Bellavia crushes Soltz- "4 months in the motor pool"
Posted By Uncle Jimbo
Jon Soltz is a world class tool who came to prominence for berating a young kid for wearing his uniform to the Kos Kidz batshit fest last year. He is a rude little punk who simply will not shut up and I can't believe they still have him on TV, Well Laura Ingraham teed the the little twerp up and Dave Bellavia knocked him out. Soltz likes to opine on the Iraq war but his total service in country was 4 months in the motor pool. Dave uses the brilliant rhetorical maneuver of stating he won't hold Soltz's lack of service against him in comparison and he shouldn't support Wesley Clark in minimizing John McCain's service and qualifications.
no one is sitting here and going to
take swipes at general wesley clark. my point is are we saying that
aviators are not real soldiers? the comments by rush limbaugh over what
is a real soldier, it is like me telling you john, you spent four
months in the motor pool dispatching vehicles and you are not a real soldier because you
didn't go hand to hand combat in fallujah or you can't talk about iraq
because you haven't been there since 2004....
POW that one left a mark. Here is the video link. And Kev and I are on the road to Denver so that means a mobile freefly.
Leadership - If You Can Fill The Unforgiving Minute.....
Posted By Subsunk
I'm not big on listening to newspaper editors or reporters about what General is the smartest, who likes whom, or what success is in a war (after all, who died and made them CENTCOM?), but this is a fine piece of work, full of facts, real quotes, and clearer about the agendas of people who disagree with a clearly successful endeavor than most.
The Man in the story is a Leader among Men. I am struck by his refusal to discuss why his Bible is marked with post-its and what passages they mark as important, by his generosity of spirit in advancing the career of the Man who shot him, by his superior physical prowess and example to his officers through running them into the ground to keep up with him, and in his steely determination to see a complex and difficult enterpise through to the end, no matter how much sleep he loses, or how difficult the odds against him. And those odds are leveraged by the enemies of America to make the load deeper, harder, and extremely more difficult for the Men and Women serving this General in Iraq.
Not a damn thing any of us can do to provide relief to him in his Duty except pray for his continued safe existence and Leadership, and let him know we are with him. Every day.
Press on, General. You may not see a light at the end of the tunnel, but we do as long as you are on the job. If you can fill the unforgiving minute, with sixty seconds worth of distance run........
Kipling puts more wisdom on one page than most Men can learn in a lifetime.
The Saddest Thing About Barack Obama's Available Military Expertise...
...is that though he has Wes Clark in his corner, the only person he knows with the experience of getting a bomb on target is Bill Ayers.
OK we had fired douche Wesley Clark weigh in and now since a half pint loser who once wore the uniform has smeared the maverick it's apparently OK for any two bit punk ass lefty blogger to do so as well. WOW.
Honestly, besides being tortured, what did McCain do to excel in the military?It's not "nice" to ask the question,
but it's actually a pretty good question. Yes, we all know that John
McCain was captured and tortured in Vietnam (McCain won't let you
forget). A lot of people don't know, however, that McCain made a
propaganda video for the enemy while he was in captivity. Putting that
bit of disloyalty aside, what exactly is McCain's military experience
that prepares him for being commander in chief?
WOW again you miserable piece of shit. What he did was stay true to ethical standards I couldn't even explain to your miserable ass. What he did was refuse the chance to go home and stop being tortured because there were men who had been there longer than him. I won't waste any more time with a human who has no soul so...Here is this world class pussy's bio.
John Aravosis is a Washington DC-based writer and political expert,
specializing in using the Internet for politics.
John has a joint law degree and masters in foreign service from
Georgetown, where he studied under former Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright. John's writing experience includes having written as a
stringer for the Economist magazine and RADAR, and his policy
experience includes stints in the US Senate, the World Bank, and the
Children's Defense Fund. John is also an occasional TV pundit, having
appeared on The O'Reilly Factor, Hardball with Chris Matthews, ABCNews
World News Tonight, CNN, Court TV, and more. John speaks five languages
and has visited or worked in 28 countries, including giving lectures
about the Internet and politics (in English, French and Spanish) in
France, Spain, Italy, Morocco, Indonesia and Cote d'Ivoire.
Worked for Madeline Albright, STRIKE, the World Bank, STRIKE TWO, and the Children's Defense Fund? STRIKE THREE. What a complete loser and tool Mr. Aravosis is. I am unsurprised that a man with such a long history of strutting his product rich hair and politically correct pedigree in front of mollified dolts feels free to dis respect his betters. He is unaware he has any. Look at the freakin shades resting above his quizzical brow. What a chump. I have to stop because this is the guy I have always hated and who makes it nearly impossible for me to reach out to the left. You are low and sorry Mr. Aravosis.
...The American commander in Iraq has made history already. Which is why I'm in such a hurry to see him write it. On his watch, Iraq has turned a corner, with a dramatic decrease in violence, the pacification of provinces where al-Qaeda once held sway and the retreat of foreign-backed militias before a newly resurgent Iraqi national Army. Iraq is now on course to join Turkey and Israel as one of the Middle East's few functioning democracies.
Petraeus is an intellectual in battledress, a standing rebuke to the caricature of the American military as dumb Cowboy Colonels and dumber Imperial Storm Troopers. There's a proud tradition of scholars in the British Army, from Basil Liddell Hart to Rupert Smith, distinguished authors both. But a tradition of condescension towards America has blinded many Britons to the intellectual quality of the US military.
The British shouldn't feel bad -- this is a blind side shared by many, even in Amerca. I've met a few "cowboy Colonels," but no dumb ones.
One of the great secrets of the US military is just how much time its officers and enlisted spend in school, both internal, professional schools and traditional academia. An intellectual bent is often found among combat commanders, like Marine Corps General Mattis. I happen to know the aforementioned Colonel Maxwell, a Special Forces officer, is another who loves to read and think as well as to command men in the field. I value the readings he sends, and our occasional discussions.
Because it is knowledge put to practical purpose in the world, military officers less often have time to write the monographs that are the meat of academia. They often are focused on passing problems of the moment, the business of keeping the world together, and cannot spend the time they would prefer on examining a question of history. They are nevertheless keenly aware of our history.
America is fortunate that citizens who are both intelligent and courageous choose to serve her in this way. They, more than any technology, are the strength of the military -- and the country.
Iraq? I was there-no shit. After weaving through the maze of sandbagged barricades in order to reach the gate of the FOB, I did my usual routine… took in a deep breath to slowly exhale, kissed the underside of my fingers before placing my hand over my heart as both a personal prayer to show courage under fire as well as give love to the laminated picture of my family nestled always within the inner flap of my OTV. Lastly, I performed the ceremonial lips to fingers then tap the ceiling of the vehicle just as I peeled out amidst the haze of dust (something I’d been told to do for “good luck” when running a yellow light back stateside).
Regardless, I was officially locked, cocked, and ready to rock. But this trip outside of the wire was to be different-my first night patrol. Up until this point, I had dealt only with the crippling heat while patrolling during the daytime- no huge deal, right? Tonight was new though, as best as I can describe, imagine playing hide and go seek in the dark…raises the bar of difficulty just a tad, right? Despite already knowing the route and every turn from memory-tonight was going to be different. So as we approached a more developed part of town and noticed increased congestion in the streets, we remained indifferent. Shortly after, we received calls over the radio from our scout vehicle telling us that despite their effort to break traffic for our passing, an obstacle of several Iraqi cars had been positioned at the entrance of the neighborhood to bar our patrol.
Nevertheless, this was manageable, so to plan B we went. Of course for me, plan B consisted of another tweak to my expertise…in turning to plan B we were to stage our vehicles to maintain 360 security to proceed with patrol on foot. First it was a night patrol, but now a night patrol on foot? There was no time for any of my superstitious luck rituals; this time I had to put on my big girl pants and gets it done. Just as soon as I dropped my M-16 to the ready position while walking and scanning, in came the first “POP!” immediately followed by many more. Without hesitation this cape of fearlessness I had heard others mention snapped on my shoulders and I took cover. Behind remnants of what could only have once been a statue or figure blown to pieces, I checked my weapon, and my aid bag to make sure they had made it with me considering I had just dove within one blink of an eye. Another “POP,” then a vicious “BUZZ!” That “buzz” is all too familiar still-not many are quick to forget the exact sound or breeze of a bullet shooting past your head. Yes, I have reason to believe that one was meant for me. Just as soon as I repositioned myself, I recall hearing that night’s first cry for “MEDIC!”
Shit, that’s me! Shit! I can’t see anything-its dark! But as I mentioned previously, that magic cape was on-the one that instantly puts you into numbness and allows you to forge ahead. Yeah well thankfully I did, needless to say all while in midst of the most death-defying version of Marco Polo I have ever had to play. Got to my guy that was hit-he’s talking, so far so good. Shit another one, hit too. As I’m down beside my injured battle buddy trying to help him as best as possible considering the urgency to move him to a better protected area, he belts out,” Doc! Just tell me! Tell me- is my stuff still there?” I’m thinking stuff? What? Sure enough the gesturing to the area of his groin made by his arm on the side of his body not shot was plenty for me figure out what he had meant…my dear injured battle buddy was inquiring the status of his “manhood,” first and foremost. I admit, my immediate reaction was mixed with both surprise and disappointment for not automatically assuming that he would be preoccupied with the potential loss of his mister. Ironically, that would not be the last time that exact concern would be voiced. In fact, rain or shine, night or day, my wounded men left me with no surprise thereafter, as that later helped assess the priority of treatment. Nine times out of ten, if a wounded man is still coherent enough to check the status of his “stuff,” he’s going to be ok after all.
We eventually received added support to control the area of patrol that night, and despite the many firsts I may have encountered in just one trip-thankfully the entire convoy manifest made it back to the FOB alive...bits and pieces and all.
During my recent trip, I had the opportunity to visit Barrett Firearms, makers of a rather famous .50 caliber rifle, along with a number of other firearms and specialty ammunition to shoot in them. This is part one of that visit, and I hope you enjoy it.
LW
UPDATE: You can see the second part of the visit here.
Seymour Hersh has a properly damaged reputation due to his numerous wild tales about our government's heinous activities. He became an icon of the hater left for exposing the My Lai massacre, but he has been chasing horror stories ever since and regularly "leaks" classified info. I scare quoted leak because quite a few of his "leaks" are more propaganda than reportage. A well-placed lie is as deadly as a well-placed truth and classified lies are the easiest because they cannot, by nature, be verified. That said his latest leak/lie is that we are prepping the battlefield in Iran.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Bush administration has launched a
"significant escalation" of covert operations in Iran, sending U.S.
commandos to spy on the country's nuclear facilities and undermine the
Islamic republic's government, journalist Seymour Hersh said Sunday..
Hersh told CNN's "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer" that Congress has
authorized up to $400 million to fund the secret campaign, which
involves U.S. special operations troops and Iranian dissidents.
President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have rejected findings from U.S.
intelligence agencies that Iran has halted a clandestine effort to
build a nuclear bomb and "do not want to leave Iran in place with a
nuclear program," Hersh said.
"They believe that their mission
is to make sure that before they get out of office next year, either
Iran is attacked or it stops its weapons program," Hersh said.
President Bush, VP Cheney and all sentient beings have rejected a hack report by losers at the CIA who have gotten pretty much nothing right ever. I don't even think, well we know, El Baradei doesn't believe the lies he spews about Iran and even that clown was honest enough to say they could have a bomb in less than a year. He really doesn't care if they do and probably believes they have every right to. I mean who are the Americans to tell proud Islamic nations what kinds of weapons they may have.
You can also add the active role the media has assigned itself as a check on the Commander in Chief's authority to deal with clear and present dangers. They feel, as Hersh shows here, that they must expose the evil machinations of the Bush crime family and whether they leak actual classified info or pull a Hersh and just tell as big a lie as you think you can tell, they will advancs their policy. Freefly on this, Wesley (Clinton fired me) Clark mouthing off about McCain and a few other items.
"Grab it before the Pentagon orders it burned..." - Vanity Fair
"...nonpartisan patriotism is the common thread tying together these reflections, love letters and stories of combat. They make for riveting reading." - The Washington Post
Winner of the 2006 Gold Medal for Anthologies - Military Writer's Society of America
"This collection is an excellent introduction to an emerging form of war reporting." - Booklist
"...there is much to tell, and celebrate, in the tough, day-to-day work that our soldiers are doing in one of the most challenging environments any army has ever faced..." - The Philadelphia Inquirer
"...the collection is riveting...a worthy tribute." - The American Prospect
Click here
for more information and list of blogger/authors
Former Paratrooper and Army Officer, "Blackfive" started this blog upon learning of the valorous sacrifice of a friend that was not reported by the journalist whose life he saved. Email: blackfive AT gmail DOT com
Retired Special Operations Master Sergeant, Jim Hanson ("Uncle Jimbo") is now focused on writing about the military, politics, intelligence operations and foreign policy. Email: jimbo AT unclejimbo DOT com
Writer, photographer, and raconteur C. Blake Powers is the Laughing Wolf. He is independent in politics and covers topics including journalism, military, weapons, preparedness, space, science, cooking, food and wine, product and book reviews, and even spirituality. Email: wolf1 AT laughingwolf DOT net Laughing Wolf's Amazon Wish List
Grim -- an Old Norse name that means 'one who wears a mask' -- blogs on issues of intelligence, information operations, and foreign relations. Email: grimbeornr AT yahoo DOT com
Instapinch
Bill Paisley, otherwise known as Pinch, is a 22 year (ongoing) active and
reserve naval aviator. He blogs over at www.instapinch.com on a veritable
cornucopia of various and sundry items and will bring a tactical naval
aviator's perspective to Blackfive. Readers be warned: any comments of or
about the F-14 Tomcat will be reverential and spoken in low, hushed tones.
Email: wpaisley AT comcast DOT net
Mr. Wolf has over 26 years in the Army, Army NG, and USAR. He’s Airborne with 5 years as an NCO, before becoming an officer. Mr. Wolf has had 4 company commands. Signal Corp is his basic branch, and Public Affairs is his functional area. He recently served 22 straight months in Kuwait and Iraq, in Intel, PA, and senior staff of MNF-I. Mr. Wolf is now an IT executive. He is currently working on a book on media and the Iraq war. Functional gearhead.
In Iraq, he received the moniker of Mr. Wolf after the Harvey Kietel character in Pulp Fiction, when "challenges" arose, they called on Mr. Wolf...
Email: TheDOTMrDOTWolfAT gmail DOT com
Deebow is a Staff Sergeant and a Military Police Squad Leader in the Army National Guard. In a previous life, he served in the US Navy. He has over 19 years of experience in both the Maritime and Land Warfare; including deployments to Southwest Asia, Thailand, the South Pacific, South America and Egypt. He has served as a Military Police Team Leader and Protective Services Team Leader and he has served on assignments with the US State Department, US Air Force Security Police, US Army Criminal Investigation Division, and the US Drug Enforcement Administration. He recently spent time in Afghanistan working with, training and fighting alongside Afghan Soldiers and is now focused on putting his 4 year Political Science degree to work by writing about foreign policy, military security policy and politics.
McQ has 28 years active and reserve service. Retired. Infantry officer. Airborne and Ranger. Consider my 3 years with the 82nd as the most fun I ever had with my clothes on. Interests include military issues and policy and veteran's affairs.
Email: mcq51 -at - bellsouth -dot- net
Chris Carter is a former USAF firefighter and now civilian firefighter who covers military history, national security, and baseball. Find out more at his website.
Twitter: @CrushingChris EMAIL: crushnik AT yahoo DOT com
Tantor is a former USAF navigator/weapon system officer (WSO) in F-4E Phantoms who served in the US, Asia, and Europe. He is now a curmudgeonly computer geek in Washington, DC, picking the taxpayers pocket. His avocations are current events, aviation, history, and conservative politics.
Twenty-three years of Active and Reserve service in the US Army in SF (18B), Infantry and SOF Signal jobs with operational deployments to Bosnia and Africa. Since retiring he's worked as Senior Defense Analyst on SOF and Irregular Warfare projects and currently ensconced in the emerging world of Cyberspace.
Major Pain --
A Marine who began his blog in Iraq and reflects back on what he learned there and in Afghanistan. To the point opinions, ideas and thoughts on military, political and the media from One Marine’s View. Email: onemarinesview AT yahoo DOT com
Uber Pig was an Infantryman from late 1991 until early 1996, serving with Second Ranger Battalion, I Corps, and then 25th Infantry Division. At the time, the Army discriminated against enlisted soldiers who wanted use the "Green to Gold" program to become officers, so he left to attend Stanford University. There, he became expert in detecting, avoiding, and surviving L-shaped ambushes, before dropping out to be as entrepreneurial as he could be. He is now the founder of a software startup serving the insurance and construction industries, and splits time between Lake Tahoe, Boonville, and San Francisco, CA.
Uber Pig writes for Blackfive a) because he's the proud brother of an enlisted Civil Affairs Reservist who currently serves in Iraq, b) because he looks unkindly on people who make it harder for the military in general, and for his brother in particular, to succeed at their missions and come home in victory, and c) because the Blackfive readers and commenters help keep him sane.
COB6 spent 24 years in the active duty Army that included 5 combat tours with service in the 1st Ranger Battalion and 1st Special Forces Group . COB6 was enlisted (E-7) and took the OCS route to a commission. COB6 retired a few years back as a field grade Infantry officer.
Currently COB6 has a son in the 82nd Airborne that just returned from his third tour and has a newly commissioned daughter in the 4th Infantry Division.
Worked for Madeline Albright, STRIKE, the World Bank, STRIKE TWO, and the Children's Defense Fund? STRIKE THREE. What a complete loser and tool Mr. Aravosis is. I am unsurprised that a man with such a long history of strutting his product rich hair and politically correct pedigree in front of mollified dolts feels free to dis respect his betters. He is unaware he has any. Look at the freakin shades resting above his quizzical brow. What a chump. I have to stop because this is the guy I have always hated and who makes it nearly impossible for me to reach out to the left. You are low and sorry Mr. Aravosis.
