April 10, 2008
On FFDO's*, Pistols, Holsters, TSA Regs, and holes in aircraft.
Check out the link on how you can discharge the FFDO firearm, given holster design and TSA regs mandating how/when you can have the weapon available for use.
For what it's worth, I hate what we've created to address the terrorist threat in the skies. It's so inept it's laughable.
- We refuse to concentrate assets on the most likely suspects.
- We hire the least competent types of staff to "screen" out potential threats.
- We saddle both these staffers and the front-line troops (aircrews) with asinine regs. Like the man said, the Captain is the Captain of the whole airplane, not just the cockpit. My flight defense training culminated with a full-blown fist fight OUTSIDE the main cockpit door. It was pretty realistic, too. Even with all the padded gear, my left forearm was numb for two weeks after using it to ring the "assailant's" bell. I want to be packin' heat from before push to
after block in no matter what I'm doing in between.
- We put more effort into discouraging these last-line-of-defense individuals from carrying firearms than into making sure the defense is so massive it deters the threat (TSA wants the airborne struggle to be a fair fight. I don't believe in fair fights.)
- We engineer a gun holster that is so frickin' hard to put on and use that it makes the firearm more dangerous to the user than it does to the assailant.
I'm amazed MORE pistols haven't gone off while putting them on/taking them off.
Jeebus.
BTW, I'm 54 today.
Sh*t. ;)
Dusty/Attila of Argghhh!!!
*FFDO: Federal Flight Deck Officer
Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �April 9, 2008
Breaking News from Canada.
Perhaps some of our Canadian readers, especially those of the Center-sorta-left persuasion, like Alan of GenX@40 will offer up their thoughts?
From Kathy Shaidle via The Flea.
Hello everyone,I wanted you to be the first to know that some Canadian conservative bloggers are being sued by the fellow who Mark Steyn has called "Canada's most sensitive man" -- serial "human rights" complainant Richard Warman.
The suit names:
• Ezra Levant (famous for the YouTube video of his confrontation with the Canadian Human Rights tribunal after he published the "Mohammed Cartoons")
• FreeDominion.ca (Canada's answer to FreeRepublic.com)
• Kate McMillan of SmallDeadAnimals.com
• Jonathan Kay of the National Post newspaper and its in-house blog
• and me, Kathy Shaidle of FiveFeetOfFury.com
More details at my blog, FiveFeetOfFury.Richard Warman used to work for the notorious Human Rights Commission, which runs the "kangaroo courts" who've recently charged Mark Steyn with "flagrant Islamophobia".
Richard Warman has brought almost half these cases single-handledly, trying to get websites he doesn't like shut down.
He's also sued libraries for carrying books he doesn't approve of.
PLUS Richard Warman wants to ban international websites he doesn't like from being seen by Canadians.
Sites like yours.
The folks named in his new law suit are the very bloggers who have been most outspoken in their criticism of Warman's methods.
>WE NEED YOUR HELP!
The Canadian Human Rights Commission says "freedom of speech is an American concept" they refuse to recognize.
Some Canadians DO believe in freedom of speech, and take our inspiration from our great American neighbors.
I for one "pledge my life, my fortune, and my sacred honor" to the cause of free speech.
I vow to battle Richard Warman and his leftist supporters whatever it costs.
Thank you in advance for anything you can do to support our cause.
We hope you'll join our battle!
As Ezra Levant notes:
Warman’s not just suing me. He’s suing some of the biggest names in the Canadian blogosphere – from Kate McMillan of Small Dead Animals to Kathy Shaidle of Five Feet of Fury (or, Five Feet of Furry, as the lawsuit says on page 2), to Free Dominion, the largest conservative chat site in Canada. Warman’s goal is breathtaking in its chutzpah: he wants to muzzle the Canadian conservative Internet. It’s not just his goal – it’s the goal of the CHRC itself, and its friends at the Canadian Jewish Congress, who have stated their goal is to “tame” the Internet – or at least those voices they disagree with. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the CJC was bankrolling Warman’s lawsuit – they’ve done joint legal work together before, and Warman’s number one defender is on the CJC’s legal committee. The CJC hates conservatives, and this would be a way for them to do damage to the conservative blogosphere without taking the political flak for it.Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �
Attacking Bellavia: Comparing Heroes Now "Racist"
[Kat]
Well, it was bound to happen. Hot Air reports that some guy named Sam Stein over at the Huffington Post is implying that Bellavia, in comparing Tiger Woods as a hero for children to Sen. John McCain's heroism in withstanding five years of imprisonment and torture in Hotel Hanoi is somehow making a subtle racist comment. Of course, the commenters over at the HuffPo (loser central) went crazy about the terrible McCain Supporting Racist.
Some other ..person... at some place called Hotline also posts a similar comment. Of course, they are, as Hot Air notes, "treading lightly" on the subject by merely suggesting that, in today's political atmosphere, maybe its not a good idea to ever mention the name of a person of a different race or ethnicity in comparison to a person that isn't because any idiot can decide to construe it, in the name of politics, as racism.
I cannot even say how incensed I am over even the implication that Bellavia's comments were racist. At first, I thought that it was so ignorant it was not worth a reply, but I read the foolish comments in the posts, attempted to post a reply with refuting information and then realized I was unable to do so. Thus, I am posting here.
(continued in flash traffic)
March 28, 2008
Here's an interesting little peek into the head of an officer...
...who is so self-centered that she can't see the forest for the trees. And was dumb enough to put it in email. Which, since she is a below-the-zone (BZ, i.e., selected ahead of her peers) is an example of you may be smart and talented, but you can still be dumber'n a rock. I'm going to let the words speak for themselves... and then I'll post the rebuttal that went out.
Yes, this note went out, and yes, this officer exists - though I'm suspecting when she's moving around now, she covers her nametag. I'll have another post on a different aspect of this on Monday. She's griping about the fact that here she is, all special, and the Captains who weren't selected BZ will get this bonus she refers to, while she won't, because... she'll outrank them. She wants her bonus and her early promotion, too. Else she's being... punished. Heh. Interesting concept of duty - and a profound ignorance of the significance of her BZ selection. Which she'll get schooled on later. Hey, at least she'll get the pay - I was frocked to Major six months early - all the responsibilities, none of the pay...
What I find more disturbing than the whining of this Captain is that her mentors, presumably senior Lieutenant Colonels or Colonels, are encouraging them to... whine like a Private, vice pointing out what you'll see in the response.
I removed the names, hers has been spread all over the inside of a good chunk of the Army, no need to pile on here.
THE LETTER FROM CJSubject: BZ to MAJ - CPTs Bonus (MILPER 07-237)
Good morning, fellow BZers~
After discussing this MILPER message with my mentors and other BZers, I have decided that we should all do something about it. I hope you don't mind that I emailed you and took a few moments out of your day.
I don't know about each of you, but this bonus really makes me angry. We are being punished financially by the Army for being better than our peers. We won't pin until sometime next year; probably May-July and our peers will get $25-35,000 and get pinned in October. I don't know about you, but 4 months of MAJs pay isn't equal to a $25,000 bonus in my eyes.
If the bonus was for YG 2000-2004, I wouldn't even worry about it.
But we are YG99 and our peers, the ones that haven't worked as hard as us, are getting rewarded.
So, why am I emailing you and bitching? Well, my mentors all agree that we are getting screwed. And, they all think that we should all first contact our IG, then, write to our Congressmen. My COL thinks that might make an impact. It may not change anything, but it is worth a try.
The 82nd Division IG has already contacted the HRC IG and they told him it is all about the money. There is a shocker! They said there are already a bunch of IG complaints about the message, so let's beat them up more. Just so you know, there are 177 of us on the list. If all 177 of us took the money, they would pay out close to $5 million. That's about 3 new Humvees, 2 new tanks OR ½ an aircraft. I think we are worth it.
Again, if this means nothing to you and you just think I am whining, hit delete and go on with your day. But, if you are pissed like me and want to do something about it, let me know.
Have a great day and congratulations on your promotable status!!
V/R~
CJ
Hey, CJ, I'm a little annoyed, and I didn't hit delete. You put it out in email to the world, so I'm sharing it.
Now comes the spanking.
Well, actually, you'll have to go to the Extended Entry/Flash Traffic to catch the schooling.
Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows � Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �March 27, 2008
Seen around New York.
Heh. Speaking of politicians from the Empire State...
The latter comes from the man who gives us bucket's o' snark at Doug Ross@Journal.
Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �March 11, 2008
Keepin' it in your pants.
So, we find that another powerful man has succumbed to the temptations of power and wealth.
And another woman is shackled to her politician husband as he confesses on national television how much he's let down his family.
Ah, would that he'd thought of that earlier - but it seems one of the diseases of power is a belief that those rules are for the other guy. You know which other guy - the ones you put in jail for breaking (or, in this case providing the service you took advantage of) the laws, etc.
Personally, I think he should resign. If his wife and daughters want to forgive him, fine, he doesn't need to be Governor to be forgiven... It's not like the party in power in the state is going to lose that power (nor should they, for this is a personal failing) and if the people of New York want to "forgive" him, so to speak, let him "run for redemption."
While I also think President Clinton should have resigned/been let go for baldly lying to the public and the special prosecutor regarding l'affaire Lewinsky (though perhaps not for the affair itself), this is a fundamentally different proposition.
The Senator Craig situation is a little different, although I think he should have honored his announced intent to resign.
Yes, I do think things like this are corrosive, in small ways, to the fabric of society. Just another cut here and there, especially as the mighty seem to escape consequences the mass of us would not.
At least Governor Spitzer has acknowledged what he did. Senator Craig is on rather weaker ground. I hope his constituents send him packing when next given the opportunity.
Much is expected from those to whom so much is given.
And just once, just once, I would love to see the stony-faced humiliated woman step to the microphone and say "You sorry b@st@rd. How *dare* you put me in this position!" and storm off.
Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �February 29, 2008
Dear Matt Drudge:
If you *knew* the fact that Leftenant Cornet Windsor was on the ground in Afghanistan was being with-held (and for good reason, it seems to me) and yet you just had to run with it...
Well, the term a$$hat comes to mind.
Good criminey, the entire Brit press can keep their yaps shut, and you go all funny in the pants breathlessly destroying OPSEC.
That was one of the most unrelievedly stupid things to do, from this blogger's perspective. Others may have more lenient views.
Of course, the bump in traffic you got from that one post (and the revenue associated with same), probably dwarfs my entire lifetime traffic - to include that I've not yet had.
Still.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
Knowing the difference is the difference between wearing your little-boy shorts or your adult pants.
Sigh.
If you didn't know - cue Emily Litella.
Update: [deleted because I can't read]
Better Update: Samizdata has more.
Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �
October 31, 2007
Bringing the Fundament of Government to bear...
...on the National Park Service.
So, the American Family Association sends out an alert to a reader of the Castle I'm not a subscriber to that organization's mailings - hey, you guys gotta pull your weight somehow, right?
So, Bob forwards it to me. An excerpt (the full bit, with the pictures, is available via the link above).
The National Park Service, a branch of the federal government, has joined the Veterans Administration in establishing anti-Christian bigotry as public policy. The NPS has censored “God” from a key display of America 's Christian heritage in Washington .The reference is an engraving of "Laus Deo," which is Latin for "Praise be to God," on the east side of the 100-ounce aluminum cap atop of the Washington Monument .
Since the actual inscription on the cap is unviewable atop the 555-foot stone column, the NPS created a replica which is on display in the white-colored obelisk of marble, granite and sandstone.
Now “God” has been removed from the plaque containing information about the Washington Monument . In 2000 the plaque read:
APEX OF THE MONUMENT Reproduction The builders searched for an appropriate metal for the apex that would not tarnish and would act as a lightning rod. They chose one of the rarest metals of the time, aluminum. The casting was inscribed with the phrase, Laus Deo, (Praise be to God).
The NPS censored the last sentence from the latest plaque, which now reads:
CAP OF THE MONUMENT Reproduction The builders searched for appropriate metal for the cap that would not tarnish and would act as a lightning rod. They chose one of the rarest metals of the time – aluminum.
So, I poke around a bit, and I can't find any truly good reason for this to have been done on purpose, yet, well, there it is.
So, I pop off a note to the NPS with a polite equivalent of "WTHeck, over?"
Shockingly, surprisingly, I've still not had a response today. Hey! Don't they know I'm a.... BLOGGER(!) good golly gee?
And I've chatted with their boss's boss's boss?
Heh. They're bureaucrats, they're not worried about me. Of course, could be their server is down from the volume of slag that was probably wending their way.
So, I pulled up the Rolodex and emailed Doug, Nancy's legislative director, and sent him the alert, with a note.
It was a short note.
How ludicrous do we let it get?
Doug promptly dumped it off to Nancy's Chief of Staff (who probably snagged a wandering intern...)
Anyway, that resulted in this:
We’re pinging NPS. We got a standard press release, but we’ll ping harder.
I replied:
Can I have the press release? Might as well flog them with their own words while you bring the fundament of the government to bear... Oooo. I like that line.
So, Doug dutifully sent along the press release - which shows that they're reacting to the crashing waves of indignation... and blinking in the bright lights.
Subject: National Park Service Explores Methods to Make Replica of Washington Monument Capstone Visible From All Angles
National Park Service News ReleaseRelease Date: Tuesday, October 30, 2007
For Immediate Release
Bill Line, Toni Braxton 202 619-7400; David Barna 202-208-6843National Park Service Explores Methods to Make Replica of Washington Monument Capstone Visible From All Angles
Washington, D.C. – In recent days, it has been brought to the National Park Service’s attention that a replica aluminum capstone representing the top of the Washington Monument that is on display on the Monument’s 490-foot level has not been fully visible to the public.
As a result, the National Park Service is exploring methods to make the replica capstone visually accessible from all angles so that all visitors may be able to see and read both the replica capstone and any related interpretive material in display cases that would be situated near the replica capstone.
Currently, the replica capstone is oriented in a display case on the 490-foot level to mirror the position of the actual aluminum capstone sitting outside and on top of the 555-foot, 1/8-inch obelisk. In its current position, this replica aluminum capstone is visible on three sides, with the fourth side currently not visible to visitors.
Additionally, the National Park Service will provide new interpretive information that will feature all of the capstone inscriptions in full, giving visitors the opportunity to fully understand the display.
“We appreciate this information being brought to our attention and we agree that the public should be able to learn as much as possible about the monument,” said National Mall & Memorial Parks Superintendent Peggy O’Dell. “This was clearly an oversight in this exhibit and we will take measures so all visitors are able to see this exhibit.”
-NPS-
Snerk. Draw your own conclusions. But this, boys and girls, demonstrates the utility of being nice to your local representative, even one not of your particular suasion. That doesn't mean you aren't critical, argue forcefully, etc. But at least in my case, being a *polite* squeaky wheel, who doesn't just carp but also makes policy suggestions from an informed perspective - well, let's just say that good manners accomplishes more than spittle-flecked ranting - at least in this case. And that's resulted in email and phone access with good people trying to do their best - and now and again, managing to influence things more than once every two years.
Just sayin'.
As for the NPS - shift the cap so it's point-on, and put back the original words, and I think you're golden. That or a double mirror.
There ya go, what more exploring d'you need? Even though I'm a consultant by trade - no charge.
October 22, 2007
*cough* ahem, sorry... *snort* pardon...*snicker* bwahahaha!
Saw this thanks to America's most articulate drunk (and we were neighbors...who knew?)
Key quote: "...shift happens..."
(really).
October 8, 2007
No point in blogging to give voice...
...and not use it.
You're a soldier, you just completed the longest deployment of any unit in the GWOT Long War, 22 months, you're home, and you're thinking you'll take advantage of some of that GI BIll money you've earned, right?
After all, you're a National Guardsman, who just spent more time in a combat zone than any Regular unit, and you'd like to finish up that degree, right?
Wrong. Your orders are one.day.short of the required amount of time on active duty (no matter if it's hot duty or not) to qualify. One... day. Mebbe it's *not* on purpose. But based on how I say Guardsmen and Reservists treated during my career, my nose is twitching.
So - go read this story.
Well, no point in having spent the time building the blog to what it is and to have gained the access to people I've gained and *not* use that access.
So, I forwarded that article to Congresswoman Nancy Boyda, my federal representative. Actually I sent it to her staff with this note:
The Lieutenant in the article is exactly correct. We routinely used to do what he describes to them for that purpose... which in peacetime is at least understandable.In wartime, it's inexcusable.
Please pass this to *my* Representative and ask her to moot this about the HASC.
I had a response in about 15 minutes.
Consider it done. I’ll ask the staff director of the Military Personnel subcommittee about this tomorrow. Unbelievable. I think it’s also ridiculous that soldiers are getting discharged for a “pre-existing” personality disorders after returning from a deployment, thus denying them the opportunity to seek mental health care.
The Minnesota delegation is already on this, I'm just attacking it from within the committee structure. There may be regulatory guidance that forced this. It may be a more venal attempt to save money. Regardless, it's going to get looked at, and drug out into the open, where the leadership can take whatever action they deem needful.
A smart Army PAO once told me about how the Army looks at "getting out the message" - and he observed that more often than not, the Army's target for public information was Congress, and they weren't going to take blogs seriously until we showed we could influence... Congress.
Okay. Army PAO is getting ready to have a global conference.
Lessee, I got this note back from Congressional Staff... and a couple of weeks ago, I had a chat with the President.
Hmmmm. Izzat good enough? 8^ )
Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �June 19, 2007
Duke, continued.
So, Mr. Nifong's life continues to implode. Well and good. May he find some redemptive value in his self-inflicted travails.
Of course, he's got some more time in court coming... as a defendant in some tort cases.
However... in related news, Duke University announced it had reached an undisclosed financial settlement with the three former lacrosse players falsely accused of rape last year.
Hmmmm.
Duke suspended Reade Seligmann, Collin Finnerty and Dave Evans after they were charged with raping a stripper at an off-campus party. The university also canceled the team's season and forced their coach to resign."We welcomed their exoneration and deeply regret the difficult year they and their families have had to endure," Duke said in a statement announcing the settlement. "These young men and their families have been the subject of intense scrutiny that has taken a heavy toll."
The players' families racked up millions of dollars of legal bills in their defense, and appear likely to file a lawsuit against Nifong.
The players said in a joint statement they hoped the agreement would "begin to bring the Duke family back together again."
"The events of the last year tore the Duke community apart, and forcibly separated us from the university we love," they said. "We were the victims of a rogue prosecutor concerned only with winning an election, and others determined to railroad three Duke lacrosse players and to diminish the reputation of Duke University."
I say there's some faculty who need to have some consequences, too. One can only hope that the players will find some manner to go after those immoderate denizens of the Ivory Tower.
Just sayin'.
Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �� Unpartisan.com Political News and Blog Aggregator links with: Duke reaches settlement with players
May 5, 2007
Normally, I'm about attacking the message, not the messenger.
But, as I note, if you get stupid, I reserve the right to mock you mercilessly.
And publicly.
Someone doesn't like my site layout. Of course, there aren't really any ads here, per se, except some that are crediting people for work they've done or support they provide the site. '
But, apparently John Vickers, really doesn't care that much about the ads, I'm guessing he cares more, in a, ahem, negative fashion, about the content of the site.
At least that's what I infer from this polite, respectful email I got from him. Here is exactly how not to impress me with your intellect, wit, and rhetorical grandeur.
Hey, Stupid!Change your homepage so one can read the articles without the bullsh*t ads. Just like stupid f*cking army guys. Do you need a f*cking comic book to understand how to do it d0uche bag, baby killer??
Cheers!
John
Dear John -
What ads?
There aren't any ads. There are some plugs for some organizations, and for people who have provided professional services to the site - but there isn't one, single, revenue-producing ad here.
And please, do send the comic book, but only if you can find something more inventive than this little display of potty-mouth.
Wanna compare grades and test scores? Maybe even salary?
However, If this is the best you bring to the game, don't waste your time, or mine. But I will give you credit for not dumping that trash in my comments.
Thank you for that. Feel free to never come back again. You aren't really the class of visitor I seek. Go to DU and hang with your buds.
Of course, I *am* assuming that the email is valid. If so, you sir, well, it's self evident what you are.
Snerk.
Cheers,
John
Update: Heh. He responded. Gotta give him credit - he's using a real email address.
No potty mouth this time - he's improving, and offering up a useful, if incomplete, observation.
Stupid, Didn’t want to waste my time. As far as grades and tests scores, are you talking about GED scores?? Bye now! Maybe you should check your web page again. It doesn’t display correctly
Well, since that was *almost civil* I responded, too.
I know it doesn't, a buried MT problem that MT and my part-time when he can get to it web monkey is trying to fix. And, yeah, it's probably something I broke, a genuine 1D10T error.
What browser are you using? Not everybody has that problem.
GED? You really don't know much about us baby killers, do you?
People paid me to go to college. And they paid for part of my grad degree. I had choices and prospects and I chose to do 20 years in the Army, and now I make quite a tidy living *plus* the pension, *plus* the disability. As Congressman Dennis Moore of Kansas notes, my share of the National Debt is 29K. Well, I paid my full share this year, and a bit more to cover part of your share, too.
Stupid people with no prospects should do more of that. They'd live in nicer houses.
But just what *is* the point of being such a jerk in an email?
Offer constructive criticism, fine. Potty mouth? What, my feelings were supposed to be hurt?
I was suddenly going to realize that my whole life was a sham?
Really, what *was* the point?
I'll give you this much, certainly - you used a real email address. Most people who drop by to for a drive-by poop-flinging don't.
Cheers,
John
And now, for a demonstration of Why I Have The Rulez - because in my email exchange with Mr. Vickers, I followed the Rulez. Which are back in force here, btw. I offiicially call off the dogs. Mr. Vickers responded to my last above:
I’m using IE7. And no, your feelings weren’t supposed to be hurt. I apologize for being an a$$ to you. It is just so disconcerting to see the bullshit going on in Iraq and Afghanistan . It makes me ashamed to have ever served in the military knowing that our troops are killing innocent people (‘collateral damage”) for no good reason. We could debate this issue, but what will be will be and it isn’t going to be a good outcome for the US . It is sad to see our “leaders” (a term used very loosely) not really give a shit about our troops and innocent lives wasted. It would be nice if their kids and family went to these places with weapons in their hands. It would be even better if the pieces of sh*t in Congress went themselves and fought for a month. This war would end real quickly. That would never happen because they are gutless turds. So the massacres continue. If only there were some enlightenment in this country.Regards,
John
There's much to argue with, and a little that I can empathize with, but that would be a post for a different time.
The point of this post is... the Rulez. Why they're a good idea, and make this a calmer place. Which is why, among other things, readership is up, even if they are mostly lurkers.
As Marc Danziger, the Armed Liberal at Winds of Change remarked to me yesterday on the subject of "tone" in blogs - "When you walk into a party and there are people standing on the coffee table flinging dishes, yelling at each other, and other guests are egging them on... that draws a certain crowd. When you walk into a party and everybody has glass in hand and are chatting amiably and laughing and having a good time, that draws a different crowd."
We tried Animal House around here for a while. It didn't work. But I *don't* want the Stepford Wives blog-equivalent, either.