A Daily Look at U.S. Iraq Military Deaths

[wilheim]

Associated Press

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As of Monday, Oct. 18, 2004, at least 1,102 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. Of those, 846 died as a result of hostile action and 256 died of non-hostile causes, according to the Defense Department. The figures include three military civilians.

The British military has reported 67 deaths; Italy, 19; Poland, 13; Spain, 11; Ukraine, nine; Bulgaria, six; Slovakia, three; Thailand, two; the Netherlands, two; and Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Hungary and Latvia have reported one death each.

Since May 1, 2003, when President Bush declared that major combat operations in Iraq had ended, 964 U.S. military members have died - 737 as a result of hostile action and 227 of non-hostile causes, according to the military's numbers.

---

The latest deaths reported by the military:


The latest identifications reported by the Department of Defense:

_ Marine Cpl. William I. Salazar, 26, Las Vegas; killed Friday in hostile action in Anbar province, Iraq; assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

_ Army Capt. Christopher B. Johnson, 29, Excelsior Springs, Mo., and Army Chief Warrant Officer William I. Brennan, 36, Bethlehem, Conn.; killed Saturday in Baghdad when their helicopter crashed; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation, 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Air Field, Hawaii.

_ Army Sgt. Michael G. Owen, 31, Phoenix, and Army Spc. Jonathan J. Santos, 22, Whatcom, Wash.; killed Friday when an explosive detonated near their vehicle; assigned to the Army's 9th Psychological Operations Battalion, 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

_ Three soldiers were killed Thursday in Ramadi, Iraq, when an explosive detonated near their convoy:

_ Army Staff Sgt. Omer T. Hawkins II, 31, Cherry Fork, Ohio; assigned to the 44th Engineer Battalion, Camp Howze, South Korea.

_ Army Pfc. Mark A. Barbret, 22, Shelby Township, Mich.; assigned to the 44th Engineer Battalion, Camp Howze, South Korea.

_ Army Spc. Bradley S. Beard, 22, Chapel Hill, N.C.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Red Cloud, Korea.

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[stacilu]

1,102 brave American soldiers dead. And for what?
1,102 families grieving, for what? No connection
to 9-11, no connection to terrorism. Any other
claim is just an outright lie. An arrogant neoconservative
sending our brave children to die for no justifiable
reason. If this doesn't make the hardest heart
soft or the strongest man cry I proclaim that
person has no heart. Politics aside for a minute.
Examine your heart, do you really believe these
kids died for a noble cause?

 

[pops69]

ok, i was there in the 60's

so let me know when it over 3000 :howdy:

 

[D2bets]

pops, so basically you don't give a **** until 3000 have died? Nice, real nice. Tell that to the family of #586...or #721.....or #866. Tell that to the family those who will die tomorrow and the next day and the day after that. Tragic.

 

[pops69]

yea, that right, the dem and rep will **** all the service men dead or alive, just like the **** me when i got out in the 60's. tell it to the 50k + families that died in nam, and the other million that are still paying the price. every president just wants to them for their own benefit, than f*** us. clinton cut our va medical so bad that it would take 6 months to get an appointment, same with all the past, current and future. so what fucken outfit were you in *******

 

[Jointpleasure]

I have an older brother who spent five years in the marines in the 70's. A younger brother who's currently been in the Air Force for sixteen. They have nothing but good to say about the military. Their youths were definitely NOT misspent.
Daddies old democrats are dying fast and the young guns are taking over. An all volunteer military is not the same as a drafted military. :uzi:

 

[Jointpleasure]

The younger brother has posted his picks on the prescription before - he's a great fade!

 

[VOLTITAN]

http://www.operationiraqichildren.org How about asking these kids what we fought for stacilu?

 

[VOLTITAN]

Letter from a Soldier in Iraq:

My name is SSG Michael J. Sanow. I am currently stationed in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since I have been here I have had many interesting, and sometimes tense, experiences. Of all of my experiences, though, there has been one positive experience that stands out above all others. Since I have been in Iraq I have had the honor to meet some very good Iraqi people who have not only performed work for the Army, specifically my Battalion, but have also become my good friends.

Almost daily, of the thousands of Iraqi workers (laborers, engineers, electricians, craftsmen) employed by the military to help in the rebuilding efforts, I pick up and escort Ehsan, Jamal, Mahmod, Sajed, Fadel, Jabar, Hazim, Amir, Rafed, and Adil. These are very proud, hard-working Iraqis who are glad to be taking part in the rebuilding effort. I look forward to meeting them every morning, knowing that my day will be filled with conversation and an honest day's work. Ehsan, Jamal, and Mahmod speak English very well, and often translate for the rest of us, as I do not speak Arabic.

You see, each day, we eat lunch together and talk about many things, not the least of which is how happy they are to be free. They are glad to be able to have the opportunity to work and earn wages to support their families. They are glad that the United States of America has liberated them from Saddam.


Not a day goes by that we don't discuss how much better off they are now than before. Ehsan, a former biology teacher, is happiest for his children. He tells me often how happy he is that they will now have a promising future. They are optimistic about the future. They hope that freedom will bring the Iraqi people a much needed rest. As Mahmod explains it, "The Iraqi people are tired from all of the wars and Saddam."


My Battalion is participating in Operation Iraqi Children and look forward to distributing our first batch of school supplies to the Iraqi children. I have shown Ehsan the Operation Iraqi Children web-site and explained the program to him. He in turn explained it to everyone else. All of them expressed their gratitude for the Americans helping them. Ehsan agreed stating, "The country needs education. There are some very smart people in this country, but mostly the population is uneducated and uninformed. The Americans are helping Iraqis change that and that is good." It will be hard when it comes time for me to return to America, leaving behind my new-found friends. Though, that's a long way away, I take solace in the fact that I am part of history, liberating the Iraqi people and helping them to rebuild their nation. I will miss them, but they're only an email away, which is just one of the many freedoms they are just now beginning to enjoy.


Good things are happening here in Iraq. I am proud to be a part of it and very grateful to have met my new friends Ehsan, Jamal, Mahmod, Sajed, Fadel, Jabar, Hazim, Amir, Rafed, and Adil.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Email from an Iraqi friend of Gary's after the arrival of the first Operation Iraqi Children shipment:

Happy birthday, my friend. I'm very proud to consider you as my friend. Thank you for your offer to help me. That is very kind of you and I appreciate that because when a friend be in trouble he will ask his best friend to help him. I want to tell you that all the students today were very happy and you can see the smile on their faces I can't find the words to explain to you the situation, some of the girls and the boys were dancing because they were very happy and some of them singing, it is like a celebration or party and the soldiers were so happy and they enjoyed the time with the kids. The families were very grateful for that when they heard that U.S forces come to deliver some supplies they came quickly to see that. They show to us how much they are happy, one of the parents there told me that is very great to see the soldiers give the kids the toys and the stationary and they will not forget this day and the kids will remember the soldiers who help Iraqi children. Next time I will make some interview with some people asking them about their feelings and their impressions. Happy birthday Gary again, God bless you.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[wilheim]

Letter from a young soldier in Iraq "President Bush has lost the respect of every soldier"

From a soldier's father:

"My son is in the U.S.Army and currently stationed in Baghdad. I hear from him every three or four days. He is like most of the young men and women who went to fight over there inasmuch as he was proud to go and achieve what President Bush said was necessary. I have seen his attitude take a U-turn during the last month. At first he was saying: "I wonder why we are not doing this or that to help make life better for our soldiers?" Then he started to wonder why we were not doing more to help the Iraqi people who are suffering under terrible conditions. Not enough water or food, no electricity most of the time, a terrible shortage of medical supplies and medical staff, basically they are living like animals. Then he started to worry about the safety of our troops in the area. He says they are sitting ducks and easy targets for Iraqi people bent upon gaining revenge for slain family members and by those who hold the U.S. responsible for the terrible conditions they find themselves in. Ye sterday he had a different message altogether."

"Get us out of here now! There is nothing we can do to pacify the Iraqi people except get out of their country and allow them to restore order in whatever way THEY wish."

And, allow me to give you his remarks when he was informed of President Bush's brash remarks saying "Bring them on." He said:

"Myself and every last man in my unit are deeply offended that our President would make such a statement inviting us to be attacked. President Bush has lost the respect of every soldier I have spoken to because of his speaking those irresponsible words. Those words spread like wild-fire amoung the troops.

We are here because he ordered us to be here and now for him to make such a ridiculous statement inviting violence towards us causes us to lose respect for him and his judgement. We are learning that we never should have come here in the first place. Believe me Dad, there is a completely different attitude now. The fact that the President gave rich people a tax cut and didn't do anything for military families is hurtful. Where there was once pride and satisfaction in defeating an enemy there is now regret and shame. God Bless America.

Your loving Son, Donny

 

[VOLTITAN]

Letter from a young soldier in Iraq "President Bush has lost the respect of every soldier"

From a soldier's father:

"My son is in the U.S.Army and currently stationed in Baghdad. I hear from him every three or four days. He is like most of the young men and women who went to fight over there inasmuch as he was proud to go and achieve what President Bush said was necessary. I have seen his attitude take a U-turn during the last month. At first he was saying: "I wonder why we are not doing this or that to help make life better for our soldiers?" Then he started to wonder why we were not doing more to help the Iraqi people who are suffering under terrible conditions. Not enough water or food, no electricity most of the time, a terrible shortage of medical supplies and medical staff, basically they are living like animals. Then he started to worry about the safety of our troops in the area. He says they are sitting ducks and easy targets for Iraqi people bent upon gaining revenge for slain family members and by those who hold the U.S. responsible for the terrible conditions they find themselves in. Ye sterday he had a different message altogether."

"Get us out of here now! There is nothing we can do to pacify the Iraqi people except get out of their country and allow them to restore order in whatever way THEY wish."

And, allow me to give you his remarks when he was informed of President Bush's brash remarks saying "Bring them on." He said:

"Myself and every last man in my unit are deeply offended that our President would make such a statement inviting us to be attacked. President Bush has lost the respect of every soldier I have spoken to because of his speaking those irresponsible words. Those words spread like wild-fire amoung the troops.

We are here because he ordered us to be here and now for him to make such a ridiculous statement inviting violence towards us causes us to lose respect for him and his judgement. We are learning that we never should have come here in the first place. Believe me Dad, there is a completely different attitude now. The fact that the President gave rich people a tax cut and didn't do anything for military families is hurtful. Where there was once pride and satisfaction in defeating an enemy there is now regret and shame. God Bless America.

Your loving Son, Donny

It was a believable letter until the DNC inserted the quote from their playbook "tax cut for the rich" :neenee:

 

[wilheim]

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Before I begin, let me state that I am a soldier currently deployed in Iraq, I am not an armchair quarterback. Nor am I some politically idealistic and naïve young soldier, I am an old and seasoned Non-Commissioned Officer with nearly 20 years under my belt. Additionally, I am not just a soldier with a muds-eye view of the war, I am in Civil Affairs and as such, it is my job to be aware of all the events occurring in this country and specifically in my region.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]I have come to the conclusion that we cannot win here for a number of reasons. Ideology and idealism will never trump history and reality.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]When we were preparing to deploy, I told my young soldiers to beware of the "political solution." Just when you think you have the situation on the ground in hand, someone will come along with a political directive that throws you off the tracks.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]I believe that we could have won this un-Constitutional invasion of Iraq and possibly pulled off the even more un-Constitutional occupation and subjugation of this sovereign nation. It might have even been possible to foist democracy on these people who seem to have no desire, understanding or respect for such an institution. True the possibility of pulling all this off was a long shot and would have required several hundred billion dollars and even more casualties than we’ve seen to date but again it would have been possible, not realistic or necessary but possible.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Here are the specific reasons why we cannot win in Iraq.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]First, we refuse to deal in reality. We are in a guerilla war, but because of politics, we are not allowed to declare it a guerilla war and must label the increasingly effective guerilla forces arrayed against us as "terrorists, criminals and dead-enders."[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]This implies that there is a zero sum game at work, i.e. we can simply kill X number of the enemy and then the fight is over, mission accomplished, everybody wins. Unfortunately, this is not the case. We have few tools at our disposal and those are proving to be wholly ineffective at fighting the guerillas.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]The idea behind fighting a guerilla army is not to destroy its every man (an impossibility since he hides himself by day amongst the populace). Rather the idea in guerilla warfare is to erode or destroy his base of support.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]So long as there is support for the guerilla, for every one you kill two more rise up to take his place. More importantly, when your tools for killing him are precision guided munitions, raids and other acts that create casualties among the innocent populace, you raise the support for the guerillas and undermine the support for yourself. (A 500-pound precision bomb has a casualty-producing radius of 400 meters minimum; do the math.)[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Second, our assessment of what motivates the average Iraqi was skewed, again by politically motivated "experts." We came here with some fantasy idea that the natives were all ignorant, mud-hut dwelling camel riders who would line the streets and pelt us with rose petals, lay palm fronds in the street and be eternally grateful. While at one time there may have actually been support and respect from the locals, months of occupation by our regular military forces have turned the formerly friendly into the recently hostile.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Attempts to correct the thinking in this regard are in vain; it is not politically correct to point out the fact that the locals are not only disliking us more and more, they are growing increasingly upset and often overtly hostile. Instead of addressing the reasons why the locals are becoming angry and discontented, we allow politicians in Washington DC to give us pat and convenient reasons that are devoid of any semblance of reality.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]We are told that the locals are not upset because we have a hostile, aggressive and angry Army occupying their nation. We are told that they are not upset at the police state we have created, or at the manner of picking their representatives for them. Rather we are told, they are upset because of a handful of terrorists, criminals and dead enders in their midst have made them upset, that and of course the ever convenient straw man of "left wing media bias."[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Third, the guerillas are filling their losses faster than we can create them. This is almost always the case in guerilla warfare, especially when your tactics for battling the guerillas are aimed at killing guerillas instead of eroding their support. For every guerilla we kill with a "smart bomb" we kill many more innocent civilians and create rage and anger in the Iraqi community. This rage and anger translates into more recruits for the terrorists and less support for us.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]We have fallen victim to the body count mentality all over again. We have shown a willingness to inflict civilian casualties as a necessity of war without realizing that these same casualties create waves of hatred against us. These angry Iraqi citizens translate not only into more recruits for the guerilla army but also into more support of the guerilla army.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Fourth, their lines of supply and communication are much shorter than ours and much less vulnerable. We must import everything we need into this place; this costs money and is dangerous. Whether we fly the supplies in or bring them by truck, they are vulnerable to attack, most especially those brought by truck. This not only increases the likelihood of the supplies being interrupted. Every bean, every bullet and every bandage becomes infinitely more expensive.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Conversely, the guerillas live on top of their supplies and are showing every indication of developing a very sophisticated network for obtaining them. Further, they have the advantage of the close support of family and friends and traditional religious networks.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Fifth, we consistently underestimate the enemy and his capabilities. Many military commanders have prepared to fight exactly the wrong war here.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Our tactics have not adjusted to the battlefield and we are falling behind.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Meanwhile the enemy updates his tactics and has shown a remarkable resiliency and adaptability.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Because the current administration is more concerned with its image than it is with reality, it prefers symbolism to substance: soldiers are dying here and being maimed and crippled for life. It is tragic, indeed criminal that our elected public servants would so willingly sacrifice our nation's prestige and honor as well as the blood and treasure to pursue an agenda that is ahistoric and un-Constitutional.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]It is all the more ironic that this un-Constitutional mission is being performed by citizen soldiers such as myself who swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, the same oath that the commander in chief himself has sworn.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]September 20, 2004[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Al Lorentz is former state chairman of the Constitution Party of Texas and is a reservist currently serving with the US Army in Iraq. [/font]
​

 

[wilheim]

Here is a letter received by Miliatary Famlies Speak Out, a group that is protesting against the deployment of U.S. troops in Iraq:

"I am a soldier currently on active duty and my husband is a member of the Reserves and has been activated since Feb. 13, and is currently in Iraq, supporting the 4th ID, where he's been since April. We were both deployed at the same time. I was fortunate enough to have my unit return earlier this summer.

"Some of the conditions I experienced over there were deplorable. It sickens me every time I see news articles quoting dignitaries coming from there saying, "The soldiers are in good spirits," "Morale is high." I'm here to tell you, it's all lies. Morale is at an all-time low. Soldiers are hating life there, so much so, some are taking their own lives rather than deal with the situation. It has become that drastic.

"Now, I've found out that my husband may be extended until this summer. To add insult to injury, his pay will be reduced as of Oct. 1 because combat pay and family separation is being cut in half.

"I have nightmares about horrific things happening to him. What makes it worse is that I know what's going on in Iraq and what the "real" conditions and threat levels are, because I was there. So to all you family members who have no clue, consider yourself blessed. I think I'd be better off not knowing.

"I panic every time my doorbell is rang. Every time the phone rings and it's a number I can't identify, I'm afraid to answer. If my commander wants to see me for some reason, my heart beats fast, because I'm wonder if he has to tell me something has happened to my husband.

"I love my country. I am all for fighting for my country and my people. I don't understand fighting for a people who have made it abundantly clear that they do not want us there. They do not want our help. They do not wish to become Westernized. When they see us, they shoot at us.

"As much as I love the military, when this enlistment is up, I'm running so fast for the civilian border as is my husband.

"At this point, when it is time for reelection, I would vote for anyone whose last name wasn't Bush. I know he is my commander in chief, but I feel what he's doing right now is unlawful.

"My husband and I have decided not to have children. We are afraid that something that we've been exposed to in Iraq may cause birth defects. This whole war has turned my life upside down and is even affecting my life, years into the future.

"Now, I just pray everyday for my husband's safe return soon. The safe return of all the soldiers."

 

[VOLTITAN]

Funny you should cite a member of the Constitution party Wil. They are more far right than most Republicans. Pat Buchanan's crowd. Isolationists, anti-free trade. I agree this has turned into a guerilla war, so is the answer to cut and run or fix things and stay and fight? I have the full confidence of any Marine Corps infantry unit over there right now and their ability to take the fight to the enemy such as in Fallujah. I also had confidence we could have cleaned out Somalia if Slick Willie had any testicular fortitude, but he cut and ran and this is what all Islamic insurgents believe we will do if they just inflict enough casualties, kidnap enough people or behead enough people. I can understand the frustration with NCO's over poor strategic planning by people at CENTCOM, the Pentagon etc... and yes they are under the Bush administration. But I have no confidence in Kerry to fix the situation. If you buy into the "punish Bush by electing Kerry" fine, but I think Bush has more at stake to win this conflict and see it through than Kerry. By the way, just what is Kerry's master plan to fix Iraq besides "working with other countries"....blah blah blah.

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Before I begin, let me state that I am a soldier currently deployed in Iraq, I am not an armchair quarterback. Nor am I some politically idealistic and naïve young soldier, I am an old and seasoned Non-Commissioned Officer with nearly 20 years under my belt. Additionally, I am not just a soldier with a muds-eye view of the war, I am in Civil Affairs and as such, it is my job to be aware of all the events occurring in this country and specifically in my region.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]I have come to the conclusion that we cannot win here for a number of reasons. Ideology and idealism will never trump history and reality.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]When we were preparing to deploy, I told my young soldiers to beware of the "political solution." Just when you think you have the situation on the ground in hand, someone will come along with a political directive that throws you off the tracks.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]I believe that we could have won this un-Constitutional invasion of Iraq and possibly pulled off the even more un-Constitutional occupation and subjugation of this sovereign nation. It might have even been possible to foist democracy on these people who seem to have no desire, understanding or respect for such an institution. True the possibility of pulling all this off was a long shot and would have required several hundred billion dollars and even more casualties than we’ve seen to date but again it would have been possible, not realistic or necessary but possible.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Here are the specific reasons why we cannot win in Iraq.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]First, we refuse to deal in reality. We are in a guerilla war, but because of politics, we are not allowed to declare it a guerilla war and must label the increasingly effective guerilla forces arrayed against us as "terrorists, criminals and dead-enders."[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]This implies that there is a zero sum game at work, i.e. we can simply kill X number of the enemy and then the fight is over, mission accomplished, everybody wins. Unfortunately, this is not the case. We have few tools at our disposal and those are proving to be wholly ineffective at fighting the guerillas.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]The idea behind fighting a guerilla army is not to destroy its every man (an impossibility since he hides himself by day amongst the populace). Rather the idea in guerilla warfare is to erode or destroy his base of support.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]So long as there is support for the guerilla, for every one you kill two more rise up to take his place. More importantly, when your tools for killing him are precision guided munitions, raids and other acts that create casualties among the innocent populace, you raise the support for the guerillas and undermine the support for yourself. (A 500-pound precision bomb has a casualty-producing radius of 400 meters minimum; do the math.)[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Second, our assessment of what motivates the average Iraqi was skewed, again by politically motivated "experts." We came here with some fantasy idea that the natives were all ignorant, mud-hut dwelling camel riders who would line the streets and pelt us with rose petals, lay palm fronds in the street and be eternally grateful. While at one time there may have actually been support and respect from the locals, months of occupation by our regular military forces have turned the formerly friendly into the recently hostile.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Attempts to correct the thinking in this regard are in vain; it is not politically correct to point out the fact that the locals are not only disliking us more and more, they are growing increasingly upset and often overtly hostile. Instead of addressing the reasons why the locals are becoming angry and discontented, we allow politicians in Washington DC to give us pat and convenient reasons that are devoid of any semblance of reality.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]We are told that the locals are not upset because we have a hostile, aggressive and angry Army occupying their nation. We are told that they are not upset at the police state we have created, or at the manner of picking their representatives for them. Rather we are told, they are upset because of a handful of terrorists, criminals and dead enders in their midst have made them upset, that and of course the ever convenient straw man of "left wing media bias."[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Third, the guerillas are filling their losses faster than we can create them. This is almost always the case in guerilla warfare, especially when your tactics for battling the guerillas are aimed at killing guerillas instead of eroding their support. For every guerilla we kill with a "smart bomb" we kill many more innocent civilians and create rage and anger in the Iraqi community. This rage and anger translates into more recruits for the terrorists and less support for us.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]We have fallen victim to the body count mentality all over again. We have shown a willingness to inflict civilian casualties as a necessity of war without realizing that these same casualties create waves of hatred against us. These angry Iraqi citizens translate not only into more recruits for the guerilla army but also into more support of the guerilla army.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Fourth, their lines of supply and communication are much shorter than ours and much less vulnerable. We must import everything we need into this place; this costs money and is dangerous. Whether we fly the supplies in or bring them by truck, they are vulnerable to attack, most especially those brought by truck. This not only increases the likelihood of the supplies being interrupted. Every bean, every bullet and every bandage becomes infinitely more expensive.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Conversely, the guerillas live on top of their supplies and are showing every indication of developing a very sophisticated network for obtaining them. Further, they have the advantage of the close support of family and friends and traditional religious networks.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Fifth, we consistently underestimate the enemy and his capabilities. Many military commanders have prepared to fight exactly the wrong war here.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Our tactics have not adjusted to the battlefield and we are falling behind.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Meanwhile the enemy updates his tactics and has shown a remarkable resiliency and adaptability.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Because the current administration is more concerned with its image than it is with reality, it prefers symbolism to substance: soldiers are dying here and being maimed and crippled for life. It is tragic, indeed criminal that our elected public servants would so willingly sacrifice our nation's prestige and honor as well as the blood and treasure to pursue an agenda that is ahistoric and un-Constitutional.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]It is all the more ironic that this un-Constitutional mission is being performed by citizen soldiers such as myself who swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, the same oath that the commander in chief himself has sworn.[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]September 20, 2004[/font]
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Al Lorentz is former state chairman of the Constitution Party of Texas and is a reservist currently serving with the US Army in Iraq. [/font]
​

 

[eek.]

If the US has sufficient manpower, why are British troops being requested before the Falluja operation even commences.?


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3757910.stm

at the moment, the place is being systematically turned into a pile of rubble via artillery and air bombardment.

 

[VOLTITAN]

Not one sided at all, more candid than most would probably admit but still says no to a Kerry Presidency.


Coming Home-Pat Buchannan Endorses George Bush For President
American Conservative ^ | Oct 18, 2004 | Pat Buchannan

Coming Home
By Patrick J. Buchanan

In the fall of 2002, the editors of this magazine moved up its launch date to make the conservative case against invading Iraq. Such a war, we warned, on a country that did not attack us, did not threaten us, did not want war with us, and had no role in 9/11, would be “a tragedy and a disaster.” Invade and we inherit our own West Bank of 23 million Iraqis, unite Islam against us, and incite imams from Morocco to Malaysia to preach jihad against America. So we wrote, again and again.

In a 6,000-word article entitled “Whose War?” we warned President Bush that he was “being lured into a trap baited for him by neocons that could cost him his office and cause America to forfeit years of peace won for us by the sacrifices of two generations...”

Everything we predicted has come to pass. Iraq is the worst strategic blunder in our lifetime. And for it, George W. Bush, his War Cabinet, and the neoconservatives who plotted and planned this war for a decade bear full responsibility. Should Bush lose on Nov. 2, it will be because he heeded their siren song—that the world was pining for American Empire; that “Big Government Conservatism” is a political philosophy, not an opportunistic sellout of principle; that free-trade globalism is the path to prosperity, not the serial killer of U.S. manufacturing; that amnesty for illegal aliens is compassionate conservatism, not an abdication of constitutional duty.

Mr. Bush was led up the garden path. And the returns from his mid-life conversion to neoconservatism are now in:

• A guerrilla war in Iraq is dividing and bleeding America with no end in sight. It carries the potential for chaos, civil war, and the dissolution of that country.

• Balkanization of America and the looming bankruptcy of California as poverty and crime rates soar from an annual invasion of indigent illegals is forcing native-born Californians to flee the state for the first time since gold was found at Sutter’s Mill.

• A fiscal deficit of 4 percent of GDP and merchandise trade deficit of 6 percent of GDP have produced a falling dollar, the highest level of foreign indebtedness in U.S. history, and the loss of one of every six manufacturing jobs since Bush took office.

If Bush loses, his conversion to neoconservatism, the Arian heresy of the American Right, will have killed his presidency. Yet, in the contest between Bush and Kerry, I am compelled to endorse the president of the United States. Why? Because, while Bush and Kerry are both wrong on Iraq, Sharon, NAFTA, the WTO, open borders, affirmative action, amnesty, free trade, foreign aid, and Big Government, Bush is right on taxes, judges, sovereignty, and values. Kerry is right on nothing.

The only compelling argument for endorsing Kerry is to punish Bush for Iraq. But why should Kerry be rewarded? He voted to hand Bush a blank check for war. Though he calls Iraq a “colossal” error, “the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he has said he would—even had he known Saddam had no role in 9/11 and no WMD—vote the same way today. This is the Richard Perle position.

Assuredly, a president who plunged us into an unnecessary and ruinous war must be held accountable. And if Bush loses, Iraq will have been his undoing. But a vote for Kerry is more than just a vote to punish Bush. It is a vote to punish America.

For Kerry is a man who came home from Vietnam to slime the soldiers, sailors, Marines, and POWs he left behind as war criminals who engaged in serial atrocities with the full knowledge of their superior officers. His conduct was as treasonous as that of Jane Fonda and disqualifies him from ever being commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the United States.

As senator, he voted to undermine the policy of Ronald Reagan that brought us victory in the Cold War. He has voted against almost every weapon in the U.S. arsenal. Though a Catholic who professes to believe life begins at conception, he backs abortion on demand. He has opposed the conservative judges Bush has named to the U.S. appellate courts. His plans for national health insurance and new spending would bankrupt America. He would raise taxes. He is a globalist and a multilateralist who would sign us on to the Kyoto Protocol and International Criminal Court. His stands on Iraq are about as coherent as a self-portrait by Jackson Pollock.

With Kerry as president, William Rehnquist could be succeeded as chief justice by Hillary Clinton. Every associate justice Kerry named would be cut from the same bolt of cloth as Warren, Brennan, Douglas, Blackmun, and Ginsburg. Should Kerry win, the courts will remain a battering ram of social revolution and the conservative drive in Congress to restrict the jurisdiction of all federal courts, including the Supreme Court, will die an early death.

I cannot endorse the candidate of Michael Moore, George Soros, and Barbra Streisand, nor endorse a course of action that would put this political windsurfer into the presidency, no matter how deep our disagreement with the fiscal, foreign, immigration, and trade policies of George W. Bush.

As Barry Goldwater said in 1960, in urging conservatives to set aside their grievances and unite behind the establishment party of Eisenhower, Rockefeller, and Lodge, the Republican Party is our home. It is our only hope. If an authentic conservatism rooted in the values of faith, family, community, and country is ever again to become the guiding light of national policy, it will have to come through a Republican administration.

The Democratic Party of Kerry, Edwards, Clinton & Clinton is a lost cause: secularist, socialist, and statist to the core. What of the third-party candidates? While Ralph Nader is a man of principle and political courage, he is of the populist Left. We are of the Right.

The Constitution Party is the party closest to this magazine in philosophy and policy prescriptions, and while one must respect votes for Michael Peroutka by those who live in Red or Blue states, we cannot counsel such votes in battleground states.

For this election has come down to Bush or Kerry, and on life, guns, judges, taxes, sovereignty, and defense, Bush is far better. Moreover, inside the Republican Party, a rebellion is stirring. Tom Tancredo is leading the battle for defense of our borders. While only a handful of Republicans stood with us against the war in Iraq, many now concede that we were right. As Franklin Foer writes in the New York Times, our America First foreign policy is now being given a second look by a conservative movement disillusioned with neoconservative warmongering and Wilsonian interventionism.

There is a rumbling of dissent inside the GOP to the free-trade fanaticism of the Wall Street Journal that is denuding the nation of manufacturing and alienating Reagan Democrats. The celebrants of outsourcing in the White House have gone into cloister. The Bush amnesty for illegal aliens has been rejected. Prodigal Republicans now understand that their cohabitation with Big Government has brought their country to the brink of ruin and bought them nothing. But if we wish to be involved in the struggle for the soul of the GOP—and we intend to be there—we cannot be AWOL from the battle where the fate of that party is decided.

There is another reason Bush must win. The liberal establishment that marched us into Vietnam evaded punishment for its loss of nerve and failure of will to win—by dumping LBJ, defecting to the children’s crusade to “give peace a chance,” then sabotaging Nixon every step of the way out of Vietnam until they broke his presidency in Watergate. Ensuring America’s defeat, they covered their tracks by denouncing their own war as “Nixon’s War.”

If Kerry wins, leading a party that detests this war, he will be forced to execute an early withdrawal. Should that bring about a debacle, neocons will indict Democrats for losing Iraq. The cakewalk crowd cannot be permitted to get out from under this disaster that easily. They steered Bush into this war and should be made to see it through to the end and to preside over the withdrawal or retreat. Only thus can they be held accountable. Only thus can this neo-Jacobin ideology be discredited in America’s eyes. It is essential for the country and our cause that it be repudiated by the Republican Party formally and finally. The neocons must clean up the mess they have made, themselves, in full public view.

There is a final reason I support George W. Bush. A presidential election is a Hatfield-McCoy thing, a tribal affair. No matter the quarrels inside the family, when the shooting starts, you come home to your own. When the Redcoats approached New Orleans to sunder the Union and Jackson was stacking cotton bales and calling for help from any quarter, the pirate Lafitte wrote to the governor of Louisiana to ask permission to fight alongside his old countrymen. “The Black Sheep wants to come home,” Lafitte pleaded.

It’s time to come home.