SOME NUMBERS MATTER MORE!
April 15, 2004
I think most people have heard something like “statistics lie and liars use statistics”. Many businessmen have three “sets of books”. There’s an optimistic one for their banker, a realistic one just so they don’t forget what the true value is, and a third that’s way under value just in case they decide to get divorced and marry their secretary.
As I was reading some data and statistics today I couldn’t help but make some comments on “raw numbers”. Let me categorize the numbers in three ways. There are numbers that make me happy like these. The French have seen a drop of more than 300,000 visitors per month to their nation recently. And, in the last twelve months, the Brits have increased their vacationing to Spain to 12.7 million while lowering their vacationing to France to 11.7 million. Go Spain!
Then there are numbers that really don’t move me one way or the other such as the ASPS figures. Some 6.6 million Americans got plastic surgery done last year. Nose reshaping came in at #1 with 354,327 procedures. Among the non surgical procedures, Botox came in first with 1,123,510 patients. Oh yes, in the 19-34 year old category, breast augumentation came in first with 126,643 people feeling sexier about themselves.
Then there are the numbers that really count, the figures that move me, and the data that causes one to pause and think (I hope). According to the DOD, the latest war casualty numbers are 123 KIA with 18 of those being from accidents. The 105 non accidental also includes deaths from friendly fire. We still have 4 MIA. And, not to diminsh their effort, the Brits lost 30 in the war.
Never forget! Some numbers really do mean something. Some numbers allow us the freedoms we enjoy. And, while these are some of the lowest numbers ever for a war, they count just as deeply and painfully nonetheless.
IDEOLOGICAL WARFARE 2003-04
April 14, 2004
As I mentioned earlier Tuesday, we will soon embark upon what I think will be with most vitriolic and vicious political campaign of all time. Incredible amounts of money will be raised to fight this war.
Those who hate war are already lining up to get their time a bat with Bush being the punching bag. While they hate war, they wage war. Peaceniks of all stripes are being called to war: that’s an interesting concept isn’t it.
While 75% of the American population supports Bush currently, we will drift away from the principles of doing what’s right into doing what’s expedient, and in the selfish interest on those who really want a welfare state. It’s a growing clan that is moving towards socialism and while the patriotic fervor is white-hot now, it will cool down by 2004.
It’s more than the East-West coast red against the Bible-belt blue. It’s about taxes, entitlements, and social welfare. History has shown us that the mighty nations and civiliations of old were not defeated from without- but within. That struggle is about to begin it’s formative stages.
I am committed to being a voice for “others”, as in other than SELF. I am going to proclaim the principles of serving others, standing up for what’s right, defending justice, and putting self at least fourth or fifth at the feeding trough.
Make no mistake, the year 2004 is going to be a mighty struggle. Bush won out in 2000 even though the nation was split 50-50 and he actually got less than a majority of the votes. How nasty can it get? When a nation is at stake, when a people feel they are “entitled” to whatever their heart’s desire is, it gets down and dirty. Fasten your seat belts.
PS. Did I mention that powerful dieties are involved as well? 
DOWN & OUT
April 14, 2004
1:00pm Area contractors cut our T1 internet and phones lines. We have been down since 8:30 am Monday but we should be back up and “going at it” by 2 pm Tuesday with up-to-date news!
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1:25 Just a short comment on Syria and then I’ll gt back to the “comments as-unusal” at the end of the day. The U.S. is not going to attack Syria or anybody else for a while but we will carry a big STICK, we will get more serious results, we will employ sanctions, we will cut off oil, and we will build our influence in the area.
The Arab world now has the U.S. presence in their living room and it’s not going to change just because the Iraqi’s determine their own government.
Sometime next month the NEWS will switch from the ugliness of war to the more ugly aspects of partisan politics. And just think, we’re going to get about 18 months of the nastiest politics you’ve ever seen headed to Nov. 2004. So, enjoy the “peacefulness of war” for as long as you can.
A HOUSE OF CARDS!
April 12, 2004
I knew our military was very creative. I also understood that our digital warfare capability was great indeed. But the deck of cards strategy sure surprised me.
The ace of spades (Saddam) is still on the run or under a pile of rocks somewhere; however, we’re beginning to pick off that deck of cards one by one. I am sure someone will market the idea back here in the states in some fashion.
Meanwhile, all the world watched Saturday as the seven of diamonds, Lt. General Amer al-Saadi, turned himself in. Many recognized him as the face for Iraq’s chemical and biological operations. Then on Sunday, the five of spades, Watban al-Tikriti, was captured near Mosul.
I fully expect Las Vegas odds-makers to get in on the concept and start some bidding on the next card to fall, or how many in the deck will actually be found. Regardless of the order, what we do know is that the whole Saddam sadistic society was nothing but bluster and a house of cards.
The average citizen (soldier) didn’t want to fight for such a vicious and evil regime. Several months ago, I had a conversation with a man who grew up in Baghdad. He said that probably 50% of the population had been hurt, injured, or had a family member killed by Saddam. So, when war commenced, it was his idea that only the most radical would support Saddam or even fight.
In spite of all the bluster, WMD’s, and evil, the Arab world now has to re-think their position. Could it be that al-Qaeda has also now been tainted by Baghdad’s house of cards? Time will tell.
EVER HEARD OF A TRANSITION?
April 11, 2004
Sometime the hardest part of my day is right after I wake up. Recently I have listened to the reporters ask questions at CentCom Headquarters- dumb questions. It seems that 1 in 10 questions has a positive bent. The rest are either critical or stupid: some both.
Right now the chant is all about vandalism. There’s chaos in Iraq. I wonder what they called life in Iraq before chaos- order? Anyway, the battle is still going on in Baghdad. We’re still losing Service men and women, and all the press can ask is what we’re going to do about the looting.
It’s as though the reporters live in this fantasy world where one goes from schedule A to schedule B without a hitch. In their world, we’d have a baby and the next day, he’d be an adult. We’d start a business and on day two it would be profitable. We’d get married on day one and on day two we’d have all of our problems solved.
Has anyone heard of a transition? Has anyone heard the Biblical principle of having oxen around doing a lot of work? It’s not looting in the stall but you want to be careful where you step.
Yes there is looting and riots. There is chaos and confusion. You might even call it anarchy. But, you don’t go from a vicious dictatorship one day to a smooth running democracy the next. Iraq is in a transition and it’s messy. But, don’t forget this point. The direction is much better than it was last week. Chill, press. Chill!
THE NEW UPSIDE DOWN WORLD
April 10, 2004
The three week war has left much of the world in a shambles. Listen, there’s a lot of mopping up to do, new governments to put in place, pockets of resistance, and Saddam to find and kill; however, it’s over for the regime. It’s like a sonic boom that has just hit the world and people are in shock.
Putin is mad as a wet hen at his generals who said it would take the U.S. months to do what it did in weeks. Now what does he do since he and his generals have seen our might and resolve?
The Arab nations are in shock & awe and almost feel betrayed by Saddam. The only Arab to truly spit in the face of America went down like what Sen. Harkin called, “A paper tiger”. The great Muslim hope has been vanquished and America is setting up base right in their front yard. All Arabs know that the influence that the U.S. had is now much greater.
Chirac now has to deal with the fact that he was wrong and more important just a political opportunist at best, and a coward at worst. As we find WMD’s, hear the stories like the one CNN had kept secret, and see the carnage that 30 years of Saddam’s regime has caused, the Pacifist Troika (France, Germany, and Russia) has egg all over their faces: lots of yellow too.
So the Arab world is now beginning to try and comprehend what this new world reality might mean and how the psychology of all Arabs is impacted. America is truly a mighty force and we are led by a President who is a man of his convictions. He has courage. And the biggest surprise of all has to be the fact that he now has an aura of chrisma. Yep, Bush!
Saddam should have known that, “You don’t mess with Texas”; and that goes for the liberal press as well! They have come out of this war pretty banged up too.
THINK ANOTHER THOUGHT FRANCE
April 9, 2004
The scene of Saddam’s statue coming down in Baghdad yesterday transfixed much of the Western world. What we found out behind the scenes later in the day is that a lot of Saddam’s leadership team took a sick day. The ever-present “minders” didn’t show up for work either. So, who is in charge anyway?
Back here in New York, reporters went to Al-Douri’s office but he took off early and hinted that he no longer held the office of Iraqi Ambassador. It was as though on April 9th, everyone just left their roles and jobs: with one exception. The U.N. was fully debating anything and everything adinfinitum.
In fact, France, Germany, and Russia are meeting this Saturday to decide (as though they were the ones calling the shots) as to what should happen with Iraq. Let me make sure I understand this. The one nation that was committed to keeping Saddam in power now wants to be in charge of the spoils? The nations that can’t make a decision or back any resolution want to be involved now?
Does anyone in their right mind think that we Americans, who shed our blood that others might enjoy FREEDOM, are going to turn the decision-making on Iraq over to a body where the majority of the nations are neither free nor democracies? We who are free, who fought for those who were not, are just going to turn those who are newly free, over to those who are not?
Give me a break!
A PICTURE IS WORTH WHAT?
April 8, 2004
Who were all those people that who were criticizing the war a week ago? Was it just the Democrats that were condemning Tommy Frank’s policies? Was it the left-leaning press that was talking about how we were bogged down after ten days?
Ahh, it was all of the above; however, the worst critics were all those retired officers, and particularly generals, who were embedded within TV studios. Most didn’t even get paid for the ego trip they took.
Seeing the Iraqi-Americans people rejoice in Michigan today was icing on the cake from the morning’s cake. The cake was seeing Baghdad citizens telling the “human shields” to GO HOME. The cake this morning was seeing the statue of Saddam being pulled down with joyous people trampling all over it. The cake of the morning was seeing his head being pulled through the streets with kids riding on it while others jogged along hitting it with their shoes.
There are lots of pictures in my head that remind me of the Berlin Wall coming down: a fact that most who are fighting the war in Iraq know little about due to their teenage years. I am sure that I will gather more pictures because they are worth tens of thousands of words; however, the thing I will not be able to forget are the names (though few) of all those young men and women who died that you and I could witness such pictures.
I pray that we truly NEVER FORGET. Every generation has to give some of it’s best to allow the rest of us to enjoy our freedom. May their families, spouses, and children be proud. May we never forget the horrible price of war nor the incredible prize we Americans have paid to enjoy……FREEDOM!
IS HE OR ISN’T HE? DEAD!
April 7, 2004
Ever since about eight pm last night the world has been buzzing with this question. Is Saddam dead? Did we hit him and his sons, again? How many more lives does this cat have? Did he sneak out just before the bombs dropped or exit a tunnel?
Well, the world is just going to have to wait. I mean those four bombs dug a crater 30 feet deep at least, and more than 50 feet across. I know how important it is for Bush, the Iraqis, and the world to put this man to bed- forever. The Hague is still jaw-boning on Slobodan Milosevic as they try to shadow the policies of the U.N. We don’t need another never-ending trial with Saddam. And with UBL still rattling around, Saddam needs to GO (as in NOW)!
But, the nation is already beginning to change. Iraq’s primary FOOD (fear) is losing it’s grip. Soon, many fearful scientists will be coming forth and turning in the bad guys. We’re already seeing citizens rising up in Basra and beating to death some of Saddam’s fedayeen criminals. Over 150 children kissed Marines as they were let out of a literal jail. These picutres will go a long way to change some of the Arab world’s views.
The 5th Marines were taken back today as they entered the Northeastern suburbs of Baghdad to thousands of cheering Iraqis. Just so you know this isn’t Made-for-Movies stuff, as Iraq’s Mis-Information Minister says, it was recorded by an embedded UPI reporter: Rick Tomkins.
Iraq is a Muslim nation that is about to enter a new world. Just what that world looks like, no one knows. What is known though is that a degree of freedom from the evil repressions of the Saddam era are now becoming history.
NBC IS SADDAM’S CHOICE!
April 6, 2004
Okay, back to the war front after venturing out Monday morning in the Wall Street swamp. Too many alligators there, but we’re draining the swamp anyway to get rid of all that corruption.
At the head of the “To-Be-Embarrased” parade is France. Close at hand is Germany and Russia, followed by a host of nay-sayers, peaceniks, and UN procrastinators. For eighteen days of the war the question was frequently asked, Where’s The Beef (aka WMD’s)? Funny you should ask because in the last three days, rumors are turning into reality.
It’s bad enough that we found sarin gas within shouting range of the UN Weapon Inspectors offices at he airport, but it seems that everywhere we turn, we’re now finding what sensible people knew. Twenty medium-range missiles equipped with sarin and mustard gas have been found that were ready to fire. A cache of Tabun and Lewisite blister agents have been located. Another eleven barrels of a “cocktail” of agents has been unearthed outside of Karbala.
And, we’ve just begun. As snitch after snitch comes forward, that which Hans Blix and his Blind Mice could not ever find, will be found. We’ll find the worst of agents in school yards, hospitals, under Mosques, and in bunkers everywhere. And my bet is that we’ll also find some NUCLEAR stuff before it’s all over with. After all, in Iraq, Saddam’s station and channel of choice is NBC! Oh, yeah, that’s tech-talk for Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical agents.
SACRIFICING TO THE GODS!
April 5, 2004
7:30am Now that our tanks are rolling into Baghdad and it appears that all is well, you can expect Wall Street to go NUTS for a day or so. So, let me address what’s expected to be a 300 point day. A day that CNBC cheerleaders will be out in force telling everyone to get on board the gravy train. Don’t do it!
We are still in a BEAR market. The economy is a long way from being well. DEFLATION is pounding at the door and there’s nothing that the Fed can do about it. There are natural forces at work and like a Hurricane, you can protect yourself from it but you can’t stop it.
China is exporting deflation in massive doses, our manufacturing base is leaving for the East, we lost 100,000+ jobs last month, retailers are cutting each other’s throats, there’s over production in every sector, and debt is sky high.
In addition to which, the war is not yet over. So, don’t let a one to two day wonder impress you more than it should. This market is acting like a volcano, belching forth fire and then going dormant. The brokers on Wall Street always love to sacrifice a few men and women in grand historic style. Don’t let one of those sacrifices to the Wall Street gods be you.
Besides, did I mention the war is not yet over with? There’s much fighting left to go and some of those will be bad days. We’ve won, but more will die unfortunately.
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3:00pm The Dow roared out of the blocks and all the analysts were giddy. When the Dow was at 233+, everyone was smiling and the little fish were in the net. When the dust had settled, the Dow had given back
more than 200+ points. Only a few souls were sacrified to the gods today!
TURN OUT THE LIGHTS…..
April 4, 2004
It’s far from a party; however, it’s time to sing that song for Saddam, in more ways that one. It’s more than crazy seeing Saddam’s Minister of “Misinformation” standing before the press saying that the pictures that we’re seeing on TV are movies made by our military. The blatant lies that are being spoken should give some clue to the far left that one cannt trust anything coming out of Baghdad: maybe the U.N. should take note as well.
One of the more interesting observations is the lack of light. “Information Bob” as he’s now called, will soon be completely in the dark. There are fewer and fewer microphones in front of him each day that he speaks. The almost routine images on Saddam and his generals sitting around a table is being produced with less light, poorer filming, and almost comical amateurish design.
Did I mention electricity in general is being cut night after night?
Sadly, literally thousands of lives are being wasted! It’s estimated that 3,000 Iraqi men have lost their lives in the past two days in Baghdad alone. What a waste! For what and for whom? For so many to give their lives for such an evil and cruel regime speaks volumes about our world.
It’s as though the lights to the brain have been turned out as well. But then, none of us have lived in such fear so to question their behavior is probably unfair. What is obvious though is that the lights on Saddam’s rule and reign are being turned off and for future generations that brings hope.
BAGHDAD BAGEL ANYONE?
April 3, 2004
8:45am The Iraqi Foreign Minister is on TV telling the world that the Republican Guard has now cleared Baghdad Internatinal Airport of all U.S. Troops. As he is saying this, America forces are driving through the CITY of Baghdad looking for a good place to eat. The MRE’s are getting old you know. It’s pretty hard for the citizens to believe the TV when they look out their windows and see caravans of U.S. military.
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10:20 am With most attention on Baghdad, it’s easy to forget that there is a Northern front. Our troops, along with the Kurds are encircling Mosul. Kirkuk is also now in our sites and before long we’ll be taking on Saddam’s birth-city, Tikrit, just North of Baghdad.
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2:30pm The 101st Airborne has now cutt off the northern route from Baghdad to Tikrit. No place to hide. I wonder just how all of this is going to play out for the man who’d held center-stage in Iraq for decades.
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3:45pm Artillery fire from and to the Baghdad Airport has been constant as Saddam’s forces try to take back the airport. It’s been reported that a fire fight has been on-going for hours. Finally, like the last rats off the ship when there’s nothing left to eat, the Russians diplomats are closing down their Embassy and headed to Iran in the interim.
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6:00pm Several reports admit that it is a tough battle for Baghdad airport with literally hundreds of Iraqis killed per hour. One report calls it a slaughterhouse with Iraqi troops strapped with bombs on their bodies. American casualties are on the rise.
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A WILD WEEKEND- MAYBE!
April 3, 2004
General Tommy Franks is in no rush to be in downtown Baghdad for the weekend; however, if an opening is found, he’ll take it. Currently, the U.S. is having it’s way. We’re moving where we want, when we want. There’s no need to risk lives.
This is the night that Saddam has promised our troops at Baghdad Airport a devastating surprise. As I write this, its 2:30am in Baghdad, so there’s only a couple more hours to go to see if that comes true.
Playing it safe, units from the 101st Airborne Division and the 94th Engineering Battalion are being sent in to assist the some 1,500 troops at the airport. Like everything else in this war, it might be a wild weekend in Baghdad or it might be a pause to re-supply.
Meanwhile the Eastern sections of Baghdad are being pummeled with howitzer fire as the Marines come around for a sweeping right hook to assist the Airport crew, as they proceed towards the Tigris from the opposite direction.
I will post any “significant” events as they come across my alert screen. This is like the playoffs in basketball or football. Whatever has happened during the regular season (approach to Baghdad) is just that- history. It’s a whole new ball game in Baghdad, though the score may be the same.
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