Monday, May 19, 2008

Goodbye.



Every now and then the sad realities of real life gets in the way of the joy we get from blogging.

A couple of years ago I posted this piece about the war in Iraq and the men (including Mrs. Field's brother in law,Joseph. ) who were putting their butts on the line for all of us.

Joseph Barnaba came home from that war, but he was never the same. The physical injuries he suffered was nothing compared to the emotional ones he had to live with.

Joseph Barnaba was found dead in his home last week. A deadly combination of pills in his system was blamed for his demise. But I think Joseph died long before last week. Joseph, like so many young men before him, came home from a war that he had no right being involved with in the first place. And, sadly, it took its toll on him, his family, and all the people he touched.

Joseph Barnaba was buried on Saturday, far from the battle field where he was first injured. He was a good man, which is more that I can say for the son of a bitch who sent him there in the first place.

104 comments:

Anonymous said...

So sorry to read this. It really makes me sick to my stomach to hear of another victim of this ridiculous war. My heart goes out to his family. May God bless his soul.

One Fly said...

Sorry Mr. Field. When will Amerika say enough is enough?

We must leave Iraq now!

The Christian Progressive Liberal said...

I blame the Grand Old Perverts (GOP).

They never met a war they didn't like, but refuse to go and fight in.

If they're not in jail at the end of this administration, they should be forced to attend the funerals of these soldiers and the families should be allowed to engage in whatever physical abuse of these officials as they deem fit.

Ms.Martin said...

I watched a documentary produced by James Gandofini on HBO about the soldiers who come home injured with disfigurements, missing limbs, brain injuries and an inability to readjust.

It literally made me cry. These were very young people whom some of which joined for the "high" that the patriotism associated with fighting for your country provides only to find that war is killing and it is horrible. One of the soldiers admitted as much - she said she was forever changed - forever.

One soldier admitted that he had done things to children that he could never speak of.

All the death and dying - for what - oil?

Imhotep said...

Village idiot bush is sharing in the sacrifice, he has given up golf.

I'm continuously amazed that there was not more pressure on bush to send his twin daughters to do military service, and now that one of them is married, send the husband too. Then and only then, will he be able to talk about shared sacrifice.

Curious said...

I wonder when the full toll, the full price for what we have done to both the people of Iraq and the people that we have sent to Iraq be told to us by this administration, by this government.

I feel for you and others who have lost and suffered fighting in our name.

field negro said...

Thank you everyone for your kind words.

I am honestly feeling everything you all said.

Joseph was Mrs. Field's sister's husband, and it has been tough on her and the entire family. His daughter will be three in June.

ac said...

Field - my condolences to the Barnabas, you and Mrs. Field.

This loss of life, of good men and women, American and Iraqi is unacceptable. Not only must this stop but we must seriously re-calibrate our "checks and balances" so that this senselessly waged war, for political expediency, is never an option again.

Anonymous said...

My sincere condolences to you and Mrs. Field.

The number of soldiers coming home with PTSD is staggering and the fact that they are not getting the treatment they very much need (most get discharged for any number of reasons instead of the military actually taking responsibility for the mess it made) is reminiscent of what happened to returning Vietnam vets. Fortunately there are more and more people, especially Iraqi war vets, who are speaking out.

I wish you and your family great comfort and patience during this time. My prayers are with you.

Mac Daddy Tribute Blog said...

Sorry, field. And please convey our sadness to Mrs. field and her sister.
We're with you and your family.

Admiral Komack said...

My condolences to you and Mrs. Field.

Blabbeando said...

W - I don't think your wife should read this right about now but Esquire Magazine has been running a series of in-depth and searing articles on the sacrifices made by a few who joined the military and were sent overseas. I was reading this article this week and I swear it took lots of strength to keep me from crying out-loud on the subway ride as I finished reading it tonight:

http://www.esquire.com/features/things-that-carried-him

Amazing how many of us who are safely here forget that there are so many men an women in danger's way tonight.

Anonymous said...

Brother Field.... many, many, many "thank-you"s for your compassion and concerns for the destroyed lives that return from war. I can relate because I went to Viet Nam as an 18 year old child in 1969-70. Never having seen death/dying/killing I was a medic that was quickly aged by events. When we came home there was no heroes/glory... Today when these young men come home the climate has changed and there is more attention to medically assist their obvious/inobvious needs. Too often they suffer in silence or their love ones are not able to get them the help they need. War is hell, most veterans have difficulties in expressing the numbness of it all. Still after 38 years I can still taste/smell/see war. If you know a veteran, please encourage them to come to the VA,I have seen too many suicides/homicides relating to that usless event called war. Again, Brother "thank-you". Wishing your brother-in-law and all the love ones good mental health.Many thanks also to your bro-in-law for his service.

Anonymous said...

Field, my condolences to you and Mrs. Field.

I have a childhood friend that I haven't heard from since his deployment in 2003 and I wonder whatever happened to him. He had a security company and was going to hire me as his lead sales rep before we invaded Iraq. Now I don't know where he is or what he's up to.

And God damn George W. Bush for what he's doing to our soldiers and their families.

Lionel Todd III said...

I feel for you. I have a cousin who went somewhere. I don't think it was Iraq, one thing I am sure of is that he is NOT the same.

It's sad. Most people feel like they can't do anything to change anything.

Anonymous said...

My condolences to your family.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Peace and blessings. All of those politicians and pundits that do the war cry should be made to serve in Iraq along with their of age children. But I believe in hell and I know the Devil's holding a spot for Bush & Co.

Anonymous said...

My condolences to you and your family.

About the person who was talking about the PTSD in returning Iraq vets, my older brother has PTSD resulting from his tour of duty, and he's having a very hard time adjusting; one day, he basically became very angry and tried to swallow a handful of my mother's pills. He is definitely not the same person he was before going to Iraq.

There should be a special wing in hell for Bush and his people when he makes the trip down sometime.

Anonymous said...

~
... The Houston Chronicle did a long takeout on Sunday on the suicide in March 2007 of an Army recruiting sergeant, Nils Aron Andersson — just one day after his marriage to Carry Walton. Sgt. Andersson, 25, had spoken of the many horrors that he had encountered in Iraq and was deeply depressed. He shot himself while sitting in his pickup in a parking garage. Distraught, Ms. Walton bought a 9-millimeter handgun at a sporting goods store the next day and killed herself.

Suicides have become a big problem for the military. Combat does terrible things to people. An independent study by the RAND Corporation found that nearly 20 percent of the troops who returned from tours in Iraq or Afghanistan reported symptoms of major depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Let the candidates talk about these things. Let them talk about the fact that the Bush administration, which has pushed the troops so unmercifully, opposes a bill (sponsored by Senator Jim Webb and widely supported in Congress) that would expand the education benefits of veterans who have served since Sept. 11, 2001.
...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/20/
opinion/20herbert.html

`

field negro said...

Thaks again everyone. I honestly wish Mrs. Field read this blog to see how beautiful you people are. (even though it would probably get me killed right about now:)But I will tell pass on everything you said to her. And even though she rips the blog sometimes, believe me when I tell you that she will appreciate it.

Thanks for the links to the articles, and your personal experiences as well. Trust me, it makes me feel a little a lot to know that there are others who went through the same things who I can reach out to.

Sometimes I wonder if I could have done more, but....thanks again.

Christopher said...

My condolences to the entire Field family.

The appalling reality is, none of the GOP chickenhawks who sent these young men and women to Iraq and Afghanistan ever served a day for this country.

The Mofo from Midland used his daddy's influence to avoid Vietnam and hide in the TX Nat'l Guard, where her promptly went AWOL for 18 months. These missing months were said to be spent partying, screwing and doing drugs.

In Cheney's case, he had "other priorities," hmmmmm, like what Dick? Making money? Building your personal fortune.

Rightwing AM radio bloviator, Rush Limbaugh didn't go because he cited "anal cysts."

The Repugs don't care about life and they certainly don't care about America's youth. They're dispensable like toilet paper to be used and tossed away.

Anonymous said...

thx-viewed
http://www.myspace.com/4quasocialclub

SouthernGirl2 said...

Field,

My condolences to you & your family! May God send his healing power on the wings of his Spirit to comfort your family & heal your broken hearts! God Bless!

kid said...

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.

Constructive Feedback said...

It is sad to hear the personal story about a man who was injured by the realities of war. I pray for his family.

But as we have recently heard "God doesn't just 'bless America'", he blesses other people around the world. The death of Mr. Barnaba should give everyone insight as to the impact of the torturous environment that many of the 25 million Iraqi people live in.

Interestingly enough while some on this board are lead to believe that a US departure would relieve the level of physical threat and mental anguish that these people feel - as did Mr. Barnaba the fact is that this position is ridiculous. The violence in Iraq is largely executed by the "freedom fighters" - the insurgents who are attacking both fellow Iraqi and American soldiers as well. Where as the common cry of the world is "Yankee go home" they seem rather muted regarding the terror attacks by these insurgents upon innocent Iraqis as they attempt to go on with their normal lives.

Mr Barnaba put on a uniform of the American military and went into battle to execute the foreign policy of the United States of America. The innocent people of Iraq are only wearing street gear and yet they permanently live within the environment which had mentally tortured Mr. Barnaba so. They can expect no military retirement funding or any type of health care benefits to have them cope with the "Constantly Re-occurring Traumatic Stress Disorder" which they face.

God Bless Joseph Barnaba, God Bless all of the thousands of Innocent Iraqis who have died over the years, God Bless America.

I pray that those who so fervently disagree with America's "Oil based" foreign policy will see fit to demand that the country of origin of their oil used be labeled as such and will choose to personally avoid "blood oil" as a means of having personal skin in the game to match their words of rhetoric.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

So sorry to hear about your family's lose. I do not understand why there isn't more outcry about this war. Are people too busy watching American Idol or Midget Mac and Miss New York on VH1? Do they not care because they don't think it "touches" them personally?

Anonymous said...

Field... My most sincere sympathies for your family... Sadly, your brother in law's death will not be counted as a casualty of war...which is infuriating, because he most certainly is.
Once your sister-in-law and others in your family get past the initial grieving, I hope you will tell her about the organization, Military Families Speak Out or Gold Star Families... Celeste Zapala, here in Philly is a member of both and will be happy to reach out.... they are all family members who have lost loved ones in this damned, evil war and they have taken on organizing and supporting each other. They are leading lights to end this war.
Again, my sympathies...

The Roving Reporter said...

It sickens me so much to read about soldiers having to suffer from the mental anguish of war.

It also sickens me that this country refuses to take their pain seriously. We can send them to fight our battles, but we can't take care of them.

Anonymous said...

Godspeed Soldier.

Anonymous said...

Tears and hugs. These people who suffer the PTS that the administrators at Walter Reed tell the doctors not to diagnose are the real victims of this war.

I think it was Bob Dylan (who was probably quoting someone else) who said if those who make the wars, had to fight the wars, there wouldn't be any more wars.

[flahy] [blak] [chik] said...

I've always said, once a person returns back from Iraq, they're never the same..and I've dealt with it first hand with my former fiance. He did two tours and after returning this last time, something just wasn't right. He never shared what he experienced or saw during this 2nd tour with me..he basically retreated into a shell..which ultimately ruined our relationship. His sisters are still trying to get him to go to counseling but he hasn't gone yet. PTSD is a serious issue among many soldiers...I still have an uncle who still suffers from it, from the time he served during the Vietnam War.

My condolences goes out to your family, Field.

Anonymous said...

My condolences to you, Mrs. Field and your extended family.

Blinders Off said...

Sorry to hear about your family lost Field.

The war is NOT over when they come from the battlefield. I too have a brother-in-law who served in Desert Storm and two tours in Iraq. He served 20 years and his retirement date was May 13, 2008.

The day he was to process out he was given a "Stop Order". This war is worst than the Vietnam War.

Anonymous said...

You don't need to be hit by a bullet anymore to take damage. One whizzes by your head, the concussion is enough to cause actual brain damage.

Not that the VA will admit to that.

In Iraq they kill daughters for falling in love with Americans. This is a policy that the US gov't supports. Shame on America!

Anonymous said...

constructive feedback, you truly lack class; your condolence is in the same league as the condolence that has a picture of a half-naked lady poised with her derrière in the air associated with it (justice58).

Poor taste. Extremely poor taste.
`

Constructive Feedback said...

[quote]In Iraq they kill daughters for falling in love with Americans. This is a policy that the US gov't supports. Shame on America![/quote]

Risingtide:

Can you provide specific details of your claim?

By what specific machinations does the "US Government SUPPORT" this?

More importantly - since Iraqis are EQUAL HUMAN BEINGS to Americans.........What is the position of the IRAQI PEOPLE who are witnessing their brothers killing their own in support of this policy?

(Some of you've got it real bad. Anti-America Americans who choose not to depart the belly of the beast but instead work to increase the GDP that she registers as you purse your own capitalist interests.)

Constructive Feedback said...

[quote]constructive feedback, you truly lack class; your condolence is in the same league as the condolence that has a picture of a half-naked lady poised with her derrière in the air associated with it (justice58).

Poor taste. Extremely poor taste.[/quote]

Nsangoma: I forgot that you posted on this blog. Now I see why your attacks upon me on the other blog have increased.

Let's run through your claims.

Despite the fact that there were several other individuals giving "condolences" to this specific soldier - who, just like the Buffalo Soldiers - wore the uniform of the "oppressor" (per the view of the poster)....these posters chose put a stink bomb in the floral bouquet that they delivered to the funeral - attacking US Policy, evil Bush or the Republicans.

You only saw fit to call me out though.

Nsangoma - can you point to any lies or distortions in my post?

When I put out the details of the PRE-WAR Iraq conditions in Iraq....suddenly the story is not so cut and dry as is likely to be heard within the echo chamber:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_sanctions

Clearly Nsangoma - you don't have a problem with my "condolences".....you have a problem with me in that I did not join in on the attack.

If Mr. Field Negro can detail and information which indicated that this man was a "conscientious objector" and fought to go on this "Imperialistic Venture" till his last breath - then I will factor this in.

(Regarding the people who talk about those individuals in the government who did not serve in the military or who avoided war but send others into war.......I hope the next time that a question about the ranks of the police that protect them, National Guards people to rescue them or Border Control agents to defend our borders come up that THEY REALIZE that they had a chance to contribute during a time of need as well but OPTED NOT TO and thus their words are no more valid than the so called "Chicken hawks".

Anonymous said...

con feed....Those of us who LOVE the ideals of this country (Freedom, Justice for All) are pissed at you fucking neo-cons who subvert and contort imperialistic ambitions and then have the nerve to tell us who disagree "love it or leave it." FUCK YOU!
We who believe in justice for all have as much right to criticize, challenge and CHANGE these policies while living in the belly of the beast..... In fact, for the sake of the planet, we have an OBLIGATION to stay right here and work to change the worst of the neo-cons reckless policies....
Contrary to your love it or leave it wishes, BECAUSE we love it, we are gonna stay and fight for justice..... contradictions, warts and all!!!

As for the Iraqi insurgents.... it has been said by Iraqi activists, educators and union reps that the justification of the internal violence is they are resisting OUR occupation. That when US troops leave, there is no excuse, and those Iraqi insurgents will stand down. This may or may not hold true, but it is THEIR country and their issue to resolve. What we owe them is the obligation to pay for restoration of their infrastructure that we destroyed and get out of their country. That and to support their efforts to bring Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Pipes and crew before the International Criminal Court to be held on War Crimes...

SouthernGirl2 said...

NSangoma,

SHUT UP! PIG!

Try & stop your fingers from clicking on my profile @sshole!

Anonymous said...

What really makes me sad about this horrible story is the possible future brought on by a McCain president.

He thinks we can win the war by 2013, so how many more Joseph's will there be under that scenario? And with these stories getting increasing visibility, who the heck is going to volunteer? Are we looking at another draft?

Anonymous said...

field,

I appreciate that you shared this with us and my heart goes out to your family.

My fiance spent 18 years in the military and only shared a fraction of what he saw. I just learned over the weekend that he witnessed "pink mist" in Israel (a terrorist targeted a fellow American soldier).

I see how my fiance's military experience affects him, and I don't see how people don't rank emotional loss with the death and physical harm that comes with "service" to this country.

God bless,
Hawa

west coast story said...

This is the main reason I won't vote for Hillary, should she get the nomination. All the other reasons are superfluous. This is the number one issue for me and it is tied directly to the failing economy.

Anonymous said...

can any kind of "in-law" be the result of anything other than a marriage by an inside & outside person? Curious.

Anonymous said...

Field, don't be so sexist in your thinking! Your first paragraph says, ". . . the men who . . ." I think there are plenty of women who have also "put their butts on the line" as well. I know it may be difficult for you to change a lifetime of sexist thinking, but you must learn to write politically correct!

Ms.Martin said...

Field

When I first read this post I didn't realize the soldier was your brother-in-law.

I am sorry for your family's loss and especially your niece and all the children who are
affected by wars.

Christopher said...

The best thing (Un)Constructive Feedsack can do is apply Crazy Glue to his fingers and stick them on his forehead.

In fact, I'm sure we can get a collection going to buy him a case of the stuff.

Kellybelle said...

Thank You Thank You Thank You for posting this. Untreated mental illness is no joke. PTSD can be as devastating as a traumatic brain injury.

Did you hear about the jack-ass bureaucrat in Texas who told her staff NOT to diagnose PTSD saying--and I quote:“given that we are having more and more compensation seeking veterans, I’d like to suggest that you refrain from giving a diagnosis of PTSD straight out.”

Grrrrr!

Anonymous said...

Hey Field sorry about your loss. It is indeed a shame that folks are fighting and dying supposedly for what we don't really have in this nation.

We have to continue to oppose these kinds of incursions they are wrong and I don't care who says diffently.

This is a constant heartbreak!

west coast story said...

FN: I didn't realize this was your relative either. My deepest condolences.

west coast story said...

Many of my peers served in Vietnam. My cousin lost her fiance in combat. My stepbrother committed suicide.

My father served in WWII and I will always believe it ruined his life. Decades later, he would talk about it like it happened just yesterday.

What happens to soldiers when they come home is every bit as destructive as the experience of combat.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Field.

Constructive Feedback said...

Jody:

INDEED anyone who promotes "America Love It Or Leave It" is intolerant and is totalitarian. I will JOIN WITH YOU to oppose this person.

Sadly though, you have it WRONG about me. I did not say "America Love It Or Leave It!". I did say "Jody - stop being a Consumer Capitalist Co-Conspirator, feeding a beast that YOU LOATH". (Do you see the difference?)

I am not asking that you silence yourself and AGREE WITH THE PREVAILING SENTIMENTS or move!

I am asking that you MAKE YOUR CONSUMER ACTIONS come in line with your RHETORIC!!! You are lying to your self each time you choose to CONSUME that which America has "stolen" via her imperialist policies around the world. The fact that it is packaged up at the retail counter for you to pump into your car or scan the UPC barcode DOES NOT LAUDER IT from its original sources. You are no better than the Northern White during Slavery times who received the cotton picked by enslaved Africans and then had the pink color from the bloods of their finger tips bleached out to make it pure as the undriven snow!

COME IN LINE WITH YOUR RHETORIC! You may have to allow your STANDARD OF LIVING to degrade as a result of you being HONEST WITH YOURSELF.

[QUOTE]
In fact, for the sake of the planet, we have an OBLIGATION to stay right here and work to change the worst of the neo-cons reckless policies....[/QUOTE]

Jody: Have you ever heard the story about the MAFIA WIFE who was WORKING TO CHANGE her Mafioso husband? She kept the jewels and the big house that his "job" afforded her but year after year while living in luxury....she tried to CHANGE HIM.

Jody - what happened to her when the Feds caught up with the both of them and she told her story to them?


[quote] As for the Iraqi insurgents.... it has been said by Iraqi activists, educators and union reps that the justification of the internal violence is they are resisting OUR occupation.[/quote]

This is plain DUMB of you Jody.
We can put aside EVERY SINGLE ATTACK that they are making against American soldiers. THIS IS NOT WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.

Let's talk about the BOMBS IN THE OPEN MARKETS? Let's talk about the innocent people who were standing in line for WORK or who were at a security check point waiting to pass!!!!!! WHEN the "good guys" (in your perversion) BLOW THEM UP Jody.......are they REALLY fighting the Americans or destroying another Iraqi/Muslim/Their Brother?

You really need to step outside of you leftwing friends and family circle. Your arguments don't hold up too well in the REAL WORLD where the rest of us live!

In your logic "The WAR WILL END in Iraq......the day the last American troops leave". This is what Noam Chomsky thought about Camer Rouge and then we got the Killing Fields.

(Field Negro - I LOVE your posters man. They bring joy to my heart).

Constructive Feedback said...

[quote]The best thing (Un)Constructive Feedsack can do is apply Crazy Glue to his fingers and stick them on his forehead.

In fact, I'm sure we can get a collection going to buy him a case of the stuff.[/quote]

Do not attack him.
Do not attack him.
Do not attack him.
It is not worth it.

Christopher it is clear to me that you prefer a forum in which you can spout your rhetoric and vitriol. Indeed the world spins as you see the world to be.

Constructive Feedback said...

[quote]so how many more Joseph's will there be under that scenario? And with these stories getting increasing visibility, who the heck is going to volunteer? Are we looking at another draft?[/quote]

Exquisitely Black:

As of May 2007, about 1,426,705 people are on active duty in the military with an additional 1,458,400 people in the seven reserve components

For every "Joseph" there are about about 300 US Military personnel carrying out various duties on behalf of this nation.

The day of US Military involvement in Iraq will pass.

The continued need for the US Military to keep international shipping lanes open so that ALL THE WORLD can eat, travel and trade will remain with us.

The occurrence of earthquakes, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes will require the use of skilled National Guardsmen to volunteer for service for the people even before we talk about "their country".

At the end of the day in choosing to look at "Joseph" and decline the risk of becoming like him......these young people also decide to for go all of the other benefits that our armed services do in the defense of this nation and service to the people within. They also for go job training and benefits that will last them a lifetime. All of this over "what might happen".

(No amount of attacks on evil Bush and evil Cheney [and now Bill Clinton since many of you don't like him after the intramural fight] is going to CHANGE THIS FACT that this country is as its military goes.)

momo said...

My condolences to your wife and to you. I'm so sorry.

puddy said...

My deepest and most sincere condolences to you and your family.

Thank you for your continued contributions.

Kellybelle said...

My condolences to your fam.

Anonymous said...

un-con said:

I am asking that you MAKE YOUR CONSUMER ACTIONS come in line with your RHETORIC!!! You are lying to your self each time you choose to CONSUME that which America has "stolen" via her imperialist policies around the world. The fact that it is packaged up at the retail counter for you to pump into your car or scan the UPC barcode DOES NOT LAUDER IT from its original sources. You are no better than the Northern White during Slavery times who received the cotton picked by enslaved Africans and then had the pink color from the bloods of their finger tips bleached out to make it pure as the undriven snow!

COME IN LINE WITH YOUR RHETORIC! You may have to allow your STANDARD OF LIVING to degrade as a result of you being HONEST WITH YOURSELF.


Dude, you dont know me, how I live, cause if you did, you would be swallowing your arrogant ASSumptive words right now.

Quite simply... I OWN nothing... no car, no house, no stocks, no bonds... I buy local, eat local and walk to work or use mass trans to get around....

And, while it is true, by virtue of birth into this country, I cannot avoid the capitalistic system, I have devoted my life to work for peace, social and economic justice, that would be in the NON-PROFIT sector. This being said... I am done with you.

Constructive Feedback said...

[quote]Dude, you dont know me, how I live, cause if you did, you would be swallowing your arrogant ASSumptive words right now. [/quote]

Jody:

I don't know YOU but I DO know something about telecommunications.

You see: When I press this little key on my keyboard and generate this letter "@" right there......You get to see it on YOUR SCREEN because:

1) It leaves my computer - which I paid for
2) Travels through the air via WiFi to my DSL line - which I paid for
3) Travels through the copper that AT&T (BellSouth before the multi-billion merger that was FINANCED on Wall Street) has installed in my community (this makes ME about 30% of the world that HAS AT HOME PHONE SERVICE. I am special as are YOU - Jody)
4) Then it goes onto their local access fiber - which they installed in preparation for offering television service in the area over to the Central Office
5) Then it goes into a $20,000 router - that they likely purchased from Cisco - another CAPITALISTIC firm who makes their gear in CHINA.
6) Then it goes through another set of fiber optics to a bigger switch router - $100,000. UNION workers maintain all of this equipment Jody. (They are being exploited you know)
7) then it travels across the country on an OC-768 backbone which is made of fiber.....having been installed as they dug trenches across A-merri-ca....having disturbed the bones of the Native Americans who's land was STOLEN to build this great nation. (Don't worry their resting souls can't hear YOU speak - all that you say is encoded as it is transmitted)
8) Then this electronic byte is stored on some server owned by GOOGLE!. You know Google - the CAPITALISTIC corporation who's share holders pay $578 (down $.50 today) in order to have a right to PROFIT from your usage of THEIR service. (It may be FREE for you to access Field-Negro's blog but it certainly DID NOT COST ZERO to make it available to YOU.)
9) Then when YOU use your ISP - even IF you are at a library using someone else's computer that YOU DID NOT PAY FOR JODY................you really, really, really need to understand - BUT FOR THE SYSTEM of FINANCE, TECHNOLOGY, PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS, and NATIONAL DEFENSE TO PROTECT IT ALL.........you would be talking to the wall right now instead of some Black guy who you have never met before and likely never will.

Repeat after me:

CONSUMER
CAPITALIST
CO-CONSPIRATOR

Google can claim YOU as one of the MILLIONS of Blogspot users who's EYEBALLS they claim as they sell Advertisements to other CORPORATIONS seeking to cash in on your beautiful eye's (flicker, flicker, flicker)

Who DOES NOT KNOW THEMSELVES and what they consume - me or YOU?

Here is your "@" delivered to your screen Jody. You are indeed benefiting off of the work of thousands of people and the billions of dollars necessary to give you the PRIVILEGE.

Anonymous said...

Field, The loss of a loved one is always painful; senseless loss almost unbearable. There is no safety net for those who come home from the tragedy we call "the war" and I am saddened for the loss of you and your family. Take care of one another....

Kristin said...

God Bless Field. I am in the process of taking my brother's and his wife's kids for a year as they ready for deployment in June. This will be his third tour, I pray not only for his physical well being but also his mental. God bless!

field negro said...

"can any kind of "in-law" be the result of anything other than a marriage by an inside & outside person? Curious."

Let me try and help you with that. You see it's like this: If I was married to one of Joseph's sisters, or if Joseph was married to MY sister, I would have considered him MY brother in law without the caveat. But Joseph was married to my wife's sister, therefore he was my brother in law by marriage.

Nothing wrong with being curious, unless of course you are a cat ;)

"Field, don't be so sexist in your thinking! Your first paragraph says, ". . . the men who . . ." I think there are plenty of women who have also "put their butts on the line" as well. I know it may be difficult for you to change a lifetime of sexist thinking, but you must learn to write politically correct!"

Ahhh go fuck yourself! Was that politically correct enough for you? I hope so. Cause see, I think you can fuck yourself if you are a man OR a woman, so no gender bias there.

Sorry for that outburst to all of you folks posting who are actually lucid. And thanks again for the kind sentiments.

Admiral Komack said...

"Ahhh go fuck yourself! Was that politically correct enough for you? I hope so. Cause see, I think you can fuck yourself if you are a man OR a woman, so no gender bias there."

-Thanks for the laugh, Field! :-)

Anonymous said...

Excuse me for a second Brother Field:

Constructive Feedback: I don't know how you chose that moniker because it doesn't fit what you spill onto these pages. Its obvious that you disagree with most folks who come to this site, I do as well on some key issues, but there is a way to do everything.

It was the Jewish King Solomon who first said that, "There is a time and place for everything." This was not the time, nor the place to make disparaging remarks about brother Field's deceased relative. Keep in mind that Mrs Field reads this as well.

Fields brother n law died as a result of an unjust war. Indirectly maybe, but nevertheless as a by-product. I don't care how many sources you quote, this war was just wrong. In fact it was so wrong that the vast majority of human beings -who were polled anyway -- were opposed to it. And the nature of it with its wanton violence damages the psyche and the souls of both the Iraqis and the American soldiers compelled to fight it.

And it is quite appropriate at a funeral to address the cause of the death of the deceased, especially if the death was untimely or brought on by unneeded or an unjust cause. And Brother Barnaba would likely be with us if he had not gone to fight that war.


This is a tragedy and deserves to be treated as one, this was not the time for CROCKODILE TEARS. Nor was it the appropriate time to display your knowledge about computers or anything else, or to tell us to sort out Iranian oil from the rest of the oil, or to pretend that the US or anybody else has a right to invade a sovereign nation, or to accuse the victims of capitalism of being capitalist. And of course those being occupied have a right to resist their occupation.

You have let us know that you are doing well by American standards and that you love those, many consider their oppressors. You have made your point. You chose to side with the powerful and the unjust. Jesus had saying for that, "What good will it do to gain the whole world and lose your soul."

So maybe I should not be surprised that you have been displaying the same kind of behavior that the US ruling class you like to cozy up to, displays and that is heartlessness and indifference. The United Nations reported that the sanctions opposed upon Iraq by the US before the Gulf War caused hundreds of thousands of deaths of
Iraqi children from simple malnourishment.

I really don't understand the source of all your pomposity and your self-righteousness. Your Herculean efforts to make yourself appear so much smarter than every one else are really indicative of some kind of over-compensation. And BTW most of the posters are extremely intelligent bother working class and professional folks and some are leaders in their fields as well.

What good is it to be so smart --at least it seems that you want everyone here to think that--and be so callous and so cold and so indifferent. Intelligent folks know when to disparage and not to, even animals have a sense when folks aren't doing well. Save your venom for another time, because this feels like you are pissing on Fields brother n laws grave.

I think Brother Field deserved better from you. He allows you to spit your ultra conservative rhetoric --and everybody else does for that matter --and he does it without resulting to calling you silly or stupid as you have done to others, when your vocabulary seems to have failed you. And nor has he blocked you from commenting.

There is only one word to describe your insensitive display and that is SOULLESS. I hope that you are a better human being than what you have demonstrated on this blog today.

liberation then peace

Anonymous said...

Brother Field... How did people live before PC ? Must everything be micronized? Pretty soon you Bloggers will need editors. I know a lot of you guys AND GIRLS/women do a damn good job. Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Field, at the risk of sounding repetitive, my condolences to you and yours, from the immediate family on out to the fringes.

But I just wanted to home in on something you said about how maybe you could have done more.

There is only so much we can do or be expected to...and only so much we can know about what's going on in someone's head. I've watched my wife go through the loss of two friends to "death by mental illness." Only one was a clear-cut suicide, but both were deaths born of people who couldn't continue to cope with the pressures they suffered in life.

I've watched my wife go through periods of wondering what she could have done. Sadly, the answer is "probably nothing." I hope that neither you nor your wife nor anyone else will hold themselves to inhuman standards of ability to protect someone from their inner demons.

Peace.

Anonymous said...

I think Constructive Feedback tries to impart knowledge but still needs to learn humility and compassion. I don't think anyone who comments here supports this war. I would never willingly volunteer to actively participate in one unless I was in a situation where I had to defend myself or other innocent people from an aggressor. By nature of the way things are set up in this country we can't just walk away from everything in order to not be part of the bigger picture. We had no control over the deals that were negotiated between Cisco and the US and China to lay the fiber optics that provide our internet service for example. That does not mean that we would not take action on another issue such as net neutrality or the FISA violations. We'd need to have an objective and a course of action - none of which could be utilized if we didn't KNOW something was going on! Thanks for pointing these things out but what suggestions and solutions do you offer? The ship has sailed so how do we monitor its route. And do we even want to because what would such a change in course potentially alter a situation in a negative way for someone else? We could comment about the behavior of soldiers who serve in combat against civilian populations. We could discuss all the rapes male officers are committing against the women who serve with them and how little is being done about THAT. We could talk about ALL The ILLS OF THE WORLD but HOW WILL MAKE IT BETTER!!! You always want to bring the negativity without offering a positive resolution. And you always have grammatical errors and use the wrong tense in your postings. So now that I've pointed that out to you what are you going to DO!???

Anonymous said...

Field, so sorry to hear about this. But thanks for the painful reminder of the real cost of war. And thanks for all your other great and painful posts over the 3-4 months I've been lurking here. Keep fighting.

Hathor said...

FN,
I am truly sorry for your family's loss. When the Iraq war started, I would tear up when I heard of each new casualty and silently berate myself for not trying to stop the war. As time passed I thought If we followed the generals we could shorten the war and leave. I didn't want America to just leave like it did VietNam; that felt so cowardly the way we left there. But alas we had dumb and dumber running the war and their goals unclear, that vague creating democracy cry covering some ulterior motives we shall never know. I just wished I had taken the soapbox and cried bullshit for every reason they brought up. Iraq was the forth or fifth option available to the terrorist in the free world. I am so so sorry I didn't.

Anonymous said...

My condolences to FN and his wife's family.
Recently "discovered" this blog and am loving it so far.
Can we all leave the "in-house" bickering for another posting and just express sympathy on this one? Doing otherwise seems in such poor taste!

Diane said...

I join with the others in offering my condolences.

field negro said...

Thanks again for all the kind words and thoughts folks.

mellaneous, thanks for checking our friend cons..feedback. I think he/she will learn so much from the people who comment here. And for that alone I am glad he lurks and comments. Hopefully we will help him/her to become a better person in the long run. Although I doubt it, the guy/or girl has no shame :)

Anonymous said...

Sorry about your lost Mr. Field, may your family find strength during this time of need. May God bless you. And remember out of death, come life

A.F. said...

Field, I'm so sorry to hear of your family's loss. I cannot fathom the grief and frustration and rage of losing a loved one to this war. My thoughts are with you and Mrs. Field and your extended family.

Mrs. Field really brightens up your sidebar, by the way :)

Anonymous said...

FN, you and Mrs. Field look great in that pic. I hope she takes it easy on you when she finds out it's on your sidebar.

As for dissenters like Con, I don't know why they waste a ton of bandwith bloviating their counterpoint when an extended middle finger would've gotten straight to the point.

? said...

Mrs. Field is quite beautiful, way to go Field!

Anonymous said...

Field,

My condolences to you and your family. As others have said, I cannot imagine the anger you and Mrs. Field and her sister are probably feeling now.

Angela L. Braden, Writer, Speaker, Professor said...

Field, God bless you and yours. My prayers are with your wife's family.
I wish I could say more, but my heart is heavy for him and so many others who are experiencing the tragedy of PTSD and other disabling conditions, thanks to a war that should be viewed as an international crime.
Blessings to all,
A

Constructive Feedback said...

mellaneous;

EXCUSE YOU is indeed an appropriate opening to your comments.

You perhaps need to READ the other response which were "Improvised Explosive Devices" rapped in a bouquet of flowers from some of the other posts.

DO YOU KNOW this man's opinion on the war - if he felt strongly against it or if he believed that he was DOING THE RIGHT THING for the People of Iraq?

Since not even Field-Negro can tell us this.....YOU ARE CLEARLY transplanting that which is in your brain upon THIS MAN'S MEMORY.

You don't a problem with my words being "out of line" on this "tribute post" mellaneous. YOU and others have a problem with me not SPITTING upon that which you and others are spitting upon. PLEASE, by all means - get it right.


[quote]Constructive Feedback: I don't know how you chose that moniker because it doesn't fit what you spill onto these pages. [/quote]

Feedback that is "constructive" is in the eye of the beholder - dude or my dear! It is indeed constructive to point of the FACTS that you live your life with the benefit of - EVEN IF you don't recognize them as a means of maintaining your mental comfort with your current line of thinking.


[quote]This was not the time, nor the place to make disparaging remarks about brother Field's deceased relative.[/quote]

Excuse me mellaneous. Could you go through my words and find the DISPARAGING REMARKS made about this man who is now dead?
Was HE NOT wearing the uniform of the Americans?

Your point is more relevant to the "Anti-America Americans" who all but said that HE WASTED HIS LIFE on this venture - without knowing this man's OWN PERSONAL VIEWS about this war.

Pardon my editing of your words mellaneous :
[quote].....especially if the death was untimely or brought on by unneeded or an unjust cause in my opinion. [/quote]

[quote]to accuse the victims of capitalism of being capitalist.[/quote]

YOU are as much a "victim of CAPITALISM" as a (no let me not say that one) as a [WILLING PARTICIPANT can claim to be a VICTIM OF THE GAME] (I'll allow you to do the translation about what I wanted to say. I will RESPECT this specific thread.)

[quote] And of course those being occupied have a right to resist their occupation.[/quote]

Let's see the NEWS from Iraq:
Thursday: 26 Iraqis Killed, 50 Wounded

The death toll from yesterday's suicide bombing at a funeral in Abu Minasir rose by three dead and eight wounded to 25 killed and 48 wounded. One witness described the bomber as a crying teenager and noted that the boy's suicide vest appeared to have detonated by remote control, suggesting he was an unwilling accomplice.


I am SURE that these IRAQI BOMBERS who TARGETED AND KILLED FELLOW IRAQIS will be COURT MARSHALED by the Iraqi Justice ministry!!!

[quote]You chose to side with the powerful and the unjust. Jesus had saying for that, "What good will it do to gain the whole world and lose your soul."[/quote]
JESUS did not pay his cable, ISP and Natural Gas bill to THE OPPRESSOR as a means of MAINTAINING HIS STANDARD OF LIVING off of the system that is called OPPRESSIVE. Tell me mellaneous....did you pay your bill for SERVICES RENDERED to the CAPITALISTS by check or did you use your mega-bank's electronic payment service?
YOUR PAYMENT IS YOUR BALLOT.

[quote]
liberation then peace[/quote]
Correction: Stop willfully co-conspiring and THEN have "peace of MIND" that you are not in fact contributing that which you say is oppressing you. Maybe you are CAUGHT UP rather than OPPRESSED?

I KNOW MYSELF AND WHAT I DO.
DO YOU?

(I have just printed out your rhetoric to review it more in depth)

Constructive Feedback said...

Oh heartsandflowers thank you for your response. Love and Kisses to you back.

[quote]I think Constructive Feedback tries to impart knowledge but still needs to learn humility and compassion.[/quote]

You know I was thinking the very same thing. I recall back when Mrs. King died and her funeral was a chance for so many operatives to channel their words through the corpse that lay in front of them. Though we never heard publicly Mrs. King's comments on certain matters - they were made known - AFTER SHE DIED! No one thought that there should be boundaries and decorum. It was a time to let their feelings be known.

Why do you ask ME to be confined as such when on this very message thread none of the others have chosen to do so with respect to their particular viewpoint? (Oh - I guess MINE is just wrong - that's it)


[quote]I would never willingly volunteer to actively participate in one unless I was in a situation where I had to defend myself or other innocent people from an aggressor.[/quote]

Oh, Hugs and Kisses......thank goodness! that you didn't have to get your hands bloodied in acquiring the land that you now live on. I am sure that your ultimate dream is to purchase another plot of land someday, settle down and raise a family with love flowing throughout the house. Just as I have today with Ms. Constructive Feedback and my children. But wait! Indeed YOU would not be the aggressor in such a land grab. You instead are going to use the system of title and deeds that this 'aggressor government' has set up to parcel the land that THEY STOLE hundreds of years ago. What say you as a BENEFICIARY to those who performed this act of aggression? You are indeed mentally and morally superior. All of the blood stains from the slained Native Americans have since dried up or has been tilled over.

No I am not justifying my ancestor's slavery nor the land that was stolen. BUT I AM NOT RATIONALIZING AWAY the truth that has happened either. You can no more defend your current consumption than you can condemn these past actions that have allowed you to reside where you are. The fact that you are in pursuit of material goods no different than those with a direct lineage to these "aggressors" make you indistinguishable from them today!

[quote]We had no control over the deals that were negotiated between Cisco and the US and China to lay the fiber optics that provide our internet service for example.[/quote]

Hugs and Kisses - Can we go to Mali in Africa? http://www.uneca.org/AISI/nici/country_profiles/mali/malinter.htm

THEY don't have CHINESE FIBER across their land, negotiated with Cisco or anyone else. Guess what - THEY don't have high speed Internet at their house LIKE YOU DO.

(Let me add this note: This is where my words are mangled. Some of you THOUGHT I SAID "We need the Internet and thus WE ARE JUSTIFIED TO DO WHAT HAS BEEN DONE".

NO!

I said "NOW THAT YOU KNOW HOW IT WAS ACQUIRED will you use this KNOWLEDGE and apply it to your MORAL VALUES and thus REFUSE TO SUBSIDIZE that which is STOLEN"?

You all like to put the onus on CHANGING THE SYSTEM. Sometimes the onus needs to be placed on YOURSELF to not be a CO-CONSPIRATOR).

Help me through my little mental conflict here:
I am said to have "have lost my soul" as I am unaware of the EXPLOITATION that is all around me.

The person in Mali who seemingly is the Salt of the Earth in your version of the story because he is NOT molested by CAPITALISM has the higher moral ground......JUST NO HIGH SPEED INTERNET. But YOU DO have this Internet connection - but YOU, like the Malian are in touch with your consciousness?

What makes you any different from me, Hugs and Kisses if we were to evaluate us strictly in terms of our monthly bank statements for services rendered?

I realize that you "talk nicer" than I do - to the great appeal of the like-minded people on this board. But tell me Hugs - how are you different where it matters the most? In the checkbook?


[quote]That does not mean that we would not take action on another issue such as net neutrality or the FISA violations. We'd need to have an objective and a course of action - none of which could be utilized if we didn't KNOW something was going on![/quote]

I will refrain from telling you why Net Neutrality is DUMB because it violates the realities of the CAPITAL needed to build these networks. Instead ask Field-Negro is he can still use the GOVERNMENT WiFi system in Philly which will soon shut down because of lack of CAPITAL?

I envy you all. It is INDEED more INTELLECTUALLY and MORALLY fulfilling to be a LIBERAL! You are slaying dragons and working for the little guy. GOD must be proud of you!

I hope to reform my character one day to become one of YOU......

The problem that I notice is that when you all are ALL ALONE and have to apply these theories to actually PROGRESS where there is no right of center "Dark Seth" to target - you all don't do too good.

[quote] Thanks for pointing these things out but what suggestions and solutions do you offer? [/quote]

Hugs and Kisses: My solutions have been provided above. I made note that the life blood of these CAPITALISTIC entities that are violating you so is YOUR DOLLARS SPENT upon their services as YOU attempt to maintain a standard of living that YOU are unwilling to yield.

You may not want to hear this but please, by all means - point out the flaws in this statement of fact?


[quote] We could comment about the behavior of soldiers who serve in combat against civilian populations.[/quote]

Indeed we can. Good thing there is a system of US MILITARY JUSTICE to reign in any wayward soldiers. Now what about Field-Negro's pet project with respect to the violence on the streets of Philadelphia? More people are killed each year on the streets of the top 15 largest US cities than during the 5 years of the WAR IN IRAQ.

I am currently researching the low CLOSURE RATES in the US where people murder others and are not brought to justice. How far is Philly away from Baghdad? At least they can say there is an active war going on.

[quote] We could discuss all the rapes male officers are committing against the women who serve with them and how little is being done about THAT.[/quote]

Hummm.
Citizen soldiers - who were human beings prone to rape before they joined the service if the conditions afforded them the opportunity ALSO take advantage of the situation when placed in close quarters with females in the military.

I am happy that you just recognized the harm that UNPUNISHED CRIME has upon the VICTIM. This is my argument with respect to what is happening on the streets of large urban centers. The Iraq War will end one day and the last US troops will depart. The situation on the streets of the USA, however, will continue.

Why are you so vocal in one area but not the other, Hugs and Kisses?

Constructive Feedback said...

[quote]mellaneous, thanks for checking our friend cons..feedback. I think he/she will learn so much from the people who comment here. And for that alone I am glad he lurks and comments. Hopefully we will help him/her to become a better person in the long run. Although I doubt it, the guy/or girl has no shame :)[/quote]

Field-Negro - I must say. I love your posters. I really do.

Coming to this board (and others) allows me to see the popular arguments that those who are my ideological adversaries put forth.

You see I don't think that they are necessarily "wrong" I do think that they are out of tune with THEIR OWN EXISTENCE in this world.

I am going to become a "better person" Field-Negro because my wife won't allow me to leave the house and embarrass her so she is constantly working on me.

Let's talk about Philadelphia though. You see - despite rejecting my views, Field-Negro, you and other Black Quasi-Socialist Progressive-Fundamentalist Racism Chasers who now dominate Philadelphia politics STILL have not fielded a set of political, economic, academic or social justice concepts to order this and other cities properly for the benefit of our own people.

It seems that Iraq and even the promise of Obama afford you the opportunity to look away from the fact that YOU ALL ARE IN CHARGE where it counts the most - BACK AT HOME, close to home.

The people who "have no shame", Field-Negro - are the people who are beholden to something other than their own best interests and who sell them out for 30 pieces of silver but little in return. Agree with me or not - I am fully actualized. I realize that this current system that I pay into keeps a world order that allows me and you to get gasoline out of the ground of the service station at 63rd and Media because that gas did not come out of the ground right there - it was pumped into a storage tank from a truck that came in the middle of the night after its contents passed through a long and winding supply chain.

Why are you all so disturbed by the growth of economic power in other nations? This, more than anything else should put the AMERICAN IMPERIALISTIC MONSTER in check. Maybe its because GROWTH by other people as they step out of the mud threatens YOUR standard of living that was crafted as part of the American Imperialistic exploits around the world.

Maybe the treat to your way of life is simply you (generic you - not "Field Negro" you) having your standard of living becoming more ROOM TEMPERATURE compared to the rest of the world.

I know that mellaneous, who "put me in check" is awaiting for the rise of other powers and thus OTHER PEOPLES in the world.

But Field-Negro - I do feel sorry for your family's loss. I too have a "Brother in Law by marriage" who is serving in Iraq.

Candice Davis said...

Easy to support a war when you know it will never touch you or yours. I have regular conversations with my stepdad about his experiences in Vietnam, except he can never actually tell me the details (and I don't ask). Suffice it to say his PTSD led to his being on disability.

I'm truly sorry for your family's loss.

Constructive Feedback said...

Easy to condemn the war and other elements of American Imperialism when you mentally abstract yourself from the supply chain that affords you the opportunity to live life with the standard of living that you do while someone else projects their military presence on your behalf all around the world to keep the shipping channels open.

Just because "tough and nefariousness" decisions are being made on your behalf by others does not allow you to escape liability in your complicity.

How many Whites in the Slave North who wore cotton garments said "I have never laid a hand on a slave"? They having purchased their cotton fabric from the retail store.

Anonymous said...

Brother Field,
My condolences also to you and your family. As a female previously deployed during OIF, there are literally no words to describe what you see in a combat zone. You see and hear things, that you think could only be imagined, much less happen, in Hell. In case anyone reading this knows someone having a hard time dealing, I'll repeat here what I tell so many of my friends and nephews who are still coming and going from one war to the other (Afghan); talk to a professional when you get back. Be it the VA if you got out, or the doctor when you return to your base. I got out in 05, and it took the VA more than 2 years to adjudicate my benefits package. They wouldn't help me in between time. With that said, a female soldier friend referred me to some local vet svc agencies who in turn referred me out to other agencies that provided free counseling in the interim, but it's unimaginably hard to talk about what you've seen and even more so, what you've had to do in a war zone with people who haven't had to do the same.
The military establishment is the beast, and will just assume you are ok if you don't say anything or tell you that it is part of your job/don't be weak if you do. Debriefings and R&R do nothing for your head or heart. Field, I'll keep you all in my prayers.

Whitney B. said...

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Field, and The Barnaba Family,

This is truly sad. I have lost two family members over there. It is so wrong, so evil.

If there is one silver lining in this, at least Joseph died at home and had a family to come back to and a wife and family who supported him, even through all of this heart ache. Think of all of the poor guys and gals who are out there on the streets because their families gave up on them or they just went too crazy.

This whole situation sickens me. It is so immoral, criminal and wrong. Most of the POOR men and women who are over there, are POOR and disadvantaged. Serving too many tours. Being "saved" by advanced medical technology only to be turned loose and left behind, either to die or suffer agonizing mental anguish.

I've met a lot of returning vets and not one of them said that what they were doing over there was right.

Let's face it. We have destroyed our image in the Middle East and around the world. We have destroyed a beautiful, modern and SECULAR country and killed thousands of our people and hundreds of thousands of Iraqi's.

Now the world hates us. Young people are in anguish, as are we all. Especially when this travesty hits you at home, in your own family. Then, you really realize how absolutely crazy this mess is and there's no easy way out.

The only way to change the direction is to institute a draft so that at least some of those wicked rich old white guys have to bleed, too.

My sincere regards to you and your family in this time of grief,
Whitney

*******

I just came back from Newfoundland and there are little yellow ribbons almost everyone there (the kind that surveyors use). It has quite an amazing impact, as Newfoundland & Labrador is a very remote and very under populated Province in Canada.

Whether it means anything or not that there are yellow ribbons all over bushes and trees and houses and street lights, people do care and there is constant talk and reminders up there about what is happening in the Middle East and serious concern for North America.

Newfoundland played a very major role in World War II. It is also where the first radio signal was sent by Marconi.

Maybe we should start putting little yellow ribbons all over everything. Remind folks daily that we've got problems over here and over there.

Anonymous said...

Field, condolences to you, your wife and everyone who is mourning Joseph Barnaba.

Aviva

Anonymous said...

He won't be last victim of this idiotically planned war, either.
Soldiers like him are being dumped downriver by the VA, under orders from higher ups to cut costs.
http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/85860/

So on that note, I have a buddy of mine with PTSD who's not getting the help he truly needs. So I'm a step it up for him.

Candice Davis said...

If you have a relative affected by their time over there (or in any war), do NOT give up on fighting for help & benefits for them. It took my stepdad many years to get the help he needed and many more years to get the financial and medical benefits. Most of his friends had given up trying by the time he began to receive benefits. Road blocks will be thrown in your way at every turn. They want you to give up.

field negro said...

FYI con...feedback, Joseph hated the frat boy,his administration, and this damn war. But he loved his fellow soldiers. One of the problems he had was the feelings of guilt he had for leaving his fellow soldiers behind in Iraq. After he got hurt he was deployed out and spent over a year in a military hospital in Texas.

I hate to let the facts get in the way of your argument,but that's the way it was.

GoldenAh said...

Terrible.

Every soldier who dies is our loss. All the innocent people who've died is our loss.

I know my condolences aren't enough, but it's the most I can offer.

Anonymous said...

I hate to be the bearer of more bad news, but this suicide epidemic is completely spiraling out of control.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124&sid=a2_71Klo2vig
In bloombergs paper, they say that suicide deaths overtake combat death in Iraq and Afghanistan.
They've lost so much of themselves overseas that they're coming back trying to find what they've missed.

d.wattsriot said...

Thoughts go out to your family.
Nothing more I can say Brother Field and Sister Field.

Anonymous said...

I took a break from the blogs for a few days, only to come back and read this post, so please accept my late condolences. My heart goes out to you and yours.

Peace and blessings...

Constructive Feedback said...

[quote]FYI con...feedback, Joseph hated the frat boy,his administration, and this damn war. But he loved his fellow soldiers. One of the problems he had was the feelings of guilt he had for leaving his fellow soldiers behind in Iraq. After he got hurt he was deployed out and spent over a year in a military hospital in Texas.

I hate to let the facts get in the way of your argument,but that's the way it was.[/quote]

Excuse me Field-Negro - since some of your posters are breaking the US Military down to the fundamental human elements of their actions......there are many members of the Crypts and Bloods in America who "hate the GAME"....but still play it.

Despite the now deceased Joseph Barnaba's views about evil Bush or this war he did not feel compelled enough to refuse to wear the uniform of the Imperialist Oppressor (how's that sound mellaneous?) and carry out its policies in a foreign land.

Please note Field-Negro - the sentence above is not necessarily MY VIEWS but certainly they are consistent with a good portion of the comments stated above. They should not allow their SELECTIVE damnation be limited by their sorrow for your loss.

And by the way besides YOU claiming that the information that you provided undercuts my argument could you please logically lay that out? Some of us require a more reasoned basis before we go along with the words said.

Remember when I was telling you about the impact of the PRE-WAR policies of SANCTIONS.....from the Obama web site he speaks of his willingness to place these same UNITED NATIONS SANCTIONS upon Iran if necessary. But hey Field Negro ....at least no Americans will perish under the sanctions. This is what matters most, right?

Iraq Sanctions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_sanctions

[quote]Iran's nuclear ambitions pose a serious threat to the United States, to our ally Israel and to international security. We urgently need to pursue a strategy of aggressive diplomacy that includes direct discussions with Iran in which we lay out clear terms, with disincentives and incentives tied to Iran's actions. If Iran continues its defiance of the international community, we should work for tougher sanctions - within and outside of the UN - to ratchet up economic pressure on Iran, while also strengthening unilateral measures like divestment. One step that we can take right now to increase pressure on the Iranian regime is for the Senate to pass my Iran Sanctions Enabling Act, which will make it easier for states to divest their pension funds from Iran. If Iran verifiably abandons its nuclear program and support for terrorism, we should consider economic incentives like membership in the World Trade Organization and political incentives like full diplomatic relations. Throughout any diplomatic strategy, we should keep all options on the table, while avoiding any unnecessary saber rattling."[/quote]

Anonymous said...

Field - I'm sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers to the Barnabas family and Mrs. Field and you as well. With deepest condolences.

Anonymous said...

Counselor,

Thank you for posting the photo of Joseph's Purple Heart in the sidebar. You have done the young man and your families a great honor in sharing your heartbreak and his memory with us.

Continued love, condolences, and support to the Field and Barnaba families.

LISA VAZQUEZ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LISA VAZQUEZ said...

Field Negro,

I am very deeply saddened to know of your loss... and I extend my heartfelt condolences.

This tribute to such a great warrior was so poignant and powerful. The photo of the purple heart was compelling and touching.

Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa

" Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”
And I said to him, “Sir, you know.”
So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation...
the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Book of Revelation 7:13-14, 16-17

Anonymous said...

Field: Sorry to hear about your BIL. The physical and psychological effect of this war on huge numbers of Americans, Iraqis, and other nationalities is something we will be dealing with for decades. A good friend of mine is a VA psychiatrist, and he is already seeing a lot of really damaged souls returning from Iraq.

Unknown said...

Mr & Mrs Field
Please accept my late but very sincere condolences to you and your family....

Jonne Austin said...

Field,

I am very late because I've been so busy but I wanted to leave my condolences for your family and his family. This is such a heartbreaking thing to read and I pray that God will heal all wounds.

Anonymous said...

Field,

Man this one really hurts. Been writing about Iraq War suicide data for awhile. It's the issue no one will talk about. But when someone you know is gone because of some bad decisions it hurts even more.

This didn't need to happen. That's what makes me so angry.

SjP said...

Field, my heart and prayers go out for you and your family. Please accept my condolences and sympathy - albeit late - in this you and your family's hours of need.

SjP

Anonymous said...

Hey Colleague:

This too shall pass however this one is for all of us who have lost loved ones to this madness. Love u

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