They're Keeping Us Safe?

We were driving past Colorado Springs when we picked up the Allen Hunt Show on the radio. He was in the middle of taking the media and military and the President to task for dancing around the Fort Hood slaughter. His view was it was an act of jihad pure and simple.

It puzzles me why the argument over semantics. When someone shoots 13 people to death and wounds dozens more, how can it be anything other than an act of terror? Even more to be terrified of is the lack of backbone to address it for what it is.

I think the problem goes beyond what the talking heads and the military are dithering over. I think it's a matter of order. One thing about Islamic jihadists, extremist Muslims, is that they are Muslims before citizens. Islam is a religion, not a country. They believe in the teachings of the Koran. The view of those teachings seems to vary. Some claim it's peaceful. Others say it's a dictate to eliminate, kill, infidels. Us. The non-believers.

What I see is the difference of how America views things versus other countries. We have Black Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and so on. Herein lies the problem. The distinguishing factor is always placed before America rather than after.

How are people with different ethnic backgrounds referred to if citizens of France or Italy or Great Britain? Are they Black British or Black French? Or are the merely British and French? Do they merge into the society with distinction no greater than happening to be black or brown?

Okay, that's race. Now religion. Are they Muslim Americans or American Muslims? Jewish Americans or American Jews? Do you get the drift? American should come first. Period.

But America didn't come first. He dressed as a Muslim when off duty. That should be his right? If so then why should our military women be required to cover themselves when off base in Islamic countries? Or our reporters for that matter. You see it all the time. Respect for the Islamic way? Absolutely. How about respect for ours.

Our political correctness and quest for diversity needs to be examined. This incident will make every Muslim suspect. Militia recruiting is likely to surge.

As Americans continue to be strip searched, literally, at airports in the guise of "keeping us safe", we've been missing the boat. The enemy is within. They are those of the 'Muslim first' mind set.

Mr.Hunt did some research to educate his readers. He counted the number of Muslims in the U.S. who had been arrested, tried, or convicted of attempted terrorist activity. He came up with 66 since the first of this year. Sixty six. It's out there. Here. Is it time to start paying more attention to those who are suspect? Is it time for some degree of profiling? It's going to happen again. Next time it may be a shopping center rather than an Army base. Who knows? What is known is they are here and they are active.

That scares me. It's a terrible way to live. You see, I'm just a plain American. It doesn't matter what color I am nor what faith I profess. I'm an American, pure and simple, and I'm terrified of terror glossed over by those who should know better so as not to offend those who hate us because we don't believe as they do.

Just What Are We NOT Abandoning?

I love this graphic by Arthur Hochstein that appeared in Time . It's as ambiguous as the headline that reads Clinton To Iraqis: US Not Going to Abandon You .

What do I see in it? One of two things or maybe a combination of both. One, the Americans pulling the last of their assets from the war torn country or the final putting in place of a long time presence Neither is ideal.

We already know we've built a kazillion dollar embassy complex that's larger than the Vatican. It's unlikely we're going to abandon it. Even without the diplomatic corp in place, merely the manning of it will take a huge American presence. Plus the military contingent that will be assigned to protect it.

On the other hand, we've vowed to keep to our time table on combat troop withdrawal. Clinton did indicate our future involvement would wear a different face. One of reconstruction more so than destruction. It will matter little. One side will continue to destroy what the other builds.

This was in response to the Iraqi government's concerns now that it's evident that their security forces aren't yet up to the task before them. That in itself is disturbing considering all the manpower and money we've invested in training them. Either they are very slow to lear, they don't want to learn or we are lousy teachers! We've been at this how long? Yet, who can blame them? Enlistment in any form of national security entity is inviting an early demise!

Perhaps it has to do with the fact that Iraq is still a divided nation at best. We had to "buy" Sunni co-operation. The Shia led government continues to sabotage their efforts to gain a modicum of equality in not only governing, but defending what too is their country. Then we have the "al Qaida in Iraq" influence that reaps the blame and the glory for everything that is not comfortably explained away with other rationales.

The suicide bombings are escalating once again, some of the more rash citizens fear the withdrawal of our troops for they know full well what's coming. Lot's of very learned people have warned of this for a very long time.

When Secretary Clinton says, "There is nothing more important than to have a united Iraq. The more united Iraq is, the more you will trust your security services. The security services have to earn your trust but the people have to demand it."

Sheesh. This is right out of "Idealistic Outcome 101" from the school of "How to Successfully Withdraw from a Mess of Our Own Making" .

Just once I'd like to see an administration, any administration tell it like it is. These people do not want peace, they want power unto themselves - all sides. The same scenario is gelling in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Has Obama learned anything? The indications are that he has not.

Clinton's vision may not be a pipe bomb; it is a pipe dream!

Senator Burr (R NC) - Obstructionist For The Sake Of It?

There has been no Cabinet appointee more right on than former General Eric Shinseki as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. You remember him. The General who Rumsfeld replaced because he told the truth about the number of troops it would take to stabilize Iraq after invasion. I should think few could understand the needs of our veterans more or care more to see that they are met.

Another stellar nomination for Assistant Secretary of the Department is Tammy Duckworth. You should remember her too. She was an Illinois Nation Guard helicopter pilot who lost both legs and the partial use of one arm when an IED downed the chopper she was piloting.. She would have bled to death had the heat from the explosion not cauterized her wounds. That's about as grim as it gets.

She went on to head veterans for the State of Illinois.

Who could be more qualified to serve? She was nominated by President Obama two months ago, her nomination hearing was last Wednesday, a confirmation vote planned for Thursday and swearing in scheduled for Friday. It didn't happen.

Senator Burr says he has "questions" about her nomination. That's what the hearings are for. To ask those questions. Everything will no be delayed until April 21.

His office offered the following rational. "He's basically doing some due diligence as he does for every nominee to ensure veterans have the best representation." Does he think she doesn't get it? Does he want the level of care they received under the Bush administration? Or does he just get a giggle out of yanking the administration's chain?

We'll always elect men like Senator Burr and he can play his games as long as his constituents don't care. If that's what he wants he should play them against someone of his own stature. There are plenty of them in the Senate. How dare he play such games with one of our military heroines who by the grace of God only gave her limbs for her country and not her life.

He can save the platitudes. He should be ashamed.

The Fragility Of Life

As Bacchus and I were taking our morning stroll I watched as he climbed the highest snow berm he could find. He was my old mischievous pooch, his lips and gums were a nice bright pink and he had a familiar twinkle in his eye. It got me to thinking of the fragility of life.

In thinking about Bacchus's situation I realize how unprepared I was, even at his age, for the possibility of his instant demise. We don't always get the chance to prepare that I have been given. On the human level facing death, even if it's not our own or a loved one's, can have devastating results.

There has been a lot written lately about the increase in suicides in the Army and Marine Corp such as the article in the Chicago Tribune .

Even more disturbing was a story in this morning's Spokesman stating that the suicide rate at West Point has reached historic proportions.

While tragic, I think it tells us a lot about who we are as a people. Long and frequent deployments are being suggested as part of the reason for the unsettling statistics in the regular military. Stress and hazing at the Military Academy.

I think it is more than either. I think it's the nature of Americans. Unlike the people we are fighting, we have not grown up in a culture of war. Killing humans, for any reason, is not part of our mind set. Yet we ask our young men and women to do just that.

What must it be like the first time you realize a rifle round of yours has killed another human being. Do you ever get used to it? What must it be like the first time you see a buddy blown up or shot dead. Do you ever get used to it?

From the numbers of soldiers coming home with mental health issues I'd say not.

As for the West Pointers, hazing may be a part of it. Yet I wonder if anticipation of what they are likely to face isn't a greater part. Anticipation can grow within like a cancer and it can be just as deadly. One can steel oneself to the point of doing what is required, but getting over it once done is not so easy.

Unlike our furry friends who live in the moment, we humans do not have that luxury. We have to deal with anticipation and memories and all the emotions that fall in between.

Yes, we need a strong military for a strong defense. We don't need one for aggression. The youth of our nation is it's strength and future. The last thing they should have to face before they've had a chance to live is a "dead" end.

Honor Role

There was a thought provoking letter in the morning paper about the excessive media hype over the death of John Travolta's son. The writer pointed out that while tragic, it was no more so than the deaths of four other young men whose names we do not know. Nor do we know the names of their loved ones for they are not "celebrities".

Who are they? Congressional Medal of Honor winners with ages ranging from all of nineteen years old to thirty three. All died from injuries sustained in the line of duty - fighting a war.

The fact that celebrity news will always be a headline grabber, whether tragic or salacious, does not escape me. What does escape me is why there is so little due given the young men and women who have given their lives in our wars. I hope the Obama administration will allow us to see the flag draped coffins and the military funerals and the grieving families. Not out of macabre curiosity, but to drive home just how much sacrifice of life and limb this country has endured.

Thanking the veterans we may meet is a start. I'd like to think, however, that most of us will agree that the attention given the Travolta tragedy is not proportionate to the 30 second photo op of Bush presenting bereft families a medal, especially the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for the selfless actions of their loved ones.

Theirs are the stories that should be making the headlines.

WACs And WAVEs Getting Whacked

Bill would improve health care for female veterans read the headline. It tells that the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee has approved a measure to improve health care for female veterans. I was astounded.

We know, if we watch any news or read any paper, how ill served our veterans are when it comes to their health care, but I never dreamed women were getting an even shorter shrift then the men!

With the new military providing more and more opportunities for women, they can be pilots, they can be mechanics; they can be, if I may, all that they can be. So why the inequality in health care? It seems to me if the planning went into increasing their role as active duty personnel, why not planning for their needs afterwards?

I've thought for a long time this administration is totally dysfunctional. It seems it is dragging the civilian lead military down to its level. For a female veteran to be made to feel uncomfortable and the response slow for a mammogram or a pap smear is unconscionable. These are procedures that go to the very basics of women's health!

It's not that women in the military is a new concept! Look at the ladies in the picture! I remember back in the '70s meeting a lady at a cocktail party who told me she had served in the Navy during WWII. When asked where she served she told me Iowa. I guess that's why I remember it so clearly. Serving in the Navy in Iowa was difficult to envision.

Think about who next will be commander-in-chief. We talk a lot about the old politics versus the new. Maybe we had best consider, too, the old military versus the new.