Showing posts with label political/war related. Show all posts
Showing posts with label political/war related. Show all posts
Friday, July 25, 2008
Monday, May 28, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Union Soldiers - will these men be remembered this Memorial Day?
Union Soldiers
The Union soldier was typically a man in his early 20s, in most cases, he was a farmer who had either enlisted to fight a war which he thought wouldn't last more than a few months, or near the peak of the Civil War, someone who had been drafted. Those who were called to serve against their own will were often poor, since anyone who could pay the sum of $300.00 would be exempt from fighting. Still, many of the Union soldiers had ideals to uphold, and all of them were more than well equipped to do so, as opposed to their southern enemies. As the war progressed, even women joined the fight, dressing up as, and pretending to be men so that they could join the army.
Union soldiers' uniforms were dark blue and made of thick wool. Their only relief from the hot and uncomfortable outfit was most often a cotton shirt sent to them by their families, as their army issued shirts were also made of wool. Why all that wool? The reason was that wool would not take in water, or remain wet like cotton in the event of rain, and it was also more durable. Union soldiers also wore woolen caps which had leather visors to provide shade when aiming in the blazing sun. Union soldiers not only had better uniforms, they also had better weapons, British made Enfield rifles were the norm, and they were the most accurate weapons on the battlefield.
In addition to heavy clothes, Union soldiers carried a heavy knapsack, a blanket, and a small protective cover called "dog tent". Like the Confederates, Union soldiers carried a haversack filled with the usual set of eating implements, the canteen and frying pan being the most important. Unlike the southern Rebels, the Federals were required to groom themselves, and maintain a proper appearance, therefore their kit also included a comb, a razor, and other personal hygiene products.
Union Infantrymen wore belts on which there were cartridge boxes to carry multiple rounds of ammunition, a pouch to carry "percussion caps"; a17th Century equivalent of the hand grenade, and a scabbard which held their bayonets. Union Cavalrymen had similar accoutrements, but their belts included a pistol holster, and a special straps to hold their sabers.
While the Union troops were well fed, many died from ptomaine poisoning, the result of eating poorly canned meat and other tainted food items. Morale was generally high amongst the Federal troops, but desertion was a serious issue since many soldiers which had left their homes in the hopes of fighting a short war, would eventually feel the need to return to their families and farms. Since many of them had been drafted, they did not want to be where they were in the first place. Those who deserted for cowardice were mostly drummed out of cam with a sign around their neck that read "coward", while others hung or executed by firing squad for more serious offences such as treason. Other, less draconian methods of discipline included tying a soldier to a large wheel for hours on end, and imprisonment.
There exist many photographs of the Union forces, as their army had greater funding. While they did win the war, it was not an easy battle, and many lost their lives, not to mention the thousands who returned home as amputees. It is also interesting to note that many freed slaves became fighters for the Union, no doubt motivated by Lincoln's attitude towards human rights. He is after all, remembered as the "Great Emancipator".
Not far from where I currently live there is a cemetery with an entire section devoted to the Union Soldier. Many of their graves are there from that time along with a memorial and a cannon. I have always wondered if anyone comes by to decorate their graves on Memorial Day. I have some small flags and if Noah is up to it...we will go over and place a flag on each of the tombstones as well as the tombstones of my relatives who also served in any war. This has been something that has bothered me for some time. Here are a couple of photographs:
Monday, May 21, 2007
Marine's last request starts Memorial Fund
PHILADELPHIA - Five days before Lance Cpl. Adam C. Conboy was killed in
Iraq, he inspired his own memorial fund.
During a Sunday morning phone call from the Anbar province, he described staying 20 men per room in an old schoolhouse, packed into bunk beds in the scorching heat. The stench, he said, was overwhelming.
He asked his mother if she could send clean sheets — 40 sets of them, one for each member of his platoon.
"C'mon Mom, get Operation Bedding going," he joked.
He was killed the next Friday, May 12, 2006, by non-hostile fire. He had been in Iraq eight weeks.
Friends told his mother to expect flowers to start pouring in.
"I told people I didn't need flowers," Mary Conboy said. "In lieu of that, I took donations to get the bedding Adam asked for out to the guys."
Operation Bedding has since grown from a son's spontaneous quip to a mother's tribute to her fallen Marine. Mary Conboy runs a homespun charity effort from her backyard, sending troops in Iraq packages that contain everything from bedding to sweat socks to canned tuna.
Adam Conboy's platoon got its packages by July, and the company that replaced it received the next shipment. Schools began sending donations, and Mary Conboy started getting requests from different military units interested in the care packages.
But shipping the bedding, toiletries, snacks and books is costly. Mary Conboy estimates she spends $1,000 to get a shipment to Iraq.
To help with the cost, neighbor Donna Palmer decided to turn a housecleaning flea market into a fundraising event.
"I benefit because then I get rid of all the junk in my house," she said, "but really I'm helping a dear friend fulfill her son's last request."
The event scheduled for Saturday, Armed Forces Day, was to feature about 50 vendors, a motorcycle parade, a color guard salute and live music.
It was to be held in Gorgas Park, in the city's Roxborough section, around the corner from Adam Conboy's childhood home. The goal is to raise $10,000.
Charles Conboy, Adam's father, said the funds that keep Operation Bedding afloat are a distraction for him from the pain of losing his son, as well as a distraction for the troops in Iraq "from what's over there, at least for a couple hours while they rip through the packages."
In a DVD sent to the family, Adam Conboy's corps members describe using baby wipes from the packages when they had no running water for bathing and receiving shaving cream just as superiors were demanding they dry shave beards thick from days of growth.
"There was mad fighting over those pillows," one Marine said, "fighting for them, fighting with them, everything."
Mary Conboy said pillows and pepperoni sticks are the troops' favorites, and sometimes the goodies serve a practical purpose.
One Marine told her about meeting an Iraqi child while he had candy in his pockets.
"You show me where an IED is, and I'll give you the candy," he told the child, who led him right to one of the explosives.
"It was on the route where they would have gone that week," Mary Conboy said. "When I talk to people who've made donations, I tell them, 'You might have saved six Marines' lives.'"
Adam Conboy knew he wanted to fight for his country after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He was 17.
His mother told him he was too young. When he signed himself up at age 20, he sent his younger brother to give her the news.
"I said, 'There's something wrong here,'" Mary Conboy said, smiling. "'You joined the Marines, and you're afraid to tell your mother? You might want to toughen up.'"
Fellow Marines on the DVD say he did. They nicknamed him "Daddy" because at 21, he was the oldest among them and handled tense situations with humor.
Mary Conboy said she plans to continue Operation Bedding until the troops come home. Her husband, Gary Warner, built a shed in their backyard to hold donations that crowded them out of their dining room.
Charles Conboy helps pack boxes and takes them to a bulk mailing center. Mary Conboy's six other children, ages 2 to 20, also have rallied around the cause.
When Adam Conboy originally asked his mother to send 40 sets of bedding, Mary Conboy laughed, but wasn't surprised.
"It was very typical Adam," she said. "Just like when he was little. He was always the one to have all the neighborhood kids over for Popsicles."
___
On the Net:
ADAMCONBOYMEMORIALFUND
Iraq, he inspired his own memorial fund.
During a Sunday morning phone call from the Anbar province, he described staying 20 men per room in an old schoolhouse, packed into bunk beds in the scorching heat. The stench, he said, was overwhelming.
He asked his mother if she could send clean sheets — 40 sets of them, one for each member of his platoon.
"C'mon Mom, get Operation Bedding going," he joked.
He was killed the next Friday, May 12, 2006, by non-hostile fire. He had been in Iraq eight weeks.
Friends told his mother to expect flowers to start pouring in.
"I told people I didn't need flowers," Mary Conboy said. "In lieu of that, I took donations to get the bedding Adam asked for out to the guys."
Operation Bedding has since grown from a son's spontaneous quip to a mother's tribute to her fallen Marine. Mary Conboy runs a homespun charity effort from her backyard, sending troops in Iraq packages that contain everything from bedding to sweat socks to canned tuna.
Adam Conboy's platoon got its packages by July, and the company that replaced it received the next shipment. Schools began sending donations, and Mary Conboy started getting requests from different military units interested in the care packages.
But shipping the bedding, toiletries, snacks and books is costly. Mary Conboy estimates she spends $1,000 to get a shipment to Iraq.
To help with the cost, neighbor Donna Palmer decided to turn a housecleaning flea market into a fundraising event.
"I benefit because then I get rid of all the junk in my house," she said, "but really I'm helping a dear friend fulfill her son's last request."
The event scheduled for Saturday, Armed Forces Day, was to feature about 50 vendors, a motorcycle parade, a color guard salute and live music.
It was to be held in Gorgas Park, in the city's Roxborough section, around the corner from Adam Conboy's childhood home. The goal is to raise $10,000.
Charles Conboy, Adam's father, said the funds that keep Operation Bedding afloat are a distraction for him from the pain of losing his son, as well as a distraction for the troops in Iraq "from what's over there, at least for a couple hours while they rip through the packages."
In a DVD sent to the family, Adam Conboy's corps members describe using baby wipes from the packages when they had no running water for bathing and receiving shaving cream just as superiors were demanding they dry shave beards thick from days of growth.
"There was mad fighting over those pillows," one Marine said, "fighting for them, fighting with them, everything."
Mary Conboy said pillows and pepperoni sticks are the troops' favorites, and sometimes the goodies serve a practical purpose.
One Marine told her about meeting an Iraqi child while he had candy in his pockets.
"You show me where an IED is, and I'll give you the candy," he told the child, who led him right to one of the explosives.
"It was on the route where they would have gone that week," Mary Conboy said. "When I talk to people who've made donations, I tell them, 'You might have saved six Marines' lives.'"
Adam Conboy knew he wanted to fight for his country after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He was 17.
His mother told him he was too young. When he signed himself up at age 20, he sent his younger brother to give her the news.
"I said, 'There's something wrong here,'" Mary Conboy said, smiling. "'You joined the Marines, and you're afraid to tell your mother? You might want to toughen up.'"
Fellow Marines on the DVD say he did. They nicknamed him "Daddy" because at 21, he was the oldest among them and handled tense situations with humor.
Mary Conboy said she plans to continue Operation Bedding until the troops come home. Her husband, Gary Warner, built a shed in their backyard to hold donations that crowded them out of their dining room.
Charles Conboy helps pack boxes and takes them to a bulk mailing center. Mary Conboy's six other children, ages 2 to 20, also have rallied around the cause.
When Adam Conboy originally asked his mother to send 40 sets of bedding, Mary Conboy laughed, but wasn't surprised.
"It was very typical Adam," she said. "Just like when he was little. He was always the one to have all the neighborhood kids over for Popsicles."
___
On the Net:
ADAMCONBOYMEMORIALFUND
Sunday, May 20, 2007
With Memorial Day coming up.......
"I'm Tired"
BY: Joe Repya, Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army
101st Airborne Division
Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth month of duty in Iraq, I was
forced to return to the USA for surgery for an injury I sustained prior to
my deployment. With luck, I'll return to Iraq to finish my tour.
I left Baghdad, and a war that has every indication that we are
winning,
to return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971
after my tour in Vietnam. Maybe it's because I'll turn 60 years old in just
four months, but I'm tired:
I'm tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican, who
lack the courage, fortitude and character to see these difficult tasks
through.
I'm tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history
when the going gets tough.
I'm tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they
'Support
the Troops' by wanting them to 'Cut and Run' before victory is achieved.
I'm tired of a mainstream media that can only focus on car bombs and
casualty reports because they are too afraid to leave the safety of their
hotels to report on the courage and success our brave men and women are
having on the battlefield.
I'm tired that so many Americans think you can rebuild a dictatorship
into a democracy overnight.
I'm tired that so many ignore the bravery of the Iraqi people to go to
the voting booth and freely elect a Constitution and soon a permanent
Parliament.
I'm tired of the so called 'Elite Left' that prolongs this war by
giving
aid and comfort to our enemy, just as they did during the Vietnam War.
I'm tired of antiwar protesters showing up at the funerals of our
fallen
soldiers, a family whose loved ones gave their life in a just and noble
cause, only to be cruelly tormented on the funeral day by cowardly
protesters is beyond shameful.
I'm tired that my generation, the Baby Boom -- Vietnam generation, who
have such a weak backbone that they can't stomach seeing the difficult tasks
through to victory.
I'm tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of captives
than they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.
I'm tired that when we find mass graves it is seldom reported by the
press, but mistreat a prisoner and it is front-page news.
Mostly, I'm tired that the people of this great nation didn't learn
from
history that there is no substitute for victory.
Sincerely,
Joe Repya, Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army
101st Airborne Division
BY: Joe Repya, Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army
101st Airborne Division
Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth month of duty in Iraq, I was
forced to return to the USA for surgery for an injury I sustained prior to
my deployment. With luck, I'll return to Iraq to finish my tour.
I left Baghdad, and a war that has every indication that we are
winning,
to return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971
after my tour in Vietnam. Maybe it's because I'll turn 60 years old in just
four months, but I'm tired:
I'm tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican, who
lack the courage, fortitude and character to see these difficult tasks
through.
I'm tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history
when the going gets tough.
I'm tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they
'Support
the Troops' by wanting them to 'Cut and Run' before victory is achieved.
I'm tired of a mainstream media that can only focus on car bombs and
casualty reports because they are too afraid to leave the safety of their
hotels to report on the courage and success our brave men and women are
having on the battlefield.
I'm tired that so many Americans think you can rebuild a dictatorship
into a democracy overnight.
I'm tired that so many ignore the bravery of the Iraqi people to go to
the voting booth and freely elect a Constitution and soon a permanent
Parliament.
I'm tired of the so called 'Elite Left' that prolongs this war by
giving
aid and comfort to our enemy, just as they did during the Vietnam War.
I'm tired of antiwar protesters showing up at the funerals of our
fallen
soldiers, a family whose loved ones gave their life in a just and noble
cause, only to be cruelly tormented on the funeral day by cowardly
protesters is beyond shameful.
I'm tired that my generation, the Baby Boom -- Vietnam generation, who
have such a weak backbone that they can't stomach seeing the difficult tasks
through to victory.
I'm tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of captives
than they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.
I'm tired that when we find mass graves it is seldom reported by the
press, but mistreat a prisoner and it is front-page news.
Mostly, I'm tired that the people of this great nation didn't learn
from
history that there is no substitute for victory.
Sincerely,
Joe Repya, Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army
101st Airborne Division
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
IF you would like to support an end to the Iraq war go here...no one says you have to do it...
*
Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings- Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Congress and the Nation honor the courage, sacrifices, and efforts of the members of the Armed Forces of the United States and their families.
(2) In his speech to the Nation on January 10, 2007, President George W. Bush said that `I've made it clear to the Prime Minister and Iraq's other leaders that America's commitment is not open-ended. If the Iraqi government does not follow through on its promises, it will lose the support of the American people. . . The Prime Minister understands this'.
(3) In that speech, President George W. Bush also told the Nation that `America will hold the Iraqi government to the benchmarks it has announced. . . [T]o take responsibility for security in all of Iraq's provinces by November. To give every Iraqi citizen a stake in the country's economy, Iraq will pass legislation to share oil revenues among all Iraqis. To show that it is committed to delivering a better life, the Iraqi government will spend $10,000,000,000 of its own money on reconstruction and infrastructure projects that will create new jobs. To empower local leaders, Iraqis plan to hold provincial elections later this year. And to allow more Iraqis to re-enter their nation's political life, the government will reform de-Baathification laws, and establish a fair process for considering amendments to Iraq's constitution'.
(4) In that speech, President George W. Bush also told the Nation that `only Iraqis can end the sectarian violence and secure their people'.
(5) On December 18, 2006, former Secretary of State Colin Powell stated: `[s]o we have tried this surge of troops over the summer. I am not persuaded that another surge of troops in Baghdad for the purpose of suppressing this communitarian violence, this civil war, will work'.
(6) On November 15, 2006, General John Abizaid, Commander of the United States Central Command, stated before the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate that `I met with every divisional commander, General Casey, the corps commander, General Dempsey. We all talked together. And I said, in your professional opinion, if we were to bring in more American troops now, does it add considerably to our ability to achieve success in Iraq? And they all said no. And the reason is, because we want the Iraqis to do more. It's easy for the Iraqis to rely upon us to do this work. I believe that more American forces prevent the Iraqis from doing more, from taking more responsibility for their own future'.
(7) In testimony before the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate on January 11, 2007, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated that unless the Government of Iraq has met certain benchmarks and reestablishes the confidence of the Iraqi people over the next several months, `this plan is not going to work'.
(8) In a statement on January 11, 2007, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stated `[a]nd we will probably have a better view a couple of months from now in terms of whether we are making headway in terms of getting better control of Baghdad, with the Iraqis in the lead and with the Iraqis beginning to make better progress on the reconciliation process'.
(9) The bipartisan Iraq Study Group headed by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Representative Lee Hamilton reached a bipartisan consensus on 79 separate recommendations for a new approach in Iraq. Among those recommendations were calling for a new diplomatic offensive in the region and conditioning American economic assistance to Iraq on specific benchmarks, with the expectation that `by the first quarter of 2008, subject to unexpected developments in the security situation on the ground, all combat brigades not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq'.
(10) In reaction to the speech of President George W. Bush of January 10, 2007, former Secretary of State Baker and former Representative Hamilton wrote that `[t]he President did not suggest the possibility of a transition that could enable U.S. combat forces to begin to leave Iraq. The President did not state that political, military, or economic support for Iraq would be conditional on the Iraq government's ability to meet benchmarks. Within the region, the President did not announce an international support group for Iraq including all of Iraq's neighbors. . .'.
(b) Purposes- The purposes of this Act are as follows:
(1) To formulate and provide for the implementation of an effective United States policy towards Iraq and the Middle East region that employs military, political, diplomatic, and economic assets to promote and protect the national security interests of the United States.
(2) To provide for the implementation of a responsible, phased redeployment of the Armed Forces of the United States from Iraq in a substantial and gradual manner that places the highest priority on protecting the lives of members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel of the United States and on promoting the national security interests of the United States in the Middle East region.
(3) To urge the political parties and leaders of Iraq to reach the political solution necessary to promote stability in Iraq and enhance the safety of innocent Iraqi civilians.
(4) To condition future economic assistance to the Government of Iraq on significant progress toward the achievement of political and economic measures to be taken by the Government of Iraq.
(5) To provide for the initiation of a wider and sustained diplomatic strategy aimed at promoting a political settlement in Iraq, thereby ending the civil war in Iraq, preventing a humanitarian catastrophe in Iraq, and preventing a wider regional conflict.
(6) To provide, through sections 4 through 7, for the implementation of key recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan panel of experts co-chaired by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Representative Lee Hamilton.
SEC. 3. APPROPRIATE FORCE LEVELS FOR UNITED STATES MILITARY FORCES IN IRAQ.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the levels of the Armed Forces of the United States in Iraq after the date of the enactment of this Act shall not exceed the levels of such forces in Iraq as of January 10, 2007, without specific authority in statute enacted by Congress after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. REDEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES MILITARY FORCES FROM IRAQ.
(a) Redeployment-
(1) DEADLINE FOR COMMENCEMENT OF REDEPLOYMENT- Except as otherwise provided in this section, the phased redeployment of the Armed Forces of the United States from Iraq shall commence not later than May 1, 2007.
(2) SCOPE AND MANNER OF REDEPLOYMENT- The redeployment of the Armed Forces under this section shall be substantial, shall occur in a gradual manner, and shall be executed at a pace to achieve the goal of the complete redeployment of all United States combat brigades from Iraq by March 31, 2008, consistent with the expectation of the Iraq Study Group, if all the matters set forth in subsection (b)(1)(B) are not met by such date, subject to the exceptions for retention of forces for force protection, counter-terrorism operations, training of Iraqi forces, and other purposes as contemplated by subsection (g).
(3) FORMULATION OF PLAN WITH MILITARY COMMANDERS- The redeployment of the Armed Forces under this section should be conducted pursuant to a plan formulated by United States military commanders that is developed, if practicable, in consultation with the Government of Iraq.
(4) PROTECTION OF UNITED STATES FORCES AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL- In carrying out the redeployment of the Armed Forces under this section, the highest priority shall be afforded to the safety of members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel of the United States in Iraq.
(b) Suspension of Redeployment-
(1) IN GENERAL- The President may suspend, on a temporary basis as provided in paragraph (2), the redeployment of the Armed Forces under this section if the President certifies to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives that--
(A) doing so is in the national security interests of the United States; and
(B) the Government of Iraq--
(i) has lifted all restrictions concerning non-interference in operations of the Armed Forces of the United States in Iraq and does so on a continuing basis;
(ii) is making significant progress in reducing sectarian violence in Iraq and in reducing the size and operational effectiveness of sectarian militias in Iraq;
(iii) is making significant progress towards removing militia elements from the Iraqi Army, National Police, Facilities Protection Services, and other security forces of the Government of Iraq;
(iv) has enacted legislation or established other binding mechanisms to ensure the sharing of all Iraqi oil revenues among all segments of Iraqi society in an equitable manner;
(v) is making significant progress towards making available not less than $10,000,000,000 for reconstruction, job creation, and economic development in Iraq, with safeguards to prevent corruption, by January 10, 2008;
(vi) has deployed at least 18 Iraqi Army and National Police brigades to Baghdad and is effectively ensuring that such units are performing their security and police functions in all Baghdad neighborhoods, regardless of their sectarian composition;
(vii) has enacted legislation or established other binding mechanisms to revise its de-Baathification laws to encourage the employment in the Government of Iraq of qualified Iraqi professionals, irrespective of ethnic or political affiliation, including ex-Baathists who were not leading figures of the Saddam Hussein regime;
(viii) has established a fair process for considering amendments to the constitution of Iraq that promote lasting national reconciliation in Iraq;
(ix) is making significant progress towards assuming full responsibility for security in all the provinces of Iraq by November 30, 2007;
(x) is making significant progress towards holding free and fair provincial elections in Iraq at the earliest date practicable, but not later than December 31, 2007;
(xi) is making substantial progress towards increasing the size and effectiveness of Ministry of Defense forces as described on page 11 of `Highlights of the Iraq Strategy Review' published by the National Security Council in January 2007;
(xii) is making significant progress in reforming and strengthening the civilian ministries and other government institutions that support the Iraqi Army and National Police; and
(xiii) is making significant progress towards reforming its civilian ministries to ensure that they are not administered on a sectarian basis and that government services are delivered in an even-handed and non-sectarian manner.
(2) PERIOD OF SUSPENSION- A suspension of the redeployment of the Armed Forces under this subsection, including any renewal of the suspension under paragraph (3), shall be for a period not to exceed 90 days.
(3) RENEWAL- A suspension of the redeployment of the Armed Forces under this subsection may be renewed. Any such renewal shall include a certification to the officers referred to in paragraph (1) on the matters set forth in clauses (i) through (xiii) of subparagraph (B) of that paragraph.
(c) Disapproval of Suspension-
(1) DISAPPROVAL- If Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving the suspension of the redeployment of the Armed Forces under subsection (b), or any renewal of the suspension, the suspension shall be discontinued, and the redeployment of the Armed Forces from Iraq under this section shall resume.
(2) PROCEDURES FOR CONSIDERATION OF JOINT RESOLUTIONS-
(A) JOINT RESOLUTION DEFINED- For purposes of this subsection, the term `joint resolution' means only a joint resolution introduced not later than 10 days after the date on which a certification of the President under subsection (b) is received by Congress, the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: `That Congress disapproves the certification of the President submitted to Congress under section 4(b) of the Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007, on XXXXXXX.', the blank space being filled in with the appropriate date.
(B) PROCEDURES- A joint resolution described in paragraph (1) shall be considered in a House of Congress in accordance with the procedures applicable to joint resolutions under paragraphs (3) through (8) of section 8066(c) of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1985 (as enacted by section 101(h) of Public Law 98-473; 98 Stat. 1936).
(d) Reports to Congress-
(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the President shall submit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report describing and assessing--
(A) the progress made by the Government of Iraq on each of the matters set forth in subsection (b)(1)(B); and
(B) the progress of the redeployment required by subsection (a).
(2) FORM- Each report under this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
(e) Sense of Congress on Location of Redeployment- It is the sense of Congress that, in redeploying the Armed Forces from Iraq under this section, appropriate units of the Armed Forces should be redeployed--
(1) to the United States;
(2) to Afghanistan, in order to enhance United States military operations in that country;
(3) elsewhere in the region, to serve as an over-the-horizon force to prevent the conflict in Iraq from becoming a wider war, to reassure allies of the United States of the commitment of the United States to remain engaged in the region, and to position troops to strike directly at al-Qaeda; and
(4) elsewhere, to meet urgent United States security needs.
(f) Political Solution in Iraq- The United States should use the redeployment of the Armed Forces under this section, and the possible suspension of such redeployment if the benchmarks set forth in subsection (b) are met, as a tool to press the Iraqi leaders to promote national reconciliation among ethnic and religious groups in Iraq in order to establish stability in Iraq.
(g) Retention of Certain Forces in Iraq-
(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding the requirement for the redeployment of the Armed Forces under subsection (a) and subject to the provisions of this subsection, personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States may be in Iraq after the completion of the redeployment of the Armed Forces under this section for the following purposes:
(A) To protect United States personnel and facilities in Iraq.
(B) To conduct targeted counter-terrorism operations.
(C) To provide training for Iraqi security forces.
(D) To conduct the routine functions of the Office of Defense Attache.
(2) CERTIFICATION- Personnel of the Armed Forces may not be retained in Iraq under this subsection unless the President certifies to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives that--
(A) the retention of the Armed Forces in Iraq is necessary for one or more of the purposes set forth in paragraph (1); and
(B) the utilization of Armed Forces positioned outside Iraq could not result in the effective achievement of such purpose or purposes.
(3) DISAPPROVAL OF RETENTION- If Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving the retention of personnel of the Armed Forces in Iraq under this subsection, or any renewal of the retention, the retention of such personnel in Iraq shall be discontinued, and such personnel shall be redeployed from Iraq.
(4) PROCEDURES FOR CONSIDERATION OF JOINT RESOLUTIONS-
(A) JOINT RESOLUTION DEFINED- For purposes of paragraph (3), the term `joint resolution' means only a joint resolution introduced not later than 10 days after the date on which a certification of the President under paragraph (2) is received by Congress, the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: `That Congress disapproves the certification of the President submitted to Congress under section 4(g)(2) of the Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007, on XXXXXXX.', the blank space being filled in with the appropriate date.
(B) PROCEDURES- A joint resolution described in subparagraph (A) shall be considered in a House of Congress in accordance with the procedures applicable to joint resolutions under paragraphs (3) through (8) of section 8066(c) of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1985 (as enacted by section 101(h) of Public Law 98-473; 98 Stat. 1936).
(h) No Permanent Bases- Congress hereby reaffirms section 1519 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109-364; 120 Stat. 2444), and related provisions of law, that prohibit the establishment of military installations or bases for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq.
SEC. 5. INTENSIFICATION OF TRAINING OF IRAQI SECURITY FORCES.
It shall be the policy of the United States to immediately formulate and implement a plan that--
(1) with the Government of Iraq--
(A) removes militia elements from the Iraqi Army, National Police, and other security forces of the Government of Iraq; and
(B) puts such forces in charge of maintaining security in Iraq;
(2) focuses and intensifies United States efforts on training such forces; and
(3) presses the Government of Iraq to reform the civilian ministries and other government institutions that support the Iraqi Army, National Police, local police, and judicial system.
SEC. 6. AVAILABILITY OF ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE FOR IRAQ.
(a) Limitation- Except as provided in subsection (b), after May 1, 2007, economic assistance may be furnished to the Government of Iraq only if the President submits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a certification that the Government of Iraq--
(1) is making measurable progress toward providing not less than $10,000,000,000 of Iraqi funds for reconstruction, job creation, and economic development in Iraq, with safeguards to prevent corruption, by January 10, 2008;
(2) is making progress toward meeting the conditions set forth in the International Compact for Iraq and in the stand-by agreement with the International Monetary Fund; and
(3) is making progress toward reducing sectarian violence and promoting national reconciliation.
(b) Exceptions- The limitation in subsection (a) shall not apply to assistance for Iraq as follows:
(1) Humanitarian assistance.
(2) Assistance to address urgent security and employment needs.
(c) Assessment of Progress- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction shall submit to Congress a report describing the progress of the Government of Iraq on each matter set forth in subsection (a).
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Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings- Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Congress and the Nation honor the courage, sacrifices, and efforts of the members of the Armed Forces of the United States and their families.
(2) In his speech to the Nation on January 10, 2007, President George W. Bush said that `I've made it clear to the Prime Minister and Iraq's other leaders that America's commitment is not open-ended. If the Iraqi government does not follow through on its promises, it will lose the support of the American people. . . The Prime Minister understands this'.
(3) In that speech, President George W. Bush also told the Nation that `America will hold the Iraqi government to the benchmarks it has announced. . . [T]o take responsibility for security in all of Iraq's provinces by November. To give every Iraqi citizen a stake in the country's economy, Iraq will pass legislation to share oil revenues among all Iraqis. To show that it is committed to delivering a better life, the Iraqi government will spend $10,000,000,000 of its own money on reconstruction and infrastructure projects that will create new jobs. To empower local leaders, Iraqis plan to hold provincial elections later this year. And to allow more Iraqis to re-enter their nation's political life, the government will reform de-Baathification laws, and establish a fair process for considering amendments to Iraq's constitution'.
(4) In that speech, President George W. Bush also told the Nation that `only Iraqis can end the sectarian violence and secure their people'.
(5) On December 18, 2006, former Secretary of State Colin Powell stated: `[s]o we have tried this surge of troops over the summer. I am not persuaded that another surge of troops in Baghdad for the purpose of suppressing this communitarian violence, this civil war, will work'.
(6) On November 15, 2006, General John Abizaid, Commander of the United States Central Command, stated before the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate that `I met with every divisional commander, General Casey, the corps commander, General Dempsey. We all talked together. And I said, in your professional opinion, if we were to bring in more American troops now, does it add considerably to our ability to achieve success in Iraq? And they all said no. And the reason is, because we want the Iraqis to do more. It's easy for the Iraqis to rely upon us to do this work. I believe that more American forces prevent the Iraqis from doing more, from taking more responsibility for their own future'.
(7) In testimony before the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate on January 11, 2007, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated that unless the Government of Iraq has met certain benchmarks and reestablishes the confidence of the Iraqi people over the next several months, `this plan is not going to work'.
(8) In a statement on January 11, 2007, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stated `[a]nd we will probably have a better view a couple of months from now in terms of whether we are making headway in terms of getting better control of Baghdad, with the Iraqis in the lead and with the Iraqis beginning to make better progress on the reconciliation process'.
(9) The bipartisan Iraq Study Group headed by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Representative Lee Hamilton reached a bipartisan consensus on 79 separate recommendations for a new approach in Iraq. Among those recommendations were calling for a new diplomatic offensive in the region and conditioning American economic assistance to Iraq on specific benchmarks, with the expectation that `by the first quarter of 2008, subject to unexpected developments in the security situation on the ground, all combat brigades not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq'.
(10) In reaction to the speech of President George W. Bush of January 10, 2007, former Secretary of State Baker and former Representative Hamilton wrote that `[t]he President did not suggest the possibility of a transition that could enable U.S. combat forces to begin to leave Iraq. The President did not state that political, military, or economic support for Iraq would be conditional on the Iraq government's ability to meet benchmarks. Within the region, the President did not announce an international support group for Iraq including all of Iraq's neighbors. . .'.
(b) Purposes- The purposes of this Act are as follows:
(1) To formulate and provide for the implementation of an effective United States policy towards Iraq and the Middle East region that employs military, political, diplomatic, and economic assets to promote and protect the national security interests of the United States.
(2) To provide for the implementation of a responsible, phased redeployment of the Armed Forces of the United States from Iraq in a substantial and gradual manner that places the highest priority on protecting the lives of members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel of the United States and on promoting the national security interests of the United States in the Middle East region.
(3) To urge the political parties and leaders of Iraq to reach the political solution necessary to promote stability in Iraq and enhance the safety of innocent Iraqi civilians.
(4) To condition future economic assistance to the Government of Iraq on significant progress toward the achievement of political and economic measures to be taken by the Government of Iraq.
(5) To provide for the initiation of a wider and sustained diplomatic strategy aimed at promoting a political settlement in Iraq, thereby ending the civil war in Iraq, preventing a humanitarian catastrophe in Iraq, and preventing a wider regional conflict.
(6) To provide, through sections 4 through 7, for the implementation of key recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan panel of experts co-chaired by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Representative Lee Hamilton.
SEC. 3. APPROPRIATE FORCE LEVELS FOR UNITED STATES MILITARY FORCES IN IRAQ.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the levels of the Armed Forces of the United States in Iraq after the date of the enactment of this Act shall not exceed the levels of such forces in Iraq as of January 10, 2007, without specific authority in statute enacted by Congress after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. REDEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES MILITARY FORCES FROM IRAQ.
(a) Redeployment-
(1) DEADLINE FOR COMMENCEMENT OF REDEPLOYMENT- Except as otherwise provided in this section, the phased redeployment of the Armed Forces of the United States from Iraq shall commence not later than May 1, 2007.
(2) SCOPE AND MANNER OF REDEPLOYMENT- The redeployment of the Armed Forces under this section shall be substantial, shall occur in a gradual manner, and shall be executed at a pace to achieve the goal of the complete redeployment of all United States combat brigades from Iraq by March 31, 2008, consistent with the expectation of the Iraq Study Group, if all the matters set forth in subsection (b)(1)(B) are not met by such date, subject to the exceptions for retention of forces for force protection, counter-terrorism operations, training of Iraqi forces, and other purposes as contemplated by subsection (g).
(3) FORMULATION OF PLAN WITH MILITARY COMMANDERS- The redeployment of the Armed Forces under this section should be conducted pursuant to a plan formulated by United States military commanders that is developed, if practicable, in consultation with the Government of Iraq.
(4) PROTECTION OF UNITED STATES FORCES AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL- In carrying out the redeployment of the Armed Forces under this section, the highest priority shall be afforded to the safety of members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel of the United States in Iraq.
(b) Suspension of Redeployment-
(1) IN GENERAL- The President may suspend, on a temporary basis as provided in paragraph (2), the redeployment of the Armed Forces under this section if the President certifies to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives that--
(A) doing so is in the national security interests of the United States; and
(B) the Government of Iraq--
(i) has lifted all restrictions concerning non-interference in operations of the Armed Forces of the United States in Iraq and does so on a continuing basis;
(ii) is making significant progress in reducing sectarian violence in Iraq and in reducing the size and operational effectiveness of sectarian militias in Iraq;
(iii) is making significant progress towards removing militia elements from the Iraqi Army, National Police, Facilities Protection Services, and other security forces of the Government of Iraq;
(iv) has enacted legislation or established other binding mechanisms to ensure the sharing of all Iraqi oil revenues among all segments of Iraqi society in an equitable manner;
(v) is making significant progress towards making available not less than $10,000,000,000 for reconstruction, job creation, and economic development in Iraq, with safeguards to prevent corruption, by January 10, 2008;
(vi) has deployed at least 18 Iraqi Army and National Police brigades to Baghdad and is effectively ensuring that such units are performing their security and police functions in all Baghdad neighborhoods, regardless of their sectarian composition;
(vii) has enacted legislation or established other binding mechanisms to revise its de-Baathification laws to encourage the employment in the Government of Iraq of qualified Iraqi professionals, irrespective of ethnic or political affiliation, including ex-Baathists who were not leading figures of the Saddam Hussein regime;
(viii) has established a fair process for considering amendments to the constitution of Iraq that promote lasting national reconciliation in Iraq;
(ix) is making significant progress towards assuming full responsibility for security in all the provinces of Iraq by November 30, 2007;
(x) is making significant progress towards holding free and fair provincial elections in Iraq at the earliest date practicable, but not later than December 31, 2007;
(xi) is making substantial progress towards increasing the size and effectiveness of Ministry of Defense forces as described on page 11 of `Highlights of the Iraq Strategy Review' published by the National Security Council in January 2007;
(xii) is making significant progress in reforming and strengthening the civilian ministries and other government institutions that support the Iraqi Army and National Police; and
(xiii) is making significant progress towards reforming its civilian ministries to ensure that they are not administered on a sectarian basis and that government services are delivered in an even-handed and non-sectarian manner.
(2) PERIOD OF SUSPENSION- A suspension of the redeployment of the Armed Forces under this subsection, including any renewal of the suspension under paragraph (3), shall be for a period not to exceed 90 days.
(3) RENEWAL- A suspension of the redeployment of the Armed Forces under this subsection may be renewed. Any such renewal shall include a certification to the officers referred to in paragraph (1) on the matters set forth in clauses (i) through (xiii) of subparagraph (B) of that paragraph.
(c) Disapproval of Suspension-
(1) DISAPPROVAL- If Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving the suspension of the redeployment of the Armed Forces under subsection (b), or any renewal of the suspension, the suspension shall be discontinued, and the redeployment of the Armed Forces from Iraq under this section shall resume.
(2) PROCEDURES FOR CONSIDERATION OF JOINT RESOLUTIONS-
(A) JOINT RESOLUTION DEFINED- For purposes of this subsection, the term `joint resolution' means only a joint resolution introduced not later than 10 days after the date on which a certification of the President under subsection (b) is received by Congress, the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: `That Congress disapproves the certification of the President submitted to Congress under section 4(b) of the Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007, on XXXXXXX.', the blank space being filled in with the appropriate date.
(B) PROCEDURES- A joint resolution described in paragraph (1) shall be considered in a House of Congress in accordance with the procedures applicable to joint resolutions under paragraphs (3) through (8) of section 8066(c) of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1985 (as enacted by section 101(h) of Public Law 98-473; 98 Stat. 1936).
(d) Reports to Congress-
(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the President shall submit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report describing and assessing--
(A) the progress made by the Government of Iraq on each of the matters set forth in subsection (b)(1)(B); and
(B) the progress of the redeployment required by subsection (a).
(2) FORM- Each report under this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
(e) Sense of Congress on Location of Redeployment- It is the sense of Congress that, in redeploying the Armed Forces from Iraq under this section, appropriate units of the Armed Forces should be redeployed--
(1) to the United States;
(2) to Afghanistan, in order to enhance United States military operations in that country;
(3) elsewhere in the region, to serve as an over-the-horizon force to prevent the conflict in Iraq from becoming a wider war, to reassure allies of the United States of the commitment of the United States to remain engaged in the region, and to position troops to strike directly at al-Qaeda; and
(4) elsewhere, to meet urgent United States security needs.
(f) Political Solution in Iraq- The United States should use the redeployment of the Armed Forces under this section, and the possible suspension of such redeployment if the benchmarks set forth in subsection (b) are met, as a tool to press the Iraqi leaders to promote national reconciliation among ethnic and religious groups in Iraq in order to establish stability in Iraq.
(g) Retention of Certain Forces in Iraq-
(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding the requirement for the redeployment of the Armed Forces under subsection (a) and subject to the provisions of this subsection, personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States may be in Iraq after the completion of the redeployment of the Armed Forces under this section for the following purposes:
(A) To protect United States personnel and facilities in Iraq.
(B) To conduct targeted counter-terrorism operations.
(C) To provide training for Iraqi security forces.
(D) To conduct the routine functions of the Office of Defense Attache.
(2) CERTIFICATION- Personnel of the Armed Forces may not be retained in Iraq under this subsection unless the President certifies to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives that--
(A) the retention of the Armed Forces in Iraq is necessary for one or more of the purposes set forth in paragraph (1); and
(B) the utilization of Armed Forces positioned outside Iraq could not result in the effective achievement of such purpose or purposes.
(3) DISAPPROVAL OF RETENTION- If Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving the retention of personnel of the Armed Forces in Iraq under this subsection, or any renewal of the retention, the retention of such personnel in Iraq shall be discontinued, and such personnel shall be redeployed from Iraq.
(4) PROCEDURES FOR CONSIDERATION OF JOINT RESOLUTIONS-
(A) JOINT RESOLUTION DEFINED- For purposes of paragraph (3), the term `joint resolution' means only a joint resolution introduced not later than 10 days after the date on which a certification of the President under paragraph (2) is received by Congress, the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: `That Congress disapproves the certification of the President submitted to Congress under section 4(g)(2) of the Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007, on XXXXXXX.', the blank space being filled in with the appropriate date.
(B) PROCEDURES- A joint resolution described in subparagraph (A) shall be considered in a House of Congress in accordance with the procedures applicable to joint resolutions under paragraphs (3) through (8) of section 8066(c) of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1985 (as enacted by section 101(h) of Public Law 98-473; 98 Stat. 1936).
(h) No Permanent Bases- Congress hereby reaffirms section 1519 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109-364; 120 Stat. 2444), and related provisions of law, that prohibit the establishment of military installations or bases for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq.
SEC. 5. INTENSIFICATION OF TRAINING OF IRAQI SECURITY FORCES.
It shall be the policy of the United States to immediately formulate and implement a plan that--
(1) with the Government of Iraq--
(A) removes militia elements from the Iraqi Army, National Police, and other security forces of the Government of Iraq; and
(B) puts such forces in charge of maintaining security in Iraq;
(2) focuses and intensifies United States efforts on training such forces; and
(3) presses the Government of Iraq to reform the civilian ministries and other government institutions that support the Iraqi Army, National Police, local police, and judicial system.
SEC. 6. AVAILABILITY OF ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE FOR IRAQ.
(a) Limitation- Except as provided in subsection (b), after May 1, 2007, economic assistance may be furnished to the Government of Iraq only if the President submits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a certification that the Government of Iraq--
(1) is making measurable progress toward providing not less than $10,000,000,000 of Iraqi funds for reconstruction, job creation, and economic development in Iraq, with safeguards to prevent corruption, by January 10, 2008;
(2) is making progress toward meeting the conditions set forth in the International Compact for Iraq and in the stand-by agreement with the International Monetary Fund; and
(3) is making progress toward reducing sectarian violence and promoting national reconciliation.
(b) Exceptions- The limitation in subsection (a) shall not apply to assistance for Iraq as follows:
(1) Humanitarian assistance.
(2) Assistance to address urgent security and employment needs.
(c) Assessment of Progress- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction shall submit to Congress a report describing the progress of the Government of Iraq on each matter set forth in subsection (a).
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Friday, January 26, 2007
union soldiers.......times past
I was looking through some pictures tonight and forgot I had these. It is a special memorial to the Union soldiers who died during the Civil War and a memorial for any other U.S. soldier involved in any of our wars.
What stands out most in my mind is this information:
Of the 2.5 million men who served in the Union Army during the Civil War, about 390,000 died in combat, or from injuries sustained in combat, disease, or other causes, and 280,000 were wounded. More than 1 out of every 4 Union soldiers was killed or wounded during the war; casualties in the Confederate Army were even worse—1 in 3 Southern soldiers were killed or wounded. This is by far the highest casualty ratio of any war in which America has been involved. By comparison, 1 out of every 16 American soldiers was killed or wounded in World War II, and 1 out of every 22 during the Vietnam War.
In total, 680,000 men died during the Civil War. There were 34 million Americans at that time, so 4% of the American male population died in the war. In today's terms, this would be the equivalent of 5.9 million American men being killed in a war.
These memorials and graves bring the loss into reality. I wonder if anyone ever thinks of them today?
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
border crap
I just have to vent a bit about this. Since the new "PASSPORT required" to fly to Canada crap has started......the chatter regarding it has gotten pretty amazing to me.
What bugs me the most about this....is the fact that SOME Canadians....immediately assume or tell us that WE PERSONALLY (each and every one of us I guess)...were the ones who WANTED this to happen. Like I was even initially out there personally building up that original fence.......placing the guard houses.......hand picking the patrol..... I had no say in this. I was not asked to vote on this. I don't want it any more than anyone else I have talked to wants it. On either side of the fence.
This is all for show......it is how politics work. Let's make it LOOK good on the outside......make people feel like they have more security.......after all, the politicians have to generate actual projects and work in order for them to retain their jobs and get paid.
While our country is far from perfect.....I try and stand by it......but it continually bugs me when I have what I thought were "friends" in other countries who personally attack "me" or others I know here in the States......making it sound like all the horribly bad choices being made currently are choices we have each "personally" made!
Wow I wish I wielded some of that power they apparently think I am blessed with.
I don't know.....maybe I woke up with a bad attitude......maybe I read something into something I shouldn't have. BUT this has happened lately every time something idiotic gets done by our country. It is like the outside world looking in honestly believes we ALL voted to make these things happen. Like every single person in this country has 100% agreement on all things.
Our government is based on parties. That is like picking sides in a dodgeball game. It is a crapshoot. You never know till you are IN the midst of the game if you picked a good team or not no matter what is said up front. Sometimes you find out you have not.....so hopefully you learn from your bad choices and don't make them again. Sometimes you are fooled into believing anything because you are fed what you want to hear. Sometimes you just want OUT of the game altogether but there is no place for you to run. Sometimes you spend all your time screaming which makes you too tired to actually do anything about anything. A lot of the time people just don't really give a damn.......one way or another. They will just go through the motions.....especially when something does not affect them personally. Unless someone is going to have to be crossing the border into Canada.....it is unlikely it will personally affect them much to where they give a damn. Sad.......but true.
For us others who want to or plan to in the future......would like to......we will now have more of a pain in the butt process to go through just to accomplish the same thing years ago we could so easily do. But please don't think that just because this was put into motion I had anything personally to do with it......or that I wanted it to be this way......or that I even believe for one freakin minute that this will somehow make me or my son SAFER. It is what it is.......and I think I smell bullshit.
What bugs me the most about this....is the fact that SOME Canadians....immediately assume or tell us that WE PERSONALLY (each and every one of us I guess)...were the ones who WANTED this to happen. Like I was even initially out there personally building up that original fence.......placing the guard houses.......hand picking the patrol..... I had no say in this. I was not asked to vote on this. I don't want it any more than anyone else I have talked to wants it. On either side of the fence.
This is all for show......it is how politics work. Let's make it LOOK good on the outside......make people feel like they have more security.......after all, the politicians have to generate actual projects and work in order for them to retain their jobs and get paid.
While our country is far from perfect.....I try and stand by it......but it continually bugs me when I have what I thought were "friends" in other countries who personally attack "me" or others I know here in the States......making it sound like all the horribly bad choices being made currently are choices we have each "personally" made!
Wow I wish I wielded some of that power they apparently think I am blessed with.
I don't know.....maybe I woke up with a bad attitude......maybe I read something into something I shouldn't have. BUT this has happened lately every time something idiotic gets done by our country. It is like the outside world looking in honestly believes we ALL voted to make these things happen. Like every single person in this country has 100% agreement on all things.
Our government is based on parties. That is like picking sides in a dodgeball game. It is a crapshoot. You never know till you are IN the midst of the game if you picked a good team or not no matter what is said up front. Sometimes you find out you have not.....so hopefully you learn from your bad choices and don't make them again. Sometimes you are fooled into believing anything because you are fed what you want to hear. Sometimes you just want OUT of the game altogether but there is no place for you to run. Sometimes you spend all your time screaming which makes you too tired to actually do anything about anything. A lot of the time people just don't really give a damn.......one way or another. They will just go through the motions.....especially when something does not affect them personally. Unless someone is going to have to be crossing the border into Canada.....it is unlikely it will personally affect them much to where they give a damn. Sad.......but true.
For us others who want to or plan to in the future......would like to......we will now have more of a pain in the butt process to go through just to accomplish the same thing years ago we could so easily do. But please don't think that just because this was put into motion I had anything personally to do with it......or that I wanted it to be this way......or that I even believe for one freakin minute that this will somehow make me or my son SAFER. It is what it is.......and I think I smell bullshit.
Friday, January 12, 2007
POW bracelets - - do you still have one?
if you do....you might have one with a name on it that someone is looking for. Check out the link to read the details. http://thewall-usa.com/bracelet.asp
I remember these. They were still popular when I was in high school. I had one. Seems everyone I knew had one. I still have mine somewhere. I think. Maybe not. I usually don't throw those things away though.
Right after 9/11 they came out with similar bracelets called the Mercy Band where you could get names made on bracelets of anyone you chose that was a victim of 9/11. You can still order those if interested at this site....though there are a couple of sites that make different styled bracelets:
http://www.unldesigns.com/911mercybands.html
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