my 25cents and more

My new baby

2006-08-06T19:35:00.000-07:00

M70AB2. Shoots like a dream. I put 300 rounds thru it today and love it. I already ordered new furniture for it.

Downtown Baghdad

2006-05-21T01:34:00.000-07:00

The view from my roof top, looking west towards the IZ.

How can you tell there is a terrorist at the airport?

2006-05-21T01:32:00.000-07:00

Treason, Sedition and the price of ignoring it

2006-04-24T00:43:00.000-07:00

Two stories got my crow today. I read Larry “I know better than the elected representatives of the people” Wilkerson’s op-ed and read the media take on the firing of Mary “I gave 7500 dollars in campaign contributions to Kerry and the DNC” McCarthy for leaking classified information and became physically ill. Is not their actions, as repulsive as they were, that made me sick. Nor their lionization by the MSM. Is the complete lack of testosterone on the part of the justice department. They have allowed these two, who have admitted sedition, treason and espionage, in a time of war, to get away with it. And please don’t discount my words as those of a kook. The charges I make are severe, but so are their actions. Larry Wilkerson, formerly second in command at the state department, admits openly that while he was at the state department he worked against the policies of the elected representatives of this nation. That is treason and sedition. Mary McCarthy, who disagreed with the CIA foreign detention camps, released information of their existence in order to force them to close. That is treason and espionage. But lets say we forget those two. After all, the damage is already done and this spineless administration does nor want to look “mean”. The problem is that this is not about Democrats, it is about our democracy. If we allow sedition, espionage and treason to be swept under the rug in order to “foster dialog and debate”, more people will commit treason espionage and sedition.

A great example of this is the 6 generals. Before Weasely Clark retired and started speaking against the elected representatives, no general, retired or active duty, would have thought of bad mouthing the elected civilian representatives. Now any retired general with a bone to pick can say whatever he wishes. What next, active duty generals opposing the orders and policies of elected leadership? After all, been retired does not mean you are not covered by regulations. You are placed on the retired roles but are still a general. Only by resigning can you be free of military regulations. So technically, future active duty generals are free to publicly tell elected officials to go to hell, as long as the officials are republicans that is.

I understand that this president is not a conservative but a Republican. His goal is to advance the power of the party, even if the conservative agenda takes a hit (see no child left behind, prescription drug benefit and lack of border enforcement). But this is much more than a Republican thing, it’s a republic thing. Our republic can not stand if we refuse to defend her against all enemies, foreign or domestic, for political expediency.

Why we win

2006-04-09T10:53:00.000-07:00

One of the many bloggers that I read daily has a recurring feature named “why we win”. When I saw this today, I thought of that feature. Only someone raised with the western innovation and thought process would come up with this.

This building suffered massive bomb damage (4 JDAMS) and is unusable. Well, not quite. Some inventive warriors have found use for a wicked incline and installed a climbing kit.

A-fragging-mazing

Blogging from an undisclosed location

2006-03-29T07:55:00.000-08:00

Well here I am kiddies, blogging from an undisclosed location. Back to the land of the crescent moon and downtown…well undisclosed. The company for whom I work for does a lot of business with the military. My job, as geek for hire, entails occasional travel to exotic locations. This been my second time here, was much less surprising than my first trip. OK off to the details. After landing in the modern KICA I was transported by bus to a tent city in the sand known as AAS. 25 hours later I was on board a C130 to BIAP. A fascinating flight I must say. One of the interpreters flying with us, named Mani, but looking more like a Jassim, had some bladder control issues, He kept on trying to go to the back of the C130 to relieve himself and the crew chief, a young man whose mama probably named Jesus Esteban, but looks like he goes by Steve, kept on trying to explain that relieving himself in the tube while still at the tarmac was not a polite thing to do. After achieving altitude “Steve” finally let the poor man back there. Good thing too. I thought he was ready to piss his pants. A quick road trip later, I found myself stuck in FOB L. And when I say stuck I mean stuck, I could not get thru the skulls of the people scheduling my helicopter flight that my 4 month stay in my final destination would require more than a carry on bag. Finally I was able to leave my counterpart behind and use his seat for my bags. Very polite of him I must say. After an eternity on the slow helicopter ride from hell, I finally arrived at my current undisclosed location. Is a good thing that Al (my counterpart) missed his flight. The company moved him to a different FOB 2 days later. Ce’este la vie. My new home, is a 3 bedroom apartment shared by 5 geeks. Interesting place. I will be posting more in the coming days.

Marvel Comics Does Right

2006-03-09T19:11:00.000-08:00

Do you remember the days when the entertainment industry was patriotic? You don’t? Well don’t fret. There is someone outside of country music (Dixie chicks and Tim Mcgraw excluded) that gives a shit about the troops. I picked this up today while doing SRP (Soldier’s Readiness Program). It was freely available to all soldiers (and old civilians like me). So enjoy the cover.

They really believe this crap!!!!

2006-02-15T19:43:00.000-08:00

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conferences, told Javier Solane, EUs foreign policy chief, that:

"In Europe unfortunately Muslims have taken the place of Jews during World War II:

Really mehli???? Well lets review and contrast:

Jews during WWII

Muslims today:

Jews during WWII:

Muslims today:

Once more, so endeth todays leason

Amen brother, amen

2006-02-10T16:27:00.000-08:00

http://www.michnews.com/artman/publish/article_11613.shtml

mecca delenda ist

The incredibly multiplying cartoons

2006-02-09T16:56:00.000-08:00

The 12 original Danish cartoons failed to piss anyone off. So the Danish imams decided to show them in the middle east. Incredibly the 12 became 15. In the spirit of fairness, since I posted the original 12, I am now posting the added 3.

For whom the bells toll

2006-02-08T15:16:00.000-08:00

I'm posting this that I stole. Because I can.

helloooo out there

2006-02-07T20:15:00.000-08:00

What the…. I post the Jyllands-Posten cartoons and I get no love from the jihadists? Not a single fart__wahhhhh! Come on, give me a break. On a different news, it appears that the original collection was enhanced by the Danish imams with this photo of a pig mask wearing Frenchman (an improvement in my opinion). So, since the imam added the picture, shouldn’t he be decapitated? Just saying that’s all!!

Support Denmark

2006-02-06T20:24:00.000-08:00

Buy Danish products. New nokia phone anyone?

...so here they are.

2006-02-04T20:16:00.000-08:00

Stolen from Michelle Malkin, the goddess of the blogosphere:

Eagerly awaiting the fartwah

The Brave Cartoonists

2006-02-04T06:30:00.000-08:00

I sit here considering if it is worth for me to post the Danish cartoons that so “offend” (a laughable position from a religion that encourages decapitation) muslims. I will because of a comment by Hugh Hewitt. Let me quote directly:

“Cartoonists seeking to offend need to be defended against violence, but they don't deserve praise and certainly not praise for their gift to the jihadists.”

I felt like screaming when I read this. Ok, here is why they deserve praise. Potential consequences. When you publish, write or demonstrate against a Christian, Jew, or any western institution (like that Tom the Tool cartoon) you face ridicule and criticism. When you do it against a Muslim you face DECAPITATION.

When you call GWB a tyrant you are called loony (or celebrated for your “bravery”), if you go to Cuba and call Fidel an asshole you face imprisonment.

Not brave. No consequences.

Brave. Consequences

Retarded. No consequences

Brave. Consequences

And so endeth the lesson.

Never Forget, Chris Mathews calls this " a different perspective"

2005-11-21T17:39:00.000-08:00

Why I dont trust the MSM

2005-11-21T17:19:00.001-08:00

From the Toronto Sun:

Four years after 9/11 and the "crazy zeitgeist" that permeated the United States, most Americans have still not learned to know their enemies instead of just hating them, U.S. political journalist Chris Matthews says.

In a speech to political science students at the University of Toronto yesterday, the host of the CNBC current affairs show Hardball had plenty of harsh words for U.S. President George W. Bush, as well as the political climate that has characterized his country for the past few years.

"The period between 9/11 and Iraq was not a good time for America. There wasn't a robust discussion of what we were doing," Matthews said.

"If we stop trying to figure out the other side, we've given up. The person on the other side is not evil -- they just have a different perspective."

...and this is preciselly why we can not trust democrats or the media (same thing) to fight a war against the enemies of our nation (no, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter and Judge Alito dont qulify). If they can sit there with a straight face and tell us that the decapitation of Nick Berg, et al., the suicide bombing of weadings in Jordan, the extermination of school children in Beslan are nothing but cases of differing perspectives, how can we trust such moral relativism to see and act based on reality.

Firing at a speeding unidentified car comming at your checkpoint is not targeting reporters. Kidnapping and beheading one is. Dropping a chunk of concrete (dummy 500 pounder) at an enemy airplane parked besides a mosque is not targeting civilians, walking into a schoolhouse and executing the teachers is. Giving a high value target a pink belly is not torture, sawing his head off with a dull knife is. There is NO MORAL EQUIVALENCY between the actions of our country at war and the action of the fanatical Jihadists. It is not an issue of perspective. It is not a misunderstanding. It is evil. Even Mathews should recognize that.

It only takes good men to do nothing for evil to triumph.

A lie, repeated

2005-11-11T16:10:00.000-08:00

Every media outlet is insiting on quoting the latest AP poll. The President numbers are in the tank, they yell, He can not lead like this, they cry. Well, the Poll is a LIE!!! the poll ask 1000 adults, 51% democrats vs 40% republicans. IT is a lie!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/client/act_dsp_pdf.cfm?name=mr051111-1topline.pdf&id=2862

Range Report: TAURUS 24/7

2005-05-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

Its finally here. At least here in my greedy little hands. Its Taurus latest example of cloning technology: the Taurus 24/7. A bit of back ground. I have small hands for a man ( therefore the pun about greedy little hands) and most large cap autos feel awkward in my hands. I have been firing a Beretta mini-cougar 8045. Although a very well done weapon, if a bit over engineered, it’s too wide to fit me comfortably and has an 8 round capacity. Hardly a large capacity pistol. As luck would have it, a few months ago I spotted a Taurus millennium at a gun show (ELGS). The fit was superb (the gun and to my hand) but it suffered from a critical lack of accessory rails. I then spotted a 24/7 at my local gun shop, but in the weenie euro cartridge. The fit to my hand was just as good as the millennium, it has a standard picatinny rail and comes in 9mm (yuck), .40 and .45 ACP (oh yeah) so I was willing to risk ordering a PT 24/7 in the manlier round, in a blue finish. Did I mention that it is a 12+1 capacity pistol? Anyway, enough ranting, to the range…

This range day I was accompanied by several co-workers and friends. The hardware was rather impressive: From an M-4 carbine, a Bennelli super 90 to several glocks and sigs. The Taurus was generally regarded by everyone who fired with one word: sweet! Most were very impressed to how narrow the pistol is even with the large capacity mags. The fit was very tight from the box and rounds grouped easily inside a 3x5 at 15 yards. After 400 rounds, we experienced only one failure to fire. It was clearly caused by a too new magazine spring pushing the 12th round against the bottom of the slide. The recoil was not bad, considering this is a very light polymer weapon. A bit worst than my Beretta cougar, but I did fire 200 rounds myself so a bit of hand wear was to be expected. Assembly and disassembly is fairly straight forward if a bit tricky the first time. All in all, a keeper.

A War With No End, The NorKor Campaign

2005-02-11T07:53:00.000-08:00

With the “announcement” by North Korea (NorKor) that they have gone nuclear, the next phase in WWIV is coming into fuzzy focus. Although we all think that NorKor is nuclear we dont really "know" and will not know until a test detonation. The moment that NorKor conducts a test, a requirement to prove capability, all hell hits the fan. SoKor's President Ro is the Jimmy Carter of SoKor. He is terrified, and rightly so, of the NorKor artillery reaching Seoul. The problem is that with his appeasing (sunshine policy) and face saving, he has given Kim-insane enough room to truly believe that nuclear black mail is a feasible next step. So what would happen after a nuclear test in NorKor soil?

SoKors adults, those with enough sense to see what the results of appeasement have been, will take over. Ro was elected by a NorKor funded student movement and an apathetic voting public. When you have lived with the threat of NorKor for 50 years and have not seen it materialized it ceases to be a credible threat and you stop making decisions based on it. If you travel to Seoul, you see a bustling thriving Metropolis. Is only when you drive north of the river; that you get the sense of impending doom needed to be afraid. Without fear there is no need for action and complacency has set in. The older (over 45) and the military know the truth, but have stepped aside and have given the doves a try. After all, war is such a horrible possibility that anything else would be preferable. Now they will, too late to prevent mass casualties, understand the fallacy of that dream.

Japan will go nuclear. The Japanese psyche, affected as it is with images of Hiroshima, has not had the political and emotional will to go nuclear. The nuclear option has not been needed until now. The US has provided a credible deterrence in the region and Japan’s policies has kept them out of the cross hairs. That is over. The Japanese understand the need to fight fascism and demonstrated so by changing their constitution and providing troops in Iraq. They are also, and more importantly, within the Tae Po Dong 2’s missile range. A NorKor nuclear test would have the same effect as 9/11 had in this country. Imagine if you will, a nuclear Fidel Castro demanding money from the US, and you live in Miami. The Japanese are more than capable to produce nukes within 5 years. The thing they have lacked is the national / political will. A NorKor detonation would change all that. They also know that after the W2 administration moves on in 08, there is no telling who would step in. Another Bill Clinton would mean no assistance beyond mere words. They can’t risk placing their national security in Jimmy Carter’s hands.

Taiwan will go nuclear. Although the US would push, cajole and downright threaten Taiwan against the nuclear option, they, like Japan, can not afford a nuclear NorKor and placing their security in the future version of Madeline Albright hands. The mere threat of a nuclear Taiwan would cause a Chinese invasion of the Republic. Strategically, they can not afford to have a nuclear adversary within 5 minute missile flight time from mainland China. A nuclear Taiwan would also permanently erase all possibility of intimidating Taiwan into submission. The Taiwanese are very conscious of the threat to their west and can not afford to delay. They would not actually develop it (if they have not already done so in secret, ala Pakistan and India) but more likely buy their nukes from France. France has tested nuclear weapons recently and has no issues selling to the highest bidder

So what are our (the US) options. Bad and Worst.

Bad: Operation Korean Freedom (or whatever catchy phrase military planners give the next campaign). Special Operators infiltrate NorKor in an attempt to assassinate the chain of command. OIF has proven that spy based, 20,000 feet launched; 2000 pound solutions dont work for moving leadership targets. They do work quite well, against stationary NorKor nuclear and conventional launch sites. Marines from both MEFs assault from the east and west and converge in strategic targets along NorKor. ROK troops go across the border and occupy the first 50 miles to prevent further artillery and short range missile strikes against Seoul. ROK troops, assisted by the US Marines, take Pyong Yang . All this must happen in blitzkrieg fashion or is all for naught. Posturing, saber rattling and UN speeches would only give Kim-In-Sane enough time to wake up to the realization that all is lost and force him to launch nukes into Seoul and Tokyo. Done quickly this can cost perhaps 5,000 to 10,000 civilian casualties on both sides, 4,000 military casualties on the coalition side within the first year. Done as we have done in the past with debate, posturing and UN speeches, 500,000 – 1,000,000 civilians, 4,000 military casualties.

Worst: Operation Jimmy Carter part deux. We “negotiate” another worthless treaty, give Kim-In-Sane some money, and hope he does the “Arafat” soon. The Japanese and Taiwanese nuclear options would come into play causing the Chinese invasion of Taiwan with US and Japanese conventional responses, followed by NorKor nuclear response. 5-15 million casualties in SoKor, NorKor, Taiwan, Taipei, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Seattle and Sacramento. The US and China will not launch at each other, but will launch at the allies.

What is not an option is more conversation. The moment that a nuclear test occurs, the posturing and denial are over. If you think 5-15 million casualties are scary, imagine a now emboldened by our inaction NorKor selling nukes (their only exportable good) to the highest bidder without fear of retribution. A nuclear Castro would not just become a nightmare but a real possibility. Wahabi nukes with colorful names, like the sword of Allah, would be common place. A nuclear Pablo Escobar anyone?