Uncover the Coffins

At Monday's press conference the AP reported President Barack Obama said policy change would be considered to possibly end the media ban photographing caskets holding our military dead from Iraq and Afghanistan as they arrive back in the U.S.

In yesterday's Washington Post (p. A-8) Defense Secretary Robert Gates "said he was told that, if media were allowed to cover the fallen service members return to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, many of the service members' families would feel compelled to attend, which would pose a financial hardship for them and slow the return of the remains."

How grotesque: "would feel compelled." And "slow the remains."

What words are there to describe Gates' callousness and total disregard for affected families? He nonchalantly tosses words around with no thought of their impact.

Should not the affected families be allowed to make their own decisions rather than the defense secretary quoting hearsay and making decisions for them?

At this most terrible times of their lives, affected loved ones can stand on their own without the Defense Department exploiting their losses so it can cover up its dead and the 65% who died of "non-combat related" causes. Enough of Defense Department cover-ups!

Would not local communities rush to raise money for Dover expenses for those in need? Those who want to come to praise, salute and honor their war dead? Theirs.

President Obama: Uncover the coverup of the coffins. We want to see them. We want to see how the military treats the return of our human treasures. We want to see the containers holding our dead on their last journey. We want to recognize their bravery and their sacrifices for us. We want to be stung with reality that inside the boxes are remains of troops who lived and whom we glorify.

President Obama: You said "change." The Bush/Cheney regime ended, praise God, on January 20, 2009. Please bring change.

Michael Yon Defines Success

Michael Yon wrote in yesterday's Wall Street Journal that the surge in Iraq has been a success. "Let's 'Surge' Some More" the headline said. Makes it sound like a dance, which it is: A Dance of Death, but who's counting?

With the number of military deaths down, does it matter who dies next? Let's keep on pluggin' away!

The surge has been so successful we seldom hear about the "success" from the media. Of course, the White House Bunny Rabbit with his hatful of tricks says it's astonishing what "success" we are having.

I guess the "good news" in Iraq is purposefully keep under wraps by all the other reporters save Yon who, coincidentally, has a new book out about Iraq.

The past 15 months has been so productive in Iraq that victory is "within our grasp" and democracy in the Arab world (like Egypt?) is just over the rainbow, he wrote.

Perhaps Mr. Yon can write another book with a copyright "2010" based on American attacks on Iran and shoving down its throat our method of government since it's "my way or the highway", right? Another author tour then to promote his latest fallacies and ideas, but who's counting besides Michael Yon?

Letter from Senator Warner March 21, 2008

Alas, except for a few benign updates, Sen. Warner's reply to me about my letter decrying Halliburton's sewage showers our soldiers take in Iraq, is essentially nothing more than what Sen. Warner has been sending for approximately 18 months about all things Iraq which is a summary of his lukewarm opinions about our involvement there. He totally ignored the subject of my letter (in another post):
]

In January 2007, the President proposed a surge of approximately 35,000 troops....the Iraqi government has not done its part.

He writes it's time "to put teeth into these words" quoting U.S. Amb. Ryan Crocker: "There is 'no blank check' for American involvement in Iraq." (Oh, yeah?)

Then he lists his tenth trip to Iraq last August! Is this the same letter he was sending out then?

Although Senator Warner is dissatisfied with the long deployments our soldiers endure, "I believe we must remain mindful of the realities currently facing our military" so the heck with shortened leaves! The soldiers must stay so we'll be ready! Ready for what? For Buzh to invade Iran?

Sen. Webb's automated responses are all identical no matter what the subject. At least Warner sends his replies to my mailbox although, sadly, they are the same. Perhaps because he is retiring, his office perceives no need to respond individually.
I can't help but wonder: Are there any live bodies on Capitol Hill who actually represent the people rather than themselves? Pray tell, who?

U.S. Soldiers in Iraq Are Poisoned or Die While Bathing

Below is a copy of a letter I sent to Senators Webb and Warner last week about the needless deaths of our soldiers based upon a story I read by the AP:

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A U.S. House committee chairman has begun an
investigation into the electrocutions of at least 12 service members in
Iraq, including that of a Pittsburgh soldier killed in January by a jolt
of electricity while showering.

Rep. Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, said Wednesday he has asked Defense Secretary Robert
Gates to hand over documents relating to the management of electrical
systems at facilities in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, 24, died Jan. 2 of cardiac arrest after being
electrocuted while showering at his barracks in Baghdad.

Dear Senator Warner (Webb),

If Halliburton is not poisoning our soldiers in Iraq with its sewage showers, it is electrocuting them.

No wonder Cheney wants the war to continue: He profits!

I hope you will join your colleague, Rep. Henry Waxman, in investigating the terrible deaths and illnesses our soldiers suffer while taking showers in Iraq. What words are there to adequately describe these tragedies and this incompetence? We're not talking about "only" illnesses, but deaths of our soldiers sent to a foreign country to fight for what?

Sincerely,

Patriciadc