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AlterNet / By Dahr Jamail
comments_imageCOMMENTS: 154

Army Sends Mom to Afghanistan, Infant to Protective Services

"This would do irreparable harm to her child. I think they are doing this to punish her."
November 21, 2009  |  
 
 
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VENTURA, California - U.S. Army Specialist Alexis Hutchinson, a single mother, was threatened with a military court-martial if she did not agree to deploy to Afghanistan, despite having been told she would be granted extra time to find someone to care for her 11-month-old son while she is overseas.

Hutchinson, of Oakland, California, is currently being confined at Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah, Georgia, after being arrested. Her son was placed into a county foster care system.

Hutchinson was threatened with a court martial if she did not agree to deploy to Afghanistan on Sunday, Nov. 15. She has been attempting to find someone to take care of her child, Kamani, while she is deployed overseas, but to no avail.

The military backed off from deploying her on Nov. 15, after enough media attention came to Hutchinson's case. She is still to be deployed, likely immediately after she is able to find someone to care for her infant while she is in Afghanistan.

Kevin Larson, a spokesman for Hunter Army Airfield, told the Associated Press he didn't know what Hutchinson was told by her commanders, but said the Army would not deploy a single parent who had nobody to care for his or her child.

"I don't know what transpired and the investigation will get to the bottom of it," Larson said. "If she would have come to the deployment terminal with her child, there's no question she would not have been deployed."

According to the family care plan of the U.S. Army, Hutchinson was allowed to fly to California and leave her son with her mother, Angelique Hughes of Oakland.

However, after a week of caring for the child, Hughes realized she was unable to care for Kamani along with her other duties of caring for a daughter with special needs, her ailing mother, and an ailing sister.

In late October, Angelique Hughes told Hutchinson and her commander that she would be unable to care for Kamani after all. The Army then gave Hutchinson an extension of time to allow her to find someone else to care for Kamani. Meanwhile, Hughes brought Kamani back to Georgia to be with his mother.

However, only a few days before Hutchinson's original deployment date, she was told by the Army she would not get the time extension after all, and would have to deploy, despite not having found anyone to care for her child.

Faced with this choice, Hutchinson chose not to show up for her plane to Afghanistan. The military arrested her and placed her child in the county foster care system.

Hutchinson was scheduled to fly to Afghanistan on November 15 for a special court martial, where she then faces up to one year in jail. However, now the military has backed away from the threat, allowing Hutchinson more time to find someone to care for her child before she deploys.

There is currently no firm date on when that might happen.

Hutchinson's civilian lawyer, Rai Sue Sussman, told IPS, "The core issue is that they are asking her to make an inhumane choice. She did not have a complete family care plan, meaning she did not find someone to provide long-term care for her child. She's required to have a complete family care plan, and was told she'd have an extension, but then they changed it on her."


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Dahr Jamail is an independent journalist who reports from Iraq. This was adapted from an article that first appeared at IPS News.
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I am not suprised
[Report this comment]
Posted by: eosrk on Nov 21, 2009 2:04 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
about this...the only reason why they backed off cause the media called them on it, or it would have been swept under the rug

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» RE: I am not suprised Posted by: michaelsview
» RE: I am not suprised Posted by: Libsrule
» RE: I am not surprised Posted by: osd

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Anybody out there still thinking of joining the U.S. killitary?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: RedAaron on Nov 21, 2009 2:47 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Maybe if the prospect of being sent halfway around the world to kill people for the sake of the Empire doesn't dissuade you, more information like this about how the killitary treats its own will make you hesitate. For the sake of those folks you might be sent to kill, I hope it makes you hesitate for a real long time, like thirty or forty years, at least.

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I hope that this.............
[Report this comment]
Posted by: edieb on Nov 21, 2009 2:52 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
latest outrage against one serving, and her family, will be a warning to any and all who are even considering joining in this deadly farce; which is the 'war on terror.'

Afghanistan is the front, no it's Iraq, no Iran, no it's Afghanistan that is our vital front on this unnecessary blood-letting in these criminal invasions and occupations! We are such cowards that we will allow the continued feeding, of those volunteers, into the meat grinders; not to mention the innocent natives of these sad places!

When every mothers' son and daughter is put in the jack pot, at risk of death or maiming, with no deferments, except for serious mental and or physical disabilities, must take their chances in the DRAFT and, only then will I believe that our very survival is on the line!

Of course, this will not happen, as long as there are foolish and desperate people, putting their lives on the line in hopes they will live long enough to get a 'free education', the suckers will continue to line up. Both of my brothers joined in the 1960's; one came home in a box!

Anyone still supporting these horrors is either sadly lacking in character or is as dumb as a sack of hair!

Family values, my ass!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: I hope that this............. Posted by: jstevenson
» What if? Posted by: Liberalandproudofit
» What if? Posted by: Liberalandproudofit
» Ya think? Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: Ya think? Posted by: techcafe

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disgusting
[Report this comment]
Posted by: kittybrat on Nov 21, 2009 4:21 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I hate the military, and this is one of the reasons.

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» But that's not all...! Posted by: NozzleDude

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Be the First one on your block
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Hiroak on Nov 21, 2009 6:03 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
to have your Mom come home in a box
and it's one, two, three
What are we fightin' for
Don't ask me I don't give a damn
The next stop's Afghanistan

And it's five, six, seven
open up the pearly gates
Ain't no time to wonder why
Whoopee we're all gonna die

old Vietnam protest song paraphrased

Why do you think they fucked up the economy? so there would be plenty of cannon fodder for the MACHINE. The draft is politically unpopular so just take away the jobs and military enlistment goes up, up, up. All you youngun's want to die for Hallibuton and Dick Cheney's retirement account? Go right ahead and by the way God Bless America and endless carnage.

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Military Duty Demands 24/7, 365 Days Per Year
[Report this comment]
Posted by: YANIRA06_66 on Nov 21, 2009 6:23 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Where is the other parent? It does take two to make a baby? Let's be fair. The Military has explained everything about Military Dependents. The soldier knows the rules. The Military is not Social Services but it is an equal opportunity employer.

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» Or knocking-up another "Souljah" Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: I APOLOGIZE TO YOU Posted by: jstevenson

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RE: The army failed her.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: lebandina47 on Nov 21, 2009 7:44 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Fired years ago?? The baby is only 11 months old! Do the math here! Why on earth are you saying she stole for years??

Have you ever been a caretaker? You can't MAKE another person watch a child. You don't know how old the grandmother is nor do you know how hard the job would be.

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RE: The army failed her.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Vinkenoog on Nov 21, 2009 10:34 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Stealing a paycheck? She wasn't doing her job? WTF are you talking about?

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RE: The army failed her.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: jstevenson on Nov 21, 2009 10:55 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Dear Honkey: So you object to this baby having heath care? Do you work for the Bush Administration? You are an immoral moron. This woman is not a thief and I'm quite sure that she was doing her job stateside. There are plenty of things that a solider can do right in her own neighborhood. Apparently you don't have a problem with the US invading innocent people, murdering and raping them, burning down their towns and destroying what little they had. How about clean drinking water?? The Middle East has been contaminated by radiation for eternity. Our boys come home and contaminate their wives with radioactive sperm. Let's not forget the horrendous brain injuries that so many come home with; not to forget the missing limbs, the PTSD. We are still paying for Vietnam and this atrocity will never be paid for.

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How Brilliant is that?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: moloko velocet on Nov 21, 2009 7:26 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Let's see...You volitionally choose to become a soldier in an all-volunteer Army....during a time of perpetual, imperial war...subject to overseas deployment at any time...lay down and have a baby...without any viable family support system (not even a putative father)...then bitch about the unfairness of it all!

Idiot!

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» RE: How Brilliant is that? Posted by: lebandina47
» Dames!....Sheesh! Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: Dames!....Sheesh! Posted by: Joni50
» RE: Dames!....Sheesh! Posted by: jstevenson
» It works for me Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: It works for me Posted by: jstevenson
» RE: It works for me Posted by: LaurelAnn
» RE: How Brilliant is that? Posted by: jstevenson
» I rest my case...Moron Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: I rest my case...Moron Posted by: jstevenson
» Ah, that explains it....a "dry drunk" Posted by: moloko velocet
» It is murder.......... Posted by: bubbleburster04
» WOMAN HATING PIG - Moloko Velocet Posted by: jstevenson
» Well, I don't know about that Posted by: moloko velocet
» Brilliant! Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: My goodness Posted by: bubbleburster04
» RE: How Brilliant is that? Posted by: Vinkenoog

Comments are closed-

When you're up against a wall.... when there are no jobs to be had.....
[Report this comment]
Posted by: peterjkraus on Nov 21, 2009 8:25 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
.... when the only option is to join the armed forces. That's when you realize there's something wrong with Freedom and Democracy. The Dream is fucked, at least for you. That's when it hits you: slavery is alive and well.

Ever see one of those idiot noncoms yelling into some poor slob's mouth? Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

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To all of you who've posted your hate and judgementalism...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: bubbleburster04 on Nov 21, 2009 8:34 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Never mind about the mother, her morals, her lack of decision making, her "laying down" and getting pregnant, or whatever.

WHAT about the GD kid??? Don't ANY of you self-righteous morons give a damn about the psychological damage putting this INNOCENT child into foster care might do to HIM?????

It doesn't matter how stupid, careless, irresponsible, etc. his mother is/was (mind you, this is not MY view). The child should not be made to suffer possible irreparable harm because of it and the Military is DEAD WRONG in what it is doing.

The mother is only asking for a reasonable length of time to find proper, SAFE, care for her precious child. She is ONE TROOP, with a difficult situation. Afghanistan is not going to be won or lost because of ONE TROOP delaying deployment a few weeks or a couple months.

All of you posting in support of what the Military is doing TO THIS INNOCENT CHILD are cold, heartless bastards.

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» Take an antiacid, and lie down Posted by: moloko velocet
» Take a Mydol, and lie down Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: THAT'S RIGHT "YOU DUNNO" Posted by: jstevenson
» RE: EXACTLY !!! Posted by: marletat

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Domestic dispoosable
[Report this comment]
Posted by: pdennany on Nov 21, 2009 8:44 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The nerve of this disposible young mother! How dare she put the welfare of her child ahead of our corrupted need to rape and dominate the Middle East for our greedy corporate elite. Perhaps our leaders need our WH/NORAD/CIA to organize yet another 9-11 covert operation to get our peoples Patriotism back in check?

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This woman is not alone
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Spiritof1776 on Nov 21, 2009 8:56 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
http://wtop.com/index.php?nid=598&sid=1819490

This link from Washington's far-from-progressive news station describes the plight of a Maryland soldier who is to be discharged after he tried to return to deployment, getting as far back as Kuwait, after having been granted compassionate leave.

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Where is the Father?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: felipe on Nov 21, 2009 9:03 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Not single news item I've read about this unfortunate situation asks, much less answers this question.

The Army should just discharge her so she can move on with her life and raise her child.

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» Where indeed? Posted by: zipper696
» Too Right...Got it in one! Posted by: moloko velocet

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UH, unfortunately somebody has to point out
[Report this comment]
Posted by: harpy on Nov 21, 2009 9:37 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
that when you join the military that's your job regardless. As my husband was told in 1971, "the Marines didn't issue you a wife." She should have known that her duty to the military came before and above everything else, so why did she get pregnant?
In defending her and decrying the military's decision to send her to Afghanistan, we're bolstering all the reasons that have been used against women even being in the military. One of those reasons is that women wouldn't be able to take care of their children.

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» Preeecisely! Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: Preeecisely! Posted by: Vinkenoog
» RE: Preeecisely! Posted by: soulrebeljc

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The Army Way = You Don't Have Any Rights
[Report this comment]
Posted by: snax on Nov 21, 2009 10:15 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's ironic that those who enlist under the guise of fighting for our freedom sacrifice their right to any of it the moment they swear in. What is missing however is respect for the rights of the child.

Single mothers should not be allowed to serve in a deployable capacity. It really is that simple. Even if this woman's MOS is supposed to support combat operations directly, the military needs to make appropriate accomodation for the mother into a non-deployable position or put them out of the military completely. There is no excuse for creating orphans from the ranks of our own military.

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» Absolutely Posted by: bubbleburster04

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Got brains? Avoid military/recruiters as Satan's serfs.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: wholelove on Nov 21, 2009 11:04 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I guess God will allow the continued existence of the military, its insanity and lies, its weapons-producing & military-contracting profiteers---the high-level Satanic/mammon-worshipers---God will allow this scenario
as long as the human herds of sheeple are stupid enough to eat the mass-media's BS, to brainlessly sign up for military service, and to keep throwing their money at the IRS so the political talking-head puppets can throw it away and/or blow it up in ongoing patriotic BS games.

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Not enough facts -> jumping to conclusions
[Report this comment]
Posted by: annieb on Nov 21, 2009 12:16 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is another case of AlterNet using a story to deepen the chasm between right and left. There are not enough facts in this story for anyone to reach any kind of accurate conclusion. Whether you believe that the military is inhumane or that the woman was stupid for having a baby while in the military, there is not enough info in this article to prove you right or wrong. So, how about we withold final judgement about this particular case?

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APPARENTLY THE RULES HAVE CHANGED
[Report this comment]
Posted by: VZEQICVA on Nov 21, 2009 2:41 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Until Donald Rumsfeld chose to disregard the rules that He felt didn't serve his purpose the woman in question should not have been sent into combat. Even during WWII a young man who was the sole bread winner, perhaps his mother was widowed an he was an only child, even if he had a sister would not have been sent into combat. This woman is her child's only support. The military is not in the business of creating orphans. They preserve family lines as best they can. Consider the Sullivan Law. As for teaching her a lesson, just what would the lesson be? ANNA

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» Don't "join" the Goddam military! Posted by: moloko velocet

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Nothing New
[Report this comment]
Posted by: desidid on Nov 21, 2009 2:54 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
My father's second tour of duty in VietNam my mother had terminal cancer. The army's response was to let him come home on a 30 day leave, then send him back to possibly die. Problem with that is he had 4 kids and a dying wife. On the other hand I personally know a white guy whose mother had cancer that was allowed to leave the military with an honorable discharge. And he wasn't the only male child in his family.

I wish I knew how to contact this woman I would be open to keeping her child to keep her from being court martialed for being a single parent. Why is it every where you go in this country the rules are usually applied based on race, sex, age, or sexual preference? We may have come a long way but we haven't come nearly far enough. Rev. Wright was right God Damn America.

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Hey! I've had a great time here today!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: moloko velocet on Nov 21, 2009 4:09 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
jstevenson ("Dim Judy")....(with a little help from joni50) and I have done at least as well as guitarbill and prophit0...dontcha think? Thanks to filipe for a bit of support at the right moment.

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My Children or My Country
[Report this comment]
Posted by: artie on Nov 22, 2009 2:36 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I posted early, concerning the specious dilemma, between, on the one hand, duty to family and, on the other, duty to country. When such a specious dilemma becomes a genuine dilemma for a society, the society begins its descent to the Hobbesian state of nature: life is mean, brutal, and short.
The mother's concerns for her toddler are somehow in conflict with some allegedly nobler aim of American patriotism or duty to country. Until Americans genuinely appropriate as an ethical conviction the belief that both social and individual policies/practices aimed towards improving the health, safety, education, welfare, and psychological well-being of children - especially, the very young - are among the nobler aims to which any human being can aspire - certainly nobler than killing other human beings or being counted among some militia - then America will continue its path towards the Hobbesian "state of nature."
I can't understand why the problem is so difficult to understand for Americans. It's as if the society simply can't grasp what we can characterize as "the subjectivity of parenthood": what it is like for a parent to be a parent.
I'm a single father of two boys - have been rearing them alone for the past 8 years (and still getting up at 4:30am to hold my three jobs and to get them to school on time) - and my biggest issue with my sons (15 and 10) are less than those my parents had with me: picking up dirty clothes, getting to bed on time, not listening to music while doing homework. My love for my boys is what sustains me, and I can not understand how anyone could not appreciate the "inherent value" in bringing wonderful human beings into this world. However, it simply isn't among the values "nourished" by policy or practice in American society. Until it is a value of the society, American society can only hypocritically complain about the abysmal mess it is making not only of itself, but also its future, namely, its children.

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» RE: My Children or My Country Posted by: jstevenson

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Skyewoman
[Report this comment]
Posted by: penelobaby on Nov 22, 2009 8:21 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
When did this country ever have a problem separating black parents from their children? The wealth of this country is based on the practice. At some point we'll have to deal with the residual effects of slavery. We have an apartheid system, unlike South Africa before Mandela, we claim that everybody's equal.

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Wow!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: teddy on Nov 22, 2009 8:35 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
How many layers of stupid can you pile onto one life? Single parent, ailing mother, ailing sister, a special needs daughter, no work to be found, now an infant, no other helpful relatives - she wants to play G.I.Jane and feels cheated she has to keep her military commitments?

Ranks right up there with octomom.

With all those ailing relatives, she ought to get enough SSI to make her wealthy -

Sorry - no sympathy here. This one definitely answers the question: how stupid can you get?

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» TEDDY.....HOW STUPID CAN YOU GET? Posted by: jstevenson
» My point, exactly...well said Posted by: moloko velocet

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An Army or a day care center?.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: altmart on Nov 22, 2009 8:59 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If you join the Army be prepared to fulfill your obligation. Period

This incident questions the role of women in the Army.

Equal rights and oppotunities ?? - Roles in combat zones??

The Army shouldn't be asked to run day care centers.

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Is there a Story Update that reflects the headline?
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Posted by: felipe on Nov 22, 2009 12:39 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It makes it sound like the army actually shipped her out and sent the child to foster care.

Has this happened? Did the headline change from yesterday?

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big surprise
[Report this comment]
Posted by: tazdelaney on Nov 22, 2009 2:16 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
maybe this woman should've looked into the history of military organizations before joining one with a child in tow? note that under bush, kicking the shins of the praetorian guard, generally not a wise thing for caesar's to do, was a constant; with such things as billing an amputee for his halliburton meals and surgery; cutting family and educational benefits with troops in the field, etc. i generally reserve my sympathies for the civilian victims of armies; not those who fall for the war racket.

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cannon fodder
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Posted by: maxsmart on Nov 23, 2009 4:30 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is the way it is for an elitist organization out of the monarchical past. A war should be by consent not by force and in the case of these wars both have serious flaws. Not the militaries flaws but still they are forced to honor their oath while those calling the wars lie, fake, dissemble, misinform, bend and stretch the truth on WMD's and the other is just the irresolvable backfire from a CIA war against Russia gone bad and gettingt us hit by a misguided heat-seeking missile homing in on it's handlers.

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The Army is not a Jobs program
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Posted by: HLbuchanan on Nov 23, 2009 9:00 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
All enlisted members of the Army take the same oath. Officers take a similar one. The concept is that if you are a Soldier, you make the same agreement as your fellow Soldiers. You agree to "obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice."

Within those regulations is a requirement to deploy with your fellow Soldiers when ordered to, and to maintain a family care plan. All Mothers are afforded 6 weeks Maternity leave following a delivery, and following that may take ordinary leave if they so desire up until they run out. Do other countries have mandated longer times before returning to the work force? Yes. But the Army she joined does not.

She has the option after the birth of a child to take a motherhood chapter and get a general discharge under favorable conditions.
She is however to maintain a viable family care plan so that she can fulfill the duties that she and her fellow Soldiers have signed up for. Those duties include deployment.

It is despicable how many folks here have used her unfortunate collapsed family care plan and circumstance to wage an ideological campaign against the Army, the Government and those who choose to volunteer to protect your ability to have such heated and hateful opinions against your guardians. These guardians love you, and love serving to protect, honor, and defend you.

Good luck people.

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"You Mothers' Have a child take care of it. You army Air force And Marines let them go
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Posted by: Richardsievert on Nov 24, 2009 5:37 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You have a child take care of it. You army Air force And Marines let them go whoever is making these rule's are causing civil war you wonder why your own soldiers hate you just look at what you make them do. We have enough dysfunction from lack of good care if these soldiers get pregnant they loos there Service call simple plain black and white get it or die from your own lack of discussing mess.

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Big Surprise?
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Posted by: DesertRune on Nov 24, 2009 8:50 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The only thing about this article that rings hollow is that it does not mention that for every Mom in the military who loses her children there are thousands of men losing all access to theirs. It is why suicide is soaring in the military.

I love biased articles such as this. It will help to bring about our social collapse much more quickly so that we can get away from this fact devoid, feelings packed activism that destroys tens of thousands to save one dubious individual who admits to violating laws of which she was aware well in advance her crimes.

Yes, please write more of these articles so that we can tell more of our soldiers just how little the "Progressive" movement reviles and minimizes those who follow orders and do the best they can do without playing entitlement games and clearly acting out the moralistic axiom "rules apply to you but not me".

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plantland
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Posted by: plantland on Nov 26, 2009 12:07 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
WOMEN in PANTS in the occupying forces further INFLAME rural Afghans.

It is counterproductive to send women. Guys there with just fight with more abandon to keep their way of life, and show they are fiercer than female troops.

US gender eQuity is one thing.
It isn't worth the carbon footprint of airplanes and tanks to send women to an area that just wants to stay backward ,the more they see our society in the form of women in fatigues and the satellite Jerry Springer type shows.

Foster care costs the state. Kids who don't bond don't do as well academically and have a higher chance of going to prison.
Not brestfeeding raises a waoman's chance of getting breast cancer. (Better to prevent it than to diagnose it "earlier").

Wasting all this money- is this really going to help a lady lawyer overcome the glass ceiling?

The main point, of ourse, is that it is not in the security interst of the US to inflame the Pashtuans and induce them to be sympathetic to the Taliban.

DEPLOY NO ONE

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Alternet Comments:

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I am not suprised
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Posted by: eosrk on Nov 21, 2009 2:04 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
about this...the only reason why they backed off cause the media called them on it, or it would have been swept under the rug

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» RE: I am not suprised Posted by: michaelsview
» RE: I am not suprised Posted by: Libsrule
» RE: I am not surprised Posted by: osd

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Anybody out there still thinking of joining the U.S. killitary?
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Posted by: RedAaron on Nov 21, 2009 2:47 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Maybe if the prospect of being sent halfway around the world to kill people for the sake of the Empire doesn't dissuade you, more information like this about how the killitary treats its own will make you hesitate. For the sake of those folks you might be sent to kill, I hope it makes you hesitate for a real long time, like thirty or forty years, at least.

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I hope that this.............
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Posted by: edieb on Nov 21, 2009 2:52 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
latest outrage against one serving, and her family, will be a warning to any and all who are even considering joining in this deadly farce; which is the 'war on terror.'

Afghanistan is the front, no it's Iraq, no Iran, no it's Afghanistan that is our vital front on this unnecessary blood-letting in these criminal invasions and occupations! We are such cowards that we will allow the continued feeding, of those volunteers, into the meat grinders; not to mention the innocent natives of these sad places!

When every mothers' son and daughter is put in the jack pot, at risk of death or maiming, with no deferments, except for serious mental and or physical disabilities, must take their chances in the DRAFT and, only then will I believe that our very survival is on the line!

Of course, this will not happen, as long as there are foolish and desperate people, putting their lives on the line in hopes they will live long enough to get a 'free education', the suckers will continue to line up. Both of my brothers joined in the 1960's; one came home in a box!

Anyone still supporting these horrors is either sadly lacking in character or is as dumb as a sack of hair!

Family values, my ass!

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» RE: I hope that this............. Posted by: jstevenson
» What if? Posted by: Liberalandproudofit
» What if? Posted by: Liberalandproudofit
» Ya think? Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: Ya think? Posted by: techcafe

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disgusting
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Posted by: kittybrat on Nov 21, 2009 4:21 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I hate the military, and this is one of the reasons.

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» But that's not all...! Posted by: NozzleDude

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Be the First one on your block
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Posted by: Hiroak on Nov 21, 2009 6:03 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
to have your Mom come home in a box
and it's one, two, three
What are we fightin' for
Don't ask me I don't give a damn
The next stop's Afghanistan

And it's five, six, seven
open up the pearly gates
Ain't no time to wonder why
Whoopee we're all gonna die

old Vietnam protest song paraphrased

Why do you think they fucked up the economy? so there would be plenty of cannon fodder for the MACHINE. The draft is politically unpopular so just take away the jobs and military enlistment goes up, up, up. All you youngun's want to die for Hallibuton and Dick Cheney's retirement account? Go right ahead and by the way God Bless America and endless carnage.

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Military Duty Demands 24/7, 365 Days Per Year
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Posted by: YANIRA06_66 on Nov 21, 2009 6:23 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Where is the other parent? It does take two to make a baby? Let's be fair. The Military has explained everything about Military Dependents. The soldier knows the rules. The Military is not Social Services but it is an equal opportunity employer.

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» Or knocking-up another "Souljah" Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: I APOLOGIZE TO YOU Posted by: jstevenson

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RE: The army failed her.
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Posted by: lebandina47 on Nov 21, 2009 7:44 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Fired years ago?? The baby is only 11 months old! Do the math here! Why on earth are you saying she stole for years??

Have you ever been a caretaker? You can't MAKE another person watch a child. You don't know how old the grandmother is nor do you know how hard the job would be.

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RE: The army failed her.
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Posted by: Vinkenoog on Nov 21, 2009 10:34 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Stealing a paycheck? She wasn't doing her job? WTF are you talking about?

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RE: The army failed her.
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Posted by: jstevenson on Nov 21, 2009 10:55 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Dear Honkey: So you object to this baby having heath care? Do you work for the Bush Administration? You are an immoral moron. This woman is not a thief and I'm quite sure that she was doing her job stateside. There are plenty of things that a solider can do right in her own neighborhood. Apparently you don't have a problem with the US invading innocent people, murdering and raping them, burning down their towns and destroying what little they had. How about clean drinking water?? The Middle East has been contaminated by radiation for eternity. Our boys come home and contaminate their wives with radioactive sperm. Let's not forget the horrendous brain injuries that so many come home with; not to forget the missing limbs, the PTSD. We are still paying for Vietnam and this atrocity will never be paid for.

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How Brilliant is that?
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Posted by: moloko velocet on Nov 21, 2009 7:26 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Let's see...You volitionally choose to become a soldier in an all-volunteer Army....during a time of perpetual, imperial war...subject to overseas deployment at any time...lay down and have a baby...without any viable family support system (not even a putative father)...then bitch about the unfairness of it all!

Idiot!

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» RE: How Brilliant is that? Posted by: lebandina47
» Dames!....Sheesh! Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: Dames!....Sheesh! Posted by: Joni50
» RE: Dames!....Sheesh! Posted by: jstevenson
» It works for me Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: It works for me Posted by: jstevenson
» RE: It works for me Posted by: LaurelAnn
» RE: How Brilliant is that? Posted by: jstevenson
» I rest my case...Moron Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: I rest my case...Moron Posted by: jstevenson
» Ah, that explains it....a "dry drunk" Posted by: moloko velocet
» It is murder.......... Posted by: bubbleburster04
» WOMAN HATING PIG - Moloko Velocet Posted by: jstevenson
» Well, I don't know about that Posted by: moloko velocet
» Brilliant! Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: My goodness Posted by: bubbleburster04
» RE: How Brilliant is that? Posted by: Vinkenoog

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When you're up against a wall.... when there are no jobs to be had.....
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Posted by: peterjkraus on Nov 21, 2009 8:25 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
.... when the only option is to join the armed forces. That's when you realize there's something wrong with Freedom and Democracy. The Dream is fucked, at least for you. That's when it hits you: slavery is alive and well.

Ever see one of those idiot noncoms yelling into some poor slob's mouth? Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

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To all of you who've posted your hate and judgementalism...
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Posted by: bubbleburster04 on Nov 21, 2009 8:34 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Never mind about the mother, her morals, her lack of decision making, her "laying down" and getting pregnant, or whatever.

WHAT about the GD kid??? Don't ANY of you self-righteous morons give a damn about the psychological damage putting this INNOCENT child into foster care might do to HIM?????

It doesn't matter how stupid, careless, irresponsible, etc. his mother is/was (mind you, this is not MY view). The child should not be made to suffer possible irreparable harm because of it and the Military is DEAD WRONG in what it is doing.

The mother is only asking for a reasonable length of time to find proper, SAFE, care for her precious child. She is ONE TROOP, with a difficult situation. Afghanistan is not going to be won or lost because of ONE TROOP delaying deployment a few weeks or a couple months.

All of you posting in support of what the Military is doing TO THIS INNOCENT CHILD are cold, heartless bastards.

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» Take an antiacid, and lie down Posted by: moloko velocet
» Take a Mydol, and lie down Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: THAT'S RIGHT "YOU DUNNO" Posted by: jstevenson
» RE: EXACTLY !!! Posted by: marletat

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Domestic dispoosable
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Posted by: pdennany on Nov 21, 2009 8:44 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The nerve of this disposible young mother! How dare she put the welfare of her child ahead of our corrupted need to rape and dominate the Middle East for our greedy corporate elite. Perhaps our leaders need our WH/NORAD/CIA to organize yet another 9-11 covert operation to get our peoples Patriotism back in check?

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This woman is not alone
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Posted by: Spiritof1776 on Nov 21, 2009 8:56 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
http://wtop.com/index.php?nid=598&sid=1819490

This link from Washington's far-from-progressive news station describes the plight of a Maryland soldier who is to be discharged after he tried to return to deployment, getting as far back as Kuwait, after having been granted compassionate leave.

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Where is the Father?
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Posted by: felipe on Nov 21, 2009 9:03 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Not single news item I've read about this unfortunate situation asks, much less answers this question.

The Army should just discharge her so she can move on with her life and raise her child.

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» Where indeed? Posted by: zipper696
» Too Right...Got it in one! Posted by: moloko velocet

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UH, unfortunately somebody has to point out
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Posted by: harpy on Nov 21, 2009 9:37 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
that when you join the military that's your job regardless. As my husband was told in 1971, "the Marines didn't issue you a wife." She should have known that her duty to the military came before and above everything else, so why did she get pregnant?
In defending her and decrying the military's decision to send her to Afghanistan, we're bolstering all the reasons that have been used against women even being in the military. One of those reasons is that women wouldn't be able to take care of their children.

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» Preeecisely! Posted by: moloko velocet
» RE: Preeecisely! Posted by: Vinkenoog
» RE: Preeecisely! Posted by: soulrebeljc

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The Army Way = You Don't Have Any Rights
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Posted by: snax on Nov 21, 2009 10:15 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's ironic that those who enlist under the guise of fighting for our freedom sacrifice their right to any of it the moment they swear in. What is missing however is respect for the rights of the child.

Single mothers should not be allowed to serve in a deployable capacity. It really is that simple. Even if this woman's MOS is supposed to support combat operations directly, the military needs to make appropriate accomodation for the mother into a non-deployable position or put them out of the military completely. There is no excuse for creating orphans from the ranks of our own military.

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» Absolutely Posted by: bubbleburster04

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Got brains? Avoid military/recruiters as Satan's serfs.
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Posted by: wholelove on Nov 21, 2009 11:04 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I guess God will allow the continued existence of the military, its insanity and lies, its weapons-producing & military-contracting profiteers---the high-level Satanic/mammon-worshipers---God will allow this scenario
as long as the human herds of sheeple are stupid enough to eat the mass-media's BS, to brainlessly sign up for military service, and to keep throwing their money at the IRS so the political talking-head puppets can throw it away and/or blow it up in ongoing patriotic BS games.

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Not enough facts -> jumping to conclusions
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Posted by: annieb on Nov 21, 2009 12:16 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is another case of AlterNet using a story to deepen the chasm between right and left. There are not enough facts in this story for anyone to reach any kind of accurate conclusion. Whether you believe that the military is inhumane or that the woman was stupid for having a baby while in the military, there is not enough info in this article to prove you right or wrong. So, how about we withold final judgement about this particular case?

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APPARENTLY THE RULES HAVE CHANGED
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Posted by: VZEQICVA on Nov 21, 2009 2:41 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Until Donald Rumsfeld chose to disregard the rules that He felt didn't serve his purpose the woman in question should not have been sent into combat. Even during WWII a young man who was the sole bread winner, perhaps his mother was widowed an he was an only child, even if he had a sister would not have been sent into combat. This woman is her child's only support. The military is not in the business of creating orphans. They preserve family lines as best they can. Consider the Sullivan Law. As for teaching her a lesson, just what would the lesson be? ANNA

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» Don't "join" the Goddam military! Posted by: moloko velocet

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Nothing New
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Posted by: desidid on Nov 21, 2009 2:54 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
My father's second tour of duty in VietNam my mother had terminal cancer. The army's response was to let him come home on a 30 day leave, then send him back to possibly die. Problem with that is he had 4 kids and a dying wife. On the other hand I personally know a white guy whose mother had cancer that was allowed to leave the military with an honorable discharge. And he wasn't the only male child in his family.

I wish I knew how to contact this woman I would be open to keeping her child to keep her from being court martialed for being a single parent. Why is it every where you go in this country the rules are usually applied based on race, sex, age, or sexual preference? We may have come a long way but we haven't come nearly far enough. Rev. Wright was right God Damn America.

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Hey! I've had a great time here today!
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Posted by: moloko velocet on Nov 21, 2009 4:09 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
jstevenson ("Dim Judy")....(with a little help from joni50) and I have done at least as well as guitarbill and prophit0...dontcha think? Thanks to filipe for a bit of support at the right moment.

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My Children or My Country
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Posted by: artie on Nov 22, 2009 2:36 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I posted early, concerning the specious dilemma, between, on the one hand, duty to family and, on the other, duty to country. When such a specious dilemma becomes a genuine dilemma for a society, the society begins its descent to the Hobbesian state of nature: life is mean, brutal, and short.
The mother's concerns for her toddler are somehow in conflict with some allegedly nobler aim of American patriotism or duty to country. Until Americans genuinely appropriate as an ethical conviction the belief that both social and individual policies/practices aimed towards improving the health, safety, education, welfare, and psychological well-being of children - especially, the very young - are among the nobler aims to which any human being can aspire - certainly nobler than killing other human beings or being counted among some militia - then America will continue its path towards the Hobbesian "state of nature."
I can't understand why the problem is so difficult to understand for Americans. It's as if the society simply can't grasp what we can characterize as "the subjectivity of parenthood": what it is like for a parent to be a parent.
I'm a single father of two boys - have been rearing them alone for the past 8 years (and still getting up at 4:30am to hold my three jobs and to get them to school on time) - and my biggest issue with my sons (15 and 10) are less than those my parents had with me: picking up dirty clothes, getting to bed on time, not listening to music while doing homework. My love for my boys is what sustains me, and I can not understand how anyone could not appreciate the "inherent value" in bringing wonderful human beings into this world. However, it simply isn't among the values "nourished" by policy or practice in American society. Until it is a value of the society, American society can only hypocritically complain about the abysmal mess it is making not only of itself, but also its future, namely, its children.

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» RE: My Children or My Country Posted by: jstevenson

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Skyewoman
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Posted by: penelobaby on Nov 22, 2009 8:21 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
When did this country ever have a problem separating black parents from their children? The wealth of this country is based on the practice. At some point we'll have to deal with the residual effects of slavery. We have an apartheid system, unlike South Africa before Mandela, we claim that everybody's equal.

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Wow!
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Posted by: teddy on Nov 22, 2009 8:35 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
How many layers of stupid can you pile onto one life? Single parent, ailing mother, ailing sister, a special needs daughter, no work to be found, now an infant, no other helpful relatives - she wants to play G.I.Jane and feels cheated she has to keep her military commitments?

Ranks right up there with octomom.

With all those ailing relatives, she ought to get enough SSI to make her wealthy -

Sorry - no sympathy here. This one definitely answers the question: how stupid can you get?

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» TEDDY.....HOW STUPID CAN YOU GET? Posted by: jstevenson
» My point, exactly...well said Posted by: moloko velocet

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An Army or a day care center?.
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Posted by: altmart on Nov 22, 2009 8:59 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If you join the Army be prepared to fulfill your obligation. Period

This incident questions the role of women in the Army.

Equal rights and oppotunities ?? - Roles in combat zones??

The Army shouldn't be asked to run day care centers.

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Is there a Story Update that reflects the headline?
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Posted by: felipe on Nov 22, 2009 12:39 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It makes it sound like the army actually shipped her out and sent the child to foster care.

Has this happened? Did the headline change from yesterday?

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big surprise
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Posted by: tazdelaney on Nov 22, 2009 2:16 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
maybe this woman should've looked into the history of military organizations before joining one with a child in tow? note that under bush, kicking the shins of the praetorian guard, generally not a wise thing for caesar's to do, was a constant; with such things as billing an amputee for his halliburton meals and surgery; cutting family and educational benefits with troops in the field, etc. i generally reserve my sympathies for the civilian victims of armies; not those who fall for the war racket.

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cannon fodder
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Posted by: maxsmart on Nov 23, 2009 4:30 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is the way it is for an elitist organization out of the monarchical past. A war should be by consent not by force and in the case of these wars both have serious flaws. Not the militaries flaws but still they are forced to honor their oath while those calling the wars lie, fake, dissemble, misinform, bend and stretch the truth on WMD's and the other is just the irresolvable backfire from a CIA war against Russia gone bad and gettingt us hit by a misguided heat-seeking missile homing in on it's handlers.

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The Army is not a Jobs program
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Posted by: HLbuchanan on Nov 23, 2009 9:00 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
All enlisted members of the Army take the same oath. Officers take a similar one. The concept is that if you are a Soldier, you make the same agreement as your fellow Soldiers. You agree to "obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice."

Within those regulations is a requirement to deploy with your fellow Soldiers when ordered to, and to maintain a family care plan. All Mothers are afforded 6 weeks Maternity leave following a delivery, and following that may take ordinary leave if they so desire up until they run out. Do other countries have mandated longer times before returning to the work force? Yes. But the Army she joined does not.

She has the option after the birth of a child to take a motherhood chapter and get a general discharge under favorable conditions.
She is however to maintain a viable family care plan so that she can fulfill the duties that she and her fellow Soldiers have signed up for. Those duties include deployment.

It is despicable how many folks here have used her unfortunate collapsed family care plan and circumstance to wage an ideological campaign against the Army, the Government and those who choose to volunteer to protect your ability to have such heated and hateful opinions against your guardians. These guardians love you, and love serving to protect, honor, and defend you.

Good luck people.

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"You Mothers' Have a child take care of it. You army Air force And Marines let them go
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Richardsievert on Nov 24, 2009 5:37 AM   
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You have a child take care of it. You army Air force And Marines let them go whoever is making these rule's are causing civil war you wonder why your own soldiers hate you just look at what you make them do. We have enough dysfunction from lack of good care if these soldiers get pregnant they loos there Service call simple plain black and white get it or die from your own lack of discussing mess.

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Big Surprise?
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Posted by: DesertRune on Nov 24, 2009 8:50 AM   
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The only thing about this article that rings hollow is that it does not mention that for every Mom in the military who loses her children there are thousands of men losing all access to theirs. It is why suicide is soaring in the military.

I love biased articles such as this. It will help to bring about our social collapse much more quickly so that we can get away from this fact devoid, feelings packed activism that destroys tens of thousands to save one dubious individual who admits to violating laws of which she was aware well in advance her crimes.

Yes, please write more of these articles so that we can tell more of our soldiers just how little the "Progressive" movement reviles and minimizes those who follow orders and do the best they can do without playing entitlement games and clearly acting out the moralistic axiom "rules apply to you but not me".

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plantland
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Posted by: plantland on Nov 26, 2009 12:07 PM   
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WOMEN in PANTS in the occupying forces further INFLAME rural Afghans.

It is counterproductive to send women. Guys there with just fight with more abandon to keep their way of life, and show they are fiercer than female troops.

US gender eQuity is one thing.
It isn't worth the carbon footprint of airplanes and tanks to send women to an area that just wants to stay backward ,the more they see our society in the form of women in fatigues and the satellite Jerry Springer type shows.

Foster care costs the state. Kids who don't bond don't do as well academically and have a higher chance of going to prison.
Not brestfeeding raises a waoman's chance of getting breast cancer. (Better to prevent it than to diagnose it "earlier").

Wasting all this money- is this really going to help a lady lawyer overcome the glass ceiling?

The main point, of ourse, is that it is not in the security interst of the US to inflame the Pashtuans and induce them to be sympathetic to the Taliban.

DEPLOY NO ONE

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