Coalition forces in Afghanistan's Helmand Province engaged terrorists trying to emplace an IED July 13

Watch carefully and you will see and hear that we confirmed NO civillians in the area of our attack. This is our STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE. Of course we know the bad guys don't care who they kill.

Living in Afghanistan

At Firebase Fiddler's Green, Marines live in tents without air conditioning with temperatures well above 100 degrees. The Marines at Fiddler's Green are a part of 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment and serve as the artillery battallion for Regimental Combat Team 3 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Regimental Combat Team 3
Courtesy Photo

Date: 07.07.2009
Posted: 07.07.2009 04:49
Photo ID: 186056
VIRIN:
Location: Firebase Fiddler's Green, AF

The Tools of a True Leader

Photo credits at the end of the post.

I don't have a lot of time these days to write blog entries, but as I was looking through my DVIDS feeds this evening before I pack to run up to OKC and visit Aunt Shine on the 4th, this photo of Marine BGen Larry Nicholson and Navy Rear Adm. Richard Cellon made me pause and think.

Our Commander-In-Chief won't leave home without his technological gadgets yet the leader of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade uses a steno pad and black pen in place of a personal digital assistant.

The two men in the photo make decisions that effect the whole world every day and their simple accoutrements are evidence that the most powerful technology in the world is really the human mind.

Have a safe and wonderful 4th of July and don't forget just how we got our independence. Keep our Wariors in your hearts and prayers...always.

Photo Credits:
Seabees Make Good Time on Large Project

2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade RSS
Photo by Cpl. Aaron Rooks

Date: 05.18.2009
Posted: 07.03.2009 11:35
Photo ID: 185003
VIRIN: 090518-M-6882R-046
Location: Camp Leatherneck, AF
Navy Rear Adm. Richard Cellon, commander, 1st Naval Construction Division from Norfolk, Va., speaks with Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, commanding general, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan on May 18. Cellon said his visit was beneficial, stating that the Seabees at Camp Leatherneck have done an exceptional job despite their tight timelines and large workload.

V4: Veterans For A Strong America

It has taken six months but we have finally found our 3rd director and now we can form our nonprofit, Political Action Committee. Our charter is to inspire conservative veterans to run for local public office and to assist them in getting elected. This puppy is launching with two Marines and a red head at the helm.

Look out America, here we come!

So, it is likely I won't have a lot of time to blog. Our website is nearing completion and you can look around it if you like. We intend to provide a webpage for our candidates, training on how to run for office and connect them to donors across America. So, if a conservative veteran is running for dog catcher in Quay, Oklahoma, a fellow in Vermont will have a place to find out about it and donate to the campaign if he likes.

Never Forgotten......

Zembiec-LZ
Originally uploaded by cute_hubby_&_wife

AK-47's

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report this week entitled, "Firearms Trafficking: U.S. Efforts to Combat Arms Trafficking to Mexico Face Planning and Coordination Challenges."

Among other things, the report asserts that Mexican officials consider illicit firearms the number one crime problem affecting their country's security; that about 87 percent of firearms seized in Mexico and traced by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) in the last five years originated in the United States; and that these firearms are increasingly more powerful and lethal, including "high-caliber and high-powered" AK-47 and AR-15 type semi-automatic rifles.

My question is, who in the US manufactures the AK-47? This report must have been prepared by Edward James Olmos.

Better!

Look! I found my sat map of Guam. It was under all that junk on my desk. I'm writing a little story (fiction) that takes place in Guam. I pieced together this nice little satellite map from Google Maps so I could study the island... It's 2011 and a lot of the III MEF has moved to Guam, 19 Marines have died sudden and violently...Is it murder? Ben, Sarah, and the oh-so sexy Gunny A have to figure it out! By the way, Gunny A is based on a real Marine who was medically retired after being wounded in Iraq. And yea, he is sexy! Come to think of it that fly-boy Ben is based on a real Marine too.

How nice to have my office neat again! Now I think I'll join friends for catfish...

Finally My Arm Works - But Yikes! My Office

Thanks everyone for your prayers, emails and well wishes. Thursday I got to start using arm again. I do have physical therapy for a while but at least I can blow my hair dry now! Yay!!!

But look at my desk! Looks like the rats have moved in.... I'm cleaning and I have my Ruby Slipper up for sale on Craig's List. She overheated (like big time!!!) last week and it's time to get new wheels....

I wish I was with my brother in Reno on the Poker Run (off-roading in the Sierra Nevada's)this weekend but I am cleaning today and I have to do some real work too. I will post something meaningful soon. I do have a few photos of the 2nd MEB in Afghanistan I need to put up and will do so in the next few days.

Shoulder Update

I haven't run off to the four corners of the globe and forgotten about my blog. I just had a little micro surgery on my shoulder last week and have to leave my left arm immobilized for 14 days so typing is not much fun. Be back soon....

Still Dislocated

Well everyone, my shoulder is still not working well after I dislocated it over a week ago. Do you know how difficult it is to blow your hair dry with just one hand? At least I can type slowly and thank goodness Miss Ruby is automatic so I don't have to shift.

The doc says if I'm really good I should be able to do my own hair by next week. Grrrr.... another whole week of flat, straight hair and sexy bill caps!

North Korea, China & Taiwan: Obama's Weakness

North Korea Warns of Military Strike on North Korea

President Obama has made it clear to the international community that he is weak and has little resolve to protect America and our global interests.

The Somali pirate incident and the fact that Obama ignored the recommendations of our military leaders and sent far less than the number of troops needed in Afghanistan clearly demonstrates that he is indecisive and stupefied when faced with fulfilling the role of commander in chief.

I'm sure the fact that Obama is a passive leader has not escaped the Chinese at all. Consider this, China is just ruffing our feathers with the increased incidents of harassment on our naval vessels. Just about a year ago I recall a Chinese admiral remarking to one of our admirals that China should take everything west of Hawaii and we could have the rest. Was that a forewarning of Chinese military belligerence in the Pacific?

America is stretched: Our president is weak, our economy is in the tank, and we are engaged militarily in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Now would be a good time for North Korea to nuke Seoul as a diversion while China takes Taiwan...

Do we let them have Japan too? When I lived in Chitose on Hokkaido(the north island of Japan)the residents were concerned about Russian incursions into Japan. It's not a stretch to think China would eye Japan as well.

Mr. Obama, you have eroded America's strength and invited every bully on the planet to challenge us and our allies. I don't feel very safe since you took office.

Marines Returned From Makin Island

Thanks to my Gunny for this.

In 1942 Carlson's 2nd Raider Battalion landed on Makin Island. 19 Marines died during that engagement including the first enlisted Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor, Sgt Clyde Thomason.

This video is what Memorial Day is all about; honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Please watch this video and remember what it takes to maintain our freedom.

The Joy of Life

Whirling Dervish
Originally uploaded by King Chimp

If we could all just enjoy life this much.. what a beautiful world this would be! This is my friend Riley from the U.K. He has a Gordon Setter buddy named Archie who is beautiful too!

Riley exemplifies why I love Irish Setters, they play as seriously as they work. There is nothing more beautiful than watching them run or find a creature in the bush and then set it. When they retrieve they hold the bird centered in their soft mouths, never ruffing it at all.

Those who think Irish Setters are dumb have no clue how to train them. They have a mind of their own and must be made to believe that what they are doing is their idea. It takes a smart person to train an Irish Setter. So I say to those who claim the breed is dumb: It's you, the human, who is lacking in the skills required to train the breed.

Obama: I Can't Do My Job Because Of Bush

Regardless of what you may think of George W. Bush's presidency and his policies, the one thing that rings true with him and our former vice president Dick Cheney is that they stuck by their decisions... even in the face of being wildly unpopular.

President Obama's speech today was spineless, waffling and full of his constant cries of "it's not my fault, blame it on Bush."

Dick Cheney on the other hand stood his ground that he believes he did what was right and necessary to defend this country. The polls didn't change his mind.

True problem solvers don't place blame. They know it makes them look small and weak. Plus they are too busy working on solutions.

Did George Bush ever one time blame his unpopularity on the terrorists who attacked America? No, instead he went work on the task at hand; the declaration of war on America. Not one time did you hear him say, "I could be a better president but it's the fault of Osama bin Laden, I can't do my job because of the terrorists."

Jeeze Mr. Obama, if you wanted an easy job why didn't you apply for welfare? You get paid for doing nothing with welfare.

Obama is too busy to work on real solutions, his time is spent yammering about bullshit in an effort to raise his public approval rating.

Who would you rather have your back in bad situation? George W. Bush or Obama? Think carefully, Obama will sell you down the river of it means he might get better approval ratings.

George W. Bush has already walked through the fire of the media and left wing lunacy to protect your life and America. I don't always agree with him, but he has integrity - Obama DOES NOT.

Once You Let The Genie Out....

You can't put her back again!

You know what I like most about American men? They're the strongest, most confident men in the world. By and large their egos are so amazing that they can embrace strong women and still know they are masculine. Now that's real men!

Islam supports weak men by subverting women's rights. After all, Islamic men are weak compared to women in general; emotionally and physically and so their abuse of women has to be supported by their religion. That way they have an excuse for being evil. Instead of "the devil made me do it", it's "Allah say's it's my duty to starve, beat and stone women to death at a whim."

I won't say I'm sorry to those men who practice Islam and personally respect women because unless you do something to change how Islam in general is used against women you are just as bad as the abusers.

Kuwait has let the genie out of the bottle...

HOW BUSH DOCTRINE BATTERS ISLAMISTS
Women Triumph in Kuwait Election


Yes, I have contempt for Islam. Sue me... I'm sure you can get free help at the ACLU.

The Warrior Legacy Foundation

Join and support The Warrior Legacy Foundation. I call on all bloggers to spread the word of this important organization.

I must say that there are nights I go to bed wondering if the abuse heaped upon those who defend our country by the media and now our own president will stay the resolve of good men and women to defend our country. Fortunately to date, the egregious assault on our Warriors has not daunted those who choose to protect us.

As we progress through an administration where our president is more concerned about being cool than being a strong American leader, where deprecation of our way of life is the order of the day, and where the actions of our own commander in chief makes it clear that he has no true respect for those who protect us, the need for an organization such as The Warrior Legacy Foundation becomes increasingly urgent.

We must gather ourselves and protect our Warriors from the likes of the ACLU and a self-serving elitist president and his pandering administration.

Bruce Kessler has great coverage on this new organization everyone of us should join and support:

There’s a new gang in town. They’re not trying to act tough. They don’t have to. They’ve already proven they are. They’re not trying to look tough. They look like your neighbors. They’re not teenagers. They have become worthy adults by passing difficult hurdles.

But, they do have colors. They’re red, white and blue.

The new gang is called the Warrior Legacy Foundation. The warriors are not just military veterans but anyone who reveres the contributions and sacrifices of veterans, and wants to see their commitment honored and passed on to coming generations, whether serving in the military or not.

The mission of the Warrior Legacy Foundation:

The Warrior Legacy Foundation protects and promotes the reputation and dignity of every American veteran.

Our Tenets are:

I. Defend the Defenders

(through advocacy and policy influence, we will enhance our warriors ability to fight and win)

II. Care for the Wounded

(we will never stop fighting for dignified and complete care of our wounded troops)

III. Honor the Sacrifices

(we will never forget the Fallen and we will honor the sacrifices made by military families)

Join and support The Warrior Legacy Foundation. I call on all bloggers to spread the word of this important organization.

Winning in Afghanistan

This valuable monograph by Ali A. Jalali in the spring 2009 issue of Parameters clearly illuminates the challenges we face in Afghanistan. The author provides a thoughtful and truly critical analysis of what has been happening (or not happening) in Afghanistan since 2001. He does so in a refreshingly professional and objective manner without the acrimonious contempt (for previous administrations) one often finds in publications produced by some think tanks.

Mr. Jalali served as the Interior Minister of Afghanistan from January 2003 to September 2005, and is now a Distinguished Professor at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies at the National Defense University.

If you're not inclined to read the whole monograph , then at least skip to the bottom and read the three paragraph conclusion.