Yon aims for another target: (Amoral Parasites Part 2?)

In late September, I shared the OED definition of "amoral parasite":

Amoral

[...]
having no moral sense; unconcerned with right or wrong

OED definition of parasite:

an organism which lives in or on another organism and benefits at the other’s expense. 2 derogatory a person who lives off or exploits others.

I shared why I think Michael Yon fits that description, and to support my thesis, shared some others' columns on the topic of Yon's *journalistic* pursuits. Those writers are all military experts - either active duty or veterans. You can read my original column here.

Apparently, the Mikey Meltdown continues - and is gathering speed. I DO know, because he told his readers, that he said he would 'go it alone,' and last I read on his 'Dear Diary'...(FaceBook) he was wandering among the Afghanistan people, doing I'm not quite sure what.

It appears he has now retreated hastily to Thailand, after gaining no traction with scurrilous accusations against honourably serving members he was embedded with. How or why his embed ended, I can only speculate, and my regular readers know that is not my style, preferring to deal in facts.

What I know - because Yon has been very busy telling us in his own words - is that he has chosen another target, and has been maligning, slandering, yet more of our troops.

[Side note, from the OED:

slander

(slan|der)

Law

• the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person’s reputation:
• Compare with libel
• [count noun] a false and malicious spoken statement

So who is he slandering NOW? Special Forces - active and veterans, is who. Read on:

10/31/2011

Yon Crosses Special Forces

What does Yon do when people, including current and retired Troops oppose his rhetoric? He attempts to shut them down. What does Yon do when he is caught in a lie? He makes allegations in an attempt to shut up those with proof of the truth.

Recently, an online forum of Veterans and Actively serving Special Forces began discussing Yon's recent crusade against Army DustOff. The question of the forum, "Quiet Professionals" was what their thoughts were of Yon's call and petition to have the Red Cross markings removed from Army MedEvac helicopters. A few of their members had opinions about the concept, and of the author of the referenced article. The opinions on the subject matter were strong, but the opinions on the author were to become strong in manner in which Yon (mis)behaved himself.

A retired SF Team Sergeant noted: "From what I understand Yon has been "escorted" off some Special Operations bases"

"In any case, insinuations that I have been kicked off of SF facilities damage your standing unless you can provide evidence. None exists; it never happened." Michael Yon, 26 Oct 2011 1:14AM, continuing with a veiled threat: "I have turned down those opportunities steadily since 2005. Perhaps I should list the reasons. I think you would rather I not."

For the latest analysis from War On Terror News on the Michael Yon saga, go here.

To see Michael Yon, in his own words, try - and fail - to dodge proof of his false claims of "it never happened...." go to Professional Soldiers here.

Once upon a time Michael Yon was much respected for the work he did in getting out the real stories about the great things our troops are doing. Today? Not so much. (But hey, hit his PayPal!)

Pay attention.


[ BlackFive weighs in, too
This Ain't Hell has a new feature up too, for creative minds!
The Sandgram is also on the job. ]

Freedom is not free

DoD article

CBC

The Sydney Morning Herald

For Brian

"Dear Lord,

Lest I continue
My complacent way,
Help me to remember that somewhere,
Somehow out there
A man died for me today.
As long as there be war,
I then must
Ask and answer
Am I worth dying for?"

My heart is with all of Brian's family, and those who worked alongside him...and love him.

Rest In Peace, my friend. I promise you, I will never stop trying to be worthy of your sacrifice.


Always honoured.



[SSG Brian Cowdrey: "Who Shall I Send?" ]


La Junta laid to rest.

Military Post Offices in Iraq to Close Nov. 17

From the DoD:

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2011 – Because U.S. forces are coming home from Iraq by the end of the year, the U.S. Postal Service will stop accepting mail addressed to military post offices in Iraq starting Nov. 17, Defense Department officials said today.

Military post offices in Iraq also will stop processing mail Nov. 17, and service members there should begin now to advise those who send them mail about the Nov. 17 deadline.

Mail still in the postal system through Nov. 17 will be processed and delivered to service members in Iraq, officials said.

In November, U.S. military postal service responsibilities in Iraq will transition to State Department embassy or consulate post offices for service members assigned to Office of Security Cooperation or the Chief of Mission in Iraq.

These sites will provide letter and parcel mail services to service members assigned to the Office of Security Cooperation or the Chief of Mission in Iraq.

The transition will be closely coordinated with the U.S. Postal Service Agency, which will delete ZIP codes for Iraq military post offices from the USPS database to prevent undeliverable mail from entering the postal system after Nov. 17, according to defense officials.

If APO mail arrives in Iraq after a service member departs, mail will be redirected to the new mailing address provided or, if no mailing address was provided, returned to sender.

Any mail mistakenly accepted by a USPS post office after Nov. 17 will be returned to sender once it reaches the International Gateway in New Jersey.

U.S. service members in Iraq who do not receive an absentee ballot by Nov. 17 should contact their U.S. Local Election Office to change their address. Unit voting assistance officers can provide state-specific voting details.

Service members who are remaining in Iraq after Nov. 17 and who are there on behalf of or are assigned to the Office of Security Cooperation or the Chief of Mission in Iraq should coordinate with their chain of command and the servicing State Department mail location to receive a new mailing address.

According to defense officials, conditions and situations in the Iraq transition change often. Officials recommend that service members check the Military Postal Service Agency website and USPS Postal Bulletins frequently for updates.

Related Sites:
Military Postal Service Agency

Libya: Secret WMD stash found

27 October 2011

Libya's new leaders announced that they had discovered a secret store of weapons of mass destruction that Colonel Gaddafi had hidden away; the National Transitional Council said the chemical weapons that had been discovered would be secured until they could be safely handed over; in an agreement with western nations in 2003, Colonel Gaddafi pledged to disband his WMD program and hand them over, but the recent discovery suggests he surreptitiously kept large stores of dangerous weapons.

Hands up anybody who is shocked by this revelation! No, I didn't think so. That above came from Homeland Security News Wire, who is using a story published in the Daily Mail UK:

A secret cache of Colonel Gaddafi’s chemical weapons has been found in Libya, the country’s new rulers announced yesterday.

The deadly arsenal proves the tyrant had refused to give up his weapons of mass destruction – despite promising Tony Blair he would relinquish them in the infamous ‘Deal in the Desert’.

The National Transitional Council said the chemical warheads had been secured and would be made safe by experts.

Under examination: One of Gaddafi's deadly missiles that was hidden in one of 80 ammunition bunkers just south of Sirte

Read the rest of the story here.

Gadhafi lied? *gasp*

Again, the question must be: what could possibly go wrong as this is '... secured and [...] made safe by experts....' ????

Pay attention.

Canadian WW1 Soldier Buried In France With Full Military Honours

Killed in action: Private Alexander Johnston died in September 1918, aged 33, during the Battle of the Canal Du Nord. His remains were only identified in March (picture courtesy of Daily Mail UK)

From the DND/CF:

October 25, 2011

SAILLY-LEZ-CAMBRAI, France – Private Alexander Johnston, a Canadian casualty of the First World War whose remains were identified last spring, was buried today with full military honours at Cantimpré Canadian Cemetery, in Sailly-lez-Cambrai, France. In attendance were members of Private Johnston’s family, a Canadian Forces contingent, Mr. Marc Lortie, Canadian Ambassador to France as well as other French dignitaries.

“After all these years, we are finally able to commemorate and pay tribute to this great Canadian hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his country,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “By honouring Private Johnston today, we ensure that his courage and personal contribution in ending the Great War will never be forgotten.”

Private Alexander Johnston was born in Coatbridge, Scotland on August 20, 1885, and moved to Hamilton, Ontario, in his late twenties. He joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force on January 5, 1918, and was taken on strength of the 78th Battalion in the field on September 4, 1918. Private Johnston died during the Battle of the Canal du Nord on September 29, 1918.

During the Battle of the Canal du Nord, which took place in the last 100 days of the First World War, the area of Raillencourt-Sailly, France, was taken by the 4th Canadian Division near the end of September and beginning of October, 1918. The 78th Batallion was tasked with taking the villages of Sailly and Raillencourt following the fight to capture the line along the Douai-Cambrai Road. After crossing the Douai-Cambrai Road, the battalion came under heavy machine gun fire, and Private Johnston was lost during this time....

[...]

In July 2008, human remains were discovered in Sailly-lez-Cambrai, France. Found with the remains were two collar badges of the 78th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers). The Directorate of History and Heritage was notified of the discovery in February 2009, and Private Johnston’s remains were identified through mitochondrial DNA testing on March 31, 2011.

More here.

Still and video imagery of today’s interment ceremony are available on the Canadian Forces Image Gallery site at www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca.

For more information on the identification process for Private Alexander Johnston, please visit: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=3971.

Additional information on the Canadian military’s involvement in the Battle of the Canal du Nord can be found at the following links:

Library and Archives Canada: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/firstworldwar/025005-1600-e.html.

The Daily Mail also has coverage here.

Rest In Peace, Sir.

Saudi authorities seize nearly 1500 toy guns that make "sounds mocking Islam"

From JihadWatch:

In a raid in Jeddah, Saudi authorities seize nearly 1500 toy guns said to make "sounds mocking Islam"

Religious police are now on the lookout for the hottest new gift of the season, Blaspheme Me Elmo. "Anti-Islam toy guns found in the UAE," from Emirates 24-7, October 26:

An Emirati social expert and activist shopping in a local market stumbled across Chinese-made toy guns that issue sounds mocking Islam and called on authorities to take action against such products.

The discovery came a few days after Saudi authorities said they seized nearly 1,500 Chinese-made toy guns issuing sounds that mock and insult Aisha, the wife of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).

You can't make this stuff up. ...

Really, you can't. Go read the rest here....