Category: Military

Benghazi: What really happened

This is very interesting: (H/T InstaPundit)

David Petraeus was betrayed by his own bodyguards and vengeful high-ranking enemies in the CIA, who made sure his affair with his biographer was exposed to the public, a new book claims.

MailOnline can reveal a new angle on the story that rocked Washington last fall. It comes from two retired special operations commandos – a Navy SEAL and a Green Beret – who say they discovered a plot against the former CIA director while doing research about the attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Senior CIA officers targeted Petraeus because they didn’t like the way he was running the agency – focusing more on paramilitary operations than intelligence analysis. They used their political clout and their connections to force an FBI investigation of his affair with Paul Broadwell and make it public, according to ‘Benghazi: The Definitive Report.’

‘It was high-level career officers on the CIA who got the ball rolling on the investigation. It was basically a palace coupe to get Petraeus out of there,’ Jack Murphy, one of the authors, told MailOnline. — Via U.K. DailyMail

Needless to say, this is going to be an explosive book and could bring down people in the Obama Administration.

Get the Book:

Ron Paul proves to the whole world that he is an Anti-American twit.

…and an Military-hating Son-of-a-bitch.

Go Read: Disgusting: Ron Paul attacks murder victim, war hero Chris Kyle; Updated | Twitchy.

I do not link to that site often, and I happen to agree with the Ron Paul’s position on economics; but this was obviously not written by Paul himself, but by some smart alleck staffer. Either way, it was low-class and Paul should apologize for it and fire the staffer involved.

Update: Now a memeorandum thread.

Update #2: I just thought of this, and I figured I would bring it up, before someone else did: Yes, I did vote for Ron Paul in the 2012 primary. I did so, because, then, I felt that Ron Paul was about the only person that I could actually vote for. I did, however, vote for Mitt Romney in the general election. The election that the Republicans lost, because of the stupidity of the Republican Party. Just to clarify: I believe that Ron Paul does have some good ideas on economic policy; it is just his attitude towards this military and towards any sort of foreign policy, outside of isolationism, is simply off-putting; this little remark is a perfect example of that.

 

 

New book says My Lai massacre was not an isolated incident

I did kind of suspect this.

The Nation reports:

The My Lai massacre, in which US soldiers gunned down hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians, shocked America and helped turn public opinion against the Vietnam War. Now, a new book by Nick Turse, an Investigative Fund Fellow at The Nation Institute, has revealed that My Lai was not an isolated atrocity: The United States deliberately killed civilians throughout the course of the conflict.

The killing of non-combatants “stemmed from deliberate policies that were dictated at the highest levels of the US military” and was amplified by excessive firepower, Turse said in an interview on NPR’s Fresh Air. The author also recounted how he slept in his car in the National Archives parking lot for several nights in order to copy files on atrocities that were later removed.

Check out the NPR interview:

[powerpress]

I am not quote from the NPR story, go over and read it, please. It make for some seriously riveting reading. This massacre right here, is why I never really cared to go involved with the Military. Because I know that sub-culture very well and it is not a Christian one, I can tell you that much. Another reason was a bullying incident, that happened when I was about 19 years old and working my first job. I really do not want to get into details about it. But, after that happened, I decided I wanted nothing to do with the Military at all.

All I will say about it is this: It is a good thing that I was not armed with a gun, the day that little incident happened. Because if I had been, I would have written this as a former prison convict, who went to jail for second degree murder of two Military recruiters. What happened to me, should never happen to American citizen, who decides that Military is not for them. But, it did, and it made a very lasting impression on a 19-year-old kid, namely me.

Now do you understand?

Taking Religion out of the Military?

I have mixed feelings about this one:

“Soldiers with minority religious beliefs and atheists often feel like second-class citizens when Christianity is seemingly officially endorsed by their own base,” American Atheists president David Silverman told Fox News. “We are very happy the Pentagon and the Army decided to do the right thing.” A military spokesman told Fox News the cross was literally dismantled and will be removed from the base to be in “compliance with Army regulations and to avoid any misconception of religious favoritism or disrespect.” “After a Christian prayer, the cross was removed from the roof of the chapel,” the spokesman said. “During the removal, the cross was dismantled; however the cross was reassembled and currently awaits transportation to a larger operational base.” The military told Fox News the cross will only be brought out during Christian services and will be designated as a “non-permanent religious symbol.” Silverman said a Christian chapel on an Army base in Afghanistan could have put American troops in danger. “It inflames this Muslim versus Christian mentality,” he said. “This is not a Muslim versus Christian war — but if the Army base has a large chapel on it that has been converted to Christian-only, it sends a message that could be interpreted as hostile to Islam.” An Army spokesman said all chapels must be religiously neutral. “The primary purpose of making a chapel a neutral, multi-use facility is to accommodate the free exercise of religion for all faith groups using it,” he said. “We take the spiritual fitness of our Soldiers seriously and encourage them to practice their faith and exercise their beliefs however they choose.” Retired Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin, of the Family Research Council, told Fox News a Christian cleansing of the military is under way. “I don’t think you can categorize it any other way,” he said. “There is a strong effort, led partially by the Administration as well as by atheist groups to destroy the identity of who we are as a nation and that means robbing us of our history.” —- Military: Crosses Removed ‘Out of Respect for Other Faiths’ | FOX News & Commentary: Todd Starnes

On one hand, I would hate to think that having Christian symbols on a battle front could be putting our Military at risk. On the other hand, I would hate to see Christianity being removed from the Military entirely. However, we are in a Muslim Nation is Afghan region; one would think that the Military would want to be respectful of those people and their culture.

It is a mixed bag, and all the more reason why we really need to get out of that Country. Our mission is done there; we killed Osama and we need to leave. We do not want to make the same mistake the Russians made there. Besides all that, Al-Qaeda has moved into other regions and is much more a threat to other interests in other parts for the world now.

So, to this Independent, the quicker we leave, the better.

Military to lift ban on woman in combat

Boy do I ever feel sorry for the terrorists! 😯

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta is lifting the military’s official ban on women in combat, which will open up hundreds of thousands of additional front-line jobs to them, senior defense officials said Wednesday. The groundbreaking decision overturns a 1994 Pentagon rule that restricts women from artillery, armor, infantry and other such combat roles, even though in reality women have frequently found themselves in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, where more than 20,000 have served. As of last year, more than 800 women had been wounded in the two wars and more than 130 had died. Defense officials offered few details about Mr. Panetta’s decision but described it as the beginning of a process to allow the branches of the military to put the change into effect. Defense officials said Mr. Panetta had made the decision on the recommendation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. — Pentagon Set to Lift Ban on Women in Combat Roles – NYTimes.com

I mean, I can see it now, a group of about 100 women — it’s that time of the month — and their fearless leader says, “Hey Ladies? You see that little towel-headed mofo over there? He hollered over here a minute ago and said that he has seen goats prettier than you!”

Al-Qaeda.will.not.stand.a.chance.in.hell…… 😯 Especially if some of them women happen to be related to anyone who died in the 9/11 attacks or in the Iraq or Afgan conflicts. There is nothing more brutal than a butch lesbian, who is a bit of a good shot.

Sexist? Who me? 😉

(via Memeorandum)

Iraq’s President Talabani has had a stroke

I don’t know what role this might play in this stability of that Country, but it is news:

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has had a stroke and his medical team in Baghdad is still trying to stabilize his condition, a spokesman for the prime minister said Tuesday.

Talabani, a rare unifying figure who is seen to rise above the country’s ethnic and sectarian fault lines, has been actively involved in trying to mediate an ongoing crisis between Iraq’s central government and the country’s Kurdish minority.

The spokesman, Ali al-Moussawi, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is at the hospital where the president is being treated.

Doctors have not decided whether Talabani will continue to be treated in Baghdad or will be flown to another country for treatment, he said. He was unable to provide further details.

Talabani’s office earlier said the Iraqi president had been rushed to the hospital after showing signs of fatigue on Monday evening, and that he was being treated for an unspecified health problem.

Talabani’s spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment.

via Iraq official says President Talabani had a stroke – Washington Times.

I will say this much; as someone who was not a huge fan of that war, I really hope that we do not have to end up going back there again. I mean, once was enough, we gave 4000+ of our blood and treasure there, that was enough, if that Country cannot remain stable then let them be victims to their fate.

I just do not believe that America should be the world’s policeman, we cannot afford it, our Military has been run ragged because of it and we need to just allow the Iraqi’s to handle their own issues. Heck, we gave the Iraqi Government enough military equipment to defeat anyone, who dare tries to invade that Country.

Therefore, I believe America’s mission there was truly accomplished, when President Obama announced the end of American’s military presence there. I pray we never need to return again.

Pearl Harbor 71 years Ago Today

It has been 71 years since Pearl Harbor.

The Images:

A civilian killed during the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.

The Speech:

A Nation went to war:

People mobbing a Navy recruitment station upon hearing what happened at Pearl Harbor. I wonder if it would happen today?

Victory:

We Won.
Germany Surrenders
Japan Surrenders

May we never forget this sacred day.

God Bless America.

 

Why is the Wounded Warrior Project against guns?

This does not sound good at all. (H/T to Fred Propheter on facebook)

Although the controversy is just making its way to the mainstream radar, the Wounded Warrior Project has been disassociating itself with firearms and knives for the past couple of years. References on its website have changed from “firearms” to “weapons.” Corporate sponsors such as Savage Arms are now replaced with Acosta Sales and Marketing and UHAUL.

Listening to a recent interview with Wounded Warrior Project’s CEO Steve Nardizzi, well, you would have thought it was ‘ol Slick Willy dodging the question. He started off by saying the WWP supported the Second Amendment and was happy to participate in hunting adventures and shoots as fundraisers—yet it prohibits using the WWP logo at such events.

Nardizzi went on to explain that the Wounded Warrior Project would not co-brand with firearm or knife manufacturers and retailers. He explained, “The return on investment just wasn’t there.” Return on investment? How much investment is WWP putting into the pot? It has no problem taking the firearm industry’s money; it just doesn’t want to be seen in public with us. So, essentially, the Wounded Warrior Project’s stance is that it does not want to be seen kissing us after it is done poking us?

What a great message this sends to our wounded heroes: “You were trusted with assault weapons (real ones, not what politician’s term ‘assault weapons’ when seeking reelection) until you were injured in service to our country.” Then…well, you might decide to hurt yourself so—in defense of the WWP’s reputation, not your future well being—we cannot be seen as partnering with ‘those companies’ in public.”

The author was one of the lucky ones managing to return home unharmed and with a few fond memories such as enjoying a few rounds of skeet while aboard ship. Other returning veterans were not as lucky and need our support.

This was brought out in Leslie A. Coleman’s—public relations director for WWP—response to an e-mail message asking for a clarification to its stance, “Our position regarding firearms and alcohol is in response to the struggles that many injured service members face with substance abuse and suicide and the roles those items often play in those issues.” I wonder if WWP even considered the fact that the extra money could go toward additional support and treatment. Sweeping it under the carpet by playing politics sure as hell isn’t going to prevent a tragedy, but funds and support might!

If WWP does not want to play with the firearms industry, and it is all about the money, well WWP picked which side of the fence it wanted to be on, not me. And let’s go a step further in seeking the truth. It is not about the money. While being interviewed Nardizzi explained that co-branding requires significant internal coordination with lawyers, PR people and others to manage it and finished by stating that we wouldn’t understand it. Really? I certainly do.

Nardizzi was then countered with the suggestion of an offer to cover all WWP internal expenses, then co-brand (use WWP’s logo on guns and knives) as a way to contribute to WWP. Nardizzi refused to give a straight answer. So if it is all about the money and you offer to cover all costs, why wouldn’t WWP jump at the opportunity? Because it is not now, nor has it ever been about the money—it’s about the politics.

During the interview, Nardizzi took the offensive, saying, he “can’t believe donors would withhold donations from wounded vets because we don’t get anything out of it” (use of the logo). Yet, WWP would risk losing donations by playing politics instead of focusing on raising the funds to help our vets.

via Wounded Warrior Project Draws a Line in the Sand Against Guns and Knives.

Go read the rest of that…

I think it is time to raise a stink about this one and let these people know that they are either on the side of liberty or tyranny. Pick a side WWP or get the hell out of business of the Military.