Free Republic

A few months ago, the national media coverage of the war in Iraq was downright depressing for military families and their supporters. News media coverage of Iraq was showcasing acts of violence on a nightly basis. Television commentators solemnly assured us that Iraq was a hopeless cause and was already consumed by a full-blown civil war. Anti-military protesters were waging constant protests here on the home front, throwing red paint at veterans' memorials and military recruitment centers. But now things are changing in a big way.

Pass along the details of the upcoming events I've shared with you here. Just be sure not to let the Lefties know. It's our little secret, and you know how bad liberals are at keeping important secrets in a time of war. Just read the New York Times if you don't know what I mean.

August 15, 2007 In the debate over U.S. policy in Iraq, some argue that an immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces is necessary to preserve American security and prestige. The opposite is more likely. Withdrawing from Iraq prematurely will have detrimental consequences for Americans and Iraqis alike, and will benefit al-Qaeda and other dangerous groups. The Threat of an al-Qaeda Safe Haven Note: Al-Qaeda leaders and U.S. military officials alike believe that a quick U.S. withdrawal would result in a political vacuum that the al-Qaeda network would quickly fill, thus establishing a major safe haven from which to expand its jihad...

  ----- Original Message ----- From: Melanie Morgan - Move America Forward To: AllPatriots@FreeRepublic.com Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2007 11:01 AM Subject: Wounded Troops to Receive Love & Support I'm pleased to announce we're rolling out a giant new initiative as part of the "Fight for Victory Tour" that will honor those who have been wounded in service to this nation.  Marine Mom Deborah Johns (who is traveling on Move America Forward's "Fight for Victory Tour" national pro-troop caravan) was the source of inspiration for this effort, and is working to make it a huge success.Move America Forward is asking...

On September 1, golfers across the country have the unique opportunity to donate $1 to Wounded Warriors, Inc., which will also benefit the Fallen Heroes Foundation to support families of those who have become disabled or lost their lives in the line of military duty.

The grand finale of this effort will be a giant pro-troop rally in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007. A coalition of pro-troop organizations will team up to amass a giant crowd of proud, patriotic Americans who will send a message that the American people support our troops and their missions, and we won't stand for surrender to the terrorists. Here's a list of just some of the participating organizations that have pledged their support of this effort: # Move America Forward # Gathering of Eagles # Eagles Up # FreeRepublic.com # Protest Warriors # Victory Caucus # OpposeReid.com...

Wacky Wednesday In Tucson, Arizona, Speedway is a main boulevard that traverses the city. While the speed limit is not unusually high, that has never stopped some local drivers from trying to force the roadway to live up to its name. Today was no different as anxious speeders hung on to the rear bumpers of law abiding drivers, sometimes weaving back and forth as if to indicate how much more important they are and how urgent it is for them to reach their destination before anyone else. It almost seems like their plan is to make the speed limit...

Vets for Freedom expresses disappointment that veterans were not able to meet with Congressional leadership from both sides of the aisle in Congress today. While many Republican Senators, including leadership, made themselves available for questions and input, interaction from Democratic leadership was noticeably absent. In spite of that, Vets for Freedom members remain committed to speaking with elected leaders on both sides of the aisle. Republican leadership (and some Democrats, although not leadership) made room in their busy schedules—on very short notice—to speak with veterans. These veterans flew in on their own dime to ask Congress to give General David...

A year ago, Pete Hegseth was leading Soldiers in combat, tamping down the flames of the sectarian bloodletting that erupted after a massive explosion demolished the so-called "Golden Mosque" on his home turf of Samarra, Iraq. It was tough duty, with firefights and IEDs a near daily occurrence. Despite the danger, he saw value in his mission of stabilizing Iraq and fighting terrorism. But his fight didn't stop upon his return to high-intensity civilian life in New York City - just the tools he'd use to wage it.

A single shot, from such close range it was deafening, knocked Tom Deierlein to the street. A sniper had been watching as Deierlein, a U.S. Army captain, and about a dozen other armed soldiers climbed out of their Humvees in Adhamiya, where Iraqi garbage collectors had been fired upon less than an hour before. The neighborhood was one of Baghdad’s most treacherous.

I'm not Affiaiated with the group, but thought it would be a good idea to make people aware. This is a call to action. We are asking every Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who believes in supporting the mission--and defeating America's enemies--to converge on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Tuesday, July 17. It's time the fighters in this war tell their representatives--face to face-that now is no time to betray the mission. What You Can Do This Week! Week #2: Converge on Capitol Hill, July 17 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have already sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears on foreign battlefields....

Now that Democrats have stripped their troop-withdrawal timetable from the war funding bill, it's clear that American forces will remain in Iraq through 2008. It also seems likely that they will stay much, much longer. The leading presidential candidates in both parties recognize the dangers of a rapid pullout, and achieving stability in Iraq is going to take a decade. (In this piece, Phillip Carter argues that the United States can withdraw quickly, and explains how to do it.) How can U.S. soldiers stay in Iraq and accomplish what needs to be done? Our best hope is the Adviser Model....

FReepers Weldgophardline and Fire engine red entered a float dedicated to our brave troops serving in the armed services. Fire engine red worked tirelessly for two months to prepare a float that was a proud tribute to our troops for the annual parade in Greeley, Colorado. Besides displaying pictures of current service personnel, there is also a special heart on each side of the float with pictures honoring our brave troops who lost their lives fighting for our Country. Pictures will be posted shortly, and FReepers Weldgophardline and Fire engine red will add their report later.

BAGHDAD -- Iraqi civilian deaths in Baghdad dropped significantly in June, a possible indication that recent American military operations around the country and raids on car-bomb shops in the "belts" ringing the capital are starting to pay off. But June also marked the end of the bloodiest quarter for U.S. troops since the war began in March 2003. BAGHDAD -- Iraqi civilian deaths in Baghdad dropped significantly in June, a possible indication that recent American military operations around the country and raids on car-bomb shops in the "belts" ringing the capital are starting to pay off. But June also marked...

The Northern Colorado support our troops group is getting ready for the 4th of July event in Greeley, Colorado again.

When he was in office and responsible for protecting us, Al Gore was absent from the war on terror. As Vice President, he was part of an administration that failed to respond to the first attack on the World Trade Center in 1993; that cut and ran when al-Qaeda ambushed US Army Rangers in Mogadishu; that called for regime change in Iraq when Saddam expelled the UN weapons inspectors but then failed to remove Saddam or to get him to allow the UN inspectors back in; that failed to respond to the murder of US troops in Saudi Arabia or...

View larger image KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) - More than 100 people, including militants, civilians and police, have died in three days of fierce clashes between NATO forces and Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan, Afghan officials said Monday. Some preliminary estimates of the death toll exceeded 200 people, but precise numbers were not immediately available because of the continued fighting in Uruzgan province. In eastern Afghanistan, U.S.-led coalition jets bombed a compound suspected of housing al-Qaida militants, killing seven boys and several insurgents, officials said. A senior Afghan Defense Ministry official has said that civilian deaths are the main concern of...

As Jim and Dianna Beardsley tried to sort out the details of burying their slain soldier son at Arlington National Cemetery, Dianna Beardsley had a bold thought: They should try to get in to see President Bush to tell him of their continuing support of him and the war.

A handful of Sunni mosques were attacked today in retaliation for the destruction of two minarets at one of Iraq’s most revered Shiite shrines on Wednesday, and there was scattered violence around the country, as has become the norm. But for the most part, reaction to the devastating bombing of the Shiite mosque in Samarra, the second in a little more than a year, remained muted. Four Sunni mosques in mixed Sunni-Shiite areas south of Baghdad were attacked, three in Iskandariya and one in nearby Mahaweel; some were destroyed and others severely damaged. There were less serious attacks on other...

Iraq veterans discuss war opposition Michael Blake joined the U.S. Army right out of high school and trained as a unit supply specialist. He served in Iraq from April 2003 to March 2004, mostly driving Humvees. After his first tour of duty, Blake was one of 63 people that year to apply for an honorable discharge as a conscientious objector, and was one of 32 to be granted it. Blake, and two other members of Iraq Veterans Against the War, spoke Saturday night to about 75 people at the Unitarian Church annex in Ithaca. The event was organized by Tompkins...