Assoluta Tranquillita

Right To Bear-Madison Rising

2012-01-31T04:44:00.000-08:00

MUST WATCH!!!

MadisonRising on Jan 26, 2012

Late one night as I came home
And saw the front door broken in
I grabbed my piece and went inside
To see who lurks within
There we stood face to face
My gun, the thief, and I
Man you should have seen him run
When I cocked that .45

Disarmed our rights will disappear
We won't let it happen here

Chorus:
Its one of my rights as a free man
To protect my home when needed
I demand my right to bear arms
Its one of my rights as a free man
To protect my home when needed
I demand my right to bear arms

The government makes the gun laws
So they can take our right to own
Every citizen un-armed
Is a citizen they control
All they see are weapons
It's the only thing they know
Disarm the voting country-men
And society will fall

You'll never take our guns away
In return for tyranny

Chorus

The people have spoken
We won't let it happen
We won't let it happen here

Major Chris Galloway: I will remember you

2012-01-31T03:10:00.000-08:00

[As I was planning to be offline for a few days, this column about Major Chris Galloway came to mind. I first shared this in August 2009, but what Chris shared then is still relevant today. Chris - and his words from his heart - is, and will always be, timeless for me. I miss you and your wisdom, Chris.... RIP]

All day today, the news about Major Chris Galloway has been weighing heavily on my heart. As the link to Flopping Aces in my previous post shows, "ChrisG" was a contributor on their site. Chris was also a regular reader (and valued contributor) of the Tanker Bros milblog. I came to know Chris when I first became a caretaker writer on TB, when the Tanker Bros were setting off for their second tour in Iraq.

Chris is another one of those amazing warriors - and I am blessed to know more than a few - who are as masterful with their 'pens', as they are with weapons of war. To me, Chris will always be the soul of a writer.

Below is a column that Chris wrote for Tanker Bros. Read it, and say a prayer for Chris and his beloved family:

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Why we Dislike the term "Hero"

"Tommy/Joe/Digger for the 21^st Century"

Why we Dislike the term "Hero"

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an` Tommy, fall be'ind,"
But it's " Please to walk in front, sir," when there's trouble in the wind
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's " Please to walk in front, sir," when there's trouble in the wind.
-"Tommy" by Rudyard Kipling

I have undertaken a difficult topic at the behest of more than a few. I write and rewrite this missive and simply cannot seem to make it rational, let alone SHORT. But here I go.
Those who truly support us and our efforts in Iraq deserve and receive all of our love. We love you all more than mere words can ever express. We will never cease in that love or our dedication to protecting you, our People, our Allies, the Innocent, and the Freedoms we hold dear. We love you because, unlike the 'sunshine patriotism" of the left, you support us no matter what the media and our enemies do. You support us in peace as in war.

Those who despise us and anything we do to defend our People and Freedoms…. well, I have said what you can do many times. These fools: leftists, anarchists, islamofascists, noe-NAZIs, KKK, and a host of other morons, are beyond my contempt and always will be. I must also note that these morons are usually seen gathered together in their "anti-war" marches.

Now for the "That said…". We in the militaries of the West really feel incredibly… uncomfortable… to be called "Heroes". We look in bewilderment at each other whenever this title is used. Now, mind you, we are never anything like what the left, the islamofascists, and our multitude of other foes accuse us of being. Any Soldier who fails to uphold the high standards we set is dealt with accordingly, and publicly. However, we do not consider ourselves to be "heroes".

Why do you not like being called a hero you ask? There are several reasons. First and foremost, "Hero" is a title we reserve for VERY few. Let me name some. As it is Easter, I will start of with Jesus Christ. He withstood hate, torture, harassment, and a multitude of other things to lead the world along the correct path. Another is the Founding Fathers of the United States. They rose up above themselves and stood up against tyranny and risked their lives and property to change the world for the better. In doing so, they ushered in changes world wide for the better. I can go on and on with men and women from many parts of the world.

Addendum for trolls:

(Please take note that Marx, Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Saddam, islamofascist terrorists, Castro, Che Guevara, Chavez, Iranian Mullahs, the House of Saud, Cindy who pissed on her husband's and son's name, Mikey Moore, Howard Dean, John Kerry, Jane Fonda, and others of such ilk are not, and WILL NEVER be mentioned in any list of what I consider heroes or even honorable people.)

Addendum Complete

The real heroes I mentioned were people of exemplary character, courage, and faith. We Soldiers fall into the category of the Kipling quote above. We are not "Blackguards" or "uneducated barbarians" or any other derogatory terms our foes use. That said, we are not angels or "plaster saints" either. A weekend of being a Company Commander or a First Sergeant will tell you EXACLTY how much trouble Private "Tommy/Joe/Digger" can get into!!!! If you place us too high on a pedestal, we will fall off.

What are we if not 'heroes' you ask? We are ordinary men and women "most remarkable like you". We are not supermen/women. We are ordinary people who are selected for the PRIVLEDGE to defend our fellow People. My father volunteered, along with my mother, for the Army during Vietnam. He was commissioned in 1968, she in 1970. He went on to be a paramedic, hospital ward supervisor, fire-fighter, and veteran's rights advocate all at the same time. When he was no longer able to be a paramedic due to injuries he became a nursing instructor, 2^nd in command of a VAMC, and a veteran's rights advocate (but with A LOT more power to do something about it) before his untimely death in 1997 to illness. He would also balk at the title 'hero'. So would my mother who, even today, fights for the safety and health of children in the poorer communities.

If my parents are also heroes, then other advocates (Brat) are just as big a hero. Other child welfare workers (A_C) are heroes. Others who go with us to combat and stand by us in thick and thin (Kiwi Girl) are also heroes. Others who raise their children well and work very hard to ensure the soldiers far from home get the support they need (Tracy, Leta, Donna, Terri, Yankeemom, and too many others to mention) are ALL HEROES!!!!!

Thus you see our disdain for the word 'hero'. We are all, each of us fighting the forces of islamofascism, resurgent communism, and petty oil rich dictators, ORDINARY people in HEROIC times. Therefore, we are ALL Heroes.

See how the word loses meaning? Now you understand our bewilderment when we are called 'Heroes'. It is the same as us walking up to each other and saying "you are a person". The obvious response is "no kidding, so are you".

"You are a hero"

"No kidding, so are you"

Yours,

ChrisG

More Poetry…. Now you can say I read you poetry…

“In times of war, and not before,
God and the soldier men adore;
When the war is o’er and all things righted,
The Lord’s forgot and the soldier slighted.”

(Scribed on a wall by Hessian Soldiers in 1776)
-The History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, (W.W.H. Davis, 1876)

And in the comments, he later wrote:

Kiwi,
Remember our agreement. Stay Safe.

All,
We just want to be remembered for people. We may be the "business end" of the effort, but we are really just doing our jobs. We are all in this together!!
ChrisG | 04.08.07 - 2:20 pm

Thank you, Chris, thank you for this - and so much more. Rest easy now.

Heart of the Matter

2012-01-30T04:26:00.000-08:00

Day Tripper...

2012-01-29T08:37:00.000-08:00

Long and Winding Road

2012-01-29T04:25:00.000-08:00

Music and Me

2012-01-29T03:10:00.000-08:00

Redux..one of my fave Roy songs.:)

Going dark...

2012-01-28T04:44:00.000-08:00

For a few days. Is all good. I'll be back before you even notice...:)

Dogs on Deployment: Taking Care of Pets While Deployed

2012-01-28T02:44:00.000-08:00

Air Force Master Sgt. Robert Disney and his wife, Tess, gather their dogs, Sasha, Minnie and Wall-E, for a photo at their home, Feb. 24, 2011. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jamal D. Sutter

By Navy Lt. Theresa Donnelly
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2012 – Although the wars are drawing down, the deployment schedules for our men and women in uniform aren’t easing up. Troops continue to meet multiple operational needs, such as theater security exercises with partner nations, Navy ship cruises and other training requirements.
Many military pet parents struggle with what to do with their forever friend when serving our nation away from home. It can be tough to stay focused on the mission at hand if family affairs aren’t in order.
Enter our partners in the nonprofit sector. For the past several years, many organizations have stepped up to the plate, providing foster pet services to our deploying troops.
“Military members have a hundred things to worry about when deployment or training comes up. The last thing they should have to worry about is the care of their pets while they’re away,” said Alisa Johnson, a Marine Corps officer and president of Dogs on Deployment, a nonprofit organization matching service members needing a foster pet family with volunteers who have agreed to take in their animals.
Alisa and her husband, Shawn, a Navy officer, observed the challenges military families face when it comes to pet care, which led to the creation of this service.
“We’re especially concerned with those military members that may live on one coast, while all their family lives on another, limiting those that they can rely on in their times of need,” Alisa said.
Since they launched the organization in June, more than 140 families have volunteered to be “boarders” and 20 dogs have been placed in temporary foster care.
Along with national organizations helping troops -- including Dogs on Deployment and Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet -- many local animal shelters are answering the call of duty and creating programs in their communities to help deployed service members with pet care.
The Hawaiian Humane Society’s Pets of Patriots program provides pet care assistance to military personnel deploying on short notice due to war. Families living on Oahu can sign up to be foster parents, while military pet owners provide food and medical care while away from their duty station. The society assists with the written agreements, provides sample forms and helps find suitable volunteers.
Additionally, the San Diego County Humane Society offered a low-cost seminar in December for military families to provide information on pet resources for relocation and deployment.
If you need a home for your pet while deployed, check with your local animal shelter to see if they might have a military pet outreach program, contact a national foster military pet organization or see if your command has a spouse communication network to seek temporary pet parents. The military in our own community can act as our second family, helping to provide resources for our furry friends.
(Guest blogger Navy Lt. Theresa Donnelly, of U.S. Pacific Command, is the owner of Hawaii Military Pets, which provides pet resources for military families. She’s offered to share her pet-related knowledge in a series of blogs for Family Matters.)

(c) DoD

Wear Red Friday

2012-01-27T03:44:00.000-08:00

At least one Canada Goose is wearing red in support of our troops :)

Some Gave All: Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones

2012-01-26T04:43:00.000-08:00

Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones dies in Afghanistan

A Military Operations news article

25 Jan 12

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones from 20th Armoured Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron (200) on Tuesday 24th January 2012 at Forward Operating Base Khar Nikah in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.
Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones
[Picture: via MOD]

Signaller Ian Gerard Sartorius-Jones

Signaller Sartorius-Jones, 21, from Runcorn, Cheshire, enlisted in the Royal Corps of Signals in February 2007. Following his basic training, he attended the Royal School of Signals, Blandford, where he enjoyed a promising start to his career as a Communications Systems Operator.

He joined 20th Armoured Brigade Headquarters & Signal Squadron (200) in May 2008 where this talented and intelligent soldier deployed to Iraq on Operation TELIC 13. While in Iraq he contributed to the provision of communications and the closure of the Combined Operating Base Basra. He showed the raw talent on tour to be plucked from his duties in the Contingency Operating Base to serve with one of the Military Transition Teams providing communications and mentoring to the Iraqi forces. He took part in many exercises including a three month deployment to the British Army Training Unit Suffield in Canada and a string of Mission Specific Training exercises in Germany, Denmark and the UK. His sterling performances during these exercises and genuine aptitude for field soldiering saw him selected to work as a Rear Link Detachment Operator on Operation HERRICK 15.

Initially Detached to C Company, 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Staffords) and latterly D (DELHI) Company, 1st Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’ Own), this outgoing and charismatic Signaller was responsible for the maintenance of vital communications links from a Forward Operating Base in Nahr-e Saraj as well as conducting patrols alongside his Infantry counterparts.

Signaller Sartorius-Jones leaves behind his wife Kellyanne and young son Dylan as well as his parents Robert and Amanda Sartorius-Jones and brother, Alan, 26.

The family of Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones, said:

“Ian was a lovable character, a devoted father to Dylan, who is 8 months old, husband to Kellyanne, a wonderful son to Robert and Amanda and brother to Alan. He will always be missed and loved by all his family and friends.”
Major Stu Whittley, Officer Commanding, 20th Armoured Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron (200), said:

“Signaller Sartorius-Jones was a gregarious, immensely respected and highly capable Signaller. One of the longest serving members and biggest characters in the Squadron, he had accrued a vast amount of experience in his short career. That he was one of the first volunteers to extend his time with the Squadron to deploy on Operation HERRICK 15 was little surprise to those who knew him. Given his abilities, attitude and experience, he was an automatic choice for the demanding role of a Rear Link Detachment Signaller with D (DELHI) Company, 1st Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’ Own).

“I will remember Signaller Sartorius-Jones for his dedication to his mates, upbeat nature and cutting sense of humour. A hugely popular soldier, notorious for his own individual style and taste in music, he was always to be found at the centre of any activity with a smile on his face. His love of dance music resulted in various members of the Squadron having memorable nights in far flung parts of Europe. A former British National Tae Kwon Do Champion and an able footballer, he was relaxed and easy going in work, and his unbounded energy and ability to motivate others were an inspiration to us all. As a senior Signaller he took his role of mentoring and developing those around him seriously, especially in the build up to and deployment on operations. It is a mark of the man that he rarely took the credit for or acknowledged these actions, it was simply what he did.

“The Squadron is deeply moved by Signaller Sartorius-Jones’ passing. It is a privilege to have served with him and we have lost a true friend. Our thoughts are with his wife Kellyanne, his young son Dylan and his family. He is sorely missed.”...

Go HERE to spend some time getting to know this Fallen Hero in the words of those who know and love him the most.
Rest In Peace, Sir. Always remembered and honoured.

WTH? Technical 'snafu' cancels conference call on 9/11 Health Bill

2012-01-26T04:16:00.000-08:00

Last week I wrote about an anticipated - and much advertised - conference call set to be held on the 24th where 9/11 First responders, and others, could "weigh in on whether those who got cancer after being exposed to 9/11 toxins ought to be compensated for their illness."

You can read more on that here.

Today, comes this turn of events:

Sick 9/11 Responders Turned Away from Zadroga Hearing After Technical Snafu
January 24, 2012 | By Julie Shapiro, DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

LOWER MANHATTAN — The federal government postponed a highly anticipated public hearing on whether the new $2.8 billion 9/11 health fund should cover cancer — after a technical snafu prevented people from calling in to testify.
Dozens of sick first responders turned out in person to Tuesday afternoon's meeting of the World Trade Center Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee at the New York City Police Musem, traveling from as far as Long Island and New Jersey to make the case that the federal government ought to pay for their cancer treatment.
But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the agency in charge of the meeting, was forced to cancel and sent the first responders home after trying unsuccessfully to get the conference call system to work, people who attended the meeting said...

There is much more here, and the First Responders quoted in the article don't mince their words. And neither should they.

As each of the comments attached say, in various way: Once again, our responders are told to wait...and this: How many more responders will pass away before they have a meeting???

Enough, already. It is now loooooong overdue for the various levels of government to quit treating our First Responders so shabbily (I'm being polite!) It is now long past time for our First Responders to have ALL their 9/11-related illnesses recognised and covered; illnesses that they live with, and die from, because of their selfless actions on 9/11 and in the days and months that followed.

Shame on all the government bureaucracies who continue to play politics with these men and women's lives. Enough waffling about needing more studies, more input.

As quoted above: How many more responders will pass away before they have a meeting???

My regular readers KNOW what follows.

Taking the kids to School - in Afghanistan

2012-01-26T03:11:00.001-08:00

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kimberley Ryan holds hands with Afghan children as they walk to the local children's shura near Forward Operating Base Jackson in the Sangin district of Afghanistan's Helmand province, Jan. 20, 2012. Ryan is the team leader assigned to the Marine Headquarters Group, Female Engagement Team. The team, along with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, have been conducting shuras, or classes, to provide area citizens with a variety of educational opportunities. U.S. Marine Corps photo Cpl. Ed Galo

Hackers attack U.S. railways

2012-01-26T03:11:00.000-08:00

The terrorist tool of the future? You decide.

From Homeland Security News Wire:

25 January, 2012
Transportation security
Hackers attack U.S. railways

Hackers have seized control US railways // Source: webpronews.com
Last month hackers took control of passenger rail lines in the Northwest, disrupting signals twice and creating delays.

According to Nextgov, which obtained a summary of a 20 December meeting of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials , on 1 December train service on an undisclosed railroad “was slowed for a short while,” resulting in a fifteen minute delay across the system.

The next day, hackers once again disrupted signals, but their actions did not result in any delays.

Local rail officials immediately alerted DHS and TSA sprang into action, investigating the incident and providing critical intelligence to train operators to mitigate any potential damage...

Much more here.

Pay attention.

USS Halsey Gives Aid to Yemeni Dhow

2012-01-25T16:32:00.000-08:00

Official U.S. Navy file photo of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97).

From Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs USS HALSEY, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Halsey (DDG 97) responded to a call of distress from M/V Albrouj, a Yemeni dhow that was en route to Somalia from Yemen, while the U.S. ship was conducting helicopter operations in the Gulf of Aden, Jan. 19.

The guided-missile destroyer Halsey, which was two hours away from the position of the dhow, immediately responded to the distress call. The Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49 air crew quickly relayed the vessel's position to Halsey. The ship responded quickly. Upon arriving on the scene, the ship launched two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB's) to provide assistance. Two electricians from Halsey conducted an investigation along with Albrouj's boat engineer, and discovered a faulty alternator and four dead batteries. The ship provided the dhow with two batteries to allow the crew to safely continue their voyage to Somalia.

"We quickly realized that the problem lay with the alternator and that the batteries were being drained extremely fast," said Electrician's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Clinton D. Easley, one of the Halsey electricians who boarded the Yemen dhow. "By providing them with a couple of spare batteries that we had onboard, the problem was solved and the dhow was quickly on its way."

"All mariners who sail the oceans should respond quickly to a fellow mariner's distress call. The sea can be an unforgiving place, when your vessel is adrift and without power," said Commodore Aage Buur Jensen from Commander Combined Task Force (CTF) 151. "I'm very pleased with the swift assistance that USS Halsey rendered on this occasion."

Halsey is currently the flagship of CTF-151 conducting counter piracy and maritime security operations.

Halsey has recently assumed the role of flagship to Commodore Aage Buur Jensen, Royal Danish navy and his multinational CTF-151 command staff. CTF-151 transferred command from the Pakistani navy who were stationed aboard the USS Kidd (DDG 100).

CTF-151 is one of three task forces assigned to combined maritime forces. Established in February 2002, the Task Force's key mission is to conduct counter-piracy operations in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. It protects and defends the legitimate use of the ocean by fisherman and merchants, and stands ready to assist any mariner in distress...

(source US Navy)

BHO SOTU 2012: Deja vu, all over again

2012-01-25T04:51:00.000-08:00

It is well known that I avoid any BHO speechifying, and judging by his latest State of the Union, seems I didn't miss much.

Take a look:

Familiar Rhetoric, Failed Record
rnc on Jan 24, 2012

http://www.GOP.com -- If you thought the 2012 State of the Union was very similar to President Obama's past State of the Union speeches, you were right...

(H/T Sylvia)

Zadroga Act one year anniversary

2012-01-25T03:40:00.000-08:00

The federal health program established to provide medical evaluation and treatment for eligible responders and survivors of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks has been on the books for a year.

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 also reopened the Victims Compensation Fund.

The legislation was named for a New York police officer who died from a respiratory illness attributed to breathing toxic dust at ground zero.
The World Trade Center Health Program is run through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSH reports the following actions were taken during the program's first year:

Awarded contracts to seven clinical centers of excellence for medical monitoring and treatment for responders and health evaluation and treatment to survivors.
Awarded contracts to three data centers to receive, analyze, and report on data associated with health effects associated with the attacks.
Established a toll-free call center to provide information for program applicants and others.
Launched a website about the WTC Health Program.
Developed program enrollment applications and a process to determine eligibility for program membership based on criteria specified in the Zadroga Act.
Researched various responder experience to develop eligibility criteria.
Developed a health condition certification review process to certify such claims for payment by the payment contractors.
Established a consolidated pharmacy benefits management system for the program.
Published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register proposing procedures to add new health conditions to the list of World Trade Center-related health conditions.

The act provides monies for specific illnesses, such as asthma and other respiratory diseases. Last summer NIOSH announced there was insufficient evidence to conclude that debris from the collapse of the towers caused cancer in responders.

The news meant rescue and recovery workers with cancers were not eligible to collect federal money for treatment or compensation. The next review of the scientific and medical evidence related to cancer for the program is expected later this year.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

(source)

Previous columns here and here.

Arrest In Synagogue Firebombings

2012-01-25T03:14:00.000-08:00

From Monkey In the Middle:

Tuesday, January 24, 2012
On January 11, 2012 a Synagogue in Rutherford, NJ was firebombed. Earlier in January on the 3rd a Synagogue in Paramus, NJ was firebombed. Today an arrest in both incidents has occurred.
HACKENSACK, N.J. – An unemployed teenager charged Tuesday with firebombing two synagogues is an anti-Semite whose hatred of Jews guided his actions, authorities said.

Anthony Graziano, of Lodi, (Pictured left) was charged with the Jan. 11 attack on a Rutherford synagogue and the Jan. 3 firebombing of a synagogue in Paramus. He was being held on $5 million bail.

The charges include nine counts of attempted murder, bias intimidation, arson and aggravated arson. The 19-year-old Graziano was scheduled to make an initial court appearance Wednesday morning.

"We have no doubt that the arson and attempted murder in Rutherford were a direct result of Mr. Graziano's hatred of people of the Jewish faith," county prosecutor John Molinelli said Tuesday.

Molinelli and other authorities didn't speculate on what may have spurred Graziano to action. They described him as a 2010 high school graduate and loner who lacked access to a car but searched for nearby synagogues on the Internet and rode his bike to the two locations and, at the Rutherford synagogue, threw several Molotov cocktails and other incendiary devices before fleeing. He is believed to have acted alone.

Graziano's father, whose name is also Anthony Graziano, told The Record newspaper that he sees his son infrequently but that his son had never said anything to suggest he had any animosity toward Jews.

He called his son a great kid but said "he's confused."...

Read the rest here.

Wednesday Hero

2012-01-25T02:04:00.000-08:00

Maj. Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen
53 years old from Royal, Iowa
354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing
June 29, 1934 - December 14, 1987

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Major Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, near Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam, on 10 March 1967. Major Dethlefsen was one of a flight of F-105 aircraft engaged in a fire suppression mission designed to destroy a key anti-aircraft defensive complex containing surface-to-air missiles (SAM), an exceptionally heavy concentration of anti-aircraft artillery, and other automatic weapons. The defensive network was situated to dominate the approach and provide protection to an important North Vietnam industrial center that was scheduled to be attacked by fighter bombers immediately after the strike by Major Dethlefsen's flight. In the initial attack on the defensive complex the lead aircraft was crippled, and Major Dethlefsen's aircraft was extensively damaged by the intense enemy fire. Realizing that the success of the impending fighter bomber attack on the center now depended on his ability to effectively suppress the defensive fire, Major Dethlefsen ignored the enemy's overwhelming firepower and the damage to his aircraft and pressed his attack. Despite a continuing hail of anti-aircraft fire, deadly surface-to-air missiles, and counterattacks by MIG interceptors, Major Dethlefsen flew repeated close range strikes to silence the enemy defensive positions with bombs and cannon fire. His action in rendering ineffective the defensive SAM and anti-aircraft artillery sites enabled the ensuing fighter bombers to strike successfully the important industrial target without loss or damage to their aircraft, thereby appreciably reducing the enemy's ability to provide essential war material. Major Dethlefsen's consummate skill and selfless dedication to this significant mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

Maj. Dethlefson retired from the Air Force in 1977 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He died in 1987 of natural causes and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

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 Look

This post is part of Wednesday Hero. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Walk ON!

2012-01-24T04:44:00.000-08:00

Russian 'diplomats' leaving Canada

2012-01-24T03:12:00.000-08:00

In the wake of last week's revelation of a spy in the Canadian Navy - a spy who is charged with selling to 'a foreign entity ...' - comes this news:

Four Russian diplomats expelled from Canada

Pravda.Ru

After the arrest of the Canadian officer, who was suspected of espionage for Moscow, the Canadian authorities expelled four employees of the Russian Embassy in Ottawa.

According to CTV, Dmitry Fedorchatenko and Konstantin Kolpakov were sent back to Russia. The names of two other Russian citizens, who were involved in the story, have not been exposed. However, spokespeople for the Russian Embassy in Ottawa have not confirmed the information. They simply said that the diplomats returned to Russia because their missions expired.

It was reported this week that the Canadian authorities arrested naval officer Jeffrey Paul Delisle, whom the media nicknamed as the "Russian spy." The charges against Delisle were filed within the scope of the law about the security of information, which was passed in Canada soon after the 9/11 attacks in the USA. The officer may spend a life in prison...

Yep, there is more at Pravda here. It is in the Canadian media too, but it is always interesting to see how the rest of the world views CanCon.

Racing to Surrender: US meets with Haqqanis

2012-01-24T02:54:00.000-08:00

File under 'what could possibly go wrong?'

From JihadWatch:

Racing to surrender. "LEAD: US Afghan envoy confirms talking to Haqqani insurgents," from DPA, January 22 (thanks to Wimpy):
Kabul - The US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan on Sunday confirmed a meeting with the Haqqani insurgent group, as signs of a dialogue between the United States and rebels continue to grow.
'We had one meeting with Haqqani network,' Marc Grossman told a news conference in Kabul.

His remarks come after US and the Taliban militants confirmed preliminary talks for opening an liaison office for the Taliban in the Qatari capital of Doha - increasing speculation of an end to the decade-long bloody insurgency in this war-torn country.

'I think, from the Afghan prospective anyway, this is an inclusive process but we will have to see what turns out,' Grossman said, after a two days trip to Afghanistan....

And there's more, here.

DHS: more than 1,600 deportation cases should be closed

2012-01-24T02:28:00.000-08:00

From Homeland Security News Wire

23 January, 2012

As part of the Obama administration’s ongoing efforts to shift its immigration policy to deporting dangerous illegal immigrants, last week DHS officials recommended canceling deportation proceedings against more than 1,600 illegal immigrants in Denver and Baltimore who were not deemed a threat.

Based on preliminary figures, 7,923 cases were reviewed in Denver and officials recommended closing 1,301, while in Baltimore, 3,759 cases were reviewed with 366 recommended for closure.

An immigration official, speaking anonymously to The Associated Press, said, the preliminary data has yet to be released publicly as each recommendation depends on the result of an extensive background check that includes collecting biometric data like fingerprints.

“We wanted to triple check” everyone’s background before halting a deportation case, the official said.

Go read the rest here.

Moments of Silence 23 January 2012

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

Monday, January 23, 2012

Moments of Silence #MoS to #HonorTheFallen 23 JAN 2012 1PM-1:13PM

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

PSA: Loose lips sink ships ...

2012-01-23T06:20:00.000-08:00

Important - and timeless - reminders.

‘Israel to Give BHO 12 Hours Notice on Attacking Iran’

2012-01-23T03:06:00.000-08:00

I wouldn't give Obama 12 minutes' notice, but that's just me. From Israel National News:

by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

Israeli officials told visiting USS Chief Joint of Staffs Martin Dempsey that it would give President Barack Obama no more than 12 hours notice if and when it attacks Iran, The London Times reported Sunday.

The Netanyahu government also will not coordinate with the United States an attack on the Islamic Republic, according to the report, the latest in a number of suposed scenarios concerning cooperation or lack of it between Jerusalem and Washington.

It is left to speculation whether the rumors are based on facts or are leaked by officials to mask the possibility of secret military coordination.

The London Times said its sources explained that that Israel fears that President Obama would try to torpedo an Israel attack if more notice were given because he is concerned that Iran will respond by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, sparking a rise in the price of oil that could cripple Western economies. If the attack were to occur in the next 10 months, it would put President Obama in a tight spot on the eve of his bid for re-election.

President Shimon Peres told Dempsey, "I am sure that in this fight [against Iran] we will emerge victorious. It is a fight that does not belong exclusively to the United States or Israel, but a global struggle to create a safe world for all peoples.”

Dempsey, on his first official visit to Israel, was wined and dined by Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gants, who went so far as to arrange an IDF orchestra rendition of song made famous by Frank Sinatra, one of Dempsey’s favorite singers.

Dempsey tried to play down the postponement of what was billed as the largest-ever joint military drill between the Israeli and American armies, involving thousands of U.S. Army soldiers.

Published reasons for the delay have ranged from budgetary constraints, logistical problems to a signal from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that he distrusts President Obama’s commitment to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Dempsey maintained that the delay, which was announced by Israel, will give both countries more time to prepare and “achieve a better outcome.”

The top American general left Israel on Friday, before the Sabbath began.

England, MY England!

2012-01-23T02:27:00.000-08:00

Is Britain still "Great"? Apparently not everybody thinks so.

A Canadian journalist, Matthew Fisher, has this:

Great Britain is hardly all that great, anymore

By Matthew Fisher, Postmedia News
January 22, 2012

LONDON - Whatever happened to Tony Blair's ``Cool Britannia?''

Harper's Magazine summed it up with a front-page headline last year that screamed ``Broken Britain,' a catchy phrase borrowed from the British tabloid, the Sun. Others recently have dubbed the country the equally unkind ``Angry Britain.''
It is one of life's abiding mysteries why some American presidents pretend that Britain actually matters. ``Once Great Britain'' has been faltering for years and yet British foreign secretaries, with the help of the BBC, which is obliged to provide them with a soap box, remain self-important on the world stage.
Britain's national railway grid, the first and for so long the best in the world, has been deteriorating for more than half a century. Although perhaps not as much as they did 20 or 30 years ago, workers still go on wildcat strikes, making a mess for visitors to a country that has become hugely dependent on tourism.
[...]

Britain's constant boast that it punches above its weight internationally rings more hollow by the day. The defence ministry is eviscerating the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and making deep cuts to the army, too. There have been sweeping redundancies across all three services, the sudden retirement of the fleet of Harrier jump jets, the premature retirement of the aircraft carrier Ark Royal and the likely immediate sale to raise cash of one of two carriers now being built. Even after the current round of Draconian cuts, it is difficult to see how Britain can sustain the force that will remain, let alone underwrite plans for a new generation of nuclear submarines, new frigates and the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter....

Go read the rest of this thought provoking article here.

(H/T Another Matthew....)

Sitting...

2012-01-22T03:35:00.000-08:00

9/11 Health Panel Seeks Public Input on Cancer

2012-01-21T03:51:00.000-08:00

January 17, 2012
By Julie Shapiro, DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

LOWER MANHATTAN — A panel of medical experts will soon decide whether the federal government's $2.8 billion 9/11 health fund should cover cancer — and they want to hear from the public before making a decision.
The World Trade Center Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee is asking Downtown residents, first responders and others to weigh in on whether those who got cancer after being exposed to 9/11 toxins ought to be compensated for their illness.
Written comments are due Wednesday, and those who want to speak directly to the committee can participate in a conference call Jan. 24. The committee will also hold a public meeting in New York City in February, but details about the hearing haven't been confirmed.

Catherine McVay Hughes, vice chairwoman of Community Board 1 and a member of the WTC Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee, encourages as many people as possible to make their voices heard.
"It's important for the committee to be aware of all the information on cancer and how it correlates to exposure at the World Trade Center," Hughes said.
While many Ground Zero recovery workers developed cancer after spending hundreds of hours at the site inhaling carcinogenic chemicals, the federal government decided in 2010 that there was not enough medical evidence to include cancer on the list of illnesses covered by the $4.3 billion James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. ...

Much more here.

Congressman West: “America needs a commander in chief, instead we have a campaigner in chief..."

2012-01-21T03:41:00.000-08:00

This article is based on a speech Congressman Allen West gave last November, but it still resonates loud and clear in the truth of his words. Read on:

Rep. West to Media: ‘Stop Being Afraid of This President’ Who ‘Is Destroying This Country’
Elizabeth Harrington
November 15, 2011

(CNSNews.com) – Congressman Allen West (R-Fla.) called on the media to “stop being afraid” of President Barack Obama who is “destroying this country.” West made his remarks on Tuesday at a press conference in support of the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline.

“It’s about time that I asked this from the media: Stop being afraid of this president,” said Rep. West. “Stand up to him and call him out on the shirking of his duties and responsibilities. The House Republicans are passing pieces of legislation, after pieces of legislation about jobs.”
[...]

“This is the most important thing we have to understand, America needs leadership right now and America does not have that,” said Rep. West on Tuesday.

“America needs a commander in chief, instead we have a campaigner in chief, and that’s exactly what continues to happen,” said West. “Whether it’s the decision to go to zero troops in Iraq, which gives a green light to Iran, or whether it’s the decision to shut down what you have heard is a win-win situation for the United States of America and for a new trading partner, which is Canada.”...

Much more here.

Last 2 MWD in Iraq

2012-01-21T03:27:00.000-08:00

Sather Working Dog Veterans
3rdID8487 on Dec 12, 2011 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines aren't the only veterans coming home from Iraq this month. Sergeant Gene Taylor introduces us to two of man's best friends, doing their part to help make Iraq safe.

Brazil backs Argentina over Falkland Islands

2012-01-21T02:36:00.000-08:00

Posted by EU Times on Jan 19th, 2012

Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota says all Latin American nations back Argentina against Britain over the disputed Malvinas islands, which Britain claims as its own, calling it Falklands.

Latin America and the Caribbean “back Argentine sovereignty over the Malvinas and back the UN resolutions calling on the Argentine and British governments to hold talks on the issue,” Patriota said in a meeting with British Foreign Secretary William Hague in Brazil.

Patriota added that Britain knows “Brazil and Unasur (Union of South American Nations) support Argentinean sovereignty over the Malvinas.”

As the 30th anniversary of the war between Britain and Argentina over the Malvinas Islands nears, the dispute over the territory is heating up once again.

Britain on Tuesday reiterated its tough stance over the disputed islands, with the foreign secretary warning South American countries not to ‘collude’ with Argentina to reclaim its occupied territory...

More here.

IDF Base: 1,500 Tank Shells Stolen

2012-01-20T09:53:00.000-08:00

From Israel National News:

by Gil Ronen

Fifteen hundred tank shells were stolen from an IDF munitions base in southern Israel.

A senior officer in Southern Command said that the shells could reach terror organizations. Some of the shells may have been smuggled to the Sinai Peninsula and then transferred to terrorists inside Gaza. The Investigative Military Police is looking into the possibility that soldiers inside the base assisted the thieves.

The theft was discovered during an inventory check of ammunition last week. A serious shortage of shells was discovered, and after a second count was held, the scale of the theft became apparent.

Military sources said that a gang of Arab metal thieves that operates in the area is apparently behind the theft. The Arabs apparently studied the security arrangements at the base and were able to sneak in and out undetected numerous times, taking a large number of shells with them each time.

A senior source in the Southern Command said that the Arab gangs in the Negev have been stepping up their attacks on IDF bases as the IDF has been tightening its hold on the Israel-Egypt border and as construction of the security barrier along the border has progressed.

"It started from theft of bullets from firing ranges, proceeded to theft of parts of fences and has now reached the theft of expensive and dangerous ammunition. Security in all of the southern bases needs to be rethought."

For the Record: Army statement on MEDEVAC issue

2012-01-20T09:34:00.000-08:00

There has been much misinformation on the matter of Red Crosses on our MedEvac helicopters. This misinformation has been accepted as the truth by various msm outlets who, instead of checking the FACTS, have taken the word of just one never-seen-combat writer, who continues to insist that he knows all, and damn anybody else's facts.

Once again, the US military has responded with the FACTS. From War On Terror News:

Friday, January 20, 2012

The FACTS: Army statement on MEDEVAC issue

January 20, 2012 By Office of the Chief of Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (Jan. 20, 2012) -- "Recent news items about the use of Army medical evacuation, or MEDEVAC, helicopters in Afghanistan contain troubling information. The reporting suggests that putting red crosses on MEDEVACs, and not arming them somehow, is putting injured Soldiers' lives at risk. The facts do not support these assertions for several reasons.

First, there is no evidence, implied or proven, that the enemy deliberately targets MEDEVAC helicopters, but we know from hard experience that the enemy does try to shoot down any and all U.S. and coalition aircraft. Further, all helicopters in Afghanistan fly in pairs as a force protection matter. It's the way we do business and to suggest that arming MEDEVAC aircraft would result in crews launching sooner is a dubious assertion.

U.S. Army Soldiers transport a trauma victim to a U.S. Army medical helicopter in Tarmiyah, Iraq, Sept. 30, 2007. The Soldiers are from Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis, Wash.

Here are the facts: DOD has specifically tasked the Army, not any other service, to provide a standing MEDEVAC capability. The other services, as well as the Army in some cases, fly CASEVAC missions. This is a critical distinction. CASEVAC stands for Casualty Evacuation, which is a technical distinction that means they use whatever helicopters are available at the moment to extract the wounded or downed aircrews. However, DOD has tasked the Army to provide evacuation to the MEDEVAC standard, which means our MEDEVAC crews and helicopters are purpose built, manned, trained and equipped to provide advanced trauma care in flight.

While putting a red cross on our MEDEVAC helicopters has the added benefit of being consistent with the Geneva Conventions, it also marks that aircraft and crew for no other mission besides medical evacuation. In Afghanistan and other austere environments, where helicopter assets are in very high demand, it's important that we dedicate a fleet of aircraft for no other purpose than to provide advanced in-flight care for wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines.

The Army provides the great majority of medical evacuations in Afghanistan. That includes allied personnel and even enemy wounded. The U.S. Marines in Afghanistan, and in Iraq before that, specifically asked for the Army to provide medical evacuation of its personnel because they know we provide the "gold standard" in modern battlefield evacuation. No military force in the world is better than the US Army at MEDEVAC. The 92 percent survival rate for wounded in Afghanistan is the highest in history because of the power of our MEDEVAC capability and its battlefield support network.

Another important point is that arming our MEDEVACs would significantly impact the capability of the aircraft. Machine guns, related mounting equipment, ammunition and the gunners all add weight to the aircraft. The added weight would hinder the aircraft's ability to work at higher altitudes because of reduced lift, as well as its speed and range. Additionally, MEDEVACs can carry up to four litter patients, but if weapons were added, that number would be reduced, which would in turn require the commitment of more MEDEVAC aircraft, an already low density and high demand asset.

Further, arming MEDEVACs would not reduce the need for armed escort. Again, our aircraft travel in pairs. The decision to use escort is the tactical commander's, and the Army does not dictate how or when it is necessary to use these assets.

Finally, it's important to remember that the Army would change its policy if battlefield commanders wanted a change. We take our obligation to perform the MEDEVAC mission very seriously. We're a learning organization and periodically we review our policies to make sure they remain relevant. We looked at the MEDEVAC policy in 2008, but after a review, we determined no change was necessary.

Additionally, neither the International Security Assistance Force or U.S. Forces - Afghanistan has requested a change in policy; because our MEDEVAC crews and aircraft provide the best chance at survival ever seen in warfare, and because -- as commanders in Afghanistan have told us -- not arming our MEDEVACs and identifying them with the red cross has had no impact on the medical evacuation mission."

Previous columns on WOTN on this issue:

The Difference Between MedEvac and CasEvac

MedEvac Crew Shaves Minutes To Save Soldiers In Iraq

Filing Taxes When a Service Member Is Deployed

2012-01-20T08:58:00.000-08:00

From www.militaryonesource.mil

Filing state and federal income taxes may be the last thing you want to deal with right now, especially if you or your service member are deployed. But as overwhelming as it may seem, filing your tax return should not be difficult. The Internal Revenue Service has recognized that service members and their families often face special circumstances, and has put in place ways to make this annual obligation less of a burden.

Getting Started

If you are a service member or are filing on behalf of one, there are a few things you should know before getting started.

File returns in your permanent home state. If you are stationed somewhere other than your permanent home address, in most cases you will still pay state taxes to your home state. For instance, if your address of record is in Kansas, but you are stationed in California, you will file state taxes with Kansas. Spouses working outside their home of record in most cases will also have to file a state tax return for the state in which they are employed.
Access your tax statement online. As a member of the Armed Forces, you can view and print out your W2 form before it is mailed to you. Go to myPay at https://mypay.dfas.mil. You will need your personal identification number (PIN) to access your W2 form.
Be sure to have power of attorney if filing for a deployed service member. Attach a copy of your power of attorney to your tax return. You may use IRS Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative. The form can be found at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f2848.pdf.
Find answers to your questions on the IRS Web site. The IRS has a detailed tax guide for members of the Armed Forces at www.irs.gov/publications/p3/index.html.

Much more here. Be informed.

Bravo 22 takes over the theatre - in London's West End

2012-01-20T08:51:00.000-08:00

Troops take to the West End stage

A People In Defence news article

20 Jan 12

A remarkable group of wounded, sick and injured Service personnel will star on the West End stage this weekend. Report by Lorraine McBride.

Bravo 22 Company, a project for wounded, injured and sick Service personnel, currently in recovery capability programmes, have signed up to create, rehearse and perform 'The Two Worlds of Charlie F' at the Theatre Royal Haymarket
[Picture: Corporal Ross Fernie RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]

They've all suffered brutal or life-threatening injuries, but a group of servicemen and women who paid a terrible price serving in Britain's Armed Forces are back firmly on the road to recovery, thanks to a theatre in the West End.

'The Two Worlds of Charlie F' is a Service person's view of injury and recovery. The play explores the consequences of both physical and psychological wounds, and the impact on others during the fight to win the new battle for survival at home while coming to terms with the cards that life has dealt.

Writer Owen Sheers interviewed each member of the newly-formed Bravo 22 Company and wrote his script by weaving in the personal experiences of the wounded, sick and injured troops who play theatricalised characters based on them. The result is a darkly comic, authentic and richly uplifting tale of survival.

One serviceman involved in the groundbreaking initiative is Marine Cassidy Little, 30, who lost his lower right leg when he was caught in an IED blast while on foot patrol in the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, last summer.

Marine Little, a Canadian, who serves with 42 Commando Royal Marines, joined the Armed Forces as a challenge after leaving university in the US and moving to London. In the aftermath of the bomb blast, he told a young medic treating him, with gallows humour:

"There goes my dancing years!"

About a month into his recuperation at Headley Court, the Marine learned about the Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust and their first project to work with wounded military personnel.

Marine Little said:

"I got involved because I thought it would be a good laugh and it's a distraction, because if I focus on the fact that my whole life has changed, it's difficult. I've had setbacks here and there but they don't seem as drastic as if I hadn't got this."

The Marine was instantly drawn to the Bravo 22 Company project because he always had a lust for the stage. Talented and gregarious, he landed the star role of Charlie Fowler after pouring out his story to Owen Sheers 'for about three hours', and the writer instinctively knew he'd found his leading man...

GO NOW and read the rest here, as our Troops prove - yet again - that there is NO theatre of operations they cannot conquer!!!

K9 Tribute: "You raise me up"

2012-01-20T07:35:00.000-08:00

Bratdog birthday girl insisted I share this one.:)

Uploaded by K9calygirl on Jan 19, 2012

A loving tribute to our K9 heroes for all that they do each and everyday. We thank you all!
The song is, "You Raise me Up," by Josh Groban.
My Facebook page is K9 Heroes.

January 20: A historic day!

2012-01-20T03:14:00.000-08:00

Today is Bratdog's birthday.

My millenium baby turns 12 years old today. And that IS cause for celebration in the Brat household, especially given recent scares...

Every day is an added blessing with my girl.

DoD launches website for military kids

2012-01-20T02:56:00.000-08:00

From the DoD:

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. (1/19/12) - The Defense Department launched a new website Wednesday for children experiencing the challenges of military deployments.

The highly interactive website, http://www.MilitaryKidsConnect.org, was
created by psychologists at DOD's National Center for Telehealth and Technology here. It helps children of deployed parents cope with the stress, changing responsibilities and concern for the safety of their parents, officials said.

The center, known as T2, developed the website with informative videos,
educational tools and engaging games and activities for three age groups: 6 to 8, 9 to 12 and 13 to 17. The site features monitored online social network forums for the groups to safely share their experiences with deployments.

MilitaryKidsConnect.org is the first DOD website to connect children in the widely separated active, reserve, and National Guard military communities, officials said.

"Since 2001, an estimated two million children have said goodbye to a parent headed to deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, other places around the globe and on ships at sea," explained Kelly Blasko, a T2 psychologist. "Military children are deeply affected by the separation of their parent's deployment. We've seen that in their hearts, kids deploy too."

The website has features that will help children, parents and educators
navigate the wide range of practical and emotional challenges military
families must live with throughout the deployment cycle, Blasko said.

"While military children are very adaptable given the constant changes and stressful nature of military life," she added, "deployment puts a unique stress on family relationships at home, which can also affect the deployed service member. The DOD now has a website to help the youngest members of the military community."

The National Center for Telehealth and Technology serves as the primary DOD office for cutting-edge approaches in applying technology to psychological health.

Dumb or dumber? Guilty!

2012-01-19T07:11:00.000-08:00

An interesting article on Newsweek itself, here.

Come Fly with me! F-35B and USS Wasp

2012-01-19T04:02:00.000-08:00

A sight to behold: F-35B Ship Suitability Testing

LockheedMartinVideos on Nov 4, 2011

This video is fresh (for the public). It was made just six weeks ago in the Alantic, just off Newport News (Hampton Roads), Virginia .

These are the latest sea trials of the F-35B on the USS Wasp. They were very successful, with 74 VL's and STO's in a three week period. The media and the program critics had predicted that we would burn holes in the deck and wash sailors overboard. Neither of which happened. You will notice a sailor standing on the bow of the ship as the jet rotates. That was an intentional part of the sea trials.

The USS Wasp is an amphibious assault ship designed to embark a Marine Expeditionary Unit. It is capable of simultaneously supporting rotary and fixed wing STOVL aircraft and amphibious landing craft operations. For this test deployment the USS Wasp was outfitted with special instrumentation to support and measure the unique operating environment as the F-35B conducted short takeoffs and vertical landings.

No catapult... No hook .....The shape and scope of warfare worldwide just changed.

(H/T DH...lol)

UK Muslim Women get death threats

2012-01-19T03:42:00.000-08:00

From The Independant:

The New Muslim suffragettes of the United Kingdom

Charlotte Rachael Proudman
Notebook - A selection of Independent views -, Opinion

An increasing number of Muslim women activists are receiving death threats, fatwas and even hate-mail from extremist male and female Muslims. Their crime: Rescuing fellow Muslim women from violent and life threatening situations.

With heightened media sensitivity surrounding forced marriage, honour based violence and domestic violence we are all too aware of the suffering experienced by vulnerable and marginalised Muslim women. But we know little about the Muslim women activists who risk their lives to fight for the rights of oppressed Muslim women. These women are the New Muslim Suffragettes (NMS) of The United Kingdom.

As wives and mothers themselves, they stand alone in their communities and apart from other prominent Muslim organisations, in offering sanctuary and support for vulnerable and marginalised women. The NMS provide refuge, advocacy and access to the British legal and welfare system for women whose daily lives consist of beatings, imprisonment, torture and even marital rape, as well as the mental health ramifications that unfold over time....

Much more to this must read article here.

H/T JihadWatch

The Eagle Nebula

2012-01-19T03:20:00.000-08:00

The Eagle Nebula
Combining almost opposite ends of the electromagnetic spectrum, this composite of the Herschel in far-infrared and XMM-Newton’s X-ray images shows how the hot young stars detected by the X-ray observations are sculpting and interacting with the surrounding ultra-cool gas and dust, which, at only a few degrees above absolute zero, is the critical material for star formation itself. Both wavelengths would be blocked by Earth’s atmosphere, so are critical to our understanding of the lifecycle of stars

Image Credit: ESA/Herschel/PACS/SPIRE/Hill, Motte, HOBYS Key Programme Consortium

In death al Awlaki lives on

2012-01-19T02:41:00.000-08:00

From Homeland Security News Wire:

17 January, 2012

Al Awlaki preaches in pre-death video // Source: liquida.it

In a recent security bulletin, DHS is warning local officials that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is still actively seeking to recruit Americans, encouraging them to commit acts of terrorism.

In a posthumous video released in December, the radical American-born imam Anwar al Awlaki, who was killed by a U.S. drone strike last September, continues to spread his ideologies, stating “jihad against America is binding.”

In the security bulletin, security officials warn that the new video “encourages Western-based Muslims to commit violence,” and the “video could inspire violent extremists in the West to conduct attacks.” Officials were careful to note that, “We have no indication that the timing of the video’s release or any content … is related to specific, ongoing plotting against the homeland,” but law enforcement officials should “remain vigilant for signs of terrorist plotting and to report suspicious activities.”...

Much more here.

Are YOU paying attention?

SOPA and PIPA

2012-01-18T01:32:00.000-08:00

http://stopcensorship.org/

SOPAblackout.org

End Piracy, Not Liberty

From My Position...On the Way!

Bouhammer

Good information on all the above links.

Be informed.

Wednesday Hero

2012-01-17T22:51:00.000-08:00

Capt. Eddie S. Ray
57 years old from Seattle, Washington
Company B, 1st Light Armored Infantry Battalion, Task Force Shepherd, 1st Marine Division

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Eddie S. Ray, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Commanding Officer, Company B, First Light Armored Infantry Battalion, Task Force Shepherd, FIRST Marine Division, in the Emirate of Kuwait on 25 February 1991. During the early morning hours of G+1 of Operation Desert Storm, an Iraqi mechanized division counter-attacked elements of the FIRST Marine Division in the vicinity west of the flame and smoke engulfed Burgan Oil Fields in Southeastern Kuwait. As dense black smoke shrouded the battlefield, an Iraqi mechanized brigade engaged the FIRST Marine Division Forward Command Post security forces. During the ensuing intense ten hour battle, Captain Ray repeatedly maneuvered his Light Armored Vehicle Company in harm's way, skillfully integrating his Light Armored Infantry weapons, reinforcing TOW's, and AH-1W Attack Helicopters to decisively defeat main Iraqi counter-attacks. Leading from the front and constantly exposed to large volumes of enemy fire, Captain Ray led swift, violent attacks directly into the face of the vastly larger enemy force. These attacks shocked the enemy, destroyed 50 enemy Armored Personnel Carriers, and resulted in the capture of over 250 Iraqi soldiers. Operating perilously close to the attacking enemy, Captain Ray's courage, composure under fire, and aggressive war fighting spirit were instrumental in the defeat of a major enemy effort and the successful defense of the Division Forward Command Post. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Captain Ray reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

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 Look

This post is part of Wednesday Hero. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Hackers target DoD and Israel

2012-01-17T16:31:00.000-08:00

From Israel National News:

Anti-Israel Hackers Hit Yesha and Azerbaijan

by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

Hackers claiming to be from Kurdistan or Iraq invaded the websites of the community of Shiloh in Samaria and of Israel’s ally Azerbaijan, one day after the “Saudi hacker” shut down the websites of El Al and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange’s information site.

Shiloh is a large Jewish town in central Samaria, north of Jerusalem. It also is the ancient site of the first temple established by Jews after the Exodus from Egypt and before the building the First Temple in Jerusalem.

The hackers left a message that may have contained a typographical error in Hebrew and addressed “managers” instead of “settlers,” which is what would have been written if it were not for a missing letter. They wrote, “Dear Managers. This is not a joke nor a dream. This is the true reality. From Kurdistan or Iraq. Blessings from all of the Kurdish hackers.”

The hacking epidemic against Israel also has reached outside the country. Official websites in the Muslim country of Azerbaijan, an ally of Israel, were hacked on Monday, Now Lebanon reported.

Hackers placed anti-Israeli messages on the sites of the Azerbaijan's Interior and Communications ministries, its governing party and constitutional court. They also replaced the Interior Ministry's homepage with an image of the devil lurking over a picture of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and President Shimon Peres shaking hands.

"You are servants of the Jews," said a message, which also threatened Aliyev to meet the same fate as Muammar Qaddafi and Hosni Mubarak.

The hacking epidemic has prompted the Bank of Israel to consider ordering banks to block access to their website from outside of Israel. The site of The First International Bank of Israel was hacked on Monday.

Chinese hackers target DoD, DHS smart cards
17 January, 2012

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered malicious code developed by Chinese hackers to target the smart cards used by Defense Department, DHS, and State Department personnel.

According to researchers at AlienVault, the code is a newly created variant of Sykipot, a piece of malicious software, specifically designed to target smart cards, which grant government employees access to the most sensitive networks.

Smart cards function as an additional authentication layer beyond employee passwords, but with the new code, hackers now have all the elements they need to infiltrate sensitive government servers.

So far the code is believed to have been used in more than a dozen attacks beginning in March 2011, but it remains unclear what the hackers have stolen or how many computers they infected....

You just know there is more - here.

Wikipedia to go dark on 18th January to protest SOPA

2012-01-17T15:09:00.000-08:00

From Wake Up America:

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Site Statement: English Wikipedia to go dark January 18 in opposition to SOPA/PIPA

By Susan Duclos

Reports of Wikipedia going dark were added as an update to a different post with the list of sites going dark in protest of SOPA (House bill- Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Senate version- Protect IP Act). More on those lists here and information here).

The official notification, via Wikimedia, is out:

English Wikipedia to go dark January 18 in opposition to SOPA/PIPA

San Francisco -- January 16, 2012 -- On January 18, 2012, in an unprecedented decision, the Wikipedia community has chosen to blackout the English version of Wikipedia for 24 hours, in protest against proposed legislation in the United States — the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the U.S. House of Representatives, and PROTECTIP (PIPA) in the U.S. Senate. If passed, this legislation will harm the free and open Internet and bring about new tools for censorship of international websites inside the United States.
Wikipedia administrators confirmed this decision Monday afternoon (PST) in a public statement (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:SOPA_initiative/Action#Summary_and_conclusion):
Over the course of the past 72 hours, over 1800 Wikipedians have joined together to discuss proposed actions that the community might wish to take against SOPA and PIPA. This is by far the largest level of participation in a community discussion ever seen on Wikipedia, which illustrates the level of concern that Wikipedians feel about this proposed legislation. The overwhelming majority of participants support community action to encourage greater public action in response to these two bills. Of the proposals considered by Wikipedians, those that would result in a "blackout" of the English Wikipedia, in concert with similar blackouts on other websites opposed to SOPA and PIPA, received the strongest support....

Go read the rest of this important column, here.

Operation Desert Storm: Jan. 17, 1991

2012-01-17T11:58:00.000-08:00

Some Gave ALL

Today marks the 21st anniversary of the beginning of Operation Desert Storm. The conflict, also known as the Gulf War, was waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.

Still many just don't understand
About the reasons we are free...

And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

ALWAYS in my heart. You all know who you are.

Video: Your Song for NYC

2012-01-17T09:17:00.000-08:00

Long ago and far away, this song was one I used to sing to BratBabyBrother when we were both in London. And this version, sung for New York after 9/11, has brought Your Song full circle for me.

Some of my readers know I have been privileged to meet, come to know and love more than a few of those directly impacted by 9/11. I am truly blessed.

I know it's not much but it's the best I can do
My gift is my song and this one's for you..

And you, and you, and yes, YOU!

Media Matters: Front Page News

2012-01-17T03:32:00.000-08:00

On the front pages of the international msm this past week:

Airman 1st Class Matthew R. Seidler, 24, of Westminster, Md.
Tech. Sgt. Matthew S. Schwartz, 34, of Traverse City, Mich.
Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell, 23, of Erie, Pa
Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Metzger, 32, of Indianapolis, Ind.
Spc. Robert J. Tauteris Jr., 44, of Hamlet, Ind.
Christopher A. Patterson, 20, of Aurora, Ill.
Spc. Brian J. Leonhardt, 21, of Merrillville, Ind.
Pfc. Dustin P. Napier, 20, of London, Ky
Pfc. Michael W. Pyron, 30, of Hopewell, Va
Pfc. Neil I. Turner, 21, of Tacoma, Wash

You might be excused if you missed the msm headlines on these Fallen American Heroes this past week.

Maybe you saw these stories on the front pages of the international msm:

TF Spartan Paratroopers Rescue Afghan Child
UK and Afghan Troops help open critical new school

I'm sure you saw these on the front pages:

Ghazni District Transfers Security
Afghan boy with severe cleft palate has reason to smile - courtesy of Coalition Forces

How about combat news from our Troops?

ANA, Marines clear out last insurgency from southern Helmand
New ANA elite snipers graduate course
Operation Tageer Shamal: Afghans, Marines take control west of Helmand River

Did you miss this story of our British Troops 'just doing their job,' making a difference for the people of Afghanistan?

YORKS soldiers on patrol in Helmand

I am *sure* you all saw this video as the top story of the broadcast media last week. It is an interview with a Security Chief in Marjah, on how things have changed since the Taleban has been thrown out - defeated.

Video: Marjah after the Taleban - Security Chief Tells of Progress

No, you saw none of these on the international front pages, BUT I found them and posted these (and others) on War On Terror News.

What we all saw on the msm front page news, and as top story on the broadcast media, was a story about four Marines who filmed themselves doing something very stupid. Whether or not you agree with the act they did is not at issue for me, but the fact they recorded it? Yes, THAT was stupid, and I have to wonder how they ever thought such a film would not become 'news,' given the 24/7 insatiable appetite of our msm, who seem to salivate at every opportunity to show OUR Military in a bad light.

You think me too harsh in my observation of the msm? Think on this: How many times in the current Global War On Terror have you read stories - never mind front page - about the GREAT things the hundreds of thousands of our coalition Military do every.single.day? How many front page stories have you read of the lives of our Fallen Heroes, as the families and loved ones come to grips with their loss? You can get back to me on that one. However, get a film of FOUR Marines somehow hitting the public view, and the international msm has it as their lead story, along with their verdict of 'disgusting'...'sickening'...'despicable acts'....blah blah. And that's just the *reporters* - you know, those hired to give "just the facts, ma'am!"

Of course, more than a few politicans piled on, with their 'outrage' etc etc, even as ISAF released a statement:

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 12, 2012) -- A video recently posted on a public website appears to show U.S. military personnel committing an inappropriate act with enemy corpses. This disrespectful act is inexplicable and not in keeping with the high moral standards we expect of coalition forces. [Yes, emphasis mine.]
ISAF strongly condemns the actions depicted in the video, which appear to have been conducted by a small group of U.S. individuals, who apparently are no longer serving in Afghanistan.
Nevertheless, this behavior dishonors the sacrifices and core values of every service member representing the fifty nations of the coalition.
Therefore, a United States Criminal Investigatory agency has launched an investigation. It will be thorough and any individuals with confirmed involvement will be held fully accountable.

I didn't see that widely distributed, but by the second day of all of this, my local media (outside the US) had somehow managed to turn down their 'outrage,' and it was now using the term 'appears to be...' and it was now the third story in, rather than the top story.

Congressman Allen West - himself a Combat Veteran - had something to say about all the armchair Generals' commentary:

“I have sat back and assessed the incident with the video of our Marines urinating on Taliban corpses. I do not recall any self-righteous indignation when our Delta snipers Shugart and Gordon had their bodies dragged through Mogadishu. Neither do I recall media outrage and condemnation of our Blackwater security contractors being killed, their bodies burned, and hung from a bridge in Fallujah.

“All these over-emotional pundits and armchair quarterbacks need to chill. Does anyone remember the two Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division who were beheaded and gutted in Iraq?

“The Marines were wrong. Give them a maximum punishment under field grade level Article 15 (non-judicial punishment), place a General Officer level letter of reprimand in their personnel file, and have them in full dress uniform stand before their Battalion, each personally apologize to God, Country, and Corps videotaped and conclude by singing the full US Marine Corps Hymn without a teleprompter.

“As for everyone else, unless you have been shot at by the Taliban, shut your mouth, war is hell.”

As writer William R. Mann wrote on Canada Free Press:

A voice of sanity. Thank you, Congressman Allen West [LTC, USA, Retired].

May I suggest that Her Royal Highness HR Clinton and Professor Panetta take all of their liberal civilian buddies out to fight against the Taliban (once they have rid this country of these “monstrous” Marines])? Come, teach all of us Active, Retired and Veteran military how to lead soldiers in combat, and what their punishments should be for what amounts to malicious mischief. They understand NOTHING about the dynamics of complex emotional and psychological factors running through the minds of young soldiers and actions before, during and after a firefight. Acts of tasteless exuberance in thought word and deed afterwards is not at all uncommon....(here)

And that was a predominant theme, from Veterans. As one said:

Biden says those Taliban weren't even the enemy anyway. And Obama wants to release the Talib big wigs and give them a cush office in Qatar, so they can negotiate their way back into power in Afghanistan.

[...]

You know where it got stupid? When some dumbass thought to himself, this would be a good video to share with others that may not have the same sense of combat, and knowledge of the enemy that we do.

I wonder if Nick Berg would be outraged? Or Daniel Pearl? Or the Marine Sentenced to death by the Islamist Tyranny of Iran? Or Neda? I wonder if those Afghan girls scarred by Talib acid would be outraged? I wonder if those Afghan women stoned to death for "adultery" would be outraged? I wonder if the Pakistani girl raped by a village, as punishment for walking alone with a non-related male would be outraged? Does the media find these things outrageous enough to report?

We know the answer to that one, of course. And there's the rub. The msm chooses to run stories of four Marines - and feign outrage - whilst at the same time almost always ignoring every other thing our Troops have done. ...

Almost on a daily basis, I read about atrocities Taliban thugs are rendering on their own countrymen, women and children. And yes, how they abuse their own dead, not to mention ours, ..but of course, Afghan President Karzai joined the line of those 'outraged' and condemned that filmed act as "shocking... completely inhumane.' Right. Seems to me that maybe Karzai should look to cleaning his own house before he starts calling OUR guys 'inhumane.' Hypocrit much? Oh, and of course, CAIR got in on the general chorus of 'presumed guilt...' Never a group to let any opportunity go unheeded in which to express their outrage, CAIR condemned the incident:

“We condemn this apparent desecration of the dead as a violation of our nation’s military regulations and of international laws of war prohibiting such disgusting and immoral actions,...”

Pardon me if my response to CAIR or Karzai is incredulity. Refer back to even just a few of the incidents mentioned by the Veteran.

Apart from the Veteran quoted above, other US Veterans also had plenty to say on both the original video, and the media response.

Over at The Sandgram, there is this:

[...]

Do I personally care about what they did? Not really and not something I would personally do. We don’t know what these guys have been through. Is this their sixth tour over there? Did they just lose a buddy in the firefight that day? We don’t know anything about what lead up to the incident. Just like the photo of the Police Chief in VN shooting the guy in the head point blank. On the face of it, horrible, but dig into what lead him up to that moment when he put a .38 to another human’s head and pulled the trigger…very interesting.

Do I think it was Egregious behavior? Yes, this is no better then AQ hanging our contractors from the bridge in Iraq or the retards in Somalia dragging our soldier’s through the streets naked. You have to understand that this stuff has been going on since the birth of man unfortunately. How about all the beheadings AQ has done over the years? Where is the condemnation over that??? You’ll never see it. Double Standard…

I sure have to laugh at the comments about this story on Yahoo.com …and I mean there are over 3,050 of them. Many of them are like this which tells you what??? Mind you, these are average American’s commenting on the enemy. They only know what they know looking at the War through a pair of reversed Bino’s.

“News Flash……….Taliban fighters get first bath in two years…….U.S. Marines provided them with shower……….Boy, were they pisssssssed.”

Or this from a woman…” these marines killed the guys who have been trying TO KILL THEM!! dont judge what their doing while your sitting in your comfortable office, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT COMBAT IS LIKE! how bout WWII soldiers that decorated their tanks with the heads of dead jap soldiers. we train these men to be heartless killers….to see the oppisition as TARGETS…nothing more. ITS WAR PEOPLE….GROWUP!!!”

Another woman: “who gives a flying F???? they are dead, and everyone hates them including the afghans!! Maybe Karzai should be concerned at how he runs his country and how they treat women there??? We all know he is a puppet and that everyone else runs him!! he is a joke and we all know it!! ”

I am not even cherry picking these: “What are the rules? 1. kill them – 2. make sure they are dead. 3. be nice to them.”

Go read the rest of this one here.

Over at BlackFive, Deebow gives his 2 cents worth. Deebow is another Veteran, You know: been there, done that.

Wars and battle are ugly things. The very insides of the dark side of humanity and the razor thin margins of how close we come to being animals when we fight our enemies rises to the very top for all to see. It is not pretty and it is not polite. When you fight an enemy that prefers death to surrender and straps bombs to little children and records it for posterity to blast out all over the world wide web, you need to start fighting a little fire with fire. Spending every day with death tugging at your elbow while, in some cases, watching your men die, some of them good friends. Seeing this happen right in front of you every day can lead to a thirst for revenge and pay back those life debts that few will ever know. ..
[...]
The nature of warriors is something that only warriors will ever know. Those that have never experienced this will never know why these men felt the need to do what they did. But if our military is going to be effective in the long run, our enemies must fear us. They must believe that we are capable of unspeakable evil and every now and then, we have to pull back the curtain a little and let them see a smidgen of what we are holding the lid on while we bomb them further into the stone age. That fear of what those warriors are capable of will save lives.

Was it wrong for these Marines to do this? Sure. Was there a breakdown in leadership? No Doubt. Do I understand with 100 percent certainty why they did it? Absolutely.

Go read the rest of this one here. Bouhammer is a site also written by a US Veteran. He has this:

Anyone that has watched any news this morning or been reading it online probably knows about the video that appears to show US Marines urinating on dead Taliban fighters. I say “appears” because well these guys are INNOCENT until proven guilty. All too often the same people who many in this county feel sorry for and think aren’t able to do anything but serve in the military are held to a completely different standard and aren’t afforded the same rights they fight to protect. I agree the video looks pretty bad, but so did the bloody glove that didn’t fit. However I would hope that American and the World does not convict these guys in public opinion before they are given a fair chance in a court of military law. If they did do this act and if there are no extenuating circumstances and are found guilty, then they should be punished based on the Uniformed Code of Military Justice and not on the Media hype or Congressional babbling that may come from this.
[...]
Is it morally wrong to desecrate and disrespect a body? In the sane world of what we in the western nations consider “right or wrong”, yes it is. Do people of other nations or beliefs feel that way? No not at all. Does that make it right for us to do it? No.
However if these guys did it, they are humans. They are flawed, they have emotions and they get caught up int the moment. They have probably seen more of their buddies killed, ripped apart and maimed on the six tours this unit has had then most people could stomach. They are worn out, worn down and just plain tired of fighting an enemy that has no rules, morals or cares about any human life of any nationality while they (all US Forces) have to comply with layer after layer of rules, laws and regulations about what is fair and not fair...

Much more here.

This Ain't Hell also had some words on this (and a great title, too!) and is well worth a read for the thoughtful debate that went on in the comments. Go here for their take on the brouhaha.

From all the reading I have done on this, a general consensus has emerged that a) yes, these Marines were stupid; b) that their behaviour warrants some form of punishment; c) that yes, the Taleban does far far worse to their dead - someone even provided a video link here to an example; d) even agreeing that c) is true, and I do, it has been suggested that nevertheless we should - and DO - hold our Troops to a higher standard than the barbarism, and inhumane behaviour of the Taleban enemy, and finally e) that this matter should be adjudicated within the Military, and not in the court of public opinion via the msm.

As the first Veteran I mentioned said further on in his remarks:

There has been a gross overaction at every level on this. Perhaps, if the media was reporting all the atrocities of the enemy, all the good deeds of Our Troops, or at least those things in proportional representation to this type of thing...

For me, that IS the bottom line: the way the media has run with this, even as they choose to ignore any of the other events related to our Military at the beginning of this column.

I look forward to the day when our international media gives the same time and effort to the stories of new schools and roads being built, children born with medical issues, helped to new lives by our Troops, agriculture programmes being nurtured, and all the other many stories that show that the actions of these four Marines are the exception, rather than the rule.

I really DO look forward to that day..

Fogel family murderer sentenced

2012-01-17T02:48:00.000-08:00

Remember these children, and their mother and father, who were all murdered in their home on March 12, 2010?

3-month-old Hadas

4-year-old Elad

Yoav , 11

Mother Ruth Fogel

Father Udi Fogel

Today, some form of justice. From Israel National News, even as another terrorist attack was averted:

Terror Attack Foiled as Court Sentences Fogel Murderer
by Gil Ronen

Alert IDF soldiers staved off a terror attack that was intended to take place inside the military court at Salem, in Samaria, on Monday. The soldiers neutralized and arrested two armed terrorists who tried to enter the court in an attack planned to coincide with the sentencing of Amjad Awad, who butchered five members of the Fogel family in Itamar last year.

The court deliberations were not disturbed and the court sentenced Awad to five life sentences Monday.

The two terrorists are aged 20. They were carrying 11 pipe bombs, an improvised handgun and ammunition.

The IDF Spokesman said that the two terrorists aroused the suspicion of Border Police and Military Police at the checkpoint outside the court. They were searched thoroughly and the bombs, gun and ammunition were found.

This is the second such incident at the checkpoint in eight days. Last Sunday, Border Police captured four young terrorists who were carrying 12 explosive charges, an improvised handgun, a commando knife and ammunition.

The second Arab who took part in the savage slaughter of the Fogels family was also sentenced to five life sentences last year.

Previous columns on the Fogels here, here, and here.

Video: We Are Canadian

2012-01-16T18:30:00.000-08:00

by WynturMoon on Mar 1, 2009

We're in the (UK) Navy!

2012-01-16T07:08:00.001-08:00

Been a busy week for the UK Navy...

From the MoD:

Navy captures 13 Somali pirates
A Military Operations news article

16 Jan 12

Thirteen Somali pirates were captured on a dhow in the Indian Ocean on Friday by a combination of Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel.
The capture took place as dawn broke on Friday 13 January 2012 and involved RFA Fort Victoria joining USS Carney to ascertain the business of the dhow, which had been identified as a vessel being operated by pirates in the shipping lanes of the Indian Ocean.

In a combined show of force, both RFA Fort Victoria and USS Carney manoeuvred towards the dhow with the intention of encouraging her to comply with the counter-piracy forces. This should have been intimidating, given the size of the two military vessels, but the pirates were determined to carry on with their activities. RFA Fort Victoria was tasked to take positive action to disrupt the progress of the vessel.

RFA Fort Victoria deployed her Royal Navy Lynx Mk8 helicopter with Royal Marines maritime snipers on board who issued various clear warnings to the suspects to stop.

Despite these measures, the dhow failed to comply with repeated instructions to stop and verify her intentions. Immediately afterwards, Royal Marines in speedboats approached the vessel and successfully boarded it. The pirates surrendered as the Marines took control of the dhow.

13 Somali pirates were found to be on board together with a selection of weapons....

There is much more here. Great job!

Then there is this one, also from the MoD:

UK Naval Task Force foils pirate attack

A Military Operations news article

13 Jan 12

A Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) supply ship foiled an attempt by Somali pirates to attack cargo ships in the Indian Ocean earlier this week.

The hijacked tanker MV Liquid Velvet. RFA Fort Victoria prevented the vessel, currently occupied by pirates, from sailing out to sea and launching attacks on passing shipping
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]

RFA Fort Victoria blocked an attempt on Tuesday by pirates to sail the hijacked tanker Liquid Velvet from the Somali coast into the Gulf of Aden where they would have used it as a mother ship to launch attacks on passing shipping. Greek-owned chemical tanker Liquid Velvet has been held to ransom since last November.

RFA Fort Victoria, which has Royal Navy force protection personnel on board, cut off Liquid Velvet's progress after she had sailed 90 miles (145km) from the coastline - forcing her to return to Somalia....

Much more here. Go read.

I have a dream

2012-01-16T04:32:00.000-08:00

This column was written in 2009, (yes, just three short years ago) and given the current political climate, I figured I'd re-post. As I re-read it, I still wonder what Martin Luther King Jr would have thought of the current President.

Today IS a day set aside to celebrate the work of Martin Luther King Jr, and I can't help but wonder what he would think of President Obama. Obama is a man who screamed "racist" long and loud during his road to the White House, if anyone dared to mention that he may be black. Obama is NOT black, but now sees fit to wrap himself in the mantle of injustices done to all black men. Yes, America does have a sorry history in her treatment of blacks, but from where I sit, being black has not held back many, many blacks from achieving their highest, most noble goals. For many, their ascendancy to positions of influence - where they have made a lasting difference to their communities and their country - has been because of their own dreams, efforts, and hard work.

Never mind that many people elected Obama because of the colour of his skin, (ultimately aided and abetted by the msm, of course.) Am I the only one who finds that more than ironic? From where I sit, it is irrelevant what colour Obama's skin may be. As the resident of the White House, surely what matters the most is his dedication to his country, his ability to unite all Americans in the common goal towards maintaining the US Constitution.

In his soaring rhetoric, Obama carefully appealed to those dissatisfied Americans looking for someone else to blame for the flaws, deficiencies, in their own lives. On the most basic, obvious level, can we say "bailout"? At a time when gazillion dollars are being handed over as a reward to failed business models, and California is unable to pay the elderly citizens of that state even the basic living needs that they paid into, Obama's inauguration is set to be the most expensive, lavish, in US history. Never mind that when President George W. Bush held his $40 million inauguration celebrations, Obama's own party screamed "excess." Guess times have really changed, but that is not 'change' I can believe in.

Obama is fond of invoking John F Kennedy, and, in a cynical political move (or maybe it is my own cynicism?), we have seen the Kennedy clan - you know, the old school Democratic echelon - embrace Obama as the second coming of Camelot.

Newsflash! Those days are GONE! We have all been witness to the empty words of the "memememe" sense of entitlement. That this cacophanous chorus of bleating struck a chord with the majority does not bode well for America, in my opinion.

Obama may well wrap himself in the Kennedy aura, but somebody should remind him that Kennedy's words: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what YOU can do for your country" are more than meaningless words. Oh, sure, Obama has called for a "Day of Service" or some such thing (maybe he should have talked to our troops who serve their country every single day, but I digress).

I have a feeling that Obama will discover a few things very quickly. He will discover that talking the talk means less than zero if you do not walk the walk. [Yes, I added the emphasis this year] He will also discover the fickle nature of the msm. Just as the sycophants are often conspirators in the building up of empty idols, so, too, are the msm often vicious in the tearing down of the pedestals upon which they have set those same idols. As the msm goes, so follow the lemmings - the Americans who swallow the vacuous pablum which the msm serves up daily as "news" or "analysis.

I have a fear that the dream of Martin Luther King Junior, as interpreted by the Obama disciples, will prove to be a nightmare. That is based on all that I have watched from a distance. From the man who supposedly promises change and unity, I see an America divided as never before. I see an America where racism IS front and centre, as the media feeds the frenzy and interviews every day black Americans about this momentous time in her history. IF America has made such strides, and racism is not an issue any longer, how come every newscast I hear starts "...America's first black president"? Reminds me of our previous local mayor, who just happened to be in a wheelchair. I swear I got so sick of hearing every newscast prefaced with "north America's only mayor in a wheelchair..." and variations on that.

IF Obama truly means to step beyond the divisions cutting deeply within American society, he should perhaps send a memo out to all his buddies in the msm. Quit with the "first black president, already." I am just sayin'.

Fact is, we are not living in the 1950's when Martin Luther King Junior had a dream. I would like to believe that America is now mature enough to NOT judge a man "by the colour of his skin." I would like to believe that the world that Martin Luther King's children inherited has risen above all that, and now has leaders dedicated to honouring and furthering the greatness of America, not by the colour of their skin, but by the goodness of their colour-blind hearts. I would like to believe that America's leaders can celebrate the United States (and not to the tune of $150m +) and work on their own children's national inheritance.

I want to believe.

And in the meantime? Go read what Martin Luther King Junior's widow has to say on this day:

The Meaning of the
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

By Coretta Scott King

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. We commemorate as well the timeless values he taught us through his example -- the values of courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service that so radiantly defined Dr. King’s character and empowered his leadership. On this holiday, we commemorate the universal, unconditional love, forgiveness and nonviolence that empowered his revolutionary spirit.

We commemorate Dr. King’s inspiring words, because his voice and his vision filled a great void in our nation, and answered our collective longing to become a country that truly lived by its noblest principles. Yet, Dr. King knew that it wasn’t enough just to talk the talk, that he had to walk the walk for his words to be credible. And so we commemorate on this holiday the man of action, who put his life on the line for freedom and justice every day, the man who braved threats and jail and beatings and who ultimately paid the highest price to make democracy a reality for all Americans.

The King Holiday honors the life and contributions of America’s greatest champion of racial justice and equality, the leader who not only dreamed of a color-blind society, but who also lead a movement that achieved historic reforms to help make it a reality.

On this day we commemorate Dr. King’s great dream of a vibrant, multiracial nation united in justice, peace and reconciliation; a nation that has a place at the table for children of every race and room at the inn for every needy child. We are called on this holiday, not merely to honor, but to celebrate the values of equality, tolerance and interracial sister and brotherhood he so compellingly expressed in his great dream for America....(go read the rest here.)

Maybe all Americans should read these words, and understand their meaning? Maybe all Americans should re-read MLK's "I have a dream" speech, and really live the meaning.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today....(here)

Is Obama going to walk the walk? Only time will tell.

Multinational MEDEVAC Training at Camp Marmal

2012-01-16T02:23:00.000-08:00

ISAF on Jan 15, 2012

The story focuses on recent and ongoing multinational MEDEVAC training at Camp Marmal, Regional Command North, Afghanistan. The prime aspects of the evolution concern personnel and gear hoist methods and procedures from a helicopter, Personal Recovery Team members interacting with medical personnel, and working in a multinational environment. Produced by Regional Command North Public Affairs.

Beach...?

2012-01-15T04:44:00.000-08:00

Well actually, NO! Not there today, but I should be. :)

Canada Explained

2012-01-14T03:26:00.000-08:00

Consider this part of the B*N*S*N service - Edumacation division:

This was made last year, so doesn't take into account that Stephen Harper now has a majority government, and therefore has far greater leeway to impose whatever he likes on us - his employers.

Next up:

Uploaded by j940651 on Feb 27, 2010

Tom Brokaw explains the relationship between Canada and The United States, in a pre-recorded short film that aired on NBC, prior to the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on Feb. 12th, 2010.

1st graduation parade for Canadian training advisors in Herat

2012-01-14T03:13:00.000-08:00

From the DND:

Fri Jan 13, 2012
By Major Glen Parent

After nine weeks of drill, range practice, patrolling techniques, checkpoint procedures and convoy exercises, the 1,400 Afghan National Army soldiers on parade at the Regional Military Training Centre–West, near Herat in western Afghanistan, deserved every moment of the praise and recognition they received during the ceremony marking their successful completion of Basic Warrior Training (BWT).

A graduate of ANA Basic Warrior Training shows his certificate to fellow soldiers during the graduation parade at the RMTC-West.

So did their instructors, who are senior soldiers of the Afghan National Army, and the 15 Canadian Forces members deployed in Herat to support and assist them.

This BWT serial was the first course conducted at RMTC-West with the assistance of Canadian Forces training advisors. “Our role as advisors is to observe how the Afghan National Army conducts BWT courses, help them fine-tune their instruction methods, and set the conditions for RMTC-West to become an enduring institution,” said senior advisor Captain John Miller.

Canadian Forces training advisors arrived in the Herat area in October 2011 as part of the initial rotation of Canada’s contribution to the NATO Training Mission–Afghanistan. They have already learned a lot about their ANA counterparts and the Afghan National Army in general.

“The BWT instructors are highly motivated and dedicated to improving the situation in Afghanistan, and the recruits are proud to become members of the ANA,” said advisor Master Corporal Rob Covelli.

Since the graduation of that first course on 27 December 2011, the Canadians at RMTC-West have been working with the ANA training staff to prepare for the next BWT course, scheduled to begin in mid-January.

“It is satisfying to know that BWT graduates will contribute to Afghanistan, whether they continue their military careers or apply their newfound literacy and teamwork skills as civilians,” said Capt Miller.

(source)