Haze Gray and Underway !!!

SOPA / PIPA slips...

2012-01-19T08:23:00.001-05:00

January 18, 2012



Online Piracy Act Loses Support After an unprecedented day of Internet-based lobbying, a proposal to clamp down on online piracy lost support Wednesday. The Stop Online Piracy Act and a Senate companion, the Protect IP Act, were criticized by websites such as Wikipedia and Google as being written too broadly. Hollywood took a different view, arguing the measure is necessary to stop online pirating of movies, TV shows and other copyrighted material. But Silicon Valley appears to have won this round, with several lawmakers backing away from the bill. Read more about SOPA's support in Congress. Congressional Websites Go Dark It wasn't just Wikipedia that went dark Wednesday. At least four Members of Congress "blacked out" their offiical websites in solidarity with an Internet-wide protest by opponents of bills to crack down on online piracy of music and movies. Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Earl Blumenaeur (D-Ore.), Mike Honda (D-Calif.) and Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) showed protest messages on their House.gov sites on the same day as link aggregator Reddit and online encylopedia Wikipedia. Read more about the blackouts. Also of Interest * Lawmaker asks Apple to take down fake driver's license app. * Activists ramp up lobbying before SOPA vote. * How copyright law affected John McCain's presidential bid. Join Us on Google Plus You can now find the same stories you enjoy in the weekly Congress.org newsletter online on Google Plus. Roll Call, our sister publication, has joined the new social networking platform and we'll be putting free stories up every day. If you're on Google Plus, you can follow us by simply going to the page below and clicking "Add to Circles." Follow Roll Call on Google Plus. Write Congress Through Facebook! You can now write members of Congress on whatever subject you'd like through our Facebook application. Simply go to our Facebook page and click on the "Tell Congress" option — or go directly to the Compose Your Own Message page by clicking on this link. What's Happening in California — Or Your State? It can be hard to keep track of California's lawmakers. Sen. Barbara Boxer defending the federal budget. Rep. Darrell Issa launching investigations. Rep. Jane Harman retiring. That's why we created a Facebook page where you can track all the news about the Golden State's delegation — CongressCA. In fact, we started 50 pages, one for each state in the union. Simply find your state in the list below, go to the Facebook page and click the thumb's up "Like" button at the top of the page. Alabama \| Alaska \| Arizona \| Arkansas \| California \| Colorado \| Connecticut \| Delaware \| Florida \| Georgia \| Hawaii \| Idaho \| Iowa \| Illinois \| Indiana \| Kansas \| Kentucky \| Louisiana \| Maine \| Maryland \| Massachusetts \| Michigan \| Minnesota \| Mississippi \| Missouri \| Montana \| Nebraska \| Nevada \| New Hampshire \| New Jersey \| New Mexico \| New York \| North Carolina \| North Dakota \| Ohio \| Oklahoma \| Oregon \| Pennsylvania \| Rhode Island \| South Carolina \| South Dakota \| Tennessee \| Texas \| Utah \| Virginia \| Vermont \| Washington \| Wisconsin \| West Virginia \| Wyoming Twenty-Five Thousand Fans Can't Be Wrong This month, Congress.org added its 25,000th fan on Facebook. Our community of users gets the latest news on Congress and national activism every time they log in to the world's most popular social networking site. They can also write Members of Congress on the issue of the week through our new "Tell Congress" feature — in less than a minute. So what are you waiting for? Go to facebook.com/congressorg and click the "Like" button" today!	Get on Your Soapbox Want to make your voice heard concerning issues important to you? Get on your soapbox and make it happen! Our Soapbox feature allows you to give exposure to your issue and lets other Congress.org users take action on the alerts you create. Registered users are now allowed four free soapbox alerts per month! Track Your Lawmakers Want to track votes cast by your Members of Congress? Sign up for our regular MegaVote newsletter. Signed, Sealed, Hand-Delivered! Did you know that you can have your message hand-delivered to the door of your Members of Congress? For a small fee, we can give your letter "Extra Impact" to help make your voice heard. Select that option when filling out your message on any topic. Add Us Don't forget to add congressorg@capwiz.com to your address book to ensure prompt delivery of this newsletter each week.

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Future Force Will be Smaller...

2012-01-05T14:20:00.001-05:00

Obama: Future Force Will be Smaller, Agile, Ready

01/05/2012 12:43 PM CST

Obama: Future Force Will be Smaller, Agile, Ready

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2012 - At a moment of national transition, the United States is reshaping defense priorities and its military force to sustain U.S. global leadership and respond to changing security and fiscal needs, President Barack Obama said this morning at the Pentagon.

Obama, the first president to address reporters in the Pentagon briefing room, joined Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to introduce a new military strategy that sets priorities for a 21st-century defense.

"The United States of America is the greatest force for freedom and security that the world has ever known," Obama said. "In no small measure, that's because we've built the best-trained, best-led, best-equipped military in history -- and as commander in chief, I'm going to keep it that way."

Even as the tide of war recedes and U.S. forces prevail in today's missions, he added, "we have the opportunity and the responsibility to look ahead to the force we need for the future."

Looking beyond the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and long-term nation-building with large military footprints, Obama said, the United States will be able to ensure its security with smaller conventional ground forces and by investing in capabilities that include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and the ability to operate in environments where adversaries try to deny access.

"Yes, our military will be leaner," he said, "but the world must know the United States is going to maintain our military superiority with armed forces that are agile, flexible and ready for the full range of contingencies and threats."

Panetta said the department would need to make a strategic shift regardless of the nation's fiscal situation.

"We are at that point in history," the secretary added. "That's the reality of the world we live in."

But he stressed that the U.S. military will remain capable across the spectrum.

"We will continue to conduct a complex set of missions ranging from counterterrorism, ranging from countering weapons of mass destruction to maintaining a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent," Panetta said, adding that the department will be "fully prepared to protect our interests, defend our homeland and support civil authorities."

The Defense Strategic Guidance document released today says the future force will be led by the world's finest, best cared for and battle-tested all-volunteer military -- one that will be smaller, but that also will be flexible, agile and ready.

The force will be leaner, further reducing the cost of doing business and finding efficiencies in overhead, business practices and other support activities, according to the guidance. It also will be technologically superior, the document adds, and networked across the services as well as with diplomatic, development and intelligence agencies, allies and partners. The strategy also outlines a force that will be able to regenerate and mobilize for an unpredictable future, preserving the U.S. industrial base.

"As a global force, our military will never be doing only one thing," Panetta said. "It will be responsible for a range of missions and activities across the globe of varying scope, duration and strategic priority. This will place a premium on flexible and adaptable forces that can respond quickly and effectively to a variety of contingencies and potential adversaries."

With the end of U.S. military commitments in Iraq and the drawdown under way in Afghanistan, the secretary said, the Army and Marine Corps will no longer need to be sized to support the kind of large-scale, long-term stability operations that have dominated military priorities and force generation over the past decade.

Continuing investments in special operations forces, in new technologies such as ISR and unmanned systems and in space and especially cyberspace capabilities will help the force "retain and continue to refine and institutionalize the expertise and capabilities that have been gained at such great cost over the last decade," Panetta said.

Most importantly, the secretary added, "we will structure and pace reductions in the nation's ground forces in such a way that they can surge, regenerate and mobilize capabilities needed for any contingency."

Building in reversibility and the ability to quickly mobilize will be critical, he said.

"That means re-examining the mix of elements in the active and reserve components," Panetta said. "It means maintaining a strong National Guard and Reserve. It means retaining a healthy cadre of experienced [noncommissioned officers] and midgrade officers, and preserving the health and viability of the nation's defense industrial base."

The strategy, Dempsey said, is sound.

"It ensures we remain the pre-eminent military in the world," the chairman told reporters, "it preserves the talent of the all-volunteer force, it takes into account the lessons of the last 10 years of war, [and] it acknowledges the imperative of a global, networked and full-spectrum joint force."

The strategy calls for innovation -- new ways of operating and partnering, Dempsey said, adding that it rebalances the defense focus by region and mission and makes important investments in emerging and proven capabilities such as cyber and special operations.

"Fundamentally," the chairman said, "our strategy has always been about our ability to respond to global contingencies wherever and whenever they happen. This does not change. We will always provide a range of options for our nation. We can and will always be able to do more than one thing at a time. More importantly, wherever we are confronted and in whatever sequence, we will win."

All strategies accept some risk, he acknowledged.

"Because we will be somewhat smaller, these risks will be measured in time and capacity," the general said. "However, we have to be honest -- we could face even greater risks if we did not change from our current approach."

The outcome is not perfect, the chairman said, but "it gives us what we need -- in this world and within this budget -- to provide the best possible defense for our nation at a time of great transitions. It prepares us for what we anticipate needing in 2020."

The nation faces a difficult fiscal situation and in many ways is at a crisis point, Panetta said.

"But I believe that in every crisis there is opportunity," he added. "Out of this crisis, we have the opportunity to end the old ways of doing business and to build a modern force for the 21st century that can win today's wars and successfully confront any enemy and respond to any threat and any challenge of the future.

"Our responsibility -- my responsibility as secretary of defense -- is to protect the nation's security and to keep America safe," he continued. "With this joint force, I am confident that we can effectively defend the United States of America."

Biographies:
Leon E. Panetta
Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey

Related Sites:
Defense Strategic Guidance

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Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

The Closing Of The Year...

2011-12-20T09:48:00.000-05:00

Too long since posting here. We are now at the end of this tumultuous year at the precipice of another period of intense change and flux. At least there remains hope.

Merry Christmas and Happy New year.

The Biology Files: Huffington Post: Irresponsible mouthpiece for the ...

2011-10-25T09:10:00.000-04:00

Science is an art, it is a well defined and precise art, but it is an art nonetheless. Regrettably, some media outlets imagine that they have some unique insight into this complex realm which enables them to post ridiculous statements which not only are false, but bear the risk of harming the public through the spread of misinformation and fear generating myths.

The Biology Files: Huffington Post: Irresponsible mouthpiece for the ...: Huffington Post is notorious for publishing anti-science garbage. But I don't think anything they've vomited into the Webosphere is as egre...

Apologies Not Accepted...

2011-10-12T13:30:00.001-04:00

Nothing has been as controversial as the revisionist approach to the only wartime use of nuclear weapons as that by the United States against Japan in World War II. Now, thanks to Wikileaks, we see that President Obama had intended to apologize at Hiroshima and Nagasaki for the very necessary use of these weapons by the United States. It may be fairly argued that the use of these weapons prevented an even greater conflict after the war in which nations may have been equally armed and inclined to use them in a more remote theater of war. Think tactical use by the United States in Korea or Vietnam, deployment to battlefield troops by the Russians in Cuba or even use by the Chinese in Cambodia or Laos.

It is customary for American naval vessels to never dip their flag in salute to any other nation;s vessel, I would have hoped the Commander in Chief had kept this in mind when traveling abroad.

Apologies Not Accepted - Investors.com

UPDATED: Boiron vs Blogzero...

2011-08-17T11:12:00.001-04:00

UPDATE 24 AUG 11: Boiron has written a letter in which they state they will not pursue legal action. The wording is interesting in which they claim to be open to debate but leaving the classic argument that science has not reached the realms of the "infinitely small".

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boiron is a multi-billion dollar manufacturer of homeopathic concoctions. They have subjected an Italian blogger for daring the criticize their product Oscillococcinum. This is promoted as a treatment cure for the flu and cold (although in the United States it bears the FDA required disclaimer that it is "not intended to treat or cure any disease"). ANY company which provides a product to the public is subject to critical review by the public and hence the markets.

If our Blogzero friend is saying something untrue, this site's most popular post is related to the efficacy of Sinupret, then by all means he should retract or correct it. If he is making fundamentally true statements, which I believe he is, then Boiron is engaging in cyber-bullying.

This is a free speech issue. Read for yourself and decide!

Boiron vs Blogzero (English page) :B-log(0)

A Child's Tribute to his father...

2011-08-11T15:33:00.001-04:00

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan Nichols was a Kansas ANG pilot of the downed Chinook CH-47 “EXTORTION 17” which crashed under fire in Afghanistan earlier this month. His son, 10 year old Braydon, posted his concern that other members of the crew, aside from the USN DEVGRU team, were not recognized. Officially the names have not been released by DoD, but in the transparent world in which we live – they are all known. What is most wrenching to me is the haunting picture of Braydon, in a smaller version of his father’s class A uniform next to his beaming dad. Even at this very young age, he seems to understand the moral imperative under which his father took up service. He somehow seems to realize that the nature of our nation is, indeed, unique on this planet and that at times we must make sacrifices to sustain that ideal.

No one, least of all members of the military, want war to come to their doorsteps. Each member of our nation’s armed services wrestles with their conflicting commitments to family and the nation they serve. Each family must also decide whether to support that member or not. If they can not, then it is impossible for that military member to fulfill their dual oaths to family and country. Braydon has demonstrated, at the delicate age of 10, this understanding of his father’s commitment. Braydon has also fulfilled that oath, even having never taken it himself or being asked to do so. As each member serves, so too do their immediate families. As we remember the courage, devotion and loyalty of CW2 Nichols, let us also reflect upon the courage of his son.

Family Matters Blog: Child's Tribute Stirs Emotion
Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:19:00 -0500

Family Matters Blog: Child's Tribute Stirs Emotion

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2011 - I was on call last weekend when the news broke about the downed helicopter in eastern Afghanistan. As the morning waned, it soon became clear that the nation had suffered a devastating loss. Thirty U.S. service members and eight Afghans lost their lives in the Aug. 6 Chinook crash. I was deeply saddened by the loss and for the loved ones left behind. But without a personal connection and with a job to do, I began to think of the fallen as a number to report rather than as individuals with faces and names. For me, it took a child to humanize this terrible loss. A 10-year-old who lost his father in the crash posted a picture of his dad on CNN's iReport on Aug. 9 to ensure he wouldn't be forgotten. His father was the pilot of the Chinook. The picture shows his dad seated next to a four other soldiers. His father, he wrote, was the farthest to the left. This heartfelt tribute since has gone viral, stirring up emotions across the nation. People have reached out to reassure this boy not only that his father wouldn't be forgotten, but also that he'd be remembered as a hero. I studied this picture and felt for this young boy, who would be growing up without a dad. And I thought about the selflessness and call to service that led his father to make the ultimate sacrifice for his nation. I'm grateful for this child who took the time to honor his father in such a bold way. He reminded me that behind each loss, each tragedy of war, is a person with a rich past who is leaving behind a legacy of heroism and sacrifice.

Related Sites:
Family Matters Blog

Know your Foe, Taliban Brutalizing Young Children...

2011-07-26T11:11:00.001-04:00

Michael Yon, my favorite embedded, freelance author has a sobering report on the level of barbarism being perpetrated by the Taliban against fellow Afghan civilians. When the population understands the choices between a possibly more free nation with western support or a repressive theocracy under Islam, let’s hope they make the right choice.

Subject: Taliban Brutalizing Young Children

Greetings,
Incredible horrors are happening here. In the last few days (just that I know of), one 8-year-old was strangled to death. It appears that his eyes were gouged out after his father refused to turn over a police vehicle to the enemy.
Yesterday, the battalion I am with (4-4CAV in Zhari District), treated a boy who is about 6-8 years-old after the Taliban apparently forced him to step on a bomb. It blew off his leg. I was elsewhere and so was not a direct witness. Our people treated him then flew the child to Kandahar Airfield with his dad for advanced treatment. Am told that his family is livid and has turned against the Taliban.
Please see this.
Michael Yon
Zhari District, Kandahar, Afghanistan

NATO, Put up or shut up...

2011-06-14T12:30:00.000-04:00

It seems that the West is having second thoughts. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates delivered a stinging rebuke of NATO participation in the campaign to separate Libya from the clutches of Moammar Qaddaffi. The problem with much of modern diplomacy and foreign policy is that it subscribes to a school of postmodern relativism. In short, all cultures and viewpoints are considered to have equal value. This is an absurd and pollyannish point of view. The ideals of North Korea, Myanmar or Yemen are decidedly inferior to those of France, Canada or even Argentina. Part of the failure of the West has been their inability to hold their ideals as non-negotiable when confronting states whose records on human rights, tolerance and freedoms are less than stellar (hello China).

Until the West faces the fact that there is no room for theocracies or dictatorships within the body of free nations, it will continue to be plagued with a host of dilemmas regarding how it treats issues such as Syria versus Libya.

NATO Members Re-evaluate Contributions to Libya Mission
Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:32:00 -0500

By Donna Miles - American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 14, 2011 - NATO members are reviewing their contributions with an eye toward increasing their support to the ongoing mission to protect the Libyan people from Moammar Gadhafi's forces, a NATO spokeswoman said today.

"It is clear that NATO has the resources to keep up the pressure on the Gadhafi regime," Oana Lungescu told reporters via videoconference from Brussels. "We know it takes time. We know that following last week's ministerial meeting, allies and partners are considering how they can best provide the necessary resources to see this mission through."

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen is "confident the alliance will do just that," she said.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates joined his fellow defense ministers at last week's ministerial in Brussels to endorse the extension of NATO's Operation Unified Protector mission by 90 days. The extension authorizes NATO to continue operations through the end of September.

Gates also prodded NATO to increase its support for the operation, telling NATO's Security and Defense Agenda assembly the day after the ministerial the mission as it stands reflects lack of both resources and will.

"While every alliance member voted for the Libya mission, less than half have participated, and fewer than a third have been willing to participate in the strike mission," he said. "Frankly, many of those allies sitting on the sidelines do so not because they do not want to participate, but simply because they can't. The military capabilities simply aren't there."

Despite these gaps, Gates recognized that the mission has succeeded in grounding Gadhafi's air force and degrading his regime's ability to kill his own people. "While the operation has exposed some shortcomings caused by underfunding," the secretary said, "it has also showed the potential of NATO, with an operation where Europeans are taking the lead with American support."

NATO Deputy Spokesperson and Royal Air Force Wing Cmdr. Mike Bracken, military spokesman for Operation Unified Protector, reported "considerable dynamic activity across Libya" during the past few days, with frequent skirmishes in pockets of the country between pro-Gadhafi and rebel forces.

NATO is monitoring the constantly evolving situation on the ground closely as it continues its operations, Bracken said today via teleconference from the Combined Joint Task Force Headquarters in Naples, Italy.

Much of NATO's effort is focused on Tripoli, where air strikes continue to degrade Gadhafi's command-and-control nodes and other military targets and ultimately, his forces' ability to coordinate attacks, Bracken reported.

"We know that Tripoli is the lynchpin for the command and control of the Gadhafi regime and his ability to issue orders to fielded forces," he said.

NATO also is targeting ammunition storage bunkers and facilities across Libya to deny Gadhafi forces munitions and reduce the threat of attacks on the civilian population.

"NATO will continue to dismantle the regime's ability to coordinate attacks and direct violence against the country, and reduce pro-Gadhafi forces' freedom to maneuver," Bracken said.

Lungescu expressed optimism at Germany's and the United Arab Emirates' recent decisions to recognize the anti-Gadhafi National Transitional Council established in February as "the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people."

She called the decision "further evidence of the increasing isolation of the Gadhafi regime and that, quite simply, this regime has no future."

Related Sites:
NATO

Related Articles:
Gates: NATO Has Become Two-tiered Alliance

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Intelligence, Operations Team Up for bin Laden Kill...

2011-05-02T11:04:00.000-04:00

One more day closer to the end of this conflict. BZ navy Seal team Six.

Intelligence, Operations Team Up for bin Laden Kill
Mon, 02 May 2011 10:37:00 -0500

Intelligence, Operations Team Up for bin Laden Kill

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2011 - The plan to attack the compound of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden was the result of relentless intelligence work and operational professionalism, White House officials, speaking on background, said this morning.

The operation was the culmination of years of careful and highly advanced intelligence work, officials said, as officers from the CIA, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency worked as a team to analyze and pinpoint the Pakistani compound where bin Laden was killed.

Once the intelligence pointed precisely to the compound in Abbottabad –- a town 35 miles north of Pakistan's capital of Islamabad –- the work on the mission began between the intelligence and military communities.

"In the end, it was the matchless skill and courage of these Americans that secured this triumph for our country and the world," one official said.

A small team conducted the helicopter raid on the compound. An official called it a complex operation, noting that the compound was a virtual fortress -– built in 2006 with high walls, razor wire and other defense features. Its suburban location and proximity to Islamabad complicated the operation, the official said.

"The men who executed this mission accepted this risk, practiced to minimize those risks, and understood the importance of the target to the national security of the United States," he said. "This operation was a surgical raid by a small team designed to minimize collateral damage and to pose as little risk as possible to noncombatants on the compound or to Pakistani civilians in the neighborhood."

U.S. helicopters delivered the team to the compound, and the team was on the ground for less than 40 minutes, an official said. They did not encounter any local authorities. In addition to bin Laden, three adult males were killed in the raid.

"There were several women and children at the compound," the official said. "One woman was killed when she was used as a shield by a male combatant. Two other women were injured."

One of the U.S. helicopters was lost at the compound due to mechanical failure. The crew destroyed it on the ground, and the assault force and crew members boarded the remaining aircraft to leave, an official said.

"There's also no doubt that the death of Osama bin Laden marks the single greatest victory in the U.S.-led campaign to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaida," the official said. "It is a major and essential step in bringing about al-Qaida's eventual destruction."

Though the organization's terrorists still are dangerous and al-Qaida may not fragment immediately, an official said, "the loss of bin Laden puts the group on a path of decline that will be difficult to reverse."

The United States did not share any intelligence on the raid with any other country, the official said.

"We believed it was essential to the security of the operation and our personnel," he said. "In fact, only a very small group of people inside our own government knew of this operation in advance." Shortly after the raid, he added, U.S. officials contacted senior Pakistani leaders and told them about the raid and its results.

"Since 9/11, the United States has made it clear to Pakistan that we would pursue bin Laden wherever he might be," the official said. "Pakistan has long understood that we are at war with al-Qaida. The United States had a legal and moral obligation to act on the information it had."

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With friends like these...

2011-04-27T13:51:00.000-04:00

The Taliban like to make claims. They take responsibility for probably more events than they actually have any hand in executing. Sadly, there is no way to actively disprove these claims, so they go unanswered. The operations in Afghanistan have continued to evolve to the point where I am sure ISAF forces are now beginning to look over their shoulder at their "partners". A recent event occurred where a senior, 50 year old Afghan pilot decided to start shooting and killed nine people before being slain. This event, other news agencies report, stemmed from an argument.

Frankly, my response is WTF? If one of my Afghan "partners" were to make a move towards their sidearm, I would be drawing, firing and thinking about how fast I could load my next magazine.

Seriously, the anachronistic Taliban and the psychotic Al Qaeda are an anathema to modern society. Their ridiculous beliefs (and mind you, I find all religious beliefs ridiculous ) are indefensible, contrary to a modern interdependent society and just plain wrong. The uprisings in Egypt, Yemen, Morocco, Libya, Syria and Tunisia reflect a desire by the population for MORE openness and less oppression - whether from a dictator or an imam. In Egypt the democratic youth behind much of the uprising are wrestling with the potential risks of alliances with the Muslim Brotherhood.

There are clear lines denoting right and wrong.

The beliefs and actions of these people are clearly wrong. Why we have not simply retreated to a safe distance and exterminated every single one of them through whatever most efficient means possible - mind you I am just plain pissed off here - is a testament as to how much we value being on the right side of the line.

Shooting Incident in Kabul Leaves 9 Dead
Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:27:00 -0500

Shooting Incident in Kabul Leaves 9 Dead

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, April 27, 2011 - Eight International Security Assistance Force service members and an ISAF civilian died today following a shooting incident in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul, military officials reported.

ISAF Joint Command officials provided no other details, citing an ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.

In other news from Afghanistan:

Coalition forces killed at least 10 armed insurgents during operations yesterday along Afghanistan's border with Pakistan.

Troops used artillery fire after receiving reports that a group of armed insurgents planned to attack their patrol. Several insurgents were killed in the engagement, officials said.

The same patrol later came under attack by another group of armed insurgents. Troops returned fire, killing several more enemy fighters. An air weapons team providing overwatch security for the patrol launched a third engagement after seeing three more armed insurgents maneuvering into Afghanistan from Pakistan. Two were injured and one was wounded, officials said.

In other operations yesterday:

-- Afghan and coalition forces in Khost province's Sabari district captured several suspected insurgents, including the senior Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin leader responsible for all operations in the province.

-- Security forces detained a Taliban leader and several of his suspected associates allegedly responsible for launching attacks on troops in Kandahar province's Dand district.

-- In Helmand province's Sangin district, troops captured three suspected insurgents, including a Taliban weapons trafficker responsible for supplying enemy fighters with money, explosives and munitions.

-- Forces detained two suspected insurgents, including a Taliban leader responsible for coordinating and carrying out attacks on security forces in Nangarhar province's Sherzad district.

-- Security forces found several weapons and drug stockpiles throughout Afghanistan. The operations resulted in seizure of 1 million Afghan afghanis, which is the equivalent of $23,264, more than 4,000 pounds of marijuana, 2,250 assault-rifle rounds, 90 hand grenades, 60 rocket-propelled grenade boosters, 13 82 mm mortar shells, two automatic machine guns, an assault rifle and antiaircraft ammunitions.

Related Sites:
NATO International Security Assistance Force

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Bing West, Critic of Afghan War...

2011-04-18T08:56:00.000-04:00

Bing West is one of my favorite military authors, a Marine infantry officer in Vietnam, Assistant Secretary of Defense under Reagan, his book The Strongest Tribe, was a company level view of operations in Iraq with observations made form the front line. Like another of my favorite writers, Michael Yon, West gets in with the troops and pays attention. An exceptional scholar and student of history, his latest work on Afghanistan is sobering.

The United States has arrived essentially victorious over the Taliban in Afghanistan. The challenge remains as to "now what". The United States military is the defacto government, providing security, infrastructure and some stability to a nation which has been little more than a collection of tribal regions.

West argues that there is no end game for Afghanistan and we should stick to hunting down and killing Al Queada and Taliban rather than propping up a corrupt government. Unlike Iraq, Afghanistan had little governement prior to the war and little in the way of institutions. The only reason it constituted a threat was its ability to harbor large groups of terrorist training camps and a permeable border with Pakistan, not to mention its prime position adjacent to Iran.

Bing West, Critic of Afghan War, Takes Issue With Pentagon - NYTimes.com

Like a Rolling Stone, boycotts have impact...

2011-03-31T09:52:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite writers is taking Rolling Stone to task over their slanted reporting on the despicable actions of a few soldiers serving in Afghanistan. Do your own research and determine if Michael's case deserves your support in boycotting Rolling Stone's advertisers.

I am personally appalled at the lack of responsibility exercised by Rolling Stone. They have used their outlet to promote a clearly biased and possibly dishonest view of actions by our military. Their reporting resulted in the firing of a competent commander, General Stanley McChrystal and continues to undermine our efforts to stabilize Afghanistan.

Rolling Stone: Boycotting Advertisers

Japan, anatomy of their nuclear reactors...

2011-03-14T08:44:00.002-04:00

The reactors at risk in Japan are BWR, boiling water reactors. Reactors in use in the United States, specifically those operated at Plant Hatch in Georgia, are also BWR units. These units are simplified designs that provide dry steam to power electricity generating turbines.

Plant Technical Description

Plant Hatch is a two-unit General Electric Boiling Water Reactor (BWR). Its basic design is known in the industry as a BWR-4. Unit 1 began commercial operation on December 31, 1975 and has a gross electrical output of 924 MWe. Unit 2 began commercial operation on September 5, 1979 and also has a gross electrical output of 924 MWe. These gross electrical outputs represent the new higher outputs after the implementation of the Power Uprate Program. The Power Uprate Program resulted in an Operating License amendment allowing both Hatch units to increase reactor thermal power by about 10%.

Construction began at the plant in 1968. The Architect/Engineer duty was a partnership effort between Bechtel Power Corporation and Southern Company Services. Georgia Power Company was the constructor. Unit 1 was completed at a cost of $414 million, while Unit 2 cost $520 million to finish. The Operating License for Hatch Unit 1 was granted on August 6, 1974. Hatch Unit 2 received its Operating License on June 13, 1978.

The reactors at Plant Hatch boil water using heat produced from the controlled splitting of Uranium atoms in a nuclear chain reaction. The steam produced is used to drive a turbine connected to a generator (there is a separate turbine-generator system for each reactor). The generator converts the rotating energy of the turbine into electrical power for our customers. Once the steam's energy has been extracted in the turbine, it is exhausted to the condenser where it cools and returns to a liquid state. Pumps then return the liquid water to the reactor through a series of feedwater heaters. The feedwater heaters increase the efficiency of the plant by transferring waste heat from certain stages of the turbine back into the system. Raising the temperature of the incoming feedwater improves the overall thermodynamic efficiency of the plant.

Simplified BWR Flowpath

Boiling Water Reactors operate by using the heat generated from fissioning (splitting) Uranium atoms to directly boil water. The steam produced is then dryed to reduce its moisture content and routed directly to a turbine. In contrast, Pressurized Water Reactors operate by using the energy from Uranium atom fissioning to first heat water under high pressure. The high pressure prevents the water from boiling inside the reactor vessel itself. This hot water is then ducted over to a Steam Generator where it is used to boil water in a secondary loop. The steam from this secondary loop is routed to a turbine. Both designs have their advantages. BWRs are simpler designs, but the steam produced does carry small amounts of radioactive gases into the turbine systems. This requires extra shielding around turbine-generator components and also restricts access to these areas during power operation. PWRs are more complex designs, but because of the two-loop system, the steam produced normally contains no radioactive gases and thus the turbine systems don't require additional shielding. PWR turbine-generator systems are also more accessible during power operation. The figure below shows the reactor vessel design for a GE BWR 4.

General Electric BWR 4 Reactor Vessel

Both Hatch units utilize the General Electric Mark I Primary Containment System. In the Mark I design, the reactor is surrounded by a steel drywell encircled by a steel wetwell (torus). This drywell/torus assembly is then encased in a steel-reinforced concrete secondary containment structure known as the Reactor Building. The torus is used as a large heat sink to rapidly condense any steam that may escape into the drywell during large pipe-break accidents.

General Electric Mark I Primary Containment System

The generator, a General Electric 1000 MVA unit, is powered by a General Electric 1800 RPM steam turbine with one High Pressure and two Low Pressure rotors. The reactor steam dome pressure is typically 1031 PSIG and the steam flowrate is approximately 10.9 million lbs/hour at full power. Cooling water for each unit's two condensers is provided by a closed circulating water system with four forced-draft cooling towers. Make-up water is provided from the Altamaha River to replace water volume lost to evaporation and "drift".

Man's best friend...

2011-03-10T10:38:00.002-05:00

Farewell faithful comrade, with deeply humble thanks for your service and that of your faithful companion.

Dead soldier Liam Tasker and Army dog return home

L/Cpl Tasker's body will return along with the ashes of his Army dog Theo

The body of a soldier who died along with his record breaking sniffer dog in Afghanistan last week will be returned home to the UK.

Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, from Kirkcaldy in Fife, was shot dead while on patrol in Helmand province.

The ashes of the 26-year-old's dog Theo will be flown home on the same plane.

L/Cpl Tasker, who was called a "rising star" by Army chiefs, was shot by Taliban snipers and Theo died of a seizure shortly after his master.

The soldier and his 22-month-old dog had made 14 finds in five months while on the frontline.

The pair's successes at uncovering so many explosions and weapons had resulted in their tour of Afghanistan being extended by a month.

Just three weeks ago, springer spaniel Theo was praised as a record breaking Army sniffer dog.

The body of L/Cpl Tasker and the ashes of Theo will be flown to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire at lunchtime, before a cortege passes through Wootton Bassett, the Wiltshire town which has built up a tradition of welcoming back fallen heroes.

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month...

2011-02-28T13:57:00.001-05:00

We say goodbye to a comrade in arms. A man who likely started his service in search of adventure and concluded it administering to his wounded fellows and overseeing the end of the War to End All Wars only to be swept up on the tide of the Second World War. There is little memory of this conflict, overshadowed by the conflagration which followed. But it was a war in which the United States proved its assertion as a defender of freedom. It was a war in which nations began to realize their terrible capacity for destruction through the use of poison gas, indiscriminate bombing and the destruction of property. It launched the League of Nations and a recognition by the world of how interconnected every nation is to one another. It also ended the hegemony of old Europe and began to dismantle the colonial structure across the developing world.

Soldier sleep, all is done, soldier sleep.

Last American WWI Veteran Dies
Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:21:00 -0600

Last American WWI Veteran Dies

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2011 - Frank Woodruff Buckles, the last surviving American World War I veteran, died yesterday at his West Virginia home. He was 110.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, left, talks with Frank Buckles, the last living American World War I veteran, during a Pentagon ceremony March 6, 2008. Buckles died Feb. 27, 2011 at age 110. DOD photo by R. D. Ward
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Sixteen-year-old Buckles enlisted in the Army on Aug. 14, 1917 after lying to several recruiters about his age.

"I was just 16 and didn't look a day older. I confess to you that I lied to more than one recruiter. I gave them my solemn word that I was 18, but I'd left my birth certificate back home in the family Bible. They'd take one look at me and laugh and tell me to home before my mother noticed I was gone," Buckles wrote in 2009.

Buckles tried the Marines and Navy, but both turned him away. An Army recruiter, however, accepted his story.

"Somehow I got the idea that telling an even bigger whopper was the way to go. So I told the next recruiter that I was 21 and darned if he didn't sign me up on the spot!" he wrote.

Buckles earned the rank of corporal and traveled England and France serving as an ambulance driver. After the Armistice in 1918, Buckles escorted prisoners of war back to Germany. He was discharged in 1920.

In 1942 Buckles worked as a civilian for a shipping company in the Philippines, where he was captured in Manila by the Japanese the day after they attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He spent three and a half years in the Los Baños prison camp. He was rescued on February 23, 1945.

Buckles married Audrey Mayo of Pleasanton, Calif., in 1946. The couple moved to his Gap View Farm near Charles Town in January 1954 where Buckles reportedly continued to drive his tractor until he was 106.

On February 4, 2008, with the death of 108-year-old Harry Richard Landis, Buckles became the last surviving American World War I veteran. Since, Buckles championed veterans' causes, was invited to the White House and honored at the Pentagon.

In March 2008 Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates honored Buckles during a Pentagon ceremony in which officials unveiled a World War I veterans' exhibit.

"Whoever views this display will, I am sure, feel a connection to Mr. Buckles and his comrades-in-arms," Gates said. "We will always be grateful for what they did for their country 90 years ago."

Buckles, then 107, received a standing ovation from the mostly military audience.

"I feel honored to be here as a representative of the veterans of WWI and I thank you," Buckles said.

Buckles is survived by his daughter, Susannah Buckles Flanagan. His wife, Audrey, died in 1999.

In a White House statement issued today President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama saluted the fallen veteran.

"Frank Buckles lived the American Century," the President stated. "Like so many veterans, he returned home, continued his education, began a career, and along with his late wife Audrey, raised their daughter Susannah. And just as Frank continued to serve America until his passing, as the Honorary Chairman of the World War I Memorial Foundation, our nation has a sacred obligation to always serve our veterans and their families as well as they've served us.

"We join Susannah and all those who knew and loved her father in celebrating a remarkable life that reminds us of the true meaning of patriotism and our obligations to each other as Americans."

Related Articles:
Pentagon Honors WWI Veteran, Unveils Exhibit

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Libya, orders, orders...

2011-02-24T10:00:00.001-05:00

It is incumbent upon members of themodern military to act with speed and decisiveness in the execution of their orders. Implicit in this requirement is also the necessity to maintain connection with your moral compass. If you are instructed to fire on unarmed civilians, for example, you have the right and obligation to question your superiors and refuse to comply. We spent half a century reviewing the circumstances which led up to the second world war and the damage done by a professional military abandoning their core values.

Right now, Col. Mohamar Ghaddifi has instructed his military to slaughter its own citizens. If there is one sure test of a despot, it is the willingness of a leader to slay their own people. This has been borne out in the examples of Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Amin, Amedinijad, Hussein, Allende, Pinochet and a list of smaller nations' leaders. Ghaddifi failed to follow the lead of Hosni Mubarak and give up his 40 year reign with some dignity. The risk to Egypt as a nation to descend into chaos was averted by the discipline exhibited by the military. Despite the quick aspersions cast by some on the left about the support for the Egyptian regime by the United States over the past decades, one of the very positive effects was a positive impact on military relations and support for the development of a professional military.

I am hopeful that the few Libyan officers who retain their sense of morality and justice will act to preserve their nation.

Following orders is not an excuse.

Courage...

2011-01-17T11:31:00.002-05:00

In the heat of the Civil Rights struggle, which began (in my opinion) at
the outset of abolition and continues in small skirmishes and outlying
battles today, there was a heroic figure who stood out as prominently as
Heracles from Greek mythology. That man, whom we honor in the United
States today, was Dr. Martin Luther King. He was a passionate defender
of a more equal society and a practitioner of non-violence par
excellence. It is fitting to take time to humbly reflect on his
ultimate sacrifice for our nation, and the world at large. I know our
nation has benefitted greatly from that struggle and his individual
contribution to our collective morality.

Thank you, Dr. King.

Some good advice...

2011-01-10T07:48:00.001-05:00

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January 10, 2011

A weekly stimulant for those who lead - From Dan
Mulhern

Daniel Granholm Mulhern
mulhern@danmulhern.com
You can hear the audio version of the file by clicking on the link
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Friends,

You know "tautologies," right, expressions that use different words to
define or describe the same thing? My favorite one is from the great
Kouzes and Posner who write, "leaders go first." I mean, a leader
literally leads, right, like the car or horse "in the lead." But gosh
there's a lot to that simple statement.

I was reminded of it, reading Brian Dickerson's column
<http://emarketing.core3solutions.com/clicktracker.php?cd=6793&ld=1&md=2
32&ud=a8b933b96fccf817adb0798e8fc1bb48&url=http://www.freep.com/article/
20110102/COL04/101020455/1322/In-Facebook-era-we-all-have-the-chance-to-
be-leaders> in the Free Press last week. Dickerson was talking about
how the comedian-satirist Jon Stewart says he's most optimistic about
America when, during a lane closure, he sees drivers merge cars like
teeth on a zipper - left, right, left, right, they take turns, blending
efficiently and willingly. Dickerson points out, this generally happens
only after someone sets the right example with a kindly "go ahead" wave.
"Compassion," he suggests "is contagious." In his column he calls on the
bloggers, who tend to dwell in one ugly soup, to lead with civility - a
message echoed over and over on Sunday after the hideous shooting in
Arizona. Leaders - everyday leaders, he's talking about - go first.

This combined phenomenon - our individual hesitance to lead, yet the
power for good of everyday leadership - is one I've noticed often. I saw
it daily, teaching high school and college, leading meetings, and now as
a talk show host. It's always the most challenging to get the first set
of vocal chords and willing mouth to open up. The experience is so vast
that I've wondered if it's some deep ancient instinct that says: "Do NOT
step out from the crowd." Some primeval fear seems to remain in us. Yet
once someone gets in the game, the social cost of entry seems to plummet
(as if unconsciously everyone says to themselves, "huh! she didn't get
killed; maybe it's okay to play."). And of course, the "play" - the
classroom, the meeting, gets so much better as a result.

On the radio, I'll say "I'd love to hear your thoughts," and, speaking
to the collective unconscious fear, I'll add, "you can be anonymous, or
make up a name, or feel free to just say your opinion or question, then
hang up." Yet those invisible listeners are on the sidelines, arms
folded, as if I'm asking them to dance naked at the junior high sock
hop. I can go a half hour without a call. Then I get one, and as they
say "the phone lines are lighting up."

The implications of this duality of fear-and-possibility are unending,
aren't they? For authorized leaders, the point is clear: you must make
it as safe as you can for peer contributions, and make sure to thank the
first speaker. For parents, teachers, managers, pastors, there's a need
for patience, for some cleverness, and certainly for encouragement.

The biggest implication though is for each of us as everyday leaders to
see that behind our fear stands great possibility. The first one in can
be the a-hole who forces his way ahead in the traffic jam, the talk show
caller who loves to whine, the worker who says the bs they think the
boss wants to hear, or . . . You can praise when the culture is
decrying. You can point out troublesome facts when the rest of the team
is in denial. You can laugh at yourself when everyone's being a little
too self-serious. Or, you can just offer a humble opinion to get the bus
rolling (it's a lot easier to steer a moving bus.

A mentally ill man stepped out of the shadows and shot 17 people. Gave
me goosebumps when to see it on CNN. Made me feel powerless at the utter
randomness. But you, like I, will have 25 or 30 chances today to lead
with goodness - to reveal all that's best in people as

Leaders go first!

Dan

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to distribute copies of these works to personal contacts for
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requests for copying and distribution of these works may be made to
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of the State government. Invite your friends and families to subscribe
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Adios...

2011-01-04T16:27:00.001-05:00

The Navy is merciless when it comes to relieving leadership of command.
This stems from the tradition that the captain always goes down with his
ship. Even in events where circumstances did not warrant immediate
action, a skipper's neck is always on the line. I have had the sad
experience of witnessing at least two skippers relieved for cause of
major combatant vessels. This is not done lightly and typically spells
the end of a career for any Naval officer. COs of aircraft carriers are
typically being groomed for flag rank (admiral) and as a consequence are
extremely well screened and evaluated.

The actions of CAPT Honors clearly violate the expectations for behavior
of a Naval officer. It is one thing to appear in crew skits - but the
ramifications of questionable materials and context must ALWAYS be
considered. A Navy O-6 is expensive to train and prepare for command -
a carrier qualified captain even more so.

However, there is a far higher standard for military officers to uphold.

Navy Relieves Enterprise Captain for 'Poor Judgment'
<http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=62320>
Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:12:00 -0600

Navy Relieves Enterprise Captain for 'Poor Judgment'

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2011 - A Navy captain whose shipboard videos have
made headlines since they surfaced in the media over the weekend has
been relieved of his command for demonstrating poor judgment, a senior
Navy officer announced today.

Capt. Owen Honors made the videos while serving as executive officer
aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise in 2006 and 2007, and he had
served as commander of the Enterprise for about seven months when he was
relieved.

"The responsibility of the commanding officer for his or her command is
absolute," U.S. Fleet Forces commander Navy Adm. John C. Harvey Jr. said
today in Norfolk, Va. "While Captain Honors' performance as commanding
officer of USS Enterprise has been without incident, his profound lack
of good judgment and professionalism while previously serving as
executive officer on Enterprise calls into question his character and
completely undermines his credibility to continue to serve effectively
in command."

Honors' video skits garnered global attention after the Virginian-Pilot
newspaper published three of them and an accompanying story on its
website Jan. 2. The videos include anti-gay slurs and depict male
sailors in drag and female sailors showering together in a single stall.

The Enterprise crew viewed some of the videos on the ship's
closed-circuit television system while the vessel was deployed in 2006
and 2007 supporting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the
newspaper's reports.

"It is fact that as naval officers we are held to a higher standard,"
Harvey said. "Those in command must exemplify the Navy's core values of
honor, courage and commitment, which we expect our sailors to follow.
Our leaders must be above reproach, and our sailors deserve nothing
less."

Honors has been reassigned to administrative duties at Naval Air Force
Atlantic.

Navy Capt. Dee Mewbourne will take command of USS Enterprise, Harvey
said. The ship is scheduled to deploy in the coming weeks. Mewbourne
commanded the carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during two combat
deployments supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, Harvey said.
Mewbourne had been serving as chief of staff for Navy Cyber Forces, and
was to assume command of the Enterprise this afternoon.

Harvey said an investigation will continue on all aspects of the videos'
production, including the actions of other senior officers who knew of
the videos and the actions they took in response.

Biographies:
Navy Adm. John C. Harvey Jr.
<http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=138>

Related Sites:
USS Enterprise <http://www.enterprise.navy.mil/>

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Misguided and Ill Informed Saxby Chambliss does not speak for me...

2010-12-09T13:33:00.001-05:00

Below is the response from Sen Saxby Chambliss, who represents me by his
role as Senator, but not in his misguided, and incorrect opinion on DADT.

____________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________

Thank you for contacting me regarding the United States Military's Don't Ask
Don't Tell (DADT) policy. It is good to hear from you.

In 1993, the U.S. Congress passed and President Bill Clinton signed into law
the current Don't Ask Don't Tell policy (P.L. #103-160). The current policy
authorizes the discharge of any service member who acknowledges his or her
homosexuality by word or deed.

The Senate Armed Services Committee has held many hearings concerning Don't
Ask Don't Tell. As I stated at those hearings, I am not in favor of
repealing the current policy. I believe that military life is fundamentally
different from civilian life. Military leaders and military law acknowledge
the need to restrict certain behaviors. For this reason, military personnel
are restricted from and punished for certain forms of self-expression that
are permitted in civilian life. This includes restrictions on speech,
appearance, and behavior that do not exist outside the military. Military
leaders acknowledge that these restrictions are necessary to safeguard
morale, good order and discipline and unit cohesion.

I believe that allowing openly gay individuals to serve in the military,
along with the necessary accommodations that would need to take place, may
adversely affect military performance and readiness, particularly at a time
when our military is under great stress and engaged in two major operations
in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Recently, the Department of Defense conducted an extensive review of the
current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The intent of the review was to
evaluate the Armed Forces' readiness to transition to a new policy of open
homosexual service and prepare for the accompanying changes it could bring
about with regards to housing and benefits, regulations, fraternization
rules, training, and individual conduct. As a member of the Senate Armed
Services Committee, I thoroughly reviewed this study upon its release.

The study found that a majority of service-members who responded to the
survey believe that repealing the policy would not have an overall negative
effect on their unit's ability to complete its mission. However, the number
believing the effects of repeal would be negative is significantly higher in
war-fighting units and in the Marine Corps particularly. After reviewing
the study, I still remain concerned with repealing this policy, given that
war fighting units expressed significant concern with the repeal and that we
remain a nation engaged in two major combat operations which continue to
greatly stress the force.

Following the release of the study, the Senate Armed Services Committee held
two additional hearings to receive testimony from the Secretary of Defense,
Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the co-chairs of the study. During the hearings,
three of the Service Chiefs stated that they oppose repeal of the "Don't
Ask, Don't Tell" policy at this time. The views of these three Service
Chiefs confirm my own concerns that repealing this policy could have a
detrimental effect on our military's ability to carry out the missions our
Nation asks of them. For this reason as well as the reasons above, I
continue to oppose repeal of the policy at this time.

Infamy...

2010-12-07T09:15:00.001-05:00

It is the memorial date of the attack by the Empire of Japan on the
United States of America's ground and naval forces in the Hawaiian
islands. On this date, in a cunning move, the Imperial Japanese Navy
sought to strike a crippling blow to the US carrier forces.
Unfortunately for the IJN, their attack only served to galvanize
American forces and miss the carriers, which were operating at sea
during the attack. At that time in history, the Japanese were a
homogeneous, xenophobic culture with deep mistrust of foreigners. Their
barbaric actions against neighbors in the region linger on in the
memories of Koreans, Australians, Phillipinos and Chinese alike - far
more deeply than the military assault on the United States.

We may draw some comparisons with the Japanese Empire and the current
enemy which may be classified as Radical Islamist Zealots, (RIZ). Both
Imperial Japan and radical Islam have a deep distrust of outsiders.
They also operate under a hierarchical structure, with a small group of
individuals defining doctrine and policy. Unlike Japan, radical Islam
does not have the aspect of a nation state, although the restoration of
the Caliphate is a significant objective in all of the "organized"
groups. This domain of Sharia and Islamist rule echoes the designs of
Imperial Japan to dominate the Pacific rim.

Ultimately the war with Japan was won when the allied powers,
specifically the United States, revealed the folly of the leadership of
that nation and demonstrated our own will to conclude the conflict on
our terms. The outcome ushered in the atomic age but also heralded a
deep friendship and alliance with our former enemy - which still
respects the vast cultural differences between the East and West.
Although I doubt that there will be a seminal event which undoes the
loosely connected leadership of the RIZ organizations, there is clearly
a willingness to connect with the wider population of "daily Muslims"
who simply would like to practice their faith, raise their families and
have a seat at the world table as an equal.

I sincerely hope we can begin to see the foundation which can be built
upon through the ashes of the start of this current conflict.

Done deal...

2010-11-30T16:48:00.001-05:00

At last, we can put this ridiculous phase of our military history behind
us. Now let us hope the Senate acts with all possible haste. Write to
your Senator today!

Gates, Mullen Endorse Working Group's Report
<http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=61895>
Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:26:00 -0600

Gates, Mullen Endorse Working Group's Report

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2010 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today
urged the Senate to repeal the so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law
this year.

Click photo for screen-resolution image
<http://www.defense.gov/DODCMSShare/NewsStoryPhoto/2010-11/scr_101130-N-
0696M-048a.jpg>
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, conduct a press briefing at the Pentagon
discussing the public release of the "Dont Ask, Dont Tell" Comprehensive
Working Group report, Nov. 30, 2010. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty
Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image
<http://www.defense.gov/DODCMSShare/NewsStoryPhoto/2010-11/hrs_101130-N-
0696M-048a.jpg> available.
Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
spoke at a Pentagon news conference unveiling the recommendations of the
working group tasked with looking at the issues associated with
implementing a repeal of the law that bans gays from serving openly in
the military.

Gates said any change causes short-term disruptions, but that the
military can handle longer-term impacts. He added that he's recommending
repeal of the law after fully studying the potential impact on military
readiness, including the impact on unit cohesion, recruiting and
retention, and other issues critical to the performance of the force.

"In my view, getting this category right is the most important thing we
must do," the secretary said. "The U.S. armed forces are in the middle
of two major military overseas campaigns - a complex and difficult
drawdown in Iraq, a war in Afghanistan - both of which are putting
extraordinary stress on those serving on the ground and their families.
It is the well-being of these brave young Americans, those doing the
fighting and the dying since 9/11, that has guided every decision I have
made in the Pentagon since taking this post nearly four years ago. It
will be no different on this issue.

"I am determined to see that if the law is repealed," he continued, "the
changes are implemented in such a way as to minimize any negative impact
on the morale, cohesion and effectiveness of combat units that are
deployed, or about to deploy to the front lines."

Gates acknowledged concerns from troops in combat units raised in a
survey on the potential impact changing the law, but added that he
believes they can be overcome if a repeal is handled properly.

"In my view, the concerns of combat troops as expressed in the survey do
not present an insurmountable barrier to successful repeal of 'Don't
Ask, Don't Tell,'" the secretary said. "This can be done and should be
done without posing a serious risk to military readiness. However, these
findings do lead me to conclude that an abundance of care and
preparation is required if we are to avoid a disruptive and potentially
dangerous impact on the performance of those serving at the tip of the
spear in America's wars."

The working group, co-chaired by Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, commander of
U.S. Army Europe, and Defense Department General Counsel Jeh C. Johnson,
took nearly 10 months to research and analyze data in drawing its
conclusions. The mission was to determine how best to prepare for such a
change should the Congress change the law.

Gates said he wanted the group to engage servicemembers and their
families on the issue - not to give servicemembers a vote, but to get an
idea how best to implement the changes.

"I believe that we had to learn the attitudes, obstacles and concerns
that would need to be addressed should the law be changed," he said. "We
could do this only by reaching out and listening to our men and women in
uniform and their families.

The survey results found more than two-thirds of the force do not object
to gays and lesbians serving openly in uniform, Gates said. "The
findings suggest that for large segments of the military, repeal of
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' though potentially disruptive in the short
term, would not be the wrenching, traumatic change that many have feared
and predicted," the secretary said.

But the data also show that servicemembers in combat arms specialties -
mostly in the Army and Marine Corps, but also in the special operations
from the Navy and Air Force - have a higher level of discomfort and
resistance to changing the current policy, Gates said.

"Those findings and the potential implications for America's fighting
forces remain a source of concern to the service chiefs and to me," he
said.

The working group also examined thoroughly all the potential changes to
the department's regulations and policies dealing with matters such as
benefits, housing, relationships within the ranks, separations and
discharges. The report says that the majority of concerns often raised
in association with the repeal - dealing with sexual conduct,
fraternization, billeting arrangements, marital or survivor benefits -
could be governed by existing laws and regulations.

"Existing policies can and should be applied equally to homosexuals as
well as heterosexuals," Gates said. "While a repeal would require some
changes to regulations, the key to success, as with most things
military, is training, education, and, above all, strong and principled
leadership up and down the chain of command."

The secretary called on the Senate to pass legislation the House of
Representatives passed earlier this year, which calls for the president,
defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to certify
that the military can handle repeal without a lessening of combat
effectiveness before a repeal takes effect.

"What is needed is a process that allows for a well-prepared and
well-considered implementation - above all, a process that carries the
imprimatur of the elected representatives of the people of the United
States," he said. "Given the present circumstances, those that choose
not to act legislatively are rolling the dice that this policy will not
be abruptly overturned by the courts."

The working group's plan, with a strong emphasis on education, training
and leader development, provides a solid road map for a successful full
implementation of repeal, assuming that the military is given sufficient
time and preparation to get the job done right, the secretary said.

"The working group surveyed our troops and their spouses, consulted
proponents and opponents of repeal and examined military experience
around the world," Mullen said. "They also spoke with serving gays and
lesbians."

The chairman called the working group's recommendations "solid,
defensible conclusions."

Mullen said he was gratified that the working group focused their
findings and recommendations "rightly on those who would be most
affected by a change in the law: our people."

The chairman recommended repeal of the law during testimony before
Congress in February, and he called for research into how best to do
this. "For the first time, the [service] chiefs and I have more than
just anecdotal evidence and hearsay to inform the advice we give our
civilian leaders," he said today.

Mullen said strong military leadership will be key in implementing any
repeal of the law throughout the ranks.

"We all have our opinions, and those opinions matter. This is without
question a complex social and cultural issue," Mullen said. "But at the
end of the day, whatever the decision of our elected leaders may be, we
in uniform have an obligation to follow orders.

"When those orders involve significant change such as this would," he
continued, "we need to find ways to lead the way forward. Our troops and
their families expect that from us, and I think the American people do
as well."

The admiral added that today's troops expect the force to maintain high
standards of conduct and professionalism throughout the process.

"No special cases, no special treatment, if we're going to continue to
comport ourselves with honor and hold ourselves accountable across the
board to impeccably high standards, repeal or no repeal," he said.

Mullen added that the implementation of a repeal of the law would not be
without its challenges, and that he supports the process taking place
through the Congress instead of the court system.

"We can best address those challenges by having it within our power and
our prerogative to manage the implementation process ourselves," he
said.

Biographies:
Robert M. Gates
<http://www.defenselink.mil/bios/biographydetail.aspx?biographyid=115>
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen <http://www.jcs.mil/biography.aspx?ID=9>

Related Sites:
Special Report: Don's Ask, Don't Tell
<http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0610_gatesdadt/>

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Not good...

2010-11-23T15:32:00.001-05:00

Pentagon Monitors Korean Situation With Concern
<http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=61817>
Tue, 23 Nov 2010 10:41:00 -0600

Pentagon Monitors Korean Situation With Concern

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2010 - The Defense Department affirmed its alliance
with South Korea and is closely monitoring the situation on the Korean
peninsula in the wake of today's North Korean artillery attack on South
Korea.

"We will honor our alliance obligations to the South, and ... we are
determined to promote peace and security on the peninsula," Pentagon
Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today in an interview on MSNBC.

The attack on the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong is reported to have
killed two and injured at least 15.

Secretary of Defense Gates Robert M. Gates is monitoring the situation
closely and will be in contact with his South Korean counterpart this
morning, Morrell said.

"We take this very seriously, just as we took the sinking of the Cheonan
earlier this year very seriously, [in which] the North murdered some 40
South Korean sailors," Morrell said.

Morrell said Gates responded to a reporter's question yesterday about
North Korea by saying, "To any question beginning with 'Why?' with
regards to North Korea, my answer is the same: I don't know."

North Korea's government is extremely unpredictable, and "they do things
you could not possibly have predicted in a rational world," Morrell
said.

Morrell said U.S. sanctions in place against North Korea have been
strengthened since the March sinking of the Cheonan.

"It's hard to pile more sanctions upon the North than are already
there," he said, "and yet it seems they are not foolproof. But we've
always known they aren't foolproof."

North Korea's government "is determined to bypass the sanctions [and] to
not abide by its international obligations," the press secretary said.

North Korea's irresponsible behavior also is "demonstrated by the fact
that it's trying to be a proliferator of weapons, that it's dealing with
countries that are also under sanctions ... unfortunately, this is not
out of keeping with their belligerent and unpredictable behavior,"
Morrell said.

The Defense Department views North Korea's actions "with concern,"
Pentagon spokesman Col. David Lapan told reporters today.

The North Koreans "certainly increase tensions on the peninsula," Lapan
said, "and so any type of military incidents between North and the
Republic of Korea are viewed with concern, because of contributing to
instability in the region, and especially on the Korean peninsula."

Meanwhile, he said, the U.S. government is monitoring the situation and
conferring with allies.

"At this point it's premature to say that we're considering any
[military] action," Lapan said.

The White House issued a statement earlier today strongly condemning the
attack and calling on North Korea to halt its belligerent action and to
fully abide by the terms of the Armistice Agreement.

Related Articles:
White House Condemns North Korean Attack
<http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=61812>

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Kim Jong Illin'...

2010-11-23T11:38:00.001-05:00

After sinking a South Korean warship, the DPRK (Democratic Peoples
Republic of Korea) aka North Korea, has begun shelling a South Korean
Island. This is in retaliation for "war games" staged by the US and
South Korea. The same games which have been staged for many, many
years. The only difference is that North Korea has nuclear weapons
which it has threatened to use on the South. A nuclear strike by the
North would invite massive retaliation by the South and the United
States. It may even drag China into a conflict it neither wants nor can
afford. This hotbed of friction is one of the many leverage points
remaining in the world from the failure of post World War II diplomacy.
The collective intransigence of the east and west left the world
savagely divided and we are only now beginning to untangle this
post-Cold War mess.

In Germany the reconciliation has been remarkably successful and
peaceful. In the Mideast, less so. It is on the Korean peninsula where
the real danger to the globe slumbers. Until China takes a firm hand in
controlling their defective southern cousin, we will be faced with
continual brinksmanship and chaos. I think the remainder of the world
would actually welcome a Chinese invasion and occupation of North Korea.
I am sure the people of that impoverished land would also be better off
under Chinese control.

As shocked as I am to even suggest that China act militarily against its
neighbor, we have seen the positive effects in Cambodia of Vietnam's
invasion. Although bloody, it ended an even worse transgression by Pol
Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Cambodia's return to sovereign rule was
overseen by the UN and has been lauded as the model for conversion from
an occupied state to a free nation.

Christopher Hitchens: 'You have to choose your future regrets' | interview | Books | The Observer...

2010-11-15T12:23:00.000-05:00

The interview with Hitchens is critically important to read as a point of understanding the philosophical view of the conflict between the rational and irrational. I was truly impressed and agreed with much of his world view. The planet will be poorer upon his passing.

Christopher Hitchens: 'You have to choose your future regrets' | interview | Books | The Observer

Service...

2010-11-11T11:05:00.001-05:00

To all my brothers and sisters in uniform, past and present. I raise my
glass. To my Marine Corps comrades - Happy Birthday. How reassuring to
know your origins spring from a tavern located in the city most
associated with freedom in our nation, Philadelphia.

It is also fitting that the DADT survey was leaked today indicating that
the armed services will integrate all those willing and able to serve
with no regard for their personal orientation. It is often the military
which provides the model for our greater society. We racially
integrated first and perhaps will demonstrate the absurdity of
discriminating against our fellow humans simply based on who they choose
to love. I am grateful to those service members who have paved the way
for our nation and the world at large and I am eternally indebted to
those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their brothers-in-arms.

It is ultimately for one another that we serve. It is for the promise
that our nation represents and continues to fulfill throughout the
world. One day we will be able to stack arms and reflect that our
sacrifices were not in vain but in truth given for all those who dwell
on this planet and seek the freedom which is humanity's inherent right.

Don't Ask, Don't Care, redux...

2010-10-21T21:21:00.000-04:00

Gays Allowed to Enter the Military - Marc Ambinder - Politics - The Atlantic

Are we at the end of this ridiculous policy? I certainly hope so. Since the President and Congress couldn't get thier act together, it took the Log Cabin Republicans to force this absurd restriction into the light. Hopefully it will wither and die.

When it counts...

2010-10-15T10:06:00.000-04:00

Okay - maybe too hardcore for a recruiting ad, but it sure captures the spirit of the Corps.

Semper Fi.

Remember the Cole...

2010-10-12T15:54:00.001-04:00

I had the distinct privilege of supporting the rebuilding of the USS
Cole (DDG 67) in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She was horribly damaged by a
small boat attack in the port of Aden, Yemen ten years ago. The
camaraderie and dedication of the civilian / military team working on
her was uplifting. The ship was refit and back in action after what had
been crippling damage.

Navy Honors Killed, Injured in USS Cole Attack
<http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=61238>
Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:33:00 -0500

Navy Honors Killed, Injured in USS Cole Attack

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2010 - Navy officials, current and former crew
members and families of the fallen gathered today at Norfolk Naval
Station, Va., to remember the 17 sailors killed and 39 others wounded in
the al-Qaida attack on the USS Cole 10 years ago today.

Click photo for screen-resolution image
<http://www.defense.gov/DODCMSShare/NewsStoryPhoto/2010-10/scr_101012-N-
000x-776.jpg>
The guided-missile destroyer USS Cole arrives in Naples, Italy, for a
scheduled port call while deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of
responsibility, Feb. 23, 2010. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd
Class William Pittman
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image
<http://www.defense.gov/DODCMSShare/NewsStoryPhoto/2010-10/hrs_101012-N-
000x-776.jpg> available.
Suicide bombers launched the surprise Oct. 12, 2000, attack on the
Arleigh Burke-class, Aegis-equipped guided missile destroyer as it was
anchored in Aden, Yemen, for a routine refueling stop. The attackers
detonated an explosive-laden boat against the ship's port side, tearing
a 40-by-40-foot hole in the hull and sending seawater gushing into the
engineering compartment.

The attack was the deadliest assault against a U.S. naval vessel since
the Iraqis attacked the USS Stark on May 17, 1987.

Retired Navy Cmdr. Kirk Lippold, the Cole's commander during the attack,
recalled the impact of the blast.

"There was a thunderous explosion. You could feel all 505 feet and 8,400
tons of guided missile destroyer violently thrust up and to the right,"
Lippold said during a recent radio interview. "Lights went out, and
within a matter of seconds, I knew we'd been attacked."

During today's ceremonies, Navy Adm. J.C. Harvey Jr., commander of USS
Fleet Command, saluted the Cole crewmembers' quick response and valor as
they fought to keep the ship afloat and tended to the wounded while
defending against a feared follow-on attack.

Harvey said the attack underscores the importance of always being
trained and prepared, and he praised the sense of vigilance that has
been passed down to subsequent USS Cole crews.

After 14 months of upgrades and repairs following the attack, the USS
Cole made an overseas deployment in November 2003. The ship later
deployed to the Middle East in June 2006.

The USS Cole, which recently returned to its Norfolk homeport after a
deployment that took it through the Gulf of Aden, shows no visible
evidence of the deadly attack that occurred a decade ago. But below its
decks are regular reminders, including a blackened U.S. flag that
survived the attack and 17 gold stars that line the ship's "Hall of
Heroes" passageway.

As a ship's bells rang 17 times during today's ceremonies, the names of
the fallen 17 sailors were read aloud:

* Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter, 21, a hull
maintenance technician from Mechanicsville, Va.;

* Chief Petty Officer Richard Costelow, 35, an electronics technician
from Morrisville, Pa.;

*Seaman Lakeina Monique Francis, 19, a mess management specialist from
Woodleaf, N.C.;

* Seaman Timothy Lee Gauna, 21, an information systems technician from
Rice, Texas;

* Seaman Cherone Louis Gunn, 22, a signalman from Rex, Ga.;

* Seaman James Rodrick McDaniels, 19, of Norfolk, Va.;

* Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc Ian Nieto, 24, an engineman from Fond du
Lac, Wis.;

* Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Scott Owens, 24, an electronics warfare
technician from Vero Beach, Fla.;

* Seaman Lakiba Nicole Palmer, 22, of San Diego, Calif.;

* Seaman Joshua Langdon Parlett, 19, an engine room fireman from
Churchville, Md.;

* Seaman Patrick Howard Roy, 19, a fireman from Cornwall on Hudson,
N.Y.;

* Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin Shawn Rux, 30, an electronic warfare
technician from Portland, N.D.;

* Petty Officer 3rd Class Ronchester Manangan Santiago, 22, a mess
management specialist from Kingsville, Texas.;

* Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Lamont Saunders, 32, an operations
specialist from Ringgold, Va.;

* Seaman Gary Graham Swenchonis Jr., 26, a fireman from Rockport, Texas;

* Ensign Andrew Triplett, 31, of Macon, Miss.; and

* Seaman Craig Bryan Wibberley, 19, of Williamsport, Md.

Related Sites:
USS Cole <http://www.cole.navy.mil/default.aspx>
10th Anniversary Video
<http://www.navy.mil/navydata/featurePlay169.asp?id=110>

Click photo for screen-resolution image
<http://www.defense.gov/DODCMSShare/NewsStoryPhoto/2010-10/scr_101012-MC
-000X-721.jpg> Military Sealift Command's fleet ocean tug USNS
Catawba tows the USS Cole from the port city of Aden, Yemen, Oct. 29,
2000, after a terrorist attack that caused the ship heavy damage and
killed 17 sailors. U.S. Marine Corps photo
Download screen-resolution
<http://www.defense.gov/DODCMSShare/NewsStoryPhoto/2010-10/scr_101012-MC
-000X-721.jpg>
Download high-resolution
<http://www.defense.gov/DODCMSShare/NewsStoryPhoto/2010-10/hrs_101012-MC
-000X-721.jpg>

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The Futility of Finding Physical Explanations for Homeopathy...

2010-10-11T15:58:00.000-04:00

The Futility of Finding Physical Explanations for Homeopathy

This post from Quackometer, covers the broad arguments against any efficacy from homeopathy. In the United States, billions of dollars are spent on un/dis-proven, fraudulent or dangerous medical therapies. Homeopathy falls into the category of disproven. No evidence exists of its effectiveness, save anecdotal testimony from patients and practitioners.

Sadly, there remain many folks who continue to espouse this waste of time, resources and possibly delay of meaningful diagnosis and treatment. Take some time to read the post and then travel to the magical land of the homeopathic believers.

Ironically, one of the most popular posts of mine is a critique of the effectiveness of a "homeopathic / herbal" cold remedy known as Sinupret.

Farewel, brother...

2010-09-20T15:03:00.000-04:00

Operations continue in Afghanistan to secure that nation for some form
of sustainable self-government. Despite the criticism that the Karzai
leadership receives, it is critical that the citizens of Afghanistan be
able to take the reins on their destiny and not be subject to the
prevarications of outside forces.

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty
<http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13898>
Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:04:00 -0500

________________________________

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 850-10
September 20, 2010

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a
Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

1st Lt. Scott J. Fleming, 24, of Marietta, Ga., died
Sept. 17 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province,
Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment,
3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

For additional background information on this Marine, news
media representatives may contact the Marine Corps Base Hawaii public
affairs office at 808-257-8838.

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

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Nine years...

2010-09-11T11:02:00.005-04:00

It has been nine years since that fateful morning. I was at my civilian job, hosting my boss' boss and a collection of international scientists and engineers. I received a call from my command at the time and was told to "stand by".

We watched, mesmerized, as the images flooded through the television. We really didn't understand it at the time. In a way, we still don't understand the events of that day. We are a nation of vigorous, passionate yet peaceful disagreement. It is impossible for us to reconcile the cognitive dissonance of the actions of that day.

This anniversary is marked by frustration and anger. It seems to stem from the lack of resolution from the attacks of 2001. To this day we still have not captured Bin laden, the success in Iraq is unsatisfying and we are reminded constantly that a segment of Islam would like to see us destroyed.

The United States, for all of its flaws, is tolerant, open and welcoming to all types of individuals. We have physical and social room enough for everyone. There is no nation on the planet with the level of freedom, opportunity or openness to rival that of the United States.

Some of my dearest friends would contest this statement, however, any challenge brought is easily disassembled or refuted. The Scandanavia nations are often held up as a model, and yet they are a largely homogeneous culture with only a few million citizens and limited access for immigrants. The United Kingdom is cited for their acceptance of homosexuals and yet their continuing class segregation and troubling presence in Northern Ireland remains a substantial hindrance to true social freedom.

This is not an unhindered, jingoistic worship of our nation. It is merely an acknowledgement of the numerous real belssings we enjoy. A recognition of the many real challenges we have still to face as a nation and the expression of my hope and belief that we will rise to the best of our ideals.

It is important to remain ever forgiving and never forgetting.

New clothes, again...

2010-08-12T10:42:00.000-04:00

Navy Testing Two New Camo Uniforms

The Navy is adding a field grade camoflage uniform to its stable of uniforms. We spent time reducing the total uniform count to support a smaller seabag and cost to the Navy. We are the last service to utilize the old NATO woodland pattern for field units (SEABEES, etc.).

Although I really like the "digi-blues", there is clearly a need for a revised field uniform. It seems that we could provide some efficiency by adopting the Army or USMC model and simply implement.

Ask and Tell...

2010-07-13T17:25:00.001-04:00

It is ironic that one of the most controversial aspects of the ongoing
debate over Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) is the comprehensive force
survey being conducted by the working group. The Advocate has a fairly
tough analysis of the DoD response,
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/07/12/Transcript_DOD_Defend
s_DADT_Survey/. Oddly, I was one of the 400,000 force members who was
invited to participate. I will report my findings as well as opine on
the charges of bias.

CNO DADTcast...

2010-06-16T12:56:00.000-04:00

CNO POdcast

ADML Gary Roughead, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) makes a pitch for sailors and families to speak up during the DoD review of DADT. In my opinion, this policy's usefulness has ended. What started as a measure to provide more access to all qualified citizens, became a political third rail with connotations beyond its intent.

Citizens should be permitted to serve providing they meet the physical, mental and moral requirements of the armed services. hose moral requirements have nothign to do with sexual orientation. It's time to put aside these childish ways and get back to serving our nation in the manner in which it deserves.

Citizen Deux

Whither Afghanistan...

2010-05-14T09:00:00.001-04:00

Michael Yon, a writer whose opinion I respect, indicates that we are losing the war in Afghanistan. This is a very concerning prospect, as we have much more to lose by ceding the ground in this volatile region of the globe. I have a few friends currently deployed and am "on the list" myself (whatever that means) - Note to US Navy - get your mobilization process fixed! Naturally, I have an interest in seeing the coalition succeed in their efforts. I also recognize that Afghanistan has never been a nation. It is a leftover from the post imperial age.

Greetings,

A new dispatch on Afghanistan is up: PENGUINS OF AFGHANISTAN

My intentions were to write several more dispatches about missions, yet there seems to be so little interest in Afghanistan that it hardly seems worth the time to write about real missions.

There is little embedded work coming from Afghanistan. McChrystal's censorship seems to be working. (For now.) He's losing the war and covering it up. The deception is easy when so few people are paying attention. We are losing the war. At this rate it will be lost.

--
Very Respectfully,

Michael Yon

Nuke em...

2010-05-04T08:54:00.001-04:00

The United States enjoys a truly rare and terrible spot in global
history. For the first time in the history of the world, one nation
holds the power to strike against the remainder of the globe with no
fear of reprisal. In a recent Foreign Affairs article it was detailed
how the United States can now deliver a nuclear first strike against the
balance of the world without any retaliation. This is a stunning moment
in history. In the past, nations and empires which held this power were
quick to use it to enforce their will or conquer desirable territories.
And yet the United States continues to act with restraint and prudence.

Despite the accusations by those who oppose warfare in all its forms,
the armed forces of the United States have acquitted themselves with
distinction and dignity in their operations. There has never been a
more carefully or diligently executed conflict with respect to the
impact on innocents. Certainly the wars are far from perfect. The
enemies faced by coalition forces are hard to distinguish and do not
operate from the same ethical standpoint. Nonetheless, these foes face
a military which despite its restraint, continues to deliver defeat
after defeat.

Nuclear Stockpile Fact Sheet Available
<http://www.defense.gov/advisories/advisory.aspx?advisoryid=3212>
Mon, 03 May 2010 17:41:00 -0500

________________________________

No. 037-10 May 03, 2010
Nuclear Stockpile Fact Sheet Available

"Increasing Transparency in the U.S. Nuclear Weapons
Stockpile" fact sheet is now available on Defense.Gov . The recently
declassified information on the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile is being
made publically available for the first time. The declassification of
the data was approved by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

The fact sheet is available at:
http://www.defense.gov/news/d20100503stockpile.pdf .

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/Advisories/
Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1
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You muzzled Kenny! You bastards...

2010-04-26T11:15:00.000-04:00

Trey Parker and Matt Stone have been censored by their coporate sponsor, Comdey Central, agianst showing an unflattering image of Mohammed, the prophet of Islam. This stems from the murder of Theo van Gogh by an insane, Islamic radical. The "threats" received by Comedy Central overrode their courage to support their artists' rights to free expression.

In the West, where our culture is more advanced, tolerant and flexible (summarize "better") than that of Islamic nations, this sort of discourse is taken for granted. The faithful of satirized religions take these jabs in stride - supposedly recognizing the old idiom about sticks and stones.

Islam, apparently, continues to invoke the older idiom with the use of sticks and stones (in the form of beatings and medieval punishments). Let me be clear, no genuine deity should ever fear mockery by any earthly entity. They are simply above such petty critiques. on the other hand, if they are not a genuine deity - then the mockery is deserved and it is the adherents who should reflect upon their choice of faith.

No matter how you slice it, the deity doesn't care or it doesn't exist.

Op-Ed Columnist - South Park - NYTimes.com

Et tu, NYT...

2010-04-14T17:52:00.000-04:00

If true, and we have no way of knowing. But the NYT has released OPSEC information before. Tragic.

SOS – RED ALERT – New York Times About to Put American Troops in Deadly Peril

Now on Salon...

2010-03-30T16:09:00.001-04:00

Open Salon is a free service which may prove to be a better venue for
bloggers looking to engage in critical dialogues. They certainly have a
better brand than Blogger. However, will the rash of wannabe bloggers
on Open Salon be poaching grounds to expand the mother site's online
content? The New York Times already does this with some prestigious
paid bloggers - but as sites scramble for eyeballs and hits, will there
become a bidding war for the most popular bloggers? Is the Huffington
Post's model - "We'll publish any ol' thing!" going to be expanded to
this site? Time will tell, the reality however, will be less. More and
more sites allow multiple publishing, making content repeatedly
available anywhere - despite being "published" only once.

2010... Here we GO!! PARSA...

2010-03-05T16:24:00.000-05:00

I wanted to provide a brief plug for PARSA, my Afghan NGO of choice. They are working hard to build capability among the Afghan people and restore confidence in their nation, government and themselves. Stop by their site and see what you can do to help.

From: Marnie Hartung Gustavson [mailto:mgustav@marniehartunggustavs.eliteemail.com] On Behalf Of Marnie Hartung Gustavson
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 8:32 AM
Subject: 2010... Here we GO!!

Having problems viewing this message? Click here to view it on the web.

2010 - Full Speed Ahead Volume I

Animal Lovers - We NEED You!!

To all our animal loving friends and families - PARSA needs your help. After 5 years of rescuing dogs, cats and various other assorted animals from the streets, mountains and trash heaps of Kabul, Marnie and PARSA have decided to start an Animal Shelter at Marastoon.

The Shelter and Rescue efforts will fall under the Healthy Afghan Community Program and will include education of Afghans who are interested in adopting a pet as well as vaccines, spay and neuter services and veterinary medicine for animals.

We are in dire need of the following items:

Medicine
Leashes, collars and animal toys

Volunteer assistance (a Vet trainee??)

FUNDS

Please contact us for more information about our new project and if you are interested in the idea of helping some of the most vulnerable citizens of Kabul, let us know.

We are currently home to over 25 dogs plus an additional assortment of animals from cats to donkeys.

We'd greatly appreciate any help you might offer. And that includes adopting an animal either here in Kabul or getting a pet to the States.

The PARSA Wish List!!

A new regluar feature for the PARSA Newsletter. You will find our Wish List located in the bottom left side of the newsletter.

As with all Non-Profit and NGO Organizations, we are constantly in need of a variety of items. Most notably is FUNDS for our various programs and for our general operating fund. So fast and SO easy... writing a tax-ductible check for $1.00 - $1000.00 or more is one of the best items we recieve. You can be assured it will be out to good use for any of or programs as well as rent, funds to purchase wood to heat our buildings and classrooms and to pay our hard working staff people.

Other items of need we often wish for at PARSA:

Printer Ink - please contact us for types of ink
Any Animal related items for our new Project within the Healthy Afghan Community Program - toys, food, leashes, collars, flea and worm medicine
Soap and toiletries for orphans

Ph. +93 (0) 799020588

mgustav@mac.com

Visit Us Online

PARSA Afghan Training Institute

To kick off 2010, PARSA has moved into training and working with Afghan people with the Afghan Training Institute.

We are working with Afghans looking for more higher education opportunities allowing them to become capable and have a better chance to be successful as well as helping other Afghans in their daily struggles.

The goal of the Afghan Training Institute is to grow the AFghan people and give them the skills they need to help each other. As a developing country it is important to train the Afghan people to fend for themselves and rely less on the International Aid community.

PARSA Afghan Training Institute is committed to building the capacity of people in Afghanistan.

Click For More Information >>>

Afghan Scouting GOING Strong in 2010

Afghan Scouts Visit the US Embassy in Kabul

This past Saturday, February 27th, PARSA and our Scouts were invited to visit the US Embassy. We held a Scout initiation ceremony IN the Embassy. Attending the event were Ambassador Karl Eikenberry and Mrs. Eikenberry who welcomed 80 children from the National Orphanages, Alluhoddin and Tai Maskan. The Scouting Program is part of the PARSA Healthy Afghan Child Program and continues to be a big success.

In addition, Volunteers from the embassy assisted in our ceremony as we completed initiation of the children into the Afghan Scouts program.

In addition, we welcomed our the new Minister who will oversee the Orphanages in the country and the new National Director as well as several ISAF soldiers, also Eagle Scouts and Scout trainers participated. Our goal this year is to be able to run Scout programs for all 750 children in the three orphanages where PARSA staff conducts "Healthy Afghan Child" programs. Please visit our website for more information about the scout program as well as details about this event.

If you are interested in helping the Afghan Scout Program - we are ALWAYS looking for people, individuals, and groups to take on an Afghan Scout troop.

Click For More Information >>>

A Word From Air Commodore Sean Bell

have to say that supporting the Orphanage was the one thing that kept me going throughout my nearly a year military assignment in Kabul - really raised my spirits to be able to support such a worthy cause, and also such a committed team in Marnie and her son and team. Part of the morale development of those under my command is to ensure they remain fit, are happy in their work, and an extra strand is to encourage charitable work. This was simply an extension of that obligation as a Commander. Part of going our project activities was to chat to Marnie, meet the kids and of course, for us to engage others in the fundraising activities (and also ensure that they were all suitably motivated to get stuff done!!) We played football with some of the kids, sat and chatted to them, but avoided giving gifts at the time or risk getting mobbed every time we went. My aim was to support Marnie in a longer-term project rather than the short-termist drop a few goodies off, feel good about ourselves, and then walk away having changed nothing! Discussions with Marnie proved compelling, so it was evident that with financial support Marnie and her team could deliver what we were seeking to do. So I started “Ringing the Change”-to fund PARSA programs in the orphanages. It was hard work getting things set up, and influencing a LOT of folk, but TREMENDOUSLY rewarding to see the effect, and to support such a marvelous group of folk in Marnie and her PARSA team. (click on picture for an article on his project)/p>
Click for PARSA newsletter for people living in Afghanistan

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Marnie Hartung Gustavson | 3036 13th Ave. W | Seattle | WA | US | 98119

MP David Tredinnick is Wrong...

2010-03-02T17:09:00.001-05:00

The UK's govevernmental Homeopathy Report is a good mix of science and policy recommendations. It takes issue with the irresponsible expenditure of government funds (read UK citizen tax pounds) on ineffective, non-scientific therapies. MP David Tredinnick, a consummate woo-fan, seeks to discredit this well researched and vetted report.

MP David Tredinnick is Wrong about the Homeopathy Report

Doing good by acting right...

2010-02-22T08:29:00.002-05:00

Fellow blog readers, yes you two over there. I have a good friend who
is presently deployed. He is a super guy, great piano player and an
Eagle Scout. While working for the Army in Afghanistan, he has started
a seriously great good deed. Read on.

Subject: [NREDJO] Help the Afghan people

Fellow NRED Officers,

I am currently mobilized in Afghanistan and need your help with
something. ISAF has identified certain key areas where the population
can be convinced to support the Government of Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan (GIRoA) with a little focused attention.

There are 3,000 kids in this particular school district. They come back
from winter break in late March for the solar new year and supplies will
be needed. We can purchase school supplies (backpack, notebooks, pens,
pencils, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.) locally in Afghanistan for about
a tenth the cost in the U.S. and we don't pay shipping costs.

I have partnered with U.S. based NGO PARSA, a 501(c)(3) charity, on this
project. If you would do me the favor of passing on this information to
anyone inclined to donate, the website is:
http://www.afghanistan-parsa.org <http://www.afghanistan-parsa.org>
Two options to donate:
Under the donation button, there's a menu with the choice "school
supplies". The site uses PayPal to take credit card info and pay
online.
Else, you can write a check to "PARSA" with the words "school supplies"
in the memo line and mail the check to their PO Box in Seattle, WA.

Time is critical. By agreement with PARSA's Executive Director, Marnie,
everything collected before March 6th will go toward this important
school district. I also have an ongoing partnership with PARSA as I am
assisting them with several Afghan Scout Troops at two local orphanages.
More on that will be in my next blog posting:
http://majorfoobar.wordpress.com <http://majorfoobar.wordpress.com>

Thanks in advance shipmates, for passing this on to everyone you know.
This is the most efficient way to get aid directly to the areas that
will have the most impact on our efforts to stabilize the environment in
Afghanistan.
All my best,
-Steve Michaels, LCDR, USN
IJC Stability Ops SNE, IDC RC(E) Desk Officer
Kabul, Afghanistan

*********** Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead *********

Steve R. Michaels, MSEE, PE
Eagle Scout, B.S.A.
LCDR /USN /1445

<http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97359714/grpId=1877271/grpspId=1705059703/m
sgId=938/stime=1266614382/nc1=5191955/nc2=5733757/nc3=5522124>

Steve is one of those rare individuals who is a good guy down to his
core. I have had the privilege of serving with him as an Engineering
Duty Officer and consider him a great friend. Stop by the link and
donate.

__,_._,___

RIP Murtha and Abscam 2010...

2010-02-08T15:59:00.001-05:00

Rep. John Murtha, Iraq war critic, dies at 77

I am no fan of Murtha. He represents to me the worst of local interests subverting the needs of the nation. Although the passing of any indivudal is a cause for grief, this may have been his only honorable exit.

I like Mike...

2010-02-03T12:38:00.001-05:00

Well, it seems that ADM Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, has
set the bar for DADT. He echoes the ethical position supported by many
of my fellow officers. The issue remains with out civilian authority.
We, as a military, will execute these orders and move forward. It's up
to the President and Congress to do the right thing.

________________________________

From: info114@service.govdelivery.com
[mailto:info114@service.govdelivery.com] On Behalf Of American Forces
Press Service
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 12:24 PM
Subject: Mullen's Blog: My View on 'Don't Ask Don't Tell'

Mullen's Blog: My View on 'Don't Ask Don't Tell'
<http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=57839>
Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:51:00 -0600

Mullen's Blog: My View on 'Don't Ask Don't Tell'

By Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2010 - "Over these last two months, the Chiefs and I
have reviewed the fundamental premises behind 'Don't Ask Don't Tell,' as
well as its application in practice over the last 16 years. We
understand perfectly the President's desire to see the law repealed and
we owe him our best military advice about the impact this change in
policy would have on the military.

"While the Chiefs and I have not developed our advice, we believe that
any implementation plan for a policy permitting homosexuals to serve
openly in the armed forces must be carefully derived, sufficiently
thorough, and thoughtfully executed. The review group to be headed by
Mr. Jeh Johnson and General Carter Ham will no doubt give us that time
and an even deeper level of understanding.

"My personal belief is that allowing homosexuals to serve openly would
be the right thing to do. I cannot escape being troubled by the fact
that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie
about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens. For me, it
comes down to integrity -- theirs as individuals and ours as an
institution.

"I also believe the great young men and women of our military can and
would accommodate such a change, but I do not know this for a fact. I
will not deny that during a time of two wars, such a major policy change
will cause some disruption in the force. It also seems plausible that
there will be legal, social, and perhaps even infrastructure changes to
be made. These are some of the issues our review will address.

"But we would do well to remember that this is not an issue for the
military leadership to decide. The current law and policy came from the
American people through their elected officials. We will continue to
obey that law, and we will obey whatever legislative and executive
decisions come out of this debate.

"With Afghanistan, Iraq, and significant security commitments around the
globe, our plate is very full. While I believe this is an important
issue, I also believe we need to be mindful as we move forward of other
pressing needs in the military. What our young men and women and their
families want, what they deserve, is that we listen to them and act in
their best interests.

"Balance and thoughtfulness is required. It's what the President has
promised us, and it's what we ask of Congress as this debate moves
forward."

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It's a debate again...

2010-02-01T15:35:00.001-05:00

Recent continuing revelations about the carefulness, or carelessness, in
which the IPCC has prepared their report on climate change continue to
surface like polar bears with water wings. The latest revelation
indicates that elements of the report were taken wholesale from WWF
publicity pieces. Many of us, myself included, have a LOT of questions
about global climate change.

1 - How are we validating it?
2 - What is the MOST likely cause (natural variability, humanity,
deforestation, etc)
3 - What are the most likely effects for the near term (next 100-200
years)
4 - Can (and should) we do anything about it?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/7113582/
Amazongate-new-evidence-of-the-IPCCs-failures.html

Asking these questions usually gets one branded with a green D, for
denialist, and a midnight visit by a brass knuckle wielding, internet
inventing Al Gore. Alas, the complex science and politics of this issue
have become more and more transparent. It now appears that a lot of
information is simply being submitted with little or no substantiation.

Let me be clear, less pollution and impact to the planet is good. No
amount of action on our part will stop earthquakes, hurricanes, asteroid
strikes or other natural cataclysms. So we need to be sure that we are
working on the right problem.

I want to get back to the debate.

I want answers to my four questions.

Unfair...

2010-01-13T08:39:00.003-05:00

One of the most dysfunctional nations on the planet, Haiti, has been dealt yet another cruel blow. The 7.0 magnitude earthquake which struck the country has wrought unbelievable devastation. It is believed that the entire UN mission may have perished in the tremor and more than 3 million people are affected. After devastating hurricanes, floods, mudslides, crushing poverty, corruption and rampant violence, Haiti may be beyond rebirth. No doubt, the first serious responders on scene will be assets of the United States Navy, as directed by Southern Command.

We may expect one of the hospital ships to be deployed along with an amphibious group and a SEABEE battalion. Haiti, which is coupled to the Dominican Republic, needs a comprehensive makeover. There is so little to work with, it will require a ground up rebuilding of every aspect of the country. Perhaps, in this way, the quake can provide the clean slate which the nation so desperately needs. Now we will have to see if the world can muster to resources to demonstrate cooperation and foresight to reengineer the broken state.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/cb_haiti_earthquake

(Video NSFW) Jihad Hobbyist = Jihobbyist...

2009-12-28T12:49:00.007-05:00

*WARNING* Audio portion of this video is NSFW.

Another 'tard has tried to bring down a transoceanic airliner with chemical explosives. This person, an educated and wealthy Nigerian, appears to have succumbed to the newest condition afflciting disturbed Islamic males, jihobbyism.

Jihobbyism is the extension of taking on Jihad as a Hobbyist . Some disaffected person, after too much extremist cybersurfing, decides to "become one of the martyrs". In this case, the internet - not a war in Afghanistan or Iraq - becomes the recruiting medium for impressionable Muslims. A person endlessly scrolling through pages of propganda, videos and jihadist podcasts effectively self-indoctrinates. There is no need for recruiting cells, almost anyone can become the Islamic equivalent of the Manchurian candidate.

The sooner we confront the falsehoods of this propaganda and challenge all true believers in Islam to reject violence, the sooner we will be able to engage in meaningful discourse and marginalize these zealots.

I often wonder whether South Africa would have been able to shed the mantle of apartheid had the internet existed. Or would they have collapsed into a spiral of fear and falshoods?

Proponents of peace do not blow up airliners.

Until then, we will be forever at war.

MilBlog Silence...

2009-12-17T11:35:00.003-05:00

In solidarity with my fellow MilBloggers – HG&U will be dark through 21 DEC. There is a need for the free and open expression of ideas, opinions and accurate news. Our founding fathers demonstrated this adherence to the principle of free speech with aggressive pamphleteering and oratory. We, as a nation, can not stand by (or sit) while restrictions on the rights of humanity are put in place. In my mind the internet reflects the ongoing evolution of our planet’s freedoms.

Wednesday 16 December 2009,

Many if not most, fellow milblogs -- including This Ain't Hell, From My Position, Miss Ladybug, Boston Maggie, Grim's Hall, and those participating in the Wednesday Hero program -- are going silent for the day. Some are choosing to go silent for a longer period of time. This blog will resume operations on Monday December 21, 2009.

The reason for this is two-fold.

First, milblogs are facing an increasingly hostile environment from within the military. While senior leadership has embraced blogging and social media, many field grade officers and senior NCOs do not embrace the concept. From general apathy in not wanting to deal with the issue to outright hostility to it, many commands are not only failing to support such activities, but are aggressively acting against active duty milbloggers, milspouses, and others. The number of such incidents appears to be growing, with milbloggers receiving reprimands, verbal and written, not only for their activities but those of spouses and supporters.

The catalyst has been the treatment of milblogger C.J. Grisham of A Soldier's Perspective. C.J. has earned accolades and respect, from the White House on down for his honest, and sometimes blunt, discussion of issues -- particularly PTSD. In the last few months, C.J. has seen an issue with a local school taken to his command who failed to back him, and has even seen his effort to deal with PTSD, and lead his men in same by example, used against him as a part of this. Ultimately, C.J. has had to sell his blog to help raise funds for his defense in this matter.

An excellent story on the situation with C.J. can be found at Military Times: While there have been new developments, the core problem remains, and C.J. is having to raise funds to cover legal expenses to protect both his good name and his career.

One need only look at the number of blogs by active duty military in combat zones and compare it to just a few years ago to see the chilling effect that is taking place.

Milblogs have been a vital link in getting accurate news and information about the military, and military operations, to the public. They have provided vital context and analysis on issues critical to operations and to the informed electorate critical to the Republic.

On Wednesday 16 December, readers will have the chance to imagine a world without milblogs, and to do something about it. Those participating are urging their readers to contact their elected representatives in Congress, and to let their opinions be known to them and to other leaders in Washington.

Some milblogs will remain silent for several days; some just for the day. All have agreed to keep the post about the silence and C.J. at the top of their blogs until Friday 18 December.

The issues go beyond C.J., and deserve careful consideration and discussion. We hope that you will cover this event, and explore the issues that lie at the heart of the matter. Contact the milbloggers in your area or that you know, and hear the story that lies within.

A Partial List of Participating Blogs:

This Ain't Hell
Boston Maggie
Blackfive
Miss Ladybug
Drunken Wisdom
Grim's Hall
From my position
CDR Salamander
LL

Haze Gray and Underway!

Two cartoonists join in!

Private Murphy
Delta Bravo Sierra

Check them out as well...

If you wish to donate to CJ's defense fund, please use the following address, or click the link below. He's in a serious battle against a serious foe. Read the article to find out all about it.

Grisham Legal Fund
c/o Redstone Federal Credit Union
220 Wynn Drive
Huntsville, AL 35893

Please write "Grisham Legal Fund" in the memo line if you use this option.

Milblogs have been a vital link in getting accurate news and information about the military, and military operations, to you. Today, many milblogs are gone and others are under attack from within and without. Today, you have the chance to imagine a world without milblogs, and to do something about it. Make your voice heard by writing your congressional representatives and others, and by making donations as you see fit.

The battle for freedom of speech and the marketplace of ideas is fought on many fronts and in many ways. Without your help, the battle may well be lost.

Got the power...

2009-12-14T11:09:00.001-05:00

Just because I love the M1A2.

Merry Christmas

Now what...

2009-12-09T13:19:00.000-05:00

The President finally made a “decision” on Afghanistan. Surprisingly, it is very much like the initial recommendation from Gen. Stanley McChrystal. We will augment our forces in Afghanistan by nearly 40,000 troops, almost two full divisions, and seek almost 10,000 troops from contributing allies. Recall, this conflict – which started in 2001 – is a NATO operation under Article 5, mutual self defense.

The war was originally executed in a proxy fashion, with indigenous militias, CIA operatives and SOCOM forces. In fact, Afghanistan was won with only 1300 US troops deployed and no allied help. We only increased our troop levels to more than 30,000 in 2008.

In essence, we held Afghanistan and maintained control with a fractional force through critical elections and numerous fighting seasons with less than a full division. This troop level was actually lower than some provinces in the Iraq conflict.

Now we will see troop levels in the AOR at or near 100,000 in 2010. This is meant to be a surge through at least July of 2011, many – including myself – will criticize the President for announcing an end date to this effort. Whether this will result in a successful timeline is unclear. Our enemy remains elusive, able to melt across various borders and gaining support from numerous proxy players, such as Iran. There are a host of those with criticism of our strategy, however, Afghanistan is not Iraq, there is no centralized ruling party – nor has there ever been a central government in this tribal nation.

Afghanistan is also not Vietnam. There is no superpower supporting the opposing side nor are there large standing armies in place. What we found in the country was a failed state – a victim of having limited natural resources (and thus no national economy). Afghanistan has also suffered almost continual warfare since the 1970s and a narcotics based agriculture – in which farmers benefit little.

So the question remains, now what? There are three critical needs. Establishment of a viable national, central Afghan security force is vital. Think cavalry in the old west of the United States. Secondly, the role of the central government must be clarified with some version of power sharing with local tribal leaders. The central government’s role must be the allocation of resources and fostering of trade and industry. Finally, some policy which permits recognition of differences of faith without allowing the Taliban to regain control to the extent they had prior to 2001.

This is a huge task. One which will require more than eighteen months.

One Dad's Opinion: Generation Rescue: A Timeline...

2009-11-06T11:46:00.000-05:00

Just some backstory on the dangerous "grass roots" group known as Generation Rescue. A collection of hysterical, non-science anti-vaccinationists who are driven by emotion (note - feelings about ones children will drive parents to do anything, even if it's wrong).

One Dad's Opinion: Generation Rescue: A Timeline

Fort Hood...

2009-11-06T11:01:00.001-05:00

Yesterday we lost soldiers, murdered by a fellow soldier - and no less an officer, medical practioner and psychiatrist. The actions by the officer involved have brought tragedy and shame to the military. It continues to underscore how the poison of mental illness, including irrational religious belief, can overcome education and reason. My heart goes out to the families of the fallen and those wounded by this despicable act.

Undeserved...

2009-10-09T10:14:00.001-04:00

Holy smoke. I have heard of unwarranted accolades, but this is entirely
ridiculous. One speech in Egypt does not a peace prize make. I like the
President, but this is absurd. Once again, we are witness to the further
politicization of the Peace Prize. To place Obama with the likes of Sadat
and Begin is unthinkable.

The United States radically revamed its awarding of the Medal of Honor from
Civil War handouts to rigorous, vetted and deserving selection processes. I
am frankly at a loss.

-----Original Message-----
From: The Huffington Post [mailto:dailybrief@huffingtonpost.com]
Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 6:35 AM
Subject: ALERT: Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

Logo<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/images/alert/email/logo.gif>
politics alerts
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1b38a135e7ec4d&L=2764>

October 09, 2009

<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/images/alert/email/bg-corner-politics.gif>

Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize
<http://nl.huffingtonpost.com/link.php?M=278669&N=99222&C=8e1c12e09310a52017
1b38a135e7ec4d&L=6896>

President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for "his
extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation
between peoples," the Norwegian Nobel Committee said, citing his outreach to
the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation.

The stunning choice made Obama the third sitting U.S. president to win the
Nobel Peace Prize and shocked Nobel observers because Obama took office less
than two weeks before the Feb. 1 nomination deadline. Obama's name had been
mentioned in speculation before the award but many Nobel watchers believed
it was too early to award the president.

<http://nl.huffingtonpost.com/link.php?M=278669&N=99222&C=8e1c12e09310a52017
1b38a135e7ec4d&L=6896>
UNSUBSCRIBE ME FROM THIS MAILING LIST
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Crossing the line...

2009-10-08T09:52:00.002-04:00

I run the header of Day by Day Cartoons by Chris Muir because I like his art, generally agree with the premise of the cartoon and have actively supported his work financially. I am not, however, very fond of the most recent strip detailing salacious attributes to Obama political appointee Kevin Jennings.

Claims made by various pundits on media outlets, like FOX and CNN, have been proven to be incorrect and exaggerated. Media Matters details the pivotal issue around a self reported event by Mr. Jennings which occurred early in his teaching career. This is a baseless measure for pursuing his resignation. Whether he is qualified to hold the post by virtue of academic or experiential qualifications is a different matter.

A person’s sexual orientation should generally be off limits. There are boundaries – pedophiles are clearly a category in which orientation should be considered disqualifying.

What concerns me is the role these “czar’s” play in policy development. Having known a number of political appointees, I have found them to be a mixed bag. In areas requiring highly specialized knowledge, they tend to be well qualified and provide value to the nation. In roles in which their position is simply to maintain the administration’s philosophy, I have found them to be negative influences on their organization, and by extension the nation.

I would like to see more accountability from our government and much better transparency. I trust the government to act in my best interests and spend my money wisely, both for today and tomorrow.

About time...

2009-09-30T16:48:00.003-04:00

I am in part of the DoD which deals with acquisition. For any fans of history, the Navy A12 fighter was one of the greatest disasters of DoD acquisition and heralded a wave of reform and reorganization. Now we are seeing aspects of real reform in the field. The M-ATV is a vast improvement over the unwieldy and far too heavy MRAPs in the Iraqi theater. Although the MRAPs were near invulnerable, they lacked maneuverability, could not cross some roads and limited quick response.

The newest and most effective wave of acquisitions are developed from battlefield needs, frequently can be filled with COTS (commercial off the shelf) gear and don't take years to deploy. The news of the entry into the Afghanistan theater of the M-ATV will be welcome news to troops who are seeing a substantial uptick in roadside bombings.

From: info106@info.govdelivery.com [mailto:info106@info.govdelivery.com] On Behalf Of American Forces Press Service
Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 4:17 PM
Subject: New Protective Vehicles Head to Afghanistan

New Protective Vehicles Head to Afghanistan
Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:11:00 -0500
New Protective Vehicles Head to Afghanistan Overnight
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2009 - The first parcel of an influx of vehicles designed to protect troops from deadly roadside bombs is expected to arrive overnight in Afghanistan, a Defense Department spokesman said today.
The expected delivery comes soon after the department awarded an order for more than 6,600 of the mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicles -- known as M-ATVs -- to be fielded over the next year.

"That is just the first wave of a massive production and transportation program that will see at least 6,644 of these life-saving vehicles delivered to our forces in Afghanistan over the next year or so, making it one of the fastest and highest-priority acquisition programs in the history of the Defense Department," Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters today.

Three M-ATVs were loaded onto a C-17 and four onto a C-5 at the Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., yesterday and flown to Afghanistan. Morrell characterized the shipment as an "extraordinary achievement" considering that the contract for production of these highly maneuverable armored trucks was awarded to the Oshkosh Corp. just three months ago.

Conventional MRAP vehicles feature a V-shaped hull to deflect roadside bombs, and are proven to be lifesavers on the battlefield. The M-ATV provides troops a smaller and more maneuverable vehicle that can travel off-road and navigate Afghanistan's difficult, mountainous terrain, Marine Corps Systems Command officials said.

Morrell said the department would like the M-ATVs to have an effect in Afghanistan similar to the one that MRAPs had when they were delivered en masse to Iraq, leading to a reduction in casualties resulting from roadside bombs.

"These new vehicles are urgently needed, because improvised explosive devices are claiming the lives of more U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan than ever before," he said. "The hope is that the M-ATVs will have the same impact in Afghanistan as the MRAPs did in Iraq, providing our troops the best counter-IED protection money can buy so that they can defeat the terrorist networks responsible for planting these bombs, and ultimately win the trust and confidence of the Afghan people."

The M-ATV supports small-unit combat operations in highly restricted rural, mountainous and urban environments that include mounted patrols, reconnaissance, security, convoy protection, communications, command and control, and combat service support. It is designed to replace the up-armored Humvee in Afghanistan. The M-ATV will carry up to five personnel: four plus a gunner.

Morrell added that the vehicle has captured the attention of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who previously made it a personal mission to oversee the expedited fielding of the MRAP vehicle in Iraq.

"With so much riding on this program, of course Secretary Gates will be watching it like a hawk in the coming months, just as he did the MRAPs," Morrell said.
Related Articles:
First M-ATVs Deploy to Afghanistan

Foiled again...

2009-09-25T15:54:00.001-04:00

The threat to the United States continues to exist, relatively unabated. The recent spate of news regarding foiled plots is likely partly intentional. I would hope that the current administration is reminding our enemies that we will not relax our efforts to eliminate the threat of terrorist attack. Despite the grim news from Afghanistan, it is likely a good sign as it will force the administration and its allies to get serious about dealing with the nearly ungovernable region of the world.

FBI, Navy Foiled Alleged Terror Plot on Quantico
Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:50:00 -0500

FBI, Navy Foiled Alleged Terror Plot on Quantico

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2009 - An indictment handed down yesterday in a North Carolina federal court charges three men with plotting to attack Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., with the intent to murder U.S. military personnel.

The men -- two American citizens and a legal U.S. resident from Kosovo – are Daniel Patrick Boyd, 39; his son, Zakariya Boyd, 20; and Kosovo native Hysen Sherifi, 24, according to Justice Department and Marine Corps news releases.

The three allegedly were involved in a plot to procure maps of the base and assemble weapons as a precursor to an attack, the releases say. They also are named with four other men -- including another Boyd son, Dylan, 22 -- in a sealed indictment July 22 for alleged involvement in a conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, as well as conspiracy to murder, kidnap, maim and injure persons abroad, the releases say.

Agents from the FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Quantico's headquarters' staff collaborated on an investigation that uncovered the alleged plot at the base.

"We have been in close coordination with NCIS and FBI agents and other officials throughout the Boyd investigation," Quantico's base commander Marine Col. Dan Choike said in a Marine Corps news release.

"We have ensured that the safety and protection of our Marines, their families and civilians who call Quantico home, received our first and absolute attention," Choike said. "That attention in all matters continues to be our main focus."

Others indicted in the alleged broader terrorism activities include:

-- Anes Subasic, 33, a naturalized U.S. citizen;

-- Mohammad Omar Aly Hassan, 22, a U.S. citizen; and

-- Ziyad Yaghi, 21, a U.S. citizen.

All seven men are residents of North Carolina.

The defendants were arrested July 27 at various locations. All are being held without bond.

"These charges hammer home the point that terrorists and their supporters are not confined to the remote regions of some far-away land, but can grow and fester right here at home," U.S. Attorney George E.B. Holding said in the Justice Department news release.

The greatest sacrifice...

2009-09-16T12:02:00.002-04:00

The Medal of Honor, MOH, in its current form represents the highest level of sacrifice a citizen can make. What has always struck me about this award is the simple bravery which was exhibited by a member of the armed forces in the face of overwhelming danger and chaos.

- CD

Obama to Award Medal of Honor to Soldier
Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:31:00 -0500

Obama to Award Medal of Honor to Soldier

American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2009 - President Barack Obama is scheduled tomorrow night to award the Medal of Honor to Army Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti at a White House ceremony.

The ceremony will mark Obama's first award of the nation's highest military honor, and the sixth Medal of Honor awarded since Sept. 11, 2001.

Obama will present the award posthumously to Monti's family. His parents, Paul and Janet Monti, are scheduled to accept the award. He also is survived by a brother, sister and niece.

Monti, of Raynham, Mass., was 30 when he was killed June 21, 2006, in a firefight in Gowardesh, Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border. He was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division's 3rd Squadron, 71st Calvary, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, out of Fort Drum, N.Y.

Monti enlisted in March 1993 and attended basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Sill, Okla. His military honors include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, five Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, three Good Conduct Medals and three National Defense Service Medals.

He was posthumously promoted to sergeant first class.

The Medal of Honor is awarded to servicemembers who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in military action against an enemy of the United States.

The award for extraordinary merit has been bestowed on 3,447 men and one woman since President Abraham Lincoln signed it into law Dec. 21, 1861. Five servicemembers have received the Medal of Honor -- all posthumously -- for service since 9/11.

Related Sites:
Special Report: Medal of Honor

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Latest to go...

2009-09-08T09:56:00.002-04:00

A long time ago I took up a direct commission in the Navy Reserve. It was 1997. The internet boom was in full swing, Clinton was POTUS and it looked like most of the free world would continue to expand and things would chill out.

That was not to be the case. The USS COLE (DDG 67) was bombed in Aden harbor, our embassies in Africa were attacked and things just went south from there. As a consequence, I was shocked (but perhaps not surprised) when the World Trade Center was attacked almost eight years ago.

At that time I was the CO (commanding officer) of a maintenance unit in Norfolk, Virginia. A lot of my sailors were recalled to active duty and assigned to security across military facilities around the nation. What many people fail to remember is that until 2001, almost all military installations were open bases. That is almost anyone was permitted to drive around on base, with a few exceptions. I was turned away from Fort Knox when I asked to conduct a spot citizen’s inspection.

I was an officer with NPS (no prior service) at the time. As part of my community, we were rotated through various schools, training evolutions and assignments UI (under instruction) to build up our credentials and experience enough to make us useful to the Navy.

One of my very good friends, Steve Michaels, is now deploying to Afghanistan. Steve is a great guy, a competitive marathoner, piano player, Eagle Scout and uber-geek (anyone with a masters in Electrical Engineering qualifies). He is also dedicated to his beliefs and committed to our nation.

I spent time with Steve in New York at the New York Maritime University’s campus under the Throgg’s Neck Bridge. It was for a two week course in basic naval engineering. We were instructed by the saltiest of merchant mariners and billeted aboard the school’s break bulk freighter, the Empire State.

Steve is an enthusiastic member of our nation’s armed forces. He stayed the course when a lot of our colleagues fell by the wayside. Spend some time reading about his experiences at Major FUBAR.

Photos and dispatch from the war...

2009-08-31T09:08:00.001-04:00

Michael Yon is a great writer who continues to deliver the ground eye view
of operations in OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom). With the renewed focus
on Afghanistan, it's critical to understand the political, military and
economic challenges in this important part of the world. Not the least
reason is its proximity to Pakistan (nuclear armed, Islamic, not too stable
Pakistan).

The region has frustrated great powers for some time, Britain in the 19th
century, the Soviet Union in the 20th and now attempts to thwart the efforts
of the United States and the rest of the world from imposing some sort of
rule of law into a perennially lawless region.

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Yon [mailto:myonmail=michaelyon-online.com@mcsv63.net] On
Behalf Of Michael Yon
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 8:33 AM
Subject: Photos and dispatch from the war

Greetings,

I'll definitely miss being out with British combat troops. Great soldiers
who can always count on the support of at least one writer. The British
Ministry of Defense, however, needs a tune up.

Am back with U.S. forces and did three missions on Sunday. More on that as
time unfolds.

American and British forces are working closely together here. The
U.S./U.K. relationship in Helmand is extremely good. (Presumably elsewhere,
too, but I do not know.) My first mission yesterday was with a U.S. Air
Force helicopter rescue team to pick up a British casualty. The British
people at home should know that our helicopters will get their men and women
off the battlefields and back to the hospital in less than an hour, no
matter what.

Please see today's dispatch, wherein a British soldier who was watching out
for me gets his antenna shot off.
<http://michaelyon-online.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=53a90b7a0a9728c7
9342e9752&id=58affb7de5&e=7f542a2382>

--
Very Respectfully,

Michael Yon

PS Please sign up for my Twitter.com updates at "Michael_Yon" (not Michael
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2009-08-27T13:47:00.001-04:00

Is mixed on the loss of Ted Kennedy.

Afghanistan...

2009-08-19T09:02:00.001-04:00

Afghanistan remains a quandary. The nation is bereft of any civil infrastructure, in fact, it never had any to speak of ever. The countryside is demanding, landlocked and incredibly fracture with tribal rule the norm. Combine that with a huge illicit drug crop and you have a recipe for chaos, which Western powers realized as they watched the Soviet army become bogged down and then defeated in the 1980s. How should we approach this breeding ground for extremists?

The unseating of the Taliban in 2002 was brilliant. The US managed a conflict with proxy players and technology to stunning effect. The problem is that the nation requires billions in building dollars and a complete overhaul of its government if it is to maintain its progress. Unlike Iraq, Afghanistan has no true national identity and no underlying rule of law upon which to rely. One of my favorite writers in the field is Michael Yon. He posts routinely from Iraq and now Afghanistan. His perspective is often from the ground level - a grunt's eye view of the conflicts. His latest dispatch identifies the plight of our most stalwart allies, the soldiers of the United Kingdom.

From: Michael Yon [mailto:myonmail=michaelyon-online.com@mcsv12.net] On Behalf Of Michael Yon
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 12:15 AM
Subject: Do Americans Care About British Soldiers?

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19 August 2009

Greetings from Afghanistan,

There is every indication that this war will become worse than I saw in Iraq. Very dangerous here. Too much happening to explain quickly. Will require ongoing series of dozens of dispatches. (Am on it.) Would need 24/7 head-cam to truly capture this.

Meanwhile, please see this very interesting dispatch: Do Americans Care about British Soldiers?

--
Your Writer,

Michael Yon

PS Please sign up for my Twitter.com updates at "Michael_Yon" (not Michael Yon).

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Thus ends a hero's quest...

2009-08-07T17:20:00.001-04:00

CAPT Scott Speicher was pronounced MIA (Missing in Action) during the Gulf War in 1991. He was flying combat operations over Iraq. A key installation in Iraq was named for him after the invasion of 2003. CAPT Speicher progressed in rank, largely benefitting his surviving family, until such time as his fate could be determined. CAPT Speicher was one of the critical missions of operations once the invasion began. There was some belief that he may have been alive and held in an Iraqi prison.

Alas, this fragile hope proved for naught. His recovered and identified remains will no doubt find a special resting place. More importantly, just as US forces conducted an exhaustive rescue operation for USAF CAPT Scott Grady, the persistent search for CAPT Speicher (and truly for all MIAs) reminds those serving that we will not leave a comrade behind.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 590-09
August 07, 2009

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

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Free, today only...

2009-07-22T11:42:00.001-04:00

Chris Hoofnagle at Denialism Blog Blog points out a book review by Malcolm Gladwell of Chris Anderson’s work. In the article he posits that FREE will never be a viable price. I concur. For many who advocate letting advertising pay for everything (or medical savings to pay for healthcare costs), let me offer the following;

There is no free. Anderson is capitalizing on the work and infrastructure which had a decided and measurable cost. Anderson’s analogy of a “Freemium (minority pay, subsidizing majority free)” is perfect. At sometime the whole of the web was built and paid for by someone. Your computer was paid for and it allows all sorts of "free access", but you already paid for the computer, the access, the wifi card, the time to learn to "download".

The argument can be expanded to almost anything. There will be no free healthcare - it must be paid for by someone (perhaps the "freemium" model will prevail). Public radio is not free - you have paid for it in a hundred subtle ways - including the purchase of a radio receiver.

We are simply not recognizing the impact of micro-monetization and the value it brings to a provider. Without middlemen and distributors, those content providers can reap their rewards directly, however, the amount that they reap - due to the new pricing model - is typically far lower than expected, but likely a more accurate representation of market value.

Don't talk to robots...

2009-07-17T10:26:00.002-04:00

There is some brilliantly creative stuff on the web, almost all of it free. Is this a bad thing?

Additions...

2009-07-08T12:22:00.002-04:00

I have been woefully behind in blogging. I did update a few of my links, including the addition of a blog from an American Actress in London. For those in the UK and those who want to be, she has some very good insights on the cultural and lifestyle issues for Americans abroad.

An American Actress in London

2009-06-22T09:46:00.001-04:00
It is official. MCI is now my least favorite airport. A formerly graceful collection of partial circles on the Missouri plains, post 9/11 has converted it into a crowded, inefficient nightmare.

Typepad...

2009-06-16T11:40:00.000-04:00
I have added typepad, we'll see if it has value.

Battle Du Jour...

2009-06-12T14:33:00.001-04:00

I have spent some considerable time away from the blog in an area of one of my personal interests, that of medical ethics. There are a number of excellent sites which detail the battles raging within science / evidence based medicine. Given the pending debate over health care in the nation - it is worth making the rounds as several sites offer a professional view into the healthcare world. I promise to return at some point to tackle the arising urgent issues;

1 - North Korea - bluff and bluster or doom and disaster

2 - The shrinking pirate problem - no news is good news?

3 - Why we need to rethink our weapons programs

4 - Obamaconomy - It's his to win or lose

Whew!

I know I just overcommitted, but that's just who I am.

McTimoney Chiropractors evacuate internet...

2009-06-11T16:32:00.000-04:00
the quackometer: McTimoney Chiropractors told to take down their web sites

2009-06-05T22:00:00.001-04:00
Twit - blogging. Apparently I can now join the ranks of the hyperstimulated and twitblog via text.

Hypocrisy...

2009-06-01T11:06:00.001-04:00

Dr. George Tiller, a Kansas doctor who ran one of three clinics in the United States specializing in performing late term abortions (post 21 weeks), was murdered in his church on Sunday. The alleged assassin, Scott Roeder, is a 51 year old male with no immediate links to extremist "pro-life" groups. This doctor had previously been shot in the arms in the early 1990s and had his clinic bombed by the self-professed "pro-life" movement.

I am a generally conservative guy, some would call me a monarchist. I am, however, firmly in the "pro-law" / "pro-choice" side of this debate. The President stated that no matter how profound our differences, they can not be resolved with violence. I agree with him in this fully. What is most disturbing is that these social issues, abortion, gay-marriage and others seem to evoke such irrational responses from the advocates from each side. Mind you, I believe there is a definable right and wrong for almost any moral quandary, even if the definition is "less wrong". Requiring women to act in a subservient manner to men due to some religious tenet is wrong. Prohibiting two consenting adults from entering into a contract making their relationship permanent in the eyes of the state and the public is wrong. Shooting a person because you don't agree with the practice of their legal profession is wrong.

The spokesperson for Operation Rescue made a public statement denouncing the shooting, and disavowing involvement. I can not help but find their words specious when they are couched in the following phrases, "we have been pursuing legal means to bring Dr. Tiller to justice".

Ah, the mantra of the zealot - bring them to justice.

Sound like Al-Queda to me.

RPG? What RPG, I'm holding that for a friend...

2009-05-14T11:54:00.002-04:00

Naval forces of CTF 151 make a significant capture of a pirate mothership off the Somali coast. In this action it was the response to an Egyption ship which led embarked helos from teh USS GETTYSBURG and ROKS MUNMU THE GREAT (what a cool name) to discover the pirates' floating base. It should also underscore how tought this operation will be to sustain in an ongoing basis. The mothership was not much more than a small fishing vessel with a few small arms aboard. The pirates will turn out to be unemployed youth seeking to make a quick buck at the behest of some higher headman.

We can not employ guided missile cruisers to stop pirates. We need to deploy a small squadron of light craft centered around an amphibious ship, preferably an LHD. This would provide a platform for embarked helos, critical for identifying these vessels, and a base for high speed vessel response. With MARPAT (Maritime Patrol) overflights, we could provide sufficient deterrent for the far offshore operations of pirates. Additionally, the Rules of Engagement (ROE) should be modified to permit the use deadly force in defense of any civilian vessel under current attack.

From: American Forces Press Service
Sent: Thu 5/14/2009 11:39 AM
Subject: Combined Task Force Makes First Suspected Pirate Capture

Combined Task Force Makes First Suspected Pirate Capture
Thu, 14 May 2009 11:16:00 -0500

Speicher Search Details Announced

            The Navy announced today additional details regarding the recent discovery of the remains of Navy Capt. Michael "Scott" Speicher in Iraq. Speicher was shot down flying a combat mission in an F/A-18 Hornet over west-central Iraq on Jan. 17, 1991, during Operation Desert Storm.

            Acting in part on information provided by an Iraqi citizen in early July, Multi National Force – West's (MNF-W) personnel recovery team went to a location in the desert which was believed to be the crash site of Speicher's jet. The Iraqi, a Bedouin, was 11 years old at the time of the crash and did not have direct knowledge of where Speicher was buried, but knew of other Bedouins who did. He willingly provided his information during general discussion with MNF-W personnel and stated he was unaware of the U.S. government's interest in this case until queried by U.S. investigators in July 2009.

            The Iraqi citizens led MNF-W's personnel recovery team to the area they believed Speicher was buried. The area where the remains were recovered was located approximately 100 kilometers west of Ramadi, in Anbar province. There were two sites that teams searched. One site was next to the downed aircraft that was discovered in 1993 and the other site was approximately two kilometers away. The second site was where Speicher's remains were recovered.

            The recovery personnel searched two sites from July 22-29. The personnel recovery team consisted of approximately 150 people, mostly Marines and other forces under MNF-W.

            The recovered remains include bones and multiple skeletal fragments. Based on visual examination of the remains and dental records at the site, a preliminary assessment was reached that the remains were that of Speicher. After searching the site another day, no further remains were recovered.

            On July 30, the remains were turned over from the recovery team to MNF-W mortuary affairs at Al Asad. The remains were then transported to Dover Port Mortuary at Dover Air Force Base, Del. They were examined by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology's (AFIP) Armed Forces medical examiner who positively identified them as those of Speicher on Aug. 1.

            Positive identification by AFIP was made by comparing Speicher's dental records with the jawbone recovered at the site. The teeth were a match, both visually and radiographically. AFIP's DNA Lab in Rockville, Md., confirmed the remains to be Speicher on Aug. 2 via DNA comparison tests of the remains by comparing them to DNA reference samples previously provided by family members.

            Photos are available at http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=2934 .

            For additional information, please contact Navy public affairs at (703) 697-5342.

Combined Task Force Makes First Suspected Pirate Capture
American Forces Press Service

ABOARD USS GETTYSBURG AT SEA, May 14, 2009 - Ships from Combined Task Force 151 prevented a piracy attack in the Gulf of Aden, which resulted in the apprehension of more than a dozen suspected pirates aboard an alleged "mothership" yesterday.
The South Korean destroyer ROKS Munmu the Great and guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg responded to a distress call from the Egyptian-flagged motor vessel Amira, which reported being attacked about 75 nautical miles south of Mukalla, Yemen.

Several assault rifle rounds and a rocket-propelled grenade round struck the Amira, causing little or no damage. A rope was thrown from the skiff in an attempt to board, but the attempt failed and the suspected pirates abandoned their attack.

Gettysburg and Munmu the Great launched their embarked helicopters which flew immediately to Amira's location. During its flight, the SH-60B helicopter assigned to Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 46 located a small boat suspected of serving as a pirate mothership.

A Gettysburg visit, board, search and seizure team boarded the boat along with members of U.S. Coast Guard Legal Detachment 409 and apprehended the suspected pirates after finding eight assault rifles, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and a rocket-propelled grenade. All 17 of the passengers were brought on board Gettysburg for further questioning.

"This is another clear example of how coordination between the Combined Maritime Forces resulted in the successful disruption of pirate activity," said Royal Navy Commodore Tim Lowe, deputy commander of the Combined Maritime Forces. "It is imperative that all maritime forces continue to synchronize their efforts to deter and disrupt these unlawful and aggressive acts."

Gettysburg and Munmu the Great are operating in support of CTF 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counterpiracy operations under a mission-based mandate throughout the CMF area of responsibility to deter, disrupt and suppress piracy and secure freedom of navigation.

(From a Combined Maritime Forces news release.)
Related Sites:
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces
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Hey Washington DC, don't panic...

2009-05-13T13:32:00.002-04:00

Well, in order to insure that the nation doesn't get all panicky, the Department of Defense has issued a press release about some exercises over Washington, DC. This is to avoid embarrasment to the administration over the Air Force one photo op over New York City. The military is often involved in very complex operations and takes great pains to analyze and avoid "blue on blue" incidents. These are events where friendly forces engage one another in unintentional combat. There are a host of famous examples of "friendly fire" incidents. But the military considers the level of risk at much earlier levels. For example, erroneous identification of aircraft are a real risk for blue-on-blue actions. As such, the nation exercises routinely to avoid this type of error - for once an engagement takes place, the results are usually irreversibly lethal.

As a public service, I put forth the attached press release. No doubt this has been forwarded to the media, who are bombarded by the DoD with numerous press releases daily. Hopefully this will not be lost in the shuffle. However, given the proximity to its occurrence, the exercise initiaties on 15 MAY, we may be in for some panic.

From: DoD Advisories
Sent: Wed 5/13/2009 11:20 AM
Subject: NORAD Flight Exercise Planned for Washington, D.C.

NORAD Flight Exercise Planned for Washington, D.C.
Wed, 13 May 2009 11:17:00 -0500

No. 039-09

May 13, 2009

cellspacing="5" cellpadding="0" width="100%" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0">

NORAD Flight Exercise Planned for Washington, D.C.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command and its geographical component, the Continental United States NORAD Region, will conduct exercise Falcon Virgo 09-07, on May 15 and 19 between midnight and 6:00 a.m. in the National Capital Region (NCR), Washington, D.C.

The exercise comprises a series of training flights held in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Capital Region Command Center, the Joint Air Defense Operations Center, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR), Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard and CONR's Western Air Defense Sector.

Exercise Falcon Virgo is designed to hone NORAD's intercept and identification operations, as well as procedural tests of the NCR Visual Warning System. Two Civil Air Patrol Cessna aircraft, two Air Force F-16s and one Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter will participate in the exercise. Residents may see these aircraft approaching and flying in the vicinity of the Washington D.C. area as part of this exercise during the late night and early morning hours from midnight through 6:00 a.m. on May 15^th and the 19^th.

For more information on the Falcon Virgo exercise, please contact CONR Public Affairs at (850) 283-8080, or the NORAD Public Affairs Office at (719) 554-6889.

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

On the Web: http://www.defenselink.mil/Advisories/

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Another one bites the skirt...

2009-05-06T16:28:00.002-04:00

A lifetime ago I worked in early satellite radio. Not the current slick XM / Sirius hegemony we have today, but rather the content delivered via satellite to small stations (mainly AM) across the nation. The format was news/talk with some feature and sponsored programming. We hosted folks like Sonny Bloch, Gary Null, Jack Ellery, Chuck Harder, and others.

Suffice to say I quit when I discovered the network had been bought and was being run by Nazis.

True story.

Thus my fascination with the media was truly ignited. I note today, while perusing Ad Age, that one of my few favorite cable outlets is changing its “branding”. SciFi is becoming SyFy. With all reference to syphilis aside, the rebranding is the result of the niche channel’s success. The company, in a terse March 16, 2009 press release poses the usual reasons for making the switch. Most importantly to allow for unique, and enforceable, brand identity as well as a growth towards imagination based programming.

I suspect we will see a change from solid, science fiction / horror / fantasy programming to one more skewed and demographically focused towards females 25-54.

It already is touting more reality shows, Quantum Leap / X-files like programming in its cable guide glossy section in the May 4, Ad Age.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. It’s where the money is, and after all, not everyone like Lifetime, Oxygen and every other “niche” cable outlet.

The Doctors Sheds its Last Vestige of Credibility...

2009-05-05T16:57:00.001-04:00

CBS, in a desperate bid for ratings, on its medical equivalent to The View, The Doctors, is planning to put vaccine denialist Jenny McCarthy on its show. It will be interesting to see if any of the paid medical performers are willing to counter any of her non-science rhetoric.

The press release on the event is here. The show has been roundly criticized in serious medical circles and the show itself is as staged as any “reality” TV production. Each of the medical pundits wears a variety of lab coast, scrubs or standard “doctor casual” clothing. They all look great and present a beautiful multi-cultural front which continues to support their presumed godlike powers.

I think I will tune in to XM’s ReachMD, a serious channel with real topics on medicine and science.

No friend of Frank...

2009-04-27T11:05:00.002-04:00

My blog-friend, Boston Maggie , was invited to the Pentagon as part of a milblog team to talk about access with the respective service heads. I am disappointed to report that the response form the Navy was disappointing. She provides (below) some detail to her visit. The Navy presenter is ADM Frank Thorp, who is the Navy’s top PAO (public affairs officer) known as the CHINFO.

Let me be blunt, RDML Thorp blew it, almost as badly as he botched the initial interviews as an O6 regarding PFC Jessica Lynch's fate. I am continually amazed at how many flag and general officers seem to forget how important good PR is in today's world, even the small elements. You can bet that this meeting will be repeated across the net. Having been an individual to see first hand how a little news story can ruin well laid plans (Dixie Chicks), I am appalled at this officer's behavior. At the very least you represent the citizens of the nation (essentially his boss) and were due much more courtesy.

I am also disappointed in RDML Thorp as he has had a front row seat on many groups which have been analyzing the new paradigm for communication. In fact he sat on the Defense Science Board on this very topic in January of 2008. The recommendations from that board were to recognize the sea changes and take action now.

The amount of positive play that military affairs gets outside of the "trade" journals (Army / Air Force / Navy Times, etc.) is almost zero. What friendship does he expect to strike up with the perpetually anti-military NYT? The WSJ is more concerned about the impact of reduced military spending and could care less about insights generated by journalists like Bing West, Michael Yon and the like. And yet these are the very people who end up providing the feedstock for the main stream media.

The DoD and the Navy in particular do not get the new media. They almost had it during the Iraq war as they provided access during the major combat stage. However, once the tanks stopped rolling and the tough foot patrols began, their support dried up. Even professional journals like Proceedings have started to dip their toe in the new media waters. I am a minor league MILBLOGGER, but my perspective is first person and has been witness to some amazing events, which got no mention in the MSM.

I had intended to reprint the whole of her e-mail story, but will await her publishing it on the web. Suffice to say, the cat’s out of the bag and hopefully RDML Thorp will take a moment and reflect on how easily impressions are made or broken in our new viral, global media world

Until the military recognizes that they must pay as much attention to the small stories as the big ones, we will continue to find short shrift via official channels.

China Sea, China Do...

2009-04-23T14:07:00.002-04:00

The Economist reports this week on the growth of China's maritime power. Many pundits express surprise and alarm at this fact, while the rest of the rational, thinking world acknowledges it as inevitable. China already has the world's largest merchant fleet and engages in a staggering amount of international trade. Virtually every nation on the planet has China as a trading partner. This is a fact which will not diminish for some time to come. It is therefore only natural that China would seek to expand its influence and security into the waters surrounding its territories. China has long had eyes on a greater influence in the western Pacific rim, thwarted only by the nation states of South Korea, Japan and the United States. Australia, although a solid player in the region, is less of a bulwark against China than a speed bump. It lacks the population and economic resources to counter the emerging influence.

India remains a viable competitor on land, as does Russia. However, it is the sea over which more than 90% of all commerce flows. China, which lives and dies by this fact, understands the importance of the free flow of trade and the risk from non-state actors (read pirates). It will be interesting to note whether they plan on building anything more than a regional navy, vice a true blue water force. A nuclear powered attack submarine can be troubling in a choke point, but it can be cornered and killed. A well protected amphibious assault group, supported by a carrier air wing is another matter entirely. Only one nation in the world has true power projection - the United States. It is this capability, enshrined in the Expeditionary and Carrier Strike Groups which preserve our preeminent around the world. These assets, although expensive, assure our ability to shape global trade to our needs and prevent real disruption of our economy.

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Speicher Search Details Announced The Navy announced today additional details regarding the recent discovery of the remains of Navy Capt. Michael "Scott" Speicher in Iraq. Speicher was shot down flying a combat mission in an F/A-18 Hornet over west-central Iraq on Jan. 17, 1991, during Operation Desert Storm. Acting in part on information provided by an Iraqi citizen in early July, Multi National Force – West's (MNF-W) personnel recovery team went to a location in the desert which was believed to be the crash site of Speicher's jet. The Iraqi, a Bedouin, was 11 years old at the time of the crash and did not have direct knowledge of where Speicher was buried, but knew of other Bedouins who did. He willingly provided his information during general discussion with MNF-W personnel and stated he was unaware of the U.S. government's interest in this case until queried by U.S. investigators in July 2009. The Iraqi citizens led MNF-W's personnel recovery team to the area they believed Speicher was buried. The area where the remains were recovered was located approximately 100 kilometers west of Ramadi, in Anbar province. There were two sites that teams searched. One site was next to the downed aircraft that was discovered in 1993 and the other site was approximately two kilometers away. The second site was where Speicher's remains were recovered. The recovery personnel searched two sites from July 22-29. The personnel recovery team consisted of approximately 150 people, mostly Marines and other forces under MNF-W. The recovered remains include bones and multiple skeletal fragments. Based on visual examination of the remains and dental records at the site, a preliminary assessment was reached that the remains were that of Speicher. After searching the site another day, no further remains were recovered. On July 30, the remains were turned over from the recovery team to MNF-W mortuary affairs at Al Asad. The remains were then transported to Dover Port Mortuary at Dover Air Force Base, Del. They were examined by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology's (AFIP) Armed Forces medical examiner who positively identified them as those of Speicher on Aug. 1. Positive identification by AFIP was made by comparing Speicher's dental records with the jawbone recovered at the site. The teeth were a match, both visually and radiographically. AFIP's DNA Lab in Rockville, Md., confirmed the remains to be Speicher on Aug. 2 via DNA comparison tests of the remains by comparing them to DNA reference samples previously provided by family members. Photos are available at http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=2934 . For additional information, please contact Navy public affairs at (703) 697-5342.

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