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This is a rather interesting post on the abuse of economic theory and reports in relation to immigration. Don’t know enough economics to say much about it myself.
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Two different looks at the ‘Devil we shook hands with’ in Palestine(Fatah).

Unfortunately realpolitik comes to mind. Someone is going to be gov’t of the Palestinians. There are really only two factions to choose from. Both suck. One might, might, be weaned away from their past. At some point you have to accept that we’re going to have to shake hands with someone, both suck, and better to pick the one that sucks less unless you have a plan in the pipeline to do something hard core about it(No? Then grab a seat and accept that Abbas is about like Noriega in Panama to us at the moment. He’s useful, but an acknowledged SOB who we’ve shaken hands with to get something done for the moment.)

Ideological purity sometimes has to take a back seat to getting things done. That sucks, but is true(sometimes). I know Boyd would disagree, but he also said that anything after the first day wasn't effective doctrine but a dogmatic straight jacket. Go figure.
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I’m with Gen. Pace on this one. Yes, violence and deaths matter, but it isn’t the sole measure of success or failure in this endeavor we call war (Politics of another means).
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Two posts from Kent’s Imperative on the potential future of intelligence gathering.
--ry
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SWWBO had a tough week in Indiana. This is a pic of her when we got home last night early this morning... -the Armorer

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WAMEGO — Sgt. Harold Fechter was carrying a prayer card in his wallet when a German artillery shell killed him on an Italian mountain in World War II.

Welcome home, Sergeant Fechter.

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.

H/t, Larry K.

Speaking of bringing home the lost...

TOKYO - A U.S. search team on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima is zeroing in on a cave where a Marine combat photographer who filmed the iconic flag-raising 62 years ago is believed to have been killed in battle nine days later, officials told The Associated Press Friday.

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Bloodspite honors a childhood hero.

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News from MNF-I:

U.S., Iraqi troops rescue 24 abused boys from orphanage

Iraqi, Coalition forces move forward despite attacks

Marne Torch continues clearing insurgent safe havens

Commando Eagle starts off strong

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Speaking of Iwo Jima, it ain't Iwo Jima anymore. Some say it never was.

And some where, in a galaxy far, far away, geeks at arms Zigguret Con [yes, I know we have posted on this before, but this one has a final report and many more pictures - besides, I like "geeks at arms"]

If you missed them this week (because I was busy and didn't get over here to link) don't forget to check out Wednesday's Heroes. On Wednesday's Heroes, we highlight Marine Cpl Valdez, a woman marine who was one of the casualties from the 2005 suicide bombing against a convoy that was carrying twenty such women returning from manning entry and search points in Fallujah. They dedicated a building to her. Not just because she raised her hand and said, "send me" (it was a volunteer mission) or because she was KIA on that fateful day, but because Cpl Valdez was personally involved in and a key player in developing strategies to defeat IEDs with electronics and radios.

Valdez’s most significant work was with Division’s Counter Improvised Explosive Device Working Group. The success of the tests conducted by CIEDWG was in a large part attributed to Valdez’s knowledge of single-channel radios.

The impact Valdez made in her field was a driving force behind the dedication of a top communications training facility. [snip]

“We have not traveled these long distances to honor a building,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Sylvain, the communications information systems chief for Marine Forces Reserve. “We pay tribute to not only Corporal Valdez but what she represents. She’s a perfect selection to not only represent the communications community but the (noncommissioned officer) corps.”

Before the ceremony concluded, the crowd witnessed the first Radio Operators Course class graduation from the newly-named Valdez Training Facility.

Today's Friday's Letters From the Front: Greetings From Baghdad. Soldiers' Angels pins are becoming very popular for our deployed soldiers. Last week, we had a letter form a young sniper who wears his pin on his sleeve when he goes out on missions. This week, we received this note:

An Angel To Watch Over Me

Mr Bader [Patti's Husband],
My name is SGT Shamar I'm a friend of Mr Olivas. Thank you so much for everything you have sent me. All your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. Last week I started wearing my Soldiers Angel pin on my bullet proof vest and trust me it protected me. I was out on a routine convoy that was hit by an IED. I think my Angels has something to do with no one sustaining any injuries during the blast. Well I have to go because there are other soldiers waiting for this computer but in closing THANK YOU!
SGT Shamar

Go check out the rest of the letters! They are inspiring and humbling. One of our injured soldiers we supported was so inspired, he went out and got a Soldiers' Angels tattoo on his arm. [pics included]

-kat

Oh...and nearly forgot. I'll be at the KC VA Hospital for Stand Down today. If you're in the KC area, Soldiers' Angels has many events we are participating in to show our support for the troops. Find out where and come join us: KC Angels Events and Fund Raisers. We love to support our troops and we love to meet people who want to do the same. It is always great fun and inspiring.
-Kat

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Speaker Pelosi - I volunteer to help your web-monkeys with pictures of things military. Really. H/t, Ms. Malkin. -the Armorer

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Back in the day, when you could just kill people and break things without a note from a lawyer, they were pre-planned, but to the enemy, random, fires at known gathering points, road junctions, Main Supply Routes, assembly areas, etc - to keep the bad guy nervous that the world around him might start exploding at any minute.

*Not really relevant to today's operating environment, right? But, it *is*

The UAVs (oops, can't call 'em UAVs anymore - they're now Unmanned Aerial Systems... some Colonel got his Legion of Merit for that change...), er, um UAS's we fly over Afghanistan and Pakistan looking for targets of opportunity are a form of H&I fires, if you really want to parse it finely. We just have better sensors and fire control now.

I call the post that because it's random things posted by me and people I've given posting privileges to. It's also an open trackback, so if someone has a post they're proud of, but it really isn't either Castle kind of stuff, or topical to a particular post, I've basically given blanket permission to use that post for that purpose. Another term of art that might be appropriate is "Free Fire Zone".