SIMI VALLEY - Shawn Sage long dreamed of joining the military, and watching "Full Metal Jacket" last year really sold him on becoming a Marine.
But last fall, a Los Angeles Superior Court commissioner dashed the foster teen's hopes of early enlistment for Marine sniper duty, plus a potential $10,000 signing bonus.
In denying the Royal High School student delayed entry into the Marine Corps, Children's Court Commissioner Marilyn Mackel reportedly told Sage and a recruiter that she didn't approve of the Iraq war, didn't trust recruiters and didn't support the military.
I understand that foster children are technically in the legal custody of the state and that the state's responsibility is to keep them safe while they are in their custody. However, this seems to be extending that responsibility beyond the judge's and the state's original responsibilities as well as extending that beyond the age and time when the state will have legal responsibility: 18.
What would be interesting would be to discover how many cases this judge sent to private or state run boot camps.
Still, in the end, the judge gave the wrong reason to keep the boy out of the Marines. She didn't say that Marine DEP was dangerous to his health right now. She says that she is against the Iraq war (how does she know he'll even go there? Marines are getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan, go to Ethiopia, Djibouti, El Salvador and many other places on humanitarian and relationship building programs).
The Marines, contrary to many idiotic anti-military people like this judge, do much more than go places and break things, though that is often their favorite. They teach more skills than killing people. They teach discipline. They teach thinking. They teach exactly what the judge thought they didn't care about: camaraderie, team work and taking care of the members of your unit.
In short, they teach brotherhood.
Has the California foster child system ever been able to teach that?
Yet another proof that California is the land of fruits, flakes and nuts.
The job of a judge is to apply the LAW, not their own personal views.
One wonders if a clever conservative lawyer (if there is one in California) couldn't find a way to sue the judge for infringing on the Constitutinal right of association and thereby denying this individual their civil rights.
posted by Marine6 on March 8, 2008 12:24 PM
... And with mixed emotions I look forward to moving to the land of Cocoa Puffs.
posted by Boquisucio on March 8, 2008 1:20 PM
When I read the article off Blackfive this morning, I couldn't understand the part about not allowing a 17 year old to have a DELAYED ENTRY. Does that mean the only thing she refused him was the $10,000 signing bonus? If he waits for graduation like the recruiter set up, he maybe will have a few months to hang around until his adulthood. Oh well.
posted by Fishmugger on March 8, 2008 6:13 PM
Fish Mugger, that's my understanding, too--that all she has done is deprive him of his $10,000 delayed-entry signing bonus. In a few months, he'll be able to enlist as an adult... without her approval and without the signing bonus. Really obnoxious.
When he's 18, he should turn around and sue said judge for the $10K she just denied him. And that judge needs to be removed from the courts for allowing her personal viewpoints to cloud her interpretation and application of the law.
Hopefully the Marine recruiter might be able to work with the recruiting command and his/her higher ups and get this young man the bonus to which he is entitled.
Isn't there an appeal the young man can make to overrule this overreaching judge? I'm not familiar with the laws in Granola-land but surely she isn't the final say in this, is she?
posted by NevadaDailySteve on March 8, 2008 9:40 PM
Good Grief. This makes NO sense. The kid is working hard for a good future. You have to be clean with the law and have a passing GPA to get into the DEP (I know, since that's the way the Marine!Goth went in, though his MOS didn't have a signing bonus at the time).
Would she have rather had him be one of those foster kids that ends up in some street gang?
(Glad I don't live in CA!)
posted by Karla (threadbndr) on March 11, 2008 11:56 AM
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).
In fact, a Nexis search of major world newspapers Tuesday yielded 2,568 hits for the words “Clinton” and “Hsu” versus only 426 for the words “Obama” and “Rezko.” Expanding the search to include all media outlets, the Clinton/Hsu query produced more than 3,000 hits, while Obama/Rezko turned up 1,741.
Mixed reviews for new Air Force Slogan: "Above All". It used to be "Aim High" and then it went to some horrible PR failure of "Do Something Amazing". The Air Force should have gotten their money back.
Meet Buster Martin, who intends to run the London Marathon. And if he finishes it - he's going to celebrate with a pint and a cigarette. I'm pretty sure he's going to win his age-group. The "Over 100" age group. Really. You go, dude! -the Armorer
For any interested, attached is yesterday's resurrected VIDEO
***SAME WARNING*** Images and Language are crude as it captures the aftermath of what Armed Forces do best.
“There are times when we have to beef up the training,” [instructor] Hooks said. “A lot of times they don’t want to take breaks, they just keep asking for more.”
“The people of Janabi approached us, saying they bet on the wrong horse,” Zimmerman said. “Many of them were former (al-Qaeda) members not even three weeks ago.”
The reconciliation of former al-Qaeda members has allowed progress in the area.
“They have actually gone out and dug up improvised explosive devices which they had planted, turned in weapon caches and have shown dedication toward working together with the Coalition and Iraqi Army forces,” Zimmerman said.
*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."
101 years and running - the one thing I DON'T miss about the Army. Those who know me understand my obvious jealousy when I say that he still has COLOR (colour for you anglo-philes) in his beard. I'm with him on the pint, don't know about the "fag". Hope he makes it. ML
Wow, that Patton article is amazing. It's so cool to see, through my interviews with 3ID, how the work of Petraeus, Odierno and Crocker has played out on the ground in 3ID's AO.
The Royal Logistic Corps Warrant Officer saved the lives of hundreds of Iraqi men, women and children by dismantling the 55kg monster outside Basra’s main civilian hospital.
Modest “Waddie” dug out the half-buried bomb by HAND and hauled it back to base. The device then helped reveal vital bomb-making techniques of Iraqi insurgents.
The married hero of Cambridge was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. He said: “I was aware the bomb was big but I didn’t think about it.
“If it had gone off it would have put a big hole in the hospital and I would have been pink mist. But I only did what any one of the lads would do.”
The typical British understatement (read with English accent) I would have been pink mist. But I only did what any one of the lads would do.
posted by kat-missouri on March 7, 2008 11:21 AM
The Mid Atlantic Air Museum holds a World War II weekend around June 6th every year. Re-enactors bivouac, occupy a French village, and battle it out in a field complete with dragon's teeth. Lots and lots of weapons, vehicles, and other gear from a variety of countries. Also, a static air display, real live flying WWII warbirds, and even rides in a B25 (which MAAM owns) and a B17.
For a readable version of that graphic - click here.
The L96 sniper rifle and the L115A3 Long Range Rifle are used by military snipers in all the Brit Services.
Designed to achieve first-round hit at 600m and harassing fire out to 1100m, the Accuracy International L96 sniper rifle has been upgraded with a new 3-12 x 50 sight and spotting scope.
The L115A3 Long Range Rifle fires an 8.59mm bullet, heavier than the 7.62mm round of the L96, and less likely to be deflected over extremely long ranges.
Indeed. It is. Now that it's been used in a Long Distance Rifle - look to hoplopansies to demand it be banned. Or better yet - all ammo larger than 8mm!
On Iraq's Economic Development: An Interview with Ambassador Ries
Corrections: several errors have been pointed out by the Ambassador and corrected below: 1) 1.5 and 2 million barrels a day refers exports, not total production. Total production is 2.5 million/day. 2) The new government agency in charge of investment is the National Investment Commission, not an Investment Ministry (though the "commissioner" will hold a rank equal to Minister). 3) Oil revenue-sharing is happening today; the issue at hand now is adding foreign investment into the mix.
On February 21st when I interviewed Brigadier General Cardon, he shared his opinion that “The real story over the next several months is going to be political and economic.” He discussed the potential for foreign investors who would bring industry and jobs to Iraqis and said now is the time for business to come and take a look. “This is a country of personal engagement…. Getting here early is a good thing if you want to have a long-term business arrangement.”
This statement inspired interest among readers in learning more about economic development and investment in Iraq. The request to 3ID's public affairs office for someone who could speak more authoritatively on the subject ultimately landed at the State Department, and what follows is the result.
This past Wednesday evening I spoke for nearly an hour with America's senior man in Iraq for economic development: Ambassador Charles Ries, Coordinator for Economic Transition in Iraq and Economics Minister. The focus of the interview was Iraq's readiness to receive foreign investment, but in a very forthcoming manner he covered topics ranging from banking and other infrastructure to labor, agriculture, and the challenges facing attempts to create a modern Iraqi economy.
The most striking message of the interview was how much security and economic development go hand in hand, reinforcing each other. They are completely inter-dependent; each without the other will not result in sustainable peace or success. Over-arching all of this is the legislative factor: full implementation of many plans and activities awaits action by Iraqi governmental leadership.
And so, in listening to Ambassador Ries, one is left with the impression of Iraq as an immensely complicated economic jigsaw puzzle, each part dependent on the other and full of bottled-up potential. The biggest challenge is the bottleneck through which it seems each piece must pass. Not surprisingly, it all comes back to oil. It is oil revenue that will fund Iraq's government, and thus fund almost every project that descends from the government. The problem right now is that because oil revenue-sharing is still not completely resolved, many of the needed improvements to oil production capabilities (which will result in increased production/revenue) can't yet be made. The success of almost all the plans and processes covered in my discussion with Ambassador Ries ultimately hinges on the Iraqis' ability to successfully resolve the revenue-sharing issues.
Despite the bottle-neck over oil revenue, a great deal of economic development is occurring in Iraq, and there is much to be excited about. "Iraq is seeing the economic indications of the successful security surge," says Ambassador Ries. "Since the middle of last year we have seen the revival of markets, more economic activity [and the] very early starts of permanent investment and banking activity. We are quite pleased."
The International Monetary fund predicts 7% growth in Iraq's economy, though predictions have repeatedly fallen flat in the past. However, Ambassador Ries is very optimistic, pointing to several factors that he says will increase growth beyond last year's sluggish rate. According to the ambassador, the lack of security in the first half of 2007 created a strong drag on the economy. "Things that couldn't happen due to the security situation were like a tax on the economy," holding it down. But with the success of the “surge” and its accompanying counter-insurgency tactics, security has improved and removed that “tax.” As an example, Ambassador Ries pointed to oil production and exports. In July (shortly after the "surge" reached full strength and just before it began to show results), Iraq was exporting about 1.5 million barrels of oil a day. Today, Iraq is "nudging up against 2 million barrels a day" (total production went from 2 to 2.5 million barrels during that time).
Ambassador Ries predicts this increase in oil production and exports will have a "trickle-down" effect that will fuel the entire economy in the coming year as oil revenue is immediately rolled over into government development projects such as construction sites. Money is already flowing into the provinces and governmental ministries for things like fixing streets, building schools, and dealing with infrastructure problems stemming from war and neglect. This results in greater employment, since people are needed to implement these projects, and the newly-employed workers in turn create demand for products they want to purchase with their earnings... Which creates money-making opportunities for other citizens, etc.
Though specific governmental ministries have been soliciting bids for very narrow projects, it is in many ways a little bit too soon to speak of general foreign investment in Iraq. As of yet, there is no way for a prospective investor to call up a single person in the Iraqi government and say, "I'd like to build a glass factory in your country." However, a highly-regarded Iraqi has been nominated to head the newly-developed National Investment Commission at rank of Minister, and his approval is expected when the legislature returns from its break. Meanwhile, the groundwork is being laid, and like so much in Iraq, is on the edge of bearing fruit.
That groundwork for investment includes not only the creation of a National Investment Commission, but rehabilitation of the energy infrastructure, development of the banking system, and most-importantly, capacity-building--the formation of functional governmental systems to enable development, research, and delivery of services to its citizens, as well as attract and process foreign investment. Over and over again in the interview, Ambassador Ries pointed to coalition efforts to teach basic governmental skills/mechanisms--everything from project management to industrial maintenance to funds distribution. Much is being done in these areas, and in many ways Iraq's economy is on the edge of a boom... a half-finished quilt in which solid and intricate squares await the national government to sew them into a larger and more functional entity.
In the meantime, the Provincial Reconstruction teams are not only reconstructing local infrastructure and business/agriculture, but teaching basic governmental skills and facilitating government functionality at the Province level. Early in the "surge," there were problems with staffing and distribution of the PRTs, but Ambassador Ries now points with obvious pride to the 25 PRTs operating throughout Iraq, "We tried to recast the way we work on civilian side to match/reinforce the strategy of the new way forward [counter-insurgency]." Five of the teams are based with provincial government, teaching and facilitating government function. The rest are called Embedded PRTs (ePRTs), and work hand-in-glove with coalition military forces. All teams are mixed civilian-military, comprised of State Department and USAID personnel, agriculture advisors, engineers, etc.
The province-based PRTs offer "lots of assistance" for local governments to help them effectively use the money they get from the federal government. Under Saddam Hussein, Iraq was a centrally-planned economy, and Ambassador Ries reports that before 2004 no money was allocated to provincial governments. Thus part of the PRTs' effort is focused on teaching project planning, acceptance of contact bids, etc.
Ambassador Ries describes the biggest role of the province-based PRTs as "de-bottlenecking problems." One example he gave was their "instrumental" role in in dealing with a cash-flow problem at the end of last year. Iraq is still a cash economy, and with the economic growth at the end of last year, Diyala Province developed a sudden and severe physical cash-flow problem. Iraqi Dinars are printed in London and must be carried by truck into Diyala. The Diyala PRT was able to use the State Department's connections and expertise to accelerate the printing and delivery of the Dinars. Ambassador Ries said that the PRT members were in constant contact with the treasury personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, and "American expertise and connections made a noticeable difference in Diyala."
The cash-flow issue is indicative of what Ambassador Ries describes as "moving out of the bricks and mortar phase and towards capacity-building... trying to help the Iraqi government operate as a government." Efforts to provides services such as power, attract investment, develop banking, etc., is happening from the top-down in Baghdad while the ePRTs are operating with the military from the ground-up (typical counter-insurgency strategy).
The top-down and ground-up efforts meet at the still-jagged edge of foreign investment--of both money and expertise. So far, the economic rehabilitation is being driven by what Ambasssador Ries called "small-scale revival," retail development fueled by micro-grants/loans and the efforts of the ePRTs. Foreign investment and support of the banking sector are "needed to get to the next stage for lasting growth." This includes helping Iraqis tackle the big energy problems: attracting investments and developing more expertise in oil, and catching up with the demand for electricity. "Both are very large, difficult problems," says Ambassador Ries, which will "make a huge difference" once they are solved.
In part two, I’ll report on the groundwork and attempts to solve the "difficult problems" in detail, including energy infrastructure, the banking system, the labor force, sectors that are expected to drive Iraq’s economic growth, and the impressive man who will be the “go-to guy” for foreign investment in Iraq.
This is probably more appropriately mentioned at the end of the reportage (which is obviously extending into several posts), but Kat had a HUGE role in making this interview go as well as it did. While I was left dazed and confused by the flu, Kat was busy researching--feeding me items to read, suggesting topics and potential questions, and helping me master unfamiliar concepts. I can't imagine how things would've gone without her assistance. She was my hero this last week!
And it's not a close-up of a fromkitz gear, edge-on, that is only 2mm big but photo'd to appear ginormous, either.
Just in case Bill shows up.
Let's make it a two-fer. What's the first thing that pops into your mind when you see this picture? I'm guessing your answer will tell us something about you and your life to date.
Ha, first thing I thought of too! I'm going to guess that it's some sort of playback device. The cup-shaped part on the left has a small wire attaching it to the main body, so that's where the signal could be transferred. Shot in the dark, I'm going to say this is WWI era, so comms were probably quite difficult. Hand crank to make it play because batteries weren't terribly effective at all back then. Kind of like a phonograph that can be broken down for easy transport.
Second pic?
Some poor fool is about to have a REALLY bad day when he catches that grenade.
posted by Ninjafluff on March 7, 2008 8:11 AM
Hand-operated combination device:
sausage grinder and meat slicer.
posted by Erik in Colo on March 7, 2008 8:19 AM
Um, the guy in the second pic is going to fall on his arse when he pulls the trigger 'cause his stance is not so good for handling the recoil?
First photo, electrical sound device powered by hand crank. I would think it was for signals.
Second photo, .303 Short Magazine Lee Enfield, with a grenade launching capability. The grenade looks more modern than the rest of the outfit, and the soldier is an apparent, "Demonstrator, post!" type individual because of his clean uniform, wall backdrop, and the safety appears to be in the forward or off-safe position.
But what do I know, I'm an old ER nurse.
Airborne, All the Way!
Alan Briley, RN
posted by Alan Briley, RN on March 7, 2008 9:17 AM
Second picture is the origin of the RPG.
As I recall, they found it to be more dangerous to the user than the enemy. I don't recall the actual make and model of the unit but it was made to keep soldiers from carrying a second device for such purpose.
Number1: It looks like an electromechanical device but no batteries no cord it's kind of odd really. It's awfully looking like that dude pulls a ripcord like a mower. Which might make this a signal generator.
Second picture is WWI era from the uniform (esp the helmet). Early grenade launcher? I'm guessing a plate from a training manual or manufacturer's catalogue? It's obviously a 'studio' shot.
The top one - Hand crank leads me to think about the same vintage - possibly a bit later from the shoe styling, but then men's shoes and trousers don't give as many clues as women's kit.
The photo shoot (casual, not staged) means later - non-box camera, but whatzit has an almost deco styling in the base. It would help if we could see another elevation of the 'face' plate. That cup-shaped appratus to the left is positionable along the vertical axis (hand crank again).
This one has me pretty stumped.
posted by Karla (threadbndr) on March 7, 2008 1:53 PM
Pic 1: The early model Pinnacup combined both collection and laboratory assessment capabilities. It was the electrical interface that caused it to be dropped in favor of collectors, observers, and additional duty officers.
Pic 2: That is one vertically challenged individual being used as a demonstrator. Perhaps a former Welsh rugby hooker?
posted by Hunter on March 7, 2008 1:55 PM
Using a rifle grenade (longish-range) and bayonet (short-range) at the same time strikes me as rather odd. Was this a normal thing to do? And then there's the bonus hazard of loading the grenade with that pointy thing attached. And, as others have noted, the whole shoulder-firing business. And he seems to be looking upward, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me; weren't there special grenade-launching sights? What's he looking at up there?
(All of which may tell you that I've never been trained in the use of rifle grenades nor bayonets.)
The contraption in the first photo looks like a diabolical instrument for extracting confessions from coffee beans.
And yes, Sir John, you are EVIL (and causing me to waste time at work LOL).
It's nice to see others are baffled, too, and that we have consensus on the era of that "far too well turned out" young man in the second picture. The mind hesitates to think what will happen if the grenade clips the bayonet!
posted by Karla (threadbndr) on March 7, 2008 2:04 PM
Eric - you are correct, your commentary *does* tell me that...
But to answer some of your questions...
...I just deleted all that - I'll make it part of the post where I do the reveal!
1st pic. Crude version of an early warning listening device to locate aircraft? Can't tell if the larger disc is a mic or not, but if so, then cup on the side would be the speaker? Handles for making adjustments to pinpoint the source of the noise?
Pic 2, some poor hopeful with a rifle grenade. As stated above.
posted by Kevin on March 7, 2008 6:24 PM
I'm late to this, but the large egg-shaped housing looks like either a motor or a generator. The operator's right hand may be holding a pull handle or an aiming handle, I'd guess pull handle, as in an earlier mention of a recoil lawnmower starter. The cup to the left has an adjustment, but in one axis only, and it seems pretty beefy for a tuning crank for a sound generator. The slot on the 'starter' mechanism is going to end up being significant, too, but it is too small to be a shotgun trap. This is sort of like 'the blind men and the elephant', each piece looks like something else.
posted by Martin Morehouse on March 7, 2008 8:02 PM
Thursday morning I spoke by phone for about 40 minutes with Brigadier General Jim Huggins, Deputy Commanding General (maneuver), 3rd Infantry Division, Iraq. The 3ID (Taskforce Marne) is headquarters for MND-C (Multinational Division Central) and has been in Iraq since early last year, conducting operations in south-central Iraq--from just south of Baghdad down to Karbala and Najaf, including the east and west borders of Iraq. The wide-ranging interview covered recent operations, Shia-Sunni relations, the Arbaeen pilgrimage, 3ID's detainee release program, signs of Iranian involvement, Iraqis' desire for provincial elections, and ePRTs/intensive rebuilding efforts.
Executive Summary? While the troubles of northern Iraq are making the news, the religiously-mixed area of south-central Iraq in which 3ID operates is starting to sound like the crown jewel of "surge" success in Iraq.
In preparation for the interview, I had scoured the major media for reports from 3rd ID's area of operations over the last two weeks and had come up mostly empty. I opened the interview by mentioning that problem, and BG Huggins confimed that indeed, no news is good news in 3rd ID's case. However, he showed the cautious enthusiasm that is typical for 3rd ID's leadership: "Things are progressing well. I don’t want to give everyone a false impression… [there's] still a lot of hard work to do, but in terms of security things are progressing pretty well."
The facts BG Huggins supplied support his evaluation. For the month of February, 3ID averaged two attacks per day, and with the exception of a single large-scale terrorist act (which I'll cover below), an average of one civilian per day died from violence. Those numbers are less than fifty percent of the already-low numbers reported in the end of January when I began interviewing 3ID leadership.
Right now 3ID's kinetic activity centers around Operation Marne Grand Slam, conducted along the eastern edge of the Tigris River. This is a counterpart to Operation Marne Thunderbolt, which consolidated gains along the western edge of the river in an effort to reduce the flow of "accelerants" of violence into Baghdad. BG Huggins reports that operations are close to wrapping up, and will culminate with the building of another patrol base southeast of Salman Pak. The patrol base will help consolidate Iraqi and Coalition control of the the Tigris river valley from Baghdad to about 50 km south. According to BG Huggins, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) have been integrally involved in Operation Marne Grand Slam.
The big event in 3ID's AO in recent weeks was Arbaeen, the end of the yearly ritual mourning for a 7th-century Shiite imam. In the course of a week, six million pilgrims from all over the Middle East arrived in Karbala on foot. According to BG Huggins, "Things went incredibly well." As during Ashura, ISF again took the lead with coalition forces providing aerial overwatch and standing by as ground backup. In an echo of the flood of people for Arbaeen, two million pilgrims are now continuing into Najaf, under the protection of ISF.
BG Huggins exclaimed over the tremendous volume of Arbaeen pilgrims he had seen from his helicopter flyovers conducted to check force positioning, and how well the Iraqi checkpoints handled them. In an effort inspired by the Sisters of Fallujah, the Iraqis planned for and hired women to inspect female pilgrims at each checkpoint, setting up tents to ensure privacy (similar systems exist at the border checkpoints in 3rd ID's AO). All in all, BG Huggins seemed extremely pleased with the Arbaeen holiday, pointing out that the sheer volume of pilgrims was a "strong statement" of Iraqi and regional faith in Iraq's newfound security.
The only major security breach in the AO during Arbaeen was a suicide bomber who attacked near an Iraqi checkpoint in Iskandariyah where many pilgrims were gathered during their trek. According to BG Huggins, the bomber had concealed his explosives vest under his clothing and nobody suspected anything before he blew up, killing over 50 soldiers and pilgrims.
Something that hasn't been greatly publicized is 3ID's detainee-release program. When people are arrested on suspicion of involvement with terrorist or insurgency activities, the brigades screen them and the worst are placed in a "high-risk" category that will not be released under any kind of amnesty. But in an additional process, other detainees are screened to find individuals who might be eligible to re-integrate. Each detainee must have a "guarantor," a sponsor such as a sheik or Sons of Iraq participant, who will accept responsibility for the detainee's actions if he does something wrong. Sponsors then sign Arabic documents making them liable for the detainee's behavior, and the detainee is released into their protection and guidance.
BG Huggins reports that there are no set standards for release, but things are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Evaluations are made all the way up the chain of command, beginning with records of their educational activities and behavior while at Camp Bucca, the coalition prison. Often this process begins when somebody approaches a coalition soldier and says, "This guy is my cousin, he really isn’t that bad a guy. If he comes back, I’ll take care of him--and it’ll help his family." BG Huggins openly acknowledges that there is a risk factor to this, but in practice it has been a mechanism for strengthening communities by returning breadwinners, and giving a second chance to people who may have done paid jobs for the insurgents simply out of desperation. "[They are] folks we can take a little risk with," he says.
I asked BG Huggins about Sunni and Shia interaction and integration within the ISF he works with. He said that successful integration is dependent very much on leadership, pointing to what he called "the best of the ISF," the Iraqi Army's 4th Brigade of the 6th Division. It is about 75% Shia, operating in an area in which cities are largely Shia and rural areas are 99% Sunni. According to BG Higgins, leadership trumps sectarianism: 4th Brigade's commader is a Shia married to a Sunni, with two sons--one carries a Shia name, the other a Sunni one. "The brigade is received well everywhere," he says.
There have been reports of a great deal of resistance at the national level to bringing the Sons of Iraq (local citizen security groups sponsored by the coalition) and Awakening participants into the national government. BG Huggins says, "It's still a little bit slow. We'd like to see it move faster."
One area that has been successful in bringing citizens into the national government is the Iraq police academy. Under a special "test" agreement, selected SOI members are now given two weeks of training at the academy (rather than the typical eight), then hired as provisional police for a 3-month contract at half-pay. "It's a step in the right direction, but we'd like to see a little more effort to go faster at the national government level," BG Huggins says. So far, 1,000 former SOI members are participating in the program, but many Iraqis are very frustrated at the slow pace of the national government's efforts. A lot of coalition effort has been put into establishing relationships between SOI or Awakening leaders and national leadership, and into encouraging them to be patient. Dialogue and meetings are occurring," reports BG Huggins. "If we can continue that drumbeat [of a request to reconcile], then it should improve."
Part of the problem is that many Sunnis and some Shiites refused to participate in the 2006 elections, and so now do not have the representation at the national level that would help them in their efforts. So, the "dialog" is part of an effort to make sure nationally-disenfranchised Iraqis "stay engaged until provincial elections make more opportunities for them."
In fact, BG Huggins describes successful elections as even more important than economic concerns to the Iraqis he talks with. "Sunnis that I deal with (SOI, etc.) are very conscious of the fact that they missed the vote." They're anxious to get themselves back into a position to have a voice. “Iraqis I talk to want to see provincial elections sooner rather than later.” Elections will lead to more opportunity and fair representation in sectors where they don’t have it now, and the pressure is to have elections so that they can take control of things and fix problems they face. BG Huggins allowed that the farmer may be more focused on his own local needs, but there is a great desire to be allowed a voice. Iraqis and coalition forces seem to be putting a lot of hope in having elections this October, but the national government has still not finalized the laws that would make that possible.
Iran has been a somewhat touchy subject in my interviews with 3rd ID's leadership. They have reported no "direct evidence" of Iranian involvement in their AO, but acknowledge uncovering caches of EFPs that are "assumed to be of Iranian provenance." Acknowledging the delicacy of the issue, I pointed to General Odierno's direct comments on the subject, and asked BG Huggins, "Are you seeing direct evidence of Iranian involvement beyond EFPs, and would you tell me if you did?" He laughed, but after pausing a moment, went on to be more open on the subject than his fellow officers so far. He mentioned the checkpoints along the Iranian border in his AO, and other efforts to watch out for Iranian involvement, but "all of that has revealed nothing—and I tell you that honestly. We have intelligence reports of movement through the area, but no engagement--moving through the British area, particularly." He said they are finding a great deal of munitions specifically marked as Iranian, and getting reports of people moving both northward and southward within their AO, but they haven't caught anyone they've been able to directly connect to Iran.
Part II of this interview will be posted on Monday and will focus on 3ID's intensive rebuilding efforts, including "embedded Provincial Reconstruction Teams," agriculture redevelopment, and what BG Huggins told me he has learned about fish hatcheries. Update: Part II.
FbL, Great roundup, thanks for putting this together. Vice President Mahdi vetoed the Provincial Elections law, but once the parliament resumes session it should get hashed out in short order. Provincial Elections are supposed to be on October 1st.
Yes, that's certainly what everyone's hoping. I've seen some supposed experts say that it's starting to look unlikely that they will be able to have the elections without delaying past October. Let's keep hoping they're wrong! When I asked BG Huggins if he felt there was a limited window of opportunity that the security gains had created and if so, how long he thought it was, it was the elections he pointed to as being something that the people were holding their breath for.
Mmm...I keep trying to figure out what was wrong with the provincial law they were trying to pass. It must have given some guarantees of power or seating in the central government that Maliki did not like.
But, wow, isn't democracy from the ground up interesting?
posted by kat-missouri on March 7, 2008 9:25 AM
Yup. Fascinating. From what I've read about it, the biggest problem had something to do with how much power the national government would have over provincial leaders, but I'm not entirely clear on the subject.
But what is exciting to see about the clamor for provincial elections is that after having sat out the 2006 elections, the Sunnis realize how much they erred and are apparently now invested in the idea of representative government. It's another great reason to hope in Iraq's future.
When I first saw this "new" flag of the "Allied States of America", I thought, "WTF?" And, for the last few episodes, every time they show it, every time they take down the flag of the United States and put up the new flag, I can't help but have a feeling of queasy unease.
I guess that's the first question I would ask if we would have to reconstitute ourselves, would we choose a new flag? The Iraqis have tried to do it twice without much success.
I've been watching Jericho since the beginning. I don't know what other people think about it, but I thought it was an interesting exercise in what would happen if something happened to the central government in Washington DC. That thought exercise has interested me since a few months after the attacks on 9/11.
I have to say, while I realized what the targets were (finance, defense, government), it took me a while to really understand that, if they could have, if the final attack on the capitol had not been thwarted over a Pennsylvania field, they could have placed the United States in a seriously weakened political and economic position.
I played a game with myself about what the political fallout would have been. Would the states seek more power in the vacuum? Would we "balkanize" or return to some "Articles of Confederation"? Or, would we retain our constitutional concepts of government, adhering to those original principles until such a time as the central government could be re-organized? Would we accept, without question, the order of succession? Even it it meant, as in the Battle Star Galactic, the Secretary of Education? Would we organize immediately for new elections for congress?
Would our military command be capable of re-organizing for defense? Would we draw back forces to defend the "homeland" more closely? Or, would we, as we have done, take the fight to the enemy wherever he was? If we felt the need to deploy the National Guard across the country to maintain order or give assistance on a large scale, how long would we allow any form of martial law to be maintained? Would state governments, a new central government or any political entities be willing to give up any temporary power they might gain?
Who would come to our military and economic aid? Would our NATO allies ban together to defend us? Be willing to go the distance for a nation that had lost some of its formal programs? Who (international states) would seek to take advantage of our potentially confused and weakened state? Would it result in internal revolution or external world war?
As in Jericho, what would day to day life be like in neighborhoods, small towns and cities? Would people band together to form ad hoc security, governance and general assistance? Or, having accepted that most towns have put together an "emergency response" system, would we sit back and expect someone to organize for us, provide for us, food, energy, health and security?
One thing that I recognize is that I don't live in Jericho. Jericho is a small town with people who still live a somewhat "Jacksonian" life of independence and self-reliance. The town of Jericho, with neighboring towns being at least twelve or more miles away, is somewhat insulated from outsiders forming a bit of a buffer. Though, the end of last season certainly showed what could happen if communities would have to fight for or share limited resources.
I live in a suburb, near the city. Communities are much more closely situated, though the people are not so close personally. How much more intense would such a scenario be under those geographic and demographic pressures? What would internal migration look like? Would people migrate to cities where they knew other people were and believed had more supplies? Would others migrate out to escape the demographic pressures?
How would we view our personal assets? Would we see them as mementos? Or as potential currency in an economy that might resort to old style half-currency/half bartering?
What would our nation look like?
In Jericho's recent episode, those who sought political power joined with corporate power entities supported by private security companies to take and consolidate power. They used their power to strip local merchants of their freedom to trade, attempted to limit availability of products, including medicine, in order to control the population. They also attempted to use their "emergency powers" to take out any rivals or threats to their power through extra-judicial killings and imprisonment.
A small group of people got together in the local tavern and began to discuss the costs and benefits of Revolution. They talked about "taxation without representation" and the rights of free people. When someone asked what they were talking about doing, one woman spoke up and said, "Boston Tea Party."
Then the program went "Boston Massacre" with the killing of a deaf girl in her own house, along with her unarmed sister-in-law, by the very same "government" security forces who came into the house without legal writ or reason, violating privacy of the citizen and the legal protections against search and seizure.
Some might see some of the overtones of leftist and libertarian fantasies of a black ops, internal government grab for power shared by corporations and the recently minted "evils" of private security companies from Iraq, as a total detractor against the over all story. Then again, they portray the "citizen soldiers" of the professional army as honorable and still believing in serving and defending the people and the constitutional concepts.
It does portray the average citizen as being re-invigorated to our original ideas.
It is interesting that the town is organizing in a way that resembles our founding. Loyalists and Rebels.
The Revolution Begins
I can't wait for them to tear that "new" flag of the "Allied States of America" down.
Anybody who's anybody is a Jericho fan. Madam-at-Arms got me hooked.
And every time I see that sideways-striped flag it's like an itch I can't scratch, except instead of scratching I want to tear that p.o.s. down! I want to reach through the TV screen and hear the satisfying velcro "rrrrrip!" as I pull that "flag" patch right off of MAJ Beck's shoulder!
I dont think the IRS/Accounant/Sister inlaw was dead at the end of the episode. Look like she was on O2 and will probly recover to help bring down J+R. still this season looks to be another great show.
posted by dagamore on March 7, 2008 3:05 AM
Hi dagamore,
Mimi is not dead, but she will need an operation. The next episode will show that.
I have a few shows that I watch every week and only because of TIVO. Jericho and Lost. When they are on NCIS, CIS and Shark on Sunday.
I watch it WHILE I do the research for the internet. But, it's about 1 hour a night for TV. Probably why I haven't drank any one's Kool-aid ;)
But, Jericho, is it.
Yeah, Consul at Arms, I have the same feeling. The first time, I just kept saying "why would they do that?" and "that flag is WRONG!". You know, the Jericho folks flew the American flag all the way through every tribulation and that's what they believed in even when they thought they were the only ones.
I think that's pretty cool of the show to show that kind of American patriotism. But, it was like a needle grinding across a record when they put that other flag up and yes, when I see it on the Soldiers arms, I get the same feeling:
Oh, I'm sure that for Hollywood writers, the vertical stripes symbolize the prison bars of fascist Amerikkka created by the jingoistic patriotism and nationalism that flags represent.
posted by fdcol63 on March 7, 2008 8:31 AM
I have never watched it. I saw the commercials and wasn't interested in a show along the lines of "I for one welcome our new Chinese overlords" or whatever country it was that attacked us. The Allied States of America thing makes me uneasy just from reading it, as does the taking down of Old Glory and replacing it with some writer's contrived thing. If they want to do a show about a revolution brewing in America, set it in Boston in late 1773-1774. I know it's just a TV show, but still....
posted by WS on March 7, 2008 8:31 AM
Sigh - I miss the simpler times of watching Northern Exposure. No Geopolitical Nefariousness; just a complex tapestry of human interactions.
posted by Boquisucio on March 7, 2008 8:37 AM
Nope, you're not alone in not watching it, Armorer. Jeopardy is about the only show The Wife and I do religiously. A day we don't get at least 90% of the questions between us is a bad day. Did BSG for a while, but then they moved it to Sun nights at 10pm. Non-starter. We do watch Heroes though, but not religiously, and we may have to start sneaking into the office to use the highspeed connection to watch that online. Don't watch Lost. Don't watch South Park. Jess watches lots of reruns of CSI. We're a video game, anime, and books family.
And now, since we're losing cable(I'm not going to pay a 25 dollar increase in rent and a fifty dollar increase in cable), we'll watch even less tv. I'll have to set up my radio for disaster alerts and stuff instead of using the tv for that. Dang it, now that means having to buy ginourmous rabbit ears.
What is "Jericho?" I know where the old one is....
With grandchildren, a wife, hundreds of thousands of books unread and music from hundreds of years not listened to, uh... what's television? ;)
Alan
posted by Alan Briley, RN on March 7, 2008 9:24 AM
I am afraid that the necessary philosophical underpinnings to necessary reestablish viable constitutional rule are absent in the general population.
This is independent of any fictional calamity situation.
We have abandoned the foundations of a constitutional republic. The governed are ignorant of "inherent rights" and the political classes have been working hard since at least the 1870's to exploit that ignorance, with the real assault beginning with Teddy Roosevelt's trust busting.
You would have to go a long way to find a public high school graduate who had to read "The Federalist Papers", and good luck finding any that can identify John Locke in a line up.
We are a debauched society and it won't be a foreign attack that turns out the lights. Sorry to say. You don't get flush toilets, drinkable water, and a dearth of dungeons by happy accident. It takes principles and hard work to live free, and our ruling class has worked hard to remove both from the mix.
The majority of Western populations increasingly accepts the supposition that "rights" exist at the pleasure of the government. I have read a lot of Jared Diamond, and agree with very little of his conclusions, but I believe he is pretty close to the mark with his "kleptocracy" theory.
Oh, I'm sure that for Hollywood writers, the vertical stripes symbolize the prison bars of fascist Amerikkka created by the jingoistic patriotism and nationalism that flags represent.
No...it's the "new direction" of the country.
posted by kat-missouri on March 7, 2008 9:42 AM
Well, I've read both the Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers, as has my son.
I couldn't pick Locke out of a line-up, but I could pick him out of a philosophy line up.
And Boq - yeah, gimme stuff like Northern Exposure again. I liked that enough I bought the DVDs. 'Men in Trees' is a pale imitation.
I believe that "what works best for the most" is what will float to the top in any situation.
Where there is no embarrassment of riches to redistribute, local populations will either stand up and defend themselves and their resources or they will cease to be populations - they will be conquered and assimilated or destroyed.
Oh geeze... I'm trying to give history lessons at Castle Arrrgh.
I have lost thyroid function and the last couple of days my meds have seemingly abandoned their post. Weight is depressing (really pressing) but it's the loss of mental acuity that really sucks.
I think that small town America will fare better in a collapse, at least where body counts are concerned. I believe that of all the states, Utah would function as a state longer than any other state in the nation.
Never watched Jericho, btw. I believe we've got more pressing problems than the scenario they run with there.
I am afraid that the necessary philosophical underpinnings to necessary reestablish viable constitutional rule are absent in the general population.
You know, I actually disagree with that. I've been reading considerably about the "Jacksonian" side of our nation and I believe that there does exist some definite strata of our society that comprehends it fairly well, even if many of them haven't read Locke or Smith, etc.
As egregious as it sounds, there is something really fantastic about how far and wide the primaries have been covered for the election this year. I think it at least gives people an idea of the process.
I don't know if a reconstituted United states would look like the old one. Then again, would we want it to? I mean, we would start out in a different position than our founders. We would already have universal suffrage, no slavery and a history of electioneering.
On the other hand, it might not be that we don't have enough people who understand the process, but that we would have too many, comparatively speaking, who would be demanding their voices be heard and believing they understood the process, even slightly. As opposed to our founders who were much smaller in population, had limited representation and based suffrage on property.
Until Jackson that is.
So, I disagree with you. It's not that we don't have enough. It is that we would have too many.
And bear with me if I am imprecise; a scholarly knowledge of the founders or the philosophical leading lights of representative self rule is not essential; "what works" ALWAYS transcends "things academics think should work".
Locke, Smith, Jefforson and such didn't create truth so much as chronicle and explain basic principles. Yes, there are a lot of Jacksonians running around out here, and yes, an upheaval would possibly bring them to the forefront and their worth would shine through.
My contention is that we have shifted from a freedom society to a custodial society. We have given up justice and moral in favor of legal and expedient. And the situation that permits such aberration of representative government is fast disappearing; easily exploitable discretionary wealth available for redistribution is ceasing to be one of our problems, and at a pace very few seem to appreciate, or at any rate willing to acknowledge.
I regard the enactment of Castle Doctrine laws, beginning in Florida, as the third shining philosophical moment of my life, with the embrace of the Laffer Curve in economics and Reagan's "Evil Empire" speech being the first two.
My contention is that we have shifted from a freedom society to a custodial society. We have given up justice and moral in favor of legal and expedient.
I would agree only to an extent. Thinking back, having read some historical commentaries, biographies and autobiographies, the idea of the law, justice and morality being three different things was apparent and complained about plenty even at our founding. I think we often like to believe that our founders were more pure of thought or less burdened by "modern morality" than we were, but I don't think that is true. I've argued in the past regarding "inherent right to self defense" that our founders actually confronted the very same ideas that we do today, even if the details of who and what are different.
It didn't make them any more or less moral than we are. thus, I disagree that we have lost anything that we may not have had much of in the first place. Meaning that, we have long understood that the laws that govern us are meant to be "blind" to insure justice, but blind justice isn't always moral. In fact, I think she is the coldest whore on the planet, but extremely effective with her sword.
We built it that way over years even before the revolution. Morality is for the citizen and the preacher, politican and the doctor. Not for the lawyer.
And the situation that permits such aberration of representative government is fast disappearing;
I'm not following you there. ARe you talking about the size of our population? Or something else?
easily exploitable discretionary wealth available for redistribution is ceasing to be one of our problems, and at a pace very few seem to appreciate, or at any rate willing to acknowledge.
that I agree with. I think many people do not understand that you can't simply maintain the distribution system as it is or expand it without it becoming a whole different politico-economic system than that which has sufficed us all these years. Mind you, I am a constant agent for change, but not quite that change. That becomes a different danger.
On the other hand, the problem might be that that population suddenly has the bottom drop out of it at some point and we are like a giant Japan, population wise, if you get my meaning.
posted by kat-missouri on March 7, 2008 12:06 PM
Kat, many of your questions were answered to some degree in Pat Frank's Alas Babylon from the 1950's. You are probably too young to have read that yarn.
Jericho is a good watch, but I keep hearing echoes. For me it is a case of catching it when they run a half dozen or so episodes on cable on a weekend.
posted by David on March 7, 2008 12:29 PM
Pat Frank's Alas Babylon from the 1950's.
I'll see if the local library or e-books has it on stock to read. Thank you for mentioning it. I have not read it before.
posted by kat-missouri on March 7, 2008 12:50 PM
Pertinent to this discussion, I think, is the state of what is called the "Gen-Y" demographic, at least here in the US. At a recent conference that my company hosted, we heard a keynote presentation by a noted speaker on this topic, a member himself of the Gen-Y group who's been highlighted on "60 Minutes" and "20/20".
His speech was aimed at educating CEOs and other top management staff about how to hire and retain members of this demographic, but IMHO, it really turned out to be an indictment of the permissive parenting skills of many liberals in the audience as well as their support for many of the trendy educational philosophies of the past 20-30 years.
I know we've seen great examples of the heroism, industriousness, and leadership ability of what I would call "the select few" - the exceptions - among this generation in the military serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.
But I really worry about what the future holds in store for us as a country and culture when the majority of this age group is running things. Dumbing down America, indeed!
I know every generation traditionally professes little faith in the succeeding generation, but my theory is this:
It's like "half-life". You never really dumb down to zero, but at a certain point the issue becomes moot. You're close enough.
For any who are interested, I'll make the video of this speech available to you in a few weeks when we post it on our website.
It will be educational ... and worrisome.
posted by fdcol63 on March 7, 2008 1:40 PM
Back from the doc...
kat -
The two phrases you quoted are actually addressing the same idea: we've been so tremendously productive, so wealthy as a society, and and achieved such a high standard of living that we take for granted the amount of debt carried by government, the amount of debt carried by individuals (maybe not so much the latter, lately, eh?), and see the coming Democrat entitlement tsunami without flinching.
We can't afford it. Any of it. Not forever.
Speaking of Gen-Y:
I hope they are better than we were. Their time is NOW, and I hope they have the guts and wisdom to discount the vast majority of "conventional wisdom" and legacy politicians and establish a little sanity.
All speaking on the widest possible scope, of course. There are great and good in every generation; the last two have just been weighted pretty light is all.
I'll join the group that has not watched Jericho. I am not opposed to the show, and would probably watch, it's just not on my radar. I haven't had time to work and read and visit my favorite blogs enough lately, so adding new TV shows isn't gonna happen.
Boq & John - Right there with you guys on Northern Exposure. That show was a breath of fresh air, and I miss it !
I admit, I liked Northern Exposure and only made it through four episodes of "Men in Trees" before dumping it.
posted by kat-missouri on March 7, 2008 4:40 PM
I watched a few episodes of "Jericho," but my level of interest never rose high enough to make it a regular part of my TV-watching. There are only two shows on my "don't miss if I can help it" list: "NCIS" and "NUMB3RS". I thought about trying to pick up "Jericho" when it restarted a couple of months ago, but the teasers made every episode look like some variant on "sterling noble townsfolk fighting back against evil outsiders who want to make them part of a New American Empire." End of that idea. Blech.
The most interesting riff I've seen/read on the "rebuilding society after a cataclysm" plotline is the Nantucketers Trilogy by S.M. Stirling: Island in the Sea of Time, On the Oceans of Eternity, and Against the Tide of Years. The basic premise is that one fine spring day in 1998, the island of Nantucket and an area of ocean around it gets transported back in time about three thousand years. Five thousand or so late-twentieth-century humans, a complete cross-section of American culture as of that time, abruptly plopped into the middle of the late Bronze Age.
posted by wolfwalker on March 9, 2008 1:35 PM
"Ry - a $50 increase in cable? Monthly? That seems steep even for corporate wolves!"
Ja, wohl.
The complex went to all digital cable. To keep the same channels we get now for $5/month we'd have to pay $5/month for the cable box and then $50/month for a package deal that has 90% of channels we never watch. There's cheaper packages, but those packages don't carry the channels (alla 9) that we watch regularly, at all. So, until 2009 we go with rabbit ears for news and broadcast tv shows we like (Heroes, Big Bang Theory), NETFLix for other stuff, and we have about 4 months worth of reading if all I did was 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).
Tuesday, I asked why Obama wasn't being hammered for his past, his connections, or his stupid trade policies. The media is starting to realize that, yeah, maybe,they have been somewhat biased in their reporting (shocka!). Some people tried to ask some hard questions. Obama slithered away in the middle of the questions to avoid some. Probably hoping that last nights primaries would overshadow the problems, give him breathing space and maybe let it disappear until such things as Rezko's trial getting further along or being delayed by motions that will keep the hard info out of the hands of people until the primaries are done. Then, he probably feels that, no matter what comes out, the Democrats will be left with supporting him whole heartedly or allowing McCain to be elected.
Early Tuesday, through no choice of my own at 1 AM in the morning, I was watching MSNBC. Olberman and Matthews were fawning all over Obama and dissing Hillary's "phone call at 3 AM" ad. No one mentions anything negative about Obama. Go figure.
Also via Instapundit, his lovely wife Dr. Helen on the Combat Mind Set My grandfather once told me if you think you might be in a fight, try to talk your way out. If you can't talk your way out, walk away. If you can't walk away, throw the first punch and keep swinging until the guy is on the ground and can't get up.
- Kat
********************** The Thunder Run asks: Has the Anti-War Crowd Gone Too Far?: This morning at about 3:40 am an explosion occurred outside a very successful recruiting station in Times Square NYC. While no report seems to link the current escalation of force by the anti-war / peace movement I will. First we saw Code-Pink in Berkeley, CA swarm around and set up a continual protest against the USMC. Then we have crowds invading a recruiting station in Washington DC. Now…a bombing of a recruiting station in NYC.
The left is already in a tizzy over the event worried that it's going to cause a backlash against them. In the words of Kos Diarist Cool Blue Reason:
"Inevitably, we're going to start hearing about "left-wing terrorism" from the usual suspects in the media. And I'm guessing the drumbeat is going to be especially loud in this political environment."
And you know what CBR, you are absolutely correct. Do you want to know why, the reason is because you are more than happy to surround your self and associate with those who openly hate and attack those who defend us. Read More
David M
*******************************************
Further to yesterday's post, attached is a VIDEO of The Colombian Government's version of the Land Assault on Reyes' Camp in Ecuador. Better hurry before the web media provider takes it down for being "Inflamatory"
***WARNING*** Images and Language are crude as it captures the aftermath of what Armed Forces do best.
BOQ
*******************************************
Update to David's bit about the Times Square bombing. Stylistically, it appears to be similar to the attacks on the Mexican and British consulates - in which surplus dummy training grenade bodies were filled with black-powder and lit off with fire-cracker fuze. If that holds up, it looks more like a loner with a grudge or agenda more than anything more sinister. Clearly, we need more dummy-grenade control! Serial numbers, registration - the lot! Sorry, just releasing my Inner Armorer for a moment. -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."
dou... that's Waffen-Werke, IIRC. Made under German supervision in Czechoslovakia. Amazing that a '42 date has lasted in that shape, given the combat experiences of the Wehrmacht 1942-45. I'll bet that particular rifle never got issued to a combat unit, or was perhaps part of a shipment to Syria... but we'll probably never know.
Nice find.
posted by Neffi on March 6, 2008 8:59 AM
By disrupting the lawful activities of our military, at a time of war, these "pranksters", are providing comfort and succor to the enemies of The United States. If today's little "fire-cracker", is not a clear demonstration of a Seditious Act, I do not what would qualify.
Today Dave, I'm seeing Red all over Code Pink and their ilk. You stand on notice Little Pinkies - YOU STAND ON NOTICE.
posted by Boquisucio on March 6, 2008 9:55 AM
Withhold Federal funds from Berkley?
Naaah ... Eject Berkley from the Union. Build a fence around it, and let them join Canada! LOL
My apologies to what few reasonable people may still live in Berkley.
posted by fdcol63 on March 6, 2008 10:59 AM
Yes, Obama needs to defend his record, if the press ever gets around to doing its job. But odds are that the media's love affair with Sen. McCain will continue despite his very clear record of flip-flopping on conservative issues.
No thanks, you can keep Berkly. Us guys in Cananda don't need any more (insert other word for cats) up here. We have enough of them already.
Go PPCLI and Van Doo's!
posted by theredsuit on March 6, 2008 11:38 AM
Heh. I'm not keen, myself, on the Generals and Admirals jumping on political bandwagons, unless they've gone full political like Wesley Clark has. Once you toss your own hat into the ring, I think you get a pass on the "politicizing" the military complaint.
I don't like it, but I don't see how you stop it, especially once it's started. Heh. Usetabe we couldn't even vote. See how much has changed?
And I bet, in his darker moments, Mr. Gore wishes we didn't have the franchise.
Retired Majors, now, well, who gives a flying flip what they think, so that's okay. I don't see why it should be any different after retirement than it was before retirement...
And speaking of McCain, Does the Endorsement of a Retired Military Person Politicize the Military? Or is it okay because Big John is a vet?
Actually, Jason, the question regarding endorsements of retired personnel was not aimed at Obama as a political snipe, but a serious question to the military folks about how retired personnel are viewed in regards to politics. So you can get your panties out of twist.
Personally, I don't think that it represents any politicization of the military since I can know the difference between active duty and retired, etc. It would be a different question if it was an active duty military person.
However, I was looking for the view of our military guys considering that, yes, John here is a retired military person and speaks his mind about political things.
But, the story made it out as if it was a no-no so I thought I'd ask.
posted by kat-missouri on March 6, 2008 1:29 PM
It's kind of a cultural taboo, Kat, as the article on the Sergeant Major implies.
And I have no doubt it more often works in the manner that it did with the Sergeant Major endorsing a Democrat than the other way around.
It's not a formal prohibition, except against non-retired officers. There are some restrictions placed on Reserve and Guard officers, even if currently not on active duty, and that has surfaced during the last 8 years, though frankly I can't remember the outcome of those events.
Enlisted soldiers have fewer restrictions, but no one on active duty can actively campaign for anyone, and their ability to support candidates in public fora are also limited.
And then there is the periodic brou-ha-ha that arises when active duty personnel are told they can have a bumper sticker for a non-incumbent candidate for the President, but can't have a bumper sticker for a seated President running for re-election.
Another reason for just staying out of politics while serving, other than to be aware and to vote. That's what I did. And I shut down my officer students when they got political in class, when it was clearly partisan. I brooked no open disrespect to President Clinton nor did I offer any. Were I blogging in that time frame, I just would have eschewed the politics altogether.
That Vid is open sourced. As it was taken by The Colombian Ministry of Defense and released for general use. I saw this morning Colombian newscasts which spliced its footage for their own propriatary usage though.
I'm sure that with enough non-Ludditical supervision, I can root out other copies from the ether.
posted by Boquisucio on March 6, 2008 4:50 PM
Nice OPSEC, Boq...!
Hey, youse twos goina be this way, or duz ya know yet?
For our readers in the Cincinnati area - a request!
The Thank You Foundation (a fairly new veterans support organization in the Cincinnati area) is sponsoring a Welcome Home celebration on Armed Forces Day, May 17. Here's a link to the celebration website, and here's a link to the Thank You Foundation.
I know we've got some Cincinnati area readers so, you guys keep WereKitty happy and click those links, 'k?
I agree with Boq that there won't be a real war, but I do not feel like laughing for the Venezuelan people who, I suspect, are about to really suffer some serious government engineered famine.
"We aren't interested in Colombian investments here," Chavez said. Noting that Colombia traditional supplies food to Venezuela, he said that now "we can't depend (on Colombia) not even for a grain of rice."
The government also controls the food. Since other areas will be devoid of food and the new distribution of land is guaranteed to provide subsistant living for the new "tenents", the government will be forced to take food and send it to other areas or will have to use government revenues to purchase food to distribute (particularly since it will have cut off as many ties with free, outside, private markets for import). Since the government will control the food through either of these scenarios, any area that may be considered "rife with opposition" (or, in the speak of totalitarian governments, "traitors"), will have its food supply cut off and the people will be starved into submission just like the Soviet model.
Because thsi is the real mood here, the real war, how to find ALL the basic food staples that you need and that are imported in increasing amounts.[snip]
nother indictment as its veiled implication is whether Chavez is in fact doing war on us
And, agreeing with Boq again:
The president intends to convert the Colombian government in the "enemy" because it desperately needs to appeal to nationalism to divert attention from Venezuelans from the real and urgent domestic problems and seeks to bring all together around him, as a figure of power.
Gateway posts that FARC blew up a Colombian oil line (driving up oil again?) Pretty much taking a book out of all modern "insurgent"/terrorist organizations that continue to focus on destroying important revenue making infrastructure. From Iraq to Saudi Arabia to Nigeria and places in between, attacks on oil lines and production sites takes revenue out of the hands of the government, energy out of the public sector and raises the price on the market that not only effects the local government's economics, but increases the price to allied nations, weakening the economies that provide financial and military support.
Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador may not go to physical war, but it is "war" none the less.
Update: What Colombia wants from its allies in the "war" - free trade
This is a story that has many "Fruit"-bearing branches. Each branch bringing us a plethora of intrigue and wonder.
Like Chavez's threat to air-raid downtown Bogota late last evening, in an attempt to take out a well known Venezuelan disident. Effectively condemning him to death in a press conference late last night. Talk about a perfect definition of a tyrant.
...Or the unconfirmed reports that a certain U.S. Presidential Candidate has opened back-door channel conversations with the FARC. Thus earning their endorsement.
At first I thought to use Cornucopia. But since Cornucopia, implies a bounty of sweetness. I thought better of using plethora for such rotten harvest
posted by Boquisucio on March 6, 2008 4:54 PM
Well, you told me there was a plethora. And I just would like to know if you know what a plethora is. I would not like to think that a person would tell someone he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has *no idea* what it means to have a plethora...
Heh. In a contracting local housing market - especially on pre-existing homes, the county *still* asserts that the Old Castle and New Castle *increased* in value by 4% last year... ah, government.
In a comment yesterday, Jim B said:
"Recently, the Rothenberg Report, a top Washington, DC publication that ranks Congressional races, named 2nd District Democrat Nancy Boyda the most vulnerable incumbent in the entire country. Finally, people in Washington are starting to take notice—Boyda cannot be trusted to stand up for the Nation or the people of Kansas."
"Over in the 3rd District there is also exciting news. Dennis Moore’s own internal polling shows that 78.69% of his constituents think that Dennis Moore and Congress are failing to address the country’s issues. His constituents are clear—Dennis Moore is part of the broken system in Washington, and he needs to be replaced."
That caused this admittedly 'rita-fueled train of thought.
So, who's at fault if Congress is screwed up? Simple enough. We are. Collectively, however much your personal efforts might not quite fit the rap sheet, it's a representative democracy, and the compact is we all agree (admittedly, our choices *are* limited) to "obey the rules of the pack," to channel some old Cub Scouting memories.
So, how does that get expressed? Easy - in the 545 people we've collectively sent to D.C. to manage the affairs of governance.
Which brings up something that I've bloviated about before - and wherein, I hope, the value of the Internet and blogs, of both Left and Right, and the few who occupy the mushy muddle - keeping their feet to the fire, each in our own myopic way, ignoring the faults of our side to point out the faults of the other.
If you think about it, politicians are the only people in the world who blithely create problems and then campaign against them - or demand more money to fix them. Money that they can just - take from you. Unlike any business, which really does have to convince you the trade is worth it. All of this launched me into a rant... which seemed vaguely familiar. Then I realized it *was* familiar. It was Charley Reese (oddly enough, I can't find a source for the column per se, except for people who've posted it on blogs and boards - not at King Features, not at Lew Rockwell... and it's not in Snopes, either) I've edited some passages - not because they aren't supportive, but because... they're superfluous to the point - anyway, for those that are interested, the discussion continues in the Flash Traffic/Extended Entry.
You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does. You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does. You and I don't write the tax code. Congress does. You and I don't set fiscal policy. Congress does. You and I don't control monetary policy. The Federal Reserve Bank does.
One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president and nine Supreme Court justices - 545 human beings out of the 300 million - are directly, legally, morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.
I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered but private central bank.
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it.
No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.
A CONFIDENCE CONSPIRACY: Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.
REPLACE THE SCOUNDRELS
It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted - by present facts - of incompetence and irresponsibility.
I can't think of a single domestic problem, from an unfair tax code to defense overruns, that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.
When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.
If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair. If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red. If the Marines are in IRAQ , it's because they want them in IRAQ .
There are no insoluble government problems. Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.
Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exist disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation" or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.
Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible. They, and they alone, have the power. They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses - provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.
Hint: it ain't all their fault. *We*, collectively, buy the bullshit - and are happy to have them rob Peter and Paul to pay... us. Too many of us are willing to let others do our thinking for us. When companies can't manage their workforce sufficiently to week out the incompetents, and promotes them instead - that company fails. Unless it can just stop people on the street and shake 'em down.
We've created the monster. Only we can fix it. But enough of us have to care to fix it - and quit buying the bullshit.
Of *both* sides.
Not that I have any high hopes of same. But I think that a large amount of "churn" in that 545 people is a *good* thing.
..don't tell me he runs around confiscating everyone's lupins!
posted by MajMike on March 6, 2008 8:02 AM
You know, the problem is everyone else's congressperson (see I can be pc)and everyone else's special government program. Until we break that perception we will have more of what we have.
BTW, the answer is to take the schools away from the NEA and the federal government and make them community based and funded again. We will never do away with creeping socialism as long as the NEA controls the schools and what makes the curriculum.
posted by JimC on March 6, 2008 8:39 AM
It's my opinion people do nothing to fix problems until after they have steamrolled right over the top.
Let's put it another way. Most of you know McCain is not very good (sit down Maggie) yet will likely vote for him because he isn't as bad as the other two.
Liberals are much the same in a mirror fashion. They know Obama bin Clinton isn't very good but will vote for it cos they don't want McCain.
And long and tiresome are the arguments that flow back and forth about who's better and why.
But let's take a step back here. A step well back.
Simian logic tells me the problem isn't who's better but that the candidates themselves aren't much good. And why? Well it's obvious isn't it? Because you can't succeed in politics if you're much good. We place sky high expectations on candidates of fulfilling our own egotistical and communal desires. Humans just aren't like that so they have the task of creating the illusion of doing just what we want, yet their own desires are still there...
The US system is about about limiting trollish presidential and other power activity. It's not about electing fantastic Presidents or Senators. But your founders never told you to sit on your fat arse and forget about politics because it's just too icky. Noo they knew what would happen with complacency and it will. It already has. Several times.
There's just no such thing as hands off politics sadly. So despite all the crap, being involved is an important part of securing a better future.
Two things just off the top of my head concern me outside all the usual mumbo jumbo.
1) Dynastic behaviour. The US has had two Bushs and risks two Clintons. If I wanted a Monarchy I'd bring back the Queen.
2) Two party politics. The US, Britain and Australia all have two dominating parties defined so horribly narrowly by the conservative-liberal persuasion. And it just seesaws from one major to another when the people get ticked off. I'd like to see more real choice.
BTW, the answer is to take the schools away from the NEA and the federal government and make them community based and funded again. We will never do away with creeping socialism as long as the NEA controls the schools and what makes the curriculum.
I actually agree with that so whole heartedly. If communities actually had to pay directly for their own schools and the most assistance to pay for it came from the state, people would not be willing to put up with so much BS, so much waste of money and would at least be looking at teachers to add something to their communities.
On the other hand, I realize there is this one thing about federal money that is supposed to insure that "financial segregation" does not end up creating a split society again.
Then again, most of the inner city schools are no longer segregated in the since that there is only one color or kind. Plenty of poor majority and minority students in those classes.
Still, we could also be looking at the opportunity for charter schools and other private sector education and charity to step in.
Two party politics. The US, Britain and Australia all have two dominating parties defined so horribly narrowly by the conservative-liberal persuasion. And it just seesaws from one major to another when the people get ticked off. I'd like to see more real choice.
I'm actually of the opinion that this is a rather good thing. Largely because neither can really go to far to one side or the other, regardless of the polemic hyperbole you hear from either side. they have to stay somewhat in the middle or they don't get elected. though that isn't 100% true for all of congress (some places being much more left or right), the parties as a whole stay centrist.
That keeps us from doing anything drastically different that could harm the security and longevity of the nation. Generally speaking. I'm sure someone else believes that is different, but I believe that you couldn't have asked more of our founders than to set government up like a giant debate program.
posted by kat-missouri on March 6, 2008 9:44 AM
re: your property taxes
But John, can't you see how it makes sense?
The old Castle is obviously worth more now that you've cleared all of those nasty guns out of it.
As for the new Castle, well you're lucky they didn't charge you the full value increase that nifty new Militaria Museum (aka, the Gun Vault of Argghhh!) added to it.
Besides, with property values down they have to increase taxes doncha know.
posted by KCSteve on March 6, 2008 12:15 PM
"We will never do away with creeping socialism as long as the NEA controls the schools and what makes the curriculum. "
Don't forget to eliminate the Dept of Education... and all those wonderful un-funded, driven from above by those that know what's better for your child than you, Federal mandates.
"A mind is a terrible thing to waste, in the public schools."
If you truly value your kids education, find a private school or homeschool them.
posted by Kevin on March 6, 2008 4:11 PM
Hey...the last time the guy I voted for for Congress (either house) actually won was 1992.
Please do not imply the Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell, and Adam Smith (and Feinstein, Boxer, and Tauscher before I moved) represent me, in almost any way.
I gave money to their opponents. I voted for their opponents. I write them letters all the time about how they are failing me, my state, and the country.
Granted, their GOP opponents might not have been much better. But please don't say any of those twits represent me, or that they're just doing what I sent them there to do.
Ah, property tax, the pox that puts lie to the myth that we as free Americans can actually 'own' property.
Property tax=rent paid to a landlord no matter how much you wanna wordsmith it.
Don't believe me? Don't pay your rent, er, property tax and see how long it takes for the government landlord to come a knockin' at your door.
Hopefully with the courtesy of actually having a warrant and actually knocking before bashing the door down. And not shooting your dogs would be nice as well.
posted by Kevin on March 6, 2008 4:17 PM
If you truly value your kids education, find a private school or homeschool them.
And this comment from an elected public school board official...
Heartless - it's part of the compact, man. They represent us, even if we don't vote for them. Which is why I work with Boyda, even though I've been told that's equivalent to "sleeping with the enemy."
Yah, Kevin, I know, regarding property taxes - and it's only reinforce by the title documents on the New Castle. From 1840 to 1955 it must have changed hands 30 times, 2/3rds of those at Sheriff's Auctions on the Courthouse steps for non-payment of taxes.
And we're talking back when the land was selling for $150 and people couldn't/wouldn't come up with $5 for the taxes. Yes. $5.
HL - I'm part of the crew that helps her get educated at this end.
I'll happily do that for Ryun, or Jenkins, or staying with Boyda, whoever wins this time around.
A difference between Boyda and Ryun, interestingly enough - is that Boyda understood she needed the assistance. Ryun - back when he was the incumbent... I don't know. It just seemed like he didn't care. Which, while I'm sure it's not true, didn't really matter. He took his job, ergo, us, for granted.
"Heartless - it's part of the compact, man. They represent us, even if we don't vote for them. Which is why I work with Boyda, even though I've been told that's equivalent to "sleeping with the enemy."
The Dept of Education (a misnomer if ever there was one) was a creation of Jimmy Carter....
Education is a parental, city, county, state issue, that is, LOCAL.
There is NO Constitutional, Federal authority to be involved in the educational system. NONE!
Heartless? Compact? I was the ONLY one on the board who insisted on concentrating on graduating students who could actually read, write and perform the most basic of mathematical equations.
The rest of the 'progessives' on the board were more concerned about how the 'failed' students might...'feel' if they weren't passed along and graduated with their 'peers'.
(Don't even get me started about the 'progressives' response to my suggestions about starting up a Jr. ROTC program and an after hours, totally taxpayer free, purely volunteer staffed/funded Eddie Eagle program).
This issue was best summed up by a caller on the local radio who called in when I was co-hosting the weekly education segment.
"We are graduating a lot of students who feel good about being stupid."
Hard core knowledge has been replaced by self-esteem training and sensitivity to the issues.
Civics? Social Studies? Geography? History? Basic mathematics.... Good luck....
Indoctrination has replaced education and any one who has had to go through a drive through at any fast food outlet can confirm this.
The public schools are no longer educating their pupils, they are indoctrinating them, usually in all sorts of worthless, socialistic, me first, feel good, global warming, anti-American claptrap.
"Compact?" WTF? Show me the contract of this 'compact' with my signature on it. I wanna know the terms before I agree to it.
Bastiat was correct.
My paraphrasing of the NAACP slogan aside, a mind IS a terrible thing to waste in the public schools.
Our false ownership of our 'property' and the assessed property taxes support the failed public school system. Assuming of course, you believe that that the Prussian model our schools were set up to replicate have...'failed'.
Google John Gatto and you can see what I am referring to.
Again, if you truly love your child and value their education. Find a private school or homeschool them.
Those of you who were going down the tractor/bulldozer route were correct, though it's not one that ever made it into US military stocks.
It's a "Shervick." A tractor built by the Vickers company at the request of the British government after the end of WWII, deliberately using components of suddenly excess Sherman tanks. It was a swords-to-ploughshares project of the British government. In 1945, Europe was in a shambles, especially it's agriculture and industrial sectors, heavily damaged and impacted by 7 years of war across some of it's most fertile areas, the destruction of a goodly portion of it's transportation infrastructure, and the bombing efforts on the german munitions industry was concomitantly a bombing effort on it's agri-chemicals industry and overall industrial capacity.
One of the programs conceived to help alleviate this was the "Groundnut Scheme." Groundnut being apparently what the Brits call peanuts. Under this plan, peanuts were going to be grown in East Africa to offset the huge shortage of oils and fats in Europe while Europe's infrastructure was being rebuilt. During the first year’s operations, the plan was to clear150,000 acres for cultivation. There was a problem - regular agricultural equipment was not robust enough to defeat the 10-ft high Kongwa thorn bush, and besides, was needed in Europe to rebuild their agriculture - so recycling tanks seemed a good idea.
Hit the Flash Traffic/Extended entry for the rest of the story.
In September 1947, the British Government approached Vickers-Armstrongs to explore the idea of converting surplus US-built M4 Sherman tanks into industrial tractors capable of the work needed for peanut plan. They were to initially convert 500 the first year, rising to 1,000 the year after.
The task involved complete dismantling of a Sherman Mark III tank and the inspection, cleaning, and overhaul of the track assembly and differential units.
The suspension unit in the Shervick removed one of the three original twin bogies of the Sherman and welded grousers (extensions to the track to increase width, decreasing ground pressure) to each track. A completely new frame was manufactured comprising floor and top flanged side plates with box-section cross-members on the front and center of the body. The centre box girder was extended on each side of the tractor and ended in two, heavy, square flanges to which the main attachment for a tree-dozer and stump-puller was welded.
The power plant was a General Motors, two-stroke, six-cylinder diesel (one of the types fitted to the Sherman tank, a variety that mostly went to the Russians). A new transfer drive unit was fitted to the engine flywheel housing and this had the double function of providing primary gear reduction between the engine and gearbox of 2 to 1, and also a power take-off to drive a winch and other auxiliary equipment.
In the event, the Shervicks were not able to take on the brush alone, having to work in three-vehicle teams, with two Shervicks towing a chain between them, to rip out the brush and trees, and a third to attack the really stubborn ones.
Yes read it to the end, but didn't see it till the late afternoon due to work commitments.
The next question was how succesful was the project? Was Vickers able to convert the tanks and did they work as advertised? If so, then it would be one of the few central planning projects that worked (even if it was thought up by a Western Government). If the project didn't work for what ever reason then its another reminder why central planning just doesn't seem to work to well.
Yepp, I read it all too.
There were a number of simple conversions performed in Australia to create heavy duty bulldozers for scrub clearing. I think a large number were Churchills, and I used to pass an abandoned one regularly when I was younger. I guess the price of scrap steel these days has done for them!
While looking for a picture of the Churchill, I came across what seems to be a very interesting website dealing with WWII - here
The most interesting idea for post-war recovery in the agriculture sector was thought up by the US. To help the Greeks restart their farms after the war killed most of the horses and donkeys that were used for plowing etc., they supplied them with mules. These were huge compared to the donkeys previously used, and they were self-limiting. They couldn't be bred from, and by the time they died, the Greek economy was probably ready for (hopefully US) tractors.
Dennis, sadly no. The only one I've seen still in existence is a wreck in the Netherlands.
Might be some in Africa... but I wouldn't bet on it.
Andrew - while you read it to the end - you didn't' click the link to the groundnut project. Your predjudice regarding central planning is still intact.
I thought I'd throw together some links to some interesting military and GWOT news. A little too much to put in H&I Fires. To save on space, etc, I've put them in Flash Traffic.
To whet your appetite, a quote from Lt. Gen. Odierno:
“Their sacrifices were (not) and will not be in vain,” he said. “And because of them, Iraqis have the right to choose their own destiny. Let us forever remember our noble and gallant warriors who gave everything so others can enjoy life and liberties of a truly free people.”
Military Working Dogs and Their Handlers in Mosul are checking for explosives and denying the enemy the tools of their trade (shocka: one of them is a woman, on patrol, outside the FOB, not driving a truck or humvee).
Lt Gen. OdiernoOdierno emphasized that gains made in Iraq have come with big sacrifices in injuries and lives lost.
“Their sacrifices were (not) and will not be in vain,” he said. “And because of them, Iraqis have the right to choose their own destiny. Let us forever remember our noble and gallant warriors who gave everything so others can enjoy life and liberties of a truly free people.”
There are about 1,500 Dutch troops and 630 Danish soldiers in Afghanistan as part of the multinational NATO-led force fighting Taliban militants and rebuilding the war-shattered country.
Those few troops have led a considerable number of operationsagainst the Taliban in their region. AQIZ tried similar tactics of discrediting coalition forces in Iraq by fomenting protests against the concrete walls that separated the neighborhoods and provided secure crossing points that limited AQIZ's ability to move freely about the city. That protest eventually died and peace essentially broke out.
The general (Khotul) also encouraged the women to look and behave as soldiers and look to the American females as role models. She thanked the Airmen for their part in the seminars.
‘I offer thanks to our sisters for having left their families to come here and help us,” said Khotul. “We very much appreciate them.”
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).
*****************
For those of us interested in how the limited conflicts of Iraq and Afghanistan are being digested on the domestic political fronts of western nations, Denis Stairs' piece on "the second fog of war" is an interesting read. - Damian
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Coming soon to a hoplophobe's nightmare near you:
I'm not particularly interested in one, except from a gungeek perspective.
H/t, Mike D.
And from Damian, via Op-For, a little news on SOCOM's new rifle - the FN-SCAR. -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."
I knew there was a reason why this place was called "Argghhh"....:)
posted by Carrie on March 5, 2008 3:57 PM
If #82 is in fact correct*, then shouldn't SWWBO's place be called Argghhh!!! Just sayin'... ;)
*I say this only because of the old saw about women in general having a poor ability to judge length because from the moment they become sexually active, they're constantly being told something the size of one's thumb is actually 9 inches.
Wow....that folding gun looks like a kiddie toy....useless.
The SCAR is gonna be a good piece of gear, I think. I've gotten to check one out, haven't had the opportunity to do a shoot yet...I need to talk to my OTHER armorer buddy about that.
I showed Mrs. Sandman the pocket gun....loved her response..."I couldn't even kill a bug with that piddly little thing.....give me a RIFLE!!!!"
posted by sandman6actual on March 5, 2008 8:43 PM
John,
Here's some you may have missed:
Magpul seems to have neat stuff. Of course, the question of who's the customer always exists!
Also, I probably have too much free time!
Mike http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoa-rJkHReM&feature=related
LOL @ Damian! That reminds me of my favorite joke about Princess Di. When asked her opinion of relations with Prince Charles she said "Not all rulers are twelve inches."
Oh, as I was driving up the motte to the bailey yesterday, rumbling up past the Castle Destriers... I was reminded that when SWWBO compares something to a horse - she has 10 examples extant in the Demesne.
I dunno... In the spirit of "last ditch defense", that might be something good for an air crew survival pack, or to throw into the assualt pack "just in case"...
Just a thought... The bad guys aren't supposed to get that close...
A small IPB as it returns to the rotation (no, not *that* Rotation, Maggs, sheesh, I know you’ve got a ‘floor’ and I’m the equivalent of four sub-basements. ;) ). Emiko leaves this week, more people are showing up to help out, and so I’ve got more time (Sucks, huh? I bet you were wishing I’d simply disappear, huh? No such luck.).
Today we’re doing philosophical treatments of the morality/ethicalness and definition of terrorism. No, I don’t claim to understand or follow all of it (it’s my flesh and blood older brother who’s got the degree in philosophy). Some of the time reading these three selections I find myself in high levels of agreement and other times I find myself thinking, “Wow, that’s a lot of $1000 words to say something like ‘war is bad’ or ‘war is almost the equivalent of terrorism’ type double-speak.” In all, these are worth looking at. It never hurts to measure your own dogma against a very formal and structured argument from the other side.
Personally, I think much of this is simply wrong. Terrorism is a legal term, and so much of this is counting angels on the heads of pins because they aren’t arguing about a legal term. To paraphrase an old quote: You may be compelled to make war, but you are not compelled to use poisoned arrows. Terrorism is a subset of war crimes which comes into play when people choose to conduct war but not play by the rules (this doesn’t mean you can’t be a revolutionary, or a guerilla, or anything like that. It just means you have to play by certain rules to keep the whole thing from spiraling out of Control and become a giant Vortex of Destruction----or Clausewitz’s definition of Total War.). One can be a war criminal but not be a terrorist, but all terrorists are war criminals. (Hideki Tojo for example, or, dare I say it, Gen Curtis LeMay, who in an interview I just read of his from way back said, to the effect, that he was glad the US won because if we didn’t he’d probably have hung next to Tojo. Meaning, he knew he broke the rules and was enjoying a bit of ‘victor’s justice’.) This seems to be a large exercise in ‘is political violence ever justified?’ Those around here know/or believe the answer to be yes; but there are limits to what you can do, the whole Control/Destruction thing. Sometimes we eggheads need to remember this stuff doesn’t just happen on the white board in our offices, and exists beyond the symbol logic we use to try and map it all out. Over reduction can be almost worse than saying something is to complex.
Next up is a combination piece that is more like a chapter from a 101 like class. It covers some of the history of what terrorism is/was over time and then goes into the various realms of philosophy and the arguments in a pro-con fashion about the ethical nature of terrorism.
The last one deals entirely with the ethical nature of terrorism, and makes a special claim that the very unethical nature of terrorism leads to the break down of ethical behaviors. It also provided a very interesting logical argument about whether or not unilaterally adopting a value set makes sense. It could be a dangerous argument because I could see this same one being applied to the use of torture. I wouldn’t mind seeing someone present the argument to Sen. McCain, to see how he handles it though. T’would be interesting.
ry
Ry, there are all sorts of problems with that last paper you linked, and if I have time, I will write about it, but I'll start with this:
Mr. Smith wrote "For example, all brutal acts are morally objectionable." This is not a fact, even when semantic variations are accounted for. I do not agree at all that all brutal acts are objectionable, morally or otherwise, regardless of which definition one uses for brutal. I also have a problem with the term morally objectionable, which is really a bit of fluff, no matter how you attempt to (re)define it. Something morally objectionable could be objectionable as much because it is good as because it is bad, though we do all tend to think of moral as meaning good, right? Unfortunately, that's a rather large term to use when all you really want to say, as does Smith is that being mean/ruthless/cruel is not nice. And even then, I could make a good argument for cruelty and ruthlessness, just as I suspect many of us here could.
Hmmm... I need to think this through some more, 'cause there are a lot of assumptions underlying his premises, huh? And not all as clear cut as he presents them...
I just saw on the news where a lady ran over a would be hi-jacker and dragged him a mile. He had a shot gun. She had a car.
Certainly, the act of hitting him with her car was brutal. So was the dragging. However, "morally objectionable"? Nope.
posted by kat-missouri on March 5, 2008 5:42 PM
I'm sorry Emiko has to leave. I wish she had more of a choice in the matter. Maybe some day she'll be able to come back. Such a sad, emotionally draining situation, Ry.
posted by AFSister on March 5, 2008 8:36 PM
Actually, and this is just from contextual reading over the years, the term brutal is not just 'a spectacular violent act', or merely harsh. The concept of proportionality is involved here.
Brutal acts are those that go beyond what is necessary, are animal like in the desire for inflicting pain and seeing blood. So the lady hits the car-jacker with her automobile. Is it brutal? Not in the philosophical sense. If she backed over him 5 times. Got out and kicked him repeatedly in the nads and face, and then shouted to the crowd "are you not entertained?" that would be brutal. That would be going beyond what a rational human being would understand as necessary violence to end a threat. In the vernacular brutal is often taken to mean 'harsh' or 'severe'. A harsh act may be brutal but it is not by definition brutal. There is a distinct level of incivility and malice involved. (oh, now I'm going to get schooled by Sanger 'cause I think he's got more formal philosophy training than me. This is gonna hurt. (dons the hockey helmet)).
But I'm surprised, I liked the third one the most. The first one I almost couldn't stand (Terrorism can be justified, at times, if the 'need' is sufficient.). You're really most upset with the third one? I thought that one the tamest and the most correct: having multiple sets of rules for different parties, those you have for the strong and those for the weak, undoes all the rules for everyone, and therefore 'welcome to the jungle, baby.' He second was useful as a primer of the history of 'terrorism' and the various arguments, even if it did leave on feeling that the author believed that terrorism is sometimes justifiable. but the first just seemed wrong on many levels. The whole taxonomy makes mistakes in warfare into terrorism. That's just so much egghead preening if you ask me. There's a difference between a mistake by a conventional force(too large a weapon, weapon fell outside CEP) that results in accidental deaths of civilians and war crimes(Bomber Harris specifically targeting population centers with the intent of killing as many civilians as possible, which didn't achieve what he want either(google the US Bombing survey).) which it seems the first guy is basically trying to do, say all war crimes are acts of terrorism.
For many years, I was a regular itinerant throughout most of Latin America. Out of all my frequent stops, Colombia was on the top of my list. Though I developed close contacts in every country (except for Venezuela and Paraguay). The closest were in Colombia.
Paraguay, I never touched, for being a forgotten irrelevant country in my travels. To give you an idea, back in the 90’s, the largest economic activity for that country was the laundering of stolen cars and trucks to and from Argentina and Brasil. Needless to say, I avoided it like the plague. Venezuela on the other hand, though an important market, corruption made it not worth my while bothering with it. Except for Chile, there is wide corruption in every country in South America. But its level of intensity was always kept to a low level; enough that it became a background nuisance – Just another minor cost of doing business. In Venezuela however, corruption is taken to an exquisite art form. From the high level executive decision maker, down the feeding chain to the lowly custom agent or truck driver, they all voraciously skimmed, pilfered, and extorted you out of a profit. Not worth my while.
I first started going to Colombia in the mid 1990’s, when I was involved in the Cotton trade. For those who do not know, Colombia has the most intensive development of the textile industry in the whole region. By the late 1990’s however, I was deeply involved in a different type of industry – A “booming” industry, which eventually brought me to this here Castle. Not surprisingly, I have been following with interest the current row, going on down range.
For decades, whenever the Colombian Government hammers hard on the ELN and FARC Guerrillas, they scoot over across the borders and cool their heels in the neighboring countries for Rest and Recuperation. Mostly this is done inadvertently and without the consent of Colombia’s neighbors. Try as you can, it is very difficult to police the frontier regions in such vast uninhabited regions of the Amazonian hinterlands. However, the resurgent Leftist “Bolivarian” Revolutions in Venezuela and Ecuador, changed the whole equation. These countries are now actively providing support and succor to these Narco-terrorists. Venezuela, has been more active in its moral and material support. Ecuador has been more coy and indirect in its efforts.
A few months ago, the Colombian Government put every single member of the FARC’s Secretariat (Leftist Guerrillas version of a Board of Directors), on a hit list. At such, it is actively hunting down all of its members. When last week, it cornered FARC’s Number Two just outside of Colombia, it launched a frontal attack. Last week (and unreported in the U.S.), it took down a series of guerilla defensive positions right on the Colombian side of the border. Once the defensive perimeter was taken down, they went for the jugular. A flight of the Colombian Air Force’s Super Tucanos swooped across the border, penetrating Ecuadorian airspace 10 Kms. before hooking back North for the kill. This strike was so effective, as it took many guerrillas, including the FARC’s Capo in their P.J.’s. The Army either simultaneously, or in conjunction then smashed their camp (1.8 Kms. inside the Ecuadorian border) with Helo-borne troops.
Now, why did Colombia strike inside Ecuador’s territory, without prior consultations with the Ecuadorian government? For months, the Colombians suspected that the Ecuadorians were actively supporting the guerrillas. Pre-advise to the Ecuadorian government would have only served to warn their guerrillas of the impending offensive – Defeating the whole purpose. Now, this was not an improvised jungle camp, as it apparently had semi-permanent structures, a well stocked kitchen, and even a poultry farm attached to it. This further confirms Ecuador’s complicity in the affair, as it is impossible for such a facility to remain unknown to the Ecuadorians. Right as the assault was being launched, the Colombian President called his Ecuadorian counterpart. In this initial conversation, the Ecuadorian President expressed understanding and acquiesced to Colombia’s preemptive strike in its territory. The following morning however, the Colombian’s were surprised to see the blistering televised address that the Ecuadorian President delivered. In amongst all the vitriol launched against the Colombians, was an order for the Ecuadorian Army to march a division to the Colombian Border. Why the about face? Not to be surpassed, Pig-faced Chávez addressed his nation, calling the Colombian President among many things, an Imperialist Lackey of Bush, Narco-Mafioso, and Criminal. In it, he ordered ten Infantry and Tank Battalions to march to the Colombian border.
Why the energic response? Well, it seems that the deceased FARC’s Nº Two´s laptop, there was chock-full of incriminating documents, linking directly The FARC with dealings with the Ecuadorian Minister of Defense and of course the Venezuelan President himself. The Colombians have released a bundle of them to justify its position. For those who can read Spanish, HERE is it. With so much egg in their face, its not surprising to see Ecuador’s and Venezuela’s response.
Sabre rattling aside and such armed mobilizations, I doubt that Ecuador and Venezuela are about to invade. Not even with the combined strengths of both armies, they lack the force to effectively invade Colombia. Not only the Colombian military is strong enough to stand-off any military incursion in its territory, but remember Colombia is twice the size of the State of Texas. And unlike Texas, its territory is unforgiving to move large armies effectively.
Now, the fighting has moved to the diplomatic sphere. All sides are hashing things out at the Organization of American States. There is a programmed Latin American Summit to be held next week in The Dominican Republic, and other countries such as Spain are brokering our an accord. In my opinion, things will ratchet-down in a few weeks. Then again… they said the same thing of Saddam’s tiff on August 1st 1990.
I think they will step off. For everything they say and do, Chavez and Bo-Bo have to know that the US will be supplying all sorts of ammunition, weapons and technology to Colombia. Further, neither of these two morons could afford the political blowback if they attacked Colombia and lost.
They might as well sign their resignation letters. Then again, Chavez would use the event to purge out any "disloyal" officers. Bo-Bo, too.
It's hard to say. There is also the possibility that Generalismo Chavismo could order his army somewhere and most of them don't go across the border.
however, it IS South America and they DID elect Chavez and Bo-bo the clown.
posted by kat-missouri on March 5, 2008 12:06 PM
I see all this chest-thumping as face-saving posturing. Note to Gringo Students of Spiky Culture: Face Saving is VERY important in "Taco Land". Everything should come down to a simmer a fortnight hence.
posted by Boquisucio on March 5, 2008 1:44 PM
...but the biggest objective, in my opinion to all this affair, is to innoculate other members of the FARC's Secretariat, agains neutralization. Colombia has now been put on notice that Venezuela & Ecuador will not tolerate any further incusions. Thus, the next time one of the Secretariat Members seeks refuge accross border, the should stay safe from those pesky little Tucanos.
posted by Boquisucio on March 5, 2008 1:52 PM
I want me one of those pesky Super Tucanos- only $5.5 mill... sigh
posted by Neffi on March 5, 2008 2:13 PM
I see all this chest-thumping as face-saving posturing. Note to Gringo Students of Spiky Culture: Face Saving is VERY important in "Taco Land". Everything should come down to a simmer a fortnight hence.
Heh. Just in case you weren't sure... Boq is a 'Rican. So he can talk like that without La Raza dumping on 'em like they would redneck me...
Oh sweetness, I too am inoculated - P.C. Inoculated, that is. ;>
Oh and Neff, if you are interested, I could hook you up with Embraer's Rep in Colombia. He's a Loose Cannon of Chilean descent, whom we "fondly" refer to as Cowboy.
On the Mk80 Boom-boom thingies that fall from the Tucanos, they are of South African provenance. They are all flogged by a crazy gentleman of Austrian provenance - Code Named: Beetlejuice.
For dat you'd hafta knock on the Vulgar-Bulgar's Door.
posted by Boquisucio on March 5, 2008 3:14 PM
I spoke to my next-door neighbor, a Colombian, about this, and he seems right peeved. I like Colombians, but I'd be careful not to piss 'em off, too much. They'll kill you.
Roger that, Boq- just gotta arrange an EUC and wait for my funds to arrive. I'm helping out the widow of the late Nigerian oil minister; she's gonna pay me a hefty sum for using my bank account to transfer his secret stash out of the country. Should be any day now...
posted by Neffi on March 5, 2008 3:23 PM
P.s. And that's just the ones who _haven't_ been insufflating the Andean Nasal Salts.
'druther have an OV-10, but they don't make 'em any more, and they've all been beaten near to death by Marines. (Nothing agin' Marines, they HAVE to use their stuff hard, they not getting very much of it, historically.)
Oh, yeah, just to make my sentiments perfectly clear and evident to everyone in the whole world:
The bad guys won the Whisky Rebellion. I'm talking to you, George W.!
(That's "Washington", not "Walker." The current George W. is not fit to polish the Original George's boots, and everyone else who seeks the office is even worse, and I'm gonna quit now before I say what I REALLY think, and have LEOs knocking on my door.
Senator McCain was not my first choice among the Republicans.
But Senators Clinton and Obama were, frankly, not on the list.
The choice this fall is pretty clear.
This November we’ll have two choices:
1) A flawed, but at least pro-gun [well, moderately so, as John noted in the comments] budget hawk who takes national defense seriously, or
2) A socialist of whatever flavor.
And a reminder - a socialist of whatever flavor who will probably have a party in pretty commanding control of both houses of Congress.
If we conservatives really lose our focus, a socialist with a filibuster-proof Senate, meaning the Dems will pretty much do as they please.
I frankly would not be happy with a Republican administration in that position. If you pretty much own the government, you can do sooooooooo much damage soooooo quickly. And you get stupid, too. Just look at the Republicans.
Even in just two years.
Eye on the ball, fellow consevatives. Sitting this one out because you didn't get what you were hoping for may just hurt you one hell of a lot more than you realize.
So you all know the Democrats, unlike the Republicans, know what to do with power. It could 'go ugly early' as some green beenie friends used to tell me.
posted by JimC on March 5, 2008 8:28 AM
Gulags in siberia
posted by kat-missouri on March 5, 2008 9:02 AM
Just remember how much damage was done by 8 years of Bubba in terms of the impact on organizational culture and capability of critical agencies like the CIA, FBI, DoD, et al, which have made the war against the jihadists so much more difficult.
Not to mention the other damage that can be done by unchecked Democratic control of the executive and legislative branches on such things as the judiciary, fiscal policy, health policy, etc etc etc.
Ask yourself if you really want to risk more of this by "sending a message" to the GOP leadership
by not voting in November.
Much of this damage will truly be IRREPARABLE.
posted by fdcol63 on March 5, 2008 9:12 AM
Sitting this one out because you didn't get what you were hoping for may just hurt you one hell of a lot more than you realize.
Doesn't matter anymore, Armorer. All three candidates favor amnesty for illegals, and there's a very high probability that Congress will be pro-amnesty as well. That spells doom for the nation we both love. I've said this before, in a number of places, and I'll say it again now: any law that produces amnesty and a path to citizenship for illegals guarantees permanent Democrat control of the government as soon as those illegals can vote. Permanent Democrat control of the government will lead to societal and economic collapse within thirty years.
posted by wolfwalker on March 5, 2008 9:22 AM
Agree with he bottom line and necessity for voting for the (not much) lesser of evils.
I cannot agree that McCain is "pro-gun". The Dems are both hardcore hoplophobic anti-gunners. McCain has voted pro-gun most of the time, when it was obvious that was the winning position. Of great concern is McCain's obsession with closing down gun shows (see McCain-Reed) which only serves to force all gun transfers into government databases, or defacto registration. As we all know, registration is a necessity before confiscation, although it could be supported with innocent idealism, not longer term evil motives.
VOTE McCAIN! He sucks the least!
We deserve better, but that's reality.
posted by John on March 5, 2008 9:35 AM
Okay, I shoulda caveated "pro-gun".
Be interesting to see what the Supremes say, and how that affects things.
any law that produces amnesty and a path to citizenship for illegals guarantees permanent Democrat control of the government as soon as those illegals can vote.
here's a thought. Maybe the conservative base could do something about attracting these voters to the party instead of insisting they are personas non gratas?
I mean, you don't really expect them to feel all warm and fuzzy when the conservative base wants to kick them all out and everyone with an ounce of reality knows that isn't going to happen.
posted by kat-missouri on March 5, 2008 9:58 AM
Kat, we haven't been able to change the attitudes of blacks or legal immigrants toward conservatives in thirty years of trying. The left's propaganda machine, plus their rigid control over the mass media, together mean that immigrants hear a biased version of reality. Republicans passed the civil rights acts of the 1960s; a Republican president and a Republican senator championed amnesty last year; Republican presidents have done more than any Democrat to uplift minorities; every time the subject arises you can hear leading conservatives advocating ways to empower and uplift minorities -- and yet, nonwhites continue to overwhelmingly believe that Republicans are exclusively white and racist. And vote that way too. Hell, it was called a great victory when George W. Bush managed to get twenty percent of the hispanic vote. Twenty percent. One in five. Four out of five hispanics voted Democrat in 2004 -- and conservatives called that a victory.
If you can think of a way to change that, then I'm all ears.
posted by wolfwalker on March 5, 2008 10:53 AM
I have to side with Wolfwalker here. i see this as a truly danged if we do danged if we don't position, and as Immigration is one of my hot spots I see us totally hosed here.
I'll be voting, but I think I'll be using my ability to write in Tancredo.
You are so wrong it hurts to think about it. This is the same thing claimed by every generation of Americans who've had to deal with immigrants since sometime around 1800, and they were ALL wrong too!
I know I can't convince you, I won't try, but I really think you all ought to take a step back and look at this country and its past and its future through a different set of not-so-made filters. You just don't realize how little of what passes for 'fact' about immigrantion and Mexico is just flat the result of either ignorance or intentional misdirection by people who have other agendas than the growth and welfare of *all* Americans. As for Obama and Clinton denouncing NAFTA, they are pandering idiots trying to build foundational support. Their plans would hurt this country and the world, not help it.
To me one of hte biggest questions one should ask himself is whether he wants the world to improve over time for everyone or if he just wants the US to improve today at the expense of everyone else, even though in the long run, that will ultimately hurt the U.S.
Truly. There is so, so much more to the equation than some guy losing his chair-making job in NC or Eurospawn white folks losing control of the country. And yes, that is a big part of it, despite endless denials. I hear it ALL the time here in San Antonio.
I can only suggest a lot more research by each of us and lot less taking as gospel the tripe dished out by those who'se agendas are not what they may seem...
We forgot it wasn't about us, it was All About Princess Crabby!
Color me mostly with Sanger on the immigration issue.
No over-run us with illegals, but making it easier to immigrate. One reason Europe went the way it did, I submit is that many of their people with gumption came here.
I don't mind those people. And they can bring their food, too.
But I don't want them to bring all the bad laws and policies that created the mess that they are fleeing.
For what it's worth, I live in a country where immigration has reached the point where one in five adult Canadians was born in another country. Yes, the original immigrants will tend to vote for those who let them in and promise to take care of them - up here it was the Liberal Party. But the second-generation kids grow up almost entirely Canadianized - fully integrated. And, depending upon how upwardly-mobile they are, they're voting patterns change at that point. So, for example, many more Chinese- and Indo-Canadians are voting Conservative these days. Still not a majority of them, but more than you might expect.
I'd say the trick is to integrate everyone, and try to reduce cultural fragmentation and ghettoization along ethnic lines as much as possible.
Obviously I think there's more to it than a blog comment can communicate, but there you go.
Damian - I'm with you, with the glaring problem down here of we have an entire industry and one political party that are trying to set identity politics (i.e., balkanizing the populace) as the defining characteristic - actively discouraging assimilation by trying to protect people from having to assimilate in order to prosper.
It's frustrating, because via assimilation we do take on many of the good characteristics of the assimilating population - and not just their recipes.
My position is that, if you want to bring people around to your way of thinking, the first thing you have to do is acknowledge their way of thinking isn't completely rejected.
you want immigrants to assimilate, you have to accept that you are going to assimilate some of their culture, too. (AARRRGGHH! I told someone recently that if I had to hear or read the word "assimilate" one more time I'd scream, so there it is).
We have taken many things from different cultures, not just their food or clothes, but ideas. Our job is to bring their ideas into the fold while insuring the basic nature of our society and freedoms are not overly damaged. And, let me tell you that it is not the minority who created welfare systems. It was the majority Euro folks.
How would I convince Hispanic or other new immigrants that conservative/Republican positions meets their needs? Well, president Bush started that and no one really listened, so let's go with this:
1) What are the values of most new immigrants? Are they generally liberals or conservatives?
Most of the people here believe that they are liberals or at least more closely socialist based on their originating nations. But, I believe that is wholely wrong. In the case of man Hispanic immigrants, they originate in rural areas, move to urban areas in their own nations for work, where they congregate with others of similar rural, conservative, CATHOLIC background. When work is not forthcoming or is limited in these urban areas of their originating countries, they immigrate here.
They typically end to immigrate to areas where similar communities exist, includes friends and family from the old country or simply networked individuals that recommend them to that network.
In short, they tend to congregate in conservative neighborhoods. At least socially conservative. Does the fact that so many immigrants end up on medicaid or state assistance mean that that is what they want or where they want to be economically? The answer, I believe, is no as evidence supports the likelihood that many are working more than one job to support their families.
So, we have two things on which to approach them that are common to conservative Republican values. The first is social conservatism. The second is about the "American Dream" where the individual is empowered to make of themselves what they will, by their own hands and hard work. Someone who immigrates to the United States, legally or illegally, cannot be said to not have some serious drive to improve themselves and their situation.
We should be appealing to both the social conservatism and the drive for self improvement through individual empowerment. But, how can we do that when we deny them the one thing that insures the ability to achieve both the safety of a common society and the ability to become part of the common work force with all of the ability to advance or achieve that which is only limited by their own drive? By, in short, demanding that this long term work force (we're talking over ten years) must remain part of the underground labor market?
What do conservatives have to appeal to immigrants? The American Dream which is not constituted by hand outs, but by every man having the benefit of the fruits of his own labor. We've basically been saying that we benefit and they cannot.
As to legal immigration, the increase thereof, I am wholeheartedly and adamantly for that. However, have you ever looked at our system? We have instituted a very intensive system that places a limited value on immigration and, in fact, seems much more geared towards keeping people out than letting them in. For our economy, for our aging population, for our ability to compete on the global market, that is SO WRONG.
We focus on techno immigrants and family members of residing immigrants. We do not have a good system to focus on the unskilled labor we actually need. When the president tried to put the worker's visas in place, everyone started screaming about not allowing that until we have some control over our borders.
That was also wrong. We needed to implement that system at the same time we were securing our borders. It's like equalizing pressure to insure we don't implode. I honestly, though, could not tell based on some of the rhetoric, whether the true objection to these worker's visas was due to the demand to "secure the borders" first for security's sake or because people feared the "brown invasion."
Either way, we've taken away the one real possibility of maintaining some control on immigration in the mean time, while still not getting a fence or any systemic process to increase security. In short, you got nothing by demanding an all or nothing strategy.
Last word on that: Reagan.
posted by kat-missouri on March 5, 2008 2:25 PM
John stated the problem. Assimilation vs ethnic balkanization.
For me, it leads back to the "Salad Bowl" vs "Melting Pot" perspectives of immigration, and the outcome of each strategy can be illustrated thusly:
A salad in a salad bowl, wherein each component wholly retains its own unique characteristics, will basically fall apart when tossed into the air no matter how much salad dressing you've applied to enhance its taste or to create a common bond.
As opposed to a newer and stronger alloy, created by adding different metals into a melting pot in which you retain the best qualities of the component entities while skimming off the slag and other impurities.
posted by fdcol63 on March 5, 2008 2:34 PM
Kat, I agree with almost everything you say as to what should make up a sensible and sober immigration policy. The only thing I would add is border security is critical, not because I want to keep all immigrants out, but because I want to ensure that those who do come will respect our laws. If they start out their tenure in this country by breaking the law to enter, why should I believe they have any intention of following the law later?
But there remains one problem, which is apparently insurmountable. You wrote:
My position is that, if you want to bring people around to your way of thinking, the first thing you have to do is acknowledge their way of thinking isn't completely rejected.
No. This is, at most, the third thing on the list. The first thing you have to do is establish lines of communication. The second thing you have to do is establish your credibility. And therein lies the problem. How do you establish communication and credibility if the other party in the conversation has been conditioned to believe that everything you say is a lie?
posted by wolfwalker on March 5, 2008 2:42 PM
And therein lies the problem. How do you establish communication and credibility if the other party in the conversation has been conditioned to believe that everything you say is a lie?
There's walking and there's talking. maybe we need to be the walkers, iffin' you know what I mean.
I'll say this, if you think that Juan is going to be happy with our party, even if he agrees on the social and economic conservative point, if his wife is deported? Or his three cousins?
There has to be something that we can do that shows that we in good faith start out by believing that immigrants come here in good faith for the same things that we love.
Frankly, we're not going to win that "good faith" by consistently accusing immigrants, legal or illegal, of being here to steal from us or abuse our benefits. We need a positive message that reflects the positive nature of our belief in the importance and imperative of immigration in this nation while also conveying the positive aspects of security, not just for us, but for immigrants of all nature. But, we also better have a way forward to allow that immigration to flow or we will be, once again, talking and not walking.
Our current debate positions are poison. They are anathema to attracting any positive flow from immigrants into our party except on very limited occasions. Iam serious when I say that we have to change how we are talking, what are focus is on and how our debate continually focuses on the negatives of immigration, even if it is illegal.
We barely make legal immigrants feel welcome.
I will think on this subject this evening and present some ideas on how we turn the subject into a positive.
But, I really think that people need to consider that we:
a) are not going to kick all these illegal immigrants out because it is impossible
b) as long as they stay in the "underground" and we are the people calling for them to stay there by refusing to grant them a good process for citizenship, we are going to be the bad guys and everything we say or do to try to invite them into our party will be a big lie.
You see, its not that our political opposition has simply been able to color Republicans as the anti-immigration party without good cause or base to establish this opinion in.
We are anti- in the sense that most of what we say about immigrants revolves around illegal immigrants, often when we talk about these "illegals" we don't make a distinction and throw other legal immigrants under the bus with them, and we tend to talk about classes or origins of these "immigrants" with highly unfavorable language.
It is not simply that these immigrants have to "assimilate" but we have to reformulate our expressions to remove negative stigmatism from the issue. Otherwise, you might as well do as you suggest is the reality and just forget it. then expect a more democrat, left leaning population in the end because that is what we made it, not simply that they are.
posted by kat-missouri on March 5, 2008 3:59 PM
This is pure nonsense: "we haven't been able to change the attitudes of blacks or legal immigrants toward conservatives in thirty years of trying. The left's propaganda machine, plus their rigid control over the mass media, together mean that immigrants hear a biased version of real-ity." It is also insulting beyond belief, as if there is a monolithic universal unintelligent and unsophisticated 'immigrant' or 'black' who is too damn dumb to think for him- or herself. And where does the 30 year timeframe come from!? What? blacks and immigrants only arrived here in 1978, or did they only get smart enough to pay attention since then, or did 'we' only start telling them what to believe back then? And what 'we'? I've been more conservative than liberal for 30 years, but I don't remember putting any special effort into trying to educate blacks and immigrants.
Really, that's just too much....
Frankly, I'd say reality is being distorted as much by the Right as it is by the Left, since sane, informed discussions about the real issues can't be heard above the din of rabid protest. We're all hearing a biased version of reality, it seems, and as I see it, the only way to counter that is to start spending more time learning facts and less time passing along other people's poorly formed opinions. As to that, if anyone wants a good idea about what influential blacks in America think about conservative causes and ideals, try starting with the book "Enough," by Juan Williams. I don't like him and I haven't for years, but that book is wonderful, and it's a real eye-opener. Ignore Williams' pedigree. Read the book. Get a clue.
And for goodness sake, can we please stick to things in our discussions that have some basis in reality?
SangerM, I think it's been just about thirty years (maybe 35-40) since conservatives woke up and realized that the Democratic Party had stolen a march on them and gained almost-exclusive control of the nonwhite vote. Today blacks consistently vote D at 85-90% rates, and hispanics consistently vote D at 70-80% rates. This despite the fact that Democratic Party policies are demonstrably damaging to both those ethnic groups and Republican Party policies would in many cases benefit them substantially. With voting rates like that, I think it's safe to conclude that something other than actual, intelligent consideration of the candidates and the issues is driving voting patterns in those groups. I don't know what that something is. It might be stupidity, but I don't believe that for an instant. I think it's merely ignorance -- that members of those groups are ignorant of the facts because the sources they trust to tell them the facts are actually lying to them.
posted by wolfwalker on March 5, 2008 7:30 PM
jim b clears his throat and steps up to the mike... and now on the local front comes this:
"Recently, the Rothenberg Report, a top Washington, DC publication that ranks Congressional races, named 2nd District Democrat Nancy Boyda the most vulnerable incumbent in the entire country. Finally, people in Washington are starting to take notice—Boyda cannot be trusted to stand up for the Nation or the people of Kansas."
"Over in the 3rd District there is also exciting news. Dennis Moore’s own internal polling shows that 78.69% of his constituents think that Dennis Moore and Congress are failing to address the country’s issues. His constituents are clear—Dennis Moore is part of the broken system in Washington, and he needs to be replaced."
....That said it is now time for a demonstration of who has the the smallest hands in the country.
TV announcers .....
No, it's not real, silly. But it is funny. Especially if you are old enough to remember their fielding, when people were giving up the manly M14 for this thing!
I know it's silly. You know it's silly. But you'd probably get rich collecting ten bucks from every vet who'd swear to "I didn't have one that said "mattel" but I know this dude that did..."
I didn't have one made by Mattel, but in basic training I had an M16A1 stamped "General Motors, Hydramatic Division"...
posted by SFC D on March 5, 2008 8:30 AM
I had one in basic stamped Harrington and Richardson. I thought, "Cool. I have a really fine rifle here." Not.
posted by Fred on March 5, 2008 9:04 AM
I was, at various times and places, issued a Colt, a Hydramatic, and a H&R.
Then I started getting pistols (or my fave, my M3A1...). Because I had some knowledge of .45's, I indulged myself and at various times had a Union Switch and Signal and a Singer. Mostly, I carried a Remington-Rand.
The AR-15 I was issued was built by Acoustic Research and came with a jack for my Walkman and a cup holder so you wouldn't spill your drink while on the range. We had to qualify at 1000 inches and in those days I could chuck a rock farther and cause more damage. We figured the Air Force bought it through Boys Life.
I lust after the chance to get a nice M1 carbine made by Rock-Ola, and then have the Hughes Amendment repealed, so that I might do the M2 conversion to it.
Rock 'n Roll!
Maybe I should get a C&R license, and specialize in weird substitute-standard arms.
I think it would be hilarious to say, "Come on over to my place, and I'll show you my Johnson!"
I swear, you allistic people will cause the collapse of Western Civilization, and are probably provably already doing so. "American Idol", "People Magazine", "youtube", and MSM generally, well, I just cringe from all of that.
Effin' monkeys!
I think I might have another 20 years left, if I take care of myself. I'd rather give up all of my (admittedly slight) chances of getting laid, in any way, for the rest of my life, in exchange for having responsible Constitutional government restored to us.
Not that I object to lighthearted smartassedness; I'd be happy to co-operate with Chief Bill to buy each of us a rifle chambered in .219 Improved Zipper.
For reasons which will become obvious, the Armorer approves of this story whole-heartedly.
"I’d rather fire at the enemy than to have the enemy fire at me.”"
Indeed.
Story by Sgt. Jim Wilt
CJTF-82 Public Affairs Office
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – It’s a simple law: “If it can go wrong, it will.” Murphy’s Law is known and experienced by people all over the world.
Sometimes the law is followed by a special clause: “At the worst possible time.”
Paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s Long Range Surveillance Detachment are no strangers to the law or the clause that often follows it.
During a fire fight Sept. 9, 2007, near the village of Qaleh Saleh, Tag Ab District, Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, Army Sgt. Jonas Jerome Allen and Spc. Charles Villasenor had a little run in with Murphy’s Law.
Fortunately for the two Paratroopers and their fellow Soldiers, a second law came into effect after the first. This time the law wasn’t named after Murphy; it was named after Sir Isaac Newton.
“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction,” is Newton’s third law of motion.
Paratroopers from the LRSD, along with a Marine Corps Embedded Training Team and soldiers with the Afghan National Army’s 3rd Kandak, 3rd Brigade, 201st Corps, were on a mission to assess damage from an earlier engagement when the unit began taking enemy fire.
Allen was manning a .50 caliber machine gun in one vehicle while Villasenor was behind a MK-19 grenade launcher when the fighting began.
“When we began taking fire, I began suppressive/terrain denial bursts at a low wall about 130 meters (429 feet) to my front,” Villasenor, a native of Santee, Calif., said.
Soon after the fighting began, Murphy’s Law came into effect.
For the rest of the story - click the Flash Traffic/Extended Entry button.
“I fired four to five bursts and I had to reload due to a break in the link; when I charged the weapon I noticed that the right side charging handle was still towards the back of the weapon,” Villasenor said.
“During his reloading there was a malfunction with the MK-19,” said Spc. Christopher L. Baker, who was driving the truck Villasenor was manning the gun on at the time. “When he couldn’t fix the malfunction I called ‘gun down’ over the radio.”
“When I heard over the radio that [Villasenor’s] gun was down, I was still shooting my weapon and we were taking contact from a house and the rooftop,” Allen, then a specialist, said. “I glanced at [Villasenor’s truck] and saw that the gunner was having trouble and I knew we need the MK-19 rocking.”
“I could not fix the gun at that time because what I had was a major malfunction and it requires the weapon to be almost completely disassembled in order to fix,” Villasenor said.
“The driver, Specialist Baker, made the radio call, ‘gun down,’ and I had him back away from our position,” Villasenor said. “I yelled over to the Marine gunner to take our position due to the downed gun.”
“At this time, while taking small-arm and [rocket propelled grenade] fire … Sergeant Allen waved for our vehicle to pull up beside his,” Baker, a Newaygo, Mich. native, said.
Enter Newton’s Law.
“I jumped out and told the gunner (Villasenor) to get out and get into my turret,” Allen, who is Ranger-qualified, said.
“At that time, we were still taking sporadic small-arms and RPG fire when we jumped out and switched trucks,” Villasenor said.
Allen had more experience operating the MK-19 than Villasenor. He also had additional training from his team leader on major malfunctions, Allen said.
Once the two gunners swapped trucks, Villasenor began to fire the .50 cal., while Allen began to work on the malfunctioning weapon.
“I jumped into the turret and saw that the charging handle was stuck behind the bolt and I knew the only way to fix it was to disassemble the weapon system,” Allen said. “I knew I had to hurry because we were taking RPG’s and small-arms fire and I’d rather fire at the enemy than to have the enemy fire at me.”
Allen said he disassembled and reassembled the weapon as fast as he could.
“I just was thinking that if I hurry up and fix the MK-19, I could start engaging the enemy and kill them,” he said.
Once he repaired it, he had the driver of the truck move him into a better position then he put it to use.
“After checking the weapon, we both decided to stay where we were,” Villasenor said. “He had more knowledge on the MK-19 and I am more proficient on the .50 cal.”
“[I] fired the MK-19 into the house and the rooftop we were receiving contact from and after I unloaded an ammo can of 40mm rounds, I reloaded it and kept engaging the enemy until we stopped taking contact,” Allen said.
Both troopers feel the weapon was necessary in the fight.
“I can say that if I didn’t fix the MK-19 the fire fight could have lasted longer because there is something about a loud boom that the enemy don’t like and it always usually gets quiet, meaning they stop firing or can’t fire once the MK-19 starts firing and blowing things up,” Allen said.
“There is no telling what would have happened. I do know that in a fire fight each heavy weapon is essential,” Villasenor said.
During the battle, the two laws caught up with each other. Murphy’s Law came into play when the weapon malfunctioned. Newton’s law answered Murphy’s with an opposing reaction from Allen.
Both of the Paratroopers have remained in Kapisa Province since the event and will be redeploying to Fort Bragg, N.C., before the end of April.
“I just was thinking that if I hurry up and fix the MK-19, I could start engaging the enemy and kill them,” he said.
Once again,
Indeed.
And The Armorer approves of any soldier who can fix a complex weapon system under fire.
But he really likes the way they played to each other's strengths and acknowledged their weaknesses, for the common good.
That's a combat bond, and indicative of good soldiers and good leaders.
Sergeant Allen deserves a medal. Silver Star, perhaps?
posted by wolfwalker on March 5, 2008 8:22 AM
there is no substitute for the American soldier.
Amen
posted by kat-missouri on March 5, 2008 8:58 AM
For me, it has been a few years since I've played with this Saco product. Thus, my memory may be playing games on my noodle. Certainly, there are readers in this here Castle, which have had far more trigger time than this lowly merchant.
However, how in the **shuck** did the Charging Handle get behind that 17-Pound Bolt? The tolerances between the Charging Handle and Bolt are tight enough so as to prevent either of the handles to slip behind it.
Of course, it could have been mis-reassembled after maintenance. But any function check would have caught that. Or, either of the Charger Assemblies may be bent.
Alternatively, would a broken cocking lever be the culprit? Any other ideas out there? This frustrated ex-gun flinger wanna know.
posted by Boquisucio on March 5, 2008 9:09 AM
There, I can't help, never having had the chance to shoot a Mk19.
Mr Boquisucio - I'm just speculating here, but the charging handle assemblies on the Mk19 are removable. If the lock plunger wasn't completely seated I can envision the assembly loosening up and wedging in such a way that when attempting to withdraw the bolt during the reload the charger rides around the engaging surface rather than on it - Picture the right handle coming back freely while the left handle takes the full tension of the operating springs. Even if you could completely remove the bad guide to get it out of the way, I'm not sure you would be able to charge the weapon with only one handle between the weight of the springs and the off axis force. You would have to remove the back plate to take tension off the springs and then you could remove the bolt, reinstall the troublesome charging assembly and reassemble the weapon.
Winning the War of Ideas: Inside McDonald's Empire
[Kat]
In 2006, discussing Zarqawi's appearance in the machine gun blooper video, I noted that the war was already won for several reasons. One of which was the appearance of Zarqawi in a pair of white New Balance tennis shoes. When the enemy is buying (or hi-jacking) your products and wearing them on his propaganda video, you realize that his ability to become what he believed (ie, the masters of the Islamic Global Caliphate) was a bunch of horse hockey.
Here we've talked about the economic effects of the black market selling American goods with American dollars undermined the Soviet economy in a way that it could not recover from. Taking money out of the hands of the collective government and created a private wealth system the government could not compete with. Of course, Reagan outspent them on military and their politico-economic system was a rock around their necks. But the spread of the idea of freedom through every nook and cranny they could not fill in the hearts and minds of their people were filled up with American goods and American ideas.
I remember the first time I heard that a McDonald's had opened up on Red Square. Not exactly as spiritually uplifting as seeing the wall taken apart with sledgehammers and bare hands, but a quiet triumph for capitalism and, in the end, freedom.
In a piece originally aired last summer, CNBC presents: The Big Mac - Inside McDonald's Empire , CNBC high-lights McDonald's expanding reach into China. Several hundred stores.
Things to look for, the total blasphemy of Chairman Mao's giant picture over looking Tianneman Square with a giant photo of a Chinese mom sharing fries with her kid, emblazoned with giant golden arches within the cut out of a giant side of fries on the opposite side of the square, staring back at the glorious leader.
You could say in many ways that the expansion of such global, capitalist empires is the the expansion of the "American Empire". Our "empire" is not built on military conquest and holding land. The "American Empire" is completely misunderstood because of the long shadows of previous empires. The American Empire is the American Dream, the American idea of freedom, spreading from nation to nation. Sometimes by politics, sometimes by war, but, very often, it's through the hard work, innovation, inspiration and entrepreneurship of American citizens.
It might not always be clean and pretty or look like our idea of spreading freedom, but it is one of our most effective "weapons" against tyranny.
I'm just waiting for the first McDonald's in Baghdad.
Yeah, an' all that, except lately I've been reading the Biography of Teddy Roosevelt, and I'd say the U.S. is the empire it is today as much because of his expansionist manifestanglodestiny work as because of his younger cousin's willingness to go for it with Churchill. To be honest, there may yet be a day where commerce alone will suffice, but I believe today more than I ever have that TR was dead on; that a willingness to wage war, with full violence visited upon the enemy, is what promotes the peace that allows commerce to do what conquest by force of arms used to do. One of the things I learned last year (much to my surprise) is that the world was actually fairly 'globalized' prior to WWI, and that it wasn't until around 1970 or so that the world actually returned to a level of global commerce equal to that of before the war!
Yes, McDs may be changing China, but you can bet it's only our proven willingness to kill people (and lots of them) that keeps countries like Russia and China at bay long enough for the insidious commercial trap to work...
P.S. Didja' all know that in Texas you don't have to declare a party when you register to vote, so you can vote for whomever you want in the primaries?
Wanna guess who my spouse and I voted for today...?
Heh, our strategy failed it seems, but it was close. Too Bad more people didn't do the same.
Radical Iselectionism! I *LOVE* the diversity America is... Ha!
The Commercial trap in China.
About 4 years ago, I had a chance to spend some time in China as a tourist.
I wasn't really sure of what to expect in that particular part of the world. I spent about a month in the Bejing area (northern China) and I was amazed at the commercialism.
Yes there is a Bejing Mac D , I ate there as well as an Outback and Olive Garden.
The most suprizing was during a tour of the Forbidden City, the Emperor's palace with the Chairman's picture everywhere, We came upon a Starbucks doing a booming business right around the corner from the old throne room.
The dollar in what ever version you use is gaining fast over ideaology. Sometimes it isn't required to shoot em to win, just send them some good old American Capitolism.
"Well I don't know what your strategy was or who you voted for. However, since the outcome in Texas was what I wanted, I'm glad it failed."
Are you sure? Hmmmm....?
Which thing in Texas did you want? McCain or Clinton? I want McCain and Obama for the national, but if you wanted Clinton to be Prez, then I guess you are dead on. I suspect you don't, however, in which case what I wanted would have been better for the long term (since I agree w/ John, BTW about our choices in Nov)...
Basically, unless McCain chooses someone like Condoleeza Rice as VP (which would *thrill* me), Clinton is just as likely to win in November as McCain, regardless of who she picks as VP (which I'd bet even money will NOT be Obama). Obama on the other hand doesn't stand a chance against McCain, no matter who he picks as VP, and I'd give *odds* on that.
So, I voted for the person I wanted to be the Democratic nominee, in which case, unless you *do* want Clinton to be Prez, your 'gladness' is misplaced.
For personal reasons, I'd like to ask you a couple of questions about your name, where you're from, etc. Could you please contact me via e-mail by going to my website and clicking on the contact me link at the top right corner of that page (I don't want to put that e-mail address in a forum that will end up on google, and it's coded on the webpage so it doesn't get found by search bots...)
I hope you will, I think you may find it worthwhile.
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).
Obama and his friends I seriously want to know why this isn't getting more play in the national media. According to Townhall, Rezko isn't just "some adviser" who sent money to Obama's campaign, forthwith sent back, whose wife bought property next to the Obamas (as if that isn't enough). And, Obama allegedly made a simple "mistake" as if he didn't know the character of this guy. Rezko has been a friend of Obama's for two decades. TWO DECADES!
This guy is reminding me of Jimmy Swaggert. Evangelical, too good to be true, preaching at the pulpit of the "Chrystal Cathedral", all the congregation shouting "Amen" and swooning left and right, right before the dirty laundry comes spewing out like a vomiting land fill. Except Jimmy never enjoyed the apparent press immunity Obama has received. With the exception of WSJ: Obama and Chicago Mores
From the international wing of the NYT: Young Iraqis are Losing Their Faith. It's largely anecdotal, but an interesting idea... and certainly a fascinating counterpoint to "We're driving them into the arms of extremism!!"
A week or so ago, the Gravediggers were invited to dinner with Sheik Stack-On-Me (the nickname derives from another story for another time, but it involves CPT Whiteback, two intel soldiers, and the Sheik forming a four-man stack to clear a house on their own), a local leader who has been slow to reconcile. While one section maintained security, the other section went in and chummed around with the Sheik in question and his posse. Beyond the multitude of Middle Eastern delicacies brought in for the feast, we simply chilled out with the Iraqis all night. No business was spoken – just general discussions about politics, history, and women, with a lot of joking and laughing intermixed. For one night at least, we were just men being men, bullshitting for the sake of bullshitting. A few days later, we got a call from Sheik Stack-On-Me. Some of our top targets, who we’ve been unable to capture due to their escapability and thorough back-alley knowledge of Anu al-Verona, were at his headquarters, looking for money. The Sheik had already called the Iraqi Army, who were in the process of detaining our targets, so he figured he’d give us a courtesy call, too. Who knows if our dinner had any effect on this sequence of events. I don’t know, and don’t believe there’s any way of ever finding out for certain. I do know, though, that a lot can happen when you recognize the humanity in others. When you’re involved in an ever-evolving guerrilla fight like we are, coincidences don’t really occur.
Textbook counter-insurgency, folks. Bravo to CPT Whiteback and the Gravediggers. - FbL
Maybe I'll actually blog something now!
-BloodSpite
*********************************
In the comments to Kat's Maggies post about "Who will pick up the phone" I talk about how some on the Right are suggesting that Senator Clinton is, in a sneaky way, trying to set the stage for a McCain victory this fall - because if Senator Obama wins, Clinton is going to have to wait until 2016 to get another shot - if Senator McCain wins, she gets to try again in 2012. As may be. So, today, in support of that theory, Kathryn Lopez posts this over at National Review's "The Corner" blog:
Further evidence for my 3 A.M. theory: Here's Hillary:
But before leaving, to insert herself into the day's news coverage, she held a quick media availability at the Hilton and provided this unusually concise capsule comment for reporters, including The Times' Louise Roug:
"I think that I have a lifetime of experience that I will bring to the White House. Sen. John McCain has a lifetime of experience that he'd bring to the White House. And Sen. Obama has a speech he gave in 2002."
Save for, say, a blood promise that the first SCOTUS seat in an Obama administration is hers, Hillary Clinton's second choice is McCain.
To see for yourself and to see what K-Lo's linking to - click here.
Update: Ouch! Maggie can give a pretty painful purple nurple via email.... -the Armorer
*******************************
Watch out for the Lurker Above, Gary! Crap. The Dungeon Master failed his saving throw.
Gary Gygax, a curmudgeon's curmudgeon and co-inventor of Dungeons and Dragons has thrown his last 12-sided die. My world is a tiny bit diminished. Oh, shut up, Kevin. It's not my fault Bruce teleported into the stone column in the Cave of the Frost Giant Jarl with his Golf-Bag of Holding full of wands and staves over his shoulder and the resulting explosion trashed your ninja-thief, while his deity intervened to save his sorry behind. Get over it! I mean, really! -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."
Lots of chewy stuff here today... and little time to ponder it all.
But I have to agree- Momnesia is completely real. I usually call it Mommy Brain, but Momnesia sounds much more 'formal'. Every mom I know has experienced it.
btw... being an Ohioan is kinda fun today. Lots of attention around here! And yes, I already voted- and took the boys with me for their first view of the democratic process. They were not impressed, haha
posted by AFSister on March 4, 2008 12:32 PM
On lost faith in Iraq, I keep thinking about the Catholic Church during the French revolution and the Russian Orthodox church during the Russian revolution.
Both of these religious houses took the wrong side in the "war", supporting existing ruling structures in order to retain their power and money. They totally misunderstood that the power they held was not only at the leisure of the wealthy rulers, but only so long as the "masses" felt that the church served them. When the masses realized they had power, the church did not respond and it died.
As opposed to the Catholic Church in Poland and various south American countries that took the side of "the people" and survived or even thrived again after years of repression.
In Iraq, the fact that religion and Mosques (church) were used as centerpieces for terrorism and subjugation of the people while many clerics either joined or supported due to belief or out of fear, with very few Clerics standing up and saying that it was wrong or attempting to organize their people in such a way as to actually protect themselves, has possibly made Islam the Catholic church of Iraq (so to speak).
Not that Islam will disappear, any more than catholicism disappeared from France, but its power may be deeply diminished.
posted by kat-missouri on March 4, 2008 1:57 PM
"Oh, shut up, Kevin."
Seems as if somebody has some long repressed and hidden guilt issues to deal with.... my, so defensive in launching a pre-emptive strike.
Was your GM shield threatened? Was there a clear and present danger? Don't think so....
Now about that arena execution you staged....
So play nice or I'll send some bugbears over to video a durkadurka party at your place.
Saving throws be damned!
RIP Gary.
posted by Kevin on March 4, 2008 2:59 PM
Seems as if somebody has some long repressed and hidden guilt issues to deal with.... my, so defensive in launching a pre-emptive strike.
No, no. *Offensive* Because I knew you'd whine like a turbine with a bad bearing - as you have for nigh on to 30 years...!
As a pimple-faced 15-year old, I spent many a weekends from sun up to sun down throwing Dodecadrons on my friends' tabletops. The imagination required to play D&D, in my opinion far surpases today's computer animations. It required a level of intellectual engagement not found in today's shootem graphic rich platforms.
We well also Wargaming freaks, being avid followers of Avalon-Hill Tabletop games. Panzerleader, Squadleader, Jutland, Waterloo and 1942 to name a few. No computers just hexagonal squares on a cardboard top.
The memories....
posted by Boquisucio on March 4, 2008 3:29 PM
Me, too. Kevin introduced me to the White Box with Three Books.
My first Avalon Hill game was Afrika Korps.
It's *still* a great game.
And I know (and email back and forth with) Jim Dunnigan and other lights of the hobby. Side benny of being an Army wargame developer.
With me here in Eastern Penna, I only saved Squad Leader, which is held in a trunk up in the attic. As far as 1942 and Jutland, however, me be afraid that they were tossed-out by my folks looooong time ago.
Though as a consolation, I have Close Combat II in my hard drive which I fire-up from time to time.
posted by Boquisucio on March 4, 2008 3:52 PM
Always loved Jutland, even if the Germans did seem to blow the crap outa the British fleet 99% of the time. British Battle cruisers anyone? Besides, how many of us had the floor space to actually play that game?
As for Avalon Hill or any table top game for that matter, John absolutely refuses to play me in any game that requires dice. Aside from D&D in which he can manipulate the results to suit his own evil designs that is...
I think he still has nightmares from his Panzerleader debacles... heh, heh, heh... Yes, table and board flips were a common occurrence...
Ah memories....
posted by Kevin on March 4, 2008 4:40 PM
Kevin and I have slightly different memories... but, it's true - don't play a game involving dice with Kevin.
Even if they're *your* dice.
I just don't understand why he's still a struggling tobacconist/wine merchant after all the trips he's made to Vegas...
How to overcome the issue of tactical surprise and impartiality, in a pre-computer world? Well, took a page out of D&D's, and had a "Dungeon Master" to referee the game. We would take turns and for one match, one of us would impartially determine when units in a board would come in contact with each other. That would inject a great dimension to our epic Jutland and 1942 matches.
Oh and on our floor space, that wasn't an issue for us. I used to have an expansive covered porch on to which we could spread our fleets. Our only hazards were our wandering dogs moziing about
posted by Boquisucio on March 4, 2008 8:37 PM
"I just don't understand why he's still a struggling tobacconist/wine merchant after all the trips he's made to Vegas..."
That's because I don't gamble. Oh, don't get me wrong, Vegas is probably my favorite city to visit, but, I don't gamble.
I set myself a $100.00 limit per day and if I lose that, it's done and I walk away. I consider it entertainment. That being said, I'm up about $900 on the Vegas establishments by playing the penny slots. Go figger?
The reason I do travel to Vegas is the trade shows for my industry. Not for me to gamble. But, being the people person that I am, I find Vegas fascinating for the sport of people watching.
If you can't experience it in Vegas, then you need to go to Bangkok or the PI.... ahem...
Back to the point. Such a sore loser. I mean, I never flipped the DM screen at the ref when I got hosed vs. certain a short tempered Irishman who had a hissy when his Panzers were obliterated by indirect fire... again and again and again...
I still work on D&D stuff and I have run dungeons for my family... I guess everyone has a time, but AD&D is almost as important a part of my past as was the Cat in the Hat. And yes, I still have all my custom painted 25mm lead figures *very* nicely painted too, with lots more in the garage waiting for me to get old enough to want to do that stuff again.
> That being said I still use my original signed copies of D&D 1st Edition :)
Cool... I'm envious. I never had the orginals, I didn't get into it until around 1984;
> I don't paint figures (hands aren;t steady enough anymore) so I just buy the premade ones.
My hands are steady, my eyes have turned bad... I used to have 20/15 and could hold the figs about 4 inches from my face and paint with one bristle to put on eyebrows, etc... Now I need a magnifier AND wal-mart glasses. And arm extenders.
I used to play Afrika Korps with my Mom. I could never knock out the British quickly enough to prevent her from piling up stacks of little blue reinforcements.
I think emmmm,,, its a M3 grant thats been converted to a field recovery Vehicle or Factory tow Vehicle
posted by Spanky on March 4, 2008 7:52 PM
let me add to my guess them are M2a2 tracks on a M3 hull???
posted by Spanky on March 4, 2008 8:12 PM
The control levers look similar to Cat tractors of the 50's. I've never seen a Cat tractor with the operator's seat moved so far forward though. The hard surface treads show that it's not just for pulling hard in the dirt only. Could this be a very heavy field gun prime mover? The drawbar is not of the pintle type though. Looks like it does have the hardware on the front and sides for a front mounted dozer blade. Then again there is no rear winch for raising & lowering the blade. I'm stumped except for the highway treads that make me still think it's a prime mover.
I got chastised in the comments of my "Dear Matt Drudge" post, by a long time reader and emailer who pretty much thought I was gonzo stupid for writing the post. Rather harshly spanked, really. I admit I was surprised at the heat and the source.
Really disappointed with this post & comments.
As I told the Vodka Pundit:
However, Matt takes what should be public knowledge, see Lewinsky, and really makes it public.
After all, where would drug addled/sex addicted icon JFK be were Drudge around during his Presidency? Not to mention attempted Castro assasination brother RFK?
As far as Prince Harry is concerned, I’m certain the Taliban, on reading Drudge, immediately attacked all British forces in Afghanistan in order to kill the Prince!
I’m really disappointed when blogs I’ve read and supported for lo these many years, seem to lose all semblence(sp?)of rationallity and common sense."
Hey - we welcome the alternative views! The reason I reprise this is because of this comment within the comment:
As far as Prince Harry is concerned, I’m certain the Taliban, on reading Drudge, immediately attacked all British forces in Afghanistan in order to kill the Prince!
Funny you should mention that, Mike.
From The Australian:
Chilling reminders
March 03, 2008
Prince Harry is a hero among thousands
No sooner had news broken of Prince Harry's 10-week service in Afghanistan, than an al-Qa'ida website was calling on jihadists to behead the third in line to the throne and send the video to his grandmother, the Queen. This is yet another sobering reminder of the evil mentality of Islamic extremists and of why the war on terror cannot be relaxed.
PRINCE Harry vented his fury at being forced home from Afghanistan, telling a squaddie: “I’m ****ing p*ssed off.”
His outburst came on the flight home after ten weeks on the frontline fighting the Taliban. But the prince insisted: “I’m no hero”—as he paid tribute to two wounded comrades on his flight.
I'd have a care if you go clubbing in London, Matt. You might find yourself face-to-face with a peeved Royal.
Sorry. I agree with the Armorer as well. The need to know must be weighed against the need to protect. We weren't talking about some secret government program that endangered the people of the nation or had drastic national defense issues. We're talking about protecting a single man's identity while his life is still in danger.
We extend that courtesy to witnesses and victims, juvenile offenders, as well as POWs and their families in order to protect them as long as we can.
that is the case here. The good in exposing the information is outweighed by the danger to an individual and should have been evaluated as such.
posted by kat-missouri on March 4, 2008 9:03 AM
Agreed with your original assessment, and still do. Drudge really screwed the pooch with this one.
It has come out that he wasn't the first- I mean, yeah, he's popular, but not so much as to get that kind of information on his own- but it was his site that got the attention of the bad guys. I think I heard it was an Australian paper who first released it, but Drudge picked up and ran with it, garnering fame of the bad kind.
posted by AFSister on March 4, 2008 12:35 PM
A German paper ran a speculative story that noted Prince Harry's absence from the media, and wondered if he might not be in Iraq.
Then the Aussie magazine ran a story (and they have since taken a lot of guff over that), so clearly the information was leaking out, and I wonder if the MoD had considered the aspect of the Prince dropping out of the news and the impact that would have on people who make their livings being nosy?
The Aussie magazine said that if they had known there was an embargo, they would have respected it - which shows another aspect of the problem from the MoD's perspective. I assume they were able to embargo the info in the Brit press because, not least anyway, of the Official Secrets Act, which gives the Brit government an enormous amount of leverage over their press that we wouldn't tolerate.
I'm guessing it doesn't extend to Commonwealth news outlets.
I still think that Drudge's editorial judgement was bad on this story.
I also think Matt doesn't give a flip what I think.
Yanno, I had a snark all ready. While we all applaud Harry doing his duty, I would have preferred to read about it after his deployment.
posted by Cricket on March 4, 2008 1:55 PM
I also think Matt doesn't give a flip what I think.
Yup. He never does...
posted by AFSister on March 4, 2008 6:44 PM
The Aussie rag a tabloid called New Idea ran details first. I guess we can call them No Idea now. Now i'm visualising Osama frantically reading all the tabloids to get the latest goss on Harry. I hope he doesn't miss the latest fashion cos man he needs work.
I'm with the Armourer on this one. I can understand the point made by Mike and it has some validity but this really is about OPSEC. This Drudge and indeed other mags could well have gotten this boy killed and stirred other problems. Lewinsky and JFK don't get OPSEC protection for their cases. The only gun Lewinsky was holding was Presidential.
Oh granted i'm not actually as OPSEC absolute as ppl like the Armourer. I have not had to bother with the experience of it although i can understand it through the context of research confidentiality. It's not my job I don't know all the rules and i have nothing to personally or professionally loose. But think about it what are the costs of revealing versus the benefits? The number of events important enough to break OPSEC as a rare as hen's teeth. Remember too we're often talking only about a delay in info. Harry's activities (presumably no more or less heroic than others in his unit) would be fine released after he's safely tucked in bed back in Windsor Hotel. Mai Lai maybe would have been worth it. Events in Dafur too.
No John we really aren't a colony anymore. In fact China and the US have more influence now than them. I suspect the Brits didn't tell the mags and papers to shut up here. Probably because if they did some upstart would have done it anyway. So there they are damned if they do damned if they don't. Resting on Media's honour is a really unwise thing to do but Harry had not a lot of choice.
Venezuela hits back and claims to have info that Colombia's National Police Chief has been dealing cocaine on a large scale. Of course, that has to be extremely ironic considering the number of criminals in Chavez's government and their drug connections. And, the fact that they are bank rolling FARC Narco terrorists.
Columbia breaks out the sledgehammer and claims that FARC sold uranium on the black market. Maybe they mean Chavez was selling it because certain Venezuelan anti-Chavez folks have claimed that Chavez is making deals with Iran for yellow cake under the guise of joint agri-machinery factories.
From the media, though, is the typical ambivalence and quasi @$$ kissing:
The rebels, who have been fighting for more than four decades for a more equitable distribution of wealth in Colombia, fund themselves largely through the cocaine trade, while holding hundreds of kidnapped hostages for ransom and political ends. The drug trafficking and kidnappings haven't helped their reputation, which is why both Correa and Chavez have denied supporting them.
"Fighting for...more equitable distribution of wealth." If that doesn't make you go "What the FARC?" nothing will.
The FARC hasn't been about "more equitable distribution of wealth" in an extremely long time. In fact, it has a ton of wealth from drug cartels that it uses to enrich its leaders (why else did Reyes join them in the first place?) and pay for their private army that is largely used to kidnap, rob, raise and sell narcotics. The absolute horror of narco-farms and plants, the conditions of the enslaved peasants, while the fat cats at the head of FARC walk around with Rolexes cannot be overstated.
You really have to ask how any journalist could write that with a straight face.
What else do you expect from people who, as a general rule, still glorify Che?
posted by fdcol63 on March 4, 2008 6:57 AM
As always: Great Post K-MO. Having done extensive work in Colombia in my past, I do have my own take (similar in many ways from yours) on the matter.
I just need a couple of hours away from my Ludditical environment to flesh it out, though before I can make them known in this here Castle.
posted by Boquisucio on March 4, 2008 8:40 AM
Chavez, who has admitted taking coca paste supplied to him as a gift from the President of Bolivia, has sent 10 Battalions of troups to the Columbian border. Chavez is upset FARC, a reconstitution of the Cali drug cartel, was attacked by Columbia in Ecuador who didn't say boo until they realized how much money Chavez spent on their last election. The OAS has asked that this be dealt with diplomatically. OK.
We don't have to worry about Bolivia as the last war they fought was over bird droppings...and they lost.
posted by Fishmugger on March 4, 2008 1:05 PM
I've actually been to Bolivia and briefed their General Staff college faculty and leadership.
They were all earnest men.
But they don't have much to be earnest with.
And that was before, well before, their current administration took office.
Back in the 90's, at least, their major war college exercise was on how to get back the land they lost to Chile in the War of the Pacific.
They were embarrassed when, taking student briefs, I figured that out. At the same time, they were impressed that a gringo Army officer knew anything about the War of the Pacific....
Both candidates think the decision should be based on their experience. I guess that means we have to go with the person who has actual experience dealing with terrorists. According to this article by Ben Smith at Politico, Barack has dined with terrorists, socialized with terrorists and accepted campaign donations from terrorists.
Just a thought. Trying to be fair and all. You know, openminded. Maggie
In 1995, State Senator Alice Palmer introduced her chosen successor, Barack Obama, to a few of the district’s influential liberals at the home of two well known figures on the local left: William Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn.
While Ayers and Dohrn may be thought of in Hyde Park as local activists, they’re better known nationally as two of the most notorious — and unrepentant — figures from the violent fringe of the 1960s anti-war movement.
Now, as Obama runs for president, what two guests recall as an unremarkable gathering on the road to a minor elected office stands as a symbol of how swiftly he has risen from a man in the Hyde Park left to one closing in fast on the Democratic nomination for president.
“I can remember being one of a small group of people who came to Bill Ayers’ house to learn that Alice Palmer was stepping down from the senate and running for Congress,” said Dr. Quentin Young, a prominent Chicago physician and advocate for single-payer health care, of the informal gathering at the home of Ayers and his wife, Dohrn. “[Palmer] identified [Obama] as her successor.”
Obama and Palmer “were both there,” he said.
Obama’s connections to Ayers and Dorhn have been noted in some fleeting news coverage in the past. But the visit by Obama to their home — part of a campaign courtship — reflects more extensive interaction than has been previously reported.
Neither Ayers nor the Obama campaign would describe the relationship between the two men. Dr. Young described Obama and Ayers as “friends,” but there’s no evidence their relationship is more than the casual friendship of two men who occupy overlapping Chicago political circles and who served together on the board of a Chicago foundation.
But Obama’s relationship with Ayers is an especially vivid milepost on his rise, in record time, from a local official who unabashedly reflected a very liberal district to the leader of national movement based largely on the claim that he can transcend ideological divides.
In one sense, Obama’s journey toward the cultural and political center is not unusual among national politicians. But its velocity is.
Politicians of an earlier generation had their own relationships with figures now far to their left. Hillary Rodham Clinton, for instance, interned at a radical San Francisco law firm while in law school.
On the other side of the political spectrum, many in the generation before hers shifted dramatically on civil rights. John McCain voted against creating a holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr. and later called that a mistake.
The relationship with Ayers gives context to his recent past in Hyde Park politics. It’s milieu in which a former violent radical was a stalwart of the local scene, not especially controversial.
It’s also a scene whose liberal ideological features — while taken for granted by the Chicago press corps that knows Obama best — provides a jarring contrast with Obama’s current, anti-ideological stance. This contrast between past and present — not least the Ayers connection — is virtually certain to be a subject Republican operatives will warm to if Obama is the Democratic nominee.
The tension between the present and recent Chicago past is also evident in some of his positions on major national issues. Many national politicians, including Clinton, have moved toward the center over time. But Obama’s transitions are still quite fresh.
A questionnaire from his 1996 campaign indicated more blanket opposition to the death penalty, and support of abortion rights, than he currently espouses. He spoke in support of single-payer health care as recently as 2003.
Like many of the most extreme figures from the 1960s Ayers and Dohrn are ambiguous figures in American life.
They disappeared in 1970, after a bomb — designed to kill army officers in New Jersey — accidentally destroyed a Greenwich Village townhouse, and turned themselves into authorities in 1980. They were never prosecuted for their involvement with the 25 bombings the Weather Underground claimed; charges were dropped because of improper FBI surveillance.
Both have written and spoken at length about their pasts, and today he is an advocate for progressive education and a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago; she’s an associate professor of law at Northwestern University.
But — unlike some other fringe figures of the era — they’re also flatly unrepentant about the bombings they committed in the name of ending the war, defending them on the grounds that they killed no one, except, accidentally, their own members.
Dohrn, however, was jailed for less than a year for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating other Weather Underground members’ robbery of a Brinks truck, in which a guard and two New York State Troopers were killed.
“I don't regret setting bombs; I feel we didn't do enough,” Ayers told the New York Times in 2001.
And their rehabilitation in establishment circles, even in Hyde Park, has its limits.
Though he is a respected figure in liberal educational circles, Ayers wrote recently about how in 2006 he was informed he was persona non grata at a progressive educators’ conference in the summer of 2006.
“We cannot risk a simplistic and dubious association between progressive education and the violent aspects of your past,” he quoted the conference organizers, whom he described as friends, as writing to him.
But the couple has been embraced, by and large, in the liberal circles dominating Hyde Park politics.
“Bill Ayers is one of my heroes in life,” said Sam Ackerman, a longtime local activist. “I knew Tony Rezko, and he ain’t no Rezko.”
But others in Hyde Park, whose intellectual and political life revolves around the University of Chicago, view the couple with ambivalence.
“I feel very uncomfortable with their past, but neither of them is thought of as horrible types now — so far as most of us know, they are legitimate members of the community,” said Cass Sunstein, a University of Chicago law professor who has known Obama since the early 1990s and supports his campaign.
“Not only is Obama the opposite pole from radicals like Ayers and Dohrn at least as one point were, he’s not a conventional left liberal by any means,” he said.
Others are less inclined to even consider forgiveness.
“Ayers was a terrorist. Bernardine Dohrn was a terrorist. Ayers has never offered one word of apology — he glories in it, thinks it’s terrific. And that to me is not what I would call acceptable or mainstream behavior,” said Dan Polsby, a former law professor at Northwestern who is now dean of George Mason University Law School. “If Obama takes a different view on that — well, OK, that’s data about Obama.”
On Thursday, Ayers spoke at the State University of New York at New Paltz, where he refused to answer questions from Politico about his relationship with Obama.
Dohrn did not respond to a message left at her office.
Obama’s campaign dismisses the notion that his relationship with Ayers should be seen through the lens of the latter’s violent past, or his present lack of regret for the bombings.
“Sen. Obama strongly condemns the violent actions of the Weathermen group, as he does all acts of violence,” said Obama’s press secretary, Bill Burton. “But he was an 8-year-old child when Ayers and the Weathermen were active, and any attempt to connect Obama with events of almost 40 years ago is ridiculous.”
He described Ayers as “a professor of education at the University of Illinois-Chicago and a former aide to Mayor Richard J. Daley,” referring to printed reports that he had “advised” Daley on school reform.
As Bloomberg News reported recently, Obama and Ayers have crossed paths repeatedly in the last decade. In 1997, Obama cited Ayers’ critique of the juvenile justice system in a Chicago Tribune article on what prominent Chicagoans were reading. He and Ayers served together on the board of the Woods Fund of Chicago for three years starting in 1999. In 2001, Ayers also gave $200 to Obama’s state Senate reelection campaign.
Many details of the 1995 meeting are shrouded by time and by Obama’s and Ayers’ refusals to discuss it.
The exact date is not known, but it was in the second half of 1995, before Palmer’s decision — late in her losing congressional primary against Jesse Jackson Jr. — to jump back into the special election for her state Senate seat. (Her decision produced a rift between her and Obama, who was able to get her thrown off the ballot on technical grounds.)
“That’s too long ago — that’s ancient history,” Palmer said, when asked of the meeting.
Dr. Young and another guest, Maria Warren, described it similarly: as an introduction to Hyde Park liberals of the handpicked successor to Palmer, a well-regarded figure on the left.
“When I first met Barack Obama, he was giving a standard, innocuous little talk in the living room of those two legends-in-their-own-minds, Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn,” Warren wrote on her blog in 2005. “They were launching him — introducing him to the Hyde Park community as the best thing since sliced bread.”
Contacted by e-mail, Warren declined to describe the meeting further and later blogged of her concern that Republicans would use accounts of the event for “left-baiting.”
Young described the gathering as a matter of “due diligence” for Palmer to introduce her chosen successor to constituents. “Many of us knew him already,” he said.
They, like others in his old Chicago world, now consider him a bit too “conservative” for their liking, as Warren wrote recently.
Ackerman, the Hyde Park activist, complained of his votes for continued funding for the Iraq war.
“A lot of people were very angry when he voted to fund the war,” he said. “But any candidate running for president is going to strive for broader appeal and move more to the center — I don’t believe that Barack has departed from his basic principles.”
Dr. Young said, however, that he isn’t supporting either of the leading presidential candidates because he is a single-issue voter, and the issue is single-payer health care.
He said he was disappointed that Obama is “equivocating” on his support for single-payer health care, after saying in the past that he supported it. But he said Obama’s style — “cautious, deliberate, defensive” — was also familiar from the senator’s Hyde Park days.
“In fairness, there’s no double dealing,” he said. “It’s part of his stated strategy: He wants to get maximum unity.”
After watching the Clinton ad, a thought struck my roommates and myself: In the general election, if it is Barak v McCain, the same ad should be used, with McCain at the end picking up.
Not that I'm the biggest fan of his, but decidely the lesser of two weevils.
posted by GeoSTI on March 4, 2008 10:21 AM
There are those on the Right who are suggesting that Senator Clinton, knowing the End Is Near, has shifted her focus to 2012 - and put out these ads precisely to undermine Senator Obama in order to secure a McCain win this time around.
I think that some people think too hard, myself, but it would fit in the view of Senator Clinton as an afcionado of Niccolò Machiavelli.
First time I saw the original ad, I thought "wow.. McCain's finally stepping up his campaign and exploiting his military service like he should!' and then... HILLARY APPEARED ON THE SCREEN.
WHAT THE??????
Sorry, but something makes me think the only 3am call she's ever taken was either from Bill asking her to let him back into the house, or a wrong number- neither of which have any affect on national security.
FEH!
posted by AFSister on March 4, 2008 12:38 PM
Apparently I'm not really good at this "conveying my point with sarcasm" thing. I was trying to draw attention to Obama's link to the Weather Underground! It's in the article in the Flash Traffic.
Do you people actually think I'd give Obama credit for ANYTHING over ANYONE?
JimB, I need a drink (wanted to say I need a "stiff one" but that would just have JTG posting pics of Sailors again....wait, now that I think of.....).
Hannity was all over that connection late last week, Maggie.
It is scary to think that anyone who cohorts with known domestic terrorists could possibly rise to the position of presidential candidate.. Truly amazing.
When you get your history from the movies, you get what you paid for: lost.
Friday night, I was watching "Glory" with my youngest brother (who isn't that young, just "younger"). Frankly, I love that movie. Not because it is the most historically accurate, but because I rather like movies with a simple message, that, while touching on some aspects of man's duel nature even while he tries to be his best, still draws the line between bravery and cowardice, honor and disgrace, heroes and villains.
The same way I always love John Wayne movies. His westerns and his war movies. Call me a philistine or a rube, what have you, but these kinds of movies speak to me more than any movie called "Chocolate" ever did.
I also love historical period pieces that try to convey something about the clothes, the attitudes and day to day life of the people in that period. Someday, someone is going to make a movie about our time and young people will marvel at the "ancient" technology and ideas that were the beginning of their own.
And, if you're interested in the Civil War, particularly the photographic and painting art that came out of it, this movie has a lot to say for it. Not because it shows the actual paintings, but the director managed to translate some great allegorical, iconic images into actual film scenes. Like the image of the 54th Massachusetts dressed in their spiffy new blue uniforms, brass shining, white gloves gleaming, marching off to war. Paintings and prints of such images can be found in many Civil War art collections and on historical posters, newspapers and pamphlets from the abolitionist movements including such great supporters like the Loyal Publishing Society. These were used to recruit black men into the newly created "colored" troops in the Union Army.
Four other images in the film that were straight off of iconic paintings, prints and monuments about the 54th and other black regiments were: Morgan Freeman standing on the parapets of Battery Wagoner, waving the flag; Col. Shaw (Matthew Broderick) being shot, surrounded by his black troops; towards the end, post Shaw's death, Carey Ewes character, surrounded by black troops in "action" positions, rifles with bayonets "at the charge", flags flying behind their heads (right before they are blown away by rebel cannon movie image); and, finally, the final image of Shaw's body being thrown in the trench with his black troops, a black soldier thrown on top of him, their positions as if sleeping at peace - brothers in blood.
Those are great images, but, as I noted, allegories. There were no polaroid or hand held video cameras. As many know, eyewitness accounts during battle are sometimes unreliable and often varied. Newspaper accounts were useful, but sometimes sensationalized. Thus, artists would use these allegories to represent the battles. Creating, in the end, some of the mythology of American history.
"Glory" was not a documentary. The movie, using iconic, allegoric images, was an allegory in and of itself, attempting to represent the advent of black troops into Union forces, their motivations, their tribulations, their bravery and, in the end, the contribution of black Americans to our nation, our freedom. If you can appreciate those facts, the movie is some great entertainment set in an historical period that might actually make people interested in that time and the people.
An interesting conversation with my brother who is not a history buff. The film leaves off with images of Shaw and his black troops being thrown into a ditch by the still remaining rebel troops. My brother asked me what happened to the other "white troops" that the general had promised would come behind the 54th.
The movie left out some considerable pieces of the battle in order to focus solely on the courage of the 54th in leading the assault on Wagoner. One of the things that it left out was that the 54th was not alone in assaulting the fort. Neither did it explain that one of the important factors was the waxing and waning of the tide across the only spit of sand that led to the fort. The fort itself was surrounded by water and marsh lands (swamp) on three sides continuously and on four sides when the tide was in. That's why it was called "Morris Island". After the battle had raged on for some hours, the tide began to come in and cut off those troops from safe and quick retreat. While the water was not so deep it couldn't be forded, it caused slow going through wet, sucking sand.
Six thousand Union soldiers were used to assault the fort along with the 54th, over two days of bombardment and assault. Of the six thousand, 1515 casualties were taken. Over two hundred from the 54th alone that accounted for half of their forces, including Col. Shaw. Sgt Willaim Carney was awarded a belated Medal of Honor in 1890 for his bravery during the assault. Carney carried the flag up the parapets and urged the 54th on into the fort. He was wounded three times, but refused to drop the flag or allow it to be captured by enemy forces. He was finally able to withdraw, bringing the flag with him.
What you could take from the movie was the reality that the fortifications and bunkers at Wagner were so well designed that nearly 12 hours of bombardment had done little to attrit forces, destroy weapons or significantly damage the fort's walls (a good representation in the movies of the less than glorious survival in such a fort can be seen in "Cold Mountain" with Jude Law and Nicole Kidman). The frontal assault of any fort in the age of gun powder is suicidal and a serious waste of forces unless, as on D-Day, the objective is so important, the casualty rate becomes acceptable. The taking of Charleston was important, but not necessarily the need to take Wagner. It was one of several strategic blunders that General Gilmore undertook during the Civil War (see Oulestee, Fl).
Eventually, Gilmore decided to circumvent Wagner and Morris Island. The fort turned out only to be important to protecting the harbor and city from invasion or bombardment from the sea, not necessarily protecting it from assault from land. While Gilmore had to explain the loss of forces at Wagner in reports, he was never punished or relieved from duty. With the kinds of losses each side was taking at many battles, Gilmore's losses were a drop in the bucket.
My brother also asked, based on the movie's representation, if the white troops had left the black troops to die due to some form of racism that allowed Gilmore to sacrifice them readily to save white troops. As noted, the movie does not portray any white troops with the 54th other than some NCOs and officers. I went over the truth of the battle again and noted that there may have been a concern about racism in the assault, but it was more likely that Shaw wanted to combat the over all general racism within the Union Army and the "soft bigotry" of the North by undertaking to lead a suicidal mission. Whether it was Shaw's plan to show the over all equality of the black troops to the white troops or simply to show that his troops were equal can only be inferred by his letters. Whether he had a grand strategy or not, the death of so many of his black troops along with their bravery in continuing to assault the fort under horrible conditions did, in fact, move the Union Army to accept more black recruits and units. It also led to some mitigation of the anger among northern citizens that so many whites were dying for the freedom of inferior black men. Here, the black man was fighting for himself.
However, it took many more wars for military strategist to realize that trench warfare and frontal assaults on fortifications was no longer effective. German's opened the Battle of France by circumventing the Maginot Line. Equally, the acceptance of black troops as effective fighting forces by the general military and public took even longer before institutionalized segregation was finally ended.
I still love the movie, "Glory". It had some great historical perspective, fantastic imagery and told artfully the condition of the black freeman who fought in the union army. But, it is a movie and it is important to remember that when watching any movie and attempting to divine history from art.
Don't give up on movies with "Chocolate" in their name. I too am a huge John Wayne fan, but there is one "Chocolate" movie that I am sure will meet your standards. Especially the part about being a period piece and having a simple message
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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We're going to start Monday off right. All your postz are belong to Kat!
First, Lt Nixon posts something that's sure to get you're blood pressure up: Smokin' With Al Qaida (and, yes, LT, the AQ scumbags have definitely killed people for smoking.)
Oh, and for a good laugh, if you haven't read it already, Ahmadinejad's remarks on his visit to Iraq. Everybody keeps quoting the "Iraqis Hate Americans" comment, but my favorite was, "there were no terrorists in this region" until the American's came. I'm still laughing.
May God bless this ship and all who sail in her! - Mrs. Dotty England, ship's sponsor
"If the USS New York has to follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell, PCO Jones and his crew ... have my full support," Vito Fosella, R-NY
The News castor on Channel 4 asked a USMC Major (the ship being an amphibious assault ship), if he was a terrorist training to attack America, should I be worried about this ship. Major Cedric Ingram said, "You should be afraid, very afraid." Newscastor, "Why's that?" Major, "Because we're the United States Marines. And, we're coming for you. The Marines are coming and we will find you."
Hoo-Aah! Get some New York!
-Kat
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Um, Ryan and *I* posted today too, Kat. Just not as early as you!
Yesterday was a good day. 50 rounds at the spinners through the Castle Vis (which is the Homestead Defense Handgun) - 48 hits and skeered 'em badly twice, at 75 feet. Then, just because I like the push-back on my shoulder, 50 rounds through the the Castle M1A. Ahhhhh. And all I had to do was step out the back door. Neener neener neener! -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."
Thanks for linkin' love. The fact that special interest groups would equate things classified as "unpleasant" like second-hand smoke, stray puppies, and cankersores to a full on atrocity like 9/11 is a bit disturbing.
You better hope the county doesn't over react to that 5 year old girl getting struck by a stray bullet in the county last weekend. Or you may not be saying neener, neener, neener anymore.
posted by JimC on March 3, 2008 8:47 AM
I saw the story. There isn't a whole lot to say about it. But thanks for harshing the mellow, Jim.
Neener, indeed. Beats the 1 1/2 hour wait the Marine and I had at the range this weekend...
posted by April on March 3, 2008 9:41 AM
Re: Ahmadinejad in Iraq... Don't you love how they post the anti-Ahmadinejad sentiment (including from Shiites!!) in the last four paragraphs of a 24-paragraph article?
Stepping out back is GREAT! I did it myself with the Para Ord PXT .45, the .303 Enfield, and the Bushmaster M-4 clone. FUN, FUN, FUN!!!
And JimC, I hope they don't outlaw the cars and liquors involved in those deaths this weekend - all over the U.S.A. (With great power comes great responsibility....)
Alan
Airborne, All the Way!
posted by Alan Briley, RN on March 3, 2008 1:16 PM
Alan - to provide some context, we had a 5 year old girl, Katherine Cook, out with her family on their property in the county, get hit in the head by a stray bullet that no one knows where it came from. She's getting better, but she shouldn't be hurt at all.
Here at the Castle, I know where the bullets land, and they all land within the Demesne. Because there's no shooting unless you're shooting into a backstop.
It doesn't matter what you are doing - you are responsible for where your bullet lands. You shoot at a skylined deer - you better be sure you don't miss, aren't using ball ammo, or know where your bullet will land, should you miss.
I know you know that, Alan - I'm speaking to a wider audience.
Alan - to provide some context, we had a 5 year old girl, Katherine Cook, out with her family on the patio of their home in the county, down near the Kaw River, get hit in the head by a stray bullet that no one knows where it came from. She's getting better, but she shouldn't be hurt at all.
Here at the Castle, I know where the bullets land, and they all land within the Demesne. Because there's no shooting unless you're shooting into a backstop.
It doesn't matter what you are doing - you are responsible for where your bullet lands. You shoot at a skylined deer - you better be sure you don't miss, aren't using ball ammo, or know where your bullet will land, should you miss.
I know you know that, Alan - I'm speaking to a wider audience.
Trying to understand why I'm supposed to be interested in a tax cut discussion. I guess it was that comment I made the other day. In any event, I agree with the comment here - the idea of a progressive tax system is to ensure those who benefit the most actually pay for it. Crazy idea, I know.
And there's no "ed" in the title - Armchair Generalist. I'm armed but certainly not as well as you all are :^)
I apologize for my apparent insensitivity. I will pray for Miss Katherine Cook and her family. I am sorry for my words and any hurt they caused.
I am also of the, "know where your rounds will land," group. All shooters should understand that sometimes you don't aim at your target, (holdover, lead, et al,) but where your target will be. If you SWAG wrong, your projectile is still deadly.
To the Castle family, I will do extra push-ups tonight, and hug my grandchildren a little longer than necessary. (If the latter is possible...?)
Got your back,
Alan
posted by Alan Briley, RN on March 3, 2008 7:09 PM
Alan,
Sorry to create a minor storm. My comment was strictly inside stuff for John and I should have provided some context for the rest of the readers.
My apologies for causing a minor dust-up.
posted by JimC on March 3, 2008 8:20 PM
I mind the time, at a Friends of the NRA event around here a coupla years ago, I was at the range, and brought the PD to the position of "Raise Pistol." The range guy said, unh-unh, point it downwards, regardless of ricochet potential, there being Gated Golf Communities just over the berm.
Everytime she posts something unforgettable and powerful like this, I thank God she is where she is and doing what she's doing. Pretty much, I think God for MaryAnn.
One of the reasons I like to read soldier memoirs and rummage through their pictures is because the major histories just don't go into the mundania of military life of soldiers at war. It's all about Generals and Prime Ministers, fleets flitting about, tonnages of bombs dropped, the idiocy of reinforcing failure, etc.
Important stuff, and easier to read when you've got a decent depth of knowledge with which to evaluate it.
And then there are the first-person battle accounts, stirring and engrossing.
But, since I spent a 5th of a century as a pistol (and one submachinegun) totin' RLO (Real Live Ossifer, for newbies to Argghhh!) I also really appreciate the pictures that show how most of us spent most of our time, in those long periods of tedium between the short periods of butt-clenching fear.
I thought of him and laughed out loud when I came across this picture of German soldiers making paper models for vehicle recognition purposes during the build-up for Operation Zitadelle, better known as the Battle of Kursk to we westerners.
Retired General Wesley Clark comes around to my view. So does retired Admiral Owens.
As Byron York reports on National Review Online, in a Sunday conference call where a group of retired military officers endorsed Senator Clinton for President, General Clark questioned whether Senator McCain had the proper kind of military experience that truly qualifies as "Presidential quality". Mind you - the scary quotes are mine. What General Clark said, as reported by York was:
In the national security business, the question is, do you have — when you have served in uniform, do you really have the relevant experience for making the decisions at the top that have to be made? Everybody admires John McCain's service as a fighter pilot, his courage as a prisoner of war. There's no issue there. He's a great man and an honorable man. But having served as a fighter pilot — and I know my experience as a company commander in Vietnam — that doesn’t prepare you to be commander-in-chief in terms of dealing with the national strategic issues that are involved. It may give you a feeling for what the troops are going through in the process, but it doesn't give you the experience first hand of the national strategic issues.
If you look at what Hillary Clinton has done during her time as the First Lady of the United States, her travel to 80 countries, her representing the U.S. abroad, plus her years in the Senate, I think she's the most experienced and capable person in the race, not only for representing am [sic] abroad, but for dealing with the tough issues of national security.
Admiral Owens followed up with a supportive, "I would just say that I agree with Wes on that."
Clark, who just days ago had criticized Kerry as a Washington insider, had only warm words for his former rival Friday. He said the senator has the "right experiences, values, character and right message" for the country.
"John Kerry has been the kind of leader America needs," said Clark, a former NATO supreme commander.
Clark's emphasis on Kerry's Navy service in Vietnam is noteworthy because many Democrats have made an issue of President Bush's wartime service in the Air National Guard.
I give John Kerry full credit for his medals. There are many who don't - but I know from my own military career that there can be tremendous variability in recommendation/decision to award standards that I'm going to take his medals at face value. Shoot, I owe that to my Dad, who has a few more of everything (7 Purple Hearts, Silver Star, Bronze w/V, Distinguished Flying Cross). Nope. John Kerry volunteered to go to Vietnam (in case you hadn't heard). And he saw some action at the sharp end. None of this, btw, qualifies him to be Commander-in-Chief. Anymore than my Dad's, or my (less stellar), military careers and combat experiences do. Much as I dislike him, Wesley Clark's military credentials are more suited to a CinC resume' than Kerry's.
Emphasis added, not in the original. Good to see you gentlemen have come around to my view on the subject.
Why the reverse? For that matter, where *has* the Chickenhawk meme gone from the Progressive camp? Oh, wait - think it might be because there isn't a candidate running from the Left who has a drop of military experience?
So perhaps now, military experience, and certainly as a junior warfighter, is probably a *handicap* to being a good CinC. Might actually make someone *too* likely to make decisions to go to war, whereas more prudent people with no experience of war would hesitate to rush in, or something like that.
“I am so grateful that she [Clinton] hasn’t been trained to kill anybody. And she probably didn’t even play war games as a kid. It’s a great relief from Bush in his jump suit and from Kerry saluting.”
These people still don't remember the Internet exists. Citizens don't have to go to libraries to search the 'fiche to find out what was said last election cycle. Neither do bloggers. Google is your friend.
Welcome to my camp on the subject of 'qualifying military service' gentlemen. At least until the next cycle. Then, in 2012, assuming that either Senator Clinton or Obama are elected, having four years as Commander-in-Chief will be qualifying, whereas, of course, in 2004, being a combat-experienced junior officer trumped 4 years as CinC.
Or something like that. In other words (and this is true of both sides), your principles remain constant. Power trumps everything, and you'll flop and twist however you need to in order to get it. And get angry at me when I point it out. Because it's all about today. Yesterday is so... yesterday.
I would like to point out that the "Good" General talked as if McCain's career culminated with his role as fighter pilot and totally glossed over that he stayed for his 20 plus and attended the Naval War College (and had command assignments beyond just commanding a stick and a throttle). Even though I'm just a lowly MSgt; I am aware of the curricula at all of the War Colleges and know that they are all heavily into strategic planning, international relations and all that stuff that Hillary apparently learned while she wasn't baking cookies.
posted by Oldloadr on March 3, 2008 10:15 AM
Ah, but Loadr, we don't mention any of that because it's only *combat* experience that counts. Gotta keep that firmly in mind.
Until it's an inconvenient metric - then the War College will count. Or not.
Or, if needed, only if you were a draftee... oh, wait, I don't there are too many of those serving in Congress.
Hey, anybody know of any Vietnam-era draftees serving in Congress?
I understand perfectly, sir! Now, I need a drink; it's 5 o'clock somewhere...
posted by Oldloadr on March 3, 2008 11:23 AM
Not for nothing but didn't Ol' Gen Wes get fired from his Nato job? Was there some flaw there?
And didn't Kerry meet with the North Viets in Paris while John McCain was being held prisoner.
And in my mind using Hillary and Commander in Chief in the same sentence scares the hell out of me.
Didn't someone say something about a drink? Tike Bar time.
Fishmugger
posted by Fishmugger on March 3, 2008 11:37 AM
Not for nothing but didn't Ol' Gen Wes get fired from his Nato job? Was there some flaw there?
And didn't Kerry meet with the North Viets in Paris while John McCain was being held prisoner.
And in my mind using Hillary and Commander in Chief in the same sentence scares the hell out of me.
Didn't someone say something about a drink? Tiki Bar time.
Fishmugger
posted by Fishmugger on March 3, 2008 11:38 AM
Fishmugger gets caught in the infamous Castle echo chamber...
posted by Oldloadr on March 3, 2008 11:48 AM
I promise not to do that again but I did spell Tiki wrong and tried to correct it. I shouldn't drink before I type.
posted by Fishmugger on March 3, 2008 11:56 AM
Fishmugger - you certainly aren't the first and you won't be the last.
I've actually fallen in twice, which looks really stupid... (LOL)
posted by Oldloadr on March 3, 2008 12:11 PM
I try to look at over all experience, policies, integrity (heh. talking political integrity which is about as low as the integrity line can get I think) and management skills. Someone that surrounds themselves with good managers and advisors, but doesn't allow them to run the ship into the ground.
It's hard to say that though when you look at somethings, it ends up with one or two policies that trip my button. ONe of them right now is to finish Iraq and Afghanistan, keep the pressure on Iran and remind some of these folks we won't let our friends and allies get thrown in the dirt.
Why? This may be mostly harmless. I used stuff I prepared in my backyard once to stop my sister from putting airwick/whatever smelly thing she used all thru the house because they used lachrymators that, after spending a day in the lab, gave me asthma-like attacks. A little pay back seemed in order since when I asked nicely she told me to go to hell.
While butyric acid isn’t the worst thing in the world the eco-terrorists could have flung (hydrofluoric acid could’ve been much worse, or concentrated sulfuric) it is an organic acid that has some serious problems related with prolonged exposure. Oh, it’ll smell like rotten eggs for weeks, but you’ve also potentially compromised these sailors health for years - or acute exposure (like screwing with people’s lungs. Yeah, that’s real funny.). Check out the MSDS (material safety data sheet) on it. Sea Shepherd personnel on the Irwin belong in jail. This isn’t funny. This is about as funny as stringing barbed wire up in trees so that loggers face getting killed by it when it whiplashes. Yeah, real funny, you morons putting people’s lives in danger via means of high seas guerrilla theatre. Soooo classy, love that Joker. Here’s to hoping the french Navy comes to party on your boat like they did the Rainbow Warrior.
Really, next time you feel like messing with someone why don't you use another discipline's goodies to do it, like physics. Throw some Higgs bosons at the whaler or something.
Had I known the potential dangers of butyric acid, (and I put a really dilute solution - .001M diluted in butanol), before I made it I never would’ve put it under my sister’s bed. When I went to school the next morning and told my prof what I’d done he laughed, it was funny, and then banned me from the stock room for six weeks. "You don’t know the dangers," he said, "and if you're was going to play pranks you better know what you're doing." She wasn’t hurt, my sister, just annoyed. She tore her room apart in 20 minutes in a search for the stuff, which I’d put in a small pot pie tin covered with holed plastic. It wasn’t splashing around. It wasn’t hurled at her. It didn’t aerosolize to get on her skin or in her eyes, or in her lungs and eat up the mucus membranes that lined her respiratory system. But what I did was stooooopid.
What Sea Shepherd did was criminal, not to mention the bugging of the Japanese boats itself being a potential criminal act in and of itself. It is so because it DID do all of those things to those sailors, hurled stuff in such a manner to guarantee that it would aerosolize, would get on their skin, and could get into their eyes with the intent to cause harm, albeit in a highly deniable way (‘Gosh, we didn’t know, officer, honest.’). Self righteous wanks. Don’t dock in Long Beach, buttheads, because there just might be some black and whites waiting for you, ready to show you to the cell you’ll share with Tre Arrow.
Frankly, speaking from both a political and business stand point, it's one of their smartest moves yet. They have effectively taken the "niche market" concept (identifying a niche customer base, providing target products) to the corporate level in one fell swoop, one single store.
Of course, if you read the article closely, you'll discover that this isn't the first time that Wal-mart has done this. In the south, specifically Georgia, they've created stores that provide targeted products to the African-American community as well. And, if you've ever been to a Wal-mart in more rural communities, you'll find products targeting their requirements, too. Including things such as over-alls, agricultural supplies, food stuffs, etc.
That's why you hire smart buyers who know the community and market.
Half a million Arab-Americans living in Dearborn, MI certainly represents a huge, untapped market.
On the political side, this is a heck of a message to be printed in an internationally read magazine. Remember News Week is the "Koran in the toilet" magazine that sparked international riots (all be it, for a false story with false out rage). But this is a war of messages. What better way to say that the United States loves our Arab Americans and Arab's (Muslims?) in general then to have the biggest American retailer provide merchandise for the same?
Not just that, but as I noted on several occasions, winning the war of ideas isn't just about what politicians do and say or simply "foreign policy" revolving around energy or political interests. American products, American technology are accompanied by American ideas. It is the "slow boat to China" approach to winning an ideological war, but it plays an important piece. Even if it is unintentional by American corporations who are largely focused on the bottom line.
It's one of the reasons that I find the Democrat stance on free trade agreements, particularly Obama's, so egregious. While Mrs. Obama is talking about reducing war and increasing education with these nations, the idea that we would also decrease the opportunity to increase American presence and ideas through American products as well as decrease the economic growth of these nations, providing them the ability to increase wealth and stability and, ultimately increase buying American products (buying our ideas), is simply outrageous.
American Capitalism is accompanied by American Ideas, American Freedoms and, sometimes, American influenced Democracy.
Kat, the link you gave is wrong. It goes to a story about rebuilding the Iraqi economy.
posted by wolfwalker on March 3, 2008 7:18 AM
And now a note from the cognitive dissonance department: I love it. I like ethnic food of all kinds, and I like 'Jewish' food especially.. Wal-Mart has for years had more or less of the stuff I like depending on where we lived, and I am sure it had everything to do with $$$. Basically, the more Jewish food that gets sold, the more of the stuff Wal-Mart puts on the shelves, simple sales' cause-and-effect. As for an Arab fo-cused Wal-Mart, I'm more than ok with that, I think it's pretty cool. I mean, they are living in the U.S., and while a few Arabs may be 'bad guys' the rest are surely no different than my immigrant grandparents, just looking for little slice of the old country to ease the pangs of be-ing in a new one, far from the land they grew up in. Also, it'll give the non-Arab locals a little more exposure to new things, and as far as I'm concerned that's one of America's greatest strengths, that we have all learned from and benefited from the exposure to the things that show 'the other' to be human too. Really, I think this is just grand, and I hope Wal-Mart expands that model around the country!
Oh great, K-MO - Now you did it! 'Tis Lunch Time and I can't get good Dolmatas here in Eastern Penna.
posted by Boquisucio on March 3, 2008 12:46 PM
My only quibble is: In the Walmarts in the predominantly jewish neigborhoods around the nation, how prominent is the pork?
I just want to remind each new wave of American immigrants that American is not a race, but a state of mind.
posted by Windy Wilson on March 3, 2008 3:17 PM
Which would explain why all the Wal-Marts down here are marketing with more Mexican ethnic food and all the signage and announcements are in spanish. Since I'm not their target demographic any more, I don't shop there. I assume their niche markets make up for the loss of the more general demographic shoppers.
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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Ahhh - 'Tis the Week-end and some Castle Denizens are up in the wide blue once again; But Neff - You HAFTA take THIS approach. Talk about a low buzz.
BOQ
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Spare the Rod? And they want to know why crime has gone up among Juveniles. -Kat
Hezbollah raises a fuss over US warships off of Lebanon (1982 agains?). Of course, Hezbollah has threatened another war with Israel after the take down of such notables as Mugniyah that would further destabilize Lebanon. The US is understandably concerned that a major terrorist, responsible for hundreds of American deaths, considered potentially involved in 9/11 and in ferrying men and money to Iraq to attack US soldiers was claimed by Hezbollah in Lebanon as hero responsible for masterminding the 2006 war. That pushes Hezbollah ahead in the "enemies of the United States" category. -Kat
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I understand why performing artists, when asked do do the National Anthem for a public event, oft times "make it their own."
Oft times, their version doesn't make it for me. Jimi Hendrix comes to mind. Roseanne Barr, too. But, I guess I'm a little bit country. Because to my admittedly unsophisticated musical taste, and quality-challenged hearing - the Cactus Cuties singing the National Anthem before a Texas Tech basketball game works for me very well.
Ladies and Gents, the Cactus Cuties sing the National Anthem.
*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."
That pilot doesn't know the capability of that aircraft. He has enough wing loading to land with a much steeper descent angle. Or, he could have gotten permission to land from the other direction.
Permission, he77! VFR flight rules, summer or warm weather (by the dress of the cyclists,) I would have definitely landed from the other direction!
Got your back!
Alan
posted by Alan Briley, RN on March 2, 2008 11:48 AM
And I thought the Kilgore Rangerettes were the only thing that could get my heart started on a Sunday morning. Thanks for the post.
Sheesh, Boq laddie... you call *that* low?! The scooter riders are still upright- I mean, c,mon!
posted by Neffi on March 2, 2008 3:05 PM
Candygram for Mongo...
5 points for the Mel Brooks reference.
posted by Jon The Mechanic on March 2, 2008 5:45 PM
[hard to see through wet eyes...]
It's been a long, emotionally hard couple of weeks and I'm really kind of beat right now, with a lot yet to do today and the rest of this week.
Those girls singing that song worked for me too. That was nearly as good for me right now as Whitney Houston's renditon the first time I heard it, though hers is still the best of all time, as far as I'm concerned.
P.S. That aircraft picture looks fake. It may not be, but there is something wrong with the scale of the plane as it's shown, no matter how I look at it (and really blown up, there are some questionable artifacts around the edges of the plane and the car), the plane looks like a model and as if the front wheel is actually this side of the cotter guy on the dirt side. Also, there are some funny things with the scotter guy and the car on the other side of the road, which looks too narrow (and the far scotter guy is missing the front wheel of his bik, etc...);
Really, if I were to testify about this in court, given what is posted on the website, I'd have to say this looks more fake than not... something about this picture is just not right-looking, and without having masurements and calipers, I could not say with any confidence this is a true image
And yes, I do have some experience with doctoring pictures and dissecting frauds. I'm not saying it absolutely is fake, but there is something about it that doesn't work. Even upside down, which will usually give a better clue as to where the flaws are...
My first impressions of that pix were the same, until I did some research on the Tail Number, and found THIS other snap. Too bad it didn't bean that other pink scootress. Oh and the Air Port: St Barts.
posted by Boquisucio on March 3, 2008 8:18 AM
Cool, thanks Boq. Like I said, I wasn't sure, but it sure looks funny, doesn't it? I can only assume some of the issues are scanning or repro problems (like the missing front part of the far scooter guys wheel)...
It’s been a while since I’ve had time to do much of anything online (with the taking care of my friend’s widow and all her legal issues, babysitting, and then getting really, really, sick), but I’ve been wanting to act as counter point to Kat for a while. She’s gone on a rampage with content. Some of it deserves very lengthy, serious, and thought out responses. Some of it doesn’t.
So let me kick off this counter-point to her in classic SNL style:
(more below the fold)
[Deleted. 15 yards and loss of down for completely un-needed inflammatory usage. -the Armorer]. Like I’m not going to be filleted for that, but that’s par for the course around here. Oooh, John may even break out the Castle Trebuchet from the inner bailey to placate the Castle Kittine Corps for that one. [No, I'll just use the Power of Big Edit and delete it, and spank you in the comments -the Armorer]
Obama this, and Obama that. Anyone remember Reagan? How creepy he was to the people on the left? Oooooh, he’s just a like a Hitler with the charisma and devoutness of the political following he developed (in a really bad mock Korean accent). His military build up was very expensive, broke the country from a liberal minded perspective, and was absolutely not what the liberals wanted(much like how we non-liberals/progressives/whatever they want to be called because they want to avoid the taint they rightly earned think that socialized medicine in the form of gov't funded healthcare will break the country's bank or is otherwise outright wrong) The cult-esque following Reagan still enjoys could be scary, if you didn’t understand it or the man. Viva la Reagan Revolution, anyone?
Or the Kennedy Clan, which to this day, 40+ years after the fact, has people talking about them being ‘American Royalty’ and so deeply invested in there being conspiracies to kill them off (why’d they miss The Swimmer? Cruel, cruel conspirators.). Come on. They detailed a destroyer to search for a missing pilot for a whole week because he was ‘John-John’ and a Kennedy? That was a whole lot more disturbing to me than the popularity and religious zealot like fervor of Obama and Obama-mania (which, funny enough, was a lot like the Naderite zealots at UCD during the ’00 elections----maybe not as big, but just as silly and predicated on perceptions than substance.). We’re the US. We don’t have, and never should, anything resembling royalty. That we do have people following the doings of the Kennedy's or the neo-royalty(celebrities) is far worse than Obama-mania. Hell, Fernando Mania (when Fernando Valenzuela was a rookie throwin' nasty screwballs for the Dodgers) was worse than Obama-mania (he's a Dodger and anything having anything to do with the Dodgers must be evil, by definition.)
That’s not to say I like Obama. I don’t. I don’t go in for the meat and potatoes of the man’s platform. Yes, he’s running predominately on promises of hope and change and won’t it be great to have all the stuff the Europeans have in terms of social welfare type stump speeches. So? This is new? This is new even for democrats? Like he can deliver? Anyone remember how 'Hillary-care' and the bulk of the Clinton agenda got stalled?
Sorry. I just don’t get the willies over Obama. Is he worse than Billary? No. There are differences in what they both promise but ultimately I think their policies are bad for our nation, what with the implied ‘you’re not making the right choices so we’ll just take over wherever you’re doing that, m’kay?’ imo. I don’t like that and find it a horrible direction for our country to take, but to get the willies over Obama and Obama-mania? Oh, come on. Spare me the over the top rhetoric and quit channeling the long departed ability to write said rhetoric of Maureen Dowd (I bet you she'd trade her dates with Mike Douglas for her writing chops back, Kat).
Ultimately, he’s just a guy. If elected he’ll be a president we as a nation will survive. We lived thru 8 years of Slick Walrus. We can do 8 more. Whatever Obama messes up, while exceptionally difficult to undo, we’ll find a way to fix. We’ve done that with bad presidents before. Nixon with his price controls, Carter in almost total, and the way the tax rates change with the presidents come to mind as ways we as a nation are pretty resilient in how we come back from idiocy of one president or another. Obama, if elected, will be just another number in a long stream of silly presidents with bad ideas. This too shall pass.
But there’s one good thing I’m seeing in the Obama candidacy. People don’t care about the man’s race. He’s gotten the Kennedy/Beetles thing going and nobody cares. You see on CNN after every primary that the white vote is almost evenly split if not going heavy for Obama. White racism is dead in America is what that tells me, contra John Stewart and his Daily Show funny-boys. That’s a good thing to know. If Obama wins, shudder at the thought, it’ll be because he snake oiled enough people into believing his bread and circuses routine and have nothing to do with race. Largely, that’s a good thing. Worth even living thru a 4 year term of the man to have the country realize that we have come that far if you ask me, so long as it heavily discredits race hustlers like Sharpton and Jackson.
Do I at least get to wear my hockey helmet when launched from the Castle Trebuchet, Castle Kitten Corps? With the digs John’s got now there’s actually room to fire me for transgressions instead of using BCR’s orbiting death satellites (which is what the USN test of the Standard missile system was really all about. It wasn’t a spy sat that was coming down. I’d engineered a fault in one of BCR’s sats and gave Mankind a chance to get rid of the sucker. I’ll take my payment in non-stale Cheetos all you guys out there, thanks.)
We now return you to an upright position and your regularly scheduled day of serious stuff here at Castle Argghhhh!
--ry
(when Fernando Valenzuela was a rookie throwin' nasty screwballs for the Dodgers) was worse than Obama-mania (he's a Dodger and anything having anything to do with the Dodgers must be evil, by definition.)
First, Valenzuela isn't running for president. Second, though I did bang on him considerably, I did take apart one of his policies and plan to do more. Third, there is no guarantee we survive anyone's presidency if their policies are bad enough to put us in a weakened position economically, politically or militarily. Which leads me to number four and the fact is, as long as he is running for president on those ideas and using empty tent revivalists speeches to "snake oil" voters, I feel his oration style is open to serious discussion.
Number five, Reagan didn't just speak about hope, change and the future. He talked about making America strong again exactly after having suffered really horrendous presidencies in the previous decade. Sixth, frankly, I was ten when Reagan ran for the presidency. My family were staunch democrats who didn't vote for him, so I can't attest to any Reagan mania, even among other voters. But, a discussion that Ry and I have had on another subject comes to mind. That being that the myth of our history is sometimes so powerful, people can't accept our history without it and, even the best intentioned fall prey to it. I believe that is what has happened with Reagan's supposed empty demagoguery that allegedly captured America's mind.
I think I have a very poor view of folks comparing Obama's "all we are saying, is give peace a chance and let's tax the "rich", give everyone a free education and generally bankrupt the state for socialism" to Reagan's "peace through strength, the empowered individual, small government" approach. Optimistic? Yes, but it isn't simply Obama's "optimism" that offends me. It's his jolliness while he proposes spending us into tax oblivion and cozying up to terror supporting, mass murdering tyrants, reversing hard fought, paid for in blood freedoms for many people.
Frankly, when I opened this, i was expecting a counterpoint on the building of the wall, which I've been waiting for before going on with the defensive failures and political costs of "castle under siege mentality". Instead, you're taking me to task for lambasting the ObamaNation?
I'm laughing a little bit actually.
However, I would agree with you on one point, that we aren't interested in his race though I believe that you're point about his winning will finally clear up the question of racism in America is a factor in many people's voting decisions, not what's best for the United States as a whole. As I noted to one of my Democrat friends (yes, I have some of those, shocking isn't it?), if I was still a dyed in the wool Democrat, I probably would be voting for him on the basis of my interpretation of race relations in the United States.
Fortunately, I've broken free of the ideas that "feel good" politics is necessarily good for the United States.
To sum it up Ry, as long as Obama is in contention for the presidency and I disagree with him severely on his policies, I'm going to continue to take him apart. Whether it is about his policies or his style because, for all the idea that we "might" survive his presidency, I'm not ready to hand it to him on a silver platter. Particularly this early in the game.
Well, Kat, some of what you've done about Obama is hysterical. You've done some substantive work, but much of it is 'look at the sillies', while mixing in some very fear mongery for good measure(these people are fanatics! Fanatics are scary!). Like I said, I don't much like Obama. But I find his campaign, and his partisans, harmless. His presidency will, imo, be bad for the country but we overcome bad policies over time. It won't be the worst thing in the world if he's pres. That would be a Kuccinich presidency.
Obama is snake oiling. Fine, name me someone who hasn't in the last 40 years? Reagan was going to give us a 700 ship Navy and all kinds of other things, on a balanced budget. Where's that balanced budget(ask Tip O'Neill where that budget was, since Reagan wanted to scale back social welfare spending that the Dems were never going to allow to happen, and anyone who didn't just fall off the rutabaga truck knew it.) As for not knowing about Reagan, Kat, I was five in 1979 and come from a rather apolitical family. So? It still isn't hard to go back and look at what happened. It isn't hard to go back and look at what snake oil presidents peddled to get elected. 'No new taxes', even though most economists knew Bush 41 had to raise taxes to placate the worries of big money on the other side of the Pond. 'A peace economy, public healthcare, and a middle class tax cut!'. Ol' Billy boy delivered on none of them. 'I'm a uniter not a divider'---and how are you, brother! Nixon campaigned on being the guy to get the US out of Vietnam, and instead delivered Linebacker, Linebacker 2 in the early years of his presidency. Everyone sells snake oil. It's what pols do. Is Obama any worse than anyone else? No.
Take his claims apart, but don't call him dangerous simply because he's all four Beetles rolled into one. Go after the real meat of the issues. Don't do the Dean scream kinda thing, making much ado about nothing(which Obama-mania is, much ado about a whole lot of nothing).
And, come on, it was meant rather humorously. SNL references? The tag of 'I think it's funny'? Jonah GOldberg I'm not, but it wasn't meant as a bare knuckles take down.
Calling all Denizens, lurkers, readers, or anyone you can beg, borrow, or steal from.
Get out ‘yer checkbooks, damnit.
Seriously.
For crying out loud, for me to get a mailer from the organization begging me for cash is a deplorable state of affairs because I have so little and many have given so little. I’m a grad student. Jess and I live on $14000/year. We live in a dinky one bedroom apartment in central Indiana, have a 15 year old car we only drive to the grocery store while using public transit to get every where else (which I absolutely hate doing), and eat pretty low on the hog(Cricket would never eat like this: ramen, instant oatmeal, TV dinners for a treat, 2 hotdogs cut up into instant mac n’ cheese once or twice a week, and brown label vitamins to cover micronutrient deficiencies.). And, tack on the money I’ve been spending since my friend Yujiro died to take care of his widow, Emiko? Paying two rent checks summing to 1200 bucks each month and immigration attorneys is not cheap and definitely not easy on our monthly income. Yet, I’m still able to kick in some when asked.
I’ll be honest. It isn’t much. What I’m able to give probably only paid for postage to about 20 bigger givers. But it is something.
So what about you, pilgrim? Are you feeling good about how charitable you’re being right now? Gawd knows I’m not. I’m feelin’ pretty guilty I don’t have more to give. That I was stupid and bought a playstation last Christmas, using up quite a bit of our discretionary funds, makes me angry right now because there is something bigger and more important than The Wife having a new shiny toy to play with while I sleep on the weekends. So, if you feel like you’ve done all you can you should put that checkbook away. If you don’t feel like you have then it’s time to start. Make with the pen motions (or clicking on the links on the right border) already.
You want a reward? Fine. If we get $5000 by next this coming Wed to flow in from this website or otherwise confirmed to either Soldiers’ Angels or the subsidiary, and FbL’s baby, VALOUR IT I’ll do one of two things: option a is get John to take a picture of him leaning his knee on my neck while he holds one of the Castle’s working(but unloaded) firearms to my head to post here and option b is to make a shooting range target in gollum’s likeness to be posted here. You guys get to choose in the comments what you want. Oh, option C is to post one of the most embarrassing pictures in existence of me as a kid. We can do that one too. Put the confirmation number you receive via email in the comments section or email John(his email is on the right sidebar with “ry’s challenge” as the subject and he can forward all of that to me for totaling).
But either way, make with throwing money SA’s way. It is the right thing to do.
ry
While the Armorer commends Ry's enthusiasm and heartily endorses his effort - the Armorer does *not* regret to inform the readership that he will *not* be photographed pointing a weapon at anyone, loaded or unloaded, he does not fully intend to shoot should circumstances warrant, however much he might currently find the idea of kneeling on Ry's neck appealing...
The Armorer *also* does not approve of making photo-targets of people he does not fully intend to shoot, should the circumstances warrant. Ergo, the Armorer can comfortably shoot at photo- targets of Osama bin Laden for example, or of metaphoric cultural targets like a certain Purple Dinosaur (but will not shoot at anthropomorphic targets when young children are present), or the usual "shoot/don't shoot" targets in competitive/training shoots. The Armorer does not approve of shooting at targets of culturally unpopular people or of Denizens, popular or unpopular. The Armorer feels this to be in bad taste. Plus, when you post things like that on the Internet, you just make it easier for the anti's to use that sort of imagery against law-abiding gun owners while we engage in an important cultural fight on the issues of arms and society.
This isn't to say the Armorer doesn't have a sense of humor or doesn't like to have fun. But just because the Internet exists, doesn't mean everything has to be posted on it.
I just made a bet with myself. Heh.
Readers are free to suggest other forms of penance we can put Ry to. The Castle pond might need some de-mucking this summer... oh, say, August, for example. -the Armorer
I dunno Ry guilt isn't the way. To give freely of your own will because you want to help one is not the same as giving to make yourself feel better about yourself. So then are you giving for them or for yourself?
How about as pennance Ry could write "I will not use that technique again to get people to donate money" a thousand times in cursive, using a mouse and a DOS drawing program...
Ry, I donate a fair bit of stuff to all sorts of causes every year (enough to make it well worth itemizing), but my policy is to never donate a farthing to any person or organization because of being 'guilted' into it. For example, I've never donated to Disabled American Vets, because everything they've ever sent me has been insultingly laced with every kind of guilt-string pulling nonsense they can dream up. It's worse than the guys on the corner holding up the "Vietnam Vet, Will Work for Food" signs.
Bottom line: I was raised by a Jewish Mother and the only difference between her and a vulture is that a vulture would wait until I'm dead to eat my heart out. Guilt? Ha! I am immune to the stuff ladled out by others.
On the other had, the cause you're promoting is a worthy one that I believe needs nothing more than advertising. Those who know, understand. Those who don't just need to be shown. The value of it speaks for itself.
I'm proposing a re-package of Ry's suggestion to be an auction of Ry's person doing something to lighten the mood. Like shave his head and write "Valour IT" on his bald head with a black marker. He has yet to answer back and consent, so hold your thoughts until we have confirmation.
As to the donation bleg itself, I match up with Sanger (minus the Jewish mother guilt, however). So guilting don't work. In fact, the SA folks are sending me regular mailings now, to my irritation, not to mention waste of postage. I have regular withdrawals from my paycheck to ensure that my most prized charities are paid regularly, for instance. So don't waste postage asking me to give more ... every month. (Sorry, pet peeve)
I think that Kat's suggestion has merit, as a means of generating the marketing. We'll hang in for Ry's response.
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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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!
© Pamela Bobik
