WTH Are THEY Smoking?

Posted By Mr Wolf

Yeah- you've probably read it recently- calls for a ban on smoking in the military.  Telling all our joe's that he/she can't light up anywhere.  The iconic joe lighting up on the battlefield would become a thing of the past...

If you weren't already aware, DoD banned smoking in all buildings (along with a general ban in US Gov't buildings) years ago.  There are a few 'smoking rooms' in some buildings, but generally, smokers are banished like lepers to tents and smoking areas outside.  Now, it seems that in addition to RP's and stuff, we'll have to get used to a new 'SP'- ''smoking point'' during patrols and movements.

Now, I'm NOT a smoker.  Except for the odd 'victory cigar' or 'war cigar' I've never lit up in my life.  My mom quit years ago, but I've never had a compunction to smoke.  I've got relatives that seems to only be living because of the nicotine in their system keeps their hearts beating.  But I'm no ban-smoking evangelist- nor would I foist this total ban on anyone.  If you want to smoke, that's YOUR choice.  Just like taking a drink.  Its a legal substance, its been around for THOUSANDS of years, so what's the deal?

Continue reading "WTH Are THEY Smoking?"

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If you Tell a Big Enough Lie Over and Over Again...

Posted By Blackfive

Over at Montrose Toast, DJ Elliot exposes a big lie about Saddam Hussein that our detractors like to put forth time and time again.

The Big Lie Propaganda approach is:  If you state a big enough lie often enough, people will believe it.

This concept took off when the National SOCIALIST German Workers Party (Hitler) used it in the 1930s and 1940s and the Communist (Stalin) adopted it from them.

In this article, Murdoc askes "Spot Anything Questionable?":

"Early in the Iran-Iraq War, an AK-47-toting Iranian soldier watches smoke rising from burning oil refineries near the Iranian city of Abadan. The Iraqis under Saddam Hussein, armed and supported by the United States, used mostly M16s. Photo: Henri Bureau/Sygma/Corbis"  From Wired

What is being furthered in the caption is the big lie that the United States armed Saddam...

[link is http://home.comcast.net/~djyae/site/?/blog/view/10/ ]

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Marine Veteran's flags burned - More Flag Stuff

Posted By Blackfive

Via Suzanne W., the Dallas Morning News has a story about some crazy people burning flags in a Dallas neighborhood:

When Ed Jordan hung two flags from his front porch, one for his country and one for the Marine Corps he once served in, he thought no one would take issue with his gesture to honor the troops during the Fourth of July.

He returned home from an errand Monday morning to find the flags burned, their cinders scattered amid his azaleas.
<...>

Jordan didn't hold out much hope that the culprit or culprits would be caught. He said he'll get another flag and fly it, as he has done for more than a decade.

"I'm not angry, just disappointed," he said. "I guess, more than anything, I feel sorry for them."

"Disappointed" was also the word Jordan's neighbor, Celeste Mele, used to describe her feelings after discovering her own flag had been burned, though she had a few others she said weren't printable...

The whole story here.

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US Negotiates With Murderers?

Posted By Blackfive

Reader Dave G., suggests we comment on the decision to exchange (officials say "release") of Iranian Quds Force terrorists that executed American soldiers for British hostages...More from Bill Roggio at Long War Journal.

My opinion?  I'll just echo the father of one of the murdered US soldiers, Danny Chism, "Somebody needs to answer for it".

PVT Johnathon M. Millican
PFC Shawn P. Falter
SPC Johnathan Bryan Chism
1LT Jacob Fritz
CPT Brian S. Freeman

Remember them. 

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"I didn't fight any Chinese in Iraq..."

Posted By Blackfive

TSO posts up a video of VoteVets Chairman Jon Soltz who claims didn't fight any Chinese in Iraq...

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How Do You Win A War With Tactics Like This?

Posted By McQ

I'm certainly having some difficulty figuring it out:

The top U.S. general in Afghanistan will soon formally order U.S. and NATO forces to break away from fights with militants hiding in Afghan houses so the battles do not kill civilians, a U.S. official said Monday.

[...]

 McChrystal will issue orders within days saying troops may attack insurgents hiding in Afghan houses if the U.S. or NATO forces are in imminent danger and must return fire, said U.S. military spokesman Rear Adm. Greg Smith.

"But if there is a compound they're taking fire from and they can remove themselves from the area safely, without any undue danger to the forces, then that's the option they should take," Smith said. "Because in these compounds we know there are often civilians kept captive by the Taliban."

Certainly I can understand the problems created by unintentional civilian casualties, especially in a tribal culture like Afghanistan. What I don't understand, however, is an order which all but outlines the new tactics of the enemy.

I mean, you tell me, where, if possible, would you initiate all of your contact from now on if you're the Taliban?

And yes, I understand that the order says they don't have to withhold fire if they are in "imminent danger and must return fire". But I also know how our military works and you'd better be able to defend your decision should any subsequent civilian casualties be discovered after your unit returns fire at your command. It's called "you bet your bars (or stripes)".

Anyone think that may cause a little hesitation among some of our units?

And hesitation in combat is often fatal to those doing the hesitating.

Good grief, the next thing you know there'll be "no-fire" and "check-fire" zones in which any return fire has to be cleared through the local provincial authorities. That worked exceedingly well in Viet Nam. If the order is as written in the article, I'd suggest it needs to be seriously reconsidered.

Understand the intent, but think the order, as conveyed, sucks.

Oh, and this:

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who took command of international forces in Afghanistan this month, has said his measure of effectiveness will be the "number of Afghans shielded from violence," and not the number of militants killed.

Really? The measure of "effectiveness" will not be the number of militants killed but instead the number of Afghans shielded from violence?

I sure as hell hope that measure of "effectiveness" doesn't end up trading American lives for "shielded Afghans".

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President Obama Visits Wounded Troops

Posted By Blackfive

David Borden Jr. was wounded in Iraq on January 19, 2008.  A suicide bomber rushed him and detonated, and Borden was hit by over 200 pieces of shrapnel.  He lost right leg (below the knee) and his left arm was severely damaged.  He was in a coma for over a month.

He's inspired more than a few people while recovering.  The NY Giants football team reports that he's the grandson of a NY Giant.

According to the email below from his father, David Borden (Sr.), David Jr. had an uninspiring visit from the President of the United States:

Since Dave Jr. has been injured he has met  and been overwhelmed by many, many political and  military "celebs". The list includes Bob  Gates, Sec. of Defense, who came into his room and told  him 3 or 4 times that if Dave Jr. had any issues to  call his cell phone number.  It includes Gen.  Petereus who sat and talked with Dave Jr. for  almost 45 minutes.  The General recalled vividly  all of the circumstances around the events that led to  fighting that Dave was involved in.  It includes  Sen. McCain who arrived late on a Saturday  afternoon during a thunder storm, unannounced, and  talked to Dave Jr. about how  similar their experiences with fate.  It  includes George Bush when Dave Jr. was invited  to attend the very last Christmas party at the White  House for the White House Staff.  President Bush  and his wife entered the ballroom and immediately went  to Dave Jr..  President Bush knew Dave Jr.'s name  as well as when and how he was  injured.  Dave Jr. had a picture taken  with Laura and the President that he has  framed and ill cherish forever.  The list goes  on and on of people coming in to meet Dave  Jr. and the other wounded warriors at Walter Reed  and Bethesda.
 
Yesterday. Dave Jr. was ordered to be at the  National Naval Hospital with another 12 soldiers and  Marines to meet with Obama.  Obama was supposed to  arrive at 11:30 AM.  He finally got there at 3:00  PM.  He entered the room with the wounded warriors  and quickly shook each of their hands.  He never  asked their names, where they were from, or how they  were injured.  Then he left.
 
Dave Jr. has met  the people who really care about the military.  All  he remembers from Obama is a weak handshake.  The  others in the room, younger and less exposed to the  people that Dave Jr. has met, were so  disappointed.  Word about Obama's   "insensitive" visit has spread to the MATC ( the rehab  facility) at Walter Reed and throughout  Bethesda.  The military sees through his  phoniness.
 
All I can say is that it is such a  disappointment that this man is Commander-In-Chief of  our Armed Forces.  He is an embarrassment to our  Nation.
 
Regards,
Dave

When a few milbloggers were invited to the White House to meet with military advisers and the National Security Team last April, I asked about why the President hadn't visited military hospitals.  The answer was that, while he hadn't visited due to the hospital's concerns about disturbing the patients and disrupting the hospital staff, the President occasionally brought wounded troops to the WH or other places to meet rather than their hospital rooms.

The President has since visited Landstuhl military hospital in Germany.

While President Obama has a lot to live up to...following the last guy's concern with our military men and women, the wounded troops, and the families of the Fallen...we hope that the President's performance will improve.

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The difference between addressing someone with their title and "Sir or Ma'am"

Posted By Blackfive

Apparently, Barbara Boxer, a Senator from California where some of the biggest military bases exist, doesn't understand respect when she hears it.

As a former Army Officer, if one of my soldiers called me "Lieutenant", instead of "el-tee" or "Sir", I would know that he found me lacking.  Calling me by my job title or rank is only done because it is the lowest requirement of respect. 

The. Lowest. Requirement. Of. Respect.

If one of my soldiers called me "Captain", without using my last name behind it or "Sir", I would know that he found me substandard. 

BG Walsh was showing Barbara Boxer respect by calling her "Ma'am" instead of "Senator."  Believe me, the title "Senator" does not really hold a whole lot of credibility in the US military.  It's a job, and a Corporal leading a team in Baqubah has more honor than most of those holding that title.

Sir or Ma'am is showing Barbara Boxer respect that doesn't have to be shown to her.  BG Walsh can call her Senator all day and night.  Instead, the general called her "Ma'am" - a term in deference to her and to show respect for what she earned. 

But if she wants to be associated with that den of corruption and incompetence, be my guest.

Robert Stokely, a Gold Star Dad, has this to ask of you all - Flood Barbara Boxer with letters over how she treated BG Walsh:

She got her dander up because Brigadier General Michael Walsh, in answering her question at a Senate Hearing, said "Ma'am" as a form of address.  She demanded that he use her title "Senator", saying "I worked really hard for it."   

O.K.  I am sorry that Barbara Boxer was raised or has forgotten her raising where the very high form of respectful address of a woman is Ma'am, just as one would similarly say Sir to a man.  That said, she either never understood or has forgotten that U.S. Senator is what she does, not who she is.

If she wants respect, dressing down a Veteran who also happens to be an active duty Brigadier General, is a lame way of commanding it.  She apparently never understood, or has forgotten, that respect is what you get by what you give to others.  She should apologize and apologize publicly in the same manner she disrespected BG Walsh, for in such a moment of disrespect to him she cast disrespect on the uniform he wears and those who serve with him.

So, spend 44 cents and send her a letter addressed as above and let her know how you feel.  Or send her a fax if you prefer.  Do not recommend email - that gets junked too easily.  I sent mine and used subject line "How a Veteran was Treated".

Ma'am (Barbara Boxer)
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3553
(202) 224-0454 fax

Robert Stokely
proud dad SGT Mike Stokely
KIA 16 AUG 05 near Yusufiyah Iraq 
USA E !08 CAV 48th BCT GAARNG

~ Blackfive, Out.

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First Arrest In Vandalism of Cpt. Agosto's Home

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

I just received notification from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office that an arrest has been made.  A juvenile neighbor "...was arrested for residential burglary, felony criminal mischief, and grand theft. Items stolen from victim Arleen Agosto's house were recovered in the suspect's home. Additional arrests are expected."

More as it develops. 

LW

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Unprevoked Discrimination Against Veterans

Posted By Blackfive

RE:  This Ain't Hell

RE:  Mudville Gazette

RE:  Blackfive's Laughing Wolf

I was on FoxNew's Your World with Neil Cavuto last week to discuss the latest idiocy around the DHS Memo that claims that we need to watch returning veterans in case they join right wing extremist groups.  Those on the left are shouting that they were vindicated.

David Bellavia was supposed to be on the show but was going to be on a flight during the broadcast so I was a last minute stand in.  I did fine, could of have done better, and butchered some of the quotes from TAH and MG.  I had talked with TSO at TAH about his take, and I ended up using Greyhawk's quote about PT Boats without attribution (penalty is one box of cigars).

As Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Warrior Legacy Foundation, it was my duty to point a few factual errors in the memo and in the claims that the memo was vindicated by a racist lunatic murderer who hated Jews, Christians, the Weekly Standard and the Fox News channel. In fact, his target list included those news agencies.  He was not a right winger.  Since when did racism or identity with national socialism make someone right wing? 

The murdering lunatic did not use his military experience from the Navy, WWII, or anything in shooting a guard who opened the door for him.  The guard saw an elderly gentleman and tried to help him.  He died for being a better man and the target of opportunity.  And the some celebrate the alleged vindication of the memo instead of highlighting the loss of Stephen Johns - by all accounts a good man and a good father.

Over at Crooks and Liars, they decide that the memo was justified.  Without discussing veterans, C&L decide that because there are extremist lunatics out there, the memo is justified.  Von Brunn had already done time for crimes in the extreme before - when we had a Causcasion President, a Republican President (perhaps the most Republican president of all time).

I guess it would have been if it had addressed WWII vets.  It addressed Iraq and Afghanistan vets, not anyone else.  But if that murdering lunactic who attacked the holocaust Museum is an indication of extremist activity, there seems to be a 65 year incubation period for violence.

Domestic terrorists are no more representative of their generation, than Von Brunn was of the Greatest Generation.

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