It can't be only Wednesday; it...just...can't...sparkin'...be - AUGH!
Just another day in paradise...
Onward, upward, & all - aroundward to "this day in history." On this date in 1227, the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan died. Talk about your historical bad a$$es! After years of inbreeding with immediate family members, these "people" would be the result - all the anger...none of the smarts or "charm."
On this date in 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees the right of women to vote, was ratified when Tennessee became the 36th state to approve it. I'm surprised those wanting to tinker with the 14th Amendment have tried to tinker with THIS one. If they eventually get around to it, I'm sure "this one" will help them do it!
Let's end with a birthday; actor Edward Norton is 41 years old today. If you EVER get the chance to see this movie, you must; it is HILARIOUS!
Cheers again to the 19th Amendment - Let's Countdown...bra - burning optional - HA!
Well gang, it looks like it’s going to be non – stop coverage of the last of our combat blood & treasure coming home from Iraq. THANK GOODNESS! I know the violence & dying won’t stop, but this day is truly one to be thankful for.
"Last U.S. Combat Troops Leaving Iraq" - 4415 Americans did not live to see this day, and I’m sure this day is a painful & bittersweet one for those 4415 families & friends. Here’s Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton; his son served there. Outside of the obvious bravery of those who volunteered to go there, Maj. Gen. Eaton is "leaving the wisdom of going there to the historians." That was awfully diplomatic of him! We are hoping for a stable democratic Iraq, and Maj. Gen. Eaton thinks that will happen in the near future. Uh, aren’t they having some issues with forming a government after how – many – months since the election over there? Tweety’s now joining the group & asking about how troops feel leaving without 100% success (?). Maj. Gen. Eaton cited a book he’s reading that claims that the United States has been on a perpetual war – footing basically since the end of WWII. Gee, that’s a bit of a depressing thought! So much for avoiding that military – industrial complex President Eisenhower warned us about! The seemingly – never – ending wars in Iraq & Afghanistan are a natural culmination of this war footing. Tweety interrupted Keith – JERK! They’re debating on how to get the State Department more involved in the process before we have to send any more of our young men & women. Here’s Rachel Maddow; she’s in the Green Zone! She asked about the over – extension of our brave men & women & equipment in light of the dramatic increases in the Pentagon budget. Maj. Gen. Eaton does not question the strength & commitment of our current forces; I hope that holds true after they’ve been home awhile & have to interact with family & friends. Col. Jack Jacobs is on the scene now. The reserves & National Guard troops have REALLY been stretched thin; he hopes that fact won’t happen again. Maj. Gen. Eaton talked up having an active military force (men & women who volunteer to be in the military) in proportion with our demands overseas. Ya’ know how that’ll happen, and how to end most future wars post haste? BRING BACK THE DRAFT! The chorus of parents saying, "Not my kid!" will drown out EVERYTHING. Here’s Lawrence O’Donnell; he asked about the 50,000 left behind & what their role will be. Part of these forces might just be involved in some counter – terrorism activities in the area. So, does Richard Engel get to go home, or is he on his way to Afghanistan?
"Last U.S. Combat Troops Now Crossing into Kuwait from Iraq" - Just about everyone is across the border, now. Senator Bob Graham was one of the few who did not vote to send our troops to Iraq. Senator Graham hopes future Presidents & military leaders will be more forthcoming about the ultimate goal in any combat situation. He also thinks our nation needs to come to the realization that we can’t be everywhere to do everything at once. Senator Graham wanted the focus to stay on Afghanistan. Apparently, General Tommy Franks wanted to maintain that focus, too, then go after AQ in Somalia & Yemen, but...well... GWB & his peeps had different ideas. Senator Graham said our system of government failed. Tweety’s back on the scene now. Ugh... He wants to rehash how we got to Iraq to begin with. Senator Graham began his response with his belief that those who were involved in our first "adventure" in Iraq & felt we should’ve gone onto Bagdad finally had their chance. I can buy that to a point, but, apparently, even DICK back then didn’t think we should go to Bagdad! And, of course, there were the WMDs.
"NBC News: Last U.S. Combat Brigade Now Crossing into Kuwait from Iraq" - And, are those guys & gals in those vehicles HAPPY! A lot of them may end up in Afghanistan in about 6 months. Jonathan Landay’s talking about the 50,000 remaining behind, too. ‘Ol Rummy intended to decrease forces by 50,000 after just a few months after going in with too few troops to begin with. We all remember how that turned out. :( These 50,000 troops are still going to be facing some real dangers; some of them are Special Forces units. Mr. Landay calls that combat; that sounds like combat to me, too. Here’s Richard Engel! He’s at the Iraq – Kuwait border; the last vehicles are coming through. These troops are from Ft. Lewis, WA. The very tedious process is going very smoothly overall. The journey was on Iraqi highways, and the troops weren’t fired on – YIPPEE! Troops are lighting up cigars & celebrating the end of their part in Iraq. They are proud of what they’ve accomplished; some of them were there in the worst of the midst of the surge & have lived to tell the tale. Some leaving troops aren’t real concerned about the political instability; some of them, however, are quite concerned. A lot of these guys have spent a lot of time training Iraqi forces that will be taking over; they’ve not spent a whole lot of time with politicians. ;D It’s about 3:50 a.m. in Kuwait, and they are all in Kuwait! Here’s Rachel Maddow again; she’s got goose – bumps at what’s just happened. :D Some groups will be celebrating our departure; hell, I’M CELEBRATING our departure. But, a lot of Iraqis are nervous. Some groups over there will claim victory. Lawrence O’Donnell is offering his thoughts, too, and his thoughts about what the past 7 or so years have been for the people of Iraq.