Weekend Update

Well nothing major to report, but there are a few updates and news bits I thought you would find interesting:

• Clashes with insurgents continue in Ramadi. The Australian Sunday Times reports that "In Iraq, 16 people were killed in a string of ambushes and clashes, including a tribal leader, one of three people gunned down in fighting between insurgents and US troops near the restive Sunni stronghold of Ramadi." The Associated Press indicates that "Eight bodies were found Saturday in Anbar province -- five in Ramadi and three in the town of Baghdadi -- and residents said they were believed to be Iraqis who worked for the Americans or Iraqi security services."

• There is an article about one of Rory's unit mates who was able to return home on leave recently to be with his ailing father. Coutu took some of the pictures that Rory sent home on CD and can be see in several pictures in Rory's album such as this, this, and this. Also interesting is a photo of the humvee's windshield that was hit by an IED. I am not sure if it is the same incident reported in the article, but the timeframe does match. If so, then you can see how the press exaggerates.
  

• In other news, the soldier that was claimed to be kidnapped by Iraqi insurgent was confirmed to be an ACTION FIGURE! Here's an article on that and how the action figure is now in high demand. For some reason I find that almost humorous in a strange sort of way.

• If you are interested in reading milblogs, here is another one, called Armor Geddon, that I really like. It is a guy who I have corresponded with and he is based in Fallujah. He is very descriptive and I would venture to say that his blog is one of the best I have seen since Colby Buzzell's "My War" blog. Incidentally, CB has landed himself a book deal and will be publishing his experiences in a book that will come out in fall of 2005.

• As I mentioned before, there are several Iraqi bloggers that offer a different perspective of the war. "Salam Pax", whose blog is now a book, was one of them and he has now created a film that documents these perspectives and which will be shown at the Rotterdam film festive. Here is more on that story.
  

I got another short note from Rory yesterday morning. Still not looking great for him getting leave, but at least he is safe and hanging in there. Everyone enjoy the rest of your weekend!