From The Front Lines 2

The second part of Jeff Emanuel's report from the front lines in Iraq is now online at the American Thinker.

Discussing another wide range of topics, including health care, patrols, sectarian splintering, the Iraqi police force, and much more, Emanuel reveals both the flowers and the manure of what's going on there.

Especially important, in my opinion, is his series of conclusions. Excerpts:

However, the fact remains that this struggle, which America entered into voluntarily, is now (even if it might not originally have been) a battle which holds great import for a vital region of the world, as well as for the image, reputation, and security of the United States itself.

Though "victory" -- whatever it may look like in its final form, and under its final definition -- is far from guaranteed, this is a battle which must be fought with maximum effort and support, to the last day, for the sake of Iraq and of the U.S. Fortunately, if there is a man in the U.S. military with capacity to successfully direct this fight, it is the man currently tasked with doing so.

To make any less than our best, most concerted, most unified attempt at victory would be to endanger America's own security and reputation. After Vietnam, Beirut, Mogadishu, and the abandonment of the Iraqis whom we told to rise up after the first Gulf War, we cannot afford another high-profile blow or to break faith with the diverse, threatened, and disadvantaged Iraqi people, to whom we once presented ourselves as liberators, and to whom we now serve as the one and only chance at a better life, if not at life itself.

Great, great information, probably the most honest look I've seen so far. Go read the whole thing.

There's my two cents.