Remember when no one wanted to see a US Military uniform with American Flag arm patches or our standard helmets/cover? Remember when our fighting men and women were being sent to fight and protect on foreign soil, yet were commanded by another country’s General? I’m not talking about Vietnam, I’m talking about during the Clinton Years. In fact, when we were asked to help out countries in trouble, the rest of the UN Security Council said we couldn’t be in our own uniform. We needed to be “softer” as a fighting force, ’cause we were just the Rent-A-Cops for the UN.

Huh? Who’s your Daddy? Boutros Boutros-Ghali? Or what about the UN’s 7th Daddy, Kofi Annan?

I THINK NOT!

Would you rather have a President, CINC, that watches your six or one that sells you out for BILL-YUNS?!

Does anyone know how much was spent in Somalia? This is only one of the many “conflicts” we were asked to participate in during Billy Boys reign. I checked, and straight from this UN Report, for UNOSOM I & II, this one mission looks like this:

LOCATION: Somalia
HEADQUARTERS: Mogadishu
DURATION: March 1993 - March 1995
STRENGTH: Approximately 28,000 military and police personnel; there was also a provision for some 2,800 international and locally recruited staff
FATALITIES: 147 (143 military personnel, 3 international civilian staff and 1 local staff)
EXPENDITURES: $1,643,485,500 net

Hey, did you catch that last one? $1.65 Billion, net … uh-huh, they said net. I’d like to know what was really spent, gross dollars, but we all know that would be too much to stomach. And, are we sure that the monies spent weren’t actually an international pay off to terrorists for political hay? If you read the UN report you’ll see the number of times the program was extended, the countless “warnings” to disarm, and the lame attempts to put pressure on the Somalian leaders to form a real government. It starts to look like those tin horn dictators were just looting the bank - our bank accounts people!

Oh, and to find out the troop strength and breakdown, ya gotta go allllll the way to the bottom of the report. I’ll save you some time:

“The original authorized strength of UNOSOM II under resolution 814 (1993) was approximately 28,000 military personnel and some 2,800 civilian staff.”

And these are the countries that participated (31 is a good showing, I might add):

“Military personnel were provided by the following countries: Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, and Zimbabwe.”

Now, here’s the kicker:

“Supporting UNOSOM II in the field, but not part of it, were approximately 17,700 troops of the United States Joint Task Force in Somalia. A Quick Reaction Force was part of the United States presence.”

That QRF consisted of the team of US Army Rangers that lost lives in Somalia (God Rest Their Souls!)

After March of 1995, Mr. Clinton authorized sending the 3rd ID, Company A, to Macedonia under the command of a Finnish General. Then SPC Michael New said, NO! to ripping off his American Flag from his uniform, and NO! to prancing around in a baby blue friggin’ helmet! What did it get him? I suspect some of you know the story - tossed out on his ear! Well, he landed in the brig first.

For the love of his Country, and he was ONE out of 550 that mustered to the parade ground in full US Military uniform. Yep, 549 obeyed a direct order to report to the command of another country’s General. At their level they were told that the order came directly from the CINC. To Michael, and to me as well, it began to look like after all the destruction being leveled at the US Military, it had finally happened: secession of US Force to a foreign power. What to do? His US Army was gone, and what he had signed up for was no longer something of valor.

Umm, my question is, who had Michael’s six? One man standing alone in a sea of Chain of Command mayhem. Were the Joint Chiefs really on board with the order, or was something else happening at the time?

Ever read Presidential Decision Directive 25 (PDD-25)? There is only a summary available right now. You can get a pretty good idea of how the CINC is the one responsible for Michael’s six by reading this summary/review online. Pay special attention to the sections that cover the Commander-in-Chief Clause and Command versus Operational Control.

This is what was happening to the US Military, by 1997:

• Wholesale distrust of the military within the United States of America, and outside
• Continuous breaking down of morale by force reductions and lack of materiel support
• Restriction of future development programs and research into new defense technologies
• Wasting money and time by politicizing the use and usefulness of the US Military
• US Military becomes the world’s police force and Meals-On-Wheels in blue hairnets
• The World’s Liberator and Repatriating Firm in a near state of disrepair
• Billions to Trillions of dollars flowing from the US into other countries under less than admirable deals

I’ll tell ya, I came in under Carter and left way before Clinton took hold. I know that some of you served under Clinton. I wish that there were Milbloggers back in the day. Maybe things would have been different?

However, if we begin to take our eye off the ball, this could happen again. So far, evil forces like “she who shall be nameless” have not been able to wander the globe unchallenged, or those protesting outside Walter Reed Hospital have been forced from their position, or those that seek to defame a family in mourning have not gone unanswered. We need to continue to put pressure on our elected officials. We have an obligation to protect our country from those that seek to destroy us, inside and outside our borders. And, we can handle the snide, stupid, jealous talk from the EU, Hollywood, and supercilious college professors. These detractors forget that:

• They do not know the strength and commitment of the US Military.
• They do not know the strength and commitment of the spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and friends of our fighting men and women.
• They do not know the strength, commitment, and constant love and support by the Milblogger community.
• They do not know the strength, commitment, and ever vigilant watch over their six by the CINC, President George W. Bush.

Do I hear a God Bless America and her US Military?! I thought I could hear you from here!

Short Technorati search for other posts about Michael New
Far Right-Wing Minded
Chaos-In-Motion
Three Knockdown Rule
Clear and Present
Smash Left Wing Scum

Short Technorati search on PDD-25
The Glittering Eye
Get the US Out of the UN - Now!

Backup Material for UNOSOM II, Michael New, and PDD-25
UNOSOM II by DPI
Michael New - How it all began
Unclassified Summary of PDD-25 (details of Secret PDD 25 are concealed from public scrutiny)
“Command” versus “Operational Control”: A Critical Review of PDD-25
Commanding Officer Oath - UN Deployments
No World Court, No World Army

Does he honestly think he looks like General Honore? I mean, I know that most of what Mardi Gras is all about is partying and dressing up. But, dressing up as a General?

Dishonors the uniform.

Dishonors General Honore.

Will people ever learn that there are real people, real fighting men and women, that wear this uniform every day and do not see it as a “costume”. Ray Nagin may think that this is a tribute, or a compliment, or maybe even a mini-dig at how he was left “high and dry” (no pun intended) by the Federal Government, the US Military, and the President.

I think I would have picked a different outfit.

Thanks very much and H/T to The Officer’s Club and Sweetness & Light for the photo and story!

In those 5 words, the President of the United States:

• Separates the men from the boys
• Restates the classic oil and water conundrum
• Draws a line in the “sand” for those with no stomach
• Firmly states why the United States Military is what it is - the best

I’ll tell ya, when I hear words like those coming from a sitting President that has conviction and steadfast commitment, you just wanna re-up! At the very least you know that your CINC has got your six! At issue is if the rest of the electorate has the resolve to do what is right, what is needed, and what will keep us all safe.

Do you see a waffling, poll-numbers loving, womanizing, crocodile tears CINC here:

I know I don’t!

But, maybe that’s ’cause everything President Bush has done up to now has been to keep us all safe. We can all wander down the lane moaning and groaning about the spending, placating the Democrats on their stupid issues, and sucky candidates ad nauseam. But our true threat is far across the oceans, seas, and gulfs.

In President Bush’s speech in Afghanistan, found here at AF.mil, he went on to say:

“You saw our nation was attacked and when your country called you gladly served. This government will not blink, we will not yield. We are on the right course and the world will be a better place because of your service. God bless you for protecting our country.”

At every waking moment, every Sunday in Church, and whenever I see an Air Force plane, Navy ship, Army Duece-N-A-Half, USMC Hummer, or Coast Guard cruiser (we have those here in N. California), I wish them all God Speed and thank them for being there for my family.

OK, well, maybe not, but since he caused Katrina, figured it just made sense!

There are warnings out right now in Solano County, California, for a tornado. In California, this is a VERY big deal! The warning is for Suisun City area (pronounced Sih-soon). Keep an eye out, and keep your heads down! I saw some awesome tornadoes in Omaha NE. I am sure ours will just be a spout as there is a bunch of water out there in the delta.

Oh, maybe The Governator will be out here to declare an emergency! I mean, this tornado, caused by the Bush Administration, will also damage the levees out here. Boy, that and the near 10 inches of rain being forecast - we’re gonna have public officials out the Yin-Yang around here.

Whoopee … note my obvious glee here … not.

Those words were written by “The Chief” over at The Truth. His posting, Children Do Not Lie has a quote, or assertion, one should take to heart these days:

“I ask each one of you reading this blog: Are you aiding or abetting the enemy? Are you corrupting our children? Are your words helping or hurting our Global War On Terrorism?”

I think that this is a very valid query. In the age of, no I think more appropriately The Starbucks Society nails it, too many folks are forgetting that there are consequences to every action. In fact, those consequences are deeper still during a war. Not many “kids” these days are aware of what this really means.

Sad, isn’t it?

Anyway, I think that the Chief has a great snippet there. In his own words he takes a quick moment to provide a look into what it is we Milboggers do that is so very different from the MSM. (remember, MSM = losers) In fact, his posting is based on a posting by Michael Yon, The Battle for Mosul IV.

The gist of the story the Chief was going after is how the media are willing accomplices (like Halifax and Mosely in Word War II). The MSM is trying so very hard to toss Bush out, or actually get an indictment and an impeachment to follow, because they are hurt. Yes, it is feelings that are more important than national security here. Make no mistake.

Halifax and Mosely were against Churchill - you decide, but I choose Churchill any time of day, hands down! So would Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, I reckon. (duh)

The assertion that keyed me to write: are your words helping or hurting. I joined, as we humans often do, the previous sentences with that to come away with, “Are your words helping or hurting your children?” Are your words, actions or deeds, corrupting your children?

My answer is, emphatically, “No.”

OK, as Kit or Heidi would say, “Hell No!”

Then, I read a post from a few days ago by Buck over at Exile in Portales. He’s worried about what his 9 year old is learning - like the war in Iraq is over oil. Hmmm … gives ya the willies, doesn’t it? I’m sure Buck will find a way to make it right.

Pop on over to MilTracker.com for a smattering of good news from the men and women fighting the GWOT! It is a rare thing to get just good stuff coming from the blogosphere. I love it when someone takes the time to focus on the positive. I can honestly say that I hope to get some posts up there soon …

It means that my goal of being positive is just right for Phil’s posting board!

Thanks, Phil for “accentuating the positive”!

Talk about resolve!

This woman, someone’s GrandMa, someone’s Mom, loves our fighting men and women! I gotta tell ya, this woman is what America is all about! Where is the MSM on all this stuff?

Obviously, they are blatantly and unabashedly absent on that line, the line for freedom.

Why is it that they missed out on such a great story of love for our troops?

I am sure that there are numerous reasons flying around your cranium - as in mine. One that just seems to jump out reminds me of a James Hirsen piece on NewsMax, an interview with Gary Sinise (my all time favorite actor right now, next to Mel Gibson). Read his words about how the MSM really just doesn’t care, and how they think that since bad news sells, they can justify their lack of good coverage ’cause they are “giving the people what they want”.

Well, there are several instances where I can recount tin-horn dictators, fascists of notoriety, having said that they were just giving the people what they want.

Does that make it right?

MSM = Losers