It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not!!!!!
 
Today, August 30, 2010, 7:37:04 PM
Gates: All is not well as combat role ends
By Anne Gearan - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Aug 31, 2010 13:36:36 EDT
MILWAUKEE — All is not well in Iraq as the United States formally closes down its combat mission there, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday, warning that political paralysis and continued sectarian violence cloud that country's future.
Gates said conditions in Iraq are much better, however, as the United States shifts to an advisory role seven years after the U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.
"I am not saying all is, or necessarily will be, well in Iraq," Gates said, noting the lack of a new government more than six months after national elections, and continued sectarian tension.
"This is not a time for premature victory parades or self-congratulation, even as we reflect with pride on what our troops and their Iraqi partners have accomplished," Gates told an American Legion audience here.
Despite recent high-profile attacks, overall violence is at its lowest level since the beginning of the war in 2003, and the U.S. hasn't had to order an air strike in more than six months, Gates said.
Al-Qaida in Iraq, author of much of the worst violence, has been marginalized, the secretary added.
President Barack Obama will talk to the nation later Tuesday to mark the formal end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq, a transition set out in an agreement with Iraq's elected government two years ago.
Fewer than 50,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq, down from more than 165,000 at the height of the fighting. The remaining forces are not out of harm's way, but their primary role is supposed to be to help train and equip Iraqi forces over the next year. The shift is largely symbolic, since U.S. forces have done little front-line fighting in Iraq for months and spend large amounts of time on their bases.
All U.S. forces are supposed to be out of the country by 2012.
Turning to Afghanistan, Gates compared rising U.S. casualties and intensified fighting there with Iraq during the early days of the rapid expansion of U.S. forces three years ago.
Gates acknowledged frustration at the lack of clear progress since Obama announced an expansion of the Afghan war last year. That expansion was smaller than the one former President George W. Bush had ordered for Iraq, but the goal is the same: to swamp enemy fighters in a few key places and hold them off in others, giving Afghan forces time to step up.
Gates and other U.S. officials have complained that evaluations of the war's progress this year did not account for the gradual pace of the troop additions, and that the full effect of the president's revamped strategy cannot be measured until all forces and resources were in place.
Gates said that doubters pooh-poohed the chances for success from the Iraq surge, just as skeptics now doubt the Afghan expansion. He said dividends from 30,000 additional forces in Afghanistan are only beginning to come in.
"Success there is not inevitable," Gates said. "But with the right strategy and the willingness to see it through, it is possible, and it is certainly worth the fight."
44 colonels nominated for stars
Forty-four colonels of the Army’s basic branches have been nominated for active-duty promotion to brigadier general by President Obama.
Obama visits injured troops at Walter Reed
Today, August 30, 2010, 27 minutes ago
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama met privately Monday with more than two dozen wounded U.S. soldiers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Today, August 30, 2010, 2 hours ago | The Associated Press
HAGERSTOWN, Md. — An Army private suspected in one of the biggest leaks of classified information in U.S. history has chosen a civilian attorney to lead his defense team, officials said Monday.
Today, August 30, 2010, 3 hours ago | Staff report
Two Germany-based U.S. service members died in separate accidents Saturday.
Today, August 30, 2010, 4 hours ago | The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Andrew White returned from a nine-month tour in Iraq beset with signs of post-traumatic stress disorder: insomnia, nightmares, constant restlessness. Doctors tried to ease his symptoms using three psychiatric drugs, including a potent anti-psychotic called Seroquel.
Today, August 30, 2010, 4 hours ago | The Associated Press
RALEIGH, N.C. — By his own reckoning, a Navy electrician spent just eight hours in Vietnam, during a layover on his flight back to the U.S. in 1966. He bought some cigarettes and snapped a few photos.
Today, August 30, 2010, 5 hours ago | The Associated Press
BAGHDAD — Vice President Joe Biden returned to Iraq Monday to mark the formal end to U.S. combat operations and push the country’s leaders to end a six-month stalemate blocking formation of a new government.
Today, August 30, 2010, 6 hours ago | The Associated Press
KABUL, Afghanistan — Seven American service members were killed Monday in two separate roadside bomb attacks in southern Afghanistan, NATO said.
Today, August 30, 2010, 7 hours ago | Staff writer
Forty-four colonels of the Army’s basic branches have been nominated for active-duty promotion to brigadier general by President Obama.
Today, August 30, 2010, 14 hours ago | Staff writer
He is a top trainer for Army cyber warriors, and he went online to break the law, according to investigators.
PROMOTIONS  | You scored as Grenade Launcher. The Beautiful Grenade Launcher. Has Majesty and Grace. From 20mm to 57mm, the grenade has been a favorite for the military because you can blow the shit out of things with it and just see things explode. The Grenade launcher can also be used as a huge shotgun with tones of shit in the shell. The Grenade Luancher Family is hige including the RPG and the Mk-14 full-automatic grenade launcher. Dook....Booooooooooom!
Grenade Launcher | | 75% | M24 Sniper Rifle | | 63% | M4 Assault Rifle | | 53% | Mac 11 Uzi | | 53% | PSG-1 | | 53% | Combat Shotgun | | 50% | M249 SAW | | 47% | Ak-47 | | 44% |
What Gun would you Be?
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Click here for a voice message from this Webmaster. I'm pleased to bring you all the features on these internet pages, but please note that some of the content here (on my collection of webpages) isn't appropriate for all ages. You will have voice messages on these web pages (especially under each musical playlist)... More will be present on in the future. The vocal messages explain several things here and in my life. My "Favorite Exercises", as well as the "Voice Message" on my new Recipes Page, is an audible message. The webpages connected to this one are listed above this paragraph. These webpages were all updated in the evening hours on 30 AUG 2010. All slide shows were updated by 6pm on 26 AUG 2010. Also, the quizzes and scores on these web pages are mine. I took these quizzes. If you would like a character reference, contact me and I will give you the phone number of my best girlfriend and you can call her. Thank you for visiting today. Take Care. You all have special gifts. 
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You Are Not a Snob
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 In general, you're a very open minded and kind person.
There really isn't a snobby bone in your body. You are very accepting.
You're not afraid to be who you are... you're proud of your individuality.
In truth, you think that snobby people aren't good enough for you! |
Are You Snobby?
| You Are Blue |
 You are a philosophical and often inspired person. You are the master of ideas.
You are open to many points of view. You believe that it's important to communicate and not judge.
You have a worldly perspective, and you're always looking to broaden it.
You are a true people person, but you also value your solitude and personal space. |
What Primary Color Are You?
| What Your Taste in Music Says About You |
Your musical tastes are energetic and rhythmic.
You are full of energy and can be quite talkative.
You are forward thinking and open minded.
You are intense, detail oriented, and motivated.
You are an ambitious person, though your ambition is anything but conventional. |
The best ad online that I have seen recently from Quality Pre-Owned Autos in Hinesville, GA, on the sales of Vehicles. It is located at http://admil.yolasite.com. Allan Dykes is salesperson there and this business is the one to watch for great sales! They do good business!
(Click on the underlined words to to go either a website or a picture, in this black square).
| You Are Bill |
You are a complex and often misunderstood person. You have a bit of a tortured soul.
You are extremely old fashioned, well-mannered, and polite. In many ways, you are a fish out of water.
You have many people in your life pulling you in different directions.
You try to do the right thing, no matter what.
You'd like to live a simple, uncomplicated life with the person you love - but that's not going to happen anytime soon. |
Who Are You on True Blood?
Be kinder than necessary,
for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
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