Free Republic

An essay from an active duty officer with more than 25 years of service, addressed to his fellow USNA alum, Senator James Webb. Senator Jim "Copperhead" Webb, Why did the new Democratic majority select Senator James Webb (D-VA) to give the Democratic response to the president's State of the Union Address? Since when does this privilege fall to a freshman, even a freshman senator? It's seems that despite the bad experience with nominating John Kerry to be their standard bearer in 2004, the Democrats have learned nothing. At least they recognize that they have a serious national security credibility problem...

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - As President Bush vowed to keep fighting in Iraq, midshipmen who are poised to graduate from academic life to combat said Wednesday they were reassured by the president's determination. Despite debate about the direction of the war, the president refused to set a timeline for withdrawing U.S. troops, a decision that was greeted with enthusiasm by midshipmen who are months from graduating. "It's a great feeling knowing that you're going to be a part of freeing up Iraq," said midshipman Jason Copare, of Pittsgrove, N.J. "You have a direct impact on the freedom of another country. It's...