Maybe of the month. Or Year. Or Blog history.


LOL.


It's here.

OK, admittedly, I have a slightly tweaked sense of humor, but I can't help chuckling about the latest video hit from Al-Qaeda in Iraq. Here's what cracks me up:

"The American people have taken a step in the right path to come out of their predicament ... they voted for a level of reason."

"I tell the lame duck (U.S. administration) do not rush to escape as did your defense minister ... stay on the battleground..."

Wait a minute - I thought we've taken the right step by withdrawing, and now you're saying you want us to stay. And this 'cause they "haven't had enough" of our blood yet. He's a peach, ain't he, folks?

OK, if we choose door #1, of course that means that Al Qaeda is going to back off and be "reasonable," too, right? 'Cause after all, the only reason they're attacking us at all is our intervention in Iraq - at least according to George McGovern, the anti-war, 49-state-loser that will be the architect of the Democrat withdrawal plan (which is amusing in itself). Oh, wait, no, apparently we're still going to be in trouble....

"I swear by God we shall not rest from jihad until we ... blow up the filthiest house known as the White House."

Hmm.....

Doesn't sound too "brotherly" to me - Al Masri said in the same tape that once the Dems cut and run (because "The (U.S.) enemy is now wobbly. Today they are loading their gear to flee"), Al Qaeda would treat them in a brotherly manner. Man, if that's "brotherly," I'd sure hate to be there for family picnics.

Oh, and add that to this gem from Falah Hassan Shanshal, one of al-Sadr's chums:

"The vote shows the Iraqi and American people are of one mind about withdrawing U.S. troops. ... We hope the Democrats don't forget their campaign promises.'"

Aw, come on, though - we're gonna be buddy-buddy once we leave Iraq, right? 'Cause other than this little tiff, Al Qaeda had nothing but respect for us. Not so much - we're "America, the country of slaves and narcotics" Hey, pal, not for nothing, but I don't know if you should be trashing your customers. Bad for business. After all, isn't Al Qaeda big in the Opium trade?

Wonder how the Left is going to react to being called Al Qaeda's "brothers." My criticisms of the Dems aside, I really don't think that's the kind of vote of confidence they want.

Al-Qaeda's bout of split-personality is also being displayed by the Dems, with Murtha claiming that he's going to revisit a quick departure from Iraq, McGovern being called in to orchestrate said departure, the Iraqi President stating that the Dems assured him that they know hasty withdrawal would be disastrous, and told him it's not going to happen. And now Nancy Pelosi is saying that Congress' ability to end the war is limited (of course, this week, she also termed it a "situation to be solved" rather than a war).

So, if you're a jubilant anti-war Leftie who voted for those you thought would leave Iraq semi-immediately, you've got to be feeling a little peeved. Did you get hosed? Dunno - the Left doesn't seem to be able to voice a coherent message (I feel your pain - the GOP seems to have the same problem these days).

Al-Masri said that Al-Qaeda in Iraq has "12,000 ready fighters," and 10,000 in the wings.

Let's see....news today has 10 killed in one city alone, and one leader dead. According to some estimates, as of late 2005, we'd killed between 45,000 to 50,000 insurgents in Iraq. So, if we need to kill 22,000 more....that ought to take us about a year. No problem.

Others rejoicing about the U.S. election include Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who termed the election results a victory for Iran, Socialists in the European Parliament, and Chavez, who of course commented in his own unique touchy-feely way.

So who really won on Tuesday?

Don't get me wrong - I don't want the Dems to fail in this, because let's face it, if they do, it spells disaster for us. But this does point out one thing - it's real easy to criticize when you're not the one in the mire.

So how does that victory taste now? Bet it's going down just a little bit rougher. It elicits a chuckle or two when I see the Dems stuck smack-dab in the middle of all of this. How now, Brown Cow?

And it's better to laugh than cry over the fact that the ones likely to suffer in this mess are our Heroes on the ground. That part isn't funny at all.

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than the enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will. My rifle and I know that what counts in war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, or the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit.

My rifle is human, even as I am human, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other.

Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and I are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.

So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy.
-- USMC Rifleman's Creed

On this day in 1775, the Continental Congress resolved that:

"two Battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one Colonel, two lieutenant Colonels, two Majors & Officers as usual in other regiments, that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken that no person be appointed to office or inlisted into said Battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea, when required. That they be inlisted and commissioned for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress. That they be distinguished by the names of the first & second battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered a part of the number, which the continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of."

And thus the Marine Corps was born. From their early days of sharpshooting from ship rigging, they have grown into arguably the most feared and formidable military force the world has ever known. But it wasn't until General Lejeune came along that the Marine Corps' birthday became a big event. In 1921 the General issued Marine Corps Order No. 47 - his Birthday Message

"On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date, many thousand men have borne the name Marine. In memory of them, it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the Birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.

The record of our Corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history. During 90 of the 146 years of it's existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the nations foes. From the battle of Trenton to the Argonne. Marines have won foremost honors in war, and in the long eras of tranquility at home. Generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.

In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term Marine has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.

This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the Corps. With it we also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps."

And since then, on this day, United States Marines have celebrated the birth of their beloved Corps. Celebrations include a Marine Corps Ball, mock battles, and ceremonies.

These are my recruits. I will train them to the best of my ability. I will develop them into smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically trained Marines, thoroughly indoctrinated in love of Corps and country. I will demand of them, and demonstrate by my own example, the highest standards of personal conduct, morality, and professional skill.
-- USMC Drill Instructor's Creed

They have built an incredible legacy. From Tun Tavern to Fallujah, the USMC has left its mark worldwide, wherever Marine boots met ground, and on the waters in between. From the War of 1812, to Harper's Ferry; from Belleau Wood to Blanc Mont Ridge; from Guadalcanal, Wake Island, and Iwo Jima to Khe Sanh, from Desert Storm to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom....they have been there.

They told (us) to open up the Embassy, or "we'll blow you away." And then they looked up and saw the Marines on the roof with these really big guns, and they said in Somali, "Igaralli ahow," which means "Excuse me, I didn't mean it, my mistake."
-- Karen Aquilar, in the U.S. Embassy; Mogadishu, Somalia, 1991

And so, today, I wish a very Happy Birthday to the USMC. In honor of the day, please consider making a donation to the Project Valour-IT Marine Team.

Semper Fidelis.

USMC Birthday Links:
USMC Website
Commandant's Birthday Message
Heritage Press International - lots of great information; quotes, slogans, history, and traditions
Marine Corps Birthday Bullets at DC Military - Key birthday events
USMC History and Museums Division
Marine Corps History Sites - from Scuttlebutt & Small Chow
USMC Quotes
The USMC War Memorial
National Iwo Jima Memorial (in CT - been there)

Marine blogs:
One Marine’s View
Kevin Sites Blog
The Midnight Hour - A Marine's blog. Live from Fallujah.

If you've got a Marine Corps Birthday post, please trackback so we can find you!


graphics in this post courtesy of Doug Kidd

Cpl. Thomas P. Olsen troubleshoots the hydraulic system on an AH-1W Super Cobra at Al Taqaddum, Iraq, Oct. 25. Olsen is an UN/AH-1 helicopter airframe mechanics with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, Marine Aircraft Group 16 (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), which assumed responsibility for providing close air support and casualty evacuation escort missions from HMLA-169, MAG-16, 3rd MAW. Olsen is a San Diego native. USMC photo by Cpl. Jonathan K. Teslevich

WILL AIR ON ALTITUDE.TV CABLE/SATELLITE TELEVISION NETWORK

DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, 2006

IN 180 CITIES IN FIVE STATES

If you have asked the question: “When are we going to hear about the good our men and women have been and continue to do in Iraq for the Iraqi people”, NOW everybody in these 180 cities who have access to Altitude.TV Channels can watch and listen to the men and women we interviewed in Iraq talking about these very issues.

You will see the Grand Opening of a School in Tourist Town, Iraq. You will see the crates of school supplies being delivered by the Minnesota National Guard thanks in large part to Americans in Minnesota and across America. You will see and hear what the Principal has to say. You will see the ChildrenJ All of America should be very proud of our military and the families back home! And this is just one of many examples of what our men and women have been and continue to do to help the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. We have been asked to go back in January. As soon as we can fund the second trip we will go back and do many more interviews.

You will see and hear our military personnel talk about training the Iraqi Army. You will be in Bear Cat Chapel seeing and hearing from the Chaplain and his Assistant and from some of the Soldiers who Worship there. You will hear testimonies on prayer and faith!

You will walk with us where an Iraqi Army Battalion trains, lives and eat.

You will hear many incredible stories. You will see them saying hello to their family and friends.

When I left Iraq I promised our military that I/we would do everything possible to get their stories out to the American People. We feel like these men and women… {our country men/women who sacrifice so much every day of the week}, have a right to have their stories be heard. America has a right to hear them. We need your help to let people know about these talk shows.

To ALL Military, To all Families and friends of men and women currently serving in our military, To Veterans Groups, Military Support Groups, Ministries, Corporations, Organizations… TO AMERICA… who do you know in the cities listed below? Please let them know about these interviews that they can watch on their TV’s.

For everybody in America and around the world, the audio of all of these talk shows from Iraq can be heard on the Internet on Sunday Evenings 5pm (PST) through Dec 24, 2006. Once the internet talk shows have played they go into our Archives. All Talk Shows in archives all the way back to our first talk show Dec. 2005 can be listened to on the internet day or night, seven days a week. To find out what is playing next Sunday go to our “Talk Shows/Schedules”. To listen to shows previously aired go to our “Past Shows/Archives”.

We are also in the process of raising the money through sponsors so that we can have these Talk Shows from Iraq available on DVD’s. Once completed, we will make these DVD’s available for everybody who wants to help get them out through a simple fund raising program.

The following are the details about how people in 180 Cities across Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Nebraska can watch edited versions of these talk shows on their TV’s. Please help us get the word out!

Dates and times that these talk shows will be seen (after this list you will see a list of the cities and channel numbers):


Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006, 11:00am

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006, 3:00pm

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006, 7:30am

Saturday, Dec. 9. 2006, 1:00pm

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, 3:00pm

Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, 7:30am

Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, 1:00am

Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006, 11:00am

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, 3:00pm

Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, 7:30am

Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, 2:00am

Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006, 11:00am

Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006, 4:00pm

Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006, 4:30pm

Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006, 5:00pm

Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006, 5:30pm

Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, 6:00am

Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, 6:30am

Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, 7:00am

Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, 7:30am

Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, 11:00am

Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, 11:30am

Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, 12:00pm

Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, 12:30pm

Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006, 3:00pm

Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006, 7:30am

Friday, Dec. 29, 2006, 1:00am

Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006, 11:00am

SCHOOL TIME — U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Dain Harrison, from Echo Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, interacts with a student from the Al-Thabat Primary School after giving him school supplies in Kanan, Iraq, Nov. 8, 2006. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Army Spc. Elisha Dawkins

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Scattered Violence in Iraq Kills 2 GIs, Marine
Mubarak Warns Against Hanging Saddam
McGovern to Discuss Iraq Exit Plan With Democrats
Iraqi official: 150,000 civilians dead
Elections may shift U.S. Iraq war policy

Homeland Security / War on Terror
British Intel Agency Tracks 30 Alleged Terror Plots
3 Americans convicted of terror in Vietnam

Troops on Trial
Army Charges Ex-Sergeant in 3 Killings

Other Military News
Italy wants U.S. to press Israel, rethink Afghan war
Gates inherits challenges at Pentagon
Opinion: Rumsfeld Resignation Welcomed

Worldwide Wackos
Iran could review IAEA ties over UN draft: Larijani
Iran's once active campuses falling silent

Politics / Government
Bush Meets With Incoming Congressional Leaders
RNC Chairman to Step Down in January
Mass. Lawmakers Pass on Gay Marriage Ban
Political winds shift for 2008 White House race
Iowa Gov. Vilsack running for president
R.I. senator may leave Republican Party
Lame duck session tackles spending bills

U.N. News
John Bolton Won't Get Up-Or-Down Vote in Lame Duck Congress
New U.N. chief ready for "most impossible job"
U.N.: Lack of sanitation has human cost

Media in the Media / Bloggers in the News
Journalism pioneer Ed Bradley dead at 65

Mother Nature
Climate change melting fabled African glaciers
Expert says oceans are turning acidic

Oddities
British Man Injured After Lighting Firecracker in Buttocks (Geeeeeeeez...)
We're looking for a few dull men
Hospital plans to set up baby hatch
Deer's head gets stuck in fake pumpkin

Other News of Note
Houston Landscapers Condemned for Refusing Business With Gay Couple
Drugmaker Recalls 11 Million Bottles of Painkillers
Old-style Communist speakers blare in Vietnam's new era
U.S. pushes for progress at India, Pakistan talks
Thousands riot over China land seizure: paper
Sri Lanka says sinks rebel boats, Tamil MP killed
German neo-Nazis attack Jewish memorial

Fox News
Google Sued for Copyright Infringement in Videos
Michelle Kwan Appointed Public Diplomacy Envoy
Stocks to Watch: Walt Disney and Kohl's
Britney Takes Publicity Into Her Own Hands
I Wnt 2 Dvrce U: Britney Dumps Kevin Via Text Message

Reuters: Top News
Gays in Jerusalem rally under tight security
Bangladesh president slammed over constitution
Libraries in the sand reveal Africa's academic past
Dumped by text? Britney's ex joins growing club
IBM accelerates push into 3D virtual worlds
High blood sugar levels add to heart, stroke deaths
Lifestyle changes shown to cut risk of diabetes
Novartis shares drop on Tanox, Medicare
Lenovo shares dive after quarterly results
Stocks drop on drug worry, oil up; AIG up late
Oil down 1 percent after surge
Dell, Hewlett shares up on growing tech confidence
Measuring oil prices
On the radar: Consolidated Graphics
OECD G7 indicator points to improved economic outlook
Corus CEO defends Tata Steel takeover bid
Surging demand, OPEC cuts to tighten oil market: IEA
Vietnam gives Intel nod to invest $1 billion total
AIG earnings more than double, beat estimates
Disney profit doubles on networks, studios, parks

AP World News
FBI probes use of force in L.A. arrest
Online game nets 22-year-old $1 million
Intel to spend $1B on Vietnam plant
Rutgers stuns No. 3 Louisville 28-25
U.S. cars rise in reliability ratings
49ers, A's heading for Silicon Valley
K-Fed's ex says he's 'such a nice guy'
Woman who drowned children ordered freed
1 dead, 1 missing in train derailment

Military.com
Sign the Veterans Bill of Rights
Learn to Use Your GI Bill
Podcast: Financial Planner J.J. Montanaro
Tips for Transitioning to Civilian Life
Gear in the News - MH-53E

CENTCOM: News Releases
WEAPONS CACHE DESTROYED NEAR JULAYBAH

IRAQI, COALITION FORCES SEARCH MOSQUE, DETAIN INSURGENTS, DISCOVER IEDS

THREE TERRORISTS CAPTURED BY AFGHAN, COALITION FORCES

MND-B SOLDIERS KILL 38 TERRORISTS, WOUND 9

COALITION FORCES REPEL ATTACK

USJFCOM
USJFCOM signs cooperative research and development agreement with Raytheon - podcast
USJFCOM to join high-tech scientific research network
Planning discussions continue for next multinational experiment
More about Multinational Experiment 5
USJFCOM to participate in Orlando military conference - podcast

Department of Defense
NEWS UPDATES
Rumsfeld: Change Needed to Combat New Threats - Story
For Top News Visit DefenseLink

ON THE GROUND
Reward Offered to Find Kidnapped Soldier - Story
Marines Work to Dissolve Cultural Barriers - Story
Iraqis Interdict Insurgents on The Euphrates River - Story
Medical Personnel Provide Care to Residents - Story

IN IRAQ
Afghan Officer Saves Governor, Coalition Soldiers
Hawija SWAT Unit Graduates Elite Fighting Force
Iraqi Marines Learn Critical Maritime Security Skills
Security Marines Change the Pace of Logistics
Iraqi Army Brigade Receives New Pickup Trucks

IN AFGHANISTAN
Coalition Sponsors Chamkani Sports Tournament
Afghan Reconstruction Projects Continue
Turkey to Open Provincial Reconstruction Team

BACKGROUND
IRAQ
Renewal In Iraq
Iraq: Security, Stability
Fact Sheet: Progress and Work Ahead
Report: Strategy for Victory in Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
This Week in Iraq
Multinational Force Iraq
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (PDF)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Weekly Reconstruction Report (PDF)
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Fact Sheet: Budget Request
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

Weather
Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut
An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Gitmo

National Hurricane Center

Today in History
1674 - The Dutch formally cede New Netherlands (NY) to the English.
1775 - Congress establishes the U.S. Marine Corps.
1801 - Kentucky outlaws dueling.
1808 - The Osage Treaty is signed.
1836 - Louis Napoleon is banished to America.
1864 - Austrian Archduke Maximilian becomes emperor of Mexico.
1917 - 41 suffragists are arrested in front of the White House.
1918 - Jozef Pilsudski proclaims Poland's independence.
1926 - Vincent Massey becomes the first Canadian minister to the U.S.
1928 - Hirohito is enthroned as Emperor of Japan.
1945 - College football's #1 Army beats #2 Notre Dame 48-0; General Enver Hoxha becomes leader of Albania.
1951 - For the first time, a long distance telephone call is made without operator assistance.
1954 - The Iwo Jima Memorial (servicemen raising the U.S. flag) is dedicated in Arlington, VA; Lt. Colonel John Strapp travels 632 MPH in a rocket sled.
1960 - The Senate passes a landmark Civil Rights Bill.
1968 - Zond-6 is launched - the second unmanned circumlunar and return flight.
1969 - "Sesame Street" premieres on PBS-TV.
1970 - Luna-17, with the unmanned self-propelled Lunokhod-1, is launched.
1975 - The ore ship Edmund Fitzgerald and its crew of 29 are lost in a storm on Lake Superior; in NYC, PLO leader Yaser Arafat addresses the U.N.; the U.N. General Assembly approves a resolution equating Zionism with racism.
1978 - Israel's top negotiators break away from Middle East peace talks.
1980 - Dan Rather refuses to pay his cabbie; CBS pays the $12.55 fare.
1989 - Guerrillas battle with government forces in El Salvador; Germans begin punching holes in the Berlin Wall; Word Perfect 5.1 is shipped.
1990 - Lebanon releases two French hostages (Camille Sontag and Marcel Coudari).
2084 - Transit of Earth as seen from Mars.

Birthdays
1483 - Martin Luther, founded Protestantism
1683 - King George II of England (1727-60)
1759 - Frederich von Schiller, German poet/lyricist (Ode to Joy)
1793 - Jared Kirtland, physician/naturalist - reformed penitentiaries
1844 - Sir John S.D. Thompson, 4th Canadian PM (1892-94)
1882 - Frances Perkins, first female Cabinet member (Secretary of Labor 1933-45)
1930 - Clarence M. Pendleton, Jr., Chairman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (1981-88)
1935 - Ronald E. Evans, Captain USN / astronaut (Apollo 17)

Passings
1865 - Henry Wirz, Confederate prison Commandant (Andersonville), executed for excessive cruelty
1938 - Kemal Atarok, first President of Turkey
1982 - Leonid I. Brezhnev Soviet First Secretary

Reported Missing in Action
1966
Carter, William T., USN (SC); S2E crashed (crew), Killed, body not recovered

McAteer, Thomas J., USN (PA); S2E crashed (pilot), Killed, body not recovered

O'Brien, John Lawrence, USAF (PA); A1E shot down, KIA, body not recovered

Riordan, John M., USN (WA); S2E crashed (crew), Killed, body not recovered

Schoderer, Eric J., USN (NJ); S2E crashed (crew), Killed, body not recovered

1967
Cook, Kelly F., USAF (IA); F4C shot down (pilot, w/Crew)

Crew, James A., USAF (PA); F4C shot down (bombardier/navigator, w/Cook)

Huneycutt, Charles J., Jr., USAF (NC); F4C shot down (bombardier/navigator, w/Morgan), remains returned September, 1989

Morgan, James S., USAF (AR); F4C shot down (pilot, w/Huneycutt)

1972
Wright, Frederick W., USN (NJ); A7A shot down, remains returned September, 1998 - ID'd December, 1990