Absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, the people of Minnesota need services in Africa.
Jun 7, 2020 The Free Press
DUTY CALLS: Local National Guard unit heading to Africa
“Despite their differences in age and experience, Staff Sgt. Truman, 47, and 2nd Lt. Ross, 26, had some common reactions to the yearlong assignment. Both had barely heard of Djibouti, the tiny country that’s home to the only permanent U.S. military base in Africa.”
“If Camp Leonnier and Djibouti sound familiar to Mankatoans, it might be because another Mankato-based military unit is already deployed there. The Army Reserve’s 492nd Engineer Company is scheduled to return this summer.”
Life wasn’t meant to change after the big Saddam Hussein & Osama bin Laden takedowns.
“Both deployments are part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the now-19-year-old attempt to quell terrorism launched in response to the 9/11 attacks.”
“…active duty pay and benefits and go home every night…”
“Truman won’t be going home every night — or any night — for the next year. He and the other 700 soldiers reported to Camp Ripley on Monday for additional training and will depart for Fort Bliss, Texas, at the end of June.”
May 28, 2020 WMAR
Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard
The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion.
Mayor Day,
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?
December 21st 2019 KOMO News
Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide
“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, sports betting, voting rights, bump stock ban, interracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
Just Be Honest.
Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?
Some states have worked to keep the National Guard out of undeclared wars in distant lands:
Idaho
Feb 26, 2020 Post Register
“As lieutenant governor, I support efforts by Rep. Tammy Nichols — backed by former Idaho National Guard Sgt. Dan McKnight and BringOurTroopsHome.US — to enact “Defend the Guard”legislation requiring that Idaho’s Guard personnel shall not be activated for combat duty overseas unless Congress has first declared war.”
West Virginia
Jobs program:
Bill would disrupt West Virginia’s National Guard
February 10, 2020 West Virginia MetroNews Network
“Second, and perhaps more important, the state and the National Guard benefit significantly from the Guard’s federal roles in federal allocations and civilian jobs here. If West Virginia were able to withdraw from its federal role (except in the case of a declared war), it would lose millions of federal dollars, civilian jobs and critical military training and support.”
If small towns all across America had military jobs programs-would they question undeclared/unwon wars that never end?
More here:
US Funds The Armed Forces As If We Are A Socialist Country?
Related:
Various states have recently sent National Guard troops to distant lands. Each one claims that military operations overseas are somehow linked to American rights and freedoms:
How did Rhode Island freedoms get over to the Middle East?
Maryland Freedoms Found In The Middle East?
West Virginia Freedom Found In The Middle East?
How did our freedom and liberties get over to Kosovo?
Soviet-Style Militarized Pageantry Update
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
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Photo-
The proud eagle as a symbol of the nation. Chosen to represent the country in a time prior to U.S. service members being stationed in 170+ countries overseas.
Prior to the Department of Defense involving itself in decades of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.