Kevin... my thanks for this site. I have been scouring the internet for hours looking for street level accounts of what's happening in Fallujah. Your acccounts are compelling and inspiring at the same time. God bless our fighting men and women and god bless this great country. I have never been so inspired.

Thank you Kevin for your site! This SUV driving,America loving,Proud Mother of "Motivated" Sgt.K, who is serving with the 3/1, would simply like to express my gratitude for a chance to get an honest view of the life that the Honorable and Couragous Marines of Thundering Third are going through while they so bravely do their job.
I love it that we can live in a Country kept Free,Thanks to these wonderful heros in our United States Military. My Son and those he serves with deserve so much better then the ridiculous blah blah blah of "educated" (ha) naysayers. BUT...thanks to the sacrifice our Men & Women in the Military are making while they are away from those of us that LOVE & RESPECT & HONOR them, we get to live here, free to express believe without fear.
God Bless Our Military, Our Leaders, and The United States of America.
Semper Fi

Edited by author 11-14-2004 11:13 PM
David's earlier rant had a link to Rabid America, with tripe from Pravda, for gosh sake. Go to the Pravda forums and you'll read all about how we never landed on the moon, how it was all faked. Plenty of good source material there to back up an argument. Wow. And the Viet Nam war parallels just won't fly. The Viet Cong never killed 4000 plus Americans in NYC with American planes. Plus, I'll bet Kevin's documentation will reveal that far fewer Iraqis are dying in Falluja than imported Syrian, Iranian and other fanatics. We messed around too long negotiating with Hussein. The weapons were moved during that time. And it IS correct that the militant Muslims have their sights on Europe. The Europeans will discover this, as the Dutch are beginning to realize. I think the French will not be far behind. Their Muslim population will soon be overwhelming.

Crap! Sorry, wasn't supposed to do that.

For those of you with family/friends in Kilo 3/1, MSNBC's website just posted a story from Newsweek http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6479631/site/newsweek/. Also, Kevin had good coverage on NBC's Nightly News tonight, for those of you who didn't get to see it. Hopefully, they'll have a video-link to it on the MSNBC website, and a dialog of it on Kevin's site. My best wishes to all of them.

And, for the record, Jesus would ride a chopped, rigid Panhead.

Clives rant is the kind of stuff that got Bush elected. Clive, to make a difference, you going have to tell the truth. Piling it on eventually results in a lie. Trouble is, The truth is often boring! Al Jazeera has the same problem.

Street by street is real and true, I’m sure. Marines nervous and angry about being shot at makes sense. Not flattering, but it shows the dark side of bravery and how awful war is.

The young Scottish and American soldiers look so scared, and I wonder how their deaths will be justified afterwards by 'our' side - the coalition's - much less the Iraqi deaths. Fallujah is full of civilians as well as insurgents.

Wow Dhavi! If you voted for Bush, how about a little Christian restraint.

BTW, I don't drive an SUV but a rather modest 2 door coup that gets 25 mpg.

What would Jesus drive? Since you vote for morals, you ought to know.

God bless America!?! Here's a wierd sticker you guys like to have on your humvees: America Bless God!

Now what the heck does that one mean?

Ready to be enlightened,

Sandra Dee

Hey Sandradee, You must be living under a rock, Therefore you don't need to use our valuable resources then do you?
May I ask what kind of SUV you're driving? In case you haven't noticed, We still pay two bucks a gallon for gas.
You MORON!

US Forces cannot control the streets on the West Side of Chicgo, in East LA, or you pick the the city. What gives Uncle Sam the right to bring 'Democracy' anywhere?

Folks -
Can we please honor Edman's request to save this forum for friends and family to check on their loved ones?
(I've been guilty of posting my political views too, Edman - sorry.)

So why does the [Roosevelt] regime continually murder and mutilate in [Europe and Asia]? Surely they know that when they murder someone's family, whether it be ground fire or 1000 pound bombs dropped from aircraft, the survivors/relatives will forever think of nothing else than to get back at them? For every dead [Nazi soldier], 10 more arise.
So why do they do these crazy things? Are they crazy, indeed?
No.
The reason they do it is that they want to continue in power for ever and ever. And it is not [German Nazis or Japanese Fascists] who threaten that power: it is the USA citizens who have the power to vote them out.
So, the increase of terror threats is actually a BENEFIT to the Corpocrats. It gives them the excuses they need to recruit more police, more CIA, more FBI, to demand your library records, to shut your Web site down [comment: who's web site has been shut down?]. . . bring it on! More terror! More police! (to hold YOU down, dear citizen.)
Wake up before it's too late. [My God, imagine how bad things will be 10 years from now, in 1953!]

Let me get the straight - you say that our Marines are being "hunted" in Fallujah by unseen enemies all around them. Gee, that's funny. The news reports that I have seen say that our Marines took the city in less than a week and killed 600 insurgents while losing about 30 or their own. A 20 to 1 ratio! It looks likes somebody is trying to paint the wrong picture. I almost get the feeling that you wish that more Marines would die to satisy your desperate longing to see George Bush fail. Jerk.

I think Bush invaded and now "occupies" Iraq for two reasons:

1. Revenge
2. Oil

Republicans are the party of corporate interests afterall. This Halliburton thing is part of the fascism of the Republican party.

Clive, you write as nothing has ever happened to trigger our response. You bought the Michael Moore kite flying scene hook line and sinker. The killing of 'insurgents' does not necessarily create more. This uprising is hardly popular with Iraqis. If it were, why aren't there such scenes in Basra? or Halabjah? If you look on a map, you would see that the cities where insurgent activity takes place runs along the Tigris and Eurphrates right up to Syria. Local indeed.

The rest of your post reeks with paranoia. You describe corporate interests as the motivation for Library survailance and website shutdowns. How this furthers a profit is anyones guess. It's like the underpants gnomes on South Park.

Step one: steal underpants or probe library records

Step two: ????

Step three: profit

Sorry, doesn't add up.

So why does the Bush regime continually murder and mutilate in the Middle East? Surely they know that when they murder someone's family, whether it be ground fire or 1000 pound bombs dropped from aircraft, the survivors/relatives will forever think of nothing else than to get back at them? For every dead insurgent, 10 more arise.
So why do they do these crazy things? Are they crazy, indeed?
No.
The reason they do it is that they want to continue in power for ever and ever. And it is not terrorists or insurgents who threaten that power: it is the USA citizens who have the power to vote them out.
So, the increase of terror threats is actually a BENEFIT to the Corpocrats. It gives them the excuses they need to recruit more police, more CIA, more FBI, to demand your library records, to shut your Web site down . . . bring it on! More terror! More police! (to hold YOU down, dear citizen.)
Wake up before it's too late.

If we go back in history to 1914, the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) was the ruler from Palestine to Persia. The victors of WWI divided up the Middle east to suit their commercial interests (an deprive Turkey of theirs). The British selected what is now oil rich Iraq and Palestine. The French got Syria and Lebanon. Artificial borders were set (not unlike colonial and post colonial Africa.) As always, the Brits played one group off against the others. (Not unusual here -- this goes back to the days of Sumeria, Assyria and Babylonia.) A figurehead king was invited in -- a Hashemite Sunni ruling with the usual set of British colonial advisors who trained the police, the army and a few aircraft. The country remained restive between the two number World Wars. A large Jewish trading population remained until the establishment of the state of Israel, whence through a combination of Zionist pressure to return from the Diaspora and Iraqi fears of a foreign subversive entity an exodus occcurred.

The fascist and secular Ba'athist movement arose in neighboring Syria. It gained a foothold among the (mainly Sunni) Iraqi army officer corps. Thence, after a period of time came the rise of Saddam Hussein and his Tikriti gangsters. Tikrit was the city of his birth. Assad the elder in Syria crushed in the name of Ba'athism the fundamentalist Sunni movement wherever he found it. In Iraq, Saddam used the minority Sunni population -- especially Tikritis -- as leverage against the majority Shi'ites and the Kurds.

It is important to realize that there are fundamental differences between Sunni and Shia sects. The former believe in the primacy of the religious pronouncements on all sectors of life. The Imams are supreme arbiters in all matters. The Shia religious leaders (called Mullahs) believe that the religious and the secular co-exist, each has a place in society.

It is also important to realize that because of this creed, Arab Shi'ites (in Iraq) at the top (senior cleric al-Sistani) have no truck with the Persian Shi'ite Mullahs in Iran. This is an area in which the U.S. has exhibited a misunderstanding of Iraqi events. We indirectly permitted the assassination during this conflict of three senior Shi'ite Arab Mullahs. We permitted the rise of the false Mullah (not religiously educated) al-Sadr. He has complicated matters.

For a serious discussion of the troubles caused by the fundamentalists -- Jewish, Moslem and Christian -- in the Middle East -- please read "The Battle For God" by Karen Armstrong.

Realpolitik - Why not Balkanize? Seriously, why not? Isn't the goal to eliminate Iraq as a regional threat and a future globle threat through weapons of mass destruction, while at the same time bringing some democracy to the area. Wouldn't splitting up the country achieve those goals. The only country I see being harmed by this arrangement is Turkey. Frankly, they had a chance to be involved and effect the outcome, they gave that up. Where is the downside? WHat am I missing?

The neutralization of Fallouja ranks in military exploits to a fifty year old victory on the Eastern Front in WWII: the heroic expungement of the Warsaw Ghetto. As then the future of True Western Christian values rests in the hands of young principled soldiers.

Thanks for your efforts. My son (stepson), Justin Hale was a Sargeant with 3/1/1 India Co. during IOF. When he visits later today, he may post some hello's to friends still in theater.

To those of you who advocate "quitting" and pulling out in the middle of what will be a very long battle in the mid-east, your comparisons to Vietnam are off the mark. Keep in mind that wherever you are, you're on *their* soil (Theo van Gogh found that out).

It's preferable for our finest and bravest are on *their* soil, doing what they are trained for - taking the fight to the enemy. You can deal with it now, or you can deal with it later, but there's no running away from this global war - and to abandon the 80% plus of Iraqis who would prefer to live with the peace and freedoms we take for granted would be a disaster in the long term.

The slightest hint of "surrender" is the worst message we could send, and that's why the re-election of Bush sends such a strong message to the jihadi and others of their ilk.

To those of you who claim "you can't force democracy with point of a bayonet", I suggest you look at the flip side of your argument: "you can force totalitarianism", unless brave men stand in your way.

God bless and protect these kids, and the innocents who get caught in the middle when totalitarians use them as shields.

semper fi, and stay safe.

Kevin,

Thank you for this report. Your writing is actually the best war journalism, I've seen to date.

Thank you, keep safe, and tell the Marines our prayers are with them.

Rick, you are rude and your last message is a diatribe if I ever heard one. For Thankful American, and others who might be interested in further analyses of the situation, I recommend the site of Juan Cole, Professor of History at the University of Michigan: http://www.juancole.com/

Last message, promise.

Charley Horse, you point out of valid points about ethinic and sectarian distribution amongst the Kurds, Shias and Sunnis, as well your note about Baathists. I truly hope that Iraq does not balkanize, but it seems that every little 'tribe' wants their own nation. I fear tribalism, and I think it is encouraged everywhere. This could be a long discussion about traditional societies vs. globalized culture; or post-nationalism vs. increasingly fractured ethic secessionist movements. The problems are there, and then again, so are the answers if cooler heads prevail, and all start to see our foreign neighbors as brothers, rather than a market to be exploited.

Realpolitik:

Thank you for sharing your views. If you have time, can you post a reference link for further research that you find relevant? Particularly regarding historic timelines in Persia, Ottoman Empire, LONations, formation of Mid East, et al.

I will honor Edman's request to take any discussions like this offline.

Best to all...

I so appreciate finding this account, the photos, and the descriptions, of what is transpiring in Fallujah. I will use this forum to extend a message of gratitude:

To all the families with soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan -- you have my deepest admiration and respect for the sacrifice you have made, and the effort you are undertaking. I have a neighbor who has been in both theatres, as part of ISG and in leading SF for the past 2 years, he is a real leader and is coming home to a wife and two children who love him and have missed him very much.

No doubt his replacement will be equal to the challenge, and will widen the road paved before him.

You are Americas finest. Thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU!

Hello Edman

Diatribe is a bit rough, and an airing of opinions is legitimate. Clearly, Kevin offers a great opportunity for family members to communicate with those soldiers, and that's wonderful and legitimate too. Shutting off debate though is not productive however, and trying to understand why these men are there and what they are up against is. You talk of wholesale attempts to shut one side down in a debate and vice versa, and this is cheap. Do you know for a fact that these men wouldn't also appreciate that people back home are concerned for their moral compass as well as their hides? That's what the study of history, and the proper evaluation of the situation offer, a belief system to hold on to when the bullets are flying, a core understanding of why you're there.

Bryan,

The United Nations gave a one week notice to the citizens of Fallouja to clear out or be subsequently considered enemy combatants. Anyone still there is either itching for a fight, living under a rock, and unfortunately in a bad spot. You are absolutely correct about hearts and minds, but first a peace must be secured.

Someone earlier said that Islamo-fascism isn't the equivalent of Nazism, and I couldn't disagree more. Both share a militant ideaology, and of the most virulent form, and their removal from the global stage is vital through a hearts and minds campaign as you suggested. I believe we have food aid and infrastructure programs underway, if only foreign and Iraqi insurgents wouldn't keep destroying them.

In any case, Edman did have a point, this site is valuable for the families sending messages to the soldiers, so I won't burden anyone with my reading of events and history, but I offer a final and I believe valuable point (for the soldiers that is), that history justifies their mission in the long-term and they are doing the right thing. I believe they will be looked upon as heroes just as the men of Omaha Beach. Good luck to them all, and god bless.

you call these people admirable? people who take delight in killing "hajis" and read the bible in between snuffing out lives?

Thank you Kevin Sites.... for bringing much needed photos & news on our Marines. May you all return safely, healthy and with as few emotional scars as possible. Our hearts and prayers are with you all.

Bryan,

You didn't "contribute" to a diatribe. You wrote one. A series of unbased assertions concerning a situation about which you "know", as in having facts in hand, nothing. At the very least you could profer the discredited Lancet survey. Then you could be subjected to the ridicule that you have so profoundly earned. As it is, and since you neglect the "In my opinion" which is all that you profer, readers are left thinking that all you have demonstrated is an ability to type without resorting to conscious thought.

We are not "making enemies", we are killing enemies.

I am sorry edman if I have in any way contributed to what you see as a "diatribe". You are correct that some of us do not have family in Iraq. However as a committed Christian I am concerned about everyone in Iraq and especially the communities of Fallujah who are suffering under both sides.

I'm sure some can appreciate the "justification of war" dabate going on in this forum, but if you read most of the past postings, that's not the bulk of the interest.

I've not been educated on the topic of history nearly as thorough as some of you, and I'm sure some of your viewpoints have credibility; however, the majority of persons contributing to this have friends or family fighting RIGHT NOW, and are extremely concerned for them, whether they agree with the war or not.

Please, conduct your diatribe elsewhere, on you own topic-head, and allow these family members to express love and hope to Kevin and their soldiers/Marines.

Thanks

Charlie Horse

I agree that we all need to start seeing this problem with a tri-partite solution. Maybe some sort of loose federation. The obvious question is who has the oil. I don't know. Maybe you do. Aren't each of the three groups going to want a fair (or more) share of the oil? Can it easily be proportioned?

Realpolitik,
It is simplistic to say that the choice is defeating terrorists in Iraq or letting the Islamofascists take over. This is the type of argument which is used to shut up any criticism over the way the war is being conducted.
Let's be completely clear: the way the war is being conducted, with cluster bombs being dropped on cities, with a heavy-handed bombing and killing of tens of thousands of civilians, the destruction of Fallujeh, etc. are creating grudges and animosity against the US. Yes, we need to win a military war but for our long term security we need to win the political battle for the hearts and minds of the people.
On that count we are failing terribly.

Realpolitik - hats off to you. You clearly know what you are talking about.

Of course I am not "pro-war" either (who is?), but a long-term solution to the Middle East mess that now exists lies in democracy and freedom - as in a free Iraq and a democratic and independent Palestine, and it comes at a cost. Terror must be denounced and eradicated in favor of freedom.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...pr_wh/bush_blair_26

And yes, Frank, just the day before yesterday we appropriated $90 million to rebuild Fallujah. Bob Dylan wrote great songs, but that one has no applicability here.

To all the mothers and wives - God Bless - my family and I are grateful, and I for one hope for peace in a free and democratic Middle East by the time my children are grown.

As an American, I am proud of our troops defending this country (U.S.) and helping another to gain its independence from terrorists. As a mother of a Marine serving in this war, I can only say to them all, that they are with us always in our hearts and prayers. My heart stays heavy with grief and pride for our soldiers. We at home miss them terribly. I would like to thank Kevin Sites for his information that he provides to us. My son is in the 3/1.

I have long favored a tripartite solution for Iraq. There is no cohesive group that can be called "the Iraqi people." There is no comon democratic political tradition on which to build.

Under that analysis, what we are doing now is completing a third war. The first was to free the Kurds from domination by Saddam. The second was to free the Shia from domination by the Sunni and, indeed, Saddam -- a Sunni agent. Now we are engaged in a war against a Sunni 'nation' with a coherent and common set of beliefs. The Ba'athist remnants are Sunni. They do have foreign so-called freedom fighters -- who are Sunni -- coming to their aid. Martyrdom suits them. A lore is building up. We can fight and win, liberate every city in the Sunni triangle. We can destroy their existing physical and political infrastructure. And so we should, if the gains from winning the first two wars are to be realized.

Nazi philosophy was not a religion governing from the pulpit; there were to the end minority parties. Such is not the case in the Sunni world.
 
How are we to win such a conflict? Where is there a Konrad Adenauer to come from the ashes in the Sunni provinces? Where are the Imams of Sunni preaching peace? How can whatever governance that emerges have the political strength and mandate to join the other two parts in some semblance of nationhood? There is not.

The answer lies in a redistribution of Iraq. No other conquerer would do less. The Sunni become part of their co-religionists in the Kingdom of Jordan. They balance the influx of Palestinians from Israeli occupied territory,

Baghdad becomes an international city with its sectors of Sunni and Shia. It is the capital of a federation of South (Shia) and North (Kurd) Iraqi states. Each retains control of their oil resources, their internal security.

First to Amber...thanks to you, and your husband in the might 3/1 (3d Bn/1st Marines for you non-military types!

I'm a vet of the might double deuce 2/2. In Iraq now as an xlator.

Second to Roger, putting down Fallujah with a greater loss of life than Saddam did? Are you crazy? We've found graves in Al-Hilla numbering 250k executed Shi'a. And the Marines are talking about 2,000-600 enemy KIA. Grab a clue and get off the propaganda.

War is terrible, and believe me I know. My father died in Vietnam, my oldest brother wounded in the same war. I fought in the 1st Gulf War, Bosnia & Somalia. But what we are doing here is better than any of those above.

And the Marines & soldiers in Fallujah! God Bless them. I've talked to the refugees from there. These people are glad we are destroying their homes! It sounds incredible, but to get rid of these gangsters (their words not mine). They asked if we would rebuild. I told them, "We're America, if we win, we rebuild. God willing."

And so we will, In sha' Allah!

It is shocking that we are putting down the insurrection in Fallujah with greater brutality and loss of civilian life than even Saddam managed when he attacked the city and put down the Shia rebellion of 1991 (after Gulf War I).

Masters Of War
by Bob Dylan

Come, you masters of war
You that build the big guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten all the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
While the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatenin' my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes it toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death will come soon
I'll follow your casket
On a pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your death bed
And I'll stand over your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead

Edited by author 11-13-2004 03:35 AM
Kevin,

The images of the street scenes surely look like the "dogs of hell" have been unleashed on Fallujah. Your photos and copy from the alleys and rubble of Fallujah bring the angst and axiety you must be feeling right to our computer screen. We salute you for doing that dangerous thing you do!

Our prayers and condolances to those who lost friends and loved ones over the past few days. And a prayer of healing for the wounded. A sincere wish that the innocent people of Fallujah are protected from those trying to harm them. May Allah help them through this crisis.

We, at home, think of you and the Devil Dogs of both 3/1 & 3/5, and especially the Navy corpsmen that seem to always be there when you need them. You are all appreciated back home and we pray for your saftey and swift return.

Stay low and stay safe. Hopefully you will have some down time to recharge and be ready for the next adventure. We look forward to more exciting and informative reports from Fallujah. Be well.

aeterna vigilia est pretium libertatis
Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty

As a statement of full disclosure. I am for peace, and detest war since I know personally its cost. I have a sister in the Navy, and my father fought as infantry in World War II in Germany and Italy. I am a trained diplomat and I am the last to ever advocate for war--I am also not a fan of GWB.

David

Much of the calamity that exists in the Middle East is due to the failed colonial policies from the post League of Nations era. Arbitrary lines were drawn by imperial geographers to create nations out the remnants of the Ottoman Empire. In those days under the spoils of war philosophy, the carving up of territory was fair game. History is full of failed plans, and much fingerpointing. Israel was created from world guilt, and yes Palestinians were disenfranchised from their land, and indeed, the Middle East is a mess because of it; and lastly, the world is greatly endangered as a result. Yet these are mistakes of the past which probably would have been rectified earlier if the Cold War had not progressed into proxy wars in Afghanistan (Soviets), Vietnam (US & China), Chile (toppling of Allende by US--talk about failed US ventures), Guatemala (talk about genocide), Somalia (Italians), etc. You pose as an authority, and are eager to point fingers, but where do you stop? Are you aware that none of what we experience in the Middle East would be necessary if militant Islamic youths were led by their own Martin Luther King, Jr., who advocated for peace, or if Arab moderates weren't so spineless that more of them would martyr themselves to end militantism than quietly support the corrosive nihlism that is destroying generations of males there? Are you aware that throughout history appeasement has ALWAYS failed without a single instance to the contrary?! And I would not mention Kennedy's response to Kruschev's 2 communiques during the Cuban Missle Crisis--that was wisdom, not appeasement. Indeed, consider Hitler who was appeased, or Hirohito, who was for a time. Really, how far do you go back to assigne blame? To the Treaty of Westphalia and the establishment of the nation state--for without this legal precept emblazoned in international law there would be no Israel, no United States of America or potential Palestine, there would only be the feudal fiefdoms of the ancien regime. Study your history mate, learn from it, travel and see true suffering and wanton murder--see executed bodies rotting, or if you've not the stomach or the savvy, read history and check out some photojournalism, but it is critical that you and all realize that what is of utmost importance is that you understand your enemy. He does not care if you do not want to hurt him--he wants to kill you and yours all the same as he does not, and will not learn from history asyou might, as he learns from radicalized clerics filled with hate and who teach that to die and kill innocents is a glorious end. I hope that the Arab generations of the future enjoy higher standards of living and education. I hope they will return to their once lauded status in the cultural diaspora, but for now, they must be freed for their minds and their bodies politic are held hostage.

And back to your point for a finale, yes, mistakes were made in the past, but the past is the past. It's time to grow up and deal with now.

It's sad that innocent Iraqis died in this war, but it will be a far sadder world if Islamo-fascism wins for if they do, they will make Hitler look like a choirboy.

David

Much of the calamity that exists in the Middle East is due to the failed colonial policies from the post League of Nations era. Arbitrary lines were drawn by imperial geographers to create nations out the remnants of the Ottoman Empire. In those days under the spoils of war philosophy, the carving up of territory was fair game. History is full of failed plans, and much fingerpointing. Israel was created from world guilt, and yes Palestinians were disenfranchised from their land, and indeed, the Middle East is a mess because of it; and lastly, the world is greatly endangered as a result. Yet these are mistakes of the past which probably would have been rectified earlier if the Cold War had not progressed into proxy wars in Afghanistan (Soviets), Vietnam (US & China), Chile (toppling of Allende by US--talk about failed US ventures), Guatemala (talk about genocide), Somalia (Italians), etc. You pose as an authority, and are eager to point fingers, but where do you stop? Are you aware that none of what we experience in the Middle East would be necessary if militan Islamic youths were led by their own Martin Luther King, Jr., or if moderates weren't so spineless that more of them would martyr themselves to end militantism than quietly support the corrosive nihlism that is destroying generations of males? Are you aware that trying to appease militants who find glory only in death will result in their chewing off the entire foot if allowed to? Consider Hitler who was appeased, or Tito, and what does history teach you. How far do you go back and point fingers? To the Treaty of Westphalia and the establishment of the nation state--for without this concept emblazoned in international there would be no Israel, no United States of America or potential Palenstine, there would only be feudal fiefdoms. Study your history mate, learn from it, travel, and most importantly, understand your enemy. He does not care if you do not want to hurt him--he wants to kill you and yours all the same. And he does learn from history--he learns from radicalized clerics filled with hate and who teach that to die and kill innocents is a glorious end. Yes, mistakes were made in the past, but the past is the past. It's time to grow up and deal with now.

It's sad that innocent Iraqis died in this war, but it will be a far sadder world if Islamo-fascism wins for if they do, they will make Hitler look like a choirboy.

Edited by author 11-13-2004 01:44 AM
The number one threat to world peace isn't "militant Islam," it's militant right-wing capitalist colonialism. The idiots who support this war ignore the fact that there would have been NO conflict whatsoever, and for that matter no Osama/Al Queda, had the U.S. not decided to feed money and guns to the anti-Soviet Afghanis in the '80s, or had we not propped up murderous butchers like the Shah of Iran (who we installed in the first place), or offed/ousted the pan-Arabists such as Nasser.

Hey, pro-war clowns: Research any of the things I've mentioned here, and if you can come up with any good answers, let me know. Bet you don't have the foggiest notion what I'm talking about. Know, though, that since you don't, you're sending American kids to die for no reason - and ultimately for no good result. The U.S. has already LOST the war for hearts and minds throughout the muslim world. This war has opened a can of worms that will not close in our lifetimes.

RabidNation

In one sense I agree with Bigbuk - this is not a game.

But Realpolitik has a better understanding of the whole situation: this is a very real danger we are all facing, people, and it requires a long-term vision to defeat it. Simplistic characterization of Saddam as the "wrong" enemy fails to account for the big picture :

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/11/20031106-2.html

Amber - My family and I are eternally grateful to you and your husband. I will do all I can to help you and your family, and all military families, especially during this holiday season - God Bless.

Let Freedom Ring!

It's amazing how little geopolitical sense the detractors of this war have. As mentioned earlier, the stakes are very high. Militant Islam is the number one threat in the world today and perhaps the greatest ever seen by humanity except for diseases. Students of Machiavelli, and thus the world know that evil must be crushed and totally. It is ugly business and so was World War II, but think if the Nazis had won. Regardless of what peaceniks think, the German National Socialists (Nazis) and Italian Fascists (Mussolini) have been replaced by Islamo-Fascism led by the ultraconservative and militant mullahs and their number one PR guy, bin Laden who is deadly serious especially now that he has religious sanctioning to legitimately use nuclear weapons against us if radicals ever obtain them. Grow up people. Travel a little and understand the world is a deadly place.

As long as we are fighting the terrorists where they are, they are not attacking us here. Right now, the Armed Forces are doing their jobs. They are protecting Americans. My husband volunteered to do what he is doing, and as much as I hate the fact that he is in danger, I am glad we are going in and taking out the terrorists. It doesn't matter where they are, they need to be taken care of. It has nothing to do with Osama and Saddam anymore. The UN warned the people of Fallujah- for a week in advance- that if they were innocent civilians, they should leave town. Anyone who didn't leave is an enemy combatant. That insures that there are no innocent civilians in Fallujah. Our soldiers and Marines are protecting our way of life, we need to support them.

I did combat duty in Viet Nam, and was a registered republican for 35 years. I cannot believe we are attacking an innocent people in Iraq!!!! It was Osama who did 9/11, not Saddam--as bad as he was. We need to wake up from this nightmare and get the hell out of the middle-east.

My husband is with the 3/1. I Just want to say how proud I am of him and every Marine that is there. And Kevin- if you get the chance... go talk to him. He's with H&S co., Comm Plt. Ask for "Motivated Sgt K" Tell him I love him and can't wait until he comes home. Could you take a picture of him and put in online? I'd love to see him. Thanks- Amber

This is a great Blog. Calls for the troops to pull out seem a bit off the wall, we are not leaving. The only solution is victory.

Blessing to all Americans and Iraqi's fighting against these thugs.

X

This is all so sick and so sad. How many people feeding on this stuff were alive during Vietnam? For those who were, remember how we told ourselves in the early 60's that "we have to do it, or the commies will run rampant in SE Asia"? Remember how we were "helping to support a democratic government in S. Vietnam"? And remember how nothing changed between the 12,000th dead American and the 58,000th dead American? Oh yeah, one thing did change......we left..........Because we figured out that while there are honorable ways to die, there is nothing honorable about being dead........
Keep up the good work Kevin, for telling it like it is.

Edited by author 11-12-2004 11:12 PM
Kevin nice job, you're very brave! Tell the troops we ALL LOVE and SUPPORT them. Also, tell them this battle is much bigger than the tactical flavor often recives: this is for the entire middle east - long term - and it's big. Thanks to you and all the brave guys. Tell'm to be careful!

You know sitting here in the peaceful surroundings of my home and looking at the pictures and seeing all the "atta boy" responses from people who are likewise safe, I am quick to wonder why these respondents aren't over there fighting too! It is all too easy to look at war from afar. This war should have never happened. And now the American people have voted in the same idiot who started it all in the first place. God help us all. Once Falloujah is taken then we have to after Mosul and another town and another town. When will it end? How many more American lives need to be needlessly lost before we say enough is enough?

Suppose that today's "hajis" were Vietnam's "gooks"...

Kevin: Thanks for the reports from the field. God bless these Marines. They makes us proud. I'm glad they have the guts, that so many back here lack, to get the job done. Outstanding work marines!

Kevin: You are amazing. Your reports deliver the reality of war. My husband is with 3/1 Lima and is one of the many marines who has lost several people close to him. He is very thankful for you being embedded with them. You and your camera crew are in my thoughts and prayers. I appreciate all of your hard work and bravery. Stay safe!

As a ex WW11 Marine I cant believe we are in this quagmire
I wish everybody would write their Reps. and force them to get our troops out now.

Edited by author 11-12-2004 06:24 PM
Hot dawg, a blog from my favorite MSNBC reporter in the field besides the late David Bloom. I think you are a terrific reporter and I really look forward to reading your blog. Keep yourself safe and your eyes open!!!

God Bless!!!!!

From the article:<BR>
Almost to a man -- the 3.1 Marines I'm embedded with have all lost friends in this protracted war of attrition. They are eager "to get some," to pay "haji" back for the car bombs and IED's (improvised explosive devices) that have killed or maimed so many of their brother "Devil Dogs."<BR>
....And many iraqi's will loose friends<BR>
....And they too will "want to get some"<BR>
....And as americans look upon them as "haji's" I'm sure there's some loathsome term the iraqi's have for the americans<BR>

All I can feel is profound sadness. Sadness for the people of Fallujah (and Iraq in general), and sadness for the US soldiers, they have both been turned into tools for death and destruction. There's nothing honorable about what has been dished out to an extremelly poor people that had no beef with you until the US took it upon itself to made their lives pure hell.

Remember, Fallujah wasn't part of your vocabulary until the Bush administration decided the economic and geopolitical benefits of its Iraq adventure were worth all this missery.

Is it?
Not to me.

like squeezing jello, were definately in this for the long haul.......

History will show that this is a remarkable thing we are doing for Iraq:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/11/20031106-2.html

- Thank you American Military!

Edited by author 11-12-2004 12:42 AM
This is for all the families of servicemen and women--God bless you all. I began following Kevin's coverage because I'm a past member of Lima 3/1 (84-85), and really wanted to know if they were o.k.

It brought the war so much closer to home when I first heard "3/1" mentioned, like a heavy feeling in my chest. I'm so very proud of all your boys. Now I read all the posts of family members, and I can't imagine how, if at all, you're handling it.

Kevin's doing a great job at his coverage, and I wish him and all your troops the best.

We just found this site yesterday. Think it's great. My nephew Andy is with the 3/1. Family hasn't heard any word in 3 weeks. So the only way we have of keeping up is thru Kevin, thanks so much.

Kevin, Thinking of you guys on this Veteran's day. Your reports are riveting and very descriptive of the situation you find yourself in. Thank you once again for the dedicated and professional manner in which you are covering the Fallujah battle. We here at home salute you, and pray for the well-being of all the troops, but especially our guys in 3/1. Stay low and stay safe.

God bless our Troops....... Their famililes......I pray the good Lord will be with them at all times. For they are in my thoughts and prayers constantly. we have family in 3/1. We thank you Kevin - you are our only real source of info at this point.
Happy Vetarans Day U.S. Soldiers.

Kevin, I've watched you for several years on MSNBC, and just discovered your blog. It's great and indepth with such detail, unlike the brief clips on TV. Keep up the great work! I wish I were there to see exactly what our warriors are going thru and to learn how they fight. You are our eyes and ears. I'm thrilled they've finally taken off the gloves and giving those terrorists what they deserve - death. My heart goes out to those who are wounded or lost their lives. May the rest of our troops give us our revenge and go gung ho on those bastards. But, leave the cats and dogs alone please. Muuaahh!

Poor little DAVID sounds quite bitter! We are so very fortunate to have Kevin telling us the real story. He tells us in way that we can all connect to. Helping us feel a bit closer to the ones that over there. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE LATELY DAVID to make any difference in this world??

Please wish the boys a happy Veterans Day and thank them as well. I hope you all return home safely and soon!

Hey, David- Where is your outrage at the PUBLIC BEHEADINGS, not in Iraq, but in AMSTERDAM by militant Moslems? It seems you can't express yourself like Mr. V. Gogh did, if it goes against the Muslim think-set. But you keep coming up with the "shameful American" crap. The Muslims are making moves to take over Europe, so wake up! Wake up! We are where we need to be. The Dutch haven't done anything to the militants, but they are attacked on their own city streets and murdered. No outrage from you on that, is there? You dope...go live in Syria, you fool. See how you're treated there.

this is for david,are you sure you are american?

My soon to be husband is with 3/1. Hang in there boys! Hopefully this is the worst it will get.

Greg, I sent you the address for the marines with 3/1. Happy Veterans day to all of our armed forces. What a way for them to celebrate over in Iraq huh? COME HOME SOON!!

kevin, again thanks for the coverage the marines need a voice and your it.

SEMPER FI

on another note any family members of current 3/1 marines I am in need of your assistance I am a former 3/1 Lima Marine and am trying to get some goodies over to 3/1. Can you please shoot me an email if any of your sons needs anything

email at badplatypus3@hotmail.com

I've seen part of what you describe on your reports on MSN and NBC - very gripping pictures! Your description of the Marines' outrage at their buddies being wounded is good - I get mad that our boys are wounded, maimed and killed!! My support and prayers are what I can offer . . .

Kevin..............Great coverage!.............Your insight & dedication to an honest assessment of the battle is awesome......Give a special high five to anyone from the great state of Tennessee {Flyover country for Bush}...........Love yer blog..........Semper Fi............Crackerbox

Kevin,
Excellent coverage! It was great to see you on MSNBC. Take care of yourself. I've recommended this blog to many of my friends! Thanks very much for getting the story straight.

What the fk. This is considered news now?? This is like a bad computer game fanfic written by a 15 year old boy. These are dark times indeed for humanity and not because of any terrorist. America should be ashamed.

Thank you for your coverage of the war...you are the only person I trust at this point...my son is a member of the 3/1...peace to you and our Marines...Mari

Kevin,

Thank you for all your hard work. You are a true asset to media world. God bless your TROOPS, please say hi to the Troops of 3/1. Give a high five to Hospital Corpsman HM3 Mabini India Co. 2nd pltn.

Glad to see mosque leveled without hesitation.
Hue 1968 was a different story. Political pressure
to preserve the Citadel. Nothing is more important
than our troops. All too often higher echelon forgets
that fact.
Kevin, thanks for this blog. If any leathernecks read this please know that we support you 100%.
I wish Kerry won but that is behind us now.
Keep your eyes open and take care of each other.

Kevin,
Is it true (as reported in the Washington Post, see here: http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/11/10/1536241) that:
"U.S. Reportedly Firing White Phosphorous Rounds
The Washington Post reports that the U.S. has begun firing white phosphorous rounds that create a screen of fire that cannot be extinguished with water. Iraqi doctors are reporting that corpses are being brought into the hospital with their skin melted -- a reaction consistent with white phosphorous burns."

The civilian casualties seem to be very high. Is that related to the fact that we bombed a hospital and occupied another so preventing access for ordinary civilians. Has there been any discussion by soldiers on the ground about the fact that these actions likely constitute war crimes. I realise that it is unlikely that the international community will hold US soldiers to account, but it would be interesting to know to what extent US soldiers are considering their legal obligations to conduct a just war?

God Bless you All!!
Thank you and please thank all our wonderful fighting men!!

Oh, yes; Sgt Ben is with 3/1 Lima Co.

Happy Birthday to our Marines; get some and get home!

This is the best coverage anywhere on Iraq... thanks for taking the time to do this blog.

Put your darn helmet on, Kevin! News photos of you in the middle of all the carnage yesterday show everyone with a helmet but you. Take care, man!

Kevin:
Thanks so much for providing an insite into the carnage of the battle. My son's with you and the rest of the best 3/1, we're all proud of the guys, and know they are giving them hell. If you see SSTG Lacroix, give him a high five for me and the rest of the family, all of Tucson is tosting the hard work. God Bless America.

Kevin, thanks for yet another riveting report.
Thanks for watching over our Marines.
We're all behind you back home.
You all have our eternal gratitude.
Plus everything everyone else here said.


(P.S.: Xeni: fyi, HTTP 403 on 2004_11_07_archive.html )

Kevin, I want to thank you again for the wonderful job you are doing. As I continue to pray for the safety of my son who is a proud member of the 3/1, I pray for your safety and the continued safety of all of our Devil Dogs. Today is the Marine Corps birthday. Give all of our Marines an extra OO-RAH.

Semper Fi!

From One Very Proud Marine Mom

Kevin, I admire your courage for being under the gun with 3/1 as much as I do for my fellow Marines.

Please pass along a thank you and a belated 229th Birthday to my comrades. They are always in our thoughts.

Kevin. Thank you for the insight. Please tell all of the Marines thank you, they are true heroes. They are now and will remain forever in our hearts and prayers. Also tell them "happy birthday". Semper Fi and stay safe.

thanks kevin i dont know if b beechler of the 1st blt 3rd marine is in the picture or not,but it sure tells us where he is on street by street.we pray everyone is safe.

please stay safe. your continued presence and reporting is needed.

Kevin, Sounds like you guys are in the thick of it now. Your report brings a detailed understanding to us, as if we were there with you. You know we are, in spirit. Prayers are being sent for the wounded and also for the brave marines of India Company and their brothers. You are in our thoughts constantly and we, here at home, are very appreciative of the dangerous job you are doing to keep us informed of our loved ones activities. The fact that it is almost "real time" gives us a sense of being closer to those we have been missing for months now.

Please let the Devil Dogs of 3/1 know that we are behind the 100% and that we think of them often. We do care and hope for a safe and complete victory in Fallujah.

Thank you for the excellent job you are doing. Please stay low and stay safe. We at home do care, and our prayers are with you every minute.