Off the Kuff: Iraq attack Archives

How to honor Andy Olmsted

A member of Andy Olmsted's family has just written me to say that if people want to do something in honor of him, they can send donations to a fund that has been set up for the four children of CPT Thomas Casey, who served under Andy and was killed while trying to help him. The address is here:

Capt. Thomas Casey Children's fund
P.O. Box 1306
Chester, CA 96020

Thanks so much.

The list of blog links to Major Olmsted's final words is amazingly long. What a stunning, poignant tribute.

Gary Farber has a report from Major Olmsted's funeral service. As before, if you click over - and you should - bring a box of tissues with you. The description of the "missing man" ceremony in particular really hit me hard.

01/17/08 | permalink | comments [0]

RIP, Andy Olmsted

Army Major Andrew Olmsted, who was also a respected longtime blogger, was killed while serving in Iraq on Wednesday. Prior to going overseas, he wrote a blog post to be published in the event of his death, which you can and should read here. Be sure to bring some tissues when you do. Rest in peace, Major Andrew Olmsted.

(Please note Major Olmsted's wish that his death not be politicized. I will not approve any comments that do not respect this wish.)

01/06/08 | permalink | comments [1]

Rick Noriega's Tribute to Sgt. Omar Mora

A Tribute to the Courage of Sgt. Omar Mora
(1979-2007)
A Statement from Lt. Col. Rick Noriega

Yesterday, the greater Houston area lost another of its sons in uniform. US Army Sergeant Omar Mora died in a rollover accident while serving in his second tour of duty in Iraq.
Melissa and I extend our deepest condolences to the Mora family, especially his wife and his 5 year old daughter, as well as to the families of the six other soldiers who died in the accident with him. The rising number of casualties strike a chord in even the most hardened among us, and the loss felt as each soldier passes does not diminish. Omar and his brothers in uniform will be missed, and must be remembered.

Omar honored his parents, staying in contact with them regularly. A good son, he let them know he was safe and looking forward to returning home. Omar followed his mother's advice, and honored his God, never losing his faith. And Omar honored his country, not only serving voluntarily and tackling each task he was assigned, but by having the courage to speak out and voice his opinion that our nation's military presence in Iraq was no longer a war of liberation, but an occupation in the midst of a civil war between religious sects.

Omar voiced his concerns in an op-ed to the New York Times on August 19, written along with six other airborne soldiers ... one who died along with him in the accident, another who was shot in the head and is in critical condition.

It is the right of every citizen to speak their mind, as Omar's brother Roger told the Houston Chronicle -- a right that belongs to civilian and soldier alike, regardless of rank. Voicing one's opinion, especially from a soldier, is very difficult when 'management' is wrong. Omar, and his fellow soldiers had a better understanding of the cultural matrix in Iraq than what gets reported by the media, he had walked the walk. He spoke from experience when they said "we operate in a bewildering context of determined enemies and questionable allies, one where the balance of forces on the ground remains entirely unclear."

There is another manifestation of bravery that for those in uniform is a matter of course, but takes on special meaning among civilians who do not have to follow a chain of command ... the courage to listen. It's time our political leaders listen to the insights of Sergeant Mora, his fellow soldiers, and the reality in Iraq reported by every objective analysis from the bi-partisan Iraq Study Group to the recent GAO reports.

Sergeant Mora and his soldiers concluded their editorial by making clear "as committed soldiers, we will see this mission through." He lived up to his word. Now the challenge lies with the rest of us to listen and bring this mismanaged war to an end.

Because of extended deployments, Sergeant Mora was serving his 2nd tour in Iraq with the prestigious 82nd Airborne Division

(Note: You can read the NYT editorial here. A Houston Chronicle article about Mora, of Texas City, is here.)

09/13/07 | permalink | comments [6]

Lampson, Al Green, Jackson-Lee And Others Comment on Bringing The Troops Home

The Houston Chronicle got the reaction of local lawmakers to the Petraeus and Crocker testimony on Capitol Hill this week - and how they view bringing the troops home:

Congressman Nick Lampson is up first (he's going to hear from me early and often on this):

In an arena where the legislative battle lines have been drawn mostly along partisan boundaries -- Democrats pressing for troop withdrawal deadlines and benchmarks, Republicans against them -- only one of the Texans appeared to fit in neither camp.
Rep. Nick Lampson, a Stafford Democrat, is working with both parties to find common ground.

"There are those who advocate an immediate withdrawal from Iraq. And there are those who want to send in more troops and continue with an open-ended commitment," Lampson said in a prepared statement. "Somewhere in the middle exists a practical and realistic solution that honors the commitment and sacrifice of our troops. That is type of solution I will support and work towards."

Lampson, one of the GOP's top targets for defeat in 2008, declined to discuss his efforts further. Thus far, he has not broken from the Democratic leadership on Iraq votes.

Next up is Congressman Kevin Brady:

With congressional Democratic leaders deeming inadequate Petraeus' plan to withdraw 30,000 troops by next summer, Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, predicted Democrats would force another funding battle to reduce U.S. involvement in Iraq.

Congressman Al Green:

But Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, credited Democratic resolve for the Bush administration's move to begin bringing troops home. "I am absolutely convinced that we are doing the right thing. We must not relent. We must be more resolved to continue to press for bringing our troops home -- not in an irresponsible way but as soon as is practicable and is safe for them to return home," Green said.

And, here's Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee:

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, dismissed Petraeus' proposed drawdown as well short of the exit strategy she and others seek.
"The administration is trying to follow the wishes of the American people and the U.S. Congress, but in a nickel-and-dime manner," said Jackson Lee, the only Houston-area member in the House Out of Iraq Caucus that has lobbied for troop withdrawal. "As I stand here today, I want a defined time for our troops to return. I want a planned exit strategy."

Jackson Lee dismissed the idea that the departure of 30,000 troops could take some of the wind out of congressional Democrats' efforts to force a final withdrawal deadline.

Congressman Mike McCaul:

But Rep. Michael McCaul, a Republican who represents western Harris County, said the drawdown -- and the success of the surge -- could buy the administration more time for its strategy in Iraq. "I think the results coming in have given the American people a sense of optimism that we can achieve our goals over there," McCaul said.

Congressman Gene Green:

Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston, disagreed. Though he praised Petraeus, the military and Crocker for their efforts, Green said: "The overall picture in Iraq remains one of instability and of a government not willing to make the necessary political to move its country forward.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson:

"We cannot walk away from our goal of a stable Iraq because of political expediency," Hutchison said Monday.

Who couldn't be reached for comment?

The offices of Rep. Ted Poe, R-Humble, and Rep. Ron Paul, Lake Jackson, the only GOP presidential candidate who opposes U.S. involvement in Iraq, did not return calls. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, was unavailable for comment.

For my take on Texas' junior Senator John Cornyn's performance at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, you can read my post on musings. I think it's pretty clear where he stands.

For me, I like what Sheila Jackson Lee and Gene Green are saying.

09/11/07 | permalink | comments [2]

It's only a compromise if both sides give up something

I'm as big a fan of Rep. Nick Lampson as you'll find. Which just makes it that much harder for me to read stories like this in the paper.

Concerned by the troop withdrawal timelines in a huge war funding bill, U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson is among a cluster of House Democrats urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi to back away from a showdown with President Bush.

Look, it's very simple. George Bush is not going to do anything different in Iraq. His plan is to keep the troops there until he's out of office. The one thing he will never do on his own is begin a withdrawal of any kind. The only way to make that happen is to pass a law mandating troops withdrawals. There is no compromise here because he isn't going to budge. The only option to a "showdown" is to acquiesce to what he wants. I can't think of any good reason to do that, and as every national poll indicates, neither can a solid majority of Americans.

It would be nice if there were some middle-ground position, one that gave everyone something that they wanted, which could be reached after negotiation and compromise. But there isn't - not today, not tomorrow, and not any time before January 21, 2009. George Bush has very clearly set the terms of this debate. This is one of the very few times that I would counsel taking him at his word. Once you do that, the proper course of action is obvious. I sympathize with Rep. Lampson and the position he feels he's in. But this is how it is.

04/19/07 | permalink | comments [1]

This is not your father's Fort Bend County

Juanita notes something that bears repeating.

Here we are in what is assumed to be the conservative stronghold of America. It's Tom DeLay's old district, for Pete's sake.

Yet all three of the Congressmen from Fort Bend County - Al Green, Nick Lampson, and Ron Paul - voted against the President and his war.

Take that to your Lincoln Day Dinner and chew on it, Bubba.

Yeah, I know, Lampson will have a hell of a re-election fight to contend with, and Paul is a nut who may give up his seat because he thinks he can be President. Things may look very different in Fort Bend in two years' time. But for now, I think Juanita and her long-suffering brethren and sistren (tm, Molly Ivins) deserve the chance to revel in that. Slainte, y'all.

02/19/07 | permalink | comments [3] | trackbacks [0]

The other Walter Reed

If this article doesn't make you very angry, there's something seriously wrong with you.

Behind the door of Army Spec. Jeremy Duncan's room, part of the wall is torn and hangs in the air, weighted down with black mold. When the wounded combat engineer stands in his shower and looks up, he can see the bathtub on the floor above through a rotted hole. The entire building, constructed between the world wars, often smells like greasy carry-out. Signs of neglect are everywhere: mouse droppings, belly-up cockroaches, stained carpets, cheap mattresses.

This is the world of Building 18, not the kind of place where Duncan expected to recover when he was evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center from Iraq last February with a broken neck and a shredded left ear, nearly dead from blood loss. But the old lodge, just outside the gates of the hospital and five miles up the road from the White House, has housed hundreds of maimed soldiers recuperating from injuries suffered in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The common perception of Walter Reed is of a surgical hospital that shines as the crown jewel of military medicine. But 5 1/2 years of sustained combat have transformed the venerable 113-acre institution into something else entirely -- a holding ground for physically and psychologically damaged outpatients. Almost 700 of them -- the majority soldiers, with some Marines -- have been released from hospital beds but still need treatment or are awaiting bureaucratic decisions before being discharged or returned to active duty.

They suffer from brain injuries, severed arms and legs, organ and back damage, and various degrees of post-traumatic stress. Their legions have grown so exponentially -- they outnumber hospital patients at Walter Reed 17 to 1 -- that they take up every available bed on post and spill into dozens of nearby hotels and apartments leased by the Army. The average stay is 10 months, but some have been stuck there for as long as two years.

Not all of the quarters are as bleak as Duncan's, but the despair of Building 18 symbolizes a larger problem in Walter Reed's treatment of the wounded, according to dozens of soldiers, family members, veterans aid groups, and current and former Walter Reed staff members interviewed by two Washington Post reporters, who spent more than four months visiting the outpatient world without the knowledge or permission of Walter Reed officials. Many agreed to be quoted by name; others said they feared Army retribution if they complained publicly.

I don't have the words to express how outraged I am at this. But I am going to use some of the words that were expressed by opponents of the recent anti-surge resolution to do a little contrasting and comparing. Click on for more.

02/18/07 | permalink | comments [2] | trackbacks [0]

PinkDome care package

I'm a bit late on this, but not too late: PinkDome is putting together a care package:

Remember I told you we were blocked by the military so our readers in Iraq are PinDome-less? Well, not quite. Yes, the site is still blocked but a few of them have found some proxy site ways to still get to the site. I had an email conversation with our favorite marine, mostly about the heat.

Now is the time for us to show our support for the troops. Let's put together a care package to send to him and his buddies. No porn, no alcohol. DVD's and magazines and things we love are good things to put in the box.

If you email me, I'll send you my mailing address. I'll collect the stuff and send it off to our favorite marine in Iraq. Spread this post around. You can email me for my address here.

Drop PD a note and help a blogger do some good. Thanks.

08/04/06 | permalink | comments [0] | trackbacks [0]

Welcome home, Rep. Rick Noriega

Welcome home, State Rep. Rick Noriega.

Rep. Rick Noriega, D-Houston, who is serving in the Texas Army National Guard in Afghanistan, came to the House chamber Thursday while home on leave.

Noriega's wife, Melissa, is serving as acting state representative in his place while he is away.

House members gathered closely around the podium to hear the guardsman speak. He told of how beautiful he now finds the drives to be on Texas' country back roads and how proud the state should be of its men and women serving in the armed forces overseas.

"Being where we've been certainly helps you to put your priorities in order on what's important in life," Noriega said.

I salute you, Rep. Noriega. Enjoy your leave, and thank you for your service.

03/14/05 | permalink | comments [0] | trackbacks [1]

Johnson: Just joking (kind of)

Rep. Sam "Nuke Syria!" Johnson says it was all kind of a joke.

U.S.-Syrian relations are often tense. U.S. officials are demanding that Syria withdraw its troops from Lebanon, and suspicion lingers that Damascus helped Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein hide illicit weapons.

Still, some of Rep. Sam Johnson's constituents apparently were surprised when the Plano Republican said he'd like to take care of the problem – by personally dropping a couple of nuclear bombs.

"Syria is the problem," the former fighter pilot said at a pancake breakfast at Suncreek United Methodist Church in Allen. "Syria is where those weapons of mass destruction are, in my view. You know, I can fly an F-15, put two nukes on 'em, and I'll make one pass. We won't have to worry about Syria anymore."

Someone was offended enough to play a recording of the Feb. 19 remarks for Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper that first reported them this week.

Mr. Johnson said he's "absolutely" surprised that anyone took it seriously, adding that he's never advocated a nuclear attack on Syria.

"I was kind of joking. You know. We were talking between veterans," said Mr. Johnson, an Air Force fighter pilot in Korea and Vietnam, where he spent 7 ½ years as a prisoner of war. "We were swapping sea stories – things that we'd done in the military."

He told the folks in Allen that he had shared his plan with President Bush and Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, during a recent White House visit.

"President Bush knew I was joking," he said Thursday.

So, does "kind of joking" also mean "kind of serious"? I'm just asking.

Fine, whatever, it was a joke. A sick and repulsive joke, in my opinion, but apparently not in Rep. Johnson's. I don't know what else to say.

UPDATE: There's an interesting comment by heartmind at the initial post:

My understanding from the Dallas Morning News is that Johnson says he meant this statement as a joke. We can debate if this was an appropriate joke. I think it was inappropriate. Yet, as a thirty something male, I find that I encounter a lot of men from Johnson's generation who occasionally make jokes that I think cross the line.

My understanding is that many of the persons at this event were persons from Johnson's generation. These were not members of Suncreek UMC. One does not find a large number of senior citizens in the west area of Allen. I think these persons attended at the invitation of some younger men at the church. The intentions of these younger men were good. I would caution against blaming the church for Johnson's statement or the applause by some of those in attendance following this joke. Read this link to discover what the pastor said at this event and reach your own conclusion about the values of this church.