The Common Ills: The US military announces another death

Friday, December 11, 2009

The US military announces another death

Today the US military announced: "CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -- A Multi-National Corps-Iraq Soldier died Dec. 10 from non-combat related injuries. Release of the identity of the Soldier is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin. The name of the deceased service member will be announced through the U.S. Department of Defense Official Web site at http://www.defenselink.mil/. The announcements are made on the Web site no earlier than 24 hours after notification of the service member’s primary next of kin. The incident is currently under investigation." The announcement brings to 4369 the number of US service members killed in Iraq since the start of the illegal war (and ICCC currently shows 4368 because they haven't updated yet, the count is 4369).

Chris Freiberg (News Miner) reports on the send-off ceremony for the 472nd Military Police Company at Fort Wainwright yesterday as they prepare for a few weeks of leave before heading to Iraq as the start of next year. Meanwhile Todd Richmond (AP) reports that Iraq War veteran John Scocos is suing the Veterans Affairs Board for firing him stating he was not fired for just cause but instead because he had been serving in Iraq. Bob Hague (WRN -- link has text and audio) quotes Scocos stating, "We will take every and any available action to ensure that veterans' rights -- my rights as a veteran -- are honored." Katherine Kehoe (Badger Herald) adds, "Among Scocos' reasons for the suit was that Anderson cannot legally serve on the DVA Board because she is not a veteran."

In other veterans news, Lou Michel (Buffalo News) reports that the Buaffalo Veterans Affairs Medical Center will soon begin construction on "a new psychiatric ward [. . .] to accomodate veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological wounds from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan" in 2010. The wing is being bulit due to the need for it and the recongition of how many veterans are suffering from PTSD and other issues.

While US troops and and Iraqis suffer in Iraq, Aamer Madhani (USA Today) reports that "Illionis businessman and former Iraq electricity minister Aiham Alsammarae" plans to run for office in the 'intended' elections (March 7th for now) in Iraq. Madhani holds dual citizenship and what says "committed to my country" more than that, huh? Like most Chicago trash -- including Barry O -- Aamer's had his hands all down Big Tony Rezko's pockets -- in fact, he and Barry most likely took turns giving Big Tony a half-and-half. From Princess Tiny Meat, Madhani learned the power of online sock puppets which is why his campaign strategy includes using students in Jordan to create the impression that there's a groundswell of support in Iraq for the exile who first left the country over thirty years ago.

At The Huffington Post, Will Bunch claims Greg Mitchell's Editor & Publisher "showed journalism how to live." Really? Really, Will? When you're done kissing ass, drop by Third this Sunday and we'll address the 'journalistic' standards of Greg Mitchell. We'll be dealing with one example, the one Greg thought no one knew of. Uh, Greg, I knew you were going to be on the unemployment line last weekend, I'm always several steps ahead of you. And you're always too busy airbrushing the past. That's a plug for Third that Jim asked for. By the way, with Greg's job loss, the Circle Jerk loses one more participant. A number of 'independent's seem to be losing their jobs. Strange. Truth is, it's not over. And like Greg, others need to learn (this includes some NPR 'reporters') that journalistic standards aren't a sash that you can wear when you feel festive and hang in the closet when you're just not in the mood. Present as a journalist, expect to be held to journalistic standards.

For honesty, look not to Greg-ers or Bunched Will, but to Chris Hedges. From his "Liberals Are Useless" (NowPublic News):

Liberals are a useless lot. They talk about peace and do nothing to challenge our permanent war economy. They claim to support the working class, and vote for candidates that glibly defend the North American Free Trade Agreement. They insist they believe in welfare, the right to organize, universal health care and a host of other socially progressive causes, and will not risk stepping out of the mainstream to fight for them. The only talent they seem to possess is the ability to write abject, cloying letters to Barack Obama -- as if he reads them -- asking the president to come back to his "true" self. This sterile moral posturing, which is not only useless but humiliating, has made America’s liberal class an object of public derision.
I am not disappointed in Obama. I don't feel betrayed. I don't wonder when he is going to be Obama. I did not vote for the man. I vote socialist, which in my case meant Ralph Nader, but could have meant Cynthia McKinney. How can an organization with the oxymoronic title Progressives for Obama even exist? Liberal groups like these make political satire obsolete. Obama was and is a brand. He is a product of the Chicago political machine. He has been skillfully packaged as the new face of the corporate state. I don't dislike Obama -- I would much rather listen to him than his smug and venal predecessor -- though I expected nothing but a continuation of the corporate rape of the country. And that is what he has delivered.

The following community sites posted last night: