Iraq

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To join the US Army, a person must be be smart enough, in sufficient physical condition, free of drug use and free of criminal history.  These requirements mean only two out of ten teenagers qualify.  Those who do enlist are often the best in other ways.  The Stars and Stripes news report about one such…

Back when I was in Iraq in 2005-06, I heard a story about a soldier in Kirkuk who walked off the premises of FOB Warhorse.  He just went outside the wire unarmed like he was back home and wanted some ice cream.  Leaving the base itself violated all sorts of orders.  But, more importantly, the…

You know, its almost like some employers want to be sued.  Or, they want strife of some sort.  I once had seven women come see me about their job.  As I listened to the ladies, I realized their claims were less about discrimination and more about horrible working conditions.  They worked in a small office.

I spent twelve months in Iraq.  We taught and coached Iraqis on the finer points of democracy.  I served with some 140,000 other soldiers and service members.  As soldiers, I thought we did pretty well under the circumstances.  For a country long accustomed to strong central governance, there was visible progress on their ability to…

The Sixth Circuit has rendered a decision regarding a veteran who sued under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. §791.  The Rehab act applies to federal employees who have disabilities.  The Americans with Disabilities Act was based in large part on the Rehab Act.  In this Sixth Circuit decision, the appellate court affirmed the…

Six years ago, I was sitting at a desk at FOB Danger, Iraq processing applications for CERP funds.  Periodically, I would go "outside the wire" to look at ongoing reconstruction projects.  I was one of some 150,000 soldiers, sailors, Marines and Airmen serving our country.  We served on a large team, my brothers and sisters…

It has been ten years since 9/11.  That was a huge day for millions of Americans.  9/11 lead directly or indirectly to the two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  For those of us in the military or formerly in the military, 9/11 marks the starting point of multiple deployments, moves, new jobs, lives changed, and…

A soldier from San Antonio was killed in Iraq.  SGT Steven Talamantez was killed by indirect fire (mortar) in Maysan province of Iraq, a normally less violent province.  He was assigned to the 1st Cavalary Division out of Ft. Hood, Texas.  A graduate of McCollum High School in 1995, he worked in construction before joining…

During the 1960’s many federal judges had to seek safety because they enforced constitutional law regarding integration in Southern states.  These Southern judges did not necessarily advocate integration.  Instead, they were simply fulfilling their duty to enforce the law as it had already been decided by a higher court. 

Our own Judge Fred Biery has…

SGT Glenn Sewell was killed in Iraq by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device).  SGT Sewell was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division out of Ft. Hood.  He was described by his fellow soldiers as happy, quick with a joke and the life of the party.  He and another soldier were killed in Wasit Province, eastern…