Obama discusses Iraq, 'sacred trust'

Posted: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 4:16 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Democrats, Security

From NBC's Lauren Appelbaum
In his address to the VFW today, Obama spoke on the theme of "sacred trust," using the phrase seven times in his 26-minute speech. He defined "sacred trust" simply: "America will be there for you just as you have been there for America" -- "from the moment you put on that uniform." Obama recognized he is running to become commander-in-chief "to safeguard this nation's security and to keep that sacred trust."

Obama brought up the Iraq War in the beginning of the speech, and then spoke about veterans' issues -- the opposite order of Hillary Clinton's own speech yesterday to the organization. He also criticized the Iraq war much more bluntly than Clinton did. After praising the troops' performance, he very clearly stated, "all of our top military commanders recognize that there is no military solution to the problems in Iraq."

"No matter how brilliantly and bravely our troops and their commanders perform -- and they have performed brilliantly and bravely -- they cannot and should not bear the responsibility of resolving grievances at the heart of Iraq's civil war," he said. "No military surge no matter how brilliantly performed can succeed without political reconciliation and a surge of diplomacy in Iraq and the region. Iraq's leaders are not reconciling. They are not achieving political benchmarks. The only thing that they seem to have agreed on is to take a vacation."

Like Clinton did, Obama called for a GI Bill for the 21st Century that expands educational opportunities and benefits. Yet he did not go into much detail on what that would entail. He did promise veterans affairs would be a top priority in an Obama Administration.

"My Secretary of Veterans Affairs will be just as important as my Secretary of Defense," he said to growing applause. "No more shortfalls; it's time to fully fund the VA medical center. No more delays; it's time to pass on-time VA budgets each and every year. No more means testing; it's time to allow all veterans back into the VA."

As Obama has called for in the past, he said America should "bolster our mission in Afghanistan," and ensure America has enough armed forces by adding 65,000 soldiers and 27,000 marines. He also promised he would listen to the leaders on the ground. "And I will always respect -- and not ignore -- the advice of military commanders," he said. "But I will also make clear that when I am President, the buck will stop in the Oval Office."

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Comments

He will be a terrific Commander in Chief. The vets are gonna appreciate what an Obama Administration will do for them as well as all active duty personnel.

RAH (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 4:31 PM)

Um... how was he recieved by the crowd? Odd you'd not mention?

Come on, don't be the stenographers Bush wants you to be! we can all read transcripts.

Report! Report! :)

Gary, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 4:32 PM)

Strong speech. Met Iraq head on before delivering the goodies. Emphasized the legitimate mission in Afghanistan that Bush deserted. I'm guessing it was well received.

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 4:34 PM)

How did this article get linked to the headline "Clinton Says Troop Surge is Working"??

John Doe, Seattle Wash. (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 4:43 PM)

I wonder why Jerry in CC never posts any negative comments about Senator Obama?

Steve, San Diego (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 4:57 PM)

In addition according Reuters Carey Gillam writes:

One reason to stop fighting the wrong war is so that we can fight the right war against terrorism and extremism," focusing instead on fighting terrorist roots in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Obama told the group.
Clinton, the Democrats' front-runner in national opinion polls, spoke to the same veterans' group on Monday, but played down any discussion of troop redeployment, mentioning only in closing remarks her anti-war stance while focusing on her ideas for improving benefits and services for veterans.
A USA Today/Gallup poll two weeks ago found Clinton leading Obama 48 percent to 26 percent in the race for the nomination. While the former first lady, 59, aspires to be the country's first woman president, Obama aims to be the country's first black president.
Obama also laid out plans to ramp up funding and services for veterans, but in comparing the two, some veterans gave Obama higher marks for tackling the divisive issue head on.
"He knew it was going to be unpopular but he said it anyway. That takes guts," said Larry LeFebvre of Kansas City, who was among a group of veterans jockeying for pictures and handshakes with Obama following his speech. "We need somebody who is going to be commander in chief who has guts."

He says the truth, even if you don't want to hear it !! No pandering

Lyn, MD (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 4:57 PM)

Can You Get The Print Right? Clinton Says Troop Surge Working But article is on Obama not Clinton!

John (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 5:03 PM)

Obama, Clinton Both Cite Iraq Progress, Say It's Not Enough

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/08/21/obama_clinton_both_cite_iraq_p.html

"In the last two days, Democratic front-runners Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have both laid out a surprising position for a pair of Senators who vocally opposed a troop surge in Iraq earlier this year: they've said that, at least in some ways, it's working.

Clinton, in a speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention in Kansas City yesterday, said "we've begun to change tactics in Iraq, and in some areas, particularly in Al Anbar province, it's working."

Asked about his rival's comments, Obama, in a conference call with reporters today said "I didn't see the actual transcript of Senator Clinton's speech, but my assessment is that if we put an additional 30,000 of our troops into Baghdad, that's going to quell some of the violence in the short term. I don't think there's any doubt that as long as U.S. troops are present that they are going to be doing outstanding work."

At the same time -- and ahead of the much-anticipated September report of General David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq on progress there -- both candidates signaled that no matter what Petraeus says, they are not going to support allowing additional time for the surge to work. Clinton said "we're just years too late changing out tactics," while Obama argued "it doesn't change the underlying assessment that there's not a military solution to the situation in Iraq. The underlying political dynamic has not changed."

In his VFW speech today, Obama called for "zero tolerance" for veterans from becoming homeless, but he, like Clinton the day before, shaped his comments carefully in front of an audience that has more nuanced views on the war than the Democratic activists the candidates are often addressing.

"I know all of us don't agree on everything," Obama said. "I have heard those of you who disagree with me. I want you to know that I respect the views of all who come to this hall today. I will listen to them as a candidate, and I will listen to them as President."

Depends on how you want your news slanted.

Van

vanreuter, NY NY (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 5:07 PM)

Bland stuff that doesn't help or hurt Obama. He'd do better to note the differences between his positions and Hillary's more consistently.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

paul (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 5:10 PM)

From the very angry and vitriolic LynMD, from another thread that is just so funny/sad/scary, that it really bears re-posting;

"Barack Obama is a fine man, and you won't find a single thing I have ever posted here that says otherwise. He would be embarrassed to have someone like you, saying the things you say, representing him here or anywhere else. He would find your attitude, your rantings and your hysterical bias....WORTHLESS.

Van"

I love the way you continue to tell people what Senator Obama, thinks and would say. Do you know him? Have you met, spoke? If not, you don't KNOW anything. Like everything else you try to pass off as fact it is your opinion.

So, I for one would appreciate it if you stop trying to bolster YOUR own arguements by putting words in his mouth. If he said these comments to you put them in quotes or shut the h*** up. You don't see anyone hear putting words in the ( oops almost made me say something ugly) hillary's mouth.
Lyn, MD (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 4:19 PM)

Isn't she great?

Van

vanreuter, NY NY (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 5:10 PM)

More from our funnyGirl;

"BTW..this is America and people can dislike and HATE her if they like. On top of that they have the right to speak out about it TRUE OR NOT."

LynMD"

God bless America where Lyn is free to HATE and LIE to her heart's content...

Isn't she great?

Van

vanreuter, NY NY (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 5:13 PM)

In today's America - the Clintons are rightists.

http://www.workingassetsblog.com/2007/05/ap_clinton_aides_being_paid_by.html

Perhaps Hillary can get some Repubs to vote for her.
Hillary/Murdoch08

annefrank (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 5:33 PM)

Obama shows that he is learning and he will make a good presidential candidate in the future. For 2008, we need someone who can lead from day one and Obama lack the required experience. I like Obama, but he will be crushed by the Republican attack dogs.

John Henry, Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 5:52 PM)

I'm guessing that Jerry might like Obama, thus the lack of negative posts, I like him too. Jerry may live near me, I think I remember him living in my neck of the woods, Texas gulf coast. I know alot of Obama supporters down here.

F Lorrain (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 6:03 PM)

Yawn.

Somebody pass the kool-aid. I apparently haven't drunk enough of it yet to see Clinton or Obama in the White House. Seems some pipe dreamers aren't being honest with themselves about their candidates. The election is in November of 2008 and 51% of the nation is just waiting to knock you back on the seats of your pants......

M. Dellinger (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 6:06 PM)

It seems to me that it is the same song and dance as always. How About a new government. One that uses a little common sense instead of what they think will get them into office.

RJ, Georgia (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 6:08 PM)

Bravo! Damn impressive Barack. Everything was right on, truthful and honest without any fudging, slanting, pandering or talking down to the audience.

Sacred Trust is THE number one issue that reaches the hearts of the military. That trust was grieviously betrayed and is still being betrayed by the Bush White House and the Republican enablers.

You can be sure that if there were boos Chuck and Mark would have reported it. Those VETS are lot more intelligent and savvy than they were given credit for by the media. They aren't all Rush Limbaugh dittoheads as some would think.

nuanced (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 6:15 PM)

Which 51% Dellinger? The voting majority that thinks the Repubs have been doing a fine job? Those that are sexist, bigots, or fans of perpetual war? It doesn't take kool-aid, it takes faith in the American people to make sound decisions at the polls this time around, but first to get up off their butts and go vote. Call me a kool-aid addled dreamer, but my vote will go to the candidate that can best move us forward, and so far it's looking like Obama, he appears to approach things with reason, which has been sorely lacking of late. You actually think that Rudy or Thompson will stray from the sellout that's been going on? More merchants of fear? Where do you find these folks?

F Lorrain (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 6:27 PM)

vanreuter, NY NY--Let me say, Van, that the quality and the depth of your posts are very impressive and humbling. Most of us, myself and LynMD included are not even a pimple on your ass as far as clearly expressing ourselves. But we try in our own sad and pathetic way to express our opinions. Thank you, by the way for your wonderful "ammunition pack" posted in another thread. You should really be charging.
I do wish you wouldn't expend that ammunition so easily in the direction of fellow members of the loyal opposition. It's almost as if you are making sure everyone knows that there is a mighty train moving down the track and its name is Hillary. And that we had better jump on board or get out of the way. The danger that you and other "train enthusiasts" run is that a lot of people won't jump on board but will just get out of the way. The other danger is that our opposition, which according to many polls has a great deal on animosity for your "Train", will rise up in great numbers on election day and pull the switch that derails her and a bunch of congress folk that chose to ride...in the club car of course. And there we will be.
You should be working in Hillary's war room...maybe you are. If so, roll hard over the opposition but keep an eye out for those of us with the same color jersey that are just trying to figure this out. You will need us in the General election. Your Train has high negative numbers.

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 6:31 PM)

Obama- media creation. No wonder he plans to limit debates. How many different ways can he continue to spout the same old "change" rhetoric without saying anything of substance?

Mike (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 6:33 PM)

I agree we need a new government, but if we have to stick with the same-old-same-old, I think Obama is more thoughtful and a hell of a lot more electable than Woman-With-A-Past Clinton.

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 6:39 PM)

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana - Strong speech.

Obama reads what others write for him real good. Too bad he doesn't understand a word of it.

Tex Mex, Plano Texas (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 6:54 PM)

Obama! we can have another 4 years of a climber with no experience! Yeepee!

If not for his mob ties, his constantly changing jobs, his lack of doing anythiing worth mentioning in the Illini State govt, his membership in an anti-white church, he'd make a good VP.

Tuck (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 7:22 PM)

Obama is not trying to become the first black president, he is trying to become president. he happens to be black. Don't people understnd you have to let this crap go, if there is going to be any end to racism? it was a good speech, and Tex Mex the man is likely the most intelligent and well spoken of the entire Presidential field.

Louis, Phoenix, Az. (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 7:28 PM)

Wonder if Barack had a Sacred Trust vision while he was pulling in a line of snow.

Miles Turnbuck, Springfield IL (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 7:37 PM)

"...But we try in our own sad and pathetic way to express our opinions."
Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 6:31 PM)

Your eloquence and apparent sarcasm belie your deference and humility, sir. Why on earth would you include yourself with someone who writes;

"BTW..this is America and people can dislike and HATE her if they like. On top of that they have the right to speak out about it true or not."?

I would suggest that you try reading my stuff again, as my, "ammunition", is reserved, as it should be, for defensive and retaliatory purposes, not to, as you say, "...making sure everyone knows that there is a mighty train moving down the track and its name is Hillary. And that we had better jump on board or get out of the way."

Where do you get that from, the FEC website? The comparison of the candidates finances?
Responding to attacks on Senator Clinton (and sometimes myself) from those, prominently represented by LynMD, who espouse hatred and enmity that seems far beyond the pale of simple politicking or promoting the views of their candidate?

I'm not out here slamming anyone's choice. I am promoting mine. If, in doing that you feel that I have somehow offended you, I would appreciate your guidance as to where and how, so that I may be a better advocate and better reach, "those of us with the same color jersey that are just trying to figure this out." as I wholeheartedly agree that, "You will need us in the General election."

As to my status; I am a private citizen with no ties to any campaign, but I am flattered at the number of (mostly critical) readers who have mistaken my work here for that of a political professional.
Whoever you support in the primaries, it is obvious that it will be a well-considered decision, based on the above. I hope that we can all get aboard whichever train wins the current race, and that we can ride that train to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in 2008.

Van

vanreuter, NY NY (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 7:54 PM)

Tex Mex, Plano Texas--What makes you think I've decided on Obama? The only thing I am for this early in the cycle is the banishment of the Republican party to the Political wilderness. For that we need a landslide. For that we need a candidate with coat tails that Democratic congressional candidates can ride on not trip over.

Gary Schear, bozeman Montana (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 8:13 PM)

Obama has always fought for the vets. Even in the state senate.
Clinton is a republican and loves bombs and wars but, aside from that she cares nothing for the vets or the people.

diane (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 8:48 PM)

Mike is an idiot. No substance?! This article is about the latest in a series of policies he's layed out for the American public. He's been hammered by his rivals as inexperienced precisely because they have his policies proposals to distort and attack. Obama is a leader of great substance and character. Great speech Obama!

Mark Morris, Cupertino CA (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:29 PM)

Tex Mex probably doesn't realize that Obama is an accomplished author as well as the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review, but then again I doubt Tex Mex understands what the Harvard Law Review is.

Mark Morris (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:33 PM)

vanreuter, NY NY / van baby you seem to have run out of your alleged facts and are know just blathering mindless personal attacks on posters, guess maybe you’re not the clinton messiah you had hoped to be, fact is clinton is part of the problem in washington, not the answer, hopefully the people that have been paying you to post your cannon fodder won't want their money back, if they do I am sure we can pass the hat and send you a few bucks to make ends meet, or maybe your buddy rudy will loan you a few bucks, people ain't as easy as they used to be are they van, edwards is and allways has been the candidate to defeat the repubs, you and your clinton followers don't care about that, but me and a whole lot of other people do, the dems have to win this election, hillary can't do it, end of story

MK,MO (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 11:39 PM)

Those who would ride the Hillary train had better understand that when things get in the way of trains, they tend to derail.

To those who would say that Obama has no understanding of what he is talking about, watch a Q & A of him interacting with a crowd in Iowa or NH. These are folks who take their position of early primary states seriously. You simply cannot interact with them and their honest, tough questions and expect to get away with not knowing the information. So it is not he who does not know what he is talking about, it is you.

Rick Beaule (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 12:27 AM)

Gary I couldn't have said it better myself. Somehow I don't think that I take kindly to the notion that the polls, to which the loyal Clintonista so laboriously refers, should tell me how to vote or even better yet, guide me as to where I shall place my campaign efforts. They just make me realize how hard I will have to work, during the primary season, in order achieve a real change for this country, which I love so dearly.
Obama '08

Mitchell Feldman, Vestal, NY (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 12:38 AM)

As the daughter of an Army Officer, I appreciate that Barack Obama sees that changes are needed for our military, our veterans and their families. I grew up an Army Brat, experienced the dedication and sacrifice of my whole family as my Dad served our country for 16 years.

Barack's speech today to the VFW reminds me that "supporting our military" has lots of layers. Words are not enough, as he said. He will take positive actions.

With Barack as President, we can start to see the neglect for veterans change. We can start to repair the "Ugly American" image that now is shown to the world by the misguided actions of a President who demonstrates his lack of service and lack of moral judgement, as well as his commanding this mis-guided war.

It is time to be honest and to turn the page, to really support the troops by honoring their service with keeping our nation's part of the contract. If you did not see or read the whole speech, you might want to do that. He knows of which he speaks, from his community work in Chicago. He has worked for several years to improve the medical treatment for veterans with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury. His ideas are right on for 21st century veterans!

Go Barack!

Shirley Fleischman, Boulder Creek, CA (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 1:45 AM)

Oh, Obama writes a book (ghost authored) and did some things at Harvard. Well, please excuse me for treading on a man that has obvioulsy turned into a god for some.

Adore your new found hero today. He'll be yesterdays news soon enough.

Tex Mex, Plano Texas (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 8:51 AM)

great speach by obamas , for those people defending clinton on the "is working " she knows words and picks them very carfully. Notice obama did not use those words . Clinton knows that those are code words for the other side of the debate on the war. Yes pandering ,or at least i hope . so to say clinton and obama are saying the same thing is just wrong, not even close.

ki houston (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 10:14 AM)

Wonderful post, Shirley. It's nice to hear from the daughter of an Army Officer. People are tired of hearing from this mom of a National Guard Sergeant.

Mel, Illinois (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 10:46 AM)

Obama is not a media creation, he is my Senator and before that was a State Senator in my home state. I voted for him and I like to know the people I am voting for and never, ever rely solely on the media to find my information. I find the comments from those who say he is nothing or inexperienced insulting because he has been working as a representative of ME and my fellow Illinoisans for quite some time. I also want to make people aware on these boards that when someone mentions that they are from Illinois and dislike him and they are from some rural town you have never heard OR from a wealthy town like Elgin, well....those are also the people who supported Govenor George Ryan. A Govenor who let people off of death row who ended up being arrested again, and also was indirectly responsible for the death of a whole family because he allowed driver's licenses to be handed out to truckers who paid for them and didn't have to pass a test. Do you think they have good judgement?

Colleen, Chicago IL (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 12:29 PM)

Honestly, I think more people will vote for Barack during the election. More people have independently donated to his campaign, and people who will give money out of their own pocket will show up to vote. Also, everyone I talk to is voting for Barack, except older ladies who like Hillary because she is a woman. I don't think Hillary's gender affects younger women as much as it does the babyboomers. I do think Barack Obama inspires the younger people to a greater extent than Hillary.

Colleen, Chicago IL (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 12:32 PM)

Obama is not a media creation,

He very much is a creation of the media. Colleen, if you do know Senator Obama, you also know he is from the far-left liberal wing of the Democratic party. Now, that may be the type of candidate you wish to have in office, which is your right. But the county has yet be told the story of Senator Obama's liberalism. He gets under the radar screen with his position because of two reasons 1) the other very liberal candidates he is running against, 2) Obama is the new guy to the scene - the so called "rock-star".

The man has done virtually nothing as a politician. He has next to zero credentials to run on. He won his seat in the Senate on a virtually uncontested race in Illinois. As an Illinois State Senator, he represented the very liberal Hyde Park area of Chicago.

Currently, if the main stream media didn't cover for all the gaffes he's made so far, he would have been long gone in the race. The amount of money he has collected for his campaign is more an act of desperation by the left in this country then it is on any qualifications Senator Obama brings to the table.
Additionally, any one that knows Illinois government knows it to be as corrput as any state government in the country.

Senator Obama is as far out of the main stream in this country as many of the other leaders in the Democratic party. No one that far to the left can ever come close to winning the Presidency in a nation so centrist as ours.

Jason Williams, Chicago IL (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 2:36 PM)

Colleen, as a baby boomer I can say that Barack is as inspirational to me as was JFK and he probably is more genuine.
Obama '08

Mitchell Feldman, Vestal, NY (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 3:01 PM)

Obama and his wife are both very self rightous. She gets on my nerves. The media gives him way to much coverage. He acts like he is entitled to be President because he says so. Not getting my vote

cheryl, arizona (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 3:42 PM)

Colleen - You must live in a very homogenous community if everyone you know if voting for Obama. I know a few people who will likely caucus/vote for him, but I know far more who are plannig to caucus/vote for Hillary, Edwards or even Biden or Richardson.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 5:21 PM)

He is not from the very far left of the party. In the Illinois state senate he reached across the aisle all the time, and has the support of an Ililnois REPUBLICAN state senator. Maybe if you knew Obama, you would know this. How you missed it but live in Chicago is beyond me...

Colleen, Chicago IL (Sent Thursday, August 23, 2007 2:32 PM)

As a disabled vietnam era veteran who knows just how lousy the VA service can be (medical, benefits, VA disability rating system), it is refreshing to find that Obama is on exactly the right track. It is pretty much too late for my generation but new and future veterans should not be treated like we are worthless and have to wait months (or years) for substandard service (if you get it at all). If Obama gets elected and gets even half of what he wants done, the world for those who serve will be a remakably better place.

Curtis Walker, Grass Valley, CA (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 1:13 AM)

Some of us working for Barack have been around a while, and worked for RFK in '68 here in California. Many criticized then too, told us it would not make a difference. . .said the problems were too big to overcome in that campaign. . .said that "no one" could overcome the lead that McCarthy had in the race. . .said that our candidate was "rash" when he clearly identified with the Farm Workers, the disenfranchised, those who asked for their rights and told the truth, un-sugarcoated. . .

and when RFK called for an end of that very divisive war, and pointed our the disparity in who served and died in that war. . .many condemed the candidate and the movements aligned with him. . .

And, now as I hear Barack echo the sense and sensibility of another Presidential race, I hope that we will not be even phased by the nay-sayers, the negabobs and those who profit from the warmachines and the military mismanagement of our nation's resources.

My father, an Army officer, served proudly and well in times when our entire nation sacrificed. Today, those who sacrafice are some of my former high school students, who in all their 17 year confusion and innocense, gave into the military recruiters who haunted our students to get them to sign. My students became the bounty for some sales goal based on Bush's stupidity and flawed Presidency.

If you never have experienced it, check out the tactics used in urban schools. As a staff we, often questioned the agressive behavior of the recruiters toward our young men and women. They seemed to target those whose family life was tough, and those who would buy the line about "paying for college." When my son was that age, he too was targeted for recruitment, and at one point tried to sign up, on a buddy system. He tested well in all areas, passed the physical, and, I thought he would be off to serve. I felt like they had misled him, but I could not that my son wanted to serve.
Because he had been honest about a health issue that happened when he was a child, and still has a huge scar,even though he passed the medical exam with flying colors, they would not take him. And, while I sighed a mother's "Thank You" prayer of relief, he felt angry that they had pursued,pursued and pursued, and pomised, and pumped him up so high. . .only to reject him.

Now I feel it was a gift. . .Misusing the Military needs to stop. . .and we need to get honest about how we recruit, and stop targeting those who have fewer choices. . .and can't afford the college education they desperately want and need.

Shirley Fleischman (Sent Saturday, September 01, 2007 1:01 AM)

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