Iraqi Whirlwind
Today began at 0600 sharp. We moved from Baghdad to Fallujah by Blackhawk helicopter. A theater commander’s flight group doesn’t merely resemble a swarm– it is a swarm, with the Apaches definite wasps. With two door guns the troop-carrying Blackhawks have a sting as well.
The Marines gave us a briefing on the situation in Al Anbar province in general and Fallujah in particular. Suffice to say Al Anbar is Iraq’s Wild West, with Zarqawi’s terror clan and Sunni rejectionists a particularly violent bunch of outlaws. And that’s the new political key. Mass murder of Iraqis by these bad guys has made political cooperation by fence-sitting Iraqi Sunni Arabs an attractive alternative. Again, I will expand on this when I have time.
We received a briefing on new techniques and technologies for manning check points and inspecting vehicles and personnel for explosive devices. Of course the Marines conducted the briefing “on the job” — at the base gate leading to Fallujah. Lance-Corporal Joe Solis of Plainview, Texas, gave a briefing on a new “background scatter” scanner. I surprised Joe twice. I not only know where Plainview is, I recognized his street address. I have an uncle and aunt who live in Plainview and The Plainview Daily Herald carries my column. Our group also got the chance to chat with USMC Major-General Steve Johnson, the commander of II MEF (Forward). Some of what we heard in the field and in briefings was on the record, much of the information was not. I know a statement like that whets appetites but operational data and analysis has to stay off the record until ops are complete. As usual, I found the Marines to be candid and articulately blunt. One of the regrets I had last year was missing out on two trips to the Marine encampment outside Fallujah– both planning meetings were cancelled, or postponed. This trip as a columnist made up for those missed opportunities in some small measure.
We flew back to Baghdad and caught a C-17 hop up north to Tal Afar. The area is covered by the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and a new Iraqi Army (IA) division. The area has seen a lot of action, including an operation that ran from June 7 through June 10. I got to interview SFC Gary Villalobos of Santa Maria, California (near Santa Barbara). I caught most of the interview on video and when I get to an internet connection where I can download video I’ll try to send this particular footage to a couple of interested websites (heads up Instapundit). On June 7 SFC Villalobos and four Iraqi soldiers defeated a close-in urban ambush. Villalobos is the mortar platoon sergeant in Fox Troop, 2nd Squadron, 3rd ACR, but he was working with a US team advising an new Iraqi Army brigade. An Iraqi Army battalion was conducting the raid with back-up provided by US troops. Villalobos described the intense action –where a US soldier died– in a careful, humble voice, but then so often that is the voice of extraordinary valor. Five insurgent fighters ambushed a US adviser in a narrow, twisting street. The resulting firefight lasted ten minutes. Part of the Iraqi platoon withdrew, but SFC Villalobos and an Iraqi Army fireteam returned fire and tried to reach the wounded US officer. Villalobos finally threw a heavy fragmentation grenade at the insurgent position, killing one and wounding three. Yes, part of this newly-minted Iraqi Army unit retreated, but part of it stood and fought. SFC Villalobos’ troop commander told me that the Iraqis followed the sergeant’s example– leadership by doing. Villalobos said that during the firefight the language barrier –his English, their Arabic– seemed unmanageable. He had to act. The Iraqi troops acted in concert. Villalobos is up for a major decoration– I have been spare on the details due to time but they will be provided. Mike Hedges of the Houston Chronicle is working on a full report which he hopes will be available Friday or Saturday.
Our last stop was Kirkuk and a visit to the 116th Brigade Combat Team (BCT). The 116th is an Idaho National Guard outfit. The Kirkuk area is one of the most ethnically complex areas in Iraq — Kurds, Arabs, Turkomen, and Assyrians collide in Kirkuk, and Sunni terrorists (Ansar al Sunna/Ansar al Islam) are active in the area. And then add huge oil fields. Coalition forces in the Kirkuk area (under the command of the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division) are working with Iraqi security forces to keep the area calm, encourage economic development, and protect the oil fields.
I find that this return visit to Iraq spurs thoughts of America– of American will to pursue victory. I don’t mean the will of US forces in the field. Wander around with a bunch of Marines for a half hour, spend fifteen minutes with Guardsmen from Idaho, and you will have no doubts about American military capabilities or the troops’ will to win. But our weakness is back home, on the couch, in front of the tv, on the cable squawk shows, on the editorial page of the New York Times, in the political gotcha games of Washington, DC. It seems America wants to get on with its wonderful Electra-Glide life, that September 10 sense of freedom and security, without finishing the job. The military is fighting, the Iraqi people are fighting, but where is the US political class? The Bush Administration has yet to ask the American people –correction, has yet to demand of the American people– the sustained, shared sacrifice it takes to win this long, intricate war of bullets, ballots, and bricks. Bullets go bang, and even CBS understands bullets. Ballots make an impression–in terms of this war’s battlespace, the January Iraqi elections were World War Two’s D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge combined. But the bricks– the building of Iraq, Afghanistan, and the other hard corners where this war is and will be fought– that’s a delicate and decades long challenge. Given the vicious, megalomanical enemy we face, five years, perhaps fifteen years from now occasional bullets and bombs will disrupt the political and economic building. This is the Bush Administration’s biggest strategic mistake– a failure to tap the reservoir of American willingness 9/11 produced. One afternoon in December 2001 my mother –after reading a column of mine in her local paper– called me long-distance. She told me she remembered being a teenager in 1942 and tossing a tin can on a wagon that rolled past the train station in her small Texas hometown. (Plainview– one reason I know Lanc-Corporal Solis’ hometown– it’s my parents birthplace.) Mom said she knew that the can she tossed didn’t add much to the war effort, but she felt that in some, small, token perhaps but very real way, that she was contributing to the battle being waged by our soldiers. “The Bush Administration is going to make a terrible mistake if it does not let the American people get involved in this war. Austin, we need a war bond drive. This matters, because this is what it will take.”
She was right then, and she’s right now.
The same thing happened in Vietnam, the failure to mobilize the Home Front. Still our cause is righteous, and President Bush and Rumsfeld, I I think will stick it out to the end, even if we don’t.
Comment by Mike Burleson — 6/16/2005 @ 3:17 pm
Great reporting, thanks for sharing.
Comment by TallDave — 6/16/2005 @ 3:17 pm
Sir, Your mom is so right. We do need a War Bond Drive. It’s a way to let us “get into the fight”. My mom who’s very sick showed me her War Bond that she gave payed, by saving up her lunch money . She was only 13 when
Comment by Sir Mike of New Milford — 6/16/2005 @ 3:42 pm
I don’t have anything brilliant to say except, I am enjoying these columns from Iraq. The boots on the ground need a voice. Thanks.
Comment by Nancy — 6/16/2005 @ 4:34 pm
Great read Austin…I’m hooked. Stay safe.
Comment by Alan Wuorinen — 6/16/2005 @ 4:52 pm
Your column summarizes the greatest failure of George Bush and his crew — the failure to get Americans involved and make them feel they have an immediate stake in the outcome, and thus must be willing to make sacrifices to achieve the goal. In addition, as others have noted, the Bushies failed to plan sufficiently to deal with the realities of post-Saddam Iraq. He was so obsessed with getting Saddam out of the way (something our military did brilliantly and at astonishingly little cost in human lives, at least on our side) that he scrimped on strategy and execution in the occupation — which figured to be the hard part of the exercise. It seems obvious that he was spoiling for a war and was determined to get it, but hadn’t figured out what to do once he “won.” In trying to make things as painless as possible for the folks at home, he’s made a bigger mess — though, should his efforts to bring self-government to Iraq and the Middle East succeed, he may wind up getting the results he was seeking, despite himself (indeed, I hope that’s the case). After September 11, there needed to be an all-out push (think: NASA-moon launch, not just lip service) to wean ourselves off oil by pushing for more economical cars, more alternate fuels, etc. Bush also needed to more clearly identify what we were fighting for (nothing less than our way of life, against people who have no intention of converting their enemies, just killing them. While I applaud the demise of Saddam (it’s hard not to), I find myself horribly disappointed in Bush because of what he hasn’t done.
Comment by Don Smythe — 6/16/2005 @ 5:17 pm
People are going to find ways to continue to support our men and women until this job is done. We will not allow there to be an abortion of this unprecedented phenomena of Iraq. This is just the beginning and we will not rest until we see every nation experience true freedom. That is my faith and that is my commitment. Mitch White
Comment by Mitch White — 6/16/2005 @ 6:48 pm
I appreciate your reporting and what it is that do, in small measure, is do what any patriot is able to do. Persuade those who are less than informed or that do not support the war outright. That’s all I can do, day in, day out. Persuade those who don’t think twice about the importance of the mission and the long haul. Safe travels.
Comment by Mark Wilson — 6/16/2005 @ 7:34 pm
Sacrifice! That is such an old-fangled word for Americans. Remember guns and butter during the Vietnam War. No sacrifice there. But then President Johnson had congress institute a surcharge on one’s tax bill. Now, there was an itsy-bitsy bit of sacrifice on the home front. I’ve made an effort to bring the surcharge back to allow the WOT to be financed separately from the general budget to help with the deficits and put all Americans into the effort, if ever so indirectly. But I find that in public meetings with my representative and letters to my senators and the president don’t get a favorable response, actually no response. I guess the only sacrifice will be from those who are in the military; we already see the start of the cut and run mentality in congress. Since fortress America is not longer possible, sadly I’m afraid that with this enemy the sacrifice necessary will become apparent only after we achieve the day to day terrorist activity seen in Israel or Columbia. Fight them there or fight them here, but we will be fighting them somewhere if we wish to survive.
Comment by Al Reasin — 6/16/2005 @ 7:42 pm
President Bush actions need to be backed up with w President Bush is a revolutionary who believes and acts as if actions speak louder than words. I used to think that was all that was needed but lately I have been wondering if I and President Bush may have
Trackback by The Pink Flamingo Bar Grill — 6/16/2005 @ 9:47 pm
First thank you for your service! Great post and I see this becoming a greater problem the further we get from 9/11. In the states it simply does not feel as if we are at war. I put up a post in response to yours. President Bush actions need to be backed up with words! Pierre Legrand
Comment by Pierre Legrand — 6/16/2005 @ 10:35 pm
Wow. I thought on-site hands-on reporting was dead. Hmmm, maybe CNN, MSNBC and the networks (liberal mouthpieces that clamor for our soldiers to lose, first feel ashamed (I don’t believe) and second learn to report, instead of spew anti-patriotic propaganda. On a lighter note, this is hillarious post - “Larry King, A Serial Husband, A Monogamous Polygamist, and the joys of Multiple Fatherhood.†He has been married seven times with 6 kids and got some stupid “National Father’s award.” haha http://satire.myblogsite.com/blog
Comment by David — 6/17/2005 @ 1:40 am
Yeah, GWB needs to meet your Mom. Wars at arms length are not very inspirational.
Comment by Brian H — 6/17/2005 @ 1:46 am
Thanks. This is what the American people should be hearing about, not the liberal, defeatist pap being served up by the MSM.
Comment by Sheldon — 6/17/2005 @ 2:56 am
TWO VOICES Hoder, on the ground in Iran, is concerned that the mainstream media may be missing the big story in the elections. Austin Bay, on the road in Iraq, has worries of his own:I find that this return visit to Iraq
Trackback by Clive Davis — 6/17/2005 @ 4:58 am
Let me compare you favorably to Ernie Pyle, who also made very certain to get the names and home towns of soldiers written down, correctly and accurately. Hooah! Austin.
Comment by Kerry — 6/17/2005 @ 5:53 am
I agree, Bush has failed to make the case. It’s time to rally the American people to the cause. Failure is not an option.
Comment by Ted — 6/17/2005 @ 7:59 am
Great article. Hope that this comment isnt repeated. I left a comment last night and it never appeared. Also trackbacked to this post and it also did not work though from my end the manual haloscan trackback claimed success. Probably the operator but just in case I didnt break something… Pierre Legrand
Comment by PierreLegrand — 6/17/2005 @ 8:05 am
That last paragraph is spot on. Nice work.
Comment by Nathan Lanier — 6/17/2005 @ 10:35 am
[…] ternative. Again, I will expand on this when I have time. I can’t wait. Be sure to check out the whole post, it’s a must read. This entry was posted o […]
Pingback by Project Nothing! » Blog Archive » The Key to success — 6/17/2005 @ 10:36 am
Austin Bay in action Austin Bay is in on the action in Iraq. A longish post is here.
Trackback by bloganovel — 6/17/2005 @ 12:10 pm
[…] that pretty much encapsulates the current atmosphere and the need for America to sack up! I find that this return visit to Iraq spurs thoughts of America– of American will to pursue victory […]
Pingback by 1754BLOG.COM » Blog Archive » WAKE ISLAND — 6/17/2005 @ 12:33 pm
A war bond drive is a wonderful idea! I have been so disappointed with Mr. Bush, although he still has my support, I know a Kerry or one of his fellow travelers would have been so much worse. And I do know this is complicated but sometimes it just seems the people who should know can’t even name our enemies. We are locked up in some kind of insanity called “political correctness” that allows sedition and treason within our walls. I do have a passion to win so others must feel the same way about this war. Everytime a family member boards an airliner I re-live that horrible day. We are not going to win the hearts and minds of the slaves of this ideology. We weren’t talking about winning the hearts and minds of the Japanese after Pearl Harbor, or the Nazis, that shows how we’ve changed. When 17 Saudi’s assault and kill our citizens, it only seems logical to declare Saudi Arabia the guilty party along with whatever brand of Islam they advocate. Those 17 did not come out of vacuum. When mosques spring up in our homeland like mushrooms, paid for by a country that does not allow even a bible inside, when hate is taught in those mosques, as it is, there is a big elephant in our collective living room and Mr. Bush has yet to acknowledge it. He must drop the diplomacy and call a spade a spade. Prince Bandar must be black-listed from any priority guest list of the Bush family. Bandar is a prime example that wealth, education and American dress cannot dilute the Wahabbi mentality. Under all that he is still a Bedouin, of a nomad warrior tribe. Saudi petrodollars bought them every material and like the fable of the 3 wishes, the Saudi’s were never satisfied; now they want to own and rule America. If all the fanatical muslims had put the energy and effort into improving their own lot in life, they would not have the nasty festering hellholes of countries they have today. I am running out of time and space and probably said nothing that hasn’t been considered already. I hope we’re somehow able to keep America free. It is worth fighting to the death to keep.
Comment by Carol Kelley — 6/17/2005 @ 1:33 pm
[…] should Iraq be any different? Besides which, on an almost daily basis, Iraqi regulars are replacing US soldiers in patrol units, and more and more Iraqis are choosing to claim a stake in defending and b […]
Pingback by The Conjecturer » Blog Archive » Shallow Analysis — 6/17/2005 @ 1:46 pm
Same thing happened in Vietnam, the failure to mobilize the Home Front. That said, we are lucky to have a determined President, and a fearless Sec. of defense, who with God help is making a difference.
Comment by Mike Burleson — 6/17/2005 @ 2:21 pm
Hey, Just found your site, yea, I know, I wasn’t looking very hard. But just wanted to say that I have been trying to get people in my area to understand. To understand that we are in a war. Not just a war in Iraq or in Afgan. But a war aagainst people that hate us and everything we stand for, they want to kill us all. Men, Women and Children. Failing that, they want to enslave us and tax us for the privlage of staying alive. Well, I’m not doing a very good job locally. They would rather argue and fight about Bush, the gas prices, where you get the best meals and service or other mundane day to day topics. Even on the topic of the nutcases trying to highjack the Memorial in New York drew only a comment from a couple of people. I am not going to give up, as this is the only way I can fight, as I am too old to fight anyother way. We have a local forum and I do my fighting there. Thank you for your efforts and for your commitment to America. Papa Ray West Texas USA
Comment by Papa Ray — 6/17/2005 @ 2:57 pm
There must be a way for the liberal establishment media knuckleheads to interview you on CNN and MSNBC. And if Fox News fails to interview you, something is wrong with them. First hand, on the spot reporting by a patriot and a real expert (military), unlike the arm chair generals. This is a good start/finish for Friday - have a good weekend all. LARRY KING - A SERIAL HUSBAND, MONOGAMOUS POLYGAMIST AND THE JOYS OF MULTIPLE FATHERHOOD This is fun. A must read. Filled with facts and has Larry’s MUGSHOT - honest to goodness (Click on the word arrest in the article)
Comment by David — 6/17/2005 @ 4:29 pm
Wonderful! Thank you.
Comment by Donna Goddard — 6/17/2005 @ 5:10 pm
Failure of leadership I support the war and think Bush made the right call. I further think the media has been unfair to him, and that a lot of our politicians have chosen to oppose him by playing games with the lives of…
Trackback by fredschoeneman.com — 6/17/2005 @ 6:00 pm
You wrote: The Bush Administration has yet to ask the American people –correction, has yet to demand of the American people– the sustained, shared sacrifice it takes to win this long, intricate war of bullets, ballots, and bricks. Pardon me, but what are you talking about? In WWII, the size of forces meant that people had to sacrifice most driving for the duration. But what sacrifice am I supposed to be making to win the war? I ask this seriously. THE SAUDS MUST BE DESTROYED!
Comment by Stephen M. St. Onge — 6/17/2005 @ 6:46 pm
understand this please this is no ww11 or the battle of the bluge, you see that was a world war and a large part of the world was with us to the very end. this iraq thing is the battle of the oil bulge, and a large part of the world wish us failurer. the difference between then and now, men with leadership and charecter. bush and co. have none and the american people understand that now. and after all the lies they’ve been told as to why we fight well there not going to send their son’s to fight and die for big oil. being a viet-nam vet and 60 years old now i understand a little more these days, and son this iraq thing can only end in heart break, and bush and co. are the daddy of it all.
Comment by rich hall — 6/17/2005 @ 7:57 pm
You are absolutely correct that the Bush Administration is missing the boat in not mobilizing the American people on the homefront in support of the war against Islamist fascism. The home front in WW II was absolutely essential to our victory in that war, through recycling materials, civil defense training, and financial support through war bonds. Civilian efforts also sent a message to the servicemen overseas that we were all on the same side, and that their efforts were appreciatede and supported with tangible action. Most important, civilian mobilization heloed to mold the armed forces and the home front into an integral movement. It also helped to marginalize dissenters, malcontents and would be Fifth Columnists. Our struggle is likely to last for many years, and will require the best efforts not only of he relatively few citizens who are on active duty but the spirit of those of us here at home. President Bush is perhaps concerned about asking too much of the citizenry, and is trying to compartmentalize the fighting from the rest of our civic life. I suspect that many of us long to be summoned to service here on the home front is ways that support our troops.
Comment by Erik Axelson — 6/17/2005 @ 8:46 pm
Your Mom is right. I was 12 yrs old and happily joined others making contributions to the war effort….I gave away all of my Mom’s aluminum pots. She came home from work and could not cook…was she mad…NO…she praised me….you see, my Dad was fighting in the Pacific.We definately need to engage the American people in a HUGE WAR EFFORT…LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS! Tell that to Senator Durbin and the rest of the Liberal nuts.
Comment by Teri Woods — 6/17/2005 @ 9:45 pm
You say that the Bush administrations biggest failure is not tapping “the reservoir of American willingness 9/11″ produced. I would suggest that this administration’s biggest failure is not being clear and truthful. We’ve made mistakes in our handling of prisoners. Be honest about it. THe American people will understand. There were no WMD. Tell us why this war is worth “the sacrifice.” We want to hear it. There were no real ties to Al Queda and 9/11 with that madman Saddam. Tell us why some 1700 of our young men and women needed to die far away in Iraq. The recent polls are quite telling. And they are telling this administration that we don’t understand why. Tell us why.
Comment by Wayne Walters — 6/18/2005 @ 12:19 am
Austin, great article and great insight. As usual, the troops are doing the job, but are only getting lip service from the political establishment, the President included. As I see it, two serious strategic mistakes were made: One, in two parts,not enough troops in the initial invasion and no apparent planning for the insurgency, and; Two, no call for sacrifice by the American people. Instead, we got tax reductions,out-of-sight deficits and mush-mouth about WMD. When will we learn?
Comment by Bob Sistek — 6/18/2005 @ 12:39 am
Allow me to compare your reporting favorably to Ernie Pyle, who also scrupulously recorded the correct names and home towns of our soldiers.
Comment by Kerry — 6/18/2005 @ 5:53 am
“The Bush Administration has yet to ask the American people — correction, has yet to demand of the American people — the sustained, shared sacrifice it takes to win this long, intricate war of bullets, ballots, and bricks. ” Mr. Bay, we live in a free democratic republic and it is WE who demand service of the Bush Administration and not the other way around. Our oblligation as citizens is to ensure our leaders tell the truth, and act honorably. It is we, the American citizens who in the end will save the lives of the troops and achieve greater security. Not the reverse, as you suggest.
Comment by Maezeppa — 6/18/2005 @ 8:46 am
This article is right on target about the need for the “down home” support of the American people. I am not talking about lip service but the immediate need for individuals to do something. I really liked the touch about the tin can being added to the metal drive at Plainview, TX. At that same time I was a Junior at Winters, Texas High School. Winters is in Runnels County which is about 100 miles east of Plainview. The town was having a drive to collect all kinds of scrap metal. At the NW corner of W. Dale St. and Arlington Avenue there was a vacant lot which had been the softball grounds during peace time. It was there that the people of the community deposited every kind of scrap metal imaginable. There were old car bodies, rusted parts of old plows which had been laying in fields around the country side. You name it and the people brought it in. Before all was said and done the pile was higher than a two story house and covered the entire infield area. The people were serious about supporting the men and women in all branches of the armed forces. I remember going up and down alleys in town picking up every scrap of metal I could find. Young and old joined in. Why is that not happening today? You’ve got me but WE need to get with it.
Comment by Alex Orr — 6/18/2005 @ 9:51 am
As a Viet Nam Vet, I have one question for you - What the hell does Irag have to do with 9/11? Yes, service is noble, but we also have the national responsibility to make sure just what we are in service for. Good luck to you and God’s speed.
Comment by michael perry — 6/18/2005 @ 11:11 am
Most conservatives make the same simple mistake when judging the overall tenor of this country’s attitude towards the war. We’re not losing our willingness to sustain the fight, as you imply. We’re just tired of our stupid little dictator with his self-righteous visions of Christian jihad. This generation is different than the anti-all 60’s movement in that we support our troops implicitly, regardless of how it may look in the press, or on the talk-show circuit. We believe you are the bravest, strongest and most honorable among us. We worrry for your safety, and we want, most of all, that your leaders not misuse your patriotism and dedication. We were not attacked by Iraq on September 11. Most Americans were happy to see some fire rain down on terrorist holdouts in Afghanistan after it happened. But when we found out that Bush wanted to avenge his dad’s loss and secure the oil-fields by taking over Iraq, most of us saw right through it. There are plenty of evil-doers whose people need our Spreading Freedom. It’s no coincidence that he chose the one he did. And our waning enthusiasm now has nothing to do with our unwillingness to see it through. We’re just tired of George’s misplaced maneuver and what a mess he’s made of it. Sure, I’m GLAD Saddam Hussein is no longer in power. I’m GLAD his sons are dead. They were nothing but inhuman, ruthless pigs. The Iraqi people are better off without him. That’s obvious to anyone. And they have you to thank for it. This is not what the American people are missing, and, thereby, failing to support a noble effort. We’re of administration’s lust for singular power, and it’s willingness to lie, cheat and steal in order to take it. And the war has become just one of the things we focus on as a perfect example of how we were deceived in a big way. Perhaps if our president wasn’t a lying little Jesus freak, stepping on the constitution and bending American reality to suit his own vision of it, he’d feel more support for his global efforts, twisted and misguided as they may be. Don’t blame the American people for waning support. Blame your boss for being the kind of man we can’t and won’t respect enough to give our devotion to.
Comment by Joe American — 6/18/2005 @ 11:11 am
Perhaps you could argue against tax-cuts during this time of war. Nothing undermines our security more than sovereign debt the United State owes to countries like China. You want to fight wars to make a better world? Argue against domestic policy that is decidedly pre-9/11.
Comment by Stephen Forte — 6/18/2005 @ 11:41 am
Your comments about Americans not being willing to finish the job (or support finishing it), wanting their “wonderful Electra-Glide life” for free, really hit home. But I think you really miss your own point in not holding the President accountable for a failure of leadership on this point. He has frightened voters, but he has not inspired supporters. He has not called for sacrifice, in part because his own bio presents such a poor example. You could argue that that’s part of his appeal — he’s simply not in a position to bully-pulpit a couch-residing nation. You also don’t tackle the flat-out incompetence of the Iraqi campaign, part of a larger message of unaccountability, where loyalty matters more than competence even in the most crticial government positions — say, Secretary of State. It may be that Bush, who has never excelled at anything other than getting elected, simply does not recognize competence as a real quality that exists in varying degrees. To him, maybe there is only loyalty — or maybe loyalty IS competence. Well, whatever it is, it doesn’t work all that well. It wins elections, but not hearts and minds.
Comment by Jay S. Levin — 6/18/2005 @ 2:20 pm
War Bond drive — excellent Letting us US get involved — excellent How about this one: Ask all pastors of churches to pray each weekend for VICTORY in Iraq? How about a cable channel devoted to successes in Iraq? Thanks for the column -d
Comment by Don Evrard — 6/18/2005 @ 5:53 pm
Saturday Drive-By Surfing AUSTIN BAY’S MOM KNOWS: Iraqi Whirlwind “The Bush Administration is going to make a terrible mistake if it does not let the American people get involved in this war. Austin, we need a war bond drive. This matters, because this is what it will take.â…
Trackback by AMERICAN DIGEST — 6/19/2005 @ 10:13 am
Great reporting. Your stuff is 10 times better than the biased MSM. Most American’s are not stupid. They realize the sacrifice that is necessary to win this war. But, there are many loud mouth politicians and Media people who would like to the US military fail for their personal gain. I believe we are in the biggest propaganda war since Vietnam. And, those on the left would love to have a Vietnam 2 complete with war protests and flag burning. You are of the few brave Americans to go into the field and tell the real story. And, you are doing a great job. You may not realize it but you may just have more clout than Bush. Just keep pushing on.
Comment by Ledger Man — 6/19/2005 @ 7:30 pm
Austin Bay you have seen the living conditions of poor Iraqis, did you know they live quite well compared to some Arabs? Poor Arabs are being offered 100,000 Saudi Riyals and a “place in paradise” to target American troops. Do you think the terrorists will ever run out of recruits? If the terrorists never stop how will the war end?
Comment by Angus — 6/20/2005 @ 3:50 am
We don’t need a blood drive; we don’t need a scrap drive. What the President needs to establish is a body drive. Mr. Bush needs to ask for recruits at all of these “town hall” meetings. It’s now the time for the true believers in this vision to pony up and make the great sacrifice of their own lives or the lives of those close to them; otherwise the talk of sacrifice is just an empty gesture.
Comment by Thomas Fiore — 6/20/2005 @ 1:08 pm
It is not true that the American people are unwilling to make sacrifices in the war against terrorism. On September 12, 2001 and for a long time thereafter, the spirit of patriotism and shared sacrifice could have been mobilized with a word. Why wasn’t the word spoken? Because if it had been, the American people would have owned the war against terrorism, and an aroused public would have demanded accountability of its leaders, starting of course with Bush. In other words, mass participation would have led to a revival of the democratic spirit, which would be highly dangerous to our current regime. So Bush told Americans two things: (1) Be afraid, be very afraid (contrast the Orange Alerts with FDR’s words–we have nothing to fear but fear itself.) And (2) There’s nothing you can do to help or defend yourselves or your country, so go shopping. I concluded that this was the way it would go down within a week after 9/11, when I saw that nothing effective would be done or planned to increase homeland security. Specifically, I remember reading that it would take a year, according to the manufacturers, to make the necessary screening equipment for checked luggage in all airports. In World War II, the manufacturers would have been told. “That’s unacceptable. You have three months. Now what do you need?” And it would have been done in three months–with lots of waste and false starts and even profiteering, but done. And lots of people would have been put to work doing it–something else this administration does not want. And that is the conspiracy theory of a leftie who loves his country.
Comment by David Fried — 6/20/2005 @ 5:48 pm
Does anyone remember Lyndon Johnson’s “Guns and Butter” speech? To me, except that the war is in Irag instead of Vietnam, we are, as a nation, just about where we were from ‘65 to ‘75 . We see the war on the TV news, we read about the war in newspapers and magazines, and we go on being disconnected from the war because we make no real sacrifices. I’m a combat veteran of the Vietnam War (25th ID). What I’m seeing now is pretty much now what I saw then.
Comment by Jerry Curry — 6/20/2005 @ 11:36 pm