California Marine is first soldier to die in Iraq on U.S. mission against Islamic State

[jakeXT]

Source: Washington Post

The Pentagon on Friday reported the first death of a U.S. soldier in Iraq in its new mission to combat Islamic State militants who have seized large areas of Iraq and Syria.

Marine Lance Corporal Sean Neal, a 19-year-old old from California, died in Baghdad on Thursday in what a Pentagon statement described as a non-combat incident. Further details about how Neal died were not immediately available.

Earlier this month, a U.S. Marine was deemed lost at sea after he fell from an aircraft into the Arabian Gulf.

The Pentagon said Neal’s death was the first U.S. casualty in Iraq since the Obama administration announced its ‘Inherent Resolve’ mission, which now includes air strikes against the extremist group in both Iraq and Syria, and a growing number of U.S. military personnel on the ground in Iraq.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/california-marine-is-first-soldier-to-die-in-iraq-on-us-mission-against-islamic-state/2014/10/25/3afb8c3e-5bf4-11e4-b812-38518ae74c67_story.html

[hobbit709]

1. Here we go again.

[GreydeeThos]

5. Again? You mean STILL

This is all so unnecessary. If Bush the Lesser had not lied us into a war for nonexistent WMDs, we would not be where we are today.

[joshdawg]

9. Couldn't agree more!

Only republicans want us in a never-ending war. Bush was the worst of the bunch. Altho' there is a lot to be said for his partner in crime, THE DICK.

[Feral Child]

11. Agreed, but

This is supposed to be a Democrat in office.

We're owned. We aren't allowed to vote for anyone unless they're vetted and approved by our real rulers.

[Dustlawyer]

12. So true! Why is it so hard to understand that when you allow legal bribery in the form of

campaign contributions and threats to fund an opponent if the politician doesn't do what they want will take control of our government away from "We the People!" John Roberts says there is no "Quid pro quo" in doing this, really?
We no longer have Representative Democracy in this country. The rich are the only ones with access to the politicians. The politicians hold fundraisers year round every year, not just election years. They get regular checks from the same people/groups at each fundraiser as long as they stay on message. If they shift their position, the money gets cut off and goes to someone else running against them. Our system is completely corrupt. Journalist are supposed to be the watchdogs, but the same people writing the checks own the media. This is unacceptable!!!
Bernie Sanders is the first national politician to come out for Publicly Funded Elections and getting rid of campaign contributions. Why aren't more people supporting this? Why do I get chastised for "Splitting the vote" which will put a Republican in office. I could say the same for those wanting the Democratic Establishment politician who will continue to vote for the interests of the wealthy and corporations while throwing us a few bones on issues they don't really give a rat's ass about!

[Feral Child]

13. I'm completely in support

of public funding and equal time for candidates.

It's the only possible way we can return to a semblance of democracy and equality before the law. I also think we need to 86 the preposterous Electoral system and return to determining elections by popular vote. With today's electronic communication system there's absolutely no justification for Electoral voting.

I'm afraid the battle is lost. The Dominionists and Theocratic oligarchy control the entire Empire now and will hold it until it's bled dry or they force the populace into a second Reign of Terror.

[7962]

15. I actually feel the opposite. Although the decision WAS Bush's.

Other than that I put the blame squarely on Cheney. I dont think there wouldve been a war in Iraq if he hadnt been around. At the time many thought it was W finishing "dads war", but as evidence came out it seemed as though that was more of an afterthought.
Dick Cheney still goes on and on about the great decisions, while W pretty much remains quiet on it aside from a brief comment here and there.

[Psephos]

23. I agree with you. n/t

[arcane1]

29. From the Iraqi perspective, Clinton's bombs were just as much "war" as Bush's.

They don't have the luxury of saying "don't worry, that incoming missile was launched in good faith".

[candelista]

21. Did Bush and Cheney order the bombing that started last month?

I wasn't aware that they were still in power.

[joshdawg]

37. Maybe indirectly.

If bush and THE DICK had not sent troops into Iraq to begin with, IS would not be a topic today. They are the ones who created this mess in the M.E., and Mr. Obama is trying to help clean up the Chinese fire drill.
I've said this before: We need to get ALL our troops out of the Middle East ASAP. We had no business going there in the first place.

[JI7]

2. he would have been 8 years old when we first went into iraq

6 years old during 9/11.

[joshcryer]

3. Sobering.

[reddread]

10. he wasnt even born

and this isnt the second time we have paid them a bombing.
how many Iraqis his age died yesterday from our help?

[KG]

4. good thing his boots weren't on the ground...

[840high]

14. .....

[kmlisle]

6. The first death when we invaded was a marine from Mexico not yet an American Citizen

The recruiters cross the border and promise citizenship in return for enlistment.

[Live and Learn]

7. 19 years old, damn. nt

[joshdawg]

8. That's one too many.

What does it have to take to get our people out of the Middle East? They've been fighting each other for centuries without our "help."
We need to get out of there ASAP!

[antiquie]

16. Another kid dies in another obscene war.

Neal, a mortarman, joined the Marine Corps on July 22, 2013. This was his first deployment, said Staff Sgt. Terika King, I Marine Expeditionary Force public affairs officer.

more

[msanthrope]

39. Not surprised to see the Devil Dogs there. I MEF? Shit...they sent the best. nt

[heaven05]

17. It is just

a matter of time where "non-combat" incidents will be replaced with ..............just too many chances for confrontation on the ground with all these armed and dangerous people. Yes an armed american soldier is just as dangerous a person as any other combatant from any hostile group in that area. With my weapon, while in Vietnam, I felt very dangerous and intimidating. Of course, so did the VC and NVA........

[Cryptoad]

18. So the Rethugs

think they can wipe the slate clean, ,,,,,no no no.... it still just another tragic death in the Bush Iraq War!

[candelista]

22. It is no longer the "Bush Iraq War."

He did not order the bombing campaign of Iraq and Syria that began last month and has bombed the region 1700 times since then.

[Cryptoad]

24. wanna buy a Bridge? CheaP?

[tazkcmo]

30. Does that bridge cross

Denial?

[reddread]

33. +1

[truth2power]

19. deja vu. n/t

[catchnrelease]

20. Stupid names!

The whole thing is infuriating but the icing on the cake is them always having to come up with these 'inspiring' names for the 'missions'. 'Inherent Resolve'. Really??? How about Operation Insanity? Or Dumbass Idea?? How did Operation Iraqi Freedom work out for ya?

Was our backlog of veterans getting too low and we need to build up some more to come back and wait for treatment? VA doctors getting bored with not enough to do? Argh, it just makes my head explode.

[arcane1]

27. Yep. Bush Senior get a great PR boost out of publically naming the war efforts.

And every president has done it since. Just like flag pins, saluting helicopter pilots, and so on. President and Hollywood executives have that in common: once something works, never ever change it or deviate from it!

[reddread]

34. not so great that he was re-elected

but that ol PNAC just kept on rolling along
(with our support or complicit acceptance)

[TwilightGardener]

25. Sad, just a kid. Condolences to the family.

[arcane1]

26. Of course it's a "non-combat incident" because there are no "combat troops" there

In other news, that 2nd slice of cake won't end up on my hips, because I'm not calling it dessert! Whee!

[SamKnause]

28. Have any high ranking brass or officers been killed in Iraq

or Afghanistan ???

[tazkcmo]

31. How many died

in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Oil War I?

[jakeXT]

35. A two star general was killed in August

Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene was killed Aug. 5 in Afghanistan by a lone gunman. Greene was the highest-ranking U.S. military officer to be killed in a war zone since the Vietnam War.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/mourners-gathering-at-arlington-cemetery-for-burial-of-general-killed-in-afghanistan/2014/08/14/a3430d96-2321-11e4-8593-da634b334390_story.html

[SamKnause]

36. Thank you for your post

and the link you provided.

[salib]

32. This is the first one. How do you ask a man

to be the last man to die for a mistake?
John Kerry
Testimony before subcommittees of the U.S. Senate, April, 1971

[Mister Nightowl]

38. Well, we'll just have to send in 50,000 more Marines to investigate his death!