What can we do about these young Iraqi refugees in Damascus? We all agree it is tragic but we must step up and take action. That young girl's scared face won't leave my mind. What can we do????

I appreciate the mention of Doug Marlette.
though maybe not a household word, his political satire was always appreciated.

Brian it was sad to see the young girls living like that and I wondered what would their lives be like now if the US hadn't invaded Iraq. I also noticed that these young girls were from professional families that used the girls to pay for a living. So much horror has happen to the Iraq people while the White House is only interested in Iraq oil.

I heard about President Bush giving lower staff Executive privilege. To bad Nixon couldn't get that when he committed his crimes or Bill Clinton either. Now under the Bush Administration we have no Constitution, if the janitor knows about the crimes Bush will give him Executive privilege. To bad Bush didn't give Libby Executive privilege, then there would have never been a trial. Gonzales will be called again to testify about his lies, as we hear him say 70 plus times he can't recall or remember,

I remember watching Huntley/Brinkley Report in black and white those were days.

Bush started a war in Iraq which drove over a million Iraqis out of their homeland and thousands of young girls into prostitution. Yet many of the conservative Religious Right continues to support his war efforts in Iraq.

As long as the hookers are Iraqis it meets with the approval of the conservatives? As long as the prostitutes don't service the men of the American military the conservatives looks the other way?

As a consequence of Bush starting the Iraq war is thousands of young girls are forced into prostitution or being raped.

Where is the outrage from the conservatives who's platform is "family values?" Or is it because the family sold their daughters into prostitution it is a family decision and meets with the approval of the Christian Right?

Thanks for reporting on the abusive treatment of Iraqi women. After the Bosnian and Kosovo crises, I used to carry around an article from MSNBC on just how many millions of women are trafficed into sex slavery through Albania. A Humanist article on what happened after the fall of the Soviet Union was equally motivating. Even during the supposed good times a decade ago, there were more than enough reasons to be deeply concerned about world events and more than enough reason to fight all that much harder to do all we could personally. We must push for the most change during the good times as that is the only time we can.

I think the US is suffering form the analogy that if you put a frog into a pot of water and bring it to a boil the frog wont jump out. Somehow American has fallen into a deep sleep in regards to its government in a VERY deep crisis. Instead of just a "Wounds of War" segment, what about one on our Government in Crisis?

Even as a big Airbus fan, I was very happy to see the new 787. You guys did a great job on the report but I think that day (7/8/07) just might go down as the very day the world stepped into the "Composite Age." Composite materials are utterly amazing and after a 7/07/07 plea for being green it was sure a nice answer the very next day!

With regards to Catherine's question "...with the same soldiers being deported over and over again, why is the question of re-instating the draft not coming up?", I believe the term she meant to use was 'deployed', but it brings up an interesting thought. Why not combine the top two issues in politics right now - immigration and war? If an illegal immegrant would like to earn citizenship, all they would need to do is sign up for a four or maybe create a six-year tour of duty. Once ramped up, those currently deployed could get a break; the armed forces would probably meet their quotas; and a route to legal status would be offered to those who were willing. Just a thought.

Mr. Bush's attempt to push decisions about Iraq that are rightfully his onto the military is pathetic and cowardly.

The man either thinks we are idiots or he has no knowledge about the Constitution he swore to uphold. In this country the civilians run the military, not the other way around. It is the civilian government that starts wars and ends wars. The military is tasked with fighting them until the government tells them otherwise.

As to this "war" he keeps trumpeting, the war our troops was involved in ended long ago. Our troops have been engaged in an occupation. It's past time to end the occupation of Iraq.

While we are at it, let's tear down the giant embassy that was built, which is nothing more than a symbol of imperialism if there ever was one.

Richard's piece was indeed sobering & disturbing. These young girls should be counted in the numbers of displaced victims of this war.

That will teach me to keep my eyes in the sky.... I missed a satellite going by this weekend? Serves me right for spending the weekend with my brand new nieces! I very much enjoy your "day in history" spots, Brian. Thank you for them!

I am now off to catch up on all the Medal of Honor posts I've missed in the past couple of weeks.... dang holidays & company put me so far behind....

Good Evening Again Mr Williams, I wholeheartedly agree that Richard is a BRAVE journalist and as you full well know I always enjoy his reports and read his posts. With regards to the report this evening concerning the Iraqi refugee girls walking and dancing around for money and attention from men at this nightclub called "The Lighthouse" in Damascus, Syria it is terrible that these young girls are subjecting themselves to this kind of life. The man who is running this business ought to be arrested for running this operation. These young girls and some are extremely young are going to end up with so many physical and emotional problems in their life. And that was partially highlighted by that older girl who was smoking and had a nervous tick. One only hopes that they will find a better way of life and be safe from the harms of prostitution. There is a better way to survive and they are in desperate need of finding it. I certainly hope that this war comes to a peaceful end and that situations such as this don't keep happening. Too much suffering has occurred. It has to stop. Thank you Mr. Williams for the broadcast. And as always keep Richard safe!! ( A treasure to your news bureau!). Peace to you and Richard! Peace to all!

Dear Mr. Williams

I listened with interest last evening to your segment re: the need for more army enlistees and how the gov't has had to compromise the requirements.

I do have an agenda for what I am going to ask: If the number of enlistees is falling far short of "need" and with the same soldiers being deported over and over again, why is the question of re-instating the draft not coming up? I am against the war and against sending anyone over there. However, if I were the "administration" intent on "winning" wouldn't I want to send the "best."

I would like the question of the draft to be addressed in the news. I think it is a valid question at this time.

Hello Dear Brian,
I have heard President Bush’s ‘lecture’ suggesting that he needs more time to listen to the military’s assessment about Iraq and about the need for honest analysis of the consequences if US forces leave Iraq. I would like to give him answers for his needs. Time does not make a difference under condition of uncertainty. In Iraq the best strategy is to make a crucial decision now rather than in the future. If our forces stay 100 years from now, the bad news will be cumulatively accumulated and the situation will become worse. This is because Iraqi people do not like to be occupied by foreign forces. It is a very simple fact, but ignorant people have never understood it. With respect to the consequences resulting from departing Iraq, there will be the following ones. All Iraqis will be united under the flag of their country, trying to rebuild their country from the destruction and looting that no country has seen in this new century. When occupation ends, democracy and freedom will be the normal indicators of the political process of the country. Education will start again, and students can go about their lives. Employment and industries will prosper again. Oil revenues will be used for rebuilding roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, and universities and compensations will be given to all those Iraqis who have been affected by Abu Ghraib democracy diffused by President Bush. The only bad business consequence of our departure from Iraq will be the loss of Iraqi oil and the reduction of oil prices to $1.00 per gallon, a condition that will make oil corporations very unhappy. As part of the logical outcomes, the military complex will lose the rosy billions of dollars that the American people pay through the regressive tax system. Please inform some of our Senators that the issue is not whether to win or lose the war In Iraq; rather, it is the fact that occupation of a foreign country is not consistent with American democracy and freedom: It is naked imperialism. Many Thanks and Best Regards.

Good Evening Mr.Williams, First of all I viewed the Early Nightly V-Blog and I am sorry there is water in the basement. I agree with you that your fireboots did come in handy. I realize this is not part of this posting, but I wanted to mention it. Also you kept saying Monday. That's okay I know you know its Tuesday. Always like seeing Richard on your broadcast. I read his posting and it is really tragic how those young girls exist in that region. One always hopes they will find a better life. I look forward to his report. Thank you for the look back in history. Looking forward to the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to all!