On The Homefront

Operation W.A.N.T.: We Are Not Toys

2008-11-13T13:58:00.000-06:00

The Winds of Change Have Arrived

2008-11-05T15:15:00.000-06:00

Alaska Women Hold Surprise Event for Obama

2008-10-30T10:05:00.002-05:00

An idea to do something very creative in support of Barack Obama, but requiring serious coordination, could have ended in total chaos, but instead turned into an incredible convergence of hundreds of Alaskan women in Anchorage, Alaska. Check out the results of this surprise event that was held on Saturday, October 25 based on an idea that was thought of just 6 days earlier!

Hat Tip: Mudflats

The Lowest of Scoundrels

2008-10-30T08:58:00.002-05:00

I promised I'd never mention this scoundrel's name on my blog ever again. So I'm not. But you can go here to see how he has reared his ugly head once again. I can still smell the stench he left behind in District 22 everytime I drive the Beltway.

Why I Won't Vote for John McCain

2008-10-29T15:35:00.002-05:00

By Lt. General Robert G. Gard. Jr. (USA, Ret.)

Some people have been surprised by General Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama. How could Powell, who served in several Republican administrations, endorse a Democrat over John McCain, a storied war hero?

As a lifelong military man, I too will be casting my vote for Barack Obama on Election Day. I deeply respect John McCain's service to our country. I admire his bravery as a prisoner of war, described by a fellow prisoner as similar to that demonstrated by hundreds of other U.S. prisoners in North Vietnam.

The fields of foreign and national security policy, however, are John McCain's disqualifying weaknesses, in my view. McCain has demonstrated clearly that he is a dedicated ideologue when it comes to foreign policy, unwilling to consider opinions or even credible evidence contrary to his preconceived notions.

His temperament, marked not only by impatience but also by rude and sometimes hostile behavior, would discourage advisors from bringing to his attention views that might not be consistent with his preconceptions. A President with this combination of significant shortcomings would be a dangerous commander-in-chief, posing an unacceptable risk to the security of the nation.

McCain has adopted, promoted, and sustained the position of the so-called neo-conservatives and ultra-nationalists who believe that the United States should capitalize on American military superiority to spread democracy abroad. Overthrowing the Iraqi government was seen as the first step in transforming the politics of the Middle East by converting governments in the region to democracies friendly to the United States and its interests. McCain reportedly has bragged in private conversations that he was the first neo-con.

McCain has been a consistent advocate of employing military force, as well as diplomatic and economic measures, to overthrow the governments of non-democratic states. In his 2000 presidential primary campaign, he promoted a strategy of "rogue state rollback." He has served as a long-term chair of the Republican Institute, an organization dedicated to promoting democracy in closed societies, even though most experts agree that viable democratic reforms cannot be imposed but must be generated locally.

Consistent with his ideological predispositions, McCain has gone so far as to advocate expelling Russia from the G-8, an organization of leading industrial nations established to coordinate international economic policies, in order "to improve their behavior" while adding Brazil and India to the organization but excluding China. This obviously would result in the alienation of Russia and China, resulting in a confrontational foreign policy rather than encouraging their cooperation on vital issues of international security and their integration into the international community.

The importance of McCain's temperament, should he become President, is apparently regarded as too politically incorrect to discuss. By his own admission, however, McCain has "a temper, to state the obvious, which I have tried to control with varying degrees of success because it does not always serve my interest or the public's." Of greater significance, he also has written: "Often my haste is a mistake, but I live with the consequences without complaint."

In matters of national security and foreign policy, however, it is the nation that will have to live with the consequences of McCain's temper and haste should he be elected President of the United States.

No President can be conversant with all the problems and issues he or she will face. More important than a specific set of experiences are high intelligence, good judgment, a steady and even temperament, and a willingness to consider options presented by advisors who have been selected for their expertise.

A few months ago, I met in a small group with Senator Obama in his office to discuss a contentious security issue. People with different, even opposite, views had been invited to attend. Obama listened carefully and asked penetrating questions, confirming my observations concerning his intelligence and temperament.

I believe that Barack Obama possesses the requisite qualifications to serve far more effectively as President of the United States and commander-in-chief of the U.S. military than his opponent, John McCain.

Lt. General Robert G. Gard, Jr. (U.S. Army, ret.) served in both Korea and Vietnam and is a former president of National Defense University. He is a member of the Vets For Obama steering committee.

Troops and Their Families Are Supporting Obama

2008-10-28T13:30:00.002-05:00

US-Iraq troop deal "crushing defeat" for Bush

2008-10-26T20:16:00.003-05:00

In an article on ipsnews.net, journalist and investigative historian Gareth Porter analyzed the final draft of the US Iraq Status of Forces Agreement on the US military presence in Iraq. He states that the agreement “represents an even more crushing defeat for the policy of the George W. Bush administration than previously thought.” The deal not only calls for a clear deadline for a withdrawal of combat troops by 2011, it will also be unlikely the a residual non-combat force of US Troops would be allowed to remain in Iraq for training and support purposes. Porter also states: “The clearest sign of the dramatically reduced US negotiating power is the willingness of the United States to give up extraterritorial jurisdiction over US contractors and their employees and over US troops in the case of major and intentional crimes that occur outside bases and while off duty.”

The Real News Network spoke to Gareth Porter.

Sara Palin Against Religious Discrimination

2008-10-26T11:13:00.000-05:00

Inside USA: America's Struggling Vets

2008-10-23T13:44:00.001-05:00

Despite the culture of veneration for the men and women in uniform, life for US veterans is often grim. Physical and mental illness are common, and on any given night, nearly 300,000 vets -- many of them who served in Vietnam -- are homeless.

"Steal Back Your Vote!"

2008-10-14T21:09:00.001-05:00

Palin Pallin': "Say it ain't so Gov"

2008-10-06T21:55:00.002-05:00

Ike's Aftermath

2008-10-06T14:01:00.004-05:00

Memorial on Seawall Blvd. Galveston, Texas in memory of thousands killed in the 1900 hurricane

Click here to view pictures

No Bernie, your'e not the only one. Thanks for trying. You're my hero.

2008-10-04T10:14:00.004-05:00

It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

2008-10-01T14:45:00.000-05:00

After Ike

2008-09-30T23:56:00.005-05:00

I finally got power last night. I feel like I've died and gone to heaven. No damage to speak of to my home, mostly debris. Lost my fig and loquat trees. Guess I won't be making any more fig and loquat jelly, pies and preserves. My orange tree survived. So did one of my Papaya trees. I'm really happy about that. We fared rather well considering. I remember Carla in 1961. She was a category 5 hurricane. I do believe Ike was worse. I've not seen such widespread damage and power outages in my lifetime.

Now on to the current crisis....the Bail Out. I think Dennis Kucinich says it best:

Ike's Coming! Windows are boarded up and we're hunkered down,

2008-09-11T17:41:00.004-05:00

McCain and Veterans Issues

2008-09-09T22:14:00.004-05:00

Truth to power:

Lynn Westmoreland: A Case Study in Idiocy

2008-09-07T21:28:00.004-05:00

Republican Congressman from Georgia, Lynn Westmoreland, has called Barack and Michelle Obama "uppity".

Now notice - this is the same guy who co-sponsored a bill to place the 10 Commandments in the House and Senate and when questioned on The Colbert Report couldn't even remember what they were. What a guy!

Now he's "thinking about" a run for governor.

LAUGH OUT LOUD

2008-09-07T15:22:00.002-05:00

PALIN SUNDAY FUNNIES

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Lipstick Pitbull

2008-09-06T14:55:00.004-05:00

Oh puuuleease. W was a governor too and look what a mess he's made. Sheesh.

Rating the Candidates on Veteran's Issues

2008-09-06T12:17:00.003-05:00

Which candidate really supports veterans?

Project Vote Smart has listed ratings for John McCain. In 2006 McCain was given a grade of "D" by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America regarding his support of Veterans Issues. He only supported Disabled American Veterans issues 20% of the time.

On the other hand Barack Obama supported supported the interests of Disabled American Veterans 80% of the time. He was given a grade of "B+" by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

IAVA ratings for 2008 will be posted as soon as they are available. It will be interesting to see if the candidates have changed over the last four years, particularly leading up to the election year.

Iraq Vet Reveals Truth About McCain and Vets

2008-09-05T22:04:00.002-05:00

IVAW member Adam Kokesh was caught on camera speaking truth to power during McCain's speech last night.

And if you saw the speech, then you gotta see this:
Live Blogging the RNC

RNC - Cheapens Community Service

2008-09-04T19:15:00.003-05:00

Wow. What can I say. I couldn't believe the words coming out of Guliani's mouth as he berated, belittled, and made fun of community service. But what was worse, the crowd heartily agreed. I was speechless. At that moment my phone rang. It was my daughter. She was engraged......

"Wasn't JESUS CHRIST somewhat of a community organizer? I mean, he and his twelve disciples running all over talking to community groups?"

Uh..yeah.

"And hasn't all progress in this country (or perhaps any) been the product of grassroots? Uh... right of women to vote.... uh.... abolition of slavery.... uh.... Civil Rights..... uh.... you name it."

I'd say that to be the case, yes.

"How DARE Rudy Giuliani cheapen the impact and importance of community leadership. SHAME ON HIM! Probably the Greatest American, Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life to community involvement. Definitely not the accumulation of seven homes. By the way, he didn't suffer in a prison camp while fighting in an illegal war, instead he took a bullet in the brain for dedicating his life to justice and peace."

My daughter refused to watch any more. She missed Sarah Palin finish what Guiliani started.

John McCain Cancels Habitat for Humanity Event

And....umm...wasn't it the "community" that came out to help in the aftermath of 9/11?

IVAW turned back from delivering briefing to McCain

2008-09-03T19:16:00.003-05:00

A formation of 60 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans marched in uniform to Xcel Energy Center on Monday to deliver a briefing on veterans’ issues to Senator McCain on the opening day of the Republican National Convention.

IVAW member Wes Davey led the march and attempted to deliver the briefing to Senator McCain’s staff. Despite numerous mailed, faxed, and in-person invitations to meet, McCain’s office refused to send anyone to receive the briefing. When Davey, a retired Army First Sergeant and former St. Paul police officer, attempted to deliver the briefing, he was escorted off the premises.

Davey is a father of five and grandfather of seven. He served 28 years in the Army, including a tour in Iraq in 2003. His oldest child has served two tours in Iraq. "After being an NCO for all those years, I care deeply about all those still serving in Iraq," said Davey about his reasons for organizing this march.

Continue Reading

Iraq Vets Call on McCain to Denounce War

2008-09-03T15:02:00.003-05:00

By KEVIN GILES, Star Tribune

Calling for Republican presidential John McCain to denounce the Iraq war and put veteran issues first, about 150 former military members marched from the State Capitol to the Xcel Center........

Kris Goldsmith, a member of Iraq Veteran's Against the War New York City chapter, read a list of demands when the group arrived near fencing that surrounds the Xcel Center. Among the many points was a call for improved inspections of veterans' hospitals, better care and treatment for veterans with mental health problems, and responsibility for rape and other sexual trauma among troops.

McCain's campaign refused to accept the list of demands from the group: