Donate
Browse by category
Recent Comments
Browse archives
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006
- April 2006
- March 2006
- February 2006
- January 2006
- December 2005
- November 2005
- October 2005
- September 2005
- August 2005
- July 2005
RSS
- Are they really considering this?
- Ships face Houthi-claimed attack in Red Sea as officials say a US warship also fires in self-defense
- Three Hulls: A Sailing Outrigger for Adventures Near and Far
- Russia’s Main Link to China ‘Paralyzed’ After Tunnel ‘Sabotage’
- Russian government proposes ban on grain exports
- “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity”
- Open Thread – 27 November 2023
- The New Drone Wars – Three Years Later
- Ex-spy Pollard: Israel should have imprisoned some hostage families “to silence them”
- “La Grande Fete de Merci Donnant” Buchwald – reposted 2023
Meta
Open Thread – 7 August 2009
This entry was posted in Open Thread. Bookmark the permalink.
Nice centurion photo. Brings back memories of home. Is that from HBO’s “Rome?”
War is hell. But, why has the USA been at war for almost 8 years with no strategic plan to end the bloodshed?
First, the absence of rules and laws gives adrenaline junkies a chance to be war profiteers.
Second, the fighting overseas has been by volunteers and contractors and the federal government is not quite bankrupt, yet.
Third, corporate media has promoted the fear mongers at the expense of truth.
Fourth, many Americans including leaders and soldiers believe they are fighting forces of evil, Islam.
According to Hillary Clinton, the third front is Somalia.
Hell on earth continues, unchecked.
Wormtongue, there are many of his ilk inside the beltway.
I recognize Scooter Libby and Dick Cheney in the picture on the left. But who’s the other guy, the one with the hat that’s two sizes too large? Addington?
Perhaps prompted by the photo of Imperial Roman Centurion ask the blog the following question:
I don’t always agree with writings of Edward (sic) Luttwak but I always found his book “The Strategy of the Roman Empire” of great interest. Wondering givent the differenc in time and technology whether US strategy in military affairs and foreign affairs does not seem to closely parallel Luttwak’s analysis of Roman strategy? It seems to me IMO that the Romans for their time did better than US! But interested in opinions and facts!
There is much rejoicing in the MSMedia (and presumably in Washington) over the “death” of Baitullah Mehsud. It may well be true, but I would advise caution. I find it suspicious that his demise was first announced to the media by one of his aides. What better cover from nasty drones than to be presumed safely buried six feet under?
I would recommend that the champagne be popped when some tangible, independent evidence of the death is discovered.
Since this is an open thread, I do heartily recommend Cieran’s “Prairie Skies” photo post over at The Athenaeum. He’s a wonder with that camera, is our Cieran.
Given the GOP’s apparently serious moves into Swat & other parts of NWFP, the elimination of Baitullah Mahsud in Waziristan, and the hinted deal to keep Karzai in power next door, what might be done next to move the ball further down the field without another COIN toss?
Col.,
Do you think your commentors are afraid of an open thread and need a topic to argue about?
Once more, would someone please explain to me why we are still in Afghanistan eight years later?
Thank you.
Two old economics stories that I would like to share and get your opinions and feedback:
1. Porsche drama, Gulf states bailing out on the Dollar?
2. Desertec which has attracted lots of backers.
Although these picture are surely meant to get us to think beyond the movies they are taken from, the “old king and Gryma Wormtongue” shot reminds me of memories specific to Lord Of The Rings itself. And these memories are…of a serious and unfunny animated cartoon movie Ralph Bakshi did of Lord Of The Rings in the 1980s sometime. It covered the first 1.5 books and then stopped. It was at least as true to the story as the New Zealand movie, and the animation captured even better for me the spirit and atmosphere I think Tolkien was trying to convey. When Frodo first put on the ring while hiding under that log, the animation suddenly changed form and texture to “show” the RingWorld into which Frodo thereby entered. The animation changed from normal cartoonish to hardedged surreal animated oil painting. The nazgul became huge horn-hatted figures. Things like that make me unhappy that the Bakshi movie stopped being shown many years ago. Anyone who could find a copy
would find it worth watching, I think.
Question? Do any readers of this blog see any real coherence between our foreign policy/relations and our national security strategy? I have always thought that Edwin (sic) Luttwak did a nice summary of Roman strategy in his book involving that title. Have we adopted or improved on Roman strategy given changes in the times and the technology? Looks to me like Rome more coherent but could be wrong. Also why is proliferation so far down the real heavy lifting effort of our government? After all US started it all and looks to me like more nuclear missle armed nations coming down the road and soon! But could be wrong. Is our (US) first team and first team effort on proliferation work?
The centurion photo rocks. No, I don’t think it’s from HBO’s “Rome,” where the uniforms and helmets were remarkably true to those of the late Republic. This looks like a later “Imperial Gallic” helmet from the early 1st Century AD worn by one of those wonderfully fanatical Roman re-enactors. I have yet to see one of these folks in the flesh, but they are reportedly every bit as obsessed with their subject matter as US Civil War re-enactors. Cedo alteram!
Okay, I’ll start. I submit that if the Dow continues to go generally up, and unemployment continues to go generally down (admittedly a big if), then the D’s will make gains in the mid-term elections, and 2012 will be a slam-dunk for Obama. Oh, and the GOP will get even more unhinged than they are now, because it’s all about partisanship anyway.
The struggle over healthcare, while important for the nation, will not have have the slightest impact on the political climate. Anyone else?
I want to retire where they have these:
Tapas
Anyone got a couple mil they can send my way so I can quit the rat race today and move to San Sebastián?
Any thoughts on whether Congress is going to be dumb enough to pass the proposed sanctions on Iran?
Colonel Lang,
Since this is an open thread, here is a barrage of mini-threads.
(1)Just finished re-reading Fred Ickle’s “Every War Must End”. Would like to share with your readership a passage that sheds some descriptive and predictive light on many of the issues discussed on SST.
“In part, governments tend to lose sight of the ending of wars, and the nations’s interests that lie beyond it, precisely because fighting a war is an effort of such magnitude.Thus it can happen that military men, while skillfully planning their intricate operations and coordinating complicated maneuvers,remain curiously blind in failing to perceive that it is the outcome of the war, not the outcome of the campaigns within it, that determine how well their plans serve the nations interests.”
(2) Just read in Marine Corps Times that 7 of the 12 KIAs in the last week were SGT/Staff NCOs. Were this trend to continue it would have genuinely serious implications for the Corps.
(3)The Times of London carried an interview with the incoming CoS of the British Army. He advises the citizens of his country that the war in Afghanistan Will likely require a British Army presence for “30 or 40 years”. He does go on to comfort them though with the assurance that it would likely not be at the current force level.
(4) The Taliban and the various other Resistance groups groups seem to produce new leaders no matter how many we kill in raids and drone attacks.[Here I will avoid comment on the attacks that go wrong and end up hitting wedding parties, funerals,residences with women and children, etc]. I wonder how long these foreign adventures of ours would go on if the Flag Officer/General Officer/ SES casualty rate was similarly high.Would our leadership stand up to frequent attacks on the executive dining rooms,senior officer dependent housing,the “O” Club?
Nightsticker
USMC 1965-1972
FBI 1972-1996
Cold War Zombie, San Sebastian is too expensive and too many ex pats. Costa Rica is quite beautiful, still cheap, good food,but quickly filling up with ex pats.
Col. Patrick – I find it a little interesting, even ironic that a Hollywood depiction of a Roman Soldier would be featured this weekend. Tomorrow being the anniversary of the Battle of Adrianople, the battle which essentially marked the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire. The Roman Emporer Valens, who perished in this AD 378 slaughter, has to be up there as one of the worst rulers of ALL time. This idiot ruler, lest one forget, allowed the entire Visigothic People to emigrate into the Roman Empire, in order to escape from the Huns, the greatest military force of the age. Instead of treating the Goths with charity, Valens through his hand-picked governers, brutally exploited them. Bloody revolt followed. Col. Pat, you know the military blunders and disaster that followed better than I could hope to! Best – John B.
Thought I’d cross post this, if you will.
Gareth Porter has an provocative post up at Antiwar.com in which he views the recent agreement between the Maliki administration and the Shiite insurgent group “League of the Righteous”, that formally ends the groups armed resistance to the regime that:
Because:
But more importantly though, he goes on to outline the contradictory nature between the Maliki administration and the U.S. occupation forces during that time, which eventually culminated in first, the SOFA agreement that set a hard deadline for the U.S. withdrawal that then set the stage for the big Maliki win in the subsequent election cycle that recast Maliki as a popular nationalist:
While I think Porter’s assertion is fundamentally correct, I think it overlooks some larger implications, which if true, are indicative of how the Maliki administration in coordination with Mqutada al-Sadr, gamed the the Bush administration into a diplomatic victory for Iraq, when a simple insurgent military victory was out of reach given the complicated sectarian context.
As I duly noted in the Iraqi Election Postscript post, was what was rather amazing about that election was, that literally minutes after Maliki’s victory in that election, his administration immediatly formed a political alliance with the Sadr organization. While most ignored this development, or some saw it at best, as a sort of self admission of Sadr’s falling star, following as it did, months of seemingly brutal U.S./ISF coordinated attacks on his organization – it struck me as a particularly suspicious turn of events, but a turn nonetheless had a certain logic in that it also just happened to honor all of Sadr’s basic political demands. Most specifically, the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Iraqi soil.
As Porter indicates, the release of Sadr’s lieutenants blows away the (U.S.) myth of the so called “special groups” as working for Iranian interests, when in fact, they were connected to the Mahdi Army all along and working it would seem, in some un-official capacity with the Maliki administration that ultimately created a grand illusion that fulfilled the occupations expectations – in order to shatter them at a later date on the diplomatic front with the expulsion of the occupation by decree.
What I’m saying is that throughout the entire roll up of Sadr’s movement there was a tacit/secret agreement between him and Maliki that would both create the appearance of Iranian military influence (and bolster U.S. justifications and confidence in Maliki), that would then lead to a roll up of said Shiite insurgency that would in turn, lay the foundation for the occupations irrelevancy to the security of Iraq (and thus, disarming U.S. justifications), that in turn would permit a stringent SOFA to be negotiated in Maliki/Sadr’s favor, that could be backed up by the Mahdi Army (if need be), that would finally set the stage for Maliki to consolidate power in the election. Power that would in the end, be in total synchrony to Muqtada al-Sadr’s vision of Iraq.
Jose,
The Desertec idea is certainly a interesting; however the promoters need to look at the experience’s of Brazil and New Zealand. Brazil had heavy reliance on hydro power and the effect of drought upon their grid capacity was significant and expensive to ameliorate. New Zealand has had multiple inter-island transmission line failures. Neither country had to worry much about terrorism or regulatory capture (or outright appropriation of the transmission capacity as Russia has done to Ukraine in the gas pipeline operations repeatedly).
On another topic, any suggestion as to learning how to embed a hyperlink in a post would be appreciated.
This this is an open thread, I will bring up the whole health care debacle. I do not understand why some Americans are so fearful regarding government sponsored health care. The elderly in this country get Medi-Care, which is government sponsored. The military have medical care paid for by the government. I imagine government workers get medical insurance paid for by the government, and our Congress and President get life time medical care paid for by the government. We are the government, we are paying for others health care why should not all of us benefit.
I bring this up not because I don’t have health care, I do,but because as a nurse, I have seen many people without health care not getting the care they need. Also 3 of my adult children do not have health care, they cannot afford it. This country needs affordable and fair health care for all of it’s citizens.
I think all the anger shown at the health care meetings have nothing to do with health care but illustrates how much some people hate the President and the Democratic party.
Nancy K
Civil servants buy their own health insurance under schemes in which the government arranges group rates.
I neve did that because I was taken care of by the military as a retired officer. pl
“illustrates how much some people hate the President and the Democratic party.”
My oldest daughter lives in Nebraska and cannot afford Blue Cross, the only insurance allowed in the state. Nancy K is only partially correct;much of the hatred is race related and encouraged by an unhinged Republican Party that Barry Goldwater would not recognize or affilate with.
Re: Govt health insurance
You still encounter the same problems though. I recently wrecked a motorcycle, and ended up receiving bills that totaled over 2K even though I had the top tier insurance. After calling, turns out that the offices failed to report my accident as a emergency (with the exception of the podunk ambulance company, who did report it as such). Instead it was reported as an unapproved surgery.
Its simply all too complex, I think, with too many chefs in the kitchen. And if push comes to shove, they know that they can stick you with the bill, and tell you its between you and your insurance company. Why do so many Americans end up going into bankruptcy over medical bills? What happens if they just refuse to pay instead of living like refugees and selling the house, the car, and everything else? Are they that scared of their credit score going down? Just do like millions of illegal aliens do and simply be a charity writeoff.
Different Clue –
Amazon has the animated Tolkien set for a reasonable price.
PS, Different Clue,
You Tube also has part of it.
Thanks, rjj.
I had thought all the copies had disappeared into the strong hands of devoted collectors.
Having worked in the medical field for over 35 years, I can tell you that hundreds of thousands of Americans, not illegal aliens but citizens, are unable to pay their hospital bills. Often the hospitals write off the costs or they get covered by the federal government under various indigent programs. Since a person’s home cannot be taken from them as long as they live in it they are safe but if they sell the home or die, the proceeds can be taken to pay for bill.
Their credit is also ruined which makes it difficult to get jobs, buy a car or home etc.
If you don’t have insurance, you also do not get quality care. Going to the ER for illnesses or injuries is not quality care.
From Tony Zinni and yesterday’s NYT on climate change as a national security threat.
Climate Change Seen as Threat to U.S. Security
[..] “We will pay for this one way or another,” Gen. Anthony C. Zinni, a retired Marine and the former head of the Central Command, wrote recently in a report he prepared as a member of a military advisory board on energy and climate at CNA, a private group that does research for the Navy. “We will pay to reduce greenhouse gas emissions today, and we’ll have to take an economic hit of some kind.
“Or we will pay the price later in military terms,” he warned. “And that will involve human lives.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/science/earth/09climate.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
Best to all.