I continue to be baffled by the lack of the participation of NOW in the current world situation. I would think with all the news of the mistreatment of the sisters of the American women from other parts of the world, most notably the Middle East, we would have seen women “suiting up” by the thousands, demanding slots at Parris Island and Fort Bragg. I would think any way they could get into the fight, now that we have functionally acquiesced to women in combat, they would be demanding.

So, what’s up with the lack of concern? Are there too many important glass ceilings in corporate America, that are oppressing women on a world-wide level for them to leave their executive suites they have worked so hard to gain? Must they stay put in order to protect the right of women, or can they just keep their sisters in Africa and the Middle East, and even now, parts of Europe, better protected from where they are?

I could go one for a while and provide plenty of links to stories about honor killings, stoning and mutilations, but they have been ignored so far.

What about me you may wonder? In case you think I’m speaking from some ivory tower, demanding someone do something I’m not willing to do, I did my time, and would still be in, had it not been for the reasonable and required downsizing of the US Military after the Cold War ended. I’d love a chance to get a piece of those who are preventing the basic human right of freedom. Along the way, equal rights for everyone would be a cause good enough for me to fight for.

If you’re a feminist at heart, I’d challenge you to step up to the plate and do something, besides figure out if you can get that next promotion, while your sisters are being brutalized at the hands of men who think they are property, and not worthy of respect. Any of the services will take you, but I’d suggest the Marines, because in the Corps, everyone is a rifleman first.

Today I followed a link to this story about a 14 year old boy working as a translator. I find it simply amazing that stories such as this don’t seem to appear in the MSM. Why not, you ask? Once again….God forbid we show that democracy works, that the country of Iraq is worth our effort.

Papa Doc at Winds of Change has posted an article that takes apart the December 16th, 2004 audio tapes from Osama bin Laden.

There were actually two tapes. One for the Iraqis and one for the Saudis. The analyst, Dan Darling, sees three audiences in the Saudi tape: The Americans, the Saudis and the Iraqis.

I’m going to find some time to really read this. It’s long, yet it lays out some things we will need to consider in the days and years ahead, and for the following generations.

LCOL Dave Belsan sent the following email to his Father. It paints a picture of the aftermath of wresting the city from a a band of terrorists, and what has been done to help the residents get back to their homes.

God forbid the MSM actually goes out of their way to actually report that something good is being done by the US Military, it might make people believe these men and women they “support” aren’t really evil…..

The Green Side is Dave’s Father’s blog to post the reports he receives from his son.

I, for one, am glad men like Dave Belsan are on the front lines. Having read many of his reports, he sounds like a great leader, and a compassionate man, working hard to balance the use of force with the need to help.