Comments for Fractured Fairy Tales...

Fractured Fairy Tales...

2008-01-13T14:53:45Z

In the comments of this post by Bill, Bill and Trias had this exchange:

BillT briefed on January 9, 2008 12:56 PM:
Actually, "homelike" means anything that doesn't flood much in a monsoon and with enough snakes in the surroundings to keep the rats down but not enough to be a nuisance. Oh, yeah -- and within walking distance of a bar.

Trias briefed on January 10, 2008 7:12 AM:
I think your walking distance to a bar could cover quite an area, particularly if the beer is cold.

Hmmmm. Parrothead Jeff went hunting, and found out how those contractors are really getting their CH₃CH₂OH (it must be CH₃CH₂OH, because we know "alcohol" isn't legal in that part of the world...).

Seeing this, and remembering this post of Bill's, I sent out the spies. After a series of sordid dealings, we got photographic proof of what a bunch of contract helo jocks do when they're in a country where ordnance is just laying about, scrup'ls are haram, and personal security is hard to come by, and they've had some CH₃CH₂OH.

Myself, I think the second round out in a ripple might suffer some accuracy problems due to platform stability issues. To keep this place from getting blacklisted by PETA, you'll have to click the Flash Traffic/extended entry to see Bill's External Guard Force Iraq).

]]>

Comment from Ledger on 2008-01-16

2008-01-16T07:46:29Z

Thanks. It was just a poor time to post that question.

Comment from ry on 2008-01-15

2008-01-16T05:12:41Z

I suppose that calls for a petition to recreate the Great White Fleece for a return to Manila B-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-y... What? Do I look like the resident Sailor Doxie and Gen Lynch drooler overer or something? THough, I'd take the 1000 Ship Navy concept getting off the drawing board and getting to work around the PI(and Malacca).

Comment from BillT on 2008-01-15

2008-01-15T07:05:28Z

Yup, but it'll be later -- I'm just shutting down after a 22-hour day. Prolly do a separate post on it. Pierson's right about being *very* selective in your choice of employers. Unfortunately, there are some fly-by-nighters out there that cause everybody to get splattered with the tarbrush when things turn sour.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2008-01-14

2008-01-14T20:30:37Z

Heh. Sorry about your post showing up so late, Ledger. When I checked this morning, there were no comments requiring moderation - then I check at lunch, and there *is* one - yours, from *yesterday!* Bill - (or anyone) any insight for Ledger?

Comment from BillT on 2008-01-14

2008-01-14T20:10:39Z

And only Ry comments on the BattleSheep. I suppose that calls for a petition to recreate the Great White Fleece for a return to Manila B-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-y...

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2008-01-14

2008-01-14T14:14:54Z

Snerk. And only Ry comments on the BattleSheep.

Comment from BillT on 2008-01-14

2008-01-14T12:56:36Z

Letting the beer get warm is the worst part. That means you have to eat dried fish and cold fries with vinegar when you drink it.

Comment from Charlie Foxtrot on 2008-01-13

2008-01-14T05:36:49Z

. Proves: 1) Rotorheads are weird 2) From the unsteady jerking footage, the camaraman is probably a rotorhead. 3) Duct tape is not always the best solution. 4) Rotorheads see nothing wrong with letting the beer get warm. 5) Rotorheads are very weird.

Comment from BillT on 2008-01-13

2008-01-14T04:53:06Z

Gee, it only took fifteen minutes to get to 0:12 (%$#@! dialup). Good news is that they're running FiOS lines in the neighborhood, so they should get to stately Tuttle Manor about two days after I leave for Iraq. Nice paint job, but it's *still* a Robinson...

Comment from Ledger on 2008-01-13

2008-01-14T04:21:18Z

Aside from getting paid a lot of money, drinking CH3CH2OH and configuring “battlesheep” maybe CW4BillT answer a few questions about this whole “Private Military Company” deal. 1. Are contractors really so cost efficient that they replace two divisions (let’s say a division is 15,000 men)? 2. Do contractors really make $400 a day or about $140,000 per year? I am sure rotor wing pilots like BillT would be paid a higher amount because of his skills. Is this $400 a day net take-home pay? 3. Do contractors die in higher numbers than their military counterparts thus, justify being highly paid? 4. Do contractors depend on the military when they get into a jam? at BlackFive about Contractors and some of the posts said they can make as high as $1000 per day (or $365k per year). That sound very good. Here is a sample post by LPierson: I have been on the "been ther done that" tour with Dyncorp as PSD in Afganistan, and with another "PMC/PSC" as an exec. My recommendation: be VERY selective as well as inquire directly to some of these outfits. There are some outfits that are doing very good work direct with DOD and DOS and are outside the wire A LOT. There are some outfits that are outside the wire and should not be, hence the comment from the good Sergeant regarding arrogant hammerheads etc. The entitlement mentality that exits over on the PMC blogosphere rates right up there with "undocumented workers," those people need to be ignored. Most of the guys I worked with were down to earth and candid enough about what they do and how much they get paid, average around 400.00US a day, thats what I got. Even though guys were making tremendous money, in the long run it is less expensive for Uncle Sugar use folks like BW or TC or Dyncorp than to stand-up two more divisions. I am a retired SF guy and all the regular benfits one expects from normal employment did not apply to me, thus the decrease in overall cost for the services rendered. Posted by: LPierson, Jan 12, 2008 06:58 AM PMCs from B5 or see: http://www.blackfive.net/main/2008/01/questions-from.html#comments PMC from B5

Comment from Trias on 2008-01-13

2008-01-14T03:06:03Z

Nice can opener. Might have trouble fitting it on the keyring. oO You're snooping found our secret Emergency Reserve (and NZ morale corps)!

Comment from Justthisguy on 2008-01-13

2008-01-14T00:22:33Z

[knocks, faintly and hesitantly] Uh, kin Ah come back inside, please? It's cold out hyere! Ah'll be good!

Comment from Maggie on 2008-01-13

2008-01-13T23:38:17Z

After watching that video.....I'm feeling a little seasick.

Comment from Parrothead Jeff on 2008-01-13

2008-01-13T21:03:48Z

Thanks for the link in the post! I don't know what I'm coming down with, but it's not fun - I hate being sick. Thanks for making me laugh when I needed it!

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2008-01-13

2008-01-13T18:29:19Z

Howzzat, Ry? "sub" "/sub "sup" "/sup

Comment from ry on 2008-01-13

2008-01-13T17:31:53Z

Not like I've ever figured out how to make it happen w/ HTML, but if you're going to put up the formula the numbers should be subscripts. Alternatively, /\OH works too. And I want a battlesheep.

Comment from FbL on 2008-01-13

2008-01-13T16:03:26Z

Well, the soundtrack is certainly appropriate. :D Wow!