Colonel Ken Allard is a widely known commentator on foreign policy and security issues. For more than a decade, he was a featured military analyst on NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC. That experience provided the backdrop for his most recent book, Warheads: Cable News and the Fog of War.
'If You Have a Choice Between Going to a Dumpster or to a VA Hospital, Head for the Dumpster Every Time' I've not read the book, but his media credentials are obviously somewhat lacking.
#1
It's true Obama inherited a dysfunctional VA, and the agency has been overwhelmed by veterans returning from two wars he is winding down. But he pledged to reform the VA after blasting the Bush administration in 2007. Instead of getting better, the health care bureaucracy has worsened and become corrupted. Long delays are covered up and veterans are dying while awaiting care.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
05/20/2014 14:49 Comments ||
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#2
Deacon: you don't go around adding extra layers of bureaucracy and increacing costs to punish people for not supporting single payer and then expect care to be more cost-effective and efficient.
#3
Deacon, the crap at the VA waaay proceeds Bush. Matter of fact, last time I went to a VA hospital , Bush Sr was still a congressman. I got up and left, no treatment. My sons tell me things haven't improved.
The problem is, from their management's point of view if you die you're reducing the workload.
Posted by: ed in texas ||
05/20/2014 21:10 Comments ||
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#4
After four visits to the VA requesting repair of correct a simple hernia, the Doc said when I questioned time frames for repair, "I can't tell you what YEAR we'll get you into surgery".
Since my first visit it's grown five fold.
The Eternal O-5 relates dubious anecdotes and common illusions.
A few months ago when I wrote my first article here about America's cult of the gun, the cultists themselves took notice. What I got in response was, at last count, more than 3,000 hate mail letters, 2,300 just in the first two weeks, and so far 19 death threats. But I did not get spat at, nor did people show up at my house, or the unit where I work, and I have not had to worry about my safety. In no small part I do not doubt this is because I live in England and I do not even own a cell phone; I am a man who expressly notes, in public, that he defends his house with a machete and a kukri; and I am a soldier. Good for you. English people, Gawd Bless 'em. But I would add that at, roughly, 40 plus, you wouldn't have much of a chance against a 16 year old Mohammad "Trayvon" Martin or other similar yute using an edged weapon, soldier or not.
These three factors combined to reserve the abuse to mere e-mails. Nobody called my home, though they did call my mother and father in the middle of the night looking for me (which says something about their research skills, or perhaps reading comprehension skills). Nobody crossed the ocean, figured out where I live, and showed up at my house. Nobody confronted me in a coffee house, here in England. (Which would have been silly, since I'm usually to be found at my "local" anyway.) But mostly it was e-mail such as this bizarre one that came when I asked one of them, "Who are you?"
Posted by: ed in texas ||
05/20/2014 11:45 Comments ||
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#4
I suspect most people who suddenly get their name in the public realm get strange emails and letters from the nutters. It may not even relate to the issue at hand as nutters are by definition, well nuts.
I also believe that we all get some random emails and nonsense that we write off. Terms like F off and Die suddenly become a death threat when you want them to or when you've become paranoid because of your anti-gun article.
Having said that, shame on anyone sending death threats or anything that could be construde as a death threat. That's UnAmerican. he has a right to his speach, however wrong it is and mocking and public humiliation are more appropriate responses than violence.
#5
The Longdon woman recently claimed to have been spit on in an airport. The story has been roundly shown false, from the supposed instigation to the act of spitting.
Odds are that the water pistol story is just as false. She clearly needs some therapy and quiet time, not further feeding of her addiction to attention.
Posted by: Rob Crawford ||
05/20/2014 16:57 Comments ||
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#6
Soldier? In the Army yeah. From what I've heard he was an infantry commander as 2nd Lieutenant long enough to get his creds and promotion to Lieutenant Colonel of History Classes. A professor of history who uses Alex Jones stories from Mother Jones.
Is a machete and kukri even legal in England? What does local translate to? I measure him three bags of dork to move to England and sit around all day reading Mother Jones and lamenting the culture he left.
Machete? Kukri? Gather round the learned professor of history, who has chosen weapon of last choice, other than perhaps a dagger or brass knuckles, in order to protect his. Tell me you at least have a doru, oh master Bateman. Or some darts?
Russian military operations in Crimea have increased the prestige of serving in the Armed Forces, which has been a welcome boost to Moscows on-going efforts to recruit larger numbers of contract personnel. This drive to strengthen military manpower is accompanied by considerations of the technological needs of re-equipping and modernizing the force structures. Thus, due to inherent problems within the Russian defense industry, compounded by existing international sanctions and the prospect of more to follow, the Kremlin is being compelled to find new ways to support military modernization; but it is not proving easy to reconcile such contradictions (http://www.gazeta.ru/politics/2014/05/18_a_6038377.shtml).
While the challenge of instituting a new branch of service based on technically proficient troops has been shelved, this pales in comparison with the longer-term tasks of rearming the Russian military. Faced with a sanctions regime already targeting the high-technology sector, the Kremlin is clearly concerned about such problems. On May 14, President Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting on the issue of defense procurement and adopted a grim line. He noted, We have new circumstances to address nowthe need to replace imports. I asked the government two or three weeks ago to have ready for today an overall analysis of everything related to this area and to calculate the additional funds needed and the timeframe in which we can resolve these new tasks (kremlin.ru, May 14).
Burenok explains that his Academy conducted its own threat assessment. He refers to relentless efforts by the West to increase its influence in the world and in close proximity to Russias borders. Burenok then detailed the main threats to Russias security as follows:
The creation of a full-fledged United States ballistic missile defense system and the basic elements of missile defense in China;
Adoption by the US military of hypersonic cruise missiles by 2025;
The creation of NATO high-tech kinetic weapons, laser systems, precision board control means of destruction, combined weapons guidance systems, precision strap down inertial navigation systems, new explosives, etc.;
Intensive development in the advanced countries of space technology, including on the basis of mini- and nano-satellites of various functions (combat, reconnaissance, electronic warfare);
Expanding the use of information warfare and cyber operations against the Russian Federation;
Development and implementation of sixth-generation warfare technologies, including technical solutions based on nano-technology (technology of alternative energy sources, etc.), biotechnology (chemical and information technology, robotics, genetic engineering methods, etc.), information and cognitive technologies (technologies related to biological element base solutions and weakly formalized creative tasks);
Creation and actual replacement of traditional weapons systems and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for various purposes, terrestrial and marine robotic systems developed on the basis of fundamentally new technologies, autonomous energy sources, artificial intelligence, and the ability to independently perform combat tasks in any environment.
Burenok is in no doubt about the identity of Russias hypothetical opponent behind almost all of these threats: the United States. However, he admits that Russia lacks the capacity to develop forces and equip them to respond in parity. Therefore, he reiterates the idea that Moscow develop asymmetric responses (http://www.vpk-news.ru/articles/20234). Burenok understands that the formation of an innovative army in Russia is no easy task, and he admits the modernization will be arduous. Nonetheless, he is clear about the basis of innovation strategy rooted in equipping the Armed Forces with high-tech weaponry and a new generation of weapons based on new physical principles, perfecting the intelligence system under a single command, establishing automated command and control, and building a force to combat an adversary that uses non-contact and information warfare. Indeed, the identification of the US as the potential enemy, coupled with the postCrimean annexation sanctions, may serve as stimuli to promote internal military transformation.
#1
He refers to relentless efforts by the West to increase its influence in the world and in close proximity to Russias borders.
Meanwhile the Baltic States (forcefully incorporated in 1939), the Czechs (forcefully incorporated 1948), the Poles (suppressed several times), the Hungarians (suppressed in 1956), et al remember the empire building of the Soviets/Russians. Sorry about the Mongols, the Swedes, Nappy, and the Germans, but at some time you might be creating a self fulfilling prophecy by your own actions.
#2
Most disturbing is the proposed "exit tax" that the California legislature is attempting to put in place.
Back during the Cold War it was often remarked that one of the differences between us and them was that Americans could leave any time but the Soviets built walls to keep people from leaving.
California is now at that stage of leftist thought. Today they seek to keep people in with fines. Can bullets be that far off?
There is nothing, in the end, that the ruling elite and their publicly funded wannabes and footsoldiers will balk at to continue to parasitizing the private sector.
Posted by: no mo uro ||
05/20/2014 5:24 Comments ||
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#3
Exit tax? Now that really is getting screwed both coming and going.
#6
"Exit tax"? I made a joke about that last month, not thinking anybody'd be so stupid as to make up such a POS. I forgot about the DEMS in Cali-F-U legislature.
I'm sure Gov Moonbeam would be happy to sign such garbage because,remember people, they have a railroad to finish.
Hey, Rick, here's another business to take away.
#9
Who was there first, the factory or the neighbors who complain about the smell? If the factory was there first you have to wonder why the city permitted residential development downwind of a smelly factory. If the neighbors were there first the question then becomes why did the city allow that factory to be built in a location where it was certain to stink up the neighborhood? Either way the city council members end up looking like a bunch of crooked morons. But that's par for the course in California.
#10
Texas is telling them to come on down, they'll fund a good site for them. Probably by the river in a place with prevailing winds that blow from the US into Mexico.
I'm thinking somewhere near Jefferson Island would be better, you'd be able to drive to Temple and back without having to go on Highway 90, about which, the less said, the better.
Posted by: Barbara ||
05/20/2014 15:23 Comments ||
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#14
Exit tax is easy enough to defeat if its high enough - seen in a post elsewhere:
You simply start a second company, a new one that competes with your old one, doing the exact same thing. Then you double all the prices at the old company, and tell all your customers they can get the same services at half the price from the new company, especially since you let them hire all of your key employees.
Then you let a couple months go by, and file bankruptcy for the old company, [selling the brands etc to the new one] and you are left with a brand new company in a new state. No exit tax.
#16
OS, that's obvous. I'm sure there are more creative solutions, too. 8^)
Saw this same fight 35 years ago here in Taxachusetts. Pig farm had been there for decades. Next farmer sold land to developer. Developer build McMansions on the land. New home owners (left-wing yuppies) sued over the smell from their old neighbor.
Town meeting about the permitting went rather loudly against "WHITE COLLAR COMPUTER IDIOTS!!"
Much amusement for rational, conservative types. The pig farm is still there.
#17
From what I understand it was 2 brothers and their wives that did the complaining. A total of 4 persons. The factory only emits the dubious chili smell 3 months out of the year.
On the other hand...The Miller Brewery, within a mile, emits a stronger odor 24/7 but these 4 complainers seem to have no trouble with the Miller odor from batch upon batch of brewing hops and yeast.
[DAWN] PART of Pakistain's polio ...Poliomyelitis is a disease caused by infection with the poliovirus. Between 1840 and the 1950s, polio was a worldwide epidemic. Since the development of polio vaccines the disease has been largely wiped out in the civilized world. However, since the vaccine is known to make Moslem pee-pees shrink and renders females sterile, bookish, and unsubmissive it is not widely used by the turban and automatic weapons set... problem may be that some in the official machinery seem to have fudged figures to make it appear as if large numbers of children had been vaccinated when this was in reality not the case. On Friday, the Senate was told the provinces had sent 'fake' reports related to the anti-polio drive. According to the minister of state for national health services, the provincial governments shared "fabricated" figures with the centre. At face value this claim seems to have substance, as if there had indeed been 80 or 90pc success in the immunisation campaign, Pakistain would not be leading the world in the number of polio cases reported so far this year. What is needed at all levels of the state machinery is honesty about what has gone wrong with the drive to eradicate polio from the country. A proper investigation is in order and the provincial health departments need to explain if figures indeed had been fabricated.
Of equal concern is the government's strategy to carry forward the immunisation campaign effectively. The prime minister recently said that administering polio drops would be a must for all children entering the settled areas from Fata. Though some have criticised the move, the fact is that the tribal belt remains the most problematic area where polio is concerned, for the vast majority of cases have been reported from the region. While vaccinating children leaving and entering the tribal belt is one solution, youngsters living within Fata, especially the agencies where faceless myrmidons hold sway, should not be forgotten. The Wazoo agencies are specific areas of concern. Along with administering drops on thoroughfares within the tribal belt, perhaps the state can link the issuance of documents such as identity cards and domiciles to adults with proof of children's vaccination. Apart from the tribal belt, the campaign needs to be carried out more thoroughly in areas where polio cases have been reported, as well as cities where the virus has been found in sewage samples, such as Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... and Lahore.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/20/2014 00:00 ||
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Link ||
[9 views]
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Posted by: Fred ||
05/20/2014 00:00 ||
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Link ||
[4 views]
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#1
My personal fav:
Here you are graduating from Rutgers, which is, as I mentioned, the 69th-best university in America. Maybe Rutgers should add more vegan selections to its cafeteria fare. U.S. News & World Report scorekeepers go for that kind of thing. Actually, youre tied for 69th with Texas A&M, an NFL first-round draft with a small college attached.
#4
Hey O'Rourke, will I am thrilled with most of the tenor of your blast at those nasty little leftist cretins that occupy positions of authority in academia,
I do have one correction, Texas A&M is the fifth LARGEST university in the US with an enrollment of approximately 51,000. t is not a Heisman trophy with a small college attached. I went there and Rutgers can't carry A&M's jock. We are a conservative school that does not teach women's studies economics.
Posted by: Bill Clinton ||
05/20/2014 13:46 Comments ||
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[PJ Media] The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee warned that dangerous non-interventionism has taken root in segments of both the right and the left, saying he intends to focus on spreading an "articulate, dogged, national message" against isolationism when he leaves Congress at the end of this term. Yes, but since we've hardly gone 5 consecutive years without one since the end of WWII, people are quite tired of feckless interventions, financial costs, and the butchers bill of war.
Seven-term Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), a former FBI agent, announced at the end of March that he would leave office at the conclusion of the 113th Congress to focus on a broadcasting career. 'Broadcasting career' or DoD spending and contracting advocate? You decide.
Rogers began a summer speaking series this week speaking to the Business Executives for National Security in Washington, which gave the chairman its Eisenhower Award.
He noted that when Dwight D. Eisenhower first ran for president in 1952, he squared off against an isolationist Republican in a primary -- Senator Robert Taft from Ohio, son of President William Howard Taft. By the time he left office, Ike was quite concerned about the growing "Military and Industrial Complex." [See para 3 above and target of Rogers' first speaking engagement]. Over the course of his life, General Eisenhower had seen a gut full of war, conflict, and death. Congressman Mike Rogers, not so much.
#2
Ike was quite concerned about the growing "Military and Industrial Complex."
...but there was more, that everyone is told to ignore -
Akin to, and largely responsible for the sweeping changes in our industrial-military posture, has been the technological revolution during recent decades.
In this revolution, research has become central; it also becomes more formalized, complex, and costly. A steadily increasing share is conducted for, by, or at the direction of, the Federal government.
Today, the solitary inventor, tinkering in his shop, has been overshadowed by task forces of scientists in laboratories and testing fields. In the same fashion, the free university, historically the fountainhead of free ideas and scientific discovery, has experienced a revolution in the conduct of research. Partly because of the huge costs involved, a government contract becomes virtually a substitute for intellectual curiosity. For every old blackboard there are now hundreds of new electronic computers.
The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present and is gravely to be regarded.
Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientifictechnological elite.
The same academics who lied about the National Socialist not being socialists, also want you to ignore that they too are among those who Ike warned about. Can you say 'grant money'? Can you say 'man made global warming' boys and girls.
#3
The main problem with intervening in somebody's little 'event' is, throughout the twentieth century, (1)America did it (2)paid for it with blood and cash (3)was left with the sneaking notion we got played (4)was roundly denounced for it.
The attitude now seems to be, 'they're never going to be our friends anyway, f**k 'em.
Posted by: ed in texas ||
05/20/2014 11:30 Comments ||
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#5
He was right you know, his theory of Natural Selection. We've been swimming against the tide of zygotes far too long. We need to step back and let Gaia resolve some of these issues.
#6
Let the Soddies fight for themselves. Let the Ukrainians and the Russians sort it out for themselves. Let the Afghans FOAD. Save your powder for China.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Wazoo
He was right you know, his theory of Natural Selection. We've been swimming against the tide of zygotes far too long. We need to step back and let Gaia resolve some of these issues. 
