Jeff Harrell is asking for us to help out. Seems like a good cause:

War Kids Relief hopes, in partnership with the Iraqi Ministry of Youth and Sports, to go to 100 of those youth centers and refurbish them, building classrooms and soccer fields and computer labs. They plan to launch a work-study program that would send Iraqi teens out into the cities and towns to do “Depression-era stuff” like painting buildings and picking up trash for a small wage. Every other week they’ll work; on alternate weeks they’ll receive vocational training at the youth centers.

Posted by: Rusty at 10:13 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Another translated Iraqi intel document has been released which implicates a French state run oil company in efforts to stop the U.S. led invasion of Iraq. Document: ISGZ-2004-028179 as translated here ties two European businessmen convicted in France's largest corruption scandal to the Saddam Hussein regime. The first is Loik Le Floch-Prigent, the former head of the French state owned oil company Elf-Aquitaine, convicted of fraud and bribery late in 2003. His conviction revolved around a scandal involving bribes and kickbacks to various corrupt oil rich governments around the world. His conviction also implicated the Socialist government of Francois Mitterrand in the scandal. Because Elf-Acquitaine is a state owned enterprised, it has long been thought to be a secret arm of French diplomacy.

In 1994, under the leadership of Loik Le Floch-Prigent, the French oil company negotiated lucrative contracts with Iraqi Oil Minister Safa al-Habobi, giving Elf-Acquitaine exclusive rights to the Majnoon oil fields on the border with Iran. Another French government owned company, Total SA--which would later merge with Elf-Acquitaine--was given rights to another oil field. The contracts were worth $100 billion over seven years but were conditioned on the U.N. sanctions being lifted. The major share of oil pumped during the oil-for food regime was done by the now merged Elf-Total SA & Russia's Gazprom.

France, then, had considerable financial interests in seeing that no U.S. invasion took place, and Loik Le Floch-Prigent's former company would be the main conduit for that gain. In January 2003, when this document was written, Le Floch was an independent energy consultant, presumably working for one or another of the French state owned companies.

Dieter Holzer is a German lobbyist connected to the French company. He helped arrange the sale of the East German Leuna oil refinery, during the privatization of formerly Communist run state enterprises, to Elf-Acquitaine during the early 1990s. Holzer is said to have ties to the German intelligence community and was convicted of taking kickbacks in the Elf scandal in November 2003.

From the translated Iraqi intel files. Emphasis mine & my comments in brackets. The entire document is not republished, only those parts which I felt needed more commentary: more...

Posted by: Rusty at 08:02 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
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In a press statement released yesterday, the al Qaeda linked Mujahdin Shura Council of Iraq announced that a Saudi national was behind the suicide-murder of between 18 and 40 Iraqis outside of a U.S. base near Tal Afar. The attack, near the Syrian border, wounded at least 30 others. Here is a copy of the press release along with commentary in brackets. more...

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From the not-exciting-enough-for-the-nightly-news file comes word that Marines from Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment delivered a new top-of-the-line pediatric wheelchair to a little girl in Al Hasa, Iraq.

The Marines became aware of the girl in January, when they saw her while on patrol.

The story is reported by Cpl. Mark Sixbey in the CENTCOM News:

“We knew we had to help out in some way,” said Staff Sgt. Charles Evers, a platoon commander for Company I. “We don’t have a miracle cure, but we can at least give her a new wheelchair.”

Update: Commenter Gunny, currently serving in Iraq, made such a strong post in response to a churlish comment from another poster in the comments thread that it deserves to be part of the main post:

MiB,

"Why are they doing this when they should be going out, killing fascists/terrorists, and making sure there is law and order the streets?"

I can guarantee you that those Marines are going out multiple times a day and doing everything in their power "to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver and to repel the enemy's assault through fire and close combat" as that is the primary mission of the Marine rifle squad. I have been in the city of Ramadi for 11 months, I have conducted over 400 combat patrols, cordon and knock, targeted raids, and mechanized patrols and I have also found the time to feed the poor, deliver medical supplies and to help those who cannot help themselves. To do any less would be un-American and downright wrong! Don't penalize the Marine because he still has the heart to help a little girl who was injured. The Iraqi people are so poor they often eat their food off the floor and for the most part have no electricity or running water, and to say that no one cares is part of the reason that most people don't understand the nature of war. The individual Marine on the battlefield struggles everyday to retain his/her humanity in the face of horror and destruction. When was the last time you had to carry your buddies body parts back to a vehicle so that you could ensure he came home. We have 17 and 18-year-old men out here doing that everyday, and if they can find the heart in them to help a little girl than so be it, whats it to you? It is what separates us from the enemy. We have a moral compass to guide us and we have compassion for the small guy caught in the crossfire. Shame on you, Sir.

“A waste of time. No one in the Muslim world cares and no one here except Bush apologists who want to say that "We were only wanting to help the Iraqis!" cares, either.”

I am NOT a Bush apologists and I Care. I definitely do not lay awake at night wondering about the outcome of the Iraqi people. I do, however, still find a place in my heart to realize the plight of the individual right in front of me. When we do things like that, we are not trying to make a media statement, and we are not trying to humanize the war effort. No, Sir, usually, we are just trying to make a right a wrong, and to allow us to feel a little more human before we return to the killing of fascist/terrorist. If you canÂ’t find it in yourself to care about an injured child then maybe someone should write a blog about that, because that is something that needs to be discussed.

This nation has become so polarized that there is no room for middle ground, compromises, or meeting people half way. It’s this kind of attitude, one in which people judge an action and then try to force it into a political left or right box, which has caused this war to become a disaster. The Marines are doing the best they can, they fight and die everyday and if that isn’t enough for you than I suggest you grab a rifle and come on over, other than that try poking your finger at the politicians who develop the “Executive Conflict Intent”. In lieu of those two decisions maybe opening your heart to the plight of the innocent and just sleeping comfortable knowing that the Marines are fighting terrorist over HERE and not in your back yard, can be justification enough for you. I never did think that an American would want justification for a hospitable act from a Marine in a war zone, would you rather have a war crime instead? What exactly do you want?

Posted by The Gunny at March 25, 2006 01:49 PM

Also posted at The Dread Pundit Bluto and Vince Aut Morire.

Posted by: Bluto at 12:02 PM | Comments (19) | Add Comment
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An umbrella organization for terrorists in Iraq which includes Abu Musab al Zarqawi's al Qaeda group, the Mujahidin Shura Council of Iraq, has released a statement claiming responsibility for freeing 33 prisoners from a jail in the town of Muqdadiya northeast of Baghdad yesterday. The press release also claims that 40 Iraqi police were killed and that 3 helicopters were shot down.

In reality, about 18 police were killed and no helicopters were downed. The press release is below. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 10:55 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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This is bad news. Hat tip to Al Ghazali. more...

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The American mainstream media have been queerly incurious about the al-Askiriya shrine bombing in February that touched off sectarian violence in Iraq. Meanwhile, American writer Sandy Shanks had this to say in al-Jazeera:

About the last thing Americans wanted, and their leadership, was for sectarian violence to blow the lid off Iraq. The same could be said for Shias and Sunni, most of whom wish only to rid themselves of the Western occupiers.

The same cannot be said for al-Qaida. It wants only turmoil and a civil war in Iraq would fit in with the group's grand scheme, embarrassing the US to the utmost. Moreover, this attack looks like an al-Qaida operation - well planned and executed brilliantly against an iconic target.

Also posted at The Dread Pundit Bluto and Vince Aut Morire.

Posted by: Bluto at 12:12 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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Here is a White House press release outlining how the Tal Afar mission can serve as a model for ridding Iraq of terrorists. Worth a read.

It's interesting to note that at the time of the Tal Afar offensive--as with all offensive operations--the hard Left claimed cried 'genocide' and 'war crimes'. Of course by 'war crimes' they mean U.S. troops killing terrorists, but not terrorists booby trapping the bodies of dead children in Tal Afar.
more...

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The President gave a quick speech this morning on the south lawn of the White House marking the third anniversary of the launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

President Remarks on Third Anniversary of Beginning of Iraq Liberation (whitehouse.gov):

This morning I had a phone call with our ambassador to Iraq. And the ambassador informed me of the progress that the Iraqis are making in forming a unity government. I encouraged the Iraqi leaders to continue to work hard to get this government up and running. The Iraqi people voted for democracy last December; 75 percent of the eligible citizens went to the polls to vote. Now the Iraqi leaders are working together to enact a government that reflects the will of the people. I'm encouraged by the progress. The ambassador was encouraged by it.

Today, as well, marks the third anniversary of the beginning of the liberation of Iraq. And it's a time to reflect. And this morning, our reflections were upon the sacrifices of the men and women who wear our uniform. Ours is an amazing nation where thousands have volunteered to serve our country. They volunteered to -- many volunteered after 9/11, knowing full well that their time in the military could put them in harm's way. So, on this third anniversary, the beginning of the liberation of Iraq, I think all Americans should offer thanks to the men and women who wear the uniform, and their families who support them. We are implementing a strategy that will lead to victory in Iraq. And a victory in Iraq will make this country more secure, and will help lay the foundation of peace for generations to come.

May God continue to bless our troops in harm's way. Thank you.

The added emphasis is mine. This less than two full minute speech reminds me of something that would only be said on Veteran's Day or Memorial Day. But, it does remind me that as an Airman I should be thankful to my family who supports me every day. The family that waves at the C-5 as it takes off; the family that makes coming home a truly remarkable event just by being there to pick me up.

However, it also reminds me that people that don't even know me hate me because of what I do. It reminds me of the knee jerk reaction that liberals have whenever the President says something. They don't listen to the words they make up stuff like the title of this AP article, Bush Marks Anniversary, Never Says 'War'. It leads me to believe that the media doesn't care about those protecting the freedom that keeps them in business. Liberals in general are the thorn in my morale; the supposed party of piece has become so unhinged that I'm just waiting for the Vietnam-ish treatment of troops coming home (there have been a few incidents but nothing as widespread as that era).

Folks, please read what the President said and take it into consideration. If you don't like what the President is saying then please read, Support the Troops and Their Wishes.

Originally Posted at Conservative Thinking

Posted by: Chris Short at 02:54 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
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Having grown accustomed to the steady diet of defeatist propaganda, designed to position the DNC for the mid-terms, I was not optimistic when I saw that the Washington Post had interviewed 100 Iraq War veterans and written an article about their experiences. Certainly, I thought, they'll cherrypick the quotes looking for the ones most easily taken out of context to damage America's interests. more...

Posted by: Bluto at 02:01 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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The newly declassified captured Iraqi documents available for public inspection a the Foreign Military Studies Office Joint Reserve Intelligence Center are a grab bag; many of them given without synopsis or explanation. Take this transcript of an audiotape, wherein Saddam gets a sales pitch for the French Mirage-4000 fighter/strike aircraft: more...

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More here (hat tip Dean)

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Since I make an effort to follow certain terror groups in Iraq, I thought I'd post some comments on this Washigngton Post article which tries to explain the various terror organizations fighting our troops and allies. It's pretty disgusting that WaPo chooses to term those who break the Geneva Convention on a daily basis 'insurgents'. While the article in general is informative, there are a number of points they miss. Some of them very big points. Much of what they miss can only be interpretted as a deliberate whitewash of the insurgents we fight. Hopefully the explanations below will be helpful to those interested in the war in Iraq. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 02:00 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Letter written by Saddam's son Qusai, four months before his richly deserved demise:

Republican Guard Secretariat Presidential Office
Special Security Organization
Republican Guard Chief of Staff Security
Number: [blank]
Date: March 14, 2003

Regarding the execution of Mr. President, Commander Saddam HusseinÂ’s (God protect
him) orders, according to the decision of the Revolutionary Command Council on Friday,
March 4, 2003.

Transfer all Kuwaiti POWÂ’s / a total of 448 captured Kuwaitis who are located at the Al-Nida Al-Agher Prison and the Intelligence / General Center and Kazema Prison in Al-Kazema, to make them human shields at all locations that are expected to be attacked by the American aggressors. Put them in communication locations and essential ministries, radio and television, Military Industrial Commissions, and all other locations expected to be attacked by the criminal Anglo-American aggressors.
Transporting them should be in coordination with:
Intelligence Services Directorate
Republican Guard Chief of Staff
Under direct supervision of the Special Security Organization / Organization Security

[Signature]
Qusai Saddam Hussein
Supervisor
of the Republican Guard Secretariat
March 14, 2003

A copy to:
Intelligence Service Directorate / Office of the Director
Republican Guard Chief of Staff / Office of the Chief of Staff

From Foreign Military Studies Office Joint Reserve Intelligence Center.

Also posted at The Dread Pundit Bluto and Vince Aut Morire.

Posted by: Bluto at 12:02 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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New documents released by the U.S. Army show that Iraqi intelligence agents knew that Osama bin Laden was in contact with the Iraqi government. This is in addition to other documents which prove conclusively that Iraqi intelligence was aware of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's presence in Iraq.

A translation from one of the documents: more...

Posted by: Rusty at 02:46 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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FT. MEADE, Md. — A top Army intelligence commander testified Wednesday that he gave his approval on at least one occasion for the use of military dogs during the interrogation of a detainee at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison, a rare acknowledgment that soldiers may have received permission from superiors to employ harsh techniques.

Someday, in the far future, our nation's mailmen and mailwomen will receive the same respect as terrorists held at Abu Ghraib.

Keep flogging that dead horse, media.

Posted by: Vinnie at 03:38 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Was this the so-called "Tet" offensive we have been hearing so much speculation about?

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Iraqi interior minister said Tuesday that authorities had foiled an al-Qaida plot that would have put hundreds of its men at critical guard posts around Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, home to the U.S. and other foreign embassies as well as the Iraqi government.

more

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Reuters reports that "dozens" of office workers were taken from a security firm in a raid by gunmen wearing Iraqi police commando uniforms:

Two sources said about 50 people were taken. They said that the gunmen, who arrived in at least 10 vehicles, broke into the headquarters compound of the firm in the Zayouna district.

One Interior Ministry source said he was unaware of any official police operation in the area.

Many Iraqis have complained that gunmen dressed in police uniforms raided their houses and seized relatives.

But Sunni and other groups have accused the interior ministry of condoning death squads operating inside the ministry targeting Sunnis areas. The ministry denies it.

Posted by: Bluto at 12:06 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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From ABC News:

March 6, 2006 — U.S. military and intelligence officials tell ABC News that they have caught shipments of deadly new bombs at the Iran-Iraq border.

They are a very nasty piece of business, capable of penetrating U.S. troops' strongest armor.

What the United States says links them to Iran are tell-tale manufacturing signatures — certain types of machine-shop welds and material indicating they are built by the same bomb factory.

"The signature is the same because they are exactly the same in production," says explosives expert Kevin Barry. "So it's the same make and model."

Posted by: Bluto at 12:08 AM | Comments (36) | Add Comment
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No, I don't mean Abu Ghraib. I mean the real torture chambers run as torture chambers. Where, unlike when U.S. soldiers abused prisoners, Saddam's loyal troops were not disciplined for torturing, but encouraged. Truly the Baathist state will go down as one of the most ugly in history.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:11 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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