Sgt Danny Nightingale WILL be home for Christmas. I last wrote about Sgt Nightingale here: http://assolutatranquillita.blogspot.ca/2012/11/sgt-danny-nightingale-sas-hero-sent-to.html Today comes an example of common sense - finally! From the BBC:
SAS man Danny Nightingale has gun sentence suspended
The pistol was given to Nightingale as a present, his supporters say
An SAS soldier detained
for 18 months for illegally possessing a pistol and ammunition has won
his freedom at the Court of Appeal.
Sgt Danny Nightingale, 37, from Crewe, admitted possessing
the 9mm Glock pistol and 338 rounds of ammunition at a court martial
earlier this month.
Judges at the Court of Appeal reduced Nightingale's sentence to 12 months.
However, they suspended the sentence and said he could be released immediately.
The weapons and ammunition were recovered by police from Nightingale's Army accommodation near Hereford.
Nightingale's wife Sally, 38, cried when the verdict was delivered and when asked if she was "thrilled" she nodded....
Those of us who watch and support our Military (on both sides of the Atlantic) are very familiar with the governments of our country throwing our Troops into jail under absurd circumstances. We have seen, all too often, our Troops charged and convicted after they have laid their lives on the line for us, despite serving under Rules of Engagement which empower our enemies. .
Sgt Danny Nightingale of Britain is the latest, and what is happening to him is a travesty.
From The Telegraph:
SAS war hero jailed after 'betrayal'
An SAS soldier has been jailed for possessing a “war trophy” pistol presented
to him by the Iraqi Army for outstanding service.
Sgt Danny Nightingale with his wife Sally on their wedding day and, right, on dutyPhoto: WARREN SMITH
Sgt Danny Nightingale, a special forces sniper who served in Iraq and
Afghanistan, was sentenced to 18 months in military detention by a court
martial last week.
His sentence was described last night as the “betrayal of a war hero”, made
worse because it was handed down in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday.
Sgt Nightingale had planned to fight the charge of illegally possessing the
9mm Glock.
But his lawyer said he pleaded guilty after being warned that he could
otherwise face a five-year sentence.
The soldier had hoped for leniency given the circumstances. At the court
martial, even the prosecution described him as a serviceman of exemplary
character, who had served his country for 17 years, 11 in the special forces.
The court was told that he returned to Britain in a hurry after two friends
were killed in Iraq, leaving his equipment — including the pistol — to be
packed up by colleagues.
For more of the background details - and links for more on the story - on what his wife Sally calls (and I agree) "a disgrace" go here.
There is a petition to demand the release of Sgt Nightingale from jail, and return him to his family.
It states:
It is a betrayal of an exemplary member of HM armed forces. The
circumstances of this case (war trophy overlooked in the haste of battle
preparation) in no way warrant a custodial sentence.
Please go sign it and stand with him in the face of this betrayal.
Update: There are FaceBook pages springing up to show support of this SAS Hero. THISseems to be the one with the most uptodate information, and a place to see what is being done.
Palestinian Authority Arab terrorists are continuing road terror attacks on Israelis, although rocket fire is now banned.
By Chana Ya'ar
11/28/2012, 1:17 PM
Palestinian Authority Arab terrorists are continuing road terror
attacks on Israelis, although rocket fire is now banned due to the
ceasefire agreement between Israel and Gaza terrorists.
The deal, which ended Israel's eight-day Operation Pillar of Defense
counter terror offensive in the region, was brokered by Egypt and the
United States last week with Gaza's ruling Hamas terrorist organization.
It eased security restrictions on Gaza residents, extending maritime
fishing limits to six nautical miles from the shore and loosening
controls on the land crossings into the region.
The ceasefire had no effect on what has become an increase in the
number of road terror attacks in Judea, Samaria and parts of Jerusalem
restored to the capital in the 1967 Six Day War, however. IDF soldiers discovered a bomb Wednesday morning planted along a road
southwest of Shechem (Nablus) in the Shomron (Samaria) region.
Sappers who were called to the scene defused the explosive,
preventing it from causing any injuries or damage. The perpetrator who
planted the bomb has not yet been caught.
In a second terror attack, an Arab gang hurled rocks and firebombs at
Israeli motorists traveling along the same road a short while
later. The driver and passengers were not injured, and the vehicle was
reportedly not damaged.
On Tuesday, PA Arabs hurled firebombs at a military vehicle north of
Hevron, in Judea. No one was injured and no damage was reported. IDF
soldiers fanned out to search the area for the attackers.
A 60-year-old woman was seriously wounded in a rock-and-firebomb
attack recently near the city of Beitar Illit, located just south of
Jerusalem, also in Judea.
The number of road terror attacks has been on the rise over the past
year, parallelling the number of Muslim extremist leaders inciting PA
Arabs on the street and calling for a "Third Intifada."
(c) INN
Meanwhile, Canada will not support Palestinian bid at UN:
From Vancouver Sun:
Stephen Harper confirms Canada will vote 'no' on recognition of Palestine at UN
November 28, 2012
By Mike Blanchfield, The Canadian Press
Palestinians
hold a Palestinian flag and a poster of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen
Harper superimposed with a face of a dog during a protest following his
remarks about the Palestinian UN bid for an observer state status, in
front of Canadian representative offices in the West bank city of
Ramallah, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012. Harper has threatened "there will be
consequences" if Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas does not
end his campaign for the Palestinian Authority to be recognized by the
UN as a non-member observer state. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
OTTAWA
- Canada affirmed its steadfast opposition to Thursday's vote at the
United Nations to confer statehood on Palestine, saying it would not
support any "shortcuts" to peace with Israel.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper confirmed the decision on Wednesday
with Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird bound for New York to cast
Ottawa's vote and register Canada's disappointment with the latest
Palestinian move at the UN for recognition.
The Harper government's support of its close friend Israel was
unbowed by reports that its trusted international ally, Britain, had
offered to abstain from the vote in return for a pledge from the
Palestinian Authority to return to the negotiating table with the
Israelis.
[...]
Harper said Canada favours a two-state solution in the Middle East
which requires the Palestinian authority to return to the bargaining
table for talks with Israel.
Iran blasts Canada as "racist" for pointing out its human rights abuses
And used the opportunity to
spread a bit more antisemitic propaganda at the UN, as if there weren't
enough there already. It's interesting to note how remarkably similar
Mohammad Khazaee sounds to spokesmen for Islamic supremacist groups in
the U.S.: the same ridiculous "racism" charge, the same tu quoque, the
same claiming of victim status, the same demonizing of Israel. Is
Khazaee taking lessons from Hussam Ayloush? "Iran blasts Canada as ‘racist’ and ‘self-centred’ for moving UN
resolution condemning Islamic Republic’s abuses," by Kathryn Blaze
Carlson for the National Post, November 28:
Iran called Canada “racist” and “self-centred” at a UN
meeting on Tuesday, where it tried to deflect criticism of its own human
rights record and balked at a Canadian-led resolution condemning
Iranian abuses.
In a statement before the humanitarian affairs committee, Iran’s
ambassador to the UN said Canada had “a long list of human rights
violations” against immigrants, Muslims, aboriginals and “Afro-Canadian
women,” and accused Ottawa of “abusing human rights mechanisms to
advance its self-centred political interests.”
“In fact, if any country had to get a resolution, [Canada] would have
deserved it more than others because of their unsparing support of a
regime [Israel] that has frequently committed genocide in the
Palestinian Occupied Territories,” Mohammad Khazaee said in a statement
to the UN committee, obtained by the National Post....
Fisher House Foundation
The Fisher House Foundation is a great charity that offers free housing for families of wounded service members to stay in while their loved one recuperates.
The Fisher House Foundation was start in 1990 and has a least one house at every major military medical center. Since there is no cost to the families they rely on donations to continue operating. So, please, head over to their site and check them out. And if you're able to, please make a donation.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To LookThis post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Army reservists
from 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (7 SCOTS) hosted a
joint training exercise with Canadian and American troops in the
Scottish Highlands.
An Army Reserves officer from 7th Battalion The Royal
Regiment of Scotland speaks to his US Army counterpart from 48th
Infantry Brigade during Exercise Highland Spirit [Picture: Mark Owens, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]
Around 50 soldiers from the 48th Highlanders of Canada and the 48th
Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the United States took part in
'Exercise Highland Spirit', a military training exercise to strengthen
the partnership between the troops and hone their military skills.
Major Richard Barker, 7 SCOTS, said:
"The aim of the exercise was to expose troops to their counterparts
from allied nations in order to give them training experience for
operations and to increase their understanding and awareness of training
procedures."
The exercise took place on the Wyvis Training Area near Evanton in
Easter Ross to test the soldiers' skills on the challenging rough
terrain of the Scottish Highlands.
Unmanned drones are cheaper than manned
aircraft and can be used in a variety of ways, such as assessing
environmental threats and damage from natural disaster, tracking
criminals trying to escape on a highway, and assessing wildfires;
according to an FAA prediction, 30,000 drones
could be flying in the United States in less than twenty years;
lawmakers and privacy advocates want the use of these drones more
tightly regulated.
The U.S. government is attempting to open up the sky for drone use all over the nation. The sixty members House of Representatives’
Drone Caucus have pushed the agenda, and over the last four years
caucus members have raised almost $8 million in drone-related
campaign contributions.
The Houston Chroniclereports that theFederal Aviation Administration (FAA) is swamped with applications from police departments, universities, private corporations, and even celebrity tabloid site TMZ seeking to use a wide range of drones for everything from law enforcement to weather mapping to stalking celebrities.
Drone use in the United States began with aerial patrols of the
Mexican Border Patrol authorities. Since then the drone industry, along
with law enforcement, have demanded more drone use, which led to
provisions in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act which was signed into law in February....
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is quitting politics. In a surprise move Monday, Barak announced he will not run in the
country's January elections, but will stay in his post until a new
government is formed. The 70-year-old Barak, who is also a former prime minister, said he
has “exhausted dealing with political life” and wants to spend more time
with his family. He also said he wanted to make room for others to
serve in leadership positions.
The people of
Glasgow turned out in force on Saturday to welcome home around 100
soldiers from D Squadron of the 1st Royal Tank Regiment (1 RTR).
Soldiers from D Squadron, 1st Royal Tank Regiment, parade through Glasgow [Picture: Mark Owens, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]
The soldiers took part in the homecoming parade in Glasgow on
Saturday 24 November 2012 to mark their recent return from operations in
Afghanistan.
1 RTR deployed to Afghanistan throughout 2012 and took on a variety
of roles during the deployments. The Regimental Headquarters filled a
number of positions throughout Helmand province, from support roles in
Camp Bastion to key staff roles in the Brigade Headquarters. Other roles
included training the Afghan Local Police.
The Commanding Officer of 1 RTR, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Britton, said:
"I am extremely proud of what the
regiment achieved in Afghanistan. The soldiers make many sacrifices to
fulfil their role, and recognition of that by those at home is deeply
appreciated. It means a great deal to the soldiers and their families."
Glasgow's Lord Provost, Sadie Docherty, in her capacity as Lord-Lieutenant, took the salute at the parade in George Square.
She said:
"One of the honours I have as Lord-Lieutenant is taking the salute at
homecoming parades. It is always a privilege to welcome our brave men
and women serving in conflicts across the globe. I am delighted that all
of D Squadron have made it home safe and sound in time for Christmas
with friends and family."
The 1st Royal Tank Regiment is based at RAF Honington in Suffolk and
recruits from Scotland and the North West of England. The majority of
soldiers come from Liverpool and Glasgow.
"War is over" and our Troops are all coming home. Sounds great, doesn't it, and who wouldn't love it as all our Troops are home and peace breaks out around the world?
Not so fast. From War On Terror News:
Monday, November 26, 2012
Parallels of History: "the end of war is nigh"
While
Syria slaughters its own people and Cairo burns yet again, idealism
reveals again, that war is to be left in the dustbins of history.
Similar predictions were made in 1909, just 4 years before the first
World War, and in the 1930's by Neville Chamberlain, on the eve of the
Second World War. In the 90's, Clinton slashed our military with the
idealism that the world would be a safer place. It ignored the rising
attacks by Islamist Terrorists and declarations of war by al-Qaeda, in
hopes it would just go away. It claimed terrorism was a law enforcement
problem, and should be tried in court, rather than prosecuted by
militaries. Zero Ponsdorf of This Ain't Hell
points out the latest prediction of the impending future world of
peace. And some blame the realism of Veterans, of the fact that
Sovereign Nations maintain standing Armies for self-defense, that wars
continue. Evidently, some believe that if Nations will just give up the
means to defend themselves, then dictatorships will stop trying to take
over their land and people. Meanwhile, in the real world, the Communist Central Party of China
has selected their new set of leaders, without ANY input from their
Chinese subjects and are publishing new passports with maps of claiming
the territory of several Pacific Nations, from the Philipines, to India,
to Korea, to Japan, and of course Taiwan. ....
‘In the 1700s it was normal to go to war to expand
your country’s territory. This strategy has passed its sell by date.
But, demands for democracy may be suppressed with violence and result in
more violence in the short term. As in Libya.’
His research has found there has been a decrease in armed
conflicts and the number of people killed since World War II and this
trend will continue.
‘War has become less acceptable, just like duelling, torture and the death penalty.’
I’ll leave it to you to read further at the link if this resonates.
Keeping in mind that the article uses excerpts of a scholarly paper I
haven’t read I still found the snippets interesting. Before you closet
neo-hippies begin partying you should note the disappointment:...
Read the resthere. To watch (or listen) to the MIC, is to believe that peace and democracy is in full force gobally...
Anbody even half awake knows this is a 'rainbows and unicorns' narrative.
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) said Thursday that he will have to give up his post as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee next year because of his party's term-limit rule. King said he's already overstayed the rule's six-year limit -- he's been the committee's top Republican for more than seven years, after first taking the gavel in September 2005.
Come January, King will lose the
"bully pulpit" he used to help keep 9/11 plotter Khalid Sheik Muhammad's
trial out of Manhattan, keep Guantanamo Bay's prison open, and draw worldwide attention and controversy with hearings on American Muslims and terrorism.
"It was the greatest experience
I've ever had," King said. "I'm very satisfied. As far as I'm concerned,
I achieved everything I set out to do."
As King steps down, the New York
congressional delegation not only loses its only committee chairman in
the House, but a member among GOP leadership who fought to keep federal homeland security money flowing to New York at a time of federal budget cuts.
But the committee also loses a
chairman who became a lightning rod for criticism, particularly from
liberal and Muslim groups, for his hearings on American Muslims and
terror.
Farhana Khera, executive director of the lawyer's group Muslim Advocates,
said she "breathed a sigh of relief" at the news. She said King's
hearings were a "witch hunt" that sowed "fear and hatred towards
American Muslims."
But Frank Cilluffo, director of the
Homeland Security Policy Institute at George Washington University,
said, "King poured his heart and soul into his job as chairman."...
Pfc. Charles George
20 years old Cherokee, North Carolina
Company C, 179th Infantry Regiment,
45th Infantry Division
August 23, 1932 - November 30, 1952
The name Charles George may sound familiar to some. That's because last week it was reported that two boys in New York were at a local antique shop looking for G.I. Joe's when they came across a number of military medals, Medal Of Honor, a Purple Heart, a bronze star and good conduct award, bearing the name Charles George.
From Pfc. George's Medal Of Honor citation:
Pfc. George, a member of Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy on the night of November 30, 1952. He was a member of a raiding party committed to engage the enemy and capture a prisoner for interrogation. Forging up the rugged slope of the key terrain feature, the group was subjected to intense mortar and machine gun fire and suffered several casualties. Throughout the advance, he fought valiantly and, upon reaching the crest of the hill, leaped into the trenches and closed with the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. When friendly troops were ordered to move back upon completion of the assignment, he and 2 comrades remained to cover the withdrawal. While in the process of leaving the trenches a hostile soldier hurled a grenade into their midst. Pfc. George shouted a warning to 1 comrade, pushed the other soldier out of danger, and, with full knowledge of the consequences, unhesitatingly threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing the full blast of the explosion. Although seriously wounded in this display of valor, he refrained from any outcry which would divulge the position of his companions. The 2 soldiers evacuated him to the forward aid station and shortly thereafter he succumbed to his wound. Pfc. George's indomitable courage, consummate devotion to duty, and willing self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself and uphold the finest traditions of the military service
You can read more here and here
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To LookThis post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
WeSaluteOurHeroes1 on Nov 3, 2010
"Standing Strong and True (For
Tomorrow)," is an all-star Canadian country single dedicated to fallen
Canadian soldiers and their families.
for more info: www.wesaluteoutheroes.ca
Music
video Produced by Fahrenheit Films. Director/Editor: Antonio Hrynchuk.
Cinematographer: Ray Dumas. Producers: Hrynchuk / Susan Busse.
Adis Medunjanin, a 34-year old Bosnian-born U.S.
citizen has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in a plot to
bomb the New York subway; he was convicted in May of multiple U.S.
terrorism offences, including conspiring to use weapons of mass
destruction; two former schoolmates who helped Medunjanin to plan the
attack had pleaded guilty and testified against him
Adis Medunjanin, sentenced to life in prison // Source: tbck.vn
The three men were trained by al Qaeda in Pakistan before agreeing to participate in the plot. The attack was planned to coincide around the eighth anniversary of
the 9/11 attacks, but was foiled when the three noticed that law
enforcement officials were following them...
The New York Timesreports that Medunjanin, during his appearing at a U.S.
court in New York, read from the Koran in Arabic for several minutes
before Judge John Gleeson interrupted and asked him whether he intended
to say anything in English. Medunjanin asked for more time to finish one
verse, then shifted into a critique of American foreign policy.
He also maintained his innocence, saying he had “nothing to do with any subway plot or bombing plot whatsoever.”
Judge Gleeson told Medunjanin his remarks made him appear like an
robotic “exhibit” of extremism, and had created “the impression that
you’re asking me to sentence you like the committed, anti-American
jihadist you seem to want to be for the rest of your life.”...
Israel once again is being portrayed in the worldwide msm as the murderous aggressors in the current war in the middle east.
Most headlines these days begin with something like "Israel kills innocent civilians in Gaza..."and buried way down comes a comment (maybe) that today an Israeli school was deliberately targetted - fortunately the school was closed, so no children were injured. This time.
Meanwhile, The Jerusalem Post reports:
Israel’s hospitals continue to treat Gazan patients
Rambam dir.-gen.: It’s absurd that we are doing this at the same time Israelis are being attacked, but there is no other way.
Israeli hospitals are treating dozens of patients of all ages who came to Israel
from Gaza to get healthcare unavailable there, and are making provisions for
accompanying persons.
“We at Rambam Medical Center are taking care of
sick children and adults, and we are not looking at their religion or where they
come from. At the moment, we have four – a baby girl in the nephrology
department, two children in oncology and an adult in urology,” Rambam
director-general Prof. Rafael Beyar said. “Family members accompanied
them,” he said. “It’s absurd that we are doing this at the same time Israelis
are being attacked, but there is no other way. We are used to it. We are
very far from politics....”
Amid the ongoing misinformation that always accompanies anything to do with Israel, Steven Crowder produces a video that has the history of Israel in just over 3 minutes. Take a look:
James Bond star Daniel Craig visits Camp Bastion troops
Craig fired machine guns used by UK forces
James Bond star Daniel
Craig has surprised UK troops at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan by coming
to visit them as they prepared to watch his latest film.
Some 800 soldiers, sailors and airmen were waiting for a screening of Skyfall when the 007 star arrived.
Craig was given a tour of the camp after a brief introduction of the latest Bond film to the audience.
He met soldiers and saw some of the training they undergo before they deploy to forward operating bases.
The star was driven around the camp in a Foxhound vehicle by Warrant Officer Class 1 Rob Ingham.
"We get quite a lot of visitors here, but having James Bond was special," said WO1 Ingham...
Israel kills Hamas top military leader, destroys Hamas Fajar missiles
14 November 2012
In a precise targeted attack early Wednesday, the Israel Defense Force (IDF)
killed Ahmad Jabari, the top military leader of Hamas; Jabari ran the
organization’s armed wing, called the Izz el-Deen Al-Qassam; in a
separate attack, Jabari’s deputy, Raed al-Atar, was also killed; the
Israeli early morning strikes also included attacks on about twenty or
so targets across the Gaza Strip. these attacks inflicted a heavy blow
on Hamas’s military capabilities by destroying most of Hamas’s most
threatening weapons – the mid-range Fajar missiles Hamas received from
Iran and with which the organization could attack Tel Aviv and other
cities in central Israel.
Half a dozen other top military leaders of Hamas were attacked, but there is no news about their fate. Jabari was considered the most important strategist of Hamas, and he
is credited with innovating the organization’s approach to its war
with Israel.
Among other things, Jabari was behind the kidnapping of Israeli
soldier Gilad Shalit, who was held prisoner for five years before being
exchanged earlier this year for a few hundreds Palestinian terrorists
in Israeli jails....
Statement by PM Netanyahu on Operation Pillar of Defense to Israeli Public 14 November 2012
Citizens of Israel,
I want to praise the IDF soldiers and commanders, led by Chief of
Staff, Lieutenant General Benny Gantz , who is commanding the operation
as we speak. I want to note the Israel Security Agency, headed by
Director Yoram Cohen, for their vital part in the operational
accomplishments that we have already achieved. I thank the citizens of
Israel for their unwavering support of this operation. I thank the
residents of southern Israel who are at the front, and exhibit strength
and restraint.
Hamas and
the terror organizations decided to escalate their attacks on the
citizens of Israel over the last few days. We will not accept a
situation in which Israeli citizens are threatened by the terror of
rockets. No country would accept this, Israel will not accept it.
Today, we
hit Hamas strategic targets precisely. We have significantly debilitated
their ability to launch rockets from Gaza to the center of Israel, and
we are now working to disable their ability to launch rockets towards
the south. The terrorist organizations - Hamas, Islamic Jihad and others
- are deliberately harming our citizens, while intentionally hiding
behind their citizens. On the other hand, we avoid harming civilians as
much as possible and that is one fundamental difference between us. It
also indicates the big difference between our objectives, and not only
in our methods. They want to obliterate us from the face of the earth
and they have no qualms about hurting civilians and innocents.
Today, we
sent an unequivocal message to Hamas and the other terror organizations,
and if need be the IDF is prepared to expand the operation. We will
continue to do everything necessary to defend our citizens."
Palestinian 'victim-hood' is well documented. What is also well known is the goal of Israel's neighbours to paint that nation as blood-thirsty killers, only worthy of total annihilation.
Another video has surfaced and is going the rounds showing clearly how the Palestinians are at the mercy of those big bad Israeli Soldiers. Take a look.
Nov 6, 2012 by idfnadesk This video, filmed in Nabi Saleh this past Friday, shows Palestinians parents pressing their children to provoke IDF soldiers -- a side of the demonstrations not usually talked about, despite it being a frequent occurrence.
I don't know what I would do other than be deeply ashamed. Certainly,
these children are further examples of the manipulation of their
society; mere objects to be videotaped as they play their role.
I am proud of our soldiers in this video - deeply proud that they were
able to smile. I loved their smiles; I loved their laughing. These
children represent so much of what is wrong with Palestinians society.
So-called adults using their children, hiding behind them.
The inability to talk - rather to shout and scream.
The antagonism - blind hatred in the face of nothing. These soldiers are just standing there...throughout.
Hostility and violence - the only time the soldiers come close to
reacting is when the children come close to their guns. They take their
ranting, screaming, hysterics. They even take being pushed around a bit.
And through it all, they realize that this is a show put on for the cameras....
She goes on to say that some are trying to get this video banned, but as I show above, the IDF posted this copy.
As long as children are taught to behave and think as these are being taught, there will be no peace.
Cpl. George Smith
90 years old from Sundance, New Mexico
June 15, 1922 - October 31, 2012
There aren't many Code Talkers left so it's a true tragedy when we lose one. George Smith joined the United States Marines when he was 17, after lying about his age, becoming one of three brothers in his family to do so. He was trained as a rifleman then as a Code Talker serving in a Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
You can read more on George Smith here
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To LookThis post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
It is with great
sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Captain Walter
Reid Barrie from 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS)
was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday 11 November 2012.
Captain Walter Barrie and son Callum [Picture: via MOD]
Captain Barrie was taking part in a football match between British
soldiers and members of the Afghan National Army at Forward Operating
Base Shawqat in the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand province when he was
shot at close range by a member of the Afghan Army. He was fatally
injured in the attack. Captain Walter Barrie Captain Barrie was born on 5 February 1971 in Glasgow. He joined 1st Battalion The Royal Highland Fusiliers on 26 October 1987. During his 25 years Colour Service he served on operations in Iraq
(on both Operation GRANBY and Operation TELIC), Bosnia, Kosovo and
Northern Ireland, as well as completing a tour of Afghanistan in 2008. As a non-commissioned officer he was immensely talented, instructing
at the Army Training Regiment Glencorse and the Royal Military Academy
Sandhurst. In 2007 he was promoted to Warrant Officer Class One and
became the Regimental Sergeant Major of 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment
of Scotland (2 SCOTS). He excelled as an infantryman and leader of men. Captain Barrie commissioned as an officer in 2009, becoming the Unit
Welfare Officer of 2 SCOTS and was subsequently posted to 1 SCOTS as D
Company Second-in-Command in 2011. His future aspirations were to
promote to Major and attend Staff College. Captain Barrie deployed to Afghanistan on 31 August 2012 as the 1st
Kandak Advisor Team Second-in-Command, D Company, 1 SCOTS. As the
Brigade Advisory Group, 1 SCOTS' role involves mentoring and advising
3/215 Brigade of the Afghan National Army to take the lead in security
responsibilities in their area of southern Afghanistan. He advised the Executive Officer of the 1st Kandak of 3/215 Brigade,
based at Forward Operating Base Shawqat in the Nad 'Ali district of
Helmand province. Captain Barrie was renowned as an approachable and compassionate
officer; he cared deeply for the well-being of those around him and had
unparalleled rapport with all ranks. The regiment has lost a truly
gifted and devoted officer who had yet to reach his full potential. Captain Barrie will be remembered fondly by all who had the privilege
to meet him. The thoughts and prayers of the battalion are with his
wife Sonia and son Callum, aged 15. Captain Barrie's wife, Sonia, said:
"Captain Walter Barrie was great man, a doting and amazing
father and a fantastic husband. He was much loved and will be missed by
many. The family would ask that their privacy is respected during this
very difficult time."...
"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them."
Veterans Day is soon approaching and there are many restaurants and
companies who want to thank our veterans by providing them with
discounts or a free meal. To those companies offering veterans a free
meal or discount, the military community gives a collective thanks!
Two notes before jumping in:
Proof of Military Service. Most companies require some form of military ID. These include: a Military ID Card (active/reserve/retired), Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Drivers License with Veterans Designation,
Photograph in uniform, be wearing uniform (if your service permits),
Veterans Organization Card (e.g., American Legion and VFW), DD214, discharge paperwork, or other form of identification. Other restaurants and companies may go by the honor system.
Participation. Second, always call ahead to verify
locations, times, and participation. Many of the listed companies are
franchises and may have different policies. We will do our best to keep
this page updated as we find new info.
2012 Free Veterans Day Meals
Please credit this resource: We are
frequently updating this list with new deals and offers for the military
community. If you use items in this list, please direct your visitors
to this page so they can find the most up to date information: http://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts/ Thanks!
Applebee’s – free meal, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012:
Last year, Applebee’s served over one million free meals to military
veterans and active servicemembers. Applebee’s is again offering a free
meal to military veterans and active-duty service members on Veterans Day,
Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. There will be 7 entrées to choose from, beverage
and gratuity not included. Military ID or proof of service required. More.
Bar Louie, Free meal on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. 2012.
Active duty military members and veterans can receive a free meal, up
to $10 in value, and a free non-alcoholic beverage. Available at all
locations, military ID or proof of service is required (source). Find a location near you. BD’s Mongolian Grill, Nov. 5-11, 2012. 1/2 off Stir-fry with valid military ID. Only at participating locations. Find the location nearest you. California Pizza Kitchen, Nov. 11-12, 2012. Free meal and non-alcoholic beverage for veterans and active military with valid ID or proof of service. Find a location near you.
A dear friend of mine spent yesterday at Arlington National Cemetary visiting her Fallen Hero son on his birthday.
Over the last 24 hours, as we all watched American voters re-elect the current President of the United States of America, all I could think about was young men and women - like Jason - who swore an oath to defend and protect ideals bigger than themselves.
As I watched the final gasps of what has been a most acrimonious and seemingly never-ending grab of the highest office in the land, I was struck by the absolute contrast between the actions of our Military men and women, and those whom the msm seemed to delight in shining the spotlight on. Over the last few weeks, the cacophony - the ugliness - of the harsh voices of the 'give me' electorate tore at my heart.
As Jason's mom Mickey prepared for her annual vigil to her Hero son's resting place, I couldn't help but wince as we were treated to a disgusting display of America the ugly. Courtesy of social media, and aided and abetted by the always willing Obama sycophants in the msm, the noise of the "Obamafone queen' and the like, made me want to cry.
Since the MIC first started on his seeming perpetual campaign to change America, the language of elections has radically changed - and not for the better. Who can forget his famous declarations "get in their faces...they bring a knife...you bring a gun" and that tone has not abaited one iota during this most recent march to the polls. The candidate who infamously espoused a 'new civility' encouraged and empowered those 'voters' who blatantly called for candidate Romney's assassination, for VP candidate Ryan's wife to be raped and worse.
Even as Americans I respect and love held on to their faith that patriotism and reason would prevail, and that MIC would be joining the unemployment lines (which are the largest in US history - a testament to the failed policies of the now re-elected failure of a POTUS) the ugly underbelly of the newest generation of voters demanded the fruits of other people's labours be handed to them - just because.
As Americans lined up to vote on the 6th November (some bragging they were voting multiple times!) the Department of Defense announced that PFC Brandon L. Buttry had given his all in Kandahar, AFG.
Did anybody other than his family - and his brothers in arms - even notice that as this young man served American ideals of freedom, back on US soil the voting polls were the site of increasing fraud as the msm rushed to declare the public had re-elected the status quo: a broken America.
To say that almost half of America is still reeling in shock at the early pronouncement that Obama had been crowned - again - as Emperor (errrrrrrr President) would be a gross understatement.
There was a sense among Americans I know and love that enough voters were aware of the dire state of America the broken that they would effect a change in the tenancy of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The Military knew very well of the importance of this vote, at this time, and almost five hundred Generals endorsed the Republican candidate.
Various Veteran groups raised the alarm about the dire consequences of another untenable term of the MIC, not just because of the affects on the Military itself, but for the standing of America in the world, and for the security of America within a volatile global situation as radical Islam no longers creeps stealthily, but is loudly kicking down doors. War On Terror News wrote many an informative column clearly detailing what was at stake in this election.
All to no avail, as a majority of voters (legitimate or otherwise) endorsed the policies that have seen the death of small businesses - and more to come and carte blanche - open borders - for murderers intent on the spoils of the once greatest nation on earth; the intended destruction of the mightiest Military in the world, coupled with the abandonment of both the Warriors still dying for failed policies in the sandbox, and Veterans who return to a country almost unrecognisable from when they swore an oath to defend America and her people against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.
Our Veterans may be excused for wondering if they have been transported to a different planet.
War On Terror News:
11/08/2012
My American Flag is limp tonight
Blame the weather. Blame "global warming." Blame hurricane
"Sandy." Perhaps, Washington DC has run out of hot air for a moment.
Perhaps, they're just taking a breath to spew some more. But tonight,
and for the last 24 hours, my flag has been limp. It was flyng high
when I voted. It was flying high when the MSM reported that 59% of
Tennesseans voted against the incumbent.
I think it fell limp when CBS called Ohio for Obama. I could dissect
how that could have been fraud, or could have been attained, but more
than Ohio would have had to gone against him to vote him out of office.
They called it way too early, and hours later they were reporting it
was within 10,000 votes of going the other way. Like a great number
of those that pushed the button against the incumbent, I am not a
supporter of the opponent. It's not that I dislike Romney, but that he
rarely gave me a reason to actually support him.
And therein lies the problem: Romney did very little to convince
Troops and Veterans that he was the better choice. Like many, I can
tell you ten to a hundred reasons to oppose the guy re-elected, but I
can point to less than a dozen times that his opponent said he'd reverse
those policies. Perhaps, had he campaigned on the issues important to
those that do or have fought for Freedom, instead of taking for granted
they would vote for him, the results would have been different. Reports
indicate the military vote was below normal, and that even that, was
undercounted. Some have claimed that enough military votes went
uncounted to change the election results. I don't have the energy to
even look into the claims.
The fact is that if Americans understood and believed in the Constitution,
if they paid attention to what politicians are actually doing, instead
of Hollywood gossip, we would never have arrived at this point. The
fact is that the largest area of America voted against this, and the
Founders did not intend for any small portion of America to control the
rest. And a look at how Congressional Districts voted demonstrates that
a few pockets of mostly urban areas are overruling the will of
Americans....
WOTN's assessment was echoed around the Military/Veteran community, and as always, when they speak, it is incumbent on all of us to pay attention. To do otherwise is to our detriment (something 'the smartest man in the room' either hasn't learned - yet - or arrogantly chooses to ignore.)
To say that I’m disappointed in the results of the election is probably a
bit of an understatement. What is most disappointing is to see my
“friends” on Facebook who are veterans celebrating a second term of the
President. I can’t figure out what they’re celebrating about. Retirees
in five western states are being forced out of Tricare Prime and into
Tricare Standard which means that, unless they live near a military
treatment facility, their healthcare are going to skyrocket. What’s to
celebrate?...
You know there's more, here. BlackFive writers give their usual analysis, based on their own Military service..From Deebow:
I don't think I am overstating the obvious by saying that bad times
are coming for America, and you can find the beginnings of it here and here and
I am struggling to understand the lesson here. Is it Humility?
Teamwork? Understanding? DIversity? I need some help here God,
because I am missing what you are trying to tell me. Worse yet, I don't
know how I am going to explain all this to my son 10 years from now,
when he asks me why we aren't free like we used to be. If we are not
the light of freedom and a beacon of hope for he rest of the world who
wish to live their lives in freedom, then where will the world look? During this President's 2nd Term (the 3rd term of Jimmah); I predict the following:
The 1st and 2nd Amendment will be under attack like never before.
Small Businesses will wither and die, or never be started because of
onerous regulations and taxes. Unemployment will hold steady between 8
and 10 percent, and around the world tyranny will be on the march,
because this spineless ass-clown has neither the testicular fortitude,
nor the ability to summon the will to stop it.
Whole energy industries will be bankrupted. Energy prices will skyrocket. Inflation is going to crash our currency.
Our allies will not trust us, Israel will stand alone, and possibly
have to use a nuclear bomb against Iran in order to survive. China and
Russia will be on the march in their spheres of influence. The Chinese
could make a move on Taiwan, knowing that as the holder of our debt, we
would be powerless to stop them, lest they crash our economy. ...
[...] this seems like a terrible fate. But our party has
faced far worse. We were pronounced dead after JFK stole the 1960
election in the cellars of the Chicago City Hall. We were in the
morgue after the Goldwater defeat. We were dead and buried after
Watergate and the 1974 Congressional elections, when the GOP was
just a nub in Congress. We always come back because our principles
are better suited to human dignity and human happiness than the
other side's. We will come back stronger than ever this time, too.
We are not afraid and we shall overcome. Our best days as a party
and a movement lie ahead. We will rest, regroup, and fight for our
beliefs, and next time, it will be different and better. Truth
crushed to earth will rise again, as the saying goes -- as the
truth goes. ...
Author: yankeemom // Category: freedom Daniel Greenfield, one of my most favorite writers, has a
post up that is a MUST READ for every Voter who believes in what this
country stands for and wants to make sure we don’t lose her. Finally, someone on the pro-America side of the political spectrum gets it.
Every time people ask me why the left has such a
grip on this country, my answer is because they worked for it. It’s the
answer that most people don’t want to hear, but it’s true. The left has
been planning this for a while. They have been playing the long game,
building the infrastructure and indoctrinating generations. And to beat
them, we will have to do the same thing.
[...]
And she ends with this:
Liberty is precious and not many on this planet are blessed
to live in it. We may just lose it and sooner than you care to imagine.
As Daniel Greenfield says at the beginning of his piece:
The lights have gone out in America now. They may
come back. They may not. It’s up to us. No one is going to come help us
do it. Other countries have America. We have ourselves.
As I began this piece, I shared that I was thinking about my Gold Star Mom Mickey, and her Fallen Hero Jason. Jason, and Keith and Mario (who ran into the madness on 9/11), and Brian, who gave his life saving lives, and Mike, and Sean, and Patrick, and Don, and yes, Chris and ...and...oh so many more patriotic Americans gave their lives in service to an ideal of America that may appear broken right now, are also - and always engraved on my heart. They ARE America, and no matter what politician comes and goes, these Americans and their families ARE the enduring fabric of this country that I love.
As I write this, I KNOW that the American ideal is alive and well in communities across the land. I have total faith that no matter the most concerted efforts of the deluded 'gimme' bunch, patriotic Americans in every city, town, village, are serving their fellow American, a cause greater than themselves - because that is the right thing to do, and it IS the American way.
This may be the time that tries mens souls, but I agree with Patrick Henry who said:
"The
battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the
brave." --Patrick Henry, speech in the Virginia Convention, 1775
The pistol was given to Nightingale as a present, his supporters sayAn SAS soldier detained for 18 months for illegally possessing a pistol and ammunition has won his freedom at the Court of Appeal.Sgt Danny Nightingale, 37, from Crewe, admitted possessing the 9mm Glock pistol and 338 rounds of ammunition at a court martial earlier this month.
The name Charles George may sound familiar to some. That's because last week 
There aren't many Code Talkers left so it's a true tragedy when we lose one. George Smith joined the United States Marines when he was 17, after lying about his age, becoming one of three brothers in his family to do so. He was trained as a rifleman then as a Code Talker serving in a Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
