December 22, 2007
Current Castle Weather.
Thunder snow.
Yep.
Thunder snow.
Winter officially began at 0008 this morning.
Can ya tell?
Kiki and Gunner like it well enough... the horses, not so much.
The juniper wasn't so thrilled, either.
Technical Sergeant Scott Innis - someone you should know.
This one is for Dusty.
Tech. Sgt. Scott Innis is pictured during his 2006 deployment to Afghanistan. During this deployment, Sergeant Innis served as a joint terminal air controller attached to an Army special forces team. He is a combat controller with the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron at McChord Air Force Base, Wash. One day, his team's forward-operating base came under heavy enemy fire. Sergeant Innis risked his life by climbing up a small, wooden observation tower in the middle of the base in order to direct close-air support against the enemy. Despite making himself a magnet for bullets and rocket-propelled grenades, the combat controller stayed in the tower for 24 hours directing fire, resulting in the elimination of more than 100 enemy fighters. Sergeant Innis was presented a Silver Star Dec. 18 for his actions that day in Afghanistan.
Well done, Sergeant. Well done, indeed!
Full size pic can be had by clicking here.
December 21, 2007
H&I Fires* 21 DEC 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.
You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...
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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I got a chance to interview LCdr Angus Topshee, the XO of HMCS Toronto a little while back, and have posted about it at The Torch. Angus is a fine officer, and for those Kiwi, Aussie, and Limey readers here, he's also the best eighth-man I've ever played with or against.
HMCS Toronto was part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) these past five months, and thus participated in the first NATO mission to circumnavigate the African continent. They did a pile of stuff on their cruise, from chasing smugglers, to dicey boardings, to ad-hoc diplomacy in the Gulf of Guinea, to exercising with the South African navy, to rescuing Yemeni soldiers because an island volcano erupted underneath them.
Adventure on the high seas, join the navy and see the world, and all that... - Damian
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A little Second Amendment poll over at USA Today. Do, go vote. Right now, the "individual right" view is doing smashingly well... 130,000 (97%) pro the individual right... -the Armorer
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Oldest U.S. WWI vet dies in Ohio at 109....Maggie
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A captured-for-all-eternity-on-video snerk for all those Mike Huckabee fans out there (ht:Transmontanus)
The comic in the piece, a fellow by the name of Rick Mercer, is Canada's answer to Jon Stewart, roughly speaking. I always thought that the running "Talking With Americans" gag was a bit unfair and more than a bit mean. I say unfair, because if you came up to Trois Rivieres, Quebec or Moncton, New Brunswick, or hell, to Mel Lastman Square in front of Toronto City Hall and asked them to voice their support for the Nevada government working to preserve the Alamo, you'd probably fool a bunch of them too. And the truth of it is that we know more about you than you do about us because, well, you're bigger than we are.
Still, a "national igloo" joke shouldn't be that tough to sniff out...
I cut Mercer a *bit* of slack for his Yankee-baiting, however, because he does things like spend Christmas at a FOB in Afghanistan. And because he goes more than once. And for rants like this one, where he covers a wounded medic's back.
Anyhow, back to Huckabee...maybe something like this has no effect on your opinion of the man's fitness to lead your nation. But if Obama's going to catch flak for thinking we have a President up here north of the 49th parallel instead of a Prime Minister, I figured Huckabee's little "igloo" faux pas would be of interest as well. - Damian
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Unscientific Firearms Testing.
When your internet access is slow, television blows, and what the heck, you own a farm with a pond, gotta get water for the horses, own a few guns, and have some time on your hands... what's an Armorer to do?
Well, go shoot, of course. But for a noble purpose! To break up the ice on the pond so the horses can get to it to drink...
At the same time, I can show off the Castle's newest acquistion... SWWBO's Christmas present. That's right, guys, I got my wife a rifle for Christmas and it was *appreciated!* I bask in the green glow of your envy. KCSteve and Heartless Lib excluded, since they found similar women. Heh. Ya shoulda seen the reaction at the office when I told my compatriots of my gift-giving acumen. The opinion was universal that I was making a HUGE MISTAKE. Hah.
So, meet SWWBO's new bangstick. She's been wanting a "black rifle" for a long time. She likes the SKS (especially the Albanian) but she was hoping for something with a little less kick, but still serviceable as a varmint gun - the coyotes around here have been sniffing around the chicken/guinea coop, and the cats like to sneak out now and again, and SWWBO wants to be able to deal with predators should the need arise.
Her new farming implement is a [ Armorer's note - the designation having caused some questions, this section has been added to] Bushmaster XM15-E2S, according to the receiver. Cabelas, where I bought it, called it an M15S. As a reader noted, Bushmaster doesn't market any such beast - but they do have the O.R.C.©, or Optics Ready Carbine, which is what this rifle probably is.], essentially an M4-clone with a Picatinny rail sporting a TruGlo aimpoint-style sight. With the intechangeability of uppers and lowers in the M16 universe... who knows? I'm not so interested that I'm going to ak Bushmaster if they're using XM15 lowers with their O.R.C.© uppers.] Just in case she feels the need to get up close and personal, this is a post-ban rifle with a bayonet lug, though getting a bayonet isn't really in the plan. A laser, perhaps, but I don't see SWWBO suddenly feeling the need to use cold steel nor go commit drive-by bayonetings...
So, here's SWWBO's new farm implement:
If you'd like to see it a little closer... click here.
Okay, on to unscientific experimentation. Which rifle/caliber choice works best for breaking up the ice - at least this particular form of ice, being a couple of inches thick, but not really rock hard. Now, if you recall last week I mentioned that I had already done a little ice-breaking, using my 1916 dated Mosin-Nagant M91 and my SVT-40 carbine (which might be an actual carbine, or might be one of the fakes that came out of Finland, the provenance is murky on the issue). One of the reasons I decided to try it at all is that with the ice storm, walking down the rocky hill to the edge of the pond was treacherous. With the rifle I could stand on top of the hill, on level ground by the gate, and break up the ice without risking my ample behind and limbs clambering down the hill carrying an axe or pick.
Here's a look at the Castle IceBreakers.
The fodder being used was Sellier and Bellot 7.62x54R 180 grain ball. The 5.56mm for the Bushmaster was Black Hills Ammunition 55 grain ball. I'll have to try softpoints next.
One a whim, I shot 10 rounds from the SVT, and 20 from the Bushmaster (hey, I *said* unscientific).
The is the result - 7.62 on the left, 5.56 on the right. In overall terms, the 7.62 dd a better job... but both would have been sufficient for the purpose - especially as the horses enlarge the holes themselves. If you're curious about the partial melt on the pond - it's spring fed, and the way the spring empties into the pond causes a current against the bank on this side of the pond.
So, there ya go, a quick and dirty examination of what tools to use for ice-breaking out at Castle Argghhh! If this was MIssouri, and the Castle Vickers or Maxims were functional... much less the Carl Gustaf or M18 recoiless rifles...
To close this out - below the fold in the flash traffic/extended entry I've posted a picture of a Sarah BradySchumerRodhamStein nightmare...
A guest post in response to Kevin's post on Dr. Ron Paul.
This continues a discussion from a previous post. If you need to catch up - click here.
Kevin, I have decided to answer you point by point where appropriate. I am actually very sympathetic to your cause. I tilted at windmills myself supporting Howard Phillips and the Constitution Party every time out since they started as the Taxpayer’s Party. H*ll I was even chairman of my county’s Republican Party for a very short period. After the back stabbing by the faction I defeated and the actions of my homie Bob Dole announcing the National Republican Party’s platform was “their platform not my platform”. I was done with the Republican Party and its substandard candidates. Sadly, I have come to different conclusions than you.
I believe Mr. Dewey’s corruption of American education about a century ago is on pace to ready the country for socialism (his stated goal by the way). Look at the NEA and what children and young adults learn these days in their curricula. You know that it is possible to graduate high school as a functional illiterate incapable of understanding what type of government your government is at all levels. My children, both in the elite group, learned virtually no American history other than white males were bad, that blacks and women were abused and the economic system was not just to the poor. They have no real understanding of what it means to be an American except what I taught them.
You mentioned oaths. I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies both foreign and domestic but sadly throughout our history we, the officer class, have considered only defense against foreign enemies or Amerindians (earlier) as our mission in defense of the Constitution. The military through thorough indoctrination about civilian control has really never looked at domestic enemies and Posse Comitatus drove the last of our domestic inclinations out of us as a group. Beware the anger of the legions — doesn’t apply here.
I wish you only the best. We need Don Quixotes and I admire your lack of jadedness. I would also like to compliment you on the thought, and obvious intellect, and time you took to answer me.
BTW if anything I wrote seems condescending it was not meant that way I was merely answering quickly and my greatest strength is not tact as John can tell you.
Good luck to you and God Bless you.
Merry Christmas!
Jim C.
December 20, 2007
H&I Fires* 20 DEC 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.
You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...
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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Heh. *All* the slackers post at once today. Gad, if I could only get output like this once a week, spread out over the week... I could sleep in some days. Thanks, guys. And I mean that sans snark.
1SG Keith has a bleg for you:
The Army Reserve PAO is looking to interview Army Reservists who blog.If you meet that description - and are willing to be interviewed, drop him a line by clicking here.
Just make sure before you say yes, your blogging is in conformance to the Rules! No point in setting yourself up to fail! -the Armorer
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Time to run an anti-PETA bit methinks... click here. I'm all for critters, as SWWBO's and my blogs attest. I can just take my advocacy with a little less hypocrisy, if you don't mind. -the Armorer
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The intersection of conspiracy theories and con artists. [h/t Michelle]
Speaking of conspiracy theories: the U.S. Military can now impersonate the voice of God. Just imagine the possibilities against a superstitious, ultra-religious, enemy... [h/t Bruce at The Flight Deck - FbL
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Open Mouth, Insert self. Congressman Moran of Virginia...
Feh. And the denizens of the Capitol in DC wonder why they are held in such high low esteem:
“Sure there’s less violence, but that’s because we’ve ethnically cleansed most of Baghdad” - Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA)
...for shame, sir. For shame.
Yep. A US Congressman, on the floor of the House, in debate on the Omnibus spending bill yesterday, 19 December.
Gee, Congressman, don't you think you should revoke your support for things like the "Defenders of Freedom Tax Relief Act" since you clearly equate the soldiery with war criminals?
More here. The Rulez forbid me from expressing myself as I'd like to. Let's just say I find the Congressman is talking from his "fourth point-of-contact" and echoes up a well of ignorance... and yet I bet he still backslaps and gladhands the troops when the occasion requires. Argghhh! Dang the Rulez, anyway.
The Smartest Man I Ever Knew
[Denizen Commentary - Kat]
Apropos the discussion that occurred in this H&I Fires Post and a post not long ago by Ry re: his friend's recent passing, I thought I would make a general comment and solicit comments.
The smartest man I ever knew did not finish high school. He left to join th Navy. He fought at Okinawa. He was seventeen. He returned and received his GED. Went on to get married and have three kids. He could build houses, furniture and various items without blue prints either from memory or from his own sketches he would write on paper or napkins from the local barbecue joint. He could fix any car or other mechanical item he decided to try his hand at. He told me you could judge a man's character by a hand shake. His handshake was worth more than any contract. It was solid gold. He would give his shirt off his back or his last dollar to a beggar on the street.
We would talk for hours about history, politics, world events, etc on his front porch while we ate said barbecue and drank iced tea. He taught me lay carpet and grout tile. He let me drive around his old yellow pacer so I could learn to drive.
Most importantly, he taught me that a smart man is not the man with multiple letters behind his name. A smart man knows his limitations, strives to surpass them and is humble even in the face of his greatest achievements.
Inherent Right To Self Defense Part III: The Declaration of Independence
[Denizen Commentary - Kat: apologies for taking so long to follow up]
Continuing Series on the Inherent Right to Self Defense and its effect on the Second Amendment.
Part I: Setting the Precedent. In Part I, I argue that the founding fathers of this nation had set the historical precedent for the right to "keep and bear arms", both as a defense against oppression of the government and as a personal defense against other men and the elements.
Part II: Social Contract In Part II, I reflected on the philosophies that influenced the founding fathers, noting the differences between the Hobbesian and Lockean theories of "social contract".
I was reminded by the blog Of Arms and the Law that even Hobbes insisted that man retains the "inalienable" right to self defense regardless of the rights given to the "Leviathan" state. Mr. Hardy stated that the current trend for citizens to give up even that right was beyond Hobbes' theory on the "social contract".
The founders were fond of Locke for several reasons. In his Two Treatise on Government, he asserts the right to rebellion. He insists that the power of government comes from the governed. He believes that all men are capable of governing themselves through a democracy or a republic. As opposed to Hobbes who believed that a monarchy was preferable. Locke and Hobbes both link all "inalienable rights" of mankind to an incorruptible, unassailable, indestructible source: God.
Freaking LASER beams...
Time for a predeployment sitrep. It has been a while since I posted. It took me a while to be able to see the keyboard.
One of the benefits of military medicine is the PRK/LASIK procedures offered at the various military health/medical centers.
I had the PRK back in 2002 when I was assigned to the ship. I am not a vain person and after years of flight status with cool aviator glasses, I simply decided I had had enough. So I jumped into the line and got the peepers zapped. Over time and the fishing trips with the intense Florida sun, the eyes regressed enough to merit occasional eyeglass wear.
Going the through the predeployment physical screening and checklists I came upon the "ballistic lenses" and "prescription eye inserts for gas mask", and thought I would just go get the retreat of the eyes to put them back into standards. So I jumped into the stand by line for the Army Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl Germany, Warrior Laser Center. I had to go into a wait list but my pending deployment to the Stan got me bumped in priority. I went into standby for the Navy quota and after 3 months they called me and told my eyes would be zapped the Monday after Thanksgiving if I could make it up there.
Landstuhl and Ramstein is incredibly packed with Army Green and Air Force Blue. I felt like the fish out of water. My visit coincided with the Army - Navy game, and I debated if I should wear my NAVY sweatshirt to my surgery. My gosh, I have never seen so many shoppettes or class 6 stores in one place!
The week came and they zapped the eyeballs, and it appears that things are on track. I have some walleye vision, but after recuperating with some great German Heffen and Helles in Garmisch, I am back to 90%. I am extremely pleased with the fine folks at LMRC and the military medicine. Now if I can just remember where I left my car keys...
Wowf. Finally.
Having spent enough time on C-130s during the preceding two weeks to have worn grooves into the back of my thighs, I am now fairly convinced that the Kriminalmuseum is the sole-source for USAF passenger seating.
Close Gitmo and load all the li'l darlin's on a C-130 for an eight-time-zone trip. By the time they get halfway to the Azores, the interrogators will be hollering for more notepads...
But I digress. As usual.
Got home from Kirkuk via Kuwait at midnight on Monday, scraped the scrup'ls off after half an hour of managing to pet all four of them simultaneously, drank half a pot of coffee, took a shower, shaved, fell on the bed, got up four hours later, fed the dogs, drank the remaining half pot of coffee, started the car, came back inside to put my pants on, grabbed the go-bag, guided KtLW to the car and headed to Philly to catch a flight to Huntsville, AL.
Which, after completing two days of rehashing the site survey, I have yet to see during daylight hours.
First, the good news. I took lots of pix during the trip. Including the solo flight of the first Iraqi Instructor Pilot to graduate from the new IqAF Flight School -- by the time we left, he had just qualified his first student for a solo. For Those Who Know, that's a Giant Step in the direction we want to see the Iraqis go, and it's the reason I'll be spending the next year (or three) in the Sandbox -- training my replacement(s).
Now, the bad news. I downloaded the photos to the laptop just before Vista decided it was no longer an authentic Microsquish product and pulled a Brody in remorse.
Now, the good news. I'm pretty sure I can recover them -- Barb and BCR are reprogramming PG-17C to conduct a digital waterboarding of my laptop...
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Ever see a diesel-powered Cessna 172? Got pix.
You've seen what a JDAM does to a concrete bunker -- ever wonder what it would do to a *thin*-skinned building? Got pix.
And, after noticing something a tad odd lurking behind some scrub, I found a Whatziss candidate that will drive the grognards to the nearest grog shop.
And more. Stay tuned.
First, I've gotta get some sleep. Then, I plan on getting a cute little orange jumpsuit for my laptop...
December 19, 2007
H&I Fires* 19 DEC 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.
You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...
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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Jim B posted this rant in the comments of the H&I yesterday. I was planning on putting it on the front page today - but since I'm still gathering data, I'll let him stand in and start the discussion:
Newer carbines outperform M4 in dust testBy Matthew Cox - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Dec 18, 2007 17:41:35 EST
The M4 carbine, the weapon soldiers depend on in combat, finished last in a recent “extreme dust test” to demonstrate the M4’s reliability compared to three newer carbines.They go on to say:
...the results of the test were “a wake-up call,” but Army officials continue to stand by the current carbine, said Brig. Gen. Mark Brown, commander of Program Executive Office Soldier, the command that is responsible for equipping soldiers.“We take the results of this test with a great deal of interest and seriousness,” Brown said, expressing his determination to outfit soldiers with the best equipment possible.
The test results did not sway the Army’s faith in the M4, he said.
“Everybody in the Army has high confidence in this weapon,” Brown said.
Lighter and more compact than the M16 rifle, the M4 is more effective for the close confines of urban combat. The Army began fielding the M4 in the mid-1990s.
Brig Gen Mark Brown is a moron. I hope Senator Coburn has his stars for breakfast. I hope this maggot is looking for a job by tomorrow.
I have never seen more criminal behavour than to knowingly send US Soldiers out with an inferior weapon.
I need to stop now before I blow out the rest of the rules.
If you don't know, Jim is a Blue Star Father, hence his passion on the subject. I'm making some inquiries among the services "gun guys" - we'll see if anything postable pops up. In the meantime, feel free to jump in on this one.
Jim also brought up this bit:
An open letter from Sergeant Andrew Robinson USMC to Nancy's Boyda and Pelosi ... as seen in the Topeka Crapitol-Urinal
It's not been a good week for General's Pelosi and Reid. They had to surrender on surrendering.
Lastly for the moment - Klaus Larsen would like you to Adopt the 82nd. -the Armorer
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Not quite, Armorer. Sadly, Reid hasn't quite given up on giving up. Had to throw out a sop to the nutroots, I suppose. An aside: am I older and wiser, or is politics uglier and more conviction/integrity-free than ever? - FbL
[Fuzzy - what, I'm a piece of furniture now? -the Armorer] [What the heck are you talking about, sir?] [Cheater - you aren't supposed to edit faux pas' you've been called on! The text originally read "Not quite, Armoirer" -the Armorer] [I saw it BEFORE you pointed it out, but by the time I got into edit mode you'd already snarked me on it. Not fair! *flounce* - FbL] [Snerk! There's two kinds of bloggers 'round here, Fuzzy - the Quick and the Snarked! - the Armorer]
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Heh - for all you old guys out there... let's hope this:
WASHINGTON -- The Army plans to develop a new corps of multifunctional logisticians with creation of the new logistics branch.Today, captains from transportation, quartermaster and ordnance branches must complete the Combined Logistics Captains Career Course or the Reserve-Component Captains Career Course. Beginning Jan. 1, all officers completing that coursework will gain a new primary military operational specialty, 90A, that indicates their competence in all three logistics areas, said Maj. Gen. Mitchell H. Stevenson, commanding general of the United States Army Combined Arms Support Command.
...means that the spirit of the Transporters, "Hey! I gotta truck, let's go somewhere!" starts overwhelming the Quartermaster "Mine! All mine! Can't have it! My warehouse! My stuff!" attitude. Yeah, it's a calumny, but not one entirely without basis... read more here. -the Armorer
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Past or present? It all just cycles back on itself, it seems... - FbL
General (Ret) McCaffrey's latest operational assessment.
It mostly mirrors what I've been getting from the Blogger's Rountable interviews... that those areas we have the most direct input to, are doing well.
[I listen in and participate on a lot of telephone interviews with senior leaders in Iraq. GEN McCaffrey's assessment pretty much mirrors what those men and women are saying - sans any sugar coating that tends to creep in when a leader is talking to press. I was pleased to see the parallels, since it means the senior leaders, while being as upbeat as they could be, weren't being disingenuous.]
To those of us who have an deeply personal emotional investment in the Armed Forces, 2(c) is especially relevant.
Those areas we do not - i.e., the Iraqi central government, are not. But we're showing the Iraqi people, by and large, what can work, and giving them space to do it... but they're the ones who are going to have to build a government that can work. Heh. Not that we've currently got that good an example going ourselves...
The bottom line up front:
3. THE END GAME:
It is too late to decide on the Iraqi exit strategy with the current Administration. However, the Secretary of Defense and CENTCOM can set the next Administration up for success by getting down to 12 + Brigade Combat teams before January of 2009 ---and by massively resourcing the creation of an adequate Iraqi Security Force.
We also need to make the case to Congress that significant US financial resources are needed to get the Iraqi economy going. ($3 billion per year for five years.) The nation-building process is the key to a successful US Military withdrawal---and will save enormous money and grief in the long run to avoid a failed Iraqi state.
Clearly we must continue the current sensible approach by Secretary of State Rice to open dialog with Syria, Turkey, and the Iranians---and to focus Arab attention with Saudi leadership on a US diplomatic offensive to mitigate the confrontation between Israel and the Arab states. We must also build a coalition to mitigate the dangers of a nuclear armed Iran.
The dysfunctional central government of Iraq, the warring Shia/Sunni/Kurdish factions, and the unworkable Iraqi constitution will only be put right by the Iraqis in their own time---and in their own way. It is entirely credible that a functioning Iraqi state will slowly emerge from the bottom up…with a small US military and diplomatic presence holding together in loose fashion the central government. The US must also hold at bay Iraq’s neighbors from the desperate mischief they might cause that could lead to all out Civil War with regional involvement.
A successful withdrawal from Iraq with the emergence of a responsible unified Iraqi nation is vitally important to the security of the American people and the Mid-East. We are clearly no longer on a downward spiral. However, the ultimate outcome is still quite seriously in doubt.Barry R McCaffrey
General USA (Ret)
Adjunct Professor of International Affairs
Department of Social Sciences, USMA
West Point, NY.
Emphasis mine.
The bullet points to support the conclusion:
1. THE BOTTOM LINE---AN OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT:a. VIOLENCE DOWN DRAMATICALLY:
b. AL QAEDA TACTICALLY DEFEATED AND TRYING TO REGENERATE:
c. IRAQI SECURITY FORCES KEY FACTOR IN SUCCESSFUL INTERNAL SECURITY:
d. CENTRAL GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WORK:
e. POPULATION AND REFUGEES IN MISERY:
f. ECONOMY SHOWING SIGNS OF COMING BACK:
g. US COMBAT FORCES NOW DOMINATING THE CIVIL WAR:
h. SUNNI ARABS WANT BACK IN--- BEFORE US FORCES DEPART:
i. SHIA ARABS HOLDING IN CEASEFIRE—STRUGGLE FOR INTERNAL POWER:
j. DOMINANCE OF CRIMINAL ELEMENTS:
k. THE KURDS---AN AUTOMOMOUS SUCCESSFUL REGION:
2. THE WAY AHEAD:a. THE CENTRAL US MILITARY PURPOSE MUST BE TO CREATE ADEQUATE IRAQI SECURITY FORCES:
b. THE US ARMY IS TOO SMALL AND POORLY RESOURCED TO CONTINUE SUCCESSFUL COUNTER-INSURGENCY OPERATIONS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN AT THE CURRENT LEVEL:
c. HEALING THE MORAL FISSURES IN THE ARMED FORCES: [this is too important to leave as a simple bullet -the Armorer]
The leadership of Secretary Bob Gates in DOD has produced a dramatic transformation of our national security effort which under the Rumsfeld leadership was characterized by: a failing under-resourced counter-insurgency strategy; illegal DOD orders on the abuse of human rights; disrespect for the media and the Congress and the other departments of government; massive self-denial on wartime intelligence; and an internal civilian-imposed integrity problem in the Armed Forces---that punished candor, de-centralized operations, and commanders initiative.
Admiral Mullen as CJCS and Admiral Fallon as CENTCOM Commander bring hard-nosed realism and integrity of decision-making to an open and collaborative process which re-emerged as Mr. Rumsfeld left office. (Mr. Rumsfeld was an American patriot, of great personal talent, energy, experience, bureaucratic cleverness, and charisma---who operated with personal arrogance, intimidation and disrespect for the military, lack of forthright candor, avoidance of personal responsibility, and fundamental bad judgment.)
Secretary Gates has turned the situation around with little drama in a remarkable display of wisdom, integrity, and effective senior leadership of a very complex and powerful organization. General Petraeus now has the complete latitude and trust in his own Departmental senior civilian leadership to have successfully changed the command climate in the combat force in Iraq. His commanders now are empowered to act in concert with strategic guidance. They can frankly level with the media and external visitors. I heard this from many senior leaders -- from three star General to Captain Company commanders.
It strikes me that there is a lot of room for "soft power" aficionados... from USGOV agencies through the Euros and on to the UN to step up and play a role here. There's a lot of talking, let's see some walking.
Download the pdf and read it for yourself. And you should, the supporting text for the bullets gives the context.
Another distinguished service cross awarded.
Two paragraphs just jumped off the page at me.
Sgt. Williams, a Valley Spring, Calif. native, was unconscious for a few seconds after the blast, recovered and put the flames out on himself and other Soldiers around him before grabbing a first aid bag to treat his comrades.
And...
After helping provide suppressive fire, he saw his platoon leader, 1st. Lt. Aaron Willard, from York Springs, Penn., inside the smoldering Stryker. Lt. Willard's legs were burned and lacerated from shrapnel, and he had just finished his third magazine engaging the enemy when he began to pass out from blood loss.
Those Stryker soldiers from HHC 1/5th Infantry are rough men, standing ready.
Army News Service | Spc. Vincent Fusco | December 13, 2007FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - A 1st Stryker Brigade Soldier who saved the life of his platoon leader was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross Dec. 12 at Fort Wainwright for his actions during an ambush in Iraq.
Sgt. Gregory Williams received the Army's second-highest award for valor from Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. for what he did in a gun battle that ensued after an improved explosives device stopped his Stryker last year in Baghdad.
Although injured himself, Sgt. Williams pulled his lieutenant from a smoldering Stryker, provided suppressive fire with a 50-caliber weapon and enabled first aid to be given to Soldiers burned by the IED blast. He was a squad leader in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1/5th Infantry, 1st SBCT, 25th Infantry Division.
"When I want to talk about the quality of the force, I talk about Sgt. Williams," said Gen. George Casey, U.S. Army Chief of Staff, who presented him the award. "(Soldiers like Sgt. Williams) are the heart and soul of the Army."
During a mounted night patrol Oct. 30, 2006, in Baghdad's Huriyah neighborhood, Sgt. Williams' Stryker was struck by shaped charges that sent a stream of molten fire through the hull of the vehicle.
"It was like someone took a can opener and peeled it (the Stryker) open," Sgt. Williams said.
As the Stryker and its occupants caught fire, enemy forces unleashed an ambush of rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47 rounds. While the vehicle was still in motion, the Soldiers dismounted from the back ramp, found cover and returned fire.
Sgt. Williams, a Valley Spring, Calif. native, was unconscious for a few seconds after the blast, recovered and put the flames out on himself and other Soldiers around him before grabbing a first aid bag to treat his comrades.
But Sgt. Williams realized that the Soldiers were in greater need of suppressive fire, so he expended 120 rounds - four magazines - of ammunition from his M4 carbine upon the enemy.
After helping provide suppressive fire, he saw his platoon leader, 1st. Lt. Aaron Willard, from York Springs, Penn., inside the smoldering Stryker. Lt. Willard's legs were burned and lacerated from shrapnel, and he had just finished his third magazine engaging the enemy when he began to pass out from blood loss.
"My ears started ringing and I started to see a white light in front of my eyes," Lt. Willard said. "Sgt. Williams grabbed me and threw me towards the back of the vehicle."
Lt. Willard then remembered waking up on the ramp and the medic treating his wounds.
Spc. Matthew Driscoll, a gunner in HHC, 1-5th, was one of the Soldiers trapped by enemy fire and recalls how Sgt. Williams established fire superiority."We didn't have any cover because we were taking fire from our 12 o'clock," Spc. Driscoll said. "So Sgt. Williams jumped into the (.50-caliber M2 machine gun) spot and started unloading."
A rifle round went past Sgt. Williams' head and hit the hatch before he expended 100 rounds into the enemy's position. He paused for a moment before two more rounds hit the hatch. Sgt. Williams then fired another 200 rounds before the weapon jammed and B Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 172nd SBCT, (now 1-5th, 1-25th SBCT) arrived to provide security.
"That (Sgt. Williams' suppressive fire) was the turning point of the firefight," Lt. Willard said. "If no one got on the 50 cal., there would've been more casualties."
When the medic pulled Sgt. Williams down to assess his injuries, Sgt. Williams found that he couldn't hear and everything felt like it was spinning. He had minor burns and two punctured eardrums that needed surgery.
Willard, who is now a captain in the Warrior Transition Unit, a unit that oversees the health and welfare of Soldiers receiving medical care, credits Sgt. Williams as the person who, in the heat of the moment, "recognized when to get on the 50 cal. and start shooting."
"I think it was a great honor to receive this award, I'm very proud to receive it," Sgt. Williams said. "But I was just doing my job and what I was trained to do."
Sgt. Williams believes that everyone in his squad would have done the same thing that day, and credits them as heroes in their own right.
(Spc. Vincent Fusco serves with the 20th PAD.)
Guest Editorial in support of Dr. Ron Paul.
One of my best buds dating back to high school, Kevin, has been a Libertarian for a long time - and even won an election (to the Columbia, Missouri school board) as one. While I've not made a choice about candidates yet (other than striking some off) Kevin is one of the, as he puts it, " 5 lonely Paulian Paultard Spambots," which is a reference to the dismissive way the chattering classes and other campaigns treat Dr. Paul's Run for the Roses.
I've been pinking him a bit, and on the occasion of the "Boston Tea Party" fundraiser success, I sent him a note asking him - okay, he's getting money - but will he get people to come out and vote when it matters? That generated this response, which I suggested to Kevin that we should post it, and see what kind of discussion it generates. Kevin agreed, and here it is.
This is *not* the Armorer's position. Being his normal wishy-washy self, he's not decided. Anybody wanting to do something similar for their guy (or, eh, gal [this crowd?]) is welcome to submit. All the normal Rulez apply and will be enforced with vigor. Of course, it might turn into a love-fest... I may run a piece on my thoughts later. On to Kevin!
Oh, I think 'we' will turn out in droves, kinda like putting your money where your mouth is. And, unlike the rest of the Republican field, we've been putting up the cash and turning out in droves.And it's just small folks, not any huge corporate fat cat donations, sooo Diebold voting machines aside, it's still one man, one vote.
Haven't seen ANYTHING like the enthusiasm generated by Dr. Pauls supporters for any of the other 'top-tier' candidates have you? If there is crappy weather on primary day, expect Paul to win and possibly win big. I don't see Rudy McRomney Hucksters turning out to vote for their guy in an ice storm. We will.
You'd think what with Republican membership dying a slow death, that the opportunity to bring thousands of excited new (and young) Republican voters into the party would excite the establishment... NOT! They see their empires dissolving and are reacting accordingly.
The GOP old-boy establishment and the media hate (fear?) him and it shows. But, the internet has changed the medium. MSM is biased as you well know and it has never been more obvious than in the coverage of us 5 lonely Paulian Paultard Spambots.
The poo flinging is failing miserably...
If nothing else, my hope is that a sleeping giant has been awakened in America. We need our Republic and our Constitution back.
Political power is cyclical, centralized, decentralized and now it seems that the pendulum of power is returning to it's rightful place. I.e., we the people and our Sovereign States.
As for governing... you could be correct, up to a point. Bureaucrats will do all they can to protect their cushy lil' fiefdoms. The entrenched and fattened socialists will howl. Bring a whip in and clean out the temple! It's way overdue!
Don't overlook the influence he can wield as President, the power of the bully pulpit will be immense. Fireside chats with Grandpa Paul would put enormous pressure on the rest of the congress critters. And yes, they HAVE noticed and some are rightfully fearful. The oath breaking frauds! Some would call it treason, I for one.
The power of the Veto pen and yes, appropriate Presidential pardons, can't be overlooked either.
The much needed appointment of Constitutionally minded judges would be a real shock to the socialist system. Can't get them affirmed? Fine, recess appointments then.
Stalemate in DC? I agree with you, I'd rather have a do nothing House of Reps than an socialist/activist one.
We need a shock to the system and I think, hope, that he will be elected and shake things up. The groundswell is growing and hopefully the body politic has changed forever!
For America, never mind our Republic to survive, there HAS to be a change in our domestic and foreign policy.
There is only a single candidate who is unquestionably honest and candid, as well as grounded in traditional American and Constitutional principles. He is Dr. Paul and he has my support.
End advert....
December 18, 2007
H&I Fires* 18 DEC 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.
You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...
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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So, I'm taking a shower this morning, and I hear SWWBO shriek. It would seem that Gunner has brought her a possum head. Sans body. Ripe-ish. Unknown at this time if its name was Alfredo Garcia or not.
Sigh. She's all... squiggly about it.
I just observed that now that we've moved the Castle to the country, we live on a small island of civilization, surrounded by a sea of primeval savagery. The flotsam and jetsam of same is bound to wash up on the beach now and again. And has. Does. And will.
Get used to it! -the Armorer
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A Little Help Here?...
SInce this is a semi-intense gun blog of sorts, it should have occurred to me earlier to ask this of you, gentle reader...I'm in the market for something that goes "bang."
All the firearms I've ever owned have been of the long persuasion, everything from target rifle to skeet gun. Time for something different.
I don't know about the rest of you folks, but I'm interested in something that's not too big (Dirty Harry's .44 comes to mind) or too small. Something I can conceal, but also capable of fairly sure of convincing a target to lie down and stop whatever he/she's up to after being hit once (maybe twice). I also want it to work when I ask it to.
I have a soft spot for the .45 but I understand handgun technology has come a long way so I'm open to suggestions. Again:
1) Easy to carry/conceal;
2) Powerful;
3) Reliable.
Any thoughts are welcome. -Instapilot
UPDATE: Well, the quality and number of responses didn't surprise me. My thanks to everyone who offered suggestions (keep 'em coming if you like...I'll keep reading). Of course, the Maggie/AgPilot60 discussion about fleshy posteriors was, um, an interesting distraction, not the least for a quick shudder when I tried to visualize what exactly they were talking about, but I digress.
One other thing I have a question on is: how do you store your firearms at home? Just askin'.
18 December, 1944.
Soldiers of the Big Red One jam the Germans on the northern shoulder of the Bulge.
The 26th Infantry moves up to block the Germans. Read about it here.
A guest post from the Kansas Adjutant General.
Well, it's really a letter to the editor... but having just lived through "1850's Kansas" I can attest that much of what he says is true, from personal observation. Having stood with the Patriot Guard, at active duty Army and Army National Guard funerals I can attest. Heck, the Patriot Guard stood on our front yard for one of those funerals. I work with the Kansans who do the charitable work, and with the Kansans whose generosity make it possible.
What’s Right with Kansas
What is right with Kansas is a long list, and at the top of it are our people. What’s right is how you, the great people of Kansas demonstrate your resilience and patriotism every day while you have endured some tough weather and tragic loss of life and while thousands of Kansans are stationed and deployed around the world, many directly in harm’s way. Some of our service members made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedoms. Many more Kansas families face the challenge of life at home with a loved one at war. Their days are filled with fear, doubt, and loneliness. Through it all, Kansans shine with a fortitude, and determination born over a century and a half in the trials, tribulations, and joys of building their homes on the prairie. Like our white whiskered, red suited friend, who will visit us soon - yes we still believe - it is the triumph through difficult times, giving hope where there is none, providing a moment of joy to someone in need, that truly demonstrates Kansans’ spirit.
What’s right are our Kansas first responders, emergency managers and workers, charitable organizations and the countless emergency volunteers all proudly and quietly answering the call everyday. These often unheralded heroes step into the limelight only when disaster strikes, but be assured they work hard for you each and every day. We saw them New Year’s Eve working the western Kansas ice storms; we saw them throughout southeast Kansas in response to catastrophic flooding; and we saw them in Greensburg . When called, the National Guard proudly serves side by side with these remarkable Kansans. Every county in Kansas was impacted in 2007, many directly from storms and others who unselfishly sent their people and resources to counties with a greater need.
What’s right is that you are never alone in Kansas . When you look around a disaster area you will see great Kansans from across the state, which have come to your community to help and instantly become your trusted neighbor and friend.
On December 7th, which was Pearl Harbor day and a sobering day in our nation’s history, here at home Kansans did what they do best – bring hope and joy to the world! The First Battalion of the One Hundred Sixty First Field Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard, is currently training hard at Fort Bliss , Texas , preparing to deploy for a year to Iraq to perform security missions. Called to duty in very short order, their training was going to leave them stranded away from home for Christmas. Tantalizingly close to home, yet on a soldier’s pay it may have as well been the moon. Just before shipping off to war, they were going to miss Christmas with their families. Kansans responded, from grandmas, aunts, uncles, small stores, and big business, contributing over $100 thousand dollars. Your Kansas soldiers are coming home for Christmas!
What’s right about Kansas is our long and storied history of stepping up in good and bad times. Besides this wonderful outpouring on December 7th, this year Kansans through the tax check off have contributed over $80 thousand dollars to the Kansas Military Emergency Relief Fund, lovingly call the K-SMURF. This fund is used for emergency assistance to military families, such as disaster relief, loss of jobs, travel for funerals, and financial problems due to deployment.
Kansans make spreading hope and joy personal. Thousands of families, schoolchildren, and everyday citizens show up for the emotional departure ceremonies, as our service men and women deploy; the joyous return ceremonies as they are reunited with their families; and the somber and heartbreaking funerals for fellow Kansans who have given the last full measure.
What’s right is the Patriot Guard, those unstoppable American Legion riders and staunch advocates of our families and our service men and women, which was started here in Kansas .
Are there more tough times ahead? Almost assuredly. We do not know when or where our next big storm or disaster will happen, but we do know that no matter when or where our ‘big events’ happen, Kansans will pull together and support each other, fix what has been broken and move forward.
Ad Astra Per Aspera. To the Stars through Difficulties. Absolutely! I just wanted to let you know that to those of us with the privilege to serve here in Kansas and around the world, the ‘stars’ in our state motto are you and your fellow Kansans!
God Bless and Thank You!
Major General Tod Bunting
Kansas Adjutant General
December 17, 2007
H&I Fires* 17 DEC 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.
You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...
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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Hmmm. This is an interesting vote on Christmas taken by the Congress this past 11 December. Interesting in the context of who voted against the resolution, said Representatives being Rep. Gary Ackerman (N.Y.), Rep. Yvette Clarke (N.Y.), Rep. Diane DeGette ( Colo. ), Rep. Alcee Hastings ( Fla. ), Rep. Barbara Lee ( Calif. ), Rep. Jim McDermott ( Wash. ), Rep. Robert Scott ( Va. ), Rep. Pete Stark ( Calif. ) and Rep. Lynn Woolsey ( Calif. ). Another nine Democrats chose to vote ‘present.’ They are: Rep. Hon Conyers (Mich.), Rep. Barney Frank (Mass.), Rep. Rush Holt (N.Y.), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (Ill.), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.), Rep. Peter Welch (Vt.) and Rep. John Yarmuth (Ky.) . The interesting *context* of their vote being their support of Ramadan - there being nary a "nay" on that resolution. Amanda Carpenter has more.
Right Wing News has published The 6th Annual Right Wing News Conservative Blog Awards. Though asked, I did not participate this year as busyness, the power outage, and life in general has constrained my blog-reading of late. I just didn't feel qualified to vote this time, as too many categories would have been just hurried assessments, and RWN deserves a more honest effort than I could put forward.
How can you tell it's the Christmas season and you're at Castle Argghhh!!!?
Easy. We have a very nice crèche, w/accessories. -the Armorer
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On this day in history, several notable events.
General US Grant issues General Order #11. Here is the text:
The Jews, as a class violating every regulation of trade established by the Treasury Department and also department orders, are hereby expelled from [the "Department of the Tennessee," an administrative district of the Union Army of occupation composed of the portions of Kentucky and Tennessee west of the Tennessee River, and Union-controlled areas of northern Mississippi] within twenty-four hours from the receipt of this order.Post commanders will see to it that all of this class of people be furnished passes and required to leave, and any one returning after such notification will be arrested and held in confinement until an opportunity occurs of sending them out as prisoners, unless furnished with permit from headquarters. No passes will be given these people to visit headquarters for the purpose of making personal application of trade permits.
A delegation of Jews, led by Cesar Kaskel, met with President Lincoln on 3 January, 1863, resulting in President Lincoln telling Major General Henry Halleck to tell Grant to revoke that order, if it was in fact issued.
Halleck sent this message:
A paper purporting to be General Orders, No. 11, issued by you December 17, has been presented here. By its terms, it expells (sic) all Jews from your department. If such an order has been issued, it will be immediately revoked.
The order was revoked 3 days later.
In 1944, the US formally ended one of the more shameful episodes of the war, the internment of Japanese-Americans. Even the closure of the camps was handled badly - at least at Manzanar - as related by this Wikipedia entry:
ClosureOn November 21, 1945, the WRA closed Manzanar, the sixth camp to be closed. Although the prisoners had been brought to the Owens Valley by the United States Government, they had to leave the camp on their own,[51][53] with the WRA giving $25, one-way train or bus fare, and meals to those who had less than $600.[53] While many left the camp voluntarily, a significant number refused to leave because they had no place to go after having lost everything when they were forcibly uprooted and removed from their homes. As such, they had to be forcibly removed once again, this time from Manzanar. Indeed, those who refused to leave were generally removed from their barracks, sometimes by force, even if they had no place to go.[53]
One hundred forty-six prisoners died at Manzanar.[54] Fifteen prisoners were buried there, but only five graves remain, as most were later reburied elsewhere by their families.[55]
Heh. Can't tell only the good stories. We learn more from these events, anyway. -the Armorer
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Ron Paul's supporters pull in more money this time than they did last time. Wonder if the handicappers and politicos are going to admit that Paul, electable or not - has a message that's resonating? -the Armorer
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For you political junkies... if the media is fixated on Iowa, there is a blog keeping an eye on hew Hampshire... Green Mountain Politics1. -the Armorer
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Damn damn damn damn.
I *hate* that the power outage caused us to miss this.
Trit was a fascinating man. An early reader and frequent commenter at the Castle, he drifted from commenting here and moved into SWWBO's blog, as my focus shifted away somewhat from guns and more to things military and political.
When SWWBO started Carnival of the Recipes (the longest-running Carnival on the 'net, I wonder how many people remember it was SWWBO's idea?) he submitted a recipe for... dog.
That caused some consternation at the Castle, I can tell ya. But Triticale was nothing if not a practical man, and his own man. As astute man.
Not as polished as Will Rogers, perhaps, but he had that same eye for puncturing pomposity with a simple observation.
He'll be missed here, too.
The music is a little different, but now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam, for Triticale, the Wheat and Rye Guy.
Explosive news from the Marines.
First up - some "good training" at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia.
FORT A.P. HILL, Va. -- “Back blast area all secure … Rocket,” shouts Lance Cpl. Joseph P. Adams Jr. (center) and Pfc. Robert Challener (right), assaultmen, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, before a high explosive round is fired downrange, while Staff Sgt. Jerome Owens (top), platoon sergeant, 2nd Platoon, Company I, and range safety officer, shields his ears from the blast during a firing exercise here Dec. 1. Companies I, K and L participated in a Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon, or SMAW, exercise mainly aimed at familiarizing the junior Marines with employing it in combat situations. Photo by: Cpl. Chris Lyttle
Larger version here, if you want some wallpaper.
Next, over in theater... HIMARS debuted with the Marines this last year.
AL ASAD, Iraq (July 31, 2007) – Marines of Battery F, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment launch rockets during a firing exercise. The HIMARS is the first of its kind in the Marine Corps and killed 25 enemy combatants and assisted in the capture of 47 more last month.
HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is essentially MLRS-lite. While the MLRS, which initially fielded in the 80's is a large tracked vehicle based on Bradley components, the HIMARS takes a single MLRS "six-pack" of rockets and mounts them on a truck chassis - giving up the second six-pack carried by the MLRS. The HIMARS is cheaper to operate, faster over most types of terrain, and easier to move around strategically. MLRS was built for massed fires to stop the Soviet horde, and to operate in a very hostile counter-fire environment. HIMARS was developed to provide most of the firepower, at considerably reduced overall costs, while giving a greater strategic flexibility. Heh. If I sound like an advertisement, I was involved in some of the early studies that resulted in HIMARS getting built. Just as a sim-geek, not an idea guy.
December 17, 1944. The Ardennes
Want some detail? Click here.
December 16, 2007
H&I Fires* 16 DEC 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.
You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...
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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Media Reports 6 Bogus Stories in 6 Weeks. Incompetence? Unconscious bias? Lack of standards? Who cares. Same result: media is proving itself more and more unreliable. I was talking to a friend yesterday about how my work with Valour-IT has affected my view of the media: despite all the info on our website, it's amazing how many articles get basic things wrong. Add to it the typical errors found in many military-related stories (due to their total unfamiliarity with the subject matter), and it's even worse. And I've recently had a front-row seat to observe how easily their ignorance, bias and sometimes outright laziness allow them to be manipulated, ultimately manipulating the governing class that takes them seriously. The amount of faith I have in major media's accuracy and thoroughness in reporting a story is now barely measurable.
There's a twist in the "emasculated Norwegian lion" story. Commenter Glen Norberg at Op-For says the dangly bit isn't what everyone thinks it is:
Umm, Not to dismiss the neutering of the European military, but as a decorative artist I have messed with some coat of arms designs. I never considered that "dangly part" to be anything phallic. In fact I always understood that it was a decorative "fur extension" on the knees.Click the second link and compare the lions there to the patch pictured at the top of the Op-For story. I think he makes a good case for the idea that, considering the stylized nature of the Norwegian patch, the feminists in Norway got their knickers in a twist for a p*nis that existed only in their imaginations. For some reason, Freud comes to mind... - FbLHere are other examples
http://www.fleurdelis.com/lions.htmIf you look, there is another "p*nis" on his forward knee as well. [redacted for Net-Nanny's sensitivities]
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And the Lineman said... "Let there be light!" -the Amorer
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Today is the 100th anniversary of the sailing of TR's Great White Fleet.......Maggie
December 16, 1944.
All pics courtesy the US National Archives. The first two come from captured german film of the opening phases of the Battle of the Bulge. The last two are US Signal Corps photos of US soldiers on patrol and a destroyed Sherman tank.
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Mebbe it's just Clobbering Time.
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Just sayin'
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"The Iraqis don't want Saddam back - they want the stability. But they want the stability without being fed into industrial chippers."
. -The Armorer, on Hugh Hewitt, 27 December 2006.
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