Silent Partners: DADT

In Their Boots - 2nd Season recent episode, 7.04.09.

Silent Partners: Episode 4


“Silent Partners” is a look at the hidden effects of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell law through the eyes of 3 partners of deployed service members.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN VOTEVETS PETITION ON DON'T ASK DON'T TELL

Featured Video's: At Free Documentary.org

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FEATURED VIDEOS: At Freedocumentaries.org, you can stream interesting and provocative documentary films for free!

Like These:

Hacking Democracy: Trailer

This must watch, HBO featured, shocking documentary explores voter fraud in today´s electronic voting machines and how they have alterred past elections. This film is especially important to watch given the upcoming US Election. Think your vote counts? Well, it depends...

The War on Democracy: Trailer

"The War on Democracy" is a 2007 documentary film directed by Christopher Martin and John Pilger. Focusing on the political state of Latin America, the film is a rebuke of both the United States' intervention in foreign countries' domestic politics, and its war on terrorism.

Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers: Trailer

War for profit? Are companies profiting from the war in Iraq while further endangering the lives of American soldiers and innocent civilians?

The Road To Guantanamo: Trailer

What would happen if you were on vacation in Afghanistan and were accused wrongly of being a terrorist and taken to the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba? Winner of the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, "The Road to Guantanamo" is the terrifying first-hand account and recreation of three innocent British citizens who were held there for two years. Charges were never brought against them.

And many many many more!!

Obama Afghanistan Operation

New Strategy Is Tested

As U.S. Troops Mount Offensive in Afghanistan

U.S. Marines marked the start of a new offensive in Afghanistan Thursday, as part of the Obama administration's efforts to stabilize the Afghan-Pakistan border region. A Washington Post reporter embedded in the Helmand province provides an update

This is the Embedded Video report

Analysis from the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer: As U.S. Troops Mount Offensive in Afghanistan, New Strategy Is Tested: U.S. Marines marked the start of a new offensive in Afghanistan Thursday, as part of the Obama administration's efforts to stabilize the Afghan-Pakistan border region. ............>>>>>Transcript, audio feed and streaming video here

To late for this type of Counterinsurgency, actually it is when the bombs start dropping and troops start invading, DeJa-Vu 'Nam, for winning Hearts and Minds, to many innocents killed to much destruction of their homeland! But as those that cheered on, and continue to do so but won't serve, this is what those that do are doing while you Ignore!

Another Embedded report of the operation, in the 110 degree heat of Afghanistan now.

US Marines Push Deeper Into Southern Afghan Towns
US Marines meet little resistance as they push into south Afghanistan, try to win over locals......Rest Here

This 4th of July, "Give Peace a Chance"

The famous tune was penned by John Lennon and Yoko Ono 40 years ago this Saturday, July 4.

It was at a Montreal bed-in that the song was recorded. Those in attendance included Timothy Leary, Dick Gregory, Petula Clark, Derek Taylor, Murray the K and Allen Ginsberg. John Lennon played acoustic guitar and so did Tommy Smothers of the Smothers Brothers. Some of those names became part of the lyrics.

Find the lyrics and a video of Lennon performing the song, and celebrate the independence of our nation by remembering those who worked and continue to work tirelessly for peace.

And leave your thoughts on the message board at the NPR "All Songs Considered - The Blog"!

PEACE BROTHERS and SISTERS, WORLDWIDE!!

7.02.09: US American soldier captured in Afghanistan

New tactic for the Taliban and al Qaeda?

Neither conflicts Insurgents have seen this as a need for their goals, the taking of POW's.

US military spokeswoman says insurgents have captured an American soldier in eastern Afghanistan.

Capt. Elizabeth Mathias said the soldier has been missing since Tuesday. She said she could not provide further information........

This coming just as,

Marines Kick Off Major Afghan Operation
About 4,000 Newly-Arrived Troops, Air Support, Flood Helmand Villages In Taliban Stronghold

Thousands of U.S. Marines and hundreds of Afghan troops poured into Taliban-infested villages of southern Afghanistan with armor and helicopters Thursday in the first major operation under President Obama's strategy to stabilize the country........

Here's a bit more about the missing soldier than the AP report above, that just hit a few minutes ago:

Taliban Seize U.S. Soldier in Afghanistan

A Taliban commander told CBS News' Sami Yousafzai Thursday that militants had captured one U.S. soldier and three Afghan nationals in Paktika province, near the Pakistani border.

A U.S. military spokesperson in Kabul confirms that one soldier has been missing in Afghanistan since June 30.

Cpt. Elizabeth Mathias told CBS News Thursday, "a U.S. serviceman has been missing in Afghanistan since 30th June, it's believed the service person is being held by insurgents."

SNIP

He said the captives' fate would be decided by Taliban leaders, but that the Islamic extremist group "would not mind an exchange of prisoners in this case."........

Afghan Operation


James L. Jones

No more U.S. troops to Afghanistan this year

After hearing a "drumbeat" for more troops, White House National Security Adviser James L. Jones has told U.S. commanders in Afghanistan that they won't get any more troops this year beyond what President Barack Obama already has promised.

Just back from a trip to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, Jones told McClatchy in an exclusive interview Wednesday that he'd told commanders on the ground that the time for debate was over three months ago and that it's time to implement the new three-step plan with the troops already committed, plus a renewed emphasis on economic development and the rule of law............

According to CNN

On a news report a few minutes ago, the U.S. thinks the soldier is being held by a Well Known Warlord that works both sides of the border, apparently he's worked with the U.S. previously.

But not much more than that, only that troops are trying to make sure he isn't transported into Pakistan!

MSNBC More on the MIA Soldier and Afghan Ops

Ceremony Honors First Vietnam Casualties

MEMORIAL FUND OBSERVES 50th ANNIVERSARY OF VIETNAM WAR’S
FIRST AMERICAN COMBAT CASUALTIES AT JULY 8 CEREMONY
Ceremony Begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Washington, D.C. — The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first two American combat casualties of the Vietnam War with a special ceremony and wreath laying at The Wall on Wednesday, July 8, beginning at 10:30 a.m., said Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Memorial Fund.

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Chester Ovnand and Maj. Dale Buis died on July 8, 1959, when their compound was attacked by North Vietnamese communists. Theirs are the first two names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, occupying panel 1E, Row 1, at the apex of The Wall....>>>>>Rest of Press Release Here

'Family': Fundamentalism, Friends In High Places

The above title comes from the NPR show Freshair on 7.01.09

About 'The Family'

In the book The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, author Jeff Sharlet examines the power wielded by the secret Christian group known as The Family or The Fellowship.

Founded in 1935 in opposition to FDR's New Deal, the right-wing fundamentalist religious group organizes prayer meetings for Congressmen, as well as the annual National Prayer Breakfast......Read Rest Here

Part of Excerpt: 'The Family'

by Jeff Sharlet

A few weeks into my stay, David Coe, Doug's son, dropped by Ivanwald. My brothers and I assembled in the living room, where David had draped his tall frame over a burgundy leather recliner like a frat boy, one leg hanging over a padded arm.

"You guys," David said, "are here to learn how to rule the world." He was in his late forties, with dark, gray-flecked hair, an olive complexion, teeth like a slab of white marble, dark eyes so big they didn't need to move to take in the room......Read Rest Here

The Family: Prayer House and Residence is for Politicians like Governor Mark Sanford, Senator John Ensign and Senator Tom Coburn.

You can bring up their player to listen or find the link at the above site links.

Ands we talk about the Taliban and Muslims, go figure, this groups been apart of our politics for years, and we've allowed it secret or not, they work for us, especially the repubs, or now known as 'rushlicans'!!

Iraq Memorial War Wall

The Iraqi civilians deserve their own memorial. This video depicts a display of the U.S. side of the tragedy, the loss of over 4,000 servicemen and women. Witness the travesty and tragedy. Mourn a system that values profit and greed over human life. Mourn, then organize.

A Secret History of Dissent in the All-Volunteer Military

The Will to Resist: Soldiers Who Refuse to Fight in Iraq and Afghanistan: Tomgram: Dahr Jamail

The All-Volunteer Force (AVF) exists for a reason captured in a study by Colonel Robert D. Heinl, Jr., author of the "definitive history of the Marine Corps," published in Armed Forces Journal in 1971. The U.S. military in Vietnam was at that moment at the edge of chaos. As Colonel Heinl put it, it was experiencing "widespread conditions... that have only been exceeded in this century by the French Army's Nivelle mutinies of 1917 and the collapse of the Tsarist armies [of Russia] in 1916 and 1917."

In fact, statistics flowing back to Washington about the American war machine in Vietnam then pointed toward an unimaginable nightmare. Drug use was rampant; desertions stood at 70 per thousand, a modern high; small-scale mutinies or "combat refusals" were at critical, if untabulated, levels; incidents of racial conflict had soared; and strife between "lifers" and draftees was at unprecedented levels. Reported "fraggings" -- assassination attempts -- against unpopular officers or NCOs had risen from 126 in 1969 to 333 in 1971, despite declining troop strength in Vietnam. According to Colonel Heinl's figures, as many as 144 antiwar underground newspapers were being published by, or for, soldiers. And most threatening of all, active duty soldiers in relatively small numbers (as well as a swelling number of Vietnam veterans) were beginning to actively organize against the war.....>>>>>Rest found here

The book: "The Will to Resist: Soldiers Who Refuse to Fight in Iraq and Afghanistan"

For more,closer to the present Iraq and Afghanistan or on Vietnam, than just the above, about the history of dissent, visit IVAW - Iraq Veterans Against the War, VVAW - Vietnam Veterans Against the War or even Sir! No Sir!. There are other sites, some personal, some on the underground G.I. newsletters, some on the groups and much more.

Afghanistan: Orphans

Afghanistan sees number of orphans grow

Afghanistan has experienced a steep rise in civilian deaths this year, a recent UN report has shown.

A growing number of young Afghans who have lost their parents are now forced to live with their extended families.

Al Jazeera's David Chater met one child orphaned by the war.

And in Iraq

US commander wary of US pullout in Iraq

Most of the 130,000 US troops in Iraq have withdrawn from towns and cities into their bases. as the country celebrates "Sovereignty Day".

But some people fear national celebrations are premature.

Al Jazeera's Mike Kirsch met a senior US military commander in Mosul who said it was "no time" for US forces to be pulling out of the city.

Near the end of this video the commander is asked about a comparison as to his own home, he makes a short quick reality response.

Iraq: Secure?

Martha Raddatz: A Soldier Fights for Life

After giving power to Iraqis, Lt. Col. Tim Karcher loses legs in explosion.

Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz reports on Lieutenant Colonel Tim Karcher, who lost both his legs this week when his vehicle was bombed near Baghdad’s notorious Sadr City neighborhood. A vivid reminder on this day when US forces hand control of Iraqi cities and towns over to Iraqi command, that the war is far from over.......

US military says 4 soldiers killed in Baghdad

The U.S. military says that four soldiers were killed in Baghdad on the eve of the American withdrawal from Iraq's cities.......

"Transitions"

From left to right, Abdel Mounem Ahmad on the qanun, Fadi Fares Aziz on the ney and Salim Salem on the oud.

Iraqi refugees release captivating album online
A trio of refugee musicians from Iraq have released their first album on some of the world's leading music-sharing sites and have agreed to use the profits to help financially strapped compatriots in exile.

"Transitions," comprising 15 tracks put together by Salim Salem, Abdel Mounem Ahmad and Fadi Fares Aziz with the support of the UN refugee agency, made its online debut Thursday on iTunes, Napster, Amazon, Amie Street, IMVU, lala, ShockHound, Rhapsody and emusic........>>>>>Rest Here

Listen to samples from "Transitions" at emusic. Profits from the purchase of the album will support Iraqi refugees through programs of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Syria.

"On this World Refugee Day, let us remember that refugees too are real people with real needs. Helping them to rebuild their lives and their communities benefits us all."

- UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres

Facing down a firefight in Afghanistan

For those, kombat keyboarders, better known by us Vets as 'chickenhawks' who cheer on occupations and sending others, but won't serve themselves!

Exclusive video: NBC's Richard Engel, embedded with Viper Company in the Korengal Valley, gets a close-up view from the front lines.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

And continuing with this footage:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

"The Hurt Locker": Some Reviews

I did a post a few days ago on the release of "The Hurt Locker", with a couple of trailers, here are a few reviews from those limited openings:

It’s a man’s world
And in ‘Hurt Locker,’ director Kathryn Bigelow tells another muscular story by focusing on members of an elite Army bomb squad

Director Kathryn Bigelow is about to leave, but there’s one more question. An obvious one, to be sure. By this point in the interview it seems, well, silly - condescending even - to ask it. Bigelow’s been so forthright, so outgoing and inquisitive in her own right, that she seems to have answered it already:

No, Kathryn Bigelow, 57, didn’t get where she is because she’s a woman or in spite of being a woman. She got here by sheer force of all 5 feet 11 inches of her, and that’s not in heels, which she wears to make for an even more impressive presence...........

Could 'The Hurt Locker' make Oscars' new top 10?

"The Hurt Locker" opened today to some of the strongest reviews for a movie this year. The Iraq war drama about a bomb squad earned a jaw-dropping 91 among the reviews surveyed by Metacritic, and the aggregate score of top critics at Rotten Tomatoes came in at a still-impressive 89...........

Review: Hurt Locker a Tough, Terrific Combat Flick

A Review in a Hurry: In the latest Iraq War movie...Wait, don't leave! This one's actually good, we promise! Eschewing political commentary for nerve-rattling suspense, director Kathryn Bigelow (Point Break, Near Dark), palpably conveys the unrelenting tension of life in a never-ending war zone.

The Bigger Picture: After an attempted bomb defusing goes horribly wrong, the Iraq-based Bravo company is assigned a new Staff Sergeant, William James (Jeremy Renner). But unlike his predecessor, James is a cocksure adrenaline junkie who frequently ignores protocol, and makes things difficult on his teammates, the aggressive Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and nervous Eldridge (Brian Geraghty)........

Box Office: “Hurt Locker” Huge

Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker” bowed in four theaters this weekend and according to estimates, it took in a huge $144,000 gross. That makes for a $36,000 average for the Summit Entertainment release, topping the opening of recent films like “Whatever Works” and “Away We Go” to become the second biggest limited debut of 2009, behind only “Sunshine Cleaning.” This is particularly impressive considering that, unlike those three examples, “Locker” is not a comedy and does not feature any well-known stars..............

Living in Afghanistan

Welcome To Baylough



The comforts of home, only if Afghan. Not a tourist destination.

The Youngest Detainee at Guantanamo Bay

Mohammed Al Gharani was the youngest detainee at Guantanamo Bay.

Now, seven years later, he has returned to Chad, his country of origin, after being freed and is adjusting to life without the fear of being brutalised.

Al Gharani spoke to Al Jazeera's Mohammed Vall about his first days of freedom and the abuse he had endured at Guantanamo.



Done "In Our Names"!