Matt Sanchez

The media's free ride in Iraq

By Matt Sanchez

The New Republic published entries from the "Baghdad Diarist," a soldier who was supposedly reporting on the realities of being in Baghdad. The "diarist" was proven to be a fraud, while the liberal media claimed even if the story was fake, it could have been true and that's what counts. Discerning facts from fiction is an obstacle the media trips over daily.

If the media are the eyes, ears and voice of a democracy, our nation is currently deaf, dumb and blind.

The conflict in Iraq is complicated, and yet the media has dumbed-down that complexity by communicating in flashy breaking-news banners with "expert analysis" that is, in fact, amateur opinion given by activist glamour correspondents whose names are synonymous with their news programs.

Take the main issue in Iraq: creating a sustainable economy out of a formerly totalitarian one-product, socialist state. The complexity of building (not rebuilding, since much of the "damage" was simply the norm in Saddam's Iraq) is marred in a politically driven game of gotcha, where an activist press plays hide-and-seek with the facts to pander to niche audiences while pretending objectivity and professionalism.

Media of Mass Distortion

The media typically misrepresents the news from Iraq.

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Hurricane Point Rides out the Storm

In Ramadi, personality sometimes 'more useful than body armor'

By Matt Sanchez
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

HURRICANE POINT, Ramadi – If you head west from this small forward operating base located on Route Michigan, you'll reach a bridge that crosses a peaceful river. It would be easy to spend an afternoon walking along the riverbank, and many Iraqis do.

3/7 Marines have plenty to smile about, Ramadi is a much safer place.

But the 3rd Battalion 7th Marines out of 29 Palms know complacency kills. In fact, that adage is written on the walls near the exit as a warning to Marines about to go outside the wire and into town.

Speaking to any member of the 3/7 Marines is like talking to a history book. For those who were here last deployment, the chapters on Ramadi are written into their memory. And when asked to recall the last deployment, the Marines of the 3/7 all seem to pause, as if staring at a photo of the past, trying to match up the old image in their minds with the reality right before them.

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Higher Education Keeps Sinking Lower

As soon as I heard Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was going to be in New York, I knew it would be just a matter of time, before the Terror of Tehran took a trip uptown to Morningside Heights so he could visit an eager crowd of intellectuals at Columbia University.  The campus is no stranger to big conflict; the Battle of Harlem Heights was fought on the very site where students will wait in line to see the Iranian President.   For the Columbia administration, this is a golden opportunity in the marketing of tolerance.  Which freak can you invite to the campus to prove just how "open" you are?

Ahmadinejad is "the other", that exotic forbidden fruit on the opposite side of a barrier, a barrier to be thrown down in the "my tolerance is bigger than yours," bragging match.  The very fact the America bashing Persian President exists means university officials are dying to have him drop by for a visit, not to hear what the guy has to say but what others would say about it.

Securing a visit from the foreign leader is a publicity plus.  Harvard tried to reel in Ahmadinejad and failed.   Now, Columbia has nearly succeeded.  Make no mistake, Ahmadinijad is the hottest ticket on campus, some students are curious, most are fashionable. It's the scholarly equivalent of being "edgy" and pushing the University envelope.  Like Britney shaving her head and refusing to wear underwear, Columbia too has racy intentions at heart.

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An Old Intelligence Report on Iraq?

A Marine sent me this intriguing e-mail on the country of "deep roots".  You decide for yourself -- Matt Sanchez

How much do you know about the country the United States has helped to liberate?  You may be surprised to learn that Iraq has roots in history of biblical proportion.  In fact, its roots are biblical.  Look at the following information that has been discovered by Bible scholars.  Non-believers will never be convinced, however, the evidence that has mounted shows Iraq has played a big part in shaping the world in which we live today.

1. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq
2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!
3. Noah built the ark in Iraq
4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq
5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq !
6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq !
7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq
8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq
9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel
10. Amos cried out in Iraq !
11. Babylon , which is in Iraq , destroyed Jerusalem
12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq !
13. The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (Jesus had been in Iraq also as the fourth person in the Fiery Furnace!)
14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq
15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq
16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq .
17. The wise men were from Iraq ..
18. Peter preached in Iraq .
19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon , which was a city in Iraq !

Poll shows overwhelming majority believe Petraeus was honest in his report to Congress

Last week's Matt-Sanchez.com Poll shows an overwhelming majority of respondents believe General David Petraeus was honest when he gave his televised report to the U.S. Congrss about the troops surge.  There was world-wide interest in this poll as votes came from the United States including Alaska and Hawaii, Austria, Germany, Ukraine, Denmark, Finland, Brazil, Thailand, and China.  Thanks for parcipating in the poll and be sure to cast your vote in the latest Matt-Sanchez.com Poll in the left column of this page.  Also, feel free to comment on this poll by clicking on "comments" below.

Now for the poll results and the locations in which the votes were cast.  Note: Map shows locations from the continental states of the U.S.  However, all votes cast around the globe were included in the final results.

Pollster,
Matt-Sanchez.com

Marine Push Ups

Kind of like Marine Pull Ups, but backwards, or is that upside down?  3/7 Lima Company Marines and Corpsman out of Ramadi and stationed at 17th Street, get some exercise--kinda. 

Tehran Terror Comes to Columbia

I'm never surprised by what my school Columbia University will do or say, not even when they'll invite men like Ahmadinejad to speak but will refuse people like Ann Coulter or members of the United States military. 

Now, members of the academic community can all envy Columbia's 'open-mindedness'.  This is the type of stunt that sets the 250 + year old institution apart, and that's exactly where an elitist private school wants to be. 

Columbia Won't Cancel Ahmadinejad Speech

The Associated Press
Friday, September 21, 2007; 8:16 AM

 

NEW YORK -- Columbia University said it does not plan to call off a speech by Iran's president despite pressure from critics including the City Council speaker, who said the Ivy League school was providing a forum for "hate-mongering vitriol."

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is traveling to New York to address the United Nations' General Assembly. He was scheduled to appear Monday at a question-and-answer session with Columbia faculty and students as part of the school's World Leaders Forum.

'Awakening' musters Iraqi courage against al-Qaida

By Matt Sanchez

Taking a stand is not an easy thing to do for most, especially when the cost of standing out may be your life. Last week, I had the honor of meeting and interviewing Sheik Sattar. This young, vibrant leader was a rising star behind a movement that has brought peace to the area, and hope to a people.

I've spoken to many Iraqis here in Ramadi; they all have a similar tale to tell, but it usually boils down to a few basic details. For about two years, al-Qaida did everything in its power to murder and intimidate the men, women and children of Ramadi and Anbar. Al-Qaida's occupation was at a peak last year when they declared Ramadi the capital of the Islamic state of Iraq.

Then came the awakening. Tired of the violence, Sattar lost his father and three of his brothers; the sheik brought together various tribe heads, the ones that were still attached to bodies, and formed a coalition with American forces to fight al-Qaida.

I've learned to admire how much Iraqis will fight, despite the risks. When Sattar asked the members of his tribe to become police officers and help secure their neighborhoods and their families, men signed up by the hundreds. Because of government bureaucracy, many were not paid for months, and yet they still showed up for work and still took many risks. Of course, this resistance made Sattar a prime target.

Matt Sanchez

It's an honor to cover the men and women here in Iraq, they are truly the best our country has to offer.  I really thank all those who have supported me so far, I could not have done it without you.

I promise to keep bringing you the stories, images and details you won't find in the mainstream media, I also promise to bring you the voices of those you hear the least--the troops here on the ground.

Thanks for listening and I appreciate all the mail. 

Keep those comments coming and take the polls!

Sincerely,

Matt Sanchez

   

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Real Deal in Ramadi--Sgt Eddie Jeffers

Real Deal in Ramadi     World  Sgt. Eddie Jeffers, USA (Iraq)     April 17, 2007   Sgt. Eddie Jeffers was killed in Iraq on September 19, 2007. He was 23. At the behest of my father, I wrote down some notes to be included in a little situation report (SITREP) on Iraq. I decided to address this letter to everyone because by now, you all have probably heard every news station popping off about this and that. So here's to give you an update and clear up some stuff. First off, in the last six months, 1-9 Infantry has pushed itself into limelight and set the example for victory in Iraq. When we got here six months ago, lesser units that came before us held very little ground in East Ramadi. We pushed in and slowly began taking ground in the northern districts, which were definitely safer. We made nice with some sheiks up there, got them on our team and pushed them into near autonomy in their regions. All this was done for the task of securing those areas and pushing the insurgents there into the fortified and deadly southern district of our sector. Going back was deja vu, as this same area is where I cut my teeth as a private.  Read Jeffers' own Words.

I was saddened to hear of milblogger Sergeant Jeffers' passing.  I was just with the 1-9 Infantry unit last week, but I did not, to my knowledge, meet the Sergeant.  Jeffers has reason to be proud, Iraqis who had been terrorized in East Ramadi, today, are grateful that men like Sgt. Jeffers were dedicated to their job.  Read Sergeant Eddie Jeffers own words and  decide for yourself.   

Live from Anbar--Kevin McCullough

I've been doing a lot of radio shows since I got here, depending on where I am in the country and if I have a decent phone connection.  It's great to talk to people back home and share what's going on here.

The Dogs of War

Corporal Jared Martin is a commodity, he's one of the few Marines who can literally raise morale, just by doing his job.  Cpl. Martin is a Marine Cpl dog handler.  Dog handling is a rare MOS (Military Occupation Speciaty, or just plain "job") in the military, but somehow I've met several in my travels.  A dog is very much in the military, it has an SRB (Service Record Book) Medical record, and even a memorial should an dog fall in the line of duty--as they sometimes do.

The military puts a lot of time, money and energy into the training of these animals.  It takes years to teach them their job, a job that can save lives.  There are quite a few stray dogs in Iraq, many of which have stray diseases.  Any dog that gets within 20 feet of the a military dog is immediately shot.

'Awakening' musters Iraqi courage against al-Qaida

By Matt Sanchez

Taking a stand is not an easy thing to do for most, especially when the cost of standing out may be your life. Last week, I had the honor of meeting and interviewing Sheik Sattar. This young, vibrant leader was a rising star behind a movement that has brought peace to the area, and hope to a people.

I've spoken to many Iraqis here in Ramadi; they all have a similar tale to tell, but it usually boils down to a few basic details. For about two years, al-Qaida did everything in its power to murder and intimidate the men, women and children of Ramadi and Anbar. Al-Qaida's occupation was at a peak last year when they declared Ramadi the capital of the Islamic state of Iraq.

Then came the awakening. Tired of the violence, Sattar lost his father and three of his brothers; the sheik brought together various tribe heads, the ones that were still attached to bodies, and formed a coalition with American forces to fight al-Qaida.

I've learned to admire how much Iraqis will fight, despite the risks. When Sattar asked the members of his tribe to become police officers and help secure their neighborhoods and their families, men signed up by the hundreds. Because of government bureaucracy, many were not paid for months, and yet they still showed up for work and still took many risks. Of course, this resistance made Sattar a prime target.

Of Iraq and Martyrs

The death of Sheik Sattar made me think of the importance of martyrs in Iraqi culture.  In any Iraqi police precinct or army base there will typically be a wall with the pictures of the fallen, soldiers and policemen who have died in the line of duty.

Captain Matt McCreary with Bravo 3-69 an Armor unit out of Fort Stewart, Georgia works with Iraqi security forces every day.  His men are a PiTT unit, Police Transitional Team.  Their job is to live with Iraqi police officers and train them.

What the media often misses is the everyday Iraqi living and working with Americans in Iraq.  The unit I went to was, like many others, mostly Iraqis and a handful of American military. These groups patrol together, hangout and share many of the same dangers.

Savaging Patraeus

There's a funny media disconnect between being in Iraq and being back home, in the United States.  No matter how much TV you may or may not watch, or how many articles you try to read, for getting a real sense of what's going on, there's no substitute for actually being there.

And then there's Michael Savage.  The reason why Savage is the 2nd highest rated show in the US is because he transmits a lot of emotion.  Whether you agree with him or not, you have to admit the guy delivers a lot of emotion.  Despite all the complaints this guy gets, in a City like San Francisco, no less, he is still the most listened to person in the Bay Area.

I only watched a bit of General Patraeus' report.  The feedback I've gotten from people here is that the General is a highly regarded man.  Most troops are fairly detached from the political scene, so it's refreshing to get a strong point of view.

Michael Savage did a re-cap of hearing highlights. 

Download the_show_trial_of_general_patraeus.mp3

Last Interview--Sheik Sattar

On September 2, 2007, I conducted an interview with Sheik Abdul Sattar al Rishawi at his compound just North of Ramadi.  I was just informed that this was Sattar's last interview.  The Sheik was in good humor and determined to see his country rid of Al Qaida.   

"I want to go to Afghanistan and kill Bin Ladin" was his big   declaration.  It's sometimes hard to tell if the Sheik is kidding or just hamming it up for the cameras.  He was, after all, slated to meet the   president and visit the United States. 

What is not difficult to tell, is how much risk Sattar took last year when he stood up against AQI   following the death of his father and brothers. "These people (the Islamists) take the oxygen from the air."

The Sheik has been extremely influential and I believe his death is a turning point for Iraq and an opportunity for Coalition Forces.

Matt Sanchez
Anbar, Iraq

Suspect Captured!!!

Suspected Sheik Sattar assassination planner captured

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist linked to the assassination of Sheik Sattar during an operation Sept. 15 west of Balad.

The captured individual, Fallah Khalifa Hiyas Fayyas al-Jumayli, also known as Abu Khamis, is believed to be responsible for the death of Sheik Abdul Sattar Abu Resha, founder of the Anbar Awakening, a coalition of tribes in Anbar Province committed to driving al-Qaeda in Iraq out of the area. Intelligence reports indicate al-Jumayli is involved in a plot to kill key leaders in the tribal awakening. He is also reportedly responsible for car bomb and suicide vest attacks in Anbar Province, and is closely allied with senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders in the region.

To be continued...

Poll: Majority against a Draft

By Pollster
Matt-Sanchez.com

The latest Matt-Sanchez.com Poll results have been tallied and a majority of those participating believe a mandatory draft should not be reinstated.  Here are the results of that poll and a map showing where the votes originated.  Note: Map limited to locations within the United States only.  Other votes that were included in the finally tally came from Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Should a mandatory draft be reinstated?

Our newest poll inquires whether you believe General David Petraeus was honest in his report to the U.S. Congress about the troop surge.  We invite you to particpate in the poll because every vote counts at Matt-Sanchez.com

Also, we invite you to submit your comments below concerning the poll results of a mandatory draft.  Let us know what you think!

Democrats: Desperate for defeat

Democrats:
Desperate for defeat

By Matt Sanchez

At FOB Corregidor, just outside of Ramadi, I was working on an article in a room filled with soldiers of the 1-9 infantry unit out of Fort Carson, as Army Specialist Stephen Kohn yelled, "Petraeus is going to give his speech to Congress, if you want to see it." Several soldiers looked up from their screens where they had been instant messaging people back home or updating their Myspace profiles. When they realized Kohn said "Congress" after Petreaus, no one bothered to move toward the television set, and after seeing Democrats question the general in charge of the effort in Iraq, I can't blame them.

Democrats are desperate for definite defeat, and there's no one who knows more about losing big than former Democratic Party presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts. At Camp Fallujah, I saw a table of Marines hiss when the senator appeared on the screen. Soldiers in Baghdad were more subdued; they mostly ignored Kerry when he showed up at a military dinning facility.

Life In Saddam's Palace

DISPATCHES FROM THE FRONT LINES

Life in Saddam's palace

Former dictator's residence now home to U.S. military

By Matt Sanchez
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

The origins of the name Baghdad are almost certainly Persian, but even that is disputed by a people who see the nation of Iran as the greatest threat to the country of Iraq. Baghdad has been host to many visitors, both invited and otherwise. "FOB Prosperity" (FOB means Forward Operating Base) is an Army base in the Green Zone – and resident to the previous government. In the past, Saddam Hussein paraded his Republican Guard beneath the Hands of Victory, arches formed by two fists and dual swords. The monument was built to commemorate victory over Iran, two years before the war was declared a stalemate.

Returning military forces marched, in columns, down the parade grounds, eyes right to the former ruler. I met a Baghdadi who called those days a special event for all of Baghdad. Everyone was invited. Today, the Green Zone is named the International Zone – and its streets are reserved for the very few possessing authorized access. In Baghdad, change is inevitable, but complete upheaval is what has truly marked this city so near the cradle of civilization.

Poll shows Anbar believed to be turning point in the war

By Pollster
Matt-Sanchez.com

Here are the results of last week's Matt-Sanchez.com Poll in which the following question was asked:

Last year, Marine Corps Colonel Pete Devlin declared the Anbar province "lost". Less than a year later, President Bush is calling the province a success. Do you believe Anbar is a turning point in the war?

Marines trade bullets for compassion

By Matt Sanchez

The Anbar Awakening, for some, is a clich� easily dismissed as an Iraqi fluke in a quagmire of military missteps shuffling to the tune of opportunities lost.

Gunner Terry Walker, a 30-year plus veteran of the military and senior gunner of the United States Marine Corps, said, "The pre-packaged concept of an 'awakening' is absolutely absurd. These sheiks didn't just get up one day and declare their allegiance to Coalition Forces. What you see throughout Anbar Province is the fruit of five years of concerted COIN (counter-insurgency) operations." Whether you believe in spontaneous epiphanies or effective military small-war strategies, the fact remains that waking up was just one point in the Sunni Triangle conversion from the Wild, Wild West to Mayberry.

First Lt. Mauro Mujica is a true believer; you can tell by the intensity in his eyes. During his first tour in Ramadi, his platoon, 3rd Battalion 7th Marines, Lima Company, lost men. Mujica readily explains, "We made a bunch of mistakes," but quickly concedes, "The circumstances demanded it."

Cautious and wiser through experience, this Georgetown graduate, originally from Bethesda, Md., follows (as close as a Marine grunt can) Gandhi's philosophy of non-resistance. With fewer than a dozen Marines, Mujica presides over an Iraqi police station where his men are outnumbered 10 to 1, but that is only part of the strategy, showing their strength by allowing themselves to be vulnerable or rely upon local police forces. It's a psychological judo maneuver that has given the nascent Ramadi police force more confidence and bonded the Marines to their pupils/partner/protectors.

Secret cause of sectarian violence in Iraq

Secret cause of sectarian violence in Iraq

'The reasons are possibly simpler than religious ideology'

By Matt Sanchez
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

Dora, Doura, Dorah? More often than not, the translation to English from Arabic can lead to some confusion and misunderstanding. Confusion is not safe, and a misunderstanding can be downright deadly. For the American military, the language barrier is enormous, because interpreters only bridge so much of the gap between expression and comprehension. Any soldier will tell you, communication is more than words strung together in sentences. Communication is not only what a person says, but how he means it.

The job of Staff Sgt. William Highsmith of "Charlie Troop" is all about understanding. The theory is that the best intelligence comes from face-to-face conversation. Highsmith is an affable man with a kind face, he holds a pen in one hand and clipboard in the other, his M-4 rifle rests on his thigh, the muzzle points down. The Iraqis are considerate hosts, they insist you have some chai or maybe a cold flavored soda, Pepsi, orange or pomegranate. After the formalities, the staff sergeant gets down to business by asking the Baghdadis a question they possibly never heard under a dictatorial regime.

"How can we help you?"

The Ramadi Run

 

In Iraq, everything before the fall of Saddam Huseein seems to have faded from collective memory, but in Ramadi, the Anbari capital of one of Iraq’s most important provinces, the general agreement was that an organized race in the streets of the city had not taken place for nearly a decade.

Ramadi was the focal point in the once infamous Sunni Triangle. Marines from the 1/6 and 3/7 out of Camp Lejeune and 29 Palms fought up and down the streets that were now a flag spangled race route. The Northwest bridge was the starting point, but the year before it was also prohibited territory as it provides no cover from possible sniper fire. A Marine set off the starting flare.

Runners burst down Route Michigan, once known for IED’s, leaned left toward Racetrack and sprinted to the finish line at Firecracker, within walking distance from Ice Cream and the 17^th Street Joint Security Station the 3^rd Battalion, 7^th Lima Company Marines called home. Marines have a wry sense of humor and many of the street names reflected significant events, some good—many bad.

Corporal Mickey Schaetzle, a Marine infantryman who patrolled the streets during his last tour with the 3/7 Marines in 2006, said he could barely believe this was the same Ramadi where his fellow Marine were wounded—some killed. The Colorado native prefers this tour, “Things are a lot better this time.”

Spectators mobbed the winner of the race even before he crossed the finish line. In a sign of how much the security situation has changed, Captain Marcus Mainz, Lima’s company commander, danced with local Iraqis as everyone hailed the city’s improved security. “You just couldn’t’ have done this last year, you just couldn’t,” repeated Marine 1^st Lieutenant Mauro Mujica.

 

It's an honor to cover the men and women here in Iraq, they are truly the best our country has to offer.  I really thank all those who have supported me so far, I could not have done it without you.

I promise to keep bringing you the stories, images and details you won't find in the mainstream media, I also promise to bring you the voices of those you hear the least--the troops here on the ground.

Thanks for listening and I appreciate all the mail. 

Keep those comments coming and take the polls!

Sincerely,

Matt Sanchez

   

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Sheik Sattar Assasinated!

Update: Sheik Sattar was just killed by an enormous explosion that was felt on Camp Ramadi more than a mile away.

I just finished interviewing one of Iraq's most fascinating people, Sheik Abdul Sattar al-Rishawi, the man accredited with starting the Anbar Awakening.  I'll print the interview in depth shortly, but a small introduction is in order. 

Sheik Sattar is one of the few real sheiks in a country that currently has a lot of wannabe sheiks.  An Anbari born and breed, Sheik Sattar lost his father and three brothers when al Qaeda pulled into town. 

Charismatic, determined and very ambitious we may see a lot more of Sheik Sattar in the near future, his role in the Awakening could make Ramadi the next Gettysburg.

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Poll shows majority believe upcoming surge report will be accurate

The latest Matt-Sanchez.com poll shows a majority of respondants believe General David Petraeus' report on the troop surge will be accurate when it is released next week.

Here is that poll and the final results.  Tell us what you think by posting a comment about the poll results.  Just click on "comments" below and let your voice be heard.

"In Mid-September, General Petreaus will give an assessment of his "surge" strategy. Do you believe his up-coming report to Congress will be Accurate, Diplomatic, or Non-Accurate?"

Map reflects votes cast in U.S. only.

The Holy Balls of Khost Province

The Iraqi and Afghani kids love the U.S. military and they enjoy getting "footballs", as I described in this story.  But now, apparently there is an attack on the holy balls of Khost Province.   Michelle Malkin wrote about this and it is a must read.

I was in a helicopter, in the Khost Province, when servicemen were throwing these soccer balls out.  I can assure you the Afghan kids love to get "footballs" and I never saw one Muslim go blind, burst into flames, or even throw a ball back to the soldiers.

Hack Job

Ramallah is a neighborhood, or slum, depending on who you ask, that was settled by "widows".  There are quite a few widows in Iraq, many from the war with Iran (1980-1988) in which an estimated 250,000 Iraqis were killed. 

Coalition Forces paid for food to be distributed in the Ramallah neighborhood.  It's a way of engaging the population, but it's the Iraqi police who were going to hand out the rice, wheat, and seven kilos of lamb.

How the Marines Pulled Fallujah from out of Hell

Ralph Peters has written a couple of great articles on the current situation in Fallujah.  Men like 2nd Lt.Nick DeLonga, pictured below, are rising heroes who can adeptly explain the situation on the ground.