May 27, 2007

Fathers, Sons And Brothers: The Call

Iowa National Guardsmen Get The Call To Serve In Iraq

  • Play CBS Video Video The Call

    When they went to Iraq, the soldiers of the Iowa National Guard left their loved ones with high hopes. Most had never seen combat before and some would never see Iowa again.

  • Members of the 1st Battalion of the 133rd Infantry of the Iowa National Guard. Photo

    Members of the 1st Battalion of the 133rd Infantry of the Iowa National Guard.  (CBS)

(CBS)  Down the road in Wellsburg, at the Ites home, it is a father and son, Mike and Josh, who are shipping out together.

"I feel that God led me to do this job," says Mike Ites, who has been on the job 20 years, and is a fulltime guardsman.

At the time of the interview, Ites was 49 years old and was going on his first combat deployment to Iraq.

"What are your thoughts about the war in Iraq? What does it mean to you?" Pelley asks.

"Well, I believe that I'd rather be in their country keeping them turned down or from coming to America. What they did on 9/11 is a travesty," Mike Ites says.

"You draw a line from 9/11 through Iraq to the present day?" Pelley asks.

"I do," he replies.

Mike Ites' wife Brenda is a registered nurse. Asked how she feels about her husband and her oldest son going together to war, she says, "I think it’s great."

Why?

"Because they can be there and support each other, Scott," she explains. "And, because they’re both Christians, they can pray together and encourage one another, be together during the holidays."

Another father in the battalion is Ben Corell, the battalion commander. All three of his sons serve under him. His wife asked him to take only one to Iraq, and it turned out to be Tyler.

"How do you decide which of your three sons you bring with you in Iraq?" Pelley asks.

"Well they made it easy, he came to me and said 'I'm goin','" Corell says.

"The first thing I head about it, I told him 'I wanna go.' It's always what I've since I heard about the Iraq war I wanted to go to Iraq," Tyler tells Pelley.

Oct. 7, 2005 was deployment day. Then-governor Tom Vilsack and the Iowa Guard commander, Major General Ron Dardis, flew from high school to high school to send off the troops.

"You need to know and must know, that as you leave here, the thoughts, prayers, hopes of the entire Iowa community are with you," Gov. Vilsack said at one send-off ceremony.

The gym in Iowa Falls was filled beyond capacity with hope and prayer and worry. What they feared but did not know was that not all the men in this formation would be coming home.

"We have not experienced taskings like this since the Civil War. And know this, we care about your families. Our families are our greatest treasure. Best of luck to all of you. Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. God bless all of you and God bless your families. Thank you very much," Dardis told the troops.

"I'd send an Iowa boy any day, they're standup kids. You don’t find that everywhere," says Tonya Rosol, the mother of the Foote twins, Justin and Denver, the guardsman with the new baby.

"And that's not to say that, you know, the other units aren’t just as good, but these are Iowa boys. They can depend on them. They’re trustworthy. They work hard and they have so much pride. We've never had so much pride in our country," Rosol says.

Continued



Produced by Shawn Efran
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Add a Comment See all 91 Comments
by cherya-2009 May 27, 2007 8:11 PM PDT
I am usually at church on Sunday nights and not able to watch your program. Tonight, I played hookie and am so glad I did.

My heart goes out to every family member of these soldiers as well as the soldiers themselves. I went through several tissues.

My family has been in every conflict all the way to the American Revolution, so I understand the hardship serving can bring on the families.

I support our military. Every person in every branch. Do I agree with us being there? Yes Do I agree that it will take a long time before we can leave? Yes I am one of those Americans who stood up and yelled "Hell Yes" and I will continue. I will never turn my back on any soldier. In my corner of the US, I will not let our soldiers come home to redicule like they did back in the Nam era.

God Bless them and their families.
Reply to this comment
by rosebudmur May 27, 2007 8:14 PM PDT
I SUPPORT OUR TROOPS OVERSEAS AND I RESENT 60 MINUTES TELLING THEM THAT MOST AMERICANS DON'T WANT THEM TO BE THERE. WHAT A STUPID THING TO TELL THEM! THEY ARE THERE AND WE NEED TO GIVE THEM EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO GET THE JOB DONE! THEY NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED AND SUPPORTED NOT GIVEN MORE TO WORRY ABOUT BACK HOME LIKE HOW THEY WILL BE TREATED WHEN THEY COME HOME. NO MATTER WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS WAR THEY ARE HEROES!! AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH BY ALL AMERICANS!
Reply to this comment
by feelfree1 May 27, 2007 8:31 PM PDT
Bush regime makes move towards declaring near dictatorial control of all government and business afairs:

'President Bush, without so much as issuing a press statement, on May 9 signed a directive that granted near dictatorial powers to the office of the president in the event of a national emergency declared by the president.'

www.chattanoogan.com/arti
cles/article_107907.asp

###

"If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator," Bush joked. -- CNN.com, December 18, 2000
Reply to this comment
by king77shaw May 27, 2007 8:42 PM PDT
wow - a powerful 60 minutes ... I was suprised at how many of the troops and their families don't support this war. It's over ..
Reply to this comment
by majam20 May 27, 2007 8:42 PM PDT
CBS, you have maintained your usual record for news, basically turning a great news story into ***! We, the American people should know that if we ever feel proud, should turn to CBS to know how terrible we should really feel! At least if we are liberal, white guilt trash!

Mark Jamison
CW3, US Army (Retired)
Reply to this comment
by coloradowest May 27, 2007 8:48 PM PDT
There's a special place in Hell waiting for Scott Pelley. Maybe the Devil will ask Scott "Do you think it was worth it?"
Reply to this comment
by stuckiniraq1 May 27, 2007 8:51 PM PDT
I am currently deployed to Iraq with the 133rd Infantry Division. Yes its been a long hard journey but we are doing the best we can. I was called to active duty back in September or 2005 and i too left a wife and two small children at home a daughter who was 3 and a sone who was only a year old just started crawling. But we dont look for sympathy for missing our kids or our loved ones we just care that you great americans support us like you do. Everywhere we turn someone is willing to help us with something. To those who disagree with this war that is your own opinion but I sure hope if your one of those people who disagree you can at least say youve pulled on a set of combat boots and put on 80 pounds of body armour and walked through 135 degree weather and have actually seen the Iraqi children smile as you roll through their town or seen the elderly people who appreciate what youve done for them. Until then, unless youve seen whats going on over here first hand there is no way you can sit back in the United States and pass judgment on what we do or what President Bush asks us to do. Granted not everybody is happy we are here but thats why we are having a conflict not a war. We have done many good things over here and I have not gotten to watch the 60 minutes program but I hope it showed some good things versus all the bad that mostly is shown from most news casts. God Bless all of you and well be home soon mamma so keep the stove on!!
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by fourduce May 27, 2007 8:54 PM PDT
I also said let go get them after 9/11. And we did go into Afghanistan, but how long was it before Bush started pulling troops and supplies out of Afghanistan and sending it to Iraq, which HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH 9/11. 9/11 was an excuse that Bush used to get us involved in Iraq. Now we have a mess in Iraq and the planner of 9/11 still running lose in Afghanistan or Pakistan, because Bush didn't finish in Afghanistan like he should have done, befire starting his private war in Iraq
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by bmikesci May 27, 2007 9:04 PM PDT
As long as Americans continue to joy ride in cars, boats, all terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, planes, and other various toys, we will need more and more oil. It disgusts me to see Hummers and other huge vehicles. Really what's wrong with people. When people buy all this ***, don't they think about what it means? I know that we can't rely on General Motors to make smart design decisions. After all, they killed their own electric car. So now, brave american soldiers are dying for oil. What a waste. But then again, and unfortunately, waste is what we do best.
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by feelfree1 May 27, 2007 9:33 PM PDT
Credit where due. This was a very good report by Scott Pelley and 60 Minutes.

Take a good hard look America.

www.ipetitions.com/petition/OutNow
Reply to this comment
by mdc76082 May 27, 2007 9:37 PM PDT
There's a special place in Hell waiting for Scott Pelley. Maybe the Devil will ask Scott "Do you think it was worth it?"
Posted by coloradowest at 08:48 PM : May 27, 2007
----------------------
Why do you say that? Pretty vicious lunge. Do you know Scott personally?
Reply to this comment
by noslave11 May 27, 2007 9:41 PM PDT
If we are unwilling to face these Islamic fascists with the same patience and resolve that they have shown in their war on us, then we CANNOT win. I am afraid the American people have become too spoiled, impatient, and lazy to fight a serious war against Radical Islam. I am also afraid it will require a much larger attack than 9/11 to change that.
Reply to this comment
by feelfree1 May 27, 2007 9:43 PM PDT
Re: "I am also afraid it will require a much larger attack than 9/11 to change that."

Uh, oh...is that you, Cheney?
Reply to this comment
by phinman013 May 27, 2007 10:03 PM PDT
I will back President Bush when he sends one or both of his daughters to Iraq for some combat duty. As for that matter any of the chuckleheads that supported the war in Iraq. If that happens we will be out of Iraq before "dubya" can say "NUCLER"! Bush and Cheny have some gyroscope issues. They both must have failed geography in school as Iraq and Afghanistan are very far apart. The whole world and the peace-keepers told Bush that there was nothing in Iraq to be found. If Bush says we had to take out the dictator in Sadam, then I say there are plenty of dictators to deal with in North Korea, and all parts of the world. Since the day he stepped in office his mission was Sadam or bust. 9-11 gave him an excuse to go after Sadam. The sad part is anyone that says the king (Bush) has no clothes is held as unpatriotic. That is ***. Iraq is not the problem and never was. "dubya" has two goals, avenge his daddy from the first gulf war and the threat made on his life by Sadam, and ensure that big oil is paid for getting him in office. I guess he got it right on the Aircraft carrier when he said mission accomplished.
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by drummer94 May 27, 2007 10:03 PM PDT
stuckiniraq1: I didn't see 60 min. either. I bloused my boots in a different time, and that was also called a conflict. 'Nam was a war. Our president calls this "the war in Iraq" Make no mistake dude, you are in a war. Your not a cop or a peacemaker. Make no mistake,either, the American people are behind you 100%. Unfortunately, the American people are behind our president23% Keep your head down,don't try to be a hero. Go home to your wife and kids and tell them you love them every day. Lotsa luck!
Reply to this comment
by ddaymichael May 27, 2007 10:25 PM PDT
rosebudmur:

Of course they're heroes! It's that pair of gutless, draft-dodging, scum-sucking toads who aren't heroes.

Anyone who claims to support the troops should want them to be brought back home ASAP...NOT USED AS CURRENCY FOR THE OBSCENE BUSH/CHENEY OIL DEAL!
Reply to this comment
by lalilo-2009 May 27, 2007 10:44 PM PDT
Regarding the following quote "Well, I believe that I'd rather be in their country keeping them turned down or from coming to America. What they did on 9/11 is a travesty." I am speechless. I cannot believe that there are still people in this country that truly believe that Iraq had something to do with 911. This supports my theory that the current administration targets incrediably naive people who are working too hard to spend a lot of time to really try to understand what the "*** liberals" are trying to tell the country.
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by mh4cbs1 May 27, 2007 10:45 PM PDT
Why won't CBS report on the the Iraq Oil "revenue sharing" "privatization" legislation that that US is trying to ram through the Iraqi Parliament. So revealing as it is one of the primary reasons Bush and Cheney INVADED Iraq in their needless WAR OF TERROR.

If this law is passed, it will place the control and profits of Iraq's $21 TRILLION in Oil reserves into the hands of our multinational OIL Corporations.

American Sheeple, WAKE UP!

STOP the Cheney Bush obscene WAR for Oil and regional dominance.

Is it any wonder we are less safe and the ranks of terrorists increase in reaction to our needless Invasion based on LIES and DECEIT?

Wouldn't most Americans fight a foreign invader who supported a past brutal dictator (as we supported Saddam), a foreign invader who bombed us in an obscene "Shock and Awe" operation, who tortured civilians picked up at check points, a foreign invader who was building permanent military bases all across our country, a foreign invader who was intent on stealing our vast natural resources???

Of course Americans would fight back! Is anyone surprised that Iraqi's join the insurgent groups or Al Qaeada. Bush and Cheney knew this would be a likely outcome, but they felt that endless War would mean endless fear, which sustains their power. And the $21 TRILLION in Oil would be theirs to wallow in.

JAIL CHENEY JAIL BUSH These Murderous Thugs deserve JAIL with No Parole

Reply to this comment
by lalilo-2009 May 27, 2007 10:48 PM PDT
Regarding the following quote "Well, I believe that I'd rather be in their country keeping them turned down or from coming to America. What they did on 9/11 is a travesty." I am speechless. I cannot believe that there are still people in this country that truly believe that Iraq had something to do with 911. This supports my theory that the current administration targets incrediably naive people who are working too hard to spend a lot of time to really try to understand what the "*** liberals" are trying to tell the country.
Reply to this comment
by lalilo-2009 May 27, 2007 10:52 PM PDT
Regarding the following quote "Well, I believe that I'd rather be in their country keeping them turned down or from coming to America. What they did on 9/11 is a travesty." I am speechless. I cannot believe that there are still people in this country that truly believe that Iraq had something to do with 911. This supports my theory that the current administration targets incrediably naive people who are working too hard to spend a lot of time to really try to understand what the "*** liberals" are trying to tell the country.
Reply to this comment
by mh4cbs1 May 27, 2007 10:54 PM PDT
phinman013:

Of course the Bush twins won't go to Iraq. Of course none of Cheney's Family will go. Or kids of the spineless Democratic congressmen who now own this war.

So easy for Mr. AWOL Bush and Mr. 5-deferment Cheney to talk tough about War. So easy to send middleclass kids to War when your kids are in private school. These chickenhawk swift-boatin' cowards are a bunch of murderous thugs out to rake in billions for their super-wealthy constituents. War is a great business, and Iraq has a $21 TRILLION Oil Jackpot.

Figure it Out America!! It isn't so hard to do if you just start asking questions and doing your homework

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by andrew_693 May 27, 2007 10:55 PM PDT
That same quote also left me thinking about the mental capacity of some people. It's simply ridiculous. I guess the only way to justify this war from the perspective of a soldier is to simply close your eyes and believe whatever Bush tells them, this is what happens when a society turns lazy dumb fat and doesn't read but prefers to sit and watch fox channel and play video games all day. John Kerry was absolutely correct when he said that those that don't study end up in iraq.
Reply to this comment
by lalilo-2009 May 27, 2007 10:55 PM PDT
Regarding the following quote "Well, I believe that I'd rather be in their country keeping them turned down or from coming to America. What they did on 9/11 is a travesty." I am speechless. I cannot believe that there are still people in this country that truly believe that Iraq had something to do with 911. This supports my theory that the current administration targets incrediably naive people who are working too hard to spend a lot of time to really try to understand what the "*** liberals" are trying to tell the country.
Reply to this comment
by meerkats25 May 27, 2007 11:01 PM PDT
This story touched me so. How can we get our soldiers out of this war as soon as possible, safely? Even Congress cannot get a timetable for exit. The surge was unconsciable.
Soldiers, we support you.
Politicians, that's another matter.
Reply to this comment
by zbrosdad May 27, 2007 11:03 PM PDT
Thank you for bringing us this story of duty, honor, family, fellowship and service. You have done your duty by taking the time to show us much about what it takes to be a soldier and the family of a soldier. Aside from anything that may be said about the validity of their mission, there can be no argument to their sacrifice and bravery.
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by feelfree1 May 27, 2007 11:05 PM PDT
meerkats25,

Re: "This story touched me so. How can we get our soldiers out of this war as soon as possible, safely?"

www.ipetitions.com/petition/OutNow
Reply to this comment
by zbrosdad May 27, 2007 11:06 PM PDT
Thank you for bringing us this story of duty, honor, family, fellowship and service. You have done your duty by taking the time to show us much about what it takes to be a soldier and the family of a soldier. Aside from anything that may be said about the validity of their mission, there can be no argument to their sacrifice and bravery.
Reply to this comment
by boscocorgi May 27, 2007 11:40 PM PDT
Some piece for Memorial Day.
I wonder how Scott Pelly can deal with his own conscience when his questions are as he choses. Perhaps he should be more direct expressing his attitude.

%u201CTell me how you feel about your husband having wasted his life?%u201D

%u201CHow do you feel being here in Iraq with your wife on anti depressant drugs?%u201D

Makes me wonder how he would have %u2018cleverly%u2019 reported Iwo Jima, Normandy or the Chosin Reservoir. I am dismayed that the few remaining journalists at 60 Minutes didn%u2019t remind him.

Reply to this comment
by shannonmh-2009 May 27, 2007 11:46 PM PDT
My fiance is in the 133rd Infantry division and he is deployed in Iraq. I would like to say "thank you" to everyone who supports our troops whether or not you agree with this war. Our troops are sacrificing so much and there are so many things in our everyday life that we take for granted.

It has been almost two years, our men are long overdue to come home. The day I welcome home my hero will be one of the happiest moments of my life.
Reply to this comment
by radiob-2009 May 27, 2007 11:47 PM PDT
A tale of terrorist, they went in broad daylight shot the women while they were running with their babies, killed the elderly, shot the children, and everyone else. When it was all over 300 laid dead and 25 terrorist. 230 of the 300 that were killed were women and children. This occurred in 1890 at Wounded Knee, South Dakota. The terrorist were the 7th Calvary of the United States. The American people had thought of the Indians as savages, terrorist,ignorant and in opposition to their God determined to destroy the new America way of life.See any parallels to today, the perception of Muslims after 9-11?
Reply to this comment
by feelfree1 May 27, 2007 11:47 PM PDT
BoscoCorgi,

Re: Perhaps he should be more direct expressing his attitude.

%u201CTell me how you feel about your husband having wasted his life?%u201D

%u201CHow do you feel being here in Iraq with your wife on anti depressant drugs?%u201D

###

Wouldn't that be a little over the top?

Aren't those 'extra' elements already widely understood?
Reply to this comment
by lvtodrive May 28, 2007 12:00 AM PDT
Thank you for doing this story and showing the toll taken on the families. I am lucky. My son came back from the sandbox but eleven of his Marine Platoon members did not. When my son went I stood by his decision while I lived in absolute terror the whole time his Platoon was there. No one knows that terror but the other family members who live it. I watched everything I could about the war on the news. I constantly checked the DOD web site for casualties. I was on the Web searching for any information I could find. Sleep was only an illusive concept. How could anyone be suprised that family members get depressed? To few Americans even understand what Memorial Day is for. Take the time to remember those who are paying the bill for the rest of us.
Reply to this comment
by feelfree1 May 28, 2007 12:03 AM PDT
lvtodrive,

Re: "Take the time to remember those who are paying the bill for the rest of us."

China?
Reply to this comment
by middleman8 May 28, 2007 1:20 AM PDT
So these iraq people that are being murdered by invadeing terrorist from the us don't have brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers,etc.?

i know alot don't have wifes or husbands or childern as they are children theirself.
Reply to this comment
by nyckate May 28, 2007 2:00 AM PDT
what a remarkable story - and what truly remarkable group of people - their story is heart warming and heartbreaking all at the same time. God bless and help them and their families through this time and may they all come home safe and sound.

One note, all except the father of the father/son team seem to have come to the same conclusion - Iraq invasion was not related to the 9-11 attacks - and everyone figured that out except the guy blinded by his own (false) belief that God ordained Bush and his invasion as a reprisal for 9-11 - better attack them them there rather than here bs line... goes to show that religious delusionals no matter their choice of religion are dangerous.
Reply to this comment
by nyckate May 28, 2007 2:07 AM PDT
lvtodrive- much of here in US are paying no personal price anywhere equal to that of our troops and their family. So yes - we the people do owe our troops so much better than we've been giving them -- and Lord knows Bush owed them a tremendous more than he's made available to them - from lack of armor, supplies to medical care here at home - and of course - the truth - all of which he is tragically unable to provide.
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by vinepetal904 May 28, 2007 2:36 AM PDT
' ... i always love those journalists on all the comedy channels who love to talk about how woe is little mugged raped killed cuffed caged and collared girls with bouquets and how nobody knows why it happens except that it's definetly not the fault of journalists who deny market share and other resources to girls with bouquets because girls with bouquets are pathetic and men with bombs rull the world ... '

' ... we're sorry, girls, your market share was sacrificed to the army making sure you don't have to sacrifice your market share ... we're sorry, old ladies, your opportunities to 'out and about' were sacrificed to the army making sure you don't have to sit home sleeping with guns, afraid to stay home and afraid to leave ... we're sorry *******, your freedoms were sacrificed to the army defending your freedoms ... we're sorry sand *******, your peace was sacrificed to the army defending your peace ... we're sorry ********, your legality was sacrificed to the army defending your legality ... we're sorry, naked people, your option of tormentlessness was sacrificed to the army defending your option of tormentlessness ... we're sorry lazy ignorant profane kids, your autonomy was sacrificed to the army defending your autonomy ... we're sorry, hungry infants and toddlers with no lunch money, your lunch was sacrificed to the army defending your certain unalienable options to lunch ... we're sorry army, your arms were sacrificed to the army defending your arms ... '
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by CBSTV May 28, 2007 2:51 AM PDT
I saw this broadcast at work with a group of people. We were spellbound. Hardly a word was said during the entire hour.

This is Murrow Award material.
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by jebby_one May 28, 2007 2:52 AM PDT
Scott Pelley comes across like an undertaker who just lost his job.

Reply to this comment
by ad24601 May 28, 2007 6:06 AM PDT
Thank you for serving our country and putting your own life in front of everything else! It is an honor to be from Iowa and have our men and women protecting us! I have met one of the troops online and have become very close with his family and hopefully will marry him when he comes home and I will be honored everyday forward to have had him come home safe and to be on his arm as a man who put in his effort to save our country from harms way! I love you!
Reply to this comment
by ussolider May 28, 2007 7:10 AM PDT
Wonderful story. As an active duty member myself I am just shocked that 60 minutes would use such a gender specific title, "Fathers, Sons and Brothers". There are many of us females serving our country over here fighting for our country. Don't forget that a lot of Mothers, Daughters and Sisters are deployed as well.
Reply to this comment
by leald1 May 28, 2007 8:01 AM PDT
We lost our Father some thirty-five years ago in Thailand during the Vietnam era. Our Father had 29 years in service and had been through WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Our Father was bigger to us than john Wayne could ever be. I can tell that these MEN are the roles for their families not some movie star or athlete. What was the purpose in asking a widow "What she thinks of the War"? After she has lost someone, this was so disrespectful to all. To all the battle harden families, we wish you the best and thanks. To the Senators and Representatives, it is your duty to make sure that these men and women are provided for now and forever. For they have stepped up when America asked and that is much more than most! v/r D. Leal
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by panhandlpete May 28, 2007 8:32 AM PDT
Maybe I see things differently, as this story proved to me that "people, even down-to-earth country folks, can learn new ideas from life experiences. At the start, the gung-ho spirit was abound, then once over there and reality sets in to the results of war, next comes the disappointment from deceitful, heartless leaders who extend their tours, which extended the anxieties to all their families. But, at least one had the courage to say he wanted "to go on with his life"(possibly not re-enlist). Kudos to him!

I dare say that these National Guardsman were selected BECAUSE of their strong family values and religious background, both which played into the craftiness of the military manipulator's speech to convince them they are "serving their country."

I say "THANKS" for their efforts, but if they really want to serve this country, please return and help remove the corrupt politicans from power. Those who lie to start wars, who put profit above human life (say its ok to have Mexicans live in substandard existence to provide cheap labor), who put OIL profits at a record high amount, who ship out middle class job to other countries, AND MORE!


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by lars008-2009 May 28, 2007 8:33 AM PDT
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! March 23, 1775 Patrick Henry

USA's PLEDGE 2 THE WORLD GIVEN BY JFK!!

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
--John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." --John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Winston Churchill

Edmund Burke: All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.
Reply to this comment
by lars008-2009 May 28, 2007 8:38 AM PDT
Appeal for Redress
Sign this Appeal.
This site is an Appeal For Redress in support of our mission in Iraq.
An Appeal For Redress is an authorized means for active duty military to submit a grievance to Congress. It can be signed by Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard military personnel.
It is authorized by DoD Directive 1325.6 and DoD Directive 7050.6.
The wording of the Appeal for Redress is:
As an American currently serving my nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to fully support our mission in Iraq and halt any calls for retreat. I also respectfully urge my political leaders to actively oppose media efforts which embolden my enemy while demoralizing American support at home. The War in Iraq is a necessary and just effort to bring freedom to the Middle East and protect America from further attack.
If you are active duty, reservist or national guard, please Sign this Appeal.
Most service members fully support the war in Iraq and feel calls to retreat by Congress and attacks by our media on our conduct and mission act to motivate our enemy while demoralizing our support at home, directly increasing the threat we face and resulting in greater American casualties. This Appeal for Redress provides a way in which individual service members can appeal to Congress to fully support us and actively oppose media attacks on our mission and our morale.
This Appeal will be delivered to members of Congress.
http://www.appealforcourage.org/
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by eban3 May 28, 2007 9:07 AM PDT
What are we sacrificing our blood for? Why are we fighting 'terrorists' there when we train them here in Georgia with American tax dollars in the old School of the Americas, and all those that oppose the training of these terrorists are locked up in our prisons? Why the duplicity - the propaganda? Our children have not been raised with care and sacrifice in order for our government to throw them to the lions to further line their pockets with gold. Support the troops. End the war. And while they must fight, our government should support the troops and give them the necessary equipment to safeguard their well-being, such as tanks that withstand bombs, bullet proof vests that work, and proper lasers for road stops rather than cheaping it out and sending them equipment that does not work while our politicians raise millions for their re-election campaign funds and dinners here. Let them fight with the army they SHOULD have - not the one Bush and Cheney WISH they would have.
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by bluestardad May 28, 2007 9:23 AM PDT
WE HAVE BEEN DRAWN INTO IRAQ and the MIDDLE EAST OUTSIDE AMERICAN NATIONAL INTEREST!

This can be proven and America can and should arrest Bush and Cheney their Entire Administration, Israeli NEOCONS TOO, and put them on trial for War Crimes just like we did the Nazis after WWII.


CHECK OUT THOSE REPRESENTATIVES THAT VOTE FOR THE WAR! If you follow the money trail you will find that most of those elected officials who support the war in Iraq are under the influence of AIPAC. AN ISRAELI POLITICAL LOBBY GROUP!

HERE ARE SOME OF AIPAC DEMOCRATIC SUPPORTERS! CONTACT THEM!

Levin, Carl- (D - MI)
269 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6221
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Steny Hoyer
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READ AIPAC BRAG ABOUT THEIR INFLUENCE ON AMERICAN POLITICIANS!

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm

REMEMBER THE AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE IS RUN BY PRO ISRAELI GROUP! THEY ARE THE ONES WHO CAME UP WITH THIS SURGE IDEA!

EVEN AS AMERICAN MILITARY AID LANDS IN LEBANON, President Bush is funding Al Qaeda in Lebanon with funds from Iraq! http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/ar
ticles/070305fa_fact_hersh

50 years of American involvement in the Middle East ENOUGH it has nothing worth one more American Life!

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY STANDS IN NEW YORK HARBOR AND IS NOT KNEELING IN THE MIDDLE EAST!
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by lars008-2009 May 28, 2007 9:24 AM PDT
NOW CAN WE KILL THEM???
If they can kill us, we can kill them

Hizbullah Deputy Sec-Gen Sheikh Naim Qassem: We Have Jurisprudent Permission to Carry Out 'Martyrdom' Operations, Fire Missiles on Israeli Civilians From Ayatollah Khomeini
http://memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD154907

if it is ok for fascist nazi islamic muslims to kill all non muslims everywhere.... is it ok for the non muslims to kill all fascist nazi islamic muslims???

Switching Sides: Inside The Enemy Camp

But then in 2000, well before his arrest, something happened which would make Abas question everything he believed in: a fatwa, a religious edict, was issued by Osama bin Laden.

"It should be understood that killing Americans and Jews anywhere found are the highest act of worship and the highest form of good deeds in the eyes of Allah," Simon quotes bin Laden.

Abas and his fellow commanders were ordered to read the fatwa to their men and make sure they carried it out. The others obeyed, but Abas refused. It was his moment of truth. He firmly believed that jihad was to be fought only on the battlefield in defense of Islam; he had always been taught that the killing of civilians had nothing to do with holy war and that it was forbidden.

The fatwa justified killing non-Muslim civilians everywhere.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/04/60minutes/main2761108.shtml?source=RSSattr=60Minutes_2761108
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by corneliusseo May 28, 2007 9:54 AM PDT
I was in the same boat as the 1/133 IR in Desert Storm I was a member of the 719th Transportation Company from NYC, and we were integrated as a part of the 101 Airborne for the duration. Most of us were Vietnam vets, Korea vets, or Peacetime vets, but only a few were new enlistees. The preparation that the 1/133 experienced prior to going over was the same as ours, but most of us were experienced enough to know that we were not heading to a picnic. It seems to me that the 1/133 got short shrift on learning what to expect in Iraq. We went over knowing that we were just doing a job - not crusading.
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by ad24601 May 28, 2007 10:12 AM PDT
I love you Bobert :-) Come home safe and I am very very proud of what you are doing! Thank you for protecting our country from further harm! I am honored to have you as mine! Now you guys stay focused and come home safe and sound! We all love you! And God loves you!
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