Fallin, Inhofe Ask Questions In Behenna Case

Jim Myers of the Tulsa World's Washington Bureau reports today that Senator Jim Inhofe and Congresswoman Mary Fallin have taken an interest in the case of Army Lt. Michael Behenna of Edmond, convicted by a military tribunal of killing a suspected Al Qaida member in Iraq.

Meyers write, "An Oklahoma family that believes their son did not receive a fair trial before being convicted of murdering an Iraqi detainee has turned to the state's congressional delegation for help.

"In a letter to members of the delegation, the mother of 1st Lt. Michael Behenna said the prosecution improperly withheld evidence that might have helped her son.

"'I witnessed at that trial the most egregious Brady and discovery violation I have ever seen,' said Vicki Behenna of Edmond. 'The disclosure violation and prosecutorial misconduct cut to the heart of Michael's trial, his truthfulness, and has undermined our confidence in the integrity of the military justice system.'"

Read the story at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=12&articleid=20090524_16_A15_WASHIN292967.

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Enid Honors Fallen Hometown Hero

The body of Army Staff Sgt. Chris Hake of Enid was transported from Enid Woodring Airport through downtown on Monday and along the way, hundreds of adults and children waved American flags in tribute to Hake, 26, who grew up in Enid. Hake and three others were killed when their vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb March 23rd in Baghdad. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Image courtesy Enid News.

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45th Prepares For Iraq Assignment

About 2,400 members of the Oklahoma National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade will be going to Iraq and a huge send-off ceremony is planned. The soldiers begin leaving October 22nd for Fort Bliss, Texas, and the ceremony is planned for October 18th at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman.

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'Bake Sale For Body Armor' Tuesday, Wednesday

The Oklahoma City Community College Young Democrats are sponsoring the latest in a nationwide series of non-profit fundraisers supporting American troops in Iraq. The fundraiser supporting U.S. troops, “Bake Sale for Body Armor 3” will take place in the College Union at OCCC tomorrow and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

All donations given to buy cookies, pies and cakes will be fully tax-deductible. After the success of the first two Bake Sales For Body Armor at OCCC, Jed Green, President of OCCC Young Democrats, decided it was time to hold another event.

The program was founded by a Helena, Montana resident Tammara Rosenleaf, whose husband now serves in Iraq with the U.S. Army. Rosenleaf started the program with the aid of Iraq War veteran Charlie Anderson of Virginia Beach, Virginia, when she learned that her husband did not have adequate body armor. “When I learned that my husband was over there unprotected,” Rosenleaf said, “I was frantic. I realized that no matter what happened with my husband, we had to continue with this program. Nobody loves their soldier any less than I love mine.”

Both national co-founders said that all the money raised from the “Bake Sale for Body Armor” will be used to purchase and send to Iraq the precise kind of body armor, approved by the U.S. military. “We have verified that we will be buying the correct kind of protection, so that our donations don’t inadvertently lead to anyone losing his or her military death benefits,” she said, alluding to a new government policy that denies benefits to anyone who is killed while wearing self-supplied armor that doesn’t meet government specifications.The organization is currently focusing on leg armor, which helps protect troops from Improvised Explosive Devices, the most common type of attack in Iraq. Bake Sales for Body Armor will also send medical supplies, or equipment such as radios for communication. Items that will promote health and safety, can be purchased, depending on funds and the need for armor.What: Bake Sale For Body Armor 3 - Buy treats to help save soldiers’ lives.

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Noted Quote: Bush On The Oval Office View

“It’s different being a candidate and being the president. No matter who the president is, no matter what party, when they (presidential candidates) sit here in the Oval Office and seriously consider the effect of a vacuum being created in the Middle East, particularly one trying to be created by al Qaeda, they will then begin to understand the need to continue to support the young democracy (in Iraq).”

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Inhofe: Last Thing Needed Is '535 Generals'

Senator Jim Inhofe, second ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee who has visited Iraq 15 times, today made the following statement in response to recent recommendations by Members of Congress for President Bush to prematurely and arbitrarily draw down troop levels in Iraq: “I have said time and again that I have faith in the generals and soldiers on the ground running the war. A majority of the Senate voted to give General Petraeus until mid-September to implement a successful new surge strategy, and any effort to cut short this timeline and set an arbitrary withdrawal deadline is premature and irresponsible. The last thing we need is 535 ‘Generals’ in Congress telling our troops how to win this fight.”

Inhofe's statement followed by hours one from Republican Senator John Warner of Virginia, who said it is time to start bringing U. S. troops home.

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Fallin Sees Progress In Iraq

Congresswoman Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, just back from a whirlwind weekend trip to Iraq, joined six other House Members today in reporting progress made by U.S. troops there. Fallin said that conditions are improving and that politicians should remain committed to fighting the War on Terror.

"I am proud to have spent last weekend with some of our nation's bravest men and women," Fallin said, "What I heard from our troops and from our commanders in Iraq was encouraging.

"The progress that U.S. and Iraqi soldiers have made is remarkable. In the city of Ramadi, for example, U.S. forces have successfully turned a command post for Al Qaeda into one of the most encouraging stories in Iraq. Only months ago, Iraqi and American commanders noted that the city was a "lost cause." Al Qaeda had consumed the community. But with the cooperation of tribal Sheiks, Iraqi armed forces and U.S. troops, Al Qaeda was successfully driven out. Ramadi was once the most dangerous city in Iraq, ravaged by hundreds of IED and suicide bomb attacks as recent as April. Two days ago, however, I was able to walk down the street of a local market safely.

"There is still a lot to be done in Iraq. Success or failure will ultimately rest on the ability of the Iraqi people to defend themselves and end sectarian strife.

"Iraqi politicians and soldiers know that the patience of American families is wearing thin. But while we help Iraqis take responsibility for their own nation, it is important not to overlook the commitment and obvious progress made by American troops in the field."

Image of Fallin in Iraq with U. S. troops courtesy her office

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Oklahoma Poll Measures War Support

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Calvey: U. S. Is Winning War In Iraq

Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives enjoyed a rare opportunity to communicate with a former colleague today, as former state Rep. Kevin Calvey, now serving in Iraq, joined House members via telephone.

"This was an opportunity for House members to express our appreciation to Captain Calvey for his incredible service to our country," said Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah. "Serving in the Legislature may be demanding, but it's obviously nothing compared to service in an actual war zone, and we wanted to say thanks."

Lawmakers spoke to Calvey by phone in the House chamber today. Calvey said his days start early and run long, averaging about 78 hours of work each week, with just a half-day off each week. "Working or sleeping or working out, that's about all we do," Calvey said. He told lawmakers the United States is winning the war in Iraq and an "overwhelming majority of Iraqis, 70 percent or more, don't want us to leave right now" due to the threat of chaos if the United States withdraws immediately. He said other countries, such as Iran and Syria, would likely attack Iraq should American troops withdraw before the nation is fully stabilized.

Graphic courtesy The Oklahoman

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Fallin Supports Bush War Funding Veto

Congresswoman Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, in a floor speech today urged her colleagues to uphold President Bush's veto of the Democrats' war funding bill. The bill contains a mandatory date for troop withdrawal and places conditions on when and where troops can be deployed, which Fallin has criticized as an attempt by Congress to micromanage the war.

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Inhofe: Iraq Withdrawal Date 'Unconscionable'

Senator Jim Inhofe today expressed deep discontent about last night’s Senate vote (48-50) to preserve an arbitrary Iraq withdrawal deadline currently within the Iraq Supplemental Spending Bill (H.R 1591).

“I am deeply concerned about the withdrawal provision in the emergency supplemental funding bill,” Inhofe said. “Furthermore, it is unconscionable to jeopardize our soldiers’ well-being by playing politics with vital military funding, including dollars for implementing BRAC. The Democrat leadership has yet to come up with a plan to win the War on Terror, so they have settled on a plan for surrender – a defeat which will have devastating consequences for our troops and embolden our enemies worldwide.

“As I have stated before, I have faith in the generals and soldiers on the ground that are running this war. We don’t need the 535 ‘Generals’ in Congress telling our troops how to win this fight. By establishing a timeline for withdrawal, like the Democrats have done in this resolution, we are essentially telling the enemy how much longer they must wait before they can take over. Telegraphing our plans to the enemy is no way to win any conflict.”

The supplemental spending bill would impose a timeline for full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by March 2008. By establishing an arbitrary date for withdrawal, Democrats are ignoring the advice of the Iraq Study Group and our commanders on the ground in Iraq, among others.

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Calvey Tries Out Democrat Ammunition

Army Captain Kevin Calvey blogs from Iraq that he's tried out the kind of ammunition Democrats in Congress want to provide the troops. Pretty salty photo. To read Kevin's blog, check on the link at right.

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Inhofe Headed Iraq Debate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At the request of Senate leadership yesterday, Senator Jim Inhofe represented the Republicans during the Senate floor debate over the Democrat resolution on Iraq. Inhofe coordinated what ultimately resulted in a bipartisan rebuke of the Democrat resolution that called for greater Congressional micromanagement of the War in Iraq by setting an arbitrary timeline for withdrawal. Republicans also succeeded in putting the Senate on record affirming funding to support our troops serving in Iraq.

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Henry Makes Surprise Iraq Visit

Governor Brad Henry, his office disclosed today, has just made an unannounced visit to Iraq in the company of several other governors. The announcement said Henry met with military officials in Bahgdad. Sometime today, he will return to Kuwait, staging site for the trip, before departing for the U. S.

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Support Troops, Ponca City Mother Urges

Mary Anne Potter, a Ponca City mother whose daughter now serves in Iraq, offers poignant thoughts on military service in a guest posting on Army Captain Kevin Calvey's Iraq blog today. To read of Mrs. Potter's personal reaction to her daughter's wartime service, click on the link to Captain Calvey's blog on the right side of this page.

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Vets For Victory Capitol Rally Draws Huge Crowd

The Vets for Victory Rally at the State Capitol today drew a huge crowd, with hundreds expressing support for those in uniform. Congresswoman Mary Fallin and numerous state legislators were on hand as retired Army Lt. Colonel Steve Russell and others expressed the need for Americans to support those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and other places. A state proclamation declaring that the State of Oklahoma will not abandon the troops in the field in time of war was read. Speakers included retired Lt. Colonel Scott Ritter, co-founder of Vets For Victory, retired Army ranger and special ops veteran John Reitzell, and decorated veteran Ed Pulido (pictured). The rally was the first in what is planned to be a series of similar events in other states.

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Fallin Opposes Iraq Resolution

WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Mary Fallin (R-OK) spoke today on the floor of the House of Representatives, urging her colleagues to reject a non-binding resolution condemning the President's proposed troop increase in Iraq. The resolution does not hold the force of law and does not propose a plan for victory. Fallin warned that the resolution would send mixed messages to terrorists in Iraq and elsewhere.

"Congress has a vital role to play in helping America win its wars, but it can also play an unintended role in losing them if it says or does the wrong thing at the wrong time." Fallin said. "If this resolution passes, it is sending a clear message of weakness, and our enemies are watching."

Fallin urged her colleagues to place the security of the United States above politics when deciding whether or not to support the President's plan. "This non-binding resolution represents nothing more than a political game, but the war on terror is not a game," Fallin said. "We must take extraordinary precautions to protect our nation from those who would do us harm. Some day our children and grandchildren will look back on our decision this week and reflect on their lives. The question we have to ask today is, 'Will our children live in a safer America?'"

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Gain Iraq Terrorist Control By Shutting Off C-Phone Service, Veteran Steve Russell Says

Retired Army Lt. Colonel Steve Russell of Oklahoma City, one of the leaders of "Vets For Victory," said today the way to gain control in Iraq is to shut off cellular telephone service.

Speaking on KTLR-AM 890's "Tailgate Politics Hour" with co-host Kyle Loveless, Russell said the U. S. can worry about controlling the country after the terrorists are controlled; he said their primary method of communication and coordinating their attacks is via cellular telephones.

Russell, who commanded the unit that captured Saddam Hussein, said the war in Iraq can be won.

Russell and other veterans will hold a rally Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. at the Capitol on the south steps.

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Arizona Councilman Refuses To Stand For Pledge

MESA, AZ ~ One resident suggested that City Councilman Tom Rawles should be buried in the cement his construction company uses. Others have suggested more dramatic retaliation after he started refusing to recite or stand for the Pledge of Allegiance during council meetings to protest the war in Iraq. He has sat out for the pledge twice so far.

His stand has angered fellow council members and constituents alike in this conservative Phoenix suburb of about 400,000, with several people demanding the first-term councilman be thrown out of office. Police briefly provided him with protection before deciding the threats were no reason for alarm.

"You have disrespected our country and the symbol of it and the men and women who fought for it," resident Mike Thelan told Rawles through tears at a council meeting on Monday. "You have acted like a spoiled little child that has not received what he wants from his parents."

Rawles, a 57-year-old lawyer who long ago decided not to run for re-election when his term is up in June 2008, said he will continue his protest "until the troops come home." He said he doesn't mind that his stand is angering some people. "That's what political speech is supposed to do. It's supposed to infuriate and irritate and challenge and make people think," Rawles said. "They apparently would prefer me just to walk lockstep and mouth ritualistic words to a mandatory ceremony, and that's not my idea of freedom."

In similar protests over the years, two black American sprinters at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics bowed their heads and raised their gloved fists in a black-power salute during the national anthem. In 1996, NBA player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf refused to stand for the anthem because of what he said was the United States' history of tyranny.

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What Went Wrong In Iraq?

Thoughts from blogger www.Samizdata.net: "De-Ba'athication removed one possible source of security without an immediate replacement, allowing the militias to rush into the vacuum. Rather than moving whole-heartedly towards liberalisation and free-market reforms on the German model after the Second World War, Iraq has retained a large-scale state structure, a bureaucratic model of planning with some privatised tinkering around the edges and has sucked in a vast amount of aid, recycled through a less than transparent contracting process that favoured dependency and inefficiency. Iraqis voted in the referendum for these expectations, and were sold a cart without a horse."

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