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Bad Voodoo's War
In June 2007, as the American military surge reached its peak, a band of National Guard infantrymen who call themselves "The Bad Voodoo Platoon" was deployed to Iraq.
To capture a vivid, first-person account of the new realities of war in Iraq for FRONTLINE and ITVS, director Deborah Scranton (The War Tapes) created a "virtual embed" with the platoon, supplying cameras to the soldiers so they could record and tell the story of their war. The film intimately tracks the veteran soldiers of "Bad Voodoo" through the daily grind of their perilous mission, dodging deadly IEDs, grappling with the political complexities of dealing with Iraqi security forces, and battling their fatigue and their fears.
BAD VOODOO`S WAR Tuesday, April 1, 2008 9 P.M. (check local listings)
Today, as we observe the fifth anniversary of the liberation of Iraq and America's continued involvement in securing freedom for an entire nation, Americans are divided over their support of the Administration's policies towards that conflict.
Across the country today, politicians are making speeches about Iraq, anti-war protesters are staging rallies in many cities, pro-troops groups are
Patriotic Americans are being urged to wear red, white and blue clothing this Wednesday, March 19, 2008, to show support for our troops and their mission on the fifth anniversary of the liberation of Iraq from the terrorist regime of Saddam Hussein.
Anything from scarves and ties to a full blown Uncle Sam suit will do.
When someone compliments you on your patriotic attire, take the opportunity to explain to them why you're wearing the red, white and blue on Wednesday.
The anti-American left will be out in the streets across the country that day protesting and rioting. Most of us will be working, taking care of our families or otherwise focused on improving our lives and our country.
Some of us will be out protecting recruiting centers from the leftists.
One thing we can all do is wear the red, white and blue to show our support for our troops and their mission in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere fighting the war on terror.
Please send this to your blog and e-mail lists ASAP.
God bless our troops and their commander-in-chief, President Bush. They've kept us safe since 9/11.
Let's give them encouragement to carry on.
Show the Colors!
Thanks to Kristinn at FreeRepublic.com for this suggestion.
As the anniversary of the Iraq war approaches, anti-war groups are stepping up their threats against military recruiters.
One group has even threatened to "cage military recruiters" like circus animals! Learn more.
Write your representatives and tell them we won't take it any more. Ask them to do the jobs they are being paid to do and enforce the laws to protect all Americans, including military recruiters.
Sound off! Post your commentsabout the growing anti-military trend in the US.
Post your comments about the Berkeley City Council's outrageous anti-military stance and discriminatory support of Code Pink.
Wake up, America! The bombing at the Times Square military recruiting office and the protests at the Berkeley, Ca, Marine recruiting office are not isolated incidents.
Attacks against our military personnel on American soil have increased to the point where military officials felt the need to issue a Force Protection Advisory warning American service members to watch their backs, at home!
Numerous anti-military protests have been announced for this week, on the 5th anniversary of the war in Iraq. Protesters have gone far beyond the exercise of free speech, and are attacking troops and their property.
Army Spc Monica Brown, a 19-year-old medic from Lake Jackson, Texas, has become the second woman since World War II to receive the Silver Star Medal for Gallantry in combat.
As the medic traveling with a four-vehicle convoy in eastern Afghanistan in April of 2007, she is credited with saving the lives of five wounded soldiers after their Humvee was struck by an IED.
Brown said she really didn't have time to be scared, and was concerned with
With just more than a month left before the April 15 personal income tax filing deadline, we want to remind you that as a member of the military, you may be eligible to receive free assistance with the preparation and filing of your federal tax return.
The U.S. Armed Forces participate in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Military-based VITA sites provide free tax advice, tax preparation, return filing and other tax assistance to military members and their families. The volunteers who provide assistance are trained to address military-specific tax issues, such as combat zone tax benefits.
Admiral William J. Fallon, beleaguered Commander of US Central Command, demonstrates his leadership once again.
This time, by resigning and requesting retirement after more than forty years of service to his country, and 5 days shy of his first anniversary as CENTCOM.
Spend Less -- 111 Easy Ways to Keep More of Your Money
My Dad always told me that one of the best ways to save money was to "spend less."
Somehow, that never held much appeal for me. But with the wisdom that comes with living life, I can confirm that, once again, "Father Knows Best."
We've compiled here a list of 111 Easy Ways to Keep More of The Money You Make, in several categories. It was supposed to be 101 Ways, but we just couldn't stop there. We're sure you'll think of some more.
Have you heard about and want to support the TV ad that Move America Forward is running this week to tell the anti-military folks in Berkeley, California, that "We're just not gonna take it any more!"?
If you haven't yet seen the ad, you can do so by clicking on the Permalink below this entry - it will take you to a page on our site with the ad displayed.
If you'd like to make a contribution to ensure this ad gets the widest distribution possible, you can contribute online here.
Both links will take you to pages set up by Move America Forward to accept your contributions specifically for this ad campaign.
We need to support our Marines, and we need to let Berkeley and the rest of America know we won't allow any city in America to treat our Armed Forces in this way.
Semper Fi means something! And we need to make sure those folks in Berkeley understand it.
Seems this is not the first time consumers have boycotted businesses in Berkeley, CA, due to the bone-headed anti-war actions of its City Council (and probably won't be the last).
In October of 2001, The Daily Californian reported:
"Berkeley has seen an economic backlash in the few days since the council approved a resolution calling for a stop to U.S. bombing in Afghanistan, with hundreds of people refusing to spend money in the city."
It went on to say, "A San Francisco man told city officials that he is organizing a boycott of Berkeley. He will soon begin to distribute hundreds of fliers at BART stations, which read, 'Boycott Berkeley - Support Our Troops - Let Berkeley sell their products to the Taliban.'
A software company already reported losing a $60,000 contract because of the council's anti-war resolution, Dean said. Additionally, she said that a number of restaurants have seen their clientele drop."
And some of the same members were on the Berkeley City Council THEN!
It's definitely going to take some heavy economic damage to the City before the City Council understands it has a responsibility to ALL its citizens, not just the anti-war beatniks.
Perhaps the businesses in Berkeley should sue the members of the City Council in their individual capacities for the losses to their business because of the illegal actions of the City Council (interfering with military recruitment is a federal offense).
Move America Forward takes on the Berkeley City Council
Move America Forward is taking on the Berkeley City Council. On January 29, 2008, the City Council in Berkeley, California, voted to send a letter to the local Marine Officer Recruiting office, with a copy to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, suggesting that they retreat.
Retreat? The United States Marine Corps? I don't think so!
Actually, the letter called the Marines "uninvited and unwelcome intruders," and suggested that they close the recruiting office in downtown Berkeley. The City Council encouraged citizens to impede the recruiting activity at the center, and went so far as to grant Code Pink, a foul-mouthed anti-war group, a reserved parking spot directly in front of the recruiting office to facilitate their weekly protests.
The basis for this outrageous action? The Berkeley City Code prohibits
Dr. Sam Bierstock, of Del Ray Beach, Florida, and John Melnick, of Pompano Beach and a member of Bierstock's band, "Dr. Sam and the Managed Care Blues Band," have written a song inspired by an old soldier working as a parking lot attendant in an airport parking lot.
The mournful "Before You Go" does more than salute those who fought in WWII. It encourages people to go out of their way to thank the aging warriors before they die.
"If we had lost that particular war, our whole way of life would have been shot," says Bierstock, who plays harmonica. "The WW II soldiers are now dying at the rate of about 2,000 every day. I thought we needed to thank them."
Click below to read the story and listen to the song.
Most of us think that we don't overspend (OK, maybe secretly we're afraid that we might), but we don't have a good handle on how much "discretionary spending" we actually do, because we're far too busy to keep track of every penny we spend.
And that's precisely why, before we get to the end of the month, we find we've reached the end of our money!
So, exactly how do we go about figuring out how we can spend less money?
An intelligence specialist serving with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Boutwell is getting ready for an upcoming deployment to Iraq. He has spent the past four years recovering from severe injuries he suffered during a March 2004 attack in Iraq's Anbar province, and then fighting for the opportunity to go back.
If you haven't been following the firestorm of publicity about the Berkeley City Council's actions to interfere with military recruiting, specifically by interfering with the local Marine Corps recruiting station, you can read the background here.
If you have, you'll be interested in the response the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce sent to San Diego businessman Brian Dennard, who has vowed to start a widespread boycott of Berkeley businesses.
The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce is asking that people not penalize the businesses of Berkeley. But, because the city derives tax revenue from Berkeley businesses, this is one way to hit the City in the pocketbook, and to get the business owners to exert some influence to demand that their City Council come to its senses.
Federal and state lawmakers are proposing legislation that would strip Berkeley of federal and state funds.
And the Mayor, a retired Army officer, should face loss of his military retired pay for
A new program called VetConnect provides a helping hand to wounded service members making the transition back into their communities. The program "is designed to provide wounded warriors with a critical link to
"Berserkeley" City Council Takes Anti-Military Stance
The City Council in Berkeley, California, recently voted to notify the US Marine Corps that its local recruiting office was an "uninvited and unwelcome intruder." It also encourages citizens, particularly the anti-war group Code Pink, to disrupt the recruiting and enlistment process, which is a violation of federal law.
With the Super Bowl coming up this weekend, and all the electronics stores running sales, we thought this a good time to remind you how much you'll pay for that big-screen HDTV if you buy it on credit.
From Single Mom Working for the Post Office, to Army Major Serving in Iraq
Army Maj. Lisa L. Carter, a two-time Iraq veteran, participates in Why We Serve because she wants to share her life's success story with the American public, hoping her story will inspire others.
A few years after graduating from Fulton High School in Atlanta in 1984, Carter found herself a single mother working at a post office in Atlanta while caring for her 2-year-old daughter.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) helps deployed service members and their families who wish to participate in their states' primary elections by absentee ballot. Some service members may not be aware that
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An intelligence specialist serving with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Boutwell is getting ready for an upcoming deployment to Iraq. He has spent the past four years recovering from severe injuries he suffered during a March 2004 attack in Iraq's Anbar province, and then fighting for the opportunity to go back.
With the Super Bowl coming up this weekend, and all the electronics stores running sales, we thought this a good time to remind you how much you'll pay for that big-screen HDTV if you buy it on credit.
To receive our updates automatically, subscribe by e-mail or RSS:
(right-click)
New! Comments
Join our conversation! Leave me a comment about this page in the box below. If your comment is about another page on this site, please leave your comment on that page, because I have no ability to move it to the correct page. Thanks!For advice specific to your particular situation,
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