This is Crazy!

[Saundra Hummer]

I just am starting this thread so that any of you can state what it is that you think is crazy and uncalled for in government, yours, ours, etc. Any solutions? Put these in as well. We need solutions don't we?

This is about a story I heard on our local t.v. today.

Our governor, just sent our troops in Texas, training on a base down there, Oregon State credit cards, so that they can buy basic necessities, like toilet paper, and medicine, as the Federal Govt. won't provide these things for them.

There are programs started here to ask for donations of goods and money to try to get them the things they need so they will be warm enough, and clean enough, it is unexcusable.

They are getting sick from the mold in the barracks, they feel better when they can sleep in the field when they are on manuvers.

Two of our state senators went down and checked out the complaints and they were hot when they saw the mess. They had fire in their eyes while talking about it, so it must have been terrible.

Our state is sending the Feds the bill, wonder if they will ever pay it?

My husband, Rich, says that he heard that the troops in Iraq who were injured and in the hospital had to pay for their food. I can't believe it! This susposedly went on till someone got wind of the situation, and then that practice was brought to an end. How unbelievable is this.

I have also heard or saw a short blurb in one of the new magazines, that the turkey that Bush carried out to the troops was a fake one? Surely not? Another well thought out photo op?

[Andy D]

Well part of the problem is that people are not that interested in political activism, or indeed activism of any kind here in the UK we have one of the lowest 'turn-outs' at election in Europe.

We need to encourage people to become more involved in finding their own solutions, working in their communities, and coming together to challenge large multi-national corporations that pollute the air we breath and the water we drink, Governments that cut spending on education and welfare etc etc.

We need to challange the culture of 'spin' that tells us that there is only one option, one solution and in which photo's of plastic turkeys and Prime Ministers drinking beer, seem to be more important than the fact that students in the UK have to pay more for there university education, or more and more children are being excluded from our schools and so on and so on.

Just some thoughts !

Regards

Andy 'commandante' D.
:D

[Saundra Hummer]

I forgot to include one of the things that the troops (Oregon National Guard) are having to do on this base in Texas, is break into the medical supplies that were intended for their use in Iraq, as they aren't being furnished adequate supplies in Texas.

There are also guns that don't function that the Federal Govt. will not give them parts for.

This while Haliburton overcharges us for the fuel they are delivering to US forces. Anyone surprised by this last one?

[Saundra Hummer]

Did any of you see this report on national news???

I have only seen a report about it on our local state news. I am surprised that it hasn't been picked up by any of the national networks.

If this is happening to the Oregon National Guard on the base in Texas, then it is more than likely happening to other state guard units around the country, or is it just a Texas thing? No other reports that I have heard are out there, no other complaints. How odd! Are they trying to do this training and preparing "on the cheap?" I have heard that phrase used in this conflict before, but not in this situation. Maybe I just overlooked it.

[Frank Mullen]

Sandi--Check my latest note under dumb and dumberer--about what seems to be happening to Iraq women. I'm still trying to verify it.

[Tenorman]

The media in the UK are picking up on a British soldier who was killed in Iraq the day after being asked to hand back his body armour because "there was not enough to go round". It would appear that had he had that body armour, the chest shot which killed him, would not have penetrated.

A few days later we learn that the MoD is overspent by £3 Billion pounds on submarine and aircraft contracts. What is the phrase? Penny wise and pound foolish.:confused:

[Saundra Hummer]

Originally posted by Frank Mullen
Sandi--Check my latest note under dumb and dumberer--about what seems to be happening to Iraq women. I'm still trying to verify it.

Hi Frank and Tenorman!

My computer has been on the blinks for a few days, just picked it up this evening, so hope it doesn't freeze up again, and I hope to get to all of the news , and the new posts, and delete a ton of unecessary emails.

We have an elected official here in Oregon, Tenorman, who is having a bit of a fit over our own troops not having enough body armor, and other needed items. here it seems to be a problem with our National Guard playing second fiddle to other troops. We have had quite a few young men from our state die in Iraq, and their not having the necessary supplies is a big problem.

[Saundra Hummer]

Originally posted by Frank Mullen
Sandi--Check my latest note under dumb and dumberer--about what seems to be happening to Iraq women. I'm still trying to verify it.

Did that Frank, and thank you for the heads up

As I have talked of in another post, we have another casualty from our sparcely populated state. This young mans mother is terribly upset, as only a mother can be, and who can blame her? Especially when she is complaining about the fact that he was in the service as a mechanic, and he was sent out on patrol in an unarmored vehicle, a Humvee. When did they start sending mechanics out on combat patrol? She also complains about the fact that he had not even been supplied with everyday necessities, a fact that prompted me to start this thread in the first place. She, his mother was sending him the things he needed for everyday existence. Our elected officials are also very upset about this and the fact that there aren't enough protective vests for these young men. How sad, and how discouraging!