Open Thread

by: Richard Allen Smith

Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 09:59:05 AM EST


FYI, We've been experiencing a mass spam registration of new accounts over the past few days. For this reason, I'm going to assume that if your comment signature advertises penis enlargements, vacation packages, cheap prescription drugs, etc., you are a spammer.

If you don't think this is fair, e-mail me (richard (at) votevets (dot) org) and we'll discuss why your signature should be an exception.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to e-mail a Nigerian prince.

Richard Allen Smith :: Open Thread
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Open Thread | 9 comments
National Security?? (0.00 / 0)
Most U.S. youths unfit to serve, data show

U.S. military-age youth are increasingly unfit to serve - mostly because they're in such lousy shape.

According to the latest Pentagon figures, a full 35 percent, or more than one-third, of the roughly 31.2 million Americans aged 17 to 24 are unqualified for military service because of physical and medical issues. And, said Curt Gilroy, the Pentagon's director of accessions, "the major component of this is obesity. We have an obesity crisis in the country. There's no question about it."...>>>

But don't worry, Multiple Tours, Stop Loss, Illegals or Immigrants with promises to fast track their citizenship if they survive {but reports are coming out that ain't workin so well}!!

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson


Five Brit Soldiers...... (0.00 / 0)
Five British soldiers shot dead by rogue Afghanistan policeman

Three Grenadier Guards and two Royal Military Police were attacked as they rested inside a compound.

The soldiers, who had removed their body armour and helmets, were shot by an Afghan national policeman who then fled. It is not known whether he was a member of the Taliban or being coerced by the insurgents. ..>>>



'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson


Brit MP..... (0.00 / 0)
British MP calls for Afghanistan withdrawal as five UK soldiers are killed

Britain's Kim Howells, who chairs Parliament's security and intelligence committee, called Wednesday for the withdrawal of British troops from Afghanistan. Public discontent has been rising...>>>
 

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

[ Parent ]
Torture (0.00 / 0)
Italian court convicts 23 Americans in CIA rendition case

An Italian court on Wednesday convicted 22 CIA operatives and a U.S. Air Force colonel of orchestrating the kidnapping of a Muslim cleric in Milan in 2003 and flying him to Egypt, where he said he was later tortured.

The judge in the case, Oscar Magi, said three other Americans, including the former Rome station chief for the CIA, were covered by diplomatic immunity.

The Americans were all tried in abstentia...>>>



'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

Countdown to Veterans Day with Library of Congress (0.00 / 0)
Shinseki Announces Veterans' Stories Posted on VA's Web Page

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will join with the Library of Congress to host a "Veterans History Countdown" on the VA Web site featuring the oral histories of Veterans from every state and U.S. territory.

"VA has partnered with the Library of Congress to honor our Veterans, preserve their histories and ensure that their service, sacrifice and heroism will never be forgotten," said Secretary Shinseki. "We want to encourage Americans to record the oral histories of Veterans for future generations."  

Each day, beginning Nov.1, VA's Web feature will introduce new personal histories, culminating on Veterans Day when a Veteran's history from each state and U.S. territory will be available simply by clicking on the U.S. map in the display.  

As Veterans Day approaches, the VA Web display will urge Americans to "Honor our Veterans. Record their Histories!" The display will link to the library's Veterans History Project Web site  which provides background about the program, a guide for volunteers to follow in recording and submitting Veterans' oral histories and to access the project's extensive digital archive...>>>Rest Here



'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

Senator blocking bill Vets Bill... (0.00 / 0)
Sen. blocking bill: Objection is cost, not vets

The senator holding up consideration of an omnibus veterans' health bill doesn't hate veterans and their families, but he does hate the idea of creating new benefits without paying for them, his spokesman says.

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., is using Senate rules to block a vote on S 1963, a major veterans bill, unless he has the chance to offer amendments to pay for the new benefits it creates, especially stipends, health benefits, counseling and other programs aimed at family caregivers of seriously wounded combat veterans...>>>Rest Here

This:

The senator holding up consideration of an omnibus veterans' health bill doesn't hate veterans and their families, but he does hate the idea of creating new benefits without paying for them, his spokesman says.

Is the Typical BullS**T from the same players we've heard over and over for now four decades, if they weren't the obvious obstructionist the VA system would be Tops In The World and be Cheaper To Run, but they do the same for any government agency then claim it's the Taxes and Not The Obstruction, unless it's the defense budget as they feed from that troth!! You folks got your hands full but you've got this technology as a tool that eases the fight, what we didn't have, use it wisely!!

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

In Case You Didn't Visit Article (0.00 / 0)
Robertson said he has spoken to Coburn's staff about the earlier holds on S 252 and S. 728, but the conversation was fairly one-sided, with Coburn's aides trying to get Robertson to dissuade veterans from flooding the senator's office with calls.

Well ya'all Know What To Do!!

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson


[ Parent ]
lol...Nigerian Prince! (0.00 / 0)
Thanks for the open thread. I posted an interesting insight on gays in the military (in case anyone misses it over on the personal blogs):

http://theworldofhowey.wordpre...

We really need to do more to end DADT. Especially after JimStaro's post.


CENTCOM receives 1/2 of the doses of H1N1 vaccine that they (0.00 / 0)
ordered. They don't know when the rest will be available.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/US...


Open Thread | 9 comments
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