Once it was decided by the Bush administration that military action was necessary to defend America those who serve your country became a rallying point through the phrase "Support the Troops." Except it wasn't ever about the troops or their needs. Bush Doctrine was more important.

When it comes to motivational training, some people turn to cutesy little posters, games of office-funded paintball or outdoor challenge experiences to help people get in touch, in tune, focused and motivated to perform.

The Italian military in Livorno has its own unique method: it trains soldiers in martial arts by pitting them against 77 year old Keiko Wakabayshi, who kicks their collective ass daily.

According to an article in The UK Telegraph Online by Nick Allen (last updated: 7:42PM BST 23/06/2008), the "Samurai Granny" is a master of "an array of martial arts disciplines including jujitsu, jojitso, kenjitso, judo, kendo and karate."

It remains to be seen if Miss Wakabayshi would be willing to come to the US to train other senior citizens who would like to speak to Congress and with our Executive Branch about prescription drugs, healthcare, Social Security and Medicaid. Somehow, I'd find it hard to believe that either Congress or our CiC would want to stand toe-to-toe with with her or any senior who she may have potentiall trained.

We might get a lot more work done that way.

This is an Open Thread.

For George W. Bush, "sacrifice" means giving up golf to show solidarity with the families of soldiers he's sent to fight his illegal war.

That's like saying that his war is a game.

Bush's false bravado isn't because he has any balls. In his mind, that's what the soldiers are for.

Congress needs to end this game now.

* Morph function created using Squirlz Morph 3.2 by xiberpix. Also used FaceGen Modeller 3.2 by Singular Inversions to create the soldier's face. The angry golf ball is actually from here; it's a golf ball Halloween mask.

Bumped. Originally posted Sat, 04/19/2008 - 00:33.

Recognize the title? Perhaps you may, particularly if you are married -- it's a snippet from a marriage vow.

__________

To Have and to Hold From This Day Forward,
For Better or for Worse,
For Richer, or for Poorer,
In Sickness and in Health,
Forsaking All Others,
To Love and to Cherish,
Until Death Do Us Part.
__________

Unfortunately, when I came across the phrase and paused long enough to take each line separately, it was not any type of matrimonial bliss that graced my mind, but instead the unholy union that has resulted in the current disaster currently damning our nation at the highest levels. What follows are the random thoughts I found darkly circling each phrase in the vow; tread softly now, that the imprints left do not permanently mar the once-bright promise and potential formerly associated with it...

[Note: There are very few times when "must read" should be used. This series is one them.]

Kelly Kennedy/ArmyTimes: Blood Brothers:
In Shiite Kadhamiya, Charlie Company found paved, clean streets. In Sunni Adhamiya, so many garbage collectors had been killed that the Shiite government workers refused to go there. “It was one road and one river away from Adhamiya,” DeNardi said. “But there was civilization on one side and chaos on the other.”
[Also see the David Goldstein/McClatchy series, and standingup's commentary.]