Archives for May 2012

We’re frequently told that we must support foreign invasions and military operations in other countries because that means “supporting the troops.” A veteran of the military gave me his thoughts on this whole idea on Memorial Day.

Those who support invading other countries and continuing wars that can’t be won tell us that doing so honors and supports the men and women who are fighting the wars. If that’s true, why did 87 percent of contributions from active-duty U.S. military people to GOP candidates go to Ron Paul — the only candidate who supports an end to military adventurism, reserving the U.S. military to the role of defending this country rather than invading other countries that haven’t attacked us?

More of those in the armed services have grave reservations about the way the military is used today. Some might be blindly supportive of the militaristic view of their civilian bosses, but a substantial number know better. And as many of them finish their time in the military and reflect on what they’ve seen and heard, they come to view things in very different ways. This is what a veteran said to me Monday in discussing the illustration above:

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If you’ve been watching the story of Diane Tran, you’ll be happy to know that the 17-year-old has won. Houston television station KHOU reported Wednesday evening that Judge Lanny Moriarty says he will clear her record of all charges.

That’s good news, but it’s just as exciting that the efforts to raise money to help her have been successful. The goal was to raise $100,000 and that goal was hit Wednesday afternoon.

This is a victory for Diane Tran, but it’s also a victory for all of you who shared her story and helped bring about awareness of it. I think it’s safe to say that Moriarty wouldn’t have backed down if it hadn’t been for your pressure.

If you live in his county and still participate in the electoral system, please make sure someone beat this bad judge in the next election.

In most cases, there’s very little we can do to change the bad things we see in the news. But people all over this country and in other countries who were angered at how Texas teen Diane Tran was being treated are reaching out to help her.

Diane is the 11th grader who was sent to jail for 24 hours and fined $100 for missing more than 10 days of school in a six-month period. Judge Lanny Moriarty said at the time that his rough treatment of the 17-year-old was to send a message to others.

“If you let one [truant student] run loose, what are you gonna do with the rest of ’em? Let them go too?” Moriarty said.

Now you can help Diane Tran — as people in 46 U.S. states and 12 other countries have done. The Louisiana Children’s Education Alliance has set up a fundraising site to help the girl, who is already considered an adult under Texas law. As of Tuesday evening, the fund had reached more than $65,000. You can learn more at HelpDianeTran.com.

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