Setting the Record Straight!

With their vote today; passing an emergency funding bill for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan (51 – 47), the new Democratic majority in the United States Senate joined with their counterparts on the United States House of Representatives in accepting the role they have been tasked with by the voters in November, 2006. In the face of strong Republican opposition in both chambers and the almost taunting threat of a Whitehouse veto, the new Democratic Congress has, I believe, captured the full intent of the American people on the issue of Iraq: We must fund our troops in harm’s way while setting a time table for ending US military involvement in that country.

While the dates for withdrawal are not as soon as many would like to see, I believe that even the most vocal members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the sub-set of the Out of Iraq Caucus would agree that, with the numbers as they remain in Congress, the dates laid out in the two bills (yet to be reconciled in committee) are the best that could have been approved – and certainly better than no withdrawal language at all. Yet, even with these less than preferred dates, the work to make this language real is far from over. The separate bills must now come together in a conference committee to be molded into one bill that will then have to pass both chambers before it will make its way to the desk of George W. Bush. In the meantime, the mainstream media is giving Bush and the Republicans a free pass with their frame that the Democrats are attempting to withhold funds from the troops when, in fact, every penny that has been requested (and more) can be found in both bills and are certain to be in the final bill. On what do the Republicans base their claim? Because George W. Bush has threatened to VETO any bill that calls for the troop withdrawal desired by a growing majority of the American people even though it FULLY FUNDS the troops on the ground. Who is attempting to withhold funds from the troops?

In January, many of us decried the “weak-kneed” Democratic majority that was only putting forward non-binding resolutions that they could not get passed in either chamber. I submit that they heard us. Now we must speak up even louder in praise of the actions of this new Democratic majority. Those of us who are demanding an end to the occupation of Iraq must come together to write letters to the editors; write op-ed pieces, call in to the various talk shows, and engage in any manner that might reach the American public and let them know that it is, indeed, Bush and the Republicans who are threatening the funds for the troops by plainly disregarding the will of the American people. Do not allow the media to advance the frame that the Democrats are “cutting the funds.” The Democrats are FULLY FUNDING the troops. Just as importantly we must flood the Congress with words of support for these bills so that they know “we have their backs”. We cannot afford any loss of support from Democrats who are willing to cave in to the pressure from Bush and the Republicans. And we need to show the Republicans that we will swallow the bitter pill of funding if that is what it takes to bring our troops home.

Time is short and the action is urgent! Nothing I have read gives the Democrats any credit for the funds contained in the bills. The public must know that it is the Democrats who have passed a funding bill and the Republicans and George W. Bush who are threatening to withhold these funds.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 03/28/07
Americans Killed: 3243
Americans Wounded: 24,187
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts." General Tommy Franks
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Cpl. Dustin J. Lee, 20, of Quitman, MS died March 21 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Sgt. Nicholas J. Lightner, 29, of Newport, OR died Mar. 21 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, of wounds suffered March 15 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Darrell R. Griffin Jr., 36, of Alhambra, CA died Mar. 21 in Balad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Freeman L. Gardner Jr., 26, of Little Rock, AR died Mar. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Adrian J. Lewis, 30, of Mauldin, SC died Mar. 21 in Ramadi, Iraq.

*Sgt. Greg N. Riewer, 30, of Frazee, MN died Mar. 23 in Habbaniyah, Iraq.

*Cpl. Henry W. Bogrette, 21, of Richville, NY died March 22 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Trevor A. Roberts, 21, of Oklahoma City, OK died March 24 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Sgt. Jason W. Swiger, 24, of South Portland, ME died Mar. 25 in Baqubah, Iraq.

*Cpl. Jason Nunez, 22, of Naranjito, Puerto Rico died Mar. 25 in Baqubah, Iraq.

*Pfc. Orlando E. Gonzalez, 21, of New Freedom, PA died Mar. 25 in Baqubah, Iraq.

*Pfc. Anthony J. White, 21, of Columbia, SC died Mar. 25 in Baqubah, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left)Shue

The Beginning of the End?

In what I consider an act of political courage today the Senate Democrats (as a UNITED CAUCUS minus one) with the help of Independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont, moderate Republican Gordon Smith of Oregon and ultra-conservative Republican Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, defied Republican opposition and the threat of a Whitehouse veto to keep language in their pending Supplemental Funding Bill that would call for the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq to commence in FOUR MONTHS! By a vote of 50 - 48, the Senate voted to defeat the amendement offered by Republican Thad Cochran of Mississippi. The only Democratic defection was Mark Pryor of Arkansas.

While, again, I am painfully aware that funding one more day in Iraq is not what many of us wish to see, just as with the House Supplemental that passed on Friday last, this bill marks for the first time in four years that the United States Senate has offered any BINDING language that even suggested that we should end the occupation of Iraq. Make no mistake, this was a UNITED Democratic Caucus which included the votes of certain members who have never spoken (never mind voted) for a troop withdrawal before (Bayh, Biden, Cantwell, Conrad, Landrieu, Nelson). Also, to be clear, this language from the Senate is not yet secure as the overall spending bill has yet to be voted on and there is a real possibility that it could fail; placing this historic vote on the junk pile of discarded good intentions. However, should this bill pass the Senate, it will meet up with the House bill in a Conference Committee. At that point, it would be certain that some form of withdrawal language would be forwarded to the Whitehouse. George W. Bush would then be forced to accept the pepole's will to exit Iraq or exercise his threatened veto which would, in effect, say that he would deny the troops he claims to support the vital funds that Defense Secretary Gates says they will desperately need by April 15th.

Asking people to support continued funding for Iraq is painful, however that is exactly where I find myself today. I am asking those who wish to see us end our occupation of Iraq to contact their senators to thank them for standing firm today and to ask them to continue that stance on the final vote for the supplemental. The time has come to call out George W. Bush. By forcing him to face the American people who voted overwhelmingly for change in November, to say he is willing to deny funding for the troops rather than accept accountability for his failed policies, we have the chance to end the days of blank checks and rubber stamps.

I am reminded of some saying about a long journey beginning with one step.....

[Update 3-29-07; 8:30am PST] The Senate's Emergency Supplemental has just passed by a vote of 51-47. More to follow. TLS
Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Especially What He Says:

Click here for complete text.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Bush to Cut Off Troop Funding

On Friday, the United States House of Representatives passed an "Emergency Supplemental Spending Bill" to provide neccessary funding for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, has warned that if Congress does not approve emergency funding for our troops by April 15th, our men and women in uniform will face significant disruptions, and so would their families. Upon receiving word of the House's actions, George W. Bush said the following from the Diplomatic Reception Room at the Whitehouse: "...I will veto it if it comes to my desk."?????

In his prepared remarks from the Whitehouse, Bush said, "Here in Washington, members of both parties recognize that our most solemn responsibility is to support our troops in the war on terror. Yet, today, a narrow majority in the House of Representatives abdicated its responsibility by passing a war spending bill that has no chance of becoming law, and brings us no closer to getting our troops the resources they need to do their job." ( Emphasis TLS) Let us understand why this bill has "no chance." :
"...I will veto it if it comes to my desk." - George W. Bush

So just what would George W. Bush veto?

Obviously, you must begin with the original $97 BILLION in direct support for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"...I will veto it if it comes to my desk." - George W. Bush

In addition this supplemental adds $1 BILLION to the Defense Department request to address the rising conflict in Afghanistan (where the Taliban and Al Qaida are increasing their base of power), $2.8 BILLION for Defense Health Care (which is $1.7 BILLION above the President’s request.), adds $1.7 BILLION to the request for veterans health care, and provides $2.5 BILLION, in additional funding for the Strategic Reserve Readiness fund to ensure that our troops are properly equipped and trained.
"...I will veto it if it comes to my desk." - George W. Bush

And just why might George W. Bush veto neccessary funds for our troops? Well, again from his prepared remarks:

"The purpose of the emergency war spending bill I requested was to provide our troops with vital funding. (see above, TLS) Instead, Democrats in the House, in an act of political theater, voted to substitute their judgment for that of our military commanders on the ground in Iraq. They set rigid restrictions that will require an army of lawyers to interpret". (Emphasis TLS)

And just what are these "rigid restrictions"?

*Unit Readiness.
Requires the Defense Department to abide by its current policy, requiring the chief of the military department concerned to determine that a unit is “fully mission capable” before it is deployed to Iraq. The President may waive this provision by submitting a report to Congress detailing why the unit’s deployment is in the interests of national security despite the assessment that the unit is not fully mission capable.

*Length of Deployment.
Requires the Defense Department to abide by its current policy and avoid extending the deployment of units in Iraq in excess of 365 days for the Army and 210 days for the Marines. The President may waive this provision by submitting a report to Congress detailing the particular reason or reasons why the unit’s extended deployment is in the interests of national security.

*Time Between Deployments.
Requires the Defense Department to abide by its current policy and avoid sending units back into Iraq before troops get the required “time out of the combat zone” and training time (365 days for the Army and 210 days for the Marines). The President may waive this provision by submitting a report to Congress detailing why the unit’s early redeployment to Iraq is in the interests of national security.

Now I'm not sure which "army of lawyers" George was referring to but I would submit that it would simply require the military's own staff to interpret their own regulations that ensure our troops receive the respect and support they deserve.
"...I will veto it if it comes to my desk." - George W. Bush

Now, granted, there are some things in this bill that George has a problem with; things that would actually require him to perfom his duties as Commander in Chief and accept accountability for his policies and statements. For instance, this bill demands that the Iraqi government meet the benchmarks set out by the Bush Administration with regard to Iraqi troop deployments and ties them to dates for the reduction and eventual removal of American forces. The bill holds Bush to his statement that American military involvement in Iraq is not "open ended" and sets an ultimate date for withdrawal of American forces. This bill contains language that prohibits any permanent American military bases in Iraq; something that Bush has said repeatedly and yet the same language seems to mysteriously disappear from every other appropirations bill before it reaches Bush's desk.

So after four years of Bush insisting that not voting for his mindless blank checks would show Democrats lacking in support for our troops he is faced with a choice. Mr. Bush, here is your money; strings and all. What is your answer?
"...I will veto it if it comes to my desk." - George W. Bush

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Us versus Them

A thought on the US House vote today on the Iraq Supplemental (the first Iraq supplemental spending bill with the Demcorats in the majority):

Over the past four years I have called upon my members of congress to vote against these so called Emergency Supplementals. The typical response has been (paraphrasing), 'I wish I could but, you know, the Republicans are the majority and this is the only bill they will allow us to vote on. I just can't bring myself to vote against funds for the troops.'

It didn't matter what else was included in the bill or what was eliminated - like adequate money for veterans care.

To be sure, when any member of the Democratic side balked at voting for one of these blank checks, the Republicans were quick to go to the media to denounce that member for not supporting the troops.

Today all but two Republican members of the US House voted to deny funds to our troops in the field. Now they will say that 'there were too many strings attached to the money.' They will say that 'we could not live with the language calling for an ultimate withdrawal of our troops.' Too bad! In the end; after the debate, 208 Republicans voted AGAINST funding for the troops on the ground.

The next time you hear anyone say that the Democrats do not support the troops, will you speak loudly until every media outlet in the country understands that, regardless of any other language in the Iraq Supplemental, the Republicans voted "No" to funding the troops in the field; providing funds for medical care upon their return; providing funds to ensure that our troops would have the equipment neccessary to keep them safe and allow them to do their jobs? Will you be sure that the facts get out? Will you ensure that they know 208 Republicans voted AGAINST funding for the troops on the ground?

You shouldn't have to....

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Historic Opportunity

My friends,

Today the US House of Representatives, for the first time in six years, told George W. Bush that he no longer has a blank check to proceed with US military involvement in Iraq. By a vote of 218 to 212, the House passed a binding appropriations bill that sets a date certain for withdrawal of US troops from that country. In additition, the bill includes language that calls for the troops to have at least one full year between deployments, be certified as fully trained for their mission, and be adequately equipped for the mission they will be asked to perfom. While there is an "escape clause" for each of these requirements, to bypass these requirements (which are established by the rules of the various branches of the military) George W. Bush must publicly certify that he, as Commander in Chief, is waving the requirements; an expression that he is willing to send our troops into combat in a manner that undermines their safety.

While I am aware that this bill is far from the bill that I would have asked for; that many of us would have asked for, it must be realized that it is truly an historic moment and I am especially moved by the number of Progressive legislators who came to the House floor to begrudgingly offer their support for passage - amongst them, Rep. Jim McDermott (WA-7thCD) who cast an "Aye" vote for the first time in four years on an Iraq Supplemental Spending Bill. I know how he must have agonized over this vote. It should also be noted that it took 2 Republicans (Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland and Walter Jones of North Carolina)crossing the aisle to vote "Aye" to allow for passage of this bill. In fact 14 Democrats (Barrow-SC, Boren-OK, Davis-TN, Kucinich-OH, Lee-CA, Lewis-GA, Marshall-MA, Matheson-UT, McNulty-NY, Michaud-ME, Taylor-MS, Waters-CA, Watson-CA, Woolsey-CA)stood in opposition to vote "No." The Democrats in opposition represent a strange mix of conservative Blue Dogs and members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

And so we have an historic opportunity before us. Because so many more members of the Progressive Caucus stood up to say "End the Occupation!" we must say to them, we will fight to honor your committment to peace. We must demand that the US Senate stand with the House to say "End the Occupation!" We must call George W. Bush's bluff to veto a bill to provide funding for troops in the field. We must make every effort to bring the remainder of Democrats into line as far as supporting this effort in hopes of withstanding this threatened veto.

We are done with non-binding dog and pony shows. But this is only the first step in ending the occupation of Iraq. Write or call your represenative and thank them for their vote to end this occupation. It was a proud moment but the work continues.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 03/23/07
Americans Killed: 3233
Americans Wounded: 24,187
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts." General Tommy Franks
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Sgt. Ryan P. Green, 24, of Woodlands, TX died Mar. 18 in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered Mar. 15 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Marieo Guerrero, 30, of Fort Worth, TX died Mar. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. John E. Allen, 25, of Palmdale, CA died Mar. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Ed Santini, 25, of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico died Mar. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. William N. Davis, 26, of Adrian, MI died Mar. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. John F. Landry Jr., 20, of Lowell, MA died Mar. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Lt. Col. Peter E. Winston, 56, of Plant City, Fla., died Nov. 13, 2006, in
Kaiserslautern, Germany, from a non-combat related incident while in Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Gina R. Sparks, 35, of Drury, Mo., died Oct. 4, 2004, at Fort Polk, La., from a non-combat related incident while in Iraq.

*Sgt. Wayne R. Cornell, 26, of Holstein, NE died Mar. 20 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Stephen K. Richardson, 22, of Bridgeport, CN died Mar. 20 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Curtis E. Glawson Jr., 24, of Daleville, AL died Mar. 20 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Joey T. Sams II, 22, of Spartanburg, SC died Mar. 21 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

*Sgt. 1st Class Darrell R. Griffin Jr., 36, of Alhambra, Calif., died Mar. 21 in Balad, Iraq.

*Cpl. Dustin J. Lee, 20, of Quitman, MS died March 21 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Perfect vs Good

What he says

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Four More Years?

I remember so well that time in October, 2002 listening to the impassioned floor speeches about Saddam Hussein’s WMDs and the threat a “nuclear Iraq” posed to the world. I sat there glued to the television, thinking surely the Democrats will not allow this to happen; surely they will not vote to allow this administration to invade a country that had absolutely nothing to do with the attacks of 9-11; a country that has been living under economic sanctions; living under constant unfettered bombardment from US and UK warplanes since 1991. For me, the “shock and awe” occurred during those votes when so few stood up to say “No!” The US invasion and occupation of Iraq had begun with a bipartisan vote that simply said, “We, the Congress of the United States of America, hereby cede to George W. Bush the Constitutional authority granted solely to this body to declare war and invade the sovereign and undefended nation of Iraq.” In the four years since March 19, 2003; though there has been much hand-wringing, there has been no real effort made to “put the genie back in the bottle.”

While so many of us believed that Bush was lying us into Iraq from the very start, over the years the facts to support what we believed have been steadily streaming out. While some will say (and I have already acknowledged Democratic complicity above) that “everyone believed Saddam had weapons of mass destruction”, according to former CIA operatives (some of whom actually retired just so they could speak out) the actual intelligence reports furnished to the Bush administration contained numerous caveats and disclaimers – enough, they argue, to deny any “absolute knowledge” as was claimed by Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, and especially Colin Powell in his infamous testimony before the UN. Yet it was this “absolute knowledge” that was constantly displayed before the American people and even certain members of Congress who did not posses the clearance necessary to read the full reports for themselves. Of course, the ultimate proof was revealed AFTER the invasion when none of the claims of this administration were borne out. Yet we stayed.

Listening to George W. Bush talk about Iraq over the years has been somewhat akin to what a parent might hear from their child who wishes to stay longer at the arcade and put more quarters into the video game until he wins. Upon entering the arcade, George declares that “We shall prevail.” Things look pretty good at first; racking up high scores as the Iraqis offer almost no resistance and our tanks roll straight in to Baghdad. As a matter of fact, it takes almost no time for George to achieve the “high score” as we watched that statue of Saddam fall over and over again on our TVs. He quickly announces “Mission Accomplished!” As a matter of fact it takes some time for close observers to notice that George is the first person to play this particular machine; to notice that we had invaded a country that had been all but decimated by economic sanctions and fiscal mismanagement by Saddam Hussein, that we had essentially invaded a third world country with no visible means of defense. Of course this “success” did not come without spending a few quarters and Mom and Dad, rather than tell George to “quit while he’s ahead and come home” dig into their pockets and give him as many quarters as he asks for. We stay.

The thing about video games, as most players will tell you, is that you cannot WIN. Even achieving the “high score” still only leads you to yet another, more difficult level. And, as most gamblers will tell you, once you achieve early success, you will spend everything you have to keep playing. Such is the case with Iraq. The early goals of “disarming Iraq”, “freeing the Iraqi people” and “creating a democratic government in Iraq” were all met very early on. There were no weapons, Saddam was toppled, and the Iraqis have marched to the polls no less than three times to elect a representative government; all within the first year after the invasion. Still George says, “I want to keep playing. Just give me more quarters.” Even though George’s scores keep falling (attacks on Americans and Iraqis continue to rise) and Mom and Dad are beginning to reach into the grocery money to provide more quarters (the costs for the continuing occupation rise into the hundreds of billions) George is not to be denied. He says, “We are winning.” We stay – We stay.

Four years into this mis-adventure, Mom is finally starting to say, “George, it is time to start thinking about coming home.” What does George say, “But, I can still win.” “You just keep trying to stop me from winning.” “You have to let me win.” Even though, in four years, Mom and Dad have not denied George anything he has desired. In fact, George W. Bush has had uncontrolled, unchallenged, unrestricted power to wage the war in Iraq in any way he has seen fit. Not one monetary request has been denied (in fact the have been INCREASED). Not one challenge to troop numbers has been issued. Congress (Mom and Dad) has done every thing every time George has asked. Watching the scores begin to spiral downward; 3200 dead American troops, 650,000 dead Iraqis, George now says, “…but I’m pretty sure I can still win.” What do Mom and Dad say? Well Dad says, “OK George, anything you want.” And Mom? Well Mom says, “OK George, you can have one more pocket-full of quarters but we really want you to start thinking about coming home.” We Stay – We Stay – We Stay.

(Photo - Dina Johnson)

Peace (Someday),
Chad (The Left) Shue

The Prelude

I have been gathering my thoughts for a post on the completion our 4th year of occupation in Iraq - there is so much that needs to be said. As usual, my favorite local Liberal sets the tone perfectly with this from "The (lberal) Girl Next Door"

"I mean, come on. When you’ve watched your country go down the drain, lost your constitutional right to privacy, right to vote, right of habeas corpus and seen your government condone torture, extraordinary rendition and preemptive war, all in violation of international law, and watched the President of the United States repeatedly break the law, lie to Congress and the American people, it’s hard to get worked up over a few lawyers getting the boot."

This is a "must read" but, more importantly, this is a "must distribute widely." As we mark the 4 year anniversary of our invasion and occupation of Iraq (and, perhaps, sit on the doorstep of Iran) we need to overcome what Mollie refers to as "...outrage fatigue" and force people to tie all the strings together in an effort to preserve our union.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 03/20/07
Americans Killed: 3219
Americans Wounded: 24,042
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts." General Tommy Franks
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties

*Spc. Joshua M. Boyd, 30, of Seattle, WA (67th Washingtonian) died Mar. 14 at Brooke Army Medical Center, TX of wounds sustained Mar. 5 in Samarra, Iraq.

*Spc. Forrest J. Waterbury, 25, of Richmond, TX died Mar. 14 near Ramadi, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Blake M. Harris, 27, of Hampton, GA died Mar. 15 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Terry W. Prater, 25, of Speedwell, TN died Mar. 15 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Emerson N. Brand, 29, of Rigby, ID died Mar. 15 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. James L. Arnold, 21, of Mattawan, MI died Mar. 15 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Harry H. Timberman, 20, of Minong, WI died March 17 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Pfc. Anthony A. Kaiser, 27, of Narrowsburg, NY died Mar. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin L. Sebban, 29, of Chattanooga, TN died Mar. 17 in Baqubah, Iraq.

*Sgt. 1st Class Christopher R. Brevard, 31, of Phoenix, AZ died Mar. 16 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. 1st Class John S. Stephens, 41, of San Antonio, TX died March 15 in Tikrit, Iraq.

*Sgt. Nimo W. Tauala, 29, of Honolulu, HI died March 17 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 03/17/07
Americans Killed: 3210
Americans Wounded: 24,042
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts." General Tommy Franks
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Lance Cpl. Dennis J. Veater, 20, of Jessup, PA died March 9 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Spc. Jonathan K. Smith, 19, of Atlanta, GA died Mar. 11 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Daniel E. Woodcock, 25, of Glennallen, AK died Mar. 11, in Ad Dawr, Iraq.

*Sgt. Thomas L. Latham, 23, of Delmar, MD died March 11 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. 1st Class Douglas C. Stone, 49, of Taylorsville, UT died Mar. 11 in Iraq.

*Pfc. Angel Rosa, 21, of South Portland, ME died March 13 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Steven M. Chavez, 20, of Hondo, NM died March 14 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Spc. Adam J. Rosema, 27, of Pasadena, CA died Mar. 14 south of Baqubah, Iraq.

*Cpl. Brian L. Chevalier, 21, of Athens, GA died Mar. 14 in Mufrek, Iraq.

*Spc. Stephen M. Kowalczyk, 32, of San Diego, CA died Mar. 14 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq.

*Sgt. Robert M. Carr, 22, of Warren, OH died Mar. 13 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Alberto Garcia Jr., 23, of Bakersfield, CA died Mar. 13 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Raymond J. Holzhauer, 19, of Dwight, IL died March 15 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Be All That You Can Be

"Soldier: Sergeant offered chance to kill Iraqis"

AP - March 14, 2007

"FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - A staff sergeant gave soldiers the option of taking part in the shooting of three Iraqi detainees before the killings took place, a soldier testified Wednesday.

Staff Sgt. Ray Girouard, 24, called members of his squad into a meeting in Samarra, Iraq in May and told them they could shoot the men after they were cut loose, Pfc. Juston Graber testified.

Soldiers say detainees shot for sport

Spc. William Husaker and Pfc. Corey Clagett testified Tuesday that Girouard gave them the order to release the three men and shoot them as they fled. They each have pleaded guilty to murder and sentenced to 18 years in military prison.

The soldiers had previously told investigators they were given rules of engagement by 3rd Brigade commander Col. Michael Steele to kill all military-age men. Steele has denied this but invoked his right not to testify.


A judge ruled last week that Steele will not be forced to testify, but defense attorneys could cross-examine the witnesses about their understanding of Steele’s order."

Today's military - creating tomorrow's ...?

[UPDATE 3/17/07]: - "Soldier Convicted Of Negligent Homicide"

"POSTED: 9:35 pm PDT March 16, 2007

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- A jury Friday night has found a 101st Airborne soldier guilty of three county of negligent homicide in the deaths of three Iraqi detainees.


After four hours of deliberating, the panel returned the verdict in the court-martial of Staff Sgt. Ray Girourd.


The panel could have found him guilty on the more serious charges of premeditated murder.

A negligent homicide charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison.


Girouard could have faced a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole if he had been convicted on premeditated murder charges."

[UPDATE 3/19/07]: - "GI gets 10 years in prison for 3 Iraqi deaths"

"FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - A soldier convicted in the deaths of three Iraqi detainees during a raid on a suspected insurgent camp in Iraq was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Monday.

Staff Sgt. Ray Girouard, who was found guilty Friday in his court-martial of negligent homicide, faced up to 21 years in prison. He avoided a life sentence when he was found not guilty of premeditated murder.

Along with the three counts of negligent homicide, he was convicted of obstruction of justice for lying to investigators, conspiracy for trying to conceal the crime and failure to obey a general order."

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 03/10/07
Americans Killed: 3190
Americans Wounded: 23,924
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts" General Tommy Franks
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Staff Sgt. Justin M. Estes, 25, of Sims, AR died Mar. 5 in Samarra, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Robert M. Stanley, 27, of Spotsylvania, VA died Mar. 5 in Samarra, Iraq.

*Sgt. Andrew C. Perkins, 27, of Northglenn, CO died Mar. 5 in Samarra, Iraq.

*Spc. Justin A. Rollins, 22, of Newport, NH died Mar. 5 in Samarra, Iraq.

*Pfc. Cory C. Kosters, 19, of The Woodlands, TX died Mar. 5 in Samarra, Iraq.

*Spc. Ryan M. Bell, 21, of Colville, WA (66th Washingtonian) died Mar. 5 in Samarra, Iraq.

*Pvt. Mark W. Graham, 22, of Lafayette, LA died Mar. 7 at Brooke Army Medical
Center, San Antonio, TX of wounds suffered Mar. 2 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Christopher R. Webb, 28, of Winchester, CA died Mar. 7 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Shawn P. Rankinen, 28, of Independence, MO died Mar. 7 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Michael D. Rivera, 22, of Brooklyn, NY died Mar. 7 in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

General Petraeous: Double Time on the Double Talk?

In the coverage of the recently announced “Murtha Plan” for troop withdrawal from Iraq, I have been struck by a couple of statements attributed to Gen. David H. Petraeus, the new Commanding General in Iraq. I wish I knew in which order the statements were made however, I will present them in the order in which I read them. (Emphasis added – TLS)

From a story in today’s online New York Times Democrats Rally Behind a Pullout From Iraq in ’08

“The new American commander in Iraq, Gen. David H. Petraeus, warned on Thursday that American troops there faced a long road ahead and left open the possibility of calling in even more soldiers to calm the country. He stressed the long-term nature of the effort and asserted a need for open-endedness in the American commitment.”

I hope you can imagine that I was quite taken aback by this comment. Considering that even George W. Bush has said as recently as a couple of weeks ago that America’s commitment of troops was ‘not without limit.’ This seems like an odd thing for General Petraeus to now be saying. But then I read this from the online Guardian UK: Petraeus: More Needed to End Iraq Unrest

”Military force alone is not sufficient to end the violence in Iraq and political talks must eventually include some militant groups now opposing the U.S.-backed government, the new commander of U.S. forces in Iraq said Thursday. ``This is critical,'' Gen. David Petraeus said in his first news conference since taking over command last month.


He said that ``any student of history recognizes there is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq, to the insurgency in Iraq.''

I guess it really doesn’t matter in which order the general said these things. What truly concerns me is that, at a time when the American people are calling for an end to US military involvement in Iraq and the Democrats in Congress are finally putting forward something other than non-binding rhetoric; suggesting that they will exercise their Constitutional prerogative with regard to funding an overwhelmingly unpopular escalation of troops into the country, the unanimously approved commander in Iraq says:
‘I know there is no military solution to this but send me more troops any way.’

Unbelievable.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Those Fringies Will Say Anything

(With a huge tip o' the hat to Howie in Seattle)

"The president says, 'I don't care.' He's not accountable anymore," (He) says, measuring his words by the syllable and his syllables almost by the letter. "He's not accountable anymore, which isn't totally true. You can impeach him, and before this is over, you might see calls for his impeachment. I don't know. It depends how this goes."

"Congress abdicated its oversight responsibility," he says. "The press abdicated its responsibility, and the American people abdicated their responsibilities. Terror was on the minds of everyone, and nobody questioned anything, quite frankly."

So says Nebraska Republican Senator Chuck Hagel

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 03/08/07
Americans Killed: 3188
Americans Wounded: 23,785
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts" General Tommy Franks
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Staff Sgt. Karl O. Soto-Pinedo, 22, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, died Feb. 27 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pvt. Wesley J. Williams, 23, of Philadelphia, PA died March 2, in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Dustin M. Gould, 28, of Longmont, CO died March 2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Paul M. Latourney, 28, of Roselle, IL died March 2 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Luis O. Rodriguez-Contrera, 22, of Allentown, PA died March 2 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Lt. Cmdr. Morgan C. Tulang, 36, of Hilo, HI died March 2 in Kuwait.

*Hospitalman Lucas W.A. Emch, 21, of Kent, OH died March 2 in Al-Anbar Province, Iraq.

*Spc. Christopher D. Young, 20, of Los Angeles, CA died March 2 in Safwan, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Raul S. Bravo, 21, of Elko, NV died March 3 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Sgt. Brandon A. Parr, 25, of West Valley, UT died Mar. 3 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Michael C. Peek, 23, of Chesapeake, VA died Mar. 3 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Ashly L. Moyer, 21, of Emmaus, PA died Mar. 3 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Blake Harris, 22, of Pueblo, CO died Mar. 5 in Baqubah, Iraq.

*Spc. Ryan D. Russell, 20, of Elm City, NC died Mar. 5 in Baqubah, Iraq.

*Pvt. Barry W. Mayo, 21, of Ecru, MS died Mar. 5 in Baqubah, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Darrel D. Kasson, 43, of Florence, Ariz., died Mar. 4 in Tikrit, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

With Compassion For All Sentient Beings

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Privatization at Walter Reed Putting Veterans' Care at Risk?

With thanks to the folks at Crooks and Liars, we are directed to this from the Army Times: Committee subpoenas former Walter Reed chief

It seems there is some question about how much effect the Bush Administration’s efforts toward privatization at Walter Reed Army Medical Center may have had on the deplorable conditions and inadequate treatment our returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have been subject to.

According to the piece by AT Staff Writer, Kelly Kennedy,

” The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has subpoenaed Maj. Gen. George Weightman, who was fired as head of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, after Army officials refused to allow him to testify before the committee Monday.

Committee Chairman Henry Waxman and subcommittee Chairman John Tierney asked Weightman to testify about an internal memo that showed privatization of services at Walter Reed could put “patient care services… at risk of mission failure.””

Apparently at the heart of the committee’s concern is an internal memo written by Garrison Commander, Peter Garibaldi to General Weightman addressing the issue of privatization at Walter Reed. The memo, written in September, talks about the awarding of a $120 million contract to IAP Worldwide Services, a private facilities company headed by former senior Halliburton official, Al Neffgen. The memo also addresses concerns about the loss of experienced and skilled employees at the facility. The article goes on to say,

”During the year between awarding the contract to IAP and when the company started, “skilled government workers apparently began leaving Walter Reed in droves,” the letter states. “The memorandum also indicates that officials at the highest levels of Walter Reed and the U.S. Army Medical Command were informed about the dangers of privatization, but appeared to do little to prevent them.””

The letter from The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to General Weightman, which goes into greater detail on the internal memo in question can be seen here

You can also read more background on the story coming from Walter Reed from The Army Times:
here

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 03/03/07
Americans Killed: 3169
Americans Wounded: 23,785
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts." General Tommy Franks
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:


*Sgt. Jeremy D. Barnett, 27, of Mineral City, OH died Feb. 24 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained in Ad-Dujayl, Iraq, on Feb. 21.

*Spc. Ethan J. Biggers, 22, of Beavercreek, OH died Feb. 24 in Indianapolis, IN of wounds suffered in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 5, 2006.

*Lance Cpl. Anthony Aguirre, 20, of Channelview, TX died Feb. 26 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Sgt. William J. Beardsley, 25, of Coon Rapids, MN died Feb. 26 in Diwaniyah, Iraq.

*Sgt. Chad M. Allen, 25, of Maple Lake, MN died Feb. 28 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Pfc. Bufford K. Van Slyke, 22, of Bay City, MI died Feb. 28 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Sgt. Richard A. Soukenka, 30, of Oceanside, CA died Feb. 27 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Cpl. Lorne E. Henry, Jr., 21, of Niagara Falls, NY died Feb. 27 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Jonathan D. Cadavero, 24, of Takoma Park, MD died Feb. 27 in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue