About Us
Mission Statement
Rules of Conduct
 
Name:
Pswd:
Remember Me
Register
 

Ask a Vet
Author: TriSec    Date: 08/26/2014 10:29:02

Good Morning.

Today is our 4,706th day in Afghanistan, and our 69th day back in Iraq.

We'll start this morning as we always do; with the latest casualty figures from our ongoing wars, courtesy of Antiwar.com:

US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 2,341
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 1,126

There are no new American casualties in Iraq.

We find this morning's Cost of War passing through:

$ 1, 560, 114, 925, 000 .00



With us now past the 60-day mark specified by the War Powers Act, and Congress nowhere in sight, our involvement in Iraq is looking more and more like Presidential whim. In keeping with everything else, our elected officials have completely and utterly shirked their constitutional responsibilities. Except for a handful that are calling for a vote. Whether or not anything actually happens remains to be seen.


As U.S. involvement in Iraq deepens, Sen. Tim Kaine is refusing to let Congress off the hook without a vote on approving military operations against the Islamic State.
The Virginia Democrat continued his campaign for Congress to take a tough roll call just weeks before the pivotal midterm election. He issued a statement Monday, urging President Barack Obama and his administration to use the next two weeks to lay out the U.S. mission in Iraq and then put it up for a vote on Capitol Hill, as he believes the law requires, when lawmakers return from August recess.

“Congress and the executive have a responsibility to do the hard work to build a political consensus in support of our military missions,” Kaine said Monday.

“I will always support the president when he takes action to protect American service members and diplomats. But I am calling for the mission and objectives for this current significant military action against ISIL to be made clear to Congress, the American people, and our men and women in uniform. And Congress should vote up or down on it.”

The freshman senator has been calling for congressional authorization of military action since well before the United States began a fresh round of bombing Islamic State targets in early August.

“Congressional approval for military action is very challenging, and it’s contentious, and it’s supposed to be. While this often frustrates the executive, it is how the system is supposed to work. And when presidents follow the rule, it generally works out for the best,” Kaine said in a June floor speech.

Several other prominent senators have joined him in calling for Congress to vote on renewed military action in Iraq, including GOP Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas. They argue that previous authorizations of military force from 2001 and 2002 are obsolete and do not hold sway over the current round of strikes that followed the Islamic State’s rout of the Iraqi military this spring.

But there’s a sense on Capitol Hill that few lawmakers really, truly want to take a vote on military action so close to the November elections. In 2013, a nonelection year, many lawmakers were privately relieved that the administration pulled its congressional authorization request for strikes on Syria after support collapsed on Capitol Hill.

“The preferred position for many in Congress … is not to be on record one way or the other in this situation,” said Robert Chesney, a professor at the University of Texas who specializes in national security law.


As long as we're talking about Congressional inaction...remember the sequester? There was much talk of gloom and doom and disaster when it went into effect, and no doubt some sectors have experienced that, but for the most part it happened, dropped out of the news, and nobody even thinks about it anymore. But there are some in the Defense Department that are still worried about it. It may be over the next year that the cuts imposed finally start to have an effect on the military.


HUNTSVILLE, ALA. — For the past three years, US military officials have frequently voiced opposition to defense budget caps that went into effect in 2013.

But for the past eight months, US defense officials have spoken less about sequestration and more about immediate plans for this year and next. After all, Congress agreed on a budget plan for 2014 and 2015 that boosted Defense Department spending by more than $30 billion above the levels mandated under the Budget Control Act.

But now as crunch time begins inside the Pentagon as the services’ craft their 2016 budget plans, sequestration fears have returned. And at the annual Space and Missile Defense Symposium here last week, numerous officials used speeches to warn of the looming defense budget caps.

“[20]16 scares the heck out of me,” Air Force Lt. Gen. John Hyten, then-vice commander of Air Force Space Command, told a small group of reporters after an Aug. 12 speech. Hyten pinned on his fourth star and became the head of Space Command on Aug. 15.

“Our [operations and maintenance funding] is very different in our command. It’s bad on the aviation side, but they can ground squadrons. We can’t.”

The problem, the general said, is that the entire military relies on satellites. The command’s GPS satellites are used by the military, commercial industry and civilians globally.

Many cuts offered up by the command when sequestration hit in 2013 were rejected because of the negative operational impact, Hyten said.

“Everything we put forth is critical to some military mission,” he said.

Army Gen. Charles Jacoby, head of US Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, said during an Aug. 13 speech that it is “virtually impossible right now to make a strategic decision” due to funding unpredictability.

“When you go to the Hill … old friends are not friendly on this subject and old enemies are still enemies,” he said. “It’s really a different world approaching Congress about the budget.”

While the military has been raising concerns about sequestration for years, Jacoby said others need to speak up.

“What we really need is other voices to join that because the voices in uniform are not carrying the day in [congressional] committees that they used to carry the day,” he said.

The general said Pentagon programs “won’t survive if sequestration returns.”


And staying with the Department of Defense now, perhaps those budget cuts are affecting more than the Pentagon and military hardware. It's been long known that veterans and active-duty personnel have had a high reliance on food banks and other charities in recent years - data that the DoD has decided to denounce. Oh well, I guess denying it makes it not happen, right?


The Pentagon’s personnel chief is taking exception to statistics from a recent study that concluded 25 percent of military households use food banks.

“I dispute that number ... I think that’s totally incorrect,” Jessica Wright, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said at an Aug. 18 meeting of the DoD Military Family Readiness Council.

That said, she added, “I know there are members of our force who go to food banks and that’s OK if they need to do that.”

The nonprofit Feeding America stated that one out of four households with a current military member is being served by the group’s network of 200 food banks spread across all 50 states. The group concluded that 620,000 “military households” are getting food assistance.

But it is unclear how that military percentage compares to the general population; the report states that one in seven people in the U.S. uses food banks, but counting individuals is much different than counting households.

Moreover, the military figure includes not only active-duty households, but also those of National Guard and Reserve members, whose financial circumstances offer differ significantly from active-duty families and may be adversely or positively affected by being called to full-time active duty.

In addition, 15 percent of the clients surveyed by Feeding America are households of veterans who have no current links to the military.

In 2013, the organization, which provides food to about 15.5 million households each year, surveyed about 60,000 client households of its food banks and found that about 4 percent had at least one person currently serving in the military.

The group multiplied 15.5 million by 4 percent to reach the conclusion that it serves 620,000 current military households. Then they divided that number by the 2.5 million active-duty and Reserve component service members reported by DoD in 2012 to determine that 25 percent of all military households seek help from food banks.

Defense officials contend that food bank clients have very different demographic characteristics from the military population with regards to age, race, gender and education. For example, 51 percent of those surveyed by Feeding America were over age 50. So without making statistical adjustments to match the survey sample with the military population, it is impossible to accurately calculate an estimated percentage of military households using food banks, officials said.

Feeding America spokeswoman Maura Daly acknowledged that research on military families who need food assistance “is in its infancy. We look forward to working with the Department of Defense on further research.”


It is quite disconcerting....we seem to be stuck in a revolving door of war with no way out. I didn't think too hard about it earlier this month, but it was in August of 1991 that our friend in Iraq invaded Kuwait and started this whole mess. Think about it.
 

37 comments (Latest Comment: 08/27/2014 00:44:23 by clintster)
   Perma Link

Share This!

Furl it!
Spurl
NewsVine
Reddit
Technorati

Add a Comment

Please login to add a comment...


Comments:

Order comments Newest to Oldest  Refresh Comments

Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/26/2014 13:07:47
Good morning, bloggers!!

Here is the latest on the ISIS situation. Report: US Surveillance Planes Fly Over Syria.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/26/2014 13:09:28
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MONDO!!!!



Comment by wickedpam on 08/26/2014 13:29:33
Morning

Comment by Scoopster on 08/26/2014 13:32:36
Mornin' all..

Went to TJs for the first time last night - got as much as I usually would at wHole Foods and paid half as much.

Also Raine, that sumatra blend they have makes some pretty damn amazing espresso!

Comment by Raine on 08/26/2014 13:34:33
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all..

Went to TJs for the first time last night - got as much as I usually would at wHole Foods and paid half as much.

Also Raine, that sumatra blend they have makes some pretty damn amazing espresso!
Yes indeed!

Good morning all!


Comment by wickedpam on 08/26/2014 13:50:58
Happy B-Day Mondo!!!!



http://www.quickmeme.com/img/63/639a398946bb235f4c65d689555c3da4862eb81b1cf354725134edb44619455b.jpg


Comment by Raine on 08/26/2014 14:18:02


Happy Birthday Mondo!


Comment by Scoopster on 08/26/2014 14:25:03
NPR's On Point has Nick Hanauer on right now discussing his Politico essay and diving into income inequality.

Comment by Raine on 08/26/2014 14:33:38
Comment by BobR on 08/26/2014 14:50:22
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONDO!





Comment by Raine on 08/26/2014 15:02:44
WAIT! Mala did you just hear that story about the priest that McDonnel is living with? I need that source!

Comment by Raine on 08/26/2014 15:04:20
Comment by wickedpam on 08/26/2014 15:10:45
Quote by Raine:
WAIT! Mala did you just hear that story about the priest that McDonnel is living with? I need that source!



Wait....wait!? As per usual I was only half paying attention

Comment by Raine on 08/26/2014 15:12:54
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
WAIT! Mala did you just hear that story about the priest that McDonnel is living with? I need that source!



Wait....wait!? As per usual I was only half paying attention
Link below…

Comment by wickedpam on 08/26/2014 15:17:43
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
WAIT! Mala did you just hear that story about the priest that McDonnel is living with? I need that source!



Wait....wait!? As per usual I was only half paying attention
Link below…



WOW!

Comment by wickedpam on 08/26/2014 15:26:50
Paratrooper?! That's 1/3 of what I wanted to be grow up to be.

I wanted to be a Para-trooping Mad Scientist Ballerina. I must have taking an wrong turn at Albuquerque to have landed as an Admin. That and I'm scared of open heights.

Comment by Raine on 08/26/2014 15:59:29
Best letter to the editor ever…
Former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell’s defense strategy follows the oldest in written history, which, reduced to its simplest form, is: The woman gave me the apple.

Barbara DeLouise, Bethesda


Comment by wickedpam on 08/26/2014 16:07:36
Quote by Raine:
Best letter to the editor ever…
Former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell’s defense strategy follows the oldest in written history, which, reduced to its simplest form, is: The woman gave me the apple.

Barbara DeLouise, Bethesda


That is awesome! And it will fly over many, many heads.


Comment by Raine on 08/26/2014 16:09:44
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Best letter to the editor ever…
Former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell’s defense strategy follows the oldest in written history, which, reduced to its simplest form, is: The woman gave me the apple.

Barbara DeLouise, Bethesda


That is awesome! And it will fly over many, many heads.
This entire trial has me disgusted.

I know it's not making the national news as much as it should, but this entire ordeal is just mysogynistic. and Maureen McDonnell’ is complicit.

Comment by BobR on 08/26/2014 16:18:26
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Best letter to the editor ever…
Former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell’s defense strategy follows the oldest in written history, which, reduced to its simplest form, is: The woman gave me the apple.

Barbara DeLouise, Bethesda


That is awesome! And it will fly over many, many heads.
This entire trial has me disgusted.

I know it's not making the national news as much as it should, but this entire ordeal is just misogynistic. and Maureen McDonnell’ is complicit.

To be fair - we haven't been watching Rachel Maddow, and this is one of her favorite cat toys.

Comment by wickedpam on 08/26/2014 16:25:00
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Best letter to the editor ever…
Former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell’s defense strategy follows the oldest in written history, which, reduced to its simplest form, is: The woman gave me the apple.

Barbara DeLouise, Bethesda


That is awesome! And it will fly over many, many heads.
This entire trial has me disgusted.

I know it's not making the national news as much as it should, but this entire ordeal is just mysogynistic. and Maureen McDonnell’ is complicit.


it is truly awful. And what kills me is, he'll probably get off and she'll end up serving time. Its been going on for 5 weeks now and the jurors are board. According the report on WTOP they judge asked if the prosecution was almost done in front of the jury. The prosecutor said no. You know the jury if now going to just hate the prosecution.

Comment by Raine on 08/26/2014 16:42:54
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Best letter to the editor ever…
Former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell’s defense strategy follows the oldest in written history, which, reduced to its simplest form, is: The woman gave me the apple.

Barbara DeLouise, Bethesda


That is awesome! And it will fly over many, many heads.
This entire trial has me disgusted.

I know it's not making the national news as much as it should, but this entire ordeal is just mysogynistic. and Maureen McDonnell’ is complicit.


it is truly awful. And what kills me is, he'll probably get off and she'll end up serving time. Its been going on for 5 weeks now and the jurors are board. According the report on WTOP they judge asked if the prosecution was almost done in front of the jury. The prosecutor said no. You know the jury if now going to just hate the prosecution.
I am not sure that he will get off. The prosecution is hitting him pretty hard.

I really don;t like he comments the judge is making according to WTOP. it seems biased. he a JUDGE, sorry if he is bored with financials. this is part of the justice system



Comment by wickedpam on 08/26/2014 16:50:35
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Best letter to the editor ever…
Former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell’s defense strategy follows the oldest in written history, which, reduced to its simplest form, is: The woman gave me the apple.

Barbara DeLouise, Bethesda


That is awesome! And it will fly over many, many heads.
This entire trial has me disgusted.

I know it's not making the national news as much as it should, but this entire ordeal is just mysogynistic. and Maureen McDonnell’ is complicit.


it is truly awful. And what kills me is, he'll probably get off and she'll end up serving time. Its been going on for 5 weeks now and the jurors are board. According the report on WTOP they judge asked if the prosecution was almost done in front of the jury. The prosecutor said no. You know the jury if now going to just hate the prosecution.
I am not sure that he will get off. The prosecution is hitting him pretty hard.

I really don;t like he comments the judge is making according to WTOP. it seems biased. he a JUDGE, sorry if he is bored with financials. this is part of the justice system



Exactly.


Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/26/2014 17:30:25
Hi, everyone!! Back from my CPR-AED Heimlich maneveur class that teachers have to take in Indiana. It went well. Now, however, we have strong torms rolling through.


The news on the former Virginia governor and his wife is pretty strange.

Comment by Raine on 08/26/2014 18:09:33
This is too messed up for words.

I fully expect people to be all about the murder of an American citizen…

Comment by Raine on 08/26/2014 18:12:39
George Bush HAs unleashed the gates of hell upon the world.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/26/2014 18:15:53
Quote by Raine:
George Bush HAs unleashed the gates of hell upon the world.


We may see the aftermath of his actions for generations to come.



Comment by Scoopster on 08/26/2014 18:53:11
Quote by Raine:
This is too messed up for words.

I fully expect people to be all about the murder of an American citizen..

For a moment I thought this guy was related to Senator Maverick McLostmarbles.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/26/2014 19:31:49
The BBC has an article on the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. I hope this one works.

Comment by livingonli on 08/26/2014 19:32:47
Rachel Maddow mentioned last night that the McDonnell trial bears a resemblance to the plot of an old LA Law episode where the couple pretended to be at odds with each other in order to get off a murder rap.

Comment by Raine on 08/26/2014 19:32:51
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Raine:
This is too messed up for words.

I fully expect people to be all about the murder of an American citizen..

For a moment I thought this guy was related to Senator Maverick McLostmarbles.
I swear I thought the name was a joke at first as well.


Comment by wickedpam on 08/26/2014 19:39:55
Quote by livingonli:
Rachel Maddow mentioned last night that the McDonnell trial bears a resemblance to the plot of an old LA Law episode where the couple pretended to be at odds with each other in order to get off a murder rap.



OMG I remember that episode!

Comment by Raine on 08/26/2014 19:58:18
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by livingonli:
Rachel Maddow mentioned last night that the McDonnell trial bears a resemblance to the plot of an old LA Law episode where the couple pretended to be at odds with each other in order to get off a murder rap.



OMG I remember that episode!
Holy crap! I do too!

It's so nice to see that reality is officially imitating art.


Comment by BobR on 08/26/2014 20:33:35
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Raine:
This is too messed up for words.

I fully expect people to be all about the murder of an American citizen..

For a moment I thought this guy was related to Senator Maverick McLostmarbles.

It could be - don't forget that in the 2000 Republican primaries, it was brought to our attention by Dubya that McCain had a black baby...

Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/27/2014 00:06:32
Good news. I have an interview tomorrow morning.


Comment by clintster on 08/27/2014 00:44:23
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Good news. I have an interview tomorrow morning.


Break a leg, Will! It'd be great if we were both off the UB40.