Marijane Green
If you don’t confront a lie, people will believe it. Reward bad behavior, get more bad behavior.
In Iraq, money goes to former fighters not to attack. In Afghanistan, we pay when attacked.
Not confronting Afghans was a mistake, knowingly allowing them to falsely accuse our troops of killing civilians. We pay compensation for exaggerated, false counts and, unbelievably, apologize, knowing it’s a fabrication: paying them to lie.
Buying into their corruption, thinking they’ll like us, we’ve only lost their respect. Securing the country will win hearts and minds. Where did we get such incompetent generals?
The new administration must stop this charade. We need generals of integrity. The first I read about our “pay and apologize” technique was the suicide bombing and ambush of a Marine convoy in Bati Kot, March 2007. Since then, there’s been an explosion of attacks and false claims.
Change is needed for the sake of our troops on the front lines defending our freedoms.
Marijane Green
Kansas City, Kan.
"THANKS MARINES"
(This is something I wrote up, you may want to read it again and say a special prayer for our Marines, feel free to pass it on. I have also posted it at my blog. Please remember the Marine families who won't have their Marine with them at the Thanksgiving dinner table, some never to have their Marine with them again as they gave their life defending our freedom.):
Thanks Marine
Marijane green
11-27-08-Thanksgiving day
The chips were down in Iraq. Two Marine battalions were needed for the surge. Non-infantry Marines joined one battalion. Food service specialists and admin clerks left kitchens and offices to man machine-gun turrets on Humvee patrols outside the wire. In those dark days, the Commandant ordered “Every Marine into the fight”. I’m thankful Marines are riflemen first; ready when their nation called to break the back of the insurgency.
A more peaceful Iraq ensued. I’m thankful for Iraq and Afghanistan vets and pained when our government treats some shabbily. Politicians, even a Senate leader, called the war “lost”; however, Marines remained focused on their mission. I’m thankful for Marine Cpl. Allen Roberts, a machine gunner, who died shortly after Thanksgiving 2007, going toward the sound of the guns. Solemn Marines continued patrolling the cold desert defending our freedom; but more selfless, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, provided security for Iraqis. This Thanksgiving they’re home, back to their units, or have completed their contract.
A successful mission in western Iraq’s “triangle of death” allows Iraqis to experience relative peace. I’m forever grateful; humbled by Marines outside the wire. Today they face terrorists in Afghanistan, and prepare for another troop surge. I’m thankful for Cpl. Roberts, one Marine making a difference, quietly sacrificing his life for freedom.
Many won’t remember this hero, who died 11/28/07, but his family will never forget as they sit around the Thanksgiving table this year, without their Marine.
RIP Marine, I am thankful.
