Iraq Heroes

Is Iraq On the Brink of Civil War?

2010-03-10T10:28:00.000-08:00

Seven years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq toppled Saddam Hussein's government and pulverized the Iraqi state, voters will go to the polls on March 7 in an election that most Iraqis hope will continue their country's uneven progress toward political stability. But a new crisis, provoked by an anti-Baathist purge in mid-January by Tehran's allies in Iraq, has threatened to unravel Iraq's

Spotted on Biden's Palm - "Iraq War Bad, Afghanistan War Good"

2010-03-01T10:42:00.000-08:00

Recently the mainstream media was howling with derision over the fact that Sarah Palin had written a few words on the inside of her hand to remind herself of the key themes she wanted to address in her speech at the Tea Party Convention in Nashville last week. Admittedly, one would have expected subjects such as Energy, Tax Cuts, and Lift American Spirits to be top-of-mind for Palin, who has

The Case For Ending the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - Now

2009-11-04T09:51:00.000-08:00

After almost one trillion dollars spent and over 4,000 lives lost, it is time to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and bring our troops home. The arguments are pretty clear by now and the people responsible are standing, not in front of the forest, where they cannot see the trees, but in the middle of the forest. They have been lost and wandering so long that they cannot see the path out. In

Don't Blame George W Bush For the War in Iraq

2009-03-13T12:28:00.001-07:00

Democracy is a process by which people are free to choose the man who will get the blame--Laurence Peter, "The Peter Principle" I wish that Democrats and disaffected Republicans would stop blaming former President George W. Bush for the failed war in Iraq. He may have been the commander-in-chief of our military forces, but that doesn't mean he was personally responsible for a military campaign

The Myth That Iraq Had No WMD

2009-01-27T12:31:00.001-08:00

Weapons of Mass Destruction have three major components; nuclear, biological, and chemical. One of the things that these three components share is the ability to create mass destruction from one release.Just ask the Kurds, Saddam tried to exterminate them with chemical agents. Fast forward to post invasion Iraq.A combined Associated Press and Fox News report released on May 17, 2004, mentioned a

Neural Circuits

2008-12-29T12:05:00.001-08:00

It is said that we the humans react and respond to our proximate environment, and absolutely ignore the power (within) us that influence our ends, do blame the external forces. This intuitive question has made many of us to speak on the issue.Charles Darwin presented his line of reasoning- the survival of fittest by means of natural selection (biological evolution)-the secular version.Carl Marx,

A Day in Baghdad Iraq

2008-11-28T14:14:00.000-08:00

04:30 I wake up to the sounds of 107 MM rockets landing outside my building in Fob Rustamiyah. 3 hours ago, my scout platoon had just gotten back from an 8 hour mission in the outskirts of Sadr City, Baghdad Iraq. I was so tired, I could give a crap about the rockets landing within feet of our position. We had been there so long and just got extended. Moral was at an all time low. We had already

Democracy Is Alive And Well In Northern Iraq

2008-08-29T06:13:00.001-07:00

There is a saying among the Kurds: "No friends but the mountains." The reason for this seems to be due to their past misfortunes brought on by ruler after ruler through the years. Even as recently as Saddam's regime, this pattern continued. Yet, instead of being bitter, they are leaders in changing their country for the better. They believe in a Democratic form of government much like we

Iraqi Mental Health Epidemic

2008-08-29T05:39:00.001-07:00

In the next 10 to 15 years the American public will see a sharp rise in veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder, to the point of epidemic proportions. You see, never before in the history war have our troops been subjected to such prolonged exposure to combat and life threatening situations. In World War II our troops were fighting a defined enemy while engaging real objectives

US Lawmakers Probe Electrocutions of US Troops in Iraq

2008-07-12T01:23:00.000-07:00

By Deborah TateMembers of the U.S. Congress are investigating the electrocutions of 12 soldiers in Iraq. Critics say faulty electrical work done by U.S. contractor KBR is to blame for the deaths. Senate Democrats held a hearing on the matter Friday, as VOA's Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill. Members of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee heard emotional testimony from the mothers of two

Fourth of July Italian Charms

2008-07-01T01:16:00.000-07:00

American Flag Star Italian Charm American Flag and Statue of Liberty Italian Charm American Flag Black Laser Charm American Flag Heart Italian Charm Waving American Flag America Italian Charm Classic American Flag American Flag State American Flag with Yellow Ribbon More Fourth of July Italian Charms at Italian Charms Market

Coalition Forces Kill 3 Militants in Northern Iraq

2008-06-29T03:30:00.000-07:00

The U.S. military in Iraq says coalition forces have killed three suspected militants and detained 12 others during recent operations targeting al-Qaida in the north of the country.A military statement says troops killed two militants Saturday during a raid south of Mosul. Elsewhere, Iraqi and coalition forces shot and killed an armed man in Kirkuk during an operation targeting a kidnapping

Baquba, Iraq

2007-04-02T01:31:00.000-07:00

BAQUBA, Iraq, March 31 — In the last moments of his life, Sgt. First Class Benjamin L. Sebban saw the flatbed truck speed into the concertina wire guarding his small Army patrol base near Baquba.“Everybody get down! Get down!” he screamed. Soldiers dropped to the ground.A combination of the strong wire and muddy gravel stopped the bomber, who then detonated explosives packed into the truck bed. A

Win war on terror by leaving Iraq

2007-04-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

By REP. TIM MAHONEYThis month, I delivered on one of my campaign promises when I voted to get the Bush administration refocused on winning the war on terror.America removed a brutal dictator, and with $400 billion of your hard-earned money and our brave men and women's blood, sweat and tears, we have given the Iraqi people the hope of a better life through democracy. Now, it is the time for the

Look at what is really going on in Iraq

2007-04-01T00:02:00.000-07:00

Bill Sandt runs down the media. I noticed MDN ran his right-wing agenda letter twice (Feb 11 & 15). He said President George Bush is guided by Christian principles. Some of those should include the Ten Commandments, namely, "Thou shall not bear false witness (don’t lie)." When the first three reasons we stated for war with Iraq failed, namely WMD, buying yellow cake for A-bombs and funding

Leaving Iraq: Apocalypse Not

2007-02-19T21:40:00.000-08:00

By Robert Dreyfuss, Washington MonthlyThe Bush administration famously based its argument for invading Iraq on best-case assumptions: that we would be greeted as liberators; that a capable democratic government would quickly emerge; that our military presence would be modest and temporary; and that Iraqi oil revenues would pay for everything. All these assumptions, of course, turned out to be

$300 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan

2007-02-02T14:08:00.000-08:00

By Richard Wolf, USA TODAYWASHINGTON — President Bush will propose on Monday spending nearly $300 billion more through 2009 for the war on terror, which is dominated by the war in Iraq, a senior administration official said today.The funding, sure to be closely scrutinized by Congress, will include:•$100 billion for the 2007 fiscal year ending Sept. 30, which when added to spending already in the

MEDAL MOM'S CALL TO BACK THE TROOPS

2007-01-14T03:59:00.000-08:00

By DEB DUNHAMJanuary 14, 2007 -- Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham, 22, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Bush on Thursday for saving several men in his unit when he jumped on a grenade in Iraq. His mother, Deb Dunham, a teacher in upstate Scio, tells her memories of him. I'll leave it to others to debate the politics of the war in Iraq. I'm a mother, not a politician. For me,

Medal for a Marine

2007-01-13T00:16:00.000-08:00

This one is for the Marines. For the guys and gals in the uniforms with the red trim; for the tired, dirty, brave bunch on duty in the Middle East; for the kids in her son Jason's outfit who phone Deb Dunham each Christmas and Mother's Day, to check up on her and see how she's doing.Jason died in Iraq in April 2004. He was a Marine corporal, leading a rifle squad on patrol near the Syrian

Springfield Marine dies in Iraq

2006-11-28T01:54:00.000-08:00

Marine Cpl. Nicholas Rapavi Marine Cpl. Nicholas Rapavi often told his parents that while the mission in Iraq was important, his top concern was bringing the members of his squad home unharmed. While on patrol Friday, Rapavi kept his squad back while putting himself in harm's way by going first through a gate in a situation he thought looked suspicious. He was shot in the neck,

Iraq - The Right To Bear Arms

2006-09-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

Here in the U.S., our Constitution gives every American the right to bear arms. While the Constitution says nothing about licensing, we have learned that licensing is a necessity to keep arms out of the wrong hands. It's not foolproof, as criminals know. But, licensing does stem the flow of arms into the wrong hands. Is America more violent since licensing? Yes. But, violence has grown in

Was Iraq war a mistake?

2006-09-06T07:45:00.000-07:00

Question by ash_m_79:Absence of democracy, Weapons of Mass Destruction and support to terrorism were the reasons given for the Iraq war or which the latter two were false. In fact Bush's close Ally Pakistan becomes a fitter case for a war if these are the conditions for an Invasion. True the Taliban were asking for it for a long time, eventually someone else would have kicked their @ss if it want

This Week on The Patriot Insider - 2

2006-07-12T11:57:00.001-07:00

Is the American Dream still alive?That's what I'll ask my guests on this week's edition of The Patriot Insider, 9-11 a.m. Saturday on AM 1280 The Patriot.The show was prompted by Quentin, an immigrant who came to this country 20 years ago with nothing and has built his own business. Now his son, who just turned 18, is starting his own business. Quentin called in last week during my interview with

This week on The Patriot Insider

2006-07-07T07:01:00.001-07:00

First off, my apologies to all my adoring fans who had to sit through two hours of The Nihlist in Golf Pants hosting the show last week. I tried to get Sisyphus, but he refuses to come out of his shell.I was out of town on an emergency. I went to give blood a few weeks back and the nurse told me that plasma had overtaken extra virgin olive oil as the primary liquid flowing through my veins. So I

From Sunday's Philadelphia Inquirer

2006-07-03T23:06:00.000-07:00

The case for America, consummate war-winnerA professor counts the ways the U.S. has been militarily victorious for 200 years, seeing a fundamental belief in "sanctity of life" as the reason why.America's VictoriesWhy the U.S. Wins Warsand Will Win the War on TerrorBy Larry SchweikartSentinel. 352 pp. $24.95Reviewed by Mark YostEven the most vehement critics of the war on terror will admit that

The Media's Message to Our Troops

2006-06-25T17:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a rough draft of a speech I gave on Sunday, June 25 at the Army-Air National Guard Surgeons Conference in the Twin Cities.Congratulations. You survived Iraq.There must be something wrong with you.You laugh, but it’s part of an anti-war, anti-U.S., anti-military message that the media is sending to our men and women in uniform every day. It’s a message that’s been trumpeted on the front

Worth a Listen

2006-06-10T12:20:00.000-07:00

If you're around Sunday night, I'd encourage you to listen to the replay of my weekly radio show, "The Patriot Insider," from 7-9 p.m. CDT. You can listen online at www.am1280thepatriot.com.My guest the first hour is Andy Davis, former Army Ranger who fought in Haditha, the terrorist snake pit that is currently in the news. You'll hear the other half of the story, which is mostly being ignored by

Thoughts on Haditha

2006-06-02T07:26:00.000-07:00

Below is the latest story from The Washington Post on the alleged killing of civilians by U.S. Marines in Haditha, Iraq. I've been waiting to comment on this because 1. These guys deserve a full and fair hearing before the entire nation passes judgment on them; 2. I know a little bit about Haditha and what a terrorist hell hole it is; 3. Who knows what evidence hasn't come to light yet -- or been

Capt. Nathanael Doring

2006-06-01T07:15:00.000-07:00

Marine 'pursued a dream to fly'Pilot, 31, dies in Iraq copter crashBY FREDERICK MELO and DAVID HANNERSPioneer PressAfter college, Nathanael Doring followed his dreams of flying and landed in the Marines, where the 31-year-old Apple Valley man met the second love of his life: his wife. The two served as captains in Iraq, and in April, he extended his second tour of duty so he could return to the

The war in Iraq?

2006-06-01T00:53:00.000-07:00

mommy1 ask q. on Yahoo Answers:Is it okay to not agree with the war, but to support the soldiers who are and have been over there risking and losing their lives? I support our troops in every way, and i was told that you cant support the troops and not the war. I was just wanting someone elses opinion on that. My boyfriend served for over a year in Iraq, and he is my hero. All of them are, and it

Our friends, the Bosnians

2006-05-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

Iraq arms 'leaking to insurgents' The United Nations agency responsible for decommissioning weapons in Eastern Europe has criticised arms exports to Iraq.Seesac has told File On 4 that the sale of large numbers of guns from Bosnia has compromised its operation.There are also concerns that some pistols flown from the UK which were intended for Iraqi police are now in the hands of insurgents.A

Staff Sgt. Christian Longsworth

2006-05-23T05:50:00.000-07:00

Afghanistan war claims JerseyanSmall-arms attack kills Newarker in Special ForcesTuesday, May 23, 2006BY RUSSELL BEN-ALI AND MARY JO PATTERSONStar-Ledger StaffEarly in March, just before Army Staff Sgt. Christian Longsworth was deployed to Afghanistan, he came home to Newark one last time.He made a point of spending time with his mother, Cecilia, to whom he was devoted, and his girlfriend,

Capt. Nichola Goddard

2006-05-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (CP) - Canada suffered its first-ever death of female combat soldier during a lengthy firefight with Taliban insurgents Wednesday evening.Capt. Nichola Goddard, of 1st Royal Canadian Horse Artillery based in Shilo, Man., was killed in action at 6:55 p.m. local time, 24 kilometres west of Kandahar city, said Brig.-Gen. David Fraser, commander of the multinational brigade

Paging Bob Dornan

2006-05-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

B-1Bs join the battle in AfghanistanBy Bruce RolfsenTimes staff writer B-1B Lancer bombers have taken up the fight in Afghanistan. On Wednesday, a B-1B and four A-10 Warthogs joined the effort to drive Taliban fighters out of the Panjway District in southern Afghanistan, according an Air Force statement.The Air Force jets in two separate attacks released laser-guided 2,000-pound Paveway II bombs

Maliki sees own forces running most of Iraq end-year

2006-05-22T20:33:00.000-07:00

BAGHDAD, May 22 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Monday he believed Iraqi forces could take over security in most of the country by the end of this year."There's an agreement and, according to this schedule for handing over security, Samawa and Amara provinces will be handed over to Iraqis in June and by the end of this year this operation will be completed except for Baghdad and

Security is Everything

2006-05-22T20:29:00.000-07:00

Iraq could double oil output with security SHARM EL-SHEIKH: Iraqi officials believe they can double their daily oil output quickly if a new government improves security, US Treasury Secretary John Snow said on Monday.Snow spoke to reporters travelling with him after a private meeting with Sinan al-Shabibi, Iraq’s central bank governor, about conditions in Iraq now that a new national unity

Pfc. Brian M. Moquin Jr.

2006-05-11T08:03:00.000-07:00

Worcester soldier among 10 killed in Afghanistan crashWORCESTER, Mass. -- A 19-year-old Worcester man was among 10 soldiers killed when their helicopter crashed during combat operations in eastern Afghanistan last week, the Army announced Wednesday.Pfc. Brian M. Moquin Jr. died Friday in the remote mountains of Kunar Province, Afghanistan, after the CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter crashed

2006-05-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

Father mourns Afghanistan deathPort Orange man's son killed Friday in Army helicopter crashKen Ma and Rebecca Mahoney Sentinel Staff WritersPORT ORANGE -- An Army officer whose father lives in Volusia County was among 10 soldiers killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, the military said Wednesday.Lt. Col. Joseph J. Fenty Jr., 41, of Watertown, N.Y., was killed Friday when the CH-47 Chinook

CWO Eric W. Totten

2006-05-11T07:53:00.000-07:00

St. Paul native dies in helicopter crash in AfghanistanPilot who grew up in Frogtown was on second tour of dutyBY DAVID HAWLEYPioneer PressA combat-hardened Army helicopter pilot who grew up in St. Paul's Frogtown neighborhood was among the 10 U.S. troops killed Friday in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, his family and the military said Wednesday.Chief Warrant Officer Eric W. Totten, who would

'Don't let me die!'

2006-05-10T10:34:00.000-07:00

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- "Don't let me die! Please, don't let me die," the U.S. soldier said repeatedly as medics carried him to the trauma room.His glazed eyes focused on an Army chaplain kneeling over him. There was blood everywhere.A roadside bomb that exploded next to his patrol vehicle sent shards of metal into his body and catapulted him from the vehicle.He, like so many of the gravely

Lance Corporal Michael Louis Ford

2006-05-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

Marine who died in Iraq is rememberedHis father sings as mourners sobBy Megan Tench, Globe Staff May 10, 2006NORTH DARTMOUTH -- Wearing a necktie designed with the American flag, Joseph Ford Sr. slowly stepped forward yesterday, glanced down at his son's coffin, and then sang a hymn that broke the hearts of the mourners gathered inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.''I'll go

Marine Capt. Brian S. Letendre

2006-05-09T07:45:00.000-07:00

Dutiful Marine Had 'Followed His Heart' Back to IraqBy Stephanie McCrummenWashington Post Staff WriterSaturday, May 6, 2006; B02Capt. Brian S. Letendre had survived one tour in Iraq. In the early days of the invasion, his Marine battalion had rolled north from Kuwait, engaged in heavy combat at Nasiriyah and elsewhere, and Letendre had come through it all decorated with a "V" for valor.He made it

Running to Remember

2006-05-09T07:41:00.000-07:00

Soldiers in Afghanistan run to remember fallen VermonterMay 6, 2006BURLINGTON, Vt. --A Vermont Army National Guard member killed in March was honored by fellow soldiers in Afghanistan who ran a marathon in his memory.Two guard members who served with Master Sgt. John Thomas Stone, 52, of Tunbridge, ran the 26.2 mile foot race on Friday.Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Cover of Richmond and Sgt. 1st

A Strategy for Heroes

2006-02-20T21:21:00.000-08:00

A Strategy for HeroesWhat's wrong with the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review.by Frederick W. Kagan02/20/2006, Volume 011, Issue 22THE PENTAGON RELEASED ITS QUADRENNIAL Defense Review on February 6. The latest installment of the congressionally mandated report on the state of the military declares, "manifestly, this document is not a 'new beginning.'" Indeed it is not. The new QDR reflects a

Iraq War Heroes

2005-08-29T03:05:00.000-07:00

July 2, 2003 By Jeff Rosenzweig The history students of the future will someday turn their attention to the Iraq War. Squinting at transcripts, perusing thousands of op-eds, reviewing ancient video footage and listening to countless hours of audio, our future historians will

Joe Nurre

2005-08-22T02:49:00.000-07:00

Today, a family in Sacramento needs our prayers. Joe Nurre, a young man who I went to college with at California State University Sacramento, died serving somewhere near Tikrit. Joe was a good friend to many people in the Sacramento community. He is a hero who served this country and gave his life for you, just like all the other men and women who have died in service of our nation. When you