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rgbecker

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Member since: Mon Oct 2, 2006, 10:23 PM
Number of posts: 4,764

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Here someone posted a copy of the NY Times from 70 years ago.

I know, Freerepublic, but it shows the sacrifice made by my father's generation.

Interesting report of US's first jet fighter, Lockheed Shooting Star.

Over 4000 reported casualties for the day.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3262831/posts

Here's my letter to my Congresspeople about Netanyahu's visit next week.

Copy and paste if you like, and send it to your guys. Or better yet, write your own. Hey, go easy on the edits...it's just an idea. Please.



Dear Senator Markey,

I’m hoping you will not attend the political rally for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that house speaker John Boehner has scheduled for next week in the halls of Congress. I know you know there are many other pressing issues to attend to. I know you realize attending such a gathering, which is designed to undermine President Obama’s and Secretary Kerry’s efforts to keep Iran from building a nuclear weapon in a way that does not involve use of our military in the middle east, would not be in our country’s best interest.

Instead of spending the time listening to Netanyahu denigrate President Obama I suggest you spend the time working with your senate colleagues to accomplish some basic things for your state’s citizens. Here are some ideas.

1. Make sure there are emergency funds available immediately to continue the fuel assistance activities for people who are seriously being impacted by the extreme weather conditions we have had in Massachusetts.
2. Work to establish a coalition of lawmakers who can get some movement to address the impact of increased CO2 in the atmosphere which may very well be causing these extreme weather conditions.
3. Work to strengthen Social Security by raising the income level subject to social security and self employment tax to include incomes up to $250,000 instead of just to $118,500. The sooner this is accomplished, the sooner the social security trust funds will be strengthened to weather the predicted change in the nation’s demographics.
4. Work to remove the tax loophole that allows traders of securities to pay only the favorable capital gains tax rate rather than the usual income tax rate especially when it clear this income is derived not from investment activities but rather simply trading activities. Seriously consider a transaction tax on security trading.
5. Work to pass an infrastructure funding bill that will upgrade our bridges and roads, public transportation options and green energy production. This will pump money into the economy at a level which may reach workers sooner than waiting for the GOP's trickle to start.

The list is endless and that should tell you wasting your time attending a rally for a foreign country’s prime minister would not look good to those who have supported you in your work for your constituents.

Yours,

Billo clearly claims he was "In the Falklands" and other lies.























Winter storms everywhere. It's bad out there. Be carefull.

http://www.weather.com/news/weather/video/oscar-mayor-wienermobile-damaged-in-enola-pennsylvania-crash

Here's Obama's ISIL joint resolution. What do you think?


Hey, it repeals the 2002 Iraq war thing Hillary voted for!

And runs out after 3 years!

Chance of passing as is? 0%


JOINT RESOLUTION
To authorize the limited use of the United States Armed Forces against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
***
Whereas the terrorist organization that has referred to itself as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and various other names (in this resolution referred to as ‘‘ISIL’’) poses a grave threat to the people and territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria, regional stability, and the national security interests of the United States and its allies and partners;
Whereas ISIL holds significant territory in Iraq and Syria and has stated its intention to seize more territory and demonstrated the capability to do so;
Whereas ISIL leaders have stated that they intend to conduct terrorist attacks internationally, including against the United States, its citizens, and interests;
Whereas ISIL has committed despicable acts of violence and mass executions against Muslims, regardless of sect, who do not subscribe to ISIL’s depraved, violent, and oppressive ideology;
Whereas ISIL has threatened genocide and committed vicious acts of violence against religious and ethnic minority groups, including Iraqi Christian, Yezidi, and Turkmen populations;
Whereas ISIL has targeted innocent women and girls with horrific acts of violence, including abduction, enslavement, torture, rape, and forced marriage;
Whereas ISIL is responsible for the deaths of innocent United States citizens, including James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig, and Kayla Mueller;
Whereas the United States is working with regional and global allies and partners to degrade and defeat ISIL, to cut off its funding, to stop the flow of foreign fighters to its ranks, and to support local communities as they reject ISIL;
Whereas the announcement of the anti-ISIL Coalition on September 5, 2014, during the NATO Summit in Wales, stated that ISIL poses a serious threat and should be countered by a broad international coalition;
Whereas the United States calls on its allies and partners, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, that have not already done so to join and participate in the anti-ISIL Coalition;
Whereas the United States has taken military action against ISIL in accordance with its inherent right of individual and collective self-defense;
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Whereas President Obama has repeatedly expressed his commitment to working with Congress to pass a bipartisan authorization for the use of military force for the anti-ISIL military campaign; and
Whereas President Obama has made clear that in this campaign it is more effective to use our unique capabilities in support of partners on the ground instead of large-scale deployments of U.S. ground forces: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This joint resolution may be cited as the “Authorization for Use of Military Force against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.”
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The President is authorized, subject to the limitations in subsection (c), to use the Armed Forces of the United States as the President determines to be necessary and appropriate against ISIL or associated persons or forces as defined in section 5.
(b) WAR POWERS RESOLUTION REQUIREMENTS.—
(1) SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION.—Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1547(a)(1)), Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(b)).
(2) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS.—Nothing in this resolution supersedes any requirement of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.).
(c) LIMITATIONS.—
The authority granted in subsection (a) does not authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces in enduring offensive ground combat operations.
SEC. 3. DURATION OF THIS AUTHORIZATION.
This authorization for the use of military force shall terminate three years after the date of the enactment of this joint resolution, unless reauthorized.
SEC. 4. REPORTS.
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The President shall report to Congress at least once every six months on specific actions taken pursuant to this authorization.
SEC. 5. ASSOCIATED PERSONS OR FORCES DEFINED.
In this joint resolution, the term ‘‘associated persons or forces’’ means individuals and organizations fighting for, on behalf of, or alongside ISIL or any closely-related successor entity in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners.
SEC. 6. REPEAL OF AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAQ.
The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107–243; 116 Stat. 1498; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) is hereby repealed.
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