Today in Iraq

War News for Christmas Day, 2004 Bring ‘em on: Twelve Iraqis killed, 15 wounded by exploding fuel truck in Baghdad. Bring ‘em on: Tribal sheik assassinated near Sadiyah. Bring ‘em on: Police station and governor’s mansion mortared near Baquba. Bring ‘em on: Insurgents storm and demolish mayor’s office in Ramadi. Bring ‘em on: Provincial governor survives assassination attempt between Baquba and Baghdad. Bring ‘em on: Professor of medicine assassinated in Baghdad. Disposition and composition of wounded from attack at FOB Marez. It's no fun if you have a plan. “As a result of the failure to produce a plan, Wilson asserts, the U.S. military lost the dominant position in Iraq in the summer of 2003 and has been scrambling to recover ever since. ‘In the two to three months of ambiguous transition, U.S. forces slowly lost the momentum and the initiative . . . gained over an off-balanced enemy,’ he writes. ‘The United States, its Army and its coalition of the willing have been playing catch-up ever since.’” Rummy. “Although a Pentagon spokesman said Rumsfeld's trip had been planned ‘for some time’ and holiday visits to troops in conflict zones are customary, one Capitol Hill aide, who asked not to be named, said that Rumsfeld seemed to regard the visit as ‘Image Rehab 101.’ He noted that Rumsfeld also went to Iraq after the Abu Ghraib prisoner-abuse scandal broke in May.” Help is on the way. “Armenia's parliament voted Friday to send 46 non-combat troops to Iraq, a move that was backed by President Robert Kocharian but drew sharp criticism from many Armenians and opposition groups.” Consolation prize. “Contrack International Inc., which this week became the first major American company to withdraw from Iraq reconstruction work because of violence there, was awarded a $63.9 million Army construction contract in Afghanistan, the Pentagon announced late Thursday.” More progress. “One of the oldest U.S. overseas relief organizations has called for the United States to immediately withdraw from Iraq in light of the continuing carnage and Washington's failure to restore basic services or revive the country's economy.” Commentary Editorial: “On this traditional day of joy, please pause to meditate, if for just a few moments, on the many young Americans who have given so much, and continue to give, in service to our nation -- to us. And then send a prayer or thought of thanksgiving for their sacrifice. It is such a great sacrifice.” Opinion: “Shortly after the horrific attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, we as a nation channeled a righteous rage into a firm resolve to take the fight to our enemies. Regrettably, rage and resolve now appear to be turning, ever so surely, to blind hate -- in its typically irrational and self-destructive form. This transformation deepens and widens with the death of every U.S. servicemember in battle -- or in a mess tent in Mosul. You can see it in comments on the petition I mentioned (‘This Marine deserves a medal, not the boot! Nice head shot!’ read one.). You can hear it on talk radio; you likely sense it in fragments of passing conversation as you go through your day. And when we nod our heads in approval, make no mistake, we dehumanize ourselves.” Casualty Reports Local story: Louisiana soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: California soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: Virginia soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: Tennessee soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: Maryland soldier wounded in Iraq. Local story: New Hampshire soldier wounded in Iraq. Local story: Colorado Marine wounded in Iraq. Monkey Mail! From: TIMinPHOENIX@aol.com To: yankeedoodle@gmail.com You are a happy little pornographer who loves trafficking in the images and stories of men and women killed in this war. Oh, you may do it under some faux concern about them, but at heart it's obvious you delight at each death. I have had the honor of leading Marines. The lowest ranking private understands the concept of honor and sacrifice. You wouldn't be worthy of filling his canteen. Like any good liberal, it's all about you, the world revolves around you. And from this elitist viewpoint all you do is bitch and moan. You never show true support, you only seek to demoralize and demean a mission, that if successful could change the face of the Middle East forever. You are a petty small little bitch in the scheme of things. I'll let you go jerk off now to whatever pictures you have gotten today of our war dead. You are filth. Tim Estes Phoenix Timmy can’t handle the truth about his hero Lieutenant AWOL so he calls me a ”pornographer.” I’m surprised the stupid fucker didn’t call me an “abortionist,” too. Obviously this right-wing dildo never read this blog before he opened his cake-hole, because I've never posted a picture of an American or Iraqi casualty. I wouldn't be surprised if he's lying about his military service, too. Run along and play with your Dubya doll, toe cheese. YD CW4, USA (Ret.)