Now THIS I can get behind!!

Why hasn't anyone brought this up before?

New York City should throw a ticker-tape parade up the "Canyon of Heroes" for the U.S. troops coming home from Iraq, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said Wednesday. But with nearly 50,000 troops still serving in Iraq, it is a question of when.

The soldiers deserve the nation's thanks and a grand parade up Broadway, Quinn said. "It's something we need to do," said the West Side Democrat. "We owe them minimally a thank you in the New York way that we do it which is in part a parade in the Canyon of Heroes."

Quinn said she hopes the parade can be held sooner rather than later, but points out that 48,000 troops are still serving in Iraq even after President Obama declared an end to combat operations. Quinn said she defers to veterans groups and others as to when such a parade should be held. "I will certainly use the power and resources of my office to whatever degree they are needed to make sure this does happen."

A spokesman for Mayor Bloomberg declined to comment on whether the city is making plans to hold a parade for military service members. One City Hall source said the Mayor has been reaching out to various groups to explore how best to proceed.

"The troops without a doubt deserve it more than the Yankees and the Giants. If there is a grander gesture, I would want the city to make it," Quinn said. "The most respectful thing we can do is look to (the soldiers) to guide us when the right time is."

Quinn said she spoke with various veterans groups and some said a parade should not be held 'today.' Timing for any possible parade will rest heavily on the Mayor and the military about when troops who had served in Iraq could come to New York to take part.

Congressman Peter King (R) Long Island tells NBCNewYork that he also wants a parade for the troops up Broadway. King said one should be held in the near future to show support for the troops now that combat operations in Iraq have ended.

I think it's an exceptional idea for New York to honor the troops in this way.

Absolutely Outrageous!!!

**WARNING - LANGUAGE ALERT**

This seriously pisses me off!

Navy SEALs have secretly captured one of the most wanted terrorists in Iraq — the alleged mastermind of the murder and mutilation of four Blackwater USA security guards in Fallujah in 2004. And three of the SEALs who captured him are now facing criminal charges, sources told FoxNews.com.

The three, all members of the Navy's elite commando unit, have refused non-judicial punishment — called a captain's mast — and have requested a trial by court-martial.

Ahmed Hashim Abed, whom the military code-named "Objective Amber," told investigators he was punched by his captors — and he had the bloody lip to prove it.

Now, instead of being lauded for bringing to justice a high-value target, three of the SEAL commandos, all enlisted, face assault charges and have retained lawyers.

Neal Puckett, an attorney representing McCabe, told Fox News the SEALs are being charged for allegedly giving the detainee a “punch in the gut.”

“I don’t know how they’re going to bring this detainee to the United States and give us our constitutional right to confrontation in the courtroom,” Puckett said. “But again, we have terrorists getting their constitutional rights in New York City, but I suspect that they’re going to deny these SEALs their right to confrontation in a military courtroom in Virginia.”

United States Central Command declined to discuss the detainee, but a legal source told FoxNews.com that the detainee was turned over to Iraqi authorities, to whom he made the abuse complaints. He was then returned to American custody. The SEAL leader reported the charge up the chain of command, and an investigation ensued.

The source said intelligence briefings provided to the SEALs stated that "Objective Amber" planned the 2004 Fallujah ambush, and "they had been tracking this guy for some time."

The Fallujah atrocity came to symbolize the brutality of the enemy in Iraq and the degree to which a homegrown insurgency was extending its grip over Iraq.

The four Blackwater agents were transporting supplies for a catering company when they were ambushed and killed by gunfire and grenades. Insurgents burned the bodies and dragged them through the city. They hanged two of the bodies on a bridge over the Euphrates River for the world press to photograph.

Intelligence sources identified Abed as the ringleader, but he had evaded capture until September.

Are you FUCKING kidding me??? This piece of human excrement is the mastermind behind atrocities that go beyond all comprehension, and because he gets a widdle biddy bloody lip, our service men are being criminally charged??? What the HELL is wrong with people?? I am simply aghast that these men, who are overseas fighting for OUR freedom, and managed to capture a "most wanted" terrorist, can possibly be criminally charged for DOING THEIR JOBS!!! Goddamit!!! How the fuck are we supposed to fight the war on terror when the men and women who are fighting for this country can't even do the job for which they signed on? Punched in the gut? Bloody lip?? Let's revisit what this piece of shit masterminded, shall we?
I truly fear the direction this country is going.

The four Blackwater agents were transporting supplies for a catering company when they were ambushed and killed by gunfire and grenades. Insurgents burned the bodies and dragged them through the city. They hanged two of the bodies on a bridge over the Euphrates River for the world press to photographed

H/T Ol' Broad

Happy Veterans Day

A very heartfelt thank you to all the veterans out there. You are the true American Heroes.

Ft. Hood

Swiped from Ol' Broad

UPDATE ON FT. HOOD SHOOTER

The Ft. Hood shooter, and so far it looks like there is only one, is alive and in stable condition. However, the death toll IS 12.

My Heart Hurts

Disclaimer: I came home from work and went straight to the computer, so I am unaware of any updates to this story at this time.

When I first heard of the shooting, all I heard was "army base" and "south". My heart dropped to my feet because, you see, the Elder is at Ft. Benning. (more on him in a separate post) So it is with a small modicum of shame that I admit I felt some relief when I heard Ft. Hood. There - I admit it. After that brief rollercoaster, I was fully devastated.

11 dead. 31 wounded. What's that you say? 12 dead? Not on this blog, my friends. You see, I am of the firm belief that any POS who goes on a shooting rampage is not in any way worthy of being counted in a death toll that he himself created. The death toll is for the VICTIMS, in my humble opinion. I felt that way about Columbine, Virginia Tech, and any other horrific tragedy in which the one(s) responsible are counted in the death toll. And that's all I will say about the shooter(s) at this time because a) this is about the victims, and b) as tempting as it is, and as much as I'm using every ounce of self-control I have, I will NOT post a rant based on pure speculation. Once more facts are in, the rant will come.

In any case, I want to offer my heartfelt prayers to the fallen, the wounded, the family and friends of all involved, and the community as a whole. My God's peace offer you some measure of comfort in the midst of this tragedy.