Eight years later, there's one memory of 9/11 that still haunts my dreams.  I can't speak of it, but Cathryn Friar does at RightPundits, and sums up my feelings more eloquently than I could have today.

Desperate people jumped from all four sides of the north tower. They jumped alone, they jumped in pairs and they jumped in groups. They jumped holding hands.Nobody survived on the floors from which people jumped. Ultimately the jumpers, often called the dayÂ’s most public victims, chose not whether to die but how they would die. I am quite certain I would not have such courage.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 08:25 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 128 words, total size 1 kb.

One of my most favorite new technologies (not that new really, but new to me) is Google Voice. If you haven't heard of Google Voice, it's a service that lets you 1) receive all your calls and texts from a single number (and rings whichever number you designate) and 2) transcribes voicemail to text or lets you listen to it online. You choose the number from a list they provide, and you may choose any area code or locality you like, so it can be a toll-free phone call for your family and friends.

It's actually quite convenient, and you can give people just one number and they can reach you anytime.  Especially if you're like me and drop the cell phone next to the front door and spend the rest of the evening in another room.... Or if you're like me and people don't want to call you because your cell is a different area code...

It's also a wonderful resource for anyone far from home with limited access to a phone, since you get voicemail directly over the internet, just like checking your email.  Especially for our overseas troops.

Which is why I was especially pleased to see this morning that Google is offering Google Voice subscriptions (free) to anyone with a .mil email address that activate in 24 hours. Army Live posted it this morning. In general, you have to request an "invite" to activate the service, and that can take several weeks.  This invitation would activate in 24 hours for military personnel.

For more information, the Google Voice info page is here and the invitation link for service members is here.

If you or someone you know can take advantage of this service, please do, and let Google know how much you appreciate what they're doing for our troops!

h/t Jeff Quinton (via twitter)

Posted by: caltechgirl at 07:42 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 310 words, total size 2 kb.

In keeping with yesterday's post, a better way to say thank you to our vets is to give a little back to help a lot.

Long-time readers know that Soldier's Angels is one of my favorite groups, and in particular, Project VALOUR-IT which provides voice-activated laptops and other technological devices to wounded servicefolks who can't otherwise easily communicate with the outside world or who need help with rehabbing their injuries.

Imagine being stuck in a hospital in the Middle East or Germany, your family and friends thousands of miles away in the US, and your hands and arms are casted up.  How do you hold the telephone?  How can you type an email, even just to say, "I'm fine, and I love you?".  VALOUR-IT makes that possible through our donations.

And VALOUR -IT depends on all of us.  Without donations, they are quickly running out of funds with a waiting list hundreds of names long.  Even a small donation ($5) goes a long way.

Each year, bloggers team up in a friendly competition to see which service can raise the most funds for our wounded vets.  All the money goes to VALOUR-IT, regardless of which team you donate to, but it's fun to compete.

As usual, I am soliciting donations for Team Army (Go Army, Beat Navy!) in honor of my precious husband's service.

Just click the button to make a donation, either here or at the top of the left sidebar.  If you'd like to  "join up" and help as well, click here.

Thousands of wounded vets (and a hundred or so bloggers!) thank you!

Posted by: caltechgirl at 02:14 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 281 words, total size 3 kb.

What else to say, but thank you?

Posted by: caltechgirl at 12:15 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 11 words, total size 1 kb.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one
People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is in the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security.

Such has been the patient Sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the Present King of Great-Britain is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let the Facts be submitted to a candid World.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public Good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing Importance, unless suspended in their Operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the Accommodation of large Districts of People; unless those People would relinquish the Right of Representation in the Legislature, a Right inestimable to them, and formidable to Tyrants only.
He has called together Legislative Bodies at Places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the Depository of their public Records, for the sole Purpose of fatiguing them into Compliance with his Measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly Firmness his Invasions on the Rights of the People.
He has refused for a long Time, after such Dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the Dangers of Invasion from without, and Convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the Population of these States; for that Purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their Migrations hither, and raising the Conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the Tenure of their Offices, and Amount and Payment of their Salaries.
He has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harass our People, and eat out their Substance.
He has kept among us, in Times of Peace, Standing Armies, without the consent of our Legislature.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a Jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution, and unacknowledged by our Laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For quartering large Bodies of Armed Troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all Parts of the World:
For imposing taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us, in many Cases, of the Benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond the Seas to be tried for pretended Offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an arbitrary Government, and enlarging its Boundaries, so as to render it at once an Example and fit Instrument for introducing the same absolute Rule in these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with Powers to legislate for us in all Cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our Towns, and destroyed the Lives of our People.
He is, at this Time, transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the Works of Death, Desolation, and Tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and Perfidy, scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous Ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized Nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the Executioners of their Friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic Insurrections among us, and has endeavoured to bring on the Inhabitants of our Frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known Rule of Warfare, is an undistinguished Destruction, of all Ages, Sexes and Conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions we have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble Terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated Injury. A Prince, whose Character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the Ruler of a free People.

Nor have we been wanting in Attentions to our British Brethren. We have warned them from Time to Time of Attempts by their Legislature to extend an unwarrantable Jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the Circumstances of our Emigration and Settlement here. We have appealed to their native Justice and Magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the Ties of our common Kindred to disavow these Usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our Connections and Correspondence. They too have been deaf to the Voice of Justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the Necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of Mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace, Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political Connection between them and the State of Great-Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of the divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Signed by ORDER and

in BEHALF OF THE CONGRESS

JOHN HANCOCK,

PRESIDENT.

ATTEST.

CHARLES THOMSON,

SECRETARY.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 12:02 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 1365 words, total size 9 kb.

1 Best Independence Day post I've seen! Happy 4th!

Posted by: pam at July 04, 2008 05:52 AM (l6NIn)

2 Giving credit where credit is due, I referenced your post today (trackbacks weren't working). Happy 4th to you and yours!

Posted by: Lauren at July 04, 2008 04:11 PM (Pt1kf)

3 Happy 4th and 5th!!

Posted by: Richmond at July 05, 2008 10:52 AM (dMnJ3)

4 Amen!

Posted by: Mrs. Who at July 06, 2008 10:24 AM (z+bTV)

5 I love the internet.

Posted by: Miss Havisham at July 08, 2008 11:35 AM (Fqfrj)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

Jane Novak, who some of you know from her own blog, Armies of Liberation, and also from her frequent postings at My Pet Jawa, was on Fox and Friends this morning talking about her efforts to work for regime change in Yemen. Nice Deb beat me to the video editing and posted Jane's interview on YouTube, so check it out (below) and then go sign the petition! Learn more about Yemen and more reformers in the Middle East here. Finally, tell Fox how happy you are that they highlight these issues and talk to bloggers! Leave a comment here for FoxNews' Alisyn Camerota (who Jane tells me is very, very nice!)

Posted by: caltechgirl at 09:42 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 121 words, total size 1 kb.

Karma at work.
Wanna-Be murderer jihadists planting an IED without sufficient training, as captured by a US AC-130.

h/t Richmond

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:30 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 36 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Awwwwwwww

Posted by: Conservative Belle at April 17, 2008 01:47 PM (phaOX)

2 I feel so much better now. Thank you for that!

Posted by: wRitErsbLock at April 17, 2008 07:34 PM (0Pi1o)

3 Giggle.

Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at April 17, 2008 08:16 PM (Yh9SA)

4 DAMN! I keep fergittin' to show this one to Teh Hubs. I know he'll love it. I'm with Ken S. *giggle*

Posted by: Margi at April 21, 2008 01:21 PM (d5oKp)

5 It's a happy thing for me for sure! And for some reason the letters missing from my name were considered questionable content. ::shrug::

Posted by: R-mond at April 22, 2008 10:41 AM (PN4cx)

6 Inch-allah is right.

Posted by: brando at April 22, 2008 08:52 PM (rDQC9)

7 Well - as it turns out - these guys "were" friendlies - info courtesy http://www.gotwarporn.com who found the original video - http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=18f_1201000704 RIP

Posted by: Andrea at April 24, 2008 08:59 AM (AyCEP)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

There's a thin line between order and chaos...

h/t Denny

Posted by: caltechgirl at 12:33 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 14 words, total size 1 kb.

Don't forget!  If you haven't donated, now is the time! This year's fundraiser ends November 11!

Don't forget to check out the auctions page, too!

Posted by: caltechgirl at 11:40 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 31 words, total size 1 kb.

It won't keep the Doctor away, but skipping that latte might help someone in need!

Doesn't seem like much, right?  But even the $4 you save in skipping your caffeine fix today can go a long way towards helping a wounded soldier.

Project Valour-IT provides laptops loaded with voice-activated software to service members who have lost the use of their hands and/or fingers in the service of our country.

They stood up for you, and now it's so easy to chip in to help them.  Read more about how Valour-IT works here and here.

We're well on our way to making this the best year yet.  The Army team has already raised over 10% of our $60,000 goal!  Won't you help us get there first?

look out for an oldy but a goody in tomorrow's Valour-IT post.....

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:39 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 145 words, total size 2 kb.

Time for a friendly competition to help Soldier's Angels and Project Valour-IT!

As always, this blog supports the team representing the US Army!**


Go Army! Beat Navy! and Air Force! and the Marines!

Look for more info on donating to Valour-IT and what Valour-IT does for woulded soldiers in the next two weeks!

** This is a friendly competition in the name of improving our fundraising efforts only. All soldiers who are eligible can benefit from Valour-IT regardless of branch.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 05:04 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 92 words, total size 1 kb.

Best Headline EVAR, too:

4 July 2007
HERO CABBIE: I KICKED BURNING TERRORIST SO HARD IN BALLS THAT I TORE A TENDON

A HERO cabbie who took on the Glasgow Airport terror suspects told yesterday how he booted one of them in the privates.

Alex McIlveen, 45, kicked the man, whose body was in flames, so hard that he tore a tendon in his foot.

But he said last night: "He didn't even flinch. I couldn't believe he didn't go down.

"A doctor told me later I'd damaged a tendon in my foot."

h/t Denny

Posted by: caltechgirl at 12:49 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 143 words, total size 1 kb.

Charleston, SC mourns nine of its bravest today:

Fire swept through a furniture warehouse, collapsing its roof and killing nine firefighters inside in a disaster the mayor described Tuesday as "difficult to fathom or quantify."

"Nine brave, heroic, courageous firefighters of the city of Charleston have perished fighting fire in a most courageous and fearless manner, carrying out their duties," Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley said at a morning news conference. "To all of their loved ones, our heart goes out to them."

Two employees in the building were rescued from the blaze, which broke out at about 7 p.m. Monday in the Sofa Super Store and warehouse, Riley said. One was rescued quickly, and firefighters punched a hole through a wall of the warehouse to reach the other, he said.

Firefighters, police officers and other rescue workers saluted as the firefighters' bodies were carried from the warehouse during the night.

"To lose nine is just a tragedy of immense proportions," Riley said. "To lose nine is just unbelievable."

The department has 237 firefighters in 19 companies located throughout the city of about 106,000.

UPDATE: The nine Firefighters have been identified

Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson, 48
Capt. Mike Benke, 49
Capt. Louis Mulkey, 34
Engineer Mark Kelsey, 40
Engineer Bradford "Brad" Baity, 37
Assistant Engineer Michael French, 27
James "Earl" Drayton, 56
Brandon Thompson, 27
Melven Champaign, 46

Godspeed.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 10:29 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 250 words, total size 2 kb.

I couldn't do what you have just done.  But I am so much more than proud.  Godspeed.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 07:41 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 35 words, total size 1 kb.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the wussification of America, illustrated:

Lost cause my ass.  Kudos to our troops and their commanders for pursuing the LEAST bloody war in this country's history.  Quit whining you pussies and step in and support the men and women out there who really put themselves on the line FOR YOU.

h/t Michael Totten, who found it here.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 12:02 AM | Comments (40) | Add Comment
Post contains 66 words, total size 1 kb.

1 I love it when you talk politics!

Posted by: Beth at May 15, 2007 04:21 AM (7o0yk)

2 Excellent!

Posted by: Wild Thing at May 15, 2007 08:24 AM (t259v)

3 *clap* *clap* *clap*

Posted by: Janette at May 15, 2007 08:24 AM (5R+zg)

4 Love this chart!!! Who would know that from the press reports?

Posted by: Anita at May 15, 2007 09:02 AM (jjxde)

5 Glad to see four votes for raising taxes to actually support our military, but I have to wonder how many Iraq vets you folks know. I know quite a few, which might be why "the way these kids talk to me" includes fewer of the problems identified in the 14 May posting. Anita: Anyone with a brain and a knowledge of history would know those facts from press reports, but you might not know how many mercenaries (Blackwater, et al) have died. That, and the high wages those soldiers earn, are not reported. They would also know that the number of deaths is unrelated to whether the cause (creating a democratically elected government free to ally itself with anyone it chooses, or form a Shiite state sort of like Iran) is lost or not.

Posted by: CCPhysicist at May 15, 2007 10:11 AM (PKc+G)

6 Look at that -- it's all right there in blue and red!

Posted by: Marie at May 15, 2007 01:20 PM (ocfI9)

7 Beth, it would only be a non sequitur if I had been replying to your comment about politics rather than the posted assertion "Quit whining you pussies and step in and support the men and women out there who really put themselves on the line FOR YOU." At this point in time, only a minority of Americans have sacrificed anything for our troops, mostly family members. And, yes, I would cheer if we paid for this war rather than putting it all on a credit card to be paid by kids just starting school today. That is what it means to support our troops. AFAIK, the only person who agrees with me is a Republican Congressman from Michigan. What "kind" does that make him? I find it merely amusing that someone whose strongest closing argument is a series of ad hominem insults would think that the simple fact that the press regularly reports the death rate in Iraq and the fact that history books tell you that hundreds came home every week from Vietnam are anything but simple facts. You could check my memory by looking up an old newspaper or Time from 1968, but AFAIR the press reported the numbers from the official DoD press release then just like they do now. Nothing personal (or sexist) was directed at Anita. Her knee-jerk reaction is typical of many people who say things like that but then can't point to a newspaper article that claims the military death rate in Iraq is worse than Vietnam. My comments would be exactly the same if the poster was male. Don't you think she should be treated equally in a discussion? I wrote "They would also know that the number of deaths is unrelated to whether the cause (creating a democratically elected government free to ally itself with anyone it chooses, or form a Shiite state sort of like Iran) is lost or not." in response to the originally posted conclusion of "Lost cause my ass." based on that graphic from Appeal for Courage. I don't see your "reply" as relevant to either point. Were you actually reacting to my other observation about mercenaries? I only know about that because one of my engineering students told me he was thinking about leaving the army for the > 10x raise Blackwater would give him for the same work. One tour and his entire education is paid for along with a house and car. Quite a good deal, but he also told me how risky it is. As for your question: Appeal for Courage does not provide any source for any of their data. IIRC, the DoD has generally excluded accidental deaths from the numbers they report. I don't remember what the policy was during Vietnam, but I do remember that US soldiers died in Vietnam before 1964. They use August 1964 because the Tonkin Gulf Resolution is generally regarded as the declaration of war in Vietnam.

Posted by: CCPhysicist at May 15, 2007 07:35 PM (a7rwO)

8 Let's not forget to health care that these soldiers are getting on site and in military hospitals. From those there saving lives, the survival rate for those wounded are also much higher. I have talked to both vets of this war and those who survived multiple tours in Vietnam. Those members would fully agree with that report. As it was said it's in red white and blue for all to see.

Posted by: Sarah at May 15, 2007 10:38 PM (S2S0R)

9 Why aren't you over there?

Posted by: Angryflower at May 17, 2007 04:48 PM (Bss6w)

10 EXCUSE ME MA'AM! AngryFlower, there are reasons why CTG is not there. If she could, she would have probably joined up in our nation's military, but that is not physically possible. Why aren't YOU there, or are you? Oh, before you ask, I have already served this country, and have been HONORABLY DISCHARGED from the best Army in the world. That is all I have to say

Posted by: GMT at May 17, 2007 05:02 PM (r0kgl)

11 What are we fighting for? Somebody please stop that war. What for?

Posted by: I am a soldier at May 18, 2007 06:33 AM (B1l1L)

12 It always amazes non-americans the way you glorify the deaths and killings of other peoples. Could you post that graphic but include the Iraqi death toll? and about that part of "...on the line FOR YOU"... are you sure of that? or should it be "FOR THE SELECT FEW OF YOU". But im sure ill be flamed for that remark anyway, seeing the political inclination of this site, which i just stumbled upon. Please try to take off the Red/Blue/White lenses from your eyes and start seeing the world as it is, not as you see it on CNN/Fox/Whatever....

Posted by: LuckilyNotAmerican at May 18, 2007 06:37 AM (qAfKU)

13 LuckilyNotAmerican, I am American and sadly you are quite correct. I am still a proud American, for what we were, not what we have become.

Posted by: ProudAmerican at May 18, 2007 07:24 AM (LGSgL)

14 Thanks for showing this chart. Of an age where many of my friends served willingly in VietNam, I am happy to support the brave people who are protecting us now.

Posted by: Joanne at May 18, 2007 09:15 AM (9EUYf)

15 For the critics and for those who demand, "If you support the war, why aren't YOU over there?" I do support the war. I am not over there because I am 52 and have one ankle held together with screws. But my son WAS over there, and he WILL be rotating back again. He is a First Lieutenant. He experienced some very, very hairy stuff: he had four vehicles blown out from under him. He lost three of his men. He was decorated with a Bronze Star for meritorious service in combat. I.e., he should have absolute moral authority. So what does he say? "Dad, you don't end a war by leaving, regardless of what Hillary Clinton says. A war doesn't end until BOTH sides agree to end it. They don't want it to end, so it won't end: it has to be finished. "Dad, we need to be there. If we don't fight there, we'll fight here. "Dad, it's getting better. They need us there. If we leave, it will be a bloodbath." I normally don't comment on blog posts: it is like preaching to the choir (on one side), or like talking to a brick wall (on the other). But don't use that tired, crappy, useless pseudo-argument "Why aren't you over there?" on me, weasel. That dog don't hunt. _____________

Posted by: RJGatorEsq at May 18, 2007 09:20 AM (ceues)

16 LuckilyNotAmerican, Be careful what you wish for... If I take off my "Red/Blue/White lenses", I'll be able to see you for what you really are. There's no guarantee that I'll like what I see.

Posted by: Streaker at May 18, 2007 09:41 AM (/1VeP)

17 lets put up some more stats. how about the number of deployed troops to the region and the death percentage. how about the fact that we aren't fighting an organized military. when you single out numbers like you did you can twist the facts. lets get all the numbers out there.

Posted by: Tim at May 18, 2007 11:00 AM (5WoSZ)

18 Why don't we see this in the news. It's political gold!

Posted by: Uri at May 18, 2007 11:20 AM (ToS25)

19 The fact that more people died in an earlier (and arguably stupid) war doesn't make the current one any less stupid.

Posted by: Eric at May 18, 2007 11:51 AM (x75Se)

20 LickilynotAmerican, during the election in Iraq people stood in line as mortars fell to vote. That is a very powerful thing and they were willing to die for that ability. This is a process and it is one that most Iraqi's are now buying into. Al-anbar province has seen a steep decline in the violence because people have finally chosen to stand up and pick a side. I am curious in which country you live so I can get some sort of context to your point of view.

Posted by: Therapist1 at May 18, 2007 11:58 AM (AeOZo)

21 Working back up the list... Tim: Figure roughly year tours (12 for the Army, 7 for the most Marines, more Army over there). Four years. 160,000 troops(ish). So call it about 640,000 troops cycled through. 3,000 or so battle deaths... 0.4%. I dont know what the actuary tables say for that demographic. Happy now? Lucky: I think we're lucky you're not an American, too. Everybody's happy, it's just that we're not bitching to you in your home country. Angryflower: Been over there three times, heading back for a fourth. I trust that you've been to at least that many peace rallies. Or, better yet, thanked that many gold star families for their sacrifice. Not holding my breath. But I'm sure you care about the humanity. Ah, so sensitive. CCPhysicist: I didn't take your comments as particularly negative. Glad you speak to a lot of vets. Everybody fights their own war over there. I believe it's worth it, for any number of Americentric, humanistic, and realpolitik reasons. I'm baffled by the failure of folks to see the Americentric, humanistic, and realpolitik reasons for being there. Takes all kinds, but I prefer the kind that don't undermine if they can't support. Caltechgirl: Thanks for the post.

Posted by: MDC at May 18, 2007 12:01 PM (OhX3E)

22 No, MDC, Thank YOU, For your service. Be safe over there.

Posted by: caltechgirl at May 18, 2007 12:04 PM (r0kgl)

23 Anyone who supports this so called "war on terror" aka the endless war to support the military industrial complex in it quest to rule the world is completely clueless. My country has embarked on becoming an empire, but it has cost us our constitution and the values that made us a great country. These endless wars are not for anyone but the elite; this war is not fought for freedom, not democracy, or any legitimate reason at all. Wake up America; we are getting screwed along with the rest of the world. Impeach for Treason!

Posted by: Robert at May 18, 2007 12:11 PM (awWan)

24 yeah, lets support our troops. lets stick little ribbons on our gas guzzlers and wave our american flags. seriously, quit believing the neocon line of crap that says anyone who disagrees with the war is unpatriotic. you redneck f-ers are dying to go and shoot shit up anyway. Quit bitching and go kill them sand niggers. no one cares about you or them, we just care about our own miserable lives. f-you blogger assholes, enjoy being shit on... wipe. i won't be back to read you meaningless responses.

Posted by: blogcrapper at May 18, 2007 12:30 PM (rUqAM)

25 Well, blog-sis, there *IS* a downside to attention from the Puppy Blender... I know I've seen these stats somewhere before, but not on such a lovely visual aid. ;-) God bless the brave men and women over there, who have the courage and perseverance to serve our country - and who want to finish the job! -- Kat

Posted by: Kat at May 18, 2007 12:35 PM (meMqE)

26 There is no job to finish in Iraq, Mission Accomplished remember. All we are doing is buying time until we move on to the next phase of the war by illegally bombing Iran. Wake up people, this is not just, this is not moral, and this is not American. No one fighting over there is serving out country, which is a misconception. They are being taken advantage of by the elite neo-cons that have a very selfish agenda and donÂ’t care for life or liberty. They are using our honorable soldiers as pawns in a corporate war. Impeach for Treason!

Posted by: Robert at May 18, 2007 12:46 PM (awWan)

27 Hello. It's called perspective. And FWIW, my husband IS stuck over there proudly being 'taken advantage of' because as John Kerry so aptly noted, he was too stoopid to study hard and he don't read gud either so he only got a Masters degree from a very competitive skool. That durned tinfoil really hurts his head too, but he can't take it off or the mind control rays from the Pentagon just fry his 3 remaining brain cells. Waaahhhh!!!!

Posted by: Cassandra at May 18, 2007 12:57 PM (G/Ncc)

28 Luckily Lex posted you'd gotten yourself an Instalanche or I'd not have caught all this. (I read it when you first posted it.) Amazing isn't it at how times like these, the scum like 'blogcrapper' rears their ugly head and can't think of anything but vulgarity to express themselves. Their Mama must be so proud of the eloquence. How fortuitous that he/she will not be back. On the flip side, it is always good for the soul to read people like RJGatoresq. I'll be keeping his son in my thoughts in prayers as I do the rest of our men and women serving this country so honorably.

Posted by: Bou at May 18, 2007 02:05 PM (2zVEj)

29 I'd just like to point out here that the deaths of united states citizens from suicide have consistently outgrossed the deaths of united states citizens from combat etc. ir iraq as well. Therefore it seems to me that if the preservation of the lives of united states citizens and the prevention of deadly tragedies is so important to some of those posting here, shouldn't they be directing their efforts to outreach towards the suicidal? And may I suggest in specific that they focus on reforms to the family court system, in light of the strong correlation between the standard denial of equal custody to fathers and their likelihood of committing suicide? Now, I don't expect any of you to have been aware of this previously, of course, so I'm not criticizing your actions until this point. But I do expect you to change your priorities now that you do know -- because I do believe that you believe in your stated principles.

Posted by: Acksiom at May 18, 2007 02:25 PM (gfq6w)

30 It is really sad that both parties want to make this a political issue. THIS IS NOT ABOUT RIGHT OR LEFT, IT IS ABOUT RIGHT AND WRONG!.......Impeach everyone supporting this for Treason!

Posted by: Robert at May 18, 2007 02:32 PM (awWan)

31 Isn't it amazing how the worms come to the surface after a rain? Lex sent me over. God Bless our men and women in the field. A Proud Navy Mom

Posted by: babs at May 18, 2007 02:41 PM (iZZlp)

32 "Ladies and Gentlemen, the wussification of America, illustrated..." This article really made a lightbulb go off over my head. Americans shouldn't be woosies anymore! We need to double the surge, double the occupation forces to 300,000, get more troops over there to get blown up (oil is VERY expensive these days, costs money AND blood sacrifices...) Anyway, we'll simply HAVE to send more troops if we're ever going to get that wimpy death toll above the respectable 2000-per-month line, like in our good old non-wuss days of Vietnam. God bless our troops who have done practically ALL the sacrificing. If a condition for invading Iraq had been prime time TV without American Idol, America would have tarred and feathered Bush for saying go. And that's sad. Now we need to either crap or get off the pot, but unfortunately we've wasted all the toilet paper, so either way we're gonna have crap on our hands...

Posted by: JoeC at May 18, 2007 06:01 PM (qJaz7)

33 It seems that robert has his frilly panties of fascism all in a bunch. FWIW, robert I agree,We should Impeach the treasonous in the government. Let's start with Poloser and Reid and throw in JFKerry and Swim coach Kennedy. Of course the punishment of Impeachment is not strong enough, IMO we should convene a firing squad.

Posted by: unkawill at May 18, 2007 06:29 PM (YwdKL)

34 Bravo, Caltechgirl, for having the guts to speak up for common sense. To hear all these whiners on the news, you'd think the terrorists were lining our troops up against the wall and mowing them down by the thousands. My brother came back from The Land Of Very Bad Things, and he tells me, wothout the thin camouflage line, the Iraqis would be thoroughly screwed. What is very sad is, most of these soldiers think they are making a difference. The vast majority of Iraqis KNOW we are making a difference. Yet, the butt-heads that are whining on the news ever night are telling us how we are in an unwinnable war. Gee, maybe if our troops weren't so hamstrung by all the rules and regulations DC insists on piling on them, the terrorists would have packed up their Semtex and headed back to Saudia Arabia, Iran, Syria and Jordan.

Posted by: Lord Darth Beavis at May 18, 2007 11:53 PM (zAOEU)

35 Robert, "Endless wars to support the military industrial complex"? Have you forgotten about 9-11? Have you forgotten that these islamofacists have promised us "convert or die"? Have you forgotten about the millions of Iraqi's that are COUNTING on us finishing the job? Do you realise thst a withdrawl now would mean death for hundreds of thousands of Iraqis? Or are you just trotting out your tired old tripe and hoping someone as stupid as you will fall for it?

Posted by: Jim C at May 19, 2007 03:41 AM (ON55K)

36 Robert, Get over your pillow-biting, get back to work, and offer more ketchup to those in line. Study the controlled demolition of the WTC on your own time, and stop telling everyone here at work that "Bush Stole Your Dentures". Most of all, pullllease, stop playing with the tin foil. You don't need yet another hat. -SJBill

Posted by: SJBill at May 19, 2007 07:12 PM (NqlA+)

37 Wow. The freaks come out in surges, don't they? Geebus. *commence eye rolling* Thanks for posting this. And thanks to those of you who serve (or have served). You rock.

Posted by: Mia at May 21, 2007 12:24 AM (8yLzc)

38 Hey CalTech Girl. The freaks really do come out in surges don't they? The guy who has to give himself a nick 'doctor' is a hoot - he must be compensating for something. I'm GLAD to be an American and glad I can ignore most of the nonsense in the comments. Thanks for posting that CalTech Girl

Posted by: beth at May 22, 2007 06:34 PM (u79qt)

39 Wow, what a stupid chart... For every soldier dying in Iraq there are 16 wounded ones saved. In Vietnam many of them would have died of their injuries - the ratio was 3 wounded per one dead. This is no surprise, considering the advances in medical supply. Today they get a few things amputated and spend some months in the hospital but eventually they will be able to return home. So, hey, young Americans, chances are good to get out there alive! So what are you still waiting for? Join the troops! You might only be spending the next 60 years with an amputated leg, a burnt face or something worse, probably unable to live on your own.. Plus that is for an _unjustified_ war, commanded by a government that has been lying you quite a lot. Still sounds good to you? Fine with me. I guess you're too brainwashed to save yourself. Poor people..

Posted by: oh my god at May 28, 2007 10:24 AM (wyb/3)

40 On this day after Memorial Day, thank you to all the veterans who served and for all of those who gave their lives on behalf of our freedom.

Posted by: Matt Keegan at May 29, 2007 11:47 AM (qI/YT)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

The second annual Milblog conference was held today in Washington, DC.

I participated via web feed and the live chat room, and it was a privilege to interact with many of the leading voices of the Military Blog community.  The folks who participated in the chat are here.  I enjoyed speaking with all of you!

One of the highlights of today's conference was the opening address, presented via video by President George W. Bush:

Posted by: caltechgirl at 05:27 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 135 words, total size 1 kb.

The oldest living Naval veteran of WWI has made his last call.

In 1918, a young man from the Ozarks lied about his age - he was only 16 - to enlist in the Navy and "see the world." He served aboard a battleship, the USS New Hampshire. His name was Lloyd Brown, and he was our oldest living naval veteran of the First World War.

He died Thursday at age 105, survived by three daughters.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:13 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 121 words, total size 1 kb.

By now if you read any MilBloggers, you probably have heard about the "outpatient mess" at Walter Reed and all of the subsequent blame being shifted around because of it.

Blogger and Walter Reed frequent flyer CPT. Chuck Ziegenfuss has some interesting things to add to the debate:

Look at the charities who help the wounded--whether flying them or their families to hospitals, making Velcro clothes so they can dress themselves, helping to take care of the soldier's kids, getting them a drastically discounted rental vehicle so they can get from hospital to hotel and back, et cetera, et cetera, ad nauseam. Every single gap that a charity had to fill equates to a leadership failure--a failure to recognize the unique needs of the soldiers and their families. Please don't misconstrue this as my dislike of charities, the exact opposite is true, they are lifesavers. But when a wounded soldier has to rely on the sympathy and charity of others to simply live day to day, to meet his most basic needs, then the Army, and the government as a whole, has failed them.

As a leader in the Army, who has gone through this system, I SHOULDER PART OF THE BLAME FOR NOT TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I left my brothers behind, and got myself home. After recovery, I moved on to other things, even though the complaints made today are the same as they were 2 years ago. Families are in the dark, medhold is a ridiculous and poor taste joke and apparent cover-your-ass move by the chain of command. I am an officer. I am a leader. By allowing this to happen, and continue to happen, I am at fault for not getting it fixed earlier or fixing it myself.

Other people who share the blame: The soldiers and family members who didn't use normal channels, like the Inspector General, the Chain of Command, or even letters to congressmen to fix the problem. They ran to the press, and embarrassed the Army. The chain of command, and more to the point, the NCO support channel and "chain of concern." Every Sergeant from the newly-minted Corporal to the Command Sergeant Major is tasked with looking out for the health, safety, and welfare of the soldier, and advising the command on the soldier's needs. As a matter of fact the ONLY role of a Command Sergeant Major is to advise the commander on enlisted matters. Clearly, the ignorance of these issues by the chain of command indicated an extreme dereliction of duty on the part of the Non Commissioned Officer (Hey CSM: maybe if you'd spent more time with the soldiers at the Mologne house, Fisher house, and other places the wounded congregate, instead of chasing me another 25 feet up the hill to the designated smoking area; or making sure that there were plenty of signs in the right areas to tell people they couldn't smoke there.)

Maybe you, hospital commander, and all of your high-ranking staff could move your designated parking spots to the other side of post, forcing yourselves to walk up and down the hill to the Mologne house every day, through winter's ice and snow, spring's rain, and summer's heat, just like the men on prosthetic legs and wheelchairs do. (But hey, thanks bunches for the chain link handrail, it sure does come in handy when trying to pull yourself up the hill.

As a company commander, I made time to walk through my billets, and even in combat I made soldier's living conditions a priority. I agree with Dr. Harvey. The command is to blame for this. I will accept the challenge of fixing it, assuming that I receive the commensurate promotion and pay raise. It'll be fixed in 6-12 months--but I need the authority to hire and fire anyone working on Walter Reed, military and civilian, to move people and organizations as I deem necessary, and the authority top bring in other officers and soldiers who I know will get the job done. (not that it'll happen, but hey, I'd take the job in a heartbeat.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 09:38 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 712 words, total size 4 kb.

Unlike these 17 cut-and-run pussies (scroll down at link for the list).....

Posted by: caltechgirl at 09:12 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 24 words, total size 1 kb.

An Open Letter to Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi

Dear Sir and Madam:

You have said often enough that you don't believe in the war in Iraq and that you want to bring the troops home. Yet all you do is talk and sign non-binding resolutions which only goes to show that you really don't mean what you say about ending the war or that you're just playing political games and in doing so giving aid and comfort to a dedicated enemy.

Now if you're serious about ending the war you have the means and the votes to do just that. Simply cut off the funding for the troops, bring them all home and the American people can transfer the deed to this war and the ramifications of what you do to the Democrat party and you can live with the results.

You say you support the troops, but that has to be a lie. If you supported them and you truly think the war is wrong, you'd bring them home or either dispense with the poisonous rhetoric and get in behind them and help them get the job done.

You can't have it both ways. If you support the troops do something. Your party won a majority in both houses, so you have control so take the responsibility.

Of course, I think you should remember that when the terrorists follow us home from Iraq and start their attacks on American soil it's too late, so you'd better have a plan to deal with it. Do you have a plan?

And if Iran goes into Iraq and makes it a staging ground for Al Qaida to plan and carry out attacks all over the western world you'll need to deal with that. Do you have a plan?

And if Iran decides to go into Kuwait and cut off the oil flow from the Persian
Gulf, you'll need a way to make up for the shortfall. Do you have a plan?

The world would look at us as a country that has not finished a commitment to war since 1945. Do you have a plan for dealing with that?

The purpose of this letter is to call your bluff. I don't believe you have the guts to do anything but talk and talk is cheap. Oh you have no shortage of words but I seriously doubt the amount of backbone you have.

Do you really think that signing a non binding resolution is really fooling anybody into thinking you're anything less than career politicians trying to tip the scales of the O08 Presidential Election?

What you're doing is silly and dangerous. If you really don't like what's going on, chang

Pray for our troops.

What do you think?

God Bless America
Charlie Daniels
February 16, 2007

H/T Linda SoG

Posted by: caltechgirl at 04:58 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 476 words, total size 3 kb.