Q: How many bad guys have been killed in Iraq?

A: 19,429

Terrorist Death Watch has the numbers.

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Blackwater vs. the Military

Monkey Tennis Center:

I'll say this: contractors earn the fair market value for what we all do over there. Soldiers don't because we're govt. employees just like the President. He doesn't earn what Michael Eisner does either. However, soldiers also get paid roughly the same salary whether we're at war or not, so it equals out eventually over a career.

Interesting point.

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Sunni Insurgents Murder Iraqi Police lieutenant and Wife in Adhamiyah

BAGHDAD — The bodies of a murdered Sunni Iraqi police lieutenant and his wife were recovered in Baghdad’s Adhamiyah neighborhood Sep. 25.

The couple had been abducted several days before by Sunni insurgents, said relatives.

The bodies were discovered dumped in a pile of trash beneath a pedestrian overpass in the Sunni-dominated neighborhood of Adhamiyah in Baghdad.

Both victims appeared to have been killed by gunshot wounds to the head.

The police lieutenant also had drill holes in his face that indicate he was tortured before being executed, said 1st Lt. Daniel Lake with the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, the U.S. unit responsible for security in the Adhamiyah area.

Lake said the lieutenant and his wife – both Sunnis – were most likely targeted by Sunni terrorists associated with Al Qaeda in Iraq or Islamic Government of Iraq because of their involvement with security efforts.

“They killed an upstanding local who was trying to help the Iraqi government defeat terrorists,” Lake said. more...

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Video: Chemical Weapons Attack in Iraq (+ War Porn)

We'll start with this video of a chemical weapon IED. Max, who posted the video , says, "An IED in a mound on the side of one of alternate route. Ended up being a chemical Attack, Soldiers had to evacuate the scene, some soldiers sustained some chemical burns on thier body, cause the smoke seaped threw the cracks of thier vehicles..."

Chemical. Weapons. So, er, where's the outrage at another Geneva Convention violation?

Cow IED detonated and more below. more...

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America's Victory in Iraq

We won the war, so Iraqis have finally come to believe. Only on the streets of Europe and America is there really a question over "if" we can win.

Again: We won. I know that will disappoint many on the Left.

And I know the response: if we already won, how come there are so many Americans still dying in Iraq.

And the answer is: there aren't a lot of Americans dying in Iraq.

3783 Americans have been killed in in Iraq over the course of 4 years.

At the Battle of Antietam, in a single day, 23,000 were killed.

At the Battle of the Bulge 19,276 Americans were killed.

It's never been a question of if we would win, only a question of if Americans would see it through to victory.

You'll definitely want to read the article below. more...

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Maj. Troy Gilbert's Wife Speaks Out

Over the past several days I have received dozens of requests to see the recent video released by al Qaeda in Iraq which showed the terror organization desecrating the body of downed pilot Maj. Troy L. Gilbert. The majority of those requests came from Troy's friends and comrades at Luke Air Force Base. They expressed a wish to see just what it was that Troy was fighting in Iraq.

Despite my hesitation over sending the video, many insisted that they needed to see the video. Some of them are close with Troy's widow, Ginger Gilbert, and felt that watching the video would help them support her in this time of need.

One of those that requested the video is an instructor at Luke AFB. He says he will use the video to show his students what they are up against.

Friends of the Gilbert family told me earlier today that Ginger would be holding a press conference today. I mourn with her at the grief of the loss of her husband, and I share her outrage at anti-war propagandists to use her husband's death to discredit the cause he gave his life for.

Ginger Gilbert:

Ginger Gilbert, making her first public comments since the video emerged last week, said Tuesday that she couldn't remain silent after watching media coverage of a "disturbing video" of the corpse, identification card and crash site of her husband, Maj. Troy Gilbert.

"When media chooses to use Troy's plane crash as a political catalyst to generate anti-war sentiment, it only serves to degrade the moral integrity my husband possessed and the morale of those still selflessly serving," Gilbert said at news conference at Glendale's Falcon Dunes Golf Course, across from Luke.

"Every time the press lends credibility and significance to terrorist propaganda clearly designed to erode public support or questions the validity of our brave soldiers' selfless acts of service and the war itself," she added, "it only serves to damage our country from within its own borders and embolden those who would do us harm."

Flanked by friends and family members clasping hands, Gilbert thanked Arizonans, the Air Force and her Desert Springs Community Church in Surprise for serving as a "shield of protection for my family's welfare and betterment over the last 10 months."

God bless you Ginger Gilbert, and God bless all those who knew Troy at Luke AFB.

UPDATE: Thanks to AJ Strata for pointing out that Channel 12 News has video of the press conference up here. Click on link at top of page.

Shift and click for direct Link to video of Mrs. Gilbert's statement.

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Ansar al-Sunnah Murders Two Iraqis

After a long absence, Ansar al-Sunnah has released another of it's disgusting snuff videos. In the video, two Muslims are labeled apostates and murdered for working for the Iraqi government.The following is the Google translation of the statement released with the tape.

Confessions 2 Cronies government apostasy and establish the rule of Allah including Baghdad

Thank Allah Mu'izzaddin Islam and Muslims, humiliating infidel and apostates, peace and prayers be on the Mujahideen, Commander presentation Mahglin Alihok fighting, and his family and companions and marched on the approach and guided to Bahdehem on religion .. After:

Almighty said: (O people had come admonition of the Lord and healing in the hearts and guidance, and mercy for believers) [Yunus: 57]

We offer you the tape shows photographed confessions of two of Cronies government apostasy Rafidiyah been arrested Pkemen arbitrator by the Mujahideen brothers heroes black supporters in the capital Baghdad, former Iraqi working at the Center for Counter-Terrorism (combat uniform and Sunni) and the other works for the Ministry of Defense feedback, this tape shows the moment including the implementation of the rule of Allah, shot by a court order and legitimacy revenge every Muslim and Sunni unarmed and caught for example Drossiness angry,

The video is interesting because the first man in the video sings a nasheed. A nasheed is an Islamic hymn. The second man in the video is breathing heavily and shows a bloody nose. I suspect that he was beaten just prior to the camera taking his confession.

After the singing and the display of identification, the men are placed bound in an alley and shot in the head. The man on the left flinches and screams as the first shot misses him. The murderer follows with three more shots. Both men are left dead in the alley.

So here are two more Muslims, working for the future of their country, brutally murdered by the terrorist group Ansar al-Sunnah. I pray these murderers are caught the the deaths of these men avenged.

The murdered men's names were Ali Athim Abdul Aziz and Rahim Abdul Reza.

Frame grabs and video below the fold. (some graphic images) more...

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Ramadan in the City of Mosques

Bill Ardolino has some more pics from Fallujah, the City of Mosques.

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Former al Qaeda "Capital" Now Safest Place in Iraq

What a difference a year makes. Totten:

In early 2007 Ramadi, the capital of Iraq’s Anbar Province, was one of the most violent war-torn cities on Earth. By late spring it was the safest major city in Iraq outside Kurdistan.

Read the rest. Remember, this is the same city that al Qaeda in Iraq declared as its capital for the Islamic State of Iraq.

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Some More Good Terrorists

Dead ones. Article below. Thanks to GM. more...

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AQI Musters "dozens" for "Little Tet" Ramadan Offensive

What if al Qaeda in Iraq organized a Ramadan offensive they dubbed "Little Tet" and could only muster "dozens of fighters" to show up.

Dozens. Of. Fighters = "Little Tet".

Bwahahahahaaaaaaaaa.

It's Hammer Time!

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An Interview With an anti-al Qaeda Mukhtar in Fallujah

As Bill describes them, Mukhtars seem to be something like block captain, neighborhood watch coordinator, and alternative dispute resolution arbitrator all wrapped up into one. Here's a taste:

Mukhtar: The people of Fallujah, now they know the truth of the terrorists, the mujahadeen. Now they know that these people are not working for Fallujah; no, they are working against the people here. So they've changed their minds, all of their thinking about the terrorists. Fallujah was a city of peace for a long time. It's the “city of mosques” and all the people are peaceful, hard workers.

INDC: Why was there so much conflict with the Americans initially?

Mukhtar: We thought America wanted to steal Iraq. And from our perspective as Muslims, you should fight against thieves. And all the people around the world ... it's the same in America ... if Iraq went to America to take America, all the people would fight against Iraq. I think we can agree about that.

INDC: What do you think of Americans now?

Mukhtar: The Americans now are peaceful -- more than us (laughs). They are helpful and give humanitarian support for the people here. [READ THE REST]

So, Iraqis slowly losing faith in the "blood for oil" theory, yet the American Left continues to cling to it.

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Sunnis Vow Revenge Against al Qaeda

1,500 mourners showed up for the funeral of anti-al Qaeda tribal Sheikh Abdul Sattar Abu Risha. Sunnis in Anbar have vowed revenge.

Each day the noose tightens a little more.....

UPDATE: Nutroots rejoice over Abu Risha's murder. Can we question their patriotism now?

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Al Qaeda Releases Another Maj. Troy Gilbert Desecration Video

A new English subtitled video released by al Furqan on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq, an al Qeda front group, claims to show the body of Major Troy Gilbert. The Jawa Report has obtained a copy of the video.

I think there's a Geneva Convention violation here, but don't expect any protest from the usual suspects. more...

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Sunni Sheik Assassinated in Anbar

(Baghdad) A prominent Sunni tribal leader and key ally of the U.S. in the Anbar Province of Iraq, Sheik Abdul Sattar Abu Reesha (pic), was killed by a roadside bomb earlier today in Ramadi. Two bodyguards were also killed.

Abu Reesha, 39, was head of the Anbar Salvation Council -- also known as the Anbar Awakening -- a coalition of tribes that has been working with the U.S. military to counter al Qaeda in Sunni-dominated Anbar province.

The council, funded and supported by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, was formed last year.

Police said the attack happened about a mile from Abu Reesha's home, but the deputy head of the Anbar Salvation Council, Sheik Hameed al-Hayyes, said the bomb struck the convoy 50 meters from his home in a heavily secured zone surrounding the house.

Al-Hayyes said Abu Reesha was leaving his home to go to his nearby farm, a daily routine, when he was attacked.

It appears that someone was able to enter the "heavily secured zone surrounding the house" and plant a bomb. Inside job?

Al-Qaeda is suspected. Abu Reesha's high-profile cooperation with the U.S. and coalition forces made him a prime target. Achieving success in Anbar has roiled Abu Reesha's enemies.

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No Hooters or Hard Rock Cafes in Iraq

Q: If Americans are such imperialists, how come there are no Hooters in Fallujah?

Bill Ardalino has another photo essay. Check it out.

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Who's Tougher: U.S. Marines or al Qaeda?

Bill Ardolina poses that question to a Fallujan interpretor:

You know, al Qaeda and other mujahadeen say that the Americans are not tough, they are just cartoon soldiers, just like characters in cartoon films, but most of the people see the fact that they are tough people. And they are so patient. And they can fight outside of their country overseas, and I don’t think al Qaeda or someone else can fight like Marines, overseas and so distant from home.

Semper fi.

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Another City Freed from al Qaeda

Concerned Local Citizens (CLC) kick al Qaeda out of yet another town. Not sure if it was al Qaeda's policy of shooting smokers, beheading those that cooperate with the elected democratic government, or if it was the ban on shaving that put the residents of Hawr Rajab on the offensive? more...

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Who's Better: The Army or Navy? (Plus: Is Murtha a Coward?)

Totten in Fallujah, once the headquarters of al Qaeda in Iraq. What a difference a few months makes. I think Vinnie will like the Iraqi's answer to one Marine's question:

“Which do you think is better?” he said to the Iraqi soldier. “Army or Marines?”

“The Navy is best,” said the Iraqi.

The Marine was taken aback. “The Navy?” he said.

“Yes, Navy,” said the Iraqi.

Heh.

Bill from INDC is in Fallujah. We had two posts up about this yesterday, but they disappeared. Photos are awesome.

Bonus video: Democrats go apeshit after Congresswoman delivers a message for John Murtha:

Cowards cut and run, Marines never do.

Whatever happened to retreat hell? more...

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Facts on the Ground Show Schumer is Wrong About Surge

Sen. Chuck Schumer's (D-NY) Anbar:

"And let me be clear, the violence in Anbar has gone down despite the surge, not because of the surge.

vs. Anbar as it really is. Notice that Iraqis credit the surge.

And if stories from the ground in Fallujah aren't enough, here are some statistics that back them up.

Also, Blackfive interviews Bill here.

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Update from Fallujah: The Surge is Working!

Longtime friend Bill Ardalino has made it to Fallujah and he likes what he sees. The last time he was in Fallujah I had a couple of online chats with him, the majority of the which I seem to recall were him asking, "do you want to get me f*cking killed"? That was just this January, now he reports a sea change on the ground. Here it is:

[A] quick teaser: the positive change in Fallujah since my January visit is astounding.

I've attended a Fallujah City Council meeting, a recruiting day for the "Fallujah Protectors" (neighborhood watch), the establishment of the city's last police precinct and a meeting of "muktars," traditional cultural leaders of specific neighborhoods who work with Marines to improve infrastructure. Tomorrow, my CAG unit will distribute food bags downtown. Almost none of this access or interaction was possible in January, and the cooperation with American personnel is widespread and animated.

The surreality of the change can be summed up by this afternoon.

You'll have to click on over to INDC Journal to read the rest. It's not a long post, but Bill promises more updates from Fallujah.

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Drone Footage to Be Introduced in Haditha Trial

With convictions dropping like flies, the defense moves to provide some objective video footage of what actually happened during that day.

And it turns out, not surprisingly, that the Marines were in and out of firefights all day, as well as during the time of the incident in question. They were likely following ROE in a combat situation, which the defense is attempting to show.

You know - free of TIME magazine's trademark embellishment, the MSM's relentlessly biased coverage, and propagandist's plentiful lies and distortions.

We'll see. Murtha might want to begin holding onto his seat.

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Petraeus: Surge Working!

Has Bush finally found his Ulysses S.Grant? Yes. The Australian:

David Petraeus, the top US commander in Iraq, said the build-up of American forces in Baghdad since late January had produced positive outcomes. These included the killing or capture of al-Qa'ida fighters, causing the terrorist group to lose influence with local Sunnis.

The strategic gains against insurgents would lead to a changed and possibly longer-term role for Australian troops, shifting from security operations to a focus on training Iraqi soldiers and police.

General Petraeus told The Australian during a face-to-face interview at his Baghdad headquarters there had been a 75 per cent reduction in religious and ethnic killings since last year, a doubling in the seizure of insurgents' weapons caches between January and August, a rise in the number of al-Qa'ida "kills and captures" and a fall in the number of coalition deaths from roadside bombings.

More to do? Yes. But at least we're finally on the road to Atlanta.......

The Victory Caucus has the Stand by the American Mission petition here.

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Haditha Was Tragedy, Not Crime

Jim Hanson, of Blackfive, takes an in-depth look at the tragedy that occurred in Haditha on November 19, 2005. As to whether or not the killings of Iraqis on that day constituted a crime, Hanson contends that "all available documents and reports and most of the testimony" say no.

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God Speed

Bill is headed to Fallujah.

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