Thursday

I have read a couple of interesting articles and blogs about Iraq lately, and I thought I would link them here.

In his entry: "Rumsfeld Grilled By Soldiers?", Sgt. Missick, a soldier serving in Iraq and at the meeting with Rumsfeld, discusses his view of the visit from Secretary Rumsfeld to the troops in Iraq. He says the media has misrepresented the feeling of the meeting -

One more thing I would like to add is this, not one soldier present asked questions about why we were here, or expressed the sort of anti-war sentiment that Michael Moore led some to believe was prevalent in the military. Rather, the concern was about ensuring we would be supplied with all necessary equipment to accomplish the mission and return home safely


I also read a report about the incredible work of doctors in Iraq, published in the New England Journal of Medicine: Casualties of War - Military Care for the Wounded from Iraq and Afganistan by Atul Gawande, M.D., M.D.H. He says that a far larger percentage of soldiers are surviving their injuries, than at any other time. Thanks, mainly, to great doctors and a system that is set up to move the wounded rapidly to recieve the care they need. There is also a slide show (not for the faint of heart.)

Interested in helping service members this holiday season? Here's a great idea posted by HughHewitt HughHewitt: The number ONE request at Walter Reed hospital is phone cards. The government doesn't pay long distance phone charges and these wounded soldiers are rationing their calls home.

Many will be there throughout the holidays.

Really support our troops --Send phone cards of any amount to:

Medical Family Assistance Center
Walter Reed Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001

They say they need an "endless" supply of these -- any amount even $5 is greatly appreciated.