Families of Alaska’s Stryker Brigade Make Rumsfeld Squirm

[TanyaAK]

The corporate news likes to give us the impression that the military fully supports this inept administration and their illegal immoral attack on an innocent nation, however this new video of Rumfeld facing the families of Alaska’s Stryker Brigade paints a very different picture. Rumsfeld’s visit inspired Alaska to start their own chaper of Military Families Speak Out- This is from a member’s account...

Next he was asked if he could guarantee that another brigade was being prepared so that if their mission wasn’t complete in 120 days, the 172nd would be replaced and not extended again. Thunderous applause and foot stomping followed. Rumsfeld tried to diffuse the energy with humor, declaring his questioner hit one “out of the park”. Then he proceeded with caution, failing to guarantee these people desperate to hear the certainty that it wouldn’t happen again. The man in charge of the entire military role in the occupation could do no better than say he’d do everything possible to make sure they came home before Christmas. Why this effort had not yet been an order given with force to his subordinates didn’t escape the crowd that responded with little to no applause.... There was one more challenge to the rosy and hopeful picture that Rumsfeld tried to paint. Why, if the Strykers were there for their expertise, were they instead performing basic infantry functions clearing homes in the city..

http://alaskafreepress.com/node/79

[Blue_In_AK]

1. Thanks, Tanya...

It's always great to see another Alaskan here. Welcome to DU.

[TanyaAK]

2. Thanks!

Did you watch the video? gotta love those Alaskan Military families heh
http://alaskafreepress.com/node/50

[Blue_In_AK]

3. They don't back down, that's for sure.

[TanyaAK]

4. Rumsfeld is going to force a military revolt!

"As I’m sure you have heard a thousand times over, the news of this extension devastated my husband and me to the core. His number one priority was getting ALL his men home safe and sound. With only 7 days to go, and a flight scheduled, we finally were able to breathe a guarded sigh of relief. We also had vacation plans and were looking forward to visiting some of our favorite places in Alaska before winter hit us again. Then we received the news that they, indeed, would not be coming home as planned. I have to tell you that my husband is the model soldier. He is the STRONGEST soldier I know and for the past 16 1/2 years he’s been in the Army he has been unwavering in his commitment to our country. This news emotionally crushed and shattered us both! His exact words to me were, “I don’t know if I have anything left!” I, too, didn’t think I could give any more! I had been holding my breath for 12 months and I was looking forward to finally being able to breathe!"

[TanyaAK]

5. Please kick me!

These families have really struggled to get their message out, and I am trying to spread the word for them. If anyone can help spread this around I would really appreciate it.

They have all talked to familiy members and know what they are doing in Baghdad and yet Rumsfeld lies to their faces and says no,only the Iraqis troops are doing this. And he gets away with it because they can't get their message out. This is why they reporters were not allowed in.

And now Rumsfeld is extending more troops' tours...and I'm sure he's lying about why and what they'll be doing as well.

[ninkasi]

16. A most willing kick...

:kick: It is the soldiers who will keep us safe, not the greedy and corrupt men who send them to whatever fate awaits them. Rumsfeld lies, Cheney lies, and Bush lies. We hear the truth from people like you.

[Ilsa]

6. Kick for Alaskans!

:kick:

[w8liftinglady]

7. they have lost three soldiers since their orders were extended

[TanyaAK]

9. so sad

Weeks after Army Sgt. David J. Davis expressed disappointment that his tour was extended, his family is making funeral arrangements. According to the Pentagon, Davis, of Mount Airy, Md., died Sunday when a bomb blew up near his vehicle during combat operations in Sadr City.

He was 32 and newly married, Hadley said.
http://alaskafreepress.com/node/64

[TanyaAK]

10. The families have since called for Rumsfeld's resignation

Six family members of soldiers assigned to Alaska have called for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, claiming he misled them during a trip to the state last month....

They also took take issue with the reported number of civilian deaths from Iraq. The letter said Rumsfeld told families in August that the 172nd's arrival in Baghdad had contributed to a 40 to 50 percent decrease of civilian deaths there.

"We felt proud of our spouses' and children's contribution to the reputation of the unit and that their courage and dedication was so immediately contributing to saving lives of innocent civilians," the letter said.

Since then, news reports have questioned the military's accounts. The letter cites a Washington Post article that said morgues in Baghdad reported that the death toll nearly tripled in August and that deaths from car bombings and mortar attacks are not included in the military's count.

Rumsfeld was "wrongfully deceptive" in his August remarks about civilian casualties, according to the letter to Murkowski.

"We urge you to stand up for the truth and immediately call for Donald Rumsfeld's resignation and an end to this war," the letter said.

Murkowski spokesman Kevin Sweeney said Monday that the senator has questioned the extension.

"But it's not Congress' role to now get into passing out judgment on military leaders carrying out the policies of the administration," Sweeney said. "Even replacing Rumsfeld at this time is not going to end the war or end the debate. At this particular moment, (Murkowski) sees no need to remove Rumsfeld or set a timetable for removal of troops."

Alaskans call for Rumsfeld resignation
http://alaskafreepress.com/node/62

[AnneD]

8. Good for them...

I went up to Anchorage AK in 72. Dad was stationed in Elmendorf AFB on his last tour (with stints on Kodiak). Had cousins at the Army Post (Richards?). One of the best time of my life: tore up the road between the bases, got chased by a bull moose on that stretch of road, got thrown out of my bed during a quake, saw an Aurea borealis, saw the mountain turn blood red on the summer equinox, lost my days catch of salmon to a grizzly, broke the land record for climbing a tree-but still had my bell bottoms ripped by an elk, endured the Al Can, learned the hard way that you never try to swim across a creek with a green stripe in the middle, drank my first real hard liquor with real fur traders and prospectors, and climbed so high up a mountain that I could see the clouds part-and knew the joy that the gods on olympus must have felt. It is a wonder I survived my time-but what a time it was.

The mountains makes folks strong-I am sure Rumsfeld scurried out of there like a scalded dog....God Bless all our troop and their families. And a tip of the hat to all you palefaces.

[TanyaAK]

11. What a perfect description of life in Alaska!

Aint Alaska Grand! :toast:

[onethatcares]

12. I was there 72-75

had a lot of the same experiences, like seeing Mt. Denali from the ski bowl of Ft. Rich, rides to Homer, glaciers before they disappeared, the boer tides in Knik Arm. What a wonderful place.

[AnneD]

14. Oh...

I forgot-I walked on glaciers and found some interesting semi-precious stones in the glacial till. Thanks-I forgot about Portage. Oh to be 17, fit and in Alaska again.

[Imagevision]

13. How many generals who've retired DIDN'T ask for Rumsfeld to resign?

I know it isn't the majority, and Rumsfeld has zero experience

[Canuckistanian]

15. Kick for Alaska!

And an "R" as well.

[vickitulsa]

17. I am coming to the conclusion that it might well be up to the military

and the domestic police forces of every shade and hue -- collectively the "enforcers" of Chimpy's insane and devastating policies and his orders as Criminal-in-Chief -- ultimately to STOP this madness before it's too late.

Now that I've said that, let me back up a bit.

I have lived in Alaska, too, and I loved it even before I moved there in 1974. But you have to see it for yourself, feel it, breathe in that wonderful air, and look up at the breathtakingly BIG sky to really appreciate it.

Anyone who has ever spent a fair bit of time there understands the ruggedly independent spirit of Alaskans. Yet these same Alaskans also know the critical importance of being able to depend on each other when the going gets really rough. In a survival climate, people learn that everyone has to pull together if they wish to endure. You don't just drive on by when you see someone stranded and walking alongside the highway if it's sixty below!

This wonderful dual mentality of Alaskans makes them the perfect ones to stand up to Rumsfailed and his bosses, IMO. Soldiers from that Alaska would recognize sooner than those from other states that Iraq three years after U.S. "intervention" has become far less safe and survival there far more difficult than it was before we arrived.

I have a lot of veteran friends, so I keep up with military issues; and I've been aware for some time now that not all American troops believe in their missions in Iraq or Afghanistan. I am so glad to read in this OP that our Alaskan soldiers especially are speaking out about the failures of this administration's policies and military action in Iraq. I believe this voice of dissent from within the U.S. military is growing stronger with every passing week.

I am hoping that the "troops" in the domestic police forces also soon reach the point of dissent that can lead to revolt when they, like the military, are given orders by the current leadership that go contrary to everything they know and believe about what America is supposed to stand for.

Without enforcers to back up an administration by carrying out orders to arrest, torture, and kill not only "foreign enemies" but even American citizens, a would-be fascist government cannot have its way!

WITH the unquestioning obedience of such enforcers, however, an administration that seeks a dictatorial, authoritarian rule over a once-free people CAN succeed. Hitler did it; he consolidated power by utilizing the Gestapo, the SS, and Germany's military power, so that citizens were helpless to resist.

I believe it's critical that American citizens show very clearly and loudly our support for all those in the military and in domestic police agencies who refuse to do the bidding of the Decider. We need them to revolt and stop the insanity that threatens all of us way more than any terrorists do!

:patriot:

[democrank]

18. Are we winning yet?

If not, we had better send in our strength....the entire Bush White House and members of Congress still supporting this occupation. When their first tour is over, send them right back.

[qanda]

19. This says it all...

"These brave soldiers signed up to defend the United States of America, not conquer innocent nations for the glory of the greedy. I say enough is enough!"

[militaryWife]

20. k & r

for my friends in Alaska