Smaller government

Despite being a liberal, I am in favor of reducing SOME parts of the Federal Government. Let's start by cutting the military budget by 25%.

We know the truth...

Inside the Corporate Plan to Occupy the Pentagon: Behind the growing push to slash soldiers' pensions and other military costs is a little-known advisory group—stacked with Wall Street executives.

Anyone with half a brain cell knows that our governmental leaders are bought and paid for by the corporations and the top 1%. If the defense budget is cut, a lot of the aforementioned stand to lose a lot of money unless they take away from the people serving in the military. And we all know that money comes before country.

The good die young

Putting our young people through the horrific nature of war and the culture of being in the military is questionable.  Maybe it's time to rethink our position in the world that has us with military everywhere.

Socialism

Lower Court - DADT illegal

Great news! U.S. District Court Judge Ronald B. Leighton ordered the Air Force to reinstate ACLU client and flight nurse Major Margaret Witt, who was discharged from the Air Force in 2006 under the military's unconstitutional "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy.Judge Leighton found, after a six-day trial, that Maj.

Witt's sexual orientation did not negatively impact unit cohesion or morale. In fact, as several members of Maj. Witt's former unit testified at trial, her discharge was "devastating" and "negatively impacted the unit."

"I want to serve my country," Maj. Witt said. "I have loved being in the military-my fellow airmen have been my family. I am proud of my career and want to continue doing my job. Wounded people never asked me about my sexual orientation. They were just glad to see me there."

A decision by federal court Judge Virginia A. Phillips found that DADT had a "direct and deleterious effect" on the armed services. The combination of this and the decision in Maj. Witt's case demonstrates, yet again, the counterproductive and discriminatory nature of the DADT policy.

Source: ACLU.org

Why we run such a huge deficit

From Acerbic Politics

Military Support for Bush

They may not say it publicly, but deep inside the military probably has something they'd like to say to the President.

A Military Feast

With private firms running the support services for our troops in Iraq, and with an unlimited budget (no-bid contracts), expenses for the war can be confusing. I mean, I want to support the troops and all - but is this necessary?

From Military.com...

Forget the K-rations of World War II and the chewy, tasteless MREs -- "Meals, Ready-to-Eat" -- that sustained U.S. Soldiers in more recent conflicts. With most of America's 150,000 troops in Iraq living on large bases, the combat ration has given way to a smorgasbord of food that has some Soldiers bingeing and others in fits.

"You have to have an iron discipline," said Sgt. Robert Carmical, a trombone player in the 25th Infantry Division Band, who arrived at Contingency Operating Base Speicher only days ago. "A lot of people turn to food for comfort, and the opportunity is there."

Barbecue ribs, fried chicken, rib-eye steak, lobster tails, crab legs, roast turkey, stir-fry, cheeseburgers, fries, onion rings, egg rolls, breaded shrimp, buffalo wings, chili, crepes, pancakes, omelets, waffles, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, quiches, bacon, polish sausages, pulled pork, corned beef hash, milk shakes and smoothies -- and that's just for starters.

Is The Military Standing Up?

Even the military has had about enough of G.W. Bush and friends. The Chairman of the Joint Chief's of Staff is speaking out. The following is via Crooks and Liars - click the link for sources and more information.

The new chairman, Adm. Mike Mullen, expressed deep concerns that the long counterinsurgency missions in Iraq and Afghanistan have so consumed the military that the Army and Marine Corps may be unprepared for a high-intensity war against a major adversary.

He rejected the counsel of those who might urge immediate attacks inside Iran to destroy nuclear installations or to stop the flow of explosives that end up as powerful roadside bombs in Iraq or Afghanistan, killing American troops.

Suicide Soldier

Did You Know - Military Costs

From Raw Story, reporting on a New York Times (requires free registration) Story...

The New York Times reports that for many soldiers, "the repercussions, chaos and loneliness of wartime deployments are one of the toughest, least discussed byproducts of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Time spent away from spouses and families has "left a trail of badly strained or broken unions, many severed by adultery or sexual addictions; overburdened spouses, some of whom are reaching for antidepressants; financial turmoil brought on by rising debts, lost wages and overspending; emotionally bruised children whose grades sometimes plummet; and angst-ridden parents who at times turn on each other," writes Lizette Alvarez.

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