Carmichael's Position

At Least Your Mother Named You Appropriately... Dick!

I would normally confess that I cannot believe I missed this when published on April 11th... but then again since when to I make a habit of reading the intellectually bankrupt opinion section of the New York Times?

In a piece of shit written by Dick Cavett (yes that Dick Cavett) he takes on the oratory skills of General Petraeus and Ambassador Cocker in their recent testimony before Congress on the progress in Iraq.  Now I too have been critical of public figures oft ignorance of proper oratory, our current sitting president leaps to mind.  However, even if I were to critique someone who's politics I disagreed with (Al Gore and his three step inflection cadence) I would try to focus on the technical aspects of the presentation.  I would not stoop to the insulting degree the "Oh So Perfect" DICK.... Cavett did in penning the following paragraph:

I can’t look at Petraeus — his uniform ornamented like a Christmas tree with honors, medals and ribbons — without  thinking of the great Mort Sahl at the peak of his brilliance. He talked about meeting General Westmoreland in the Vietnam days. Mort, in a virtuoso display of his uncanny detailed knowledge — and memory — of such things, recited the lengthy list (”Distinguished Service Medal, Croix de Guerre with Chevron, Bronze Star, Pacific Campaign” and on and on), naming each of the half-acre of decorations, medals, ornaments, campaign ribbons and other fripperies festooning the general’s sternum in gaudy display. Finishing the detailed list, Mort observed, “Very impressive!” Adding, “If you’re twelve.”

FRIPPERIES!  FRIPPERIES????  You SOB!  for those of you who do not want to waste your time looking it up, Fripperies are "Something trivial or nonessential".

What is it with Liberal Elitist Media Cretins of your ilk that cannot recognize that these Fripperies, are conferred, not handed out freely!  These ribbons, epaulettes, insignia all convey immediately to the KNOWLEDGABLE the service rendered by the one wearing them.  One does not have to know the details of the actions taken by the wearer, to recognize that the Bronze Star!  Is not given for a good one liner right before the commercial break!  You try earning one.. DICK!

And as for your reference to ... “Very impressive!” Adding, “If you’re twelve.” 

Or maybe... Just Maybe!!!...  If you were raised to respect sacrifice?  Dedication to Duty?  Honor? Courage? Commitment? Bravery? Selflessness?  All words of which you appear to be completely ignorant... DICK!

Here's some of what is on the General's Chest (an Oak Leaf signifies additional times the medal was awarded, and "V" device signifies "Valor" in Combat):

  Defense Distinguished Service Medal

  Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster)

  Defense Superior Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster)

  Legion of Merit (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters)

  Bronze Star (with “V” Device)

  Defense Meritorious Service Medal

  Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)

You sanctimonious venal elitist... You sicken me!  I used to find you mildly amusing.  Now that you have unveiled your true colors in your contempt for men like General Petraeus and by proxy all men and women in uniform, I have no use for you or your opinion.  Go sip your Gin and Tonic at the local MoveOn cocktail party cracking malicious mean spirited grammatically accurate vocabulary rich jokes at the Military's expense.  But understand this... those who serve in the Armed Forces get paid to protect YOU and YOUR fellow liberal intellectual's FREEDOMS... All other Americans, they protect because they want to!

Nice... DICK!

So, You're Telling Me They Call You "Mariah?"

Cool commercial...  Hat tip to my fiend Tommy for calling attention to it via his Blog "Driving Fast, Taking Chances."  Yeah, I figured out the metaphor about 10 seconds into it, creative though.

Especially relevant considering who I work for now... yes I can help your company explore alternative energy options... Ping me at jcarmichael@nuenergen.com and visit us at www.NuEnergen.com .

The Mariah reference, for those of you born in the MTV generation, is in regard to a song from the musical "Paint Your Wagon."  One of the only Musicals a Heterosexual male can publicly claim to enjoy!  Hell, It starred Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin for God's Sake!  (Who both sang in the Movie!!!! No Seriously!!! They Did!!)

William F. Buckley Jr. (1925-2008) Farewell...

One of my favorite writers, commenter and thinkers has passed, and the world will be a lesser place for it.

Bill Buckley founded one of the stalwarts of conservative thought and commentary with the publication of National Review in 1955.  And from that time has provided our citizenry excellent mentorship in the ways of Conservative Thinking.

Some of my favorite quotes are from this man.  Here are but a few:

• “Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.”
• “Back in the thirties we were told we must collectivize the nation because the people were so poor. Now we are told we must collectivize the nation because the people are so rich.”
• “It had all the earmarks of a CIA operation; the bomb killed everybody in the room except the intended target!”
• “Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.”
• “I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University.”

All continue to have merit... especially in today's desert of political rhetoric, void of intellect, creativity and substance.

You will be missed Bill -- albeit more so by those of us on the right... those on the left on the other hand are just bummed the news of your passing interrupted the Oprah show!  Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Goodnight Bill...

This is why I have problems with how the "War" is reported.

I'm sure the AP, CNN, NBC the NYT and the usual suspects in the media were as giddy as a 5 year old waiting for Santa's visit on Christmas, waiting in grotesquely eager anticipation for the number 853 to arrive!  Knowing they would be able to publish the following headline!

"2007 Is Deadliest Year for US in Iraq"

BAGHDAD (AP) - The U.S. military on Tuesday announced the deaths of five more soldiers and one sailor, making 2007 the deadliest year for U.S. troops despite a recent downturn, according to an Associated Press count.

At least 853 American military personnel have died in Iraq so far this year—the highest annual toll since the war began in March 2003, according to AP figures.

The grim milestone passed despite a sharp drop in U.S. and Iraqi deaths here in recent months...

"Sharp Drop..." here's just how sharp! [From the Department of Defense]

 

And I might add that is with a significant increase in the number of Americans in country beginning in June!  Remember the much criticized "Surge" that had failed according to "Give-up" Harry?

Why the drop off?  Well it would appear based on IED explosions (what killed the 5 that triggered the "Headline Alarm!") the US and coalition forces have begun to succeed in their efforts to get to the cowards before they get to us!

Yes, it is truly tragic to have lost 853 Americans in the efforts to bring freedom to the people of Iraq, but to leverage their deaths to advance the questionable slant of the left and their media lap-dogs is a disgrace!

Look at the "Trend!"  our efforts are dramatically IMPROVING!!! or would that be detrimental to the nay-sayers and surrenderists? 

Now, excuse me... I have to go lick my cat's butt to get this taste out of my mouth!

Oh the Places One Can Go...

But it turns out... I don't have to.  The British Media pretty much... uh... ehm.... er.... a.... "Handles" the commentary in their "quote" selection.

See if you can identify the topic of discussion based on the quotes selected for the article.

1. "I have to say [it] smacks of a government out of touch."
2. "We do consider the broader needs of our people, both physical and psychological,"
3. Brigadier Andrew Nikolic said the "holistic needs" of service personnel were considered under defence policy.
4. An armed forces spokesman defended the operations, saying they were carried out for psychological reasons, not to make sailors "look sexy".

Yep... the subject at hand of the article is:

Australia navy in breast op row

Australia's opposition Labor Party has questioned the need for female sailors to be given breast enlargements paid for with public money.

And it was the opinion of Labor defense spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon

"On the face of it, taxpayer-funded breast enhancement is a questionable practice," ... "I have to say [it] smacks of a government out of touch."

TOO.... MANY.... JOKES!...MUST..... NOT..... COMMENT!!!!!!

HT: Lex

I Bet our Boots on the Ground in Iraq Sure Wish there were more Terrorists using Volkswagens in Their Quest to Meet 27 Virgins (or however many are left up there)

Hehehe...  Unfortunately because of our squeamish PC - cushy armchair and a Latte' on demand...  "oooh we certainly don't want to offend the sensibilities of fanatic Islamics"-  society... we'd never see this on our local cable broadcast of American Idol (is that an oxymoron today?). 

But what a great Advertisement for VW!  Enjoy! [link]  HT-Steve H. for this one!

The Instrument Has Yet to be Built That Can Measure My Disdain for People Like Brian De Palma

Evidently this knucklehead so hates American Troops in the Field that he will go to great lengths to associate an isolated vile incident perpetrated by a gang of dirtbags who just so happened to be in the US Army.

VENICE (Reuters) - A new film about the real-life rape and killing of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl by U.S. soldiers who also murdered her family stunned the Venice festival, with shocking images that left some viewers in tears.

"Redacted", by U.S. director Brian De Palma, is one of at least eight American [?] films on the war in Iraq due for release in the next few months and the first of two movies on the conflict screening in Venice's main competition.

Inspired by one of the most serious crimes committed by American soldiers in Iraq since the 2003 invasion, it is a harrowing indictment of the conflict and spares the audience no brutality to get its message across.

De Palma, 66, whose "Casualties of War" in 1989 told a similar tale of abuse by American soldiers in Vietnam, makes no secret of the goal he is hoping to achieve with the film's images, all based on real material he found on the Internet. [so it must be true! ed.]

"The movie is an attempt to bring the reality [who's reality?]of what is happening in Iraq to the American people," he told reporters after a press screening.

"The pictures are what will stop the war. One only hopes that these images will get the public incensed enough to motivate their Congressmen to vote against this war," he said.

Abeer Qasim Hamza al-Janabi was gang raped, killed and burnt by American soldiers in Mahmudiya, south of Baghdad, in March 2006. Her parents and younger daughter were also killed.   Continued...

There is plenty of blame to be distributed in the particular case. That de Palma has chosen to leverage this tragic and vile incident in his campaign to demonize all things associated with the Iraq War and the US Military and as a representation of the behavior of "US Soldiers" is utterly contemptuous!

Remember the recruitment phrase leveraged by the US Army at the time?  "An Army of One!"  No marketing phrase could better represent these vermin who were and are still individuals, who still have free will.  They inconsiderately wear the uniform and are too STUPID to recognize the whole that they in turn represent!  In my mind, this is one of the most inexcusable and most extreme failings of the US Army, that of not instilling a more resilient sense of DUTY, HONOR, and COUNTRY in the minds of its recruits.  Morality is not a word we need to shy away from, it needs to be engrained.  Which I am quite sure a man of Mr. De Palma's philosophical leanings would have trouble blessing as well!

Where De Palma and his ilk are the most despicable are in their flagrant and willful disregard for Accurate Statistical Representation.  Yes atrocities occur in warfare, and the United States Military has gone to great lengths to reduce the occurrence of these incidents, eliminated? no, but greatly reduced? Absolutely!  But the "oh so sanctimoniously sensationalistic acrimony" piously pontificated by those who so hate the Martial Philosophy of Warriors is sickening and tiresome!  The "feeding frenzy for the surreal"  mentality of today's Hollywood producers and the leftist propagandists  "Reporters" in the Mainstream Media (yes that line has blurred tremendously) has become so paramount the result is to all but censor the overwhelmingly positive behavior, conduct and professionalism in today's United States Armed Forces.

De Palma openly states his vainglorious wish... "The pictures are what will stop the war. One only hopes that these images will get the public incensed enough to motivate their Congressmen to vote against this war"

Propagandist for the Militant Extremists is what this equates to.  It will receive more screenings and lauded support from peaceniks, Al Qaeda, and our (that'd be the United States') other sworn enemy than any other!  The vile vermin who perpetrated this act DO NOT in any way shape or form represent the other 99.999 percent of United States Army Soldiers!  But alas this is what movie makers the likes of De Palma would have you believe.  Which is the bigger lie?  In the illustrated case De Palma uses as his Metaphor for all things military, these scum were tried, and convicted and incarcerated for their crimes!  I would think most intelligent people could easily see why the US Army would not really want to publish commercials on Monday Night Football using these wretched repulsive dregs as spokesmen!

But De Palma chooses to use these individuals as Poster Children for the US Army.  You have to ask yourself,... better yet... go ask a returning veteran, or your serving brother, or father... "So how many innocents did you rape today?"... I'll wait............................... 

When you recover from the physical punctuation of the delivered answer... maybe, just maybe you'll begin to understand the degree of contempt that representative accusations, like Mr. De Palma's tripe, really deserve. 

Be weary of the enemy in our midst... The methods employed by these empowered few, who choose to view life through the narrowest of keyhole, are on the precipice of pernicious propaganda in Machiavellian proportions and cater to the addle mind.

"All propaganda has to be popular and has to accommodate itself to the comprehension of the least intelligent of those whom it seeks to reach."
    ---  Adolf Hitler

Opus Deleted?

I'd have to say I agree with Lex here... I really do not see the offensive ways of the following comic strip by one of my favorites... Berke Breathed.

...The rest of the strip is here [Link] copyright Berke Breathed Dist. the Washington Post Writers Group.

It is clearly a lampoon of our "fickle society, dedicated to chasing the latest greatest shiny object of spiritual enlightenment", Breathed points out our "willows in the winds" propensity in a quite current and topical... I might add humorous... way.

But noooo the ever politically correct and inoffensive Washington Post chose not to display this panel in their Sunday comics.  I guess out of fear of respect for the peace loving and oh so understanding Radical Islamic ways.

Seriously if this were a stab against Catholicism, Baptists, Evangelicals there would have been no second thoughts... Oh brave Sir Robin! 

Propaganda? What Propaganda? This is NEWS!!!!

Yeah but I've pictures to prove it! 

So tell me again why it is important to be educated in multiple disciplines?  We'll to be precise, so you can determine the difference between Brownies and Mule Muffins!!!

What's wrong with this picture and the associated caption? 

The Caption as it appeared:

" An elderly Iraqi woman shows two bullets which she says hit her house following an early coalition forces raid in the predominantly Shiite Baghdad suburb of Sadr City.

No joke folks this appeared as Hard News from AFP (Agence France-Presse)and here's a couple of links to prove... link to a screen shot - provided courtesy of the Autonomist  and to France 24 hour News Channel (or if they've been taken down I'm supplying a couple of screen captures).  The picture was taken by - Wissam al-Okaili © 2007 AFP.

Ok, for all you ANTI-GUN Pansies out there who have never made the attempt to understand cartridge fired projectiles... that's "BULLETS" to you macrame heads in Boulder!   Allow me to explain:

What she is holding in her hand are cartridges!  Which is comprised of a bullet and a Shell or Cartridge Casing. See Diagram on the right:

The way a bullet is delivered is via pressure! 

1. A pin aptly referred to as a "Firing Pin" strikes a mini-explosive cap located in the end of a cartridge called a Primer.
2. That primer then experiences a mini-explosion that rapidly ignites the Gun powder contained in the Casing.  Gun Powder when excited, explodes (burns real fast actually) the resulting release of energy = Heat and extreme pressure! 
3. The bullet in the business end of the cartridge is like a cork in a champagne bottle.  When the pressures in the bottle (cartridge) become to great to for the bullet to sustain it's friction grip on the sides of the casing... the bullet departs!... Rapidly!  Usually through a tube!  AKA Gun Barrel!  Assuming the instigator of this process want's accuracy in delivering said bullet.  Otherwise assuming you would like to have a Darwin award named in your honor, you can simply tape a small stone to said primer and simply drop the cartridge (Bullet and All) on a hard surface... good luck with that sparky!
4. The loud and oft annoying BANG is usually the tell tell sign someone has actioned a bullet.

So what she is so proudly displaying to the all too willing propagandist journalist are a pair of bullets that "Done never been fired!"  This is not to say that these two exhibits weren't... uh... thrown at her house!  Probably by the propagandist uh reporter!

To the New Republic... We'll be waiting!

BlackFive and a number of others do this story much more service than I can ever:  But let's just say I'll be waiting for those sensationalistic Bovine Scatology Brokers over at the New Republik to chow down!!!  (I'm thinking it will be a loooooonnnnnggggg wait!)

Blackfive links about Private Scott T. Beauchamp and the New Republic:
RE:  The New Republic's Correspondent a Fake? (Blackfive, July 18)
RE:  The Unavoidable BS at The New Republic  (Uncle Jimbo, July 18)
RE:  I'm Sending CPT Wedley to Speak With Scott Thomas (Blackfive, July 19)
RE:  Scott Thomas Bull (Laughing Wolf, July 21)
RE:  Scott Thomas, Franklin Foer and TNR - Beatdowns for All (Uncle Jimbo, July 22)
RE:  Scott Thomas, MFA? (Laughing Wolf, July 25)
RE:  Scott Thomas Beauchamp, Still Wondering about the MFA (Laughing Wolf, July 26)
RE:  Private Beauchamp- Requiem for a dung beetle (Unlce Jimbo, July 26)
RE:  Bleu Beau: Astroturfing? And Let The Pushback Begin (Laughing Wolf, July 27)
RE:  Private Beauchamp and the bravest Chaplain in the World (Blackfive, July 27)
RE:  Beauchamp: Silence and the Severity of the Matter (Grim, July 27)
RE:  Greyhawk sums up Scott Thomas Beauchamp (Blackfive, July 28)
RE:  TNR, Beauchamp...Yawn (Uncle Jimbo, August 2)
RE:  US Army Interviews Everyone in Beauchamp's Unit (Blackfive, August 4)
RE:  The Best Word on Beauchamp (Blackfive, August 6)
RE:  Beauchamp Sinks The New Republic (Uncle Jimbo, August 7)

Iraq Like Vietnam? No... More Like Cambodia...

In the Democrats rush to see who can surrender faster and increase the Francophication of the United States, they seem to be blissfully ignorant of historical precedence.

Many in the "People's Party" are quick to reference their nostalgic favorite, Vietnam War... or more accurately the protests, social uprisings and rifts caused here in the United States by our internal disagreements about the war.  Oh how they long for the "Good old days of Haight Ashbury listening to Jefferson Airplane!"  They rapidly draw parallels to how our current entanglement is identical to the "Un-winnable" Viet Nam Conflict, and how we need to withdraw our forces as soon as possible!  Just like Jane and Tom did in the early 70's!!!  Groovy Man!

Well, like in the 70's, our ability to grasp military fact of successes and set-backs is woefully wanting.  We were militarily successful in Viet Nam especially Tet! and could have been ultimately successful having had the support at home for what was truly taking place at the time.  The same fight taking place in Iraq... A fight against Tyranny and for Liberty!  Both truly noble causes, and ultimately noble in a warrior's mind.  Not however in the pacifists mind where timidity and placation are the foundations of their envisioned peace.  Peace through Strength is an oxymoron in their belief.   

But in an editorial today, in the Washington Post of all places Michael Gerson draws great attention to the failure of vision of the Democrats today and their complete ignorance of history and consequence.  Their greedy desire to make irrational decisions simply to get elected by a fundamentally un-informed and propagandized populace, will do more harm for decades to come relating to the trust (or what will become the Lack thereof) that other countries ever have in the United States... again.  What do you stand for Democrats?  I'm curious?  Defending Liberty? Eliminating Tyranny?  Defending the weak?  Encouraging peace?  How? 

When pressed to address these consequences, most of the Democratic candidates offer a response similar to Edwards's: "As we withdrew our combat troops out of Iraq, I would not leave the region." So America would defend its interests from a safe distance in Kuwait. But how effective has it been to fight terrorist networks in Pakistan from a distance? How effective has it been to fight genocide in Sudan from a distance? This is less an argument than an alibi.

In Mr. Gerson's critique, he calls our attention to a response by Prince Sisowath Sirik Matak during the fall of Cambodia in 1974-5, when the US did not honor our commitment to the region and his country.  Note that US forces were nearby (much like is proposed by Dems today in basing troops in Kuwait ready to react to a threat) but we were tired of war and offered retreat as a solution not defense, to wit the Prime Minister of our ally Cambodia, called a Spade a Spade... 

"...In 1974, a weary Congress cut off funds for Cambodia and South Vietnam, leading to the swift fall of both allies. In his memoir, "Years of Renewal," Henry Kissinger tells the story of former Cambodian prime minister Sirik Matak, who refused to leave his country.

"I thank you very sincerely," Matak wrote in response, "for your offer to transport me towards freedom. I cannot, alas, leave in such a cowardly fashion. As for you, and in particular for your great country, I never believed for a moment that you would have this sentiment of abandoning a people which has chosen liberty. You have refused us your protection, and we can do nothing about it. You leave, and my wish is that you and your country will find happiness under this sky. But, mark it well, that if I shall die here on the spot and in my country that I love, it is no matter, because we are all born and must die. I have only committed this mistake of believing in you [the Americans]."

Eventually, between 1 million and 2 million Cambodians were murdered by the Khmer Rouge when "peace" came to Indochina. Matak, Kissinger recounts, was shot in the stomach and died three days later.

Can history repeat itself?  You bet it can.  Pity we do not learn!

Paris Hilton Going to Jail is a Great First Step to Rebuilding my Faith in Fairness

I had an intriguing conversation with a co-worker of mine last Friday.  Now understand that he and I do not oft see eye to eye, but that is not to say that we are not willing to listen to the ideas the other has on specific issues.

Our conversation that day ranged on a number of politically and sociologically charged topics (Guns, Crime, Drug Legalization, Race Relations, Government Suppression of Freedoms, Death Penalty...etc) yep pretty much every "third rail" you are always warned to avoid discussing in "social" situations.  Of course it has not been my nature to shy away from controversial subjects.  What I do not suffer is purposeless bickering  between ideologues with no hope of learning or educating.

I learned something this Friday.  After ranging on our subjects, I posed a question to him looking specifically for his perspective, as my coworker is of a different race than I and I am curious to learn of why the races unfortunately still have a lack of trust of each other.  Granted he does not (nor does he proclaim to) represent his race in his philosophic position -- no do I mine for that matter.  But I must recognize that he is probably more in tune to the focus of his race, in that I am sure he has heard more than I ever will about the root nature of the apparent distrust, of those who share his same skin color (once again, as I have mine). 

Please know that at no point was this conversation uncomfortable for either of us as far as I could tell.  We were both properly discussing challenging points of our society, and certainly not blaming each other for our society's ills.  Again this approach was very much appreciated.

So the bottom line here... and relating back to the title of this post...  I asked him what has to change in our society to affect real positive change for our respective races to continue our paths to better understanding each other, and putting aside our differences.

His reply... "A sense of FAIRNESS and RESPONSIBILITY!"

Fairness: Our government and our corporations have to really learn to be impartial, truly blind to race, creed, age, sex etc...  This applies to equal pay and opportunity for equally skilled individuals but more importantly in our government's (Local, City, State, Federal) enforcement of our country's laws!   We are a nation of LAWs not privilege.

Responsibility:  People have to stop being "Victims" or "Entitled" we need to be responsible for our actions no matter who we are, where we live, what color we are, what education we have, and how much money we make.  And understand that we are of our own making, we can make our lives better, we do not have to depend on others to hand it to us, nor do we deserve anything... we have to earn it, always!

I thought this perspective intriguing... I could see it... hell I've bitched about it too!  I think most of us have.  Every time we see a politician (regardless of party) not held accountable for the same laws they write.  Every time we watch a Charlatan, Hypocrite, Media  Narcissist the likes of Jessy and Al claim a cause that is truly not the case simply to intimidate and line their pockets... we all lose faith.  Every time those entrusted in our protection abuse that power and intimidate those in lesser social circles... we lose our faith.

And finally every time we watch a Professional Athlete, a Rock Star, Rap Star, or Movie Star get let off of a crime committed simply because of "Who They Are"... we lose faith... in the system we've collectively agreed to be governed by.  Fairness is paramount!  That is why JUSTICE is to be BLIND, it is to make no prejudice outside of the acute facts.

So when I see a judge make a ruling that Paris Hilton is not "Entitled" to softer treatment than that of a "Regular Joe - or Joanne" and she will serve time for her blatant disregard to following the laws of this land because she feels entitled, and above her responsibility... well... it just does my heart good! (although I would have liked to see her have to go immediately.)

It is events like these that cause me to look back on my challenging conversation that Friday, and recognize that yeah, it's minor in the grand scheme of things, but hell, its a start and if we continue down this path, we might stand a chance. 

Jus Say'n

Dangerous Directive Issued to Army Bloggers!

This is very disturbing...  From Blackfive, one of the best voices representing today's military interests in not just the blogosphere but the mass market.

The END of Military Blogging

5/2/2007 8:51:01 AM [blackfive@gmail.com (Pundit Review Radio)] 

The most excellent Noah Shachtman of Wired's Danger Room has a great article with lots of milblogger reaction to the new OPSEC regulations that will end military blogging as we know it.  Yes, that's right - the end of soldier blogging from the war zones. 

Army Squeezes Soldier Blogs, Maybe to Death
Noah Shachtman Email 05.02.07 | 2:00 AM 

The U.S. Army has ordered soldiers to stop posting to blogs or sending personal e-mail messages, without first clearing the content with a superior officer, Wired News has learned. The directive, issued April 19, is the sharpest restriction on troops' online activities since the start of the Iraq war. And it could mean the end of military blogs, observers say. 

Military officials have been wrestling for years with how to handle troops who publish blogs. Officers have weighed the need for wartime discretion against the opportunities for the public to personally connect with some of the most effective advocates for the operations in Afghanistan and Iraq -- the troops themselves. The secret-keepers have generally won the argument, and the once-permissive atmosphere has slowly grown more tightly regulated. Soldier-bloggers have dropped offline as a result... 

Read the whole piece.

What makes this OPSEC especially disturbing is that, good, factual first hand accounts are coming out of Iraq not via the Mainstream Media, rather from grunts in the field.  Their perspective is not sensationalistic bovine scatology, it is sincere commentary of the events they see happening all around them, put in the perspective not of some ideologue with an argument to make, but of a person who volunteered to serve our country in its best interest.  Often times it is made clear by these "milbloggers" that life is indeed difficult in theater.  Enforced more often than not by an air of sincere emotional editorial about the loss of... not a KIA statistic... but of a friend, a brother in arms, a poker buddy, the unit comedian.  Is this death leveraged for political purpose? No.  The loss is personal and conveys more power in its integrity than a New York Times embed could ever even fathom. 

This first person accounting of the War in Iraq and Afghanistan is not simply serving to titillate readers.  Not in the least.  It serves a much greater purpose, it informs the electorate in this Republic of information we need to make informed decisions, often times without the political axe to grind.   

I have said time and time again that I will more trust the unfettered words of a boot on the ground who may barely know the difference between a noun and a verb, but is willing to put his thoughts and observations out there for all of us to see through his eyes; the horrors, the glories, the humor, the sadness, and the compassion of war... Yep, I'll trust that perspective much more than a paid "J-school" trained "Journalist." God help us if we have to solely depend on CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, the NYT, Reuters, AP or yes even Fox as our eyes and ears on the ground in these conflicts. 

So yes, the new OPSEC regulations are misguided, and dangerous to the United States Mission in Iraq and Afghanistan.  And I fully concur with the prophetic thoughts expressed by Matt of Blackfive at last year's MilBlog conference (video captured here and WELL WORTH THE VIEW!) 

"If the Army restricts bloggers, all you will have are pissed-off dissident bloggers who are willing to take a risk...every Article-15  schlep will be blogging and all of the guys in this room who are trying to get the stories out, will not.  That'll be the end."

Why would the NSA - Secret Service be Spying on Diana?

Someone asked me this very question this morning.  My reply,

"Isn't the answer obvious?  A newly available hottie looking for a man of power? And who had the tools to pursue and the high school libido to match?...  Things that make you go Hmmmmm!"

It's the Economy? Or is the Press Stupid?

How the hell are we expected to make heads or tails of the economy when on the same damn day these are the headlines?  Yep! I sure am glad there is no editorializing in the NEWS sections of the papers...

From the UK Telegraph:

US setbacks see dollar plunge to near 15-year low

"The dollar tumbled to a near 15-year low against sterling yesterday on fresh signs of economic trouble in the United States..."

...In a rare piece of good news that helped calm Wall Street after the equity rout on Monday, Mr Bernanke said inflation had been "somewhat better behaved of late".

And then from the AP:

Dow, Nasdaq Climb on Positive GDP Report

Dow, Nasdaq Post Gains on GDP Report Showing That Economy Is in Better Shape Than Expected

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street rose for a second straight session Wednesday after the government's latest gross domestic product reading showed the economy was in better shape than expected, easing concerns that growth was moderating too sharply.

And again from AP:

Fed: Most of U.S. Sees Moderate Growth

Fed: Most Parts of the Country See Moderate Growth Despite Ailing Housing and Auto Sectors

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Most parts of the country managed to enjoy moderate economic growth in the late fall despite troubles in the housing market and the automotive industry. 

The New York and Richmond, Va., Federal Reserve districts reported that growth picked up, while the Atlanta region described activity as "mixed," the Fed said in a report released Wednesday. The Dallas district said that growth had ebbed from earlier, higher levels.

At the moment of this posting, all market indicators are up.

• Dow up 90.68
• Nasdaq up 18.90
• S&P up 12.80

Bums!  All of 'em!

Update:  Recognize 2010! HT Andrea! Nice Catch!

Can Anyone Tell Me Why This is a News Story?

Does anyone out there actually think for a minute that this might happen?

From the kids at Reuters...[link]

Ahmadinejad challenges Bush to TV debate

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad voiced defiance on Tuesday as a deadline neared for Iran to halt work the West fears is a step toward building nuclear bombs, and challenged President Bush to a televised debate.

Yeah... I can see it now Jim Lehrer, or Charles Gibson, or Bob Schieffer firmly seated between Bush and Amadinejad, asking questions like,

"So Mr. Amadinejad what exactly did you mean when you said, you were 'for Uranium enrichment before you were against it... Before you were for it?'"

Katie Couric Won't Go To Iraq... But These Babes Will!

And... Seriously... I have the utmost respect for the Perrfect Angelz for being there entertaining our troops.  It is very nice to see that these young ladies are dedicated enough to spend time in a very dangerous environment to entertain our troops in the field.  Continuing a long tradition of USO Shows.

Here's the story from the NY Times about how this dance troop, as an Army Captain put it... “make us forget about our jobs for a little while.”

And a couple of videos (Both safe for work) of who they are and some of their experiences in Iraq:

• Video 1 Hotel Iraq
• Video 2 For the Troops

By the way... I do recognize the semi-sexist nature of these dance troops, and considering the composition of our troops today I do think the USO (and the DOD) need to look seriously at providing some more "Female-Troop" oriented entertainment.  You can't tell me Chippendales (guys click with care and don't say I didn't warn you!  Ladies... Click to your heart's content!) doesn't have a somewhat toned down act they can take on the road.

Now back to another tradition... that of News Anchors traveling to hazardous locations to read the news in an effort to at least represent the facade of placing themselves in harm's way covering the news from where the news is!  Ala Uncle Walter, Roger Mudd and dare I say it... even Dan Rather!  However... In a now disputed interview quote a few months ago, Katie Couric, CBS's soon to be crowned Grande Dame of nightly news, said that she would not go to Iraq due to the dangers it presented, and that she, as a single mom, needed to recognize her obligation to her children. 

Noble, to be sure... But!  It's the requirement of the JOB LADY!  How many "Single Mothers" are serving in our nation's armed forces in Iraq today?  Bet they wish they had the choice to say, "I don't think I'm going to do my job because it's dangerous and I'm a single mother!... Oh I know I signed up for this possibility but... Tough! I'll do what I want!"

From an Access Hollywood Story:

Katie Couric, who takes over CBS Evening News in September, told Access Hollywood on May 30th that she would not venture into Iraq, in response to an interview regarding injured CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier. At the time Couric was still a co-anchor of NBC's "Today" show.

"I think the situation there (Iraq) is so dangerous, and as a single parent with two children, that's something I won't be doing," Katie said.

Katie's publicist has obviously had a bit of a chat with the future of CBS News and Katie's quote (corrected by the powers that be at CBS no doubt!) has subsequently been altered somewhat:

...following growing tensions between Israel and Lebanon in recent weeks, and her stepping in as the sole anchor at CBS Evening News, she now says she would travel to the Middle East.

At the CBS TCAs on July 16th Katie said, "I think, yeah, of course I would want to be there. I think -- in terms of traveling, I think it will be done on a case-by-case basis. I think sometimes correspondents who have been covering beats for months and even years often have a great handle on what's going on in a certain global hot spot. But clearly if it's going to serve the story, advance the story, and be helpful to the story, I would like to be there. I think it really depends on the situation and what's happening."

Well, at least Katie can Tap Dance!  But then again CBS is getting good at that.  Spinning seems to be their forte after the Rathergate incident!

Robert Scoble to Leave Microsoft...

Wow!  Now there's a headline out of the expected...

I've had the privilege of meeting Robert a couple of times at a couple of Blog/RSS related conferences.  He's a pretty down to earth guy, who has definitely put blogging and the power of bloggers on the map.  He has also been known to speak his mind (which is what you should do on your blog) about all of what he views as good, bad, and ugly about the Goliath he worked for Microsoft.

The beauty of it all is that Robert probably did more for Microsoft PR than Waggener Edstrom ever has.  Hell, according to my Newsgator Subscription to Robert's blog he has over 20,841 subscribers! And that's just Newsgator users!  Those are interested parties getting a daily dose of behind the scenes views of Microsoft, and the unfettered opinion of a pretty bright and articulate voice.

What I really have to smile at is the Headline on USA Today (heheh I'm sure Robert never thought he'd have an article written about him in a National Paper when he first started Scobleizer)...

  "Irreverent blogger to leave Microsoft..."

Normally, I would consider this headline Redundant!  "Irreverent Blogger..."  uh... Duh!  But in Scoble's case I would not necessarily consider him to be Irreverent, rather... Pertinent?  Observant? Useful?

Anyway... I add my best wishes to Robert to a long list of other well wishers, for a long and successful career at PodTech.net.  I look forward to keeping up with his escapades on Scobleizer...

Assuming his presence there doesn't wipe out their servers again! How's this for the first press release in the neo-Scoble era? 

"Scoble-Effect and Blog-Effect Bring Down PodTech for One Hour"

I don't care how al Zarqawi Died!

Once again let's see if the press can dig up anything to make the United States look like a bunch of thugs in Iraq...

USA Today (AP) U.S. officials have altered their account of the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, saying he was alive and partly conscious after bombs destroyed his hideout, and an Iraqi man raised fresh questions about the events surrounding the end of Iraq's most-wanted militant.

The man, who lived near the scene of the bombing, told AP Television News on Friday that he saw U.S. soldiers beating an injured man resembling al-Zarqawi until blood flowed from the victim's nose.

...The Iraqi, identified only as Mohammed, said residents put a bearded man in an ambulance before U.S. forces arrived. He said the man was found lying next to an irrigation canal.

"He was still alive. We put him in the ambulance, but when the Americans arrived they took him out of the ambulance, they beat him on his stomach and wrapped his head with his dishdasha, then they stomped on his stomach and his chest until he died and blood came out of his nose," Mohammed said, without saying how he knew the man was dead.

Personally... I don't give a rat's ass if the SOB was alive and doing jumping jacks before US forces got there!  I care even less if he was then beaten to death by so much as a chorus line of showgirls... much less US Forces (Urh RAH!)-- Actually I think I would have peed myself laughing if it had indeed been the showgirls!  I know ethically I should care, it is the moralistic and ethical proper course.  But after a few seconds of soul searching for an iota of concern for this TERRORIST'S treatment, I came up with... NOTHING, NADA, BUPKIS!

The instrument has yet to be built that can measure my indifference of the details of Zarqawi's long over due demise!

But I do love how my favorite press organization,the Associated Press reports this attributing the account only to a guy named Mohammed.  That equates to "Dave said he saw Hillary and Bill having a warm relationship last week!"  Which we all know could never happen!  Keep digging boys, I'm sure you can find a good story to help the world hate us more, even when we do the world the courtesy of removing vermin like Zarqawi from the planet...

A simple Thank You will suffice!

AP Headlines drive me nuts!

Breaking News!   

U.S. Troops Kill Pregnant Woman in Iraq

Reading deeper however (even through this reporter's... or to be blamed at a future date, editor's "US Military are evil" slant!) the article states in a e-mail from US Command,

The U.S. military said coalition troops fired at a car after it entered a clearly marked prohibited area near an observation post but failed to stop despite repeated visual and auditory warnings.

"Shots were fired to disable the vehicle," the military said in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press. "Coalition forces later received reports from Iraqi police that two women had died from gunshot wounds ... and one of the females may have been pregnant."

So shouldn't the headline read... 

Iraqi man murders his Pregnant sister by not yielding at US/Coalition check point!

The "facts" (very loose term at this stage of the game) written would not even have to change, but in reading the article the Headline designates in Complete Negative Connotation that this is the US Military's fault!  Don't misunderstand me here, I am absolutely NOT making light of this tragic circumstance! I am sure there is no one who feels worse right now than the forces who were required to take action!  If you think for a minute that US Soldiers have a desire to harm innocents... you need to stop watching Oliver Stone Movies and go meet a Marine, Sailor, Airman, or Soldier for yourself!

PLEASE!  We place these soldiers in extremely dangerous and highly unpredictable environments. And in a reasonable hypothetical, what if they had not fired on the vehicle to render it inoperable after passing through numerous checkpoint warnings, and it had contained a bomb, subsequently exploded killing any number of civilians, Iraqi police and... oh yeah a few more soldiers, I'm sure the press would have had a field day in examining why this vehicle was not blown to bits preventing this horrific tragedy by the Warmongering-Trigger-Happy-50 Caliber- Toting- Camouflaged-Xbox-Trained-US Army of one Reservist-Corporal!

Thanks for the report Kim!

One of the Dumber Headlines I've Read!

I couldn't restrain myself!  I read this and ALL I could think of was DUH! And no it has nothing to do with politics (with, I suspect, one minor exception of a phrase that I really think is a requirement in all AP stories).

Here's the Headline!

"Eclipse Tomorrow Will Blot Out the Sun"

Thank you soooo much!  I wasn't sure what this particular solar eclipse would do! 

The other component I was talking about that seems to be mandatory in all AP articles is a reference to the "...Poorest Lands" 

"Tourists and scientists were gathering at spots around the world for a solar show _ the first total eclipse in years, which will sweep northeast from Brazil to Mongolia, blotting out the sun across swathes of of the world's poorest lands."

As in "Damn this eclipse for picking on poor people!  It must be a Republican!"

Nuff Said...

Photo Courtesy - 2001 eclipse image © Wendy Carlos and Jay M. Pasachoff

Arianna Huffington's Blogging Ethics

Like shooting fish in a barrel!

This is too easy of an ethical study!  I will not go off on some categorical rant about how Liberals are so unethical they do not even follow the basics of publishing protocol!  Because I do not think that is necessarily true. 

BUT!

It appears to be true with Arianna Huffington!  Does she not realize that misrepresentation on a public forum destroys credibility for all other representations on her site?  Hell it's not like she has that much to lo