de·moc·ra·cy n. government of the people, for the people with equality of rights and priviledges

Napoleonic surge is working

The U.S. miltiary surge in Iraq, begun in spring 2007, is "showing excellent success" according to Administration and military officials. Modeled on Napolean Bonaparte's 1815 campaign in Belgium, the surge emphasizes attacks on the Hougoumont insurgent forces of Iraq.

As a main ideological effort of Republican and Democratic neocons, the surge has been a fatastic success. "Right now I can't think of anyone I would rather have campaigning for me than President Bush or General Petreaus," said Congressmen Dee Featcom of Iowa's third district. Like many politicians, the congressman knows that the success of his election and that of the war are tied hand in hand.

Likewise the Republican Senatorial Committee has adopted a new campaign for the fall presidential race. 'Surge to Victory' will be the theme for this years' election. "The grande batterie of the party is ready, and able, to take on all comers," says Miss Erie of the RSC. "Just as Napolean won in Belgium, so too will we win in November. Just kidding.

US Army might break Drypers strike

The US Army is considering measures to force striking workers back to their jobs at an Associated Hygienic Products plant in Duluth, GA in the face of a looming shortage of Drypers baby diapers and training pants used in Iraq and Afghanstan.

A strike involving 17,000 members of the United Steelworkers union has crippled 16 AHP plants in the US and Canada since October 5.

The main issues in dispute are the company's plans to close a unionised plant in Texas, and a proposal for workers to shoulder future increases in healthcare costs.

An army spokeswoman said on Friday that "there's not a shortage right now but there possibly will be one in the future".

According to Duncan Hunter, chairman of the House of Representatives armed services committee, the strike has cut output of Drypers by about 35 per cent. Mr Hunter said that the army had stopped supplying Drypers to units not related to the Central Command, which is responsible for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. While concern has centred on the Iraqi and Afghany training units, Drypers are also critical to new U.S. reservists being sent to the Middle East.

Troops were frequently used during the 1800's and early 1900's to support large American corporations and bust up unions. According to Mr Hunter, the army is exploring a possible injunction under the Taft-Hartley Act to force the 200 Georgia workers back to their jobs. He proposed that they return under their current terms of employment, on the understanding that any settlement would be extended to them...or face being sent to Gitmo. Just kidding.

WIC 47 plans voting celebration

The Ft. Benning chapter of Women in Combat (WIC) has announced the formation of a committee to begin planning for the centennial of women's right to vote in the U.S.

Lt. Martha Ross will head the committee and organizers are considering a mock "suffrage" march down the base main avenue in addition to a "Women's Vote" victory ball.

WIC 47 has more than three hundred members involved in everything from Army logistics to combat support. More than half of the members have risen through the ranks after serving in Afghanistan or Iraq. Thirteen members have been killed overseas and will also be honored with a special ceremony during the festivities.

"We've achieved many successes during the past century, but much more remains undone," said the Lieutenant.

Army command to experiment with consensus

In a dramatic shift in how decisions are made in the military, the Army Central Command will experiment with concensus processes during the nex quarter.

Concensus decisionmaking involves full participation by every member of the group, extensive discussion and seeking to get full agreement on issues - or dissenters abstain - before proceeding. It is based on the premise that full agreement by all parties is needed, rather than just a majority vote.

While consensus is often used at the onset of decisionmaking, this will be the first time that it will be used by CENTCOM and include the office of the President of the United States. Before specific action is taken, such as launching a war, all parties have agreed to having everyone on board the decision.