IS HE OR ISN’T HE- SADDAM?

April 3, 2004

2:30pm After the airport was taken, it appears that Saddam’s “handlers” felt that he needed to hit the airwaves, the streets, and show the Iraqis that he’s still in charge. In a nation where the chief food that’s served is FEAR, one cannot let down their intimidation.

Personally, I have a hard time thinking that the pictures that we’re being shown of him walking the streets is really Saddam. I certainly can believe it’s his double. I mean, what’s one of the world’s most hunted men doing out “walking the streets” in the open with just a couple of soldiers at his side. Sure doesn’t make sense to me but then, making that a requirement will certainly disappoint.

His henchmen have promised us a beating at the airport tonight: something unconventional to use their words. The leaders in Iraq are more strange in their behaviors than any group I’ve
ever known.
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Written by Ernie · Filed Under Daily Commentary

HURRY UP AND WAIT

April 2, 2004

Most say the phrase began in the military, but it applies to much of life. We are about to see it occur on a major level. Now that our military has swept from the Persian Gulf to Baghdad’s airport, wait.

There’s no rush to set up camp in downtown Baghdad. The press will once again take the offensive as our forces analyze what the next steps should be. The term “pause” may even raise it’s ugly head again. The Coalition Forces have had remarakble success; historic success in many ways.

Now, we have the fill-in battles, the daily suicide bombings, the loss of young American lives here and there. So, until we find and take out Saddam, and locate his WMD’s, it will be to much of the world, a “WAIT” mode. To our service men and women on the battle field each day, it’s a wait with serious consequences.
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8:50am U.S. Marines have detected large quantities of cyanide and mustard agents in the Euphrates River near Baghdad.
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10:15am A flurry of TV appearances (3) this morning seem to indicate panic on the part of Saddam’s regime. In one broadcast, “nonconventional” measures were promised against our troops at Baghdad Airport
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11:00am As night falls on Baghdad, the electricity has been turned back on.
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11:40am Two reports say that 25 U.S. Marines have become POW’s in a botched attempt to put them in Southern Baghdad.
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Written by Ernie · Filed Under Daily Commentary

CIA YOU SAY?

April 2, 2004

2:00pm CST Saddam Int’l Airport must get some new call letters? How about CIA? Coalition International Airport? Our troops now have command of the prized arena.
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2:20pm Okay, we entered into the battle unlike the game plan had been orchestrated. By changing plans, we rolled across Iraq in lightning speed arriving in the City of Baghdad and taking over the airport in TWO WEEKS! Where are the critics of last week? The war isn’t over yet, but there are so many victories due to the speed with which we rolled up the center of Iraq, how can we not rejoice? Bridges were not blown, oil wells were not torched, Dams were not exploded, and so many traps that had been set did not have enough time to get organized.
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2:45pm The USS Nimitz is close to entering the Persian Gulf and thereby sending the USS Abraham Lincoln and it’s crew home for a much needed rest.
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3:15pm I smell a rat! The U.S. says it didn’t turn the lights out. Hmmm. Iraq kicks Al-Jazeera out of the picture. Why? What is it that they don’t want the world to see?
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3:50pm Unlike France who wants to see the U.S. lose and Germany, that’s still on the fence, Putin came out today saying he was not hoping for a U.S. loss. After all, we’re Russia’s # 1 trading partner: $10B annually.
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5:55pm Now it gets interesting. I don’t think anyone, even Tommy Franks, know what will happen next. We are everywhere in Iraq and going to still more places. There are so many independent variables that can come into play: the emphasis on “independent”. Did I mention that there are a couple hundred dependent variables as well? We’ll just have to watch and pray for wisdom- maybe even favor.
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10:00pm The new CIA in Baghdad is occupied by 1,000+ U.S. soldiers and 320+ Iraqi deaths. The runways are still in tact.
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Written by Ernie · Filed Under Daily Commentary

GOOD MORNING BAGHDAD!

April 1, 2004

Now that the U.S. military is on the outskirts of Baghdad (some 4-6 miles away), the questions begin to rise in volume. Is Saddam still in the City? Could the lack of resistance being put up by the Republican Guard be proof of lack of leadership from him? Was he killed on day one? Why has he not been see in any live TV for 13 days?

Why has the 26th Brigade that’s assigned to only Saddam and family been seen leaving the city? Why did Baghdad pre-pay the entire Hotel Cote d’Azur Resort in Syria near the Assad royal family villa? Are they there now? On the way?

The Iraq theory is that Saddam is luring our forces in closer to the city and once within the “red-line” we’ll be surrounded and wiped out. Sounds simple enough; however, I wonder how all that can be done under the microscope of our satellites, U-2 planes, reconnissance planes, dragoneyes, and monitoring devices.

Our Special Ops forces raided one of Saddam’s Palaces this morning (Tharthar) just outside of Baghdad. Republican Guard troops are surrendering in greater and greater numbes like a bus of 53 who showed up at Al Kut with hands in the air. Progress has come at a high price. Late last night we lost a Blackhawk helicopter and an FA-18 fixed wing aicraft: the first plane shot down. FA-18 pilot not found and 7 reported killed in copter crash.

The next few days should prove to be very interesting as our troops actually move IN to Baghdad and start taking things: like the Saddam International Airport!

PS. Maybe a better title would have been “Good Morning Saddam International Airport” as the latest report has all electricity out in Baghdad, and his airport about to get a new name (at 11am CST).

Written by Ernie · Filed Under Daily Commentary