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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On the side bar and in previous posts here, we talked about "the final mission" that every vet has - coming home. Veterans Talk is a new blog by a Marine Veteran of Iraq.

When I got back from Iraq, I admit, I drank a ton. Now, with a more clear mind than I had back then I can see that I drank because it somewhat numbed my mind, it allowed me to be myself and not have to worry about 'maintaining'. I could get drunk with my buddies, or at home by myself and everything would be alright. I could tune down a bit from having to look over my shoulder everywhere I went, and forget about worrying about every piece of trash laying on the side of the road. It also helped me to forget the faces of the people that we hurt and put down.

Go read: Combat Veterans

On a roll with our veterans issues: A Helping Hand.

Denizenne Theme Song: You Can't Say No To A Soldier Or, maybe the denizenne theme song is this.

Techography jumps on it: Bloggers are little toads

Mugniyah orchestrated 2006 war according the Hezbollah

I'm torn about this. Though we once had a long discussion in comments here about the fall of the USSR. I noted that the left claims the fall was inevitable due to bad economics and politics while the right claims that Ronnie's "peace through strength" spent them into oblivion. I always felt that both sides overlooked a very important aspect: the black market. Not just the underground economy that it spurred, but the things that people bought. Like Coca-Cola, Levi jeans and Michael Jackson music cassettes (back when he was somewhat "normal"). You really can't say "freedom" any better than American made products and American music.

Stephen Haye's warns us not to take Obama and the Power of Words for granted. Remember Reagan? I can't help that I keep hearing a Coca-Cola commercial when I hear him speaking.

I'd like to build the world a home and furnish it with love...grow apple trees, honey bees and snow white turtle doves.

That's the real thing...what the world wants today...(.wav file, original song, if you can't get to youtube)

Obama, the Coca-Cola Candidate: he's fizzy and gives you a rush. Just don't snort him out your nose.

Hillary?

And here's something to really tick off a bunch of folks: Study Finds Immigrants commit less crime than US born citizens.
-Kat
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Uh...Pardon Me? Hello? Let me repeat: Nuts!
-Kat

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Remember last election cycle the news was about the Iraq vets who were running against the war? This cycle there are Iraq vets running who support the war. Iraq Vets For Congress. Jules Crittenden has more. -the Armorer

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With elegant understatement, Neptunus Lex takes a look at of some of the big names attempting to "advise" Clinton and Obama on foreign policy:

Together the three wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post intended to stiffen the spines of any presidential candidates - they know who they are - now running on an anti-war platform, but who might be toying with the notion of going all wobbly and governing responsibly once in office.

To balance things out, I'll pimp myself:

I don't know what gave him away... maybe it was the mile-wide grin on his face, or the way he walked so lightly in dusty boots recently unburdened of at least 50 pounds of gear, but the USO director instantly knew the broad-shouldered young soldier was home from Iraq.

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Continuing the story - Army Chief of Staff General Casey testifying before Congress, speaks to Senator Obama's Army Captain:

"I have no reason to doubt what it is the captain said," Casey said. "This was 2003 and 2004, almost four and a half years ago. We acknowledge and all worked together to correct the deficiencies that we saw in that period, not only in Afghanistan but in Iraq. It was a period that we worked our way through."

Read the rest here. The, read Abu Muqawama's take on it. I agree. I would hate to be "that guy!" -the Armorer

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War is all about move, countermove, flex and adapt. The stupid die young, the smart die hard. Abu Muqawama on Taliban flexing and adapting. -the Armorer

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Alphecca on muddle-headed thinking in journo circles. -the Armorer

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Arms and Influence on the subject of Flag Hags. Color me in agreement with Kingdaddy on the subject. My own "school moment" was when I was "rulered" for not praying out loud. For a week. I don't mind school prayer all that much, really. I didn't then. I just wanted to do it my way, so to speak. And I wasn't bending on the subject, either, no matter how much Mrs. Rowland was going to beat me for it. When Mom and Dad found out about it (no, I never said a word) it got taken care of. On several levels. Did kill my taste for school for many years, I admit. -the Armorer

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Maggie found a Military Motivator poster I'd missed! we're in ur baz, killin ur dudz. Kansas bloggin' sage, El Borak, finds another. -the Armorer
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William F. Buckley Jr. Is Dead at 82 .....Maggie

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."