Army Holding Down Disability Ratings

There seems to be more and more evidence of this being found and it is a disgrace. The government cannot continue to treat soldiers this way or it could get really, really, ugly!

"The numbers of people approved for permanent or temporary disability retirement in the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force have stayed relatively stable since 2001.

But in the Army - in the midst of a war - the number of soldiers approved for permanent disability retirement has plunged by more than two-thirds, from 642 in 2001 to 209 in 2005, according to a Government Accountability Office report last year. That decline has come even as the war in Iraq has intensified and the total number of soldiers wounded or injured there has soared above 15,000. "

The numbers just do not add up! I am actively searching for non profit organizations that are helping these families and I am even taking a percentage of my income from my own business to donate to these organizations that are helping these soldiers and just as important, their families.

One such organization Fisher House, click the link to read more about their wonderful program.

Source

More Of Cheney

The Vice Presindent has been traveling the globe addressing various issues, some with praise, while other issues he rips.

"Cheney praised China for playing an “especially important” role in the negotiations that resulted in the North Korea deal, under which the North is to seal its main nuclear reactor and allow international inspections in exchange for fuel oil."

Ah yes, their favorite 3 letter word, that puts dollar signs in their eyes and control over yet another country. I understand that something must be done with the terrible things that are going on in N. Korea and other countries. We should be using our time, energy, and power to strengthen the NATO.

Cheney also talks about the frowned upon subject oh China's test and shooting a weather satellite out of space.

“Last month’s anti-satellite test, China’s continued fast-paced military buildup are less constructive and are not consistent with China’s stated goal of a peaceful rise,” he said.

Maybe his fear is that while China appears to be on American's side, secretly they are protecting themselves against us......trust much? Why should they?

On Iraq...

“Such chaos and mounting danger does not have to occur. It is, however, the enemy’s objective,” Cheney said. “For the sake of our own long-term security, we have a duty to stand in their way.”

I do not disagree with stepping in and helping people be freed from tyrannical governments. But it should go through the process, not lying to get approval, it only builds more hatred for America because we tend to do what we want and tell other countries what they can and cannot do. If it was done properly with proper support we would have more countries willing to step in and help. But instead those that have stepped in to help are unable to stand the pressure of their people, because they were most likely fed false intelligence to as proof to start the war but now are backing their soldiers out. The US Administration's response is to send more in, just one of many great ideas they are so proud to take credit for. What we all worry about most is that they actually do not see how wrong they are, but the scariest thing is to think that they really don't give a shit.

source

Honor in Iraq

Reading an article today that was posted on Foxnews.com has gotten my attention. Speaking from Japan, VP Cheney made the following comments:

"America will stay on the offensive on the War on Terror," he said. "The American people will not support a policy of retreat."

Define a policy of retreat! Is that just packing up camp and bringing home the troops ? Would that be having a documented plan to lessen our presence so the people of Iraq can have their country back? In my opinion this country wants our troops back in the states. Safe and secure as we can have them. They risk their lives for our freedoms and we respect them and want their safe return.

Also VP Cheney stated :

We want to complete the mission, we want to get it done right, and then we want to come home, with honor,"

What is the mission ? Is it to free a country of a tyrannical dictator and give it back to the people? Is it to find proof of weapons and the harboring of terror groups? Is it to install a form of government that our government thinks they should have? I am in no way saying that democracy is wrong, I am wondering if it should be forced on a group of people that do not want to participate in it. Can we say this is the way you should run your country now do it or we will spank you? Again in my opinion, we went over to Iraq because they had a dictator that was persecuting his people and those around him. We were also told that he had or was capable of making weapons so terrible that he needed to be stopped. Finally help them organize themselves so they can regain their country. So our troops went over, ended the dictators reign, searched for weapons, destroyed their ability to make those weapons. We trained their army and police forces and they held elections and set up a new government structure. What else is left for us to do. I think we lived up to our part in this. Now its up to Iraq to take the torch and run with it.

Honor... what does he mean by this? If the troops were recalled now leaving Iraq in the shape it is now? would they not have honor? My first thought was that if they were recalled right now would people treat them the way the Vietnam vets were treated? I think the two wars are very similar and I would hate for our country to revert to what happened 30 years ago. I might not agree with the war and the way it came about and the way it is being run. But saying that, I do support our troops 100 %. I think they have an honor and pride that I would never understand. They sacrifice themselves for our freedoms everyday. I would like to have them home so we can show them how much we respect and appreciate them and what they do for us.

Advertising, it works.....when you lie!

They use the G.I Bill to recruit those individuals that cannot afford college. Even after getting the it they cannot afford college. It is a lie, just one of many, you sign a contract that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy that you won't be shipped off to war if you are in training or in college. You agree to it and are binded to it, but they are not. They can change the "binding contract" as they see fit. Speak up, you are being insubordinate and go to prison. They expect you to be truthful and respectful, but how can you be?

Court Refuses Medic's Discharge Claim
The Associated Press

Instead of forcing him to fight or place him into a military prison. Maybe he could finish out his contract helping those at Walter Reed hospital. If he is passionate about what is going on in Iraq he can do his part to help those soldiers that need it when they get back to the states! This illegal use of power has to stop, at home and abroad!

If you knew the end result, would you still do it?

I applaud and thank the soldiers for their sacrifices despite how the US government/military treats you if you are injured. I understand it sort of like insurance, but you can sue an insurance company for saying one thing and not following through. The US military is wonderful until you are permanently injured and it affects you for the rest of your life. Very sad to hear story after story about the treatment of soldiers when they return from combat.

Soldiers Face Neglect, Frustration at Army's Top Medical Facility
By Dana Priest and Anne Hull
The Washington Post

If you knew this sort of thing would happen to you, things that are talked about in the above article, would you still fight for this country? I understand the whole discipline, Lord knows I could use more of it. But this is out of control!! These soldiers are better people than I am or will ever be because if I was asked to do what they do I would have to decline. Especially knowing how they are treated when they return injured.

I think this is a form of torture, the conditions at this hospital, soldiers get lost, they are doped up to forget about themselves the same way they are forgotten. Many would rather die than live that way, hopeless, alone, betrayed....I bet those at Gitmo are treated better, but they are closely monitored by the world, what about Walter Reed?

American tax dollars, well spent?

A very good question. But what do we (The American People) know? We pay them, they don't pay us. We are not working for one of those "Genius Think Tanks" that they spend so much of our tax dollars to make decisions for Us. Most of the time they can't even execute a "think Tank" plan effectively. Maybe we should join the ranks and create our own think tank company? but those of us that are thinking of others and not ourselves will never get that government cash because they are in the business of what will it get them...

Instead they waste our money on War in a country where they can get away with a lot more. I mean who is going to believe a detained Iraqi that he as well as possibly thousands of others that they were abused?

Jailed Two Years, Iraqi Tells of Abuse by Americans
By Michael Moss and Souad Mekhennet
The New York Times

Instead why don't we take care of our own People? For instance, those good hard working folks down in New Orleans and other areas destroyed by Katrina?

In Setback for New Orleans, Fed-Up Residents Give Up
By Shaila Dewan
The New York Times

"military-industrial complex" President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned against in 1961

In Iraq, Bush's Rent-an-Army
By Jeremy Scahill
The Los Angeles Times
Monday 29 January 2007

Wow, what a very informative article....When are we going to wise up people?!