Foreign Affairs

Via Sullivan, this quote in the NY Times:

In the giddy spirit of the day, nothing could quite top the wish list bellowed out by one man in the throng of people greeting American troops from the 101st Airborne Division who marched into town today. What, the man was asked, did he hope to see now that the Baath Party had been driven from power in his town? What would the Americans bring? “Democracy,” the man said, his voice rising to lift each word to greater prominence. “Whiskey. And sexy!”

Works for me.

Democracy, Whiskey, and SexyPost + Comments (4)

From Reuters and IOL:

United States Marines seized a key bridge over the Tigris river in central Iraq on Wednesday and took control of the main Highway 6 from Kut to Baghdad, a senior Marine officer said.

“That’s the last big bridge we needed for an advance on Baghdad,” the officer told Reuters correspondent Sean Maguire near Kut. “This was the plan. It’s been successful.”

“Today’s action is a major move. There’s still tank battles continuing,” the officer added, saying the Baghdad Division of Iraq’s Republican Guard, based at Kut, was now “irrelevant”.

(Cross-posted on the only war resource you need, The Command Post)

The ‘Elite’ Republican GuardPost + Comments

From the Toronto Star, with the headline:

Franks’ military plan becoming clear: Phase 1 completed as general intended

Blocked by Turkey’s refusal to allow American troops to attack Iraq from its soil, Franks decided that Phase 1 of his campaign would be a bold thrust across the Kuwaiti border with his main combat power focused on getting as far into Iraq as possible before resting and resupplying his troops prior to taking on Baghdad’s defenders.

In the coming days, it might be that the only thing retreating faster than the Republican Guard will be ‘unnamed’ Pentagon sources and NY Times and WaPo ‘news’ writers.

(Cross-posted on the only war resource you need, the Command Post)

Was Franks Right?Post + Comments

The cable networks are reporting that WV native PFC Jessica Lynch, a POW in the conflict in Iraq, has been rescued. Hallelujah. West Virginians are a tough lot- and I am thrilled she is back in coalition hands. The Hillbilly Sophisticate has some comments about Jessica’s return, as well.

I guess this means Kos will have to ‘honor’ someone else in his disgusting, self-serving, shameless, display of anti-war agitprop. Sure, Kos- you are just honoring our fallen heroes.

Welcome Back, Private LynchPost + Comments (35)

Atrios and Digby are upset that some Iraqi unlawful combatants might get sent to Guantanamo Bay, where they will be showered, fed, provided with clothing and safety, and perhaps questioned. In other news:

Three US troops were wounded , one seriously, after Iraqi soldiers used a Red Crescent ambulance to stage an attack in southern Iraq, an AFP correspondent reported.

Cry Me A RiverPost + Comments (1)

The SUN is reporting that America has lost its first female soldier, West Virginian Jessica Lynch.

*** Update ***

The military reports that she is MIA, so, as several commenters noted, it is too early to give up hope. Pray she makes it home.

Jessica LynchPost + Comments (257)

I was just watching MSNBC interview the parents of POW Jessica Lynch, a native West Virginian, and something her dad said made me very proud to be a Mountaineer. When asked if he had any messages for his daughter, he stated:

“Keep being tough.”

*** Update ***

This was not Jessica’s parents who said that. I still like the message, and I will try to find out whose father said this.

Message From DadPost + Comments (11)