western al-Anbar province recently. | Full Story |

Afghanistan:

SUSPECTED TERRORISTS CAPTURED NEAR PARU KHYL VILLAGE
KABUL , Afghanistan – Afghan and Coalition forces conducted a pre-dawn raid on a compound housing suspected terrorists Aug. 22 near Paru Kheyl village in Khowst Province.
| Full Story |

EXTREMIST'S ROCKETS INJURE NOMADS
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Several rockets fired by Taliban extremists struck a Kuchie (nomad) encampment injuring two civilians in Gardez on Aug. 21. The injured are being treated by Coalition medical personnel. Their condition is not known that this time.
| Full Story |

President Bush is trying his best to provide a better understanding of Iraq now that John McCain joined the political fray and denounced the very program he previously supported. Darn, politics and elections just make the best come out in people.

This is the part that tends to tick me off too, politicians supporting one thing privately then a complete about face when the votes need to be counted. It is very evident they all wish to disassociate themselves with anything related to the policies of President Bush.

As I mentioned yesterday, President Bush nor Donald Rumsfeld did not expect what occurred, on the contrary, the initial attack plan would be studied for years to come, fast, lightning and deadly. The White House did not pay the Iraqi military to take up armed insurrection and they darn sure had no idea that Muslims from other countries would pour into Iraq for a chance to kill an American.

The sad commentary to that is whoever takes office next is not going to have a magic bullet or a miracle cure for Iraq, it will go on in the timetable needed and that is it, pure and simple. When the day does come of a total democratic and free Iraq whomever is the sitting President will take the credit even if he or she did nothing except get voted into office, the win will be there’s. Politics are said to make strange bedfellows, personally I think they suck canal water.

That is about all for this morning, I just wanted to share a few links, but if something catches my eye later, you bet I will be back.