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Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Love Note from a Nutjob

Message of H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran

To the American People

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

O, Almighty God, bestow upon humanity the perfect human being promised to all by You, and make us among his followers.

Noble Americans,

Were we not faced with the activities of the US administration in this part of the world and the negative ramifications of those activities on the daily lives of our peoples, coupled with the many wars and calamities caused by the US administration as well as the tragic consequences of US interference in other countries?

Were the American people not God-fearing, truth loving, and justice seeking, while the US administration actively conceals the truth and impedes any objective portrayal of current realities;

And if we did not share a common responsibility to promote and protect freedom and human dignity and integrity;

Then, there would have been little urgency to have a dialogue with you.
While Divine providence has placed Iran and the United States geographically far apart, we should be cognizant that human values and our common human spirit, which proclaim the dignity and exalted worth of all human beings, have brought our two great nations of Iran and the United States closer together.

Both our nations are God-fearing, truth loving and justice seeking, and both seek dignity, respect and perfection.

Both greatly value and readily embrace the promotion of human ideals such as compassion, empathy, respect for the rights of human beings, securing justice and equity, and defending the innocent and the weak against oppressors and bullies.
We are all inclined towards the good, and towards extending a helping hand to one another, particularly to those in need.

We all deplore injustice, the trampling of peoples' rights and the intimidation and humiliation of human beings.

We all detest darkness, deceit, lies and distortion, and seek and admire salvation, enlightenment, sincerity and honesty.

The pure human essence of the two great nations of Iran and the United States testify to the veracity of these statements.

Noble Americans,

Our nation has always extended its hand of friendship to all other nations of the world.

Hundreds of thousands of my Iranian compatriots are living amongst you in friendship and peace, and are contributing positively to your society. Our people have been in contact with you over the past many years and have maintained these contacts despite the unnecessary restrictions of US authorities.

As mentioned, we have common concerns, face similar challenges, and are pained by the sufferings and afflictions in the world.

We, like you, are aggrieved by the ever-worsening pain and misery of the Palestinian people. Persistent aggressions by the Zionists are making life more and more difficult for the rightful owners of the land of Palestine. In broad daylight, in front of cameras and before the eyes of the world, they are bombarding innocent defenseless civilians, bulldozing houses, firing machine guns at students in the streets and alleys, and subjecting their families to endless grief.

No day goes by without a new crime.

Palestinian mothers, just like Iranian and American mothers, love their children, and are painfully bereaved by the imprisonment, wounding and murder of their children. What mother wouldn't?

For 60 years, the Zionist regime has driven millions of the inhabitants of Palestine out of their homes. Many of these refugees have died in the Diaspora and in refugee camps. Their children have spent their youth in these camps and are aging while still in the hope of returning to homeland.

You know well that the US administration has persistently provided blind and blanket support to the Zionist regime, has emboldened it to continue its crimes, and has prevented the UN Security Council from condemning it.

Who can deny such broken promises and grave injustices towards humanity by the US administration?

Governments are there to serve their own people. No people wants to side with or support any oppressors. But regrettably, the US administration disregards even its own public opinion and remains in the forefront of supporting the trampling of the rights of the Palestinian people.

Let's take a look at Iraq . Since the commencement of the US military presence in Iraq , hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been killed, maimed or displaced. Terrorism in Iraq has grown exponentially. With the presence of the US military in Iraq , nothing has been done to rebuild the ruins, to restore the infrastructure or to alleviate poverty. The US Government used the pretext of the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq , but later it became clear that that was just a lie and a deception.

Although Saddam was overthrown and people are happy about his departure, the pain and suffering of the Iraqi people has persisted and has even been aggravated.
In Iraq , about one hundred and fifty thousand American soldiers, separated from their families and loved ones, are operating under the command of the current US administration. A substantial number of them have been killed or wounded and their presence in Iraq has tarnished the image of the American people and government.
Their mothers and relatives have, on numerous occasions, displayed their discontent with the presence of their sons and daughters in a land thousands of miles away from US shores. American soldiers often wonder why they have been sent to Iraq.

I consider it extremely unlikely that you, the American people, consent to the billions of dollars of annual expenditure from your treasury for this military misadventure.

Noble Americans,

You have heard that the US administration is kidnapping its presumed opponents from across the globe and arbitrarily holding them without trial or any international supervision in horrendous prisons that it has established in various parts of the world. God knows who these detainees actually are, and what terrible fate awaits them.

You have certainly heard the sad stories of the Guantanamo and Abu-Ghraib prisons. The US administration attempts to justify them through its proclaimed "war on terror." But every one knows that such behavior, in fact, offends global public opinion, exacerbates resentment and thereby spreads terrorism, and tarnishes the US image and its credibility among nations.

The US administration's illegal and immoral behavior is not even confined to outside its borders. You are witnessing daily that under the pretext of "the war on terror," civil liberties in the United States are being increasingly curtailed. Even the privacy of individuals is fast losing its meaning. Judicial due process and fundamental rights are trampled upon. Private phones are tapped, suspects are arbitrarily arrested, sometimes beaten in the streets, or even shot to death.
I have no doubt that the American people do not approve of this behavior and indeed deplore it.

The US administration does not accept accountability before any organization, institution or council. The US administration has undermined the credibility of international organizations, particularly the United Nations and its Security Council. But, I do not intend to address all the challenges and calamities in this message.

The legitimacy, power and influence of a government do not emanate from its arsenals of tanks, fighter aircrafts, missiles or nuclear weapons. Legitimacy and influence reside in sound logic, quest for justice and compassion and empathy for all humanity. The global position of the United States is in all probability weakened because the administration has continued to resort to force, to conceal the truth, and to mislead the American people about its policies and practices.

Undoubtedly, the American people are not satisfied with this behavior and they showed their discontent in the recent elections. I hope that in the wake of the mid-term elections, the administration of President Bush will have heard and will heed the message of the American people.

My questions are the following:

Is there not a better approach to governance?

Is it not possible to put wealth and power in the service of peace, stability, prosperity and the happiness of all peoples through a commitment to justice and respect for the rights of all nations, instead of aggression and war?

We all condemn terrorism, because its victims are the innocent.
But, can terrorism be contained and eradicated through war, destruction and the killing of hundreds of thousands of innocents?

If that were possible, then why has the problem not been resolved?
The sad experience of invading Iraq is before us all.

What has blind support for the Zionists by the US administration brought for the American people? It is regrettable that for the US administration, the interests of these occupiers supersedes the interests of the American people and of the other nations of the world.

What have the Zionists done for the American people that the US administration considers itself obliged to blindly support these infamous aggressors? Is it not because they have imposed themselves on a substantial portion of the banking, financial, cultural and media sectors?

I recommend that in a demonstration of respect for the American people and for humanity, the right of Palestinians to live in their own homeland should be recognized so that millions of Palestinian refugees can return to their homes and the future of all of Palestine and its form of government be determined in a referendum. This will benefit everyone.

Now that Iraq has a Constitution and an independent Assembly and Government, would it not be more beneficial to bring the US officers and soldiers home, and to spend the astronomical US military expenditures in Iraq for the welfare and prosperity of the American people? As you know very well, many victims of Katrina continue to suffer, and countless Americans continue to live in poverty and homelessness.

I'd also like to say a word to the winners of the recent elections in the US:
The United States has had many administrations; some who have left a positive legacy, and others that are neither remembered fondly by the American people nor by other nations.

Now that you control an important branch of the US Government, you will also be held to account by the people and by history.

If the US Government meets the current domestic and external challenges with an approach based on truth and Justice, it can remedy some of the past afflictions and alleviate some of the global resentment and hatred of America. But if the approach remains the same, it would not be unexpected that the American people would similarly reject the new electoral winners, although the recent elections, rather than reflecting a victory, in reality point to the failure of the current administration's policies. These issues had been extensively dealt with in my letter to President Bush earlier this year.

To sum up:

It is possible to govern based on an approach that is distinctly different from one of coercion, force and injustice.

It is possible to sincerely serve and promote common human values, and honesty and compassion.

It is possible to provide welfare and prosperity without tension, threats, imposition or war.

It is possible to lead the world towards the aspired perfection by adhering to unity, monotheism, morality and spirituality and drawing upon the teachings of the Divine Prophets.

Then, the American people, who are God-fearing and followers of Divine religions, will overcome every difficulty.

What I stated represents some of my anxieties and concerns.

I am confident that you, the American people, will play an instrumental role in the establishment of justice and spirituality throughout the world. The promises of the Almighty and His prophets will certainly be realized; Justice and Truth will prevail and all nations will live a true life in a climate replete with love, compassion and fraternity.

The US governing establishment, the authorities and the powerful should not choose irreversible paths. As all prophets have taught us, injustice and transgression will eventually bring about decline and demise. Today, the path of return to faith and spirituality is open and unimpeded.

We should all heed the Divine Word of the Holy Qur'an:

" But those who repent, have faith and do good may receive Salvation. Your Lord, alone, creates and chooses as He will, and others have no part in His choice; Glorified is God and Exalted above any partners they ascribe to Him. " (28:67-68)

I pray to the Almighty to bless the Iranian and American nations and indeed all nations of the world with dignity and success.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
29 November 2006

View the letter as a PDF file here


************************************


Dear Nutjob,
In the name of those who stand for liberty,

How typical it is for you to open your letter with a wish that we all become followers of your religion. To assume that this would be seen by Americans as a gesture of friendship shows how truly little you understand about who we are. Let me enlighten you. No, not all Americans are God-fearing. In fact, some believe in no god whatsoever, as is their right. Clearly, you know very little of who we are.

But we know who you are. Let me remind you who we are:

We are the country whose citizens you held hostage for more than a year. Though you personally have managed to sidestep the questions raised about that particular event, I suspect you know well what I’m referring to. The ‘current reality’ is that your country’s leadership has changed little from then, and, in truth, may contain many of the same faces. Do not presume to greet me, in particular, as a friend, and do not presume to speak of any commonalities between us.

You spoke of peace and unity in the U.N., yet only days later told your own people that you knew that the Security Council was an ineffective body, as was the U.N. You have made no attempt to cease preparations for hostilities. Say what you will about needing nuclear power – I’m not buying it.

Your tired lines about U.S. “interference” and U.S-caused war are pathetic and predictable. Your psychotic former next-door neighbor ignored the world’s sanctions for more than a decade, complying when it suited him, speaking out of both sides of his mouth, and taking pot-shots at our pilots. He earned what he got, and from where I sit, we’ve been overkind.

You speak of a “common responsibility to promote and protect freedom and human dignity and integrity.” As I said, there are no commonalities between us. When your country offers freedom, when your country offers human dignity, and when your leaders show any integrity whatsoever, then can you speak to me of our common duty. As an American woman, I wonder exactly what “freedoms” I would see if I moved to your country. Here, I am free to call you a warped little cockroach with a death complex and delusions of grandeur. I wonder if that “freedom” would exist on the streets of Tehran. Somehow, I doubt it. Here, I can worship any god I choose – or none – in any manner I choose. Somehow, I don’t think I could do so over your way. Here, I am educated. Here, I have the same rights as any man in this country. Here, I am free.

Words cannot express how grateful I am that our countries are far apart geographically. But do not take comfort in that distance – you are not far enough from us to escape when at last we are tired of your threats. We’re about as close to you philosophically as you are to your sanity.

You say that “Both our nations are God-fearing, truth loving and justice seeking, and both seek dignity, respect and perfection.” I never cease to be amazed at how ridiculously arrogant you are. You seek none of these things, and you have never once stood to defend “the weak.” You have never defended anything but your demented perversion of religion, and your own interests. You are a pathetic, twisted little coward. Any helping hand you have ever extended to anyone has only been to forward your own agenda, and secure your own power.

Both greatly value and readily embrace the promotion of human ideals such as compassion, empathy, respect for the rights of human beings, securing justice and equity, and defending the innocent and the weak against oppressors and bullies.

True, we detest deceit, lies, and distortion – which is why I detest people like you with every fiber of my American being.

Your wish to obliterate Israel has nothing to do with the Palestinians, and never has. More lies. You, and others in your region, call the Palestinians brothers when doing so allows you to advance your agenda. How much aid have you provided the Palestinian people (arming terrorists doesn’t count)? Have you offered them sanctuary? Have you worked to promote peace talks? Have you done anything other than fuel the conflict? Though many may be fooled, I know that most countries in the Middle-East view the Palestinians as lowlife. You speak of them as brothers because it allows you to rant about Israel. Not once would you ever lift a sincere finger to help any Palestinian unless you had something to gain from it.

It is unfortunate that there is such conflict between Israel and its neighbors. Admittedly, the formation of Israel was not ideally executed. But what country has an ideal history? And let’s face it – your problem with Israel has very little to do with the Palestinians. It has quite a bit to do with your twisted version of Islam, and maybe just a little to do with a collective Arabic chip on the shoulder after the trouncing you all got from them. Six days. Pretty pathetic.

Thank goodness the U.S. prevented condemnation of Israel for defending itself. In truth, I’m pretty ticked off at our government for helping to broker the ceasefire. Hamas and Hezbollah have continued their attacks, as those of us with brains knew they would. You and your Syrian brothers have continued to hide like cowards behind the terrorists, to let them attack Israel on your behalf. You have committed countless acts of murder through terrorists. And I am disappointed in our Administration for not upholding its promise to treat those who support and harbor terrorists as terrorists themselves.

Speaking of which, yes, why don’t we look at Iraq. Saddam’s had it coming for over a decade. Let me remind you of one thing – he LOST. His fabled troops surrendered to news helicopters. We were home in a matter of weeks the first time we came to town. And still he defied the world – not us – the world. More than a decade of threats, attacks on our planes, and lies. Countless years of funding terrorists. He should have been dealt with long ago. And I’m not talking about a trial. By the way, how are all those MiGs you stole from him? Still flying? Can your pilots actually fly them? His couldn’t.

Terrorism has indeed grown in Iraq – thanks to you. The blood of my Heroes is on your hands, and I will never forget that. You have fueled the enemy – you ARE the enemy. You say that nothing has been done to rebuild Iraq, but I know differently. I know how much our troops have done. I know the disgusting wreckage of an infrastructure that was Iraq long before we got there. And maybe our troops would have a little more time to deal with some of those concerns if you stopped supplying the people shooting at them. Hmmm…I wonder, if we did a comparison, how many Iraqi civilians you’ve killed on purpose through your little terrorist lapdogs, versus how many we’ve killed accidentally, how things would stack up. I wonder if your number is ten times ours…or a hundred times. I’m betting you’re WAY ahead of us.

In Iraq and surrounding areas, about a hundred and fifty thousand American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, are separated from their families and loved ones, operating under command of the United States. Still more troops serve from other countries. A number of them have been killed or wounded, and I am humbled by their courage, their dedication, their skills, and the sheer magnitude of their character. They are willing to go into harm’s way to protect me from people like you. They are Heroes. You, on the other hand, are a bottom-feeder.

In some cases, their families have disagreed with the war. Many other families have spoken clearly of their support for the troops and their mission. Yes, some troops wonder if there is anything to be gained by being in Iraq. But I remember the words of a United States Soldier whom I was privileged to come to know. He wrote to me that he knew he was in Iraq to deal with the enemy there, so that we did not have to deal with them here.

I know that we are there because we can no longer afford to wait to meet the enemy. In the past, we have had that luxury. But when terrorists came here to attack, that luxury was no more. Saddam was one part of the equation. You are another. Be glad that the current Administration is more patient with you than I would be.

You say you consider it extremely unlikely that we support the expenditure necessary to fight this war. I say that if they asked for more to supply our troops, I would cheerfully give it. You forget that we endured rationing to deal with the enemy once before. If rationing gas were necessary, I would endure it. If my taxes went up, I would endure it. I would endure countless hardships to ensure that my Heroes were well armed and well protected. In fact, I would smile at every penny, were I guaranteed that those pennies were ensuring that there were less terrorists with a pulse.

I have heard of the prisons. I really don’t care. In fact, I don’t think I’m capable of caring any less about the fate of terrorists, with the only exception being that I am very interested in seeing that they are eliminated. I don’t care to know who they are, and I don’t care to think about what they go through, except to hope that they aren’t ever let loose to pose a threat again. As far as I'm concerned, tarring and feathering would be too good for them.

I have heard of Abu Ghraib and Gitmo. If you think I give a hoot about the fact that some of the enemy had to pose for some goofy little pictures, you’re seriously mistaken. Those troops involved in the much-overblown Abu Ghraib scandal broke military regulations, and have been punished. I will not shed one tear, nor will I lose a wink of sleep, over the terrorists in those photos. I know the type of treatment we can expect from people like your terrorist friends. I know who Robert Dean Stethem is. I know who PFC Thomas Tucker and PFC Kristian Menchaca are. In PFC Tucker’s last phone call home, he said “Be proud of me Mom, I'm defending my country.” And I know what your friends did to him. No matter what we have ever done to terrorist scum, they got off light.

I know of Gitmo, too. I know how the filthy terrorist animals there throw feces – and other bodily fluids, at the guards there. I know how they whine about mistreatment while being fed better than the average American is. I know how they attack the guards who ensure they have clean clothes and Korans. I know they’ve managed to persuade some of the American people that they deserve the protections of this country’s Constitution, even though they work tirelessly to see that country brought to its knees. I know that many of those released who were “not terrorists” have returned to attack US troops. I also know that bullets are far cheaper than prisons. Again, they are getting off light.

Private phones are tapped only when those calls involve conversations with terrorists – which is just fine by me. The US Constitution does not guarantee you the right to be a terrorist. Not that you’d know anything about civil liberties. And I don’t think you really want to open the door on mistreatment of accused criminals. People in glass houses really shouldn’t be flinging around stones – let alone boulders.

I certainly do not approve of violating the Constitution. I wholeheartedly approve of taking every available opportunity to kill terrorists.

The US administration needs no permission from the UN, nor does it require approval from demented little Neros like yourself, when taking action to defend itself and eliminate a threat. The UN itself has undermined its credibility, and were I in the drivers seat, I’d have recaptured the land their building sat on once we lost some important real estate in September, 2001. There is nothing gained by the U.S. through its involvement in the UN. It is a weak, pathetic organization, corrupt and clearly driven by anti-American agendas. It certainly doesn’t need any help from us to prove it to be so.

The American people did show discontent in the recent election. Check the turnout numbers, though, my insane little Nutjob. Turnout on my side of the political fence was quite low. And voters on the other side of the fence chose largely middle-of-the-road Democrats. Not the clear victory for the anti-war, pseudo-socialist crowd that you and they would make it out to be.

If you want to test the theory on the US being weakened, by all means, keep pushing. The legitimacy, power, and influence of a government may not emanate from its arsenal, but trust me, you still don’t want that arsenal turned on you.
I’ve still got a little time to kill here, so I’ll answer your questions:

Is there not a better approach to governance?

Than the American system? Possibly. Our system certainly has its flaws. But if there’s a better system than what we’ve got, no one’s invented it yet.

Is it not possible to put wealth and power in the service of peace, stability, prosperity and the happiness of all peoples through a commitment to justice and respect for the rights of all nations, instead of aggression and war?

If the world were truly committed to justice, you’d be imprisoned in some dark hole somewhere with no one to talk to but yourself. Either that, or you’d be dead. My cash is not going to the prosperity of all peoples if there’s anything I can say about it. There are a whole lot of people I don’t want to see prosper. You’re one of them. War is sometimes an unfortunate necessity, and since we’re one of the few countries with a spine, we often end up as the only one that will stand up against the enemy. It may be possible to have peace, stability, and all the rest, but quite frankly, if it means cozying up to lunatics like you, I can live without it.

We all condemn terrorism, because its victims are the innocent.
But, can terrorism be contained and eradicated through war, destruction and the killing of hundreds of thousands of innocents?


Probably not. But the killing of hundreds of thousands of terrorists would be a step in the right direction. Removing you from the gene pool wouldn’t hurt, either.
If that were possible, then why has the problem not been resolved? The sad experience of invading Iraq is before us all.

Well, let’s see…maybe it hasn’t been solved because your warped little version of Islam tells people that blowing themselves up gets them in the express lane for paradise. Pretty heavy motivation there, although I don’t really get the appeal of the 72 virgin thing. Somehow, I can’t see any American man being motivated by the promise of having to deal with 72 women for all eternity.

We’ve definitely made mistakes in Iraq. But killing terrorists has never been one of them.

What has blind support for the Zionists by the US administration brought for the American people? It is regrettable that for the US administration, the interests of these occupiers supersedes the interests of the American people and of the other nations of the world.

It always comes back to Israel for you, doesn’t it? Heck, Israel’s pretty darned good at dealing with terrorists, so supporting them certainly advances my interests on that score.

What have the Zionists done for the American people that the US administration considers itself obliged to blindly support these infamous aggressors? Is it not because they have imposed themselves on a substantial portion of the banking, financial, cultural and media sectors?

No, you bigoted little freak – you’ve been reading the Mel Gibson story a little too frequently. You should also probably check something out of the library other than Goebels’ memoirs. Then again, you probably can’t – you’d need to actually allow people to read whatever they wanted to in order to have a good library. Actually, though I disagree with some of their approach, they do know your ilk very well. And they don’t bother listening to the hug-a-terrorist crowd either – at least they didn’t until recently, which was terribly disappointing. I was actually hoping they’d grind Hezbollah into dust. Pity.

I’ve got a few things to say about your other tidbits of “wisdom” too:

I recommend that in a demonstration of respect for the American people and for humanity, the right of Palestinians to live in their own homeland should be recognized so that millions of Palestinian refugees can return to their homes and the future of all of Palestine and its form of government be determined in a referendum. This will benefit everyone.

I recommend that in a demonstration of respect for the American people and for humanity, you grab one of those new rockets you’re developing, and shoot yourself into the sun. This will benefit everyone.

Now that Iraq has a Constitution and an independent Assembly and Government, would it not be more beneficial to bring the US officers and soldiers home, and to spend the astronomical US military expenditures in Iraq for the welfare and prosperity of the American people? As you know very well, many victims of Katrina continue to suffer, and countless Americans continue to live in poverty and homelessness.

Yeah, but the streets of Iran are paved with gold, right? Once you get your little dogs out of Iraq, it’s going to go a long way to getting us out of there. So, you first.

I'd also like to say a word to the winners of the recent elections in the US:

The United States has had many administrations; some who have left a positive legacy, and others that are neither remembered fondly by the American people nor by other nations.

Now that you control an important branch of the US Government, you will also be held to account by the people and by history.


Now, there you’ve finally said something I agree with. They will indeed be held accountable – I hope. If they show themselves to be the weak-kneed cowards they can be, there will certainly be ramifications of epic proportions. Then again, they’ve got two years to royally screw things up, and on that score, I don’t think they’ve ever disappointed.

To sum up:
It is possible to govern based on an approach that is distinctly different from one of coercion, force and injustice.

It is possible to sincerely serve and promote common human values, and honesty and compassion.

It is possible to provide welfare and prosperity without tension, threats, imposition or war.

It is possible to lead the world towards the aspired perfection by adhering to unity, monotheism, morality and spirituality and drawing upon the teachings of the Divine Prophets.

Then, the American people, who are God-fearing and followers of Divine religions, will overcome every difficulty.

What I stated represents some of my anxieties and concerns.

I am confident that you, the American people, will play an instrumental role in the establishment of justice and spirituality throughout the world. The promises of the Almighty and His prophets will certainly be realized; Justice and Truth will prevail and all nations will live a true life in a climate replete with love, compassion and fraternity.

The US governing establishment, the authorities and the powerful should not choose irreversible paths. As all prophets have taught us, injustice and transgression will eventually bring about decline and demise. Today, the path of return to faith and spirituality is open and unimpeded.

We should all heed the Divine Word of the Holy Qur'an:

"But those who repent, have faith and do good may receive Salvation. Your Lord, alone, creates and chooses as He will, and others have no part in His choice; Glorified is God and Exalted above any partners they ascribe to Him. " (28:67-68)

I pray to the Almighty to bless the Iranian and American nations and indeed all nations of the world with dignity and success.


See, there you go again with the “we should all hear the Qur’an” stuff. I think that the best response to this last bit is probably to quote an American general. Granted, the statement he made has apparently been sanitized for the public, but I think you’ll still be able to get where he was going.

In the winter of 1944-1945, American troops of the 101st Airborne were surrounded. German general sent a message to American General Anthony McAuliffe, requesting his surrender. His response has been quoted as “Nuts!” as in “Nuts to you!” It was translated by the German interpreter as “Go to hell!” I suspect that the actual quote was two words, one of them “you,” but that it wasn’t nearly as family friendly as “Nuts."

In the spirit of family friendliness, though, let me echo General McAuliffe’s response by simply saying, “Nuts to you!”

Sincerely,

Pam
An American woman
Proud Blogger and Soldiers' Angel
November 29, 2006

Air Force officials convene board to examine F-16 crash
WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Air Force officials have convened an investigative board to look into the crash of an F-16 Fighting Falcon engaged in combat operations over Iraq Nov. 27.

More

Arabian Sea (Nov. 25, 2006) - Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Luis Venturasampen and Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Travis Andrews hoist a jet engine into place aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Eisenhower and embarked Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) are on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman David Danals

Tanks bring the thunder to Camp Fallujah

From Marine Corps News


Nov. 28, 2006; Submitted on: 11/28/2006 07:09:53 AM ; Story ID#: 200611287953

By Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva, Headquarters Marine Corps




CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Nov. 28, 2006) -- "Adrenaline rush" doesn't describe what it's like to stand next to a tank as it fires. It's as if Thor, Norse god of thunder, got his Viking shorts in a bunch because someone makes a noise louder than him, so he grabs hold of the adrenal glands and squeezes for all he's worth.

The ear-cracking, rib-crunching, earth-shaking "boom" of the M-1A1 Main Battle Tank's 120 mm main-gun round firing is nothing short of unnatural. It's the sound of a thousand trees snapping in half all at once, the smack of a semi truck slamming head-on into a concrete wall or an entire July 4th fireworks show packed into about a half-second.

It's the sound of destruction. Final and total. Kaput. Nothing left.

It curls up the corners of tanker's mouths into sinister sneers, revealing childish, grit-filled sets of teeth. It's a smile that just can't be turned off. This is what tankers live for, days like the one C Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5 spent on Nov. 21.

Tankers rolled out their 68-ton behemoths to Camp Fallujah's Eagle Range to make sure that whatever they aimed at got destroyed, a chance for Marines shoot the guns they rarely get to fire.

"We went out to make sure the weapons systems were zeroed," said Sgt. Chris N. Campos, a 24-year-old tank commander from Easly, S.C. "Basically, we wanted to make sure we were hitting at what we were pointing."

Campos said tankers normally shoot twice a year at Camp Lejeune, N.C., the battalion's home station. He said his company got extra shooting time prior to recently deploying to Fallujah.

Still, any chance to shoot is a good day.

"It makes it all worth it," said Cpl. Ronald E. Valasek Jr., a 30-year-old gunner from Lower Burrell, Pa.

Chilled-morning air greeted Marines as their tanks crunched tracks, edging forward to the firing line. A few final preparations and it was fireworks time.

Outside the tanks, it was an eerie silence, waiting for the gun to blast. It all changed in a matter of milliseconds. The gun roared to life, belching out a ball of bright yellow flame. Sand flew up, seeming to leap from the earth from the ground-pounding shock as the concussion of the blast caused eyes to slam shut and shoulders to tighten.

Think earthquake, sky ripping open and mountains crumbling. It's like getting a 120 mm preview of a volcano eruption.

Ear plugs seemed worthless as the deafening crack reached into the center of the skull, rattling what little neurons were left firing.

Billows of smoke were all that remained as a second report of the round crashing through the hull of an abandoned Iraqi tank fell victim to Marines.

That was just what was happening on the outside.

"It's a lot more muffled on the inside," Campos said. "The blast is not as loud."

It's also a whole lot busier.

"There's a flash inside the turret when we fire," he added. "Then the breech comes flying back."

That keeps everyone on their toes, Valasek said.

"That breech recoils about a foot," he explained. It's also within inches of Marines heads, arms and legs.

"It's a big rush," said Lance Cpl. Glen Hawkins, a 19-year-old loader from Kansas City, Mo. "Slinging those rounds and slamming them into the gun and then the breech comes back. It's a huge flash coming in front of your face."

Lance Cpl. James E. Coder, the tank's 19-year-old-driver, has one of the best seats in the house for the whole show. The main gun hovers just feet above his head, separated by steel decks.

"When that thing goes off, you can feel the whole tank go back, even though we're driving forward," Coder explained.

The whole time Campos and Valasek are seated with their eyes glued to the sights. Valasek said most times, he barely even notices the gun's report.

"I pulled the trigger and a fireball came out," Valasek explained. "We shot through thermal sights, so the sight went white and the dust cleared in time for me to see the round impact on target. It's split-second total concentration. Even though I'm sitting right next to it, I don't experience it moving."

That split-second zone, the flash of the gun and devastating impacts on target are what makes being a tanker worth it. All the un-sexy parts of the job, the maintenance, greasy fingernails, lifting heavy track, the sweat, the cold, the early mornings and late night all seem to melt away.

"Spending an hour-an-a-half 'after-ops' to keep that machine rolling, it's worth it to be able to shoot," Valasek said. "It's an adrenaline rush."

But Valasek's a tanker. He's tougher to impress than Thor.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES — Master Sgt. Joseph Sawyer hands a box of school supplies to Malek Mohammad, the Alikheyl Primary School principal, during a humanitarian assistance mission Nov. 21 in Methar Lam City, Afghanistan. Sawyer is the Methar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team communications superintendent. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Gerardo Gonzalez

Training Takes Over As Medics Treat Soldiers They Know

Army Pfc. Chris Llewellyn, a medic with the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, preps Spc. Clint Zeller for an intravenous injection at Forward Operating Base Loyalty, Iraq. Photo by Spc. Courtney Marulli, USA '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.



By Spc. Courtney Marulli, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service


FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq, Nov. 28, 2006 – The medics of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, train hard to save the lives of any soldier, and sometimes that includes the lives of soldiers they work with on a daily basis.

These Army medics found out quickly they have little time to adjust from garrison to combat once in Iraq.

Sgt. Bambi Sharpe, the supply and evacuation noncommissioned officer in charge for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, of Rocky Mount, N.C., said the new medics did a wonderful job when several casualties came in after a mortar attack.

"I thought, initially, we were going to have people choke up,” Sharpe said, “but they got right in there and got their hands dirty. I am very proud of them."

Sharpe said seasoned and new medics are stepping up and doing what needs to be done to properly care for patients.

Pfc. Heaven Gallop, a medic with HHC, BSTB, from Winston, S.C., said she wanted to be a medic since she was a little girl. She used to go around trying to bandage animals and other children whenever they were hurt. "I grew up watching war movies with my father," she said. "I wanted to be the one out there with the face paint and helping."

Gallop said the medical team for her brigade, with a mix of medics and physician's assistants, offers her a great environment to continue learning about the medical field.

When her first patient came in, Gallop said, her training paid off.

“You don't really have time to freak out. You don't have time to process it," she said. "You can only concentrate on the patient and then later reflect on it. You always learn from each patient, because they're different."

Gallop said it’s rewarding when patients look at her and know they can depend on her. She said she also feels good when she's done the best she can to help someone.

Pfc. Chris Llewellyn, of Sacramento, Calif., a medic with HHC, 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, said even though this is his first deployment, he isn’t feeling too apprehensive. “I had more anxiety before I got here than since I’ve been here,” he said.

The first time Llewellyn toured the aid station, there was a mortar attack and the lights went out. Several casualties came in, but the trauma training he received prepared him for the emergency and the outage, he said.

Aside from treating casualties, Llewellyn said, he is learning how to manage sick call, which includes learning about medications and how to tell what is normal by listening to someone’s heart and lungs.

Pvt. Charlie Pennington of Indianapolis, a line medic with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, said he was a pre-med major before joining the Army. His interest is orthopedics, but he enjoys it all aspects of health care. This is his first deployment, and Pennington hasn’t had to treat a casualty yet while out on patrol.
“We’ve been shot at, but no one’s been hurt,” he said.

Even though he hasn’t treated anyone yet, Pennington said he feels prepared because of the experience he received at medical school. Pennington said he was also an emergency medical technician in high school.

Medics not only have to learn the technical aspects of their job, but also may have to put their knowledge to use on those they know. For Sharpe, that is the hardest part of her job.

"It's hard to work on someone you know who is on the table," she said. “I was a line medic last time, and it got real personal. Those guys are the ones who have your back, no matter what."

(Army Spc. Courtney Marulli is assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs.)



TEAMWORK — U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ronald Van Ausdal, left, from the 1st Combat Camera Squadron, and a Slovakian army engineer attached to Multi-National Division - Central South move crates of 23mm anti-aircraft ammunition, Nov. 25, 2006, for disposal near Diwaniyah, Iraq. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dawn M. Price

In Today's News - Wednesday, November 29, 2003

Quote of the Day
"The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism.... It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn."
--George Washington


News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraqi Troop Training to Top Bush-Al-Maliki Meeting
Bush adviser doubts violence can be controlled
24 Dead in Sectarian Violence Ahead Bush-Al-Maliki Meeting
Maliki under U.S. fire before Bush talks
Top Bush aide raises doubts about Maliki: NY Times
Saudi will intervene in Iraq if U.S. withdraws: aide
Witnesses detail Iraq burning deaths
Bush focusing on Iraqi troop training
Bush meets Iraqi leader in Jordan today
Fierce fighting shuts down Iraqi city
U.S. Troops Battle Iraqi Insurgents

Operation Enduring Freedom
NATO leaders say peace in Afghanistan key priority
Roadside bomb kills 2 NATO soldiers in Afghanistan

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Judge Rules Bush Terror Order Unconstitutional
Evidence offers insight into Unabomber

Troops on Trial
Rome court weighs homicide case against U.S. soldier
Sailor to Plead Guilty in Spy Case

Supporting Our Heroes
Deadlines Loom for Holiday Shipping

Religion of Peace??
Turkey welcomes Pope's hand of peace
Pope honors slain priest at Turkey Mass

Worldwide Wackos
Report: Ahmadinejad Sends Letter to Americans
U.S. Bans Sale of iPods to N. Korea (Ooooh, tough stand...)
North Korea, U.S., China seek early six-party talks
Castro Says He's Too Ill for Birthday Appearance

Politics / Government
Pelosi passes Hastings for Intel chair

In the Courts
Judge: Paper Cash Unfair to Blind
Supreme Court to Hear First Global Warming Case
Kids Sue in Teddy Attack Movie Expulsion

Science / Nature
Strong Earthquake Hits Northern Indonesia
Typhoon Durian bears down on Philippines
California sea lions attack humans
Study: Sewage threatening Great Lakes

Oddities
Wrong turn puts driver on the rails
Wild boars rampage through village
Police say mother microwaved her baby

Other News of Note
Russia's Gaidar ill in hospital with mystery ailment

Fox News
Pakistan Test-Fires Nuclear-Capable Missile

Reuters: Top News
NATO leaders back ties with Balkans trio
China may let failed broadcast satellite burn
EU tries to combat climate change with tough CO2 cut
DoCoMo, others plan multimedia for cellphones
Nintendo says sells 600,000 consoles in 8 days
Banderas shows age directing first Spanish film
Energy-hungry China breaks ground in Middle East
S.Africa seeks new start on AIDS fight
Flu viruses survive frozen in lakes, study finds
Snoop Dogg arrested after TV appearance in L.A.
"Boston Legal," "Ugly Betty" get new cast members
Stocks rebound, yen off low after Japan data
Oil rises above $61 ahead of U.S. cold spell - Video
Gold inches down, silver steadies after new high
Stock futures rise before GDP report - Video
Dynavax up sharply after trial update
A lower-risk currency play
On the radar: Ezcorp
GM targets smaller, more profitable Buick brand
Riverdeep close to Houghton Mifflin deal: sources
Tiffany third-quarter profit rises
Novartis may shed Gerber, Nestle may step up: WSJ
Rinker rejects $12 billion Cemex bid as "far too low"
Slower CPI doesn't mean price risks over: Fed's Poole

AP World News
1 in 5 parents say kids online too much
Arby's to cut trans fat from fries
Groups to judge Madonna fitness to adopt
Pfizer to cut U.S. sales force 20 pct.
Road teams have edge for a night in NBA
Yankees win rights to Japan's Igawa
Miss America 2006 has surgery in N.C.
Sharpton's stature rises amid shooting
Michael Richards: Jewish by association?
Bernanke: Interest rate cuts unlikely
Arson fears fade in Mo. group home fire
Experts: too soon to label NYPD shooting
Doctors: Face transplant was successful
Dow, Nasdaq close higher on housing gain
La Russa says McGwire belongs in Hall
'30 Rock' star Morgan charged with DWI

Military.com
Op-ed: A Bad Tool
Blog: Bandit 36 is Home
Warfighters Kit Up! Daily
Defense Tech: The MySpace Murders
Advisors: Top Chef's Masher Recipe
Holiday Shopping While in the Field
Gear in the News: LCC Amphibious Command Ship

CENTCOM: News Releases
EIGHT TERRORISTS KILLED DURING EARLY MORNING RAID NEAR BAQUBAH

IED ATTACK IN MUQDADIYAH

THREE TERRORISTS DETAINED BY AFGHAN, COALITION FORCES

USAF F-16 CRASH INVESTIGATION BEGINS

ISF CAPTURES LEADERS OF ILLEGAL ARMED GROUP IED CELL

COALITION FORCES ENGAGE INSURGENTS IN AR RAMADI

FOUR CIVILIANS INJURED IN RAMADI

IRAQI SECURITY FORCES SECURE OIL PIPELINE FIRE SITE

TWO ARRESTED IN FUNERAL PROCESSION

FIRE AT NORTHERN OIL COMPANY

IRAQI ARMY DETAINS TWO SUSPECTED IN MORTAR ATTACK NEAR TAJI

USAF F-16 CRASHES NORTHWEST OF BAGHDAD

USJFCOM
Exercise preps 82nd Airborne Division staff for Afghanistan deployment
Milestone reached in development of Cross Domain Collaborative Information Environment - podcast
Liveblogging: Unified Endeavor 07-1
Omni Fusion ties Army into UR 2015 - podcast

Department of Defense
NEWS UPDATES
Forces Work to Counter Terrorists - Story
For Top News Visit DefenseLink

ON THE GROUND
Marines Rescue Iraqis, Capture Terrorists - Story
Navy Leader Visits USS Mason in Persian Gulf - Story

IN IRAQ
Troops in Iraq Face 'Observant, Adaptive Enemy'
Bayji Operations Round Up 'Black Jumpsuit' Cell
Iraqi Trainees Learning Urban Combat Skills
U.S. Soldiers Work to Fortify Afghan Army

IN AFGHANISTAN
U.S. Units Steadily Secure, Rebuild Afghanistan
Military Missions Change as Afghan Army Evolves
Gainey Visits Deployed Troops for Thanksgiving

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
1812 Napoleon's Grand Army crosses Berezina River in retreat from Russia
1847 Indians kill Marcus & Narcissa Whitman, 11 settle in Walla Walla Ore
1864 Colorado militia kills 150 peaceful Cheyenne Indians
1877 - Thomas Edison demonstrates the hand-cranked phonograph.
1887 - The U.S. receives the rights to Pearl Harbor (Oahu, Hawaii).
1890 - In the first Army-Navy football game, Navy wins 24-0 at West Point.
1916 - The U.S. declares martial law in the Dominican Republic.
1929 - Lt. Colmmander Richard E. Byrd sends the message: "My calculations indicate that we have reached the vicinity of the South Pole" (He hadn't)
1944 - Albania is liberated from Nazi control; John Hopkins hospital performs the first open heart surgery.
1945 - The monarchy is abolished as Yugoslavia proclaims itself a republic.
1947 - The U.N. General Assembly partitions Palestine between Arabs and Jews.
1951 - The first underground atomic explosion occurs at Frenchman Flat, Nevada.
1952 - President-elect Eisenhower visits Korea to assess the war.
1961 - Freedom Riders are attacked by a white mob at a bus station in Mississippi; Mercury-Atlas 5 carries a chimp (Enos) to orbit.
1963 - LBJ sets up the Warren Commission to investigate the assassination of JFK.
1965 - Dale Cummings does 14,118 consecutive sit-ups.
1967 - British troops withdraw from Aden; U.S. Secretary of Defense McNamara becomes President of the World Bank.
1975 - Kilauea erupts in Hawaii.
1978 - The U.N. observes an "international day of solidarity with the Palestinian people," boycotted by the U.S. and 20 or so other countries.
1987 - Korean Air Boeing 707 disappears off Burma, on route to Seoul. All 115 lost
1990 - UN Security Council sets Jan 15th military deadline against Iraq
1994 - Russian aircraft bomb Chechen capital of Grozney

Birthdays
1781
- Andres Bello, Venezuelan poet/diplomat/scholar (Silvas Americanas)
1803 - Christian Doppler, discoverer of the Doppler Effect (color shift)
1811 - Wendell Phillips, women's suffrage/antislavery/prison reformer
1818 - George Brown, Canadian publisher (Toronto Globe), PM (1858)
1832 - Louisa May Alcott, author (Little Women)
1849 - Sir Ambrose Fleming, inventor (diode)
1874 - Antonio Egas Moniz, lobotomist (Nobel 1949)
1895 - William V.S. Tubman, 17th Liberian President (1943-70)
1898 - C.S. Lewis, English writer/scholar
1923 - Frank Reynolds, news anchor (ABC Evening News)
1928 - Paul Simon (Sen-IL), presidential candidate
1949 - Kenneth D. Cameron, Lt. Colonel USMC / astronaut (Sked:STS-37)

Passings
1530 - Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, adviser to England's King Henry VIII
1780 - Maria Theresa, leader of Austria
1924 - Giacomo Puccini, Italian composer
1981 - Natalie Wood, actress, drowns off Santa Catalina, CA
1986 - Cary Grant, actor
1987 - Howard Pyle (Gov-AZ, 1951-55)

Reported Missing in Action
1952

Downey, John T., Civilian - CIA; released by China March, 1973 - alive as of 1999

Fecteau, Richard, Civilian - CIA; released December, 1971

1967
Jones, Louis F., USAF (TX); F4C shot down

Millner, Michael, US Army SF (CA); disappeared when his unit was ambushed

nocashfortrash.org