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CAMP PENDLETON ----- A panel of eight Marine officers is deliberating the fate of a sergeant accused of killing an Iraqi insurgent prisoner of war in what a prosecutor acknowledged is a "tough case." During his closing argument in the trial of 26-year-old Sgt. Ryan Weemer, prosecutor Capt. Nick Gannon suggested that at minimum, the 26 year-old Marine is guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the 2004 incident in the city of Fallujah. Gannon said two statements Weemer made to investigators in 2006 contain no mention of self-defense. Weemer's attorney has said self-defense is what drove his client's actions. "This case...

* The use of misleading information as a military tool sparks debate in the Pentagon. Critics say the practice puts credibility at stake. WASHINGTON — On the evening of Oct. 14, a young Marine spokesman near Fallouja appeared on CNN and made a dramatic announcement. "Troops crossed the line of departure," 1st Lt. Lyle Gilbert declared, using a common military expression signaling the start of a major campaign. "It's going to be a long night." CNN, which had been alerted to expect a major news development, reported that the long-awaited offensive to retake the Iraqi city of Fallouja had begun....

October 26, 2004 - Are we fighting a smart war in Iraq? Normally I do not read the LA Times. They are tremendously biased, especially on the war in Iraq. The first few weeks after the fighting started, they begrudginly had to admit that the US and Britain had done a masterful job of taking over Saddam's country. Since that time, it has been difficult to find any good news coming from Iraq. That is not to say that the war is going wonderfully, because war is never hugs and puppies. The front page of the LA Times on Sunday...

The pastor of our church forwarded a message to all of our members that included the referenced LA Times story. The Times writer included an interview with one of our church members serving in Fallouja as a chaplain. Considering our relationship with the Times, I will include only a few quotes. Our pastor, in his email, described how a few other church members serving over there had sustained wounds. Here are the words from my pastor:"Chaplain Scott Radetski is a New Songer, and many of the men attached to his unit attend as well. I'm writing today to ask that...

Just wondering since it's a new day in Iraq if there is anything happening....

FALLOUJA, Iraq — Thousands of Marines surrounded this anti-American stronghold early today in preparation for a complex raid to retake control of the city and apprehend those responsible for last week's slayings of four U.S. security contractors. The highly anticipated action, dubbed Operation Valiant Resolve, was expected to be one of the biggest military offensives since the fall of Saddam Hussein's government a year ago. All roads leading to this city of 300,000 were cut off and barricaded with tanks and concertina wire. Working through the cold and windy desert night, under a large moon, Marines set up camps for...

GOTTA SEE THIS - War for Enduring Freedom 8/30/02 Op.Mountain Sweep, Khost, Kabul, raisin factory, market, Children Center Afghan prison, Kandahar, Abu Dis, Ramallah, Baaneh, Bakri clan, Gaza, al-Asefa, human shields, Baghdad, Fallouja, Ramsey Clark, Johannesburg, Hamburg, Zim Antwerp === Afghanistan ===== Operation Mountain Sweep, Khost ===== In Khost, Afghanistan, electronic circuit boards and triggering devices have been found as part of Operation Mountain Sweep. 9 people were held, and a ton of weapons and ammunition taken. ===================== Kabul =================== In Kabul, at the raisin factory. In Kabul, at the market. In Kabul, at the 911 photo exhibition, organized by...