McChrystal and Obama - Two Men "Acting Stupidly"

One the one hand, we have General Stanley McChrystal; like all military officers, he was trained to comport himself in a gentlemanly manner: obey the chain of command and follow the orders of his civilian leaders. And when those orders raise questions, the conflict is best handled behind closed doors, among equals and in a manner that doesn't create dissent among the rank-and-file.

McChrystal broke from that training and stuck his boot in his mouth when he allowed Rolling Stone Magazine to interview him. General Stanley McChrystal is no longer in charge of operations in Afghanistan.

Was it a calculated move to change policy gone bad, or was it the final straw of a commander, cut off at the knees and saddled with a winnable war fought under unwinnable rules? Maybe we'll find out in his Playboy interview....

On the other hand, we have the root cause of all this military angst: one Barack Obama, President of the United States, Command-in-Chief of it's military, and presumptive "leader of the free world."

President and Commander Obama is currently engaged on a whirlwind, four-year apologia tour of the world. He bows and supplicates before our subordinates. He apologizes to our enemies and alienates and embarrasses our allies.

Like the last Democratic president, he has no military experience. That president bartered away our military might in favor of a "peace dividend" all while ignoring a growing worldwide threat.

This president? Well, let's just hope he treats Afghanistan the same way he should be treating the Gulf disaster: STAY OUT OF IT AND LET THE PEOPLE WITH THE EXPERIENCE MAKE THE DECISIONS!!!

** Hoo-ahh! THAT'S MY OPINION AND YOU'RE ENTITLED TO IT!! **

Pin-o-o-o-chi-i-o-o-o!

Obama Announces Plan to Dispatch 30,000 More Troops to Afghanistan

FOXNews.com

President Obama, in a speech that could define the rest of his presidency, announced Tuesday that he was sending 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan with plans to start withdrawing them in July 2011, a move intended to appease the military, a war-weary public, and anti-war liberals.

President Obama, in a speech Tuesday that could define the rest of his presidency, laid out his plan to quickly send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan to revive the struggling war effort while setting a preliminary timeline for withdrawal -- aiming to start handing over security roles to Afghan forces by July 2011.

"The status quo is unsustainable," Obama said as he outlined his case for a three-part strategy: more troops to bolster the military effort, a "civilian surge" to improve living conditions in the country and an increased focus on the United States' partnership with Pakistan.

How Ft. Hood Happened,...

I won't insult my readers' intellect in connecting the dots for them:

Korematsu vs United States - good references here and here

US Airways settles intimidation lawsuit filed by Flying Imams

The Flying Imams' lawsuit was "the latest component in a national campaign to intimidate airlines and government agencies from acting prudently to ensure passenger safety." In other words, it was a quintessential stealth jihad effort.


I post it, you decide.....

Ft Hood: Is This Obama's 9/11?

Troubling Portrait Emerges of Fort Hood Shooting Rampage Suspect

WASHINGTON — His name appears on radical Internet postings. A fellow officer says he fought his deployment to Iraq and argued with soldiers who supported U.S. wars. He required counseling as a medical student because of problems with patients.

There are many unknowns about Nidal Malik Hasan, the man authorities say is responsible for the worst mass killing on a U.S. military base. Most of all, his motive.

For six years before reporting for duty at Fort Hood, Texas, in July, the 39-year-old Army major worked at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center pursuing his career in psychiatry, as an intern, a resident and, last year, a fellow in disaster and preventive psychiatry. He received his medical degree from the military's Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., in 2001.


And the Obama administration's response?

Obama: 'Dont' Jump to Conclusions' on Fort Hood Shooting

President Obama said Friday he met with FBI chief Robert Mueller and other federal agencies to discuss what may have caused Nidal Malik Hasan to turn on his comrades in Thursday's shooting rampage at Fort Hood that left 13 people dead and 28 wounded.

In the wake of the deadliest mass shooting at a U.S. base, President Obama on Friday cautioned against jumping to conclusions on the motive of the suspect.

"We don't know all the answers yet and I would caution against jumping to conclusions until we have all the facts," Obama said on the White House lawn.

"What we do know is that there are families, friends and an entire nation grieving right now for the valiant men and women who came under attack yesterday," the president said.

Obama said he met with FBI chief Robert Mueller and other federal agencies to discuss what may have caused Nidal Malik Hasan to turn on his comrades in Thursday's shooting rampage at Fort Hood that left 13 people dead and 30 wounded.

Dis,...Gust,...Ing!

Army Deserter Seeking German Asylum 'Having Time of My Life'

Germany has been very good to Spec. André L. Shepherd since he deserted the U.S. Army.

The 31-year-old former mechanic of the 601st Aviation Support Battalion is enjoying perks that eluded him back home in Ohio: a bed, a bank account, a cell phone and friends.

Best of all from his standpoint, he isn't back in Iraq.

"I'm having the time of my life," says Shepherd, the only American bunking at a refugee-processing center in southern Germany.

The U.S. deserter entered uncharted legal territory on Wednesday, when Germany begian weighing his request for political asylum. The case will put to the test a 2004 European Union directive requiring member countries to grant asylum to soldiers protesting unlawful wars.

Shepherd could wind up in a U.S. jail if his application is rejected, but a favorable ruling could open a new escape hatch for Americans stationed in Germany who want to avoid combat duty in Iraq. About 38,000 American soldiers are stationed in Germany, a key logistical hub for the U.S. Army.

Shepherd has no shortage of supporters. Punk rockers gave him shelter after he decamped from a military base near Nuremberg in 2007 and went into hiding. Dozens of peace organizations have championed his cause since he turned himself in to German authorities late last year and applied for asylum.

"He's our poster boy," says Tim Huber of the Military Counseling Network, part of the German Mennonite Peace Committee, a nongovernmental organization helping finance Mr. Shepherd's legal campaign.

The U.S. Army says 71 soldiers deserted from its European bases last year, a mere sliver of the roughly 3,500 soldiers who deserted world-wide over the past year. It says it doesn't actively pursue most deserters, who make up less than 1 percent of the enlisted force in any given year.

A spokesman for the U.S. Army in Europe said the military is aware of the asylum case but that it is "completely in German hands." If Shepherd is returned to U.S. custody, though, he could face up to five years in prison under military laws.

Click here to read more on this story from the Wall Street Journal.

Onward Christian Soldiers?

Army to Remove Memorial Sign and Crosses From Chapel in Kosovo Camp

Army officials say they are only following regulations, but their plans to remove a memorial to a U.S. chaplain at a camp in Kosovo have shocked and saddened his widow.

Elizabeth Oglesby said she was "a little bit sad" when FOXNews.com told her a sign honoring her late husband, Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Gordon Oglesby, would be removed from the North Chapel at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo.

The sign, as well as three crosses, are being removed to put the chapel in line with Army regulations, said Lt. Col. William D. Jenkins of the 35th Infantry Division's Kosovo Force 9.

"I didn’t even know that the plaque was erected or put up after his death," Oglesby's widow said. "But I am shocked that they would want to take it down, because I know he just lived for his soldiers.

"He got to know some of the local people there and he ministered to them as well in Kosovo."

Gordon Oglesby, a Baptist minister from Kermit, Texas, died in 2006 at age 57 after suffering a heart attack during a deployment to Kosovo on a peacekeeping mission. The sign dedicates the chapel to Oglesby's memory.

Army regulations prohibit chapels from being "named for any person, living or dead, or designated by a name or term suggesting any distinctive faith group," Jenkins said.

It was unclear who erected the memorial sign and the three crosses. Jenkins said he did not know who had done so.

The Base Camp Planning Board approved the removal of the crosses and memorial sign at a regularly scheduled meeting, he said.

"This is not a new regulation and exists to protect the free exercise of religion of all soldiers," Jenkins said.

Army regulations require the exterior of military chapels to remain free of religious symbols.

Iraqis: Marines Handed Out Christian Coins
Friday, May 30, 2008

BAGHDAD — The U.S. military says an American service member has been removed from duty in Iraq after receiving complaints that Marines were handing out coins promoting Christianity.

Sunni officials in the former insurgent stronghold of Fallujah say the coins were given to Iraqis at an entry checkpoint and had biblical verses written on them in Arabic.

A military statement says the service member was removed from his duties Friday "amid concerns from Fallujah's citizens regarding reports of inappropriate conduct."

The statement says U.S. troops are prohibited "from proselytizing any religion, faith or practices" and the military is investigating the reports.

The military promises appropriate action if they are substantiated.

The Media Misses a BIG One!

Received this as an e-mail from TrekFriend PokErica:


Please read this, then send it to everybody you know.

They'll thank you as they forward this to others as well.

Denzel Washington, and Brooks Army Medical Center

Don't know whether you heard about this but Denzel Washington and his family visited the troops at Brook Army Medical Center, in San Antonio,Texas (BAMC) the other day.

This is where soldiers who have been evacuated from Germany come to be hospitalized in the United States, especially burn victims. There are some buildings there called Fisher Houses.

The Fisher House is a Hotel where soldiers' families can stay, for little or no charge, while their soldier is staying in the Hospital. BAMC has quite a few of these houses on base, but as you can imagine, they are almost filled most of the time.

While Denzel Washington was visiting BAMC, they gave him a tour of one of the Fisher Houses. He asked how much one of them would cost to build. He took his checkbook out and wrote a check for the full amount right thereon the spot. The soldiers overseas were amazed to hear this story and want to get the word out to the American public, because it warmed their hearts to hear it.


The question I have is why does:

Brad Pitt
Madonna,
Paris Hilton
Tom Cruise

and other Hollywood fluff make front page news with their ridiculous antics and Denzel Washington's Patriotism doesn't even make page 3 in the Metro section of any newspaper except the Local newspaper in San Antonio.









A true American and friend to all in uniform!

This needs as wide a distribution
as we can create.
GOD BLESS YOU DENZEL


The TrekMedic adds:

This story, verified by Snopes, is actually several years old (but what do you expect from a veterinarian?) but its still relevant at this time of the year to remind us of the sacrifices our military makes every day and that not all Hollywood types are leftist, selfish a**holes (just most of them!)

A Belated Happy Birthday!

The TrekMedic, of all bloggers, should have known better, but Captain America reminded him of an important birthday this weekend:




Just sit back and enjoy this:

Why Its Called "Memorial Day"

Doug V. Gibbs has a profound post on his site, Political Pistachio, that warrants your attention.

I stood there gazing down at my grandfather's grave, recently. My mother and I stopped by his grave as she drove me home from the hospital that my son was at that day. He is just a young man of 22 years, and he is battling cancer. On Tuesday he will be back in the hospital, hopefully to commence the procedure that will finally remove this cancer from his body.

My grandfather served in the Army-Air Forces during World War II as an M.P. in France. I can still remember his stories from my childhood about the war. Granted, some of the stories were not necessarily the God's honest truth, like the one about him punching Hitler in the nose, but that was the kind of man he was. He joked around when inside he hurt a little. He passed away a few years ago. His body is at rest at the Riverside National Cemetery in California. His soul rests with God. His honor resides in my memories of him.
My dad served in Vietnam. He was a helicopter door gunner with the United States Marine Corps. He doesn't talk about his military days much, though sometimes you'll catch him say a thing or two about his service. Most of the time when he speaks of his time in Vietnam it's not about the fighting he was a part of, or the carnage he saw. If he speaks of his time in the service at all it is usually about his friends he had in Vietnam and at Camp Pendleton, and how they looked out for each other while he was there in Vietnam. He also talks, sometimes, about what it was like when he returned from overseas. There was no thank you. There was no parade. He took a taxi from the airport, sat down on his mom's couch, and switched on the television. On that black and white screen flashed images of the place he had just been hours before. It was surreal to him, knowing that he still had friends over there in Vietnam. His sister noticed he was home after a while, screamed to the family about his arrival, and at that point he received the only true welcome home celebration he would get. He has told me that he didn't regret fighting, but it still bothers him to this day that Americans had turned away from the soldiers, and he never really received a "Welcome Home, thanks for your service." Last year I met a couple writers at a Military Writers Society of America function. One was the widow of a Navy Corpsman from the Vietnam War, another a Vietnamese orphan that had been pulled from the region as we departed in 1975, and adopted by American parents. Both of them, after me telling them about my dad, gave me their books for free, and autographed them to my dad, thanking him for his service and welcoming him home. When I gave the books to him for his birthday a week later, and I opened them up so that he could read what had been written in them, he didn't cry, but I could see in his eyes that he wanted to.

Read the rest of the article for yourselves! That's an order!