Free Republic

WASHINGTON --Worried Congress' support for Iraq is deteriorating rapidly, Baghdad dispatched senior officials to Capitol Hill this week to warn members one-on-one that pulling out U.S. troops would have disastrous consequences.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, accompanied by fellow House Democratic leaders, talks to reporters on Capitol Hill on Thursday, May 10, 2007, after a closed-door meeting to discuss Iraq war legislation.

MIAMI, May 7, 2007 – Maintaining good communications with civilian employers of National Guardsmen and reservists is a major component of mission success at the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, the agency’s new chief said in an interview. Gordon Sumner Jr. is the new executive director for the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Photo by Gerry J. Gilmore  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Gordon Sumner Jr., a retired Army lieutenant colonel, was appointed as the committee’s new executive director March 29. It is critical, Sumner emphasized, that ESGR...

In February of 2006 a newspaper in Wilmington, NC published a story about restaurants that were refusing entry to a group of Marines who had just returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. Rodney Carroll, Dan Smith and John Polosky were outraged and decided to do something about it! Within a few weeks they raised almost $1000 and with the help of a donated van and a few marines they set forth on a mission to change this policy and pay tribute to those who have served America. As they visited these restaurants and spent time with these young marines they were...

God, if you are out there, if you are really out there, give me a reason to hope. Give me a reason to hang on. Give me something to believe in. Let me know things are not lost. That things that are so wrong in my life and in that of another will be made right. I look around and wonder why the people I am leaning on don't seem to be around when I so desperately need them. I wonder why there are only two people I can call on in r/l when the going is rough. I pray...

President Bush's War on Terror was the focus of the first debate involving Republican contenders for next year's US Presidential nomination. The ten candidates gathering in California, stayed in support of the Iraq War - with Senator John McCain coming closest to criticising Bush. "The war was terribly mismanaged, and we now have to fix the mistakes that were made," said the Arizona Senator. "Books have been written, but we have a new strategy and a new general, and these young men and women are committed to winning." Former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani - the current favourite - was...

DALLAS, May 3, 2007 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today expressed thanks to Americans who support the troops and urged people to check out the Defense Department’s America Supports You program. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates delivers a luncheon speech to the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, May 3, 2007. U.S. Air Force photo by Michael Tolzmann   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Gates told several hundred members of the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce here that he’s grateful for the support many are providing their employees serving in the National Guard and reserves. “You value these...

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2007 – From its drivers to its millions of fans, NASCAR has long been associated with patriotism, and the tradition has continued as troops serve in the global war on terrorism. NASCAR has been a corporate supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program that connects citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad, since 2005. “We, like all of our country, certainly enjoy the benefits of the history of America’s military,” Mike Hilton, the president of NASCAR, said. “NASCAR’s role is personal to all of us. It’s...

BAQOUBA — Iraqi and Coalition forces conducted a cordon and knock in Hadid, Iraq, to gather intelligence on terrorist activity April 21. “When we have no intelligence driving an operation, we inform the [Iraqi Army] leaders that this is more of a presence-type mission [where] you knock on the doors, and [find out] what information they can give you,” said U.S. Maj. Dominique Dionne, the Military Transition Team leader. The 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army led the way into Hadid along with U.S. Soldiers from the 3rd “Grey Wolf” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, which formed the...

LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 24, 2007 – A senior Navy leader lauded Louisville for its “America Supports You” spirit as hundreds of sailors participated in Louisville Navy Week, April 16-21. America Supports You is a Defense Department program that spotlights and facilitates support for the nation’s servicemembers by the American public and the corporate sector. “The Navy and Louisville enjoyed a busy six days, culminating in Thunder Over Louisville,” a six-hour air show capped by the largest annual fireworks show in America, said Navy Rear Adm. Michael C. Vitale, who commands Strike Group Two aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. “Louisville...

ALBANY, Ore. — An Albany woman with a son in Iraq is raising money to buy his 82nd Airborne unit a machine that makes "Slurpee" type frozen carbonated drinks. Sharon Crary said her son, Pfc. Preston Crary, 21, a chaplain's assistant, asked for a machine that could make enough drinks to serve up to 100 soldiers at a time. Preston told his mother the machine would be a "great morale booster."

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2007 – Iraqi civilians need to support security force members who sacrifice their own safety for their fellow Iraqis, a top U.S. military official said. “Soldiers and police are suffering every day for the Iraqi people. In return, the people of Iraq must support their security forces.” Army Lt. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq commander, told reporters during a briefing yesterday. In the past two years of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 8,123 Iraq soldiers and police have died, and 18,236 others were wounded in action. With “the right information and the right cooperation...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Desperate for support among fellow Republicans, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales faced grim prospects Friday after a bruising Senate hearing that produced one outright call for resignation and a fistful of invitations and hints to quit. One GOP member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, John Cornyn of Texas, predicted Gonzales would weather the furor and said he should. "Frankly, I don't think the Democrats are going to be satisfied with the resignation by Al Gonzales," he said. Gonzales gave no indication Friday that he was leaving. "Please know that as you continue your work, I am by your...

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2007 – The Military Officers Association of America recognized actor Gary Sinise, the DuPont company and six other people for their support of the military, during the association’s 10th annual awards ceremony here last night. MOAA is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families. “It’s a great opportunity to say thanks to people who are very dedicated and patriotic, and whose goal is to make the country better,” said retired Air Force Col. Marvin Harris, MOAA’s director of public relations. Harris...

PEORIA, Ariz., April 15, 2007 – Servicemembers stationed in Baghdad got an earful – and an eyeful – yesterday from about 4,000 supporters who gathered here to show their appreciation during the third Cyclerides.com “Hearts to Heroes” motorcycle ride. Riders are seen in the side mirror of a Hearts To Heroes ride participant as the group made its way around the Phoenix International Raceway. The ride, the third Cyclerides.com has hosted, is held to honor the troops and benefit troop-support organizations. Defense Dept. photo by Samantha L. Quigley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. A two-way video connection, provided...

PHOENIX, April 13, 2007 – The Defense Department recognized the city of Peoria, Ariz., yesterday for its stalwart support of the military. Mayor Bob Barrett of Peoria, Ariz., right, accepts the Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award from Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for public liaison and internal communications, April 12. The city received the award for its support of servicemembers. Defense Dept. photo by Samantha L. Quigley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Peoria Mayor Bob Barrett accepted the Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award on behalf of...

SVYRFC Viewing Party for GOP Presidential Debate Location: Round Table Pizza, 2615 The Alameda, Santa Clara When: Thursday, May 3, 2007 Candidates that are expected so far include Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.), former Virginia governor Jim Gilmore, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, Rep. Duncan Hunter (Calif.), Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), Rep. Ron Paul (Texas), former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and former Wisconsin governor Tommy G. Thompson. The debate itself will take place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and be simulcasted on MSNBC from 5:00pm - 6:30pm. This event will be the first...

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2007 – After two years of pushing for new state legislation, a Colorado troop-support group has been told to hit the road -- literally. With the support of 33 state congress members, American Military Family today announced its successful efforts in getting a license plate dedicated to the troops for residents of the Centennial State. According to the new law, 93 percent of the proceeds from the $25 vehicle tag will go to directly support Colorado military members and their families. This will include active-duty members, National Guard and reserve soldiers as well as veterans and...

Twenty some years ago I convinced a woman to marry me. Fourteen years and two children later, she decided to divorce me because "she was never 'in love' with me." This woman was reared as a Christian Scientist, but was not practicing when I met her, nor did she during our marriage. Just before this last Chistmas this woman (age 57), who was quite healthy, began to experience shortness of breath, fatigue, coughing and lack of appetite. She is 5'10" and weighed 130ish pounds at that time (slender). Today she weighs 90 pounds, can barely walk from one room to...

(IsraelNN.com) Iranian government news agency IRNA reported on Sunday that an organization identified as the Association of Iranian Jews issued a statement expressing "its commitment to defend the national interests of Iranians with the advent of the Iranian new year (1386), which the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution declared to be year [sic] of 'national unity and Islamic solidarity.'" Evidencing little understanding of Judaism, the statement appears to be a forgery by the Iranian regime. According to IRNA, the Association of Iranian Jews declared: "In obedience to the instructions of Jesus, in the new Iranian year, which has been...

Group Protests Outside Pizza Place Posted By: Deb Silverman Protesters were outside a Hamilton Pizza Parlor because the owner's working to help track down deadbeat parents. Members of the national group "Fathers for Justice," are picketing outside Karen's Pizza on Eaton Avenue. This is one of three Butler County Pizza Parlors putting the County's most wanted deadbeat parents on pizza boxes. The unique effort by the Butler County Child Enforcement Agency recently made national news. "What's happening is the kids are seeing this on the boxes it's awful," said John Fowler from Fathers for Justice. "We don't humiliate people that...