Mea culpa

U.S. reassigns Marine for passing out Bible verses to Muslims
By Leila Fadel and Jamal Naji | McClatchy Newspapers
Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008
BAGHDAD, Iraq — The U.S. military confirmed Thursday that a Marine in Fallujah passed out coins with a Gospel verse on them to Sunni Muslims, a military spokesman in the Iraqi city said. The man was immediately removed from the checkpoint and reassigned.

Seems it really was only one overzealous young Marine.

My apologies to all LTC Marine chaplains!

Stop the madness.

a call for democracy in Iraq

Al Sadr: Let Iraqis decide on U.S. troops
May 27, 2008
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- An agreement between the United States and Iraq to allow U.S. troops to remain operating in Iraq past 2008 should be put to a popular referendum, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr urged in an online message to his followers.

Has anyone else noticed that al Sadr seems to be the loudest voice for participative democracy in Iraq? Why can't W embrace him? [... well, other than the fact that al Sadr really hates the U.S. occupation?]

Okay. If not "embrace" how 'bout "tolerate"? The Sadrist movement is popular. They've made honest efforts to work thru the "system". Their efforts have been rewarded by U.S. & Iraq govt with belligerence. Why not urge Maliki to reconcile with Sadr?

Too simplistic? Probably... but what we're doing ISN'T WORKING!

Stop the madness.

Winning hearts & minds

Marines pass out Gospel verse to Iraqi Muslims
By Jamal Naji and Leila Fadel, McClatchy Newspapers
Wed May 28, 2008
FALLUJAH, Iraq — At the western entrance to the Iraqi city of Fallujah Tuesday, Muamar Anad handed his residence badge to the U.S. Marines guarding the city. They checked to be sure that he was a city resident, and when they were done, Anad said, a Marine slipped a coin out of his pocket and put it in his hand.

Out of fear, he accepted it, Anad said. When he was inside the city, the college student said, he looked at one side of the coin. "Where will you spend eternity?" it asked.

He flipped it over, and on the other side it read, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16."

"They are trying to convert us to Christianity," said Anad, a Sunni Muslim like most residents of this city in Anbar province. At home, he told his story, and his relatives echoed their disapproval: They'd been given the coins, too, he said.

Whose bright idea was this? Will "a few bad apples" be blamed... probably not using that phrase; perhaps, "overzealous young Marines" honestly acting out of love for their Arab brethren.

Given publicity over the past few years regarding conservative Christian evangelism at our military academies, I'm betting that this idiotic gesture was the brainchild of some fairly highly placed Marine chaplain - LTC or above.

I'm pretty sure this is a really lousy way to secure the loyalty and support of our would-be allies - all of them Muslim!

Stop the madness!

just sayin', "hi"

Day-trip to Clearwater Marine Aquarium today. CMA is a marine-wildlife rescue operation that funds itself by offering tour of the facility. 30 paid staff; 500 volunteers. Home of Winter - the tail-less dolphin being fitted with prostetic tail.

I you're in the area, CMA is well-worth the visit. (We visited last August. Based on that experience is was high on our list of "Do agains!" this time out.)

I've been doing a poor job keeping with current events, politics, etc.
Perhaps not too surprisingly, I've not missed the daily downer at all!

Peace.

"Last throes", anyone?

US ambassador: al-Qaida close to defeat in Iraq
By LEE KEATH, Associated Press Writer
Sun May 25, 2008
BAGHDAD - The U.S. ambassador to Iraq said Saturday that al-Qaida's network in the country has never been closer to defeat, and he praised Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for his moves to rein in Shiite and Sunni militant groups.

Personally, I think I'll hold off on celebrating till the headline reads,

al-Qaida DEFEATED in Iraq

The "light at the end of the tunnel" narratives long ago lost their credence.

Regarding al-Maliki's moves to rein in Shiite & Sunni militant groups, I note that the U.S. co-opted the Sunni militant groups in Anbar - paying them and renaming them "Citizens Councils"; and that the only Shiite group al-Maliki seems to care about is al Sadr's Mahdi Army. Recall, al Sadr is Maliki's political opponent. Weakening Sadr is high on Maliki's list of priorities... I'm not sure why it's also high on our list. If W were serious about promoting democracy he'd welcome al Sadr's grassroots political activism.

Call me when the good news in fact represents a fait accompli, not the end of a rainbow.

Stop the madness.

An anniversary

To the best of my knowledge, I am the only person who observes this anniversary: Today is the fourth anniversary of W's War College speech, in which he outlined the path to victory in Iraq.

In years past, I have sent email to folks I thought might care: Olberman, Matthews, Maddow, DLC, DCCC, etc. No one paid any attention.

This year, I'll celebrate on al Qaeda in Albuquerque!

President Outlines Steps to Help Iraq Achieve Democracy and Freedom
Remarks by the President on Iraq and the War on Terror
United States Army War College
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
May 24, 2004
"...
There are five steps in our plan to help Iraq achieve democracy and freedom.
...
The first of these steps will occur next month, when our coalition will transfer full sovereignty to a government of Iraqi citizens who will prepare the way for national elections.
...
The second step in the plan for Iraqi democracy is to help establish the stability and security that democracy requires.
...
The third step in the plan for Iraqi democracy is to continue rebuilding that nation's infrastructure, so that a free Iraq can quickly gain economic independence and a better quality of life.
...
The fourth step in our plan is to enlist additional international support for Iraq's transition.
...
The fifth and most important step is free, national elections, to be held no later than next January.
..."

Five steps. Two completed (sort of):
- Transfer sovereignty. Yes, Bremer left.
- Hold free, national elections. Yes, bringing Iran-allied Shi'ites to power.

The other three? We're still waiting.
- "Establish the stability and security that democracy requires". That would be the surge, right? Two-and-a-half years after the speech... and I'm not convinced "stability and security" have been established. Anyone wanna convince me?

- "Rebuilding that nation's infrastructure". Does anyone know how many hours/day Baghdad has electricity? What proportion of Iraqis have safe drinking water? What percent have functional sewage systems?... no, no one does: these basic data are not provided by the government or the news media. Last I heard - not that long ago - raw sewage ran through the streets of Sadr City... in the heart of Iraq's capital!

- "Enlist additional international support". Has W even made an effort? If so, it's been well-concealed! The only folks - other than the U.S. - who seem to be taking an active interest in Iraq are Iran and Syria. Is this what W had in mind?

Cool! Of 5 steps to "to help Iraq achieve democracy and freedom" exactly 2 have been completed... or even started! This sounds a lot like 40% to me, which - even in an era of grade inflation - pretty much counts as an "F".

Four years later we're still planning to establish security, restore infrastructure, and engage the international community. None of these will occur tomorrow... tho' McCain promises all will be realized by 2013!

As I've said before, W believes that reciting the magic words is sufficient. He took NO action to in fact achieve the three unrealized "steps". All that mattered was delivering the speech.

Happy 4th anniversary!

Stop the madness.

I'm back... sorta...

Biz trip was exhausting. Training my replacement...

On the bright side: the time flew! My replacement is amazingly capable, and demanded of me very detailed training. The three days were VERY long, but very well spent - I actually got excited about work!

On the less-than-bright side: I've not had time to post!... or even to read the news! [I've somehow found time to work at least one crossword puzzle each day... hotel provided USA Today & Sacramento Bee.]

Flying to Florida tomorrow - VACATION!... Better-half expects house to be in non-embarassing state for house-sitter (nephew). We're now in heavy-duty cleaning mode. I'm taking a break.

Back to the bright side: vacation with friends in Florida ought afford opportunity to at least read the news... and respond appropriately on Al Qaeda in Albuquerque! [note: I chose to spell it out to attract NSA/CIA/FBI.] In the best of all possible worlds: if you read this blog, you are being watched!

... sigh - I think I ought return to kitchen-cleaning duties.

Peace!