Iraq: On Ground Updates - June 30, 2009

Iraq: On Ground Updates
U.S. Led War in Iraq is OVER!
Today marks the day of complete withdrawal of Us Troops within Iraq’s Major Cities - Some Troops left behind for Support Rolls only
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
.
Historic Day for Future of Iraq

An Iraqi flag and American flag fly side by side during the turnover ceremony of Multi-National Force - Iraq, Combat Outpost Power in the Aden District of Mosul, June 7th.
File photo by Senior Airman Kamaile O. Chan, Joint Combat Camera Center - Iraq

BASRAH - Today is an important day for the people of Iraq. In accordance with Article Five of the Security Agreement between the United States and the Government of Iraq signed in Baghdad in November of last year, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) are now responsible for securing their cities.
.
"As of today, U.S. combat forces will turn over the security of cities to Iraqi Security Forces, and begin a period where our primary security role is one of training, mentoring and advising the ISF," said Maj. Gen. Rick Nash, commander, Multi-National Division-South. "Today's ISF is capable, ready and dedicated to keeping the people of Iraq safe."
.
Nash praised the dedication of the ISF as well as the proficiency of the U.S. and Coalition forces, and attributed the successful implementation of the Security Agreement to their actions.
.
"Iraq's successes and significantly improved security are a testament of the ISF's progress and its dedication to Iraq's sovereignty," said Nash. "The Iraqis have made strides in their ability to protect their citizens, and our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines are doing a great job in helping them build both their security forces and their civil capacity."
.
Nash said though U.S. Soldiers will no longer inhabit the cities of Iraq, American and Coalition forces will continue to support the ISF within the parameters of the Security Agreement.
.
"Leaving the cities does not mean that we are backing off; instead, it indicates our confidence in the Iraqis to safeguard their own citizens,” said Nash. “Likewise, the Security Agreement is a tangible, positive sign of a mature relationship between two sovereign nations."
.
In accordance with the Security Agreement, U.S. forces will withdraw from all Iraqi territory by Dec. 31, 2011. Today will be remembered as a significant step toward the realization of that objective.
.
"So, on this important day of transition in Iraq, our two nations move forward together as friends, with the shared goal of the safety and security of the Iraqi people," said Nash. "I am very encouraged about the future success of Iraq."

Story by Dave Lankford, Multi-National Division-South - Taken from MNF-I website

Read more at DoD…
Withdrawal Marks Historic Day for Future of Iraq, General Says

.
……………………………………………………..…………………….

* CSMonitor.com has this good read posted up on their website today and it starts off like this… Iraqis celebrated taking back full control of their streets on Tuesday, putting on a huge display of national pride mixed with worry over the prospect of violence reigniting while US forces keep their distance…
Read the rest at link below…
Iraqis celebrate US troops' pullback
……………………………………………….
.
Iraq Takes Control of Security in Baghdad…
.

About this News Video: Iraqi forces assumed formal control of Baghdad and other cities Tuesday after American troops handed over security in urban areas in a defining step toward ending the U.S. combat role in the country.
This News Video posted on YouTube by AssociatedPress
...
…………………………………………
.
General Odierno

General Odierno briefs the Pentagon Press about June 30th transition of control to the Iraqi Government, current operations in Iraq and answers from the press. This is part 1 of 4. Watch more HERE
Multi-National Corps Iraq Public Affairs Courtesy Video
.
……………………………………………
.
Today is a day to remember for all Iraqis and Americans.
To all our men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces that have made this wonderful day possible…
THANK YOU!
And a great big Thank You goes out to all the family members who supported these Great Americans and each other.
God Bless You All…
.
Afghanistan/Pakistan, your next…
The War on Terror continues.
AubreyJ………

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

No. 463-09 June 29, 2009
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Pvt. Steven T. Drees, 19, of Peshtigo, Wis., died June 28th at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained June 24th in Konar Province, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire and a rocket-propelled-grenade launcher. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
For more information media may contact the Fort Carson public affairs office at (719) 526-4143; after hours (719) 526-5500.


No. 464-09 June 29, 2009
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Pfc. Peter K. Cross, 20, of Saginaw, Texas, died June 26th at Combat Outpost Carwile, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
For more information media may contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at (315) 772-8286.


No. 465-09 June 30, 2009
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Timothy A. David, 28, of Gladwin, Mich., died June 28th in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered earlier in Sadr City, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
For more information the media may contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993; after hours (254) 291-2591.


No. 469-09 June 30, 2009
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. Terry J. Lynch, 22, of Shepherd, Mont., died June 29th in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.
For more information media may contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at (315) 772-8286.

Madoff Sentenced to 150 Years in Prison

Bernard L. Madoff Sentenced Today in Manhattan Federal Court to 150 Years in Prison
Monday, June 29, 2009

MarketWatch.com brings us the following good news and their report starts off like this… Lev L. Dassin, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Joseph M. Demarest, Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced that Bernard L. Madoff was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to 150 years in prison for perpetrating a Ponzi scheme that resulted in billions of dollars of losses to thousands of investor-victims… U.S. District Judge Denny Chin, in sentencing Madoff, stated, "Objectively speaking, the fraud was staggering" and that "the breach of trust was massive." Judge Chin described Madoff's crimes as "extraordinarily evil" and said that Madoff's was "not merely a bloodless crime that takes place on paper but one that takes a staggering human toll."…
Read the rest at link below…
Bernard Madoff Sentenced to 150 Years in Prison

………………………………………………………
.

This news Video posted on YouTube by itnnews
……………………
AubreyJ………

Iraq: On Ground Updates - June 28, 2009

Iraq: On Ground Updates
Tuesday’s Troop Pullout In All Major Iraqi Cities Grows Near
Sunday, June 28, 2009
.
* Their Land Again *About above photo: U.S. Soldiers from Charley Battery, 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery stand in formation during the handover ceremony of Combat Outpost Mullalah, in Iraq's Diayala province. COP Mullalah was turned over to the Iraqi Army's 4th Battalion, 20th Brigade on June 25th.
Read the story behind the photo at link below…
Combat Outpost Mullalah transferred to Iraqi Army
Photo by Sgt. Edwin Bridges, Joint Combat Camera Center Iraq
.………………………………………………...
Military Has Met SOFA Deadline, Top U.S. General in Iraq Says
Sunday, June 28, 2009

The U.S. military will have no issues complying with the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement, which requires all U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraqi cities by June 30, the commander of Multinational Force Iraq said today.
.“We’ve already met the deadline. We’ve already moved out of the cities,” Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno said from Baghdad during his appearance on Fox News Sunday. “We’ve been doing it slowly over the last eight months and the final units have moved out of the cities over the last several weeks.”
The general also appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
.With U.S. troops out of Iraq’s cities, the burden for securing them falls to the Iraqi security forces. Those forces are up to the challenge, Odierno said.
.
“We’ve seen incredible increases in their capacity and capability,” he said. “They have proven it in combat operations. They have proven their flexibility [and] adaptability.
.
“I am much more confident than I have ever been in the Iraq security forces,” he added.
.
Though the Iraqis will be responsible for maintaining security and stability in Iraq, the 131,000 U.S. troops remaining in country won’t be out of a job. They’ll continue to train, advise, and help enable the Iraqi forces.
.
In addition, they’ll also continue to conduct significant operations outside the cities, Odierno said. Any operations conducted, however, will be done with Iraqi approval.
.
“When we signed the security agreement, we agreed to abide by Iraqi sovereignty,” he said. “Everything we do today, and have been doing since the first of January, is transparent to the Iraqi government … but that does not limit our flexibility.”
.
Some are concerned about recent high-profile attacks targeting civilians near Nasiriyah, Baghdad and Kirkuk in the last week. The attacks are attributable to extremist elements trying to attract attention, Odierno said.
.
“We have not seen increased violence across the country,” he said. “These high-profile attacks … have brought the ire of Iraqi civilians against these terrorist groups. I believe it’ll make it much more difficult for them to continue to operate in side of Iraq over the long term.”
.In fact, he added, in May and the first three weeks of June, Iraq had the lowest level of incidents on record.
.
Despite all the improvements made in local, provincial and federal governance, there are still many political issues that need to be addressed. Arab-Kurd, intra-Shiia and Sunni-Shiia tensions are all being worked on, Odierno said.
.He hopes these issues, which could cause some instability, will be solved through politics and diplomacy, not violence.
.As Iraq moves toward national elections in January, there was some question about the effect of the recent Iranian election and its aftermath on its neighbor.
.Odierno said he thinks the situation in Iran will give Iraq, which just held what he called legitimate and credible provincial elections, more confidence in its government.
.
“They’re going to go through credible and legitimate elections here for their national leaders in January,” he said. “They will oversee those elections and they will have UN and international observers that will validate those elections. I think that will also encourage them to continue to move toward democracy.”
.
With everything seemingly moving in the right direction in Iraq, Odierno is confident that the Iraqi security forces are ready to step up and take responsibility for their country’s security and stability.
.
“I think this is the right time for us to turn responsibility over to the Iraqis,” he said..He added the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq will continue slowly and deliberately throughout this year, though enough forces will remain to ensure the success of the January elections.

Taken from a DoD’s American Forces Press Service News Article - Written by Samantha L. Quigley

. …………………………………………………….
Fox News Sunday on Iraq Troop Withdrawal, MJ too

- This video removed by me in respect of Google Ad Policies…. 

………………………………………….....
Violence Rises As U.S. Troop Withdrawal Nears

About this News Video: In the run-up to June 30, the deadline for U.S. combat troops to leave Iraqi cities, the nation has been rocked by deadly attacks. (Video originally posted on June 25th)
This News Video posted on YouTube by AssociatedPress
.………………………
AubreyJ………

Dems Gone WILD: The American Clean Energy and Security Act

The American Clean Energy and Security Act
Democrats are determined to pass cap and trade legislation even if it makes power unaffordable for all of us!
Friday, June, 26, 2009
.
America… If you don’t vote these socialist fools out of office over the next few years… you will not recognize the country you once so loved and lived in.
.
President Obama is a follower… not a leader. He was a follower of the left kooks of the Chicago political hierarchy. He was a follower of Bill Ayers, Reverend Wright… and he is a true believer and follower of the European way of life and governance. And THAT is right where he and he’s Party are trying to take us!
.
Right now Congress has before them the LARGEST TAX hike in history and it is being pushed for approval by the President and the Dems as a GOOD THING for the environment, the American people and country.
.
WHAT!!!? Raising Taxes on ALL Americans is a GOOD THING!!!?
.
I say all the Dems are good for is for trying to stay in power. They help no one… But they seem to be able to succeed, very successfully I might add, in destroying the lives of millions of people instead. And what I do not understand is these poor people vote these fools back into office time and time again!
.
The GOP has the following ad up on their YouTube website with the following statement from the RNC Chairman Michael Steele…
.
“The so-called ‘cap and trade’ plan proposed by President Obama and Congressional Democrats is nothing but a multi-billion dollar national energy tax on every American family, small business and family farm. Those hardest hit by this massive tax will be the poor and middle-class who are already struggling to make ends meet in today’s recession.
.
Americans want an energy plan that will lead to lower energy costs, more jobs, a cleaner environment and greater energy independence without a national energy tax that will tax our lights out.”

* LIGHTS OUT *
.
Make the calls to Congress NOW in NONE SUPPORT of this Bill.

POST UPDATE:
House Climate Bill Narrowly Passeded By 219-212 Vote Friday Evening
Saturday, June 27, 2009
.
Sadly, 8 worthless republicans voted YES and let the bill pass.
They are: Mike Castle (Del.), Mark Steven Kirk (Ill.), Frank LoBiondo (NJ), John McHugh (NY), Leonard Lance (NJ), Mary Bon Mack (Calif.), Chris Smith (NJ)
May talk radio and all the rest give these 8, HELL, for their inexcusable votes!
……....................………
* The Wall Street Journal brings us the following report early this Saturday morning and it starts off like this… Landmark legislation to curb U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions was approved by the House of Representatives in a close vote late Friday, securing an initial victory for a cornerstone of President Barack Obama's agenda… The 1,200 page bill - formally known as the "American Clean Energy and Security Act" - will reach into almost every corner of the U.S. economy. By putting a price on emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, the bill would affect the way electricity is generated, how homes and offices are designed, how foreign trade is conducted and how much Americans pay to drive cars or to heat their homes… The House climate bill, approved by a 219-212 vote Friday evening, would mandate that 15% of the nation's electricity come from renewable sources such as wind and solar power by 2020, potentially expanding the market and profit potential for companies in those sectors. Towards that goal, it seeks to boost nascent industries such as wind-generated electricity and solar power…
Read the full report at link below…
House Passes Climate Bill
.
>>> From the Dems… American Clean Energy and Security Act
.
President Obama’s Weekly Address:
Opening the Door to a Clean Energy Economy
(Sugar Coated!)

This video posted on YouTube by whitehouse
.
**********************
.
>>> From the Republicans… House GOP: "The American People Have a Right to Know" About the Dems' "Biggest Job-Killing Bill
.
Get ready to call all those in the Senate next.
We can NOT allow this bill to pass and make it to the President’s desk for final sighing into law!!!
..................................................
.
POST UPDATE:
Monday, June 29, 2009
.
Uphill Senate Struggle - Climate Plan - Bloomberg
...

About this News Video: Democrats barely able to push through President Obama's climate change bill in the house and may face a tougher battle in the senate.
Above news video by Bloomberg
.
………..…………
AubreyJ………

President Obama drafts executive order that would reassert presidential authority to incarcerate terrorism suspects indefinitely

WashingtonPost.com brings us the report today and it starts off like this… The Obama administration, fearing a battle with Congress that could stall plans to close Guantanamo, has drafted an executive order that would reassert presidential authority to incarcerate terrorism suspects indefinitely, according to three senior government officials with knowledge of White House deliberations… Such an order would embrace claims by former president George W. Bush that certain people can be detained without trial for long periods under the laws of war. Obama advisers are concerned that bypassing Congress could place the president on weaker footing before the courts and anger key supporters, the officials said… After months of internal debate over how to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, White House officials are growing increasingly worried that reaching quick agreement with Congress on a new detention system may prove impossible. Several officials said there is concern in the White House that the administration may not be able to close the facility by the president's January deadline…
Read the full report at link below…
White House Drafts Executive Order to Allow Indefinite Detention of Terror Suspects

"Hot Dog Diplomacy"

ABC.net.au had this short report posted on their website Thursday morning and it starts off like this… The United States has decided to withdraw its invitations to Iranian diplomats to join in the July 4 celebrations at American embassies around the world…
Read the rest here

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 461-09 June 26, 2009
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Joshua L. Hazlewood, 22, of Manvel, Texas, died June 25th in Arifjan, Kuwait, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 614th Automated Cargo Documentation Detachment. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
For more information the media may contact the Office of the Chief Army Reserve public affairs office at (703) 601-0846.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 460-09 June 26, 2009
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
1st Lt. Brian N. Bradshaw, 24, of Steilacoom, Wash., died June 25th in Kheyl, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
For more information the media may contact the U.S. Army, Alaska, public affairs office at (907) 384-1542.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 458-09 June 26, 2009
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Casey L. Hills, 23, of Salem, Illinois, died June 24th in Iraq of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over. He was assigned to the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, Pago Pago, American Samoa. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
For more information on this soldier media may contact the Brian Melanephy, 9th Mission Support Command, at (808) 438-1600, ext. 3114.

Photo for the Day - June 25, 2009

* Photo for the Day * A B-52H Stratofortress Aircraft takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 23, 2009, during exercise Northern Edge 2009. Northern Edge, which is Alaska’s largest military training exercise, prepares joint forces to respond to crises throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The B-52 is assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz, USAF

Farrah Fawcett Dead at 62

Farrah Fawcett Dead at 62
Thursday, June 25, 2009
.
FoxNews.com brings us the following sad news today…
Actress Farrah Fawcett Dead at 62
. Farrah Fawcett passed away today at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California. Ryan O'Neal and friend Alana Stewart were by her side at time of passing.
More photos and info HERE
File photo by Photo Agency

.
.…………………………………………
.
As a fellow Fawcett, (yet not related,) I send out my condolences to the O’Neal/Fawcett family.
She will be missed…
.
AubreyJ………
(Aubrey J. Fawcett)

3- The Iranian Uprising - June 24, 2009

The Iranian Uprising
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
.
* AP brings us the following report early this Wednesday afternoon and it starts off like this… Protesters and riot police clashed in the streets around Iran's parliament Wednesday as hundreds of people converged on a Tehran square in defiance of government orders to halt demonstrations demanding a new presidential election, witnesses said… Police beat the protesters gathered on Baharestan Square with batons and fired tear gas canisters and rounds of ammunition into the air, the witnesses told The Associated Press. They said some demonstrators fought back while others fled to another Tehran plaza, Sepah Square, about a mile (2 kilometers) to the north… A helicopter could be seen hovering over central Tehran, where a witness told the AP that the area was swarming with hundreds of riot police who were trying to prevent people from gathering even briefly. Thousands more security officers filled the surrounding streets, said the witness, who declined to give his name for fear of government reprisals… Amateur video posted Wednesday on YouTube showed young men and women throwing rocks and pushing barricades, one blazing, in the street. Others shouted: "Death to the dictator!"…
Read the rest at link below…

Witnesses report clashes around Iran's parliament
.
* SKY NEWS has the following report posted on their website this afternoon…
'New Violence Erupts In Tehran' - Reports
Above link has lots of videos and photos
.
**********************
.
Raw Video: Tehran - June 24, 2009

Video posted on YouTube by revolutionnow11
.
…………..………
AubreyJ………

On Ground Updates: Pakistan/Afghanistan - June 24, 2009

On Ground Updates:
Pakistan/Afghanistan
Tough Rules For Afghanistan Air Strikes Examined
Wednesday, June 24, 2009

.

Close Air Support
Tough rules for Afghanistan air strikes are examined in this Fox News video report. Great air footage video of one mission!
.
……………………
AubreyJ………

Mike Epps "Trying To Be A Gangsta"

Mike Epps "Trying To Be A Gangsta" New DVD Out Now!!

I like the ending!

AubreyJ........

2- The Iranian Uprising - June 23, 2009

The Iranian Uprising
Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
The President's Opening Remarks on Iran, with Persian Translation

- This video removed by me in respect of Google Ad Policies…

(Mr. President… This is not a debate going on in the streets of Iran… COME ON -- WAKE UP! Hell… Man UP!!! Be a Leader and take a stand with the people of Iran.)

**************************************.
* Telegraph.co.uk brings us the following report and it starts off like this… Relatives said images of Neda Agha Soltan, 27, who has been described as Iran's "Angel of Freedom" after she was apparently shot dead on Saturday, had been targeted by plain-clothed officials… They had removed any material commemorating the 27-year-old student that had been erected near her home by sympathizers in the Iranian capital…
Read the rest at link below…Iranian regime targets family of 'Angel of Freedom' Neda Agha Soltan
.
************************
Fiance tells of Neda's last moments.- 
This video removed by me in respect of Google Ad Policies…

About Video: Caspian Makan, the fiance of the young Iranian woman shot last week, tells Al Jazeera of her last moments. "Neda", which is the Farsi word for voice, was allegedly shot dead by a Basij soldier in Tehran last week.

This News Video posted on YouTube by AlJazeeraEnglish

******************************.

Iranian Election 2009  Protests One Week Later

- This video removed by me in respect of Google Ad Policies…

About above video: Some viewer discretion advised

This video posted on YouTube by LuvManatee

...............................
In Memory of Neda and all of the Iranian people who have lost their lives for a cause bigger than themselves
AubreyJ………

Photo for the Day - June 23, 2009

* Photo for the Day * U.S. Army Capt. Richard Turvey, outgoing commander of Joint Security Station Salaam, Iraq, passes a ceremonial key to an Iraqi soldier during the security station's transfer of authority ceremony in Numaniyah, Iraq, June 20, 2009.
DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Coney, U.S. Air Force

The Iranian Uprising - June 22, 2009

The Iranian Uprising
Protesters hail Neda Soltan as a Martyr and her senseless death is sure to bring deeper unrest in Iran in the days to come…
Monday, June 22, 2009.
Iran Opposition Leader Stands by Protesters

- This video removed by me in respect of Google Ad Policies…

About this News Video: Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has vowed he will stand by the protesters whose week of defiance has deeply shaken the country. Video Date: June 22nd.
*********************************.
Young girl being killed by plainclothes
*** (Warning – below video VERY Graphic) ***

- This video removed by me in respect of Google Ad Policies…

* (Warning – above video VERY Graphic) *

About this video: Basij shot to death a young woman in Tehran's Saturday, June 20th Protests.At 19:05, June 20th…Place: Karekar Ave., at the corner crossing Khosravi St. and Salehi St..A young woman who was standing aside with her father watching the protests was shot by a basij member hiding on the rooftop of a civilian house. He had clear shot at the girl and could not miss her. However, he aimed straight her heart. I am a doctor, so I rushed to try to save her. But the impact of the gunshot was so fierce that the bullet had blasted inside the victim's chest, and she died in less than 2 minutes… The protests were going on about 1 kilometer away in the main street and some of the protesting crowd were running from tear gas used among them, towards Salehi St… The film is shot by my friend who was standing beside me… Please let the world know…
INFO/Video posted on LiveLeak by deathtokhamenei
.***************************.
* FoxNews.com brings us the following report and it starts off like this… Protesters in Iran are hailing 26-year-old Neda Soltan as a martyr after graphic videos of her apparent murder at a protest in Tehran hit the Internet. Iran experts say images of her bloody death have galvanized the country and that mourning for her - which has been banned by authorities - will bring deeper unrest… "Neda," whose identity could not be verified by FOXNews.com, was reportedly gunned down by paramilitary police Saturday during protests in the capital city. Videos posted on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter show her bleeding from the nose and mouth as a crowd tries unsuccessfully to stanch the flow and save her life… The video also shows a moving clip of a man identified by some as her father or professor cradling her head and yelling out, "Neda, don't be afraid. Neda, stay with me. Neda stay with me!”…

- This link removed by me in respect of Google Ad Policies…

Read the full report at link below…

Neda Soltan, Young Woman Hailed as Martyr in Iran, Becomes Face of Protests

.* AP reports it this way… Amateur video of a young Iranian woman lying in the street - blood streaming from her nose and mouth - has quickly become an iconic image of the country's opposition movement and unleashed a flood of outrage at the regime's crackdown… The footage, less than a minute long, appears to capture the woman's death moments after she was shot at a protest — a powerful example of citizens' ability to document events inside Iran despite government restrictions on foreign media and Internet and phone lines…

Read this article in full at link below…

Amateur video turns woman into icon of Iran unrest

.* TheSun.Co.uk has this report…

Shot girl's last moments

- Above link removed by me in respect of Google Ad Policies…

Above link has news video and short slideshow

.* The Washington Post has this report posted up on their website this Monday afternoon and it starts off like this… Demonstrators returned to a public square in Iran's capital Monday to protest alleged fraud in the recent presidential election and were met with beatings and tear gas from security forces, eyewitnesses said. Meanwhile, the group charged with certifying the election said discrepancies between the number of votes and eligible voters in some districts did not constitute proof of ballot-tampering…

Read the full report at link below…

Protesters Return to Tehran Streets

Above link also has a long, informative slideshow

.***********************************

Sen. John McCain on Iran

About this video: Sen. McCain reads an AP article on protest crackdown but mainly focuses on the death of the woman known as "Neda," who was killed and her video posted on YouTube. He then reads another article detailing the death.
This video posted on YouTube by CSPAN
.*********************************.
I’ll end today’s post with this News Video from Studio B on the Fox News Channel…

.

Read more from FOX at link below…
New Amateur Videos Reportedly Show Police, Protesters Clash in Iran
Great reporting FOX!
……………
AubreyJ………

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

No. 443-09 June 22, 2009
DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died June 21st in Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their unit was attacked by indirect fire.

Killed were:
Sgt. Ricky D. Jones, 26, of Plantersville, Ala. He was assigned to the 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Polk, La.
Spc. Rodrigo A. Munguia Rivas, 27, of Germantown, Md. He was assigned to the 710th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

For more information on Jones, the media may contact the Fort Polk public affairs office at (337) 531-4630 or (337) 531-1418; after hours (337) 208-3629 or (337) 353-9784.
For more information on Munguia Rivas, the media may contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at (315) 772-8286.

Happy Father's Day - June 21, 2009

A Great Big Happy Father's Day

goes out to all you dads out there.
Hope you all have/had a GREAT ONE!

AubreyJ………

On Ground Updates: Iran - June 21, 2009

On Ground Updates: Iran
Sunday, June 21, 2009

.
The New York Times Blog continues to track the Iranians massive street demonstrations and is consistence on keeping us up-to-date with their postings…
Click it out HERE
Above link full of info, photos and videos .
…………………………………………………………………..
.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

__________________________________
.

For Immediate Release June 20, 2009

.
Statement from the President on Iran
.
The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching. We mourn each and every innocent life that is lost. We call on the Iranian government to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people. The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights.

.

As I said in Cairo, suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. The Iranian people will ultimately judge the actions of their own government. If the Iranian government seeks the respect of the international community, it must respect the dignity of its own people and govern through consent, not coercion.

Martin Luther King once said – “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” I believe that. The international community believes that. And right now, we are bearing witness to the Iranian peoples’ belief in that truth, and we will continue to bear witness.
Taken from The White House website
.
……………………………………………………………………….

.
Note: I will be waiting until this evening to update this post with the latest videos and news out of Iran.
Be sure to check back!
.
OK… Not much on the news or videos out of Iran tonight.
I’ll try again in the morning…
See you then…

.
…………..………
AubreyJ………

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

No. 439-09 June 21, 2009
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Chancellor A. Keesling, 25, of Indianapolis, Ind., died June 19th in Baghdad, Iraq of a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 961st Engineer Company, Sharonville, Ohio. The circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation.
For more information media may contact the U.S. Army Reserve Command public affairs office at 404-464-8500 / 9471 / 9251.


No. 438-09 June 21, 2009
DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died in Kandahar, Afghanistan of wounds sustained when their vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device.

Killed were:
Sgt. Paul G. Smith, 43, of Peoria, IL. He was an Illinois Army National Guardsman assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry, Aurora, IL.
Staff Sgt. Joshua A. Melton, 26, of Carlyle, IL. He was an Illinois Army National Guardsman assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry, Marion, Illinois.

For more information, media may contact 1st Lt. Stacey Rieger at 217-494-1965 or the Illinois National Guard public affairs office at 217-761-3569.

Iran: Up Yours Khamenei!

Up Yours Khamenei!
.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned reformist leaders yesterday against taking to the streets in protest over the election. So how did the people of Iran react to his warning?

.
Well… Thousands upon thousands of them came out in mass and demonstrated anyway... Up yours Khamenei!
.
Where are MEN like President Bush/Reagan, the champions of freedom, when the Iranian people need them most? At least we KNOW they would have the Iranian Peoples backs, in EVERY possible way.
.
President Obama… WAKE UP and SPEAK UP for the Iranian people who are on the march. TRUE leaders for freedom loving people would have done so LAST WEEK!!!
.
AubreyJ………
Saturday, June 20, 2009

.
************************
.
Tehran Unknown 20 June Tazahorat

This video posted on YouTube by nov11110
.

On Ground Updates: Iran - June 19, 2009

On Ground Updates: Iran
Friday, June 19, 2009
.
* Ayatollah Calls For Calm *

About above News Video: Iran's Supreme Leader has insisted there was no fraud in the recent presidential poll and warned that protests about the result must end.
Above News Video posted on LiveLeak by ubdumb
.
**************************
.
* Guardian.co.uk has this report posted on their website this early Friday afternoon and it starts off like this… Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggered a diplomatic row today when he publicly singled out "evil" Britain as the foremost enemy of the Islamic republic… Gordon Brown responded swiftly by condemning Iran's "repression and ­brutality" in the strongest language used by the UK yet about last week's disputed presidential poll. Previous public ­comments have been ­deliberately restrained to avoid fuelling Iranian accusations of interference in its internal affairs… Iran's Ambassador to London was summoned to the Foreign Office after Khamenei's remarks during midday - Friday prayers at Tehran University, where the cleric referred to Britain as "the most evil" of foreign powers. The U.S. and Israel were also attacked…
Read the full report at link below…
Iran's supreme leader Khamenei issues verbal attack on 'evil Britain'
.
Also from the Guardian website today…
Frail but fierce, Iran's supreme leader Khamenei answers his critics
.
* TimesOnline.co.uk reports… Iran’s Supreme Leader dramatically raised the stakes in his country’s political crisis today by demanding an end to the massive street demonstrations and warning of a violent crackdown if they continued. He also accused "treacherous" Britain of leading a western conspiracy to destabilize the Islamic Republic by fomenting the protests… Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s uncompromising speech raised fears that he could unleash his formidable security forces on a mass protest as early as tomorrow, when tens of thousands of opposition supporters are expected to defy him by joining a Tehran rally organised by reformist clerics… His words caused widespread alarm. European leaders meeting in Brussels demanded the regime “refrain from the use of force against peaceful demonstrations”. Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, urged Iran not to go “beyond the point of no return”. Navi Pillay, the UN human rights chief, feared the “illegal use of excessive force”… Speaking for the first time since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s hotly-disputed re-election, Ayatollah Khamenei sided firmly with the president, denied the vote was rigged, and accused foreign powers led by Britain of fomenting the protests to destabilize the Islamic Republic…
Read the rest at link below…
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei raises stakes as Iran braces for violence
Above link has short video, slide show and lots more
.
* CTV.ca has this report… U.S. President Barack Obama has expressed concern about the "tenor and tone" of a statement by Iran's supreme leader, who warned of an impending clampdown on anti-government protests… Obama's comments come as Washington passed a resolution Friday to condemn Tehran's repressive response to the demonstrations, which erupted a week ago after a highly contested election… The U.S. government drew particular attention to the violence of the crackdown in addition to the suppression of cell phone and Internet use…
Read the rest at link below…
Obama concerned over Iran clampdown threats

**********************************
.
* CBC report on latest events of Iran *

Above Video posted on LiveLeak by agharazi
.
********************************
.
POST UPDATE:
Saturday, June 20, 2009
.
* PressTV.ir brings us the following report today and it starts off like this… Iran's Security Council has warned defeated presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi against 'the consequences' of backing street rallies… "It is your duty not to incite and invite the public to illegal gatherings; otherwise, you will be responsible for its consequences," Iran's Security Council, a body affiliated with the Interior Ministry replied Mousavi's letter in which he had criticized the law enforcement forces for failing to prevent attacks on protestors during the street rallies…
Read the full report at link below…
Iran council warns Mousavi against rallies
.
* UPI.com reports… Riot police wielding wooden batons, tear gas and water cannons battled protesters in central Tehran Saturday, witnesses said…
Read the rest at link below…
Protesters, police clash in Tehran battles
.
* YNETNews.com has the following report posted up on their site this early afternoon and it starts off like this… Reformist candidate Mousavi calls on country's highest legislative authority to annul election due to rampant evidence of tampering. Meanwhile thousands of his supporters clash with police in central Tehran, suicide bomber kills at least one at mausoleum of Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Khomeini…
Read the full report at link below…
Mousavi: Election fraud was planned months in advance
.
* CTV.ca reports… Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has demanded Iran's highest electoral authority annul the presidential vote, as protesters continue to defy government warnings… In a letter to the Guardian Council, which investigates voting violations, he said thousands of his supporters were turned away from polling stations during the June 12 vote… "The Iranian nation will not believe this unjust and illegal" act, Mousavi wrote… He also alleged that some ballot boxes had been sealed before voting began, and that fake ballots were found in mobile polling stations, according to the Associated Press…
Read this report in full at link below…
Mousavi ramps up demand to annul Iran vote
.
Thousands of defiant protesters clashed with police in the streets of Tehran on Saturday in protest of last week's presidential elections, and opposition leader Mir Hossein Moussavi reportedly said he was ready for "martyrdom."
Read this report in full at link below…
At least 19 dead in Iran unrest, hospital sources say
.
*********************************
.
Tear gas and water cannon used on 3,000 Iranian protesters

About above Video: Iranian riot police have reportedly used tear gas and water cannon on three thousand election protesters in Tehran.
This News Video posted on YouTube by itnnews
.
…………..………
AubreyJ………