G'Day my fellow Citizen bloggers.

It's been a couple of weeks since our de'tent, but I see the gravitational pull back to the standard partisan nature of all arguments here. It is a partisan attempt to turn all issues into a red vs blue or democrat vs republican view. the democratic and especially republican parties are so fractured with widely differing views these days, it's hard for me to see how one can frame the "big issues of the day" into right vs left. I'll sign off by saying this: Those that feel we must perpetually stay in Iraq to avoid paying the price later do not realize we are paying right now.

I absolutely agree with Jeff Carter who has called The Citizen one of the finest local papers he's read. That is why I'm always dissappointed when they stick cartoons in issues, such as the 4 May PTC Citizen, that aren't even fit for tabloids.

**WARNING** NOT A LOCAL STORY

In the current investigations of how the Jessica Lynch story and Tillman story were spun, I hope that the true heroes in these stories are not overshadowed.

Let the record show that some of us African American/Black/Negro/Colored/Melanin-enhanced types will jealously guard free speech no matter how incredible the comments. Short of yelling fire in a crowded room or crank calling 911, this is what makes America disfunctionally beautiful.

WARNING: If you want info or discussion on local issues, this is not the place to find it.

I have been amazed out how critical of the former British hostages "some" media outlets and talking heads have been. Before the Brits were even home, commentators and editorialists were using words like "cowards" and "embarrasments." I was struck by these two points:

My father, Al King, is the Mayor of Goldsboro, NC, home of Seymour Johnson AFB and the F-15E.He's also a retired AF Logistics Officer. For his birthday 2 years ago, I got him a flight suit, A-10 patches, and a Mayor name tag as, I thought, a novelty. He got to wear that suit last Friday when Seymour Johnson made his dream come true. The 4th Fighter Wing gave him a ride in the back of an F-15E. We talked on the phone for hours after, and it was as if I was talking to a 20 year old. I couldn't be more proud of him, what he has meant to our family, and what he has done for Goldsboro, NC. With him watching over my postings, it should definitely help keep me in line:)

I believe that events on the ground in the Middle East show clearly that we can not expect activity on the part of the indigenous ones if we don't set dates certain for them. They will simply talk, release statements, and delay, all while the load is born by the coalition.

You all know that Hackmeister is a reluctant warrior. You know, the "war is a last resort" deal. Well, if today's reports are accurate, we are there with Iran! If we don't join with our Brits in kicking Tehran's teeth in over the kidnapping of 15 British sailors, we will have failed our most faithful international partner.

If "success" in Iraq is measured by the end of sectarian violence and a stable, central Iraqi government, the introduction of 20,000 plus additional US combat troops into Baghdad has virtually no chance of achieving success. Many surge supporters and Iraqi occupation proponents reference WWII, Vietnam, and even Korea as examples of military perseverence obtaining national goals. Many are trying to re fight Vietnam, and "win" this time. But there are stark contrasts to where we have been in the past, and where we are today, that make military perseverence an ineffective tool in solving the current Iraqi problem.

Conservatives quoted during the war in Bosnia (which had no American combat fatalities)

"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is."

How did my political perspective develop? I am the son of a Vietnam vet. I grew up on Air Force bases around the world. I went into JROTC in high school. I was an Airman at 17 years of age. I graduated from the USAFA in 1989. I have lived and breathed military and love of country my whole life. I moved here to PTC in 2001, pre 9/11. I was inspired and encouraged by the national unity of late 2001 and most of '02. I was on fire to go after Al Qaieda and the Taliban in '02. My "fire in the gut" turned to shock and awe when I saw our focus being dilluted with banter about the threat of Iraq (banter from both sides of the isle, by the way). I became even more dissillusioned as I watched unprecedented national unity squandered by attack politics. For most of my A-10 career, I was a small part of the large US force that contained Sadaam. There was never a question in my mind that Iraq was contained, and that the focus needed to remain on our attackers in Afghanistan. Every time I expressed that opinion, as citizen Kevin King, either on these boards, or in the paper, my love of country was attacked; attacked by people who don't even have the demonstrable service that I have. If you are going to attack someone's love of country, you'd best have a long list of very overt service of your own. Otherwise your attacks seem hollow. I'm pointing out that my love of country was attacked by people who have never risked life for country. And that p@ssed me off. I changed my logon name to AF-A-10, inspired by ArmyMajretired, as an instant insight to my perspective. Basmati, JeffC, Bladder, Dollar, and the other voices bold enough to go against the Fayette County conservative grain are doing so because our opinions were not honestly debated, but attacked as "yellow, cut-and-run, hate America first, terrorist-appeasing, cut-and-jog, bleeding-heart liberal, etc." I have never contributed to political campaigns, and never been partisan in my conversations until I felt forced to interject what I felt was a very much needed counterpoint to the "axis of evil" simpleton talk. Even with bi-partisan disappointment in and disapproval of the President's policies, so many in this country still try to say that it is just "democratic whining." A certain incredulous lawyer who blogs here suggested that the only reason republicans are speaking out against our Iraq direction is that they have given in to democratic whining. If I were Walter Jones, Chuck Hagel, or Olympia Snow, that attitude would infuriate me! The idea that I cannot think from the depths of my soul that occupying Iraq during sectarian civil unrest is not a good thing, without being called a terrorist or democrat appeaser. Add to that a President of all of these United States, who actually said here in Ga., that a vote for democrats is a vote for terrorists. Well, America voted, and I am starting to feel we are gaining our liberty back, along with our freedom of thought and expression. I tried my best to be a non-partisan, down the line guy all of my life, but the very tangible attacks on anyone opposing the invasion and occupation of Iraq forced my hand. My sense of allegiance to the US Constitution will not allow me to remain silent. Patriotism is non-partisan. Attacking people's love of country because of their party is UNAMERICAN. And I will not remain silent. God Bless this country, and the voices of all of her citizens, and cheers to all!

Man these folks can drink! Quick hello aqnd interesting tidbit from 9 February USA Today. The KKK has seen an explosive growth in their ranks over the last three years. Their rallying cry: Anti immigrant. Not attacking the problem, but the people themselves. Think about the strange bedfellows you make when you make the attack on the illegal families and not the problem as a whole. I encourage you all to read the Tucson, Az massacre story from 8 Feb, and try to find a compassionate way to address the issue. Cheers! Guiness calls!!!!

Let's first put this conversation in historical context. In 2003, during the planning and build-up for war with Iraq, Armed Forces sub-committee hearings were conducted to narrow down costs of and forces required for the Iraq invasion. The following text is from a February 28, 2003 article covering these hearings, entitled, "Pentagon Contradicts General on Iraq Occupation Force's Size."

These pictures, taken mostly from the initial phase of the Iraq invasion, are a stirring testament to the valor and bravery of our troops, and the plight of Iraqi citizens.

By now, as we see a steady flow of violence in Iraq, it lends evidence to the notion that the violence is more about civil, sectarian violence than it was about driving election results here. Ask yourself this tough, but necessary question: Will the Iraqis be more prone to adapt our philosophy and way of life if we stay there and engage more of them in combat, or if we increase our presence in their country?