October 26, 2017

Looking for Sgt Bowe Bergdahl carried a heavy price

Looking for Sgt. Bowe Berdahl carried a heavy price, troops testify at his sentencing

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-bergdahl-sentencing-hearing-20171025-story.html

"Taking the witness stand, he veered between stoicism and tears as he described a mission in Afghanistan that had resulted in 18 surgeries and left him permanently injured.

The helicopters carrying his men took heavy shrapnel fire before landing in the remote province of Paktika. The first victim that day was a military canine named Remco, who was shot in the head while leading the men through a poppy field.

Then enemy fire struck Hatch, shattering his right femur. He screamed in pain as a comrade applied a tourniquet."


I remember it was debated whether anyone was actually injured looking for Bergdahl. Well, they were. And this poor soldier cried on the stand as he described his military dog, Remco, getting shot.

Can you imagine the disgust these men felt when Bergdahl received a hero's welcome? The men who searched for him are the real heroes and their voices deserve to be heard.

I'm glad Bergdahl is home, since he suffered immensely for his stupidity, but still...he knew the military's "no man left behind" policy, and knew he would put his fellow soldiers at risk. What a sick fuck he is. I hope he can someday find peace.

January 31, 2017

Obamas Protections for L.G.B.T. Workers Will Remain Under Trump

"WASHINGTON — The White House said on Monday that President Trump would leave in place a 2014 Obama administration order that created new workplace protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

In a statement issued in response to growing questions about whether Mr. Trump would reverse the Obama order, the White House said the president was proud to embrace gay rights.

“President Trump continues to be respectful and supportive of L.G.B.T.Q. rights, just as he was throughout the election,” the statement said. “The president is proud to have been the first ever G.O.P. nominee to mention the L.G.B.T.Q. community in his nomination acceptance speech, pledging then to protect the community from violence and oppression.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/30/us/politics/obama-trump-protections-lgbt-workers.html?_r=1

More at the New York Times site.

January 19, 2017

Malia Obama's Secret Trip to Bolivia! (NY Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/19/opinion/malia-obamas-secret-trip-to-bolivia-and-peru.html?_r=0

"The Bolivian guides were convinced it was the blonde. It had to be the blonde. American Embassy officials in November had told three brothers who led guided hikes across Bolivia’s majestic Cordillera Real mountain range that they would soon be hosting an important American dignitary. When a group of teenagers and a small band of American bodyguards showed up on Nov. 24, it wasn’t apparent to the guides that it was the president’s eldest daughter, Malia Obama, and not a blond companion, who warranted the extraordinary security measures."

The blonde?

Anyway, what a wonderful opportunity for her! She seems like such a sweet kid.