Mods,
The title of the op ed cited does not reflect the importance of the contents. If I've broken the rules, do what you have to do; but, I hope you will offer suggestions as to how we all can communicate (in the future) the important content of such BFEE activities.
My analysis of the op ed cited below:
So... Bush* has decided that soldiers and Halliburton workers deserve the same freepin' medal for their service? Tell that to the families of the dead, the wounded, and the permanently maimed and disfigured who fought for our country in Afghanistan and in Iraq!
I've included the writer's email addy. I hope everyone will reply to this op ed.
This stinks like yesterday's diapers!
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Global War medals aren't the same as ones for specific campaigns
02/08/04
Thomas Wm. McGarry
This is wrong.
In its infinite but often puzzling wisdom, the Department of Defense decided variations of one medal will recognize military service in Afghanistan, Iraq and all the other arenas of the global war on terrorism.
President Bush authorized the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal last year. The first is awarded to those who've fought against terrorism since 9/11; the second to those who have supported that effort.
snip
The Defense Department's decision, which some see as a not terribly subtle attempt to again link the campaign against the Taliban and Osama bin Laden with regime change in Iraq, largely violates established American military history and tradition.
snip
Thomas Wm. McGarry is a Portland writer specializing in military and defense topics: twmflak@teleport.com
more...
http://tinyurl.com/2lt2u