It has been one month since Michael Moore wrote his open letter:
We aren’t kidding around, Democrats, and if you don’t believe us, just go ahead and continue this war another month. We will fight you harder than we did the Republicans.
Michael Moore
The Iraq War is now the property of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, I hope they “enjoy” it.
— Oak Leaf
As the sun is now setting on the East Coast in the USA, Happy Chanukah my friends!!!
I only wish that I could raise a glass of Manischewitz with all of you right now and enjoy a bowl of warm borscht. Hey,I have to have it warm. 
Shalom
— Oak Leaf
Here is a fictitious scenario prepared to solely elicit thoughts:
Courtesy of The New York Times, Soldiers have been able to get a glimpse of the “Baker Report” that is calling for “a gradual pullback of the 15 American combat brigades now in Iraq but stop short of setting a firm timetable for their withdrawal.” The Soldiers were “impressed” that such strategic thinkers as Sandra D. O’Conner and Vernon Jordan were involved.
Soldiers have also read that “President Bush will take weeks rather than months to start making changes in Iraq policy.” It is amazing that this is the first war where American Soldiers have news at the same time as their families. Hell, they can listen to live talk radio with streaming.
That brings us to the xyz Infantry Battalion currently conducting operations in Iraq. After reading the above information most of the Company Commanders are adopting a “wait and see” approach before being overly “gung-ho” in executing current offensive operations. Most of those Company Commanders have already written letters to family members expressing their personal condolence of unit members that have perished. They will carry out their responsibility, do their job description but they are packing away the “hooah.”
One of the Company Commanders, CPT Hardcore wants nothing to do with this wait and see attitude. He is hardcore right down to the underwear that he buys at Clothing Sales. In oder for him to bein Iraq, he signed a one year promotion declination.Until he gets orders, in writing, notifying him of a pullback, he is going to push his men 110%, period. Hell, he plans on conducting offensive combat operations right until the last hour. CPT Hardcore, no wife/children, figures that the men signed a contract and volunteered so it is his “duty” to make sure the taxpayers get their moneys worth.
— Oak Leaf
As more and more Afghan Public lose faith in the American Public, we will read more and more articles like, “Taliban Truce in District of Afghanistan Sets Off Debate.”
— Oak Leaf
When the old media covered military deaths everyday before November 7, the never said, “God Bless them:”
Cpl. Jonerik Loney, 21, of Hartselle, Ala., died Nov. 28 in Hit, Iraq, of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations. Loney was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.
— Oak Leaf
For those readers that are Staff College Graduates, they may “get” this comment by GEN Peter Pace:
Pace was asked if the advice of generals is becoming less important because of the upcoming Iraq Study Group report and the fact that power in Congress has shifted to Democrats, some of whom have been critical of the war.
“This is a very complex problem, and the more 10-pound brains we can bring to bear on the problem for our nation, the better,” Pace said.
— Oak Leaf
May you rest in peace:
Spc. Chris Kleinwachter, 29, of Wahpeton, N.D., died Nov. 30 in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when his vehicle rolled over during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery, Grand Forks, N.D.
— Oak Leaf
When you are an Army Officer that happens to be a graduate of the Naval War College, whom do you cheer?
— Oak Leaf
Open thread for those that have been asking. 
— Oak Leaf
Yesterday, the editors of The Orlando Sentinel, a liberal paper in Central Florida (USA), decided to write an editorial, “Unite Turkey with Europe:”
Turkey’s acceptance into the European Union would have great significance. It would be a model of integration with the West for other moderate Islamic nations.
What business do the editors of a Florida (USA) newspaper have in telling the citizens of the European Union who should be permitted to join, because they are the ones that will make this decision:
According to the EU Treaty, each current member state and also the European Parliament have to agree to any enlargement.
The same article also indicates that the Pope is encouraging Turkeys membership:
Pope Benedict XVI surprised Turks this week when he switched from opposing to supporting their country’s effort to join the European Union. Ideally, the pope will inspire the same change of heart among European leaders who have been balking at Turkey’s bid.
If the Pope wants to become involved in EU affairs, he should seek to have The Vatican join the EU and then he will have a vote. Until then, he should be quiet.
— OakLeaf