Another Voice

Drive on

2009-05-26T16:14:00.002-04:00

Memorial Day

2009-05-23T18:39:00.003-04:00

Me and dad.

My past Memorial Day posts: 2006, another from 2006, from 2007, and from 2008

The day I frightened The Governor

2009-05-15T20:13:00.002-04:00

A few years ago (late 2003 or so) I was visiting our local high toned resort to hear a couple I'd been recording. I was off duty, and alternating coffee and beer.

I was feeling mellow and comfortable when this entourage came in. Seems there was a wedding somewhere in the facility?

At the head of this group was The Governor-Elect of West Virginia!

He and I shot a game of eight-ball (I think he won) and I visited with some of his campaign staff. BTW, I did vote for him.

BUT, I asked him about whether or not he had security. I mean, I'm shooting pool with the guy, and I was concerned about my well being. This wasn't so far past 9/11 that the question was overtly silly. Turns out he did not.

Then my obsessive nature kicked in. I was discussing his lack of security with everyone who'd stand still long enough. OOPS!

A bit later some of his cronies confronted me. Seems I'd disturbed his aura or something.

The rest is history. I never get invited to Charleston.

Stating the Obvious - With Relish

2009-05-12T14:06:00.002-04:00

Jonn offers a cluebat. Although I'd disagree somewhat - it isn't big government directly at fault, it's a concept.

A musical interlude:

Some will simply never pay taxes... those others will reach a point where they can't. Think about the concept.

Tax the rich, feed the poor
Till there are no rich no more?

Your taxes at work?

MilBlog Conference - Part 2

2009-04-26T15:49:00.009-04:00

One thing of note. I do think I was the oldest person there. So it's worth revisiting this.

Several of the panels, and any number of the participants talked about Viet Nam in the past (as - to be avoided) tense but I'm not so sure if there is a connection in fact.

'Nam vets may well be passe. Perhaps rightly so, but it ain't much fun, and I gotta ask... what might be lost?

Part of me is frustrated about the energy expended to re-invent the wheel. Mostly I wanna say bless 'em, and move on.

But then... being just another footnote is challenging. Might even be worse. 'These old guys are losers, but we're gonna win'. Well, I'm not sure that was said explicitly, but it seemed the tone.

So... I went and had a good time; met some wonderful folks, and came away with a vague unease.

I reckon I'll be taking a step back and re-focusing on what I can do. Many of us have been working to see to it that these 'young guns' don't go though what did.

They come home to a 'thanks for your service' partly because of our efforts... and that is good enough for me.

It’s worth noting that many of us ‘Nam vets have played a role few talk about. When Kerry made his attempt we were in the vanguard with the ‘Kerry Lied’ rally. From that grew the GoE and other related efforts.

I’ll speculate a bit, but I wonder if we hadn’t done so - would the VVAW/IVAW and their cronies have been where they are now?

Maybe we’re fighting one last battle of the Vietnam war?

MilBlog Conference - Part 1

2009-04-26T12:11:00.008-04:00

Matty O'Blackfive - ARRESTED (for fund raiser)! Discovered there would be no strip search.

Jonn Lilyea - ARRESTED! Discussing the lack of strip search with the arresting personnel.

The Sniper and his beer cozy (Actually - The Giant Orange Fist of Purity and Justice). That's Jamie in the background. She was auctioned off for a date!

Just for fun

2009-04-07T18:27:00.007-04:00

I'm headed over to DC for the Milblog conference later this month and will be meeting some folks for the first time.

I figured some photo ID was in order.

The above is circa 1965/66. I liked the girls.

This one is from 2007. I still like the girls. BTW, that's ADM Roy Hoffman's wife.

This one is added for perspective only. That's Duncan Hunter on the right... I'm taller than him.

I have lost some weight in the past two years, and gotten grayer, but this should be enough to get me in the door.

Anachronsim

2009-03-26T14:03:00.020-04:00

2: a person or a thing that is chronologically out of place ; especially : one from a former age that is incongruous in the present.

A scene from "Heartbreak Ridge" - the Major explains things to Gunny Highway.

Maj. Malcolm A. Powers: I don't know what strings you pulled to get back into this division but I can assure you that I don't like it. This is the new Marine Corps. The new breed. Characters like you are an anachronism. You should be sealed in a case that reads break glass only in the event of war. Got no tolerance for you old timers who think that you know it better and can have it all your own way. Understand?

Recently I've been feeling like an anachronism myself. No, not to the above extreme, nor even quite in the same context... but it was just fun to dig out that quote!

My wife attended a conference in Charlotte recently, held by a major counseling organization. Most of the seminars reeked of multicultural/politically correct mumbo-jumbo. Her daily recaps and a glance at the scheduled seminars she DIDN'T attend were frightening.

Speaking only for me (I'm not sure I should repeat my wife's words)... How do you call someone silly nowadays? Is that one of those no-no words? And where does personal responsibility come into to play?

But the apparent paradigm shift in the arena of psychology is only peripheral to the issue of becoming an anachronism. And I'm not talking about just being older or dealing with 'the generation gap'.

Daily events seem to demonstrate the prescience, or wisdom, of Nikita Khrushchev's famous observation: "I once said, 'We will bury you,' and I got into trouble with it. Of course we will not bury you with a shovel. Your own working class will bury you."

We won the cold war with the USSR... and yet... and yet we're losing the battle for the 'hearts and minds' of our own people.

Not so long ago I found myself in a similar confused state. Gays would likely be among the first targets under sharia law, and yet, instead of demanding Islamic extremists be confronted and stopped they seemed to stifle any such attempts.

Years ago I stood watching lava flow down a mountainside directly at me. It was night and, even though a small knoll prevented the lava from getting to where I stood, the sense of inevitability was there.

I think that may well be a useful definition of an anachronism for now.

I went to Viet Nam, my dad was KIA in Korea. Standing in the face of the inevitable may well be foolish, but just when did it become moot?

A Good Man has passed

2009-01-17T20:17:00.002-05:00

See this.

Bill and I had some disagreements, but I never lost respect for the man.

We are something less than we were.

Proportional Response?

2009-01-08T17:48:00.005-05:00

On a post over at TAH I left this comment:

I have proposed before that Israel should have used an exactly proportional response all along. An eye for an eye, tit for tat, missile for missile, etc. Even homicide bombers could be dealt with similarly.

Maybe, just maybe, the bleeding hearts would have to face facts?

As it is Israeli is being led down a path by Hamas, et al.

Iran and their various surrogates could care less about public opinion. Has anyone seen a sign that THEY care about the deaths of there own people? Except to further their agenda.

Netanyahu is a great man, but his own words point out the weakness of the disproportionate response: [so long as the international community] ultimately holds Israel responsible for the casualties that ensue, then Hamas and other terror organizations will employ this abominable tactic again and again.

Today no less than Daniel Pipes weighs in with a similar slant.

via FR:

From the Israeli withdrawal in 2005 until now, Hamas has launched over 6,500 missiles into Israel. Incredibly, Israelis endured nearly eight attacks a day for three years; why?

From an article here.

I'm thinking the proper response might be to line up every bulldozer in Israel and push Gaza into Egypt.

A New Year Ahead - with some sorta TMI notes on the old

2008-12-31T13:28:00.011-05:00

2008 has been a 'different' sort of adventure around here.

Some of you may know we took the MIL out of a nursing home in Ohio and brought her here. We converted my garage workshop into an apartment for her.

That's me on the backhoe.

Kitchen area.

So instead of finishing our house, we spent that money on the apartment.

Also I canceled a planned trip to DC for WSII.

Next was the challenge of finding care givers. I can't/won't take care of the MIL. She needs help in several areas I can't provide... like going to the bathroom.

Been pretty strange, actually, we pay more than any other non-skilled female can get in this area, but they come and go.

Tried to spent few days with my pals from Alpha Rubicon and had to head home when someone quit?

The Wife works three 12 hour shifts (Fri, Sat, Sun) and her pay just pays the caregivers, BTW.

Then she spends virtually the balance of the week with the MIL.

Point being... this past year hasn't been what I had in mind. I do suspect the 2009 will be similar... There's certain boring/deadening elements involved when one tries to plan ahead. Sure, death and taxes are certainty, but true humans adapt and overcome. Likely on a minute-by-minute basis.

Gotta Love That Che - The Butcher of La Cabana

2008-12-13T13:54:00.000-05:00

Check out this.

Ernesto "Che" Guevara, the revolutionary who helped found communist Cuba, is the celebrity that celebrities adore. And be it Madonna, Rage Against the Machine, or Jay-Z, musicians really dig Che.

It’s something that baffles Cuban jazz legend Paquito D’Rivera. “Che hated artists, so how is it possible that artists still today support the image of Che Guevara?” Turns out the rebellious icon that emblazons countless T-shirts actually enforced aesthetic and political conformity. D’Rivera explains that Che and other Cuban authorities sought to ban rock and roll and jazz.

“Che was an inspiration for me,” D’Rivera tells reason.tv. “I thought I have to get out of this island as soon as I can, because I am in the wrong place at the wrong time!” D’Rivera did escape Cuba, and so far he’s won nine Grammy awards playing the kind of music Che tried to silence. But D’Rivera says Che’s crimes didn’t end with censorship. “He ordered the execution of many people with no trial.” Che served as Castro’s chief executioner, presiding over the infamous La Cabana prison. D’Rivera says Che’s policy of killing innocents earned him the nickname—the Butcher of La Cabana.

'Localism' - the Fariness Doctrine codeword

2008-11-17T09:37:00.002-05:00

This article is a must read.

Barack Obama sought to silence his critics during his 2008 campaign. Now, with the ink barely dry on this November's ballots, Obama has begun a war against conservative talk radio.

Obama is on record as saying he does not plan an exhumation of the now-dead "Fairness Doctrine". Instead, Obama's attack on free speech will be far less understood by the general public and accordingly, far more dangerous.

In the name of minorities and those less well off 'fairness' will be enforced by FCC fiat. The results will likely be similar to those efforts that ruined our banking system.

The same reasoning will likely be aimed at the internet.

Bend over

2008-11-16T18:09:00.000-05:00

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081115/D94FI48G0.html

Cross burnings. Schoolchildren chanting “Assassinate Obama.” Black figures hung from nooses. Racial epithets scrawled on homes and cars.

Incidents around the country referring to President-elect Barack Obama are dampening the postelection glow of racial progress and harmony, highlighting the stubborn racism that remains in America.

It’s starting… A few nitwits and the broad brush is swinging. Prepare to be painted.

To soon old, too late wise.

2008-11-14T12:29:00.002-05:00

That's a paraphrase of Ben Franklin's " Life's Tragedy is that we get old to soon and wise too late."

I suspect I'm just a slow learner, but it's nice to know it's a common enough notion that Ol' Ben mentioned it.

The generation gap, the young wolf challenging the old for dominance, youth is wasted on the young, etc, nothing new here.

It's just a bit ironic that this singular lesson seems to always be learned just at the stage in life where it is proven yet again.

This melancholy thought is apropos of nothing in particular, but curiously visible all around us with little stretch...

Veteran's Day 2008

2008-11-11T10:54:00.002-05:00

Veteran's Day this year a mixed bag for me. My Granddad served in WWI, I was an Army brat until my dad was KIA in Korea. My Uncle, who passed away last year, was in the Navy at Okinawa during WWII. Even had some kin folks who served in the Revolutionary War. And I did my stint in the Navy as well.

I was raised by my Grandparents (paternal) and we had a Flag up every day.

Last year was my first visit to Arlington, The Wall, The Korean Memorial, and all the the others on The Mall in DC.

This year, though, it's difficult to see the faces of those who've gone before. There's a growing miasma that threatens to bedim their legacy.

That which once engendered pride, awe, and even love, is being dismissed with an ease I never thought possible.

For those who Fought, Bled and Died For It
Freedom has a flavor the protected will never Know or Savor.
- Anonymous

"War is an ugly thing but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
- John Stuart Mill

The Beginning of the End?

2008-11-05T01:25:00.003-05:00

Obama won, Murtha won. The latter is disappointing - the former frightening.

We can now begin to 'hope' that Congress will ride herd on this feckless twit... that's all there is.

There are those already looking towards 2012 with some optimism; Carter gave us Reagan, after all. I thought that myself, for a while.

But no more. The real benchmark will be the mid-term elections. Between now and then there is little reason for optimism.

Watch closely while you can; who knows how long dissenting voices will be heard?

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

No bitterness here, really. Just a weary sadness that a light has dimmed.

Oh Well

2008-10-31T16:23:00.000-04:00

An interesting story, posted without comment.

I Love My Sheep

The contestants scampered down the runway, bleating at their admirers. Poets sang their praises in verse as the male-only audience appraised the competitors' physical beauty, right down to the length of their necks.

A Narrow Minded Hillbilly - The Death of Ideas

2008-10-14T10:08:00.002-04:00

I have been trying, and failing, to skip much of the politics we're surrounded with currently. It IS pretty hard to avoid, but still my failure kinda troubled me until I realized I must be some sort of masochist. Still troubles me but now I have an excuse.

Just reading stories like Barone's article on Obama's coming thugocracy and GI Jane's piece over at TAH on anger, to say nothing of the stuff Malkin has posted about, should have prepared me but no...

I insisted on exploring a notion I proposed in an earlier post, and on a prominent MilBlog site. I'd prefer not to name the site just now.

Over the past few days I've had the misfortune being called unpatriotic and akin to William Ayers. This by folks who I thought were the good guys.

In this case the author of the original post suggested HE would likely vote for Obama, but wisely left his reasoning for another time.

Not me! I had been developing my own Vote Obama idea and figured I'd toss it into the comments.

No one was interested in discussing the idea, but they were willing to excoriate me for bringing it up. Much of the stuff would have been silly if so much anger wasn't attached. I was foolish enough the try to carry on the 'discussion' longer than I should have. In retrospect I believe I was just too stunned to see what was happening. Really!

I'll likely be writing further about this disturbing phenomenon as I collect my thoughts. Like; will the rage on both sides dissipate after the election, whoever wins? Just now I suspect not.

A Narrow Minded Hillbilly - on the verge of a flip-flop

2008-09-27T21:44:00.002-04:00

I won't claim this is my original idea, in truth I don't remember just where I heard it. However, I have cited H. L. Mencken's quote Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.

Watching Congress flailing around over what should be rather simple is ugly , and watching them try to add bits and pieces for this group or that is more troubling still.

Knowing that nearly half of our voting age citizens would even consider voting for someone who would only amplify the problem - while getting ran over by other countries - nears my limits.

I'm close to being soured enough to vote for Obama, and to hope that both houses of congress go hard Democratic.

In an earlier post I noted: My Country is what matters, and that's all. Inside of that simple framework we can eventually work out the other issues, but only if that framework stays recognizable.

I suspect that that idea was merely wishful thinking! I can recognize my country in a few of my countrymen, and those are outside of DC.

Imagine no Bush to bash, no conservatives to blame? What relief there will be. Everything will be perfect - the silence of the lambs. indeed.

A Narrow Minded Hillbilly

2008-09-07T19:09:00.002-04:00

My mind is made up... It's that simple.

I know I'm a single issue voter. My Country is what matters, and that's all. Inside of that simple framework we can eventually work out the other issues, but only if that framework stays recognizable.

So I'm done with this election. It would take something truly significant (like a death, or another attack) to modify my position.

I already don't watch TV news, or listen to the talking heads, and now I will be adding political reading material to that lot.

I will be working to defeat Obama... nothing anyone might uncover will change that, and my plate is full enough.

Open post

2008-08-27T02:29:00.001-04:00

Got something to discuss?

Headed out for a few days

2008-08-04T20:38:00.003-04:00

Nope, it's not my usual format. Check out this.

Nope, it's not a militia, nor is it racist.

Just some folks who seem inclined to be prepared whatever happens.

Jonn at This Ain't Hell is a wonderful surrogate in DC.

I'll be back in a week or so.

War movies and stuff

2008-07-17T20:31:00.005-04:00

I don't think I've seen a 'war' movie since John Wayne left the set. I was actually kinda-sorta in one, BTW. We formed up in a WWII looking thing with a carrier for some aerial shots. Can't remember which one.

In terms of VN movies I've seen a couple I liked: "Go Tell the Spartans", and "The Boys in Company C" have some things going for them. Snippets of "Full Metal Jacket' around Hue stirred some memories.

I can't watch any of the crop of Iraqi related films, nor the related TV shows.

I do re-read "We Were Soldiers" and then watch the DVD (one of 4 or 5 I own) about once a year.

None of them were 'my' war.

Thing is... When I came back groups like the VFW were loaded with WWII and Korea vets and they wanted nothing to do with those of us from Nam. This I know personally. The first parade I ever participated in was for those folks from the first Gulf War and they specifically invited us.

I've heard some rumbling here and there that currents vets are getting the same sort of treatment from some Nam vets. I don't see it, in fact I've spent considerable time and energy seeing that that doesn't happen.

Probably a tempest in a tea-pot, but maybe something we need to keep an eye on. Us old farts aren't perfect, and your war isn't ours, but the thread goes back pretty far.

Not sure I can agree with Michael Yon on this

2008-06-29T14:09:00.004-04:00

It's rare I find much to disagree with from Yon, but this article troubles me some.

His closing paragraph:

We can win without torture. President Bush saw the strategic advantages of the Surge when many thought the Iraq War was lost. Yet he refuses to categorically condemn and outlaw torture. His unwillingness to do so has put the United States and its allies at strategic disadvantage, one that will take us a long time to overcome. And it has cost American lives.

What seems to be missing here is what has been largely missing from most public discourse on the subject of torture - a common definition.

If this were from someone other than Yon I'd expect he was talking, in his piece, about any discomfort, that seems to be one extreme often noted.

Some would have us treat suspected terrorists better than we treat a rape suspect here, or so it seems. NOTE: I'm emphatically NOT saying Yon suggests that, but by not defining the term more clearly he is leaving open the question.

There is no question the we need to aim for the high moral ground, we really are better than our enemies, but let's not 'toss the baby out with the bathwater'.

The Individualist - Going, Going, Gone?

2008-06-22T18:42:00.004-04:00

The chance to be an individualist in America seems to be fading under the mass of collectivist thought and actions.

From The Autonomist:

A philosophy of objective reason, individualism, freedom, and personal integrity cannot be spread by the methods used to spread socialism, collectivism, multi-culturalism, or even environmentalism. The reason is simple. An objective individualistic philosophy appeals first, and primarily, to the intellect. The socialist and collectivist ideologies (they are not philosophies) appeal first, and primarily, to the feelings and emotions.

This is not a new observation, but it has a new and growing relevance to be sure.

When was the last time we saw a genuinely original idea come to the fore, in almost any sphere? Creativity seems relegated to the dustbin of history. Even the world of art is largely a rehash of what went before. I haven't done any formal study, but even radio seems to consist mostly of oldies stations.

Somewhere along the line folks became more interested in belonging than being.

It's a puzzle for me, and yet it's clear. Einstein is credited with saying Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Ideas that revolve around individuality are passe, and collective attempts to remake humanity into something it isn't keeps popping up like a weed in a flower bed.

Support the Troops

2008-05-29T15:29:00.002-04:00

History-Making Push for U.S. Troops

A team of patriotic leaders are working together in a historic undertaking with the goal of sending the largest single shipment of care packages to U.S. troops in American history.

Coupla personal notes: Larry Bailey is a friend, and on a cold day in March of last year I was freezing my butt off on a windy knoll just yards from The Wall in DC, (doing commo for GoE) and this pretty little blond lady came up to tell me thanks. That was Melanie Morgan.

One voice

2008-05-26T19:59:00.003-04:00

See Honk and Wave: Veteran Faithfully Supports U.S. Troops!

Jim and Tammy are friends of mine.

The older (and less hirsute) gentleman is the fellow arrested down there for touching a cop.

Charges dropped against Pop Kohanowich

It's amazing what can be done with one voice.

Memorial Day

2008-05-23T18:04:00.001-04:00

Jules Crittenden has a post up that says it all better than I can.

Follow the links:

On Dying And Continuing To Be Alive

Just Curious - Global Climate Change?

2008-05-18T13:31:00.007-04:00

I'm no weather wonk. I can't even seem to use the NWS weather radar to tell for sure if it's raining here. I have to look out the window?

So... I'm curious about this whole global warming/cooling thing.

My curiousity exists on several levels.

Now Global Climate Change can be considered a given. It. Does. Change. Whether the human contribution is significant is clearly open to question, if only as to how significant that aspect might be.

An extraterrestrial object of a certain size striking the earth will generate a GCC... Volcanic activity at a certain level will also. Toss in changes in the sun, and general earth-centric oddities and it's pretty much a sure thing whatever the cause.

Since there will be GCC why aren't we planning for it instead of trying to control one possible cause?

At first glance anthropogenic causes might seem the simplest point of attack, but are they? Has anyone actually sat down and figured out the cost world wide, even if every individual on earth agrees to pay it? Remember that the number of cattle would need to be reduced along with emissions from usual generator suspects... Fertilizer would need to used less, etc.

And I wonder if a 50% reduction in greenhouse gases would do more than simply double the time before it happens anyway? If that speculation has any merit then what is the point?

Just asking; I wanna do the right thing, after all.

[edit] Turns out there's a partial answer here: Global Warming: Playing It Cool

Time for a change?

2008-05-08T17:44:00.008-04:00

Democrats’ Platform for Revolution is an article should be a 'must read' for every citizen, but won't be.

I been aware of Saul Alinsky for some time, so there's little new here from that aspect, but it does provide a coherent explanation for what has, and is, happening in this country.

Liberals fear power or its application.… They talk glibly of people lifting themselves by their own bootstraps but fail to realize that nothing can be lifted except through power…Radicals precipitate the social crisis by action—by using power…Liberals protest; radicals rebel. Liberals become indignant; radicals become fighting mad and go into action. Liberals do not modify their personal lives[,] and what they give to a cause is a small part of their lives; radicals give themselves to the cause. Liberals give and take oral arguments; radicals give and take the hard, dirty, bitter way of life.

(...)

One way in which organizers and their disciples can broadcast their preparedness for this possibility is by staging loud, defiant, massive protest rallies expressing deep rage and discontent over one particular injustice or another. Such demonstrations can give onlookers the impression that a mass movement is preparing to shift into high gear, and that its present (already formidable) size is but a fraction of what it eventually will become. “A mass impression,” said Alinsky, “can be lasting and intimidating…. Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.”

There's plenty more here that provides chapter and verse to what we see everyday. What's happened to our educational system, for instance, was spelled out decades ago.

And Obama's Alinsky jujitsu is an interesting perspective from earlier this year.

I'm feeling MUCH better now!

2008-05-06T11:11:00.002-04:00

Snagged from Drudge: War protesters frustrated by apathy

"People walk past and say, 'I'm glad you're doing something,' " said Marty O'Malley, a Forest Hills council member who has attended more than 100 anti-Iraq war events, as he stood in front of Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle's Downtown office last week with the small gathering of activists.

"I want to shake them and say, 'Why aren't you doing something!?' "

The speaker is ostensibly a Vietnam Vet?

The article goes on to blame The Media for this apathy, even carefully quoting Pete Hegseth in concurrence.

It breaks my heart that the anti-war crowd is disappointed by what they see as apathy, but I wonder if... oh gee... people simply don't agree with them?

For years those folks have, as part of their mantra, declared that the vast majority of people in this country are against the war, citing this and that poll with some selectivity and free interpretation at need.

I dunno, it seems clear that their numbers are falling and that their over-all frustration is giving rise to more violence and outlandish behavior. But it seems likely that any apathy is concerning their various causes collectively, rather than the The War specially. They need to remember that ANSWER was made up of a disparate conglomeration of groups and that the anti-war aspect was but a small fraction. Almost all of the events staged by directly anti-war types have been tiny in fact. The recent IVAW Winter Soldier 'testimonies' were held in a relative vacuum, and the IVAW had asked the affiliated groups to stay away.

Again I dunno; seems to me the article is confusing the terms apathetic with pathetic.

When you're wrong... you're wrong

2008-04-20T10:51:00.004-04:00

Some weeks ago I had a small notion. With the upcoming Winter Soldier II event I speculated that we should let THEM do their thing, and then WE would do a blow-by-blow rebuttal.

I figured the rebuttal that was lacking after WSI allowed myths and outright lies to become de-facto truths over the subsequent decades.

Live blogging the new event, along with various on-line efforts would allow us to collect the intel needed to address the new lies head on.

Then wiser heads prevailed and some decided to make the rebuttal precede, and/or run concurrently with, the event.

Along the way I admit some concern that those folks were allowing the IVAW to inoculate themselves, and that did happen, but the effect was positive.

I found myself tangled up in some local, personal, matters and could only watch from the sidelines as several fine folks just kept pouring cold water on each supposed hot spot. It was a wonder to behold. Denis, Rurik, Jonn, TSO, and many others, left them only able to whimper.

The counter protest and rally were punctuation marks writ large.

So to all concerned, Well Done, and thanks for NOT listening to me!

When Change Is Not Enough: The Seven Steps To Revolution

2008-03-22T12:22:00.004-04:00

There is a fascinating article here.

And even more interestingly: in every case, we got here as a direct result of either intended or unintended consequences of the conservatives' war against liberal government, and their attempt to take over our democracy and replace it with a one-party plutocracy. It turns out that, historically, liberal nations make very poor grounds for revolution — but deeply conservative ones very reliably create the conditions that eventually make violent overthrow necessary. And our own Republicans, it turns out, have done a hell of a job.

Interesting picture. Earlier the author notes: seven "tentative uniformities" that he argued were the common precursors that set the stage for the Puritan, American, French, and Russian revolutions. Even more interesting as examples.

The references cited in the article are from the '60s, but the author optimistically updates with:

And Barack Obama is walking away with the moment because he talks of "hope" — which, as Davies makes clear, is the very first thing any would-be revolutionary needs. And then he talks of "change," which many of his followers are clearly hearing as a soft word for "revolution." And then he describes — not in too much detail — a different future, and what it means to be a transformative president, and in doing so answers our deep frustration at 30 years of leaders who faced the looming future by turning their heads instead of facing it.

Will he deliver on this promise of change? That remains to be seen. But the success of his presidency, if there is to be one, will likely be measured on how well his policies confront and deal with these seven criteria for revolution. If those preconditions are all still in place in 2012, the fury will have had another four years to rise. And at that point, if history rhymes, mere talk of hope and change will no longer be enough.

There's enough balderdash here that a detailed rebuttal would be pages longer than the original article, so I'll simply present the thing as food for thought. The mindset evoked should be enough.

A Sliver of Silver - Lining, That Is...

2008-03-12T21:18:00.003-04:00

Most of my pals are in DC (sigh), but couple of things popped up that I might have missed had I joined them.

One is from a life-long, and self described brain-dead liberal: Why I Am No Longer a 'Brain-Dead Liberal'.

I took the liberal view for many decades, but I believe I have changed my mind.

As a child of the '60s, I accepted as an article of faith that government is corrupt, that business is exploitative, and that people are generally good at heart.

These cherished precepts had, over the years, become ingrained as increasingly impracticable prejudices. Why do I say impracticable? Because although I still held these beliefs, I no longer applied them in my life. How do I know? My wife informed me. We were riding along and listening to NPR. I felt my facial muscles tightening, and the words beginning to form in my mind: Shut the fuck up. "?" she prompted. And her terse, elegant summation, as always, awakened me to a deeper truth: I had been listening to NPR and reading various organs of national opinion for years, wonder and rage contending for pride of place. Further: I found I had been—rather charmingly, I thought—referring to myself for years as "a brain-dead liberal," and to NPR as "National Palestinian Radio."

It's a wonderful read. Not that I claim any responsibility; he discusses the arguments many of us have trying to make to our liberal counterparts for years.

Then there's this study via Hot Air.

The actual study is available as a PDF file and mostly Greek to me. Still it's worth the read if only because it represents an acknowledgment of a causal relationship we all know (knew) existed but was never before dealt with by academia.

I'd still rather be in DC, but, ever the optimist; I drive on.

Reporters’ Guide: Winter Soldier Investigation 2008

2008-03-07T14:46:00.002-05:00

See this:

Whats Old is New Again?

2008-02-27T13:25:00.002-05:00

See this.

A coalition of anti-war groups is vowing to protest this summer’s Democratic National Convention in Denver under the rubric “Re-create ’68,” prompting criticism from some on the left who are loath to revisit what they see as a disastrous time for both the anti-war movement and the Democratic Party.

With Winter Soldier II coming next month the above would be a fine way for some to grasp another few minutes of faded glory.

Life Happens

2008-02-26T23:52:00.003-05:00

So I have had to cancel my trip to DC next month. I may try for a truncated visit, but the likelihood is diminishing with each day.

The mission matters, but life intrudes. In this case in the form of a Mother-in-Law who we may need to house and take care of.

MIL is in a nursing home in Ohio. This un-named nursing home chooses to deal drugs instead of care.

Now, my MIL is curmudgeonly (read cranky) with several health problems of note, but quality of life is what we've been trying to find for her and keeping her doped up seems to be the game plan.

So we're quickly remodeling what was to be my shop in our garage into a small apartment. The rest of our construction is coming to a halt in this effort. As does other aspects of our lives.

There's no resentment involved on my part... this could be me in a few years. However, there is some frustration. It seems we can't move her to another care home and none of the rest of the family seems willing to step up. So we have to move her four hours away from them to see that she gets cared for.

Just for fun

2008-02-16T18:33:00.001-05:00

See this.

TOP 10 REASONS NOT TO VOTE FOR MCCAIN

By Don Feder

Again!!! So sayeth Don Feder.

It happens I agree, but bust his chops rather than mine.

Myself, I'll do what I must come November and you'll do what you must.

My mind is Made Up (or out of cream cheeze)

2008-02-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

I don't get a vote once a gain... Super(?) Tuesday is around the corner and it's supposed to be the final shakeout prior to the conventions.

Likely pairings and my response come November:

McCain v. Clinton - Stay at home and drink beer in preparation for the fallout.

McCain v. Obama - Vote for Obama. His lack of Washington/political experience is good enough for me.

Romney v. Clinton - Vote for Romney. Lesser of two evils yet again.

Romney v. Obama - Toss a coin, but probably vote Romney simply out of habit.

"Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard."
H. L. Mencken

I common enough, and I know what I want, do you?

Predicting the Past?

2008-01-18T00:48:00.000-05:00

Taking what is clearly a page from the past and using that to predict the future is risky business.

The IVAW is attempting just that this March with Winter Soldier II. And overview of Winter Soldier in 1971 can be found here.

The first Winter Soldier and the subsequent congressional hearings succeeded in painting all Vietnam Veterans with a stain we carry today.

Check out Denis Keohane's piece here for more background.

Candidly, I missed the first Winter Soldier 'Investigation' myself. I was well aware of the fallout without being really aware of the event. It wasn't until Kerry decided to run for President that I began connecting the dots. Others had been for, and before, me to whom I owe a debt of thanks.

One difference of note is that this time around I will be there! The IVAW has asked for Milbloggers to participate (at least as observers) in the up coming event. My application is pending as a second tier candidate according to this:

Claiming active duty to get first preference and maybe help with travel? You'd need to show some proof. Claiming to be a vet? DD214 and verifiable service record. Plain identification if you fall into the third tier of someone who just blogs about the military.

The folks doing this have 4 decades of experience and with little doubt efforts will be made to exploit our presence for propaganda purpose. As Denis K., points out the concept, then and now, is theater rather than honest fact finding.

Myself, I hope to do some live blogging and maybe toss in some pix.

Obiter Dictum: Attention Milbloggers!

2008-01-15T17:00:00.000-05:00

Obiter Dictum: Attention Milbloggers!

and

This.

Just a thought

2007-12-29T22:02:00.000-05:00

Politics and froth aside... has anyone considered that Hillary is running simply to get back at Bill. Some stories over the past few days have me wondering.

Before anyone leaps in with the 'sexist' crap... I'd happily vote for anyone, male/female/gender challenged, or whatever, with little reservations if I agreed with their positions. So skip that and move on.

See this.

"I think he would play the role that spouses have always played for presidents," said Clinton, in an exclusive interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos. "He will not have a formal, official role, but just as presidents rely on wives, husbands, fathers, friends of long years, he will be my close confidante and adviser as I was with him."

In earlier stories it has been pointed out that she was NOT invited to sit in on those sorts of things.

C'mon now, doesn't anyone else spot some sour grapes in the mix?

A new, and pivotal, year ahead?

2007-12-25T18:33:00.000-05:00

What direction will we choose? That amounts to the signal issue for many. It's the essential basis for the Blue/Red divide.

We can waste time trying to filter the various candidates stated positions through myopics lenses or simply cut to the chase. Which candidates look to 'The Government' to provide solutions and which sees government as the antithesis of real solutions involving individual needs?

Uncle Karl describes one ideal: “From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need”. Wrapped in an anti-capitalist cloak that premise demands that those that are productive provide for those who are not.

In practical terms this means that government is used to redistribute wealth. The most obvious flaw is that as the number of government administrators needed grows the actual returns diminish.

It's been pointed out (by the oddest group of selective supporters) that the early Christians practiced a form of communal living that would seem to suggest a precursor of sorts, however the distinction between voluntary and mandatory seems to be ignored when making such a comparison.

One highly touted example of the direction some suggest are the various programs instituted by FDR during the depression. Others are examining that time with new eyes. See this article.

Is a public-sector job really as good as a job created in the private sector? I've been wondering about this a lot lately, in part because I just finished a book about the period of the first great American experiment in public job creation, the New Deal. Critics have written that I failed to appreciate the value of New Deal emergency jobs. But the quality of government-paid jobs is also relevant because of the Democratic presidential candidates' interest in that 1930s experiment.

To hear the candidates talk, a repeat of 1930s-scale government job creation is dangerously overdue. John Edwards has proposed that government take the lead in creating types of jobs--"green collar" and "stepping stone"--to serve the two goals of protecting the environment and giving lower earners new skills. Dennis Kucinich is calling for a new green version of FDR's Works Progress Administration.
...

The relevant points for today are simple. The famous "multiplier effect" of public spending may exist. U.S. cities do indeed need new highways, new buildings and new roads, maybe even from government. But these needs should be weighed against damage that comes when officials create projects and jobs for political reasons.

When 'pork barrel' spending, earmarks, and worse, are a constant reminder that reality and common sense are in short supply among our elected officials we'd better pay close attention in self defense.

Seasons Greetings

2007-12-24T10:46:00.000-05:00

The last phrase from Luke 2:14 captures something appropriate for any time of year: and on earth peace, good will toward men.

The cynic will note that differing translations exist. The pessimist will note that there are those to whom peace is defined so loosely as to be a meaningless noise. The intellectual arrogantly seek to turn the whole phrase into the babble of the ignorant.

All that matters little... This time of year, and if only for a few minutes, across the metaphorical 'no man's land' many people are actually thinking about peace and good will towards man. That can 't be a bad thing.

Breaking the Law is Tough

2007-12-18T23:26:00.000-05:00

Stumbled across this piece on Drudge.

The students had a role-play project: assume a Latino identity, build an imaginary life in your home country and develop a workable plan to immigrate to the United States.
Try it legally, Erica Vieyra told her 40 senior Spanish students at Olentangy Liberty High School. Fill out the correct documents, follow the proper steps. And then, after they spent days completing the actual paperwork from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, she took out her red ink pad and stamped a big, fat DENIED across every request.

Now, she told the students, come illegally. Forge your documents, find a way across the border. Then, research real ads and find a place to live in Columbus. Figure out what it would cost, how to get food. Plan how to survive.

Certainly an interesting project, but perhaps somewhat misleading. From the information in the article there didn't seem to be any effort to get CITIZENS involved in changing what may be an unjust set of laws. The only effort was to bypass them!

Think about it... Just what lesson is the teacher attempting to instill in her students?

But she cautions that the point isn't to sway the students, only to teach them a little empathy.

Empathy for whom? Every English speaking American that must pay for multi-lingual documents? Every immigrant that went the legal route?

I don't see any other lesson besides this: Empathy (feelings) supersedes common sense, or said with more clarity - criminals are victims first. It's too easy to extend that to other lawbreakers. A drug dealer has a hard life, but he's only a victim? A drunk kills someone with a car, but he's only a victim?

A Heinous Crime or...

2007-12-11T22:45:00.000-05:00

To be clear: If this happened and the perpetrators are convicted no penalty is too harsh.

See this.

A Houston, Texas woman says she was gang-raped by Halliburton/KBR coworkers in Baghdad, and the company and the U.S. government are covering up the incident.

Ms. Jones has a website here.

The Jamie Leigh Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping United States citizens and legal residents who are victims of sexual harassment, rape and sexual abuse while working abroad for federal contractors, corporations, or government entities.

Conservative blogs and websites have said similar to what I offered with my opening sentence. Left leaning sites have already convicted Bush and Cheney.

The reasoning seems to be that some of Bush's Executive Orders are aiding and abetting corporations like Halliburton and Blackwater in breaking several laws.

One of the EOs can be found here. Some discussion of this and several other related EOs by Jerry Corsi and others can be found here.

So we have several EOs that were in place when this particular incident is alleged to have occurred in 2005.

So, for two years Ms. Jones kept quiet and next month there will be an interview with her on ABCs 20/20 to promote her foundation.

There is one assailant named in court records and 6 John Does.

That most of the current information available.

I'm continuity fascinated by those that will take limited information, a hatred of Bush and Cheney, weave a complex (befuddled?) scenario, and then started hunting for the first lynch mob they can join.

Many who would be outraged by such a rush to judgment in other contexts seem to develop an almost maniacal glee over stuff like this.

"The time has come," the Walrus said,

2007-12-03T21:28:00.000-05:00

"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."

The Walrus and The Carpenter
Lewis Carroll

One of my favorite tales.

I empathize with the oysters, the primrose path is so easy to follow.

Shakespeare in Hamlet offers us all a warning as well:

Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,
Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,
Whiles, like a puff'd and reckless libertine,
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
And recks not his own rede.

My point, humbled in such company... The easy way is rarely the best. Having a goal is laudable, seeking that goal expediently is a risky business.

Finally there is an old saw I remind myself of regularly: "Lie down with dogs - wake up with fleas."

The single issue ballot?

2007-11-20T16:30:00.000-05:00

Voters in this county do not have a 'Line Item' vote. Unfortunately that's how some of us vote.

Those who are genuinely concerned about the direction this country is headed have to concern themselves with what the next generation will be taking to the polls and we're already beaten there. Schools are teaching that lot stuff that most of us can't even imagine.

But there is a rising issue that just might stem the tide long enough to recover.

This from Fred Thompson is the case in point.

Before the next Presidential election this case should be decided. It must play a truly paramount role in the next few months as well.

Forget everything else. A single issue is involved, sure, but it is the single issue upon which every other is based.

Fred is not my candidate this far out... but the issue is so profound that we need to watch every candidate with a microscope. Everything else will simply be of no consequence if this falls. The Constitution and The Bill of Rights is our foundation! This not the time to be flexible.

Trickle Down WHAT?

2007-11-17T17:36:00.000-05:00

This story concerning The SecDef and his statements has been making the rounds of the MilBlogs.

As a result, he said that he is faced with the undesirable task of preparing to cease operations at Army bases by mid-February, and lay off about 100,000 defense department employees and an equal number of civilian contractors. A month later, he said, similar moves would have to be made by the Marines.

Think about it. The liberals have been saying for years the 'trickle down economics' is a myth. If the SecDef does his job Rep. Murtha (D PA-12) will get some panicked phone calls .

It's really okay though, the myth will be exploded once and for all. The liberals can't be bit on the ass by a myth... it just ain't fair.

In Defense of the Abattoir

2007-11-16T16:12:00.000-05:00

I like meat, and while I have killed, butchered, and dressed everything on my menu at one time or another, it's just not as much fun as cooking and eating the result.

That little bit of information is prompted by the onset of deer season around here. I haven't hunted for years. Got the know how, got the tools (and the teeshirt). Was a time when chasing little bunny rabbits with a shotgun was high on my list of fun things. Think Elmer Fudd...

Still, I have it worked out so I don't need to freeze my butt off. I allow a very few folks to hunt on my place. In exchange I get all the deer meat I want.

No point here, other than I feel a bit pleased with myself. Yum, Yum!

Emigration: to be considered?

2007-11-15T18:14:00.000-05:00

This article raises questions for us.

Last year, 207,000 British citizens - one every three minutes - left the country while 510,000 foreigners arrived to stay for a year or more.

Think about it.

I dunno what the current numbers might be here. I've earnestly considered Belize, Australia, and New Zealand myself.

As you might have noticed - fighting for this country has taken precedence for me. Still, it is a reasonable response.

More than 50 per cent of the British emigrants moved to just four countries in 2006 - Australia, New Zealand, France and Spain. Eight in every 100 went to the USA.

Spain is leaning socialist, NZ was as well. France is turning around and Australia is struggling with Immigration. Belize has recently found oil.

Just tossing out the question... maybe someone has a 'better idea'?

Consider the Farce

2007-11-14T13:09:00.000-05:00

2: a light dramatic composition marked by broadly satirical comedy and improbable plot.
- MW online.

The Plot: The most powerful country in the world picks a new leader.
The Cast of Characters: A few, mostly quite wealthy, folks who say and do the darnedest things.
Plot Twist #1: Most voters never get to actually vote for the candidate of their choice.
Plot Twist #2: Millions are spent to avoid saying anything. But when the need arises...
Plot Twist #3: Words are used to mean something quite different than any reference work would support. This often leads to...
Plot Twist #4: Satire.

This farce is cast with folks who couldn't BE funny in real life since there's no script. Hence they rely on satire to get the laughs. They depend on script writers to turn subjects devoid of humor into jokes. Of course, most of the script writers think they are required to be serious so it's up to us to see the humor.

The only sane way to view this farce is with a chuckle. Somewhere there is a Bob Saget waiting in the wings. When the election is over he'll host "The Presidential Elections Funniest Videos" show and we'll laugh until we cry.

Do we get what we deserve?

2007-11-10T15:54:00.000-05:00

H. L. Mencken:

As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their hearts desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.

The Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920

He also observed:

Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.

Thing is I've been casting around some, trying to understand how we, as country, got this way. I've offered post after post, trying to get someone to help me shake this melancholy. Or to simply explain why I'm wrong. The 'boy who cried wolf' and maybe 'chicken little' hover around the periphery of my thoughts, but I can't ignore what is.

History demonstrates that countries fall. Our own country has been through trials and tribulations aplenty yet somehow survived. This seems different. Could be my age or temperament writ large.

It would seem that a vast majority of the electorate has abdicated their responsibility in favor of comfort and who am I to fault them.

This Presidential election keeps scanning as a comic opera... no... make that farce!

The fundamental flaw in my thinking is obvious, and Mencken was talking about it years ago when HIS crisis of confidence was in bloom.

I'm old enough that I should learn to sit back and laugh. That's what otherwise sane people do when observing a running gag.

November at The Wall

2007-11-07T09:18:00.000-05:00

Today the 25th anniversary of The Viet Nam Memorial begins with the Reading of the Names.

I had planned to be there this weekend, but life intrudes and I was there twice this year.

John F. Kerry will be there to once again try to capitalize on his service, and mooning him would have been worth facing(??) the weather.

When I first saw the plans for the memorial years ago I was, quite frankly, of the 'Black Gash' opinion. The other memorials in The Mall are of what I would call more appropriate design.

However, appropriateness and meaningfulness are different animals, and we 'Nam Vets have made The Wall far more meaningful than suggested by it's design. Even in the dead of winter The Wall gives off a sort of heat. I personally know few of the names on the wall, but I've known many who have added their warmth to the stone so that it glows if you know how to look. As long as one of us touches one name the effect is not unlike a transfusion of blood.

Years from now it may once again just a 'black gash', but for now it's a glowing beacon that can be seen from everywhere in the country.

Ralph Peters - 12 Myths of 21st-Century War

2007-11-01T16:06:00.000-04:00

The article is here.

I read the article in the dead tree format last week, and after a bit of enthusiasm decided to let it slide.

Not because I disagreed with his views, but because there was nothing new said.

The article is now making the rounds in some blogs I read so I decided to examine my apparent ennui.

Every one of the myths he describes has been exploded numerous times... that his words are greeted with such enthusiasm troubles me. I'll readily acknowledge that I'm confused that Andy Warhol can do a painting of a soup can and have it called ART, so maybe there is something fundamental missing from my perceptual skill set.

I would have thought that most of the people I know and/or read would read Peters' article and simply nod along rather like a music fan who knows the words and sings along.

Still, I shouldn't have been so dismissive. If his words change one mind they should be shouted from the rooftops.

So please let me join the chorus and bring them to your attention.

George Orwell Resurrected

2007-10-31T08:24:00.000-04:00

This article should have been a Special Halloween piece. It's about as scary as I can stand.

“A RACIST: A racist is one who is both privileged and socialized on the basis of race by a white supremacist (racist) system. The term applies to all white people (i.e., people of European descent) living in the United States, regardless of class, gender, religion, culture or sexuality. By this definition, people of color cannot be racists, because as peoples within the U.S. system, they do not have the power to back up their prejudices, hostilities, or acts of discrimination. (This does not deny the existence of such prejudices, hostilities, acts of rage or discrimination.)" - Page 3

The raw documents are available here in PDF format.

In a bit of synchronicity worthy of note; one of those powerless people of color wrote a piece here.

In a world where young blacks, especially, are bombarded with claims that they are being unfairly targeted by police, and where a general attitude of belligerence is being promoted literally in word and song, it is hard not to wonder whether some people's responses to policemen do not have something to do with the policemen's responses to them.

Neither the police nor people in any other occupation always do what is right but automatic belligerence is not the answer.

So what is a 'racist' to do? We can't claim to be 'non-racist' - The University of Delaware observes:

“A NON-RACIST: A non-term. The term was created by whites to deny responsibility for systemic racism, to maintain an aura of innocence in the face of racial oppression, and to shift responsibility for that oppression from whites to people of color (called "blaming the victim"). Responsibility for perpetuating and legitimizing a racist system rests both on those who actively maintain it, and on those who refuse to challenge it. Silence is consent." - Page 3

I dunno about the students, but I'm as confused as hell!

A 'Cold' Civil War

2007-10-29T15:37:00.000-04:00

My post highlighting part of the Declaration of Independence was to open a dialog. My premise is predicated on the notion that The Revolutionary War was our First 'hot' Civil War.

We are faced with a 'cold' Civil War as it stands. Our country is being stolen by left-wing educators and transnational interests. Thing is we are losing! Small bursts of energy here and there create minor flashes of light, but the trend is obvious to any who just look.

Strictly hypothetically, what would it really take to make a transition from a 'cold' to a 'hot' Civil War? And is it too late to consider?

There are at least two preliminary phases that must be addressed.

1 - The status quo: Boat rockers find out quickly that they are not welcome in the boat. This really isn't simple apathy. Most American voters don't vote! What can we do to turn 'the great unwashed' into activists willing to disturb their lives?

2 - The Military: Without the military we are just a bunch of malcontents. Sleep naked with your personal arsenal or whatever floats you boat, but if the military stays loyal to 'The Government' history says it a waste of energy. What can we do to convince the military that it's best interests lie with us?

Remember - this is but a hypothetical exercise. More so it is meant as an eyeopener.

Almost every single issue pales in comparison to the two I've mentioned. Again, history is a guide... If most of the voters don't care, democracy is for sale to the highest bidder.

When in the Course of human events,

2007-10-26T15:23:00.000-04:00

it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Think about it... What would be your cause? How would you explain to the generations to come those issues?

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Do we have such a situation extant?

We are nearing a precipice. The strange aspect is the fuzzy definition of said precipice. It strikes me as oddest of all that the above offers no definitive exemplars that suit our situation. Congress fits, the Executive fits, and the Judicial fits... Depending on your particular current perspective.

A Reality Hammer is Swinging - FAST!

2007-10-06T18:14:00.000-04:00

The next 13, or so, months are the most critical in our country's recent history. If the Democrats take the White House and gain even more control of congress our future doesn't look good.

Mind you; an all Republican win is only marginally better, but it is what we have to grasp onto.

Supporting our troops and their mission has taken up much of the past year of my life, but reality bites!

If the Democrats ever put a coherent power base in place for even a few months the issue of the mission in Iraq will become moot.

I am not using the terms 'liberal' nor 'conservative' here. Those are not political parties, but political philosophies.

Confronting moonbats is an honorable endeavor, but ultimately futile. We need to confront the voters, and SOON!

We'll not convert one of the moonbats, but we may educate one voter here and there to what is going on.

The Sanders Initiative is an example of what can be done. There are others as well. It requires no long distance travel or hotel stays. It requires no stages and speeches. It DOES require one person to do something.

Having recently been lectured by a representative of one of my Senators on how wise the Senator is I also think that letter writing, emails, faxes, and the like are of limited value.

We'll each do what we're capable of doing. Some invest energy in sending emails to like minded folks and that helps keep the focus. Thing is to do what we can.

Myself, I'll be hitting the streets with sign and flags, and passing out information to those who ask. It doesn't require much other than time and effort. But if we do it by the thousands it could have an impact where it really matters.

Prelim DC AAR (personal)

2007-09-20T16:52:00.000-04:00

It's been an intense few days. Trying to remember way back to last Thursday...

Thursday Sept. 13: Hooked up with OWB and Dave for the trip. Smallish vehicle, three people, and gear for a week - 'nuff said.
Arrived at Bolling AFB, met up with 'Ridgerunner7172' and checked in.
Visited The Slip Inn for eats and adult beverages.
Learned our way around the base and continued to consume adult beverages into the wee hours. Catching up with old friends and meeting a new one.

Friday Sept 14: Spent the day getting oriented and greeting newcomers. Around 5:30 a small convoy headed out for Walter Reed.
Walter Reed was, as always, a moving experience and the rain didn't dampen spirits. We outnumbered the moonbats which was a bit surprising. We figured they'd be re-enforced by Saturday's crop. Met Michelle Malkin and ate some Freeper supplied pizza.
We closed the street briefly as the bus carrying the wounded and their families arrived.

Saturday Sept. 15: In light of the vandalism to The Wall several of us positioned ourselves on a small knoll where GoE I had staged in March. The Nam Knights were there before us and and had the security situation well in hand, so we did what we could to help them and became an information center. Msairforcejim had an Eagles Up Information banner she'd created and we flew flags and steered lost Eagles towards the other end of The Mall.
I managed to visit The Wall several times and got some pix of the damage, etc.
We had a total of around 50 moonbats (signs and all) wandering around from time-to-time, but they were subdued at our end of The Mall. They were outnumbered and watched or followed everywhere they went, or tried to go.
A personal highlight was that I got to spend much of the day in the company of Colonel Riley's wife. What a lady!
Saturday evening we again visited The Slip Inn and compared notes.
Aside: After visiting and consuming adult beverages until the wee hours I was visited by some intestinal monster.

Sunday Sept 16: We had a wonderful Eagles Up breakfast and greeted Colonel and Mrs. Riley with a cheer when they arrived. Others will have to fill in further details since I headed back to my room and the comfort of my bathroom. I was visited by TGD and others sometime later to again visit The Slip Inn, but they took one look at me and left.

Monday Sept. 17: Relocated to join with Vets for Freedom. The meet and greet that evening was superb. Met and shook hands with Congressman Brian Baird (D. Washington) who recently visited Iraq and changed his mind about our effort there. He'd caught tons of flack and it was heartwarming to cheer him on. He had one line in his short speech that brought the house down. When responding to his critics elsewhere he'd observed "I can get another job... I can't get another country!"

Tuesday Sept. 18: Donned my Vets for Freedom polo shirt and boarded the bus. We arrived at the White House early and had time to get through security and roam the south lawn.

The President's speech is covered at length elsewhere, but I found it moving and he was a bit surprised when the the applause was punctuated with a chant of USA! USA! USA!

I'll finish/edit this later. Being home brings other responsibilities.

They're Here

2007-09-09T18:18:00.000-04:00

From Jerry Corsi: Via World Net Daily

The first Mexican truck authorized by a Bush administration program opening U.S. highways to trucking companies from south of the border crossed into the U.S. this morning at approximately 1:50 a.m. EDT at Laredo, Texas, headed for North Carolina, according to a report from Trucker.com.

As I pointed out here we have one of the heads of the Democratic party meeting with, and encouraging a suspected terrorist Muslim group to run for public office.

Toss into the mix George Bush's plans for the Security and Prosperity Partnership Of North America and my concerns seem less paranoid and found in fact.

Embracing The Suck

2007-09-02T17:45:00.000-04:00

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean told American Muslims gathered in Rosemont to think beyond voter registration drives.

Article here

Encouraging citizens to to vote and run for office is right and proper, but this venue is highly suspect.

[The] Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), which had just been branded by federal prosecutors in court papers as a U.S. branch of the Muslim Brotherhood—the international movement, based in Egypt, dedicated to the creation of a worldwide Islamic caliphate. ISNA, which has not been charged with any crime, was among more than a hundred organizations and individuals who were listed in late May as “unindicted co-conspirators” in the prosecution of the Holy Land Foundation—the Texas-based group now on trial in Dallas for allegedly conspiring to funnel funds to the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. Source: Jihad Watch

I dunno... sounds like were headed for an Islamic (Sharia) state. Considering the demographics involved it'll a Spanish speaking Islamic state eventually.

I've mentioned Al-Andalus before.

That state was arguably responsible for the 'enlightenment' so maybe it wouldn't suck. Unless you were among the few that Sharia law considers lesser beings.

A Changing Dynamic?

2007-08-08T17:34:00.000-04:00

I read Arutz Sheva frequently but missed this. H/T to FR.

(IsraelNN.com) Contrary to the official Military Intelligence line, according to which Syria does not intend to attack Israel in the near future, many researchers in the intelligence community suspect that Syria is waiting for the right moment to strike, and that the moment may come soon. This is the reason that Israel's Home Front Readiness Cabinet met Wednesday to discuss the possibility of a massive Syrian missile attack, according to Ynet's veteran military analyst, Ron Ben-Yishai.
Ben-Yishai says Syria is completing the construction of a large rocket array aimed at Israel from the Syrian Golan Heights. These are not Katyusha rockets but larger ones with a much greater range: 222 mm., 302 mm. and 600 mm. rockets with a payload of up to half a ton, which can reach Tel Aviv. Dozens of launchers have already been set up and these are capable of firing hundreds of missiles simultaneously.
Syria also has SCUD missiles which can reach southern Israel, but these can supposedly be intercepted by the Israeli Arrow anti-missile system. The heavy missiles in the Golan cannot be intercepted by the Arrow, however. According to Ben-Yishai, all this means that the Syrians can launch a massive attack on Israel's home front without Israel having any advance warning of the attack.

This is one of several alerts suggesting that Syria (in conjunction with???) may have something in the works.

Could just be saber rattling, but would YOU leave it to wishful thinking?

Peace with Honor - Will History Repeat Itself?

2007-07-04T03:09:00.000-04:00

In late January 1973, the United States, South Vietnam, the Viet Cong, and North Vietnam signed a cease-fire agreement, under which the United States agreed to withdraw from South Vietnam without any comparable commitment from North Vietnam. Historians still do not agree whether President Nixon believed that the accords gave South Vietnam a real chance to survive as an independent nation, or whether he viewed the agreement as a face-saving device that gave the United States a way to withdraw from the war "with honor."

This amounts to a reasonable précis concerning the end of the Vietnam War from the U.S. view. Rather than finishing the job and doing everything in his power to simply WIN Nixon, along with Kissinger, caved into increasing pressure to divest themselves of everything to do with Vietnam.

To be sure, they were not alone is this misguided endeavor, but in pursuing this course they helped to define a substantial portion of a generation as losers.

Further, they helped to create an environment that we're STILL dealing with in that the current anti-war/anti-America mindset is a direct result of their machinations. After all, we can't look back and say Nixon didn't 'cut and run' - or that he stuck to his guns and left Vietnam a stable country; secure within its borders.

A precedent had been set! We curse the darkness engulfing our country, but Nixon began turning out a few of the lights 30 years ago.

There's more here as well. Detente with the USSR and the engagement of China were of little value - in both cases dealing not from strength, but the visibly clay footed and feckless need for Peace with Honor rather than Peace with Substance.

It matters little in the grand scheme of things if Nixon was guilty of only being a man of his times. Others have managed to rise above such things - Nixon clearly did not!

Will our current President? Or the next?

To the sound of the guns...

2007-06-30T14:18:00.000-04:00

Thanks to OWB for the link via the GoE forum.

The ANSWER Coalition; Code Pink; Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation; Cindy Sheehan; Navy Petty Officer Jonathan Hutto, co-founder Appeal for Redress; Malik Rahim, founder of Common Ground Collective, New Orleans; Rev. Graylan Hagler, Ministers for Racial, Social and Economic Justice; Ramsey Clark; Latino Movement USA; Hermandad Mexicana Nacional; Michael Berg; National Lawyers Guild; Father Luis Barrios, Iglesia de San Romero de las Americas - UCC; and many others are joining together to sponsor a large protest in Washington DC timed to coincide with the report by General Petraeus on the "Surge" in Iraq. There will be actions in the halls and offices of Congress in the days following the September 15 march.

I'm already planning.

And Now For Something Completely Different

2007-06-26T18:34:00.000-04:00

Some of you might know that The Wife is an RN, and has been for decades.

This came as a small shock from the CNA.

SiCKO Premiere Sign-up Form

Michael Moore's SiCKO Movie Premieres Nationwide June 29, 2007
Volunteer at a screening and help get Guaranteed Healthcare in America

The California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee is joining with RNs and RN organizations around the US to host 3,000 screenings of the opening of SiCKO on June 29th. This is a historic opportunity to turn movie audiences into patient advocates and healthcare reformers—but we need your help! We urge nurses and movie-goers to attend the screenings and distribute information about how we can solve the healthcare crisis by supporting guaranteed healthcare on the single-payer model. Purchase your movie tickets, wear our "scrub for SiCKO", print and distribute information at theaters, and bring your RN friends! Click here to watch the movie trailer.

It's fascinating this learned group (Union) is supporting the fat liar. The movie one an award or two in Cannes... [shrug]

Anyway it made me laugh, maybe it'll bring a smile to you?

And then?

2007-06-25T16:35:00.000-04:00

Read this!

If I had known this earlier, I do believe I would have joined them! Now it's suicide mission.

Ed and Elaine Brown, heavily armed tax evaders, are under siege on a hilltop in New Hampshire, threatening to fight to the death if federal agents try to storm their fortified home.

"We either walk out of here free or we die," Ed Brown shouted from an upstairs window. He has been convicted in absentia of evading federal income taxes by hiding $1.9m (£900,000) of income between 1996 and 2003.

He refuses to pay, shouting: "Show us the law and we will pay what you ask - you can't do it."

Elaine Brown added: "If they come in, we're dead. That's it. We will not be arrested. We will not volunteer to go into their prison for a non-crime. We have committed no crime."

Like the issue of Jury Nullification there are basic questions that need to be answered. On either issue you can be aware or plowed under.

Hey, let's throw in illegal immigration - who ya gonna dance with?

Death by a thousand cuts or just Vote Democratic

2007-06-18T11:10:00.000-04:00

While casting around for an alternative world view to console myself I realized history has a lesson or two for us. Not all that profound, but freeing, none the less.

For nearly 20 years I have found myself voting for the lesser of two evils when faced with the choices in Presidential candidates. Those in DC just keep taking us closer and closer to the abyss. Interestingly those on the liberal/left also see an abyss, although of a different sort.

So I'm leaning in the 'let's just get it over with' direction. I do believe I'll be voting Democratically next year! In a country where apathy is what passes for morals and, at least 50% of voters can't see the forest for the trees maybe it's simply time for a lightning strike to clear the brush.

Don't be confused, because I am an optimist. The great unwashed WILL wake up when faced with hard choices. Given it's head socialism will fail... let's just get it over with and move on.

VOTE DEMOCRATIC!

And Then... The U.S. Army was born

2007-06-14T17:19:00.000-04:00

Americans first took up arms in the spring of 1775 not to sever their relationship with the king, but to defend their rights within the British Empire. By the autumn of 1775, the British North American colonies from Maine to Georgia were in open rebellion. Royal governments had been thrust out of many colonial capitals and revolutionary governments put in their places. The Continental Congress had assumed some of the responsibilities of a central government for the colonies, created a Continental Army, issued paper money for the support of the troops, and formed a committee to negotiate with foreign countries.

Makes one feel proud - and curious.

Round and Round it goes

2007-06-13T12:02:00.000-04:00

If you're not already angry check out Jerry Corsi's latest reportage here!

With the U.S. Department of Transportation pushing ahead to start the Mexican truck demonstration project as early as July 15, Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters met with her Mexican and Canadian transportation counterparts in Tucson, Ariz., April 27 to participate in the first "North American Transportation Trilateral."
A major goal of the Bush administration is to open the United States to Mexican and Canadian airplanes as well as Mexican trucks.

"Immigration reform", my ass. Existing laws un (or under) - funded, pretending this new legislation is reform, and all the while moving barely under the radar to open our borders even further.

We've been conned folks! Under the topic of Iraq we must start thinking the unthinkable and using terms like misdirection and fraud. It makes my stomach hurt to even think such things, but I can't ignore that which keeps rearing it's ugly head.

1 + 1 = 2! Fighting a war to mitigate a real threat and giving away the very thing we fighting for does not add up.

Imagine, just a few days after D-Day and Roosevelt invites Japan and Germany to a trade conference.

Yep, I'm furious, irrational, and frustrated; but...

Beware - The Red-Headed-Americans

2007-06-11T15:33:00.000-04:00

You know who they are... cantankerous and drinkers! Many are a subset of Irish-Americans, but that's only a partial excuse for them.

Redheaded-Americans crop up in all ethnic groups. I think it's a genetic throwback of some sort. Many true redheads even turn gray early.

They are an insidious lot, those redheads. They sneak into all corners of American life and cause chaos.

You know they can't be trusted and they tend to stick to themselves. They have developed a coded language that even includes those who use a bottle to turn red. You can see them on street corners and in the malls.

Once converted those chemical Redheaded-Americans are even more zealous in their conceit.

They sneer at the rest of us. I've seen them pointing and laughing.

I married one, you know, I've seen The Wife and her cronies plotting.

Beware!

Phyllis Schafly gives me the heebie-jeebies

2007-06-09T23:07:00.000-04:00

But this article (via FR) captures my concerns with alacrity.

It's a bit dated, but it connects with other's concerns in significant ways.

Take a moment and read it, please.

I won't offer quotes, but I will offer citations of events since this article was posted if need be. And/or examine last week's vote in congress.

History Revisited - Second Element Updated

2007-06-07T12:49:00.000-04:00

Nota Bene: Earlier I suggested that Native Americans weren't immigrants... of course they were, but I was addressing the last 500 years or so.

The following is part of my 'stating the obvious' series as well.

There are curious things going on concerning discussions about Iraq. Of course the mental gymnastics of the various presidential candidates on Iraq approaches the bizarre, but across the board the discussions have taken on a surreal flavor.

It doesn't matter if going in to Iraq was right or wrong... it doesn't matter if lies were told... and it REALLY doesn't matter who gets blamed!

Lessons learned have value that I'll not discount, but just now that's an exercise.

I am lost, I do not understand the priorities I'm seeing touted so it's hopeless to try to explain them.

We are there NOW! That is something no amount of revisionist history will undo.

And the delusion that the enemies that our troops are facing are not aware of what's being said and done here is criminal in nature. To say nothing of the devastation that will happen if we continue down the path towards quiting. Are our politicians so foolish?

I 'm afraid the genuine facts leave little doubt in that matter - they are.

Update: This article is making the rounds and fit's so well with the above that I should get credit.

Today, in Iraq, there should be no illusion that defeat would come at an acceptable price. George Orwell wrote that the quickest way of ending a war is to lose it. But anyone who thinks an American defeat in Iraq will bring a merciful end to this conflict is deluded. Defeat would produce an explosion of euphoria among all the forces of Islamist extremism, throwing the entire Middle East into even greater upheaval. The likely human and strategic costs are appalling to contemplate. Perhaps that is why so much of the current debate seeks to ignore these consequences.

A really good idea!

2007-06-03T16:14:00.000-04:00

Check out this article: In Vermont, nascent secession movement gains traction

It raises important issues that require a second look. Vermont itself is described as: a left-leaning state that said yes to civil unions, no to slavery (before any other) and last year elected a socialist to the U.S. Senate.

Left-leaning or not the ramifications are stunning and as much fun to consider as what to do with those lottery winnings I'll have someday.

The article notes that several other states are considering much the same and I think it's one hell of a fine idea. Provided, of course, that the process removes them from the federal government's teat.

I'd like California to secede and New York... and maybe Washington State.

At it's most fundamental it would force folks off the fence.

I'll leave you to your own day dreams. I'm having too much fun to take the time to write further about it just now.

History Revisited - One Element

2007-06-01T20:09:00.000-04:00

This country was founded by immigrants, save for the Native Americans. Each wave has brought difficulties with integration. Yet after hundreds of years we can transact business in English most places.

Those places are dwindling.

In years past in Hawaii and on our west coast the Japanese immigrants put their children in public school, and then had them go to Japanese school after hours. This pattern was followed by many other groups. Their heritage was preserved without compromising integration.

Integration adds to the richness of our country. This is what is not what some multicultural re-writing of history suggests. A reasoned case can be made that the struggle to integrate has been a factor that binds us as a people. It's a shared hardship that creates a common bond.

Millions of folks have came here, struggled and adapted, why isn't that the lesson we've learned? Where did real wrongs and perceived wrongs take precedents over our real history?

The answer is simple, there are groups who feel the greatness we've achieved is evil incarnate. No matter that we have overcame most of our foibles and past mistakes... they resonate with a few.

And the rest of us are made to feel guilt, so we abdicate in favor of that few.

I don't feel guilty about slavery, I didn't own slaves. I don't feel guilty about the treatment of the Japanese during WWII, I wasn't born yet. I don't treat people improperly because of someone's race or creed, I do treat buttheads like buttheads.

I don't feel guilty because some nut shot a bunch of folks in Virginia, I simply didn't do it.

Further, there is little historical justification for allowing lawbreakers to gain over the law abiding, indeed our courts are full of cases where thieves are prosecuted.

Our great 'melting pot' is becoming a sieve, and that is just sad

Just another day in the week

2007-05-28T16:18:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I was at Arlington, today The President was... Memorial Day is the 30th.

My dad was career Army... he was KIA in Korea. Saturday I visited some friends and brothers listed on a long black edifice, just another day in the week.

I knew a man called him Sandy Kane
Few folks even knew his name
But a hero was he
Left a boy, came back a man
Still many just don't understand
About the reasons we are free

I can't forget the look in his eyes
Or the tears he cries
As he said these words to me

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

Now Sandy Kane is no longer here
But his words are oh so clear
As they echo through out our land
For all his friends who gave us all
Who stood the ground and took the fall
To help their fellow man

Love your country and live with pride
And don't forget those who died America can't you see

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall, yes recall
Some gave all

Some gave all

repeating history - sorta

2007-05-22T06:27:00.000-04:00

George Santayana observed that: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

This is true as far as it goes, but people who dwell on the past are condemned to stagnation, constantly trying to un-ring millions of bells. This not strictly revisionist history, with it's agenda driven rewriting of events, but more a form of inertia combined with a wistfulness for what might have been.

Recently I was reading a fascinating article in National Geographic Magazine about Jamestown. The article was pretty enlightening, and wasn't quite the usual "White Man Kills Natives and Rapes Their Land" tales, although there are some elements of that.

Thing is... the last line captures the inherent irrelevancy well: "Four centuries ago, the English didn't discover a New World - they created one."

Some perspective is in order. Earth has been populated with humans for a million years or more. Here and there, when a group was successful they expanded, or when they were failing they moved. This led to occasional friction. Further, these interactions weren't always fair. Later humans made efforts at reducing those frictions that still occurred, not often successfully.

Also humans, like other species, impact the places they inhabit.

That's human history in a paragraph or two. It's fundamentally immutable. Use a telescope or a microscope to look at it - the only change is one of scale.

The point of all this isn't diminish the study of history, it is to re-affirm that history is what it is. It isn't malleable. Even new discoveries change only what we know, not what was!

There are three additional areas where this really simple idea is currently being ignored. Illegal Immigration, Iraq, and Global Climate Change.

I will expand on the latter issues as time permits.

Darryl Worley and "I Just Came Back From A War'

2007-05-11T17:30:00.000-04:00

I won't make a habit of this, but...

http://castrorum.blogspot.com/2007/05/someone-with-clue.html

I could have posted the direct link, but it seemed worth pointing out that the poster just got back from Iraq (second tour).

The song brought tears to my eyes and I've been back since '69.

What a long strange trip it's been - redux

2007-05-02T19:14:00.000-04:00

In the past 4 months I've driven to Florida twice, Larry Bailey's home twice, Greensboro, NC twice, and DC once.

This month I have a one day road trip to PA, and several days in DC.

I've met and dealt with some wonderful people that I wouldn't have otherwise likely met 'eyeball to eyeball'. Sounds a bit sappy to add, but that element was beyond price.

Between all that and trying to catch up with my yard type duties I dunno when the juices will start flowing through my fingers again?

My apologies all around... trying to save America from itself is work.

A passing and some thoughts

2007-04-15T17:09:00.000-04:00

Don Ho passed away, see this if ya missed it.

He was a veteran and pretty much everyone stationed in, or passing through Hawaii knew of him.

I never managed to see his show while I was living in Honolulu, but I did work with him a couple of times.

The thing that struck me about him was that even during a difficult video shoot (maybe film - it was nearly 30 years ago) he was smooooth.

Our work was in the actual studio where Tiny Bubbles was recorded albeit since gutted and updated.

He was a character, and will be missed... if only as an icon that meant Hawaii.

Newspapers and comic strips

2007-04-12T17:58:00.000-04:00

I've mentioned before that I don't watch TV news, nor listen to talk radio. I try to get my daily news as close to the source as possible. I've little interest in someone else's opinion on what was said. Just the facts Ma'am.

One exception is the comic strips. And my local paper dropped Mallard Fillmore!

Just in case some don't know the name... see this.

Sending a message?

2007-03-31T21:28:00.000-04:00

By now you've seen this: Pelosi in Syria.

The head congresscritter is smoozing with enemy!

How do I hate this... let me count the ways.

Nah, all I feel is betrayal and rage, and that makes coherent (even by MY standards) discussion impossible.

How many ways can the word WRONG be said?

Maybe I'll repeat the use of my reality hammer... we have met the enemy and he is us! With apologies to Walt Kelly and Pogo.

Uncle Sam needs YOU!

2007-03-30T16:15:00.000-04:00

There it is! We are on the cusp of a major thing, will we be a Spanish speaking Islamic State living under Sharia law? It's an old notion see: Al-Andalus
It was a wonderful time.

The Gathering of Eagles can be an historical footnote in several ways. Do we disappear as just a small bump in the decline or as a transition point where America said WHOA?

Veterans, even draftees, have stepped up for centuries. Has the decline gone on to the point that a second (or third) response is beyond us?

I'm not calling for open rebellion... I am asking that you stand up and be counted amongst the willing yet again.

We are a special few, those who have served, and we are called once again. Our country is on the brink... Of a greater reward or cataclysmic failure.

Future Gatherings of Eagles will be trying, there will be no laudatory press coverage and few awards for success. We will have to deal with politicians or raise up our own versions of the same. We'll have to do the 'dirty work', but failure is inconceivable.

Or is it?

Gestalt - My last post dealing with GoE

2007-03-26T17:17:00.000-04:00

Gestalt: a structure, configuration, or pattern of physical, biological, or psychological phenomena so integrated as to constitute a functional unit with properties not derivable by summation of its parts.

After cogitating about the event for a few days (ain't hindsight wonderful?) I've begun to acknowledge a primary fact. We were present for a miracle!

Miracle: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment.

There it is folks; providence and luck contained what could just as easily be catastrophic.

The late comers and Monday Morning Quarterbacks are, mostly, singing our praises, but those behind the scenes know we were sometimes hanging on by our fingernails.

The above is offered as a reality hammer, not otherwise negative. We did a job, and did it well, but the next iteration (in whatever form it comes) may not be so lucky?

Gathering of Eagles - my personal take

2007-03-21T10:51:00.000-04:00

I didn't kick ass and take names. I saw, and heard, the moonbats and shitheads only from a distance.

I was a REMF, and that's it.

From the Operations Center I could see The Wall directly below me. Whenever I felt little guilty or particularly cold I drew warmth from the line of people slowly passing those names.

When Larry Bailey named me Petty Officer in Charge (NCOIC for you Army types) of communications for the event I admit I didn't quite realize how it would be on The Day. But you volunteer and you take your chances.

None of the above should be interpreted as complaint nor excuse... I am so proud of what we accomplished I could bust. I did my job and did it well.

Kind of a boring report... but there it is.

Reality - Stating the obvious yet again

2007-03-21T06:21:00.000-04:00

Our country is at serious risk. There is a group that seeks power for power's sake, and will use any means to get it.

This group is essentially answerable to no one including government agencies tasked with enforcing our laws.

This group has been in power so long it feels it is entitled to make decisions for the rest of us. It has taken on the mantle of a royal class. Certainly some members come and go, but another prince is waiting in the wings.

This group does much of it's business in back rooms out of public view, deals are made, money changes hands, with little accountability.

This group maintains a facade that isn't always easy to penetrate, hence plausible deniability offers protection from all but the most pointed probes.

This group is not the Bilderbergs, the CFR, nor the Trilateral Commission, et. al. - though some may be members.

This group is our own Congress!

-----

Ask yourself; why can't we get term limits? A simple idea that would shift the role of congress to something closer to what I think our Founding Fathers intended. George Washington chose NOT to our King, yet congress HAS chosen to be royalty in the form of princes and princesses.

I've proposed taking term limits several steps further:

Congresscritters are chosen from the jury pool. This process is good enough for us as individuals.
Congresscritters are paid what out military is paid, I'd offer them mid-level officers pay. They would live in housing similar to that of said officers. They would have the exact benefits across the board except for retirement. Congresscritters would simply not serve long enough, although that service would probably fall under civil service rules so the time served would count if applicable

Term lengths would be as they are now, except, of course, no one would have consecutive terms.

Certain infrastructure elements would have to change to avoid bureaucratic inertia within the staffs. I haven't worked out all of the details.

Thing is... My idea is about as likely as simple terms limits, so why not shoot for the moon?

Gathering of Eagles - technical After Action Report

2007-03-18T18:20:00.000-04:00

I'll address my feeling about the event in a separate post. This is my technical AAR for my own later reference.

Arrived Wednesday March 14 around 7 pm with OWB.

NOTE: OWB was the GoE security chief and I was responsible for communications.

Thursday March 15:

OWB and I met up with Kristann Taylor and Larry Bailey at Air America Studios. Larry and Kristann were interviewed by The G Man himself, OWB and I listened from the booth... never got the picture or handshake I'd hoped for, sadly Mr. Liddy was in the middle of his show.

OWB and I then proceeded to The Mall to do radio checks and Reconnoiter the area. Captain Bailey and Kristann arrived a bit later. Temp was in the low 80's. Luck had it that our permitted area had a knoll that provided a clear view of all the Memorials (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, etc. that we were planning to secure on Saturday. Radio coverage was excellent.

I advised Kristann that I wanted the knoll for the operations center, and he advised me to be there early Friday to meet with the crew erecting the stage and shelters. Met later with civilian contract security personnel who were responsible for the stage and other equipment from 4pm on the 16th to 4pm on the 17th. GoE would be responsible during the erection phase and/or until 4pm

Friday March 16:

1st CAV and I arrived at about 9:30 am the weather turned rainy, but we met with the crew and confirmed the location of the Ops center. More area check out. When we left at around 11:30 the rain was heavy and steady.

Returned to the hotel to prepare for the influx of volunteers. Made a run to Target to grab some prepaid type cell phones for backup commo. Saw to the rotation of our security volunteers who were on site. They arrived back wet, cold, and bedraggled.

Returned to hotel to continue dealing with the volunteers and other arrivals. Watched the weather turn to snow and sleet.

Saturday March 17:

OWB, TACAN, The Gray Dog, and I arrived on-site at about 7am.

Ground was snow and ice covered, there was also a fair amount of flooding from the rain. Temp was about 30 or less. No precip but the wind drove the wind chill down.

TACAN and I did a final radio check and began distributing radios to our marshals. We had two loggers who were tasked with logging every transmission.

Aside: I had managed to misplace my winter coat the night before so I had two sweatshirts and a plastic poncho for warmth (and no gloves). others were as cold or colder, and my great location caught the worst of the wind.

I was at the Ops Center until about 2:30 when we started closing down. We changed batteries and generally saw to it the the marshals had what they needed, when they needed it. The radios performed perfectly.

More personal details and impressions follow.

Tick Tock - Tick Tock

2007-03-01T03:10:00.000-05:00

March First!!! Just Two weeks from today I (and others) will be boots on the ground just outside Washington, DC.

One month ago I did my first post regarding The March on the Pentagon , titled "The Pendulum Swings".

Wow, is it ever... There's no practical way to translate the outpouring of support into actual numbers but I can note that as a participant at the Kerry Lied Rally and the recent effort in Johnstown, PA to unseat Murtha - I've yet to see anything like it.

Underfunded, and staffed by unpaid volunteers, it looks to be a miracle in the making.

The miracle is NOT only the potential for a huge turnout. The real miracle is the number of voices in the growing chorus saying "Enough is Enough!"

However March 17th turns out it can mark a beginning. Enough of us will return home filled with a new resolve to take a stand.

Remember, The Wall and other memorials are symbols, no one is buried there. They are symbols of things that ARE America.

I'll steal these words from Rurik, not only because they simply bear repeating, but because I thought they were a bit over-the-top when I first read them.

History happens when you’re doing mundane things with little concern beyond the present need. Two hundred and forty-two years ago a small group of angry farmers at Concord chose to make a stand for their musket rights. They knew it might mean trouble or it might lead to nothing. None of them guessed they were about to change the history of the world.

3-17-07 will not be as important as Concord. But if our showing is large enough, it can become a turning point in our own war for national self-respect. Might we be about to make history? May we make history! Help make that happen. You are offered a chance to be there and share the honor of honoring our Fallen Brothers. Or will you be one of King Henry’s “gentlemen in England now-a-bed (who) Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here”. What will you say to yourself while listening to the evening news on March 19?

Read the rest here

What if this awakens the 'silent majority' to what is going on? What if...

Deja Vu - all over again?

2007-02-17T20:09:00.000-05:00

Time to swing my 'stating the obvious' club to get people's attention.

Once upon a time there was a great victory. It has been called Tet '68. Yet it marked a transition that led to defeat.

Now we have 'The Surge'. Congress has laid the groundwork in such a way that success can still mean defeat.

Consider, please, the term 'Pyrrhic victory'. See: this It's interesting that Wikipedia chose not to include Tet '68 as an example... I certainly do.

The simple imperative is to recognize that single battles, and single campaigns, are part of a WAR. The outcome of a war is cumulative. With the short news cycle AND the blood and guts bent of the media someone needs to keep repeating that small point.

Tick Tock

2007-02-17T18:00:00.000-05:00

Less than 30 days from now something will happen. It may be a BIG THING, it may be a flash in the pan?

The Wall will be open to the public on March 17, business as usual.

A group will be forming up near there, made up of anti-war folks and a wide mix of anti-US, anti-military and just about every liberal/left group.

I decided to go visit The Wall myself when I heard. I let some of my pals know about it, and soon discovered that others had the same idea. NO, NO!! I'm not claiming exclusivity, only pointing out the great minds work alike. Soon some real organizers got on board and as of a few days ago we have a formal group, a Gathering of Eagles, with a clear mission statement.

Other groups have joined in that effort. No one know how many of 'us' will be there or any real detail about what we might do when we get there.

There's been some uncomfortable divisiveness of a minor sort caused mainly by the fact that this snowball has been growing faster than the best intentioned folks could deal with. That phenomenon is likely to get more fun rather than abating. The outpouring of raw enthusiasm is staggering.

So a reminder - The Wall will be open to the public on March 17, business as usual.

Sunday and Monday life will go on. Carpe Diem!!!! Vandals WILL be prevented from turning that day to their advantage, but that will be only a small victory. These few vandals are trivial compared the far larger number here, and around the world awaiting, and working for, our demise.

We leave DC better than we find it. We go home with a new resolve. Let's turn a good day into a great year.

We Were Soldiers Once … and Young

2007-02-10T22:01:00.000-05:00

Not my war, but in honor of this event I am enjoying the movie yet again. Surround sound and all.

Thank you Col. Crandall!

Young guns, old guns

2007-02-08T18:56:00.000-05:00

There's a curious phenomenon I can't get my mind wrapped around (one of a zillion). There's a tension between vets of various generations. I can recognized it, but can't put a finger on the source.

Before I let my confusion lead to further confusion - this tension is not particularly negative. A friend described it thusly: "Due to generational culture, we live in different worlds. We are friends, but not close friends (until it comes time to go out in a "last stand" together.)"

This describes the practical nature of the tension, but does it not sufficiently define the relationship.

Actually, many volumes have been written on the subject, and movies too, if one counts the western motif. There's the wolf pack with the aging leader and other examples from the animal kingdom as well.

I stubbornly think vets should be different. Unlike animals and gunslingers we still fight a common enemy. The weapons and tactics are certainly different, but those differences are more along the lines of the differences between the Army and the Navy, rather than trying supplanting one another.

We need not enjoy each others music, hell, we need not even fully understand each other's language. The battles we fight are now simply in different theaters, like the Marines in the Pacific and the Soldiers in Europe.

We have our Kerrys and our Murthas, and the young guns are generating some of that ilk as well, but age isn't a factor in that. Some folks are just shitheads.

It seems to boil down to this... emphasis on differences rather than similarities. Sure differences exist, but they should never rise above the level of Army/Navy football game stuff.

The plain facts are that we need each other and this ain't no game!

The shitty end of the stick

2007-02-02T18:57:00.000-05:00

Thanks Supe.

All of us 'Nam vets have some experience with The Stick, if anyone needs examples they can be provided.

Do your best, labor to your utmost, even shed blood, and get handed the wrong end of The Stick.

It matters little what the genesis of the term was... does anyone NOT understand what it means?

Well, The Stick is being passed, shitty end and all, to a new generation. I suspect that there is a certain glee on the part of those doing the passing.

Kerry's 'botched' joke, the LA times article about 'Nam vets, William Arkin's crap, spitting on the disabled Iraq vet... these are part of a pattern that is becoming clearer every day. If you need links or don't see the pattern you're in the wrong place, move on.

If you wear the uniform, if you've been in Iraq or Afghanistan (or elsewhere, at that)... BOHICA!

You're not 'baby killers', but de facto participants in Abu Ghraib, etc.

Never happen, you say? Suits me, I'd rather be a certified paranoid than right.

If the pattern exists investing energy on each individual element approaches a waste of time. Beat up on Arkin, beat up on Kerry... the pattern is the issue. Boasting that you dodged a lightening bolt is a small victory when a tornado is bearing down.

The pendulum swings

2007-02-01T13:37:00.000-05:00

Like the electric feeling before a summer thunder storm pressure has been building.

The "I support our troops, but not the war" facade is cracking.

From Kerry's botched joke to William Arkin's WaPo blogging, those in uniform are once again being singled out for special abuse.

But what can we, you and I, do about it?

After last November's elections the liberal/left/anti-war/anti-America/etc folks are acting like they have a mandate to relive the Vietnam era. From congress to the MSM gloves are coming off.

But what can we, you and I, do about it?

Blogs are wonderful tools, if they are read with an open mind. The near fatal flaw is that they are not!

But what can we, you and I, do about it?

Folks it's time to put up or shut up! In the war of words we've already lost a major battle (remember November)... face it and drive on! If we do not counter with a physical presence at their rallies, contact our congresscritters, and, in general, put faces and bodies behind the words, we may as well quit.

There's an upcoming anti-war rally in DC on March 17. See this.

I aim to be there at the Vietnam Memorial where they plan to form up. The alternative is to start studying the Koran. Yep it's that serious! I'm convinced the next two years WILL decide the fate of this country.

Get off the sidelines and get in the game... we have thousands of cheerleaders, but few players.

Peace in our time - a corollary

2007-01-28T18:45:00.000-05:00

Just some suggested reading, I don't raise Wikipedia to the level of a scholar's reference, but this bit is correct enough and easily accessible.

Dystopia : A dystopia (alternatively, cacotopia^[1], kakotopia or anti-utopia) is a fictional society that is the antithesis of utopia. It is usually characterized by an oppressive social control, such as an authoritarian or totalitarian government.

NOTE: I've left the links intact for those who wish to explore more.

The point being that the Peacenik ideal is fraught with realistic problems that idealism and effete words ignore. I have addressed some of the most obvious here, but ...

Although the above reference uses the word 'fictional' one only need to look at the former USSR as a real world example of a dystopia.

Peace in our time - stating the obvious

2007-01-28T14:30:00.000-05:00

There was a sort of anti-war/peace rally sometime over the past few days, and Hanoi Jane showed up. I was pissed that she'd raised her hoary head again and was gonna ignore the whole thing.

But I reckon that is the wrong attitude in this context.

Peace is one of the easiest states of existence to create - simply surrender.

A long list of wiser voices than mine have said much the same over the centuries, but it's been one of those things that linger around the periphery of my thinking. I've begun speculating to myself about the practical aspects of such a move? The nuts and bolts, if you will.

Peace in this country must be the only priority, interfering elsewhere in the world would simply not be peace.

It may be a bit of a 'straw man' thing, but one scenario would be to withdraw our military from everywhere in the world, and use them for a one-time sweep, with law enforcement types, of this country to remove every firearm from the citizens, then take those and those of the military and law enforcement somewhere and destroy them.

Then simply disband the military, putting the larger military weapons on the scrap heap of history as well. Use things such as aircraft carriers as homes for the homeless, etc. Peace would reign.

Remove any and all border constraints, allowing the peace loving people of the world free access to our largess. Peace would reign.

Rescind our Constitution in favor of the UN. Peace would reign.

The peace of the dead, maybe, but peace none the less.

The devil is in the details...

"Give me liberty, or give me death" simply doesn't allow the wiggle room that "Peace Now!" does.

Paradise Lost

2007-01-27T13:39:00.000-05:00

I've long been puzzled why the liberal/left is seemingly hell bent on destroying the very platform that gives them the freedom to exist?

Akin to this is the strange thought processes that appear to relish big government - under their control, as if that control would last past the moment bureaucratic mass reached some tipping point.

Timothy Birdnow has an piece up here that offers a possible answer.

So, Christianity and Judaism, by giving the World Separation of Church and State, destroyed the old pagan order and splintered the power of the collective will. To those who believe in this collective and the exercise of the will of society over the individual, there can be no worse crime.

I have a few nitpicks with parts of his thesis, but he provides AN answer. Beyond all his intellectual pontificating he hit the nail so soundly with:

A racist, sexist, homophobic, power-mad society such as ours deserves to be taught a lesson! Even if the teacher is racist, sexist, homophobic, and power-mad, they aren't Western, Christian, or White! They aren't Dick Cheney! Power to the people!

that I forgive all the references to many long dead philosophers.

Duty, Honor, Country

2007-01-26T16:01:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of speaking to Larry Bailey on the phone the other day about another issue and he mentioned he was participating in conference or some such that had to do with retention within the SPECWAR communities. He mentioned a reenlistment bonus figure and I almost reflexively I blurted out "It's not enough!"

Later I was reflecting on my outburst and my thoughts turned to General MacArthur's Thayer Award Speech. You can find it here.

One line means a lot to me:

Yours is the profession of arms, the will to win, the sure knowledge that in war there is no substitute for victory, that if you lose, the Nation will be destroyed, that the very obsession of your public service must be duty, honor, country.

Yet the nation is obligated to pay something for this public service. Duty won't make a house payment, Honor won't put food on the table, and the Love of Country is no real substitute for the love of a family when that family life is disrupted.

I have no idea how to deal with this conundrum? If we raise their pay and benefits to the level my heart tells me we should, we risk creating a situation where Duty, Honor, Country play a lesser role... indeed, we are creating a mercenary force.

State of the Union?

2007-01-24T09:21:00.000-05:00

It's tough for me to get exited about most stuff that comes out of DC. The SOTU is little different.

No loud and clear call for victory against our biggest enemy in 30 years... no loud and clear call for securing our borders.

The issues that make all others meaningless given short shrift. AGAIN!