NGB Chief Touts Diversity, Receives Award at NAACP Gathering
Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, National Guard Bureau chief, told the NAACP last week that the organization had helped the Guard reach out to American communities and encourage joining diversity among the force.
"Today, minorities account for about 20 percent of our total Guard force, and females account for about 14 percent of our total Guard force," he said in a keynote address at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's 31st annual Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Awards Dinner.
The dinner was held during the NAACP's national convention.
At the event, General Blum received the 2006 NAACP Meritorious Service Award. Established in 1975 by the NAACP's Armed Services Veterans Affairs Department, the award is presented annually to a service man or woman in a policy-making position for the highest achievement in military equal opportunity.
"As I stand before you here this evening, we owe you a debt of gratitude and need your continued support," General Blum said. "It's critically important that the Guard look like America."
He said the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard offer the greatest opportunity for the youth of America. "You put them in there and there's great pressure to keep them drug-free, not to abuse alcohol, and they teach them character and values," he said.
General Blum compared the military services' capabilities to the strength of diversity in America. When the services work individually, they're good, but when they work together, they're unbeatable.
Conference, Membership Dominate Board Discussions
The upcoming 128th General Conference and Exhibition and membership dominated discussions at the NGAUS board of directors meeting last weekend at The National Guard Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Board members approved 114 NGAUS Individual Awards for presentation at the conference. The complete list of recipients will be released next week. Thirty-five states nominated people this year.
Honorees this year include the inaugural recipients of the NGAUS Company Grade Leadership Award.
The board also referred a change to the NGAUS bylaws to create a new standing committee to help with future conference planning and discussed further growth of conference professional development sessions.
The 128th NGAUS General Conference and Exhibition is set for Sept. 15 to 18 in Albuquerque, N.M.
In addition, board members received the annual audit report, reviewed the mid-year budget and received the traditional six-month membership figures that determine membership awards and seating at the conference.
They heard that the nationwide June 30 membership stood at 63 percent, the same total as last year at this time. However, some properly postmarked but late-arriving checks pushed to the total to 64 percent this week.
Fifteen states were at full membership. Alabama was the most improved state, going from 54 percent last year to 80 percent thus far in 2006.
Among board actions, members selected Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia adjutant general (TAG) and Area III TAG representative, to fill the remaining two-month term of retired Maj. Gen. William B. Lynch, NGAUS vice chairman (Air).
General Lynch resigned from the board in June to take a U.S. State Department position in Baghdad.
Christmas in July will Ensure Christmas for Troops in December
Thanks to the efforts of Stars for Stripes and Operation Give, troops in Iraq will have Christmas stockings this holiday season. But Paul Holton, the operation's founder and an Army Guardsman, encourages early donations to the program's Salt Lake City warehouse, preferably by Oct. 15.
He said this year's goal is to ship at least 10,000 stockings.
"If we take care of every boot on the ground, then we would start giving them to the kids," added Judy Seale, president and CEO of Stars for Stripes. "[We] cannot send too many."
Operation Give is a nonprofit organization that coordinates the collection and distribution of items for Iraqi children, who, after years of tyranny and war, have almost nothing.
Stars for Stripes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing quality entertainment to internationally deployed U.S. military forces.
Items such as hygiene, entertainment, and comfort items will be included in the stockings. The actual stockings are needed, as well.
Mr. Holton said Operation Give's donations come from many sources including scouting groups, church and civic groups, as well as corporations and individuals.
Mr. Holton knows a little piece of home goes a long way when you're away from family and friends. He spent all of 2003 and half of 2004 in Iraq, and said the Christmas tree, ornaments and gifts the troops in his unit received made them all feel good.
"It's just a boost of morale," he said. "I know how important it is to get stuff from home during Christmas."
Visit Operation Give for complete information.
Recent War on Terror Photographs Sought
National Guard magazine is looking for recent pictures of the Army and Air Guard around the world for a September picture story. Selected photos will be used in a special "Starting Point" chronicling the fifth year of the war on terror.
Suggested subjects include Guardsmen and Guard equipment supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OIF/OEF), homeland security missions, predeployment training, and deployment/redeployment ceremonies.
Submissions must be high-resolution (at least 300 dpi) digital images taken since Sept. 11, 2005. Images along with full caption and byline information should be sent to magazine@ngaus.org. Deadline is Aug. 4.
Public affairs personnel, individual soldiers and airmen, family members and friends are all invited to submit.
All photos will also be forwarded to the National Guard Educational Foundation for possible inclusion in the National Guard Memorial Museum's new OIF/OEF exhibit, which is under development.
More information can be obtained from Maureen Hearn, magazine production manager, at 888-226-4287 or magazine@ngaus.org.
NGAUS History
Delegates to the 1946 General Conference in Buffalo, N.Y., unanimously adopted by laws that provided for several classes of individual membership.
The first 10 life members included: Maj. Gen. Ellard A. Walsh, Maj. Gen. Milton A. Reckord, Brig. Gen. Charles H. Grahl, Col. Oliver P. Bennett, Maj. Gen. Edward J. Stackpole, Maj. Gen. Jim Dan Hill, Maj. Gen. Ray C. Fountain, Maj. Gen. George. E. Leach, Col. Ross H. Routh and Maj. Gen. Roger W. Eckfeldt.
To become a NGAUS life member visit the "Membership and Benefits" section at www.ngaus.org.
Week In Guard History
July 27, 1944: Allied forces continue their assaults in Operation Cobra, the planned Allied breakout from Normandy, France, killing and capturing large numbers of German soldiers and destroying their armored equipment by constant air attack.
This operation, which was supposed to start with a massive aerial bombardment of German defenses along the Vire River July 24, led instead to one of the worst incidents of "friendly fire" during World War II.
Poor visibility postponed a bomber strike, but some of the squadrons did not get the word and dropped their loads on top of North Carolina's 120th Infantry, an element of the 30th Infantry Division, composed of Guard units from North and South Carolina and Tennessee. Because word of the cancelled attack didn't reach the frontline, soldiers of the 120th were exposed while waiting for the word to advance.
More than 150 men were killed or wounded in this mistake. Cobra started the next day, again with friendly fire casualties, but it also inflicted a heavy toll on the enemy. The 30th division and other American units punched through the Nazi lines, and by early August the Allied armies would break out of Normandy completely, liberating Paris Aug. 25.
This post moved here from DoD Daily News-2.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
NGAUS Legislative Update: 7/28/2006
Labels:
Military
I've received this through an e-mail, and I would like to share this news with you. Please read this, if you really do support the troops. This is one way to prove it. Thank you.
Senate Defense Approps Update
The full Senate is moving toward floor action on the Senate’s version of the Defense Appropriations bill next week. The Senate hopes to complete action on the Appropriations bill before the beginning of the month-long August recess. NGAUS will update members on amendments and issues relating to the Appropriations debate as details become available.
Congressional Recess
As a reminder, the House of Representatives will be out of session beginning next week (July 31 to Sept. 4). The Senate will begin its recess the week after next (Aug 7 to Sept. 4). Both chambers will be out for the entire month of August. As many of you know, this year is an election year for members of Congress. With members heading back home to campaign and meet with constituents, August is the perfect month to talk to your Congressman/woman and Senators. If you see them, be sure to ask for support on critical Guard issues such as: TRICARE, Reduction in Retirement Age, the National Guard Empowerment Act and funding for needed Army and Air Guard equipment. Check our legislative alerts on the topics above on the NGAUS website http://www.ngaus.org/. They’ll provide you the talking points and information you need. Make your voice…and your vote…work for the Guard!
Empowerment Engagement
NGAUS President, Brig Gen Stephen M. Koper (ret) along with several Adjutants General have been lobbying members of Congress on the importance of the Empowerment Act language included in the Senate Authorization report that is currently in Congress. The meeting over the two day span included: MG Raymond F. Rees (TAG-Ore.), Maj Gen Timothy J. Lowenberg (TAG-Wash.), and Maj Gen Roger P. Lempke (TAG-Neb.), President of the Adjutants General Association. The meetings focused on members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee who are and will be participating in the conference committee meetings to reconcile the difference between the House and Senate Authorization bills. The Senate bill includes language that would promote the Chief of NGB to 4-star position, and designate the Deputy Commander at NORTHCOM to be a member of the Guard. The House contains no such position. NGAUS is strongly encouraging members of both chambers to support the Senate position.
Senators Address JCA
Senators DeWine and Voinovich from Ohio penned a letter to address the cut in funding for the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA). In a letter addressed to Senator Warner, Chairman and Senator Levin, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee requested that the Senate recede to the House position which fully funds the Joint Cargo Aircraft at $109M. The Senate Armed Services Committee recommended a cut of $109M, virtually all funding for the aircraft, in its version of the Authorization bill. A copy of the letter can be found on our website: www.ngaus.org.
Parliamentarians Needed!
As the NGAUS Legislative Staff prepares for the General Conference in New Mexico, the call is going out for volunteers to serve as parliamentarians for the resolutions sessions. Each resolution subcommittee (Army and Air) needs an experienced individual parliamentarian for the respective resolutions committees. One parliamentarian will serve the Joint committee as well. If you are interested, please contact Ms. Bernie Phelps at (202) 408-5884.
NGAUS CACO
In anticipation for next year, NGAUS has already secured hotel rooms for next year’s CACO Legislative Conference. The conference will be held on March 5 and 6, 2007. For information regarding the 2008 conference, check out the Legislative page of the NGAUS website.
NGAUS Task Forces
NGAUS has established Task Forces as a mechanism to provide advice and expertise to the NGAUS legislative staff in development of legislative priorities based on the resolutions that are passed each year at the annual conference. NGAUS Task Forces are listed below:
Joint Task Forces
Personnel/Benefits
Medical Task Force
Army Task Forces
Fire Support Task Force
Combat Vehicle Task Force
Combat Support/Combat Service Support Task Force
Army Aviation Task Force
C4I Task Force
Engineer Task Force
Air Task Forces
Airlift/Tanker/Rescue Fighter Task ForceC4I Task Force
The Task Forces are comprised of Chairs and Vice Chairs and are expected to meet two times a year.
NGAUS is seeking interested volunteers to serve on the Task Forces. If you are interested, contact the NGAUS legislative staff or contact the Task Force Chairs listed on our website.
Providing NGAUS members with effective and knowledgeable representation on Capitol Hill.
Published by the NGAUS Legislative Staff:
Brig Gen (ret) Richard M. Green, Legislative Director
Scott Hommel, Deputy Director
Michele Traficante, Joint Programs
Chris DeBatt, Army Programs
Andy Vanlandingham, Air ProgramsBernie Phelps, Senior Legislative AnalystEmily Breitbach, Legislative Analyst.
Category: NGAUS.
This post moved here from DoD Daily News-2.
Senate Defense Approps Update
The full Senate is moving toward floor action on the Senate’s version of the Defense Appropriations bill next week. The Senate hopes to complete action on the Appropriations bill before the beginning of the month-long August recess. NGAUS will update members on amendments and issues relating to the Appropriations debate as details become available.
Congressional Recess
As a reminder, the House of Representatives will be out of session beginning next week (July 31 to Sept. 4). The Senate will begin its recess the week after next (Aug 7 to Sept. 4). Both chambers will be out for the entire month of August. As many of you know, this year is an election year for members of Congress. With members heading back home to campaign and meet with constituents, August is the perfect month to talk to your Congressman/woman and Senators. If you see them, be sure to ask for support on critical Guard issues such as: TRICARE, Reduction in Retirement Age, the National Guard Empowerment Act and funding for needed Army and Air Guard equipment. Check our legislative alerts on the topics above on the NGAUS website http://www.ngaus.org/. They’ll provide you the talking points and information you need. Make your voice…and your vote…work for the Guard!
Empowerment Engagement
NGAUS President, Brig Gen Stephen M. Koper (ret) along with several Adjutants General have been lobbying members of Congress on the importance of the Empowerment Act language included in the Senate Authorization report that is currently in Congress. The meeting over the two day span included: MG Raymond F. Rees (TAG-Ore.), Maj Gen Timothy J. Lowenberg (TAG-Wash.), and Maj Gen Roger P. Lempke (TAG-Neb.), President of the Adjutants General Association. The meetings focused on members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee who are and will be participating in the conference committee meetings to reconcile the difference between the House and Senate Authorization bills. The Senate bill includes language that would promote the Chief of NGB to 4-star position, and designate the Deputy Commander at NORTHCOM to be a member of the Guard. The House contains no such position. NGAUS is strongly encouraging members of both chambers to support the Senate position.
Senators Address JCA
Senators DeWine and Voinovich from Ohio penned a letter to address the cut in funding for the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA). In a letter addressed to Senator Warner, Chairman and Senator Levin, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee requested that the Senate recede to the House position which fully funds the Joint Cargo Aircraft at $109M. The Senate Armed Services Committee recommended a cut of $109M, virtually all funding for the aircraft, in its version of the Authorization bill. A copy of the letter can be found on our website: www.ngaus.org.
Parliamentarians Needed!
As the NGAUS Legislative Staff prepares for the General Conference in New Mexico, the call is going out for volunteers to serve as parliamentarians for the resolutions sessions. Each resolution subcommittee (Army and Air) needs an experienced individual parliamentarian for the respective resolutions committees. One parliamentarian will serve the Joint committee as well. If you are interested, please contact Ms. Bernie Phelps at (202) 408-5884.
NGAUS CACO
In anticipation for next year, NGAUS has already secured hotel rooms for next year’s CACO Legislative Conference. The conference will be held on March 5 and 6, 2007. For information regarding the 2008 conference, check out the Legislative page of the NGAUS website.
NGAUS Task Forces
NGAUS has established Task Forces as a mechanism to provide advice and expertise to the NGAUS legislative staff in development of legislative priorities based on the resolutions that are passed each year at the annual conference. NGAUS Task Forces are listed below:
Joint Task Forces
Personnel/Benefits
Medical Task Force
Army Task Forces
Fire Support Task Force
Combat Vehicle Task Force
Combat Support/Combat Service Support Task Force
Army Aviation Task Force
C4I Task Force
Engineer Task Force
Air Task Forces
Airlift/Tanker/Rescue Fighter Task ForceC4I Task Force
The Task Forces are comprised of Chairs and Vice Chairs and are expected to meet two times a year.
NGAUS is seeking interested volunteers to serve on the Task Forces. If you are interested, contact the NGAUS legislative staff or contact the Task Force Chairs listed on our website.
“We Serve”
Providing NGAUS members with effective and knowledgeable representation on Capitol Hill.
Published by the NGAUS Legislative Staff:
Brig Gen (ret) Richard M. Green, Legislative Director
Scott Hommel, Deputy Director
Michele Traficante, Joint Programs
Chris DeBatt, Army Programs
Andy Vanlandingham, Air ProgramsBernie Phelps, Senior Legislative AnalystEmily Breitbach, Legislative Analyst.
Category: NGAUS.
This post moved here from DoD Daily News-2.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Thank you, Mr. Roth
Labels:
Politics
I would like to thank Mr. Roth for his quick response. Wow! He answered my e-mail right away. Not only did he answer my e-mail, but he armed me with ammunition that is valued for a pork-hunter.
I shall be adding these links to top of the my links. Would anyone like to name it? I'm thinking in the line of, "The Porked" or "My Hit List." I know there is a more creative name out there for the title of the links I will use to gather data for this site, so feel free to express yourself.
Mr. Roth has made it known that it is not just conservatives who answered the call for government oversight. Liberals, at least the Classic ones, have also answered the call. I'm very happy about that. I have believed for a long time that there is not that much of a difference between us when it comes to people stealing our money! Welcome aboard.
Let me know who you are, everyone, and I will add you link to a category named "Pork Hunters." That one is not up for debate. lol. Have a great day.
Originally posted at Pork Hunters.
I shall be adding these links to top of the my links. Would anyone like to name it? I'm thinking in the line of, "The Porked" or "My Hit List." I know there is a more creative name out there for the title of the links I will use to gather data for this site, so feel free to express yourself.
Mr. Roth has made it known that it is not just conservatives who answered the call for government oversight. Liberals, at least the Classic ones, have also answered the call. I'm very happy about that. I have believed for a long time that there is not that much of a difference between us when it comes to people stealing our money! Welcome aboard.
Let me know who you are, everyone, and I will add you link to a category named "Pork Hunters." That one is not up for debate. lol. Have a great day.
Originally posted at Pork Hunters.
Porkers should fear me
I love this mission. I have always wanted to do this. I do not know exactly how I am going to do it, but I will find the truth because it is out there.
The porkers I am referring to are our very own legistators. They write the laws that make a grown man cry, then they excuse themselves from such obedience! (I started out writing a sentence to the song, "Piano Man". Yeah, okay. So I'm a little sick. lol)
What I am specifically targeting is those legislators who think they can take our money at gunpoint, and spend it any willy-nilly way they feel.
Well, thanks to Rep. Jeff Flake (AZ-R), there is now sunlight in the Congress. He has succeeded in his endeavor to fight the good fight against pork-spending. No more secret amendments. No more midnight slip-of-the-paper-amendment tricks. Each item must be voted upon, and each item is indeed recorded into the record.
There is also a great article written by the Club for Growth. Mr. Roth has begun a country-wide, district by district, hunt for bloggers who are willing to rise to the challenge of watching their Congressman to make sure they are doing what they were sent to Congress to do.
Help us to rid ourselves of those who have a complete disregar for the taxpayers. That's you and me. Help us to shame them, if there is any still in existence. May we work together for a freer, better market, and with this, a free and better America. Thank you.
PS. If you are interested in joining in this fight against porkbarrel spending in Congress, please contact aroth AT clubforgrowth DOT org.
The porkers I am referring to are our very own legistators. They write the laws that make a grown man cry, then they excuse themselves from such obedience! (I started out writing a sentence to the song, "Piano Man". Yeah, okay. So I'm a little sick. lol)
What I am specifically targeting is those legislators who think they can take our money at gunpoint, and spend it any willy-nilly way they feel.
Well, thanks to Rep. Jeff Flake (AZ-R), there is now sunlight in the Congress. He has succeeded in his endeavor to fight the good fight against pork-spending. No more secret amendments. No more midnight slip-of-the-paper-amendment tricks. Each item must be voted upon, and each item is indeed recorded into the record.
There is also a great article written by the Club for Growth. Mr. Roth has begun a country-wide, district by district, hunt for bloggers who are willing to rise to the challenge of watching their Congressman to make sure they are doing what they were sent to Congress to do.
Help us to rid ourselves of those who have a complete disregar for the taxpayers. That's you and me. Help us to shame them, if there is any still in existence. May we work together for a freer, better market, and with this, a free and better America. Thank you.
PS. If you are interested in joining in this fight against porkbarrel spending in Congress, please contact aroth AT clubforgrowth DOT org.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
NGAUS Notes 7/21/2006
'Three-Tier' Tricare Program Begins
Every National Guardsmen is now eligible to purchase Tricare health coverage, but only for a limited time and at prices that vary dramatically depending on one's deployment history and eligibility for other health insurance.
The new Tricare Reserve Select (TRS) program, established by the fiscal 2006 Defense Authorization Act, creates three separate premium categories or tiers.
Tier 1 includes Guardsmen recently called to active duty. They are eligible to purchase one year of TRS at 28 percent of the program's cost for every 90 days of active service. But they only have 90 days following separation from active duty to enroll.
Guardsmen without recent active service who are either unemployed or don't otherwise qualify for health insurance are in tier 2. They pay 50 percent.
Tier 3 includes everyone else. They pay 85 percent of the program's costs.
The government picks up the balance in all three tiers.
Coverage for tiers 2 and 3 can begin as soon as Oct. 1, if all required paperwork is complete by Sept. 25. The qualification window for coverage in 2007 ends Nov. 25.
Guardsmen must have their eligibility verified by their personnel office and complete the Department of Defense Form 2895, "Agreement to Serve in the Selected Reserve for TRICARE Reserve Select," before they can submit their purchase application.
Additional information about this new program is available here.
Board of Directors Convene This Week
Fiscal matters, the current legislative session and the upcoming general conference top the agenda as the NGAUS board of directors gather at The National Guard Memorial in Washington, D.C., this weekend for their annual summer meeting.
The board will gather in full session tomorrow after a series of committee meetings today. The governing bodies of the National Guard Educational Foundation and the NGAUS Insurance Trust also will meet today.
Board members will review the NGAUS mid-year 2006 budget and receive the annual financial audit before moving on to legislative issues and planning for the 128th General Conference and Exhibition, Sept, 15 to 18, in Albuquerque, N.M.
They will also receive reports from the National Guard Executive Directors Association, the Enlisted Association of the National Guard, the Adjutants General Association, the NGAUS Corporate Advisory Panel and senior National Guard Bureau officials.
The board will also consider nominations for 2006 NGAUS Individual Awards.
NGAUS membership, current operations and strategic planning also will be discussed.
This will be the last board meeting headed by Brig. Gen. Robert V. Taylor, NGAUS chairman of the board. Association bylaws limit the board chairman to a single two-year term. The post is up for election at the conference.
The 29-member NGAUS board is the association's elected governing body. It meets three times a year.
Former Guard Leader Dies
A former South Carolina adjutant general who was active for decades in NGAUS and the Adjutants General Association died this week.
Retired Maj. Gen. T. Eston Marchant Jr., South Carolina adjutant general from 1979 to 1994, died Wednesday in Columbia, S.C. He was 85.
General Marchant started his military career in the Marines during Wolrd War II. He returned home after the war and began his long career in the South Carolina National Guard.
General Marchant was also a member of the Legion de Lafayette, a group of significant contributors to the National Guard Educational Foundation.
NGB Chief: Guard Border Security Mission on Schedule
With about 3,600 troops reporting on or ahead of schedule so far for border security duty in the Southwest, the National Guard is on track to meet the requirement of up to 6,000 troops by Aug. 1, the Guard Bureau chief told Pentagon reporters last Friday.
Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum said he's received nothing but positive feedback about the Guard response to the mission, both about its speed and the capabilities it brings in support of the U.S. Border Patrol.
As Operation Jump Start kicked off June 15, just a month after President Bush announced it, the Guard had already exceeded the scheduled commitment of 800 troops by 237, he noted.
By the month's end, the Guard's commitment skyrocketed to 2,800 - 300 above the expectation.
Most of the Guardsmen are coming from the four border states: Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.
Arizona and New Mexico, both with smaller National Guard forces than their immediate neighbors, will rely more heavily on augmentees from other states, General Blum said.
Arizona, with two of the biggest areas of focus - Tucson and Yuma - is likely to see the most out-of-state forces, he said.
These troops will generally rotate to the region for three-week rotations conducted as their regularly scheduled annual training periods, General Blum explained.
So far, 30 state governors have committed to support the mission, with no governors refusing, he said.
During Operation Jump Start, Guardsmen are providing communications, transportation, logistics, training, medical and construction support to the Border Patrol as it boosts its own ranks.
Recent War on Terror Photographs Sought
National Guard magazine is looking for recent pictures of the Army and Air Guard around the world for a September picture story. Selected photos will be used in a special "Starting Point" chronicling the fifth year of the nation's war on terror.
Suggested subjects include Guardsmen and Guard equipment supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OIF/OEF), homeland security missions, predeployment training, and deployment and redeployment ceremonies.
Submissions must be high-resolution (at least 300 dpi) digital images taken since Sept. 11, 2005. Images along with full caption and byline information should be sent to magazine@ngaus.org. Deadline is Aug. 4.
Public affairs personnel, individual soldiers and airmen, family members and friends are all invited to submit.
All photos will also be forwarded to the National Guard Educational Foundation for possible inclusion in the National Guard Memorial Museum's new OIF/OEF exhibit, which is under development.
More information can be obtained from Maureen Hearn, magazine production manager, at 888-226-4287 or magazine@ngaus.org.
Week in Guard History
July 18, 1863: The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, with other Union regiments, assault but fail to capture Battery Wagner near Charleston Harbor, S.C., from Confederate forces.
Raised as part of the Massachusetts Militia in 1863, the 54th was the first all-black unit (with white officers) organized for federal duty since the American Revolution. Its story inspired the 1989 movie Glory. But Hollywood altered many details.
For example, almost all its original members were "free born" and not former slaves. In addition, the sergeant major, played as a fictitious character by Morgan Freeman, was actually the eldest son of abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
But the 54th did receive glory. Sgt. William Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Battery Wagner - the first of 18 African Americans to earn the award during the war.
NGAUS History
Maj. Gen. Dabney H. Maury, a native of Virginia and graduate of West Point, may be the father of NGAUS. After the Civil War, he was among many militia officers nationwide who had grown frustrated with War Department funding of state militia units. So he deiced to do something about it.
In 1878, General Maury invited groups of militia officers from the North and South - men who opposed each other in battle only a decade earlier - to gather in Richmond, Va., and discuss collective actions.
Meeting minutes were not reproduced or widely distributed, but this two-day assembly would be the first of many annual conventions. And NGAUS was born.
A scholar of Southern military history, General Maury founded the Southern Historical Society in 1868.
General Maury spent most of the Civil War in campaigns along the Mississippi River states. At war's end, he was commander of the Confederacy's Military Department of the Gulf. He served in the Regular Army during the Mexican War.
Produced weekly by the NGAUS communications department. Comments and questions should be directed to ngaus@ngaus.org.
This post was moved from DoD Daily News-2.
Every National Guardsmen is now eligible to purchase Tricare health coverage, but only for a limited time and at prices that vary dramatically depending on one's deployment history and eligibility for other health insurance.
The new Tricare Reserve Select (TRS) program, established by the fiscal 2006 Defense Authorization Act, creates three separate premium categories or tiers.
Tier 1 includes Guardsmen recently called to active duty. They are eligible to purchase one year of TRS at 28 percent of the program's cost for every 90 days of active service. But they only have 90 days following separation from active duty to enroll.
Guardsmen without recent active service who are either unemployed or don't otherwise qualify for health insurance are in tier 2. They pay 50 percent.
Tier 3 includes everyone else. They pay 85 percent of the program's costs.
The government picks up the balance in all three tiers.
Coverage for tiers 2 and 3 can begin as soon as Oct. 1, if all required paperwork is complete by Sept. 25. The qualification window for coverage in 2007 ends Nov. 25.
Guardsmen must have their eligibility verified by their personnel office and complete the Department of Defense Form 2895, "Agreement to Serve in the Selected Reserve for TRICARE Reserve Select," before they can submit their purchase application.
Additional information about this new program is available here.
Board of Directors Convene This Week
Fiscal matters, the current legislative session and the upcoming general conference top the agenda as the NGAUS board of directors gather at The National Guard Memorial in Washington, D.C., this weekend for their annual summer meeting.
The board will gather in full session tomorrow after a series of committee meetings today. The governing bodies of the National Guard Educational Foundation and the NGAUS Insurance Trust also will meet today.
Board members will review the NGAUS mid-year 2006 budget and receive the annual financial audit before moving on to legislative issues and planning for the 128th General Conference and Exhibition, Sept, 15 to 18, in Albuquerque, N.M.
They will also receive reports from the National Guard Executive Directors Association, the Enlisted Association of the National Guard, the Adjutants General Association, the NGAUS Corporate Advisory Panel and senior National Guard Bureau officials.
The board will also consider nominations for 2006 NGAUS Individual Awards.
NGAUS membership, current operations and strategic planning also will be discussed.
This will be the last board meeting headed by Brig. Gen. Robert V. Taylor, NGAUS chairman of the board. Association bylaws limit the board chairman to a single two-year term. The post is up for election at the conference.
The 29-member NGAUS board is the association's elected governing body. It meets three times a year.
Former Guard Leader Dies
A former South Carolina adjutant general who was active for decades in NGAUS and the Adjutants General Association died this week.
Retired Maj. Gen. T. Eston Marchant Jr., South Carolina adjutant general from 1979 to 1994, died Wednesday in Columbia, S.C. He was 85.
General Marchant started his military career in the Marines during Wolrd War II. He returned home after the war and began his long career in the South Carolina National Guard.
General Marchant was also a member of the Legion de Lafayette, a group of significant contributors to the National Guard Educational Foundation.
NGB Chief: Guard Border Security Mission on Schedule
With about 3,600 troops reporting on or ahead of schedule so far for border security duty in the Southwest, the National Guard is on track to meet the requirement of up to 6,000 troops by Aug. 1, the Guard Bureau chief told Pentagon reporters last Friday.
Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum said he's received nothing but positive feedback about the Guard response to the mission, both about its speed and the capabilities it brings in support of the U.S. Border Patrol.
As Operation Jump Start kicked off June 15, just a month after President Bush announced it, the Guard had already exceeded the scheduled commitment of 800 troops by 237, he noted.
By the month's end, the Guard's commitment skyrocketed to 2,800 - 300 above the expectation.
Most of the Guardsmen are coming from the four border states: Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.
Arizona and New Mexico, both with smaller National Guard forces than their immediate neighbors, will rely more heavily on augmentees from other states, General Blum said.
Arizona, with two of the biggest areas of focus - Tucson and Yuma - is likely to see the most out-of-state forces, he said.
These troops will generally rotate to the region for three-week rotations conducted as their regularly scheduled annual training periods, General Blum explained.
So far, 30 state governors have committed to support the mission, with no governors refusing, he said.
During Operation Jump Start, Guardsmen are providing communications, transportation, logistics, training, medical and construction support to the Border Patrol as it boosts its own ranks.
Recent War on Terror Photographs Sought
National Guard magazine is looking for recent pictures of the Army and Air Guard around the world for a September picture story. Selected photos will be used in a special "Starting Point" chronicling the fifth year of the nation's war on terror.
Suggested subjects include Guardsmen and Guard equipment supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OIF/OEF), homeland security missions, predeployment training, and deployment and redeployment ceremonies.
Submissions must be high-resolution (at least 300 dpi) digital images taken since Sept. 11, 2005. Images along with full caption and byline information should be sent to magazine@ngaus.org. Deadline is Aug. 4.
Public affairs personnel, individual soldiers and airmen, family members and friends are all invited to submit.
All photos will also be forwarded to the National Guard Educational Foundation for possible inclusion in the National Guard Memorial Museum's new OIF/OEF exhibit, which is under development.
More information can be obtained from Maureen Hearn, magazine production manager, at 888-226-4287 or magazine@ngaus.org.
Week in Guard History
July 18, 1863: The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, with other Union regiments, assault but fail to capture Battery Wagner near Charleston Harbor, S.C., from Confederate forces.
Raised as part of the Massachusetts Militia in 1863, the 54th was the first all-black unit (with white officers) organized for federal duty since the American Revolution. Its story inspired the 1989 movie Glory. But Hollywood altered many details.
For example, almost all its original members were "free born" and not former slaves. In addition, the sergeant major, played as a fictitious character by Morgan Freeman, was actually the eldest son of abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
But the 54th did receive glory. Sgt. William Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Battery Wagner - the first of 18 African Americans to earn the award during the war.
NGAUS History
Maj. Gen. Dabney H. Maury, a native of Virginia and graduate of West Point, may be the father of NGAUS. After the Civil War, he was among many militia officers nationwide who had grown frustrated with War Department funding of state militia units. So he deiced to do something about it.
In 1878, General Maury invited groups of militia officers from the North and South - men who opposed each other in battle only a decade earlier - to gather in Richmond, Va., and discuss collective actions.
Meeting minutes were not reproduced or widely distributed, but this two-day assembly would be the first of many annual conventions. And NGAUS was born.
A scholar of Southern military history, General Maury founded the Southern Historical Society in 1868.
General Maury spent most of the Civil War in campaigns along the Mississippi River states. At war's end, he was commander of the Confederacy's Military Department of the Gulf. He served in the Regular Army during the Mexican War.
Produced weekly by the NGAUS communications department. Comments and questions should be directed to ngaus@ngaus.org.
This post was moved from DoD Daily News-2.
NGAUS: Legislation Update, 7/21/2006
Senate Appropriations Action
This week the Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) marked its version of the FY07 Defense Appropriations Act. The $414.5 billion dollar measure would provide funding for the Department of Defense, the military services and military personnel with benefits and equipment to support worldwide operations. Highlights of the bill include:
-Funding for a 2.2 percent across-the-board pay raise for military personnel (met the President's budget request);
-Pay and allowances for mobilized Reserve and Guard Soldiers to provide military operations support to GWOT;
-Additional Combat Benefits for death and traumatic injury;
-Required Pre- and Post-Mobilization Training for Reserve and Guard units and personnel;
-Funding to support an Army National Guard end strength of 350,000 Soldiers;
-$50 billion in “bridge” funding to support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan;
-Deferring funding for the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA), citing that it was “…premature to procure these aircraft until a further analysis of the joint intra-theater mission requirement is completed…..;”
-$10.M for targeting pods for Air Guard;
-$4.0 for Army Guard Lightweight Tactical Utility Vehicles;
-Continued funding for the procurement of C-17 aircraft; and
-$10.0M for Army Guard Improved Chemical Agent Monitor.
NGAUS will continue to update as more information becomes available.
Omnibus Reprogramming
The Department of Defense has requested that Congress approve three reprogramming notifications that would transfer $276.5 million from the Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) program. These reductions, combined with an earlier reduction of $180 million from the FY06 Emergency Supplemental, would total a $456.5 million cut in the procurement of FMTVs for the active Army, National Guard and Army Reserve. Approval of all requests would result in the loss of over 3,000 vehicles. NGAUS is working to update members of Congress and their staffs to the immediate detrimental impact that this DoD reprogramming would have on the Army National Guard.
Defense Authorization
The House and Senate began conference on the FY07 Authorization Act (H.R. 5122 and S. 2507). While House conferees have yet to be named, the staffs have already begun discussions on reconciling the differences between the two bills. Differences of interest include:
-Reconciling differences between House and Senate language on TRICARE. NGAUS supports the more enhanced House version of TRICARE;
-Addressing Guard Early Access to retirement—the Senate provision would reduce age in which Guard and Reserve members can access their retirement by 3 months for every 90 day served on active duty since 2001. NGAUS supports the Senate version as the House does not contain such a provision;
-Guard Empowerment—the Senate included language introduced by Senators Bond and Leahy (provisions of the Guard Empowerment Act) that would promote the Chief of the Guard Bureau to a four-star position, and designate that the deputy commander at NORTHCOM be a Guard member. NGAUS supports the Senate language.
Alert on Alerts
NGAUS currently has three alerts on it’s website relating to: TRICARE, Guard Empowerment and the Joint Cargo Aircraft. Please visit out website so that you can write your member of Congress and voice your opinion on these critical topics. Congress needs to hear from you!
Road Trip: Guard Commission
The Commission on the Role of the National Guard and Reserves held its first field hearing. The Commission heard testimony from the Reserve Chiefs and enlisted members of the services. For a list of witness and their statements, check out the Commission’s website at www.cngr.gov.
Fire Support Task Force
Members of the NGAUS’ Army Guard Fire Support Task Force held a task force meeting in Washington, DC on Wednesday at the NGAUS building. Member of the task force discussed top issues relating to the Fire Support community. Several industry representatives provided presentations to the members of the task force. MG Harry Sykora, USA (ret) is the Chair of the Task Force.
Maryland Visits Delegation
Maj Gen Bruce F. Tuxill, Adjutant General of Maryland, and members of his staff were on Capitol Hill last week. They met with members of their Congressional delegation to discuss support for the Guard Empowerment Act, Joint Cargo Aircraft and state issues important to Maryland.
NGAUS Task Forces
NGAUS has established Task Forces as a mechanism to provide advice and expertise to the NGAUS legislative staff in development of legislative priorities based on the resolutions that are passed each year at the annual conference. NGAUS has eleven Task Forces and are listed below:
Joint Task Forces
Personnel/Benefits
Medical Task Force
Army Task Forces
Fire Support Task Force
Combat Vehicle Task Force
Combat Support/Combat Service Support Task Force
Army Aviation Task Force
C4I Task Force
Engineer Task Force
Air Task Forces
Airlift/Tanker/Rescue
Fighter Task Force
C4I Task Force
The Task Forces are comprised of Chairs and Vice Chairs and are expected to meet two times a year. NGAUS is seeking interested volunteers to serve on the Task Forces. If you are interested, contact the NGAUS legislative staff or contact the Task Force Chairs listed on our website. The Task Forces will be meeting at the NGAUS Conference on Sunday, September 17.
For more information on NGAUS, check out our website: www.ngaus.org
This post moved here from DoD Daily News-2.
This week the Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) marked its version of the FY07 Defense Appropriations Act. The $414.5 billion dollar measure would provide funding for the Department of Defense, the military services and military personnel with benefits and equipment to support worldwide operations. Highlights of the bill include:
-Funding for a 2.2 percent across-the-board pay raise for military personnel (met the President's budget request);
-Pay and allowances for mobilized Reserve and Guard Soldiers to provide military operations support to GWOT;
-Additional Combat Benefits for death and traumatic injury;
-Required Pre- and Post-Mobilization Training for Reserve and Guard units and personnel;
-Funding to support an Army National Guard end strength of 350,000 Soldiers;
-$50 billion in “bridge” funding to support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan;
-Deferring funding for the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA), citing that it was “…premature to procure these aircraft until a further analysis of the joint intra-theater mission requirement is completed…..;”
-$10.M for targeting pods for Air Guard;
-$4.0 for Army Guard Lightweight Tactical Utility Vehicles;
-Continued funding for the procurement of C-17 aircraft; and
-$10.0M for Army Guard Improved Chemical Agent Monitor.
NGAUS will continue to update as more information becomes available.
Omnibus Reprogramming
The Department of Defense has requested that Congress approve three reprogramming notifications that would transfer $276.5 million from the Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) program. These reductions, combined with an earlier reduction of $180 million from the FY06 Emergency Supplemental, would total a $456.5 million cut in the procurement of FMTVs for the active Army, National Guard and Army Reserve. Approval of all requests would result in the loss of over 3,000 vehicles. NGAUS is working to update members of Congress and their staffs to the immediate detrimental impact that this DoD reprogramming would have on the Army National Guard.
Defense Authorization
The House and Senate began conference on the FY07 Authorization Act (H.R. 5122 and S. 2507). While House conferees have yet to be named, the staffs have already begun discussions on reconciling the differences between the two bills. Differences of interest include:
-Reconciling differences between House and Senate language on TRICARE. NGAUS supports the more enhanced House version of TRICARE;
-Addressing Guard Early Access to retirement—the Senate provision would reduce age in which Guard and Reserve members can access their retirement by 3 months for every 90 day served on active duty since 2001. NGAUS supports the Senate version as the House does not contain such a provision;
-Guard Empowerment—the Senate included language introduced by Senators Bond and Leahy (provisions of the Guard Empowerment Act) that would promote the Chief of the Guard Bureau to a four-star position, and designate that the deputy commander at NORTHCOM be a Guard member. NGAUS supports the Senate language.
Alert on Alerts
NGAUS currently has three alerts on it’s website relating to: TRICARE, Guard Empowerment and the Joint Cargo Aircraft. Please visit out website so that you can write your member of Congress and voice your opinion on these critical topics. Congress needs to hear from you!
Road Trip: Guard Commission
The Commission on the Role of the National Guard and Reserves held its first field hearing. The Commission heard testimony from the Reserve Chiefs and enlisted members of the services. For a list of witness and their statements, check out the Commission’s website at www.cngr.gov.
Fire Support Task Force
Members of the NGAUS’ Army Guard Fire Support Task Force held a task force meeting in Washington, DC on Wednesday at the NGAUS building. Member of the task force discussed top issues relating to the Fire Support community. Several industry representatives provided presentations to the members of the task force. MG Harry Sykora, USA (ret) is the Chair of the Task Force.
Maryland Visits Delegation
Maj Gen Bruce F. Tuxill, Adjutant General of Maryland, and members of his staff were on Capitol Hill last week. They met with members of their Congressional delegation to discuss support for the Guard Empowerment Act, Joint Cargo Aircraft and state issues important to Maryland.
NGAUS Task Forces
NGAUS has established Task Forces as a mechanism to provide advice and expertise to the NGAUS legislative staff in development of legislative priorities based on the resolutions that are passed each year at the annual conference. NGAUS has eleven Task Forces and are listed below:
Joint Task Forces
Personnel/Benefits
Medical Task Force
Army Task Forces
Fire Support Task Force
Combat Vehicle Task Force
Combat Support/Combat Service Support Task Force
Army Aviation Task Force
C4I Task Force
Engineer Task Force
Air Task Forces
Airlift/Tanker/Rescue
Fighter Task Force
C4I Task Force
The Task Forces are comprised of Chairs and Vice Chairs and are expected to meet two times a year. NGAUS is seeking interested volunteers to serve on the Task Forces. If you are interested, contact the NGAUS legislative staff or contact the Task Force Chairs listed on our website. The Task Forces will be meeting at the NGAUS Conference on Sunday, September 17.
For more information on NGAUS, check out our website: www.ngaus.org
This post moved here from DoD Daily News-2.
Monday, July 17, 2006
No Cease-fire in the throws of war
Labels:
current events,
enemies,
g-News,
ME
Today I have read an article by Mohammed of Iraq the Model (ITM), and I must say I concur. The Middle East is a hot spot today, to those of you who have no idea about the Middle East. To those who live there, to those who have become educated, it is an ongoing cycle that must be broken in order for victory to be achieved.
We have Israel in a war with Hamas and Hizbollah, and we have the Coalition Forces and Iraqis in a war with ex-Ba'athists, militias, Syrians, Saudis and Iranians. Iran is on the verge of gaining nuclear weapons capability, and all the people on the outside want to do is talk. They do not understand the mindset of the Middle East.
The one with the most strength and endurance is the victor. It has been this way forever. The Revolutionary War took 8 years! The last Brit to leave was evacuated from Brooklyn, NY November 25, 1783. If our freedom was worth this much rancor, so is the Middle East's. (Source: REVOLUTIONARY WAR TIMELINE.)
We have talked for years as Iran used its knowledge to develop nuclear weapons. What did this achieve? The Iranian people suffered more at the hand of Ahmadinejad, human rights were grossly violated daily, people were murdered in prison by the guards. Some of them were raped. Where is the outrage? Where are the investigations?
We have forced Israel to sit at the table with terrorists who are bent only on their destruction, and what did Israel get in return? War. Let me ask you this: If President Bush wanted to sit down with Osama bin Laden after September 11, 2001, would you have agreed with him or have him impeached? I know my answer, so why should Israel's be any different?
We have to put an end to these terrorists, and that means killing them dead. If it takes a few tapings of rubbing their faces in pigs blood and showing it to the Middle East to show we mean business, maybe then they would get the message. Their families would be disgraced, they would not be going to heaven, and the next time you kill another innocent? We take someone from Gitmo and slit his throat after dipping the knife in pigs blood.
My heart aches everyday as I hear about the Iraqis, Lebanese, Israelis, and Iranians dying. Let us get serious, and understand once and for all: WE ARE AT WAR.
We have Israel in a war with Hamas and Hizbollah, and we have the Coalition Forces and Iraqis in a war with ex-Ba'athists, militias, Syrians, Saudis and Iranians. Iran is on the verge of gaining nuclear weapons capability, and all the people on the outside want to do is talk. They do not understand the mindset of the Middle East.
The one with the most strength and endurance is the victor. It has been this way forever. The Revolutionary War took 8 years! The last Brit to leave was evacuated from Brooklyn, NY November 25, 1783. If our freedom was worth this much rancor, so is the Middle East's. (Source: REVOLUTIONARY WAR TIMELINE.)
We have talked for years as Iran used its knowledge to develop nuclear weapons. What did this achieve? The Iranian people suffered more at the hand of Ahmadinejad, human rights were grossly violated daily, people were murdered in prison by the guards. Some of them were raped. Where is the outrage? Where are the investigations?
We have forced Israel to sit at the table with terrorists who are bent only on their destruction, and what did Israel get in return? War. Let me ask you this: If President Bush wanted to sit down with Osama bin Laden after September 11, 2001, would you have agreed with him or have him impeached? I know my answer, so why should Israel's be any different?
We have to put an end to these terrorists, and that means killing them dead. If it takes a few tapings of rubbing their faces in pigs blood and showing it to the Middle East to show we mean business, maybe then they would get the message. Their families would be disgraced, they would not be going to heaven, and the next time you kill another innocent? We take someone from Gitmo and slit his throat after dipping the knife in pigs blood.
My heart aches everyday as I hear about the Iraqis, Lebanese, Israelis, and Iranians dying. Let us get serious, and understand once and for all: WE ARE AT WAR.
Friday, July 14, 2006
This week's Iran
Labels:
SW Asia
LA's Iranian exiles seek unity on regime change in Iran. Friday, July 7, 2006.
Ahmadinejad warns Jews in Israel to leave Israel. Saturday, July 8, 2006.
Why El Baradei must be forced out of the IAEA. Sunday, July 9, 2006.
Iran and this week's G-8 Summit in Russia. Monday, July 10, 2006.
Iranian Press hides EU blacklisting of Iran. Tuesday, July 11, 2006.
Iranian dissident to meet with Noan Chomsky. [How disappointing.] Wednesday, July 12, 2006.
Iran behind Hezbollah's war on Israel. Thursday, July 13, 2006.
Those are the titles of the list of articles. Usually, Doctor Zin will use the first article in the list of many to name the article of the day. Please check every link to find more articles. Thank you, and have a great day.
PS. Here is a topical organization of the week in review.
Ahmadinejad warns Jews in Israel to leave Israel. Saturday, July 8, 2006.
Why El Baradei must be forced out of the IAEA. Sunday, July 9, 2006.
Iran and this week's G-8 Summit in Russia. Monday, July 10, 2006.
Iranian Press hides EU blacklisting of Iran. Tuesday, July 11, 2006.
Iranian dissident to meet with Noan Chomsky. [How disappointing.] Wednesday, July 12, 2006.
Iran behind Hezbollah's war on Israel. Thursday, July 13, 2006.
Those are the titles of the list of articles. Usually, Doctor Zin will use the first article in the list of many to name the article of the day. Please check every link to find more articles. Thank you, and have a great day.
PS. Here is a topical organization of the week in review.
Monday, July 10, 2006
My Thoughts on Current Events
Labels:
rant
It's me, again. Yes, I just woke up. It's almost 6pm! Holy cow. It was a busy weekend, eh? How do like those Chinese 'partners'? I like them fried. With a little soy sauce.
I am one of those who is of the belief that want domination. Over what and who is the only question for disagreement. You do know they control NK, don't you? That is why they won't put any sanctions on them in that dreaded bastion of useless diplomats known as the UN.
Did anyone see any pictures of the protests against the Iranian regime? I'd like to have some if you come across them. Sunday was the 9th of July, the Day of Remembrance. What are they remembering? I'm so glad you asked!
On July 9, 1999, the students were protesting the way they were being denied human rights, the people disappearing, the people being thrown in prison for no reason except the whim of the IRI. What laws? They also desired democracy and freedom. What a crime, eh?
For this, 17 of them were murdered, hundreds were injured, and thousands were jailed. How would you like to live under those conditions? Think about this the next time you even think about calling our President a name like Hitler. You show your ignorance. That is why no one takes you seriously.
I disagree with the president on many issues. Which ones? Illegal aliens, not funding pro-democracy groups inside Iran, not sending troops to Darfur and getting rid of the janjaweed, he's spending way too much, he's not putting the good news about Iraq on the table so it can be printed, he has taken his eyes off Afghanistan, should I go on?
You don't read me going nuts (too often, lol). If you would come up with a rational thought, maybe people would listen. Please do not insult our intelligence, however. Do not choose a speaker like Sheehan, Kennedy, Kerry, Clinton, etc. We not only will not listen, we will never believe you!
Why am I giving you some advise? Because I'd like to bring politics back to a debate. Let us debate the ISSUES, not tear each other from limb to limb. We won't get anywhere that way. I'm sick and tired of going in circles. We are much better than that. If you're not, I am. (lol) Have a great day.
I am one of those who is of the belief that want domination. Over what and who is the only question for disagreement. You do know they control NK, don't you? That is why they won't put any sanctions on them in that dreaded bastion of useless diplomats known as the UN.
Did anyone see any pictures of the protests against the Iranian regime? I'd like to have some if you come across them. Sunday was the 9th of July, the Day of Remembrance. What are they remembering? I'm so glad you asked!
On July 9, 1999, the students were protesting the way they were being denied human rights, the people disappearing, the people being thrown in prison for no reason except the whim of the IRI. What laws? They also desired democracy and freedom. What a crime, eh?
For this, 17 of them were murdered, hundreds were injured, and thousands were jailed. How would you like to live under those conditions? Think about this the next time you even think about calling our President a name like Hitler. You show your ignorance. That is why no one takes you seriously.
I disagree with the president on many issues. Which ones? Illegal aliens, not funding pro-democracy groups inside Iran, not sending troops to Darfur and getting rid of the janjaweed, he's spending way too much, he's not putting the good news about Iraq on the table so it can be printed, he has taken his eyes off Afghanistan, should I go on?
You don't read me going nuts (too often, lol). If you would come up with a rational thought, maybe people would listen. Please do not insult our intelligence, however. Do not choose a speaker like Sheehan, Kennedy, Kerry, Clinton, etc. We not only will not listen, we will never believe you!
Why am I giving you some advise? Because I'd like to bring politics back to a debate. Let us debate the ISSUES, not tear each other from limb to limb. We won't get anywhere that way. I'm sick and tired of going in circles. We are much better than that. If you're not, I am. (lol) Have a great day.
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