60 Minutes History of Troop Disdain

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight we will reportedly be seeing a piece on 60 Minutes that tries to undermine the war effort by using a group of soldiers who are calling for an end to the war as a representative of the entire military Just recently I was involved in a debate where mudkitty was using numbers from a Military Times poll trying to make the same point. However I will (unlike her) give you the link so all can see the good and bad. Military Times Poll.

In this poll it also has this little kernel: “But they are convinced the media hate them — only 39 percent of military respondents said they think the media have a favorable view of the troops.”

Well this leads me to my video evidence (h/t Newsbusters). You will see two clips that I ask you to watch in order. In the first you will hear the 60 minutes star Mike Wallace with his contention that lives are NOT more important than the story, yes even American servicemen. Lives being lost actually are the story. (1:40 is the most important question and answer.)

Now that you are thoroughly disgusted look at the response from a military eye.

“BUT I’LL DO IT!” The military would risk lives to save people all around the world even journalists, even though most journalists would not extend the same helping hand. I did some of my first posts on this topic follow these links: 1, 2, 3, 4 These are the stories I really started this blog for. The ones where the military is a God when the media is pulling in good ratings, but they are nothing short of the enemy when things change. It makes me physically ill.

Technorati Tags: 60 minutes Wallace anti-military press media

Question for me?

Mudkitty has a question for me...

Missile Defense and Russian Threats.

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Currently the MDA (Missile Defense Agency) has planned positioning some 10 interceptors and radar in Europe to protect our assets and allies on the continent from aggressors such as rogue nations like the DPRK and Iran. Russia is using this as an excuse to come after the United States. The system would have no impact on Russia due to the location of the interceptors a missile launch from Russia would be off and too far in to its flight before the radar could pick it up, establish a flight trajectory, and fire an interceptor. That and the fact, I will mention again later, that 10 interceptors can not take out thousands of missiles and warheads that Russia has.

It is only a matter of time before we start hearing the people that say “the end is near” and start the claims that President Bush is trying to bring the world to the brink of Nuclear War. This is just a joke. I have to walk a fine line when commenting about MDA activities but this sentence really got to me:

“Frank-Walter Steinmeier says, because of the strategic nature of the project and its close proximity to Russia, Washington should have included Moscow in the talks from the beginning.”

Really, did Russia keep us in the talks when they developed “stealth” cruise missiles, or how about selling arms to Iran, or launching Iranian satellites in to orbit? Some of you may not remember but it was recently that Russia was firing off a new cruise missile with large range and Putin touted the fact that this missile was “stealth” and thereby could penetrate any missile defense system. Think about it, who else has missile defense systems? Basically the United States and Israel. The “ex-“spy turn leader threatened the US between the lines. Why are we not supposed to respond? In addition Russia has sold state of the art surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) to Iran, perfect timing at a time where a possible (I say possible) air strike might be necessary to stop Iran who again yesterday spat in the faces world via the U.N. And SECSTATE Rice came back with a semi-strong statement:

"I think it is unfortunate that the Russian head of strategic rocket forces would come out and say that somehow Poland and the Czech Republic would now be on the target list of Russia. I think that was an extremely unfortunate comment," Rice said in Berlin after talks with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.”

So to the “it’s America’s fault” crowd please explain to me how our use of DEFENSIVE weapons causes the once super-power to threaten essentially the U.S. and other countries is US causing the situation. That is like looking at two people in a street fight and blaming the whole thing on the guy that doesn’t wasn’t to fight and is only putting his arms up to block incoming punches. This mindset, via the KGB agents government makes me really think that Cold War II is on its way.

In addition for Russia to be complaining is a joke! This is to prevent DPRK or Iran who have a minimal number of weapons and a minimal number of delivery missiles. And I in turn go to the good SECSTATE to make the point:

“Anyone who knows anything about this will tell you there is no way that 10 interceptors in Poland and a radar site in the Czech Republic are a threat to Russia, that they are somehow going to diminish Russia's deterrent of thousands of warheads."

Yesterday, Lt. General Obering (Director of Missile Defense Agency) spoke to the press regarding this issue.

“Here’s what we’re concerned about,” Obering said. “We know that rogue nations such as North Korea and Iran are very much interested in ballistic missiles and that technology, not only for the operation of these missiles, but to be able to have them for coercion and for intimidation purposes.”

In General Obering’s comments he commented upon what we always hear from the lefties, the misconception that MD does not work… but as he said, that is false and there are the test results to prove it. 24 successful hit-to-kill tests since 2001, that does not sound like a “failure” to me. Here is a link to the most recent missile defense piece I have done which in turn includes links to all other MD articles I have done. In addition please read Mike’s America Dem Not Serious About Missile Defense.

Always Faithful!

C.I.R. Press Note
(h/t Griz at God Bless America)

To Our Troops We Must Remain Always Faithful
Representative Sam Johnson:
You know, I flew 62 combat missions in the Korean War and 25 missions in the Vietnam War before being shot down.

I had the privilege of serving in the United States Air Force for 29 years, attending the prestigious National War College, and commanding two air bases, among other things.

I mention these stories because I view the debate on the floor not just as a U.S. Congressman elected to serve the good people of the Third District in Texas, but also through the lens of a life-long fighter pilot, student of war, a combat warrior, a leader of men, and a Prisoner of War.

Ironically, this week marks the anniversary that I started a new life - and my freedom from prison in Hanoi.

I spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. I flew out of Hanoi on February 12, 1973 with other long-held Prisoners of War - weighing just 140 pounds. And tomorrow - 34 years ago, I had my homecoming to Texas - a truly unspeakable blessing of freedom.

While in solitary confinement, my captors kept me in leg stocks, like the pilgrims... for 72 days....
As you can imagine, they had to carry me out of the stocks because I couldn't walk. The following day, they put me in leg irons... for 2 ½ years. That's when you have a tight metal cuff around each ankle - with a foot-long bar connecting the legs.

I still have little feeling in my right arm and my right hand... and my body has never been the same since my nearly 2,500 days of captivity.

But I will never let my physical wounds hold me back.

Instead, I try to see the silver lining. I say that because in some way ... I'm living a dream...a hope I had for the future. "From April 16, 1966 to February 12, 1973 - I prayed that I would return home to the loving embrace of my wife, Shirley, and my three kids, Bob, Gini, and Beverly...

And my fellow POWs and I clung to the hope of when - not if - we returned home.
We would spend hours tapping on the adjoining cement walls about what we would do when we got home to America.

We pledged to quit griping about the way the government was running the war in Vietnam and do something about it... We decided that we would run for office and try to make America a better place for all.

So - little did I know back in my rat-infested 3 x 8 dark and filthy cell that 34 years after my departure from Hell on Earth... I would spend the anniversary of my release pleading for a House panel to back my measure to support and fully fund the troops in harm's way....and that just days later I would be on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives surrounded by distinguished veterans urging Congress to support our troops to the hilt.

We POWs were still in Vietnam when Washington cut the funding for Vietnam. I know what it does to morale and mission success. Words can not fully describe the horrendous damage of the anti-American efforts against the war back home to the guys on the ground.

Our captors would blare nasty recordings over the loud speaker of Americans protesting back home...tales of Americans spitting on Vietnam veterans when they came home... and worse.

We must never, ever let that happen again.

The pain inflicted by your country's indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors.

Our troops - and their families - want, need and deserve the full support of the country - and the Congress. Moms and dads watching the news need to know that the Congress will not leave their sons and daughters in harm's way without support.

Since the President announced his new plan for Iraq last month, there has been steady progress. He changed the rules of engagement and removed political protections.

There are reports we wounded the number two of Al Qaeda and killed his deputy. Yes, Al Qaeda operates in Iraq. It's alleged that top radical jihadist Al-Sadr has fled Iraq - maybe to Iran. And Iraq's closed its borders with Iran and Syria. The President changed course and offered a new plan ...we are making progress. We must seize the opportunity to move forward, not stifle future success.

Debating non-binding resolutions aimed at earning political points only destroys morale, stymies success, and emboldens the enemy.

The grim reality is that this House measure is the first step to cutting funding of the troops...Just ask John Murtha about his 'slow-bleed' plan that hamstrings our troops in harm's way.

Now it's time to stand up for my friends who did not make it home - and those who fought and died in Iraq - so I can keep my promise that when we got home we would quit griping about the war and do something positive about it...and we must not allow this Congress to leave these troops like the Congress left us.

Today, let my body serve as a brutal reminder that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past... instead learn from them.

We must not cut funding for our troops. We must stick by them. We must support them all the way...To our troops we must remain...always faithful.

God bless you and I salute you all. Thank you.

NOTD 20070220 (UPDATED)

C.I.R. News of the Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today I came across two interesting stories. The first is the whole “Bush to invade Iran” ongoing drama. I am pretty sure it was the BBC that announced a number of months ago we were going to invade. In the article they speak of contingency plans that the Pentagon has. To anyone that knows anything about the military there are plans for everything, in the event that you need a plan right away you must have something to work from. I am sure the Pentagon has a contingency plan ready in the event that the girl scouts of Bermuda try to attack. Is what I find most interesting about journalism these days is that we have gone past the era of the “unnamed source” and have progressed to the realm of “unnamed author.”

Second on my list is simple, justice has been served. “Guantanamo Bay detainees may not challenge their detention in U.S. courts, a federal appeals court said Tuesday in a ruling upholding a key provision of a law at the center of President Bush's anti- terrorism plan.” A wrong has no been righted and now maybe we can get on to fighting this war instead of trying it in the courts.

(UPDATE/FLASHBACK)
But I thought it has been nearly a year since the British press said we were going to nuke Iran, from the archives...
The British press informing me about the US military options. Then it just got better. Their source for the story, none other than Sy Hersh. Mr. Abu Ghraib himself. The one caught in multiple lies in regards to many later depictions he made of things he really hadn't seen...

Technorati Tags: Iran, Gitmo, anti-terrorism

Support...

"Send Support, we want to finish our job with our heads high."

"Oh, you jest. We only send our 'support' in words, good luck with all that."

Required Viewing!

C.I.R. REQUIRED VIEWING

I am asking for a metaphorical “call to arms” this coming weekend. I am not a person that usually tunes in to this show but I will this weekend and I ask every single one of you to do so. America’s Most Wanted will air Saturday at 2100hrs (9pm for you civvies) on FOX broadcast.

Viewers will be asked to call the program’s anonymous hotline, 1-800-CRIME-TV, if they have tips that could help recover the medals.

The Medal of Honor exhibit is part of the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum aboard the dry-docked aircraft carrier Yorktown near Fort Sumter, S.C. It groups the medal’s history into eight eras — the Civil War, Indian Campaigns, the wars of American expansion, peacetime, World War I and II,
Korea and Vietnam.

Each of the nabbed awards is inscribed with the recipient’s name. They date from the Civil War to Vietnam. With the trail grown cold, FBI agents turned to the “Most Wanted” producers for help.

Senior correspondent Tom Morris agreed to tackle the story after being approached by producer Steve Katz.

“It’s an interesting and different sort of crime, an egregious one against the people who bled and died for their country,” Morris said.

Please link to this post or make your own on your blog, and spread the word. I appreciate it.

Technorati Tags: Medal of Honor, stolen

Rep. throws in the towel.

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. Stephen Cohen (D-TN) spoke on the floor of the house this morning. In a boxing metaphor of sorts he compared the insurgent fighters in Iraq to Mohammed Ali, and the United States Military as a lesser boxer that should have never dared been in the same ring. Here are his words not mine:

“What a good trainer would do is throw in the towel, and say we quit.”

Does he represent the US or what the terrorists around the world want to hear? Nothing like “support” from your elected leaders that don’t just feel content saying you cannot win but actually take it to the point of comparing the US in to a weaker power that is just unable to have the strength to win! You may not sir, but the military of the United States will undertake any task given to it and does not run from something that is a “hard fight.” Can I please now assume that I won't get lectures from the left that they are not for "cut and run"?

Europe wants Marines to die.

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rough subject title, but what else am I to assume? If there are any of you out there that don’t understand why I and others don’t like Europe, or those that do not like it but need further support for their feelings… Please consider the following. A wounded Marine in Iraq needs urgent medical care thanks to injuries by a roadside bomb. His only hope is an elite hospital in Texas. A C-17 is tasked with the mission to get him from Balad AFB, Iraq to Texas. (Full Story)

Ping was riding through Fallujah on Sept. 28 when an explosive device triggered, burning and showering him with shrapnel. Army forces moved Ping from the Fallujah scene to Balad Air Base where Navy doctors stabilized him. The 20-year-old was ready for transport.

Around midnight, the 14th Airlift Squadron received word that the flight was a go. The mission included taking a near nosedive landing into Balad Air Base to avoid potential fire, transforming a C-17 into an
emergency room, and an in-flight refueling to avoid a second landing...


...In the air, Ping remained stable, but his right eye was in danger. Pilots tried to go faster, asking for a direct route through European air space, explaining their medical mission. But a controller responded, “Unable.”...


...Again they asked for a direct path and controllers responded, “Not at this time.”...


...Pilots repeated the request for a direct route once they reached American air space and explained their medical emergency. And the controller responded they could have whatever they needed. “You could hear the emotion in the controller’s voice when he found out,” Campbell said. “You could just tell he really cared as opposed to what we heard the whole way.”


He has healed better than expected and is still asking about his fellow Marines even after everything he suffered. Thanks for the help Europe! Why would anyone want to be more like Europe?

Technorati Tags: Europe, anti-military

Pelosi 1

C.I.R. Press Editorial

UNDISCLOSED – I have remained out of the battle the past days because as much as I do not like the new Speaker of the House, she is just that and so she should not be discriminated against. She should receive the same perks as any speaker. I was on her side until the fuss of needing a bigger plane. Then I was a little peeved. But I figured that, much like a child, she was seeing how far she could push things before being called on it.

Well she has lost my support! I said the following over at Mike’s America last night.

If there is a need, security wise, for her to have a plane…fine. A bigger one that can make the trip non-stop…fine. But as you say it is for her NOT her family. I am even fine with some of her staff with her. It is a mobile office and I am sorry but every day is not “bring all your kids/grandkids to work day.”The United States Air Force should not be tasked with providing a fun toy. Remember those images with all her grandkids surrounding her? Give me a break. Look, she would have to go on to Andrews AFB to get on the plane. I would fire up the plane for her, however when she gets to the gate it should be her and
select members of her staff allowed on base. All others should be denied access. She is not an active service member nor retired veteran, so she would not have a DoD ID card. That means technically she has no right to set foot on base. This would be a privilege, NOT a right! If she is flying home every weekend then the privilege should be revoked.And around election time she should have to PAY for the entire flights just as POTUS or VPOTUS must when traveling to/fro campaigning events!

I stood by that until I heard her being interviewed by Greta last evening on FNC. My new response is the following:

She said that she likes her freedom and will not stand for having to stop to refuel. If that is the case she will buy her own tickets on commercial flights. Let’s think about this, what do you think would take more time?

1) Having to book a commercial flight, arrive to go through security at National or Dulles, wait in the plane for takeoff, and then fly west.

2) Going to your private awaiting jet (USAF transport), with no security, takeoff when you are onboard, fly west, stop on a military base to refuel (a location that is secure), then continue to San Fran.

I am going to guess that landing on your way west to refuel would take about as much time as having to wait in line at airports and waiting for the plane to takeoff. And this is a joke if the Sergeant at Arms argues that her having to land impacts her security. I am done, I don’t think she deserves a plane after those comments. She actually said that it was the Pentagon trying to get revenge because she is critical of the military.

Go ahead be like the rest of San Fran and decrease defense budgets because you aren’t going to get your “Pelosi 1” aircraft. And I love the fact that Murtha steps in with THREATS ON THE MILITARY. We have a god damn war to fight and he wants to say this about Pelosi getting what she wants???

“Late Wednesday afternoon, one of Pelosi's closest allies in the House, Rep. John Murtha, D-Penn., chairman of the key Appropriations Committee subcommittee on defense, told CNN that the Pentagon was making ‘a mistake’ by leaking information unfavorable to the speaker ‘since she decides on the
allocations for the Department of Defense.’”

I am still trying to figure out what “unfavorable” information was leaked. The truth? I say revoke this
“security measure.” The Pentagon and country have bigger things to worry about, not the fact that Pelosi demands a certain aircraft and if she doesn’t get it will just fly commercial. Well, let’s call her bluff.

So that is where I stood until about 30 minutes ago. That is when I heard her say the following in the halls of the Capitol:

“As a woman. As a woman speaker of the house, I don’t want any less opportunity than male speakers have had when they served here. But ya know what, I don’t even like having the security. I’d rather travel with my friends on the plane to California and get some work done.”

What? Now the Pentagon is being sexist? Are you f’ing kidding me? As a woman? What does that have anything to do with the size of the plane? Does she need more room to store her shoes or something. (Sorry ladies, I know that was a cheap shot, but hey we aren’t all perfect.) I just have no idea why she needs to mention, once again, she is female. We got it, that does not impact what the military “owes you.”

She talks about getting work done on the plane, like what? You can’t get more work done on a military private jet? What work cannot be done with added privacy, zero interruption, and complete control over your surroundings? We have all been in commercial airliners. You know what they look like, how they feel and the atmosphere. Not all of you have been in a C-20, I have.

Now tell me, you can’t get more work done in the setting shown above as opposed to a commercial airliner (image demonstrates the interior of a C-20). I would specifically ask the women out there to chime in as to why you would be unable to work in the setting shown above.

-md

Technorati Tags: Pelosi, USAF, left, Air Force One, plane, waste, hypocrisy

Just a good article.

In Defense of '24' An Arab-American defends the real-life Bauers.
BY EMILIO KARIM DABUL
Wednesday, February 7, 2007 12:01 a.m. EST

I am an Arab-American as well as a fan of "24." The two things are not mutually exclusive, despite what the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and other such groups have to say about this season's opening episodes possibly increasing anti-Muslim and anti-Arab prejudice in American society.

Most of the terrorists represented in "24" through the years have been Arab Muslims. Why? Well, probably because most terrorists today are, in fact, Arab Muslims. As a descendant of Syrian Muslims, I am very well aware that the majority of Muslims world-wide are peaceful, hard working, and law abiding. That still does not change the fact that the greatest terrorist threat to the U.S. today comes not from the ETA, the IRA, etc., but from one group: Islamic terrorists ...

... In the meantime, the next time a journalist decides to report on Arab-American concerns about shows like "24," maybe he could actually talk to someone other than CAIR and the Muslim Public Affairs Council, and seek out Arab-Americans with a different point of view. We actually do exist.

And maybe that same reporter could take a closer look at CAIR. Ask CAIR about the Holy Land Foundation and its support of Hamas. Ask it about the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the CAIR board member who was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in that case--yet still sits on CAIR's board. Look a little closer, and maybe you'll find that CAIR has good reason to get nervous about shows like "24."

Because terrorists and their supporters continue to hide among us in plain sight, we need Jack Bauer, now more than ever. (Full Story)

"My good friend from..."

C.I.R. Press Editorial

UNDISCLOSED – I sat today watching the debate on the Senate floor on C-SPAN around 1600hrs. Senator McConnell and Senator Reid went after one another regarding this pathetic attempt by the democrats to shove legislation down the republican’s throats. I was amused by this constant "my good friend" from Reid, I guess that is the diplomats way of saying "go f- yourself." I was having a hard time keeping a straight face with the number of times Reid was saying over and over “we support the troops.” He just couldn’t stop. You know it reminded me of how it tends to be the guy that always brags about his manhood or has to buy an expensive sports car and make sure all know about it. It is usually because such a person is over-compensating. And that is what the left was doing on the floor today.

I finally decided to change the channel and wasn’t going to bother writing a piece about it, but then a moment before my finger hit the button… I heard “We support the troops, we support the troops, we support the troops, everyone knows that” like it was the chorus of a song. And it was none other than Senator Prick Durbin. At that very moment I was stuck between throwing a heavy object at the TV, or laughing. I chose the latter.

“…you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime — Pol Pot or others — that had no concern for human beings. Sadly, that is not the case. This was the action of Americans in the treatment of their prisoners.”

That is supporting the troops DICK? Support you arrogant jackass? You support the troops as much as I supported Senator Kerry for President. In other words I got on my knees and prayed for him to lose every single night! Oh I know no one on that side of the aisle “wants the troops to lose.” Durbin you prick. Did you not want the Soviets to lose? Did you not want the Nazis to lose? I should hope so, so if the troops are no different then YOU WANT THEM TO LOSE!

It was at this time I believe that Senator McCain came to the floor. I am not an avid fan of the Senator but he is a patriot of patriots regardless of what you make of his politics. He handed Reid his ass making the point that one is to contend you disagree with the policy but want to stand and say you still support the troops, how is that possible? Maybe the average American is in that category and I respect that, it is only every few Novembers that they have a real say. This is not true of sitting federal politicians. If ending the war and keeping the troops out of harms way is concern number one. Vote… a BINDING ONE! I urge all on the left and right to be a real man/woman and stop playing politics with the military. If you are not for doing what it takes to win (including the new surge) then go on record and vote to cut funds. Take a real stance not this non-binding garbage.

Why did I have to mention his name, no quicker I say it than the Yellow Heart Kerry plops his long depressing face on the floor. He took a nice jab at McCain and then went on to repeat the left’s talking points. However, he himself admitted that his conscience was not clear and that he had blood on his hands. I do agree with one thing he said: "The troops over there are tougher than anyone in this room." You are correct Senator.

-md

Technorati Tags: Democrats, lose, pathetic

Anti-military prick.

C.I.R. Press Intro

UNDISCLOSED -- I am so glad that O’Reilly was able to do a good “talking points” about this matter, because usually I am not a fan. However, while trying to write about this my fingers seemed only able to type “4 letter words” over and over. I was just unable to contain my anger. I spent an hour or two, and it just pissed me off too much. So, I can sit back and say that for once O’Reilly was able to convey exactly what I wanted to say. And thankfully the clip has found its way to YouTube. (Below are my real feelings, if lost you can figure it out by getting hints from Mike’s America and Wordsmith.)

Arkin, you are a fucking asshole. You don't deserve to set foot on American soil. The end.

-md

Technorati Tags: Arkin, NBC, anti military, left

Good Boy!

Technorati Tags: Hillary, Clinton, dog