AZ Troop Deployed Who Left Dogs With Friend, Call Home

Posted By Laughing_Wolf • [September 02, 2010]

Several of you have contacted me about the dogs of a soldier deployed overseas (possibly Iraq) who were dropped off at the shelter by the "friend" in who's care they were entrusted.  To be honest, the story sort of smelled to more than one of us, and some digging was done.  Thanks to a good Friend on the ground where this occurred, the smell is less though there are still some questions.

It does appear that two dogs were dropped off at a shelter, with the story that they belonged to a soldier deployed overseas (apparently Iraq but not confirmed).  They were dumped by a "friend" of the soldier who had been given custody; however, the "friend's" wife apparently was allergic so rather than do something responsible, the "friend" dumped them at the shelter. 

One of the things mitigating the smell was the actions of the shelter, which kept them longer than normal, did not put them down, and worked to find them a home together.  The Friend on the ground is working to find out more details, and to get a unit, name, or something else so that we can let the soldier in question know what is going on. 

Meantime, a home has been found at a resort nearby, and the people there are taking care of them while efforts to contact the soldier are underway.  They've declined help, but know that there is a network of people ready and eager to help as necessary. 

If you know a unit deployed from Arizona, or know of someone from Arizona deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, please share this story with them.  If they contact me using the e-mail on the right, I will get them in touch with the people who have the dogs.  They are being well cared for.

As for me, I hope the "friend" in question isn't just some s***bird who made up a convincing tale.  If the story as told is true, however, I suggest they run far and fast before the troop gets home, because I know how I would react to the complete and total douchebaggery displayed.  For dumping the dogs in a kill shelter with no apparent effort to find them a home first makes one a buddyf****r extraordinare. 

LW

Help A Milblogger: Buy A Book

Posted By Laughing_Wolf • [September 02, 2010]

Milblogger and all-around good person Baldilocks has, like many of us, hit a bump in the road.  However, she has a novel way to deal with it.  Go check it out and buy a book.

LW

Julian Assange: Collateral Rapist (Update)

Posted By Uber Pig • [September 01, 2010]

If you have a blog or a facebook page, please consider publishing a link to this post, or to the original article:

Director of Public Prosecutions Marianne Ny said she decided to reopen the investigation after further review of the case.

"There is reason to believe that a crime has been committed. Considering information available at present, my judgment is that the classification of the crime is rape," Ny said in a statement on the Prosecution Authority's website.

"More investigations are necessary before a final decision can be made," she added. She also said a preliminary investigation into charges of molestation would be expanded to sexual coercion and sexual molestation.

"The case has a high priority," she told Reuters. She declined to say whether Assange had already been questioned or give further information.

My heart goes out to these poor women -- apparently at least one of which was a young girl at the time she was raped -- just as it goes out to the Apache helicopter crew he so unfairly maligned, and to the families of the Afghanistan informants he exposed, and who now are in fear for their lives.  More here.

-- Uber Pig

PS:  Assange's internal monologue.

Book Review- Capitol Game by Brian Haig

Posted By Uncle Jimbo • [September 01, 2010]

Elise Cooper for BLACKFIVE

The Capitol Game by Brian Haig is a fast paced book that the reader will not want to put down. The plot is about a small, insignificant company on the edge of bankruptcy that has supposedly discovered a miraculous polymer that when coated on any vehicle, is the equivalent of 30 inches of steel. The Capitol Group, one of the country’s largest and most powerful corporations was enlisted to take over the smaller company that developed the polymer. After the Pentagon’s investigative service starts to ask questions the Capitol Group finds themselves embroiled in a tremendous scandal that involves insider trading, SEC violations, and profiteering.

Brian Haig’s experience enables him to understand how the military procurement system works. He previously served in the military as Special Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Command in Korea, and then for four years as Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Mr. Haig gets his point across in a clear, concise, and humorous manner. The reader is able to see the tragedy of incompetence and profiteering through the characters. Haig told blackfive.net that “In life as well as literature to make a tragedy have an impact it must be done through people.” Captain Bill Forrest is a minor character that plays a major role in the book. He dies when his vehicle hits an IED in Iraq. Using that as a springboard Haig allows the reader to understand what the book is really about, how a corporation tries to make money off of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Haig commented that “what the book is really about is contractor profiteering. The bomb issue was a critical issue. How is it that we took 6 to 7 years to field combat vehicles that would have given our soldiers a much higher chance of survival against the principle battlefield weapon, IED’s.”

The two heroes of the book are intentionally vague and are not fully developed, probably because this novel is definitely more of a plot driven story where there are many twists and turns. Everything comes to head in the last three chapters when the reader is able to see how the dots were connected.

Brian Haig’s novel, The Capitol Game is an intelligent and captivating thriller. He is able to alert the reader in a very insightful way how a company is willing to put its own profits ahead of both the taxpayer and the American soldier. This book is an exciting read and very informative. Haig has hit a home run with this novel.

Obama's "Targeted Killings" in Court

Posted By Blackfive • [September 01, 2010]

Reader Bruce C. sent the article below with some good questions about our targeted killing programs.  

Here is the article by Evan Perez in the Wall Street Journal:

Suit Challenges Reach of U.S. 'Targeted Killings'

...The American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights are taking aim at what the government calls its "targeted killing" program, which mostly uses Central Intelligence Agency-operated drones against suspected terrorists.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court for the District of Columbia on behalf of the father of Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-born Islamic cleric of Yemeni descent, who is believed to be targeted for extra-judicial killing for his alleged involvement in terror plots against the U.S.

The administration hasn't publicly described its deliberations about Mr. Awlaki's fate, nor how it uses the secret drone program against suspected terrorists...

Read the whole article here and then let's hear what you think in the Comments.

Bruce writes:

...[These are] proactive lawsuits to provoke CIA/DoD into "proving" a person is enough of a danger to warrant targeted killing.

OK, maybe there ought to be some kind of review on these killings if they're not part of war (and it's a fair debate if they are war or not), but a hearing in open court with the media and others present?...When a request for wiretaps is heard, it is held in a secret intelligence court with attorneys and judges holding TS/SCI clearances. That venue seems like the proper place for these targeted killing hearings, and that's only if they are necessary...

BTW, Awlaki was the model citizen who 'counseled' Major Nidal Hassan who killed 13 Americans...among other things.

President Costanza

Posted By Blackfive • [September 01, 2010]

James Taranto at WSJ's Best of the Web explains...hilarious (if it weren't so true...this is a pretty darn important time to be going through the "Summer of George")

A Better Speech

Posted By Blackfive • [September 01, 2010]

Because we need a morale boost after that speech yesterday, here is a repeat of a Blackfive reader favorite video - LTC Randolph White's Infantry School AIT graduation speech:

Building the Perfect Kill House - Virtually

Posted By Blackfive • [September 01, 2010]

Nick K. sends us this story about using video game software to emulate conditions inside a shoot house:

...The Laser Shot Virtual Shoot House gives these specialized warriors a chance to blow in doors, fire live ammo and take out life-sized enemies, all in a real environment helped along by quite a bit of video game technology.

The soldiers are deadly serious about their training. The weapons and ammo they use very real. But their opponents are life-sized video game avatars, the blood virtual, the threat they pose imagined. And the walls these digital enemies stand in front of are actually high-tech video screens that can project images and automatically seal up after a round passes through them...

Read the rest here.  Be sure to check out the video about the shoot house at the end of the article.

Veterans are the reason for the high deficit

Posted By Blackfive • [September 01, 2010]

So, last night, a Presidential speech about ending combat operations (not really) in Iraq became an economic diatribe. At least the President promised to stand by veterans:

...That effort must begin within our own borders. Throughout our history, America has been willing to bear the burden of promoting liberty and human dignity overseas, understanding its link to our own liberty and security. But we have also understood that our nation’s strength and influence abroad must be firmly anchored in our prosperity at home. And the bedrock of that prosperity must be a growing middle class.

Unfortunately, over the last decade, we have not done what is necessary to shore up the foundation of our own prosperity. We have spent over a trillion dollars at war, often financed by borrowing from overseas. This, in turn, has short-changed investments in our own people, and contributed to record deficits. For too long, we have put off tough decisions on everything from our manufacturing base to our energy policy to education reform. As a result, too many middle class families find themselves working harder for less, while our nation’s long-term competitiveness is put at risk.

And so at this moment, as we wind down the war in Iraq, we must tackle those challenges at home with as much energy, and grit, and sense of common purpose as our men and women in uniform who have served abroad. They have met every test that they faced. Now, it is our turn. Now, it is our responsibility to honor them by coming together, all of us, and working to secure the dream that so many generations have fought for –the dream that a better life awaits anyone who is willing to work for it and reach for it.

Our most urgent task is to restore our economy, and put the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs back to work. To strengthen our middle class, we must give all our children the education they deserve, and all our workers the skills that they need to compete in a global economy. We must jumpstart industries that create jobs, and end our dependence on foreign oil. We must unleash the innovation that allows new products to roll off our assembly lines, and nurture the ideas that spring from our entrepreneurs. This will be difficult. But in the days to come, it must be our central mission as a people, and my central responsibility as President.

Part of that responsibility is making sure that we honor our commitments to those who have served our country with such valor. As long as I am President, we will maintain the finest fighting force that the world has ever known, and do whatever it takes to serve our veterans as well as they have served us. This is a sacred trust. That is why we have already made one of the largest increases in funding for veterans in decades. We are treating the signature wounds of today’s wars post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury, while providing the health care and benefits that all of our veterans have earned. And we are funding a post-9/11 GI Bill that helps our veterans and their families pursue the dream of a college education. Just as the GI Bill helped those who fought World War II- including my grandfather- become the backbone of our middle class, so today’s servicemen and women must have the chance to apply their gifts to expand the American economy. Because part of ending a war responsibly is standing by those who have fought it...

And today we have the President's adviser, former Senator Alan Simpson, talking about reasons for our high (and getting higher everyday) deficit.  From the Boston Globe:

..."The irony (is) that the veterans who saved this country are now, in a way, not helping us to save the country in this fiscal mess," said Simpson, an Army veteran who was once chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee...

I know that many of you are scratching your heads on this one.

Continue reading "Veterans are the reason for the high deficit"

Obama has learned nothing about being Commander in Chief

Posted By Uncle Jimbo • [September 01, 2010]

My reaction to Obama's speech was confirmation that this guy has near zero leadership ability.

President Obama’s biggest problem as Commander in Chief is that he is not a leader. He is detached from the troops who fight our wars and they will never feel about him the way they did about George W. Bush. He is uninspiring and it is obvious that he considers the fight against Islamic extremists to be a distraction from his true mission, fundamentally transforming and rescuing America from its failed past. There was not a single moment in his speech where he spoke to the troops about their mission. He spoke about them in reverent tones, but he never articulated what we were fighting and why it really mattered. There is a reason for that, he has absolutely no rapport with them, he doesn’t understand them, and he has absolutely no clue how to lead them. Hell he really wishes he didn’t have to.

My welcoming rant to Obama is below the fold (language warning). Sadly it still seems perfectly apt.

Continue reading "Obama has learned nothing about being Commander in Chief"

Drunkblogging the Obama Speech So I don't have to...

Posted By Blackfive • [August 31, 2010]

Stephen Green, the Vodka Pundit, drunk blogs the address by President Obama.  I'm at Parent-Teacher conference or waterboarding (depending on what currency you use) so see what Stephen says about the speech:

Here's a taste:

5:07PM Surge? Anyone? Anyone?

5:07PM “Long term approach to Iraq?” It’s the same policy from 2008, thanks to The Surge of 2007. Any thanks? Any mention?

5:08PM “What America can do, will do, is provide support… ” “Ending this war…” Win? Surge? Anyone?

5:08PM Tight budgets at home? And he’s only just now crediting the troops? Pardon while I refill. Twice.

5:09PM “Time to turn the page.” And, this is an exact quote: “Contentious. Pause. Issue. Pause. At home. Pause.” Glitchy prompter?

5:09PM Bush got a mention, the troops got two mentions — but I haven’t hear thanks to either one.

Legion Riders make yearly goal! And destroy it!

Posted By Mr Wolf • [August 31, 2010]

The American Legion Riders met their yearly goal of 450k.  Yeah, and then some.  A BUNCH of 'then some'.  In fact, they are likely to supersede last year's total.  This is after many posts came forward during a part of the convention today with their donations that were collected over the last year.

So far, they have raised $591,592.00 in donations for the Legacy Foundation, which helps to give funds for the education costs of the children of fallen servicemembers.

Way to go guys, way to go.  So makes the ride worthwhile...

Wolf

Team Rubicon Headed To Pakistan

Posted By Blackfive • [August 31, 2010]

Team Rubicon is heading to Pakistan this week.

Dr. Eduardo Dolhun of Stanford reached out to TR to provide security for this mission. The emphasis on security is highlighted by the recent order by the Taliban to attack foreign aid workers. The team is composed of veterans - former Army SF, former Navy Seals, former Army Infantry, and former Marine.

Dr. Dolhun has a proprietary oral rehydration solution (ORS) called Drip Drop that is used to treat cholera, dehydration, and disease. TR is going to remote areas to, not only deliver the ORS solution, but train people how to make it with locally available resources. Indigenizing the solution is the end goal of this mission, so that those that TR trains are less of a burden on the already stretched thin government and NGOs. Dolhun is Mayo Clinic trained and educated, and he deployed with TR in Haiti. He is an expert at treating cholera so TR's mission matches up well with the conditions on the ground. TR is carrying enough solution to treat up to 8,000 refugees. Dolhun wants to identify a solid partner on the ground so more ORS can be shipped in after TR's departure.

I believe that Hugh Hewitt will have an exclusive with Team Rubicon who will be on his show live from Pakistan.

Donations are needed:

http://teamrubiconusa.org/2010/08/28/your-donations-needed-to-bring-oral-rehydration-therapy-to-pakistan/

Here's a video about Dolhoun's Drip Drop working in Haiti.

Gibbs Previews President's Speech

Posted By Blackfive • [August 31, 2010]

Stole this from our pals at This Ain't Hell

Mr. Gibbs says, "I don't think that there's any doubt as candidate Obama said that adding 20,000 men and women into Iraq would improve the security situation..."

Perhaps, Mr. Gibbs, but he also said:

“I am not persuaded that 20,000 additional troops in Iraq is going to solve the sectarian violence there. In fact, I think it will do the reverse.” - Senator Barrak Obama in response to the PSOTUS. (January 10, 2007 on MSNBC)

So I officially have doubts, Mr. Gibbs.

Jonn Lilyea at This Ain't Hell said about the exchange, "We already know the answers, but the Obama Administration is clearly frightened by the answers."

Update:  Here is the video of the President and what he said as a candidate:

Boxer Bringing Home The Bacon?

Posted By Laughing_Wolf • [August 31, 2010]

To anyone following the news, it is unsurprising to find out that "Call me Senator!" Boxer is in a tight re-election campaign this year.  So, it's hardly surprising to find her apparently implying that she will put the purchase of more Boeing C-17s (produced in her area) into the defense appropriations bill. 

Even when the Secretary of Defense has already said, multiple times, that they don't want anymore.  In point of fact, the SecDef has even indicated that the White House will and should veto any legislation with that included. 

Bringing home the bacon has always been job one for far too many Congressmen.  Some in DC consider this just more of the typical budget "game" where DoD doesn't ask for something needed as they know members of Congress will add it without being asked and they can claim pro-forma innocence.  This latest attempt, however, smacks of a certain amount of desperation on Senator Ma'am's part, however.

The problem with bringing home the bacon (or playing "typical" budget games), especially during a tight election like this, is that it can do real harm.  It can block much needed competition (and there is competition both domestic and foreign in this class).  It can and does pull funds away from other areas of airlift, some of which the military may consider more needed and a higher priority. 

I'm working on a longer piece, and trying to even get a comment from Gates on this, but this serves as a start.  It also sets forth my question:  is the sizzling sound being heard the bacon cooking, or the re-election chances of Senator Boxer.

LW