Posted on 05/17/2003 9:06:44 PM PDT by null and void
Good Morning.
This is the Daily Thread of Operation Infinite Freedom, formerly Operation Iraqi Freedom - Situation Room - LIVE THREAD.
It is designed for general conversation about the ongoing war on terror, and the related 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.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon speaks to the press
JERUSALEM - A suicide bomber blew himself up on a Jerusalem bus early Sunday, killing seven passengers and himself, police said. At least 20 others were wounded, four in serious condition, while a second bomber blew himself up on the outskirts of the city.
An Israeli police officer (L) inspects the damage after a suicide bomb attack on a passenger bus in annexed east Jerusalem
Ultra Orthodox Jews (R) collect human remains from the area of a bombed out passenger bus after a suicide bombing attack in Jerusalem
Volunteers carry the lifeless body of a victim out of the scene of a suicide bomb attack in a bus in the French Hill neighborhood in Jerusalem Sunday, May 18, 2003. At least seven people were killed in the attack.
An Israeli policeman inspects the dead body of a passenger still in her bus seat after a suicide bomb attack on a passenger bus in annexed east Jerusalem
An Israeli policeman looks at blast victims on a commuter bus after an explosion killed at least four people in Jerusalem May 18, 2003. An explosion ripped through a commuter bus in Jerusalem on Sunday killing at least four people, an Israeli police chief said. A second blast within minutes caused no Israel casualties.
A bus is shown in an image from television after a suicide bomber blew himself up on it in Jerusalem, Sunday, May 18, 2003. Seven people were killed and at least 20 others were wounded, according to police.
Bodies are seen in a damaged commuter bus after an explosion killed at least four people in Jerusalem May 18, 2003. An explosion ripped through the bus in Jerusalem on Sunday killing at least four people, an Israeli police chief said. A second blast within minutes caused no Israeli casualties.
BAGHDAD (AFP) - US administrator Paul Bremer headed to northern Iraq after announcing a host of new measures in a bid to restore order, but political moves have been put off and the economic plight of ordinary Iraqis appears to be worsening.
Bremer arrived in Mosul, northern Iraq's main city, where the US Army organised local elections earlier this month in the wake of the ousting of Saddam Hussein's regime by US-led coalition forces.
An Iraqi driver smiles and gestures as a US soldier helps change his tire in Tikrit, 180 kms north of Bahgdad.
An Iraqi man passes by a mosaic of toppled Iraqi president Saddam Hussein in Tikrit, 180 kms north of Bahgdad. The US-led administration in Iraq banned senior members of Saddam Hussein's Baath party from returning to government posts but after talks with Iraqi leaders appeared to back away from a looming deadline to form new democratic institutions to take its place.
The U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter of Colonel Michael Linnington of the 101st Airborne Division hovers over an Iraqi village, preparing to land for a meeting between Kurdish and Arab local leaders, near Rabi Ah, northern Iraq near the Syrian border, Saturday, May 17, 2003. Since the fall of Saddam Hussein thousands of Kurds forced from their land by his regime have tried to return, causing tensions with Arabs that U.S. forces are working to quell.
A U.S. soldier sits as he guards in front of the Palestine Hotel in the capital Baghdad, Iraq Saturday, May 17, 2003.
Colonel Michael Linnington of the 101st Airborne Division shakes hands with local Kurdish and Arab leaders before a meeting aimed at beginning to solve a current land dispute, inside the village of Rabi Ah, northern Iraq near the Syrian border, Saturday, May 17, 2003. Since the fall of Saddam Hussein thousands of Kurds forced from their land by his regime have tried to return, causing tensions with Arabs that U.S. forces are working to quell.
Iraqi men eat at a street side cafe in the center of Baghdad early evening Saturday, May 17, 2003, as American soldiers patrol the Iraqi capital.
Students stroll around the Al Mustansiriya University as it reopens in Baghdad, Iraq Saturday, May 17, 2003. No class took place Saturday, but class schedules for the upcoming days were expected to be announced. A defaced portrait of ousted President Saddam Hussein hangs in background left.
An Iraqi teacher looks at photographs of intellectuals who disappeared under the regime of Saddam Hussein at Baghdad University, May 17, 2003. Higher education resumed for the first time since the war began while U.S. staff monitored unprecedented university elections to elect a new dean and ensure Baathists were ousted from senior positions.
How come nobody has filed a law suit in Belgium about this??
Good morning everyone. thanks nully for the ping and Texkat for the articles.
Prairie
From yesterday, for anyone confused by this weekends DNC PR campaign: "THE AL QAEDA'S BACK AND BIGGER THAN AMERICA! PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE TRUTH!" Dang mischievous, deceitful, traitorous clymer, sorelosers.
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 17, 2003
President Bush Honors Military in Weekly Radio Address
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. May 17th is Armed Forces Day, when America honors the men and women who serve in every branch of the service. Here in the Oval Office, I'm joined by some distinguished Americans, eight members of the military who fought bravely during the battle of Iraq. All of them were wounded in battle and are recovering from their injuries. All of them have earned the respect and the gratitude of our nation.
Americans are proud of every man and woman who has faced the risks of war in the cause of freedom. Many still face dangerous duty in Iraq and Afghanistan as they provide order and stability in liberated countries. Many are fighting on other fronts in the war against terror, and some brave Americans have given their lives to protect our country and to keep the peace. Our whole nation honors their memory, and our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones they left behind.
The world has seen the tremendous capabilities of the United States military. With fine allies at their side, American soldiers and sailors, airmen, and Marines used advanced technology to gain historic victories in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unmanned Predator aircraft carried out bombing missions deep behind enemy lines, keeping more of our pilots out of harm's way. Satellites high above the Earth, at any time of day or night, provided detailed images of individual targets and whole battlefields. At least two-thirds of the bombs used by coalition forces in Iraq were precision-guided by lasers or global-positioning satellites, compared with just 13 percent of the bombs we used in the 1991 Gulf War.
For all the contributions of technology, however, the battles of Iraq and Afghanistan were won by the skill and courage of well-trained, highly motivated men and women. In the recent fighting, Marines and soldiers charged to Baghdad across 350 miles of hostile ground in one of the swiftest advances of heavy arms in history. Pilots flew through blinding sandstorms, soldiers and Marines ran into the fact of gunfire, at times ignoring their own injuries to save wounded comrades. Special Operations forces conducted daring raids to seize airfields and missile launch sites. Every branch of the service worked in united purpose, and displayed the highest standards of professionalism and honor.
With the liberation of Iraq and Afghanistan, we have removed allies of al Qaeda, cut off sources of terrorist funding, and made certain that no terrorist network will gain weapons of mass destruction from Saddam Hussein's regime.
These two battles were important victories in the larger war on terror. Yet the terrorist attacks this week in Saudi Arabia, which killed innocent civilians from more than half a dozen countries, including our own, provide a stark reminder that the war on terror continues.
The enemies of freedom are not idle, and neither are we. Our government is taking unprecedented measures to defend the homeland. And from Pakistan to the Philippines, to the Horn of Africa, we are hunting down al Qaeda killers. So far, nearly one-half of al Qaeda's senior operatives have been captured or killed. And we will remain on the hunt until they are all brought to justice.
This nation accepts the responsibilities of keeping the peace. And the best way to keep the peace is to make sure that our military remains second to none. On this Armed Forces Day, we are grateful to all who serve and sacrifice as members of the United States Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marines.
Thank you for listening.
END
From talented bentfeather:
|
22 posted on 05/17/2003 2:20 PM EDT by bentfeather (A great big "Support the Troops" Bump)
Letters from Indiana - "Dear Soldier..."
Free Republic ^ | 16 May 03 | Self
Posted on 05/15/2003 3:59 PM EDT by SkyPilot
I just wanted to take a few moments to share this all with you. Today was a very busy day—life seems to assault you with breakneck speed sometimes. I was coming out of a meeting when one someone told me he needed help responding to a Congressman who had visited us recently. Somehow, his district was made aware he was visiting wounded here in Germany, and people from his district in Indiana had supplied him with letters for our soldiers, sailors, and airman at the hospital and also for Iraq. I believe it was dubbed Operation Thank You.
I was somewhat annoyed when I was handed 2 large boxes, and asked if I would arrange flights to get them delivered as soon as possible. My petty anger soon turned to utter amazement at the volume and heartfelt care put into these cards by young children, senior citizens, and ordinary Americans. My co-worker is an American citizen, but she has lived in Germany most of her life (long story there). She was in tears reading some of the letters. Children had taken great care to draw pictures with cheerful slogans, and wrote incredibly moving passages:
”We are all praying for you!”
“Come home safe, and thank you for going through so much loneliness and hurt to fight for us.”
“You are my hero, and I have dreams you all come home to America safe and sound."
Things like that are written, over and over again in these cards. I ran into a friend who is the commander for one of the squadrons I used to fly with. He took a stack of the mail and told me he would see that soldiers get them, whether they are in Iraq or other places we are operating out of in Bosnia and the Middle East. I have arranged for some of the mail to fly to our troops very soon. Many of the cards had scripture verses, and many had stories about their own troubles at home, their own worries and everyday cares, and their own prayers. You should see the homemade artwork and intricate care and love poured into some of these cards. They are truly beautiful.
Some senior citizens wrote letters to perfect strangers that seem like letters to grandchildren that are sorely missed:
”Dear Service Person. Greetings in Jesus’ name, the most precious friend we could ever have. We have been praying for you all and for President Bush. I know this has been hard for you—leaving your loved ones, but you will soon be back and what a happy day that will be. Folks here are flying US flags and ribbons for you, and boy did we have a lot of snow this winter. But Spring is here now. One of my neighbors just mowed his yard. This is a nice town, a little under 1000. Here we have a nice high school, 2 elementary schools, 2 casket factories, a farm grocery store, gas station, and a Kabers show where ladies sew. We are praying you will come home soon
Love, Maxine.
A little girl colored a huge THANK YOU on her card, and said:
”I want you to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do for our country. It takes a lot of courage to go and fight for our country. Love, Bonnie”
And this:
”I know it must not be pleasant there, but don’t worry so. You will soon be home, and we all love you so much! Thanks for protecting our country, and don’t give up! Thanks, Brittany.
And more:
Kick some sand butt! But be kinda careful while U do it. Thanks for serving your country and protecting us. Look at it this way—I bet you are getting a good tan. Well, it took awhile to draw the flag, so I am going to go now. Good luck! Your pal Jason.
And these too:
Dear Soldier, May God bless you and keep you all the days of your life. I would be over there too if I was an older kid. You’re doing everyone a favor—believe me that. I hope you come back to your friends and family. Just find Saddam Hussein and beat him to the ground. Sincerely, Greg.
And….
Dear Soldier, May God bless you and keep you all the days of your life, and may He comfort you and protect you. We as a nation are so grateful. Don’t worry, cause God is IN CONTROL! He knows everything, so you can talk to Him if you want to. Love, Judy.
You know, America is far from a perfect nation. But seeing something like this makes me so proud of my homeland. This is one very small slice of America, and one that God sees. Maybe I should not be so surprised that our nation has been so blessed. We are citizens of a vast and rich nation, unlike any other in the world.
It was right after the first Gulf war, years ago that I recall sitting at the controls of my C-141, crossing the North Atlantic in the middle of the night. The other pilot had taken off his headset and slumped in his seat--trying to get a few precious minutes of sleep. In that silent cockpit I read some letters from school children from Maine. I still remember that, and I have kept one letter to this day.
To the folks of Indiana, and to Americans everywhere who are unmatched as a people, let me return these simple words back to you: thank you.
"Some people say we issued declarations against the Americans. But they are lying. We want to thank the coalition troops. We want them to demonstrate the rebuilding. We will give them a chance to do that."
Ali Rubaii, a representative for one of the four most powerful clerics in Iraq, Washington Post, 5/15/03
VOICES OF FREEDOM
Quotes from the grateful Iraqi people. Y
Ragtime Cowgirl, you are so awesome! Thank you for all you do for our Troops!! *HUGS* to both of you!
Check this out: (^:
Presently deployed to the Arabian Gulf
Lucky you. I tried to back out of an instalation of Winduhs 2000.
I lost 5 years of work as the aborted instaltion scrambled all the file names, in such a way they were essentially unrecoverable. A data salvage service was able to extract about half the files for a mere $1500.00 My company was not pleased...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
