The Mouth-In-Chief disrespects our Fallen and endangers lives

Is there anybody on the planet who does NOT know of the terrible loss we all witnessed last weekend (August 6th) when a Chinook helicopter went down in Afghanistan, costing the lives of both American and Afghanistan Heroes? I didn't think so. As word starting coming out in the very early hours of last Saturday morning, I watched in horror and yes, disgust as first, the msm and then the Media Whore in Chief did their usual disrespectful, dishonourable routines, and raced to be first to capitalise on the not-yet-cold bodies of our Fallen Heroes.

Over the time since the Mouth In Chief temporary resident at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue first started campaigning for the highest office in the land of the US, he and his wife have decided that their own cause can be served by public displays (preferably with cameras and mics there, too) of support for our troops. Needless to say, not too many of us even remotely connected to our militaries buy their "reach out to our military men and women and their families" bs. If I have learned nothing else, I know how finely tuned the bs meter is in any of our troops/veterans and their families. I have seen and heard from various military and their families, the disdain they feel for the MIC, as he uses our troops as photo op material.

Most of the time our troops/families tend to *SPIT* at MIC's almost daily hypocritcal manipulation of our troops - aided and abetted by the usual msm vultures - and carry on with their daily lives with quiet grace and dignity.. (Yes, concepts totally foreign to MIC)

Once in a while, though, the MIC behaves so far outside the realm of decency, that even our normally reticent families/veterans/troops come out on the record in their condemnation.

If you remember when Osama Bin Laden was reduced to room temperature by our warriors, it took mere minutes for BHO and his msm lackeys to start hitting the airwaves with information about the Team that performed that service to the world..Many of us watched in horror, as BHO raced to the nearest microphone and camera in his attempt to look 'presidential,' and supportive of our brave men whose successful mission rid the world of OBL. Within minutes the whole world - including terrorists with murder on their mind (singular) - knew where these guys are stationed and more details than we - or terrorists - need to know. Not only did we not need to know, but the general rush to publicise details of a usually clandestine team, also placed these Hero's families at risk. But never mind: MIC made it all about HIM, and damn the consequences to anybody else..

The condemnation from the military community was rapier sharp, swift and very public.

And so now we come to the Chinook downing last weekend. Again, FHIC (figure it out) rushed to cameras and mics to share details about the Fallen Heroes that none of us need to know. EVER!

Again, within minutes, and yes, way before the DoD Notifications had been made public, dread ran torrent-like through the military community as they waited for the knock on their door. Even as ISAF released a public statement: "...ISAF is still in the process of assessing the circumstances to determine the facts of the incident. Additional details will be released as appropriate...," in the immediate aftermath, there was the msm and MIC racing to share speculations and inappropriate details that serve nobody, least of all the fallen nor their loved ones. My column on this here.

Again, as I have in the past, I have to ask 'Who does it serve?' The answer to that question when related to the MIC is all too obvious, and once again, he makes it all about HIM. Once again, he hogs the media spotlight and demonstrates his ongoing lack of respect for our military OR their families.

As previously, the military community responded, hard on the heels of MIC's rush to share information that should NEVER be shared.

War on Terror News had this:

Thursday, August 11, 2011

All Men are Created Equal... But are Not Equal in Life

Like most of America, I cringed when I heard that a Chinook with many members of Seal Team 6 had exploded in Afghanistan. The enemy had gotten lucky on that day. These men had known the risks. They have a long history of successes that we won't likely know. Their names are not classified, but their missions have been.

I cringed because someone decided to report the information that it was Seal Team 6. Someone else decided to claim to know and tell the world how many members of Seal Team 6 there are. Experts filled the space on the idiot box proving how much they knew about things no one else knew. I don't know how many men serve on Seal Team 6, how many have served on it, or how many missions they've successfully completed. I do know they exist, that they live a life of danger, and routinely defeat the enemy.

There was no need for DoD to release that it was ST6. There was no need for the media to speculate that it was ST6. It would have been sufficient to say they were Navy, or perhaps even that they were Seals. They lived their lives in secrecy. They risked their lives in secrecy. They did not accept fame for their deeds. They preferred success to fame.

They did not ask for their deaths to become a campaign stop and photo opportunity for a politician. Their families specifically asked that it not become a media event. ...

You just know he has much more. It is the usual to the point response that we have come to expect from WOTN, and you must read it here.

WOTN was not alone. From BlackFive:

Obama campaigns on dead SEALs

Posted By Uncle Jimbo • [August 11, 2011]

In case you wondered, of course Barry O is trying to use the deaths of the SEALs and air crew in Afghanistan for his own aggrandizement. Even though most of the families specifically requested no media coverage of the return of the remains of the fallen, that doesn't apply to the campaign staff WH photographer. So we get a pic of Barry trying his damndest to look like a leader.

Anyone with an dime's worth of decency would have known better than to use such an event, but that is simply part of Obama's lack of character. He couldn't just attend, he had to make sure that all the voting public knew he was there. It is sad to watch such a complete tool use the military, and worse our war dead, to attempt to create an image of a serious Commander in Chief. I don't doubt that on some level Obama cares about the dead troops, but just a whole lot less than he cares about himself. His spokestool used this collection of sorry lies to fail miserably in justifying the pitiful self-promotion...

Yes, UJ has more of his usual on target commentary right here. Go read.

Then we have One Marine's View who poses the rhetorical question:

August 11, 2011

Who is the focus at this dignified transfer?

[There follows the same picture that has been used to show MIC attempting to salute. Not reprinting it here again.]

He begins:

“A White House photographer (the only photographer there) was allowed to take and widely distribute a photo from the ceremony Tuesday for the return of the remains of 30 American troops killed in a weekend helicopter crash in Afghanistan despite the Pentagon's claim that any public depiction of the scene would violate the wishes of bereaved families.”

Under the Pentagon policy spelled out in March 2009, the option to allow media access is explained to family members when they are notified of their loved one's death, and "primary next of kin will make the family decision regarding media access to dignified transfers at Dover."

I have to ask the obvious question apparently. If the Pentagon respected the requests of the family members (19 out of the 30) that didn’t want the event photographed, why didn’t the White House respect those 19 family members’ requests?

The photograph wasn’t of “caskets” but it was of the President and was posted on the White House website as the "Photo of the Day." It showed Obama and other officials in silhouette and did not depict caskets, family members or anything that brought respect to those fallen.

Was the White House photographer there to focus on the heroes killed in action and the event at hand or was this a staged event that was focused on the POTUS? The picture result (above) answers that one....

Read the rest here.

Do I need to point out the emphasis up there? No, I didn't think so, but for those who apparently need it spelled out (looking at YOU, MIC) : " ... would violate the wishes of bereaved families.” But hey, he and the missus are all about 'reaching out to the military families..' as he demonstrates, yet again, that he has NO idea what 'dignified' means. (My regular readers know exactly what comes next. Have at it.)

Bad enough that personal details of these fallen heroes is all over the friggin msm, (reminder: details that can endanger not only the ongoing US military mission but, more importantly these fallen heroes' families,) here we have MIC again making it all, and always, about him and damn the consequences to anybody else.

As soon as the details hit the internet and went international, you just know our coalition partners read about it too. Of course, they already knew of the event because such news travels among the coalition troops with the speed of lightening, and so it was last Saturday night.

From one of our coalition troops (yes, a friend who gave me permission to quote him):

Are they going to release their hometowns?.....better yet, release their home address & where their children go to school.....I'm sure Team 6 has no enemies in the world & bad guys are always looking to add names to their Christmas card list. Better publish the names of a few moving companies while they're @ it......Sure all over America today there will be sentries....volunteer sentries posted @ their homes...with some serious weapons....call before your visit. Jeeze, what a world.

This is US Navy SEAL Team 6, the guys that took out Osama bin laden. SEALs names or their hometowns are not usually released, "training accident in Eastern Afghanistan" is usually the public story while not tying them to USN SEALs.....sure the "community" will protect the families & hope no crackpots or real bad guys come for them. This whole situation has had too much press & info released, imagine quite a few bad guys have been watching the news, ... (there was more, but you get the idea)

As you can see, men who serve, or have served, our countries have been universal in their condemnation at the way this whole sad event has been handled by both the MIC and the msm. As usual, they are absolutely correct. As usual, our troops and veterans understand the concept of service in a way the MIC obviously does not - and never will.

As WOTN points out, the men who carry out these missions are interested only in mission accomplished, and have less than zero interest in public recognition or accolades. They serve a higher calling than themselves. Therein lies the stark contrast with the MIC. Time and again BHO shows he has NO idea of what 'service to country' means. Time and again, he proves that his only interest is in serving himSELF.

Really. And for his disrespect of our troops and their families, the MIC should be ashamed of himself. He should be, but as cannot be overstated, like all narcissists, he cannot, will not, EVER see beyond his own self-aggrandisement. Within a small community, that would probably not be a big deal, as those around would tolerate and accommodate such behaviour.

In the President of the United States, the Commander in Chief of our military, this behaviour is not only obscene, it is intolerable.

At Ft. Drum President Obama proves he REALLY cares about our troops. NOT!

Reality check: President Obama does not give a damn about our troops OR their families.

I am really just so outraged today with the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, that I am almost speechless.

Over his time as POTUS, I have often remarked at how he always uses our troops as mere props for any photo op..Yeah, he mouths "I support the troops," and he and his wife traipse the country announcing their concern, and how our troops can depend on them, blah blah blah..

Today, at Fort Drum, BHO proved once and for all just how much he really cares, and I am so pissed off, I can't stand it.

I am not going to recount here his latest UNFORGIVABLE (and a whole strong of adjectives) demonstration of how little he gives a damn about our troops, but will instead direct you to BlackFive:

President Obama's Terrible Mistake

Posted By Blackfive • [June 23, 2011]

From a Blackfive reader "T":

The President addressing the 10th Mountain Division today at Fort Drum:

"First time I saw 10th Mountain Division, you guys were in southern Iraq. When I went back to visit Afghanistan, you guys were the first ones there. I had the great honor of seeing some of you because a comrade of yours, Jared Monti, was the first person who I was able to award the Medal of Honor to who actually came back and wasn’t receiving it posthumously."...

Go here NOW, and read the rest. Be sure to also check out the swift - and just - responses in the comments.

Really, for the Commander In Chief of the US military to make such an unforgivable mistake is inexcusable. It is not only terrible, as BlackFive calls it, it is also beyond disrespectful to these families, and all the troops he supposedly commands.

If he had a shred of honour in him, he would resign, but we all know that won't happen.

There are no words that this 'great orator' could ever say to make this right. Heads MUST roll over this, and HIS head must be one of them. Period.

*SPIT*

CDR Dennis Rocheford : Remember this face, this name

CDR Dennis Rocheford


CDR Rocheford is (was) a military Chaplain. As such, in my mind, he most assuredly is a very special breed.

Courtesy of BlackFive link here, I came across a MUST READ tribute column:

Died of Wounds

November 2010

Saint Michael the Archangel, Defend us in battle; Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, By the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits Who wander though the world for the ruin of souls, Amen.

There is a war casualty that will not make its way into any DoD announcement of US service personnel. The death occurred fourteen months ago, and I will admit that I didn’t hear about it for several months. And when I did, I was deeply saddened but cannot truthfully say I was surprised.

I first met CDR Dennis Rocheford in 1990, not long after he had joined the Navy. He arrived to be the new Recruit Depot Chaplain at Parris Island, where I was stationed as a Series Commander training recruits. Tall and lanky, he looked born to wear the Marine Alphas I first saw him in. And indeed he was. At a time and place where almost nobody wore more than one or two ribbons, Father Rocheford had a chest full. And those he wore had gravitas. Two Purple Hearts, from a VC bullet through his side, and mortar fragments to his chin and face. A Bronze Star. Combat Action Ribbon. The story of this handsome, friendly, fiercely faithful new Chaplain spread quickly. He had been Ray “E-tool” Smith’s radio operator as a Lance Corporal on Hill 881 at Khe Sanh with Alpha Company, 1^st Marines, and had survived the fierce fighting in Hue City. When he was asked how he came to join the Navy as a Chaplain, he told us that, after surviving Vietnam, he promised God he would not waste his life.

Father was from Worcester, MA, not far from where I grew up, the city where I attended college. I immediately struck up a friendship with this gentle man of immense strength. I admired the way he ministered to recruits who sought his counsel. He would not hesitate to tell those whom he knew to be “skylarking” to quit bellyaching and get back to their platoons, while providing spiritual guidance to those whom truly were in need. Father Rocheford would show up at any and all PT events, and at 40 (which seemed OLD then, but somehow not so much now that I am 46) displayed his remarkable physical condition by always leading the events from the front.

When we had a chance to chat, he would talk with me about home, and mutual places and acquaintances, of which there were surprisingly many. We also discussed faith, and why I was no longer attending Mass (I am Catholic). To my surprise and relief, instead of reading from the “script”, he listened. (My hometown was the site of very serious abuses by a number of Priests in the 1970s. Some of my friends and people I knew were victims who’d had their lives destroyed.) I was thrilled to have Father Rocheford preside over my wedding in 1992. He made a very good impression on my parents, who talked of him in the years that followed quite often, and always in glowing terms.

Following Parris Island, I saw Father Rocheford on occasion at Camp Lejeune, where he was the Chaplain of 3^rd Bn 8th Marines, and then 26^th MEU. Even after months or years, he was able to make me feel as if we were picking up a conversation from hours or minutes before, and always had time for a smile, a handshake, and inquiry about myself, my life, my parents, and my Marines.

When I left active duty and joined the 25^th Marines headquartered in Worcester, MA., whom do I see on my first Sunday drill but Father Dennis Rocheford. He had transitioned to the Reserves as well, and was our Regimental Chaplain. I found that he was very popular with the unit of tough, largely Catholic Officers and Marines of the Regiment. There were, it seemed, legion Marines who had served with Fr. Rocheford at 3/8, on 26^th MEU, and even at Parris Island. His services in the end-hallway classroom were always packed, but I still found standing room in the back. After three years I transferred to 3^rd Bn 14^th Marines in Philadelphia, but on occasion would attend planning conferences at 25^th Marines, where Father Rocheford always greeted me with a smile and a hearty handshake....

If you read NOTHING else about this war our heroes are fighting, you MUST read this column. Find it here.

I believe that there is a special place in heaven for men such as CDR Rocheford.

I will always remember his most beautiful face, and his name. Will YOU?

Rest in peace, Sir. Rest in peace.

Valour-IT Team Army Weekend Mission!

From BlackFive (Team Army Central, of course!):

[...]Speaking of Rangering up and moving on to the next objective, the vets over at Ranger Up are insisting on supporting the goal this weekend. Here are the details:

20% of all sales this weekend at Ranger Up will go to the Soldiers Angels Team Army fund to help wounded warriors heal and reconnect with the rest of the world. The incentive starts Saturday, November 6th (0:01AM EST) and continues through Sunday the 7th (11:59PM EST). On Tuesday, Ranger Up will donate the 20% of all items sold this weekend to Valour-IT!

See more on B5 here.

And from Ranger Up themselves:

Project Valour-IT Donations and Jorge Rivera Videos

Ranger Up will donate 20% of ALL of this weekend's sales

Let's get on with it! This all ends soon, but the need for Valour-IT laptops will not be ending anytime soon. Goooooooooooo ARMY!




If you don't have time to go over to Ranger Up, and want to go straight to Valour-IT and donate:

It seems Team Marines has jumped ahead, just as Bouhammer told yesterday! Yes, I know all donations raised all ultimately go to the same Valour IT fund, but TEAM ARMY needs you.....Thank YOU!!!

[Bratnote: I am having major tech issues! Have messed with this for hours to no avail. Sooooooooo, either go over to B5, or Ranger Up, and get many more details on the weekend specials that see 20% going to Valour-IT. Thanks.]

Send the troops a letter today!

via BlackFive:

Here's your chance to send the troops a letter of thanks and encouragement and you can donate your Zac Brown Band CD to the troops as well. You can hit this link and post this widget on your blog, FB or Twitter:

http://www.call2action.com/widget/w251/index.html

Spread the word!

Flotilla Choir : "We con the world..." Hamas Aid video

This one made me cry!!!

Via UJ @ B5



I really AM crying - with laughter..Be sure to share this one - and go over to B5 here and check out more truths.

Project Valour IT: Go! Team Army!

Mail Call! Supporting the Troops has a great post up about Valour-IT:

Today is the kick-off for the fundraiser for Soldiers Angels Project Valour IT

The Valour-IT Veterans Day Fundraising "Competition" was a developed as a fun way to raise money for a very serious project. Teams are purely for the sake of friendly competition, building on the natural inter-service rivalries of the U.S. Military.

Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. Technology supplied includes:

Voice-controlled Laptops - Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery.

Wii Video Game Systems - Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions (donated only to medical facilities).

Personal GPS - Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to severe TBI and severe PTSD.

-------------
This blog (of course:) is registered for the competition with 'Team Army', which is headed by Blackfive (read more at Mail Call!... here)

And over at BlackFive, team leader for Team Army, there are a couple of posts which give you background on Valour-IT, and a list of who is in the Army team....Check B5 out here.

Fine looking list of bloggers for Team Army, if I do say so myself.

Gooooooooooo ARMY!

Help Us Free Sergeant Jermaine Nelson

Here we go again! Yet another member of the United States military being thrown under the bus, and justice denied. From The Warrior Legacy Foundation comes this:

Sgt Jermaine Nelson is the last of three decorated combat Marines charged with killing jihadists during the 2004 battle for Fallujah, Iraq.

Sgt Nelson was a member of the 3/1 Marines from Camp Pendleton, a storied and highly decorated ground-fighting unit. A brand new Corporal at that time, Cpl Nelson's job was to search house to house, on foot, in a 'seek and destroy' mission against jihadists who had flooded the city specifically to kill and conduct a holy war against the Marines. During the battle on 9 November 2004, four military-aged jihadist males were found barricaded in a house, shooting at Cpl Nelson and his team...

Please read and sign the petition to drop the charges against Sergeant Nelson:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/sgtnelson/index.html

More information at BlackFive:

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2009/06/free-sergeant-nelson.html

Also, you can join the Free Sergeant Nelson page on Facebook here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/FREE-SGT-NELSON/121649335305?ref=ts

Thank you!

You all know what needs to be done here. Let's all demand justice - again!


SEMPER FI.

Just STFU Greg Gutfeld

I very rarely get angry. Really. But right now I am so pissed off, I can't stand it. Why am I so angry? Glad you asked. Greg Gutfeld, on FOX, and his "guests," displayed their ignorance on a show called Red Eye.

As I think you know, I don't watch tv, and if this latest show is any indication, I am not missing much. I had seen this show mentioned around the internet. Then I found it on Blackfive here.

Quite apart from the fact that, as they mock Canada's military, and declare that Canada is "not a smart culture", four of our Canadians have just been killed in Afghanistan, the level of moronic stupidity is almost stunning.

Let's start with their insults of our military first. First off: mocking the name of a senior military person. How clever of them! Newsflash, a***hole: HE didn't choose his name. I do not have inside information about our military, or their operations, but I can assure Gutfeld or anyone else, our troops most certainly will not be taking time out for manicures and pedicures. There is more denigration of our military, and it goes downhill rapidly.

I am REALLY tired of ignorant s**** in America and Canada who badmouth the military while knowing less than zero - and proving it when opening their mouths - about the men and women who volunteer to serve.

"Ridiculous country"???? Not so much. "Wonderful little red jackets" of our Mounties? Newsflash again: We DO have police, who also have armoured cars etc...etc. I guess Gutfeld and his cronies don't follow the news. In every urban city we have actual police; you know, just like America has. Truth.

"Let's just tell Russia to 'come on over.' ???????????? As far as I know, Canada's foreign policy certainly does not encourage Russia to invade us. Newsflash: It is the US president who is rolling out the welcome mat for terrorists. It is the American government that is extending the olive branch to the Russians, the Syrians, the Iranians, Hamas, Hezbollah et al. Oh and another newsflash for the morons on Red Eye? As far as I remember? Those Americans who came here to avoid their voluntary service in the US military? The service they signed on for, then changed their minds? So far, we seem to be sending them back to you. Maybe Red Eye can go interview Robin Long, for example, who is in the brig in America since we didn't want him.

There was so much ignorance on display it boggles the mind of this Canadian. I could go on and on, line by line, slapping the attempts at funny. Instead, you can go over to B5 here for yourself and listen.

Let me be clear: I LOVE to laugh, and can usually find something funny and absurd in most situations. And yes, I most often laugh at myself. People who know me, know this about me. However, mocking the Canadian military is NOT funny. Cheap laughs based on ignorance are NOT funny. No ands, ifs, or but about that.

Many years ago, I interviewed an iconic journalist when I was still in school. A really good guy, he gave me a lot of his time, and the subjects we discussed were wide ranging and instructive. One thing he told me has always stayed with me. He said to me:' Do your homework, and read everything. ' Seems to me, the folks at Red Eye would do well to take that advice, because the only people "ridiculous" and "not so smart" from this programme are Gutfeld and his sidekicks.

Gutfeld, you owe MY military - and their families - an apology. Then, you can STFU!

*His email addy is: redeye@foxnews.com

[Edit: Seems that others also are "not amused". See News Hounds here. Be sure and read the comments there.....lol And another here. Just the title alone on that last one is more eloquent than I could manage.....lol]

Dover: If it bleeds it leads

Dover is where our fallen first touch down on American soil on their final journey home. I recently posted pieces from two men more than qualified to have an informed firsthand opinion about the president overturning the long-time ban of the media from Dover; one was my friend Robert Stokely, Gold Star Father, and the other was Old Blue, active duty military, and blogger par excellence.

I have been listening the last few days to the furore over this latest "mistake" of the current White House resident. I am having a hard time deciding if he is just being disingenuous when he declares that it is now up to individual families whether or not to allow the media to photograph the Dover ceremonies; I am trying to figure out if he is merely callous or just plain stupid in the ways of the media machinations.

The debate over Obama's latest slash and burn of all his predecessor's decisions has raged all over the internet. It appears that *some* special interest groups would want the media to document their loved one's return home in a casket, validating the president's assertion that "the true cost of war" should be brought home to the American people. I have always maintained that Gold Star Families' views and decisions should be respected. Of course, I am in the camp that believes that if the media so chose, there are many other ways to show the true cost of war. But we have seen the media has repeatedly chosen to ignore those myriad other ways.

There has been some assertions that this decision to open Dover to the jackels of the msm was Robert Gates' decision, and we really shouldn't blame the president. (Psst! The buck stops at your desk, Mr President.) We have also learned that this decision, which has far reaching consequences, was based on the wishes of a vocal few; the few who have a political point to make using the sacrifice of our fallen as visual aids. Don't believe me? You can find the goods on that one at Blackfive.

Disingenous to think that Obama is unaware of ramifications oif this latest decison? Yes. Obama proved during his election campaign that he knows very well how the media works. During his full speed race to the White House, he showed how expert he is at manipulating the media. His campaign staff proved on a daily basis how the msm can be led like lambs (apologies to lambs here) to massage the message that Obama wanted out there to ensure his proclamation on January 20th. Disingenuous to try and have this latest decision passed off as Robert Gates' decision alone. I am not buying it.

Stupid? Only the most ignorant would really believe that filming of our fallen - as they arrive in Dover - would really be the decision of the individual families. As has been pointed out in various places, a couple of scenarios spring immediately to mind:

1) At the most stressful time for any military family, NOT ONE of them needs to be pressured by msm to give "permission" for said msm to film the return.

2) Just imagine that more than one family is at Dover to welcome their fallen heroes home. Would the media be capable of respecting say, two out of the three families' wishes to NOT have the return filmed? I doubt it. Which brings me to

3) With modern technology, no reporter needs to be in the face of a military family. Long range zoom lenses allow any photographer to take a picture from so far away, the families may not even be aware that their most private grief in those initial moments, is being recorded by the msm. Technology also allows that once a picture is used on even one occasion, on one internet site, the original subject and the original photographer then lose all control over how the imagery is used. Do I really need to rehash how *some* groups have used images of our military to press home their own twisted political agendas? No, I didn't think so.

Which brings me to the "if it bleeds, it leads." It is no secret by now that I am a trained seal (errrrrr journalist.) I remember very well our weekly classes in ethics. As I used to say to the instructor every week as I entered the room for that class: "Here comes another short lesson!" We used to laugh together about that, but historical evidence shows that ethics seem to be in short supply when the media has column inches to fill. I also used to ask - often: "Why can't we report on the GOOD news?" at which point I was reminded of the credo "if it bleeds, it leads. Bad news sells." Do I need to remind you that I will probably never work in any msm 'news' room? No, I didn't think so.

Imagine if you will, a young 'reporter' sent to Dover to cover the return of fallen hero. One of the family members is cognisant enough to disallow any filming of the private proceedings. The reporter calls his/her editor and says there is no story here because... that is where ethics come in. It is well known that the msm is bleeding red ink. As these dinosaurs sink into oblivion, and they struggle for their last gasp of relevance, it is no stretch to imagine/know that individual, and corporate, ethics will be thrown out as they jockey for a 'scoop.' Fact is, as I was taught, any event taking place on public property is 'fair game' for the media. That was drilled into me as part of the legalities of journalism.

Respect? Not so much. I have long held the opinion that the tone of any group or country is set by the people at the top. That holds true from the president, to the managing editor of any media outlet. There are more than a few instances showing the president's lack of respect for our military, going back a few years. There are also many documented instances of the msm disrespecting our military and their families. Do any of us who don't wear the rose coloured glasses really believe that the msm will "change" overnight and suddenly become morally and ethically responsible, respectful, in the way they report? No, I didn't think so. For a far more eloquent smackdown of the media, be sure and read Major Z's piece over at "From My Position..." here.

So is this latest ruling a fait accompli? Are we all supposed to just roll over and allow the media into Dover? No! And this is where all Americans (and friends of America) can make a difference. Claire, over at Knee Deep in the Hooah! has put together a list of contacts which everybody should note and write or call or.....to make our views known:

Alright people, give ‘em hell!

I know that a lot of you feel just as angry as I do about the recent lift on a nearly 18-year old ban that kept the media from photographing or video taping the arrival of fallen soldiers at Dover. I have heard from some Gold Star families I know and they are beside themselves with anger and grief. Suffice it to say that many of us feel outright betrayed. That ban was there for a reason.

If you are just stumbling onto this site and don’t know much about the issue, you can read my opinion HERE.

Also, HERE are a COUPLE of other OPINIONS I truly appreciate.

If you are as ticked off as I am, then get in touch with the following people . I am copying the following contact information I found on From my position… On the way!

If you want to write a letter, but you aren’t sure what to say, you have my permission to use any part of my write up you want. I may try and draft a form letter for people to download. We need to let them know how angry this makes us....

The list is long, but we must make our voices heard. Find the whole list at KDIH here. You may notice I have added Claire's logo to my sidebar. I have added the link to that picture. It leads directly to Claire's list of contacts. That logo will remain on my sidebar until we have accomplished our mission of having President Obama rethink this morally and ethically bankrupt decision. Until he says: "What I ummm...errr...uhhhhh...meant to say was...." and once again rules that no media in Dover.

I always remember the piece "...And then they came for me..."

As McQ in Blackfive says: "It is about Family" and the military is OUR family.

As McQ also says: "Dover is ours." Yes, yes it is! This latest disgraceful debacle cannot - must not - stand. Get on it.

Valour-IT: Good News, and A Challenge or Three

From BlackFive comes this:

Well, as you can see, there have been some changes, some very nice changes. If you go here to see the Team standings you can get the whole picture (Navy, we do have smelling salts standing by).

There are some people that have come through for both Team Army and -- most of all -- Project Valour-IT. They have a challenge for you, and it is best expressed by malclave:

Just sent another hundred bucks for Team Army... I'd been holding it, figuring I could help out the Coast Guard team if we met our goal soon enough.

Anyway, I was just lower enlisted stationed at a hospital in the late 80s... surely there are plenty of folks who can outdo an REMF like me, right?

Malclave and others have issued challenges. My question to you is, will you rise to the challenge, or slink away and not even give a dollar? Folks, if everyone who comes to this site in a day pitches in a dollar, it puts us roughly ten percent (okay, closer to five) towards the goal. We are only at 27 percent for the year....

Go read the rest of what Laughing Wolf has to say, here.

Squirm on, Obama!

By now, everybody has heard about the 'on again, off again' non trip of Senator Obama to Landstuhl to visit our wounded. The internet has been full of differing opinions on what really happened, and Obama and his sycophants have flip flopped in their usual fashion. (He may need to see a doctor for injuries sustained from all the flip flopping before November 4th...just saying..lol)

However, all that aside ;) the truth WILL out. Senator Obama hasn't yet figured out that every time he tries to pull the wool over our eyes, along comes a a real expert who easily debunks his nonsense.

Via Blackfive here comes a link to this statement from an expert:

Former Landstuhl CSM on Non-Visiting Presidential Candidate

Posted By Blackfive

Over at the Tank, the former Command Sergeant Major of Landstuhl Regional Medical Facility has some words about a certain Presidential candidate...

And what does this expert have to say? Follow the link to here, and this is what you have:

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Former CSM of Landstuhl on Obama [Gregory S. McNeal]

The former Command Sergeant Major of Landstuhl from 2003 to 2005 released this statement today regarding Senator Obama's decision to not visit wounded soldiers in Landstuhl:

Having spent two years as the Command Sergeant Major at Landstuhl Hospital, I am always grateful for the attention that facility receives from members of Congress. There is no more important work done by the United States Army than to care for those who have been wounded in the service [of] our country. While Americans troops remain engaged in two hot wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is a steady stream of casualties to the hospital, and a steady stream of visitors who wish to meet with those troops and thank them for their service.

Senator Obama has explained his decision to cancel a scheduled visit there by blaming the military, which would not allow one of his political advisers to join him in a tour of the facility. Why Senator Obama felt he needed an adviser with him to visit U.S. troops is unclear, but if Senator Obama isn't comfortable meeting wounded American troops without his entourage, perhaps he does not have the experience necessary to serve as commander in chief.

07/29 03:50 PM

Gotta love it! NEXT!