The latest from Major K.

The Major respectfully disagrees with Mr. Murtha:

With all due respect, Sir, I completely disagree.

Congressman and Col John Murtha, USMCR - Ret. is by all accounts a bona fide American Hero. He has bled for this nation in a foreign land and shown great courage. He has now called for the establishent of a rapid timetable for the withdrawal of US Troops from Iraq, stating that we "have done all we can do." Colonel, I could not disagree more.


Freedom in Iraq sounds a lot like Christmas:

And now, something funny...

I have metioned earlier how cellular phones have proliferated here since the fall of Saddam. It seems as if every adult has one. In the past few days, I have had the occasion to chuckle a couple of times - at ringtones. Two senior Iraqi Officers have ringtones set on their cellular phones that cracked me up. One had his set to play "We wish you a Merry Christmas" and the other's was set to play "Jingle Bells." Both of these men are devout Sunni Muslims. I did not burst into laughter but many of the Americans could not help but crack a smile. For the few that will ask, it is not because Arabic tunes are not available as ringtones here. There are plenty of them. I suppose that I have just taken for granted after all these years what catchy tunes some Christmas Carols are...


And a victory for the good guys:

Heroism Part II

Kidnapping is a cottage industry here in Iraq, especially in Baghdad. With the combination of common criminals using it as a way of shaking down the local rich and middle class and the arhabi using it as a means of fundraising, it has been a serious problem. It keeps the IP's very busy. Today the good guys won one. There was plenty of grinning in the TOC last night as a report came in from one of our Iraqi Brigades. An Iraqi Warrant Officer (Comparable to a US First Sergeant or Sergeant Major) was on his way in to work at his unit headquarters yesterday morning when he drove by an arhabi scumbag in the process of kidnapping a young boy of about 10-12 years of age. The Iraqi Soldier, stopped his car and intervened. A struggle ensued in which the Iraqi Soldier shot the arhabi, allowing the boy to break free. While securing the boy, the arhabi was unfortunately able to limp back to his car and escape. The Iraqi Soldier brought the boy to the headquarters with him where he was later reunited with his mother, who was profusely thankful. Of all the reports we get, this was one that made my day. I see a medal in this Soldier's future. Score one for the good guys. Score one for getting involved and not just passing by. Score one for Iraqi Soldiers. Most of all, score one for a little Iraqi boy and his mother.