Every morning I go to the gym and run on the treadmill. 

Every morning I am subjected to at least a dozen commercials for the new anti-war movie 'Lions for Lambs.' 

Despite spend several million dollars on advertising and marketing, 'Lions for Lambs' will flop--just like 'Rendition' & and 'Valley of Elah.' 

They will flop because the human psyche, especially the American variety, prefers real heroes--like the original hero of the Valley of Elah, a young shepherd named David who killed Goliath then cut off the giant's head.

Great story of paratroopers in combat by Jeff Emanuel...

Before I went to Iraq in March, I left this envelope with my business partner and most trusted friend, David Chavarria. 

I have left an evelope like this with him before every trip to Iraq. 

It contains my will, a living will/advanced directive, last letters and some other detailed instructions.

I was stranded.

There was no money in my bank account, my credit cards were maxed, and I had no idea how I was going to pay the mortgage or my car payment.

I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get out of Iraq.

That was me, JD Johannes, in the early fall of 2005.

Out of money, running low on video tape, and thinking I was about to take up permanent residence in Camp Fallujah.

The previous spring I had quit my job here in the states to follow my old Marine Corps unit to Iraq.

We are hearing that the violence in Iraq is decreasing.

And we all hear the phrase 'The Surge.' 

But what is the surge?  How has it worked to decrease the violence?

General Ricardo Sanchez (Ret.) spent the first half of a recent speech lambasting the media.

The other half critizing the war effort in Iraq.

So, what is the follow-up from the media?

Funny how they are able to ignore the first half of speech.  It is like it never happened.

For all those braying over phony soldiers, let me introduce you to a real hero--Jason Stegall.