Military Support Group Decries 'Leftist' Tour of Iraq-Make this grow legs

(CNSNews.com)-CNSNews.com Morning Editor ^ | December 09, 2003 | By Susan Jones

[armymarinemom]

The Blue Star Mothers of America -- a military support group -- is blasting what it calls a "leftist-led" tour of Iraq by the parents of some U.S. service members.

"Operation Iraq Watch and Global Exchange are anti-American leftist groups that are cynically exploiting the fears and concerns of families in order to achieve their goal of undermining morale and bringing about the defeat of America in the War on Terror," said the Blue Star Mothers in a press release issued Tuesday.

Blue Star Mothers of America is a congressionally chartered veterans support group, which includes parents of active-duty military or honorably discharged veterans.

The group specifically objects to the recent tour of Iraq by a delegation of U.S. military families, who went there to "express their concern about the occupation and see first-hand the reality being faced by U.S. troops and Iraqis," according to the Global Exchange website.

Global Exchange, a human rights group based in San Francisco, organized the Iraq tour, wich began on Nov. 29 and ended on Dec. 8. Global Exchange also sponsors educational trips to countries such as Afghanistan, Vietnam, and Israel/Palestine, it noted on its website.

A second group involved in the Iraq tour - the International Occupation Watch Center - says it was established in July by international peace groups to monitor and report on the occupation of Iraq.

Blue Star Mothers said it shares Global Exchange/Occupation Watch's concerns about the safety and well-being of U.S. troops. But Blue Star Mothers said it believes the best way to ensure the swift and safe return and their sons and daughters is to give full support to the U.S. mission.

"Anything less plays into the hands of our enemies and gives aid and comfort to those who are targeting our troops for maiming and death with IEDs, RPGs, [and] car bombs," the Blue Star Mothers said.

One of the military mothers who went on the recent Global Exchange tour of Iraq was quoted as saying she felt "compelled" to go there: "I want to see my son and daughter and talk to the other troops. I want to talk to the Iraqi people, especially the women," Anabelle Valencia, a military mother traveling with the delegation, was quoted as saying on the Global Exchange website.

"And I want to talk to the US authorities there and ask them when they are going to send our troops home and allow the Iraqis to run their own country."

Global Exchange said some members of the delegation, upon their return to the United States, will try to meet with U.S. and U.N. policymakers, including President Bush, National Security Advisory Condoleezza Rice, U.N. Secreatry-General Kofi Annan, and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Negroponte.

[armymarinemom]

Yes, I really would like to blast these people.

[LiteKeeper]

Global Exchange said some members of the delegation, upon their return to the United States, will try to meet with U.S. and U.N. policymakers, including President Bush, National Security Advisory Condoleezza Rice, U.N. Secreatry-General Kofi Annan, and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Negroponte.

Yeah, that will happen - NOT!

[fiscally_right]

Why? The group has a stated agenda, but the sponsoring of trips for military families to see first hand what's going on doesn't seem like a bad idea to me at all, as long as their willing to take the risk. I could go to Iraq if I wanted, why shouldn't they?

[Shermy]

They've got a press conference tomorrow.

http://highmarkfunds.stockpoint.com/highmarkfunds/newspaper.asp?Mode=Middle%2BEast&Story=20031209/343n6508.xml

Yes, Medea will be there too.

[boxerblues]

You would of had to seen the post about what the group oirginal intent was to see that they are all about. It's not about seeing their kids its about being part of the MoveOn.Org movement to undermine the entire mission in Iraq

Armymarinemom

do you still have the orginal pressrelease from these goodballs?

[armymarinemom]

Why? The group has a stated agenda, but the sponsoring of trips for military families to see first hand what's going on doesn't seem like a bad idea to me at all, as long as their willing to take the risk. I could go to Iraq if I wanted, why shouldn't they?

Our Troops have enough to worry about without having mommmy and daddy insult them by trying to bring them home. This is being done to bring down the moral of our troops. It is also supporting the very people who are trying to kill our troops.

[Conspiracy Guy]

It would all depend on what they are saying to whom. Hillary's trip and her comments should be considered treason. But since she is a victim of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy, her transgression will go unpunished.

Hanoi Janes we need not.

Welcome to Free Republic.

CG

[tbpiper]

It is also supporting the very people who are trying to kill our troops.

Right to the point.

To really get the effect of their 'support' maybe these a$$holes will get a chance to take the IED tour of Mosul.

[armymarinemom]

MILITARY FAMILIES AND VETERANS TRAVEL TO IRAQ TO EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT PLIGHT OF U.S. TROOPS AND IRAQIS

Global Exchange November 25, 2003
Andrea Buffa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: November 24, 2003
Andrea Buffa (510) 325-3653
Victoria Cunningham (202) 393-5016/cell: (202) 262-0771
In Iraq: David Enders, +88-21621242748
Eman Ahmed Khammas (914) 360-9079

MILITARY FAMILIES AND VETERANS TRAVEL TO IRAQ TO EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT PLIGHT OF U.S. TROOPS AND IRAQIS

Washington, DC -- A delegation of U.S. military family members and veterans will travel to Iraq from November 29 to December 8 to express their concern about the occupation and see first-hand the reality being faced by U.S. troops and Iraqis.

"I know it is very risky to go to Iraq right now, but I feel compelled to go there. I want to see my son and daughter and talk to the other troops. I want to talk to the Iraqi people, especially the women," said Anabelle Valencia, a military mother traveling with the delegation. "And I want to talk to the US authorities there and ask them when they are going to send our troops home and allow the Iraqis to run their own country."

The delegates will leave from various airports in the United States on Saturday, November 29 and arrive in Iraq on December 1. During their stay, they will meet with representatives of the Iraqi Governing Council, human rights organizations, and women's organizations. They will visit hospitals, schools, and U.S. military installations. The delegation also hopes to meet with Coalition Provisional Authority Administrator Paul Bremer and Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez.

Among the participants in the delegation are Fernando Suarez del Solar of Escondido, CA, whose son Jesus was killed on March 27 during the invasion of Iraq, and Anabelle Valencia of Tucson, who has two children (a 24-year-old daughter and a 22-year-old son) currently serving in the U.S. military in Iraq. Two women who live on the military base at Fort Bragg, NC will also be traveling with the delegation. Both are married to soldiers who are serving in Iraq.

Participant Sean Dougherty is a Vietnam Veteran whose 22-year-old daughter is serving in Iraq. The other veterans traveling with the delegation are Michael McPhearson, a Gulf War Veteran who lives in Newark, NJ and has a son in the military, and John Grant, a Vietnam veteran from Philadelphia, PA. "This trip will serve me in my quest to help our country find an honorable path to building world cooperation and maintain our leadership as an example of freedom," McPhearson said.

Upon their return, members of the delegation have requested meetings with U.S. and U.N. policymakers, including President Bush, National Security Advisory Condoleeza Rice, U.N. Secreatry-General Kofi Annan, and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Negroponte.

The organizations sponsoring the military families and veterans delegation to Iraq are Global Exchange and the International Occupation Watch Center. Global Exchange is a human rights group based in San Francisco that sponsors educational trips to such countries as Afghanistan, Vietnam, and Israel/Palestine. The International Occupation Watch Center was established in July by international peace groups to monitor and report on the occupation of Iraq.

[VeniVidiVici]

Kinda funny how these leftwingers keep saying how dangerous it is over there and then organize tours for distraught tools (called parents).

My wife is a Blue Star mom. But if she went over to Iraq it would be to kick some serious tush of the MoveOn.Organs.

These people could care less about our troops. It is all a political game to them. I hope they rot in hell.

[boxerblues]

Thanks!

This is the same group who just happened to bump into Sean Penn while they were there.

[fiscally_right]

I agree, I just don't think this 'tour' is something to get outraged over. *shrug*

[concerned about politics]

BUMP...to the top.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I won't get mad unless they cast doubt in the minds of our troops about support back home or about the eventual outcome.

That happens I'll get quite angry.

[Mr.Atos]

I could go to Iraq if I wanted...

Yes, and Military command could apprehend you and ship you off to Gauntanamo until they had time to unfold your story... if they wanted to. Recognize the dilemma?

Coalition Command has enough to deal with there without American 'spectators' and protestors scurrying around Iraq seeking photo-ops and self-aggrandizement. Sure you could go, but why would you want to?... except perhaps to benefit your own agenda. Your presence there would not help the military; it would not contribute in any meaningful way whatsoever to the mission; and it certainly doesn't improve the situation of soldiers that happen to be your offspring if they are 'in country.' So why do it except to satisfy some hedonistic political desire?

The 'Portland Seven' had every right to attempt to go to Afghanistan too. Now they are going to prison. Their motives were the same as Operation Iraq Watch - to undermine the Coalition mission. Although the Portland Terrorists were trying to accomplish their goals as suicide bombers and jihadists, people like Anabelle Valencia are attempting to kill her children and their comrades with propaganda and rhetoric.

[concerned about politics]

. These people could care less about our troops. It is all a political game to them. I hope they rot in hell.

BUMP to that statement, too.

[gcruse]

Well, they seem to be doing something about what they believe, unlike the keyboard commandoes who ne'er leave the couch.

[marlon]

While I can sympathize with any parent's worrying about their child on the battle field I can't help but thinking either these people were duped big time or they were raging leftists to start with. Could you imagine our Grandparents or great-grandparents for many, to trudge over to Europe or the pacific theater in WW11 demanding to see their children and expecting them to be called back from the battlefront to proove that they're OK? Sure puts a new twist on Saving Private Ryan!

[concerned about politics]

Coalition Command has enough to deal with there without American 'spectators' and protestors scurrying around Iraq seeking photo-ops and self-aggrandizement.

That's eaxactly what this is. To a leftie, the whole world evolves around them. "It's all about me, and nothing else but me."

[armymarinemom]

Well, they seem to be doing something about what they believe, unlike the keyboard commandoes who ne'er leave the couch.

Sorry but I really don't have to take an insult like that. Those yahoo's are giving aid and comfort to the very people who have been trying to murder my son every day. Keyboard Commando? I don't think so. I have put a ton of physical, keyboard, and emotional work into troop support. But I guess I still have to put up with Keyboard philosophers.