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The Iraq War - Chapter 5

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  • Re: The Iraq War - Chapter 5

    From the Army Times: A slight change in the Army policy of "Don't ask, don't tell". Don't tell reporters about how terrible your living conditions are at Walter Reed so reporters can't ask any more questions and cause trouble for us.

    Soldiers say their sergeant major gathered troops at 6 p.m. Monday to tell them they must follow their chain of command when asking for help with their medical evaluation paperwork, or when they spot mold, mice or other problems in their quarters.

    They were also told they would be moving out of Building 18 to Building 14 within the next couple of weeks. Building 14 is a barracks that houses the administrative offices for the Medical Hold Unit and was renovated in 2006. It’s also located on the Walter Reed Campus, where reporters must be escorted by public affairs personnel. Building 18 is located just off campus and is easy to access.

    The soldiers said they were also told their first sergeant has been relieved of duty, and that all of their platoon sergeants have been moved to other positions at Walter Reed. And 120 permanent-duty soldiers are expected to arrive by mid-March to take control of the Medical Hold Unit, the soldiers said.

    ...The Pentagon also clamped down on media coverage of any and all Defense Department medical facilities, to include suspending planned projects by CNN and the Discovery Channel, saying in an e-mail to spokespeople: “It will be in most cases not appropriate to engage the media while this review takes place,” referring to an investigation of the problems at Walter Reed.
    Miulang
    "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

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    • Re: The Iraq War - Chapter 5

      With the horrific disclosures and Congressional investigation of the woeful condition of the VA hospital system, this article by a couple of economists points out the staggering cost to this country of supporting injured veterans for the rest of their lives. Knowing the cost of this support by taxpayers---in the trillions of dollars---for the next 30 or 40 years is mind-boggling. And we still have to support injured vets from WW2, Korea, Vietnam and the first Gulf War!

      It's our obligation to do this for our veterans, but it really makes me wonder if pre-emptive wars should ever be waged again in our name.

      Miulang
      "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

      Comment


      • Troops ordered to stay additional 3 months

        What a horrible, demoralizing turn of events the announcement yesterday by the Sec. of Defense must be to the families of troops currently based in Iraq and Afghanistan! Here is what the Army Times posted about the new orders.

        For troops who were planning to return home in Sept., it means waiting until the end of the year before they can return to American soil. For their families, it means an additional 3 months of worry about their loved ones.

        This, plus the news this morning that suicide bombers had infiltrated the most heavily guarded part of the Green Zone in Baghdad and blew up a strategic bridge along with 3 Iraqi politicians, does not bode well for the "surge" that the President ordered. It shows that the suicide bombers can infiltrate any part of Baghdad at will.

        And how are we paying for the troops? Congress passed a funding measure to support the troops which also included a call for a definite withdrawal timeline (the wish of the majority of the American public). First George Bush excoriates the Congress for leaving on Easter break before sending him a bill for consideration (which he declared he would veto anyway), and then he has the audacity to go before the American taxpayers and tell them that he would veto any spending bill which had strings attached. He also had the nerve to state that if the troops had to stay there longer (which they are), then it's not his fault. So who is being more stupid in this case?

        The money to pay our troops is waiting. It's the President and his advisors who are being stubborn and bullheaded.

        Miulang
        Last edited by Miulang; April 12, 2007, 06:45 AM.
        "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

        Comment


        • Re: The Iraq War - Chapter 5

          My daughter received the news yesterday. This will be the second time for Justin to be in Iraq fifteen months deployed. He will miss Kiana's first birthday celebration. He will be back sometime in November. Then my son, Conrad will be deployed, his third. We are an Military Ohana. We don't grumble...we just pray for ALL to come safely home into our arms.

          They enlisted willingly to protect our Nation. An excerpt of Gaya's email:
          "Please keep him in your prayers-- that he remain motivated and stay encouraged. He is otherwise doing great, preparing for the staff sergeant board next month and loving his job."


          Kiana and Gaya
          http://www.auntiepupule.com/blog/index.php?id=1007

          Auntie Lynn
          Last edited by 1stwahine; April 12, 2007, 06:58 AM.
          Be AKAMAI ~ KOKUA Hawai`i!
          Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

          Comment


          • Re: The Iraq War - Chapter 5

            Suppose the White House created a new "Czar" position---one to manage our participation in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars---and then had 3 potential candidates decline the offer?

            The administration's interest in the idea stems from long-standing concern over the coordination of civilian and military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan by different parts of the U.S. government. The Defense and State departments have long struggled over their roles and responsibilities in Iraq, with the White House often forced to referee.

            The highest-ranking White House official responsible exclusively for the wars is deputy national security adviser Meghan O'Sullivan, who reports to national security adviser Stephen J. Hadley and does not have power to issue orders to agencies. O'Sullivan plans to step down soon, giving the White House the opportunity to rethink how it organizes the war effort.

            Unlike O'Sullivan, the new czar would report directly to Bush and to Hadley and would have the title of assistant to the president, just as Hadley and the other highest-ranking White House officials have, the sources said. The new czar would also have "tasking authority," or the power to issue directions, over other agencies, they said.

            To fill such a role, the White House is searching for someone with enough stature and confidence to deal directly with heavyweight administration figures such as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates. Besides Sheehan, sources said, the White House or intermediaries have sounded out retired Army Gen. Jack Keane and retired Air Force Gen. Joseph W. Ralston, who also said they are not interested. Ralston declined to comment; Keane confirmed he declined the offer, adding: "It was discussed weeks ago."
            Is this an admission by the White House that one hand doesn't know what the other is doing and that the inmates are in control of the asylum? Adding another layer of bureaucracy is not going to make things any better. Or as one of the generals (General Sheehan) who turned down the offer said:
            "The very fundamental issue is, they don't know where the hell they're going,"
            Miulang
            "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

            Comment


            • Wolfowitz: War Crimes to Scandals to The Hague , Re: The Iraq War - Chapter 5

              .
              === Suppose the White House created a new "Czar" position---one to manage our participation in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars---and then had 3 potential candidates decline the offer? === Miulang

              Unindicted US war criminal Paul Wolfowitz, a former deputy secretary of Defense under Don Rumsfeld, may be looking for a new work in which to further impose his absolutely evil and wicked self on humanity. Since of course the White House Supports Wolfowitz Amid Scandal at World Bank the White House should bring him back into their fold. Perhaps then it will be easier to get Wolfowitz to the The Hague and prove to the world that the United States can see their own war criminals as the rest of the world sees them.
              * www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9575437
              .
              Last edited by waioli kai; April 13, 2007, 01:50 PM.

              Comment


              • Re: The Iraq War - Chapter 5

                So I'm readin the Iraq report this morning. Pure carnage over there. Muslim on muslim violence is out of control. Civility has been abandoned by the people themselves. Funny how the lion's share of the bombings seldom target US soldiers anymore.

                For instance, there was a checkpoint with 15 Iraqi Soldiers that was attacked with a truck full of men, a market with a double car bomb, a water tank that had chlorine poisoning, and a host of other incidents wherein children, women, and several men died, and none were US soldiers. People are dying in massive numbers, of that there is no doubt. But it's sorta like a tennis match, where US Soldiers are sitting in the stands, only occasionaly being pelted with an errant tennis ball, then blasting every tennis player, ball boy, and official right off the court, only to replaced by a new crew.

                Islam, the religion, has failed it's believers in the most basic way. For the attackers, it has given them the right to destroy civility without retribution, and for the peaceful Muslims, it has hamstrung their desire or ability to get themselves out of the mire due to loyalty to their brethren. All this in the face of one funeral after another, where mother's cry, and can do nothing because they are left powerless by the very religion they believe.

                To prove these points, look at the peaceful march through an Iraqi town, of citizens crying for basic infrastructure like water, power, sewer. (Probably blown up by The Idiot in a fit of rage or by terrorists since then, right? Right.)

                What the hell is a march and a demonstration going to do for you? Get down to the power plant and turn a wrench, dig a trench, splice something. Head to the water plant, and bring your pipe dope. We gonna need some concrete too. You got 3000 people in a parade instead of working their butts off to make anything better, or to try to increase civility within their ranks.

                Their is a fine line between vigilantism and terrorism. The basic delineation is one's moral perception. At this point, rank and file Muslims have not yet had enough of the carnage to stop the momentum from within. Iran sees no carnage. Syria sees no carnage. Not a single American Muslim is seeing any carnage, unless they are soldiers. So their is really no impetus for change.

                The terrorists know this. In fact, they depend upon it in order that they freely can move about in 1/3 of the world. Essentially for their safety.
                FutureNewsNetwork.com
                Energy answers are already here.

                Comment


                • Re: The Iraq War - Chapter 5

                  My wife just got extended for 3 more months (you know, a BACK DOOR DRAFT!) The military at war time SUCKS!

                  She left august 06, and will not be home till AFTER CHRISTMAS 07!

                  Boy, getting the @$@#$@# outta the army and moving back to hawaii is getting more and more attractive each week! (Even though we have 13 years in the military, I am sure this is THE NEXT VIETNAM, and I am SURE AN INVASION OF IRAN IS NEXT!)
                  http://twitter.com/surfoahu

                  Comment


                  • Re: The Iraq War - Chapter 5

                    See what IRAN is up to..


                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujnPblFT6mg

                    If you think an invasion of iran is not in the IMMEDIATE FUTURE, I think your nuts!

                    Then watch what is on their TV in islamic countries...

                    Fox News airs video of Qana dead children as props in Lebanon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBe1hyVM9sI

                    Hezbollywood - CNN admits staging of photos by Hezbollah http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXy6q4cH4pw

                    Teaching Hatred via Music Videos in Palestine and Lebanon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad8ETI9B8rw

                    Teaching hatred of the US and Israel - Lebanon and Palestine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mA9GkXFbL4
                    http://twitter.com/surfoahu

                    Comment


                    • Re: The Iraq War - Chapter 5

                      .
                      --Islam, the religion, has failed it's believers in the most basic way. --

                      And, pray tell, where has Judaism and/or Christianity succeeded?

                      ...without US orchestrated mayhem, without zionUSt$ orchestrated violent chaos, without US deceit, and US$

                      ? ? ? ? ? ?
                      Last edited by waioli kai; April 16, 2007, 09:04 PM.

                      Comment


                      • The Great Wall of Adhamiya

                        In a scene shockingly reminiscent of what happened in the occupied territory of the West Bank, the US is now building a 3-mile long, 12-foot high wall around the Sunni enclave of Adhamiya, in a desperate attempt to reduce sectarian violence. The inhabitants of that section of Baghdad are upset...and I don't blame them.

                        Sunni and Shia were once able to live side by side in relative peace. Having a high wall will only serve to stir up resentment on the part of those who feel like they are being held prisoners in their own city. When the US leaves, will that wall remain?

                        Miulang
                        "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

                        Comment


                        • Re: The Iraq War - Chapter 5

                          Originally posted by timkona View Post

                          Islam, the religion, has failed it's believers in the most basic way. For the attackers, it has given them the right to destroy civility without retribution, and for the peaceful Muslims, it has hamstrung their desire or ability to get themselves out of the mire due to loyalty to their brethren. All this in the face of one funeral after another, where mother's cry, and can do nothing because they are left powerless by the very religion they believe.
                          then you'd have to agree that christians were failed by their religion many times over. specific examples include the spanish inquisition, the salem witch trials, the troubles in ireland (which didn't end until nine years ago) and quite a bit of the middle ages.
                          superbia (pride), avaritia (greed), luxuria (lust), invidia (envy), gula (gluttony), ira (wrath) & acedia (sloth)--the seven deadly sins.

                          "when you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people i deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly..."--meditations, marcus aurelius (make sure you read the rest of the passage, ya lazy wankers!)

                          nothing humiliates like the truth.--me, in conversation w/mixedplatebroker re 3rd party, 2009-11-11, 1213

                          Comment


                          • Re: The Great Wall of Adhamiya

                            Originally posted by Miulang View Post
                            In a scene shockingly reminiscent of what happened in the occupied territory of the West Bank, the US is now building a 3-mile long, 12-foot high wall around the Sunni enclave of Adhamiya, in a desperate attempt to reduce sectarian violence. The inhabitants of that section of Baghdad are upset...and I don't blame them.

                            Sunni and Shia were once able to live side by side in relative peace. Having a high wall will only serve to stir up resentment on the part of those who feel like they are being held prisoners in their own city. When the US leaves, will that wall remain?

                            Miulang
                            I think it's a relatively practical and passive method of curbing the violence. To say Sunni and Shia are able to live side by side in relative peace in today's Iraq is a farce. So if it cuts down the level of violence, I think it's a great idea. Yes, convenience of travel will be hampered but don't tell me car bombs and IEDs haven't already hampered convenience of travel.

                            Comment


                            • Re: The Great Wall of Adhamiya

                              Originally posted by joshuatree View Post
                              I think it's a relatively practical and passive method of curbing the violence. To say Sunni and Shia are able to live side by side in relative peace in today's Iraq is a farce. So if it cuts down the level of violence, I think it's a great idea. Yes, convenience of travel will be hampered but don't tell me car bombs and IEDs haven't already hampered convenience of travel.
                              I didn't say they can live in peace right now, but prior to the toppling of Saddam and our occupation, they did live in relative peace next to each other. Artificial barriers like these walls and the aborted attempt at digging a moat around Baghdad only serve to incite the rabble even more.

                              Miulang
                              "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

                              Comment


                              • Re: The Great Wall of Adhamiya

                                Originally posted by Miulang View Post
                                I didn't say they can live in peace right now, but prior to the toppling of Saddam and our occupation, they did live in relative peace next to each other. Artificial barriers like these walls and the aborted attempt at digging a moat around Baghdad only serve to incite the rabble even more.

                                Miulang
                                It was relatively peaceful under Saddam because he provided overwhelming oppression and put sectarian differences on the back burner. Now you got full scale violence. If breaking Baghdad into tiny enclaves will reduce the violence, then that's good. Walls can always be removed when things turn better. If the walls attract the bombs, then good, better than the bombs going off at the stores, hospitals, police stations.

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