Argghhh! The Home Of Two Of Jonah's Military Guys..

H&I Fires* 29 AUG 2008

2008-08-30T04:45:53Z

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. ******************************** We interrupt all this breathless McCain's-VP-pick-poliblogging for some milblogging... I know who started, and why, the Global War on Terror. Deliberately. For personal profit and gain. No, not Bush, though bush does figure into it. It was started by people who vote almost exclusively Democrat. Really. The evidence is incontrovertible. And Big Tobacco at The War On Big Tobacco is the guy who figured it out. It's true - I Blame Bush. But not the one you think. Probably not a post you want your children to read. Or people who routinely wear tin-foil headgear. -the Armorer ********************************* And President Putin knows who started the war in Georgia. McCain or his minions. Really. Hmmm. I wonder if the CIA keeps track of how much aluminum foil is delivered to the Kremlin on a weekly basis? -the Armorer ********************************* So, Governor Palin gets the nod. Heh. I finally got one right. Which I hope doesn't doom everything. And, at least there is someone in the running of the four who's actually run something, and had to work with a legislature and everything. Gollee. No matter how you slice it - it will be a historically significant election - we're going to have something other than a white guy in one of the top two positions of the Executive. -the Armorer ********************************* Jon the Mechanic sends: Today is the 40th anniversary of the loss of Captain Jerry Zimmer from Maine NY. I graduated from the same school as he went to and I also went to school with several of his nieces and nephews. He was a Phantom pilot in the Marine Corps at the time of his death. I did a lot of searching for additional information but could not find any surrounding the circumstances of his death. Let us not forget Captain Jerry Allen Zimmer, casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Marine Corps, CPT Zimmer served our country until August 29th, 1969 in Quang Nam, South Vietnam. He was 25 years old and was married. Jerry died when his plane crashed into the land. His body was not recovered. Jerry was born on May 5th, 1944 in Maine, New York. CPT Zimmer is on panel 18W, line 009 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for 3 years. Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam -the Armorer ******************************* Jon's request brought to mind this article sent by CAPT H - perhaps someday Captain Zimmer will come home - as apparently, finally, this fallen aviator from WWII is perhaps coming home. -the Armorer ********************************

Reax to Senator McCain's choice of Governor Palin for his VP

2008-08-29T18:51:53Z

This is the unsolicited reaction I got from a Kansas public servant who has worked for two state agencies...I am so excited about her that I can hardly focus on anything else! I can't wait to vote for her. FINALLY someone I like is running for President!!! Law predicted her too, but I thought it was simply wishful thinking because she is so good looking! And in 4-8 more years, she and Bobby Jindal will be the ticket! IF we can pull out of the economic tail spin we're currently in..... She spoke of her son's going to Iraq in...

It's the Obligatory "Sarah Palin for VP" Post

2008-08-29T14:11:51Z

p>UPDATE II: And now he sows up the redneck "clinging to guns and bible" vote (just in case they were squishy over his other less than conservative stances. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s parents were called early this morning at their home in Wasilla and told to “listen to the radio” by Palin’s husband, Tim. Palin’s father, Chuck Heath, says he and his wife were caribou hunting when they were told to come home and tune into their local radio station to hear “exciting news,” but said he did not know if his daughter was the choice for John McCain’s vice president. Update: Scroll Well, Hotair seems to be tracking all the official "Sarah Palin is McCain's VP Choice" news. He's on source #3 saying its Palin. Lots of folks seem torn on the subject, but I don't have an issue. Question about experience? Why do we need to worry about that when McCain has it all and Palin will simply spend her time in the VP slot pushing his agenda and polishing her own? Of course, that's because the Obama folks have been trying to put the fear of McCain's age into folks. What if he strokes out while in office? NO worries! The Navy doctors over at Bethesda will pump him full of adrenalin and shock him back. Lots of talk about her conservative background, yada, yada. But, let me say one thing good about Palin's lack of experience in the VP slot: not much dirt to find. Biden and Obama...excuse me, Obama and Biden have enough dirt between them to bury a few stinking bodies. McCain can take a few hits in the "little experience" column since she's just the VP and he can beat the crud out of Obama and his team if they bring it up by implying she has as much experience as Obama [sic] and she isn't running for president, just VP. Did I say this race just became reeeeaaal interesting? .

Walking the walk in Georgia, part II

2008-08-29T13:23:24Z

The second report from Dr. Trish Blair, who is providing on-the-ground humanitarian assistance in the Republic of Georgia. Dr. Trish Blair and others from the ACTS team on the apron by a US aid delivery bird. Dr. Blair is second from the left holding the flag of Missouri. Picture by Vato Tsilosani reprinted here with permission.

Modern Pentagonese

2008-08-29T05:31:39Z

I was checking out Lela's place and came across this great little piece that will resound with all the disgruntled majors and harried First Sergeants who have ever tried to figure out what exactly some policy in this or that manual meant or whether their last evaluation was good, bad or indifferent. Modern Pentagonese A taste... Shakespeare wrote: We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blod with me Shall be my brother; Translated into Modern Pentagonese: The smaller and more agile forces collected here represent a select and elite band of highly motivated warfighters. In the event of adverse battlefield consequences, senior leadership will ensure that participants are suitably recognized in thier next quarterly evaluation. The problem, of course, is that "Pentagonese" is full of "legalese" that amounts to orders with caveats and butt covering "what ifs" in case something goes to hell or someone in a position to care doesn't like it. Check it out and then try your own "Pentagonese". But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Pentagonese translation: Attention all DoD, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, and Coast Guard Personnel. An unauthorized light source has been reported in the window of the second floor, Ring A, Corridor 10, Wedge 5. The source of the light appears in the east. Its peak wattage is reported to resemble the sun. All personnel are instructed to immediately investigate the source of this light and report its appearance to the nearest security officer or department head. All personnel are hereto further instructed to refer to this light source as "Juliet" in all official Department of Defense documents and communications. All department heads are instructed to educate staff on appropriate use of light and expected performance to meet Department of Defense guidelines and regulations for conserving energy as outlined in the Pentagon Plant Management Manual 300-19, Chapter 5, Section 20.1: Conservation and Energy Efficient Lighting.

McCain's War Room On Target with VP Announcement: Democrat Convention or Reruns of Law and Order?

2008-08-28T17:33:35Z

Report just out indicating McCain has picked his VP and will announce on Friday. Really good timing since Obama and the Democrats decided to play it safe and skip the roll call vote for "historic" nomination by acclamation from an "adoring" crowd [ed...could this writer get any more sappy?]. I call it "safe" because they did it at four something in the afternoon when, even somewhere back on the East Coast, two hours ahead, very few people would be watching the convention yet and the evening news would be over. That, my friends, is a sign of fear. The DNC and Obama campaign was not sure exactly what would happen if they left it to a roll call. The DNC did not want even a possibility of any left over mourning for a lost Hillary presidential bid. Better to hide it within the folds than to tempt fate. That is where McCain's announcement comes in.&

Georgia - walking the walk.

2008-08-28T15:09:19Z

Meet Dr. Patricia (Trish) Blair.My Dad and I are Rotarians. A member of the Columbia South Rotary Club*, Columbia, Missouri, part of the district my father's club is in, is a medical doctor who was in Georgia running a camp for diabetic children when Russia invaded. The letter I published earlier, from student volunteer David Javakhadze, came to me via my Dad via Doctor Blair. She sent the students home & stayed to work as a trauma surgeon. She has been sending updates, which I have her permission to start publishing here.One more straw into the mess that is Georgia - but a view from someone who is...

Hurricane Survival Kit.

2008-08-28T14:34:28Z

Hurricane Survival Kit: Toilet Paper........................................check Bud Light...........................................check Keystone Ice........................................check Budweiser........................................check Red Dog.............................................check Misc. other bottles of alcohol............. ..........check Piece of plywood to float your old lady and booze on .......check

Okay, back to that "Bright, shiny" object that generated so much commentary.

2008-08-28T14:01:23Z

If you need to refresh yourself - click here. That was fun. You guys would be *soooo* easy to interrogate. Just let the silence linger, questions unanswered, and you guys spill your guts.

Who's Directing Obama's Campaign Anyway? Oliver Stone?

2008-08-28T06:10:28Z

I was writing the other piece yesterday and added the note about Obama entering from a magical Greek temple at Invesco field. As soon as I posted, I was overcome with this bizarre desire to laugh. Somewhere out there in some part of this American polity, someone is going to be wowed by all the staging. Just like they were wowed by Obama's Berlin speech to 20,000 Germans somewhere near the Brandenbug Gates. I just don't know who they are or where they live, but they must exist. Obama's entire campaign has been so staged that the real Obama, if there is one, is completely hidden. If we look closely at his pictures, he's always photographed looking off into the distance with great import, or studiously contemplating with his hands folded almost in prayer or surrounded by a halo. Several poses have mirrored other famous politicians like JFK and MLK. To the point, in fact, that it is almost like he watched hours and hours of films of these famous men just to get it right. Much like how an actor would study pictures, watch movies and listen to any audio that they can mimic in order to play the part of this or that historical person. His speeches most definitely copy those two notable orators along with Reagan and one or two Evangelical preachers. What about that video where the "reporters" are videoing Obama in the classic "Captain Morgan" stance, leg raised, elbow resting on leg?

H&I Fires* 27 AUG 2008

2008-08-28T04:34:16Z

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. ******************************** Chuck Simmins, of America's Northshore Journal, sends us this picture with a request to help him ID the ordnance. Admittedly, my first thought was... the captioner and I have a different idea of what "mostly intact" means. -the Armorer 080825-N-0629H-021 GORI, Georgia (Aug. 25, 2008) A Russian missile lies largely intact in the master bedroom of a home in Gori. Residents of the embattled city have begun to return and have commenced the work of cleaning up their city following the recent conflict between Russia and Georgia. The Department of Defense deployment is part of a larger United States response to the government of Georgia request for humanitarian assistance. This effort is being coordinated by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Jim Hoeft/Released)******************************** John Hawkins of Right Wing News sends: Take a look at this poll to see what the right side of the blogosphere thinks about the following questions; Out of the following VP candidates rumored to be on McCain's short list, which one DO YOU THINK HE WILL TAKE? Out of the following VP candidates rumored to be on McCain's short list, which one WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HIM TAKE? Out of the following VP candidates rumored to be on McCain's short list, which one WOULD YOU LEAST LIKE TO SEE HIM TAKE? Answers can be had by clicking here. -the Armorer *************************************** Over at Jules Crittenden's place - Hero with a dark past makes good, in Afghanistan and back home. The decorated National Guardsman combat vet who saved a critically injured motorcyclist's life is an ex-cop who did time for assaulting his girlfriend. Commenters at the Herald site think it's unfair to note that past, but at least a couple seem to get there's a bigger story hereRead the whole story here - Redemption Song. -the Armorer **************************************** Today is a Denizenne birthday... Anybody know whose? That's right! Castle Chef and Den Mother, Cricket! Since the Engineer has fully retired, Cricket - here's something for you to keep him busy (or scare him back to work...) A Kitchen Remodel Estimator! Happy Birthday, ma'am! -the Armorer *****************************************

Semi-live from the Democratic National Convention in Denver!

2008-08-27T12:50:20Z

It's Neffi! The Castle's "Hey, you live in Colorado - go snoop!" draftee correspondent! Let's say it wasn't as exciting as he'd hoped for, but there were some good moments. His first snippet: Well dammit, it was pretty quiet- downtown Denver was crawling with well-armed and equipped bands of LEOs and there was more of a party mood than anything. Protesters were vastly outnumbered by citizens and Obamaniacs and Hillary PUMAs, all drinking and scarfing and buying souvenirs. The only protest group I got up with was Alex Jones and his Truthers- and a sorry band they were, perhaps 150 callow youths. That march petered out short of the 'Freedom Cage', as there just weren't enough spectators to satisfy their egos. I did see them chase off a guy they blamed for the "Kill Malkin" fiasco, though... and then I stumbled on a PUMAs For Hillary rally near Pepsi Center. Nancy Pelosi was foolish enough to insert herself as speaker- whereupon she was roundly chastised by the throng, who seemed to think she was something of a traitorous b*tch slut back-stabbing Judas whore. I heard all those words; not necessarily in the same sentence. I took many pics; this one is the most complimentary of Nancy... heh. I met up briefly with Alice H. who posts on AoSHQ and lives in Denver, she stays until after dark to get the *good* pics of the Dedicated Youth of Amerika exercising their 1st Amendment right to get tear-gassed (she got a shot of the CS last night) but by 1700 I had walked (I figger) about 10 miles round and around and so set course for home. Time for shower and beddies... I'll send more pics, but none are *exciting*- sighUpdate: Ruh-roh! While Neffi is off napping, the former tanker's target ID is being challenged in the comments! At least he's still good on the Friend/Foe bit, he's just weak on his High Value Target criteria.

Whoot! I got a great present!

2008-08-27T12:49:59Z

The great part of this job is that the job actually entails having *fun*!Granted, my idea of what constitutes "fun" sometimes differs markedly from that of a normal human being *your* idea, but how about playing an interactive video game on a really, really *large* wraparound screen?The Huey II sims got here last week!The cockpit's a dead-on replica of a Huey II's -- steam gauges in combo with digital readouts. It took the better part of the weekend to get everything set up and the new database installed (the airports actually *look* like the real ones, not just generic clones...

Buffy the Republican Slayer to Missouri Voters: Obama Really Wants Your Votes! (Not)

2008-08-27T05:35:09Z

Awhile back, I signed up for email from both McCain and Obama's campaign. I get these updates so that I can get an idea of what is happening politically in the "bellwether state" of Missouri. Obama's campaign has been spamming me at least twice a day for weeks. McCain, not so much. He definitely did not take a page out of the Bush/Rove campaign strategy. So, I came home last night to find an email from the Missouri Barack Obama campaign. The sender's name was Buffy Wicks. She was urging me to find Obama events in Missouri to attend. I guess she doesn't want anyone home alone watching Obama's speech Thursday night. Who knows what sort of leg tingling, breath stealing moment might overcome an erstwhile Obama supporter? Somebody could pass out or accidentally kick the cat or dog with all those leg spasms. However, it wasn't the "don't watch Obama's speech alone" thing that got me. It was her name. Pardon me? Buffy Wicks? I had no idea anyone in Missouri was named Buffy. Anyone. The entire name sounds like a stage name. I decided to google it and see what came up. Guess what? I was right to be skeptical. Buffy Wicks is not from Missouri, but from Chicago. In her spare time, she slays republicans with her charming wit and powerful emails. Anyway, Buffy was urging me to go out and join the Missouri state wide canvassing project to "help build the momentum" from the convention. I think that's interesting considering that Gateway Pundit reports that the Missouri delegation was sidelined to the nosebleed section of the convention center. THE bellwether state "because every president for the past century carried the state at least once. Missouri voters have chosen correctly each election since 1904, except for the 1952 race". That's over 100 years of success. You don't mess with success.

H&I Fires* 26 AUG 2008

2008-08-27T04:14:37Z

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. ******************************** Yanno, there is something worse than Senator Obama ascending to the right hand of G-d, making it to the White House as a four-year occupant of the Oval Office. That is Senator Obama being murdered by an a$$hat of any stripe or political persuasion. First off, just because. Secondly - you want to watch the Federal government actually *become* what its detractors fear it to already be in terms of a police state? Just let some idiot with a mis-wired brain attempt, much less succeed, in killing the Senator, or his wife, or his running mate. The ballot box is the place to kill bad ideas in our polity. No where else, as Jay notes over at Stop the ACLU, Or, as Carol Liebau puts it: Obviously, all of us can disagree with every single wrongheaded and misguided idea emanating from the Denver convention center -- but as Americans, let's pray for the safety of Barack Obama, his family, and all those in attendance at the convention. Let's beat Barack fair and square, and then be able to watch him lead a long and healthy life, together with his family. The same thing applies, of course, to the other side of the coin, Senator McCain's campaign. And for those who drip the vitriol and hatred (vice well-aimed political snark) at either candidate - such as the truther a$$hat seen here molesting Michelle Malkin (though the breathless reportage at Founding Bloggers is overdone to my taste)- remember this - like it or not, think it's stupid or not, you are helping fertilize the field where the a$$hats grow. -the Armorer ********************************* And on the topics of freedom, unity and good citizenship... The country is gearing up for the annual nationwide Freedom Walk (September 7) in commemoration of the victims of 9-11 and the first responders and service members who help keep us safe. This is an effort of America Supports You, the DoD clearinghouse for military support organizations and those they assist. - FbL ********************************* Note the little thingy (yes, that's a technical term) over there in the sidebar, regarding the Freedom Walk. -the Armorer ********************************* Now we see the new Army Class "A" uniform - where it becomes clear that the beret was maroon (which I figured because of the bloused boots) and the second "liver badge" on the soldier's right-hand pocket (the badge with the patch of the 101st Airborne Divison) is how they're going to handle combat patches. Heh. Me still no likey. But, I don't have to go buy one, either. Good thing, too. Omar the Tent Maker charges extra for Big and Tall. Especially Big. -the Armorer ******************************** Bob Owens weighs in on our meth-using sniper wannabes over at Confederate Yankee: The Left's Obama Assassination Fantasy There are a lot of people who have hopes of Barack Obama being the target of an assassination attempt during the Democratic National Convention this week in Denver, and not all of them are his enemies. The arrest of a four drug users with stolen weapons and a single outlandish assassination claim has made that all too clear. Local news reporters see the possibility of a career-enhancing national story. National news reporters in mass market liberal enclaves see an opportunity to once again push a meme they've been hammering at for over a year, of a racist American heartland. This meme, of Americans as violent backwards yokels, is a meme that smug Europeans dearly love as it helps them maintain the delusion of continental sophistication in the face of their own cultural decline. Of course, none of this would be possible without the unhinged few in a nation of 300 million that would like to see Obama dead, including thus far a halfwit bail-bondsman wannabe, a Charlotte, NC man suffering the lingering effects of a brain injury, and now a quartet of meth-addled idiots with rumored ties to white supremacists and outlaw bikers. As you may well imagine, bloggers pounced on the story as the local news did, taking shreds of information and trying to determine just how serious of a threat Barack Obama faced. As it turns out, not much at all: To see the "not much at all" from Bob's perspective, click here. -the Armorer *********************************