Doing - But not writing too much

For the last several months, I have not been blogging very much. Many things have happened and so I will post a quick update.

In early December, my son came home from Afghanistan with his unit. He was slightly wounded during the summer campaign. My first impression was how angry he was - a complete change from the young man that had left late last winter. He spoke about his friend that had died and guys that were severely wounded. He discussed the early partnering with the NATO force and how innefectual it had seemed to him. He discussed his feelings about the campaign and his part in it. He has made a decision not to remain in the military beyond this contract date. Many of the things we discussed can not be published here due to OPSEC rules and his right to privacy. But suffice to say, he is no longer a true believer.

We had a nice family gathering to welcome him home in late December at his favorite Italian joint with aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. The dinner and lively discussion (including teasing and jokes) was fun and helped remind all how lucky we were to have him home and in one piece.

During his redeployment phase - I helped him buy his first car: A VW Rabbit. This was a huge change from the car wish list that had come from Afghanistan which included many fast cars. With the "surge" plan we don't know how much time he will have to enjoy his new car. Rumors abound about a new deployment - but again they are only rumors.

Our candidate did not win in November - but his message was picked up loud and clear across the US: Get the US the hell out of Iraq. The newly elected Congress has addressed the issue in fits and starts over the last few months. They remain largely ineffective in changing the course despite the overwhelming desire of the American people to end the war, bring our troops home now and take care of them when they get here.

In December, I was elected to the Board of Directors of Military Families Speak Out. I look at this as an opportunity to push hard to get our world right again. On a personal level, this is very important as my oldest son is planning to marry later this year and my daughter is expecting her first child - my first grandchild. I want a world that nurtures these new beginings in an atmosphere of peaceful security and not war without end.

In January, I was back in Washington DC for a massive mobilization called for by United for Peace and Justice. Tens of thousands of people filled the mall on a bright and suprisingly warm day to call on Congress to stop funding the war in Iraq. We participated in a citizens lobby day and visited several Illinois congressional offices making the point that the only way to end the war was to stop paying for it. The emergency supplemental, unfortunately was passed calling for a withdrawal of COMBAT troops in August of 2008 in the House bill and a non-binding end to combat operations in the Senate bill. Again, the Congress still fails to listen to the people - instead choosing to follow the corporate path to war without end.

In March, Chicago mobilized to mark the begining of the fifth year of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. The mission still remains poorly defined and according to most experts, unattainable but we continue to send young people off to war in an effort to provide the President with a legacy.

And here it is April - cold for Easter but at least in Chicago, no snow. Happy Easter to all and I will try to blog a bit more often.

Melissa McBeaney

Well - I finally got a picture of that elusive "donkeyphant" and her handler! Melissa McBeaney is the brainstorm of the Scheurer for Congress campaign to show the similarities between the party candidates in the 8th District.

Since both party candidates have HUGE budget...and the Scheurer campaign is cash poor, creativity is the key. McBeaney attends some of the Flash Parties that the campaign hosts to draw attention to their campaign. Both seem to be a welcome change to voters since they use fun ways to tell Bill's story rather than the attack ads and mailers so often used in elections today.

The Oak Park Peace Fair

On a cloudy Saturday afternoon, I helped table for MFSO-Chicago at the Oak Park Peace Fair. Many groups from the Chicago area had tables: Code Pink, The Green Party, several faith based Peace and Justice groups, Veterans Groups, etc. It was a bittersweet afternoon since I was finally able to meet Katy and Rosemarie in person. I have been "talking" to both for a while both on internet groups and by phone. Rosemarie's son was killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq and Katy's son was severely injured in Iraq in 2005. Our good friend Georgia from MFSO Wisconsin was a featured speaker. She was instrumental in House Calling several Illinois politicians during the DC phase of Operation House Call.

This will be "it" for a couple of weeks since I am preparing to leave town for a cabin in the woods...to watch the leaves turn beautiful colors and read tons of books that I have not had time to read in several months.

A bit of fun

This weekend was a bit of fun in a very serious world.

On Sunday, I went to a concert to table the event for MFSO. I met a new MFSO friend who also "worked" the table. For the most part, we were singing to the choir...but at that particular event, the choir was pretty big indeed. The band was Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young...and the featured music was Young's recent "Living with War"...although much of CSNY's older music was played as well. The song "Flags of Freedom" never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

On Labor Day Monday, I anchored a spot in a parade for "Scheurer for Congress" in the town in which I grew up. It poured for much of the time we marched in the largest Labor Day parade in the county (their billing, not mine) but that didn't dampen the spirits or enthusiasm of Team Scheurer or the crowd gathered. Our contigent featured live actor political satire...yellow umbrellas, shades of purple and just plain fun as we promoted our serious message of withdrawal from Iraq, caring for our troops when they get home, working to strenghten working families, and balancing our budget. Many damp parade goers were very responsive to our message of peace, hope and strength and interested in a candidate who presented that message with humor...and a bit of fun.

I gotta quit reading.....

I simply gotta quit reading about all of the good things that we are doing in the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, for instance the headlines scream about the gloomy reports on Iraq:

The core conflict in Iraq has changed from a battle against insurgents to an increasingly bloody fight between Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims, creating conditions that could lead to civil war, the Pentagon said in a report on Friday.

The congressionally mandated report provided a sober assessment of Iraq over the past three months, saying overall attacks rose 24 percent to 792 per week -- highest of the war -- and daily Iraqi casualties soared 51 percent to nearly 120.

The rest of the story which has been picked up by multiple papers can be found here.

In Afghanistan the reports are equally bad:

The U.S.-backed strategy to fight Afghanistan's massive drug trade has been unsuccessful in stemming opium cultivation, which is expected to hit record levels this year, a senior U.S. official said Thursday.

"It's bad news and we need to improve it," said Thomas Schweich, principal deputy assistant secretary of state for international narcotics. "But we don't feel it's a hopeless situation, and we don't think the overall strategy is the wrong strategy."

The rest of the story can be found here.

And then there is the obvious fact that we still haven't caught the guy who claimed responsibility for 9/11....you all remember Osama...er what's his name again? Oh yes...

Five years after the Sept. 11 attacks, the most publicized manhunt in history has drawn a blank. The CIA has dismantled its unit dedicated to finding the al-Qaida chiefs. And the American military's once-singular focus is diffused by the need for reconstruction and a growing fight against the Taliban, the resurgent Afghan Islamic movement that once hosted bin Laden.

American soldiers climbing through the forested mountains of Afghanistan's Kunar province — where in the 1980s bin Laden fought in the U.S.-backed jihad against the Soviets — still hope to catch or kill him. But they say bolstering the Afghan government is their primary mission now, amid the worst upsurge in Taliban attacks in five years.

"It is like chasing ghosts up there," said Sgt. George Williams, 37, of Watertown, N.Y., part of the Army's 10th Mountain Division pushing into untamed territory along the border with Pakistan. "Osama bin Laden is always going to be a target of ours as long as he is out there, but there are other missions: to rebuild Afghanistan and attack the militants still here."

The rest of that story can be found here.

Hmmmm and the President says I am confused about this mess? I think that is the only true thing I heard from the press reports from his speech yesterday.

Just what course are we to be staying? Civil war in Iraq? A War on Drugs complicated by a resurgence of Taleban violence? Hunting for the guy we were going to get "dead or alive" following 9/11?

What "victory" are we looking for, here Mr. President? For what noble cause have the sons and daughters of people I call friends died or been maimed for? Why is my kid sitting on some damn rock in the middle of nowhere counting down the days till a bullet or a bomb catchs up with him?

I don't know a whole lot about military affairs...and I am certainly no politician. However I can recognize a clusterf**k as well as the next guy.

Want a legacy....buy another baseball team and win the World Series. That, at least, doesn't kill people. Want to help your friends win the midterm elections...well I am not sure that is possible - all of the big business money in the world isn't going to cover up this mess. There is no electoral college in Congressional races...and Tom DeLay isn't around any more to hack for you.

Better yet, do the frogmarch out of the White House on your own...and take a flight to the Hague - turn yourself in and face up to what you have done: to your own country and to theirs. That would be accountability and require integrity, I know. Tough to take. But the unpatriotic wimps who tried to tell you fighting an idea was simply bad policy are going to have some cleaning up to do: First in the Congress....and then in the White House.

We are pissed off, motivated and ready. Bring em on, Mr. President.

Stirring the Pot in the 8th

Our Congresswoman has done nothing on Iraq during her tenure in the house.

So on Sunday, the Peace People (MFSO, the Peace Partners and friends) paid a little visit on the Party People (Lake Co Dems, McHenry Co Dems and EDDI) in hopes of having a dialog with the Congresswoman about her record on Iraq.

Well with 8 well behaved (and smiling) Peace People, 4 signs, 1 pair of empty boots and a bunch of flowers, the Peace People appeared to have frightened the Congresswoman off...before she spoke at her own event even. Perhaps it was because she didn't have anything to say about 2,631 empty pair of boots...and the lives that have been shattered by the loss of those who wore them. After all, it is a tough thing to tell voters you are doing your job as US citizens die everyday in a war of choice that you voted to support in June.

One of my Gold Star Mom friends tells me her son was murdered by the Bush Administration and Congress...they sent him to war in a helicopter that was meant for civilian use...not for use in combat. He was in the National Guard.

The Party People tell us it is all about getting Democrats elected. The Peace People believe it is all about ending this war of choice before one more kid dies. And taking care of those Troops who return promptly, appropriately and with the same dedication they have shown to us.

The Congresswoman says nothing. I guess given her voting record on Iraq, she really can't say too much.

Check out the MFSO-Chicago blog here for the story.

Vacation ALMOST Over

My vacation from being an "active activist" is nearly over. I plan to return with a bang...and bring a some of my good friends with me.

Keep an eye out. I will post pictures (maybe from jail - but I hope not)and a story early next week once the action is complete.

The press will be there...let the party begin!

Taking a break

I have been taking a break for the last few weeks...and plan on taking at least one more week off from activism. Sometimes, one must step back a bit from what seems to be a head-banging struggle to gain perspective. I am doing just that.

In my spare time...which suddenly, it seems I have found, I have been out photographing - mostly beautiful scenery colored with nature's beautiful summer pallete. An assortment of pictures can be found on http://www.flickr.com/photos/army_mom/

Enjoy the pictures...as I enjoy the rest.

The Accidental Activist - And Why I Like Dogs Better

Over the last couple of weeks, life has been busy teaching me a lesson. As I go through this rocky journey, small blessings are the ones that are the most important. My picture in the previous post was taken in my own front yard. The baby has now fledged and is hopping around yelling for his mother to feed him. He is much larger than his mother who is skinny and worn out from caring for her young.

After spending what can only be described as a horrible few weeks, I came to understand that my spirit was getting pretty skinny and worn out as well. Neil Young got it pretty close in his song "Living with War"...but not right on. The emotional toll is exhausting robbing joy from nearly every aspect of life.

Well NO MORE. It is time for the people who are responsible for this mess to shoulder some of the burden and accountability for it. And I am talking not only the Administration - I am talking about every American who has staked their personal security on the back of the brave young men and women serving in the Armed Forces. It is time to ante up and act like Americans. Don't believe we should be involved in Iraq? Write your rep...and tell him/her. Think that extending deployments, multiple deployments and the like are plain wrong - again make your thoughts known. Griping about gas prices - well remember that in previous wars, gas was rationed to provide fuel for military purposes.

I am of the belief that it is time for the folks who say that the President and Congress are doing the wrong thing and the country is heading in the wrong direction to actually participate in the decision making process. All too often, I hear that the constituents in this district AGREE with what I am doing from lawmakers we approach with a bring em home now message.

I came upon this activisim thing quite by accident: my kid enlisted. Almost immediately, I began to research the reasons for Iraq...and our effectiveness in occupying that country. Some of the things I learned (and not from main stream media sources) were quite shocking. I have read declassified Army reports, reports on how people's lives in Iraq are affected by this war, the way others in this world view the US and her troops, as well as similar reports and analysis regarding Afghanistan. Most of this stuff is online...and accessible to the public.

Don't know much about Iraq and Afghanistan - well look it up. The lives of thousands of US Servicemembers depend on good public policy...and in our system of government, that starts with public involvement.

Go Away

Go Away

This baby looks kind of like I feel today. GO AWAY he seems to say as he tries to catch a breeze on a 90 degree day.

Deployment Extended

Last night I read that my Soldier's deployment would be extended beyond the NATO takeover date. I know given the heavy casualties his company took over the last couple of weeks, he sounded subdued - at best. The knowledge that he would come home soon helped sustain him during the very difficult campaign that is currently ending. In early June - he said "Only about 6 more weeks, Mom!"

Now, according to the publication "Stars and Stripes", they are aware that they will be staying and for the next few weeks, that stay will be at best "uncomfortable." They have been moved into temporary housing where their "supply officer" is trying his best to find a bed for everyone - even if that bed is in an unconditioned tent in temps that exceed 120 degrees most days. Lines for showers, chow, and other necessities will increase. The ability to communicate with family - poor to begin with - will become even worse with the increase in personnel housed at this small operating base.

NATO has a different "strategy" for dealing with the insurgency - building rather than bombing. My Soldier did express some concerns over the differing attitudes of the NATO force as they entered the theater. He has expressed nothing but praise for the Afghan forces but felt that the NATO force's peacekeeping strategy was a bit "inexperienced" given the conditions on the ground - where increasingly suicide bombers, bold raids on government facilities and ambushes have become commonplace.

It is getting kind of hard to tell a young man to "do his job...and stay focused" when the planning for the "Global War on Terror" is so obviously neglected. Friends with family serving in Iraq are dealing with similar feelings with the announcement that the 172 Stryker will be extended and sent to Baghdad to quell the sectarian violence there.

Politicians in both parties are busy "chest thumping" about who can best "manage the War on Terror" - but in reality, most are simply engaged with getting re-elected while brave young men and women die.

Operation "Mountain Thrust"

Today, I read that Operation Mountain Thrust is "wrapping up" in Afghanistan. I do not know if the Military considers it a "success" or not. What I do know is that many lives were lost and many people were injured in another occupation that appears to be going badly. After five years of primarily US occupation, Afghanistan is, by our own assessment, a failed state that produces 90% of the worlds heroin and has a government that is in business for itself - not for her people. Women are still forced to cover themselves fully to avoid harrassment from others, children who try to attend school face threats of death along with their families, most of the country still lacks basic health care and most face severe economic depression and threats of daily violence.

My Soldier was involved in "Mountain Thrust." When his task force returns, they will have lost two Soldiers - permanently. Both men were fathers - with six kids between them. In addition, at least three Soldiers have been severely wounded - and although all are expected to make it, rehab will be extensive with no guarantees on the long term prognosis. Several others were wounded with a good chance for a full recovery.

We have heard the violence in Iraq has increased dramatically. The country reports 100 deaths from violent causes each and every day. Many in Iraq and the US believe that Iraq is in a state of civil war. The Iraqi Prime Minister came to the US to ask us to help "secure" Baghdad. As a result, one Battalion has been "extended" for four months, others have been deployed to provide "overlap" coverage, effectively increasing our force by some 15,000 troops.

We have "taken sides" with Israel in her war with Hezbolla and by extension Lebanon. Thus far, many innocent civilians have been killed or displaced as bombs fall and tanks shell cities and villages - on both sides of the border. Iran supplies Hezbolla with arms - we supply Israel with arms and rhetoric.

At home, stressed by deployments and Troops returning with physical and emotional scars, Military Families struggle under the weight of "stay the course" policy. In our own small group, the infant child of one Soldier died while he was deployed, a wife fled due to battering, and parents of Soldiers agonize over the safety of their kids - on the battlefield and here in the U.S. We worry about the future - since we know that even if our Soldier comes home from this deployment unhurt and psychologically intact - he/she is only doing so to prepare to hit the next hot zone in rotation and the cycle of worry will only begin again.

There is an old maxim that states: "Violence begets violence - killing begets only more killing." I do not know the source of this statement - but along with 60% of American voters, I know it to be true. Too bad our leadership doesn't "get it." But then, they are too busy fundraising to keep their jobs to pay much attention.

Fuchsia Hair

Well, it seems that I am getting much closer to needing to dye my hair. When my son was home last summer, I informed him that I had no intention of being a "blue haired" little old lady when his job caused my normally brownish hair to turn to shades of white. My grandma used to use bluing in her white hair to enhance the "whiteness" often turning it a very pretty shade of blue.

I am NOT my grandma. I love the color pink...the brighter and bolder - the better. So I told him that he will be responsible for the rest of my life to keep me in vogue with hair dye to keep me in the pink.

So bud, if you read this, know that every day, I am finding new white strands popping up. When I hit about 50%, the dying will need to start for sure. Don't make too many plans for that cute little sports car you have been emailing me about - think PINK!

When I go pink, I WILL post pictures. Wonder what my boss will think. He already knows I am a bit off.

I AM ALIVE

Last October, Rolling Meadows native Bryan Anderson lost three limbs when a roadside bomb demolished his Humvee. His story since is remarkable.

By David Zucchino
Tribune Newspapers: Los Angeles Times July 6, 2006

FT. HOOD, Texas -- Bryan Anderson emerged from an elevator in the airport terminal here, a diminished figure in a wheelchair. Both legs were gone, and most of his left arm -- all severed when a roadside bomb demolished the Humvee he was driving in Baghdad last fall.

Anderson, of Rolling Meadows, Ill., was never a big man -- 5 foot 6, 125 pounds. Now he was down to 80 pounds as he rolled through the terminal in late May to begin a 10-day visit with the soldiers who were with him the day his life changed.

Those men -- who had dragged him from the Humvee and stopped his bleeding Oct. 23 -- would see more than a fragile young man in a wheelchair. They would see a willful survivor who had transformed their lives, and his own, in a way none of them could have imagined.

To read the rest of the story, please click here.

To view the accompanying flash presentation where Bryan Anderson discusses his injuries and recovery, please click here.

Forgotten Sacrifice

By F. John Duresky
Wednesday, July 5, 2006; A13

A few days ago, as I do every day in Iraq, I listened to the commander's battle update. The briefer calmly and professionally described the day's events. Somewhere in Iraq, on some forgotten, dusty road, an insurgent fighting an occupying army detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) under a Humvee, killing an American soldier. The briefer fielded a question from the general and moved to the next item in the update.

The day before that, in America, a 15-year-old's incredibly rich parents planned the biggest sweet 16 party ever. They will spend more than $200,000 on an opulent event marking a single year in an otherwise unremarkable life. The soon-to-be-16 girl doesn't know where Iraq is and doesn't care. That same day an American soldier died in Iraq.

Two days earlier, a 35-year-old man went shopping for home entertainment equipment. He had the toughest time selecting the correct plasma screen; he could afford the biggest and best of everything. In the end, he had it installed by a specialty store. He spent about $50,000 on the whole system. He has never met anybody serving in the military nor served himself, but thinks we should "turn the whole place into a parking lot." That day, another American soldier died in Iraq.

Three days earlier, some college students had a great kegger. There were tons of babes at the party, the music was awesome. Everybody got totally blitzed, and many missed class the next day. The young men all registered for the draft when they were 18, but even though our nation is at war, they aren't the least bit worried about the draft. It is politically impossible to conscript young people today, we are told. That day, another American "volunteer" died in Iraq.

Four days earlier, a harried housewife looked all over town for the perfect accessory for her daughter's upcoming recital. Her numerous chores wore her out, but she still found herself preoccupied. Her oldest son is having trouble in his first year of college, and he has been talking of enlisting in the Army. She is terrified that her child will go off to that horrible war she sees on TV. She and her husband decide to give their son more money so he doesn't have to work part-time; maybe that will help with his studies. That day, another soldier died.

Yesterday millions of Americans celebrated Independence Day. They attended parties and barbecues. Families came together from all across the country to celebrate the big day. Millions of dollars were spent on fireworks. At public events, there were speeches honoring the people who served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. These words mostly fell on bored ears. While the country celebrated its own greatness, other Americans were still fighting in Iraq.

Today Americans go back to their normal business. The politicians in Washington have made sure the sacrifices of the war are borne by the very smallest percentage of Americans. They won't even change the tax rates to prevent deficits from running out of control. Future generations will pay the cost of this war.

Many Americans feel strongly about the war one way or another, but they aren't signing up their children for service or taking the protest to the streets. What can they do? It is they whom we in the military trust to influence our leaders in Washington.

Today, as on every other day in Iraq, American servicemen are in very real danger. Our country is at war. Mothers, fathers, wives, husbands and children are worrying about their loved ones in a faraway land. They all hope he or she isn't the one whose luck runs out today.

The writer is an Air Force captain stationed in Iraq.

Original Article from the Washington Post can be linked here.

Happy Independence Day - From Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, Combined Joint Task Force – 76 commander (left) congratulates Army Spec. Ahmed John during a special July 4 naturalization ceremony here. John, a native of Kabul , Afghanistan , was one of 27 U.S. Soldiers serving on the front lines of the war on terror in Afghanistan who took the Oath of Allegiance on America ’s 230th birthday. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Robert R. Ramon, 345th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)




Rather Cool. Thanks for your service, Specialist John.

Please Leave a Message

I spent a couple of days feeling kind of guilty. I actually MISSED a couple of calls from my Soldier! (Bad Mom...bad, bad, bad!)

Of course, there is no way to hit redial to Afghanistan...and I am not at my best first thing in the morning especially when traveling. When we got home, the kid placed a call to the home phone very early in the morning - it rings much louder than the cell.

When we finally connected, we discussed a few of the emails we have exchanged in the last few weeks. The first was a confirmation that quite likely, the file on the stolen VA computer was never opened...and all of our financial records were safe. The second was a condition report on a Soldier that was critically hurt in Afghanistan. I had talked to family...and passed the information along. His gym buddy will make it but has a long rehab in front of him.

Then he discussed in broadest terms what is up. The temperatures are very hot, and indeed as the press reports, dehydration requiring the use of IV fluids in the field is pretty commonplace. There is an increase in IED attacks and there is often fierce battles between various units and the Taliban. Due to OPSEC regulations, he is unable to discuss much else - except to say that the mission is quite intense right now.

I can safely make the assumption that the "rocket's red glare" has a whole different meaning in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan than what it has here...as the U.S. celebrates Independance Day.

We made a date for me to buy...two rounds of ice cold beer, when he returns at the dive of his choice, anywhere in the U.S. He laughed hard saying "But Mom, you don't drink." I figure I can evolve. Just no cheap stuff, please.

Elected Officials

In the last few weeks, I have been attending political "candidate" forums. It is pretty sad, really. The war in Iraq is like the 9,000 ton elephant in the room: ever present - but no one wants to talk about it.

Last night, the incumbent representative from our Congressional district sent a young aide to read her position on issues. Until I asked the incumbant's position on Iraq, the subject was not raised. Of course, I already knew what it was - "Stay the course" and ignore...ignore...ignore.

Sadly, this is in an effort to get elected, actually standing up and taking a position reflective of the voters wishes is rather foreign to both parties. It is all about "winning" as brave young men and women are killed, horribly maimed or left with deep psychological scars that will last a lifetime.

Dirty political tricks are the soup de jour in American politics if someone dares to challenge the party politics and ask why or dares to challenge the status quo. A primary example of that can be found in the political calculation undertaken in the IL 8th district. An anti-war candidate mounted a petition drive to get on the ballot for the fall election. The Republican challenger, welcomed the candidate to the ballot because his political calculus tells him it may help him win this party financed seat. The Democratic incumbant and her party was not nearly so welcoming and possible political dirty tricks in the fine tradition of Chicagoland machine politics and the courts may decide if this grassroots campaign takes flight.

In the mean time, largely unnoticed and seemingly unimportant (except when campaigning), young men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan struggle on under nearly impossible conditions, suffer horrible wounds and are honored under the cover of darkness as they are shipped home in a body bag to shattered families.

Support the troops...as long as we win!

Mom---You gotta help me out!

In our most recent communications, finances were the topic of concern. It seems that my son learned of the recent, severe data breach that occurred in the VA system that placed sensitive personal information for some 26.5 veterans, family members and active duty soldiers at risk.

Of course, we had been aware of it by virtue of the news sources in the US. My husband is a vet who is involved...and my son's information was identified at risk. The soldiers serving in many places are not up on US news for obvious reasons. My son has been remotely located in Afghanistan for months - communication is sketchy at best and often strained because phone calls home are monitored on a 5 second delay using DOD equipment for operational security reasons.

On this issue, however, I was ahead of the game. I had already notified his bank to monitor transactions - specifically withdrawals since there would be few of them. An infantry soldier has little contact with the ATM while doing his job.

It is pretty sad to think that with all of the stresses placed on our service people in dangerous spots in the world, they must be concerned with being ripped off through identity theft because agents of our government lose their personal identification due to incompetence.

On Haditha

President Bush has described the incident in Haditha as "troubling". I beg to differ. As the Commander-in-Chief, Mr. Bush ought to have portrayed a realistic view of what war is really about to the American public before he ordered young men and women into harms way. That was his job.

Haditha is now being described in the press the My Lai of Iraq. Once again, as was the case 30 years before, American citizens do not understand how valiant young Americans can act so brutally.

Consider the following, taken from the publication NRO and written by W. Thomas Smith, Jr. an experienced Marine:

Let’s consider a frequent and typical attack on a Marine or Army patrol as an example: When a Humvee is hit by a mine or an IED, the result is nothing like what one might see in a movie. It’s not simply a blast and people are dead. No chest-clutching John Wayne departures with inspirational music. There is no glory. No adventure. It’s just the worst sort of human drama imaginable.

The vehicle, if close enough to the blast, flips into the air, snapping necks and spinal cords. Heads and limbs are torn from bodies. Gasoline ignites and ammunition cooks off, burning any survivors to a crisp.

Those soldiers and Marines (many of whom are still teenagers) who witness the action are instantly shocked, physically sickened, grief-stricken, and enraged over the horror of having watched buddies—who have become closer than any sibling might ever hope to be—torn to pieces. Badly wounded buddies are screaming in agony. Yet the ones uninjured or with minor injuries have to respond as trained. They are dismounting from vehicles, simultaneously removing safeties from weapons and racing for cover or assaulting in the direction of the ambush where seen or unseen forces are shooting at them. The counterattack often requires the instant establishment of a base of fire by one group while an enveloping force prepares to overwhelm the enemy. Blood-pressure is peaking. Adrenaline is pumping.

Surviving officers and NCOs (most of whom are in their twenties) are even busier. They are reporting their position, calling for supporting fires (if needed) and medical assistance. They also are shouting commands, directing troops, and generally trying to maintain order in the midst of chaos, and attempting to simplify what has in an instant become extraordinarily complex.

(full article can be found here)

Faced with the horror of seeing their buddy, a young Marine, dead, with half of his face blown off (as described by his best friend who was ordered to "clean up" after the incident), it is not hard to imagine that grief, mixed with healthy doses of fear...and anger could quickly turn to rage. Many of our Soldiers and Marines have served multiple deployments into these conditions and some are returning before the trauma of previous deployment has been effectively diagnosed or treated - if such treatment is possible.

As the author points out, many of these Marines were young men, many with no other life experience beyond high school than the Military. And no matter how it is marketed, the mission of the Infantry in both the Marines and the Army is to destroy the enemy before they destroy you. Bringing "freedom and democracy" is a political objective - not a military objective. In Iraq and Afghanistan, unlike the wars against Japan and Germany, the enemy does not wear a uniform that distinguishes them from civilians.

Was murder committed against innocent civilians in Haditha - almost certainly so. Who is legally responsible? That is a matter for the courts and our system of justice. Who is morally responsible? That question is more easily answered: We all are.

As these issues go forward in the press and remain in the public eye, I think it is important that a full examination of the incident is undertaken by voters. Americans tend to scapegoat incidents that make us "look bad" and "feel uncomfortable" when our beliefs are challenged.

Neither the press or the government do the American public any favors by portraying war as a valiant and noble cause. It is not. War has real casualties - on both sides. There is no background music save the agonizing screams of survivors and the tears of families and friends of those who perish. The flags on Main Street are half a world away and the yellow "Support the Troops" magnets are not in evidence on the blown apart Humvee. There is no bugle blowing Taps on the battlefield as our soldiers die. Often their final companion is a terrified and shocked teenaged warrior that tries to provide comfort and hope as he watches the life drain from the eyes of his buddy. He may have never seen death before...and certainly not one so violent. And then he must get up and "do his job."

Could you?

Could the President? After all, he set the tone: "Bring em on!"

Listen to the Diane Rehm (WMAU.org) interview regarding the investigation here