Sparker911’s Neighborhood

Judge orders release of US Marines jailed for not testifying on Iraqi detainee deaths

Cross-posted from Jurist
by Nick Fiske at 11:13 AM ET

[JURIST] A US district court judge Thursday released two US Marines who had been previously been jailed for refusing to testify about the deaths of Iraqi detainees during the November 2004 offensive [GlobalSecurity backgrounder] in Fallujah [USMC timeline; JURIST news archive]. Marine Corps Sgt. Ryan G. Weemer [JURIST news archive] and Sgt. Jermaine Nelson were held in contempt of court [JURIST news report] in June and May, respectively, after appearing before a grand jury and refusing to answer questions about the role of former Marine Sgt. Jose Nazario [JURIST news archive] in the deaths of the detainees. US District Judge Stephen Larson declined to rescind his contempt rulings, but released the Marines after their attorneys argued that the detentions would never compel them to testify. In addition to the contempt charges, Nelson and Weemer each face six counts of dereliction of duty and one count of murder [USMC charge sheet] for their roles in the Fallujah killings. The Los Angeles Times more. The Marine Corps Times has additional coverage.

In July 2007, the Naval Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS) [official website] announced investigations of at least 10 Marines [JURIST report] after Weemer admitted during a polygraphed job interview with the US Secret Service that he had witnessed indiscriminate killings in Fallujah. Military journalist Nathaniel Helms later corroborated that account, reporting that he witnessed Marines execute subdued Iraqi prisoners, whose bodies were later buried under rubble from an air strike. In May, a federal judge ruled that Nazario could stand trial [JURIST report] in civilian court over the deaths.

Troops Fly Historic American Flag (48 stars) Found Off the Coast of the Bataan Peninsula

From THE TENSION:

Living History:

48starflag

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 4, 2008 -- More than 50 U.S. sailors rendered a salute as their nation’s colors were raised over Camp Eggers in honor of America’s Independence Day.

What made the ceremony so special was the American flag had only 48 stars.

Video.

The flag was flown courtesy of retired Navy Cmdr. Joseph Agra III, who works at the Kabul International Airport as a logistics mentor for the Afghan national army air corps.

Agra acquired the flag from a Filipino fisherman while living in the Philippines in 2000. The fisherman retrieved it from his net while fishing off the coast of the Bataan Peninsula.

“I saw the flag on a pole and asked the fisherman where he got it,” Agra said. “After he told me, I asked if I could have it. He sold it to me for ten dollars.”

Agra said after taking the flag home and washing it, his son realized it only had 48 stars. Upon this discovery, Agra started researching flags for a hint of its origin.

Because the 48-star flag was only flown between 1912 and 1959, Agra theorized that it came from one of five U.S. Navy ships that were sunk by the Imperial Japanese forces in the opening months of World War II.

“I researched the ships that were sunk in hostile fire, instead of being scuttled,” Agra said. “When you’re scuttled, you take everything you can off the ship. I think this flag went down with a ship.”

For eight years, Agra carried the flag with him to several locations. He has flown the flag over camps in the Philippines, Kuwait, Iraq and now Afghanistan.

After the flag was raised, Navy Capt. Shawno May, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan command surgeon directorate, spoke to the formation of sailors.

“The men that served under this flag more than 50 years ago gave their last full measure of devotion,” May said. “These men were fighting in the Philippines to help freedom ring in a land where it wasn't. Again, America finds itself in a country where freedom is just beginning to ring.”

Master Chief Bennie Gloria, CSTC-A Equal Opportunity advisor, said the ceremony was a perfect way to start the Independence Day celebration.

“It’s very important that we remember our shipmates that came before us and lost their lives,” Gloria said. “We are their legacy.”

When the ceremony ended, the sailors took turns touching the flag and taking in a little part of history.

“I wanted to share it with others,” Agra said. “I could have kept it and hung it in my living room, but then I would only see it.”

Agra retired from active duty last year and will return to his home in the Philippines after his tour in Afghanistan. When he returns, he plans to donate the flag to a World War II museum and American cemetery near the location it was found.

“It’s their flag,” Agra said, speaking of the veterans who lost their life in World War II. “It’s a symbol. These men lost their lives fighting for their country, they are buried there. That is where
the flag should be.”

(Story by Staff Sgt. Beth Del Vecchio, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan Public Affairs.)

Sgt. Freedom Campaign Episode 38 - OBAMA SUCKS

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How long does AMERICA have ????

And for those of you who don't know, I have been telling many to read "The Rise and the Fall of the Roman Empire" for years. Tom

HOW LONG DO WE HAVE?

How Long Do We Have? About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at theUniversityofEdinburgh, had this to say about the fall of theAthenianRepublicsome 2,000 years earlier:

"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a Permanent form of government."

"A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury." "From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."

"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years"

"During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the following sequence:

1. From bondage to spiritual faith;

2. From spiritual faith to great courage;

3. From courage to liberty;

4. From liberty to abundance;

5. From abundance to complacency;

6. From complacency to apathy;

7. From apathy to dependence;

8. From dependence back into bondage"

Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law, St. Paul,Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning the 2000 Presidential election:

Number of States won by: Gore: 19 Bush: 29

Square miles of land won by:

Gore: 580,000 Bush: 2,427,000

Population of counties won by: Gore: 127 million Bush: 143 million

Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Gore: 13.2 Bush: 2.1

Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory Bush won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of this great country. Gore's territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government welfare..." Olson believes theUnited States is now somewhere between the "complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.

If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal invaders called illegal and they vote, then we can say goodbye to the USA in fewer than five years.

If you are in favor of this then delete this message if you are not then Pass this along to help everyone realize just how much is at stake, knowing that apathy is the greatest danger to our freedom

Remembering the Birth of our Nation and Sacrifices of our Heroes

posted by LTG Caldwell at Fort Leavenworth

Remembering our Nation’s heroes is as integral to the 4^th of July as barbeques and fireworks. Two-hundred thirty two years ago, a new nation was born, dedicated to the conviction that all citizens had the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Perhaps John Adams said it best after the Declaration of Independence was crafted:

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great Anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward forever."

The freedoms our founding fathers laid out in the Declaration were not guaranteed until a fledgling Continental Army and Continental Navy wrested control of our destiny from Britain. In subsequent years, Americans of all races and both genders have paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that Thomas Jefferson’s self-evident freedoms endure for us and succeeding generations.

The Congressional Medal of Honor remains among the most important symbols of that sacrifice and the devotion of our armed forces to it. Since its inception during the Civil War, 3,467 Medals of Honor have been awarded. Only 103 CMH recipients are alive today. In the last 20 years, only six Americans have been so honored. They are Gary Gordon, Randy Shughart, Michael Murphy, Jason Dunham, Ross McGinnis and Michael Monsoor. Leavenworth is home to two CMH recipients—Charles Hagemeister and Roger Donlon.

In a distant place called Nam Dong, Vietnam, Donlon rallied his forces and repelled a determined attack by a reinforced battalion of Viet Cong on July 6, 1964. Despite being wounded at least four separate times, Donlon’s "dynamic leadership, fortitude and valiant efforts inspired not only the American personnel but the friendly Vietnamese defenders as well."

Donlon credited his family and his faith in providing the foundation for a life spent in service to his country. For him, soldiering was not a job, but a vocation, or a special calling. For those serving today, his emphasis on teamwork, training and camaraderie remains the cornerstone of successful service.

While celebrating our Nation’s Independence, take a moment to solemnly remember those who sacrificed so we could enjoy the day. At least eight Americans have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for actions that occurred on the 4^th of July.

Charles Capeheart--Civil War

Marcus Hanna--Civil War

John Kennedy--Philippine Insurrection

Thomas Pope--World War I

William Nakamura--World War II

Frank Ono--World War II

Leroy Mendonca--Korean War

Melvin Newline--Vietnam War

To rephrase the closing from a recent awarding winning movie, "Honor them! They remain soldiers of the United States!

Posted Jul 04 2008, 11:25 AM by LTG Caldwell

Honoring those that make sure we have an Independence Day

http://dakotaranger.vox.com/library/p...

Sean Hannity this week had a story about a woman who, as many great Americans do, saw a need and didn't wait for the government. She has set up an organization: Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington DC is the first stop for many of America's returning wounded service members from...

Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington DC is the first stop for many of America's returning wounded service members from Iraq and Afghanistan. Known as "the amputee ward", the orthopedic Ward 57 at WRAMC houses some of the most severely injured patients for weeks or even months. The painful sacrifice of losing one or more limbs is the new battle these service members and their families now fight.

Operation Ward 57 was started to have a direct way for individuals and companies to show their support and raise funds for these courageous men and women who have given so much.
The program is run through pro-football player Kerry Carter's THINK BIG FOUNDATION, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, Tax ID: 20-196-2446, in partnership with Atmosphere Artist Management LLC. This is a grass-roots, volunteer effort. Each person who buys a T-shirt, not only shows their support, but directly contributes to items for the Ward, patients, family members and staff.

http://www.operationward57.org/

The Declaration of Independence

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Why Some Would Let Obama Become President

Snooper
2 days ago

Head Up Ass

July 4, 1776: Birth of a Nation

Commentary:

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., July 4, 2008 -- As we celebrate our nation's 232nd birthday, it's humbling to look back and imagine the difficulties faced by those leaders who were "eyes on" the formation of a new republic.

In 1776, the idea of a new world colony gaining independence from the world's most powerful country appeared a bit far-fetched, and in some circles of European society, an amusing and deadly venture. Yet despite the daunting challenges, there was enough creative energy among our very different colonial state leaders to organize a new government and fight for survival.

The key to success was leadership; both in the planning stages of a new government and directly on the battlefield. Our founding fathers understood the power of leading from the front.

In the planning stage for a new republic, the Continental Congress was wise enough to select five successful leaders to write and publish the Declaration of Independence. This ultimate working group included Thomas Jefferson, age 33; John Adams, age 41; and Benjamin Franklin, the senior mentor at age 70.

Their finished product brazenly told the world the United States of America was open for business. The signers of the Declaration of Independence publicly put their relatively cozy lives and fortunes on the line for a new form of government.

More importantly, the Declaration of Independence helped Gen. George Washington rally his troops by putting on paper the ideals and freedoms they were fighting to establish, preserve and protect. General Washington faced incredible manpower and resource shortfalls on the battlefield in 1776. He persevered by keeping our fighting forces intact, picking his battles wisely, and understanding that as long as we had a military we had a nation.

General Washington's art of the long view is something we all need to remember the next time we complain about resource shortfalls or the direction of our own organizations.

So a hearty "Happy birthday" to the United States of America! As a nation we have both sputtered and soared through the centuries and decades. We were, and still are, imperfect at times. Yet during other periods we seem blessed with providence. And while fate certainly is a factor in any nation's success, I believe leadership and just plain hard work generated our own good fortune.

In the end, we have survived every challenge and we remain this world's best example of what Abraham Lincoln called a nation of the people, by the people and for the people.

(Commentary by Col. Steve DePalmer, 53rd Wing.)

From Cassandra To Jesus Christ

Snooper
2 days ago
6 comments

~Snooper~

"From Cassandra to Jesus Christ, it is amazing how often the doomed choose to ignore those who warn them of their coming fate." Cassandra was "doomed to tell the truth yet never to be believed". I am amazed how Greek Mythology so mirrors American politics.

I am also equally amazed that the United States is the last hold out for Judeo-Christian values but I am not surprised at all that those values are under attack by those that will not heed the warnings. What is equally astounding are the attitudes of complacency of so many alleged Christians in this nation we call America. Prophecy is being fulfilled as we live and breath and yet the silence is overwhelmingly loud. Alas. The silent ones will deserve everything that befalls them.

Casandra had the ability to foresee the future but was damned by her lover Apollo to never have the gift of persuasion because she spurned him at one point in time. The lesson there is to never anger your God or god. In the words of Cassandra. "Apollo, my destroyer, for you have destroyed me ..." (Aeschylus, Agamemnon 1080) and "I promised consent to Apollo but broke my word ... and ever since that fault I could persuade no one." (Aeschylus, Agamemnon 1208ff.)

John The Baptist lamented in nearly the same manner when he proclaimed "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" and "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said." Some call John The Baptist God's sled dog. I agree. Someone has to do it. It is all too readily clear that our politicians are not only incapable of such but are wholly unqualified.

Amazing isn't it? Who will hear and who will respond in the affirmative to that which we witness day in and day out? We see a Global Cultural Jihad unfolding before us yet we sit idly by in either fear to make waves or total disbelief. We ignore it in the hopes that it will all mysteriously vanish. Such is not the case.

This Global Cultural Jihad does not mean in totality that it is only the alleged "radical" Islam members conducting it nor does it mean that you have to be an Islamist to conduct a Jihad. Jihad means a Holy War and in my estimation anyone can conduct a Holy War. The Scriptures are very clear in this as is so stated in Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

We fight evil with good and there are those that fight good with evil. It is up to people to ascertain and discern that which is evil and that which is good. There are abundant sources of data upon which to glean the knowledge required to make the correct choices in life.

Herb Meyer was recently in Davos, Switzerland at a symposium where mighty men of courage gathered to discuss current events and, as voices in the wilderness, Mr Meyer made this proclamation:

[...] There has never been a superpower in this position before. On the one hand, this makes the U.S. a magnet for bright and ambitious people. It also makes us a target. We are becoming one of the last holdouts of the traditional Judeo-Christian culture. There is no better place in the world to be in business and raise children. The U.S. is by far the best place to have an idea, form a business and put it into the marketplace.
We take it for granted, but it isn't as available in other countries of the world. Ultimately, it's an issue of culture. The only people who can hurt us are ourselves, by losing our culture. If we give up our Judeo-Christian culture, we become just like the Europeans.
The culture war is the whole ballgame. If we lose it, there isn't another America to pull us out. [END]

No other words to my knowledge have been uttered so truthfully in recent days. America is in the same Culture War as is all of Europe and Canada. It has gotten so dire that Europe is preparing for their own Holy War called a civil war. So, too, here in the USA, there are some which are speaking of the same. As a Warrior myself, I pray that this does not come to pass but I do understand the sentiment and can see it coming. It can be all avoided but there must be those willing to make themselves known and emerge from their closeted comfort zones and speak out.

Traditional America is under attack and has been for decades. The issue is this; is it too late to do anything about it? For the first time a true Marxist is poised to become the President of the United States and Barack Obama is indeed a Marxist. All one has to do is listen to him as he speaks and parse his rhetoric. The man is a consummate liar and the collection of videos presented clearly depict that fact.

American Liberalism has been shown to be a mental disorder in proportions as to declare the country an international crisis. We have no qualified leadership in this nation at the federal level. Their spines and moral fortitude have been beaten into globs of mush with no relief in sight.

We need national healing and that won't come until 2 Chronicles 7:14 comes into prominent play: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Naturally, the Leftinistra will froth and foam at the mouth with these words but this is to be expected and I am sure the comments section will be rife with much wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The United States is at a crossroads and the time has come for action and perhaps the Great Revival Part 2.

Heed these words from one voice in the wilderness.

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