Thank you, Veterans, for what you have done and continue to do

November 11, 2009

Thank you, Veterans, for volunteering to risk your life, limbs and sanity to protect our Freedoms. Without you, America as we know it would cease to exist. Please take pride in your accomplishments, whatever they may be, and I hope you feel much kindness today.

Thank you for your service.

Your fellow American.

snprbth

The best National Anthem in sports, performed by opera tenor Jim Cornelison and organist Frank Pellico.

United Center in Chicago, Game 4 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Blackhawks vs Canucks.

National Anthem starts (1:43) preceded O Canada.

Iraq vets use old uniforms for art

July 15, 2009

US Iraq War veterans are using recycled military uniforms to make paper which they then use for art. Interesting process.

Drew Cameron, Project founder – started about 2 years ago..

Karen Zarindast reporting from the BBC

Major Cook’s active duty revocation order

July 14, 2009

Updated list of birth certificate posts
Application for TRO
Taitz: Application for Injunction (Major Cook)
Major Cook’s plaintiff verification re: Injunction
Cook v Good dismissed
Orly Taitz re: Cook dismissal (video)

Major Stephan Frederick Cook got a strange surprise today when he found out his deployment orders were revoked. No reason given. He was due to have a hearing on Thursday morning. According to Orly Taitz, Maj Cook returned a call to an unknown telephone call and was told that his services were no longer required in Afghanistan and that he need not report for duty. He then received an email revocation order as below and after that found out he was terminated from his civilian job.

June 10 – mobilized to active duty by Colonel Wanda L. Good

July 8 – filed application for TRO on the basis that barry’s not qualified to be Commander in Chief
July 10 – took military leave of absence from civilian job as senior systems engineer and architect at Simtech, Inc.

July 14 – surprise revocation of his deployment orders by Colonel Louis B. Wingate
July 14 – finds out from Simtech CEO Larry Grice that he has been terminated

July 15 – initial date of order to report for duty

July 16 – scheduled date of hearing

======================

Taitz

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
U.S. ARMY HUMAN RESOURCES COMMAND
1 RESERVE WAY
ST. LOUIS, MO 63132-5200

AHRC-PLM-S

14 JUL 2009

ORDERS A-06-916551R

COOK STEFAN FREDERICK

EAD8
W096AA

THE FOLLOWING ORDER IS REVOKED OR RESCINDED AS SHOWN.

ACTION: REVOKE

Iraq vets use old uniforms for art

July 15, 2009

US Iraq War veterans are using recycled military uniforms to make paper which they then use for art. Interesting process.

Drew Cameron, Project founder – started about 2 years ago..

Karen Zarindast reporting from the BBC

Drew Cameron, Project founder – started about 2 years ago..

Karen Zarindast reporting from the BBC

Former Gitmo detainee leading attack against Marines in Afghanistan

July 10, 2009

According to FOX, a former Guantanamo Bay detainee, Mullah Zakir (aka Abdullah Ghulam Rasoul) is leading the fight against the Marines’ Operation Khanjar in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. Zakir surrendered in Afghanistan in 2001 – was transferred to Gitmo in 2006 and then was released to Afghan custody 2007. Not sure what the “custody” entails because he was “released” from it in 2008. Shortly thereafter Taliban chief Mullah Omar appointed him as senior military commander.

Why was he released?

They quote an anonymous defense official:

We were under incredible pressure from the world to release detainees at Gitmo. You just don’t know what people are going to do.

He was no worse than anyone else being held at Guantanamo Bay. He was not going to be tried for war crimes so we decided to release him. Either he was not thought to have committed a crime or we didn’t have enough evidence to prosecute him.

The country which agreed to take him promised to take steps to mitigate the threat he posed.

How are they going to do that and what is their incentive?

In March 2009, 37 ex-detainees had returned to fighting the US. Don’t know the more recent number

Happy 4th of July with thanks to US Armed Forces and veterans

July 4, 2009 by mattie14

July 4, 2009

Thank you brave American women and men throughout the world for volunteering to risk your life, limbs and sanity to keep the USA the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave! Your courage and selflessness too often go unappreciated and unrewarded — please know you and your efforts are never forgotten.

And congratulations to the 237 U.S. service members who were sworn in today as American citizens in Iraq.

Even if you are not a hockey (or Blackhawks) fan – here’s the best National Anthem in sports (anywhere)- performed by opera tenor Jim Cornelison, accompanied by Frank Pellico on organ, at the United Center in Chicago before Game 4 Stanley Cup Playoffs Hawks vs Canucks.

It is preceded by just as stirring a rendition of O Canada.

National Anthem starts (1:43)

sniperbth

Well, the good news is the roof remains attached here at the United Center.

And here is Wayne Messmer’s rendition at the old Chicago Stadium before the start of the 1991 NHL All-Star Game just days after the Gulf War began. The game was televised there LIVE. Some of you may not even have been born yet. Messmer is now the public address announcer for the Cubs and sings the National Anthem for the Chicago Wolves as well.

Dafoomie

"Pink boxers" soldier home for 4th of July

July 3, 2009

Remember the “pink boxers & flipflops” soldier?

David Guttenfelder / AP

Left: Spc. Zachery Boyd of Fort Worth, TX, center: Jordan Custer of Spokane, WA and right: Spc. Cecil Montgomery of Many, LA.

In the mountains of east Afghanistan, on May 11th, 19 y/o Army Spc. ZACHARY BOYD of Fort Worth was asleep when his platoon came under attack from the Taliban. He only took the time to put on his vest and his helmet. AP photographer David Guttenfelder (40) just happened to be in position to take a shot of the rest of Boyd’s “uniform”… pink “I Love New York” boxers and flipflops. He bought the boxers when he “stranded in New York”. He called home to tell his parents he made it on the cover of the NY Times but didn’t tell them what eactly he was – or wasn’t – wearing.

Spc Boyd from the front, fully-clothed, arriving home today. - Fort Hood.

He said to his parents:

I may not have a job anymore after the president has seen me out of uniform.

Defense Secretary ROBERT GATES had a different take:

Well, let me tell you, the next time I visit Afghanistan I want to meet Specialist Boyd and shake his hand. Any soldier who goes into battle against the Taliban in pink boxers and flip-flops has a special kind of courage. And I can only wonder about the impact on the Taliban. Just imagine seeing that — a guy in pink boxers and flip-flops has you in his crosshairs — what an incredible innovation in psychological warfare.

I can assure you that Specialist Boyd’s job is very safe indeed.

NewsPoliticsNews

Specialist Boyd arrived at Fort Hood this morning. See video of homecoming.

It’s definitely a good feeling to be home… get to see the family on a very important day, of course.

No word on what he plans on wearing tomorrow...

Sen Boxer: It’s “Senator”, not “Ma’am”

June 18, 2009

Senator Boxer lets Brigadier General Michael Walsh know she deserves the respect of the title she earned just as much as he does. I do wish the camera was on his face instead of hers. He looked taken aback that she dared to interrupt him. No one does that to a general, little lady. That is Sen Boxer’s office – he is testifying before her – yes, he is a genera,l but it is a non-military proceeding and she is the position of authority and she has every right to demand she be given it. As for her level of frustration, we have no idea how many times he has “Ma’am” — [A woman - title or not - can take only so many "ma'ams"], how many he has used that tone, how many non-verbal clues he missed or how many times she had asked him before. This is clearly not their initial exchange.

All you need to do is listen to the snickers or read the comments anywhere this is discussed and you will understand Sen Boxer’s frustration. You can not understand the condescension unless you’ve lived it. And from the comments it’s not going away soon.

An especially lovely one that proves her point:

She’s not even fit to scrub the shit off his boots.

I bet she could do a bang up job ironing his shirts.

And this that proves the point out of his own lips:

You don’t need to talk down to the man because he doesn’t know before hand, what title to use in addressing you.

Problem being it is his job to know that.

bigkurt25

SEN BOXER: Why has it been delayed?

GEN WALSH: Uh, Ma’am, the…

SEN BOXER: You know, do me a favor – could you say ’senator’ instead of ‘ma’am?’”

WALSH: Yes, ma’am.

[snickers]

SEN BOXER It’s just a thing, I worked so hard to get that title, so I’d appreciate it, yes, thank you.

That wasn’t a request – it was an order.

GEN WALSH: Yes, Senator.

Message received.

Gen Dunwoody tosses first pitch at Yankees game (6-14)

June 15, 2009

Well I got a little distracted in my previous post. I meant to comment on the Yankees’ tribute to the United States Armed Forces and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation on Flag Day (yesterday). I was looking for photos/video and got side-tracked by the new digs of General Ann E Dunwoody - the first ever female 4-star Army general and then continued to digress.

It took 45 minutes of searching today, including a curious redirection from the Special Ops site to the Dept of Defense, to find some photos, which of course weren’t in the usual places: Yankees.com, ESPN, MLB, AP or Reuters. And there was no official video to be found – even on Military.com or the Army Materiel Command site – where I should have started out. Maybe somebody at the game will post one on YouTube. I would like to see the General’s form. Something tells me it would be a tad better than Skiles’.

Not to take anything away from heroes in their own right, photos and videos were easily available of Flight 1549’s First Officer Jeff Skiles and both of Captain Sullenberger’s ceremonial tosses but not Gen Dunwoody’s, who happens to outrank former USAF Captain, Captain Sullenberger by four stars and then some and who I’m sure made some of her own spectacular landings during dicey circumstances — feet first — during the first Gulf War, and whose military pedigree extends back to the Revolutionary War.

Americans, young girls especially, should get to see the heroes who go about their business and never end up being praised on the Morning Talk Show circuit or have their courageous deeds remunerated and immortalized in Hollywood movies.

Women/girls watched Secretary of State Hillary Clinton put 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling - how many know how Gen Dunwoody exploded through the brass ceiling or are even aware that she did?

“Premiere logistician” General Dunwoody has served in the Army since 1975 and has received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, SWASM (two campaign stars), and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

Watch her Nov 14, 2008 – 4th star ceremony – the actual pinning done by a shaky-handed husband.

DUNWOODY: I’ve heard from moms and dads who see this promotion as a beacon of hope for their own daughters and an affirmation that anything is possible through hard work and commitment.

According to written accounts, the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachuted into Yankee Stadium in perfect formation – followed by the playing of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) video. Marine Sergeant Keith Zeier, along with Courtney and Hillary Robinson, daughters of deceased Lieutenant Colonel Craig Robinson [read inspiring back story] then accepted donations ($95K) on behalf of the SWOF Foundation, which “provides full scholarship grants and educational and family counseling to the surviving children of special operations people who die in operational or training missions and immediate financial assistance to severely wounded special operations people and their families.”

The West Point Color Guard presented the colors while country singer and former U.S. Army Elite Task Force Ranger Keni Thomas, who was a member of the Army unit that fought at the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, sang the National Anthem.

And then Commanding General for the U. S. Army Material Command, Gen Ann E Dunwoody, threw a perfect strike.

If anyone has run across a video, we’d really appreciate your letting us know.

Photos courtesy of SFC RICHARD GUZMAN USAREC

Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, on the mound at NY Yankee vs. NY Mets game June 14 in honor of Military Appreciation Day at the stadium.

Gen Dunwoody with Yankees Manager and ex-Cubbie, Joe Giardi

Members of the US ARMY Golden Knights.

I would like to know what their thoughts were as they shook the hand of the first female 4-star Army General.

A pix that makes me a very proud American.

More photos on flickr

How do you say “Don’t ask, don’t tell” in Arabic?

May 8, 2009

I ran across the first chapter of Nathaniel Frank’s book: “UNFRIENDLY FIRE How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America” in the NY Times. Fascinating reading. Excellent writing. I have to wonder if Lt Choi’s speaking out was somehow linked to Frank’s book excerpt. The excerpt was published March 18th and Lt Choi first appeared on Rachel Maddow on the 19th. Maybe that’s why he was on. I don’t recall.

This is how Nathaniel Frank’s book begins. Emphasis added.

On September 10th, 2001, the United States government intercepted two phone calls placed from Afghanistan between Al Qaeda operatives. “Tomorrow is zero hour,” said one of the voices. “The match is about to begin,” came another ominous line. The National Security Agency intercepts millions of messages every hour, but these calls came from sources deemed to be high priority. They were, of course, spoken in Arabic, so they made their way to a translator’s queue, waiting to be interpreted. Unfortunately, in the fall of 2001 our government did not have enough Arabic linguists to translate the messages quickly. The phone calls were not translated until two days later, on September 12, 2001. It was two days too late.

How many gay linguists have been fired?

The firing of gay Arabic language specialists during America’s war on terrorism is a particularly stark illustration of the gay ban’s costs to national security. And so it’s no surprise that the Pentagon has not been forthcoming about the number of linguists fired. In 2004, when Palm Center researchers asked the Pentagon for the total discharge figures of gay linguists (including all foreign language specialties), they were told that figures only existed since 1998. It took a Freedom of Information Act request and pressure from members of the House Armed Services Committee to force the Pentagon to release even these incomplete figures, which landed at 73 discharges of language specialists from the Defense Language Institute between 1998 and 2004. Of these, 17 were Arabic speakers, 11 spoke Russian, 18 studied Korean, 6 were training in Persian-Farsi, and the rest studied other languages.

Thing is the records did go back further than 1998.

Then in February, 2005, a GAO report was released that included figures dating back to 1994 – the period when data was not supposed to have existed. Those figures were even more troubling. According to the GAO report, 757 troops with “critical occupations” were fired under the policy. These included voice interceptors, interrogators, translators, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Specialists, signal intelligence analysts, and missile and cryptologic technicians. Three hundred twenty-two fired service members had skills in what the military deems “an important foreign language.” Fifty-four of them spoke Arabic. Ian Finkenbinder makes fifty-five. And counting.

What the Army says themselves. Lt Choi is/was a member of the NY Army Guard:

An Army report released that year by the Center for Army Lessons Learned at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, found that “the lack of competent interpreters throughout the theater impeded operations” in Iraq and Afghanistan. “The US Army does not have a fraction of the linguists required.” The 9/11 Commission Report concluded that the government “lacked sufficient translators proficient in Arabic and other key languages, resulting in significant backlog of untranslated intercepts” and the secretary of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge, pleaded that “we need more Arabic-speaking analysts.” A Pentagon advisory panel reported in 2004 that the U.S. “is without a working channel of communications to the world of Muslims and Islam.” A Justice Department Inspector General Report that same year found that the government “cannot translate all the foreign language counterterrorism and counterintelligence material it collects,” due largely to inadequate translation capabilities in “languages primarily related to counterterrorism activities” such as Arabic and Farsi.

Learning Arabic is not easy and is not something anyone with an ear for foreign language can pick up.

Arabic is what DLI calls a “category 4″ language. Along with Chinese, Japanese and Korean, Arabic is the hardest for English-speakers to learn, and the course lasts 63 weeks for basic knowledge. Because it’s not a “cognate” language for English-speakers — not one that shares the roots of the Germanic or Romantic family language trees — most American students hit the books for several hours each night, after taking up to seven hours of class every day. Arabic reads from right to left, has no capital letters and its characters run together like cursive, making it difficult for the untrained to distinguish them without months of practice. The year after 9/11, the number of students graduating from all American colleges and universities with an undergraduate degree in Arabic was a whopping six. Six.

It seems there’s a way around not discharging gay soldiers:

The week after the twin towers were felled, the Pentagon looked around and noticed it would need as many soldiers as it could get its hands on for the wars it was about to wage. Under the authority of President George W. Bush, the Defense Department issued an order giving each military service the authority to suspend administrative discharges (called “stop-loss” in military speak). In explaining the decision, the folks in the Pentagon’s public affairs office showed that no one was more confused than they were about how to retain badly needed gay troops while reassuring the public that the military was abiding by the law that required their discharge. “Stop loss has been authorized,” spokesperson Maj. James P. Cassella told the San Francisco Chronicle, referring to the status of the gay discharge policy. “However, consistent with past practices, administrative discharges could continue under stop-loss.” To clarify what the military really intended to do, Cassella said that “Commanders would be given enough latitude in this area to apply good judgment and balance the best interests of the service, the unit and the individual involved.”

Bottom line:

As we struggle against an enemy whose world most American can scarcely begin to comprehend, the few men and women in the military conversant in that world would seem an invaluable asset. Instead, more than 55 Arabic language specialists are no longer working for the U.S. military because they are gay.

And it appears Lt Choi will be the 56th.

Nathaniel Frank’s closing paragraph:

Running through all these reasons is a commitment not to face the truth. And this, every bit as much as the wasted Arabic linguists, counterintelligence officers, artillery operators, pilots and surgeons, is the insidious nature of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” There is something deeply embarrassing about the most powerful nation in the world imposing a gag rule on itself; we have voluntarily shackled ourselves in order to deny what we know to be true, all in the name of protecting our supposedly fragile soldiers from a phantom gay menace. The gay ban marks no less than the stalling of the Enlightenment project. The last three centuries of Western civilization have celebrated the ideals of freedom, truth, reason and self-understanding. In America, we often consider ourselves to be a world beacon for these efforts. We hallow our Constitution for its use and protection of these traits; we broadcast and praise our commitment to liberty and free speech.; and we have framed our war on terrorism as a struggle against sectarian, anti-intellectual and illiberal forces who are trying to overturn all we hold sacred. Yet “don’t ask, don’t tell” demonstrates that the American government is helping these forces along, to our own detriment. Americans should be asking themselves: what is gained and what is lost by sticking our collective head in the sand?

[Source: NY Times "Excerpted from Unfriendly Fire by Nathaniel Frank. Copyright © 2009 by the author and reprinted by permission of Thomas Dunne Books, an imprint of St. Martin's Press, LLC."]

————

3-19 Conspiracy at the Rachel Maddow show involving Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?
3-21 Lt Dan Choi: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has got to go
5-6 Lt Dan Choi kicked out of Guard b/c he’s gay
5-7 Rachel Maddow: Lt Dan Choi re: his dismissal from the Army
5-8 Lt Choi on CNN’s American Morning

Lt Dan Choi on CNN’s American Morning

May 8, 2009

Lt Dan Choi, who was ousted from the Army because he outed himself on Rachel Maddow on March 19th, appeared on American Morning to discuss his situation. Just saying “I am gay” is considered homosexual behavior.

Whatever your views, whatever the rules – how many American servicemembers are West Point grads, fluent in Arabic, have been in combat in Iraq (twice) and are willing to return?

Seriously. How many?

He has the choice to resign and get an honorable discharge or go in front of a board and present his case. All he has to do is ask them if the Army has enough Arab linguists.

TRANSCRIPT & VIDEO

CAROL COSTELLO: He’s an Iraq war veteran, ready to serve. He is fluent in Arabic. But the military says he’s got to go because he admitted he’s gay. Coming up, you’ll meet Lieutenant Dan Choi and hear his message to the Obama administration.

You know, with two wars being fought and the military stretched thin, one West Point graduate and officer in the Army National Guard was just told to go home because he has admitted he’s gay. Lieutenant Dan Choi is an Iraq war veteran, he is fluent in Arabic and he just received word that the military is discharging him under the don’t ask, don’t tell policy. That’s been the law since 1993 and still is today under the Obama administration.

Joining us now is Lieutenant Dan Choi. Thanks for being with us today.

LT. DAN CHOI, OPENLY GAY MEMBER OF THE MILITARY: Wonderful to be here.

COSTELLO: So the reason the military found out that you were gay is because you announced it on national television.

CHOI: Right. Well, I publicly admitted who I was. I refused to lie and to hide my identity. And because of that, they said, it doesn’t matter that you graduated from West Point. It doesn’t matter that you’re fluent in Arabic. It doesn’t matter that you went to Iraq and that want to deploy again. You know, pack your stuff and go home. You’re fired.

COSTELLO: And you got a letter in the mail, right? Is that how it happened?

CHOI: Right.

COSTELLO: I want to read a bit of the letter because it sounds so cold. The title is – well, this is what it says. I’m going to read a bit to our audience. “This is to inform you that a sufficient basis exists to initiate action for the withdrawal of federal recognition in the Army National Guard for moral or professional dereliction.” And I won’t go on. But it seems so cold and business- like. So when you received that letter, how did you feel?

CHOI: A big slap in the face, really. It’s an insult to me. I mean, I raised my right hand and said I want to serve. The president, my commander in chief is going to send 21,000 troops overseas. I want to be one of those. So they slapped me in the face. But I’m really angry because they’re slapping my unit in the face and they’re saying, you know, you’re not professional enough to deal with somebody who has capabilities to serve with you.

COSTELLO: So it condemned your whole unit?

CHOI: Right. Basically, by me saying I am gay, they’re saying that that ruined the good order and discipline of the entire New York Army National Guard which is very ridiculous. From what I’ve seen, my unit has been very professional. I’m very proud of my unit. They respect all soldiers, what they can do as members of their team.

COSTELLO: Now, some people might say, you know, if you wanted to serve your country, you know, President Obama has said he does – he wants the don’t ask, don’t tell policy to go away. Why didn’t you wait -

CHOI: Right. Why didn’t I just shut up and not say anything?

COSTELLO: Exactly.

CHOI: Well, the Army values teach us, have courage, take personal courage, stand up, don’t lie, be honest about who you are. In addition, you got to trust the people that are in your unit. I trusted my unit so much that they should know who I am. And they respected the fact that I trusted them that much. It actually strengthened the unit, because now we’re – hey, we’re trusting each other enough that we’re a family. We support each other. And no soldier should be isolated. No leader allows their soldier to be alone.

COSTELLO: Now, I know that your unit has been great toward you. I mean, they really get it. But you said you’re going to fight this tooth and nail.

CHOI: Right.

COSTELLO: How can you fight this when, you know, it’s moving slowly through Congress and the president is not exactly moving forward on this at lightning speed.

CHOI: I have a lot – I have a couple of options. They said that you can just resign and we’ll give you an honorable discharge. You can just be quiet and go away. Or you can go up before a board and argue why you should stay in. With help from a group of legal experts, service members, legal defense network. They’ve helped a lot of soldiers go through these legal proceedings.

And I said, no, I want to prove that being in the military is something that’s good for all Americans. And I’m just one of them. There’s so many thousands of them out there. And taking a stand and being a leader is more important. Doing the right thing is more important than following a law that says, don’t ask, don’t tell. You got to hide, you got to lie.

COSTELLO: Then getting an honorable discharge.

CHOI: Right. You take the consequences. And it’s more about what your responsibilities are than what you want or what you’re comfortable with.

COSTELLO: Thank you so much for joining us. We really appreciate it, lieutenant.

CHOI: Thank you.

—————–

3-19 Conspiracy at the Rachel Maddow show involving Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?
3-21 Lt Dan Choi: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has got to go
5-6 Lt Dan Choi kicked out of Guard b/c he’s gay
5-7 Rachel Maddow: Lt Dan Choi re: his dismissal from the Army

Rachel Maddow: Lt Dan Choi re: his dismissal from the Army

May 7, 2009

Lt Dan Choi appeared on Rachel Maddow in person this time to discuss his getting kicked out of the military simply because he said: “I am gay”. Saying it is considered “homosexual behavior” and therefore a violation of the military code. And yet not saying and lying about it is against the honor code.

This is such madness. He is a graduate of West Point. He has done two tours in Iraq and is willing to do a third. He is fluent in Arabic. He is respected by his comrades. He has been an honorable soldier.

What is the problem?

And what happens to the straight men in the military who rape their fellow female soldiers?

If they are given a trial the usual “sentence” is demotion rank/pay. See this post for detail. Women in the military are raped at twice the rate as civilian women. 1:3 vs 1:6. And who is doing it? Not the gay soldiers.

Is there a single non-Arabic speaking soldier who would not want Lt Choi at their side if they were ever captured?

NewsPoliticsNews

He looks really hurt. His career has been taken from him. He’s angry that the letter referred to his unit as well. He has the option to resign and receive and honorable discharge. He has the option to fight, which is what he plans on doing.

CHOI: I think “Don’t ask don’t tell” is wrong. What we really need to be encouraging soldiers to do is: Don’t hide. Don’t lie. Don’t discriminate and don’t weaken the military.

Also on the show was Rep Joe Sestak (D-PA), who Maddow said was a retired US Navy Rear Admiral and highest ranking former military officer to to serve in Congress. He thinks it could and should be repealed by this summer. He co-wrote the bill that evidently never made it out of committee.

SESTAK: With this President, let’s re-emphasize that everyone – everyone – is created equal.

12, 500 dismissals from the service not created equal.

Lt Choi’s Speech from Knight’s Out site (emphasis added)

The truth is, Gays and Lesbians have served our country since its founding.

They defended our country even before our country learned how to discriminate against them.

—————

3-19 Conspiracy at the Rachel Maddow show involving Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?
3-21 Lt Dan Choi: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has got to go
5-6 Lt Dan Choi kicked out of Guard b/c he’s gay
5-7 Rachel Maddow: Lt Dan Choi re: his dismissal from the Army

Impending civil-military crisis?

April 22, 2009

Perhaps, but not from what you think. I ran across this article which I thought was interesting. It’s focus is military-civil relations and there’s a little insight into the usurper in chief’s MO.

From the (3-26-09) Fort Leavenworth LAMP, WILL KING reporting: [emphasis added]

A panel of experts met to discuss the future of civil-military relations. Dr. Richard Kohn, professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill believes a “conflict in civil-military relations is coming soon, and is not a result of the presidential election.”

No, he didn’t mention the birth certificate or the dissension in the ranks because of it. Was he alluding to it? No idea.

“The Obama administration has taken dramatic steps to avoid a fight with the military,” Kohn said, noting that first lady Michelle Obama’s first official visit outside Washington, D.C., was to Fort Bragg, N.C.

He didn’t do so good at Camp Lejune when he telepromptered his fiipflop on Iraq. He only came out after the the National Anthem was sung by a lone female soldier. Coming out to “Hail to the Chief” like a foreign dignitary or King, who couldn’t be bothered with the pissant peasants. It was shocking. He didn’t even come out for the prayer. See this letter by a Marine present that day.

Next he mentions barry’s retention of Bush people so he would have someone to carry on the blame.

He highlighted the retention of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and nomination of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen for a second term, both holdovers from former President George W. Bush’s administration, as a sign to the rest of the military of respect for the senior military leadership and continuity during difficult wartime conditions.

And of course barry hedged his bets. It’s nice to see a) that someone noticed and b) was willing to say it out loud.

However, Kohn said President Barack Obama purposely sought out other former senior military leaders for his administration, including National Security Advisor retired Marine Corps Gen. James Jones, Secretary of Veterans Affairs retired Gen. Eric Shinseki, and Director of National Intelligence retired Navy Adm. Dennis Blair.

“The president has arranged it so that he is free to ignore the advice of his uniformed chiefs and field commanders because he will have cover of General Jones by his side, and other senior military in his administration,” Kohn said, “and at the same time demonstrates that he has been reaching out to the military and wants to have military judgment.”

That is barry in a nutshell. Political expedience. Cover all sides of the issue, find the experts to tell him what to do, form a committee, talk talk talk, equivocate his words, make no decisions and then throw somebody selected for just that sole purpose under the bus. And then there’s the probarry media who lets him keep doing it.

He never admits he was wrong because “he was acting on the best advice of the best person with the best available information at the time”. He forgets that he was the one acting and the one who acts is the one who should be held accountable and he has not been held accountable for anything.

Specifics:

The four areas where Kohn sees potential civil-military problems in the future are in Afghanistan, the budget, gays in the military and the restructuring of military forces away from Cold War structure. He said budgetary issues would create the most problems of those four areas.

“The overlapping roles and missions, combat capability, organizational change and rethinking of personnel policies all lie just over the horizon,” Kohn said. “If the Obama administration steps up to these challenges, there will be considerable civil-military conflict.”

Steps up? barry needs to take some baby steps and stick by a decision - any decision - and then admit he was wrong all by himself. The closest he got was Tom Daschle and not until the fourth comment. And it didn’t stop him from picking another self-proclaimed (caught) tax cheat, Ron Kirk.

What type of Commander in Chief does this?

Homemade video of barry's surprise visit to Iraq

Homemade video barry’s surprise visit to Iraq

April 16, 2009 by mattie14

April 16, 2009

April 16, 2009

Homemade video of barry’s “surprise” visit to Iraq on the way home from his G 20 Summit tour. Couldn’t find Part 1 or 2. You interpret what you see. I saw a staged gathering inside a massive hall with beautiful pillars.

What caught my attention was something on the floor. At 2:52, the videographer pans down to the floor and there’s a square yellow object that looks like a thick video ipod.What is it? It looks like it was placed there.

And I found it strange that there were armed guards present and that the Secret Service agents were just as vigilant with our own troops.

What does that say about barry?

There was no name to credit. Here’s the link.

barry’s Iraq visit staged? (pix)

barry's Iraq visit staged?

April 16, 2009

Was barry's "surprise" visit staged...just like everything else? Roger Simon calls barry's administration sham a presidency of stagecraft.

This is an excerpt of an email of a soldier present from Macsmind [retired military host of The MacRanger Show on Blog Talk Radio.]

We were pre-screened, asked by officials "Who voted for Obama?", and then those who raised their hands were shuffled to the front of the receiving line. They even handed out digital cameras and asked them to hold them up.

Here are some interesting faces. I remember watching the video and wondering why one of the black soldiers behind barry looked so disinterested. There is no longer that glazed look of adoration. They know what "we will continue deployment" and "leave 30-50,000 support troops" in Iraq means. Let alone his going back on the one promise that got him the presidency. And I'm sure his not appearing until after the National Anthem at Camp Lejune when he announced his lie wasn't forgotten.

Do these troops look like they are proud of their Commander in Chief?

Or do they look disgusted because he won't prove he is eligible to give them orders?

What kind of man can order a brave American into battle - some to a certain death - without easing their mind by simply producing a $6 piece of paper?

Heinous.

courtesy of geowhiz

I can't vow for the date of these photos - but these brave servicemen's disapproval cannot be masked. Where's the Hope! Look at the top pix on the bottom left. I sure would like to know the words barry was telepromptering at this point. Nobody's buying it. Look at how young the red-haired Opie is right off barry's nose. And the old-timers in the bottom pix look disinterested and weary. The soldier in the middle is weighing a decision...what? And the one on the bottom right looks like he's seen alot of bad shit. I hope he's coming home soon. Hope they all do.

Most of all, I hope barry finally tells them the truth.

Homemade video of barry's surprise visit

barry & rahmbo’s “civilian national military force”

April 5, 2009

barry and right hand man’s idea of a civilian national military force. Thing is one is already amassing and it is interested in making barry prove he is not a usurper. both barry and Rahm want Americans to serve their country - watch how Rahmbo skirts the issue of whether it would actually be a “draft” since it would be mandatory - and yet neither of them have done so.

DontBeObamaZombies

I wonder what those 13 milion barry zombies who registered their email and/or phones numbers are thinking now. The government has all their information and they gave it willingly.

Open letter from active Marine reflecting on his Oath

March 31, 2009

I find these letters from active duty servicemen important and insightful. I wonder why it is they should have to think about something like this when they already have plenty to worry about - like the safety of their life and limbs and sanity.

What type of Commander in Chief could do this to them? And how can he possibly look them in the eye? That is a special type of evil. Especially when he went to Camp Lejeune to speak about ending Iraq and didn’t even have the human decency - the simple decency of an American - to be present for the prayer or the singing of the National Anthem. That says a great, great deal about who barry is - and even more about who he isn’t - he is not an honorable man. And he disrespected the most honorable Americans there are. I have had enough of his filthiness.

From Orly Taitz’s site - Defend Our Freedoms.

An open letter from an active duty Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps, stationed aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Where barry visited on Feb 27th.

I, (name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

On September 26th, 2005, I swore an oath as part of my willingness to serve this country, during a wartime environment as well. I never once saw Iraq or Afghanistan, because of surgeries that left me in considerable pain. That is neither here, nor there.

I am an active duty Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps, stationed aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. I never once forgot my oath, and every day when I boot up my computer, it plays the national anthem, as well as the Marines’ Hymn. I am moved by these two things, as well as a love for the country that I was born in, and grew up in. I remember in my high school I excelled in American history, as well as world history. I can’t remember who said it, but I remember hearing something along these lines: “Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.”

What we are seeing is another attempt at a socialist nation that could, if pulled off right, rival the Soviet Union. There’s a problem, though. This isn’t a socialist nation in the least. This nation was founded on the belief that you earn what you work for. I have gone days where I work fifteen hours. I’ve worked twenty-four hours before, sometimes thirty-six. I don’t have the luxury of calling in sick the next day. I have to do what I am told, when I am told.

Every enlisted member of the military should be aware and remember that their allegiance is first and foremost to the piece of paper that created this country, and is the law of the land. The Constitution is what we swore to uphold and defend, and if elected officials are unwilling to do so, then the military must be ready to side with the people of this country. Remember your oath, both enlisted and officer. We are here for the people, to defend them from oppression and tyranny. That is your job, and your duty.

Semper fidelis!

***

What type of Commander in Chief does this?
barry skips National Anthem at Camp Lejeune (2-27)

barry skips National Anthem at Camp Lejeune (2-27)

March 31, 2009

This is something that I had wondered about since I saw it go down but I didn't feel it was my place as a civilian to put words into military folks' mouths. When barry went to give his mission accomplished I'm going back on my campaign promise speech in Camp LeJune, he came out after the singing of the National Anthem. It was shocking, really. Like he was a visiting head of state or the king or a dictator. Like he didn't have the time.

What excuse could there have been? Not only did he not honor the flag on a military base where he went specifically to talk to the military he completely disrespected the woman soldier who sang the National Anthem - quite beautifully.

How does anyone think this is ok? There had to be some military in the planning that had to have raised some objections.

From Orly Taitz'a website Defend Our Freedoms: Emphasis added.

From Major James Cannon

This was a slap in the face of every Marine of yesterday, of today and of tomorrow. Obamas actions were that of an idiot or a muslim......definitely not of a President of the United States.

Yes I am angry....I'm damn angry.

Jim

A note from a retired Marine Colonel.

Hi, this is one of many e-mails out of the Camp LeJeune area regarding Obama's recent visit. Most report that the visit was closely orchestrated by Obama's handlers to ensure he got the best photo ops. Here's one typical comment: But my main point would be, why did it tee me off to hear Obama spout out Semper Fi and OooRah! This moron has no right to be trying to sound like he knows what we share!!! I am surprised he did not wear his basketball t-shirt with USMC in bold. The only thing as bad was Kerry "Reporting for duty" with a salute!

Well, the enemy knows our plan now! I would not want to be a civilian contractor in Baghdad in 2010; or an Iraqi anywhere in country who had helped America!

February 27, 2009

Obama skips National Anthem at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Camp LeJeune, NC -- President Barack Obama did NOT come out on stage for the singing of the National Anthem at his Camp LeJeune speech given at 12:00 Noon today.The Marine Band played "Ruffles and Flourishes" but Obama did not come out. The Secretary of Defense, Marine Corps Generals and a Navy Admiral came out. The Marine Corps Chaplain came out and said a Prayer.

A lone female sang the National Anthem and after it was sung, the Marine Band again played "Ruffles and Flourishes," a speaker introduced the President and only then did the Band play "Hail to the Chief" and did President Obama come out.

This struck me as very odd. Why did the President not come out for the prayer? Why did the President not come out for the National Anthem?

This was no mistake. This was a slap in the face by the President, to the entire nation and it did not go unnoticed.

I'm glad it didn't go unnoticed or uncommented on by the military. The press is another matter. I didn't see or hear anything. Each one of those soldiers' lives depend on barry and he acted like some supreme dictator. He should be made to walk back in there and apologize. Right. When pigs with lipstick on fly.

Commander in Chief of the United States

Maybe he couldn't bear to put his hand on his heart after all.

[9-16-2007 (Des Moines, Iowa) Tom Harkin Steakfry]

***

What type of Commander in Chief does this?

barry still hasn’t admitted the Surge worked

March 31, 2009

This is a good montage of barry’s ever changing position on Iraq - here the Surge is highlighted. Note that barry has never admitted the Surge worked.

speakmymind02

Feb 27th Camp Lejeune

Next month will mark the sixth anniversary of the war in Iraq. By any measure, this has already been a long war. For the men and women of America’s armed forces – and for your families – this war has been one of the most extraordinary chapters of service in the history of our nation. You have endured tour after tour after tour of duty. You have known the dangers of combat and the lonely distance of loved ones. You have fought against tyranny and disorder. You have bled for your best friends and for unknown Iraqis. And you have borne an enormous burden for your fellow citizens, while extending a precious opportunity to the people of Iraq.

Under tough circumstances, the men and women of the United States military have served with honor, and succeeded beyond any expectation.

That is as close as he will get to admitting the Surge worked. If there’s one thing about barry - he will never come out and say I was wrong. Geithner he said he “screwed up” which was the first time he even got close. On O’Reilly - when barry finally got the courage to go on - he was forced to admit that the Surge “succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.” Again “our” not his. His dream was that it not be done.

To understand where we need to go in Iraq, it is important for the American people to understand where we now stand. Thanks in great measure to your service, [not the Surge] the situation in Iraq has improved. Violence has been reduced substantially from the horrific sectarian killing of 2006 and 2007. Al Qaeda in Iraq has been dealt a serious blow by our troops and Iraq’s Security Forces, and through our partnership with Sunni Arabs. The capacity of Iraq’s Security Forces has improved, and Iraq’s leaders have taken steps toward political accommodation. The relative peace and strong participation in January’s provincial elections sent a powerful message to the world about how far Iraqis have come in pursuing their aspirations through a peaceful political process.

….

In short, today there is a renewed cause for hope in Iraq, but that hope rests upon an emerging foundation.

On my first full day in office, [after he was sworn in a second time] I directed my national security team to undertake a comprehensive review of our strategy in Iraq to determine the best way to strengthen that foundation, while strengthening American national security. I have listened to my Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and commanders on the ground. We have acted with careful consideration of events on the respect for the security agreements between the United States and Iraq; and with a critical recognition that the long-term solution in Iraq must be political – not military. Because the most important decisions that have to be made about Iraq’s future must now be made by Iraqis.

Here’s his “mission accomplished”

America’s men and women in uniform have fought block by block, province by province, year after year, to give the Iraqis this chance to choose a better future. Now, we must ask the Iraqi people to seize it.

And here is lie about his campaign promise. Listen to the video. He was going to have all combat troops home in 16 months. Well, his initial promise when he announced his running was to have the combat troops home by March 2008 = 10 months before he even had a chance to be inaugurated. And then he “refined” it after that according to the polls.

He broke his fundamental promise - what got him the nomination - which basically meant the presidency. The press didn’t even grill him over it. Hilary Rosen said she had “precessed” it.

As a candidate for President, I made clear my support for a timeline of 16 months [Period. It was unconditional.] to carry out this drawdown, [not drawdown - he said withdrawal - very different words with very different meanings.] while pledging to consult closely with our military commanders upon taking office [nope] to ensure that we preserve the gains we’ve made [nope - thought the Surge was wrong and still hasn't admitted it worked] and protect our troops [never mentioned]. Those consultations are now complete, and I have chosen a timeline that will remove our combat brigades over the next 18 months.

He picked the middle option. Surprise. He had a chance to stick to his promise and he chose not to - proving once and for all his words on Iraq start to finish were a politically expedient fairy tale.

Let me say this as plainly as I can: by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end.

And how many “non combat” troops will remain?

As I have long said, [here comes another barry out] we will retain a transitional force [who carry the same weapons, who have the same obligations, who get the same pay, and who have the same one life to give] to carry out three distinct functions: training, equipping, and advising Iraqi Security Forces as long as they remain non-sectarian [same risk]; conducting targeted counter-terrorism missions [same risk]; and protecting our ongoing civilian and military efforts within Iraq [same risk].

Initially, [can go up or down] this force will likely [can't pin down] be made up of 35-50,000 U.S. troops.

How is “conducting targeted counter-terrorism missions; and protecting our ongoing civilian and military efforts” not combat troops? Tell those 35-50K troops they won’t be involved in combat and see what they think.

Fine print:

Through this period of transition, we will carry out further redeployments.

So how much change is it really going to mean? It’s just like his momemntous signing of the Gitmo shut down.

And here he admits he is basically following President Bush’s plan in Senator McCain’s wordage. Note also the campaign: “As president, I will” - instead it’s: “I intend”.

And under the Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqi government, I intend to remove all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. [No change with Bush's plans] We will complete this transition to Iraqi responsibility, and we will bring our troops home with the honor that they have earned. [Almost verbatim to what Senator McCain campaigned on.]

And had he been president before the Surge? If Bush had listened to him and Biden? Where would those troops be?

And how will the last troops to remain feel knowing that the savages have a deadline in which to provoke and attack? What is going to happen on August 30, 2010?

yo barry: When are you going to start acting presidential?

March 20, 2009

Dear Mr President -

Is that who you see yourself as - the President of the United States - or a candidate without an opponent?

We all know that the only thing you are capable of is stumping and working the media. We all know how few days you worked in the senate and we have already seen how averse you are to staying in your workplace - it is clear you are not even interested in on the job training. The first thing you do when something comes up is head to Hollywood or swing states or Hyde Park.

Do you even realize you have a job?

Do you realize you are expected to actually do something every single day that has nothing to do with adoration? That it really isn’t about you?

Are you aware of how many people, who were once drunk with blindness, are waking up and realizing you have not a clue?

How stupid do you think The American People are?

We know exactly what you are doing: You are trying to outdo every other president’s first 100 days in pushing through your agenda without a lick of that sunlight you promised.

What promise have you kept since you ascended to office?

Name one.

Guantanamo Bay does not matter - you know that - we all know that order meant nothing.

How many people read the fine print loopholes in that?

Iraq?

The issue that got you the presidency?

A complete and utter fairy tale start to finish. and what did you do to President Clinton? What evil words and accusations of racism did you spew, oh Mr Mighty Transcender of Race?

What you did to the Clintons - painting them as racists - will never be forgiven or forgotten by lifelong Democrats - the ones who are starting to sour to your spineless wavering.

Do you realize how many lies you have told all the while using the words “transparent” and “accountable”?

Was the stimulus bill online for five days of sunlight? It was not an emergency bill because you found time to go home, chill out for Valentine’s Day and then sign it four days later to much fanfare in a swing state.

You can’t possible think we take you seriously, can you?

Your “advisors” are playing campaign games with a radio host, who does not hold elected office, and you are doing so because he has the nerve to say something about your teleprompter, your cluelessness and your many gaffes. And the fact that he makes $50M/year and has a huge radio following - all of whom seem to have the audacity to distrust you and your $9.3 trillion dollar plans - really pisses you off, doesn’t it?

You learned nothing going after Lou Dobbs and Fox, did you?

Whenever your campaign - you aren’t even close to having an administration - starts distracting with your nasty campaign tactics, it’s because you have no idea what you’re doing and want to reach out to The American People. All well and good. Just be prepared when they reach out for your head.

Chill SS and racist protectors - it’s figurative. Though why is it black folks forget barry is just as much European as her is African and that he is a descendant of slave owners?

Your first escape from the White House (besides the photo op school children, who may not be there next year without the vouchers), you went to talk to “folks who are hurting in Indiana” and proceeded to complain about Hannity.

Do you even see your selfishness? Your egomania?

Your unconnectedness with real Americans?

You want for nothing. You even have a cool jacket with an Air Force One patch on it. Congratulations. Perhaps you might consider giving it to the kids, who are going to need to “go shopping for winter coats” in March.

Your wife and children want for nothing - except the puppy that took precedence over the economy and took the place of your admission that you knew about the bonuses.

Are you ever going to tell the truth?

Are you even capable of it?

Folks do not want to hear about you - they want to hear what you can do for them. They are waiting for you to make good on your promises of change! and all they see is the same old Washington shove it in a bill, deny it, and come clean–sorta–when you get caught.

You can’t possibly believe we take you seriously, can you?

You are going to cut our lobbyists - except in your administration.

You are going to bring the combats troop home in 16 months!

You won the nomination on that lie and now it’s 19 months with 30-50K “non combat troops”. What, they won’t be equipped with guns? They won’t respond in an attack? Anyone in a country where we are fighting is a potential combat troop. The truth is you are following the agreement Bush made.

You are going to cut down on pork projects - except for the 9000 earmarks.

As Johnny Mac screams: “You cannot be serious!”

You are going to cut down on government spending - after the gazillion trillion budget passes.

Do you realize you are putting the future liquidity of the United States on the line just so you can pass your agenda? Just so you can make you r place in history?

Don’t worry - you made your place in presidential history just by running - and not because you are biracial.

How can you be so greedy?

How can you look in your fellow citizen’s eyes and lie, lie, lie, lie…to them?

Have you no soul?

You saw how angry they were with AIG - even as you were “stunned” - how are they going to react when they find out you are not qualified to be president?

And in your ignorance and egomania - did you really believe you would be able to hide it?

One month, one year, one decade - however long it takes - your daughters are the ones who are going to suffer.

How could you?

How could your wife?

And you two hold yourself up as the paragon of parenthood.

The American People are waiting for you to become a president - whether or not you are qualified - whether or not you are eligible.

They want someone who can do more than read the teleprompter message of the day.

Your speechwriters have a better grasp of the situation than you do.

Why not skip your video email and have your speechwriters send out bullet emails to your digital attention-spanned twitterers to spam and harass those in touch with reality?

I don’t think you’ve quite reached the promised moment when the earth and tide and moon rose up and you singlehandedly saved the world!!!

It seems that righteous wind at your back forces you out of your place of employment and reach of reporters when you get called out on your lies.

The cheering in the crowds has become robotic. They elected you and want to hear more than your stump lines and how the problems were there before you got there.

What did you expect?

Why did you want to become president?

To feed your own ego?

Did you not realize that these problems awaited you and that you were responsible to fix them?

Did you not realize that you would have to act without waiting for the polls to influence your decision?

That you wouldn’t be able to rely on “I agree with Senator Clinton” or “John’s right”?

Real easy to criticize what President Bush et al did wrong but not so easy to fix, eh? And we can already see how you held up under one not even tough question from Ed Henry.

There cannot be a single American, who deep down in their heart, believes you are capable of making a decision of global import in 30 seconds.

And that is frightening - terrifying - and right it should be.

Isn’t there a presidential manual somewhere that they could upload onto the teleprompter or download into your ipod?

It’s time to stop the whining and become the president.

Learn how to govern - get some advice from your pal Blago if you have to.

Stay in Washington where the press can hammer you.

Truly be accountable and transparent.

Truly implement that Change!

Whatever it is you have settled on…this polling cycle.

Everything you have done this far had been about you.

Do you think people come to hear you whine about FOX - again?

Do you think they wanted to hear you make light of the economy and AIG and unemployment rates by joking that you can do it all and go on Leno?

Because you can’t.

You can’t even keep track of your own cabinet.

Just how were you planning on cleaning up Washington? By leaving it every two weeks?

How many days have you actually spent in the Oval Office? Inside the White House?

Has a day passed without you getting your press fix?

If you want to know what presidential bearing looks like - watch some footage of your unqualified tea-sipper of a Secretary of State, who has visited more than 43% of the countries on Earth (including two more continents more than you), handle her state visits. Watch how the heads of state Madame Secretary deals with treat her respectfully as an equal and not with glazed eyes, an open-mouthed gaga and a pat on the back.

She is the only one in your administration who has been out working and accomplishing things and that fact is not lost on the world stage - nor on her ardent supporters - the ones who have already had enough of your waffling.

They are angry - rightfully so - that you have yet to talk about the oppressed and mutilated women and children in the Arab world. If that is not included in your pandering arab world I feel you because I lived in arab countries speech, it will not ever be forgiven. It is reprehensible that you said nothing in your Inauguration speech nor you first presidential interview to arab TV.

Three strikes and your out, barry.

As an American citizen - you embarrass me.

No, it has nothing to do with the fact that you lied when you said you were “stunned” about the bonuses.

No, it has nothing to do with the fact you have not - and steadfastly refuse - to prove your constitutional eligibility to hold the office and continue to lie about transparency! and accountability!

Nor does it have anything to do with the way you disrespect my fellow Americans and hide behind statements made by your minions.

It has to do with how you are allowing the military - folks who have voluntarily chosen to risk their lives for your children - to be divided on your constitutional eligibility to be Commander in Chief.

How can you do that to our nation’s bravest citizens?

How can you send them into battle - some to certain death - without easing their minds?

There is no greater evil for a commander in chief.

You ask them to give up their lives - their wholeness - their futures and you can’t even assure them that following your orders is in keeping with their oath to defend The Constitution.

How can you look them in the eye? Even be in their presence?

And you can go on your adoration tour, but you can’t find the time to make a public statement about your unbelievably disgusting comment mocking God’s special souls and their loving families?

That alone says who you really are - a coward who thinks he can do no wrong.

And it reflects on who the Kennedys have become - a silent mass, without integrity, kowtowing to a man they know nothing about. They gambled their legacy by backing you and Tim Shriver is already disgusted - but spineless. He went on TV to apologize for you and ask for a “teaching moment”. How does a teaching moment come about when the person who instigated doesn’t even apologize to prove he learned something?

Where is this Era of Responsibility you yak about?