Clipmarks | Troops Clips

DRC violence

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:33:26 GMT

DR Congo president's call to arms

Joseph Kabila called on citizens to protect the unity of DR Congo

Congolese President Joseph Kabila has made a televised appeal for people in the east to take up arms against rebel general Laurant Nkunda.

His comments came after Gen Nkunda said he wanted to "liberate" the whole of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Meanwhile, the UN peacekeepers said rebel forces had withdrawn from an army base captured earlier this week.

Gen Nkunda was persuaded to withdraw from Rumangabo base with captured arms and supplies, an spokesman said.

Forces loyal to the general had overrun the base on Tuesday, forcing thousands of people to flee and capturing weapons abandoned by the fleeing government troops.

Huge Weapons Cache Found West Of Baghdad

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:53:37 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: The pic looks like a bunch of .50 barrels. BFD…

comment by thebronze

“The cache included 269 122 mm rocket rounds and 200,000 heavy machine-gun rounds.”

“The cache included 269 122 mm rocket rounds.”

Those rockets would be great IEDs. Or if they have a launcher they could use them against other areas.

I take heavy machine gun rounds to mean at least .50.

It is something of a big deal.

comment by Hard Right

Clip Source: www.floppingaces.net

American soldiers operating west of Baghdad have uncovered a large weapons cache that could be tied to a recent rise in the number of booby-trapped houses in the area, officials said Thursday.

The troops, from Company C, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, seized the weapons near Thamir Village, near Abu Ghraib, on Thursday. The cache included 269 122 mm rocket rounds and 200,000 heavy machine-gun rounds.

Officials with the unit said the rockets have a longer range than most rockets used by insurgents and could also be part of a “rising” threat of booby-trapped houses.

“Because of the size and condition of this cache, this will significantly degrade the enemy’s ability to conduct attacks against the Iraqi Security Forces, the local populace and Coalition Forces,” Lt. Col. Glen Blumhardt, executive officer of the 25th Infantry Division’s 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, said in a news release.

Tags: fanatical islam, middle east, military, post-invastion, the iraqi war, true heroes, war on terror

Afghanistan Conflict Rapidly Worsening

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:00:55 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: What a mess.

Nato troops given new mandate to attack heroin drug barons in Afghanistan

NATO accused of sheltering Afghan heroin trade

Karzai's brother denies links to drug trade

Nato happy to ignore explosion in Afghan opium output, says Russia

Clip Source: www.spacewar.com

US report says Afghanistan conflict rapidly worsening

Concern over Afghanistan's downward spiral rose another notch Thursday, amid reports of a draft US intelligence assessment detailing its slide into corruption, drugs and insurgent violence.

The New York Times said the draft National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) casts doubts on the ability of Afghan President Hamid Karzai to stem the resurgence of the Taliban.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said

"I would just cite that Afghanistan is a difficult place. It has made progress since 2001.

we are doing a review to see what more we can do,"

So far, the administration has promised one combat brigade by February, citing constraints imposed by the war in Iraq.

the breakdown in central authority in Afghanistan has been accelerated by rampant corruption within the Karzai government and by increasingly sophisticated insurgent attacks from safe havens in Pakistan

heroin trade by some estimates accounts for 50 percent of Afghanistan's economy

What's This? Comments by Candidates on Possible us of US Troops agains those who disagree?

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:41:14 GMT

clipped by: nedhamson1
clipper's remarks: This is a little scary, I'd be more than a little interested in an explanation

Clip Source: www.commondreams.org

Veterans Group Opposes Combat Brigade's Permanent US Assignment

"It is a sad day for America when government prepares to protect itself by using the military on its own citizens."

WASHINGTON - October 9 - A national veterans' organization sent a letter to the House and Senate leadership today expressing "grave concern" that an active duty combat brigade has been permanently assigned to a post on U.S. soil.

Citing a little-noticed article posted September 30 on the Army Times website, Veterans For Peace said the Pentagon's unprecedented move assigned the 3rd Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team to NorthCom, a joint command established in 2002, for a 12-month assignment.

Tags: peace, constitution, 3rd amendment, army abused

McCain's Miserable Record of Not Supporting America's Troops and Veterans

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:34:26 GMT

clipped by: cptenaud
clipper's remarks: Go to the source to see all the Veterans bills this guy has pissed on.

Clip Source: www.vetvoice.com

by: Brandon Friedman

Wed Oct 01

On Friday, September September 26, 2008, John McCain said the following:

"I know the veterans, I know them well, and I know that they know that I'll take care of them, and I have been proud of their support and their recognition of my service to the veterans, and I love them, and I'll take care of them, and they know that I'll take care of them."

This statement--made near the end of Friday's debate--immediately infuriated veterans across America and overseas. In fact, Senator John McCain has a very clear, long, and illustrious history of not supporting troops and veterans one bit.

McCain announced his willingness to keep U.S. troops in Iraq for decades--a statement sure to inflame Iraqis and endanger American troops.

[Video]

McCain said it's "not too important" when U.S. troops leave Iraq.

[Video]

McCain echoed Bush and Cheney's rationale for going to war

[Video]

McCain said the war in Iraq was "worth" it

[Video]

McCain said our military could just "muddle through" in Afghanistan

[Video]

Tags: mccain, unpatriotic

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:10:50 GMT

clipped by: RayWatkins
clipper's remarks: Founded in June 2004, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is the nation's first and largest group dedicated to the Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the civilian supporters of those Troops and Veterans

Clip Source: www.veteranreportcard.org

The IAVA Action Fund is the foremost nonprofit, non-partisan advocate for our nation's returning warriors and their families. Our 2008 Veteran Report Card, based on the key veterans' legislation that came to a vote during the 110th Congress, grades every Senator and Representative on their level of support for our troops.

America, Love It or Leave It

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:11:44 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks:

Wherever that is, there will probably be a few American tanks and some bombers and things, but at least you won't be keeping the rest of us awake with your shrill cries over phantoms of lost liberty. There may be other countries with higher standards of living, with better governments more responsive to the wishes of their electorate. Sure, there may be countries where freedom and human rights are more than just catchphrases to be tossed out the window the minute it's inconvenient, such as I admit does happen in the United States now and then (especially now).
-----
Indeed, with poverty, racism, inequality, a disintegrating infrastructure, corporate control of the government, and the spiralling degradation of the environment, some crybabies could claim that America is no longer the greatest nation in the world.
------
If you look on the bright side of things, if you see the ass as half-full instead of half-empty, you realize we've never had it so good.

Clip Source: mwcnews.net

America, Love It or Leave It

It Probably Won't Leave You

So okay, the USA is having little fascisty moments, but let's not go nuts. Many countries torture their prisoners

And who doesn't imprison people without charges or trial? I mean besides the rest of the developed world.

Are any of these countries engaging in surveillance of their entire population? Not as such, but

At least we have phones.

Or how about all you heathen devils across the Pacific?

I'd like to hear a word of gratitude from Europe

Because America probably has troops in your immediate area, and we will not hesitate to kick your ass.

we're having a little case of police-stateitis here in the US,

why should everybody get upset

I'd appreciate it if all you peaceniks would just back off and go exercise your human rights somewhere else.

America is still the greatest country in the world, and if you don't like it, you are free to move somewhere else.

MILITARY FOR DOMESTIC CROWD CONTROL

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:42:27 GMT

clipped by: klippety
clipper's remarks: Perhaps we can only hope for a real change, from the bottom up.

Clip Source: www.informationclearinghouse.info

Thousands of Troops Are Deployed on U.S. Streets Ready to Carry Out "Crowd Control"

Members of Congress were told they could face martial law if they didn't pass the bailout bill. This will not be the last time.

George Bush struck down Posse Comitatus, thus making it legal for military to patrol the U.S. He has also legally established that in the "War on Terror," the U.S. is at war around the globe and thus the whole world is a battlefield. Thus the U.S. is also a battlefield.

He also led change to the 1807 Insurrection Act to give him far broader powers in the event of a loosely defined "insurrection" or many other "conditions" he has the power to identify. The Constitution allows the suspension of habeas corpus -- habeas corpus prevents us from being seized by the state and held without trial -- in the event of an "insurrection." With his own army force now, his power to call a group of protesters or angry voters "insurgents" staging an "insurrection" is strengthened.

Thousands of Troops Are Deployed on U.S. Streets Ready to Carry Out “Crowd Control”

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:06:31 GMT

clipped by: paleblue
clipper's remarks: These are our troops.. Do you know that a member of the house stood on the house floor and told them that they were forced to pass this bill -- some were told that if they didn't there would be martial law!!!!

Clip Source: www.prisonplanet.com

Thousands of Troops Are Deployed on U.S. Streets Ready to Carry Out “Crowd Control”

Background: the First Brigade of the Third Infantry Division, three to four thousand soldiers, has been deployed in the United States as of October 1. Their stated mission is the form of crowd control they practiced in Iraq, subduing “unruly individuals,” and the management of a national emergency. I am in Seattle and heard from the brother of one of the soldiers that they are engaged in exercises now. Amy Goodman reported that an Army spokesperson confirmed that they will have access to lethal and non lethal crowd control technologies and tanks.

Afghanistan code red

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:37:40 GMT

clipped by: deb2012

Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

The White House has launched an urgent review of Afghanistan policy, fast-tracked for completion in the next several weeks, amid growing concern that the administration lacks a comprehensive strategy for the foundering war there and as intelligence officials warn of a rapidly worsening situation on the ground.

Analysts have concluded that reconstituted elements of al-Qaeda and the resurgent Taliban are collaborating with an expanding network of militant groups, making the counterinsurgency war infinitely more complicated.

Alarms were first sounded early this year,

But seven months would pass before the administration, distracted by issues as serious as the Iraq war and as far afield as the Olympics, was seized with the urgency to put a new strategy in place.

the temporary deployment of 3,500 more Marines, an appeal for more NATO troops and presidential authorization for U.S. commando raids into Pakistan -- the downward spiral continued

U.S. military deaths

have risen to the highest levels

Tags: war on terror, politics

Younger Military Families Closing Ranks Around Obama

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:20:19 GMT

clipped by: dulios
clipper's remarks:

People in all branches of the service are getting tired of repeated deployments. "I think more of them will vote for Obama than McCain," said Jennings. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, deployed troops are putting their money where their mouth is: they've given four times as much money to Obama as McCain.

"Any assumption that the military vote is overwhelmingly in favor of the Republican Party -- based on demographics alone -- is suspect, at the very least," said Donald S. Inbody, a retired Navy Captain who is on the political science faculty at Texas State University.

This could result in a 1.2 to 1 advantage for Obama in military communities, according to Inbody, especially if the campaign "isn't tone deaf" to the inroads that are possible.

Clip Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Younger Military Families Closing Ranks Around Obama

John McCain assumes he has the military vote -- but does he?

The Military Times recently released its annual survey of subscribers, which shows McCain-Palin enjoying a commanding lead over Obama-Biden (68/23 percent). But this is not a random sample, by any stretch of the imagination. Military Times subscribers are significantly older than the active military population. Nearly half of those surveyed are retirees, and minorities are under-represented.

"Everyone I talk to wants change but on base you can't say certain things. At a bar or a party, everyone tells me they're voting for Obama," said Thomas Singleton, 27, a former military telecommunications specialist

"My military friends are tired of being lied to," said Singleton. "They're told to deploy for six months, but it ends up being a year. And when they come home, they can't find a job. One of my friends is staying in the Army only because he can't find a civilian job."

Tags: military

Cindy McPain goes Ridiculously Foul

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:25:21 GMT

clipped by: papananook
clipper's remarks: What a dipstick twit. Pardon me Mrs. Doofus, but your lies are showing! Where does she get off? She's not worthy of sitting in the same room with Michele Obama.

Clip Source: politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com

(CNN) — Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, appears to have sharpened her attacks against Barack Obama on the campaign trail in the final stretch of the race for the White House.

One day after she told a Tennessee newspaper Obama is running the "dirtiest campaign in American history," Mrs. McCain criticized the Illinois senator for voting against a bill to fund troops in Iraq, a regular line of attack from her husband’s campaign.

“The day that Senator Obama cast a vote not to fund my son when he was serving sent a cold chill through my body, let me tell you,” she told a Pennsylvania crowd before introducing her husband and Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin.

The vote Mrs. McCain is referencing came in May of 2007, when Obama was one of 14 senators who voted against a war-spending plan that would have provided emergency funds for American troops overseas.

A CNN fact check deemed the charge that Obama voted against troop funding "misleading."

If the Economy Can't Break Down America This Will

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:31:01 GMT

clipped by: Maxwell_Smart
clipper's remarks: I do not know when people will find out when we have both domestic and foreign enemies, but the time is quickly running out.

The broken economy is basically freezing the majority of the people. I can see it now; unconstitutional steps will be taken against the people to "solve" the problems and troops will be here to manage those that rightfully resist such rebellion against our founding principles. I fear it will be bloody.

"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." ~ Thomas Jefferson

Clip Source: www.armytimes.com

3rd Infantry’s 1st BCT trains for a new dwell-time mission. Helping ‘people at home’ may become a permanent part of the active Army

By Gina Cavallaro - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Sep 30, 2008 16:16:12 EDT

The 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team has spent 35 of the last 60 months in Iraq patrolling in full battle rattle, helping restore essential services and escorting supply convoys.

Now they’re training for the same mission — with a twist — at home.

learn how to use “the first ever nonlethal package that the Army has fielded,” 1st BCT commander Col. Roger Cloutier said, referring to crowd and traffic control equipment and nonlethal weapons designed to subdue unruly or dangerous individuals without killing them.

They may be called upon to help with civil unrest and crowd control

The package is for use only in war-zone operations, not for any domestic purpose.

describing the experience as “your worst muscle cramp ever — times 10 throughout your whole body.

Australia in North Atlantic - Just imagine

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:56:37 GMT

clipped by: thefoxalmighty

Clip Source: www.satirewire.com

AUSTRALIA GETS DRUNK, WAKES UP IN NORTH ATLANTIC

Sydney, 800 miles S. of Nova Scotia (SatireWire.com) — After what witnesses described as an all night blinder during which it kept droning on about how it was always being bloody ignored by the whole bloody world and would bloody well stand to do something about it, Australia this morning woke up to find itself in the middle of the North Atlantic.

"We sent troops to Afghanistan. You never hear about it. We have huge government scandals. You never hear about it. It's all 'America did this,' and 'Europe says that,'" exclaimed Perth resident Paul Watson. "Well, we're right in the thick of things now, so let's just see if you can you ignore us."

"Australia bumped into us at about midnight local time," said Hawaii governor Ben Cayetano.

they refused to go around unless we answered their questions. But the questions were impossible. 'Who is Ian Thorpe? Do you have any Tim Tams? What day is Australia Day?'"

Tags: humor, satire

NATO mulls expanding its drug role in Afghanistan

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:03:11 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: great headline

Clip Source: news.yahoo.com

BUDAPEST, Hungary - The United States on Thursday will push NATO allies to order their troops to target Afghanistan's thriving heroin trade in a bid to stem the flow of drug money to the widening insurgency against the troubled international military mission.

A two-day meeting of NATO defense ministers comes amid an increase in violence that has created doubts about whether Western forces can win the war against the resurgent Taliban militants.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates will seek more troops, equipment, funding and other contributions to the Afghan war from the allies.

The U.S. plans to beef up its own troop strength with an extra Army brigade early next year and as many as three additional brigades in the following months. The increases reflect concerns that Afghanistan is becoming the key battlefield in the fight against international terrorism.

NATO's top commander believes cutting the estimated $100 million that the Taliban and their al-Qaida allies receive

each year

Tags: mull