Nothing seen or heard. Nothing. I didn’t get out in the morning, so for all I know it was hopping then. But in the afternoon, in Clarke County, Virginia, on the slope of the Blue Ridge, nothing was moving. Still, it was good to be out. On a more ominous note, I see that the not-so-Super Committee is lurching toward its expected deadlock. Congress, as a whole, has thoroughly abdicated its Constitutional duties, and the Senate especially. There are some members of Congress I respect; but for every one there are three that I abominate.
Yes, I’m Alive
Sorry I’ve been off the net for a while– business travel and getting my house ready to sell, among other things– but I’ll be back up soon. There is much to discuss.
Light Reading on NRO
Just for light reading, here are two recent articles from Jim Lacey at NRO. The first, “A Promise Earned,” eleoquently revisits the retirement arguments. As well done as that one is, the second, “Moneyball and the Military,” is far more interesting. I recommend it strongly.
Interesting Reads
There are several posts over at Battleland’s that I recommend that you read; they are on a variety of subjects, and are worthy to be read, think about and discuss. First article, on the possibly of a return to a draft. Highly unlikely. However, given the rising personnel cost, would a return to the draft allow initial military compensation to be lower. Not sure, since I am not a numbers guy, someone else will have to figure that out. An aside note on the draft, according to some information I was recently reviewing, that when the All Volunteer Force (or [...]
D + 1
This article in Human Events echoes why I think the DADT repeal was a bad idea. Sept. 20 is an important day for gay activists because it marks the official repeal of the military’s 1993 homosexual exclusion law (10 U.S.C. § 654). This happened because the gay-beholden Democrats held power and not because there was a shred of evidence repeal would improve the armed forces. Now our war-weary, all-volunteer military must cope with the consequences of that decision. I’m not a fool; I never believed that there were no gays in the military, and I never was of the opinion [...]
D-Day: OPERATION WINDOW TREATMENTS
Awright, who’s got Liza Minelli playin’ in the barracks??
Two Items of Interest
Here are a couple of items of general interest, having to with budgetary and legislative issues: – Just to stir the pot, more on military retirement reform. – And a gent named John sent this in about the perils of the shrinking defense budget. Rough seas ahead, I believe.
Tilt-Rotor Tuesday
Yes, I know it’s WEDNESDAY, but I saw a V-22 hovering over the Pentagon yesterday and meant to post it last night. Fellow Marine and aviator “Wang” tossed this in: “The V-22 is Safer than Helos [and] Effective” Very interesting article.
Not Something We See Everyday: UCLA Student Joins Libyan Rebels
Yes, this is one way to spend your summer break. I haven’t gotten too far into it, so I’m not sure what to make of thus guy. But it certainly does look interesting. Anyone have more detail?
Maritime Mercenaries
(Link has been fixed.) They seem to be getting the job done out by the Horn of Africa. I am very glad to see the shipping companies stepping up to defend themselves, but I still shake my ruefully at our collective lack of will to go after the pirates. We have the capability.
