Video: Michael Yon on his book, troop morale, and the progress of the Iraqi army
posted at 6:40 pm on April 28, 2008 by Allahpundit
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All three are doing well but we’d like to see them doing better. Too bad Fox & Friends didn’t have more time to chat with him, especially as regards Petraeus moving over to Centcom. Yon’s been insisting for two years now that it’s Afghanistan, not Iraq, where we’re in the most trouble; he’s obviously pleased to see the general kicked upstairs and into another theater, but it’s unclear from the brief exchange here what he thinks Petraeus will or should do differently. This recent post on his site offers a provocative hint.
The book’s sold out at Amazon for the moment so here’s the Barnes & Noble link he recommends in case you haven’t ordered yet.
Link: sevenload.com
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Keep it up Michael! We love hearing from you here
SoCalInfidel on April 28, 2008 at 6:43 PM
Yon and Totten are simply fantastic.
To think, several media critics recently compared Moyers and Olbermann to Murrow!! And they probably never heard or Yon.
These men are the current Murrows and Ernie Pyles.
SteveMG on April 28, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Maybe after the recent assassination attempt, somebody will get the message to seriously go after the Taliban–with extreme prejudice, as they say.
TimothyJ on April 28, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Thanks Michael for giving us the REAL story and not the MSM bullsH*t that they dole out. KUdos to Fox for having you on!
gzelmiami on April 28, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Mike’s been down on the Afghanistan effort for a while now. I’ve followed his work pretty much from the get-go and I’ve come to respect his opinions very much. I was wondering what his take on Petraeus to CentCom would be. Glad it’s positive.
MikeZero on April 28, 2008 at 7:05 PM
BTW, essayist Bill Whittle wrote that he thinks Yon should get the Medal of Freedom. I concur.
MikeZero on April 28, 2008 at 7:06 PM
We will win despite our enemies within and abroad doing their damndest to make sure we don’t.
SouthernGent on April 28, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Oh, and thanks to M.Totten also.
Too bad there are too few journalists with the co-Jones to be out there with our troops,instead of the comfort and security of their hotels in the green zone.(There are a few,but can’t remember names)
gzelmiami on April 28, 2008 at 7:08 PM
A four minute snip on what really is going on in the war and 4 VOLUMES on what is suppose to be going on overthere. Is it any wonder that large parts of americans do not know the real story.
unseen on April 28, 2008 at 7:18 PM
What are we “winning” again? Another Islamic, Sharia-based regime that will never be our friend?
That’s not victory or progress. That’s a step backwards.
2Brave2Bscared on April 28, 2008 at 7:22 PM
2Brave2Bscared on April 28, 2008 at 7:22 PM
wow the kool-aid is too strong.
unseen on April 28, 2008 at 7:23 PM
Ironic. Very ironic.
2Brave2Bscared on April 28, 2008 at 7:26 PM
There seems to be an up-tick in Harry Reid-like comments lately. I`ve only been commenting for a few months, so I may not have the proper perspective.
ThePrez on April 28, 2008 at 7:34 PM
Knowing my local Barnes & Noble the Yon book will be on the sixth shelf from the floor, back right corner of the shop….about 100 feet from the doorway display rack packed with Obama and Hillary blockbusters, volumes of War-for-Oil manifestos, and Cheney war crime fantasies.
Limerick on April 28, 2008 at 7:38 PM
2Brave2Bscared on April 28, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Ironic? you have just stated that no matter what victories we have on the battlefield, what improvements we have in the political arena within Iraq, what PR advances we make, what friendships we make, we can not ever “win” in Iraq. I’m sure there were plenty of people that thought that about Nazi germany, about imperial Japan, about communism soviet union. Because you see there is still in emperor in Japan, still some Nazi beliefs in Germany, still some Communists in russia. So of course we didn’t “win” any of those victories either.
you do not change a society overnight, you do not become fast friends overnight. In war as in anything else it is a matter of degrees. first you defeat the army, then you dethrone the government, then you bring the killing to a stop and then you can start to rebuild, make friendships, bury hatreds, changes preceptions, influence cultures, etc. As each point is ticked off you have a victory; if you are able to defeat the army that’s a win, if you are able to change the gov that’s a win, if you are able to stop the killing thats a win. At the end of the day you total up your wins and losses and determine if it was worth the fight, we are a long way from the end of the day.
unseen on April 28, 2008 at 7:38 PM
ThePrez on April 28, 2008 at 7:34 PM
no you see clearly. It is an election year which might explain it.
unseen on April 28, 2008 at 7:40 PM
I pre-ordered a signed copy and am enjoying the book. BUY THE BOOK>
reine.de.tout on April 28, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Mr. Yon’s damn sure on the money card with his first thought…!
Mr. Yon’s way wrong on the first three part[s] and right on with his forth thought!
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/35146.html
…and
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/28/4-us-soldiers-killed-mili_n_99055.html
Yes we would…!
It ain’t goin’ to happen…!
We’ve missed all our history lessons…
Mark my words!
J_Gocht on April 28, 2008 at 7:42 PM
Nice posting!
Thanks for the update!
Donald Douglas on April 28, 2008 at 7:42 PM
Love the comments by your buddies at HuffPo, J_Gocht. Like this one from Paul:
“Question: How many German troops were killed during the occupation of France (1940-44) by the French Resistance?
I tried to look this up on Google but no luck.
Does anyone know how this compares to US casualties during occupation of Iraq?”
So, the terrorists and insurgents are like the French Resistance while our guys are the Nazis, I guess?
You stay classy, Paul. You too, J_Gocht.
MikeZero on April 28, 2008 at 7:53 PM
MikeZ, I saw no reference to Ron Paul or the Nazis, in the link…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/28/4-us-soldiers-killed-mili_n_99055.html
Do you hold me responsible for every post or poster on HuffPost if; I refer to a specific link?
You ought to get together with the MSM and accost BOH with everything Reverend Wright has espoused in his sermons over lo these many years…!
J_Gocht on April 28, 2008 at 8:12 PM
unseen, I really appreciated your Econ 101 lessons with respect to the BS bailout.
However; when it comes to winning the “hearts and minds” of indigenous peoples… Oh well, did I mention… I really luved your economics lessons!
J_Gocht on April 28, 2008 at 8:16 PM
I’m referring to a comment by a fellow who calls himself “Paul” at the link you provided, posted 06:35 PM on 04/28/2008. That wasn’t to disparage you, it was to allow people to take note of the asshats that spend their time at HuffPo.
My parting salute to you was to indicate my disdain for your paltry attempt to knock the success of the surge by cherry picking the loss of four members of our Armed Forces.
If that’s the best you’ve got, I label you “unserious”.
MikeZero on April 28, 2008 at 8:29 PM
Thanks for the post. I was happy to get an autographed book which I loaned to my Dad to share Yon’s perspective. Are you seeing this, Big Nemo? I have appreciated Yon for a while now cause I’m a radio junkie. Thank goodness for guys like him.
nemo239 on April 28, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Let’s see…
HuffPo’s SLOBODAN LEKIC vs Michael Yon.
According to JournalistedDOTcom Mr Lekics stats are:
Slobodan Lekic has written a total of five articles in his career. All under 500 words.
Of those articles a total of ONE has been about the Iraq war. The one listed at the HuffPo link.
Limerick on April 28, 2008 at 8:42 PM
If someone what’s to buy and spend time reading a book by someone who knows far more about the Army and foreign policy than Michael Yon does, buy H.R. McMaster’s book, “Dereliction of Duty”. It’s about Vietnam, but many applicable lessons to be learned and insights to be gained and you can get it on http://www.amazon.com used for only $4 plus $4 shipping. Such a deal!!! Then when H.R. McMaster writes a book about Iran and/or Afghanistan someday, you can buy and read that.
I’m looking out for you.
MB4 on April 28, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Seconded!
Limerick on April 28, 2008 at 8:51 PM
“
MikeZ…if we’d lost “four members of our team” in Vietnam that would have been one third of our entire band of brothers!
…your nonchalance would bring me to believe that 4000+ dead and 30,000+ horribly maimed and wounded is a “drop in the bucket” compared to Vietnam, Korea and WW2…?
You say…Jerkbah
…!
J_Gocht on April 28, 2008 at 8:51 PM
Yes, and if the Huey had gone down taking the pilots and crew chief with me, then we’d all four be dead. What’s your point? You served in combat? I served in relative peace time. Thanks for that. You still don’t have a clue.
Again, what’s your point? The surge is a failure? Yon doesn’t know what he’s talking about? Please elaborate.
MikeZero on April 28, 2008 at 9:03 PM
About the book; in the photograph section there is one photo in particular that completely changed my perspective on Muslims in general. It’s in a chapter called Come Home The photograph pages aren’t numbered, it’s on the 2nd to last photo page near the center of the book. It depicts Muslims filling the pews of St. Johns church in the Dora District of Baghdad. (I get all crazy verklempt whenever I think about this, and it’s graphic evidence of exactly why snipes like 2Brave2Bscared make are completely ridiculous and resolutely retarded tripe) These Muslims said they hoped their Christian friends and neighbors would see these photos and know how they are missed. Can you imagine that — Muslims filling a rebuilt church? The book is tremendous, but for me, that one single photograph is profoundly moving, because of it, I have a completely different attitude about the prospect for the future of Iraq.
bour3 on April 28, 2008 at 9:03 PM
I hear you, but look at what happened when the IA kicked the Mahdi army (Ha!) out of Basra: Women started walking the streets dressed in bright clothes, Bars and liquor stores reopened, music and DVD sales skyrocketed. Face it, the average Iraqi HATES shar’ia law and there are elections coming up in October and next year. Something tells me the religious parties that were elected in 2005 are going to have their turbans handed to them this time around.
Kafir on April 28, 2008 at 9:04 PM
What matter with you thar boy?
Git wit the program and don’t be such a deafeatist.
What do you want us to do surrender?
Drop and give me twenty!!!
Only one hundred more years to go to.
Success is just around the next century.
MB4 on April 28, 2008 at 9:07 PM
Oh, and BTW, when America began, it was a free country that just happened to practice slavery. Time will fix their problems, just as it has ours.
Kafir on April 28, 2008 at 9:07 PM
That’s the right attitude!
Now would probably be an opportune time for you to invest in the Get Rich in Iraq Money Management Group’s new Basra Fund and get in on the ground floor. Do you have at least $50,000 to invest? If you do then call us now at 1-800-Get-Rich. Remember how you wished that you had bought Microsoft or Google when they went public? Now is your chance to do things right this time, so don’t hesitate again or you will be sorry. Our lawyers remind us to say, “However always be sure to do your own due diligence before making any investment.”. But what do they know? Don’t let them scare you away from the chance of a lifetime!
MB4 on April 28, 2008 at 9:18 PM
You have been listening to Clueless Condi too much as that is her shtick.
MB4 on April 28, 2008 at 9:20 PM
And thirded!
It’s stunning. Go get Dereliction of Duty, a blistering and scholarly expose.
- Rush Limbaugh
MB4 on April 28, 2008 at 9:21 PM
And Fourthed!
Red hot. Brilliantly shows how the American people were conned.
- Col Davis Hackworth U.S. Army (retired)
MB4 on April 28, 2008 at 9:22 PM
And Fifthed!
If those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it, then H.R. McMaster has done the Pentagon and the nation a favor. He has good advise for readers, especially high ranking military ones. Like all good history books, it unlocks the past and guides an understanding of the present.
- Ernest Blazar
MB4 on April 28, 2008 at 9:24 PM
MSM has been fairly quiet about Iraq lately. Also didn’t make much of the 47 people shot and/or stabbed in Chicago last week. Which is more dangerous right now, MSM? -the Middle East or the Windy City? Waiting…
whitetop on April 28, 2008 at 9:24 PM
Yon is right about Afghanistan. In Iraq everything is centralized. The majority insurgents were in cities. Surrounded the city kill them off. Win the cities win Iraq.
The fighting in Afghanistan won’t be in the cities. It will be in small villages and outdoor areas. You also have to deal with the millions of unmarked Soviet’s land mines that have already killed countless Afghanistan’s civilians.
jdun on April 28, 2008 at 9:26 PM
The argument that apparently some are making that U.S. interests and security (and that of our allies) are unaffected by whether other countries in the world, like Iraq, have hostile governments is flat out 100% wrong.
Allowing Iraq to be taken over by groups inimical to American interests - especially in a vital part of the world - is only inviting greater costs down the line.
One can’t wish the world away; as hard as some try.
History amply shows that.
SteveMG on April 28, 2008 at 9:36 PM
Your wait is over…. and it doesn’t take any MSM to answer either.
Baghdad is much more dangerous than Chicago, especially if you are a Christian. Which one would you rather live in? Which one would you rather have your son or daughter living in?
MB4 on April 28, 2008 at 9:36 PM
Damn MB4 it’s “David”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hackworth
Olde soldiers luv’d this “soldiers, soldier”…
Sound off!
Col. David Hackworth…!
Olde soldiers “dead”!
Sound off…!
Hell of a leader…!
J_Gocht on April 28, 2008 at 9:37 PM
I know, but the S is right next to the D on my olde keyboard!.
MB4 on April 28, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Yeah, yeah, MB4 and if it was 1943, you’d be talking about what a waste it is to keep troops in Europe. Yada, yada, yada. Maybe if you type in all caps from now on, you can drown out the good news coming from Iraq.
Kafir on April 28, 2008 at 9:49 PM
“DOVORK keyboard right?
It’s been around forever…!
Methinks… too much Kentucky elevation …?
….or is it Tennessee windage…?
J_Gocht on April 28, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Do you really think that al-Maliki is “
imical“ friendly to our interests down the line?Do you really think that a constitution that has Islamic law enshrined in it is “
imical“ friendly to our interests down the line?MB4 on April 28, 2008 at 9:53 PM
My keyboard is too indefilade.
MB4 on April 28, 2008 at 9:55 PM
I wasn’t even born then. Besides your claim as to what I would be talking about then is without any visible means of support, profoundly illogical and in fact hysterical.
Yada, yada, yada. Maybe if you type in all caps from now on, you can drown out the bad news coming from Iraq.
MB4 on April 28, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Out of sight…out of mind…!
The good lieutenant’s prerogative!
…if I’m leading the patrol…!
J_Gocht on April 28, 2008 at 10:03 PM
I just checked the most important news coming out of Iraq and it is that more American troops have been killed in Iraq this month than during any month since last September. That is bad news.
MB4 on April 28, 2008 at 10:34 PM
One can’t wish the world away; as hard as some try.
History amply shows that.
SteveMG on April 28, 2008 at 9:36 PM
Now there you go confusing all the defeatist with facts and reality and all that. Don’t you know it doesn’t matter we can just come home put up some walls bury our heads/asses in the sand and wish away all the bad people in the world. I’m sure are active engagement in the world the last 70 years had nothing to do with the realitive peace we have seen. Imagine that no civilization ending wars, no nuclear winter, no armies marching across europe in 70 years but you know what it had nothing to do with the USA engaging in geopolitical movements, nothing to do with the USA putting out brishfire wars in far off places, nothing to do with the usa fighting the cold war. It just happened, in fact I bet we postponed the peace by trying to project our strength around the world. Well if not for the evil USA the soviet union would have melted their tanks decades ago. the middle east would have galdly given its oil to the entire world at cost, Islam would have made peace with christians and jews and we could have all been sitting around the campfire swaping stories.
unseen on April 28, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Yes, and more soldiers died on D-Day than in any other battle during WWII. However, D-Day was the battle that was the beginning of the end for the Third Reich. So, had you been alive on June 7th, 1944, what would you have been doing? My guess is whining that our soldiers are dying in huge numbers and Hitler is still in Berlin so we should bring ‘em home. After all, the Germans are irreconcilable. They have always been and will always be war mongering Jew-haters that will never seat a peaceful democratic government.
Kafir on April 28, 2008 at 11:09 PM
I got my copy of Moment of Truth in the mail. I ordered it expecting to have to wait until May, but Amazon apparently had it in stock and they shipped it right out last week.
Huh…
Vatican Watcher on April 28, 2008 at 11:51 PM
And you think that the “Nation Building” in Iraq is going to result in the end of Islam? Islam is enshrined in the Iraqi constitution, for heavens sake!
Actually my dad and 8 uncles were “there”, actually most of my uncles were on the Japanese front, so peddle your guessing elsewhere.
But that is not true you see and we took Nazism away from them anyway. We did not let them enshrine it in their new constitution and I rather doubt that many even wanted it at that point.
All your points are profoundly uncoordinated.
MB4 on April 29, 2008 at 12:29 AM
We will see who is right about the real situation on the ground in Iraq. The current Administration is not yet able to claim success at all in Iraq or Afghanistan.
lexhamfox on April 29, 2008 at 5:31 AM
I find it amazing that, after all this time, you people still don’t get it.
Your WWII Germany/Japan comparison is invalid. After the war, both Japan and Germany were able to be reformed and rebuilt into modern, democratic societies because the underlying political philosophy which caused the war in the first place had been defeated. Shintoism in Japan was severely discredited; Nazism, as a highly influential worldview, had been destroyed. This is not the case in the Middle East today, where Islam is not only the prevailing religious/political worldview of the people, but it is also the law of the land. And since there is no way of Democratizing (i.e. liberating) Islam, there is no way we can possibly “win.” Democracy and Islam are completely incompatible.
Of course, none of this is going to sink in until you come to the realization that Islam itself is the enemy. But of course, for that to happen, you’d have to stop drinking the kool-aid.
Such a statement is extremely offensive, and it has no place on a so-called conservative website. Are you really comparing early America, founded on Christian principles by Christian Protestants, to the backwards culture and people of Islam?
How dare you.
Wait…I’m confused. Are these “Muslims” practicing Islam in these churches, or Christianity? And you do realize that Christian persecution within Iraq is much worse now than it ever was under Saddam? Where’s the outrage over this?
2Brave2Bscared on April 29, 2008 at 12:11 PM
You mean like the Islamic government that we’ve setup there?
2Brave2Bscared on April 29, 2008 at 12:29 PM
I, for one, am not advocating isolationism. I even think removing Saddam was the right thing to do, especially if we thought at the time that he was building WMD stockpiles. What I do have a problem with, however, is replacing this anti-American tyrant with an even bigger one — an Islamic state.
So I am not against interventionism per say, but I am against long, drawn-out, costly, ineffective Islamic democracy building projects.
2Brave2Bscared on April 29, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Wow, after listening to all of you blather on for the past 30 posts…religious zealots will kill regardless. Tell me that the Catholics don’t kill, Protestants don’t kill, Jews don’t kill? We can hardly blame the Muslims for killing one another. We CAN take issue with their radical element’s desire to kill ANYONE who doesn’t subscribe to their faith, heck, even their extreme view of that faith within their own religious flock. If we help the passive eliminate that extremism from their populace, they will appreciate the peace they enjoy as a result. They can practice Islamic law all day for all I care, as long as they don’t turn around and start blowing themselves up to do it. And if they do, and it’s tolerated, well…then I guess we’ve failed. But in the meantime, progress IS being made and that’s undeniable. Rome wasn’t built, yada yada.
If y’all would just buy a Prius or ride a bike, we wouldn’t need the oil over there anyhow. s/off :)
Biffstir on April 29, 2008 at 2:21 PM