Trey Jackson

REMEMBER OUR VETS

The Truth about what's Happeining in Iraq

A quick update on the continued attacks of the anti-war movement from Grassfire

On Friday our team was in contact with Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's office to talk about an anti-war protest taking place in Boston today. Cindy Sheehan and her crew are taking thei ranti-war campaign to the state governors now. Today, Grassfire is mobilizing our Massachusetts team members to contact thegovernor's office and let him know where they stand.

The anti-war activists continue to ignore the truth of the good work our U.S. military is doing in Iraq. As I'm sure you know, just yesterday the Iraqi people voted overwhelmingly to approve
a new constitution -- a very positive step in the rebuilding of that nation.

I also found it fascinating to read a report on the thriving Baghdad economy and a real estate boom taking place since Saddam's totalitarian regime was defeated. Even with continued
terrorist violence, Baghdad is bustling. Here's a newspapernreport printed today in my local paper:

"Baghdad's economy is also surprisingly strong. Streets are jammed with traffic. Cell phones    are everywhere. The bare shelves of retail stores from the Saddam Hussein era are now piled high with imported goods."

+ + Media helps promote cloud of pessimism

Of course, this good news will not stop the anti-war activists from calling our President a liar and undermining our nation's efforts. Unfortunately, the mainstream media continues to help
their cause.

Our partners at the Media Research Center just released a studythat clearly shows the media's bias against our troops in thereporting of the Iraq war. The report found that the coverage
by ABC, NBC, and CBS has been "defeatist," "overly pessimistic,"and "increasingly negative." Their coverage focuses primarilyon the terrorist attacks and not the good work of our troops.

+ + Petition demanding the media "Tell the Truth!"

Grassfire is teaming with the Media Research Center for a nationwide petition effort demanding that the media "Tell the Truth!" on the Iraq war. Click here to read the report and also join our petition demanding that the media tell the truth:

http://www.grassfire.net/400/petition.asp?rid=3756554

+ + Troops families suffer the most

I am convinced that the troops and especially their family members suffer the most from such pessimistic reports and the continued barrage of the anti-war movement. Grassfire
is getting ready to launch a special effort that will allow our team members to show support for the troops and their families in a very practical way. Stay tuned.

Finally, I continue to receive positive feedback regarding the Grassfire-sponsored Support Our Troops rally that took place in our nation's capital a few weeks ago.

As a service to our team members who were not able to watch my presentation of your petitions at that rally as covered by C-SPAN, we have posted the video for you to see.

        CLICK HERE TO WATCH CSPAN VIDEO:
        (not recommended for dial-up)

http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?u=531

       CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO AUDIO ONLY:

http://www.audioacrobat.com/note/WMs7vYYQ/

A Letter from a Soldier

From: Drew " XXXXX@us.army.mil>
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005
RE: Update

Family and Friends,

I pray that this email finds you in the amazing and unending love that comes
from our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This will be the last email that you get from me from this part of the
world. Soon we will be headed back your way and eventually we'll get off a
plane that has landed in Boise, ID. I know that there has been many things
said about the exact time we will be home, but as of right now there is no
definite answer to anything so I ask that you be cautious of what the news
says so as to not set yourselves up for disappointment. God will finish the
good work He has been performing through us and He will ensure that we get
home.

The other day I was performing guard duty when I was given a blessed
reminder of what we have done and why we are here. I spoke with an
interpreter, who is a resident of Kirkuk, for about 30 minutes. He was a
remarkable man and he spoke 7 different languages plus 5 different dialects
of Kurdish. His English was great so we were able to communicate very
effectively. I asked him what he thought of us being here and he kind of
looked at me like I was insane.  With a big smile on his face he said, "We
are very grateful to you our American brothers; you gave us help and now we
have our country." It was extremely comforting to hear those words spoken
from an Iraqi citizen with such passion and conviction. We then went on to
talk about the many things that he has had the opportunity to do because of
us being here and what needed to happen for the country to continue
improving.

I then asked him what he did for fun and we found that we have something in
common. He said that all of his free time is spent with his family and that
he loves to spend time with them. Then of course I had to tell him about my
little princess Kierra and how she was the greatest baby ever. We continued
in our conversation and it was a refreshing experience to see first hand
what he have done throughout our deployment here. Here we were, two ordinary
people from completely different backgrounds, cultures, and religions and
yet we were both sincerely enjoying learning about each other. Despite what
the news says, despite what the time away has done to dampen our enthusiasm,
and despite all of the trials we have endured the truth of this situation is
that we have had an impact and a positive one indeed. We ended our
conversation with talk about the referendum on the Constitution. He was very
excited for it and he said that just being able to vote meant something to
him.

I'm not sure how much you have "heard" from the news, but the referendum
process went extremely well. The majority of Iraqi's went and voted and that
in itself is a victory for all of us. I think our province was somewhere
around the 80-85% range. The successful completion of this mission meant a
lot to our Brigade as we now have been here for the first two free elections
in Iraq. Both of them were successful as Iraqi's were given the opportunity
to vote as free citizens are supposed to.

As my days in Iraq come closer and closer to being over, I am reminded of
the many blessings I have experienced throughout this deployment. I was able
to serve my country in combat, which is something that I have always wanted
to do. I have witnessed first hand the beginning of a new democratic nation,
something I won't ever forget. I have met many new people through emails,
letters, and just by being here. My abilities as both a leader and as a
Soldier have improved and the experience I have gained from a professional
stand point is invaluable. Above all of these great things what stands out
most in my mind as being the greatest lesson that I have learned from this
entire experience is my new understanding of the importance of relying
solely upon the Lord in all things. God has been by my side throughout every
trial, on every convoy, and in everything that I have done while deployed.
In addition, He has been with all of you as my concerns usually drift your
way. He has been with my beautiful wife and with my adorable daughter,
keeping them safe and well-provided for.

So this will be the last "from the ground" information I will be able to
send you regarding this place. I have been very blessed to be given the
opportunity to know the truth and to experience first hand. I have enjoyed
sending you all the "ground truth" that I know about and I have also really
enjoyed getting to know some of you better than I did before. Because this
will be the last first-hand experience truth I will be able to provide you,
I encourage all of you to do what I am going to do when I get homeŠand that
is to turn the TV off when they talk about this place and instead remember
to pray for the safety of our Soldiers and for God's will to be done in this
place. 

Speaking of getting home, man I can't wait for that day to come. I will
probably be at Ft. Lewis for 4-6 weeks, so that day is still a little ways
off, but it is definitely in sight.

So with that I'll say "see ya later" and leave you with these final words
that come from my heart in regards to being away from my family and being
here:

"If you want to see what dramatic, emotional image of horror the media
thinks will make the most money, turn on CNN, but if you want to know the
truth about this place, ask a Soldier."

"Freedom comes at a price; unfortunately there are very few who are willing
to pay that price, so those that are willing are worthy of our prayers, our
time and our efforts."

"Circumstances do not change who God is, but God will use your circumstances
to change you if you trust Him to do so."

"The Lord is always there; whenever you get tired of trying it your way,
look up and see for yourself."

A Soldier for Christ

A Soldier's Letter from Iraq

I am sure dear readers you remember  Thunder6 from 365 and a Wakeup, beamed in from the front lines in Iraq, as my nominee for the King of the Cotillion.
He writes me the following - brace yourself,  Atlas
  I apologize for this bulk email, I hate to rely on such an impersonal form of contact. I'm making an exception in this case because recent events have kept me far too busy for my own good. Last week my company commander’s vehicle was destroyed by an IED killing CPT Mackinnon and injuring the two brave soldiers serving as driver and gunner. I can say without any shame that I loved CPT Michael Mackinnon, he was a superb officer, a loving husband, and a concerned father and my friend. His loss was a terrible blow to A Company. That blow was only magnified when our Battalion Commander, COL William Wood responded to the scene and was killed by another IED. I can't express how difficult it was to arrive on the scene and have to evacuate these two great men, it is something I have already sealed away in a locked corner of my soul.

Several days later CPT Ray Hill and SPC Shakere Guy were killed in another IED. They were on a mission to bring educational supplies and gifts to the local children. One again I found myself responding to the scene, and once again two had the sad duty of securing two colleagues for their final trip home.

In the aftermath of all this tragedy I was given CPT Mackinnon's command, and I am writing this as the new company commander of A Co, 1-184 IN. I’ve wanted to serve as a combat commander for as long as I remember, there is no greater honor then to serve as the Company Commander of an Infantry Company. But I would give it all up if it meant my friend Mike could come home to his loving family. I know that my fervent wishes cannot bring him back to us and that he now rests in God’s hands. Please keep his wife, daughter and son in your prayers. COL Wood, CPT Hill, and SPC Guy all had families they loved dearly, please keep them in your prayers also. If at the end of your prayers you have any time left please say a prayer that I may be granted the fortitude and wisdom to lead the men of Alpha Company in our difficult mission, and return them safely home to their own families. From this point on my every waking breath belongs to the soldiers in my command, so I will not be able to return emails as frequently. But I will do my very best.

Yours in Friendship,

Danjel

To all my readers, say a prayer - Atlas

Injured Marine defies attackers

Can someone out there tell me why this guy is not front and center in the New York Times or CBS or ABC news. Can someone tell me why this guy is not on the cover of Time or Newsweak?

RAMADI, Iraq - Once Marine Gunnery Sgt. Michael Burghardt realized he could wiggle his toes and fingers, he had one message for the insurgents who wounded him - defiance.

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Michael Burghardt signals defiance at his Iraqi attackers after being injured by an improvised explosive device near Ramadi. Attending to the Marine were Nebraska 167th Cavalry members Spc. John Adams (far left, in front) of Hastings, Neb., and Pfc. Darin Nelson of Fremont, Neb.

Burghardt, of Huntington Beach, Calif., started his third tour in Iraq trying to beat the insurgents to the IEDs - improvised explosive devices - and disarm them before the insurgents could set them off.

As is often the case, Burghardt and his Explosive Ordnance Disposal team were accompanied to a bomb site Monday by the First Platoon, 167th Cavalry of the Nebraska National Guard.

One IED had blown up a Bradley fighting vehicle and killed a U.S. soldier. As often happens, the insurgents left behind more IEDs. Burghardt disarmed two bombs that were found - quick action that probably saved the lives of several Nebraska soldiers.

But he couldn't get to a third.

When word spread that the third device had been found, 167th Capt. Jeff Searcey of Kearney, 1st Lt. Matthew Misfeldt of Omaha and their men hit the ground as a blast exploded skyward.

Burghardt was wounded.

But with two new young Marines in his ordnance disposal unit - and the insurgent attackers undoubtedly looking on - "I didn't want them to see the team leader carried away on a stretcher," he said.

So after the Nebraskans tended to wounds that reached from his boot tops to the small of his back, Burghardt rose to his feet and reached back with a one-finger salute for his attackers.

"I was angry," Burghardt said.

IEDs - which can be roadside bombs, car bombs or other booby traps - increasingly are the weapons of choice for the Iraqi insurgents.

Unwilling or unable to attack U.S. forces head-on, the insurgency has used the hidden explosives, often detonated by remote control. Some analysts have estimated that nearly 12,000 IED incidents occurred in Iraq in 2004.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal units are assigned to locate, identify, disarm and dispose of IEDs. The Nebraskans alongside Burghardt's unit provide security at the scene, guarding the perimeter while the EOD teams do their dangerous work.

The 1st Platoon has been on 80 such missions, including some false alarms, since the 167th Cavalry arrived in Ramadi about 90 days ago.

Working together, the ordnance disposal Marines and the Nebraska National Guardsmen have developed a mutual respect - there's no Army-Marine trash-talking here.

"The biggest threat to us in Iraq is IEDs. We love working with them. They make us better soldiers," Misfeldt said.

Burghardt, an 18-year Marine with 15 years' experience disarming explosives, returns that admiration.

"I feel part of this Army team," he said. "They take care of us like brothers."

Burghardt received the Bronze Star during his last tour of duty for disarming 64 IEDs. This week's incident was his first injury.

Burghardt, 35, wouldn't accept painkillers when he was brought back to camp by the Nebraskans. He knew he might need them later. And he's not looking to leave Ramadi for five more months.

"I don't want a ticket out," he said. "I want to stay here so we can take as many people home as possible."

Soldiers all the way up to the brigade's commander, Col. John Gronski, viewed a photo of Burghardt - on his feet, arm extended and middle finger raised - as the embodiment of the American warrior.

As for Burghardt, he said he wanted to send a message to the insurgents who failed to kill him.

"I knew there was somebody disappointed out there."

Hat tip" DSMoody

Friday Night: Walter Read Hospital - Code Pink

My wife and I were honored to be a part of the group that confronted Code Pink this past Friday evening. We met up with LGFers Ciaospirit & Geepers who drove together from Colombus, Ohio. The counter to Code Pink is organized by FreeRepublic in the D.C. area, and there were many from ProtestWarrior there as well.

We salute them all, for they carry the yeoman's task each Friday night of confronting these idiots; not for the sake of publicity, but for the honor, morale and dignity of our wounded warriors. Our only regret is that living in N.J., we cannot be with them regularly.

We were appalled at what we saw; the Code Pink loon fringe, complete with their anti-American signs and sick slogans standing within spitting distance of Walter Read's guard gate, waiting for the wounded to arrive by bus. You see, Friday night is the wounded soldier's night "on the town"; and the hospital transports them via bus. The members of Code Pink stand there ready, willing, and very able to deliver a single message to the convalescing soldiers - you're a sucker!

Any caring human being cannot comprehend this behavior. Protesting in front of a military hospital goes way beyond any shred of decency; and their lack of respect only proves what Code Pink will not admit, that they are anti-military(not just anti-war); and anti- military means pro-terrorist.

We respect anyone's right to an opinion and to protest, but we have no respect for those attempting to demoralize our fighting men & women.

Anytime we're in D.C., we will be with the Freepers on Friday night.

This is an account from Madahar, one of the Liberal Hawks who went down to DC Fridsy night. G-d bless you for going.........I wish I could have been there.

TEN HUT! General Honore reporting for duty!

Woody over at GM'S corner writes;

Pamela, on Sunday I watched a press conference with the Homeland Security director and the general in charge of the Katrina rescue--Lt. Gen. Russell  Honore.  A reporter asked him a question which was essentially a statement to criticize his efforts, and he let her have it in no uncertain terms.  It was great!  I saw this carried on FOX and CNN.  If you know how or can find a clip of that, it would be worth posting.  This is a no nonsense guy.

By the way, woody did a great  post on the general at GM's Corner, if you want a
short blurb on him.

In the meantime I will search for the videotape (or email me with the info if you have it - atlasshrugs2000 at a o l dot com)

This Day in History

August 8, 1990

This was a watershed day in the Middle East. Iraq announced that it had annexed the kingdom of Kuwait -- moving over 200,000 troops into the tiny, oil-rich country. As Iraq declared Kuwait to be its 19th Province, U.S. President George Bush warned Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, “A line has been drawn in the sand,” and American forces began moving into Saudi Arabia.

Kuwait is free thanks to President George H.W. Bush. Iraq is now free thanks to President George W. Bush. Saddam is in an Iraqi prison today and liberals remain outraged. Go figure...

Update: Gateway Pundit has the story on the shake-up with Saddam's defense team.

Note: Spelling corrected.

Reporting from Paris, Waiting for Sharon

Hey guys, I arrived in Paris early this morning  and intend to report on the descent (or salvation?) of Eurabia. Sharon is here so I will post on Sharon and Clown Chirac.

Not to worry, I will continue to report from here and from your side of the ocean.

Case in point - The New York Sun continues to shine the spotlight on what is really happening in the world. Exposing the lies - Sunlight is the Best Disinfectant (L.Brandeis). New York Sun -price 25 cents, worth Priceless................

Once again the venerable, sagacious Eli Lake over at The York Sun stays on point. This is what's important, this is world news, this the future of the freedom and democracy. Don't let the MSM confuse you with their seditious agenda (Rove, private accounts, Delay, nonsense, nonsense.

'Universal Democracy' Is the Goal As Congress Eyes New Legislation

WASHINGTON - When senators return to Washington this September, they will be set to consider new legislation that would commit America to ending tyranny the world over.

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pentagon Has Secret New Strategy for Taking on Terrorists - Linda Robinson
On March 3, with little fanfare, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Richard Myers, signed a comprehensive new plan for the war on terrorism. Pentagon officials say the still-secret document outlines a strategy that examines the nature of the antiterror war in depth, lays out a detailed road map for prosecuting it, and establishes a score card to determine where and whether progress is being made.
    The terrorist threat against the U.S. is now defined as "Islamist extremism" - not just al-Qaeda. The Pentagon document identifies the "primary enemy" as "extremist Sunni and Shia movements that exploit Islam for political ends." The U.S. is now targeting some two dozen groups - a significant change from the early focus on just al-Qaeda and its leadership.
    Concluding that the conflict cannot be fought by military means alone - or by the U.S. acting alone - the plan outlines a multipronged strategy that targets eight pressure points and outlines six methods for attacking terrorist networks. (US News)