Where was the outrage last year when Obama released Qais Khazali ? Who is Qais Khazali you ask… “Qais Khazali is best known as the former leader of the Iran-backed Special Groups in Iraq from June 2006 until his capture by American forces in March 2007. As head of the Special Groups, Khazali directed arms smuggling, formation of death squads to participate in sectarian violence, kidnappings, and assassinations, most notably the January 20, 2007 attack on American forces in Karbala. A former follower of Moqtada al-Sadr, he was expelled from the Mahdi Army in 2004 for giving “unauthorized orders,” subsequently forming Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq. As head of the Special Groups, he reported to Hajji Yusif, deputy commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force, Department of External Special Operations.” (Wikipedia )   His work in setting up the Iran Iraq connection was key bringing in EFPs (explosive forced projectiles ) to the Sadr City and Shulla Iraq areas, where my son was killed.  Yes the Iranian connection is very personal for me.

Why did Pres. Obama release him? Well he traded him for a British journalist that the British government refused to negotiate with terrorist for. Full story on that here:  So much for the US not negotiate with terrorist huh? Pres. Obama not only negotiated he gave them back one of their key bad guys who is responsible for so many deaths of our troops.

For years now I have spoken out about how Iran government is funding the majority of terrorism we battle in the world today. especially their role in Iraq.   They have been funding the murder of our military men and women for years and for people to be shocked and surprised by today’s headline makes me wonder how we are going to stop this growth of terror and jihad if something like this can go on for years and now just now people are taking note.

Yes Iran is paying bounties on our troops. This is not new information or even a new mode of operation for Iran. But I guess for most Americans it means we may end up in a war with Iran and that is just scary to them… well guess what, we are at war with Iran and have been for many years.  I am mad as hell that Iran is putting bounties on our troops. But I’m not surprised.  I am a little surprised that this is just now becoming headline news. It’s disappointing that American’s are so out of touch with what our troops face and fight every day.

What keeps playing in my head is that now that we have drawn down in Iraq, Iran will become more powerful there. The Shias will most assuredly be funded by Iran and once again the people of Iraq will fall under evil and sadistic rule like the people of Iran face daily. My only hope is we can have their backs enough in the coming years to help them stand up for themselves and fight for the freedom to live life without fear. I hope my son and all the others did not sacrifice in vain.  The only way we can truly win this war is to face the realities of it.

Mahdi fighters funded by Iran in Iraq

Saturday was our 6^th day of vacation in California. ( great vacation by the way)  and we decided to go to Santa Monica Pier.  We started with the promenade and did a little shopping. We enjoyed the street performers and was having a really nice time.. till we hit the pier. Not sure why but I knew something was up. I felt it. I looked down on to the beach when we hit the pier and there it was.. the anti war protest.. hundreds of crosses.. the flag draped coffins.  I knew somewhere down there in the mist of it my son’s name was on one of the crosses. I felt as if someone had slapped me and punched me in the gut.  My first instinct was to go down onto the beach and confront those putting this display on.   I thought better of it. I knew if I did in the emotional state I was in I would end up in jail and those asshats were not worth it.

I wanted to go and ask those holding this event if they could name just one name on the crosses they displayed. I wanted to know if they cared so much for the  Fallen if they ever considered the affect on the families of those who they claimed to care so much about.  I wanted to ask if a single penny they raised went to take care of my son’s brothers or their families.

I knew my son better than anyone and I know he would have been mortified to have his name used in such an manner. I was physically affected seeing this anti war protest.  It is an experience I never want to go through again but I know I will. And I know that in the future I need to be prepared to deal with it in a less emotional manner.

Fact is these anti war protesters who say they care so much about the troops don’t give a shit about them.  If they did they would take in consideration the people those who serve loved and who love them. All I can say to them is next time you want to hurt the families of the fallen just slap us.. it hurts less.

IDF calls off West Bank raid due to Facebook leak

The Israel Defense Forces called off a raid in Palestinian territory after a soldier posted details, including the time and place, on the social networking website Facebook, Army Radio reported on Wednesday.

The soldier – since relieved of combat duty – described in a status update how his unit planned a “clean-up” arrest raid in a West Bank area, Army Radio said.

“On Wednesday we clean up Qatanah, and on Thursday, god willing, we come home,” the soldier wrote on his Facebook page, refering to a West Bank village near Ramallah.
The soldier also disclosed the name of the combat unit, the place of the operation and the time it will take place. Facebook friends then reported him to military authorities.

The Israeli military spokesman’s office had no immediate comment.

Israel says raids in the West Bank are aimed at detaining militants suspected of planning attacks on Israelis. Palestinian officials say the incursions undermine efforts by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority to enforce law and order in the territory.

Full Story

I can’t help but go back to the conversations we had in the days before he was killed.  Mostly I remember how tired he was. I remember him telling me about a father and son who had been hit by and EFP by the “soulless bastards”. He was so upset by that.  “They were just going to work mom. No one deserves what happened to them for just going to work. That kid was no more than 12.”  He never said but I think he knew them from patrolling in the town.  The other guys won’t talk about that incident except to say it was bad.. really bad.  Not sure why that tale sticks with me. Maybe because it was so similar to what happened to Micheal. Maybe because that was the first time I had heard of an EFP and knew it was something he feared.  Maybe because I could hear his frustration with humanity when he talked about it.  He was too young to see such ugliness.  In fact I told him that.  He told me “No one was old enough to have to see this shit.”

When I find myself in those memories I try to put them away and focus on times when he was home and being so very Pokey. Setting off fireworks in the backyard the day we moved into this house. I told him if the cops showed up he was answering the door… sure enough the cops were called by one of our new neighbors. And I laughed as I told him the door was for him. The little shit talked his way out of the ticket. He told them he was visiting from Tennessee and didn’t know it was illegal to set off fireworks and stopped when I told him. He had lived here most of his life but he forgot that part when talking to the cops.  I suppose that he still had on his ACU pants and dogtags on helped.  And of course his charming irresistible grin. His smile made you want to become his best friend instantly.  I miss that smile.

It’s been two years since you were taken from us Micheal and I still miss you.

I know that to heal this wound I need to find a way to say good bye. To let go of this guilt and hurt. I’m sure the answer will find away to me.  Maybe it’s the barracks sign. Maybe that is why I am so obsessed about getting my hands on it. I don’t know yet but I suppose when the sign is under my finger tips I will know if that is the answer.

In the meantime I will go through my ritual of dusting each item on his memory table and putting it back in exactly the same spot.  I will re-read the letters and hug his uniform shirt then take a deep breath and carry on.

The Pledge from James Hooker on Vimeo.