BlackFive

Via Instapundit, here's a link to JustOneMinute...where Atrios is outed - it's not just his name that is revealed but his place of employment.

And folks are starting to bounce what Atrios and Oliver Willis are writing on their blogs versus what they are writing professionally - and *feigned surprise*, oh my gosh, they are virtually the same!

Is that an Ethics issue? Or just slimy to push your work from your blog? It's not like Chris Matthew's "blog" or Bill O'Reilly's "blog".

What if you found out that I worked for a PR agency hired by Rumsfeld and never mentioned it on my psuedonymous blog?

I've written a bit about the friends I've made while I was in the military. In fact, my pal, Onion, is getting married soon and I'm a groomsman. I've known him since 1986. Buddha, I've known since 1990. Captain Barnes since 1997. Those are just a few.

Soon, you'll be hearing from me (again) about Chief Steve's adventures in Iraq (Steve was my First Sergeant when I was a Commander).

So, Jarhead Fred writes, "We hear about your 'band of brothers', Matt. You even wrote to that kid in Seattle and said you were a part of his band. So what about Kerry? Why did he only have Veteran support when he started running for president? Why did he only connect with his fellow swift boat sailors when he began his push for the White House? Because he didn't need them then, but he needs them now to prove he was a hero. That's pretty goddamn callous..."

JF got me thinking about this. He didn't mention the Winter Soldier Hearings which might be one reason why Kerry didn't have many friends from the military. If I accused all of my Gulf War comrades of war crimes, I doubt that they want to be grilling hamburgers and drinking beer with me in my backyard. Then again, it's not like you hear about the Daily Kos's Army buddies from when he was in the 3rd Infantry Division. Maybe it's the politics.

Maybe I stayed in touch with my friends because of the length of time I spent in the military. The units that I was a member of were always made up of a tightly knit group of soldiers. I didn't always like every one single of them, but there were a few that I always connected with.

Part of it's my personality. I have a lot of close friends. I don't hang out very much with those I consider acquaintences. My rule is if I can trust you to pick me up at the airport at 2am in the morning on thirty minutes notice, you're a real friend. Period.

Kerry was only in the Navy for four years or so? And he spent only months in his assignments. So, maybe there wasn't time for ties to be made?

I'm sure that some of you vets did not maintain contact with your military friends once your tour was up.

Then, again, maybe John Kerry didn't stay in touch because he isn't the type to maintain relationships...that is, unless you are a woman with a half billion in the bank. Sorry, couldn't help the rich wife joke...

But, seriously, does anyone know of John Kerry maintaining friendships with his band of brothers prior to 2003? Maybe he did...

John Hawkins of Right Wing News asked 175 Right-Of-Center Bloggers to name their top 20 list of History's Greatest Impact Players - meaning a list of the people that we believe had the biggest impact, positive or negative, on the history of mankind.

Check out John's compiled list.

My list that I submitted is in the extended section.

"When we send our young men and women into harm's way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they're going," said Obama. "... And to never, ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace and earn the respect of the world."

Uh, Mister Obama, you're blaming the wrong party. "Without enough troops to win the war"...hhmmm...when you think of troop reductions and cutting DOD spending, who do you think of? Um, I don't know, um, John Kerry?! The guy voted against more DOD programs, pay increases, troop level increases, than any other Senator.

Crikees! The Democrats are trying to Out-Republican the Republicans.

Best Line of the Night: Fox News' Chris Wallace on Teresa (Te-reh-za) Heinz Kerry "...I was waiting for her to break out into "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina". Heh. (channeling Instapundit)

I also noticed that the crowd went crazy for Howard Dean. Absolutely nuts for Dean. Maybe, it's not such a close race after all.

Kennedy was really terrible. Obama was brilliant - he's the best snake oil saleman I've ever seen. Better than Bill Clinton.

I just watched Ben Afflect on MSNBC's Hardball say that parts of Fahrenheit 9/11 were "specious". That's surprising coming from a staunch Democrat (he's sounds centrist, though).

Greyhawk has a great post about a soldier's reaction to Michael Moore's use of his statement in F911. The soldier is concerned about the affect of F911 on the troops which is something that is being blogged about all over including here.

I believe that Moore, not Ashcroft, will go down in history as the McCarthy of our age.

If you wanted just one indicator of how bad things might be, it's usually grim when a country rejects UN offers of intervention to save lives.

Sudan rejects foreign intervention Tuesday, July 27, 2004 Posted: 1515 GMT (2315 HKT) KHARTOUM, Sudan -- Sudan's Cabinet has condemned the idea of international troops intervening in the troubled Darfur region, saying the country could solve its own problems...

Right now, aid groups are pegging the number of refugees at 2.2 MILLION. The African Union, the European Union, the United Nations and other countries like the U.S. have been rebuffed for attempting to stop the calculated starvation and murder of millions. The only non-military recourse these groups have is sanctions. Sanctions won't save those starving people. In fact, sanctions may make their plight worse.

The military can save those people by providing protection for the aid groups, the medical personnel and the refugees.

Obviously, Michael Moore can't tell the difference between a patriot or hero and a terrorist - especially when he wrote, "The Iraqis who have risen up against the occupation are not 'insurgents' or 'terrorists' or 'The Enemy.' They are the REVOLUTION, the Minutemen, and their numbers will grow--and they will win.". Below is the story (sent by Jarhead Dad) of two Iraqi patriots, and, in my opinion, the story is a real indicator of the great possibilities of a free Iraq. Two Iraqi soldiers gave their lives to save a crowd of 250 of their fellow citizens. Somebody send this story to Michael Moore and Ted Rall.

Iraqi soldiers' sacrifice in Marine zone saves lives of 250
Story by Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes

IRAQI NATIONAL GUARD COMPOUND MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq (July 20, 2004) -- The quick reaction of two Iraqi National Guard soldiers cost them their own lives, but saved those of 250 recently.

"The people who did this are against the advancement of Iraq. They are only trying to start violence and cause a nuisance," said Sgt. Ali Al-Hamdani, a spokesman for the Mahmudiyah ING. "These soldiers were very good at their duties. Their sacrifice is necessary for the security of Iraq."

More than 250 Iraqi men had gathered outside the front gates of the compound here during the morning of July 17. Many were interested in joining the newly formed Iraqi National Guard and working to rebuild their country. One terrorist saw this as the best time to strike.

A taxi approached the front gates at 7:45 a.m., according to witnesses. One of the Iraqi soldiers on duty at the gate that morning was Adil Abed, a young man who was planning to be married next week. He would never see his ceremony or his bride-to-be again.

Abed attempted to stop the suspicious taxi. When the driver failed to respond, Abed fired his AK-47 and the driver returned fire with a pistol, hitting Abed.

The soldier's comrade Sadaam Obeeid rushed forward to help his friend when the taxi, packed with explosives, detonated. The blast sent shrapnel and debris a hundred meters in every direction killing the two soldiers, the driver and injuring many of the civilians standing near the gate. The engine block of the taxi landed 80 meters away from the blast. It landed on top of a parked car.

When the confusion caused by the attack died down, the soldiers took time to reflect on what they'd lost a few days later.

"We are very sad. They were our friends and now we've lost them. They were good men," said Deputy Sgt. Thaid Hadiph, an ING soldier from Mahmudiyah. "The sacrifice they made for Iraq will not be forgotten."

The Iraqi solders' actions weren't surprising for the Marines dedicated to training them to take a greater role in security and rooting out terrorism. Lt. Col. Rick Jackson is a 46-year-old from Allendale, N.J. Marine serving as the deputy director of Iraqi Security Forces for 1st Marine Division. He said the actions, while tragic, are telling of the dedication of Iraqis sworn to protect their nation....

The rest of the story talks of Abed and Obeeid's sacrifice.

Sacrifice is something also that Michael Moore and friends know nothing about.

One final note, I have heard directly from two Marines who believe that these Iraqi soldiers are the begining of a true professional and free Iraqi military. I have heard secondhand from others who have emailed me that they have been impressed with the dedication and abilities of the new Iraqi Soldiers.

While the loss of soldiers is terrible, this story gives me great hope for Iraq's future.

"The Iraqis who have risen up against the occupation are not 'insurgents' or 'terrorists' or 'The Enemy.' They are the REVOLUTION, the Minutemen, and their numbers will grow--and they will win." - Michael Moore - U.S. News & World Report, 7/12/04

Here are a few links about the lies and the effect of powerful man who hates America:

First, Amy Ridenour's National Center Blog has a post from Joe Roche- an Army Specialist with the 1st Armored Division.

Michael Moore's film, Fahrenheit 9/11, is making the rounds here at U.S. bases in Kuwait. Some soldiers have received it already and are passing is around. The impact is devastating.

Here we are, soldiers of the 1st Armored Division, just days from finally returning home after over a year serving in Iraq, and Moore's film is shocking and crushing soldiers, making them feel ashamed. Moore has abused the First Amendment and is hurting us worse than the enemy has...

Next, if you haven't seen this quote from Moore claiming that Army bases are embracing F9/11, then check out this link to Kuro5hin (sent by Frank A.):

"We sold out in Fayetteville, home of Fort Bragg," in North Carolina, Mr. Moore said on Sunday. "We sold out in Army-base towns. We set house records in some of these places."

Kuro5hin shows that only one theater in Fayetteville was showing the film and it was only at one time during the day.

For awhile, I have been calling for military intervention in the Sudan. Lately, we've been giving the Sudanese government "one more chance" quite a few times. Of course, the French are against intervention - and that's because they have significant economic interest in the oil fields in the Sudan.

So who would stand with us if it came to military intervention in order to save a million people?

The Brits that's who. They'll send up to 5,000 troops. Australia is considering sending troops, too.

Don't expect a token French force, Russian support or German paratroopers.

We'll probably have some African support along with the British, maybe the Poles, maybe the El Sals, Italians, etc.

But that still won't be international enough for John Kerry and the Democrats.

One final suggestion, at this point, I believe that we must seriously consider who is a "responsible" world member and how to support them.

A big CONGRATS!!! to Captain and Mrs. Barnes on the birth of their son, Harvey, yesterday!

Captain Barnes used to be one of my platoon leaders when I was a Company Commander. Actually, he was in charge of the Counter-Intellingence platoon. That meant that he went after soldiers (mostly) and civilians that violated - intentially or accidentally - security.

I'm sure he that would have charged Sandy Berger with a crime and ended his career had Mr. Berger been a Soldier.