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Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Resistance is futile: You will be (mis)informed.

Michael Yon's latest article reflects alot of my frustration with the scewed view painted by todays mass media.

The following is a preview of Micheal's latest dispatch and shows he is making a renewed effort to enlarge his audience so more people will know the truth about the progress in Iraq. - Ian Bach

Resistance is futile: You will be (mis)informed.

.............."America seems to be under a glass dome which allows few hard facts from the field to filter in unless they are attached to a string of false assumptions. Considering that my trip home coincided with General Petraeus’ testimony before the US Congress, when media interest in the war was (I’m told) unusually concentrated, it’s a wonder my eardrums didn’t burst on the trip back to Iraq. In places like Singapore, Indonesia, and Britain people hardly seemed to notice that success is being achieved in Iraq, while in the United States, Britney was competing for airtime with O.J. in one of the saddest sideshows on Earth."

"No thinking person would look at last year’s weather reports to judge whether it will rain today, yet we do something similar with Iraq news. The situation in Iraq has drastically changed, but the inertia of bad news leaves many convinced that the mission has failed beyond recovery, that all Iraqis are engaged in sectarian violence, or are waiting for us to leave so they can crush their neighbors. This view allows our soldiers two possible roles: either “victim caught in the crossfire” or “referee between warring parties.” Neither, rightly, is tolerable to the American or British public."

"Today I am in Iraq, back in a war of such strategic consequence that it will affect generations yet unborn—whether or not they want it to. Hiding under the covers will not work, because whether it is good news or bad, whether it is true or untrue, once information is widely circulated, it has such formidable inertia that public opinion seems impervious to the corrective balm of simple and clear facts"...........................by Micahel Yon

Click here for the complete Article at Michael Yon's Online Magazine.

Michael Yon is back in Iraq and reporting the truth from the front lines, unlike most reporters who stay behind the walls of the green zone and report on suicide bombs or other easy news stories to find. They are not brave enough and they lack the ethics to go into harms way and bring us the Real story from the Real people in Iraq and on the front lines.

Afghanistan

Something that is of special interest to my friends with an interest in Afghanistan:
Michael will be going to Afghanistan next year. Michael feels much like many of us few who are informed about Afghanistan.....and it looks real bad at the moment. It's future is completly in the dark and seems it will go unwritten for some time longer than any of us would like. The shear numbers of Taliban fighters is growing into very large size groups. I routinely see numbers in the 50-100 up of Taliban fighters killed in some opertions. They may only kill 1-10 allies in one of these attacks which tends to be large scale attacks/ambushes on small allied forces or small conveys. - Ian Bach

Monday, October 15, 2007

The Next Step Part 2

Changing Directions

About a month ago I had some spare time to surf around Yahoo 360 Blogs of friend, their friends, and some random Blogs.

I had already been disgusted by main stream media orgs like TV or cable shows. Many so called News stations or broadcasts had become so lopsided by terrorists influences, liberals, and and other groups. The thing that is so bad about mainstream media News is...... bad news sells and News orgs know it. They continue to show only the bad side of things from car chases to road side bombs.

Now I have seen many ordinary people who want to help fight terrorism and/or radical Islamists/Jihadists. Many Blogs I saw have a heavy focus on Islam. In my opinion these people either have been surfing too many Jihadist web sites, or maybe surfing/reading islamaphobic Web sites (sites whose names and links I will not give out anymore). There are many organizations that cater to people’s fear of Islam and the stuff they talk about in their chat rooms, forums, Blogs, and/or web sites would be a Jihadist dream come true. Why would a Jihadist/Terrorist like/want American websites or even a personal Blogs that focuses on Islam? and creates or at a minimum feeds on Americans fears? Well if you have to ask that then you need to learn counter insurgency / counter terrorism. First rules of terrorism (Islamic or other) create fear amongst the population. So if you wish to help terrorist go for it but if I leave a comment don't hate me or take it personally. We are in a war, and propaganda and News, what we hear and what we see is the single most deciding factor on weather someone supports the war or not. The twisted News and the posting of al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations propaganda especially on the web has been the number one reason that is cited by captured suicide bombers on why they decided to fight or become a human bomb.

Since I started writing my Blog I have focused on talking about progress, facts, cultures, military history, Middle East history, and counter insurgency tactics and strategy.

I started this after I had seen a PBS special of some brave Afghans who risked everything to save artwork and their film archives (50 years of Afghan history) from destruction by the Taliban. These brave men did it not for fame or glory they did it because it was the correct thing to do, even if it meant they would be killed if caught. Also I had become so disgusted by some web sites, and Jihadist web sites that I started to report and help shut down terrorist and terrorist freindly web sites. That is when I realized I could not do it alone. So I decided I would attempt to create a virtual army of people who would take on the task of helping shut down bad web sites reporting them to FBI, IC3, and other agencies and to the servers. After I started writing the Blog I noticed people were more interested in some of my other articles that discussed the cultures, history, current events, and counter insurgency. I have been able to get some people to help in the fight to report bank scams, bad web sites, etc. and I am happy very happy about that and I feel every little bit helps. Some of the people I have met have gone on to create their own very nice web sites some focus on supplying links to informative sites and others are heavy on requiting, reporting, and fighting the online Jihadist.

So to those who are a wee bit too focused on Jihadist messages translations of the Quran, I say this STOP HELPING THE ENEMY.

This is not a Holy War.

Religion is a tool that is used to brain wash a subject religious population into going to war. But there is nothing holy about war. Jihadist are doing the same thing that other religions including Christians have done since the dawn of religion, Pagans, Aztecs, etc. all did the same thing.

Exposing or regugitating Jihadist teachings so all Americans can now view it in english is not the answer. Trust me. Exposing the brutal nature and unholy acts of the warfare terrorists wage is a much better way. But perhaps the best way is not to show differences but instead show our similarities and the correct path to peace.

“Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself "
FDR’s First Inaugural Address - Audio Click Here

Fear is a tool the terrorist uses to change citizens trust of their government into fear of their government and fear that their government can't protect them. This is how they get civilians to switch to their sides. Killing innocent civilians and propaganda is the terrorist main tools of warfare.

We must unite as a nation and we must stop the cycle of government bashing that is leading Americans to begin to fear a government that they should not fear (unless they are criminals). There are many distinct connections to terrorists propaganda and some of the anti US government hate or fear speech. The main one that comes to mind is the wirer taping. Why would anyone be afraid of our government wire tapping the phones of suspected terrorists? Yet today the controversy is worse than ever. I cheered when I heard we would be doing the wirer taping. The conspiracy theories are another area the Jihadist must be laughing at all the Americans who believe a complete lie. Bin Laden is on video tape taking credit for the attack on 9-11. Al Qaeda was also the ones who started the "it was Israel" or "it was Bush" theories. The later videos were created by al-Qaeda to get more people to become Jihadist warriors. But a strange thing happened along the way, some Americans... uninformed, naive, disenfranchised, or just plain stupid, were crazy enough to believe the propaganda created by terrorists. Now we have hundreds of conspiracy theory books that have been written by Americans. Many of the writers used lies from al Qaeda and depict it as fact (rolls eyes - it's called a theory because there is no proof) howver these same nut jobs, money hungry and feeding on peopels fears completly ignore CIA data, Defense Intelligence, NIST, the 911 commission, Building Inspectors, Demolition experts, Middle East experts.

So about a week ago I decided the new goal of my web site and blog will be to keep focusing on progress and good, and to encourage others to stop feeding the fear factor. I will continue to discuss counter insurgency methods and also to expose terrorists lies.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Good News in Iraq

News found by http://wwwwakeupamericans-spree.blogspot.com/2007/04/good-news-from-iraq-and-...

Lately I haven't been able to go seek out the good News that the Media ignores. Therefore I just copyed and pasted a good source (below) they have links to the sources. Lately I have been training in various fields and counterinsurgency techniques. I am working with ex gang members and a gang expert. I also am training in propaganda and examining the enemy’s propaganda machine as well as techniques. You may be wondering about a few of my last articles about magic. What does magic have to do with war? Magic is deception and perception. The terrorist use the News Media to spread their deception, hate and lies. They have succeeded and have deceived/brainwashed millions. The Media has played right into the terrorists’ hand. A few people are working to change it. - Ian Bach

FOUR-DAY OPERATION RESULTS IN EIGHT TERRORISTS KILLED; SEVERAL WEAPONS, EXPLOSIVES CACHES DESTROYED.
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Tuesday, 03 April 2007

BAGHDAD, Iraq – During a recent four-day operation beginning March 30 in Arab Jabour targeting al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists, Coalition Forces killed eight terrorists, detained 13 suspects, destroyed two explosives production facilities and several weapons caches.

Coalition Forces were engaged by the enemy multiple times during the operation. Coalition Forces used appropriate defense measures to eliminate the threat resulting in eight terrorists killed.

Among the weapons caches discovered, Coalition Forces found six DShK anti-aircraft heavy machineguns, 150 rocket propelled grenades, more than 30 rockets, plastic explosives, and several hundred mortar rounds. The weapons caches were destroyed to prevent future use by terrorists.

On Monday, a Coalition Forces air strike destroyed two buildings housing large caches of explosives materials and chemicals used in the production of improvised explosive devices.

A total of 13 suspected terrorists were detained during the four-day operation.
No civilians were injured during the four-day operation.

“Coalition Forces continue to tear apart the al-Qaida network inside Iraq. This operation contributes to the reduction of this VBIED terrorist network’s ability to operate,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.


Iraqi leadership improves fuel distribution.
Wednesday, 04 April 2007

TIKRIT — Iraqi provincial, security and oil officials organized an unprecedented one-day delivery of nearly 5 million liters of petroleum products to Ninewa Province Monday.

After months of unsuccessful or inadequate fuel deliveries from the Bayji Oil Refinery, 135 fuel tankers carrying approximately 36,000 liters of benzene, diesel or kerosene products each were convoyed, under Iraqi Army escort, from the refinery to multiple fuel distribution centers in Mosul, Iraq.

“Planned, organized, coordinated, secured and led by Iraqis from start to finish, this fuel delivery operation demonstrates how positive Iraqi leadership can overcome the influences of corruption and crime, which has plagued the oil distribution systems of northern Iraq [in the past],” said U.S. Army Col. Gary Patton, Chief of Staff for Multi-National Division-North. “This is a significant milestone for the Iraqi people.”

Iraqi, U.S. Soldiers give humanitarian aid to Tal’Afar
Sunday, 01 April 2007

TAL’AFAR – Iraqi security forces and Tal’Afar civic leaders provided aid and humanitarian assistance to Tal’Afar citizens displaced by the terrorist bombing Wednesday.

The Iraqi military coordinated and flew a critical airlift resupply mission to Iraqi ground forces who distributed supplies to the population.

Coalition civil affairs teams provided assessments, making sure the aid was funneled through Iraqi leaders to areas who needed it most.

On Saturday, Tal’Afar mayor and Coalition Force spokesmen, Najim Abdallah, Col. Stephen Twitty, commander of 4th Brigade Combat Team and Lt. Col. Malcom Frost, commander of 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment held a news conference to answer questions.

The conference was specifically designed to address the Iraqi populace and featured two Iraqi news stations, Al- Araqnia, and Al-Diyar.

When asked why terrorists attacked Tal’Afar, and whether Tal’Afar will become a “time bomb” of sectarian strife, Abdallah reaffirmed unity.

“We are the biggest city close to the Syrian border. Enemy eyes are open to this city because of its diverse population, all living and working together in peace. They will take any chance to target it. We’ve killed many terrorists; and the enemy will find any hole to use to their advantage,” Abdallah said.

Further solidifying the unity of the city’s inhabitants, Abdallah added, “Sunni and Shiite came together to hold one mass funeral for the victims of the terrorist violence.”


This is just a small fraction of what isn't being shown to us in our news, which is what John McCain pointed out the other day.

"The American people are not getting the full picture of what's happening here. They're not getting the full picture of the drop in murders, the establishment of security outposts throughout the city, the situation in Anbar province, the deployment of additional Iraqi brigades which are performing well, and other signs of progress having been made," said McCain, of Arizona.

Now according to the "left" side of the aisle, improvement cannot be seen by that little stroll through the Iraq market because the American political delegation has armed guards and wore body armor.

In sometimes testy comments to reporters in the heavily fortified Green Zone, Mr. McCain said the American public was not receiving “the full picture about what’s happening,” and he described the delegation’s visit to a downtown market where scores of people have died this year in multiple car bombings and other attacks. There, the members of Congress said, they strolled around, haggled with merchants and drank tea.

But the outing was far from carefree. The delegation traveled in a convoy of armored military vehicles and was accompanied by a large contingent of heavily armed soldiers. The politicians wore body armor while they shopped.

This article here answers that better than I can, so here are some excerpts:

They wore body armor! They went out with "heavily armed soldiers!" They had protection! Iraq must be a disaster. Washington Monthly's Kevin Drum had this to say:

Note to conservatives: if you decide to just ignore John McCain's laughable trip to Baghdad, I understand. There's really not much you can do except hope for a new presidential scandal to take it mercifully off the front page.

But if you do decide to post about it, do you really think you can get away with pretending that the whole trip went smoothly and the press is merely being unfair in its reporting? And if you do think that, what does it say about your opinion of your readership?

Drum's snide tone is fairly representative of the left's reaction to McCain's trip. But really, how was McCain supposed to go out in Baghdad. Isn't the press being a bit unfair when it "presses" McCain on the subject of personal security? The man may well be the Republican nominee for the presidency. Any high-ranking official that goes out in Baghdad would have similar protection. When President Bush makes public appearances in this country--say to throw out the first pitch at a ball game--he, too, wears body armor. When President Clinton came to speak at Princeton while I was a student there, there were sharpshooters on the roof of my dorm. There were dozens of security personnel--for an event at Princeton.

Exactly.

Now, had McCain claimed that all was roses, candy and sunshine in Iraq, I would have joined in with blasting him to hell and back for overdoing the good news and ignoring the bad. By the same token, some of the media refuses to report any of the good, the successes like the ones shown above or the progress that is being seen in Iraq.

Thats bad reporting pure and simple.

The Washington Times has an article out that does mix the good and the bad, which is how all the news should be reported, show it all or show nothing, but do not select and pick only one side to report and ignore all else that is happening.

BAGHDAD -- American and Iraqi soldiers yesterday killed six terrorists and captured another 41 insurgents and death-squad suspects in operations in Baghdad and outside Fallujah, military officials said.

The raids were part of the ongoing enormous effort by U.S. and Iraqi security forces to break the backs of the various armed groups warring in Iraq. The Iraqi government cited the success of that operation yesterday in announcing that the nightly curfew will be pushed back by two hours.

Once again, I encourage you to read the rest, the good and the bad.

Progress and successes.

We here at Wake up America understand that things can turn on a dime one way or another, that we can see two steps forward and one step back and that can be very frustrating, but as long as there are steps forward, there is hope that Iraq can eventually stand, defend and sustain itself.

Other news I find troubling is that it seems, from reports that al-Qaeda is now targeting the Dalai Lama.....come on now, what on EARTH could this guy have done to be targeted?

SECURITY surrounding the Dalai Lama has been tightened after reports of an attempt by the al-Qa'ida-linked terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Toiba to assassinate the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader. - Thats just sick.

Monday, April 16, 2007

15 minutes of fame into 15 minutes of shame

If we can turn the radicals 15 minutes of fame into 15 minutes of shame we can turn the tide of this war against terrorists.

Send me your ideas and info about great role models of today and in history.

I am currently working on bringing some more news on progress in Iraq and the world. One of the things to bring into the light is the need to talk about and honor good moderate heroes of Muslims. The news focuses on our differences not all the similarities. It also gives the terrorists free publicity. But we can change that. There have been many moderate Muslims who have fought (weather it be with weapons or with words) to bring peace and keep their ethnic, religious, and freedoms intact. Some have had to fight with weapons against evil forces, others have helped bring understanding and knowledge that helped change and protect their people. It is important today to give people hope and good role models.

Also If anyone knows of any good iraq or afghan militay you tube videos I would like to add them after I review them. Also the videos / shorts in recent posts are not made by me. you can click to get to the poster of the videos. I am working on making some maybe this weekend. But mine will focus on good only. cya soon - Ian Bach