Saturday, August 29, 2009
Jeff Stokes Kept the Brown Water Navy in South Nam Running
Q: what did these river assault boats evolve into the new Navy?
Arlington National Cemetery Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Source: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/visitor_information/tomb_of_the_unknowns.html
Source Feed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJraMJ0sAE4&feature=channel_page
Date: March 4, 1921
The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., is also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and has never been officially named. The Tomb of the Unknowns stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. On March 4, 1921, Congress approved the burial of an unidentified American soldier from World War I in the plaza of the new Memorial Amphitheater.
On Memorial Day, 1921, four unknowns were exhumed from four World War I American cemeteries in France. U.S. Army Sgt. Edward F. Younger, who was wounded in combat, highly decorated for valor and received the Distinguished Service Medal in "The Great War, the war to end all wars," selected the Unknown Soldier of World War I from four identical caskets at the city hall in Chalons-sur-Marne, France, Oct. 24, 1921. Sgt. Younger selected the unknown by placing a spray of white roses on one of the caskets. He chose the third casket from the left. The chosen unknown soldier was transported to the United States aboard the USS Olympia. Those remaining were interred in the Meuse Argonne Cemetery, France.
The Unknown of World War II and Korea
On Aug. 3, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill to select and pay tribute to the unknowns of World War II and Korea. The selection ceremonies and the interment of these unknowns took place in 1958. The World War II Unknown was selected from remains exhumed from cemeteries in Europe, Africa, Hawaii and the Philippines.
The Unknown of Vietnam
The Unknown service member from the Vietnam War was designated by Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Allan Jay Kellogg Jr. during a ceremony at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, May 17, 1984. The Vietnam Unknown was transported aboard the USS Brewton to Alameda Naval Base, Calif. The remains were sent to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., May 24. The Vietnam Unknown arrived at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., the next day. Many Vietnam veterans and President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan visited the Vietnam Unknown in the U.S. Capitol. An Army caisson carried the Vietnam Unknown from the Capitol to the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, May 28, 1984. President Reagan presided over the funeral, and presented the Medal of Honor to the Vietnam Unknown.
Military Funerals
The most frequent ceremony carried out at Arlington National Cemetery is usually private and intensely emotional. Customs for funerals are time honored - here a brief overview and for visiting clergy a guide to procedural protocol... More
Wreath Layings
The gift of flowers at a memorial site is a ritual that occurs around the world, understood in every culture. The floral tributes at funerals bespeak both the beauty and the brevity of life and evoke memories of other days. These sorts of offerings are made each day at Arlington National Cemetery, ... More
The Origin of the 21-Gun Salute
The tradition of saluting can be traced to the Middle Ages practice of placing oneself in an unarmed position and, therefore, in the power of those being honored... More
The Origin of "Taps"
During the Civil War, in July 1862, Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield whistled a tune and asked the bugler to sound it for him... More
Ruffles and Flourishes
Ruffles are played on drums, and flourishes are played on bugles... More
The Sentinels of the Tomb of the Unknowns
The Tomb of the Unknowns is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and in any weather by Tomb Guard sentinels - considered to be the best of the elite 3rd U.S. Infantry... More
The 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard)
Home page of the infantry regiment that mounts the honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and assists with funeral services through casket teams, honor guards, and caisson transport.
Kennedy's in Arlington:
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/historical_information/JFK.html
When the United States was drawn into the war, Kennedy enlisted in the Navy as did his older brother, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Jack became commander of a PT boat and fought in the Pacific Theater against the Japanese. Joe became a Navy flyer and, after getting his wings, flew missions in the Caribbean. Kennedy's boat, PT-109, was rammed the night of Aug. 1 and 2, 1943, by an enemy destroyer. Lt. Kennedy managed to lead 10 of the crew to a nearby island where they were rescued a week later.
A month later, Joe Kennedy became part of the first U.S. Navy squadron to fly B-24s with the British Naval Command. After many missions, extending his term of service twice, the elder brother died Aug. 12, 1944, on a secret mission to attack a V-2 Rocket position in Normandy by crashing a pilotless drone loaded with high explosives into it. The drone exploded before its pilots could transfer radio control to a mother aircraft and bail out.
Source Feed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJraMJ0sAE4&feature=channel_page
Date: March 4, 1921
The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., is also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and has never been officially named. The Tomb of the Unknowns stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. On March 4, 1921, Congress approved the burial of an unidentified American soldier from World War I in the plaza of the new Memorial Amphitheater.
On Memorial Day, 1921, four unknowns were exhumed from four World War I American cemeteries in France. U.S. Army Sgt. Edward F. Younger, who was wounded in combat, highly decorated for valor and received the Distinguished Service Medal in "The Great War, the war to end all wars," selected the Unknown Soldier of World War I from four identical caskets at the city hall in Chalons-sur-Marne, France, Oct. 24, 1921. Sgt. Younger selected the unknown by placing a spray of white roses on one of the caskets. He chose the third casket from the left. The chosen unknown soldier was transported to the United States aboard the USS Olympia. Those remaining were interred in the Meuse Argonne Cemetery, France.
The Unknown of World War II and Korea
On Aug. 3, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill to select and pay tribute to the unknowns of World War II and Korea. The selection ceremonies and the interment of these unknowns took place in 1958. The World War II Unknown was selected from remains exhumed from cemeteries in Europe, Africa, Hawaii and the Philippines.
The Unknown of Vietnam
The Unknown service member from the Vietnam War was designated by Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Allan Jay Kellogg Jr. during a ceremony at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, May 17, 1984. The Vietnam Unknown was transported aboard the USS Brewton to Alameda Naval Base, Calif. The remains were sent to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., May 24. The Vietnam Unknown arrived at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., the next day. Many Vietnam veterans and President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan visited the Vietnam Unknown in the U.S. Capitol. An Army caisson carried the Vietnam Unknown from the Capitol to the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, May 28, 1984. President Reagan presided over the funeral, and presented the Medal of Honor to the Vietnam Unknown.
Military Funerals
The most frequent ceremony carried out at Arlington National Cemetery is usually private and intensely emotional. Customs for funerals are time honored - here a brief overview and for visiting clergy a guide to procedural protocol... More
Wreath Layings
The gift of flowers at a memorial site is a ritual that occurs around the world, understood in every culture. The floral tributes at funerals bespeak both the beauty and the brevity of life and evoke memories of other days. These sorts of offerings are made each day at Arlington National Cemetery, ... More
The Origin of the 21-Gun Salute
The tradition of saluting can be traced to the Middle Ages practice of placing oneself in an unarmed position and, therefore, in the power of those being honored... More
The Origin of "Taps"
During the Civil War, in July 1862, Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield whistled a tune and asked the bugler to sound it for him... More
Ruffles and Flourishes
Ruffles are played on drums, and flourishes are played on bugles... More
The Sentinels of the Tomb of the Unknowns
The Tomb of the Unknowns is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and in any weather by Tomb Guard sentinels - considered to be the best of the elite 3rd U.S. Infantry... More
The 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard)
Home page of the infantry regiment that mounts the honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and assists with funeral services through casket teams, honor guards, and caisson transport.
Kennedy's in Arlington:
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/historical_information/JFK.html
When the United States was drawn into the war, Kennedy enlisted in the Navy as did his older brother, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Jack became commander of a PT boat and fought in the Pacific Theater against the Japanese. Joe became a Navy flyer and, after getting his wings, flew missions in the Caribbean. Kennedy's boat, PT-109, was rammed the night of Aug. 1 and 2, 1943, by an enemy destroyer. Lt. Kennedy managed to lead 10 of the crew to a nearby island where they were rescued a week later.
A month later, Joe Kennedy became part of the first U.S. Navy squadron to fly B-24s with the British Naval Command. After many missions, extending his term of service twice, the elder brother died Aug. 12, 1944, on a secret mission to attack a V-2 Rocket position in Normandy by crashing a pilotless drone loaded with high explosives into it. The drone exploded before its pilots could transfer radio control to a mother aircraft and bail out.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Military chief seeks new plan to woo Muslims Mullen says actions, not words, needed to erase 'arrogant Americans' label
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32589657/ns/politics-the_new_york_times/
Date: updated 6:30 a.m. PT, Fri., Aug 28, 2009
New York Times Thom Shanker
Mullen says actions, not words, needed to erase 'arrogant Americans' label
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says American messages to counter information coming from extremists abroad "lack credibility."
WASHINGTON - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has written a searing critique of government efforts at “strategic communication” with the Muslim world, saying that no amount of public relations will establish credibility if American behavior overseas is perceived as arrogant, uncaring or insulting.
The critique by the chairman, Adm. Mike Mullen, comes as the United States is widely believed to be losing ground in the war of ideas against extremist Islamist ideology. The issue is particularly relevant as the Obama administration orders fresh efforts to counter militant propaganda, part of its broader strategy to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“To put it simply, we need to worry a lot less about how to communicate our actions and much more about what our actions communicate,” Admiral Mullen wrote in the critique, an essay to be published Friday by Joint Force Quarterly, an official military journal.
“I would argue that most strategic communication problems are not communication problems at all,” he wrote. “They are policy and execution problems. Each time we fail to live up to our values or don’t follow up on a promise, we look more and more like the arrogant Americans the enemy claims we are.”
While President Obama has sought to differentiate himself from his predecessor, George W. Bush, in the eyes of the Muslim world — including through a widely praised speech in Egypt on June 4 — the perception of America as an arrogant oppressor has not changed noticeably, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, where United States forces remain engaged in war, and in Pakistan, where American-launched missiles aimed at militants from the Taliban and Al Qaeda have killed civilians.
Last week, during a visit to Pakistan by Richard C. Holbrooke, Mr. Obama’s special envoy, Pakistanis told his entourage that America was widely despised in their country because, they said, it was obsessed with finding and killing Osama bin Laden to avenge the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
American messages 'lack credibility'
Admiral Mullen expressed concern over a trend to create entirely new government and military organizations to manage a broad public relations effort to counter anti-Americanism, which he said had allowed strategic communication to become a series of bureaucracies rather than a way to combat extremist ideology.
He also challenged a popular perception that Al Qaeda operates from primitive hide-outs and still wins the propaganda war against the United States. “The problem isn’t that we are bad at communicating or being outdone by men in caves,” Admiral Mullen wrote. “Most of them aren’t even in caves. The Taliban and Al Qaeda live largely among the people. They intimidate and control and communicate from within, not from the sidelines.”
American messages to counter extremist information campaigns “lack credibility, because we haven’t invested enough in building trust and relationships, and we haven’t always delivered on promises,” he wrote.
As a guide, Admiral Mullen cited American efforts at rebuilding Europe after World War II and then containing communism as examples of successes that did not depend on opinion polls or strategic communication plans. He cited more recent military relief missions after natural disasters as continuing that style of successful American efforts overseas.
“That’s the essence of good communication: having the right intent up front and letting our actions speak for themselves,” Admiral Mullen wrote. “We shouldn’t care if people don’t like us. That isn’t the goal. The goal is credibility. And we earn that over time.”
Members of Congress also have expressed concern about the government’s programs for strategic communication, public diplomacy and public affairs. Both the Senate and House Armed Services Committees have raised questions about the Pentagon’s programs for strategic communication — and about how money is spent on them.
The Senate Armed Services Committee issued a budget report last month noting that while “strategic communications and public diplomacy programs are important activities,” it was unclear whether these efforts were integrated within the Pentagon or across other departments and agencies. “Nor is the committee able to oversee adequately the funding for the multitude of programs,” the Senate report stated.
'Certain arrogance'
Admiral Mullen did not single out specific government communications programs for criticism, but wrote that “there has been a certain arrogance to our ‘strat comm’ efforts.” He wrote that “good communications runs both ways.”
“It’s not about telling our story,” he stated. “We must also be better listeners.”
Q: HOW DO NAVY SEALS ANSWER CALLS FROM TERROR?
Author's Google docs: not all of us are shocked at Obama's new way to face off our dangerous enemies. His world view is a definite utopian. He is taking this action even though he took the oath of office on Lincoln's family Bible to protect us as his work is constitutionally defined. Our previous Pres. Bush certainly was not flawless but he never failed to take actions to keep us safe with humility. To call his actions arrogant make us wonder what planet Adm Mullen has been on for the years since 9/11?
Obama: Humanist ~ Utopian Commander in Chief
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.c08ced83-30b0-47e0-8506-abd86f55322a
Military Oaths General Orders, Jerry Stokes 2009–08–26
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0jE9taMWseFZGY1MGIyNzQtYjAwNy00OTVhLTk5ZTMtMDg0MDQzMjc5YjA4&hl=en
Are We Holding Our Current Leaders Accountable to Their Oath?
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0jE9taMWseFMWM4NDgyNTAtZTBjNS00YTc3LTgwOTgtNGIzMWQ2ZWY5MTc0&hl=en
Law of Unintended Consequences
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.4e1e6bac-2f8f-4195-b95a-665df4725fb3&hl=en
Fall of Capitalism Rise of Islam
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.ed370757-b2ac-4657-8bee-f70e84259ec4
Date: updated 6:30 a.m. PT, Fri., Aug 28, 2009
New York Times Thom Shanker
Mullen says actions, not words, needed to erase 'arrogant Americans' label
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says American messages to counter information coming from extremists abroad "lack credibility."
WASHINGTON - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has written a searing critique of government efforts at “strategic communication” with the Muslim world, saying that no amount of public relations will establish credibility if American behavior overseas is perceived as arrogant, uncaring or insulting.
The critique by the chairman, Adm. Mike Mullen, comes as the United States is widely believed to be losing ground in the war of ideas against extremist Islamist ideology. The issue is particularly relevant as the Obama administration orders fresh efforts to counter militant propaganda, part of its broader strategy to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“To put it simply, we need to worry a lot less about how to communicate our actions and much more about what our actions communicate,” Admiral Mullen wrote in the critique, an essay to be published Friday by Joint Force Quarterly, an official military journal.
“I would argue that most strategic communication problems are not communication problems at all,” he wrote. “They are policy and execution problems. Each time we fail to live up to our values or don’t follow up on a promise, we look more and more like the arrogant Americans the enemy claims we are.”
While President Obama has sought to differentiate himself from his predecessor, George W. Bush, in the eyes of the Muslim world — including through a widely praised speech in Egypt on June 4 — the perception of America as an arrogant oppressor has not changed noticeably, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, where United States forces remain engaged in war, and in Pakistan, where American-launched missiles aimed at militants from the Taliban and Al Qaeda have killed civilians.
Last week, during a visit to Pakistan by Richard C. Holbrooke, Mr. Obama’s special envoy, Pakistanis told his entourage that America was widely despised in their country because, they said, it was obsessed with finding and killing Osama bin Laden to avenge the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
American messages 'lack credibility'
Admiral Mullen expressed concern over a trend to create entirely new government and military organizations to manage a broad public relations effort to counter anti-Americanism, which he said had allowed strategic communication to become a series of bureaucracies rather than a way to combat extremist ideology.
He also challenged a popular perception that Al Qaeda operates from primitive hide-outs and still wins the propaganda war against the United States. “The problem isn’t that we are bad at communicating or being outdone by men in caves,” Admiral Mullen wrote. “Most of them aren’t even in caves. The Taliban and Al Qaeda live largely among the people. They intimidate and control and communicate from within, not from the sidelines.”
American messages to counter extremist information campaigns “lack credibility, because we haven’t invested enough in building trust and relationships, and we haven’t always delivered on promises,” he wrote.
As a guide, Admiral Mullen cited American efforts at rebuilding Europe after World War II and then containing communism as examples of successes that did not depend on opinion polls or strategic communication plans. He cited more recent military relief missions after natural disasters as continuing that style of successful American efforts overseas.
“That’s the essence of good communication: having the right intent up front and letting our actions speak for themselves,” Admiral Mullen wrote. “We shouldn’t care if people don’t like us. That isn’t the goal. The goal is credibility. And we earn that over time.”
Members of Congress also have expressed concern about the government’s programs for strategic communication, public diplomacy and public affairs. Both the Senate and House Armed Services Committees have raised questions about the Pentagon’s programs for strategic communication — and about how money is spent on them.
The Senate Armed Services Committee issued a budget report last month noting that while “strategic communications and public diplomacy programs are important activities,” it was unclear whether these efforts were integrated within the Pentagon or across other departments and agencies. “Nor is the committee able to oversee adequately the funding for the multitude of programs,” the Senate report stated.
'Certain arrogance'
Admiral Mullen did not single out specific government communications programs for criticism, but wrote that “there has been a certain arrogance to our ‘strat comm’ efforts.” He wrote that “good communications runs both ways.”
“It’s not about telling our story,” he stated. “We must also be better listeners.”
Q: HOW DO NAVY SEALS ANSWER CALLS FROM TERROR?
Author's Google docs: not all of us are shocked at Obama's new way to face off our dangerous enemies. His world view is a definite utopian. He is taking this action even though he took the oath of office on Lincoln's family Bible to protect us as his work is constitutionally defined. Our previous Pres. Bush certainly was not flawless but he never failed to take actions to keep us safe with humility. To call his actions arrogant make us wonder what planet Adm Mullen has been on for the years since 9/11?
Obama: Humanist ~ Utopian Commander in Chief
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.c08ced83-30b0-47e0-8506-abd86f55322a
Military Oaths General Orders, Jerry Stokes 2009–08–26
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0jE9taMWseFZGY1MGIyNzQtYjAwNy00OTVhLTk5ZTMtMDg0MDQzMjc5YjA4&hl=en
Are We Holding Our Current Leaders Accountable to Their Oath?
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0jE9taMWseFMWM4NDgyNTAtZTBjNS00YTc3LTgwOTgtNGIzMWQ2ZWY5MTc0&hl=en
Law of Unintended Consequences
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.4e1e6bac-2f8f-4195-b95a-665df4725fb3&hl=en
Fall of Capitalism Rise of Islam
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.ed370757-b2ac-4657-8bee-f70e84259ec4
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Jeff Stokes Mechanic on these Rigs 2 Tours till Killed 1971
Google docs:
Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.7505039f-1bb8-410b-b928-a798e4aa4ecb&hl=en
Bill of Rights not a Suicide Pact
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.2a6348af-1434-42f0-bbc0-af8ae726c390&hl=en
Current Leaders Forgot Their Sacred Oaths!!
Source: http://militaryoath.us/Home_Page.html
The Commissioning Oath
"I, _____ , having been appointed an officer in the (Service) of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God." (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)
The Enlistment Oath
"I, _____, do solemnly swear 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." (Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).
Google docs:
Are We Holding Our Current Leaders Accountable to Their Oath?
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0jE9taMWseFMWM4NDgyNTAtZTBjNS00YTc3LTgwOTgtNGIzMWQ2ZWY5MTc0&hl=en
Oaths: Ethics & Loyalty
In the United States, oaths were a part of life from the early colonial days. In 1620, when the Mayflower landed, the Pilgrims established the Mayflower Compact- which served as an oath, a covenant, and a constitution- and then pledged allegiance to King James, agreeing to work together as a “civil body politic” for their betterment and preservation. As settlers established colonies, they developed their own version of an oath of allegiance to English royalty.
The Military Oath
The Commissioning Oath
"I, _____ , having been appointed an officer in the (Service) of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God." (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)
The Enlistment Oath
"I, _____, do solemnly swear 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." (Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).
Google docs:
Are We Holding Our Current Leaders Accountable to Their Oath?
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0jE9taMWseFMWM4NDgyNTAtZTBjNS00YTc3LTgwOTgtNGIzMWQ2ZWY5MTc0&hl=en
My Brother Jeff Stokes Swift Boat Mechanic Was Killed in Nam After 2 Tours!!
Author's Google docs:
Are We Holding Our Current Leaders Accountable to Their Oath?
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0jE9taMWseFMWM4NDgyNTAtZTBjNS00YTc3LTgwOTgtNGIzMWQ2ZWY5MTc0&hl=en
G.I.’s Shocking Failed Promises & Consequences
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0jE9taMWseFNTcxNmMzM2QtNmVmMC00NjQzLWJiMTQtZTI1M2NjMDVmMTdl&hl=en
Is it Safe to Vote for Any Party Who Would Make This Man Their National Leader?
Author's Google docs: will any sane person vote for a leader who shamed the American military to gain votes in an anti-American decade?
Obama: Humanist ~ Utopian Commander in Chief
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.c08ced83-30b0-47e0-8506-abd86f55322a
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Military Delta Groups C.I.A. Interrogation Report Draws Investigation
Source: http://blogs.findlaw.com/blotter/2009/08/cia-interrogation-report-draws-investigation.html
Date: Aug 25, 2009
FIND LAW.COM
By Caleb Groos on August 25, 2009 9:59 AM | No TrackBacks
Details from a report by the C.I.A.'s Inspector General in 2004 into detention and interrogation practices in the War on Terror are finally seeing the light of day. What's inside appears to have factored into Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate whether violations of U.S. law occurred.
First, if this report is from 2004, why is it just being acted upon now? As described by Human Rights Watch attorney Joanne Mariner, who wrote a breakdown of the report's contents and importance, the report was classified "Top Secret" in 2004. In 2008, the ACLU got a very heavily redacted version released through a Freedom of Information Act request. More litigation finally resulted in the release of this lesser redacted version (with still 35+ pages blacked out).
But the report is not new to the Department of Justice (DOJ) or Congress. As the Wall Street Journal reports, in 2004, the C.I.A. gave the full report to the Bush administration's DOJ, and both Senate and House Intelligence Committees. At that point, DOJ prosecuted (and won conviction of) only one person -- a C.I.A. contractor who reportedly beat a detainee to death.
Yesterday, Attorney General Holder appointed special prosecutor John Durham to conduct a preliminary investigation into other potential federal crimes connected to detainee interrogations overseas.
See the full (but redacted) report below.
Ref: Wall Street Journal Obama Prosecuting the C.I.A.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203706604574371090019115348.html
Double Talk Issues: 'It would be unfair to prosecute dedicated men and women working to protect America for conduct that was sanctioned in advance by the Justice Department." –Attorney General Eric Holder, April 2009
Then in Actual Practice: "Justice Department Names Prosecutor to Reopen CIA Abuse Cases" –Wall Street Journal, yesterday Mr. Holder had it right the first time. His about-face yesterday, compounded by his release of a 2004 internal CIA report on that agency's handling of terrorists, opens a political war that President Obama, the CIA and above all the country will live to regret.
Authors Google docs:
Obama: Humanist ~ Utopian Commander in Chief
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.c08ced83-30b0-47e0-8506-abd86f55322aMonday, August 24, 2009
Veteran’s End of Life Guide: ‘Your Life Your Choices’ Death Book for Vets?
Source: http://www.rightpundits.com/?p=4646#more-4646
Date: Aug 23, 2009
By Cathryn Friar
Americans are uncomfortable these days with end-of life discussions especially when they are coming from our government. Now there is an end of life planning guide provided to veterans called ‘Your Life Your Choices’ — also called the VA Death Book — that is causing heartburn for Barack Obama’s administration. Read more below, see photo and video.
Are veterans being urged to die? Are they being told they are a burden to society? Apparently, a guide for veterans’ end-of-life care called “Your Life Your Choices,” was suspended under the Bush administration for just those very concerns. Some even went so far as to call this guide “a death book” for vets! But, now, this veterans’ end of life guide been revived and is promoted throughout the VA’s vast network of hospitals and nursing homes by the current Department of Veterans Affairs. With ‘death panels’ still a fresh memory, this end of life planning guide is once again raising a lot of questions with the potential of congressional hearings in the works.
The author of “Your Life Your Choices” is Dr. Robert Pearlman, a man who in 1996 advocated for physician-assisted suicide in Vacco v. Quill before the U.S. Supreme Court and is known for his support of health-care rationing.
According to Jim Towey, the former director of the White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives under President Bush, the 52-page booklet end of life planning document written by Dr. Pearlman makes injured veterans feel like a burden, encourages the severely injured to die and shouldn’t be anywhere near our veterans — especially those coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan with catastrophic injuries.
Towey says that “Your Life Your Choices” presents end-of-life choices in a way aimed at steering users toward predetermined conclusions, much like a political “push poll” would do. For example, a worksheet on page 21 of the so-called “death book for vets” lists various scenarios and asks users to then decide whether their own life would be “not worth living.”
Some of the physical circumstances listed in the vet’s end of life guide include ones that are quite common among our elderly and disabled such as: living in a nursing home, being in a wheelchair and not being able to “shake the blues.”
And get this: there is a section which provocatively asks, “Have you ever heard anyone say, ‘If I’m a vegetable, pull the plug’?” I think I may have even said that myself but I would kill my family if they actually did it!
And there are also some lovely guilt-inducing scenarios such as “I can no longer contribute to my family’s well being,” “I am a severe financial burden on my family” and that heartwarming one of “my situation causes severe emotional burden for my family.”
Geez.
But Tammy Duckworth, an injured veteran of Iraq herself and the assistant secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Obama’s administration, said the “Your Life Your Choices” death book for vets end of life planning guide is still under revision — as stated in a disclaimer on the official Web site — and has not officially been “reinstated.” She calls this veteran’s end of life guide one of many options for injured veterans and “simply a tool.”
“This ultimately is about the … health care for veterans,” Duckworth said
Hmm. This sounds so familiar. Where have we heard all of this before?
The bottom line is this: Yes, there is an undeniable slippery slope factor here. But there are no shortages of end-of-life care literature available from the private sector as well as government agencies. You can find the veteran’s end-of-life guide “Your Life Your Choices” here. Death book for Vets? Read the booklet yourself, and make up your own mind. I’ve made up mine.
Authors Google Docs:
Life and Human Dignity Jerry Stokes 2009
Be a City on a Hill Mt 5:14 Did Our Forefathers Try to Apply This?
Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.7505039f-1bb8-410b-b928-a798e4aa4ecb&hl=en
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Promises Made to G.I.'s Shockingly Failing Today
Q: What promises did we make?
“ We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.2a6348af-1434-42f0-bbc0-af8ae726c390&hl=en 6/27/2009 10:45 AM.
Q: what is the G.I. Bill?
A: Safe Origins: The G.I. Bill (officially titled Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, P.L. 78-346, 58 Stat. 284m) was an omnibus bill that provided college or vocational education for returning World War II veterans (commonly referred to as Gis) as well as one year of unemployment compensation. It also provided many different types of loans for returning veterans to buy homes and start businesses. Since the original act, the term has come to include other veteran benefit programs created to assist veterans of subsequent wars as well as peacetime service.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GI_Bill 6/27/2009 9:48 AM.
· Shocking Homelessness Rate
· Suicide Rate 120 kill themselves every week
- Shocking Unemployment Rate Older male veterans of previous wars are at greater risk for nonemployment than nonveterans? 75% percent of all eligible men served in World War II. ,http://74.125.155.132/custom?q=cache:2zQISghOfEQJ:www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2007/12/art3full.pdf+veterans&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=google-csbe 8/23/2009 2:24 PM.
More than 500,000 Homeless G.I.’s Today??
1981 the nation’s first law that addresses and combats the plague of chronic homelessness among veterans. The Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act authorizes $1 billion in programs to help veterans find and retain jobs and provides them with housing, counseling, and medical care they need to rebuild their lives.
Our Heroes Are Tired of Feeling Bad
GI Suicides in 2008 Highest on Record
http://www.military.com/news/article/gi-suicides-in-2008-highest-on-record.html?col=1186032310810 8/23/2009 12:43 PM.
How Is The Current Obama Admin Responding?
1. Shocking Reacting To Suicides?
Pentagon downplays GI suicides
http://www.iacenter.org/military/gi_suicides020809/ 8/23/2009 12:52 PM.
2. Obama’s Shocking End-of-Life Care Guide for Veterans
Makes Heroes Feel Like Burdens When in Costly Treatment
This new official document encourages suicide not healing.
Shocking G.I. Unemployment Rates
http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2006/may/wk5/art01.htm 8/23/2009 1:35 PM.
Older Male Veterans Of Previous Wars Are at Greater Risk
For Nonemployment Than Nonveterans?
http://74.125.155.132/custom?q=cache:2zQISghOfEQJ:www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2007/12/art3full.pdf+veterans&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=google-csbe 8/23/2009 2:24 PM.
In the years preceding the Vietnam era (1950 to 1966),54 percent of blacks were rejected
by the military because of low scores on the Armed Forces Qualification Test, while only 19 percent of the whites were rejected. The study revealed that white veterans who served in the Vietnam era had a greater relative risk of nonemployment as compared with similarly aged white nonveterans, The study found that Vietnam-era generation minority veterans had a greater prevalence of substance abuse disorders than nonveterans. The significant increase in the level of nonemployment among Vietnam-era veterans from 1999 to 2003
Q: as we study the way we as a nation are fulfilling promises to our war heroes how can we turn around our departure from their basic liberties past generations enjoyed?
A: Reagan asked in his day if the nation was already too far gone to save from Marxism. Although he made some inroads it was us who fell asleep in 2007 and didn’t vote. When we live in a democracy God commands us to make every vote count. Many of us stayed away because we were mad at this or that politician. But who would have thought 6 months into Obama’s first term he would be proudly doing away with capitalism and establishing Marxist tyranny?
Google docs
G.I.’s Shocking Failed Promises & Consequences
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