Interesting commentary from the PJmedia folks.
The battle of / for Baghdad has begun. They're apparently approaching Baghdad International and they are definitely armed with MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense Systems) and who knows, captured Syrian ADA (Air Defense Artillery - anti-air cannon and missiles). They can negate what separates us from the rest of the world militarily, the can blunt, for a time, our Air Dominance.
In 2003, it was no real big deal when the Thunder-Runs of American armor into Baghdad, resulted in the accidental occupation of the city. This time, as Mr. Poole elucidates, is different. If ISIS/ISIL/IS WTF they call themselves, actually take the city, they have occupied the place where previously the Abbasid Caliphate resided when the. they will have occupied a capital city of a modern nation state (albeit a pretty bad one).
Al-Baghdadi is a worthy adversary, we should definitely not continue to underestimate him. It does go without saying, however that we should kill him and his senior leadership as quickly as humanly possible.
If not, the American Embassy in Iraq, the largest embassy in that part of the world, is chock full of Americans. I am not worried about here being embarrassing "last helicopter out of Saigon" images, as if ISIL has half the number of MANPADS that common wisdom says they have, then there will be pictures of a lot of flaming wreckage. Hopefully our leadership is taking steps, now, to plan the evacuation of embassy personnel.
The people at the embassy will probably not be able to access BIA (Baghdad International Airport), due to threat force action. They might have to hoof it. Marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen and all of the civilian contractors (some of which are very capable trigger pullers, btw), and state department and allied civilian employees, and Iraqi's employed by us, there - we can't leave them - they'll be gruesomely murdered as an example. That's a lot of folks, possibly 16,000.
Hope senior allied planners have dusted off their copy of Xenophon's the Anabasis.
It'll be a long, nasty drive from Baghdad to Kuwait, made a bit more bearable by the USAF and USN.
Thalatta, thalatta.
Crazed American, out.
14 October 2014
18 September 2014
Probably not wise to ignore...
...threats like this.
Czar Vlad wants to be taken seriously. He's seriously throwing shade and threats around now.
Could the Russians put troops into FIVE NATO capitals in five days or less?
Probably. Would the Lavtians, Estonians, Lithuanians, Romanians and Poles make them bleed for every g--damned inch?
You fuckin' bet.
Putin could put airborne troops into each of those capitals. Trust me this, those peoples remember being under the yoke of the Soviets. They'll fall all over themselves after the initial shock wears off and kill the paratroops to a man. Sending armor in to those countries, equally probematic. I'm not up on the military capabilities of the Baltic States, but I would NOT go up against the Poles when they're playing defense, on their ground.
Czar Vlad's telling us, not very nicely, by the way, to take him seriously. We should. We should engage the Russians - avoid a war which will be very, very bloody, and possibly apocalyptic.
The situation in Ukraine? We started it, folks, by fomenting unrest and getting the previous government (democratically elected, by the way) ousted. You can thank Former Secretary of State Clinton for that one.
I have absolutely ZERO confidence in the President or his Secretary of State (current or former). to handle this mess with even the slightest hope of a good resolution. ALL signs point to a real shit-show.
This is some bad juju, folks. Hold on, it's going to get even bumpier from here.
Crazed American, out.
Czar Vlad wants to be taken seriously. He's seriously throwing shade and threats around now.
Could the Russians put troops into FIVE NATO capitals in five days or less?
Probably. Would the Lavtians, Estonians, Lithuanians, Romanians and Poles make them bleed for every g--damned inch?
You fuckin' bet.
Putin could put airborne troops into each of those capitals. Trust me this, those peoples remember being under the yoke of the Soviets. They'll fall all over themselves after the initial shock wears off and kill the paratroops to a man. Sending armor in to those countries, equally probematic. I'm not up on the military capabilities of the Baltic States, but I would NOT go up against the Poles when they're playing defense, on their ground.
Czar Vlad's telling us, not very nicely, by the way, to take him seriously. We should. We should engage the Russians - avoid a war which will be very, very bloody, and possibly apocalyptic.
The situation in Ukraine? We started it, folks, by fomenting unrest and getting the previous government (democratically elected, by the way) ousted. You can thank Former Secretary of State Clinton for that one.
I have absolutely ZERO confidence in the President or his Secretary of State (current or former). to handle this mess with even the slightest hope of a good resolution. ALL signs point to a real shit-show.
This is some bad juju, folks. Hold on, it's going to get even bumpier from here.
Crazed American, out.
10 September 2014
Sands in the hour glass
http://mashable.com/2014/09/10/obama-islamic-state-strategy-syria/?utm_cid=mash-com-G+-main-link
So el Presidente is going to get on the ol teevee tonight and lay out a case for bombing another sovereign nation (Syria), in pursuit of degrading the Islamic State's ability to... do stuff to people we don't hate. He promises, "no boots on the ground."
Until there are boots on the ground.
Look, I'm all for wanting to stop bad guys from killing innocent people, but if you want to go to war with the IS, you have to go to war with the IS. Airstrikes cannot and have never been the solution to things like this.
I'm saying it now, there's going to be irregular warfare here in the homeland. Or, major strikes against American or Allied bases outside of the IS territory (Iraq, Syria, the Levant).
These IS-types are not the super warriors the media has made them out to be. All they have been is more competent than the Arab militaries they have gone up against. That's not saying much. I will give them "competence." They do have, at their core, someone who obviously paid attention in history class as well. Those two things make them the most dangerous threat that has come from the mideast in a while. It is wise to pay attention to them.
It is not wise to hamstring your policy with a speech like the one el Presidente is giving tonight. You want your enemy to always be wondering what you're going to do, you do not remove entire methodologies and tactics from the arsenal before the opening salvo.
Not to mention, it's us, the US of A. There will be boots on the ground, no matter what. In fact, there undoubtedly already are, boots on the ground in Syria, Iraq and Kurdistan. Please, spare me the political invective that you think might get you a few more votes during the mid-terms, sir.
Those bobs we're going to drop don't guide themselves, nor does the intelligence needed to aim them gather itself. Those are done by quiet, steely-eyed types.
Also, here on the 13th anniversary of the attacks of Sept 2001, it would not surprise me in the slightest if the IS made a try at any American dignitaries in Iraq.
I shall pray for my country and those of hers in harm's way.
Destroy the enemies of our nation with skill and professionalism.
Come back home, soon and in one piece.
So el Presidente is going to get on the ol teevee tonight and lay out a case for bombing another sovereign nation (Syria), in pursuit of degrading the Islamic State's ability to... do stuff to people we don't hate. He promises, "no boots on the ground."
Until there are boots on the ground.
Look, I'm all for wanting to stop bad guys from killing innocent people, but if you want to go to war with the IS, you have to go to war with the IS. Airstrikes cannot and have never been the solution to things like this.
I'm saying it now, there's going to be irregular warfare here in the homeland. Or, major strikes against American or Allied bases outside of the IS territory (Iraq, Syria, the Levant).
These IS-types are not the super warriors the media has made them out to be. All they have been is more competent than the Arab militaries they have gone up against. That's not saying much. I will give them "competence." They do have, at their core, someone who obviously paid attention in history class as well. Those two things make them the most dangerous threat that has come from the mideast in a while. It is wise to pay attention to them.
It is not wise to hamstring your policy with a speech like the one el Presidente is giving tonight. You want your enemy to always be wondering what you're going to do, you do not remove entire methodologies and tactics from the arsenal before the opening salvo.
Not to mention, it's us, the US of A. There will be boots on the ground, no matter what. In fact, there undoubtedly already are, boots on the ground in Syria, Iraq and Kurdistan. Please, spare me the political invective that you think might get you a few more votes during the mid-terms, sir.
Those bobs we're going to drop don't guide themselves, nor does the intelligence needed to aim them gather itself. Those are done by quiet, steely-eyed types.
Also, here on the 13th anniversary of the attacks of Sept 2001, it would not surprise me in the slightest if the IS made a try at any American dignitaries in Iraq.
I shall pray for my country and those of hers in harm's way.
Destroy the enemies of our nation with skill and professionalism.
Come back home, soon and in one piece.
Crazed American, out.
01 September 2014
Do you want to know how much someone means to you??
You want to know how much someone means to you?
Wrong them, see the look on their face, then see how you feel.
If you're like me, you might almost break your hand punching the steering wheel.
hastag bad day
hashtag dontlietoyourlove
Wrong them, see the look on their face, then see how you feel.
If you're like me, you might almost break your hand punching the steering wheel.
hastag bad day
hashtag dontlietoyourlove
27 August 2014
I'm on a bit of a tear...
As the one of my readers knows, I am an avid proponent of the 2nd Amendment, the right to keep and bear arms.
Having said that, I was sickened to see the reports of the accidental death of a shooting instructor in AZ, killed by a 9 year old girl, who was learning how to shoot a fully auto Mini or Micro Uzi in 9mm.
*Can of Worms OPENED*
This death was senseless. I see the fascination with the little machine pistol. It is a bullet hose, and in my opinion, lest you are clearing a room, has no practical use. It is inaccurate, and expensive to operate, not to mention DANGEROUS to the user. The Mini / Micro Uzi, a smaller version of the bigger (and less dangerous) Uzi sub-gun, is best used suppressed by competent professionals.
I fault the instructor, G-d bless him, and the parents of this little girl, who put her in the situation.
My heart goes out to the little girl, the parents and the family of the instructor.
I speak from experience. I have, at a previous time in my life been issued, by Uncle Sugar, a damn fine General Purpose Machine Gun, the M60. It was belt fed, and fired the 7.62x51mm NATO round. I have also had the opportunity to fire an MP40 sub-gun of Nazi fame, M1A1 and M1928A1 Thompsons, and an M3 Grease Gun. I am proficient with the M4, and M4A1 carbines, and the M16A1 and M16A2 rifles (the M4A1 and the M16A1 are both capable of fully auto fire, where the M4 and the M16A2 have a three round burst setting).
In a recent experience, I asked a serving member of the United States Military Special Operations Community, "How often to you use the "fun" (full-auto) switch," on his M4A1?
"Outside of training? Never - can't be sure where every bullet goes. Not to mention, but it's a waste of ammo," was his reply.
I do not have the longest military experience. But I only remember a single time using the BURST or AUTO setting on any carbine or rifle I was ever issued. It was in training, and we were firing blanks. Made my rifle extra dirty.
I would NEVER give a sub-gun to a 9 year old. Hell, I wouldn't give ANYONE with no experience with firearms a mini or micro sub-machine gun. I am not a fan of sub-machine guns. They turn money (ammo) into smoke and noise, with minimal effect - unless you're really good with them. Semi-auto fire is accurate and effective than spraying bullets out of a hose with an 8 inch barrel.
I have an 11 year old daughter. She is an excellent marksman. I started her off gradually- she could repeat the 4 RULES to me and could identify all the working parts of a firearm before anything happened. Then, close supervision on a Daisy 880 BB gun (single shot, mind you - the gun you have to pump up). After that, a Ruger 10/22 rifle with me scant inches from her (1 round in the magazine). When she showed proficiency and responsibility, she graduated to an M1 Carbine. After that, an M1 Garand. Only when she was comfortable and safe with long guns did she even get to hold an unloaded pistol. When she had a new (to her) firearm in hand, I was always right on top of her, and we were on BLM land in Western Utah with a clear target and a mountain range as a backstop, with NO ONE around. She was told in no uncertain terms that once she had a firearm in hand, I would disarm her quickly and not-nicely should she do anything unsafe.
I get what the parents of that 9 year old in AZ were thinking - how cool it would be to have Facebook video of their kiddo lighting off a mag of 9mm from an Israeli bullet hose. I seriously doubt it was solely her idea. I'm sure the facility and the instructor had children firing probably the same gun many times before. Something different happened this time, though...
I believe in teaching children how to shoot, responsibly. I believe in the responsible use of firearms.
Likewise, I believe in teaching kids, when they are old enough and in a safe manner how to drive. Handing that little girl a Mini or Micro Uzi was like strapping her into a high horsepower car and putting it into gear for her. The noise and vibration are shocking, and they might cause a stress reaction and get into an accident that might result in death(s).
This is not about ownership of full-auto weapons. If you jump through the hoops (hugely expensive firearms and tax stamps and transfer fees, background checks and a huge amount of effort and time) and want to own one - knock yourself out. This is about not putting your child needlessly into a situation where they might hurt themselves or someone else. My child does dangerous things - she mountain bikes and skis, but she has experience and close supervision when she tries something new.
That 9 year old is going to need a lot of therapy. All my hopes and prayers for her and her family and the family of the instructor in this time of tragedy. I wish her parents had wanted her to shoot an M240, M249 or an M60... The instructor could have more easily controlled the situation (had her fire from the prone from the bipod), and she'd have a great memory and cool videos to remember her vacation in the desert, as opposed to the nightmare it became.
4 RULES
- Treat all firearms as if they were loaded
- Never allow the muzzle of a firearm to cover anything you are not willing to kill and destroy
- Keep your finger off of the trigger and out of the trigger guard until your sights are on target and ready to fire
-Be sure of the target and what is behind and adjacent to it
CRAZED AMERICAN, out.
Having said that, I was sickened to see the reports of the accidental death of a shooting instructor in AZ, killed by a 9 year old girl, who was learning how to shoot a fully auto Mini or Micro Uzi in 9mm.
*Can of Worms OPENED*
This death was senseless. I see the fascination with the little machine pistol. It is a bullet hose, and in my opinion, lest you are clearing a room, has no practical use. It is inaccurate, and expensive to operate, not to mention DANGEROUS to the user. The Mini / Micro Uzi, a smaller version of the bigger (and less dangerous) Uzi sub-gun, is best used suppressed by competent professionals.
I fault the instructor, G-d bless him, and the parents of this little girl, who put her in the situation.
My heart goes out to the little girl, the parents and the family of the instructor.
I speak from experience. I have, at a previous time in my life been issued, by Uncle Sugar, a damn fine General Purpose Machine Gun, the M60. It was belt fed, and fired the 7.62x51mm NATO round. I have also had the opportunity to fire an MP40 sub-gun of Nazi fame, M1A1 and M1928A1 Thompsons, and an M3 Grease Gun. I am proficient with the M4, and M4A1 carbines, and the M16A1 and M16A2 rifles (the M4A1 and the M16A1 are both capable of fully auto fire, where the M4 and the M16A2 have a three round burst setting).
In a recent experience, I asked a serving member of the United States Military Special Operations Community, "How often to you use the "fun" (full-auto) switch," on his M4A1?
"Outside of training? Never - can't be sure where every bullet goes. Not to mention, but it's a waste of ammo," was his reply.
I do not have the longest military experience. But I only remember a single time using the BURST or AUTO setting on any carbine or rifle I was ever issued. It was in training, and we were firing blanks. Made my rifle extra dirty.
I would NEVER give a sub-gun to a 9 year old. Hell, I wouldn't give ANYONE with no experience with firearms a mini or micro sub-machine gun. I am not a fan of sub-machine guns. They turn money (ammo) into smoke and noise, with minimal effect - unless you're really good with them. Semi-auto fire is accurate and effective than spraying bullets out of a hose with an 8 inch barrel.
I have an 11 year old daughter. She is an excellent marksman. I started her off gradually- she could repeat the 4 RULES to me and could identify all the working parts of a firearm before anything happened. Then, close supervision on a Daisy 880 BB gun (single shot, mind you - the gun you have to pump up). After that, a Ruger 10/22 rifle with me scant inches from her (1 round in the magazine). When she showed proficiency and responsibility, she graduated to an M1 Carbine. After that, an M1 Garand. Only when she was comfortable and safe with long guns did she even get to hold an unloaded pistol. When she had a new (to her) firearm in hand, I was always right on top of her, and we were on BLM land in Western Utah with a clear target and a mountain range as a backstop, with NO ONE around. She was told in no uncertain terms that once she had a firearm in hand, I would disarm her quickly and not-nicely should she do anything unsafe.
I get what the parents of that 9 year old in AZ were thinking - how cool it would be to have Facebook video of their kiddo lighting off a mag of 9mm from an Israeli bullet hose. I seriously doubt it was solely her idea. I'm sure the facility and the instructor had children firing probably the same gun many times before. Something different happened this time, though...
I believe in teaching children how to shoot, responsibly. I believe in the responsible use of firearms.
Likewise, I believe in teaching kids, when they are old enough and in a safe manner how to drive. Handing that little girl a Mini or Micro Uzi was like strapping her into a high horsepower car and putting it into gear for her. The noise and vibration are shocking, and they might cause a stress reaction and get into an accident that might result in death(s).
This is not about ownership of full-auto weapons. If you jump through the hoops (hugely expensive firearms and tax stamps and transfer fees, background checks and a huge amount of effort and time) and want to own one - knock yourself out. This is about not putting your child needlessly into a situation where they might hurt themselves or someone else. My child does dangerous things - she mountain bikes and skis, but she has experience and close supervision when she tries something new.
That 9 year old is going to need a lot of therapy. All my hopes and prayers for her and her family and the family of the instructor in this time of tragedy. I wish her parents had wanted her to shoot an M240, M249 or an M60... The instructor could have more easily controlled the situation (had her fire from the prone from the bipod), and she'd have a great memory and cool videos to remember her vacation in the desert, as opposed to the nightmare it became.
4 RULES
- Treat all firearms as if they were loaded
- Never allow the muzzle of a firearm to cover anything you are not willing to kill and destroy
- Keep your finger off of the trigger and out of the trigger guard until your sights are on target and ready to fire
-Be sure of the target and what is behind and adjacent to it
CRAZED AMERICAN, out.
10 August 2014
What an amazing world ..,
I am in the middle of the desert. In a Quonset hut. On an Army cot. A rifle next to me. Add to it, the fact that I'm being paid every day, three times what I made a month.
I have access to the web, it's air conditioned. The food - MRE's, but these are amazing future food. Quite good, actually. My biggest complaint?? Should've brought a pillow.
02 July 2014
Star Trek - the State of the Prime Universe
...or how I learned to stop worrying and have come to meh the JJ-Verse.
OK, folks... it's been a while, I admit, but I have to get something out there.
The Crazed American is a Star Trek fantatic. I loved the Original Series, loved The Next Generation, Loved DS9, tolerated Voyager, found Enterprise to be every hit or miss. In terms of Star Trek Movies, I loved 1-6, tolerated 7, loved 8-9, disliked 10 (Nemesis). 2009's Star Trek (directed by JJ Abrams) I enjoyed.
That brings us to the most recent iteration: 2013's Star Trek Into Darkness. Big, loud expensive. Great cast and good effects wasted on a, frankly, dumbed down and derivative story. I enjoyed seeing it in IMAX 3D, letting my senses get battered into submission. It was pretty. Dumb, but pretty.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982, Directed by Nicholas Meyer) is, not only my favorite Star Trek movie, it is my favorite movie. Full Stop. This "homage" (read: rehash) to TWoK is, the more I think about it, galling. You've taken the effort and literally spent hundreds of millions of dollars at this point "rebooting" the Star Trek Franchise with an exciting, great cast, and still all you can come up with is a rehash of a better movie with about 1/10th the budget?? The only saving grace has been the idea of it all being an alternate universe - giving crazies like me the fictional excuse to not really care what is happening in the new movies.
So, I have been trying to find a sum up of the Star Trek Prime Universe. Last thing we heard was from the events of the 2009 Star Trek move. Ambassador Spock entered the alternate universe in a fancy Jellyfish like ship (apparently designed by Commander Geordi LaForge and maybe Wesley Crusher), after apparently being involved with the destruction of Romulus.
So with no Romulus, galactic politics in the Prime Universe is mighty different. Ever since the events of the poorly received Star Trek: Nemesis, the Romulan Empire was on the ropes. The Reman Insurrection had eliminated the Romulan Senate, and the empire was disintegrating. Former Romulan colonies and protectorates undoubtedly either band together, or begin pestering the Federation directly for membership. The Federation would have to be on the ball to keep the Klingon Empire from immediately invading, although after the casualties incurred during the Dominion War, the Klingons might not be too quick on the forever war.
Things are mighty interesting in the Alpha Quadrant. There are 100,000 stories that could start with the previous two paragraphs. And we are stuck with a convoluted, silly, rehash of something done better 31 years before???
Roberto Orci, one of the writers of both of the new Star Trek movies will apparently be directing the next 2016 Star Trek movie. My advice and request: do something new - you're 240 r so years in the future - you have an FTL Starship and a legendary crew at your command, you're in outer space - find a new story to tell!
Tell me I'm wrong?
Crazed American, out.
OK, folks... it's been a while, I admit, but I have to get something out there.
The Crazed American is a Star Trek fantatic. I loved the Original Series, loved The Next Generation, Loved DS9, tolerated Voyager, found Enterprise to be every hit or miss. In terms of Star Trek Movies, I loved 1-6, tolerated 7, loved 8-9, disliked 10 (Nemesis). 2009's Star Trek (directed by JJ Abrams) I enjoyed.
That brings us to the most recent iteration: 2013's Star Trek Into Darkness. Big, loud expensive. Great cast and good effects wasted on a, frankly, dumbed down and derivative story. I enjoyed seeing it in IMAX 3D, letting my senses get battered into submission. It was pretty. Dumb, but pretty.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982, Directed by Nicholas Meyer) is, not only my favorite Star Trek movie, it is my favorite movie. Full Stop. This "homage" (read: rehash) to TWoK is, the more I think about it, galling. You've taken the effort and literally spent hundreds of millions of dollars at this point "rebooting" the Star Trek Franchise with an exciting, great cast, and still all you can come up with is a rehash of a better movie with about 1/10th the budget?? The only saving grace has been the idea of it all being an alternate universe - giving crazies like me the fictional excuse to not really care what is happening in the new movies.
So, I have been trying to find a sum up of the Star Trek Prime Universe. Last thing we heard was from the events of the 2009 Star Trek move. Ambassador Spock entered the alternate universe in a fancy Jellyfish like ship (apparently designed by Commander Geordi LaForge and maybe Wesley Crusher), after apparently being involved with the destruction of Romulus.
So with no Romulus, galactic politics in the Prime Universe is mighty different. Ever since the events of the poorly received Star Trek: Nemesis, the Romulan Empire was on the ropes. The Reman Insurrection had eliminated the Romulan Senate, and the empire was disintegrating. Former Romulan colonies and protectorates undoubtedly either band together, or begin pestering the Federation directly for membership. The Federation would have to be on the ball to keep the Klingon Empire from immediately invading, although after the casualties incurred during the Dominion War, the Klingons might not be too quick on the forever war.
Things are mighty interesting in the Alpha Quadrant. There are 100,000 stories that could start with the previous two paragraphs. And we are stuck with a convoluted, silly, rehash of something done better 31 years before???
Roberto Orci, one of the writers of both of the new Star Trek movies will apparently be directing the next 2016 Star Trek movie. My advice and request: do something new - you're 240 r so years in the future - you have an FTL Starship and a legendary crew at your command, you're in outer space - find a new story to tell!
Tell me I'm wrong?
Crazed American, out.
14 January 2014
Tuesday off
With the new day job shift (still getting used to) I now have the random day off. Ah, glories of working retail sales.
Do have a meeting tonight, but have the rest of the day off. Glorious.
There had been talk of doing a touch of snowshoeing this AM, but the Missus is still ensconced firmly in DreamLand, and I am having way too much fun drinking too much coffee and surfing the internet.
The morning is beautiful, sounds of the road are strangely comforting, light snoring of the dog beneath my feet, reassuring.
This post has no point other than to merely say: Hi.
I'm grateful for many things in my life right now, and just wanted to get that out there.
Crazed American, out.
Do have a meeting tonight, but have the rest of the day off. Glorious.
There had been talk of doing a touch of snowshoeing this AM, but the Missus is still ensconced firmly in DreamLand, and I am having way too much fun drinking too much coffee and surfing the internet.
The morning is beautiful, sounds of the road are strangely comforting, light snoring of the dog beneath my feet, reassuring.
This post has no point other than to merely say: Hi.
I'm grateful for many things in my life right now, and just wanted to get that out there.
Crazed American, out.
06 January 2014
Changes!!
Finally did the smart thing and jumped ship to a new day job. First time in the longest time I feel like my head is screwed on straight.
I'm putting it out to the universe that 2014 is different. Currently stripped of the comfortable (and as it turns out, unpleasant) veneer.
For real. Put up or shut up time.
I highly reccomended against getting in my way. If you do, you will be treated with positivity and kindess. But I will go over, around or through.
I'm embarking on a multi-pronged Assualt on mediocrity. I will be happier, healthier, wealthier and better for it.
Hang on.
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