totten is da man

That murder can’t undo the changes in the hearts and minds of the locals. If anything, assassinating a well-respected leader who is widely seen as a savior will only further harden Anbaris against the rough men who would rule them.

“All the tribes agreed to fight al Qaeda until the last child in Anbar,” the Sheikh’s brother Ahmed told a Reuters reporter.

This is excellent! I am now smiling.

Mr. Totten is amazing.

Ought to be required reading for all J-students and all "practicing" journalists of the msm.

reality?

The MSM will ignore it.

re: #4 Golem Akbar

Yeah this is when the difference between right and left in America becomes truly apparent. If this was on DailyKos the posters would be ridiculing this and posting how we have already lost and there is no hope, here you get people that actually want us to succeed.

Hugh Hewitt read the whole thing on his radio show this afternoon. Told his audience to go on-line and look at the photos. Linked it at his website.

That murder can’t undo the changes in the hearts and minds of the locals. If anything, assassinating a well-respected leader who is widely seen as a savior will only further harden Anbaris against the rough men who would rule them.

Hear that kossacks?

“All the tribes agreed to fight al Qaeda until the last child in Anbar,” the Sheikh’s brother Ahmed told a Reuters reporter.

Now that they are fighting back, it won't get to that point.

There is hope and Totten is reporting on it.

Hahahahhahah everyone is still on the OJ thread.

I did it! I survived the OJ thread and got to something new AND good. (You planned that didn't you Charles.)

re: #10 SecretInternetDoucheBag

Great nic. First time I saw it.

“As of July 30,” Major Peters said in early August, “we’ve have 81 days in the city with zero attacks since March 31.”

Things you won't hear in the msm for $100 Alex.

Hugh Hewitt was reading Tottens report on his show tonight. Interspersed were wonderings when the MSM would pick any of it up.

Like the Energizer Bunny, I'm waiting and waiting and waiting !

Michael's pictures are so amazing. I'm most struck by the pic of the gorgeous red dress amid the rubble, but all the smiling Iraqi children is what warmed my heart.

Keep up the fantastic work, Mr. Totten.

re: #14 sattv4u2

Hugh Hewitt was reading Tottens report on his show tonight. Interspersed were wonderings when the MSM would pick any of it up.

Like the Energizer Bunny, I'm waiting and waiting and waiting !

I heard it, too. But like the bad old days of journalism, the MSM still believes in the adage: if it bleeds, it leeds. Lefty scumbags.

From the above report:

The late Sheikh Sattar Abu Risha, who was just recently murdered, to Johns Hopkins University professor Fouad Ajami:

Our American friends had not understood us when they came. They were proud, stubborn people and so were we. They worked with the opportunists, now they have turned to the tribes, and this is as it should be. The tribes hate religious parties and religious fakers.

re: #14 sattv4u2

Hugh Hewitt was reading Tottens report on his show tonight. Interspersed were wonderings when the MSM would pick any of it up.

Like the Energizer Bunny, I'm waiting and waiting and waiting !

They are waiting for their marching orders from MoveOn.org and DailyKos.

When the Iraqi's truly hit critical mass in terms of rejecting the murderers, this thing will be over and the left will have no idea what hit them. They won't believe it in fact. We'll have a whole new set of troofers.

And no for another good tune and player -

MSM: good news in Iraq? yawwwn.

Violence has declined so sharply in Ramadi that few journalists bother to visit these days. It’s “boring,” most say, and it’s hard to get a story out there – especially for daily news reporters who need fresh scoops every day.

No news is good news, and all that. When a reporter calls it boring, you know things must be going right.

In the end AQ's not the most dangerous branch of the army of the caliphate -- HuT is. Hizb ut Tahrir's flag is the same as Al Qaeda's, but they are craftier, making it black on white instead of white on black when they show it to the world at large. Sort of like Hamas and Samah in the HLF trial...
AQ craps its bed where ever it goes, eventually turning the local populace against them. They can't help it as long as they promulgate extreme sharia, and they can't stop doing that. To gain power in any region they recruit, and it's the sociopaths and psychopaths who are drawn to them.

HuT's more subtle, and uses broad issues to inflame passions in larger groups of muslims, without letting them see what will happen when the whip comes back.

I delighted to read about the turn around in Anbar. I guess it makes sense: when people have a choice between freedom and prosperity on hand, and intolerance and terror on the other ... Let's hope that there are more stories like this in the future.

This story has been dugg.

I figure it's worth a shot.

re: #23 l'omega

I delighted to read about the turn around in Anbar. I guess it makes sense: when people have a choice between freedom and prosperity on hand, and intolerance and terror on the other ... Let's hope that there are more stories like this in the future.

Well America did vote in Democrats to power last election so you might want to rethink your hypothesis.

“Old school methods defeat insurgencies,” Captain McGee said, “not brute force or technology. The key is to kill existing terrorists and prevent additional recruitment. Al Qaeda must have a safe haven or they will barely be able to operate.”

Democratic Party Platform for 2008!

re: #24 Noam Sayin'

This story has been dugg.

I figure it's worth a shot.

Oh! I'm going to have to dig up my password!

re: #25 SecretInternetDoucheBag

re: #23 l'omega

I delighted to read about the turn around in Anbar. I guess it makes sense: when people have a choice between freedom and prosperity on hand, and intolerance and terror on the other ... Let's hope that there are more stories like this in the future.

Well America did vote in Democrats to power last election so you might want to rethink your hypothesis.

Some of us believe that a turnaround is possible, and the more Hillary exposes herself (ugh), the more likely that is to happen.

re: #28 Golem Akbar

I was speaking about the choice between freedom and prosperity and intolerance and fear.

“You would probably be okay downtown,” he said, “but you would definitely be fine just north of town. If you tried that in February you would not have lasted four hours.”

“You trust the locals that much?” I said.

“I do,” he said.

“The only people I trust with my life in this country are the Kurds,” I said.

“I trust these people almost as much,” he said. “Are they petty? Yes. Are they tribal? Yes. Are they Arabs?” He rolled his eyes. “Yes. Do they believe in conspiracy theories? Yes. But they have their act together now.”

Leave out the last sentence, and you've pretty well described the Democratic party. No wonder they are cheesed about this -- people getting their act together is the last thing the Social Democratic party wants.

/channeling Neil Boortz for a second there.

re: #25 SecretInternetDoucheBag

re: #23 l'omega

I delighted to read about the turn around in Anbar. I guess it makes sense: when people have a choice between freedom and prosperity on hand, and intolerance and terror on the other ... Let's hope that there are more stories like this in the future.

Well America did vote in Democrats to power last election so you might want to rethink your hypothesis.

I agree -- it would be tragic if any President were to turn around just as there was light at the end of the tunnel. I think that the mainstream Democratic Presidential candidates are smart enough to run on an anti-war platform, but choose a wiser policy after elected (or even after the primary!).

re: #29 SecretInternetDoucheBag

re: #28 Golem Akbar

I was speaking about the choice between freedom and prosperity and intolerance and fear.

Yeah, me too. (heh)

Here is the real and true face of the American soldier and what we as a country are really all about.. A helping hand and a true friend. Once people learn the truth, the rest is easy... The Japanese and Germans learned this lesson after WWII.. Unfortunately, only the S. Koreans were able to learn it after that conflict and the Vietnamese, well, they never had the chance.

If this message could only spread to the rest of Iraq...

If there is any justice in this world this thread will get more comments than f@ckin OJ.

This must really upset he Democrats and their surrogates in the main stream press

In early 2007 Ramadi, the capital of Iraq’s Anbar Province, was one of the most violent war-torn cities on Earth. By late spring it was the safest major city in Iraq outside Kurdistan.

MoveOn could not be reached for comment.

Heh, Murtha's going "damn, we'll have to tell Osama to try harder".

re: #34 SecretInternetDoucheBag

If there is any justice in this world this thread will get more comments than f@ckin OJ.

That's what I'm hoping.

Now this part is interesting:

“We have one Iraqi lieutenant here who speaks pretty good English,” Marine Lieutenant Jonathan Welch told me. “You should talk to him. He has a sarcastic sense of humor and a really interesting point of view.”

“That would be terrific,” I said. “Can you introduce me to him?”

He went to find the lieutenant, but came back with bad news.

“He won’t talk to you,” he said. “Apparently some reporters recently spent a few days with him and his men. They wrote an agenda-driven story with a few quotes yanked out of context. He said the story was a total lie and that he refuses to have anything to do with the media.”

I heard complaints of that sort about the media every day from American Soldiers and Marines, but this was the first time I had heard it, albeit indirectly, from an Arab Iraqi.

More good news from Iraq -- Empty Hospital beds

Goood mooorrning, Annnbarrr!
Got news?

I just got done reading Tottens piece, click LGF and here it is again.
Take the half hour or so and read it all Lizards. This is the kind of quality reporting that all the MSM should be doing.

Everybody must be reading Totten's piece. Should pick up soon.

OK, last quote, but this one is really a doozy:

“All the mosques now have pro-US messages now,” Major Peters said. “They used to be anti-American, in part because AQI barged in and told them to broadcast anti-Americanism or die.”

Find me a place in America or Europe where you can hear a pro-US message in a mosque. Reminds me of the Cold War days when the most staunchly pro-US public opinion in Europe was in countries behind the Iron Curtain.

Michael Totten has betrayed us. Clearly he does not read D.U. and Kos, so he has no idea what is really happening in Iraq.

/MoveOn.org

re: #43 meMarc

Everybody must be reading Totten's piece. Should pick up soon.

Either that or they on the OJ thread. Or still piling on Manilow.

Here's Dennis Prager's view on the current state of journalism today. Word

Let's make Kurdistan the 51st state and Anbar the 52nd.

But in Ramadi the Marines are seriously considering dropping the helmet and body armor requirements because the low level of danger makes the gear no longer worth it. Protective gear doesn’t look intimidating, exactly, but it is hard to socialize properly with Iraqis while wearing it. It creates a feeling of distrust and distance.

*blink* *blink* Did I read that correctly?

re: #46 Lucius Septimius

re: #43 meMarc

Everybody must be reading Totten's piece. Should pick up soon.

Either that or they on the OJ thread. Or still piling on Manilow.

O.J. Thread seem to have ground to a halt. I think people are reading Totten.

re: #48 Jim in Virginia

Let's make Kurdistan the 51st state and Anbar the 52nd.

Right after Cuba!

When this is all said and done, Michael Totten will win a Pulitzer prize or two.
Fantastic journalism on his part, job well done.

re: #52 Wheelz

When this is all said and done, Michael Totten will win a Pulitzer prize or two.
Fantastic journalism on his part, job well done.

Maybe just maybe other journalists will start picking up on his message, too. After all, the world has got to be tired of the same ole negative same ole.

re: #47 Golem Akbar

Here's Dennis Prager's view on the current state of journalism today. Word

Word Up! :)

re: #35 FrogMarch

This must really upset the Democrats and their surrogates in the main stream press

Not at all. They wont read it. If they read any of it they'll disregard it and question its truthiness. Obviously Totten has an agenda. (Unlike the NYT or WaPo.)

re: #52 Wheelz

When this is all said and done, Michael Totten will win a Pulitzer prize or two.
Fantastic journalism on his part, job well done.

Don't think it will happen. No mainstream organization is backing him up. He's on his own. Who votes for Pulitzer's anyway?

OT: Security update out for firefox, there's an exploit out for the vulnerability. If you have autoupdates off, go get patched.

Exploit: Attacker can run script commands with the ((full privileges)) of the user.
Source: [Link: tinyurl.com...]

Mozilla Foundation Security Advisory 2007-28
Title: Code execution via QuickTime Media-link files
Impact: Critical
Announced: September 18, 2007
Reporter: Petko D. Petkov
Products: Firefox, SeaMonkey

Fixed in: Firefox 2.0.0.7
Description

On his blog Petko D. Petkov reported that QuickTime Media-Link files contain a qtnext attribute that could be used on Windows systems to launch the default browser with arbitrary command-line options. When the default browser is Firefox 2.0.0.6 or earlier use of the -chrome option allowed a remote attacker to run script commands with the full privileges of the user. This could be used to install malware, steal local data, or otherwise corrupt the victim's computer.

The fix for MFSA 2007-23 was intended to prevent this type of attack but QuickTime calls the browser in an unexpected way that bypasses that fix. To protect Firefox users from this problem we have now eliminated the ability to run arbitrary script from the command-line. Other command-line options remain, however, and QuickTime Media-link files could still be used to annoy users with popup windows and dialogs until this issue is fixed in QuickTime.

This QuickTime issue appears to be the one described by CVE-2006-4965 but the fix Apple applied in QuickTime 7.1.5 does not prevent this version of the problem.
Workaround

re: #52 Wheelz

When this is all said and done, Michael Totten will win a Pulitzer prize or two.

Hardly. Do not look for the leftists controlling Pulitzers to legitimize independent journalism or any journalist not toting the leftist line.

re: #53 buzzsawmonkey

You beat me to it!

re: #24 Noam Sayin'

Again, did you see the answer to your options question?

/last thread I'm chasing you on for this

re: #48 Jim in Virginia

Let's make Kurdistan the 51st state and Anbar the 52nd.

can't California just absorbe them and the billions of new medicaid/medicare/welfare payments? They're already paying the healthcare tab of Mexico

Those eeevil baby murdering troops, just shooting every kid that moves because they are evil

/moonbat off

What an amazing piece! The pictures of the children really tell the story. They want to be happy kids, go to school, and do the same things as any other kid. I really appreciated the following quote:

They [the children of Iraq] are the ones I now think of when trying to figure out what the United States should do in Iraq. They are the ones who will have to suffer the consequences the longest.

Anyone call this guy a traitor or Bush mouthpiece yet?

re: #58 Thanos

Thanks for the heads up.

Wowl. The pictures tell such a wonderful story.

re: #52 Wheelz

When this is all said and done, Michael Totten will win a Pulitzer prize or two.
Fantastic journalism on his part, job well done.

Pulitzer Board. (The internet is a wonderful thing.)

Lee C. Bollinger, President, Columbia University

Danielle Allen, Professor, Departments of Classics and Political Science and the Committee on Social Thought, University of Chicago

Jim Amoss, Editor, Times-Picayune, New Orleans, La.

Amanda Bennett, Executive Editor/Enterprise, Bloomberg News

Joann Byrd, Former Editor of the Editorial Page, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Kathleen Carroll, Executive Editor and Senior Vice President, Associated Press

Thomas L. Friedman., Columnist, The New York Times

Donald E. Graham, Chairman, The Washington Post

Anders Gyllenhaal, Executive Editor, The Miami Herald

Jay T. Harris, Wallis Annenberg Chair, Director, Center for the Study of Journalism and Democracy, Annenberg School of Communication, University of Southern California

David M. Kennedy, Donald J. McLachlan Professor of History, Stanford University

Nicholas Lemann, Dean, Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University

Ann Marie Lipinski, Senior Vice President and Editor, Chicago Tribune

Gregory L. Moore, Editor, The Denver Post

Richard Oppel, Editor, Austin American-Statesman

Mike Pride, Editor, Concord (N.H.) Monitor

Paul Tash, Editor, CEO, and Chairman, St. Petersburg Times

Sig Gissler, Administrator, Graduate School of Journalism

re: #68 meMarc

So in other words your saying he does not have a snow balls chance in hell?

How is a Pulitzer nominated? Is there any way to start the process? I would like to see Micheal Yon put on that pedestal.

re: #61 Killian Bundy

re: #24 Noam Sayin'

Again, did you see the answer to your options question?

/last thread I'm chasing you on for this

Yes.

I knew you'd have an answer.

Hmmm, appears to be Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in 1985 on my local Public Televsion affiliate.

Like a diamond ring in the trash compactor, good TV on PBS

Thomas L. Friedman., Columnist, The New York Times
Lee C. Bollinger, President, Columbia University
Donald E. Graham, Chairman, The Washington Post

Here are three people that are voting for Dan Rather.

re: #58 Thanos

Heh. Just updated about two hours ago.

I heard this on the radio on hugh show. I just cannot believe not one and I mean one DEMOCRAT has came out and said something about this.
Amazing

Aisha two threads down.

Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful news!

There will be zero mention of this in the MSM.

Good news = boring.

A Billion dead Iraqi civilians (lies) = front page.

Let's hope it lasts. Let's hope there are no traitors who will help AQ get back into Anbar. And given the appeal AQ makes to the religious Iraqis, it can happen soon.

re: #17 Cattt

From the above report:

The late Sheikh Sattar Abu Risha, who was just recently murdered, to Johns Hopkins University professor Fouad Ajami:

Our American friends had not understood us when they came. They were proud, stubborn people and so were we. They worked with the opportunists, now they have turned to the tribes, and this is as it should be. The tribes hate religious parties and religious fakers.

Yeaaah, but if you read that Ajami article (posted on opinionjournal.com last sunday), the next paragraph he sort of doubts that Risha was telling the truth, that is, it wasn't any fault of the Americans that the Sunni, including Risha, were shooting at them up to three weeks ago. The Sunni always pride themselves on being more western and secular, they *ought* to be our friends, heck they *were* our friends, the Saudis (secular? western? well, so it's not quite that easy!) still are our dear friends (puke). Sooo, what I'm saying is, it's complicated, and I won't count my camels until the goats come home, or something like that.

re: #69 SecretInternetDoucheBag

re: #68 meMarc

So in other words your saying he does not have a snow balls chance in hell?

Don't really know. Seems to me the board would be prejudiced to vote for people they know and interact with. Also, if the press is liberal, then why would they vote for a guy who is reporting the opposite of what their papers are putting out. It would mean that the NYT and Miami Herald and their friends at Columbia are wrong.

re: #68 meMarc

My favorite old J-school professor is on the board. Kinda' to the left but, honest. And, tougher than hell.

re: #72 Ed Mahmoud's Sock Puppet
No O.J./J-lo/Brittany/Natalee Holloway, on NPR. It's diabolical.

re: #82 swamprat

re: #72 Ed Mahmoud's Sock Puppet
No O.J./J-lo/Brittany/Natalee Holloway, on NPR. It's diabolical.

Did OJ get drunk on the beach with no nickers? I must have missed something.

re: #81 MandyManners

What is it about teaching Government and Journalism classes that appeals to people on the left? All the teachers of my Gov classes have been on the left end of the spectrum. Hell, the teacher of my Bias in Journalism class ran for office as a democrat. I mean kinda proved the point of the class when admitted to that one, then he shoved the whole "but journalists just write what sells and work for big CORPORATIONS" on us.

Waitaminute, let me say something much more positive.

This kind of reaction is *exactly* what George W. Bush has had in mind since day one. Maybe it took a while to happen, but if it sticks, George W. Bush's Christian faith in Sunni Moslems will have paid off bigtime, and the entire Iraq adventure will (eventually) be counted one of the greatest military and political decisions of the last thousand years.

re: #83 Lucius Septimius
Armed robbery in vegas/ some of his old stuff.

re: #52 Wheelz

re: #84 SecretInternetDoucheBag

What is it about teaching Government and Journalism classes that appeals to people on the left? All the teachers of my Gov classes have been on the left end of the spectrum.

Conservative government teachers would only need 2 hours per semester to teach the course. Now, how fun would that be?
;)

re: #86 swamprat

Oh, I knew that. Just wondering if we could merge the other stories into one.

re: #86 swamprat

re: #83 Lucius Septimius
Armed robbery in vegas/ some of his old stuff.

Better; some of his former possessions.

i wish i could print this out and insert it into the NYT and Wall Street and also the local rag that i deliver every night, i am SURE i would get fired!

re: #79 itellu3times

re: #17 Cattt

From the above report:

The late Sheikh Sattar Abu Risha, who was just recently murdered, to Johns Hopkins University professor Fouad Ajami:

Our American friends had not understood us when they came. They were proud, stubborn people and so were we. They worked with the opportunists, now they have turned to the tribes, and this is as it should be. The tribes hate religious parties and religious fakers.

Yeaaah, but if you read that Ajami article (posted on opinionjournal.com last sunday), the next paragraph he sort of doubts that Risha was telling the truth, that is, it wasn't any fault of the Americans that the Sunni, including Risha, were shooting at them up to three weeks ago. The Sunni always pride themselves on being more western and secular, they *ought* to be our friends, heck they *were* our friends, the Saudis (secular? western? well, so it's not quite that easy!) still are our dear friends (puke). Sooo, what I'm saying is, it's complicated, and I won't count my camels until the goats come home, or something like that.

Well, then - glad I didn't read the other piece!

Years ago, after the first gulf war, I read Republic of Fear and learned about how vitally important tribes are. Saddam tried his best to destroy the tribal system and undermined it, but it's hard to detroy a system that old.

Communicating and working with and for the tribes is still really important. In essence, they are the grassroots of the country, and that's why this makes me optimistic. The tribal sheiks have a great deal of power - real power, and talking to them, getting on the same page with them, is to me really vital.

Another thing about Totten getting a Pulitzer. He posts on the internet. Are the guys on the board consciously or unconsciously ready to give a Pulitzer to a guy who posts on the internet? Don't know.

Wow. The Democrats have to hope for the worst or they are in trouble. Of course, if their MSM partners do their best no one will know about this until it's too late.

re: #88 Lucius Septimius
They all seem to melt together into one mind-sucking,polymorphous I.Q.-lowering ooze.

YAAAHHHOOO! This is the news we need to spread, spread, spread! Liberty and the pursuit of LIFE are truly universal concepts, as the Iraqis in Ramadi obviously understand. Thanks to each and every one of our fighting men and women in harms way! Thank you.

The tide has been turning, the surge is working. Much more needs to take place, for certain, but this is the most uplifting things I've read in a LONG time. Thank you Totten...

BPK

re: #84 SecretInternetDoucheBag

Check out Antonio Gramsci.

Damn, that other thread just keeps on going. How many are on both? Oh, I see.
Charles is acting like a bellows and keeping the other thread burning.

#130 Charles 9/18/07 7:07:33 pm reply quote report 0

A -60 rating. My ego is staggering under the blows.

re: #97 meMarc

I got a sockpuppet that could make it -61.

What's the name of that medal...you know...the highest honor for a civvie?

Congressional Medal of Freedom? Where does the petition start?

re: #98 Killgore Trout

Minus one to see how it would work, not to criticize your post.

re: #96 MandyManners

re: #84 SecretInternetDoucheBag

Check out Antonio Gramsci.

Scary.

re: #30 Lucius Septimius

“You would probably be okay downtown,” he said, “but you would definitely be fine just north of town. If you tried that in February you would not have lasted four hours.”
“You trust the locals that much?” I said.

“I do,” he said.

“The only people I trust with my life in this country are the Kurds,” I said.

“I trust these people almost as much,” he said. “Are they petty? Yes. Are they tribal? Yes. Are they Arabs?” He rolled his eyes. “Yes. Do they believe in conspiracy theories? Yes. But they have their act together now.”

Leave out the last sentence, and you've pretty well described the Democratic party. No wonder they are cheesed about this -- people getting their act together is the last thing the Social Democratic party wants.

/channeling Neil Boortz for a second there.

We just got Neil in our market as of yesterday. I hated to see Gordon Liddy go, have been listening to him for over ten years. Neil seems like he's going to be lots of good, though.

re: #13 m

“As of July 30,” Major Peters said in early August, “we’ve have 81 days in the city with zero attacks since March 31.”

Things you won't hear in the msm for $100 Alex.

this should be a frickin headline! I am so sick of not hearing news about how our military is WINNING not only battles, but hearts and minds,, that is all the msm complains about, how they are not doing what they clearly are doing! sorry for the excessive exclamation! not! ;-)

Michael J. Totten is one hell of a reporter. The tears well up when reading his picture captions and text.

/I wonder if the number of comments complaining about the oj thread will be equal to or greater than the number of comments on the oj thread.

//Charles done got you goood.

re: #98 Killgore Trout

re: #97 meMarc

I got a sockpuppet that could make it -61.

He's pimping for O.J. He's going for negative rating.
He's turning into Jerry Springer. Aaahhh!

Oh well, got to get some food.

Was it just me, or did I smell fresh blubber two threads back? See my comment on Gregory Peck.

Sandmonkey is blogging again...

Tortured maid in serious condition after amputation of her limbs

An Indonesian housemaid is in serious condition following amputation of both her hands and feet after a month-long torture by her employers, said a member of the Saudi National Society for Human Rights.
...
The Indonesian housemaid, whose name was not given, was earlier admitted to the Riyadh Medical Complex, popularly known as Shimaisy Hospital, after being severely beaten for almost one month by her employers, a Saudi man and his wife. The doctors in hospital decided to amputate her hands and feet because of gangrene.
...
"It is clear that the woman was severely beaten after being tied up in the [courtyard of the house] under the sun for almost one month and was beaten with iron rods. Her teeth were knocked out and her lips were cut," the NSHR member pointed out.

Dr Nora called for maximum punishment of the employer and his wife.

"Cases of housemaids are the most complicated to deal with as this category does not know of a society that can help them and restore their rights," she said.

No protection for non-muslim women in the Apartheid Kingdom.

OT: Not sure if anyone has posted this yet, but we may be seeing another Rathergate in the making. It comes on tonight on HDNet, Mark Cuban's network, so a lot of people won't have it. I'm recording it, and having my dad watch it. He's been working with composites for twenty years on helicopters and Ospreys, so I wanted his take. The American Thinker article in the link doesn't seem to think too much of it. heh heh. Fake but accurate redeux?

re: #102 SecretInternetDoucheBag

re: #96 MandyManners

re: #84 SecretInternetDoucheBag

Check out Antonio Gramsci.

Scary.

And, real.

I am glad of this story, but it aint over till its over. Only time will tell if the surge worked or not. It seems that the magic formula in the surge was that while previously the Admin had heavily favored the Shia and kurds in Gov't in Iraq They have now decided to "make deals" with the Sunni. This is largely in response to the rise of Shia militancy and Iran. Every player in the region fears a "shia cresent" that streches from Lebanon to Iran. Saudi arabia and others have been pressuring the US to make nice with the sunnis and to encourage the sunnis to stop attacking the Americans. The problem is where to go from there. They still need a unity Gov't and an end to ALL hosilities. How this war ends is really not up to what the US does but rather what the sunni and shia do to end the fighting.

re: #59 Sharmuta

re: #52 Wheelz

When this is all said and done, Michael Totten will win a Pulitzer prize or two.

Hardly. Do not look for the leftists controlling Pulitzers to legitimize independent journalism or any journalist not toting the leftist line.

No, but hopefully, the military will recognize his and the other milblogger's service.

re: #15 Sharmuta

Michael's pictures are so amazing. I'm most struck by the pic of the gorgeous red dress amid the rubble, but all the smiling Iraqi children is what warmed my heart.

Keep up the fantastic work, Mr. Totten.

MEE TOO, I thought that picture was a real statement, very, very haunting and beautiful. and it really said f**k u AQ, at least to me.

These are the stories that need more attention...unlike a certain other story I had to run screaming by when I saw it actually mentioned here at LGF, pausing only long enough to give it a NEGATIVE rating. The only OJ I want to hear about is that fresh from the orchard orange juice I love.

People really need to understand what is at stake over their in Iraq, and they need to realize it's real people, real men, women and children with hopes and dreams who's lives are valuable that are at stake. There is hope, and there are hopeful stories like this one, they just need to be shouted more loudly from more rooftops.

re: #114 bcgirl

There was something about it. Haunting is a good adjective.

One look at the people in Totten's essay is enough to remind us that not every person who happened to be born into Islam is our enemy.

We have two enemies: Islamists and the Left. Al Qaeda appears to be much more evil, but if I had to choose I would definitely say that the Left is the more evil force in the greater scheme of things. Al Qaeda can be defeated; the Left is like a cancer, and will be a life or death battle for us for many decades to come, long after Islamism has subsided.

I read this piece at lunch today and immediately forwarded a link to all that I know who care, or can look at the situation objectively.

The pictures really do tell the story.

Rock On, Michael!

(Say, you don't think that "Journalism" student at the John F'n Kerry speech will get a clue from this, do you?) /

re: #110 bikermailman

OT: Not sure if anyone has posted this yet, but we may be seeing another Rathergate in the making. It comes on tonight on HDNet, Mark Cuban's network, so a lot of people won't have it. I'm recording it, and having my dad watch it. He's been working with composites for twenty years on helicopters and Ospreys, so I wanted his take. The American Thinker article in the link doesn't seem to think too much of it. heh heh. Fake but accurate redeux?

You can send Dean Ing an email here, he might be interested. SF writer who loves new materials and experimental aircraft. Somewhat expert in them...

The foreign fighters in Iraq hate the Iraqis more than they hate the Americans and find them much easier to kill. The foreign fighters are in Iraq to kill people in the name of God and if the US soldiers are difficult and/or risky to kill, they happily slaughter the locals. AQI can only operate in Iraq by quickly killing anyone who opposes, resists, or fails to support them. From the number of dead Iraqis I get the impression AQI has never enjoyed much local support. The more locals they have to kill in order to operate in Iraq, the sooner we will have the support of the populace. No matter how much the MSM trumpets the occasional coalition caused civilian death in Iraq, they can only fool westerners, they are not deceiving any Iraqis on the point of whom to be afraid of.

The Iraqis take notice of the pressure America is under to leave Iraq and have decided that it is easier to free themselves from AQI while the US is still there than it will be later.

Hell may have left Anbar and moved to Pakistan. This just posted at Hot Air.

Pakistan troops 'lose faith in war on terror'.

re: #121 meMarc

Pakistan has been the belly of the beast from the start.

Strange how America's "allies" -- Pakistan and Saudi Arabia -- contain the socities (along with "Palestine") which are the most hostile to America on earth. Pakistan is probably the world's most prolific breeder of Deep Evil. Yet they are our "friend"...

re: #92 meMarc

Another thing about Totten getting a Pulitzer. He posts on the internet. Are the guys on the board consciously or unconsciously ready to give a Pulitzer to a guy who posts on the internet? Don't know.

A thought: Given the infancy of the New Media... At some point in the not-so-far-off future, there may well be our own version of the Pulitzer/Peabody award. Not just us throwing kudos around, but for real awards, done by real New Media people. I'm telling you, the MSM is dying, rotting from the inside, just as sure as Rome was during the first few centuries C.E. We are seeing people stand up and take responsibility for our own information, and this little juke joint is a part of it!

OT, and no, I don't understand 3/4s of it.

Canadian Meteorological Centre (CMC) Global Environmental Multiscale Model (GEM)

The CMC's GEM is a hydrostatic global grid point model laid on a latitude/longitude coordinate system with 0.3 latitude-0.45 longitude (approximately 33 km at 49 degrees latitude) horizontal grid spacing and 58 vertical eta levels. The eta vertical coordinate system used in the CMC's GEM depicts the bottom atmospheric layer within each grid box as a flat step. The CMC's GEM employs an advanced and computationally expensive four-dimensional data assimilation scheme (4-D Var) where temporal variations in the initial data are included. The condensation package includes the Kain-Fritsch scheme for deep moist convection and Kuo Transient scheme for shallow convection. The Bougeault and Lacarrere (1989) mixing length is used for vertical diffusion due to atmospheric turbulence. The CMC's GEM is run through 144 hours at 12 UTC, 240 hours at 00 UTC, and 360 hours on Saturdays. The CMC's GEM has limited ability to provide useful intensity forecasts.

[Link: www.smc-msc.ec.gc.ca...]

DOZENS DIE IN SYRIAN-IRANIAN CHEMICAL WEAPONS EXPERIMENT

[Link: www.jpost.com...]

Sorry if it's been posted already.

Memri has a clip up of Zero Degree Orbit, the Iranian soap opera about the Holocaust

[Link: www.thememriblog.org...]

re: #109 Killgore Trout

Sandmonkey is blogging again...

Tortured maid in serious condition after amputation of her limbs

An Indonesian housemaid is in serious condition following amputation of both her hands and feet after a month-long torture by her employers, said a member of the Saudi National Society for Human Rights.
...
The Indonesian housemaid, whose name was not given, was earlier admitted to the Riyadh Medical Complex, popularly known as Shimaisy Hospital, after being severely beaten for almost one month by her employers, a Saudi man and his wife. The doctors in hospital decided to amputate her hands and feet because of gangrene.
...
"It is clear that the woman was severely beaten after being tied up in the [courtyard of the house] under the sun for almost one month and was beaten with iron rods. Her teeth were knocked out and her lips were cut," the NSHR member pointed out.

Dr Nora called for maximum punishment of the employer and his wife.

"Cases of housemaids are the most complicated to deal with as this category does not know of a society that can help them and restore their rights," she said.

No protection for non-muslim women in the Apartheid Kingdom.

Bad news, of course for the maid, but I'm glad to see Sandmonkey back up. Am going to check him out now. Thanks for the tip!

For those of us who've owned shitty cars...
OMG ! Look at this UNIQUE WHIPski

...it could have been worse.

re: #118 tridroid97

I read this piece at lunch today and immediately forwarded a link to all that I know who care, or can look at the situation objectively.

That eliminated every lefty I've ever heard of.

The pictures really do tell the story.
Rock On, Michael!

I second that! :)

(Say, you don't think that "Journalism" student at the John F'n Kerry speech will get a clue from this, do you?) /
Only if we smack him upside the head with the monitor we're reading it on.

/hey Tridroid!

let's do not forget about MIchael Yon either,, both of these guys have embeded with actual US Marines and Army front lne troops, they are trusted,(as much as the marines and soldiers trust them, they say). Both of these guys and I don't know of many, if ANY have ther real story, we who read it have got to help get the word out, we are privilidged to read it first, me thinks.
re: #68 meMarc

re: #52 Wheelz

When this is all said and done, Michael Totten will win a Pulitzer prize or two.
Fantastic journalism on his part, job well done.

Pulitzer Board. (The internet is a wonderful thing.)

Lee C. Bollinger, President, Columbia University

Danielle Allen, Professor, Departments of Classics and Political Science and the Committee on Social Thought, University of Chicago

Jim Amoss, Editor, Times-Picayune, New Orleans, La.

Amanda Bennett, Executive Editor/Enterprise, Bloomberg News

Joann Byrd, Former Editor of the Editorial Page, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Kathleen Carroll, Executive Editor and Senior Vice President, Associated Press

Thomas L. Friedman., Columnist, The New York Times

Donald E. Graham, Chairman, The Washington Post

Anders Gyllenhaal, Executive Editor, The Miami Herald

Jay T. Harris, Wallis Annenberg Chair, Director, Center for the Study of Journalism and Democracy, Annenberg School of Communication, University of Southern California

David M. Kennedy, Donald J. McLachlan Professor of History, Stanford University

Nicholas Lemann, Dean, Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University

Ann Marie Lipinski, Senior Vice President and Editor, Chicago Tribune

Gregory L. Moore, Editor, The Denver Post

Richard Oppel, Editor, Austin American-Statesman

Mike Pride, Editor, Concord (N.H.) Monitor

Paul Tash, Editor, CEO, and Chairman, St. Petersburg Times

Sig Gissler, Administrator, Graduate School of Journalism

re: #126 merav

DOZENS DIE IN SYRIAN-IRANIAN CHEMICAL WEAPONS EXPERIMENT

[Link: www.jpost.com...]

Sorry if it's been posted already.

I saw it already but it's good to post things again. People come to the threads all the time. Hewitt talked about it today on the radio. Don't know if other media has covered it. Some threads get so long, it would make sense to post things twice. Which when I think about it would just make the post longer wouldn't it. Oh well, not I really have to do. Goodnight everybody.

Hey! I lost my blockquotes!
(sorry 'bout that!)

re: #128 bikermailman

His bloggin is a bit light lately but at least he's back. Drop a comment and make him feel welcome.

re: #126 merav

That one's making the rounds. I'm skeptical of all the Israel/Syria/Iran stories these days. It's tough to know what's really going on.

Totten forgot the swing set count.

"Join the Marines/Army and be a crossing guard that gets shot at."

I'll have to to dig up some of my War Between the States history and see how many playgrounds Sherman built on his way to the sea, he must have other wise he was a failure.
/Patton weeps.

re: #119 Thanos

re: #110 bikermailman

OT: Not sure if anyone has posted this yet, but we may be seeing another Rathergate in the making. It comes on tonight on HDNet, Mark Cuban's network, so a lot of people won't have it. I'm recording it, and having my dad watch it. He's been working with composites for twenty years on helicopters and Ospreys, so I wanted his take. The American Thinker article in the link doesn't seem to think too much of it. heh heh. Fake but accurate redeux?

You can send Dean Ing an email here, he might be interested. SF writer who loves new materials and experimental aircraft. Somewhat expert in them...

This isn't dealing with an experimental aircraft. This is Boeing's new 787 that's about to, er, roll. It will use an all composite body instead of metal. Rather found himself a disgruntled 'whistleblower' who's making a bunch of crap claims that it will kill everyone! Everyone, I tell you! Give me an address, and I'll send some info.

I'm suprised there are any children left in Iraq.

I mean 2 million died because of sanctions right? And how may have died as a result of the invasion? Upwards of around 12,045,998 according to the latest highly scientific Kos poll?

re: #125 Ed Mahmoud's Sock Puppet

Well, Ed, if you don't understand it, then who the heck do we turn to? Besides God, that is. And He usually doesn't speak to us in as clear (and entertaining) a manner as you do.

re: #112 El matamoros

The emergence of the Shia Crescent is a "threat" promoted by Juan Cole and latched onto by many in a "pro-populatum"endorsement of Cole's scholarship.

Look at this ethnic map of the region - http://gulf2000.columbia.edu/images/maps/MidEastRe ligionCore_sm.jpg

Taken from this page at Columbia University.

The Shia Crescent requires that Anbar be ethnically cleansed as well as a good part of Syria, which is very unlikely to happen IMO.

The Cole theory has been that cleansing is not needed - that hatred for the injustices and war crimes perpetrated by the United States is enough to galvanize support for Iranian hegemony over the area, and he points to Syria as an example.

The guy is an idiot - ti is like arguing that Northern Ireland would unite to kick the British out, which it never did because the Protestants would not have survived the exit of the crown. The Sunnis of Anbar won't be joining the Mahdi Army anytime soon.

HEY! there's a PayPal button. put your money to good use.

This is such a wonderful story. I was listening to Hugh Hewitt read it on the way home, then followed along online when I got to the computer. Even Muslims, especially the only-nominally religious, cultural Muslims, are starting to turn against the unholy savagry of Al queda. Further, the longer they are in contact with American GI's, the greatest people on earth today, the more of them have the scales of Al Jazeera's slander fall from their eyes.
I have no hope that this will be universal, but there can be little doubt that there will be enough, given time, to achieve a meaningful victory in Iraq. A people could not survive, even in the squalor that rules the muslim world, if they were incapable of telling apart American generosity and Islamist rage. If America manages to maintain the will to stay until the monsters are slain.
And when that happens, the leftists will dennigrate Iraqis that have chosen freedom and the democrats will claim an equal share of the credit for the victory.

Totten's report is good. I can't help but feel it's a pretty narrow view, though, to tell the truth. Things can't be good across the breadth of Iraq, as just today the U.S. government has suspended all diplomatic movement outside the Green Zone.

Hopefully more of the country will come around, and soon.

re: #132 meMarc

meMarc,

Thanks. Have a good night.

Wow, great read, PayPal button, click there!

re: #138 bikermailman

re: #119 Thanos

re: #110 bikermailman

OT: Not sure if anyone has posted this yet, but we may be seeing another Rathergate in the making. It comes on tonight on HDNet, Mark Cuban's network, so a lot of people won't have it. I'm recording it, and having my dad watch it. He's been working with composites for twenty years on helicopters and Ospreys, so I wanted his take. The American Thinker article in the link doesn't seem to think too much of it. heh heh. Fake but accurate redeux?

You can send Dean Ing an email here, he might be interested. SF writer who loves new materials and experimental aircraft. Somewhat expert in them...

This isn't dealing with an experimental aircraft. This is Boeing's new 787 that's about to, er, roll. It will use an all composite body instead of metal. Rather found himself a disgruntled 'whistleblower' who's making a bunch of crap claims that it will kill everyone! Everyone, I tell you! Give me an address, and I'll send some info.

I understand completely about the aircraft in question, and what the documentary will be about.

re: #136 Killgore Trout

re: #136 Killgore Trout

re: #126 merav

That one's making the rounds. I'm skeptical of all the Israel/Syria/Iran stories these days. It's tough to know what's really going on.

Hi, Killgore.
Yeah, I guess you're right. Especially with all the world's media being controlled by the Zionists. :-)

Oh, fer cryin' out loud.

A truly great read, thanks for posting!

re: #7 meMarc

Hugh Hewitt read the whole thing on his radio show this afternoon. Told his audience to go on-line and look at the photos. Linked it at his website.

Yes, and Hugh told people to go contribute, so Michael can keep doing his great work.

The Iraqis of Anbar Province turned against Al Qaeda and sided with the Americans in large part because Al Qaeda proved to be far more vicious than advertised. But it’s also because sustained contact with the American military – even in an explosively violent combat zone –convinced these Iraqis that Americans are very different people from what they had been led to believe. They finally figured out that the Americans truly want to help and are not there to oppress them or steal from them. And the Americans slowly learned how Iraqi culture works and how to blend in rather than barge in.

Take THAT obama

Take THAT hillary

Take THAT murtha

Take THAT edwards

Take THAT reid and pelosi

You ALL should apologize to EVERY SOLDIER serving in the United States Military for your BLASPHEMOUS statements and accusations.

I SO don't understand the leftist mindset...

re: #145 Cognito

Things can't be good across the breadth of Iraq, as just today the U.S. government has suspended all diplomatic movement outside the Green Zone.

Is that because of the Blackwater issue?

re: #154 zmdavid

re: #145 Cognito

Things can't be good across the breadth of Iraq, as just today the U.S. government has suspended all diplomatic movement outside the Green Zone.

Is that because of the Blackwater issue?

Yes.

re: #134 Killgore Trout

re: #128 bikermailman

His bloggin is a bit light lately but at least he's back. Drop a comment and make him feel welcome.

Dropped him an email. Good suggestion.

re: #145 Cognito

Totten's report is good. I can't help but feel it's a pretty narrow view, though, to tell the truth. Things can't be good across the breadth of Iraq, as just today the U.S. government has suspended all diplomatic movement outside the Green Zone.

Hopefully more of the country will come around, and soon.

Cog,

This obviously has to do with Blackwater. Marines (and Soldiers, to tell the truth) are winning in Anbar. Nothing narrow about that.

re: #148 Thanos

Sorry, my bad.

re: #157 rightwinger3

re: #145 Cognito

Totten's report is good. I can't help but feel it's a pretty narrow view, though, to tell the truth. Things can't be good across the breadth of Iraq, as just today the U.S. government has suspended all diplomatic movement outside the Green Zone.

Hopefully more of the country will come around, and soon.

Cog,

This obviously has to do with Blackwater. Marines (and Soldiers, to tell the truth) are winning in Anbar. Nothing narrow about that.

Of course it has to do with Blackwater; that doesn't diminish the seriousness of the situation. Indeed, it only heightens it. American officials are literally unable to move about the country.

re: #145 Cognito

Totten's report is good. I can't help but feel it's a pretty narrow view, though, to tell the truth. Things can't be good across the breadth of Iraq, as just today the U.S. government has suspended all diplomatic movement outside the Green Zone.

Hopefully more of the country will come around, and soon.

How perfect must it be to declare victory? Where are the goalposts moving now?

Time to eat da fish.
G'nite y'all.

re: #158 bikermailman

re: #148 Thanos

Sorry, my bad.

Np, Dean's probably more aware of the situation than you or I am, he follows such things usually.

oh, you are right on that one!
re: #135 buzzsawmonkey

re: #104 bcgirl

How can the MSM tell when "hearts and minds" are being won, when they are deficient in both?

re: #160 Thanos

re: #145 Cognito

Totten's report is good. I can't help but feel it's a pretty narrow view, though, to tell the truth. Things can't be good across the breadth of Iraq, as just today the U.S. government has suspended all diplomatic movement outside the Green Zone.

Hopefully more of the country will come around, and soon.

How perfect must it be to declare victory? Where are the goalposts moving now?

I'm not sure where you're coming from, there. Iraq is far, far from perfect. It's not as though we're talking about shades of difference between 'great' and 'fantastic.'

Let's face it: The situation in Iraq is tough. Declaring otherwise only exacerbates the problem.

That said, I'm thrilled things are going well in Anbar. Nothing can take away from that. My only point is that we can't view the whole country through the prism of one city.

So: Good news in Anbar. And good news awaiting, hopefully, elsewhere.

Ive read Michael Yon's articles and they pretty much say the same thing Totten's report did and I now have a little bit of hope.

Maximu§
3/11 ACR

Between Mike and Yon, you get a pretty good view of things there.
e-mailed my thanks to them.

GAZE.

re: #159 Cognito

re: #157 rightwinger3

re: #145 Cognito

Totten's report is good. I can't help but feel it's a pretty narrow view, though, to tell the truth. Things can't be good across the breadth of Iraq, as just today the U.S. government has suspended all diplomatic movement outside the Green Zone.Hopefully more of the country will come around, and soon.

Cog,This obviously has to do with Blackwater. Marines (and Soldiers, to tell the truth) are winning in Anbar. Nothing narrow about that.

Of course it has to do with Blackwater; that doesn't diminish the seriousness of the situation. Indeed, it only heightens it. American officials are literally unable to move about the country.

This, too, will pass. Blackwater had a job to do. If you believe the story, they fucked it up. Anyway it doesn't diminish what is happening in Anbar. We've come a long way since I was there in 2004.

re: #164 Cognito

My only point is that we can't view the whole country through the prism of one city.

Tell your cronies in the msm that. (Baghdad ring a bell?)

re: #168 rightwinger3

This, too, will pass. Blackwater had a job to do. If you believe the story, they fucked it up. Anyway it doesn't diminish what is happening in Anbar. We've come a long way since I was there in 2004.

They did screw it up, with rigor and persistence. And you're absolutely right that it doesn't diminish what's happening in Anbar -- far from it.

re: #159 Cognito
Of course it has to do with Blackwater; that doesn't diminish the seriousness of the situation. Indeed, it only heightens it. American officials are literally unable to move about the country.

I would consider the American Army and USMC as "Officials" wouldn't you? In fact they're our best ambassadors.

Maximu§
3/11 ACR

re: #169 m

re: #164 Cognito

My only point is that we can't view the whole country through the prism of one city.

Tell your cronies in the msm that. (Baghdad ring a bell?)

There are people around smart enough to understand that; Iraq, really, is a patchwork of tribal lands that's exceedingly hard to survey in an accurate way. For instance, things in 'Kurdistan' are rocking along pretty well at the moment.

re: #171 Maximu§

re: #159 Cognito
Of course it has to do with Blackwater; that doesn't diminish the seriousness of the situation. Indeed, it only heightens it. American officials are literally unable to move about the country.

I would consider the American Army and USMC as "Officials" wouldn't you? In fact they're our best ambassadors.

Maximu§
3/11 ACR

We were talking about the suspension of any diplomatic movement outside the Green Zone. And yes, I'd say our military makes an exemplary account of itself.

But the Dems are not only willing, but EAGER to return Hell to Anbar. Those families who cooperated with U.S. troops will be killed if the Dems get their way. Those kids will be tortured and murdered in front of their parents eyes and then the parents will be done away with too. And the Dems will do nothing but ignore it and feel smug about their "victory".

If you don't believe that American politician could be so uncaring and cruel go talk to a Cambodian.

Cognito,

Is there anything that you don't feel compelled to shit on?

Fantastic report. Hit is tip jar if you can afford it.

re: #166 markie

Between Mike and Yon, you get a pretty good view of things there.
e-mailed my thanks to them.

The MSM could really take note of how these two handle things. I love their work.

I usually don't have a very high opinion of the usual teleprompt reading *reporter* but these guys are truly a different class. Hands down!

re: #172 Cognito

Agreed. I just wish it was reported that way consistantly. Because the ones that aren't smart enough (kossies) think otherwise.

re: #175 Dirk Diggler

Cognito,

Is there anything that you don't feel compelled to shit on?

Lovely.

Like I've said multiple times, I think what's happening in Anbar is awesome. They're making it happen. It's great.

Beyond that, I think it's a mistake to extrapolate that picture to address the whole country. If you don't do that, then don't worry 'bout it.

re: #173 Cognito

re: #171 Maximu§

re: #159 Cognito
Of course it has to do with Blackwater; that doesn't diminish the seriousness of the situation. Indeed, it only heightens it. American officials are literally unable to move about the country.

I would consider the American Army and USMC as "Officials" wouldn't you? In fact they're our best ambassadors.

Maximu§
3/11 ACR

We were talking about the suspension of any diplomatic movement outside the Green Zone. And yes, I'd say our military makes an exemplary account of itself.

Max,

I think Cognito's whole point is that our Soldiers and Marines are warfighters first and maybe "ambassadors" second.

If Gordon had half a brain, he'd be Cognito.

Re my 127, watched the clip. It's as all suspected, agents of ZOG killing the good rabbi, then posing as Aryans in hoods to drive Jews out of Iran to Palestine.

The MSM starts from the concept that American doesn't have the will or the patience to win in Iraq, to make new allies, or to accept whatever form of government they will end up with. So therefor it failed before it began, the dictatorship was better. Over time they will be proven wrong again.

That was an excellent report. Wow. I'm not one to send out e-mails to the whole address book, but this one is a must see. And I liked the part about how the US had to disprove crazy conspiracy theories that the Iraqis had about them, especially how their body armor was really a personal air conditioner. Yeah right. They probably got that whopper from Al Jiz or Rosie O'Fatso.

And this quote cracked me up.

“We’re like the Peace Corps with muscles here,”

Peace through muscles!

OT: Apple just pushed an update to Quicktime for the vulnerability, patch if you don't have autoupdate on.

Goodness gracious we wouldn't want that story to get translated into Arabic and get transmitted to all of the other tribes and sects in Iraq!

/HIT THE MAN'S TIP JAR HARD!

re: #184 Thanos

Sorry, but screw quicktime...

re: #183 Mich-again

My personal favorite:

“That’s when you know life is coming back to normal,” Sergeant Hicks said, “when they open a cell phone shop.”

re: #186 Sponge

re: #184 Thanos

Sorry, but screw quicktime...

If you have Itunes it's a component, otherwise I would agree with you :)

re: #179 Cognito

re: #175 Dirk Diggler

Cognito,

Is there anything that you don't feel compelled to shit on?

Lovely.

Like I've said multiple times, I think what's happening in Anbar is awesome. They're making it happen. It's great.

Beyond that, I think it's a mistake to extrapolate that picture to address the whole country. If you don't do that, then don't worry 'bout it.

The thing is, Baghdad and Anbar were THE two problem areas in the country. They both have largely come around for the better. To a big extent, you can extrapolate. Not 100%, of course not. But there has been more progress made in the last eight months than hardly anyone was going to believe possible before then.

re: #175 Dirk Diggler

Cognito,

Is there anything that you don't feel compelled to shit on?

/the power of shit compels him

re: #179 Cognito

re: #175 Dirk Diggler

Cognito,

Is there anything that you don't feel compelled to shit on?

Lovely.

Like I've said multiple times, I think what's happening in Anbar is awesome. They're making it happen. It's great.

Beyond that, I think it's a mistake to extrapolate that picture to address the whole country. If you don't do that, then don't worry 'bout it.

Who was doing that?

From the story:

“This place has made an amazing turnaround,” he [Lt. Welch] said. “Everyone knew about Ramadi. It was another Fallujah, but it was worse than Fallujah. I did not want to come here. I was supposed to have an easy deployment in Karbala. Most guys coming out here were looking forward to combat. Not me. I had already done it. If you told me a few months ago what it would be like now I wouldn’t believe it. A little while ago we went to a soccer game. Lieutenant Tierney put it together. They have sixteen soccer teams now. We bought them uniforms, balls, water for the field, everything. They had a huge opening ceremony. Hundreds of people were there. It was incredible. Just incredible. It was a real storybook turnaround. This is why we fight. This is why what we do is worth doing. This is what makes the sacrifices, like Lieutenant Hightower having metal enter his body, worthwhile.”

Lieutenant Hightower was standing right next to us when Lieutenant Welch said that. He was hit with an IED a few months ago. Pieces of shrapnel tore up his leg. He nodded at what Lieutenant Welch said, agreeing that getting “blown up,” as Welch put it, was worth it.

One step at a time.

re: #69 SecretInternetDoucheBag

re: #68 meMarc

So in other words your saying he does not have a snow balls chance in hell?

I would bet on the snowball in this case.

re: #191 Noam Sayin'

If you don't do that, then don't worry 'bout it.

OT: Was the tasing of the moonbat a publicity stunt?

re: #188 Thanos

Yeah, I've avoided the whole iPoop movement...got me a Creative Zen that I can put what I want when I want on it with no charge...OR funding of that psycho Steve Jobs...

re: #194 Cognito

re: #191 Noam Sayin'

If you don't do that, then don't worry 'bout it.

Answer the question.

re: #191 Noam Sayin'

I was about to say the whole thing. I don't think he read the entire article as that point is pretty obvious. There is still a lot of work to be done, but this is a sunflower in a huge mass of stinky shit.

Just noticed - the young guy selling cell phones is wearing an Arsenal jersey.

The dude is a "Gooner".

I wonder if Totten posted that for Andrew Apostolou?

Thanks for posting Charles.
God bless Totten.

re: #198 Sponge

re: #191 Noam Sayin'

I was about to say the whole same thing. I don't think he read the entire article as that point is pretty obvious. There is still a lot of work to be done, but this is a sunflower in a huge mass of stinky shit.

GAF...PIMF

re: #59 Sharmuta

re: #52 Wheelz

When this is all said and done, Michael Totten will win a Pulitzer prize or two.

Hardly. Do not look for the leftists controlling Pulitzers to legitimize independent journalism or any journalist not toting the leftist line.

Someone needs to invent a prestigious new prize for journalists that find out what the real truth is, despite the prevailing views of the mainstream.

re: #197 Noam Sayin'

re: #194 Cognito

re: #191 Noam Sayin'

If you don't do that, then don't worry 'bout it.

Answer the question.

I think my original post speaks for itself:

Totten's report is good. I can't help but feel it's a pretty narrow view, though, to tell the truth. Things can't be good across the breadth of Iraq, as just today the U.S. government has suspended all diplomatic movement outside the Green Zone.

Hopefully more of the country will come around, and soon.

It's a simple, two-part point: 1) I love the news out of Anbar. And, 2) I can't help but feel it's a somewhat narrow view, in light of other news from Iraq today.

It's my opinion, and you're welcome to ignore it.

Lovely.

Like I've said multiple times, I think what's happening in Anbar is awesome. They're making it happen. It's great.

Beyond that, I think it's a mistake to extrapolate that picture to address the whole country. If you don't do that, then don't worry 'bout it.

It's called progress, Cognito. There's abundant evidence that the Shiite sheiks have seen the Anbar awakening and want to work with the Americans as well.

If that happens things in Iraq could quickly and dramatically change for the better.

But in Cognito's world of rank contrarianism since all of Iraq is not pacified right this second, there's no cause for hope or optimism. The Anbar awakening just a miniscule snapshot that's not in any way representative of the whole.

I suspect you formulate your opinions by going against the tide of opinions expressed on this (or any other) thread.

re: #199 karmic_inquisitor

Just noticed - the young guy selling cell phones is wearing an Arsenal jersey.

The dude is a "Gooner".

I wonder if Totten posted that for Andrew Apostolou?

North London?

Cognito -

Regarding the how perfect statement -- there were more violent attacks in at least three other Islamic countries this week than there were in Iraq, as in more body counts, number of attacks, more everything. If you accept the notion that Islamic countries tend to have fights among their tribes, and with their neighbors, then you could consider Iraq abnormally peaceful lately. How perfect must it be compared to the Islamic norm before you can declare victory? (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Algeria)

OTBWGARA?
Someone tries to sell Belgium on eBay

re: #68 meMarc

A snowball has a better chance in hell.

And what kind of "committee" is this:

Danielle Allen, Professor, Departments of Classics and Political Science and the Committee on Social Thought, University of Chicago

re: #3 Cattt

This is excellent! I am now smiling.

Mr. Totten is amazing.

Yep. The truth doesn't matter much if a) nobody knows it and b) nobody believes it.

Totten, thy name is Cassandra.

re: #167 MandyManners

Who you be gazing?!

re: #207 cbinflux

Belgium? I thought he was dead.

And what on earth does "OTBWGARA" stand for?

re: #204 Dirk Diggler

But in Cognito's world of rank contrarianism since all of Iraq is not pacified right this second, there's no cause for hope or optimism.

Now you're just making things up. I say Anbar is a shining and hopeful example.

Dammit people! Get with the program.

Iraq is a quagmire. The surge is a failure (no rainbows, ponies, or fields of flowers anywhere).

There are over a billion dead Iraqi civilians!

The Totten report is clearly a fake put out by Bush Chimpy McHaliburton.

There is no GOOD news coming from Iraq, and never will be; it is all America's fault.

/we stink!

re: #210 cbinflux

re: #167 MandyManners

Who you be gazing?!

Hint: It starts with "Cog" and ends with "nito"

re: #215 Pro-Bush Canuck

re: #210 cbinflux

re: #167 MandyManners

Who you be gazing?!

Hint: It starts with "Cog" and ends with "nito"

Ah. The humanity. The humanity.

re: #54 Golem Akbar

re: #52 Wheelz

When this is all said and done, Michael Totten will win a Pulitzer prize or two.
Fantastic journalism on his part, job well done.

Maybe just maybe other journalists will start picking up on his message, too. After all, the world has got to be tired of the same ole negative same ole.

Oh, if Hillary gets the nod we'll hear a lot more like this, guaranteed.

re: #212 Cognito

re: #204 Dirk Diggler

But in Cognito's world of rank contrarianism since all of Iraq is not pacified right this second, there's no cause for hope or optimism.

Now you're just making things up. I say Anbar is a shining and hopeful example.

You have a funny way of saying that.

re: #213 buzzsawmonkey

re: #202 NomadOfNorad

Someone needs to invent a prestigious new prize for journalists that find out what the real truth is, despite the prevailing views of the mainstream.

So what should the name of the alternative to the Bullshitzer be?

The Cognito Prize

re: #218 Racer X

When I took speech and debate, we learned that if the person made no sense, it usually was their own fault for not communicating well. In his world, it's everyone else's wrong interpretation of what he says.

/tired of the endless circles

Arabic media projecting wrong image of Islam

Severely criticising the Arabic-language media, Malik said the aspect of forgiveness in Islam was ignored entirely by the media. He blamed Arabic-language TV channels for dividing Muslims along sectarian lines by harping too much on Shia-Sunni strife, for instance.

lgf: anti-idiotarian awakening

re: #203 Cognito

re: #197 Noam Sayin'

re: #194 Cognito

re: #191 Noam Sayin'

If you don't do that, then don't worry 'bout it.

Answer the question.

I think my original post speaks for itself:

Totten's report is good. I can't help but feel it's a pretty narrow view, though, to tell the truth. Things can't be good across the breadth of Iraq, as just today the U.S. government has suspended all diplomatic movement outside the Green Zone.

Hopefully more of the country will come around, and soon.

It's a simple, two-part point: 1) I love the news out of Anbar. And, 2) I can't help but feel it's a somewhat narrow view, in light of other news from Iraq today.

It's my opinion, and you're welcome to ignore it.

Don't be condescending with me.

What your post said to me and others was: 1) this is really great news, and, 2) it's still crappy elsewhere - don't forget that. The underlying implication, however well camouflaged, is still the negative bullshit peddled in the MSM day in and day out.

Nothing in Totten's report said anything to the contrary - even more so, he admits several times over that elsewhere in Iraq it indeed sucks, and we have no guarantees that Anbar will not turn back into a shithole as well.

You normally give pretty good arguments here, and I for one appreciate that. I also appreciate how you hang in and take what the others give you. But your comment served no other purpose than to shit on a great piece of reporting and some good news in a part of Iraq that hasn't seen it in four years. It was also very telling of a formula that could work across Iraq.

re: #13 m

“As of July 30,” Major Peters said in early August, “we’ve have 81 days in the city with zero attacks since March 31.”

Things you won't hear in the msm for $100 Alex.

(Emphasis mine)

Another good candidate for the rotating title bin.

re: #202 NomadOfNorad

re: #59 Sharmuta

re: #52 Wheelz

When this is all said and done, Michael Totten will win a Pulitzer prize or two.

Hardly. Do not look for the leftists controlling Pulitzers to legitimize independent journalism or any journalist not toting the leftist line.

Someone needs to invent a prestigious new prize for journalists that find out what the real truth is, despite the prevailing views of the mainstream.

That is so true. The Pulitzer (named for a guy who was a hopeless lefty) honors journalism that embodies hopeless leftyism. I'd like to see a Pyle Award for embedded journalists covering the military and the Zombie Award for investigative bloggers. Thats what I would name them anyhow.

re: #81 MandyManners Hey Mandy - how's about sending this piece to him and if he's honest as hell, he'll read it and maybe come to the right conclussions, ya know?
It's worth a shot - if I knew anyone similarly placed I'd write to him. Michael J. Totten is what journalism USED to be.

More bad news for Catholics

The Archdiosese just agreed to another huge payout, $247m...

re: #218 Racer X

re: #212 Cognito

re: #204 Dirk Diggler

But in Cognito's world of rank contrarianism since all of Iraq is not pacified right this second, there's no cause for hope or optimism.

Now you're just making things up. I say Anbar is a shining and hopeful example.

You have a funny way of saying that.

I guess

Totten's report is good.

And

I'm thrilled things are going well in Anbar. Nothing can take away from that.

And

...it doesn't diminish what's happening in Anbar -- far from it.

And

I think what's happening in Anbar is awesome. They're making it happen. It's great.

were all unclear.

There's room for more than one point at a time. And here we find two: 1) Anbar's great, and 2) the rest of Iraq could stand to look a little more Anbarish.

re: #223 Noam Sayin'

But your comment served no other purpose than to shit on a great piece of reporting

Jealousy is most unbecoming in a journalist.

re: #216 Cognito
different entity altogether

re: #227 cbinflux

Why bad news? The Church needs to rid itself of homosexual pederasts and the damage they have wrought over the centuries. These payments serve as a catharsis.

re: #225 Mich-again

re: #202 NomadOfNorad

re: #59 Sharmuta

re: #52 Wheelz

When this is all said and done, Michael Totten will win a Pulitzer prize or two.

Hardly. Do not look for the leftists controlling Pulitzers to legitimize independent journalism or any journalist not toting the leftist line.

Someone needs to invent a prestigious new prize for journalists that find out what the real truth is, despite the prevailing views of the mainstream.

That is so true. The Pulitzer (named for a guy who was a hopeless lefty) honors journalism that embodies hopeless leftyism. I'd like to see a Pyle Award for embedded journalists covering the military and the Zombie Award for investigative bloggers. Thats what I would name them anyhow.

That's really an excellent idea. A Zombie, or an Ernie -- what every blogger yearns for...

re: #204 Dirk Diggler

Who in the world pegged the Cogster as a Kontrarian?!

re: #230 swamprat

re: #216 Cognito
different entity altogether

I think "humanity" got banned.

re: #223 Noam Sayin'

What your post said to me and others was: 1) this is really great news, and, 2) it's still crappy elsewhere - don't forget that.

I'd say that's true.

The underlying implication, however well camouflaged, is still the negative bullshit peddled in the MSM day in and day out.

I don't put enough thought into these comments to 'camouflage' anything. They am what they am.

Nothing in Totten's report said anything to the contrary - even more so, he admits several times over that elsewhere in Iraq it indeed sucks, and we have no guarantees that Anbar will not turn back into a shithole as well.

I didn't say anything otherwise.

re: #226 realwest

Hey realwest, what are doing up so late?

re: #227 cbinflux

More bad news for Catholics

The Archdiosese just agreed to another huge payout, $247m...

Notre Dame season ticket holders.

HT Jay Leno.

DON'T TASE ME, BRO!

The Charles Johnson Award

/Duh!

re: #164 Cognito

My only point is that we can't view the whole country through the prism of one city.

Well, that seems like a strawman, indeed, Cog. For the last two year, at least, readers here (at least) have trusted Mark Steyn's (and other's) observations that 85% of Iraq IS, WAS and HAS BEEN pacified.

The 'one city' problem exemplified by Anbar/Ramadi was that they were the worst of the 15% residuum, hence Totten (and posters here) are NOT viewing all of Iraq through 'the prism of one city', rather we're acknowledging the victory of a final city AFTER the pacification of virtually all other cities in Iraq.

Anbar was the worst. Now, for a while at least, it has grown and changed in qualitatively good ways.

re: #229 Pro-Bush Canuck

re: #223 Noam Sayin'

But your comment served no other purpose than to shit on a great piece of reporting

Jealousy is most unbecoming in a journalist.

That's an interesting take. I guess. But then again, I've said his report is good.

I've been talking about Iraq. Not Totten.

re: #232 Thanos

re: #225 Mich-again

re: #202 NomadOfNorad

re: #59 Sharmuta

re: #52 Wheelz

When this is all said and done, Michael Totten will win a Pulitzer prize or two.

Hardly. Do not look for the leftists controlling Pulitzers to legitimize independent journalism or any journalist not toting the leftist line.

Someone needs to invent a prestigious new prize for journalists that find out what the real truth is, despite the prevailing views of the mainstream.

That is so true. The Pulitzer (named for a guy who was a hopeless lefty) honors journalism that embodies hopeless leftyism. I'd like to see a Pyle Award for embedded journalists covering the military and the Zombie Award for investigative bloggers. Thats what I would name them anyhow.

That's really an excellent idea. A Zombie, or an Ernie -- what every blogger yearns for...

Sounds like a job for the pajamasmedia group.

re: #232 Thanos

A Zombie, or an Ernie -- what every blogger yearns for...

I like your idea of "The Ernie" more than "The Pyle". That conjures up an image of Gomer getting his arse chewed out by Sergeant Carter.

re: #108 Thanos

After checking the whaling charts, I think you're right. It's getting bolder now.

Time for me to hit the hay, I'll leave you with a tune...

re: #246 song_and_dance_man

Look like I logged on in time for front row seats.

Be nice, especially to our LDS neighbors...

re: #117 Pro-Bush Canuck

One look at the people in Totten's essay is enough to remind us that not every person who happened to be born into Islam is our enemy.

Agreed.

As if someone needed to be reminded...

Anyway, I'm guessing that this success didn't involve flushing Korans in the toilet and/or making fun of their aversion to pork. Just guessing...

The Bush administration should tout successes like these in the face of those who are so determined to surrender and accept defeat.

Unfortunately, if that were to happen, al-Queda would surely escalate the violence inflicted upon innocent victims as retaliation.

So here we are, in quiet celebration.

re: #240 carridine

re: #164 Cognito

My only point is that we can't view the whole country through the prism of one city.

Well, that seems like a strawman, indeed, Cog. For the last two year, at least, readers here (at least) have trusted Mark Steyn's (and other's) observations that 85% of Iraq IS, WAS and HAS BEEN pacified.

The 'one city' problem exemplified by Anbar/Ramadi was that they were the worst of the 15% residuum, hence Totten (and posters here) are NOT viewing all of Iraq through 'the prism of one city', rather we're acknowledging the victory of a final city AFTER the pacification of virtually all other cities in Iraq.

Anbar was the worst. Now, for a while at least, it has grown and changed in qualitatively good ways.

The problem is, Carradine, that things are still incredibly difficult in Iraq. While the news from Anbar is great -- great -- I have a feeling you're doing the very thing I mentioned originally. Although maybe I've misunderstood.

Regardless, please note the original post, about diplomatic movement beyond the Green Zone. That's factual. Not filtered through any form of media, but a direct action by the government.

re: #239 rappmandu

The Charles Johnson Award

/Duh!

For Lifetime Achievement..

I wouldn't tase my bro. But then my bro isn't a flaming imbecile. And he's got guns.

248

CZ sur tol u rubes dinnit he?! Huh?

re: #235 Cognito

re: #223 Noam Sayin'

What your post said to me and others was: 1) this is really great news, and, 2) it's still crappy elsewhere - don't forget that.

I'd say that's true.

The underlying implication, however well camouflaged, is still the negative bullshit peddled in the MSM day in and day out.

I don't put enough thought into these comments to 'camouflage' anything. They am what they am.

Nothing in Totten's report said anything to the contrary - even more so, he admits several times over that elsewhere in Iraq it indeed sucks, and we have no guarantees that Anbar will not turn back into a shithole as well.

I didn't say anything otherwise.

I didn't say you did. What you said was,

I can't help but feel it's a pretty narrow view, though, to tell the truth.

Now, when I asked you,

Who was doing that?

I was trying to figure out your motivation for shitting on Totten's report.

re: #250 Cognito

Carridine, apologies for the misspelled name.

Hey Chen: I'd seen a post over on HA earlier, and it looked like your writing, but it was signed with a nick something to the effect of 'CZ452' (don't quote me on exactly that). Was that you, or someone else?

re: #254 Noam Sayin'

My point wasn't as complex, I think, as you're seeing it.

Let's say a reporter went into the worst neighborhood in New York City and returned with a heartwarming story about a half-way house that's doing wonderful work.

I'd likely say, great work at that half-way house. Not representative of the rest of the neighborhood, but still great work.

The converse is true of the rest of the media. I think they focus on the very

worst

incidents in Iraq without reporting the rest.

It's just my opinion. Again, feel free to ignore.

What is this, the Whittling Hour? Torpid Tuesday...

"The problem is, Carridine, that things are still incredibly difficult in Iraq. While the news from Anbar is great -- great -- I have a feeling you're doing the very thing I mentioned originally. Although maybe I've misunderstood.

Regardless, please note the original post, about diplomatic movement beyond the Green Zone. That's factual. Not filtered through any form of media, but a direct action by the government."

I understand and agree with that, while stating that such warnings are often superfluous and bear little relation to the actual prevailing peaceful reality in effect nearly every day.

Perhaps if we look at and define our terms ("...things in Iraq suck...") we might better understand each other. I wanted to point out that most of Iraq is and has been relatively pacified for years now, and seeing Anbar and Ramadi (Sunni holdouts) come into this state, with friendship and respect and sacrifice bearing their fruits, is welcome indeed, Cognito.