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Author: TriSec    Date: 07/08/2008 10:38:02

Good Morning.

Today is our 1,938th day in Iraq.

We'll start this morning as we always do, with the latest casualty figures from the warron terra, courtesy of antiwar.com:

American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03): 4116
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03): 3977
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03): 3655
Since Handover (6/29/04): 3257
Since Election (1/31/05): 2679

Other Coalition Troops: 314
US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 542


We find this morning's cost of war starting to move too quickly for the eye to follow. It's passing through $ 534,896,150,000.00



So now turning to our friends at IAVA, there's an interesting take on the candidates and what they're focusing on. A combat veteran writes about the "illusory comfort" of campaign platitudes and tries to make us civilians understand what the new commander in chief really needs to do. And please go and read it from the source; there's a ton of embedded links with plenty more information.


Senator Barack Obama recently gave an interview to the Military Times family of newspapers, in which he made the following remarkable statement:

I don’t know a higher [military] priority than making sure that the men and women who are putting themselves in harm’s way, day in and day out, are getting decent pay and decent benefits … These are just basic requirements of a grateful nation.

Lest anyone think I’m taking a partisan stance, I should point out that Senator John McCain’s website makes almost the exact same assertion:

There can be no higher defense priority than the proper compensation, training, and equipping of our troops.

Sadly, it is an example of how skewed our national debate about roles and missions of our Armed Forces has become that these assertions are accepted without challenge. Such statements threaten to turn our fellow Americans in the profession of arms into that oddest of military aphorisms, the “self-licking ice cream cone” - an object that exists for no other reason except to consume itself. The statements above are popular because they make us feel good that we are taking care of folks who are shouldering a burden the nation is deeply ambivalent about them bearing. But we use such illusory comfort as an excuse to turn away from hard choices about roles and missions in the coming years.

Let’s set aside for the moment that fact that Commander in Chief is only one of the many roles given to the Chief Executive by the Constitution, and that the excessive focus on the “CINC test” is completely out of proportion to what the founders intended. What both candidates have gotten wrong here is the old adage of “Mission First, Troops Always.” This is a hard and necessary lesson learned and internalized by military leaders, from the most junior NCO to the most senior general and admiral. Simply put, it’s the idea that no matter how much you want to take care of those under your command, your unit’s assigned mission has to come before their personal well-being. It’s one of the toughest lessons of military leadership to internalize, but it’s also essential to a professional force that contains a core identity of Servant of the Nation. We’ve already lived through a previous period where this mantra got reversed - during our missions in the Balkans, when deployed forces were told repeatedly that force protection was to be the number-one priority of the force. The illogic in this is not hard to spot - if the top priority here is taking care of our soldiers, then the easiest way to do that is to not deploy them into harm’s way. In the words of an old saw, “A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what a ship is for.”

Want a better way? Rather than sending out feel-good platitudes about “honoring those who serve”, let’s create a strategy that’s worthy of their sacrifice. Rather than build an elaborate construct where we shower our troops with praise and benefits even as we ask them to take on more ill-defined missions, let’s give them, as I put it during the primary season, a “coherent, consistent vision of American power.”

If you do that, then the resourcing, the training, the equipping follows. It won’t be easy - it will involve difficult choices that nobody wants to make. But if you set those conditions, then, in the words of those who know, “we need not talk about our morale. As committed soldiers, we will see this mission through.”




Turning to another veteran of Iraq, we find a remarkable missive penned a few day ago...about how our Independence Day is essentially meaningless.
Independence Day means nothing significant to me. It is the one time of year that we allow children to play with pyrotechnic devices. We turn them loose with matches and low grade explosives. In Darwinian fashion some return with fewer fingers or with scars that will warn future prospective mates that the barer may not be the ideal parent due to a lack of good judgment.

In addition to the rash of maimed children, there will be barbecues, keg parties and fireworks displays. There will be sales at car dealerships, hardware stores and the mall.

I will cringe at every pop and bang until I have totally assumed a frame of mind that will not associate these sounds with the sounds of mortar and rifle fire. I have found that setting off fireworks with the kids is the best way to get into that peaceful state. Even then I will wake from sleep grasping for a pistol every time there is a late night explosion.

All of this is fairly divorced from the intention of the holiday itself. The mythology behind the United States becomes more and more diluted each time it crosses another line. Each dirty little secret that is revealed crushes an ideal that we once held as the gold standard. When we find out that we torture we can no longer claim to be champions of human rights. When it comes to light that we have an extensive domestic spying program we can no longer look down our collective noses at countries that violate the privacy of their citizens. These were things that the Soviets did. They were things that happened in backwards dictatorships, not the United States.

Even the education on the subject that one receives in school is far removed from the reality. Few school children actually read the Declaration of Independence. From the point of view of the State this is a good thing, as children who read it might feel impelled by patriotism to engage in acts of sedition and revolution. Certainly, there are parts that apply to our situation today where the United States is the oppressive imperial power.

Describing the reasons that they decided to take up arms against their own country the Founding Fathers wrote:

“He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.”

Black Water and Armour Group rely heavily on foreign mercenaries to do their work. Iraq is rotten with Afrikaner mercs running around with AKs in Datsun pickups.

They also wrote:

“He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.”

There is a case to be made here as well. An article in the January 30, 2008 edition of the Boston Globe reports that the President declared he is not bound by Congress's laws when they apply to the military. He claims that since he is Commander-in-Chief, laws passed by Congress that limit his authority with regard to foreign affairs and the military are unconstitutional.

The United States that those early malcontents fought and died for is long gone. The new state that overthrew an imperialist oppressor is now seen by the rest of the world as an aggressive enemy of peace. Their radical ideas about personal freedom have been eviscerated by the Patriot Act....




Finally today, it was reported yesterday that the government of Iraq is demanding a timetable for a US pullout. Of course, the Pentagon wants nothing to do with it.
In a rebuff to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, the Pentagon said Monday that any timetable for a US withdrawal from Iraq would depend on conditions on the ground there.

Maliki told Arab ambassadors on Monday he was pressing for such a timetable in negotiations with Washington on an agreement on the status of US forces in Iraq beyond 2008.

Asked about the prime minister's comments, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters: "With respect to timetables I would say the same thing I would say as respects to the security situation -- it is dependent on conditions on the ground."

Whitman said the United States had made clear "that we have no long term desires to have forces permanently stationed in Iraq."

"But timelines tend to be artificial in nature," he said. "In a situation where things are as dynamic as they are in Iraq, I would just tell you, it's usually best to look at these things based on conditions on the ground."

Maliki's comments to Arab ambassadors to the United Arab Emirates marked the first time he has specifically demanded a timetable for a US withdrawal.

"The direction we are taking is to have a memorandum of understanding either for the departure of the forces or to have a timetable for their withdrawal," a statement from Maliki's office quoted him as saying.

"The negotiations are still continuing with the American side, but in any case the basis for the agreement will be respect for the sovereignty of Iraq," he added.

A UN mandate that provides the legal basis for the US military presence in Iraq expires at end of the year, and the two countries are negotiating a bilateral agreement to replace it.




 

311 comments (Latest Comment: 07/09/2008 07:06:02 by Shane-O)
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Comment by wickedpam on 07/08/2008 12:05:51
First.





Morning :hug:

Comment by Scoopster on 07/08/2008 12:30:26
Morning! Word has it we're in for a scorcher today... but not enough to make the bus rides free.

Comment by velveeta jones on 07/08/2008 12:38:05
Morning all. Its my last "day off" - back to work tomorrow. And, due to my extensive leave, I lost my good schedule - where I went in to work late afternoon and worked late. Dammit! I liked that schedule 'cause I could hear SMS and do lawn/gardening/errands as well. My new shift is more of a 9-5 deal. SUCKS. But I'll be trading shifts as soon as I can.



TriSec, your story of the kids playing with pyrotechnics reminds me that I had so many friends growing up with missing fingers! Living in the mountains of VA where a small town was being groomed into a bigger town, we had plenty of blasting caps laying around from all the blowing up of rocks and mountains!

:wacko:

Comment by Raine on 07/08/2008 12:50:37
Good morning.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/08/2008 12:52:05
Moring Raine, Vel, Scoop

Comment by Shane-O on 07/08/2008 12:52:43
Morning!

Comment by velveeta jones on 07/08/2008 12:58:08
I have Fuligo Septica in my mulch.



Its often called "dog vomit mold" because of its appearance. *sigh* I hate it.



Comment by TriSec on 07/08/2008 13:00:36
Comment by m-hadley on 07/08/2008 13:01:20
So Veleveeta,

Are you home for awhile? Until the next disaster? I'm just wondering... What were your impressions of the operations in the midwest? Just curious, in any case, I'm glad you're back safe and sound. Thank you for your service to this country - I think your work is every bit as important as those who are serving in the foreign lands.

TriSec, another excellent post, thank you for all you do!

Mala,

Good Morning! How's your Mom doing in her new job?

I'm off to the doctor this morning - ugh!

Cheers,

mfaye

:hug: :peace:

Comment by m-hadley on 07/08/2008 13:07:36
Mornin' Raine, Scoopster, & Shane-O,

Ya'll might want to mosey over to my blog - I added two new posts last night, As always, comments are welcome, even encouraged :P

Cheers,

mfaye

:hug:

Comment by wickedpam on 07/08/2008 13:08:51
Wow - she sounds distraught.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/08/2008 13:09:31
"1, 2, 3, taxes - ha. ha. ha." :rofl:

Comment by TriSec on 07/08/2008 13:17:17
A evacuation slide deployed in-flight??



Chris, I don't think that's right. The rear door would have blown off and the plane would have crashed.



I have friends in the industry...slide misfires are more common than you would think, but they usually happen on the ground. (they disarm the slide at the gate and during the cruise portion of the flight...it's armed during ground operations and the climb and descent phase, just in case...)





Comment by velveeta jones on 07/08/2008 13:17:33
Quote by m-hadley:

So Veleveeta,

Are you home for awhile? Until the next disaster? I'm just wondering... What were your impressions of the operations in the midwest? Just curious, in any case, I'm glad you're back safe and sound. Thank you for your service to this country - I think your work is every bit as important as those who are serving in the foreign lands.

TriSec, another excellent post, thank you for all you do!

Mala,

Good Morning! How's your Mom doing in her new job?

I'm off to the doctor this morning - ugh!

Cheers,

mfaye

:hug: :peace:


I am back Faye, and ever so glad! I had posted pix, maybe you missed them here they are:

Wisconsin DR

Comment by Raine on 07/08/2008 13:20:09
Quote by m-hadley:

Mornin' Raine, Scoopster, & Shane-O,

Ya'll might want to mosey over to my blog - I added two new posts last night, As always, comments are welcome, even encouraged :P

Cheers,

mfaye

:hug:
I mosey'd... excellent work as always Ms. Faye. It's amazing that the Poppy crop is probably bigger than ever there now, isn't it?



Heckuva job. :grumble:



Comment by Scoopster on 07/08/2008 13:21:30
Ugh.. still so sleepy. These meds I'm on really kick my butt.

Comment by Raine on 07/08/2008 13:22:56
Quote by TriSec:

You know I had to look that up.



Roughly translates tosticky stuff on the bottom of Bob's shoe



Comment by capt on 07/08/2008 13:24:16
Good Morning!

Comment by Shane-O on 07/08/2008 13:28:12
Quote by m-hadley:

Mornin' Raine, Scoopster, & Shane-O,

Ya'll might want to mosey over to my blog - I added two new posts last night, As always, comments are welcome, even encouraged :P

Cheers,

mfaye

:hug:
Mosey-ing right now...



Comment by Raine on 07/08/2008 13:29:07


Howard Wolfson joins Fox... Says it more fair and balanced.





Comment by m-hadley on 07/08/2008 13:29:37
Mornin' Capt :coffee:

Scoopster - which meds are you taking? Don't mean to be nosy, but I take a slew of meds and am always curious about others' regimens...

Cheers,

mfaye

:hug: :peace:

Comment by Raine on 07/08/2008 13:34:57
Momma is going to England?

Comment by Raine on 07/08/2008 13:36:28
I hate this entire Voucher system. HATE it!

Comment by velveeta jones on 07/08/2008 13:36:37
That BillO............ he's sooooo smart!



:rofl: *snort* :rofl:

Comment by Shane-O on 07/08/2008 13:37:16
Income redistribution: that's when workers' productivity goes up 70% and their wages go down 10%.



Redistribution from the working class to the wealthy.



See Bill Moyers.

Comment by Scoopster on 07/08/2008 13:38:13
Quote by m-hadley:

Mornin' Capt :coffee:

Scoopster - which meds are you taking? Don't mean to be nosy, but I take a slew of meds and am always curious about others' regimens...

Cheers,

mfaye

:hug: :peace:


I'm on Celebrex for pain and Flexeril to help me sleep w/o tossing or pain.. I pulled a muscle in my shoulder, apparently from tossing way too hard in my sleep!

Comment by Raine on 07/08/2008 13:40:21
in Memory of Jessie Helms...



Yes, the day they put an inflatable Condom over his house...





Comment by capt on 07/08/2008 13:40:56




Flexerils are sleepy

Comment by TriSec on 07/08/2008 13:41:18
If President Bush was invited to a conference on the Island of Lesbos, would his head explode?



Discuss.





Comment by starling310 on 07/08/2008 13:42:09
Morning all.



Soooo.....Barack Obama is not like Jessie Helms? Well, thank goodness for that! You keep driving that point home Sean!



Comment by starling310 on 07/08/2008 13:42:52
:: jessie helms :: Leeesbian-------->

Comment by clintster on 07/08/2008 13:44:59
Mornin' everybody! So, Mama got a new sound for her box, eh?



"A Llllllesbian."

Comment by starling310 on 07/08/2008 13:47:53
pssst....i have heard rumors that is a..........llllleeeesbian!

Comment by BobR on 07/08/2008 13:50:14
morning folks... :coffee:

Comment by starling310 on 07/08/2008 13:51:00
<------- bug's teeth.



Comment by TriSec on 07/08/2008 13:51:04
Quote by starling310:

pssst....i have heard rumors that is a..........llllleeeesbian!




Hey, stay away from my marriage! :modbat:







Comment by starling310 on 07/08/2008 13:51:55
MA! Cho! Ma! Cho! Man! I've got to be a Macho Man!



Comment by Raine on 07/08/2008 13:52:57
I feel so marginalized. I am a blond haired momma for obama.

Comment by starling310 on 07/08/2008 13:53:35
I am so in love with Jim Louise Ward.

Comment by Random on 07/08/2008 13:54:49
Because i was so late in posting yesterday... (That and i haven't slept since 7 O'Clock yesterday morning)



McCain Ad



for years now, we've strived for one goal, long thought unuptainable. But now, we shall have portable healthcare. ( 1st ad: 39 seconds)



I would also like to add, after the nearly campaign crushing one-liner Hillary got off on Obama some months back, (that nearly lost him the election), McCain has stolen that line to now use on Obama, hoping to do the same. (View Ad #3)

Comment by Scoopster on 07/08/2008 13:55:25
Quote by capt:





Flexerils are sleepy


They are, but I gotta say for the past 5 days I haven't had a problem sleeping OR waking up tired - probably because I'm not flailing around using up energy!

Comment by capt on 07/08/2008 13:56:17
Quote by TriSec:

If President Bush was invited to a conference on the Island of Lesbos, would his head explode?



Discuss.







Only if someone told him what it means . . .



Comment by starling310 on 07/08/2008 13:57:32
Quote by TriSec:

Quote by starling310:

pssst....i have heard rumors that is a..........llllleeeesbian!




Hey, stay away from my marriage! :modbat:









Talk to Velveeta man! She has been actively practicing lesbianism WITH THE SAME WOMAN for 12 YEARS!!!



If anyone is threatening the sanctity of your marriage it's her!

Marriage is NOT between and dammit!



Comment by TriSec on 07/08/2008 13:57:35
Portable Healthcare?



Hate to tell you Senator McCain, but Senator Kennedy already took care of that. Maybe you've heard about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act...more commonly known as HIPAA?



It was passed in 1996, you could look it up.



Anyone who made use of COBRA, Healthcare Dependent Accounts, or Family Leave has benefitted from this law.





Comment by capt on 07/08/2008 13:58:46
Quote by Scoopster:

They are, but I gotta say for the past 5 days I haven't had a problem sleeping OR waking up tired - probably because I'm not flailing around using up energy!




Have you had a "sleep study?"



I was sleep deprived for about 20 years - severe obstructive sleep apnea. Now I have a bi-pap machine and sleep is WAY better.



The reason I ask is flailing (movement and waking) are signs. . .



Comment by Random on 07/08/2008 14:00:21
Quote by TriSec:

Portable Healthcare?



Hate to tell you Senator McCain, but Senator Kennedy already took care of that. Maybe you've heard about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act...more commonly known as HIPAA?



It was passed in 1996, you could look it up.



Anyone who made use of COBRA, Healthcare Dependent Accounts, or Family Leave has benefitted from this law.







...Random confused. How can healthcare be portable, since it is an abstract with no real physical body to carry around, so, portablity is a none issue.



Course, Random is a young'n who isn't "hip" to washington.



Comment by Raine on 07/08/2008 14:02:14
Iraq wants us out. They are INSISTING that we leave. So we should leave dammit!





Comment by starling310 on 07/08/2008 14:03:08
Quote by capt:

Quote by TriSec:

If President Bush was invited to a conference on the Island of Lesbos, would his head explode?



Discuss.







Only if someone told him what it means . . .





Speaking of Lesbos! Stop calling yourselves Lesbians!

Comment by Scoopster on 07/08/2008 14:03:15
Quote by capt:

Quote by Scoopster:

They are, but I gotta say for the past 5 days I haven't had a problem sleeping OR waking up tired - probably because I'm not flailing around using up energy!




Have you had a "sleep study?"



I was sleep deprived for about 20 years - severe obstructive sleep apnea. Now I have a bi-pap machine and sleep is WAY better.



The reason I ask is flailing (movement and waking) are signs. . .


I haven't yet, but since there's a history of hardcore snoring and/or apnea in my family I'm gonna have one done. My mother uses the ventliator at night too and it stopped her snoring... I just dunno if I'll be able to deal with the mask.

Comment by starling310 on 07/08/2008 14:04:32
Quote by Random:

Quote by TriSec:

Portable Healthcare?



Hate to tell you Senator McCain, but Senator Kennedy already took care of that. Maybe you've heard about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act...more commonly known as HIPAA?



It was passed in 1996, you could look it up.



Anyone who made use of COBRA, Healthcare Dependent Accounts, or Family Leave has benefitted from this law.







...Random confused. How can healthcare be portable, since it is an abstract with no real physical body to carry around, so, portablity is a none issue.



Course, Random is a young'n who isn't "hip" to washington.





It's similar to Gay marriage. It's considered "not portable" because a marriage honored in one state may not be honored by another, were the married couple to relocate.