Why don’t we honor our fallen servicemembers? -By Army Sgt. Jim Wilt

Via thinkprogress. Its not the specific content, but a simple statement of the obvious that makes this article so moving. Tragedies of the VT magnitude are daily occurrences in Iraq. What makes the article even more powerful is that Wilt does not use this point to make political hay. There are no calls to support any strategy or ideal, only a demand that Americans begin to mourn the losses of Iraq. While television screens still echo with the names and dreams of the 32 killed at VT, the continually mounting tragedies in Iraq are now tossed aside quickly, be it to make way for Anna Nicole coverage or to report on the latest car-bombing. When this horrible misadventure in Iraq finally ends, perhaps America will be able to start mourning the thousands we have lost. Sgt. Wilt is simply asking why these young people and their families must wait for a fitting tribute.

Truth Check: 42% of our Active Duty Soldiers are against the Iraq War Policy

It is completely disingenuous to claim that only .04% of American troops are against the Iraq War. Since the comments don't seem to work over at the Baltimore Reporter, I will respond to the article here.

All one needs to do is look at the Military Times poll from Dec 2006. Now, I agree with the article at the Baltimore Reporter that the 60 minutes piece may paint a more negative troop outlook than is the reality, but claiming that only .04% of American troops are disagree with the war and the war policy is just as misleading, if not more.

Just look:

1) Are you on active duty?

NOTE: Only active-duty responses were counted in remaining results.
Yes
100%
No
0%

10) Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the situation with Iraq?
Approve
35%
Disapprove
42%
No opinion
10%
Decline to answer
12%

11) Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president?
Approve
52%
Disapprove
31%
No opinion
6%
Decline to answer
10%

12) Do you consider the war in Iraq to be part of the war on terrorism that began Sept. 11, 2001, or do you consider it to be an entirely separate military action?
Part of the war on terrorism
47%
Separate military action
47%
No opinion
5%

The active duty military is even more evenly divided on Iraq than the American Public. Recent polls show American's disapproval for escalation is at 63% (which I admit is down from 70% a month ago).

Article's like the one linked earlier have one main goal, to silence dissenting opinions by making them look "out of the mainstream." The problem Curt from Flopping Aces, has is that he ignores the truth. Opposition to the Iraq War and the President's escalation policy are widespread in the public sphere and growing in the military one. The more difficult opposition becomes to ignore, the louder and bolder the lies become.

Redstate: BREAKING: Unsubstantiated Rumors and Heresay are Awesome

So much for proof. Its amazing the lengths that the right will go to support their "stay in Iraq forever or we all die" meme. Reality isn't important at all in GOP rumor mill.

Original Source Many comments on the post express the same sentiment, this Congresswoman is a wing-nut of the first order.

Rep. Roscoe Bartlett Supports Escalation in Iraq

This is a shame. Rep. Bartlett had indicated he was thinking of voting in support of the Iraq Resolution, but in the end, he caved into faulty Republican reasoning.

I am very concerned that Congressional approval of this resolution will be interpreted by our enemies as a sign that Americans do not have the resolve necessary to win; that they can just wait us out and then take over. My primary concern is the emotional and physical well-being of our troops. I am very concerned that a ‘yes’ vote could easily be interpreted by our troops as a lack of support.

This is beyond ridiculous (emphasis mine).

Rep. Bartlett is more worried about the will of our enemies than he is about the will of the American people. The same American people who are overwhelming against the escalation in Iraq. the same American people who, by a narrow majority, support de-funding the escalation.

Does Rep. Bartlett care what we think? Clearly not.

Credit Where Credit is Due

As congress debates the Iraq war in the House, I think it would be good to point out that every single congressional representative from Maryland is against escalation.

What more is there to say? I am proud of my Maryland congress-critters.

Update: Sadly, Roscoe Bartlett has voted against the resolution condemning the surge. More to come in a new blog post.

Stories that Speak for Themselves

hat tip to Atrios:

U.S. military: Iraqi lawmaker is U.S. Embassy bomber

From CNN Correspondent Michael Ware

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A man sentenced to death in Kuwait for the 1983 bombings of the U.S. and French embassies now sits in Iraq's parliament as a member of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's ruling coalition, according to U.S. military intelligence.

Jamal Jafaar Mohammed's seat in parliament gives him immunity from prosecution. Washington says he supports Shiite insurgents and acts as an Iranian agent in Iraq.

U.S. military intelligence in Iraq has approached al-Maliki's government with the allegations against Jamal Jafaar Mohammed, whom it says assists Iranian special forces in Iraq as "a conduit for weapons and political influence."

Ah yes, the "War on Terrorism".

Congress CAN Bring the Troops Home

As Glenn Greenwald so eloquently points out. Republicans forced President Clinton to pull troops out of Somalia. Those same Republicans today are arguing that what they did in 1993 is now not allowed because it is being pursued by Democrats in 2007. Of course, as Greenwald also points out, they are lying through their teeth.

Senator Cardin: Say it Ain't So

Today, Senator Ben Cardin had a chance to green light legislation that would prevent the troop surge in Iraq. Today, Senator Cardin failed to do what was necessary.

Ben Cardin chose to join with several other Democrats (and many Republicans) to kill Senator Dodd's "troop cap" amendment in committee. In doing so, Ben Cardin has stepped out of line with his constituents, we need to let him know immediately.

I was a vocal Mfume supporter in the Democratic Senate primary because I feared situations such as this. This is the exact sort of vote where we needed a progressive advocate. Its too bad we had timid Cardin. Senator Cardin's vote is even more painful after reading his remarks to president last night:

Tonight, the President failed to make a compelling argument for escalating troop levels in Iraq. We need a change in our policies both in Iraq and at home. I’m hopeful that the President will work constructively with Congress and hear the concerns of the American people so we can come together and move forward as a nation.

Sir, you had the chance to change that policy today, and you chose not to.

Now, perhaps Ben is reserving his support for a different proposal (there are many). However, his no vote on the Dodd amendment is disturbing, to say the least. I implore all who read this blog to contact Senator Cardin and tell him that he needs to get his act together and support legislation that has the teeth to stop this surge and ultimately to end this war in Iraq.