Afghanistan.........!

Anand Gopal, Ann Jones, and Roshanak Wardak Discuss Afghanistan


Ann Jones is the Author of: Kabul in Winter: Life Without Peace in Afghanistan

Visit Rethink Afghanistan for much more and to support!

A Vet's Message To The GOP on Veterans Day --

Shove It

Which is why I get so disgusted whenever I see all the faux military-loving Republicans turning up on Veterans Day with their flowery pronouncements of how much we Vets mean to them when they prove at every turn that they really don’t give a damn about the troops, Veterans or military families.

Of course, Exhibit A is Iraq and the Republican party's steadfast refusal to ever allow our troops to come permanently home to their families and their continued desire to keep them bogged down in a war for nothing. But I mention the G.I. Bill specifically because of the following samples of Republican hypocrisy we see every Veterans Day:

“On Veterans Day – and every day – we thank the men and women who have fought to keep us safe and free.” - Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN)

"We must remember the great debt that we owe veterans and members of the armed services who fight to maintain our freedom around the world. Throughout history, our soldiers have risked their lives to defend our freedom, and we must not forget their sacrifices." - Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ)

“Veterans Day is our opportunity to honor America’s veterans who have courageously served our country. These brave men and women have fought to keep our nation free and secure, and we thank them and their families for their service and sacrifice on our behalf.” - Senator Bob Corker (R-TN)

"So this day, perhaps more than any other day, is a time to honor them. We owe them our respect and profound gratitude." - Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

What's the common denominator in this crew? They all were among 22 Republicans who voted against the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, authored by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) -- a highly-decorated Vietnam Veteran -- and passed with 75 votes on May 22nd of this year.

SNIP

Iraq Getting Lonelier For U.S.

There's someone who gets it:

Rudd has said the Iraq deployment has made Australia more of a target for terrorism.

Though the damage is already done, from the invasion and occupation, the hatreds intensified, new enemies established, Australia ends Iraq combat operations, after their five years of wrongly following the failed policies of the U.S. and joining the small contingent of the coalition of the willing.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was swept into office in November largely on the promise that he would bring home the country's 550 combat troops by the middle of 2008.

And from around Australia:

Troops heading home

About 500 Australian combat troops today have begun pulling out of their base in southern Iraq.
A British military spokesman in the southern city of Basra said the pullout from Talil base in Nassiriya was underway.
But a spokesman for the governor of Dhi Qar province said it had been completed, with US forces replacing the Australians.

Troops begin arriving home from Iraq

AUSTRALIAN troops have begun arriving home from Iraq, signalling an end to the nation's combat mission in the war-torn country and fulfilling an election promise made by Kevin Rudd.

Iraq Diggers back in Brisbane

The first of about 500 soldiers from the Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 and Australia's Army Training Team reportedly touched down in Brisbane late this afternoon.

Troops begin arriving home from Iraq

Mr Rudd, who ousted John Howard's coalition government after 12 years at last November's election, promised to bring home frontline troops this year.
During his prime ministership, Mr Howard repeatedly said the troops should stay until the job was done, arguing Labor's plan to "cut and run'' from Iraq would galvanise terrorists.
Polls show 80 per cent of Australians oppose the war.

There's that mind control phrase 'cut and run'.

One doesn't cut and run from an extremely failed policy that 'galvanises' hatred in others, from the killing of their own and destruction of their country, especially when they have done Nothing to deserve that Devastating Carnage, based on lie after lie after lie............................, of those who sent their own to invade and occupy, Controll, and reigning Terror on them while calling them Terrorists!

When will this Nation start the Drawdown, and our Newspapers have 'Breaking News' headlines in Huge Print declaring the return of our troops from a conflict that should never have occurred and has placed this country and it's citizens in greater danger, that danger will exist, to many now truely despise our countries leaders and us the people of, but it will start the extremely long process of righting the dangerous direction set forth by the Power Hungry and War Profitteers!

bush Drawdown

Fw: From Ilona at PTSD Combat

"Return to Honor" Reintegration Workshops
Posted: 25 Jan 2007 05:53 AM CST
I received the following transition training workshop information from Martin Richardson of Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge, PA. They will be conducting a series of free workshops, called Return to Honor, aimed at helping returning veterans and their families return to.............
Pass the above on if you know anyone who needs this information and especially if gerneral area of the workshops, Thanks.

PTSD a Priority to New Marine Sergeant Major
Posted: 24 Jan 2007 02:36 PM CST
From the San Diego Union-Tribune: Camp Pendleton's Carlton W. Kent is the service's new sergeant major. He will serve as the point man for the Corps' commandant, Gen. James T. Conway, on everything from wartime deployments to health concerns for the enlisted. “My main focus is...........