Free Republic

RECRUITING PROBLEMS WORSEN! By Ann Scott Tyson Washington Post WASHINGTON — The active-duty Army is in danger of failing to meet its recruiting goals, and is beginning to suffer from manpower strains like those that have dropped the Guard and Reserve below full strength, according to Army figures and interviews with senior officers. For the first time since 2001, the Army began the fiscal year last October with only 18.4 percent of the year's target of 80,000 active-duty recruits already in the pipeline. That amounts to half of last year's figure and falls well below the Army's goal of 25...

By David Waite Advertiser Staff Writer The first thundering waves of the winter season arrived on O'ahu's North Shore today, but not quite with the vengeance that had been predicted. The waves, estimated by one lifeguard to be in the 20-plus-foot range about 7:30 a.m., shot sand and seawater across Kamehameha Highway at many places between Ka'a'awa and Hale'iwa. Yesterday's National Weather Service forecast called for surf of up to 50 feet. Police closed part of the highway near Jameson's Restaurant in Hale'iwa from 6:45 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. Capt. George Ku of the Sunset Beach fire station said that...

Tired of the hum-drum of the Democrats? Then relax as follows. How to start each day with a positive outlook 1. Open a new file on your computer. 2. Name it "John Kerry" 3. Send it to the trash. 4. Empty the trash. 5. Your computer will ask you, "Do you really want to git rid of John Kerry?" 6. Answer calmly, "yes" and press the mouse button firmly. 7. Feel better.........

MARINE CORPS TRAINING AREA BELLOWS — The 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines hit the beach yesterday with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Big troop-carrying CH-53 Super Stallion helicopters roared overhead, swaying Ironwoods below. Amphibious assault vehicles surged out of the sea with Marines in camouflage face paint, followed by 87-foot fan-driven hovercraft that disgorged Humvee after Humvee. It was part of Rim of the Pacific 2004 war games, but the possibility of going to war in Iraq or Afghanistan for Hawai'i Marines is all too real. "What is the possibility? I think if you're asking me (about 3rd Marines) going to...

South Korea is currently in the news for providing some 3000 troops to the Iraqi "pacification effort." I would invite you that served in Vietnam to comment on how effective you believe ROK forces will be towards this effort, based on your observations of them in action in Vietnam. My own recollections are of a very active Korean established Black Market and some situations where US forces had to protect the locals from ROK retribution. Who knows, maybe that is what the situation calls for?

Posted on: Wednesday, July 18, 2001 Army pursues options for live-fire training By William Cole Advertiser Staff Writer In the wake of a federal judge's decision barring live-fire training at Makua Valley, the Army said it will continue to pursue what training it can — including options outside of Hawai'i. Maj. Allen Patty, a 25th Infantry Division (Light) training officer, said the Army has "many training opportunities scheduled throughout the year, and we base our plans on the availability of resources." The Army said it was working to ensure that troops had the opportunity to do all necessary training. But ...

Posted on: Tuesday, July 17, 2001 Judge bars Makua training By William Cole Advertiser Military Affairs Writer A federal judge yesterday granted a preliminary injunction temporarily barring the Army from resuming live-fire training in Makua Valley, a decision environmentalists heralded as a "huge victory." Although the order is in effect only until an Oct. 29 hearing, U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway picked apart the Army's argument that a more comprehensive environmental impact statement is not needed, bolstering the hopes of community group Malama Makua, which sued the Army in December. In granting the injunction, Mollway's ruling prevents the Army ...

While on the Marine Corps Base in Hawaii this morning, I chanced to drive down a flight line area and was taken by how history has been overtaken by events. While the movie "Pearl Harbor" plays here and around the nation to large crowds, one of the places where it happened is also marking it's history. For there on the Flight Line, wing tip to wing tip, were a number of Naval P - 3 ASW planes. But what was equally interesting was that half of them bore the insignia of the "Rising Sun." Guess we have gone full circle!

I found the following to be most appropriate to this date and the many that have served this Nation in the Armed Services. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The day we honor our veterans: THE THINGS THEY CARRIED They carried P-38 can openers and heat tabs, watches and dog tags, insect repellent, gum, cigarettes, Zippo lighters, salt tablets, compress bandages, ponchos, Kool-Aid, two or three canteens of water, iodine tablets, sterno, LRRP-rations, and C-rations stuffed in socks. They carried standard fatigues, jungle boots, bush hats, flak jackets, and steel pots. They carried the M-16 assault rifle. They carried trip flares and Claymore mines, M-60 ...

Roosters' racket begins early in the morning Your article on residential rooster problems was grossly mistitled "Dawn's foul racket ... " but you did set the record somewhat straight within the piece. Anyone who lives in a neighborhood plagued with these beasts knows that roosters don't go off at the crack of dawn. They start around 2 to 2:30 a.m. In Wahiawa, most of those who own roosters are the same folks who use them for cock-fighting, sell "ice" to those who live in our neighborhood and others who come here to buy it, and don't hold any taxpaying (legal) ...

The following is a suggestion for Mr. Bush concerning the plane incident and his official reply to the Chinese. To: Premier Dung From: President Bush The United States is truly sorry that your nation is not capable of training your pilots to fly without striking other aircraft. We are also sorry that you people lack the honor to respect the international laws governing collision avoidance between aircraft when flying in international airspace. We further regret that you cannot be trusted to respect the integrity of sovereign aircraft forced at gun point to land on your soil after your inept pilot ...

We have just recieved news that two of the Radar Operators aboard the U.S. Sub Greenville have committed suicide. That's all we have of now.

Please take a moment and click on the following URL. Does anyone know this guy, or his authenticity? If you have any retort references, please post. I could find no reference to him in the FR files, yet he is apparently widely quoted now by the liberal Democrooks. http://www.almartinraw.com

I feel like a I'am a teen ager again and a heavy pack has been removed from this nations back. However, I also think the there will be much responsiblity attached to the God's Grace we have just received in Mr. Bush's complete victory. This, however, is a night to "HOWL." Live it up you Freepers, you had a big place in this victory, but beware! After all George Washinton took advantage of a celebration and there is a Bendict Arnold out there bearing the name of "Jefferson Clinton." GOD bless you,each one and onto tomorrow. FIX BAYONETS!!!

I have been in a verbal battle with a dyed in the wool Democrat from Florida for about 8 months now. Actually, a pretty nice person except when it comes to thoughts about George Bush Jr. and family. I recently sent this person a copy of a piece concerning the character differences between George and Gore. In response, I received the following and am "snowed" by the accusations. I am wondering what truth, if any, is contained in each statement and where my friend would have obtained such information. Please provide comment if you have any knowledge of such. Thanks! ...

This is a breaking story, but one which all Americans should attempt to glean the facts on. It has not received any press other than Local TV News, but that should be enough to get things rolling. Apparently at Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii a Korean War Vet patient was forcefully ejected from his sick bed for the reason he was "too hard to care for." He was escorted by MP's to a local bus stop in his PJ's and bare feet, wheel chair, and "dumped." Later, he was taken by Tripler paid Taxi to a low cost housing ...

Last night, I did something I have never done before,nor will do again. I turned on and watched Howard Sterns. Amongst the mental elite that frequents the Free Republic, can I request your thoughts on just what Howard Sterns adds to our troubled society? Where, in this world, are the redeeming features of his program? What lessons does he transmit, other than crudeness and filth? Maybe, while replying you can also enlighten me on why he has gathered such a large sized watching and listening audience. Somewhere, my values have apparently left the common track, if this is where a ...

I have recently written the AF concerning their efforts in abetting the kidnapping of Elian. Their current confinement custody of the child is an affront to decency and highly questionable in legality. Like everone Clinton and Reno touch, they reek for their actions. If you would like to send your protests to this supposedly Military Defense Force, then you can start with the below address. If you can come up with better, please let us know. http://www.af.mil/news/news_comment.html I tried to EMail Senator Smith to thank him, but it was returned.

It was back in 1945 and 1946 when Harry Truman agreed to allow the forced return of hundreds of thousands of Russian refugees to the merciful Stalin. They were packed on cattle cars and sent back to Russia and certain forced labor and death. After awhile some US Military units, sickened at the sight, rebelled and Harry was forced to change his policy. While we are now dealing with one small boy, that will face a very uncertain future, another Democrook President is displaying his real character to the world. He is also standing as the criminal leader of the ...

Will someone please give me the authority that allows a military base to deny entrance to a US Senator. That is unless it is the Excutive Branch, (C&C) acting on some type of Presidential decree! Then again the Executive Branch can apparently tell the Legislative Branch to "drop dead" whenever it is required to supply info. Is something really wrong with this picture, or are things out of whack?