BlackFive

Gunner Palace...

The Gunner Palace DVD will be released next month (June 28th).  You can pre-order here at Amazon.  My review of the movie is here.  The DVD extras will contain the art of Wilf (LONG LIVE WILF!!!).

Michael Tucker, the producer, director, and camera-man for Gunner Palace, sent me an email yesterday.  Part of the DVD proceeds will go to Fisher House.  Michael already gave them a check for 10K and wants to get at least 50K for Fisher House (hoping for 100K).

Big News:  And Tucker is heading back to Iraq for a few weeks to go visit some of the orphanages the Gunners were helping (and some of the Gunners are still helping now in Civilian life).  Mike might blog while he's there so keep checking Gunner Palace to see updates.

Be careful, Mike...

When you get back, let's discuss Oscar strategies.

"Do not fear the enemy, for your enemy can only take your life.  It is far better that you fear the media for they will steal your honor."  - Bobby McBride, Crew Chief, 128th Assault Helicopter Company, RVN 1969-1970

Attention on the Net, this is Blackfive...

People that know me know that I usually can maintain my composure during most circumstances.  But on a phone call with Bill Roggio of the Fourth Rail and Winds of Change, in reference to Linda Foley (after her "clarification" of her slanderous statement), I actually lost it a bit and Sergeant Blackfive came out swinging, "Can you @#$%ing believe this @#$%???!!!!". 

That's what I think I said the first time I ever spoke to Bill Roggio on the phone.  Of course, Bill understood my sentiment all too well.  I think that we had hoped that we wouldn't need to band back together again.

When EasonGate was finished with the resignation of Eason Jordan from CNN, the EasonGate team disbanded.  I was naive enough to think that there wasn't that much reason to stick together over this.  The media reacted to the EG story (mostly in Jordan's defense), and, in one interview with a prominent national magazine, the author kept trying to get me to gloat about EasonGate...I take pleasure in ensuring that our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines aren't slandered.  I don't take pleasure in spending my valuable time ensuring that people, who are supposed to be dedicated to uncovering and reporting the truth, don't malign our good troops.

Unfortunately, the EasonGate team disbanded too soon.  There's an underlying anti-military current in some of the Main Stream Media.  Whether it's the editors or the management or the journalists, it's there.  Whether it's due to hatred of George Bush or big business or the government, it's there.  One journalist on this site commented that it was a result of the mistrust of the military from the Viet Nam war (and he's not one of them, BTW). 

I don't really care for what the motivation is...I just want them to give the military a fair shake.  No suppositions, no lies, just the truth.  I want them to do their job.

We gave the MSM time to react to Linda Foley.  With the exception of a few sources, there wasn't much out there.  Maybe they agreed with her, didn't care, or thought it wasn't newsworthy...

We just couldn't sit there and let her comments stand.

MediaSlander is born.

Below is our Purpose.  There is also a Timeline and a lot of information so be sure to check the site.

The goal of Media Slander is to hold journalists and bloggers to high ethical standards regarding coverage of the   War on Terror and other military-related issues. We plan to achieve this by highlighting bias, rumor and falsehoods   that have been creeping into military coverage under the guise of objective news.

We by no means advocate censorship or the deliberate suppression of well-researched and relevant stories about the   war and the military.

As much as journalists feel that they are the guardians of the First Amendment, its true protectors are standing   watch in Iraq, Afghanistan and places no one will ever hear about. Journalists owe it to the true gatekeepers of our   liberties to be fair, balanced, relevant and accurate in covering them.

Signed,
   The entire staff of MediaSlander.com

Bill Roggio
   Blackfive
   Brian Scott
   Charles Goggin
   Kevin Craver
   LaShawn Barber
   Mike Krempasky
   Roger Morrow
   USMC_Vet
   Winds Of Change.NET

So, what's the next step?

We have a plan.  We have the will.  And, hopefully, we have you to help us.  This post is your Warning Order.  Operation Order to follow... 

Blackfive Out.

Lance at Red State Rant has the second half of his interview with Senator Zell Miller.  Be sure to see which bloggers had the opportunity to ask Zell Miller questions...

Syria Stops Cooperating (When the Heck Did They Start Cooperating?)

Syria Halts Cooperation with U.S.

...Imad Moustapha told CNN that Syria's decision came in the wake of recent "unfair and inaccurate" statements by U.S. officials that Damascus was allowing foreign fighters to cross Syria's border to aid in the insurgency in Iraq.

"This is actually the state of the affairs. Today, we are not cooperating with the United States," Moustapha told CNN's Wolf Blitzer...

...U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said U.S. officials had met with Syrians on an array of issues -- from cutting off suspected terror financing to stopping Iraqi border infiltration -- but Damascus "didn't carry through in any consistent way."

"We look for them to take real action," Boucher said. "We look for them to cooperate in practical terms with us and especially with neighbors like Iraq."...

So far, not much is changing.  Syria is having hissy fits because our media is reporting that they are not very good at cooperation...and apparently they aren't very good at hiding what they are doing.

For the State Department, our diplomatic service not known for taking tough stances, to lay the cards on the table, no bluffs, and just call it like is...well, let's just say Syria's complicity in Iraq's woes is probably much greater than we think.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Travis Crosby, Tactical Air Controller, was embedded with the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, during the original push into Baghdad in early April, 2003 - the Thunder Run. He found himself fighting enemy forces as close as ten feet away - while continuing to call in air support - which earned him the silver star.

Here's the video interview about the engagement (video produced by Tech Sergeant George Maurer, American Forces Network Iraq).

"I saw that there wasn't much time left... with the state he was in, I knew that I had to hurry." - Staff Sergeant Brian Stirrat

Amid all of the recruiting station protests on Armed Forces Day last weekend, I thought it might be more than appropriate to feature a recruiter (other than Jack Army) as Someone You Should Know.

Staff Sgt. Brian C. Stirrat, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-station Wichita, Recruiting Station Oklahoma City, is reunited with 3-year-old Enrique Santos, whose life he saved while on liberty March 26, 2005. Photo courtesy U.S. Marine Corps

Recruiter Rewarded for Bravery after Saving Toddler

By U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. James J. Connolly, Jr.
8th Marine Corps District

NEW ORLEANS, La., May 24, 2005 — A   district Marine was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for   his role in the recent rescue of a choking toddler.
 
  Staff Sgt. Brian C. Stirrat was spending a quiet weekend afternoon in his   townhouse when he was startled by frantic screams from his neighbor, Letecia   Santos. "She said my son is choking, my son is choking, please help   me," explained the 26-year-old canvassing recruiter assigned to   Recruiting Station Oklahoma City, Recruiting Sub-station Wichita, Kan.
 
  Stirrat quickly leapt over the barrier between the two apartments and   assessed the situation. He discovered 3-year-old Enrique Santos unconscious,   and being tended to by his grandfather. "The little boy was in a limp   state... blue in the face and not a lot of reaction," Stirrat explained.   "The grandfather was trying to do the Heimlich maneuver, but it just   wasn't working."
 
  With a growing number of concerned friends and relatives filing into the   small room, Stirrat took over life saving duties from the grandfather.   "I really didn't hear much of the commotion going on around me,"   Stirrat said, explaining that he went on to perform a cursory finger sweep,   followed by back blows and chest thrusts. "I saw that there wasn't much   time left... with the state he was in, I knew that I had to hurry."
 
  After a moment of continuous work, Stirrat was able to dislodge a small   rubber toy ball from the child's throat.

Although the immediate danger was over, Stirrat continued to tend to his patient, treating for shock and keeping the boy calm until civilian emergency medical responders arrived.

Shortly after the incident, Stirrat phoned his staff noncommissioned officer in charge, Master Sgt. Thomas K. McGlasson, to report what had happened. In spite of Sttirat's attempts to downplay the significance of the event, McGlasson described him as a leader who strives to set the example.

"I think he is always looking to do the right thing," explained McGlasson, a native of Denver, Colo. "He always looks for the opportunity (to helps others)."

Maj. Kendall A Martinez, commanding officer of RS Oklahoma City, presented the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in a ceremony held at the apartment complex where the rescue took place. Martinez made it clear that he was impressed by the actions of his Marine.

"Although I'm very proud, I'm not surprised by Staff Sgt. Stirrat's actions," He explained. "Courage and decisiveness during stressful situations are just a couple of the traits that define us as Marines in and out of uniform. I feel this is a prime example of our core values of honor, courage and commitment in action."

Lance at Red State Rant had an opportunity to interview Georgia Senator (D) Zell Miller and gave a few bloggers (Greyhawk, too) the chance to submit questions.  Here's mine:

Go here to see Senator Miller's answer to my question and others posed by the blogosphere.

Thanks, Lance!

You asked for it, you got it!  Here's a list of Main Stream Media types (journalists and columnists that have the ability to reach a mass audience - possibly the entire nation) that support the military...yes, it's a short list, but let's not forget about them.

Annie Sweeney (embed)
Amy Schlesing (embed)
Jack Kelly
Tim Chavez
Jules Crittenden
Joe Galloway

I realize that there are probably many more so please post the ones you feel are pro-military in the comments - name followed by a URL to an article or their web page (if you use http:// in the comments, the links will be "live").  Please use the format:

Annie Sweeney
http://www.suntimes.com/special_sections/iraq/2004/#

Then add whatever comments you would like.

Update:  How about?:

Arthur Chrenkoff

Over at American Thinker, Ed Lasky goes after the MainStreamMedia then and now.

This one is going out to Linda Foley and others...from Russ Vaughn, Paratrooper (101st Airborne Division, Viet Nam, 1965-1966):

The Eagle and the Serpents

Such discord now ‘tween you and us,

Mainstream Media and populace:

You envenom all that we hold dear,

And revel in those things we fear.

You denigrate our national pride

Taking always now the others’ side.

A Media mamba, a poisonous pest

That lurks within our Eagle’s nest.

You arrogant adders puffed with pride,

We know truth’s on our Eagle’s side;

And care not what you snakes declare,

We’ve had it with your venomous fare.

Our Eagle soars above your wrath,

Your tortured, twisted serpents path.

From your low crawl, you fail to see,

Our Eagle strikes have set men free.

Now the Eagle from his lofty post,

Looks down upon your hissing host,

Who poison every good intent,

With noxious toxins you invent.

Like diamondbacks you loudly rattle,

Strike fear in those you deem but cattle;

But your cattle now look to the sky,

See the Eagle soaring, and know you lie.

Can you Media serpents win this fight?

Bring our Eagle down from newfound height?

No longer now caged up by you,

Only negative news to shape our view.

The Internet set our Eagle free,

Now we can hear, now we can see.

A Mainstream Media hissing lies,

Spitting blinding venom in our eyes.

Our Eagle’s spied you false purveyors,

Just negative fools and foul naysayers.

The Eagle knows now he is right,

That he’s with honor in this fight.

And despite your biting fanged attacks,

He’ll land upon your serpent backs;

An image that should give you pause:

A thrashing snake in Eagle’s claws.

Russ Vaughn

Via an email from Joanne Currier about her son, Sergeant Brian Currier:

Sgt Brian Currier was stationed in Iraq when he was critically injured by a VBED on March 7^th in Ramadi. He suffered shrapnel injuries to his legs, fractures of his right leg and all 3 bones in his right arm, facial fractures and shrapnel in his eyes. After many surgeries he is finally walking with the aid of a quad cane and is coming home on convalescent leave next week! He has a lot of physical and occupational therapy ahead of him but he has a great attitude and a lot of determination. He has received excellent care at the TQ in Iraq, at Landstuhl in Germany and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC.

His family is so proud of him. He has endured so much in the past few months. Two fellow soldiers and friends died in the explosion and the doctors in Iraq didn't think Brian was going to survive. He lost a massive amount of blood. Soldiers lined up around the blood bank to help him.

Here's a few stories about Sergeant Brian Currier:

Wounded Soldier Recovering in DC Hospital

Injured Iraq Vet Returning Home

You can help Sergeant Currier's homecoming.  His parents are trying to get him a special recliner and some other things for his return.

You can donate via PayPal (use [email protected]) or send checks to:

Sergeant Brian Currier
Trenton Federal Credit Union
4550 Division
Trenton, Michigan  48183