Rep. Jim Moran Gives Ammo To His Next Opponent In Townhall

Sitting congressman tells disabled veteran to sit down, shut up or leave. New tone!



Again, it goes back to messaging. Republicans need to keep pounding the point home that Democrats had control of the both Houses of Congress and failed to pass the budget which brings us to these Continuing Resolutions we have today.

This isn't the first time that Rep. Jim Moran (D- Ickhead, VA) has shown contempt to the troops either.

More: Okay, I read someplace about that this is Moran's last term in office but I closed that tab and can't find it now. So the title might not be completely accurate but I liked the sound of it and didn't want to change it.

Update: Charlie Wrangle (D- Irty, lying crapweasel) said that the budget was a hot potato. I guess Presidenting isn't the only difficult job in Washington.

Hollywood: We Love The Troops! As Long As They Are Fighting Make Believe Enemies

With as many enemies that America has, why would Hollywood need to resort to aliens if they wanted to make a 'Love Letter' to the Marine Corps?

I first heard about Battle: Los Angeles last year while attending Comic Con in San Diego. As you can imagine, there were quite a few projects being hyped that weekend and, honestly, I didn’t pay too much attention to this particular film. Why? Because, when it comes to projects that feature our military, I’ve been let down too many times before. My first reaction is typically, “Here we go again.”
[. . .]
As the release date neared, I was torn. Do I go see the movie, take my licks and try to enjoy the action aspect of it or do I give it a pass? I decided on the latter. I was not going to pay good money to go watch my brothers and sisters get crapped on again.

Then, last week I read an article in which Aaron Eckhart talked about the film:

“This movie, in my opinion, is meant to be a love letter to the Marines. We had their full cooperation. They had my full cooperation. I tried to get it right. I think this movie is very reverent towards the military and reverent towards the ranks, both the officers and the Marines and the grunts. I don’t see how any Marine can see this movie and feel like they’ve been at all taken advantage of. I think this is going to be an oo-rah moment for them.”

That's fine. I enjoy movies with Marines being bad asses because Marines are, well, bad asses.

But why limit them to fighting blue markers where the effects would be filled in later? Have them kicking butt in the Middle East where there is a real war with real people who hate us instead.

Hollywood can't do that. They can't even finish making a movie without changing out the main villain. Instead of China attacking the US this go around, the producers are switching the bad guys to North Korea.

Yes, they are really changing it so that we are invaded by North Korea. So, as [Little Miss Attila's] husband points out, they are going to make it The Mouse That Roared.

Yes, North Korea.  The one without the lights.

I'm aware that North Korea isn't too keen on the US but are they in any shape able to position themselves for an invation?  I don't thing so.  Not without some serious backing with another country three backing them financially.  *coff*China*coff*


Maybe they like aliens because they can use bigger explosions in the movies.

I Maybe Taking Robert Heinlein's View With These Sort Of Things. . .

. . . But I always thought that at it's basic function, the purpose of the military is to kill people and claim ground.

Not trying to fulfill social quotas.

Disgusting

A slap to the face of anyone who has served recently:

The U.S. Navy says it is forging ahead with its decision to name a warship for the late Rep. John P. Murtha, Pennsylvania Democrat, despite protests the decorated Vietnam War veteran was disloyal in his 2006 accusation that Marines had murdered Iraqi civilians.

Three Facebook sites opposing the Navy’s April 2010 decision bristle with thousands of angry postings. The Navy website with the announcement drew critical comments. The Washington Times voiced its outrage in an editorial titled “Sink the Murtha.”

He flat out lied about the Marines on national TV for political gain and never apologized for it when the truth was exposed.

Video: The Most Amazing Jet Take-Off I Have Ever Seen

Incredible.

Lockheed would call this a "software malfunction" and needs to do a little more "regressive testing".

Good demo of power-to-weight ratio of this aircraft! And some unbelievable stability control.

If he didn't come out of the loop wings-level, it probably would have been bad news, maybe taking some of the carrier with him!

Flying through your own exhaust can lead to equipment malfunctions, too, but fortunately he avoided that.

This is the most unbelievable piece of flying you will ever see in your
life. This is how a supremely well-trained US Navy pilot with ice water running in his veins instead of blood, fully regains control of his $70 million fighter
jet, after a problematic vertical take-off attempt that would have killed you or me.

D'OH! It's from a game. The video looked real enough at first. Last time I take a tip from my dad.

The Biggest Brother Passed Away

Dick Winters-- who became a household name by the book and HBO mini-series, Band of Brothers-- has passed away.

From what I've read about the man, he seemed to have been a very humble and gracious fellow. To the point where he didn't want a lot of fanfare for what he did in World War II. It was just his duty.

It makes me wonder if Maj. Winters wouldn't have wanted much attention called to his passing. So it's just as well that the media maelstrom has centered over the shooting in Arizona* rather than over him.

He will be missed.

*Not that he would have wanted the shooting, only the media's attention diverted elsewhere. The shooting is tragic, in and of itself.

Added: If you have yet to read the book, Band of Brothers, do so. It's a front row seat into the theater of World War II in Europe. The mini-series is worth watching as well. Surprisingly faithful adaptation of the book onto the screen. There is some condensation of events, mostly for time allowance and dramatic purpose but it didn't take away from the greater story of Easy Company.

For Those Of You Who Have Served

Thank you. It's two little words and it barely scratches the surface in terms of gratitude for what this country owes you for your service.

And for this day of thanks to veterans, Smitty over at The Other McCain's habitat has signaled that he'll be on duty for a year. He's heading for a land that's arid and dry and-- worst of all-- no access to broadband for the better part of a year. Safe journey.

Best of all, he has a bit of Gaelic up that really needs to be checked out. If only to see how this fits: Come, you sons of hounds, and I will give you flesh.

I was going to play this in Smitty's honor but then realized he would be more at home with this:

Pigs. A Wonderful, Magical Animal *

Is there anything they can't do? Offer bacon, sausage, ham, pork chops and. . . Help heal the mangled limbs of soldiers? Yep, ground up pig bladders is helping to re-grow muscle and nerves for those wounded in the line of service.

Via Cassy:

A powder nick-named “Pixie Dust” is being used to save the limbs of war heroes who have been wounded in Afghanistan.

Surgeons have already used the dust to save several soldiers so badly mutilated that they were at risk of amputation.

Made from pig bladders it has the ability to help the human body grow new tissue to replace large areas of a leg or arm destroyed by blast damage.

The part I like is how the doctors why are performing the task of sprinkling the "Pixie Dust" don't know how it works exactly.

Hopefully, this can be fast tracked for everyday use in hospitals here in the states.

*The title came from one of my favorite exchanges in The Simpsons.

Homer: Wait a minute wait a minute wait a minute.  Lisa honey, are you
       saying you're *never* going to eat any animal again?  What about
       bacon?
 Lisa: No.
Homer: Ham?
 Lisa: No.
Homer: Pork chops?
 Lisa: Dad!  Those all come from the same animal!
Homer: [Chuckles] Yeah, right Lisa.  A wonderful, magical animal.

The View From Iraq

UPDATE: Bob Belvedere is kind enough to link up.

A high school buddy of mine is in the middle of his tour in Iraq right now. He was kind enough to share his photos for this. Obviously, these aren't from the same day.

Early morning.

Birds on the ground.  Bird in the air.

Sandstorm brewing.

Still a ways out there. 

One more day in the life of. . .

Thanks to Chris for the photos and for his service.

Way To Support The Troops

You would think that something as simple as hanging a yellow ribbon around a tree would have universal support.

Not so.



It's a reminder than all politics is local and more people need to get involved.

And Now, Some Eye Candy

The F-22.

Damn, she's pretty.

Very sleek looking.

Flying side by side with the F-15. Compare the two aircraft. Notice how smooth the F-22 is compared to F-15. Stealthy.

The underside of the aircraft. See the zig-zag pattern on the landing gear door and the missile hatches? That's very similar to the same type of construction of the bay doors here.

Thanks for the pictures, Dad.

Military Welcome of President Obama A Total Sham!!

By David Hinz - Posted on April 12th, 2009

According to a report from Flopping Aces, that wonderful cheering welcome that President Obama received with his unscheduled surprise visit to the troops in Iraq, was entirely a staged event.

The troops were interrogated beforehand, with those military members who had voted for President Obama given identical digital cameras and placed in front of the media cameras covering the event.



According to the report from Flopping Aces, a sergeant who was there explained the subterfuge. "We were pre-screened, asked by officials 'Who voted for Obama?', and then those who raised their hands were shuffled to the front of the receiving line. They even handed out digital cameras and asked them to hold them up."

Now then, political operatives from the Administration orchestrate a faux-cheering crowd of adoring military, right in front of the media covering the event, and that media reports?

From the AP:

Quote:

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama went for the defining television shot by capping his first extended foreign tour with a surprise visit to Iraq.

He got it – pictures of hundreds of U.S. troops cheering wildly as he told them it was time for the Iraqis to take charge of their own future.

The war-zone photo opportunity produced a stunning show of appreciation for Obama from military men and women who have made great sacrifices, many serving repeated tours in a highly unpopular war.

So, the professional journalists [stop laughing -- I'm serious here] assigned to report the news of the President's visit, saw cheering throngs of adoring troops, but failed to note the screening process that made the Kodak Moment possible.

The New Media -- Doing The Job The Oldstream Media Refuses To Do