Thanksgiving in Iraq;
“Do you know who you are talking to?” said the White Lion, getting out of his car. “I am Al Qaeda. I will destroy even your own houses!”
[…]
It was the beginning of the end for Al Qaeda in Amariyah. The next day, a firefight erupted. Al Qaeda fighters closed in on Abul Abed. Most of the 150 men who had joined him fled. Holed up in a mosque with fewer than a dozen supporters, Abul Abed thought the end was near.
“The blue carpet was soaked red with blood,” he recalled. Then the imam of the mosque called in American help.
A friendship was born.
“It is thanks to the service and sacrifice of these American heroes that the extraordinary progress we have seen over the past months in Iraq has been possible — progress for which all Americans should be grateful.
Over the last several months, our troops have dramatically transformed the security situation in Iraq by rolling back Al Qaeda and Iranian supported extremists. As a result of their courageous efforts, violence is sharply down, and our enemies are off balance and on the run.
My trip reinforced my belief that we must support the mission in Iraq and ensure that our troops receive the resources from Congress they need and deserve. Our troops are bravely carrying out their mission – and we have an obligation not to let them down at this critical moment.”
It does not have the drama of the Inchon landing or the sweep of the Union comeback in the summer of 1864. But the turnabout of American fortunes in Iraq over the past several months is of equal moment — a war seemingly lost, now winnable. The violence in Iraq has been dramatically reduced. Political allegiances have been radically reversed. The revival of ordinary life in many cities is palpable. Something important is happening.
Troops in Iraq celebrate the day.
It’s eerie silence on the progress in Iraq. We all know why. It would be a sacrilege for the Lefty MSM in the US and here in Canada to even mention that fact.
It’s starting to look better for the much maligned George W, he’ll be going out of Office on a high and all the naysayers will be eating crow until they’re guts burst.
“Something Important Is Happening”
I really like that line…..I dont’t know if it is true but I very much hope it is.
“Afghanistan as the new Iraq”
Just saw that headline on CNN a moment ago; part of a story with experts predicting failure. Yes, that’s right – the media has found a new disaster without missing a beat. I don’t want unfounded optimism, but the drooling eagerness for disaster really sickens me.
Actually, some of the MSM are taking grudging note of the progress. There was even a front page story in the NY Times this week:
“Baghdad’s Weary Start to Exhale as Security Improves”
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/20/world/middleeast/20surge.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
“Though they suffered casualties during the defense of their checkpoints, the Iraqi army and the concerned citizens group stood their ground, officials said.”
News here from Iraq you will never see/hear in the MSM.
…-
Troops Detain 7 in Raids on al Qaeda Media Network
American Forces Press Service ^
Posted on 11/23/2007 8:07:29 AM PST by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2007 – Coalition forces in Iraq detained seven suspects today in three coordinated operations targeting al Qaeda’s media network southeast of Samarra.
One of the targeted buildings is believed to be used as a propaganda production facility and meeting location for senior leaders, officials said.
“These operations are another step on the road to a peaceful Iraq, where innocent civilians can live without fear of terrorist attacks,” said Army Maj. Winfield Danielson, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. “Defeating al Qaeda’s propaganda networks undermines their fundraising and recruiting.”
In operations yesterday in Iraq:
— Iraqi soldiers and concerned local citizens in Hawr Rajab, repelled an attack by about 15 members of al Qaeda in Iraq, killing two terrorists and wounding an unreported number. Al Qaeda began the attack with small-arms fire and mortars early in the morning, targeting an Iraqi army checkpoint. Small-arms fire continued throughout the morning. Coalition forces supporting the Iraqi army called in helicopter support from 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade. The attack helicopter crews killed two al Qaeda members and wounded two others. Then deployed a U.S. Air Force F-16 dropped a 500-pound bomb on a van that was transporting weapons, destroying it and all of its contents. Though they suffered casualties during the defense of their checkpoints, the Iraqi army and the concerned citizens group stood their ground, officials said. The attackers broke off after being unable to overrun the checkpoints. …-
More:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1929637/posts
Iraq is a quagmire!…. for Al Qaeda.
I think we are starting to win the war of ideas with the muslim fanatics.
A little taste of Al Qaeda rule in Anbar province showed the average Iraqi where the bear shit in the buckbrush.
Indeed.
Here’s essentially what Al Qaeda brings to the table in Iraq:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ead868873f
Happy Thanksgiving to all the American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I too, like that line by Krauthammer “Something important is Happening”.
If you listen to your heart you will hear it
even in Canada; not from the ‘news’ people, of course but on places like sda, where the heart of the blog writer has always been on the right side of the war against terrorism. Kate has supported the good guys from day one.
God Bless America and God Bless people like Kate who have never let a ‘defeatist story’ get in the way of the truth.
The more stable (and democratic) Iraq becomes the better able the US and the coalition can lean on the next islamo-fascist regime – Syria. already defanged by Israel recently, expect Iraqi and Lebanese insurgents witht the help of the CIA and Mossad to work a pincer on the Syrian regime.
Stability in Iraq = instability in the despotic neighbours – that was Wolfowitz’ et al’s plan from the start.
I think the Mullahs have finally figured out that will have more power in a free Iraq than they will in an Iranian dominated Iraq.
In the end it is what is in the best interest of people that helps them make the choice.
Iraq is one of the key countries in the Middle East, and thus in the world. Whilel I expect a long war there, any progress is wonderful!
That sound you hear in the distance? Not small arms fire, or mortars. It’s the lefty heads exploding one after the other.
People everywhere who cherish freedom should make America’s Thanksgiving their Thanksgiving. I say this because without the great sacrifice of American lives throughout the world there would be no peace – there would be no freedom. Do not get me wrong!!! I am NOT saying that freedom is only the product of American lives sacrificed. What I am saying is that without their sacrifice, our sacrifice would be in vain.
God Bless you, the great USA!! May you always be strong. Keep fighting against those WITHIN and without you who would weaken and compromise your resolve to make not only your country strong and free but also those who thirst for freedom for themselves and their loved ones throughout the worlde. History has never known the extent of resolve that is harbored in the hearts of Canadians and Americans who fight for peace and freedom for those who cannot fight for it themselves. Keep fighting the Pelosi’s and the Reid’s who want to change that.
It’s starting to look better for the much maligned George W
“W” has *got* to be the funniest president ever. Remember the sight-bite where he went the wrong way and tried to exit through a locked door after a press conference?
That was extremely funny; was it planned for comedic effect, a trick played on him by security/staffers or is the guy *truly* clueless?
“Funny” is not something most people associate with political leaders, especially not the “I keeeel you!” crowd. But humour, well done, (especially the self-deprecating kind) often can diffuse otherwise tense situations.
I think progress is defiantly being made throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Take the case of the repentant Raja Alsanea the recent Saudi prostitute ravaged by seven of gods noble warriors, sentenced by the judicial system to 200 heavenly lashes of gods forgiving tongue. Truly, and I wish to not sound undiplomatic, is that if our bitches and whores in the west subscribed to Sharia law so that we also as warrior men would not need to succumb to the unpleasant experience of watching in patient silence. Such is the way of Iraq and all brotherhood of the knowing gentleman……………….
Now now…the MSM cannot report on anything good from war.War is EVVVIIILLL and nothing even remotely goodcan come from it. Just look at the results of WW1,WW2.Korea. Nothing good.Thats why I’m typing this in German. Oh wait..
“Americans are our protectors and Saviors ” could be a mantra for the libs and dippers. If it wasnt for the security of living next door to the USA we couldnt afford to have the one third of the country east of Ontario on subsidies or the mega health care system or the welfare and EI system.
Hello Kate,
I wouldn’t trust Mr,Abu Abed ,or any other Iraqui,as far as I could throw them.He would just as soon slide a knife through your ribs as give you a hug.Western folk are so naive.
smithywess
I’ve read time and time again how the Iraqi people have said the Iranians show no mercy and do heinous acts to Iraqi Muslims, etc. It is best to note, that when the Iraqi people think what Iraqi people do to each other isn’t near as bad as what the Iranians will do to Iraqis, you know the Iranians must be some real sick mothers.
the idea that shia and sunnis are all getting along well now is false – yes some sunni extremists (al-queda in Iraq – not the group started by Bin Laden) were killed and chased out by pissed off Iraqis but the main reason things have calmed down is the formerly mixed neighbourhoods have been cleansed by militias – there are now sunni areas and shia areas and many empty houses of thousands that fled to avoid the fighting. Of course most Iraqis want peace and even if you hate Bush , you should hope for peace for them but the idea that – everyone is all getting along now because of the surge is a joke they are just seperated now, the infrastructure of the country is in ruins and the Iraqi “government” still has no trust or support from much of the population. That said less killing is always better, it’s just too bad poltical partisians over here just see the lives of iraqis as pawns for there campain retoric!!
I guess they’re so happy over there that those deadly market bombs are just part of the festivities…
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/24/world/middleeast/24iraq.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
…unless this is “the revival of ordinary life.”
A big thank you to all you folks north of the 49th parallel for saying such nice things about my country. I’m very happy that there are people like you and that there are governments like Stephen Harper’s (and John Howard’s until yesterday).
Nothing has ever made me prouder to be a citizen of the USA than the work that we’ve been doing bringing freedom to Iraqis and Afghans (or should that be Afghanis?), and nothing has made me more ashamed than those in our government and media who want to obstruct that work.
I have always supported the US going to Iraq and getting rid of that despicable despot. There was never any doubt that America could and would prevail. Yes, it took the “surge” to get the bad guys out of there and it is looking pretty promising right now. However. If the US pulls out of there before there is political stability then it will have all been for not. That is what the Reids, Pelosi’s and Murtha’s want. They couldn’t care less about the American and Iraqi lives lost in this struggle. All they want is for the troops to come home “for the holidays”.
Who cares what happens to the people of Iraq! They completely dishonor those who have laid down their life for this most noble cause.
America’s greatest danger lies not so much in the aggressor from abroad but from the politically motivated politicians from within who would sell their soul to terrorists in order to get votes. The limp dicks that I refer to are the aforementioned. God Bless the United States of America! Stay stong!!