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Subscribe to RSSWomen are going online to show their compassion for the wife of the Army staff sergeant who has been charged with 17 counts of murder. NBC's Miguel Almaguer reports.
By Miguel Almaguer and Vivian Kim
NBC News
RIDGEFIELD -- After her children fell asleep, Lori Volkman crept into her basement office, turned on her computer, and wept as she began to write.
“Dear Kari,” she typed from her home in Ridgefield, Wash. “I can’t imagine the thud you felt in your heart and the ice that coursed in your veins when you heard a knock and saw a uniform standing at your front door. I can't fully imagine the fear and shock ..."
Volkman's message began as an open letter to Karilyn Bales, the wife of Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales who has been charged with murdering 17 civilians in Afghanistan. Volkman wrote, "I don't condemn you for being married to a man who has been accused."
After all, the two women shared a lot in common. Both had husbands who served multiple deployments, and two young children they raised for months at a time alone. Both women had also written blogs about their time at home during their husband's deployments.
"The one thing I really learned when my husband came home from his last mobilization was coming to grips with the fact that unless I had experienced it, I might never understand. And I think there are a lot of people filling in blanks and assuming things and I wanted her to know that we didn't associate her with all of these events and what happened that we were gonna stand by her as military spouses and let her know that we knew she was going through a difficult time right now," Volkman told NBC News. "And I think that's what military spouses do, they rally around each other especially in difficult times."
Volkman, the deputy prosecuting attorney in Washington State, started writing in September 2010 when her husband was deployed to the Middle East. Her web audience is typically pretty small -- normally she gets just a few hundred hits -- but a few hours after her emotional letter, Volkman’s blog, wittylittlesecret.com, was flooded with comments and received more than 10,000 hits in three days. Many of the comments were from military wives, and nearly all of them were overwhelmingly positive.
"The spouses are here for you," one read. "We have your back," said another. A third wrote, "There are many of us out here ... praying for her and her family."
When Volkman first heard about Robert Bales' story, she and her mother, who is also a military wife, talked about Bales' wife Karilyn.
"We cried," Volkman said. "I didn't know that that would be the common experience until I wrote it and saw the comments."
Volkman was surprised by the sheer volume of web traffic, but she was also shocked when women who said they were friends of Karilyn Bales commented that the staff sergeant’s wife had read the letter and comments too.
"I received emails from a couple of different friends [of Karilyn Bales]" said Volkman. "And [Karilyn] asked them to relay to me that she felt the outpouring of support and she was grateful for it, and that she cried."
NBC News attempted to contact Karilyn Bales, but she was not available for comment.
Earlier this week Volkman posted the messages from the women who claimed to be Karilyn Bales' friends. One of them read, “She’s just so grateful to you all … She really doesn’t know what will happen next; she is safe on base, but she doesn’t know when and if she’ll see Bob, or what will happen with regard to anything. To that end she’s just going to keep her nose to the grindstone and concentrate on the kids.”
Volkman's words seemed to have struck a chord with military wives all across the country. And of the hundreds of responses Volkman received, only a few were negative.
“The overwhelmingly positive response has blown me away,” Volkman wrote on her blog. “And yes, I’ve been posting every single comment.”
Military spouses often become surrogate families for one another, she said, driven by the uncertainty of war.
"I can't imagine what it must have been like for [Karilyn]," she said. "Her life will have changed forever at that moment, and that, as a military spouse, you can relate to. There are things that happen in our lives that change us forever. And that was that moment for her."
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It's great that the military spouses are supporting her--as she and her kids are innocent. However, I can't help but wonder if the same support would have been given to Maj. Hassan's wife--had he been married? (Ft. Hood shooter.) I doubt it.
I'd like to see these spouses also work to support the victims in Afghanistan. Nine children were killed. Three women. Four men. Al Jazeera English actually published their names. One has to wonder if these spouses have even honored the innocent victims by reading their names? Remembering that these kids were just as loved as their own kids are. That these women were just as innocent as they are. That the men killed were just as innocent as their fathers.
Sixteen real, innocent people were shot and killed in the middle of the night by Robert Bales. He then tried to burn some of the bodies. Read their names at least. Say a prayer for them.
The dead:
Mohamed Dawood son of Abdullah
Khudaydad son of Mohamed Juma
Nazar Mohamed
Payendo
Robeena
Shatarina daughter of Sultan Mohamed
Zahra daughter of Abdul Hamid
Nazia daughter of Dost Mohamed
Masooma daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Farida daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Palwasha daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Nabia daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Esmatullah daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Faizullah son of Mohamed Wazir
Essa Mohamed son of Mohamed Hussain
Akhtar Mohamed son of Murrad Ali
The wounded:
Haji Mohamed Naim son of Haji Sakhawat
Mohamed Sediq son of Mohamed Naim
Parween
Rafiullah
Zardana
Zulheja
And you would probably be wrong about that, but we will never know for sure. Americans don't usually blame the family for the acts of an individual.
In the meantime, the "religion of peace" just keeps giving.
Leave the spouses alone, they have enough on their shoulders as it is, and I'm sure they are as saddened as you are about the 17 victims.
You on the other hand, should be sorry not only for the 17 victims, but also for all the people murdered by the Taliban, and by hundreds of fellow afghan villagers, like Siddqa and Khayyam.
Down with sharia law.
Go visit ground zero and gather the names of those lost there ....
umsami--
Thank you for having the courage to speak for the victims. I think of the men whose wives are dead, the fathers who will never have the chance to hold their precious babies again.
It just doesn't seem right that this rabid animal will probably get the chance to hug his kids again.
patter123, was he really speaking for or even about the victims? I would say no. If you read between the lines, he was REALLY complaining about how unfairly Muslims are treated.
No question, what the shooter did was absolutely wrong, but when umsami brought up Maj. Hassan's theoretical wife, he changed the tone, and intent of the post. He was boo-hoo-ing the plight of Muslims.
This isn't about Hassan, everything doesn't have to be about what someone else, may or may not receive. Everything isn't about someone else getting their share of pity, letters, support. Leave it to the first poster to make this a pity party for all Muslims... Muslims I might add, who murder if their "holy" book is burned and no we do not feel pity for the wives of the men who murdered soldiers for that reason because they are part of the same deadly religion. Religion is destroying this world and the people, both muslim, christian or fill in the blank, who follow religion aren't bright enough to handle it.
@umsami
Thank you for posting the names of the REAL victims of this atrocity. Bales is a monster and needs to be handed over to the Afghani people to answer for his crimes.
In the meantime I will re-post the names of the victims; my thoughts and prayers are with them:
The dead:
Mohamed Dawood son of Abdullah
Khudaydad son of Mohamed Juma
Nazar Mohamed
Payendo
Robeena
Shatarina daughter of Sultan Mohamed
Zahra daughter of Abdul Hamid
Nazia daughter of Dost Mohamed
Masooma daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Farida daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Palwasha daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Nabia daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Esmatullah daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Faizullah son of Mohamed Wazir
Essa Mohamed son of Mohamed Hussain
Akhtar Mohamed son of Murrad Ali
The wounded:
Haji Mohamed Naim son of Haji Sakhawat
Mohamed Sediq son of Mohamed Naim
Parween
Rafiullah
Zardana
Zulheja
umsami- I think you make a very good point, and why people have say, what about so and so, and what about this and that.
People read the post, don't let your fear, mistrust or hate, cloud your judgements. Two wrongs Never make a right.
My heart and thoughts do go to the family and friends of the murdered. And also to the family and friends of Bales, he is a lost soul.
These murdered people had nothing to do with the bombing of the twin towers and did not deserve what happened.
I can see there is not much sympathy for the murdered in these comments. Brown skinned people don't matter much for some of you.
@bigbenalaska
Are you saying that these Afghans civilians shot by Bales had something to do with the deaths of Americans on 9/11? Your ignorance is disgusting...
My prayers are for all of those who suffer in this tragedy. Those who lost a loved one. THose who lost their innocence. Those who lost their way.
As a country we are being held accountable for letting less than 1% of the population carry the stress and obligation of this war while the other 99% go to the mall. Multiple deployments are a slow erosion of ones soul.
My prayers for ALL who suffer in this tragedy.
My heart grieves at the loss of so many innocent lives in this horrific murder, neither money nor apologies can ever fully compensate for their loss. Isn't life precious any more? Ask the families who get left behind to mourn. Can we bear any more losses if the Afghans seek revenge?
I feel so sorry for Kari and the children of the soldier, having to live with dark thoughts and nightmares for the rest of their lives. The military must undertake complete psychological testing of the soldier to mitigate his actions, at least for his family's sake.
Full investigation is also required to learn if the soldier himself is also a "victim" or a scapegoat of the incessant greed of the huge military industrial complex, Big Oil, Big Money, marauding warmongers - all possible perpetrators of this evil deed. Was this part of the right wing conspiracy during election year to disrupt the President's efforts for a face saving withdrawal from the arena and bring the troops home?
Was money offered to the soldier in offshore accounts with promises of best legal defense in case of court martial proceedings? Were there other participants? Are recent misdemeanors like urinating on corpses and burning of holy books part of the strategy? So many questions, sigh.
It calls for a challenge to anyone to check with our gallant troops' families and pray tell how many more precious lives we can afford to lose now that the reprisals have begun. Cheney? Koch? Limbaugh? Fox? Anyone?
Did you post a list of the six American soldiers that were killed just shy of two months ago when the "dirty, unholy Quran" was mistakenly burned? Did you ask that we pray for their loss and for their families? The loss of Americans is much greater in this ugly war and remember that even though SSgt Bales falls under the UCMJ, he still is INNOCENT until found guilty...prayers to you SSGT Bales during this difficult time in your life as well as to your family.
Air Force Vet and mother of a Combat Soldier...HOOAH
This is what you get by being where you shouldn´t. Get the F . . K out of Afghanistan.
I can feel sorry for the victims in Afghanistan. I also feel sorry for the families of the hundreds of NATO soldiers that have been murdered by Afghan locals, the very people that they were in Afghanistan to serve and protect on behalf of the "people" of the US. I am sorry for the thousands, or tens of thousands of veterans and soldiers that were additionally injured by the "doctor" at the VA and the US Army, the very people that had signed on to provide "medical and mental health care" care for them, but perverted their talents.
@Steelermama - it is truly sad that people like you perpetuate and multiply hatred. Have you even read a few verses of the Quran, before you proceeded to call it dirty and unholy? Have you considered the impact of the Afghani lives lost? Have you ever put in perspective the number of Muslims who have died, say since World War II, compared to Christians? People who have a heart understand that every parent, every child, every husband, every wife, every brother or sister, anywhere in the world is just as precious and means so much to someone else. People who have a heart do not minimize the suffering of those who aren't American or who aren't Christian, or who aren't white, or who aren't exactly the same as you. I feel for what Sgt Bales's wife is going through. Even if he is not innocent, she is definitely innocent and does not deserve what she is going through. Unfortunately, that is just the way it goes, just as it is unfortunate what the families of those 17 killed are going through. The recent killings in France, particularly of three Jewish children has drawn so much criticism against Muslims, and yet there is hardly any outcry of the same sort against the children allegedly killed by Sgt. Bales. Remember, when you minimize the lives of someone who is different from you, karma has a way of catching up with you sometime.
I need some help with a petition to bring our troops home! It's slow progress, but every signature counts.
http://www.change.org/petitions/bring-our-troops-home-from-afghanistan
Please share the link and encourage others to sign. President Obama and Congress need to hear from Americans that the abuse of our soldiers and their families must end.
Who are you to say that about the Quran???
That book is as sacred to them as the bible is to you.
You do not stand for what is right and good about America and neither does Sgt.Bales.
How about rallying behind the families this monster Bales destroyed. Bales is the type of coward who deserves no sympathy. Killings kids is where compassion ends. Give this jerk to the Afghanis and let them administer justice. I sure don't want this a**hole Bales or anyone like him potentially walking the streets or living of my tax payer dimes.
Hell has a nice warm spot waiting for Bales.
Steelermama soldiers signed to kill or be killed, although I feel sorry and respect for the fallen, that was their job choice. The people murdered by this "soldier" were sleeping at home.
Meanest one (Post 2.6) - a VERY appropriate nick.
Perhaps you misread the article. This was not about the Sargent, but about the support of his innocent wife and family.
You're a FINE one to talk about "compassion".
actually,the Qurans were being burned because they'd been used by terrorists in custody to pass messages to each other written on the books pages.That's why they were being burned.Unfortunately,they should have consulted a Muslim as to how to properly retire the Quran's.
William (2.5) :
I think you're completely right. Who is ANYONE to vilify the Quoran ? Let's let the Quoran speak for ITSELF. THIS way, we wont have anyone being politically correct:
Slay them wherever ye find them and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. - 2:191
Fight against them until idolatry is no more and Allah's religion reigns supreme. (different translation: ) Fight them until there is no persecution and the religion is God's entirely. - Sura 2:193 and 8:39
If you should die or be killed in the cause of Allah, His mercy and forgiveness would surely be better than all they riches they amass. If you should die or be killed, before Him you shall all be gathered. - 3:157-8
O believers, take not Jews and Christians as friends; they are friends of each other. Those of you who make them his friends is one of them. God does not guide an unjust people. - 5:54
Make war on them until idolatry is no more and Allah's religion reigns supreme - 8:39
Remember that for the last five years there have been cases where everybody knew what happened before the trial and in both of those cases everybody was wrong. Just support each other and pray for each other and Robert. And wait for the trial.
umsami....heres the thing bro; you have little understanding of tribal politics or how brutal retaliation is the norm for Afghanis (esp. Pashtuns) if you so much as kill a goat of a neighboring tribe (accidental or not) the end result is stipulated to be the massacre of your entire family. I guess my point here is that there is not supposed to be support when its indigenous, why would it be any different if it was an attack by a foreign national?
That being said I understand the discrepancy but this is the traditions and customs of two ENTIRELY different peoples.
As far as Hassan's plight, I could seriously couldn't care less. The guy pledged his duty to two conflicting tribes, ie. the US military and the Wahhabi sect of Islam. Anyone who would do that deserves the whirlwind of chaos that ensues.
Riley, if it makes you feel better to believe the b.s. you're spewing, then whatever gets you through the night. Not everyone has the courage to face evil and call it straight.
Bales is evil and anyone who makes excuses for him--especially those who try to blame and vilify the victims--is also evil.
Patter are you seriously suggesting someone is evil because he is not willing to say a possibly innocent man is evil?
@ Riley, people don't want to know, they have no idea of what goes on in Afghanistan, no idea about Pashtuns, and no knowledge of shariah law.
@ Patter, you are the one who has no clue. Did you know that Pashtuns often provide shelter to, and are supporters of, the Taliban? do you have any idea of the Pashtuns' tribal codes? Did you know that they represent about half the population in Afghanistan?
Also, as Riley mentioned, they are used to retaliation.
Please do a search for Siddqa (sometimes spelled Siddqa) and Khayyam, and look at the full video (about 5 mins) if you dare, you will get a glimpse into the harsh punishments of sharia law. Note that hundreds of "innocent" afghan civilians participated in the stoning, not just the Taliban, and they sure seemed to enjoy it too, they were excited just as if they were watching a football match.
And if you don't mind before condemning Bales (he may or may not, have killed the civilians) I would prefer to wait for the trial, and to see if the families will allow autopsies (which I doubt) so the defense (or prosecution) could at least make sure it is his bullets that killed them all.
To think that according to shariah law most people posting here would probably get either flogged (in which case you may die, 100 lashes can mess you up pretty badly), or get stoned like Siddqa and Khayyam (depending if you had "relations" outside marriage, or if you cheated on (or divorced from your spouse without his/her consent) your spouse ...
Tribal politics, religion, race, nationality or whatever BS you are talking about, can't justify murder, murder is murder. You are as evil murder-capable as this scumbag soldier and you can also burn in hell.
That has got to be some of the most ignorant tripe I've read this week and I've been reading thru the racist apologists on the Trayvon Martin threads. If it was actually stipulated that the entire family be massacred there wouldn't be that many people left now would there?
TiberiusXavier
The a**hole confessed, so he's not "possibly innocent." Where are you getting your news? Oh yeah, fox.
Quote romilio : "Tribal politics, religion, race, nationality or whatever BS you are talking about, can't justify murder, murder is murder. You are as evil murder-capable as this scumbag soldier and you can also burn in hell."
I am not sure if you are talking to me or the OP, but either way here's my reply: yes murder is murder, what is your point here? Siddqa and Khayyam have been murdered too, why don't you protest about that too if you care about afghans? And I agree that tribal codes, religion, etc, can't justify murder, so please DO protest loudly against the Taliban and everyone who support them, and participate in stonings (and other harsh punishments), because they ARE murderers, they will even murder their own family members. Siddqa's brother was present, and so were other members of her family and of Khayyam's family. And please DO protest also against so-called honour killings.
I was wondering, if you had the ability to condemn and carry out the punishment against Robert Bales right now, without a trial, without autopsies, DNA testing, etc., would you? would you actually hang him right now if it was possible for you to do so?
Personally I wouldn't, I would wait for a trial, and if I was a member of the jury I would certainly do my best to make the correct decision, accordingly to our laws, and wouldn't condemn anyone to death (Bales or any other person accused) based on what I would have read or heard in the medias (why do you think Jurors are not allowed to read, watch or listen to media stories relating to the trial).
So mainly what I am saying is that certainly Robert Bales has been accused of the murders, and if he did commit the crimes may he suffer the consequences, but he has not been declared guilty yet. So please before sending him to Hell (and everyone else who, contrary to you, is not ready to hang him just yet), just make sure that everyone that you are sending there are actually guilty, or else you just sound like a cowboy yearning for the "good ole days" of lynching.
Also DO demand more details from the witnesses, they DID say there was more then one guy.
ZenFreedom...try reading about Pashto culture and then get back to me. I seriously couldnt care less if you dont believe me, Ive spent enough time in Afghanistan to know people like you who rarely get off the couch and those who know cultural differences. And besides I was talking to the guy who made the first post that was collapsed when he asked for compensation for all the deceased and how it should be funded by taxpayers, which it probably will be.
LMFAO, yes, because you're the first Service Member to deploy to 'stan (or Iraq, or Bosnia, or [insert foreign country here]) amirite? I mean seriously, no one else on this board has had to go on multiple deployments, so we should all just bend to your knowledge?
meanest one, that is without a doubt the least thought through insult of all time; I am commenting on msnbc obviously that is where I get my news from.
You probably should considering your disposition but if you decide not to I couldnt really care less. My MOS is in intelligence so I get the exposure to cultural differences shoved down my throat on long deployments.
And who the @!$%# calls it the 'stan? I mean seriously you are redlining on ignorance here but hey, MSNBC loves guys who know next to nothing and have @!$%# loads of opinions.
LuLz, you're talking to someone who has 16 years of active duty service and multiple deployments in that time, holmes. And you know the saying about Military Intelligence...
Apparently myself and the thousands of other active duty Soldiers I've deployed with. If I'm redlining on ignorance then you have obviously blown your engine.
Whats your branch, unit and MOS then chief? Be specific and I'll get the picture. 16 years in the rear, as a fobbit, with the fleet or as admin doesnt count btw.
PS, just asked every guy in the ODA here if they ever called it "the 'stan" and each of them looked at me like I was nuts.
military wives are NO BETTER than any other wife of a hard working American that works 40 hours a week to support their family...if all you do is sit your butt at home or more truthfully at the bar while your husband is deployed than just bite me.... I am sick and tired of these woman thinking they are different than welfare moms...you both live off of my money...their husbands werent drafted...they chose this lifestyle...and if he was "pstd" why didnt he blow away those who could have mowed him down with their weapons instead of innocent children?? he is a cold blooded murderous ..million dollar thief
It seem that we have heard from the country's welfare mom contingent. They outnumber the military wives 40 million to one. I suspect someone has to be special and someone else has to be common.
sorry...but since my dad was a colonel and I own a bar...I am far from what you think I am...but go ahead try to wrap your tea baggin little mind around the fact that you will NEVER know more about military life than me
What in the world is wrong with you, jennifer883?
If you think these people have the same hardships as every day working people, you are wrong and ungrateful! Most civilians earn something close to a decent living and they get to go home every night. The wives of active-duty enlisted military servicemen live on their own, on little more than minimum wage and have to face the possibility, every day, that their husbands might die in combat.
Lots of differences, at least one of which is earned income vs. the dole.
Jennifer - If you have a problem about how your tax dollars are spent, take it up with the I.R.S. Good Luck!
As the daughter of a COL you have no concept of what a military wife goes through. Your father made/makes a s**t load of money compared to the enlisted and NCO men and women. COL also rarely go to the front lines or into combat. So spew your hate else where. What Bales did is on him, not his family, keep them out of it. If anyone wants to know what a COL makes search for the US Army pay scale on the WEB, a COL is an O-6 on that scale. When my husband retired at that rank 15 years ago his pay was around $80,000 a year.
As a military retiree I have to agree with you , because the the Military spouse does feel like they have a since of entitlement. They are actually no different the the Welfare Mother because in all actuality the Military System is a form of Welfare. As I was Retiring my unit was deployed and I was on rear detachment, a Dependant came in wanting her husbands LES, I informed her that I could not give it to her because it does not belong to the Dependant it belongs top the Sponsor. They did not understand this and tried calling higher Command to get the document, they were informed that I was correct and unless the Sponsor leaves an POA allowing them to receive them. Now through My Pay the dependant can get the LES only if the Sponsor gives them the password. Military Dependants that in it self says alot, remember the entitlements that the sponsor receives for having dependants is very few, and justifiable so. They must remember that they chose the life style, they married into it so do I feel sorry for them, by now means because my wife went through it and back then we did not have the ways to communicate like we do now. My spouse could not call me will I was deployed, my wife could not email me, all we had was letters, so get over the so called hardships you are no different then the thousand single mothers raising their children.
Okay I am a wife of a current active duty senior NCO and a FRG (Family Readiness Group) leader. Granted there are wives out there who married just for the "money" and do spend their time in bars , etc. HOWEVER they are a minority.
And Jennifer, the Col's daughter (not throwing rank, of your FATHER, around are we?)who owns the bar, if you don't like it then say something to the wives. Your bar. Or it could be because you are the daughter of a Col. (not actually married to a service member...so actually there are quite a few people who know more about military life than you) you look down on the enlisted? Trust me when I say I have run into people like you who like to throw rank around (you didn't earn it so why throw it?) And if you have spent time in the military you know what I am talking about.
DLC....you and your wife still living off of "welfare" then? Retirement you know is just another form of "welfare" (under your reasoning). Okay you were Rear D then? So why didn't you help out the spouse? Explain about the POA, inquire why her husband didn't give her one? If he was deploying then ALL soliders deploying MUST fill out a POA of some sorts, even just one for medical care for the dependants. So instead of helping her you gave her bs. Wonder why rear d has a bad reputation at times? I was very lucky in that when my husband deployed (in fact all of times) rear d was not like how you ran yours. Any problem they felt was an FRG thing then sent them to me and then I went into action to HELP them.
Now my husband and I were married BEFORE he joined the military, not all marry "into" the military. Alot of wives are educated (maybe not so much in your time in) and have jobs outside. I do. And I still have to take care of our children, house, pets, etc. Oh and I don't go to bars, the group of ladies I hang out with don't go to bars.
We are so very different from the thousands of single mothers out there. We always have that slight fear when someone knocks on the door. Or a phone call with caller id saying "US government". My husband was shot in Afghanistan, and because he wasn't KIA, you get a phone call and not a knock on the door. Thousands of single mothers/welfare mothers don't have to find child care, get passport ready, have rear d (a good one) help with tickets, visas, all because your husband (loved one) is in a German hospital (not the American one..they couldn't do the type of surgery he needed). And you get that phone call.."are you coming? He isn't doing so well". Thank God by the time I got there he was on the road to recovery. Sooooo yeah we are different.
Luckily we do have email, I can't call my husband (in fact during any of his deployment I couldn't call), he calls when he can and rarely sends emails. I don't send mail out because it could be months before he gets it (due to moving around).
So DLC, times have changed and we are luckier for it (communication wise). Yes we did "chose" this lifestyle and the hardships that go with it.
Yes Jennifer some women marry just for the "lifestyle" and the "money" and hang around in bars (both enlisted and officer wives). Some people see "Army wives" and think "oh that is the life I want to lead" or "Yeah that is how military wives REALLY act".
So if it makes you feel better to call us "welfare" moms, and complain that all we do is hang out at bars..then go for it, knock yourselves out. If you think we (military spouses) have a sense (not since)of entitlement...then go for it. I have to be fair and say yes some wives do. Some wives are uneducated, cheating, dirty, not taking care of home, children or pets. And if you want to judge ALL military spouses by that minority I can't stop you. I wonder DLC if your wife has the same opinion as you.
Jennifer,still mad that GI's don't find you attractive enough sitting in bars trolling for soldiers??
SInce when does an honest days work for a substandard wage constitute welfare? using your logic- you are a welfare woman because the money spent in your bar started as tax dollars. You are not a military wife- so your opinion stops there.
Using your logic- every man is a drunk because men are in your bar. Every bar owner is a narrow minded shrill because you are.
Being a military wife is hard- harder than civilian life- I know- I have lived both. And I NEVER went to a bar when my husband was deployed- made more money than my husband did after 15 years of being in the service. Had no protection under the 4th amendment - because my husband was military- had no choice as to where to live no voice in what happened to my husband. Where in the civilian sector do you stand duty? Not have a choice of whether to take a assignment? Have the potential to be FINED and restricted to quarters for a social mistake? You charge your waitress with 45 days pay and 45 days restriction for drinking under age? Or driving on base without a base sticker? Think you could search your staffs car without cause?
He may have volunteered to serve- but I doubt he signed up for multiple deployments to a combat zone to protect people like you who sit in judgment.If you see Sgt. Bales as a murderous felon- than take your piece of the responsibility. Because as you sat behind your bar taking money from Military wives- he was protecting your right to be a narrow minded shrill. And I can guarantee he did more time in combat than your Father. Whatever your life was like as a child- as a Colonel's daughter- you have NO IDEA what it is like to be a NCO wife. If you don't like your patrons- sell the bar. I hope the world is kinder to you when you stumble.
and seriously if this is the mindset of some of the tea baggin military...I suggest we start weeding these insubordinate uneducated people out of the military as I as a taxpayer do not want to pay "mentally challenged" individuals to represent my country
Having never done any thing for any body but yourself, you will never ever come close to the experience of PTSD. Perhaps, some day, someone that you expect to protect your worthless hide, will simply step aside as you are simply, not worth the risk.
coming from somebody that never made officer I presume?
^ coming from someone who has never served but feels like she is entitled to judge because she is a military brat.
I served and left so "touche "douche
and let me guess ..your dad did 3 years and still talks about it and you did maybe one tour and than bailed....right jethro??
You couldn't pass the pee test, jennifer?
LOL,tell the truth Jen,you're paid to post here for Media Matters and have no more knowledge of the military than you do of Quantum Physics.
Jennifer, you're a douche bag, SHUT THE PHUCK UP.
I'm the wife of a DISABLED vet. WE did 6.5 years before he was injured on the job and kicked out broken. He lives in unremitting pain EVERY day of his life.
Jennifer, you have no clue and are a disgrace to your dad's "rank". You are a disgrace to the uniform you claim to have worn.
As to welfare you do realize some (actually many) NCO military families actually qualify for food stamps the pay is so low?
Your attacks on military families should be classified as assisting the enemy and punished accordingly.
The title is so miss leading. It should read a few miltary wives, please don't represent me as a miltary wife or others. This story is about these wives and how they handle life when they spouse come back home from deployment. Every spouse and military person handle things differently, some have a hard time handling things and other just know how to move forward and not make it about themself. Yes I could talk my spouse deployed 5 times and when he comes home it about him and then we make it about us and the family as a whole.
SSgt Beal made a choice (we cannot image what was in his head nor do I want too) however his wife needs to step up and take charge for the sake of their kids and not make it all about the poor military wife. It's no longer about you or SSgt Beal it's the kids.
d
to all the military of different races and religious backgrounds who have sacrificed their lives and put their families thru the hardships that is military life ..I appreciate all you do daily..I know the military is made up of many strong competent soldiers who would not disgrace the good name of America and hide behind "Their God" to do such horrendous acts of treason such as bales took upon himself...know that intelligent Americans do not buy into these excuses and weak minds tend to protect those who are just as weak minded..be proud of who you are ...whatever the job you chose ...and know the weak minded have a fear of things that they not only dont know...but refuse to even try to understand
I have served in the military since 1988. I have seen the good and bad that come
with serving this country, but to protect are freedom it has been worth it.
As many comment and give their opinion and even Military families that know the fear of never seeing their love one again. Soldiers are family and Military families support each other. Many give published reports of horror from both sides. What we keep in mine is human life and their is but one God who is called by many names. Let every soldiers family member I lived every second in fear for 5 years. Bales Family needs prayers and support. The soldier will have his day in court and there are survivors who will be able to include information. Few realize if President Bush had open the Draft many more Americans would understand the horror of War. Military Families know of the deaths and lack of equipment and supplies as for 7 years Americans were spared the news only a few reports. My Lai massacre where 350 women/children were killed and then came the cover up which didn't work. Lt. Calley was found guilty and placed on house arrest while appeal. President Nixon pardon Lt. Calley but the Lt.'s life was never the same. He refused to take responsibility until 2009 at an event he apologized to the victims he murdered and to the America for his evil act. Until all the evidence to released in the Bale case we should remember those killed and the victims that lived. We're all Americans and value human life that God created. HOOAH
a Mother of a US Army officier
It's pretty unfortunate that the Afghan witnesses to the incident won't be able to testify at the trial. It's pretty shameful for the Uniformed Services and the US.
Do a research/ study regarding to the TBI and PTSD. Prepare a presentation to teach military personnel and wifes and loved ones how to spot the signs and symptoms of TBI and PTSD and then report to the doctors.
If their loved ones, the soldiers, have those kind of signs and symptoms of TBI and PTSD, their loved ones can be excused from the tour even it is against doctor's order of get-to-go tour.
I am not a member of the military, nor do I have any family members presently serving in the military, but I feel that Sgt. Bale's wife and children need all the strength the support from all of us, that we can give them. She didn't commit any crime. Their children commited no crime. She and their children are being subject to the pointing fingers of people who have no idea what they are talking about, who seem to feel that they are the judges. Nobody, including myself, knows what exactly happened in those villages, but Sgt. Bales, if he was in his right mind. How can people stand around pointing their one finger at Mrs Bales and her children, when these same people have 4 fingers pointing at themselves? I am just sharing my opinion... not trying to argue with anybody on this. I for one, will keep their family in my thoughts and prayers.
Utter and COMPLETE Bull%$%$ ...This man made children walk to a door and shot him in the head...he burned the bodies of his victims........He put his pistol in the mouths of children and pulled the GD trigger.....Spare me the PC crap...he's nothing but a low life murderer..NOBODY forced him to join, he did of his own accord, don't care how many tours, there IS NO EXCUSE for what he did.....and don't even start with how many Americans have died.....They serve with pride, dignity, courage, and above all integrity ...... all of which this man has desicrated. He deserves NOTHING but scorn, and swift justice..........
Mr. George Eva Urich, You ever here of something called MKULTRA? If so; do you think its conspiracy crap? If not; how can you make the statement about "no excuse"? Even if you think mind control has NEVER been used by the military how can you still make such a statement?
There is nothing except victims here, very sad.
JOregon - agreed, there are no winners here. There are victims on each side and emphasizes the fact that war is tragic. I am a proud military spouse for over 23 years and a proud parent of a Senior Airman, but experience is saying that our government and society as whole was not prepared for what these military men and women are bringing home. The attitude of patching them and sending them back has become all too common.
That has always been the way - I'm 60, lost a few friends mentally from Vietnam.
My son is in Afghanistan right now, he has moved up enough that he no longer is in the field but it is still hell.
She's a very strong woman, and I may add very attractive too.
The wife of this accused gunman should count her lucky stars that she herself was not among his victims had he not turned himself in while in Afghanistan. The mentally disturbed mass murderer Charles Whitman, a Marine sniper who indiscriminately shot scores of civilians and students in 1966 from the bell tower of University of Texas. This rampage began AFTER he killed his own wife. PTSD? Financial difficulties or the evil within?
Good, good, good. Nice to see the support from other military families for the Bales'.
Unbelieveable. How can she play the victim card and not even mention the people that were slaughtered, and how can these military families support this guy. This guy murdered 16 people, including women and children. If this was a school shooting we would be looking at this guy like the devil himself. I feel for the guy, but he messed up (which is an extreme understatement.) There is no excuse for what he did, and we should all be ashamed if we as American citizens support this murderer, and coward in anyway.
Coward? Blow me.
But she did nothing wrong and she and her family need and deserve support and compassion. SSgt Bales will have his day in court. But his family is not and should not be on trial.
@stonepipe I will call anyone a coward who massacres defenseless women and children. Just because hes a soldier doesnt given him an automatic stamp of bravery. Hes a disgrace.
@Genenut I never blamed her for anything. Merely the fact that she is supporting her husband who reportedly murdered in cold blood 16 people including women in children. I feel for her, but shes raising national support for this murderer, and she hasnt mentioned anything publicly for the families that HE DESTROYED!
While all this outpouring of support is admirable, it is misplaced! Her husband slaughtered, in their sleep 17 people including children - like she has. Hardly a mention of the families torn apart and destroyed by his act of murder. It is unfortunate that she (Mrs. Bales) and her children are caught up in this thing, but that's life. She should at least come forward to express in public her sympathy for the women and children at least that her husband actually has "admitted" to killing! If the lady featured in this story wants to write something. let her write an open letter to the victim's families in Afghanistan! Let her express her support for them! It was mentioned in the story that she had to creep downstairs and turn on her computer to write to Mrs. Bales? I want her and Mrs. Bales? Just imagine how that mother felt, if one involved was left alive, the sounds of gunfire just inches away and see your children torn apart by bullets from a high-powered rifle? Guess you wouldn't have to creep anymore would you? There would be no more children to creep away from!
I mean think about how misplaced, superficial, self-serving, and narcissistic such an attitude is, when the writer of such a story can "creep" away from her children warm, safe, and sleeping in their beds to write words of support to a woman whose husband took that away by murder from other families?
WOW! kennyfreethinker - do you get dizzy standing on your giant soapbox pontificating? Your heartless superior attitude is just amazing! Hope you have a wonderful day in your perfect little world.
She released a statement earlier this week expressing her sympathy and sorrow for the victims. Her job now is to protect her children. When he is tried and found guilty they will have to live with it the rest of thier lives. He did the crime, his family did not.
I have read all these letters here & they offer help & support to the Sgt's wife. And, she does need all the help & support that we can give her. I've also read the letters about the people condemming her husband with what he did. I DON'T!! UNTIL YOUR IS THE SAME SITUATION THAT HE WAS IN YOU CAN'T DO JACK @!$%#!! You have no idea what it is like to be in a war zone, no idea. He killed kids? So freaking what!! He killed women again so what!!So he kill them after they woke up & were pretty much senseless. Again so what, that is the time to do it when the combat sense isn't up & running. I had kids with AK-47's comming after me that aren't here anymore. You yourself have to figure out what you are going to do in a war. Are you going to go back home in one piece no matter what the cost or are you going to die by the hands of the enemy. You have to make that choice. I made that choice long ago. I never thought that I was going to see my 21'st birthday. Now I'm getting ready to celebrate my 65th. Yeah I made the choice, lots of men, women & kids died at my hands in Nam. And, just because your parent had served in the military or your a military brat. You think that you know? You might know a bit but you still don't know what it is like being in a war zone up front & personal with the munitions flying through the air, killing your friends & buddys alongside of you. One tour of duty was enough for me in Viet Nam, where you didn't know who was the enemy. Where EVERY cilivan is the enemy, because you don't know what they are going to do at night. The kid who might have been cleaning your shoes during the day might have a bomb straped to him the next day. Until your in the situation where the brass is sending you over to a hot landing zone for the fifth tour. Until that happens, then KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!! When you get that experience, then & only then can you JUDGE!!
I am willing to bet 4 things:
1) You watch FOX
2) You vote GOP
3) You are pro-life
4) You consider yourself a "good christian".
Happy Birthday, Mr. Whitmore...I hope that you have many more! Thank you for your service. Thank you for stating a point that only someone with your experience can make. I get soooo tired of all these Monday morning quarterbacks and ignorant politicians talking about things they have never experienced. They should try putting their boots on the ground. Every war and every battle is different, and every soldier's experience is different.
WilliamOfRites - I bet you watch CNN, you think Bill Maher is funny, you voted for Obama, and you profess faith in only your personal abilities. And I don't care if you are pro-choice or pro-life...none of my business.
The battle cry of every hater of freedom: "Keep Your Mouth Shut!"
How did it feel being in a war started on a lie? Killing innocent people for essentially nothing? Doing what you were told because you were proud to be a hired killer for politicians who dropped you like a wet turd after the "war" was over. Pat yourself on the back, tell yourself you served your country. You served no one but the greedy, soulless bast*rds who sent you there in the first place.
McJ-1747943
CNN-Nope
Bill Maher-Nope
Obama-Nope (Libertarian if you want to know)
Faith in my own abilities-Yes, and I can see no rational reason not to.
McJ-1747943, would you please explain how murdering children makes us a better, stronger country?? Since you jumped to Keith's defense??
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McJ-1747943
Happy Birthday, Mr. Whitmore...I hope that you have many more! Thank you for your service
We are now applauding those who applaud those who murder children.
Why was the comment with the names of the murdered collapsed? Is it too difficult to see and put names on the children this deranged butcher casually killed?
Our soldiers are not in Afghanistan fighting for our freedoms. They're there because the sociopaths in power need wars to keep them in power. If our soldiers were fighting for our freedoms, they'd be in Washington DC cleaning out the cesspool of politicians dragging this nation down into slavery, bondage and financial ruin.
I just copied and pasted it. It got collapsed by the FOX crowd because they hate their hypocrisies to be right in front of their faces.
Being "pro-life" and applauding the murder of innocent children takes alot of hard work.
@ WilliamOfRites
You should also consider that...
* It was the first comment and took up most (or all) of the average browser window.
* It was collapsed, not removed. Clicking the [+] expands it for reading.
umsami Comment collapsed by the community
It's great that the military spouses are supporting her--as she and her kids are innocent. However, I can't help but wonder if the same support would have been given to Maj. Hassan's wife--had he been married? (Ft. Hood shooter.) I doubt it.
I'd like to see these spouses also work to support the victims in Afghanistan. Nine children were killed. Three women. Four men. Al Jazeera English actually published their names. One has to wonder if these spouses have even honored the innocent victims by reading their names? Remembering that these kids were just as loved as their own kids are. That these women were just as innocent as they are. That the men killed were just as innocent as their fathers.
Sixteen real, innocent people were shot and killed in the middle of the night by Robert Bales. He then tried to burn some of the bodies. Read their names at least. Say a prayer for them.
The dead:
Mohamed Dawood son of Abdullah
Khudaydad son of Mohamed Juma
Nazar Mohamed
Payendo
Robeena
Shatarina daughter of Sultan Mohamed
Zahra daughter of Abdul Hamid
Nazia daughter of Dost Mohamed
Masooma daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Farida daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Palwasha daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Nabia daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Esmatullah daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Faizullah son of Mohamed Wazir
Essa Mohamed son of Mohamed Hussain
Akhtar Mohamed son of Murrad Ali
The wounded:
Haji Mohamed Naim son of Haji Sakhawat
Mohamed Sediq son of Mohamed Naim
Parween
Rafiullah
Zardana
Zulheja
Did you post all the soldiers names that that muslim bastard at Fort Hood murdered??? My bet, NO!! right??
@Keith
Wrong post. The reports and blogs for Major Hassan far outnumber those of this cowardly bastard Bales and are still available on newsvine, check them out.
As far as comparing the two goes both (Hassan and Bales) committed acts that are unforgivable. The difference is Hassan shot adults who were awake. Bales killed CHILDREN IN THEIR SLEEP. That is exceptionally heinous and in my book far outweighs the acts of Hassan. But bringing up separate incidents unrelated to Bales doesn't diminish what Bales did one iota.
I truley hope this a**hole is turned over to the Afghani people. I don't want to take the risk of this jerk ever walking the streets in this country again or living off my tax dollars, he doesn't deserve it.
so william,still getting paid to post anti Republican drivel here for Media Matters.Are they paying you by the hour or by the post???
Maj Hassan killed his own men in a traitorous act. He was not suffering frm ptsd. He had not seen front line action. He was and is a traitor.
Here's another one from me. And that just because I just got done reading a email that one of my friends sent me. And I quote!
"I can't help noticing the irony of the situation. Theres a clamor to try this guy quickly & excute him. Never mind that he suffered a traumatic brain injury or that he was in his fifth tour of duty. Never mind all that, but on the other hand there is this MAJOR HASAN, who shot up FORT HOOD while screaming ALLAH acabar, still hasn't stood trial. And they are still debating whether he was insane, even with the clear evidence regarding his motive, and that is to slay as many infidels as possible. So we have a guy in a war zone who cracks and must be excuted immediately. But, this muslin psychiatrist who is stateside in a nice safe office all day, murders 13, wounds 29 of our own guys, and they try to argue that the poor lad has post-traumatic stress syndrome. from listening to REAL soldiers who had actual battle experience. Two and a half years later, they still haven't tried the murderous bastard." SO HOW COME, THIS IS EVERYONE??
Major Hassan didn't murder CHILDREN IN THEIR SLEEP. Both Hassan and Bales are murderous a**holes but Bales is an especially cowardly POS. Hell has a nice place waiting for Bales.
It just has to be factual and impartial then (insert eye roll here).
no but he did murder a child that was still in the womb meanest one.
A kid is a kid, the ones that came after me were very young. But they could hold & fire a AK the kid was going to kill me, I saw it in his eyes. I'm still here, he isn't. And, that holds true with the women as well. You might not want to kill them, their young or female or both. But, they are going to kill you. SO you decide. Do you want to see your wife & kids again? Or some loved one. OR DO YOU WANT TO DIE?? MAKE YOUR CHOICE!!
Just make the correct choice, the kid might have only been carrying Skittles & Ice Tea
This has nothing to do with you Keith. It's about supporting a military wife who married a bad person
@Keith
So the months old infant that Bales set fire to was capable of holding an AK-47... tell you what, your scenario can't hold water.
So you claimed to have killed a child; real hero you are, really brave of you too <sarcasm>
Nobody forced Bales into a military career, he VOLUNTEERED!
Turn this monster over to the Afghanis and be done with him.
I was once a military wife and i support the rally around the wife of Bales, IT'S JUST WHAT ALL MILITARY WIVES DO. SUPPORT one of their own. Proud of them.