Good Morning.

Today is our 2,162nd day in Iraq.

We'll start this morning as we always do, with the latest casualty figures from Iraq and Afghanistan, courtesy of Antiwar.com:

American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03): 4245
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03): 4106
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03): 3784
Since Handover (6/29/04): 3387
Since Election (1/31/05): 2807

Other Coalition Troops - Iraq: 318
US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 651
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 426
Contractor Deaths - Iraq: 446

We find this morning's cost of war nearing $600 billion dollars:

$597, 665, 900, 000.00


So....here at Ask a Vet, you know we focus almost exclusively on the war in Iraq...ocassionally looking at Afghanistan, and once in a long while, veering away from these conflicts entirely. Today, we'll be thinking far outside the box.

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112 comments (Latest Comment: 02/18/2009 04:17:11 by MMB)

Michael W. Savage is trying to figure out how to upload pitures to FB………22 hours ago.
Sean Hannity | Dude get your kids to show you. I had my lawn boy, Jesus or whoever, help me with mine.

Rush Limbaugh | I just hire people to do this shit.

Michael posted a note: 25 Random Things About Me

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people (if you can) to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

1. I wrote a lot of books about herbs. I’m famous for them.
2. I am NOT gay and I DID NOT have a crush on Allen Ginsberg.
3. Allen Ginsberg was a wanker; and I hated him!
4. I have never been to a gay bathhouse in hippie-ville San Fransisco.
5. My son, Russell, created the hippie drink “Rockstar Energy Drink” and he’s more conservative than me! Bwahahahaha.
6. I do not like masculine bodies….. not in any way.
(more)
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20 comments (Latest Comment: 02/16/2009 04:09:47 by Scoopster)

As a society, we have certain boundaries beyond which we do not cross. For most of us, we do not cross them because of empathy, our understanding of human dignity, and the moral codes we have learned or created. A small minority cannot be trusted to stay within those boundaries, so we create laws and a means to enforce them. But what happens when those we've entrusted with the power to enforce the laws step beyond the powers we've granted and become as bad as (or worse than) those whose transgressions demand prosecution? Our outrage is strong and justified, and they are made to pay for their crimes. What happens when this occurs - not at a local or state level - but at an international level?

This is a question that is becoming increasingly clear demands an answer. With a new president in office and FOIA information requests being granted once again, the documentation is startling, horrifying, and infuriating.
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240 comments (Latest Comment: 02/14/2009 13:40:36 by Random)

So is the vote today? Word has it that President Barack Obama's recovery plan is on track for final votes in the House and Senate. I hope so. I truly do. It's been a dizzying week (month, actually). Here are some of the benefits and who gets them in this version of the bill:
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120 comments (Latest Comment: 02/12/2009 23:21:05 by Mondobubba)

Good Morning.

Today is our 2,155th day in Iraq.

We'll start this morning as we always do, with the latest casualty figures from Iraq and Afghanistan, courtesy of Antiwar.com:

American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03): 4243
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03): 4104
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03): 3782
Since Handover (6/29/04): 3385
Since Election (1/31/05): 2805

Other Coalition Troops - Iraq: 317
US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 647
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 422
Contractor Deaths - Iraq: 446


We find this morning's cost of war inching towards 600...

$595, 704, 300, 000.00


Checking in with our friends at IAVA...yesterday was day one of their "Storm the Hill" project. 17 veterans from around the country are working their way through the back hallways and front offices of congress to make sure IAVA's legislative agenda is at the forefront of the new administration's changes. After what they've been through for the past 8 years, I can hardly blame them.

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215 comments (Latest Comment: 02/11/2009 13:28:04 by Scoopster)