Free Republic

WASHINGTON — The administration of President George W. Bush wants to expand the scope of U.S. military aid to Colombia in 2003 beyond counterdrug assistance to help the Colombian military safeguard the nation's infrastructure and stabilize its struggling democratic government, Army Maj. Gen. Gary Speer, acting commander of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), told lawmakers March 5. Of the $373 million in military aid for Colombia contained in Bush's $26 billion State Department budget request for 2003, $98 million would go to train and equip indigenous military units to protect the nation's Cano Limon-Covenas oil pipeline, "one of the most ...

Have any of you served in the Coast Guard? How was it? What did you enjoy most? What did you get out of it? and finally.....were any of you boatswain mates? Son is looking in to going in...just want some info.

I am a volunteer firefighter here in Iowa. The other night we we having regional training with representives from state HAZMAT, EPA, Sheriffs, and National Guard on dealing with clandestine meth labs. We do have a problem, especially with a new method of meth manufacture that leaves hazardous chemicals in public places where children can get at them. Anyhow, the Guard representitive got up and told us about how they are now directed in time of national emergency to get a list of suspected illegal drug lab technicians and other subversives from the local sheriffs office. It was quite obvious...