Category: War

New book says My Lai massacre was not an isolated incident

I did kind of suspect this.

The Nation reports:

The My Lai massacre, in which US soldiers gunned down hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians, shocked America and helped turn public opinion against the Vietnam War. Now, a new book by Nick Turse, an Investigative Fund Fellow at The Nation Institute, has revealed that My Lai was not an isolated atrocity: The United States deliberately killed civilians throughout the course of the conflict.

The killing of non-combatants “stemmed from deliberate policies that were dictated at the highest levels of the US military” and was amplified by excessive firepower, Turse said in an interview on NPR’s Fresh Air. The author also recounted how he slept in his car in the National Archives parking lot for several nights in order to copy files on atrocities that were later removed.

Check out the NPR interview:

[powerpress]

I am not quote from the NPR story, go over and read it, please. It make for some seriously riveting reading. This massacre right here, is why I never really cared to go involved with the Military. Because I know that sub-culture very well and it is not a Christian one, I can tell you that much. Another reason was a bullying incident, that happened when I was about 19 years old and working my first job. I really do not want to get into details about it. But, after that happened, I decided I wanted nothing to do with the Military at all.

All I will say about it is this: It is a good thing that I was not armed with a gun, the day that little incident happened. Because if I had been, I would have written this as a former prison convict, who went to jail for second degree murder of two Military recruiters. What happened to me, should never happen to American citizen, who decides that Military is not for them. But, it did, and it made a very lasting impression on a 19-year-old kid, namely me.

Now do you understand?

Taking Religion out of the Military?

I have mixed feelings about this one:

“Soldiers with minority religious beliefs and atheists often feel like second-class citizens when Christianity is seemingly officially endorsed by their own base,” American Atheists president David Silverman told Fox News. “We are very happy the Pentagon and the Army decided to do the right thing.” A military spokesman told Fox News the cross was literally dismantled and will be removed from the base to be in “compliance with Army regulations and to avoid any misconception of religious favoritism or disrespect.” “After a Christian prayer, the cross was removed from the roof of the chapel,” the spokesman said. “During the removal, the cross was dismantled; however the cross was reassembled and currently awaits transportation to a larger operational base.” The military told Fox News the cross will only be brought out during Christian services and will be designated as a “non-permanent religious symbol.” Silverman said a Christian chapel on an Army base in Afghanistan could have put American troops in danger. “It inflames this Muslim versus Christian mentality,” he said. “This is not a Muslim versus Christian war — but if the Army base has a large chapel on it that has been converted to Christian-only, it sends a message that could be interpreted as hostile to Islam.” An Army spokesman said all chapels must be religiously neutral. “The primary purpose of making a chapel a neutral, multi-use facility is to accommodate the free exercise of religion for all faith groups using it,” he said. “We take the spiritual fitness of our Soldiers seriously and encourage them to practice their faith and exercise their beliefs however they choose.” Retired Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin, of the Family Research Council, told Fox News a Christian cleansing of the military is under way. “I don’t think you can categorize it any other way,” he said. “There is a strong effort, led partially by the Administration as well as by atheist groups to destroy the identity of who we are as a nation and that means robbing us of our history.” —- Military: Crosses Removed ‘Out of Respect for Other Faiths’ | FOX News & Commentary: Todd Starnes

On one hand, I would hate to think that having Christian symbols on a battle front could be putting our Military at risk. On the other hand, I would hate to see Christianity being removed from the Military entirely. However, we are in a Muslim Nation is Afghan region; one would think that the Military would want to be respectful of those people and their culture.

It is a mixed bag, and all the more reason why we really need to get out of that Country. Our mission is done there; we killed Osama and we need to leave. We do not want to make the same mistake the Russians made there. Besides all that, Al-Qaeda has moved into other regions and is much more a threat to other interests in other parts for the world now.

So, to this Independent, the quicker we leave, the better.

Military to lift ban on woman in combat

Boy do I ever feel sorry for the terrorists! 😯

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta is lifting the military’s official ban on women in combat, which will open up hundreds of thousands of additional front-line jobs to them, senior defense officials said Wednesday. The groundbreaking decision overturns a 1994 Pentagon rule that restricts women from artillery, armor, infantry and other such combat roles, even though in reality women have frequently found themselves in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, where more than 20,000 have served. As of last year, more than 800 women had been wounded in the two wars and more than 130 had died. Defense officials offered few details about Mr. Panetta’s decision but described it as the beginning of a process to allow the branches of the military to put the change into effect. Defense officials said Mr. Panetta had made the decision on the recommendation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. — Pentagon Set to Lift Ban on Women in Combat Roles – NYTimes.com

I mean, I can see it now, a group of about 100 women — it’s that time of the month — and their fearless leader says, “Hey Ladies? You see that little towel-headed mofo over there? He hollered over here a minute ago and said that he has seen goats prettier than you!”

Al-Qaeda.will.not.stand.a.chance.in.hell…… 😯 Especially if some of them women happen to be related to anyone who died in the 9/11 attacks or in the Iraq or Afgan conflicts. There is nothing more brutal than a butch lesbian, who is a bit of a good shot.

Sexist? Who me? 😉

(via Memeorandum)

Iraq’s President Talabani has had a stroke

I don’t know what role this might play in this stability of that Country, but it is news:

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has had a stroke and his medical team in Baghdad is still trying to stabilize his condition, a spokesman for the prime minister said Tuesday.

Talabani, a rare unifying figure who is seen to rise above the country’s ethnic and sectarian fault lines, has been actively involved in trying to mediate an ongoing crisis between Iraq’s central government and the country’s Kurdish minority.

The spokesman, Ali al-Moussawi, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is at the hospital where the president is being treated.

Doctors have not decided whether Talabani will continue to be treated in Baghdad or will be flown to another country for treatment, he said. He was unable to provide further details.

Talabani’s office earlier said the Iraqi president had been rushed to the hospital after showing signs of fatigue on Monday evening, and that he was being treated for an unspecified health problem.

Talabani’s spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment.

via Iraq official says President Talabani had a stroke – Washington Times.

I will say this much; as someone who was not a huge fan of that war, I really hope that we do not have to end up going back there again. I mean, once was enough, we gave 4000+ of our blood and treasure there, that was enough, if that Country cannot remain stable then let them be victims to their fate.

I just do not believe that America should be the world’s policeman, we cannot afford it, our Military has been run ragged because of it and we need to just allow the Iraqi’s to handle their own issues. Heck, we gave the Iraqi Government enough military equipment to defeat anyone, who dare tries to invade that Country.

Therefore, I believe America’s mission there was truly accomplished, when President Obama announced the end of American’s military presence there. I pray we never need to return again.

Rats jumping from the sinking ship?

Sounds vaguely familiar….

(CNN) — Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak announced his resignation Monday, saying he will quit politics in January to spend more time with his family.

His resignation comes at a highly delicate time for Israel, which is observing a fragile cease-fire in Gaza with the militant Palestinian group Hamas after an eight-day conflict that killed more than 160 people, the overwhelming majority of them Palestinians.

Barak, who is married and the father of three children, said Monday at a news conference in Tel Aviv that he will continue as defense minister for the next three months before elections due in January. He said he won’t contest the elections.

Some Israeli political commentators had speculated ahead of the announcement that Barak was planning to quit the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a new center-left party.

via Israeli Defense Minister Barak says he’s quitting politics – CNN.com.

This could be the reason too, Pamela Geller saith:

Netanyahu is going into an election cycle in Egypt. He didn’t want to have to stand for re-election being the man who oversaw the destruction of Israel’s relationship with the United States. And so he had to accept Obama’s demands. This is a shameful pretense.

Clearly, Netanyahu came under enormous pressure from Obama and Clinton, but so what? The Obama administration has supported the most vicious enemies of Israel (the Muslim Brotherhood). Bibi is responsible for the security of his nation. Period. This hudna gives the jihadists time to regroup, rearm and rebuild. Any nation involved in a war should finish it. It must win or be defeated.

Israel gave away Gaza for peace and got jihad in return. The delusion is over. The Israelis can no longer avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.

Maybe Mr. Barak sees what is coming and wants out before it all hits the fan.

Update: Bill Quick disagrees and he does have a point.

California tech world shows its true colors

This comes via Bill Quick, it is related to this here:

IDFSpokesperson, Facebook
#PillarOfDefense
IDFblog, Facebook
Some idiot at TechCrunch is not pleased.

Wonder if they would feel the same way if Palestine were doing it? Even better, wonder if they would feel the same way, if Obama were doing it.

It is to wonder.

Update: Yes, I know what I posted here. There is a grand canyon of difference between pointing out a NeoCon’s idiocy and actually hating on Israel for defending themselves. Anyone that does not know the difference between the two; has no business being on the internet, much less reading blogs.

Also too, like I wrote before:

If you are Jewish, I have zero quarrels with you at all; but, please, if I happen to say something you do not like, SUCK IT UP and please, do not wave your damned yarmulke in my face, and call me a hater —-because if you do, I am going to tell you to kiss my ass.

I stand by that comment. I just do not respect, nor do I traffic in identity politics; left or right. I do not do it with the Blacks or Latinos; and I do not do it with the Jews, at all. I also happen to not be too fond of White Nationalists either. Because that too, is just another form of identity politics.  I believe in equal rights for ALL. Special privileges for NONE.  This includes with the wealthy. I could go on and on, but I think you all know what I mean here.

 

 

UPDATED: Israel actually defends itself

This could be big and this could be nothing.

Looks like Israel sent the leader of Hamas military wing to see his 7 virgins.

Via NYT:

GAZA — Israel on Wednesday launched one of the most ferocious assaults on Gaza since its invasion four years ago, hitting at least 20 targets in aerial attacks that killed the top military commander of Hamas, drew strong condemnation from Egypt and escalated the risks of a new war in the Middle East.

The Israelis coupled the intensity of the airstrikes with the threat of another ground invasion and warnings to all Hamas leaders in Gaza to stay out of sight or risk the same fate as the Hamas military commander, Ahmed al-Jabari, who was killed in a pinpoint airstrike as he was traveling by car down a Gaza street. “We recommend that no Hamas operatives, whether low level or senior leaders, show their faces above ground in the days ahead,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a Twitter message.

The ferocity of the airstrikes, which Israel called Operation “Pillar of Defense” in response to repeated rocket attacks by Gaza-based Palestinian militants, provoked rage in Gaza, where Hamas said the airstrikes amounted to war and promised a harsh response. It quickly launched dozens of rockets into southern Israel, including several that struck the city of Beersheba, shattering windows and damaging cars but causing no injuries.

Civil-defense authorities in Israel, anticipating retaliation, raised alert levels early in the day and told residents in southern Israel to take precautions. Many remained indoors or congregated in bomb shelters.

There is a live blog of what is happening on the ground over in Israel via Haaretz. I would not read too much into this; Israel is simply flexing its muscles at the Gaza strip. Because Hamas keeps firing rockets into Israel. I mean, Israel gives up land to these bastards; and what do they do? Fire missiles into Israel. So, yes, Israel is simply defending itself here. But, I do doubt that this will escalate into full on war. This has happened before; Hamas fires rockets, Israel bombs the crap out of them and Hamas retreats and begs them to stop and things are peaceful again, until the next time.

Of course, I could be, and I hope I am not — wrong about this; it could start another war. But, I doubt it. I like to assume the best, and pray for that as well.

One thing I will not do; and much of the right is doing this and it is wrong. I am not going to pin this on Obama. It is not Obama’s fault that Hamas is firing rockets into Israel. Obama is not superhuman, he cannot control what a bunch of stupid Arabs do in another Country. The best thing Obama can do about this little situation is stay the hell out of it; just like George W. Bush did the last time there was a flare up between the two parties.

Update: Chris Smith reminded me of something over on Google Plus. Egypt is threatening to get involved. Via Breitbart, who is, of course, blaming Obama, which is stupid:

Today, Egypt’s Freedom and Justice Party, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood – a party formerly headed by current President Mohammed Morsi – announced that Egypt would get involved if Israel continued to kill terrorists in the Gaza Strip. Such Israeli action, said the party, would prompt “swift Arab and international action to stop the massacres.” The party also warned that Israel “must take into account the changes in the Arab region and especially Egypt … [Egypt] will not allow the Palestinians to be subjected to Israeli aggression, as in the past.”

The question now is whether the Obama administration will be able to prevent Egypt from attempting overt or covert intervention on behalf of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. If the United States leads from behind – or worse, if they show daylight with Israel – Israel’s security will be in grave danger. Even as dozens of rockets are fired at Israel, the Obama administration has yet to say anything. The Obama administration, by contrast, couldn’t shut up about a YouTube video even as Americans were slaughtered in Benghazi. And Obama continues to tout the Arab Spring as an awakening for freedom and liberty rather than for Islamism.

No wonder Israel’s neighbors in the north (Syria) and south (Gaza and Egypt) are getting aggressive. They have a friend in the White House.

Please keep in mind, that the writer of that, is a Jew and quite the smirking partisan hack, who blames everything on Obama — including the Weather. But, outside of that, the story about Egypt is legit. Also too, before anyone says anything to me; about me bringing up the fact that Ben is a Jew. Let me say this: If Ben does not mind being an a-hole partisan hack and blaming President Obama for everything, like most Jewish Neocons do. Then I do not mind bringing up his ethnic heritage for all to see. Personally, I am sick and tired of the NeoCons pounding Obama for every damned thing under the sun. They are, among many other reasons — the reason Mitt Romney lost the election, if you really want to be honest about it and I really do not mind reminding every one of that fact.

Related:

Reuters: amas military chief Ahmed Jabari killed by Israeli strike

Telegraph:Hamas military chief killed in Gaza air strike

IDF Blog: IDF Begins Widespread Campaign on Terror Targets in the Gaza Strip

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