BlackFive

David Bellavia and I will be on Gordon Liddy's show today at 11 am eastern to talk global domination and world peace. Here is his site to check for your local affiliate.

Here is a quick rant on the always excremental Jimmy Carter.

One of our worst Presidents, and definitely our worst ex-President Jimmy Carter whines in the WaPo that W has destroyed our rep as a human rights leader. Well what about those 50 million humans W freed from oppression in Afghanistan & Iraq?

  JimmaCahtah-Idiot [2:35m]:

A ground-based interceptor lifts off from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The launch, designated FTG-05, was a test of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System. The missile successfully intercepted a long-range target launched from Kodiak, Alaska.  Photographer: Joe Davila, Navy Visual News Service.

More Missile expertise from Ward Carroll, Editor of Military.com, on FoxNews yesterday.  The topic is the latest test of the Multiple Kill Vehicle.

If all you read are the headlines of the "news" reported by the objective wire services, you might never know anything resembling the truth. And even reading entire stories requires a lot of translation. An excellent deconstruction at Big Lizards by Daffyd.

This is rich.  First read AP's headline:

US Special Forces mistakenly kill 6 Afghan police

Next, the beginning of their lede graf:

U.S. Special Forces killed six Afghan police and wounded 13 early Wednesday in a case of mistaken identity...

Finally, here are the complete first two paragraphs:

U.S. Special Forces killed six Afghan police and wounded 13 early Wednesday in a case of mistaken identity by both sides after the police fired on the Americans during an operation against an insurgent commander, officials said.

A U.S. military statement said police fired on the American forces after the troops battled and killed an armed militant in the city of Qalat, the capital of the southern province of Zabul. The Americans returned fire on the police but only later learned their identities. One Afghan civilian was also killed in the exchange.

Anybody reading just the headline (which is all that is shown in some news feeds), or even just the headline plus the beginning of the lede (which might be all that is shown on most other feeds), is bound to come away with the impression -- as I did -- that once again, those vicious, violent, bloodthirsty American soldiers were firing indiscriminately, wildly shooting at anything that moves, and they killed a bunch of innocent victims. Again.

But the reality is that the Americans did not make any mistake:  They simply returned fire when fired upon, an action always allowed of any unit in any combat zone... even the Dutch can do that much!

Bravo Daffyd, nicely struck. Read the rest as well.

We had Marine Captain and 2 tour Iraq vet Gabe Ledeen on today for the entire show

We discussed the recent Iranian moves of troops and missiles into Eritrea.This is exceptionally bad news as a quick look at the map will show. Eritrea stretches to the very tip where the Red Sea meets the Aden Sea.

The indictments of the Blackwater guards. Here is the defense blog with their documents. I don’t see any chance of this going to trial.

Hour 1

  Standard Podcast [55:01m]:  

Hour 2

  Standard Podcast [55:00m]

Infantrymen, some straightforward advice could make a difference to this young man:

DEAR CHUCK Z: I'm a 23-year-old guy who, due to money problems, credit card bills and student loans, recently moved back with my parents. Before I moved in they made me agree to a written contract that included no drinking, no smoking of any kind, a midnight curfew, getting a job and stating that once I move out I can't move back in again. I get what they're trying to do, but I feel like they are treating me like a child. I only agreed to the terms because I was desperate. I have abided by all the rules, but they still are suspicious of me breaking the contract after five months under their roof. I want to move out, but I am still unable to do so. What can I do to make this situation better? -- DESPERATE IN ARIZONA

Your advice in the comments below, please.

Obama wants to 'reboot America's image'
By JENNIFER LOVEN

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Barack Obama says he will try to "reboot America's image" among the world's Muslims and will follow tradition by using his entire name — Barack Hussein Obama — in his swearing-in ceremony.

The U.S. image globally has taken a deep hit during President George W. Bush's two terms in office, primarily because of opposition to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, harsh interrogation of prisoners, the indefinite detention of terrorist suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and mistreatment of inmates at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq...

The article later says that it's tradition for each president to be identified by all of their names - including their middle names.  So, I don't know if it's President Elect Obama's decision to repair our image or to follow tradition. Since he avoided using his middle name in the past (it wasn't on the ballot here in Illinois), I would assume it has more to do with tradition than his ability to repair our image.  [Anyone notice the irony that the Republicans were chastised for continually using his middle name and were accused, maybe appropriately, of trying to sway voters with it's use?  And now it's used to mend our reputation?!]

By using his full name, we have "Hope".  Hope that the terrorists will now stop killing women and children in the name of Islam.  Hope that we will all live in the milk of human kindness.  If anyone can do it, it is President Barack Hussein Obama.  Yes, we can.

/sarcasm

BTW, Jennifer Loven, the author of the article has been a target for her bias before.  Michelle Malkin, just a few weeks ago, wrote about her.  You can just check google for her history.

This is more of the fixing the History of President Obama by the rewriting of the legacy of President George W. Bush.  More and more will come.

- Matthew Currier Burden
BlackFive

Some awesome pictures here thanks to the USAF photographers.  Had to post this one...because "even Santa needs a jumpmaster."

Operation Toy Drop is an annual airborne jump on Fort Bragg, N.C, hosted by the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, Airborne, and supported by Fort Bragg's XVIII Airborne Corps and Pope Air Force Base's 43rd Airlift Wing. Airlift support for the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop was provided by the 440th Airlift Wing (AFRC) based at Pope AFB, NC, and the 145th Airlift Wing (NC ANG) based at Charlotte Douglas IAP, Charlotte, NC. In support of the exercise, soldiers donate a toy for a lottery ticket giving them the chance to jump under a foreign jumpmaster to earn their foreign jump wings.

U.S. Army Capt. Aron Hauquits waits to donate a toy during Operation Toy Drop on Pope Air Force Base, N.C., Dec. 5, 2008. Hauquits is assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. DeNoris A. Mickle

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U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jason McLoud gives a jump brief to a group of soldiers selected from an airborne jump lottery in support of Operation Toy Drop on Pope Air Force Base, N.C., Dec. 5, 2008. McLoud is assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Civil Affairs Team, Psychological Operations Command, 82nd Airborne Division, on Fort Bragg, N.C.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. DeNoris A. Mickle.

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A U.S. Army soldier assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division parachutes from a C-130 Hercules aircraft during Operation Toy Drop on Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 6, 2008.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller

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U.S. Army soldiers descend from an aircraft during Operation Toy Drop on Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 6, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. Operation Toy Drop is an annual airborne jump on Fort Bragg, N.C.
U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lock.

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A U.S. Army soldier lands in a drop zone during Operation Toy Drop on Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 6, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. Operation Toy Drop is an annual airborne jump on Fort Bragg, N.C.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller.

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Irish Defense Force Sgt. Anthony MaGuire, a jumpmaster from the Army Ranger Wing, Curragh Camp, County Kildare, Ireland, prepares to award U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C., Irish army jump wings during Operation Toy Drop on Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 6, 2008.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. DeNoris A. Mickle.

We will be talking with Gabe Ledeen, Marine CAPT and Iraq war vet.

We will be discussing the recent Iranian moves of troops and missiles into Eritrea.This is exceptionally bad news as a quick look at the map will show. Eritrea stretches to the very tip where the Red Sea meets the Aden Sea.

The indictments of the Blackwater guards. Here is the defense blog with their documents. I don't see any chance of this going to trial.

Shinseki for VA.

Yes, THAT Jonah...

U.S. Soldiers from 2nd Military Transition Team escort Iraqi soldiers from 2nd Division Iraqi Army on a mission to replace the long lost whale tooth to the Shrine of Jonah in Mosul, Iraq, Nov. 30, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. JoAnn S. Makinano/Released)

U.S. Soldiers from 2nd Military Transition Team escort Iraqi soldiers from 2nd Division Iraqi army on a mission to replace the long lost whale tooth to the Shrine of Jonah in Mosul, Iraq, Nov. 30.  Photographer: Staff Sgt. JoAnn Makinano, Joint Combat Camera Center Iraq.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. JoAnn S. Makinano (left), Combat Photojournalist, and Tech. Sgt. Adrienne Brammer, Combat Videographer, 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Charleston, S.C., don customary scarves while documenting the tomb of the Prophet Jonah in the Shrine of Jonah in Mosul, Iraq, Nov. 30, 2008. This is a rare occasion and military personnel must be invited before entering a mosque.  Photographer: Staff Sgt. JoAnn Makinano, Joint Combat Camera Center Iraq.

An Iraqi child peers into the tomb of the Prophet Jonah during a visit to the Shrine of Jonah in Mosul, Iraq, Nov. 30.  Photographer: Staff Sgt. JoAnn Makinano, Joint Combat Camera Center Iraq.

Here is the defense team blog and the court filings they have made. God knows I am no a lawyer, but I have now read all the documents in the public record and if this case isn't thrown out as soon as the judge bangs a gavel something is wrong. I could honestly envision a scenario where he chews the ASS. US Attorney Kohl who brought this piece of political garbage into play. FFS, the law they charge them under doesn't even come close to applying to these guys and this situation.

The Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA) was designed to ensure that contractors working for Department of Defense were held accountable if they committed crimes while working for the government. Congress could have included the State Department in this law, but did not. There is one document where the defense lawyers trace the chain of contracts applicable to their client's work in Iraq and they show the master contract is with State, as are all subordinate ones. They even put the mission statements of DoD and State to show that their is no logical way to say these men were supporting DoD.

This case is a travesty, and I really believe it will last about an hour, most of which will be the judge asking the US Attorneys if they read the freaking English language. I don't see how this case can make it to a point where we actually see decisions about the actual shootings because there is no law to try it under.