***Operation Iraqi Freedom - Situation Room - Day 8 - LIVE THREAD***

Various | 3/27/2003 | Me

[Centurion2000]

Good Morning.

This is the Daily Thread of Operation Iraqi Freedom - LIVE THREAD.

It is designed for general conversation about the events of the day. In depth discussion of events should be left to individual threads - but links to the threads or other articles is highly encouraged. This allows us to stay abreast of the situation in general, while also providing a means of obtaining specific information.

Please have mercy on us dial up limited FReepers! Limit the big graphics, post links instead. A breif description of what the graphic is would help:

Special thanks to null and void for keeping these running over the weekend and Monday, to all of you for keeping these threads alive, the AdminMods for their tolerance, mhking for the video links, and, of course, Belly Girl...

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

NYT criticized Peter Jennings.

What did they say????

[CPL BAUM]

The truly interesting question is: Who is 'repping' for the Iraqi Regime. It's been a while since we heard from Saddam - perhaps they're running out of "fresh" video tape. The game is almost up.

Must suck to be a Republican Guard on the outskirts of Baghdad and know that your life is now being measured in hours rather than years.

[Timeout]

He's been in a slump. Had a session with Butch Harmon before Bay Hills. Butch recommended going back to his Nike driver he used right out of college. He did and was very happy with the results. Fingers crossed it holds true this week!

[TexasCowboy]

As our hearts swell with pride over the efforts of our fighting men and women, and we fight back the tears as we see the pictures of our injured and dead, let's remember that we have done this before.
We cried over the body bags coming back from VietNam and the pictures of our wounded vets disembarking from planes all over the US on crutches and in wheel chairs.
The pictures from Somalia of our pilots being drug through the streets broke our hearts.
Our hearts ache for the old Korean vets who get up from their wheel chairs and salute the colors in parades all over this country.
Occasionally we have the chance to see an old WW II vet as he struggles to stay on his feet when the Star Spangled Banner is played, his left hand holding his cane and the right firmly planted on his heart.
They have all been there and given their very best for this country - for you and for me, and for our children.

The ones who didn't make it back were blessed in a sense.
The injured ones we shuffled off into a VA hospital to spend their days without soap to bathe, without shampoo to wash their hair, without eyeglasses to see, without money to keep their hair cut and without the basic necessities we take for granted every day.
Our VA hospitals are full of these guys who put their ass on the line for this country.

Just as we gather up and go to the rallys to support our guys, we should be saying to our Congress people - ENOUGH!!
We should not tolerate the attitude that once they have given their all in defense of this country they no longer have any value and will be treated as subhuman.
They are not animals to be used and forgotten.
They have families who will love them forever; our love is fleeting. It's here today because they are serving this country.
The next time you see one of our guys on a stretcher coming home with his injuries which will be with him the rest of his life, remember that he didn't ask for this, but he'll never regret being there.
He deserves better from us.
Let's support those who have done their duty as well as supporting those who are serving now.

[Peach]

I'm working on turning people in this area who watch Peter Jennings every night like clockwork. Link to NYT article would be appreciated to anyone who finds it first.

[Carolina]

that an all out assault leaves them with nothing to say that they haven't said hundreds of times already?

Leftist MO. Very much along the lines of "extremists."

[Semper Paratus]

"UK Military take over Basra Radio and TV"

We could lose the hearts and minds if they start showing BBC shows like "Father Ted" and "Coupling".

[Nam Vet]

"Mara, you ignorant s!ut. GRRR!"

Aw c'mon. Why don't you tell us how you REALLY feel about Ms. Density?
How can such a slow-witted dunderhead be on any national show?

Nam Vet

[AppyPappy]

And that you are going to die for a guy who might be already dead.

[Carolina]

Sky banner: Reuters saying Kurd fighters cross Iraqi Northern front lines.

[epluribus_2]

can't imagine saddam not gloating over apparent "victories (BS)" or "US targeting civilians (BS)". He is dead or just as effective. Once the troops find out those Fedayeen are toast.

[retrokitten]

That is very true. Kind of like the idiot protestors, "It's all about oil!".

Great pic of pro-America rally in Las Vegas. A little girl on her daddy's shoulders waving the flag. Very cute!

[turbocat]

This choked me up. Just got it via email:

The average age of the military man is 19 years.

He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy.

Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country.

He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears
to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.

He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm Howitzers.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark.

He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a
professional.

He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.

He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle.

He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.
If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food.
.
He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime.

He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.

In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom.

Beardless or not, he is not a boy.

He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.

Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

[An.American.Expatriate]

Former President Clinton pledges support for war (but paper edits on-line edition).

Can somebody please get this treasonous bastard to STFU!

[Semper Paratus]

: Who is 'repping' for the Iraqi Regime

Maybe they can use the Conan O'Brien trick of superimposing a moving mouth over a still photo of Sadaam.

[Carolina]

We could lose the hearts and minds if they start showing BBC shows like "Father Ted" and "Coupling".

I'm not familiar with those shows. Should I be grateful?

[Wyatt's Torch]

The gall of these people is simply breathtaking. First, they don't support the action. Second, they say they are not going to pay for it. Yet, they want complete control over the reconstruction????? Wonder how my company would like it if I said, I'm not going to work but you need to let me keep all the profits from the company?

[Cboldt]

The NYT criticized Petah Jennings? Can someone please direct me to that article?

Limbaugh mentioned it yesterday. I'll see if I can find a link to the criticism.

[hawkaw]

The truly interesting question is: Who is 'repping' for the Iraqi Regime. It's been a while since we heard from Saddam - perhaps they're running out of "fresh" video tape. The game is almost up. Does anybody here remember the first Gulf War?

I have a feeling that during that war, Peter Arnot (who was with CNN at the time) was taken to a secure location and interviewed SH. And then it was shown on American TV.

If that did happen (hopefully someone here can confirm what I remember) then I am surprised SH yet to do this again and gives us a hint that maybe he is out of action!

hawk

p.s. - Sky headline - "Kurdish Fighters Crossing Iraqi N. Front Lines"

[Dog]

What is wrong with Fox....Reuters is reporting Kurdish fighters have just crossed Iraqi lines in the north and they act like it is bad news..