"On the morning of November 14, 1965, Major Crandall's unit was transporting a battalion of soldiers to a remote spot in the la Drang Valley, to a landing zone called X-Ray. After several routine lifts into the area, the men on the ground came under a massive attack from the North Vietnamese army. On Major Crandall's next flight, three soldiers on his helicopter were killed, three more were wounded. But instead of lifting off to safety, Major Crandall kept his chopper on the ground -- in the direct line of enemy fire -- so that four wounded soldiers could be loaded aboard.
Major Crandall flew the men back to base, where the injuries could be treated. At that point, he had fulfilled his mission. But he knew that soldiers on the ground were outnumbered and low on ammunition. So Major Crandall decided to fly back into X-Ray. He asked for a volunteer to join him. Captain Ed Freeman stepped forward. In their unarmed choppers, they flew through a cloud of smoke and a wave of bullets. They delivered desperately needed supplies. They carried out more of the wounded, even though medical evacuation was really not their mission.
If Major Crandall had stopped here he would have been a hero. But he didn't stop. He flew back into X-Ray again and again. Fourteen times he flew into what they called the Valley of Death. He made those flights knowing that he faced what was later described as an "almost unbelievably extreme risk to his life." Over the course of the day, Major Crandall had to fly three different choppers. Two were damaged so badly they could not stay in the air. Yet he kept flying until every wounded man had been evacuated and every need of the battalion had been met.
President George W. Bush shakes hands with U.S. Army Major Bruce P. Crandall after awarding Crandall the Medal of Honor in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Monday, Feb. 26, 2007, for his extraordinary heroism as a 1st Cavalry helicopter flight commander, completing 22 flights under intense enemy fire to aid troops in the Republic of Vietnam in November 1965. White House photo by Eric Draper When they touched down on their last flight, Major Crandall and Captain Freeman had spent more than 14 hours in the air. They had evacuated some 70 wounded men. They had provided a lifeline that allowed the battalion to survive the day.
To the men of la Drang, the image of Major Crandall's helicopter coming to their rescue is one they will never forget. One officer who witnessed the battle wrote, "Major Crandall's actions were without question the most valorous I've observed of any helicopter pilot in Vietnam." The battalion commander said, "Without Crandall, this battalion would almost have surely been overrun." Another officer said, "I will always be in awe of Major Bruce Crandall."
For his part, Bruce has never seen it that way. Here's what he said: "There was never a consideration that we would not go into those landing zones. They were my people down there, and they trusted in me to come and get them."
As the years have passed, Bruce Crandall's character and leadership have only grown clearer. He went on to make more rescue flights in Vietnam. He served a second tour, and he retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel. As a private citizen, he's continued to serve. He's worked in local government, and he speaks to students all across our country. One of his favorite stops is Midland, Texas. (Laughter.) It happens [to be] where Laura and I grew up. In fact, he's been to Midland so many times they gave him the key of the city. It's not exactly the Medal of Honor. (Laughter.) It's not a bad thing to have. (Laughter.) Maybe one day I'll get a key to the city. (Laughter.)
A few years ago, Bruce learned he was being considered for our nation's highest military distinction. When he found out that Captain Freeman had also been nominated, Bruce insisted that his own name be withdrawn. If only one of them were to receive the Medal of Honor, he wanted it to be his wingman. So when I presented the Medal to Captain Freeman in 2001, Bruce was here in the White House. Captain Freeman wished he were here today, but he got snowed in, in Iowa. His spirit is with us. Today the story comes to its rightful conclusion: Bruce Crandall receives the honor he always deserved."
"Two months into the 110th Congress, Washington has never been more bitterly divided over our mission in Iraq. The Senate and House of Representatives are bracing for parliamentary trench warfare--trapped in an escalating dynamic of division and confrontation that will neither resolve the tough challenges we face in Iraq nor strengthen our nation against its terrorist enemies around the world.
What is remarkable about this state of affairs in Washington is just how removed it is from what is actually happening in Iraq. There, the battle of Baghdad is now under way. A new commander, Gen. David Petraeus, has taken command, having been confirmed by the Senate, 81-0, just a few weeks ago. And a new strategy is being put into action, with thousands of additional American soldiers streaming into the Iraqi capital.
Congress thus faces a choice in the weeks and months ahead. Will we allow our actions to be driven by the changing conditions on the ground in Iraq--or by the unchanging political and ideological positions long ago staked out in Washington? What ultimately matters more to us: the real fight over there, or the political fight over here?
If we stopped the legislative maneuvering and looked to Baghdad, we would see what the new security strategy actually entails and how dramatically it differs from previous efforts. For the first time in the Iraqi capital, the focus of the U.S. military is not just training indigenous forces or chasing down insurgents, but ensuring basic security--meaning an end, at last, to the large-scale sectarian slaughter and ethnic cleansing that has paralyzed Iraq for the past year.
Tamping down this violence is more than a moral imperative. Al Qaeda's stated strategy in Iraq has been to provoke a Sunni-Shiite civil war, precisely because they recognize that it is their best chance to radicalize the country's politics, derail any hope of democracy in the Middle East, and drive the U.S. to despair and retreat. It also takes advantage of what has been the single greatest American weakness in Iraq: the absence of sufficient troops to protect ordinary Iraqis from violence and terrorism.
The new strategy at last begins to tackle these problems. Where previously there weren't enough soldiers to hold key neighborhoods after they had been cleared of extremists and militias, now more U.S. and Iraqi forces are either in place or on the way. Where previously American forces were based on the outskirts of Baghdad, unable to help secure the city, now they are living and working side-by-side with their Iraqi counterparts on small bases being set up throughout the capital.
At least four of these new joint bases have already been established in the Sunni neighborhoods in west Baghdad--the same neighborhoods where, just a few weeks ago, jihadists and death squads held sway. In the Shiite neighborhoods of east Baghdad, American troops are also moving in--and Moqtada al-Sadr and his Mahdi army are moving out.
We of course will not know whether this new strategy in Iraq will succeed for some time. Even under the most optimistic of scenarios, there will be more attacks and casualties in the months ahead, especially as our fanatical enemies react and attempt to thwart any perception of progress.
But the fact is that we are in a different place in Iraq today from even just a month ago--with a new strategy, a new commander, and more troops on the ground. We are now in a stronger position to ensure basic security--and with that, we are in a stronger position to marginalize the extremists and strengthen the moderates; a stronger position to foster the economic activity that will drain the insurgency and militias of public support; and a stronger position to press the Iraqi government to make the tough decisions that everyone acknowledges are necessary for progress.
Unfortunately, for many congressional opponents of the war, none of this seems to matter. As the battle of Baghdad just gets underway, they have already made up their minds about America's cause in Iraq, declaring their intention to put an end to the mission before we have had the time to see whether our new plan will work.
There is of course a direct and straightforward way that Congress could end the war, consistent with its authority under the Constitution: by cutting off funds. Yet this option is not being proposed. Critics of the war instead are planning to constrain and squeeze the current strategy and troops by a thousand cuts and conditions.
Among the specific ideas under consideration are to tangle up the deployment of requested reinforcements by imposing certain "readiness" standards, and to redraft the congressional authorization for the war, apparently in such a way that Congress will assume the role of commander in chief and dictate when, where and against whom U.S. troops can fight.
I understand the frustration, anger and exhaustion so many Americans feel about Iraq, the desire to throw up our hands and simply say, "Enough." And I am painfully aware of the enormous toll of this war in human life, and of the infuriating mistakes that have been made in the war's conduct.
But we must not make another terrible mistake now. Many of the worst errors in Iraq arose precisely because the Bush administration best-cased what would happen after Saddam was overthrown. Now many opponents of the war are making the very same best-case mistake--assuming we can pull back in the midst of a critical battle with impunity, even arguing that our retreat will reduce the terrorism and sectarian violence in Iraq.
In fact, halting the current security operation at midpoint, as virtually all of the congressional proposals seek to do, would have devastating consequences. It would put thousands of American troops already deployed in the heart of Baghdad in even greater danger--forced to choose between trying to hold their position without the required reinforcements or, more likely, abandoning them outright. A precipitous pullout would leave a gaping security vacuum in its wake, which terrorists, insurgents, militias and Iran would rush to fill--probably resulting in a spiral of ethnic cleansing and slaughter on a scale as yet unseen in Iraq.
I appeal to my colleagues in Congress to step back and think carefully about what to do next. Instead of undermining Gen. Petraeus before he has been in Iraq for even a month, let us give him and his troops the time and support they need to succeed.
Gen. Petraeus says he will be able to see whether progress is occurring by the end of the summer, so let us declare a truce in the Washington political war over Iraq until then. Let us come together around a constructive legislative agenda for our security: authorizing an increase in the size of the Army and Marines, funding the equipment and protection our troops need, monitoring progress on the ground in Iraq with oversight hearings, investigating contract procedures, and guaranteeing Iraq war veterans the first-class treatment and care they deserve when they come home.
We are at a critical moment in Iraq--at the beginning of a key battle, in the midst of a war that is irretrievably bound up in an even bigger, global struggle against the totalitarian ideology of radical Islamism. However tired, however frustrated, however angry we may feel, we must remember that our forces in Iraq carry America's cause--the cause of freedom--which we abandon at our peril."
VPOTUS, on tour of Australia, has reminded the Orcs of Iran that all options including the use of military force are still on the bargaining table awaiting consideration regarding their still illegal nuclear ambitions. "All options are still on the table." said VPOTUS. The Iranians continue to protest their nuclear ambitons are entirely "peaceful" a word which here means "peaceful" right after we vaporize you-know-who. Meanwhile, you know who has asked permission for fly over rights from the Gulf states of Oman and UAE should a reemptive strike against Iran become necessary. According to the Kuwaiti daily the "al Siyassah" permission was granted. Ynet In addition, Isreal is in talks w/the US to establish suitable air corridor for Israeli air traffic to use on their way to and from Iran's nuclear factories. source
“There are four or five generals and admirals we know of who would resign if Bush ordered an attack on Iran,” a source with close ties to British intelligence said. “There is simply no stomach for it in the Pentagon, and a lot of people question whether such an attack would be effective or even possible.” sourceIf there are four or five CG's contemplating acts of conscience, (I wouldn't put it pass the MSM Orc Lovers to make up their own news) however, if true, my word to these "generals" is GET OUT. Don't stand on ceremony. GET OUT. Vote your conscience. Resign. You got ISSUES. Make your point. Resign. Get out. Clear out. Go write your books. Run for Office. Whatever. Just GET OUT! This goes double for Mr. Robert Gates, who is supposed to represent views of the no strikes against the Orc Kingdom elite. You got sanitation issues, buster, get out. Generals who can manage are a dime a dozen. Generals who can kill Orcs are--- priceless. Ask Lincoln.
"They don't care if they sleep on a cot or in the dirt. All they care is that they've got the Internet and a phone."
-- Staff Sgt. Chedrick Greene of Saginaw, on Marines from the Information Age
17 Backstabbing Republicans voted with Rep. John Murtha:
Representative James T. Walsh
Phone: 202-225-3701
Fax: 202-225-4042
[Email: Rep.james.walsh AT mail.house.gov]
Representative Wayne Gilchrest
Phone: 202-225-5311
Fax: 202-225-0254
Web Email
Representative Michael Castle
Phone: 202-225-4165
Fax: 202-225-2291
Web Email
Representative Richard (Ric) Keller
Phone: 202-225-2176
Fax: 202-225-0999
Web Email
Representative Philip Sheridan English
Phone: 202-225-5406
Fax: 202-225-3103
Web Email
Representative Ronald Ernest Paul
Phone: 202-225-2831
Web Email
Representative Frederick Stephen Upton
Phone: 202-225-3761
Fax: 202-225-4986
Web Email
Representative Thomas M. Davis
Phone: 202-225-1492
Fax: 202-225-3071
Web Email
Representative Mark Kirk
Phone: 202-225-4835
Fax: 202-225-0837
Web Email
Representative Howard Coble
Phone: 202-225-3065
Fax: 202-225-8611
Email: howard.coble AT mail.house.gov
Web Email
Representative John J. Duncan Jr.
Phone: 202-225-5435
Fax: 202-225-6440
Web Email
Representative James Ramstad
Phone: 202-225-2871
Fax: 202-225-6351
Email: mn03 AT mail.house.gov
Web Email
Representative Steven C. LaTOURETTE
Phone: 202-225-5731
Fax: 202-225-3307
Web Email
Representative Robert Inglis
Phone: 202-225-6030
Fax: 202-226-1177
Web Email
Representative Timothy V. Johnson
Phone: 202-225-2371
Fax: 202-226-0791
Web Email
Representative Thomas Petri
Phone: 202-225-2476
Fax: 202-225-2356
Web Email
Republican Representatives, RINOS, who joined the defeatist Democrats to speak against the troop surge, and in favor of their white flag resolution. Call them; fax them; email them, and make clear that to oppose the Dubya's plan to win this war is unacceptable.
Representative Walter Jones
Phone: 202-225-3415
Representative Wayne Gilchrest
Phone: 202-225-5311
Fax: 202-225-0254
Web Email
Representative Michael Castle
Phone: 202-225-4165
Fax: 202-225-2291
Web Email
Representative Richard (Ric) Keller
Phone: 202-225-2176
Fax: 202-225-0999
Web Email
Representative Philip Sheridan English
Phone: 202-225-5406
Fax: 202-225-3103
Web Email
Representative Ronald Ernest Paul
Phone: 202-225-2831
Web Email
Representative Frederick Stephen Upton
Phone: 202-225-3761
Fax: 202-225-4986
Web Email
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) the first Muslim to be sworn into Congress with the Quran dropped the nickel on Rep. Tom Tancredo’s (R-Colo.) right to smoke a cigar in his congressional office:
Ellison’s office called the Capitol Hill Police on Tancredo last Wednesday night as Tancredo was in his office smoking a cigar. The lawmakers have neighboring offices on the first floor of the Longworth House Office Building.
Tancredo was still stunned a day later. : said Tancredo, who has never met Ellison. “Seemed to me not a good way to say hello.”
And let’s face it. Calling the cops on a colleague takes the cake for the nerviest behavior so far among members of this year’s freshman class of Congress.
This is how it all went down. On Wednesday evening, around 6 p.m., Tancredo was preparing for his trip to Mississippi. And as he so often does, he was unwinding with a cigar.
Soon enough, however, a police officer walked in to check on the smoke. The officer told Tancredo that the officer came because he was required to do so and not because the officer wanted to. The officer had already told Ellison that Tancredo was permitted to smoke in his office. The visit was more a formality.
Tancredo said he would not stop smoking in his office. “Heck, no!” he said. “If he [Ellison] would have [had] the courtesy to say something I’m sure I would have been more accommodating to his wishes.”
To help keep his office free of impurities, Tancredo has three air purifiers. And he has no plans to meet Ellison anytime soon. “I’m sure we will, but I’m not going to make a point [of it],” the presidential hopeful said, adding that he supported Ellison’s right to be sworn in with the Quran.
Ellison’s press secretary, Rick Jauert, made the call to the Superintendent’s office when he noticed the smoke. “I called because the smoke was coming through the walls,” Jauert said, adding that the Superintendent’s office referred him to the Capitol Police.
Jauert said he then informed his boss what he had done. He said “fine,” Jauert said. “He’s complained of the smoke before.”
World GunsCaliber: .50BMG (12.7x99mm) or .460Steyr
Operation: manually operated rotating bolt action
Barrel: 833 mm (33")
Weight: 12.4 kg
Length: 1370 mm (54")
Feed Mechanism: single shot, no magazine
The Steyr .50 HS is the most recent development by Austrian arms manufacturer, the Steyr Mannlicher Gmbh & Co KG. counter-sniping. The Steyr .50HS is available in two calibers, the old and venerable .50BMG and the apparently new .460Steyr (on which so far no data were obtained).
The Steyr .50 HS is a single shot rifle, with manually operated, rotating bolt with two large locking lugs at the front. The two-stage trigger is factory set to 4lbs (1.8kg). The buttstock is adjustable for length of pull, the cheekpiece is also adjustable. Heavy barrel is partially fluted and fitted with effective muzzle brake. Steyr .50 HS has no iron sights; the MilStd Picatinny rail is standard. Rifle is not intended to be fired off-hand; it is fitted with integral folding adjustable bipods.
"The guns were part of a shipment of 800 rifles that the Austrian company, Steyr-Mannlicher, exported legally to Iran last year.
The sale was condemned in Washington and London because officials were worried that the weapons would be used by insurgents against British and American troops.
Within 45 days of the first HS50 Steyr Mannlicher rifles arriving in Iran, an American officer in an armoured vehicle was shot dead by an Iraqi insurgent using the weapon."Telegraph UK
H. CON. RES.
Disapproving of the decision of the President announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. SKELTON (for himself, Mr. LANTOS, and Mr. JONES of North Carolina)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on ______
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Disapproving of the decision of the President announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq.
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That—
(1) Congress and the American people will continue to support and protect the members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq; and
(2) Congress disapproves of the decision of President George W. Bush announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq.
Jeroen Oerlemans, The Netherlands, Panos Pictures.
Paramedics show the dead body of a baby to the press after Israeli bombing of Qana, Lebanon, 30 July
Work bench to Anbar in 30 days--- Dec. 15th to Jan 15th--- a biometric device that photographs, fingerprints and stores data about captured Orcs. Now if only the snail-racers at the Pentagon could only turn and burn at a "Faster-please" speed we can drive the stake through the heart of all Orcs. Follow the links for a rock 'em, sock '--em hell of a story featuring Blogger Bill Roggio from the Fourth Rail, Marine Major Owen West at Anbar and a never say die organization called Spirit of American who combined to jump inside the Orc decision cycle with the device that word on the Anbar streets say inserts a GPS transmitter inside the finger with the ability to track the mindless minions back to their thug masters.
L A R. Marines from 2nd Platoon, Company D, from the Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, patrol the streets of Rawah, Iraq, a city of 30,000 people, on Jan. 18, 2007 in the hunt for Orcs preying on the innocent civilians. The Marines have been on Orc patrol in this area, 150 miles northwest of Baghdad, for the past five months. The increase in safety has allowed more shops and schools to open as the dreaded vampire Orcs flee to darker regions far away from the men of the west.