Wednesday, October 31, 2007

God save me from comparisons...

With some room for error and unreported casualties on both ends, still, things are calming down a bit. Some would say that the reduction was due to the Muslim fast of Ramadan but I have to disagree. First reason being the statistics that on average the militants escalate their attacks during this time period. Then again, it could just be a ruse, they know that tactically the soldiers would be on high alert due to the history of this ritual, so they wait until the soldiers have spent a few sleepless nights then attack. But that has not come to fruition. Second, like the Viet Cong before him, people fighting for what they believe is their beliefs would take a certain pride in violating their rituals for the cause. "This is what I am sacrificing for my God."


No, and I know I'll be disagreed with, but I think that, like the Viet Nam War, the insurgents may be close to a major manpower shortage. I do not doubt the heart and faith that these people show, but after a while the body count has to lead to attrition folks. Barnum said, "There's a sucker born every minute." Well don't you think eventually the clerics preaching dissent will eventually run out of bodies to hurl into the flames ? Don't get me wrong, I don't think they're beaten, but you need a boy to carry the gun into the fight and they are running out of fighters.

We are experiencing a slight manpower shortage on our side of the fence too, but not so much that our efforts will be hampered. The strength of the United States has always been its ability to outproduce the enemy. The average soldier does not want to be in Iraq, according to a friend who just returned, but they will do the job needed to be done while they are there.

My greatest fear is that, like Viet Nam, we will start pulling out before we are ready. Congress needs to remember that every pen stroke has the potential to cost lives. Should we move on to Iran ? Oh hell yeah. Should we cut a garrison in Baluchi Pass in the Uruzgan province (shown above) from 500 men to 200 to supply the new effort ? Not if you value the lives of the 200. None left behind will be safe unless you turn Syria into a glass parking lot so the best bet would be to increase the training garrison over there. Train hordes more Iraqis to defend the backs of our troops as we move on toward the next foe. Then throw them in the deep end of the pond. I think the Iraqi troops will learn to swim rather than sink.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Hmmmmm



Now Uganda has cases of a The Marburg virus, a rare hemorrhagic disease. This one apparently sprang from a mine and the victims are miners. Congo, Uganda, where to next ? Mind you, if it came from a mine I can't help but think the source was something brought into the mine. Ebola, Marburg, they're living things. They spread through living organisms. This isn't some kind of old B Horror movie. So where did it come from ?
Well, whether you believe its from a cave or the Wrath of God, its here, its becoming prevalent, and I can't help but wonder why now ?

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Huh ?

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il at the beginning of the second meeting ever of the two country's leaders since the separation after WW2. As much as the press want to bleat about a cold reception given to the South Korean leader, I still have a hope that amidst a world in the throes of war and turmoil this might be a step toward stability in that region. Wouldn't that be something ? We of my generation have seen so much. The end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Now this, a gesture of friendship between two countries that seem eternally poised on the brink of war.










And as the world cringes every day against the assault of new fears and terrors beyond our power to control, God reminds us that the horrors of old still exist. An isolation ward in Kampungu,Congo still holds two patients but doctors are hopeful that the latest outbreak of Ebola has been contained. On 27 September 2007 Doctors Without Borders (MSF) released photographs of their facility depicting their efforts. I swear that if you need proof the Rapture hasn't happened, the presence of these medical professionals are it.