May 24, 2007

War Funding

My response to my Representative Jim Jordan on his question of the week.

Question of the Week

Which of the following best describes what you believe Congress should do about the Iraq war?

- Halt funding for the war effort and bring American troops home immediately.
- Set a timeline for phased America troop withdrawal over the course of the next several months.
- Give more time to allow the current “surge” of American troops to work.

Set a timeline for phased America troop withdrawal over the course of the next several months. My patience has worn out on allowing this insanity to continue any further. I can no longer stomach listening to the administration talk on and on about a war against a movement... not even a nation. Either the administration and the Iraqi government start meeting some standards or the troops should be phased out. No longer can I watch the number of daily dead rise. No longer can I bear seeing the wounded toll rise. No longer do I want to hear one more politician speak about a war on terror when it is our brothers, sons, daughters, sisters, fathers and mothers that are paying the price now. Stop sitting on the fence and represent EVERYONE in your district, including members of the armed forces and their families. End this charade, end the suffering, end it all.

Posted by Ravennacht at 06:21 PM

April 27, 2007

And another soldier (this a colonel) arises to speak out concerning the generals in control of the war in Iraq. Interestingly this one is still in the service (for however long that will be now after speaking out against superiors). The retired generals have been beating this drum for years... now the servicemen are starting to speak. Is it just one person... is it a consensus. Unfortunately we likely will not know from their mouths... because they simply cannot say. This chap will likely pay the price with his career for saying what his opinion was. We shall see. All I can say is supporting the military includes listening to them. The time is approaching when we will all need to decide that enough is enough. Its not soon enough for me. I want them home.

Posted by Ravennacht at 11:45 PM

October 24, 2006

A Different Kind of War

While in the doctor's office for mother's reconstruction and subsequent visits, I have been suprised by the number of political and military discussions that have were occurring around me amongst complete strangers. Apparantly the communal disarming feeling of having the doctor about to hack and slash into you loosens up the tongue.

There were several people in their 70s-80s... some obviously taking chemotherapy. A man in his 40s came in at one point and starting discussing the current war with a 70 year old. They both discussed feelings of frustration over the inability of the government to 'win' the war. The 40 year old admitting that he had been part of the navy during the first Gulf War, with the 70 year old admitting earlier military service.

It was obvious to both that the world is different than it used to be; that we don't seem to fight wars to win anymore (this from the 70 year old); that we fight with kid gloves on and worry too much about people getting hurt (this from the 40 year old).

Then they discussed their fear for nephews and grandchildren in the service now. For the families of service people called to duty in this 'different kind of war'.

There was no discussion of terrorism or grand designs to bring democracy to liberated peoples. Just how things were done and how it affected those that serve... trying to understand the 'newness' of it.

I could only listen and take it in.

Posted by Ravennacht at 10:40 PM

April 11, 2006

Call to Duty : Desert Storm

He hugged her yet again. Soon, it would be time to go.

The call had come late... they had been activated and would be moving out. There was little time to discuss things again. Their previous discussions would have to be enough. He remembered holding her hands on the porch swing, softly discussing the possibilities of what could happen, what had been taken care of. There was no "where" or "how long". Some things just cannot be answered. Some things just don't always make sense. A soft caress of the hair, a kiss, a whispered "It will be alright", and a drying of many tears.

Even now he still felt trepidation, but did his best not to show it. He had to be brave for her. The heat made him uncomfortable. The echo of boots in cadence echoed around the gathered soldiers and morose family members. The fear was palpable. Weeping and low discussions clouded the mass like a shroud stealing the breath. The trucks were starting, their loud engines punching through the pall.

"Remember what you promised me?" She asked between tears, numbly straightening his collar, staring almost through him, seemingly memorizing his every feature upon the tablet of her mind. He repeated everything back to her, just to make her feel at ease, though he knew that she couldn't. The pain in her eyes hurt him the most, reaching into his soul and threatening to pull him under, but there was nothing he could do. Duty was duty. There was a job to do.

The hated time arrived, final goodbyes were said. Again, her eyes haunted him... the tears burning, etching a path down her face. He swallowed hard and fought the tide of emotions threatening to swallow him as she clutched him fiercely to her. "Remember that I love you, baby," she whispered, quickly wiping the last tear from her face with her camouflaged sleeves. "I love you to, Mommy." he tried to answer, but the burning in his throat made it sound like a croak. Jumping into the truck, she gave a stilted wave and then turned away... the dust of the receding caravan of vehicles hiding any further view of her.

He watched until the last trailing lights of the trucks vanished before turning away into his grandmother's waiting arms, weeping that she was gone. He had been brave for her to see. It would have to be enough. Now he could finally cry.

Posted by Ravennacht at 01:19 AM

September 25, 2005

The Final Inspection

FINAL INSPECTION

The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass.

"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The Soldier squared his shoulders and said
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just to steep,

And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgement of his God.

"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

...Author Unknown

Posted by Ravennacht at 09:06 PM

May 16, 2005

Base Closures

I fail to understand how an administration that is so hawkish; an administration that has led us into war; an administration involved on multiple fronts across the world; an administration that challenged Kerry on Military strength; an administration that is so adament about questioning patriotism and who is and who isn't...

How such an administration would seek to close so many bases. To further constrain the abilities of the military. To further affect the lives of countless military personnel and civilians that work on all these bases across the country. To show such triviality in dealing with these military people and their bases. All just numbers. All just figures. It makes the bile rise in my mouth.

Posted by Ravennacht at 01:00 AM