We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:33:38 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification 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... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html Sun, 13 Jan 2008 08:53:45 -0600 Thanks. It was just a poor time to post that question. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68683 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68683 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:46:29 -0600 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).]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68682 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68682 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:12:41 -0600 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. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68640 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68640 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:05:28 -0600 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? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68607 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68607 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:30:37 -0600 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... ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68604 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68604 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:10:39 -0600 Snerk. And only Ry comments on the BattleSheep. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68575 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68575 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:14:54 -0600 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. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68573 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68573 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:56:36 -0600 . 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. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68571 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68571 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:36:49 -0600 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... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68570 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68570 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:53:06 -0600 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 ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68569 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68569 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:21:18 -0600 Nice can opener. Might have trouble fitting it on the keyring. oO You're snooping found our secret Emergency Reserve (and NZ morale corps)! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68567 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68567 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 21:06:03 -0600 [knocks, faintly and hesitantly] Uh, kin Ah come back inside, please? It's cold out hyere! Ah'll be good! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68565 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68565 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 18:22:33 -0600 After watching that video.....I'm feeling a little seasick. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68564 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68564 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:38:17 -0600 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! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68562 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68562 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 15:03:48 -0600 Howzzat, Ry? "sub" "/sub "sup" "/sup http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68560 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68560 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 12:29:19 -0600 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. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68559 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68559 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:31:53 -0600 Well, the soundtrack is certainly appropriate. :D Wow! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68556 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/01/fractured_fairy.html#comment-68556 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 10:03:26 -0600