In a move that can only be classified as gutsy, Obama gave a speech defending war while accepting a peace prize.

In his acceptance speech, Obama told Nobel Committee members and guests in Oslo that achieving peace must begin with the recognition that the use of force is sometimes morally justified.

“Make no mistake: Evil does exist in the world. A nonviolent movement could not have halted Hitler’s armies. Negotiations cannot convince al-Qaida’s leaders to lay down their arms,” he told the crowd.

It was just nine days ago that Obama announced he is sending an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan in an effort to step up training of Afghan security forces and root out insurgents operating on the border with Pakistan.

The president also used the Nobel platform to exhort allies to help eradicate terrorist extremism in Afghanistan.

“I understand why war is not popular, but I also know this: The belief that peace is desirable is rarely enough to achieve it,” he said, urging support for NATO and saying peacekeeping responsibilities shouldn’t be left to a few countries. (source)

Grieving soldiers were prevented from entering a bar because they were in military uniform after attending the funeral of a comrade killed in Afghanistan.

Door staff at Phatz in Maidenhead, Berkshire, refused to lift a ‘no uniforms’ policy, despite the group being accompanied by the dead soldier’s father.

The snub is the latest in a string of incidents where military personnel have been ill treated because of the clothes they wear.

Official concern is so great that Gordon Brown approved the creation of an Armed Forces Day.

Rifleman Daniel Hume, 22, was killed by a roadside bomb last month while on foot patrol with 4th Battalion The Rifles at Nad e-Ali, in Helmand.

His funeral took place last Thursday afternoon. Read on…

I found this really strange. Apparently there has been a rise in anti-military sentiments in the UK. It’s a shame that something like this would have to happen. The world over it seems that countries aren’t giving their veterans, or military personnel currently in service, the respect that they deserve.

These men had been at a funeral for a brave young man who gave his life for his country and it is a great pity that the bar thought they were not suitable customers given the sacrifice their friend had made.’

HOUSTON — Under a new Texas law, some disabled veterans will no longer have to pay taxes on their homes while others will have to fork over less money in property taxes.

The law, signed by Gov. Rick Perry in June, took effect immediately and is retroactive to Jan. 1.

The law allows disabled veterans to qualify for complete exemption if the Department of Veterans Affairs determines they are unable to work or are receiving 100 percent disability compensation due to their military service. Veterans with disability ratings of 30 percent, 50 percent or 70 percent will have different levels of exemption. Read on…

This is really fabulous. Our veterans really deserve to get a break. After being disabled in a war, life back home is difficult. And when you are living off of disability, it’s even harder. The article mentions that many states do offer some form of tax exemption to veterans, but here’s hoping that all states will start implementing veteran tax breaks.

Her mother, Sabina Al Khatib, a leader of Iraq’s Communist Party, spent most of her life fighting to give Iraqi women a voice in that country’s government. When Saddam came to power in 1979, Al Katib was forced to flee the country, taking her family with her. She was never able to return and died five years ago in London.

“She wanted to make women aware of their rights and demanded that they be treated better in [Iraqi] society,” said Besarani, who studied medicine in Russia before settling in London 13 years ago. “I do hear her inside of me. I too want to see Iraqi women laughing and living in a good world, where they are respected and valued.”

Though she said she is not part of the Communist Party and doesn’t want to run for political office, Besarani plans to move to Iraq as soon as possible. She said her goal is to organize a conference in Baghdad to discuss women’s issues and mobilize women in the country.

Her task won’t be easy. Though Iraq has a long tradition of women’s education and employment, those gains have been eroded by decades of tyranny, poverty and war. Read on…

Hopefully in the years to come, Iraq will have peace and the chance for women to have those freedoms back.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

Foley is also pushing for a similar bill that would include the entire state. This bill would certainly be a godsend for many military families. Our soldiers put their lives on the line everyday they are in the field, and it certainly seem like the government back home could show their appreciation more. This bill would be one good way to do that. If only we could get this legislation to cover all of the US, and not just Suffolk County or only the State of New York.

Read here for more information on this new bill.