Think Progress

145 lawmakers write to Bush: close Guantanamo.

Today, a bipartisan group of 145 members of the House sent a letter to President Bush urging him to close Guantanamo Bay and move the detainees to military prisons in the United States. From their letter:

The global war on terror cannot be won through military might alone. It is a war of ideas and philosophies. A liability of our own creation, the existence of the detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay is defeating our effort to ensure that the principles of freedom, justice and human rights are spread throughout the world. We look forward to working with you on what we hope is a shared objective to close the detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay.



139 Responses to “145 lawmakers write to Bush: close Guantanamo.”

  1. Crump's Brother says:

    And Bush sent them back a picture of a giant middle finger!!!


  2. Jay Randal says:

    I doubt Bush will read the letter, so just impeach him already.


  3. stopthecons says:

    If they close Guantanamo and don’t stop violating rights, it does nothing. But, I would think that moving them to the US would help make a stronger legal case to oppose the policies of secret detentions, torture and the like.

    With that, I’d say – close it now. As long as they don’t just transfer everyone to the black hole of eastern europe!

    There’s nothing in the Constitution which allows the government to prevent these people from challenging their detentions and there’s nothing which allows them to violate the bill of rights in any way.

    Some reading:

    “To Whom Does the Bill of Rights Apply?”
    http://www.populistamerica.com/to_whom_does_the_bill_of_rights_apply


  4. missmolly says:

    “defeating our effort to ensure that the principles of freedom, justice and human rights are spread throughout the world”

    Even though Shrubya utters those words every time they show up on his teleprompter, he has no clue what they mean. Unfortunately, this will just wind up as another crumpled wad of paper he will use as target practice with his wastebasket.


  5. m12 says:

    Bush’s paper shredder is getting a workout.


  6. Mark @ News Corpse says:

    I glanced at the list of signees. There appear to be no Republicans. Didn’t Bush just recently say that he’d like to close Guantanamo? But still he can’t get his party on board.


  7. ForTruth says:

    145 more inmates for GITMO.


  8. Pat says:

    Screw Guantanamo…Close the invasion of Iraq. We’re fu(ked folks…our congress is as incompetent as the WH.


  9. Unvarnished Truth says:

    Club Gitmo relief from the stress of Jihad!


  10. Unvarnished Truth says:

    Understanding terrorists is best left to anthropologists.


  11. gummitch says:

    “bipartisan”? There’s one Republican and 144 Democrats. More than a little bit of a stretch to call that “bipartisan”.


  12. ForTruth says:

    Funny how the GITMO detainees get their day in court the same day we have a defused bomb in London. Ace might say something about this.

    We had London bombings when Congress was to re-authorize the Patriot Act.

    Just a co-inkydink I suppose.

    Discuss…


  13. Unvarnished Truth says:

    And by all means we don’t want to upset Islamic Rage Boy!


  14. Jay Randal says:

    gummitch > was the Repub Ron Paul?


  15. Unvarnished Truth says:

    Funny we get a London bombing the day that Reid and Pelosi announce the their plan of surrender. Just a co-inydink I suppose?


  16. Art says:

    Only 145.
    (sigh)


  17. GSD says:

    “Funny we get a London bombing the day that Reid and Pelosi announce the their plan of surrender. Just a co-inydink I suppose?

    Comment by Unvarnished Truth — June 29, 2007″

    Actually the terrorists saw that Bush was negotiating with the North Koreans—”rewarding their bad behavior” and negotiating with the Iranians “rewarding their bad behavior” and negotiating and giving millions of dollars to Sunni Iraqis who have killed Americans “rewarding their bad behavior” so they decided to make a lame assed car bomb in a token gesture.

    -GSD


  18. Jay Randal says:

    Art > the Blue Dog Democrats are actually Repub-lite, so they never stand-up with the other Dems to close places like GITMO.


  19. PRIMVS INTER PARES says:

    OOOOOoooooooOOOOOooooo!!!!!!!

    More harsh criticism.

    I don’t know what the President will do!!!


  20. Frank J says:

    Iran Rations Islamic Rage

    TEHRAN (Reuters) – Angry Iranians torched pump stations and hurled abuse at President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government after the world’s fourth-largest exporter of religious fury announced that it was imposing rage rationing.

    19 gas stations were set ablaze overnight in Tehran after the government announcement late on Tuesday that rage rationing would start at midnight.

    “We are swimming in religious indignation, and all they do is squander it fighting against Americans in Iraq,” said taxi driver Hasan Mohammadi. “I’m using the last drop of my rage just thinking about it!”

    Despite huge reserves of anger and acrimony, Iran lacks refining capacity and must import about 40 percent of its rage, most of which currently comes from threats of UN sanctions over it’s nuclear program.

    Some Iranians scuffled wastefully or even completely blew their few remaining tops, hoping to refuel before rationing began. Others frittered away their fury by chanting anti-government slogans and openly criticizing Ahmadinejad, who came to power two years ago. Ironically, on a promise to share out Iran’s wealth of anger more fairly.

    “Last night, in addition to setting fire to and stealing property of 19 fuel stations in Tehran, people threw stones and damaged others,” said Bijan Haj Mohammadreza, head of the Iranian Fury Ministry. “What a waste. We should be using our precious remaining supplies of rage to chant ‘Death to America’ while burning flags.”

    Under the rationing program, citizens will get to pitch 100 fits per month; less, if they also burn with jihad’s unquenchable flame. Rationing will be enforced by having all citizens swipe their electronic “conniption” cards through a state-approved scanner before releasing violent emotions.

    During Tuesday’s thriftlessly extravagant riots, windows in one gas station in the poverty-strickent Pounak section of Tehran were smashed, six pumps wrecked, and walls blackened. State radio blamed “lavish misuse of valuable wrath by traitors and lovers of infidels”. Police could not be reached for comment.

    Judge Ali Namazi said 80 people were detained in Tehran and transferred to jail.

    “These people have wasted their anger on foolishness. Still, I try not to let it upset me, since I need to save the rest of my rage ration for hating Jews.”

    Islamic Rage Boy Update!


  21. DM says:

    Guantanamo. As a clarification, they are talking only about the detainment facilities, not the naval base which has been there more or less since the Spanish-American War.


  22. Buck Fush says:

    Looks like they are gonna make room for 145 more at Gitmo.

    Bush = Biggest embarrasment to our country ever.


  23. BARTLEBEE says:

    Darn.

    I was hoping they’d leave it open long enough to put Bush there.


  24. veritas says:

    Guantanamo: Bush’s sick legacy!


  25. gummitch says:

    gummitch > was the Repub Ron Paul?

    Comment by Jay Randal

    From the linked article:

    The lone Republican was Rep. Walter B. Jones of North Carolina.


  26. veritas says:

    Bartlebee: That is precisely why he will move to close it now.


  27. . says:

    Neocon Rage—1,000,000 + victims

    Islamic rage—several thou?


  28. BARTLEBEE says:

    Imagine being seized, charged with no crime, given no access to defense or witnesss or even anyone on the outside to report where you are to family or friends. Imagine being tossed into a dark cell, where your jailers hate and despise you, and every day is another opportunity for your jailers to torment, taunt, interrogate and humilate you.

    Imagine not knowing when, if ever you’ll see the light of day again, and imagine not being able to plead your case to anyone, anywhere, at anytime.

    Where could something like this happen in the 21st century?

    Only in America baby.

    Only in America.


  29. Jay Randal says:

    Putting the entire Bush Regime membership into GITMO would be divine justice. Keep them there for the rest of their putrid lives.


  30. PRIMVS INTER PARES says:

    Islamic Rage Boy Update!

    Comment by Frank J — June 29, 2007 @ 1:12 pm

    Yup. Riots in Iran.

    The need us as peacemakers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


  31. Jay Randal says:

    TP has a new censoring guy > check out last post on thread dealing with the guy who tussled with FOX news chick.


  32. PRIMVS INTER PARES says:

    Comment by Jay Randal — June 29, 2007 @ 1:26 pm

    Yeah that is weird, I wonder what was deleted and why?

    At least this stayed up

    Islamo-Stalinism: synthesis of the most retarded aspects of the Islam-loving Left and Stalinism.


  33. SGT Higgins says:

    #28 – Comment by BARTLEBEE

    Imagine being seized, —(On a field of battle) charged with no crime, given no access to defense or witnesss or even anyone on the outside to report where you are to family or friends.— ( you gonna hunt down their terrorist buddies and deliver the news? “Oh by the way, your buddy says, “Hi”) Imagine being tossed into a dark cell, — (Now you’re being ridiculously overdramatic…..ever hear of electricity? ) where your jailers hate and despise you, —(for trying to and perhaps FOR killing their fellow Soldiers) and every day is another opportunity for your jailers to torment, –( I wish!) taunt, — (yeah, that probably doesn’t happen in ANY other prison in the US does it?) interrogate — ( you got a problem with interrogation? What? Is it too inhumane for you to stomach….S’allright, leave it the professionals) and humilate you. — ( That’s right BART, they’re ALL being humiliated, everry hour of every day)

    Imagine not knowing when, if ever you’ll see the light of day again, — (I for one, don’t care if they EVER do) and imagine not being able to plead your case to anyone, anywhere, at anytime. — (”Your honor, there’s a very good explanation for why I was shooting at those American Soldiers”)

    Only in America baby. — Not true at all.


  34. PRIMVS INTER PARES says:

    Only in America baby. — Not true at all.

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 1:30 pm

    Don’t mind him.

    He’s a little out of touch with reality.

    Plus, he is a Muslim sympathizer.


  35. PRIMVS INTER PARES says:

    Fartlepee that is not you Sgt.


  36. TROLLBAIT3000 says:

    Islamo-Stalinism: synthesis of the most retarded aspects of the Islam-loving Left and Stalinism.

    Comment by PRIMVS INTER PARES — June 29, 2007 @ 1:29 pm

    How ’bout this: Christo-Fascism: the curious case of inbreeding between America’s Neocon-dominated Republic party and the Pseudo Religious, Fascist, Christian element.

    Good Reading.


  37. SGT Higgins says:

    #34 –

    He’s a little out of touch with reality. — Yeah, I get that.

    Plus, he is a Muslim sympathizer. — Right? Don’t hear him decrying the deplorable conditions and treatment of the prisoners right here in the US

    But gosh darn it, if WE don’t stand up for these terrorists, who will?


  38. Damian says:

    Imagine being seized, charged with no crime, given no access to defense or witnesss or even anyone on the outside to report where you are to family or friends. Imagine being tossed into a dark cell, where your jailers hate and despise you, and every day is another opportunity for your jailers to torment, taunt, interrogate and humilate you.

    Imagine not knowing when, if ever you’ll see the light of day again, and imagine not being able to plead your case to anyone, anywhere, at anytime.

    Where could something like this happen in the 21st century?

    Only in America baby.

    Only in America.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE — June 29, 2007 @ 1:17 pm

    Bart, you just made Cheney cum. And good old SGT has a raging hard on as we speek.


  39. ForTruth says:

    I only like the good parts of Islamo-Stalinism.


  40. Chris L says:

    I posted this on a separate thread, but it applies here as well.

    I am posting the findings of a report that was done when there were 517 inmates at Gitmo. More than a hundred of them have been released since.

    http://papers.ssrn.com/ sol3/ papers.cfm?abstract_id=885659

    1. Fifty-five percent (55%) of the detainees are not determined to have committed any hostile acts against the United States or its coalition allies.

    2. Only 8% of the detainees were characterized as al Qaeda fighters. Of the remaining detainees, 40% have no definitive connection with al Qaeda at all and 18% are have no definitive affiliation with either al Qaeda or the Taliban.

    3. The Government has detained numerous persons based on mere affiliations with a large number of groups that, in fact, are not on the Department of Homeland Security terrorist watchlist. Moreover, the nexus between such a detainee and such organizations varies considerably. Eight percent are detained because they are deemed “fighters for;” 30% considered “members of;” a large majority – 60% – are detained merely because they are “associated with” a group or groups the Government asserts are terrorist organizations. For 2% of the prisoners, a nexus to any terrorist group is not identified by the Government.

    4. Only 5% of the detainees were captured by United States forces. 86% of the detainees were arrested by either Pakistan or the Northern Alliance and turned over to United States custody. This 86% of the detainees captured by Pakistan or the Northern Alliance were handed over to the United States at a time in which the United States offered large bounties for capture of suspected enemies.

    5. Finally, the population of persons deemed not to be enemy combatants – mostly Uighers – are in fact accused of more serious allegations than a great many persons still deemed to be enemy combatants.


  41. BARTLEBEE says:

    But gosh darn it, if WE don’t stand up for these terrorists, who will?

    Comment by SGT Schultz — June 29, 2007 @ 1:37 pm

    We’re not standing up for the terrorists Beetle.

    We’re standing up for the American prinicples of freedom and democracy, which worms like you fight against.


  42. michael says:

    Why would you want to close it?


  43. michael says:

    “We’re standing up for the American prinicples of freedom and democracy

    Comment by BARTLEBEE — June 29, 2007″

    For law abiding people, not terrorists!


  44. BARTLEBEE says:

    (”Your honor, there’s a very good explanation for why I was shooting at those American Soldiers”)

    Comment by SGT Bilko — June 29, 2007 @ 1:30 pm

    Being in their country is a good place to start.

    Germans shot at us too knucklehead, but we didn’t lock them into prison.

    If you don’t want to be shot at, then don’t shoot at people and quit invading their countries, idiot.


  45. BARTLEBEE says:

    For law abiding people, not terrorists!

    Comment by michael — June 29, 2007 @ 2:03 pm

    For EVERYONE genius.


  46. BARTLEBEE says:

    And shooting at American soldiers does NOT make you a terrorist.


  47. BARTLEBEE says:

    Blowing up civillians however, does.


  48. SGT Higgins says:

    #41 – We’re standing up for the American prinicples of freedom and democracy, which worms like you fight against.

    Comment by BARTLES & JAYMES

    —- Nice BART, you’re true colors are beginning to show. “I support the worms….I mean the troops”


  49. michael says:

    “Imagine being seized, charged with no crime, given no access to defense or witnesss or even anyone on the outside to report where you are to family or friends. Imagine being tossed into a dark cell, where your jailers hate and despise you, and every day is another opportunity for your jailers to torment, taunt, interrogate and humilate you.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE — June 29, 2007″

    Imagine not capturing these people? Imagine them being free to kill ONE American soldier? Imagine ONE of them sneaking in to this country from Mexico or Canada? Imagine ONE of them smuggling in a dirty bomb and detonating it in a major city. Imagine? Dopes!


  50. michael says:

    “For EVERYONE genius.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE — June 29, 2007″

    WRONG! Not for terrorists!


  51. SGT Higgins says:

    Germans shot at us too knucklehead, but we didn’t lock them into prison.

    If you don’t want to be shot at, then don’t shoot at people and quit invading their countries, idiot.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE

    Really? We didn’t imprison any Germans? Bet we never interrrogated any, either, huh genius?
    I never complained about being shot at…just didn’t think you’d defend those that did.


  52. michael says:

    “And shooting at American soldiers does NOT make you a terrorist.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE — June 29, 2007″

    In todays world, yes it does!


  53. SGT Higgins says:

    And shooting at American soldiers does NOT make you a terrorist.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE —— Nope, it DOES however make you a poster child for the Left.

    Blowing up civillians however, does. —- Right, a little ‘collateral damage’ means we’re the terrorists. Thanks for your opinion, Rosie.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE


  54. Not Canadian says:

    a little ‘collateral damage’ means we’re the terrorists.
    Comment by SGT Higgins

    In an illegal occupation, you’re DEAD ON.


  55. SGT Higgins says:

    #55 – If you can read these posts and pick THAT comment out to be offended by….. You’re as twisted as BART is.


  56. Chris L says:

    In todays world, yes it does!

    Comment by michael — June 29, 2007 @ 2:13 pm
    #

    How? Terrorism, by definition, involves attacks on civilians. If the US were to invade Sweden, and the Swedish people shot back, would they be terrorists? If the military forces of Germany were to attack Okinawa, and the Japanese fired back, which sidee would be considered the terrorists?


  57. BARTLEBEE says:

    —- Nice BART, you’re true colors are beginning to show. “I support the worms….I mean the troops”

    Comment by SGT Carter — June 29, 2007 @ 2:10 pm

    No, you don’t.

    You’re as big of an enemy to them as you are to the United States.

    Don’t worry. Punks like you never win.

    Democracy and the American way will always beat cowards like you.


  58. BARTLEBEE says:

    Right, a little ‘collateral damage’ means we’re the terrorists.

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 2:14 pm

    Yea, a “little” collateral damage.

    Red Cross estimates 1 million people dead, mostly civillians.

    An entire historic ancient country lying in ruins.

    A civilization blown back o the stone age.

    What you call a little collateral damage.

    Thanks Adolf, but we prefer to fight peices of shit like you.


  59. SGT Higgins says:

    # 57- No, you don’t. — I AM one, you dingbat….I was ‘quoting’ YOU.

    You’re as big of an enemy to them as you are to the United States. — So you’re calling US Soldiers worms…AND enemies of the US??? You’re loopier than a barrel roll, dude.

    Don’t worry. Punks like you never win. — Thanks to folks like you who’ve “Got our backs”

    Democracy and the American way will always beat cowards like you. —- Yeah? How’s that ‘American Way’ workin’ out for you? Oh wait, it’s not? LOL
    And when a democratic vote goes against what YOU believe, then the vote was ’stolen’ or the voters were browbeaten by the vast right-wing talk radio conspirators. You’re pathetic


  60. michael says:

    “How? Terrorism, by definition, involves attacks on civilians. If the US were to invade Sweden, and the Swedish people shot back, would they be terrorists? If the military forces of Germany were to attack Okinawa, and the Japanese fired back, which sidee would be considered the terrorists?

    Comment by Chris L — June 29, 2007″

    Wrong nucklehead! Who wrote that definition? You? We are at war with people who don’t wear uniforms and want to kill you and your family! I don’t give a damn about what country we invaded. We had to fight this war from somewhere in that region and Iraq was the right choice. It ignored every resolution your beloved UN created. We know he had WMD. He used them on his own people. When are people like you going to wake up and realize what is at stake if we don’t take the fight to them!


  61. BARTLEBEE says:

    So you’re calling US Soldiers worms…AND enemies of the US???

    Comment by SGT Diggingdeeper — June 29, 2007 @ 2:45 pm

    No you inbred prick, just you.

    You’re the only one so far who has called them worms.


  62. BARTLEBEE says:

    Thanks to folks like you who’ve “Got our backs”

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 2:45 pm

    We don’t YOUR back slim.

    We’ve got the soldiers backs, which is why we’re working to get them out of an illegal occupation of a foriegn land, and an impossible situation.

    As opposed to you, who is just working to keep them there.


  63. BARTLEBEE says:

    And when a democratic vote goes against what YOU believe, then the vote was ’stolen’

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 2:45 pm

    It didn’t dingbat. Like most of your trailer park crowd, you can’t count either.

    More Americans voted for Al Gore in 2000, than that peice of human shit you elected.


  64. Chris L says:

    Wrong nucklehead! Who wrote that definition? You? We are at war with people who don’t wear uniforms and want to kill you and your family! I don’t give a damn about what country we invaded. We had to fight this war from somewhere in that region and Iraq was the right choice. It ignored every resolution your beloved UN created. We know he had WMD. He used them on his own people. When are people like you going to wake up and realize what is at stake if we don’t take the fight to them!

    Comment by michael — June 29, 2007 @ 2:47 pm

    I served 18 months in Baghdad with the US Army. The definition I was using was straight from the DOD. I agree that this war needed to be fought, but not from Iraq. That was a mistake. I have served in Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom as well. Those made much more sense to me. Iraq did have WMD, but most all of it was destroyed in the early 90’s. Why have we not found ANY? Why haven’t they used it on our troops of they have it? Yeah, Iraq ignored 16 UN resolutions. So what? Israel is ignoring 65. The UN is a fu#$ing waste because of this. We are not taking the fight to them in Iraq. In fact many of my friends over there now are pissed because they keep changing who the “enemy” is. One week we are fighting one group, the next week we are trying to put them in power.
    Thanks for supporting the troops, michael. Every veteran that I talk to wishes we could leave Iraq so that we CAN fight the war on terror. I agree.


  65. SGT Higgins says:

    # 62 No you inbred prick, just you. — Getting flustered? Rotflmao All this spittin’ and sputterin’ getting you anywhere? You liberals are the first one’s to cry foul when a Conservative uses personal attacks….but as soon as you lose an argument what’s the first thing you do?

    You’re the only one so far who has called them worms. —- Oh sorry, when you said ‘ME’ I thought you meant ‘US Soldiers’….I’ll take your childish coments more personally from now on.


  66. BARTLEBEE says:

    We are at war with people who don’t wear uniforms and want to kill you

    Comment by michael — June 29, 2007 @ 2:47 pm

    No we’re not. We’re invading a sovereign nation and assaulted their people to the point of mass extermination, even though they never attacked us. Which makes those of you who support this cause, the bad guys.

    Right and wrong will ALWAYS go before my country slim. As it will with all true Americans.

    The people who attacked us however are still running around free, because your leader was too much of a coward to go after him.

    Or too much of a friend.


  67. SGT Higgins says:

    Thanks for supporting the troops, michael. Every veteran that I talk to wishes we could leave Iraq so that we CAN fight the war on terror. I agree.

    Comment by Chris L — Really, all the troops I talk to say we’re there at the right time for the right reasons. The troops who wanna leave are scared…..”Golly, there sure do seem to be a lot of bad guys here…..when do i get the college money?”


  68. BARTLEBEE says:

    Getting flustered?

    Comment by SGT Inbred Prickins — June 29, 2007 @ 2:56 pm

    lol, you wish.

    Just calling em as I see em chief.


  69. BARTLEBEE says:

    Really, all the troops I talk to say we’re there at the right time for the right reasons.

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 2:59 pm

    Well what do you expect at an Ayran Nation rally?


  70. Chris L says:

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 2:56 pm

    When/where did you serve? I was OIF from Feb 03 – June 04 with the 1457th Eng. Combat Bn. (Corps Wheeled). Personally, I am very much against the continued Iraq occupation, as are many vets that I know. I was in Baghdad (at BIAP), then Dogwood, Muleskinner, Falluajah, and FOB Italy. I understand why we went over there, but I think we accomplished all that we needed to long ago. Our job is done, it is time to come home.


  71. SGT Higgins says:

    Feb ‘03 – Feb ‘04 – 181st Trans Bn. Was at Dogwood too (were you there when the ASP went up?) Eventually settled in Balad and travelled out fom there almost daily. Missed OIF III due to a family difficulty.


  72. Chris L says:

    Really, all the troops I talk to say we’re there at the right time for the right reasons. The troops who wanna leave are scared…..”Golly, there sure do seem to be a lot of bad guys here…..when do i get the college money?”

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
    #

    It is not about fear. And if you are making fun of someone for being scared, you have never seen combat. It is about putting people into power that you were fighting against just last week. It is about having no idea what the mission is or how long it will last. It is about having your leadership so flustered by beurocracy and bullsh!t that they can’t tell you why you are there or if you are winning or losing. It is about not having any way to measure losing. I have lost friends in Iraq. I have also had friends come home without limbs. I myself get a 60% disablity.


  73. Chris L says:

    Was at Dogwood too (were you there when the ASP went up?) Eventually settled in Balad and travelled out fom there almost daily. Missed OIF III due to a family difficulty.

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
    #

    F#ck! I know you’re unit! I was attached to 510th MP at Dogwood! I used to patrol route Sue daily. No I wasn’t there when the ASP went up, we had just left for convoy security on MSR Tampa. Dude, where are you now? Are you still in? I never got to Balad, but I have a friend at church who served there.


  74. BARTLEBEE says:

    I understand why we went over there, but I think we accomplished all that we needed to long ago. Our job is done, it is time to come home.

    Comment by Chris L — June 29, 2007 @ 3:03 pm

    There was NO reason to invade Iraq, and if you think you “understand” it Chris, then you understand nothing.

    Osama Bin Laden headed into the Kashmir region early on. Kashmir is a disputed region between India and Pakistan, and is an Al Quaida safe house and has been for some time. Thick dense jungle and constant in fighting make it a dangerous place, and it has been labeled off limits to US Military personnel by the Pakistani government, which is in bed with Al Quaeda, and has been for some time, albeit not offically.

    Soon, Bin Laden will walk across the border, into Pakistan, where he enjoys a massive 80 percent approval rating, where he will gather an army as he goes. Then, overthrowing Musharrafs puppet regime, he will seize the nukes, and then we’ll have that ball game the right wing “heros” have been so scared of for so long.

    Its easier to invade Iraq, and since they look like the guys who attacked us on 911, thats why Bush, the coward, went in. The troops are just doing their jobs. But those who support Bush, including troops who do, are supporting evil, nothing more.


  75. BARTLEBEE says:

    If you want to “fight the good fight”, then you need to fight the enemy, instead of just “calling” innocent people the enemy, and killing them.


  76. Chris L says:

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 3:07 pm

    Didn’t the 181st run some convoy ops out of Ceders II for a while (Operation Rawhide)? If this is the trans group I’m thinking of, I was part of your security detail. Dude, sorry if I came on too strong before. I am personally against the Iraq war, as are many friends of mine who are also vets. But we have chewed some of the same sand, so you are entitled to your opinion.


  77. Chris L says:

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 3:07 pm

    I have to leave to go to lunch, but would like to talk to you more. My email is gnurulz@gmail.com.


  78. BARTLEBEE says:

    You want to fight terrorism?

    Great.

    Go get them. They’re in Kashmir.

    Go fight them, instead of creating new ones. Then you’ll not just have a rifle, but a brain to operate it with.


  79. BARTLEBEE says:

    But any American who thinks killing the people of Iraq was a good idea, is no real American. He’s a traitor to the principles America stands for, and he’s a traitor to humanity.


  80. BARTLEBEE says:

    Iraq was a cowards war, nothing more.

    It was a chance for wanna be tough guys to shoot off their guns, and their mouths, without really facing a “war”, like the war our fathers faced, and a war we may soon be facing thanks to you.

    The idea of invading Iraq was like the old addage of the woman who loses a silver coin in the attic, but decides to look for it in the kitchen, because “the light is better in there”.

    The enemy went to Kashmir, where its dangerous and the controlling governments have Nuclear weapons to shoot at us.

    So Bush went to Iraq, where it would be easier.

    Or so he thought.


  81. katie says:

    I heard someone say the other night that closing Gitmo may actually make more problems than it solves for the people at Gitmo. As he put it, we would then have hundreds of mini Gitmos out of the public eye.

    It’s all a mess for sure. A mess that it is going to take us generations to clean up, if we can. Personally, the last thing in the world I would want to do now would be to get elected as the President who is going to have to deal with the mess that the Bushies have caused.


  82. BARTLEBEE says:

    Katie just made the most important comment on this thread.

    Thats right Katie. If they close it they’ll just bury the “detainees” deeper.


  83. katie says:

    “Really, all the troops I talk to say we’re there at the right time for the right reasons. The troops who wanna leave are scared…..”Golly, there sure do seem to be a lot of bad guys here…..when do i get the college money?” Comment by SGT Higgins

    So SGT Higgins, how many “friends” have you talked to? Because most surveys, even those published in the military times, shows that our troops want to come home. They don’t know who they are fighting and they don’t think they are accomplishing anything. They clear a road of IED’s during the day and that night the insurgents come along and put them back. Then add the fact that these guys are being forced to serve much longer deployments than any other soldier in the history of our country…some on their third or fourth deployment, everyone being extended from 12 months to 15 months and then it will be 18 months and then…..And finally, they know that if they are killed it will be for nothing and if they are injured or disabled, they will come home and have to fight for their health care.


  84. BARTLEBEE says:

    Katie, Sgt Higgins is about as regular army as I am an RNC block leader.

    Did you notice when Chris pointed out they were in the same unit, he just sorta “disappeared”?


  85. BARTLEBEE says:

    Obiously off reading about the unit, so he can regale Chris with tales of his imaginary service.


  86. SGT Higgins says:

    # 83 – katie – They don’t know who they are fighting and they don’t think they are accomplishing anything. —— Some might not, but there are plenty who do.
    They clear a road of IED’s during the day and that night the insurgents come along and put them back. —- True enough…I didn’t say it wasn’t frustrating.

    everyone being extended from 12 months to 15 months and then it will be 18 months and then —– yep. it sucks all right….are you suggesting that when the going gets tough, the tough hightail it the hell out of Iraq? Families are definitely suffering due to longer deployments after so many years of 6 month rotations……but historically, 6 month rotations are not efficient. Sending troops and equipment overseas is expensive, doing it every 6 months for a prolonged conflict is ludicrous economically.

    they will come home and have to fight for their health care. — I spend a good deal of time at WReed and I see a lot of these amputee soldiers doing very well. I haven’t been on the ward where they are treated but I’ve been on the ward where they ‘fight’ for their prosthetics. That ward COULD use some help, but I CAN say that the quality of these prosthetics is second to none. These Soldiers are running ten-mile races! I feel like I’m dying after 5.


  87. SGT Higgins says:

    BART – you’re typical

    We weren’t IN the same unit…his supported mine. And since our Bn had several companies under it in Iraq (RA and RC) he may well have supported other units under us. He may even be mistaken about having supported mine. We did have MP support for a short time, but generally provided our own with 50 cal. guntrucks.


  88. BARTLEBEE says:

    Sure Beetle, sure.


  89. BARTLEBEE says:

    Bet you “luv the smell of napalm in the morning” too, huh?


  90. BARTLEBEE says:

    Question.

    Did they ask, and did you tell?


  91. SGT Higgins says:

    You’re right Dingbat….I lied….never spent a year driving a guntruck….never witnessed IED’s frequently. We were lucky, a lot of times they ‘missed’ our trucks. And although we had a dozen or so purple hearts, we didn’t lose anyone during that first rotation. One suicide and one heart attack afterwe returned though. One injury was bad enough to be flown back to Landstuhl but oh wait…..guess i’m makin it all up. I sure do have an active imagination.


  92. BARTLEBEE says:

    Everything you just said could be googled by any military buff who watches A&E, slim.

    I doubt strongly that you ever served a day in any uniform other than a boy scouts tunic.


  93. BARTLEBEE says:

    I lied….never spent a year driving a guntruck….never witnessed IED’s frequently.

    Comment by SGT DigginDeep — June 29, 2007 @ 4:00 pm

    Now THAT I believe.


  94. SGT Higgins says:

    OK ’slick’,
    You liberals like to make up your own facts and pick and choose thereality that fits you best.

    All you’re doing is fitting into the mold….it looks a little tight around your fat ass though.


  95. BARTLEBEE says:

    All you’re doing is fitting into the mold….it looks a little tight around your fat ass though.

    Comment by SGT Friggins — June 29, 2007 @ 4:08 pm

    I’ll take the mold of an American over the mold of Nazi any day.

    And as for my fat ass?

    Pucker up.


  96. RUCerious says:

    Yippee! Another letter from Congress to decorate the trash can in the Ovoid Office.


  97. SGT Higgins says:

    LMAO – I can’t help but notice the part of my comment you ever so ‘conveniently’ avoid. Yes, avoid, as in you’re scared.

    Cue the part where BART states he didn’t ‘avoid’ so much as dismiss out of hand (much like reason, sense, and facts)


  98. BARTLEBEE says:

    LMAO – I can’t help but notice the part of my comment you ever so ‘conveniently’ avoid. Yes, avoid, as in you’re scared.

    Cue the part where BART states he didn’t ‘avoid’ so much as dismiss out of hand (much like reason, sense, and facts)

    Comment by SGT Wiggin — June 29, 2007 @ 4:21 pm

    Like I said a dozen or so posts earlier, whenever a right wing troll gets flustered, they forget how to type.

    Behold:


    Cue the part where BART states he didn’t ‘avoid’ so much as dismiss out of hand (much like reason, sense, and facts)

    Need I say more?

    Was there a coherent thought in there, or is the Tourette’s acting up again?


  99. BARTLEBEE says:

    And don’t give me that “typo” crap.

    That whole sentence was a typo.


  100. BARTLEBEE says:

    Behold our mighty Sgt Higgins.

    Faced mortal danger every day, but gets so frazzled from a few words from some other idiot on the internet that he can’t even type a coherent sentence in english.

    Yea. You’re a real hero Sarge.

    A real Audey Murphy.


  101. SGT Higgins says:

    LOL Let’s try this again. — You liberals like to make up your own facts and pick and choose thereality that fits you best.

    they forget how to type. — What, exactly, are you finding fault with?

    You’ll cry freedom for all and don’t tread on me…..but you’ll be more than happy to be the one doing the treading. Oh, is that it? Maybe Lib’s are just tired of being downtrodden, and insist the gov’t give ‘em a chance to do the trodding themselves for a change. LMAO Get out of the house, get a job, and earn your right to trod. LOL


  102. SGT Higgins says:

    A real Audey Murphy — That’s AudIE Murphy


  103. SGT Higgins says:

    BART: “Must…avoid….debate….” (settles on ridicule, it’s much easier than coherent thinking)


  104. BARTLEBEE says:

    Thanks. I forgot the spelling.

    But at least you understood the sentiment, which is more than I can say for that convoluted gaggle of letters you posted to me.


  105. BARTLEBEE says:

    BART: “Must…avoid….debate….” (settles on ridicule, it’s much easier than coherent thinking)

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 4:32 pm

    You make it easy.

    And I’ll always ridicule what I see as evil.

    As for debate, I’d love to. When are you going to start doing that?


  106. SGT Higgins says:

    And I’ll always ridicule what I see as evil. — Careful BART, ‘evil’ implies a belief system, possibly even Judeo-Christian.


  107. BARTLEBEE says:

    You’ll cry freedom for all and don’t tread on me…..but you’ll be more than happy to be the one doing the treading. Oh, is that it? Maybe Lib’s are just tired of being downtrodden, and insist the gov’t give ‘em a chance to do the trodding themselves for a change. LMAO Get out of the house, get a job, and earn your right to trod. LOL

    Comment by SGT Big-uns — June 29, 2007 @ 4:29 pm

    Don’t tread on me? Wrong war Sarge.

    As for being downtrodden, you’re just inventing arguments for me. You know, like you keep accusing me of doing to you. I’m talking about invading countries illegally, and spying on Americans to do it.

    As for gettting out of the house and getting a job, been there, done that, back when you were likely in grade school.


  108. BARTLEBEE says:

    And I’ll always ridicule what I see as evil. — Careful BART, ‘evil’ implies a belief system, possibly even Judeo-Christian.

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 4:38 pm

    Evil implies being responsible for the death and destruction of hundreds of thousands of people, their lands, homes and cities, without just cause.

    Evil’s dropping a bomb on a village of people to get 3 “bad guys”.

    Evils kicking in doors, knocking down old ladies and hauling their young men off in the middle of the night with bags over their heads because their name is the same as 100 other guys in the village, one of whom you’re looking for.

    Evil is running secret prisons, and kidnapping people because you THINK they might be up to no good, and locking them away never to be heard from agaiin, with no rights, due process or even humanity.

    Evil is torturing human beings, and calling it “interrogating”.

    Evil is F#$#$KING with our US Constitution to fit into your sick, twisted neo nazi world conquest plans.

    Evil, is you, and everything you stand for.


  109. BARTLEBEE says:

    I don’t need a “belief-system”, to know that chief.


  110. SGT Higgins says:

    As for gettting out of the house and getting a job, been there, done that, back when you were likely in grade school.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE

    Yeah, probably. I’m 34 so that makes you what? 50? 55?


  111. BARTLEBEE says:

    Thereabouts Junior.


  112. SGT Higgins says:

    # 109 – Evil implies being responsible for the death and destruction of hundreds of thousands of people, their lands —- Holy crap! We’ve killed their lands?
    , homes and cities, without just cause. — Nope, no just cause here…just BEcause, right?

    Evil’s dropping a bomb on a village of people to get 3 “bad guys”. — A village? do you have any idea how accurate our bombs are? If we want to bomb a house, the ones next to it MIGHT sustain some damage to their structural integrity.

    Evils kicking in doors,— to catch bad guys
    knocking down old ladies — who get in our face while we’re trying to secure the premises for our own safety…..happens every day in the good ol’ US of A…don’t see you decrying it happening in your own neighborhood.

    and hauling their young men off in the middle of the night with bags over their heads because their name is the same as 100 other guys in the village, one of whom you’re looking for. — Weed ‘em out. You think we send all 100 of ‘em to Gitmo?

    Evil is running secret prisons, and kidnapping people because you THINK they might be up to no good, and locking them away never to be heard from agaiin, with no rights, due process or even humanity. — It’s called a military tribunal…it’s legal…not evil.

    Evil is torturing human beings, and calling it “interrogating”. — it’s not torture, it’s a kinder, gentler de-briefing. LOL

    Evil is F#$#$KING with our US Constitution to fit into your sick, twisted neo nazi world conquest plans. — Neo – nazi? Dude, you’re off your rocker.

    Evil, is you, and everything you stand for. — If ‘Evil’ is everything I stand for…..well, I can live with that. Yeah, and your sense of morality is impeccable, right?

    It’s 5, I’m gone. Have a great weekend BART =)


  113. BARTLEBEE says:

    I have no problem with showing military might when we are attacked by another nation, or when trying to repel the invasion of an invading army into a country where it doesn’t belong.

    The 1991 Gulf War was fully justified, and brilliantly executed and completed. If there is a God, he certainly was with us then. We saved the people (and their oil) of Kuwait from an invading tryant, and drove Saddam back into his land, with his military broken and lying in ruins.

    We proved our military superiority to the world, and overnight became once more a hero in the eyes of our international neighbors, and earned the respect and awe of the entire world. And their gratitude.

    But what you guys did was shameful, and earned us the hatred and enmity of the entire world. It was a cowardly, ugly act, that now is breeding more terrorism and hatred of the US than we could imagine.

    You have made us hated, feared and everyone who has lost someone to our bombs and bullets in Iraq is now a potential terrorist.One day maybe you’ll figure that out.


  114. BARTLEBEE says:

    Nope, no just cause here…just BEcause, right?

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 5:01 pm

    How many times do I have to give you the reasons?

    Oh thats right, your method of “debate”, is simply to put words in my mouth.

    Here. Let me REPOST the reasons I posted, of why we went into Iraq.

    BARTLEBEE SAID AN HOUR AGO:

    Iraq was a cowards war, nothing more.

    It was a chance for wanna be tough guys to shoot off their guns, and their mouths, without really facing a “war”, like the war our fathers faced, and a war we may soon be facing thanks to you.

    The idea of invading Iraq was like the old addage of the woman who loses a silver coin in the attic, but decides to look for it in the kitchen, because “the light is better in there”.

    The enemy went to Kashmir, where its dangerous and the controlling governments have Nuclear weapons to shoot at us.

    So Bush went to Iraq, where it would be easier.

    Or so he thought.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE — June 29, 2007 @ 3:21 pm


  115. BARTLEBEE says:

    We were attacked on 911 by arabs who were headquartered in Afghanistan and the surrounding regions.

    We announced for 3 months to them that we were soon going to come get them, so they’d better not be there when we got there.

    Then, when we got there, they were magically gone!

    Huh? Imagine that?

    Where’d they go? Into Kashmir and Pakistan of course.

    Where’d we go? To Iraq of course. Why?

    Cause “the fights better there”

    Or so we thought.


  116. BARTLEBEE says:

    happens every day in the good ol’ US of A…don’t see you decrying it happening in your own neighborhood.

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 5:01 pm

    Oh I’m sorry, I thought I could talk about one thing without talking about EVERYTHING.

    I don’t see you condemning child molestation in here, so by your own logic, I guess you’re ok with it, right?


  117. SGT Higgins says:

    The 1991 Gulf War was fully justified, and brilliantly executed and completed. —– That would be the difference between the Powell Doctrine and the Rumsfeld Doctrine…. Large, overwhelming force vs. quicker, lighter, faster. If I had a CHOICE in the matter, i’d have opted for the larger force from the get-go.
    We saved the people (and their oil) of Kuwait from an invading tryant, and drove Saddam back into his land, — Yeah, but looking at it from his perspective, when Kuwait was a part of Iraq and became sovereign, they took 1/3 of Iraq’s oil producing land with them. Not saying he was right, but I can see why he was so pissed off about it.

    But what you guys did was shameful, —- I disagree
    and earned us the hatred and enmity of the entire world. — witnessed that. After 9/11 Germans near the post I served on were outside the gate leaving flowers, candles, and saying prayers. When the Iraq war was ramping up, they were back….just not nearly as nice. Germans are fickle like that. (JK)
    is breeding more terrorism and hatred of the US than we could imagine. — This part I agree with.

    You have made us hated,– Unfortunate, but true. Not a reason to withdraw, though
    feared — I kinda like that part.
    and everyone who has lost someone to our bombs and bullets in Iraq is now a potential terrorist.One day maybe you’ll figure that out. — Already have. Again, not a reason to abandon ship.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE


  118. BARTLEBEE says:

    Don’t try to deny it Sarge.

    You haven’t once condemned child molestation in this blog, so you must not be against it.

    You said so yourself.


  119. BARTLEBEE says:

    You have made us hated,– Unfortunate, but true. Not a reason to withdraw, though

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 5:09 pm

    No. Common decency has got that one covered.


  120. SGT Higgins says:

    I’ll tackle the rest on Monday. I promised to take the Mrs. to dinner tonight.

    I don’t see you condemning child molestation in here, so by your own logic, I guess you’re ok with it, right? — OK, LMAO point taken.


  121. SGT Higgins says:

    Ok, I’m really out of here now…btw, there’s a hilarious pic on the front page of Wolfowitz with his thumb up his nose…where do they get these pics? LMAO


  122. BARTLEBEE says:

    and everyone who has lost someone to our bombs and bullets in Iraq is now a potential terrorist.One day maybe you’ll figure that out. — Already have. Again, not a reason to abandon ship.

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 5:09 pm

    Not to a moron perhaps, but to an American with a brain it is.

    You just don’t get it do you?

    We went in based on lies. Sure the soldiers, and probably about 80 percent of the right wing who supported it probably believed the lies Bush and co were providing. They probably went in with the best of intentions.

    The soldiers believe what they’re told, so they likewise I am sure had pure intentions.

    Never mind we tried to tell you. Never mind George Bush senior (and Dick Cheney back then) showed us why it was a terrible idea. Never mind all that. I am sure their reasons to them, were good.

    But now, once the lies are exposed, and the entire world knows it was all bullshit, those who still support it are knowingly supporting corruption, and thats bad. Real bad for all of us.

    When we pull out, we might be able to get the UN in there, and IF we pay MASSIVE reparations to all of the surviving Iraqi people for the next decade or so, then we might be able to heal this mess. Just maybe.

    But as long as we, who perpetuated the mess are arrogantly refusing to leave, the killing will continue, and the blood will be on our hands.


  123. BARTLEBEE says:

    a hilarious pic on the front page of Wolfowitz with his thumb up his nose…where do they get these pics? LMAO

    Comment by SGT Higgins — June 29, 2007 @ 5:15 pm

    They had to wait for that one.

    Usually its up his butt.


  124. BARTLEBEE says:

    Alright. Have a nice dinner Sarge.


  125. jake3988 says:

    1) Torch Guantanemo Bay
    2) Restore Habeas Corpus
    3) End Torture.

    Put everyone on trial, one by one.

    Sentence or release.

    Period.


  126. liz says:

    I only wish 145 of them cared about the sad state of America too.


  127. michael says:

    “More Americans voted for Al Gore in 2000, than that peice of human shit you elected.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE — June 29, 2007″

    Two things:

    That’s not how presidents are elected

    There’s a lot of dumb pukes in this country


  128. michael says:

    “I only wish 145 of them cared about the sad state of America too.

    Comment by liz — June 29, 2007″

    Which is?


  129. BARTLEBEE says:

    There’s a lot of dumb pukes in this country

    Comment by michael — June 30, 2007 @ 12:36 am

    Thats right.

    And they all voted for George W Bush.


  130. michael says:

    “End Torture

    Comment by jake3988 — June 29, 2007″

    What torture are you referring to?


  131. michael says:

    “And they all voted for George W Bush.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE — June 30, 2007″

    Brilliant, 3rd grader!


  132. michael says:

    “I’ll take the mold of an American over the mold of Nazi any day.

    Comment by BARTLEBEE — June 29, 2007″

    Please don’t disguise or confuse yourself with a patriotic American. Compare yourselves with the German Jews in the 1930’s!


  133. BARTLEBEE says:

    No, I’m afraid thats your place in history Heinrich.


  134. BARTLEBEE says:

    The German that is.


  135. BARTLEBEE says:

    But if you’re saying you’re going to exterminate us, news flash. Unlike the German Jews, you’re the minority in this country Himmler. And that means if anyones starting trouble, in the end, you’ll be on the recieving end.’

    And you can take that to the bank.


  136. BARTLEBEE says:

    Compare myself to the German Jews.

    You’re a trainwreck.


  137. jake3988 says:

    Torture michael, the thing that Amnesty International and the media have showed happen on a nearly constant basis in Guantamemo and our outsourcing to Egypt.

    If you truely don’t know (I doubt that), then you really need to start reading the news and stop watching Fox.


  138. michael says:

    “Torture michael, the thing that Amnesty International and the media have showed happen on a nearly constant basis in Guantamemo and our outsourcing to Egypt.

    Comment by jake3988 — June 30, 2007″

    They have? Where?


  139. Anon says:

    I’m sure the DNC is going to find a quick excuse to keep it open.

    “Don’t dare want to do the right thing, that might be bad.”

    DNC Orwellians: Bad = good; good = bad.

    They are stupid lapdogs of Potus. Just like Blair. Subpeona power, ha!

    “Power to the Lapdogs!” “BONG HITS FOR LAPDOGS”



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