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?
Stop using tax money for ongoing Washington National Guard deployments to distant lands- absent any military emergency, draft, or declaration of war.
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.
September 29, 2019 The Daily Egyptian
