A Soldiers Blog

Iraqis, U.S. authorities look to U.N.: "Iraqi leaders and U.S. authorities hope next week's meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan will help resolve the impasse over a Shiite Muslim leader's objections to key parts of an American-backed political plan for Iraq."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



US demands NGOs register in Iraq in IraqWar.ru (English)



Iraqis, U.S. Authorities Look to U.N.: "Iraqi leaders and U.S. authorities hope next week's meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan will help resolve the impasse over a Shiite Muslim leader's objections to key parts of an American-backed political plan for Iraq. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



U.S. Seeks Another Saddam Loyalist in Iraq: "After Saddam Hussein's capture, another member of his governing elite has taken on the title of the Pentagon's most wanted: Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Israel shuts Gaza Strip after bombing: "Israel shut down the Gaza Strip on Thursday after a female Palestinian bomber killed four Israelis at a Gaza crossing - the first time the Islamic militant group Hamas sent a woman on a suicide mission."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



U.S. seeks another Saddam loyalist in Iraq: "After Saddam Hussein's capture, another member of his governing elite has taken on the title of the Pentagon's most wanted: Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Pentagon: Suicides of U.S. Troops Rising in Iraq: "At least 21 U.S. troops havecommitted suicide in Iraq, a growing toll that represents oneof every seven American "non-hostile" deaths since the warbegan last March, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



US convoy attacked in IraqWar.ru (English)



If it ain?t George, it gotta be Osama in IraqWar.ru (English)



Officials identify instrument that closed airport in IraqWar.ru (English)



Iraq Military Suicides at 21: "The top health official in the Pentagon said there were at least 21 suicides last year among troops serving in Iraq."

In New York Times: World Special



Iraqi Team Disables Bombs With a Snip and a Prayer: "As self-rule and security are turned over to the Iraqis, some, like those in the Baghdad bomb squad, are already shouldering the burden."

In New York Times: World Special



How to Support the Troops: "published March 24, 2003; last updated January 15, 2004
First of all, please read Captain Steve's March 2003 post from the battle around An-Nasariyah , as he explains why this matters. I'll wait.
Back? Good. I'm still updating this list, validating its links and accepting new submissions. I'd also forward this thought from regular reader "Klaatu". Maybe you want to consider sending one of these:

• Check this out from Stars and Stripes . This is a book I've sent several copies of to 'son of klaatu' to pass around in Iraq: " Modern Iraqi Arabic ," with 6 audio CDs. Or " Your First 100 Words in Arabic ," which is cheaper ($9.00), and has tear out flash cards with pronunciation.
  
• Armed Liberal and Winds of Change.NET are working closely with Spirit of America . They'll be assisting the U.S. Marines deploying to the Sunni Triangle with toys and other helpful giveaways.

Now, on to the various countries and organizations...
read the rest! »"

In Command Post: Irak



Dan's Iraq Report: Jan 15/04: "Welcome! Our goal is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from Iraq that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused every Monday & Thursday. Today's briefing is brought to you by Dan Darling of Regnum Crucis .
TOP TOPICS
* Former Clinton NSC official Ken Pollack takes a look at what happened to Iraq's WMDs in a lengthy Atlantic Magazine article that should serve as required reading for everyone involved in both sides of the debate.
* Joe takes a look at the importance of understanding tribes when it comes to dealing with the Iraqi insurgents. In a related post, Art of Peace looks at the tribal dynamics behind the situation in Fallujah .
* The troops are still there. So is the (UPDATED) Winds of Change.NET consolidated directory of ways you can support the troops . That means American, Australian, British, Canadian and Polish troops... not to mention Iraqi and Afghan children. [updated January 15, 2004]
Other Topics Today Include: Rundown of attacks and counterattacks; Ba'ath Poker updates; Saddam a POW; New use for Saddam statues; Syria to return cash; No early elections; Germans noticing progress; More tests on mortar shells; The 'shipped to Syria' issue.
Read The Rest..."

In Command Post: Irak



F.B.I. Director Calls Attack Quite Likely: "From tomorrow's NYT :

The F.B.I. director, Robert S. Mueller III, said on Wednesday that terrorists would "quite probably" strike the United States again and that Al Qaeda remained a major threat despite the lowering of the nation's threat status last week.
"Al Qaeda would very much relish another high-profile attack within the United States in which numerous U.S. citizens would be killed," Mr. Mueller told reporters at a luncheon meeting sponsored by The Christian Science Monitor. "We have disrupted their capability, but there are still persons out there who have that capability."

"

In Command Post: Irak



U.S. Pilot Detained in Brazil in IraqWar.ru (English)



Go fetch me a burger in IraqWar.ru (English)



Surreal moments serving a mythological president in IraqWar.ru (English)



USA Today publishes apology in IraqWar.ru (English)



A Suicide Bomber Kills at Least 2 Iraqis at a Police Station Northeast of Baghdad: "Two other improvised bombs were found in the area after the car bomb exploded, and they were defused."

In New York Times: World Special



Kennedy Says War in Iraq Was Choice, Not Necessity: "Senator Edward M. Kennedy accused the Bush administration of marketing the war in Iraq like a "political product" to help elect Republicans."

In New York Times: World Special



Military Suicides Put at 21 in Iraq: "The top health official in the Pentagon said there were at least 21 suicides last year among troops serving in Iraq."

In New York Times: World Special



Iraqis Disable Bombs With a Snip and a Prayer: "As self-rule and security are turned over to the Iraqis, some, like those in the Baghdad bomb squad, are already shouldering the burden."

In New York Times: World Special



Gaming With an Opponent Who's 'Over There': "A collaboration between an Air Force command, Microsoft and the U.S.O. enables military personnel overseas to play video games with their families and friends at home."

In New York Times: World Special



U.S. soldiers' suicide rate is up in Iraq (15 Jan 04) in Radio Free USA



Pentagon Studies Halliburton Pricing: "The Pentagon said on Wednesday itsinspector general was looking into a pricing "irregularity"related to fuel brought into Iraq by Vice President DickCheney's old firm Halliburton (HAL.N). (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Violence rocks Iraq as UN ponders return, more doubt on Saddam-Qaeda link: "A suicide car bomb killed at least two people plus the bomber in the restive Iraqi town of Baquba as US forces tightened the net around Saddam Hussein's fugitive number two, Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Darkness and Dust... (15 Jan 04) in Radio Free USA



Circus To Iraq: The circus in the Palestinian refugee camp in Baghdad (14 Jan 04) in Radio Free USA



Gangsters operate own prisons as kidnapping soars in Iraq (15 Jan 04) in Radio Free USA



USS Boxer Heads to Iraq for Second Trip: "Families watched their sailors and Marines leave for Iraq aboard the USS Boxer on Wednesday, in some cases just a few months after the troops' last deployment. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



No Chemical Agent in Iraq Mortar Shells: "[AP]

Tests by Danish and American experts indicate there is no chemical warfare agent in mortar shells unearthed in southern Iraq, but conclusive word will only come from a lab in Idaho. Earlier examinations had indicated a blister agent was in the shells, which apparently date to the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. The U.S.-led Iraq Survey Group conducted tests on five of 36 shells found Friday and all came up negative, the Danish army said Wednesday in a statement from Copenhagen. Those results contradicted Danish and British field tests that were positive for a blister agent. "Based on the tests, the experts conclude that none of the shells contain chemical warfare agents," the Danish army statement said, adding that more studies are needed for final confirmation.

"

In Command Post: Irak



Rabbi defends blocking Israeli bulldozers: "Arik Ascherman is no stranger to the Israeli police. The American-born rabbi reckons he has been arrested at least 10 times in his battle against what he says are injustices against Palestinians."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

IT IS THE SOLDIER
"It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag."

Canada can bid in second round of Iraq reconstruction contracts: Bush: "In a sign of fence-mending after strains over the Iraq war, US President George W. Bush said after a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin that Canada would be able to bid on a new round of reconstruction projects in Iraq. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Bush's Iraq policy followed on from Clinton: O'Neill: "Former US treasury secretary Paul O'Neill sought to calm the storm over his comments about President George W. Bush's early policy on Iraq. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



O'Neill: I Took No Secret Papers: "The Treasury Dept. says classified documents may have been shown improperly in a 60 Minutes interview with former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill. O'Neill says all the papers were cleared by Treasury lawyers."

In CBS News: Iraq Crisis



U.S. Urges Private Arab Investment in Iraq: "A senior U.S. official appealedTuesday for private Gulf Arab investors to play a bigger rolein rebuilding Iraq and undertake long-term ventures there. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Canada: U.S. to Open Iraq Bids to More Countries: "The United States is shiftingits position on which countries will be allowed to bid for asecond round of major reconstruction contracts in Iraq and willallow Canadian firms to compete, a Canadian official said onTuesday. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



US Treasury investigating O'Neill after book on Bush's war plans for Iraq: "The US Treasury Department is investigating whether former treasury secretary Paul O'Neill improperly used official documents in a book in which he accuses President George W. Bush of planning to invade Iraq from his earliest days in office. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Seven Iraqis wounded in jobless protests, US helicopter down: "At least seven Iraqis were wounded when a protest against unemployment in southern Iraq turned violent, while a US helicopter crashed near Baghdad. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Shiite good will may be eroding in Iraq: "The good will of Iraq's Shiite majority, so crucial to the success of U.S. policy, may be eroding. Strong opposition by a top Shiite cleric to key parts of a U.S. political blueprint for Iraq and the spread of violent protests in Shiite areas suggest a dangerous trend."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Coalition tests Iraq shells for chemical: "An American-led group began testing 36 mortar shells unearthed last week in southern Iraq that may be filled with a liquid blister agent, Danish officials said Tuesday."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



U.S. Copter Shot Down in Iraq; Crew Safe: "An Army Apache attack helicopter was shot down Tuesday, the third downed in less than two weeks, though the crew escaped unharmed. In Baghdad, U.S. troops reacting after a deadly roadside bomb shot at a car, killing its Iraqi driver and a 10-year-old boy, relatives said. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Coalition Tests Iraq Shells for Chemical: "An American-led group began testing 36 mortar shells unearthed last week in southern Iraq that may be filled with a liquid blister agent, Danish officials said Tuesday. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Shiite Good Will May Be Eroding in Iraq: "The good will of Iraq's Shiite majority, so crucial to the success of U.S. policy, may be eroding. Strong opposition by a top Shiite cleric to key parts of a U.S. political blueprint for Iraq and the spread of violent protests in Shiite areas suggest a dangerous trend. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Flooding leaves thousands homeless: "Flooding in the southeast of Iraq has destroyed at least 180 homes and forced more than 8,000 people to flee in recent weeks, according to an international NGO working in the area. Two children may have died from water-borne diseases in Al-Fuhood district as a result of the crisis."

In Electronic Iraq



Iran gov't threatens to quit in vote feud: "Iran's reformist government has threatened to resign, and other reformers accused hard-liners Tuesday of treason for disqualifying candidates in next month's parliamentary elections."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Syria envoy rejects Israeli bid for talks: "Syria's U.N. ambassador dismissed an invitation from Israel to resume peace talks, but an Israeli newspaper reported Tuesday that Syrian leader Bashar Assad has dropped a key condition for those negotiations."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Bush admits he wanted regime change before 11 September (13 Jan 04) in Radio Free USA



U.S. troops kill Iraqi civilians, kin say: "U.S. soldiers opened fire at a car in Baghdad, killing the driver and a 10-year-old boy, moments after an Army vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb, relatives said Tuesday."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



US helicopter crashes west of Baghdad in IraqWar.ru (English)



Coalition Forces 'Likely' Killed 4 Iraqis in IraqWar.ru (English)



Bush admits he wanted regime change before 11 September in IraqWar.ru (English)



America's leaders meet in Mexico in IraqWar.ru (English)



Russian official dismisses reports of arms deliveries to Iraq in IraqWar.ru (English)



Apache Helicopter Crashes: "A U.S. Apache crashed near Habbaniyah on Tuesday. All crew survived the crash, which was most likely caused by hostile fire.
Fox"

In Command Post: Irak



Guerrillas May Have Downed U.S. Chopper, Military Says: "A U.S. Apache helicopter that crashedwest of Baghdad on Tuesday may have been shot down by Iraqiguerrillas, a U.S. military spokesman said. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Seven Iraqis wounded in jobless protests, US helicopter down: "At least seven Iraqis were wounded when a protest against unemployment in southern Iraq turned violent, while a US helicopter crashed near Baghdad. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Hundreds Protest Woman's Arrest in Iraq: "Chanting anti-American slogans, hundreds of people demonstrated Tuesday to protest the arrest of a young woman in Fallujah, the third Iraqi city to explode in public anger against the U.S.-led occupation in as many days. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Canada can bid in second round of Iraq reconstruction contracts: Bush: "In a sign of fence-mending after strains over the Iraq war, US President George W. Bush said after a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin that Canada would be able to bid on a new round of reconstruction projects in Iraq. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Bush's Iraq policy followed on from Clinton: O'Neill: "Former US treasury secretary Paul O'Neill sought to calm the storm over his comments about President George W. Bush's early policy on Iraq. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



O'Neill: I Took No Secret Papers: "The Treasury Dept. says classified documents may have been shown improperly in a 60 Minutes interview with former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill. O'Neill says all the papers were cleared by Treasury lawyers."

In CBS News: Iraq Crisis



U.S. Urges Private Arab Investment in Iraq: "A senior U.S. official appealedTuesday for private Gulf Arab investors to play a bigger rolein rebuilding Iraq and undertake long-term ventures there. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Canada: U.S. to Open Iraq Bids to More Countries: "The United States is shiftingits position on which countries will be allowed to bid for asecond round of major reconstruction contracts in Iraq and willallow Canadian firms to compete, a Canadian official said onTuesday. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



US Treasury investigating O'Neill after book on Bush's war plans for Iraq: "The US Treasury Department is investigating whether former treasury secretary Paul O'Neill improperly used official documents in a book in which he accuses President George W. Bush of planning to invade Iraq from his earliest days in office. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Seven Iraqis wounded in jobless protests, US helicopter down: "At least seven Iraqis were wounded when a protest against unemployment in southern Iraq turned violent, while a US helicopter crashed near Baghdad. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Shiite good will may be eroding in Iraq: "The good will of Iraq's Shiite majority, so crucial to the success of U.S. policy, may be eroding. Strong opposition by a top Shiite cleric to key parts of a U.S. political blueprint for Iraq and the spread of violent protests in Shiite areas suggest a dangerous trend."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Coalition tests Iraq shells for chemical: "An American-led group began testing 36 mortar shells unearthed last week in southern Iraq that may be filled with a liquid blister agent, Danish officials said Tuesday."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



U.S. Copter Shot Down in Iraq; Crew Safe: "An Army Apache attack helicopter was shot down Tuesday, the third downed in less than two weeks, though the crew escaped unharmed. In Baghdad, U.S. troops reacting after a deadly roadside bomb shot at a car, killing its Iraqi driver and a 10-year-old boy, relatives said. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Coalition Tests Iraq Shells for Chemical: "An American-led group began testing 36 mortar shells unearthed last week in southern Iraq that may be filled with a liquid blister agent, Danish officials said Tuesday. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Shiite Good Will May Be Eroding in Iraq: "The good will of Iraq's Shiite majority, so crucial to the success of U.S. policy, may be eroding. Strong opposition by a top Shiite cleric to key parts of a U.S. political blueprint for Iraq and the spread of violent protests in Shiite areas suggest a dangerous trend. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Flooding leaves thousands homeless: "Flooding in the southeast of Iraq has destroyed at least 180 homes and forced more than 8,000 people to flee in recent weeks, according to an international NGO working in the area. Two children may have died from water-borne diseases in Al-Fuhood district as a result of the crisis."

In Electronic Iraq



Iran gov't threatens to quit in vote feud: "Iran's reformist government has threatened to resign, and other reformers accused hard-liners Tuesday of treason for disqualifying candidates in next month's parliamentary elections."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Syria envoy rejects Israeli bid for talks: "Syria's U.N. ambassador dismissed an invitation from Israel to resume peace talks, but an Israeli newspaper reported Tuesday that Syrian leader Bashar Assad has dropped a key condition for those negotiations."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Bush admits he wanted regime change before 11 September (13 Jan 04) in Radio Free USA



U.S. troops kill Iraqi civilians, kin say: "U.S. soldiers opened fire at a car in Baghdad, killing the driver and a 10-year-old boy, moments after an Army vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb, relatives said Tuesday."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



US helicopter crashes west of Baghdad in IraqWar.ru (English)



Coalition Forces 'Likely' Killed 4 Iraqis in IraqWar.ru (English)



Bush admits he wanted regime change before 11 September in IraqWar.ru (English)



America's leaders meet in Mexico in IraqWar.ru (English)



Russian official dismisses reports of arms deliveries to Iraq in IraqWar.ru (English)



Apache Helicopter Crashes: "A U.S. Apache crashed near Habbaniyah on Tuesday. All crew survived the crash, which was most likely caused by hostile fire.
Fox"

In Command Post: Irak



Guerrillas May Have Downed U.S. Chopper, Military Says: "A U.S. Apache helicopter that crashedwest of Baghdad on Tuesday may have been shot down by Iraqiguerrillas, a U.S. military spokesman said. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Seven Iraqis wounded in jobless protests, US helicopter down: "At least seven Iraqis were wounded when a protest against unemployment in southern Iraq turned violent, while a US helicopter crashed near Baghdad. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Hundreds Protest Woman's Arrest in Iraq: "Chanting anti-American slogans, hundreds of people demonstrated Tuesday to protest the arrest of a young woman in Fallujah, the third Iraqi city to explode in public anger against the U.S.-led occupation in as many days. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

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Coast to Coast Freedom Ride for Our Troops

Mother of a Soldier



On March 1, 2004, Dan Forant, father of Spc. Daniel Forant III, will begin a 3,000 mile trip by bicycle to benefit our troops serving in Iraq. His journey will begin in Albany, New York and finish in Pasadena, California taking approximately 45 days, weather permitting. Due to a generous offer, Mr. Forant will have a laptop with video and still picture capability whereby that information is sent to New York City via satellite-broadband-uplink. America will be able to watch his daily progress by visiting his site.



Mr. Forant?s website www.supportourtroops.com was established to honor his son and his brave comrades during their deployment in Iraq. The website has grown immeasurably in this short time and has been able to reach out to many service members. Recently he teamed up with the Soldier?s Angels http://soldiersangels.homestead.com in this endeavor to reach out to our troops.



Soldier?s Angels is a website founded by Patti Patton-Bader, mother of Spc. Brandon Varn also deployed to Iraq. Staff includes Susie Feaster, Ana-Marie Smith, Robin Boerner, and Peggy Baker. The Soldier?s Angels mission is to provide aide and comfort to any of the armed forces and their families. To date they have accomplished to send over 2000 care packages to deployed soldiers, helped the wounded at three major military hospitals and aided many military families.



These two groups are?.CALLING ALL AMERICANS?

Please raise up your communities?Help us help them!

We are asking for a donation of $20 from each American family, but any amount will be appreciated. All proceeds will go to benefit our troops. You can contact either website for information on how to make a donation.



Help us show our troops that from the East Coast to the West Coast ?

America Supports You!