CANADA MILITARY NEWS: August 2-Videos Honouring our Nato troops- our Canadian troops serving-pls thank those wearing flags of our Nato Nations- it's called FREEDOM
http://nova0000scotia.blogspot.ca/2013/08/canada-military-news-august-2-videos.html
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AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Clerics Council declare suicide attacks illegitimate
By Ghanizada - Mon Aug 05, 10:08 am
Qeyamuddin KashafThe Ulema (Clerics) Council of Afghanistan strongly condemned attack in eastern Jalalabad city of Afghanistan, that left at least 9 dead and over 30 others injured.
Chief of the Ulema (Clerics) Council of Afghanistan, Qeyamuddin Kashaf said that suicide attack is illegitimate in the religion of Islam, and the recent attack in Jalalabd city was against the instructions and commands of holy Quran.
A suicide bomber including gunmen attacked the Indian consulate in Jalalabad city of Afghanistan, which killed at least 9 people including children who were attending the religious classes in a mosque that was partly damaged.
The Ulema council chief Qeyamuddin Kashaf condemned the attack in strong words and said that assassination of Muslims and suicide attacks are prohibited in Islam.
Mr. Kashaf also urged the Afghan Ulemas (Clerics) to stand against the Taliban militants who are killing innocent civilians and carry out suicide attacks.
Afghanistan High Peace Council Chief also strongly condemned the attack and urged the Ulema council of Afghanistan to assist in bring peace and stability in the country.
http://www.khaama.com/afghanistan-clerics-council-declare-suicide-attacks-illegitimate-1728
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Lookee here- obvious Lib. Scott Taylor usually disses r troops imho... 2da... he honours them and blames the political bullshit and beans- UN needs disbanding-useless as titties on a bull- SOMEDAYS WLD LOVE 2 TAKE SCOTT OVER MY KNEE AND SPANK HIS ARSE... AND SOMETIMES SCOTT WARMS MY HEART- BUT I NEV-S MISS A READ- CAUSE U KNOW WHAT - methinks he loves our Nato troops 2-and scott's a damm good writer folks- BEST DAMM ARTICLE ON AFGHANISTAN IN 3 YEARS
- Oh beloved Afghanistan and Afghans- our Nato troops, ur troops, and each of u deserve better from the Global tribe of politicians called UNITED NATIONS of despots and thieves- when did the world's people let these monsters of all political stripes sit on their $$$$ arses and deliberately let our precious flag wearing kids and innocents and the poor be decimated 4 the almight $$$$ over life??
-weeping tears and prayers and heartfelt love of our troops... God bless ya darlins... God bless ya.- imho- my comments only- like many of us said over and over again since 2002- if ya don't like us loving our troops over ur politics- u all can kiss r grits!!!!
withstanding liberal bias- one of best articles in 3 years-God Bless Afghans
TAYLOR: Cycle of war, retreat continues in Afghanistan
August 4, 2013 - 6:28pm Scott Taylor
The stage is now set for the final act of the NATO-led military intervention in Afghanistan.
The U.S. has made it clear that by the end of 2014 they will withdraw the last of their remaining combat troops.
Most NATO allies, including Canada, have already ceased their contribution of combat forces.
Canada’s two-year commitment of 950 military trainers to the Afghan National Army is set to conclude in March 2014. At that time, our country’s 12-year-old mission in Afghanistan will effectively come to a merciful end.
To date we have lost 158 soldiers, another 2,000-plus injured and, as of yet, an incalculable number of veterans who suffer from the invisible wounds of combat stress disorder.
The most recent estimate indicates the cost to Canada for the war in Afghanistan, when you factor in the long-term medical costs associated with caring for our wounded warriors, is $22 billion.
While Canadian media reports would make a casual observer believe the Afghanistan war was a joint U.S.-Canadian affair, with a little help from the Brits, the fact is 47 countries contributed troops to the International Security
Assistance Force.
To date, that force has lost 3,358 and more than 10,000 have been wounded. At least 30 nations have seen their soldiers’ blood spilled in Afghanistan since the force was first established by the Bonn Agreement in December 2001.
The amount spent by this combined force to wage war on the Afghan insurgents will soon top US$1 trillion.
That figure is even more staggering when you realize the Taliban, who controlled Afghanistan prior to 9-11, had a GDP of little more than $2 billion in legitimate commerce.
Unfortunately, in this instance, all the king’s horses and all the king’s men and all the king’s gold could not put a broken Afghanistan back together again.
As the very name implies, the International Security Assistance Force (originally just 5,000 strong) was to help the Afghans achieve a secure post-Taliban environment from which a democratic central government would be able to take control.
However, after 12 years with the ranks of the international and U.S. forces swelling to more than 130,000 troops in theatre, and the employment of the most sophisticated weaponry and surveillance equipment on the planet, Afghanistan remains more insecure today than it was in 2001.
The Taliban that were routed by the initial U.S. invasion have not only regrouped and rearmed, but are now aligned with a variety of other insurgents and drug lords, who are tenaciously resisting the NATO-backed government of President Hamid Karzai in Kabul.
Four months ago, the U.S. officially handed over the responsibility for the counter-insurgency campaign to the Afghan security forces. Since then, the Afghan government troops have been getting clobbered by the Taliban at an alarming rate.
According to Afghanistan’s interior minister, more than 2,750 police officers have been killed during that period, with another 10,000 wounded.
To put that in perspective, that is an entire brigade wiped out and an additional division rendered hors de combat in just 120 days.
According to UN reports, the self-sacrifice of the Afghan security forces is having the opposite impact on their goal of protecting innocent civilians. In the first seven months of 2013, there have been more than 1,320 deaths and 2,535 injuries among Afghan citizens, many of them women and children.
This statistic is an increase of 23 per cent over the same period last year.
Such a sharp increase has ominous overtones for what will transpire when the U.S. and NATO forces begin their final exit next year.
Canadian troops who served in Afghanistan can take heart from the fact that they were never defeated in battle.
Our military and those of our NATO allies were not physically driven from Afghanistan by a feat of arms.
Nevertheless, the international community did fail to achieve their mission.
Like the countless empires throughout history that attempted to subdue the Afghans, they were defeated by the stubborn resilience of the Afghan fighters. It was a death by a thousand cuts and unfortunately those cuts will continue until the last NATO troops withdraw.
And if history continues to repeat itself, the Afghan tribes and factions will rally to their warlords and then continue to fight among themselves.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1146023-taylor-cycle-of-war-retreat-continues-in-afghanistan
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CANADA
Veteran’s book chronicles Afghan war’s toll on mental health
Cpl. Jamie MacWhirter survived a dangerous tour of duty in Afghanistan only to battle a different nightmare back in Canada.
By: Sue Bailey The Canadian Press, Published on Mon Aug 05 2013
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ST. JOHN’S, NLFD.—Cpl. Jamie MacWhirter survived seven months in Afghanistan in 2006 but found that, once safely back in Canada, a dark battle within himself escalated out of control.
It started during his single tour of Afghanistan’s most volatile war zones as the driver of a refuelling truck loaded with 10,000 litres of diesel. His nickname was "Fireball" for the most obvious related hazards.
Near misses included rocket attacks, the horror of a suicide bombing that killed several children, firefights, roadside bombs and long weeks outside the relative safe zone of the Kandahar Airfield.
Sleep became elusive and fraught with nightmares. MacWhirter, 37, chronicles them along with the tedium punctuated by terror of a grunt’s existence in his newly published memoir A Soldier’s Tale: A Newfoundland Soldier in Afghanistan.
Photos View galleryAfghanistan veteran Cpl. Jamie MacWhirter survived seven months in Afghanistan in 2006 but found that, once safely back in Canada, a dark battle within himself escalated out of control.zoom
Afghanistan veteran Cpl. Jamie MacWhirter holds the book that he has written about his tour in Afghanistan in 2006.zoom
"It was over a year (after returning to Edmonton) before I realized something was different," he said. "What threw me over the edge was, even today, I get angry for no reason. There are times when I’m really angry at the world and I sit down and try to figure out why I’m angry. And I can’t."
Nearly seven years since his return, MacWhirter is still seeing a psychiatrist regularly and figures he probably will for life. He got clearance from the military to publish his recollections, which grew out of a journal he kept while overseas. He wanted to convey what troops and their families go through on volunteer missions and the steep toll it takes, both during and after deployment.
"Every soldier that I have talked to from my tour has something, whether it’s nightmares (or) they’re still on medication," he said.
Many of his buddies quit the military. "Others got kicked out because they turned to drugs or alcohol. Every soldier from my tour changed a little."
The war continues when that soldier comes home.
Cpl. Jamie MacWhirter
Canadian war vet
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MacWhirter’s wife Vanessa was his girlfriend at the time. She said military spouses who juggle household duties while trying to keep thoughts of the worst at bay are often baffled by the haunted soldiers who return home.
"What he went through I could never imagine," she said during an interview at their home in Goulds, outside St. John’s.
"You never quite get the understanding of the feelings that he gets when it comes to the post-traumatic stress disorder or the nightmares that he goes through. … A lot of people try to hide it and they think they don’t need it, but support can really do a family wonders."
MacWhirter has high praise for military efforts such as the Operational Stress Injury Social Support program in which fellow soldiers help each other. But his book documents his frustration with rotating psychiatric staff and the reliance on prescription drugs.
"When I get a new head doctor I have to start all over again," he writes. "When I leave an appointment, I find myself very tired or in a bad mood because I just spent the last hour reliving things I would just as soon forget.
"Why can’t we talk about what could cool me down when I get angry? No, they would rather talk about what makes me angry, then give me some pills."
MacWhirter said it’s crucial that soldiers find something that truly gives them peace. For him, it was being posted back to Newfoundland in 2010. He was born in Corner Brook on the island’s west coast and now works as a station dispatcher in St. John’s. He is no longer on medication.
"My father has a cabin in Cormack and that is my safe zone," he said.
Being able to share the joys of fishing, swimming and camp fires with sons Avery, 12, and Cody, 5, has helped more than counselling ever did, MacWhirter said.
A military staff report published last month in the Canadian Medical Association Journal concludes almost 14 per cent of soldiers who served in Afghanistan have related mental health disorders.
It found 8 per cent of personnel who were deployed between 2001 and 2008 had post-traumatic stress disorder. Another 5.5 per cent struggle with depression. The research based on about 2,000 randomly selected medical records out of those for 30,500 troops.
MacWhirter hopes his book will help other veterans and their families. "The war continues when that soldier comes home."
MORE ON THESTAR.COM
War takes toll on soldiers’ mental healthEND
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/08/05/veterans_book_chronicles_afghan_wars_toll_on_mental_health.html
comment
I wish you well Jamie and thank you. So glad that soldiers are finally talking about it and getting help. PTSD has always been there yet they all soldiered up thinking it would go away and it only got worse. I sometimes wonder if this was why very few WWII vets would talk about the war.
comment:
Jamie, I don't know what your sense of personal leadership was before you were deployed to Afghanistan, but clearly you are a strong, influential and compassionate leader now, and will continue to be on your road ahead. You have soldiered up in the most admirable way. Thank you and your family for sharing an important time in your life story.
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LOOKEE- THE WORLD'S MEDIA IS GETTING SOME GUTS AND GUMPTION- UN has become so sleezy and embarrasing- their abuse of the world's poor whilst catering to despots and thieves of global nations who are just so cruel and horrid with bloodstains dripping tears around the world 2 everday good decent folks who care.... it's time... thx AP news 4 steppin up... it's damm time...
Hassan Rouhani’s- the Persian Snake 2 United Nations- WHO DID AND SAID NOTHING??????
Iranian regime’s incitement to religious hatred in describing Israel today as "a sore" that "has been sitting on the body of the Islamic world for many years."
http://blog.unwatch.org/index.php/2013/08/05/ap-reporter-asks-un-on-iran-based-on-un-watch-release/
Edith Lederer (chief correspondent for the Associated Press at the United Nations): I was wondering whether the Secretary-General has any response to this request by UN Watch… by this Geneva-based human rights group, who said that it sent a letter to the Secretary-General and to Navi Pillay condemning the incoming Iranian President’s statement, describing Israel as an old wound that should be removed and asking the Deputy Secretary-General to cancel plans to attend Hassan Rouhani’s Sunday inauguration.
UN Spokesperson: Well, on the last bit, the Deputy Secretary-General never intended to attend the inauguration. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Afghanistan, Ján Kubiš, will be attending, on the Secretary-General’s instructions, the inauguration; and so that’s the first part. I will need to check whether a letter has been received. You’re telling me about it now and you almost seem to be out of breath so it must be hot off the presses, so I don’t have anything to say at the moment.
[The Spokesperson later added that, according to the established practice regarding formation of new Governments, the Secretary-General will be also sending a congratulatory letter to President Rouhani following his swearing-in on 4 August. The letter is expected to reiterate the Secretary-General’s willingness to work with the new Iranian President and his Government on issues of importance to Iran and the international community, and urge Iran to play a constructive role in regional and international affairs. The Secretary-General looks forward to meeting with President Rouhani should he decide to participate in the forthcoming general debate.]
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India blame outside forces for attack on Jalalabad consulate
By GHANIZADA - Sat Aug 03, 9:00 pm Khaama Press
The government of India on Saturday condemned deadly attack on Indian consulate in eastern Jalalabad city of Afghanistan and blamed outside forces for the attack that left at least 9 people dead and 23 others injured.
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Pakistani Officials "Forcing IDs on Afghans"
By Omed Didar - Afghanistan
5 Aug 13
According to Saber, Pakistani officials are quick to issue ID to anyone the moment they mention they hold Afghan citizenship. Most of his relatives have acquired Pakistani papers as well, allowing them to cross the border unhindered.
http://iwpr.net/report-news/pakistani-officials-forcing-ids-afghans
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Kuwait News
Army chief meets Canadian gen.
31/07/2013 | 05:28 PM | Kuwait News
KUWAIT, July 31 (KUNA) -- General Chief of Staff of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces Lieutenant General Khalid Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah met here on Wednesday with Commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, Lieutenant General Stuart Beare on issues of mutual concern.
Department of Moral Guidance in the Kuwaiti Army Command said in a release the general chief of staff met Lieutenant Beare and his delegation members in his office, discussing bilateral military relations.
The meeting was also attended by several other high-ranking amry officers.
(end) hmd.fs.ag KUNA 311728 Jul 13NNNN
http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2326176&language=en
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Visit to Aghanistan ‘was a great opportunity to say thank you’: Whyte
By HERB ZURKOWSKY, THE GAZETTE
MONTREAL - On a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Afghanistan — and how often have those words been juxtaposed — it figured Sean Whyte and Joey Giampersa would hit it off, even if their time together was brief.
Giampersa, from Quebec City, is a Canadian soldier, one of approximately 950 currently deployed as part of our nation’s International Security Assistance Force. At the 2012 NATO Summit, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced an undisclosed number of Canadian soldiers would remain in Afghanistan, helping train and mentor the Afghan National Army until 2014 — although Canadian troops ended their combat role there in 2011.
More importantly, Giampersa, a big Als fan, immediately recognized Whyte, part of a contingent of current and former athletes who went to Afghanistan for six days in late April. Accompanying Whyte were centre Montreal Luc Brodeur-Jourdain, long-snapper Martin Bedard and four of the team’s cheerleaders, former NHL players Chris Nilan and Karl Dykhuis, along with Brian Burke, who served as general manager at Anaheim, Vancouver and Toronto.
"It was a great opportunity to say thank you to those troops, personally," Whyte said during an interview this week, following a practice at Stade Hébert. "It was a great eye-opening experience. You realize how blessed we are here.
"A lot of those guys thanked me for coming, telling me it took them out of their routine. They had nothing but smiles on their faces. If it wasn’t for those guys, I wouldn’t be able to live my dream of being a professional athlete. It’s awesome to say that."
When Giampersa saw Whyte with his game-worn jersey, he asked the kicker what would be required to acquire possession, the two arranging a trade. Giampersa ran to his bunk, getting one of his khaki-coloured security force shirts, still unworn. Knowing he still required his original sweater for the Together at School program he participated in last winter, Whyte promised he would sent another jersey to Giampersa from training camp in June.
Giampersa’s uniform now hangs, quite prominently, on a wall of Whyte’s Laval condo, an obvious conversation starter.
"I might not ever get the opportunity to do that again," said the 27-year-old native of White Rock, B.C., who came to the Als in a May 2011 trade, Montreal relinquishing a first-round draft choice to the Lions.
At the time, general manager Jim Popp undoubtedly never believed he had traded a coveted first-round selection for a kicker who, two years later, would come precipitously close to being blown to smithereens in Afghanistan. Eight hours after leaving Kuwait — the beginning and end of the trip with a four-day stop in Kabul in between — Whyte and the travelling party were advised a bomb had been launched at the spot they had visited, six people ultimately losing their lives.
"To be honest, I was expecting one while I was there," Whyte quipped, displaying a somewhat cavalier attitude. "We had been warned that it’s common. But they don’t have guidance systems on these missiles. They just lob them over the mountain and hope for the best.
"I was ready for one. When it didn’t happen, I was surprised. It happened eight hours after we left so, I guess, lucky me."
The Als undoubtedly were aware, and signed-off, on this junket, arranged and orchestrated by the Department of National Defence. Indeed, it marked Brodeur-Jourdain’s second visit there.
The Afghan Civil War began in 2001, followed in rapid fashion by the intervention by the United States, and its allies, following the terrorist attacks of September 2001 by Taliban-led extremists.
Canada’s role began later that year, although the first contingents of regular troops wouldn’t arrive until January and February of 2002. Canada assumed a larger role in the battle four years later, with the deployment of about 2,500 Canadian Forces personnel, almost half of which comprised the combat battle group.
At this time, the Canadian Forces’ participation is limited to NATO’s training mission in Afghanistan. The international effort was designed to assist the Afghan National Security Forces as they transition to full responsibility for security throughout Afghanistan in 2014.
Security was tight, Whyte admitted, the visitors under a tight and closely monitored schedule. Whyte’s convoy consisted of himself and Burke, along with two security force personnel. Whyte said he never felt threatened or insecure.
"National Security emphasized we were well taken care of," Whyte said. "If we were considered a high-risk target, we were treated very well, protected at all times and on a time schedule. Never once did I feel that I was not safe. The trips between bases was fairly quick.
"We were told the Taliban doesn’t want to mess with Canadians or the Americans. They go after the Afghanistan troops. They’re still learning the logistics of war.
"It was a blast and I wanted to do it," Whyte admitted. "I was curious ... and wanted to see what it’s all about. I know not a lot of people get the opportunity to do it. Some people thought I was crazy. It’s naive of me to say, but I want to go see some adventure, maybe some trouble. Who knows? I’m 27. I’ve got nothing holding me back. Do it now, while I’m young. It was totally worth it and I’d do it again."
Whether Whyte spends a second consecutive winter in Montreal remains to be determined. He’s scheduled to become a free agent next February, fully intent on playing out his option and potentially testing the market.
But he’s glad, for one winter at least, to have participated in the Als’ outreach program. Whyte, who can laugh at himself and clearly is comfortable in his own skin, was himself a troubled child growing up.
He admits suffering from a learning disability, never properly diagnosed, although he believes it to be Attention Deficit Disorder. To this day, Whyte remains overwhelmed by math and, in his school days, was placed in a learning-assistance program.
"It brought me down. I felt like I wasn’t smart enough," he said. "I was a little slower with some subjects."
While playing in British Columbia, Whyte avoided public-speaking engagements, his natural shyness striking trepidation. But he wanted to overcome that fear and shortcoming last winter and believed, for many reasons, the children to whom he was speaking would be able to relate — while looking him in the eye.
"The kids were awesome," said Whyte, who visited approximately 20 schools throughout the province. "I struggled in school because of my own decisions that I made. They look at me as a role model and listen. I’m just another voice to them.
"I know I’m not going to get through to everybody. But, in every visit, I know I got to one kid. It’s good to bring comfort to kids. They wonder whether it’s ever going to get better."
hzurkowsky@montrealgazette.com
http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/football/montreal-alouettes/Inside+Visit+troops+Aghanistan/8714152/story.html
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AUSTRALIA
Afghanistan exhibition a tribute to our forces
DateAugust 6, 2013
Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott will cease election campaigning briefly on Tuesday evening to attend the launch of an Afghanistan exhibition at the Australian War Memorial.
''Afghanistan: The Australian Story'' pays tribute to the Australian forces operating in the Middle East.
Chief of the Australian Defence Force General David Hurley will deliver the opening address.
Before the launch, the names of the 40 Australians on the Afghanistan roll of honour will be read by Lieutenant-General David Morrison at the daily Last Post ceremony.
Advertisement
Wreaths will be laid in honour of the Defence Force members killed in the war.
Last week a blast-damaged storage bin from an Australian Army Bushmaster vehicle was handed over to the war memorial to go on display in the new exhibition.
The vehicle was blown up when it went over an insurgent bomb in Afghanistan in November.
Three Australians received minor wounds in the blast.
The vehicle - a large armoured troop transport - manufactured in Bendigo by defence company Thales, had been delivered only several months before the blast and needed to be returned to Australia for repairs.
Many Bushmasters have been blown up by insurgent bombs, some destroyed, but no soldier has been killed in one.
Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/afghanistan-exhibition-a-tribute-to-our-forces-20130805-2rahw.html#ixzz2b7xf4xvc
Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/afghanistan-exhibition-a-tribute-to-our-forces-20130805-2rahw.html#ixzz2b7xaCuqZ
Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/afghanistan-exhibition-a-tribute-to-our-forces-20130805-2rahw.html#ixzz2b7x7REgs
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Parents on Their Children Going off to War
Credit Sgt. Fredrick Coleman, USMC / U.S. Central Command Communication Integration
Rick Cicero (middle) with Marine Major Gen. Dave Beydler of CENTCOM (right) and Canadian Forces Col. Paul Keddy (left).
Jean Cicero talks about being the parent of a son that goes off to war. And that son, Rick Cicero, shares his reaction to losing his right arm and right leg to a bomb blast. He "manned up" because his grown son, Dylan Cicero, was there and currently training for Special Forces.
How do parents of adult children deal with the stress and uncertainty when their child volunteers to go off to war?
Jean Cicero is married to a police officer, now retired. She said it was no surprise that her son, Rick, joined the Army and served in the first Gulf War or that he became a police officer when he returned home.
"It was kind of hard to decide which was more difficult, which made me crazier," Jean said. "I would talk to him and he’d go ‘Mom, you’ve got to be brave because if you’re brave then I’m brave.’"
Enlarge image PHOTO
Credit Bobbie O'Brien / WUSF Public Media
The challenge coin Rick Cicero was given as part of a commendation for saving the life of a Canadian soldier in Afghanistan July 31, 2010 after a bomb blast.
Rick Cicero would ask his mom to be brave again when he headed to Afghanistan as a defense contractor training dogs to detect Improvised Explosive Devices.
"I just said my prayers and hung in there," Jean said.
Her son was severely injured by an IED in 2010 while on his third tour in Afghanistan. Rick Cicero lost his right arm and right leg.
Other family members stayed with Rick immediately after the injury at the military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
Jean didn’t see her son until he arrived at Tampa’s James A. Haley VA Hospital. She remembered that his body was a wreck, but his face told her something else.
"His spirit, his bravery that’s all that you saw. And he said, ‘Mom I’m fine. I’m going to be fine,’" Jean said. "I happened to be there the day, the first day, he put his leg on. So, I saw him stand for the first time out of bed."
Asked if was similar to watching Rick learn to walk as a toddler, Jean said it was much different and more difficult because she knew the pain he was experiencing.
"You know when they’re babies and they take their first steps, you’re there and you can kind of hold onto them a little bit," Jean said. "When they put the leg on and he turned to me and said, ‘Mom, don’t watch.’ He wanted to protect me. I couldn’t tell you how proud I was."
She said within a week Rick was walking all over the hospital. That was almost three years ago.
Rick credits his son, Dylan, for helping him adjust to losing two of his limbs.
Enlarge image PHOTO
Credit Bobbie O'Brien / WUSF Public Media
Rick Cicero uses his service dog to help maintain his balance.
"The probably best and most challenging moment was the day I woke up and a few minutes after speaking with the nurse, my son walked in," Rick said. "He was stationed in Afghanistan at the same time and he actually flew with me to Germany on the Medevac flight and had been with me the days I was unconscious."
Rick said he raised his son to make lemonade when life hands you lemons.
"There was no time to complain," Rick said reflecting back to that first day in the Landstuhl hospital. "There was no time to gripe. And it was probably the best thing that could happen to me because you know here’s my son, I’ve got to man up."
Rick now volunteers his time visiting severely wounded troops at the Haley VA Hospital.
His son, Dylan Cicero, is turning 22 and working to qualify for Special Forces.
Having served and suffered the loss of a leg and arm, Rick focuses on what he can do to help Dylan succeed.
"Coddling them is not going to do it," Rick said. "That’s going to make them second guess, it’s going to make them lack in their commitment. What we need to do is reinforce in them - you’re trained. I raised you since a little one now and you have the right tools to do this."
Rick said he has faith, faith in his son and faith that he will succeed.
http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/parents-their-children-going-war
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Prince George given Canadian kids' books, blanket Toronto Star
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor-General David Johnston announced on Thursday the array of gifts that Canada was sending to the royal baby.
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Cadet trains with Canadian Forces Campbell River Mirror
Gabrielle Bilinski of Campbell River spent three days last week learning firefighting and flood control techniques from Canadian Forces Instructors at the ...
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Canadian Armed Forces Welcome New Officer Cadets Marketwire (press release)
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - July 25, 2013) - Today, 45 men and women in the Montreal area were welcomed as officer cadets in the Canadian ...
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Don't u think it's time we started looking and caring 4 our own?
France joins US, Britain & Germany in shutting embassies across Muslim world; attack on Indian consulate in Afghanistan kills 9
From REUTERS
Last Updated: 2:02 PM, August 3, 2013
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/afghanistan_indian_consulate_britain_olQtryFzvJjUhYyXgooaxN
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How much influence will Iran have in post-US Afghanistan?
Though Iran has been sponsoring projects in Afghanistan for years, Afghans have grown skeptical of their neighbor's intentions.
By Scott Peterson, Staff writer / August 5, 2013
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2013/0805/How-much-influence-will-Iran-have-in-post-US-Afghanistan?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+feeds%2Fworld+%28Christian+Science+Monitor+%7C+World%29
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Deadly attacks foiled in capital Kabul, 7 suicide bombers arrested
By Ghanizada on 04 Aug 2013 2:25pm - No Comments
Afghan intelligence — National Directorate of Security (NDS) on Sunday announced, at least seven suspected suicide bombers and militants were arrested in capital Kabul. The National Directorate of Security following a statement said the suicide bombers were arrested during an operation in Chel Setun area of Kabul city on Saturday.
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Suicide bomber in Afghan police uniform shot dead in Uruzgan
By Ghanizada on 04 Aug 2013 1:07pm - No Comments
According to local authorities in southern Uruzgan province of Afghanistan, a suicide bomber was shot dead by Afghan police forces in this province on Sunday morning. The officials further added that the incident took place in Tarinkowt city and the suspected suicide bomber was gunned down before he manage to reach to his target.
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Afghan 'Voice Of Women' Back On Air
August 2, 2013 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
SAR-E POL, Afghanistan -- The owner of an Afghan radio network dedicated solely to women says one of its regional stations has been reopened after it was controversially shut down two weeks ago.
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Afghan King’s granddaughter marries Prince Muhammad of Egypt
Khaama Press 3 August 2013 By Ghanizada
Princess Noal Zaher, the granddaughter of Afghanistan King Zaher Shah is due to tie knot with Egypt’s Prince Muhammad Ali on 30 August this year.
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IS IT JUST ME.... OR IS AMERICAN GREED AND AMERICAN POLITICS AND UNITED NATIONS DESPOTS AND THIEVES- KILLING OUR beloved (here since 2002- protecting the backs of our sons and daughters and so damm tired of all this bullshit and beans) NATO TROOPS ON THE GROUND EVERY DAMM DAY TRYING 2 BRING FREEDOM AND PEACE 2 AFGHAN'S MOST INNOCENT???
SWEET JESUS, MOTHER MARY AND JOSEPH
Taliban supporters in Afghanistan receive $150m in US contracts
By Ghanizada - Sun Aug 04, 5:45 am
http://www.khaama.com/taliban-supporters-in-afghanistan-receive-150m-in-us-contracts-2311
? American politics killing r Nato troops?
Taliban supporters in Afghanistan receive $150m in US contracts
By Ghanizada - Sun Aug 04, 5:45 am
http://www.khaama.com/taliban-supporters-in-afghanistan-receive-150m-in-us-contracts-2311
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NOTICE - NOT ONE AFGHAN INVITED 2 PARTICIPATE????- This is The Islamic Republic Of Afghansitan RIGHT... u know where our Nato troops fight and die and bleed 4 everyday Afghans 2 have freedom and some peace and education- training Afghan brothers and sisters 2 fight so bravely 4 their Afghanistan????- this arrogance at it finest... Nato 47 countries participated 2 free Afghanistan right??? and now it's the enemy Pakistan and the over-America times - USA??? Really Mr. John Kerry- the Wesboro Baptist of Vietnam???? Really? ... imho always since 2002- sick of all of this-
... NATO WON AFGHANISTAN 4 DIFFERENT TIMES.... AND AMERICA POLITICAL USELESS AS TITTIES ON A BULL, UNITED NATIONS BLEW IT... EVERY DAMM TIME WITH DESPOTS AND THIEVES.... look at our men and women wearing our flags.... just have 2 weep tears and prayers 2da
US, Pakistan discuss transfer of Taliban office from Qatar
By Ghanizada - Mon Aug 05, 8:55 am
Taliban officer in Qatar to be transferredAccording to reports, U.S. and Pakistani officials are mulling to transferring the Taliban ‘political office’ from Qatar to some other country.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recently visited Pakistan and met with the Pakistani officials over Afghan peace talks in a bid to to revive the nascent reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
The officials discussed the prospects of the Afghan reconciliation and how to break the deadlock in the Doha process, Pakistan’s The Express Tribune reported.
Officials quoted by The Express Tribune said, Islamabad and Washington are not very hopeful about the revival of the Doha process and are now looking at other options to jump start the peace talks with the Afghan Taliban.
The officials further added that John Kerry and Pakistani officials discussed other possible options including transfer of Taliban office from Qatar to some other country in a bid to help accelerate Afghan peace talks.
In the meantime there are also reports that officials are considering alternative options to Doha process, however no final decision has been taken in this regard so far.
Taliban group in Afghanistan temporarily closed it’s office in Doha after president Hamid Karzai suspended peace talks, and termed the style in which the Taliban office was inaugurated on June 18 in Doha as an attempt to install a parallel government.
According to Pakistani officials the option of transferring the Taliban office from Qatar had already been shared with the Afghan administration.
http://www.khaama.com/us-pakistan-discuss-transfer-of-taliban-office-from-qatar-1727
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Mullah arrested over public execution of a girl in western Afghanistan
By Ghanizada -
Mullah arrested in western AfghanistanAccording to local authorities in western Badghis province of Afghanistan, a Mullah Imam has been arrested by Afghan police in connection to death
penalty of a girl in this province.
Provincial security chief Sharafuddin Sharfa said the Mullah Imam had issued a Fatwa for death penalty of an Afghan girl, who was later executed
over adultery charges.
Mr. Sharaf further added that Halmia was publicly executed in Kokchial village after the Mullah issued Fatwa, accusing the girl for having illicit relations with another man.
The provincial security chief called the act of Mullah as un-Islamic and against the principles of humanity.
He said, "This was an illegal act, since a woman should be tried for her crimes according to the Sharia law. The judiciary institutions are active in Afghanistan and the Fatwa against the victim was unfair."
Security chief Sharafuddin Sharaf said that the woman was executed and there was no evidence to prove her guilty, and therefore Afghan security forces have arrested the Mullah and he has been handed over to judiciary institutions.
According to Mr. Sharf the Fatwa was issued by Abdul Ghafoor earlier in April this year.
http://www.khaama.com/mullah-arrested-over-public-execution-of-a-girl-in-western-afghanistan-1712?fb_ref=recommendations-bar
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Afghanistan, Iran sign long term strategic cooperation agreement
By Ghanizada on 05 Aug 2013 6:59pm - No Comments
The Afghanistan National Security Council signed a long term strategic cooperation agreement memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Secretariat of the National Security Council of Iran. Afghanistan Presidential Palace Media office following a statement announced that the strategic cooperation agreement (MoU) between the two nations was signed during president Hamid Karzai’s visit to Iran
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Afghan reporter beaten by Parwan governor seeks MOI immunity
By Ghanizada on 05 Aug 2013 11:14am - No Comments
Afghan reporter Nasratullah Iqbal who was brutally beaten and humiliated by an Afghan official in capital Kabul has raised concerns regarding his immunity. A video of Nasratullah Iqbal circulated in social networking websites which shows him in a bad situation with his dress covered in blood. The reporter in his letter to the ministry of Read the full article...
Read full story »
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Afghan Local Militias Demand Support
Village defence units say they provide stability and refuse to be merged with police.
By IWPR Afghanistan - Afghanistan
ARR Issue 461,
5 Aug 13
Locally-raised paramilitaries in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province say they will stop fighting the Taleban unless the government provides them with weapons and payment.
As in many other Pashtun-majority areas in the southern half of Afghanistan, the Taleban began regaining influence in Ghazni in the years after 2001, to the point where they effectively controlled parts of the province. But the particularly harsh policies they imposed in Ghazni, which halted reconstruction and kept schools closed, prompted a backlash. In April 2012, residents of Qadimkhel, a village in the Andar district, organised their own militia to hold off the insurgents.
http://iwpr.net/report-news/afghan-local-militias-demand-support
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tears and prayers - dammit!
UK- ANOTHER VICIOUS BULLYCIDE- find these souless evil monsters- hunt them down- hunt their families... get them.... nail them hard and fast..... 14 year old kid.... COME ON!!!! ask.fm- allows 2b children tortured
Schoolgirl is 'trolled to death': Parents' agony as daughter, 14, 'hangs herself' after horrific abuse from bullies on website Ask.fm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2384866/Schoolgirl-14-suspected-suicide-told-drink-bleach-bullies-website-Ask-fm.html
bullysuicide
NEW Hannah Smith, from Lutterworth, Leicestershire, was found dead on Friday after being sent abusive messages on controversial website Ask.fm. Her devastated parents posted the news online and attacked the website for not doing more to tackle bullies, while friends want it banned. Ask.fm, which launched in 2010, has been heavily criticised by anti-bullying charities because it allows users to post anonymous comments - often of a sexual or insulting nature - on the pages of children as young as 13.
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SOLDIERS OF SUICIDE- FACEBOOK CANADA
We live in a peaceful country that we are all proud of but with this often comes the ignorance that we do not need a military force to protect this beautiful country.
In reality, these are some of the most important people in our country because they are fighting the battles that let us remain the peaceful land we are.
One of the on going tragedies involving our troops is the fact that these young men return from service having been through hell and back without the welcome home they deserve.
Many fall in to depression caused by Post Traumatic Stress and unfortunately a few even take their own lives.
So we are coming together for a night of Music, Poetry, Art and compassion to help raise money to build a monument in the national cemetery to honor our fallen soldiers
Minimum $5 donation at the door and the night of events will be updated as we approach the evening so stay posted!
PLSE STEP UP AND SUPPORT-
Soldiers of Suicide-FACEBOOK- Canada
http://www.soldiersofsuicide.com/
http://fundraisingsosproject.blogspot.ca/
STF Entertainment
www.soundcloud.com/stfentertainment
BOGUS
www.phonophonic.bandcamp.com
Terry Grolman and friends
Local artists needed! get at me!!
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Refugee Snowden Leaves Airport
01 August 2013 | Issue 5182
The Moscow Times
U.S. intelligence leaker Edward Snowden left the transit zone of Sheremetyevo Airport on Thursday afternoon after the Federal Migration Service has granted him a temporary asylum status.
WikiLeaks, which has supported Snowden in his quest to find asylum outside the U.S., confirmed that former NSA contractor had left the airport along with WikiLeaks Representative Sarah Harrison.
"We would like to thank the Russian people and all those others who have helped to protect Mr. Snowden," WikiLeaks said on its Twitter. "We have won the battle — now the war."
The temporary refugee status was granted to Snowden on Thursday and will expire in one year on 31 July 2014. It can then subsequently be extended for another year upon request or upgraded to a 5-year permanent asylum. Subsequently Snowden can even be granted Russian citizenship.
"I put him in a taxi 15 to 20 minutes ago and gave him certificate on getting refugee status in the Russian Federation. He can live wherever he wants in Russia. It's his personal choice," Kucherena told Reuters.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/snowden-granted-asylum-offered-job/483964.html
and...
Founder of 'Russian Facebook' Offers Snowden a Job
MOSCOW - The founder of Russia's most popular social network VKontakte on Thursday offered a job to Edward Snowden, after the US intelligence leaker left a Moscow airport with his new asylum papers.
"Today Edward Snowden, the man who has exposed the crimes of American security services against the world's citizens, received temporary asylum in Russia," Pavel Durov who co-founded the network in 2006, wrote on his VKontakte page.
"We invite Edward to Petersburg and will be happy if he decides to join the dream team of VKontakte programmers," wrote 28-year-old Durov.
Durov's young age and sometimes extravagant statements have earned him comparisons with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.
"No other Internet company in Europe is more popular than VK," Durov said, referring to the shortened name of the social network, which boasts 210 million registered users and is based in Saint Petersburg.
"I think Edward would be interested in working on security of personal data of the millions of our users."
A former contractor for the NSA, Snowden has been in Russia since June 23, when he arrived from Hong Kong after leaking details of US surveillance operations in the world.
He had stayed in the airport transit zone until Thursday, when Russia granted him asylum status for one year, allowing him to formally cross the border.
http://www.securityweek.com/founder-russian-facebook-offers-snowden-job
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Special Reports
U.N. welcomes Afghan election measures
Published: Aug. 5, 2013 at 11:28 AM
KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Establishing an election dispute program in Afghanistan is central to plans for a transparent presidential contest in 2014, the U.N. mission said.
Incumbent President Hamid Karzai is ineligible to compete because of term limits.
The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said it welcomed the appointment of members to an independent election commission. The appointment follows the approval of election laws governing next year's contest.
"The U.N. mission notes that the establishment of the electoral dispute resolution mechanism is equally crucial for ensuring transparent, credible and inclusive elections," it said in a statement Saturday.
Presidential and provincial council elections are scheduled April 5. International combat forces are looking to end their commitments to Afghanistan next year as well.
Karzai backed the election laws in a July decree. Elections since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 were seen as skewed in his favor.
"An inclusive appointments process is an important development in the establishment of a credible and robust electoral architecture for Afghanistan's presidential and provincial council elections," the U.N. mission said.
Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/08/05/UN-welcomes-Afghan-election-measures/UPI-79241375716524/#ixzz2b7QnPrgP
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U.S. embassy in Kabul reopens (0:42)
Aug. 5 - The United States reopens its Kabul embassy following its closure due to fears of an al Qaeda attack. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).
http://uk.reuters.com/video/2013/08/05/us-embassy-in-kabul-reopens?rpc=401&videoId=244559019&feedType=VideoRSS&feedName=TopNews&rpc=401&videoChannel=1&refresh=true
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The girl who defied the Taliban: 11-year-old Afghan girl who lost an eye finds second home with North Carolina family
Farida, 11, lost he eye in Afghanistan to a Taliban-planted bomb
Her father defied the Taliban and sent her to America with a U.S.-based charity to get her medical aid
Farida was emotionally adopted by her American host family and received corrective eye surgery her family's financial circumstances would not have allowed her to get otherwise
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2384581/The-girl-defied-Taliban-11-year-old-Afghan-girl-lost-eye-finds-second-home-North-Carolina-family.html#ixzz2b7SqHIf2
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
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FREEDOM was not in Afghanistan before 2002- and in 2014 will be gone again- imho- and Canada's no quitter- BUT UN AND USA POLITICAL MACHINES R
- Russia and China and Pakistan just don't care and along with India just want the riches (and there r lots)... and the Persian Snake Iran- well there u have it... Iran-Russia and China hug each other tight- just as Canada-USA and Mexico and Latin America do- just like Europe -EU does
..... BUT u know what- our sons and daughters wearing our Nations honour, dignity and freedom of our flags- deserve better than this... and those who died badly and wounded by evil -no-law- NewAgeNazi Muslim butchers of innocent Muslims
-... our Nato and Afghan troops deserved better... and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah won the election in 2009 Afghanistan honestly but UN hijacked his victory....
... DEAR GOD- UNITED NATIONS $$$18 Billion $$$800 Million tax dollars globally YEARLY 4 this ugly extravagence of salaries and luxuries and meetings over NOTHING.... MUST BE DISBANDED... seriously
Freedom In Afghanistan Under Serious Risk
By Khushnood Nabizada - Sat Jul 27, 1:51 pm
The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) an institution, which plays an absolutely crucial role in protecting the rights of all Afghans were also targeted by Afghan government and their activities have been blocked by senior politicians
http://www.khaama.com/freedom-in-afghanistan-under-serious-risk-6543?fb_ref=recommendations-bar
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Operation NANOOK 2013 / Opération Nanook 2013
More than 1 000 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel will take part in Operation NANOOK 13, the premier annual CAF operation held in Canada's North, from August 2 to 23. Operation NANOOK showcases CAF personnel working in close partnership with many federal, territorial, and municipal agencies in a collaborative whole-of-government approach.
Plus de 1 000 militaires des Forces armées canadiennes (FAC) prendront part à l’opération Nanook 2013, l’opération annuelle des FAC la plus importante à être menée dans le Nord du Canada du 2 au 23 août. L’opération Nanook met en valeur le travail effectué par les FAC en étroite collaboration avec des organismes fédéraux, territoriaux et municipaux, en utilisant une approche pangouvernementale axée sur la collaboration.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.500994416643791.1073741829.222493134493922&type=1
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Iran’s Rouhani must be condemned by UN for today’s "ugly incitement"
Israel today as "a sore" that "has been sitting on the body of the Islamic world for many years.
http://blog.unwatch.org/index.php/2013/08/02/irans-rouhani-must-be-condemned-by-un-for-todays-ugly-incitement/
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Afghanistan's middle class: What will happen to us when the US leaves?
The Christian Science Monitor By Halima Kazem 2 August 2013
Kabul - After the Taliban's ouster in 2001, thousands of Afghans found high-paying jobs in Kabul. As Westerners leave ahead of 2014, many Afghans' new middle-class lifestyle may be in danger. It’s an hour before sunset and 30-year-old Besmellah Khurram is feverishly texting his group of friends to find out which Kabul restaurant they should meet at to break their day-long fast.
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Nuristani elected as Afghanistan election commission chief
By GHANIZADA - Sat Aug 03, 2:22 pm Khaama Press
The Afghanistan Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Saturday announced that Dr. Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani has been elected as chief of the independent election commission (IEC), and Abdul Rahman Hotaki has been elected as deputy IEC chief.
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