One of the biggest “news” gaps has been in the reporting from Iraq, which has been dismal at best.  The answer to “what is really going on” has no real easy way to find answers.  Sorting out the information that is reported and figuring out the truth, from what “filters” the Mainstream Media (MSM™) utilizes to prejudice or slant the reports in order to fit their world view, has never been more difficult. But at least we know that such a problem exists. 

A great example of this situation was the interview Edd Hendee conducted earlier this year with a nitwit from U.S. News and World Report.  Edd, in a fine example of cross-examination, got the guy to admit that he was not even in Iraq during the historical elections of January.  Edd then laid on him the fact that he (Edd) was not only in the country, but spent the day in the back of a Humvee with American Soldiers, monitoring the situation.  (By the way, this was done at no small peril to Edd’s life.)  In a fine example of “staying on point” the Nitwit continued on his message of being some sort of “expert” of how worldwide terrorism is not being stopped.  He did not even ask Edd one question about the events of that day.  NOT ONE.  (And the MSM™ says George Bush doesn’t exhibit intellectual curiosity!)

Fortunately for us, we have alternate media such as KSEV, and brave citizens such as Edd Hendee.  We also have the Internet to augment what the MSM™ does choose to tell us. 

One of the finest examples citizen reporting is Michael Yon. Michael is a former special forces Sergeant that has traveled to Iraq on his own dime, and reports on what is going on around him via the internet.  He is a fine writer, articulate, and his background in the military gives him extensive background knowledge on what “rings” right and wrong.  Unlike the MSM™, he doesn’t immediately assume whatever the Military says is a lie. He also understands and appreciates the true bravery and intelligence these soldiers around him exhibit.

For your Sunday reading pleasure, I would like to highlight some recent reports you will not find anywhere else:

• Welcome Aboard:
  Michael’s newest dispatch on how soldiers originating from other countries, are earning U.S. Citizenship through military service.  It is hard to appreciate how much these men are doing, how much danger they face, how much work they complete, and do so with good cheer and good humor for the defense of our country.  One of my favorite quotes is in this dispatch:

Never fear when the Q is here! You’ve seen me in action. You know I’ll get you out. I’m a Mexican, not a Mexican’t!"

These guys deserve a special place in heaven and all they want is U.S. citizenship.  The honor is all ours gentlemen!

• The Devil’s Foyer:
  How will the U.S. and other countries win the War on Terror? Through one captured terrorist at a time.  This is how a captured terrorist led to a weapon’s cache beyond imagination.  It also describes how our soldier’s face almost daily fire and how we go after the perpetrators of such behavior with extreme prejudice. This is fascinating, smart stuff that can only be appreciated by reading the whole thing.  It is a long post; but isn’t that what we complain about the most? That the MSM™ gives us the news in baby bites and doesn’t tell us enough?  Defy the MSM™ and read the whole thing!
• Empty Jars:
  The rest of the story and follow up to The Devil’s Foyer.  Again, please read the whole thing, it is worth you time investment.

For more information on the unit Michael Yon is reporting on, the Stryker Brigade, may I suggest Stryker Brigade News.

I would also like to encourage you to sign up for his mailing list (top of the page, right hand side)  It will notify you when he has posted a new story.  You will find it much more informative, interesting and worthwhile than any Houston Chronicle delivered to your door!