Shame on You, Westboro Baptist Church

This image above the posting should be disturbing to you. It makes me sick to my stomach and to many other people. In 2006 members of the Westboro Baptist Church started to protest at funerals of servicemen and women who died in Iraq. They held up signs saying “Thank God for Dead Soldiers.” I could not imagine the family members who had to encounter this. Imagine going to your son’s funeral, and seeing hateful protesters ruining the last honorable moments of your son.

To give some background information, the protestors are from the Westboro Baptist Church based in Topeka Kansas. They have been actively protesting military funerals since 2006 and have traveled to 22 states to reach their goal. Not only do they protest the military, but they protest people who are gay, bisexual, transgender people, Roman Catholics, Muslims and Jews. Their claim for protesting are for religious reasons, and that it is God’s message—that God is punishing the Americans for disobeying. Personally, I think this is why religion sometimes receives a bad reputation, because organizations like this take it to the extreme. They claim they are Baptist and Christian people, but this is not the Christian way. In fact they are considered a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Below I have included a clipping from Fox News that interviewed a woman who is a member of Westboro Baptist Church that justified her acts and of the church. I really think she is disturbed.



Many families who encountered the Westboro Baptist Church have tried to stop these protests from occurring. However, in defense, the church claims it would violate their First Amendment rights. After searching what justice has occurred, I found an article about a father who won his case in court against the church. His son who was a Marine died in Iraq. When the family had their funeral service, the protesters came shouting their slogans. The father was very disturbed and angry, so he created a lawsuit against the church. Today he won $2.9 million dollars in compensatory damages. Along with that, there are many congress members who are trying to get laws passed so that protesters have to be at least 500 feet away from the funerals.

I am glad to hear that some people are fighting against this church. I am so angry about the church, I can not even find the words that best expresses my anger. But, shame on your Westboro Baptist Church for disturbing the funerals of the honored. How dare you call yourself members of the church.

The Troop’s Advocator

Operation Homecoming

I hate being repetitive with my postings. I found an article about a documentary that captures my blog better than I could ever put in words. I have given book reports and media reports, but I have not done any documentaries. This documentary is based on an anthology of writings by service members who served in the current war. The documentary is titled, “Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience.” The documentary was inspired by the book, “Operation Homecoming: Iraq, Afganistan, and the Home Front, in the Worlds of U.S. Troops and Their Families.” The article can be read here. The article captured exactly what I wanted to say from the start of when I first began to blog.

What makes this documentary different from the other war documentaries is it is produced by The Documentary Group, which is founded by the producer and director of the late ABC News anchor Peter Jennings. Again, I solute ABC for their dedication towards the troops. In addition, the information is collected by actual military members instead of politicians. The director, Richard Robbins, said the goal was “to make a film that focused on the human experience” of war. The film does not take on the politics of the war; it is purely focused on the servicemen. “Robbins and Bridges said they believe all Americans have a responsibility to listen to what the troops have to say, and that they hope their films will serve to enlighten their audiences as to their experiences…Robbins and Bridges both said they believe there is a disconnect between service members and the American public because the majority of Americans are not directly affected by the war in Iraq.”

If we could only take a moment of our time to listen to the servicemen and women, maybe then we would really understand what it meant to support the troops. This message can only come from the source, and that is the troops.

Below I have included the trailer for the documentary. It is one of the most intriguing trailers I have seen in a while.



The Troop’s Advocator

The Role of Media

I have placed a great amount of blame for the lack of support for the troops on the United States government. Though I do find them responsible for the betrayal of our troops, I also find that the media has a significant role as well. Believe it or not the media has a major influence on the American people. Some news channels are biased when reporting, but that is beside the point. The point is, today the news reports are more negative than positive. For some reason Americans have a fascination with watching the down fall of people. Knowing the media has a great influence on their audience, would it hurt to report the positive things in life? Would it hurt the news to spend a few minutes of their program to shed light on the positive things that the troops do.

With war come mixed feelings. However, I find many people confuse the difference between war and the troops. I think the media could do a better job identifying the difference. It is time for a different approach. When the war is over and the men and women who serve look back at the media, majority of it will be negative. I applaud ABC news for occasionally doing stories that personalize the military members. While history is being created here in the States, it is also being created overseas. It appears that the media only does positive stories on the military when there is progress with the war. What I propose to the media is doing more personalized stories about the troops. Trust me, out of all the men and women overseas there are hundreds stories just waiting to be told.

Talking to some of my friends in the military, I discussed the media and what their views were. Some said they felt the media was creating an image to the American people that the troops were worthless. Some soldiers were so discussed with the news they refused watch it overseas because it brought down their morale. As a substitute they created their own video journals for themselves and for family and friends to view. They said if the news won’t do stories, then they’ll create their own. Though the soldiers can not submit their own stories to CNN they created a network online to show their perspective of the war. I researched and found this is huge on Youtube. There are tons of video diaries that are created by soldiers showing their perspective of Iraq, their love for America, the military, and other topics. While the news reports what they think is newsworthy, hundreds of military members are posting their news on Youtube and other sights.

The statement I am making is the news needs to rethink how they position the troops on television. Instead of interviewing political figures about the troops, whom most do not have any military service, how about asking the source—the actual soldiers. Then maybe the news stories would be a bit more credible.

Below I have included a few video journals from Youtube. Let it be noted there is some graphic and disturbing images.






The Troop’s Advocator

A Frustrated Marine Wife

About three days ago while I was on Myspace, I came across a bulletin. The bulletin was written by an actual military wife who is frustrated with the military system about Tricare, the military’s Medicare. Instead of instantly posting about this, I contemplated whether or not to write about it. She fully expresses her frustration, and at the end truly tells how she feels about the military. My first instinct was to edit the posting, but then I thought I would be doing a disservice to my readers. I have to let all truths come out, even if it negative.

Now this is not a scholarly journal written by the government or military, I believe there is truth and meaning to what she has wrote. Realize that everyone does not write formally. This should not question her credibility as a military wife. Remember her role is a military wife. She probably has better insight than any other person. Please read her posting before continuing with mine.

“Ok soooo if you know me and my fabulous family you know we are in the marine corp......Wellllll I have been havin the hardest time gettin an apt. for my youngest. Seriously ya..ll i have been callin almost everyday to get her an apt. since she was six months, so if you have kids then you know about the well baby check ups. Our daughter is now 11 1/2 months old and just seen her doctor.The last time she saw him she was 4 months....So i sat down and had a lil..chat with my girls doc. and asked him what the crap was goin on and that i felt that it was freakin rediculous that i had to even worry about my girls after all the sacrifices we make for the Gov. youd think the least they can do is give us propper health treatment..yeah right...ok so my conversation goes on with this doctor and he tells me that they dont have enough doctors...i said well there needs to be a limit and the rest of us should be able to go to civillian doctors...He tells me that the civilian doctors wont except tricare because tricare(wich is military insurence) actually pays less than the state insurence(medicaide)how sad is that?. I then said Oh really then what can we do to fix this? He said spread the word and get it to congress that our military and there families are being treated this way.....SO HERE I AM!!!! YA KNOW it really ticks me off that i cant even get my babys a doctors apt. or get myself a rootcanal or have to worry about anything at that! The reason they have well baby check ups is for a reason....what if my baby had something wrong with her?????? and we could have caught it sooner, but because the of our shortness of doctors too bad.....I DONT THINK SO! My baby is fine by the way! I just wannna get this out there because there is always a WHAT IF...and behind those what if..s is actually happening to someone.... thats about it! OH AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO THINK OF JOINING THE MILITARY WITH FAMILY ITS NOT FREAKIN WORTH IT AT ALL , YOU SACRIFICE TOO MUCH AND MISS OUT TOO MUCH , MY HUSBAND EVEN SAYS ALL THE TIME HOW IT IS NOT WORTH IT! FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE SINGLE HAVE FUN WHILE YOUR IN BUT IF YOU WANT FAMILY GET OUT FIRST! Repost this help us get this out and if you know how to get to congress please get this there.....for all our troops do for ya..ll this is the least you can do for them and there families!!!! THANK YOU! AND ALWAYS SUPPORT THE TROOPS AND THERE FAMILIES IT HELPS! Much love to you all~marine corp wife”

I would like to clarify one thing in her postings that I disagree with. I am sure this one wife’s situation represents others wives as well. However, Tricare, the military healthcare, can be accepted by civilian doctors—many do. I know from personal experience because I have friends that use Tricare in the civilian world, as well as my boyfriend. But it is true that there is a shortage in the military for doctors. I have heard of appointments taking a long time schedule because of the lack of medics. Sometimes it boils down to the wife who is the most demanding that receives the quickest attention. But that should not happen. Everyone deserves medical treatment, including the military families.

Earlier in my blog I mentioned there are a lot of good Marines out there, and because of the lack of support many do not reenlist. I suggested something needed to change in order to prevent situations like the one written by the wife from occuring. Maybe the answer is what the wife is suggesting, to write our congress, and get public awareness so the status quo for military families changes for the better.

The Troop’s Advocator

Trick Or Treat For the Troops

As Halloween gets closer I wonder about the troops who are overseas. I feel my past postings have been depressing, and to lighten up the mood I would like to bring some Halloween spirit to this page.

I began to think about this posting last night when I was walking home and I saw a little boy dressed up in a solider uniform for Halloween. I find it fascinating how many little boys play dress up solider while there are many real soldiers overseas just waiting to go home. Funny the things we wanted to be when we were younger. But, back to the posting. With the territory of serving in the military there is a price to pay, and one of them is missing out on fun holidays. Halloween is creeping up on us. (No pun intended) I started to think about ways I could inform my readers about program supporting the soldiers overseas. I began to search websites, and I found two I absolutely love. Not only do I love them, but one of them is an inspiring woman that has dedicated her life to baking cookies for the military.

The first website I would like to direct your attention to is Treats for the Troops and the specific page is called Halloween Treats Bring Big Smiles. This organization sends care packages called Halloween Grab Bags. The packages are filled with candy and other funs things to make a celebration for at least twelve soldiers. The only objective some people may have is the cost to send the grab bags. However, if money is not an issue this is defiantly an organization to look into—not only Halloween but other holidays as well.

The other organization I would like to shed light to is, Treat the Troops.(I know the two organizations have similar names, even I confused them) This organization was founded by Jeanette Cram. She is well known and has received media attention, in addition to the President’s acknowledgement. This organization is amazing, and the personal stories that follow. Just to view the website and read the many stories, reminds me I am not alone when it comes to supporting the troops. Sometimes all the troops need is a bunch of cookies to munch on to remind them of good home cooking.

Hopefully this posting has inspired you to lending a hand during this Halloween season. If not, at least look at the above websites. Inspiration is contagious.

Happy Halloween to you and the troops
The Troop’s Advocator

Betrayal of Our Troops, Part Two

On the subject of betraying our troops, I would like to recommend a great book called, Betraying Our Troops: The Destructive Results of Privatizing War. This book was written by two authors, Dina Rasor and Robert Bauman. Both are government fraud experts. In addition to their book, Dina Rasor has a blog, that relates to the book. Although I am in the middle of the book, what I have read defiantly relates to my blog. The book reveals how private contractors have jeopardize the lives of American soldiers while damaging the United States strategic inertest and the U.S. image abroad. The book focuses on KBR, a private contracting company whose job is to provide food and water, but instead gave the troops little food and contaminated water. I feel that this book should be read by all people, so that the government and private contractors are exposed about their wrong doings to the military.

In an earlier positing I briefly mentioned about the private contractors that were ripping off the military. I would like discuss this topic in detail so you get a better understanding. Private contractors are hired by the government. The purpose of private contractors is to support the military by providing food, supplies and clean water. During the Gulf War, this job was done by military members. But as the years have progressed the Defense Department has taken this job away from the soldiers and hired contractors instead. The government claimed that hiring private contractors would be cost efficient. However, there has been much debate on this. To break it down, a Lance Corporal gets paid three dollars an hour during war, whereas a contractor can make up to $100,000 for a six month deployment in Iraq. You do the math. Which one is more expensive? Duh!!! The contractor. So why are we paying contractors to do the same job that once belonged to military? Some say that the military wanted to squeeze these jobs out, so more soldiers would be forced to serve in the infantry division. But I view contractors as making more problems; especially when KBR withheld supplies, food, and clean water to the troops. We all know if the soldiers were still in charge they would never do this to fellow servicemen.

For once, the government should admit that they made a mistake and to reinstate the soldiers to take over the private contractor’s jobs. But then again, the government keeps the contractors for personal benefit. In the world of politics it boils down to who can get ahead and how can they benefit—leaving other people screwed, and in this case it is the servicemen.

The Troop’s Advocator

Betrayal of Our Troops

As I began to think about other ways to support our troops, I remembered an event that angered me. About a month ago my boyfriend and I were driving across Camp Pendleton. If you have ever been to Camp Pendleton you know there is a single lane road that connects one side of the base to the other. While driving on the one lane we were stuck behind fifteen military vehicles that were towing other military vehicles that were broken. I asked my boyfriend if this was common and he said unfortunately the military, especially the Marines, have old and unreliable vehicles. He also said while in Iraq a lot of the times the vehicles would break down and other units would have to tow them across the desert. I was alarmed by this. If we are going to be in a war, shouldn’t we support the troops by giving the reliable vehicles? Then I began to think about how unsafe this could be for the troops in a war zone. Imagine being chased or transporting goods in a war zone and “opps,” the truck breaks down in the middle of heavy fire and they get shot.

My boyfriend said the military relies on the government budget, and how much money the military receives depends if they get new vehicles. Then he explained even the supplies they have are old and crappy. The military is suppose to issue out supplies, but because of the war and the thousands of men and women overseas, there is a shortage of materials. As a result of a shortage some servicemen do not receive the necessary supplies such as bullet proof vests and other protection guards. Some Marines use their personal money to buy the materials if they choose. Last time I check, bullet proof vests weren’t cheap, but it is worth the money instead of getting shot.

This is a very frustrating topic for me because not only are the troops getting underpaid, but they are receiving the bare minimum when it comes to supplies and materials that could save their lives. I think about how some congressmen are sitting in their warm, large houses protected from harm, and there is a 20 year old Marine in Iraq with some supplies and wondering whether or not his Humvee will work that day. I feel the government is doing the bare minimum for the troops. I am sure that because of the cheapness of the government, military lives have been lost as a result. Not only the lives being lost, but the frustration the troops must feel knowing that their government is doing the bare minimum for their protection. My boyfriend said he loves being a Marine, but he is sometimes discouraged because of the lack of funds provided to the troops. I think this is an interesting statement because there are tons of good Marines out there that enjoy serving their country, but when their four years are up they will not reenlist because they did not feel supported. As a result, the military is loosing hundreds of good Marines and soldiers; and in this day and age we need all dedicated servicemen we can get.

I found two articles that captured the essences of what I was saying. Although they are old, I still believe they are worth reading.

Not Supporting Our Troops

Betrayal of Our Troops


The Troop's Advocator