Woman With A Story Waiting To Be Told

Hajiyani Abeda fought against the Soviets in Afghanistan and now the Taliban. She is well past her youth and living and fighting in a place where women are barely allowed to leave the home, let alone command men in battle. One commander said of her, "We don't even think of her as a woman when she comes to these meetings," he said. When the Guardian asked how many fighters she had under her command, she raised a bemused eyebrow.

"These are all my fighters," she said...

You can read the rest here.

This is one biography I would love to read. Tim?

Some questions:
-Why do you think, in an Islamic culture, her gender is overlooked? (Do you think this honors what they believe to be God's word?)
-She has earned respect of men, are other women afforded that same opportunity in Afghanistan today?
-Would you read her story?

Memorial Day Tribute To A Fallen Marine

Billy Spencer was shot and killed while trying to drag his commanding officer, who was shot by a sniper, to safety. A truly heroic act of sacrifice.

May we not forget the sacrifices made by those who have come before us.

I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day. I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did. ~Benjamin Harrison

Veterans Day

The Origins of Veterans Day:

In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, D.C., became the focal point of reverence for America’s veterans.
Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as “Armistice Day.”
Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar Congressional action. If the idealistic hope had been realized that World War I was “the War to end all wars,” November 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in Europe. Sixteen and one-half million Americans took part. Four hundred seven thousand of them died in service, more than 292,000 in battle.

You can finish this here.

You can see the official home page here.

Man Sues Church For Protesting Sons Funeral

A father of a fallen soldier has taken a church to court due to their protest at his sons funeral. Albert Snyder just wanted a quiet funeral for his son Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, attended by friends and family. When members of Westboro Baptist church showed up with signs that depicted sex acts and comments concerning his son’s death being the result of homosexuality in America, it made Albert sick to his stomach; so sick in fact that he took them to court. Here is an excerpt below from the court hearing.

"My God is loving God," Snyder said, adding later "I don't look for hatred in the Bible."

The church's founder and pastor, Fred Phelps, took the stand after Snyder and prompted a strong admonition from Bennett when the pastor said he had not considered whether children would see a sign carried by protesters with the words "Semper Fi Fags" and two stick figures that appear to be engaged in sodomy.

"No, it's an irrelevancy," Phelps said.

Bennett then interjected sharply.

"Just answer the question, sir. Don't determine what's relevant or not relevant. You just answer the question," Bennett said.

Phelps said he chose to use the term "fag" in the group's signs because it comes from scripture but could also have used Sodomite or dog. When asked by Katz why the group made a "Semper Fi Fags" sign, Phelps said it was in response to the need for a warning to the country "that your wicked ways are going to be your doom shortly."

You can read more here.

Some questions:
-How is the gospel displayed through such acts?
-Out of curiosity, I wonder if any of those protests have ever resulted in anyone coming to Christ?
-Do you agree with what Snyder said when he said, “My God is a loving God… I don’t look for hatred in the Bible”?
-Does the term “fag” come from scripture as Phelps stated?
-If you looked at the link to their site, what are your thoughts/concerns?
-If you took your child with you to attend the funeral and there were people protesting with graphic depictions of sex acts and hate speech, how would you respond as a parent?
-If you are a Christian, should you ever sue a church? (Is this even a church?)

The Insurgency Takes Its Cues From Hollywood

The insurgency has taken a cue from past psychological warfare tactics used by the US military. In addition to the beheadings, the torture, the kidnapping of civilians, they have now began to produce Hollywood style posters portraying American's in a not-so-nice light. Not only do they intend for this propaganda to play on the emotions of the soldiers, they also intend for it to show the Iraqi's a "new" face to America (or enforce the image the Iraqi's already had of us).

You can see the posters here.

Some questions:

-Do you see these posters as being an effective psycholigical tool?
-It would appear that whoever made these, they would be familiar with American movies: does this imply a double standard or is it just mere speculation?
-If you are (or hypothetically speaking) a soldier, what would effect would these have on you being plastered around a city you were currently serving in?

Harsh Words From Germany On Scientology

Germany has denied access to military bases for an upcoming movie concerning a plot to kill Adolf Hitler. This is not out of the ordinary, but the reasoning behind the denial is what is causing raised eyebrows. Scientology is not recognized by Germany as an official religion. Tom Cruise, a professed scientologist, is playing the role of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg who led an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler. When an inquiry was sent as to the reason for the denial, this statement was made by Harald Kammerbauer: [The studio] will not be allowed to film at German military sites if Count Stauffenberg is played by Tom Cruise, who has publicly professed to being a member of the Scientology cult.

Along with Germany, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Mexico, do not hold Scientology to be a religion.

You can read more here and you can read on Germany's view of Scientology here.

Some questions:

-Is the reasoning for the denial fair?
-If this was taking place in the U.S. could Tom Cruise sue for descrimination?
-Is Scientology a cult?

Palestinians Poised For Civil War?

The men who were once considered freedom fighters and heros in the eyes of the Palestinian people are now thought of by some as merely thugs and gangsters. A Palestinian housewife by the name of Mai when asked about the Israeli strikes to halt rocket attacks said, "It's very ironic but I'm relieved the Israelis have started a bombing campaign. The gunmen killing each other on the streets were forced to go into hiding."

The fighting is between to Islamic factions in Palestine: the Fatah and Hamas. President Mahmoud Abbas (of Palestine) has declared that the Palestinians are on the brink of a civil war.

You can read more here.

Some questions:

-What are your thoughts on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
-Why do you think that those once for the destruction of Israel are now glad they are bombing? Is it a pull for the lesser of two evils?
-What do you think started the internal strife? Could it stem from the Hamas election?

Flag Desecration = Hate Crime

On the island of Orcas, off mainland Washington State, a hate crime has been performed. Two nights in a row, vandals have snuck into the cemetery and burnt US flags, stole US flags and replaced US flags with home made flags bearing the mark of the swastika. Even under watch, the cemetery was breached and vandalized. These acts were performed on the graves of dead servicemen who fought for their country and for the freedom we enjoy today.

You can read more here.

Some questions:

-What are your thoughts on flag burning?
-Do you think that it is acceptable to protest in such a way as this?
-What are your thoughts about showing dissatisfaction about our current conflict while still honoring those who are fighting in it? Is there a good way to seperate the two?
-What do you think should be the punishment that these vandals should undergo if any?
-If you are a Veteran, what are your thoughts on this? How does this speak to you?

Memorial Day

Here is a tribute video to a fallen soldier.

Here are some audio accounts from our soldiers themselves.

Here are some pictures of Pearl Harbor during and after the suprise Japanese attacks.

Some questions:

-Have we forgotten what Memorial Day is about?
-What did you do to pay homage to those who serve to protect you?
-Do you treat Memorial Day as just another day off or do you utilize it to show a Veteran your appreciation?