We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2007 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:58:32 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2008 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite. You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place... *************************** What a goat ----. Still, be wary when whacking at Powell, the man who decided to send the Blackwater teams out shorthanded. We don’t know the whole story yet. We don’t know how critical the exec they were bringing in was, or how shorthanded they were all over. I can’t say this is the most... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:48:20 -0600 I say you did *very* well, MM. And the cost of color in custom-flag production is a large consideration. For those who don't know, MM produced the basic design of the simplified Castle logo used here. And *I* like it. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62120 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62120 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:55:13 -0600 Hey, I'd like to see you do something better when you've only got two colors to work with. Feh. :-) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62113 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62113 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:59:52 -0600 Sigh. Try the veal, folks. JMH will be here all week. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62112 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62112 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:35:16 -0600 Boy: Mister Gunner, what's that hole there called? Gunner: Son, that's called a 'trunnion'. Boy: I've never seen something like that; what does it do? Gunner: It supports the gun by sitting on the cheeks of the carriage. Boy: But this is a hole. Don't real trunnions stick out? Gunner: Only if they are 'outies'. But this gun is special: it has an 'innie'. Cheers http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62111 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62111 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:14:46 -0600 JTG - the "hole" *is* the trunnion! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62103 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62103 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 06:53:53 -0600 The families of the four men killed… sued Blackwater in Wake County Superior Court in an effort to find out what happened. Blackwater countersued the estates of the four men in federal court, successfully arguing for arbitration, in which the proceedings are closed to the public and the investigation of the incident can be much more limited.” See: Blackwater manager blamed Let’s hope Blackwater is better managed now. On a different note: I think the Castle Flag looks good. You should trade mark it. You never how lucrative the Castle might be. ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62094 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62094 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:28:08 -0600 Rodman Columbiads are Kewl&Modderin, but I think something with cascabels would be purtier. And there's that hole in the image where the trunnion oughta be. No offense, like the idea, just tweakin' the details. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62091 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62091 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 22:12:35 -0600 that, and the flag should be cavalry red over white. And with the crossed cannons, too, eh? Hah!]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62072 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62072 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:42:52 -0600 they are slick, lets show them what free minds can conjure up.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62067 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62067 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:52:45 -0600 yeah, yeah. greek schmeek. just sayin' that the whole bit about aortas and stuff, it should diagram out this other way in a different dead language.... that, and the flag should be cavalry red over white. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62065 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62065 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:43:40 -0600 I totaly understand John. I did go to the US Army Field Artillery School at Fort Swill. So I recognize the Artillery connection. I did get better later in life and became a Rifle Company Commander. So I am a slit personality, in that I had two MOS's http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62062 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62062 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:14:41 -0600 Heh. US Army artillery colors are Crimson and Yellow. The Marines just know a good thing when they see it. If I had to be mistaken for something, I'd rather be mistaken for a Marine than a *shudder* sailor! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62061 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62061 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:07:42 -0600 No wait Navy Blue and Yello is Cub Scouts .. my bad. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62060 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62060 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:59:53 -0600 Good choice of colors. Marine Corps Colors, to be sure. You could go to Navy Blue and Yellow but the many would confuse you with the Boy Scouts. The would even expect adult leadership. Semper Fi http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62059 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62059 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:56:48 -0600 John - You really don't want me to take a shot at it. I have no artistic talent per se, I just know what I like. All of the artistic talent in my generation of the family is resident in my little sister, who makes a living doing graphics. I'll see if she has any spare time (in her current corporate re-branding hell) to take a stab at it, though. And I will purchase a flag as well, if/when a bulk order is to be made :-) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62058 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62058 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:50:47 -0600 On my monitor, that flag color comes out...ahem, a bit magenta, pronounced pinkish. Engineers Lead the Way, "Essayons" http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62057 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62057 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:48:11 -0600 BCR - hmmmm. Nice idea. As for multiple flags, after I get a cost, I'll see what the rates are. Flags across the country! Take that, La Raza, Aryan Nation, et.al... MajMike - we do understand that Molon Labe is *greek*, right? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62056 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62056 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:42:12 -0600 well, i'm not as good as faking linguistic supremacy at the drop of hat as a certain someone more nautical, but.... the MOLON part, being intended as clause indicating an action to be completely finished, yet at an undetermined future time, seems to me to need a pluperfect form. thence, the following action, (LABE), since it is conditional on the prior completion of the other action, seems to be needing a subjunctive form. of course, i never got better than a B in Latin anyway, and will defer to Boq (who certainly established his dead language credibility in re: Rudolphus) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62054 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62054 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:26:05 -0600 random ideas: split up the Words of Leonidas to center the Rottweiler logo properly on the field. Something like this --- MOLON[space][space]{doggie head}[space][space]LABE which would add a nice visual emphasis to the meaning. I also vote for some kind of dark outlining of the gold graphical elements for clarity. And I vote that Brab should do it ;-) Is there going to be a bulk order so Denizens can have one too? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62052 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62052 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:11:51 -0600 Navy blue is always a better choice.....isn't that part of another saying? When sailors have fun don't they end up (something I can't write here), *blued* and *tatooed*? ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62051 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62051 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:59:45 -0600 MajMike, *do* please elaborate... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62049 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62049 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:13:36 -0600 John did more than I proll'y could trying to explain. But if you want to go to the local library there's been a couple of books written lately about the whole military contractor in Iraq issue, Trias. Lemme know if you want titles 'cause I can find them easily enough. (And yes, I will get around to emailing you at some point. I only have a few goof off minutes of 'puter time, the rest is researching health insurance, real estate, and child protective services bureaucracy. Sorry.) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62047 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62047 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 12:48:19 -0600 along the lines of Lex's pedantry, i'm thinking more of the pluperfect, followed by a subjunctive (not to be questioning wikigreeky or nothing) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62045 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62045 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 12:08:17 -0600 CAPT H - you're correct on the latin. I was channeling the US 14th FA Regiment, vice the more traditional usage. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62044 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62044 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 11:33:38 -0600 John, I like the flag. However, the traditionalist in me would like to see you return to the old colors of yellow with gilt crossed cannon. Back when artillery was direct fire and horse drawn. Ah well... Thing is, with that color and design you have, there's always the chance you'll be mistaken as a Marine artillery detachment... I agree with Lex. Navy blue is always the better choice.. heh :) Respects, http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62043 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62043 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 11:09:43 -0600 Hmmm... I think that Greek motto actually translates as "In Debt to Miss Victoria". Brab is right- highlight some details on those tubes... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62042 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62042 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:54:37 -0600 I see thanks for clarifying. The flag is pretty good and you are right the colour i get is something perhaps slightly orange or dare i say pink here. But nitpicking is easy and entertaining. I think the image needs to be put higher up it looks kinda unbalanced as is. I agree with the cannons needing some prominence. Maybe just slightly changing their colour or providing a gap will work. What's wrong with sock puppets? I'd be lost with out my friend, Fleas. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62041 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62041 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:54:34 -0600 "Xerxe's" ?? CHeers http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62039 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62039 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:37:22 -0600 "In Hoc Signo Vincit" has a more traditional ring to it. I do note you are maintaining the Arty's penchent for two mottos. Cheers http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62038 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62038 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:35:00 -0600 So, Brab, are you volunteering to do detail work I'm utterly incapable of? Lex - I'll defer to your greater knowledge of Greek. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62037 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62037 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:17:39 -0600 I love the flag - but the colors on screen are a little off, to be sure. The red doesn't look crimson, as it should, and the yellow should be a regal gold. I would also suggest that some of the details of the crossed cannon should be incorporated (perhaps in a darker color like brown/bronze) to help the image stand out clearly against the background :-) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62035 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62035 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:07:17 -0600 Love the flag. Though the puppy may have to be redesigned - lest it gets mistaken for a sock-puppet. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62034 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62034 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:59:22 -0600 having come, take." Summat to do with the aorist active participle in the first word, and the imperative case in the second, I recollect.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62033 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62033 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:45:18 -0600 Personally I'm OK with contract operations for the most part, even with the paramilitary aspects such VIP protection. I get concerned with Blackwater because of their emphasis on Special Operations experience. I think, at least for a while, they had a tendancy to bite off more than they can chew forgetting that as a civilian contractor they don't have the same sort of support SOCOM provides. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62031 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62031 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:43:14 -0600 Blackwater get's those jobs in-theater because they are either contracted by private firms for private security, or they are contracted by the US or Iraqi governments to do jobs that the governments in question can't, or don't want, to do. The Army didn't want to get detailed out providing security details for VIPs, for example - and oft times, what Blackwater or people like them could provide was better, qualitatively, than the Army would have provided... a lot of these guys being retired/former SpecOps types, etc. You raise a legitimate point, Trias. One of the attractions of Blackwater (heck, contractors in general) is that they are hired by task, with little to no training requirement, etc, on the part of the government, and can be let go at will. And we are, lemme tell ya! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62029 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62029 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:24:16 -0600 I really don't get it. Is this company here to do the more dangerous jobs so that their deaths won't be included as a US military statistic for the media? Are they a way of more "boots on the ground"? How good is their structure of responsibility and degree of oversight? Is it in their financial interest to make sure the fight lasts as long as possible? As I see it at this time the US military should be doing these jobs. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62028 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/07/hi_fires_09_jun_1.html#comment-62028 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:09:40 -0600