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Wednesday, June 08, 2005

My Two Cents - Hippie-crites

Damn, sometimes I hate it when I'm right.

Banned my first commenter from the blog the other day. They decided to use a rather innocuous post as a forum to spout the old babykiller / war-for-oil crap. Actually, it just about made me nauseous. The comment is gone, as is, hopefully, the commenter.

But it does prove that thirty-odd years later, those who spit on the returning troops, made joyful phonecalls to the families of slain heroes, those who use their freedom to castigate the ones that give it to them, are still out there. New voices, old song.

And I am, quite frankly, at a complete loss to understand that mentality. How do you look yourself in the mirror after saying those things? How do you live in a free society, bought with the sweat and blood of our military, and repay their efforts and sacrifices with that kind of hate? How do you sleep at night if that's who you are?

I've said more than once that it's a short trip from anti-war to anti-troop. Earlier today, I heard the story of a Nyack, NY woman whose son is the only one who won't be getting his scholarship presented onstage at his highschool graduation. Why? Because his scholarship is from ROTC.

Then there's Shea Riecke, who had the picture of her brother (a Marine) become a big issue when she wanted it displayed with other photos of that high school's graduates. Why? Because it was a picture of him in uniform, deployed and - gasp - holding a gun. Apparently, the gun was scanned out of the picture, so that it would meet the good ol' zero tolerance policy.

And Raven Furbert, denied permission to wear a red-white-and-blue necklace in support of our troops.

Institutionalized troop-hating. Lovely.

Most of the self-styled "hippies" I know haven't got the first clue about anything. They spout off whatever their latest icon has to say, and when confronted with facts, respond with "Oh, well, I didn't know that." Or, worse, they do what they do because they want to fit in with the group they pal around with. They preach tolerance, yet demonize the troops and call anyone with a different point of view from theirs an idiot, religious zealot, etc. How does that work, exactly? They call the government a fascist state, and yet want government to remove the right to bear arms (one of the first things true dictatorships often do), censor any speech that might make someone feel bad, and deny people the right to support the troops.

Hippie-crites.

I made a promise to myself a long time ago that what happened to returning Vietnam vets would not happen again, not in my little corner of the world, anyway. I hope that on a societal level, we can ensure that. Thank goodness for bloggers like Michelle Malkin, Smash and BlackFive, who keep supporting our heroes and getting the word out.

We who support the troops are a little disadvantaged to some extent, in that the MSM and our educational system seem to be largely on the other side. But despite what the Washington Post wants to trot out in their new poll results (hmm.... a far-left publication coming up with far-left sentiments - wow), most of America supports the troops, regardless of their view on this particular engagement or this particular Commander-in-Chief.

We need to have our own "zero-tolerance" policy. Zero tolerance for troop-haters. Zero tolerance for media that consistently looks for the negative in what our troops do. Zero tolerance for educators that want to push a far-left agenda. Zero tolerance for politicians who are ashamed of this country, ashamed of our founding fathers, ashamed of our military strength.

I have to admit that I was genuinely upset by that comment I saw. But in a way, I guess it was good for me. It strengthened my resolve. Never again - not in my little corner of the world.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to every member of our Armed Services, past, and future, from the proud descendent of Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, and World War II veterans, and the proud daughter-in-law of a Vietnam veteran.

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The Maine Troop Greeters

The Maine Troop Greeters

Bangor, ME (PRWEB) June 8, 2005 -- The Maine Troop Greeters, an informal group of veterans and civilians dedicated to welcoming our military men and women as they pass through Bangor International Airport in Bangor, Maine, proudly announce their newly formed alliance with Soldier’s Angels. The main goal of the Maine Troop Greeters is to honor the troops for the job they are doing and to acknowledge and show gratitude for the sacrifice each service member and their family are making. The Maine Troop Greeters are honored to meet and greet our military troops regardless of the weather or time of night and to date have welcomed close to 200,000 troops.

The formation of this alliance will enable Soldiers Angels to solicit publicity and financial assistance that will help the Maine Troop Greeters fulfill their mission. According to greeter Olive S. Volk, there are many thoughts on what would make life just a little better for these troops when they arrive in Bangor, however, it will take a huge outpouring of love and support from a lot of people to make it happen. For instance, the airport offers a fine cafeteria, but many of the incoming troops arrive without enough money in their pockets to buy a coffee. The group hopes to provide troops with vouchers to purchase a meal and/or beverage from the airport cafeteria, hotel vouchers for when families are stranded, wireless Internet connection in and around the troop room, laptops and/or other devices for troops to send or receive email.

Other useful items include: MP3 players, portable DVD players with a supply of movies, game systems and supply of games all of which will help keep morale up while waiting hours to depart. Also, international phone cards that work in both Baghdad and Kuwait, disposable digital cameras with bubble wrap envelopes to send them home, boxes of individually wrapped wipes, jump ropes and other small exercise equipment, travel games, eye drops, small bottles of hand sanitizer, sun block, gold bond products, razors, tampons and other feminine products, hand lotion, socks, Dr. Scholls gel inserts/regular inserts for boots, Johnson and Johnson products, sunglasses, toiletries, pencils, pens, small notebooks, and American flags in assorted sizes.

For more information on how you can assist the Maine Troop Greeters please contact
Soldiers Angels
www.soldiersangels.org
626-398-4224 or
visit www.mainetroopgreeters.com.
soldiersangels@gmail.com

# # #

Press Contact: Patti Bader
Company Name: SOLDIERS ANGELS
Email: soldiersangels@gmail.com
Phone: 626 398 3131
Website: http://www.mainetroopgreeters.com

More Information: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/6/prweb248274.htm

The Maine Troop Greeters

Welcome Home Dan

Welcome Home to Dan E., his fellow platoon members, and all of the 82nd Airborne's returning heroes. Job Well Done, and Thank You!

Dan's mom says they're all really proud of him, and of the great job he and his platoon did in Iraq. So are we all. And a big thank you to Dan's mom, Sara, for all that she does to support our heroes in harm's way.

AL QAIM, Iraq – At 25 years of age 1st Lt. William Wallace, a UH-1N Huey pilot with Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, Detachment Al Qaim is the youngest pilot in the squadron. The native of La Grange, Ky., was commissioned a Marine officer in 2001 after graduating from Eastern Kentucky University.Photo by: Sgt. Juan Vara
Read the Story Associated with this photo at Marine Corps News.

Army News


Soldiers from the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division and Iraqi troops, assisted by close combat air support, search for insurgents near Samarra. Photo by Kim Allain.

Troops Foil Eight Planned Terrorist Attacks in Iraq
U.S. Soldiers and Iraqi forces foiled eight planned attacks in Iraq, captured 116 suspected terrorists and killed three others. Much of the credit for the captures goes to Iraqi civilians. “The number of tips received by the local populous shows that they have grown tired of terrorists living in their neighborhoods,” said a leader of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. He added that the Iraqi Army is rapidly improving its proficiency. More

New Job Opportunities for Severely Wounded
An agreement between Veterans Affairs and Walter Reed Army Medical Center now gives severely wounded service members, the opportunity to receive training through the VA while they are recuperating, as well as temporary jobs. Thirty-five troops have already taken advantage of the program, called VET IT. Fifteen of those 35 now have permanent VA positions, and more than 800 veterans on medical hold status could benefit from this program. More

'Statues of Servicemen' Immortalizes Fallen Troops
The "Statues of Servicemen" campaign is a nationwide effort to immortalize every U.S. service member killed in the war on terrorism. The fallen will be honored with the creation of bronze statues of their likeness and placed in their hometowns. Several statues have already been erected or are being planned. Campaign leaders are working with parents and spouses around the country to memorialize more troops. More

Army testing new types of eye protection
Army engineers help transform Najaf Teaching Hospital
Coalition foils 8 attacks in Iraq, detains 116 terrorists
U.S., Russian Soldiers assault Grafenwoehr in Torgau ‘05
Hot race means mixed results for military drivers
Army team takes rain-delayed hot laps in final practice
Dave Weiss – Army tire carrier
New defense policy to transform Canadian forces

from http://www.army.mil

In Today's News - Wednesday, June 8, 2005

Quote of the Day
"We can't all be heroes, because somebody has to sit on the curb and applaud when they go by."
-- Will Rogers


News of Note
Weapons found at Iraq's UK embassy

Homeland Security / War on Terror
California Men Nabbed for Terror Links

Fallen Heroes
Highest-ranking soldier to die in Iraq identified by the Army
Three Colorado-Based Soldiers Killed In Iraq Explosion
Necklace stolen from grave of Iraqi war veteran

Weirdest (and most disgusting) News Story of the Day
Body Parts Fall From Airplane


JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press
Restart of nuke talks is only first step
Tony Blair wins kind words from Bush
Man with stained chain saw let in to U.S.
Official: Rebels open to talk with Iraq


Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Saudis deny persecuting Christians
Syria vice president intends to resign
Violence in Gaza, West Bank leaves 6 dead


The US News: Iraq News
Iraqi guilty of people smuggling
At Least Seven Killed in Iraq Truck Convoy
Iraqi troops killed in checkpoint blasts
Judge wants to question U.S. troops on Iraq deaths
Iraqis detain 900 in swoop on militants
Gunmen kidnap Turkish businessman in Iraq
Macedonia to send new army unit to Iraq
Iraqi Government Backs Away From Statement That Saddam Will Be Tried Within Two Months Iraqis eye credit to boost economy
US Senators praise Bush's pick for Iraq ambassador


Various Sources
Afghan Mosque Bombing Called Attack on Election Process
Riot breaks out at Abu Ghraib prison as Iraqi tries to escape


Fox News
U.S.: $674M for Africa Aid
Afghan Mortar Attack Kills GI
Asians Welcome Korea Talks
Panel OKs Patriot Act Upgrade
Mideast Truce Still Holding
Dems: No Info, No Bolton Vote
Body Parts Fall From Airplane
Senate Ends Debate on Brown
Backing the Badr Brigade


Department of Defense
Actions Must Be 'Above Reproach' — Story
Afghan, Coalition Forces Nab Insurgents — Story

ON THE GROUND
Reservists Provide Vital Warfighting Training — Story Photos
Troops Clear Unexploded Ordnance from Farm — Story
Engineers Upgrade Baghdad Power Grid — Story
Wounded Soldier Re-enlists During Recovery — Story
Chemical Soldiers Train on New Equipment — Story

IN IRAQ
Desert Dust Part of Deployment

IN AFGHANISTAN
Total Force Combats Explosive Devices

FACE OF DEFENSE
Airman Helps People Get Back on Their Feet — Story

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
Operation Birdie Benefits Children — Story
'Statues' Pay Tribute to Fallen
Chicago PD Thanks Troops

TOP NEWS
SPECIAL REPORTS
Base Realignment and Closure 2005
Medal of Honor
Two Years in Iraq

IN IRAQ
Convoy Attacked; 2 Marines Killed
Najaf Teaching Hospital Improves
Citizen Tips Target Insurgents
Iraqi Discusses Saddam Trial
Iraq Daily Update
Multinational Force Iraq
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

IN AFGHANISTAN
Afghan Army Officer to Visit U.S.
Terrorist Killed in Failed Ambush
Defense Leaders' Views on Afghanistan
Enduring Freedom Marks 3 Years
Afghanistan Daily Update Maps
Afghan Reconstruction Group Recruiting

WAR ON TERRORISM
Myers Discusses 'Gitmo' Facility
Chairman Talks Media Focus
Piracy Highlights Need for Security
Koran Inquiry: Respectful Handling
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Rumsfeld Visits Bangkok Photos
Pace Discusses Marine Legacy
New Launch Date for NSPS
BRAC Can Benefit Communities
Veterans Benefit From Agreement
National Guard, Reserve Update

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify Army Casualties — Story


Weather
from The Weather Channel

Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar


Today in History
452 - Attila the Hun invades Italy invaded by Attila the Hun
570 - Islam is founded (?)
1861 - Tennessee votes to secede from the Union.
1862 - Battle of Cross Keys, VA.
1915 - Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan resigns.
1948 - John Rudder becomes the first black commissioned officer in the USMC.
1965 - U.S. troops are given orders to fight offensively in Vietnam.
1967 - In the Mediterranean, Israel attacks the USS Liberty , killing 34.
1975 - The U.S.S.R. launches the Venera 9, bound for Venus.
1982 - President Ronald Reagan addresses a joint session of the British Parliament.
1986 - Alleged Nazi Kurt Waldheim is elected president of Austria.


Birthdays
1813 - David D. Porter, U.S. Admiral (Civil War)
1847 - Ida Sazton McKinley, 1st lady
1916 - Francis Crick, codiscovered DNA's structure, Nobel Prize winner
1937 - Bruce McCandless II, Captain USN / astronaut (STS 41B, STS-31)

Passings
632 - Mohammed, prophet of Islam (traditional)
1809 - Thomas Paine, writer, patriot (Age of Reason, Common Sense)

Reported Missing in Action
1963
Krause, Arthur E., Civilian (IL); Philco engineer, Released November, 1963

1967
Apodaca, Victor J., USAF (CO); F4C shot down; presumed dead
Busch, Jon T., USAF (OH); F4C shot down; remains returned October, 1988 (Contested)
Myers, David G., USMC (PA); KIA, body not recovered - died near Hill 881, near Khe Sahn (ground fire)

1969
Harris, Jessie B., US Army (NY); Released October, 1969

1972
Murphy, John S., Jr., USAF (TX); F4E shot down June, 1972, Released by PRG March, 1973

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