From 9News:Sure, he stuttered on occasion. He said strange things from time to time. But Rick Duncan was passionate about veterans in the state of Colorado. He told anyone who wanted to listen that he had served in Iraq on three occasions. That gave him an unofficial license to talk to journalists, politicians, and civilians about the war. So, many people simply ate it all up. The only problem was that Duncan wasn't actually a Marine, a Naval Academy graduate, or a wounded Iraq War Veteran, according to those who have looked into his background. His name, according to the Denver Sheriff's Department, isn't even Rick Duncan. It's Rick Strandlof, and as of Thursday afternoon, Strandlof remained inside a Denver County Jail cell. He … [Read more...]
Victory in Iraq
I'm late in getting to it, but now is a good time to acknowledge November 22, 2008, as Victory in Iraq Day. Zombie has details. It has been a long, hard slog over there, and we owe the men and women who served there more than we can repay. Those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq most certainly have not died in vain. Victory In Iraq: The Obamamedia may not notice for many, many weeks. … [Read more...]
What I’m Thankful for #5: The Sacrifices of Our Nation’s Many Heroes
This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. This was the logical choice for a deep expression of gratitude on Veterans' Day. It's a good time to recognize the millions who have worn the uniform, who have served in peacetime or war to defend our nation. God has given us liberty, but it is the brave members of our military who have fought to preserve … [Read more...]
Michael Yon’s Words Deserve Attention
Mr. Bob points the way to a stellar Wall Street Journal column penned by Michael Yon, who has earned the utmost credibility in Iraq by virtue of spending more time following the action in person than probably any other independent observer. So when he writes:I have seen this war – and our part in it – at its brutal worst. And I say the transformation over the last 14 months is little short of miraculous. The change goes far beyond the statistical decline in casualties or incidents of violence. A young Iraqi translator, wounded in battle and fearing death, asked an American commander to bury his heart in America. Iraqi special forces units took to the streets to track down terrorists who killed American soldiers. The U.S. military is … [Read more...]
Hats Off to Night Twister: Time for Democrats in Congress to Cut & Run
A Colorado blogger with whom I have only recently become familiar - Randy Ketner, aka the Night Twister - has put together a post you must read. He hit the nail on the head with ironic precision, comparing the Congressional Democrats' complaints about the lack of political progress in Iraq with their own lack of progress in meeting legislative benchmarks. You need to read the whole thing, but here's a clip to whet your appetite:Well, there you have it. A fair comparison of the legislative progress by the Iraqi and our own Legislatures. Here’s the scorecard: U.S. Congress: 0 completed, 1 partially completed, 6 not completed. Iraqi Government: 4 completed, 2 partially completed, 1 not completed. It should be noted that for the … [Read more...]
Support General Petraeus
Texas Congressman Michael Conaway, member of the House Armed Services Committee, has a great online petition you can sign as a way to respond to the Left-wing anti-military smears General David Petraeus has endured:In response to these attacks, I would like to present the General with a petition that includes signatures and comments from citizens who support both our efforts in Iraq and the men and women in uniform who are currently making such immense sacrifices for victory. We must show solidarity behind our heroic military and make our voices of hope and support louder and stronger than those of the radical anti-war groups. We must illustrate that the efforts of the military in this successful surge have not gone unnoticed. We must … [Read more...]
Putting Iraq in Perspective
Today's lead editorial in the Wall Street Journal puts our five-year-long war in Iraq in perspective - surveying where we've come from, where we are today, and what the near future portends. The editorial, which deserves perusal from beginning to end, concludes:In our March 18, 2003 editorial on the eve of Iraq's liberation, we supported the war while noting that "toppling Saddam is a long-term undertaking" and "the U.S. has never been good at nation-building." We wish we had been wrong on both counts, but our view has always been that nations shouldn't begin wars they don't intend to win. And newspapers don't endorse wars only to walk away when the fighting gets difficult. The U.S. sacrifice in Iraq has been honorable, our soldiers have … [Read more...]
Mr. Bob and Michael Yon: Last Major Iraq Battle?
Mr. Bob (via the amazing Michael Yon) points us to "The Last Major Battle in Iraq?" It is to my discredit that I don't keep up with events in the Middle East as well as I should. With the success of the "Surge" strategy, events in Iraq largely have fallen off the MSM radar and out of the Presidential campaign debate. But it was interesting to read this news today. After you check out this post, remember also to stop by the Victory Caucus website, which is loaded with tons of information and commentary. … [Read more...]
Blackfive: Polis Trip to Iraq “Showboating”
Two weeks ago I wrote about Congressional candidate Jared Polis' impending visit to Iraq: Look, Polis’ trip to Iraq may turn out to be all for show. But then again he may be genuine, in which case I hope he takes time to meet with some of our enlisted troops, our young officers, as well as local Iraqi leaders and tribal chiefs. Was the trip all for show? Blackfive has the answer: So, here's Mr. Richie Rich, scratching for Congress, looking for an 'in', and decides to fund a trip to Iraq; see the natives, bash the Bush, just to say 'been there, seen that'. Unfortunately, about all HE saw was the inside of a hotel and the view from a car window. So, he's ready to be ambassador, now? So why do I care about this? Because I … [Read more...]
Polis Trip to Iraq Could Spice Up CD-2 Primary
Liberal Democrat and Colorado Congressional candidate Jared Polis, with whom I frequently disagree on this blog, is to be commended for deciding to take a look at what's going on in Iraq himself:Polis, former chairman of the state education board, is leaving today to spend a week with relief agencies, Iraqi civilians and two deployed Colorado lawmakers. Polis said the point of the trip is to "get a broader picture of what's going on" in Iraq, not "hold a large turkey for photo ops." Contrast Polis' apparent open-minded with the self-blinding attitude of his chief Democrat primary opponent, who typify the Left's talking points that dominate with their party in Congress:Fitz-Gerald's campaign said the trip isn't necessary. "The facts … [Read more...]