Think Progress

REPORT: 72 Percent Of Army Brigades Have Served Multiple Tours of Duty

The Center for American Progress has released a new study on the state of our military readiness. The report — “Beyond the Call of Duty: A Comprehensive Review of the Overuse of the Army in the Administration’s War of Choice in Iraq” — undertook a “massive research project to identify, brigade by brigade, the number and duration of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan by the active Army.” The report found a large majority of Army brigades have served multiple tours:

– Brigades with one tour in Iraq or Afghanistan: 12

– Brigades with two tours in Iraq or Afghanistan: 20

– Brigades with three tours in Iraq or Afghanistan: 9

– Brigades with four tours in Iraq or Afghanistan: 2

The report also points out that a total of 420,000 troops have deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan more than once, and over 84,000 National Guard and Reservists have done multiple tours.

The multiple deployments and extended tours of duty are taking a serious toll on our soldiers. Two-thirds of Army brigades are “not ready for wartime missions,” and one Pentagon survey found that troops in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from chronic shortages of armored vehicles, heavy weapons, and communications equipment.

In addition, an Army survey conducted last year found “U.S. soldiers serving repeated Iraq deployments are 50 percent more likely than those with one tour to suffer from acute combat stress, raising their risk of post-traumatic stress disorder”:

Combat stress is significantly higher among soldiers with at least one previous tour — 18.4 percent, compared with 12.5 percent of those on their first deployment, the survey found. [...]

The report also found a doubling of suicides among soldiers serving in the Iraq war from 2004 to 2005, the latest period for which data are available.

President Bush’s escalation strategy will push these overstressed troops even further. “Our Army is in bad shape,” report co-author Lawrence Korb said, “and the surge will only make it worse for the Army and the country.”



90 Responses to “REPORT: 72 Percent Of Army Brigades Have Served Multiple Tours of Duty”

  1. Anonymous By Choice says:

    We’re supporting them by giving them a lot of work to do. What… you want them to sit around and do nothing back at home base? They signed up to SERVE… so let’s support them by sending them into the sh*t again, and again.

    They asked for it…. right?


  2. rachel says:

    Chickenhawks:
    Politicans Platoon

    Name: Gov. Meldrim “Mel” Thomson (R-Orford)
    Born: March 8, 1929
    Employer: His Daddy’s Publishing Co, Inc.
    Conflict Avoided: Korea
    Notes: Meldrim Thomson, New Hampshire’s quintessential Goofy Governor, once sought to arm the state’s National Guard with nuclear weapons. Some thought he wanted nukes to blast the Clamshell Alliance out of the way, so his pals at PSNH could build the Seabrook nuclear power plant. You might think that such a notoriously bellicose individual, twenty-one years old when the Reds crossed the line in Korea, might have managed to get into the fight – but you would be wrong.

    Name: Rep. Joseph “Joe” Scarborough (R-FL)
    Born: April 9, 1963
    Employer: MSNBC
    Conflict Avoided: Desert Storm
    Notes: A former Republican congresman (1995-2002) turned MSNBC motormouth, Joe qualifies as a politician and a barking head. Where were you during Desert Storm, pal?

    Name: Gov. Marc Racicot (R-MT)
    Born: July 24, 1948
    Employer: The Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: Marc got a BA in 1970, and immediately took the grad school route. Once the war was safely over he went in the service as an Army lawyer. After his gig as governor was up, he got the top spot at the RNC, likely as a reward for helping W. grab Florida.

    Name: Sen. J. Danforth “Dan” Quayle (R-IN)
    Born: February 4, 1947
    Employer: “investment firm in Phoenix” – Dan Quayle Museum
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: The Indiana National Guard was a nice safe place for young Dan during the Vietnam era. Good thing he was from “a good family” – too good to waste their boy in a war.

    Name: Sen. Don Nickles (R-OK)
    Born: December 6, 1948
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: Another National Guard-type Republican. It must be noted that service in the Guard these days is vastly different from what it was in the Vietnam era. When Don went in in 1970, it was a safe slot. Thanks to guys like Don, that’s no longer true.

    Name: Sen. Chester Trent Lott (R-MS)
    Born: October 9, 1941
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: We’re not sure why Trent didn’t serve. Maybe he didn’t think he’d look good in Army green. He was a cheerleader in college instead. Wonder how he looked in a cheerleader’s uniform?

    Name: I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby
    Born: 1950±
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam

    Notes: I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby is Dick Cheney’s Chief of Staff. He’s had a string of no-doubt well-paying government jobs in State and Defense. He’s also practiced law. In fact, he was Marc Rich’s lawyer for years. Yes — the Marc Rich whose pardon from President Clinton was excoriated by so many high and mighty Republicans. Maybe if Scooter had been a better lawyer, his client wouldn’t have needed that pardon. Speaking of legal questions, “Scooter” is alleged by some to have traded energy stocks while helping his buddy Dick Cheney cook up a new energy policy in secret. He’s also suspected of having inserted the bogus “Niger yellowcake” reference into the President’s State of the Union address. As if all that weren’t enough, he’s also a top suspect in the outing of CIA operative Valeria Plame. Clearly “Scooter” is a ballsy kind of guy, so it’s a complete mystery to us why, when he graduated from Phillips Andover in 1968, he didn’t enlist in the Marines or go Airborne instead of going to Yale.

    Name: Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-IL)
    Born: January 2, 1942
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: Dennis wasn’t able to serve in the Army in Vietnam because his knees weren’t up to it. He did OK as a wrestler in college, though.

    Name: Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH)
    Born: February 14, 1947
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayeer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: Another member of New Hampshire’s hereditary political aristocracy (see also: Charlie Bass and John Sununu) Judd’s daddy was Governor of New Hampshire from 1953 to 1955. Young Judd graduated from Columbia in ‘69 and apparently went straight to BU Law until the coast was clear. For good measure, he got written up for bad knees. They weren’t so bad he couldn’t spend half his term as Governor on the ski slopes.

    Name: Rep. Newton Leroy “Newt” Gingrich (R-GA)
    Born: June 17, 1943
    Employer: Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: A virtuoso in the art of hypocrisy, the former Speaker of the House now claims the Vietnam War was a splendid idea, but at the time he opposed going himself. Newtie also speaks highly of morality, but as a serial adulterer he doesn’t want to get too close to it himself.

    Name: Rep. Charles Gwynne Douglas, III (R-NH)
    Born: Dec. 2, 1942
    Employer: Was U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: Not so notable for bellicosity, but he makes up for it with fervid Republican zeal. Graduated from UNH in 1965, when the draft was pretty strong, but went straight to BU Law. Got out of there in 1968, when it was even stronger. No problem – Ol’ Chuck was “admitted to the bar in 1968 and commenced practice in Manchester, N.H., 1970-1974,” according to an unimpeachable source. How’s he manage to avoid Vietnam? According to that same source, http://bioguide.congress.gov, the future Congressman (NH, 2nd District, 1989-1991) was a “[C]olonel, New Hampshire Army National Guard, 1968 to present.”

    Name: Rep. Tom “The Exterminator” DeLay (R-TX)
    Born: April 8, 1947
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: One of our most-nominated chickenhawks, Mr. DeLay has said he wanted to serve in Vietnam, but was unable to since all the positions had been taken by blacks and hispanics. We suspect there might be someone in Iraq today who would be willing to trade places with Mr. DeLay …

    Name: Richard “Dick” Cheney (R-WY)
    Born: 1942
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: Says he had “other priorities.” You bet he had other priorities. Imagine how early in life you must begin scheming to get away with what this guy has. He was too busy thinking about Halliburton to go fight Charlie.

    Name: Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
    Born: 1943
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: There are chickenhawks, and then there are chickenhawks. Saxby Chambliss is a chickenhawk supreme. He got himself elected to the Senate by casting aspersions on the patriotism of the incumbent, Democrat Max Cleland. Cleland lost three limbs serving his country in Vietnam. Saxby Chambliss was unable to serve because of his bad knees, but somehow is able to totter along as a recreational runner.

    Name: Gov. Jeb Bush (R-FL)
    Born: 1953
    Employer: Florida Taxpayers
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: When Jeb was younger he managed to avoid fighting for democracy in Vietnam. When his older brother’s future job was on the line, though, he had no trouble fighting democracy.

    Name: George W. Bush (R-TX)
    Born: 1946
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: You know when a guy walks away from a National Guard obligation during wartime and gets away with it, he must come from “a good family.” Not that his daddy had anything to do with his getting a Guard slot in the first place – oh, no …

    Name: Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO)
    Born: January 10, 1950
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: The Congressman from Missouri and House Majority Whip who’s so concerned about defending America that offered an amendment to the law creating the Homeland Security department that would have made it tougher to sell cigarettes over the ‘Net. It wouldn’t have helped the whole country, but the part of it that belongs to Phillip Morris would have benefited. Born just about the right time for Vietnam, somehow Blunt was at Southwest Baptist University when he could have been keeping the ‘Cong out of Chillicothe, MO.

    Name: Rep. Charlie Bass (R-NH)
    Born: January 8, 1952
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: When your old man’s U.S. Representative Perkins Bass (2nd District, NH, 1955-1962), and your grandfather’s Governor Robert T. Bass (NH, 1911-1913), chances are slim you’ll ever get called “Private Bass,” even if you are born in 1952.

    Name: Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD)
    Born: June 3, 1926
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: WWII
    Notes: Nominated as a chickenhawk by a constituent, Roscoe Bartlett brings to his job on the House Armed Services committee a mind that’s unbiased and unprejudiced — though he had turned 18 by D-Day, when there was still plenty of opportunity to become a bona fide member of the Greatest Generation©, Roscoe let the war go by without putting on a uniform. We don’t know why; perhaps you could ask him.

    Name: Sen. George Allen (R-VA)
    Born: 1952
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: George Allen is in the Senate, and wants to be in the White House. Where he belongs is in the Chickenhawk Hall of Fame.
    Allen graduated from Palos Verde High in 1970, according to Wikipedia. In those days he “was a supporter of Richard Nixon and the Vietnam War, although he did not serve in that conflict, taking a student deferment instead.”
    During his 2006 re-election campaign Allen has “emphasized his dedication to military and veteran issues … during his term in the Senate,” according to the Hampton Roads Virginian-Pilot’s Warren Fiske. But the Disabled American Veterans only give him a rating of 50 — mediocre-at-best.
    Allen also favors a flag-burning amendment. Wouldn’t you know it?
    He probably wants to amend it to cover the Confederate flag as well as Old Glory. The mugshot is from the 2003 movie “Gods and Generals,” in which he played a Confederate officer.
    Allen’s campaign ads are made by Scott Howell. Picking the right guy was apparently a no-brainer for Allen. Howell’s resume includes the Saxby Chambliss campaign against Max Cleland, and the infamous Swift Boat ads against John Kerry.Chickenhawks:
    Politicans Platoon

    Name: Gov. Meldrim “Mel” Thomson (R-Orford)
    Born: March 8, 1929
    Employer: His Daddy’s Publishing Co, Inc.
    Conflict Avoided: Korea
    Notes: Meldrim Thomson, New Hampshire’s quintessential Goofy Governor, once sought to arm the state’s National Guard with nuclear weapons. Some thought he wanted nukes to blast the Clamshell Alliance out of the way, so his pals at PSNH could build the Seabrook nuclear power plant. You might think that such a notoriously bellicose individual, twenty-one years old when the Reds crossed the line in Korea, might have managed to get into the fight – but you would be wrong.

    Name: Rep. Joseph “Joe” Scarborough (R-FL)
    Born: April 9, 1963
    Employer: MSNBC
    Conflict Avoided: Desert Storm
    Notes: A former Republican congresman (1995-2002) turned MSNBC motormouth, Joe qualifies as a politician and a barking head. Where were you during Desert Storm, pal?

    Name: Gov. Marc Racicot (R-MT)
    Born: July 24, 1948
    Employer: The Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: Marc got a BA in 1970, and immediately took the grad school route. Once the war was safely over he went in the service as an Army lawyer. After his gig as governor was up, he got the top spot at the RNC, likely as a reward for helping W. grab Florida.

    Name: Sen. J. Danforth “Dan” Quayle (R-IN)
    Born: February 4, 1947
    Employer: “investment firm in Phoenix” – Dan Quayle Museum
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: The Indiana National Guard was a nice safe place for young Dan during the Vietnam era. Good thing he was from “a good family” – too good to waste their boy in a war.

    Name: Sen. Don Nickles (R-OK)
    Born: December 6, 1948
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: Another National Guard-type Republican. It must be noted that service in the Guard these days is vastly different from what it was in the Vietnam era. When Don went in in 1970, it was a safe slot. Thanks to guys like Don, that’s no longer true.

    Name: Sen. Chester Trent Lott (R-MS)
    Born: October 9, 1941
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: We’re not sure why Trent didn’t serve. Maybe he didn’t think he’d look good in Army green. He was a cheerleader in college instead. Wonder how he looked in a cheerleader’s uniform?

    Name: I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby
    Born: 1950±
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam

    Notes: I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby is Dick Cheney’s Chief of Staff. He’s had a string of no-doubt well-paying government jobs in State and Defense. He’s also practiced law. In fact, he was Marc Rich’s lawyer for years. Yes — the Marc Rich whose pardon from President Clinton was excoriated by so many high and mighty Republicans. Maybe if Scooter had been a better lawyer, his client wouldn’t have needed that pardon. Speaking of legal questions, “Scooter” is alleged by some to have traded energy stocks while helping his buddy Dick Cheney cook up a new energy policy in secret. He’s also suspected of having inserted the bogus “Niger yellowcake” reference into the President’s State of the Union address. As if all that weren’t enough, he’s also a top suspect in the outing of CIA operative Valeria Plame. Clearly “Scooter” is a ballsy kind of guy, so it’s a complete mystery to us why, when he graduated from Phillips Andover in 1968, he didn’t enlist in the Marines or go Airborne instead of going to Yale.

    Name: Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-IL)
    Born: January 2, 1942
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: Dennis wasn’t able to serve in the Army in Vietnam because his knees weren’t up to it. He did OK as a wrestler in college, though.

    Name: Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH)
    Born: February 14, 1947
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayeer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: Another member of New Hampshire’s hereditary political aristocracy (see also: Charlie Bass and John Sununu) Judd’s daddy was Governor of New Hampshire from 1953 to 1955. Young Judd graduated from Columbia in ‘69 and apparently went straight to BU Law until the coast was clear. For good measure, he got written up for bad knees. They weren’t so bad he couldn’t spend half his term as Governor on the ski slopes.

    Name: Rep. Newton Leroy “Newt” Gingrich (R-GA)
    Born: June 17, 1943
    Employer: Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: A virtuoso in the art of hypocrisy, the former Speaker of the House now claims the Vietnam War was a splendid idea, but at the time he opposed going himself. Newtie also speaks highly of morality, but as a serial adulterer he doesn’t want to get too close to it himself.

    Name: Rep. Charles Gwynne Douglas, III (R-NH)
    Born: Dec. 2, 1942
    Employer: Was U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: Not so notable for bellicosity, but he makes up for it with fervid Republican zeal. Graduated from UNH in 1965, when the draft was pretty strong, but went straight to BU Law. Got out of there in 1968, when it was even stronger. No problem – Ol’ Chuck was “admitted to the bar in 1968 and commenced practice in Manchester, N.H., 1970-1974,” according to an unimpeachable source. How’s he manage to avoid Vietnam? According to that same source, http://bioguide.congress.gov, the future Congressman (NH, 2nd District, 1989-1991) was a “[C]olonel, New Hampshire Army National Guard, 1968 to present.”

    Name: Rep. Tom “The Exterminator” DeLay (R-TX)
    Born: April 8, 1947
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: One of our most-nominated chickenhawks, Mr. DeLay has said he wanted to serve in Vietnam, but was unable to since all the positions had been taken by blacks and hispanics. We suspect there might be someone in Iraq today who would be willing to trade places with Mr. DeLay …

    Name: Richard “Dick” Cheney (R-WY)
    Born: 1942
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: Says he had “other priorities.” You bet he had other priorities. Imagine how early in life you must begin scheming to get away with what this guy has. He was too busy thinking about Halliburton to go fight Charlie.

    Name: Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
    Born: 1943
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: There are chickenhawks, and then there are chickenhawks. Saxby Chambliss is a chickenhawk supreme. He got himself elected to the Senate by casting aspersions on the patriotism of the incumbent, Democrat Max Cleland. Cleland lost three limbs serving his country in Vietnam. Saxby Chambliss was unable to serve because of his bad knees, but somehow is able to totter along as a recreational runner.

    Name: Gov. Jeb Bush (R-FL)
    Born: 1953
    Employer: Florida Taxpayers
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: When Jeb was younger he managed to avoid fighting for democracy in Vietnam. When his older brother’s future job was on the line, though, he had no trouble fighting democracy.

    Name: George W. Bush (R-TX)
    Born: 1946
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: You know when a guy walks away from a National Guard obligation during wartime and gets away with it, he must come from “a good family.” Not that his daddy had anything to do with his getting a Guard slot in the first place – oh, no …

    Name: Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO)
    Born: January 10, 1950
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: The Congressman from Missouri and House Majority Whip who’s so concerned about defending America that offered an amendment to the law creating the Homeland Security department that would have made it tougher to sell cigarettes over the ‘Net. It wouldn’t have helped the whole country, but the part of it that belongs to Phillip Morris would have benefited. Born just about the right time for Vietnam, somehow Blunt was at Southwest Baptist University when he could have been keeping the ‘Cong out of Chillicothe, MO.

    Name: Rep. Charlie Bass (R-NH)
    Born: January 8, 1952
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: When your old man’s U.S. Representative Perkins Bass (2nd District, NH, 1955-1962), and your grandfather’s Governor Robert T. Bass (NH, 1911-1913), chances are slim you’ll ever get called “Private Bass,” even if you are born in 1952.

    Name: Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD)
    Born: June 3, 1926
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: WWII
    Notes: Nominated as a chickenhawk by a constituent, Roscoe Bartlett brings to his job on the House Armed Services committee a mind that’s unbiased and unprejudiced — though he had turned 18 by D-Day, when there was still plenty of opportunity to become a bona fide member of the Greatest Generation©, Roscoe let the war go by without putting on a uniform. We don’t know why; perhaps you could ask him.

    Name: Sen. George Allen (R-VA)
    Born: 1952
    Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
    Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
    Notes: George Allen is in the Senate, and wants to be in the White House. Where he belongs is in the Chickenhawk Hall of Fame.
    Allen graduated from Palos Verde High in 1970, according to Wikipedia. In those days he “was a supporter of Richard Nixon and the Vietnam War, although he did not serve in that conflict, taking a student deferment instead.”
    During his 2006 re-election campaign Allen has “emphasized his dedication to military and veteran issues … during his term in the Senate,” according to the Hampton Roads Virginian-Pilot’s Warren Fiske. But the Disabled American Veterans only give him a rating of 50 — mediocre-at-best.
    Allen also favors a flag-burning amendment. Wouldn’t you know it?
    He probably wants to amend it to cover the Confederate flag as well as Old Glory. The mugshot is from the 2003 movie “Gods and Generals,” in which he played a Confederate officer.
    Allen’s campaign ads are made by Scott Howell. Picking the right guy was apparently a no-brainer for Allen. Howell’s resume includes the Saxby Chambliss campaign against Max Cleland, and the infamous Swift Boat ads against John Kerry.


  3. Briseadh na Faire says:

    troops in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from chronic shortages of armored vehicles, heavy weapons, and communications equipment.

    What? Didn’t the rubber-stamp Republican Congress give the Dictator-in-Chief everything he asked for when it came to “supporting our troops”?

    Didn’t Bush ask for enough equipment, armored vehicles, and heavy weapons? Where did those billions upon billions of BORROWED FUNDS go?

    It certainly didn’t go to treat the wounded properly!


  4. TerrytheTurtle says:

    Fine piece of work that Post #2


  5. Wayne says:

    Comment by rachel

    wow
    Nice list.
    Saved it in my x-file folder, where I store political stuff. =)


  6. Zooey says:

    72%!

    Oh my god, I had no idea it was that high.

    We need to get all of them home — NOW.


  7. Wayne says:

    Where did those billions upon billions of BORROWED FUNDS go? — Briseadh na Faire

    Some of it has gone to suni islamic fundamentalist groups, some who are associated with Al Queda, according to Seymour Hersh. =P


  8. Briseadh na Faire says:

    hellova list there, rachel, although some got double billing.

    I don’t know about Hastert, but I do know one guy who got a 4-f from Vietnam, due to an injury sustained in gymnastics, so it does happen.

    Although, with Hastert, it does beg the question; what weight class was he in?


  9. Briseadh na Faire says:

    But, you know, this kind of information is, what, treasonous? Doesn’t this give aid and comfort to the enemy? Isn’t this potentially embarassing to our Beloved Commander-in-Chief?

    I mean, how can we, in a free society, during war-time, put such information out to the public?

    Doesn’t this hurt morale?

    This kind of information should be classified in the name of national security! Who leaked this to the press! Where’s Scooter when we need him!


  10. WaltTheMan says:

    To put this in perspective, D-Day was June 6, 1944, VE day was May 7/8 1945. The elapsed time was about 335/336 days. Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941 – Japan surrendered on August 18, 1945. The elapsed time was 1348 days. In each case, a strong entrenched war machine was on the opposition side. We are now 1447 days into a war with a rag-tag foe and have no end in sight. Our armed forces are disintegrating. Does anyone see a problem in this picture?


  11. dlet says:

    Although, with Hastert, it does beg the question; what weight class was he in?
    Comment by Briseadh na Faire

    Orca

    As to the topic, when all these people come home including my cousin who was in Fallujah, they are sent back to their families with a pat on the back, a hand full of pills to take every day and a therapy schedule that is a joke. But they were just property that was used to pull triggers so what does it matter to the Services anymore. The families suffer from this a lot because they aren’t the same anymore. How could they be? The sad thing is most families suffer in silence in fear of disrupting something. Whatever it is these families need to speak out more. My cousin’s family unfortunately, in my opinion, handles his “readjustment” like a bad family secret.


  12. Wayne says:

    Does anyone see a problem in this picture?
    Comment by WaltTheMan

    Definately

    I see a pattern too.
    Mismanagement in the war.
    Mismanagement in every department under the executive branch.
    Bushco backers, oil Barons, Haliburton, etc. are getting filthy rich, while our soldiers lack proper equipment, proper health care, etc.


  13. hacker bob says:

    Although, with Hastert, it does beg the question; what weight class was he in?
    Comment by Briseadh na Faire

    There is a weight standard, you know.


  14. VerbalKint says:

    So what if Bush drives his army into the ground? Mommy and Daddy gave it to him to play with, and if he wants to smash it into pieces, that is his choice. The army hasn’t been playing nice anyway. They never do what they’re told, and they aren’t as much fun to play with anymore. But that carrier landing was lots of fun….maybe he can do that again sometime….okay, we won’t smash the carriers, then, at least not all of them.


  15. VerbalKint says:

    Does anyone see a problem in this picture?
    Comment by WaltTheMan

    The trolls don’t see any problem with it.


  16. valiant venus says:

    #10 – Walt – I would have thought with your hyper-genius IQ, your critical thinking skills might be sharper. The only commanlity is the level of threat. Period. To compare WWII, which dealt with nation-states and their military muscle, with an ideologically driven war without borders fought by well financed guerrillas is….stuupid at best and foolish at worst…..especially for a brilliant mind such as yourself.


  17. JustSomedude says:

    Valiant,

    So when does Bush and crime company stop financing them?


  18. AckSyn JAckSyn says:

    yet mankind repeats his stupidity time and again V V, and often cites past war and rhetoric to fight a present war, using past history.

    How do you explain that stupidity V V?


  19. AckSyn JAckSyn says:

    How do you V V explain mankind using past wars and religious hatred over and over again, no matter how many geniuses we have?


  20. valiant venus says:

    Justsomedudue – Walt must be your daddy! Apparently you missed the phony Islamic charities worldwide which have been funneling money to your friends, our enemies.


  21. valiant venus says:

    Action – Ask Walt – he started the nonsensical, perpendicular comparison. And with an IQ that he purports to have – I’m truly surprised.


  22. WaltTheMan says:

    #16 – vv,
    WWII was fought without borders. At least this one is confined to Iraq and Afghanistan. Remember the term WORLD WAR, it differs slightly from the term REGIONAL WAR. I would suggest that you crack open something called a history book.


  23. AckSyn JAckSyn says:

    How do you V V think that todays wars are related to the past?

    Why do such genius repeat the same idiocy?

    You go to college and study history and wars so you can repeat them?

    How f’n smart is that?


  24. AckSyn JAckSyn says:

    ction – Ask Walt – he started the nonsensical, perpendicular comparison. And with an IQ that he purports to have – I’m truly surprised.

    Comment by valiant venu

    I am asking all of you highly intelligent people the same question.


  25. AshenShard says:

    Why is this even the ‘war on terror’? We should not be treating them as a legitimate army, but as criminals. By engaging them in a conventional war we not only legitimize them, but we are playing by their rules. We should treat terrorists as criminals in need of policing. This includes use of the CIA and such agencies to keep track of them and hit them with special forces when we can, not engaging them in battles with our regular army.


  26. AckSyn JAckSyn says:

    Why do you subject yourselves to the same inescapable loop of time and hate and wars?


  27. valiant venus says:

    “72%!Oh my god, I had no idea it was that high.We need to get all of them home — NOW.” Comment by Zooey

    Excellent IDEA, Zoooette!!!! Hopefully the leaders in the pack of Dem Presidential candidates will make that a part of their platform – one can only hope!

    Tooodles……


  28. AckSyn JAckSyn says:

    Can anyone here answer why as to you study repetitive history?

    Why? GD’it WHY?


  29. valiant venus says:

    “We should not be treating them as a legitimate army, but as criminals. ”

    Ashen, You will be happy to know our former President handled the first bombing at the WTC as a criminal matter….resulting in 9/11 due to bin Laden’s perceived weakness of the US. You might have missed Osama declaring war on us….he did not declare a crime spree.


  30. rachel "twisted sister" kinnardi says:

    http://www.peace-action.org/
    ———————————-
    We give ordinary people
    the tools to change the world.
    About Peace Action

    Peace Action, the merger of SANE and The Nuclear Freeze, has effectively mobilized for peace and disarmament for nearly fifty years.

    As the nation’s largest grassroots peace group we get results: from the 1963 treaty to ban above ground nuclear testing, to the 1996 signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, from ending the war in Vietnam, to blocking weapons sales to human rights abusing countries, and eliminating funding for new nuclear weapons, Peace Action and its 100,000 members have been, and continue to be, at the forefront of the international movement for peace.

    At Peace Action we believe…

    …that war is not a suitable response to conflict.

    For nearly 50 years Peace Action has worked for an environment where all are free from violence and war. We understand that long standing global conflicts require long-term solutions, and that US foreign policy has a lasting effect on the world. We are working to promote a new US foreign policy that is based on peaceful support for human rights and democracy, reducing the threat from weapons of mass destruction, and cooperation with the world community. We are against pre-emptive war, and call for a full withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.

    …that every person has the right to live without the threat from nuclear weapons.

    There are still over 30,000 nuclear weapons in the world. The US and Russia still have thousands of nuclear weapons, on hair trigger alert—ready to launch in minutes. While the Cold War may have ended, the nuclear threat has not. The only way to ensure that nuclear weapons will never be used – whether purposefully, or accidentally – is global abolition. The U.S. must lead the way to a safer world by taking our weapons off hair trigger alert, halting our research and development of new nuclear weapons and disarming and demilitarizing our warhead stockpile of over 10,000 nuclear warheads. We can reduce the threat to the world posed by nuclear weapons, but we must start by getting serious about getting rid of our own weapons of mass destruction.

    …that America has the resources to both protect and provide for its citizens.

    As the Pentagon’s budget soars to $400 billion, 17% of American children live in poverty. Basic infrastructure is crumbling, school are using outdated textbooks, and millions of Americans are without basic health insurance.

    For what the US will spend on the War in Iraq, 26,701,621 children could have attended a year of Head Start, we could have built 1,815,194 additional housing units for the poor, we could have hired 3,493,706 additional public school teachers for one year, and we could have provided 9,772,998 students four-year scholarships at public universities(source – National Priorities Project). We believe that these are priorities that should come before war.

    What we do at Peace Action…

    We are the nation’s largest grassroots Peace network, with over 28 state affiliates, and over 100 local chapters. We organize our grassroots network to place pressure on Congress and the Administration through write-in campaigns, internet actions, citizens lobbying and direct action. Through a close relationship with progressive members of Congress, we play a key role in devising strategies to move forward peace legislation, and, as a leading organizing member of United for Peace and Justice and the Win Without War coalition, we lend our expertise and large network to achieving common goals.

    Through our Peace Voter awareness campaigns, we inform citizens about their choices for both local and national campaigns, by highlighting different candidates’ stances on issues relating to peace. Our annual Congressional Voter Guide gives credit to those in Congress who voted for a peaceful future, while holding accountable those who voted for larger Pentagon budgets, spending tax dollars on nuclear weapons, and voted for wars of aggression and occupation.

    Given the right tools, ordinary people can change the world.

    At Peace Action, we recognize that real change comes from the bottom up and we are committed to educating and organizing at the grassroots level.

    When you join Peace Action you become part of an effective citizen movement. We work hard to keep you informed through our quarterly newsletter and publications about the most important news and issues in the peace movement. As a member you can join our Action Alert Network which allows citizens throughout the country to rapidly respond to important legislation online. As a member, you can become an important part of a fast growing national movement, and help us change the direction of our country and the world towards a more sustainable, peaceful future.

    Together, we have the power to change the world.

    Support Peace.

    http://www.peace-action.org/


  31. Zooey says:

    Excellent IDEA, Zoooette!!!!
    Comment by valiant venus

    Thanks Hagette, I thought it was a good idea. I’m glad you agree.


  32. AckSyn JAckSyn says:

    Why the hell is man so ignorant of his past and why does he continue to repeat it? Why does he study such things? Technology is here to help you and yet you still cannot purge such past thoughts from your little itty bitty less than nothing (when compared to the universe) minds. Are you geniuses really that f’n stoopid that you cannot realize yout lonely little speck of a planet you fight over?

    WTF is wrong with you people?


  33. valiant venus says:

    Walt the Genius, I consider the US, UK, Spain France, the Netherlands, Russia, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Indonesia, the Phillippines, Australia, Bali to be spots located over a vast part of the planet. To help you grasp the far-flung nature of our enemy, the radical Islamic guerrilla, take the globe out of the hoop and note the various location I have mentioned.

    Tooodles……oh brilliant one!


  34. AshenShard says:

    Our second President has handled 9/ll as a military matter, and thus caused the death of over 3,000 troops, and what, 30,000 troops wounded? Not to mention over 50,000 innocent Iraqi’s dead and who knows how many millions displaced. The war is not effective, it is only getting more people killed and rapidly multiplying the strength of terrorists because we have legitimized them.

    Terrorism cannot be eliminated, but it can be contained, which had been done before this President.


  35. valiant venus says:

    Action – YOU might have noticed our enemy is mired in the 7th century – it’s hard to get people like that up to speed. Thank you for playing.


  36. AckSyn JAckSyn says:

    Tooodles……oh brilliant one!

    Comment by valiant venus

    Your an insignificant speck of nothing, do you realize that you small minded one?


  37. AckSyn JAckSyn says:

    Action – YOU might have noticed our enemy is mired in the 7th century – it’s hard to get people like that up to speed. Thank you for playing.

    Comment by valiant venus

    Our enemy is ourselves and our giant minds (as we see them) truly know nothing.


  38. WaltTheMan says:

    #27 – vv,
    I hope that it comes sooner than 2009, getting shot at really sucks. Getting hit is worse. My left shoulder will never be the same. The steel thingie that they stuck there becomes noticeably cold in freezing weather.


  39. AckSyn JAckSyn says:

    Can you accept the fact that you are but an Atom, in the bigger picture, that orbits a infitesimal dot? And that you little peabrains don’t know sheet?


  40. ValiantVenusGrewFromUranus says:

    Action – YOU might have noticed our enemy is mired in the 7th century – it’s hard to get people like that up to speed. Thank you for playing. Comment by valiant venus — March 7, 2007 @ 11:52 pm

    You’re correct, you do sound like you’re mired in the 7th century, just like the ‘ists of the other religions you hate.

    It’s impossible to get people like you up to speed – you’re too g*ddam st*pid!

    Thank you for proving you’re unworthy to play – st*pid c*nt.


  41. AshenShard says:

    The Republicans and conservatives are mired in the perceived strict morality of the Victorian era and the ‘glory’ of WWII.


  42. AshenShard says:

    #33, correct, should read “current” not “second”


  43. ValiantVenusGrewFromUranus says:

    Ashen, You will be happy to know our former President handled the first bombing at the WTC as a criminal matter…. Comment by valiant venus — March 7, 2007 @ 11:45 pm

    Resulting in the capture and prosecution of those responsible. Compared to Osama Been Forgotten and the rest of your inept republicans.

    resulting in 9/11 due to bin Laden’s perceived weakness of the US. Comment by valiant venus — March 7, 2007 @ 11:45 pm

    Don’t you mean resulting in 7 years of no attacks on our soil? A record well ahead of Bush?

    Don’t you mean a successful program that had prevented attacks – except with Mizz Gap-tooth began ignoring the briefings that stopped (Y2k bomber) attacks?

    You might have missed Osama declaring war on us….Comment by valiant venus — March 7, 2007 @ 11:45 pm

    So ‘individuals’ declare war now? What *country* is Osama the leader of again – dum bass?

    he did not declare a crime spree. Comment by valiant venus — March 7, 2007 @ 11:45 pm

    Unless he’s the head of a nation state – he can’t declare war, any more than McVeigh declared war for you right Wing Nut Nazi fcuks. Oh wait, maybe you DID declare war on the country! It would explain why you’ve made every effort to fcuk up the country, our security, our values, our laws and our economy. You moron!


  44. criticalthinker says:

    re# 33 AshenShard

    “Terrorism cannot be eliminated, but it can be contained, which had been done before this President.”

    Sweden does not have a foreign terrorism problem, and neither do hundreds of other nations!

    Foreign terrorism can be easily and 100% eliminated, by not having your military in a foreign country and by not meddling in a foriegn country’s affairs!

    Only imperialist countries have a foreign terrorism problem, not countries that respect the soverign rights of other countries!


  45. paul says:

    Is the answer to anything that is uncomfortable or challenging simply to quit? Would that sentiment have served us well in WWII?

    My solution to ease the burden on our troops: send progressives to Iraq to demagogue the insurgents to death. What will it take for your newfound concern for our troops to wane? Democratic victory in ‘08? Bush impeachment?


  46. Wayne says:

    What will it take for your newfound concern for our troops to wane? Democratic victory in ‘08? Bush impeachment?
    Comment by paul

    What will it take for you Repukes to quit treating our troops like cannon fodder, housing the wounded like a slum lord, with rats, black mold? When will you stop treating all veterans like crap and denying medical for conditions caused by warfare?

    How can you support anyone that would treat our militarymen and women in such a manner?


  47. VerbalKint says:

    Is the answer to anything that is uncomfortable or challenging simply to quit?
    Comment by paul — March 8, 2007 @ 12:12 am

    A classic straw man argument. Paul obviously misunderstands the question. The answer is to leave Iraq because by now it is clear that our presence in the country is making things worse. Why Paul wants to make things worse in Iraq is beyond me.


  48. Dale says:

    War of Choice in Iraq

    Idiocy.

    Has there EVER been a ‘necessary’ war in liberals’ opinion?


  49. Briseadh na Faire says:

    valiant venus, still claiming to be a Lawyer from San Diego, or did you give up that charade with the name change?

    Here’s a Rune for you:

    Beorc: Birth: Reversed

    There is an obstacle in your path that is causing delay and stagnation. There are frictions at home. There is an illness, death, or bad family news. May indicate physical, mental or emotional sterility.

    What is it with you? Won’t you ever change?


  50. Tony W says:

    They weren’t drafting everyone in those days, only between 18-25 and it was a lottery system. As I recall the highest number for the draft was something around 180, and that was in the peak years.. born after 1954 you didn’t even get a number but you had to registar for the draft, my brother who was born in 1953 pull #254 and was never called up. I’m not sure but I would bet anyone who pulled a high number after 1969 very few volunteered. Pull a low number and have strings, off to the Guard.


  51. TerrytheTurtle says:

    Tooodles……

    Comment by valiant venus — March 7, 2007 @ 11:42 pm

    Have you fessed up to being the outed MA yet Valiant? Or are you still hiding from the shame of discovery? All those lies you told about yourself, tsk tsk.


  52. Wayne says:

    Comment by Dale

    My post at 45 is for you too, read it and answer it.


  53. TerrytheTurtle says:

    Has there EVER been a ‘necessary’ war in liberals’ opinion?

    Comment by Dale — March 8, 2007 @ 12:35 am

    World War 2…. man that was a dense question….
    although, Henry Ford, Joe Kennedy, Oswald Moseley, Charles Lindbergh and …. Prescott Bush thought otherwise…


  54. AckSyn JAclSyn says:

    Comment by rachel

    You are quite good at what you do Rachel, do not let bias impede your research OK? Be always fair and never let personal bias bend your thought. Then and only then shall the knowledge of the equilibrium come unto you. Blessed be you and admit your mistakes. Be true to yourself and true to mankind for your thoughts are not bound to the earthly plane.


  55. AckSyn JAclSyn says:

    Has there EVER been a ‘necessary’ war in liberals’ opinion?

    Do your homework dale and you will see.


  56. Wayne says:

    World War 2…. man that was a dense question….
    although, Henry Ford, Joe Kennedy, Oswald Moseley, Charles Lindbergh and …. Prescott Bush thought otherwise…
    Comment by TerrytheTurtle

    It is a historical fact that the Nazi sympathisers, in the US, during WWII, were Republicans


  57. Wayne says:

    Comment by Dale

    My post at 45 is for you too, read it and answer it.
    Comment by Wayne

    **crickets**chirping**


  58. AckSyn JAclSyn says:

    Has there EVER been a ‘necessary’ war in liberals’ opinion?

    No, but for thousands of years you fools thought there was. And here we stand today and stlll we war, why for?


  59. Briseadh na Faire says:

    Has there EVER been a ‘necessary’ war in liberals’ opinion?

    Yes. The war against ignorance and darkness.

    Not only is it necessary, it is an essential part of the balance of the Universe. It is unavoidable.

    Every action begets an equal and opposite reaction.

    Terrorism is the equal and opposite reaction to oppression.

    Enlightenment is the equal and opposite reaction to ignorance and darkness.


  60. AckSyn JAclSyn says:

    Comment by Briseadh na Faire

    I agree. but if were truly balanced we would not exist (xero) but if we were imbalanced energy we do.

    do you see?


  61. Wayne says:

    Offtopic, but Damn…..

    MSNBC’s Countdown just outed Cpl. Matt Sanchez, the darling of the CPAC meeting. the “reservist who recently made the rounds of right-wing talk shows like O’Reilly Factor and Hannity & Colmes, where he received praise for coming forward and complaining about his treatment at the hands of Columbia’s “radical anti-military students” who called him names and mocked his military service.”, as Gay Porn Star Rod Majors. He was also a “$200 a pop” gay escort.

    The same guy that even Ann “Edwards is a faggot” Coulter posed with him in the photo op.

    What fscking hypocricy!!

    Damn……


  62. Wayne says:

    I agree. but if were truly balanced we would not exist (xero) but if we were imbalanced energy we do.
    do you see?
    Comment by AckSyn JAclSyn

    Thus the ying/yang, light/dark dance the eternal dance , like our very atoms.


  63. Briseadh na Faire says:

    do you see?

    Comment by AckSyn JAclSyn — March 8, 2007 @ 1:10 am

    I see that we have different views on existence.

    Think of a scale, with equal weights at each end. The scale is balanced. The scale still exists. To maintain balance, as more weight is applied to one side of the scale, an equal amount must be applied to the opposite side.

    It seems as if you are talking about balance in terms of equal and opposite energy forces cancelling each other out. I do not disagree, but pose the concept of standing waves.

    In physics, a standing wave may be created where water maintains the crests and valleys of a wave, yet does not move. Change the frequency of the wave generators, and the water appears flat as peaks and valleys negate each other. There is yet energy at work, ‘though we may not perceive it merely by looking at the water.


  64. Briseadh na Faire says:

    I would love to continue this discussion, but it is getting late for me. I have signed up on TP’s facebook, if you wish to contact me off-board.


  65. Gregor Samsa says:

    Have you fessed up to being the outed MA yet Valiant?
    Comment by TerrytheTurtle — March 8, 2007 @ 12:40 am

    She all but has. She didn’t deny it when asked, has already mentioned being from San Diego, talked about her husband, and her legal degree.

    One thing valiant venus did deny is ever making dead children jokes -this in response to someone talking about Mitey Coprolite.

    Not a word on her years in the military or her “five little republican angels” yet, though…


  66. Gregor Samsa says:

    Has there EVER been a ‘necessary’ war in liberals’ opinion?
    Comment by Dale — March 8, 2007 @ 12:35 am

    How was the invasion of Iraq necessary?

    The Bush administration chose to invade a country that posed no threat. They chose the time, and the weapons -had they been able to choose the place, they would have done that too.

    They could have chosen not to invade and let the inspections run their course -but noooo, the UN was irrelevant, France, Russia, and Germany were “old Europe”, and the inspections “were not working”.

    War critics are not the ones on the wrong side of the issue.


  67. Paige PbD says:

    Has there EVER been a ‘necessary’ war in liberals’ opinion?
    Comment by Dale — March 8, 2007 @ 12:35 am
    —————————————————

    Do you know what our country’s official U.S. Seal looks like? If not, go look at it. Note what is in each of the Eagle’s claws and note which direction that Eagle is looking…

    If you can’t figure out the obvious symbolism, I’ll help you. Diplomacy should always be considered first and war/violent combat should always be considered LAST.

    Here’s the image for you to look at…

    http://images.google.com/images?source=ig&hl=en&q=u.s.%20seal&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

    *

    *


  68. Paige PbD says:

    Has there EVER been a ‘necessary’ war in liberals’ opinion?
    Comment by Dale — March 8, 2007 @ 12:35 am
    —————————————————

    Do you know what our country’s official U.S. Seal looks like? If not, go look at it. Note what is in each of the Eagle’s claws and note which direction that Eagle is looking…

    If you can’t figure out the obvious symbolism, I’ll help you. Diplomacy should always be considered first and war/violent combat should always be considered LAST.

    Here’s the image for you to look at…

    http://images.google.com/images?source=ig&hl=en&q=u.s.%20seal&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

    *

    *


  69. Paige PbD says:

    Has there EVER been a ‘necessary’ war in liberals’ opinion?
    Comment by Dale — March 8, 2007 @ 12:35 am
    —————————————————

    Do you know what our country’s official U.S. Seal looks like? If not, go look at it. Note what is in each of the Eagle’s claws and note which direction that Eagle is looking…

    If you can’t figure out the obvious symbolism, I’ll help you. Diplomacy should always be considered first and war/violent combat should always be considered LAST.

    Here’s the image for you to look at…

    http://images.google.com/images?source=ig&hl=en&q=u.s.%20seal&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

    *


  70. Paige PbD says:

    wow, sorry that triplicated… Oh well, makes my point 3x :)

    *



  71. ace says:

    WAR UNDER FALSE PRETENSE:

    Mineta testified under oath before the 9/11 Commission that he personally witnessed Dick Cheney order a subordinate to allow the approaching aircraft to strike the Pentagon unimpeded. The direct order was to allow any approaching aircraft to fly direct and unimpeded to its target, without employing any of the readily available countermeasures (missiles) to prevent it.

    This testimony, under oath, is proof that Dick Cheney was in command of the action on 9/11. He personally ensured that the plane (not a civilian aircraft, but an A3 Skywarrior from Raytheon’s fleet), loaded with explosives (the smell of cordite hung in the area and those present smelled it), struck the Pentagon precisely as planned, with military precision, including a perfect corkscrew descent – an impossible maneuver for any new pilot.

    There was no pilot aboard this aircraft, and no passengers either (no seats, luggage or bodies were found). It was painted in the company colors of American Airlines and flown by Dov Zakehim’s Sysplan technology into the building where he worked as Comptroller. Did Dov place the homing device on the side of the building himself?

    Dov Zakheim is a 9/11 kingpin, along with Dick Cheney, Kobi Alexander and others.

    In the words of Ubber-Zionist, Myrav Wurmser (wife of Cheney’s top Middle East Advisor relative to bombing Iran and Syria), “We must move on, and faster.”

    Yes, we must move on, and faster. On to the crime of 9/11.

    All of the evidence required to indict Richard B. Cheney on charges of Conspiracy to Commit Treason are present. All of the evidence required to Arrest Cheney for his direct role in 9/11 is readily available. All of the evidence to indict Richard B. Cheney under the DC Fraud statutes was revealed in testimony at the Libby trial. Read the Fraud Statutes – look at how Cheney and his co-conspirators have profitted from 9/11 and this war, then tell me he didn’t commit FRAUD.

    It is a fact that Vice President Cheney lied repeatedly (and directly caused the President to do so in a STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH), using the People’s FCC-controlled airwaves, and the US Mail, to cause the United States to embark upon a policy course that was known to be contrary to the interests of the People Of The United States, and did so for his own personal enrichment (see income from Halliburton and other holdings).

    CONSPIRACY, FRAUD, AND TREASON are ALL indictable offenses.

    Screw impeachment, ARREST THE MAN.

    CONSPIRACY, FRAUD & TREASON = CHENEY

    WASH, RINSE, REPEAT:

    CONSPIRACY, FRAUD & TREASON = CHENEY

    Only by revealing the entire truth of 9/11, and laying all of the facts on the table for the American public to see, can we have or country back. No other investigation or revelation will do it.

    TAKE ON THE TRUTH OF 9/11 AND CHENEY’S DIRECT ROLE THEREIN.

    The war has not been “bungled.” The execution of the war is “right on-plan.”

    The plan was to create a set of circumstances under which it would be both impossible to declare victory, AND impossible to leave. I’m not speculating about this, it’s not mere conjecture, it’s a FACT. This administration and those ABOVE Bush’s paygrade (Rockefeller, CFR, etc.) have been happy to use their controlled-media to paint a picture of inept execution of the war, but trust me, from their perspective, it’s going perfectly.

    Stop thinking with your own value systems and your own logical mind. Wurmser, Ledeen and others have told us that the actual GOAL is TOTAL WAR LASTING 100 YEARS. The PERMANANT BASES IN IRAQ confirm this. Use your logical mind.

    They showed you their road map (PNAC), they published their theories and strategies and made it available for all to see. You know that these strategies are the ones being implemented, because you know that Israel has moles throughout the Government (including Lieberman) ensuring that their war proceeds apace at our expense. You know that Larry Franklin imbeded himself in the midst of the WHIG during the run up to the invasion of Iraq, this despite the fact that he actually ran the IRAN DESK. You know he pled guilty to passing Top Secret information pertaing to IRAN on to Israel through the leaders of AIPAC, a known spy organization.

    You should also know that US Submariner, Ariel Joseph Weinmann, was arrested and charged with espionsge in a case at least as damaging to US National Security as was the Jonathan Pollard case. He turned over all of our nuclear submarine secrets to Israel. Now their subs know everything that the US Navy knows – and they’re likely shadowing our fleet off the coast of Iran right this moment. If a US vessel is attacked in these waters, and the attack is instantly proclamed to have come from Iran, you now know that it will have been a false flag attack from an Israeli sub. The proclamation from the Liar In Chief will be made that “An attack against a US Flagged vessel is the equivalent of an attack on US Soil” – and the nuking of Iran will commence before you can say “holy shit!” Again, this is NOT CONJECTURE, Cheney has TOLD US that the “retaliation plan” is already in place.

    We know EVERYTHING to make a legal case against this administration AND the government of Israel for their direct role in 9/11 AND taking us into a war of choice under false (flag) prestense.

    Now what are we going to do about it?


  72. MAL says:

    Would love see a stat on number of activated Guard personnel who have requested compassionate assignment to rear detachment because of the death of serving simbling.

    Seeing a lot of that where I live (Wisconsin).
    ###


  73. Just a Retired SFC » Random Linkings says:

    [...] REPORT: 72 Percent Of Army Brigades Have Served Multiple Tours of Duty from Think Progress by Payson The Center for American Progress has released a new study on the state of our military readiness. The report — “Beyond the Call of Duty: A Comprehensive Review of the Overuse of the Army in the Administration’s War of Choice in Iraq” — undertook a “massive research project to identify, brigade by brigade, the number and duration of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan by the active Army.” The report found a large majority of Army brigades have served multiple tours: – Brigades with one tour in Iraq or Afghanistan: 12 [...]


  74. eCAHNomics says:

    Why is this a problem? During WWI, many Germans spent 4 years almost continuously at the front. Are modern U.S. troops wimps?


  75. TripMaster Monkey says:

    Comment by rachel — March 7, 2007 @ 10:46 pm

    rachel, that’s a nice list, but don’t you think you ought to give credit to the original authors?

    It looks like plagiarism has become a habit with you. I pointed this out yesterday on the ThinkFast thread (by the way, I answered your none-too-polite reply…I urge everyone else to check it out to see what a bald-faced liar you are).

    Just fair warning, rachel. I can’t prevent you from cutting and pasting huge posts here, but I can certainly point it out when you attempt to take credit for work that demonstrably isn’t yours. ^_^


  76. Roger_Roger says:

    I truly hope that Bush and the repugs won’t stall Dem attempts to incresae our Militaries budget by a large amount. These huge increases are needed as the Dems have pointed out to increase troop readiness. Our troops deserve the gear and equipment they need to complete their tasks the easiest way possible. The repugs will be looked at as disgracful if they truly plan to stall a military budget increase bill by the dems.

    Are troops are counting on that bill. How dare anyone not help hurry through all the spending needs our troops are asking for. We need to fix the troop readiness problem now. The Iran situation could go south at any moment and we may be in another war any day. Pass this money now Dems and don’t let the repugs stop you!!!


  77. TripMaster Monkey says:

    Hey Roger_Rhetoric, what color is the sky in your world?

    Just curious…

    Also, have you found out what the difference is between fuel-grade and weapons-grade uranium yet?


  78. Roger_Roger says:

    Tripmaster,

    Not sure how many times I need to tell you I know the difference between fuel grade and weapons grade for it to stick. The UN resolution clearly states that Iran is not allowed to enrich Uranium for any reason and to any “grade”. This isn’t just a right wing thing. Your 2 primary presidental canidates agree with me on this situation as does the UN. So, please now respond by dodging me or attempting to belittle me. I know answer or truly discussing this matter is just to difficult when Obama and Clinton both proclaim Iran cannot be allowed to enrich Uranium and the military option isn’t something we should take off the table. So, incoming with the dodge or nasty remark in 5,4,3,2,……..


  79. TripMaster Monkey says:

    Roger_Rhetoric sez:

    Not sure how many times I need to tell you I know the difference between fuel grade and weapons grade for it to stick.

    That’s just it…you keep telling me over and over again that you know, but you consistently refuse to prove this alleged knowledge. Add that to your arguments, which consistently fail to address the critical difference (indeed, until I started pressing you on the issue, it was obvious you weren’t aware there was a difference at all), and it should be clear why this ‘knowledge’ you profess to possess is doubtful at best.

    There’s more to your post, but I addressed it all already back in the Iran thread, and if you’re too lazy to respond to it the first time, I’m too lazy to type it out all over again.


  80. Roger_Roger says:

    #76 If I must:

    Fuel Grade enrichment is when Uranium is enriched to a minimul grade that is only suitable for use in Nuke Power plants. Weapons grade enrichment is when you enrich Uranium to a very high grade that is suitable for use in Nuclear weapons.

    I fully understand the difference and I know what your getting at. You feel that Iran should be allowed to enrich Uranium to fuel grade levels and be allowed to build nuclear power plants. We can certainly agree to disagree on this point. I feel that isn’t a smart choice simply because you are allowing a terrorist state to advance its knowledge of the enrichment process. Furthermore, if we allow Iran to ramp up to production level enrichment, nothing would truly hold them back from secretly enriching some Uranium to weapons grade. If they are allowed to gain all the knowledge and are allowed to possess the equipment and Uranium needed, nothing really holds them back. This is my opinion and I ASSUME that a terrorist state would in fact go that one step further and enrich some Uranium to weopons grade.

    I just don’t feel that is in the best interst of the USA or our Allies. Our allies seem to agree thus passing the UN resolution that makes it illegal for the terrorist regime of Iran to enrich Uranium to any grade and for any reason. Hilary Clinton and Obama share this view. Both clearly say we cannot allow Iran to enrich Uranium even to fuel-grade. They also both clearly state that we cannot take the military card off the table. I agree with them that we should be talking with Iran right now to see if we can get them to completely stop. I also agree that if they walk away and continue to go against the worlds wishes and against the UN’s rule, we may have to use military force to force them to stop.

    Basically, I along with Clinton, Obama, the UN, and most of America agree that we cannot allow Iran to enrich Uranium to any grade for any reason.


  81. pete says:

    val ve, I’m still having trouble with your point.

    Are you saying that this conflict is more violent/dangerous than WW2, or less?

    Or, are you saying that you just can’t decide, because one enemy had uniforms and the other does not?

    You know what I think: Iraq is 12% more dangerous than WW2, when compared on a man/combat-year basis.


  82. Zoo says:

    pete,

    Whatever she says, it’s a lie.

    Just sayin’


  83. R says:

    What this administration and military machine has done and continues to do to our young men and women is a universal sin. I hope that everyone who heretofore placed blind faith and trust in our system of government operation has opened thier eyes and never shuts them, again. No one deserves the power that this current adminstration wields, like a turd on a stick.


  84. chris says:

    number 72 is the only comment worth reading!! you all should read it and very carefully ! it is 100% correct we should all be prepared for TOTAL WAR/NEVERENDING WAR! you people are so brain washed its pothetic! they /bush and co are never going to end these conflicts,

    MARK THESE WORDS BUSH CHENEY HALIBURTUN THEY WILL NUKE IRAN!!!!!!!! it is comming to a tv screen near you soooon!! they have been building up nuking IRAN for a while! IT WILL HAPPEN!

    its really sad to cuz its all for cash!!! they are starting neverending war so the stock market never crashes!!! ITS ALL ABOUT THE STOCK MARKET/ WORLD BANK/==CASH ==haliburton and co.

    the sad thing is people think their government wouldnt crash a plane into its own building! HOW NIEVE THEY ARE ! thats exactly why they did it!!! they also let the people of Katrina suffer on purpose!!you are all living in a very important time in history, its called the end times its in you bible so is the nuking of IRAN its all in the bible !!
    GET READY FOLKS TITLE FIGHT!!


  85. chris says:

    number 72 is the only comment worth reading!! you all should read it and very carefully ! it is 100% correct we should all be prepared for TOTAL WAR/NEVERENDING WAR! you people are so brain washed its pothetic! they /bush and co are never going to end these conflicts,

    MARK THESE WORDS BUSH CHENEY HALIBURTUN THEY WILL NUKE IRAN!!!!!!!! it is comming to a tv screen near you soooon!! they have been building up nuking IRAN for a while! IT WILL HAPPEN!

    its really sad to cuz its all for cash!!! they are starting neverending war so the stock market never crashes!!! ITS ALL ABOUT THE STOCK MARKET/ WORLD BANK/==CASH ==haliburton and co.

    the sad thing is people think their government wouldnt crash a plane into its own building! HOW NIEVE THEY ARE ! thats exactly why they did it!!! they also let the people of Katrina suffer on purpose!!you are all living in a very important time in history, its called the end times its in you bible so is the nuking of IRAN its all in the bible !!
    GET READY FOLKS TITLE FIGHT!!


  86. rachel kinnardi says:

    http://www.peace-action.org/
    ———————————-
    We give ordinary people
    the tools to change the world.
    About Peace Action

    Peace Action, the merger of SANE and The Nuclear Freeze, has effectively mobilized for peace and disarmament for nearly fifty years.

    As the nation’s largest grassroots peace group we get results: from the 1963 treaty to ban above ground nuclear testing, to the 1996 signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, from ending the war in Vietnam, to blocking weapons sales to human rights abusing countries, and eliminating funding for new nuclear weapons, Peace Action and its 100,000 members have been, and continue to be, at the forefront of the international movement for peace.

    At Peace Action we believe…

    …that war is not a suitable response to conflict.

    For nearly 50 years Peace Action has worked for an environment where all are free from violence and war. We understand that long standing global conflicts require long-term solutions, and that US foreign policy has a lasting effect on the world. We are working to promote a new US foreign policy that is based on peaceful support for human rights and democracy, reducing the threat from weapons of mass destruction, and cooperation with the world community. We are against pre-emptive war, and call for a full withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.

    …that every person has the right to live without the threat from nuclear weapons.

    There are still over 30,000 nuclear weapons in the world. The US and Russia still have thousands of nuclear weapons, on hair trigger alert—ready to launch in minutes. While the Cold War may have ended, the nuclear threat has not. The only way to ensure that nuclear weapons will never be used – whether purposefully, or accidentally – is global abolition. The U.S. must lead the way to a safer world by taking our weapons off hair trigger alert, halting our research and development of new nuclear weapons and disarming and demilitarizing our warhead stockpile of over 10,000 nuclear warheads. We can reduce the threat to the world posed by nuclear weapons, but we must start by getting serious about getting rid of our own weapons of mass destruction.

    …that America has the resources to both protect and provide for its citizens.

    As the Pentagon’s budget soars to $400 billion, 17% of American children live in poverty. Basic infrastructure is crumbling, school are using outdated textbooks, and millions of Americans are without basic health insurance.

    For what the US will spend on the War in Iraq, 26,701,621 children could have attended a year of Head Start, we could have built 1,815,194 additional housing units for the poor, we could have hired 3,493,706 additional public school teachers for one year, and we could have provided 9,772,998 students four-year scholarships at public universities(source – National Priorities Project). We believe that these are priorities that should come before war.

    What we do at Peace Action…

    We are the nation’s largest grassroots Peace network, with over 28 state affiliates, and over 100 local chapters. We organize our grassroots network to place pressure on Congress and the Administration through write-in campaigns, internet actions, citizens lobbying and direct action. Through a close relationship with progressive members of Congress, we play a key role in devising strategies to move forward peace legislation, and, as a leading organizing member of United for Peace and Justice and the Win Without War coalition, we lend our expertise and large network to achieving common goals.

    Through our Peace Voter awareness campaigns, we inform citizens about their choices for both local and national campaigns, by highlighting different candidates’ stances on issues relating to peace. Our annual Congressional Voter Guide gives credit to those in Congress who voted for a peaceful future, while holding accountable those who voted for larger Pentagon budgets, spending tax dollars on nuclear weapons, and voted for wars of aggression and occupation.

    Given the right tools, ordinary people can change the world.

    At Peace Action, we recognize that real change comes from the bottom up and we are committed to educating and organizing at the grassroots level.

    When you join Peace Action you become part of an effective citizen movement. We work hard to keep you informed through our quarterly newsletter and publications about the most important news and issues in the peace movement. As a member you can join our Action Alert Network which allows citizens throughout the country to rapidly respond to important legislation online. As a member, you can become an important part of a fast growing national movement, and help us change the direction of our country and the world towards a more sustainable, peaceful future.

    Together, we have the power to change the world.

    Support Peace.

    http://www.peace-action.org/


  87. wdgray says:

    Some very good observations appear above. But shrub and his ilk are running this nation down the hill in a hand basket.

    Let there be no uncertanties where I stand. I have already sent this to some 250 addresses and have a goal of 2,500.

    If any questions contact me wdgray@shawneelink.net cause my work doesn’t allow me to sit at this site. If you choose you may present this letter to your local paper for print. Or you can forget it.

    Willard D. Gray
    Route #2, Box 74
    Sumner, IL, 62466

    7 March 2007

    To the editor:

    It is with utter amazement and anger that I read the current platitudes about health care for troops in Walter Reed Army Hospital and Army Hospitals across the nation.

    Having spent over 20 years in the active army during and over three major engagements in combat and a dozen minor conflagrations I was BETRAYED along with 432,000 cohorts on retired pay at retirement by the changing a decade’s old law. This criminal action done by the government to which we had given the best years of our life. This governmental action executed after we had done our time on the low draft-era pay and near non-existent allowances. Consequently we have endured a pay discrimination for over 43 years of at least 1/3 less throughout the 25 military pay grades.

    Medicare did not even exist when I retired in 1964. I knew that under the “law” which I had served that I had “earned” life-long health care for me and my eligible dependent(s). No!

    In the ‘70s this same deceitful, ungrateful and unforgiving nation notified me and my cohorts that, on attaining age 65 when no longer subject to recall to active duty and, wanting health care, ”Go to Social Security and apply for Medicare part B” along with the draft-dodger and highly paid civilian.

    So for 31 years I have paid; part; most or currently ”all” of the health care for my wife of over 59 years who served with General George S. Patton’s Third Army Field Hospital as a captain nurse in France, Germany and Austria and myself.

    All of the current whiners enlisted or took a commission for; high pay and allowances, travel, adventure, schooling, citizenship, and high retirement.

    Do I feel sorry for them? Hell no! They and society didn’t dare what this nation did to me and my cohorts so the feeling is mutual.

    What else is new?

    Regards,

    W.D. Gray


  88. Raymond Funamoto says:

    UNCARING, COMPASSIONLESS SOCIOPATHS LIKE CHIMPya and Torticola Cheney CARE NOT A WHIT ABOUT HOW TIRED OR WORN-OUT THE BRAVE AMERICAN TROOPS GET–THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN REST IS IF THEY ARE PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATED OR KILLED IN ACTION–THAT IS THE TRUE PICTURE OF Bushland Uber Allies’ and their TROLL supporters’ “compassionate conservatism”–EVIL F*CKING MALICIOUS MENDACIOUS ARROGANCE AND GREED!!!!!


  89. Think Progress » Tauscher Blasts Bush For ‘Criminal’ Management Of Military, Stands Behind Support For Regime Change says:

    [...] to the current state of the strained and overstretched armed forces, Tauscher said, “I think this is a significant criminal dereliction of duty by the Commander [...]



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