Michael Yon is making this photograph available to media outlets, such as print publications and cable and television news broadcasts, at no cost for a limited period of time.

Let's see how many outlets take him up on that offer.

Not even close to a "quagmire".

The Iraqis asked me to convey a message of thanks to the American people. ” Thank you, thank you,” the people were saying. One man said, “Thank you for peace.” Another man, a Muslim, said “All the people, all the people in Iraq, Muslim and Christian, is brother.” The men and women were holding bells, and for the first time in memory freedom rang over the ravaged land between two rivers.

Will the msm report this?

My question is: do a majority of Muslims in Iraq, or even a sizeable minority, feel this way about Christians, Jews, and other kuffirs?

If so, that would be huge progress.

Truly inspiring.

Thank you, Charles, for posting this momentous and inspiring happening. Thank you, Michael, for considering it news-worthy and for being there and letting the rest of us know ...... amazing grace, indeed.

The Iraqis asked me to convey a message of thanks to the American people. ” Thank you, thank you,” the people were saying. One man said, “Thank you for peace.” Another man, a Muslim, said “All the people, all the people in Iraq, Muslim and Christian, is brother.”

So is this a quagmire, a grim milestone or more proof the surge failed?

/MSM response

re: #4 mjazzguitar

"Christofascists oppress Muslims in Iraq; Rove to blame."

Never to be seen outside the blogosphere.

re: #12 song_and_dance_man

re: #10 Killgore Trout

re: #4 mjazzguitar

"Christofascists oppress Muslims in Iraq; Rove to blame."

"Muslims Forced Into Christian Servitude"

Return of the Crusaders

Now if they would all help the Jews of Bagdad (all 7 of 'em) rebuild their synagogue.

/naaah.....

re: #11 jcm

Too true.

Keith Olbermann
"Notice the Christain man at the bottom right, holding up his left hand. Whats not seen in the photo is the AK 47 supplied by Rove, Bush and Haliburton"

The Iraqis asked me to convey a message of thanks to the American people. ” Thank you, thank you,” the people were saying. One man said, “Thank you for peace.”

Winning hearts and minds!

Gives ya hope. Great photo.

re: #16 sattv4u2

Keith Olbermann
"Notice the Christain man at the bottom right, holding up his left hand. Whats not seen in the photo is the AK 47 supplied by Rove, Bush and Haliburton"

"We have documents supplied by Dan Rather that show this man is employed by BlackWater"

Cool -- great moment, and great photo, Thanks for posting.

This has got to be depressing for the MSM and the left. I mean, for a positive story to come out of Iraq, and it includes a Christian symbol? The MSM mind (and I use that term very loosely) must be boggled at the concept.

By the way, prayers and best wishes go out to Mama Winger

What an inspirational image on so many levels. It so beautifully illustrates what we are there for and what we have achieved.

And sadly, tragically, so many people have worked tooth and nail to stop this from ever being even possible.

All this positive news is going to wreck Thanksgiving for the left.

Maybe Bush can reprise the "fake Turkey" bit and really finish them off.

But, let's not lose sight of the fact that more U.S. troops died this year than in any other year of this quagmire.

-MSM, pissing on another parade

re: #12 song_and_dance_man

re: #10 Killgore Trout

re: #4 mjazzguitar

"Christofascists oppress Muslims in Iraq; Rove to blame."

"Muslims Forced Into Christian Servitude"

Women, children and poor hardest hit! Film at Eleven.

Power to the Correct People!

re: #22 Geepers

and they still are...sadly

/no snark this time

re: #5 Bearster

My question is: do a majority of Muslims in Iraq, or even a sizeable minority, feel this way about Christians, Jews, and other kuffirs?

If so, that would be huge progress.

a few hundred years ago there were periods of remarkable tolerance and mutual respect and commonwealth between the faiths. Occasionally some emir or imam would cause trouble and rabble rouse, but for the most part, none of the people tolerated it.

cf. The Monks of Kublai Khan, Emperor of China. Sir Wallis Budge, 1928.

I have to believe that at least some Iraqis are 'regular' people just like us who wnat to live somewhat 'normal' lives... Stories like this bolster that belief.

Eric

re: #27 David IV of Georgia

The Mongols tended to be Mongols first and Muslims second.

Awesome!
Thank God for inspired individuals like Michael Yon, those who strike out and blaze new trails.

OT (sort of):

More good news concerning the MSM, the NYT stock is down to $18.01 per share, one penny higher than its 52 week low of $18.00 reached just yesterday.

Cry'n my eyes out.

OMG, that was beautiful! Brought tears to my eyes...

re: #28 The Hamster

I have to believe that at least some Iraqis are 'regular' people just like us who wnat to live somewhat 'normal' lives... Stories like this bolster that belief.

Eric

As someone who has been there on business, let me assure you that there are more than "SOME Iraqi's",,,,, It's actually MOST !

Truly touching. I am humbled. Tears in my eyes. Really!

re: #23 JammieWearingFool

Hey Jammie, just surfaced from day long meetings. Any new news on Mrs. Jammie? Give her my best wishes and prayers.

Normally I'm one of the most cynical Lizards ever hatched, but this brings a tear to my eye.

...

Ok, I'm over it. Now to have the picture laminated, mounted to a heavy bronze plaque, and use said plaque to beat the naysayers over the head until they admit that there is hope to fix iraq.

re: #22 Geepers

And sadly, tragically, so many people have worked tooth and nail to stop this from ever being even possible.

Screw them.

re: #7 buzzsawmonkey

Hey, the fact that the Muslim Iraqis are behaving well to Christians is probably nothing the MSM wants to celebrate.

The idiots who would object are dead?

re: #22 Geepers

And sadly, tragically, so many people have worked tooth and nail to stop this from ever being even possible.

To top it off- they deny this victory is even happening.

Thank you, Michael Yon, for one of the year's most beautiful and hope-inspiring photographs.

Most people regardless of faith or lack of faith just want to be decent people and live in peace and security. Muslims seem hamstrung by their faith to not get too tolerant, kind or friendly with those of other faiths, but in general they want to live without hassles same as anyone else.

No doubt the ACLU has dispatched a brigade of lawyers to remove this cross from Iraqi government property

stanlef (#26),

Very true.

As for your earlier post, have hope. So many things have happened in Iraq that I thought I'd never see that it wouldn't surprise me.

re: #33 sattv4u2

As someone who has been there on business, let me assure you that there are more than "SOME Iraqi's",,,,, It's actually MOST !

That's great to hear.

This photograph is lovely for so many reasons.
If more people felt the subject of the photo was something to strive for, we'd all be better off.

Lump in throat...

JWM

re: #21 3 wood

What's up with mama winger (one of my all-time favorite lizards)?

And, God Bless Michael Yon.

Yon and Totten will be remembered for their professionalism and dedication to reporting the truth in Iraq.

3 wood (#37),

My language is a bit more harsh but we have the same sentiment.

And it ain't just the kostypes, look at people like Fjordman.

Thank you Charles, and thank you Michael.
This is the news we need to see and hardly ever get to see.
I'm emailing the link to many friends and family.

So this will be front page, above the fold in how many major newspapers?

(ya gotta keep hope)

JWM

re: #50 gettinby

re: #21 3 wood

What's up with mama winger (one of my all-time favorite lizards)?

And, God Bless Michael Yon.

Babba gave us an update.

Somehow, quite appropriately, I happened to be listening to Holst's Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity when I saw this.

Jollity indeed.

re: #2 song_and_dance_man

Something is happening in Iraq. Who would have thought this would happen.

I think they call it "Liberty".

/lib-er-tee: A tree that, although difficult to sprout and grow at first, once beyond sapling stage grows full and hearty in all conditions and needs only occasional feeding and tending.

We see an act of kindness by a Muslim toward Christians, thankful for what Christians have done in his country.

Here is a common Muslim man, unaffected by the hate spewed out by the Saudi/Wahhabis, by the Khomeinists, by Al-Banna, by Mawdudi, by Qutb, by Azzam, and by the whole sewer of radical Islamists.

In the minds and hearts of common Muslims, Islam becomes humanized. Separated from the teaching of hatred by the fanatical imams and by radicals, ordinary Muslims transform Islam into a religion of the people, with the ordinary feelings of friendship that flow between people.

One reason that the Saudi/Wahhabis do not permit any other religion to be publicly prayed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, or any public religious-based activity other than involving Islam, is that they may be afraid that if there is a marketplace of ideas brushing up against their hateful creed, it is possible that Islam there may soften up and be tolerant. And who knows, there might even be some room for kindness to people of other religions or of no religion.

Anyhow, it is nice to see human feelings flowing. Thank you Michael Yon for that very inspiring photo.

goose bumps and some misty eyes here in the Command Bunker.

re: #50 gettinby

What's up with mama winger (one of my all-time favorite lizards)?

I saw Little Winger post over in Babba's back yard that Mam has to go in for a procedure but they are having problems getting her blood count high enough.

What a classy guy Little Winger is, kept thanking her for letting him post there.

Also, nodroG sleazed by there to pimp his blog. Babba told him to not let the door hit him on the way out.

Sharmuta (#40),

To top it off- they deny this victory is even happening.

Losers like losing, it's what makes them what they are.

re: #55 jcm

re: #50 gettinby

re: #21 3 wood

What's up with mama winger (one of my all-time favorite lizards)?

And, God Bless Michael Yon.

Babba gave us an update.

Oh, dear God. Please hear our prayers for this phenomenal woman.

Thank you, jcm.

re: #61 3 wood

I Gordon still blogging about LGF threads from 2003?

re: #52 Geepers

And it ain't just the kostypes, look at people like Fjordman.

Agreed 100%. Sure learned a lot about the character of some folks recently, haven't we?

Long time no talk. You been doing okay?

My God, I checked Gordon's site and he's blogging LGF 2003! He's been doing that for over a month. Wow.

re: #61 3 wood

What a classy guy Little Winger is, kept thanking her for letting him post there.

Thank you, 3 wood. It's not surprising that anything/one involved in mama winger's life wouldn't be the classiest of classy.

Also, nodroG sleazed by there to pimp his blog. Babba told him to not let the door hit him on the way out.

And thank God for miracles (in my life anyway) like BabbaZee and mama winger.

Nice picture. I found it inspiring, however, many of the Christians left in Iraq are persecuted by the Muslims. Feel free to bring out the 'Flying Pigs' when the locals help the two Jews left in Iraq bring in a Torah to their synagogue (if it hasn't been burned to the ground).

re: #62 Geepers

Losers like losing, it's what makes them what they are.

Kind of like how liars lie. Makes sense. But you know- at some point it going to become difficult for them to deny we're winning. What then?

re: #66 Killgore Trout

My God, I checked Gordon's site and he's blogging LGF 2003! He's been doing that for over a month. Wow.

S l o w r e a d e r.

[Link: apnews.myway.com...]

seems this attack was an 'anarchist revolt' notice how it is not being covered as a anarchist attack but as a gun nut.

Don't want to agree with people like Gordon. It would then make me wrong, too! :)

o'riely wants to give CODE PINKO a real water board exp. i second the motion

EE (#59),

Here is a common Muslim man, unaffected by the hate spewed out by the Saudi/Wahhabis, by the Khomeinists, by Al-Banna, by Mawdudi, by Qutb, by Azzam, and by the whole sewer of radical Islamists.

When you think about that it's pretty amazing really.

re: #64 Killgore Trout

I Gordon still blogging about LGF threads from 2003?

Oh, one of his personalities did a fly-by to pimp his blog. Nothing more. Babba told him to hit the road.

That woman does not suffer fools gladly.

3 wood (#65),

You been doing okay?

As I said to realwest the other day; cleaning up the shit one turd at a time. Now my world of crap is just an overflowing cesspool, so; good.

re: #66 Killgore Trout

My God, I checked Gordon's site and he's blogging LGF 2003! He's been doing that for over a month. Wow.

The 3 faces of nodrog actually had very little to say. Once you take away the snarks and the outright shots at Charles, there was almost no substance.

I loved to call him up out of his hole by posting something complimentary about Charles. He always took the bait hook, line and sinker.

Twit.

What a wonderful picture. Any chance it will ever make msm or tv or magazines?

re: #77 Geepers

3 wood (#65),

You been doing okay?

As I said to realwest the other day; cleaning up the shit one turd at a time. Now my world of crap is just an overflowing cesspool, so; good.

Sounds like you live in gaza.

re: #77 Geepers

Now my world of crap is just an overflowing cesspool, so; good.

As Lee Trevino (my favorite golfer of all time, and the only golfer Jack Nicklaus said he was ever really worried about beating him in a tournament) says, every day you wake up on the top side of the divot is a pretty good day.

Revolutions of thought begin one person at a time, then it becomes contagious..

Here's hoping and praying for more of the same!

I'm so glad that Michael is recording these events for posterity.

re: #79 bj

Any chance it will ever make msm or tv or magazines?

I very seriously doubt it.

Check out Chris Miur's "Day by Day" for tomorrow.
Link at Insty's

re: #42 David IV of Georgia

Most people regardless of faith or lack of faith just want to be decent people and live in peace and security. Muslims seem hamstrung by their faith to not get too tolerant, kind or friendly with those of other faiths, but in general they want to live without hassles same as anyone else.

"Dave 4 G" -

Exactly, my extended family includes people of the 1948 Jewish Diaspora from Baghdad. They have MOVED ON.Nothing. They ALL wish the new Iraqi State well.

-S-

Here's Hugo Chavez's entry for Photo Of The Year.

Although I'm sure the pistol brandishing quote-unquote 'Chavez supporter' is really a Blackwater mercenary hired by Cheney, Halliburton and the Mossad to make poor little Hugo Chavez look bad.....

Moving to next thread

I am an athiest, however this is one very inspiring photo.
Baghdad is now freer than Riyadh

re: #88 redshirt

Baghdad is now freer than Riyadh

Now there's a caption!

Chris Muir's Day by Day cartoon will be featuring this photo tomorrow. Via Instapundit.

Wow, Iraq sure ain't Saudi Arabia, is it?

I will link to this again and again when liberals go on about how the Iraqi people will turn on us any second now.

"Iraqi Muslims being crucified"

All good people are seamlessly connected at the deepest level.

And yes we are all of us brothers and sisters

I am so happy to see this

If Iraq has these folks and the guy that coined the phrase "Democracy, Whiskey, Sexy!" they'll do all right...

Now there is something you WILL NEVER SEE on the DNC/MSM.

charles, thank you... THANK YOU... for posting this picture! it's been a hard week.

what a miracle.

//and God bless us, every one!

I'm not going to cry for happy here, but I do have a tear or two in my eye. Michael Yon, thank you soooo much for sharing all this stuff with us. You just totally rock.

re: #70 Sharmuta

re: #62 Geepers

Losers like losing, it's what makes them what they are.

Kind of like how liars lie. Makes sense. But you know- at some point it going to become difficult for them to deny we're winning. What then?

They will just deflect more. They'd rather lose than admit they were wrong. I think it'll catch up to them....it will end up helping us in 08 I believe.

This is amazing...We have learned from our mistakes in the first part of the Iraq War and moving forward. We are doing it better the our Democratic Leaders can stomach. It now appears the citizens of Iraq are grasping what life can be like outside of a dictatorship. They are starting to realize that freedom is something good, and a GOD given right. Wow...

The Lefties are so quick to underestimate the goodness of people, and oh, so quick to demean, undercut, and sabotage people and things that are truly good. They are a whole lot like many RoPers - they revel in misery.

How do they live life in such a negative funk?

"I can't believe i used the word "funk" in a sentence!"

This is a true and deserved sign of respect for the sacrifices of American soldiers and citizens who supported the mission through thick and thin whose majority religion is still Christianity.

I was forming the opinion that gratitude is not in the vocabulary of Arabic and Muslim cultures. Anyone remember the outpouring of thanks to the United States from Muslims for saving their co-religionists in Kosovo? remember all those demonstrations in the millions with pickets like "Thank you America" and how the goodwill flowed over into the Iraq situation with Arab media reporting that this time Muslim civilian deaths were caused mainly by foreign Muslim terrorists and Saddam's henchmen trying to subvert Iraq's democratic will expressed in free elections made possible by the American protectors? Me either.

But now, no thanks to the MSM, there is some evidence that some Iraqis other than the Kurds in the north "get it". They understand who has freed them at great personal cost.

This is a wonderful story, and I'd like to think this means Christians and Muslims can really coexist ... but in the long run, I don't see how that's possible unless all Islam undergoes a massive reformation which would, essentially, make it no longer Islam.

The founder of Christianity killed no one, robbed no one, raised a sword to no one, prayed for and forgave his enemies. That hasn't stopped Christians from spilling blood, often in Jesus' name, over the centuries, but ultimately the Christian faith itself is not fundamentally violent. In fact, Christianity spread nonviolently for centuries before attaining political power.

On the other hand, the founder of Islam lied, deceived, robbed, murdered in cold blood, committed massacres, conquered and plundered, had "revelations" that permitted him to indulge his appetites, and displayed mercilessness, pitilessness, and cruelty. His successors followed his example, conquering vast swaths of territory, toppling ancient civilizations, and over the centuries putting millions to the sword.

Christianity ultimately puts a check on humankind's violent, cruel impulses, on the drive to power and domination ... Islam legitimizes, celebrates those impulses. When a self-professed Christian acts in evil ways, one would be hard-pressed to say Christianity itself "made" him or her do it (much is made of the claim that Hitler was supposedly a lifelong, practicing Catholic, but the record shows he suppressed Christianity and did not find its teachings on compassion, forgiveness, universal brotherhood, etc. compatible with National Socialism); on the other hand, when a Muslim is kind, honest, compassionate, and tolerant toward unbelievers, accepts non-Christians and women as social and political equals, does not try to undermine secular law, rejects the idea of killing Jews, establishing a global caliphate, and so on, he does so in spite of Islam, not because of it.

Applied to whole populations, therefore, it's inevitable that Islam will lead to a generally higher degree of persistent cruelty, brutality, violence, sense of superiority and entitlement, domination of the weak, expansionist sentiment, etc. than found in predominately Christian (or post-Christian, secular) societies.

By the way, I'm offering this analysis not as a Christian, but as an atheist.

I pray this Great Experiment works. G-d Bless our Troops.Thank you for all you do!

Perhaps Pope Benedict will visit Iraq.

I'd like to see that.

He could talk about the brotherhood of all PEOPLE.

I'd like to repair the plaster cracks that I see in that photo.

re: #16 sattv4u2

Keith Olbermann
"Notice the Christain man at the bottom right, holding up his left hand. Whats not seen in the photo is the AK 47 supplied by Rove, Bush and Haliburton"

sattv- Not Olbermann, but rather Uberlady...

re: #103 Tigger2005

Well I think Islam could shed a lot, a lot, and still be around in some form, but they have to keep only the good stuff, which I hope is true for all systems.

They's have some cool calligraphy, and some beautiful blue tiled onion domes for instance.

All would not be lost, only much.

I have a book, "Persian Architecture", by Arthur Upham Pope. It is full of beautiful stuff. Lots of it is in Iran.

IF they DO run the photo,this will be the caption:

"Muslims plug leak in church roof caused by Bush."

That gives me chills.

What a GREAT moment.

Please vote daily to keep our pro-Judeo-Christian representation above 1% of the popular vote in the Best Video Blog category in which the Islamist-Leftists are currently trouncing us. We appreciate your support!
Democracy Broadcasting News

I put the photo on my monitor.

Everyone went to the grouchy thread above because it is more interesting?

Gee.

re: #55 jcm

Prayers for Mama Winger.

Start the "heads in a ditch clock" right....now....

How long will it last? Hopefully for a long time. Hopefully love will win over hate in Iraq, and all over the Middle East. Love always wins, but the Middle East has been resistant to it. Hopefully that will change. I will pray for that tonight.

This picture ranks up there with the video of Saddam's statue coming down and the pictures of purple-fingered Iraqis! How refreshing.

1967: "What if they gave a war, and no one came?"
2007: "What if we won a war, and no one knew?"

That is the most beautiful photograph I have seen in years. Thank you Michael Yon for sharing the photo and thanks and honor to all the brave men and women in the US military who made it possible.

The best and the worst people in the world right now are in Iraq. (Literally, not hyperbolically ala Keith Oberman). Elsewhere such as Cuban and Chinese prisons, of course, but Iraq is the central front in the most obvious battle of good and evil on earth today.

The discipline, sacrifice, compassion, courage, and honor displayed by the vast majority of American military is hard to miss, even for those bathed in hate by imams since birth; likewise, the vile killers of Al Queda, following in Saddams' tradition of brutality against Iraqis but adding blasphemy against the God who gave them breath, cannot help but show to any with open eyes--and the lives of Iraqis depend on their clear sight--the true face of evil.

So there is a chance that Bush's gambit will pay off, and in the darkness of the Arab/Islamic world some native spark will alight from the torch we carry--by we I mean Americans, a group I am apart of by no virtue of my own, rather the undeserved mercy of God and the blood of these same soldiers. Maybe there will be some Islamic revolution/reformation begun in "the land between two rivers", or perhaps these brave Iraqi Christians can redeem their neighbors. Islam will forever carry Mohammed's tain, but it's cultural ties are strong, of course, so a reform would a great blessing. Watered down with a great deal of liberty, maybe even Islam would not be so poisonous as to inspire the killers who rage against the west so destructively to both.

Maybe not, maybe the darkness will resume in full once we leave, but I think and pray the risk was worthwhile. Despite what the leftist liers say about us, the invasion was one of the most moral wars ever, even if badly waged for awhile. If America were to abandon Iraq to genocide and misery, our greatness would be lost for a generation, and barbarism would grow stronger across the globe, but it seems that we are almost past the point where complete failure is even a possibility. (If the Kurdish terrorists don't manage to start a war with Turkey.)

They say victors write history books, but that is only relevant for a society that believes in itself. I think a large portion of America will curse Bush for this war for some time no matter the outcome. That would be an injustice, but one worth bearing if the potential in Michael Yon's picture bears out.

Another reason why I have not watched the MSM "evening news" or read any paper from front to back since 2002-3. I wouldn't be surprised to see a picture of an Iraqi treating an American Flag with more respect that many SF moonbats.

re: #120 nikis-knight

Great post.

My God, just when we're thinking its all over....a ray of hope. Why isn't this on the front page of every newspaper in America?

Maximu§
3/11 ACR

re: #123 Maximu§

Because the old media is full of Quislings, and people of little faith.

Goodnight all.

Great photo!

Channeling Reginald Denny here:

"Can't we all just get along?"

Some can. Unfortunately, others cannot--and cannot help themselves. Thanks Michael for the ray of light.

I agree it is a beautiful sight, but it is not the Second Coming.
What next? The picture on a shot glass being hawked on the Internet?
I would be far more excited if Nouri al-Maliki was mounting the cross
being assisted by some Iraqi cabinet members.

Impressive. Damned impressive. Such events make many eyes misty. But, to paraphrase a grizzled old cowboy:

Year ain't over yet.

An inspiring photograph of a momentous event, from Michael Yon:

Reminds me of the photo of Iwo Jima from WWII. That war wasn't over either, but lifting that flag into place marked a major achievement.

I ran "St. John's Church" Baghdad through my search engine to see what else I could find out about the church and this strange site popped up
iransolidarity - protect Iran from U.S. "liberty & freedom" which has nothing to do do with the church in Baghdad but I marvel at all the weird organizations that the left and their friends have put together and the things they think make sense.

Joe Rosenthal lives!

If this photo is the huge phenomenon that most of us think it will be, that church will be a target. Please make sure that it is protected.

If they were planting explosives, this would be on the MSM reports.

Fixing something, not so much.

Pray for their safety.

re: #129 Live4Truth

An inspiring photograph of a momentous event, from Michael Yon:

Reminds me of the photo of Iwo Jima from WWII. That war wasn't over either, but lifting that flag into place marked a major achievement.

I knew it reminded me of something. Thanks for making the connection.

On the roof with mooslams?

I hope none of the Christians turn their back on the mooslems, not even for a second.........

Damnit. This lessens my stereotypical hatred of Muslims!

Curses!

/s

re: #136 mike_trivisonno

Ah well it is islam that is bad

re: #133 astronmr20

You cannot see their faces too directly. I bet Michael Yon thought of that before putting the photo out.

Michael Yon has been doing consistently good work in Iraq; this is one fine example.

Make sure you give him your vote for the Best Military Blog:

[Link: 2007.weblogawards.org...]

..............................you guys read alot into one picture.

I believe it happened, obviously - and I'm not doubting Yon's account of it.....but I'm leary to declare "mission accomplished" just yet......

and as a side note and totally unrelated to the actual event, that's quite an unusual cross - or is that customary to build them that way there?

would it be a little hyperbolic to say it's a bit like Iwojima, but in a more modest way?

#1 KT said:

Michael Yon is making this photograph available to media outlets, such as print publications and cable and television news broadcasts, at no cost for a limited period of time.

Let's see how many outlets take him up on that offer.

Yea let's definitely see. There's also got to be something we can do to vault the efforts of these types of independent journalists above the rank and file of the mainstream press, who seem to collect popular awards by simply feigning efforts at actual work and towing the liberal line to the masses, laying that line at the feet of those that hand out the awards.

It's become quite the incredible irony.

#139, ryannon definitely has the right idea:

Michael Yon has been doing consistently good work in Iraq; this is one fine example. Make sure you give him your vote for the Best Military Blog:

http://2007.weblogawards.org/polls/best-military-b log-1.php

Wonder if anyone else has seen this?

[Link: www.daybydaycartoon.com...]

re: #140 Owl

..............................you guys read alot into one picture.

I believe it happened, obviously - and I'm not doubting Yon's account of it.....but I'm leary to declare "mission accomplished" just yet......

and as a side note and totally unrelated to the actual event, that's quite an unusual cross - or is that customary to build them that way there?

It's a good sign, is all. A lot of Iraqi Christians have fled, but a lot of Iraqi anything have fled. But it is a good reminder that there are some Muslims who don't take the implications of their religion to heart, and I don't think that it is a stretch to think it is because, in some cases, contact with American troops and AQI killers has given them serious cognitive dissonace.

I agreee the cross is unusual, but not so much... there is a chuch down the block from me with the same. Maybe it is a Catholic thing.

re: #140 Owl

..............................you guys read alot into one picture.

I believe it happened, obviously - and I'm not doubting Yon's account of it.....but I'm leary to declare "mission accomplished" just yet......

and as a side note and totally unrelated to the actual event, that's quite an unusual cross - or is that customary to build them that way there?

Ill take good news where I can find it and this small event is good news. If its coming from Michael Yon, it carries alot of weight with me and alot of us LIzards.

nikis-knight explained it better then I can.

Maximu§
3/11 ACR

Owl (#140),

And who here suggested that this was some sort of proof of "mission accomplished"?

archer (#141),

Charles continues to plumb the depths.

Well, he lets you post here.

Brotherhood

#149 is a bad link. PIMF!

OT ALERT:

Pat Robertson endorses Rudy 2008

I have read Mike Yon since 2004. He just keeps doing what no one else will do, and keeps getting better and better. He is totally supported by contributions. Help him if you want to do so. He plans to go to Afghanistan soon if Iraq continues to go well. His photo of the soldier and the child in the blanket, and now this photo, only to serve to distinguish his work as among the best war correspondence ever.

re: #103 Tigger2005

Great post! Perfectly sums up the fundamental differences between Christianity and Islam, which cultural relativists just don't get. The founders of the two religions were polar opposites; thus the religions cannot possibly be the same.

Inspiring like Iwo Jima, though obviously different in substance.

This photo moves me more than I can describe. Luckily, after viewing the comments here, I don't have to, and you all feel as I do.

I'm Catholic, and if I didn't believe in God, I might think Michael Yon a deity for helping get the message out. And, to the Iraqis fighting for peace, thank you, too.

A commenter over at CY:

"This is like a moonbat nightmare - success in Iraq and a cross"

Heh. Damn straight.

Wow. Just Wow. I really enjoy Michael Yons reports and his photos can be very telling. This may be just one incident but it could just be the start of something greater. For the Iraqis' sake I hope so. So much good can come from a little tolerance and a helping hand here and there. Perhaps they are beginning to feel for the first time what peace and peace of mind can do for them. It really calms the heart and mind.

#111 Democast and #139 ryannon - voted

Not many things bring tears to my eyes, but this picture does. G-d bless our soldiers for making this picture possible.

Ha...this picture FINALLY made it to Drudge!

Maximu§
3/11 ACR

I've been reading Yon's posts for a while and they are all truly amazing and awe inspiring. He really should be nominated for Time's man of the year for his relentless efforts to bring out the truth.

It's not as if anyone at TIME would notice, but he's accomplished a lot more than most of these folks...
[Link: www.time.com...]

Christians could practice without fear of persecution under Sadaam. What kind of progress is this? Really. Are we still trying to turn these people into Little Americans? Please.

How 'bout a Pulitzer for Yon?

Christians could practice without fear of persecution under Sadaam. What kind of progress is this?

Well, I'll explain:
1. Saddam was an avowed enemy of the United States, violated cease fires, and had a history of fascination with WMD. So we invaded the country.
2. Islamists entered the country to kill American soldiers, who after routing Iraqi conscripts so easily, we unprepared for the ensuing guerrila war.
3. Now the tides have changed; this picture shows that Iraqis have enough confidence in the defeat of AQI to proclaim that they will not kill the unbeliever in their midst.

Really. Are we still trying to turn these people into Little Americans? Please.

That would be nice, yes. One step most likely to lead to something like you mockingly suggest is getting them a more decent, life-affirming religion.
(Not, of course, that everyone in Iraq wants peace. Some want to kill Americans; that's why we have soldiers with guns there, who are racking up terrorist kills at a fabulus, if somewhat absurdly secret, rate.)

re: #140 Owl

..............................you guys read alot into one picture.

I believe it happened, obviously - and I'm not doubting Yon's account of it.....but I'm leary to declare "mission accomplished" just yet......

and as a side note and totally unrelated to the actual event, that's quite an unusual cross - or is that customary to build them that way there?

The cross is designed that way so that it appears as a cross no matter what angle it's viewed from. No special signifigance other than that.