President Obama Creates New Medal for Drone Operators

Washington DC, Feb 28, 2013 -  One big story that the White House friendly media isn't reporting is the the many protests against President Obama's use of drones as a weapon of war.

Drones are essentially small remote control planes that carry either cameras for surveillance or warheads to kill people with.

Most people have no problem with the first case but are leery about the second.

This is because it is difficult to kill one person with a drone without also killing everyone else in the immediate vicinity. So sometimes innocent women and children, and other non combatants become victims of drone attacks.

When we use drones, we fight wars from a computer console and video screen. It isn't hard to imagine that using drones that often kill nearby civilians isn't particularly popular among the nations that are targeted. Rather than improving our relations with other nations, the use of these drones is causing outrage and anger in many parts of the world.

Despite this, the Obama Administration recently announced that the Pentagon is creating a medal that can be awarded to troops who have a direct impact on combat operations, but do it from afar. The drone operators can now be recognized for their bravery and heroism.

The new blue, red and white-ribboned Distinguished Warfare Medal will be awarded to individuals for "extraordinary achievement" related to a military operation that occurred after Sept. 11, 2001.

The medal will be considered a bit higher in ranking than the Bronze Star, but is lower than the Silver Star, defense officials said.

The Bronze Star is the fourth highest combat decoration and rewards meritorious service in battle, while the Silver Star is the third highest combat award given for bravery.

The new Obama Administration medal has come under criticism from both veterans groups and members of Congress because the drone medal outranks other medals that were earned in actual combat. But unlike other combat medals, it does not require the recipient risk his or her life to get it.

John Hamilton, the VFW's commander in chief, said it's important to recognize drone pilots and others. "But medals that can only be earned in combat must outrank new medals earned in the rear," he said.

Members of Congress are also getting involved. Five veterans now serving in the House introduced a bill that would prohibit the Defense Department from rating the medal equal to or higher than the Purple Heart.

A medal's order of precedence refers to how it is supposed to be displayed, with the Medal of Honor getting top billing among nearly 60 medals and ribbons.

Pope Benedict To Step Down; Hillary Clinton Will Seek Job

Vatican City, Feb 11, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI, the spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church has has announced that he will resign his post, effective at the end of the month.  It is the first time a pope resigned in nearly 600 years.

In his statement he said that he believes that in today's world a pope must be strong enough to speak and engage in activities, and that his own health has deteriorated much in recent months.

The pope, who is 85 years old, said he has had to recognize his incapacity to adequately fulfill his ministry.  He said his "strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited" to the demands of the job.

Former First Lady, Senator from NY, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has announced that she will be available to replace the Pope in his capacity. 

Ms. Clinton is currently without a job, and is anxious to move on to something new. Although technically not a Roman Catholic, Ms. Clinton believes she is ideally suited for the job. "I have a lot of experience as an advocate for women and families, and I believe we need a strong woman in this job now," she told us.

Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, told us "that job probably pays really well, maybe three or four million a year, and we can always use the extra money."

Bill and Hillary with former Pope John Paul II

The former Secretary of State says she will reform the church, making female priests, abortion rights, and gay marriage ceremonies consistent with Canon Law.  "We need to modernize the church, and bring it into the 21st Century," she remarked.

Ms. Clinton reminded us that she has prior experience posing for photos with other Popes when she was First Lady. She believes that this would enhance her qualifications for the post, and make her a more effective Pope.

If Ms. Clinton is selected for the job by the College of Cardinals, then she will become Pope Hillary II, since there was a Pope Hilary (actually known as Pope Hilarius) from 461 to 468 AD.