H&I Fires 13 NOV 2007

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.

Time to add a new caveat, because from email it's not clear to some folks (mind you, if you don't read this it won't matter...) Being an open post, people (collectively, the Denizens) other than I post in the H&I. They sign their work (most of the time) - keep that in mind when you want to flame someone in email please - if it doesn't say "The Armorer" or "John" then I didn't write it! And honestly - if you don't like something said or posted... leave a comment, and hash it out (within the context of The Rulez which are clearly posted on the comment form, I would add).

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Mike Goldfarb of The Weekly Standard outs me at the Blogworld Expo. So much for the Las Vegas advertising campaign. They didn't take into account what gossips bloggers are... pretty much by definition.

GreenMountainPolitics reports that $100 million of Democrat soft money for advertising sits in the hands of Tom Matzzie, the marketing genius behind the "General Betray-us" ad. Which did great things to whip up the already committed to a spittle-flecked frenzy... while driving the normals away. The Clacker pulls no punches:

"And, by hiring Matzzi, it's a job going to a tone deaf clown.".

Up in Olympia, Washington, anti-war protestors block the *return* of equipment from Iraq to Fort Lewis. Heh. I guess they don't really want the troops home. Or, more likely, they want the troops home, and *all* the gear left over there... so we don't have any gear... and then they'll get Mr. Kucinich elected so that the gear won't get replaced, and then, without gear, we can just let the troops go... or something like that. Go visit Jules Crittenden for his take. -the Armorer

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Couple of things
First, there was a really interesting story on NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday about the Tomb of The Unknowns.

The marble monument of the Tomb of the Unknowns has developed a crack. Officials at Arlington National Cemetery have announced that they want to replace it, which has sparked outcry from those who feel that the stone itself speaks history and should be repaired, not replaced. Now Congress is taking a look. Both men are very passionate and sincere.

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Update to the Olympia story from above, a report from Olympia-area resident and blogger, SondraK. H/t, Heartless Libertarian. -the Armorer [I bayoneted the post, but I fixed it. Sorry. -Kat] [Snerk! -the Armorer]

Latest installment of "Tracking the Taliban". Be sure to check out the other entries in the diary as the Brit Journo follows the Royal Ghurkas around Afghanistan.

Okay, don't fall off your chair, spill your latte or spit your morning cappucino on the keyboard, but the FBI agent who spent seven months "befriending" Saddam during interrogation reports that, yes, indeed, Saddam was simply waiting for sanctions to break to restart all his bad ol' habits like nuclear weapons programs. Shocking, I know.

At 12 noon ET (11 CST), Small Wars Journal will be hosting a live discussion on "The War on The War" at the Washington Post. Yours truly submitted three sets of questions.

Mary Katherine Ham did a piece on Project Valour IT with a new interview with Chuck Z today.

And, note to the Armorer: went to the parade yesterday. No photos because the kitties decided to play jump rope with the charge cord the night before and unplugged it. However, I did see a few things. Like, about eight representatives of numerous coalition countries' military including, i believe, Australian, South Korean, definitely an Afghani and someone in the SAS maybe? Or, Airborne. He had wings on his beret. Then, I saw Rep. Nancy Boyda and her husband.

Two thoughts: 1) I am so glad to see our soldiers and veterans honored. People were clapping, cheering and waving as our vets, both past and present, went by. The other . 2) Good thing the NYT wasn't there because a reporter from that printed blob would probably stroke out over the militarization of our youth. Over 100 Army ROTC students from the high school (largest ROTC in the country I'm told), navy, Air Force ROTC and some very young kids dressed u pin matching t-shirts and little berets. One group of about 20 even did rifle drills that would have made the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team proud and not one of them was over 12.

It was the next generation of defenders, spread out over three blocks. I'm telling you, there were hundreds of kids. But, I guess that's the difference between Leavenworth, Kansas and Beverly Hills, LA. - Kat

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I was fortunate enough to receive a review copy of Christie Blatchford's new book about Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan, Fifteen Days. It's not a campaign history, so you won't get many maps or orders of battle. What you will get is a compelling glimpse into the heart of the average Canadian soldier, portrayed with breathtaking honesty by Ms. Blatchford:

"So we did what you do in Newfoundland. We pretended everything was okay, had some laughs, drank lots of booze, then we all cried together. Then we laughed some more at what a bunch of pansies we were." - Willy Macdonald, on Remembrance Day in Burgeo, Vaughan Ingram's hometown

Christie has helped the average Canadian get to know their uniformed servants once again. And once you know them, it's awfully difficult not to like and respect them; being in the presence of Canadian troops is a tonic to the soul.

For that reason alone, I'd encourage you to buy and read Christie Blatchford's wonderful book: the magic of her words brings you into the presence of our soldiers, and leaves you thankful for the experience. - Damian

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