Here's why (this time) - Michael Moore's New Years Resolutions:
4. Stop saying, "I support the troops." I don't ... why would anyone sign up for this rogue organization?Because they - aww, never mind. You wouldn't understand. You're so far removed from reality. you actually believe the crap you spout.
2. Learn how to make dinner.I don't think a lack of dinner is one of Magic thinking Mikes problems.
Excellent movie, had a sense of authenticity (gosh, I wonder why) rarely seen in movies today. As good as - no, better than "The Hurt Locker".
You owe it to yourself to go see this flick.
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Via MOAA:
Among the bills approved by the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee this week was the “Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2011” (S. 277), sponsored by Sen. Burr (R-NC), the senior Republican on the Committee. The bill would authorize VA health care for former military family members and veterans and certain family members stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1957 and 1987, when the water at the base is acknowledged to have been contaminated with carcinogens.Emphasis mine.
MOAA indicated its support for the bill and other pending measures in a letter to Committee Chair Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Sen. Burr.
But that was before the committee voted unanimously, without notice or hearing, to fund the care by eliminating the federal subsidy for military commissaries and directing consolidation of all DoD commissaries and exchanges.
The Army and Air Force Exchange System is now selling guns. Back in my day, the MWR Rod and Gun did all the gun sales, now it's hit the big store.
My Binging (doesn't have the same ring as "Googling", does it?) tells me that if I had ever dropped by a gun forum I'd have known this, but none of them ever wanted to accept my handle, so I didn't bother. Besides, Forums (Fora?) can get silly, and there's enough silliness ion my life already, don't need to voluntarily add more.
Also, I have to think me settling close to a Navy base had something to do with it. No guns allowed there, whatsoever. They even shut down their postage-stamp range a few years back.
Ah well, nice to see progress. Might have to pop over to Ft Campbell and see what they have.
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Found via Facebook:
Most Heavily Decorated Soldier
Watch this film about Bob Howard who was nominated for the Medal of Honor 3 times. You can only receive it once in a lifetime. He was not a simple man. He had two masters degrees, but he also served us all for 50 years in the uniform of the U.S. Army. Rest in Peace, Bob Howard.
 | Medal of Honor |
  | Distinguished Service Cross (with one oak leaf cluster) (2 awards) |
 | Silver Star |
 | Legion of Merit (with three oak leaf clusters) (4 awards) |
  | Bronze Star (with three oak leaf clusters and "V" device) (4 awards) |
  | Purple Heart (with a silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters) (8 awards) |
 | Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters) (3 awards) |
 | Air Medal (with "V" Device and numeral 3. One award for heroism and two for aerial achievement) |
 | Joint Service Commendation |
 | Army Commendation Medal (with "V" device and one each silver and bronze oak leaf clusters. 4 awards for valor and 3 for achievement) |
 | Joint Service Achievement |
 | Army Achievement |
Presidential Unit Citation (Army) with oak leaf cluster (2 awards)
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army)
Navy Unit Commendation
Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation with Palm (Unit citation)
Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation with Palm (Unit citation)I was over in Saudi Arabia, in what was then called "Operation Desert Shield".
Count your blessings this Christmas, and remember the men and women of the armed forces spending theirs in harm's way.
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I spotted this by one of my Facebook friends:
I am a Veteran. I appreciate your words of thanks for my service, but I did not serve for thank yous. I served and was and am willing to lay down my life becasue I believe. I believe in my country and it's principles and all that it stands for and all that it is. Instead of thanks I only ask that you believe in those same things and honor that for which we served. Thank youAfter reading Robb's take on this fine day,where he says:
God bless America, and God bless each and every one of you for giving me something worth fighting for.
Everyone, meet Wojtek (Voytek) the Soldier Bear.
The bear loved smoking cigarettes, drank beer right out of the bottle like a regular infantryman, and got a kick out of wrestling and play-fighting with the other soldiers. Of course, he was the most badass asskicking wrester in the entire company, thanks in part to the fact that he grew to be six feet tall, weighed roughly five hundred pounds, and could knock small trees over with a single swing of his massive, clawed paw.Yes, it's a true story. Thanks to Breda for the pointer.
The Intersection of Intelligence and Arrogance
Reading this brought me back to my days in the Army, "teaching" young lieutenants and hotshot young NCO's:
The high competence, high arrogance leader can win any individual battle but lose the war. Bosses with this combination create subordinates who become adept at passive aggression. Of course they say all the right words and show appropriate compliance, but they secretly take pleasure in the inevitable obstacles and setbacks the high competence/arrogance style creates. And they will watch passively as the leader fails when in fact they could help. The world enjoys seeing bright but arrogant people get their comeuppance.Notice I said "young". It's important that these types stumble one good time in their formative years, to prevent them from becoming set in their ways and becoming an insufferable ass later in life.
Most would agree the men who landed at Normandy on D-Day were brave beyond all expectation.
What would you call Bill Millin, a man who landed at Normandy on D-Day armed only with a set of bagpipes?
As the landing craft grounded off the Normandy beaches, Mr. Millin jumped into the water from his ramp, noting that the shock of the freezing cold water had made him completely forget his seasickness. He strode ashore through the surf continuing to play right up the beach. Not everyone in the unit approved of the musical accompaniment. Some cheered. Others yelled "mad bastard" at him — a sobriquet normally reserved for the commanding officer.The greatest generation continues to impress.
As Mr. Millin recalled, the speed of the brigade's advance tended to make him forget his fear. As he ran through the bagpipe repertoire the process seemed to gain an unearthly momentum of its own. When another officer told him to run, he heard himself saying calmly: "No, I won't be running sir. I will just play them as usual."
This comes via Heli Gunner Tom, a Vietnam vet and blogger:
"Today, people think they are being trendy and paying for coffee or something for the next guy in line. They call it "PAYING IT FORWARD." Well, the TRUE inventors of paying it forward are ........VETERANS!You'd be surprised how prevalent that feeling is among veterans. I know a lot of bloggers and readers are veterans, I have to ask: how many have registered with the VA? Like Tom says:
....
So the next time someone [a vet] says he doesn't want any freebies or handouts, remind him or her. If you served, you already paid for it in advance.
God bless you
Nick
Get, study, learn and research to get ALL OF YOUR LEGAL BENEFITS, and now! Your spouse can benefit too, with the 'hidden' CHAMPVA provisions that the VA does NOT want you all to know about. Please, do your homework, now!In the interest of full disclosure, I am not yet registered with the VA. I figured, being retired military meant I didn't have to. But, after a conversation with my uncle (retired Navy), I'm going to go ahead and register.
Yeah, he's ex-Special Forces, yeah, he pays his way into places of danger, but Michael Yon can do all that without my support.
You see, not only did he sign on the the Mexican gun canard, and called those of us who questioned him fanatics.
He also says many who blog about the war are Milkooks, who should be squeezed out.
Well, I really don't consider myself a "Mil blogger Kook" as I've retired and moved on the Veteran stuff, but I remember what it was like to be a soldier. I remember knowing how my back was covered, whether it was in war, or at the bar on Friday night. I also remember how we treated those who didn't have our backs.
I'll let the Major say it for me:
My "from the hip" response: Eat shit, mike yon. Eat. My. Shit.Thanks to SayUncle for most of the links on this, and to Kevin, for linking the Major, who has a comment on Michael's military experience:
My well reasoned and thought out response: Mikey, Milbloggers made you as popular as you are. If it weren't for sites like Blackfive and Mudville Gazette, you would be the saddest panda in Iraq right now, living hand to mouth on the mercies of people who had not (yet) had enough of your silly shit and tantrums to stop putting up with you. You may have been taking good pictures, but nobody would have noticed, were it not for us "milkooks."
I have spent more time looking for a quiet place to shit than you have soldiering.Never underestimate a nice, quiet, dump. Or a pissed off soldier.
First, it's Flag Day. I love this anecdote:
On June 14, Theodore Roosevelt was dining outside Philadelphia, when he noticed a man wiping his nose with what he thought was the American Flag. In outrage, Roosevelt picked up a small wooden rod and began to whip the man for "defacing the symbol of America." After about five or six strong whacks, he noticed that the man was not wiping his nose with a flag, but with a blue handkerchief with white stars. Upon realization of this, he apologized to the man, but hit him once more for making him "riled up with national pride."LOL, Teddy was one interesting guy
Imagine returning home from combat facing devastating injuries and long term hospitalization - in a facility hundreds of miles away from your family.
Imagine somebody brings you together.
That's what is being proposed.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has decided to name the Navy's newest San Antonio Class amphibious transport-dock LPD 26 the USS John P. Murtha. This is a slap in the face to every service member who bridled when Murtha publicly accused Marines in Iraq of intentionally killing women and children in cold blood.
