Surprise! Some Journalistic Dishonesty from the NYT

On Sunday, the NYT published a story "As Loved Ones Fight On, War Doubts Arise" on families "turning against the war"... more tripe. Vets for Freedom brought this story to my attention and I wrote to the Editor at the NYT, pointing out that there are ten times as many family members of organizations that SUPPORT the mission in Iraq than those organizations mentioned and wondered why these organizations' members hadn't been quoted??

I draw to your attention:

The story mentions a group called 'Iraq Veterans Against the War', which was started in 2004 and boasts 500 members, but it failed to mention Vets for Freedom, which was started in 2006 (two years later) and already has over 5,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans members who believe in the mission. (www.VetsforFreedom.org)

The story mentions a group called 'Military Families Speak Out', which was started in 2002 and boasts 3,500 member families, but it failed to mention Families United for our Troops and Their Mission, which was started in August 2005 and already has 37,000 members who believe in the mission. (http://www.familiesunitedmission.com)

The story mentions a group called 'Appeal for Redress' which was started in September, 2006 and boasts 2,000 members, but it failed to mention the Appeal for Courage, which was also started in 2006 and already has over 3,300 members who believe in the mission. (www.AppealforCourage.org)

In my letter to the Times and in the fax letter to my two US Senators (in addition to phone calls to each last Friday), I said,

Of course we families want our husbands, sons and daughters home -- but when the MILITARY says the mission is complete -- not when the politicians decide there are more points in defeat than in victory.

We want to be sure that when Our Guys come home, they NEVER have to go back.

We support the troops AND their missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Support the surge. Complete the Mission.

I encourage everyone to contact their Senators and share their feelings (politely) with their Senators. I'm not sure there will be an issue of greater importance in our lifetimes -- or the next. Participate in your government.

HERE is the Senate contact directory.

x-posted at Some Soldier's Mom

Happy Belated Birthday ArmyWifeToddlerMom

I meant to get this up on time, but better late than never.

Happy Birthday ArmyWifeToddlerMom!
Hope your Birthday was fantastic and that you had a little time to try all those wonderful recipes.

Tammi suggested we each share one of our favorite recipes as a birthday present, so here's mine, a favorite in the House of Greyhawks and gobbled up by many troops at Kleber.

Mrs Greyhawk's Vegetable Beef Soup for the Troops

Makes about 5 qts

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 pound beef stew meat (prime rib meat works best)
1 /2 Tbls of oil for browning meat
1 large beef soup bone (bone w/ marrow)
46 ounces V8 juice
16 ounces of water
2 pounds frozen mixed vegetables or 5 cans of mixed vegetables (drained) -- [carrots, potatoes, celery, green beans, peas, corn, lima beans]
1 beef or vegetable bouillon cube
Add in Secret seasonings.(see below) ;-)

DIRECTIONS:

Cut meat into bites size pieces, sear meat in oil until brown in a 6 quart stock pot.

Add V8 juice, water, vegetables, bay leaves, and bouillon cube. Bring to a quick boil. Reduce heat to low. Add in Secret seasonings. Cover and simmer for the very least 4 hours, longer is better, but no longer than 8 hours is necessary.
-- This can also be done in a large crock pot.

SECRET SEASONINGS:

2 - 3 packets of Goya Sazon con Azafran This can easily be found in the ethnic food aisle of your grocery store.
2 tsp of sea salt
1tsp of pepper
2 tbs of sugar
3 bay leaves
1tsp of parsley,
1tsp of onion powder
1tsp of paprika
1/2 tsp of thyme
1/2 tsp of marjoram
Cayenne pepper to taste for added spice.
1 tsp of Accent This is found in the Spices of your grocery store.

AND THIS IS OPTIONAL:

Just before you serve the soup, stir in as much as 1/2 tablespoon of nutritional yeast for each quart of soup. Don't simmer the soup afterwards or you'll destroy the B vitamins, iron, and phosphorus. The yeast will thicken the broth slightly and will add a fullness to a hearty tasting soup. Troops need their vitamins. :-)

Serve with hard bread (french bread or german bread) or Ritz crackers....and beer of course

Help a blogger out.

Nope, not me. I'm keeping a low profile these days.

Castle Argghhh! Denizen 1SG Keith is entered in the New York Institute of Photography photo contest.

Go take a look at 1SG Keith's efforts - photos he took while deployed to Afghanistan. If you like 'em, vote for 'em, and let's see if we can't get him into the finals for at least one category!

His three pics are Here, here, and here.

Go. Look. Vote if you like 'em. H/t, Fuzzybear Lioness for the reminder.