War secret: Iraqis actually like the U.S. military

WND ^ | August 23, 2007 | Matt Sanchez

[IrishMike]

Lt. Col. James Crider is a soft-spoken, direct man who has just become the "property owner" of muhalla 840 – "muhalla" meaning a section of land and the number 840 having been assigned to this particular square plot of Baghdad on a high-resolution satellite-image map.

I asked how numbers got assigned and imagined some military official coming up with an intelligent formula: 8 for the neighborhood and maybe 26 to represent the level of threat. Next to the square marked 840 was another marked 838. Was one area of operation worse than the other area of operation? The satellite image was black and white, but someone with a red-colored marker had traced a thick line down the borders. You knew exactly where muhalla 840 began and where it ended, but you couldn't see the streets underneath, so much about the square marked 840 just couldn't be seen from the map.

In the old-fashion wars and battles gone by, the enemies wore different uniforms and had a base or capital that was readily identifiable on the type of map Crider was holding. But in Baghdad, and specifically in the Dora neighborhood, if the lieutenant colonel could clearly define enemy territory as easily as his AO, there would be several bursts of grey on that map, blinking on and off like a defective light-bulb.

The 1st Squadron 4th Cavalry out of Fort Riley, Kan., was a long way from home. I personally knew about Dora, in the Rasheed district of Baghdad, just from reputation. Days before I arrived, five soldiers had been killed in a Bradley, a heavily armored vehicle that was far safer than the average Humvee, which is precisely what the soldiers of the 1-4 Cav used to commute between home, Forward Operating Base Falcon, and work, muhalla 840.

[Y2000]

War Secret.. ??

Shhhhhh.. don’ttell anyone.

[G8 Diplomat]

It’s true, the Iraqis really do appreciate what we’ve done for them. There’ve been pictures on FR of Iraqis waving US flags and signs saying “Thank you America!” and displaying their purple fingers and recieving chocolate bars from US soldiers. The MSM just doesn’t want anyone to know this, which is why they only report the negative news from Iraq.

[Allegra]

Wow....all this stuff I've been saying on FR for the past three-plus years is being reinforced by media-types now.

A lot of FReepers derided me and told me I was delusional. One told me my "vision is skewed" because of my location.

Dang...I wish I could remember who those posters were now. ;-)

[IrishMike]

They will remember ... that’s good enough.

[hsalaw]

Interesting report. The intelligence and adaptability of our military is amazing.

[Eyes Unclouded]

It's about time some of this got out there. The wars of the next 50 years aren't going to be toe to toe. No one wants to do that with us they know they would get creamed. (nuclear aside) It's gonna be all guerrilla campaigns that we face. The army that comes out of OIF is going to have the equipment, the doctrines, and the personal to deal with these things properly. No longer will people say that the US army isn't meant to do nation-building. They can do anything on God's green earth! (and I'm assuming sometime in the upcoming century up in space and on the moon)

[Grimmy]

“One told me my “vision is skewed” because of my location.”

Might have been me, or someone like me. I’ve been known to get myself all sideways and inverted when posting while enraged.

Btw, welcome home. Glad you’re back safe.

[eureka!]

I read an article this morning (I can’t find it having searched) where a young Iraqi man spotted a suicide bomber approaching four American soldiers in a group of eight Iraqis. The bomb detonated killing the young Iraqi man but saving 12 lives. When his father was asked whether he had remorse for the loss of his son he said “no because he gave his life protecting American soldiers”. The story, of course, will not be in our papers. I have really come to hate the mass media’s bias to where it may be unhealthy...

[Allegra]

Btw, welcome home. Glad you’re back safe.

Thanks. But I still work in Baghdad. I'm just on a brief vacation at the moment - in England. Will be back in Iraq by the end of the month....and I'm not giving up. ;-)

[FMBass]

This can’t be a war secret. It wasn’t on the front page of the New York Slimes.

[Lurker]

I wish I could remember who those posters were now. ;-)

Cue Shaggy music:

"It wasn't me!"

L

[Paradox]

Here is that article. Hard to read it without tearing up..

[Little Ray]

Of course they like the American military. The troops are tough, competent, kind, generous, and nearly incorruptible. Compared to the Iraqi gub’ment under Saddam, or even today, they’re the stuff of legend. When they’re gone, the Iraqis are really gonna miss ‘em.

[eureka!]

Thanks so much Paradox. It is an eye mister. God bless our brave Iraqi allies.

G8D, link at #13...

[ClaireSolt]

Unfortunately, the Kansasans will rotate out and their replacements will have to start over meeting the people.

[Grimmy]

I swear a gotta learn to pay attention better in class.
Glad you got some time out of the cooker. Stay safe and keep well.

[StarCMC]

1st Squadron 4th Cavalry out of Fort Riley, Kansas...

Ping, TX.

[StarCMC]

Dang...I wish I could remember who those posters were now. ;-)

Heh heh! Most of 'em are gone, I think. But count me in as one who believed you all along!

[StarCMC]

From the “No $#!%, Sherlock” files... a ping to the Canteen and some other friends.

[G8 Diplomat]

Thanks for that article. Prayers for the Iraqis and our troops.

[Monkey Face]

You’ve never been delusional!

You have a better handle on things over there than most of the media combined! Keep up the good work!

I’ll keep you in my heart and in my prayers.

*HUGS*

‘Face

[marty60]

What’s not to like.

[Alas Babylon!]

God Bless and Keep You, Allegra!

I really mean it. It can’t be just the cash that keeps you there. You must really believe in the mission. And keeping FReepers TRULY informed is another mission you’re devoted to. Thanks.

[secretagent]

btt

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[AFreeBird]

[PGalt]

Great article! Thanks for posting. Hooray Matt Sanchez! America’s finest BUMP! Iraqi freedom BUMP!

[skepsel]

You’re thinking of the Imperial parachute-space-ski Marines (old wargamer’s private joke about the best “what-if” troops, grin)!

[G8 Diplomat]

LOL! Nice one.

[eureka!]

Most welcome. Double those prayers. D*mn the enemies and their supporters...

[AFreeBird]

I like that cartoon strip. Spent one weekend reading through all of them from the beginning. Definitely a "right thinking" cartoonist.

Thanks to Pookie for turning me on to it.

[oust the louse]

I have really come to hate the mass media’s bias to where it may be unhealthy...

AS HAVE I MY FRIEND! They repulse me to no end. Here's the sad part: You can tell any liberal that the media is biased & they will disagree with you 100%, because of course,the media supports the left 100%.

[Kathy in Alaska]

From the “No $#!%, Sherlock” files

Thanks for the ping, Star....preaching to the choir. God Bless and protect our troops.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Keep on enjoying your R&R, Allegra....and reporting when you get back.

[NoDRodee]

If only France would remember?

[fishergirl]

I would think your vision on this would be excellent, given your location, instead of the other way around. Have a wonderful vacation and stay safe!

[WVNan]

Glad you are getting some well-deserved R&R girl. Maybe I can stop worrying about you for a day or two. Have fun.

[Mogger]

Don't worry. When the nation goes through it's next revolution, or falls apart as all nations eventually do, there will be special work for members of the liberal media.

Chairman Mao actually did a few good things, like having the "intellectuals" hauling night soil.

The difference between the trash the media wries and a sewer is very slight.

Being human sewers should come natural to liberal media members.

This may happen in our lifetimes or in hundreds of years, who knows?

[eureka!]

In the meanwhile, I would be very satisfied if karma went to work on some of the presstitutes (and Democrats) that have made this war so much more difficult for our brave troops....

[GodBlessUSA]

From the “No $#!%, Sherlock” files...
LOL!!

Saving this article to send to a few people I know who need to read this. Thanks for the ping! :)

[FreedomNeocon]

please don’t forget that FR is a open and free community forum.

There is nothing from political or worse enemies from registering and posing as ‘former supporters’ or what have you.

Surely not every detractor, or dissenting voice is one of these people, but to think they aren’t here (especially with all the publicity... FR is the conservative counter to DU) would be naive.

Trust your instincts...

[Cacique]

btt

[Allegra]

please don’t forget that FR is a open and free community forum.

Yep. And that means I am free to post as I choose also and will continue to do so. None of this "some are more free than others" crap for me.

I have no idea what the rest of your post says, so....

Cheers.