I Often Comment on Stars and Stripes, I am Always Completely Honest

Seldom do my remarks get published on Stars and Stripes, or once they are published, remain up on the comments board, even though I am very civil. Stars and Stripes is the official news venue of the U.S. military.  So I am redacting the names of those I directed my comments and arguments at, and conducting an experiment concerning the opinion of those serving in the military, Veterans, and the families of the two aforementioned groups.  Here is the premise:

I believe that the ordinary person serving, or who has served,  in the United States Military,  believes as I do, that abuse of power is rampant in the leadership of our military, and that UCMJ is often nothing more than a kangaroo court.  Further, that as I believe, those serving are completely helpless to do anything about it, because of the threat that speaking truth poses to anyone serving.  So below you will find the commentary I observed and the remarks I made concerning their comments.

Person #1.  The UCMJ is finally revealed to be as bad as the failed GTMO military commissions. Results-oriented justice; absolutely no pretense at fairness. Any lawyer who participates in courts-martial today should be disbarred as furthering what amount to Stalinesque show trials. "Trust commanders to act impartially and prudently in sexual assault cases, Senator Gillibrand!" "Uhmmm. Wait a second. I guess JFK was right when he said during the naval blockade of Cuba that 'There's always some son-of-a-b*tch who doesn't get the message.'" If this doesn't prove that the UCMJ is a wretched joke, I don't know what does.

Person #2.  You obviously don't understand the UCMJ enough to be making those comments. Of course, the entire system could be wrong and you could be right. But I'll choose the system over you. What are missing is the "results" part. No one has directed a result. That would be unlawful command influence. Instead, what has been directed, for reasons none of us really know, is another investigation into the case. Gen Franklin and his lawyer decided not to go forward. Now another GCMCA will get to look at this. I don't know if this is validation exercise or if this shows no trust in Gen Franklin and his lawyer (who may be the same lawyer from the Aviano case that was dismissed). In any event, you have gone a little extreme in your conclusion of "Stalinesque" show trials. This hasn't even gone to trial - and may never go to trial.

#Me  You don't think that "directed results" prevail every hour of every day within the UCMJ? You don't believe that "unlawful command influence" happens every day? Why don't you get out from behind whatever desk or computer you are sitting behind and go find yourself some ordinary military personnel, and start asking them questions. Until we fix UCMJ and its' "Stalinesque" show trials, our military will not have the leadership it deserves. The visible miscarriages of justice aren't even the most dangerous effects of a broken UCMJ. It is the countless decisions made everyday under the influence of a system where the misuse of power is a constant threat to men and women of honorable character and service, which is the true problem. This isn't a joke, ("different spankings") it isn't the ravings of a lying nut job, (I always ignore all those little jabs, and outright slaps in the face, my life is an open book of long standing, and available to the world,) it is simple truth. Talk to the average service member. One time I pleaded with a retired CSM to report what he knew, knowing him to be such a person of honor. He replied, "Debra, an entire Division knew that was going on, you think any one person is capable of standing up to an entire Division of the United States Army?"
I do not believe anyone within the system can prevail against the current system to affect change. It will take Veterans and their families to set free the honor of the United States Military. It is currently being held hostage by UCMJ.

• Person #3 Person #1 has been one of the 'UCMJ is broke' folks. You will not convince otherwise.
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    Person #2. Thanks. Maybe he was once on the receiving end of the UCMJ or works for Sen Gillibrand.
    
    
    • Me: I take it that either one of those choices in your mind indicates lack of reason? Were you aware that Active Duty Marines threatened to harm Sen Gillibrand? Publicly, by way of facebook, daily for months, they threatened to sexually assault the Senator? Now, what would make anyone intelligent enough to make a Marine, without fear of those actions?

Since I know my remarks will be short lived on Stars and Stripes, I am making my comments on my own blog.

If you do not know, Stars and Stripes is the "official" voice of the military... in other words, under the thumb of present leadership.

So, if you are an ordinary Veteran, family member, or active duty service member, and you agree with me,... or not, I would suggest you find your way to this article and comment as a guest concerning your own observations.

http://www.stripes.com/news/air-force-removes-lt-gen-franklin-from-sexual-assault-case-1.258268#comment-1213661877

I venture they will shut down the comments within an hour if the tide prevails in the wrong direction... but that would be telling as well, would it not?

I Rounded the Corner in My Kitchen and a Vile Woman Was Trying to Hide There!!!

I should have been more conscious of security, that was my own fault!  I just came out of the laundry room, confronted her by the cabinet, dropped the basket and as quickly as I could thought of a strategy.  She had two thugs with her too!  All three were between me and the phone or I would have called 911!  I don't know what else I could have done... 

I just did what I had to do...

In order to protect those of you with a more delicate constitution, after a first picture that is not related to this blog post, I have posted the pictures of the whole confrontation further down the page and you will have to scroll... please do not allow children to view this blog!  I would not wish to influence them in any kind of a negative way... 

 

Next time, I will just throw her off a balcony after I break her in two!!!

I Made a New Friend on Google Plus Today!

I already like her so much already!

Look at this adorable picture on her background!

https://plus.google.com/u/0/117145576319306022207/posts?cfem=1

Thank you +myong Moreland for honoring me with your friendship!

I Am Grateful for Returning Strength

Two years ago at the end of May I broke my leg when I slipped and fell off the hot tub deck as I was cleaning it.  I went to the doctor within just about a week, and he looked at it and told me I just probably twisted it and to get a brace at Walmart.  I did, and because of my Ankylosing Spondylitis which I have had since childhood, and the fact that I have always coped by just suppressing the feeling of pain with my mind, I thought I would just "ignore it away."  Then in August when Randy was home, he took me to a bone specialist, because I still could not walk on it.  (A broken bone will heal in about six weeks... if you don't walk on it.)  I used a walker and crutches with a brace until Christmas, I even used the motorized carts at Walmart, talk about humiliating...  I don't look like I need a motorized cart, and people give you mean looks when you use one if you don't look like you need one.

 

I am finally getting my strength back after I stepped in the hole in front of the Ramanda Inn, and re-injured the leg I broke, but my shoulder is still giving me trouble.  I also hurt my left shoulder when I fell in the hole.  Today I moved twenty five 75 pound bales of hay with the riding lawn mower from the drive where I had it set on the ground when they delivered it, and 10 fifty pound bags of feed to the tack barn, along with the 10 twenty pound bags of cat liter, (for getting the pick-up out of the mud when I get it stuck.)  It took me 10 hours... I had to work an hour, 5 bales, 2 bags, rest an hour, and repeat.  Still, I am so much stronger than I was a month ago.  I am a person who needs to move, and to be outdoors.  It is just really good for me.

I Miss My Squirrel, So, So, Bad!

I rescued a little squirrel in Missouri we named Traveler.  I let him go when he got old enough to survive on his own, but I wish I never had, I miss him so...

       

Mankind is Incapable of Self Direction

When in doubt, make it up as you go along.  This man, one of the world's most qualified experts, has information for the world.

                         

The voice we should be listening to!

          

I LOV IT, I LOV IT, I LOV IT!!!!!!!

No words from me needed....

        

Birds From My Virginia Trip Last Spring

Many have not seen these, and I found a bird photography 

community on Google+ I want to share them with!

Patti Got to Go to Town!

I managed to slip off from Rocket the Peek-a-Goat, to go to town for supplies before the cold and ice hit, (can't go without my Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper...)  Started the truck, left it running, and made sure Rocket saw me go in the back door.  She went around to the back porch, and got under her favorite table, and snuggled down.  I slipped out the front door, rolled slowly down the drive way, and I checked the rear-view mirror one more time.  There was Patti, ready to chase me down the highway... so I got out of the truck, had to chase her down, because she didn't want to get in the cab, and she had her first trip to town in the truck!  She loved it!

Who Would Not Say She is Adorable.... But...

Who can deny she is adorable?

She will however, eat your lunch...

She begs to get in the house all the time...  why I cannot understand...

For some strange reason I can't figure out, that silly goat panics when I get in the truck to go to town... and then chases me down the road if she is out of her pen.

She makes a mess if she is out of her pen,but always finds some way to get in trouble when I put her in her pen.

 And then she raced up the stairs and stood on the handrail of the porch...

OK, Guess!

There are two!   One is in the upper right corner.  See it now?

These are female cardinals.

Patti Finally Got To Ride in the Truck!

I went to the What-a-Burger for take out for supper, since Patti and Rocket the Wonder Goat both chased me down the highway, I had to go back and lock Rocket up in her pen.  (I refuse to take that goat to town, not even in the back of the truck am I going to take that goat to town... and I don't care how much she begs... she is just going to have to take the riding lawn mower to town.  She is working on trying to learn how to start it every day.)

Rocket was left throwing a fit in her pen, I thought Patti would not chase the truck if Rocket couldn't be her partner in crime, however, she still chased me past the cattle guard.  So I stopped and put her in the cab.  She loved it, and she sat perfectly still and behaved beautifully too!  Good Patti!

I Call Them Mall Birds

They sort of look like Soldiers marching!

Honor To A Fallen Soldier

It Was Foggy This Morning!

At first I could not figure out why every photo came out sooooo fuzzy! Then I realized the fog was causing moisture to collect on my lens, and I had to wipe it off.
 Finally it began to clear off!

Do you see the four cows in the fog in the woods?

Old Soldiers

Old Soldiers Sleep Soundly at Night

When they lay down their gray head, old soldiers sleep soundly at night.

They have borne the battle; they have fought the good fight.

When liberty and the freedom which Our Almighty ordained,

Was threatened forever to be forgotten, and liberty to be stained.

The call had gone out for men with bold courage and heart,

For those willing to wage war, yet from honor never to depart.

He had been young then, confident, and full of vim and vigor.

Muscled and strong, he had possessed the necessary will to pull the trigger.

Soon he learned just how hard and unforgiving meeting the enemy would be.

In those moments another life would be taken, no other way could he see.

Because the enemy had been impossible by any words or reason to hold at bay,

Inside without pause, he realized he could defend all he loved in no other way.

After that first battle, when the stranger lay dead at his feet.

His mind had reeled in despair, knowing that he had sent him his Maker to meet.

It seemed forever he was in a foreign land where all he could see was sand.

Victory, he knew, could be won only by making a committed stand. 

Years had rolled by as in service to the conflict he came and he went.

His children grew up while he was at war, the enemy would not relent.

The sparkle in the eyes of his beautiful wife had slowly died.

For too many nights she lay lonely and sad as she had cried.

They both had known that his absence had been without doubt required.

While she grieved at time forever lost, his dedication she deeply admired.

At long last he had put in his time and had come home never to leave.

For a long time what he had seen caused him deep inside to quietly grieve.

Then the years and hard gained wisdom softened the wounds of his soul.

Peacefully and never forgetting the cost of freedom, he had grown old.

The nightmares and images seared on his heart at the time,

Always he had deliberately kept in a contained corner of his mind.

Whenever the flag passed or the pledge of allegiance was said.

Love of his country and memories of the fallen caused a tear to be shed.

More than most, he knew the price that always had to be paid,

To preserve the country from those whose vanity sent them on evil crusades.

 His own answering of the call for defenders of all that we hold dear,

Was the thing that caused him to sleep without worry or fear.

His debt for the privilege of life in our country whose truth is self-evident.

Had been paid and he knew that his final sleep was growing eminent.

Sometimes good men must do dreadful things to pass on to those they love,

The gifts and blessings of that great precept that comes from above.

When they lay down their gray head, old soldiers sleep soundly at night.

They have borne the battle; they have fought the good fight.

Just a Few Moments of Your Time To Really Thank a Servicemember for Their Service

https://www.facebook.com/events/573649859386620/permalink/573677702717169/ 

I will be voting for Cassaundra! You should too! Come on now... what an easy way to honor the military and their families! Commit to this! Share the link! Blow it out of the water! Just a few moments of your time can put something substantial behind the phrase, "thank you for your service!"