Alright, this is truly a long flight. And, anyone that has been on a MAC transport (oops, AMC) knows that windows and flight attendants are - scarce?

You know, the general disorientation that comes with a long flight, crappy seats, the constant humm of the T-56s - oops, C-130 days flooding back here - umm, actually the Pratt and Whitneys whine. You look up, as Captain Erik Aadland does above (front row middle), and realize you are only 2 hours into the flight. Ugh. As time drags on you find yourself living the old adage: a soldier can sleep anywhere, anytime, if the opportunity presents itself. Just look, some of the most unpleasant conditions and folks are sleeping.

And then the bird hit the active runway, you taxi for a few moments, it seems like a lifetime, and then, chocks. Yeah! You get to really stretch your legs and that just seems like heaven. Now you’re out in broad daylight walking towards the “terminal”. We all know that Military Passenger Terminals are a far cry from the ones at home. As you head around the tail section of the plane, you see your destination just across the tarmac - and other folks are headin’ your way to get on the plane you just got off. Do they know how long their flight is going to be?

Actually, I think they do know how long the flight is, but they just want to sit down and sleep - for however long it takes to get home.

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.

On Monday, CJ over at A Soldiers’ Perspective wrote a great piece, IED Rollup #15, about numerous weapons caches siezed over the last week! He posits that these seizures equate to somewhere in the neighborhood of the 530 or so IEDs found, translating conservatively into about 3,710 lives saved! This AF.mil article has a great photo I thought would compliment CJ’s post:

[U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Samuel Peterson]

Airmen with the 447th Civil Engineer Squadron’s explosive ordnance disposal team explore a munitions bunker in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Feb. 20, 2006. The bunker was discovered after a previous detonation scorched the earth, revealing the entrance to a larger weapons cache.

Whenever I had the opportunity to meet anyone in EOD, I was always impressed and in awe. That is a job for steady nerves, lots of guts, and serious commitment!

Everyone in EOD: I and my family thank you for being there!

Ohhh, this is a great shot, don’t ya know!

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.