Spc. Vassell, 2nd Platoon Apache Company: I challenge anybody in Congress to do my rotation

[babylonsister]

http://drinkliberal.blogspot.com/2007/07/soldier-i-challenge-anybody-in-congress.html

Soldier - I challenge anybody in Congress to do my rotation

A soldier puts up a challenge to Congress and the pResident:

Spc. Vassell, 2nd Platoon Apache Company Strykers:

I challenge anybody in Congress to do my rotation. They don't have to do anything, just come hang out with me and go home at the times I go home. And come stay here fifteen months with me.

snip//

Spc. Vassell, 2nd Platoon Apache Company Strykers:

We're supposed to be on the way home right now. We were supposed to be flying home in six days. Six days. But because we have people up there in Congress with the brain of a two-year old who don't know what they're doing. They don't experience it. I, I challenge the President or whoever has us here for fifteen months to ride along, alongside me. I'll do another fifteen months if he comes out here and rides along with me every day for fifteen months. I'll do fifteen more months. They don't even have to pay me extra. I just want him to come out here and ride with me another fifteen months.

The politicians all sit there in their cushy offices or their comfy little places on the floor of the House, The Senate, and in the White House. They do not have a fucking clue what they are doing to the soldiers. They do not have a fucking clue how stressed out the military is. How the policies they are all pushing for are breaking the military.

YOU all say YOU support the troops. What a fucking load of crap. If YOU aren't there in Iraq along side them in this endless war that YOU support...

Don't ever fucking tell me YOU support the troops.

That goes for all of you war cheerleaders, Republican and Democratic party alike, that continue to fund this endless disaster. The same thing goes for all of you keyboard and armchair warriors that cheer on the occupation of Iraq but are too hypocritical to spill your own blood in Iraq's desert sands.

[scorpiogirl]

1. I'm sure Lindsey Graham would love to volunteer! n/t

[Joe Bacon]

29. C'mon Lindsay, Walk the Walk!

Stop the bullshit, Lindsay. Resign from the Senate and go to the front line in Iraq!

[bananarepublican]

45. Yep, he'd love to be embedded with the troops! n/t

[ooglymoogly]

51. yes in bed with the troops....that is right up his.......

[zabet]

2. K and R

I bet there is not a single taker on that offer.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

3. Great Statement. Now We Need A Senator To Read It On The Floor.

I want to see it put in the record.

[Joe Chi Minh]

4. K&R. It's not called Apache Company for nothing. Plenty of Indians, but

chiefs from the legislature willing taking up Spc. Vassell's challenge? Pass...

[hobbit709]

5. Think he'll get any takers?

:sarcasm:

[Double T]

6. Spc. Vassell, look at ALL the hands NOT going up!

Spc. Vassell is a damn brave hero for telling it like it is. Spc. Vassell needs to run for congress so "WE' can have at least ONE sane congressman.

[Burried News]

7. Extending the duration of troop rotations is not only an awfull thing;

it makes it extremely difficult for officers to control the situation and keep morale up. Low morale leads to mistakes and puts lives of soldiers and civilians at risk.
Any American soldier counts the days when they rotate out of a war zone. Screw with this and an irrational sense of doom takes over. Soldiers become convinced that they will never make it out alive.

[roody]

8. They are far too busy. Maybe they can send an aide.

[Sherman A1]

9. The video is superb

I appreciate Spc Vassell's comments and wish that he could come home about NOW!

[MindPilot]

10. the man's name is interesting, Vassell=vassal?

vas·sal /ˈvæsəl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. (in the feudal system) a person granted the use of land, in return for rendering homage, fealty, and usually military service or its equivalent to a lord or other superior; feudal tenant.
2. a person holding some similar relation to a superior; a subject, subordinate, follower, or retainer.
3. a servant or slave.
–adjective 4. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a vassal.
5. having the status or position of a vassal.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=vassal

[phildo]

11. ROTFL. The kids are alrigh! What a great troop.

Everyone in Iraq was supposed to be locked off blogging without authorization a few months ago.

Bet this kid might make it home early, with special attention.


:) :) :) :)

[Solly Mack]

12. ...

...

[Swamp Rat]

13. k&r

[Harry Monroe]

14. Service Records, Democrats vs. Republican Politicians

Service records of politicians:

Democrats:
* Richard Gephardt: Air National Guard, 1965-71.
* David Bonior: Staff Sgt., Air Force 1968-72.
* Tom Daschle: 1st Lt., Air Force SAC 1969-72.
* Al Gore: enlisted Aug. 1969; sent to Vietnam Jan. 1971 as an army
journalist in 20th Engineer Brigade.
* Bob Kerrey: Lt. j.g. Navy 1966-69; Medal of Honor, Vietnam.
* Daniel Inouye: Army 1943-47; Medal of Honor, WWII.
* John Kerry: Lt., Navy 1966-70; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V,
Purple Hearts.
* Charles Rangel: Staff Sgt., Army 1948-52; Bronze Star, Korea.
* Max Cleland: Captain, Army 1965-68; Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam.
Paraplegic from war injuries. Served in Congress.
* Ted Kennedy: Army, 1951-53.
* Tom Harkin: Lt., Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74.
* Jack Reed: Army Ranger, 1971-1979; Captain, Army Reserve 1979-91.
* Fritz Hollings: Army officer in WWII; Bronze Star and seven campaign
ribbons.
* Leonard Boswell: Lt. Col., Army 1956-76; Vietnam, DFCs, Bronze Stars,and
Soldier's Medal.
* Pete Peterson: Air Force Captain, POW. Purple Heart, Silver Star and
Legion of Merit.
* Mike Thompson: Staff sergeant, 173rd Airborne, Purple Heart.
* Bill McBride: Candidate for Fla. Governor. Marine in Vietnam; Bronze
Star with Combat V.
* Gray Davis: Army Captain in Vietnam, Bronze Star.
* Pete Stark: Air Force 1955-57
* Chuck Robb: Vietnam
* Howell Heflin: Silver Star
* George McGovern: Silver Star & DFC during WWII.
* Bill Clinton: Did not serve. Student deferments. Entered draft but
received #311.
* Jimmy Carter: Seven years in the Navy.
* Walter Mondale: Army 1951-1953
* John Glenn: WWII and Korea; six DFCs and AirMedal with 18 Clusters.
* Tom Lantos: Served in Hungarian underground in WWII. Saved by Raoul
Wallenberg.

Republicans -- and these are the guys sending people to war:
* Dick Cheney: did not serve. Several deferments, the last by marriage.
* Dennis Hastert: did not serve.
* Tom Delay: did not serve.
* Roy Blunt: did not serve.
* Bill Frist: did not serve.
* Mitch McConnell: did not serve.
* Rick Santorum: did not serve.
* Trent Lott: did not serve.
* John Ashcroft: did not serve. Seven deferments to teach business.
* Jeb Bush: did not serve.
* Karl Rove: did not serve.
* Saxby Chambliss: did not serve. "Bad knee." The man who attacked Max
Cleland's patriotism.
* Paul Wolfowitz: did not serve.
* Vin Weber: did not serve.
* Richard Perle: did not serve.
* Douglas Feith: did not serve.
* Eliot Abrams: did not serve.
* Richard Shelby: did not serve.
* Jon! Kyl: did not serve.
* Tim Hutchison: did not serve.
* Christopher Cox: did not serve.
* Newt Gingrich: did not serve.
* Don Rumsfeld: served in Navy (1954-57) as flight instructor.
* George W. Bush: failed to complete his six-year National Guard; got
assigned to Alabama so he could campaign for family friend running for
U.S. Senate; failed to show up for required medical exam, disappeared from
duty.
* Ronald Reagan: due to poor eyesight, served in a non- combat role making
movies.
* B-1 Bob Dornan: Consciously enlisted after fighting was over in Korea.
* Phil Gramm: did not serve.
* John McCain: Vietnam POW, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit,
Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.
* Dana Rohrabacher: did not serve.
* John M. McHugh: did not serve.
* JC Watts: did not serve.
* Jack Kemp: did not serve. "Knee problem," although continued in NFL for
8 years as quarterback.
* Dan Quayle: Journalism unit of the Indiana National Guard.
* Rudy Giuliani: did not serve.
* George Pataki: did not serve.
* Spencer Abraham: did not serve.
* John Engler: did not serve.
* Lindsey Graham: National Guard lawyer.
* Arnold Schwarzenegger: AWOL from Austrian army base.

Pundits & Preachers
* Sean Hannity: did not serve.
* Rush Limbaugh: did not serve (4-F with a 'pilonidal cyst.')
* Bill O'Reilly: did not serve.
* Michael Savage: did not serve.
* George Will: did not serve.
* Chris Matthews: did not serve.
* Paul Gigot: did not serve.
* Bill Bennett: did not serve.
* Pat Buchanan: did not serve.
* John Wayne: did not serve.
* Bill Kristol: did not serve.
* Kenneth Starr: did not serve.
* Antonin Scalia: did not serve.
* Clarence Thomas: did not serve.
* Ralph Reed: did not serve.
* Michael Medved: did not serve.
* Charlie Daniels: did not serve.
* Ted Nugent: did not serve. (He only shoots at things that don't shoot
back.)

[phildo]

15. Good list. Sort of understated Carter

He has a pretty respectable history

"seven years in the Navy" sort of understates him

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq60-14.htm

Pretty good guy, mho. A real honor to your party.




and yeah, the R's are punks.

[Beaverhausen]

27. That's right. I believe I read somewhere that Carter had the second most years in the service

next to Eisenhower among all nationally elected politicians of the last century.

[TwilightGardener]

16. Good list, but you left Jim Webb and Chuck Hagel off of it--

and those two old vets tried more than anyone to help the troops this week.

[Lasher]

43. Here is a link to another list. It includes Webb and Hagel

http://www.awolbush.com/whoserved.html

[MetaTrope]

17. Or, the Reader's Digest condensed version

Democrats:
* Richard Gephardt: Air National Guard, 1965-71.
* David Bonior: Staff Sgt., Air Force 1968-72.
* Tom Daschle: 1st Lt., Air Force SAC 1969-72.
* Al Gore: enlisted Aug. 1969; sent to Vietnam Jan. 1971 as an army
journalist in 20th Engineer Brigade.
* Bob Kerrey: Lt. j.g. Navy 1966-69; Medal of Honor, Vietnam.
* Daniel Inouye: Army 1943-47; Medal of Honor, WWII.
* John Kerry: Lt., Navy 1966-70; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V,
Purple Hearts.
* Charles Rangel: Staff Sgt., Army 1948-52; Bronze Star, Korea.
* Max Cleland: Captain, Army 1965-68; Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam.
Paraplegic from war injuries. Served in Congress.
* Ted Kennedy: Army, 1951-53.
* Tom Harkin: Lt., Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74.
* Jack Reed: Army Ranger, 1971-1979; Captain, Army Reserve 1979-91.
* Fritz Hollings: Army officer in WWII; Bronze Star and seven campaign
ribbons.
* Leonard Boswell: Lt. Col., Army 1956-76; Vietnam, DFCs, Bronze Stars,and
Soldier's Medal.
* Pete Peterson: Air Force Captain, POW. Purple Heart, Silver Star and
Legion of Merit.
* Mike Thompson: Staff sergeant, 173rd Airborne, Purple Heart.
* Bill McBride: Candidate for Fla. Governor. Marine in Vietnam; Bronze
Star with Combat V.
* Gray Davis: Army Captain in Vietnam, Bronze Star.
* Pete Stark: Air Force 1955-57
* Chuck Robb: Vietnam
* Howell Heflin: Silver Star
* George McGovern: Silver Star & DFC during WWII.
* Jimmy Carter: Seven years in the Navy.
* Walter Mondale: Army 1951-1953
* John Glenn: WWII and Korea; six DFCs and AirMedal with 18 Clusters.
* Tom Lantos: Served in Hungarian underground in WWII. Saved by Raoul
Wallenberg.

Republicans -- and these are the guys sending people to war:
* Don Rumsfeld: served in Navy (1954-57) as flight instructor.
* John McCain: Vietnam POW, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit,
Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.

Pundits & Preachers

[Progressive_In_NC]

54. from www.whoserved.com in the House -- long list by party

House Dems
Rep Joe Baca -- California -- Army 1966 - 1968
Served as a paratrooper with both the 82nd Airborne and the 101st Airborne Divisions
Rep Sanford Bishop -- Georgia -- Army 1969 - 1971
Rep Leonard Boswell -- Iowa -- Army 1956 - 1976
Rep F Allen Boyd -- FL -- Army 1969 - 1971
Rep Christopher Carney -- Penn -- USNR 1995 - Present
Rep John Conyers -- Mich -- Army National Guard (MI) 1948 - 1950 Army 1950 - 1954 US Army Reserve 1954 - 1957
Rep Robert Cramer -- Alabama -- Army 1972 Army Reserve 1976 - 1978
Rep Peter Defazio -- Oregon -- Air Force 1967 - 1971
Rep William Delahunt -- MASS -- US Coast Guard Reserve 1963 - 1971
Rep John Dingell -- Mich -- Army 1944 - 1946
Rep Bob Ethridge -- NC -- Army 1965 - 1967
Rep Charles Gonzales -- TX -- Air National Guard (Texas) 1969 - 1975
Rep Bart Gordon -- TN -- US Army Reserve 1971 - 1972
Rep Maurice Hinchey -- NY -- Navy 1956 - 1959
Rep William Jefferson -- LA -- Army JAG 1975
Rep Paul Kanjorski -- PA -- Army 1960 - 1961
Rep Edward Markey -- MA -- US Army Reserve 1968 - 1973
Rep Jim Marshall -- GA -- Army 1968 - 1970
Rep Jim McDermott -- WA -- Navy 1968 - 1970
Rep Alan Mollohan -- WVA -- US Army Reserve 1970 - 1983
Rep Dennis Moore -- KN -- US Army Reserve 1970 - 1973
Rep Patrick Murphy -- Penn -- Army 1993 - 2004 USAR 2004 - Present
Rep John Murtha -- Penn -- Marine Corps 1952 - 1955 USMC Reserve 1955 - 1966 Marine Corps 1966 - 1967
USMC Reserve 1967 - 1990
Rep Solomon Ortiz -- TX -- Army 1960 - 1962
Rep Bill Pascrell -- NJ -- Army 1961 - 1962 US Army Reserve 1962 - 1967
Rep Collin Peterson -- Minn -- Army National Guard (North Dakota) 1963 - 1969R
Rep Charles Rangel -- NY -- Army 1948 - 1952
Rep Silvestre Reyes -- TX -- Army 1966 - 1968
Rep Bobby Rush -- ILL -- Army 1963 - 1968
Rep John Salazar -- Co -- Army 1973 - 1976
Rep Bobby Scott -- VA -- US Army Reserve 1970 - 1974 Army National Guard (Massachusetts) 1974 - 1976
Rep Jose Serrano -- NY -- Army 1964 - 1966
Rep Joe Sestak -- PA -- Navy 1974 - 2005
Rep Vic Snyder -- AK -- Marine Corps 1967 - 1969
Rep John Spratt -- SC -- Army 1969 - 1971
Rep Fortney Stark -- CA -- Air Force 1955 - 1957
Rep John Tanner -- TN -- Navy 1968 - 1972
Rep Gene Taylor -- MS -- US Coast Guard Reserve 1971 - 1984
Rep Mike Thompson -- CA -- Army 1969 - 1972
Rep Edolphus Towns -- NY -- Army 1956 - 1958
Rep Tim Walz -- MN -- USANG 1981 - 2005






House Pubs
Rep Todd Akin -- Missouri -- Army 1972 - 1980
Rep Spencer Bachus -- Alabama -- Army National Guard (Alabama) 1969 - 1971
Rep J Gresham Barrett -- SC -- Army 1983 - 1987
Rep Michael Bilirakis -- FL -- Air Force 1951 - 1955
Rep John Boehner -- Ohio -- Navy 1969
Rep Steve Buyer -- Indiana -- US Army Reserve 1980 - 1984 Army 1984 - 1987 Reserve 1987 - Present
Rep Howard Coble -- NC -- Coast Guard 1952 - 1956 US Coast Guard Reserve 1960 - 1982
Rep Mike Conaway -- TX -- Army 1970 - 1972
Rep Geoff Davis -- KY -- Army 1976 - 1987
Rep Thomas Davis -- VA -- Army 1971 - 1972 US Army Reserve 1972 - 1979
Rep Nathan Deal -- GA -- Army 1966 - 1968
Rep John Duncan -- TN -- Army National Guard (Tennessee) 1970 - 1987
Rep Terry Everett -- Alabama -- Air Force 1955 - 1959
Rep Rodney Frelinghuysen -- NJ -- Army 1969 - 1971
Rep Wayne Gilchrist -- MD -- Marine Corps 1964 - 1968
Rep Paul Gilmor -- OH -- Air Force 1965 - 1966
Rep Louie Gohmert -- TX -- Army 1977 - 1982
Rep Virgil Goode -- VA -- Army National Guard (Virginia) 1969 - 1975
Rep Ralph Hall -- TX -- Navy 1942 - 1945
Rep Doc Hastings -- WA -- US Army Reserve 1963 - 1969
Rep David Hobson -- Ohio -- Air National Guard (Ohio) 1958 - 1963
Rep Duncan Hunter -- CA -- Army 1969 - 1971
Rep Darrell Issa -- CA -- Army 1970 - 1972 Army 1976 - 1980 Army Reserve 1980 - 1990
Rep Sam Johnson -- TX -- Air Force 1951 - 1979
Rep Walter Jones -- NC -- Air National Guard (North Carolina) 1967 - 1971
Rep Peter King -- NY -- Army National Guard (New York) 1968 - 1973
Rep Mark Kirk -- IL -- Navy Reserve 1989 - Present
Rep John Kline -- MN -- Marine Corps 1969 - 1994
Rep Joseph Knollenberg -- MI -- Army 1955 - 1957
Rep Ron Lewis -- KY -- Navy 1972
Rep John Linder -- GA -- Air Force 1967 - 1969
Rep Gary Miller -- WA -- Army 1967 - 1968
Rep Steve Pearce -- NM -- Air Force 1970 - 1976
Rep John Peterson -- Penn -- Army 1957 - 1963
Rep Joseph Pearce -- Penn -- Air Force 1963 - 1969
Rep Ted Poe -- TX -- US Air Force Reserve 1970 - 1976
Rep Jim Ramsted -- Minn -- US Army Reserve 1968 - 1974
Rep Ralph Regula -- Ohio -- Navy 1944 - 1946
Rep Thomas Reynolds -- NY -- Air National Guard (New York) 1970 - 1976
Rep Michael Rogers -- Mich -- Army 1985 - 1988
Rep Harold Rogers -- KY -- Army National Guard (Kentucky) 1957 - 1964
Rep John Shimkus -- Ill -- Army 1980 - 1986 US Army Reserve 1986 - Present
Rep Cliff Stearns -- FL -- Air Force 1963 - 1967
Rep Dave Weldon -- FL -- Army 1981 - 1987 Army Reserve 1987 - 1992
Rep Edward Whitfield -- KY -- US Army Reserve 1967 - 1973
Rep Roger Wicker -- MS -- Air Force 1976 - 1980 Air Force Reserve 1980 - 2004
Rep Heather Wilson -- NM -- Air Force 1982 - 1989
Rep Joe Wilson -- SC -- US Army Reserve 1972 - 1975
Rep Frank Wolf -- VA -- Army 1962 - 1963 US Army Reserve 1963 - 1967

[TheBaldyMan]

26. actually Ronnie Reagan tried to join up in every service

Marines, Army, Navy, USAF even the US Coast Guard they all rejected him on physical grounds (blind as a bat) but you can't say he didn't try.

I'm no fan of Reagan but you have to give him his due.

[BrotherBuzz]

48. I'm no fan of Ronnie, but he was defiantly in the Army

He enlisted, on his own volition, in the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps in 1937. He completed correspondence courses and was commissioned 2lt Lieutenant in the Officer's Reserve Corps of the Cavalry, all this before WWII and Hollywood.

Following Pearl Harbor, Lt. Reagan interrupted his acting career and went active duty. This was not achieved without some difficulty because when he took his physical exam, he was not accepted for active duty due to eyesight difficulties. His persistence finally triumphed and he was given another exam which he passed. He was classified for limited service only, which permanently denied him his ambition of serving overseas. His first assignment was at the San Francisco Port of Embarkation, Fort Mason, CA, as Liaison Officer of the Port and Transportation Office.

During this time, the Army Air Force and Warner Brothers Studios were planning a feature motion picture to be entitled "Air Force" and wanted Lt. Reagan for the leading role, so on May 15, 1942, he applied for transfer from the Cavalry to the AAF. The transfer was approved and Lt. Reagan was assigned to AAF Public Relations as P.R. Officer in Burbank, CA and subsequently to the 1st Motion Picture Unit in Culver City.

Lt. Reagan was promoted to First Lieutenant, Jan. 14, 1943, and was sent to the Provisional Task Force Show Unit of "This is the Army" at Burbank. Following this duty, he returned to the 1st Motion Picture Unit and on Jul. 22, 1943, was promoted to Captain. Capt Reagan left Active Duty on December 9, 1945. His commission in the Officer's Reserve Corps ended on April 1, 1953.

[TheBaldyMan]

52. I stand corrected BB, thanks for the pre-war reservist info

the way I'd heard it was after being turned down by every arm he was eventually accepted to make morale boosters & training films for the US Army.

I hate to do it but I try and set the record straight when people call Ronnie a chickenhawk.

[BrotherBuzz]

55. No problem except for my speilling

The correct spelling is definitely definitely.

Not definately.

Not definatly.

Not definantly.

Not definetly.

Not definently.

And certainly not defiantly.

The correct spelling is definitely definitely. I'm definitely sure of that, now. ;)

On a side note, Ronnie established a huge network of military people during that period, my uncle included. My uncle's wife, my aunt, lived next door to Moon Reagan, Ronnie's brother, during the war years, and as such the two Captains met and struck a lifelong friendship. Forty years later, my uncle, now the General, found himself in the Oval Office advising his old buddy on military affairs (specifically Army affairs).

[MiniMe]

44. Under Pundits, you missed Randi Rhodes

Served in the Air Force

[JerseygirlCT]

49. To be fair, Chris Matthews did do a Peace Corps stint, didn't he? nt

[NMMNG]

18. Amen!

I'd love to see even one of those rah-rah chickenhawks with their "freedom isn't free" bumper stickers take this guy up on his offer. I don't think it will happen though.

[proReality]

19. K&R n/t

[Rosa Luxemburg]

20. Politicians should serve first, armchair warriors get out there!

politicians armchair warriors

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

21. The soldiers tell it like it is

I'm going to remember this and quote him if anyone says that staying in Iraq is "supporting the troops".

[catrose]

22. K&R

[IsItJustMe]

23. You will never hear this in our corporate power hungry main stream media.

[MasonJar]

24. My senators, being McConnell and Bunning, the two biggest losers

in the Senate, would never read this into the record, but Jim Webb might. Whoever has Lindsay Graham sould send him a copy....that is all of you who have Graham. And Bush and Cheney should both put thier backsides over in Iraq for 15 days; that would end this debacle.

[Marrah_G]

25. .

:applause:

[Cabcere]

28. Kick & rec.

Stay safe, Spc. Vassell...our thoughts are with you and all of your brothers & sisters in uniform. :patriot: :hug:

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

30. After numerous protests, I'll never forget the puppet on national tv, declaring WAR,...AND,...

,...the whore media was RIGHT THERE to cover the 'shock-n-awe'.

The WHORE media. The "SHOCK-N-AWE",...like it was some kind of fireworks spectacle rather than draws on death.

I cried,....for days,...

I will never be the same, after that fuckingly gross, pre-planned,...advertisement to make you and me find bombing and destroying and killing,...a munchie we HAD to have.

:cry:

I hate those sick bastards. May the Christian Coalition go after those MURDERING fuckers who killed off millions of embryos and pregnancies (THEY KILLED THE SECOND COMING!!!!) *LOL*
:rofl:

[ConnecticutMan1]

31. Hi

I just signed up so I could ask you to please do me a little favor. I am the Blogger that wrote the post you are linked to and most of the foul language applied liberally there is mine. I don't know if you are able to bold the two paragraphs there that are actually Specialist Vassel's words so as to separate them from mine. Or maybe add quotes around the two paragraphs that are his?

His words:

"I challenge anybody in Congress to do my rotation. They don't have to do anything, just come hang out with me and go home at the times I go home. And come stay here fifteen months with me."

snip

"We're supposed to be on the way home right now. We were supposed to be flying home in six days. Six days. But because we have people up there in Congress with the brain of a two-year old who don't know what they're doing. They don't experience it. I, I challenge the President or whoever has us here for fifteen months to ride along, alongside me. I'll do another fifteen months if he comes out here and rides along with me every day for fifteen months. I'll do fifteen more months. They don't even have to pay me extra. I just want him to come out here and ride with me another fifteen months."

The rest are mine.

This soldier is probably gonna catch a lot of flak for speaking out on camera challenging his chain of command in such a way (bush is the "child in chief" and is unfortunately in his chain of command). I just worry that someone that doesn't click through may mistake and attribute my vitriol for the soldiers. I am a vet so I understand the difference between how much trouble he could get in for his actual statements, never mind getting blamed for my liberal use of swears and rage.

I also posted this because I noticed someone commented on the Military not being able to Blog or partake in activism in uniform, etc.. They still can't. In fact the military has said they don't want family members to either now. But unlike the recently screwed over Kokesh, and Specialist Vassel, I can because I am past my 8 years in my military service contract. I can do or say whatever the frick I want in or out of uniform and they can't do squat about it.

One day people will look back on soldiers like them and see them as heroes for what they did, IMHO.

BTW: Thanks for spreading the word.

[phildo]

32. Hey good to see you.

"This soldier is probably gonna catch a lot of flak for speaking out on camera challenging his chain of command in such a way"

Oh yeah, the kid is looking to get at least an Article 15, my bet.

" (bush is the "child in chief" and is unfortunately in his chain of command). "

Oh yeah, there, too. Whole 'nother layer of hammering there. :)


" I also posted this because I noticed someone commented on the Military not being able to Blog or partake in activism in uniform, etc.. They still can't."

Sort of funny what they do allow. "Party line only" is way ok. Kind of makes everything positive look like bullshit. Not a gifted and talented crew running things, nowadays.


"I am past my 8 years in my military service contract. I can do or say whatever the frick I want in or out of uniform and they can't do squat about it."

Yep, good to be clear of the shadow.

"One day people will look back on soldiers like them and see them as heroes for what they did, IMHO."

Right now my three top are: 1LT Watada, SGT Benderman, and SSG Meiga.

[ConnecticutMan1]

36. I agree withyour 3 other heroes there.

and thanks for the welcome. I don't know if "non-democrats" with serious attitudes against all things conservative are welcome around here. I meant what I said about both parties candidates in Congress. Those that funded the continuation of this crap are spineless in my book.

I just don't want to troll your community.

[phildo]

40. I R not a Democrat, either. But the natives seem friendly.

I am about like you, ex-military and all.

My prior site (SFTT.org -- mostly military) sort of imploded after the admin got into some body armor contracting deal. I pretty much had to say FTS on all that.

I thought I would visit through here and see if I could understand the animals in this zoo. A recon trip, if you will. Pretty good folks as far as I can tell. Personally I do not follow or understand the Party First, America Later folks, but there are a lot who are not.

By in large the D's here seem much more intelligent than a typical R crowd. The R's usually seem to think that dogma can substitute for a lack of knowledge.

[BeHereNow]

33. Welcome to DU-

I'm sure the author of the thread will be happy to oblige-
Sucks doesn't it, that the active military can't tell the American people
the truth.
In the mean time, we have ass-hats like Graham speaking for them.
My nephew was there- he's out now and has NOTHING good to say about it
or the fuckwits who sent him.

I agree with the soldiers sentiments-
Any fucking politician or citizen who claims to "support"
the troops needs to get their ass over there PRONTO.

I admire his courage for making the challenge.

BHN

[ConnecticutMan1]

38. Thanks... :)

[me b zola]

35. Welcome, ConnecticutMan1

Thank you for giving SPC Vassel a voice to speak out.

[ConnecticutMan1]

39. His voice is one that needs to be heard.

The NY Times has more military voices speaking out... I suspect the tide is really turning even in the media for them to knowingly carry stories that may jeopardize the soldiers' careers for speaking out.

When soldiers come right out and tell you shit like this it is a serious matter. They must have absolutely no confidence in their leadership or the mission they are being given if they are willing to risk the penalties of speaking out against their orders.

[babylonsister]

42. ConnecticutMan1, I just saw your request, and am sorry to say, it's

way too late for me to edit, as that needs to be done within the first hour. If the DU admin or a mod sees your request, maybe they can modify the OP.
Thank you for your service, and please thank Spc. Vassell for all of us. This was a very logical and emotional plea; I'm glad you put it out there for us to read. I would like every Congresscritter to read and consider it.
And welcome to DU!
:hi:

[ConnecticutMan1]

53. I think it is safe to assume

most people will see the correction in the comments. :)

[MidwestTransplant]

34. Hey Jomentum he is talking to you.

[ConnecticutMan1]

37. Don't blame me...

I supported Lamont. The only Dem I actively supported and campaigned for last election.

[JoeDuck]

41. They should be required by law to serve

If our law required those who declare war to serve on the front lines during the war, we would never have to face a situation such as the one we face in Iraq. Neither Saddam nor any other Iraqi ever threatened me personally; I don't know more than a couple of people from Iraq and I like both of them. I have no reason to want to attack their home land. Those who think they do have reason to start wars -- presidents, members of Congress -- let them be the first to put on their uniforms, followed closely by their children. Instead, though, they have bunkers they can retreat to if the going gets tough so they'll be safe while the rest of us become targets. We need them to be safe so when the smoke clears, those who started the war can emerge from the ground and declare that the war is over -- until they decide to start a new one.

Why is it that those who are most fervent in wanting our troops to kill and be killed have never, for the most part, served in the military?

[benld74]

46. Prior enlistment NEEDS to be a pre-requisite of CONGRESS

[stanwyck]

47. Thanks for this. I am SO TIRED of hearing

"they signed up for this. They volunteered." Right. Which is WHY our government owes these people the expectation of having an administration and leadership which has actually paid attention to the intelligence reports, isn't lying to the American public, and isn't reacting to events based on what is best for the military industrial complex.

[ooglymoogly]

50. Yes indeed... should have included the senate...

where I'm sure Blubberman...Lie berman (what is that two faced creeps name?) would happily oblige along with the other cowardly war hawks of both the house and senate along with the enablers who continue funding this treasonous war. With the exception of Feingold and Kucinich and just a very few others thats pretty much all of them. Yes send them all and bring our brave kids home and take care of them when they get here.