Yesterday morning I was rousted from my rack at the ungodly hour of 1030....am by none other than Concrete Bob. He was all agitated about some grass roots political campaign. Now I don't get too wound up about most of these things, but he took me for a ride out to the Virginia countryside and I was honestly amazed by what we saw. Apparently the reputation of our very own Wolf has led to a campaign to draft him into the US Congress. Bob found rabid Wolf supporter X-Ero Ponsdorf to make an endorsement.
Right wing extremist and founding member of the Angry Mob, Jonn Lilyea says "Give me Wolf or give me death. Well really I'll just take another one of those Belgian ales."
The Capitol One Vikings, who were even wearing wolf, are 100% pro-Wolf for Congress and have promised some looting and pillaging in support of the campaign.
Team Army was the first team that passed the half way mark yesterday in the Soldier's Angels Project Valour-IT competition.
Please contribute whatever you can. We've had large and small donations from Gold Star parents, Blue Star families, Soldiers and Dept of the Army civilians. You can also dedicate your donation for someone.
All of the proceeds (after minor processing fees) goes directly to purchasing adaptive technology for our wounded troops.
The threat of a terrorist attack on the United States is real and severe but we have been blessed lately that the attempts have been so stunningly lame. First we had the panty bomber, then the Times Square bozo and now we have another cunning plan that failed from al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula AQAP. That's three strikes and you are out jackwagons.
An initial examination of the two suspicious packages examined abroad indicate they contain explosive material, U.S. President Obama said Friday.
If we can be thankful for one thing it's that these goat-raping morons can't even seem to build a bomb that will blow up. FFS, I've been doing that since 7th grade when we launched a pile of tires at the playground skyward. The fact that these losers have this much trouble with the task would be reassuring if I didn't think that eventually they will figure out they are a soup sandwich paddling around in their chicken wire canoe looking for the screen door to their submarine so they can get out and walk in wearing bowling cleats and swinging a football bat. I'm trying to say they suck hoover and we can only hope they stay true to form.
Our own Mr. Wolf has been kicking around a number of theories and ideas about just what this actually was.
''I'm saying something different here. That this is all too 'neat' and too close to the elections to be just an AQ/AQAP attempt or even a dry run. I'm calling BS on a dry-run attempt, as they would not ruin their ops locations on such a plan- they would not waste the resources or likelihood of getting caught for something with no payoff. This, in my estimation, was one of 3 things-
1. An attempt by someone inside the administration or sympathetic to it in order to make PBO look 'presidential'
2. An attempt by AQ to influence the elections a la Spain (from back in 2004- the train attacks)
3. A sympathy ploy by AQ or AQ sympathizers to prop up the admin as they PREFER a weak PBO to a stronger Congress.
This entire event unfolded too neatly- like some TV episode or something. This played out too easily and was traced right back to its origins immediately- teens would know that packages shipped by such carriers as UPS would be able to find the sender's location. That's nuts. Plus, if it were a dry-run, why would they use 'simulated' explosives? If they were looking at timing, ship Quarans or CD's or something of a similar size/weight. That would get your timing ok'd. I think if that were the case, and they were using online tracking programs, anything that LOOKED like a boom-boom would not have been used. My background includes things such as watching for such attaks and attempts; this is not following the usual playbook at all. My sources are telling me something similar as well.
There are many states that are not particularly concerned about getting absentee ballots from our troops in combat zones counted. That is disgraceful and ought to offend even the most liberal among us. A suit filed in Maryland by the Military Voter Protection Project has just taken a big step to remedy this. A judge has ruled that the state must extend the dealine for the ballots to be returned by ten days to ensure our soldiers are not disenfranchised. Well Glory Hallelujah, that is the right answer for a start. Now we need to make sure this is nation wide. h/t PJM.
"Those people behind the mosque have to respect, have to appreciate and have to defer to the people of New York..."
But that hasn't deterred the forces arrayed to "build" the center and mosque.
...Rauf has already rejected the advice, saying, "we plan to build the community centre in this location because we have been part of Lower Manhattan for decades and we want to better serve the needs of our neighbours of all faith traditions."...
I know this will irritate some of you (tough) but here's Pat Condell's version of why we (public opinion) need to stop this mosque from being built and opened next September 11th - via The Jawa Report.
Imam Rauf's arguments are that the Cordoba Initiative is related to the Cordoba mosque in Spain that was built around 800AD and, depending on your mileage (may vary), ushered in an era of tolerance and peace in Spain. Over at the Beeb, both sides are presented. I think it's safe to say that what sufficed as religious tolerance in 900AD Spain would not even come close to what we Westerners would consider "tolerant".
In Islamic Spain, Jews and Christians were tolerated if they:
acknowledged Islamic superiority
accepted Islamic power
paid a tax called Jizya to the Muslim rulers and sometimes paid higher rates of other taxes
avoided blasphemy
did not try to convert Muslims
complied with the rules laid down by the authorities. These included:
restrictions on clothing and the need to wear a special badge
restrictions on building synagogues and churches
not allowed to carry weapons
could not receive an inheritance from a Muslim
could not bequeath anything to a Muslim
could not own a Muslim slave
a dhimmi man could not marry a Muslim woman (but the reverse was acceptable)
a dhimmi could not give evidence in an Islamic court
dhimmis would get lower compensation than Muslims for the same injury
And this ruling from around 1100AD:
A Muslim must not massage a Jew or a Christian nor throw away his refuse nor clean his latrines. The Jew and the Christian are better fitted for such trades, since they are the trades of those who are vile.
Another round of the farce that is negotiating with the Iranians about their nuke program is about to crank up. I feel safer already.
BRUSSELS — Iran said Friday that it is ready to resume talks with the West about its nuclear program in November, officials at the European Union said here on Friday.
I hope that this could be a change in the Iranian position that we can believe in. We could be the ones they have been waiting for. Yeah right! Here is my favorite bit and I think the perfect encapsulation of the whole process.
Mr. Jalili, the letter said, was willing to “resume the talks based on his letter of 6 July.” In that letter, the Iranian negotiator said that talks should aim to engage and cooperate, that they should be committed to the rationale of dialogue, and that Ms. Ashton should state her “position on the nuclear weapons of the Zionist Regime” — a reference to Israel, which does not confirm or deny that it has nuclear weapons.
Darren Ennis, Ms. Ashton’s spokesman, said, “The issue of Iran’s nuclear program must be the core part in the negotiations, but Ms. Ashton doesn’t rule anything else out.”
So the Iranians will come to the table and then will deflect this running joke into another two minutes hate about the JOOOOOOOS! Well that will certainly be helpful.
South Korea's YTN TV is reporting that North Korean troops fired across the border about 90 miles north east of Seoul. Apparently, NORK troops were targeting a South Korean Army unit. From the Beeb:
...The incident comes as Seoul prepares to host a meeting of world leaders from the G20 group of nations on 11 and 12 November.
The border between the two Koreas is one of the most heavily fortified in the world, with many thousands of troops station on either side of a demilitarised zone.
There have been frequent incidents at sea, but this is believed to be the first cross-border shooting on land since 2006...
Citation: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Ernest D. Reynolds (US-55881470), Private, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations, while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Private Reynolds distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 2 November 1966, in the Republic of Korea, by sacrificing his own life in the defense of his fellow soldiers. Private Reynolds was a member of a patrol operating near the southern boundary of the Demilitarized Zone in Korea when his patrol was attacked and overrun by an armed patrol of the North Korean Army. Prior to the attack, as rear security man, he had occupied a concealed position and opened fire upon the enemy, and he continued to fire until he himself was killed. His indomitable courage, determination, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 2d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
AND
MIZUSAWA, BERT K. Citation: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Bert K. Mizusawa, Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for exceptional valor and gallantry in action while serving as Commander of the Joint Security Force Company, United Nations Command Security Force at Panmunjom, Korea, on 23 November 1984. In reaction to thirty attacking North Korean soldiers in pursuit of a Soviet defector, Captain Mizusawa's outstanding leadership and aggressive actions in leading his company while under fire were instrumental in defeating the enemy and ensuring the safety of the defector and other personnel in the United Nations Command sector of the Joint Security Area. He was responsible for providing sustained suppressive fires and stopping the enemy force with an M-203. Throughout the intense firefight, Captain Mizusawa displayed a complete disregard for his own personal safety while accomplishing his mission. Captain Mizusawa's bravery and outstanding leadership under extremely hazardous circumstances are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect great credit upon him, the United Nations Command and the United States Army.
WHAT IS VALOUR-IT? Project Valour-IT began when Captain Charles "Chuck" Ziegenfuss was wounded by an IED while serving as commander of a tank company in Iraq in June 2005.
During his deployment he kept a blog (an online personal diary, opinion forum, or news analysis site-called a milblog or military weblog when written by a servicemember or about military subjects). Captivating writing, insightful stories of his experiences, and his self-deprecating humor won him many loyal readers. After he was wounded, his wife continued his blog, keeping his readers informed of his condition.
As he began to recover, CPT Ziegenfuss wanted to return to writing his blog, but serious hand injuries hampered his typing. When a loyal and generous reader gave him a copy of the Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred software, other readers began to realize how important such software could be to CPT Ziegenfuss' fellow wounded soldiers and started cast about for a way to get it to them.
"At that time I had no use of either hand. I know how humbling it is, how humiliating it feels. And I know how much better I felt, how amazingly more functional I felt, after Soldiers' Angels provided me with a laptop and a loyal reader provided me with the software. I can't wait to do the same, to give that feeling to another soldier at Walter Reed." - Captain Chuck Ziegenfuss at TC Override (wounded in Iraq)
Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss (Captain Chuck Ziegenfuss' father), provides voice-controlled software and laptop computers to wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand and arm injuries, amputations, eye or brain injuries, at major military medical centers. Operating laptops by speaking into a microphone, our wounded heroes are able to send and receive messages from friends and loved ones, surf the 'Net, and communicate with buddies still in the field without having to press a key or move a mouse.
Folks, I've witnessed several wounded soldiers set up their laptops only to email or Skype their friends and comrades in the war zone to let them know that they are okay. Keeping them in communication with loved ones increases the possibility of a successful recovery exponentially.
THE COMPETITION In order to fund the thousands of laptops we have distributed and need to distribute, we have an annual competition.
Valour-IT's online fundraising competition begins today! Let's see who can raise the most money to help reconnect our wounded warriors with the world!
WHAT: Friendly fundraising competition for Valour-IT.WHEN: October 28th through Veterans Day, November 11th. Team Army's goal is $15,000. WHERE: Based in the blogosphere, spreading everywhere else. WHY: Because giving wounded warriors with hand and arm injuries access to a computer supports their healing and puts them back in touch with the world. HOW: Blogger teams will be divided along military branches, with civilians "up for grabs."
WHAT CAN YOU DO? You have been a part of our community in one way or another. THANK YOU!
We need you to simply blog and email regularly about Valour-IT and the competition with links to the Team Army donation page. Tell your friends, family and neighbors about Valour-IT. We'll be providing media, links, and talking points for your Tweets, Facebook posts and blog posts, etc. We'll also be linking to your posts, re-tweeting your tweets, and sharing your Facebook posts about Valour-IT.
The competition is military branch specific and you've been drafted for TEAM ARMY. If you would like to continue receiving emails regarding this competition and Team Army, email me at blackfive-AT-gmail_DOT-com. If you'd rather be on a team from one of the lesser branches, hit me up and I'll send you to the appropriate team captain(s).
"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.
