Bunker Mulligan "Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." ~Mark Twain

I was up early and took a quick cruise around the ‘net. When I took a look at Sarah’s site, she had linked to this by John Moore:Useful Fools: Bush Haters Slander My Dead Comrades.

For anyone interested, take a look at the history of the Texas National Guard. I don’t think you’ll find another reserve organization with more battle experience. When Bush joined the Texas ANG, there was a strong possibility he would end up in Vietnam. Of course, the Bush-haters will never believe this. With his father’s background, I wouldn’t be surprised if he joined fully expecting to go.

John speaks of the commitment by National Guard and Reserve units. They’ve received bad press by people who’ve known someone who “played sojer.” I can tell you that folks like the NM ANG John mentions, and others I’ve dealt with while on active duty, are first-rate, and very professional. The ones from the “Taco Air Force” flew A-7s when they visited us on rotation in Panama, and there weren’t better pilots anywhere.

Addendum: Then Kim has this to say about John Kerry! This morning’s reading has certainly got my blood flowing!

This just in from Birdie:

it looks like i’ll be able to get on the internet about every 3-4 days. this are going pretty good around here. still getting shot at just about everyday. just the other day they tried to blow my squad and i up with one of those road side bombs (IED). let me tell you how scary that shit is. i’ll take getting shot at everyday over one of those things anytime.

He doesn’t like to use the SHIFT key.

The proud warriors of Baker Company wanted to do something to pay tribute To our fallen comrades. So since we are part of the only Marine Infantry Battalion left in Iraq the one way that we could think of doing that is By taking a picture of Baker Company saying the way we feel. It would be awesome if you could find a way to share this with our fellow countrymen. I was wondering if there was any way to get this into your papers to let the world know that “WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN” and are proud to serve our country.”

Semper Fi,
1st Sgt Dave Jobe

Nothing I can add to that.

Kim du Toit’s wife writes an excellent article regarding what the value of a life is (nod to Sarah).

The next-to-last paragraph is of particular interest to anyone who has been in the military, is considering joining the military, or wants to understand why anyone joins. It is of particular meaning to me today, because my youngest son left for Baghdad this morning. My oldest heads that general direction next month. They do their jobs because they think the task is of value, not because they feel any personal worth.

If only everyone had the same sense of integrity to their ideals.

Call me a cynic. I don’t believe people will spend much time bothering to interrogate Saddam. He doesn’t have any information that would be of value. People who think he’ll answer all kinds of questions regarding WMD or the insurgency aren’t paying attention, and don’t understand the nature of dictatorships.

So far, Saddam has only answered questions with the kind of ‘Who, ME?

‘Gen. Sanchez, thank you, sir, for your kind invitation and your strong leadership.