Leathernecks
A while back, while watching The Kelly File on Fox, I heard Glenn Beck make a remark about the origin of the term “Leathernecks” to refer to the Marines. I decided to investigate to see if he was correct, and … Continue reading →
Category Archives: Military
So, what’s up with Brian Williams?
First, a disclaimer: I don’t know what caused Brian Williams to lie about his helicopter experience in Iraq, and I don’t know what caused him to continue the lie. The lie was egregious, repeated, and seemingly reckless. Seemingly reckless, because … Continue reading →
Hostage Luke Somers killed during rescue attempt
Sad news: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said that Somers and the other hostage, later identified as South African Pierre Korkie, were “murdered by AQAP [al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula] terrorists during the course of the operation.” Somers, 33, appeared … Continue reading →
Buh-bye, Hagel
I’m certainly no Hagel fan. Just do a search for “Hagel” on this blog and you’ll see what I think of his competence, intelligence, and fitness for the job of Secretary of Defense. Now Hagel has been fired—or rather, submitted … Continue reading →
Veterans Day, Armistice Day
Yes, indeed, I am that old—old enough to just barely remember when Veterans Day was called Armistice Day. The change in names occurred in 1954, when I was very small, in order to accommodate World War II and its veterans. … Continue reading →
Ebola response team
An ebola response team is being organized: In response to a request by the Department of Health and Human Services, a 30-person team will be ready to “response quickly, effectively, and safely” should more Ebola cases arise inside the U.S., … Continue reading →
US begins airstrikes in Syria
Airstrikes began just a short while ago, in the part of Syria controlled by ISIS: “I can confirm that U.S. military and partner nation forces are undertaking military action against ISIL [ISIS] terrorists in Syria using a mix of fighter, … Continue reading →
Obama vs. his generals
The WaPo has been reporting on the fact that Obama and his generals are at odds over the conduct of the operation against ISIS. The conflict seems to be heating up (the war against the generals, that is, not the … Continue reading →
Marines on the mountain?
I already have extremely high regard for the Marines and special forces. But if this report is true, my regard for them goes up a slight notch, if such a thing be possible: Their mission: Find a way to get … Continue reading →
Obama orders airstrikes—perhaps
[NOTE: I originally put this post up a little while ago as an update to the post right below it. But just in case many of you fail to notice it, I thought I’d put it up here as a … Continue reading →
Genocide in Iraq: the plight of the Yazidi
[See updates at end of post] Shortly after 9/11 I discovered blogs, and I remember reading a quip that caught my eye. I don’t remember who wrote it, but it went something like this: “I just realized what the problem … Continue reading →
Let’s revisit our withdrawal from Iraq
To refresh your memory, this is how it went down in Iraq in 2011: The U.S. had tried to extend the presence of our troops past Dec. 31 [2011]. Why did we fail? The popular explanation is that the Iraqis … Continue reading →