October 2008 Archives

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbj06iEYGHc

Very Very cool Video!

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/10/marine_barrow_dies_103008w/

A former Marine Corps commandant general died Thursday, leaving a legacy that includes earning two of the military's top decorations and becoming the first Marine to serve a four-year term as a full member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Retired Gen. Robert Barrow, 86, was the 27th Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1979 to 1983. His cause of death was not immediately available.

In an e-mail to top officers, Commandant Gen. James Conway mourned his passing, saying Barrow had "unparalleled experience" in conventional and irregular conflict. Conway credited Barrow with addressing substance abuse and alcoholism in the Corps, revamping the command structure of recruit depots and advocating an increase in screening programs for drill instructors and recruiters and overall personnel reform.

"General Barrow maintained, throughout his life, an abiding love and respect for his Marines," Conway said. "We, in turn, will miss him greatly."

Barrow served in three wars, earning some of the Corps' most revered military decorations along the way.

I seem to remember Many of these promises that Obama makes as part of the Nazi Party's plans. National service in quasi-military groups, eliminating the right to have guns, higher taxes, ... What else?

I am scared!

http://bulletin.aarp.org/states/il/articles/obama_outlines_plan_for_national_service.html

Obama had first outlined many of the proposals he talked about Wednesday during appearances in Iowa last December.

"We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set," he said Wednesday. "We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded."

He said he would make federal assistance conditional on school districts establishing service programs and set the goal of 50 hours of service a year for middle and high school students.

For college students, Obama would set the goal at 100 hours of service a year and create a $4,000 annual tax credit for college students that would be tied to that level of service.

When the local government does everything short of declare war, it is time to pack up and get most of the people out. Only leave the Ambassador, Marines and a couple of communications guys to keep the lines open.

Sure, Syria gave us a few terrorist tips in exchange for some serious cash and good works, but they received much more than they gave. They need to be reminded about that occasionally! And they just were.

US shuts Damascus embassy amid rising tensions

DEBKAfile Special Report

October 29, 2008, 11:47 PM (GMT+02:00)
US embassy in Damascus shut

US embassy in Damascus shut

The statement cited "increased security risk and rising tensions."

DEBKAfile's military sources report that the Syrian government expects more US attacks after Sunday's US raid in the north which left 8 people dead. A spokesman in Damascus announced Wednesday night, Oct. 30, that if US strikes are repeated, Syria will break off security cooperation not only with the US but also with Iraq on their common border. The situation is explosive enough to lead to a Syrian declaration of war if Iraqi forces hit terrorist bases on its soil.

Thursday, Syrians will demonstrate against the US helicopter-borne raid in the north. US official has said a smuggler of foreign fighters into Iraq was targeted. "The U.S. Embassy in Damascus remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S. citizens," said the embassy spokesman.

DEBKAfile's sources reported earlier that following a Syrian threat of "painful responses" for the American attack, the embassy had prepared for extreme events, such as possibly a Syrian military siege of the embassy, violent demonstrations or even a direct attack that would force the evacuation of staff.

The embassy spokesman declined to comment on whether the number or status of US diplomats in Syria could change.

Our sources believe that the Assad government's closure of the American cultural and school Monday and protest to the UN Secretary General and Security Council Chairman were only the beginning and that more extreme steps are in store in Syria and Iraq.

Following pressure from Tehran, the Baghdad government denounced the American incursion into Syria after first accusing Damascus of cross-border terror against Iraq.

Once again, the US is the best! If you doubt it, go to Afghanistan or Iraq and ask the locals. They can tell you who they fear more than the terrorists, or is it respect? They know that as long as they do not threaten the American forces, they are safe and will probably get some kind of benefit from the visit. However, IF they are stupid enough to threaten the US forces, they know they will most likely die. Not too many fools get a second chance to fight against the Americans. Not that anyone misses these poor souls.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htwin/articles/20081030.aspx

Lessons Of Iraq

October 30, 2008: Nearly 4,200 U.S. troops have died in Iraq during over 5.5 years of fighting. It's no longer news because Iraq is at peace, at least by regional standards. Since the Surge Offensive officially ended three months ago, only 62 Americans have died in Iraq, and most of them to non-combat causes. So far this month, twelve have died. Accidents are more of a danger to U.S. troops in Iraq than terrorists these days. The troops also know that Afghanistan is a more dangerous place to be, and most of the young combat troops, who have not yet earned their Combat Infantry Badge (a big deal, requiring 30 days in combat), look forward to a tour of duty in Afghanistan. The war has moved from the sandbox to the mountains.

The 17 month Surge Offensive left over a thousand (1040) Americans dead, most of them from combat. That was about two dead per day. Since then, the rate has declined over 70 percent. Iraqi losses (uniformed and civilian) have also plummeted, from a high of 3,000 in February 2007, to about 300 a month now. The Iraqis are handling security in over two-thirds of the country. U.S. troops are on call, but are not brought in nearly as much as a year ago. The Iraqis are determined to do it all themselves.

While the U.S. has lost nearly 4,200 troops in Iraq, their opponents (al Qaeda and local Sunni Arab terrorists) lost ten times as many people. Compared to Vietnam, the death rate (losses per 100,000 troops per year) of troops in Iraq was two-thirds less. Around the world, military professionals are studying the American campaign in Iraq for useful tips on how to win against such a massive terrorist effort, with such low losses.

The Party of Open Mindedness and Tolerance, occasionally known as the Democrat Party, is once again working on preventing any view point but their own from reaching the minds of the public. This time they are trying to shut down the military analysts in the Media who disagree that the War is lost.

Why is it that the Left hates being called Communists or socialists when they act like it? And they always label anyone who disagrees with them as Nazis, while their own policies borrow strongly from the Nazi playbook? Can anyone explain this?

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=29263

The FCC letters came at the behest of two House Democrats, who say the analysts parroted on air the private briefings they received at the Pentagon. This may have broken the law, the lawmakers said.

The probe is sending chills through the ranks of military commentators, some of them decorated war heroes who share their expertise with millions of lay viewers. They see it as one in a series of moves the Left is making to intimidate and shut up its critics.

"We are seeing the dawn of a new era of the current Democratic leadership trying to muzzle free speech and the First Amendment," retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom McInerney, a Fox News analyst, told HUMAN EVENTS. "It may be the most invasive intrusion that we have seen in our history. There will be more of these tactics to follow."

Said retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely, one of Fox's first defense analysts, "It's an affront to freedom of speech. As retired officers, we're private citizens and can say anything we want under the First Amendment. The whole thing was to explain to the American people what was going on in war and analyzing it."

The army and Marines have always had different outlooks on war. The Marines go in, break things, force the locals to behave, stick around for a few years to ensure compliance, and then go to the next trouble spot. The army goes in, builds a base, sends out patrols and retreats when the locals refuse to cooperate.

Take Somalia for an example. The marines had very few problems, but when they left and the UN forces took over with the army Rangers and a hand full of special operators as a leavening force, the Somalis decided that they could do almost anything they wanted to again. Just watch 'Blackhawk Down' for how the army does (did) things.

If the Marines had been told to handle the same mission as the Rangers in that situation, The Cobras overhead and the armored vehicles would have slaughtered the first waves of idiots and the city might have been left unpopulated after the Marines were done.

About time that the army started to get the same mindset. Right now, it seems that the Marines go in and force Peace, or else, and then the army walks in and sets up a base to patrol from while the locals regroup to kill the foreigners. Not that I blame them much. I would hate to have a bunch of foreigners living in my country. Oh, wait, I do! Can we drive out the foreigners from my area? is that legal?

Semper Fi, army! Welcome to the Corps! (Almost)

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htlead/articles/20081030.aspx

Soldiers Thinking Like Marines

October 30, 2008: Inside the U.S. Department of Defense, there is a major battle going on over what the future American military should get ready for, and what kinds of wars are most likely to be encountered. This has led to two major factions. One sees the future as needing an armed force that can fight a "conventional" war (trained forces on both sides, equipped with modern weapons). The other factions sees more like Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam. They point out that only one of our last four wars (Kuwait in 1991) was "conventional."

Historically, each war is unique. And if you look at all the ones the U.S. has been involved in, that becomes clear. And day by day, you can see the shape of potential wars (and the list of such wars itself) change. Very much a moving target. Out future forces should be shaped to deal with the more likely conflicts.

Since nukes make a major conventional war unlikely, and smart bombs make minor conventional wars quite different from previous ones, one can understand the eagerness by some to hang on to our hard earned expertise in peacemaking (not peacekeeping) wars (like Iraq and Afghanistan). Looking at it like a historian, you can see Iraq and Afghanistan eventually described as a demonstration of how capable the post-Vietnam volunteer military had become. All the services snapped to with professionalism and innovation to win. Not fast enough for journalists and political opportunists, but reality tends to be like that.

What America has now is soldiers and marines equipped for both conventional and unconventional warfare. What worries many in the Department of Defense is that the troops are largely trained for unconventional warfare. One big unknown is how long would it take to get them back in shape for conventional warfare? Weeks? Months? A year? The marines believe it would not take long, if only because the marines traditionally keep flexible, and ready for just about anything. Many army officers look to that as a model to follow. Soldiers today are much closer to marines in terms of capabilities and temperament than ever before.

This debate may not be settled for some time, unless Iran invades Iraq, North Korea invades South Korea or China occupies Taiwan.

I think that it is time for a mercenary company to form in international waters that can operate for whom ever needs the help. The limits on Blackwater by working out of the US is good most of the time, but to fight against pirates in international waters takes special capabilities that the International Community refuses to use anymore.

If not Blackwater, then who?

Foreign navies have begun patrolling the Gulf of Aden to rein in the pirate gangs off the coast of northern Somalia, but they have had only limited success. As a result, ship owners have seen insurance premiums for coverage of passage through the Straits of Aden climb from an average of $900 to $9,000.

In Pictures: The World's Most Dangerous Waters

It's bad news for shippers, but an opportunity for Blackwater Worldwide, the North Carolina-based private military contractor. Last week, the company announced plans to dispatch the MV MacArthur, a 183-foot vessel with a crew of 14 and a helicopter pad, to the Gulf of Aden to provide escort services for ships in need of security.

"Billions of dollars of goods move through the Gulf of Aden each year," said Bill Matthews, executive vice president of Blackwater Worldwide, in a press release. "We have been contacted by ship owners who say they need our help in making sure those goods get to their destination safely. The McArthur can help us accomplish that."

Well, ok, this guy is hanging Sarah Palin in effigy, but what is the real difference? If this is allowable, can I hang a mannequin dressed like Obama from the tree in my yard?

Why do Liberals think that this kind of stupidity is fine? Don't kill rapists or murderers. Kill the opposition and the unborn children. I just don't understand it.

Halloween Palin Prop Sparks Controversy In WeHo WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (AP) ― A Halloween decoration showing a mannequin dressed as vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin hanging by a noose from the roof of a West Hollywood home is drawing giggles from some passers-by and gasps of outrage from others.

The mannequin is dressed in brunet wig, glasses and a red business suit. Another mannequin dressed as John McCain emerges from a flaming chimney.

Chad Michael Morisette, who lives in the house, told CBS 2 News that drivers and bus passengers have been stopping to snap pictures of the macabre scene.

Morisette says the effigy would be out of bounds at any other time of year, but it's within the spirit of Halloween.

He says "it should be seen as art, and as within the month of October. It's Halloween, it's time to be scary it's time to be spooky."

I joined the Corps shortly after this horrible event. I met and served with survivors. They were all tired and stressed. Most showed all the signs of PTSD. It was good to watch the ones I knew to grow and heal. I pray that they all did.

Semper Fi, boys.

They came in Peace

Twenty-five years ago today, Hezbullah, under what is believed to be the direct orders of Iran, made their largest and most successful attack against America.

"Their loss is not in vain and we will not break faith with them in the tasks we have ahead... We did not know they would be the first casualties -- among the first -- in the war on terrorism" - Lt. Gen. Jan C. Huly, USMC

In Lebanon, we have some 1,600 Marines, part of a multinational force that's trying to help the people of Lebanon restore order and stability to that troubled land. Our Marines are assigned to the south of the city of Beirut, near the only airport operating in Lebanon. Just a mile or so to the north is the Italian contingent and not far from them, the French and a company of British soldiers.

This past Sunday, at 22 minutes after 6 Beirut time, with dawn just breaking a truck, looking like a lot of other vehicles in the city, approached the airport on a busy, main road. There was nothing in its appearance to suggest it was any different than the trucks or cars that were normally seen on and around the airport. But this one was different. At the wheel was a young man on a suicide mission.

The truck carried some 2,000 pounds of explosives, but there was no way our Marine guards could know this. Their first warning that something was wrong came when the truck crashed through a series of barriers, including a chain-link fence and barbed wire entanglements. The guards opened fire, but it was too late. The truck smashed through the doors of the headquarters building in which our Marines were sleeping and instantly exploded. The four-story concrete building collapsed in a pile of rubble.

More than 200 of the sleeping men were killed in that one hideous, insane attack. Many others suffered injury and are hospitalized here or in Europe. This was not the end of the horror. At almost the same instant, another vehicle on a suicide and murder mission crashed into the headquarters of the French peacekeeping force, an eight-story building, destroying it and killing more than 50 French soldiers.

President Ronald Reagan, 27th Oct. 1983,

Our Marines on sentry duty had their ammunition clips in their pockets. There were no barriers around the barracks, other than a bit of wood and plaster. When the bomb blew, the building was lifted off its foundation. When it came down, it collapsed in a heap of cinder blocks, plaster, and dust. All told, 241 Americans lost their lives in the blast. It was the worst day for the Marines since the battle of Iwo Jima and the worst day for the US military since the first day of the Tet Offensive in Viet Nam.

25 years have come and gone. Our first duty is to remember.

If you have a minute, visit the Beirut Veterans Organization, and lend your support to the Beirut Stamp Initiative.

Thank you Kevin.

Posted by LindaSoG at October 23, 2008 08:56 PM

This is excellent to know about. I am glad that we are finding so many new operators to take the fight to the enemy without involving the main military strength.

Say a prayer for these guys and gals and let them do their jobs without political interference. Please Lord?

Building a Global Counterterrorism Network By Michael Jacobson

This afternoon, as part of a Washington Institute lecture series with senior US counterterrorism officials, we hosted Mike Vickers, Assistant Secretary for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict at the Department of Defense.

Mr. Vickers offered his thoughts on the threat facing the US, as well as the strategy necessary to defeat the global terrorist networks -- focusing on the role of the military in this effort. Of particular interest, he explained how the Special Operations have expanded since 9/11, and how much more they will still grow this decade. In his view, this is a step in the right direction in bolstering not only the US, but our partners counterterrorism capabilities. Here is an excerpt from his talk:

"Special Operations Forces and our Special Operations command down in Tampa has been really one of the growth stocks of the Department of Defense during this decade. By the end of the decade or probably early in the next decade, our Special Operations Forces will essentially twice as large as they were at the beginning of the decade. They'll reach about sixty-four -- the mid sixty thousands in terms of total manpower. There will have been more than a doubling of Special Operations command budget. There will be a lot more -- there already is -- but there will be a lot more flag officers and general officers who come from a Special Operations background among our senior leadership.

"If you look at the operational core of our Special Operations Forces, and focus on the ground operators, there are some 15,000 or so of those -- give or take how you count them -- these range from our Army Special Forces or our Green Berets, our Rangers, our Seals, some classified units we have, and we recently added a Marine Corps Special Operations Command to this arsenal as well. In addition to adding the Marine component, each of these elements since 2006 and out to about 2012 or 2013 has been increasing their capacity as well as their capabilities, but their capacity by a third. This is the largest growth in Special Operations Force history. By the time we're done with that, there will be some things, some gaps we need to fix undoubtedly, but we will have the elements in place for what we believe is the Special Operations component of the global war on terrorism.

"Special Operations Forces, I think through this decade and into the next one, have been and will remain a decisive strategic instrument. We used the -- when trying to answer the question about what made Special Operations Forces special, we like to say that well, it was because of this tactical virtuosity or the skill of the individual operator that they were trained to such a high level. My counterpart, Admiral Olson, and I now like to talk about it that it really is the strategic employment or impact that these forces cumulatively have in this broad war that we find ourselves in that really is what's making them special. It's not so much the virtuosity, though that remains and is on display almost every day overseas."

To read the entire transcript from today's session, click here:

What a crock. My parents would still be in prison if this was the rule. These social services idiots are more worried about this spanking then they are in pursuing real abusers. Instead of attacking a pastor, why don't they go hang out in the hood for a few hours? I am sure they could find many criminal activities to take to court!

Or is it illegal now to investigate crimes in the hood? Is that too unPolitically Incorrect?

Pastor charged with felony for spanking son Teacher calls social services on father after he paddles child for lying Posted: October 25, 2008 1:00 am Eastern

© 2008 WorldNetDaily

A Wisconsin pastor has been charged with felony physical abuse of a child after he spanked his 12-year-old son for lying and a teacher notified social services.

Barry W. Barnett Jr., 43, of Poynette, Wis., is free on a $10,000 bond, but he could face up to three years in prison and fines for disciplining his son, the local Portage Daily Register reported.

At the pastor's hearing, Barnett's son said his father was right to spank him .

"He gave me a chance to tell him the truth, and I just kept lying to him," the boy said.

The boy said his father gave him two "swats" that "hurt a little" on his rear end in June. He told authorities both he and his dad cried while he was disciplined.

The 12-year-old said he was warned he might receive a spanking if he continued to act up and that he understands what he did was wrong.

"You should not lie to your parents and you should not go to places (where you are not allowed)," he said.

One of his siblings mentioned the spanking to a teacher, who called social services, according to the report.

A June 7 report from the Divine Savior Healthcare emergency department indicated that the boy had slight bruising on his buttocks, but it said there was no swelling and he was not experiencing pain. The medical paperwork said the boy told physicians he didn't think he was abused and he loves his father.

The documents show the boy's doctor does not believe he was abused, and he called the event a "social services fiasco."

As found at BlackFive

Twenty-Five years ago, we were privileged to liberate the population of a small Caribbean island, including some American medical students, and a potential enemy fighter base at Point Salines, Granada . The operation was not without problems - combat operations never are. But there was a lot of valor, determination, and skill displayed among our Warriors that day, and I hope we can stop to remember those who displayed those traits. I will mention a few of the things that come to mind:

It begins with the daring infiltration attempt made by SEALs and Combat Control Team members that cost the lives of a number of SEALs who parachuted into the sea in the dark of night to try to get "eyes on target". The Rangers of 1st and 2d Ranger Battalions and their valiant parachute assault on Pt. Salines conducted under enemy fire, and later the airmobile assault by 2d Bn to secure and evacuate the American medical students. The repeated attempts by Task Force 160 (now 160th SOAR) to deliver Delta troops to their objective on Richmond Hill - the hottest LZ I've certainly ever seen and one that wounded 18 Delta men and proved the airworthiness of the Black Hawk, some of which took more than forty rounds of 7.62 and 23 mm fire, but kept on flying. One was lost, along with its pilot, Captain Keith Lucas, brought to a skilled crash landing by CWO Paul Price, (I think it was Paul) himself wounded. The successful infiltrations of SEALs at other targets by TF-160's fast rope birds, covered by the skilled pilots of AH-6 "Killer Egg" gunships. And the always-skillful minigun, 40mm, and 105 fire from the AC-130s of 16th SOS. I witnessed from afar a USMC Cobra gunship crash into the sea, and one that crashed on the quay, and shortly after, a CH-46 braving a steady stream of anti-aircraft fire to rescue the surviving crewman from the quay (a Marine whom I later met, now with only one arm, as the other had already been shot nearly off before he landed the crippled bird one-handed).

And then there's that ol' Soldier Dave Grange (the younger) who completed the Iron Man triathlon in Hawaii, hopped on an airplane, flew back to Bragg, and got back just in time to lead his squadron on the assault.

So, to all of those who were there, thus brother-in-arms of each other forever, and of those who have survived them, I offer you a toast.

God bless and keep you all.

Buckshot

Lewis H. Burruss
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)

The economy and recent financial crisis have grabbed the spotlight this election season. This video should serve as a reminder that there are other equally pressing issues to consider before casting your ballot.

Eleven year olds don't arrive at ideas like this without something being taught to them someplace. Like at home.

What really irks me is that if this had been a "Hit a Muslim Day" or "Hit a Black Day" the school would have closed down for a full investigation of the criminals who instigated and participated in this racist assault. However, since this was an attack on Jews, it is being dealt with quietly.

I guess it is because Jews are good targets because they don't riot when they are insulted or oppressed.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081024/D940P7G00.html

ST. LOUIS (AP) - At least four students from a suburban St. Louis middle school face punishment for allegedly hitting Jewish classmates during what they called "Hit a Jew Day."

The incident happened last week at Parkway West Middle School in Chesterfield.

District officials said Thursday they believe that fewer than 10 children of the district's 35 Jewish students were struck.

District spokesman Paul Tandy said that in most cases, the students
were hit on the back of their shoulders but one student was slapped in
the face.

It began with an unofficial "Spirit Week" among sixth-graders that
started harmlessly enough with a "Hug a Friend Day." Then there was
"High Five Day."

Soon, though, the days moved from friendly to silly. Next there was "Hit a Tall Person Day" and, finally, "Hit a Jew Day."

District officials believe a handful of children were directly
involved. Those who actually struck classmates could face suspension
and required counseling, Tandy said. Others who weren't directly
involved but taunted Jewish students or egged on classmates could face
lesser penalties.

"There is a mix of sadness and outrage," Tandy said. "The concern is a
lot of kids knew about it and they didn't take action or say anything."

Karen Aroesty, St. Louis regional director of the Anti-Defamation
League, said this was more than a case of bullying. Officials from the
group will meet Friday with district leaders to discuss the matter.