Posted on 03/31/2002 2:59:25 PM PST by HockeyPop
Response to call-up 'almost 100 percent'
By Amos Harel
The emergency call-up of reservists proceeded smoothly yesterday, army officials said, noting that almost 100 percent of those called reported for duty. However, reservists complained that they have had to cope with malfunctioning equipment, logistical problems, inadequate food and make-shift accommodation.
Chief reserve officer, Brigadier General Ariel Heiman, told Ha'aretz that the number of refuseniks was insignificant, adding that even "gray refusal" - in the form of trying to get out of service by calling in sick or using other excuses - was extremely low. Response "was almost 100 percent," he said.
Senior army officers visited reserve units yesterday to get a feel of the situation on the ground and learn of any problems first-hand. Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz issued a message to the reservists and conscripts as Operation Defensive Wall got underway. "We have no choice but to act to fulfill the basic responsibility of a country to its people - to assure their right to live in peace and security," the message said. He called on the men to be careful to preserve a "human face" and desist from harming the innocent. "The spirit of voluntarism and the rate of reporting for duty [in reserve units] are praiseworthy, and add honor and security and testify to our the endurance and unity of Israeli society." He ended his message by saying, "We are embarking on this operation in order to defend our homes, our right and that of our parents, our brothers and our children to live in peace and security."
The first two days of the call-up, over the weekend, were marked by severe logistical problems. Reservists told Ha'aretz that they were given malfunctioning equipment, lacked food and had to make do with make-shift beds and vehicles that didn't work in a general atmosphere of chaos. They added that the situation had improved by yesterday.
Reservists who were sent to the West Bank said they received very old equipment, including old-style combat vests which were taken out of use years ago, and outdated helmets. Reservists also complained of places where there were insufficient weapons for snipers and a lack of sufficient night-vision equipment.
Others complained that they had been forced to make do with combat rations for three straight days, and even these rations were at times in short supply.
In one elite unit, a reservist complained about the condition of army vehicles, saying he had found jeeps missing tires, radiators and communication equipment.
But another senior military officer said he was not aware of any problems involving vehicles, saying his men had been rolling out hundreds of armored vehicles and had found them to be well maintained and in working order. "We are in the process this evening of replacing old personal equipment which the reservists received," he said.
As for food, he said that the army had been forced to come up with supplies in very short order and expressed confidence food supplies would improve shortly.
Without economic freedom, there is no freedom. And don't tell me the people can vote to change it. Once you get socialism so entrenched, too many people are feeding off others to change a thing. It usually takes a war, a serious depression or a revolution to change those types of societies.
Third freeper so far who dismisses economic freedom. Shocking. Just shocking. I'm disappointed in you comrade.
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OUCH! That's painful. Time to plant mangoes. I've eaten plenty of canker fruit in my life. Never harmed me one bit.
You types will utter any form of stupidity utterly without embarrassment in order to slur Israel, won't you? Try telling us that pigs only fly in Arab countries next time. That's about as credible.
Dubai court endorses wife beating
Moving, isn't it, how the economic freedom of the glorious Emirates has brought women to the point that their husbands can only beat them if they don't "damage her bones or deform her body." Wow!
I'm sure it will take socialist Israel decades to reach this pitch of Enlightenment.
Telling the truth is not slurring anyone. I'm only providing some balance. We hear over and over how Israel is the only democracy in the area as if that is some wonderful thing. It isn't when they are more loaded down with government than Germany or Great Britian. Business associate of mine hustles in NYC 6 months a year and spends the rest of her time in Israel. I asked her why she didn't work there and she looked at me as if I were crazy. This woman who buys in Cambodia and makes it selling in high-tax NYC won't even try in Israel.
Btw..I am not a Libertarian. Ask any Libertarian on FR.
Wife beating where ever has no bearing on Israel being a socialist state which beats people into the dirt (except for the crooks and the rich, they thrive on that kind of system).
We probably are already. I just believe one should be able to point out the truth without being labeled a Arafat lover.
A war economy does have a lot to do with Israel being a socialist state but it does go deeper than that. I doubt peace would change a thing. Looking around the world today and at history suggests socialism is the default setting. Most minorities do endorse socialism. It protects them from the majority by destroying civic groups and civic society.
I said no such thing. You were the one who said that the United Arab Emirates had more freedom than Israel. I was just looking for some examples of freedom in the UAR.
Your hate has apparently trapped you in a fantasy world where you can say embarrassingly silly and indeed truly insane things like this with a straight face. I feel very sorry for you, but I cannot think that arguing with you will contribute to healing what is obviously a deeply troubled mind. That would take specialized help which I am not able to provide.
I'll say one thing in my defense. I never post anything like that. Am I really here? Or have I entered the Democrat Underground Zone?
Thank you for your service and sacrifice. May the LORD God of Israel protect and defend you, bringing each of you back to your families in due time.
Anyone who posts that Israel is less free than the United Arab Emirates is either a totally shameless Big Lie propagandist, or a lunatic. If you don't like the second suggestion, you are certainly free to adopt the first.
Freedom House, using a rating system based on political rights and civil liberties, on a scale of 7 to 1 (worst to best) gives the UAR a 6 for political rights and a 5 for civil rights, and rates it "Not Free." Israel receives a 1 for political rights and a 2 for civil rights, and is of course rated "Free." Go to Freedom House and see for yourself. Not that I think it will penetrate.
To suggest that even economic freedom can be secure in autocratic countries with no rule of law, where policy is at the whim of the overlord, is foolish. Heritage Foundation should know better. Those freedoms could vanish overnight at the whim of any given Emir.
What you have written is simply silly. It is flat-earth foolishness. It is on a level with Soviet spokesmen who stared dully at western reporters and robotically insisted, "There is complete freedom of religion in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics."
If you like this better, I'm fine with it: arguing with someone who can make claims like this with a straight face is only rewarding to those who enjoy banging their heads against brick walls. I am not in that group.
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