Founders' Daily Quote: 16 Jan 09

"No man can well doubt the propriety of placing a president of the United States under the most solemn obligations to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution. It is a suitable pledge of his fidelity and responsibility to his country; and creates upon his conscience a deep sense of duty, by an appeal, at once in the presence of God and man, to the most sacred and solemn sanctions, which can operate upon the human mind."

--Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution, 1833

Source: PatriotPost.us - Subscribe here.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Historical Reality: Israel vs Gaza

There is a very interesting article in the Wall Street Journal Opinion section written by Dore Gold today titled, "The Gaza-Egypt Smuggling Tunnels Must Be Closed. If you would care to learn the truth about what is really taking place today between Israel and the Gaza Strip, read Mr. Gold's article. He is currently the president of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, and he served as Israel's ambassador to the United Nations in 1997-1999.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Trackback URI. Digg!

Founders' Daily Quote: 15 Jan 09

"On the other hand, the duty imposed upon him to take care, that the laws be faithfully executed, follows out the strong injunctions of his oath of office, that he will 'preserve, protect, and defend the constitution.' The great object of the executive department is to accomplish this purpose; and without it, be the form of government whatever it may, it will be utterly worthless for offence, or defence; for the redress of grievances, or the protection of rights; for the happiness, or good order, or safety of the people."

--Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution, 1833

Source: PatriotPost.us - Subscribe here.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Founders' Daily Quote: 14 Jan 09

"[The President] is the dignified, but accountable magistrate of a free and great people. The tenure of his office, it is true, is not hereditary; nor is it for life: but still it is a tenure of the noblest kind: by being the man of the people, he is invested; by continuing to be the man of the people, his investiture will be voluntarily, and cheerfully, and honourably renewed."

--James Wilson, Lectures on Law, 1791

Source: PatriotPost.us -- Subscribe here.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Make It Right With Him

When there are problems in our lives and we cannot put our finger on the origin of them, chances are it has something to do with something we are doing that against what is good and honest and Holy. I know many people do not believe in anything, or so they say, but I do not understand why some sound wisdom cannot help them as well. So let that be that.

When there is something we are churning over, it has an ability to harm us physically as well as mentally. That is why it is better to just confront whatever it is and you shall find Peace. That is not to say the problem will go away or it will be any easier, but you would be amazed at the weight that is lifted from upon your shoulders.

I understand this is not, per se, what you would expect to find on a milblog. I do believe that many military persons who have difficulty moving forward could benefit from someone who is a civilian yet has lived through hell and came back.

I will never know what or how you managed to survive what you have lived throught. At the same time, many people could not live the life I had and made it through. In a way, I am more alone in my experiences than you are in yours. At least you can talk to your brothers about what you've been through. After all, you were together. I traveled my road alone.

What many of you may already know is that most answers are quite simple and quite difficult. Sometimes the hard part is realizing the question. Let's try a few symptoms:

1. Lonliness. An overwhelming sense of emptiness fills the air and you find yourself not knowing why (many things).

2. Depression. It feels like the world is crushing in all around you and you can't even move to do anything about it, not that it matters.

3. Fear. No matter how many prayers you say, no matter how many times your friends tell you it's going to be okay, it just isn't. You can't walk down that street or you can't leave your house or on the other hand go into any buildings.

These are the big three that come to my mind. Many things can cause these feelings and each one is different, but they all have a basic theme. Something happened, something changed, and now something isn't right. If you don't mind, I will share with you (vaguely) what is happening in my life. This way maybe you can better understand what I am trying to share with you.

I am living sinfully, and it is eating me up alive. It has paralyzed me. I'm afraid to confront it, but my fear is unreasonable. It consumes me, yet I know I have to do this. Also, my past prevents me from running for any political office. What is the simple answer? Confront my sin, repent, turn away from it, and trust God to lead me in His plan for my life. What is the difficult thing I have to do? Confronting my sin. Doing the unknown. Leaving behind the only people who've taken care of me during all these years. I can no longer bear the weight of this sin.

I wish I had a magic wand to take away the sorrows of the world, but I don't. I do, however, know Who does. His name is Jesus Christ. If you do not have any desire to discuss Him, fine. Don't. I will not allow you to deny me my right to do so.

I shall continue to pray for all of you and if you could find a moment here or there, please pray for His strength for me to overcome my sin. Thank you.

PS. I had to write about this because it is holding me back from writing, from leaving the house, from living, from getting a lot of things done. Thanks for letting me bend your 'ear'. God bless you all.

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May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Please feel free to share your best posts with my readers on a daily basis. Just remember to add my permalink to the bottom of your post, then trackpost to me. Thank you. You don't have trackbacks available? Why not use Wizbang Stand Alone Trackback? Everyone have a nice day.

Here are some friends with their awesome posts (I am not responsible for other people's opinions!): Blog @ MoreWhat.com: Open Trackback Linkfest Haven Friday, Political Bylines: Blogads is an Anti-Conservative Owned Business, Woman Honor Thyself: Abortion, Muzlim Style, Adam's Blog: Question of the Day: What's The Best Thing That Happened To You This Weekend, The World According To Carl: A Blast From The Past: “Four Interesting Books Of A Regional Nature” (March 12, 2007), DragonLady's World: OTA Monday 118, The Pink Flamingo: The Real Bill Richardson, Leaning Straight Up: Inauguration Thoughts, Democrat=Socialist: A Very Obama Day, and Right Voices: Obamanomics: $193,750 For Each Job "Saved or Created" Instead Of Just North Of $258,000, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Here are some articles my friends would like to share with you. They're pretty good! Enjoy.
1. Rosemary's News and Ideas: Make It Right With Him. (My WP site.)
2. The World According To Carl: I'm Glad I Don’t Live In Or Near Fargo, North Dakota.
3. third world county: Blogeeky Traffic Stuff.
4. Woman Honor Thyself: Atheists want to remove "So Help me GoD".

Cross-posted @ Talon and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Founders' Daily Quote: 13 Jan 09

"For myself the delay [in assuming the office of the President] may be compared with a reprieve; for in confidence I assure you, with the world it would obtain little credit that my movements to the chair of Government will be accompanied by feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution: so unwilling am I, in the evening of a life nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for an Ocean of difficulties, without that competency of political skill, abilities and inclination which is necessary to manage the helm."

--George Washington, comment to General Henry Knox, March 1789

Source: PatriotPost.us - Subscribe here.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Troops Ready To Prevent Election Violence

by John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (Jan. 12, 2009) – U.S. and Iraqi forces in Iraq’s Diyala province are preparing for rising violence amid upcoming provincial elections, an Army commander in Iraq said at a Pentagon news conference Monday. Army Col. Burt Thompson, commander of the 25th Infantry Division’s 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, said he anticipates an increase in violent activities as the Jan. 31 polling date nears. “It's pretty clear what they'd be going after,” Thompson said, referring to potential election saboteurs. “It's to sway the hearts and the minds, to intimidate those civilians from going and voting.”

Thompson, speaking via video teleconference from Forward Operating Base Warhorse, said Diyala province experiences about one “security incident” per week. A typical occurrence includes a bombing with homemade explosives targeting civilians in market areas. He identified members of al-Qaida and Jaysh al-Mahdi, the militant constituency of the Iranian-influenced Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, as the main perpetrators of violence in the region.

To mitigate potential threats, Thompson said, Iraqi security forces have detailed plans for securing polling sites and the routes leading to and from them. “Al-Qaida, the enemy, the opponent, obviously, has a vote. And he will look for those critical vulnerabilities, if he can find them, and he'll try to exploit those,” he said. “Our job is to prevent that from happening.”

Iraqi forces are culling “human intelligence” -- word-of-mouth information from local people -- to inform their preparations leading up to the elections. “The individuals that you talk to on the street are the greatest values, because quite frankly, most of the folks in Diyala province … want peace, they want stability, they want to move ahead, they want to get this behind them,” he said.

Thompson added that combined forces are emphasizing the security of ballots to ensure the accountability and responsibility of the process. Participants responsible for election security met for six hours yesterday ahead of a rehearsal planned for this week, Thompson said. Iraqi police will act as the “inner cordon” at voting sites and other sensitive locations, with Iraqi soldiers serving a support role as U.S. forces provide the “outer layer.”

The colonel characterized the upcoming vote as a moment of great historical and political significance for Iraq, marking the first real opportunity to seat a representative government at the provincial level.

“The 2005 election was to prove that, ‘I've got some ink on my finger, and we can actually do this election,’” he said, alluding to iconic images of Iraqis displaying ink-stained fingers indicating a ballot cast in national elections. But while the January 2005 voting represented the first general election since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, reports of widespread boycotting by Sunni Arabs called into question the vote’s legitimacy.

“The 2009 elections are a little bit different,” Thompson said. “This is an opportunity to seat governance, [which makes it] a critical period in the history of Iraq, certainly the history of Diyala, to move this place forward, to continue the growth, to continue the stability and prosperity that we're starting to see now in Diyala province.”

An Iraqi soldier patrols an abandoned schoolyard in a town in Iraq's Diyala province. American and Iraqi troops in Diyala are preparing for a possible increase in violence related to upcoming elections.

Source: CENTCOM.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ TCU Nation, SmartGirlPolitics, and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Founders' Daily Quote: 12 Jan 09

"This process of election affords a moral certainty that the office of President will seldom fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications."

--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 68, 14 March 1788

Source: PatriotPost.us - Subscribe here.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Iraqi Girls Reclaim Attack Site As 'Fort Of Science'

by Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti
MND-B PAO

CAMP TAJI, Iraq, Jan. 8, 2009 – Some 300 girls in blue jumpers and white head scarves stood in formation on the school’s courtyard. The chill in the morning air rose in puffs as they chatted, happily anticipating the formal opening of their new school. “Today is a good day,” said Saeed Jassim Hameed al-Mashhadani, a tribal sheik in Tarmiyah, Iraq. “This day marks a beginning of education for these girls.”

The Huda Girls’ School in Tarmiyah, northwest of Baghdad, officially reopened its doors Jan. 5 in a ceremony that featured speeches, poems and songs. The school provides education to about 950 girls who attend classes at various times throughout the day.

Built in 1982, the building first was used as dormitory, but transformed into a school for agriculture in 1995. Since then, it has transformed again into primary and high schools specializing in the sciences. “This is really something big for the people. This is a fort of science,” Muhamad Ibrihim Jassim, administrative supervisor for the Ministry of Education in Tarmiyah, said about the school’s reopening. “This is the largest school in the area.”

The Ministry of Education had long recognized the school for its excellence. That was until 2003, when it became the scene of violence during major combat operations and slowly ceased to function, said Malcom Phelps, a senior education advisor for the coalition’s embedded provincial reconstruction team attached in Multinatioonal Division Baghdad to the 25th Infantry Division’s 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

The school, located near a joint security station, was the launching point of ambushes, homemade-bomb attacks and sniper fire against coalition forces and the then-nascent Iraqi security forces. After a cautious stability was reached in the area in 2006, soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division began projects to rebuild the badly war-damaged school.

During the process, a major terror plan was thwarted. Soldiers discovered a command wire leading from the school’s outer perimeter to one of the rooms. Inside the room, the troops discovered five artillery shell explosives. The planned insurgent attack also included two large explosive-filled propane tanks buried under the school’s floor and numerous projectiles planted under electrical conduits in front of each classroom.

“This was a major setback,” said Army 1st Lt. Erik Peterson, a civil-military affairs officer assigned to the 25th Infantry Division’s Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment. “If they went off, not only would the building have been destroyed, many lives would have been lost.”

More damage was caused by removing the explosives, Peterson said. Engineer crews had to pull up the floor and take down walls brick by brick to ensure there was no longer a threat built into the structure. Eventually, those involved in the plot were captured or killed by U.S. and Iraqi forces. “Even though this was a setback, we had to try again,” Peterson said. “This is the only secondary school in the city. If it wasn’t rebuilt, there would be no place for these girls to go to school and get a good education.”

About $300,000 of Iraqi and U.S. funds were spent to rebuild and refurbish the school, which contains 18 classrooms, science labs, an administration suite and an auditorium. Now that the school is open, it faces many of the same issues plaguing the entire education system of Iraq. “We have so many students,” Jassim said, adding that the girls now go to school in shifts to help alleviate the overcrowding. “We need more buildings so we can effectively teach these students.” Peterson said more school projects are in the works, and that he hopes more schools will open soon.

More teachers also are needed, but Jassim said he is confident that problem will be solved in the coming years. “All of the teachers we currently have graduated from this school,” he said. “They belong to this area. Some of these girls will do the same thing, and we will continue to prosper like we did before the fighting.” Jassim said he is sure the area is safe now. “There is nothing more to be scared of,” he said. “These girls can come to school in peace.”

Despite the peace and stability in the area, a symbol of violence still looms in the background. Clearly visible from inside the school’s compound is the brightly colored dome of the Ghalani Mosque. This mosque is a known safe haven for terror and frequently broadcasts anti-coalition and Iraqi security messages. But Jassim said this will not deter his efforts and those of his teachers to give the students the education they deserve. “It is our duty to provide the best education possible,” he said. “We have been charged with that duty – and we will prevail.”

About 300 girls stand in formation in the courtyard of the Huda Girls School in Tarmiyah, northwest of Baghdad, during the official reopening Jan. 5. The school was under renovation since 2006. A foiled terror plot set back the opening by almost a year.

Source: CENTCOM.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Taylor's Son Convicted; 97 Years

Ex-president (Charles Taylor) of Liberia's son, 'Chuckie' was convicted in October 30, 2008. He has been convicted of torture, arms trafficing, and conspiracy to torture and smuggle arms, according to a federal court in Florida. The prosection had requested 147 years in prison, but they were only to obtain 97 years. It is about time. Although he wasn't charged with the murder of any of them, his indictment alleged that he murdered at least four of ten victims.

"His case, tried in Miami, was the first brought under a 1994 U.S. law saying those accused of committing torturous acts overseas can be tried in a U.S. federal court, as long as the person is a U.S. national or is present in the United States, regardless of nationality." [Son of ex-Liberian leader sentenced to 97 years in prison, CNN]

"Taylor Jr. was tapped by his father to command an anti-terrorist unit called the ''Demon Forces'' that beat, burned and beheaded Liberian civilians from 1999 to 2003, the jury concluded.

The Miami criminal case -- which took place at the same time the father, Charles Taylor, faced a war-crimes tribunal in the Netherlands -- marked the first U.S. prosecution of torture committed in a foreign country." ['Chuckie' Taylor sentenced to 97 years in landmark torture case, by BY JAY WEAVER
jweaver AT MiamiHerald DOT com.]

(If you are interested in the CNN article, you will have to e-mail me. They seem to lose all of their articles, so I put the articles in research file.)

His father is still in the Hague waiting to be convicted on war crimes for his war crimes while he created chaos and wars while he was president of Liberia and also kept these poor people in fear for their very lives. He was captured in 2005. My, how long does it take to get over with the trial? This is one reason why I have NO faith in any of these UN phony set-ups.

I'm glad this part is finally over. It was the best we could hope for since they weren't going to impose the death penalty. They did for Nuremberg trials. Gee, we're come a long way, eh? NOT.

PS. There is a blogger who is claiming that he Chuckie was convicted of murder also. I sure as heck hope so. I have a tendency to believe this blogger more than I do the press. Why? Because CNN and the AP puts out their article, and everyone else just copies it instead of doing their own research. Yes, I received this message from CNN. That's only because they will not allow me to remove myself from their mailing list! So that's how they get their numbers! lol.

Anyway, after I get the notice from them, I google the title to find out if it's true. Then I read the other articles. Besides, as I said before, CNN has a tendency to remove their link after a certain amount of time. Oh, their articles are oh so precious! NOT. Have a nice day.

Here are some friends I would like this news with and you can read their posts as well: Blog @ MoreWhat.com: Open Trackback Linkfest Haven Tuesday, third world county: Quick Tip, Political Byline: Former French President Gets Pounded By His Pooch, Walls of the City: sensor ping LV, The World According To Carl: Uncle Jay Explains The News — January 19, 2009, DragonLady's World: OTA Monday 119, The Pink Flamingo: Democratic Corruption Corruption!, Leaning Straight Up: With Obama President, People Finally Care and Hollywood Is Making a Pledge, Democrat=Socialist: Inauguration 2009 Food For Thought, and Conservative Cat: I'm Back, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Cross-posted @ Talon and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Trackback URI. Digg!

Founders' Daily Quote: 9 Jan 09

"Each individual of the society has a right to be protected by it in the enjoyment of his life, liberty, and property, according to standing laws. He is obliged, consequently, to contribute his share to the expense of this protection; and to give his personal service, or an equivalent, when necessary. But no part of the property of any individual can, with justice, be taken from him, or applied to public uses, without his own consent, or that of the representative body of the people. In fine, the people of this commonwealth are not controllable by any other laws than those to which their constitutional representative body have given their consent."

--John Adams, Thoughts on Government, 1776

Source: PatriotPost.us - Subscribe here.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Founders' Daily Quote: 8 Jan 09

"To cherish and stimulate the activity of the human mind, by multiplying the objects of enterprise, is not among the least considerable of the expedients, by which the wealth of a nation may be promoted."

--Alexander Hamilton, Report on Manufactures, December 1791

Source: PatriotPost.us - Subscribe here.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Catching Up On Videos

It must be quite apparent that I have had a difficult time of things for a few weeks, but I need to get these videos to you. They are Godly, funny, sad, they just run the mill. Enjoy.

This one is from a group I was unaware of, so do some research before you send any money, okay? GuysForLifeOrg: END OF YEAR WEBSITE.mp4. (This is the video.) 2:37

This one is fabulous, of course it is from Zo.
Macho Sauce Production: Declaration Of Dependence. 9:27

This one is from PascoGOP, and it is kind of out-dated. Only because I took so long to put it up. It's a video of Blago at a press conference the day before the music died. PascoGOP: Rob Blagojevich Press Conference A Day Before Corruption Arrest By FBI.

And that takes of that. Now I have to get busy with these CENTCOM articles! ;)

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Please feel free to share your best posts with my readers on a daily basis. Just remember to add my permalink to the bottom of your post, then trackpost to me. Thank you. You don't have trackbacks available? Why not use Wizbang Stand Alone Trackback? Everyone have a nice day.

Friends I have shared this post with: UIS GOP, third world county, Political Byline, The World According to Carl, DragonLady's World, The Pink Flamingo, Leaning Straight Up, and A Newt One/ American Truth Warriors, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Here are some posts my friends wanted to share with you. Enjoy!
1. Rosemary's News and Ideas: Catching Up On Videos.
2. The World According To Carl: Godly Wisdom -- January 8, 2009.
3. The World According To Carl: “Criticism Of Pastors In The Light Of Eternity” (An Article By Dan Phillips).
4. Woman Honor Thyself: America and Israel’s Fault?
5. Right Voices: Obamanomics: $193,750 for each job “saved or created” instead of just north of $258,000.
6. Woman Honor Thyself: Gaza (Muzlims) Kill their OwN.
7. The World According To Carl: Ska Blah Blah Blog (Newest Blogroll Addition).
8. The World According To Carl: A Blast From The Past: “Four Interesting Books Of A Regional Nature” (March 12, 2007).

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Trackback URI. Digg!

Founders' Daily Quote: 7 Jan 09

"I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious."

--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Thomas Cooper, 29 November 1802

And this was before taxation without representation!

Source: PatriotPost.us - Subscribe here.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Veterinarian Aids Iraqi Farmers

by Staff Sgt. Jody Metzger
MND-B PAO

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq (Jan. 6, 2008) – The prosperous rebuilding of Baghdad has reached far throughout the countryside, taking account of the health and welfare of the citizens. As security systems have been established, the focus of U.S. efforts in the area has shifted to aiding and building capacity in other needed areas, like agricultural and veterinary needs.

For nearly two decades, the agriculture infrastructure deteriorated due to Saddam Hussein’s rule. Oil became the county’s livelihood and Iraq depended on the value of its oil to be able to import the necessities such as food and clothing. The negligent response to their country’s needs further weakened the growth of agriculture and farming.

Recognizing this strain on the Iraqi economy and populace, the 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, has taken special consideration of Iraq’s lack of resources by appointing Capt. Suzanne Todd, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., who serves with 425th Civil Affairs Battalion, attached to 4th Inf. Div., MND-B, as the division’s agriculture and veterinary advisor.

Well-suited for the position, Todd has degrees in international relations as well as agriculture and veterinary medicine. She acquired a bachelor’s degree in international relations from William and Mary University in Virginia. While completing her degree, Todd joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps in 1992 at the age of 21. She became a second lieutenant as a signal corps officer in the reserves after graduating.

After spending time in the reserves, Todd decided that she wanted to go to veterinarian school with the funding help of the military. Following graduation from Michigan State with a veterinary medicine degree, Todd joined the ranks of the Army as a veterinary officer.

Although Todd has achieved a stellar education, which could provide her with a good civilian career, she always felt the need to be in the Army. “I have always wanted to be in the military. It’s kind of what I always wanted to do when I graduated, but at the time they were downsizing the active duty military, so I joined the reserves,” said Todd.

The influence to join the Army came from Todd’s mother and father who also served their country in the Army. Though they didn’t actively push for their daughter to join, they were very supportive of her decision. “My mother was an Army nurse and father was in the medical field. They had both had good experiences.”

Todd’s interests in agriculture and animals and her tenacity to follow her heart have paid off. As an adviser for MND-B, she now looks at her career field as a way to helping educate local Iraqi farmers on more advanced techniques. Her co-workers revere her hard work ethic and her expertise.

“She is a great interest to our Team,” said Lt. Col. Arnold Csan, chief of the Civil Affairs Planning Team, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B. “Since she has been here, she has gone out on missions to the vocational college and the vaccine center, both of which serve countrywide. Her focus as an agriculture expert for MND-B has been behind the largest employment of young men in Iraq.”

MND-B has marshaled a contingent of solutions and support for Iraq’s progress toward normalcy. Todd has consulted with Iraqi farmers and veterinary hospital clinics and instituted a plan to redevelop the farming infrastructure.

“One of the things they have problems with is the salinity in the soil because their traditional method of irrigation is flood irrigation. They open up the flood gates of their irrigation canals and they flood their fields with water. If there is a high salinity or salt content in the soil, which there is, that ends up in the water.”

There is a way to reclaim the land, she explained, but it takes a while to leach that salinity out of the soil. The water comes in the same way, but they have to treat it before they use it on their fields.

Since arriving in Baghdad, Todd has advised and introduced new methods of irrigation to the struggling farmers of the area such as drip and spray irrigation, along with pioneering the idea of employing a new variety of high-yield seeds.

Along with her work with the farmers and their irrigation and crop-growing needs, Todd has also done extensive work relating to the farm animals, which are equally important to the welfare and sustenance of the Iraqi people.

“If you consider agriculture, it also goes along with animal agriculture. The animals that we raise to be our food – that’s where veterinarian medicine plays a role. We as veterinarians are concerned not only about the health of livestock we grow for food but how their health impacts our health. The diseases that the animals get can impact what diseases we get – [that’s] the public health aspect.”

The mission Todd performs so effectively and passionately is yet another piece in the overall mission of the Ironhorse Division and MND-B and her work in building capacity among Iraqi farmers and farm animal producers ultimately affects the overall health of the people in and around Baghdad and their quality of life.

Capt. Suzanne Todd (left), pauses for a photo with Col. Lyle Jackson, a veterinary officer who serves with Multi-National Corps-Iraq, and an unidentified man at a poultry farm in Arbil in northern Iraq in October. Todd’s primary mission is to track veterinary and agriculture issues of the Iraqi people.

Source: CENTCOM.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Founders' Daily Quote: 6 Jan 09

"It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood; if they be repealed or revised before they are promulgated, or undergo such incessant changes that no man who knows what the law is today can guess what it will be to-morrow."

--James Madison (likely), Federalist No. 62, 1788

Source: PatriotPost.us - Subscribe here.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Iraq Assumes Authority Over FOB Callahan

MND-B PAO

AL SHA’ AB (Jan. 5, 2009) — Just days after the International Zone was returned to the Government of Iraq, Coalition forces returned Forward Operating Base Callahan to Iraqi jurisdiction, Jan. 3. FOB Callahan was the former Sha’ab Market and a strategic spot in Adhamiyah, which was taken over in 2007 as part of the surge to monitor routes and more fully secure the area.

With the new security agreement and increased security in the area, Coalition forces seized the opportunity to return the building back to the Iraqi Ministry of Trade. “This building has been a Coalition camp since March of 2007; it was taken over during the surge, and now we’ve handed over this central shop market back to Iraqi control because of the increase of security in Adhamiyah area,” said Lt. Col. Michael Pappal, commander of the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

The Ministry of Trade plans to renovate the building and again use it as a market. The MoT will remove the concrete barriers surrounding it.“There are two big effects by reopening this building,” said Capt. Kevin Kahre, commander of Company D, 1-68 AR, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. “The first impact will be that traffic will be alleviated considerably by the reopening of two major roads in the area, which will afford people the opportunity to move around more freely as we take down barriers. Larger vehicles will be able to transport anything from goods to fuel more easily as well. Second, in the upcoming months, as the MoT fixes and reopens the building, it will once again be a source of income for the area.

“This building is so prominent and has been a big reminder of a U.S. presence,” Kahre said. “By leaving this building, it shows those who live here that Iraq is making progress. The move promotes a sense of normalcy, with roads and commerce restored, and will help the people see they are moving forward and American troops are complying with the security agreement.”

Kahre went on to explain how rewarding it has been for him and Soldiers who have deployed multiple times to see things come “full circle” and how good it was to see Iraqis get that part of their city back.

There are eight other markets like the one in Sha’ab, and two remain under Coalition control. “We have nine markets like this throughout Baghdad, and we’ve started the renovation plans for them. There are only two more of nine to be handed back over to us,” said Mahdi Hasaan Shihab, a Ministry of Trade employee. “It’s a happy time for us because it’s ours, and we want to utilize the Ministry of Trade to serve the people of this area and help the economy.”

Lt. Col. Michael Pappal hands the 'key' to FOB Callahan over to Anys Faleyeh, general manager of the Ministry of Trade, at the Sha’ab Market, Jan. 3. The ceremony symbolized Iraq’s increasing sovereignty in the Adhamiyah District of Baghdad.

Source: CENTCOM.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Founders' Daily Quote: 5 Dec 09

"But of all the views of this law none is more important, none more legitimate, than that of rendering the people the safe, as they are the ultimate, guardians of their own liberty. For this purpose the reading in the first stage, where they will receive their whole education, is proposed, as has been said, to be chiefly historical. History by apprising them of the past will enable them to judge of the future; it will avail them of the experience of other times and other nations; it will qualify them as judges of the actions and designs of men; it will enable them to know ambition under every disguise it may assume; and knowing it, to defeat its views."

--Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 14, 1781

Source: PatriotPost.us - Subscribe here.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

O Precious Toes

Beautiful or ugly, long or short, what a treasure these tiny digits are! Imagine trying to walk without them, stand up, and so many things we take for granted...until we stub those little creeps into the metal leg of a chair and they put you out of commission!

Oh, the pain! It feels as though I broke it, but I can painfully move it. Now that it has been a few hours, I can no longer walk without excruciating pain. How can one stub their MIDDLE Toe? Well, I did it. So I give you - the 'Toe'. lol.

There is a parable in James 3:1-12 (not so much a parable as an analogy) regarding the little things that can cause so much good or so much harm. Especially the tongue. Oh my, you don't have to tell me that twice! Mine just wags when it should be still. Still practicing.

So it appears I have to trek on with my Cross to bear. No, no one else need carry my burden, but I would appreciate any prayers you can spare. ;)

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas and Trackback URI. Digg!

Afghan, CFs Disrupt Road Side Bombers In Khost And Zabul

This is a great article which has many details that are not quite prevelant to uninformed eye, but I am very glad to see some success in the Khost area. This is a place that is really coming along well since we have been able to do some bridges, schools, and economic reconstruction. They truly appreciate our efforts. Now for the article.

From U.S. Forces - Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces killed five armed militants and detained ten suspected militants, including the targeted Haqqani militant and Taliban sub-commander, during multiple operations to disrupt terrorist operations in Khost and Zabul provinces, Jan. 1.

Afghan national army and coalition forces netted the targeted Haqqani facilitator during the successful combined operation that left five armed militants dead and seven suspected militants detained. In Sabari District, approximately 160 km southeast of Kabul City, the combined force targeted the Haqqani militant believed to plan and execute attacks against coalition forces in Khost province.

As the combined force approached the militant’s compound, multiple armed militants exited the buildings and attempted to maneuver on the force. Members of the combined force moved to interdict the militants and were engaged by enemy small-arms fire and hand grenades. The combined force returned fire, engaging the armed militants with small-arms and close-air precision munitions, and killed five armed militants. A search of the militants revealed several hand grenades, multiple AK-47s, pistols and other military equipment.

Meanwhile, the remainder of the combined force continued the search of the targeted building, and found three bags of roadside bomb-making material, including blasting caps, remote detonators and wires. These items were confiscated by the force to prevent future use.

The operation in Qalat District, approximately 120 km northeast of Kandahar, resulted in the capture of a Taliban sub-commander known to plan and execute roadside bombs and direct attacks against coalition forces along Highway One. He is also believed to facilitate the movement of weapons into the Zabul province for illegal activities.

Coalition forces searched the targeted compound without incident and detained two additional suspected militants while protecting nine women and 20 children.

“Coalition forces and our partners in the Afghan national army will continue to aggressively pursue road side bombers and those who would bring harm to the Afghan people,” said Col. Jerry O’Hara, U.S. Forces Afghanistan spokesperson. “The best weapon against these criminals is the active involvement from the Afghan people.”

Source: DVIDS News (must be registered to view *free*).

There are 6 new bridges being constructed to all the eastern side of the province do business and communicate with each other more easily. There is a river that divides them. Well, it may not be a river, I'm not quite sure in my recollection, but there is at least a divide. They are also educting their children with new schools that have been constructed, and there are many more projects which the Mayor has planned.

They want to help us to help them because they do not want to live under the Taliban or al Qaida, no more than we do! We must not forget about these people. If we don't help them, who will?

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Trackback URI. Digg!