US soldiers could be handed over to an Afghan sharia court for burninig copies of the Koran at a US military base. I say could be because Afghanistan claims that they will be, and the Pentagon and White House are silent on the matter.
The website of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Government Media and Information Center (an official government site) states: "NATO officials promised to meet Afghan nation’s [sic] demand of bringing to justice, through an open trial, those responsible for the incident and it was agreed that the perpetrators of the crime be brought to justice as soon as possible."
I stress that we don't know anything other than what the Afghan website says. Other than a snippet of Obama's three-page letter to Afghan president Hamid Karzai.
Obama reportedly sent a three-page letter to Afghan president Hamid Karzai, but the White House won't fully disclose the letter. A small portion of Obama's letter - suspiciously (and perhaps deliberately) ambiguous - is floating around stating "We will take the appropriate steps to avoid any recurrence, to include holding accountable those responsible."
What does the president mean, holding the soldiers accountable to military law? They didn't do anything wrong. If they did, show us what code they violated. Or does he mean sharia law? Desecrating the Koran, especially by non-Muslims could result in the death penalty. But American soldiers are held only to US law, not Islamic law. Besides, depending on what jurist you talk to, burning of Korans is entirely permissible if the books are damaged - which the Korans in question were, at the hands of Muslims.
Non-muslim servicemembers - or Muslim servicemembers for that matter - are not held to Islamic law, they are held to the UCMJ. I certainly hope that our president is not hanging these soldiers out to dry.
Although this has been going on for days, the White House and Pentagon are not answering questions on the matter. I don't like it.
The political and military prostration to the Afghan people following the Koran-burning incident at Bagram served as the final straw for me; I once wholeheartedly supported the "war" in Afghanistan. Now, I don't think Washington gives a hoot in hell for the troops they have sent to bleed and die in Afghanistan. So unless we can elect leaders who can formulate an effective counterterrorism strategy, I now say it's time to bring the troops home.
As the Afghan police and army gun down our troops in numbers that now rival that of our enemies, the Obama administration thinks that WE are the ones that need to apologize. To them. And to top it all off, our military says that WE are the ones who require further sensitivity training.
At this point, "FUBAR" would be a compliment.
So how should America have responded to the burning of Korans used by detainees at Bagram Air Base you ask?
Military policy requires troops in combat zones to burn their trash. [...] In 2009, the military confiscated and burned unsolicited Bibles sent by a church to Afghanistan. In this case, the Bibles were intended for distribution, not for enemy intelligence purposes. Christians did not respond by rioting and shooting US troops, and neither the military nor our government apologized. The military simply burned them and stated that it was policy.
That is how exactly how the military should have handled the Koran incident. Once the burnings were reported, announce that prisoners were using them for intelligence, and we disposed of them as per policy. And let Muslims know that if they don't want non-Muslims to destroy their Korans, then they shouldn't desecrate them in the first place.
Why the constant appeasement of Islam? If we are truly a nation of religious freedom, then what works for the Christians should work for the Muslims.
We can't please everybody, but all these serial apologies have done is pour fuel on the fire - and the Afghans have responded by murdering even more of our troops. At such a rate that ISAF decided to no longer report on casualties caused by Afghan soldiers or policemen.
Trust me, I understand the threat that jihadists pose to our country. However, we can't defeat these barbarians if we are continually showing them weakness. Sure, we have the finest military ever assembled in human history, but if the political masters lack the will to win, what does it matter to our enemies?
Below is the very first class photo from this summer. Attending are Navy SEALs, Marines, Paratroopers and Infantrymen. Some have Silver Stars. Some have Purple Hearts. All are heroes.
The 2011 first class of combat veterans. All enlisted. All heroes.
Heroes & Horses is open to any recent American combat veteran who loves and could benefit from the breathtaking beauty and unique demands of Montana's real ranch country and who craves the sense of accomplishment gained by mastering true horsemanship and skills in the challenging backcountry of America's majestic Rocky Mountains. A seven-day working horse ranch experience is available for a wide-range of gutsy veterans at the Mantle Ranch, offering an opportunity to learn--through intensive instruction and interaction with fellow combat veterans--how to ride, pack, and orchestrate a mountain trip, as well as a variety of related equine and back-country activities on one of the most spectacular working horse ranches in the West.
Nothing beats a warm fire with your new comrades after a long day's ride.
In future years, we're going to expand to spouses and other groups, but for now, we'll have three separate veteran groups go through the training and trip up into the Rocky Mountains. If you know of anyone who would be interested, have them contact us at this email horses@soldiersangels.org . Or send me an email through B5.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brandon Mann uses his automatic rifle's scope to scan the area while providing security with his military working dog, Ty, around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Feb. 17, 2012. Mann, a military working dog handler, and Ty, an improvised explosive device detection dog, are assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. DoD photo by Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez, U.S. Marine Corps.
Christian Soldiers Banned from The Quran in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan
Posted By Blackfive
Received more than a few emails regarding new guidance in light of the accidental Quran burnings in Afghanistan.
Now, unless your military dog tags identify you as of the Muslim faith, you cannot obtain a copy of the Quran from the military chaplain. The exception is if your commander stops fighting the war long enough to write up a memo requesting one for you including the reason why you want a Quran.
And, if you are a Muslim and obtain a Quran, it will be accounted for like any other sensitive item.
Can you order one up from Barnes & Noble? Sure. You just can't get one from the chaplain.
Wow.
Does the chaplain refuse to give the bible to soldiers with Muslim on their dog tags?
Why do they need a movie when there are so many quality films that showcased the dedication, intelligence and strength of character of the U.S. Navy SEALs...? I mean, come on, Froggins. Hollywood has gotten it right so many times!
First off is this great flick starring the "Winning!" Charlie Sheen...it shows the professionalism and lifestyle of your average run of the mill US Navy SEAL:
Next, is this realistic movie with a SEAL portrayed by the award winning Demi Moore...I'm sure the Teams lined up to watch this one (and the only SEAL movie to not star Michael Biehn):
Then, there's this...all SEALS (led by Michael Biehn) are wiped out by rogue Marines in "the Shower Room" (not a euphemism)...
In the Abyss, the depth makes the SEAL Team leader (yes, it's Michael Biehn) crazy and this is what happens...
Others include Tears of the Sun (Bruce Willis), XXX 2 (Ice Cube played a Navy SEAL), and Under Seige(s) where Steven Seagal plays a former SEAL turned chef...
So, yeah, I'm kinda down with the HuffPo'ers on this one. Why create a movie like this one?
Answer: Unlike the above, the answer is Because. It. Kicks. Ass.
The Port Mortuary at Dover Air Force Base, Del., lost portions of remains of seven victims killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to an independent panel tasked with investigating the mortuary.
Army Gen. John Abizaid, who chaired the Defense Department-created panel in the wake of revelations that remains of troops had been lost or mishandled, declined Tuesday to elaborate on the incidents outlined in the report.
Among the other incidents: a $25,000 payout to the wife of a fallen Marine whose personal effects were accidentally destroyed in January 2007, human remains “misrouted” in 2005 “in a fashion [constituting] dereliction of duty,” and, two civilian cadavers were used that were used in 2009 to “test” crematorium facilities. The investigation also found that the remains from a Navy crew killed during a T-39 accident were cremated and disposed of as medical waste in July 2006 rather than being interred for group burial...
Apparently, the press conference on Dover was full on combat for General Abizaid.
...I will be writing an article for The American Legion Magazine (circ ~3 million) on my trip, and am completely leaving the topic open to see what I find. I would like to go back to Wardak and Ghazni to do a sort of “Six Years Later” thing on the area I served in. So, if any of you guys know a PAO, can you let me know? Preferably some sort of door-kicker unit, and a mech one at that, because my humping my fat ass up mountainside days are coming to an end.
For any prospective PAO’s, I guarantee you’ll never get a more sympathetic reporter. I have a CIB, I know how to brag about a good poop, and I don’t ever remember being offended by anything in my life. I also might wet myself (I am over 40) but you won’t have to drag my ass anywhere. You can just leave me in place. Maybe put some cones around me...
You might have to put up with some horrible one liners and maybe some righteous flatulence, but other than that, the dude is solid...even if he is a dirty nasty leg.
In all seriousness, the Legion has the largest segment of subscribers who actually read the magazine of any periodical. Any public affairs type should jump at the chance to have TSO embed with their unit. Contact him at the link at the top of this post or hit me up.
As a Los Angeles deputy district attorney, Lynn D. "Buck" Compton was known for heading the three-man team that successfully prosecuted Sirhan B. Sirhan for the 1968 slaying of U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.
And after then-Gov. Ronald Reagan appointed him to the 2nd District Court of Appeal in 1970, he was known as one of its most conservative jurists.
But it was long after he retired from the bench in 1990that Compton became known for something that previously had been mentioned only in passing in newspaper articles about him: his World War II military service.
Compton was a first lieutenant in Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the Army's 101st Airborne Division — one of the true-life characters who gained late-in-life renown when they were portrayed in "Band of Brothers," the 2001 HBO miniseries based on historian Stephen E. Ambrose's 1992 bestseller...
He led one helluva life in and out of the military, in service to his country, community and family.
Decades ago, as an ROTC student, I studied the fight at Brecourt Manor as the text book infantry assault. After the Airborne Assault behind the lines at Normandy, 2nd Lieutenant Compton led the assault on the first German artillery guns (firing on Normandy beaches) under the command of Dick Winters.
"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.
