D.C. cops nail a biker

 Scenes from another day in the neighborhood, along G Street, Washington, D.C., approximately 6:30 p.m., October 2, 2014 by Patricia Leslie

The GingRICH who stole Romney's Christmas...cartoon idea

No one's done this yet?

There he is, Santy GingRICH, dressed in red and white Santa apparel with a big bag of money and maps of Iowa slung on his back, trying to stuff himself down the chimney on top of a huge mansion (Romney's house) with the scene below inside the house at the hearth with dirt and soot coming from the fireplace while Romney stands in his p.j.s. beside the Christmas tree, anxiously awaiting Santa Claus's entry, wringing his hands and asking himself: "What is Santa Claus bringing me this year?"

Back to the roof: Beside the sleigh up on the roof (ho! ho! ho!) with GingRICH are his newest, best pals, Herman, Sarah, Michele dressed as elves, jumping up and down, screaming "Hurry up, Santa GingRICH, we don't have much time. Next stop: Iowa!"

Falling off the roof into the snow is, of course, Guvnor (sic) Perry, and desperately trying to crawl back on the roof is Jon Huntsman. Where is Ron Paul? Stuck in the snow and screaming something. Ditto Trump.

Maybe this is two cartoon ideas.

Illustration from hartlynkids.blogspot.com

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Attention!

Dear Justice Ginsburg,

Please forgive my brazen request, but would you, please, consider retiring in the next few months? The reason I ask is that there is general agreement that President Obama will lose next year (Afghanistan and the economy (too late to turn around)), and we certainly don't want a Republican president appointing another Alito, Roberts, Thomas, or Scalia to the U.S. Supreme Court, please!

If you announce your retirement soon, there will be enough time for the president to nominate your replacement and get him or her confirmed before the president retires on January 20, 2013. However, if you promise you will stay on the bench through 2020 (the next president may win two terms), all this is for naught, and we don't have anything to worry about! (Well, at least not as much.)

With sincere gratitude for your well served tenure,
Patricia

P.S. In the U.S. Supreme Court photo taken by Steve Petteway last October, according to Wikimedia Commons, are, from left, retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Ginsburg, and Justice Elena Kagan

Gates gloats, Americans die

Photos: top to bottom: Spec. Justin D. Ross, Pfc. Michael C. Mahr, Staff Sgt. Joshua S. Gire and family, Staff Sgt. Mecolus McDaniel, Cpl. Donald R. Mickler, Jr., and Master Sgt. Jamal H. Bowers

Below the story on page A9 in the April 8, 2011 edition of the Washington Post about Defense Secretary Robert Gates making a "valedictory" tour of Iraq where 4,446 American troops and 1,421,933 Iraqis have died, where 33,007 American troops have suffered injuries, and the U.S. price tag of $704 billion (February, 2010) leaps daily to assuage George Bush and friends' "giddy up" mentality now left to Bush taking out his aggression sweeping the bush and brush in Texas, are the latest names of troops who have died in the war in Afghanistan, the next big frontal assault where residents cry out "Leave us alone, Americans! Go home!"

Wherefore they go, Pakistan?

Why do we continue to wage war in a foreign territory not our own, when we cannot take care of our own within our own shores?

Bow your head in shame and praise the dead who gave up their lives for senseless games:

Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Meis, 20, Bennett, CO

Master Sgt. Jamal H. Bowers, 41, Raleigh, N.C.

Pfc. Rudy A. Acosta, 19, Canyon Country, CA

Cpl. Donald R. Mickler Jr., 29, Bucyrus, OH

Staff Sgt. Mecolus McDaniel, 33, Fort Hood, TX

Staff Sgt. James M. Malachowski, 25, Westminster, MD

Petty Officer 1st Class Vincent A. Filpi III, 41, Fort Walton Beach, FL

Staff Sgt. Joshua S. Gire, 28, Chillicothe, OH

Pfc. Michael C. Mahr, 26, Homosassa, FL

Spec. Justin D. Ross, 22, Green Bay, WI

Dearest Hillary,

Yea, Sister Hillary, of which side of your mouth do you speaketh?

You have epitomized the Hypocritical Oath!

In yesterday's WAPO you are quoted speaking at George Washington University about "a serious conversation" pertaining to "rules to ensure an open Internet, noting it had helped power the pro-democracy uprising in Egypt but also served as a tool for terrorists and repressive governments."

Dear Hillary: Which repressive governments? Our repressive government?

To continue, in your second major Internet freedom speech you, according to WAPO, "said the United States supported the 'freedom to connect' - but that there should be some limits."

Some limits? Oh, I get it: Do as I say but not do as I do? Practice what I don't practice?

Prithee, Hillary, do you speak about your homeland which veers right when it suits your fancy in order to quell WikiLeaks?

"Clinton offered few specifics of what those rules should be." No kidding! Why would you offer specifics when they will not serve your dualspeak well?

"Critics have charged that the State Department has issued contradictory messages in advocating Internet freedom while harshly criticizing the WikiLeaks disclosures. Clinton called that a 'false debate,' saying that the WikiLeaks release involved stolen government documents."

Hahahahahahahahaha. Hillary, who stole the documents? How did it happen? Yet you and the U.S. government seek to charge a person who distributed the documents and you maliciously mistreat a soldier who has not been found guilty but who you think exposed documents.

Would WikiLeaks have served a useful purpose, like maybe saving 4,000 American soldiers' lives and 30,000 wounds and thousands of Iraqi lives, by exposing the falsehoods of the Bush government before the Iraq attack?

Oh, the U.S. may restrict Internet exposure when government documents are "stolen," but China, Syria, and Iran should not do the same. Is that it? You want your cake and chocolate icing, too! Hahahahahahaha.

"Clinton also took aim, however, at some Western countries that have sought mechanisms to limit 'hate speech' on the Internet, saying they could offer repressive governments 'an excuse to violate freedom of expression.'"

My dear, dear lady! This hypocriticalspeak does you no service: It undermines your credibility and our own Constitution and the rights it bestows on us, the citizenry. Come now, my dear, and cease this double gibberish which seems to emanate from each side of your head like hydratalk. Perchance, you were having a stroke or got befuddled like the newscaster who garbled her words at the Grammys.

Prithee, exercise some manner of consistency (lest others think ill of you, alas) and avoid casting yourself as old and confused. Mr. Colbert and Mr. Stewart have enough fodder and need no contributions from our Secretary of State, my goodness!

With sincerest and warmest regards,

Patricia

P.S. Please cut your hair.

Hallo! Hallo! Is anyone at home at Sen. Mark Warner's?

Have you ever written Senator Warner when the reply was anything but:

Dear Friend,

Thank you for taking the time to share your views and experiences with me.

If you need assistance resolving a specific problem with a federal agency, please contact my office at 703-442-0670 or toll free at 1-877-676-2759. Otherwise, please be assured that we are reading and responding to your comments and opinions as fast as we can.

As the 111th Congress moves forward, please continue to be in touch with your views.

Sincerely,
MARK R. WARNER
United States Senator

Do you wonder if anyone is actually reading his mail or does the fax machine just dump it into the nearest trash can?

About once a month, sometimes more, I write him (and Senator James Webb) about pulling our men and women out of Afghanistan and Iraq.

(Senator Webb's replies sound like maybe someone in his office is glancing at the subject line, however, the most recent reply included this at the end: Here is some recent news about your topic of interest: and there was nothing there! Just white space. Ho hum. You think their office staffs have got anyone over age 15?)

To date, Senator Warner has never replied with anything but the robo letter, so as a test I sent him the following on December 15, 2010:

Dear Senator Warner,

Since your office always sends the same replies (robo-replies) and no one must read the letters sent to you, I was wondering if you would like for me to send you a contribution for your next race. This is a test, Senator Warner, to see if anyone is reading, and I'll put the reply up on my blog.

Sincerely,
Patricia

Well, the response was, yep! Just as expected: the same. I guess he doesn't need my money, and I'll send it to someone who does.

Question: The 111th Congress was moving forward on December 16, 2010 when the reply came? You think the computer gurus in his office have changed the letter yet to read 112th Congress? I guess I need to send another test letter.

Warner says "responding to your comments...as fast as we can." Well, duh! I haven't received any response other than what's here, and he's been in office two years!

Dear Friend,

Thank you for taking the time to share your views and experiences with me.

If you need assistance resolving a specific problem with a federal agency, please contact my office at 703-442-0670 or toll free at 1-877-676-2759. Otherwise, please be assured that we are reading and responding to your comments and opinions as fast as we can.

As the 111th Congress moves forward, please continue to be in touch with your views.


Sincerely,
MARK R. WARNER
United States Senator

Warner photo: Flickr/Forward Together PAC http://www.flickr.com/photos/govmarkwarner/191839366/

86% of American troop deaths in Iraq: non-combat related

The names of seven dead soldiers who were stationed in Iraq are listed on page A13 of the October 4, 2010 edition of the Washington Post.

Pictured are Gebrah Noonan in group photo (courtesy, Patrick Jacques, Jr.), John Carillo Jr. (second row, left), John F. Burner III (second row, right) James A. Hansen (third row, left), Brandon Maggart (third row, right) and Marc C. Whisenant (last row).

Why are we still in Iraq? In Afghanistan? Why are we there for our soldiers to die and be maimed and kill each other?

Sgt. Brandon E. Maggart, 24, of Kirksville, Missouri was killed August 22 at Basra.

The remaining six soldiers died of non-combat wounds.

They are:

Sgt. Ryan J. Hopkins, 21, Livermore, California died January 8 of injuries suffered October 4, 2008 in a motor pool accident

Senior Airman James A. Hansen, 25, Athens, Michigan died September 15 of injuries suffered during a controlled (controlled?) detonation

Sgt. John F. Burner III, 32, of Baltimore died September 16 of noncombat injuries

Spec. John Carrillo Jr., 20, of Stockton, CA and Pfc. Gebrah P. Noonan, 26, of Watertown, CT died September 24 of injuries from a noncombat accident. The Associated Press reported that a soldier in their battalion was being held in pre-trial detention after both soldiers were wounded September 23 after an argument, according to another source. A third soldier was also wounded.

Spec. Marc C. Whisenant, 23, of Holly Hill, FL died September 24 of injuries suffered in a vehicle rollover accident, a training exercise.

Pakistan's cows are more important than American troop deaths: Washington Post

In today's WAPO on p. A6, five columns with two color illustrations start at the top of the page and flow below the fold consuming more than a half page. The subject? The drownings and demise of Pakistan's cattle: "Livestock losses compound Pakistan's misery."

WAPO gives the single remaining gutter column to the deaths of seven American troops in Afghanistan.

WAPO sends a reporter to Pakistan to write about cows but is only able to pull up an AP story on deaths of our soldiers. Where are its priorities?

Who's left at the WAPO? All the editors are gone. Are teenagers running the joint now? Do they know where Afghanistan is? Or how to spell it? In Sunday's paper its own ombudsman complains about the paper's continuing decline. Pitiful is what it is.

Letter to Sen. Webb and Sen. Warner re: Afghanistan and a reply

Dear Senator Webb and Senator Warner:

How long, o Lord, how long?

Day after day after day! We read and hear about more deaths and maimings of our troops in Afghanistan. Why are we there? Why are we expending our resources in a nation far away? Oh, so we are to continue our waste for another year so President Obama can then say before the 2012 election that he is bringing the troops home?

Senator Webb, Senator Warner, how are we exiting Iraq when 50,000 troops will remain?

President Obama is rapidly losing progressive support which he will not have in numbers for 2012 like he had in 2008. Contrary to Sen. Carl Levin's statement that there is "solid support" among Democrats to continue this waste! These deaths! For naught! Levin is dead wrong.

Sincerely,
Patricia

Senator Warner replies:

Saturday, July 17, 2010, 12:07 PM

Dear Friend,

Thank you for taking the time to share your views and experiences with me.

If you need assistance resolving a specific problem with a federal agency, please contact my office at 703-442-0670 or toll free at 1-877-676-2759. Otherwise, please be assured that we are reading and responding to your comments and opinions as fast as we can.

As the 111th Congress moves forward, please continue to be in touch with your views.

Sincerely,
MARK R. WARNER
United States Senator

Almost 67% of American troop deaths in Iraq from non-combat related causes

The Washington Post recently listed the names of soldiers killed in Iraq, now totaling 4,410.

Pfc. Alvaro Regalado Sessarego, 37, of Virginia Beach, VA, had suffered severe burns in a mess hall fire in April in Dahuk, Iraq. He died of his injuries May 30 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas.

Pvt. Francisco J. Guardado-Ramirez, 21, of Sunland Park, N.M. was in a heavily armored mine resistant ambush protected vehicle when it hit a highway overpass in Baghdad, officials said. He died June 2.

Spc. Christopher W. Opat, 29, of Spencer, Iowa died June 15 in Baquah, Iraq, from injuries in a noncombat incident. Military officials have launched an investigation, but offered no other details.

Sgt. Steve M. Theobald, 53, Goose Creek, S.C. who was a motor transport operator, died June 4 from injuries in a military vehicle rollover accident near Kuwait City.

Sgt. Israel P. O'Bryan, 24 of Newbern, TN, and Spec. William C. Yauch, 23, of Batesville, AR, were killed June 11 in Jalula when a suicide car bomb exploded near their patrol.

More than half of U.S. troops in Iraq die from noncombat injuries

In last week's listing in the Washington Post (May 18, 2010, p. A11), seven of 13 of U.S. military deaths were caused by "noncombat injuries."

Why don't we get out sooner rather than later? Barack Obama has been in office almost 18 months. Why do we have to spend American lives and see our soldiers wounded and maimed to ensure George Bush's "democracy" in a nation not our own, where we try to instill our form of government?

Reverse the nations: Consider the U.S. being bombed, attacked, and occupied for seven years by another country on a hunt for "weapons of mass destruction" and finding none, then changing the goal to "let's git 'em" and after "gittin' him," changing the goal once more to "let's set up a theocracy" or whatever.

The listing of troops who died from non-combat injuries in Iraq and the dates of their deaths were:

Staff Sgt. Richard J. Jordan, 29, Tyler Texas, March 16, 2010
Pfc. Raymond N. Pacleb, 31, Honolulu, March 29
Sgt. Kurt E. Kruize, 35, Hancock, Minn., April 4
Pfc. Charlie C. Antonio, 28, Kahului, Hawaii, April 18
Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Worrell, 35, Virginia Beach, April 22
Staff Sgt. Esau S.A. Gonzales, 30, White Deer, TX, May 3
Sgt. Ralph Mena, 27, Hutchinson, Kansas, May 4

The troops who died from combat-related injuries were:
Spec. Robert M. Rieckhoff, 27, Kenosha, Wis., killed March 18 in Baghdad
Pfc. William A. Blount, 21,Petal, Miss, and 1st Lt. Robert W. Collins, 24 of Tyrone, GA both killed April 7 in Mosul
Staff Sgt. James R. Patton, 23, Fort Benning, GA killed April 18 in Tikrit
Sgt. Keith A. Coe, 30, Auburndale, FL, killed April 27 in Khalis
Sgt. Anthony O. Magee, 29, Hattiesburg, Miss., died April 27 of wounds suffered April 24 in Iskandariyah

Another American soldier died today in Iraq. How long, Mr. President, how long? Are we going to stay in Iraq until no more American troops remain standing?

The number of U.S. troops who have died in Afghanistan has surpassed 1,000, but who is counting?

Mr. President: You are losing your base.

The Post says 4,401 U.S. troops have died in or as a result of the Iraq War including 917 from "non-hostile actions."

When is "too long" long enough?

Message to President Obama and the DNC

Please!

Will the Democrats and all the other causes which bombard us, the faithful, daily with emails (primarily from the DNC) begging for money that we the people are sick and tired of receiving, lay off for a while, already? Really!

How much cash do you think we have anyway? Who do you think reads all those e-mails? Lately, I don’t even open yours, Mr. President.

Please go hammer the doors of the rich! We the people, the grunters, the gofers who do all the down and dirty work: the canvassing, the phone calling, the baking, the making, the driving, the lit drops, the sign installations, the sign pick-ups, the sign recycling, the manning of the polls on E-Day from dark to dark distributing the sample ballots, the reporting, are worn out, and your constant solicitation is aggravating. You don’t believe me? Take a gander at last week.

Please (in case my message is not clear): Lay off for a change. Go lay on the wealthy. Thank you. This word is brought to you from We The People.

And by the way: Please get us out of Iraq and Afghanistan immediately.

From: President Barack Obama [mailto:info@barackobama.com]
Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 1:23 AM
To: Patricia
Subject: Making history

Patricia --

This evening, at 11:15 p.m., the House of Representatives voted to pass their health insurance reform bill. Despite countless attempts over nearly a century, no chamber of Congress has ever before passed comprehensive health reform. This is history.

But you and millions of your fellow Organizing for America supporters didn't just witness history tonight -- you helped make it. Each "yes" vote was a brave stand, backed up by countless hours of knocking on doors, outreach in town halls and town squares, millions of signatures, and hundreds of thousands of calls. You stood up. You spoke up. And you were heard.

So this is a night to celebrate -- but not to rest. Those who voted for reform deserve our thanks, and the next phase of this fight has already begun.

The final Senate bill hasn't even been released yet, but the insurance companies are already pressing hard for a filibuster to bury it. OFA has built a massive neighborhood-by-neighborhood operation to bring people's voices to Congress, and tonight we saw the results. But the coming days will put our efforts to the ultimate test. Winning will require each of us to give everything we can, starting right now.

Please donate $5 or whatever you can afford so we can finish this fight.

Tonight's vote brought every American closer to the secure, affordable care we need. But it was also a watershed moment in how change is made.

Even after last year's election, many insider lobbyists and partisan operatives really thought that the old formula of scare tactics, D.C. back-scratching and special-interest money would still be enough to block any idea they didn't like. Now, they're desperate. Because, tonight, you made it crystal clear: the old rules are changing -- and the people will not be ignored.

In the final phases of last year's election, I often reminded folks, "Don't think for a minute that power concedes without a fight," and it's especially true today. But that's okay -- we're not afraid of a fight. And as you continue to prove, when all of us work together, we have what it takes to win.

Please donate to OFA's campaign to win this fight and ensure that real health reform reaches my desk by the end of this year:

https://donate.barackobama.com/History

Let's keep making history,

President Barack Obama



Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Monetary contributions to the Democratic National Committee are not tax-deductible.

NYT abandons American troop casualties in Afghanistan

Usually, when a news alert arrives from either the New York Times or the Washington Post, another arrives from the competitor within minutes.

Not so yesterday.

At 10:28 a.m. the Post sent an alert: Bombings kill 8 U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan

When did the alert arrive from the NYT? Five and a half hours later when the Times put it in its lead in the 4 p.m. online edition.

Importance?

Obama's Afghan policy affects Virginia governor's race

Why should we, the former impassioned, bother? After all we did last year to elect Barack Obama? When he continues the Bush policies in another country? Our vigor is gone, our enthusiasm, dimmed, by the wishy-washy administration policy of no change after all.

For what? To "defeat" the Taliban? Al-Qaeda? Cockroaches are infinite; they cannot be extinguished.

We continue pouring blood and money into a foreign nation a la Bush.

What change?

What next?

Pakistan?

India?

Mr. Deeds: Here is where many of your Northern Virginia voters are: misled, fed up, and disillusioned anew.

Letter from Sen. Mark Warner re: Afghanistan

What does this say other than he's taken a trip to Afghanistan? Absolutely nothing. A great example for p.r. classes in how to write meaningless letters with content of empty words.


Dear Ms. ____________,



Thank you for contacting me regarding additional troops in Afghanistan. I share your concerns about the need to resolve the conflicts throughout Afghanistan and improve the lives of those living in that region of the world.



This is a very complicated and important issue. Last spring, I traveled to Afghanistan to get a first-hand look at operations on the ground. While in Afghanistan, I received several briefings from our top military and diplomatic leadership. I also conducted a site visit at the Kabul Military Training Center where our U.S. forces are working hard to train the Afghan troops. In addition, I traveled to Kandahar and met with Virginia troops and the US and Allied Commanders to get an accurate assessment of the situation.



In the coming weeks our military and civilian leadership will review our strategy and consider the resources required to ensure we have the most effective policies for Afghanistan, and the right equipment and training to protect our troops. I will continue to keep your thoughts in mind as the situation unfolds.



Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me with your views. As we move forward with the 111th Congress, please continue to be in touch with your opinions and concerns.




Sincerely,
MARK R. WARNER
United States Senator

Why bother, Washington Post?

Buried in the left corner at the bottom of page A10 in Saturday's (September 26, 2009) paper in the section "World Digest" under Afghanistan, are four paragraphs with a heading (not big enough for a headline):

5 U.S. Troops Killed in Attacks in South

Why bother, Washington Post? They were only five. Five soldiers who don't matter. Why even bother to put them in at all? The huge stories you have on Indian defense and mandatory flu shots are surely more important, but what? One hundred paragraphs on them was not enough and you had to squeeze the deaths? You supporting the Defense Department's order for more troops and you're trying to minimize more losses? Or maybe it's the green crew you've got in now, which can't exactly pinpoint Afghanistan's location nor does it know anything about our troops there or the past. Maybe Washington Post, you better get in some people with some history who know a thing or two about world events, more than the crew you've got now which relies on wire service stories and can't tell a dead soldier from a fighter jet.

The news is all the same

Do you flip back and forth between the networks and wonder how and why they place their stories in the same order? And devote more or less the same amount of time to each?

The front pages of Friday's Washington Post and New York Times are almost the same above the fold. They must have been made up by the same editor!

In the left single column in both papers is the SEC story charging the Countrywide leader with fraud. The headlines are similar; not exact, but similar. Well, you say, it's the same story!

Then splashed across the rest of the top fold of both papers is the Obama Mideast speech with several color pictures of individuals and groups from the Mideast and Asia watching the speech. The only difference is that all the NYT pictures show males only. A family picture in the Post has some females.

Wouldn't you think one or two of the photos would be of Obama? Or some of the other leaders? Or the locale of the speech?

Is the main stream media now under the same ownership and direction and the announcements have not been made? Do they collaborate? Do the networks collaborate? Are the editors out of the same school? Of thought? Just wondering.

Timeline of Sotomayor announcement

As received via e-mail:

The Supreme Court nominee announcement is coming! NYTimes 8:25 a.m.

The Supreme Court nominee announcement is coming! Washington Post 8:34 a.m.

The Supreme Court nominee is Sonia Sotomayor! NYTimes 8:39 a.m.
(Interesting that the story in this link shows a time posted as 8:15 a.m.)

The Supreme Court nominee is Sonia Sotomayor! Washington Post 8:51 a.m.

But I understand MSNBC and the AP beat them both.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at Brookings

Speaking to a SRO crowd at Brookings recently, Arne Duncan endorsed the concept of using school buildings year-round, night and day. “School buildings do not belong to me; they belong to taxpayers.” he said.

“The more schools become part of community life, the better the community becomes"
since “families learn together.” Non-profits could use school buildings from 3 – 9 p.m. like some Chicago schools have done, and no rent is collected: “Whose room is it?” he asked.

Schools can be safe havens in crime areas. One questioner from the Service Employees Union said schools “are the safest places” in some communities.

A retired math professor said it was common knowledge that students now enter college less prepared than they were five years ago, and students five years ago were less prepared than their predecessors: “What are we doing about this?”

He lamented the lousy teaching of fractions, often taught by professionals who do not understand them themselves, noting “A massive amount of money is being spent on pedagogy” which would be better spent on “teaching content.”

Secretary Duncan said the massive infusion of stimulus dollars will save “hundreds of thousands” of teaching positions.

What should be a goal for 2012? Sec. Duncan said one goal should be to close the 500 “chronically underperforming schools.”

Managing federal money is not easy: The dilemma to use the funds “short-term” (before their two-year expiration) while trying to solve long-term problems puts schools in a quandary.

Nine states have already spent their stimulus money. Russell Whitehurst, a member of the panel which convened after Duncan's presentation, said $100 billion flowing from the U.S. Department of Education is a huge amount to manage.

When asked by a member of the audience, Velma Sawhill, another panelist, said there was a risk that some federal dollars would be spent unwisely since it is “so much, so fast.” Mike Smith, another panel member, said “it takes a long time to go through all the channels.”

Dr. Whitehurst said a recent study of technology in the classroom showed about the same level of performance by students who had technological classroom benefits as those students who do not. He said tech product developers protested the results of the study saying time and teacher training to implement the new technologies damaged the results.

100% troop deaths: noncombat related

In the May 14, 2009 edition of the Washington Post on page A10, the names of seven dead American troops are listed. They all died as a result of "noncombat injuries."

Five of them were killed by the mentally-ill Army sergeant who shot and killed them May 11 at Camp Liberty in Baghdad.

Why do so many of our troops die from noncombat related reasons?

This morning NPR (and the Post) featured a story on three troop deaths due to electrocutions in "sewage showers." An engineer claimed that 90% of military electrical work done in Iraq was faulty. The inferior work has been attributed to KBR, formerly of Halliburton,Inc. Dick Cheney's old firm, whose public relation officer responded: "Us? No way. We are not to blame."

Is Patrick Tillman's death the only cover-up?

How do these numbers compare to those in other conflicts? Are soldiers rushed into combat so quickly they are not trained sufficiently? Does the Defense Department need numbers so badly that soldiers are sent to harm's way without adequate training about the deadly weapons they carry? The mentally ill carry them!

Does the Defense Department investigate these deaths and the reasons behind them?
What changes has the Defense Department implemented to stop them? Any?

Family members and taxpayers would like to know.

The five soldiers shot by their comrade were:

Spec. Jacob Barton, 20, Lenox, MO

Sgt. Christian Bueno-Galdos, 25, Paterson, NJ

Maj. Matthew Houseal, 54, Amarillo, TX

Navy Cmdr. Charles Springle, 52, Wilmington, NC

Pfc. Michael Yates, Jr., 19, Federalsburg, MD

Two other soldiers are listed in the May 14 paper who died from "noncombat injuries" were:

Pvt. Justin Hartford, 21, Elmira, NY

Spec. Omar Albrak, 21, Chicago

We hang our heads in sorrow.