Jimmy Carter Part II

Interesting how the President of the United States, an unabashed apologist for radical Islam (read as murderous radical Islam) and self-proclaimed swami of foreign policy has put the US in a position to lose an Ambassador and three consulate employees, allow for a breach of an American Embassy, the destruction of an American flag (the most powerful symbol of freedom in the world) and then have the Embassy staff tweet out an apology to the attackers.  Haven't we been given enough evidence in the post-Carter era, now totalling 31 years, that appeasement, apologies, and avoidance do not equal peace and cooperation. 

The cultivation of these three A's through ignorance, inaction, and idiocy only embolden what would otherwise be impotent and ignominious splinter groups into becoming polarized Muslim mobs that are wreaking havoc on a lame and limp Presidency.  It wouldn't bother me so much, except it continues to cost the lives of Americans across the globe, and the President's responses in these circumstances are so feeble that they only add gas to the fire and accelerate more attacks.  The attack in Benghazi was clearly fueled by the success of the attack in Cairo and fanned by the completely ineffective White House response.  Now four people are dead.

When will the liberal culture in this country come to understand that Christians are not the ones running around the globe murdering innocents, and when will they finally place the blame for such attacks, not on the producer of a movie, but squarely on the shoulders on which it belongs, the bent and radical believers of Islam and the timid and weak moderate Muslims who have allowed the "religion of peace" to be hijacked?  Those sitting idly by are just as guilty.

Schlubs

The selection of the upcoming Presidential Debate moderators is showing again what schlubs the GOP leaders can be. 

Good job in not securing a debate for FoxNews the #1 news station, while securing a debate for CNN who can muster about as many viewers as a midnight showing of "Spies Like Us", "Three Amigos", "Gigli" and "Showgirls."

Good job in allowing all three Presidential Debate moderators to be so far left that they could make Gov Jerry Brown seem to be on the fringe of being a Repbulican.  That should set up for three very fair debates.

What GOP candidates and RNC leadership fail to grasp, is that when they cannot negotiate to a fair outcome on matters such as these, our confidence in their ability to govern is diminished.

Put your pads on, lace up your skates, grab a stick and play.  Don't let yourself be pushed around by a bunch of pooofty figure skaters who get blown down in a stiff wind.  Man up and get your candidate and your party a fair deal...always!

Beware of the Heinous ATMs

It is astounding that America could elect as its President a man who is blaming ATMs for slowing the economic recovery.
 "You see it when you go to a bank and ... you use an ATM, you don't go to a bank teller. Or you go to the airport, and you're using a kiosk instead of checking in at the gate," the president said. 

It is obvious that the fate of our economy has been entrusted to a man who knows less about business than a five year old running a lemonade stand.

His ATM example is off for several reasons, but foremost is that ATMs were a regular part of life well before  the economic downturn, and based on their cost-effectiveness it is doubtful that at any point since that anyone in the banking business has even remotely considered removing their ATMs in favor of bank tellers.   ATMs have had exactly ZERO impact on the economic downturn or the recovery.

Secondly, he fails to comprehend that every component contained within the impenetrable boxes has to be manufactured by someone with a far greater skill set than your average bank teller.  I am not in the ATM business, but it is easy to see that inside every machine there is a small computer, a scanner, a remote access device (modem/comm. Device), human-machine-interface (control screen), steel case for the machine, and hundreds of metal and plastic pieces that have to be injection molded or stamped in order to get the machine to function.  All these parts then need to be assembled, tested and shipped to their installation locations.  I think it is safe to say that each ATM supports dozens, if not hundreds of jobs.  Not to mention that they are way move convenient than most bank tellers were only available between 9:00 am and 3:30 pm.

ATMs add to the banks’ profitability, and thus allow banks to make better investment decisions with those dollars; decisions that add to profitability and higher paying jobs.  Perhaps they would even want to buy more evil ATMs.  Or hire a securities analyst rather than an entry level employee who has a skill set about the equivalent of the TI 30 calculator.   Or open another branch, which would in turn create construction jobs and more ATM jobs.

In business, jobs that can be replaced with capital equipment which is ultimately more cost effective and efficient have always been the target of automation.  Cotton Gin.  Harvest Combines.  Motorized street sweeping machines. 

It is way too late to lament the loss of the cash counter at the bank window.

The reference to the airline kiosks though shows just how out of touch Obama is with the real world. 

If I have a choice between the “friendly” ticket clerk and the kiosk, I am heading to the kiosk.  Because the President has not likely flown on a commercial airliner since before his Chicago organizing days, he has no comprehension to what degree most of us disdain airline travel today.  TSA (no more need to be said), Surly clerks, surly passengers, surly parking attendants, and surly airport cops make taking a trip about as fun and time consuming as having back-to-back root canals done.

In two simple sentences our President shows the world that he knows NOTHING about business and that he is completely out of touch with that part of the population (90%?) which has to travel by commercial airliner vice luxury jet or Air Force One.

Who in the country would vote for this guy, and why in the world would they think for a minute he was capable of managing us out of financial crisis?

Camouflage Cooperation

Many years ago, as the services were becoming more “Joint,” many eager beavers floated the idea that the individual service cultures should devolve into a single, joint (blended more appropriate) service that would go so far as to share a single uniform set.  I believe it was referred to for a while as going purple, or a rough blend of all of the existing uniform colors.  Suffice it to say, I personally knew of no Marines who were in favor of this idea, although in the officer brown-nosing class, I am sure there were a few. 

Marines are both aware of, and proud of the history behind their uniforms and uniform items.  They know that the uniform is what links them to previous generations of Marines and sets them apart from the other services whose uniforms pale in comparison to those of the Marines.  Switching uniforms was a complete non-starter for the Corps.

Given this, it is not surprising that the Marines are particularly defensive about sharing their camouflage uniform pattern with the Army.  They are simply protecting their distinctive Marine turf, a pretty natural reflexive response for most Marines.

I would ask the Marines to re-consider.

Allow me a few of short digressions.

My last assignment in the Marine Corps was as an operational requirements assessment officer on the Navy staff in Pearl Harbor.  My job was to evaluate the operational requirements submitted by the operational staffs (Fleet, Air Wings, etc.), prioritize them and if approved, get them into the budgeting process.  I personally evaluated all things fixed-wing tactical aviation, all air delivered ordnance, and all things Marine.  One thing I learned in that job was that money was tight, always.  A million dollars meant a lot to each of us in our respective roles in N83, and haggling for a million dollars was not uncommon.

A million dollars saved on submarine spare parts might easily fund training ammunition for a battalion of forward deployed Marines for a year.  I would say we did a fair job of making the money go as far as we could.

Digression number two.

 I was able to catch a snippet of how the Marines developed their new camouflage pattern on a show about camouflage on the History Channel.  The show depicted the intense analysis and testing that the Marines put into the development and selection of their final pattern, and I was impressed to learn that when the Army evaluated their choices it was one of the top patterns considered.  The Marines had done their homework, and it seems to have paid off.

Allow me one more digression.  In the early eighties the Marines embarked on a program in their development center in Quantico, Virginia to come up with a new PT (physical training; gym) short.  This process was long and painful.  And while I am sure that project officers were sincere and energetic, the fruits of their labor proved to be woefully in adequate.

In an era where nylon shorts had become the running norm, and indeed the standard, the Marine Corps spent millions of dollars and several (five or six as I recall) years to develop the equivalent of a 1940’s era gym short made of cotton that was so stiff that many of us would have preferred to wear the same short made of burlap.  The material was so heavy and the seams so thick that the seams at the leg openings would cut through the skin on a run of even modest length.  They were, in short (pun intended) a disaster.

So, in times of fiscal austerity and looming budget cuts, I implore the Marines to reconsider and let the Army use their successful camo pattern.  This gesture would surely save years of development and millions of dollars in testing.  And even then, a successful outcome is not guaranteed.  Save the money and use those funds for more live ammo that can be used in training or directly on our enemies.

Marines needn’t worry, they will never be confused for soldiers as their utility cover will forever be distinctive, and the Army will put enough patches on the uniform to set them apart from miles away.

I think that these two services should get together and act cooperatively in a time where wasting money developing another camo pattern, while compelling for service distinction reasons, is still a waste nonetheless.  It would be a lesson in cooperation that could serve as an example for other, less prestigious  governmental institutions to emulate.

Who’s Dumber, Politicians, or Journalists Who Accept Their Stupid Answers

I am done watching ANY television interview with ANY politician.  Why?  Because they NEVER produce any meaningful information.

I enjoy watching Fox News Sunday, but Chris Wallace is no better at getting a straight answer out of a one-on-one guest than CNN is at getting Anthony Weiner to pick his own johnson out of a police line-up.

The Weiner story brings to a head all that is worthless about the MSM today.  They have come to accept the most world-class improbable explanations from idiotic guests, and then they let the steamy turds lie there expecting us public school graduates to go “Wow, I guess that is a really good explanation as to why some 21 year-old college student accidentally got a photo, of what may or may not be Anthony Weiner’s Johnson, from his twitter account.  Makes sense to me.”

Where is the follow-up question?  “Mr. Frankfurter, if you’re not denying that that picture is your scantily clad package, what prompted you to take such a picture in the first place, let alone have it stored in a place on your computer where if hacked (doubtful) it could be sent to others via social media?”

“Do you think this behavior is appropriate for a US Representative?”

“Do you think the people in your district approve of you farming photos of you junk out to twenty-one year olds?”

“Geez, your wife must be really upset!?”

But no, the MSM lets these narcissistic spin doctors ramble on for hours without answering even the simplest questions.

“Are you running for President?”

“How are you going to vote on HB-XYZ?”

TiVo all the Sunday morning shows and you will not see one question answered by a politician.  What you will see is continuous streams of nonsensical ramblings that make the infinity sign seem to have an end.

“I am not going to answer whether or not there are yellow and blue in the color green.  It takes a village to make a color, and I don’t think that the composition of green should be used to de-value the color red or purple for that matter.  We need to understand that yellow-blue diversity, while unique does not necessarily set them apart when it comes to making colors of all kinds.”

The idiotic press also delivers the Get-Out-of-Hell-Free card to any scandal laden politician, as long as they follow the formula; go to re-hab, do 40 hours of public service counting rat turds in rabbit nests, cry on camera, give a one hour interview to Barbara Walters, cry again on TV, and promise never, ever to do it again.

I thought part of their role was to comment and critique when public officials’ behaviors get out of hand, not condone and facilitate.

It is easy to tell when people are lying and obfuscating.  By letting the politicians slide around every question, journalists are proving that they are incapable of doing their jobs.  Again.

So I ask again, who’s dumber, politicians, or journalists that accept their stupid answers?

Or, C., we voters for voting these idiots in time after time after time.

Update 6/6/11

Answer: Representative Weiner for thinking we were all stupid enough to believe his lame story and his whacky attempts at deflecting the heat.  He now admits to doing an Annie Leibovitz on his miniature wanky and broadcasting proudly (not so much anymore) via Twitter.  Oh, and by the way, to five other women as well.  I wonder how married life is treating him these days.

Please, voters in his district, show America that we will not tolerate idiots representing us in Congress; as least not once we have confirmed they are idiots.  

I am bi-partisan on this one.  No idiots, donkeys or elephants. 

Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

Only conservatives could get such an early start in losing the 2012 election.

In just two weeks you have Newt Gingrich calling Congressman Ryan’s Medicare proposal “right-wing social engineering” and trying to affix Ryan with the “radical” label.  Honestly, I didn’t think it name calling and labeling would happen for maybe, three months.

In perhaps one of the most intriguing (maybe astonishing is a better word) exchanges you have Rick Santorum trying to explain how he knows more about waterboarding and interrogation techniques than John McCain.  Admittedly Santorum was trying to connect the waterboarding techniques used to get information out of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed with the success of the raid on Bin Laden and not specifically trying to get into with McCain.  Yet get into with McCain he did nonetheless.  You have to be sharp enough to drop or ignore the issue rather than to go into extensive detail about interrogation techniques when John McCain’s name is even mentioned. 

But to say this, "And so this idea that we didn't ask that question while Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was being waterboarded, he (McCain) doesn't understand how enhanced interrogation works.  I mean, you break somebody, and after they're broken, they become cooperative…” shows that Santorum hasn’t a scintilla of instinct when it comes to running for the most powerful office in the land.

If you read John Hubbell’s book POW, and every American should read it, you’ll know that John McCain is somewhat an expert on how enhanced interrogation works, and he is the antidote to Santorum’s implication that once broken there is no more resistance.  Anyone that has been through SERE (Survival, Resistance, Evasion, and Escape) school knows that everyone will be broken, but the key difference in the US Armed Forces Code of Conduct and US training, is than when able, the POW is to begin resisting again to the greatest of his ability. 

If you read Hubbell’s book, you’ll see that McCain needs no such lecture from Santorum.  He and many others endured unimaginable “enhanced techniques” and resisted well beyond what I think is humanly possible. 

Santorum simply proved he is not astute enough to avoid a bear trap the size of the state of Texas, and he makes his situation worse by explaining more.  Could it get worse?

Yes.

You also have Republicans now hem-hawing about how much hardball they are willing to play on the Debt Ceiling – Spending Cut fight.  Their wavering under the flimsy and false pretenses of paper deadlines and pseudo-cataclysmal fallout shows that they lack the commitment to take responsibility for governing this nation.

Their doddering is another example of where “real change” simply means change of party and not change of action or consequence.  Until conservatives have the courage to confidently steer the ship on a truly conservative course, Obama should remain cozy in his La-Z-boy.

You have the very odd situation where Mitt Romney, truly a newly minted conservative, is trying to justify the support and signing of a state bill that is eerily similar to the most liberal piece of national legislation ever passed.  Gingrich would likely classify him as a Left-wing conservative, or more appropriately as an opportunistic flip-flopper.  Neither of which makes Romney Presidential material for conservatives.

So in very short order, you have a former conservative leader calling a sitting conservative leader a radical and social engineer.

You have a former Senator telling a sitting Senator, former Presidential candidate, former POW who can barely lift his arms, that he don’t know jack about interrogation techniques and torture.

You have conservatives backing away from real fiscal change as they appear to cave in to the lame and vacuous counter arguments that the dems are barely backing themselves (see Dick Durbin on Fox News Sunday, 5/15/2011) in regards to raising the debt ceiling.

And you have a “conservative” justifying state run health care in the context that it isn’t exactly like Obamacare.

In summary, you have no civility, no leadership, no common sense, no adherence to basic conservative issues while in control of the House of Representatives, no credibility, and no chance of defeating Obama in 2012.

I wonder why there is a Tea Party.

Don’t Believe Everything You Hear

China’s top general complimented the US military last week in such a fawning manner that many in the military and in elected federal positions likely took those compliments as a sincere assessment from an impressed and dissuaded foe, rather than clever and mendacious comments delivered by an ingenious and guileful enemy.  Make no mistake, this was an international head fake done with skill and with the specific intent of getting us to relax our guard.

When General Chen says "What I'm trying to say is that we do not have the capability to challenge the United States.", he’s not saying that China does not want to challenge the United States.  He is not saying that China is going to suspend all of its weapons programs because he was so impressed that China is now deterred for the next millennia.  He is not saying that they now have a good reason to cease development and production of their stealth fighter.  And he is certainly not asking for hands across the water and a long chorus of Kum By Ya. 

He is simply saying that they have not matched our capabilities yet, and that he really, really hopes that the US will let its guard down while the Chinese make leaps quantum leaps necessary to match their armed forces against ours.  The specific intent of his blunt statements, which were not made by someone ready to give up his sword and sign capitulation papers, were to get the US to reduce our military budgets, reduce our reconnaissance of their coast line, and to lull us into ten years of stagnation while they blow past us like they did in Olympic diving.

The Chinese are acutely aware of our penchant for overspending and keeping ourselves on the precipice of budgetary crisis, as they hold a preponderance of our debt.  General Chen was planting a seed that sends the perfect message to liberal money-grabbers; we can cut defense spending because we are soooo far ahead of the Chinese, we can relax for a few years in weapons development.  There will be no listening to conservative think-tanks that see this for the Bangalore torpedo that it is.  We will be urged to believe our new, good friend General Chen and his frank honesty in assessing the true state of military affairs in the world.  We should all give a thumbs up and in chorus say, “Mission accomplished.”

Don’t look to the top layers of the Pentagon to put up much of a fight.  It is natural for the many narcissists at the top of the military to take these compliments as validation of a lengthy and laborious effort, but because of their egos, they will miss the covert nature of Chen’s message.  Over the objections of the real operators, who recognize this as a disinformation campaign, the top brass will be smoozing for their next assignments by bringing out accounting like assessments showing cost benefit curves proving that we can stay ahead of the Chinese with little or no spending over the next ten years or so.  Liberals will latch onto the brass’ acquiescence as the roadmap to substantial budget cuts in an effort to turn the table on Republicans.  Republicans will be pinned between their budget cutting efforts and General Chen’s statements, and they will lose the fight in trying to sustain or extend weapons programs and operational spending, and consequently our tactical and strategic advantages over the Chinese.

Admiral Mullen is obviously buying it, "I think part of the discussions, and General Chen spoke to this, is his view of how far ahead the United States is technically."  What follows that kind of talk is budget cuts.
One of Chen’s direct goals is to get the US to reduce its coastline surveillance of China.  Our fortitude combined with our technology here is key to keeping the Chinese from achieving their longest standing objective, the re-taking of Taiwan.  Chen’s comments “As a matter of fact, the reconnaissance activities along China's coast by U.S. military aircraft and vessels are seen in China as deterrents.", are specifically designed to try to get the US to relax its efforts in order for China to begin to develop a window in which to launch a campaign to restore Chinese “unity.”

With statements like, “As it is known to all, the United States is a super-power in the world today; how can China easily have the ability to challenge it? That is simply not part of Chinese culture and we do not have that capability. We would strive for world peace, civility and development and well being of the whole humankind...The United States has far more advanced weapons and equipment."  General Chen may take Miss Congeniality at the next Miss World pageant. 

World peace is not a stated goal of the Communist Chinese government, expansion of their version of communism is.

We Americans have been suckered into complacency more times than we can count, and we only overcame years of neglect and narcissism (post WWI, post WWII and pre-Korea, post-Korea, the Carter years) on our guts and the shear will of the individuals in the military (Guadalcanal, Pusan perimeter are striking examples). 

We should not be led down a path of complacency and neglect by someone who has read Sun Tsu more times than most of us have read the Sunday comics.  This is part of the Chinese national strategy, don’t be fooled.

You don’t have to be a former military officer and Asian history major to receive General Chen’s message loud and clear.

I'm Back

Not sure there is anyone out there who cares, but apparently I have lost my gig with Townhall.com beacuse of my sparadic submission schedule.  Guilty.  The pieces I am about to put up were submitted to Townhall, but I have heard nothing back, so up they go.  Welcome back to anyone who is still poking around my blog.

Remember, I've Moved

I know my sign off is buried a little deep now, so if you have stopped by to catch my writing, I am writing over at MySandmen. Come see us there!

Tulane NROTC Clearing House - Katrina

Latest update 8 Sep 05, 1535 PST...if you want zulu time...go somewhere else...

I am baaaaaaack...like constipation after eating C-rat cheese, but, for one expressed reason...to, for now, try and act as a conduit of information about the Tulane NROTC community and its needs. This includes Alums, the Building, the mids, and the current staff. For now, use the comment section to pass info. Link this site to other alums and interested parties. If the need is not there, we'll close down...otherwise we are on until it becomes apparent that we can shut down the operation. Pass info, links, and status...it may help those concerned about you to find you. Let's see how it goes, and how much good the alums of this great unit can do. Roll on Green Wave.

My essays will continue to be posted with my team at www.mysandmen.blogspot.com . Please stop by there often. MM

Update

If you know the status of LtCol Jerry Sneed USMC, TU MOI 90-93...please post it here...Is that Jerry Sneed the one I served with at TBS from 84-88...or a portion of that time? He may be currently assigned to MARFOR RES, NO.

Also...gaming the system a little...stop by multiple times...the more the Major Mike site gets hit, the higher it moves up the Google search find list...Last night I couldn't get any coherent results from "Tulane nrotc hurricane katrina." So if you stop by...hit it a couple of times, and we can get to the top of the list to smooth the process. Have other grads and alum hit it as well...you never know who knows what.

Update

http://tulanestudentinfo.blogspot.com/ here is a link with some pics of uptown... some may remember the Mushroom (the record store) located around the corner from the Boot... water everywhere

From an Anon source...right off campus near the chapel and the BTP house...and, of course, many nickel beer nights. The pics were taken Aug 31, and the source reports the water has receded to Clairborne. We are now #1 on google for "Tulane nrotc hurricane katrina" on google...good job...direct people here to post what they know...believe me, at least one piece of timely info will find its way here...spread the word. MM

Update

The Official Tulane NROTC site remains down...no surprise. Obviously, this site has not been overwhelmed...but, let's try to get some momentum in re-establishing important links to one another. Right now we may not be able to imagine how important it may be later. MM

Update

Validate your muster with the Chain of Command...this just in:

Sir,I'm a Midn 1/C at Tulane. Almost all of us mids have gotten in contact with our chain of command but for any of the ones that haven't, please post on your site for them to contact jeremyhall3@gmail.com he is our current BNCO and is the clearinghouse for almost all NROTC information. Thanks.VR/Midn Adam Stephens

I'm recommending re-validating any previous muster with Midn. Hall...anyone who has been to Bulldog knows how messed up musters in person get...let alone via the net. Also...don't be shy...list any personal needs that some of us out here can help with. This is one time to ask. MM

Update

The following link is to the Tulane Blog that is looking like a pretty fast moving message board...might be worth a look for all interested Tulanians.

http://www.tulane.edu/blog/

Update - 5 Sep 05

NROTC site is still down. Not much new on either the Tulane main site or Tulane Blog. BN Staff...please ask for any missing info that you need...I am getting a fair amount of traffic..most of it coming over from the Tulane Blog...so, I am hoping we can get you the info that you need. Please feel free to post any open updates here, or redirect my efforts in another direction. MM

Update - 6 Sep 05

OK...some feedback now...am I wasting my time? Is there some direction I could be taking that would help more? I am getting plenty of traffic, but I don't get the feeling this site is contributing ...let me know what I can do, and what resources you need...If this conduit is unneeded, I can go back to reading Homer and Faulkner...both to be avoided, unless your a dedicated frosh in English 101. C'mon...you're not going to hurt my feelings.

Update 8 Sep 05

New posting at the Tulane main site. http://www.tulane.edu/ The main site is becoming a bit more robust, as the university is beginning to break down their information pipelines to student,a dn separately, the staff...seems like an appropriate strategy. Good info on tuition.

NROTC main site still down...if I am missing something here...someone clue me in. Also...because of the lack of comments...I am questioning the value of me continuing here...feedback would be nice...let me know if I should shut back down, or keep this up.

Thanks for the traffic...clue me in if I am missing something.

Actually...I am moving my shop...

I am accepting an offer made by Mr. Atos and Dueler69 to join My Sandmen http://www.mysandmen.blogspot.com/ . I think this alliance will prove effective, and perhaps allow us to turn some enegry and focus on Oregon issues...so, again, thanks for stopping by, come visit at My Sandmen.

Closing Shop

I have come to the honest conclusion that I am not doing this well. Although I have the inclination, and generally the capacity to do this well, I simply am not. The demand of my full time job, my home life, and the few extra activities I afford myself, are not leaving me enough time to write interesting, well-researched, and well written pieces. I find myself rushed to get something out, and then cringe at the lack of depth and insight in what I have published. So, rather than be ashamed of my effort, I think I'll close up shop. I simply think that the pool is full of talent, and that others are doing a better, faster, more credible job.

Thanks to all that have stopped by., and thanks for the many great comments and critiques. I'll continue to read as many blogs as possible...thanks for the experience. MM

Losing...or Winning?

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/07/11/afghan.seal/index.html

I wouldn't take this as evidence of a US failure in Afghanistan. I'd say this is evidence that decent people want a chance at freedom. I'd say this is America, and Americans, forging very positive relationships with responsible Muslims. I'd say this is evidence that our presence in Afghanistan is welcome. I'd also say that the Muslims that helped this Seal are not in the minority. I'd say we're moving ahead, on a winning path, in Afghanistan. I would also say, that if the press walked around Iraq with their eyes open, they'd see these very same things in Iraq.

We're winning the GWOT, one friend at at time.

On operational security...

I would like to see the military be a bit more tight lipped on our operations...releasing some of the details of the SEAL team situation gave potentially useful information to the enemy. I really don't care if the press is clamoring for the fiftieth time for more info...don't give it to them.

The Taliban attempted to use the fact that there was still a SEAL unaccounted for to their psychological (psy ops) advantage. The details about that team and its circumstances should have never been released until the mission was complete. We are aiding the enemy with our free flow of information.

As I have mentioned before, I was read into a couple of "black" programs. These programs, for the most part, were very simple technology enhancements that could have been easily negated by tactics had the details ever gotten out. Secrecy is what keeps these enhancements the combat multipliers they are. Once exposed, instead of being extremely lethal, they would merely have been a nuisance. OpSec is hugely important...let's don't get complacent. No operational info out while it can still be leveraged against us...period.

On predictability...

C'mon guys, we should not be getting helos shot down by rockets. Change your tactics, your routing, your escort procedures...something, but no more helos shot down while we're running headlong into the fight.

One of the things that got us into trouble in Vietnam was our predictable re-enforcement response to units in contact. The NVA would dangle a few troops in front of us, we would run headlong after them, and eventually we would have re-enforced our way into a trap.

Let's make sure this helo loss is the only one of its kind...it was a terrible waste of highly trained personnel.

Where Are the "Americans?"

It has occurred to me that America has been softening since we settled the West. It began with the linking of the East with the West via railroad at Promontory Summit in 1869. Our softening continue with the final submission of the Native American tribes in 1891. We continued to get mushy with the invention and mass production of the automobile; the collapse of subsistence farming; the New Deal and its social programs. Add in welfare, fast food, television, E-Z-Boy chairs, and we're done.

Why is this relevant?

Coming to work this morning on NPR, a Brit, analyzing the impact of yesterday's London bombings said that the Brits would carry on, but they were worried about a falloff in American tourists, because Americans (general population) are a bit more worried than the Brits in regards to their personal safety. I don't disagree with him, but when did this happen?

When did we start becoming a nation of cowerers and how do we pull out of it?

Where are the Americans that crossed this nation in wagons? Where are the Americans who fought against tyranny and oppression? Where are the Americans that conducted Pickett's Charge and those who defended Seminary Ridge? Fought in World War I? Landed in Normandy and Tarawa? Invented manned flight? Went to the moon? Built our dams and highways? Where are the "tough" Americans?

I am not talking about our soldiers, football and rugby players, NASCAR drivers. I am talking about the toughness of your average American. Because in the end, his/her toughness and their resolve will be the key to winning the GWOT. We need to rediscover our grit and fortitude. We need to become physically and mentally tough as a nation. And we certainly don't want the Brits to show us the way when it comes to toughness.

Americans need to start acting like "Americans."

Toto, Ted, and Joe...We're Not in Kansas Anymore

For those who think that the Islamafacists are going away anytime soon...think again. Their objective is not to get us to leave Iraq. Their objective is to get every citizen in the world to cower while they take over every country on earth and turn them into Talibanesque nations. No amount of Kennedy appeasement, nor silly Biden grinning is going to get them to stop. Only their deaths will bring an end to their killing.

The residents of London did NOTHING to deserve what happened to them today. Same of course, for those in Africa, Madrid, and NYC, who were victims of ruthless killers, who deserve nothing more than to be hunted down like dogs and be brought to justice. These people do not care who they kill, they simply want to send their message of hate. They will kill you, your family, and your pet fish if they have a chance...wake up.

This is not the time to weaken the Patriot Act in a thinly veiled attempt by Democrats to woo a very small group of Arab voters. Weakening the Patriot Act will make us exponentially more vulnerable to a re-attack in this country...and should parts of the Patriot Act be repealed or lapse, no amount of Bidenspeak or Kennedyexcusing will shift the blame for subsequent deaths from their shoulders...something Kennedy is already familiar with.

Additionally, we need to wake up and understand that very few Arabs actually want to assimilate into the various Western countries they migrate to. While it appears to be the aim of most western countries to diversify their populations, many of the Arabs that migrate do little to integrate themselves into the mainstream cultures of those countries. That being the case...isn't it becoming reasonable to begin limiting immigration from the countries that are filling our streets with terrorists? Isn't it OK to say "enough" and stop the sources of terror from gaining entry into our country, and not be ashamed to take this necessary defensive measure? I do not dislike Islamacists, but they are the ones doing the wanton killing of innocents...isn't it OK to deny them access to their objective, and protect ourselves without feeling as if we are bad people.

Bottom line good people...this cannot be ignored away, as the Clintons had hoped. This cannot be appeased away as the Bidens and Kennedy's hope. This will not go away anytime soon, and it will certainly not go away until most of these terrorist are dead. When we begin to believe that as a nation...we'll be back in Kansas.

Geez ...Can We Be Any More Cluto?

Hat tip to my buddy at CENTCOM on this one...

If our citizens continue to be as self-centered and clueless as Tom here...we will lose this war. They will insist on living their lives their selfish way, right up until the Islamafacists blow them and their RVs up out in the middle of the desert. Wake up America, there is a war on, and brave men and women are holding the line against terrorism and oppression...get the clue!

A personal note to Tom from Peoria...there are people who get up at 0300 everyday to protect your 0900 sleeping ass, and I hope you choke on the squadron's CO's reply, you smart ass.


http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/0623thurlets239.html

A wake-up call from Luke's jets
Jun. 23, 2005 12:00 AM

Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show?Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 a.m., a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune!Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns' early-bird special? Any response would be appreciated.
- Tom MacRae, Peoria

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/0628tuelets282.html

Flyby honored fallen comrade Jun. 28, 2005 12:00 AM Regarding "A wake-up call from Luke's jets" (Letters, Thursday):On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt Jeremy Fresques.Capt.

Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day. At 9 a.m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend.

Based on the letter writer's recount of the flyby, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the president of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured.

A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

The letter writer asks, "Whom do we thank for the morning air show?"

The 56th Fighter Wing will call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.

Lt. Col. Scott Pleus
Luke Air Force Base
The writer is commander of the 63rd Fighter Squadron.

Tagged By "Bowramp"...Port-O-Call Summary

The crusty old squid at Bowramp http://www.bowramp.blogspot.com/ tagged me to answer some port call questions. My experience comes from floating on the USS Midway in the summers and falls of 1981 and 1983. I'll include bingo/divert destinations associated with my tours.

Number of ports visited...about 20...bingo/diverts add 5.

Most recent was Subic Bay, for 26 days trying to get a dead Phantom out of there...darn it took a long time to get out of there.

Port (Divert) I never want to visit again Tsuiki, Japan...Miso soup for breakfast...nuff said.

Top three most memorable...in order:
Subic Bay, single night for munitions...the fastest 14 hours of my life. Half of our aircrew did not make it out of the rack the entire next day.
Pusan, Korea...first night libo in Service Alphas (greens)...lost most of my short term memory, all my money, and one of my socks.
Divert to Taegu, Korea on Novemeber 10, 1981. Det CO dives out of Women's barracks window, pilot attempts to steal APC, me and the other WSO start up a 6-By...ooops right in front of MP HQ. Happy Birthday Marines.

Duty done...thanks brought a smile to my face.

Recycling Can Be fun...and Informative

I am re-playing my third post, which I originally published January 9th...how's that for leading edge...
All the recent Vietnam comparisons deserve to be courntered. Here I focused, not on Iraq, but the factors about our participation in Vietnam, that eventually made it what it became...use your own adjective here. This is meat and potatos, no fluff...I love recycling.

Iraq Is Not Another Vietnam

WHY IRAQ IS NOT LIKE VIETNAM

While I am sure most to the American population has this figured out, it pains me every time I hear an analogy, a reference, or a prediction that Iraq is, or will turn out like Vietnam.Iraq is not like Vietnam:The terrain in Iraq favors the conventional forces. The terrain in Vietnam favored an asymmetric or guerrilla strategy. The almost contiguous cover afforded to the Viet Cong and the NVA was ideal for insurgency ops. It provided cover for MSRs, staging areas, and nearly all troop movements. It mitigated the effectiveness of our technical advantages and leveled the playing field for the enemy forces. Although the foreign insurgents in Iraq are taking cover in the cities, the lack of secure mobility and their inability to mass forces at critical junctures will keep the insurgency in its current stages. Iraq may be unpleasant, but it is not like Vietnam.

The insurgency in Iraq is not a popular rebellion. The seeds of the NVA victory in Vietnam were planted in the early 1920’s when nationalistic movements of all types were hatched in Europe. The Viet Minh, as did the Communists in China, gained momentum out of their efforts in fighting the Japanese in World War II. Both were modestly successful, but there were no other viable political or military organizations in existence, so they each became the preeminent forces within their countries, regardless of the desires of the US and the rest of the world. The post World War II agreements that attempted to restore French colonialism to Vietnam and the subsequent agreements that divided Vietnam, sealed our eventual fate. The NVA had gained valuable experience fighting the French. They had a safe operating base in the North, and at worst, they had the support of 50% of the entire population of the combined Vietnams. The insurgents in Iraq are largely foreign fighters intent on disrupting the democratization efforts. They have, at best, tepid support from 13% of the population. They are also not a viable political force, which in the end, regardless of the casualties they inflict, will never give them clout in the political arena. They may kill people, but they won’t be a political success.

Our entry into Vietnam was clouded and ambiguous. Our entry into Iraq was clear and purposeful. We were hip deep into Vietnam even before the dubiously credible Gulf of Tonkin incident. President Johnson worked overtime to keep our depth of commitment and troop strengths hidden from the American public. In the end, the depth of our commitment could not be hidden, and the public rightfully became angry at what had been perpetrated. Regardless of if you are for our involvement in Iraq, or against it, President Bush was straightforward in telling the public what he was doing and why he was doing it. Debates about the viability of specific intelligence reports may linger, but there has been no repeat of the rampant lying that hindered our effort throughout the Vietnam War.

The quality of our forces far outstrips the quality of the forces we had fighting in Vietnam. I am not a believer of the “every soldier a druggie” crowd post-Vietnam, but I saw first hand what low morale and poor leadership had done to the USMC on my very first day of duty in MCAS El Toro in 1979. In barracks drug use, unscheduled intramural boxing matches, and complete disrespect for officers and Staff NCOs was common. Those Marines were the remnants of the Vietnam era Corps, and they were a mess. Units failed to meet basic training requirements, such a going to the rifle range…my unit was NOT the exception. It took a long view and hard work to revive the professionalism that had once been the hallmark of our services. Our forces excelled in Afghanistan, a country once thought impervious to outside military operations. They rolled through Kuwait in 1991 and Iraq in 2003 with unmatched speed and precision. They are arguably the best forces this world has seen. While individual soldiers and Marines in Vietnam may have been every bit the match of today’s troopers, collectively they were not nearly the cohesive force we have today.

There are clearly major differences in our involvement in Iraq and our participation in Vietnam. Calling a donkey a horse does not make it one. There is no excuse for the shallow and off base analysis that is nearly continually comparing these two military operations. Let’s learn from the mistakes we have made in the last twenty months, not from a completely unrelated excursion 30 years gone by.

We clearly need to guard against a protracted low-intensity conflict in Iraq, but the final solution will ultimately be a political one. The Iraqis will have their freedom, and hopefully they will have the will to keep it. Regardless of the ultimate outcome, our participation in Iraq will reveal itself to be less a post-colonial folly, and more a necessary attempt to fight the next battle in the war on terrorism, a battle that is effectively reducing the capability of terrorists. At its worst, it has been a battle that has stopped the murder and torture of hundreds of thousands, and freed millions in the process.

Iraq is Iraq. Vietnam was Vietnam.

Got History?

Reference material: Vietnam, Stanley Karnow. A Bright and Shining Lie, Neil Sheehan, In Retrospect, Robert MacNamara. The Best and the Brightest, David Halberstam. Dereliction of Duty, H.R. McMaster. And about 20 others

I Have Not Abandoned Ship

Sorry, I will have to take a little more time off from blogging. I am still catching up on work, and have not had time to get to it. I have a conference tomorrow and go on vacation (not wired in) on Friday. I will be back around the 27th. Regards.

One Last Windmill Attack Before My Trip

Judge Bridges denies petition in King County. Tip to Michelle Malkin for her timely post http://www.michellemalkin.com/ .

My take. "Geez, I don't know where all those votes came from." It is impossible for me to comprehend that a "judge" cannot see the malfeasance that will remain the hallmark of the 2004 Washington State Governor's election. With judges like that, is it any wonder that judges find themselves under siege? Judges are suppose to use...drum roll please...judgement. If the chicanery that was this election is not readily apparent to a judge, then I am missing a nose. His blind eye is damaging to the republic, as voters are now entitled to have zero confidence in the democratic process in Washington. Nice work judge.

For the Dems this is a crime against the country. Stealing elections will come to an end. More than who wins or loses, voters will soon tire of fraud and corruption. Eventually the truth about events in King County will emerge, and the Dems will find the damage to their party was not worth four years of the governorship. Shame on them for the dirty work they have done...I am fairly certain it will come back to haunt them...hopefully in spades.