The Yon Conspiracy Over Tarnak

Once again, War on Terror News traces Yon's own words and behavior to separate the truth from the fiction that Yon has persisted in weaving.

Read on:

02/10/2011

The Yon Conspiracy Over Tarnak

I'm going to start this one with some admissions of ignorance by Yon, in his own words. I'll then look at how he went from praising General McChrystal, to calling for his head, and examining where Yon's vindictive headhunting took him.

So Yon has been covering the wars for years, and claimed in 2006 that we were losing the War in Afghanistan, but in May of 2010, he still doesn't know who the Taliban even are. That could be a post of its own. I don't expect everyone to understand who the Taliban are, but I do expect the expert combat Journalist, who makes a living by asking people to donate money to his time in country, (and his extended vacations in Thailand) to understand who the Taliban are. I'll bet readers here could educate him.

But Yon also admits he doesn't know what's going on in the bigger picture. You know, I could give him this one, if it weren't for the fact that he had been prolifically declaring the General who does know is "incompetent." I've never "blogged" from a combat zone as has Yon, but I've served as a Warrior in more than one. I know that it's difficult to focus on the forest while also seeing the tree. When you're taking small arms fire, it's hard to care who's watching on the big screen in Bagram, or what they think of how your piece fits into the strategic picture...

Yes, WOTN has more, much more as they document Yon's 'expert' pronouncements on matters that, to this (unschooled in military matters) civilian, he really was not qualified to speak about. You can find the rest HERE.

Part 1 here, and Part 2 here. Part 3 is here. Part 4 here.

The Bridge Over the River Tarnak

In the Global War on Terror (and the usual insistence that this IS Global, and it IS a War on Terror,) casual msm consumers may not hear of the many individual battles that make up the big picture. Fortunately, there are some writers - very keen, knowledgeable observers/analysts - who continue to tell the truths of these battles. From War on Terror News comes one such account:

Sunday, February 06, 2011

The Bridge Over the River Tarnak

On a cold morning of March 1, 2010, a suicide bomber attacked an American Convoy on a bridge in Kandahar Province. Afghan Security were protecting the bridge and the blast was sufficient to throw a multi-ton Mine Resistant vehicle off the bridge, killing a Soldier and several Afghan Civilians. It was another day in Afghanistan and this time the enemy had gotten lucky.

Normally, such a story would get little press, but this one would be different. The bridge was important, but not as important as the aftermath. It was clearly a target, as another explosive was found on it, but that one was not exploded by the enemy. It was a tactical victory by the enemy, but not as big as it became at the hands of an American Journalist. It caused an international uproar, but the outrage was founded in emotion rather than logic.

You see, it was only a few miles away that a major international base had been going about their daily lives, many of whom had watched the Super Bowl, er, Olympics Hockey Game. They were not "on duty," but relaxing at the end of a long day of work or short night of sleep. The bridge was between them and Khandahar and as is normal, there was no General guarding it. Generals have more important things to do, and more than one General had joined the Troops to watch the game.

It was a coalition post and so it isn't certain if British General Carter cared enough to watch a game pitting two allies on the ice, or not. While it can be argued that it would have boosted morale to have an impartial leader cheering the actions of sports stars on ice, or not diplomatic of him to be in a position of choosing sides, there is little doubt that Americans and Canadians alike were, for one night, entertained by events far removed from the battles they fought daily.

The question, though, is not if those of Northern climes enjoy Hockey like Southern boys enjoy NASCAR, or Americans of all stripes enjoy the Super Bowl, but who was guarding the bridge while they did? The question is not should a General guard a bridge, but who was responsible for what on that night? The question is not if every car can be checked, but who was responsible for deciding which cars to check? The question is not whether some were enjoying a little down time, or if they had earned it, but were Troops watching a game instead of guarding a bridge?...

WOTN has the rest HERE, as he sets out many more questions; and proceeds to answer every question raised in a clear, concise, thoroughly researched chronology. JUST the facts, and it is a MUST READ. Really it is.

Be informed.