The New Face of Terror

With the timely demise of Abu-Musab Al-Zarqawi a hole now rests firmly at the top of Al-Queda's "Iraqi Power Chart" in this ongoing insurgency in Iraq. Need I point out that a more noteworthy "hole" would be the one in the Baghdad "safe house" where Al-Zarqawi met his destiny with the aid of a 500 pound laser guided air ordinance munition).

Jordanian by birth, it comes as no surprise that the so-called "Freedom Fighter" was eventually "ratted-out" by Jordanian Intelligence. Apparently, Al-Zarqawi's antics had pissed-off more than his fair share of fellow countrymen and his presence was more of an eye-sore than an apple.

Al-Zarqawi was "hand-picked" by Osama bin-Laden to wage their ongoing war on America in a quest to quiet the resounding call for freedom in the sands of Iraq and Afghanistan.

As a fighter myself, this would usually be the part where I would render honors to a fallen enemy and praise him for his fight, determination and resilience. Well that will not be happening in this case. Al-Zarqawi's "extermination" was only a matter of time. As the PsyOps cartoons displayed, he was the proverbial "rat in a cage" whose moments were duely noted and dwindling quickly.

Enter Abu Ayyub al-Masri - the man with the dubious distinction as being the person identified by top CIA sources as the man most likely to succed the vacancy left by the departure of Al-Zarqawi. As with any terrorist cell, there is little known except through leaks, heresay and conjecture. I really do not think there is a specific hierarchy as far as terrorists are concerned because their position higher or lower on the chain of events does not make them any more or any less a threat. Let's state fact - a terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist. As long as they lay claim to "jihad" and hide behind their own version of the Koran, free nations of the world will be held hostage by the sheer unpredictability of these hypocritic and deviant self-sevants.

There have been calls by the people of the United States to "stop the war" in which I reply "The War in Iraq ended in May 2003 - where have you been?" The U.S. call to end hostilites ended, and that is when the enemy took off his uniform and performed a make-over of epci proportions - no longer identified as a "soldier" these people now became the ultimate weapons of the Jihadists and have been carrying out their attacks since May 2003.

So, let's take a good look at what has been accomplished by the Jihadists in the 3 years since the end of hostilities in Iraq:

• 2000-plus American and Coalition force casualties in addition to more than 15,000 wounded.
• Unknown amount of vehicles lost to roadside IED's
• Tens of thousands of innocent Iraqi citizens killed or wounded by roadside bombs, vehicle borne IED's and suicide bombers

The press is quick to point out that there have been numerous war crimes brought on by American forces against Iraqi citizens to include the Abu-Gharib Prison scandal, the Guantanamo Bay Detainee Lawsuit and the Haditha Damn Incident.

Now, let's take a quick peek at what HAS been accomplished since 2003 by the many men and women of the Armed Forces in and throughout the Iraqi Theater:

• Hundreds of refurbishing projects have been started throughout the country to provide residents of some of the poorest cities with new wells providing a clean water source, refurbishing of the many sabotaged electricity and public management of facilities to include new police and fire departments as well as increased access to health care.
• New public schools for many of the districts which were vandalized during the war.
• Public service and free elections in many towns once run and strong-armed by Baath Party Officials
• Free elections
• A New Parliment elected by the majority of the people and not hand-picked or appointed through cronyism.
• A new Judicial System
• A new Army

You never hear about the amount of insurgents killed because this would only further ignite the fires of the "libereal press" and they would have our politicians tarred and feathered and the troops yanked from Iraq quicker than you could say "terrorism."

Did I fail to mention oil? Well, many of the oil refineries and processing plants were damaged and vandalized during the war. What is more, many of the experinced people who ran the archaic machinery fled the country prior to the war and are now living elsewhere or are now in hiding in fear for their lives. There have been oil companies in the Middle East since oil was discovered back in the early part of the 20th Century - they are now assisting in rebuilding the countries dilapidated and again oil processing machinery and upgrading so that when they have the capacity to function on thier own, the wells, pumps and processors will not fail and will provide Iraq with some bargaining power on a world stage where oil is second only to gold...

Long ago there was a force which was democracy and a shared vision through blackened eyes and bloody hands to bring an end to terrorism. We stood united firm in our belief that there was room to serve notice that there was retribution to be had at the expnse of of a few bumps and bruises along the way. As the plan became less clear, division rose in the ranks. "United we stand - divided we fall" should be a lesson we should have learned from the past, but it seems to have been forgotten by our more than spoiled, instant gratification "me-now" society whose penchant for power and violence has about a 15 minute attention span and the stomach churning constitution of a bloated glutton waiting for more antacid in order to ingest the last slice of cake!

So what does it all mean? Why are we fighting for Iraq? Why is there no end in sight with the ongoing War on Terrorism? These are tough questions that have been raised and asked at the highest levels of our senate, congress and national press conference tables by many notable people. Has anybody ever bothered to ask this question to Osama Bin-Laden and his gang? Does anyone other than me see this as counter-productive to our cause? True, I see no harm in asking tough questions - but, what about the asking the people who started this war in the first place? The ongoing War on Terrorism will wage on as long as there is a terrorist out there who believes that what he is doing is "Gods Will." Does it mean we must eliminate every terrorist on the planet - no. What it does mean is that we should stay focused on the goal and realize that although there has not been any real dramatic break-throughs yet, there have been many "victories" which will lend weight to the cause of democracy throughout the region.

Once the ball of democracy gets rolling and the Iraqi people start to recognize that the only good terrorist is a dead terrorist, they will truly be a "free nation" and be able to stand upon their own. How long this all will take does not rest with the will of the terrorist - but with the will of the American and Iraqi people. They are the answer - not the politicians - not the press - not the terrorists. The ultimate force in the war on terrorism will not be a new weapon, the best rifle or the smartest tacticians - the force which will lead to the demise of the terrorists activities is a unified and free Iraqi citizen and a tough, wisened and focused America.

There is strength to be found in numbers and there are more freedom loving people in the world right now who outnumber those who choose to serve a repertoire of repression and strict obedience along with an occasional dosing of violence and death. My message to the terrorists of this world is simple: You will lose because you are a desperate vermin spreading a plague of deceit throughout a peace-loving world. And like most vermin, you will be erradicated or reduced to numbers that will render you impotent and endangered.

Really, it's just a matter of time...

Parenthood

I thought it only appropriate that I try to relay some kind of feeling that I have on this Fathers Day and where I find myself at this time of my life. I find myself on a small outpost in Africa sitting within the confines of my warm little cube in the last third of a very stuffy 16-man all-purpose military-styled tent trying to tap on the faded keyboard of my dusty little computer on this Fathers Day 2006 trying extra-hard to capture the feelings that I have within me on this most special day, and quite frankly I am again at a loss to describe my thoughts completely. They are mostly jumbled ramblings and tidbits of wisdom that I have gained along this pathway to parenthood, but really there is nothing profound that stands out – nothing outstanding that peeks above all the other fragments of logic wedged like tiny shards of glass in a fragmented and tired mind.

I know that I am prone to over think things and over analyze. It is my meticulous nature to look for perfection and somehow, even when it is found, never have a feeling of full satisfaction. There is something more that keeps me itching at the scratch that never heals.

What I have come to learn that sometimes less is more. And a long, drawn out diatribe of wisdom spouting is just not going to do. It’s difficult to feel upbeat about the compromises that have been made. They were difficult choices and nobody has ever held a gun to my head to force a decision out of me yet. I pray that never ever happens, but I am sure that the proper choice will be made. So far, the eyes of fate have been looking my way and have been relatively kind to me when it would seem that more harsh forces were at work trying to undermine my successes and drown me in my sorrows.

This is yet another in a long string of Father’s Days that I have awakened alone and off somewhere far away. In fact, I cannot remember a single Father’s Day where my children attempted to cook me breakfast or purchase me socks or a tie. I have not had the pleasure of kids opening the door to my room, running and jumping upon the bed and saying, “Happy Fathers Day, Dad.” Granted there is a large feeling of emptiness to be shared there and a gap to span, but strangely I have come to understand it as a part of the reason as to why I continue to do the things I do as a parent and give my children what I deem good and essential. It would be nice if they could have their father available to them. I have found it difficult being a part-time father especially when it is a job that I enjoy.

Profoundly, I must confess that I have come to realize that being a parent is to know loss and to swim with an ongoing menace called sacrifice. Losing things seems to be a recurrent theme in this life. Never the less, I have no fear of death because I believe that there is a higher purpose after death to attain and that this life is the final exam before the grades are handed out. Additionally, I have no fear for the loss of material things either; they are just things without a soul or light to shine upon this dingy world and in the context of life are just fillers of time and little more. No, I have discovered that even during this brief absence that I have lost a bit of myself and a bit of my children in the process. I don’t know how it happened or why, but it just does and it is a threshold into the real world that we all have crossed into. The instance was benign and simple but the effect it left in its wake is still there. All I said to my son was, “I love you” and I didn’t get any reciprocation in return –just a simple, “Okay, bye!”

Personally, I think it would have hurt less to have an ice pick shoved into my heart than to have witnessed and listened to the stoned response to my emotions. It is a pain that I will never, ever, ever forget…

There is a light that never goes out – and that is a lamp within the hearts of parents that gives love to us even when we feel that we do not deserve it. A parent’s love never comes with a balance or is something that has tally. It is not measured in dollars and cents or ever been taken away due to petty jealousies or rivalries. If this be so, then you are not a parent – you are an adversary and a detrimental thread in the overall fabric of our society.

I can only offer myself, and continue to do so. There are many a commitments that adults make in this crazy frantic world that it is difficult to be there all of the time for our children. I find a deep well of sadness within me at times because I enjoy being with my sons and I know that they enjoy their time with me. We share a bond – or at least we did share a bond. It does not make me wary or fire-shy for fear of being burned again and again. That is life – we get hurt and we do it time and time again in order to find those brief, albeit sweet victories and wonderful moments that make lasting and lifetime memories.

So, to my father and my stepfather, I will say, “I love you” and relay to them that I too have crossed over into a threshold of parenthood I never knew existed until now. I know what it is to be a parent and lose something you have cherished, coddled, swathed, bathed and fed for a brief time. I know the pain associated with a loss of words that will only be heard briefly from here on in. I realize now that I will lose all things in this life – both good and bad – cherished and forsaken – whole and in pieces. Still, I worry not because all things being equal or unequal, they are what they are and there really can be no sequence, rhyme or rhythm to something as random chance or fickle as life can be at times.

The wisdom I have gained will make me a better parent – I know this. There is a difference between wisdom and knowledge – knowledge is knowing what the answer is and wisdom is knowing why the answer is what it is and how to utilize that answer properly. The insight into this wisdom is quite easy but it doesn’t make the pill any easier to swallow. I have come to conclude that it is foolhardy for me to try and hold onto my sons; for try as I might to hold onto them and protect them out of fear of them fully slipping away, I will have gained nothing of them; my fawning and pampering will ill prepare them for the hardships of the real world and only make me out to be some dawdling and protective old fool in their eyes. These actions will not heighten my character in their eyes and only weaken them in the process.

I will choose a path that is right and treat them with all the respect and dignity they have come to find that I give them. What is more, they will see that even though they are incapable of giving love fully for whatever reason that it is okay to do regardless of the circumstances. I will show them that love can heal and should never be used to harm. I will let them know that whatever they do in this life, that they will always have my love and they will know that my accomplishments will make me happy knowing that they are happy too. Just as my parents have done before me, the torch to parenthood will be passed onto them in hopes that our example will light the way in dark times such as these and that our stalwart commitment to being loving people will not go unnoticed or unheralded in the many years to come.

As parents we are the farmers of the world’s future and our children are the prize crop to which this Earth will inherit and digest over time. It’s a crazy mixed up place sometimes, but it feels darn good to get your back into your work and your hands into the soil. Sometimes the harvest can be bitter and the rain comes and goes, but without the bad there would be no recognition of all that is good, fair and wholesome. It is a labor of love to which I have grown accustomed to, and shrink now only after having been dealt a minor setback. Never the less, I will keep moving and tilling the field until the harvest can be reaped and the last drop of sweat on my brow used to water the very soil of the fields to which I tend.

My children, I love you. Thank you for making me proud to be your father – now and forever more…

Happy 108th Birthday Navy Hospital Corps

To the many men and women who have served this great country and continue to sacrifice for the health and well-being of our fellow Navy and Marine Corps brothers and sisters I extend a hearty congratulations. Yours is a continued commitment to service "above and beyond" in every sense of the word.

Happy 108th Birthday to the Navy Hospital Corps.

With Honor, Courage and Commitment.

Semper Fi.

A Word or Two on World Cup 2006

Well, the current status if the World Cup has all but lost its luster for the Americans after they received a humiliating loss at the hands (and feet) of a vastly superior Czech republic team whose attacking offense and stingy defense made our poor team look like amateurs on a world stage.

There is still hope (there is always hope!) that they can beat a strong Italian team and rebound to beat Ghana and perhaps find a berth in the next round as a runner-up...right?

Regardless, the spectacle that is referred to as the pinnacle of soccerdom has gotten underway in Germany. Quite frankly though, there have been few surprises. The teams that have been expected to win and dominate have been doing so from the start and show little if any signs of slowing down anytime soon. The German, Czech, English and Brazilian teams have all had relatively good starts in their series matches. The Japanese ran into a very strong and determined Australian team and the "Socceroo's" upset a heavily favored Japanese National Squad 3-1.

My excitement over the whole party has faded just a little. In defense of my fading enthusiasm I am allowed to be a little upset at the poor showing of the United States team after I expected them to be much better. They still have a chance and I hope that they come out and beat the Italian team handsomely!

It has been really neat to see everyone at the cantina and in the chow hall watching the games. Not necessarily the American contingency, but also all of the other soccer fans from all around the world which find themselves here on this tiny outpost in Africa much the same way we do. Our British Marine brothers who often root against most of the teams the Americans are rooting for just for the sheer pleasure! Our Korean fans - especially the one officer in our chow hall who watched the game and danced a dance in a crowded chow hall when the Korean team scored it's final goal late in the second half of the game against Togo. At the end of the game, he held a small South Korean flag over his head and the chow hall erupted into impromptu applause for his outright zeal and passion for the game!

We have Pakistani, Indian, Kenyan, Nigerian, German, and French representation as well as almost every country in Latin America (just in our little unit alone!). Funny how a sport such as soccer can really bring all the world to a small stage!

I am thankful that I was at least able to view this spectacle - really, there was a point where I didn't think we would be able to watch the games. But, thanks to some very quick thinking Marines here on post, a contingency plan came to fruition and we are now able to watch EVERY game without any interruptions.

With all things taken into due consideration, I will see that Germany has been an excellent host and that the games for the most part have been pretty exciting. There are so many stories to tell at how these players, many of them from very poor areas of the world have risen above to become the cream at the top and have found themselves on the threshold of claiming the most precious of trophies in the world today! Still, I cannot help but wonder if I will ever in my lifetime see a USA team up there on the winners pedestal. They have a tough mountain to climb ahead of them, but I know with the next game I will be right there chanting and perhaps screaming at the television, "Go USA!"

"Adam bayad hamisheh omid dashteh bashad" (one must always have hope)...

("GO USA, GO!")

The Itch I Cannot Scratch

Today has been a particularly strange day. Call me kooky or strange (you can call me both quite frankly and I really won't care!) but I've a feeling that something, somewhere just isn't right.

Could it be that the desert heat has finally gotten to me...

Maybe its the months of isolation away from family and friends...

Or it just might be true what the Getto Boys said in their song, "My Mind Is Playing Tricks On Me"...

Perhaps it's the weekly dose of Mefloquine finally getting to me...

No, I am going to trust my gut instinct on this - seeing that my gut instincts (in these cases anyhow) are seldom incorrect. If you've had any kind of clairvoyance, Deja vu or feeling of insecurity in the past and felt uneasy, like there was a warm fire under your rear-end, or a crocheting needle stuck between your eyes voodoo doll like then you know exactly what I am talking about. I've felt it many times before, and I've trusted my intuition in the past only to find myself correct and the lumbering hulk of a hunch was a dead-on correct bullseye of the feelings I had prior to verifying the incident.

I have tried to explain this to people before. I really am at a loss for words when it comes to explaining something purely singular in nature. Anyhow, when it comes to these feelings and hunches, the easiest way to explain is them is to compare the phenomenon with something that everyone is familiar with - my example is fire. You see, when you are close to the source of the fire, you can feel the heat radiating from it - you are warmed by it - mesmerized by it - you can see it. It is something tangible and real.

When someone close to me is in trouble - in pain - not feeling well - I can feel it. Like a fire, when you are close to the source, you can feel it - that is the best and easiest way for me to describe these feelings.

I checked the solunar tables...nope. Nothing out of the ordinary. First quarter and nothing going on there...

Spaceweather.com was checked and they said that geomagnetic and aurora activity is expected to increase due to a recent solar flare, but I don't think that solar outburst is the source of this dread feeling which gnaws at my wits...

Perhaps it my horoscope - my forecast for today said, "The Moon in your sign puts the focus on you and the deeper sides of your character today. Contact with others close to you is marked by a feeling of identification and understanding. You know instinctively what is going on and that helps you make the right decisions. "

That clears up the mystery - not! Clear as mud if you ask me. I've not made any life changing decisions other than waking up, taking a shower and getting breakfast and lunch today.

You see babe, there is a curious side to me - instead of asking questions and interviewing others, I am asking questions of the universe, myself and my immediate surroundings - problem is, not one of the questions has been answered. Which in turn, leads to this feeling that something, somewhere just isn't right.

(It's a vicious circle isn't it? - I think I got whiplash during that little escapade!)

Well anyhow - what ever it is scraping on the roof of my mouth and acting like the proverbial itch that cannot be scratched or relieved, it will make itself known here eventually. Almost everything has a tendency to come up to the surface...eventually.

So, I am going to leave for the moment. I apologize if this particular entry is not the most uplifting or poignantly loquacious but hopefully it will lead you to gather some insight into this shamble of a rant that sits before my blood-shot eyes. Don't get me wrong - I'm not in a bad mood. I'm just sort of frustrated at the fact I feel something, but don't know of its source and it is bugging me to no end.

I'm off to the chow hall for a small dinner in lieu of the Breast Cancer 5K run tomorrow morning - sleep and run for boobies!

Well, perhaps tomorrow won't be a total waste afterall...

(I tried to attach a photo to this entry - the stupid program won't let me...)