SheehanHoldsVigil ForSonAP Photo/Tony Gutierrez | I continue to be perplexed about the war and headlines like: 23 Marines killed in one week, U.S. military reports the deaths of 5 more U.S. service members, 7 Pennsylvania National Guardsmen killed in 4 days. What a futility we're facing in Iraq. It is definitely a "tar-baby."
Remember The story of the Tar-Baby? The story opens with Brer Fox creating the Tar-Baby in an attempt to capture Brer Rabbit once and for all. Brer Rabbit comes along and sees the Tar-Baby and tries to start a conversation with him. The Tar-Baby totally ignores him and then finally the Rabbit gets shook up, makes a pre-emptive strike, and gets stuck and can't get away. If he tries, he just tangles himself up more. This is us in Iraq. And when things go bad, the "spin" begins. What can't be spun is the death of our soldiers; i.e., 23 Marines killed in one week.
| Universal Service |
| But, I hasten to add: The folks who are against sending their own children to fight in war, say they still support the troops-a bit hollow, don't you think?
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On a personal basis, I think there is no way out of this war(nothing good); and, despite Fox News, etc., we cannot deny the death of 23 Marines.
My wife and I were out recently with several couples and I broached the subject of the war. Talk about putting a damper on things. My wife's looks alone could have killed. I was amazed as usual at how little people are effected by the war-like not at all. One couple had a seventeen year old. We dialogued.
"What would you do if he wanted to join the military?"
"Discourage him."
"Why?"
"I would be fearful for him."
"But, what about other mothers' children?" No answer. Then, my last shot. "Don't you think it is immoral to have other mothers' children fighting our wars?"
"No, it is a choice they made!"
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| Personal Essay About A Cherished Loved One
 Have you ever seen a loved one losing a step as they aged? If so, you might want to read this personal essay:Descent Into Darkness
The link above requires adobe acrobat reader. If you don't already have it, you can download at Adobe.com. If you have adobe reader, click first on the link above. It should open; but, if not, then open adobe reader and then click on the link above.
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| Disinformation:Commentary On Reducing Troops in IraqNam by KT
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Gen.George Casey(left)Sec of Def Rumsfeld(right)Pool/Reuters | We've all seen and heard it: disinformation. Disinformation is a cross between wrong information, some information, and suggestive information. It also includes the distortion of accurate information in such a way as to render it useless.The government and businesses are great at disinformation. Enron made millions on nothing but disinformation.
Here is a good example of (what I think is) government disinformation. General Casey says that by next summer we should be able to begin pulling out troops. Is it wrong? No, not really. There might be a slight possibility that we could bring some troops home next summer. Remember the late Westy(General Westmoreland) from the Nam, "Home by Christmas?" What he failed to point out was, "What Christmas!" The war went on for six more years.
By disinformation, we raise a glimmer of hope and keep the people pacified that it might happen. In a briefing, General John Abizaid, head knocker at Central Command, said that we might reduce the troops by 20,000 to 30,000. Disinformation. Fact: We have 138,000 troops in Iraq. Here are the conditions that have to happen to reduce troops: (1) Security and political conditions have to be favorable. (2) Iraqis will have to write their constitution and agree on equal rights for all. (3) Sufficient police and National Guard forces will need to be trained to take over the defense of their country. (4) The terrorists will lay down their arms.
Does It work? Sure! Americans will see the headlines and think, "Wow, the troops are coming home." DISINFORMATION
-Disinformation built around the idea that most Americans are either stupid or the vast majority don't care.
A few years from now, these same people will come out of the ether and say, "Wow, I thought we had left Iraq!"
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| These soldiers (in Iraq) aren't over there fighting a war, they're being assassinated.Said by a father whose son is an infantryman in Iraq
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 (photo:AP Photo/U.S Army)
I spent some time for a few months in a little town call Bisbee, Arizona. It is called the Berkeley of Arizona and mainly because there's a whole flock of folks in birkenstocks mostly meaning artisans of various types.
But, there is one area that is very unlike Berkeley: they will not even let a car made in Japan drive in the July 4th parade. KT
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