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Obama/Biden(?) 08

CNN is reporting that Joe Biden will be announced tomorrow as Barack Obama's running mate. As a former Biden supporter and current Obama supporter, I suppose I'm pleased. It does feel terribly anti-climactic, however. After all this build-up, I was really beginning to hope Obama would pick Clinton. Well, if he was going for experience, Biden's one of the best. That man's been in the senate my entire life. No, really.

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All this talk about Tropical Storm Fay got me thinking about another Fay. You know the one. She's referenced in Rocky Horror. The original Scream Queen died in 2004. It's almost too bad there was never a Hurricane Fay screaming through town. I'm fine with a non-event this week, though. Too much to do to be derailed by weather.

Georgians KIA in Iraq Part Eleven: Pvt. Benjamin Freeman

Washington Post obit:

Pvt. Benjamin L. Freeman
Age: 19
Hometown: Valdosta, GA
Date of Death: 10/13/2003
Incident Location: Near Asad, Iraq

Branch of Military: Army
Rank: Pvt.
Unit: K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
Unit's Base: Fort Carson, Colo.

Three days before he left for Iraq, Pvt. Benjamin L. Freeman was married in Colorado. "He looked forward to being a wonderful husband to his wife, April, and having children of his own," said his mother, Vicki Freeman. Freeman, 19, of Valdosta, Ga., drowned on Oct. 13 in the Euphrates River northwest of Baghdad. He had joined the Army earlier this year and was based at Fort Carson. "He was only 19, but he was no longer just a teenager. He had become a determined young man, clear thinking and motivated," said his uncle, Lee Freeman. "He knew that we all recognized this, and he knew how proud we all were of him." Freeman was an accomplished guitarist who wrote his own music. A recording of one of his songs was played at the funeral.

I realize most would not consider Pvt. Freeman to have been killed in action, but he might very well still be alive if he hadn't been sent to fight an unjustified war. He was inspired to join the military because of the attacks on September 11, but he wasn't sent to bring those responsible to justice. He was sent . . . for what, again? Oil? Family Grudge match? WMDs? Well, the Iraqis have a huge surplus of cash from their oil profits, while we're facing an historically high deficit and spending billions to rebuild their country. There were no WMDs, and I just can't stand that Valdosta lost one of their bright hopes for the future because of the ridiculous excuse for foreign policy practiced by the Bush Administration. The occupation of Iraq must end. We must bring them home.
Related: Inspiration, Part One, Parts Two and Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten

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Contrary to the lyrics, I might wanna be a Canadian Idiot. I love my country, and I'm doing all I can to make sure Barack Obama is the next POTUS. Nevertheless, if McSame manages to worm his way into the White House, I'll be lookin' to hook a Canuck!

Georgians KIA in Iraq Part Ten: Staff Sgt. Bobby C. Franklin

Washington Post:

Staff Sgt. Bobby C. Franklin

Age: 38
Hometown: Mineral Bluff, GA
Date of Death: 8/20/2003
Incident Location: Baghdad

Branch of Military: Army
Rank: Staff Sgt.
Unit: 210th Military Police Company
Unit's Base: Murphy, N.C.

After Bobby Franklin was called up by the North Carolina National Guard, his colleagues at the Carlton Colwell Probation and Detention Center made sure he periodically received care packages filled with comforts from home. Franklin supervised inmates working on construction projects in the community. The 38-year-old Franklin of Murphy, N.C., was killed Aug. 20 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Iraq. Family members had tried to talk the longtime reservist into calling it quits last year. "He was within a year of retirement," said Tim Nicholson, his brother-in-law. "That's why he went back this time." Franklin is survived by his wife, Brenda, and two children.
Source: Associated Press

We need to end this back-door draft NOW, before we lose any more like Staff Sgt. Franklin. Bring them home.
Related: Inspiration, Part One, Parts Two and Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine

Beijing 2008: Please Ignore the Communism

I'm feeling a little bitter, as I have so far been unable to watch the opening ceremony. No cable, and stupid NBC site doesn't want to work for me.

Classic Movies are a Girl's Best Friend!

Tonight at the Ritz. Only $5! Doors open at 6. Short Subjects begin at 6:30. Feature at 7. Door Prizes! Bring your own Popcorn!
crossposted at BlogBrunswick

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"La guerre est absurde," indeed!

Georgians KIA in Iraq Part Nine: Sgt. Nathaniel Hart

Washington Post:

Age: 29
Hometown: Valdosta, GA
Date of Death: 7/28/2003
Incident Location: Tallil, Iraq

Branch of Military: Army
Rank: Sgt.
Unit: 416th Transportation Company, 260th Quartermaster Battalion
Unit's Base: Hunter Army Air Field, Ga.

The Army was a family tradition for Sgt. Nathaniel Hart Jr., whose father and grandfather both served, but his loved ones remember him as much more than a soldier. To them, Hart was a family man who loved to take his two sons fishing and camping. He was a devout Christian who served as a youth pastor, sang in the choir and played drums in the church band. "I believe he was as big a hero in life as he is in death," said Hart's sister, Valarie Lowry. "He was a good example for everybody. His love and kindness were what he was known for. He was sweet in spirit." Hart, 29, died July 28 in a vehicle accident in Iraq. He was from Valdosta, Ga., and stationed at Hunter Army Airfield. Lowry said her brother's wife, Erica, was in shock over his death and the realization that she would be raising their sons, 7-year-old Nathaniel III and 5-year-old Gabriel, without him. "He had a big role in his family's life and his sons' lives," Lowry said.

And now his sons are 12 and 10. How much of their father do they remember? Will we send them off to die in an unjustified war, too?
Related: Inspiration, Part One, Parts Two and Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight