Women in Combat: Where I Part Company with Conservatives

Reading this piece, Rubber-Stamp RAND Report Excuses Women in Land Combat, (h/t Mudville) I knew immediately I was going to disagree with it.

There are issues in here about appropriate congressional oversight of mandated laws which requires at least 30 days notice that women will be assigned to front line units or roles in theater. I understand those concerns based on our still rather conservative society. Yet, I believe that it is likely most of the MOSs these women are serving in are designated as roles women can serve in without congressional oversight.

But, where I really doubt this interpretation of the RAND report is this section:

The document condones practices that blatantly disregard congressional-oversight requirements mandated in law, and puts female soldiers at the mercy of commanders making up their own rules. What’s worse, the RAND Report disregards the military consequences of forcing women into or near direct-ground-combat units, which attack the enemy with deliberate offensive action. Nor does it mention that such a change ultimately will expose civilian women to future Selective Service registration and combat duty on the same basis as men. The authors seem unconcerned that all of this could happen without Congress or the American people having a say.

As far as I know, based on anecdotal evidence only, but including conversations with many women who have served as combat medics and as leaders of CMOCs, etc, I have not heard one woman complain about being "forced" into these roles. In fact, from my experience, most of the women who have served in these positions have trained for and volunteered for these positions. Some have even demanded it. Most of them are not overtly concerned with women as future Selective Services candidates. They are largely concerned about two things: 1) giving as much service as their male counterparts; and 2) having as much career opportunity and advancement as their male counterparts.

Can Donnelly provide any reports, official or anecdotal, that women are being "forced" into any combat or near combat related role?

It's bunk.

Then we get this time worn and bogus issue:

Our female soldiers are indisputably brave, but the military cannot disregard differences in physical strength and social complications that would detract from the strength, discipline, and readiness of direct-ground-combat units.

Collocated forward support companies, called “FSCs,” also are required to be all male for many good reasons. No one’s infantryman son should have to die because the FSC soldier nearest him cannot lift and single-handedly carry him from the battlefield if he is severely wounded under fire. Male soldiers have that capability. Female soldiers, no matter how brave, do not.

Gees...I am hard pressed at even where to begin, but let me talk about "social complications". Women are serving in great numbers on bases all over Iraq and Afghanistan. Bases that are large and small. Let us say, for simplicity, that Al Faw Palace in the Green Zone, arguably the largest base and well protected, is most closely associated with the "rear". It is in the middle of Baghdad. It is mortared still pretty frequently and "front line" offensive forces come and go from there every day to patrol Baghdad. Women are on this base. It IS the front line. Exactly where would Donnelly like these women to be based? Kuwait? How about Balad? It is routinely mortared, has infantry troops stationed there that go "outside" the wire and so is a major medical unit, personnel, paymasters and various other support groups.

Exactly, how would she like these forces allocated? And the nurses who volunteer to take medical flights that are shot at? What different social connotations are supposed to exist on a small base where front line forces are compared to a big base? And, how often does it really happen that women are on absolutely remote bases with small forces?

In reference to what women or men can or cannot do, there have been plenty of instances where combat medics have pulled men to safety. Raven 42 comes to mind. There are also stories of men single handedly carrying another to safety. But, many famous images, including that of Sgt Brad Kassal, show a common action is multiple men working together to pull carry the wounded to a safe location. This is not about lack of body strength or heroics, this is about economic use of strength and quickly resolving the situation. It is how they train in the first place to work as a team to protect and secure their battle buddies. It is not about whether an individual is effective or not at a single person removal.

She continues with the "no matter how brave" meme. I believe that is referred to as "damned by feint praise".

I don't know what is going to happen for selective services registration. That is its own separate issue that has a particular law guiding it that was enacted at the beginning of our creation as a nation. Congress would definitely have to enact a revision or a new law to replace one that calls for every able bodied man between 18 and 40 to be called in a time of necessity.

What I do know is that women have been serving, not just with distinction or "bravely", but voluntarily and with purpose. They are 15% of in theater forces and 30% of over all forces. Trying to turn back the clock to some 1980's version of the military and society is not going to happen.

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The Problem With Afghanistan: They Have No Petraeus

And, apparently, have not implemented the new counterinsurgency manual and tactics or can't because there are not enough forces.

From Matt Sanchez - Nate Fick on Afghanistan Counter-insurgency

The second pillar of the academy's curriculum relates to the first: The more you protect your forces, the less safe you may be. To be effective, troops, diplomats and civilian aid workers need to get out among the people. But nearly every American I saw in Kabul was hidden behind high walls or racing through the streets in armored convoys.

Afghanistan, however, isn't Iraq. Tourists travel through much of the country in relative safety, glass office towers are sprouting up in Kabul, and Coca-Cola recently opened a bottling plant. I drove through the capital in a dirty green Toyota, wearing civilian clothes and stopping to shop in bazaars, eat in restaurants and visit businesses. In two weeks, I saw more of Kabul than most military officers do in a year.[snip]

Of course, mingling with the population means exposing ourselves to attacks, and commanders have an obligation to safeguard their troops. But they have an even greater responsibility to accomplish their mission. When we retreat behind body armor and concrete barriers, it becomes impossible to understand the society we claim to defend. If we emphasize "force protection" above all else, we will never develop the cultural understanding, relationships and intelligence we need to win. Accepting the greater tactical risk of reaching out to Afghans reduces the strategic risk that the Taliban will return to power.

Read the rest: Nate Fick on Afghanistan Counter-insurgency

This is the only place that Fick loses me:

Winning that consent will require doing some difficult and uncomfortable things: de-escalating military force, boosting the capacities of the Karzai government, accelerating reconstruction, getting real with Pakistan. It won't be easy. But the alternative, which I glimpsed while staring down the barrel of that machine gun, is our nation going zero for two in its first wars of the new century.

No mention of Iran? Actually, my issue is the vague "getting real" with Pakistan. Some people believe that we should be striking deep into Pakistan in order to kill or disrupt the Taliban and AQ. Pakistan has nuclear weapons. It is not that the current government of Pakistan is feared to strike the US or any of our allies/forces in the region. The "real" issue here is Musharref's tenuous hold on the government and the huge percentage of Islamists (dare I say "fundamentalists") in the country that, under the right push could force a coup in Islamabad and leave the nuclear weapons in the hands of AQ's fellow travelers.

President Bush recently urged Musharref to hold democratic elections regardless of the situation. It is a principled stand that is much more difficult to follow when the consequences can be huge for Pakistan. Of course, many dictatorships have withheld elections for one "security" reason or another, but this is not a bogus condition in Pakistan. In fact, a change in leadership could place Pakistan firmly outside of our influence and lead to the third front in the war as some like Nate Flick believe is the right move.

From this perspective, there is no good outcome from such an event. Military forces are already operating at 150%. Our NATO allies would not support such an attack and it would certainly bring to fruition AQ's sought after World v. Islam War. It is the same reason that we do not attack Iran, but rather use economic and political pressure to change the regime.

Of course, this means that all groups continue to make war with us without suffering a righteous blow to deflect or destroy them. What we need to do is press forward in Iraq, stabilize it and then transfer our counterinsurgency efforts to Afghanistan. We can always deal with Iran and Pakistan through other means or at a later date. First we need to free up forces and not by arbitrarily leaving one battlefield, but leaving it with a "win" firmly established.
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.bold.gif
insert bold tags
Nate Fick wrote One Bullet Away and appeared in the book Generation Kill written by a reporter who was embedded with Fick's unit on the push to Baghdad in 2003.

My Comments here:

Thoughts on Generation Kill

Managing War

I always temper my conclusions on Fick's writings by recalling these two references. Fick left the military shortly after his tour in Iraq which ended shortly after the fall of Baghdad. One quote sticks in my mind:

..when the stark realization hits Lieutenant Fick that, to be a great Officer, you must be able to order the death of everything that you love.

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Major Attacks Down 50% in Iraq: What Does It Mean?

Nothing right now. One of the things that I've been cautious about is allowing statistics to sway my opinion on the status of the war. Neither an increase nor a decrease in casualties determines the status of the war. Neither do increases or decreases in attacks. Not in terms of trying to compare them from any period over the last four months or four years.

Major attacks decline in Iraq h/t Ace of Spaces

One of the reasons that the main stream media is slow to take this up is the same reason that I am reluctant to use it as a measurement for success. Largely because we have heard and seen these decreases and increases over many different periods of time. It often reflects when we have picked up our operational activities. But, it has also reflected different realities of fighting in a desert country with high temperatures and a society that is still tied closely to agriculture and animal husbandry. Even the United States has planned invasions of Iraq around known weather patterns and seasons.

I have no idea where the data comes from for the "50%" drop, but the Brookings Institute index, that I have reviewed in past periods and that has sometimes been used to reflect one political idea or other about the status of Iraq, does not really reflect that decrease. There must be data from the military or other organization that reflects this change.

Some things that might skew current number are seasonal and cultural considerations.

This is not simply related to our efforts, but are directly related to how the insurgents conduct their operations. Some of which is dictated by the weather. throughout the last four years, attacks have spiked in late spring as the weather has warmed and the rains that make the terrain difficult have decreased. Then, through mid to late summer, the attacks taper off. Largely because it is simply too hot to conduct operations, even at night. They pick up again towards mid fall when the weather is cooler and the rains have not begun. There is the months of Ramadan where everybody has a long vacation and it gives the part time insurgents time to participate more fully.

Then you have the overlying issue that Iraq has a large part of its population involved in agriculture and animal husbandry. The cycles of planting and birth also predict upticks in attacks based on availability of personnel to carry them out. (keeping in mind that early spring is time for planting and when lambing is most prevalent and early fall is also the beginning of harvesting foods, culling herds and breeding the remaining herd for the following spring).

The final tally for the year and subsequent comparison does not represent any real intelligent data that we can base "winning" or "losing" on. In fact, during a recent argument with an "escalation of war" alarmist, I pointed out that all wars have escalated more towards the end with more deaths than at the beginning. That is in classical warfare and counter-insurgency. That is typically how one armed force defeats another.

The real question will be whether the Ramadan period and next spring offers the same kind of conflict or whether it drops off to near nil. The number of attacks today are significant only to the point that it indicates our interdiction and harassment operations along with COIN are successful in interrupting their current operations. Will it significantly decrease their future capabilities? We won't know until the future of course.

In short, these numbers mean nothing until it is a sustained decrease in deaths and wounding of Iraqis and Coalition and a requisite increase in economic indicators.

Read also:

Mike Yon: Three Marks on the Horizon
Ligers
Ashes and Dust

H/T Mudville

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"Flexible Battery": Military Use?

Recently, the DoD announced a contest to design a portable, lighter battery pack for soldiers' equipment in the field.

The Department of Defense is asking a person or team to come up with a way to lessen the weight of the 20-40 pounds of batteries a solider carries on a typical four-day mission. The batteries power everything from soldiers' GPS systems to their night-vision goggles.

"In many missions the batteries are heavier than the ammunition they are carrying," said Dr. William S. Rees Jr., Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Laboratories and Basic Sciences -- whose office, the Director of Defense Research and Engineering, is sponsoring the prize competition. "We'd like to reverse that ratio."

There was a million dollar prize for the design.

There is no indication that this group was working towards the prize, but I found this announced invention interesting and began thinking about how it could be integrated and adapted for military use:

Researchers develop bendable battery

WASHINGTON - It's a battery that looks like a piece of paper and can be bent or twisted, trimmed with scissors or molded into any shape needed. While the battery is only a prototype a few inches square right now, the researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute who developed it have high hopes for it in electronics and other fields that need smaller, lighter power sources.[snip]

Unlike other batteries, Linhardt explained, it is an integrated device, not a combination of pieces.

The battery uses paper infused with an electrolyte and carbon nanotubes that are embedded in the paper. The carbon nanotubes form the electrodes, the paper is the separator and the electrolyte allows the current to flow.[snip]

And over about 18 months, the groups developed the projects, into a battery, a capacitor, which stores electricity and a combination of the two.

Ajayan sees potential uses in combination with solar cells, perhaps layers of the paper batteries that could store the electricity generated until it is needed, he said in a telephone interview.

Perhaps it could be scaled up and shaped into something like a car door, offering moving electrical storage and power when needed.

It's thin. It's light. It can bend. The applications would be endless. The adaptability would be as well. One way that it could be shaped or developed for carrying could be to line already existing equipment or carrying devices with the material such as Body Armor vests, back packs, helmets, lining the cases of the equipment itself, etc, etc, etc,
In fact, if it could be integrated into the equipment itself, the equipment could be redesigned to be less bulky, creating a slimmer silhouette that would facilitate maneuverability.

Inside additional equipment or even clothing, the batteries could provide endless back up supply that was equally light. It could be carried by every member of the unit in those configurations. It could also be rolled into tubes and simply carried in a pack.

There are a few draw backs. The first is cost. Carbon nanotubes are not inexpensive to make. The technology and manufacturing capabilities could be an expensive undertaking. Although, if it is underwritten by government grants as well as has confirmed contracts, the set up costs could be offset considerably.

The second issue will be its capability to support the amount of energy required for some of the technology. The inventors believe that the battery is comparable to others already in use:

"So from the commercial standpoint, this would be very expensive if you want to make a large sheet out of this material," he said via e-mail. In addition, he said, "It does not look like it performs better than currently available batteries and supercapacitors in the market."

Actually, it could be a cost saver if the overall design of equipment, like radios, could be adapted to require less space and, thus, less material to cover, for the battery. This cost savings could translate into making the cost of the "paper" battery more inviting as well as the possibility that it would take less space to carry extras, for shipping, etc. There is a built in cost savings there. Finally, the most important savings, weight, translates into saving transport space and maneuverability for soldiers. That can translate into a more effective force and that equals winning more quickly and saving more soldiers' lives.

So, cost maybe less of a factor.

One other question that cannot be answered by this article: what sort of electrolytes are being used? If this flexible battery were integrated into equipment and armor and it was struck by a round, would it be harmful to the soldier?

If not, I think the million dollar prize can go to this group.

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Karl Rove Resigns

Karl Rove Resigns

And now we wait for the triumphant bugling of the crazies who will now claim they brought down the great Darth Rove.

It is rather amusing.

And the AP ends with this rather lame assassination of character to end their seven year running battle with Rove:

The jury did not hear testimony that Rove was not indicted after testifying five times before the grand jury, occasionally correcting misstatements he made in his earlier testimony.

"Correcting statements" is called cross examination. Not being told that he was called before a grand jury five times is called eliminating prejudicial statements. It's the law, dummies.

Nor did the jury hear testimony about how Rove is credited as an architect of Republican political victories and has been accused by opponents of playing dirty tricks.

Like people don't know that Rove is the "architect of Republican political victories" and once again, the law does not allow people to make uncorroborated statements regarding unsubstantiated rumors and myth.

All that jurors heard is that Rove leaked Plame's identity and, from the outset, got political cover from the White House. He was never charged with a crime.

"Leaked" being the operative word here. Since he was not charged with a crime, he could not have "leaked" it in the classical sense of "letting out a secret". IE, there was no secret to tell. Ergo, it was not "leaked".

Mind you, I don't worship Darth Rove, believe he is infallible or that he controls the universe. Generally, I don't think about him much at all. However, this kind of, dare I say, "character assassination" disguised as reporting is some where between annoyingly predictable and amusingly contrived.

Actually, the most interesting aspect is this:

Karl Rove, President Bush's close friend and chief political strategist, plans to leave the White House at the end of August, joining a lengthening line of senior officials heading for the exits in the final 1 1/2 years of the administration.

Political analysis? President is a lame duck who is re-shuffling his cabinet to prepare for his final "legacy" year, wherein he will become reconciled to the majority Democrat congress?

Or, Rove has decided that the president's moves to become more detente in his final year by negotiating with Iran, Syria, etc, his services or no longer necessary?

Or, the president thinks that, now that the hot coals are out from underneath them regarding Plame and Gonzalez, it's a good time for the albatross to exit quietly "into that dark night", preserving the president's image as "loyal" to the end to those who have served him well?

Either way, while the netroots will go crazy, crowing about his alleged defeat at their hands, he actually exits from the battlefield an undefeated, unprosecuted, though slightly bloody, warrior.

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Another If you Believe This...

China toy boss kills himself amid recall

BEIJING - The head of a Chinese toy manufacturing company at the center of a huge U.S. recall has committed suicide, a state-run newspaper said Monday.
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Zhang Shuhong, who co-owned Lee Der Industrial Co. Ltd., killed himself at a warehouse over the weekend, days after China announced it had temporarily banned exports by the company, the Southern Metropolis Daily said.

Liu said Zhang hung himself on Saturday, according to the report. It is common for disgraced officials to commit suicide in China.

Mmmm...we are talking about the country that sentenced their equivalent to the head of the FDA to death for taking bribes along with several other officials. Something that caused some angst among their western partners. We are talking about a country with really horrible human rights abuses that they frequently try to cover up.

My bet is ol' Lee Der had some help.

This is another one that I can't believe the AFP printed without blinking.

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If You Believe This...

Man dies of fright in Saudi vice police custody: report

RIYADH (AFP) - A Bangladeshi man died of fright after being arrested by Saudi Arabia's controversial religious police for washing a car instead of praying, a local newspaper reported on Sunday.
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The unnamed man died last week in the holy city of Medina after being detained by members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Al-Jazirah reported.

The Arabic daily said the man "convulsed in fear after he was arrested, leading to a drop in his blood pressure and causing his death."

...I have some ocean front property in Arizona I can sell to you cheap.

What is even more unbelievable is that the AFP (Associated French Press) reports this without even blinking.

Merde

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Be A Neighbor to the Prophet

Mecca's Lost Heritage

"To me, Mecca is not a city. It is a sanctuary. It is a place of diversity and tolerance. ... Unfortunately it isn't anymore," said Sami Angawi, a Saudi architect who has devoted his life to preserving what remains of the area's history. "Every day you come and see the buildings becoming bigger and bigger and higher and higher."

Abraj al-Bait is a complex of seven towers, some of them still under construction, rising only yards from the Kaaba, the cube-like black shrine at the center of Muslim worship in Mecca. "Be a neighbor to the Prophet," promises an Arabic-language newspaper ad for apartments there.

An no one form this Saudi ad company has had a fatwa issued calling for their head? Talk about your double standards.

Saudi Arabia is trying to better serve the growing upscale end of the pilgrimage crowd, while investors — many of them members of the Saudi royal family — realize the huge profits to be made.

Never mind. That explains it all.

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In The Image of God

I was having a late night conversation with several folks over at Ace of Spades that turned into a short discussion of Milton's Paradise Lost. I would like to say that I don't know how we got from discussing bizarre personal experiences to talking Milton, but it was moi who introduced it. My point was, we all have free will and, even if we subjugate our selves to one religion, government system or cognitive belief, we are still choosing it. It is not choosing us. Even if we are born into it.

Of course, this was actually a tongue in cheek response to why someone read a blog post and subsequent comments when they clearly could choose to do otherwise.

Comment On Current Events

Strangely, in that way that late night thoughts have of taking philosophical turns, it made me think about Islam, Islamic governments and those that live beneath those beliefs and regimes.

Since people inherently have free will, are they victims or do they inherently choose to live in such a condition? If they aren't victims, what does that say about our strategy?

Onward to the question of pre-destination...

The question of pre-destination comes to play. In Paradise Lost, Satan rebels because he is believes he is forced to worship God unquestioningly while God gave man free will to choose to worship or not. In his rebellion, Satan was shown to have had free will the entire time. His rebellion sets him apart from God.

In contemplating his condition, Satan decides that, if free choice means rebellion, he will eternally rebel and set himself against God and his creations. Yet, as we are give a glimpse of God, we find His discourse implying that Satan's rebellion may have been pre-destined after all. God apparently is as insecure as any human or fallen angel, wondering if the unchallenged, unquestioning love of his creations is really love after all. Thus, Satan, instead of acting completely on free will, becomes the instrument of God after all.

Man was given paradise on earth. An unblemished place where the worship of God is unchallenged. Even as Satan unleashes sin, Chaos and Night on man, he is still enacting God's will.

Is Man a victim after all? Is he actually given a choice or was it made for him that he would rebel against God's law? A simple law really: do not eat from the tree of knowledge. But, if God did not want man to eat from the tree, why did he put it in Paradise and then make man aware of it by admonishing him against eating from it?

Is that just a test of Man's obedience and love? Or, is God creating a condition that creates an unending future of choice and worship? Does it create an unending stream of worshippers to fulfill God's need to be loved eternally?

Does that make God more human and thus, humans more like God? Or, in our questions, are we remaking God in our image?

Worse, if we accept that we are pre-destined to rebellion as Satan and the Fallen Angels are, to be but instruments of God's greater plan; both creators and destroyers, good and evil, war like and peaceful, rational and irrational; are we absolving ourselves of the consequences of our actions? Are we, in truth, rejecting God's gift of free will?

We are, today, fighting against those who believe that their actions are those designed by God. That free will never existed, but Inshallah, God's will be done.

Real also: Islamic Creationism

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Continuing: Visitors From Ace of Spades...

...More stories of a mis-spent youth.

Why Am I Single? Let Me Count The Ways Part 2 - You Are Your Parents' Child or Why I Need Therapy

Why Am I Single? Let Me Count the Ways Part 3 - Wild Thing


Previous Entry: Why Am I Single? Part 1 -The Trauma of Adolescence

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Working With Former Insurgents: Keep an Open Mind

Tentative Alliance with Sunni 1920 Brigade in Diwaniyah

U.S. soldiers and commanders voiced wariness over the intentions of the former insurgents. "Some of them want to be reintegrated back in society, they want to push al-Qaeda out. Others want to be the next thug group that goes around and demands electricity payments. We're watching them closely," said Capt. Mike Edwards, an intelligence officer with the 3rd Brigade.

Overlooking western Baqubah from a small U.S. outpost set up in an abandoned house, Sgt. 1st Class Eric Beck said he is uneasy about cooperating with former insurgents, calling them "the best of two evils."

"I think they want control of the area," said Beck, of San Bernardino, Calif., whose platoon has spent the past year combating insurgents and Shiite militias in and around Baghdad. "How will the Iraqi army deal with them once we leave? Will they be able to control them like we are?" he asked. "They are good for a quick fix, but in the end, it could backfire."

Actually, I just saw a report talking about parts of the Mahdi Army having infiltrated the security forces and now, with limited control from Sadr, they operate like the mafia controlling food, water and other services. Frankly, I think Sadr has always had a mixed bag of control and we will need to stop looking at the Shi'ites as one big block and start working with them like the Sunnis: parting out those that will and those that won't work with us when we get the Sunni a little more stabilized. Kind of reminds me of that circus act where the guy would balance four plates on sticks, running back and forth spinning them to keep them balanced until the act was over.

Oh..I think Sadr's control is not as significant as people believe because I still remember Najaf in 2004 when various "spokesmen" for his movement were issuing contradictory statements. Some were conciliatory, some were inflammatory. Sometimes they were issued almost on top of each other. So, I think there are factions inside his group just like the rest that could be exploited if we needed to.

But, back to working with the Sunni Nationalist 1920 Brigade:

Beyond the day-to-day risks of dealing with the new groups of armed irregulars, U.S. troops must remain coolheaded in the company of men who not long ago tried to kill Americans.

"I assume they . . . have killed some of us," Townsend said. "We have killed a lot of them. If they are willing to move forward with us, I'm willing to keep an open mind."

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"We have killed a lot of them."

Sooner or later people pick out the strong man in the race.

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Muqty In Iran?

U.S. commander says Iraqi cleric Sadr in Iran

Sadr was last seen in public in Iraq attending a religious ceremony in the holy city of Kufa on May 25, when he denounced the United States as part of an "evil trio" with Britain and Israel.

U.S. officials said at the time that they believed Sadr had been out of the country for the previous four months, and they said in July they believed he had left Iraq again.

Sometimes I think al Sadr doesn't mind that when he leaves, we go in and clear out some of his guys. Like a Stalinist purge without Sadr having to order it.

Then again, he might be there begging for more money, bombs and women. Ooops...that's Huey Lewis and the News.

Or, it could be that the Iranians knew we'd be chatting with them and so did Sadr, so he's over there pleading his case.

Maybe it's (d), all off the above?

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Somewhere Out There, In the Quiet, a Slow Trickle Becomes a Waterfall

..and Democracy continues to hit its stride even while punks like Chavez try to undermine it.

Sierra Leone counting presidential votes

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone - Ballot-counting was under way Sunday in Sierra Leone's first presidential election since U.N. peacekeepers withdrew two years ago — a vote seen as a test of the country's transition to democratic rule.

One of the most deadly nations on the planet finally finds relative peace and democracy. Pretty much gives me hope for Iraq. Like Rawanda and many other places, the kind of killing that we have seen doesn't stop because one side wins, but because everybody is tired of dying.

That's why the Anbar Awakening happened and that is what will happen with the Shi'ites sooner or later. Hopefully sooner.

Democracy is simply a way of sharing life instead of death.

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Visitors from the Ace of Spades: Really, I'm not that funny

I noticed that a recent conversation from the comment section at the Ace of spadeshad a lot of folks clicking on over to check out who I was.

The truth is, my blogging is not nearly as humorous or off the cuff as my comments on other blogs. I am more of a "serious" blogger that likes to research information and come to my own conclusions, largely blogging to put down my own research. Not surprisingly, they are rarely the conclusions fronted by mass media that generally resembles the Enquirer and other tabloid newspapers on cable TV steroids.

And don't get me started on Rueters or AP or any of the other mass production, mass distributed, sucks worse than an AMF Harley Davidson with 20k miles on it, lying sack of crap news organizations.

I've never been instalaunched, but I'm good with my modest links on a few good sites I read.

Although, I suppose if I'm going to ever get a link at Ace's place, I am actually going to have to write a full expose on John Edward's choice of underwear during the primaries: boxers or brief? Silky or cotton? French Cut or Thong? Hello Kitty or Transformers?

Nah....Gi Jane with a kung fu grip. That's to remind him that he is a straight man while surrounded by the overflowing, self important homosexuality that is appx 3% (ie, 9 million) of our population, where in less than 50% vote, of which less than 2% would vote for a republican so why in the hell do these folks feel like they have to pander to a social group that they will give lip service to (the thought of Hillary or Pony boy giving "lip service" just grossed me out), but won't do anything for because they will not sacrifice the other 50% of the main stream voters they hope to get who couldn't care less about gay issues? Frankly, it was a sad spectacle of kabuki theater because you know that Melissa Etheridge knows these characters are full of bull and its highly unlikely she is going to get legally married to her "life partner" in this life time.

No, I am not a homophobic. I just find certain things a little hypocritical and demeaning.

I am envious. Gay cable TV? Where in the hell is my channel? You know, real women with real issues, like: how do you eject a jammed round from your automatic pistol without damaging your manicure?

Seriously, folks, I am a serious blogger. When I read my stuff, you should hear Beethoven's fifth in the background, beating a clue or two into your head. Although, I have no regular trolls, a few screaming KOS kids have ran through the place and immediately committed suicide due to the inability to cope with statistical analysis and actual proof that there is no intelligent life on the KOS blog.

But, if you are reading here, you already know that.

If you want something funny to read, try hitting the archived section between November 2004 and February 2005 for my series: Why am I single? let me count the ways(yes, you have to find the rest of them in the archives, that just gets you started). Or a later 2005 series: Hillbilly Bikers (My family motorcycle trip to hell and back again)

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Iraq Political Situation: Federalist Iraq

I didn't see this before I wrote: Breakdown? Not So Fast



Basically I see the same political situation. It's deadlocked and these current folks don't feel any compunction about leaving it that way. They like their power base better than they love peace and reconciliation. The only way around this is if there is a sudden miraculous change of heart on the parts of many or a new national election.

Not that a new election doesn't present it's own dangers or the possibility of even more ideologically adherent and less tempered politicians. I also predicted some time ago after the first constitutional pass that provided the ability of regions to become basically states within a federalist Iraq, that this is exactly what would happen. The current central government holds only the power we give it and the few it can steal. Iraq may in fact go through multiple stages, as we did, where central and then state power reigns supreme before they balance it out.

Other issues though are states like Kurdistan who feel they can make deals with foreign nations outside of the central government. Having that as a precedent and the Shia south linking more closely with Iran is a major problem.

Somehow, the central government has to have the power. That may be seen directly in the power of aid money and military as well as the US putting pressure on outside nations that money for investment, aid, development and purchasing of weapons, etc must remain the province of the central government. We'll see how that works.

Hat tip Hot Air

Summary only...

Iraq Political Situation: Breakdown? Not So Fast

Iraqi political crisis grows

The new cracks in Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government appeared even as U.S. military officials sounded cautious notes of progress on security, citing strides against insurgents linked to al-Qaida in Iraq but also new threats from Iranian-backed Shiite militias.

Despite the new U.S. accusations of Iranian meddling, the U.S. and Iranian ambassadors met Monday for their third round of talks in just over two months. A U.S. embassy spokesman called the talks between U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker and his counterpart, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, "frank and serious."

But it was al-Maliki's troubles that seized the most attention.

The Cabinet boycott of five ministers loyal to former Iraqi leader Ayad Allawi left the government, at least temporarily, without participants where were members of the Sunni political apparatus — a deep blow to the prime minister's attempt to craft reconciliation among the country's majority Shiites and minority Sunnis and Kurds.

Breitbart also makes a point noting the Iraq government problem as a potentially devastating blow to US endeavors regardless of ongoing security measures.

That is likely to be the message that Ambassador Ryan Crocker and Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. officials in Iraq, convey to Congress and to Bush in September. They are in no position to predict how long it might take the Iraqi government to achieve reconciliation, but they are likely to concede, if asked, that if the Iraqis do not take key steps in the months ahead the entire U.S. approach may unravel.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, whose views on how to proceed in Iraq also will figure prominently in Bush's decisions, says the administration, in hoping for movement toward political reconciliation this year, underestimated the depth of mistrust between rival sects.

The culture of fear in Baghdad is ingrained.

Breitbart's report might be close to the cause of the break up, but it doesn't mean that it's bad. In fact, it might be an excellent time for a new election and shuffling of party coalitions in the assembly.

The Sunni's in government really didn't represent the Sunni population. In the 2005 election that put Maliki in place, the majority of Sunni's had boycotted the election. It gave the extremist Shia political parties a majority in the assembly, control of multiple ministries and the security forces which were highly infiltrated by the Shia militias and political adherents. The Sunni were completely shut out and had no leverage. They were and are routinely denied basic services and government funds while the Shia and Kurdish parts of the country were developing or getting plenty of slush funds through corruption and official programs. It was this part of the political process which fueled the Sunni Nationalist insurgency and sent them strongly into the arms of al Qaeda post 2005.

The fact that the military situation on the ground is changing will necessarily change the political situation. One of the important aspects of the counterinsurgency program in Anbar is that the local government is starting to change and take a more active role. Power brokers in the tribal areas, in small towns and large like Ramadi and Fallujah are changing the political landscape. The Sunnis in the current government, who were shoe horned in by dent of American demands, simply don't represent the realities on the ground nor the needs of the Sunnis.

Then there is the issue that the Sunnis probably did not get all of the assembly seats they could have had they participated in the elections which also put them at the mercy of the Shia who pretty much set about taking everything they could as the "rightful" heirs of 30 years of oppression. The Sunni tribal areas may have been "less" oppressed, but they certainly weren't living high off the hog except maybe in Fallujah.

The ground truth in Ramadi and Fallujah, two major Sunni dominated cities, along with Mosul and Tall Afar, represent a huge chunk of the Sunni political landscape. With their on-going pacification, these areas are ready to take up a meaningful place in national politics. Finally, those who were given seats in the primarily Shia government, aren't necessarily those who these Sunni's see as honest brokers for their future.

Though less apparent, the same situation may be true for the Shia dominated or mixed areas. Certainly, Sadr's cabinet withdrawals and withdrawals from the assembly may signal that he believes this reality to be true for the Shia as well. At the same time, there have been ongoing efforts to purge the ministries of militia and insurgent related members who have been assisting in fueling the insurgency, embezzling money, taking bribes, selling government goods on the black market and selling information.

Thus, the break up of Miliki's government, the potential new elections aren't necessarily something to fear, but could be the onus for the national reconciliation people continue to look for. For that reconciliation to happen, the people in the outer provinces surrounding Baghdad have to believe they have a stake. They have to buy into the government and that is not going to happen under its current configuration.

Maybe the recess isn't so bad? It's good for the representatives to get back home and find out what the people are really interested in. From recent reports, food, water and electricity would be good now that the security is improving.

Finally, while Maliki has been working extremely hard to move political factions and bring the Iraqi government around, he was the first president and he is tainted with the horrific security situation that began right after his tenure started. Not his fault, but that is how politics works. Iraq might just need to have a new, stronger political leader who will guide his party and Iraq government instead of the other way around.


H/T Mudville

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Iraqi Police Training in Mississippi

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State of the Insurgency: SitRep Iraq

At U.S. base, Iraqis must use separate latrines

Here at this searing, dusty U.S. military base about four miles west of Baqouba , Iraqis— including interpreters who walk the same foot patrols and sleep in the same tents as U.S. troops— must use segregated bathrooms.

Another sign, in a dining hall, warns Iraqis and "third-country nationals" that they have just one hour for breakfast, lunch or dinner. American troops get three hours. Iraqis say they sometimes wait as long as 45 minutes in hot lines to get inside the chow hall, leaving just 15 minutes to get their food and eat it.

This is how well you know it's going in Iraq. When the media has nothing to print but a story about alleged discrimination on a US base in Iraq. The reporter goes on to talk about Truman ending segregation in the military before finally getting around to asking some folks why the bathrooms are separate:

There's also disagreement on the reason.

Marquez cited security. "We are at war, and operational security (OPSEC) and force protection are critical in this environment," Marquez wrote. "We screen all our local nationals working and living in the FOB, however, you can never know what's in their mind."

After the official word from the command, the reporter went around and asked other soldiers why they thought it was segregated. It was widely differing from cultural bathroom habits to hygiene and back around to security. They conclude by noting that FOB Warhorse is the only FOB with separate bathroom facilities.

This is when you know its boring over there. Reporters are now worried about possible discrimination against Iraqis and TNC (third nation contractors). Apparently, big bombs did not go boom during this embed rotation so they had to come up with something to talk about.

I believe that just about says it all.

However, I'll point out a few other facts, such as the fact that Al Qaeda is having a harder time setting off big bombs. You know that because it has not made your headlines in almost a week. It is taking a longer and longer cycle to make big propaganda splashes in the media.

However, US, Iraqi and coalition forces are making big strides against al Qaeda in Iraq's leadership.

U.S. troops kill Iraq shrine bomber

Haitham Sabah Shaker Mohammed al-Badri was killed in a U.S. operation Thursday east of Samarra, the U.S. military said in a statement.

The military said al-Badri was the al-Qaida in Iraq emir of Salahuddin province, and the mastermind responsible for the bombing of the Askariya mosque's minarets on June 13.

"Al-Badri was positively identified by close associates and family members," the statement said.

He was probably responsible for the bombing of the golden dome as well and, by fall out, the deaths of hundreds of Iraqis in sectarian reprisals.

He's not the only one:

Operations in Iraq's North; Mosul's emir killed

Bill Roggio notes that operations in the north have been picking up as Babil, Anbar and Diyala are cleared out. Insurgents are falling back to other positions including to Samarra where Al Badri was killed directly after US forces began tandem operations in Samarra, Ninewah and al Salahidin. He goes on to state:

To the north in Mosul, the operational tempo against al Qaeda's network has been relentless. U.S. and Iraqi security forces have conducted numerous raids in the northern city over the past few months, killing or capturing multiple high value targets. The latest raid, by the Iraqi Army, resulted in the death of Safi, al Qaeda's emir of Mosul.

While conducting a series of operations throughout the city, the Iraqi Army spotted Safi and three bodyguards, and gave chase. Safi and his bodyguards were killed after they pulled over and opened fire on the Iraqi troops. Prior to the killing of Safi, U.S. forces captured Khalid Abdul Fatah Da’ud Mahmud Al Mashadani, a senior Iraqi member of the al Qaeda political front, the Islamic State of Iraq

.

Al Mashahdani was a giant score. We are most likely using documentation and interrogation materials to find these forces. Statements by Mashahdani also imply that he is cooperating because he is angry at the foreign influence of Al Qaeda in Iraq which he stated was largely ran by Egyptians and Saudis while the Iraqis put on a facade of control and local legitimacy. He further implied that the foreign Al Qaeda masters were using Iraqis for cheap canon fodder. Not too surprising since we figured that out long before Zarqarwi died. However, people generally have to find out fore themselves and this was a bloody, hard lesson.

No relation but a good point to make is that the Taliban and Al Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan have been dropping like flies as well. h/t Jawa Report.

Back to Iraq, there are a few issues that are flies in the ointment unless you read between the lines.

Iraqi power grid nearing collapse

Electricity Ministry spokesman Aziz al-Shimari said power generation nationally is only meeting half the demand, and there had been four nationwide blackouts over the past two days. The shortages across the country are the worst since the summer of 2003, shortly after the U.S.-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein, he said.

Power supplies in Baghdad have been sporadic all summer and now are down to just a few hours a day, if that. The water supply in the capital has also been severely curtailed by power blackouts and cuts that have affected pumping and filtration stations.

Getting down to the "between the lines, nitty gritty":

One of the biggest problems facing the national grid is the move by provinces to disconnect their power plants from the system, reducing the overall amount of electricity being generated for the entire country. Provinces say they have no choice because they are not getting as much electricity in return for what they produce, mainly because the capital requires so much power.

"Many southern provinces such as Basra, Diwaniyah, Nassiriyah, Babil have disconnected their power plants from the national grid. Northern provinces, including Kurdistan, are doing the same," al-Shimari said. "We have absolutely no control over some areas in the south," he added.

One of the big issues is that the provinces feel like the Baghdad government has not been playing fare with them. Like in the days of Saddam, the big money, power, food and reconstruction has been kept in Baghdad and other limited capitols where specific national parties have control over the ministries and money that goes with it from the oil revenues. Michael Yon reports in "Bread and Circus" that Baquba in Diyala has been without food shipments for 10 months due to several issues including Al Qaeda seizing the food warehouses and using it to blackmail the populous and siphon off the food for themselves and to selling it on the black market for pocket money.

Second problem? The food warehouses in Baghdad where it originates from is smack in the middle of Sadr city and run by Sadr goons.

The Mayor of Baqubah, and all the king’s horses and men, were afraid to try to get that food from the warehouse next to Sadr City. The Mayor told me that when a representative from Baqubah went to another warehouse to get medical supplies, he disappeared. And then the Mayor told me flat-out that he knew if he went to the food warehouse, he would be killed.

But, LTC Fred Johnson had a plan. Read about it in "Bread and Circus"

I believe that the cut off of power to Baghdad has multiple purposes. Mainly that the provincial governors are rebelling against the sectarian government in Baghdad. This is their leverage. In a sense, this is like the federalists v. states rights. A blogger recently noted that, as Anbar and other provinces grow stronger with US presence, local government and politicians are stepping up to the plate. It's the local governments that are getting the support of the people. This may change the dynamics of the national parties and government in Baghdad. Something that is inherently good considering it is the people in the provinces that will end the sectarian violence and bring about national reconciliation, not Baghdad. Baghdad will follow the provinces this time.

The explanation for all this goodness? Besides the fact that it's super hot and no terrorist wants to be digging holes in the 130 degree heat?

JD Johannes has a little video up that shows why the terrorists continue to lose: "Mu, mu, mu Jihad," which roughly translated means "Not, not, not Jihad."

Summary only...

Information War: Internet Videos and Material Support for Terrorism

Today I go to war. It is "virtual war", but it is a battle none the less for a space that has been generally left to the terrorists. It is a vast space, but it is not completely unchartered or unknown.

Terrorists work through informal networking. This networking is not necessarily through real person to person contacts. Nor even through infamous mosques or madrassas or Islamist universities. This informal networking takes place every day on the internet. Much in the same manner that we socialize through milblogging, link lists or other other internet organization. It is not only a matter of websites or chat rooms dedicated to terrorist activities. It is also open network spaces like Myspace, LiveLeak and YouTube.

For sometime, I have noted the presence of Islamist terrorist propaganda video on YouTube and have flagged them as I ran across them. Now, a group of bloggers have taken the next step and that is to form an internet army whose function is clandestine warfare against such blatant use of public space to further terrorist propaganda, recruit fighters and provide direct material support to such organizations.

All of which is against the law. Not even the auspices of free speech protect such things as terrorist videos showing attacks on our forces, our allies or civilians on YouTube. No nation, not even ours with such open discourse or laws protecting speech, can be compelled to provide a platform for our enemies to conspire, plan and carry out attacks against the government or the people of the United States. Not even those under arms in a foreign nation. The 1st Amendment does not intend to imply nor state any such suicidal pact. That is what a terrorist video does. In fact, their very presence on YouTube, an American company with servers in the United States, breaks the law that states no such material support can be provided to terrorist organizations or individuals.

Hosting a terrorist video, even for free, is providing material support. The value of this free hosting is immense. It actually has a monetary value as, without this free service, terrorist organizations would actually have to spend their own money to set up, maintain and operate servers, electrical power, back up power, cable connections, software and a whole host of other costs associated with such an endeavor. Therefore, it is expressly breaking the law that prohibits such material support.

Of course, YouTube can stand behind its claim that it does not have the resources or capabilities to determine what is illegal and what is not when thousands of video are posted every day. Fair enough. Neither does our government have the type of resources nor organization that civilian internet social networks can bring to bare, inexpensively, yet effectively on such a battle space. But that is why I am posting here today. It is we on the internet and particularly those who have the social network of like mined bloggers who have the power of numbers to take on this important aspect of the war.

So, today I join the internet war with Operation YouTube SmackDown to interdict, interrupt and destroy terrorist abilities to spread their propaganda, educational and recruiting devices for FREE on an American website that reaches millions across the world.

There are times when YouTube gets it right. And then there are the times YouTube gets it wrong. Jihad has come to the Internet. And YouTube is helping them. We're not saying they set out to, but that's the result. Jihadist videos have found a home there. Our enemies are using that website, and others, to spread propaganda and recruit new terrorists. YouTube allows anyone to post anything and doesn't take it down unless someone objects, at which point they might take it down.

Well, we object. We object to YouTube making a profit hosting videos celebrating the death of Coalition Soldiers (and pretty much everyone else) while washing their own hands of any responsibility. We're out to smack those videos down, and maybe shake a little sense into YouTube in the process.

Terrorists video tape many attacks on our forces and those of our allies. They run back to their hidey-holes where they set up large banks of computers to edit, burn CDs and upload the video to known terrorist websites and to free hosting services like YouTube. A known terrorist group even had a set up in a "media van" with satellite hook up. Some terrorists have even become so sophisticated that they use basic photoshop and video editing tools to create fake backgrounds, blend images and remake them to fit their story for the day. These videos receive hundreds and thousands of hits. Somewhere in those thousands are men waiting to be recruited to either attack the United States and our allies directly, or to join terrorist organizations over seas to attack and kill our men and women, not to mention innocent civilians.

So, I have taken up virtual arms to assist in decreasing that number, even if it is by one since one suicide bomber can kill hundreds of people with one bomb. Thus, our endeavor is not fruitless. It is true that a "user" can create a new name and post the videos again. It is true that there are many such videos that abound in cyberspace. But it is equally true that our numbers vastly outnumber those who are posting. We have but to organize and dedicate ourselves to the battle. Remembering that their defeat is not in their total or instantaneous destruction, but in the harassment and continual interdiction of their abilities. Remember that all efforts are worthy if even one life is saved.

It costs nothing but your time and but a few seconds of that daily to take up virtual arms and become a part of the war effort. You do not have to do your own "reconnaissance" if you do not wish to. The group provides the "hit" of the day as well as the top 12 offenders (daily dozen) that is revised as videos and terrorist or terrorist sympathizers go down. This is how it works - How to Guide:

Short version: Just view the videos linked on our Daily Dozen. If you agree they deserve it, click the 'flag as innapropriate' button below the video. Select from the menu of reasons, typically 'graphic violence' or 'hate speech'. This will help get these videos reviewed, and maybe removed. Thank you.

Yeah, it's that simple. You want a sample of what is on YouTube? Check this out:

Al Sahab Media (the Cloud) is the media arm of Al Qaeda. "Sword of Baghdad" posted this video showing a rocket attack on a US base in Iraq.

Also from Al Qaeda in Iraq: Insurgent Sniper shoots American Soldier

If you want more information and would like to join, please go to Operation YouTube Video Smackdown and find out what you can do in the war on terrorism.




PS..the fighting 101st Keyboardist insignia goes back up today. It's no longer about "chickenhawks" v. "anti-war". This is virtual warfare via the internet and our group has received a new mission. I hope that you will answer the call.

Feel free to use the insignia below:





Terrorists Delende Est!

Summary only...

Pat Tillman: Death and Conspiracy Part IV: Damned If You Do

Having watched the 37 minute, Pentagon Briefing 31 July 2007 on Gen. William Wallace's findings regarding the death of Cpl Pat Tillman, I was interested in finding out how exactly could the famous football star's potential death as a fratricide could be, as Deputy Secretary of State Geren called it, "close hold". In other words, how would Sec. of Defense Rumsfeld and the President not know several days later that this was a possibility when the entire platoon knew and so did their officers? More so because the AAR had occured on April 23 and an AR 15-6 investigation was opened on the same day?

Mind you, it is not that I don't understand Afghanistan is 12,000 miles away from the United States. But, Pat Tillman? The heroic, patriotic man who had given up millions to defend his country? Wouldn't somebody want to know what happened?

And how could a command believe the right thing to do was NOT tell the family or pass that information on, up the chain of command?

Was Gen. Kensinger solely responsible or was he left holding the bag?

That is the question that is being sought in congress today even though Gen. Wallace's completed report ends at Gen. Kensinger. Of course, Wallace is a general in the United States Army and has no power over the civilian authority of the Secretary of Defense so his investigation rightfully ends there.

Without passing judgment on Rumsfeld and since I only have documents pertaining to the Army's investigation, there are some very good reasons that Kensinger and several general officers are being held responsible for the failure of providing the Tillman's with appropriate information.

From the AR 15-6 2005, conducted by Brig. Gen. Jones, on page 1977, the name is redacted, but this officer explains clearly that they chose not to provide the Tillman's with information for the very thing that they were accused of - namely "cover up". I believe this is Lt. Gen. Kensinger, though I cannot be certain due to the redacted name. It could be someone directly below him in the chain of command. It is certain it is someone who had direct responsibility for notifying the Tillman family.

-Feb 17, 2005 -I was the [redacted] on 22 Apr 04. As stated in my earlier statement in this investigation, I do not recall the specific date on which I learned Spc Tillman's death may have resulted from friendly fire; however, it was a few days following the incident but prior to 29 Apr 04 when the [redacted] sent a message to the Commanders, CENTCOM, SOCOM, and USASOC advising the death was potentially a fratricide.

In general discussions relating to the friendly fire determination as the cause of death for Spc Tillman, I advised since an AR 15-6 investigation was ongoing and subject to approval by CDR CENTCOM, no one should state definitively that friendly fire caused the death of Spc Tillman.

I am aware the provisions of AR-600-8-1 and 600-34 regarding providing information to the family of suspected friendly fire and status of the pending investigation. In my opinion, neither of these regulations clearly requires the command to inform the family of possible friendly fire as cause of death when there is an investigation pending. Although 600-8-1 provides language to inform the family of a suspected friendly fire, AR 600-34 notes the importance of waiting until the investigation is complete before releasing information prior to findings of the investigation. Further, under AR 15-6, the approving authority can change or substitute findings or recommendations of the investigating officer.

In my opinion, the commander makes the decision on what information to provide the family at notification or thereafter, except that he cannot pre-empt the pending investigation which would go to CDR CENTCOM for approval. I saw no regulatory requirements for the [redacted] to inform the family that we suspected friendly fire prior to completion of the investigation.

I was sensitive to the issue of information to the family and pending investigation since we handled a similar situation June 03 OIF. In that case, preliminary information to the family indicated the service member's death likely resulted from friendly fire. The CDR CENTCOM approved the AR 15-6 investigation into the incident as the approving authority, he added a finding to note there was enemy fire during the fight. Although the additional finding did not change the finding that friendly fire caused the death under investigation, it did create additional challenges for the command in dealing with the family of the deceased, including allegations of cover up by the military.

Ultimately, in considering any information provided to the Tillman next of kin, I advised caution in providing information relating to friendly fire pending completion of the investigation.

I believe my original assumption is correct and this is LT Gen. Kensinger. I don't know if anything else needs to be said after reading this though there are reams of statements I've reviewed and some that are equally pertinent to the question of casualty notice, office of personnel and various other people who were and were not directly responsible for this failing to properly notify the family.

It seems clear that some sort of strange risk aversion overcame this officer and deluded him/her into believing that the command's reputation or even some overweening desire to defend the rights of the possible shooters (though it doesn't read that way) stood above the honest and deserved care for a fallen soldiers' family. This officer blatantly states that he re-interpreted the regulations requiring information to be given to the family regarding pending investigations into friendly fire incidents.

The worst of this is, the AAR and preliminary statements from those involved clearly stated that they understood it to be fratricide on more than one occasion long before the end of the investigation. Further, to hold it long enough that Cpl Tillman's friends and fellow platoon members could tell them without the proper respect and support that should have been provided by the military is nearly criminal.

And, as noted by Geren, a serious disgrace to the uniform, the Army and it's values. This officer put themselves above their men and their families. That is a stain of shame.

Stay tuned for additional comments on the other officers involved as well as how the press releases were coordinated to end up with the giant gap in this story.

Pat Tillman: Death and Conspiracy Part I - The Beginning

Part II: Conspiracy and Death-Trajectory

Pat Tillman: Death and Conspiracy - The Press at it's Best

Pat Tillman: death and conspiracy - Olbermann is an Idiot


Pat Tillman: Death and Conspiracy Part III - Cycle of Disinformation

Summary only...

Pat Tillman: Death and Conspiracy Part III - Cycle of Disinformation

Welcome Protein Wisdom and Blackfive visitors

Conspiracies always start with a kernel truth. The situation that begins the "cover up" conspiracy, beyond the "murdered" conspiracy, is the flow of information after the immediate incident. Soldiers in the field describe war as moments of sheer adrenaline followed by long periods of extreme boredom. The firefight that precipitated Tillman's death was intense and over in minutes. This was followed by hours of pulling security, reconnaissance of the area, waiting for the medevac, and planning for the continuing mission. A mission that turns out to be more than "clearing" a village.

According to interviews with the Platoon Leader, the mission was sensitive. They had received information that 100 Taliban were planning on crossing the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan to attack BCPs (Border Crossing Points) manned by the AMF (Afghan Military). 2nd Platoon of the 2/75th, Tillman's platoon, was tasked with visiting several BCPs and moving to Tit, Afghanistan where the suspected fighters and/or leaders were coordinating.

After the fight was over, 3rd Platoon moved up to provide security. While the story moves along, between the end of the firefight, the arrival of 3rd Platoon and the subsequent Medevac of the casualties, it was four hours.

A member of serial 2 arrived on the scene, discovering that Tillman was dead and conferred with the remaining member of Serial 1, both indicating that they felt this was probably fratricide.

PLT leader with Serial 1 retrieved the radio and called in the situation to TOC. He called in a nine line requesting medevac for himself and his radio man. He was told that there were two friendlies KIA by the squad leader. He called back to TOC and requested a second medevac for the KIA.

TOC informs 1st Platoon and 3rd Platoon of the situation and they move out to make contact with 2nd Platoon.

Two body bags were brought up and Tillman and the AMF were placed inside along with whatever gear and personal effects could be found in the immediate vicinity.

During this time, the last elements of serial 2 from 2nd Platoon had cleared the canyon. Kevin Tillman was in the last GMV. The Platoon Sergeant from serial 1 instructed Kevin Tillman to pull security on serial 2's vehicles. In his statement (pages 612-614) he said he was not informed there were casualties. He was not informed that his brother was KIA. Nor was he informed that it was possible fratricide. While the Platoon Sergeant and several others discussed the probability, they were not prepared to state it emphatically. His first priority was to secure their area, clear the adjacent village and set up a landing zone. He was not prepared to discuss Pat Tillman's death with his brother.

They were also down to seventeen men. Three of which were the shooters and one had witnessed Tillman's death. The entire platoon was shaken by the incident. He was doing what good leaders do: get the men performing their duties and don't give them time to dwell. They were in hostile territory with several hours before relief could arrive. They needed to be aware in case the enemy returned to follow up on the ambush.

As the Platoon Sergeant organized the SKEDCOs for removal of the casualties, he directed another member of serial 1 to join Kevin Tillman to provide security. Kevin Tillman asks him if he has seen Pat. When he doesn't reply, Kevin Tillman asks again and is told that Pat is KIA (according to this witness, Kevin Tillman became hysterical; a second platoon member indicates that Kevin is screaming) . When the casualties are med-evaced to FOB Salerno, Kevin Tillman accompanies the body. This is the correct decision. The Platoon Sergeant is insuring that the appropriate procedures are followed and the chain of command will provide any additional information to Kevin and the Tillman family.

3rd Platoon arrived and took control of the security. Several members of 2PLT indicate they believe this was a friendly fire incident. Because it is dark, 3PLT leader decides to secure the area and wait for morning. Everyone beds down for the night.

Back at base, those at the TOC who heard the nine line medevac knew there were casualties. One of the officers listened to the codes that indicated which members of the platoon were wounded and KIA. He looked them up on the roster and determined that one of the KIA was Pat Tillman. There were four other officers in the room with him. This is what they know:

2 WIA/Wounded (Platoon Leader and Radioman)
2 KIA (Pat Tillman and AMF soldier Thani/Thanos)
The unit was ambushed by enemy fighters in a canyon outside the village of Magareh, Afghanistan. Pat Tillman was killed in the firefight.

When the casualties arrived they were sent to the FST (Field Surgical Team). The surgeon in charge declared Pat Tillman and the AMF dead on arrival. The two WIA are treated and kept at the FST. Guards are placed on the WIA. The word is quickly spreading across the base that Pat Tillman was killed in an enemy attack. Members of the press are on the base and searching for information. The clock is ticking quickly for the command. Tillman's fame, the spread of information and the presence of the press has placed severe time constraints on how long they have to notify the family and provide the first press release. Normal time for notification to the family and definitive press release with confirmation of casualties and events is 24 to 72 hours.

This presents a problem for Command. Particularly as the next of kin is Kevin Tillman who is on base. Once that notification is completed, the POA can release the casualty information to the press.

One of the first reports to circulate is that Tillman is killed "charging up a hill" to engage the enemy. This incorrect information likely has one source: the Platoon Leader. During the firefight when Pat Tillman was killed:

The PLT leader and the man with him take fire and attempt to move to the other side of the house. The second man has a radio and is trying to contact TOC to alert them to their position. The PLT leader is hit in the face by a piece of shrapnel from a round that strikes the house and the radio man is also struck. Neither of them can see what is happening after that.

When he arrives at the base, he has no idea that Tillman has died by friendly fire. The last interaction he had with Tillman was a brief discussion on the hill about who Tillman will take for his fire team (which includes the AMF) and what position. Tillman asks his Platoon Sergeant if his squad can drop their body armor and assault the ridge. The body armor is heavy and not conducive to climbing the steep, rocky hillside. He is told "no", not to drop his armor and that the RTO (radio operator) is attempting to coordinate close air support. The Platoon Sergeant directs Tillman to the rocky spur (where he is eventually killed), telling him to not go any further forward. This is to protect Tillman and his fire team from the potential blast.

This is the most likely source for Tillman's "charge up the hill". At this point, it is uncertain whether this information is officially released by the military or if it is rumor picked up by the press.

At the base, Tillman's body is released to the company mortuary affairs by the surgeon in charge. He did not know who he treated until the next morning. 1st Sgt HHC (headquarters and headquarters company) was tasked with identifying Pat Tillman's remains. When he arrived at mortuary affairs, he assisted in removing Tillman's body armor, MOLLE and Nomex gloves placing them in a bag. When he removed Tillman's body armor, he noted that the top right hand corner of the front plate was smashed (correlating with the "thermal marks" that the ME noted during autopsy). He handed them to a supply Sgt.

It is the late hours of April 22 (the day Tillman was killed) or the very early hours of April 23. The Platoon Leader of 3rd Platoon who relieved 2nd Platoon (Tillman's Platoon) has not yet performed a preliminary review of the site nor called in a request for a friendly fire incident investigation (via an AR 15-6). Which he does, following procedures, on the morning of April 23. No one on base is aware that this is a potential fratricide.

The supply Sgt says he took the RBA (Ranger Body Armor not to be confused with the basic interceptor) to a burn site. He states that the right, top front corner of the plate was "crushed", but he didn't know whether it was from being dropped or from a round. He didn't recall any other rounds or holes in the armor or gear. The supply Sgt removed the plates and noted a small, green notebook inside the RBA. In his words, "the kind we use to make notes in the field". He said that there appeared to be an objective name written on the front. He said he did not look inside. Since it contained possible sensitive information about an operation, he burned it along with the gear.

This is the "diary" that is "missing" that plays some central role in certain conspiracy theories. In fact, Tillman has two "diaries". One is actually a personal journal that he keeps at the rear. This journal is given to Kevin Tillman along with Pat Tillman's dog tags and ruck sack (see pages 612-614) after he returned to the base with Pat Tillman's body and the casualty notification officer first tells Kevin that Pat Tillman has three wounds to the head (not stated as yet but suspect that there was discussion about Kevin viewing his brother's body).

The small, green, "flap" notebook is waterproof. This is what the special agents through out investigation continue questioning Tillman's platoon mates regarding this "diary". The concept of a "diary" and "mission notebook" does not appear in these questions. Possibly because Kevin Tillman himself has asked for this "diary". Several indicate they know he keeps a "journal", but haven't seen him with it. Two know he writes in a journal, but believe it is at base. Three, including the Platoon Leader, notes that Tillman wrote in the "green, flap notebook" during the mission. One notes that Tillman wrote in it at the village they were broken down in before the firing incident.

It is unclear whose description of this "diary" is appropriate. Kevin Tillman believes it is a second personal diary based on his statement. The sergeant who said he burned it believes it was simply an operational note book to jot down mission notes.

On the burning of clothing and gear, the supply Sgt indicates that, while it is common to burn contaminated clothing that might present a bio-hazard (app directives provided on page 628), it is not common to burn equipment like the RBA or the MOLLE if it can be cleaned and redistributed for use in the company. However, he indicates when he opens the bag that the RBA was saturated with blood and "matter" as well as the NOMEX gloves. Following procedures, he decides to burn it due to its condition. He says that he is not directed by anyone above him to do so, but believed he was following proper procedures.

This action also lends to the conspiracy theory that someone was trying to cover up the incident. However, no one at the base knows that this is a fratricide at this time. No one has reason to believe that an AR 15-6 (informal investigation) into a friendly fire incident or criminal investigation will be opened and that anything needs to be retained as evidence. They are simply following basic procedures to dispose of potentially bio-hazardous materials.

However, there are contravening orders regarding the clothing and body armor of deceased soldiers. If they are deceased "in the field" and no medical aid can be rendered, the body armor and clothing are to remain with the deceased. The MEs at Dover explain that, even without a formal criminal investigation, they collect raw data on the damage to the equipment in order to improve the body armor at future dates. The ME does indicate that less than %50 of all casualties arrive with their clothes and equipment. Largely because many of the deceased do receive some sort of medical treatment before expiration and the clothes are removed during treatment. Sometimes because the mortuary affairs need to use other identifying marks and sometimes because mortuary affairs at the front do not know that they need to send this equipment (this is based on the MEs estimation).

To add to the confusion, another sergeant reports that he stored the body armor, had it packed and returned to Ft. Lewis Washington along with other gear. Both sergeants indicate that they completed an inventory sheet regarding the disposition of the armor. [update:this turns out to be the body armor of another ranger, identification unknown, who was also struck by friendly fire. His body armor had impact points to a magazine in the right front, lower pocket; some may be "ricochets" off another object per the crime lab report and detailed analysis page]

All of these events lend to the "perfect storm" that Deputy Secretary of the Army Geren refers to in causing confusion and complications in resolving the matter. All of the actors at this level are simply performing their functions as they believe are appropriate. (see Geren -37 mins long, to be reviewed in next installment Pentagon Briefing 31 July 2007)

On the morning of April 23, Tillman is flown to Bagram, Afghanistan accompanied by his brother Kevin. 3rd Platoon Leader requests and investigation be opened into the friendly fire incident. The rest of 2nd Platoon returns to FOB Salerno. 1st Platoon and 3rd Platoon continue the mission to Tit, Afghanistan after some investigation into the ambush in adjacent village of Magareh. Five days later, they capture five individuals believed to be responsible for the ambush based on information from the local population.

April 23 or 24 (date unclear) 2nd Platoon conducts an AAR (after action review/report) where the platoon members discuss the event and conclude that it was, in fact, fratricide. Several squad members from the GMV1, serial 2 indicate that they believe they shot into Pat Tillman's position. A chaplain is made available for those of the platoon who request assistance. The Company Commander appoints a presiding officer to conduct the AR 15-6 investigation.

All those involved are told that their mission was sensitive and that, due to the ongoing investigation, OPSEC (operational security) should be followed. Most of them believe this means that they cannot discuss any part of the incident with anyone outside of the command or the investigating body. The platoon members remain open and forthcoming about the incident with their command and the investigating officer. No one believes they are contributing to a "cover up". Most of the field officers believe that they are also following procedures regarding not releasing information on an on-going investigation.

The problem is compounded here: Lt Gen. Kisinger and among several officers.



Pat Tillman: Death and Conspiracy Part I - How it Begins (including original links to Army CID investigation materials)

Pat Tillman: Death and Conspiracy Part II - Trajectory

Pat Tillman: Death and Conspiracy Part IV - Withholding Information

Pat Tillman: Death and Conspiracy - The Press at it's Best

Pat Tillman: Death and Conspiracy - Olbermann is an Idiot

Summary only...