Worth Checking Out

Mar 30, 2008 12:00 AM

This email came in from Milblogging.com, and I thought folks might be interested.  New documentary on Iraq this week - shot by a platoon of National Guard infantrymen.

NAS finally catches up with 17 years ago

Mar 12, 2008 12:00 AM

If you were around back in the early 1990s and dealing with the whole issue of sick Gulf War veterans, you may recall the name Jim Moss.  Moss did some research way back then which demonstrated a link between exposure to certain chemicals and symptoms remarkably similar to those reported by Gulf War veterans.

Times Under Fire for Vets article

Jan 17, 2008 09:59 AM

On Sunday, the New York Times ran a lengthy article chronicling a series of homicides committed by Iraq and Afghanistan veterans over the last several years—more than 120 killings here in the United States. Now, the Times is under fire.

Why there may still be hope in Iraq

Jun 26, 2007 11:21 AM

For me, the war in Iraq has never been about domestic politics. It's been about the incredible damage we did in 1991 by encouraging the Kurds and Shia to rebel against Saddam Hussein, then abandoning them to be massacred by their own government. For me the question about the war always centers around: how do we get to a viable end-state in Iraq where the people have a chance at a decent life. Dave Kilcullen over at Small Wars Journal has written an excellent piece which gives some hope to that possibility.

Missing soldier's wife faces deportation

Jun 21, 2007 07:20 AM

Specialist Alex Jimenez, along with two other soldiers, was kidnapped by al-Qaeda in May. One of his fellow soldiers was later found dead, the other is still missing. In a video posted on the internet, AQ claims all three soldiers are dead. Here's the kicker: Jimenez's wife, Yaderlin, is facing deportation from the United States.

Cost of war

May 31, 2007 11:25 PM

Cody Lyon has written a nice piece on the cost of war. Make sure you read down the bottom.

Plan B In Iraq - A recommendation for the way forward

May 31, 2007 10:30 PM

Major Fernando Lujan over at Small Wars Journal has posted both an interesting analysis of the current situation both in Iraq and politically at home, and made some recommendations for a way forward.

Secret Plan for Iranian offensive in Iraq?

May 24, 2007 08:35 AM

According to The Guardian, Iran is quietly making moves for a major offensive in Iraq this summer, designed to force a speedy U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.

Domestic spying details revealed

May 17, 2007 06:37 AM

The Washington Post ran a story yesterday that revealed more interesting information about the administration's massive spying domestic spying efforts. The story: after the Justice Department ruled the program illegal in 2004, the White House sent Andrew Card and Alberto Gonzales over to the hospital to strong-arm John Ashcroft into reversing the decision.

Military increases restrictions on online communication

May 14, 2007 11:33 AM

It's unfortunate that as al-Qaeda and the iraqi insurgency have gone full swing into using youtube and other online networks to get their message out, the U.S. military is going into full retrenchment. The best advertising in the world our military could have is the troops themselves and the things they are posting, but no longer -- according to CNN today, the biggest social networking sites on the web will be off-limits for military networks.

Prayer at Rumayla earns spectacular review

May 07, 2007 07:21 AM

A few weeks ago I submitted Prayer at Rumayla: A Novel of the Gulf War for review to the Podler, a book review blog. Last night the review came back, and it was far better than I could have anticipated.

OpSec trumps information operations

May 02, 2007 11:06 PM

Over the last several years, I've been a consistent reader of a number of military bloggers, as well as Iraqi bloggers, because I'm obsessed with the war and want to know what's actually happening on the ground. Over that time, much of what I read from both Iraqis and soldiers and marines serving in Iraq has had a deep impact on my views of the war.

Prayer at Rumayla Podcast: Chapter Six, Part Two

Apr 28, 2007 10:45 AM

The second part of Chapter Six is now online

In this episode, Chet's company goes into combat at Battle Position 102 in Iraq, and Chet is reunited with his high school friend Julie.

Thinking Blogger

Apr 27, 2007 10:37 AM

To my surprise, Jen over at Did You Ever Get the Feeling has awarded me the Thinking Blogger Award. This came as a bit of a surprise, and may be a surprise to you as well considering that it was a month ago and I'm just now getting around to realizing what it's about...

Failure in Generalship

Apr 27, 2007 06:21 AM

Tom Ricks writes this morning in the Washington Post about a Army Lieutenant Colonel who has written a blistering attack on the Generals in our military in Armed Forces Journal.

Prayer At Rumayla Podcast: Chapter Six, Part One

Apr 22, 2007 09:40 AM

The first part of Chapter Six is now online

In this episode, Chet arrives in New York City, searching for his high school friend Julie.

America and shared sacrifice

Apr 18, 2007 11:20 PM

Not too long ago I made a couple of comments here pointing out the dissonance between those who serve in Iraq, who fight and die on our behalf, and those of who stay home...shopping. In light of the mass murder at Virginia Tech, and the ongoing carnage in Iraq, how is that a gap in blackberry service makes the front page of New York Times?

Prayer at Rumayla Podcast: Chapter Five Part 3

Apr 15, 2007 10:08 AM

Thanks for stopping by, this is the final installment in chapter five.

In this episode, Chet Brown wakes up in jail and is confronted with a Vietnam veteran jailer who tries to talk him out of his despondency. In this chapter we also get the first real view of combat during the Gulf War.

Wednesday Hero -- Staff Sergeant Keith Maupin

Apr 14, 2007 08:59 AM

Once again, I was travelling this week instead of posting, so I'm late. This Weeks Soldier Was Submitted By Lt. Schneider

SSgt. Keith "Matt" Maupin
24 years old from Batavia, Ohio
Army Reserves 724th Transportation Company
MIA Since April 9, 2004

Chapter Five, Part Two now online

Apr 08, 2007 11:26 AM

Thanks for stopping by, this is the second installment in chapter five.

In this episode, Chet Brown arrives in a small town in West Virginia.

Welcome home

Apr 04, 2007 08:11 PM

Ok, so I'm a sucker. I've got two kids who get all bent out of shape when I take a day or two trip out of town once or twice a month. Hardly a sacrifice when I consider that for something like a million families have been separated from their loved ones for a year or more in his war, sometimes multiple times. When I think about what the military families in this country sacrifice -- especially knowing my nephew will soon be in the Marines -- it breaks my heart

Wednesday Hero - Major William D. Chesarek, Jr.

Apr 04, 2007 08:10 PM

Maj. William D. Chesarek, Jr. Royal Air Force's 847th Naval Air Squadron, Commando Helicopter Force

What Does it feel like to kill?

Apr 04, 2007 12:00 AM

What does it feel like to kill?

For some reason, that question’s been on my mind a lot lately. With Chris going off into the Marine Corps later this year, it came up at my brother’s party last weekend. We were talking, and I said to him, “The one thing you have to be prepared for, is you may be put into a position where you have to kill someone.”

But what does that mean?

...More in the extended entry...

Chapter Five of Prayer at Rumayla Podcast now online

Apr 02, 2007 07:05 PM

Thanks for stopping by to check out chapter five. This is a long chapter and is split into three parts, with the first arriving this week.

At the beginning of chapter five, we find Chet Brown fleeing Atlanta after his disastrous meeting with his ex-fiance Amy and her new boyfriend Paul. We also begin to learn more about Chet's experience during the war.

Prayer at Rumayla eBook Now Available for Free Download

Apr 02, 2007 02:58 PM

Hello friends. I've mentioned here before that one of my projects for this year is a complete re-write and edit of my first novel, Prayer at Rumayla: A Novel of the Gulf War. As I work through it, it's become a very different work -- very different.

Another interesting bit from SWJ

Apr 01, 2007 11:22 PM

This is another interesting bit from Small Wars Journal:

Beyond a doubt our current administration has lost credibility with the American people (in both red and blue states) based on its inept management of the war. First there were no WMD, then the premature claim to victory, then denial that there was an insurgency, then there was no civil war, not to mention not having a plan for phase IV....

More below the fold...

Marines in Ramadi

Apr 01, 2007 09:58 AM

First, a brief bit of news. My nephew Christopher has been accepted in the United States Marine Corps, and swears in Monday. He's not sure when he'll leave for bootcamp, probably in June after he graduates high school. Sometimes it's hard to get my mind around that -- he was a toddler when I got home from Iraq. (more in the extended entry).

Prayer at Rumayla: Chapter Four now online

Mar 24, 2007 12:34 PM

Thanks for stopping by to check out chapter four. This chapter is 32 minutes, and follows Chet Brown as he struggles with his new platoon sergeant, then goes on leave and encounters his ex-fiance. That encounter is a major turning point in the book, but I won't get into how it turns out.

Wednesday Hero: Major Alan B. Rowe

Mar 21, 2007 07:12 AM

This Weeks Soldier Was Suggested By Jenn

Capt. Alan B. Rowe 35 years old from Hagerman, Idaho 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center September 3, 2004

Hometown Baghdad

Mar 20, 2007 06:57 AM

A few days ago I mentioned that the Hometown Baghdad project was coming along, with short films being produced about the lives of young Iraqis.

The first set of films are now online. More than worth checking out. Sadly, even though we're five years into the war, most Americans know little about Iraq and Iraqis. We can hope that this project -- which is being distributed for free online -- will help bridge that gap.

Check them out here.

Chapter Three (part two) finished

Mar 18, 2007 08:36 PM

Thanks again for stopping by to check out chapter three.

So far there have been several hundred downloads of the first two chapters, so I'd love to get some feedback from listeners. As I mentioned last time, I broke chapter three into two parts, because it came out to almost an hour. Part two is 24 minutes, and follows the arrival of a new platoon sergeant who shakes up Chet's platoon on his arrival.

Video trailer for Prayer at Rumayla

Mar 15, 2007 03:50 PM

So, lately a lot of publishers have been promoting their books with video trailers. Looking for your feedback here. Take a look, and please leave a comment! I may go through several iterations of this until it's right.

Hometown Baghdad

Mar 14, 2007 12:04 PM

Understanding what life is really like for Iraqis is critical. That's why I was so impressed when I found out about Hometown Baghdad, a short film series that is following the lives of a number of Iraqi 20-somethings. You can check out a preview here. Go see it.

 

Oops. Edited: I got a note from the producers, they aren't ready for the previews to be up yet. So, I've removed the link, but I'll post it again as soon as they are public!

 

Chapter Three (part one) of Prayer at Rumayla now online

Mar 13, 2007 09:51 AM

Thanks for stopping by to check out chapter three.

So far there have been several hundred downloads of the first two chapters, so I'd love to get some feedback from listeners. I've broken up chapter three into two parts, because it came out to almost an hour. Part one is 32 minutes, and follows Chet Brown as he returns to Fort Stewart and has to deal with the reality of a rapidly changing peacetime military.

Listen. Leave a comment. Tell a friend. That's all I ask. And I hope you enjoy it.

Troops getting screwed again

Mar 12, 2007 07:06 AM

If you don't read Mark Benjamin at Salon.com, you need to start. Today. For background, Mark is a former UPI reporter who has spent most of the last decade reporting on issues involving the troops and veterans. He's been a tireless supporter of the right thing, and originally wrote about the terrible conditions at Walter Reed more than two years before the Washington Post suddenly "broke" the story. There's more in the extended entry.

America at the mall

Mar 10, 2007 10:02 AM

Enough said. Found this over at SwacGirl

Finally, something I can agree on with Michelle Malkin

Mar 06, 2007 04:42 PM

I think I've mentioned before that I'm not a huge fan of Michelle Malkin. However, I'm sad to report that not only one, but two items on her blog recently caught my attention and I agreed with them. Maybe I'm getting older and more conservative (or older and slower) but it is important to keep an open mind. There's more:

Chapter Two of Prayer at Rumayla Podcast now online

Mar 05, 2007 11:07 AM

Thanks for stopping by to check out chapter two. Please note -- this chapter is not safe for children. It may not be safe for adults. It's been a couple years (more like five) since I've read it, and clearly I was, well.... Let's just say it's very explicit.

Audio Podcast: Prayer At Rumayla; A Novel of the Gulf War

Mar 01, 2007 09:29 PM

Over the next few weeks, I'll be reading Prayer at Rumayla: A Novel of the Gulf War in (most likely) nine episodes, one for each chapter plus the epilogue. It's a pretty short book, all in all, I'd anticipate about 4 hours (we'll see).