Captain Maria Ortiz was buried at Arlington National Cemetery yesterday afternoon.  If you were in Washington DC then, now you know why the city was drenched with the tears of angels.

Last month, noweasels covered the death of Capt. Maria Ortiz in a beautiful IGTNT piece, "She Was The Jewel".  There is little I can add to the story of her life.  Instead, I want to take this opportunity to thank Governor Corzine for his executive order to fly the flags in his state at half-staff in her honor because her family now lives in New Jersey.

I think all flags should be flown at half-staff every day a soldier dies in Iraq to honor their sacrifice and also to serve as a protest against an administration that refuses to recognize their sacrifice except as an excuse to throw more bodies into the meatgrinder. 

Today, we remember Maria Ortiz the way she will be remembered by her colleagues:

Her work wasn't finished until everybody was cared for.

We have unfinished business... 

"Islam doesn't have a Pope. So there isn't one guy who can say, 'This isn't kosher.'"

-- Fareed Zakaria

That's why I love Fareed.  He's got a grasp on the situation.  He can break it down for you in simple terms that make it clear where the problems are.  And he brings the funny.   Unfortunately, you have to work really hard to find the funny in Iraq these days.  

The recent reports of massive military operations are going to get all sorts of attention the next few weeks.  Early reports aren't doing anything to brighten my spirits.   However, it is still crucial we get a clear sense of the situation so we can see where the problems are, even if Dubya & Friends can't be bothered.

I know that the recent operation in Najaf is going to be played out as some sort of victory vindicating the Decider's New and Improved Strategy For Victory.  In reality, this is like trying to quell unrest in Northern Ireland by helping Protestants kill Catholics at the start of Lent.  

Actually, it is worse....

I can't help it.  When I see a headline quoting Gates, I immediately assume they're quoting Bill Gates.  It's a reasonable mistake.  Bill Gates is a successful entrepreneur with a grand vision to change the world and improve the lives of future generations.  He's worth quoting.  When Gates talks, people listen.

Of course, I lose interest once I get past the headlines and it turns out they are quoting Robert Gates, Rumsfeld's replacement.  He is just the latest in a long line of sock puppets on TV since Shari Lewis first stuck her hand up Lambchop's ass and made her dance.

Now that anyone with any brains has tuned out everything this administration says in defense of Mr. Bush's War, I'm sure the bozo's left on the bus are constantly looking for new ways to catapault the propaganda.  After his recent press conference, it's clear the only thing Gates has going for him is his name.  It buys them a brief window of confusion to get people's attention one more time.  Trading on confusion to borrow credibility when you have none left is an old parlor trick, but it works.  Don't take my word for it.  Ask Frank Luntz...

 Ross McGinnis was 19 years old when he died.  Nineteen years old.  I've got ties that are older than that.   They are well made, but nothing outstanding.  That's the difference between Ross McGinnis and my ties.  He was outstanding.  The kid was one in a million.  Actually, more like one in 2 million.  You'll see where that number came from in a moment, but first I want you to really appreciate just how special he was.  If you meet sixty new people every day for the next hundred years, you will be lucky if you meet one like Ross McGinnis.    Think about that the next time you get on a bus, or a train, or a plane.  Every day.  For a 100 years...

crossposted from MacDubya: A Modern Tragedy

ACT I.

Scene I:  Baghdad, 1991.

This dark, grim tragedy begins with Three Witches dancing in the streets of Baghdad.

Missiles, explosions, and screams paint a gloomy picture, setting the tone of this play.  As the "fireworks" fade, the witches agree to meet again at the turn of the century.  They straddle cruise missiles that look decidedly phallic and fly off.

The TV set at the edge of the stage sputters to life. We hear Bernard Shaw reporting from Baghdad on the night of the first attack marking the opening of Operation Desert Storm. This is followed by a series of screen shots and video clips with occasional sound bites that rapidly advance us through the Clinton Years. A minute later, nine years have passed... ...

Once again, Charles Krauthammer has jumped into the Iraqi quagmire  debate with both feet firmly in his mouth.   The amazing part is he can  do that without pulling his head out of his ass.  I'm telling you, the  guy deserves his own Cirque de Soleil act.  They could call it "Pretzel  Logique" and make a fortune.

Normally I hurry past his crap the way I pass puddles of vomit outside  of frat houses.  I hold my breath and quickly move on, hoping none of  the ooze will stick to my shoes.  Occasionally, he outdoes himself and  you just can't help but stop and gawk in amazement.

Today was one of those days....

"John Ryan Dennison was a shining light..."

When a young man's story opens by celebrating his life in the past tense,  don't expect a happy ending.   Unfortunately, not all stories worth telling have happy endings.  That doesn't make them any less important.  

Look past Ryan's megawatt smile and you may notice a glint of metal on his chest.   It is subtle and easily missed.  It's a decoration that doesn't call attention to itself, yet speaks volumes.  

John Ryan Dennison was more than merely a graduate of West Point, as if that distinction could ever be characterized as "merely" an achievement...

The Foley pedo scandal ate up so much bandwidth most people don't even know Baghdad is under a daytime curfew.  Therefore, it's no surprise this shocking exchange on FOX News fell completely off the table.  It's so tasty, I just had to pick it up, transcribe it, and share it around.  This is a dog bites man kind of story.

Shep Smith is a popular FOX News anchorman, yet even this avid supporter of the war, Bush, and all things conservative finally got so enraged, he stomped Bill Kristol like a grape.  Talk about making Kristol whine.   Shep started off calling this administration's policies horrifying and repulsive and it went downhill from there.  By the end of the segment, Shep was holding Bush responsible for any deaths that occur in Iraq between now and the mid-term elections!  In so many words!  On FOX NEWS!  This is Must See TV.  Transcripts and links to this "come to Jesus" talk are below the fold.  

Emily Perez had a passion for books.  She loved to read.  In 2001, she graduated from a public high school outside of Washington DC in an area known mostly for gangs, drugs, death and despair.  Emily was straight-A student.   She could have attended any university she chose.  She chose West Point.

Getting admitted to West Point is no easy feat. First, you need to be nominated for consideration -- usually by your senator or congressional representative. Then you are evaluated in three areas: academic performance, demonstrated leadership potential, and physical aptitude.

Emily was a leader among leaders.  She was the first black woman to serve as corps commander sergeant major at West Point.  She graduated in the top 10% of her class.  In spite of all that promise, this story does not have a happy ending.  

A few hours before Iran delivered its response to the UN regarding its nuclear program, an Iranian warship fired on a Romanian oil rig off the coast of Iran.  Troops from the vessel then boarded and seized it, according to the rig's owner said.

Since this is not getting any significant play in the US yet, here is some other stuff you might like to know. For starters, bloomberg news reports:

The U.A.E.-registered drilling company had signed a preliminary contract with Halliburton Co. after winning an estimated $310 million contract to develop phases 9 and 10 of Iran's offshore South Pars gas reservoir.

1:1  This is the Revelation of a New Doctrine, which Double Ewe received from his base showing the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his operatives to his servants on FOX,

1:2  Blessed is he who reads many news sources, and keep in mind the things that are written, for the time is at hand when events once uncovered are finally seeing the light of day.

1:3  I John Q.  Public, your brother and partner with you in oppression, empire, and faith in the Rule of Law, was on the isle called Gitmo because of the New Doctrine and the testimony of a Cowboy.  

1:4  I was trying to survive yet another day, when I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet saying.

The only generals who support the Bush Doctrine:
General Electric and General Dynamics.

I know there are a few generals making news by voicing their concerns due to all the sabre rattling over Iran.  We need to listen now. People did not listen when a number of generals who opposed invading Iraq made their opinions known. They opposed it because it was strategically, tactically, politically, and legally unjustifiable.  They did not do this quietly. They did it vocally  before we invaded.   I'm talking about these limp wristed, commie sympathizing, terrorist appeasing, treasonous surrender monkeys:

President Bush has issued a "new" national security strategy reaffirming his doctrine of preemptive war against terrorists and hostile states with chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, despite the troubled experience in Iraq.

In his revised version, Bush offers no second thoughts about the preemption policy, saying it "remains the same" and defending it as necessary for a country in the "early years of a long struggle" akin to the Cold War. Some security specialists criticized the continued commitment to preemption. "To have a strategy on preemption and make it central is a huge error," said Harlan Ullman, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Bush has decided to set the example and go on the offensive himself. He is bringing his particular brand of "Shock and Awe" to towns and hamlets across the nation, roadtesting his presentation so he can hone his message for prime time.  Here's a report from the field....

The president's base love to illustrate their points by citing parables.... well here is a parable to ponder.  Call it a "tale of failure foretold" if you like.  Let's compare Bush and Nero...