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CONTACT: Military Families Speak Out (MFSO) Sean Donahue, Communications Director -- 617-983-0710 (w), 978-809-8054 (c), press@mfso.org |
MFSO Concerned About Gates' Continued Tenure at Pentagon
Nationwide - December 1 - Members of Military Families Speak Out greeted the announcement of the composition of President-Elect Barack Obama's national security team with concern, and reiterated their call for the Obama administration to bring an immediate end to the war in . The announcement that Robert Gates will continue to serve as Secretary of Defense raised particular concern among members of the organization.
Keri Wheelwright, a member of Military Families Speak Out from Fountain Hills, AZ
"On November 4 our country voted for change. The mere possibility of a continuation of Bush's deadly and illegal policies by extending the tenure of Secretary Gates strikes fear in the hearts of military families. As the wife of a deployed Army Captain who's deployment was extended to 15 months thanks to Gates' policies, I am disheartened by this choice. Our troops need to be brought home now. Real lives and livelihoods are at stake, and for our brave soldiers and their families this is more than politics. This war based on lies must end, and anyone who doesn't fully understand that should have no place in a presidential administration."
Larry Syverson, a member of Military Families Speak Out from Richmond, VA added:
"As the father of three active duty sons, who between them, have had five tours in , I was guardedly optimistic with the election of Barack Obama. I hoped a change in the administration would bring a change in the policy and keep my oldest son from being deployed next spring. That optimism diminished with the announcement that Robert Gates would continue to be the Secretary of Defense. To this military father, it looks like a continuation of the same failed policies that have resulted in the deaths of over 4200 service members and over a million Iraqis.
That is not the change I hoped for. That is not the change military families need. We need a real change in the policy. We need to bring our troops home now."
2 Comments so far
Show AllI was a veteran 1963-1967 and two of my friends died from cancers they contracted
from contact with "Agent Orange".
I have watched as the National Media marginalized: the Iraq Vets Against The War, Military Families Speak Out, The Tillmon Family, and Cindy Sheehan......
Any General that did not agree with the Invasion of Iraq was also marginalized.
The saddest fact of all is that everyone in the CIA, FBI, and NSA know that the information used to justify the Invasion of Iraq was all fabricated and the National Media marginalized anyone who spoke out........
Unfortunately, Barack Obama has chosen "Continuity over Change".....In other words, we will stay in Iraq 3 more years and maintain a "Presence" there forever.
He will increase the forces in Afghanistan and will continue bombing innocent villages to create "Potential Terrorists" so that the "Global War ON Terror" can continue for "100 Years".
All we elected was "Hope". Unfortunately, "Hope" will not end the Invasions and Occupations..."Hope" will not bring back over 4,000 Americans who lost their lives...."Hope" will not recover the "TRILLIONS" of dollars taken by the "Corporate Elite" in those "Invasions" and "Bail Out".
My "Hope" is that the Progressive Democrats will split from the Conservative Democratic Party and form the "Progressive Democrats of America".
DWIGHT BAKER
WHY GATES
Amid all the seemed rubble of an old time that we held in derision now we hope long gone. Stands the many rich powerful influential and politically militarily connected that demands more time to effect what was started 40 years ago. Good speeches stating well intentions that garnered an in time generation to take heed and vote right not wrong for the one that seemed to have a will of steel to really effect change ----- Could we say then his mission has just begun?
If these were not tumultuous times for the old HAWK leaving its perch-------then why would the military have 20,000 troops assigned to stand guard on American Soil---- [that is against the RULES of LAW in our Constitution]?
Thus WHY GATES? Coups have come and gone throughout time that radically affected the course of nations. Many more than not spilled innocence blood to show their strength and demand that all submit.
Now pause for a brief time and look back at where we have been for the last 40 years. And if you cannot see the deep tentacles ALL AROUND SEEN ON MANY FACES of that BUNCH still entrenched then you should continue to read the comics.
They are everywhere in the CIA --- FBI ---- HOMELAND SECURITY----MILITARY----CORPORATE BOARD ROOMS THAT CAN HIRE MERCENARIES ANY TIME -------THAT BUNCH OF DISGUISED CROOKS ARE JUST EVERYWHERE. So what do we want------GATES TO LEAVE NOW -----or do we want time to construct a peaceful transition then a LOOK SEE----DISPOSE OF MANY OF THE SUB FACES----then eradicate that base of misfits in the BUNCH then seize power --- by removing the remaining grand hawks ---- then taking our good and Godly military folks with us instead of against us ---- that awesome power of those who take honor in following orders.
NOW for those of us who have shot a game of pool or two should remember a scared stick couldn’t win games. THUS LETS REST ASSURED that street smart prevails to uncover and eradicate in time those that have had control for 40 years.