Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Friday, July 04, 2008
An Inconvenient Death
Grew up being the piccolo player for Stars and Stripes Forever. Great music, but....
There is a jarring disconnect between the upbeat military music and the reality that cold dead bodies of warm loving children will be sent back to parents today and every day for a long time to come from Iraq. And don't get me started about Iran.
We had damn well better have a good reason for telling a mother that her son has been taken away. Forever.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Webb and Iraq and Iran
I should be happy about the progress being made in the Senate and House Judiciary hearings, and I am to a point. I fell into a funk considering our military situation. Stepping back from the motherblog, I spent some time thinking about more mundane matters such as lovely children and my new Louboutins. It does not create a balance against the horror but I must try to find joy where possible.
But there are matters of war and peace which are slipping away from us. The Webb amendment to give troops adequate rest before being sent away to get shot at: 56 favored this, 41 against. And that means it passed? Oh no, it failed, because this was a cloture vote. Now we see who -really- supports the troops.
The Webb amendment was a compromise between historical ratios of fighting and rest, which are 2:1 for regular forces and much greater for reserves and guard. The bill would set the ratio at 1:1 for regular forces; current troops are fighting for 15 months and off for only 12. The Senate couldn't agree to 1:1? Who will agree to sign up to fight with no end in sight, for a bogus war begun based on lies about weapons of mass destruction?
It is destroying our reserves and our national guard as well. Someday we might need the guard at home. New Orleans anyone?
Then the Senate passed a bill using very provocative language about IraN, using terms like murder of US troops. This is the kind of step that can lead to more propaganda, falling into war, real war, the kind where the other country might actually strike back against us. And for what? Oil, power, our supposed ally in the Middle East?
Spare me. No, better: spare our troops.
*******
But there are matters of war and peace which are slipping away from us. The Webb amendment to give troops adequate rest before being sent away to get shot at: 56 favored this, 41 against. And that means it passed? Oh no, it failed, because this was a cloture vote. Now we see who -really- supports the troops.
The Webb amendment was a compromise between historical ratios of fighting and rest, which are 2:1 for regular forces and much greater for reserves and guard. The bill would set the ratio at 1:1 for regular forces; current troops are fighting for 15 months and off for only 12. The Senate couldn't agree to 1:1? Who will agree to sign up to fight with no end in sight, for a bogus war begun based on lies about weapons of mass destruction?
It is destroying our reserves and our national guard as well. Someday we might need the guard at home. New Orleans anyone?
Then the Senate passed a bill using very provocative language about IraN, using terms like murder of US troops. This is the kind of step that can lead to more propaganda, falling into war, real war, the kind where the other country might actually strike back against us. And for what? Oil, power, our supposed ally in the Middle East?
Spare me. No, better: spare our troops.
*******
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Senator Webb on war and peace
Senator Webb [man, I just cannot stop smiling at that phrase] was great today on ABC This Week.
Let’s see if this link to the video will work. Ok looks good.
Democrats have pushed the administration into having serious diplomatic talks with the nations around Iraq.
Wounded are being severely undercounted in the official tally.
Backlog of 400,000 for transition to the VA system is part of the Walter Reed mess.
For Rayne—he says Levin is particularly effective on these issues.
He has a poker face when asked about being the VP nominee. I know his expressions pretty well, this is a question he’s obviously heard many times. He says he is enjoying being in the Senate and there is much to do.
Committees: Foreign Relations, Armed Services, Veterans Affairs
Both Armed Services and VA committees have had separate hearings and now there will be a joint hearing.
His take on the Libby trial: part of the overall politics of character assassination by Rove and others against anyone who criticizes the rush to war as he and Wilson both did.
It's so refreshing to see REAL LEADERSHIP in Washington. We have waited so long.
PS---Here's a link for all of Senator Webb's videos at his website.
*******
Let’s see if this link to the video will work. Ok looks good.
Democrats have pushed the administration into having serious diplomatic talks with the nations around Iraq.
Wounded are being severely undercounted in the official tally.
Backlog of 400,000 for transition to the VA system is part of the Walter Reed mess.
For Rayne—he says Levin is particularly effective on these issues.
He has a poker face when asked about being the VP nominee. I know his expressions pretty well, this is a question he’s obviously heard many times. He says he is enjoying being in the Senate and there is much to do.
Committees: Foreign Relations, Armed Services, Veterans Affairs
Both Armed Services and VA committees have had separate hearings and now there will be a joint hearing.
His take on the Libby trial: part of the overall politics of character assassination by Rove and others against anyone who criticizes the rush to war as he and Wilson both did.
It's so refreshing to see REAL LEADERSHIP in Washington. We have waited so long.
PS---Here's a link for all of Senator Webb's videos at his website.
*******
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Setting a good example
Three kinds of good examples today.
My pilates teacher, fellow Cherokee, who is being very brave in handling all things as her husband is in Iraq for a year. Oh yes, and more, as he is being stop lossed. They have a baby who is growing up without dad.
My commenters here at egregiousBlog who are sharing very personal and painful details of their lives. I am in awe. You guys are the greatest. You are inspiring not only me but many others who benefit from your example of courage. Keep up the good work.
A new senator that I had the good fortune to speak with again this evening. He totally gets it about Iraq and Iran, the depletion of our military, the necessity of finding a new way home.
And WHAT is that yellow thing in the sky, seems to be melting the snow?? Is it related to waiting for the jurors in the Libby trial? For those of us who are watching and waiting, everything in the world seems related to the trial.
JUSTICE. And soon please God.
.
My pilates teacher, fellow Cherokee, who is being very brave in handling all things as her husband is in Iraq for a year. Oh yes, and more, as he is being stop lossed. They have a baby who is growing up without dad.
My commenters here at egregiousBlog who are sharing very personal and painful details of their lives. I am in awe. You guys are the greatest. You are inspiring not only me but many others who benefit from your example of courage. Keep up the good work.
A new senator that I had the good fortune to speak with again this evening. He totally gets it about Iraq and Iran, the depletion of our military, the necessity of finding a new way home.
And WHAT is that yellow thing in the sky, seems to be melting the snow?? Is it related to waiting for the jurors in the Libby trial? For those of us who are watching and waiting, everything in the world seems related to the trial.
JUSTICE. And soon please God.
.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Webb: "Invasion and Occupation"
Senator James Webb [I just LOVE saying that} pulls his weight on the Armed Services Committee interviewing General Pace.
He called the so-called war in Iraq: an "invasion and occupation." This is from a Marine platoon leader in Vietnam, and Secretary of the Navy. His words about military engagement are not carelessly chosen.
He had a sharp reply for Senator Lindsey Graham about why people join the military. It is not for "policy," which Graham was putting forth on behalf of the Administration, but because they love their country, have a family tradition of serving in the military, are looking for camaraderie, or are trying to better themselves. Policy indeed.
I missed the hearing and then missed the C-Span rerun. At least I was able to alert fdl folk about the rerun, maybe some kind person taped it for YouTube. [This is on the edge of being abbrev if not already. uTb?]
In another conversation, with Secretary Rice, he asked if the Administration would go to war against Iran without the approval of Congress. Answer: Hint. It wasn't no. Not no means yes. Of course it's a moot point as we are by some indications already in Iran with special forces.
Am so grateful we helped elect Webb. I began in February 2006 when his ratings were in the asterisk range. Read about his candidacy and said This Is It.
Called up and sent a check. Got involved with get out the vote efforts. Attended meetings and actually had to Talk With People™, agony for shy little egregious. Surprised myself by calling friends and asking them to donate.
Met with Webb, and Governor Warner, and gave each of them with my business card. On the back, the egregious political platform:
Domestic policy: the Constitution
Foreign policy: Geneva Conventions
If we lose these, we have truly lost our way as a nation.
He called the so-called war in Iraq: an "invasion and occupation." This is from a Marine platoon leader in Vietnam, and Secretary of the Navy. His words about military engagement are not carelessly chosen.
He had a sharp reply for Senator Lindsey Graham about why people join the military. It is not for "policy," which Graham was putting forth on behalf of the Administration, but because they love their country, have a family tradition of serving in the military, are looking for camaraderie, or are trying to better themselves. Policy indeed.
I missed the hearing and then missed the C-Span rerun. At least I was able to alert fdl folk about the rerun, maybe some kind person taped it for YouTube. [This is on the edge of being abbrev if not already. uTb?]
In another conversation, with Secretary Rice, he asked if the Administration would go to war against Iran without the approval of Congress. Answer: Hint. It wasn't no. Not no means yes. Of course it's a moot point as we are by some indications already in Iran with special forces.
Am so grateful we helped elect Webb. I began in February 2006 when his ratings were in the asterisk range. Read about his candidacy and said This Is It.
Called up and sent a check. Got involved with get out the vote efforts. Attended meetings and actually had to Talk With People™, agony for shy little egregious. Surprised myself by calling friends and asking them to donate.
Met with Webb, and Governor Warner, and gave each of them with my business card. On the back, the egregious political platform:
Domestic policy: the Constitution
Foreign policy: Geneva Conventions
If we lose these, we have truly lost our way as a nation.
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