Uncommon Valor

Paul Rieckhoff of IAVA has posted a story on the latest, tragically posthumous, awarding of the Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti, 10th Mountain Division. Please take a few moments to view the video and acknowledge the more than sixty other male members of the 10th, the two women soldiers and the US Air Force airman who died in Afghanistan in 2006. I knew a woman Army doctor from the 10th who died in 2007. Hell of an outfit the 10th.

From Paul's write-up:

Courage, sacrifice, hero—three words thrown around carelessly these days. Politicians that cross party lines to force compromise on the divisive issues of our day are labeled “courageous.” A professional athlete that makes a bold play, leading his team to victory is deemed “heroic.” An actor who forgoes a big paycheck for the summer blockbuster to work on a small budget documentary is seen as making a “sacrifice.” Don’t get me wrong, these acts are worthy of admiration. But for a nation at war, using these terms irresponsibly does a big disservice to those that serve. [read the rest...]

A little more on Fallon

CENTCOM commander William Fallon spoke in front of the Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco this week upon his return from Iraq. His talk is full of what we've already heard from much of the administration, but it contains a few surprises as well. Give it a listen.

"Sen. Warner: Protect America, Not George Bush"

So says General Wes Clark. Watch his latest from Vote Vets:

Watching Afghanistan and Walter Reed

Salon.com is burning up the wire with spot-on analysis and reports on the fall of Afghanistan and the continuing cover story the military spins about Walter Reed and the abusive treatment our servicepersons are receiving in the military hospitals and VAs paid for by our tax dollars. Talk about yer troop support...read all about it. also read the series done in 2005 by Salon trying to shed light on the situation at Walter Reed. Anyone wonder where the MSM was on this story before last week? H/T to Lotus for the link. Photo:Sergio Caro

Taliban Targets Cheney

Reuters reports the blast in Bagram, Afghanistan that killed 20 was targeted at Darth Cheney by the Taliban. Darth lives. Read it here.