Indiana Blog Review

Iraq'd

Craig at R&F:

I seem to remember sitting in a room with a certain U.S. Senator from Indiana, and this certain Senator said something about the Iraq government needing to show it's effectiveness within 6-8 weeks. This was on May 22.

On Protecting Vets, or On Not Protecting Them

Tippecanoe Politics follows the editorial exchanges discussing legislation protecting military funerals from protests, starting with one from Steve Buyer.

Meanwhile, Doug Masson notes that Buyer seems a tad cavalier about the identity theft of 26 million veterans.

O Canada

Many of us probably remember being taught in school that the US and Canada share the longest undefended border in the world.

But Leo Morris notes that, "For the first time since 1817, U.S. Coast Guard vessels on the Great Lakes are being outfitted with weapons – machine-guns capable of firing 600 bullets a minute."

Rally for Peace

Hoosier Democrats have the details for a Peace Rally at Monument Circle this Saturday.

Extra points next week for any bloggers who post pictures.

'Patriot Penalty'

Liberal Indiana has the scoop on the "Patriot Penalty" and legislation that would provide $3,000 per month to help military families.

Marie over at Blogging for Bayh does a good job of explaining the cash crunch experienced by many active-duty National Guard and Reservists, and the very bad job being done by some Senators looking to short-change a relief bill:

Helping the troops

An Indiana state representative plans to introduce legislation designed to help Indiana's military families, writes Doug at Masson's Blog.

The first one would allow "residents to designate $1 of their state tax refunds to a fund that would provide emergency financial aid to families of service members on active duty." The second one "Military Family Leave for parents and spouses of service members who are preparing for deployment.

What's next in Middle East?

We are going to always have an involvement in the Middle East, despite the cries of some urging withdrawal.  Too much is at stake for us to leave, argues Leo Morris.

You might not like how we got there, but at least we are now engaged in the Mideast, and we have to stay there. The focus should not be on how we "accomplish the mission" in Iraq but what we do after that. Why should anyone think we will leave or should?

Fox Rants adds:

We’re at war, whether we like it or not. Its time to shut up and do whats necessary to get the job done. No, I’m *not* asking to stifle debate. I’m asking for the debate to change. Too many people are focused on WHY we’re in Iraq. I think we all know why we’re there. No not because “Bush lied”, because _several_ credible sources (CIA, MI6, Australia, UN, and others) said that Iraq was a threat to security and freedom around the world. The question we should be asking is WHAT do we need to do to win. What do our fighting men and women need from us so that they can win and come home?

Update: Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., signs resolution to bring the troops home, reports Deliberate Chaos.

Right to petition

Entropy Manor notices that his representative is on a caucus urging withdrawal from Iraq and suggests a link to gently persuade his and other representatives against the idea.

Citizen Smash has written several recent posts on those in Congress who are trying to get us to pull out of Iraq prematurely, and what we can do to stop them.

I think this particularly applies to those of us with a Representative in the Out Of Iraq Caucus.  I noticed my Representative, Julia Carson (D-IN) is on the list.

Buyer Cancels Hearings

Taking Down Words: Congressman Steve Buyer cancels Congress's annual joint hearings with veterans' groups.

Probably not a smart idea.

Indiana Missile Sites

Deliberate Chaos: Nukes in Indiana?