H&I Fires 25 April, 2008

April 25, 2008 | | Comments (8)

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).

**********************************

Interesting quotes from the ground in Helmand province, about short-term prospects in the opium trade:

Drug eradication efforts that were a shambles last year because police and government officials systematically took bribes to spare all but the most impoverished farmers appear to have been more successful this year.

The Telegraph spoke to two low-level drug smugglers in Helmand last month who claimed that Afghan eradication teams had been more resistant to bribery in 2008.

"In the past the eradication police came from Kabul and they all took bribes," said one 35-year-old man, talking under the alias of Ahmad Wali.

"This year, there were many different organisations involved and each one was afraid to take the bribes because of the others."

Two steps forward, one step back. - Damian

**********************************

Getting paid to drink. Sorry, the position is already filled. But really, this story is more about filial devotion and auld soldiers than beer.

The Times of London asks the dreaded question: "So how did a military novice, using untested troops, succeed where thousands of British forces had failed?" Ironically, in an attempt to bash the Brit military, they acknowledge the awful truth of success in Iraq.

Doc in the Box has tracked down a legend of Iraq: The Little Black Bunny of Doom. - FbL

**********************************
Over at National Review, there has been a brief kerfuffle over Representative Broun's (R-Ga) bill to ban the sale of Playboy, etc, in military exchanges. He does not approve of federal funds being expended to provide this service. When he was told the Exchanges were self-funded, he and his staff didn't blink an eye. They said "soldiers are paid with federal funds, therefore..."

No, really. I've been contemplating a response. While I've been dithering, Patrick Lasswell of Moderate Risk put up something I can live with as a response. I would note that troops buy tobacco and alcohol and fatty foods, fast cars, and motorcycles with those *federal* dollars. As do I, as a retiree. Perhaps the Congressman wishes me to account for all my purchases, and find another source of funds for those things he might find offensive.... -the Armorer

***********************************

Speaking of ANZAC Day - for those of you who happen to be in New Zealand, in proximity to Gladstone Range - you might check out the WMD (Weapons of Medieval Destruction) event going in there - 22AD. Click here for info. Castle Metalsmith Murray is in charge, and the Castle is an official sponsor...

If the Armorer could be there, the Armorer *would* be there. -the Armorer

********************************
Since the Castle Armory has acquired the Sniper Rifle, that's off the market - but Neffi shows us you *can* get one of the bullets fired at Senator Clinton during her famous combat experience! -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 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 that particular topic. It's also an open trackback, so if (Don Surber uses it this way a lot) 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".

Share This Article:

Categories:

8 Comments

By Patrick S Lasswell on April 25, 2008 10:28 AM
Thanks for the link, John. I might as well take the heat since I've already stood up. The comments section on my site has certainly been lively. It does bother me that the fundamentalist Christians make arguments identical to the fundamentalist Muslims. Also worth noting is that nobody, not a single post, is standing up for Congress.
 
By Maggie on April 25, 2008 7:21 PM
What are we allowed to say here about Representative Broun? LOL You have those Rulez and all...... Thanks for the link to Patrick's post. I had fun there. But I am disapppointed none of your kittens went over. The poor man is overun with prudish women. I did my best.
 
By The Thomas on April 26, 2008 11:59 AM
Um, isn't Rep Broun's entire salary paid with US Government funds? I think he should give us a full accounting of his expenditures first. Maybe then he can talk about our brave men/women in uniform.
 
By BloodSpite on April 27, 2008 12:13 AM
I went a few rounds with Mrs (Ms?) Amy Proctor from Patrick's site. It was entertaining at first but after a while it got to a point where I have to say that....if she *Is* married to an Army Service member...then Boy! I need to get his name and number then ask how he has done it, cuz she has got her head stuck so far in the sand, regarding males in a military unit, that if she sneezes Coco Beach is gone. That or he's in one of those fabeled "co-ed" units I keep hearing legends of ;)
 
By Murray on April 27, 2008 2:52 AM
Officially too old to sleep on ground. Must have bed and mosaic floor in tent at next WMD. Katie hit the castle. Pin in back where spine used to be. Out.
 
By John of Argghhh! on April 27, 2008 9:34 AM
IIRC, BS, Mrs. Proctor is married to a senior NCO, who is, I believe, a chaplain's assistant. But I might have her confused with someone else. Here at Fort Leavenworth we have a couple of faith-based groupings who have been talking about this issue. "If they have to have pr0n, they can get it off-post!" Which is true of tobacco, alcohol, food, and, well, *everything* the PX sells. I say if pr0n shouldn't be sold because it's available off-post, they should be aware of how people may start looking at the PX and Commissary, and what the original justification for those facilities was.
 
By Argent on April 27, 2008 10:03 AM
Sounds like a mini prohibition to me. Probably be just as effective.
 
By Maggie on April 27, 2008 2:18 PM
I was very upset with the situation at Patrick's place once I realized who Amy Proctor was. Her name sounded familiar but I didn't get it right away. It wasn't what she wrote so much as when I realized who she was. I read her opinions, thought her overwrought and threw my own nonsense out there. In return, Patrick sent me a lovely compliment via email, which really stoked my ego. When I read it to the Favorite Naval Consort it caused him to suggest that I drive in a convertible because my giant head wouldn't fit in a regular car. But then I followed the link back to her place (BottomLineUpFront) and found out that I have been subscribing to her YouTube channel. I like everything she puts up and look forward to seeing her new offerings. I use some of her clips at my place. It was strange for me to find that she is so prudish and joyless about sex. It's like finding out the Church Lady wears my brand of body cream or Hillary enjoys my favorite kind of chocolate. Her videos are pro-military and she recently had lots of good stuff about the Pope's visit. I felt a kindred spirit being Catholic and pro-military myself. Then this whole overblown reaction to silly magazines that are hidden behind a counter. Of course I am always astonished when people judge the choices others make when the doors are closed. As long as there are no children and everyone is willing and they can say "No animals were harmed in the making of this episode." WHAT DO YOU CARE HOW SOMEONE GETS THEIR JOLLIES!!!!!! As long as you don't make me watch or participate....knock yourself out. If you want to look at some girl who has pumped herself full of silicone and collogen and peroxide, have at it. Just close the door. It doesn't hurt me, or harm me or have any effect on me. And I will thank you to butt out while I do what I do when my door is closed.