I'm struck at how happy these soldiers look

[CatWoman]

they never look that happy to see Chimpy, even when he comes complete with a plastic turkey


n this photo released Saturday, July 19, 2008, by the the U.S. Army, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., poses with SPC Lakeisha Willingham, 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), after a shoot-around game of basketball at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Friday, July 18, 2008, during a Congressional Delegation visit.


In this photo released Saturday, July 19, 2008, by the the U.S. Army, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., shakes hands with service members at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Friday, July 18, 2008, during a Congressional Delegation visit.


In this photo released Saturday, July 19, 2008, by the the U.S. Army, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gets help from service members wishing U.S. ARCENT a happy 90th birthday at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Friday, July 18, during a Congressional Delegation visit.



In this photo released Saturday, July 19, 2008, by the the U.S. Army, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., signs memorabilia for service members at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Friday, July 18, during a Congressional Delegation visit.

[roamer65]

1. 184 days to President Barack Obama.

Not much longer, folks.

[opihimoimoi]

5. That man makes me proud and I wanna cry for the Nation we finally gonna rid ourselves from the

Cancer that is GOPism and in particular...the BushCo and his crew...

I am only hoping he makes it through the damn election ALIVE and well.

And the Troops...they were SO HAPPY to see Obama....God Bless them all

[CatWoman]

6. Opihi!!!

always so very happy to see you!!

[opihimoimoi]

10. ITS BECAUSE OF PEEPS LIKE YOU that our Nation is awakening

from the GOP induced COMA....

Come, we go celebrate w big Luau....mucho food, drinks, laughs, chatter, and song....

[Hekate]

22. Aikane, I want to be at that victory luau I know you're gonna throw...

I can just imagine it now.

Hekate

[opihimoimoi]

33. Ya jus know its gonna be BIG.....like the Mother of ALL LUAUS

[Hekate]

39. Laulaus. Lomilomi salmon. Chicken long rice. Haupia. Kalua pig. Poi. Musubi. Potluck!

Hekate

[CatWoman]

41. you two are making me so damn HUNGRY!!!

[opihimoimoi]

48. LOL...sending Fish and POI....

:hugs:

[Indenturedebtor]

62. Yikes hold the Poi :P Just send the fish and pig please :D

Although Poi is much better than how your brothers and sisters in Fiji eat Dalo, my lilly white tongue just cant handle it hehehe.

[opihimoimoi]

47. Yes...Hawaiian Food...but also InterNational Foods by CHEFS too

Al Gore and a few others will be Awarded the Opi Peace Prize

Luau is one week long....enough time for all to have fun in the sun and also eat till FAT

Every Night different entertainment from various Nations....trying to get Russel Watson, Sarah Brightman, etc other name

Key note speaker....trying to get Keith Olbermann or Obama himself....

Big Big Luau Girl...been planning for months now...I hope to attract funds for this......obviously...must wait till early 09 but preparations are killing me....my art is part of the Start...should I succeed in selling some pieces...this will happen....

The story is obviously too long for this forum
...pm me....

Opi

[HowHasItComeToThis]

21. "ROCK" OBAMA IS NOT THE AWOLING TYPE

.... THEY RESPECT HIM

[opihimoimoi]

50. You can just see it in their faces....they got HOPE and see a CHANGE...

Obama oozes OPTIMISM

[bdamomma]

66. god, I hope so.

sorry for being so cynical.

[spanone]

2. they see hope....

[CatWoman]

8. so do I, my friend

[TomInTib]

3. They're happy because they are in Kuwait.

Air-conditioning, running water, three hots and no one is getting shot at.

[CatWoman]

7. oh please!!!

can you find comparable pics of Chimpy posing with soldiers in Kuwait?

[Breeze54]

11. A lot of the soldiers in Iraq have AC, water & hot meals too but

they are getting shot at and blown up. The soldiers in Kuwait have it good!

[madokie]

68. I was a postal clerk in Vietnam stationed at Cam Rahn Bay

and I had an airconditioner in my room. In fact when I left there I could have traded it to some airforce guys for a helicopter, one they had pieced together from salvage parts, said they would have it flown anywhere in the us that there was an air force base but I gave it to my replacement. As I look back that was prolly the happiest face I have ever seen in my whole life, right then and there when I said nope this goes to my new friend.

[stillcool]

38. kind of depends on where you are..

in Iraq..

Photo credit: Jason P. Howe/ www.conflictpics.com ;
These key US bases are enormous. Al-Balad/Anaconda is spread over fifteen square miles <9> while al-Asad and al-Talil bases total nearly twenty square miles each. <10> Even in the vicinity of Baghdad, the US base complex Victory/Liberty is so big that it accommodates a 140 mile triathlon course. <11> A large number of US service personnel are stationed at these facilities, as well as private construction crews and other contract workers. For military personnel alone, al-Balad/Anaconda counts 20,000, <12> al-Asad 17,000 <13> and Victory/Liberty 14,000. <14> Construction and contract crews number thousands more.

At the center of these bases there are large and sophisticated military airfields, with double runways of 10-12,000 feet, that can accommodate many aircraft, including fighters, drones, helicopters and large transport planes. Al-Balad hosts a total of 250 such aircraft, including 120 helicopters and numerous predator drones, parked on vast fields of concrete aprons and runways. <15> Newly-budgeted construction at the base includes a parking ramp for the air force’s huge C-5A Galaxy cargo plane, as well as upgraded lighting for round-the-clock operations. Balad’s air traffic is said to be among the world’s busiest, with 24/7 operations, comparable to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. <16> Al-Asad base airfield is also installing new lighting as well as a sophisticated air traffic control system. <17>

The bases are largely self-sufficient in terms of utilities, including power, phone systems, heating/cooling and hospital facilities. <18> While clean water, electricity or quality medical care are in short supply in the country, the bases are islands of fully-functioning amenities – a long and expensive way from military tents or temporary huts set up hurriedly in the countryside. It is ironic that the base projects proceed swiftly towards completion, while many other construction projects for Iraqis’ benefit such as water treatment plants, electricity generating stations, and health care facilities have been plagued by delays, shortfalls and failures.

Highly fortified perimeters protect the bases from their outside environment, and the Pentagon is currently further upgrading the perimeter security systems. At Al-Talil, contractors are building a $22 million double perimeter security fence with high-tech gate controls, guard towers and a moat-like protective ditch, while at al-Balad perimeter fences are being upgraded and the no-man’s land widened. <19>

The bases have reinforced concrete buildings, hardened protective bunkers, and elaborate electronic systems that are rarely, if ever, installed in temporary basing facilities. The bases also have extensive concrete barracks for troops and large internal road systems. And they have major logistics centers, enabling them to provide food, fuel, ammunition and other supplies to troops stationed in their sector of the country.



The bases provide elaborate amenities to bring a US life style to the troops. In addition to four mess halls and a big sports facility, Balad boasts two huge “post exchange” department stores and several fast food restaurants including a 24-hour Burger King, a Pizza Hut, a Starbucks knockoff called “Green Beans,” and Baskin Robbins ice cream outlets as well as a miniature golf course. <20> Al-Asad has a football field, a Hertz rent-a-car office, an internet cafe, an indoor swimming pool, a movie theater showing the latest releases and even an automobile dealership. It also has a Burger King, a Pizza Hut and other fast food stores. <21> Victory/Liberty likewise has fast-food outlets, an elaborate gymnasium/sports facility, and Iraq’s largest “post exchange” department store. <22> Troops at these bases are provided with air-conditioning, satellite internet access, cable television and international phone service.


http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/occupa...

[TomInTib]

51. It's all right Ma,....

I'm only bleeding.


W/ apologies to Bobby Zimmerman

[HawkerHurricane]

56. I remember KFC in Kuwait City...

"Kuwait Food Company".

No, really, they spell it out for you. Seems that's what the trademark is in Kuwait.

[The Wielding Truth]

4. And the big guy in the third picture - what is he thinking?

" I can't believe YOU made that shot?"

[galledgoblin]

40. that really is a "caption this" picture!

"I... I can see forever in his eyes!!"

[MGKrebs]

9. Many soldiers that would be happy to see GWB wouldn't allow themselves to show it.

It's the "strict father" paradigm. Father is to be respected and obeyed. Father is not a source of joy or happiness. That is Mother's role.

It's pretty sad, actually.

[AnnieBW]

12. Better than when * visits

Usually they're staring straight ahead, or * is surrounded by redneck-types.

[depakid]

13. In the background of one of the video's, you could hear someone saying "...get us out of here"

I imagine that's what many are thinking he's going to do....

[Tutonic]

14. Why is there a disproportionate number of African American soldiers?

I was assuming that they're not the only patriotic Americans volunteering.

[Breeze54]

16. They aren't "all" volunteering at all. n/t

[Tutonic]

23. Is there conscription?

[Lochloosa]

27. Call it what you want. Conscription. Stop Loss. Yes there is.

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/NBC_Army_stoploss_policy_...

The number of US soldiers "stop-lossed," or forced to serve past their agreed terms of enlistment (from an additional few months to over a year), has reached 58,000 in the past six years, NBC reports.

"Many lawmakers and critics claim the Army has used 'stop-loss' as a back-door draft to make up for the shortage of soldiers for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," reports Jim Miklaszewski.

"It is going to destroy the morale of our troops," adds Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT). "We've got to stop it."

[Breeze54]

37. Yes! It's called 'Stop Loss'.

Stop-Loss: A Look at the U.S. Military Policy That Creates a 'Backdoor Draft' to Force Soldiers to Continue Service

Friday, July 11, 2008 :

With about 175,000 troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the U.S. military has been forced to rely on a controversial policy known as stop loss to force soldiers to continue serving after their voluntary stints had ended.

Some have described the policy as a backdoor draft. Critics say stop loss hurts troop morale, burdens troops’ families, damages the credibility of military leaders and threatens recruiting.

On Thursday, Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and Democratic Congresswoman Betty Sutton introduced the Stop-Loss Compensation Act—which would require the Pentagon to pay troops affected by stop-loss an additional $1,500 for each month their service is extended.

We are also joined from Colby Buzzell and Kimberly Peirce in Washington. Colby Buzzell served as an Army infantryman in Iraq during 2003 and 2004. He was recently stop-lossed and faces another deployment to Iraq. He was one of the first soldiers to blog from Iraq and is the author of the book “My War: Killing Time in Iraq.” Kimberly Peirce is the director of the film “Stop Loss.” Her first film was “Boys Don’t Cry” for which star Hillary Swank won an Oscar for Best Actress. Kimberly’s brother served in Iraq.

Spc. Casey Porter, Army specialist stationed in Iraq on his second tour after being ‘stop-lossed.’ He is a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War.

Colby Buzzell, served as an Army infantryman in Iraq in 2003 and 2004. He is the author of the book “My War: Killing Time in Iraq.” Last year the book won the ‘Blooker prize’ for best book that began as a blog on the Internet.

Kimberly Peirce, director of the film “Stop Loss.” Her first film was “Boys Don’t Cry” for which star Hillary Swank won an Oscar for Best Actress. Her brother served in Iraq.
Related Links

* Casey Porter's YouTube Page: http://youtube.com/user/CaseyJPorter
* Colby Buzzells Blog: http://cbftw.blogspot.com /
* Stop Loss the Movie: http://www.stoplossmovie.com /


LISTEN ONLINE: http://www.democracynow.org/2008/7/11/stop_loss_a_look_...

[gratuitous]

17. I'm used to seeing just two, maybe three

Strategically placed, of course, where they appear in most of the photos, but surely where they don't appear in any numbers that might make certain folks uncomfortable.

[goclark]

20. Finally we get to see African American soldiers again

Usually there is just the one that they place over the left shoulder of the Chimp.

The soldier that just looks straight ahead and doesn't blink.

As an African American I am glad to see that Black soldiers are given a chance to be "in the picture" after all these years.

[wanpete]

59. A Big AMEN to that!

[awoke_in_2003]

60. African Americans percentage in the enlisted ranks

are quite a bit higher than in America in general. For some in the country, it is the only way out of their regular life.

[SidDithers]

69. As Larry Wilmore said on the Daily Show last night...

"there's a shitload of brothers in the military"

Sid

[otherlander]

15. Obama's gonna be president!

[TheCowsCameHome]

18. I see genuine happiness, unlike the plastic reception that IdiotBoy gets.

These folks know Obama is going to get the US out of Iraq with honor.

[SoCalDem]

24. or the overt "gestures"..

[ben_meyers]

19. n/t

[Olney Blue]

25. Gorgeous pics!!!!!!!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

26. K&R! Thank you CatWoman!!

The happiness comes from the promise of better days.

[CatWoman]

36. Salmon

[YankeyMCC]

28. I kept hearing the talking heads saying

that Obama would need to "Look Presidential" during this trip.

I'd say this qualifies.

[TheCowsCameHome]

29. After a president like Bush, a wild pig with severe rectal itch would look good

Barack Obama has certainly hit a home run early into his visit.

[ColbertWatcher]

30. Beautiful pictures, CatWoman, thank you! n/t

[CatWoman]

42. Anytime, CW

[UTUSN]

31. Quite a contrast with Poppy-of-Arabia!1

[RoyGBiv]

32. WTF?

What the hell is he doing?

Singing an aria?

[TheCowsCameHome]

34. He thinks he's at the beach and Kennebunkport is within sight.

[bdamomma]

67. seeing an oil well perhaps!

[CatWoman]

44. LOL

He looks like he's "voguing"



http://youtube.com/watch?v=n9Jy5842r8Q

[BlooInBloo]

35. The difference between hopeful and hopeless, apparently.

[CatWoman]

43. hi, Bloo

[BlooInBloo]

46. I miss you! I been busy at work. :(

[lpbk2713]

45. This is the sort of reception Smirky gets ...

... and he doesn't even deserve it that good.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

49. Now THAT'S what "Presidential" looks like.

It's been such a very long time...

[TexasObserver]

52. Yaaayyyy!! We've got AWESOME DUDE!

They've got OLD GROUCHY PANTS!!

[Subdivisions]

53. I was watching that earlier today and the troops were

positively beaming.

[ThatsMyBarack]

54. Amazing!

Those soldiers deserve a big treat like that!

[EFerrari]

55. "This is the skinny dude that's getting us the hell outta here!"

LOL

[Better Believe It]

70. Just Don't Send Them To Afghanistan

And they'll be even happpier.

Bring them all home!

[Captain Angry]

57. I talked to my brother about this tonight.

He saw Cheney and Bush.

When Cheney was there, nobody smiled. When Bush was there, he actually saw fellow soldiers sound asleep in the bleachers.

My brother was on guard duty at the time that Bush showed up with the fake turkey early on in the invasion, so he missed out I guess.

[wanpete]

58. Me too Catwoman...me too,,I almost cry at the sight of their faces sensing the pride and admiration

they feel and how much they want a president who truly has their best interest at heart.

[hiphopnation]

61. warms the cockles, it does n/t

[Marrah_G]

63. Damn okay, those brought tears to my eyes. Especially the last 2

[DailyGrind51]

64. They better not look TOO happy, or Cheney will make sure

they get a stern "talking to". "Wars aren't won with smiles, Sonny, which is why I always sneer!"

[bdamomma]

65. he looks warm genuine and a concerned individual.