National POW/MIA Day

A great post on this over at War on Terror News here.


From Albany Tribune 

[...]The following is the text of the Presidential Proclamation:


Our country endures because in every generation, courageous Americans answer the call to serve in our Armed Forces. They represent the very best of the human spirit, stand tall for the values and freedoms we cherish, and uphold peace and security at home and around the globe. Today, we pay tribute to the service members who have not returned from the battlefield, we stand beside their families, and we honor those who are held captive as prisoners of war. We will never forget their sacrifice, nor will we ever abandon our responsibility to do everything in our power to bring them home.


America remains steadfast in our determination to recover our missing patriots. Our work is not finished until our heroes are returned safely to our shores or a full accounting is provided to their loved ones. We must care for the men and women who have served so selflessly in our name, and we must carry forward the legacy of those whose fates are still unknown. Today, and every day, we express our profound appreciation to our service members, our veterans, our military families, and all those who placed themselves in harm’s way to sustain the virtues that are the hallmarks of our Union....[...]

ALWAYS remembered.

America the Beautiful is broken

A dear friend of mine spent yesterday at Arlington National Cemetary visiting her Fallen Hero son on his birthday.

Over the last 24 hours, as we all watched American voters re-elect the current President of the United States of America, all I could think about was young men and women - like Jason - who swore an oath to defend and protect ideals bigger than themselves.

As I watched the final gasps of what has been a most acrimonious and seemingly never-ending grab of the highest office in the land, I was struck by the absolute contrast between the actions of our Military men and women, and those whom the msm seemed to delight in shining the spotlight on.  Over the last few weeks, the cacophony - the ugliness - of the harsh voices of the 'give me' electorate tore at my heart.

As Jason's mom Mickey prepared for her annual vigil to her Hero son's resting place, I couldn't help but wince as we were treated to a disgusting display of America the ugly.  Courtesy of social media, and aided and abetted by the always willing Obama sycophants in the msm, the noise of the "Obamafone queen' and the like,  made me want to cry.

  Since the MIC first started on his seeming perpetual campaign to change America, the language of elections has radically changed - and not for the better.  Who can forget his famous declarations "get in their faces...they bring a knife...you bring a gun"  and that tone has not abaited one iota during this most recent march to the polls.  The candidate who infamously espoused a 'new civility' encouraged and empowered those 'voters' who blatantly called for candidate Romney's assassination,  for VP candidate Ryan's wife to be raped and worse.

Even as Americans I respect and love held on to their faith that patriotism and reason would prevail, and that MIC would be joining the unemployment lines (which are the largest in US history - a testament to the failed policies of the now re-elected failure of a POTUS) the ugly underbelly of the newest generation of  voters demanded the fruits of other people's labours be handed to them - just because.

As Americans lined up to vote on the 6th November (some bragging they were voting multiple times!) the Department of Defense announced that PFC Brandon L. Buttry had given his all in Kandahar, AFG. 

Did anybody other than his family - and his brothers in arms - even notice that as this young man served American ideals of freedom, back on US soil the voting polls were the site of increasing fraud as the msm rushed to declare the public had re-elected the status quo:  a broken America.

To say that almost half of America is still reeling in shock at the early pronouncement that Obama had been crowned - again - as Emperor (errrrrrrr President) would be a gross understatement.  

There was a sense among Americans I know and love that enough voters were aware of the dire state of America the broken that they would effect a change in the tenancy of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  The Military knew very well of the importance of this vote, at this time, and almost five hundred Generals endorsed the Republican candidate.

Various Veteran groups raised the alarm about the dire consequences of another untenable term of the MIC, not just because of the affects on the Military itself, but for the standing of America in the world, and for the security of America within a volatile global situation as radical Islam no longers creeps stealthily,  but is loudly kicking down doors.  War On Terror News wrote many an informative column clearly detailing what was at stake in this election.

All to no avail, as a majority of voters (legitimate or otherwise) endorsed the policies that have seen the death of small businesses - and more to come and carte blanche - open borders - for murderers intent on the spoils of the once greatest nation on earth; the intended destruction of the mightiest Military in the world, coupled with the abandonment of both the Warriors still dying for failed policies in the sandbox, and Veterans who return to a country almost unrecognisable from when they swore an oath to defend America and her people against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.

Our Veterans may be excused for wondering if they have been transported to a different planet.

War On Terror News:

11/08/2012

My American Flag is limp tonight

Blame the weather.  Blame "global warming."  Blame hurricane "Sandy."  Perhaps, Washington DC has run out of hot air for a moment.  Perhaps, they're just taking a breath to spew some more.  But tonight, and for the last 24 hours, my flag has been limp.  It was flyng high when I voted.  It was flying high when the MSM reported that 59% of Tennesseans voted against the incumbent.


I think it fell limp when CBS called Ohio for Obama.  I could dissect how that could have been fraud, or could have been attained, but more than Ohio would have had to gone against him to vote him out of office.  They called it way too early, and hours later they were reporting it was within 10,000 votes of going the other way.  Like a great number of those that pushed the button against the incumbent, I am not a supporter of the opponent.  It's not that I dislike Romney, but that he rarely gave me a reason to actually support him.


And therein lies the problem: Romney did very little to convince Troops and Veterans that he was the better choice.  Like many, I can tell you ten to a hundred reasons to oppose the guy re-elected, but I can point to less than a dozen times that his opponent said he'd reverse those policies.  Perhaps, had he campaigned on the issues important to those that do or have fought for Freedom, instead of taking for granted they would vote for him, the results would have been different.  Reports indicate the military vote was below normal, and that even that, was undercounted.  Some have claimed that enough military votes went uncounted to change the election results.  I don't have the energy to even look into the claims.


 











The fact is that if Americans understood and believed in the Constitution, if they paid attention to what politicians are actually doing, instead of Hollywood gossip, we would never have arrived at this point.  The fact is that the largest area of America voted against this, and the Founders did not intend for any small portion of America to control the rest.  And a look at how Congressional Districts voted demonstrates that a few pockets of mostly urban areas are overruling the will of Americans....

Read the rest here.


WOTN's assessment was echoed around the Military/Veteran community, and as always, when they speak, it is incumbent on all of us to pay attention.  To do otherwise is to our detriment (something 'the smartest man in the room'  either hasn't learned  - yet - or arrogantly chooses to ignore.)

From This Ain't Hell:

Jimmy Carter’s second term

November 7th, 2012

To say that I’m disappointed in the results of the election is probably a bit of an understatement. What is most disappointing is to see my “friends” on Facebook who are veterans celebrating a second term of the President. I can’t figure out what they’re celebrating about. Retirees in five western states are being forced out of Tricare Prime and into Tricare Standard which means that, unless they live near a military treatment facility, their healthcare are going to skyrocket. What’s to celebrate?...

You know there's more,  here.

BlackFive writers give their usual analysis, based on their own Military service..From Deebow:

I don't think I am overstating the obvious by saying that bad times are coming for America, and you can find the beginnings of it here and here and I am struggling to understand the lesson here.  Is it Humility? Teamwork?  Understanding?  DIversity?  I need some help here God, because I am missing what you are trying to tell me.  Worse yet, I don't know how I am going to explain all this to my son 10 years from now, when he asks me why we aren't free like we used to be.  If we are not the light of freedom and a beacon of hope for he rest of the world who wish to live their lives in freedom, then where will the world look?
During this President's 2nd Term (the 3rd term of Jimmah); I predict the following:

The 1st and 2nd Amendment will be under attack like never before.  Small Businesses will wither and die, or never be started because of onerous regulations and taxes.  Unemployment will hold steady between 8 and 10 percent, and around the world tyranny will be on the march, because this spineless ass-clown has neither the testicular fortitude, nor the ability to summon the will to stop it. 

Whole energy industries will be bankrupted.  Energy prices will skyrocket.  Inflation is going to crash our currency.

Our allies will not trust us, Israel will stand alone, and possibly have to use a nuclear bomb against Iran in order to survive. China and Russia will be on the march in their spheres of influence.  The Chinese could make a move on Taiwan, knowing that as the holder of our debt, we would be powerless to stop them, lest they crash our economy. ...

Read the rest here

Some civilians are commenting too.  Ben Stein:

[...]  this seems like a terrible fate. But our party has faced far worse. We were pronounced dead after JFK stole the 1960 election in the cellars of the Chicago City Hall. We were in the morgue after the Goldwater defeat. We were dead and buried after Watergate and the 1974 Congressional elections, when the GOP was just a nub in Congress. We always come back because our principles are better suited to human dignity and human happiness than the other side's. We will come back stronger than ever this time, too. We are not afraid and we shall overcome. Our best days as a party and a movement lie ahead. We will rest, regroup, and fight for our beliefs, and next time, it will be different and better. Truth crushed to earth will rise again, as the saying goes -- as the truth goes. ...

Read the rest here.


Yankeemom is one of my favourite patriotic Military Moms, and her writing always cuts right to the core of any issue.  She says (in part):

Elections and Consequences ~

Author: yankeemom  //  Category: freedom
 
Daniel Greenfield, one of my most favorite writers, has a post up that is a MUST READ for every Voter who believes in what this country stands for and wants to make sure we don’t lose her.
Finally, someone on the pro-America side of the political spectrum gets it.

Game Called on Account of Darkness

A few highlights:

Every time people ask me why the left has such a grip on this country, my answer is because they worked for it. It’s the answer that most people don’t want to hear, but it’s true. The left has been planning this for a while. They have been playing the long game, building the infrastructure and indoctrinating generations. And to beat them, we will have to do the same thing.

[...]

And she ends with this:

Liberty is precious and not many on this planet are blessed to live in it.  We may just lose it and sooner than you care to imagine.

As Daniel Greenfield says at the beginning of his piece:

The lights have gone out in America now. They may come back. They may not. It’s up to us. No one is going to come help us do it. Other countries have America. We have ourselves.

Go read the rest of this here.


As  I began this piece, I shared that I was thinking about my Gold Star Mom Mickey, and her Fallen Hero Jason.  Jason, and Keith and Mario (who ran into the madness on 9/11), and Brian, who gave his life saving lives, and Mike, and Sean, and Patrick, and Don, and yes, Chris and ...and...oh so many more patriotic Americans gave their lives in service to an ideal of America that may appear broken right now, are also - and always engraved on my heart.  They ARE America, and no matter what politician comes and goes, these Americans and their families ARE the enduring fabric of this country that I love.

As I write this, I KNOW that the American ideal is alive and well in communities across the land.  I have total faith that no matter the most concerted efforts of the deluded 'gimme' bunch, patriotic Americans in every city, town, village, are serving their fellow American, a cause greater than themselves  -  because that is the right thing to do, and it IS the American way.

 This may be the time that tries mens souls, but I agree with Patrick Henry who said:

‎"The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave." --Patrick Henry, speech in the Virginia Convention, 1775

I may be only one person, but I stand with America who I KNOW will rise again - as brightly, as strong as ever. I believe in America.

 

God Bless America, the land that I love....

What is the "Right" Size for the Military Force?

Ongoing discussion on downsizing our militarys in this time of war. This ridiculous insistance of dealing with national deficits by slashing the armed forces of any of our countries, guarantees an emotional response from any of us who are remotely connected to our troops who being told to "do more with less."

What is astounding to me is that civilian politicians - you know, those who have NEVER served, never mind in a time of war - are determined to decimate their fighting forces while we ARE at war. Into all of this 'debate,' come a voice of reason. War on Terror News has two columns which give historial perspective. They ARE must reads. Get a coffee, and settle in. Read them both, and be informed:

11/12/2011

What is the "Right" Size for the Military Force?

The current Administration has requested and gotten approved cuts of 49,000 US Soldiers, in the Active Army alone. In 2009, it began to cut 20,000 from the National Guard, quietly, without publicity. This year, Fiscal Year 2012, which began on October 1, 2011, begins the Active Army's implementation of the 1st cuts implemented by the current Administration. This is not the first time in military history that the military has been reduced in size, but it is the first time that it has occurred during a war. And the Secretary of Defense, along with members of the Joint Chiefs have warned that these cuts may not be over.

This begs the question: How big must the military be in order to succeed in it's mission? Well, the answer depends on the question of what the politicians expect our military to be able to do? And here we need the historical context of how that has changed in the last 3 decades.

In the 1980's, we faced an expanding Empire, that challenged the United States and Our Allies technologically, as well as exceeded our numerical capacity. Our Allies in Europe and Asia understood the threat that Communism posed and helped bridge the numerical disadvantage, while we accelerated our technological edge and developed a Professional edge in Troops that volunteered to stand the wall, and in sufficient numbers dedicated their lives to that pursuit. The mission was defined as the capacity to fight and win TWO prolonged wars/fronts simultaneously.

The enemy, the Soviet Union, possessed sufficient Nuclear Weapons, Biological Weapons, and Chemical Weapons, as did we, that any war would have likely have destroyed the bulk of North America, Europe, and Northern Asia. Both sides understood that any war of weapons of mass destruction would result in Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD), and were rational enough to want to avoid that lose-lose scenario. Both sides also realized that a "Conventional War," which at that time meant a war devoid of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), which wasn't a commonly used term in those days, would almost assuredly turn into a war of WMD, if the two Superpowers confronted each other on the battlefield. At times, each had leaders that were thought of as just crazy enough to use those Nuclear Weapons, and that served to keep the other side a bit unsettled.

The nuclear powers we face today cannot be trusted to understand that a nuclear strike against us would assure their own destruction. Both Iran and North Korea are led by individuals that believe that even killing a few million Americans is worth the complete annihilation of their own people. The Chinese are still rational enough to know that a Nuclear War is not in their interests, and count more on their leverage with our insatiable need for new loans than the threat of MAD.

Instead, the Superpowers fought "proxy" wars, where one or the other might be actively engaged, while the other trained and supplied its enemy's enemy. These wars occurred in Viet Nam, El Salvador, Nicarauga, Angola, Cuba, Grenada, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Afghanistan, sometimes with proxy vs. proxy and others with Superpower and proxy vs. proxy. The closest we came to direct conflicts between the two Superpowers were Korea, Cuba, Germany, and Poland. More than once, the Nukes were readied, as were the Conventional Forces, for WWIII, most times, without the public ever knowing.

He has more, and you really need to go and read it all HERE.

In a following column/analysis, WOTN asks the obvious question:

Monday, November 14, 2011

Can A Smaller Force Keep America Safe?

[...]

This year, Fiscal Year 2012, which began on October 1, 2011, begins the Active Army's implementation of the 1st cuts implemented by the current Administration. This is not the first time in military history that the military has been reduced in size, but it is the first time that it has occurred during a war. And the Secretary of Defense, along with members of the Joint Chiefs have warned that these cuts may not be over.

This begs the question: How big must the military be in order to succeed in it's mission? Well, the answer depends on the question of what the politicians expect our military to be able to do? And here we need the historical context of how that has changed in the last 3 decades. (Expanded version of this article.)

In the 1980's, we faced an expanding Empire, that challenged the United States and Our Allies technologically, as well as exceeded our numerical capacity. Our Allies in Europe and Asia understood the threat that Communism posed and helped bridge the numerical disadvantage, while we accelerated our technological edge and developed a Professional edge in Troops that volunteered to stand the wall, and in sufficient numbers dedicated their lives to that pursuit. The mission was defined as the capacity to fight and win TWO prolonged wars/fronts simultaneously.

The World knew, President Reagan was just crazy enough to fight the Evil Empire if they attacked their own people, again. The Soviet Empire fell under the weight of its own people and overstretched economy. We had been spending more than 6% of Gross Domestic Product on Defense. The Soviets simply couldn't keep up that pace.

Without a perceived threat, and as we watched our potential enemies fall one by one, to their own people, the Allies determined that we should cash in "The Peace Dividend." We could cut back the amounts we spent on defense, as we were "entering a period of peace," where no nation could realistically challenge us on the battlefield.

The Bush Administration concluded that in a world of only one Superpower, that 12 Army Divisions, with only 100,000, not 250,000 stationed in Germany, could fight and win 2 wars. It was politically easier to reduce the number of Troops overseas than in the Congressional Districts of politicians, because Troops spend money on the local economy, even where those Troops are not liked. Still, 6 fewer Divisions, meant there would also be fewer stateside bases, so an independent commission was set up to decide which weren't needed anymore.

The collective memory of a stunning Victory in Iraq, soon turned into a festering wound, as President H.W. Bush was questioned for "not finishing the job," as Saddam continued to posture, and denied he had lost. The President who had seen his approval rate soar as a result of his resolve and reliance on General Powell and General Schwarzkopf to get the job done, saw it plummet as a result of his dithering on Tianamen Square, and the resulting economic downturn of decreased military spending....

There is more HERE..

At the end of the first column, WOTN says:

Cutting Our Force, in the middle of increased, not decreased uncertainty in the world, is the WRONG policy. It is not just dangerous, but straight up stupid. If we cannot protect our beans, with bullets, someone will take our beans with their bullets.

And he is obviously correct. It is now long past imperative for all Americans (and allies) to remind the politicians that their number one priority should be protecting their citizens from "all enemies, foreign and domestic..." Any fool knows that you do not do this by taking the knives to the military. Period.

Are YOU paying attention?

USS Cole Remembers 'Hero Sailors' Lost During 2000 Attack

10/12/2011

From Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Seventeen Sailors killed aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) when it was attacked by terrorists in the Yemeni port of Aden 11 years ago on this date were honored in a ceremony Oct. 12, 2011.

NORFOLK (Oct. 12, 2011) Cmdr. Drew Ehlers, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67), and Sailors assigned to Cole salute after the presentation of a wreath at the USS Cole Memorial during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. The Norfolk-based ship was damaged by a suicide bombing Oct. 12, 2000 while refueling in the Port of Aden in Yemen, killing 17 and wounding 39 Sailors. Cole returned to the fleet in 2002 and has deployed four times since the attack. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Elizabeth Williams/Released)

Read the story at War On Terror News here.

"... Libya belongs to the Libyan people.."

From NATO:

22 Aug. 2011

Statement by the NATO Secretary General on the situation in Libya

The Qadhafi regime is clearly crumbling. The sooner Qadhafi realises that he cannot win the battle against his own people, the better -- so that the Libyan people can be spared further bloodshed and suffering.

The Libyan people have suffered tremendously under Qadhafi’s rule for over four decades. Now they have a chance for a new beginning. Now is the time for all threats against civilians to stop, as the United Nations Security Council demanded. Now is the time to create a new Libya – a state based on freedom, not fear; democracy, not dictatorship; the will of the many, not the whims of a few.

That transition must come peacefully. It must come now. And it must be led and defined by the Libyan people.

NATO is ready to work with the Libyan people and with the Transitional National Council, which holds a great responsibility. They must make sure that the transition is smooth and inclusive, that the country stays united, and that the future is founded on reconciliation and respect for human rights.

Qadhafi's remaining allies and forces also have a great responsibility. It is time to end their careers of violence. The world is watching them. This is their opportunity to side with the Libyan people and choose the right side of history.

We will continue to monitor military units and key facilities, as we have since March, and when we see any threatening moves towards the Libyan people, we will act in accordance with our UN mandate.

Our goal throughout this conflict has been to protect the people of Libya, and that is what we are doing.

Because the future of Libya belongs to the Libyan people. And it is for the international community to assist them, with the United Nations and the Contact Group playing a leading role. NATO wants the Libyan people to be able to decide their future in freedom and in peace. Today, they can start building that future.

War on Terror News has this:

Monday, August 22, 2011

Tripoli Falls to Libyan Rebels

VoA News: Libyan rebel fighters have pushed into Tripoli's central Green Square after moving past the city's outer defenses and announcing they had detained two of leader Moammar Gadhafi's sons, including his one-time heir apparent, Seif al-Islam.

Rebel troops approaching from the west met little resistance as they raced through government positions outside the capital. Thousands of Tripoli residents celebrated as opposition fighters entered the symbolic square that they have renamed Martyrs Square, where jubilant Libyans tore down posters of Mr. Gadhafi and stomped on them. Until recently, the government had used the area for mass demonstrations in support of Libya's now embattled leader.

Rebel leaders acknowledged early Monday that pockets of resistance still remain in and around Tripoli. A spokesmen said opposition fighters had surrounded the Bab al-Aziziya compound where they believe Mr. Gadhafi may be holding out, but that they are reluctant to begin an all-out assault.

A rebel spokesman said insurgents sent a group of fighters into the capital by sea from the port of Misrata. He also said the elite presidential guard in charge of protecting Mr. Gadhafi had surrendered, enabling the opposition to seize large parts of the city.

Earlier, the International Criminal Court confirmed that Seif al-Islam is in detention. He is indicted along with his father and Libya's intelligence chief on charges of crimes against humanity for allegedly planning and ordering illegal attacks on civilians in the early days of the violent crackdown on anti-government protests....

More - including a timeline of the the citizens uprising - from War on Terror News here.

BBC is carrying live reports from Libya here.

Moments of Silence: Calling All Angels

Moments of Silence.




Always and forever.

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.

B*N*S*N by any other name

In the beginning, B*N*S*N was born from an agreement among a small group of milboggers to share the good news of this Global War on Terror; the stories and the people that the msm didn't see worthy of sharing with the public.

As each day the msm stuck to headlines of our troops as Rambos on steroids, mindless murderers, and as they chose to ignore the real - loving and loved - people behind the statistics of our Fallen Heroes, we decided to take matters into our own hands and allot at least one day a week on our sites to the GREAT news. As anyone who pays attention knows, this Global War on Terror is about our troops making a difference in the lives of the natives of - currently, predominantly - Afghanistan and Iraq. Stories that the msm has never seemed to think deserve attention from the reading public.

As my regular readers know, week in, week out, it is my priviledge to share some of those stories. Truth of the matter is, that I always struggle to restrict myself to maximum four stories, at least on this one day. There are many, many more 'from the sandbox' stories that rarely see the light of day, and on this site, the only restriction is time. Never enough time in any one day to bring to attention all the great positive news that the msm deems not newsworthy.

However, there are other sites out there that also focus on the good news - and the Heroes - every single day, and readers of this site who pay close attention may have noticed that in the last little while, I have linked to one of them more than most.

War on Terror News has as its mandate sharing the news that the msm doesn't think regular folks need to know. Every single day, they share at least 20 stories that you will not find in the msm. Every story at WOTN could very easily fall under the B*N*S*N banner.

A few months back I volunteered to join the WOTN editorial staff, because from my ongoing observations, their mandate perfectly meshes with the demonstrated focus of this site. I like what they do. Does this mean that I am closing my own site down? No, of course not! Much as *some* politicians and anti-troops spit-worthy morons may wish otherwise, Assoluta Tranquillita will continue doing what I have always done.

War On Terror News has the B*N*S*N stories, just under another name. You can find the link in my sidebar, and you can also find it here.

So, on those days when you cannot find your regular B*N*S*N fix here at AT, you CAN always find them at WOTN; not just on one day - but every.single.day.

Soldier ON!

Atlantis Welcome Home

Space shuttle Atlantis (STS-135) touches down at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) in Cape Canaveral, Florida, completing its 13-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program. Overall, Atlantis spent 307 days in space and traveled nearly 126 million miles during its 33 flights. (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

VOA News

'Mission Complete' for Shuttle Atlantis

The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis has landed for the final time, marking the end of the shuttle era.

"Nose gear touchdown. Having fired the imagination of a generation, a ship like no other, its place in history secured, the space shuttle pulls into port for the last time, its voyage at an end," the NASA announcer said.

With the landing of the space shuttle Atlantis before sunrise at the Kennedy Space Center, the 30-year-old space shuttle fleet ended its service.

Astronaut Chris Ferguson was the shuttle commander for this 135th and final shuttle journey.

"Mission complete, Houston," he said. "After serving the world for over 30 years, the space shuttle has earned its place in history, and it has come to a final stop."

With the landing of the space shuttle Atlantis before sunrise at the Kennedy Space Center, the 30-year-old space shuttle fleet ended its service.

Ferguson was one of four astronauts aboard Atlantis on the resupply mission to the International Space Station.

"You know, the space shuttle has changed the way we view the world, and it has changed the way we view our universe," he said. "It is a lot of emotion today, but one thing is indisputable - America is not going to stop exploring."...

More here at @ WOTN.



More on STS 135..

General Petraeus on Obama Troop Withdrawal

POTUS went on national television the other night, for yet another of his 'address to the nation' prime time pronouncements. This one was a forum for his decision on what to do about Afghanistan.

Since then, pundits and politicians alike have taken to the airwaves to react and analyse. As always, I tend to listen most closely to our military, whose sense of what was really said (or not said) rings of truth to me. Our military, including our veterans, watch such dog and pony shows as BHO's latest 'reality show,' through the lens of hard fought experience, so when they talk, I pay attention.

War on Terror News did not disappoint as he responds to General Petraeus' public endorsement of BHO's US military plans for the future in Afghanistan. Read on:

General Petraeus on Obama Troop Withdrawal - 23 June 2011

Full transcript of Petraeus’s answer on Obama’s decision [June 23, 2011]:

I’ll walk through the process since it was quite a substantial one although in a brief period of time included three meetings. After the first meeting I was given a homework assignment which I answered by the second meeting. And then the third meeting was the one in which the president ultimately reached a decision.

The responsibility of a combat commander in that kind of situation is to present options to the president to implement his state policy and that’s what I did. The risk being assessed in this case, from my perspective, the risk having to do with the ability to achieve objectives of the military campaign plan, acknowledging that at every level of the chain of command above me there are additional considerations, and each person above me, all the way up to and including the president has a broader purview and broader considerations that are brought to bear. The president alone [is] in the position of evaluating all those different considerations, including certainly those of the commander on the ground but also many others as well in reaching his decision.

I provided such options. I provided assessments of risk. I provided recommendations. We discussed all of this again at considerable length. The president then made a decision. The commander in chief has decided. And it is then the responsibility, needless to say, of those in uniform to salute smartly and to do everything humanly possible to execute it.

Now as Chairman Mullen, Admiral Mullen, stated today before the House Armed Services Committee, the ultimate decision was a more aggressive formulation, if you will, in terms of the timeline, than what we had recommended. Again, that is understandable in the sense that there are broader considerations beyond just those of a military commander.

The fact is that there has never been a military commander in history who has had all the forces he would like to have. Or all the time. Or all the money. Or all the authorities. Or, nowadays, all the bandwidth....

Yes, he has more, and yes, it IS a must read here.