Comments are fixed - once again, sorry 'bout that.

Now if you could just do something about these liberal trolls...

Bush said that "I sense something different happening in Iraq" and predicted that "progress will be steady" toward achieving the U.S. mission there.

“U.S. data showed attacks on security forces in Baghdad has averaged 34 a day over several days, compared to 24 in recent months. Baghdad morgue has taken in 1,000 bodies this month.”

“A U.S. raid on an al Qaeda suspect near Baquba, northeast of the city, led to the death of two male militants, two women and a child, the military said in a statement. Local police and doctors said six civilians, including a girl aged 3 were killed.”

At this time, I think it might be a good idea to read a few quotes from T.R. Fehrenbach. Some of the military readers might recognize it – I believe that his “This Kind of War” is still required reading at the Academy . . .

“Any kind of war short of jihad was, is, and will be unpopular with the people. Because such wars are fought with legions, and Americans, even when they are proud of them, do not like their legions.”

“Before 1939, The United Sates Army was small, but it was professional. Its tiny officer corps was parochial, but true. Its members devoted themselves to the study of war, caring little about what went on in the larger society around them. They were centurions, and the society around them not their concern.”

“In a truly liberal society, centurions have no place. For centurions, when they put on the soldier, do not retain the citizen. They were never citizens to begin with.

There was and is no danger of military domination of the nation. The Constitution gave Congress the power of life and death over the military, and they have always accepted the fact. The danger has always been the other way around – the liberal society in its heart, wants not only domination of the military, but acquiescence of the military to the liberal view of life.

Domination and control society should have. The record of military rule, from the burnished and lazy Praetorians to the juntas of Latin America, to the attempted fiasco of the Legion Estrangere, are pages of history singularly foul in odor.

But acquiescence society may not have, if it wants an army worth a damn. By the very nature of its mission, the army must maintain a hard and illiberal view of life and the world. Society’s purpose is to live; the military’s is to stand ready, if need be, to die.”

“There is much to military training that seems childish, stultifying, and even brutal. But one essential part of breaking men into military life is the removal of misfits – and in the service a man is a misfit who cannot obey orders, any orders, and who cannot stand immense and searing mental and physical pressure. For his own sake and for that of those around him, a man must be prepared for the awful, shrieking moment of truth when he realizes that he is all alone on a hill, ten thousand miles from home, and that he may be killed in the next second.

The young men of America, whatever their strata, are raised in a permissive society. The increasing alienation of their education from the harsher realities of life makes their reorientation, once enlisted, doubly important.”

“It has been a long, long time since American citizens have been able to take down the musket from the mantelpiece and go fight. But they still cling to the belief that they can do so, and do it well, without training.

This is the error that leads some men to cry out that Americans are decadent.

If Americans in 1950 were decadent, so were the rabble who streamed miserably into Valley Forge, where von Steubing made soldiers out of them. If America society has no will to defend itself, neither did it in 1861, at First Manassas, or later at Shiloh, when whole regiments of Americans turned tail and ran.”

“The problem is not that Americans are soft but that they simply will not face what war is all about until they have had their teeth kicked in. They will not face the fact that the military professionals, while some may have some ideas about society in general that are distorted and must e watched, still know better than anyone else how a war is won. Free society cannot be oriented towards the battlefield – Sparta knew that trap – but some adjustments must be made, as the squabbling Athenians learned to their sorrow. The sociologists and psychologists of Vienna had no answer to the Nazi bayonets, when they crashed against their doors. The soldiers of the democratic world did.

I recommend getting a copy of the book. It will explain much about how wars are fought, why America is having problems, and what those problems are.

A U.S. raid on an al Qaeda suspect near Baquba, northeast of the city, led to the death of two male militants, two women and a child, the military said in a statement. Local police and doctors said six civilians, including a girl aged 3 were killed.

Not a bad haul. 2 murdering "freedom fighters" and their bitches and brats.

Yeah, Thanks Barney for updating us on the success of our forces in Iraq. I bet you are glad with have a fearless leader like President Bush leading our great men and women in the military.

Muslims should learn a lesson from this...if your gonna hang out with cowardly terrorist, you will suffer their fate.

“Not a bad haul. 2 murdering "freedom fighters" and their bitches and brats.”

And, don’t forget about this bitch:

Iraqi authorities say the victims were a couple and their two daughters. The rape victim may have only been 14. It's alleged the soldiers planned the rape after spotting her at a U-S military checkpoint.
or as Bush said:

"progress will be steady toward achieving the U.S. mission there."

maybe if this posts my other one will too...

Guess not. Well,

It's alleged the soldiers planned the rape after spotting her at a U-S military checkpoint.

Alleged? Then let's just use the John Murtha standard of justice and go straight to punishment. No need for a trial or a conviction. My God, you libs shre hate the military.

Barney,

And don't forget these bitches, either:

The Ministry of Health says that more than 50,000 people have been killed "in a brutal way" since April 2003. "All these bodies were unrecognisable and suffered serious torture," says Safa'a Yehia, senior official in the Ministry of Heath. "What is more shocking is that this included women and children. We have reached a serious deterioration in conditions and instead of an improvement of this sectarian violence, the death toll is rising without control."

In the ultimate nanny state of Washington, they're attempting to invade peoples' privacy:

Washington state health officials will soon start asking detailed questions about the health of some state residents — and even give them brief physical exams.

The door-to-door survey of 1,100 randomly selected households across the state will try to learn more about our health, and especially about our risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, to better target preventive educational programs

Look what they will be doing. The NSA should have it this good:

In this latest survey, selected participants will be asked about their access to health care and whether they have dental problems, osteoporosis, emphysema or cancer. Other questions will center on diet, medications and other risks for disease such as tobacco and alcohol use.

A nurse on each survey team will measure blood pressure, pulse, height, weight and waist size.

A blood sample will be taken to measure cholesterol and blood sugar.

A hair sample, to measure mercury levels, will be taken from women of childbearing age and participants 60 and older.

"We'll ask about fish consumption to see if certain types cause higher levels of mercury," said VanEenwyk.

Boy! That state must be rich to do stuff like that!!! But wait...

The survey is being financed by an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kansas and Arkansas also were awarded survey grants.

My tax dollars at work, again. But but but but...Isn't that part of DHHS? And isn't that a Bush cabinet department? Where's the conspiracy theories from the Lefties? Is "big" Jim McDermott going to allow this probing of his constituents. What might the evil Boooosh do with this data. Let's have an investigation. I demand an oversight group. And another to provide oversight of the oversight group.

John Bolton said, “How do you negotiate with terrorists?” Maybe ask your boss first?

“Rice said she would work with allies to help create conditions for "stability and lasting peace."

Rice said that it was important to deal with the "root cause" of the violence, echoing what has been the U.S. position since last week.

Letter from Joe Repya, Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army, 101st Airborne Division

"I'm Tired"

Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth month of duty in Iraq, I was forced to return to the USA for surgery for an injury I sustained prior to my deployment. With luck, I'll return to Iraq to finish my tour.

I left Baghdad and a war that has every indication that we are winning, to return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971 after my tour in Vietnam. Maybe it's because I'll turn 60 years old in just four months, but I'm tired:

I'm tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican who lack the courage, fortitude, and character to see these difficult tasks through.

I'm tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history when the going gets tough.

I'm tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they 'Support the Troops' by wanting them to 'Cut and Run' before victory is achieved.

I'm tired of a mainstream media that can only focus on car bombs and casualty reports because they are too afraid to leave the safety of their hotels to report on the courage and success our brave men and women are having on the battlefield.

I'm tired that so many Americans think you can rebuild a dictatorship into a democracy over night.

I'm tired that so many ignore the bravery of the Iraqi people to go to the voting booth and freely elect a Constitution and soon a permanent Parliament.

I'm tired of the so called 'Elite Left' that prolongs this war by giving aid and comfort to our enemy, just as they did during the Vietnam War.

I'm tired of antiwar protesters showing up at the funerals of our fallen soldiers. A family who's loved ones gave their life in a just and noble cause, only to be cruelly tormented on the funeral day by cowardly protesters is beyond shameful.

I'm tired that my generation, the Baby Boom - Vietnam generation, who have such a weak backbone that they can't stomach seeing the difficult tasks through to victory.

I'm tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of captives than they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.

I'm tired that when we find mass graves it is seldom reported by the press, but mistreat a prisoner and it is front page news.

Mostly, I'm tired that the people of this great nation didn't learn from history that there is no substitute for Victory.

Sincerely, Joe Repya, Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army, 101st Airborne Division

Scaramonga,

Are all of you this kind of slow? I'll make this really, really easy for even you to understand:

If you agree to answer questions, your privacy hasn't been invaded.

Hey war, you forgot to mention that Gen Ripper, I mean Col Repya, is a Bush lackey. Like he is really objective. Why don’t you just quote Chalibi?

-Bush-Cheney '04 Minnesota Veterans Coalition Co-Chairs: Lieutenant Colonel Joe Repya (U.S. Army, Ret.) - Repya volunteered for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in August 1990 and joined the 1st Infantry Division in December 1990 as a member of the Aviation Brigade. He spent seven months on active duty in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq, flying combat helicopter missions. Active in the Minneapolis Iraqi community.

http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/bush/bushorgmn.html

Blarney,

Does that make his feelings and opinions any less valid? Given that he is active in the MN Iraqi community, I would give his words more credence not less.

Hey Barney...he's a veteran of 3 wars, I don't care if he's a Bush supporter or not. He's been in 3 wars and he speaks for himself.

Isn't it funny, apparently it's ok for you crap on our soldiers like Mr. Repya but God forbid when one of us questions Kerry's purple hearts or Murtha's state of mind...no no, can't go there.

Wasn't it his unit that raped that 14-year old girl?

So does that mean the opinion of the soldiers coming back, who have the exact opposite sentiments about Iraq--and the war in general-- are just as valid as this guys?

Isn’t it funny how Joe Wilson is a political hack because he advised Kerry during the ’04 election, but Col Repya is an objective observer of the Iraq war even though he was an active campaigner for Bush?

Can you say “Right Wing Hypocrites”?

Raped a 14 year old girl? Really. Have some proof of that Barney? The only rapes I've heard of lately were by Bill Clinton (claimed by 4 different women) and the Duke Lacrosse case.

Hey warriornation,

That creep Barneyg2000, who makes Barney from the Flintstones look smart, is nothing but a steaming pile of dogcrap. As soon as you put the lie to his "arguments" he cries like a baby. What a turd.

warrior,

turn-about is fair play.

Care to show your proof about the Clinton rapes?

Didn't think so

But the Supposed rape/mass murder of iraqi civilians is still under investigation.

I can't wait to hear the details of the AT&T case that is going foward in SF, I wan't to hear these guys squirm out of their seats explaining their actions.

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/judge-rules-against-government-in/20060720151009990009?cid=2194

It's fair play....really? Was this guy's unit really the one accused? I don't think so.

Was Clinton accused by 4 different women over 27 different years...ever heard of a PATTERN?

Secondly, sure the voices of the soldiers coming back and their views are important and valid. Considering the retention rates in the service and the support of the war among active military is above 50% I'm not exactly worried. The problem is that you lunatics give credence to 6 Generals and not 1500 that are against you. You lunatics give credence to a handful of returning soldiers that are concerned with what's going on over there but refuse to acknowledge (and often disparage) those military men / women that say things are progressing and the cause is noble. .

These people GET IT. You do not.

The next time the USA is attacked you will sit their fat, dumb and happy with your thumb up your ass and wonder how it happened. It will be because of you and others like you that refuse to see the job through to completion.

It's fair play....really? Was this guy's unit really the one accused? I don't think so.

Was Clinton accused by 4 different women over 27 different years...ever heard of a PATTERN?

Secondly, sure the voices of the soldiers coming back and their views are important and valid. Considering the retention rates in the service and the support of the war among active military is above 50% I'm not exactly worried. The problem is that you lunatics give credence to 6 Generals and not 1500 that are against you. You lunatics give credence to a handful of returning soldiers that are concerned with what's going on over there but refuse to acknowledge (and often disparage) those military men / women that say things are progressing and the cause is noble. .

These people GET IT. You do not.

The next time the USA is attacked you will sit their fat, dumb and happy with your thumb up your ass and wonder how it happened. It will be because of you and others like you that refuse to see the job through to completion.

Shocking TEO...the 9th Circus..I mean 9th Circuit, the most liberal court in the land let this go through. This is why they are the most overturned Federal Court in the country by the SCOTUS.

Look for SCOTUS to bitch slap them again for their idiocy.

52% of Bush's Judicial Nominees Confirmed

52% Confirmation Rate for Bush Judicial Nominees to the U.S. Court of Appeals
July 21, 2006 | new yorker 77

Posted on 07/21/2006 1:43:11 PM PDT by new yorker 77

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Since President Bush took office in 2001 he has nominated 67 individuals to the U.S. Court of Appeals.

14 individuals have been nominated twice while 6 individuals have been nominated three times.

93 Total Nominations (52% Confirmed – 48 Confirmations; 93 Nominations)

67 Different Nominees (72% Confirmed – 48 Confirmed; 6 Withdrawn; 1 Retired; 12 Pending)
47 Nominated One Time (76% Confirmed – 35 Confirmed; 3 Withdrawn; 9 Pending)
14 Nominated Two Times (64% Confirmed – 9 Confirmed; 2 Withdrawn; 1 Retired; 2 Pending)
6 Nominated Three Times (67% Confirmed – 4 Confirmed; 1 Withdrawn; 1 Pending)

-----------------------------------------------

107th Congress (53% Confirmation Rate)

32 Nominees (32 New Nominees)
17 Confirmed
15 Not Confirmed

--------------------------------------------

108th Congress (53% Confirmation Rate)

34 Nominees (20 New Nominees; 14 Renominated)
18 Confirmed
16 Not Confirmed

----------------------------------------

109th Congress (48% Confirmation Rate)

27 Nominees (15 New Nominees; 6 Renominated; 6 Re-Renominated)
13 Confirmed
2 Not Confirmed
12 Pending

---------------------------------------* Nominated twice.
** Nominated three times.
C New tone Clintonoid nominee.

---------------------------------------

67 – Keisler, Peter D. – Nominated June 29, 2006 – DC Circuit – PENDING
66 – Murphy III, Joseph – Nominated June 28, 2006 – Sixth Circuit – PENDING
65 – Kethledge, Raymond – Nominated June 28, 2006 – Sixth Circuit – PENDING
64 – Jordan, Kent – Nominated June 28, 2006 – Third Circuit – PENDING
63 – Livingston, Debra Ann – Nominated June 28, 2006 – Second Circuit – PENDING
62 – Moore, Kimberly Ann – Nominated May 18, 2006 – Federal Circuit – PENDING
61 – Shepard, Bobby E. – Nominated May 18, 2006 – Eighth Circuit – CONFIRMED July 20, 2006
60 – Gorsuch, Neil M. – Nominated May 10, 2006 – Tenth Circuit – CONFIRMED July 20, 2006
59 – Holmes, Jerome A. – Nominated May 4, 2006 – Tenth Circuit – PENDING
58 – Smith, Milan – Nominated February 14, 2006 – Ninth Circuit – CONFIRMED May 16, 2006
57 – Wallace, Michael B. – Nominated February 8, 2006 – Fifth Circuit – PENDING
56 – Ikuta, Sandra Segal – Nominated February 8, 2006 – Ninth Circuit – CONFIRMED June 19, 2006
55 – Chagares, Michael – Nominated January 25, 2006 – Third Circuit – CONFIRMED April 4, 2006
54 – Smith, Norman R. – Nominated December 16, 2005 – Ninth Circuit – PENDING
53 – Payne, James Hardy – Nominated September 29, 2005 – Tenth Circuit – WITHDRAWN March 7, 2006
52 – Griffith, Thomas – Nominated May 10, 2004 – DC Circuit – CONFIRMED* June 14, 2005
51 – Benton, William – Nominated February 12, 2004 – Eighth Circuit – CONFIRMED June 24, 2004
50 – Hall, Peter – Nominated December 9, 2003 – Second Circuit – CONFIRMED June 24, 2004
49 – Van Antwerpen, Franklin – Nominated November 21, 2003 – Third Circuit – CONFIRMED May 20, 2004
48 – Sykes, Diane – Nominated November 14, 2003 – Seventh Circuit – CONFIRMED June 24, 2004
47 – Gruender, Raymond – Nominated September 29, 2003 – Eighth Circuit – CONFIRMED May 20, 2004
46 – Haynes, William – Nominated September 29, 2003 – Fourth Circuit – PENDING*
45 – Brown, Janice - Nominated July 25, 2003 – DC Circuit – CONFIRMED* June 8, 2005
44 – Kavanaugh, Brett - Nominated July 25, 2003 – DC Circuit – CONFIRMED* May 26, 2006
43 – Myers, William – Nominated May 15, 2003 – Tenth Circuit – PENDING*
42 – Fisher, D. Michael – Nominated May 1, 2003 – Third Circuit – CONFIRMED December 9, 2003
41 – Allen, Claude – Nominated April 28, 2003 – Fourth Circuit – WITHDRAWN
40 – Duncan, Allyson – Nominated April 28, 2003 – Fourth Circuit – CONFIRMED July 17, 2003
39 – Bea, Carlos – Nominated April 11, 2003 – Ninth Circuit – CONFIRMED September 29, 2003
38 – Pryor, William H. – Nominated April 9, 2003 – Eleventh Circuit – CONFIRMED* June 9, 2005
37 – Chertoff, Michael– Nominated March 5, 2003 – Third Circuit – CONFIRMED June 9, 2003
36 – Wesley, Richard – Nominated March 5, 2003 – Second Circuit – CONFIRMED June 11, 2003
35 – Callahan, Consuelo – Nominated February 12, 2003 – Ninth Circuit – CONFIRMED May 22, 2003
34 – Colloton, Steven – Nominated February 12, 2003 – Eighth Circuit – CONFIRMED September 4, 2003
33 – Prado, Edward – Nominated February 6, 2003 – Fifth Circuit – CONFIRMED May 1, 2003
32 – Griffin, Richard - Nominated June 26, 2002 – Sixth Circuit – CONFIRMED** June 9, 2005
31 – Bybee, Jay - Nominated May 22, 2002 – Ninth Circuit – CONFIRMED* March 13, 2003
30 – Raggi, Reena – Nominated May 1, 2002 – Sixth Circuit – CONFIRMED September 20, 2002
29 – Rogers, John - Nominated December 19, 2001 – Sixth Circuit – CONFIRMED November 14, 2002
28 – Saad, Henry - Nominated November 8, 2001 – Sixth Circuit – WITHDRAWN** March 27, 2006
27 – Neilson, Susan - Nominated November 8, 2001 – Sixth Circuit – CONFIRMED** October 27, 2005
26 – McKeague, David - Nominated November 8, 2001 – Sixth Circuit – CONFIRMED** June 9, 2005
25 – Steele, William - Nominated October 9, 2001 – Eleventh Circuit – WITHDRAWN
24 – Gibbons, Julia - Nominated October 9, 2001 – Sixth Circuit – CONFIRMED July 29, 2002
23 – Smith, D. Brooks - Nominated September 10, 2001 – Third Circuit – CONFIRMED July 31, 2002
22 – O’Brien, Terrence - Nominated August 2, 2001 – Tenth Circuit – CONFIRMED April 15, 2002
21 – Howard, Jefferey - Nominated August 2, 2001 – First Circuit – CONFIRMED April 23, 2002
20 – Melloy, Michael - Nominated July 10, 2001 – Eighth Circuit – CONFIRMED February 11, 2002
19 – Clifton, Richard - Nominated June 22, 2001 – Ninth Circuit – CONFIRMED July 19, 2002
18 – Kuhl, Carolyn - Nominated June 22, 2001 – Ninth Circuit – WITHDRAWN* December 23, 2004
17 – Hartz, Harris - Nominated June 21, 2001 – Tenth Circuit – CONFIRMED December 6, 2001
16 – Tymkovich, Timothy - Nominated May 25, 2001 – Tenth Circuit – CONFIRMED* April 1, 2003
15 – Pickering, Charles - Nominated May 25, 2001 – Fifth Circuit – RETIRED* December 8, 2004
14 – Riley, William - Nominated May 23, 2001 – Eighth Circuit – CONFIRMED August 2, 2001
13 – Smith, Lavenski - Nominated May 22, 2001 – Eighth Circuit – CONFIRMED July 15, 2002
12 – Prost, Sharon - Nominated May 21, 2001 – Federal Circuit – CONFIRMED September 21, 2001
11 – McConnell, Michael - Nominated May 9, 2001 – Tenth Circuit – CONFIRMED November 15, 2002
10 – Sutton, Jeff - Nominated May 9, 2001 – Sixth Circuit – CONFIRMED* April 29, 2003
09 – Cook, Deborah - Nominated May 9, 2001 – Sixth Circuit – CONFIRMED* May 5, 2003
08 – Clement, Edith - Nominated May 9, 2001 – Fifth Circuit – CONFIRMED November 13, 2001
07 – Owen, Priscilla - Nominated May 9, 2001 – Fifth Circuit – CONFIRMED** May 25, 2006
06 – Shedd, Dennis - Nominated May 9, 2001 – Fourth Circuit – CONFIRMED November 19, 2002
05 – Boyle, Terence - Nominated May 9, 2001 – Fourth Circuit – PENDING**
04 – Gregory, Roger - Nominated May 9, 2001 – Fourth Circuit – CONFIRMED C July 20, 2001
03 – Parker, Barrington - Nominated May 9, 2001 – Second Circuit – CONFIRMED C October 11, 2001
02 – Estrada, Miguel - Nominated May 9, 2001 – DC Circuit – WITHDRAWN* September 4, 2003
01 – Roberts, John G. - Nominated May 9, 2001 – DC Circuit – CONFIRMED* May 8, 2003

----------------------------------------

19 Total Vacancies (11% Vacant – 19 Vacancies / 179 Seats)
16 Current Vacancies
3 Future Vacancies for 2006
12 Nominees Pending for Current Vacancies
1 Nominee Pending for Future Vacancies
6 Vacancies that still require a Nominee.

Survey says................

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2006 – Two-thirds of U.S. troops serving in Iraq say they believe the cause they're fighting for is worthwhile, according to a new Stars and Stripes survey. The survey results, reported in the July 19 Mideast edition of Stars and Stripes newspaper, revealed that 46 percent of readers in Iraq who responded to a survey called fighting the war for America "very worthwhile." Another 30 percent rated it "somewhat worthwhile."

Fourteen percent of respondents called the mission "not very worthwhile," and just 8 percent referred to it as "not worthwhile at all," the July 20 paper reported.

The survey explored readers' views on a variety of other issues. Among them were how clearly their mission is defined, their unit's as well as their personal morale, support for troops in the Middle East, and how informed they are about that support.

Respondents overwhelmingly agreed that their mission is clearly defined, the survey noted. Fifty-five percent called it "very clear" and 27 percent called it "somewhat clear." Nine percent said it's "somewhat unclear," and 7 percent said it's "not at all clear."

Unit morale is high, and personal morale even higher, most respondents said. Forty-four percent called unit morale "very high," and 43 percent gave the same ranking for their personal morale. Eighteen percent called their unit morale "somewhat high," and 30 percent ranked their personal morale at that level.

Twenty-six percent of respondents called unit morale "somewhat low," and 19 percent gave that rating for their personal morale. Ten percent reported "very low" unit morale, and 6 percent rated their personal morale at rock bottom.

The vast majority of deployed troops agreed that public support for troops in the Middle East is strong. Forty-four percent rated it "very strong," and 26 percent called it "somewhat strong." Twenty-two percent of respondents called it "not very strong," and 6 percent "weak."

Two-thirds of respondents believe they're well informed about what the public is doing to support troops serving in the Middle East, the survey showed. Forty-four percent called themselves "very well informed," 20 percent "somewhat informed," 28 percent "not very well informed," and 6 percent rated themselves "not well (informed) at all."

Responses appeared to track with military rank. Eight-eight percent of senior officers, for example, ranked both unit and personal morale as high or very high. Among junior enlisted servicemembers, 49 percent rated unit morale as high or very high and 66 percent gave that same rating to their own personal morale.

Almost across the board, respondents said conditions in Iraq had improved since they arrived there. Sixty-nine percent of senior officers, 66 percent of senior enlisted members and 64 percent of junior enlisted troops said conditions were very or somewhat improved. Forty-eight percent of junior officers assigned that rating to conditions.

Nearly 600 Stars and Stripes readers in Iraq responded to the survey, and the results were compiled by media experts from MORI Research, the newspaper reported.

Warriornation,

What these stupid donkeys don't seem to get is that these troops, and there are a couple million of them - not to mention the vets - are voters. Voters with LONG memories. And voters that should be in their untouchable demographic - young people between 18 and 25 mostly. That's a big hit to have to take, and thanks to clowns like the fraud John Kerry and the backstabbing John Murtha and Dick Durbin who called our troops Nazi storm troopers, they have already burned their bridges. In any race in November where it might have been close, this could be the difference for sure.

Write letters to the Stars and Stripes and other papers the military reads and remind them of their betrayal and encourage them to vote. I will be doing just that, and am encouraging my fellow VFW members to do the same thing.

It would be poetic justice if the pundits, scratching their heads the day after the election, conclude that "it must have been that large absentee vote from the military." Heh!

Rev- How about slithering back to your own site? Your party will see its Judgement Day the first Tuesday in November. The "liberal trolls" will be there with bells on to send them packing. Then I wonder if you'll be eating your own words!

Warrior,

"The problem is that you lunatics give credence to 6 Generals and not 1500 that are against you. You lunatics give credence to a handful of returning soldiers that are concerned with what's going on over there but refuse to acknowledge (and often disparage) those military men / women that say things are progressing and the cause is noble."

--First off, do polls only mean things to you when they are done with respect to the military, or just when they say the things you want to hear? I can provide polls too, look:

"An overwhelming majority of 72% of American troops serving in Iraq think the U.S. should exit the country within the next year, and more than one in four say the troops should leave immediately, a new Le Moyne College/Zogby International survey shows."

http://www.zogby.com/NEWS/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1075

Secondly, being a supposed warrior of this nation, you of all people should realize that leaders, when actively leading their troops in wartime, don't discourage the men under them.

When you have 6 decorated, recently retired soldiers, who take their legacy and reputations to the mat while wrestling with their convictions, I for one will listen. These guys made their living waging and preparing for war, what exactly is the motivation for them to publically question the actions they are so intrinsically linked with? Money? Accolades? Nifty, donkey-shaped lapel-pins?

Money? Accolades? Nifty, donkey-shaped lapel-pins?

Looks like you answered your own question. I served during Viet Nam and on the ships I served on there were quite a few "anti-war" sailors. They didn't desert and they didn't go to the demonstrations in the parks in San Francisco (except to look for stoned out girls), but they made their feelings clear to me.

So there's always a contingent, even in the military that is opposed to the war. Any war. It has often been said that nobody hates war more than a soldier. If you've ever been under hostile fire, fought in combat and seen the death and destruction it begets - as I have - you find it hard to love.

But like it or not, wars are necessary and likely always will be. I didn't like the sound of VC rockets coming into the base at Bien Hoa where I worked one bit. I didn't like the fact that if you stayed a few minutes too long at work that when you headed back to Saigon 20 miles away, that the VC likely had control of the roads. I didn't like it when the C-130 fabrication shop across the street took a direct hit and killed over 20 people in a split second. But I still -even then - that the war was necessary.

The "liberal trolls" will be there with bells on

You mean like 2000, 2002, and 2004? Like that? You sound like Kos with is 0 for 20 record. I laugh at your predictions mainly because they are so outrageous. Much of the Democrat party membership is fed up with the loony tunes and nut cases that grab all the MSM attention like "Cut and Run" Murtha and Dick "Our troops are Nazis" Durbin. The far left is driving committed Democrats to stay away from the polls and centrists to vote against them. The radical left's one-note-samba - hate Bush - is a no sale with most people. Even Democrats like Schumer admit the Democrats have no message, no plan, nothing. But even worse than convincing Democrats to stay home in droves and driving away the center moderates, this non-stop anti-war, Cindy Sheehan style ranting and raving along with the relentless attacks on Bush have inspired the Republicans to show up in ever stronger numbers, not wanting to leave anything to chance.

The Democrat party is at war with itself. In 2000, Joe Lieberman was the choice for VP of the Democrats. Now he is Satan personhood. Hillary is attacked by the Democrat radical left for her support of the war and the troops, and now Israel. Boxer supports Lieberman and the Kossacks and Moveon folks demonize her. Cynthia McKinney is a no-show for the last 2 weeks in congress and nobody knows why. The Democrats say her absence is not approved nor coordinated. Where is she? There are many more stories like this. The DNC has lost control of the party to George Soros and the Kossacks. Dean is a laughing stock on both sides of the political spectrum and will likely be fired or quit after the losses in 2006. And all the Democrats can come up with - candidates who pass their PC filters is Al Gore (loser), John Kerry (loser), John Edwards (loser), and Russ Feingold - the guy who managed to get over 90 senators to vote against his nutty "cut and run" proposal.

The November elections will be a major disaster for the Democrats. I doubt they will learn their lesson. Instead they will likely point fingers, assign blame, and with the help of high paid consultants come up with some way to blame their devastating losses on Karl Rove. i can't wait. It will be the best entertainment since the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

Rev,

These are your feelings, but the retired generals who waged war for the president, and then came back to tell the story that they thought the war wasn't being perpetrated properly, have different feelings.

These guys could have come back, and extoled the war to high-heaven, probably been given cushy jobs at think tanks or fellated at republican fundaraisers, but instead they came back and said something different. They could have recieved money and accolades by the people who expected them to toe the company line, but instead they spoke their hearts...are you prepared to call into question their honor and integrity?

Wars are the ultimate failure of humanity, but you're right, short of rapture, there will probably never be an end to wars. I don't believe the generals questioned the intent, just the management.

TEO,

Why don't you go get a job as referee for the democratic conventions?

I'm sure the demoncrats would appreciate you, you know, trying to tell them all about it and everything!!

How it should be done!!

Why, by the time you get done talking to them, you'll wonder what happened to all of them!!

Not soul in the place!! they've all went home.

LOL

Jeremiah

These are your feelings, but the retired generals who waged war for the president, and then came back to tell the story that they thought the war wasn't being perpetrated properly, have different feelings.

Just guessing here, but I'd say you've never served a day in the military. Generals and Admirals (what are known as "flag officers") are the top of the top. Their slightest wishes are catered to without question. They stay well away from any real action (with very few exceptions like Rommel, Patton, and Nimitz). They are prima donnas. They are self-centered ego maniacs that, at least when I was in the Navy, had their own personal Filipino "slave" (called an orderly) who maded their beds, shined their shoes, did their laundry and cooked for them. These are wonderful fellows of privelege and much political pull in the Pentagon (and usually the White House) but they are far from "combat seasoned" soldiers that sleep in trenches and actually, you know, get shot at.

These guys could have come back, and extoled the war to high-heaven, probably been given cushy jobs at think tanks or fellated at republican fundaraisers, but instead they came back and said something different.

Book deals. TV appearances. Consulting fees. And they're fellating alright, just not Republicans.

They could have recieved money and accolades by the people who expected them to toe the company line, but instead they spoke their hearts...are you prepared to call into question their honor and integrity?

Soros, Moveon.org, and Hollywood, not to mention the rich of the Democrat party don't hold any candle to the Republicans for their abilities to pay for play. Perfect example: Wesley Clark. Big time general. Big time donkey. Not that hard to find, actually.

Wars are the ultimate failure of humanity, but you're right, short of rapture, there will probably never be an end to wars.

Look at the motivations for wars. As soon as they go away, so will war. I am not holding my breath.

I don't believe the generals questioned the intent, just the management.

They always question management. Always. Sooner or later one of their "brilliant Plans" or "genius ideas" gets shot down. Their management, of course is in the five sided puzzle palace, but they usually blame the white mansion across the Potomac and often blame both. The only thing you can say for sure, is that once you figure out what political side they're on, they are very loyal. Again I give you Wesley Clark and raise you a Colin Powell.

Reverend Scaramonga,

I went to your site, and I find that you have kitty cats!

I have a question for you!

We have cats also, well, we have one that sets near the fridge, and he sets there most of the time, and it seems like he never moves, seems odd to me why he does that, I thought maybe you could enlighten me on the cats behavior?

Jeremiah

TEO there are 1000's of other retired generals, admirals, etc right now that don't agree with your 6.

As for Zogby polls...he still has Kerry winning and the Dems taking control of the Congress in 2004 doesn't he? He's a muslim and he's worthless at polling.

TEO there are 1000's of other retired generals, admirals, etc right now that don't agree with your 6.

As for Zogby polls...he still has Kerry winning and the Dems taking control of the Congress in 2004 doesn't he? He's a muslim and he's worthless at polling.

A U.S. raid on an al Qaeda suspect near Baquba, northeast of the city, led to the death of two male militants, two women and a child, the military said in a statement. Local police and doctors said six civilians, including a girl aged 3 were killed.

Not a bad haul. 2 murdering "freedom fighters" and their bitches and brats.

Rev. Scratchmyass

When you meet your maker, you vile, evil, SOB, I hope your punishment is being violently anally raped by the never ending line of civilians caught in the crossfire of this debacle.

You pompus representation of a conservative. You are nothing but a little boy punk. Your remarks remind me of a spoiled fat mommas boy brat. You are no soldier sir. You are not gallant. You are no hero. I could not imagine children looking up to you. You are the Mai Lai rapist. You represent the worst of our country. I attempt to obseve any redeeming value to your posts and fail.

It sickens me that your views are what most of the world accepts as the common American values today. That is not true. 65% of us value honesty and decency. We are ashamed of those who fail us in our own political party. That is why we cut ourselves to ribbons. 65% of us say no to torture, to war, to corporate greed, and to dishonest poiticians of both sides of the isle.

We value peace, the geneva convention, statesman like leadership, manners, and true heroes.

Piles of crap like you have no place in a peaceful society.

Go back under your rock you worm. Someday I hope you get all you deserve, if you and the religious zealot who also posts here get together you may be able to work out a deal with the big boy upstairs.

You maroon.

your views are what most of the world accepts as the common American values today.

Thanks for the kind words. I will save them as an example of what peace-loving folks like you (probably in the under 13 yrs old demographic) "think" like. Have a nice day, if that's possible with all that bile in your system.

I thought maybe you could enlighten me on the cats behavior?

Trying to figure out the motivation behind cat behavior is pretty tough, to say the least. In your particular instance, it depends on some other things I would guess. Does the cat get handed food, tidbits, treats from the fridge. If so, that is why he sits there - waiting. If not, I would suggest that the vibration of the fridge condenser motor or the exhaust heat coming out the bottom may be pleasing to him. But like as not, there's some other reason. And as I have noticed with my cats, they do stuff for no particularly good reason at all as far as I can figure. That's part of the joy of owning (being owned by?) cats. For instance, one of mine takes inventory. If anything new shows up anywhere in the house, he treats it with great caution and suspicion until he gets used to it being there, and therefore firmly recorded in his inventory. Even moving items from one place to another can trigger that behavior. And he is obsessed with glasses filled with water - which he tips over if given the chance. He never drinks the spilled water, he just seems to like to tip over the glasses - and only ones with water, iced tea, lemonade, other liquids he ignores.

Yet another comment off to "my blue heaven" Sigh.

Reverend Scaramonga,

Yeah, He's as fat as he can be, and keeps gaining weight everyday, but he does get a lot of treats from the fridge, and I think your right about the motor humming of the fridge, he gets into a trance when he sets there, and then he doses off to sleep!

He follows me through the house, sort of like chasing me, and when something happens that I get out of his sight, he will run as fast as he can to get ahead of me, he's funny!!

I like your cat harley, he looks like king of the jungle, in his eyes!!

Thanks!!

Jeremiah