Mortars are not like on TV.  You barely hear them coming and you do not have time to run.

"In fact, there is a civil war in progress in Iraq, one comparable in important respects to other civil wars that have occurred in postcolonial states with weak institutions.  Those cases suggest that the Bush administration's political objective in Iraq--creating a stable, peaceful, somewhat democratic regime that can survive the departure of U.S. troops--is unrealistic."  Professor James D. Fearon, writing in the March/April edition of Foreign Affairs.

There is one problem with Professor Fearon's thesis--the facts on the ground that I am seeing right now and that he has not seen in person or not seen recently.

In the small Kansas town of Delphos, a Memorial Service is celebrated that mirrors thousands of others across the United States.

Soldier's Angels Kansas City chapter's Kathleen Henry posted this on You Tube.

Take her advice and Thank a Vet.

"Alo?"

"Enta shonek habebe?" the Army company commander says into his cell phone.

"Zhien, zhien."

"Hey Sir, there's fat little dude with a broken arm!" Specialist Parker yelled down from the gunner's turret in the Humvee.

With those words the hunt for the Jaysha Mahdi militia boss in Baghdad's Mahala 885 moved from tips from informants to intelligence databases, to humvees to a foot race.

I spent three weeks with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in the Dora and West Rasheed districts of Baghdad.

There is a growing dispute in the junior enlisted ranks of the Army and Marines that is pitting soldier against Soldier against Soldier and Marine against Marine.

This dispute is affecting unit cohesion and if not checked could lead to an unreparable fissure in our military.

Quick Note:

I've been out living among the Iraqi Police.  Some people would say I was living among the Jaysh al Mahdi  but I don't think the police are 100% JAM, maybe 10% JAM and 90% display the usual arab work ethic which is, uh, somewhere below the French work ethic.

There will be a one time radio broadcast of Outside the Wire this Sunday May 13th with additional bonus audio not in the movie.

Visit Talking with Heroes to find out more.