Michael Yon, War Stuff, and the Pope

Have you guys had a chance to check out any of the Michael Yon stuff that I've posted? It's easy reading and I promise that it really is very interesting. He recently came out with a book about the situation in Iraq, Moment of Truth In Iraq. This here is a recent interview with him over at NRO. It seems long, but again, it's really interesting. He's very plain and really when you read his stuff, you get the sense that he really is just reporting and not interested so much in all the political jockeying that goes on. This is his online magazine, and I will be linking it for future reference on the left with the other political links. His works survives mainly through reader contributions so if there is any money you can donate, please do.

And lastly...have you guys heard anything about the Pope's recent trip through the US? I've heard a couple of things here and there, but it really does seem like Pope Benedict is a very solid leader for the Catholic Church. Mostly I gather this from the way he has been approaching the stains caused by all of the sex scandals that seemed to have been getting overlooked by the upper levels of leadership within the church. And I got this from Hugh Hewitt's blog post about the Pope's visit, but this is worth noting:

Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility. Americans know this from experience -- almost every town in this country has its monuments honoring those who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom, both at home and abroad. The preservation of freedom calls for the cultivation of virtue, self-discipline, sacrifice for the common good and a sense of responsibility towards the less fortunate. It also demands the courage to engage in civic life and to bring one's deepest beliefs and values to reasoned public debate. In a word, freedom is ever new. It is a challenge held out to each generation, and it must constantly be won over for the cause of good. Few have understood this as clearly as the late Pope John Paul II. In reflecting on the spiritual victory of freedom over totalitarianism in his native Poland and in eastern Europe, he reminded us that history shows, time and again, that "in a world without truth, freedom loses its foundation," and a democracy without values can lose its very soul. Those prophetic words in some sense echo the conviction of President Washington, expressed in his Farewell Address, that religion and morality represent "indispensable supports" of political
prosperity.

The emphasis is my own. I guess I can't help myself when it comes to the political stuff. There are some really important things going on, and I really feel like this quote from Pope Benedict really captures some of why it's important to be in the know.