If you are a soldier, don’t get pregnant

Well, I must say this is a first. I have never heard of such a rule, so let’s examine it a bit more closely. Major General Tony Cucolo just assumed command of the American forces in northern Iraq last month and shortly after doing so, he issued the directive that is responsible for a bit [...]

Peace in Iraq?

We awake this morning with the news that a series of coordinated attacks have been executed in Baghdad, including three car bombs that targeted government sites. At least 112 people have been killed, with 197 wounded and I would expect the death toll to rise even higher. These attacks show the ability of the insurgents [...]

United Nations to investigate humans rights abuses in United States

What is the first thing you think of when you hear a nation or an individual has committed human rights abuses? If you are like me, you think about war crimes or genocide. Countries such as Burma and Iran come to mind. Imagine my surprise to learn that the United States is being investigated by [...]

To kill or not to kill, that is the question for Iraq

A lot of people, myself included have questioned George W. Bush about the war in Iraq. I have always liked the man, but that didn’t keep me from questioning the validity of sending our troops into the country and removing Saddam Hussein from power. Not that I was a great fan of Hussein, but I [...]

President Obama’s Afghanistan

During his campaign for President in 2007-2008, Barack Obama stated repeatedly that he believed the war in Iraq was a mistake. His reasoning for that belief was that Afghanistan was where we should have focused our attention. While he may have been correct, I am left to wonder at the lack of attention he is [...]

President Obama returns from vacation

After having his highly publicized summer vacation with his family interrupted by the death of Senator Ted Kennedy, President Obama has returned from Martha’s Vineyard and is back at the White House. To say that he has a full plate in front of him would be a bit of an understatement.
Front and center would be [...]

More bombings in Iraq

For weeks and months in advance of the formal handover of security control of Iraqi cities on June 30, 2009, we were warned that the security gains made over the past year or so were still very fragile. Top U.S. commanders on the ground in Iraq continually played down the event and said it would [...]

Iran arrests three Americans for illegal entry

Why does this not surprise me? I had meant to write about this over the weekend, but I was very busy with family obligations. That does not make it no less important. When the media began reporting that three Americans had wandered into Iran while hiking and were being detained, I remember thinking to myself [...]

F-22 Raptor production stopped

In a move that may have prevented the first veto by President Obama, the United States Senate has approved an amendment to a defense spending bill that will stop further production of the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter. Doing so will remove $1.75 billion that was set aside to manufacture seven more of the twin engine [...]

Memorial Day – 2009

Sometimes, in the rush of everyday life, we Americans tend to forget the things that really matter in this world. We seem to be in the habit, on the whole as a country, of taking for granted the freedoms we have in the United States. I can go where I want and do anything in the legal limits of the law and not have to worry about being harassed by the police or the military. In fact, we are about to make a short trip to see my wife’s parents and we don’t even have to get a travel permit or ask permission

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