Today marks the six year anniversary of our invasion of Iraq.* Five years is a longer commitment than our participation in World War I or II. Thankfully the end, late 2010 to early 2011, is in sight.
*Some accounts credit the beginning of the war to the early hours of March 20th.
Showing posts with label Iraq. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iraq. Show all posts
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Non-Paper Daily, 2.2.2009
*Eric Holder was confirmed as the next Attorney General. There were a lot of messes left by the Bush Administration, but certainly one of the messiest--think dog poop on the shoe then walking around the house before realizing it--is the Justice Department. Hopefully he will be able to quickly reinstate the office's independence, improve morale, and put an end to ideology-based hiring. It's a steep hill.
*With little fanfare this weekend, Iraqis voted yet again. With all our focus on the world's economic problems, this slipped through most news cracks. Apparently it went off with little violence, something we can all be happy about.
*The stimulus package is now moving its way through the Senate where (some) leveler heads reside. Republicans are obstructing like there is no big rush in getting this passes, while with each passing day the situation gets worse. Seriously, guys, either participate or move aside. If Hoover taught us anything, it's that doing nothing is not an option.
*With little fanfare this weekend, Iraqis voted yet again. With all our focus on the world's economic problems, this slipped through most news cracks. Apparently it went off with little violence, something we can all be happy about.
*The stimulus package is now moving its way through the Senate where (some) leveler heads reside. Republicans are obstructing like there is no big rush in getting this passes, while with each passing day the situation gets worse. Seriously, guys, either participate or move aside. If Hoover taught us anything, it's that doing nothing is not an option.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Non-Paper Daily, 12.15.2008
*If you had not already heard, President Bush went on an unannounced trip to Iraq for a signing of the most recent agreement for the pullout of American troops within about two years. While at the ceremony an Arab journalist threw both his shoes (one at a time) at Bush, who demonstrated some nimble dodging. Apparently in Arab cultures, throwing one's shoes at someone is the ultimate gesture of disdain. Who knew? As to be expected, the journalist has become something of a celebrity for standing up to the President of the United States. The video:
*The scuttle is that Caroline Kennedy is actively pursuing Hillary Clinton's senate seat. It is the same seat that the late Senator Bobby Kennedy once held. Political dynasties are not good for our system. Plus, as Kevin pointed out, the rich and famous already have political access a leg up in elections. Count me out on this one.
*Barack Obama has tapped Steven Chu to be the next Secretary of Energy. Not only is he smart (he's a Nobel Laureate) but he's also one of the favorites from the environmental community. Additionally, Obama named Nancy Sutley to head the White House Council on Environmental Quality. As Steve pointed out, in terms of diversity, that adds a second Asian American to Obama's cabinet and the first openly gay member of any cabinet, all serving under the first non-white President of the United States. Positive steps indeed.
*The scuttle is that Caroline Kennedy is actively pursuing Hillary Clinton's senate seat. It is the same seat that the late Senator Bobby Kennedy once held. Political dynasties are not good for our system. Plus, as Kevin pointed out, the rich and famous already have political access a leg up in elections. Count me out on this one.
*Barack Obama has tapped Steven Chu to be the next Secretary of Energy. Not only is he smart (he's a Nobel Laureate) but he's also one of the favorites from the environmental community. Additionally, Obama named Nancy Sutley to head the White House Council on Environmental Quality. As Steve pointed out, in terms of diversity, that adds a second Asian American to Obama's cabinet and the first openly gay member of any cabinet, all serving under the first non-white President of the United States. Positive steps indeed.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Yes, We're Still in Iraq and Afghanistan
A friendly PSA:
After a closely fought, high-profile election that gobbled up headlines and in the heart of a global financial meltdown, I would like to remind you all that yes, we still have hundreds of thousands of troops abroad. This may come as a surprise, considering the lack of news coverage on the topic. Don't shoot the messenger, I just thought you all should know.
After a closely fought, high-profile election that gobbled up headlines and in the heart of a global financial meltdown, I would like to remind you all that yes, we still have hundreds of thousands of troops abroad. This may come as a surprise, considering the lack of news coverage on the topic. Don't shoot the messenger, I just thought you all should know.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Hostages
Another question (the last one has elicited a grand total of zero responses, so my hopes are not high): Have there been an any American soldiers captured and held hostage during the Afghanistan and/or Iraq Wars? I don't know the answer, do you?
UPDATE: Thanks to Vicki in comments who reports there have been hostages, however in limited numbers. With all the fighting and deaths in the last five years, the low number of hostages is certainly a testament to the military's ethos of leaving no man behind.
UPDATE: Thanks to Vicki in comments who reports there have been hostages, however in limited numbers. With all the fighting and deaths in the last five years, the low number of hostages is certainly a testament to the military's ethos of leaving no man behind.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Suicide
No, I'm not contemplating committing it, but apparently it's on the rise in the military. Yesterday I heard a statistic that stated there are over 6,000 military suicides annually. I thought, "No way." I thought right.
According to military statistics there were over 2,000 suicide attempts last year, nearly 100 of which resulted in death. Though not nearly 6,000 suicides, it still sounds like a lot to me. Apparently not. This number represents about 18 suicide attempts for every 100,000 troops. The national civilian average is 20 per 100,000. Looks like those in the military are less likely to commit suicide than your average person. This, however, doesn't tell the entire story.
The conflict in Iraq has caused a significant increase in the attempted suicide rate. Before the invasion, in 2002, the attempted suicide rate was 12 per 100,000. After five years in Iraq that rate has increased by nearly 50 percent. I guess that's to be expected: war sucks. Yet another reason we should never have gone to Iraq.
Speaking of Iraq, more and more people believe going to Iraq was a mistake. Now 63% say so. Hard for me to believe John McCain can win a presidential campaign when we continues to be one of the biggest cheerleaders of our continued occupation.
According to military statistics there were over 2,000 suicide attempts last year, nearly 100 of which resulted in death. Though not nearly 6,000 suicides, it still sounds like a lot to me. Apparently not. This number represents about 18 suicide attempts for every 100,000 troops. The national civilian average is 20 per 100,000. Looks like those in the military are less likely to commit suicide than your average person. This, however, doesn't tell the entire story.
The conflict in Iraq has caused a significant increase in the attempted suicide rate. Before the invasion, in 2002, the attempted suicide rate was 12 per 100,000. After five years in Iraq that rate has increased by nearly 50 percent. I guess that's to be expected: war sucks. Yet another reason we should never have gone to Iraq.
Speaking of Iraq, more and more people believe going to Iraq was a mistake. Now 63% say so. Hard for me to believe John McCain can win a presidential campaign when we continues to be one of the biggest cheerleaders of our continued occupation.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
McCain
We're not to the general election yet, but this can't go unnoticed. Senator McCain has clearly staked his presidential run foreign policy and his experience in the military. It must be troubling for his supporters that he can't even get some of the basics right about the Middle East and the military.
Either McCain is misspeaking a lot or he's plain wrong about a lot of things. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of a President who can't speak (although the laugh track made me lol) and we surely can't afford another one that is wrong all the time.
- McCain has been confused on numerous occasions whether al Qaeda in Iraq is Sunni of Shi'a
- McCain has been unsure whether or not Iran is aiding al Qaeda in Iraq
- McCain had a hard time understanding what was going down in Basra a couple weeks ago
- And now McCain's showing an ignorance of who makes military decisions. He wants General Petraeus to decide if we should move troops from Iraq to Afghanistan to pursue Osama bin Laden. Just last week General Petraeus said making those types of decisions are not part of his responsibility.
Either McCain is misspeaking a lot or he's plain wrong about a lot of things. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of a President who can't speak (although the laugh track made me lol) and we surely can't afford another one that is wrong all the time.
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