Found some interesting stuff on a few sites I like to check when I get to Florence in the morning.

I usually click on Drudge and this other one just before taking roll and getting started with class. They sometimes have interesting pictures and articles. Here's a cool shot. Live fire exercises in the desert.

Anyway, I was surfing there Tuesday morning and found these two little articles...

The Curse of Peace in Iraq

January 29, 2008: You can tell peace is coming to Iraq, because the U.S. combat troops are having more hostile encounters with non-combat soldiers. You can usually tell who is who. The grunts (combat types) are skinnier and less well turned out (hair too long, shave not too recent, slouching). The plumper, sharply dressed, and higher ranking non-combat NCO will berate the grunt for his poor appearance. When there was a lot of fighting going on, the infantry guy would scare the other guy away, with a few choice words and a menacing look. Not so much, anymore. More and more non-combat troops are coming out of their well appointed (and well defended) bases, and ragging on the grunts. The fighting troops don't like it, and are beginning to wonder out loud what all these "combat support" people actually do, if they have so much time to gain weight, and harass the men who made Iraq safe for this kind of crap.

The combat support troops do have less to do now that there is much less combat. Less fuel and ammo has to be moved. Fewer casualties have to be taken care of. A lot less equipment to repair or replace. Combat support troops are mainly concerned with bringing order to disorder, and now the grunts need to be shaped up. The combat troops create disorder. They "break things and kill people." Now that the two species have more time to mingle, those differences are causing friction. It's bad for morale, but it's also a sign that peace is breaking out.

Anbar Disappoints

January 28, 2008: A U.S. Marine, Lance Cpl. James M. Gluff was killed in western Iraq on January 19th. Gluff shot a suicide bomber that was approaching his platoon. The explosion killed the bomber, and Gluff, but saved the lives of many nearby marines. This was the first marine combat death in Iraq in 103 days (since last October.) A marine regiment (over 4,000 troops) has been patrolling Anbar province (which comprises most of western Iraq) for quite some time. The marines have worked out security arrangements with most of the Sunni Arab tribes that dominate the area. That has sharply reduced the violence. So far this month, 29 U.S. military personnel have died in combat in Iraq.

Marines returning to Iraq, are surprised at the reduction in terrorist violence. These veterans are noting things like a 90 percent reduction in the number of roadside bombs encountered. This has a dangerous side effect, as it's harder to stay alert, to possible roadside bombs, while on patrol, because you spot so few of them. In the past, you could be sure to at least one for every two patrols. But now, many younger marines, in Iraq for the first time, have yet to encounter any bombs or gun fire after dozens of patrols. These marines are disappointed, and fearful that they will not earn the Combat Action Ribbon. For years, marines associated Anbar with war, but now it's just another quiet patch of desert.

It sounds from these that things are just about to the point where we could declare victory (again) and kiss that friggin' country goodbye. Naaa, we're gonna be there for a while longer. You break it, you keep it, but things are definitely looking better if this stuff can be believed.

And this, which I found on Drudge Tuesday morning, is a sign that a real culture of freedom may be germinating. Criticizing or poking fun at us, and themselves and their leaders, is something that we should see as a great step forward. Maybe this is all gonna work out in the end after all.

Anyway, I'm headed over to Salado to get my hair cut (I need to be beautiful for my thronging public) and then I'll head north for the regular Friday ritual. Dad's itchin' to get to Dynasty, and so am I. There's a party Sunday where we'll be drinking heavily, watching the Superbowl (as if I gave a shit) and eating more of those party treats you saw me make in a previous post. You guys enjoy the weekend, and I'll see you guys later. Cheers.