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).

****************************

I'm sure the following link will make certain heads explode, but I can't find a better roundup anywhere else. When everyone whined about "plants" at the CNN Dem Debate, I was a bit disappointed in CNN, but it's not surprising to find Dem operatives at a Dem debate. So, not a huge deal. But CNN is looking more like a bunch of horticulturists, since Democratic supporters/operatives seem to show up at Republican debates, too.

Milblogs embed Michael Fumento follows up on CBS' military suicides story.

And since we're on the subject of possible media malfeasance/incompetence, Scott Thomas Beauchamps is back from Iraq. Let's see if TNR can finally reach the soldier the army has been "keeping away" from them... /sarcasm

The China games continue. - FbL

****************************

Bummer. Sucks to be him.

By request from a different Jim B than we're used to: Go Army! Beat Navy!

Oh, since FBL brings up plants - here's a Hillary-plant at the Republican Debate. -the Armorer

********************************

November numbers for U.S. KIA in Iraq... very good news. And remember that this is in the context of a higher number of "boots on the ground."

More media stupidity, this time on history/foreign affairs. - FbL

********************************

Saudis arrest 208 in terror sweep. There's a long list of how many were arrested for what including planning an attack on the major oil refinery (again), smuggling in missiles for internal attacks, assassinating religious and government leaders, shilling for money for AQ and 112 suspected of organizing and transporting men into Iraq for war there. The Saudis have occasionally made spectacular arrests to show they are making efforts to fight terror, contrary to their critics.

However, I am always reminded to keep my expectations in check by the story of Dr. William Sampson. On the other hand, the propaganda value of having the major Muslim nation in the region and the designated "defenders of the faith" outwardly going after AQ is: priceless.

Speaking of GWOT: Three Arrested in Slovakia for trying to sell Radioactive Materials

And that should have us worried because the Islamist elements in the Caucuses (ie, the 'Stans) are declaring themselves an Islamic Emirate and calling for jihad. Separatist violence has been rising in the Dagestan and Ingushetia provinces. However, Russia is unlikely to give these areas up without a fight. .

In other GWOT news: 10 Year Prison sentence for Planning Columbus, OH Mall bombing with Brooklyn Bridge would be bomber Lyman Farris.

On the information war front, NATO has decided to combat AQ/Taliban propaganda on YouTube by starting their own YouTube channel and posting their own videos. Finally.

And US forces are aggressively going after AQ Media cells in Iraq.

The Allied Front: The Brit Generals went head to head with the Prime Minister, staging what some call an "ambush". Key issues from vehicles to personal protection and personnel are cited.

At the same time, NATO allies are being asked to provide one more training team per nation (26) to help bolster the Afghan National Army training in order to provide the additional indigenous troops to bolster forces against the Taliban and AQ.

Norway lodges complaint with Afghan government over release of Taliban convicted for killing Norwegian troops.

Australian soldier dies in Oruzgun province during "heavy, close quarter fighting".

Italian soldier and six civilians die from suicide bombing in Afghanistan

On the GI Front: Task Force Marne Soldier Receives Bronze Star

US Army Improving "Rip Prone" Uniforms

British General says that the "play station generation" is "more than a match" for combat in Afghanistan.

Supporting the Troops: Christmas Mail Deadline for Afghanistan and Iraq December 4

Some troops are already putting up their Christmas decorations

-Kat
************************

Tremble in fear: The Spice Girls Launch World Come Back Tour

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."