Party of Delusion

Ken AshfordIraq, Obama Opposition, Republicans, War on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

This is amazing.  Most Republicans really live in a bubble not connected to reality. A recent Dartmouth study polled Democrats, Republicans and Independents on various matters related to foreign policy. At the end were two questions which revealed astounding results: That's right — 63% of Republicans still think Iraq had WMDs, even though the Bush Administration (finally) admitted otherwise. And … Read More

How To Overthrow A Dictator

Ken AshfordIraq, LibyaLeave a Comment

So with the (unconfirmed) news that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has been killed, sounding the end of his 35 year brutal regime in Libya, now would be a good time to pull some lessons on how to actually do dictator-toppling. Unilateral or coalition? Iraq, under Bush:  The organized international community was against the War in Iraq, so Bush created what he called … Read More

Mission Accomplished

Ken AshfordIraq, War on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

So with the last combat troops leaving Iraq, I guess now is a good time to reflect on the war itself.  Did the War in Iraq accomplish its goals? Get Saddam? Check. Return Iraq to a stable region, thus stabilizing the Middle East? *Ahem* well, actually… uh…. Find those weapons of mass destruction?  Uh, heh… *cough*… hey, is that a rainbow? At … Read More

War In Iraq Is Over

Ken AshfordIraq, War on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

Final U.S. combat brigade pulls out of Iraq. By the end of this month, the United States will have six brigades in Iraq, by far its smallest footprint since the 2003 invasion. Those that remain are conventional combat brigades reconfigured slightly and rebranded "advise and assist brigades." The primary mission of those units and the roughly 4,500 U.S. special operations … Read More

Military Cover-up: Reuters Employees and Civilians Killed in Violation of Rules of Engagement

Ken AshfordIraq, War on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

In 2007, two Reuters employees — photographer Namir Noor-Eldeen and driver Saeed Chmagh — were killed by a U.S. helicopter strike in Baghdad. The U.S. military’s official response to the killings argued that the attack occurred after security forces came under fire from men accompanying the reporters, and that the rules of engagement were followed in returning fire. Skeptical of … Read More

Death Toll In Iraq

Ken AshfordIraqLeave a Comment

Fortunately, the body count from Iraq has gone down in the past few years.  No longer do we hear about multiple deaths per day. Today, sadly, was a notable and grim exception, made all the more grim by the fact that five dead U.S. soldiers were killed — intentionally, it would seem — by another U.S. soldier.  Three were wounded.  The shootings took … Read More

Thoughts I Had Or Heard While Serving In Iraq

Ken AshfordIraqLeave a Comment

By Steven A. Devine: Wow, it's really hot here. Wow, those guys look really mad. Wow, I don't want to know where he was hiding that rocket. Now, that looks really painful. That is really painful. Wait, define "infection." Merry Christmas. Wow, it's really cold. Wow, that guy looks really angry. That spider was really fast. Wait, define "amputate." When I … Read More

Shoe-Throwing Fallout

Ken AshfordIraqLeave a Comment

The world is abuzz at the now-famous shoe-throwing incident, and everyone is looking for the perfect pun.  ("The insurgency is in its last throws") Conservative pundits are quick to point out that the shoe-throwing would have never happened under Saddam.  So, therefore, $800 billion in U.S. taxpayer money well-spent, I guess. Of course, shoe-throwing isn't really a very good sign … Read More

I Give The Secret Service A C-

Ken AshfordIraqLeave a Comment

But Bush himself, with his dodging abilities, an A: I thought when we liberated Iraq from Saddam, they were supposed to throw flowers at our feet.  But I guess they misread the memo, and started throwing their feet at our Fuhrer.

The Cost Of Reconstruction In Iraq

Ken AshfordIraqLeave a Comment

It's here!  It's here!  The new quarterly report from the Special Inspector General for Iraqi Reconstruction (October 2008) has arrived!  In the report, you'll find lots of PDFs and Excel spreadsheets explaining how your hard-earned tax dollars are being put to good use over there. For example, the 15th Finance Battalion spent $35.80 on "disguises".  Because you know how those … Read More

That’s Got To Leave A Mark (GOP Response: “We’re Fucked”)

Ken AshfordElection 2008, Iraq1 Comment

The Prime Minister of Iraq has endorsed U.S. plans for an withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. Well, not Bush’s plan. And not McCain’s plan (McCain doesn’t really have one). Nope, the Bush-backed Iraqi PM supports Senator Obama’s plan: BERLIN (Reuters) – Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told a German magazine he supported prospective U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s … Read More