Not A Good Day To Die
I finished reading "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom" a couple of weeks ago. A book that I will read again. The next in line to read, purchased Friday, is "Not A Good Day To Die, The Untold Story of Operation Anaconda", by Sean Naylor. I had read this review by Major Don Vandergrif on Defense And National Interest early last week. I instantly wanted the book. When I first heard of the Battle, I sensed something was not right. Where were all of the dead bodies we were told about? It appeared to me that Al Qauda/Taliban had pulled a classic "G" and slipped out on them. A few months later I helped train a Support Unit and the "kids" acted uninterested. I snapped that I didn't think Afghanistan was going as well as we were lead to beleive, that they better pay attention because they could die. Later, they all deployed to Iraq. Thankfully they have all come back.
During the election I laughed about John Kerry's comments on the Battle. I got the feeling he had read headlines and made an assumption. It was an assumption(made by many) that took focus off of our Forces by blaming our Afghan Allies and taking away from reform. Perhaps our Afghan Allies were at fault, but, could not have been entirely. By not admitting your mistakes, you will never correct them and the only ones who would learn from those day's in the Shahikot Valley would be the men who fought there. One thing I will note, John Kerry's "plan" for the Military had already been laid out in an Army Times article 9 months before. But, I'm not here to pick on Senator Kerry. I am here to tell you you deserve more bang for your buck.
In the Prolouge of "Not A Good Day To Die" Naylor talks of how readiness had fell in the years prior. Both yourself and the boy's who flew into that Battle deserve better.
It promises to be a good book.
Peace Keeping Kills
Appalachian Intellectual
During the election I laughed about John Kerry's comments on the Battle. I got the feeling he had read headlines and made an assumption. It was an assumption(made by many) that took focus off of our Forces by blaming our Afghan Allies and taking away from reform. Perhaps our Afghan Allies were at fault, but, could not have been entirely. By not admitting your mistakes, you will never correct them and the only ones who would learn from those day's in the Shahikot Valley would be the men who fought there. One thing I will note, John Kerry's "plan" for the Military had already been laid out in an Army Times article 9 months before. But, I'm not here to pick on Senator Kerry. I am here to tell you you deserve more bang for your buck.
In the Prolouge of "Not A Good Day To Die" Naylor talks of how readiness had fell in the years prior. Both yourself and the boy's who flew into that Battle deserve better.
It promises to be a good book.
Peace Keeping Kills
Appalachian Intellectual
posted by Hill Billy Rave | Wednesday, May 04, 2005
7 Comments:
So the question of the day:
If you could wave a magic wand and appoint the next President, who would it be and why?
Rena, you had to ask me a tough question first thing in the morning:( I thought the whole thing over through getting ready for work and half way here. I ran through a guantlet of names. Starting with my dog and finaly settling on a retired Admiral from the Navy. I, unfortunatly can't remember his name. Some months back...heck before the election...I had seen that the man joined the Libertarian Party. I would say him. I beleive he would stand for Libertarian Ideals, not shove Socialism down our throats and resist Cultural Marxism. I would say he most likley understands Grand Strategy and would work to implement it into practice. One intersting name I thought of is retired Marine Genearl Anthony Zinni. But, I'm not sure how he would do on domestic issues. We could resurect Teddy Roosevelt...Of course I wouldn't want to "appoint" someone...that's who I would want elected.
Your question of the day: Did you like Condeleeza Rices Boots she wore in Moscow? Everyone made a deal of it.
Sorry Sorry Sorry - technically, I didn't run away. I went to Hilton Head SC to visit my parents, lay on the beach, and play golf - all of which I accomplished smashingly. I am only just now back for less than 24 hours and my sunburn is KILLING me.
I find it pretty interesting that so many names are being tossed around for a Presidential run. There's a plethora on the Republican side and an equal (if not greater) plethora on the Democrat side. I didn't know much about either the Libertarian candidate (Bednarik) or the Green candidate (Cobb) in 2004... I think it's a shame that so-called "lesser" parties wind up being inconsequential. I was discussing with my parents this past weekend the merits of a parliamentary system where third and fourth and fifth parties could be adequately represented. I don't see how we break the two-party system without opening a door in the legislature...
So you don't prefer any of the Republican candidate names being tossed around? Giuliani? McCain? Frist? Jeb Bush? yada yada yada? Or the Democratic ones? Hilary Clinton (God forbid - and I'm a Democrat - she'd be a disaster)? Mark Warner? Wes Clark? Evan Bayh? Vilsak? Kerry? Gore? Edwards?
I would be tempted towards a third party if I felt it wasn't essentially throwing my vote away... I know there are arguments around that, but for now, we seem to be a two-party system and I want my vote to really matter.
There - I'm back. See??
Alright Alright. I hope you had a good time. On to the discussion at hand. Your lucky I happened to skim down the blog, I ususaly don't. I agree with much of what you said. One thing I think about the Parlimentary System(unless it's George Clinton and the Parliment Funk)is that you can have a party member that is of the other yet in their clothes. Zell Miller for example. He doesn't agree with his party on a thing, yet he comes out and admitts it. Some Democrats posing as Republicans don't. So, one party can dominate. Do you think that's possible?
No, none of the names impress me. Though Guiliani is probably the best of the bunch. I once thought highly of McCain. Not anymore.
Not only is Wes Clark a Democrat/Socialist, I disagree'd with the Late Col Hackworth and thought he was a sham. All of the rest in my eyes are out of the question.
I do wish Americans would pay more attention to 3rd parties. I voted for President Bush as to Badnarik this time as many Libertarians did. Or vica versa I suppose.
I'm a Democrat (was an avowed independent until about a year ago) and would personally like to see Mark Warner make a run for it. He's been a great Governor, has ushered Virginia through some tough budgetary times by being a proactive and good businessman, and is socially progressive without being radical and fiscally conservative.
What caused your break with John McCain??! I've posted another shoe diary, by the by. :-)
I'll have to get back to you on that.
Genuine Republicrat. His Election reform bill just did nothng but hinder free speach. Also he has not sttod up on Defense Issues like I think he should have. But the short of it is he just plays the game. Endless Political Strugle stuff.
I'm sorry I answered your last comment in that way. I was juggling that night and it was late. I do get distracted too.
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