Clipmarks | Michael yon Clips

We'll tell you what the reality is on the ground

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:57:53 GMT

clipped by: bmeuppls
clipper's remarks: Excellent snark about the faux reality in Washington vs the true reality on the ground.

Clip Source: likelihoodofsuccess.com

Message to Michael Yon: Once in awhile you should step away from the field where the action is actually taking place and into the far rear echelons of politics back home, where facts and first-hand observations can’t get in the way of popular memes and biases, and if you had done so you might have been able to learn that the war has long since been over, dood. We LOST it by congressional fiat.

Also worth stating is that while the senator who declared the surge in Iraq a failure received some criticism for doing so, the pronouncement was, if anything, too late. The proper time to declare a war effort a failure should be the moment when the first American body bag is filled. That’s how you teach our enemies not to mess.

Tags: iraq, politics

Michael Yon on the Iraq War

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:39:31 GMT

clipped by: bmeuppls
clipper's remarks: If you don't follow Michael Yon you should. He goes to the rough areas and reports as HE sees it. No agenda, no adherence to any party.

Clip Source: michaelyon-online.com

Many people are coming to realize that the war in Iraq is over. The situation is still violent, but the fast progress is undeniable. The Iraqi government is inept, yet is largely seen as legitimate. The Iraqi government has dramas, but we need look no further than to our friends in Thailand or South Korea or India to see even greater governmental dramas. I remember living in Poland when they traded communism for democracy and capitalism. Unemployment, inflation and economic woes were as bad (perhaps even worse) than in Iraq. Poland is one of America's closest allies and has been an important partner in Iraq. Poland knows that Iraq can make it, although the war has been divisive in Poland, too.

The Best Blogs On National Security, Intelligence, And the Wars In Iraq, Afghanistan, And Elsewhere

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 01:50:44 GMT

clipped by: victorlamp1
clipper's remarks: There are still more blogs to look at. I could not list all of them because of clipmarks limits, you have to go to the post to see the rest of them.

Clip Source: warnewsupdates.blogspot.com

Abu Aardvark
Abu Muqawama
Armchair Generalist
Arms Control Wonk
Austin Bay
Belmont Club
Blackfive
Blogs Of War
Blog Them Out Of The Stone Age
Captain's Journal
Centre For Counterintelligence And Security Studies
Counter Terrorism Blog
Danger Room
Defense Link -- U.S. Department Of Defense
Defense Tech
FAS Strategic Security Blog
Gateway Pundit
Ghosts Of Alexander
Global Guerrillas
Global Incident Map
Global News Blog
Global Security
Haft Of The Spear
Homeland Security And Insight
In From The Cold
Information Dissemination
Insurgency Research Group
Intel Dump
Jihad Watch
Kings Of War
Long War Journal
Memri
Michael Yon

Middle East Journal
Middle East Strategy At Harvard
Military Blog
Military Watch -- Baltimore Sun
Miserable Donuts
Missing Links
Mountain Runner
Mudville Gazette
Multi-National Force
National Security Review
New Wars
Nukes And Spooks
Peter Coates
Planet War
Rantburg
Security Dilemmas
Small Wars Journal
Space War
Strata-Sphere
Strategy And National Security Policy

Tags: blogs on security, blogs on war, directory of war blogs, national security blogs, war blogs

Censoring Iraq Michael Yon

Fri, 09 May 2008 07:56:37 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: went to Iraq initially at the behest of military friends who insisted that what Americans were seeing on the news wasn't an accurate reflection of the reality on the ground. Two of my friends died on consecutive days. When the charred remains of American contractors were strung from a bridge in Falluja, I put aside a book I was writing to attend the funerals. In Colorado we laid to rest a Special Forces friend who'd been killed in Samara; then on to Florida for the funeral of the friend who'd been murdered and mutilated in Falluja. A photo of the dang ling corpses won a Pulitzer.

I purchased and borrowed the equipment required for the journey. Camera, satellite phone, laptop, body armor, helmet, and so on. Like most of the people who would later be called "alternative media," I bore these expenses myself, including the flights to Kuwait.

Clip Source: www.weeklystandard.com

My experiences with the U.S. military as a soldier and then as a writer and photographer covering soldiers have been overwhelmingly positive, and I feel no shame in saying I am biased in favor of our troops. Even worse, I feel no shame in calling a terrorist a terrorist. I've seen their deeds and tasted air filled

with burning human flesh from their bombs. I've seen terrorists kill children while our people risk their lives to save civilians again, and again, and again. I feel no shame in saying I hope that Afghanistan and Iraq "succeed," whatever that means. For that very reason, it would be a dereliction to remain silent about our military's ineptitude in handling the press. The subject is worthy of a book, but can't wait that long, lest we grow accustomed to a subtle but all too real censorship of the U.S. war effort.

Tags: michael yon, journalist, iraq, u.s. military, terrorists, al-qaeda

Rantings of a Racist

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:35:37 GMT

clipped by: Eaglewings
clipper's remarks: When pushing an agenda facts are not important, the only thing that matters is putting forth arguments to support ones own agenda. That can be said on both sides of any issue. In the case of the Wright Reverend Jeremiah it is easy to see from the bulletin from the church which issue is of utmost importance to him. Be sure to read the Pastor's page portion and you will see President Bush is to blame for all the ills of mankind, not sin. A preacher of righteousness would acknowledge that all men are sinners not just a particular race or color. In fact the wat in Iraq is blamed for homelessness in New Orleans. The last time I checked the major of New Orleans was a, let me see, black man.

It would appear from reading just this one bulletin that the Wright Reverend Jeremiah is not so right when it comes to putting forth truth. Unless of course facts do not matter.

Clip Source: campaignspot.nationalreview.com

I realize finding a controversial Jeremiah Wright comment these days is kind of like finding a three-leaf clover, but I hadn't seen this bit of his analysis of the U.S. military policy in Iraq:

The President who is “staying the course” and sending 21,500 more troops to their death has issued a veto threat against the measure and there is no public outcry and no media outrage. What’s goin’ on?

That's on page 9 of the church bulletin from January 21, 2007. I realize Wright opposes the war and the surge, but declaring the surge policy "sending 21,500 troops to their death is a ridiculous slander of U.S. policy.

In 2007, 901 U.S. troops died in Iraq. In 2008, 86 soldiers have died.

The President’s “New Plan” (more troops, more death and more war) promises an insane
escalation — in Iraq, Iran and beyond! With the torture of Abu Ghraib, the complete destructions of cities like Fallujah and over 600,000 deaths due to collateral damage,

Michael Yon, describing the city of Fallujah

Tags: jeremiah wright, obama, trinity ucc

New York Times praises for citizen journalism

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:17:31 GMT

clipped by: gagneeric

Clip Source: www.readwriteweb.com

The New York Times ran two stories today affirming the usefulness of citizen journalists and microjournalism tools to the reporting of major news stories. In October we reported that citizen journalism had gone undeniably mainstream after both Reuters and CNN embraced citizen journalism techniques and amateur reporting itself in the coverage of important news stories (perhaps most notably at the time, the California wildfires). Today the Times writes in two separate stories how techniques and technologies pioneered by citizen journalism are changing the way we get news.

Noam Cohen reports on the use of Twitter on the campaign trail in the ongoing US presidential elections.

n another piece, the NYT writes about blogger Michael Yon, who uses his blog to cover the Iraq war from the front lines. "Michael Yon was not a journalist, and he wasn’t sure what a blogger was," the piece begins.

Tags: new york times, citizen journalism

Michael Yon's iconic image of hope and unity in Iraq

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 01:12:08 GMT

clipped by: caoilfhionn
clipper's remarks: Isn't it remarkable when looking at an image like this...realizing that the media has become so partisan that they would purposely NOT report any good news.

Clip Source: michellemalkin.com

Michael Yon has captured yet another of his unforgettable iconic images pointing to signs of hope and unity. Of the above photo, Yon writes:

Thanks and Praise: I photographed men and women, both Christians and Muslims, placing a cross atop the St. John’s Church in Baghdad. They had taken the cross from storage and a man washed it before carrying it up to the dome.

The Iraqis asked me to convey a message of thanks to the American people. ” Thank you, thank you,” the people were saying. One man said, “Thank you for peace.” Another man, a Muslim, said “All the people, all the people in Iraq, Muslim and Christian, is brother.” The men and women were holding bells, and for the first time in memory freedom rang over the ravaged land between two rivers.

Tags: hope, unity, iraq, muslim, christian, peace

Ah, a real story

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 18:55:53 GMT

clipped by: docdoober
clipper's remarks: Prolly won't find this anywhere mainstream, huh? Good to see. Because, it shows an improvement under any conditions. Brotherhood, maybe. Hopefully.

Clip Source: blogs.knoxnews.com

Christians, Muslims erect cross in Baghdad

Michael Yon emails: "I photographed men and women, both Christians and Muslims, placing a cross atop the St. John's Church in Baghdad. They had taken the cross from storage and a man washed it before carrying it up to the dome. A Muslim man had invited the American soldiers from 'Chosen' Company 2-12 Cavalry to the church, where I videotaped as Muslims and Christians worked and rejoiced at the reopening of St John's, an occasion all viewed as a sign of hope. The Iraqis asked me to convey a message of thanks to the American people. 'Thank you, thank you,' the people were saying. One man said, 'Thank you for peace.' Another man, a Muslim, said 'All the people, all the people in Iraq, Muslim and Christian, is brother.' The men and women were holding bells, and for the first time in memory freedom rang over the ravaged land between two rivers. (Videotape to follow.)"

Tags: iraq, politics, religion, peace, sympathy, truth

Thanks and Praise

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:59:48 GMT

clipped by: jatfla
clipper's remarks: Well, this is different. A momentary exhibition of freedom of religion in, of all places, Iraq.

Clip Source: www.michaelyon-online.com

Thanks and Praise: I photographed men and women, both Christians and Muslims, placing a cross atop the St. John’s Church in Baghdad. They had taken the cross from storage and a man washed it before carrying it up to the dome.

A Muslim man had invited the American soldiers from “Chosen” Company 2-12 Cavalry to the church, where I videotaped as Muslims and Christians worked and rejoiced at the reopening of St John’s, an occasion all viewed as a sign of hope.

The Iraqis asked me to convey a message of thanks to the American people. ” Thank you, thank you,” the people were saying. One man said, “Thank you for peace.” Another man, a Muslim, said “All the people, all the people in Iraq, Muslim and Christian, is brother.” The men and women were holding bells, and for the first time in memory freedom rang over the ravaged land between two rivers. (Videotape to follow.)

Michael Yon does not receive funding or financial support from Fox News, or from any network, movie, book or television

Tags: iraq, muslim, christian, freedom

Michael Yon: Don’t Ask Me What I Think about the Petraeus Report

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 01:13:27 GMT

clipped by: caoilfhionn
clipper's remarks: Michael Yon discusses in his usual measured reasonable style General Petreaus' report, which isn't published yet. You'd think it was, considering how wildly the moonbats have already reacted to his testifying before Congress. Yon says it should be carefully considered and digested, not pounced upon in a rush to get a story out. Great article at NRO.

Clip Source: article.nationalreview.com

To form reasonably accurate ideas about what truly is going on in Iraq one must speak with many people. When I first went to Iraq, aside from talking with as many Iraqis as possible, I identified key Coalition military people. I did not necessarily define “key” in terms of either rank or position. Rather, I sought out people whom I believed to be competent, informed, and truthful. Between December 2004, when I first landed in Baghdad as an independent writer, and now, I’ve identified plenty.

For the purpose of the upcoming report, instead of journalists inquiring about what I think, they should be asking Iraqis. Iraqis, in my experience seem to have little problem freely expressing their opinions (women included), and seem particularly inclined to air grievances. To get an excellent and intelligent perspective from Iraqis, I recommend reading the “Iraq the Model” blog site.

Tags: petraeus report, michael yon, iraq, iraq the model

News about war in Iraq at Victory Caucus

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:15:35 GMT

clipped by: bamapachyderm
clipper's remarks: For REAL news from Iraq--not the politically expedient soundbites you get from the "mainstream" media--the Victory Caucus website is essential. Make it a daily read.

Clip Source: victorycaucus.com

Welcome to the new Victory Caucus

Welcome to the new Victory Caucus!

With this new design, we hope to come closer to our goal of being a one-stop-shop for anyone interested in learning about what's really going on in the war. New features include:

Integrated maps and charts. Check out our metrics page, or the Major Operations Map , which shows information on the significant offensive operations that have kicked off recently.
Automatic aggregation of official US news sources, including MNF-Iraq , Centcom , and DoD .
Exerpts and links to the latest blog posts from key new media sources like Michael Yon, Michael Totten, Bill Roggio and Blackfive.net
Document library including documents such as the latest status reports from DoD and the State Department
A full-text search engine that includes all content on the site --- including PDF's in the document library

And this is just the start; many more new features and content to come. Please take a look around, and let us know what you think!

Tags: iraq, war, war on terror, military, support the troops, media, blogs, news, aggregator

More cases of terrorists 'baking' children cited

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:02:15 GMT

clipped by: joaaron2468

Clip Source: www.worldnetdaily.com

More cases of terrorists 'baking' children cited

Researchers say Muslim history includes cooking human victims

Although the recent WND report of al-Qaida terrorists allegedly baking a young boy and serving him as a meal to his relatives was too horrific for some to believe, a major Christian ministry is citing another example – and also claims such a practice has its roots in the historical stories of Islam.

The issue has come into focus following a report from Michael Yon, a Special Forces soldier now in Iraq to report on the successes there. He told radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt he was inspired by a "news cycle that seems to pander toward the terrorists."

Yon, who has earned widespread respect as an independent journalist, reported that Iraqi officials told him about al-Qaida terrorists baking children and serving them to their families.

He confirmed independently to WND that an Iraqi official had recounted for him instances in which the terrorists would bake a young boy,

Tags: war, religion, politics, news, media, islam, christianity

More cases of terrorists baking children cited

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:38:45 GMT

clipped by: caoilfhionn
clipper's remarks: "Researchers say muslim history includes baking human victims". Of course, we'll never hear any of this from the terrorist loving AP, Reuters or the rest.

Clip Source: wnd.com

Robert Spencer of JihadWatch told WND the account is from Islamic tradition.

"He was put in the skin of a dead donkey and burned," he said. "It is absolutely true [that the events are part of Islamic history]."

The Barnabas Fund said its sources inside Iraq confirmed "a toddler was kidnapped in Baghdad in October 2006. The mother could not afford to pay the ransom, and so the kidnappers killed the child. They returned the body to the mother. The little child had been beheaded, roasted and was served on a mound of rice."

"After seeing Michael Yon's report, we hope such horrific incidents will indeed be reported upon and recognized as the dark works of jihadists, not ours and others' imagination."

"We were offered a photo, but the UK office [of Barnabas Fund] said we did not want to see it. The family has some relatives living in the UK."

Tags: al qaeda, islamic tradition, baking children, aisha, michael yon, mohammad ibn abu bekre

Al Qaeda in Iraq on the Run

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:06:17 GMT

clipped by: pkronfield
clipper's remarks: We have found our Ulysses Grant! Now the jihadists are getting their fervent wish - death and virgins in hell.

Clip Source: www.realclearpolitics.com

CNN's Michael Ware said in a broadcast Jan. 30 that Ramadi is "the true al Qaida national headquarters." If that were true, al Qaida is in bigger trouble in Iraq than most of us realize.

One call was from "Bruce in Upland," whose son is a soldier currently serving in Iraq.

"I will speak for my son who right now is bored out of his mind in Ramadi, because he hasn't heard a shot fired in combat now in about six or seven weeks," Bruce said.

So how are things faring for al Qaida in its new capital? About as poorly as in Ramadi, says Michael Yon, a former Green Beret turned freelance journalist who is embedded with U.S. forces.

"It's really slowed down here in Baquba," Mr. Yon told Mr. Hewitt in a telephone interview Thursday. "I was just in the TOC (tactical operations center) about 15 minutes before I came on the show, and they were like the Maytag repairmen here."

Most of al Qaida's leaders

will try to establish another "capital" elsewhere. But they're running out of places to go.

Tags: islamofascism, war on terror

1920s Revolution Brigades: fighting Al Qaeda with American soldiers to drive them out of Iraq

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:23:22 GMT

clipped by: caoilfhionn
clipper's remarks: These stories of Michael Yon's are so compelling, considering the AP, Reuters and others seem to sidestep real stories and manufacture others that sympathize with the terrorists' cause.

Clip Source: www.michaelyon-online.com

But the reason for Zawahiri’s recent desperate recruiting drive is the fact that AQ values in action have turned local people against them.

I asked if Abu Ali had heard about children being baked. Ali said no,

but he would not be surprised if it were true because al Qaeda had done so many crimes, such as cutting off a man’s head, putting it up on a stick and parading it around town.

Tags: al qaeda, 1920s revolution brigades, abu ali, michael yon, zawahiri