FReeper Canteen ~ Part IX of The Mongols ~ January 4, 2005

www.coldsiberia.org ^ | January 4, 2005 | LaDivaLoca

[LaDivaLoca]

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Part IX of The Mongols

Genghis Khan

The Mongolians of the 12^th and 13^th century were seen as nothing more than savage barbarians by their enemies, who inhabited what is now China, Russia, and the Middle East (Nicolle 7). Because the Mongolians were brutal and because Mongol history was mostly recorded by Mongol victims, this view has lasted almost eight hundred years (Nicolle 7). However under their greatest leader, Genghis Khan, the Mongolians were much more than wild and undisciplined crushers of cities, agriculture, and established civilizations. Genghis Khan created more than he destroyed. A military genius, Genghis led methodical campaigns that first brought together the warring tribes of Mongolia into a nation and then conquered Mongolia’s powerful neighboring empires (USA Today 1). Not only did Genghis create Mongolia the ruler brought education, including Mongolia’s first written language, and a code of laws to the country (USA Today 1). Finally, Genghis Khan laid the foundation for the Mongol Empire, one of the greatest empires of all time (Marshall 64-65). Heritage of Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan was born "Temuchin" around 1167 (Marshall 24). The name was taken from one of the Tartars (a rival nomadic tribe) who Temuchin’s father, Yesugei, had killed (Nicolle 17-18). According to legend, Temuchin was born holding a blood clot in his fist (Lister 18). This was considered to be a symbol that the child would be a heroic fighter (Lister 18). Temuchin became head of the family at the age of just 12 or 13 after Yesugei was slain by a group of Tartars (Nicolle 17). Yesugei had been a lesser chief of the Borjigin clan but the clan rejected the young Temuchin as leader and cast his family out (Nicolle 17). For a period of time Temuchin’s family lived in extreme poverty but through courageous deeds, such as escaping capture and retrieving stolen horses, Temuchin was able to attract followers and build a reputation that spread across Mongolia (geocities.com 2-3).

In addition to many followers Temuchin was also able to attract two strong allies. The most important was Yesugei’s blood brother Togrul, leader of the Kereit tribe, one of the most powerful Mongolian tribes at that time (Humphrey 39). Togrul helped gather together Yesguei’s followers under Temuchin when the Merkits (another Mongolian tribe) kidnapped Temichin’s wife Borte (Humphrey 39). Matters of "honor" and "revenge" were the source of much tribal conflict and the motive for this kidnapping (Lister 68-69). Yesugei’s wife had been taken from the Merkits and so Borte was taken to even the score (Nicolle 18). In the end this benefited Temuchin enormously since Togrul also convinced Jamuga (a childhood friend of Temuchin who now led a large tribe) to join Temuchin and Togrul in a war against the Merkits (Humphrey 44). The three men defeated the Merkits and retrieved Borte (Humphrey 44). This was Temuchin's first command and the victory greatly improved his image and increased his power (Marshall 27-28). Large numbers of young, devoted warriors were drawn to him (Lister 102-103). After Jamuga helped Temuchin defeat the Merkits the friendship was renewed and followers were combined (Humphrey 46). When the two strong leaders came into conflict and separated about a year and a half later many of Jamuga’s followers decided to remain with Temuchin (Humphrey 46). At the age of about twenty Temuchin was declared "Khan," or ruler, of several tribes (Lister 99-101). Genghis Khan

Next Tuesday Conclusion of The Mongols: Ghenghis Khan

[tomkow6]

I think you'll find a few with that "skill" in convents.....

..........my knuckles still hurt when I think of a few nuns that I had in grade school.......

[HiJinx]

Never had the (dubious) pleasure. I have observed female drill sergeants, though...

[tomkow6]

...'bout the same, I'd say..........

[trussell]

Things are going good...though I do wish I would get a JOB!! LOL

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Jay, (on the left) for helping keep us free. Prayers for your safety and success of mission.

YIKES, uncle.....traffic control in Baghdad is a tough job these days!! Extra prayers going!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

January 4, 2005
Release Number: 05-01-18

CHILD'S TIP LEADS MULTI-NATIONAL SOLDIERS TO A LARGE WEAPONS CACHE

MOSUL, Iraq -- Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), 25th Infantry Division (Light), discovered a large cache of weapons and munitions based on a child’s tip during operations on Jan. 3 in northern Iraq.

An Iraqi child led Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, to a large cache of weapons in an abandoned building during a patrol in western Mosul that consisted of 30 60 mm mortars, 21 rocket propelled grenade rounds, dynamite, various roadside bombs and components, five RPG launchers, more than 100 mortar fuses, grenades, ammunition and intelligence documents.

Soldiers also discovered a stolen fuel truck in the configuration stages of a truck bomb. The discovery of the truck bomb possibly saved the lives of hundreds of people.

An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed both the truck and munitions with no injuries reported during the operation.

Story link

[uncleshag]

Thank you Kathy.

Jay is one of the good guys.

57 years old and glad to get
his time to fight for FReedom!

God be with all the Troops.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Marines Track Down Insurgents in Afghan Valley

By Cpl. Rich Mattingly, USMC
Special to American Forces Press Service

KORANGAL VALLEY, Afghanistan, Jan. 3, 2005 -- U.S. Marines have been operating at the forward edge of Operation Enduring Freedom, often in isolated areas where support for insurgency against the Afghan government and coalition forces remains.

In late December, Marines from Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment entered the Korangal Valley in Konar province with the mission to capture or kill terrorists suspected of conducting attacks against coalition forces while working to win over the trust of local villagers.

"We get intelligence that lets us know where the bad guys are," explained 2nd Lt. Roy Bechtold, commander of the unit's 2nd Platoon. "After we get grid locations, we work with our assets to plan the best way to go in and get them."

The Korangal valley is infamous for its inaccessibility and numerous defeats the Russians suffered there during their ill-fated campaign to control Afghanistan.

After "vertically inserting" in CH-47 Chinook helicopters, the Marines set up blocking positions along the roads and maneuvered into their positions.

"The best way to come in is on foot or by air," said Bechtold. "We have to leave as small a signature as possible in order to not spook the guys we're looking for into running. If you come in with vehicles, they'll be long gone before you have a chance." Bechtold admitted that Marines in the past have had difficulty getting into villages sympathetic to anti-coalition forces without having the targets flee.

Once in place, the company's mission evolved to house-by-house searches as the clock started ticking on how long the Marines had until it was unlikely their targets remained.

Up and down the bluffs and rocky faces that double as paths between the stacked-up houses of the valley, the Marines and their Afghan National Army counterparts talked to village elders, shook hands, and searched houses from top to bottom.

"It all goes back to attention to detail," said Sgt. Shawn Kelly, an acting platoon sergeant. "You can't skip anything. It could be that one cache or that one guy you miss that could help us stop an improvised-explosive-device emplacement or attack on coalition forces."

The unit's attentiveness paid off on the second day of the operation, as Lance Cpl. Sean Decoursey, a rifleman from Jacksonville, Fla., crawled through a small opening in a floor to find a cache of weapons and ammunition hidden under a pile of hay.

The rest of the story

[Kathy in Alaska]

FULL MOON — Two pilots in the cockpit of an F-14B Tomcat assigned to the "Swordsmen" of Fighter Squadron 32 are silhouetted by the setting sun as they prepare to launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, Dec. 21, 2004. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Ryan O'Connor

[Kathy in Alaska]

TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 1, 2005 — Tresa McCormick was surprised during halftime of the 34th annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl when she was reunited with her husband Staff Sgt. James McCormick, an active U.S. Army soldier serving overseas. Tresa believed she was attending the game to participate in a halftime 'throw for charity' benefiting the USO. Courtesy photo

[minor49er]

Good Afternoon troops!! Good Afternoon everyone!! Here is today's humor attempt!

The schoolteacher was taking her first golfing lesson.

"Is the word spelt p-u-t or p-u-t-t?'' she asked the instructor.

"P-u-t-t is correct,'' he replied.

"Put means to place a thing where you want it. Putt means merely a vain attempt to do the same thing."

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Glad to see you after your "vacation". Thanks for helping keep Texas and the USA safe. And thanks for helping honor our military, past and present.

[luvie]

Gee I hope HE does it on earth so we can be witnesses!

Well, I hope so, too! As a matter of fact I wouldn't gripe if he got the Oday/Qusay treatment! I just don't want him having access to rich, liberal American lawyers that try to give him a voice, like I am afraid is going to happen with Sadaam! A nice, primative, beheading would be too good for either of them!

[luvie]

It's not supposed to rain in the winter.

IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE 70* IN WINTER, DARN IT!!!!

not that I want blizzards either!

[luvie]

Bless the children of Iraq! The future of their country lies in their couragous little hands!

[tomkow6]

Hi, Miner Minor

[tomkow6]

Okay, Ma! I got the snow blower out of the storage shed, re-assembled, gassed up, & RUNNIN'!

[StarCMC]

 

Jacob Update

Age: 2 months
Height: 23-3/8"
Weight: 11 lb. 12 oz.

 

[tomkow6]

He really DOES look like me! Now, if you could put him in a BURKA........