Army Not Feeding Soldiers in Iraq

Did Bush's Pentagon demand soldiers in Iraq start skipping meals?  Two Republicans in Congress are demanding answers (and I hope Democrats aren't far behind!).  

Via AP:

Rep. Mary Fallin (R-OK) said she is investigating allegations that members of the Oklahoma National Guard’s 45th Infantry Brigade are not being regularly fed in Iraq.

Allegedly the military is forcing the Oklahoma National Guard (45th) to work nine-hour shifts with no lunch.

Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) claims he's also looking into the allegations.  Can the Bush Administration get any more shameles in their treatment of our troops?

•  Disgraceful. n/t

  by R o o k on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:34:34 PM PDT

  •  Equitable though

    They can eat when the Iraqis do.

    by DemCurious on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:58:12 PM PDT

    •  That is a disgusting comment

      Yeah, it's a s*** war, started by criminals, run by morons and supplied by shady, criminal, corrupt corporations.  But none of that means that National Guard troops should be going hungry, under any circumstance.

      I suggest you eat a donut, for a comment that expresses disrespect for fellow Americans.  Disrespect the fools that sent them there, the people here who supported those nimrods who sent our countrymen there and the cowards in Congress who give great speeches about ending the war but end up voting for the money to keep them there.  Don't disrespect the guys there sweating in the dust.

      by Coach Jay on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:00:19 PM PDT

      •  I was going to

        add to your donut but I think people need to see YOUR reply which is simply perfect.

        by luckylizard on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:15:01 PM PDT

      •  Fuck 'em

        Anyone still effecting the subjugation of Iraq at this point either supports the PNAC dream of a thousand year Empier, or is too cowardly to take a moral stand.  Either way: this isn't 1942, so fuck 'em.

        by DemCurious on Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 02:15:19 AM PDT

        •  This isn't 1968-1972 either

          Go back to your dreams of the late 60s.

          by Coach Jay on Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 09:02:54 AM PDT

          •  No, I shall not

            Astonishing; your diktat had no effect.  I think you need to work on your mind control techniques.

            by DemCurious on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 01:12:42 AM PDT

  •  If this is true, Kristy Fleshman is toast.

    This administration does not admire whistle blowers. Bless her for having the courage to speak out.

    The father of an Oklahoma soldier notified Oklahoma City television station KOCO after receiving an e-mail from his daughter, Kristy Fleshman, a member of the Oklahoma National Guard serving in Iraq.

    by Pager on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:58:42 PM PDT

  •  

    From KCO

    A commander at Camp Bucca in Iraq has made adjustments in food-delivery systems there to ensure members of the 45th Infantry Brigade always have food available.

    A day after Eyewitness News 5 revealed that some Oklahoma soldiers were going without while serving their country, a commander at the prison camp issued a statement explaining that changes had been made to meals there because of fears that soldiers would get sick.

    The new system wasn't working as it should, the commander explained, so changes have been made to ensure that soldiers have food available anywhere, anytime and without risk of food poisoning.

    by operculum on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 03:13:34 PM PDT

    •  Would he have done so

      without the publicity, though?  And might this be going on elsewhere?  I agree with the concern above about whistleblowers but I wish we could be confident that, for all the $$ we are wasting on crooked contractors, our kids are at least getting fed.  Potable water would be nice, too....

      by luckylizard on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:19:31 PM PDT

  •  Are they not eating because

    they don't have food? They're out of food? The Army can't pay for food? I'm not quite sure what "not feeding" means.

    by jvantin1 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 03:13:58 PM PDT

    •  Why Do I

      I'm not quite sure what "not feeding" means.

      Get that feeling that You Wouldn't!!

      by jimstaro on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 03:38:04 PM PDT

•  Please don't ask if they can get more shameless.

  They'll be inspired to try.

  by lineatus on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:35:25 PM PDT

  •  Dick Cheney: "Sounds like a challenge to me!"

    by ksh01 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:40:24 PM PDT

•  This is enough to make me cry

  This can't be real.  I see that it is, but I just don't want to believe it.

  by Denni on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:35:41 PM PDT

  •  The fact that it's Republicans looking into it...

    ...will mean a lot in Red states.  People who otherwise wouldn't believe it is real may actually start to take notice.

    by R o o k on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:37:30 PM PDT

    •  Can you imagine being overworked and hungry

      in that heat? How are they supposed to stay vigilant? How are they supposed to focus on anything other than their own condition?  I sure hope you're right.  The Republicans have to stop protecting Bush and McCain and protect our men and women overseas.

      by Denni on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:38:53 PM PDT

      •  Yeah And Wearing Anywhere From

        30-50 pounds of gear.

        by webranding on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:43:09 PM PDT

        •  so surreal. I can't wait to see what the

          investigation shows. From what I read, yesterday, McCain still hasn't signed the new GI bill.  How could he not?  Our service men and woman have put up with a lot of garbage since being sent over.  We owe them even more than the bill provides.

          by Denni on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:56:24 PM PDT

    •  They'll

      Blame it on the Dem controlled congress, not the fact that this All comes out of the DoD controlled by the White House, cheney, not the puppet!!

      by jimstaro on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 03:01:09 PM PDT

•  bring them home

  NOW!  

  by bigforkgirl on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:36:54 PM PDT

•  Son of a bitch.

  They're sending my neighbors to Iraq and not feeding them? We need them here in Oklahoma. Damn this administration's ineptitude.

  by droogie6655321 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:37:14 PM PDT

  •  Yeah

    This is just fucked. Someones ass is going to be fired.

    by woodstock007 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:38:45 PM PDT

    •  Should be!

      "going to be"?  I doubt it.

      by R o o k on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:42:15 PM PDT

      •  I don't doubt it

        But it'll be the person who exposed this, not the person responsible for it.

        by wiscmass on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:50:19 PM PDT

    •  Or promoted

      Blech, mis-administration indeed.

      Sean

      by whytwolf on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:43:30 PM PDT

  •  I found out last weekend that one of my

    neighbors is headed back to Iraq for his second tour. I have been sending protein bars in the boxes that I have sent to Iraq and Afghanistan, but this is rificulous. Since the days of Julius Caesar, everyone has known that an army travels on its stomach. shame on Bush, Cheney, and this entire administration.

    by blue jersey mom on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:47:19 PM PDT

•  C'mon

  Its too"expensive" and the boxed lunches go bad in the "heat" and privatization is "working"

  by woodstock007 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:37:36 PM PDT

•  So far for patriotism

  They probably think it's enough if they are wearing flag pins.

  by Fairy Tale on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:38:32 PM PDT

  •  The Iraq vesion of a "Happy Meal"

    MRE with a flag pin in the box.

    by lineatus on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 03:02:46 PM PDT

•  But do Fallin and Cole wear flag pins?

  That's the really important question.

  by davidkc on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:39:44 PM PDT

•  These people

  need there lunch to guard health clubs for visiting senators.

  by woodstock007 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:40:36 PM PDT

•  Yes. See the link below. . . .

  Sorry to pimp my own material, but you asked for it:

  Fort Bragg Barracks: Shades of Walter Reed?

  The Army held a news conference about this today.  It's bad.

  by Brandon Friedman on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:43:26 PM PDT

  •  no need to be sorry -

    worthwhile links always encouraged.  hope people click through and read it!

    by R o o k on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:45:42 PM PDT

  •  I Was

    Just ready to pop that in Brandon!!

    EVERYONE SHOULD VIEW THE VIDEO, AND LISTEN TO THIS FATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    by jimstaro on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:45:47 PM PDT

    •  Larry Kissel

      posts here - this is the district he is running in.

      Jim - do you know if he has heard about this ?

      by forgore on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 04:56:10 PM PDT

      •  Nope

        But I posted it up at Blue NC, so if he visits he catch it, so far the only writeup if from the Observer, did a 'google' and nothings popping up yet.

        The Video views are rising though, and others are posting it as well!

        by jimstaro on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:13:02 PM PDT

  •  You Know When You Think It Can't Get Any Worse

    of course it does. It boggles the mind.

    by webranding on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:46:16 PM PDT

    •  Total F**king

      INCOMPETENCE!!!!

      Across the Whole Government in the Administration Departments of Every Section!!!!

      Once a new Administration comes in the leadership of these Government Agencies will change, but they've had 8yrs. of Embedding Political Hacks into the works, and We All Saw What Happened in the Attorney General Debacle, unless they place a Wholesale Firing of Everyone Hired in the last 8yrs. the Incompetent Hacks Will Continue To F**kup the Works!!!!!!!!!!!

      by jimstaro on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:56:33 PM PDT

      •  When I Posted The Above Comment

        I had only gotten about 50% through the video and just didn't want to watch anymore. But I forced myself to get to the end .... and it gets worse and worse every single second.

        by webranding on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 03:00:02 PM PDT

  •  you should post that here

    by VelvetElvis on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 03:00:37 PM PDT

  •  The Soldier dealing with the Fecal matter...

    while standing in the latrine sink, starts at 8:10 of the video.

    But everyone should watch the entire video...it is disgusting. Our government should do better than this for our veterans.

    Thanks for advocating the video Brandon...it speaks volumes.

    by Mr SeeMore on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 03:09:36 PM PDT

•  I've been trying to find this on the AP website

  and haven't been able to locate it.  The link goes to the "Durant Daily Democrat" and I want to forward it to a Republican friend of mine who won't believe a word if "Democrat" is in the paper's name.  If anyone can find another link please post it.

  by Lujane on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:46:27 PM PDT

  •  Local TV links:

    http://www.kfor.com/...

    http://www.kswo.com/...

    You can see the dateline and copyright are AP, but I can't find a link directly to an AP site.

    by R o o k on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:55:30 PM PDT

  •  Here's a link to Tulsa World.

    And if you want, google Fleshman's name. This story is showing up all over Oklahoma.

    http://www.tulsaworld.com/...

    by Pager on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 03:07:22 PM PDT

•  Flag-pin Fricasse

  Flag-pin Fricasse/Fricase de bandera broche
  Serves 6

  1 3-lb chinese made flag pins
  1/4 tsp. saffron
  1/4 cup olive oil
  1 large onion
  2 tsp. salt, or to taste
  1/4 cup capers
  1 bell pepper
  1/4 tsp. black pepper
  1 bay leaf
  3 cloves of garlic
  1/4 cup raisins
  2 1/2 cups of water
  1 whole lemon juiced
  1/4 cup olives
  1/4 tsp. cumin
  1 8-oz. can tomato sauce
  1 lb potatoes, peeled and quartered
  1 small can of sweet peas, drained

  Cut Flag-pin in bite-size pieces, add garlic, lemon juice, onion, bell pepper, bay leaf, cumin, saffron, black pepper, salt and water. Cook over medium flame for about 20 minutes. Add potatoes and cook until potatoes are done (about 15 minutes). Add raisins, capers, cooking wine, olive oil, tomato sauce, olives; cook for another 5 minutes. If more water is needed add some but be careful.
  Finally, add drained sweet peas and serve with rice, salad and fried plantains, either ripe or green.

  by woodstock007 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:47:37 PM PDT

•  If Bush bombs Iran...

  our GIs will get real hungry as the stream of supply trucks from Kuwait will likely be targeted along the Baghdad trail.The Marines are largely in Anbar and Sunni western Iraq and are supplied out of Jordan- so they have a less chance of being cut off. The US Army might have to fight its way out of Iraq on empty bellies and with no gas because that comes from Kuwait too.

  by citydem on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:58:04 PM PDT

  •  He doesn't have to bomb Iran

    he just has to let/force Maliki to finally get Al Sadr and the JAM to go into full-scale war mode.
    Then bye-bye supply lines.  

    by Snarcalita on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 03:18:56 PM PDT

•  Hold Your Horses, Please

  This story needs to be given 24 hrs for fact checking. If it's true, a little more time to gather information will be a good thing.

  If it's just an exaggeration, no one will be served by putting it out there.

  by JG in MD on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 03:00:55 PM PDT

  •  Follow a link to the video.

    nt

    by cotterperson on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 03:08:13 PM PDT

•  Too late to call Congress today

  but I sent the link to the video to my local paper, and will make calls tomorrow.

  by Lujane on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 03:05:30 PM PDT

•  When my son

  was in Afghanistan, they were in a remote mountain camp and he and his mates were often hungry. When he got back he was almost gaunt. He is in Iraq now and says the chow is better than Afghanistan.

  by Hawkjt on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 04:46:34 PM PDT