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What’s worse than crawling under your beloved house and seeing the foundations rotten with decades of termite damage? NOT crawling under your beloved house and seeing the foundations rotten with decades of termite damage. I’ve been away for a while, doing a little thinking. Usually, my thoughts for these past few years have started at home and then taken me to Iraq, and the war. Lately, though, I have been thinking about Iraq, and my thoughts turn more and more to home. I started thinking along these lines six months ago, after a young Marine shot and killed a wounded...

What’s worse than crawling under your beloved house and seeing the foundations rotten with decades of termite damage? NOT crawling under your beloved house and seeing the foundations rotten with decades of termite damage. I’ve been away for a while, doing a little thinking. Usually, my thoughts for these past few years have started at home and then taken me to Iraq, and the war. Lately, though, I have been thinking about Iraq, and my thoughts turn more and more to home. I started thinking along these lines six months ago, after a young Marine shot and killed a wounded...

SANCTUARY (part 1) (If you're new here, welcome. The regulars usually grab some coffee and relax. This will take about an hour, and, as usual, the end point of our journey is not visible from the beginning.) What’s worse than crawling under your beloved house and seeing the foundations rotten with decades of termite damage? NOT crawling under your beloved house and seeing the foundations rotten with decades of termite damage. I’ve been away for a while, doing a little thinking. Usually, my thoughts for these past few years have started at home and then taken me to Iraq, and...

The first 'I' in Cincinnati was missing on the uniform front of pitcher Aaron Harang Tuesday night in Busch Stadium according to the DAYTON DAILY NEWS and the spelling appeared: "Cncinnati." These days the Cincinnati Reds can't even buy a vowel. By the third inning, the 'I' magically appeared — Harang put on a fresh jersey — but it was after the St. Louis Cardinals scored three runs in the second inning en route to a 5-1 victory. "That's the last time I wear that jersey," Harang said. Harang wore the same jersey for the first four days of this...

Green now will be worn for notifying relatives of the dead. Some say the move is disrespectful. With the toll of Marines killed in Iraq mounting, the Marine Corps is no longer requiring the Marines notifying families of such deaths to wear the Corps' distinctive dress blue uniform.

WASHINGTON - With Congress and Major League Baseball embroiled in a fight over steroids, the chairman of a House panel said Thursday that all major U.S. sports leagues should work toward a single testing plan. "Our elite athletic organizations, both professional and amateur, should establish uniform, world-class, drug-testing standards that are as consistent and robust as our criminal laws in this area," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (news, bio, voting record), R-Fla. "Nothing less should be tolerated." Stearns' comments came at the opening of a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee he chairs. Labor lawyers from Major League Baseball...

An effigy of a soldier hanging from a house in Sacramento's Land Park neighborhood that sparked controversy over freedom of expression is now gone.

FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) - Army soldiers are being issued new fatigues with easy-to-use Velcro openings and a redesigned camouflage pattern that can help conceal them as they move rapidly from desert to forest to city in places like Baghdad. "It might give you the extra second you need, save your life maybe," Sgt. Marcio Soares said Tuesday after trying on the new all-in-one camouflage uniform that is the first major redesign in Army fatigues since 1983. Soares' unit, the Georgia National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade, is the first to be issued the new fatigues as part of a $3.4...

Space Future - http://www.spacefuture.com/pr/archive/on_the_practical_and_sporting_aspects_of_football_in_zero_gravity.shtml O Thornton & P Collins, 19 September 2001, "On the Practical and Sporting Aspects of Football in Zero-Gravity", Presented at Symposium on The Popular Commercialisation of Space, British Interplanetary Society, 19 September 2001. Also downloadable from http://www.spacefuture.com/archive/on_the_practical_and_sporting_aspects_of_football_in_zero_gravity.shtml Presented at Symposium on The Popular Commercialisation of Space, British Interplanetary Society , 19 September 2001 On the Practical and Sporting Aspects of Football in Zero-Gravity Oliver Thornton & Patrick Collins Introduction: Association Football, or 'soccer', is the major spectator sport in the world, as well the most widely-played. When space becomes a practical living space for the...

Heil, Harry! By J. Neil Schulman When England's Prince Harry wore a Nazi uniform to a costume party a few days ago, he may not have had any idea how appropriate his choice of garb was. Or maybe he knew quite well what he was doing. Since that incident it has become clear that Harry has about as much personal freedom of expression as the Nazis granted to Jews, and for pretty much the same reason: he can't choose his ancestors. You see, Prince Harry is a slave. He was born in a country that regards him as public property....

The purpose of FreeRepublic.com's multiple message boards is to limit the topics for each board to particular topics. Posting the same message on all the boards defeats the purpose of multiple-boards for special topics. It is very annoying to see the same message on every bulletin board. PLEASE! DO THE READERS A FAVOR. STOP CROSS-POSTING YOUR MESSAGES!

The presidential debates covered many questions, but the issue of homosexuality in the military was not one of them. That is unfortunate, since voters should know where the two presidential candidates stand on this and other forms of social engineering in the military. The record of President George W. Bush is not perfect, but the doctrinaire views of his rival, Sen. John Kerry, are cause for serious concern. In 1993, Senator John Kerry cast his vote on the losing side of a veto-proof, bipartisan (63-33) vote against President Bill Clinton's plan to accommodate homosexuals in the military. But Kerry did...

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2004 – The Army's future soldier will resemble something out of a science fiction movie, members of Congress witnessed at a demonstration on Capitol Hill July 23. The newest concepts for lightweight, lethal uniform systems to be worn by the future soldiers in battle were displayed at the Russell Senate Building here. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Raoul Lopez (left) poses in the new 2020 Future Warrior uniform system, while Army Sgt. Dan Harshman dons the 2010 Future Force Warrior uniform system. They were part of the Future Warrior exhibit for congressmen and their staff members on Soldier...

LeRoy Hunt and Josh Harmon didn't get their diplomas the other day. Oh, they put in their 13 years of public education, and they completed their course of study, and they got through high school. But they didn't get their diplomas. Because they wore their uniforms. Their Army uniforms. Let me tell you the story. It was last week at the Layton High School Class of 2004 graduation ceremony in Ogden, Utah. [Click on the link, above, for the full story...]  

<p>SAN DIEGO (AP) - Fire codes should be made uniform in the state's highest-risk wildfire regions, overriding a patchwork of local regulations, a state report says.</p> <p>The proposal is one of 69 recommendations developed by the Gov.'s Blue Ribbon Fire Commission staff in response to last October's firestorms, many of which call for more funding. A draft summary obtained by The Associated Press also calls for more coordination among local, state and federal officials, including quicker use of military aircraft in emergencies.</p>

  U.S. flag insignia to be worn by allBy Sgt. 1st Class Marcia Triggs WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Feb. 17, 2004) -- All Soldiers can now wear the U.S. flag insignia on the right shoulder of their utility uniform, as a continued reminder that the Army is engaged in a war at home and abroad. “The flag has been around for years to identify deploying troops. Now based on the Army’s joint expeditionary mindset, the flag represents our commitment to fight the war on terror for the foreseeable future,” said Sgt. Maj. Walter Morales, the uniform policy chief for...

USAREUR Public Affairs December 31, 2003 Uniform policy changes; Flag displayed permanently USAREUR News Release HEIDELBERG, Germany – In light of USAREUR’s numerous expeditionary operations and in recognition of the Army's commitment to the Global War on Terror, Gen. B. B. Bell, USAREUR commanding general, has deemed it appropriate and proper for all soldiers to “proudly and permanently wear the American Flag on their field/ combat uniform” whether they are in the garrison or deployed in support of an operation. “The Army is in the process of revising AR 670-1 and I am rescinding my Command Policy Letter #32,” said...

Tomorrow's Uniforms Offer New Capabilities, Less Weight By Donna MilesAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2003 -- They call it the "Christmas tree" effect. Defense engineers come up with the latest new gadgets and gizmos to help troops on the battlefield, and — just like ornaments being added to the holiday tree — they "hang" them on the warfighter. The Objective Force Warrior program offers a glimpse into advances planned for warfighters in 2010 and beyond. The program is expected to become a prototype for all the military services. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center(Click photo...

<p>Going for a distinctive look, the Air Force unveiled the proposed new utility uniform Aug. 6. The predominantly blue-and-gray uniform uses a tiger-stripe pattern reminiscent of the tiger-stripe uniform worn by the South Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. Many U.S. troops at that time adopted the same look.</p>

ARLINGTON, Va. — It’s an Air Force blue BDU. Predominantly blue tiger stripes could be the pattern of the Air Force’s next battle dress utility uniform, though the proposed pattern looks more like a topographical map of mountains and water instead of a fierce jungle animal. “We wanted something distinctively Air Force,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jacqueline Dean, chief of the Air Force Uniform Board. Moving past the baby blue backdrop and streaks of Navy blue, gray and beige, Dean points out “some exciting” changes, with the no-need-to-starch topping list, an annual savings of $180 to $240 in laundry or...

The first "lessons learned" reports are coming in from Iraq, and it seems that most troops thought the tools of war worked extremely well. Of special note: Guns, body armor, and the backpack canteen were winners. But there was a long list of complaints the Pentagon has to deal with. Take the 9-mm gun. Soldiers said it lacked "stopping power" and had to be rigged to feed bullets into the chamber. Boots were too hot, and the soles crumbled. And the stitching in the trousers came undone in the crotch. They also want more pockets on shirtsleeves; many soldiers even...

Iraq Information Minister 'Comical Ali' is alive, well and still in Baghdad, it was claimed last night.Mohammed Saeed Al Sahaf--the Saddam Hussein spokesman who denied Americans were in Baghdad when they could be seen behind him-- still wears his trademark green beret and army uniform, say reports. He disappeared on the day Saddam's statue was toppled (after looting $200,000.00 from the Iraqi Foriegn Journalist 'expense account'-ed) and it was thought that he could have committed suicide or even escaped.But last night it was reported that he is now a broken man who stays at home with his wife Larnia, two...

<p>The commanding general of Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio is warning military personnel not to wear their uniforms when off duty in that Texas city because of two recent threats on soldiers and sailors stationed there.</p> <p>"As individuals voice their opinions against military operations, they tend to direct their frustrations toward governmental and military symbols," Maj. Gen. Darrel R. Porr said in a notice sent to base members throught the Internet Mail Service on April 11.</p>

"If possible, avoid wearing of the uniform when dining in public places." ? From a "Protective Measures Awareness" notice sent to San Antonio's U.S. Army personnel by Maj. Gen. Darrel R. Porr on Friday April 11, 2003, will be remembered as one of the saddest dates in Alamo City history. Because of recent instances of harassment of uniformed personnel, Porr, the commanding general at Fort Sam Houston, felt compelled to warn the men and women who serve under him to use caution when traveling, shopping and dining in San Antonio. "Two separate incidents against military personnel have occurred," Porr reported....

Decorated Vet Rips General for 'Hide the Uniform' Order Members of the U.S. military, in San Antonio and everywhere, should be able to wear their uniforms with honor, pride and dignity. But they've been warned against wearing them in public by their own commander, Maj. Gen. Darrel R. Porr. Yes, you read that correctly. Our heroes can't wear in public what should be the finest piece of clothing any American could don. And one Purple Heart veteran of an 18 month combat tour in Vietnam as a 101st Airborne Division paratrooper and a Green Beret with the 5th Special Forces...

Roddy Stinson: 'Avoid wearing of uniform' general warns local soldiers Web Posted : 04/13/2003 12:00 AM "If possible, avoid wearing of the uniform when dining in public places." — From a "Protective Measures Awareness" notice sent to San Antonio's U.S. Army personnel by Maj. Gen. Darrel R. Porr on Friday April 11, 2003, will be remembered as one of the saddest dates in Alamo City history. Because of recent instances of harassment of uniformed personnel, Porr, the commanding general at Fort Sam Houston, felt compelled to warn the men and women who serve under him to use caution when traveling,...

Wounded soldiers describe Iraq ambush By Marni McEntee, Stars and Stripes European edition, Friday, March 28, 2003 LANDSTUHL, Germany — Army Staff Sgt. Jamie Villafane discovered the meaning of perfidy on a bridge south of An Nasiriyah, Iraq. The treachery of Iraqi troops dressed as civilians nearly cost Villafane and his gunner, Sgt. Charles Horgan, their lives. Villafane, 31, of Long Island, N.Y., doesn’t remember some of what happened, even though the whole fight on Saturday morning took just 10 minutes. Villafane and Horgan, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, from Fort Benning, Ga., had been...

<p>I am the mother of a daughter in the U.S. Air Force. I'm in my 40's and generally try to conduct myself as a lady. I must admit to feeling _very_ unladylike over the last few weeks. I am absolutely appalled at what is befalling my country and am becoming quite militant in my beliefs. I have always felt that everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. I would fight to my last breath for anyone to be able to express that opinion freely regardless of how idiotic or worthy I personally felt that opinion to be. This is what makes our country great.</p>

Sorry about this ridiculous vanity. Last week there was a pic in the NY Times of two 82nd soldiers with a POW in Afghanistan. I haven't seen the pic, but a co-worker mentioned it and asked me about it. Evidently these two soldiers were wearing what the the co-worker described as knee & elbow pads. I was stationed at Ft. Bragg for 8 years and never saw anything like it. Do any of you have a link to the picture? Do any of you know what these pads are and why they are worn?

Washington -- From the color of cellphones that can be worn (black) to the length of a woman's fingernails (quarter-inch maximum from the fingertip), the Army's latest uniform regulations don't miss much. No green hair dye. No cosmetics for men, no ''eccentric, exaggerated, or trendy cosmetic styles and colors'' for women. No hands in uniform pockets ''except momentarily to place or retrieve objects.'' And so on throughout the latest revision of the Army's ''Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia.'' The 369 pages go into effect Aug. 1. It's the Army's first complete revision of these rules since...

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