An Eye-Opening Perspective of the War in Iraq

If you're looking for an eye-opening, independent view of the ground war in Iraq, check out http://www.michaelyon-online.com/; a freelance journalist, Michael Yon has taken to the frontlines of the war, camera in hand, offering a perspective he articulates via print as well as anyone I've read recently.

Not lacking a healthy set of gonads, Yon walks the walk along with U.S. and Iraqi soldiers risking life and limb. He captures firefights in progress -- occasionally trying to jump in to help -- and details each story from beginning to end. Yon, who includes a large dose of common sense in his articles, brings a humanistic side to the conflict from both Iraqi and American viewpoints.

In many instances the clarity with which he reports puts you in the battle -- your sphincter puckering, and your respect for those doing the dirty work climbing as you read the passages. He paints a picture of courage, evil, devastation and of political change in country that much of the U.S. population doesn't hear about.

Short of being on the ground yourself, his work will have you questioning your own manhood -- I know I felt like a pussy afterward reading a few installments. If your stomach can handle the "truth," give his site the once over. I specifically encourage you to read his report entitled "Gates of Fire."

Yon, by the way, is not sponsored by any news, political or social entity -- relying solely on the support of readers via sales of photography and donations.

Freakonomics Author Sticks Foot in Mouth

Steven D. Levitt, author of the best seller "Freakonomics," took freedom of speech down a road similar to those who have felt obliged to burn the American flag in the past; apparently he's the type to use outrageous actions or discourse to draw attention to his cause.

Unfortunately, I'm not quite sure what his cause is, nor do I think he has a firm grasp on it. Mr. Levitt, of course, asked in his blog recently (found on the N.Y. Times web site under Freakonomics) for readers to respond with possible acts of terror that would, no doubt, insight terror throughout the U.S. population. He provided a scenario of resources that these supposed terrorists would have at their disposal and then asked the average reader to come up with creative ways of using them.

The backlash was inevitable with most readers wondering why he should pose such a question; "was he out of his mind?" Steve's attempt at crisis management was weak at best, somehow trying to play it off as an educational process for our national security folks.

The fact is, I'm more than certain terrorists can come up with their own creative ideas for spreading fear if given the chance -- they don't need Steve's or anyone else's help. And to infer his blog was done to help our homeland security heads prevent such attacks was just plain ignorant. I don't know who believed him, other than the handful of folks who believed Clinton put the joint to his mouth but never inhaled.

Mr. Levitt is first and foremost an economist and, given his book's stint on the best seller list, I gather a pretty good one. As for me, I tend to think six economists in a room will have seven theories as to where the economy is headed when they're finished chitchatting. So I see no reason for Steve to venture into the world of terrorism -- fictional or otherwise.

Next he'll be asking readers to suggest ways for terrorists to raise money for attacks. A scary thought given his background.

U.S.: Chose your friends wisely

In recent decades the U.S. has put together a pretty impressive record of backing the wrong horse in international affairs; the backlash of which it may now be suffering through.

There was the Shaw of Iran throughout the 40s-70s; Saddam Hussein of the late 70s and 80s; Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines; Panama's Noriega and the list goes on. Unfortunately, each of these men were well known for their abuse of power, if not outright disregard for human rights.

And as is the case on the local political stage, if you back the wrong people, there's a price to pay. This is especially the case in the Middle East were memories of wrongdoing or perceived wrongs, go back centuries. Not only does the U.S., apparently, not understand the dynamics involved (as the British were guilty of during their colonial days), but it seems unwilling to adjust tactics. This arrogance, of course, will make it difficult to foster better ties in the region.

It may be beneficial to forgo the big-brother stance for a more respectful approach for national sovereignty -- and negotiate with national counterparts instead of at them. The next few years will tell the tale.

Athletic indifference: Iraqi soccer feels the pain

On Aug. 4, the Iraqi soccer team returned home to Baghdad as winners of the Asian Soccer Cup -- an impressive feat given their lack of a stable training environment.

According to news reports, the Iraqi team hasn't played a home game in 17 years, basically since the first Gulf War.

Not on hand were three stars: Team Captain Younis Mahmoud, Nashat Akram and Hawar Mulla Mohammed. Each were undoubtedly fearful for their lives should they partake in the celebrations back home. It's a twist to other sports culture around the world where the losers may receive death threats or be the target of violence in other ways.

Since the Iraqi political situation remains impotent, however, even winning the Asian Cup couldn't ensure political foes would put their petty bickering aside to enjoy the moment. Instead, fans and the average Iraqi alike felt obliged to forgo the "party" as they assumed such a gathering would be targeted by, you guessed it, another suicide bomber.

The fact is, it may take a withdraw of U.S. troops before political heavyweights in Baghdad feel the need to step up and take control. It's also clear that once they do, they won't be playing by the same rules concerning civil rights that the U.S. tries to adhere to -- they will, for a time, return to stomping out violence by any means necessary. But then again, sometimes you have to step back a few yards to ultimately gain a mile. And maybe, just maybe, the end will justify the means.

Korean Hostages and the Taliban

In late July, the Taliban kidnapped 20 Koreans who were in Afghanistan as part of a Christian outreach program -- their goal nothing more or less than helping the unfortunate.

Their strength in spirit, however, is matched by their naivety: Afghanistan, like much of the Middle East today, is full of Islamic zealots who disregard any attempt by outsiders "trying to help out."

Since their kidnapping, the Taliban have executed two of the male hostages. The 18 that remain, mostly women, now find themselves as pawns in the political process which is unstable at best. The international community, of course, typically adheres to a "non negotiating" stance with who they deem terrorists. The Taliban, and Al-Qaeda, don't see themselves as terrorists, but freedom fighters looking to create a Islamic state -- a caliphate based on the strictest interpretation of Islamic teachings.

To date, the Taliban have demanded release of their brothers in arms, a demand the Afghanistan government and western leaders have ignored. So, as the days continue to pass more innocent Korean Christians will most assuredly turn up dead, the victims of a no-win situation.

The news is important since Christians world wide are, more than ever before in modern times, susceptible to the wrath of radical Muslims -- as experienced in the Philippines, the Russian satellite states and Middle East nations. It's important for those in the civilized world to realize that, even with good intentions, the world is a dangerous place. That caution should be taken and a great deal of foresight used before venturing out on good-will trips to help the impoverished. Having a good heart is not, as many hostages have found out, a shield against terrorism.

Everything is a disease or syndrome

Everything is a disease or syndrome nowadays; so apparently, we're not responsible for much of anything we get into.

And there are plenty of drug companies lined up to fuel our rationalizing of
disorderly behavior, overindulgence, promiscuity and, well, you name it and
there's probably a syndrome, disorder or disease associated with it by now
that some pill pushing pharmaceutical company can treat.

Alcoholism: You drink too much --- in the mornings, afternoons and at
night; you're either hung over or on your way;

Wrestles Leg Syndrome: Your body twitches at night making it difficult
for you and your better half to get to sleep;

Alien Hand Syndrome: You lose control of your hand; it gesticulates
uncontrollably or unbuttons your clothes while your other hand is
trying to put them on. Also known as Dr. Strangelove Syndrome.

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome: Also called micropsia, this condition
distorts visual perception so that objects that are close appear
disproportionately tine, as though viewed through the wrong end of a
telescope;

Foreign Accent Syndrome: Usually following strokes or other brain
trauma, victims suddenly start speaking with a French, Scottish,
Italian etc. accent without warning.

Pica Syndrome: You have a compulsive appetite for non-edible items
including clay, stones, cigarette ash, paint, glue etc.

Riley-Day Syndrome: The syndrome makes its victims especially accident
prone because they simply don't register warning signs of tissue damage
such as wounds, bruising and burns. They are even oblivious to oxygen
deprivation, which means they'll hold their breadth until they black
out.

Genital Retraction Syndrome: Victims are convinced that their genitals
are disappearing into their bodies.

Many more are advertised on TV and the radio, playing on our propensity
to avoid responsibility.  

Imigration answer simple

For the past two decades or more America tends to kick around
the idea of preventing illegal immigration during the run-up to elections.

Each time the political leadership looks at the same problems and offers
the same solutions. Yet nobody has mentioned the obvious:

We're all the offspring of illegal immigration; that's if you're
looking at the problem from the perspective of our Native American
Indian population.

The only answer is to let our economy implode, the dollar sink below
that of the peso and open our borders so that we -- the newly
impoverished -- can flood Mexico in a quest for better paying jobs.

Friends, we are victims of our own success including economic
development, political stability and military might. The fact that
those from nations offering little opportunity to better their lives should
seek out the American Dream should surprise no one. It is the
liabilities of being a super power.

And as is the case with the European Union, open borders hasn't meant
national identity problems or rampant crime. Maybe it's time we look at a
similar solution here.

Manuel Noriega on his way to France?

America's favorite Latin America dictator who, once plucked from power and jailed in 1990, is set to be released Sept. 9.

Unfortunately for him, however, France has requested their turn on prosecuting old Pineapple face. The French convicted him of buying land there with illegal drug money. And so goes another "officer" of American foreign policy --- once backed and now left for the French to pick at his politically-irrelevant carcass.

France, of course, isn't the only one lined up to get at him; he's been convicted of murder, kidnapping, political corruption and the list goes on. Now, as he fights extradition to the land of whine and cheese, one can only imagine how he relives his years as dictator. But alas, the U.S. tends to create its own international law when it comes to deposing international leaders.

I can't help but wonder how we'd react if, say, Iran convicted Bush of a crime and sent in a snatch team to take him back to Tehran to serve his sentence.

Man-up: Spoiled men ruin lives

I'm not sure if it's me or just that the news covers certain subjects better now, but there seems to be an increasing number of adult men who 1) Can't seem to keep their hands of underage girls, and 2) When confronted by a wife who wants a divorce, seem to go off the deep end. They seem to think the world owes them something, that if they don't get what they perceive is their "right" --- in their twisted little world -- they just take it.

There's been several well-reported kidnappings of students and the disappearance of several wives (a few of which have already been solved), and I can't help but wonder why these socially inept asses don't man-up. Being a man isn't easy; you're more likely to get turned away by lots of women (adult women) before you find one attracted to you, but that's life. Suck it up! And hey, this just in, sometimes your marriage falls apart. Probably because your lazy ass has become fat, bald and unappreciative of what your wive did/does for you. But I guess they're supposed to be miserable for the rest of their lives 'cause, well, life on your side of the fence is great -- you don't do a Goddamn thing.

If you're one of these types of guys who are debating your next course of action and you're leaning towards taking out your frustrations on someone else -- man-up! For just this one moment in your insignificant little life, act like a real man and move on down the line without hurting someone else in the process. Try this:

She says: "Bob, I want a divorce."
Bob says: "Well baby girl, I love the hell out of you, but if it's not working for you, you need to do what will make you happy. Besides, I want you to be happy. What you say we split everything?"
She says: "I think that'll work."

And off you both go to live a new life of leisure. Nobody goes to jail, you still keep half and that's that.

So instead of screwing up or even taking a life -- try doing what every man on the planet has done since the social dance began; try and try again. Take your beating like a man, move on, take another, and another, and another, and then, when some young lady is willing to give you a shot, man-up! Take care of your business; prove to her you're not the loser you probably are.

I'm tired of hearing it's a disease or that you just snapped because the wife was leaving. It happens to the best of us ... hell, if you part amicably, she might even find a new respect for you!

In a stretch of logic, those men who can't move on and become violent kind of remind me of the suicide bombers in the Middle East right now. In their case, I realize life isn't what they expected it would be, that certain religious zealots are preaching hate, but why strap on a bomb and take out the innocent lives of others -- I'd prefer they also man-up. I'd suggest leading by example, starting with Dr. Ayman al-Zawahri and Osama bin Laden.

Vietnam II: America Might, Middle East Insanity

Today's news highlighted Shiite militias who have now turned to rooting out Al Qaeda forces in and around Baghdad. This is good news given that, maybe, they have finally realized that even with America's penchant of sticking its nose in world affairs, it does not deliberately try to harm innocent civilians.

I have done some research and found that the U.S. spends many hundreds of millions of dollars on research and development of what they call "smart weapons." My understanding is that these weapons limit collateral damage (injuries/deaths to civilians); that the American military machine now uses more such weapons that at any time in its history. This is hardly the work of those who would marginalize life ... as do the insurgents there.

As each day passes I read of bombings, shootings and attacks by insurgents who kill indiscriminately. I may be somewhat biased here, but my country was -- in large part -- rebuilt by the generosity of America following WWII, as was Germany and much of Europe. Today, we live in a prosperous nation with elected officials. I think the same would be true in the Middle East if local leadership could end the bitter rivalries between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.

And I am perplexed (I wanted to use that world for a long time) as to why many Americans don't see the realities of bowing out now. Even in Japan we realize that such extreme zealots were being trained and sent abroad many years ago, before 9/11, the embassy attacks overseas etc.

The difference between Iraq and Vietnam, of course, is that the Vietnamese never attacked America (or any other nation) on its home soil. This can't be said true of Al Qaeda -- there's no doubt among those of us who discuss such things that the cancer must be dealt with now, before it spreads. Pandering to Al Qaeda would only embolden them to do more.

Personally, I hope the U.S. remains strong willed and keeps at it because there seems to be a lack of strong-willed leadership elsewhere in the world.

And I think those who would vote to withdraw from Iraq would be the very same people who are outraged when an unchecked Al Qaeda reemerges in New York, L.A. or Washington D.C.

I see them asking: "Why didn't you do more?"

I'd also like to point out that Middle East states tend to have long memories, so when you back Iraq in their war with Iran, or train/equip their version of insurgents, it shouldn't be much of a surprise when they respond in kind when provided the opportunity.

American Football: It's A Dog-Eat-Dog World

The big news now is that one of the famous American QBs is in trouble -- or may be.

First, I have to admit that I love American Football; have for sometime now even though baseball and European football remain the chosen sports here. But I sometimes wonder why well-paid athletes such as Atlanta's Michael Vick would resort to getting his kicks -- quite possible -- from dog fighting. My understanding is that his current deal (is that right?), is for somewhere in the neighborhood of $118M. Then there is someone called "Pacman" Jones; I love his name as one of my favorite video games resembles his name. However, that's where the similarities end. In my game, the "Pacman" gobbles up expensive sushi, beer and ladies in order to join an elite Yakuza (I think you would call them the mob) team. "Pacman" Jones though gobbles up warrants and arrests. Again, he was to make much more than I do writing instructions for video games.

As of yet, Vick has only been indicted so nobody is sure he's guilty of anything. That remains to be seen. But it doesn't sound good when, how do you say it, the government digs up many dog bones in your back yard. And while dogs are notorious for burying bones, somehow I doubt they buried the entire carcasses (I hope I'm using that right) of other dogs.

In Asia, it's more common to place a bet on cock fights (though they are small), horse racing and such. It's a cultural phenomenon as, apparently, dog fights are in the deep south of the U.S. I'm told that subcultures throughout the U.S. participate is different leisure activities: Rolling dice is big in the inner cities; there's legalized gambling in Nevada, and even high school football in certain areas is taken much too seriously.

To be selfish, I hope it's determined Vick didn't know what was going on behind his property; that he misunderstood why so many dogs were penned up, that the blood in the pits were the result of accidents, and the many dogs buried there were there before he bought the home. I like to see him run around the field like a greyhound among chihuahuas.

Favorite movie: Dog Day Afternoon
Favorite Rapper: Snoop Dogg
Favorite TV series: Dog the Bounty Hunter
Favorite Cologne: Old English (Sheepdog)
Favorite Drink: Hair of the Dog