June 28, 2008
Posted by Claire
Yes Virginia, there IS good news in Iraq!
Good morning, and a good news morning it is! Once again, the finding was good and dgging was not too deep. The good news is there and ready to be reported. It’s a sad commentary that these stories are not being told in the MSM. Take a peek a few stories down… Violence in Iraq is down 80% since last year! 80%!! Have a blessed weekend!
Sha’ab Residents Returned to Community
06.28.2008
By Sgt. Zach Mott
3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office,
4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad
Excerpt
BAGHDAD – Upon fulfilling their obligation to the government of Iraq, 10 residents of Sha’ab, a northern Baghdad neighborhood in the Adhamiyah district, were released to their family members during a ceremony, June 27.
“The detainees are being released as part of their normal due process. They’ve served their time or they’ve been prosecuted and fulfilled whatever obligation they have,” said Capt. Kevin Kahre, an Evansville, Ind., native who serves as the commander of Company D, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. READ MORE
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‘Team Metallica’ Helps Rebuild Rusafa
Posted on 06.28.2008
By Capt. Jabbar Colbert
3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment,
4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
Excerpt
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Although, they are not who most people would call average war fighters, their mission is just as vital for survival. They conduct patrols, but their primary mission is not combat related.
“Team Metallica” is charged with assisting local governance to provide for the welfare of Iraqi citizens throughout the Rusafa security district of eastern Baghdad. The team consists of 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Soldiers specifically selected to handle reconstruction efforts. A civil affairs team, a tactical operations team and a security element encompasses Team Metallica that allows them to operate independently. READ MORE
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Ramadi Rebuilds As Region Recovers From Violence
Posted on 06.28.2008
By Lance Cpl. Casey Jones
Regimental Combat Team 1
Excerpt
RAMADI, Iraq – Ramadi was regarded by many to be one of the most violent cities in Iraq for much of the last five years. The thought of rebuilding the troubled city during that time was improbable, the risks were too high. Now, Ramadi is much safer and rebuilding the city is no longer just an impossible idea but an everyday reality in the recovering region.
The country is now transitioning from violence and fighting, to healing and freedom. The focus in Ramadi, and all of al-Anbar province, is no longer on warfare but on reconstructing the region’s damaged infrastructure.
“Ramadi is at the point now to where it’s secure enough to rebuild,” said Staff Sgt. Earl Lucas, a platoon sergeant with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1. READ MORE
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Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers, Iraqi National Police Confiscate Weapons Caches in Baghdad
Courtesy Story
Posted on 06.28.2008
Multi-National Division – Baghdad Public Affairs Office
Full Story with Permissions
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers and Iraqi national police seized weapons caches in Baghdad, June 26.
At approximately 6:30 a.m., Soldiers with the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, seized a weapons cache northwest of Baghdad consisting of three 82 mm mortar rounds, two base plates, a rocket propelled grenade, a surface-to-air missile, a rocket head, blasting caps, three anti-tank mines and rocket propellant.
Police with the 2nd 4th Brigade, 1st national police division, confiscated munitions in two separate finds in the New Baghdad district of Baghdad at approximately 1:30 p.m. The items confiscated included a total of 23 AK-47′s, three SKS’s, a rifle, an RPK machine gun and two MP-5 magazines. READ MORE
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Soldiers Aid Iraqi Security Forces With Safe, Secure Environment at Joint Security Stations
Story by Spc. David Hodge
Posted on 06.28.2008
1st Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad
Excerpt
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – Like a police headquarters in a major U.S. city employs separate precincts throughout an area for a better grip on would-be public offenders, coalition and Iraqi security forces use the same idea in Iraq to facilitate operations in an urban environment.
In the Rashid district of southern Baghdad, Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers launch operations from the joint security stations and combat outposts enabling them to work closely with the Iraqi national police, Iraqi army, Iraqi police and, a key factor in defeating the insurgency, the citizens of Iraq. READ MORE
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Infantry Soldiers Share Bond With Iraqi Brothers in Arms
Posted on 06.27.2008
By 1st Lt. Joseph Holliday
2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team
Excerpt
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers and Iraqi national policemen share the stresses and successes of providing security and stability in Iraq as they work side-by-side every day to protect the people of Baghdad.
Soldiers assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, work with national policemen in a number of capacities. READ MORE
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Largest Public Works Substation Opens in Baghdad
Courtesy Story
Posted on 06.27.2008
By American Forces Press Services
Excerpt
BAGHDAD – Iraqi security forces, civic leaders, local townspeople and coalition forces gathered in the Ameriyah community in Baghdad’s Mansour district June 25 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to acknowledge the opening of the biggest public works substation in the Iraqi capital.
Public works substations provide essential services to local communities, such as trash pickup, street cleaning and other services necessary for proper community maintenance. The opening of the Ameriyah substation marks an important milestone for residents of this area, who have not had these services in more than two years. READ MORE
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Operation Restore Peace VII Continues to Reconcile Former Fighters in Hawijah, Iraq
Posted on 06.27.2008
By Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson
1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
Excerpt
HAWIJAH, Iraq – The government of Iraq and coalition force Soldiers continue to reconcile former fighters as the Operation Restore Peace program in the Hawijah District of the Kirkuk province held its seventh meeting, June 1.
“The government of Iraq is giving you an opportunity to reconcile. Take it,” Lt. Col. Christopher Vanek, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division said to those attending. “If you aren’t here to reconcile – I’ll see you again, on the battlefield.” READ MORE
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Attacks in Iraq down 80 percent from last year
by John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Excerpt
WASHINGTON (June 25, 2008) — The number of weekly attacks in Iraq has dropped from about 1,200 a week in June 2007 to about 200 a week now, the commander of the tactical unit responsible for command and control of operations in Iraq said June 23.
Mirroring this reduction in violence has been a 70 percent decrease in roadside-bomb attacks and an 85 percent spike in the number of weapons caches Coalition forces have found over the past year, Army Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander of Multi-National Corps – Iraq, told reporters via satellite from Baghdad at a Pentagon news conference.
“I attribute most of these hard-fought gains in security to a few key factors: our Coalition forces aggressively pursuing the enemy, the improving capability of the Iraqi Security Forces, and the Iraqi people participating in the rebuilding process of Iraq,” he said. READ MORE
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U.S. Airmen Train Iraqi Maintainers
Thursday, 26 June 2008
By Air Force Senior Airman Eric Schloeffel
Special to American Forces Press Service
Excerpt
KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE — While Iraqi Air Force pilots continue flying sorties to aid stability in their nation, Iraqi maintainers on the ground here have achieved important benchmarks to keep their fleet in the air. Airmen with the Iraqi Air Force’s 3rd Squadron took over a wide variety of maintenance duties on the unit’s Cessna 208 Caravan fleet that’s used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, a task formerly performed by U.S. contractors.
“The 3rd Squadron was recently asked to transition from contracted maintenance to full Iraqi support,” said Air Force Capt. Gordon Beran, 870th Expeditionary Air Advisory Squadron combat aviation advisor. “Having the ability to take over maintenance for their new fleet is very important. It brings them one step closer to a fully autonomous air force.”
The all-Iraqi crews perform Level 1 maintenance tasks such as aircraft launch and recovery, pre-flight maintenance, ground handling and aircraft servicing.
This was no simple undertaking for the Iraqi maintainers, who had no experience with Western-style aircraft and whose English-speaking abilities are limited. READ MORE
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Faux Scenarios, Efficient Techniques to Assist Tal Afar Police
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
By Pfc. Adam Carl Blazak
11th Public Affairs Detachment
Excerpt
TAL AFAR — In late May, a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near the palace grounds in Tal Afar in Northern Iraq. A handful of local civilians died and scores more were injured from the blast. Chaos ran rampant over the scene as Iraqi police attempted to cordon the area over the wailing sirens of police cars and fire engines and the screams of mourning relatives. That was a month ago. Now, Iraqi police from around Tal Afar have been converging on Forward Operating Base Sykes to learn better cordoning techniques during an emergency.
“For many of the IP’s, this is their first formal training,” said 1st Lt. Michelle Weinbaum, the executive officer for 116th Military Police Company, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, referring to the second round of IP’s who were finishing their last day of training, June 24.
Starting just a couple weeks ago, the training was still in its infancy stage, yet the MP’s understand its importance. READ MORE
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Corpsmen teach medical skills to Iraqis
by Cpl. Tyler Barstow
1st Marine Logistics Group
Excerpt CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (June 27, 2008) – Navy doctors and corpsmen at Camp Taqaddum are partnering with Iraqis to show them their medical know-how and teach them the uses of their new equipment.
Five Iraqi army medical officers from Camp Habbaniyah visited Camp Taqaddum Surgical, 1st Supply Battalion (Reinforced), 1st Marine Logistics Group, June 20 to discuss a partnership and tour the building.
A new hospital has been constructed at Camp Habbaniyah, but the facility needs a properly trained staff to operate in the new building with an understanding of the equipment they will use. READ MORE
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Iraqi, U.S Soldiers Light Up Neighborhood
Monday, 23 June 2008
By Sgt. Jerry Saslav
Multi-National Division – Baghdad
Excerpt
BAGHDAD — At first glance it doesn’t look like much: a construction site with a large wooden box strapped to a forklift, a crane, approximately 15 Iraqi Army and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, and a small pile of equipment. Such was the humble beginning of a project designed to deter militant and extremist activity, improve public safety and security, and ease the burdens on the growing Iraqi infrastructure.
Street lights are being installed – solar-powered street lights to be precise.
“The 4th Infantry Division has been the driving force through this project. (They) came in and said, ‘We want to do something to help the people, the Iraqi Security Forces,’” said Capt. Adam Levitt, a native of El Paso, Texas, who is currently serving on a military transition team from 4th Inf. Div., MND-B, as the engineer advisor for the 6th Iraqi Army Division.
From day one, the project has come from the 4th Inf. Div. and MND-B, he said.
Levitt, along with Darryl Steadman, who is a civilian advisor, a translator and approximately ten IA soldiers, began to install the first four of 100 solar powered street lights June 19. READ MORE
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Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone Service Center Opens at Balad
Monday, 23 June 2008
By Staff Sgt. Les Newport
76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Excerpt
BALAD — Joint Base Balad marked the beginning of a new program to spur progress in Iraq in the provinces surrounding the installation. A ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard, Brig. Gen. Gregory E. Couch, commander of the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and Sheik Shihab Ahmed Saleh Al-Tamimi commemorated the opening of the Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone (I-BIZ) Service Center, Basateen Al-Dejayl General Training and Contracting Company, ltd., at Joint Based Balad. The initiative is being spearheaded by the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Indiana Army National Guard.
“We are proud to call Iraqis our wonderful allies and we wish you the very, very best in your new venture,” said Umbarger.
Here is a local sheik very well respected in his community; able to create a business and work in conjunction with us as his allies, said Umbarger. “I think it’s a special step forward and it’s a real honor to be here today. I had an opportunity to speak to the sheik one-on-one. You can see that he is a person with a big heart; it’s a special day for him and likewise for me,” he said. READ MORE
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Tearing Down Old Barriers, Building New Relationships for Future
Monday, 23 June 2008
By Maj. Craig Heathscott
39th Brigade Combat Team, Multi-National Division – Baghdad
Excerpt
BAGHDAD — Time had little effect on the strands of razor-sharp concertina wire that spanned hundreds of meters and split Ali’s farmland except to dull its original purpose – security. Located on the outer wall of Camp Slayer on the Victory Base Complex in Baghdad, the fence was originally constructed sometime during the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom more than five years ago. But until early June, it served no purpose but to divide. In the small community of Radwaniyah, west of Baghdad International airport, an Iraqi farmer simply wanted to be able to access his fields without the seemingly unnecessary long walk-a-rounds resulting from the wire. He had wanted to take the fence down himself; however, he was afraid the coalition forces overlooking his farm from the towers might shoot him.
“I happy to do work taking poles out of ground, but don’t want someone to shoot me because I was stealing,” said Ali, who speaks relatively good English. “I talked to captain (Cesaro) when he drove by and I asked him if I could move it. I thank him very much. Good man.”
Although a handshake was enough to seal the deal for the young Army captain, he provided Ali with a business card explaining he had permission to take the fence down and Coalition forces would assist in the effort. Ali now proudly keeps the card in his wallet and proudly boasts about the friend he has made in Capt. Vincent Cesaro, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. READ MORE
11 Comments
June 28, 2008
(No website link for me, as I couldn’t begin to choose WHICH link to put….lol)
BUT, LOVE these good news stories…As you know, and as I find every week when I do B*N*S*N on Tanker Bros and elsewhere now, there are so many good things happening in the sandbox, it really IS hard to choose which ones to go with..we really could write a book ever week on the great news. You know, the news that the msm doesn’t see as “fit to print”.
We are ON the job…..Good work, Mrs Hooah! And yes, am working on an announcement “scoop” over at AT and TB…..etc etc…..
June 29, 2008
“Team Metallica”
“FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Although, they are not who most people would call average war fighters, their mission is just as vital for survival. They conduct patrols, but their primary mission is not combat related.”
Ummm….This is a bit weird. My Ipod is filled with Metallica tunes. I was thinking it more as adrenaline pumping music for heavy combat. I have no problem with utilizing music to inspire fighting which is necessary and this is the type of music that would pump me up to fight. HARD. It is heavy metal. Respectfully, I don’t see how any Metallica fits with non combat related missions. Perfect for taking it to the enemy hardcore.
One song in particular, a favorite of mine as far as Metallica goes is called Damage, Inc. Here’s a link to the speed metallish thumper. Not one I’d associate for a Bambi/Thumper like mission. I would further contend this is fine, but perhaps a different name should be used for the mission detailed in the article. Furthermore, Metallica’s music is almost entirely hard core. I think their music belongs in tanks, bombers, and fighter jets or wherever needed to fire up the troops.
Here is the link for Damage, Inc. A great fight song to pump up the military during heavy combat. If they are training Iraq citizens to stand up, perfect. Some might find this music scary. I’ve always commented positively on good ganooz. Are you guys being spun by this record? Team Metallica? They are not The Beatles. Again, I repeat, I LIKE THIS MUSIC FOR COMBAT. Perhaps a name change is appropriate. Still, good to know they listen to music that will seriously, fire anyone up in active combat. In the role described, ummmm…. I guess it’s ok.
Damage, Inc. by: Metallica
http://fs.tistory.com/attach/7103/1214901779.mp3
The lyrics because it is pure adrenaline speed music. As virtually all of Metallica is.
Dealing out the agony within
Charging hard and no ones gonna give in
Living on your knees, conformity
Or dying on your feet for honesty
Inbred, our bodies work as one
Bloody, but never cry submission
Following our instinct not a trend
Go against the grain until the end
[chorus:]
Blood will follow blood
Dying time is here
Damage incorporated
[end chorus]
Slamming through, dont fuck with razorback
Stepping out? youll feel our hell on your back
Blood follows blood and we make sure
Life aint for you and were the cure
Honesty is my only excuse
Try to rob us of it, but its no use
Steamroller action crushing all
Victim is your name and you shall fall
[chorus]
We chew and spit you out
We laugh, you scream and shout
All flee, with fear you run
Youll know just where we come from
Damage incorporated
Damage jackals ripping right through you
Sight and smell of this, it gets me goin
Know just how to get just what we want
Tear it from your soul in nightly hunt
Fuck it all and fucking no regrets
Never happy ending on these dark sets
Alls fair for damage inc. you see
Step a little closer if you please
[chorus].
SWEEEEEEEEEEEET.
June 29, 2008
Claire! I forgot to edit the F-Bombs from the lyrics. Please make an F—- or something. I would suggest opening the link in a new window so you can listen with the lyrics. :!
June 29, 2008
I’m not even kidding. I haven’t listened to this tune in years. This morning I can’t stop. I’m listening to it for the 5th time as I write.
If I didn’t fit into the bad back, stomach, and severed tendon in my toe category, I promise you, I would sign up. After 9/11 I looked online for the branch I was interested in, but there was/is no chance. Spoke to “Gunner” about it. I know exactly how I would want to serve and this song just fired me up again. In fact it just ended and I need to refresh it so I can get in the mood. Seriously.
I wanted to try, but “Gunner” said no. The stomach and back wouldn’t get me through basic he said. Look, I can use my mouth to go after terrorists or defend the little guys who were “ordered the code red.” JAG. I looked. What’s up with that if you know.
Most don’t get me sometimes. Like, I’m llistening to it right now and imagining prosecuting the enemy. Being there. Helping. I can’t do that? Man, this song is almost getting me to vote for McCain. My folks would not be pleased.
Maybe you think I jest. HECK NO! The song ended again. One more round. This time I started right at the fast part.
Tomorrow I’m going to check out the online criteria for age and medical exceptions for JAG. Then, I’m going to the range and will be doing my own ammmo dump.
OUT!!!!! SHEESH. THIS TOOK ME RIGHT OUT OF BEATLES MODE.
June 29, 2008
Boy, I’m surprised no one sounded off on this. I happen to love this song, and could really care less about the name Metallica. However, this is point of “FRONT LINE BLOGGERS?”
I read the online blog Claire directed me to. Imagine if msm, interprets this group to be something it clearly is ot. Perception could be reality. My whole Orwellian worry about technology and the wars.
How we have frontline bloggers, without leadership to edit these carefully, like knowing the Metallica’s music, to me is absolutely another example and subset of the picture issue I raised earlier.
Meanwhile, I do fit into every darn exception. Lisening to song again.
If one is over 55 years of age, and is a bleeding heart liberal without a compass, Team Metallica, iby name alone, is a slight potential of risk.
I don’t think it fallacious at all to operate from the following strategy from a strategic standpoint. Assume the worst, prepare for it, and defeat it. Thus, front line bloggers could post a pic or title to a group or whatever. Taken the wrong way. Whammo! Just like the baloney link the Washington Post Did.
Just a thought. I don’t think Frontline Blogging should be allowed. Another potential risk not worth taking. The news from the frontline needs to be highly regulated. This is coming from a big fan of the First Amendment. However, that right, clearly by U.S. Supreme Court precedent and I would assume UCMJ severely curtail First Amendment rights during wartime b/c of national security interests.
I’ve seen on MSM riding along with troops and some really great rap music is being played while on the mission at hand. Once, I think I remember some idiot making a video game reference when he/she heard it.
I remember Good Morning Vietnam and the restrictions they tried to place on Robin Williams. Can you imagine if that sort of charactrer were on the frontlines today with a blog? Funny movie, scary logical implications perhaps.
Sometimes as Gary Ganoo would say, No Ganooz is good Ganooz. With Gary Ganoo.
June 29, 2008
I think I’m a DemoHawk. New Party.
(
June 30, 2008
If being a DemoHawk means common sense, then I’m one too.
Man, I don’t want to say bad things about commanders, but I have to. Most of them hadn’t seen battlefield experience before Iraq and Afghanistan. If they had, they wouldn’t be making these mistakes. Patton and the rest must be spinning in their graves. This kind of info was buried in the internet, but it was there for people to find.
I really, truly, cannot respect my President, our Commander in Chief. Firing Gen. Franks because he had the guts to tell Bush he was wrong WAS THE worst mistake since deciding to invade Iraq. It’s almost a given that you put your most experienced commanders in the top positions. If you want to win a war, use their experiences as a guide to any decisions regarding war.
None of the people in the top cabinet positions, with the exception of Colin Powell had any time in the military. They were all excused from war for various reasons.Yet they took the reins away from the Generals, who at least STUDIED strategy and theory of war, and ran it themselves, into the ground. Big Business Runs The War. Corporate cheapness runs this war.
Corporate execs know that communication is important in war, but they fail to define communication militarily. So many mistakes in this war could have been avoided if one of those idiots had the integrity to admit they didn’t know what they were doing and asked someone who did know.
(
July 1, 2008
To Clarify Briefly lest I be accused of being a flip flopper. No, loud and clear on this now. No prior restraints. My arguments all assume for argument’s sake there is a due process of law, fairness, and an opportunity to be heard before any decision making. Content based censorship, that is arbitrary and capricious, are violative of the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Novel issues in space, but not in theory.
1) I have no problem with Front Line Blogging So long as it is reasonable and bloggers are afforded due process and fair notice under the Fourteenth Amendment.
2) Due Process can not be thrown out the door like in the case of the blogger who was banned without any notice or hearing apparently.
3) The door to Front Line blogging has been opened. Thus, any regulation can not be arbitrary or capricious as it is arguably does with a ban as mentioned in todays article.
4) The merits of the blog in question are in no way rationally related to any security threat.
Claire, thanks for posting that today. This kid is not even close to pics in GTMO or even the non-issue/red herring of Metallica.
This issue needs to be examined now by the court systems if it s not already being done. NOW. This kid feels awful I would imagine. It is easy if you try.
July 1, 2008
Sgt-
Due process in the military follows the procedures set forth in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. It includes the Bill of Rights, but there are conditions where the rights can be temporarily restricted, like during war.
Orders are the gray areas that give superior officers quite a bit of leeway, because they’re commands, sometimes given based on the officer’s or NCO’s own judgment. Other orders go down the hill, from the top all the way to the bottom. Mr. Hooah was exactly on the money that Lt. G’s blog removal was a capricious command. This type of order is acceptable.
There are a few avenues to protest this order, but they all would be pointing out Lt. G as not being a team player, and therefore, quietly ostracized. He would be sabotaging his career. The choices he had were: go over the officer’s head and make a formal complaint; court martial hearing; getting JAG help; or a Congressional Inquiry. The first 2 methods are very subjective and usually don’t favor the plaintiff, especially if you’re protesting a superior’s order.
The last 2 are incredibly time consuming. These are usually referred to a major offense, or possibly even criminal, were it in a civilian setting. These are last resort and would be rejected because of the nature of the offense.
Military law is a different bird than civilian law and rightly so, because situations are defined in different contexts than in civilian law. Some are the same, but Lt. G’s situation is a different duck.
July 1, 2008
DT,
I agree for the most part with your sentiments. National security concerns and the UCMJ severely curtail rights during wartime. However, because front-line blogs have been allowed, due process and fair hearings, while limited, are still afforded to all. The issue would ultimately be whether uniform standards of speech regulation on front line blogging can be done when the editorial decisions rest in the hands of lone officers.
The pragmatic results are as you mention. One can be ostracized, subject to a Court Marshal, etc… Lil’ G is probably afraid for the reasons you mentioned. The problem with this action (the “stand down order”) is that it is based on what appears to be an arbitrary, random, and capricious decision by a higher ranking officer as to what may or may not harm national security. Are there uniform standards? Who makes the decision to order the cyber code red?
Without question, such random decisions and orders will have CHILLING effect on other bloggers. This will impact how all bloggers write. What is sanitized? What isn’t? What’s up? What’s down? Others will be afraid to express their opinions with vague (if you want to call it that) guidelines. Guidelines from the gut. Or as someone else pointed out, perhaps higher ups.
I would imagine those who support Lil G and are actually on the front-lines, will support him. Higher ups will scare him and those who support him. Few will abandon him but some probably will. These questions may or may not race through his head. Regardless, objectively, the chilling effect has already begun.
This is typical in the public on these issues as it would be in the military but to an extremely heightened degree. One the “public” really can not imagine in all fairness because the public cannot really understand front line blogging unless on the front line. The rubbernecker I am can understand that I can’t understand it b/c I’m not there. I can only empathize
Lil’ G could go through procedure under UCMJ to fight this and get a JAG officer but in all likelihood it would be a Quixotic battle. And, the pragmatic concerns are real and tangible. He could get in trouble by voicing his concerns publicly and this could be taken up through the military justice system I would think.
However this is a novel issue. When this blog was “flamed” by The Post, it was because, from what I gather, The Army Blog linked a “private” blog to its page. Leading The Post to a FUBAR conclusion: The Army endorses everything written here.
It would seem the powers that be are playing Mother May I with the troops blogs and rights. At a bare minimum, I would contend there must be uniform standards applicable to all those who blog on the front lines.
Further, there is absolute merit to blogging as an outlet (I would think) for those in war. That link to the word, is an important one I would think. Taking it away, completely, without fair guidance, seems to be a rather harsh sanction. It’s not like Lil’ G had some kind of reckless disregard for the truth. I’m sure a sit down would have would have worked rather than the sanction imposed. No more Lil’ G blog.
By allowing the front line blogs in the public domain, the military thankfully has revealed this issue. Albeit, unwittingly. Good thing.
One can certainly empathize with his plight. He is a voice many listened to from all I’ve read. .
July 2, 2008
Sgt-
You finally found the bull’s eye. Dead center, it’s Mother May I. THAT is the crux of the matter. (thanks for the correction of my mistake of L’il G’s name)
This capricious, self-righteous officer who ordered the stand down is the one calling the shots. He is a familiar entity to me- he probably was delegated this position by his superiors-people too self-absorbed in their own agendas, who then abused it. This happens more often than not.
To people such as this officer, the UCMJ is a tool to get rid of people who irritate you. This is the military, where the Constitution takes second place.
People such as this officer surround themselves with brown nosers, and use intimidation to gain absolute authority, by singling out a person to use as a scapegoat to keep others in line. People then become afraid to report such abuse.
This is what I was trying to convey, only I did a poor job of it. The military is an entirely different world when it comes to the rights of soldiers and officers’ orders. Orders from a superior are usually held as incontrovertible, unless they’re considered egregious.
This is the random bad officer which is allowed to thrive thusly, due to the atmosphere of unquestioned authority. This is how crap like the stand down happens, because the Constitution isn’t part of a soldier’s rights. Basic training tells you that the military OWNS you, for as long as you enlisted.
The only way to get the Army to even address this is to continue blogging about it, just to make this problem go away.
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