18
POPSIf McCain were best person to lead country now We've Had Two Victories in Iraq (0.00 / 0) "Mission Accomplished" Apparently not enough to bring the troops home! "The Surge Worked" And still not enough to bring the troops home, but instead have more serving in theater than before 'the surge'! What's the next catch phrase??
7
POPSSoldier in Iraq Kills Squad Leader and Fellow Team Leader The soldier--a team leader whose name hasn't been released yet--had apparently been in a meeting with his squad leader and the other team leader about his performance. When the AP says the shooter was then "subdued by other troops," my hope is that this included multiple buttstrokes. Comments; Dawson and Durbin were remembered at (4.00 / 1) http://www.dailykos.com/tags/I... The worst of all combat deaths. A special prayer for all those who must suck it up and soldier on and their families. along with Spc Marques Knight SFC Daniel Sexton CWO Michael Slebodnik at least one of those non-hostile unspecified (4.00 / 1) was a 19 yr old at Taji who shot himself in front of his 19 yr old wife via web cam. His death was like a punch in the gut... wooden, or other? (4.00 / 1) rifle butts, I hope. I would imagine no small involvement ofPTSD made this guy snap
2
POPSChinook Goes Down in Iraq Comments from troops; I read that the Chinook had a hard landing... (0.00 / 0) but that doesn't mean that it wasn't taking/evading fire. If any of you are so inclined, please pray for the pilots and passengers and their families. Make wars unprofitable and you make them impossible. ~A. Philip Randolph maintenance. (4.00 / 1) Was this a maintenance issue? We already know that the troops and equipment are stretched too thin. Last read I had was "mechanical failure"... (0.00 / 0) maybe read it a icasualties. Helos and Sand. (4.00 / 1) Not a good combo. And to overuse them in a sandy enviornment is not good either. Drought has added to the 'usual' problems... (0.00 / 0) dust, haze, and sand storms. I just got word that the official word (0.00 / 0) is mechanical failure. Of course it could be a while for the safety officer and tactical ops officer to investigate and pin down exactly what the malfunction was...
3
POPSNew CBS/NYT Polls Asks about Iraq More comments from troops; What I can't believe (0.00 / 0) is that ONLY 53 percent now realize that Iraq has nothing to do with the "GWOT." That's pretty depressing actually. After everything we know now, you would expect that percentage to be closer to 80, at least--well, I would...
1
POPSMaliki Blames Bremer; and the Larger Story continued; "The Iraqi administration and all government offices are suffering the consequences of Paul Bremer's mistakes," he said. Following the 2003 war on Iraq, Bremer served as the head of the Coalition Provisional Authority and exercised power over the civil administration. He is widely criticized over the insurgency in Iraq that has partly resulted from his reportedly unilateral decision to formally dissolve the Iraqi army in May 2003. The comments by al-Maliki came after Time magazine reported that Bremer had embezzled $9 billion of the oil-rich country's reconstruction budget.
9
POPSNutjob Chuck Norris Says He's Done Two Tours in Iraq Guys like Chuck Norris are more despised by the troops than any other type of person. It's because posers like Norris try to claim something they haven't earned. He attempts to browbeat others into believing that they don't "understand" combat the way he does, because he's "been there." He thinks he speaks for the troops. But Norris has never "been there," and he will never go there.
2
POPSU.S. Commanding General in Afghanistan: We Need More Troops More from this story; Saying that we need more troops in Afghanistan, but we cannot do this without redeploying a significant amount of troops from Iraq isn't news to anyone who reads/writes national security blogs. We've been discussing this for months if not years. Recently, it's become an increasing part of the public debate. This is mostly due to Afghanistan being more dangerous for U.S. troops than Iraq was at the most violent part of the war. As Brandon tells us, this isn't mere hyperbole. It's a statistical fact:
7
POPSAP Doing Everything Except Actually Physically Handing Track Palin Over to Insurgents So let's analyze this now. Let's say I'm an insurgent and I want to take out the potential Vice President's son. I now know where to look for him. I know what unit he's in down to the company level. I know how to identify that unit (because I know how to use "the Google"). If I don't find him immediately, I know how long he'll be in the country--which guides my sense of urgency. And, of course, I know what he looks like. The worst thing about this is the added danger in which the entire unit is now placed. The men of the unit now face a more precarious situation because there is the potential that the unit will be specifically targeted. I know everyone in the media is giddy over this deal, but those covering the story need to shut their pieholes. That goes for Governor Palin, too--who should probably now be prohibited from holding a security clearance if--God forbid--she gets elected.
3
POPSMcCain v Obama; Iraq Policy I can see if Obama were to become president, he would quite likely acquiesce to Iraq's original demands of a full withdrawal by 2010. But if McCain were to be elected, I don't see how he would convince the Iraqi government to allow us to stay beyond 2011.
3
POPSIs the McCain-Palin Campaign Violating Operational Security?
And while not illegal, if she really did believe that's when he's deploying to Iraq, then she didn't know enough to keep quiet about that to keep from violating OPSEC - something a potential Commander in Chief should know. But, more disturbing, and definitely in violation of security, are an explosion of stories that say specifically where in Iraq Track is deploying to, which have been dutifully eaten up by right wing websites, and reprinted. I will not reprint it here, because I would only be compounding the issue. But, unfortunately, it is very easy to find on the web at this point. It is simply impossible that any reporter could figure this out on their own. Just by knowing Track's name and the date he is heading to Kuwait, one could not figure out specifically where Track and his company would be going in Iraq. There's a reason it's impossible to figure that out - because the military doesn't want that information out there.
3
POPS10 Weeks of Hell: Afghanistan Death Rate Exceeding Highest of Iraq War in an ambush, with four of them being captured and subsequently executed. Around the same time, Afghan insurgents launched a coordinated attack on a major U.S. base. The fatality rate in Afghanistan during the past 10 weeks would be equivalent to 353 deaths in Iraq at the same time--a rate not even seen during the bloody crescendo of 2007. This is a crisis.
4
POPSMcCain Doesn't Disagree that We Might Need a Draft Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org said, "At least Senator McCain is being honest. A vote for him is a vote for the draft. Period. Unless Senator McCain radically changes his worldview, there would be a draft to implement his plans." Soltz added, "When you take into account his indefinite military commitment to Iraq, his desire to send more troops to Afghanistan, record lows in recruiting and retention, and possibly more wars he is looking to get into, like "Bomb Bomb Bomb" Iran, his numbers don't add up without a draft. Whether America likes it or not isn't relevant - a draft is the only way to do everything Senator McCain wants to do. I give him points for being honest and upfront, though, that we're going to need a draft if he is elected." This isn't the first time that Senator McCain has hinted at a reinstitution of the draft if he is elected. Asked on September 29, 2007 in New Hampshire about the draft, McCain said he would "consider it."
3
POPSMcCain: 9/11, Afghanistan, Iraq not International Crises Perhaps this is why McCain's ideas on national security are so terrible. Forget about Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden and REAL Al-Qaeda. That isn't a major conflict. Let's not dwell too much on figuring out this Iraq problem. It isn't an international crisis. And maybe he was just having a "senior moment" and completely forgot about the Gulf War, apartheid, and genocide in Darfur, Rwanda and the Balkans. If you are reading this and are currently deployed or about to deploy, which at the current OPTEMPO should include anyone who is active duty, keep that chin up. Its not like this is a crisis or anything. And if you're a loved one of someone who made the ultimate sacrifice, remember that Senator McCain seems to think that your loved one died for something so trivial that it doesn't even break the "crisis" threshold.
3
POPSJohn McCain is in New Jersey Today. Half of NJ's National Guard Isn't When John McCain is in New Jersey today, we urge him to address the thousands of families that have been affected by this deployment and describe the relief he would provide them as President. In addition, VFA had been repeatedly contacted by NJ Guard members and other servicemembers from New Jersey who want to know Senator McCain's position on compensating members of our armed forces who have been stop-lossed. Recently, Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey introduced a bill calling for compensation to provided to those who affected by this regrettable policy. VFA calls on Senator McCain to clearly state if he supports Senator Lautenberg's "Stop Loss Compensation Act." Our servicemembers deserve answers, especially after considerable questions were raised regarding Senator McCain's support for our troops' well being when he opposed the successful effort to expand the GI Bill, as called for in a bill that Senator Lautenberg also co-sponsored.
5
POPSThe Iraq Chicken Has Come Home to Roost From the story; Churkin (Russia): ". . . The statement made by Ambassador Khalilzad with regard to terror against the civilian population is absolutely unacceptable, particularly from the lips of the Permanent Representative of a country whose actions we are aware of, including with regard to civilian populations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Serbia. So if indeed we would like to find a military solution to this conflict, then let us try to find serious political solutions, and not indulge in propaganda, even if perhaps some politicians would like that. Whatever your policy might be, please do not undertake to engage in propaganda activities in the Security Council. . ." (p. 8) Khalilzad: ". . .I am taking the floor to respond to what Ambassador Churkin said in his earlier statement. We heard Ambassador Churkin's polemics, which did not respond to the call we have made for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to the status quo ante. He has acknowledged his Government's r
10
POPSDisabled Vets Shun McCain in Las Vegas Still obsessing over the privatization of the VA for some reason, John McCain is poised to lose the veterans' vote for good. In fact, in response to his Saturday speech to the DAV, Iraq War veteran and double-amputee Tammy Duckworth had this to say about McCain's proposals: "John McCain has said that improving veterans' health care would be his top domestic priority as President, yet he has repeatedly voted against increased funding for veterans health care. And now he offers up an plastic card option that will lead to privatization of veterans health care. No one knows how to help and heal veterans like veterans -- had I ended up in a regular hospital after returning from Iraq, I would lost my arm. McCain's plan will only hurt the VA and our veterans more than they are already hurting."
4
POPSBait and Switch Something is wrong if news like this doesn't anger you. The President has "reduced" tours in Iraq. Never mind that he will not be the President when the time comes to determine whether the situation on the ground allows for redeployment. All the while, the situation in Afghanistan is rapidly deteriorating. Deployment timelines are being pushed to the right repeatedly, much as we saw during the crescendo of violence in Iraq. The sole solution presented is one that the Administration and its endorsed candidate have fought against tooth and nail: redeployment of a significant number of troops from the waste of time, money and American lives that is the occupation of Iraq.
1
POPSU.S. Military Frees 10,000 Detainees in Iraq Detainees are sometimes released for political purposes. For instance, the recent amnesty law which released thousands of suspected insurgents in an effort to bring certain Sunni groups back into the government. They are also released when it is determined they held no intelligence value, or posed no threat. In Iraq, the average time of detention is just under one year. Of those now in detention, 12 are women, more than 300 are juveniles, 200 are third country nationals and about 200 are over the age of 60, the US military statement said.
4
POPSThe Ironic Destruction Of Our National Guard Under President "Do Not Volunteer For Overseas Of all the statistics and stories I have read on this issue, many from the work I do with Veterans For America, one sticks out. This fall, half of New Jersey's National Guard will be in Iraq, half. What happens if there is another attack this fall at the end of the election cycle and half of New Jersey's National Guard is gone? What happens if a hurricane strikes the Jersey Shore? What happens if the National Guard is needed and they simply aren't there? Other issues with Iraq get more attention, but the silent destruction of our National Guard and the impact of this administration's policies on the future of the guard are often over-looked. As this administration breaks with long-standing Guard policy, like the fact that the Guard used to give five times as much time at home as deployed, morale and enrollment in the Guard will surely decline.
1
POPSDoD Can't Find Troops for Afghanistan; Institutes Catch-22 as Official TACSOP WASHINGTON, July 29, 2008 - Defense Department planners continue to look for capabilities to send to Afghanistan, a senior Pentagon spokesman said today. ... ?Efforts to identify additional assets for Afghanistan continue, Morrell said. "Progress is being made toward that end, but I don't have anything definitive to stand here before you today and relay," he said.
3
POPSIranian Trade With Iraq But since Saddam's ouster, there has been deluge of Iranian goods into the country, particularly in the strip from Baghdad to Basra, said anthropologist Hosham Dawod from the French national center for scientific research. "Some sources quote figures such as $8 billion," for the value of Iranian imports in 2008, he said, but added there were no official figures on import levels. 'Iranian products are not truly political tools' - shoppers in the Shiite district of Kadhimiyya in northwest Baghdad snatch up not only Iranian-made cookers, fridges, air conditioning units and generators, but also toys, rugs and medicines.
2
POPSVoteVets Responds to Iraqi Calls for Timetable or Withdrawal Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chair of VoteVets.org said: "It is wholly inappropriate for Vets for Freedom to be running an advertisement that advocates staying in Iraq indefinitely, given Prime Minister Maliki's request this week that the U.S. set a firm timetable to redeploy our troops. Our nation must stand firm and in lockstep to support the sovereign democratic government of Iraq, and unfortunately an ad like this only tells the Iraqis that our nation is divided on whether to support Iraq's government. "We agree with John McCain of 2004, who said that if the Iraqis asked us to leave or set a timetable to leave, we would do so. It's unfortunate, and indeed dangerous, that Senator McCain has flip-flopped on that position, and disappointing that Vets for Freedom would support that flip-flop from a sensible policy with an ad like this.
4
POPSSo Much For Those Permanent Bases "The direction we are taking is to have a memorandum of understanding either for the departure of the forces or to have a timetable for their withdrawal," a statement from Maliki's office quoted him as telling Arab ambassadors to the United Arab Emirates. "The negotiations are still continuing with the American side, but in any case the basis for the agreement will be respect for the sovereignty of Iraq," he added. As I have mentioned before, most Iraqis view the SOFA with the US as an encroachment on their sovereignty. It was the first time that the Shiite prime minister had specifically demanded a timetable for a US withdrawal, something that President George W. Bush has repeatedly refused to set. Bush and Maliki agreed in principle last November to sign a Status of Forces Agreement in Iraq by the end of July to set the basis for a US troop presence beyond December this year when the UN mandate runs out.
5
POPSMcCain's Surge in Iraq Crippling Efforts in Afghanistan The death rate for American troops in Afghanistan last month was four times that of Iraq. The last two months have been the deadliest of the war for U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan since 2001. And today, Afghanistan sustained the deadliest single terrorist attack since 9/11 when suspected Taliban militants blew up the Indian embassy in Kabul. This is directly attributable to negligent policies set forth by the Bush administration--an administration dangerously obsessed with Iraq at the expense of the Real Global War on Terror. When many were urging the U.S. to focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan in early 2007, the Bush administration--with the support of Senator John McCain--launched the "surge" of troops into Baghdad. Unfortunately, Iraq is not, as John McCain says, the "central front" in the War on Terror--and it never has been. If there is such a thing, it is in Afghanistan and Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
5
POPSMore Delays With Iraq SOFA A majority of the Iraqi parliament wrote to the US congress last week rejecting a long-term security deal with Washington if it is not linked to a requirement that US forces leave. "The majority of Iraqi representatives strongly reject any military-security, economic, commercial, agricultural, investment or political agreement with the United States that is not linked to clear mechanisms that obligate the occupying American military forces to fully withdraw from Iraq," the letter to the leaders of Congress said. A majority of the Iraqi population does not want a long term military presence in Iraq, and Iraqi politicians are mindful of this as election time nears. At the same tine, the US is also approaching elections, and the war in Iraq is extremely unpopular among the majority of the American people.
3
POPSEquipment or Troops? Pick One In other words, we either get troops or equipment. We don't get both. At a time when we are fighting a global war on terror on multiple fronts, with the bulk of our military tied up in Iraq, we are looking at possible troop cuts. The military is scrambling to re-equip because the Pentagon failed to plan for the long and expensive war in Iraq, said Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., who chairs the House panel that oversees military spending. That failure, Murtha said, makes the Pentagon's plan to add 92,000 new soldiers and Marines unrealistic. Although new troops would help reduce repeated, lengthy deployments, there are other more pressing demands, Murtha said
Newest Clips
see Newest Clips
4
Latest Pops
Latest Comments
Most Pops
Tags
Print
Save
Turn on live update