On the Monday of this last July 4th weekend, I was driving back from visiting my brothers family. I passed the time listening to the satellite radio, particularly both Left and Right political talk channels.

The talk shows on the liberal channels were very similar to the talk shows on the conservative channels. They were talking about the same topics, they had the same sponsors, the same sound bytes, the same timed commercial breaks, the same news at the top and bottom of the hour…for the entire seven hours. I couldn’t take it that long, but I did listen long enough to make some observations.

The liberal channel was making the following complainants:

• Obama isn’t doing anything on gun control
• Obama isn’t advancing gay rights enough
• Obama is putting more troops in Afghanistan
• Democrats in Congress aren’t adequately addressing health care
• Sotomayor is too moderate

The conservative channel was making the following complaints:

• Obama is going to take away your guns
• Obama expanded gay rights for federal employees
• Obama is pulling troops out of Iraq
• Democrats in Congress are pushing health care reform
• Sotomayor is a liberal activist judge

If you knew absolutely nothing about American politics, and listened to these shows, the listener would have to conclude that that Obama, Democrats in Congress, and Sotomayor are hopeless moderates that can satisfy no one; not by their actions and not by their inactions.

Pundits that deliver the news via a “commentary” format usually hold extreme views (the most successful pundits anyway). Yet, polls show that 80% of Americans agree 80% of the time (actually heard that on a left wing radio program). I have coined this political tactic ‘rubberbanding,’ a term used in racing games. They preach their extreme views to those leaning to right/left, in a effort to pull the listener away from the center.

At anytime of the day, I guarantee you can turn on the radio, scan a bit, and find a political pundit talking for hours on end; 4 hours a day, 20 hours week, with listeners numbering in the millions….and there are dozens of radio pundits. Joseph Goebbels did this. So did Big Brother in George Orwell’s 1984. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury repeats the same idea using television and drugs as the medium for of social political control.

Think “incrementalism”….on meth. As Rage Against the Machine says “weapon of sound above ground.”

I believe they do us a great disservice by keeping us divided. They talk about where we differ. And where we agree, they spin the issues and try to make us more divided.

Turn it off.

EDINBURGH – U.S. Rep. John Tanner discussed the future of the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan in meetings with top NATO leaders while presiding over NATO Parliamentary Assembly sessions in Edinburgh. The Parliamentary Assembly is NATO’s legislative arm. Tanner has served as the body’s President since November 2008.

“The consensus among NATO leaders and member-nation lawmakers is that we are in a crucial point in the alliance’s history and in the war against the spread of radical fundamentalism,” Tanner said after meeting with Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General, and U.S. Navy Admiral James G. Stavridis, Supreme Allied Commander-Europe, both of whom also addressed the Assembly. “These meetings are extremely helpful as the dialogue continues in the U.S. and in other NATO nations about how best to refocus on the fight in Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

Tanner led a bipartisan Congressional delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meetings and presided over sessions focused on Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as global economic challenges.

“I look forward to reporting back to Tennesseans and others across our country about how our legislative counterparts in other NATO countries view the challenges facing us, especially in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Tanner said before leading the delegation.

About Congressman John Tanner

Tanner represents the 8th Congressional District in West and Middle Tennessee. Co-founder of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, Tanner serves on the Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Social Security Subcommittee, and on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Tanner is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee Army National Guard.

Tim Cash

For the record I am conservative in my thinking but try hard to keep an open mind and give all an opportunity to voice their opinions. Many of my friends have differing views than mine when it comes to politics, but very few who disagree that much of what our Country was founded on is disintegrating before our very eyes. In the end, whether of liberal beliefs or conservative – we are ALL AMERICANS.

This did not just start yesterday, there has been an eroding of America for many years now. Those of you who are 30 or older need only look back to your years as a child, when we all said the Pledge of Allegiance in the classroom. Many of our children have never pledged allegiance to our Flag:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Many of our children are not learning values in the classroom or at home – the days of going to the principle’s office for a smack on the rear are gone and ‘just wait till your father gets home’ means nothing. For me, either of those options merely needed to be mentioned to keep me on the straight and narrow growing up. There is almost a twisted sense that each person is owed something from those who have been successful in life instead of getting up off the couch and finding a job. What’s that you say? There are no jobs out there? Unemployment is at 9 percent? HOGWASH!

The problem with Americans is that we feel that the jobs that are available are beneath us. We are quick to complain about the immigrants who are moving into our country – guess what folks – they are here because there is WORK. Work, that is right, I said it! They are doing the manual labor or menial jobs that many of us would not even consider as a viable option. They are here because of the promise for a better life! One free from persecution where the sky is the limit. I hate to say it, but these same immigrants place more value of being in America than many of those who were born in America.

Whoa is me! Whoa is me! Folks we have not seen bad. Bad is the Great Depression. Bad is persecution of women and children living under Taliban law years ago in Afghanistan. Bad is being of Jewish decent in Germany during Hilter’s brutal reign. Bad is being one of the victims of 9/11. Bad is the Widow and Children of one of our Fallen Heroes. Need I say more?

We have many issues in our Country in this day and age. No one person can be blamed for the financial crisis that hit us. We probably will never know how many or even who was to blame as the powerful in our country seem to protect their own – from corporate America to our elected leaders. You only need to look at the billions of YOUR tax dollars that have been given to numerous corporations that were deemed ‘Too Big To Fail’ to realize this. There have not been, nor will there be any accountability – let alone any repayment (well, unless you consider repayment by you, me and our children as repayment).

Only today I received an email from a lady who wanted to let me know that I should refrain from supporting a group of mothers who cared about their children in the Armed Forces. She was polite in her dissent, but wanted to state her dissatisfaction with me publicly supporting them as this was viewed as a group that was partisan. Partisan? REALLY? Mothers fearing for their children’s safe return is now partisan? COME ON!

This last week saw closed door meetings with political leaders and the attack on a news organization by our very own administration. All the while, our Generals charged with carrying out combat operations in Afghanistan are desperately awaiting a decision from our government. I got it that there are those of you who disagree with our presence in Afghanistan but this is a battle we must fight there and that we must win. If we do not, we will only see more tragedy on our own soil.

If you really want to participate in the direction of this great country, I strongly suggest you do so by exercising the rights that our founding fathers gave us (and no I am not talking about the right to bear arms):

• The right of free speech
• The right to vote

These two PEACEFUL means granted to all Americans by our Founding Fathers are so very powerful. They have been there since day one but sadly many choose not to exercise either right. Rather, the remain silent in terms of speech and vote. Only after the fact to they choose to cry foul – knowing all along that they were simply too busy or afraid to speak out or stand in line at the polls to cast their ballot. Those who fill the halls of our local, state and federal capital buildings are there because those who believed they could make a difference went to the polling stations and voted them in.

It is time for everyday Americans to wake up, to give notice of their displeasure or support of the direction that our elected leaders are taking this Great Country. Being an elected leader means that you are prone to having people who both support you and oppose you – it comes with the job! At no time should they be calling for the banishment of free speech or free press.

I will leave you with the words of The Star Spangled Banner which was composed by Francis Scott Key in 1814:

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

A welcome home ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. honoring members of the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade.

159 CAB has been on a 12-month deployment to Afghanistan. The remainder of the unit is scheduled to return by the end of the year.

Approximately 3,700 Soldiers will deploy as part of the United States’ commitment to maintain the level of forces necessary to provide sufficient military capability for the NATO-International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to further improve security and stability operations.

“The Bastogne Soldiers of our 1st BCT have been preparing for several months for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in anticipation of this formal announcement,” said Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT) commanding general. “They continue to train hard and I have no doubt they will be prepared to face the challenges of the tough fight in Afghanistan. They will replace a brigade combat team currently deployed in Eastern Afghanistan as part of a scheduled rotation of forces this spring approximately the same time our division headquarters deploys next year.” The deployments of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101 Combat Aviation Brigade and the headquarters of the 101st Abn. Div. were previously announced.

Fort Campbell

A welcome home ceremony is scheduled for 2:15 a.m. Sunday honoring members of the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade.

159 CAB has been on a 12-month deployment to Afghanistan. The remainder of the unit is scheduled to return by the end of the year.

A long-anticipated memorial to fallen American soldiers is fast becoming a reality. The famed 506th Airborne Infantry Regiment of the US Army will hold a formal dedication for its new memorial to soldiers of the regiment killed in action in four wars.

According to LTC David Womack, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion of the Regiment, “The memorial has come to symbolize the strong bonds that unite the Currahees across generations and wars.” He said, “Those bonds – founded in pride, commitment and shared experience – explain the esprit de corps that is legendary in the 506th, and which is demonstrated in the success of this project.”

The dedication ceremony will take place on November 12, 2009 – the day after Veteran’s Day — in the 506th regimental area at Fort Campbell, KY. Fort Campbell is the home of the renowned 101st Airborne Division, parent unit of the 506th for much of its history.

A Panorama of the Memorial

The dramatic granite monument is the first on American soil to honor the men and women of the historic regiment. The memorial is composed of a central granite cenotaph on a broad plaza, flanked by six parachute-shaped monuments. These will ultimately include the names of all of the war dead. It is being paid for totally by contributions from veterans and active duty soldiers, families of former soldiers and other private citizens, along with in-kind contributions. Reaching the first milestone in the ambitious project — fundraising for erection of the slabs and chiseling of the names of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan — will be celebrated at the November dedication.

Majesty by Eugene Morelli

A major addition to the memorial: one of America’s foremost wildlife sculptors, Eugene Morelli, has contributed a dramatic bronze sculpture of a large soaring American Eagle to grace the entrance to the memorial. It will complement the memorial plaza itself and welcome visitors to the site.

Mr. Morelli’s sculpture, entitled “Majesty”, is a magnificent bronze sculpture of an eagle in full flight. The eagle is both the mascot of the 101st Airborne Division and a symbol of the spirit and resolution of America’s soldiers. The statue, with a nearly five-foot wingspan, will be mounted on a plinth in the memorial plaza.

Morelli lives with his wife, artist and sculptor Joan Zygmunt, in Montana. His works have received widespread recognition for their beauty and realism, which he attributes to his education as a wildlife biologist and the inspiration and support he received from his wife. One of his sculptures is part of the White House collection, while others have been exhibited nationally and internationally.

The Morellis were moved to make this contribution (valued at $20,000) in memory of Ms. Zygmunt’s nephew. Matthew Zygmunt was a soldier in the 506th Airborne Infantry regiment. He fought with the Currahees in Iraq in 2005-2006, returning safely only to die in an automobile accident in August 2009 as he prepared to enter college. “Matthew was very proud of his service with the 506th, and treasured his association with that organization,” said Morelli in an interview. “Our families have a strong military tradition, and Joan and I felt this sculpture was an appropriate and meaningful way to honor his memory.”

Mr. Morelli and his wife plan on attending the dedication service at Fort Campbell.

Fundraising for the balance of the project, to cover engraving of the names of casualties from World War II and Vietnam, is still underway. The 506th Airborne Infantry Regiment Association, a nonprofit veterans’ organization dedicated to the support of both active duty soldiers and veterans of the 506th regiment, is acting on behalf of the regiment to collect contributions in support of the memorial. The Association recently turned over to the regiment the proceeds from the first phase of the fundraising – a check for $8,000. People or organizations wishing to contribute can do so online with PayPal on the website, or by sending a check or money order.

Fund raising is still needed to complete the engraving of the names of the honored war dead (Click to go to page with more information on donating)

The 506th Airborne Infantry Association is a charitable War Veterans Organization under IRS section 501(c) (19), and contributions are fully tax deductible.

For more information

Contact the John Lally from the 506th Airborne Infantry Association at (651) 788-03678 (Cell) (651) 451-0652 (Home) or via email

About the 506th Airborne Infantry Regiment (Currahees)

The 506th Airborne Infantry Regiment – known as the “Currahees” – has been in the thick of the fighting in every major American conflict since it jumped behind enemy lines in Normandy on D-Day in World War II. It subsequently suffered over 1,400 soldiers killed in action in World War II, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, and many thousands more wounded in action. Its history has been chronicled over the years in hit movies like “Saving Private Ryan” and the television series, “Band of Brothers.” The 506th is renowned for its valor in campaigns from the Battle of the Bulge in WWII to the battles of Hamburger Hill and Ripcord in Vietnam, and has been in the thick of the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich

Washington D.C. – Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), a leading Congressional voice calling for an immediate withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iraq, yesterday released the following statement after media reports that a U.S. airstrike on two stolen fuel transport vehicles left as many as 90 dead, including 40 civilians and a ten-year old child:

“News reports covering today’s attack by the U.S. command southwest of Kunduz province show that the good intentions of NATO forces in Afghanistan are not sufficient. If we want to avoid killing innocent civilians, we must end the war,” said Kucinich

After two fuel tankers were reportedly stolen by Taliban insurgents, a U.S. airstrike was carried out that took the lives of an unknown number of innocent Afghans.

The innocent appear to have been in harm’s way because the Taliban encouraged them to siphon off the fuel in the trucks which were immobilized in mud. The free fuel would be a natural draw to the citizens, given the level of poverty in the area. Corruption plaguing Afghanistan has ensured very little aid gets to Afghans in need.

“The NATO command claims to have checked for civilian presence before authorizing the air strike. When deadly force is used at high altitudes at high speeds, there is an even greater moral responsibility to be absolutely certain that no civilians will become casualties of military action.

“There is little hope for a truly independent investigation because the Karzai Government is compromised and NATO forces are digging in for the long term based on the Administration’s policy. The war in Afghanistan is quickly developing into a tragedy of monumental proportions. It is time for the U.S. to end this war and bring our troops home.”

Fort Campbell

The deployment will affect more than 700 Soldiers stationed at Fort Campbell, according to Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) commander.

Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell announcing the headquarters deployment

Maj. Gen John F. Campbell announcing the deployment at the Division Headquarters Thursday

This will mark the headquarters’ second deployment to Bagram, Afghanistan where it will once again serve as the headquarters for NATO’s Regional Command-East. The division headquarters will deploy six months sooner than previously planned in order to increase continuity in theater by providing a unit with institutional knowledge of the environment and mission.

To give Soldiers in the headquarters a year of dwell time, the 82nd Airborne Division will extend their current deployment. The 82nd officially replaced the 101st on June 3.

“We are humbled with the opportunity to again serve our nation as military and civilian leaders around the world recognize the value and legacy of our great division and the impact it made most recently during operations in Afghanistan,” Campbell said. “While it is an honor to be called back to serve in combat, this call places a toll not only on our Soldiers —but most importantly our families. We appreciate their sacrifice and their continued sacrifice as we prepare for this upcoming mission.”

WASHINGTON, DC

“We want to hear ideas on how to fix the parts of our health care system that are broken and keep the parts that work,” Tanner said. Tanner will also host two telephone town halls on Aug. 28 and Aug. 31 where all 8^th District residents from more than 200 towns and communities can talk together about the issues surrounding health care reform. To register to participate in the telephone town halls, visit www.house.gov/tanner or call Congressman Tanner’s office.

Congressman John Tanner, center, talks with Tennessee Veterans Affairs Commissioner John Keys, left, and Dr. Carlo Pike, an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan and now treats veterans at the Stewart County Community Medical Center. The three discussed how to improve veterans care and also ongoing operations in Afghanistan.

Congressman John Tanner, right, talks with John Knight of Bumpus Mills, a patient at the Stewart County Community Medical Center. Tanner is traveling throughout the 8th District to hear constituents’ ideas on how to fix the parts of the health care system that are broken and how to ensure that people with health insurance can keep their current plans.

]]> http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/08/18/congressman-tanner-commissioner-keys-visit-stewart-co-health-center-and-va-clinic/feed/ 0 http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/08/17/fort-campbells-super-saturday-air-show-made-the-screaming-eagles-roar/ http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/08/17/fort-campbells-super-saturday-air-show-made-the-screaming-eagles-roar/#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:25:55 +0000 Bill Larson http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/?p=24096 For many people the highlight of the Week of the Eagles has got to be the Super Saturday Air show powered by Tyson Foods. This extravaganza event was expected to draw a crowd of 65,000 people, but most likely far exceeded that.  Comprised of a series of simultaneous events including:

A Community Fair featuring local organizations that offer their services to soldiers and their families.

The Community Health Fair gave a people a quick medical checkup, and with the harsh sun and high temperatures the sound advice to keep hydrated.

The Army Aviation Heritage Foundations Sky Soldiers Cobra Demonstration Team

The Red Cross was another life safer cooling people down with their misting fans, and first aid station.

The Budweiser Clydesdales also stayed over after their recent visit to Clarksville to put in an appearance at the Air show.

The Kids Fair kept the younger attendees entertained with inflatables, face painting, duck pond, dance demonstrations and more.

A static display of ground vehicles used by the 101st.

The 101st had a static display of the vehicles which serve our soldiers well during their deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan including the life saving Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAP), the ubiquitous Hummer,  various helicopters (CH47 Chinook, UH60 Blackhawk, OV58 Kiowa Warrior…), along with several other vehicles.

There was also a collection of historical displays featuring aircraft many of them operated by the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, including their Sky Soldiers Demonstration Team, along with model WWII and Vietnam camps.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words, so  I will let the image gallery tell you the rest of the story!

Photo Gallery

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Washington D.C.

“We are discussing a $636 billion appropriations bill which will fund the continuation of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Congress has been gripped for months by a debate surrounding health care reform, but we will only have a brief debate about spending $636 billion dollars and the wars that money will fund. That is not enough.

“We need to have a serious debate about the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan and the priorities of this nation. We need to discuss our options and we must immediately withdraw U.S. troops and contractors, not just combat troops, but all of our troops. It is time for this body to rethink the validity of funding military operations throughout the world when we have so many priorities that need to be addressed at home.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich

“Just today we saw a memo from Col. Timothy R. Reese, Chief, Baghdad Operations Command Advisory Team, who wrote, ‘Our combat troops are currently the victim of circular logic. We conduct operations to kill or capture violent extremists of all types to protect the Iraqi people and support the Government of Iraq. The violent extremists attack us because we are still here conducting military operations.’

“The U.S. military is unmatched. Since 2001, total U.S. defense spending has increased by nearly 80 Percent. Furthermore, we are spending more on defense than all of the other countries of the world combined. 56 percent of the entire discretionary budget for fiscal year 2010 will be used to fund the defense department.

“I do not believe that the priority this body continues to place on funding our the military industrial complex is consistent with the priorities and values of the American people. This bill includes over $600 billion in spending while only a small fraction is dedicated to non-proliferation activities. However, in December 2008 World Public Opinion found that 77 percent of Americans favor an international agreement for eliminating all nuclear weapons.

“This war has taken the lives of 4,330 of our brave and honorable troops. Over 1 million Iraqi civilians have been killed. The war in Afghanistan has taken the lives of another 753 of our beloved military service members. As the U.S. continues to ramp up operations in Afghanistan, these numbers, as well as injury numbers, will continue to grow.”

Sgt. Robert Moore, who teaches agriculture at APSU, is project leader of the ADT, which is working with the Paktya Beekeeping Association to help raise 700 new bee colonies within the region and to educate new beekeepers.

The bee program is aimed at improving the region’s overall agriculture through pollination, while providing jobs for local citizens and helping vary the diet of the local population.

“Three decades of war and severe droughts in recent years have drastically reduced the number of bee colonies,” Moore said. “This has had a negative impact on both the quantity of honey produced and the number of honey bee colonies.”

A secondary goal of the program is the actual production of honey, which will benefit the region’s economy.

“One colony of honey bees could easily add $20 to $40 to the annual income of a family,” Moore said. “For the typical family of seven to 10 people, with an annual income of about $700, beekeeping could make a significant contribution.”

The project should have positive, long-term effects on the region, Moore said.

“It’s going to help Afghan producers realize their goals of creating a sustainable and reliable agricultural infrastructure.”

Five valorous awards — one Silver Star and four Bronze Stars with “V” device — will be presented to Currahee Soldiers who demonstrated exceptional achievement while in combat during their recent deployment to Afghanistan.

As we celebrate Memorial Day this year, I hope that Americans will remember that there is more to this day than hot dogs and hamburgers. I truly hope that they remember, that as they celebrate with their family and friends, that many soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines stand in harm’s way, miles away from their families and friends.

The freedoms we enjoy today, those very freedoms that are currently being tested, are ours because of these brave soliders, sailors, airmen and marines who willingly accept the possibility of an ultimate sacrifice to secure them for you and I. From our nation’s founding revolution to the current military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, whether you agree or not with the current engagements; the REASON that we have the opportunity to exercise our God-given right to speak out is due to those who have gone before.

I hope that everyone will take a moment to reflect on the true purpose of this day. Say a prayer for those families who have lost loved ones, and for our national heroes bearing the burden of the fight even as I type this. God Bless our soldiers and our great Nation!