Will there ever come a time when newspeople ask if there is any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, linked to the movement of National Guard troops to an overseas location?
Several news sources published this quote. View them here.
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?
“Minnesota and Croatia formed a partnership in 1996, five years after the Southeastern European country declared independence from the former Yugoslavia. Croatia joined NATO in 2009 and the European Union in 2013.”
Did the advantage of NATO allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
“However, it was unclear what mechanisms would allow DoD to track unvaccinated troops and withhold their pay. Personnel and pay systems are mostly handled at the state level. Also, troops flagged under other circumstances, such as failing a fitness test, are not typically denied pay.”
Love to see the press find out from elected officials how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
Look for TV newspeople to play along by not asking questions.
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
If The Troops defend American rights and freedoms, what becomes of those freedoms when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Do the people who operate the local newspaper want us to think of the US Armed Forces as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
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.
Several news sources published this quote. View them here.
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?
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals Re: lessons learned on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
The formal congressional declaration of war would also be the time for a careful review of important issues such as: PTSD, suicide, GTMO/torture, use of contractors, war crimes, a $6.4 trillion price tag, lies about freedom, propaganda, dressing women to look like men, exit strategy, mission creep, nation building, reduction of traditional military benefits offered when people signed up to stay on for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, who should register for the draft, planning ticker-tape parades and joyous celebrations, etc.
“I am so proud of this unit,” said Brig. Gen. Dan Dent, Commanding General of the Washington Army National Guard. “I am proud of the way they have been trained, proud to again deliver them to a mob site, trained to the highest possible standard, proud of them for upholding that tradition.”
Your hometown troops have been sent to support undeclared/unwon wars for the last 20 years. You might be General material if you can make this sound like a good thing.
Remember, unlike the active duty military, these guys must maintain a place to live and a regular job back in their hometown area.
Questions for newspeople:
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
Newspeople remain silent.
Any members of the free and independent press available to show up and ask:
Is there any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, linked to this movement of WA National Guard troops?
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Reached max saturation about mid-December. Thinking I would be more at peace if I took a break form sharing/posting and commenting on Twitter Re: news-related items.
Hard to stay away.
Maybe I can post just once a week?
The desire is to live in a free and honest society.
The conflict is in turning it off and calling it out.
Calling it out:
People get their information from the TV, political parties and political personalities.
The press release style of news reporting means that a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest drug bust/federal grant money award, etc. Newspeople post this statement as is.
Preventing drugs from entering local communities would kill the chance for various agencies to get publicity for the occasional big drug bust happening in those communities.
Snohomish 2015
Local law enforcement agencies may benefit when the US Dept. of Homeland Security fails to keep heroin out of the US.
“Overdose deaths attributed to fentanyl and methamphetamine continue to rise at an alarming rate in the Puget Sound region,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino.
Federal agents swing into action after heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine move past federal agents manning a $51.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security-then on into a multi-state area:
“This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.”
“The Coast Guard Cutter Active returned to its homeport of Port Angeles Friday following a 46-day deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean, and unloaded 4,200 kg of cocaine worth $159 million.”
It’s like a moment of silence has been called for. It’s like man first landing on the moon anytime someone in whatever zip code gets the first vaccination.
The European Deterrence Initiative, which the soldiers are being deployed to serve in, is meant to “enhance the U.S. deterrence posture, increase the readiness and responsiveness of U.S. forces in Europe, support the collective defense and security of NATO allies, and bolster the security and capacity of U.S. allies and partners.”
Did the advantage of NATO allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
The idea that military aircraft are somehow linked to American freedoms calls for more discussion.
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20. Can elected officials of any party or any member of the press help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our 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.
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.
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Created a new category to make a transition away from 2020. This category is meant to look at positive images and memories that have nothing to do with news, politics, TV, public policy, political parties, etc.
Is there any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, linked to this movement of troops?
The press is also good for telling everybody to get out and vote.
People could do a better job of voting if they were better informed.
Newspapers are suppressing online comment sections, getting away from asking questions related to public policy and telling us they need more support from subscription and advertising sales.
Got it.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?
Maryland too:
Mayor Day tells us that sending Maryland National Guard troops to Africa is linked to keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland, and all Americans safe and free:
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.
Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
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:
Several news sources published this quote. View them here.
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.
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.
I understand that people are patriotic. I understand that people are proud of their time in uniform. I understand that elected officials want to generate support for overseas military operations.
Making claims that these deployments are linked in any way with American rights and freedoms is fiction.
Several news sources published this quote. View them here.
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?
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.
If a right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?
Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?
Until July of 1971, 18 year old adults did not have full voting rights. Why didn’t US Military operations conducted in the 1940s, 50s & 60s get the job done on this?
If a right to vote is protected by the US Armed Forces, what becomes of that right when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
Claims about freedoms that cry out for questioning:
Two major political parties continue to promote the idea that The Troops are sent to distant lands to fight for American rights and freedoms.
School teachers and newspeople are OK with promoting this urban legend.
In the 60s & 70s I never attended a Veterans Day assembly at school.
There were none.
Probably enough veterans around to remove most of the mystique, or maybe those veterans thought it was all just an average thing and did not want to be seen as a separate part of American society, or get head of the line parking spots over at the grocery store.
Each November, school teachers across America host Veterans Day assemblies– and promote the idea to children that The Troops are in distant lands-fighting for American rights and freedoms-as if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
In Washington State, these assemblies are mandatory.
Love to see a student ask: If The Troops fight for your right to sit, stand, kneel, etc.-why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
Love to see a student ask: If the wars aren’t won-how can they protect our freedom?
Love to see a student ask: Whatever happened to lessons about Armistice Day?
1967
Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?
Was it the Viet Cong that set up laws in 16 US states to prohibit interracial marriage?
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?
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.
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:
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.
My critique here is directed at the made for TV newspeole who occaisionaly stage tearful reunions featuring military personnel returning from far away lands.
I have solid respect for the people who serve in the National Guard.
Unlike active duty folks, these guys need to have a regular job and a place to live back home when not helping DOD squander credibility in distant lands.
Some people are working hard to keep the National Guard out of undeclared wars in distant lands:
Nowhere in the text of this report is there any hint of where this West Virginia National Guard unit went for nine months, or why they were there.
The news video intro is all smiles and refers to the entire unit as heroes. Nowhere in the video do newspeople reveal the location to which the unit was deployed.
At 2:35, the little girl in the video lets us know that the unit was in Afghanistan.
If calling the West Virginia National Guard away to distant lands is vital to the people of West Virginia, it seems like newspeople would want to make some effort to inform the public on the importance of this mission.
Hero
Military culture is very careful about who is called a hero. The Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and Silver Star are awarded to heroes.
In mainstream culture, you don’t have to look too far to find comments that refer to the troops as “heroes.”
Some are.
No one who has done time in an average military unit would be comfortable with everyone present being called a hero. Some units would be the exception, but for most people who have done time over the years, calling everyone a hero would have no connection to reality.
Reality, and an honest understanding of why we send The Troops to far away places isn’t what we’re about though.
Reaching for an honest understanding of US foreign policy makes more sense than “Thanks for your service.”
Love to see newspeople show up and ask why the people of West Virginia needed services in Afghanistan, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
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:
“Spartan Shield is U.S. Central Command’s means to deter regional aggression and stabilize countries within the region. From Egypt to Pakistan, Kazakhstan to Yemen, the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility is strategically important as well as volatile.”
As always, looks like members of the press were not available to show up and ask why the people of Rhode Island need services in the Middle East, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war.
“These Citizen Soldiers sacrifice so much for their love of country and for that we owe them a lifelong debt of gratitude. They will miss many “firsts” in their families, holidays, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations and Thanksgiving to protect our rights, freedoms and international security.”
Protecting our rights and freedoms?
More discussion please.
If the troops are fighting for American rights and freedoms-why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
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.
“They have been deployed for over 300 days and protecting our freedoms, so I just want to thank them,” Rutherford said. “They are making sure we are safe here in America. These soldiers are Marylanders that we can be very proud, and it is important that we are here to welcome them home.”
Protecting our freedoms?
More discussion please.
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.
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.
Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Maryland needed services in the Middle East, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
Love to see newspeople ask:
Lt. Gov. Rutherford,
While the troops were away, 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?
The local press is out to sample the can-do attitude maintained by VFW members in Oregon and the new airlift wing commander at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Out to the VFW to see what local members have to say:
“It’s an ever-present danger, not just for what happened yesterday, look at the world trade centers, I was there before it was bombed, so it’s been ongoing, they tried to attack that years ago, I believe it was in the 1980s and we intercepted that,” she said.
“Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base is the home base of the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173d Fighter Wing which is a part of the air education and training command that supports training for F-15 jets for the air national guard and the u-s air force.”
“I feel Klamath Falls is secure because of the 173rd Air force, they’re always on their striker training sessions, they always keep training in everything incase we do go to war,” he said.
“On behalf of all West Virginians, Cathy and I want to welcome home all the brave men and women who have been overseas defending freedom,” Justice said in a news release.
Defending Freedom?
More discussion please.
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of West Virginia needed services in the Middle East, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
Love to see newspeople ask:
Governor Justice,
While the troops were away, 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?
Unlike active duty folks, these guys need to have a regular job and place to live back home when not helping DOD squander credibility in distant lands:
Sign up to serve the people of Illinois, then head for Afghanistan. Can’t blame people for questioning this scenario. Might want to validate the use of National Guard troops in distant lands.
Regular people might ask:
Are giant flag rituals at football games enough to sustain all this?
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.
Unlike active duty folks, these guys need to have a regular job and place to live back home when not helping DOD squander credibility in distant lands:
Sign up to serve the people of Illinois, then head for Afghanistan. Can’t blame people for questioning this scenario. Might want to validate the use of National Guard troops in distant lands. Giant flag rituals at football games might not be enough to sustain it.
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Illinois need services in Afghanistan, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
“On behalf of all West Virginians, Cathy and I want to welcome home all the brave men and women who have been overseas defending freedom,” Justice said in a news release.
Defending Freedom?
More discussion please.
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.
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.
Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of West Virginia needed services in the Middle East, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
Love to see newspeople ask:
Governor Justice,
While the troops were away, 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?
“Working again in concert with European allies, U.S. forces entered Kosovo in June 1999 with the primary objective of bringing peace to that troubled land.”
Governor Lee,
Various American freedoms may have come & gone since US troops were sent to Kosovo in 1999.
Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, sports betting, bump stock ban, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.
Are any of these freedoms linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense, sending National Guard troops to Kosovo, or the outcome of military operations overseas?
Why do we speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Did the advantage of NATO allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented won or shut down?
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.
Why doesn’t this style of reporting cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, or the Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars?
Topics like healthcare, immigration, climate change, impeachment, gun, control, and sports get plenty of coverage.
I tend to be fascinated with topics that are underreported in the news. I wonder why the family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers, big city papers, and TV news folks seem to have certain topics they stay away from. These are the issues I like to blog about.
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.
All time favorite urban legend:
The Troops are sent to distant lands to fight for American rights and freedoms.
As if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
The press will avoid questioning this idea. They may even take time to promote it.
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.
Go and ask the FBI for Chicago bank robbery statistics. You’ll get the numbers. They won’t tell you that statistics/public records must be withheld because stats would assist bank robbers if they were shared with the public.
What other law enforcement agencies, anywhere in the US maintain secret arrest statistics?
Washington State Patrol shares DUI arrest statistics on social media here:
“Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”
Questions for newspeople:
Has there been any post 911 history of maritime “cross-border activity” on Whidbey Island?
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?
Any members of the free press available to show up and ask why the people of West Virginia need services in an unknown overseas location absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep meth from entering the Puget Sound area:
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Illinois need services in Iraq and Afghanistan, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
“…you chose to be one of the ones that stepped forward, raised your right hand and swore to defend this nation.”
Any members of the free press available to show up and ask why the people of Louisiana need services in Iraq, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
They did show up. As always, no questions were asked:
Richard T. Gromlich, retired rear admiral with the Coast Guard: “Today, our military members around the world continue to put service before self. They proudly serve to ensure the freedoms we enjoy today. I couldn’t be more proud of the men and women who serve today. They are the best of best.”
A symbol of freedom, federal government credibility, school teachers and newspeople not asking questions and voting to support the political parties and personalities who take turns in power.
US foreign policy goals and objectives are mapped out at the very highest levels of government.
Ask yourself- is there someone at the table- in those high level planning sessions- who makes sure that military operations overseas include a mission to protect American rights and freedoms?
Does someone make sure the mission is to defend the constitution?
Is there anyone who verifies that the mission is to protect our physical security?
May 26, 2019, The Associated Press
Mike Pence: West Point grads should expect to see combat
“Vice President Mike Pence told the most diverse graduating class in the history of the U.S. Military Academy on Saturday that the world is “a dangerous place” and they should expect to see combat.”
Do the folks who reach out to help military members and their families also advocate for phasing out undeclared/unwon wars that never end?
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
“This Memorial Day, spare us the flyover jets, flag-wielding honor guards, and other patriotic mush of 21st-century popular culture. Instead, I’d submit that now—after 18 years of endless, ineffective war—it’s a time for nuance, for a collective national self-assessment.”
Danny Sjursen – A retired U.S. Army Major
“At professional sports events, the once-modest singing of the national anthem has been overshadowed by flyovers from fighter jets, field-sized flags and uniformed troops on parade. Airport loudspeakers blare expressions of gratitude for the troops, and flight attendants call attention to uniformed military members aboard planes.”
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.
Looks like Newspeople didn’t show up to ask any questions before, during, or after the hero send off ceremony, so we’ll ask a few here. Our questions will appear in bold type.
April 14th, 2019 Press Release from the office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins
70 Bangor-based Maine National Guard soldiers are deploying to Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve
“There is no cause more noble than preserving America’s freedom…”
No one who has done time in an average military unit would be comfortable with everyone present being called a hero. Some units would be the exception, but for most people who have done time over the years, calling everyone a hero would have no connection to reality.
Reality, and an honest understanding of why we send The Troops to far away places isn’t what we’re about though.
Sending the National Guard to Poland is somehow linked to American rights and freedoms?
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Maine need services in Poland absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
“The Department of Defense continues to be one of our nation’s bedrock institutions,” Shanahan said, and “our foundational strength lies in the remarkable men and women who volunteer to serve our country and protect our freedoms, while making immense personal sacrifice.”
Why do we speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
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 The Troops fight for American rights and freedoms- why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
With all this talk of freedom- would it be OK to grow a marijuana plant in the back yard?
Can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, bump stock ban, interracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, voting rights, 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.
“The SDARNG has saved over $15,000 in tipping fees by diverting solid waste from the landfill,” said Emily Beck, SDARNG environmental compliance and conservation manager.
It’s hard to tell who is making the award here. Is SDARNG presenting themselves with an award?
Elsewhere in South Dakota Air National Guard news:
“In Sioux Falls, 19 city wells have been shut down at Sioux Falls Regional Airport due to contamination from foam use by the South Dakota National Air Guard and Sioux Falls Fire Department.”
“The South Dakota Air National Guard and the Sioux Falls Fire Department both used the toxic firefighting foam for many years near the airport, which led to the contamination of the city’s drinking water.”
Related:
Dec 16, 2015 The Intercept
POISONING THE WELL
Toxic Firefighting Foam Has Contaminated U.S. Drinking Water
State-run media lets us know that a National Guard Counterdrug program has been in place in all 50 states since the mid 1990s.
The program started as an effort to eradicate marijuana grows.
At 4:06 we learn that the US Dept. of Homeland Security made a request that the National Guard fill capability gaps in key areas of the US:
When the news is created by people in uniform, there’s no need to deal with any awkward/real questions from the press. It looks like newspeople aren’t showing up to ask questions, so we’ll ask a few here. Our questions will appear in bold type.
“…the National Guard Bureau operates five counterdrug schools that provide training in drug interdiction and counter-drug activities. These schools trained more than 41,400 law enforcement officers, community-based organization members, and military personnel in the fiscal year 2017.”
“…11 full-time airmen and soldiers are embedded in various law enforcement agencies around the state, including the DEA, Customs and the Delaware State Police.”
“A drunken driver steps out of his vehicle after being pulled over. He says he has a weapon, reaches in his pocket and pretends to pull out a gun.”
What does this scenario have to do with drug control policy or the National Guard?
We were told earlier that the National Guard role is limited to analyzing evidence and air support?
“In 2017, 345 people died of overdoses in Delaware. The health department expects last year’s number, which has not yet been finalized, to surpass that due to the increase in drugs laced with the potent synthetic drug fentanyl.”
Another state-run media update:
Prescription Drug Take Back:
0:28 “…collected more than 9,600 pounds of prescription medications…”
A huge success for the legal drug dealers- they sold more than 9,600 pounds of prescription medications to people who did not need them.
Have National Guard counterdrug efforts resulted in any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, meth or fentanyl anywhere in the US?
What does the US Dept. of Homeland Security do with the $40.6 billion they get every 12 months?
“He requested support from the 248th Aviation Support Battalion, Iowa Army National Guard, who had similar equipment.”
The people of Missouri needed services in Iraq:
“As the 248th ASB’s deployment was ending, the partnership passed onto the 935th Aviation Support Battalion, 35th Combat Aviation Brigade, Missouri Army National Guard.”
The people of Illinois needed services in Iraq:
“To me at least, it felt like it was something that has a lasting effect here,” said Illinois Army National Guard Staff Sgt. David Johnson, B. Company powertrain shop chief.
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Arizona need services in Afghanistan absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
The National Guard was never meant to be an enforcer of US foreign policy, or used for nation building schemes or occupational duties in foreign lands.
Checks and Balances-
The US form of government is meant to include checks and balances.
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record since DOD was established in 1949.
This would be a time to remind people that the National Guard is meant to serve the people of their home state or other states and territories in the case of fires, floods, storm relief, etc. This would be the time to discuss ending multiple National Guard deployments to distant lands- absent any military emergency, draft, or declaration of war.
General Frank J. Grass Chief, National Guard Bureau:
Uncle Sam had a supply & demand problem. Not enough California National Guard troops wanted to re-enlist and leave the state they had signed up to serve so they could go to fight in failed wars that never end.
With all that extra incentive cash- was the war in Iraq or Afghanistan ever won?
Here in the next few weeks- school teachers will again make arrangements to instruct small children Re: US foreign policy.
Each November, school teachers across America host Veterans Day assemblies– and promote the idea that The Troops are in distant lands- fighting for American rights and freedoms:
Veterans Day is for honoring veterans. Memorial Day is for honoring those who died in wars. Sept 11th is for honoring the victims and heroes of 911- a time to remember how the nation pulled together in the days following the event.
Commenting on newspaper web editions-
The story has to do with the tenth anniversary of 911, a large number of troops lost in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, or a federal park ranger gunned down in Washington State. Many comments asking for or offering prayers for the families who have suffered a loss, etc. (praying to the same god who watched over as the tragedy unfolded?) Someone posts a public policy question or comment related to the story-
“This isn’t the place for your political views, we don’t want to hear your comments about the war, or gun control, have some respect for the families, this is not the time”, etc.
Hey folks- this is a news site- not a church service. I would never scold anyone for offering prayers- why the effort to suppress ideas?
Will there ever come a time when newspeople ask if there is any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, linked to the movement of National Guard troops to an overseas location?
