In fact, there is a pilot program underway right now initiated by the DoD to formulate a mental aptitude test for incoming recruits that would pre-screen them to determine if they would have more of a propensity to develop PTSD after exposure to combat. Those who "fail" this screening could then be directed away from the infantry and combat related jobs into non-combat MOSs like cooks and clerks. This, according to a recent story in The Army Times about two months ago.

This is one of the most disturbing things I've heard in a while. It flies in the face of everything I've been taught in civilian PTSD/CISD material in my training -- that everybody has a different trigger that what bothers one person wouldn't bother another, that you can never tell what might set you off, that you have to talk about it and remember it could happen to anyone.

This, on the other hand, smacks of eugenics pure and simple.

I have a relative that has been back from Iraq for a while now. He seems just fine to me, but others have told me he has said that sooner or later he is going to need to see somebody. Should he have been screened out? Is he "too sensitive"? Or is it just that you can't go on seeing things that are horrible without it having an effect. I personally think that's normal.

I get exactly the same feeling even though it is a Navy training base instead of an Air Force one. During service from 1963-1991, I saw our all volunteer forces become the home of very high quality professionals and quality individuals. That is why what these wimp, sick political generals and civilian war enthusiasts have done by invading Iraq, refusing to admit they are wrong by continuing to torment so many military and innocent Iraqi souls, is so vile and has to be stopped.

And yes Paul Dirks, we need to call out all those military leaders who use our military for partisan, ego-driven purposes. And we need to do that will full truth-driven voices.

I no P-dinky kidding, You a doll if you do. Meknow not sit here all day.

I run up the Hill to a greenhouse. Then roll down the hill and stagger a bit dizzy back here, or to the valley flower, pumpkin...etc., patch, who knows where time goes?

I'll say, "I love mung beans and the Central Highlands Mung tribal people." I'll save you some Samish. HIGH MOUNTAIN SEEDS, USDA organic has a company that sells Samish spinach seeds.

Samish is an excellent green variety with savoyed leaves of unusual thickness and bulk. They germinate almost perfect. I'd buy quantities as if you were investing in a sustainable future, at least 10,000 seeds as a starter package from HIGH MOWING SEEDS. 76 Quarry Rd., Wolcot, VT.

(802) 472-6174.

I'd share my phone # but I know that trick, Pedinska! I ask: What is your phone Ring #? okay- I call and get a recorded message.

*bebop-o, ya's a jerk- git ya scurulous-scram Ya's stupid 'mater=Picker! O, Pedinska, you kill me.

Glenn wrote:

"(1) Republicans keep using formal governmental condemnation as a political weapon, or

(2) Democrats take the same weapon and apply it to Republicans, thereby eliminating the advantage of this pernicious tool, thereby causing it to end.

(3) The weapon is never used at all."

How about this one:

(4) We say to hell with Republicrat bullshit and put our full support behind MoveOn.

We disagree much less than appearance would indicate but we nevertheless disagree. There's a difference between respect and worship. We agree that an armed force is necessary and that the people who choose to be members of it deserve respect. But the reason we need an armed force is to defend America from those who threaten her. When the armed forces of the nation cease to be used for the defense of the nation and instead are used specifically to prop up a particular faction within the nation, then we owe it to our nations founders to call foul and to do so forcefully.

To hold someone up as being above criticism or ridicule to invite abuse and human nature is such that if the invitaion is there, the behavior will soon follow.

Jeeze, what a little whiner. Brat.

1) Note in my post a mention of something called convergence. Convergence is not "plagarism." But I don't expect you to know that.

2) I explain why Congress (and the entire right wing thug machine) must fuss over and condemn an ad in the New York Times while basically ignoring the prattlings of opiners of all stripes: Ads affect perceptions and beliefs; Opinion Pieces do not.

3) Go play in the street.

I fear this is all playing into the hands of the White House. The controversy was that the coward president sent an inappropriate envoy to congress to pitch the continuation of the occupation. He did this because he would have been booed offstage if he showed his face in the Capitol building

The objective of the fascinista is to deflect any scrutiny of the absurdity of their actions and position. The fact that we are talking about who loves or hates generals more almost two weeks later is telling me they've succeeded.

I go to the local VA hospital a lot. I go to my local Veterans Service Center a lot. I see what has been chewed up and spit out by the Flag-Wavers. Sometimes, it's almost more than I can bear without breaking down.

But there is a line somewhere to the left of center where I can't cross with some of my fellow progressives. I believe a military force is necessary for our country. I believe that there really are some things worth fighting and dying for. I believe that in spite of this criminal, amoral bunch of assholes we have in the Neo-Con movement and the White House and Congress right now, the United States has real enemies and we need to protect our people and our vital interests. This belief of mine is anathema to some on the left. I expect the ridicule and accept it.

There's another place I visit besides the VMAC and the VSC, although less frequently. It's an active military base with a PX I am allowed to use.

When I drive up to the main gate I see three or four young soldiers who look like kids to me. They are barely old enough to shave. They are carrying locked and loaded M-16 rifles and their cammo BDUs and boots are "strack." They call me "sir." As they check my I.D. and wave me through, I have to remember to not bring my right hand up to my forehead and issue them a salute as I once did so many years ago. I'm a civilian to them now. But they are a part of me as as my skin is part of me.

As I pass through some of the buildings on post, I see some of the best people America has, doing jobs with all their hearts. I saw a young female sentry dog handler with her Belgian malinois standing her post. The look on her face is no nonsense. She is on guard duty. That M-16 and that dog mean business. Her long hair wound up in a bun neat and tight. Her uniform, ready to pass any inspection. And when I see things like this my heart bursts with pride and I'm slightly overwhelmed. I am grateful for them and their service. I am so glad that they are there, doing what they do.

That's what I see when I look at our military. And although there are some people in the military who should not be there, the majority of them are the finest this nation has ever produced and I can't let anybody tear them down without a response.

There are a lot of generals in the services who came up through the ranks. All that "fruit salad" you see on the left breast pocket of their dress uniform reads like a resume to others who are in, or who once served in the military. That stuff means nothing to civilians. Some laugh at it. Some find it pompous. But it's just an anachronistic leftover from a different time that still has a purpose.

Gen. Petraeus allowed himself to be used. That's his shame to bear. He wasn't the first and he won't be the last that this Bush administration has abused and tried to co-opt and compromise. But did he "betray us"? Personally, I don't think so.