http://www.citizensugar.com/ Breaking News, Together. en http://www.citizensugar.com/2538303 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/48_2008/b1dbad041796e4f5_sfsand1.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="240" width="320"></span>War isn't all fun and games, but that doesn't mean video games can't help train soldiers for combat. Over the next five years the US Army <a href="http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/scitech/2008/11/25/D94M6B980_tec_techbit_army_games/index.html" target="_blank">will spend as much as $50 million</a> to purchase a commercial video game called <b>Game After Ambush</b>, with plans to modify scenarios and missions. The money will also go toward researching new gaming technologies adaptable to training.</p> <p>The military and video games aren't joining forces for the first time. Developed in 2002, <a href="http://www.americasarmy.com/" target="_blank">America's Army</a>, a recruitment tool, "provides young Americans with a virtual web-based environment in which they can explore an Army career." In a Philadelphia mall, a $12 million and <a href="http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/09/02/12072-army-experience-center-opens-in-philadelphia/" target="_blank">14,500 square foot gaming center</a> features a command-and-control center along with other simulations.</p> <p>The Army also uses gaming to confront problems off the battlefield. With many soldiers avoiding treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1648280" >a customized version of the best-selling video game Full Spectrum Warrior</a> has become a promising treatment option. The virtual Iraq game exposes a patient to the source of trauma over and over until the event or situation no longer triggers fear.</p> <p>Are you surprised the US Army turns to video games for its recruitment, training, and post-war treatment needs?</p> <p><a href="http://www.americasarmy.com/media/index.php?type=mission" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2538303#comment Headline Military Video Games Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:00:48 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2538303 http://www.citizensugar.com/2524947 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/2/22911/47_2008/43aa1e45a578a669_obama.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarger" height="400" width="267"></span>This week word broke that the <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/21/obama-to-delay-repeal-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/" target="_blank">president-elect will not move for months, and perhaps not until 2010</a> to ask Congress to end the military's longstanding ban on open homosexuals in the service.</p> <p>Throughout his campaign Barack Obama said he would <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1541526" >repeal the ban on open gays in the military</a>, but when selecting his joint chiefs of staff, he wouldn't require that they share his position on the policy. In a September interview, Obama said <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2033190" >he wouldn't try to repeal the 1993 policy regarding gay service members on his own</a> and that he hoped to ensure that when "we revert 'don't ask, don't tell,' it's gone through a process and we've built a consensus."</p> <p>Advisers are now saying Obama wants to work with the joint chiefs of staff and his new political appointees at the Pentagon to reach a consensus and then present legislation to Congress. </p> <p>"Don't ask, don't tell" <a href="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1707545,00.html" href=<a target="_blank"> prohibits gay military personnel</a> from disclosing their sexual orientation because anyone that "demonstrates a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts would create an <a href="http://web.mit.edu/committees/rotc/code.html" target="_blank">unacceptable risk</a> to standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion." </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2524947#comment Barack Obama Don't Ask Don't Tell Homosexuality Military Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:00:58 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2524947 http://www.citizensugar.com/2510161 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/2/22911/47_2008/0e47742989e6d0bc_GUlt-War.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left outline xlarger" height="400" width="265"></span>A report released yesterday says <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081117/ts_nm/us_usa_health_gulfwar;_ylt=AinaFg0NSOVIosg4f9CD3Fys0NUE" target="_blank">Gulf War syndrome is a legitimate illness</a> suffered by more than 175,000 veterans who were exposed to chemical toxins in the 1991 Gulf War.</p> <p>The report, which was mandated by Congress, aims to help veterans who have battled the government for treatment of unexplained illnesses — from brain cancer to multiple sclerosis. Earlier studies suggested it was not a distinct illness from the so-called shell shock experienced after combat. </p> <p>Gulf War illness affects at least one-fourth of the 700,000 US troops who served in the 1991 effort to drive Iraq out of Kuwait, or between 175,000 and 210,000 veterans in all, <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081117/ts_nm/us_usa_health_gulfwar;_ylt=AinaFg0NSOVIosg4f9CD3Fys0NUE" target="_blank">according to the study</a>. </p> <p>Symptoms of Gulf War illness include headaches, widespread pain, cognitive difficulties, unexplained fatigue, skin rashes, chronic diarrhea and digestive and respiratory problems. Do you think putting a name on the illness will help veterans gain better medical attention and support? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2510161#comment Gulf War Military study Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:02:48 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2510161 http://www.citizensugar.com/2501791 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/2/22911/46_2008/aeee04368c30478e_female.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarger" height="399" width="300"></span>Ann E. Dunwoody became the <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081114/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/female_general;_ylt=AoH2mK4PTL790v4o5qv5o4es0NUE" target="_blank">first woman ever to achieve the rank of four-star general in the US Army</a> on Friday, after 33 years of service. At the ceremony Dunwoody, 55, said she is shocked to make history in a male-dominated military. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081114/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/female_general;_ylt=AoH2mK4PTL790v4o5qv5o4es0NUE" target="_blank">She said</a>: </p> <blockquote><p>"Thirty-three years after I took the oath as a second lieutenant, I have to tell you this is not exactly how I envisioned my life unfolding. Even as a young kid, all I ever wanted to do was teach physical education and raise a family. It was clear to me that my Army experience was just going to be a two-year detour en route to my fitness profession. So when asked, 'Ann, did you ever think you were going to be a general officer, to say nothing about a four-star?' I say, 'Not in my wildest dreams.'"</p></blockquote> <p>To watch a clip of her touching acceptance speech, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2501791">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2501791#comment Ann E. Dunwoody Military Women Sat, 15 Nov 2008 09:00:43 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2501791 http://www.citizensugar.com/2486752 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/46_2008/00da835808cbe944_Veterans-Day.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarger" height="380" width="280"></span>Nations around the world celebrate the brave men and women who served their countries. In America, today marks Veterans Day.</p> <p>Stories about Americans working to honor veterans by improving their quality of life have special resonance today. Homes For Troops <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2335854" >provides specially adapted homes for those wounded in combat</a>, free of charge. And one New York farm offers horseback riding as <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1823710" > a form of therapy to veterans suffering from mental and emotional wounds</a> like <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tags/ptsd" >post-traumatic stress disorder</a>. </p> <p>Whether or not you have any veterans in your life to thank today, take this quiz to find out how much you know about the origin of Veterans Day! </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2486752">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2486752#comment Military Quiz Nation Veterans Day Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:30:14 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2486752 http://www.citizensugar.com/2481275 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/2/22911/45_2008/3a05559ca6f81637_kissing_the_war_goodbye.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarger" height="400" width="267"></span>A 90-year-old woman who claims to be the young nurse in the iconic "<a href="http://hollywoodgallery.stores.yahoo.net/kiwargo.html" target="_blank">Kissing the War Goodbye</a>" photo from WWII <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081110/ap_on_re_us/wwii_photo;_ylt=AgUvEvQKa9fjZiBRDMOgRbWs0NUE" target="_blank">fell into the arms of another charming young Navy man</a> this weekend. </p> <p>Edith Shain, who lives in Los Angeles, posed for photos in her token nurse's uniform and tights — just like the outfit she wore in 1945 — before going to see a revival of <b>South Pacific</b>. She will serve as grand marshal of NYC's Veterans Day parade today and ride a float with a group of veterans.</p> <p>On Aug. 15, 1945 Shain joined thousands of people celebrating in Times Square after Japan surrendered. She says a sailor suddenly grabbed and kissed her — the precise moment a <b>Life</b> magazine photographer caught it on film. The photographer didn't get the name of the kissing couple so years later <b>Life</b> went on a quest to find them and ended up with a bunch of claimants. At least three veterans say they are the strong sailor, and at least one other woman has claimed to be the nurse. But Shain remains convinced she is the gal. To see what she says of the day and photo, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2481275">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2481275#comment Edith Shain Kissing the War Goodbye Military navy Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:01:00 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2481275 http://www.citizensugar.com/2475024 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/45_2008/ad035c909d0d609e_82189651.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarger" height="400" width="278"></span>An Army career counselor appears to have used Barack Obama's election as tool to persuade former soldiers to rejoin. In <a href="http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2148" target="_blank">an alleged email to an Iraq veteran</a> (with the subject line "New Commander in Chief") the recruiter wrote: "A President Elect who says he'll get us out of Iraq. What are you waiting for?" </p> <p>The appeal, made while Bush remains commander-in-chief, could be seen as a confession of disapproval for the Bush Administration's war policy.</p> <p>Even if this isn't official US Army policy to use the exit of George W. Bush as an enlisting device, do you think a new president with a drastically different military policy could help boost recruitment? <br clear = all></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2475024#comment Barack Obama George W Bush Iraq Military Sat, 08 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2475024 http://www.citizensugar.com/2431168 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/44_2008/d4fc3889c60c2f55_82754658.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarger" height="400" width="279"></span>After watching the documentary <b>Hacking Democracy</b> last night on HBO, the business of counting votes was very much on my mind today (if you're at all curious about electronic voting and accuracy, watch it. It's <a href="http://www.hbo.com/apps/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_DETAIL=DETAIL&amp;FOCUS_ID=633258" target="_blank">repeating a lot</a> this month.) This story of counting trouble is hopefully resolved. </p> <p>In Virginia, the attorney general has just ruled that absentee ballots filled out by members of the armed forces <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/27/AR2008102702830.html?sub=AR" target="_blank">must be counted</a>. This ruling comes after Fairfax county began <a href="http://www.stoptheaclu.com/archives/2008/10/25/virginia-officials-illegally-discard-military-votes-allow-out-of-state-votes/" target="_blank">rejecting overseas ballots</a> for a technicality. Though all votes count, those who can't be here in person to vote because they're serving, that's a vote to count for sure. </p> <p>Troops may be voting, but veterans are volunteering for both campaigns. To see they're stories, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2431168">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2431168#comment 2008 Presidential Election Headline Military Voting Bloc Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:15:45 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2431168 http://www.citizensugar.com/2426142 <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2426131?page=0,0,0" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/44_2008/32e653b17ea8cae2_Syria-Raid.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="234" width="320"></a></span>Tensions are boiling in the Middle East after a US Special Operations mission took place inside Syria along its border with Iraq. On Sunday, reports broke that US helicopters, coming from Iraq, entered Syrian airspace to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2008/oct/27/syria-usa" target="_blank">attack civilian buildings</a>, killing eight people. The US confirmed the operation, without giving any details. </p> <p>Now, Syria and Iran are speaking out against the "war crime." Iran's Foreign Ministry <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/world/middleeast/28syria.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=" target="_blank">spokesman said</a>: "Iran condemns in strongest terms any form of aggression or violation of the states’ territorial integrity, which leads to the death of innocent civilians." And as for Syria itself, the foreign minister <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7693583.stm" target="_blank">spoke out today saying</a>:<br /> <blockquote>We consider this criminal and terrorist aggression. We put the responsibility on the American government. Killing civilians in international law means a terrorist aggression.</p></blockquote> <p>While the Europeans move toward warmer relations with Syria, the Bush Administration has contended for some time that the Syrians must do more to control the movement of insurgents along the border. The details behind the hit are still unclear, but <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7692263.stm" target="_blank">some suspect Bush took a parting shot</a> at what he deems an uncooperative country with ties too close to Iran. </p> <p><p><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-26240 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#ff3399'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 active" href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2426131?page=0,0,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/44_2008/83449306.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" height="100" width="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-91735 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#ff3399'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2426131?page=0,1,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/44_2008/83449587.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" height="100" width="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-33857 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#ff3399'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2426131?page=0,2,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/44_2008/83449632.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" height="100" width="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-8330 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#ff3399'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2426131?page=0,3,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/44_2008/83449647.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" height="100" width="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-90345 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#ff3399'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2426131?page=0,4,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/44_2008/83450033.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" height="100" width="100" /></a></div></div></div></p><br clear="all"></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2426142#comment Headline Iran Middle East Military Syria Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:01:47 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2426142 http://www.citizensugar.com/2424288 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/43_2008/8b26b64a12a437ee_82654489.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="320" width="213"></span>Twitter could be a tool of terrorists, according to the Military Intelligence Battalion, a part of the military that studies emerging technology's capacity to help militants. The <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=081025182242.js2g2op8&amp;show_article=1" target="_blank">intelligence study noted</a> that activists (not quite terrorists) at the Republican National Convention used Twitter to pass on information about police whereabouts during protests this Summer. The report also states:<br /> <blockquote>Twitter has also become a social activism tool for socialists, human rights groups, communists, vegetarians, anarchists, religious communities, atheists, political enthusiasts, hacktivists and others to communicate with each other and to send messages to broader audiences.</p></blockquote> <p>The military report goes on to imagine different scenarios in which extremists could combine Twitter with Google Maps, and cell phone images in their quest to execute attacks. While it's crucial for law enforcement and the military to stay informed about the latest communication technology, let's hope there isn't a crack down on vegetarian tweets!</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2424288#comment Headline Military Technology Twitter Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:00:05 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2424288 http://www.citizensugar.com/2405139 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/43_2008/4c4cfcc5ec3fefa5_Picture_2.png" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarge" height="320" width="256"></span>This piece in the <b>National Review</b> this morning struck me deep down. Amid the rallies of thousands, and the ads and jabs and attacks of the waning days of the campaign, this story is what I want to remember most. It honestly doesn't require any embellishment — I'll let <a href="http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MzYxMWRkMzcwZTI1YTlhOTNkNjA2Y2MyNWMyY2JkYmE=" target="_blank">the Marine Sergeant's</a> words speak for themselves. “I just gave John McCain my Purple Heart. I said, ‘I want to give this to you, sir, as a reminder that we want you to keep your promise to bring us home in victory and honor, so it will mean something." </p> <p>The Marine Sgt. is Jack Eubanks, a 22-year-old was wounded in badly in Iraq in 2005 and fought 11 months of recuperation before volunteering to go back in 2007. He was wounded again in a similar way and now walks with a cane as he teaches Marine recruits at Quantico. </p> <p>Eubanks says he saw huge progress in Iraq between his two tours, and he gave McCain his purple heart so that he might have it as a remembrance of the wishes of one Marine close to his heart. He said he's very anxious of Obama's plan for Iraq. “I think Obama’s just going to pull everyone home as soon as he can, despite what’s going on over there. I just don’t want it to turn into another Vietnam or worse where everything we fought for, and all my buddies who died over there, it was just for nothing.” </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2405139#comment 2008 Presidential Election John McCain Military Purple Heart Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:15:02 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2405139 http://www.citizensugar.com/2397746 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/43_2008/d0abc432c6e1868e_British-Army-Wives.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="200" width="300"></span>The British Army has sponsored a "take your spouse to work day," in hopes of keeping morale up among Army families. Nineteen women and 34 children <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7682345.stm" target="_blank">joined up for a camping trip</a> filled with activities mirroring the life of members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The exercise was intended to teach Army WHAGS (Wives Husbands and Girlfriends) what their loved ones go through in the field. </p> <p>In today's BBC, one Army wife participant <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7682345.stm" target="_blank">shared what she learned</a>. </p> <ul> <li><b>On the drills</b>: RSM Williams calls Sergeant Keith Heslop to take us through basic drill. The usual comedy routines ensue, but it's a surprisingly stark lesson in how disciplined and tiring drill is. <li><b>On army food</b>: To eat we have a 24-hour ration pack, including silver pouches with labels such as "nonmeat mini burger and beans" and two Yorkie bars emblazoned with "not for civvies." There is also a "brew pack" of tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. We quickly become obsessed with food — when you don't have a lot, it means a lot.</li> </ul> <p>To see what she has to say about the harsh conditions, and her comrades, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2397746">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2397746#comment Camping Headline Military United Kingdom Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2397746 http://www.citizensugar.com/2394757 <p>After months of back-and-forth between Baghdad and the Bush Administration, the Iraqi government has <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSLL41745220081021?pageNumber=1&amp;virtualBrandChannel=0" target="_blank">demanded a reworking of the security agreement</a>. A pact must be forged before the end of the year, when Bush leaves office, but more importantly when the UN mandate authorizing the US mission ends.<br /> <span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2394718?page=0,0,0" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/43_2008/6cd1a1c232f6278a_83336853.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="343" width="550"></a></span><br /> The draft, which has now been rejected, would have required the US out of Iraq by 2011, unless invited to stay by Iraq. The general idea of an agreement does not appear threatened, but influential Iraqi leaders have not accepted specific provisions. The draft <a href="http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=37617" target="_blank">permits the trial in Iraqi court</a> of US troops, accused of serious crimes while off duty. But the nature of that concession is not satisfactory, such as the legal mechanism for trying US troops. Last weekend, Shiite demonstrators protested the proposal to give the US long-term authority to stay in Iraq. </p> <p><p><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-79298 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#ff3399'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 active" href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2394718?page=0,0,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/43_2008/83336808.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" height="100" width="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-62346 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#ff3399'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2394718?page=0,1,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/43_2008/83336853.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" height="100" width="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-31149 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#ff3399'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2394718?page=0,2,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/43_2008/83336884.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" height="100" width="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-28479 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#ff3399'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2394718?page=0,3,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/43_2008/83336925.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" height="100" width="100" /></a></div></div></div></p><br clear="all"></p> <p>As for getting the US on board, President Bush won't seek Congress's legal approval, but has briefed members, including John McCain and Barack Obama, in hopes of garnering political support. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2394757#comment George W Bush Headline Iraq Military Shiite Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:01 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2394757 http://www.citizensugar.com/2391059 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/43_2008/974b8c6745b007d0_UFOs.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="210" width="320"></span>In 1991, an airplane, headed for Heathrow, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7679145.stm" target="_blank">encountered a UFO</a>, according to records of the UK Ministry of Defense. The commercial jet passed a brown missile-shaped object, causing the pilot to shout "Look out!" </p> <p>Britain's National Archives has put 1,500 pages of UFO-related <a href="http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/" target="_blank">documents online</a>. A new set of records, including witness accounts and sketches, is the latest installment of the four year program. In total, 160 UFO incidents will be made available to the public. </p> <p>Another revelation? During the Cold War, a US fighter pilot leaving an English air base <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-EU-Britain-UFO-Files.html" target="_blank">was ordered to open fire on a UFO</a> above the North Sea. According to reports, the object gained speed and disappeared. Yesterday, Retired US airman Milton Torres said he was the pilot, and has spent 50 years trying to find out what happened that day.</p> <p>Do you think governments try to hide evidence of extraterrestrial life from the public?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2391059#comment Headline Military Space United Kingdom Tue, 21 Oct 2008 03:00:33 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2391059 http://www.citizensugar.com/2359794 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-2359794"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/2359794',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-2359794');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/42_2008/82551340.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarge" height="209" width="320"></span>While neither candidate is anticipating reviving a draft any time soon, they disagree on one key component: whether to require women to register for Selective Service. Obama <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08287/919582-470.stm?cmpid=elections.xml" target="_blank">supports a requirement for both men and women</a> to register for the draft while McCain doesn't. The Selective Service system was revived by Jimmy Carter in 1980 to require all men between the ages of 18 and 25 to register, just in case a massive expansion of the military is necessary. </p> <p>Keeping women out of the Selective Service has long been controversial among women's rights groups as well as men who've faced penalties for not registering. While Congress and the Supreme Court have exempted women using the military's combat rules, Obama's national security spokeswoman says, "Women are already serving in combat [in Iraq and Afghanistan] and the current policy should be updated to reflect realities on the ground. Barack Obama would consult with military commanders to review the constraints that remain." </p> <p>McCain is in favor of the current Department of Defense restrictions on women in combat units. A campaign spokesman says of his position on the Selective Service, "Sen. McCain strongly believes that an all-volunteer force is preferable to a conscripted force. The tools available to recruiters have historically enabled the all-volunteer force to attract sufficient numbers of qualified recruits."</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/2359794" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Candidates Differ on Drafting Women — Where Do You Stand?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> I'm all for women being required to register. It's both fair and progressive. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> I think an examination of combat roles is OK, but women shouldn't be drafted.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> No way. Combat roles and registering for the draft are inappropriate for women.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Other. I'll tell you what I think in the comments.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="2359794" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.citizensugar.com/2359794#comment 2008 Presidential Election Citizen Poll Draft Military Women Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:00:21 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2359794 http://www.citizensugar.com/2340497 <p>A rogue Russian nuclear scientist working with a Middle Eastern government to develop a nuclear weapon sounds like a plot from <b>24</b>, but it could be reality. The <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/world/10nuke.html?ref=europe<br /> ">New York Times reports</a> that inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency are investigating allegations that a Russian nuclear scientist helped Iran conduct complex experiments, in order to help Iran eventually detonate a nuclear weapon. The agency believes that the scientist was not working on behalf of the Russian government.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/41_2008/73849900.xxlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center xxlarge" height="334" width="500"></span><br /> European and American officials say the new document allegedly showing the Russian's assistance adds to existing evidence that Iran has conducted nuclear experiments. Iran says the document is a forgery, and that it has not conducted experiments related to nuclear weapons. </p> <p>After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russians got paid to assist Iran in building atomic weapons. Hopefully countries with nuclear weapons can find effective ways of securing valuable and dangerous information held inside the minds of scientists. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2340497#comment Iran Military Russia Sat, 11 Oct 2008 07:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2340497 http://www.citizensugar.com/2335854 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/41_2008/Injured-vet.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarger" height="400" width="240"></span>Today's <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/09/garden/09vets.html?pagewanted=1&amp;8dpc" target="_blank">New York Times discussed</a> a different sort of housing crisis that US troops returning from the battle field severely injured face. Service members with permanent disabilities struggle to live independent and dignified lives with the constraints of typical homes.</p> <p>I checked out <a href="http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/PageServer" target="_blank">Homes For Our Troops</a>, a group mentioned in the article. The nonprofit provides specially adapted homes for those wounded in combat, free of charge. For a quadriplegic vet, the group built a home that provides maximum independence, with a computer that adjusts lights, temperature, and doors. For one army specialist who lost both his legs in Iraq after a rocket blast, Homes For Our Troops is working to raise money, materials, and labor to build him a home with a kitchen that allows him to cook without burning his arms. </p> <p>The Department of Veterans Affairs offers permanent and disabled veterans up to $60,000 to renovate their homes. Home For Our Troops spends an average of $250,000 on each project. Five hundred vets from Iraq and Afghanistan qualify for the public grant, and so far 95 have been approved for some or all of the money, while 350 have not yet applied. Should the basic quality of life for disabled veterans be left to private charities, or covered by the government? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2335854#comment Headline Homes for Our Troops Iraq Military Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2335854 http://www.citizensugar.com/2038480 <p>The President of the United States might be commander in chief of the US armed forces, but not every President had previous training for the position. Find out how much you know about Presidents' (and presidential candidates') military resumes. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/2669479.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" width="550" height="425"></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2038480">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2038480#comment Military Quiz Nation Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:00:29 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2038480 http://www.citizensugar.com/2248718 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/2/22911/40_2008/army-family.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="292" width="340"></span>The Army and Marine Corps gave out nearly $640 million in the fiscal year that ended last week to entice recruits to join up, according to <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jGqkVjgOw8nOOgvDqpNAlfqXIF_gD93IVDPG0" target="_blank">the Associated Press</a>. That money has proved to be an effective recruiting tool — the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force all met their recruiting goals for the year. </p> <p>Many recruits receive incentives that can be as high as $40,000 each and the agreement of thousands more for education. </p> <blockquote><p> "This money helps create excitement for the all-volunteer force," said Army spokesman Paul Boyce. "We recruit not only the soldier but his or her family, and this money is important to them."</p></blockquote> <p>The Army and Marine Corps allocated about $500 million in bonuses and college fund payments in fiscal year 2007, compared to this year's total of almost $640 million, according to the AP. Recruits customarily get a portion of the bonus when they report for training, and get remaining payments when they report for duty or when they hit specific service dates.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2248718#comment Economy Military Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:00:25 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2248718 http://www.citizensugar.com/2252251 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/40_2008/83123690.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarger" height="400" width="270"></span>Before September 11th, 2001, American military strategy in Africa was little more than a cursory investment to buffer its interests against those of the Soviet Union, then Russia, China, and the Middle East governments. Now the Pentagon is taking a new approach to the African continent, one that may be especially welcome.</p> <p>Part of the new strategy is to create a new regional headquarters called “Africa Command” <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/world/africa/05command.html?ref=world" target="_blank">responsible for coordinating American military projects</a> on that continent. The idea is that the Pentagon will forge a “civilian-military partnership” in which the Defense Department will work with the State Department and Agency for International Development and the host nation’s security and development agencies as well. They hope to assign military personnel to train local anti-terrorism forces, dig wells, build sewers, and assist with inoculations of the local citizenry.</p> <p>Not everyone is excited about the development. To see why, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2252251">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2252251#comment Africa Headline Military Pentagon Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:40 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2252251 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2182923 <p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/03/bidens-son-deploys-to-ira_n_131667.html" target="_blank">Biden's Son Deploys to Iraq, Joe Sends Off Troops</a> Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden told his son and other Delaware National Guardsmen "my heart is full of love and pride" as their unit prepared Friday to leave for an assignment in Iraq. At a farewell ceremony outside the state capitol, Biden told the assembled members of 261st Signal Brigade that "we take comfort in the knowledge that you are the best prepared citizen soldiers" the nation has ever sent into harm's way.</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2182923#comment aside Joe Biden Military Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:25:16 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2182923 http://www.citizensugar.com/2095503 <p>Last week I had a chance to see Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen give a lecture as part of the George Shultz lecture series and I have to say, I was impressed with his calm pragmatism in the face of the shifting military challenges from Iraq to Afghanistan and especially along the country's border with Pakistan. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/39_2008/82786453.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="352" width="550"></span></p> <p>The other thing that caught my attention, was the grasp he had on the cold, hard figures of the truth of military service, numbers they're struggling with. For instance, 150,000 veterans are currently homeless, a number of which Adm. Mullen says, "One is too many." The other number I feel utterly compelled to pay respect to: the number of servicemen and women killed while serving. </p> <p>All of these figures are available in the <a href="http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32492.pdf" target="_blank">CRS Report for Congress</a> (PDF), American War and Military Operations Casualties: Lists and Statistics. The report covers every war from the War of 1812 through Operation Iraqi Freedom. On the more recent conflicts, starting with the Korean War, more demographic details are included too. To see the sobering, yet surprising breakdown of casualties by year, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2095503">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2095503#comment Headline Military Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:00:33 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2095503 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2078571 <p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/24/pentagon-budget-hits-new_n_128944.html" target="_blank">Pentagon Budget Hits New Record</a> The House on Wednesday took up a $630 billion-plus spending bill awarding the Pentagon a record budget while giving generous help to US automakers and victims of hurricanes and floods. The year-end budget measure also would lift a quarter-century ban on oil drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and is flying under the political radar compared with a hugely controversial White House plan to bail out Wall Street.</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2078571#comment aside Economy Military Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:07:50 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2078571 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2037060 <p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/18/soldier-gets-seven-month_n_127499.html" target="_blank">Soldier Gets Seven-Month Sentence in Iraq Murder Case</a> A US soldier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder and was sentenced to seven months in prison Thursday in the <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1898744" >deaths of four Iraqis</a>. The relatively lenient sentence for Spc. Belmor Ramos was part of a deal that will see him testify against others alleged to have been involved. The four unidentified Iraqi men were bound, blindfolded, shot in the head, and dumped in a Baghdad canal, killings prosecutors said were in retribution for casualties in Ramos's unit at the time.</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2037060#comment aside Iraq War Military Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:07:06 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2037060 http://www.citizensugar.com/2033190 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/38_2008/82859136.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarger" height="400" width="284"></span>In an interview to gay publications to be published today, <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hMYVcX059oZR7YRqBU-8kZ098naQD938NKRO0" target="_blank">Obama said</a> he wouldn't try to repeal the <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tags/Don%27t+Ask+Don%27t+Tell" >1993 policy</a> regarding gay service members on his own. Saying:<br /> <blockquote>I want to make sure that when we revert 'don't ask, don't tell,' it's gone through a process and we've built a consensus or at least a clarity of what my expectations are so that it works. My first obligation as the president is to make sure that I keep the American people safe and that our military is functioning effectively. Although I have consistently said I would repeal 'don't ask, don't tell,' I believe that the way to do it is make sure that we are working through a process, getting the Joint Chiefs of Staff clear in terms of what our priorities are going to be.</p></blockquote> <p>Earlier this summer, the House <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/23/dontask.donttell/index.html" target="_blank">considered a shift</a> to the policy, and 75 percent now approve of allowing gays to serve. John McCain has indicated that he would keep the policy in place. </p> <p>In the interview Obama declined to comment however, on whether his attorney general would support a lawsuit against the Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages in favor of state's rights. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2033190#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama Don't Ask Don't Tell Military Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:57 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2033190 http://www.citizensugar.com/2023943 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/38_2008/80061035.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarger" height="400" width="290"></span>It's not too early to think about what to get the Army for the holidays. Actually, it is but that hasn't stopped it from asking for a "thought helmet." Yes, a thought helmet. It's exactly what it sounds like: a <a href="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1841108,00.html" target="_blank">helmet that reads silent brain waves</a> with sophisticated software that then translates waves into audible messages for others to hear. If Prince Harry was wearing one of the helmets here, he wouldn't even need the radio, we'd know exactly what he was thinking. . . </p> <p>The US Army has just awarded a 5-year, $4 million contract to three American universities to develop helmets that would transform how soldiers communicate. How is this even possible? To find out, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2023943">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2023943#comment Headline Military Technology Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:15:56 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2023943 http://www.citizensugar.com/2022698 <p>The National Guard has taken its recruitment marketing to a new venue: movie theaters. Music <a href="http://www.nationalguardwarrior.com/" target="_blank">videos featuring real National Guard members and celebrities</a> like Kid Rock, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJRthpxDM10" target="_blank">Three Doors Down</a>, are playing in lieu of movie trailers. The tributes to the men and women serving in the National Guard paint an alluring picture of what that service entails. Oscar winning director James Mangold directed the campaign that will air in movie theaters throughout September and October.</p> <p><center><object width="425" height="344"><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qT0OwMOKUWQ&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qT0OwMOKUWQ&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center></p> <p>In "Warrior," dramatic images of soldiers leaving for war, Middle Eastern children, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s National Guard-clad race car mix in while Kid Rock sings:<br /> <blockquote>So don’t tell me who’s wrong or right when liberty starts slipping away<br /> And if you ain’t gonna fight, get out of the way<br /> ‘Cause freedom ain’t so free when you breathe red, white, and blue<br /> I’m giving all of myself, how about you?</p></blockquote> <p>Do you find the video to be propaganda, or an honorable effort to help Americans take pride in serving their country? If the government wants to play rock-star videos about joining up, should Americans also be able to see <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/26/world/middleeast/26censor.html?pagewanted=1&amp;_r=1&amp;hp" target="_blank">embargoed images</a> of caskets coming back from war?</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2022698#comment Dale Earnhardt Jr Headline Kid Rock Military National Guard Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:00:52 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2022698 http://www.citizensugar.com/2021359 <p>President Bush wants to take one last shot as an international salesman before he leaves office in January. The Bush administration is peddling tanks, helicopters, fighter jets, missiles, remotely piloted aircraft, and warships to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Canada, along with countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe in hopes of arming allies and containing North Korea and Iran. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/74137920.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="349" width="550"></span></p> <p>An air force official working on the large-scale deals says <a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/14/america/arms.php" target="_blank">sprinkling the world with Made in USA weapons</a> "is about building a more secure world." The arms deals will last far after Bush leaves office, and will be partly financed by the US. Each year America gives 60 countries a total of $4.5 billion to help buy American weapons. </p> <p>For more on the US push, and how Iran might have some weapons to sell, too, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2021359">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2021359#comment Department of Defense Headline Iran Military Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:45:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2021359 http://www.citizensugar.com/2020125 <p>Rising <a href="http://townhall.com/news/world/2008/09/08/videos_show_dead_afghan_children_after_us_raid" target="_blank">civilian casualties</a> from US and international attacks, the resurgence of the Taliban, the rising cost of food and gas, and the failure to engage Pakistan, Iran, and India make the situation in Afghanistan the worst since 2001, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/world/asia/15kabul.html?_r=1&amp;ref=asia&amp;oref=" target="_blank">according to an experienced European diplomat</a>.<br /> <span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2020023?page=0,0,0" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/82734974_0.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="368" width="550"></a></span><br /> Francesc Vendrell, a Spaniard who just stepped down as the EU envoy in Kabul, insisted yesterday that the Afghan government and other countries, too, must follow military actions against the Taliban with concrete humanitarian assistance. Only then, he said, will the local people get behind the government in Kabul and its Western backers. </p> <p><p><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-82040 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#e54c4c'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 active" href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2020023?page=0,0,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/82566182.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-43412 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#e54c4c'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2020023?page=0,1,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/82566441.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-14612 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#e54c4c'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2020023?page=0,2,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/82616610.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-18036 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#e54c4c'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2020023?page=0,3,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/82816200.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-19393 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#e54c4c'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2020023?page=0,4,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/82734974.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div></p><br clear="all"></p> <p>Speaking at a conference of international ministers and military officers, Vendrell offered some more specific advice. To find out what that was, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2020125">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2020125#comment Afghanistan European Union Francesc Vendrell Headline Middle East Military Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2020125 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1970299 <p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/10/pentagon-afghanistan-mili_n_125397.html" target="_blank">Pentagon: Afghanistan Military Strategy Unsuccessful</a> Improved security in Iraq will give the US military flexibility to do more in Afghanistan in coming months, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told Congress Wednesday, after years of setting a lower priority for the Afghan fight. But even as Gates hinted at possible further troop cuts in Iraq, he said a go-slow approach is justified by several worrisome circumstances, including slow progress on the political front. "I worry that the great progress our troops and the Iraqis have made has the potential to override a measure of caution born of uncertainty."</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1970299#comment Afghanistan aside Military Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:07:54 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1970299 http://www.citizensugar.com/1918784 <p>I hope there's a good explanation for this, though I can't even in my wildest imagination come up with one. Corporal Tomos Stringer, a British <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4674411.ece" target="_blank">soldier on sick leave</a> from the war in Afghanistan, arrived at the Metro Hotel in Woking, UK, only to be told that he was not welcome. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/36_2008/82566404.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="365" width="550"></span></p> <p>According to the hotel’s policy, they are not accepting members of the armed forces as guests, and Cpl. Stringer, whose arm was in a cast from a broken wrist, was sent away to spend the night in his car. Stringer was on leave to help with funeral preparations for a friend killed in battle.</p> <p>To add insult to his injury, no apology — or even an explanation — was offered by the hotel, which is owned by a family entertainment center called American Amusements. Cpl. Stringer’s mother was incensed: “I’m very, very angry. It’s discrimination. They would never get away with it if it was against someone of ethnic origin.”</p> <p>To see the backlash to the incident, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1918784">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1918784#comment Headline Military United Kingdom Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:00:21 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1918784 http://www.citizensugar.com/1898744 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/35_2008/82131966.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="300"></span>It's a story that shocks a civilian frame of mind and raises so many questions about the effect of war on mankind: Three US Army soldiers <a href="http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jboOMIZsXONmxStwMCC5q75_R_Bw" target="_blank">murdered four Iraqi prisoners</a> by firing shots to the backs of their heads, execution-style, in the spring of 2007. </p> <p>The story has <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/27/world/middleeast/27abuse.html?_r=2&amp;partner=rssuserland&amp;emc=rss&amp;pagewanted=all&amp;oref=slogin&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">surfaced from a source</a> close to one of the soldiers who says after they committed these murders, the US Army officers then dumped the corpses into a Baghdad canal. The killings were meant to avenge the deaths of two of their army comrades, and to this point, all members of Company D, First Battalion, Second Infantry, 172nd Infantry Brigade have not been charged with a crime.</p> <p>Lawyers representing other members of the platoon who witnessed the slayings, believe the Army officers involved will probably be charged with murder. One of the soldiers involved described in great detail how and why the killings took place. </p> <p>To see the story, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1898744">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1898744#comment Headline Iraq Military Murder Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:00:10 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1898744 http://www.citizensugar.com/1895251 <p>I don't know why I'd never thought about the military as a progressive force for change until I read <a href="http://cleantechnica.com/2008/08/08/us-military-pulling-us-in-to-greener-times/" target="_blank">this</a>, but it makes sense: racial integration and that miracle we call the internet both marched out of the military. Now, one more modern change is coming — the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/26/the-greening-of-the-unite_n_121254.html" target="_blank">military is going greener</a> than fatigues!</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/35_2008/56415835.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="367" width="550"></span></p> <p>The Department of Defense is responsible for over 1.5 percent of all US energy consumption, and it's now looking (prepare for the most overused phrase in "eco" . . . "journalism") to green up its act. (At least I spared you a "Red, White, and Green" joke — this time.) To see five ways the military and Department of Defense hope to cut bills and conserve energy on their new mission to save the planet, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1895251">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1895251#comment Eco Headline Military The Daily Planet Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:00:56 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1895251 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1880993 <p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/20/mccain-on-bringing-back-d_n_120178.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">McCain on Bringing Back Draft: "I Don't Disagree"</a> Today at a townhall meeting, an audience member praised Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for his vow to "follow bin Laden to the gates of hell." After a lengthy question, he was asked, "if we don't reenact the draft, I don't think we'll have anyone to chase Bin Laden to the gates of hell." McCain answered, "ma'am, let me say that I don't disagree with anything you said."</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1880993#comment aside Draft John McCain Military Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:37:05 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1880993 http://www.citizensugar.com/1877182 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/34_2008/82403791.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="300"></span>As we saw in last weekend's <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1869730" >Saddleback Forum</a>, being able to compare and contrast what the candidates are saying is not only infinitely useful, it's pretty compelling. The occasion to whip out the measuring stick hit us again this week with McCain and Obama both addressing the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention.</p> <p>Appropriate to the audience, Obama and McCain hit on Iraq and their plans as commander in chief.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/34_2008/82461397.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="300"></span> Pundits have gone nuts parsing and analyzing the fact that Obama <a href="http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/08/at-vfw-conventi.html" target="_blank">mentioned Biden</a> (Veeeepstaaakes) in his address while hammering that McCain is focusing on the wrong fight — and that McCain <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/19/us/politics/19campaign.html?ref=washington" target="_blank">leveled firm charges</a> against Obama's national security credentials, pointing out his shifting positions on the surge and calling him out for voting against funding for the troops. </p> <p>Despite all this, I can't help but be a rhetorical purist. What did they say, and how does it compare? Here's how they talked about success in Iraq.</p> <p>Are you a purist? To see what they said and links to the full text of the speeches, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1877182">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1877182#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama John McCain Military Veterans Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:15:35 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1877182 http://www.citizensugar.com/1869429 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/78123385.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="325"></span>Iraqi Shi'ite assassination teams are being readied in four locations in Iran, with the mission to return to Iraq and <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hvMKVaio8nTfmHFLUM_usu_Kr8sQD92IJHSG2" target="_blank">kill specific Iraqi officials</a> before targeting US and Iraqi troops. The info comes from captured militia fighters and sources within Iraq. A senior US military intelligence officer confirmed the story under the condition of anonymity, acknowledging that disclosing the info is an attempt to pressure Iran to suspend the training and prevent militia fighters from returning to Iraq. To this end, "Wanted" posters picturing the men thought to be involved. </p> <p>The fighters are expected to return to Iraq between now and October, and the US is encouraging the Iraqi government to confront Iran on the issue. It's thought that part of the reason violence has declined is that the militants have moved from Basra and Sadr City to Iran. The fighters are thought to be offshoots of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's militia having made their own groups after al-Sadr declared a cease-fire with the Iraqi government in August 2007. </p> <p>Are the training pockets small and isolated incidents, or does it put the notion that the surge has worked to quell violence into question? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1869429#comment Headline Iran Iraq Iraq War Military War in Iraq Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:00:52 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1869429 http://www.citizensugar.com/1868214 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/33_2008/78784360.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="290"></span>US troops deployed overseas give six times as much money to Barack Obama, compared to John McCain. The Center for Responsive Politics, which <a href="http://opensecrets.org/news/2008/08/troops-deployed-abroad-give-61.html" target="_blank"> conducted the giving-analysis, also made conclusions</a> about the military's overall contribution pattern:<br /> <blockquote> Despite McCain's status as a decorated veteran and a historically Republican bent among the military, members of the armed services overall — whether stationed overseas or at home — are also favoring Obama with their campaign contributions in 2008, by a $55,000 margin. Although 59 percent of federal contributions by military personnel has gone to Republicans this cycle, of money from the military to the presumed presidential nominees, 57 percent has gone to Obama.</p></blockquote> <p>Some military personnel might give to the Republicans but not McCain. The totals only include donations over $200, since smaller contributions are not reported to the FEC. Thus, the study explains that "these figures are likely to disproportionately represent the mood of officers, who have more disposable income to spend on politics than do the lower ranks. But because young people tend to be more liberal than their elders, the total dollar figures could lean even more in Obama's favor." </p> <p>This month, John McCain spoke to disabled veterans in Las Vegas. To see some video of the speech, and to find out how the vets received McCain, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1868214">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1868214#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama Campaign Finance John McCain Las Vegas Military Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:00:32 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1868214 http://www.citizensugar.com/1867257 <p>The <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/14/us-troop-withdrawal-will_n_118899.html" target="_blank">new plan for US withdrawal</a> from Iraq would have US troops out within three years, with withdrawals set to begin next Summer if it's agreed upon. But, these troops had their big homecoming this week. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/82293844.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="366" width="550"></span></p> <p>Troops from the Homestead Air Reserve Base returned to Miami after a six-month deployment to Iraq. The reservists' mission was to provide security at Kirkuk airbase. Judging from the pictures, their loved ones are so glad to have them back. </p> <p><p><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-75783 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 active ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1867208?page=0,0,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/82293823.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-22746 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1867208?page=0,1,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/82293826.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-58063 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1867208?page=0,2,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/82293840.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-7054 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1867208?page=0,3,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/82293846.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-3300 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1867208?page=0,4,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/82293859.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div></p><br clear=all></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1867257#comment Military Picture It Picture of the Day Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:12 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1867257 http://www.citizensugar.com/1849850 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/32_2008/80367600.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="300"></span> <ul> <li><b>Pakistan Moves to Impeach:</b><br /> The ruling coalition in Pakistan agreed today to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/feedarticle/7707676" target="_blank">begin impeachment proceedings</a> against President Pervez Musharraf. It's a development expected to heighten political instability in the country. A senior official, and member of the party of the late Benazir Bhutto said, "yes, we have agreed in principle to impeach him," and that the parliament's lower house, is expected to be called next week to begin proceedings Musharraf.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/32_2008/Thursday.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="200"></span> <li><b>Jobless Claims Hit 6-Year High:</b><br /> The government has announced that the number of people <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D92DEQTO2&amp;show_article=1&amp;catnum=0" target="_blank">signing up for unemployment benefits</a> has reached its highest point in more than six years. The Labor Department reported that claims rose by a seasonally adjusted 7,000 to nearly half a million. The government points to a program locating those eligible for benefits as the cause for the rise.</li> <p><br clear=all></p> <li><b>Death Toll in Afghanistan Passes Milestone:</b><br /> The death toll for Operation Enduring Freedom centered in Afghanistan has surpassed 500. As troop levels reached their highest level of deployment in the last month and casualties exceeded those of Iraq, Afghanistan has been brought to the forefront. The <b>New York Times</b> has an interactive feature <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/08/07/us/20080806_AFGHAN_CASUALTIES.html" target="_blank">showing the pictures and names</a> of those in the 500, a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/us/07afghan.html?ref=asia" target="_blank">graph of the growing toll</a>, as well as number of deaths by service.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1849850#comment Afghanistan Economy Front Page Impeachment Jobs Military Pakistan Pervez Musharraf Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:00:19 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1849850 http://www.citizensugar.com/1844619 <p>It's not an easy read, to make the understatement of the century; the US Army has just released a book called <b>War Surgery in Afghanistan and Iraq: A Series of Cases, 2003-2007</b>. The book is the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/health/05surg.html?ref=science" target="_blank">first guide for new techniques</a> for battlefield surgeons to be released while the war included in its pages is still being fought. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/32_2008/80729405.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="367" width="550"></span></p> <p>The book includes 83 case descriptions from dozens of battlefield doctors, and though the descriptions are dry and clinically detached, the pictures are the 1,000 words that illustrate the grim horror of war. Most of the injured pictured are US soldiers but some Iraqis and Afghans are included as well. </p> <p>The pictures may be all the more horrifying given the mixed blessing of advancing body armor combined with the fact that in modern wars, more are injured by explosions than bullets — meaning many are left alive, but badly maimed. Because of the graphic nature of the shots, it's a difficult (but not impossible) tome for civilians — even doctors — to get a hold of. To see what one of the book's authors has to say about the secrecy of the book, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1844619">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1844619#comment Afghanistan Battlefield Surgery Guide Headline Military Tue, 05 Aug 2008 08:45:35 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1844619 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1842157 <p><a href="http://townhall.com/news/world/2008/08/04/italy_soldiers_deployed_to_fight_street_crime" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New Sheriff? Italian Soldiers Deployed to Fight Street Crime</a> Hundreds of soldiers were deployed Monday in cities across Italy as part of government measures to fight street crime. In Rome, an initial 400 men and women were stationed at subway and railway stations and at an immigrant center. In Milan, some 150 soldiers were patrolling the Duomo cathedral and sensitive sites such as the US consulate and the city's synagogue. Soldiers were also deployed in Naples, Bologna, and Palermo, Italian reports said.</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1842157#comment aside Italy Military Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:23:56 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1842157 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1837134 <p><a href="http://www.townhall.com/news/world/2008/08/02/more_than_10,000_detainees_released_in_iraq" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Open Door Policy? More Than 10,000 Detainees Released in Iraq</a> The US military said Saturday it has released more than 10,000 detainees in Iraq so far this year — more than in all of 2007 — as it continues to try phase out its running of Iraqi prisons. The military said about 21,000 people remained in custody, and it is currently releasing about 45 detainees and detaining 30 a day. The United States wants to transfer the detainees to Iraqi control.</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1837134#comment aside Iraq War Military War in Iraq Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:50:14 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1837134 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1835690 <p><a href="http://www.townhall.com/news/us/2008/08/01/military_sole_survivors_bill_goes_to_president" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brothers &amp; Sisters: Military "Sole Survivors" Bill Goes to Bush</a> Legislation to ensure veterans benefits to "sole survivors" in military families passed the Senate on Friday. It now goes to President Bush, who is expected to sign it. The bill is called the "Hubbard Act" after a family lost two of three sons in the Iraq war. After the combat deaths of his two brothers, Jason Hubbard left the Army under the military's "sole survivor" policy, which allows sole surviving siblings to be discharged before their enlistment period is over.</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1835690#comment aside Military Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:23:11 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1835690 http://www.citizensugar.com/1832194 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/31_2008/51067030.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="250"></span>If you're an American engineer, city planner, law enforcement official, public health worker, economist, or judge, Uncle Sam wants YOU to move to dangerous and "failing" countries and help keep these places from completely collapsing into the death grips of eager terrorists. </p> <p>Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has announced the Civilian Response Corps, a program Congress allotted $75 million in June. A response to September 11, the professional Peace Corps hopes to <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92752144" target="_blank">pro-actively prevent countries in turmoil from going to the dark side</a>. The goal can also be described as hoping to avoid another post-invasion-Iraq disaster. The volunteers from the private sector and state and local governments <a href="http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/07/107063.htm" target="_blank">will be trained to deploy rapidly</a> (along with other federal employees) to countries in crisis or emerging from crisis in order to provide reconstruction and stabilization assistance. </p> <p>Since the group will usually deploy with or after US troops, critics argue that the CRC is a thinly veiled plan for imperial expansion, or an effort to impose government institutions according to a model familiar, or friendly, to the US.</p> <p>Arguments of nation-building can probably best be assessed in specific situations, so on the surface this plan sounds like a creative way to develop America's power beyond guns and bombs. What do you think?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1832194#comment Civilian Response Corps Condoleezza Rice Military State Department Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:00:01 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1832194 http://www.citizensugar.com/1829648 <p>Not just because my own personal WW II vet will be 90 on Monday, I've been thinking about not only the people, but the history that's leaving us at a rate of over 1,000 a day. They're not Spring chickens anymore, and that's what makes these stories of WW II vets in the news so striking. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/57558157.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="382" width="550"></span></p> <p>When a young man knocked on the door of WW II vet Art Iwasaki looking for school donations, Iwasaki had no idea he'd wind up 15 minutes later with a gun pointed to his face. The young man was back and demanding money. Iwasaki feigned deafness pointing to his hearing aids and told the kid to write it down. Stalling until he could shout to get his daughter's attention (who was upstairs working) the robber was caught off guard. While the robber's attention was on Iwasaki's daughter, Iwasaki <a href="http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/07/wwii_veteran_fights_off_intrud.html" target="_blank">picked up his bamboo cane</a> and brandished it at the robber, pushing him out the door. </p> <p><p><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-85551 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 active ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1829543?page=0,0,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/53388610.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-93118 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1829543?page=0,1,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/54264374.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-51093 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1829543?page=0,2,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/57558157.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-15240 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1829543?page=0,3,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/74081865.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-75830 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1829543?page=0,4,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/74111187.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div></p><br clear=all></p> <p>The bravery is nothing new for this vet: he served in the most decorated Army infantry group in US history.</p> <p>Unfortunately those decorations can also be prime targets for thieves. To see how, and the powerful kindness of strangers, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1829648">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1829648#comment Check This Honor Flight Military Veterans World War II Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:02:26 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1829648 http://www.citizensugar.com/1829400 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/82040803.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="300"></span> <ul> <li><b>Combat Tours Reduced:</b><br /> President Bush said in an appearance at the White House this morning that combat <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/washington/politics-iraq-usa-bush.html" target="_blank">tours in Iraq will be reduced</a> to 12 months from 15. He said, "we are now in our third consecutive month with reduced violence levels holding steady." With a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/world/middleeast/31iraq.html?ref=middleeast" target="_blank">deal on security</a> close, it "relieves the burden on our forces." Five US soldiers died in Iraq this month compared to 66 in July 2007.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/Thursday.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="200"></span> <li><b>Olmert to Quit:</b><br /> Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has announced <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/world/middleeast/31mideast.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">he will resign in September</a> after his party chooses a new leader. Olmert is tangled in a corruption investigation, and the announcement heightens uncertainty in both the Middle East peace effort and the political legacies of both Olmert and Bush, who'd hoped for breakthroughs before leaving office.</li> <p><br></p> <li><b>Fewer Illegal Immigrants:</b><br /> The number of immigrants in the US illegally has <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/us/31immig.html?_r=1&amp;ref=us&amp;oref=login" target="_blank">fallen by 1.3 million</a> in the past year, an 11 percent fall since the peak last August. The report accompanying the census showed a "strong indication" that stricter enforcement by authorities played a major role in the reduction, though others say the shifting economy has made the US a less desirable location.</li> <li><b>Karadzic Due in Court:</b><br /> Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic will be charged with <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7533201.stm" target="_blank">11 counts of war crimes</a> by the UN war crimes tribunal today. The exact charges will only be revealed in court; afterward he can enter a plea but doesn't have to. Karadzic had been on the run for 13 years before being captured in Belgrade last week.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1829400#comment Bosnia Ehud Olmert Front Page George W Bush Illegal Immigration Iraq War Military Radovan Karadzic War in Iraq Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:55:37 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1829400 http://www.citizensugar.com/1823710 <p>A New York farm is offering horseback riding as a form of therapy to veterans <a href="http://wcbstv.com/seenon/dan.cutler.horses.2.772941.html" target="_blank">suffering from mental and emotional wounds</a> like post-traumatic stress dis