B36 News - 28 August 2006

The current count is just shy of 1000 page views for my Open Challenge and I have yet to face a serious contender. Surely there has to be someone out there who can back up the claim that we're losing. I won't be suprised by what the Tanker Brothers call "drive by comment posting" in which the poster levels personal attacks at me rather than at my position on the issue, but if someone can logically explain how we're losing I'll be impressed.

Also, thanks to those of you who have helped me reach those who would otherwise not hear my challenge. I'd like to keep up that effort so if you know of some deep-dark defeatist hole, please let me know so I can shine the light of victory on them.

I just don't get why Americans would WANT us to lose.

Operation Together Forward Expands
After securing several districts in southern and western Baghdad, Iraqi and Coalition forces are beginning to move into the northern district of Adhamiyah. Remember, we're sending men with guns into neighborhoods looking for other men with guns. Chances are good that in these places there will be temporarily increased violence. Also remember, this NEEDS to happen before violence will decrease. Ignoring the bad men with guns is not the path to peace. Taking their guns, by force if necessary, will lead to peace.

Reconcilliation Gains Support
Over the weekend, PM Maliki held a reconcilliation conference that resulted in tribal leaders from all sects signing what was called a 'pact of honor' aimed at helping reduce violence in Iraq. This is another critical step forward for Iraq. For years there has been a rift between the different sects in Iraq and now we're seeing a lot of progress towards overcoming those divisions and the creation of a unified Iraq.

Al-Maliki won endorsement of his program for bridging religious, ethnic and political divisions at a national conference of tribal chiefs. A representative of the chiefs read their agreement on live television, calling it a "pact of honor."

"Realizing the gravity of the situation our country is undergoing, we pledge in front of God and the Iraqi people to be sincere and serious in preserving the unity of our country," said the agreement signed by tribal leaders and sheiks.

Kidnapped Sunni Lawmaker Released
Before anyone falls out of their chair when they click this link let me give fair warning; yes, it's the New York Times. Showing further progress towards unity, a Sunni lawmaker (who is a woman, by the way) was set free by her Shiite captors thanks in large part to the personal involvment of PM Maliki. There was no military operation to free Ms. Mashhadani, instead she was delivered to PM Maliki's office, at her request, where she personally thanked him.

Now before you think, "Oh, isn't that nice," and move on to the next story, think of the significance of the details here. A democratically elected Sunni female politician was taken hostage for 55 days and released after the involvement of the democratically elected, Shiite PM.

Got unity?

Wow
I found this story VERY interesting. I think I'll just quote it and let the author of the article speak for himself:

The second trial of Saddam Hussein, which began this week, has included stomach-churning evidence of his atrocities against the Kurds. It's yet another lesson why removing him was the right thing to do.

Somehow, among the many reasons for the war in Iraq, the one that's perhaps strongest gets shortest shrift: the moral one.

We say this because Saddam's career as usurper and ruler of his nation is an object lesson in evil -- the kind that, if not opposed, festers, grows and infects even those who think they're immune.