Stars & Stripes letters' section begins the week with Political progress in Iraq?, by a retired Chief Yeoman from Florida:
I am sick of seeing our military being used like pawns in a chess game by neoconservatives in the Bush administration. Until we have a consistent, competent and cohesive bilateral foreign policy, we will never develop a permanent solution in Iraq. President Bush has failed us.
The most current list of Stripes letters from May '07 forward and the URLS to past lists are below. Note the gap between the Nov. '06 election and Mar. '07, as the military community waited in anticipation for the Democratic party to take control of the madmen in the WH and end the deployment cycle.
They're still waiting.
Mar '07 - May '07
Sept '06 - Nov '06
Jul '06 - Sept '06
Aug. '02 - Jun '06
Political progress in Iraq?--Sept. 23, 2007
What is Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice doing to work with neighboring Middle Eastern countries with regard to Iraq? Why wasn’t she testifying along with Gen. David Petraeus (head of U.S. forces in Iraq) and Crocker?
System pushes aside vets--Sept. 20, 2007
I have worked in Pittsburgh at one of the most renowned mental health hospitals. I have predominantly worked with people whose lives had become unbearable. We often see these people as homeless and addicts. Many put their life and health on the line to defend their country but are being pushed aside when they need help. This country they defended seems to have no time or money for them now that they need their country’s help. Sounds like a rerun from Vietnam and other conflicts.
What Iraqi lawmakers missed--Sept. 11, 2007
American taxpayers forked over another $12 billion in an endless effort to bring democracy and stability to Iraq, and to rebuild its infrastructure. This while our own bridges and infrastructure were literally crumbling and while the sustainability of our own social programs are at stake because of domestic budget shortages.
Peace needs equality to last--Sept. 11, 2007
I must disagree with George Will, the columnist who wrote "How D-Day put Europe on a new path" (Sept. 2). War is never the answer. Quite the contrary, war is usually the catalyst for future conflict. Peace and equality must be the only answer.
Fed up with friendly fire--Sept. 3, 2007
In World War II there was a saying: When the British bombed, the Germans ducked; when the Germans bombed, the British ducked; when the Americans bombed, everyone ducked. I think that is relevant even today.
Bring ‘poor Romney sons home’--Aug. 24, 2007
My heart was breaking when I heard of Mitt Romney’s five sons having to serve their country by not serving in the military, but rather by having to drive around Iowa in a luxury bus campaigning for their father. Their heroism is just overwhelming.
Coulter lowers the bar--Aug. 22, 2007
Coulter is rude, not witty. Saying she wishes someone would die in a terrorist attack degrades discourse. As a country of Christians, why it is acceptable to call people "harpies" instead of addressing their politics?
Benefits of immigrant labor--Aug. 14, 2007
We make ourselves and others demonstrably poorer by attempting to keep those willing to contribute to our society on the opposite side of an imaginary line that bears no economic or moral significance.
Don't hide Tillman facts--Aug. 11, 2007
If this is your basic "friendly" fire incident, why withhold requested information from a case that’s been riddled with gross negligence in the initial investigations, failures to follow regulations, misinformation, misleads and inaccuracies, as characterized in the Department of Defense inspector general’s review?
Don't support dictatorships--Aug. 11, 2007
Some "experts" say that this advanced weapons deal will be a good counter to Iran. I wonder if these are the same experts who said that supporting Saddam Hussein would be a good counter to Iran. Look at how that turned out.
View of camp is hypocritical--Aug. 6, 2007
As far as our nation being founded "under God, upon Christian principles and values": Yes, the majority of our Founding Fathers were Christians but, in their great wisdom, they recognized that religion has no place in government.
Our country's values--Aug. 2, 2007
Indeed our country was founded by Christians, but not upon Christian values and principles, but on values and principles that were written to encompass all religions and to incorporate all beliefs and individuals alike. America was not founded under God, it was founded to give everyone the opportunity to worship any god or lack thereof that an individual chose.
Read the Constitution--July 31, 2007
Atheists come from every walk of life and many are educated about several faiths. As a child I was fortunate enough to be allowed to attend many churches. By the third grade I knew there was no God, and still educated myself by attending a variety of services.
Religions' 'dangerous attitude'--July 31, 2007
The writer of "Why they’re so vocal" (letter, July 23) clearly states his frighteningly naive and dangerous slogans and dogma when he states "the holy Bible, which is the one true religious doctrine" and "must also zealously attempt to ‘save’ everyone" who is not Roman Catholic. I hope I am not the only thinking person in the world who recognizes this dangerous attitude by many religions as the reason why we have jihads, inquisitions, witch hunts, holocausts and crusades, and the leading reasons for war, genocide and the intentional causing of harm since man received language that could conceive of abstract concepts.
Illegals fill much-needed jobs--July 27, 2007
President Bush promised to add 10,000 more border agents starting in 2006. However, in truth, his 2006 budget only provided enough money for 210 agents. So, who’s really to blame for the increase of illegal aliens? Big business for wanting to keep prices down by hiring cheap labor? Consumers demanding cheaper goods? American workers demanding higher wages for unglamorous jobs? Or the president for not living up to his promise?
US is not too crowded--Jul 25, 2007
If the writer still believes the U.S. is crowded, I suggest he get out a bit more. Also, does he not consider that the pilgrims who landed a few hundred years ago were illegal immigrants as far as the American Indians were concerned? Three words spring to mind: pot, kettle, black.
Other theories of origin--Jul 23, 2007
In a letter to the editor questioning the American Civil Liberties Union and the teaching of evolution in classrooms ("Would ACLU defend teacher?" July 11), the writer states that "the opposite view of evolution is creationism as contained in the Bible." I imagine this would come as quite a surprise to the approximately 6 billion people on Earth who are not Christian and therefore do not believe the biblical creation myth.
Troops bear bulk of war effort--Jul 19, 2007
The report on the mixed progress in Iraq is a stark reminder of the sacrifices that our military’s courageous men and women are giving in support of our country. Unfortunately, a sad truth that no one in our government will admit is that these lives are wasted in a large part to the failed policies of the neoconservatives who have orchestrated this war.
Defense of Bush doesn't work--Jul 17, 2007
Al-Qaida had no presence in Iraq before we invaded. Hamas was based in the Gaza Strip and Palestine before our invasion. Where’s the disconnect for the author in recognizing our actions and their consequences in regard to the lack of stability we have fomented, allowing for such terrorist groups to gain footholds all over the nation, and beyond?
Coulter's hate not needed--Jul 16, 2007
I read Stars and Stripes cover to cover, including her column. I do so for the shock value. It is like watching NASCAR and waiting for the inevitable wreck. From 9/11 widows to Cindy Sheehan to anyone she deems a "liberal," Coulter smears, denounces and resorts to such schoolyard bullying tactics as name-calling to try to make a point. She has proved herself irrelevant in the pressing topics of today.
Coulter's language over the top--Jul 12, 2007
I find it totally offensive for a woman to describe female Latin American immigrants, legal or illegal, as not having the incentive to "keep their knees together before marriage."
Make one year mean one year--Jul 6, 2007
I read an article about how servicemember divorces are at a low. Those must be the couples who actually elected to be part of the official statistics. I know most spouses are getting tired of not having their loved ones home; they would like their loved ones to be home for a birthday, anniversary, holiday. Soldiers are missing births and much-needed time with family. If soldiers are able to spend more time home, then they will be able to perform their missions better and not follow a trend reported in a recent article I read, which is that many servicemembers are getting out of the military and warning friends and family to avoid signing up.
Give company full dwell time--Jul 6, 2007
I must say that I am outraged at this particular incident. I am currently deployed, and my unit has also suffered a three-month extension. Isn’t that why everyone was extended in the first place, to avoid units having to deploy early without their well-deserved 12 months home?
Final straw on Coulter--Jul 6, 2007
What I cannot stand is the columns by Ann Coulter. She represents the cold, bitter America we saw during the Red Scare. She does not represent the views of the majority of our servicemembers.
We can't ignore war deaths--Jul 5, 2007
It seems shocking to the letter writer that a newspaper would report the deaths of servicemembers in Iraq on the front page. Perhaps he wishes to relegate the deaths of these fine men and women to the back pages somewhere in fine print, or not at all? Perhaps we should just ignore any such deaths, and forget that they existed, and that everything is peachy despite the realities of war?
Airman a hero, not a celebrity--Jul 3, 2007
I never met Nathan (I am on many current and former Air Force cops’ e-mail lists) but when I got the e-mail of his death I thought I was going to cry. I am not happy with the way my Air Force is using air groundsmen in this war. We do not have the combat training to be infantry, yet the Department of Defense uses airmen in combat areas they were never intended to be deployed to.
Pagans are good people--Jul 3, 2007
The problem with discrimination is that the people who practice it do not recognize it as such. The June 15 letter "Pagans don’t belong in chapel" reeks with prejudice and discrimination.
ACLU isn't 'godless'--Jun 29, 2007
Despite what the writer of "ACLU an oxymoron" (letter, June 7) may think, the American Civil Liberties Union has always fought for, and continues to fight for, First Amendment rights for every citizen.
Bush cues the amen chorus--Jun 27, 2007
Recognizing Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ concoction to nominate a Navy admiral, one who was not part of the initial planning of the war and someone who can conveniently play the amnesia game, is only the first step in a number of bureaucratic moves to support President Bush and our occupancy in Iraq. Call me speculative, but Adm. Michael Mullen will start his reign with an "assessment" of the situation (because as a Navy admiral, he doesn’t know what’s going on). Mind you, Lt. Gen. David Petraeus, war czar Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute and Gates have all conducted their own little "assessments" upon taking command, all of which have resulted in more troops, more time and more money.
ACLU does good work--Jun 15, 2007
The ACLU isn’t trying to "impose [its] Godless beliefs" on anyone, it’s trying to prevent religious fundamentalists from turning the USA from the beacon of democracy it is to the Christian version of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Liberals just want to be heard--Jun 11, 2007
Our poor soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen are suffering because of the president’s ineptness in dealing with the facts: 1) There weren’t weapons of mass destruction and 2) Saddam Hussein had better control of Iraq than we do and should have been left alone but closely monitored — a cheaper and more effective means of control than the billions of dollars we have squandered so far in the Middle East.
Minority should keep quiet?--Jun 7, 2007
I’m sure the opponents of the Civil Rights movement would have agreed wholeheartedly with him; the majority rules, everyone else be quiet and like it. You took an oath to support and defend the Constitution, I suggest he take some time to reflect on what that really means.
History will deterimine legacies (Carter v. Bush)--June 7, 2007
The letter is just more typical idiosyncratic whining from those who, being stubbornly polarized to one side of the political spectrum, can’t take criticism (a.k.a "free speech"). They try to silence the criticism with calls of "traitor," "treason" and "anti-American." It is increasingly tired and inept. Concerning the captain’s worry about dignity in presidential retirement: History will determine the legacies of these two presidents. I will keep to myself whom my bet is on.
Innocent until proven guilty--Jun 7, 2007
People have rights and we have the obligation to give them those rights, no matter what country they are from. Innocent until proven guilty!
Carter speaks the truth--Jun 6, 2007
Carter is saying what we soldiers have been saying these past five years. Sen. John Kerry’s words could not have been truer when he said that if you don’t get a good education, you will be "stuck in Iraq." This is my fourth deployment and I have not met one soldier who thinks we should be, or even wants to be, in Iraq. I just wish more of our leaders would stand up and hold their ground to those neoconservatives in Washington.
'Don't reenlist' not an option--May 25, 2007
To the writer of "Just don’t re-enlist," (letter, May 16): Thousands of soldiers, myself included, didn’t re-enlist. We were forced back in after our expiration of term of service. While we understood when we ETSed that we could be recalled for "national emergency," we don’t feel Iraq qualifies. While I appreciate your viewpoint, you should know that thousands of soldiers did just what you suggested when they decided the military was not the right place for them to remain. And regardless, we are still here.
Think for yourself--May 18, 2007
I don’t know why we are here; I speculate it’s about money and world trade, because it sure isn’t about "winning hearts and minds." If it was, then why wouldn’t we fix our own government first? Our president lied to the American people numerous times. If people are brainwashed into thinking that the president is actually helping the world, I suggest they stop pretending and start thinking for themselves.
Draft is not the answer--May 17, 2007
In my 12 years of marriage, I have been away from my wife for more than half of that. I still have four years remaining in the Army and I will most likely be deployed two more times. But I am not going to say we need a draft because it would not help one bit.