Who cares??

[thedrifter]

Thursday, February 08, 2007
Who cares??

You know it’s a sad state for our country when I land only to see all the news channels reporting Anna Nicole Smith died today in a hotel down in Florida. Here is the problem with our country, they focus international news for, well, all day on a former stripper and gal that bared her body to Playboy, married rich and sucked as actor. I’m sorry that she is dead, but if that was you or me who died, would CNN talk about us? Maybe if we walked into a 7-11 with an AK and took the place out, then they might.

Folks, I know I’m preaching to the choir here but what about all the heroes who die in a war saving others lives, where is the coverage for that? It frustrates me that America would rather be undated with useless news on worthless actors, who they are sleeping with, what they wear and who will be divorced next. I can understand say Elvis, that guy did something with his life, but this gal??? She was a nobody, nothing but will be remembered for years about our military, but she will probably immortalized as a goddess diva for absolutely doing nothing.

In a side bar on the news, Iran has threatened the U.S. with attacks on us worldwide if we even sneeze in their direction, but that only made it on the news for about 20 seconds. No, we can’t watch that… we have to mourn over poor Anna who most likely killed herself to fit into the Hollywood life style of the Rich and Famous.

Well, I pray for the souls of the seven that were lost in the CH 46 from my old base in TQ Iraq, those names will be erased in the sands of times, and Anna will remain. I wonder what will happen to all those folks who are insanely interested in that kind of stuff when the first Nuke or roadside bomb goes off in their neighborhood. Will they still be clamoring for details on who is the it girl and guy in Hollywood, or will they be looking for the heroes to come save their lives who are willing to take a bullet from our enemy for 20K a year and not a 20 million dollar contract?

America, WAKE UP.

Semper Fi,
Taco

Ellie

[8th&I Marine]

well said.

Cantrell

[Old Marine]

Please explain what this guy Elvis did with his life that was so great.

[DWG]

Please explain what this guy Elvis did with his life that was so great.

The boy COULD sing! His private life was a train wreck, but his music will live on! And I didn't even like it back when he was alive!

[YLDNDN6]

Don't Be Cruel, Old Marine. You ain't nuthin' but a hound dog! Why, I heard that he once "Blew Hawaii." Not even Rod Stewart can claim that!

[rktect3j]

Please explain what this guy Elvis did with his life that was so great.
He did serve his country.

[DWG]

Please explain what this guy Elvis did with his life that was so great.

Made a LOT of bad movies-but they did employ a lot of people during shooting!;)

Viva Las Vegas; Kentucky Rain;Promised Land

[ggyoung]

He did serve his country and did not ask for anything special. He was a tank crewmen. While at 29 Palms myself and a couple got tickets from s.s, to one of his showes in Vages. It was great. He served and people like Clashs Clay did not and he still made millions.

[10thzodiac]

Don't Be Cruel, Old Marine. You ain't nuthin' but a hound dog! Why, I heard that he once "Blew Hawaii." Not even Rod Stewart can claim that!

I recently stayed across the street from where "Blue Hawaii" was filmed on Kauaʻi. It didn't look anything like the movie, but a good place to kick back instead of Oʻahu. They charged me to park my car at the hotel, which isn't that uncommon in Hawaii, but in rural Hawaii too ?

The wife just had to have a picture in front of "Coconut Grove" where Presley filmed "Blue Hawaii", she asked me if I wanted a picture there too, http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/18.gif

The Mrs. had me stop at Memphis and tour "The King's" home. Presley's army fatigues looked as if he was short. Graceland the building was not that impressive and the people visiting were showing attachment to Presley, guys just as much as the ladies [wife]! He even had his Boeing 707 parked across the street. Yes, when nobody was looking, the wife had to try his bed out aboard his plane the "Lisa Marie" http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/11.gif

[marinemom]

I agree with you, Ellie. THis makes as much sense as those millionaire race horse owners creating a charity trust in the name of Barbaro to fund equine health research.

Sorry that the horse died - but how about a couple of those hundreds of million dollars going to St Jude's Childrens Research Hospital.

America - please try to get your priorities straight!

[bootlace15]

hip hop to the barber shop ELVIS got his hair cut!!!!!!!!!!!!!And was'nt notin like Cassius clay and the jail house rock..........

bootlace15 out

[bootlace15]

hip hop to the barber shop ELVIS got his hair cut!!!!!!!!!!!!!And was'nt notin like Cassius clay and the jail house rock..........

bootlace15 out

[10thzodiac]

A horse is a horse.

When a horse receives more attention than U.S. men and women who have relinquished their lives or limbs in Iraq then we have a problem.

This is a horse ladies and gentlemen, not Spc. David P. Mahlenbrock, 20, a Company B 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division member from Maple Shade who died December 2004 when a roadside bomb exploded in Kirkuk.

Barbaro paled in comparison to Spc. Ryan T. Baker, 24, of Browns Mills who perished when two 101st Airborne Division Black Hawk helicopters collided over Mosul in November 2003.

The horse could never match the importance of 19-year-old Pfc. Nathaniel E. Detample of Morrisville, Pa., one of four soldiers killed when a mine exploded in Bayji in August, 2005.

So, where is all the love for the 3,111 Americans killed in Iraq along with the thousands missing more body parts than an early-staged Mr. Potato Head??

Whether you support the Iraq War or don’t, there should be no argument that our U.S. men and women who strap up every day in one of the world’s most dangerous environments deserve our concern.

These brave soldiers would surrender their last breath to preserve our way of life, which includes the freedom to place a $2 bet on a horse at Philadelphia Park.

Just today at Sam's Club, one of the ladies that was giving out food samples asked me, "Did you see the man with the "Fox hat and coat on?" I said, "no, why?" I'm an animal rights activists...

I blew her fcuking mind, I told her, "do you know how many unwanted pets in America are euthanized everyday?" Over 4,000.

I then went on to ask her, "what about the troops?" She looked at me as if I was from mars and replied, "thats already done, there is nothing we can do!"

SF
10thz http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/22.gif

[DWG]

Good post, you old anarchist!
:thumbup:
best be careful-you'll blow your bad rep!
;)

[10thzodiac]

The futility of a failed strategy and the support of our troops are two mutually exclusive concepts.

Why is that so difficult for people to understand?

<CITE>Obvious To Me </CITE>
<CITE></CITE>
<CITE>10thz </CITE>

[DWG]

The futility of a failed strategy and the support of our troops are two mutually exclusive concepts.

Why is that so difficult for people to understand?

<CITE>Obvious To Me </CITE>
<CITE></CITE>
<CITE>10thz </CITE>

As long as we have troops in harms' way, we support the entire effort! Otherwise, we are deserting the troops!
:evilgrin:

[10thzodiac]

Zinni, who now teaches international relations at the College of William and Mary, says he feels a responsibility to speak out, just as former Marine Corps Commandant David Shoup voiced early concerns about the Vietnam war nearly 40 years ago.

“It is part of your duty. Look, there is one statement that bothers me more than anything else. And that's the idea that when the troops are in combat, everybody has to shut up. Imagine if we put troops in combat with a faulty rifle, and that rifle was malfunctioning, and troops were dying as a result,” says Zinni.

“I can't think anyone would allow that to happen, that would not speak up. Well, what's the difference between a faulty plan and strategy that's getting just as many troops killed? It’s leading down a path where we're not succeeding and accomplishing the missions we've set out to do.”

60 Minutes asked Secretary Rumsfeld and his deputy Wolfowitz to respond to Zinni's remarks. The request for an interview was declined.

Zinni spent more than 40 years serving his country as a warrior and diplomat, rising from a young lieutenant in Vietnam to four-star general with a reputation for candor.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/05/21/60minutes/main618896.shtml

[DWG]

Disageement on policy is one thing. Going public and shrieking your opinions in the mass(hysteria) media does nothing but encourage our enemies to hang on a little longer and let the press do their dirty work. If Viet Nam taught them nothing else, it was that. The main thing our troops need, besides our total support, is to be unleashed to do the job the military is intended for. Defeat the enemy, crush his will to resist and destroy his bases, allies and material. The politicians have gotten so gunshy of the press they try to have a "clean" war and that does nothing but cause more casualties for us. Generals have criticized the gov. since the Civil War. Having stars on your shoulder doesn't mean you're right-that's why the military doesn't set policy!:usmc:

[YLDNDN6]

But wouldn't that be an interesting experiment???

[DWG]

But wouldn't that be an interesting experiment???

Not really, bananas don't grow well enough here to actually make a complete republic out of them!:banana: :banana: :D

[rockyusmc]

first,is this country so shallow,that some bimbo gets all this coverage?is this country going to hell or what?the media claims that public has to know.the only problem is that the media decides what you should know.when it comes to a war,the media,politiciansand former officers below the rank of major should keep quiet.there is only one way to fight a war.all out!no stupid roe.you are not playing with boxing ring rules.do it the way it was in ww2.you may not like what i say,but i was told by my di not to give the enemy a break.:mad:

[10thzodiac]

February 09, 2007

Gates and Pace Say Congressional Debate On Escalation Does Not Harm The Troops

http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/pacegates.jpg Conservatives have repeatedly tried to argue that opposition to President Bush’s escalation in Iraq undermines the troops. In January, Vice President Cheney said that a resolution.

Cheney should spend less time on non-binding resolutions and more on equipping our forces. An audit by the Pentagon’s Inspector General (http://www.louise.house.gov/images/dod_ig_equipmentaudit_1%2025%2007.pdf) released to Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) shows that U.S. soldiers have had to go without the necessary weapons, armor, vehicles, and equipment (http://www.businessweek.com/print/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jan2007/db20070130_624241.htm) in Iraq and Afghanistan:

For weeks now, the principal conservative talking point against a congressional resolution criticizing Bush’s war escalation is that debate undermines the troops and emboldens the enemy. The argument has been embraced by everyone from Dick Cheney to John McCain to Bill Kristol.

It is, unfortunately, demagoguery at its most insipid. War supporters can’t come up with a coherent defense of their preferred policy, so they’re left to question the patriotism of anyone who has the audacity to disagree with them. In testimony before the House Armed Services Committee this week, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Peter Pace and Defense Secretary Robert Gates rejected the premise (http://thinkprogress.org/2007/02/07/gates-pace-troops/) of the far-right argument.

Pace: As long as this Congress continues to do what it has done, which is to provide the resources for the mission, the dialogue will be the dialogue, and the troops will feel supported.

Gates: I think they’re [the troops are] sophisticated enough to understand that that’s what the debate’s really about.

As if that wasn’t quite clear enough, Pace went on to say (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/07/AR2007020702550.html), “There’s no doubt in my mind that the dialogue here in Washington strengthens our democracy. Period.” He added that potential enemies may take some comfort from the rancor but said they “don’t have a clue how democracy works.”

Today the White House communications shop blasted out an email questioning that interpretation of the event.

To hear the White House tell it, the most important part of the hearing was Gates telling lawmakers, “From the standpoint of the troops, I believe that they understand how our legislature works and that they understand that there’s going to be this kind of debate. But they’re going to be looking to see whether or not they are supported in the realm of mission given and resources provided.” (emphasis in the original)

The White House really must think everyone outside the West Wing is a fool.

Maybe the Bush gang ought to re-read the transcript of the hearing — and pay special attention to the part about discussion “strengthening our democracy.”

[rockyusmc]

hell, i say kill em all let god sort them out :evilgrin:

[semperfi170]

Unfortunately for those that don't see it, debate within the legislature is healthy. That is why our Founding Fathers set up 3 equal but seperate branches of government. As citizens we have the right to disagree with our government and speak out. One way of speaking out is voting. I can respect General Zinni's opinions based on his experience versus a loud mouth pig like Murtha or Kerry. Yes, continue the debate, but continue to provide what our troops need to do the assigned mission till that mission is changed.

Are we in along term war against Muslim & other associated terrorist? What is our long term strategy? These type of questions need to be answered without leaking actual tactics and other secrets. It is time to properly muzzle those who disclose secrets that harm this country and our Armed Forces!