***Operation Iraqi Freedom - Situation Room - 28 APR 03/Day 40 - LIVE THREAD***

Everywhere! | 28 APR 03 | An.American.Expatriate

[null and void]

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Link to the previous thread

Good Morning.

This is the Daily Thread of Operation Iraqi Freedom - Situation Room - 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.

[cyncooper]

Thanks for bringing our attention to the happy POWs.

I emailed it to a couple people, as God knows they'll probably never hear it on the Today Show.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I know the folks at the Canteen will help out, as well as the Few of FR's Finest, and the Guild threads.

Looking forward to it!

Freepers are good people! I say we make this thank you to the troops the best darn internet parade in history. (^:

[cyncooper]

I switched briefly to MSNBC and Keith Olberman when O'Reilly started talking transvestites (!).

Olberman solemnly noted some stories of grateful Iraqis and some good deeds done by our troops BUT, he went on to intone the names "Timothy McVeigh" and some other criminal who had been in the service before and reminded us of the base killings that had happened last year. The point of Olberman's story was how our guys will get back into society after "what they've been trained to do". Well, that was all I needed. How dare he? We have thousands upon thousands of good and honorable people and he insinuates that it was military training that turned certain people into murderers. Gack and click back to Fox.

[cyncooper]

Well, I must say Chris Matthews usually comes around to the right point of view. But only after going with a half-cocked kneejerk reaction that is usually always wrong, wrong, wrong.

So kudos to him for having these guests on who were able to expound upon these documents.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Wow. The SF Chronicle? AP? Grateful Iraqis thanking President Bush and America for freeing them from Saddam? Wow. Thanks for the perfect pic, Paleo Conservative:

[prairiebreeze]

Are you listening to O'Reilly and his report about Ashley Banfield griping about NBC's war coverage being too 'gung ho" and for NBC hiring Savadge who evidently called Banfield a slut on the air?

I'm certain that being Canadian, Banfield would think that anything more than aloof, reserved and constantly critical reporting about the military and DOD during a war would indeed be "gung-ho".

The slut. :^D heh

Prairie

[cyncooper]

Are you listening to O'Reilly and his report about Ashley Banfield griping about NBC's war coverage being too 'gung ho"

I missed it. I did see the thread on FR earlier. I admit I was surprised because she had done some coverage at a base or two and seemed to do a good job.

Too bad.

[TexKat]

Blair warns rifts could lead to new cold war

Blair Warns against A Europe Opposed to US

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Monday he did not want a Europe which saw itself as a rival to the United States as that would be "dangerous and destabilizing" for the world. "I donÕt want Europe setting itself up in opposition to America... I think it will be dangerous and destabilizing," Blair told the business daily the Financial Times. Blair went on: "Those people who fear ÔunilateralismÕ - so-called and in inverted commas - in America should realise that the quickest way to get that is to set up a rival polar power to America." The Financial Times, two of whose journalists interviewed Blair at his Downing Street office, saw in his remarks a warning to French President Jacques Chirac.

"Tony Blair has issued a direct challenge to FranceÕs Jacques Chirac over the future of the transatlantic relationship by warning that the French presidentÕs vision of Europe as a rival of the US is dangerously destabilizing," it said on the front page under the headline "Blair warns Chirac on the future of Europe". Referring to the recent debate over possible US reprisals against France for its opposition to the war in Iraq, Blair said: "I am not really interested in talk about punishing countries, but I think there is an issue that we have to resolve here between America and Europe and within Europe about EuropeÕs attitude towards the transatlantic alliance." The prime minister went on: "I donÕt want to see a situation develop in which either Europe or America sees a huge strategic interest at stake and we are not helping each other.

"And I think there is a difference of vision. Some want a so-called multi-polar world where you have different centers of power, and I believe will quickly develop into rival centres of power; and others believe, and this is my notion, that we need one polar power which encompasses a strategic partnership between Europe and America." Asked if he was still convinced that there were arms of mass destruction in Iraq, Blair replied that he was, and he was not at all surprised that it would take time to find the proof. Blair said it was "highly significant" that "those people that were the last fighters in Iraq were in the main not Iraqis.

What we found was that they were Al-Qaeda people, they were people from various different Arab states, various extremists, we even had Chechens there." Turning to North Korea, the prime minister said the current crisis needed a diplomatic resolution. "It is not just the US and Britain that regard a nuclear capability in the hands of North Korea as a threat," Blair said. "China and South Korea would say the same. The question is how you deal with it. And again I think we have got to offer North Korea a way out of its present situation."

Blair also said that the United Nations should have a political as well as a humanitarian role in Iraq. Asked about the "vital" role desired by the international community for the UN in Iraq, Blair told the Financial Times: "I think it is to everyoneÕs benefit that the UN does have such a role, so I hope there can be an agreement on that, on the humanitarian, on the reconstruction, but also on the political side too." The prime minister added: "It is not in our interests - America and Britain - to have a government in Iraq that doesnÕt clearly have international legitimacy."

[Timeout]

This is more like the Robert Taylor I remember. Haven't seen any of his movies in years. I loved "Waterloo Bridge" with Vivian Leigh!

[EllaMinnow]

Ya'll please forgive me if you've seen this before. An old Navy buddy just emailed it to my husband.



A squad of American soldiers was patrolling along the Iraqi border.
> To their surprise, they found the badly mangled dead body
> of an Iraqi soldier in a ditch along side the road.
>
> A short distance up the road, they found a badly mangled American
> soldier in a ditch on the other side of the road, who was still barely
> alive.
> They ran to him, cradled his blood-covered head and asked him what had
> happened.
>
> "Well," he whispered, "I was walking down this road, armed to the teeth.
> I came across this heavily armed Iraqi border guard.
> I looked him right in the eye and shouted, "Saddam Hussein is an
> unprincipled, lying piece of trash!" He looked me right in the
> eye and shouted back, "Bill Clinton, Tom Daschle, Ted Kennedy and most
> of your Democrats are unprincipled, lying pieces of trash too!"
>
> "We were standing there shaking hands when the truck hit us."

[TexKat]

Perhaps Bansfield got her fill of war during her coverage of the Afganistan war. I'm sure that one too many daisy cutters would make anyone shy away from any confrontation.

[abnegation]

Paying the Ultimate Price

Monday, April 28, 2003 By Neil Cavuto

Sometimes it's easy to sit in an anchor chair and talk about a war. It's a lot more difficult being in that war, fighting in that war and for some, dying in that war.

But there are many who protested this war. That was their right then. But I think it's wrong now. Yet it continues. And given the transition difficulties in Iraq, it is even picking up steam now.

I think it borders on insulting now. Not only because the war clearly was a success. But because of the Americans who lost their lives to make it a success.

I want those who still burn flags and hurl insults to change venues. Away from very public places like the White House or New York's Times Square and to the front lawns of the homes of families who've lost loved ones.

If you're so convinced fighting for the freedom of an oppressed people wasn't worth their sons and daughters dying, then tell them directly.

Tell the young wife, who's now a widow. Or the proud Indiana mom and dad, who are now childless. Or the 21-year-old woman just giving birth, who's now a mother and a father.

Tell the four-year-old boy who doesn't understand his dad won't ever be coming back home to play. Or the sister who will never see her only brother.

Tell them their loved one's mission was a lark. Tell them the smiles you saw on those cheering faces in Baghdad didn't provide some comfort in this carnage. Tell them improving the plight of millions of starving Iraqis wasn't worth their loved ones' lives.

Go ahead. Lecture them. Rant at them. Save your speeches not for the politicians who make war, but the real people, who paid the price for this war.

When you call this war a waste, you call their loved ones' ultimate sacrifice a waste as well. You demean them and you demean those who survive them.

I see a country liberated now. I'll never forget the liberators.

I see a people smiling now. I'll never forget the people who made them smile.

We should all die making such a difference. All you protesters, should live, making such a difference.

I want you now to look at the faces of sacrifice and honor and courage. And of people who spent their time, not burning the flag, but fighting and dying for it.

So the next time you refuse to bury the hatchet and insist you weren't wrong, think of those who are burying their loved ones and need to know their cause was right.

They made a difference. You just make me sick.

[NormsRevenge]

Robert Taylor (1911-1969) Beatrice

Robert Taylor, born Spangler Arlington Brugh on August 5, 1911 in Filley, Nebraska attended kindergarden in Fremont, but grew up in Beatrice, where he was a musician, taking private cello lessons at the University School of Music in Lincoln. He rode a pony, learned to dance, and considered actor Tom Mix an idol. As a senior at Beatrice High, he was state orator

ical champion. A shy, gentle, private, and meticulously groomed person with handsomeness and a widow's peak, he attended Doane College from 1929 to 1931, and for two summers performed as part of a trio at KMMJ at Clay Center. Nicknamed "Doc", young Arlington considered medicine as a career, but majored in music and took drama classes.

He earned his bachelor's degree in business, at Pomona College in Claremont, California and in his senior year was discovered by a talent scout for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Taylor appeared in 80 motion picture and television films from 1934 to 1969, the vast majority with MGM, and ranked as a top box office attraction for three decades during Hollywood's Golden Era. He played romantic roles opposite such leading ladies as Greta Garbo, Elizabeth Taylor, Lana Turner, Ava Gardner, Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Crawford, and Vivien Leigh.

In 1954, he was named most popular star abroad by the Hollywood Foreign Press Correspondents Association representing 500 million moviegoers worldwide.

Magill's 1983 film guide rated seven of his films among the 1,000 best movies: "Magnificent Obsession" (1935), "Camille" (1937), "Three Comrades" (1938), "Waterloo Bridge" (1940), "Johnny Eager" (1942), "Quo Vadis" (1951), and "Ivanhoe" (1952).

First married to actress Barbara Stanwyck from 1939 to 1951, Taylor remarried in 1954 to German-born actress Ursula Schmidt Thiess, a June 4, 1951 Life magazine cover girl. From his second marriage came two children: son Terence and daughter Tessa.

He died of lung cancer on June 8, 1969. His close friend Ronald Reagan, then governor of California, delivered the eulogy at his funeral.

*******************************

Birthname .. Spangler Arlington Brugh

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Mo! I was hoping you'd bring music. (^: So far, it's simply a casual (but passionate) event. We just have the date set. By Friday, we'll have floats, signs, flags, cheers, music, food, fireworks, marching bands, tanks with flowers - Freepers seem to always contribute what's needed.

If we're inviting the troops, we should organize a bit - have a start time, at least. I'm open to suggestions. Anyone know what time the USS Lincoln's pulling into port?

[prairiebreeze]

Maybe. The report made her sound like a very leftist reporter griping about NBC. I should have added that she made these remarks in a speech she gave at KS State University and that NBC was "dismayed" to hear of her comments.

Prairie

[cyncooper]

LOL!

[NormsRevenge]

Former Intel engineer charged with conspiring to aid Taliban .. Portland, Oregon

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Tonkin, we're throwing a ticker tape parade for the troops at the OIF thread on Friday.
You and the Canteen crew are of course invited to participate!"

You can count on the Canteen crew to be here!
Thanks for the invite!

From the USO Website
"The USO mission is to provide morale, welfare and recreation-type services
to uniformed military Personnel."
USO CANTEEN FREEPER STYLE MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

To our military readers, we reamin steadfast in keeping the Canteen doors open.
The Canteen is Free Republics longest running daily thread specifically designed
to provide entertainment and morale support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afganistain.
We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.

[sheikdetailfeather]

Yes. If there is one lesson to be learned about liberals it is that they consider themselves morally superior than us and therefore, they will do ANYTHING to push their agendas. Even call good evil and evil good. It is always shocking to us because we believe in decency. But don't forget. They voted for Clinton twice and they knew what he was. We thought they had to see just one more thing but they knew all along. I asked one liberal what it would take for her not to vote for him. She said murder.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

News from CENTCOM:

 

April 28, 2003

FIRE AT 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION MAIN

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A fire early this morning at the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) Main at the Baghdad International Airport caused extensive damage to one section of the building, and is still smoldering.

Two soldiers suffered smoke inhalation but were treated and released back to their unit.

The fire started around midnight and spread from a storage area in the east end of the Airport Catering Building where the Division Main is located. Fire and heat damage destroyed the 3ID(M) Aid Station as well as several other rooms used to house the Army and Air Force personnel.

Approximately 410 soldiers and airmen live and work in the building. Alternate living quarters are being set up to accommodate the displaced personnel.

“It’s too early to tell what started the fire,” said Senior Master Sgt. Denny Heitman, BIAP interim fire chief. “We won’t know for sure until we can get inside the area to check.”

Two fire stations, located here at BIAP, were notified and responded. Airmen assigned here from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., and Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., worked for five hours to contain the fire.