Posted by cassandra2 on June 30, 2008 at 7:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wowie, gee whiz, a chance to serve his country and more realistically to serve the interests of Exxon-Mobil, B.P. and the rest of the actual beneficiaries of this resource war while making Middle Easterners wholesale dead and creating more hatred for the US.

Posted by mikeb6804 on June 30, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cassie---kindly go soak your left-leaning head. You're not cool and you're not very smart in spite of what you think. Just another America-hater. Your words speak for themselves.

Posted by christafrankmiller on June 30, 2008 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

god bless you and your family during this time david!! from a military family...we will be praying for you!! dont get discouraged by all of the negativity....believe me..its everywhere when dealing with the military lifestyle..from the people that dont like it...thank you for your bravery and your families support!!

Posted by cassandra2 on June 30, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As for correcting the impression of a socio-economic "draft," this kid is missing it. Jessica lynch joined to get funds for college, the notorious Lyndie English joined for same, (both were treated like bleep by the military they served) most of the kids in this article were short of options/funds and with increasing hard times more will be in the same position.

A few seem high on impulsivity and likely to take the quick money. But their impulsivity will likely make them a danger in combat (or a "hero")

Nobody seems real concerned that they will be in danger of severe mental and physical injury and that they will be trained to kill people. In short, they are typical of their age group. They're going to live forever and nothing bad will happen to them because they are special.

Virtually no one with real options will join the military. NOT ONE OF THE PERPETRATORS OF THIS WAR HAS A KID IN THE SERVICE--NOT THE PRES, THE V.P., NOT THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, NOT THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATORS OF THE GOVERNMENT. NONE OF THEM!

Posted by Ms_California on June 30, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

David, go strong and safe and don't listen to those haters who talk terribly about our countries soldiers or actions. (like cassandra) I bet you take those haters out of this country and they all change their minds real quick and beg for re-entry!

To David's family, this is the ultimate sacrafice and my thoughts are with you and stay strong throughout his military career. Thank you!

Posted by surfmedic91 on June 30, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cassandra, you're lost. You live, possibly, in a county that has 2 military bases and thousands of military members but know nothing about the military. Who is trained to kill in the military? Only about 20% of MOS's are directly combat related. The others are support services like finance, medical, personnel, logistics, supply, etc. You only hear the stories of the soldiers who saw so much bad stuff while they were there but you don't hear about the ones that paid off all of their debts, finished a degree online while in Iraq, or spent more time playing XBox than actually working while in Iraq.

Everyone has options, only some will chose to act on them. Keep your option of not joining the military and keep sitting at the computer.

Posted by surfmedic91 on June 30, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jw1000, move to Canada.

Posted by surfmedic91 on June 30, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Shouldn't everyone?

Posted by surfmedic91 on June 30, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Take disaster relief and border security off of the plate of the National Guard. Close the military hospitals that support local citizens in the US. Pull all personnel out of Central and South America supporting the "war on drugs".

The President or people in government shouldn't have any bearing on why someone serves in the military. Don't become a police officer if you don't like your Chief of Police.

Posted by cslaurie on June 30, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ah Cassandra, I like your lines, "I see disaster. I see catastrophe. Worse, I see lawyers!" You are certainly a humorous person from your nom de plume are you really a Cursed Prophetess?

I served my time in the military and I fervently hope for the sake of this nation that every last male and female be drafted for two years of service in our armed forces. There are some lessons to be learned there that the left wing whackjobs are missing.

Posted by BeaHappi on June 30, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Godspeed David Zehner...

Posted by mikeb6804 on June 30, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jw--what on earth were you in the military? A drug-sniffing dog?

Posted by cassandra2 on June 30, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I interviewed a chap who is a leader in anti-recruiting for an article. He joined the National Guard to serve without having to kill anyone nor to be involved in resource wars like Iraq (and perhaps Iran?). Guess what? He ended up in Iraq and was last I heard about to be re-deployed.

There are lessons to be learned all right, and you folks seem brain dead to them. If you join the military, you join a highly structured hierarchical system where those on the bottom get substantially less benefit, opportunity and help. You become part of a very expensive and wasteful system that is destroying our economy and adding big time to our oil shortage.

Last I heard every recruit learns to kill. They may have a job fixing vehicles or communication or refurbishing infrastructure but they basically learn how to be a killer first. I listened to many talk about how they were taught to see the "enemy" as less than human and shout out hatred in marching cadence. Did they lie?

And I am getting really tired of trying to deal with the constant argumentum ad absurdum. Not supporting the militarization of our society, of our government, of our planet is hardly the same thing as wanting no military. Obviously we need to defend ourselves, more so now that we are so hated around the world. Right now, the military is the biggest piece of our national budget, that is if you seek out its full size. Which is hard to do because they hide it from you i.e. nuclear weapons in the energy budget, military welfare under social spending, etc.. Where did all these Neanderthals come from who can only think in terms of this or that?

The military has help in screwing up our national economy as well, from lobbyists, Congress, industry, etc.--the oft warned about military/industrial complex.

Right now the military is either the biggest or close to the biggest consumer of petroleum resources as well.

We cannot afford empire anymore. The world cannot afford us anymore.

When you serve in the military, what do you really serve? What possible relationship is our oft mentioned "freedom" to do with this war for oil?

And these poor kids who get pulled into them for glory or immediate benefit or articles shilling for recruitment?

Posted by JohnInSimi on June 30, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cassandra, I served in the AirForce for 8 years as an Electronic Intelligence analyst. Basic training had a 1 hour session on how to shoot an M-16. I hardly call that being trained to 'kill' as you put it, but I proudly served in the military and I had a great time doing it. PS, I don't question your "patriotism"

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice Cassandra! A fine young man---an Eagle Scout no less---has made an honorable decision to serve his nation and the first blog comment is a typical KPFK, lefist anti-Bush, "Blood for Oil" comment.

I too enlisted in the Marines. In 1996 as a man with a BA in Finance, I enlisted and went to Parris Island. I did not have to serve. I MADE A CHOICE TO SERVE THIS NATION.

I served under Clinton first. I couldn't stand him, but I still had to respect the CINC. You don't join the military based on who the CINC is, so this anti-Bush, anti-Cheney junk is straight BS.

As for "training to kill". As a Marine, yes I was trained to kill...Cassandra, what is your problem with that? What planet are you on?!! When a job needs doing, it's worth doing right, whether it's cutting your lawn or cutting down Taliban in Afghanistan hell bend on making us all muslims.

And please stop spreading lies...SOCIAL SECURITY on its own is the biggest single expense in the budget---not defense spending!! If you add Social Security AND Medicare, they total 42% of the budget...the DoD is only 21%.

If our nation was let by Cassandra and her ilk, we would be defenseless sheep---and we would be speaking German today. Since you have so much time on your hands, please make time to read some history.

I am only glad that this brave soul--David Zehner--is too busy right now at MCRD San Diego---learning to be a Marine AT THIS VERY MOMENT---that he did not have to see such pathetic comments from armchair, Monday morning quarterbacks like Cassandra. She is a taker--someone who has given nothing to this nation, but who lives under the protection of our Constitution; a constitution that would not be worth the paper it is written on were it not for the very military she harbors such anger for. It's easy to criticize what you don't know about, especially when you will never face the draft.

Do us a favor---stop blogging and go listen to KPFK and the sycophant Bush and military haters there.

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cassie---do you hate the 2nd Amendment as well, or just the military?

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John: Thanks for your service! I was in Intel as well as an Intelligence Analyst at Pendleton. We (Marines) had a little more time behind the M-16, even an non-grunts. I'm sorry, but I have to criticize Cassandra's patriotism...she does not have any. Little to nothing she has typed so well helps or supports or nation--she IS unpatriotic. To take a piece about a young man who made a tough decision in a time of war and turn it into a rant about how evil oil is and Bush is and our military is and our nation is...you get the point!

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cassie---are you riding a bicycle or driving a car that uses prehistoric, compressed vegetable matter? Don't tell me--you are driving a Prius aren't you!! (Pull me off the floor before I bust a gut). I loath SUVs, but we need this stuff called "gas" for LOTS of things. Personally, I like A/C and driving my VW to work and a number of other things oil provides.

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jw: Sorry buddy. I drive a VW that gets 30 mpg.

Posted by IslandHopper on June 30, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

David--thank you for your service. Semper Fi!

Posted by cassandra2 on June 30, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John, did you serve during war time?

The information I had came from recent recruits. They talked about being asked to sing out ditties about shooting civilians while marching, kind of like a desensitization process.

Yours sound like a very specialized training for someone with a lot of ability going in. The job you held did not sound like it would call for lethal skills.

I'm not adverse to learning ever, but when I hear a generalization, I want more than anecdotal information, statistics and such. What were the circumstances and how does it compare with other information in other circumstances. Much of the cheer leading I read here seems more like emotional bludgeoning to coerce agreement than any appeal to logic or fact.I like it very much that you present your experience as just that without claiming it represents the entirety.

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks jw.

Posted by keem_s on June 30, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

McCain in charge??? He is one Senator out of 100 Senators. He has no more or no less power than any of the other ones.

I swear jw1000 you just make stuff up. 99% chance of unwarranted military action??? Wow you can predict the future too! $25 billion profit by the drug companies from BushCo (another fabricated number).

Your alleged service in the military doesn't impress me anymore than Kerry's service did once he got back in the States and started lying before Congress about what did or didn't happen in Viet Nam.

Please tell us what your MOS was. Please tell us your rifle marksmanship score. Do you even know which end of the rifle the bullets come out of?

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Keem: right on! You KNOW Kerry lied up and down, from his pathetic self-written Purple Heart narrative to his completely fraudulent Winter Soldier testimony!!

Posted by cassandra2 on June 30, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

One way the cost of the military is hidden is by partisans's using trust fund accounts--social security and the like--as expenditures. This is a fraud. The funds are separate and paid for by the intended recipients. So far the fund is solvent although there are concerns that it cannot long remain so. I am not arguing about that, only complaining of the fraud involved in counting it as coming out of general funds in order to hide how much of our national resources goes into maintaining empire.

There are many other ways in which military expenditures are hidden. I get tired of posting them and having the same BS come back as alleged rebuttal.

As for the rest, Blather, blather, blather. Neanderthal speech. With us or against us. This or that. If you don't support the current war system, then you must want the nation defenseless. Even the grossest distinctions plowed under a pile of emotional bombast.

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cassie: what the he%% do you know about singing "ditties"? WHERE YOU THERE?? The "recent recruits" you are talking about, did they happen to attend some KPFK sponsored event? You have absolutely NO credibility---and neither do 'recent recruits' who didn't make it through basic training. And you act like 1) you know what you are talking about (you really don't) and 2) you quote hearsay (stories you have heard about boot camp or the war).

Marine recruits are trained to kill...would you want them trained to shoot to MISS THE TARGET?? Personally, I am glad we were taught to HIT THE CENTER MASS of the target...thanks for answering my question (go burn some more incense and get back to me when you have a moment).

Posted by keem_s on June 30, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You posted that same message to someone else a few days ago, is that the best you can come back with? I like Diet Coke and I drive a Honda Accord by the way.

What branch of the Service were you in jw1000? What MOS? What was your marksmanship score? You claim to have served in the military. I call BS, prove me wrong.

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cassie: 'emotional bombast'? YOU are the one that stated "Virtually no one with real options will join the military. NOT ONE OF THE PERPETRATORS OF THIS WAR HAS A KID IN THE SERVICE--NOT THE PRES, THE V.P., NOT THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, NOT THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATORS OF THE GOVERNMENT. NONE OF THEM!"

Your original comment is NOT true. Plenty of people who join the service have options. Our military today represents a broad cross section of America and individuals who are coming from middle-class families, blue-collar families and yes, even some wealthy families. Why don't you tell me how the military is currently all black or all hispanic or all poor folks---all there lies.

I am sorry you don't have the leather to stand up to an attack you provoked. Your only defense so far has been to call those who oppose you "Neanderthals". I have a Masters from UCLA, a BA in Finance and an honorable discharge for eight years of service in the Marines from 1996-2004.

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

JW: Kerry MOST CERTAINLY DID lie...he testified under oath about events he said he and other soldiers committed in Vietnam. ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF Vietnam Veterans Against the War NEVER SERVED IN THE MILITARY!!! Other's Kerry allied with as part of his 1971 testimony claimed to committed heinous acts (like raping civilians and cutting off ears), but had actually been discharged and NEVER LEFT THE STATES...ie they LIED--and Kerry was one of them.

Posted by BeaHappi on June 30, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So is it Bush that is hated or is it the military?

I thank God that there are people who voluntarily sign up to serve in one of the military branches.

To all of you who have served or are currently serving in the military - thank you! I may not agree with the war in the middle east and I might not think that our president is the brightest bulb in the pack, but I do believe in our military.

My grandfather served in WWII; my father-in-law in the Korean war; my stepfather in Vietnam; my dad served in the Navy. All very honorable and decent men...men who loved their country.

Having a strong military likely keeps us out of more crap than we get into.

Once again, Godspeed David Zehner!

Posted by getoverit on June 30, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why cant you just be supportive for a kid who is going off to war to protect a poor excuse of an American like yourself. The article is not about Bush or oil its about a young man and what he is about to do. I would like to see you say this to his mother in person. Maybe if you had a family member or friend die in the world trade center your views would change. P.s. the 70's are over.

VCfromMD great blog hit the nail right on the head....to bad it wasn't Cassandra's head

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cassie: You typed "Chap" earlier...as in "I interviewed a chap"... don't tell me you are British! Are you an immigrant to our fair nation? If you immigrated to the United States for your benefit and have the audacity to criticize the United States...WOW!! Please confirm you are an American and native born.

Posted by cassandra2 on June 30, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why can't I be supportive? Because it's a dumb move that prolongs a bad thing and makes the kid vulnerable to all sorts of bad consequence. Because the Star's shilling for recruitment takes advantage of their innocence and bad judgment of the age group.

Hey, wow, you get money, you get a chance to learn a trade, sort of, go to college, get your picture in the paper, paid attention to. Also have an opportunity to lose a limb, get a head injury that will disable you and ruin your life, or see things that will haunt you for the rest of your life, which hopefully will not be short. And you get to fight your terribly grateful government to get the care you need in a timely way to repair the damages. Oh, yeah, there's also the exposure to DU which could injure your offspring for generations as well as yourself.

No way is this person protecting me, this country, or our "freedom." So you might as well stop repeating this BS. It's just noise that makes you feel better and has no actual meaning.

Posted by keem_s on June 30, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow 2 minute delay between my post and yours. Do you live here on the VC Star boards? How much is the NObama campaign paying you to be here?

Hmm Naval Aviator, eh?

Jimmah Carter served aboard a US submarine and nothing about Jimmah Carter impresses me at all.

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cassie:

1) The military trade schools are legendary. If you have flown on a commercial flight EVER, the odds are overwhelming that the plane was serviced by someone who learned to repair aircraft engines in the military.

2) EVERY service member plays a role in protecting you and our nation...this is an irrefutable fact. You might not like it, but it is true. This nation would simply not exist today without the military. It doesn't "make me feel better" it is just the truth. While you disagree with this comment, please offer facts (NOT EMOTIONAL COMMENTS) to refute this. If you can't refute it, I will have to assume it is true.

3) Just who are you to suggest that someone like David Zehner is making a "dumb move" or a "bad judgement"? Do you support the military ever? Have you supported the military ever?

4) You have run out of gas so quickly that you are turning to DU (Depleted Uranium)? HAHA! DU rounds are used so infrequently, it barely warrants mentioning. DU is a small issue, but very few troops have ever seen a DU round, used one or been exposed to spent DU rounds.

5) How about answering my other question---are you an immigrant to our fine nation or not?

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

PS TO ALL: Cassandra2 is seminal blogger and KPFK (Pacifica Radio) supporter.

Posted by surfmedic91 on June 30, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Kerry should be sent to Iraq and make up for the lies he told.

Cassandra, the STAR in general doesn't support the military but they know stories like these will generate a lot of posts and attention. Doesn't matter what the story is as long as it bring in the readers.

68W. Who is really trained to kill in the military other than SF or infantry? We're all trained to shoot accurately but that doesn't mean we're trained to kill.

Posted by leahb78_1999 on June 30, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cassie says "Hey, wow, you get money, you get a chance to learn a trade, sort of, go to college, get your picture in the paper, paid attention to. Also have an opportunity to lose a limb, get a head injury that will disable you and ruin your life, or see things that will haunt you for the rest of your life, which hopefully will not be short. "

Just because you do not see anything valuable or honorable about serving in the military does not mean that you are right, or that everyone else sees it that way. The military IS an honorable organization, and each of its members are willing to risk their own lives to protect you and your family. Maybe you don't think that the current war protects you, but the fact that they volunteered and are willing to die to protect this nation and its people speaks volumes about their honor.

You are blurring your disapproval with Bush and the war policies with the military. The military does not set policy, Congress and the President do that. The military are simply there to carry out the policies set in DC. Cassie, I suggest you stop attacking members of the military and start putting your hatred where it belongs: with Congress and the President.

Posted by keem_s on June 30, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was never in the service nor have I ever claimed to have been.

Does Nobama at least pay you minimum wage?

Posted by keem_s on June 30, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tell me about Obama's military service jw. I knew you would take the bait.

Posted by keem_s on June 30, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So not serving in the military is not serving your country if you are a conservative but not serving in the military is still serving the country if you are a liberal, did I get that right jw?

Posted by sslocal on June 30, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow! Can you guys hold up a minute while I make some popcorn?

Posted by 1pmachado1 on June 30, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CASSANDRA YOU HAVE ARE ENJOYING THE RIGHT TO SPEW YOUR GARBAGE BECAUSE OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN LIKE THIS BOY. I AM A WOMAN WHO JOINED THE MARINES OVER 30 YEARS AGO AND MARRIED A MARINE JUST BACK FROM VIETNAM, AND WE WERE DEALING WITH LEFTIST LUNATICS LIKE YOU. IF YOU HATE THIS COUNTRY THAT MUCH THEN LEAVE WE SURE A HECK DON'T WANT YOU HEAR. YOU KNOW TRY RUSSIA OR CHINA WHERE FREEDOM OF SPEACH IS NON EXISTANT THEN MAYBE YOU WILL APPRECIATE THE SACRIFICES OF OUR MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES. WHAT ARE YOU CONTRIBUTING TO THIS COUNTRY BESIDES TAKING UP SPACE. WHY DON'T YOU JUST LEAVE !!!!!!!

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cassie never answered...guess I was right. She IS a British National living in America by the grace of God biting the hand that feeds her. Guess she had to go catch Democracy Now on KPFK with the other sycophants and Flavor Aid drinkers on the left!

Posted by cassandra2 on June 30, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Long ago I read an essay that gave me lasting insight. The writer pointed out that surprisingly few of the Soviet dissidents were anti-Communists. Indeed, the most troublesome to the regime were ardent believers who therefore were equally ardent in pointing out disparity between the noble ideals and the ugly reality.

Some no doubt hold to the notion that there is some mythical connection between the ideal and its putative reality no matter how far from the model it falls.

I'm not of that school. For me, what it is is what it does. And if it does bad, it can't claim to be the ideal anymore.

Put another way, Decatur's "My Country right or wrong" betrays a lack of understanding of what his country actually is. Immigrant reformer Carl Schurz's utterance was the truer: "My country right or wrong. If right, to be kept right. If wrong to be made right."

It seems to me that my country is at base ideas, principles, not things, not particular people who happen to be running it. Patriotism . . . real patriotism then requires at least an attempt to make it right. And that starts with pointing out the disparity between what we say we are and what we are doing.

We are doing bad things in Iraq. Things harmful to us, to them and harmful to the planet. Drawing these kids into this morass for corporate profiteers who stay safe and comfortable is not right. No way does it involve "freedom" or even self-defense and fulminating assertions that it's otherwise are meaningless.

Posted by sslocal on June 30, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

<Picks up another handful of popcorn>

Posted by sslocal on June 30, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

<Picks up another handful of popcorn>

Posted by keem_s on June 30, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rather entertaining isn't it? Pass the popcorn.

Good thing a Republican stopped the liberal loons from Sacramento from banning the butter flavoring in popcorn.

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/38470...

Posted by ojaidays on June 30, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cassandra you know what they say to kids "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". If you don't believe in why people serve in the military, that is your opinion.

But you shouldn't say things that you can not prove to be true for all these servicemen. How would you know what other recruits' reasons for joining? You categorized them in your own little group. So what if you don't agree with their reasons, nobody is asking you.

You should thank them for protecting your right to speech (such as the ones you previously posted.

This article is not about whether the war is right or wrong. It is about a young man who believes he is doing an honorable service to our country. Wish him well.

BTW, do you know that John McCain's 18 year old son is a marine who recently served in Iraq? And McCain rarely speak about this.

Posted by sslocal on June 30, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh snap! <gets more popcorn>

Posted by christafrankmiller on June 30, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ummm...shouldnt we get back to the topic...SUPPORTING THIS BRAVE YOUNG MAN AND HIS FAMILY...whether you agree with the war or not!? and how about supporting all of our troops and their families...

Posted by keem_s on June 30, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

They wanted to ban the chemical altogether, not just require special methods in manufacturing to protect teh workers. Ban it altogether! That's the liberal way! Mylar ballons BAN EM in Calif (no other state has a problem with them). Gun misused by criminals, ban the guns instead of imprisoning the criminals.

Do you really think popcorn manufacturers can use a food additive that the FDA has not approved? You need a glass of kool aid jw

Posted by keem_s on June 30, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Forgot to mention that Bush/Cheney and McCain control teh popcorn butter flavoring inductry too and the equipment is made by Halliburton.

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cassie: 4,200 men/women have NOT died in Iraq for "corporate profiteers". They died serving in our armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan to rid the world of Saddam Hussein--a dictator who butchered tens of thousands of civilians who opposed his regime and who invaded Kuwait AND to rid the world of the Taliban--a group of illiterate goat herders with Korans (they can't even read) that believes that even things like kites and singing should be banned and people killed with rocks for getting married without their consent.

Try living in Kabul as a woman, simply walking around without a rag on your head humming Britney Spears---you would not last an hour!

IF you can read this, thank a teacher.
IF this is in English, thank a soldier.

Posted by VCfromMD on June 30, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

After boot camp and MCT (Marine Combat Training), David Zehner is going to learn to operate specialized radio equipment in support of Steel Rain---an artillery unit. Godspeed his path!!

God Bless our American Men and Women in Uniform!!!

Posted by sailormom on June 30, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As a woman who served 20 years and retired from the United States Navy, I am saddened to see that the very same people, who enjoy the freedoms we have in this country, utilize the freedom of speech to show such scorn for our government, our service members and the very country who gave them this right. Before it is asked, I will tell you that due to career path in the Navy, I never served in the current war. However, since my retirement, the requirements have changed and I would have been sent over to serve. I am here to say, as hard as it would be, I would have done so with great pride and patriotism. That does not mean that I was not touched very deeply by it both professionally and personally. I have lost friends, seen friends come back with fears that they didn't have before, etc. I guarantee that I have "interviewed", or spoken to, in a much more personal manner many, many more Sailors and Seabees than Cassandra could even hope to. The majority of those I have spoken to have emphasized to me that there is SO much good being done over there, however, the media chooses to focus on the negative to sensationalize. That doesn't mean that I have not heard negative also, but the positive outweighs the bad. Regardless, never once have I denounced the government or the Commander in Chief that I chose to serve under. Whether I agree with all policies and decisions is irrelevant. I made a choice at 19 years of age to serve and a commitment was made that I followed through with. And, oh by the way, I come from a very good family and had the opportunity to go to any college that I wanted. There will always be people who want the world to be peaceful and happy....but let’s take a moment and look back....the very freedom we enjoy today is based on lives lost in battles to ensure that freedom. And they weren't all fought on foreign ground; many African Americans (myself included) enjoy freedom today because Soldiers fought for their freedom in this very country, not on foreign land. Remember, Freedom is not Free, and although people may say that it is not our problem and we shouldn't be over there, I say "wrong". Have they forgotten how we were held hostage by fear after 9/11? Do they think that it would have stopped if we rolled over and played dead? If you think you can do better, run for Congress. Just my two cents.

Posted by mikeb6804 on June 30, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jw---you never cease to amaze. You seeing superior judgement in Obama about tells it all. If brains were gunpowder, you couldn't blow your nose.

Posted by rebel123 on June 30, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My biggest gripe with the military is how shoddily they treat their vets once they've served. It's deplorable. And the families of slain service men and women get screwed badly. The death benefits are very low and they are often given a month to move out of base housing after losing their spouse. It's a pathetic comment on how much we value our military.

Posted by sslocal on June 30, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IA Soldiers Seize Weapons in Sadr City
Courtesy Story
Posted on 06.26.2008 at 07:36AM

By Multi-National Division – Baghdad

BAGHDAD – Iraqi army soldiers seized numerous weapons caches in the Sadr City District of Baghdad, June 25.

Iraqi army soldiers with the 3rd Brigade, 1st Iraq Army Division uncovered 11, 82 mm rounds and nine fuses in a school courtyard at approximately 7 a.m.

At approximately 11 a.m., Soldiers from the same unit discovered two AK-47 magazines and one tank scope. They also found two 82 mm rounds, five anti-tank mines, six 60 mm rounds, 11 rocket propelled grenade rounds, 30 AK-47 rounds and command wire approximately one hour later.

Soldiers with the 3rd Brigade, 1st Iraq Army Division found a cache behind a mosque consisting of four explosively formed projectiles.

Since, May 20, the Iraqi army has uncovered 205 weapons and munitions caches, including more than 150 improvised explosive devices and 100 EFPs.

“This is a significant achievement for the Baghdad operations command and the Iraqi army,” said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, a spokesman for Multi-National Division - Baghdad. “It shows increased capability, competence and the trust the Sadr City residents have in the Iraqi army soldiers.

“A significant number of the caches have been based on tips or citizens pointing the cache locations out,” said Stover. “Also, by removing these weapons and munitions caches from Sadr City and the rest of Baghdad, a statement is being made that there is nowhere the Iraqi army won’t go to protect the people of Baghdad.”
http://dvidshub.net/?script=news/news...

Seems as if not everything is bad over there.

Posted by Mr_E_Man on June 30, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Did someone say something about bringing in some popcorn? I hope there's enough for everybody.

Posted by BeaHappi on June 30, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jw1000...I hardly think that you know everything there is to know about military operations, including what is being done to combat the Taliban. You know what you know from whatever news sources you watch and listen to.

rebel123...I totally agree with you about the treatment of vets.

Posted by christafrankmiller on June 30, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i agree about the treatment of our troops... they make literally pennies for the work they do and sacrifices they make and many are basically abandoned when they come home from war and denied medical care they need..i speak from first hand knowledge...my husband is a seabee that is currently serving on his 7th deployment..this time in afghanistan..i know better than most about how things are going in afghanistan and every night and day..i wait...and wait...walking on pins and needles...i dont sleep or eat well...im afraid to answer the door and the phone... you have no idea what its like to live this life...most people dont...it takes a special person thats for sure...i wish people could just keep the politics to themselves and support our troops and their families...the once that give them their lives!!people complain about so many silly things over here..you try living in a tent, sleeping on a cot or hole in 130 heat with 100 lbs of gear...i could go on and on. i know they choose this life, but they do it for us, cant we just shut up and support them!? i dont agree with a lot about the war, but the pres is my husbands boss and i respect him...at least he hasnt waivered in his decisions..he is a man of his word..which is more than i can say for most of the other weasel politicians!! i wish that everyone had to go through a deployment...youd all appreciate life and your family and even fellow man more!! i wish you had to deal with my 5 young kids begging for their daddy and listen to their cries about not wanting him to die...and we do it for YOU!!
sailormom...thank you so much for your post and most of all for you service!!

Posted by zehnermom on June 30, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you all for your responses to the article about our son. David is a strong-willed, sincere young man who feels deeply that he is serving his country and its people – and that includes all of you. Even though he might disagree with some of you, he would vehemently defend your right to speak your mind. He literally IS defending that right.

In David’s place, let me thank all of you who have served. If he ever sees you and knows you are a veteran, he will thank you himself. Families of service: God bless you and yours – I will pray for you, and ask your prayers for David.

Finally, let me state unequivocally that we could not be more proud of our son. He is acting on his beliefs, and no parent could hope for more.

With Love and Pride, David’s Mom

Posted by republican805 on June 30, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I applaud this young gentlemen and others like him, past and present, for his service to our county.

Posted by republican805 on June 30, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I applaud this young gentlemen and others like him, past and present, for his service to our county.

Posted by tom on June 30, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hip hip hooray for David's choice to serve his country and protect its citizenry -- even the ungrateful... May he be successful and protected in his endeavors....

Posted by pjlove10 on June 30, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Im not a judgemental person by any means, but opinions of others should be respected. I don't support this so-called war, and I never will. I respect this young man's decision to join to fight (yes, he will be fighting for his life). I don't think this war is just. Fools war. And don't tell me to "thank" them, my appreciation is all that is needed here. Each one of these young people are "making their own decision" to join. So don't tell me that me and others that feel the same way are less of an American. I love my Country. I am grateful to have these young men and women join in place of me, because I made a decision to not be a part of our military. It's a preference and a life decision. I hope he and others all return home safe. No matter if I disagree/agree with the reason's of this war or not.

Posted by BigJake on June 30, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, I have opposed this war from the build up to it. I pray that all these young men and women who choose to go in harm's way will return home safe.

Who ever the next president is, he has got to get us out of there. That war, like the one I fought in - Vietnam - is tearing this country apart. Look at what is being said here by Americans to Americans over expressing their right to speak. Our Fathers back many generations fought for the right for all citizens to have free speech.

This thing must end.

Marine, come home safe to your family and future. Semper Fi!

Posted by sickofsimi on June 30, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cassandra,

Thank you for patiently trying to inform the vocal majority of posters on this website regarding the realities of service in the military and the unjust policies of our present administration. I cringe every time that someone responds to you with more rhetoric and drivel that does nothing to engage your points or counter with reason. A saying comes to mind about throwing pearls to swine, but I will refrain from applying it to this situation.

I think that perhaps the closest thing to a consensus that can be drawn from reading the range of opinions on this article is that it is a wonderful thing to be able to be free to serve this country however one chooses. Many of my friends from high school entered the armed forces after graduation. I've never heard from one of them since - My thoughts and prayers go out to her even now. She made the best choice she could with what she had at the time. My wife served three years in the Army in peacetime. Because of this, the government helped put her through college.

However, I would never sign up for service in the armed forces, and I would never compel anyone else to serve. The draft should not be brought back. There are many other ways to see the world besides through the military. I have served as a missionary in a third world (forgive the term) country and have seen first hand how other people suffer compared to us. I have seen how service to others is so rewarding, even though it pays nothing. I continue serve now as a special education teacher. It doesn't pay much, either, considering the hours worked and the amount of time I spent in school. But - I didn't need to sign my life away nor did I have to learn to fire a weapon to do all of this.

For those of you who would confuse lack of support for the war in Iraq with a lack of support for freedom or for our country, I can only say that you are poorly out of touch with reality. This war has never been about serving the people of the United States, and it has never been about our freedom. Sure, we're doing a lot to serve Iraqis including providing them with freedoms they've never known, but there are MANY other countries in the world that are desperate for this same kind of aid. Iraq never posed a threat to our national security, and many other peoples of the world suffer under brutal regimes. It was never about this...

Posted by HickyPany on June 30, 2008 at 11:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

David.. thank you for your service

Posted by surfmedic91 on July 1, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sickofsimi, you need to change your log in name. The country of Iraq may have never posed a threat to our national security but there are people living there that did. Look at a map and think of the relationship of Iraq to other countries in the Middle East. Iraqis are not the only citizens of Iraq. Stay home, watch your "reality" shows, and go to work. We'll make sure you can continue to shop at Trader Joe's without an IED going off on your way there.

Posted by allblacks on July 1, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Virtually no one with real options will join the military. NOT ONE OF THE PERPETRATORS OF THIS WAR HAS A KID IN THE SERVICE--NOT THE PRES, THE V.P., NOT THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, NOT THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATORS OF THE GOVERNMENT. NONE OF THEM!

Not quite so...

http://www.snopes.com/politics/mccain...

Posted by MEATisMURDER on July 1, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As the famous canadian leftist politician Chris Hannah once wrote... "f*$k the troops to hell." As an american/Ventura citizen, i have to say that i agree. I do not feel that it is an "honor" to serve our country. USA is an evil empire. Unfortunately, the god fearing christians who have delusions about supernatural saviors who "died for our sins" are the majority of our fine land. (mostly "fly over" RED states i know.)

I feel sorry for this young man. He had the opportunity to better himself at UCLA, now he is going off to fight in a land he has NO BUSINESS being in. good luck, kid.

ps: SHAME on the parents for letting this fool join the military.

Vote left. don't let this nightmare go on any longer. sorry for the rant, but all republicans and christians need to know: YOU ARE WRONG.

PSS: im not just some angry punk. I have a masters degree, a wonderful family, and a house on Poli st. Please PLEASE read more Noam Chomsky.
and most of all.... think rationally. good night.

Posted by MEATisMURDER on July 1, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

and cassandra... you are a very smart and rational citizen of this amazing county. thank you for your postings :)

xo
your friendly athiest, neo-socialist neighbor.

Posted by JohnInSimi on July 2, 2008 at 5:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Meat, thanks for the tongue in cheek posts! They're hilarious!

Posted by BeaHappi on July 2, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"USA is an evil empire."

One of the freedoms of our "evil empire" country is that you can come and go as you'd like. So if it's so evil here, why don't you sell your Poli Street house and move your wonderful family to another country? One that is not so evil. With you masters degree I'm sure you are marketable in many non-evil countries.

Posted by hotwildflower on July 2, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

meatismurder, please put down your iPod and step away from the Rage Against the Machine lyrics! OMG!

Posted by hotwildflower on July 2, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW, Thank you, David for your bravery! Thank you to all the troops!

Posted by cparkiv on July 2, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hello all; I am a good personal friend of david, and I feel I must correct those of you who are under the assumption that joining the Marine Corps was the only choice he was faced with. David is easily one of the smartest individuals I know. he, like myself made the decision to join the military because of a sense of duty. He does not buy into the political BS that so many of you are so caught up in. I must ask those of you who look down upon David, what have you done to earn the right to shun him? As his mother said, although he may not agree with your beliefs, he will still fight for your right to say whatever you will. no matter what you may think of his decision to join, you should still respect his decision.

Posted by sickofsimi on July 2, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey SurfMedic,

I do shop at Trader Joes! I also shop at Whole Foods. Even Lassen's sometimes. Nothing but organic food, the way God intended. Right?

I'll change my screen name once I've moved. I'm working on that even now. I hate this place. I'm especially sick of all the IED's that go off on the way to Trader Joe's. Thank God the military is keeping me safe! Since 9/11 and the War on Terror, we have way more friends in the world than we did, and we're much safer now!

Posted by reconsldr74d on July 3, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So I'm not sure I follow the rhetoric behind the idea that if your opposed to a war your opposed to the military... Anyways as a veteran (and a recent one at that) I strongly support this fellow's decision to join the marines. Assuming that it was a well thought out decision. There are too many who don't take the time to think this type of commitment through. (It was 6 months from when I spoke to a recruiter to when I signed the paperwork, I wanted to know EXACTLY what I was getting into). I have my own opinions about the war and I make them fairly well known. I even made them fairly well known while I was still doing my job as a soldier. But the point I'm trying to get to here is that despite my own feelings or politics or whatever, I have the utmost respect for what this man chose to do. It's a tough road ahead and some people in the military only seem set on making it harder then it needs to be, but I hope that you, like me, enjoy your time in our nations uniform. Ignore those that insult you and try and remember that many who say that the war is wrong still support you. Stay safe brother.