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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Keeping up the pressure on the Bad Guys in Pakistan who are running the troubles in Afstan - by taking out their high-level minions in the field:
Coalition forces confirm Darim Sedgai death
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan— Coalition forces confirmed that Darim Sedgai was killed by unknown gunmen in Pakistan Jan. 16.
Sedgai, a powerful Haqqani Network commander, was ambushed and later reportedly died of his wounds. He is the third Haqqani network commander killed in recent months. Afghan and Coalition forces killed Mullah Sangeen in December and Afghan National Security Forces killed Abdul Manan in October. This recent death of Sedgai will impact the network controlled by the terrorist Siraj Haqqani.
“Siraj Haqqani will increasingly have to provide direct operational guidance rather than remaining in Pakistan,” said Col. David Anders, Combined Joint Task Force-82 director of operations.
“He will no longer have the luxury of hiding out while others do his fighting for him,” added Anders.
Sedgai is known for facilitating smuggling of IED making materials and suicide IEDs into Afghanistan. Suicide attacks like the attack at the Serena Hotel have become a hallmark of the Haqqani network.
“We can only call what happened at the Serena Hotel cowardly,” said Anders. “Attacks against innocent, unarmed civilians are nothing but terrorist tactics designed to create fear and doubt. We have to call the Haqqani Network what it has become, a terrorist network.”
“As Afghan National Security Forces increase their effectiveness against the terrorists striking innocent civilians in their country,” he added “we will see increasingly desperate tactics designed to create news headlines.”
“The Afghan National Security Forces and their international allies will continue to put pressure on the terrorists to deny them the opportunity to conduct attacks against innocent Afghans,” he said.
Coalition forces confirmed that Darim Sedgai was killed by unknown gunmen in Pakistan Jan. 16. Or, maybe they're already there. Maybe not. Could just be inter-tribal warfare. Or, maybe not. Could be the Pak Army SOF. Or, maybe not. Regardless, being Haqqani's minion isn't a very healthy job. -the Armorer
A week old, but pertinent to above: Painting a "new" picture of Iraq's Insurgents (yes, scare quotes because it's only "new" if you haven't been following the situation; still educational none the less)
Fear turns to Courage in Iraqi Village They have their own "Nathaniel Hale". A farmer who had enough of AQ stealing his sheep, his food and finally, a water pump necessary to irrigate his fields (to survive really). He met them with his rifle. AQ came back a week later and killed him in the town square. Now everyone carries the martyrs picture.
Former Taliban Commander in Musa Qala, Afghanistan advices the UN on defending against and defeating the Taliban. What's the first thing he tells them to do? Stop the Opium trade. Not only is it funding the terrorists, but it is destroying Afghan society. Says up to 50% of his people are addicted to opium.
For the Blue Water Boys: Navy May Revive 4th Fleet in South Atlantic Very likely a "quiet" response to Chavez's continued pronouncements of angst and violence along with the expansion of 21st Century Revolution from South America to Cuba to Iran. I'd say there is a large fear of interdiction of shipping and commerce in the area along with the question of Iran attempting to ship nuclear or even simple ICBMs to Venezuela as well as the possibility of Venezuela attempting to sell Iran uranium and other sanctioned materials.
Bionic Contacts. If you're wondering why a military blog would be interested in this subject, it isn't just its potential applications for "super soldiers". This could be a real break through for wounded soldiers who have suffered TBI (traumatic brain injury) or other eye damage from blast concussion, bullets and shrapnel. Then again, lots of uninformed insurgents think our soldiers either take "cold" pills to keep themselves "cool" in the summer or have some sort of air conditioning system built into their body armor. Wouldn't it give ol' UBL and company a twist in their shorts to think that every soldier had "bionic eyes" and could see everything they were doing, everywhere they were?
-Kat
*A term of art from the artillery. Harassment and Interdiction Fires.
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."
Kat, that "Nathaniel Hale" link is great. I quoted extensively from it in H&I two days ago... :P
On the "new' picture of Iraq insurgents, this quote is priceless: "Based on the Sinjar records, U.S. military officials in Iraq said they now think that nine out of 10 suicide bombers have been foreigners, compared with earlier estimates of 75 percent." I guess this is their attempt to catch up on a story they've tried to suppress for so long. So, it's a "new" picture because it's gone from 75% of foreign fighters to 90%? [nice little bit with that switch whole numbers and percentages, huh? Helps disguise how little it's really changed--75, or 90... same thing, still means the vast majority of "insurgents' are NOT Iraqis.]
Poor little leftists: But I thought the "insurgents" were Iraqis who just wanted Americans to leave! *heads explode*
Well, that's what happens when you keep a window open for so long. The story goes on without you. Still, Nathaniel Hale...
And, yes, I thought the numbers being quoted were interesting because I really was expecting like some scarily new information about OBL's second in command showing up in Iraq, etc, etc, etc.
The story was a bit of the "same ol' same ol'", but a good reminder.
posted by kat-missouri on January 26, 2008 4:35 PM
Stopping the opium trade doesn't mean spraying the crops and pissing off a bunch of farmers, though. Because all that does is push them into temp jobs as Taliban cannon-fodder.
What it does mean is going after the narcotics infrastructure: the distributors and higher-ups who pay the farmers and move the product.
But that requires a functioning judicial branch, something Afghanistan has yet to develop.
Another veteran you might not mind as a neighbor... or walking through your mall.
Like "Smokey" Taylor in the post below - another veteran who does his bit to discourage criminals. From another email:
Don't Mess With A Marine Who's Trying To Eat
Police called to investigate the scene:
The 71-year-old retired Marine who opened fire on two robbers at a Plantation, FL, Sub shop late Wednesday, killing one and critically wounding the other, is described as John Lovell, a former pilot for two presidents. He doesn't drink, he doesn't smoke, he works out everyday. Lovell was a man of action Wednesday night.
According to Plantation police, two masked gunmen came into the Subway at 1949 N. Pine Rd. Just after 11 p.m. There was a lone diner -- Lovell, who was finishing his meal. After robbing the cashier, the two men attempted to shove Lovell into a bathroom and rob him as well. They got his money. But then Lovell pulled his handgun, opened fire, shooting one of the thieves in the head and chest and the other in the head.
When police arrived, they found one of the men in the shop. K-9 units found the other in the bushes of a nearby business. They also found cash strewn around the front of the sandwich shop according to Detective Robert Rettig of the Plantation Police Department. Both men were taken to Broward General Medical Center , where one, Donicio Arrindell, 22, of North Lauderdale died. The other, 21-year-old Frederick Gadson of Fort Lauderdale is in critical but stable condition.
A longtime friend of Lovell, was not surprised to hear what happened. ''He'd give you the shirt off his back and he'd be mad if someone tried to take the shirt off your back,'' he said.
Lovell worked as a pilot for the Marines, flying former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. He later worked as a pilot for Pan Am and Delta. Lovell is not married and does not have children.
He is not expected to be charged, authorities said ''He was in fear for his life,'' Rettig said. ' These criminals ought to realize that most men in their 70's have military backgrounds and aren't intimidated by idiots.'
Something tells me this old Marine wasn't 'in fear for his life' even though his life was definitely at risk. The only thing he could be charged with is participating in an unfair fight. One 71 - year young Marine against two punks. Two head shots and one center - body- mass shot - good shooting!. That'll teach them not to get between a Marine and his meal.
Don't you just love a story with a happy ending?
( Florida law allows law abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon.)
'These criminals ought to realize that most men in their 70's have military backgrounds and aren't intimidated by idiots.'
Unfortunately, there's enough people out there who can be intimidated by idiots that the idiots find the odds largely in their favor.
Would that more cops had that kind of attitude, too.
If your state allows "shall issue" concealed weapon permits to good guys with minimum hassle (about 40 states do now) then you should get a permit to carry. Maybe you don't want to carry every day, but it is good to have that option so you CAN defend yourself. You never know when you may find yourself threatened, so it is good to be ready all the time. (Don't wait for the kitchen fire to start before getting a fire extinguisher, either!)
Remember, when you are in serious danger and seconds count, the police are only minuntes away.
posted by John on January 26, 2008 10:32 AM
Nay! OF COURSE he "was in fear of his life." That eliminates any question whether his use of lethal force to blow away the two scumbags was proper & justifiable. Lacking that, a shyster lawyer could make a case the one living wounded robber was due damages for at least medical expenses.
One dead slimeball and one in critical condition bothers me though. Did he run out of ammo?
The New York Times has bravely spoken out to speak that which no one may do - criticize the military [/sarcasm] and pointed out 121 instances of the hundreds of thousands of returning OIF/OEF vets who were somehow involved in killing people (including traffic accidents and self-defense and other indicators of homicidal behavior).
I've got some examples of veterans who you do want for neighbors... and how they are *still* conducting AAR's on their work. A two parter. The second one is the post above this. From an email:
First up - some retired SOF guys who conduct After Action Reviews:
Retired Green Beret shoots intruder, gets court martial
BREVARD, Jan. 19, 2008 – Retired Army Green Beret James T. (Smokey) Taylor got his court martial this weekend and came away feeling pretty good about it.
Taylor, at age 79, is one of the oldest members of Chapter XXXIII (The Larry Thorne Chapter) of the Special Forces Association. He was placed on trial by fellow Chapter XXXIII members under the charge of “failing to use a weapon of sufficient caliber” in the shooting of an intruder at his home in Knoxville, TN, in November.
The court martial, of course, was very much tongue in cheek. The event itself was deadly serious.
Taylor had been awakened in the early morning hours of November 5, 2007,when an intruder broke into his home. He investigated the noises with one of his many weapons in hand.
“It was just after Halloween, on Monday morning at 4:30,” Taylor said. I heard this commotion at the door and grabbed my fishing gun, a little .22 revolver, to see what was going on. I got to the front door and this fellow had ripped my security door out of its frame. He said, ‘you’re going to have to kill me. I’m coming in.’”
When a warning to leave went unheeded, Taylor brought his .22 caliber pistol to bear and shot him right between the eyes.
The rest of the story is in the Flash Traffic/Extended Entry!
“I was about four feet away from him when I shot,” Taylor said. “Looking back now, I’m glad he didn’t die, but that boy had the hardest head I’ve ever seen. The bullet bounced right off.”
The impact knocked the would-be thief down momentarily. He crawled out of the house then got up and ran down the street. Taylor dialed 911 and Knoxville police apprehended the wounded man about 200 yards away, hiding in a hedgerow.
Complicating the case, as well as the court martial, the offender was released on bail but failed to appear for his court date. Knoxville police said the man was homeless. They did not know his whereabouts or why he had been given bail.
The charges brought against Taylor by his fellow Green Berets were considered to be serious. He is a retired Special Forces Weapons Sergeant with extensive combat experience during the wars in Korea and Vietnam.
“Charges were brought against him under the premise that he should have saved the county and taxpayers the expense of a trial,” said Chapter XXXIII President Bill Long of Asheville, NC.
The trial was held at the Hampton Inn in Brevard, part of the group’s regularly scheduled quarterly meeting. Long appointed a judge, Bert Bates, a defense counsel, Jim Hash, and a prosecutor, Charlie Ponds. All are retired Special Forces non-commissioned officers with extensive combat and weapons experience.
Ponds outlined the case against Taylor, emphasizing that the citizens of Knox County were going to be burdened with significant costs to again apprehend, and then prosecute and defend the would-be burglar.
“Proper choice of a larger caliber gun would have spared the citizens this financial burden,” Ponds said, “while removing one bad guy from the streets for good. He could have used a .45 or .38. The .22 just wasn’t big enough to get the job done. Hash disagreed. He said Taylor had done the right thing in choosing to arm himself with a .22.
“If he’d used a .45 or something like that the round would have gone right through the perp, the wall, the neighbor’s wall and possibly injured some innocent child asleep in its bed. I believe the evidence shows that Smokey Taylor exercised excellent judgment in his choice of weapons. He clearly remains to this day an excellent weapons man.”
Hash then floated a theory as to why the bullet bounced off the perp’s forehead.
“He was victimized by old ammunition,” he said, “just as he was in Korea and again in Vietnam, when his units were issued ammo left over from World War II.”
Taylor said nothing in his own defense, choosing instead to allow his peers to debate the matter. The jury, consisting of all the members of the Chapter, discussed the merits of choosing a larger caliber weapon as well as the obvious benefits to society of permanently deleting the intruder so he would never again threaten any private citizen.
The other side of the coin, that of accidentally causing injury to a completely innocent citizen if a more powerful gun had been used, also gained considerable support.
Following testimony from both sides, Judge Bates determined the charges should be dismissed. The decision was met with a round of applause. In fact, there was strong sentiment expressed that Taylor should receive an award for not only choosing wisely in picking up the .22, but for the accuracy of his aim under difficult and dangerous conditions.
After the trial Taylor said the ammunition was indeed old and added the new information that the perp had soiled his pants as he crawled out the door.
“I would have had an even worse mess to clean up if it had gone through his forehead,” Taylor said. “It was good for both of us that it didn’t.”
Meanwhile, back in Knox County, the word is out: Don’t go messing with Smokey Taylor. He just bought a whole bunch of fresh ammo.
Tribune Editor Bill Fishburne is a member of the Larry Thorne Chapter XXXIII of the Special Forces Association.
He got a raw deal. I would think a practical defense would be that there was less clean up on the battlefield as a result of his choosing a lesser caliber pistol.
Can you imagine the mess had he used a .45? Brain pan and gray matter all over instead of a neat lil' hole.
UCMJ boards just don't think practically. THEY didn't have to clean up the perps mess.
Kevin, the problem with clean up due to larger caliber along with the possibility of injuring neighbors with a pass through was brought up.
posted by kat-missouri on January 26, 2008 2:39 PM
BUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAA....... that is hilarious. Only SF would bring charges like that. Love it!
posted by AFSister on January 26, 2008 4:27 PM
Kat
Naaah, no danger of 'pass through' any perp this stupid had to have a maximum of skull thickness, commonly known as a 'bone-head'. Besides, and I am only guessing here, I would expect this Spec Ops warrior probably had hollow-points loaded, not that useless military issue ball crap.
And again, note the charges filed, if he'd have used a real caliber, the board woulda never brought the issue before them.
Perp request; "You're gonna have to kill me."
Rather obliging sort, that Green Beret.
Wunner if the perp had the decency to say; "Thank you?"
posted by Kevin on January 26, 2008 7:34 PM
Yeah, the perp should be brought back to say thank you. Ungrateful idiot.
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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What pressure! This is the first time I've had to set this up.
Here's what I found funny enough to put out this kind of effort: Farmer hides castle from building inspectors The council wants the building near Redhill some 30 km south of London to be demolished, along with an associated conservatory, marquee structure, wooden bridge, patio, decking and tarmac racecourse.
"It looks like a mock-Tudor house from the front and it's got two turrets at the back," the spokeswoman said. "I understand there is also a cannon."
Sound familiar?........Maggie
In Our Area the Taliban Are Paying More a Month than we are in some places because their life expectancy is much shorter.” quote from Col. Edward Kornish, Commander, Regional Police Advisory Command - South.
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Meant to post this earlier and I hope enough folks see it. Gardner, KS police officer, member of the Kansas National Guard, receives the Distinguished Flying Cross.
On June 2, 2007, Hammon left Baghdad en route to Balad Air Force base 42 miles north of Iraq's capital. He had four crew members and six soldiers on board as the helicopter flew through the night sky.
With night vision goggles on, they crossed a palm grove on the Tigris River. Everything was going smoothly.
From below, tracers zipped by from all directions. Bullets from three different gun systems on the ground tore through the Black Hawk's Achilles heel - its tail.
Without a tail rotor, steering rumbled. They were going down.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua Bleill lost both his legs above the knees when a bomb exploded under his Humvee while on patrol in Iraq on October 15, 2006. He has 32 pins in his hip and a 6-inch screw holding his pelvis together.
Now, he's starting to walk again with the help of prosthetic legs outfitted with Bluetooth technology more commonly associated with hands-free cell phones.
*A term of art from the artillery. Harassment and Interdiction Fires.
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."
Appropriate torque applied will seat the nuts and bolts tightly to allow for maximum holding power.
Screwdrivers are useful for applying torque to screws and other hardware. I prefer cordless, electric drills with appropriate appliances for application to screws, nuts and bolts. They eliminate limits on reach and positioning as well as allow for effective torque.
While 12v cordless are useful around the house for small jobs, the 18V cordless provides more horse power and torque for those more difficult jobs. The batteries of the 18V are larger and hold a charge longer.
posted by kat-missouri on January 25, 2008 6:33 PM
I, myself, am a fan of power screwdrivers. Did you know that Black and Decker makes a "3-Position Screwdriver"? I love variety.
posted by HomefrontSix on January 25, 2008 6:34 PM
The powder-actuated cordless drills are of course the best and finest kind.
HF6,
My Mom and I saw that B&D 3 position electric screwdriver at Lowe's just before Christmas. We both oooh'd and aaaahh'd... but, alas, there was none to be found under the tree on Christmas morning.
*sigh*
posted by AFSister on January 25, 2008 6:53 PM
hmm...a mother-daughter gift??? Now that's something that would have never crossed my mind...definitely not something I would think to share with my mom. I don't know that she's the "power screwdriver" typs...nor am I sure I ever want to know!
posted by HomefrontSix on January 25, 2008 7:06 PM
{PG-17C administers warning shocks to all involved...]
This word, "normal". I have heard of it. I think it's a myth.
Not to worry--as if any BCR Labs product would fire for effect on its Creator! I built the override circuits in the main CPU! Of course, can't let the customer know that which is why we have the "dang, just missed her" targeting program.
LOLOL.... I was being serious! We really did see it.
Of course, Mom is quite the woman. Last time I went to the "toy" store... she wanted to see what I bought... and wanted to borrow my "pole dancing instructional dvd".
No lie.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA
*flicks pg-17c on his lil' noggin*
posted by kat-missouri on January 25, 2008 10:13 PM
Normal is a town in Illinois. It's also the title of a Henry Fillmore march, named after that town. It was very funny to watch the Kelly's Seed and Feed Band, a bunch of hippies, play that tune and march to it.
They thought it was funny, too.
posted by Justthisguy on January 25, 2008 11:54 PM
P.s. Which reminds me: Dammit, Martha, I gave you that box of VanDoren reeds, but you gave up playing your clarinet!
posted by Justthisguy on January 26, 2008 12:04 AM
Screwdrivers....... electric screwdrivers .... cordless, electric drills ...... powder-actuated cordless drills ..... B&D 3 position electric screwdriver
Surely you jest! You don't imagine Princess Crabby is a do-it-yourself kinda girl?
Baby! That's what men are for!
Where is 'Zilla? You know green is my favorite color.
But PC ~ you of all people know that the military sometimes makes it so that HAVE to do it yourself. Because the alternative is just unacceptable.
As for normal...that's just a setting on the washing machine. Nothing more. Normal is boring. I like to put the "fun" in dysfunctional!
posted by HomefrontSix on January 26, 2008 2:58 AM
I for one has learnt that if your torque isn't big enough to finish the job, a little daub of heat resistant grease on the tip of the screw is sure to guarantee affixion anytime.
Sure beats having to pre-drill a pilot hole, of God forbid, strip the head.
HomefrontSix - "But PC ~ you of all people know that the military sometimes makes it so that HAVE to do it yourself. Because the alternative is just unacceptable."
"Coming down the stairs, he fell down and exploded."
Now THAT is funny!! I couldn't stop laughing... Kind of like the video of the monkey that scratches its butt then sniffs its fingers and falls off the branch backwards after it recoils in horror from the smell!!
"Coming down the stairs, he fell down and exploded."
This could be the opening of a "dark and stormy night" story!
I got an email this morning that has all the highlights of an urban legend in the making.
[Photo removed at the request of the copyright holder - see comment fom Tim]
The K9 above is Brutus, a military K9 at McChord. He's huge - part Boxer and part British Bull Mastiff and tops the scales at 200 lbs. His handler took the picture. Brutus is running toward me because he knows I have some Milk Bone treats, so he's slobbering away! I had to duck around a tree just before he got to me in case he couldn't stop, but he did. Brutus won the Congressional Medal of Honor last year from his tour in Iraq. His handler and four other soldiers were taken hostage by insurgents. Brutus and his handler communicate by sign language and he gave Brutus the signal that meant "go away but come back and find me". The Iraqis paid no attention to Brutus. He came back later and quietly tore the throat out of one guard at one door and another guard at another door. He then jumped against one of the doors repeatedly (the guys were being held in an old warehouse) until it opened. He went in and untied his handler and they all escaped. He's the first K9 to receive this honor. If he knows you're ok, he's a big old lug and wants to sit in your lap. Enjoys the company of cats.
Emphasis mine. Okay, we know the Medal business is bogus. And if the story was otherwise true, doncha think it would be all over the 'net like a rash? But it isn't. Snopes hasn't heard of it yet, and I couldn't find a whiff on Google.
I'm throwing the BS flag - if you know better *do* please offer up some corroborating evidence! The reason I posted it is because I just wanted to be in (as a debunker) of what could make it into Urban Legend.
Well, that and I like the pic of the dog. BTW - anybody find that picture elsewhere on the 'net, in other contexts?
I have no definite knowledge either way, so all of what follows is mild-to-moderately informed speculation. However...
My immediate reaction is that the dog doesn't look like either a Boxer or a Bullmastiff, so the crossbreed claim is dubious. It's true that hybrids don't always look like a puzzle assembled from pieces of the parents, but still, you can usually look at a dog and tell its general breeding background by its appearance. For example, you don't normally get a heavy-bodied dog by crossing a borzoi with a whippet. Boxer and Bullmastiff are both mastiff-type dogs. This dog doesn't look to me like a cross between two mastiff types.
Second reaction is that AIUI, military K9s are typically trained using schutzhund methods. They won't take food from anyone but their handler. They are always under the handler's control and will not charge anybody except on the handler's orders. They are not trained to kill; at most they're trained to "attack and hold" by a grip on a nonlethal place such as a forearm or a leg.
Other things I noticed:
* Most US military dogs are purebred German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, or similar breeds. They don't typically use mastiffs, nor crossbreeds. Other breeds might be used for drug or explosives detection, especially bird-dogs and scenthounds with their excellent noses, but for patrol dogs they tend to stick to the shepherd-type.
* The "sign language" sounds bogus. Dogs are smart but not that smart, and mastiffs aren't generally among the smartest of dogs. How do you signal "go away but come back and find me later"?
* Web searches for "dog medal Iraq" and similar terms found nothing except a story of a Springer Spaniel, a British army dog, that found a big weapons cache. If this story were true, I can't believe it wouldn't have gotten reported somewhere.
So my inclination is to agree with you, Armorer. It's a Net-legend in the making.
posted by wolfwalker on January 25, 2008 10:11 AM
Hmmm... I believe the military has guidelines mandating the breeds acceptable as K9s, and that ain't it! Second the BS flag...
posted by Neffi on January 25, 2008 10:13 AM
Gee so much for a good story. Does truth always have to be considered since in actuality we may not really know much truth since history is written by the victors. For example: Was Hannibal a great general or did Rome, a great nation or soon to be in their minds, need a great enemy?
posted by JimC on January 25, 2008 10:50 AM
OOPs don't parse the above.
posted by JimC on January 25, 2008 10:55 AM
Having handled and personally owned them before I'd say Brutus is a Belgian Mal. His ears are laid back as he's running, which is common with them. Not sure what that is above/behind his head... some sort of collar rig maybe, but I'm not going to speculate.
Other than that it's a great picture of a Mal on the run.
V5
posted by V5 on January 25, 2008 11:38 AM
McChord (Granted it shares land with Ft. Lewis I believe) is an Air Force base--and I know with a certainty (I oversaw the K9 handlers and the kennels at the busiest and 2nd largest kennel in Air Mobility Command--the same command that McChord belongs to)that the AF uses German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois ONLY. No mixed breeds. No mastifs. They're always wearing their choke collars because sometimes the handler needs something to pull them back with after they're in attack mode.
The handlers DO use hand/arm signals to communicate, but I've never heard of the command of go away and come back and rip the throat out of these bad guys. Too Lassie for me. The dogs can, however, act semi-independently as an overwatch while the handler is searching a perp. The dog will attack without specific commands if the perp makes sudden moves to flee or attacks the handler.
The dogs are highly trained to not take food from non-handlers; they don't get milkbones for treats. They're on a strict diet and their rewards are usually the opportunity to play with their kong toys. It's a beautiful and pure thing to see a dog so utterly happy just to get to chomp on some hardened rubber and hear "GOOD BOY/GIRL!!!" Once the dog is comfortable around other troops and if the handler allows it, they'll sometimes get snacks (i.e. tiny pieces of meat from a sandwich, pepperoni, turkey at thanksgiving, etc.) with the caveat that if the kennel master NCO never finds out. They'll still wait until given permission from their handlers to eat it even if it's laying in front of them though.
I'm not sure about the medals--certainly not the MOH. I know that with our puppies, they did have badges (engraved with their Military Working Dog number) and I think that they were authorized to wear campaign ribbons/medals on the badge holder although that may have been just an informal thing the handlers did.
As for the MOH--it took what, 3 years to get LT. Mike Murphy to be awarded the medal and he was in SOCOM. Now add to it that the dog in question is allegedly attached to McChord--Air Force Air Mobility Command and when deployed assigned to CENTAF. I have humans under my command that are waiting 9mos+ to get lesser medals for duties performed in direct combat. I can't imagine a DOG getting a medal first of all, and never mind the MOH which requires interviews of multiple confirming witnesses and congressional approval.
Color this myth BUSTED.
posted by Raven on January 25, 2008 11:55 AM
OK, so the myth is busted but this is one of those that you almost WANT to be true. Of course I think that's how a lot of things get to be urban legends.
BTW I told a friend who used to be in the Navy the joke about the Marine officers talking about how much of sex is pleasure and how much work and I almost had to give him the Heimlich. He was eating a cinnamon roll and drinking coffee and I didn't know if he was going to choke to death or drown first.
posted by NevadaDailySteve on January 25, 2008 2:30 PM
John, please contact me ASAP about this very false story. I am the web systems administrator for a police K-9 association and was the one who originally posted that picture on one of our web sites. The intellectual property rights to that photo do not belong to us but we were given permission to use it on our web sites as needed. We do not have the authority to grant someone else permission to use it and the photo is being used(circulated) without the permission of the news organization who does. Yes, this means you also do not have permission to post it here on your blog. Sorry, I'm not trying to bust your chops, only kill this false story that is circulating around and stop the unauthorized use of the photo. I do appreciate your intent of debunking the fabricated story circulating around with it.
For those of you who guessed the dog is a Belgian Malinois, you are 100% correct and I might add, he weighs less than 100 pounds. His name is 'Spike', not Brutus. He is not a military working dog. He is a retired Police K-9 who never served with any of the military working dog units in Iraq and he certainly was never awarded a K-9 Congressional Medal of Honor, as no such award exists and even if one did it would never be awarded to a police service dog who was never in country and participated in a military action.
If any of you have knowledge of the perp who concocted this very false story, please let John know so he can forward the information to me. Our Police K-9 association, dogs included, would like to have a few words with them.
Thanks!
Tim
posted by Tim on January 25, 2008 4:30 PM
Thanks for staying on top of this, Tim. Can't say that I know anything about the story or the picture, so I can't help you there. Re. intellectual property- considering the problems Mike Yon has gone through with his pictures, you won't find a milblogger out there who has a problem removing copyrighted photos.
posted by AFSister on January 25, 2008 10:01 PM
Tim,
Is there anyway John could legally allow that picture to remain up?
That is a magnificent Dog having fun.
Whether he is a Mil Dog or a Cop K-9 he should be celebrated.
Damn all you wish the jerks who started this but, let us see that Dog in his joy.
posted by Old Dog on January 25, 2008 11:14 PM
AFSister, Thanks. No problem at all with this blog or John, who has been most gracious and helpful. As a veteran myself and the father of a current active duty soldier, I never had any doubt that I would be treated any other way.
Old Dog, I wish I had the authority to allow the photo to stay up, but unfortunately I do not. I am suppose to be the watchkeeper of something that was given to us to use in good faith and I feel horrible that someone got a hold of that photo to use for something dishonorable and while on my watch.
I promise I'll be back soon but in a new thread to fulfill your request with a link to protected photos that can't be copied. For now, it's better to let sleeping dogs lie, especially for the handlers at McChord, who are probably going to be getting a lot of inquires about that story if they aren't already.
Until next time, take care and Be Safe!
Tim
posted by Tim on January 26, 2008 12:31 AM
Hm, wasn't there something similiar in WW2 ?
A dog did something extraordinary and was applied for a medal, not MOH but just below that, andthen a general threw a fit ?
posted by DoesNotMatter on January 26, 2008 6:27 AM
Essential Liberty, Temporary Security: A Knife To A Gun Fight
[Kat]
I've been trying, without much success, to write something on gun control and liberty that doesn't sound too fanatic. Considering the readership here, I would not like to come off as a rabble rousing renegade revolutionary (try saying that a ten times, fast) that needed added to a watch list.
As Fred Thompson has finally figured out, sometimes when you contemplate things for too long, events get ahead of you and the moment may pass you by along with people's interest or passion for the subject. I don't think gun control is one of those subjects exactly so I think I have a little time to discuss some exigencies before withdrawing and allowing the field to progress without me.
Police in the UK's worst knife crime hot spots will be told to prosecute anyone caught with a blade, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said.
Not that we hadn't heard of this probability occurring. They've been making noises about it for sometime. I suggest that you read the entire article because it has some very good absurd comments along with an occasional brilliant insight such as you can't stop violent crimes unless you address other crimes like drugs, robbery and gang activity. Something Rudy figured out in New York a long time ago.
English law being the basis for our own laws and government, it brought to mind, once again, the question of how much power people are willing to give the government in exchange for "temporary security".
Now, in England, they can't even bring a knife to a gun fight. Scratch that. You can't even carry knife for personal use.
Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Police's chief constable, has already ordered his officers to prosecute all offenders caught with knives, rather than issuing cautions.
So, if you're a construction worker who routinely carries a knife in his pocket or on his belt, you could be prosecuted. If you're an electrician, a warehouse worker (you know, someone who routinely opens boxes, cuts the plastic wrap or zip ties); someone who installs computer systems, servers and high speed cable (yes, when I did this I carried a pocket knife with a multi-edge blade for cutting zip ties, opening boxes and stripping wires); if you are a lawn keeper or florist or just some average Joe that carries a knife for personal use or on the way to go fishing and you have the bad fortune to jay walk, run a stop sign or loiter some where too long, you will now be prosecuted for the possibility that you might commit an actual crime with what amounts to a common tool.
And people buy that. I know because right now my (non-military) brother is telling me that fifth amendment rights don't exist under certain circumstances. I'll explain later, but suffice it to say, it is exactly why I keep talking about giving away essential liberties for temporary security. People are extremely willing to give up their rights in the guise of fighting crime.
Now he told me that rich people make the laws. And, don't commit a crime so you won't have to be worried about your rights being violated. Oh...it's for the greater good.
By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.
There are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: the one, by removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects.
There are again two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests.
It could never be more truly said than of the first remedy, that it was worse than the disease. Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be to wish the annihilation of air, which is essential to animal life, because it imparts to fire its destructive agency.
Update:In comments, a supporter of the knife ban reflects upon the actual ordinance which he maintains does NOT in fact place a burden on those who must use a knife as a tool. He also notes that the ban is on knives that are more than 3 inches long. In which case, it jives with some laws in the US that says that knives more than 3 inches are considered illegal in some states and city ordinances. Though, in the US, the person will most likely only be prosecuted in relations to another crime and, as was the practice in the London Metro area, only be warned if it is simply on their person or in their possession during a routine stop, etc. As far as I know, and someone is likely to correct me, there are limited, if any, prosecutions for only having the knife, there being many numerous reasons and purposes for owning and possessing a knife more than 3 inches long and the actual act of a crime needing to be committed.
If I read the Brits correctly, the actual act of carrying the knife is a crime in and of itself that will be prosecuted. Corrections?
Plus, someone with a little more understanding of Brit law might want to expound on the differences between "cautions", "reprimands" and prosecution.
If they think, it is possible to reduce the number of violent crimes, just by prosecute the one who carrying the knife for their personal purpose, then they're 100% wrong. This is never going to work... Breakdown Recovery
Every time I read the Federalist Papers (and the anti-Federalist responses), I continue to be amazed at the level of thought that occurred during those discussions. They indeed remind us of just how WISE and LEARNED the Founders were .... and that the issues we discuss and debate today are timeless.
After a government bans KNIVES, what's next? Baseball bats? Pepper spray? Personal self-defense and martial arts training?
One has a limited number of cheeks to turn.
posted by fdcol63 on January 25, 2008 7:02 AM
I used to think my t-shirt that said, "If they take away our guns, can we use chainsaws?" a joke. Now though........
*sigh*
posted by Sly2017 on January 25, 2008 11:43 AM
I have two more (or more) posts on the subject that are coming along. One is a recount of a conversation with an ex-pat American in Sweden lamenting our "gun culture" in the US (says its one of the reasons he left detroit for Sweden...LOL)
On a similar vain, I once replied to him "Cain killed Able with a Rock. I can't wait 'til we live in a rockless society".
Wait for the story I am about to recall from my youngest brother on what the fifth amendment means. It will blow your mind. Though, I imagine some will be agreeing with him on the circumstances of the original argument, the entire discussion broke down to whether you have the right not to incriminate yourself.
posted by kat-missouri on January 25, 2008 1:54 PM
Taking away our pistols completely stopped gun crime in the UK, so stopping people carrying knives is another step in the right direction.
It seems that having a short memory is a prerequisite for our politicians.
posted by rikkochet on January 25, 2008 2:34 PM
Heh....rikkochet, that dry British sarcasm nearly got me as I read the first paragraph. The last line cleared that up.
Yep. The brits seem to be going towards disarming the entire society of every arms or tool for the sacred security of society. Pretty soon it will be only the military and the criminals along with a few select police units that will be armed at all (pretty much the way it is now, but I imagine worse soon).
No one reads the statistics in Parliament or the Metro Police apparently. Or, if they do, they are terrible analysts.
posted by kat-missouri on January 25, 2008 2:54 PM
Background: you can legally carry a knife in the UK if it is a requirement for your job or activity (eg a chef can take his cleaver to and from work, a scuba diver can have a divers knife). A "knife" is a fixed blade more than 3 inches long (so Swiss Army knives and multi-tools are OK and so are the tools that construction workers routinely carry)
You can't legally carry anything that's designed as a weapon NOT a tool (there's an extensive list, but that's basically the bottom line).
Now - in 12 urban areas - the PM says that the Police don't have the option to caution or reprimand. They must proceed to prosecution.
27 teenagers were killed in London during 2007. This is part of the continuing attempt to reduce gang violence
posted by Matt W on January 25, 2008 3:31 PM
Why do images of Malcolm McDowell and Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange" come to my mind whenever I hear about British attempts to "reform" their criminal justice system?
posted by fdcol63 on January 25, 2008 3:47 PM
thank you, Matt, I'll make a point of linking your comment. though, I will say something that seems rather cold.
Though their deaths are lamentable and certainly gives an unmitigated grief to their families and friends, it is always the question of "law and order", of justice to balance out the liberty of a majority against the immediacy of a minority.
Further, such powers to, in a real sense, prosecute for crime when a crime has not been committed (ie, murder, assault, rape, robbery, damaging property, etc at knife point) accept to have a tool (even knives with blades longer than 3 inches can be a tool; I have a skinning knife and a filleting knife that are certainly longer than 3 inches) in your possession is tantamount to prosecuting a thought crime.
Minority Report.
Let me re-iterate the comment from the report wherein its stated that the reduction in violent crimes must be related to the reduction of other crimes. Otherwise, you are simply providing a tool to add charges to potential or actual criminals.
that can only be accomplished through better police presence and actually prosecuting actual crimes, giving out appropriate sentences, stop treating teenage criminals as misunderstood children who only need love, provide the police with the tools and equipment necessary to secure themselves against criminals, etc, etc, etc
posted by kat-missouri on January 25, 2008 3:58 PM
Matt - perhaps a simpler way of expressing it is... how does this affect anyone but the law-abiding?
And what will the response be when the gangs just start beating and kicking people to death/serious injury?
Ban workboots with steel toes without a permit?
The point being is that these kinds of laws don't really address the core issue, they address a symptom. The gang violence is a symptom of the gang problem, but isn't the problem itself, and I rather suspect the rule change will only make a useful difference if you actually put the gang-bangers away, for significant amounts of time.
Which was one of the approaches we took with long sentences for violent offenders.
Of course, that crowded the prisons, and now people are agitating to let the perps go with lesser sentences (and there are some smarter approaches being explored too - such as not putting non-violent offenders into prison... save that space for the true menaces to society). Of course we have to give up our societal affair with the "Drug War" to make that happen.
Kind of like giving a cancer patient morphine for the pain, but not attacking the cancer.
All too often on this side of the pond, laws like this allow the politicos to say "See! We did something!" without actaully really doing anything than further restricting the law abiding.
Actually Heartless Libertarian weapons are a subset of tools so the sentence is sufficient.
When gun control was discussed before I looked at two extremist sites on the matter in the US. Australia doesn't discuss this matter, it's just not interesting to us to you really have to look in the US for anything on the matter. One was a report site Brady and one called NRA. I think it's quite fair to say both sites displayed an enormous degree of bias. The NRA made several totally false claims about Australia with statistical manipulation tricks. We did have a very significant gun ban/buyback (on 'automated' weapons). We most certainly did not experience an increase in crime from it. There was a very marginal reduction in the more violent kinds of crime.
I have said to many US citizens before embroiled in this apparently endless argument that crime source and prevention has less to do with weapons including guns and more to do with other factors. Which means gun control or gun freedom doesn't really make a whole lot of difference to crime rates. The US is glossing over real stuff that matters in crime while focusing on the gun issue.
I am personally for gun freedom as a matter of freedom in general but believe there should be effort in gun education, training and some bans on specific people that have shown evidence of misuse.
Trias - I pretty much agree (which gets me in trouble...)
Heh. The NRA as extremist... you should read Gun Owners of America or Jews For The Protection of Firearms Ownership (GOA and JFPO respectively) if you'd like to see the "extremist" version of pro-gun in the US. GOA pretty much sees the NRA as a hopelessly compromised sell-out on the issue (Yes, I'm a Life Member of the NRA).
Some of the language used in the debate is a result of our politics - where in order to have a position from which you can compromise, you have to take an extreme position - else your "moderate" position is perceived as the base from which a compromise will come.
Okay, all that said - I'd like to see your analysis of the NRA data from the perspective of trickery. Not because I disbelieve you, but simply because you made the assertion, and I'd like to see the analysis to support it. I have probably used the NRA arguments before, so I'd be interested in seeing your take.
Full disclosure, I have a pretty good buddy in Oz who is an international militaria dealer who is continually fueding with governmental agencies (and the gov't agencies aren't looking good, just from reading their *own* letters), so my interest in the subject has a personal tinge, too.
Besides, he just shipped me an WWII Ozzie 4.2" mortar, which is safely in the states and on it's way to his agent in the US, where I'll go pick it up. *Note to ATFE/LEO: Already passed Customs at the Port with a personal eyes-on inspection of the container and it's contents, and will get another at final destination, all demilled to US spec, natch!*
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).
Shortly before the pre-dawn US helicopter ride back to his village of Dulim last week, the beaming Sunni sheikh asserted, "People are so desperate to set up CLCs [local citizen security groups] here, to protect their families. They need someone to be on their side. Absolutely this is a war against Al Qaeda. We are against them."
But the fear was palpable in the frigid muddy village, as dawn heralded a critical choice for villagers. The new American and Iraqi military presence – ushered in by the black-robbed Sheikh Thamir – was initially seen as raising the danger level.
"If anyone registers for CLCs, [Al Qaeda in Iraq] will put them in the road and kill them," lamented one man, standing outside the school where villagers were supposed to sign up for the civilian militia. Only one person made the commitment that day.
The recent roughing-up of Barack Obama was in the trademark style of the Clinton years in the White House. High-minded and self-important on the surface, smarmily duplicitous underneath, meanwhile jabbing hard to the groin area. They are a slippery pair and come as a package. The nation is at fair risk of getting them back in the White House for four more years. The thought makes me queasy.
...The one-two style of Clintons, however, is as informative as low-life street fighters. Mr. Bill punches Obama in the kidney and from the rear. When Obama whirls around to strike back, there stands Mrs. Clinton, looking like a prim Sunday School teacher and citing goody-goody lessons she learned from her 135 years in government.
Heh. Did The Nation turn right-wing when I wasn't looking?
**********************************
More global warming, plz.
That is all. -the Armorer
*****************************
Oh, Rivrdog - you prolly just oughta bring a jacket, too. -the Armorer
*********************************
BTW, if you, like the Armorer, have an interest in Ordnance, and like to collect inert Ordnance, and will, on occasion, donate excess inventory to worthy causes - do make sure you know what you have. The details are important. I've never gotten anything sight unseen (such as an eBay auction, for example) that doesn't come from someone I know to know their business in the subject. H/t, Mike L. -the Armorer
*A term of art from the artillery. Harassment and Interdiction Fires.
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."
Where in God's name is that INDOOR temp value coming from?
BTW, where I am right now (Indy) it's 0 F with a 15kt wind. When the sun goes down, I'll be doing a walk-around of a 200' airplane. Guess how fast THAT'S gonna be?
Well, as noted elsewhere, that thermometer sits within about 8 inches of a 37-year old kitchen window - placed there so it has good reception from the outdoor sending unit.
Plus, SWWBO and I like it cool (okay, not that cool), it's mid-60's elsewhere in the house, more than that on the west where the sun is shining in the windows. The thermostat for the furnace is set at 62.
Mind you, if we can afford the power bill, that's what it's set at in the summer, too. ;^ )
This has been a tough twelve months, especially for my father. Last night, his sister Elaine died. She was 90, and had, like my mother, a good life, well lived.
She was a school teacher by trade, a professional mother, if you will. And while with me, her teaching didn't always take, she never stopped the lessons! She was trying to teach me to be polite until just about her dying breath.
It took more than she realized - you have no idea of what a ill-mannered buffoon I would be were it not for my Donovan relatives of that generation. My impishness comes from the Meriwether side. The steel is all Donovan, tempered by Meriwether.
I have many fond memories of Elaine and her husband Harold, better known as "Uncle Skeet." Heh. There's a good chance that my interest in ordnance stems from Skeet and Elaine. Of course, it's Dad's fault. At least I think so. When going to visit Aunt Elaine and Uncle Skeet I would home like a Maverick on the training hand grenade (that I assume Dad gave them) they had on their bookshelf, and would play with it (safely, of course). I'd also grab the history books on their shelves (they had more pictures than Dad's books) and flip through and read them - especially the American Heritage Civil War books. Skeet taught me to fish and appreciate the Colorado Rockies, clear mountain tarns and swift-running streams.
Skeet's been gone for many years now, and I'm guessing Elaine was ready to go join him, sure that her two daughters and their families were going to make it, and that her little brother was okay after the passing of his wife, my mother. I'm going to miss her, though not like Dad, methinks.
The music may be a little different, but now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam, for Elaine Donovan Langford, Aunt Elaine.
I am so sorry for you, your dad, and your family. Losing a woman like that is never easy. However I am thrilled for her that she gets to go be with her husband, safe in the knowledge that the family she leaves behind are well.
posted by HomefrontSix on January 24, 2008 7:29 PM
*heavy sigh*
There's been a lot of death this month. I'm so sorry, John.
A little over a week ago someone sent an email to John asking for a review of a new comic. John asked me, ry, to be included on the review process. So this is my take on the new title Matamoros. So, please don’t mistake this for The Armorer’s opinions.
The most positive thing I can say about this new comic title is that has potential. That Matamoros has room to grow and tell compelling stories even if it does not exactly do that in this first offering.
I just don’t have the cash in the budget to venture on a comic I’m not 100% on, and so I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone else who is not willing to risk $3/month on an iffy title. I definitely wouldn’t recommend it for children under the age of 15 as it is way too adult. Yet, if you’ve got the time and inkling to take a risk I’d say sign up for it. I imagine that people who like 24 and The Shield will be much more open to this book than I. It, like Battle Star Galactica on the Sci-Fi channel, has the ability to become a very engrossing piece if you’re willing to give it the time to develop. I'm rather unwilling.
On a Gollum’s scale of 1-5 yessss my precioussses I give Matamoros a 3 yessss my precioussses. It has potential. It isn’t my cup of tea, but it has taken a novel stance for comics on serious issues. The hero has the capability of being a very deep and rich character one could identify with and like instead of being a clone of the early Punisher before he got his own book (a simple, uninteresting kill-bot) crossed with Wolverine from X-men. If the author’s do that, make Sobietti an engrossing protagonist, Matamoros could enjoy success like other alt niche comics have (Hellboy and Tankgirl becoming so well liked that they became fodder for movies even though 90% of the comic reading pubic had ever heard of them being some examples.) and be a very worthwhile title.
(More below the fold)
--ry
The greatest strength of this title is also its weakness: the in your face nature of the politics. It gets in the way of telling the story, any story actually. It really felt like I was watching some crap Tarantino film where there’s a series of scenes just cobbled together with only the merest attempts at plot to hold them all together. It was very Reservoir Dogs, and that is not a good thing.
The reason big titles like X-men and Batman can handle inclusion of political themes are that there’s a very interesting story in which these ideas and themes are implanted in them. Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns is a great example of this. The social commentary is hard to miss and is very blatant at times (the TV debate show panels), but said commentary never got in the way of telling a tale of daring do. Matamoros seemingly ignored this maxim (tell a fun and interesting story) to run at breakneck speed to the protagonist shooting some home grown terrorists while taking political stances along the way. Another example is the comic book inspired TV show Heroes or the anime series Neon Genesis: Evangelion where political themes and points of philosophy, even annoying ones like the Existentialist laden ending of Evangelion, are integral to the story but not swung like a baseball bat.
Some of the stances were done a bit sotto voce, such as the stem cell research topic, so it is not like the authors do not know how to be restrained. The books on the COL’s table, while obvious, are not screaming in your face like some of the other stances are (the phone call, the title of the book, the newspaper headline). It just seems rather mishmash on the subject of making political statements. The baseball bat to the noggin of political stances does not make for fun reading. It becomes a chore, like trying to read the annoying sophistry of Frank Herbert in the later Dune novels as opposed to the more interesting and challenging reads that are Phillip K. Dick’s novels.
To be fair, it could be that this was done because it is a first issue and because it is an independent release. Being an independent release puts a real limit on much story you can tell because more story means more pages, and more pages costs more money to print. Being a first release you want to make a big splash to grab attention so people will come back to see what you do next month.
But that does not excuse bad story pacing and a thin major story arc.
The material here would best have been broken up into two, maybe three, issues. The injury/recovery and re-integration into civilian life for our protagonist, SGT Sobietti, elements could easily have taken up a single issue with the cliff-hanger of overhearing possible terrorists at a diner ending. The surveillance of, tracking of, and dispatching of terrorist elements could have been extended to fill most of a second issue with another foreshadow, not cliff-hanger, coming at the end of issue two (does Sobietti have to worry about NYPD looking for him or that the terrs now know they’re being hunted so they go looking for him?). Again, this could be done for the reasons of money or for getting initial interest. The title has potential to tell compelling stories about Sobietti and his run-ins with terrorists in NY, but issue one does not tell a compelling story. It tells a short snuff fantasy that someone like Deadpool or the Punisher would be more comfortable with than Captain America---whom the authors imply multiple times is their inspiration for SGT Sobietti. Well, at least the old incarnation of Captain America that is. The new pistol packing Cap might be more in tune with Sobietti, but not having time for that title either I cannot say for sure.
Overall, I didn’t enjoy Matamoros. Mostly that’s because I’m not amenable to many of the political stances the book takes. For example, I don’t think land mines or the infamous claymore mine are a coward’s weapon. I think they’re things that are legal, or should be, that were often abused; and the Princess Di initiative to ban them was rather a misguided if not down right stupid thing. Having said that, I think the use of IED in Iraq, whether they fall in the EFP or bailing wire and spit categories, are an evil thing based on how they’ve been used---to indiscriminately kill in large numbers. It is things like that which make this a title I won’t pick up again. Our POV is just so different, and the things the authors feel compelled to say are not things I particularly want to take the time to hear. I’ve dealt with said questions and issues in other arenas, and have no desire to go thru it again. For those that haven’t done the mental pushups on these issues this is a perfect title to cut your teeth on.
As I opened with though, this book has room to grow. Matamoros has some interesting ideas and a take on the issues different than standard comic fare. If you’re open to some of the ideas, even if open to them only from opposition, this is a book to watch and see if it expands from the snuff fantasy into the much larger and fuller title it could be. It is not for Gollum, but it has the potential to become a good book if the issues of pacing and story telling instead of simply stringing scenes together are dealt with.
-ry
Interesting title, which has lost its original meaning over the centuries. It is one which harkens waaaay back to the struggle of liberation. The liberation of Christian Spain against the Muslim Al-Andaluz. It is a title which back then, conveyed both a truly despective disdain against their enemies, and great honor to those conferred-to.
In a pre-politically correct era, war used to give us many of such titles. For example, during our Civil War many ferocious units of the South were nicknamed “Yankee Killers”. Yankees were despised and hated, and they cherished the opportunity to kill them. In a similar warrior spirit, Christian Spanish Knights hated the Muslims, and enjoyed slaughtering them. Therefore the term: “Mata Moros” Moor Killer. To get a good feel for this mediaeval mindset, just read El Cid Campeadorin its original 11th Century Castilian like I did, you would understand.
But I digress. The term Moro, not only conveys a plain vanilla description of Muslims, but also brings with it the weight of hateful racism. A meaning watered-down over the centuries. You see, the Al-Andaluz Muslim Lords of North Africa (lighter skinned), employed the use of coal-black-skinned Mauritanians as foot soldiers in their armies. Thus the true, and forgotten meaning of Moors: Black.
For all the rhetoric, the old stock Al-Andaluz of North African ancestry, invaded Spain during a time of Muslim enlightenment. A time when Damascus and Bagdad were the intellectual capital centers of the world. And thus brought with them and transplanted a culture thirsty for knowledge and tolerance when they settled in Spain.
Their Mauritanians allies, on the other hand, were recently converted into Islam. And thus were infected with the firebrand fanaticism of the newly proselytes. By the thousands, they answered the call for jihad – yes jihad – to defend the Muslim lands of Al-Andaluz. They were instantly despised by the Christians. Not only were they Muslim but also of another skin color altogether.
What I am trying to say in this roundabout way, is that in its original meaning “Mata Moro”, is one or the most Un Politically Correct terms that I can think-of. A term that I will used not to convey my feelings on the matter, but to let the gentle readers understand its true hateful meaning.
To the Mediaeval Spaniard “Mata Moro” not only meant “Muslim Killer” but “Nigger Killer” as well.
And because words have meanings, and meanings have words, what is the message that the author want convey to the public with this title vis-à-vis this so called Global War on Terror?
posted by Boquisucio on January 24, 2008 10:10 AM
I don't think the authors went *that* far back researching the matamoros, Boq. By the fifteenth century, Knights of Sant Iago received title and insignia simultaneously, so title and insignia became synonymous. The original derivation faded (as have the original derivations of hundreds of words in most languages) and, for better or worse, Matamoros has become just another term for Crusader.
I have to admit, that was an interesting little lessen in history that I wasn't aware of even though I had looked up the term.
Thanks, Boq.
However, I have to agree with Bill and some others, that the problem as you state it will not equate to most readers, black or white as they will be simply more familiar with the idea of "crusader".
I think Ry's review is interesting if you can take some criticism, though possibly over the top a little in expecting it to have the sophistication of a long existing comic book. Which he does give as a point a few times and ends with the "can develop".
Then again, I haven't read it, just seen the adverts so I don't want to be too harsh on Ry either.
I do think that Cox purposefully made everything clear and in your face because that is exactly the kind of cartoonist he's been this entire time. though some of their cartoons were subtle in their sarcasm and irony, most of them were simply black and white. Treason v. Patriotism.
Possibly the entire point was to stop being mealy mouthed subtle about terrorism and terrorists or its Islamist roots. and we, maybe are the problem. I still recall those old Captain America comics that weren't too adverse to calling a Nazi a Nazi. Thus, I imagine that those who will want to read this comic will not be simply those who have not done the "mental pushups" on the subject, but who are simply tired of all the "subtlety" and wish someone would just "talk straight".
I'll leave the question of whether it jumps around too much to when I read it. I think I was hoping to hear that this was a comic about our soldiers in the field. That maybe my biggest disappointment in reading Ry's review.
posted by kat-missouri on January 24, 2008 1:06 PM
***Silently creeps into Cricket's Kitchen... Cracks open the lid on the crock-pot, and looks at the stew that Gollum has kindly made for us all. Takes in a deep whiff and proclaims...****
"Ah yes - Nice bouquet of Social Consternation, with a subtle note of Dissension; but may need a pinch more of Disquiet".
***Puts the lid back on the stew, and walks back to his Scriptorium at 3-North****
Seriously though, my first impression of the title was: At last, someone is virile enough to call a Spade, A Spade. Seven full years into this, we still can't bring ourselves to state the obvious. We, the Western World is at war with the Muslim World. At the tip of the spear are countless of our modern day Mata Moros. Killers of Religious Fanatics pure and simple.
posted by Boquisucio on January 24, 2008 2:32 PM
All: I'm one of the co-writers of the book.
ry: although I wish you had enjoyed the book more, I appreciate your candor and your review. If we had a publisher then we could've done a bit more to "stretch" out some of the storylines, but honestly, self-publishing isn't easy so we had to assume this would be a short miniseries or even a one-shot. Regarding the landmine comment, that page was set up to contrast the "enlightened" view of mines by the European elites versus their use as a primary weapon by Islamists. If transnational progressives are appalled by landmines, they sure are having a hard time criticizing their use by Islamists.
Boquisucio: yes, we were aware of the etymology of the word “moros” and even of its origins from Greco-Roman times. I can assure you that the phrase “N-word killer” was the furthest thing from our minds and everything I’ve read on the topic (Bernard Lewis, Bostom, etc.) indicated the name was used in the context of classifying Moslem invaders during the civilizational war for the Iberian peninsula. The sole use of the word in the comic was in the context of resisting a jihadist military attack. I can discuss this further, including how the word applies to the protagonist and to the title, by email if you need more information.
BillT : I think it is unfortunate that people just equate the term with the Crusades. The “crusades” is now equivalent in postmodern lingo to a religiously motivated imperialist war, which nobody wants, whereas the reconquista was about punching an aggressive bully in the face. People do not want to forcibly convert Moslem countries from their religion, but neither do they want Islamists to destroy Western civilization and replace it with a sharia state. FYI - I think the west has done enough self-flagellation about the Crusades. I have yet to hear an apology for 1400 years of jihadist imperialism.
kat-missouri: unfortunately, the protagonist *is* on the battlefield for the entire book. Islamists refer to the entire west as the House of Strife (dar al harb) and to them any location is a legitimate military target. One of the men I thought of while co-writing the book was Rick Rescorla, the head of security at Morgan Stanley who died on 9/11. He was in the Army during the Ia Drang campaign (Hal Moore, the officer in charge of one of the 1st Cavalry battalions in the fight, called Rescorla the best platoon leader he ever saw) and his actions to save the 2000+ employees of Morgan Stanley were just as heroic as what he’d done 35 years earlier. To the NVA the Ia Drang was a legitimate battlefield; to Atta and his ilk the WTC was also a battlefield, and Rescorla did his best to combat both.
ooooh. now you've done it Darius. Told people they don't know Rick Rescorla around here. Major faux pau(so I can't spell. so shoot me, John). Particularly Kat-mizzou. :) (tongue in cheek, tongue in cheek).
Kat, if you notice I didn't say anything about Cox. The artwork had nothing to do with it. Good comics rely on story and not the art. Look at the graphic novel Maus. First time effort. Amazing story. Art work is waaay simplistic, but you read it because of the story it tells(and universities assign it in certain comp-lit classes. Note: I never took a comp-lit course, I exploited every hole I could find to avoid it.) There have been times favorite titles have been unreadable but very nice to look at(the Rob Leifield era comes to mind) It can be done, and good books do do that. I came to it as a long term comics reader, having seen very good titles come from first time writers on the first issue release(and a ton of pure trash along the way). The Next Men comes to mind as a very well done book from start to finish from a first time author with a totally new set of heroes. It can be done, and I'm not going to go easy on someone simply because we are on the same side of the debate.
Also, I gave it a three out of five. Gaussian distribution(and why would I use anything other than a Gaussian?) means average would be 2.5. I gave it a three. It was good, it was new in outlook, and I gave it credit for being non-mealy mouthed. But that's a novelty, and being 'the only straight talking book around' fades quickly.. A truly good book needs more than novelty to last. What was there showed me that Darius and Sleet had spent lots of thought on who SGT Sobietti is, and what his purpose is. It just didn't come across so well, much of their thought didn't make it onto the page. Later comms with Darius seems that I was right. The iffy-ness of production really hurt the quality of the book. Limited budget, not working for a major house(and almost all the minors are owned by the majors(you get two choices, DC and Marvel)), and it comes back to hurt the story. Seen it a zillion times. It is very unfortunate. I wasn't simply taking it easy on Darius by saying I thought the book had potential, or saying it because we both agree on GWOT. Nope, this one showed room for improvement, honestly(unlike the book some chucklehead tried to push having Sean Hannity leading a resistance movement against a UN that had taken over the US and lead by Osama bin Laden. That had nowhere to go and was flat out stupid.). It could, given some thought about how to tell good stories on limited budget(proll'y why it was in b/w instead of color too), last long enough to be picked up by one of the few truly independent houses around. I wasn't bs'ing on that.
And nobody is picking on me for verbosity? Dang, I disappear for a while and you all turn into slackers.
Darius,
"that page was set up to contrast the "enlightened" view of mines by the European elites versus their use as a primary weapon by Islamists. If transnational progressives are appalled by landmines, they sure are having a hard time criticizing their use by Islamists"
That's exactly what I mean by 'baseball bat to the head'. It was so over the top that criticism of Euro-weenies got lost on me. THe first thing that popped up into my head at the word 'cowards' was "Gee I've heard that before. Don't the twits at DU and DKos say our troops are cowards for using CAS?" The next thought was, 'Hey, we use landmines and claymores, one of the few countries that still do. I don't think that's a good way of making the point that IED are evil weapons.' You wound up for a wicked slapshot at Euro-weenies and fanned on your shot. That hurts your book.
Honestly, dude, your book has potential. It might go over better if you did it as a graphic novel and then tried to parley that into a monthly. Just a thought. And, homes, yeah, I know how hard it is indy publishing. I should tell you about my buddy Jason and how many independent projects he's started and had fall out from under him. It isn't fair that good ideas get relegated to the sidelines, if they get to play at all, but that's the business. That's why I never went in with Jay on his projects---I knew I was going to lose money no matter how good the ideas were. Tough road. I wish you the best.
What are you doing in the Kitchen, Boq? It's bad enough that Cricket will kill me for messing up her Kitchen, but now I've got you messing with me stew? I'm doomed. Rats.
People do not want to forcibly convert Moslem countries from their religion...
Which causes them to forget that the original intent of the first crusades were *also* conducted to "punch a bully in the face."
...but neither do they want Islamists to destroy Western civilization and replace it with a sharia state.
And there are those who *do* -- and who are actively campaigning to install shari'a. Right. Here.
Just call me a Crusader -- in the *original* context of the term. Feel free to add Myrmidon, too...
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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Haven't set one of these posts up yet, so here's hoping I didn't mess it up too badly...
I have to wonder what would happen to a U.S. officer who tried to pull this sort of a stunt with protecting the constitution: meet Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh, which is Gaelic for "career Captain."
A bit of a bleg: The Torch is up for Best Military Blog in the Canadian Blog Awards. It's an awfully small pond, but I wouldn't mind being the big fish in it, so if you're so inclined, a vote for us would be most appreciated.
On a more serious note, up here north of the 49th, we're trying to decide what to do when our current mandate in Kandahar province in Afghanistan runs out in February 2009. Prime Minister Stephen Harper commissioned a panel to look at exactly that problem, a panel chaired by a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs (roughly analogous to your SecState) for a previous government and an archrival political party. John Manley's report can be found at this link. One of my co-writers at The Torch covers off the highlights, as he sees them, here and here. I'm still chewing through my copy, and if I have time, I'll add my thoughts later.
I'd think this issue would be fairly important to many readers here, because if Canadians troops leave Kandahar in 2009, it's a good bet they'd have to be replaced by American ones. - Damian
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Since Damian brings up the Canadian Afghanistan mission - now is perhaps a good time to plug a book (that I've not yet read, admittedly) on the subject: "Outside the Wire" with the tagline of "The War in Afghanistan in the words of it's participants." H/t, The Torch via CAPT H. -the Armorer
*A term of art from the artillery. Harassment and Interdiction Fires.
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."
Periodic updates on items and issues of interest to veterans, future veterans and their families. This is actually a subscribable newsletter put out by James Tichacek, that I have permission to post full-up as a public service. If you'd like to subscribe, the instructions are at the bottom of the post. I will post the table of contents in the main post, and all the detail will be in the Flash Traffic/Extended Entry. You may steal this content for newsletters, emails, your own websites - I only ask that you credit James, and if you're getting it from me - The Castle! Hey, it's all about the linkage, right? Wrong - it's about making this info available to as wide an audience as we can. H/t to Richard J for introducing me to "EMO."
RAO Bulletin Update
15 January 2008
THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES
== NDAA 2008 [13] ---------------------------------- (Pocket Veto)
== Tricare EOBs [02] ------------------ (TFL Digital Conversion)
== SS Retirement Age [01] ------------------- (Delay Decision)
== VA Eye Care -------------------------------------------- (Criteria)
== Medicare Eye Care ----------------------------------- (Coverage)
== VA Vet Centers [03] -------------------------------- (Wisconsin)
== Alabama Veterans Homes [01] -------(New Home Opens 2011)
== USERRA [05] ---------------------- (Sole Jurisdiction of DOL)
== VA Lawsuit (Lack of Care) [04] ------ (Dismissal Overruled)
== Tricare Uniform Formulary [23] ----------- (More $22 Drugs)
== VA Budget 2008 [11] ------------------- (Emergency Funding)
== Reserve Retirement Age [12] ------------ (Retroactive to 911)
== Veteran Charities [05] ---------------------- (Educate Yourself)
== VA Performance --------------------- (Favorable CBO Report)
== IRS Data Breach [01] -------------------- (Problems Still Exist)
== Congressional Cola 2008 -------------------- ($4,100 Increase)
== Merchant Marine WWII Comp [01] ------ (Sponsor Increase)
== VA Fraud [06] ----------------------- (Wichita KS / Billings MT )
== Spin Code Lawsuit ------------------------------- (DD-214 Item)
== Medicare Part D [17] -------------------- (CMS Oversight Lax)
== Missouri Retiree Tax Exemption ------------------- (Proposed)
== VA Hospice Care [01] ------------------ (Program Expansion)
== SBP Paid Up Provision [04] ----------------------------- (FAQs)
== VA CWT & IT [01] --------------------------- (Ruled Tax-Free)
== Medicare Solvency [01] -------------- (Higher Costs Looming)
== SSA Future Benefits [01] --------- (Possible Broken Promise)
== Medicare Vaccinations ----------------------- (Coverage Rules)
== CRDP/CRSC Option [01] ---------------- (2008 Open Season)
== Tricare Reserve Select [09] -------- (Reservists Overcharged)
== VA Insurance Dividends in 2008 -------(Pmt of $349 million)
== VA SAH [03] ----------------------------------------- (New Rules)
== Mobilized Reserve 9 JAN 08] ------------ (Net Increase 1433)
== Sugar Substitutes ------------------------------- (Should you use)
== Military Comp Offsets ----------- (Crumbling Under Scrutiny)
== TFL Enrollment ---------------------------------------- (Overview)
== CA & Federal Disabled Benefits ------------- (70 to 100% SC)
== California & Federal IU Benefits ------------ (Entitlement List)
== Veteran Legislation Status 13 JAN 08 -----(Where We Stand)
Here are two pdfs summarizing veteran-oriented bills before the House and Senate:
NDAA 2008 UPDATE 13: Ending its sine die adjournment (sine die adjournment is an adjournment that terminates a session of Congress), the House convened on 3 JAN to begin the second session of the 110th Congress as prescribed by the Constitution of the United States . The House convened at 12 noon and pursuant to S. Con. Res. 61, 110th Congress, adjourned at 12:03 p.m. until noon on Tuesday, 15 JAN 08. Similarly, the Senate met on Jan. 3 to convene the 2nd session of Congress as prescribed by the Constitution. The Senate met for 46 seconds in a pro forma session from 12:04:26 and recessed at 12:05:12 noon. It is scheduled to meet again in pro forma session at 9 a.m., on Monday, Jan. 7, with formal session scheduled on Jan. 22 pursuant to S. Con. Res. 61,
As previously reported, President Bush used a pocket veto to reject H.R. 1585, the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), because a provision in the bill would render the new Iraqi government responsible for compensation claims against the Saddam Hussein led former government. The President’s pocket veto decision drew immediate criticism from several House and Senate leaders. At question is the constitutionality of President’s ability to use the pocket veto. Under Article 1 Section 7 of the Constitution, the President has 10 days to approve or disapprove legislation (excluding Sundays) after it is presented. If the President doesn’t approve the bill—that is that he wishes to veto it—his obligation is to return it with his objections to the House where it originated, unless the Congress by its adjournment prevents its return, in which case the bill “shall not be law” if unsigned after 10-days (the House adjourned sine die Dec. 19). Withholding signature in such a case is known as a “pocket veto,” and unlike a regular veto, it cannot be overridden by a two-thirds vote in Congress. It is absolute. Once a pocket veto occurs, the only way for Congress to enact the legislation would be to resubmit the measure in the form of a new bill once it returns from adjournment.
House leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), has said the House may still vote to override the veto. She has said that because the Senate has been in Pro Forma sessions, President Bush cannot pocket veto the bill. The White House argues the bill originated in the House and because the House is in recess, the bill has been pocket vetoed. A Constitutional battle could ensue before a new authorization bill is developed. There is much at stake in resolving this issue quickly. Passage of the NDAA authorizes a 3.5% military pay raise; reauthorizes enlistment, reenlistment, and specialty bonuses; expands Combat-Related Special Compensation to all combat-related disabled veterans; and provides full Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay for disabled retirees rated as Individually Unemployable by the VA. The bill also lowers the minimum Guard and Reserve retirement age by 90 days for every 3 months served on active duty and establishes a Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance beginning 1 OCT 08. Each of these items remains on hold as we await the resolution of this matter. [Source: NAUS Weekly Update 4 Jan 07 ++]
TRICARE EOBS UPDATE 02: Tricare for Life (TFL) beneficiaries can soon print a copy of their Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from the convenience of their own homes. Starting in JAN 08, the only paper EOB’s that beneficiaries will receive are monthly summaries. The exception to this is if a claim includes services that are rejected, and those services have appeal rights; or if the EOB is mailed with a payment to the beneficiary. In February, beneficiaries will have the option to receive an electronic notification every time a claim processes. Beneficiaries can then log on to the secure web site at https://www.tricare4u.com/apps-portal/tricareapps-app/unauth/tricarehome.jsp, to view and print their EOB. The EOB will be available online and beneficiaries will have the ability to access EOB’s for any claim processed during the last 27 months. Once a beneficiary signs up for this option, they will not receive a monthly paper summary. TFL beneficiaries will receive letters notifying them of the changes, either with their current EOB’s or any other correspondence. If there are any questions about the registration process beneficiaries can call 1-866-773-0404. Those requiring a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) can call 1-866-773-0405. [Source: TMA News Release 9 Jan 08 ++]
SS RETIREMENT AGE UPDATE 01: About half of the soon-to-be-62-year-olds are expected to do just what their parents generally did: file for Social Security benefits at the youngest possible age, in exchange for a smaller benefit than they'd get if they waited to retire at 66. Many are relying on conventional wisdom that suggests they're better off filing for Social Security as soon as possible. Yet if they follow that advice, millions of the oldest boomers may be about to make a colossal error — one that would be magnified by their record-setting longevity. Over time, taking benefits early could mean a smaller payout, hefty taxes on their retirement savings and a heightened risk of outliving their money. In fact, the roughly 50% of the oldest baby boomers who the Social Security Administration estimates will tap their benefits starting this year will absorb a permanent 25% cut in benefits. Up to three-quarters of them are expected to file for benefits before age 66, their full retirement age. How much their benefits will shrink depends on how close they are to full retirement age once they begin to take those benefits.
Those who wait till after age 66 will enjoy an 8% annual increase in benefits until age 70. (After that, there's no advantage to delaying benefits.) Yet on the most fateful financial decision most of them will make, only about 5% of retirees wait until after they've reached full retirement age to claim benefits. And it's a trend that's likely to persist, says Stephen Goss, chief actuary for the Social Security Administration.
Many retirees who plan to start taking their benefits early assume it won't make much difference over time. In reality, boomers who live the longest stand to lose the most by taking benefits early, according to an analysis by the American Academy of Actuaries. Retirees who file for Social Security at age 62 and live into their mid-90s could lose nearly $150,000 in benefits, says Ron Gebhardtsbauer, senior pension fellow with the academy. Factors that could hurt boomers who take early Social Security benefits at age 62:
1. Longevity
· There's a 41% chance that a 62-year-old woman today will live to 90; a 62-year-old man has a 29% chance. For a married couple, there's a 58% chance that one of them will live to 90 and a 29% chance that one will reach 95.
· The Social Security Administration projects that the average retiree's "break-even" age for Social Security benefits is 77. A retiree who dies before then would have fared better by taking benefits at 62. Those who live past 77 would earn more by delaying benefits.
· Retirees who take reduced benefits at 62 and live to 90 would lose $39,000 in benefits; those who live to 95 would give up $54,000, the SSA says.
Some financial analysts say your losses would be far greater tansy’s projections. If, for example, you include the annual cost-of-living increases that boost Social Security checks, Gebhardtsbauer's estimate of how much you'd lose by taking benefits early far exceeds the SSA's: $83,000 for those who take benefits at 62 and live to age 90 and nearly $149,000 for those who live to 95. Gebhardtsbauer sets the break-even age a bit higher than the SSA does. That's because he takes into account interest earned by those who take benefits starting at 62. Even so, by including the annual cost-of-living increases, he calculates even more value in delaying benefits. The reason: The cost-of-living adjustments will apply to a larger sum. Thanks to compounding, "those cost-of-living adjustments will be huge, especially if you live long in retirement," says James Mahaney, a retirement specialist at Prudential Financial. Even if you're convinced you won't live so long, taking your benefits early could hurt your spouse. When a married beneficiary dies, the survivor can continue receiving his or her own benefit or the deceased spouse's benefit, whichever is more. So spouses who take their benefits early don't just shrink their own payouts; they also reduce the amount the surviving spouse will be eligible for.
2. Taxes. Analysts generally urge retirees to delay withdrawing money from their 401(k), IRA and other retirement savings accounts as long as possible. That way, the thinking goes, the tax-deferred investments can grow and compound. But that advice, Mahaney says, ignores the punishing effect of taxes on Social Security benefits. If all your income comes from Social Security, your benefits usually aren't taxable. But retirees with other income, including withdrawals from most retirement plans, could owe taxes on a huge chunk — 50% to 85% — of their benefits. The tax was originally designed to target wealthy seniors. But because the income thresholds weren't indexed to inflation, the tax has spread to middle-income retirees.
Married couples with $32,000 in combined income face taxes on half their Social Security benefits.
Couples with a combined income of at least $44,000 could owe taxes on 85% of their benefits. (For the purposes of the tax, combined income includes half of a retiree's Social Security benefits, wages from a job, pensions and withdrawals from most retirement plans.) Retirees can avoid this by using their retirement savings to pay living costs in the early years of retirement, Mahaney says, and then taking their Social Security benefits later.
3. Risk of outliving your full benefit: Unless Congress acts, by 2017 Social Security will start paying out more in benefits than it receives in tax revenue. By 2027, it will have to tap its trust fund to pay benefits. And by 2041, Social Security will be able to pay only about 75% of promised benefits, according to the agency's report to Congress. But the 79 million people born from 1946 through 1964 represent an extraordinarily potent voting bloc. Reducing their benefits "would be a huge political burden," Prudential's Mahaney says. He thinks lawmakers are more likely to raise payroll taxes on workers than reduce benefits for retirees.
[Source: USA Today Sandra Block article 14 Jan 08 ++]
VA EYE CARE: Eye-care services are available at the VA Medical Center. The following veterans are eligible to receive eye care and eyeglasses from VA:
· Veterans rated 10% or more service-connected for any condition;
· veterans rated service-connected for an eye condition that requires corrective lenses;
· former prisoners of war;
· veterans enrolled in a VA-approved Vocational Rehabilitation Training Program; and
· veterans in receipt of increased VA nonservice-connected pension based on need of regular aid.
For more information on VA eye care, call your local VA Medical Center. [Source: Honolulu Star Bulletin Gregg K. Kakesako article 13 Jan 08 ++]
MEDICARE EYE CARE: Medicare covers most doctor services and routine medical care required to keep you healthy. However, there are some services, such as eye care, that Medicare will only cover in very limited circumstances. For instance, Medicare will only pay for routine eye care if`
· You have diabetes. Medicare will pay for an eye exam once every 12 months to check for vision loss due to the condition; or
· You are at high risk for glaucoma. Medicare will cover 80% of the cost of an eye exam by a state-authorized eye doctor once every 12 months, after you pay your Part B deductible. You are considered to be at high risk for glaucoma if you have diabetes; have a family history of glaucoma; are African American and age 50 or older; or are Hispanic and age 65 or older.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases in which damage to the nerve located in the back of the eye (the optic nerve) results in loss of eyesight. Over three million Americans, and nearly 70 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it. Although the most common forms primarily affect the middle-aged and the elderly, glaucoma can affect people of all ages. If glaucoma is not treated, vision loss may continue, leading to total blindness. There’s no sure way to prevent glaucoma, but early treatment helps slow the disease and prevent blindness. Note: if you have Medicaid health coverage, then you are eligible for routine eye services through Medicaid. Medicare will also pay for certain nonroutine eye-care services if they are related to a chronic eye condition, such as cataracts or glaucoma. Medicare will cover
· Surgical procedures to help repair the function of your eyes due to these conditions. For example, Medicare will cover surgery to remove the cataract and replace your eye’s lens with a man-made intraocular lens.
· Eyeglasses or contacts only if you have had cataract surgery to replace your eye’s lens with a man-made lens (an “intraocular” lens). Medicare will cover the dark glasses that you must wear immediately after surgery to protect your eyes, as well as a standard pair of untinted prescription eyeglasses or contacts if you need them after surgery. If it is medically necessary, Medicare may pay for customized eyeglasses or contact lenses.
· An eye exam to diagnose potential vision problems. If you are having vision problems that may indicate a serious eye condition (for example, having constant double-vision, progressive blurring vision or the decrease of sight on the edges of your vision), Medicare will pay for an exam to see what is wrong, even if it turns out there is nothing wrong with your sight.
[Source: The Medicare Counselor Jan/Feb 08 ++]
VA VET CENTERS UPDATE 03: U.S. Senator Russ Feingold led a letter from the Wisconsin congressional delegation in an effort to establish more Veteran Centers in Wisconsin . In the letter, Feingold and all nine other members of the delegation urged the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to open two additional Vet Centers in Wisconsin ’s La Crosse and Brown counties. The delegation expressed its disappointment that none of the 23 new centers the VA plans to open in the U.S. this year would be built in Wisconsin, which ranks seventh worst in the nation for veterans’ access to these centers. Approximately 40% of Wisconsin veterans do not have a Vet Center close enough for them to go on a regular basis. Vet Centers provide counseling in a non-medical setting to complement the services provided in VA medical centers and outpatient clinics. Wisconsin only has two Vet Centers, both in the southern part of the state, to serve the state’s 469,000 veterans. States with similar veteran populations have more than double this number of Vet Centers. Maryland , for example, has fewer veterans than Wisconsin and is one fifth its size but has four Vet Centers. Massachusetts is about one eighth the size of Wisconsin , and has only a slightly larger veteran population, but it has seven Vet Centers. If Vet Centers were established in La Crosse and Brown counties in Wisconsin , roughly 82% of Wisconsin veterans would be within an hour drive of a Vet Center . A copy of the letter can be viewed at http://feingold.senate.gov/pdf/ltr_vets_121107.pdf. [Source: Sen. Feingold Press Release 7 Jan 08 ++]
ALABAMA VETERANS HOMES UPDATE 01: Pell City won the competition 11 JAN to get Alabama 's fourth veterans nursing home. The state Board of Veterans Affairs voted unanimously to place the home on a 27-acre site near the intersection of Interstate 20 and U.S. 231. The St. Clair County Economic Development Council offered the site, along with roads and water and sewer lines, worth $2.2 million to attract the nursing home. The veterans’ board, which was looking for a location convenient to the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Birmingham , also received proposals for sites in Helena and Tuscaloosa . Ken Rollins of Oxford , chairman of the board's nursing home committee, said the St. Clair County site stood out because it adjoins the Pell City campus of Jefferson State Community College . The college plans a nursing program at the campus, and is next to the proposed location of the St. Vincent 's St. Clair Hospital. The board plans to begin work on the home in 2009 and open it in 2011.
The federal government has set aside $26 million toward building the home. The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to put up $12 million from the portion of the state property tax that it receives to help veterans. The $2.2 million in donations from Pell City will push the total project to $40 million, according to Alabama ’s Veterans Affairs Commissioner Clyde Marsh. The state's three veteran’s nursing homes in Huntsville , Alexander City and Bay Minette are filled to capacity with 450 people and have waiting lists. The Pell City home will be the state's largest with 280 beds. That will include 50 beds for Alzheimer's disease and dementia patients and, for the first time, 50 to 80 beds that will be more like assisted-living care than a nursing home. The cost of staying in one of the nursing homes is $156.82 per day, but the patient pays only $11.64, making it much cheaper than paying for a privately owned nursing home. The remainder of the cost is paid by the state and federal government. Changes approved by the board provide for the state to pay $73.76 and the federal government $71.42. [Source: AP Phillip Rawls article 11 Jan 08 ++]
USERRA UPDATE 05: The Labor Department once again has sole jurisdiction to investigate military service members' complaints about their federal employment, even though a study examining the processing of such claims was considered inconclusive. A pilot project created by Congress in 2004 sought to determine which of two federal agencies -- Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) or the Office of Special Counsel -- was better suited to investigate alleged violations of the 1994 Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. The law protects veterans from employment discrimination resulting from their service. Lawmakers allowed the demonstration project to expire on 1 JAN 08, and federally employed service members now must return to consulting VETS for initial investigation of their claims. The project, which was launched after criticism from Guard and Reserve personnel that VETS took far too long to investigate alleged violations of USERRA, was designed to determine whether OSC's expertise in enforcing federal sector prohibited personnel practices could strengthen the law's enforcement for government employees. But the project did not give lawmakers the definitive answer they expected.
In July, the Government Accountability Office issued a report that did not reach a conclusion about which agency was better suited to handle USERRA cases. George Stalcup, director of strategic issues at GAO, testified at an OCT 07 hearing of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee that data problems at both agencies affected GAO's ability to draw conclusions. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, proposed at the hearing a one-year extension for the demonstration project. But a congressional aide said 11 JAN that lawmakers opted not to extend the project, largely because GAO had determined that further analysis would not be possible. Jim Mitchell, a spokesman for OSC, said that the major concern is stepped-up withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan could result in a surge of claims to VETS. According to Pentagon figures released 9 JAN, the number of National Guard and Reserve personnel who have been mobilized currently stands at 92,673. Mitchell proposed allowing OSC to have jurisdiction over federal claims, which would free VETS to focus on providing services to USERRA claimants in the private sector.
OSC will continue to have a role in USERRA enforcement, however, if VETS is unable to resolve a federal sector claim. The claimant may request that VETS refer the matter to OSC, which may then represent the claimant before the Merit Systems Protection Board.
The congressional aide noted that there may be an additional role for OSC in the future, but lawmakers have not yet decided what it would be. Akaka and Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) recently introduced legislation that would strengthen USERRA by imposing deadlines on federal agencies to assist service members. The legislation also would implement the recommendations in GAO's report to reduce inefficiencies and improve data collection by the government on USERRA issues. The real issue, the aide said, is that federal response to USERRA claims has been lacking, especially when the government should be a model employer in enforcing the law. To address this, lawmakers are considering whether to require that an agency's Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) be notified when a USERRA claim is filed. CHCOs then could then determine whether more training and education on the law was necessary. He said, "This is a very complicated law and many may very well not understand it. I think it comes down to making sure that the education and outreach is there and that the federal government is setting the role as a model employer." [Source: GOVExec.com Brittany R. Ballenstedt article 11 Jan 08 ++]
VA LAWSUIT (LACK OF CARE) UPDATE 04: Veterans' advocates can proceed with a lawsuit claiming that the federal government's health care system for troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan illegally denies care and benefits, a federal judge in San Francisco ruled 10 JA. U.S. District Judge Samuel Conti, a conservative jurist and a World War II veteran, rejected Bush administration arguments that civil courts have no authority over the Department of Veterans Affairs' medical decisions or how it handles grievances and claims. If the plaintiffs can prove their allegations, Conti said, they would show that "thousands of veterans, if not more, are suffering grievous injuries as the result of their inability to procure desperately needed and obviously deserved health care." He said federal courts are competent to decide whether those injuries were caused by flaws in the health care system and the VA's grievance procedures. Conti did not rule on the adequacy of the treatment system, which will be addressed in future proceedings. But he decided one disputed issue, finding that veterans are legally entitled to two years of health care after leaving the service. The government had argued that it was required to provide only as much care as the VA's budget allowed in a given year. A lawyer for the plaintiffs, Melissa Kasnitz of Disability Rights Advocates, said the judge had rejected the VA's "shameful effort to keep these deserving veterans from their day in court."
The next step is a hearing on the plaintiffs' request for an injunction that would require the federal agency to provide immediate mental health treatment for veterans who suffer from stress disorders and are at risk of suicide, said Sidney Wolinsky, another Disability Rights Advocates lawyer. That hearing is scheduled for 22 FEB. The suit claims that the federal government's failure to provide timely treatment is contributing to an epidemic of suicides among returning soldiers. The suit was filed in July by two organizations, Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth, as a proposed class action on behalf of 320,000 to 800,000 veterans or their survivors. The groups said the VA arbitrarily denies care and benefits to wounded veterans, forces them to wait months for treatment and years for benefits, and gives them little recourse when it rejects their medical claims. The department has a backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims, the suit said. A Pentagon study group reported in June that the system was understaffed, prompting the VA to announce staffing increases in July. The study group also found that 84,000 veterans, more than one-third of those who sought care from the department from 2002 through 2006, had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress or another mental disorder.
In seeking dismissal of the suit, the Justice Department argued that Congress had barred federal courts from hearing complaints about the VA system when it established a special Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims in 1988 to review grievances over treatment and benefits. But Conti said the special court can examine only individual cases and has no power to consider "systematic, constitutional challenges." He said those belong in regular courts. Conti also said the VA system, originally intended as an informal procedure to help veterans resolve their claims, has morphed into an adversarial process in which claimants have to comply with formal legal rules, often without a lawyer. "It is within the court's power to insist that veterans be granted a level of due process that is commensurate with the adjudication procedures with which they are confronted," Conti said. Efforts to reach the Justice Department for comment were unsuccessful. [Source: San Francisco Chronicle Bob Egelko article 11 Jan 08 ++]
TRICARE UNIFORM FORMULARY UPDATE 23: On 10 JAN the DoD Beneficiary Advisory Panel (BAP) met to review DoD proposals to elevate some cardiovascular disorder, prostate, and immune disease medications to the third tier, or $22 copay level. In the cardiovascular disorder category, the BAP concurred with keeping Zebeta, Coreg, Toprol XL, and Lopressor at $3 or $9 copays. Within the prostate medications, DoD proposed a "prior authorization" requirement which would require beneficiaries to try Uroxatral before Hytrin, Cardura, or Flomax unless they had a current prescription within the last 180 days. Even after trying Uroxatral without success, a "medical necessity" statement from a physician is still needed for Flomax or beneficiaries would have to pay a $22 copay. The BAP agreed to the prior authorization requirement but urged DoD to move Flomax back to a lower copay.
The targeted immunomodulatory biologics (TIB) -- Enbrel, Kineret, Humira, Raptiva, and Amevive -- are used to treat various forms of arthritis, psoriasis, Chron's Disease, and ulcerative colitis. By a one-vote margin, the BAP concurred with moving Enbrel and Kineret to the third tier but recommended delaying implementation for 120 days to allow time for patients to consult with their doctor and a rheumatologist.
The BAP agreed to move Exforge, a combination drug for high blood pressure, and the contraceptive Lybrel to the third tier with a 60-day implementation period. However, the BAP did not concur with moving Vyvnase, used to treat ADHD, to a $22 copay. This is the first case where DoD has recommended third tier status when there was no clinically meaningful therapeutic disadvantage or cost advantage. The BAP concurred with DoD's recommendations to place the generic version of the hypertension drug Norvasc back on the formulary at a lower copay than the current $22 price. All recommendations will be submitted to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) for final decision. Beneficiaries can use the Formulary Search Tool located on TRICARE's pharmacy web site http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/Prescriptions for additional information about medications, their availability and cost. [Source: MOAA Leg Up 11 Jan 08 ++]
VA BUDGET 2008 UPDATE 11: President George W. Bush recently signed HR 2764, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008; which, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 falls under Division "I" of this bill. The 11-bill Omnibus, one that increases the VA budget by $6.6 billion above the 2007 level, calls for $3.7 billion above the President's request for fiscal year 2008, which is the largest single increase in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration. The $3.7 billion increase for veterans is designated as emergency funding under the final bill, and is contingent on approval by the President before it can be released to the VA prior to the 18 JAN deadline. The president has indicated he will approve this by the deadline. VA needs the additional $3.7 billion in emergency funding to help reduce the unacceptable claims backlog and hire PTSD counselors and claims adjudicators to work with returning OEF/OIF veterans. [Source: AL Philippine DNL Jan 08 ++]
RESERVE RETIREMENT AGE UPDATE 12: The President issued a pocket veto of the defense bill just after Christmas because of an unrelated provision about lawsuits against the current Iraq government. Lawmakers are expected to resolve this issue and resubmit it for the President's signature within the next few weeks. The vetoed legislation included language sponsored by Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) that lowers the reserve retirement age below age 60 by three months for each cumulative 90 days of active duty served on "contingency operation" orders. The activation orders, whether involuntary or not, must indicate a contingency operation. The activated member need not be deployed to qualify. Reservists could retire as early as age 50 with 10 years' qualifying active duty service, if otherwise qualified for a reserve retirement. The pending change, however, is prospective only. That means only active duty service after the date the defense bill is signed into law (hopefully, later this month) will be credited toward reducing the retirement age. A second concern is that reservists who qualify under the new law to retire before age 60 would not be entitled to TRICARE until they reach age 60.
The new retirement upgrade doesn't go far enough. But it's at least a first-ever beachhead on this issue. Now that Congress has explicitly recognized the obsolescence of a retirement system built 50 years ago for a different force and the Cold War, members of the Military Coalition (TMC) should pursue more comprehensive reform until it's achieved. The next step is to make the "90 days retirement credit for 90 days active service" change retroactive to cover active service in the post-911 era. Since then, more than 600,000 Guard and Reserve warriors have served contingency operation active duty. More than 142,000 have served multiple tours.
While Congress contemplates a remedy for the current National Defense Authorization bill, Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC) has taken a preemptive measure to address reserve retirement pay. Wilson has introduced H.R. 4930 a bill that would make the early reserve retirement pay language of NDAA Section 647 retroactive to September 11, 2001. The legislation would count any aggregate of 90 days of qualifying service performed in any fiscal year after 911 toward reducing the 60-year eligibility age by three months. Proposals that would simply change the reserve retirement age from 60 to 55, including H.R. 690 (Rep. Jim Saxton, R-NJ) and S. 1243 (Sen. John Kerry, D-MA), are also still in play. But it's more likely in the future that Congress will tie additional service, including operational service, to any broad plan to lower the reserve retirement age. Such proposals need to include TRICARE eligibility. It makes no sense to provide access to TRICARE (TRICARE Reserve Select) for Selected Reserve families and then cut off that coverage for "gray area" and other pre-age 60 reserve retirees. The evolution of the reserve forces from a strategic to an operational role means more service on active duty, more time away from home, and diminished civilian career prospects. Now that Congress has begun to recognize these realities, it's time for more aggressive steps by the military community in communicating with their legislators to improve the reserve retirement system. [Source: NGAUS LEGIT & MOAA Leg Up 11 Jan 08 ++]
VETERAN CHARITIES UPDATE 05: Many people want to donate money and assets to help veterans. To help you make an informed decision, the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs has compiled a list of resources provided below:
· www.sunbiz.org• : For information on organizations registered with the Florida Department of State’s Division of Corporations, including non-profit organizations.
· http://app1.800helpfla.com/giftgiversguide• : The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Gift Givers’ Guide provides revenue information, as well as costs, surplus and more on charitable organizations.
· www.charitynavigator.org• : This national Web site hosts information on large charitable organizations that take in at least $500,000 per year and have existed for a minimum of five years. Charity Navigator also includes helpful tips for donating.
· www.charitywatch.org• : The American Institute of Philanthropy is a nationally prominent charity watchdog service whose purpose is to help donors make informed giving decisions.
If you want to donate money to help your fellow veterans or current servicemembers, a good rule of thumb to go by is to donate to organizations that you know are legitimate and well-established. The VA has published a Directory of Veterans Service Organizations, which you can access by logging onto www1.va.gov/vso. [Source: eFlorida Vet News 11 Jan 08 ++]
VA PERFORMANCE: The health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) received a highly favorable review in an interim report recently published by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The report credits organizational restructuring and management systems, performance measurement and information technology (IT) as contributors to VA's success. It also outlines ways in which VA can continue serving as a model for other health care systems. The interim report is featured on CBO's Web site at www.cbo.gov. The final report, expected in early 2008, will address the potential for other public and private health care systems to apply similar approaches and other issues. The report, completed at the request of the chairmen of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the House Committee on Appropriations, reviews the quality of VA’s health care, examines VA’s achievements and looks at lessons learned from both its management initiatives and application of information technology. Key factors cited in the report included VA’s restructuring efforts to permit more shared decision making between VA’s central office, regional managers and facility directors; measuring performance, process and outcomes; and system-wide use of health information technology.
The improvement in VA’s health care quality in recent years has been well-documented in a number of independent studies including those by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). VA’s accomplishments are all the more noteworthy as they came during a period of increased demand for services. From 1999 through 2007, enrollment in the VA health care system, mandated by the Veterans’ Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, swelled from just over three million to nearly eight million veterans. Consequently, the number of veteran patients treated each year increased from approximately 3.2 million to more than five million. The CBO report pointed to VA’s structure as an integrated health care system that allows the use of two important tools: incentives given to managers and providers to meet quality of care and practice guideline targets; and health IT systems that provide reminders about tests and treatments recommended by the practice guidelines. It also examined the low cost of care for veterans as an incentive for seeking care. VA has an electronic health record for every patient, which provides up-to-date information about a patient at the point of care, including his or her history, allergies, and medications. It also consists of relevant diagnoses and laboratory tests, enabling providers to avoid duplicate tests and adverse drug interactions. Research indicates that computer reminders and prompts can significantly improve adherence to clinical guidelines, particularly for preventive care.
The CBO said that VA’s integrated structure and appropriated funding may have helped VA focus on providing the best quality care for a given amount of funds as contrasted to fee-for-service incentives toward billable services and procedures. These and other issues will be addressed in the final report.
VA is the second largest cabinet department, with about 250,000 employees, a health care budget last year of $32 billion and an overall budget exceeding $82 billion. VA will provide care to more than 5.8 million veterans this year in its 153 hospitals and nearly 900 clinics. VA also provides disability compensation and pensions to 3.5 million veterans and family members, and operates 125 national cemeteries. [Source: VA News Release 9 Jan 08 ++]
IRS DATA BREACH UPDATE 01: In addition to addressing less than 30% of the information security weaknesses highlighted in a 2007 Government Accountability Office report, the Internal Revenue Service provided false claims about its progress, according to a Government Accountability Office auditor.
A new GAO report (GAO-08-211) released 9 JAN states that the agency corrected or mitigated 29 of the 98 information security weaknesses highlighted at the time of GAO's last review in 2007. Among other findings, the IRS failed to consistently enforce strong password management for identifying users, authorize user access according to job functions, encrypt sensitive data, monitor changes on the mainframe computer server that supports the agency's general ledger for tax administration, and physically protect computer resources. That, combined with failure to implement internal controls and system configuration policies, continues to threaten financial and taxpayer information, according to the report. "IRS needs to establish a risk-based approach for mitigating weaknesses and ... fully implement an information security program on an agency wide basis in order to ensure that issues don't reoccur later," said Gregory Wilshusen, director of information security issues at GAO.
Also of concern to GAO were incorrect reports from the IRS about steps made to improve information security. "Our objective was to follow up on previously reported weaknesses to see progress," Wilshusen said. "Interestingly, they reported several weaknesses as being mitigated, but when we went in to do our follow-up exam, we found they had not been corrected." Wilshusen could not specify which vulnerabilities the IRS erroneously claimed to have been dealt with, saying that release of specific information could spur malicious attacks against its networks. The IRS declined comment for this article. The agency has made some progress, tightening access controls for certain critical servers, limiting computer room access to authorized individuals, developing a security plan for a key financial system, and updating servers that were running unsupportable operating systems. In addition, the IRS began efforts to establish security policies, procedures and practices with six enterprise wide goals that would help protect and encrypt data, secure information technology assets, and build security into new applications. GAO also made seven recommendations to improve information security, including updates to policies and procedures for configuring mainframe operations, specialized training, expanded testing, enhanced contractor oversight and contingency planning. In addition to implementing a strict information security program, the IRS will initiate a performance standard focused on resolving security weaknesses and reporting the security compliance status of computer systems connected to its network.
The IRS is not alone. In APR 07, GAO reported (GAO-07-751T) that 24 major federal agencies continue to have weaknesses with information security controls. A number of other GAO reports highlight the failures by specific agencies to deal with problems. "The guys at GAO are wonderful, but this report could have been written every year for the past eight years -- at least -- and for nearly every agency," said Alan Paller, director of research at the SANS Institute, a nonprofit cybersecurity research organization in Bethesda , Md. In SEP 07, IT security firm Symantec released its Internet security threat report, which found that one in four security breaches occurred in the government sector. "It's almost like Groundhog Day -- we're entering 2008 with this report on IRS, but the title of the agency could just as easily be left blank," said Jim Russell, vice president for public sector at Symantec. "A lot of the issues cited can be solved through policy compliance. IRS needs to get a handle on what their environment looks like, but more importantly, they need to look at endpoints and servers and make sure they they're standardized with the latest security software and have the latest patches. [Source: GovExec.com Newsletter 9 Jan 08 ++]
CONGRESSIONAL COLA 2008: Fortunately for members of Congress, their pay isn’t tied to their approval ratings. Lawmakers in 2008 will receive salaries of $169,300, a boost of $4,100 over the pay they have lived with since January 2006. That 2.5% increase is mirrored by similar raises for associate justices of the Supreme Court, who will see their pay go from $203,000 to $208,100, and Chief Justice John Roberts, whose pay will rise to $217,400 from $212,100. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., will get a pay boost from $212,100 last year to $217,400, the same as Chief Justice Roberts. The majority and minority leaders of the House and Senate and Senate president pro tempore Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., will get increases from $183,500 to $188,100. Dick Cheney, in his last year as vice president, will receive $221,100, up from $215,700. President Bush’s salary of $400,000 is unchanged.
The salary figures were published in the 8 JAN edition of the Federal Register. Last year was the first since 1999, when the pay was $136,700, that members of Congress did not receive a cost-of-living allowance raise along with other federal employees. Democrats, newly elected to the majority, had vowed to block an increase in their paychecks until Congress raised the minimum wage. With the minimum wage increase accomplished last year, House Democratic leaders joined with their Republican counterparts to oppose a procedural vote to bring the COLA issue to the floor, leaving the way clear for their automatic raise. The congressional COLA is linked, under a complicated formula, to the cost-of-living increase awarded civil servants. As part of a 1989 ethics bill, Congress gave up its ability to accept pay for speeches and made annual cost-of-living pay increases automatic unless lawmakers voted otherwise. Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT) a leading critic of the COLA process, said in an interview that he’s not proposing that members of Congress never get a pay raise. But he said that, in a time of budget deficits when many people are undergoing economic hardships, “at least we ought to have an up-and-down vote on it. The whole process appears so secretive.” Reluctance to openly discuss the salary issue comes at a time when Congress has been suffering low public approval ratings. In a December AP-Ipsos poll, only 25% of those surveyed approved of the job Congress was doing. [Source: AP Jim Abrams article 9 Jan 08 ++]
MERCHANT MARINE WWII COMPENSATION UPDATE 01: Thousands of civilians who ferried troops and supplies through World War II's combat zones are closer than ever to receiving lifetime federal pensions, but things don't look so good for their wives. Legislation in Congress (HR 23) that would give merchant mariners $1,000 a month for life passed the House last year and, for the first time, has a healthy list of Senate sponsors. But the bill's new version eliminates the provision that passed the benefit on to surviving spouses, as long as their mariner husbands were living when the bill was approved. Cutting the spousal benefit was proposed in the House last year as a cost savings. The VA continues to oppose the bill, saying the monthly payments would be greater than what some disabled veterans receive and that mariners already receive other VA benefits. The Senate version (S. 961) could be heard by the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs within the next few months. Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho , who staunchly opposed the measure because he believed it might open the door to compensating other civilian service groups, no longer is the committee's chairman. And the number of sponsors has risen from 37 last year to 57.
The benefit is to compensate the mariners for not being included under the GI Bill, which gave money to returning World War II soldiers and sailors for home loans and college tuition. People in the Merchant Marine were classified as civilians, even if they served in combat zones, and did not receive veteran status until 1988. Today, mariners and some other civilian groups, such as the Women Airforce Service Pilots, can get health care, disability and burial benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. About 250,000 mariners served during World War II. The Congressional Budget Office estimated about 16,000 mariners would meet the pension requirements and apply. The bill allocates about $605 million to the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund, enough to fund pensions for an initial 10,000 mariners through 2012. Mariners would need an honorable discharge and proof they served "in harm's way" from 7 DEC 41 through 31 DEC 46. The Merchant Marine, which sometimes took boys too young to join the Army or Navy, lost 7,000 to 9,000 men during the war. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel 10 Jan 08 ++]
VA FRAUD UPDATE 06: A Wichita man has been federally indicted for claiming he was a Purple Heart recipient. Albert Barker, 58, is charged with one count of making a false claim to the U.S. government, and one count of making a false statement in writing that he was awarded a Purple Heart medal. Prosecutors say the crimes occurred in OCT 05 and JAN 06 in Sedgwick County KS . The indictment alleges that in 2005, Barker applied to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs for a disability rating based on his suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. He caused documents to be filed in support of the claim falsely stating he had served in a combat infantry and had received a Bronze Star. In JAN 06 he caused his American Veterans representative to submit a fraudulent Army General Order 164 claiming Barker had been awarded a Purple Heart medal. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of making a false claim to the U.S. government, and a maximum penalty of 1 year and a fine up to $100,000 on the misdemeanor charge of making a false claim of receiving a Purple Heart medal.
Man gets probation in fraud
A Billings man who stole Veterans Affairs checks sent to a man who was incarcerated out of state will spend four years on probation and have to pay $11,778 restitution. U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull on Wednesday sentenced James Gus Georgacopoulos, 61, at the low end of the guideline range, noting he had no previous record and the crime appeared to be an isolated incident. Georgacopoulos offered no excuses. He said it was the "first time I've ever done something stupid like this and it will never happen again." Prosecutors said Georgacopoulos, while working as a desk clerk at the Esquire Hotel, stole the victim's mail and VA checks, forged the victim's signature and gave them to a co-defendant, Lowell Timothy Howell, to cash and deposit. The two split the proceeds. The victim is incarcerated in Florida . Cebull previously sentenced Howell, of Georgia , to six months in prison and also ordered him to pay restitution. [Source: Lakeland KS KAKE 10 News & Billings MT Gazette 10 Jan 08 ++]
SPIN CODE LAWSUIT: This case was originally filed in the US District Court, Northern District of New York, Syracuse and aspects of it are still being litigated. The lawsuit began in MAR 76 when Edwin Cosby with an Honorable Discharge discovered he had a bad “Spin Code” (i.e. Separation Program Number). Unknown to him and most other veterans beginning 11 JUN 56 under D.O.D. Instruction 1336.3 DOD ordered the military departments to begin putting a coded number on the main employment reference document of veterans. This document known as the DD-214 is often by employers of veterans seeking employment and benefits. DoD prepares eight or more copies of a veteran’s DD-214 of which copy one goes to the veteran and others are eventually sent to State Adjutant General, VA Data Processing Center, Austin , TX . State Director Selective Service, and National Military Records Center , St. Louis MO. At a congressional hearing in 1974 DoD told Congress that only a couple hundred thousand documents had a code number and the "SPN" coding system would be stopped. However, in 1972, DoD started changing their “SPN” system to the "SPD" (separation program designator) and by 1977 nearly 20 million veterans with Honorable Discharges had a coded number. Congress subsequently attempted to pass a law regarding the use of the coded numbers; however, this failed to pass.
Numerous major corporations have admitted to having the codes and use them in their employment decisions regarding veterans. Banks, life insurance companies, State Government & Federal Government Agencies have them as well. Lists of the codes were sent to FAA, (federal aviation admin.), HUD, (housing & urban development), and Office Personnel Management. Even on an Honorable discharge, a "Spin Code” can hurt a veteran's chance of being hired by a prospective employer, obtaining a loan, and/or obtaining insurance. A few examples of spin codes and their meanings are:
SPN 258 - Unfitness, multiple reasons
SPN 263 - Bedwetter
SPN 41A - Apathy, lack of interest
SPN 41E - Obesity
SPN 46C - Apathy / Obesity
SPN 463 - Paranoid personality
A complete listing of spin codes can be found at http://www.landscaper.net/discharg.htm. Veterans can request a new DD 214 with the spin codes removed. If you were in the US Army, written requests for having a SPN code removed from your DD 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) or earlier discharge papers, should be sent to: Commander, Reserve Components Personnel & Administrative Center , Box 12479 , Ollivette Branch, St. Louis , MO 63132 . Additional info on this subject is available at http://veterancourtcodes.com which contains a 90 minute video on the subject. [Source: Veteran’s Forum 9 Jan 07 and Ed Crosby ecrosby1@rochester.rr.com ++]
MEDICARE PART D UPDATE 17: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) may have overpaid private contractors millions of dollars for services tied to the start-up of the Part D prescription drug benefit, according to a recent study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). From 2004 to 2006, CMS was provided $1 billion in federal funds for administrative start-up of the Medicare drug benefit. The vast majority (81%) of the funds were used in private sector contracts for support services, including call center support, media buys, promotional tours and research reports. According to the GAO, 45% of CMS contracts were awarded without competitive bidding, while 78% were structured for the government to assume the risk of cost overruns. GAO identified close to $90 million in questionable payments to private companies with federal contracts. For these contracts, CMS did not conduct the audits, monitoring and other oversight to verify contractor charges, as required by federal regulation.
As contract awards more than doubled, CMS increased oversight staff by only 11%. As a result, many contracted agencies were reimbursed for costs not directly related to the contract or at rates higher than market value. In one audit where the GAO found that CMS paid out $40.6 million for unsubstantiated costs, the contracted agency had charged CMS for property depreciation, grounds maintenance and recycling services, and placed questionable items such as basketball goals within its invoice package. In another audit, two companies that were contracted for similar services were found to have subcontracted the services to each other and billed CMS for $4.2 million in overlapping indirect costs. For many contracts, CMS reimbursed labor costs at inflated rates, which included vacation or sick time, or rates that were far higher than wage rates within the company. One research firm charged CMS for labor at 14 times its average rate. The GAO recommended that CMS review its oversight policies, improve training for audits and pursue reimbursement of unsubstantiated costs outlined in the report. CMS responded to GAO that it will continue to update its policies, but otherwise defended its contracting practices. CMS said the agency has been exemplary in its use of competitive contracts.
The Medicare prescription drug benefit (Part D) saves enrollees $9 or less per month, according to researchers who tracked purchases of over 100,000 older adults before and after the benefit began in 2006. The program will cost about $1 trillion over the next ten years but these small savings to beneficiaries is the result of the Part D benefit being run by private companies and not by Original Medicare. According to Consumer Union most Medicare Drug Plans continue to hike costs into 2008 two-to-three times rate of inflation, Consider these two facts from a recent overview of health spending published in Health Affairs by researchers for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:
· Of the $41 billion in Part D spending in 2006, $5.3 billion, or 13% went for administrative costs and the profit siphoned off by the insurance companies offering Part D. By contrast, just 3% of spending for coverage of doctor visits and hospital care under Original Medicare goes to administrative costs.
· The Part D plans cannot negotiate discounts and rebates from drug manufacturers that come close to matching what Medicaid received, when that program provided drug coverage for low income people with Medicare. In fact, even though enrollment in Part D plans is more than double the number of people enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, the total amount of rebates received by Part D companies are less than Medicaid received before Part D took over coverage.
It is becoming more and more clear that the privatized structure for Part D has created a boondoggle for drug manufacturers and insurance companies even as it has fallen woefully short in providing people with Medicare the kind of drug coverage they need. It is time to for Congress to eliminate the middle man and provide a drug benefit directly through Medicare. Older adults and people with disabilities deserve that choice. [Source: Medicare Watch www.medicarerights. org 8 Jan 08 & Consumer Advocacy Update ++]
MISSOURI RETIREE TAX EXEMPTION: Military retirees in Missouri might have a state tax cut coming, if lawmakers go along with a proposal by Gov. Matt Blunt. The governor proposed to eliminate the state income tax on military pensions for tens of thousands of veterans in Missouri . The tax cut would cost the state about $24 million a year, Blunt said. Veteran’s officials said the tax cut was one of their priorities. Of the 41 states that have an income tax, 12 do not tax military pensions, including neighboring Illinois . Blunt outlined the proposal at a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Springfield , the first of several statewide stops to promote the tax cut. The tax change would need approval by the legislature, which started its 2008 session 7 JAN. “I think there will be strong support in the legislature,” Blunt said. He was flanked by state Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, head of that chamber’s veteran’s affairs committee, and House counterpart Rep. David Day, R-Dixon. Both men said they supported the tax cut. “The best that we can do to help is to let you keep more of your money in your wallet,” Crowell said. The governor said state economic growth made the tax break possible without having to cut any programs or raise taxes elsewhere. The proposed tax cut for military veterans follows one enacted last year for retirees in general. The 2007 law exempted additional Social Security benefits and certain other retirement benefits from the state income tax. Those tax cuts are projected to cost $154 million when fully phased in by 2012. [Source: Columbia Missourian AP article 7 Jan 07 ++]
VA HOSPICE CARE UPDATE 01: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is providing hospice and palliative care to a growing number of veterans throughout the country as the need continues to rise for care and comfort at the end of life. VA provides palliative care consultation services at each of its medical centers and inpatient hospice care in many of its nursing homes throughout the country. VA contracts with community-based hospice programs to enhance VA’s ability to provide this critical service when and where needed. Nearly 9,000 veterans were treated in designated hospice beds at VA facilities in 2007, and thousands of other veterans were referred to community hospices to receive care in their homes. The number of veterans treated in VA’s inpatient hospice beds increased by 21% in 2007. In addition, the average daily number of veterans receiving hospice care in their homes paid for by VA increased by 30% this past year. Because of the large number of World War II and Korean era veterans and a tripling of the number of veterans over the age of 85 from 2000 to 2010, the increase in the need for hospice care is expected to continue. The proportion of Vietnam-era veterans over the age of 65 will continue to increase through 2014, when Vietnam veterans will account for nearly 60% of all veterans in that age group.
VA’s expansion of its hospice and palliative care capabilities came about through collaboration with community-care providers. In 2001, the National Hospice-Veteran Partnership Initiative began to build partnerships between VA facilities and community hospice providers, funded in part by the VA and by nonprofit groups such as the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Advanced Illness Care Coordination Center . To date, VA has partnered with community hospice programs in 35 states to promote hospice services that are not provided directly by VA staff. These partnerships help veterans transition from VA hospitals to their homes in the community. Palliative care adds a focus on quality of life and comfort to veterans with life-limiting illness, and their families. Palliative care consultation teams include physicians, nurses, social workers and chaplains. Additional support may be provided by pharmacists, rehabilitation therapists, recreation therapists, mental health professionals and other specialists. VA provides palliative care consultation teams at all of its hospitals nationwide, although such services are provided at only about one-fourth of all American hospitals. Nearly half of all veterans who died in VA facilities received care from a palliative care team prior to their deaths. For more info on VA’s programs and obtaining services refer to http://www1.va.gov/geriatricsshg/page.cfm?pg=65. [Source: VA News Release 8 Jan 07 ++]
SBP PAID UP PROVISION UPDATE 04:
1) What is Paid-up SBP? Paid-up SBP refers to a provision of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) law passed by Congress in OCT 98and which is due to take effect in OCT 08. This change in the law applies to qualified members who will no longer be required to pay SBP premiums once they satisfy certain age and premium payment requirements.
2) Who is eligible to have their SBP premiums stopped? Any retiree who is age 70 or older and whose retired pay has been reduced for SBP premiums for at least 360 months will qualify to have their SBP costs terminated.
3) Are retirees with Reserve Component SBP (RCSBP) coverage eligible? Yes. Any reference made to SBP premiums also includes RCSBP premiums.
4) Is a retiree who has paid SBP premiums for 360 months or more but has not reached age 70 eligible to have premiums terminated? No. In order to qualify for the termination of SBP premiums, a retiree must satisfy both requirements of the law. The retiree must be age 70 or older and made payments for at least 360 months of SBP costs.
5) Does the termination of premium payments also apply to retirees with RSFPP coverage? Yes. Congress amended the law in OCT 99 to include Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP) participants. Any retiree who is age 70 or older and currently enrolled in the RSFPP is eligible to have their RSFPP costs terminated.
6) When does Paid-up SBP begin? The earliest effective date that a qualified retiree may stop paying SBP premiums is 1 OCT 08. The first retired pay payment affected will be the payment dated 1 NOV 08.
7) What if the retiree has paid more than 360 months of premiums before 1 OCT 08? Will there be a refund? No. There will be no refund of excess premiums paid prior to the 1 OCT 08, effective date of Paid-up SBP.
8) When will SBP premiums stop for retirees who reach age 70 and have paid 360 months of premiums after 1 OCT 08? Retirees who fall into this category will not be charged SBP premiums beginning with the month they reach age 70 and have paid 360 months of premiums.
9) How will the 360 months of paid-up premiums be determined? The retiree will receive a one-month credit for each month retired pay was reduced. This will be determined by using both current election records and historical records of the initial SBP election.
10) What if the retiree does not have 360 months of paid-up premiums on 1 OCT 08? A retiree who does not have 360 months of paid-up premiums on 1 OCT 08 is not eligible to have the SBP costs stopped. In these cases the retiree will receive an additional one-month credit for each month retired pay is reduced until 360 months of paid premiums is reached.
11) What if the retiree does not have SBP costs deducted from retired pay but pays by direct remittance? For the purpose of computing the number of months of retired pay reductions, direct remittance payments shall apply as if retired pay was reduced.
12) Will retirees be notified of their paid-up status? Notices will be mailed to retirees informing them of the number of months of coverage that have been credited to their account toward paid-up status.
13) When will retirees receive notification from DFAS? Details regarding a retiree’s personal account will not be ready for release until May 2008. DFAS will begin the notification process at that time.
14) Who can expect to receive notification letters from DFAS in May 2008? Retirees enrolled in either the SBP or RSFPP programs that are at least 68 years of age or have been retired and paying premiums for at least 27 years will receive notification letters in MAY 08.
15) What type of information will be provided in the notification letter? The notice retirees will receive will provide Paid-up SBP information as well as specific information about their account, the number of months of paid-up premiums and their current paid-up status. The notice will also instruct retirees of the right to challenge their paid-up status if they disagree with the number of months of paid-up premiums calculated by DFAS.
16) What if the retiree does not agree with the number of months of coverage provided on their notice? If the retiree does not agree with the number of months of coverage credited to their retired pay account the retiree will have the option to prove differently.
17) What information must the retiree provide to have their months of coverage adjusted? The retiree must submit DD Form 2656-11, “Statement Certifying Number of Months of SBP Premiums Paid.” In addition, the retiree may be requested to provide documentary evidence for each month of Paid-up SBP credit claimed. Upon receipt of the DD Form 2656-11, DFAS will review and adjust the retired pay record to reflect the number of months that the retiree certifies has been paid.
18) Can the DD Form 2656-11 be filed at any time? No. Retirees who elect to submit a DD Form 2656-11 must do so within one year after initial notification of the number of months of Paid-up SBP credited.
19) How often may retirees challenge their paid-up status by filing a DD Form 2656-11? Retirees will be permitted to challenge their paid-up status only once. They will not be permitted to submit multiple forms to DFAS.
[Source: Retiree Activities Office 314AW/
Tichacek does his homework......which saves me a great deal of time, especially with his links to pending legislation.
I'd be lost without his references.
Besides, it's so much fun to be able to ask your Congressman why he (or she)won't support a certain piece of really good Veteran's legislation that was authored by someone across the aisle......the answers are priceless!!
posted by R. Jewell on January 23, 2008 10:15 PM
Yup, I see yer point. There is something to be said for being exhaustive, as exhausting as it might be to read the thing.
And, yes, somebody with a serious personal interest in that kind of thing might be more inclined to pay attention than I would.
posted by Justthisguy on January 23, 2008 10:50 PM
The Commanding Officer of a Regiment in the U. S. Marine Corps was about to start the morning briefing to his Staff and Battalion and Company Commanders.
While waiting for the coffee machine to finish its brewing, he decided to pose a question to all assembled. He explained that his wife had been a bit frisky the night before and he failed to get his usual amount of sound sleep. He posed the question of just how much of sex was 'work' and how much of it was 'pleasure?'
The X.O. chimed in with 75-25% in favor of work.
A Captain said it was 50-50%.
The Colonel's Aide, a Lt., responded with 25-75% in favor of pleasure, depending on his state of inebriation at the time. [Marine Colonels have Aides?]
There being no consensus, the Colonel turned to the PFC who was in charge of making the coffee. What was HIS opinion?
With no hesitation, the young PFC responded, "Sir, it has to be 100% pleasure."
The Colonel was surprised and, as you might guess, asked why?
"Well, Sir, began the PFC, "if there was any work involved, the officers would have me doing it for them."
The room fell silent.
H/t, Joe McD via Brian H.
Do try the veal, and amply tip the wait staff! I'll be here all week!
And then there was Lance Corporal Henderson, hauled in before the Company Commander for being a whole six hours late from a 96 hour liberty.
When asked for an explanation (with Office Hours in the offering, the young Marine began:
"Well sir, I was at the library, and I met this nice lady who wanted to know about some of the things Marines do. I started explaining to her about the Marine Corps. She was really interested, sir. She asked if she could buy me lunch. I said 'Okay.' Turns out she wanted to take me home and feed me. She wasn't coming on to me or anything, sir, she just wanted to continue to conversation. We went to her place, a big old mansion, and she fed me lunch. I noticed that there were a lot of stuffed animal heads on the wall, and she said that her husband was a big game hunter and one hell of a gun collection (Ed note: No, John, this missive happened long before I knew you). Turns out she was an artist, and she asked if I would pose for her so that she could sketch me. I stripped down to my PT shorts, and she started sketching.
"Suddenly, sir, her husband pulls into the driveway. She kinda freaks out, and tells me that her husband is the jealous kind, and might shoot me on the spot, me being almost naked and all... I grabbed my clothes and she stuffed me into a closet. This was on Friday afternoon, sir, and that feller must have had trouble sleeping, 'cause he didn't stop moving through the house until just a few hours ago, and I was able to get out of there."
The Captain mulled the Marine's story over, "So you spent your entire 96 stuffed into a closet?"
"Yes sir."
The Captain nodded, "Well, Marine, I think you've suffered enough. We'll let this one slide, but I'll nail your hide to the door if you ever miss formation again. You're dismissed."
"Aye aye sir." The Marine answered, doing an About Face.
"Henderson." the Captain said, as the Marine prepared to leave the office.
"Sir?"
The Captain gave him knowing look, "That's a good story, but next time leave out the bit about the library; you don't even know how to read!"
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).
**********************************
Regarding a discussion in previous posts about the morphing of the MLRS system from being intended to attack acres of Soviet tanks on the plains of northern Germany to it's use as a sniper weapon with a 70km range.... comes this video of a GMLRS (Guided MLRS) rocket being used to snipe a sniper.
Mind you, turn your sound down. There's some soldierly language in the video. -the Armorer
********************************
In response to comments and email - Gunner is just fine, some lingering bruising makes his foot tender to the touch, but doesn't slow him down any. Thank you for asking. If that comment doesn't make any sense to you - click here. -the Armorer
*A term of art from the artillery. Harassment and Interdiction Fires.
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."
Granted, it's the Guardian, but it seems like a pretty serious article.
John and some of the other commenters here have done a lot more serious thinking on proliferation issues than I have; so I'd like to hear what they think.
posted by UtahMan on January 22, 2008 11:22 AM
Glad to hear Gunnar is doing so well. :)
[So's Gunner! Dunno this Swede she's talking about]
I think the world is engaged in a 3-faceted conflict vis-a-vis Islam:
1) A West vs Islam (in general) cultural and political struggle. "West" in this context includes the US, Europe, Japan, Israel, and sometimes Russia.
2) A "Moderate" Islam vs "radical, jihadist" Islamic/Islamist struggle.
3) A Sunni vs Shiite intra-religious struggle.
Besides the existential threat that a nuclear Iran would pose to Israel and to American/Western interests in the region, a nuclear Iran under the control of hard-line Islamic Shiite clerics hell-bent on regional hegemony would also pose a serious threat to Saudi Arabia and to "moderate" Sunni states like Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, etc.
These countries, especially Saudi Arabia, would probably be compelled to accelerate their own nuclear weapons development programs to provide for their own security and deterrence against Iran's nukes.
Unfortunately, most of these states also have very weak, unstable regimes that could be toppled fairly easily by radicals within their own borders who would be emboldened by an American withdrawal from Iraq and the region.
As we see with Pakistan, if these nuclear states were to fall into the hands of radicals, they would become sanctuaries for jihadists who would use the relative safety there to hide after they attacked us. With no conventional means of bringing our enemies to "justice", we would be left with only the option of massive retaliatory air strikes, probably nuclear in nature.
Our effort in Iraq was not only an action to rid us of the threat that Saddam posed himself, it is an important part of a larger strategy to deal with Iran and militant Islamists by trying to ensure that whatever "moderates" exist in the Muslim world prevail in their intra-Islam struggle with radical jihadists and their culture of death.
We (the West) can not co-exist with radical Islamists who have already proved that they will come to our own shores to rain death and destruction upon us.
If we have any hope of co-existing with Islam, it is only by ensuring that moderates prevail in the Muslims' own Reformation wars.
None of this will be possible if we allow nuclear proliferation to occur within the Muslim world.
Just my humble opinion.
posted by fdcol63 on January 22, 2008 3:09 PM
John,
Took the weekend off from the computer (as I often do) so I hadn't heard of Gunnar's bad day.
Might I suggest you and SWWBO pick up some EDC flashlights? Mine is the NovaTac EDC120P (the ever-indulgent wife has the EDC120T). http://www.NovaTac.com
You can set it to the very low 0.3 lumen level for walking about without losing your night vision then go to 120 lumens when you're in the target area and need to find the target.
Mine will also do Locator or SOS beacons, neither of which you quite needed.
posted by KCSteve on January 22, 2008 7:03 PM
John, I am so happy Gunner is doing ok and that you and SWWBO are doing well after such an ordeal...
It was such a gripping story to read... Give Gunner a hug from me...
posted by olga on January 22, 2008 11:17 PM
You are soliciting the 3rd ID? Wow, that's quite ambitious, Fuzzy!
There are really pretty strict rules governing their use, but they aren't followed by everybody, and sometimes the fortunes of war and the passage of time cause records, if they were kept, to get lost. Hence, the genesis of Princess Di's campaign to make mines illegal and not used by civilized people. Leaving all the politics aside - here is a very real example of the problem.
ANSF, Coalition forces destroy unexploded Soviet mine in Chamkani
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces, advised by Coalition forces, discovered and destroyed one unexploded anti-personnel mine located near an elementary school in Chamkani Village, Chamkani District, Paktya Province, Jan. 20.
Local construction workers discovered the land mine while digging an irrigation ditch in Chamkani. They immediately alerted the Afghan National Police to investigate. ANP and Coalition engineers came to the scene to investigate. The ANP cordoned off the area and alerted local citizens to the danger.
The engineers identified the device as an old Soviet-era anti-personnel mine, buried about two feet below the surface.
“According to local residents, the area had been cleared at least five times since the Soviet withdrawal,” explained Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Coalition spokesman.
“Afghan National Security Forces continue to find anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, as well as improvised explosive devices all over Afghanistan,” Belcher said. “When the mines are discovered, ANSF remove them to make the area safer for Afghan citizens. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is committed to protecting the Afghan people.”
How many of you would recognize this as a mine?
080120-A-XXXXX-003 - An unexploded Soviet-era anti-personnel mine was discovered by construction workers near an elementary school in Chamkani Village, Chamkani District, Paktya Province Jan. 20. Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition soldiers neutralized the ordnance, making the area safe. Photo by Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan.
I might not recognise it as aa mine but I sure as hell wouldn't be tap dancing on it either.
The infantrymans deeply help suspicion on unidentified "things" half burried.
posted by Murray on January 22, 2008 2:54 PM
I gets the feeling of strange coinkydinks here, Armorer.
They find the mine and I happen to have said to you I thought the P. Di initiative was misguided.
Yup, I still think it was a completely stupid thing. Land mines are a witch, but nobody has gone after the use of nautical mines, which, if ever used, are much harder to find, dispose of, and have a much larger impact(loss of shipping screws far more----just a little slower since food and stuff don't flow).
Yup, people abused the things. Didn't use them properly and sure as hell didn't dispose of them when playtime was over properly. To me it is like treating AIDS with antibiotics. It is the wrong diagnosis and wrong cure for the problem which is behavior and not the object(kind of like the anti-gunners here in America I would say).
Actually, Ry, no. It really *is* just a coincidence. I wasn't thinking about that at all, and I have mixed opinions about mines and their utitilty, myself.
Up Mines! I actually wrote to Clinton once to praise his refusal to sign the landmine treaty. No kidding! I like the idea od landmines, just not all of them. I especially like the Family of Scatterable Mines (FASCAM) that were supposed to be able to self-destruct after a preset time. To me that's the issue--the clean-up. Mines may be a vile tool, but the problem is the left-behinds, not their use or existance. To my mind, using them as area/route denial measures is far more humane that dropping 20-30 155 rounds of airburst HE on an infantry platoon (or using the arty to shred trees for similar effect). And once the enemy knows the mines are there, he can choose to avoid the area, demine the area, or take his chances. Whatever he does, though, the mines served their purpose, and did it in as humane a way as any reasonably effective alternative.
Would I want to be caught in a mine field? Nope. Would I have wanted one in front of me at my border GDP position waiting for the hordes of T62s, BTRs, and BMPs. You bet! And I wouldn't have cared a whit what problems people had 10, 50, or 100 years later.
Princess Di was all about protecting children, but to me, the first order of business is winning the war. And no, I'm not saying the ends justify any means, I'm talking about land mines. If there are better ways to do the job they do, fine, use 'em. If not, then lay mines and worry about cleaning up the place later.
BTW, I especially liked the tube-launced mines, the little cheese-wedge shaped AP mines that were like bouncing-betties that could be laid in minutes.
BTW, I used to own an Army FM that explained how to make and use unconventional weapons, e.g., FUGAS, zip guns, plastic explosives, altimeter and anti-tilt switches, pipe bombs, etc. It even told how much each page of the FM weighed and showed how to rig up a field scale using a stick and some commo wire for measuring out components. I suppose it's all relative, but to me a land mine is preferable to walking up on a 55 gallon drum of FUGAS aimed at my face or a pipe bomb under the seat of my vehicle. Of course, that may just be me...
And finally, I know this wasn't a debate about mines, it's just an old argument with me. Oh, and Clinton never answered my e-mail. I guess he was busy doing some mining of his own...
Sanger, I have a copy of the improvised munitions manual. It's kinda dated about what's available, but useful food for thought. I particularly liked the slowly-swelling cup of rice as a delay fuze. Reminded me of that Hornblower story.
Now, when I read the Army boobytrap FM, I was tempted to hide in the closet in fetal position while chewing on wrist and rocking back and forth. I resisted that temptation, but did look under my truck before starting it for a while, even though most people don't even know that I exist, let alone care whether I live or die.
Thinking about how to make booby-traps *is* thinking evil thoughts
posted by Justthisguy on January 24, 2008 10:29 PM
P.s. I think I have thought me some evil thoughts, from time to time. I have, of course, never acted upon them, at least at any time dating back from now which would be within the culpable period of the statute of limitations for any such acts.
posted by Justthisguy on January 24, 2008 11:08 PM
I'm not griping - I *like* this kind of weather. I'm just saying it's s'posed to get colder... people who've lived here since the 90's are somewhat surprised by this weather - snow that stays on the ground for over a week, temps below 10F, etc. If they'd been here for the late 80's or early 70's, they wouldn't be so surprised.
So, where *is* Algore and the Global Warming he's been promising me?
Wherever the Bore-Bot is, I'm sure he's blaming "BUSH!" and the petro-loving, Gaia-hating, war-mongering neo-con Repuglikkkans for the freezing weather.
posted by fdcol63 on January 22, 2008 8:42 AM
I know I am. Blaming everyone. Rats.
posted by kat-missouri on January 22, 2008 9:53 AM
To be fair, using a relatively small sample size of cold days is no more scientific proof against global warming than saying because its 110 in August is a good argument for global warming.
I see the four rides; but where are their horsemen? Guess that the Apocalypses has been postponed due to cold weather.
posted by Boquisucio on January 22, 2008 5:13 PM
I'm waiting for the Danes to start farming in Greenland again. That'll be the catalyst for the next Ice Age -- which, geologically speaking, is due any day now.
JTG got it in one. The HIJMS Mikasa. Built by Vickers at Barrow-in-Furness, and similar in design to the British Majestic class, she was Admiral Togo's flagship at Tsushima, and is considered one of the three most significant historic warships still in existence, along with the HMS Victory and USS Constitution.
The last of the pre-Dreadnoughts still in existence, albeit not afloat. She's been land-bound for a long time. The picture of her in the post is reputed to be, as was noted by several commenters, of her during the time between her being badly damaged by US Naval aviation during WWII and then disarmed under the provisions of the surrender, and prior to the beginning of her restoration, as noted by Robert, via an effort involving Admiral Chester Nimitz, as Olaf noted. Restored by a man who had done his level best to sink the entire Imperial Japanese Navy during WWII. Apparently the restoration effort is on-going, and she has lots of non-original parts, some scavenged from similar Vickers-built ships such as the Chilean Almirante Latorre which were scrapped in Japan.
Darn and I thought Mikasa was a maker of fine porcelain dinner wear and fine silverware.
posted by JimC on January 22, 2008 8:20 AM
Well, they are. 8^ )
But they didn't make fine warships. That would be Vickers in this case. Though I'm thinking the men who manned her might have had a twee bit to do with it...
Nimitz had something in common with Yamamoto. Neither of them had ten complete fingers, after some time as grown-ups. Yamamoto lost his parts at Tsushima;
Nimitz, I think, wrestling recalcitrant machinery in a submarine torpedo boat.
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).
Well, since nobody else seems to have anything to say, I'll jump in here...
In preparing to conduct an interview, I've done some extra reading and found a lot of interesting news about Iraq from the last week... most of it very good. It still seems to ride a razor's edge and so much can still go wrong, but the good signs just keep accumulating.
Speaking of security, the holy city of Karbala passed through Ashura without bloodshed for the first time since Saddam fell, an excellent sign of the effectiveness of Iraqi and coalition security forces. There were a couple of suicide bomb attacks in the last week, and what is being described as a "cult" created a great deal of bloodshed in southern Iraq, but the Karbala success is huge.
Of course, part of that success is credited to GEN Petraeus. This bit of reportage, entitled "The General and the Iranian Pilgrim" is fascinating, both for the image it offers of Petraeus "out and about," and for the discussion of border security measures and engagement with Iran.
On a more disturbing note, there is some confusion but it seems the number of Iranian-provided EFPs spiked significantly in the first two weeks of January. They're already back down, but it's obviously something being watched very closely.
Thanks to Eric of Grim's Hall, I have a new favorite milblogger: "LT G," who blogs at Kaboom: A Soldier's War Journal. He's an excellent writer who reminds me of the best of the first generation of front-line milbloggers, and I suspect he has a book in him, somewhere. He's only been deployed about a month, so he's not too hard to catch up on. After you've read that first link, just start back at the beginning (scroll down to the bottom three posts), and see if you can stop there... I suspect you won't. It's good stuff. - FbL
****************************
Assuming that Obama gets the nomination for the Dems, and McCain gets it for the Republicans (neither of those things a certainty at this point) doesn't it look a lot like 1996? Running a eld member of the Old Guard against a young fresh face, because it's the eld guy's turn? Wasn't that a recipe for disaster last time? It's one thing to let Bob Dole have his run against a popular incumbent, not much to lose - but that situation doesn't apply here, this is an open seat that will likely define the next 8 years. Just a thought. Of course, I've about given up on the Republicans managing to put up an electable candidate, and am wondering if they can hold on to enough House and Senate seats to keep the Dems in check. And, will the have the gumption to do so. Because I'm pretty sure if the Dems get control of all the Trifecta, unlike the Republicans, they'll ram through their entire agenda, bi-partisanship be damned. And they'll claim a mandate to do it - leave aside that for most of us, this isn't about voting for who we think is going to do the best - it's about getting the least objectionable into office. That's not a mandate, that's simply being the next-to-the-last guy picked for the dodgeball game.
Remember - on the issue of bipartisanship:
“A Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb deciding what to eat.”
“A Constitutional Republic, is an armed lamb demanding a recount.” (var. usu. misattributed to Franklin) -the Armorer
You know, there is plenty to be said about the No Child Left Behind Act, good and bad. One thing I've found interesting is that my niece, who is in kindergarten, is learning to spell and write sentences, using appropriate capitalization, along with some interesting reading, reasoning and logic skills that I am certain I did not learn until I was in first or second grade. How long ago that was, I will not tell, but it is definitely more. Still, I find some comments on the educational system to be not only telling, but down right ironic.
In a piece on the NYC school system, a man lamented his son getting "D" on his report card. Not in the way that my father would have lamented (ie, disappointed in my performance, expectations for improvement, grounding if it didn't...that's what I got when I got a "C" on time in pre-Calculus by the way). No, this gentleman lamented:
"This is hurting my son's education," he said. "It's all based on the faulty premise that school tests are measuring what kids are learning."
One thing the gentleman lamented that I could agree with was the lack of emphasis on social studies or history. Math and reading are extremely important, but a nation must be balanced in its people and instructions if it is to maintain its freedom.
The failure to significantly increase civic knowledge among college students has immediate practical consequences: The more civic knowledge a student gains in college, the survey data demonstrated, the more likely he or she is to vote and participate in other civic activities.
It also has profound consequences for the longer term. As King argued, the rights enshrined in the Declaration, protected by the Constitution, and eventually redeemed by all Americans through decades of civil struggle and reconciliation, are universal and irrevocable.
If we forget what they are, we will forget who we are: one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Today, I am re-reading "The Federalist Papers" (I'm on 9). I've read Paine, Adams, Franklin's autobiography, Locke and Hobbes, Milton's Paradise Lost amongst others in the last year (I just finished Justice Joseph Story's Book III Commentaries on the Constitution), re-acquainting myself with some principles that, as a young person, sometimes seemed like the words of old fogies who couldn't possibly relate to our modern problems. I'm happy to have re-made (or recently made) their acquaintance. It's reminded me considerably about what we're supposed to be doing here. -Kat
*A term of art from the artillery. Harassment and Interdiction Fires.
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."
A Constitutional Republic, is an armed lamb demanding a recount.” (var. usu. misattributed to Franklin) -the Armorer
Amen
posted by kat-missouri on January 21, 2008 12:39 PM
Awwww, won't Lex be disappointed you have a new favorite milblogger? Fickleness, thy incarnation is womyn!
*rolls eyes in John's direction* Count on a man not to be able to read between the lines. Guess I'll have to clarify for his sake...
"I have a new favorite deployed milblogger."
There. :P
And notice that I didn't even take up the argument about who my favorite general milblogger is... we all make assumptions. It's just that some of them are wrong.
"I have a new favorite milblogger, he's deployed ." There ya go.
Cheers
posted by J.M. Heinrichs on January 21, 2008 1:24 PM
Absent any other apparent candidates, I will announce my current choice for the GOP Presidential nomination in 2016: Bobby Jindal, elected governor of Louisiana last year.
If he's as successful with the whole state as he was with it's health system, he'd be damn near unstoppable.
posted by J.M. Heinrichs on January 21, 2008 8:18 PM
Nope. But it is interesting to read some of the concerns that happened anyway, like wars of confederated states (north and south) and the rather ironic voicing that such united nations are less likely to be at war with others. Though, I suppose, if you count the numbers of wars we've actually experienced on land here, it was limited.
posted by kat-missouri on January 21, 2008 9:12 PM
Later this week, I have the opportunity to interview the Division Chief of Staff by phone. I'm planning to ask about security activities during the recent Ashura holy days, as well as perhaps the newly-opened "NCO Academy" for the Iraqis. But, I would greatly appreciate suggestions from the local peanut gallery insightful people that hang out here.
If you can, get him to talk about the opening days of the war, when the 3ID was refused permission to land and move overland through Turkey, and the logistics efforts that followed to get the Division into the fight...
I may not be pre-scient, but this issue may have huge bearing on why the early efforts in Iraq fell short of pacification goals.
You're thinking of 4ID. 3ID was the one that took Baghdad.
posted by Grim on January 21, 2008 7:29 AM
Plus, guys in their current positions with the Division might not know any more than we do about things that occurred years before their assignment.
If his bio indicates he was in the 4th, you could ask away, but that was long enough ago that if he'd been in the 4th, he might not know any more than hearsay from the rumor mill about causes, though he could certainly address effects. But I'm guessing they're going to try to stay focused on current operations. The guidance you get by the PAO is "Talk what you know, stay in your lane, don't speculate outside your immediate environment."
I'd like to know why the 3rd ID is broken up and deployed in so many places. Some units are acting as seperate battalions under other divisions and some brigades seem to be parent organizations to units from outside the division.
posted by JT Day on January 21, 2008 8:25 PM
Ask the 3ID Chief of Staff if the number of EFPs from Iran has been stopped or at least slowed down.
Rural living... in which the Armorer learns he should stay retired...
It's Wednesday evening and I drive up to the Castle, where I'm greeted, as usual, by Kiki, highlighted on the motte the Castle sits on as I drive up the hill. She is back-lit by the side-door lights, it's a very Thomas Kinkade moment - if Kinkade painted walk-out ranches. We only *wish* the Castle was a Kinkade-style house! SWWBO and I have a Rotary fundraising event that we're working. It's a cold day. Oh, bull, it's a howling blizzard. The dogs have been out for about three hours, and Kiki is ready to come in. But Gunner hasn't shown up. Unusual. I give out a call that echoes through the dells and valleys of the Forest of Argghhh!. That usually works. SWWBO and I take about 30 minutes to get ready, with me stepping out to call Gunner now and again. The blizzard is getting worse.
It's time to go, and still no Gunner. SWWBO is openly concerned. I point out the little goofball likes the snow, is very fluffy, and it's only 30 degrees or so, plenty warm for Gunner if he has to hang out on the deck, waiting for us to get back. But I share her disquiet. We hop in the truck, pop her into 4-high, and off we go to the Ambassadors. With a little knot of worry in the pit of my stomach.
We bought this place to get out of the city. SWWBO and I are really introverts, blogs and willingness to engage in public speaking notwithstanding. Ya haven't seen us at the pub crawls, have you? 8^ ) The Exterior Guard are in heaven! We deliberately bought this place because it was surrounded by working farms. What we should have done was check on the age and health of the farmers... the 160-acre parcel to our east was ranched by a gentleman in his 70's who developed a sudden health problem and died late last summer. His heirs couldn't wait to get the property on the market. One of our local businessmen bought it, and while he doesn't intend to develop it right away (hardly the market right now) he clearly has... "plans," seeing as how he went and asked the Water District for 62 water meters. They turned him down. That's all in the future. For now, they're hunting and trapping the area.
The Saturday before our story opened SWWBO and Gunner were down checking out the area where SWWBO intends to establish the Truck Garden of Argghhh! this spring. I was on my way to do errands in town and was driving down to the moat crossing (hey, you have creeks, we have a moat, tomayto, tomahto) when we saw a stranger in mossy oak camo and a rifle over his shoulder moving down the stream-bed (hey, it's not a moat until it crosses into the demesne). Nice guy, named Ryan, he's a buddy of the new owner. He's been given permission to hunt and trap the parcel. He's out getting familiar with the property lines, trying to meet the neighbors. He doesn't realize the area he's in is actually ours - the fence lines don't follow the property lines right here. And he's setting traps. Lots of traps, for raccoon, all along the stream-beds. We introduced him to Gunner, and asked about what kind of traps he was using and the possibility of Gunner or Kiki getting caught. He assured us he was using humane traps, no snares or toothed traps, etc - and he didn't think Gunner's foot would fit. He also says he'll be checking his traps daily.
Heh.
The Rotary event went well. About three inches of snow has accumulated in the three hours we've been at the event. We drive up the approach to the Castle gate, pop up the drive and park. I open my door - and I hear the sound of a panicked dog reverberating faintly, echoing down the hills and valleys, even over the howl of the wind.
Well, carp. I know where Gunner is. He's in a trap.
My stomach gets that empty feeling I always get before I have to go do something with high risk or visibility - either to or for me, or, in this case, finding Gunner before Something Bad happens.
[This is getting pretty long - the rest of the story is in the Flash Traffic/Extended Entry - complete with a Twist in the Plot]
Gunner's in a trap, and has been for hours, most likely. He's not the kind of puppy likely to be late for dinner like he was tonight. He's also probably in a trap along a creek that still has running water in it, so he may be standing/laying in cold water. He's still alive, so he's probably not immersed, but who knows how close to hypothermia he might be? I'm going to be searching for a black dog, on a dark night, along any one of a number of creek-beds full of shadows, in a blizzard, with howling winds. Oh, yay.
SWVBO gets out of the truck and hears the barking, too. "I'll get dressed and get the Ranger" she says. From the noise, I'm not sure that I've not heard more than one critter voice... "I'll get my boots on, grab a flashlight and the Vis and head out now." The Vis being our Polish 9mm Vis-35 made during the Nazi occupation - and a pistol which just fits me perfectly (that link is for you, Og), I simply can't miss with it, and don't want to come up on Gunner standing down some coyotes or somesuch and not have the tools I need to be able to deal with it. I don't feel like I have time to grab SWWBO's black rifle - the pistol is upstairs, mag in, the ORC is downstairs, sight not mounted, no filled magazines ready. SWWBO digs out the walkie-talkies, I turn 'em on... and the batteries are dead. Sigh. Note to self, don't put the charger on a switched outlet...
While SWWBO dons her arctic gear, I head out, down the road to where I can get under the fence. Did I mention the blizzard yet? The 20 mph wind-driven snow? At 9:30 PM? SWWBO is going to get the Ranger ATV and bring it down and she'll run the fences, looking and listening for the barking. No, I don't *know* it's Gunner yet, but I believe it is. So does SWWBO. The clock is ticking.
I get down the road to the fence where it crosses the stream at the culvert. If I can't find a place to get under the fence here, I'll just go through the culvert. That'll be nice on my slacks... Oh joy! There's a spot where I can slide the incredible bulk that is the Armorer under the wire. No, there is *no* way I'm going to try and get myself over the fence, which is nice, tough, rusty barbed wire.
I slide under the wire face-up - to better deal with the snags if my jacket gets caught. Heh. Too bad I didn't bring the rifle - I could have used it between me and the wire just like I learned in Basic... No problems, just about a cubic yard of snow up my trouser legs. Getting up, I brush myself off, and head off into the howling, snowy wilderness.
Gunner is still barking, more frenziedly if that's possible.
I'm on my neighbor's property, I'm not familiar with it. I discover that under all that snow... there's more ice-skimmed water than I realized... and not all of it will support the Armorer's bulk,as I learn the hard way. And a fat guy moving through 6 inches of snow, clambering up and down steep-sided stream-beds I find causes a fella to get warm, howling blizzard or no. And even though it's below freezing, the ground isn't frozen, so I'm sinking through the snow and down into the mud, especially when I cross a stream. Suction... sucks.
I discover that every time I call for Gunner, he quits barking, which makes tracking him difficult. No, there's no tracks in the snow - he's been trapped long enough that snow has covered everything. In order to keep him barking I quit calling, especially when I have to make a stream-branch choice. I get across a wide stream-bed when Gunner stops barking again - only this time, I've not called or anything. His barking has been getting hoarser and less loud, so I know he's starting to wear out.
I'm guessing I'm pretty close. Great!
I'm standing on a little mound where three streamlets come together. A hanging valley to my left, a smaller feeder straight ahead, and the main channel to my right. In the midst of a stand of cedars and elms, with lots of rocks that all have shadows of course. In fact, it's nothing but dim white snow and shadows. Well, that, and a 20 mph wind driving an icy snow and it was all uphill and I'm more than a little warm and out of breath, with the blood pounding in my ears. And I'm looking for a snow-covered black dog in a howling blizzard at 10:30PM.
So, making the assumption that Gunner has stopped barking because he sees me, I just stand there and start scanning. I'm hoping for shape recognition or movement. I start just scanning left and right, and then briefly study individual shadows - never looking directly at them - my center night vision is damaged from the years in general and the years in the desert specifically. I can get better detail by looking just off-center.
I call Gunner's name softly - he may not bark, but he usually wags his tail when you call his name, and start scanning for movement - and there it is, next to that shadowy downed limb, in the hanging valley - a shadow with a wagging tail.
I scramble up to the now-whimpering, tail-wagging shadow and get out the flashlight. Whew! No obvious blood or bone, and while he's close to the running water, he's not in it. I am. Dolt. The trap doesn't have teeth, but Gunner has been sitting with his right paw in the air, almost hanging from the trap, but not quite. He's clearly very tired, and every time I touch the trap, he whimpers in that way that cuts to the heart. Gritting my teeth, I say "Sorry, little dude, this is gonna hurt." and move the trap and his paw to where I can get the leverage I need to open the trap. It pops open easily and Gunner leaps away - and promptly gives out a pitiful yelp as he puts weight on the paw. I check the tag on the trap - it's Ryan's. We're going to have to have a chat.
But now, I have to get this puppy home. Did I mention the blizzard? The wind? Well, before, I was walking with the wind. Now, I get to go against the the wind. Into that icy snow. Sigh.
I start off, and look at Gunner to see if he can walk. He tries, about 5 steps, then just drops, rolls over, and exposes his belly and whines. Carp. I do *not* want to carry this 40-pound dog out of here in this blizzard, with all the streams and climbing up and down I had to do to get here.
So, I take off my jacket (hey, I'm fat, I've got a built-in down vest - and I'm almost overheated anyway - it feels good). I lay it down, put Gunner on it, and look for two small straight pieces of deadfall I can use to rig a travois-style drag. Hey, it's just a jacket. It cost more than Gunner did, being a shelter rescue puppy, but he's worth it.
Except the little weasel won't stay on it. I start off, he hangs for about 30 seconds, and rolls off, exposing his belly. We go through that about three times when I give up, and put my jacket back on and pick Gunner up.
He promptly wraps his tail around my face and starts licking me. And I start off the half-mile or so I have to go to get back to where SWWBO likely is. My breathing starts to get really labored, and Gunner's perceived tare weight increases with every step. At least I'm going downhill. Which is probably balanced by into the wind. Plus side, the wind holds me up, right?
I can see the lights of the Ranger, back about where I went under the fence. I stagger up to a cornerpost of the fence, and yell for SWWBO, and stand there, breath blowing like a sex crazed whale cavorting on the surface of the ocean. Without the fun. And nowhere near as cool looking. And Gunner? He's wagging his tail, watching it all.
SWWBO comes up to the fence from the other side to take Gunner. I pass him off to her, and just stand there, waiting for the oxygen levels in my blood to stabilize. SWWBO takes two steps, and promptly steps into a hole, dumping Gunner and herself. And her "Farmer Susie In Winter" clothes are so thick, she's having trouble getting up. I head for the place where I can shimmy under the wire. Heh. Last time I shimmied under wire like that was at Fort McClellan, 29 years ago. Once under I get up and head for SWWBO. She says "Just take Gunner and put him in the Ranger, I'll get up and get over there." "Yes'm."
I pick up Mr. Pathetic Puppy, and trudge over to the Ranger, putting him on the bench seat and turn to head back for SWWBO. SWWBO, being convinced I'm about to have a heart attack, waves me off. "Just stay there, I can do this!" I go sit down. She gets up, takes a step, and steps on a hidden rock and dumps again. She eventually makes it the Ranger and we drive the 400 meters to the Castle. I pick up Gunner, and take him to the bedroom, where he gets put down on the just-changed bed. No obvious blood, no bone splinters, no sense of a green stick or other fracture - looks like the trap worked as advertised. I stand up, reach into my pocket for the pistol.
Ohbloodyhell. No pistol.
And it's been snowing the entire time. Cursing, I trudge out to the Ranger and drive slowly down the road, looking for Vis-shaped lumps in the road. I'm hoping the pistol is where I went under the fence - much beyond that, it was going to be a metal-detecting job, and while I have a WWII mine detector, the batteries are dead... and they weren't as good as modern metal detectors are. Wait - what's that? Heh. Wing from a dead bird. I motor on...
I get to the place where I went under the fence, and park the Ranger to illuminate the area. Advantage of being on the end of a dead end road - I wasn't too worried about blocking the road. Standing to the side, with the Ranger providing a low, shadow-producing illumination... I spot a Vis-shaped lump. And have to go back under the fence. But it's the pistol. Which, of course, means I have to go *back* under the fence.
To wrap this up, I get back to the Castle, check on Gunner He's whiny and tired, but fine. We gave him some ibuprofen and he went to sleep on SWWBO's pillows.
And I went downstairs to drop the magazine, clear the pistol, disassemble the pistol and unload and disassemble the magazine... and clean and lube the pistol, making sure that I use moisture-displacing cleaners and lubricant. Reassemble everything, function-test, slap the magazine in and head upstairs.
I make two margaritas and SWWBO and I just sit there in bed. I am sore and very tired, coming face to face with just how degraded I've become in the years since I retired. It was all I could do to get Gunner and get him home - total distance traveled, probably about a mile. Sure, in mud, over rocks and through snow in a howling blizzard - but hey, those were the conditions in the Ardennes and the Chosin Reservoir.
Maybe we add a stationary bike to the decor?(bounces off of wall from the backhanded slap)
I look at it this way. Most people would've simply quit and then cried the next day. Even down a few pegs you've got a step up on most people. Even Beowulf slowed down a tad, John.
Ya need to update us on how the chat goes and....I have to say it...maybe this could be an incentive to start working on your wellness? Nothing retahhhhded but maybe some lifestyle changes to keep you around a long, healthy time so you can keep us up to speed on your adventures and maybe even go get that pooch next time he gets loose.
Your mention of Chosin brings to mind my father-in-law, about whom I'm writing a piece for TGR. I recently confirmed what I had suspected before. He not only was in the 2nd wave of the amphib invasion of Okinawa, and not only spent 2 solid years in the Antarctica with time at the south pole as corpsman to the SeaBees building the first-ever station there, but he also spent some time as the Corpsman to 1st Plt, I Co, 3rd Bn, 7th Regt, 1st Marine Div all through the Chosin campaign. From his stories (we've got him on tape) and what I've been able to piece together so far, I think he was on Heartbreak Ridge too, but I need to do some more research. I've also got some pics of him at the time, as well as pics of his WWII and South Pole time which I will post to TGR. Interestingly, it was his Korea time that got him the job on Byrd's staff working medical issues in preparation for the first Operation Deep Freeze (56/57). Not that that has anything to do with your adventures of course, but I thought you might find it interesting.
Anyway, I'm glad you made it ok, and that the dog came out not really worse for the wear.
With Cliff the Radom incident could have had a different ending... ADs happen alla time...
(ahem)
(cough)
posted by Neffi on January 20, 2008 10:38 PM
John,
Unfortunately age, arthur & his 4 ritus brothers, and cold weather don't go well together. My hands are about gone in warm weather as it is. Recent back sugery doesn't help a bit. This past Friday I had the unfortunate task of repairing a busted PVC riser to a faucet in the mud @ 30 deg. At least it wasn't howling with snow. I'm glad you saved the dog and he only weighed 40 lbs. The tractor with the front end loader to carry him back would have been a good choice. Also glad you & SWWBO didn't fall over from cold weather exhaustion. Ticker attacks are known to be higher when old geezers are shoveling snow.
Another note: target practice off the porch with the potential of 60 neighbors (nesters wanting their piece of the country living while bringing city anti-gun nonsense with them) is going to be a chalenge. Break them in early on to the noise. Preferrably when they are looking. I used to do that with the spray plane about 6AM when there was a potential for nesters. They either backed out or were good neighbors.
As far as I'm concerned trapping just ain't humane. I had a part time neighbor beat my son's Lab to death and stabbed our for real crossbred 200 lb. pet sheepdog in the neck to the bone with a T-Bar fence post. Couldn't do anything about it under the particular circumstances. Took a month of twice daily doctoring for the wound to close up. Takes a sorry sucker to mistreat a four legged pet when it just ain't necessary.
posted by AgPilot60 on January 21, 2008 2:42 AM
Sounds like a chilling experience.
It almost puts me in the mood to go watch Jeremiah Johnson again, except for that Redford Dolt who plays him.
I'm glad you found him and none of you came to long-term harm! Our critters are our children, I concur - I would do 'zactly what you did. Except I'm not sure I could heft a full-sized dog!
Nice..........I just finished writing that you were my favorite in the comments to this post. Then I come down here and find myself lumped in with Cliff! Oh the pain!
[Well, yeah, but I was *nicer* to you than I was to Cliff!!]
What you need is a swandri. Not one of them cheapass Chinese knock-offs but NZ finest sheep based product outside kiwi-aussie jokes.
posted by Murray on January 22, 2008 3:06 PM
Good grief, sir. I wish I lived closer than an hour away. I have several years of critter wrangling credentials (fur kind, not the Law Dog kind). Including helping to deliver a calf in the middle of the night by flashlight, though not (thank the fates) in a blizzard!
Good on you for the rescue. (and a snap top holster for the pistol maybe?)
posted by Karla (threadbdnr) on January 22, 2008 5:19 PM
In 97, it took me about 20 minutes to get a rope around a dog that went through the ice on the canal and haul him out.
Got *my* old guy workout dragging 180 pounds of exhausted Pennsy Black Lab out of a hole, across ten feet of marginal ice (the guy holding the rope around *me* dropped it twice when the ice cracking scared him) and up the canal bank.
The two cops watching from the towpath remembered blankets for the dog (he spent the next 12 hours sleeping in front of a space heater cranked up to 95F), who was reunited with his owner the next day. Idiot never realized his pooch was gone until the ACO called him.
So, Friday night I'm watching the news. Up pops a story about a bank being robbed. At gun point. And, as we have occasioned to experience before on this blog and others, irony of ironies, there is a big "no guns allowed" sign in the window. Right then, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Of course, only law abiding citizens are going to adhere to that stupid sign in the first place. Criminals are criminals because they don't care about the law. End of story. They could care even less about the "no gun" sign in the bank window on their way in to rob the place.
My laugh was morbid, though, because I really wanted to cry knowing that somewhere out there someone (or many) were probably thinking "that's why we should outlaw all guns". As if criminals will care to follow any laws about guns anymore than they cared about the "no gun" sign in the window.
I also knew that writing that on this blog was...well...preaching to the choir. Then again, it got me thinking about our over all situation and the upcoming elections. I keep thinking that a little historical review ought to be important on a historical, military and gun blog.
On the other hand, when I was writing the little series on "inherent right to self defense", I got the feeling that people either:
a) Felt they knew all the arguments and philosophies thus were unnecessary to review
b) Felt that my explanation to date was boring and reminded strongly of Charlie Brown's teacher at the chalk board: wah-wah-wah-wah-wah-wah-wah.
Not to mention, as I was writing the piece, I realized that what I was writing:
a) Had already been said before by someone else with better understanding of law and history
b) Apparently no longer matters to a majority of modern Americans
Yes, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that most Americans have divorced the Declaration's statement "to provide new Guards for their future security" from it's original intent. The "future security" that we're supposed to be guarding isn't Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, nor the ability to be smoke free, free from offensive cartoons or free from the inconvenience of having to monitor our children and keep them from watching, reading or otherwise being exposed to potentially harmful images or words.
No, we were supposed to be guarding our freedom and that of future generations. Not just from invasion by foreign nations nor from inconveniences, but the usurpation of the power that naturally belongs to "We the people..." by any internal force. Including the usurpation of powers by inevitable expansion of our own government and the potential tyranny of the majority. Something our founders knew was bound to happen as "experience hath shewn".
You know when they wrote the words:
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it,
They were not simply speaking of their own efforts or their own time. How could they say they had the right to rebel, using all means necessary, yet reject that right for future generations?
[The remainde of this post is in the Flash Traffic/Extended Entry]
How do we get from 77 citizen militiamen standing on a village green in Concord, defying a British Brigade and the order, "Disperse, you rebels; damn you, throw down your arms and disperse!" as they protected their property and the weapons and munitions (including three 24 pound cannons) they had gathered to defend themselves against the usurpations of the British crown (their own government)...
...to some completely antithetical idea that the government can tell "the people" what kind of arms they can own, where they can own them (no handguns in DC, no guns within 300 ft of a school, etc, etc, etc), when they can "bear" them and how they can "bear" them under the guise that our founders wrote the second amendment to mean that the government had this power as part of their control of a "well regulated militia"?
It's inconceivable that such hypocrisy was written by the same men who died to protect the right to "keep and bear arms". And, they didn't write that. Somehow, we allowed the Supreme Court to re-interpret the Second Amendment and have been unable to successfully challenge it.
Even the current challenge of Heller v. Washington DC is unlikely to change the courts view. Not because it is constitutionally wrong, but because any decision that reverses that idea would change existing laws that are used to capture real and supposed criminals as well as open up more laws to repeal and the courts to extensive appeals from currently serving people convicted in part or solely for violating certain gun laws. This will be about inconveniencing the court and maintaining existing government powers.
All under the guise, easily swallowed by citizens, that there is a "reasonable" or "rational" limitation that should be applied. Beyond the laws that already criminalize assault with a deadly weapon, manslaughter, murder, armed robbery, etc, etc, etc. Exactly how do weapon's laws keep us safer or keep people from committing these crimes? Or, do anything but place our ability to remain free at the whim and limits set by our government? The government who is one of the entities we are supposed to be safe guarding our freedom against?
All in exchange for the "temporary security" of believing we had acted against crime when crime has not changed much in quantity, percentage or type in decades. But, at least, people think they've done something to effect this "security". When, in reality, we have done little else but give away an "essential liberty" for "temporary security".
This is only a symptom of the greater problem. This is not simply about the second amendment. The Kelo decision basically interprets private property of a citizen to actually be the property of the government that the citizen has paid to temporarily own the title of, that can be confiscated and sold by the government to a corporate entity for business development. A law that was meant prevent seizure of private property except for limited use such as sewers, roads and side walks now becomes the law that confiscates private property to give it to corporate interests that the politicians, friends or family member has an interest in?
Allegedly for the good of the community, though often without paying the asking price or any price that is within any actual market value. Most often trampling completely on the individual's right to be secure in their property from unnecessary "seizures" and protecting their inalienable right to the "pursuit of happiness". Regardless of the potential economic value, long term or otherwise, for the community, the individual's rights are supposed to be equally protected. Particularly against the tyranny of the majority.
Yet, we have lost sight of that responsibility in the name of convenience, comfortability and temporary safety. The thing we were supposed to guard the most jealously against all and any encroachments was "essential liberty".
Freedom.
Instead, we're worried about smoking in bars and trans-fats in fast food french fries. I freely admit, every once in awhile, I wouldn't mind seeing the citizen militia march on the town green.
If cease fires in the name of peace actually produced peace the Middle East would be the most peaceful place on earth by now.
.
Mebbe it's just Clobbering Time.
.
Just sayin'
.
"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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Every deployed military service member and veteran has one final, over arching mission: to come home as physically and mentally fit as possible. While we are quick to recognize that physical wounds occur in combat, we aren't always willing to look at our mental or emotional health, but it is imperative for completing the mission. By working together, we can make "coming home" a successful mission.
Please review the following mission information:
PTSD: Facts and Information
NCPTSD Fact Sheet: The Impact of Wars in Afghanistan and IraqReturning From a Warzone: Guide for Military Personnel for Transitioning Home
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Returning From a Warzone: Guide for Families on Transitioning Home
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Notable Quotes
"It's not difficult to understand why
somebody might pick up an AK-47 against us. Maybe we killed
his father in the first Gulf War, maybe in this Gulf War,
maybe he's just a dick.
~Sgt. Reginald Abram
Third Armored Cavalry Regiment in western Iraq.
Quoted in the Asia Times, Oct. 24"
Ex-Sgt Shep - a Canadian commenting on the deserters:
Time for these so-called "resisters" to go home and face the music. I don't want my tax dollars going to support these bozos who volunteered and then decided they didn't want to play by the rules they agreed to. I'd have a lot more time for them if they decided to make their stand without turning tail and without abandoning their oaths and their comrades (although I suspect their comrades are better off without them.)
We'll drive 'em to the border. You guys pick them up.
President Bush on terrorists in Iraq:
"They can't whip our militaries. What they can
do is get on your TV screens and stand in front of your
TV cameras and cut somebody's head off, in order to
try to cause us to cringe and retreat. That's their
strongest weapon." . . .
Joe Honan, Castle Afghan Correspondent Sez
Two things that were going through my mind were: Uncle Joe never went through this to bring his Luger back from the ETO, and what use was it voting for Republicans all my life if I can’t just mail a gun back from a war zone? Where are we, Canada?
Carrie Sez:
" Perhaps we should have another category of conservatives besides paleocons and neocons.
"Narcissocons" with the motto "We are always on our minds". If you happen to be one, you are not allowed to have or spend the older quarters because there's a MEXICAN EAGLE on the back. Oh the horror." . . .
Marc Danziger (Armed Liberal)
"As most of you know, I'm a liberal Democrat (pro-gay marriage, pro-choice, pro-progressive taxation, pro-equal rights, pro-environmental regulation, pro-public schools) who supported and supports the war in Iraq. As I tell my liberal friends, "Did I miss the part where it was progressive not to fight medieval religious fascists?"
Princess Crabby on Iraq:
" Maggie said:
"If you believed an incident such as this could change your mind then
you really weren't supporting OIF/OEF for the right reasons." " . . .
Red Ensign Bloggers - Fighting to Keep Canada Free from
the Yoke of Excessive Political Correctness!
g
© Pamela Bobik
