BathMIBlog Site

Bath Township Politics :: We have a right to farm - LSJ Letter

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:06:08 -0400

Nearly everyone is aware of the promotion of agriculture, agribusiness and agri-tourism in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Agriculture is encouraging the production and sale of as many locally grown farm products as one may care to sell.

In fact, there are even ads on a local radio station boasting of Clinton County being 80 percent agricultural, having more than 1,100 farms. This is good for the economy, especially now, says the MDA. Even the city of Ann Arbor is allowing residents to keep poultry.

However, in Bath - a rural community - township officials disagree.

For at least a year, they have harassed tax-paying residents, citing them for keeping poultry, etc.

Judge Richard Wells in Clinton County ruled our neighbors had to remove their small flock of laying hens from their farm, which they've had for two years. This ended their chances of operating a small egg business.

Go to www.mich.gov/mda to learn about your right to farm and what constitutes a farm under The Michigan Right to Farm Act of 1981.

M. Haddad
Bath

Daily Iraq Reports - Military.com :: How did you spend your 4th of July?

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:09:37 -0400

By: sirandre007

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines raised their right hands and committed to a combined 5,500 years of additional service during the largest reenlistment ceremony in the history of the American military. Beneath a large American flag which dwarfed even the enormous chandelier that Saddam Hussein had built for the Al Faw Palace, members of all services, representing all 50 states took the oath administered by Gen. David Petraeus, Commander of Multi-National Forces Iraq.

See youtube video here

Petraeus, reiterating earlier remarks made by Command Sergeant Major Hill, said that the unprecedented ceremony sends a �message to friend and foe alike.� He told those assembled that it is �impossible to calculate the value of what you are giving to our country . . . For no bonus, no matter the size, can adequately compensate you for the contribution each of you makes as a custodian of our nation�s defenses.�

Fire and Crime :: Bath Township Police Department new cadet, Andrew Wiswasser

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:43:09 -0400

By: sirandre007

By training with the Bath Township Police Department as a cadet, Andrew Wiswasser, 21, is continuing a tradition of public service that now spans four generations.

Andrew's great grandfather, Jack Wiswasser, was the township's first police chief.

"I think it's interesting that as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the police department, Andrew represents that fourth generation as a cadet," said police chief Scott Rose.

Jack Wiswasser came to the township in 1928 and started his own business, Jack's Garage. He was one of the founders of the Park Lake Improvement League, acting as president for nine years. He served on the fire department for 25 years and as police chief for nine years.

His son Jack Wiswasser Jr., 72, took over Jack's Garage in 1969, running it until 1999. Following in the footsteps of his father, he was also active in the township, serving on the county zoning and planning board for four years, and recently having spent three years on the township planning commission.

Representing the third generation is Steve Wiswasser, 47, who is currently serving as township treasurer. He was elected to the board of trustees in 1996 and voted into his current post in 2000 and now nearing the end of his second term.

"In this day and age, it is (unique) with the amount of people moving around and the communities and how they are changing. It is a very unique thing. Our community has changed dramatically through the years. We are working and striving daily to upgrade things and improve things," said Steve Wiswasser.

Rose said it is the firm commitment to the township that sets the Wiswassers apart from most other families.

"I think that there is a lot of families in the township who carry on, where their parents have lived here and their parents have lived here, but it is also unique where four generations that have been so public service oriented and sort of following in the footsteps of their parents," he said.

In eight weeks, Andrew will be earning an associate degree in criminal justice from Lansing Community College and then plans on pursuing a degree from Ferris State University.

The cadet officer position is an unpaid position, and was established for training purposes.

Fire and Crime :: Two face charges after child taken into hospital

Mon, 19 May 2008 10:28:35 -0400

By: sirandre007

BATH TWP. � Two Bath Township residents have been arrested on counts of child abuse after waiting 13 hours to bring a 2-year-old child into the hospital for treatment of second degree burns from the waist down.

The child's mother, Holly Litwiller, 26, was charged with second degree child abuse and her live-in boyfriend, Lester Enness, 20, was charged with both first and second degree child abuse.

The hospital called Child Protective Services shortly after the child was brought into the hospital on May 7.

Det. Gary Smith, of the Bath Township Police Department, said it was believed the burns were caused by immersion in water, but without being there it is hard to tell for sure.

The child had suffered other injuries, mostly bruising caused from hands or other objects, he said.

"It's not just the burns. If you take away all the burns, it's not close to accidental," said Smith.

According to Smith, Litwiller and Enness waited 13 hours to get the child proper care, which was also cause of suspicion.

"If anybody were to look at this child's injuries, they would say, 'Oh my god, this child needs immediate care,'" he said.

"I know it's the worst case of child abuse I've ever worked," he added.

According to police chief Scott Rose, Litwiller is being held on bonds of $500,000 and Enness is being held on bonds of $1 million.

State of Michigan Politics :: Michigan movie credit has huge opening

Fri, 16 May 2008 13:47:53 -0400

By: sirandre007

:x

Movies go over budget all the time. So too, apparently, do movie incentive programs.

Lawmakers on Wednesday seemed somewhat stunned by the estimated $110 million net price tag of Michigan's new film promotion program. The unexpected cost of luring movie makers here could mean less money for local school districts and municipalities.

In a briefing to the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senate Fiscal Agency Director Gary Olson pegged the cost of new film production credits at more than $127 million, a figure offset by $10 million in income and sales tax receipts gained from those productions.

The cost of the film credits to a fiscal 2009 state budget already stressed by economic downturn could mean less of an increase for K-12 schools and no increase in state aid payments to municipalities.

"Has the film credit the ability to be successful? Yes, it will be successful if the goal is to get films produced in Michigan," Olson said. "I think it will be wildly successful because it's one of the most generous credits in the country."

But he called the incentive more like a grant than a tax break because it provides taxpayer-funded checks to producers making movies in the state. The real test for the program will be whether it results in permanent production facilities and jobs.

Under tax incentive programs offered through the Michigan Economic Growth Authority, businesses receive an abatement on state taxes owed. An abatement conditioned on investment in Michigan costs the state revenue it might not have received anyway had that otherwise gone elsewhere.

Qualifying movie projects, however, receive a refundable tax credit of up to 42 percent of production costs in state. A $10 million movie project would be entitled to a rebate check for as
much as $4.2 million. The state budget's obligation to a $100 million production would be $42
million.

No cost estimates were available when lawmakers approved the movie package last winter since it was unclear at that time what interest there might be for filming in Michigan.

Janet Lockwood, head of the Michigan Film Office, said that interest picked up quickly when it became clear the package would become law. By the time Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed the package last month, Lockwood had more than six dozen proposals on her desk.

Legislative analysts said Wednesday that 13 productions and about $39
million in credits had been approved by the state.

At the time lawmakers approved the film package, "did we fully realize" this was a credit against the cost of production and not tax liability?, asked state Sen. Cameron Brown, R-Sturgis.

"We were very clear, in our opinion, that (tax) revenue generated from this activity would not come close to offsetting the cost of the credits," Olson said.

The cost of the film credits will become part of a larger budget discussion that continues Friday, when fiscal analysts from the Legislature and the Granholm administration meet to set fresh revenue targets on which the 2009 budget will be based.

Softening revenues and business tax reductions related to federal corporate tax relief will result in a $300 million shortfall in Senate-passed budgets that fund local schools, universities, prisons and most state agencies.

The shortfall, when measured against the higher spending levels in Gov. Jennifer Granholm's February recommendation the Senate rolled back, is about $225 million more.

For example, the Senate trimmed Granholm's K-12 recommendation from a maximum increase of $218 per pupil to $142. State Rep. Matt Gillard, D-Alpena, said that increase could be shaved
further to a maximum $100 per student. The Senate also eliminated Granholm's proposal to boost revenue sharing to cities and townships by $16 million.

State Sen. Mickey Switalski, D-Roseville, said budget problems facing the state pale in comparison to the $1.7 billion hole lawmakers fixed last year with increases in personal income and business taxes.

While he defended the film program, he conceded concerns about its estimated cost.
"We said we wanted to create a brand new industry," Switalski said.

"We're getting tons of films here, people are building sound stages. We are diversifying our economy and creating an industry that didn't exist here. Can we afford to do it? That's a legitimate question. While it's successful, it's expensive."

State Sen. Ron Jelinek, R-Three Oaks, said if the cost of the film credit results in cuts in education and other state funding, "I wouldn't be surprised if we took a look at" trimming back the incentives.

Liz Boyd, Granholm's spokeswoman, said the film credits costs would be raised during the revenue estimating conference. "Certainly the intent of the film incentive is to grow an industry in this state that will create jobs that can't be outsourced," she said, adding every $1 film credit creates $3 in economic activity.

One option for lawmakers would be to limit the program's cost with a cap on the maximum credit for each project.

State of Michigan Politics :: Rep Richard Ball, is he really a democrat?

Thu, 15 May 2008 13:20:00 -0400

By: sirandre007

By unanimous consent the House considered House Resolution No. 358 out of numerical order.

Rep. Ball offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 358.

A resolution to express the sense of the House that recalls should be based on specific misconduct, criminal activity, or abuse of office and should not be based on a single vote and to denounce the effort to recall Speaker Andy Dillon.

Whereas, The recall is a powerful tool in our democracy. Michigan is one of only 18 states that provide for the recall of state officers. Of these, seven provide that the recall may only be used when specific criteria, such as some threshold of misconduct, are involved; and

Whereas, Observers of government have argued that the misuse of recalls can be detrimental to sound decision making, as short-term expediency can trump well-reasoned approaches to solving problems. The threat of recall for reasons other than some measure of misconduct undermines the foundation of our democratic republic. We elect men and women to exercise their judgment to the best of their abilities after fully considering all policy options. At each subsequent election, these men and women stand before voters and are fully accountable for their decisions; and

Whereas, Many of the state�s newspapers have expressed opposition to the misuse of recall, including the Detroit News, Redford Observer, Northville Record, Grand Rapids Press, Canton Eagle, Garden City Observer, Detroit Free Press, and Battle Creek Enquirer. Among these, the Detroit News, on April 28, 2008, stated that the recent recall efforts in Michigan are �. . . working against efforts to create a more cooperative and productive environment in the legislature.� The February 5, 2008, Grand Rapids Press said �Political recalls should be reserved for the most egregious acts; not used as a retaliation for votes on a particular issue or as retribution against political adversaries.� Referring to the pending November general election, the Redford Observer saw the proposed recall of the Speaker as basically meaningless and costly; and

Whereas, Michigan�s experience with recall seems to be a model of the potential for abuse at all levels of government. It has been used to intimidate and harass and stop the advancement of public policy. Over the past year, recall has been used to harm the legislative process, to thwart honest debate, and to create partisan rancor; and

Whereas, The ongoing recall effort against the Speaker of the House is an example of an abuse of this mechanism; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That it is the sense of the House that recalls should be based on specific misconduct, criminal activity, or abuse of office and should not be based on a single vote; and be it further

Resolved, That we stand together as a body to denounce the effort to recall Speaker Andy Dillon.

Pending the reference of the resolution to a committee,

Rep. Tobocman moved that Rule 71 be suspended and the resolution be considered at this time.

The motion prevailed, 3/5 of the members present voting therefor.

The question being on the adoption of the resolution,

Rep. Tobocman moved that consideration of the resolution be postponed temporarily.

The motion prevailed.

Bath Railroad History :: Bath's railroad time line

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:47:31 -0400

By: sirandre007

About the railroad that went from Owosso to Bath, on to Lansing & Jackson

From what I have found the first railroad line was from Toledo to Adrian MI built in 1836. The next line which did not connect with the Toledo-Adrian line, was from Detroit to Royal Oak and Detroit to Ypsilanti in 1838.

Some time around 1846 and 1847 the Michigan Central Railroad was formed along with the Lake Shore and Michigan. The MMCR controlled the Detroit to Kalamazoo/ Detroit to Pontiac lines.

1855 extended from Pontiac to Fenton and linked Detroit to Toledo
1856 from Fenton to Owosso
1857 from Owosso to Ionia
1858 from Owosso to Laingsburg
1859 from Laingsburg to Bath
1861 from Bath to Lansing (which included Chandler and State Rd stop)
1865 they built a line from Jackson to Mason and in 1866 completed it to Lansing.
1867 the built a line from Owosso to Saginaw, Midland and onto Bay City

Michigan Central controlled that line from Jackson to Owosso (and beyond) from the time it was built until 1929, when New York Central bought out Michigan Central. In 1969 Penn Central bought NYC.

Penn Central went bankrupt in 1970 and was nationalized in 1976 into Conrail, which has since been split up to CSX and the Norfolk Southern Railway in 1999.

In 1976 the rail from Lansing to Owosso was pulled up and the property sold to adjacent land owners.

This actual time line on and removing of the track will be part of my on going research.

Boys Varsity Basketball :: Districts Bath vs Dansville

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:08:03 -0500

By: sirandre007

Bath 74, Dansville 59

LESLIE - Eli Redman had 20 points and 13 rebounds as Bath defeated Dansville.

Mike Hawkins scored 16 points, and Mark Schneider added 12 points for the Bees (19-2).

Craig Brooks and Chris Kirkland each scored 12 points for the Aggies (2-19).

Bath will advance to play Pewamo-Westphalia at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Leslie.

DANSVILLE

Nathan Bailer 3 0-0 7, Craig Brooks 5 1-2 12, Jason Cremer 5 1-1 11, Arlo Hallman 2 0-0 5, Chris Kirkland 5 0-0 12, Wes Mays 2 2-4 6, Eli Tinkle 2 0-1 4, Austin Uphaus 1 0-0 2. Totals 25 4-8 59.

BATH

Drew Colby 1 2-2 4, Justin Dempsey 1 2-2 4, Nick Garrity 2 1-2 5, Mike Hawkins 6 4-6 16, Cody Kesler 1 0-1 2, Andrew May 3 0-1 7, Eli Redman 7 6-6 20, Mark Schneider 5 0-1 12, Spagnuolo 1 0-0 2, Sam Zeeb 1 0-1 2. Totals 28 15-22 74.

Dansville 13 13 16 17-59

Bath 14 24 23 13-74

3-point goals- Nathan Bailer, Craig Brooks, Arlo Hallman, Chris Kirkland 2, Andrew May, Mark Schneider 2. Total fouls-Dansville 19, Bath 10.

Daily Iraq Reports - Military.com :: Iraq - Marines in Operation "Amina"

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:24:48 -0500

By: sirandre007

HADITHA CITY, Iraq - Three-year-old Amina Al'a Thabit has one chance at life.

On a routine meet-and-greet patrol through the city streets of Haditha, Marines with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 noticed something wasn't quite right with little Amina.

"The first day we saw her, we thought she was the cutest girl," said Sgt. Bryan C. Velasquez, 23, a Company L squad leader from Houston. "We just fell in love with her."

See her picture here

Amina has a congenital heart condition, known as Complex Cyanotic Heart Disease that can't be treated with the current facilities in Iraq.

"She is unable to oxygenate her blood properly," said Navy Capt. John H. Nadeau, the battalion surgeon. "She unfortunately has a number of birth defects; the blood bypasses her lungs and gets pumped around her body without sufficient oxygen."

The battalion raised approximately $30,000 for her safe travel to the U.S. and to have open heart surgery. If not treated, her life expectancy would be dire.

"We needed about $30,000 to fly a U.S. medical team to Jordon and fly Amina and her mom back to the U.S.," said Maj. John K. Jarrard, 35, commanding officer, Company L, who is from Gainesville, Ga. "This is a huge effort; folks back home, private donations, everyone came together to make this happen."

The effort to get Amina and her mother clearance to enter the U.S. was facilitated by the battalion's communications officer, Maj. Jake J. Falcone, through the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, with whom he is a civilian contractor.

"By word of mouth we hope this act will spread the message that we're not the devil or here for oil," said Falcone.

Amina arrived in the U.S. Wednesday and is now at the Monroe Carell Jr. Childrens' Hospital at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., awaiting her surgery.

"Amina is in the hands of the best surgeons in the America," said Jarrard.

While not with her daughter at the hospital, Amina's mother is staying at a local home of an Iraqi family that Jarrards' wife and aunt found through the hospital.

The future for the Haditha City Hospital looks promising.

Amina was diagnosed with her condition here, but there are not sufficient facilities or equipment to perform these kinds of operations, said Jarrard.

"The doctors can diagnose it now to some degree, but with a year-long 7.5 million dollar upgrade to the hospital starting in March, they will," said Jarrard. "Iraqi doctors are exceptional; it's just a matter of providing them with the facilities and equipment."

The Iraqi government backed the Marines effort with their unconditional support.

"We couldn't have done this without the full support of the Iraqi government from the local to the national level," said Jarrard. "We're making progress to take care of these kinds of problems right here in Iraq," said Jarrard.

"We have done everything we can - all we can do is pray for a successful surgery and rapid recovery," said Jarrard.[url]

Boys Varsity Basketball :: Bath at Saranac

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:26:26 -0500

By: sirandre007

Bath 88, Saranac 69

SARANAC -- Eli Redman had 34 points, 18 rebounds and five blocked shots as Bath defeated Saranac in a CMAC game.

Mark Scheider scored 19 points and Mike Hawkins added 11 for the Bees (12-0, 11-0).
Nick Wigfield led the Redskins (7-6, 6-5) with 19 points.

Daily Iraq Reports - Military.com :: Thirty al Qaeda in Iraq killed in Diyala

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:24:27 -0500

By: sirandre007

Iraqi and Coalition forces continue to press the fight against al Qaeda in Iraq in the northeastern province of Diyala, where the terror group maintains small pockets. In the latest series of raids as part of Operation Raider Harvest, Iraqi and US forces killed 30 al Qaeda operatives and captured 21, including a senior al Qaeda leader, during raids and operations.

see full artical
thelongwar

Daily Iraq Reports - Military.com :: Coalition airstrikes pound al Qaeda in Iraq positions in southern Arab Jabour

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:43:11 -0500

By: sirandre007

Coalition forces have launched a major air offensive against al Qaeda in Iraq in the southern Arab Jabour region, Brigadier General Jim Huggins, the deputy commander for Multinational Division Center, told The Long War Journal in an exclusive interview Sunday. US bombers targeted "more than 30" al Qaeda in Iraq positions in the region southeast of the capital of Baghdad.

see full artical
thelongwar

Daily Iraq Reports - Military.com :: Iraqi Force Developments and Sensationalistic Press Reporting

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:27:22 -0500

By: sirandre007

Recent press reporting of the status of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) development has done more to illustrate reporters� and editors� lack of understanding on the subject than it has to inform.

Below are two case studies highlighting what the press is missing as new Iraqi Army, police forces and other security units are built.

see full artical
thelongwar artical

Daily Iraq Reports - Military.com :: Iraqi Force Developments and Sensationalistic Press Reporting

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:23:55 -0500

By: sirandre007

Boys Varsity Basketball :: Re: Redman nominated to McDonald's team

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:46:17 -0500

By: Myqel

High School Basketball 1/22/08 - Photos

http://tinyurl.com/2omu6v (Lansing State Journal)

Boys Varsity Basketball :: Redman nominated to McDonald's team

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:39:39 -0500

By: sirandre007

BATH � Bath senior Eli Redman was one of 1,250 boys basketball players nationwide to be nominated for the McDonald's All-American High School Boys Basketball team. Redman and Zach Saylor of Waverly are the only two area nominees.

Redman and Saylor were nominated by a selection committee of nationally prominent basketball experts.

Redman, a 6'7" forward, scored his 1,000 point last season. A four-year starter, Redman played on the 2006-07 Class C state championship team.

Saylor, a 6'8" Waverly senior, has led the Warriors to a 6-1 record this season.

Nominees to the McDonald's team will be considered for one of the 24 slots on the boys team that will compete in the 31st annual McDonald's All-American High School Basketball game, held March 26 in Milwaukee. Proceeds from the games will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities. About $6 million have been raised for the charities in the 31-year history.

Former McDonald All-American players include Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and LeBron James.

Boys Varsity Basketball :: Re: Redman, Bath get past P-W

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:02:59 -0500

By: sirandre007

It was a good game, to many turn over�s for Bath though. PW's guard had about 5 steals... The refs did a good job, all though I think PW's center got away with a few forearm shoves against Eli going baseline.

Bath also missed a few key free throws at the end....

Glad to come away with a win.....

Boys Varsity Basketball :: Redman, Bath get past P-W

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:50:42 -0500

By: sirandre007

Eli Redman broke Bath's career scoring record, including two straight key baskets in the fourth quarter Tuesday as the Bees outlasted a Pewamo-Westphalia comeback to win 39-38 in Central Michigan Athletic Conference play.

Bath (10-0, 9-0) saw a six-point, three-quarter lead dwindle to one as P-W's Travis Pohl and Kaleb Thelen combined to outscore Bath 13-8 over the final eight minutes. Redman's back-to-back baskets kept some distance between the teams late. But after a Bees missed free throw, P-W scored with about six seconds left to pull within one - but then didn't get off another close shot.

Prior to the game, the team hoisted a banner celebrating last season's Class C state title.

"It was a tough night to play, being that all the guys from the state championship were back. There were a lot of things (we) could've thought about instead of the game," Bath coach Jeff Wonch said. "I was probably the only one not having that much fun tonight because I was worried about it. But we did pull it out even though we played P-W's game."

Redman finished with a game-high 23 points, needing 13 to set the record, which stands at 1,188. He also grabbed nine rebounds and Mike Hawkins had five.

Pohl led P-W with his 12 points and Bryant Schmitt added 11 for the Pirates (9-2, 7-2).

PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA

Jason Fedewa 1 0-0 3, Chad Piggott 0 2-2 2, Austin Pline 1 0-0 3, Travis Pohl 6 0-0 12, Bryant Schmitt 5 0-0 11, Kaleb Thelen 3 0-0 7. Totals 16 2-2 38.

BATH

Mike Hawkins 3 1-1 7, Andrew May 2 0-1 5, Eli Redman 11 1-2 23, Mark Schneider 2 0-0 4. Totals 18 2-4 39.

P-W 13 10 2 13-38

Bath 9 11 11 8-39

3-point goals- Jason Fedewa, Austin Pline, Bryant Schmitt, Kaleb Thelen, Andrew May. Total fouls-Pewamo-Westphalia 13, Bath 6.

Daily Iraq Reports - Military.com :: Haditha Booming Thanks to Marines

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:09:36 -0500

By: sirandre007

HADITHA, Iraq -- It may be impossible to predict history as it is happening, but some of the battles fought in Iraq are certain to become legendary. Generations from now, school children will learn of the heroes who fought in Fallujah and Ramadi, battling in extreme conditions when their country needed them most. Haditha, another Anbar city once caught in the grip of yesterday�s violence, is now becoming a city of progress and transition.

Without question, Haditha is known for its fierce battles. Many have given their lives in an attempt to reclaim peace in this northern area of the province. It was in this city that six Marines were killed in an ambush during 2005. Days later, 14 Marines died when their armored vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb. The city was a hotbed for terrorists where Marines confronted their enemy in the streets, houses and farm lands. But, if there was ever a place that could paint the picture of the progress being made in Anbar, it�s here.

A battalion of more than 1,000 Marines recently moved into Haditha. Most of them are reservists from New Orleans� 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment. Others are attachments from Houston�s 1st Bn., 23rd Marines, or active duty Marines from various commands throughout the Marine Corps. Regardless of where they came or their status, their mission is clear.

�The main effort now is continuing to train the Iraqi security forces so we can transition into Iraqi control,� said Lt. Col. Kevin Jarrard, Company L commander.

Many parts of Anbar have already seen the transfer of command from coalition forces to Iraqi Army forces. Recently, the 7th Iraqi Army Division, the newest division in Iraq, took control of their area of operations, which includes Haditha. Marines here are getting ready to slow down operations and assist their Iraqi counterparts. This is the focus for much of the Marines in Iraq. The days of house-to-house fighting seems to be a part of Anbar�s past, making deployments of today much different from those just last year.

�A year ago, we were fighting in the streets every day, (evacuating) Marines who were wounded in action,� said Jarrard. �Now, the Marines patrol the streets and the people are talking about problems, which are nice problems to have. �Hey, can we get the roads paved,� it sounds kind of like our neighborhoods back home. The problems are problems that every city has in the world. They�re not the problems of a city in the midst of a civil war.�

Haditha is located on the western edge of the Euphrates River, covered in palm trees and flat, green pastures. More than 70, 000 Iraqis call this city home. These days, it looks and feels like any other city; people here travel by taxi, walk the markets at dusk, cheer at local soccer matches on weekends and play in school yards during the day. The landscape is everything but a chaotic battlefield.

The problems no longer lie in the shadows or in suspicious vehicles, but rather in rebuilding mosques, getting the townspeople comfortable with their policemen, making sure fresh water runs to each home, turning a city devastated by bombs and bullets into a livable community for the people here.

�It�s not the normal kind of combat operations,� said 1st Lt. Steven Dobb, the 1st platoon commander for Company L. �It�s more of a peacekeeping role almost, because the insurgency is not here anymore and what we are trying to do now is build a community.�

Dobb�s platoon patrols the northern end of the city, near the dam. His Marines walk the winding streets of Haditha�s neighborhoods every day. They meet with locals, hand out supplies and get the Iraqi police comfortable with citizens of different tribes. The community is growing and the progress is easy to see.

�The people here are trying to turn it around,� said Lance Cpl. Michael Mathes, infantryman, 1st platoon, Company L. �Every day we come out here on patrol, we see them either trying to rebuild the streets or the sewer lines. They always have some kind of project going on to try and better this place.�

The most evident sign of stability here lies just south of 1st platoon�s outpost and the newly opened water treatment plant. Construction workers continuously move earth, swing hammers and lay rock, fashioning a neighborhood for Haditha�s newest residents.

�With all the rebuilding going on south of us, it looks like the people want to keep the security up, want to keep this a safe place,� said Dobb. �They feel safe enough to bring their families here and they�re investing a lot of money into this place.�

It is not easy to understand how far Haditha has come unless its past is understood. The sounds of bombs and mortars have been replaced by car horns and school children. The images of modern homes and open-air markets have replaced bullet holes and exploding vehicles. This is why the Marines came and why they are still here.

�I think all of the Marines look at the progress that is being made and feel like they�re an important part of the future of Iraq,� Jarrard said. �Peace and security equals prosperity for these people, and in an extended way the prosperity of Iraq equals security for America. The parents of these Marines should be proud of these Marines and the job they�re doing.�

General Politics :: From Ice Age to Global Warming in 30 years.

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:11:47 -0500

By: sirandre007

Time magazine, November 26, 2007 (Michael Grunwald):

[Georgia's] drought was a natural event transformed into a natural disaster by human folly. And while it's still hard to say whether global warming caused any particular drought or flood or fire, it's going to cause more of all of them.

See Full Artical

Time magazine, June 24, 1974:

In Africa, drought continues for the sixth consecutive year, adding terribly to the toll of famine victims... Climatological Cassandras are becoming increasingly apprehensive, for the weather aberrations they are studying may be the harbinger of another ice age.

See Full Artical

:roll:

Daily Iraq Reports - Military.com :: Violence in Iraq drops dramatically

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:52:40 -0400

By: sirandre007

Ten months after the announcement of the new counterterrorism strategy in Iraq -- often misleadingly referred to as �The Surge� -- and four months after the last combat brigade was positioned and major operations against al Qaeda and the Shia extremist groups began in mid-June, the US military can point to real results in the security field. Violence has dropped in Iraq, and dropped significantly.

The Washington Post laid out the evidence of the drop in violence in Iraq. Iraqi deaths are plummeting. US combat deaths -- which can be a poor indicator of success or failure -- are at a near all-time low. Al Qaeda�s declared Ramadan campaign did not materialize. �The evidence of a drop in violence in Iraq is becoming hard to dispute,� The Washington Post reported.

In September, Iraqi civilian deaths were down 52 percent from August and 77 percent from September 2006, according to the Web site icasualties.org. The Iraqi Health Ministry and the Associated Press reported similar results. U.S. soldiers killed in action numbered 43 -- down 43 percent from August and 64 percent from May, which had the highest monthly figure so far this year. The American combat death total was the lowest since July 2006 and was one of the five lowest monthly counts since the insurgency in Iraq took off in April 2004.
During the first 12 days of October the death rates of Iraqis and Americans fell still further. So far during the Muslim month of Ramadan, which began Sept. 13 and ends this weekend, 36 U.S. soldiers have been reported as killed in hostile actions. That is remarkable given that the surge has deployed more American troops in more dangerous places and that in the past al-Qaeda has staged major offensives during Ramadan. Last year, at least 97 American troops died in combat during Ramadan. Al-Qaeda tried to step up attacks this year, U.S. commanders say -- so far, with stunningly little success.

General Petraeus� change in strategy pushed US forces from the large, secure bases into combat outposts, forward operating bases, battle positions, and patrol bases in the urban, suburban, and rural areas of Iraq. The change has yielded real results. Coupled with a planned, concerted offensive against al Qaeda in Iraq and Shia extremists groups� safe havens and with a renewed engagement in reconstruction efforts, the new strategy allowed Sunni and Shia tribes to step up and provide security. The new strategy also enabled Sunni insurgent groups unhappy with al Qaeda�s attempts to dominate the insurgency to turn on the terror group and join the reconciliation process at the local level.

With the onset of �The Surge,� Sunni and Shia groups began forming local and provincial Awakening councils modeled after the successful Anbar Awakening Council that succesfully drove al Qaeda into the shadows in Anbar province. Many groups received assistance from members of the Anbar Awakening, a grouping of Sunni tribes and insurgent groups such as the 1920s Revolution Brigade and the Mujahideen Army. These tribes and insurgent groups are organized across provincial boundaries. With Anbar as a model, Awakening councils formed in Diyala, Salahadin, Babil, Ninewa, Wasit, and Baghdad provinces.

Due to the success of the Awakening movements, local security groups are springing up in places like Taji, Mussayib, Haswa, Arab Jabour, Salman Pak, Abu Ghraib, Tarmiyah, Tuz, Yusifiyah, Miqdadiyah, Mada�in, and a host of other towns and cities. In some cases, the provincial Awakening councils assisted in the setup of the local groups, which later became integrated into the movements.

Called Concerned Citizens, Iraqi Police Volunteers, Guardians, Patriots, auxiliary police, and a host of other names, these local security groups have succeeded in quelling the insurgency in many areas. In the Al Haswa region, the Iraqi Police Volunteers have largely driven the insurgency underground; there are 11,000 volunteers operating in this region alone. In the Arab Jabour region, the local Concerned Citizens have taken over security in pockets and the attacks have plummeted. This pattern is being repeated across Iraq.

The spread of the auxiliary police has acted as a force multiplier for Multinational Forces Iraq. With security being established locally, US forces can continue to press the attack against al Qaeda safe havens in Iraq in places like the Hamrin mountains, eastern Diyala province in the Miqdadiyah and Balad Ruz regions, pockets in Salahadin province, and further north in rural areas of Ninewa province.

Because of this, al Qaeda�s declared Ramadan offensive was largely a failure. Al Qaeda�s predicament in Iraq was compounded this past month when insurgent groups began to issue harsh statements against the terror group. The 1920s Revolution Brigades accused al Qaeda of numerous crimes, including attacking �Ameriyyat [al-Fallujah] with a car bomb packed with chlorine gas canisters, and they even laid siege to the area to prevent food and fuel from getting to people. Finally, they killed several men at the local market and smashed their heads against boxes of food.�

Asaeb al Iraq al Jihadiya (aka the Iraqi Jihad Union) up until a few months ago had conducted several operations in conjunction with al Qaeda. But now Asaeb al Iraq al Jihadiya is accusing the terror group and puppet political government, the Islamic State of Iraq, of murdering and desecrating the bodies of its members in Diyala province. "To make things worse, they dug up their bodies from the graves, further mutilated them, beheaded them, and showed them off from their vehicles while driving through the towns. [The ISI] even killed our men�s wives and children."

Two new insurgent councils were formed. Wanted Baathist Izzat Ibrahim al Douri formed the Supreme Command for Jihad and Liberation, a grouping of largely unknown and defunct Sunni insurgent groups. Days after that formation, elements of the Islamic Army of Iraq, the Mujahideen Army, Ansar al Sunna, the Fatiheen Army, the Islamic Front for the Iraqi Resistance (JAMI) and the Islamic Movement of Hamas-Iraq formed a political council. Both groups issued demands that are unlikely to be met by the Iraqi government or the US, but both signaled a willingness to negotiate. And both groups ignored al Qaeda in Iraq. The formation of these councils is a direct affront to al Qaeda�s Islamic State of Iraq.

The push against al Qaeda has been matched equally with a push against the Iranian-backed Shia terror groups -- known as the Special Groups -- and the �rogue� Mahdi Army. US forces killed and captured numerous Special Groups operatives and six members of Iran�s Qods Force, Iran�s foreign wing of the Revolutionary Guards Corps. Qods Force set up the Ramazan Corps and three subcommands to operate within Iraq; the US captured the commander of the Zafr command.

The Coalition attacks against the Special Groups have given the Shia community the space to turn away from Shia extremists such as the Mahdi Army, Muqtada al Sadr�s criminal gang. The New York Times reported that �relations have soured� between the Mahdi Army and Shia civilians in Baghdad. Sadr�s Mahdi Army has been implicated in a host of criminal activity, including the murder of civilians, ethnic cleansing, theft, and other crimes. Sadr overreached when it attacked government troops during a religious festival in Najaf; over 60 were killed and the festival as canceled. Shia tribal movements hostile to the Mahdi Army and Iran are now springing up in places like Mussayib and Wasit province.

As The Washington Post noted in its report on the reduction of violence, the war in Iraq is by no means over. Al Qaeda in Iraq still has a presence in the country, and it is still organized in some areas. Iran is still investing significant resources to destabilize Iraq. The political situation in Baghdad is still fluid, as is the security situation. The central government remains weak.

The most significant challenge for the Iraqi government remains reconciliation with insurgent groups, both Sunni and Shia, and the integration of the auxiliary police movements into legitimate security forces, be it the Army, National Police, provincial police, or local police. In September The Washington Post claimed �the Iraqi government, at the urging of U.S. authorities � ordered Iraqi army and police units to integrate the volunteers into their operations,� The Long War Journal has learned that this statement is inaccurate. In an inquiry to Multinational Division Central, Brigadier General Jim Huggins, the Deputy Commander, provided clarification.

There was a memo sent out from the Prime Minister's office on Sept. 3, 2007 regarding the Iraqi Security Forces and concerned citizens. From the Prime Minister�s memo: "Direct the Commanders, Unit Officers and Military Units to deal with those contracted groups who are working as security guards with the MNF-I. These units will be under the command of the Iraqi Military Units."
So, using the term "integrate" may be appropriate, but it might also lead someone to the conclusion that the concerned citizens are being brought into the legitimate security forces of Iraq. It is not there yet but nonetheless, positive progress. Iraqi commanders and officials are in open coordination and dialog with these groups.

US commanders have repeatedly said there is a short shelf life on the amount of time the local security forces will operate without recognition and support from the central government. The dramatic development of local security forces, along with the change in US strategy and the deployment of additional forces are directly responsible for decreasing the violence in Iraq. The Iraqi government must make the next move and recognize these auxiliary police units, which are in already working hand in hand with US and Iraqi forces.

See more at http://www.longwarjournal.org

Daily Iraq Reports - Military.com :: Recon Marines Destroy Terrorist Cell

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:07:28 -0400

By: sirandre007

FALLUJAH, Iraq -- Marine infantrymen have a knack for understating the spectacular. When scout snipers with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 6, destroyed a group of insurgents emplacing roadside bombs, the sniper team leader summed it up simply.

�We took the shot, the guys dropped, that�s all she wrote,� said 22-year-old Williamston, Mich., native, Sgt. Kenneth D. Russell, a team leader with 3rd platoon, Company C, 1st Recon Battalion.

The attack on the terrorist cell was motivated by an interest in self-defense. After a long string of improvised explosive devices killed or injured coalition servicemembers and destroyed vehicles, the recon team was dispatched to see what they could do to remedy the situation.

When Russell and his team finally got the call to go ahead, it was nighttime. They were on patrol, conducting sniper operations and watching for any suspicious activity along the route that had been targeted by terrorists.

�We got intelligence from talking to other people in the area, and the area we ended up going to was a bad place,� said Russell. �(Insurgents) were driving back and forth. We took the intelligence and ended up moving further into the area and within an hour of being there, (bad things) started happening.�

The team came upon an empty house. Russell thought it would be a good place to stop and take a look around. Twenty-year-old Gambrills, Md., native, Cpl. Andrew D. Myers, the radio operator, and 21-year-old from Dickson, Tenn., Cpl. Jeffrey D. Baker, the squad automatic weapon gunner, went to check it out and did a quick search of the house. Upon entering, the scene put up red flags for the Marines. First, it was too empty. They knew people lived there, but the domicile looked almost abandoned. Second, livestock was roaming the property unattended.

�People don�t normally leave their farm animals behind, so we got a real funny feeling about it,� Russell said.

Russell decided the team would set up in the house for the time being.

Baker and Myers went to the roof to provide security. Russell and his counterpart, Sgt. Alexander P. MacDonald, a 34-year-old Gladstone, Ore., native, moved on in search of any other houses in the proximity that prove to be a better prospect for surveillance.

When they found no better places for a sniper hide, the two team leaders made their way back to the roof with the others. On the walk back, MacDonald spotted a peculiar wire leading into the courtyard. Tracing it with his eyes, he said he saw it trailing off, out of the courtyard, across the road and onto the opposite side, where it disappeared into a grove of reeds in the ditch.

Such a wire is a good indicator of IEDs intended for manual detonation by a terrorist. When they inspected the area around where the wire led, their suspicions were confirmed: A huge hole had been dug, large enough to hide a small automobile.

Russell and MacDonald went up to the roof to notify the two others of the discovery. The unspoken understanding of warriors used to fighting alongside one another allowed them to come to a consensus without uttering a peep.

�We don�t have to say anything to one another, we just kind of know what each of us is thinking,� Russell said about his team, which has been together for 18 months.

Russell and MacDonald went back out again to clip the command wires and eliminate the threat the IED posed to the situation. They returned to the house to wait, essentially baiting a trap with the terrorists� own deadly tools.

�That IED was meant for a foot patrol to come through there. It just so happened that night we went out there, there was supposed to be a foot patrol going through there,� Russell said.

An hour and a half later, their patience paid off. Through the thermal goggles they wore, they had noticed movement in the tree line and the reeds 150-175 meters away. They observed two men carrying weapons working with command wire and other materials. Hostile intent had been confirmed.

MacDonald grabbed his sniper rifle. Russell took up his own and spotted for MacDonald. The two proceeded to zero in on their target. They waited for the clear shot. Once they had the clear shot MacDonald took control. In a matter of moments, the fight was over, without the enemy firing a single shot.

Once the target was eliminated, the team secured and stayed clandestine and waited for others to arrive to form security and check the scene. They found a spool of command wire and a battery pack among other materials on the bodies.

�This wasn�t the first time we had been in this situation,� Russell assured. �I don�t think any of us were nervous. We like the adrenaline rush, and that is pretty much what it is out there.�

�I�m very thankful to have my job and very thankful to do my job (when) we�re able to get missions like that one and succeed and ultimately help everyone,� Russell said.

For eliminating a threat in the increasingly peaceful Anbar Province, Russell and his fellow Marines were recognized by the commander of RCT-6, Col. Richard L. Sim*censored*, who gave them each a unit challenge coin and a helping of praise.

�The significance is that those Marines have trained hard and have spent a lot of time to develop the skills they have and they actually got out onto the battlefield and executed them,� Sim*censored* said. �It without a doubt saves Marines� lives with those two (insurgents) gone. It�s guaranteed that those two will never hurt another Marine, that�s a key thing. That is mission accomplishment for those guys.�

The operation the Marines were being acknowledged for was nothing extraordinary by their definition, but Sim*censored* wanted them to know he appreciated their efforts.

�Some people think it�s just a coin, but there�s more to it than that,� Russell said, �there�s a lot of tradition that goes into the coin and it means a lot�having the regimental commander give you a coin and take time out of his day to acknowledge you said a lot. It�s not something everybody gets a chance to do.�

General Politics :: Ice blocks British solo sailor

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 09:48:01 -0400

By: sirandre007

In one of the most hilarious cases of being tripped up by dubious scientific hype, British yachtsman Adrian Flanagan attempted to be the first to sail across the arctic north of Russia. He based his hope on the fact that he believed in the Global Warming propaganda that the arctic is rapidly losing its ice thus making his trip possible. One little problem. Cold cruel reality has crushed the Global Warming hype and now Flanagan's boat is trapped by ice in the arctic. To add to the irony, Flanagan who seems to be destined to go down in history as Wrong Way Flanagan, is now pleading with Russian authorities to provide him with the services of a nuclear powered icebreaker to get him out of his embarrassing situation.

:D

See See Australia's Herald Sun

Bath School Politics :: Political Correctness

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:36:46 -0400

By: sirandre007

In Colorado Springs an elementary school has banned tag on its playground after some children complained they were harassed or chased against their will. Running games are still allowed as long as students don't chase each other, she said.

A quote from the paper - "It causes a lot of conflict on the playground," said Cindy Fesgen, assistant principal of the Discovery Canyon Campus school. :roll:

Anyone but me see this as the left feel good crowd taking over?

Daily Iraq Reports - Military.com :: Operation Phantom Strike was launched

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:06:32 -0400

By: sirandre007

Operation designed to uproot al Qaeda and Iranian-backed terror groups

With one month left before General David Petraeus� report to Congress on the status of progress in Iraq, Iraqi and Coalition forces have launched the next phase of security operations designed to pursue al Qaeda in Iraq, and the Iranian�backed Special Groups terror cells and the rogue Mahdi Army elements. Operation Phantom Strike was launched today, and �consists of simultaneous operations throughout Iraq focused on pursuing remaining AQI terrorists and Iranian-supported extremist elements.�

Operation Phantom Strike follows Operations Fardh Al-Qanoon (the Baghdad Security Plan) and Phantom Thunder, which pushed Coalition and Iraqi security forces into areas previously unsecured, as well as ejected terror groups from safe havens in Baghdad, and Northern Babil, eastern Anbar, Salahadin and Diyala provinces. During this time, Iraqi and Coalition forces conducted daily, intelligence driven raids against al Qaeda in Iraq and the Iranian-backed cells nationwide, with a heavy emphasis on cells in Baghdad, Diyala, and central and northern Iraq.

The Baghdad Security Plan and Phantom Thunder can be considered shaping operations for Phantom Strike. Once Iraqi and Coalition forces moved into previous no-go zones, they have established local security forces and intelligence networks able to pinpoint the makeup and location of the Sunni and Shia extremist groups. Phantom Strike will be a largely intelligence driven operation.

Signs of Phantom Strike could be seen in the Multinational Forces Iraq press releases issued over the past week. Prior to the past week, there were one or two press releases a day on raids against al Qaeda and the Iranian-backed Shia extremists. Over the past week, multiple press releases announcing numerous raids were issued. Iraqi and Coalition forces were clearly ramping up operations based on intelligence gains.

While the scope of the operation has yet to be disclosed, Operation Phantom Strike will likely focus on securing several key areas. One critical area is north and east of Baqubah in Diyala province, where al Qaeda in Iraq has conducted vicious attacks against small villages in an effort to stir up sectarian violence. Security forces will also strike in the Hamrin mountains, a region that stretches from Diyala to Kirkuk where al Qaeda is believed to be basing operations. Iraqi and Coalition forces have been striking hard at al Qaeda cells in Kirkuk and Mosul in the north. Iraqi and Coalition forces will also look to consolidate gains in Northern Babil.

Operations against the Shia extremists will be more difficult. Iraqi and Coalition forces have conducted an aggressive campaign to weed out individual Special Groups and Mahdi Army cells in Baghdad (particularly Sadr City), Diwaniyah, Amara, Najaf and elsewhere in the south. However it is unclear how aggressive the Iraqi government will be against the Mahdi Army. If the gloves are off, large battles may take place in Diwaniyah, Amara, Najaf, Kufa, Sadr City, Basra and throughout the south.

Daily Iraq Reports - Military.com :: Iraq Report: Tribes in Khalis pledge to fight al Qaeda

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 11:05:31 -0400

By: sirandre007

The U.S. military and the Iraqi government continue to court the tribes in the
provinces surrounding Baghdad. One day after the tribes in the city of Taji in
Salahadin province pledged to fight al Qaeda in Iraq and the Mahdi Army, a
tribal meeting was held in the city of Khalis in Diyala province. Seventy-five
tribal leaders gathered and vowed to fight al Qaeda in Iraq, its Islamic State
front, and other insurgent groups. �Here, right now, I am denouncing the Islamic
State of Iraq and al-Qaeda,� said one sheikh in attendance.

As the tribes turn on al Qaeda and its false Islamic State of Iraq, the targeted
raids against al Qaeda in Iraq's network of facilitators, bomb makes and
leadership cells continue. Today's raids by Coalition forces resulted in the
capture in 20 al Qaeda operatives. A series of raids near Taji in Salahadin
province resulted in 16 al Qaeda captured, including "a foreign terrorist
suspected of involvement in the May 2007 Samarra suicide vehicle-borne
improvised explosive device attack," while another four operatives were captured
near Balad.

On July 23, Iraqi security forces stuck an al Qaeda training facility and safe
house at an old Iraqi military base near Karma in eastern Anbar province. The
raid resulted in the death of an al Qaeda in Iraq cell leader and the capture of
seven insurgents. Karma is one of the few remaining safe havens for al Qaeda in
Anbar province.

Two more raids in the north in Niwena province resulted in the capture of six al
Qaeda operatives on July 21 and 22. The July 21 operation in the village of
Bazran in Mosul resulted in the capture of five suspected terrorists. The July
22 operation resulted in the capture of an IED and kidnapping financier. In both
cases, the Iraqi Army worked with U.S. Special Forces.

On July 18, U.S. Special Forces worked with elements of the newly formed 11th
Iraqi Army Division and captured two members of al Qaeda's Islamic State of
Iraq. The tow insurgents are believed to have been behind the July 18 roadside
bombing that killed U.S. soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter in eastern Baghdad.

Elsewhere in Baghdad, U.S. troops killed three insurgents while they were
emplacing a roadside bomb in the Rashid district on July 21. U.S. troops are
currently in the process of clearing operations in the Rashid district. Also,
U.S. forces captured seven insurgents during a raid in the eastern neighborhood
of Zafaraniya.

North of Baghdad in the city of Husseiniyah, which straddles the highway between
the capital and Baqubah, U.S. forces have cordoned the city, as the Mahdi Army
has dug in to fight. While the news accounts claim the tensions rose after an
airstrike over the weekend, Multinational Forces Iraq said the confrontation
began on June 13, when al Qaeda attacked the Golden Mosque in Samarra and
destroyed the minarets. The Mahdi Army assembled earthen barriers to prevent
Coalition forces from operating in the city. "The dirt mounds block access by
[Coalition Forces] into Husseiniyah and interrupt continued assistance of
policing, governance and essential services," according to the press release.

South of Baghdad, in the city of Hillah in Babil province, al Qaeda in Iraq
conducted a successful suicide car bombing. A suicide bomber detonated his
weapon outside of a children's hospital, killing at least 26 Iraqis and wounding
over 69. Most of those killed and wounded were women and children, an Iraqi
policeman told AFP.

As the Baghdad Security Plan and Operation Phantom Thunder have progressed, the
large majority of the mass suicide attacks have occurred in the provinces. Most
of the bombings in Baghdad over the past month have been in the single digits in
those killed in the attacks. Part of the goal of the Baghdad Security Plan is to
reduce the major attacks in the capital, and the plan has succeeded in this
respect thus far.

Daily Iraq Reports - Military.com :: Iraq Report - July 23rd

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:03:33 -0400

By: sirandre007

Iraq Report: Taji Tribes Turn on Mahdi Army and al Qaeda

Operation Phantom Thunder and the Baghdad Security Plan continue to place pressure on al Qaeda in Iraq, allied Sunni insurgent groups, the Mahdi Army and the Iranian-backed Special Group. In Baghdad, junior al Qaeda in Iraq operatives are reportedly cooperating with Coalition forces and a series of car bombs hit a Shia area of the capital. In the Belts, U.S. and Iraqi forces maintain aggressive operations against al Qaeda and insurgent cells as both Sunni and Shia tribal leaders in and around Taji have banded together to fight the Mahdi Army and al Qaeda. Meanwhile, the U.S. captured two more members of the Special Groups and have indicated that Iran is now smuggling Chinese made weapons into Iraq.

The London Times reported that junior al Qaeda in Iraq foot soldiers are turning on their leaders and acting as informants in the Baghdad district of Doura. "The ground-breaking move in Doura is part of a wider trend that has started in other al-Qaeda hotspots across the country and in which Sunni insurgent groups and tribal sheiks have stood together with the coalition against the extremist movement," the Times said. The low level operatives have become disgusted with al Qaeda's tactics of brutality.

A series of four bombings over the past two days resulted in 14 killed and 37 wounded. Sunday's attack near the al-Khilani square in central Baghdad consisted of a motorcycle bomb; two were killed and 18 wounded in the strike. Three car bombs ripped through Shia neighborhood in Karradah. One bomb was aimed at a police patrol and another hit an outdoor market. Twelve were killed and 19 wounded in the attacks.

Salahadin

U.S. forces continue the process of turning tribal leaders and Sunni insurgent groups against al Qaeda in Iraq. The latest success came in Salahadin province, where 25 Sunni and Shia tribes in and around the city of Taji banded together to fight both al Qaeda in Iraq and the Mahdi Army. Taji is just 12 miles north of Baghdad and sits along the strategic supply lines to the northern provinces.

Salahadin tribes formed the Salahadin Awakening in late May, and al Qaeda in Iraq has targeted the group in an effort to destroy disrupt its activities. Yesterday, five senior tribal leaders were killed and 12 wounded when a suicide bomber penetrated a meeting of the Taji council. The Mahdi Army has attacked family members of the group as well.

Iraqi army forces are targeting al Qaeda's network in the Taji region. Iraqi troops conducted an air assault northwest of Taji on July 20. The target was "a suspected Al Qaeda in Iraq leader suspected of numerous crimes including a recent attack that destroyed a bridge on a primary Iraqi transportation route" in the Habbaniyah area in Anbar province.

"He is also allegedly responsible for facilitating foreign fighters and the planning and execution of multiple improvised explosive device attacks in Ramadi and other areas. The insurgent leader and his cell are also suspected of murdering and intimidating Iraqi citizens, conducting oil smuggling operations, and committing a string of highway robberies in an effort to fund al Qaeda activities."

U.S. soldiers also freed three Iraqis being held hostage at an insurgent safe house south of Samarra. Four insurgents were captured during the raid.

Diyala, Babil and AnbarIranian-backed Special Groups

The Iranian-backed, Qods Force-directed Special Groups continues to remain a high priority for Coalition and Iraqi forces. On Sunday, Coalition forces captured "two suspected terrorists that may be affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) from Iran in a raid Sunday near the Iranian border East of Baghdad," Multinational Forces Iraq said. "The suspects may be associated with a network of terrorists that have been smuggling Explosively Formed Projectiles (EFPs), other weapons, personnel and money from Iran into Iraq."

On July 22, U.S. troops found a cache that contained an explosively formed penetrator and parts to make more, along with home made explosives, in the West Rashid district in Baghdad. Also, Iran is believed to be smuggling Chinese made rockets into Iraq, Admiral Mark Fox said in a recent briefing.

Al Qaeda

The daily raids against al Qaeda�s leadership and facilitator cells resulted in one al Qaeda operative killed and 26 captured over the past two days. Sunday's operations in Baghdad, Mosul, Fallujah, and Yusifiyah resulted in one al Qaeda operative killed and 14 captured. Twelve al Qaeda operatives were captured on Monday during raids in Mosul, Baghdad, Yusifiyah, and Tarmiyah.

Daily Iraq Reports - Military.com :: Iraq Report: July22nd - Fourth Rail

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:32:22 -0400

By: sirandre007

Taji tribes turn on Mahdi Army and al Qaeda

Operation Phantom Thunder and the Baghdad Security Plan continue to place pressure on al Qaeda in Iraq, allied Sunni insurgent groups, the Mahdi Army and the Iranian-backed Special Group. In Baghdad, junior al Qaeda in Iraq operatives are informing on its leadership while a series of car bombs hit a Shia area of the capital. In the Belts, U.S. and Iraqi forces maintain aggressive operations against al Qaeda and insurgent cells as both Sunni and Shia tribal leaders in and around Taji have banded together to fight the Mahdi Army and al Qaeda. Meanwhile, the U.S. captured two more members of the Special Group, and indicated Iran is now smuggling Chinese made weapons into Iraq.

Baghdad

The London Times reported that junior al Qaeda in Iraq foot soldiers are turning on their leaders and acting as informants in the Baghdad district of Doura. "The ground-breaking move in Doura is part of a wider trend that has started in other al-Qaeda hotspots across the country and in which Sunni insurgent groups and tribal sheikhs have stood together with the coalition against the extremist movement," the Times said. The low level operatives have become disgusted with al Qaeda's tactics of brutality.

A series of four bombings over the past two days resulted in 14 killed and 37 wounded. Sunday's attack near the al-Khilani square in central Baghdad consisted of a motorcycle bomb; two were killed and 18 wounded in the strike. Three car bombs ripped through Shia neighborhood in Karradah. One bomb was aimed at a police patrol and another hit an outdoor market. Twelve were killed and 19 wounded in the attacks.
Salahadin

U.S. forces continue the process of turning tribal leaders and Sunni insurgent groups against al Qaeda in Iraq. The latest success came in Salahadin province, where 25 Sunni and Shia tribes in and around the city of Taji banded together fight both al Qaeda in Iraq and the Mahdi Army. Taji is just 12 miles north of Baghdad and sits along the strategic supply lines to the northern provinces.
Salahadin tribes formed the Salahadin Awakening in late May, and al Qaeda in Iraq has targeted the group in an effort to destroy the nascent group. Yesterday, five senior tribal leaders were killed and 12 wounded when a suicide bomber penetrated a meeting of the Taji council, while the Mahdi Army has attacked family members of the group as well.

Iraqi army forces are targeting al Qaeda's network in the Taji region. Iraqi troops conducted an air assault northwest of Taji on July 20. The target was "a suspected Al Qaeda in Iraq leader suspected of numerous crimes including a recent attack that destroyed a bridge on a primary Iraqi transportation route" in the Habbaniyah area in Anbar province. "He is also allegedly responsible for facilitating foreign fighters and the planning and execution of multiple improvised explosive device attacks in Ramadi and other areas. The insurgent leader and his cell are also suspected of murdering and intimidating Iraqi citizens, conducting oil smuggling operations, and committing a string of highway robberies in an effort to fund al Qaeda activities."
U.S. soldiers also freed three Iraqis being held hostage at an insurgent safe house south of Samarra. Four insurgents were captured during the raid.

Diyala, Babil and Anbar

Operations against al Qaeda in Iraq and allied insurgent groups are ongoing in the belts of Diyala, Northern Babil and Anbar province. In city of Miqdadiyah in Diyala, Coalition forces killed nine insurgents and captured eight during a series of raids and patrols. An insurgent safe house and several weapons caches were also found in the region.

In northern Babil province, the recently launched Operation Marne Avalanche in the Iskandariyah region has resulted in four insurgents killed and 37 captured over the course of four days. Iraqi soldiers arrested a member of an al Qaeda kidnapping ring on July 18.

In Anbar province, tribal leaders in the city of Zaidon have turned on al Qaeda and established local security forces.

Iranian-backed Special Group

The Iranian-backed, Qods Force directed Special Group continues to remain a high priority for Coalition and Iraqi forces. On Sunday, Coalition forces captured "two suspected terrorists that may be affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) from Iran in a raid Sunday near the Iranian border East of Baghdad," Multinational Forces Iraq said. "The suspects may be associated with a network of terrorists that have been smuggling Explosively Formed Projectiles (EFPs), other weapons, personnel and money from Iran into Iraq."

On July 22, U.S. troops found a cache which contained an explosively formed penetrator and parts to make more, along with home made explosives in the West Rashid district in Baghdad. Iran is believed to be smuggling Chinese made rockets into Iraq, Admiral Mark Fox said in a recent briefing.
Al Qaeda

The daily raids against al Qaeda�s leadership and facilitator cells resulted in on al Qaeda operative killed and 26 captured over the past two days. Sunday's operations in Baghdad, Mosul, Fallujah, and Yusifiyah resulted in one al Qaeda operative killed and 14 captured. Twelve al Qaeda operatives were captured on Monday during raids in Mosul, Baghdad, Yusifiyah, and Tarmiyah.

Daily Iraq Reports - Military.com :: Iraq Report: July 21st - The Forth Rail

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 10:34:05 -0400

By: sirandre007

This is a indepentend report from www.billroggio.com (The Fourth Rail) Please visit that site for more War on Terror Reports

Maintaining pressure in Baghdad and the Belts

As Operation Phantom Thunder and the Baghdad Security Plan are underway, al Qaeda in Iraq has failed to launch a major attack inside Baghdad over the past week. Operation Phantom Thunder, the overarching security operation in Baghdad's Belts of eastern Anbar, northern Babil, and Diyala, continues to pressure al Qaeda's support and leadership network, and Coalition forces are maintain the pressure on the Iranian-backed Special Groups.

Diyala

Diyala province has seen a flurry of activity the past two days. On July 19, a joint U.S. and Iraqi force killed 15 insurgents in Abi Sayyad in northeastern Diyala, near Miqdadiyah. Today, the Iraqi Army killed five insurgents and captured 46, and found six roadside bombs during operations in eastern Diyala. The operations occurred as al Qaeda in Iraq is said to have "staged a military parade" of about 250 fighters in the city of Miqdadiyah. "They reportedly marched in the streets thrusting their weapons in the air and carrying flags with 'Iraqi Islamic State' inscribed on them," Voices of Iraq reported.

Baghdad, Babil, the North and al-Qaeda's network

Inside Baghdad, Iraqi and Coalition special operations forces conducted several intelligence-driven raids, and netted dozens of al Qaeda and insurgent suspects over the past several days. A raid neighborhood near the Um al-Qura mosque in the Kadhimiyah resulted in the capture of an al Qaeda in Iraq media cell leader, and 17 al Qaeda fighters. Another raid in western Baghdad resulted in one al Qaeda operative killed and nine suspects captured.

In northern Babil province near Jist Diyala, U.S. forces caprtured an insurgent from Multinational Division Center�s most wanted list, along with four suspected insurgents. While not mentioned, he appears to be linked to the Iranian-backed Special Groups. "The detained 'high-value individual' is believed to be responsible for the recent increase in explosively formed projectile improvised explosive devices and indirect fire attacks against Coalition Forces east of Baghdad," Multinational Forces Iraq stated. He also was involved in an organized crime network in the region.

Iraqi and U.S. troops also captured a rocket cell leader and an associate during an air assault in northern Babil. Weapons, including a sniper rifle and an Uzi, and a large amount of cash were also found.

Mosul and the northern areas remain contested as al Qaeda is attempting to reestablish its base in the region while Coalition forces pressure the organization in Baghdad and the Belts. Iraqi and Coalition forces have been pressing al Qaeda's network in Mosul. The latest raid netted two senior operatives: a battalion commander and a cell leader. "The primary suspect is believed to be a former regime Army officer who controls six other emirs throughout Mosul," Multinational Forces Iraq reported. "He reportedly is the liaison between the west side of the al-Qaeda affiliated group�s commander and other battalion commanders."

The "al-Qaeda affiliated group" mentioned is likely Ansar al Sunnah, which has joined al Qaeda's front group the Islamic State of Iraq and is strong in the north. Iraqi troops also found a large cache of explosives and IED material on the outskirts of Mosul.

Nationwide raids by the special operators of Task Force 88, the hunter-killer teams assigned to dismantling al Qaeda's command network, resulted in three al Qaeda operatives killed and 58 captured over two days. Friday's raids in Baghdad, Ramadi, and Mosul resulted in three al Qaeda operatives killed and 44 captured. The bulk of Friday's raids were conducted in Baghdad. Saturday's raids in Taji, Fallujah, and Balad resulted in 14 al Qaeda in Iraq suspects captured.

Iranian-backed Special Groups

Coalition and Iraqi forces continue to degrade the Iranian-backed Special Groups network. "Coalition Forces captured a suspected terrorist with close ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) in a raid Thursday in Kharnabat near Baqubah," Multinational Forces Iraq reported. The operative is believed to have close links with senior leaders in Iran's Qods Force, and has transported personnel and weapons, including Explosively Formed Projectiles, from Iran into Iraq.

General Politics :: Fire and Ice - Which is it

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 11:07:40 -0400

By: sirandre007

We are being told that man�s evil lifestyle, mainly Americans (and mainly
Americans that drive SUV�s), are the cause of global warming. After all, the
�scientist� all (will not all but why make that point) are telling us that
�data� proves it. Al Gore has told use we have, as of 07/20/2007 at 10:57 - 8
years, 6 months, 7 days, 4 hours and 16 minutes until we all �fry�

See
Gores Dooms Day Clock

But for a really good article on the reporting on �climate� change, and its doom
and gloom history of flip flops, read this article
Fire and Ice

Iraq War / War On Terror :: An Open Letter to Senator Edwards

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:54:42 -0400

By: sirandre007

From Brian Bresnahan was a Major in the Marine Corps - Military.com

Dear Senator Edwards,

Our small Nebraska town recently held its annual festival and honored those who've served in the Global War on Terrorism. As it seems you've forgotten what that is, let me remind you that it's the war against those pesky Islamic radicals who have sworn their lives to the destruction of our nation.

From a town of 1200, there were 28 of us who served or are still serving in the military during this Global War on Terrorism. Eight of the 28 were unable to attend the festival because they were overseas at the time, most of them fighting terrorists.

I understand from your statements that you believe the Global War on Terrorism is nothing more than a bumper sticker slogan. In light of those beliefs, I was wondering if you could purchase and have 28 of those bumper stickers sent to our town. I'll make sure they get distributed to the veterans and those still fighting this war, I mean slogan.

I did a little research, and in Sgt Grit's latest catalog of Marine Corps specialties, bumper stickers cost $1.95. With shipping and handling the price would be about $2.25 each. In all, it would cost you $63.00 to have Global War on Terrorism bumper stickers sent to us.

I know that may dip into your coffers a bit, but surely you could find someone to cut your hair for $337 this month instead of the usual $400. As a believer in wealth redistribution, surely you could redistribute $63 from your "beauty and grooming" budget to those of us your pal John Kerry feels are the down-trodden, poor, uneducated military types for this one month. If not, call me. I'll give you the name of the woman who cuts my hair. I'll bet she could squeeze you into her busy schedule for just $300, leaving you plenty of cash for the bumper stickers and some left over for hair spray.

If you haven't already had these stickers manufactured, I can point you toward some suppliers of military items, including military-centric bumper stickers. I assume you have no ties to or clues about the military and would need a little assistance in this arena.

Although I'm sure we would settle for a bumper sticker that simply says "Global War on Terrorism," here are some I found in the aforementioned catalog that might work instead:

"For Those Who Fought For It, Freedom Has a Flavor the Protected Will Never Know"

"America, Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

"Many Stand Behind The Flag, I Stand in Front"

"Whose Son Is Fighting In Place Of Yours?"

"You Only Have The Rights You Are Willing To Fight For"

"Life, Liberty, And The Pursuit Of Anyone Who Threatens It"

"I Fight What You Fear"

If those don't work, how about having these made:

"I Fought Terrorists For This Sticker, and Won"

"I Fought In Iraq (or Afghanistan) and All I Got Was PTSD and This Sticker"

"Lost My Friend In Iraq Fighting Terrorists For This Sticker"

"Missed The Last 18 Months of My Kids' Lives For This Sticker"

While you're at it, you might as well have a custom bumper sticker made for yourself; I'll buy. Might I suggest something along these lines:

"Can't Spell �National Security' But Running For POTUS Anyway"

"Forgot 9/11"

"Which Way To Ground Zero?"

"If Terrorists Win, Do I Get To Keep My $6 Million Home?"

"Will They Still See My Hair Under This Burqa?"

"Clueless"

"Jihad? What's a Jihad?"

"Osama bin Who? Al Qaeda, Where's That?"

"Soliciting Campaign Contributions At The Troops Expense"

You can remain in denial if you want, but the fact is, terrorism and those Islamic radicals who utilize it, are real; Terrorism does exist, and there are those who have sworn themselves to its use in bringing about the destruction of this nation.

Lucky for you, there are also those who have sworn to stand between you and the terrorists, affording you the right and freedom to demean their service by trivializing it as you do, espousing the very beliefs which would ultimately bring about their demise and yours.

You can remain mired in your absurdities, stumbling along, lost to the realities of the world around you, denying or even ignorant of the consequences to the actions you advocate. You can believe that the struggle of our time is merely a slogan.

But for those of us who've fought against the terrorists, for our families who've endured the deployments, for those who've lost loved ones at the hands of the terrorists or fighting against them, this war is much more than just a bumper sticker slogan, it's a reality.

You just keep the bumper sticker for yourself. Use it as a reminder to what's real and what's not. Besides, you'd probably want me taxed for it anyway.

Bath Township Library Creation :: What would be needed for a library?

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 12:21:58 -0400

By: sirandre007

A building - how many square feet?
Shelves
Books, and other typical library material.
Technology needed?
Two PC's
One for administration uses to catalog the material and one for person requesting it.

These do not need to be expensive PC�s, you can get very nice Dells with 19" flat panel screens for under $700 each!
Label Printer for bar codes, BW Laser Printer, Flat Scanner, and hand held scanner to read the bar codes for check out check in..
A secure wireless network device so the two can communicate (under $100)
Software: Microsoft Office (Word, Access)
A catalog program using Access to store the information on what is in the inventory, what�s checked out and by who, when it�s due back, over due, and checked back in.

Employees
An administrator to over see things
Librarians could be part local high school kids.

I would volunteer to help in the technology area from equipment research, installation, programming, and maintenance.

Bath Township Library Creation :: Does Bath Need a Library?

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:11:53 -0400

By: sirandre007

The Bath Township seems to think that Bath does not need a library. One board member, Adam Stacy so I'm told said, does not see the need, his kid can walk to the East Lansing Library! :roll:

I think a small library, maybe on Main Street in one of the buildings available, would be great.

Bath Township Politics :: Bath seeks public input on high speed Internet

Thu, 03 May 2007 16:50:15 -0400

By: sirandre007

BATH TWP. � The Bath Township Board of Trustees wants input from residents about possibly bringing high speed Internet access to the community.

The board will be discussing the idea at its May 7 meeting and is in talks with several broadband Internet providers, as it compares services.

Broadband is a technology that sends Internet signals through power lines to computers.

When comparing providers, the township will be considering upfront charges to the township and the price range for residents, said supervisor Roni Christmas. Typical prices for high speed Internet range anywhere from $35 to $60, she said.

Gauging community interest will be integral during this process, said Christmas.

"All of them (the companies) are asking for information of what pockets of people are interested in bringing this in," she said.

According to Christmas, the township is interested in obtaining the following information from residents:

Address and phone number. Christmas says participants will not be contacted. "The information is needed to determine if they are in the distance range, as lines lie, not as the crow flies, for the technology to reach them," she said.

Do you currently have high speed, and if so, which technology do they use? (i.e.: wireless, DSL, etc.)

Do you currently have high speed, and if so, would you consider switching? Yes, no, or depends on the price.

Do you currently have a Verizon phone line?

Residents are asked to submit comments via e-mail at kmqueen@bathtownship.org by Friday, May 4.

Interested residents who do not have access to the Internet may visit the Bath Township Hall, Bath Pharmacy, or Jo's Diner to pick up or fill out a response card