We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2007 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:47:54 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2008 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite. You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place... ******************************** Don't miss the Valour-IT News Roundup. Look who's making promises. (h/t Trias, in comments). Wonder if all that aid dangling in front of him had anything to do with it... Closer to home, that evil computer corporation (just kidding, Bill; we love you!) has enough sense to recognize a hero among us. And it's someone... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html Thu, 08 Nov 2007 23:59:37 -0600 Thanx, C@A, that would make a bit of a difference. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66479 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66479 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 09:44:31 -0600 @ emdfl, I did the same thing after reading accounts of the Town Hall meeting in D.C. and couldn't find him either. The problem was that almost all the initial reports were spelling his name with two T's instead of two D's. That's why I (and probably your friend) couldnt' find him. He's there. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66467 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66467 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:48:22 -0600 I had unofficial info that Mr. Croddy may actually be a "retired" member of the community who is still part of the union. Still, he got a round of applause from the larger group which means the overall issue is still valid. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66463 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66463 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:00:10 -0600 Just to throw another log on the fire, a friend told me that when he checked the listings in the directory of State Department employees, the name of the person at that meeting who stood up and complained about dying in Iraq doesn't seem to be there. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66461 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66461 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:58:16 -0600 still got the 53%...]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66456 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66456 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:25:18 -0600 And Cliff linked to a three month old poll that was taken right in the middle of the hottest fighting to route AQ and the "rogue" mahdi militias. Go figure. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66455 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66455 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:17:34 -0600 Kat - good answer! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66454 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66454 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:52:39 -0600 Cliff...you keep living in your world, I'll live in he real one. Iraq is ending for a variety of reasons. Al Qaeda is focusing its efforts and funneling foreign fighters more and more into Pakistan and Afghanistan. They lost the people. They are trying to shift focus where they think we are most vulnerable. I expect we will see troop increases in Afghanistan after the first of the year and a decrease in Iraq. Sadr is being marginalized, that's why he made a political deal with SCIRI. The Iranians got pressured by their internal politics post Putin's visit to back off supplying the Shi'ites with EID materials and arms. Though, I don't suppose they have totally ended that or stopped sending them money as they want some influence. As far as the polls go in Iraq and the number of people that want us to leave eventually, that hasn't changed. Our desire to leave hasn't changed either. What Iraq looks like politically may not be the prettiest cake anyone has ever made, but it exists as a democracy still. Unsteady and still in need of lots of overview. That's why we need state to step up. I believe that we will see a different Iraq in the next elections since grass root politics are changing. The Turks are making statements about invading because they want Iraq to take them seriously about the PKK which it has and is moving against them. They know this is a precipitous moment to clear up one of their own internal problems. There is much more, but Iraq is not ending as a defeat nor as a total disaster. But, it is ending and it is ending as a democracy. I am not sure what you think it should look like. I don't if you think that if there was war there then no matter what it looks like it was wrong. That's your prerogative, but it doesn't change the facts. I suppose next spring, when it is almost completely pacified with barely a casualty among coalition, Iraqi security or citizens, you'll still be looking for the lead lining. Whatever floats your boat. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66452 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66452 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:17:58 -0600 Kat - That link for the FSO story goes to a username/password page... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66449 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66449 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 14:45:49 -0600 53%! That is an exact quote from the article you linked, just as I copied and pasted it above. So I'll ask you, again: Is 53% statistically insignificant? It's a simple question really. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66448 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66448 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 14:17:23 -0600 According to my exact words, I"the number of Iraqis that want us to stay (OldLoadr) is statistically insignificant." "Just keep in mind when it comes to polls: There are liars, damn liars and then there" those that use semantics. Perhaps you should read the actual survey. Among oher interesting results, the Iraqis have more confidence in the Iraq Army than the US. So Oldloadr, perhaps you will tell us all, how many Iraqis want us to STAY! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66447 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66447 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:54:52 -0600 The number of people wanting coalition forces to leave immediately rose since February's poll but more than half - 53% - still said they should stay until security improved. So 53% is statistically insignificant? I bet you'd be surprised to know that one of your heroes (V.I. Lenin) said that if he had 33% he could win a revolution. The coalition has 53% from the BBC (not exactly a right leaning organization). Just keep in mind when it comes to polls: There are liars, damn liars and then there are statisticians. ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66440 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66440 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:37:30 -0600 Iraq is deteriorating and the number of Iraqis that want us to stay (OldLoadr) is statistically insignificant. I must also reluctantly remind you US death toll this year will be a new high. Sorry Carry on]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66438 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66438 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:01:45 -0600 Amen to Bill's comment on the number of "homeless vets". They may count "self declared" vets, but I bet 90% are not vets at all, just wannbe panhandlers or mentally ill. Thanks for posting the Salzman update. A truly wonderful and inspiring couple, who have made real sacrifices for our country. Where do we find such people, and how can we thank them enough? I only wish that we had people like that sitting in Congress instead of the pompous, ignorant crapweasels that are there now. JR for Congress! Well done also to Patti Patton Baden, and thanks for bringing that happy news to our attention as well. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66437 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66437 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:24:53 -0600 ...a recent report indicates that, while over all homelessness is down across the country, veterans still represent 25% (1/4) of homeless... I'd take that stat with a shovelful of salt, if I were you. I've seen studies that said over half a million street people were Viet Vets -- which would mean *50%* of those of us who are still around are homeless. Considering the number of wannabes out there outnumber real vets almost ten-to-one, my guess is that at least 75% of the homeless claiming to be vets -- of any war -- *aren't*... ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66436 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_8_nov.html#comment-66436 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:17:57 -0600