September 2009 - Argghhh!

The sound you just heard was Van Jones being tossed under the bus just after midnight this morning, so as to not make the Sunday headlines.Mr. Jones joins several other people who have held the President's attention and admiration to get thrown under public transportation when we find out what they've been saying to the President.If this event comes as a surprise to you, one can only assume you get your news from mainstream sources, as they only noticed the story briefly yesterday, and were...

Some cherry-picked comment threads (click the links - the responses to the basic comment are just as important as the comment by itself)/"I don't agree. After 8 years of this, the national interest trumps the families' feelings"."War should be shown in all its ugliness".I take an uncharitable view of Ms. Jacobson's and the AP's action.The embed contract leaves some wiggle room, but not much."The rule regarding coverage of "wounded, injured, and ill personnel"...

The Medal does not make an appearance on this day until the Korean War. Then it jumps in with both feet, illustrating the oft-desperate fighting that characterized that war. First, Sergeant First Class Kaufman and the fighting around Pusan in 1950, followed by a Corpsman and two Marine Privates of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines fighting in the Outpost Battles of 1952.*KAUFMAN, LOREN R. Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment. Place and date: Near Yongsan...

Mind you, the family asked them not to.Bernard’s father after seeing the image of his mortally wounded son said he opposed its publication, saying it was disrespectful to his son’s memory. John Bernard reiterated his viewpoint in a telephone call to the AP on Wednesday.“We understand Mr. Bernard’s anguish. We believe this image is part of the history of this war. The story and photos are in themselves a respectful treatment and recognition of sacrifice,” said AP senior...

Actually I suspect this one will go quick. I'm sure that some among us will grasp the details immediately.The question is how long will it take to get to the big picture.Ry - that's a standard short-nap indoor/outdoor carpet....

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite. ************************* In today's From the Front: (Click on link to read stories highlighted below) Afghanistan My Last Tour: Gunner’s Turret—A different perspective The semi-normal, day to day life of a female Marine: Women in the Military The Gun Line MkIII: One Month…...

Before I succumbed to the propagandizing coming out of the Army PA folks *and* the senior leadership, I was much more careful myself in the use of the terms "warrior" versus "soldier." The warrior can be admired for his personal prowess, but oft-times true warrior societies aren't really very good militarys, and usually get their butts handed to them when they run into a disciplined group of soldiers, even when armed similarly. There are always exceptions, of course. One can...