A Monkeyman Rant

[Monkeyman]

Does anyone know what the policy in Iraq is? In this Vets Opinion no one not the Democrats or Republicans. I see wounded kids in mind and body For What!!! Troops coming home not being taken care of. Troops in Iraq not being given good commands by Military Leaders. DOD is out of control on spending. This old VVAW Member say Sir No Sir! We must end this Now. Its seems that our Democrats cannot see yet. Stop Funding this dam War. Ok Rant Over I feel Better

[illinoisprogressive]

1. First, How are you, Monkeyman?? Glad to see you back

second, there is no policy.

[Monkeyman]

5. I am Ok just needed to let it out tonight

[spindrifter]

2. We need more of that ranting, Monkeyman, till

this travesty stops. Congress must put the brakes on the Chimp's "surge" plan. There is no surge to adding another 10 or 12,000 troops. But it will sure mess up a lot of human lives.

[brer cat]

3. Good to "see" you Monkeyman!

And to read you. There is no policy except trying to save *'s fragile ego by not declaring it an official disaster. The worst of it is troops coming home not being cared for. I thought after VW, never again, but sigh. Here we are.

[JohnnyLib2]

4. Glad to see the Monkeyman on duty!

The first candidate to address your rant directly and totally will sure get my attention!

[babylonsister]

6. Hello, friend. Dems are working on it!

Reid, Pelosi warn Bush on escalating the Iraq War: REJECT DEEPER INVOLVEMENT
EXCLUSIVE DEM LETTER TO BUSH: "WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO REJECT ANY PLANS THAT CALL FOR OUR GETTING OUR TROOPS ANY DEEPER INTO IRAQ"

Dear Mr. President:

The start of the new Congress brings us opportunities to work together on the critical issues confronting our country. No issue is more important than finding an end to the war in Iraq. December was the deadliest month of the war in over two years, pushing U.S. fatality figures over the 3,000 mark.

The American people demonstrated in the November elections that they do not believe your current Iraq policy will lead to success and that we need a change in direction for the sake of our troops and the Iraqi people. We understand that you are completing your post-election consultations on Iraq and are preparing to make a major address on your Iraq strategy to the American people next week.

Clearly this address presents you with another opportunity to make a long overdue course correction. Despite the fact that our troops have been pushed to the breaking point and, in many cases, have already served multiple tours in Iraq, news reports suggest that you believe the solution to the civil war in Iraq is to require additional sacrifices from our troops and are therefore prepared to proceed with a substantial U.S. troop increase.

Surging forces is a strategy that you have already tried and that has already failed. Like many current and former military leaders, we believe that trying again would be a serious mistake. They, like us, believe there is no purely military solution in Iraq. There is only a political solution. Adding more combat troops will only endanger more Americans and stretch our military to the breaking point for no strategic gain. And it would undermine our efforts to get the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own future. We are well past the point of more troops for Iraq.

In a recent appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee, General John Abizaid, our top commander for Iraq and the region, said the following when asked about whether he thought more troops would contribute to our chances for success in Iraq:

"I met with every divisional commander, General Casey, the Corps commander, General Dempsey. We all talked together. And I said, in your professional opinion, if we were to bring in more American troops now, does it add considerably to our ability to achieve success in Iraq? And they all said no. And the reason is, because we want the Iraqis to do more. It's easy for the Iraqis to rely upon to us do this work. I believe that more American forces prevent the Iraqis from doing more, from taking more responsibility for their own future. "

Rather than deploy additional forces to Iraq, we believe the way forward is to begin t he phased redeployment of our forces in the next four to six months, while shifting the principal mission of our forces there from combat to training, logistics, force protection and counter-terror. A renewed diplomatic strategy, both within the region and beyond, is also required to help the Iraqis agree to a sustainable political settlement. In short, it is time to begin to move our forces out of Iraq and make the Iraqi political leadership aware that our commitment is not open ended, that we cannot resolve their sectarian problems, and that only they can find the political resolution required to stabilize Iraq.

Our troops and the American people have already sacrificed a great deal for the future of Iraq. After nearly four years of combat, tens of thousands of U.S. casualties, and over $300 billion dollars, it is time to bring the war to a close. We, therefore, strongly encourage you to reject any plans that call for our getting our troops any deeper into Iraq. We want to do everything we can to help Iraq succeed in the future but, like many of our senior military leaders, we do not believe that adding more U.S. combat troops contributes to success.

We appreciate you taking these views into consideration.

Sincerely,
­­­­
Harry Reid Nancy Pelosi

[TomInTib]

7. Grab it by the throat and shake it, Monkeyman...

Those fuckers are clueless.

They are killing us with ideology.

Sound familiar, Brother?

[Monkeyman]

10. Yep Just like before

[PsN2Wind]

8. I'm with you Monkeyman,

I don't want the Democrats to "strongly encourage" Dimson not to escalate our involvement in that clusterfuck. I want them to tell him they will find a way to stop it.
Also Monkeyman, I hope you know that I and the others here, are with you in your grief.

[snowbear]

9. It's good to see you back Monkeyman!!

Very sad to read on the general discussion about the loss of your sweet wife..

We're always here anytime you feel like a "monkeyman rant!" ~~

[vixengrl]

11. You've the right point, Monkeyman--what is the policy?

Right now, President Bush, the Commander in Chief of the Armed forces of this nation, has held us on tenterhooks for a bit over what his policyis going to be--this over entering us into war three years and some ago, and may, maybe say something next week, which *everyone* knows, will sound something like: "Let's send more young people into the woodchipper." But if more people go--what are they there to do? What is their mission? Why are we sending them, body and soul, to do what they do?

There are some young folks coming out of Annapolis and West Point--and they (Hand to the heavens) believe they can serve a purpose there. And they will go--younger than I think I ever was. Because they love America. And will do what they have to for love of their country--and it's the damndest, noblest, most beautiful thing.

But where is this nation? We don't believe anymore, that we were told the truth about why we were there--and we don't believe anymore that the war is good and just, and we--the people, by for and of whom this republic was supposed to be made--just want our future to come back home. These good, trained, loyal, willing Americans--doesn't the Commander-in-Chief think they've earned--just by their willingness to sacrifice (ah--there's the word these days--sacrifice--what's up the pike, I wonder?) their very lives for their country--deserve a coherent, sensible, obtainable goal? To have revealed what the ultimate mission is--the enemy to defeat--so they can go home and be citizens here instead of targets there? Our presdent has dithered here in now 2007 because of things he didn't know in 2003--and this is just....wrong. Saddam was never Hitler, and this is not the making of some WW III.

We can stop funding this war--and the 'pukes will ask about our patrotism, and say we aren't good Americans, because we didn't fund/support the troops. And we can say "Go to hell"--because we wanted peace--and they--they denied it. And the deaths are theirs--even though we're the ones who mourn. This cycle of death must end. It isn't serving a purpose--it isn't honoring our dead. Death is not justified by more death--something is awry. And it seems it is the thoughts of the men in charge--but mostly the C-I-C.

With great power comes great responsibility. Given the greatest military power on earth--GWB has dishonored his position of trust--to lead. He doesn't know where we're going--we are slagged down in Iraq. This is all him--the Kerry joke entire--his incuriousity and ignorance brought us here.

And for what, to do what, to acheive what? Why shouldn't we--taxpayers, and some of us future potential draftees--know who our opponent really is? Don' we all deserve a coherent policy? Shouldn'
t Bush know what he's doing?

[dweller]

12. nice rant, get your breath, your bearings,

and read on.

Unhappy With Democrats Over Iraq, Kucinich Plans Another Bid for White House
"Democrats were swept into power on November 7 because of widespread voter discontent with the war in Iraq," Kucinich said. "Instead of heeding those concerns and responding with a strong and immediate change in policies and direction, the Democratic congressional leadership seems inclined to continue funding the perpetuation of the war."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/11/AR2006121101268.html

Rep. Dennis Kucinich: Cut Off Iraq War Funding
"Now, there are many plans out there. The people talking about phased redeployment, the president as the commander in chief ultimately has the authority to determine the placement of troops. Congress’ real authority, and Congress’ constitutional as a co-equal branch of government, requires that it be heard from, and I believe that Congress must exercise its authority to protect the troops by bringing them home. And the only way we can do that effectively is to vote against supplemental appropriations—which has kept the war going, or to vote against appropriation bills which fund the war. That’s Congress’ ultimate power—the power of the purse.

If we truly care about our troops, we’ll get them out. It’s the phoniest argument to say that a cut-off of funds will leave troops stranded in the field. There’s always money in the pipeline to pay for an orderly withdrawal. But those who favor continuing the war or escalating the war are using the troops as a tool to further policies that are against the interests of the troops, against the interests of American people, and against the interests of peace in the world. "
http://www.truthdig.com/interview/print/20061116_kucinich_cut_off_funding/

Breakfast with Dennis Kucinich
by Cindy Sheehan
Dennis’ proposal is so thrilling, though, because of the fact that it involves no special bills---no committee hearings---no behind the scenes politicking, it will be driven and accomplished by the grass roots peace movement which will give the idea special credibility and deal a further blow to an already crippled Bush administration: in the spring, Congress will be voting on a new appropriation’s bill, for the war, which will be approximately 130 billion more dollars! We must act now to organize to pressure Congress to not give the seemingly out of control BushCo any more money to fund what is only bedlam. If Congress votes no on the next appropriation’s bill, the funding will end by June 2007 (which is also when al-Malicki says the Iraqis will be ready to take over security of their country). However, if Congress approves the funding it gives the insaniacs money to prosecute the war until the projected end of the Bush regime in January, 2009. He must not be allowed to walk away from another debacle that he has caused. He must be made to face the morass his incompetence, carelessness and callousnees has created in Iraq and the pain and suffering that his policies have inflicted in both countries!"
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/1207-21.htm

Creating a Peaceful New Year
"Each one of us holds transformational capabilities to engage the world constructively through the images of the future we hold in our mind. Our thoughts have power. The power of intent together with action transforms our lives and our world.

http://kucinich.us/node/1516

peace Monkeyman,
dp

[MadMaddie]

13. Much love to you Monkeyman...

Rant on my brother rant on....

[TomInTib]

14. Kicking and recommending

Testify, Monkeyman...

for each and every underdog soldier in the night.

Ride on, Brother.

Tom

[Recursion]

15. Sure, our Iraq policy is pretty simple

1. We sit around and get shot and blown up at a low enough rate that the proles back in the heartland don't riot
2. Iran, Syria, and SA take note of the fact that 200,000 troops are in a neighboring country
3. Oil is sold at the OPEC-approved rates, in dollars

(I wanted to stick "cut a hole in the box" in there somewhere but it just didn't fit...)

[frogcycle]

24. tryin my damnedest heighten awareness to address #1

http://www.dbc3.com/Fallen

Pfc. Alan Blohm was the last American Killed in Iraq in 2006, number 3003.


From the Kenai, Alaska Peninsula Clarion:
Web posted Thursday, January 4, 2007

Soldier with Kenai ties killed in Iraq

By PATRICE KOHL
Peninsula Clarion




Photo courtesy Diana Zinul

Alan Blohm spent several summers fishing a setnet site in Kenai before enlisting in the Army.

Starting when he was 14 years old until he enlisted in the United States Army six years later, Alan R. Blohm left his Midwestern home in Kawkaw-lin, Mich., to fish a setnet site for salmon on Salamatof Beach in Kenai.

With aspirations to one day become a trooper, Blohm left fishing for the military in 2005 and last fall was deployed to Iraq.

On Dec. 31, his family learned the 21-year-old soldier had been killed by a roadside bomb while on security patrol in Baghdad. Blohm had been stationed in Iraq for about three months.

Although Blohm was born in Michigan, where his parents and siblings live, he also leaves aunts, uncles and many cousins behind in Alaska, said Diana Zirul, Blohm’s aunt. Blohm’s mother, Denise Blohm, Zirul and his grandmother come from the Kenaitze Indian Tribe.

Even before Blohm began fishing commercially, he would visit Kenai often and hang out with cousins at the setnet site where he would later work.

The site is owned by a longtime friend of the family, and Blohm was more than happy to work there, Zirul said.

“He was very proud of being an Alaska fisherman,” she said.

Blohm lived with Diana and his uncle, James Zirul, in Kenai when he came to Alaska during the summer and was living with them when he enlisted in the army in September of 2005.

Blohm completed basic training and advanced individual training as a combat engineer at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri in January 2006, and airborne school at Fort Benning, Georgia, in February 2006.

As a member of the army, Blohm followed in the footsteps of his grandfathers who also served, one of whom had been assigned to Fort Richardson in Anchorage 50 years prior to Blohm’s assignment.

Blohm was a member of the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, and was assigned to Fort Richardson in March 2006.

Prior to enlisting, Blohm graduated from Bay City Western High School in Michigan, where he played defensive tackle for their football team.

In a written statement, Blohm’s family said he strongly believed in helping others and in serving his country and that he was once quoted in a newspaper saying “The First Amendment is what makes this country great.”

Besides his aunts, uncles, cousins and mother, Blohm also is survived by his father, Chris Blohm, 26-year-old brother, Jeremy Blohm, and 14-year-old sister, Kiana Blohm.

Blohm’s funeral will be held in Michigan, but arrangements are still pending. A prayer service will be held at Fort Richardson, but times and dates are not yet available.

[frogcycle]

25. Spc Jeremiah Johnson died Friday

http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/01052007news90161.cfm

He suffered irreversible brain damage when his humvee went in a ditch on Dec 26 and he was under water for over ten minutes. The family has been standing watch in Germany, knowing he would not recover.


Caringbridge is an online family support service to help when people are critically ill; Jeremiah's is here:

http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/photoMainView.do

Isaiah is a cute kid, isn't he? I bet he's gonna miss Dad. He's about the age I was when my dad returned from 18 months in Korea. We were lucky. Five more have died Since Jeremiah.

[ninkasi]

16. Some things never change

This is a poem by Kipling, regarding the soldiers memorialized in the other poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade."


There were thirty million English who talked of England's might,
There were twenty broken troopers who lacked a bed for the night.
They had neither food nor money, they had neither service nor trade;
They were only shiftless soldiers, the last of the Light Brigade.

They felt that life was fleeting; they knew not that art was long,
That though they were dying of famine, they lived in deathless song.
They asked for a little money to keep the wolf from the door;
And the thirty million English sent twenty pounds and four !

They laid their heads together that were scarred and lined and grey;
Keen were the Russian sabres, but want was keener than they;
And an old Troop-Sergeant muttered, "Let us go to the man who writes
The things on Balaclava the kiddies at school recites."

They went without bands or colours, a regiment ten-file strong,
To look for the Master-singer who had crowned them all in his song;
And, waiting his servant's order, by the garden gate they stayed,
A desolate little cluster, the last of the Light Brigade.

They strove to stand to attention, to straighen the toil-bowed back;
They drilled on an empty stomach, the loose-knit files fell slack;
With stooping of weary shoulders, in garments tattered and frayed,
They shambled into his presence, the last of the Light Brigade.

The old Troop-Sergeant was spokesman, and "Beggin' your pardon," he said,
"You wrote o' the Light Brigade, sir. Here's all that isn't dead.
An' it's all come true what you wrote, sir, regardin' the mouth of hell;
For we're all of us nigh to the workhouse, an' we thought we'd call an' tell.

"No, thank you, we don't want food, sir; but couldn't you take an' write
A sort of 'to be continued' and 'see next page' o' the fight?
We think that someone has blundered, an' couldn't you tell 'em how?
You wrote we were heroes once, sir. Please, write we are starving now."

The poor little army departed, limping and lean and forlorn.
And the heart of the Master-singer grew hot with "the scorn of scorn."
And he wrote for them wonderful verses that swept the land like flame,
Till the fatted souls of the English were scourged with the thing called Shame.

O thirty million English that babble of England's might,
Behold there are twenty heroes who lack their food to-night;
Our children's children are lisping to "honour the charge they made - "
And we leave to the streets and the workhouse the charge of the Light Brigade!

Soldiers always get the worst of it, and that hasn't changed. It needs to, though, and right away. Peace to you, Monkeyman, you are in my thoughts.

[annabanana]

20. I had not read that. . Thank you.

Kipling is often excoriated as the spokesman of the British Empire because he's the author of the "White Man's Burden". I think his work is much more nuanced than is generally presented.

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

17. I enjoyed "Sir, No Sir!", and think Policy is about Oil...

This "Deserter" they (the Supreme Court), stuck us with as 'commander in chief' is a pawn in the Corporate Control of the world resources. I find this from Harry and Nancy in reply #6 disturbing: "Our troops and the American people have already sacrificed a great deal for the future of Iraq." I think they have sacrificed for Corporate Oil and the lies this administration delivered via Corporate Media.

But I also think 9/11 is an inside job run by Cheney and the then check writer for the pentagon who's company manufactured devices to take control of airlines to "stop hijackers"... Rabbi Dov something or other was his name.

Anyhow, enough of my "rant". Best to you Monkeyman.
adw
( & another Vet.)

[midnight]

18. Hell never makes sense. Bring them home.

[democrank]

19. Was just thinking about you, Monkeyman.

Hope you`re doing okay.

[Vincardog]

21. Don't de-fund the occupation rescind the authorization. Repeal the IIWR

Without authority aWoL has to remove the troops in 60 days. It is the law get over it freepers. :evilgrin: :toast: :bounce: :party:

[Danascot]

22. Easy - the Policy in Iraq

is to run out the clock until 2008 so chimpy won't have to admit he f*cked up.

[fooj]

23. Been thinking about you...

:hug: