Michelle Malkin is back from Iraq and has posted pictures and reports about what she and Bryan Preston saw and experienced there. The following is just one small excerpt of an information-packed post. Be sure to read it all.
Modern war in the Middle East is no longer as cut-and-dry as shooting all the bad guys and going home. We are fighting a "war of the fleas"--not just Sunni terrorists and Shiite death squads, but multiple home-grown and foreign operators, street gangs, organized crime, and freelance jihadis conducting ambushes, extrajudicial killings, sectarian attacks, vehicle bombings, and sabotage against American, coalition, and Iraqi forces. Cellphones, satellites, and the Internet have allowed the fleas to magnify their importance, disseminate insurgent propaganda instantly, and weaken political will.Michelle also links to other bloggers who have written about their personal experiences in Iraq. She suggests some of the pundits doing so much commentary on Iraq should visit as well.I came to Iraq a darkening pessimist about the war, due in large part to my doubts about the compatability of Islam and Western-style democracy, but also as a result of the steady, sensational diet of "grim milestone" and "daily IED count" media coverage that aids the insurgency.
I left Iraq with unexpected hope and resolve.
The everyday bravery and consummate professionalism of the troops I embedded with has strengthened my faith in the U.S. military. These soldiers are well aware of the history, culture, and sectarian strife that has wracked the Muslim world for more than a millennium. "They love death," one gunner muttered as we heard explosions in the distance while parked in al Adil. Nevertheless, these troops are willing to put their lives on the line to bring security to Iraq, one neighborhood at a time.
Although we were there for a brief period, Bryan and I learned much on the ground and outside the wire. There really is no substitute for being there. I highly recommend the experience to fellow bloggers and pundits of all stripes.In fact, one of our hosts at Forward Operating Base Justice said they would be happy to welcome Keith Olbermann as an embed. And Chris Matthews (last heard smearing U.S. troops as participants in "ethnic cleansing"), too...How 'bout it, boys?



Comments (39)
michelle malkin goes to Ira... (Below threshold)1. Posted by strongbad | January 17, 2007 10:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
michelle malkin goes to Iraq and comes back saying that everything is swell, she has more hope than ever, and the military is great- shocker! yawn.
1. Posted by strongbad | January 17, 2007 10:53 PM |
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Posted on January 17, 2007 22:53
2. Posted by Murphy | January 17, 2007 11:09 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Cut-and-run or wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee?
2. Posted by Murphy | January 17, 2007 11:09 PM |
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Posted on January 17, 2007 23:09
3. Posted by Diane | January 17, 2007 11:18 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The first paragraph of Michelle's words sound anything but "swell". She says, however, she has hope and resolve that something still can be done.
Strongbad's "yawn" is definite proof that he and the like, not only are not awake enough to read the post correctly, but also need to drink lots of coffee (not Kool-aid) to catch on to the importance of winning in Iraq.
3. Posted by Diane | January 17, 2007 11:18 PM |
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Posted on January 17, 2007 23:18
4. Posted by jp2 | January 17, 2007 11:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I usually try to keep dishonest racists out of my field of vision, but she is especially annoying and persistant. Kudos for her going though, even though she didn't foot the bill and the reasons for her going were totally ludicrous. Someone who makes false claims should be shunned from the community, not encouraged.
I would like to see her back up her claims though: when has she ever been pessimistic about the war? I know she had to retract a central thesis to her book, and I think she is selling wolf tickets here as well. Can anyone find any of her writings that convey pessimism about Iraq?
4. Posted by jp2 | January 17, 2007 11:35 PM |
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Posted on January 17, 2007 23:35
5. Posted by James Cloninger | January 17, 2007 11:52 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I usually try to keep dishonest racists out of my field of vision, but she is especially annoying and persistant.
Malkin? Racist? Huh?
Ever seen some of her hate mail from leftists? Racist doesn't even begin to describe it?
A small sampling:
http://www.michellemalkin.com/archives/005008.htm
"You WILL burn in hell you disgusting c--t. "
-ah, feel the warmth and tolerance.
"Someone ought to sew your c--t up with barbed wire"
--lefties just love that word, don't they?
"You are a f------g slanty-eyed c--t."
--racist, misogynistic, and pornographic all rolled into one...more bang for your buck.
" too bad your parents were not killed in a war..."
--obviously confuses Japanese with Phillipino, but hey, all those slanty-eyed pudendas look alike, don't they?
"listen chink"
--Apparently capitalization or punctuation is beyond this one's skills.
Just a small sample of the tolerance and peace-loving views of the left.
5. Posted by James Cloninger | January 17, 2007 11:52 PM |
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Posted on January 17, 2007 23:52
6. Posted by James Cloninger | January 17, 2007 11:55 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
And some more:
http://www.diggersrealm.com/mt/archives/000621.html
A whole grab-bag of tolerance of dissent of Michelle Malkin. And plenty of references to her heritage. It's almost poetic...in a Penthouse Forum sort of way.
6. Posted by James Cloninger | January 17, 2007 11:55 PM |
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Posted on January 17, 2007 23:55
7. Posted by jp2 | January 18, 2007 12:02 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Those people represent the left? Huh. I didn't know anonymous emails represented any political wing.
7. Posted by jp2 | January 18, 2007 12:02 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 00:02
8. Posted by bryanD | January 18, 2007 12:06 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Malkin is one of the few toilers in support of the 9/11-GWOT theses who actually TRIES to buttress it with original or timely articles on her blog (i.e. she's not lazy), because she's a true believer (as opposed to the Osama-WHO? cynics who arranged her sideshow to Iraq) and is not (always ) satisfied to regurgitate Tony's talking points. But, as we ALL know (admit it or not), the jig is ALMOST up! NATION BUILDING??? WTF??? And "Hot Air TV"? It really makes network news look damn good! And that's BAD! (for the Bushbots, which is GOOD for America! HOORAY!)
8. Posted by bryanD | January 18, 2007 12:06 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 00:06
9. Posted by Carl | January 18, 2007 12:16 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Even if enough money were raised to cover all their expenses and they were accepted to be embed, I seriously doubt Olbermann and Matthews would go to Iraq to see it from the ground with the troops. Matthews, maybe, but Olbermman? I doubt it.
9. Posted by Carl | January 18, 2007 12:16 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 00:16
10. Posted by ke_future | January 18, 2007 12:40 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
i keep hearing ms malkin described as a racist. prove it or shut the hell up.
thank you.
10. Posted by ke_future | January 18, 2007 12:40 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 00:40
11. Posted by nikkolai | January 18, 2007 12:42 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
We simply wish she had been off'd.
Sincerely,
Sorry-assed American leftist
11. Posted by nikkolai | January 18, 2007 12:42 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 00:42
12. Posted by James Cloninger | January 18, 2007 12:45 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Those people represent the left? Huh. I didn't know anonymous emails represented any political wing.
Apparently, you missed the email address that Malkin posted for each "comment"...some of them even have names and actual addresses.
I doubt that if you are agreeing with Malkin, you would send such an email. And given the sort of tripe that passes for "disagreement" that flows from the cesspool that is the Democratic Underground, yeah, I would feel pretty confident that these people aren't exactly the vote-for-George-Bush types. It does fit the modus operandi rather snuggly.
12. Posted by James Cloninger | January 18, 2007 12:45 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 00:45
13. Posted by James Cloninger | January 18, 2007 12:49 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
And, if anyone disagrees with me, bear in mind that I'm neither 1)female, 2)a Republican or 3)of Asian extraction. You may now proceed...
13. Posted by James Cloninger | January 18, 2007 12:49 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 00:49
14. Posted by Live@9 | January 18, 2007 1:10 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I see Michelle is back from her disastrous Iraqi PR trip. Imagine how bad it had to suck to have her Iraq trip story line fall apart on her while she was still overseas.
The whole AP fakes sources story line fell apart when US and Iraq military officials had to admit that Jamil Hussein was real.
I was interested to see how well she would adjust and what kind of journalistic master piece she would come up with, and now we know.
The US military is the best in the world and a right wing pundit is optimistic about the war. Duh, everyone here already knows that. What else you got girl?
14. Posted by Live@9 | January 18, 2007 1:10 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 01:10
15. Posted by Nicholas | January 18, 2007 4:36 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"The whole AP fakes sources story line fell apart when US and Iraq military officials had to admit that Jamil Hussein was real."
When was that?
Last time I checked, nobody could find anyone named "Jamil Hussein" or anything close to that. There is someone called Jamil xxx yyy, with no Hussein, whom AP says is the source, but he denies it. And I checked recently.
So, care to point out where this Jamil Hussein is, so we can ask him why he was telling lies to the AP - and by proxy, us?
15. Posted by Nicholas | January 18, 2007 4:36 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 04:36
16. Posted by PorkSaladSandwich | January 18, 2007 5:49 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Seriously Live@9, what the hell are you talking about? How about some linky-linky to verification info. AP arguments are pretty weak. They have a pretty big financial stake in him being real, after all. It may very will prove out that Jamil Hussein is a real Baghdad police officer but I have not seen anyone claim that except AP.
16. Posted by PorkSaladSandwich | January 18, 2007 5:49 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 05:49
17. Posted by Frank | January 18, 2007 6:54 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
For those of you not paying attention to tha last couple of weeks, here's a link from Michelle's blog acknowledging Hussein existence (citing the Iraqi Ministry).
http://michellemalkin.com/archives/006637.htm
17. Posted by Frank | January 18, 2007 6:54 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 06:54
18. Posted by PorkSaladSandwich | January 18, 2007 7:24 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
And the verification independent of the AP is?
18. Posted by PorkSaladSandwich | January 18, 2007 7:24 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 07:24
19. Posted by AP source | January 18, 2007 8:01 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Here's a link to Jamail Husseins picture taken last week:
19. Posted by AP source | January 18, 2007 8:01 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 08:01
20. Posted by Uncomfirmed | January 18, 2007 8:02 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Here's a link to a recent interview of Jamail Hussein:
20. Posted by Uncomfirmed | January 18, 2007 8:02 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 08:02
21. Posted by BarneyG2000 | January 18, 2007 9:23 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Malkin trouts-out the standard right wring talking point: "..media coverage that aids the insurgency".
I would love to hear the opinions of the right regarding "defeatist" statements from the administration, such as this (from Maliki interview regarding Condi's statement that Maliki is on borrowed time):
The prime minister said statements such as Rice's "give morale boosts for the terrorists and push them toward making an extra effort and making them believe they have defeated the American administration," Maliki said.
21. Posted by BarneyG2000 | January 18, 2007 9:23 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 09:23
22. Posted by maggysturn | January 18, 2007 9:23 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Another non-story from Michelle Malkin.
Hey, right wingers out there! Did ya hear that Bush has reversed himself on the NSA spying program? Can you say:
flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop?
What fools you all are. LOL.
22. Posted by maggysturn | January 18, 2007 9:23 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 18, 2007 09:23
23. Posted by Steve Crickmore | January 18, 2007 10:04 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Malkin's summary and respect of a millennium of Muslim culture via a gunner "They love death ", in addition to the undertones of 'How bout it boys' to critics of the war..is a further reminder that the cause of American troops, however consummate professional in trying to cajole Iraqis as a model pliant democracy, seems foredoomed. Malkin's relief to be back, from her embedded role seems almost palpable. It was however a little longer than the eternal 'surprise' visit of most public figures..Now Malkin can return to usual meme that Iraq isn't only car bombs, which the liberal MSM sensationalizes ...No, 'the Iraqis just love death'.
23. Posted by Steve Crickmore | January 18, 2007 10:04 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 10:04
24. Posted by Heralder | January 18, 2007 10:04 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
maggysturn,
With that irrefutable on-topic argument, i.e., about 12 solid lines of "flip flop"...you certainly proved what fools we all are.
You spending the time to type that over and over really proves your point. Well done. You should get your own blog so you can fill entire pages with such eloquence.
24. Posted by Heralder | January 18, 2007 10:04 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 10:04
25. Posted by Bob E. Digital | January 18, 2007 10:48 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Malkin's Biggest Fan:
http://toddumbarger.blogspot.com/2007/01/wisdom-of-bush-98.html
25. Posted by Bob E. Digital | January 18, 2007 10:48 AM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 10:48
26. Posted by Where's Waldo? | January 18, 2007 12:23 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Here's a link to a television interview with Jamil:
26. Posted by Where's Waldo? | January 18, 2007 12:23 PM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 12:23
27. Posted by Fake, but fake | January 18, 2007 12:24 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Here's a link to a radio interview with Jamil:
27. Posted by Fake, but fake | January 18, 2007 12:24 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 18, 2007 12:24
28. Posted by Anonymous Press | January 18, 2007 12:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Reportedly, Jammail is a dark-haired man with a darkish complexion.
Here's a link to a magazine interview with Jimaial:
28. Posted by Anonymous Press | January 18, 2007 12:27 PM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 12:27
29. Posted by Gosh, Jamail is a slippery character! | January 18, 2007 12:29 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Here's a link to an interview Gamail did with a famous blogger yesterday:
29. Posted by Gosh, Jamail is a slippery character! | January 18, 2007 12:29 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 18, 2007 12:29
30. Posted by Carl | January 18, 2007 12:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Regardless of whether the police officer actually exists, is a pseudonym for another officer to protect his identity or complete fabrication, some other key questions concerning the incident have yet to be answered. Where are the burnt bodies? What evidence, if any, is there of the damaged mosques? If this truly happened as the AP reported how come there has been no independent comfirmation nor any photographic/video evidence? There are plenty of unanswered questions which need to be answered not only for AP's reputation (which has taken many deserved hits) but also for the sake of accuracy and thoroughness. The validity of the existance of the incident has been resting on unsubstantiated reports from unnamed sources as well as named sources that still have yet to be properly verified. So far the Jamail Hussein mentioned has yet to be properly verified. It's still questionable.
30. Posted by Carl | January 18, 2007 12:36 PM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 12:36
31. Posted by Good enough for me! | January 18, 2007 12:46 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Here's a link to a courtroom-sketch artists rendition of what Jamal probably looks like:
31. Posted by Good enough for me! | January 18, 2007 12:46 PM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 12:46
32. Posted by Well that just settles it, then! | January 18, 2007 12:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
A famous Psychic says she saw Gammal Huzzein in a dream last week and he's telling the truth about the burning mosques. Want proof? Here's a link:
32. Posted by Well that just settles it, then! | January 18, 2007 12:48 PM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 12:48
33. Posted by Heralder | January 18, 2007 12:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
So Carl, what you're saying is I need to provide proof that I lifted that car off the ground yesterday to save all those puppies?
I was under the impression that simply proving I exist would make whatever I say the gospel truth.
Damn, back to the drawing board.
33. Posted by Heralder | January 18, 2007 12:53 PM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 12:53
34. Posted by Just take my word for it | January 18, 2007 12:54 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Mikey Moore just did a documentary about Junkmail Hussein. Mikey sez jamil has been found and he has proof at this link:
34. Posted by Just take my word for it | January 18, 2007 12:54 PM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 12:54
35. Posted by Clay | January 18, 2007 1:17 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I usually try to keep dishonest racists out of my field of vision
Crap. You guys are so predictable. If you don't agree with someone you call them racist.
35. Posted by Clay | January 18, 2007 1:17 PM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 13:17
36. Posted by Jo | January 18, 2007 1:51 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Bwahahahahahahahah....
You guys are cracking me up with your Jamail posts with no links. Perfect! And you trolls are looking like idiots. Again.
Love it.
36. Posted by Jo | January 18, 2007 1:51 PM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 13:51
37. Posted by jhow66 | January 18, 2007 2:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Here is the best one yet--a photo of Jamal writeing a parking ticket to a car bomber waiting his turn to get at his 72 virgins.
37. Posted by jhow66 | January 18, 2007 2:36 PM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 14:36
38. Posted by Clay | January 18, 2007 4:18 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You spending the time to type that over and over really proves your point.
Well, she probably just cut and ran -er- I mean, pasted the 'flip-flop'. But, she still looks rather silly. But, I also did some silly things when I was twelve.
38. Posted by Clay | January 18, 2007 4:18 PM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 16:18
39. Posted by Oak Leaf | January 18, 2007 9:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I enjoy reading the work of Michelle Malkin. I am not "impressed" that she was impressed by the troops. She would have the same feeling inside if she embeded into a unit at Ft. Benning or Ft. Bragg and stayed on post for a couple weeks.
The question for Michelle would be how she would react to embedding with a unit in Iraq for her third full year leaving behind her family?
That is the issue that we are now at. How does a Nation keep asking the same guys to keep going back? At same point, the troops no longer will stay in. By 2008, we will soldiers going into their fifth combat tour.
39. Posted by Oak Leaf | January 18, 2007 9:20 PM |
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Posted on January 18, 2007 21:20