Ann Romney: Mormon missions and U.S. military are ‘different ways of serving’

The wife of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney on Thursday said that her husband and sons had not joined the U.S. military but had found “different ways of serving” by going onreligious missions in France, England, Australia and Chile as part of their obligation to the Mormon church....

“When I read about your husband, what I had read — and maybe you can correct this — is that the reason he didn’t serve in Vietnam was because it was against the religion,” Goldberg said.

“That’s not correct,” Ann Romney insisted. “He was serving his mission, and my five sons have also served missions. None served in the military, but I do have one son that feels that he’s giving back to his country in a significant way where he is now a doctor and he is taking care of veterans.”

“So, you know, we find different ways of serving,” she added. “And my husband and my five boys did serve missions, did not serve in the military.”

The candidate’s wife explained that Mormon missions were like military service in that “you’re going outside of yourself, you’re working and you’re helping others. And it changes you. And are we so grateful in this country for those people — men and women — that are volunteering, they’re sacrificing their life for us, and we cannot forget that or we have to acknowledge that always.”

The Raw Story
Ann Romney: Mormon missions and U.S. military are ‘different ways of serving’

David Edwards

As a Vietnam vet I find this deeply offensive.

Seems that the children of the wealthy and VIPs were too busy doing other things to serve when it came to going in harm's way. Cowards, the lot of them, regardless of political party.

Occupy focuses on foreclosures

As the Occupy movement enters its third month, it is moving into a new phase. Colder weather in the north, combined with aggressive push back from city officials around the country, is requiring the movement to adopt new, innovative approaches that include, but transcend, public presence as protest.

Pundits are wondering aloud whether Occupy is through. But this young movement is just getting started. An exciting piece of evidence to that effect is a new focus on foreclosures.

Alongside its call for job creation, corporate accountability, and relief from crushing student loan debt is a growing demand that Wall Street and Washington make right the disaster that their greed and neglect respectively caused. The movement has deemed December 6th a National Day of Action to Stop and Reverse Foreclosures.

Read the rest at TruthOut

The Occupy Movement Focuses on Foreclosures
by Alan Jenkins, Campaign for America's Future | Op-Ed

See also:

Banks May Have Illegally Foreclosed On 5,000 Members Of The Military

By Pat Garofalo at Think Progress

Vets levy charge that the 1% profit from their sacrifice

IRAQ VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR – WE ARE THE 99%

Veterans are a part of the 99%. 

Most of our military is made up of the 99%.  We join the military for many reasons.  Some join because of family tradition or a sense of patriotism.  Others join for citizenship, education or to escape poverty or violence in our homes and neighborhoods. Many service members realize the wars we fight contribute to poverty and violence in Iraq and Afghanistan communities. We are coming home to a broken economy where veterans have higher unemployment, incarceration, suicide and homelessness than the national average.

The 1% is profiting from of our sacrifices.

Our nation’s leaders have betrayed us. We have been asked to risk our lives and mental health for the defense of our country and the well being of foreign allies. The causes for military conflict have proven false while corporations profit. The military industrial complex continues to grow in wealth while the rest of the world pays for it in dollars and blood.

Instead of increasing programs to attempt to repair damages, many schools, hospitals, and social services are shutting down.  Programs for veterans are inadequate and are leaving us physically, mentally, and emotionally bankrupt.

Veterans have a history of effective grassroots organizing.  IVAW has been a voice for veterans and their grievances since our founding in 2004.  We understand that change comes about when people speak up, organize, and demand justice. Veterans and active-duty service members have a history of organizing, from the Bonus March to the Vietnam War. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have an important contribution to make to this movement. 

As veterans and members of the 99% we stand in solidarity with the Occupy Movement.

As service members we are told that we fight for human rights and democratic freedoms. However, these rights seem to be continually denied at protests across the nation, often times by police using excessive force and violent tactics.  We support our members, fellow veterans and members of this movement who have been subjected to this gross contradiction, and who have refused to remain silent.

We are the 99%.

Iraq Veterns Board Of Directors Statement On The Occupy Movement: We Are The 99%