January 26, 2008
H&I Fires* 26 JAN 2008
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 deathBAGRAM 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.
Not to mention a little InfoOp going on in the piece. After all, we have Secretary Gates telling the world we're willing to send troops to Pakistan.
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
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Ghadafi's Son Responsible for Terror Attacks Around Mosul, Iraq
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.
A first hand view of two of the most violent Baghdad neighborhoods, past and present. There is Optimism.
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.
Security Council Agrees on New Sanction (could have knocked me over with a feather)
For our rotorheads: Next Generation Troop Transport
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
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 EatPolice 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.
Veterans you *do* want for neighbors...
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 martialBREVARD, 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!
January 25, 2008
H&I Fires* 25 JAN 2008
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
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If you aren't aware of, or haven't been following the tale of Hesham Islam, senior advisor to Undersecretary of Defense Gordon England, and Army Reserve Major Steve Coughlin, you can click this link to Claudia Rosett's National Review article to catch up. - there are some disturbing questions raised here - at the extreme end, allegations of penetration of the US government by Islamist agents, or at least, and more likely, a benign obtuseness on the issue of calling an apple an apple - simply because doing so offends some people... You should also click this link, to read the thesis on Extremist Jihad (accepted by the National Defense Intelligence College) submitted by Major Coughlin in his pursuit of his MS in Strategic Intelligence. "To Our Great Detriment." -the Armorer
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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.
That quote is from the Blogger's Roundtable interview with Colonel Kornish - amply summed up by Chuck Simmins at America's North Shore Journal. -the Armorer
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The Commissar finds that Bill Clinton has been channeling... wait for it... Richard Milhouse Nixon of late. -the Armorer
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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.
-Kat
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Double Amputee Walks Again Due to Bluetooth Technology
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.
-Kat
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Talk about too stupid to live... suicide bomber trips, blows up. -the Armorer
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Happy Friday! Here you go! Have some of these, too.Kisses..........Love Maggie
Urban legend abornin'...
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?
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.
It turns on this report from the BBC: PM promises clampdown on knives H/T Arms And Law
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.
We're screwed.
Federalist Papers #10
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.
January 24, 2008
H&I Fires* 24 JAN 2008
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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Bill says he's a victim of an Obama "hit job." Personally, I think the real hit job is the photo accompanying the story.
If you click through just one link here, make it this one:
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."Do read it all--it's not long.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 disturbing thing is, there seems to be a problem with the funding that makes CLCs possible.
Israel is playing a fascinating game of Gaza chess with Egypt. - FbL
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Guess where the following editorial appeared:
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.Heh. Did The Nation turn right-wing when I wasn't looking?...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.
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More global warming, plz.
That is all. -the Armorer
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Oh, Rivrdog - you prolly just oughta bring a jacket, too. -the Armorer
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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
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Another empty chair at the table.
My Dad, as is his wont, sent a very brief note.
Elaine died about 6 PM last night.
Dad
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.
For some reason, this post came to mind, something I did for Easter two years ago.
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.
Review of Matamoros #1
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
January 23, 2008
H&I* FIRES 23 JAN 2008
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 (mo