Hello America… and those reading from elsewhere in this tiny, beautiful world.

Well, today was a bad day for the bad guys and a good day for the good guys. It seems the momentum in the AO is swinging in our favor. But fear not, we have learned to be ever vigilant and will not let down our guard. We understand that there is a constant flood of ignorant freedom fighters pouring into the country. Please don’t get me wrong. They are just uneducated, passionate people who vehemently believe that they are fighting for God. Okay, not all of them. The truth is, most of them just have nothing better to do. And fighting America is the new fad in the Arab world. But in time, it too will pass. At least we are not being accused of being responsible for every death in this country. (Only once in the last few months was there a random account of someone claiming a car bomb was actually US missiles. They don’t get CSI out here and honestly don’t think we can tell the difference… oh well, NMP) And there has even been some realization that we are fighting foreigners and not Iraqis! Can you believe it? The Americans might have been telling the truth! Can you believe it? *Insert tone of sarcasm here* Even Al Jazziera is reporting that we are killing “Non-Iraqis” vice “People of Baghdad” or “Unexpecting Iraqis”. You’ve got to start somewhere! The insurgents are loosing support for fighting the local police and National Guard. But more importantly, they are killing Iraqi civilians. And that is beginning to enrage the Arab world. Just today they executed two Pakistanis. This is an unheard of president. A good one for us, but unprecedented non-the-less.

Well, I actually had pork-chops for dinner tonight!!! Mind you, they are nowhere as good as the wife’s, but they are damn good. Also, the vegetables were real! Can you believe it? Don’t think I’ll begin eating cauliflower or zucchini on a regular basis mind you; it’s not my thing. Sorry. Well, not really sorry. I must admit, that if I have to be in this country at least I am here on the fringe. It’s quite intriguing. I would rather be on the tip of the spear in Flaujah or Ramadi, but that is just the Marine in me wanting to do my job. I get to walk the streets, see the fear, the hatred and most importantly, the gratitude. (Please remember that my experiences are far and in-between compared to the young PFC’s, LCPLs and CPLs that are out there almost every day. They are the heroes of this fight. The true Freedom Fighters) You can feel when there are insurgents in the city. The aura of the people is almost palpable. When we arrest some, or kill some, the people are much friendlier and compassionate. The poor folks are caught in the middle. We had one guy who had a metal shop filled with makeshift rocket launchers, “If we help you or talk to you, they (Mujhadeen) kill us. If we don’t tell you about them or you find out we help them, you arrest us”. So we will continually put pressure on the enemy in hopes that we can show the people here we mean to stay. We mean to help. And that we really do give a damn about their future. But all in due time. How long you ask? As long as it takes. That’s all. As long as it takes.

Well, I’m outta time and have to go. Keep up the good fight on the home front and I’ll do the same here.

Simper Fi
Captain Koyote