Sean Linnane

A JOURNEY BACK IN TIME

2012-01-29T01:24:00.000Z

This morning I got on a train at Waterloo Station and went to Portsmouth to meet my Dad's colleague, an old friend of the family.

Matt was a British officer in the Indian Army during World War II. He led a company of Gurkhas in North Africa and Italy.

Needless to say, Matt is a charter member of Team STORMBRINGER

I haven't seen Matt since I was 15, but he has been following my career.

Matt is 88, and I found him still agile and mobile, happy and joking and smiling all the time. Incredibly, he hasn't changed a bit.
I told him we kids all thought he looked like David Niven. He laughed and laughed at that, and said David Niven came from Portsmouth, and of course they had similar military careers.

Matt was so happy to see me. Our plan was to visit the D-Day museum. As we drove toward it, Matt pointed out toward the Solent - the stretch of water between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight - and said, "They say on the weeks before D-Day, you could walk right across the water, there were so many boats and ships lined up."

I asked Matt where he was on June 6th, 1944. He said, "Oh, I was a D-Day Dodger!" I know a little bit about what Matt went through fighting Germans in Italy, and he didn't dodge anything. Matt explained; Lady Astor was the first woman Member of Parliament. The legend goes that during the Normandy Campaign she blurted out something about the men of the 8th Army fighting in the Italian campaign as the "D-Day Dodgers"; implying that they had it easy because they were avoiding the "real war" in France. The Allied soldiers in Italy subsequently composed a bitingly sarcastic song to the tune of the haunting German song Lili Marleen; "The Ballad Of The D-Day Dodgers" - and Matt sang a few bars of it for me. I wish I could sing the way Matt does - I'd be a Rock Star.

When we got to the D-Day museum I asked, "Is there a military discount?" the young man at the counter said,

"For World War veterans, they go free."

"Good; two World War veterans." The young man looked at me like I was crazy. I pointed at Matt, then pointed at myself, "He's a World War II veteran, and I'm a World War III veteran."

That got a chuckle. "No, only the Second World War veterans get in free. This is the D-Day Museum."

They have an amazing embroidery that encircles an entire display hall.

Inspired by the Bayeaux Tapestry, that chronicled the Norman Conquest of 1066 - when William Duke of Normandy crossed the channel from France and became William the Great - thirty-four huge panels depict the stunning scenes of the world's greatest, most well-known and most chronicled military operation.

The embroideries are amazing; they are a significant cultural artifact, and they honor the men and women involved in the great Operation Overlord.

The official name of this incredible relic is THE OVERLORD EMBROIDERY

Matt and I had a grand old chinwag and reminisced about the Good Old Days. We toured around and looked at the countryside and the various military fortifications around Portsmouth, dating back to the Napoleanic Era, and before that, to the reign of King Henry the VIII, and before that, King Alfred the Great.

Then we went to his flat and I saw all the things from Indonesia, Bangladesh and Thailand - my upbringing, the places from where I knew Matt. We drank some wine and everytime we raised a glass we drank to "The Good Old Days!" and Matt would laugh and smile that charismatic smile of his. He told me stories about his life, stories about World War II and a few stories about our ex-pat life in Asia, a couple anecdotes I didn't know about (because I was a kid then).

It was a poignant moment in Time.

There will be more to come about Matt and his remarkable career - I simply don't have the time to write right now; there is an important project and Matt knows what it is, because I told him.

And then we drove down to Gosport and took the ferry to the train station. When I take off from Heathrow tomorrow morning, I will have travelled by automobile, ship, train and aircraft, all within 24 hours. This is an personal achievement I have been trying to gain this for at least the past thirty-four years.

STORMBRINGER SENDS

SPOTTED DICK

2012-01-29T01:22:00.000Z

On the trains today going through the English countryside. These are some of the names of the places I am traveling thru:

Wanking

Shaftsbury

East Dorking

Slopsbury

Screwing

St. Screamsbury

Blowing

Wadsworth

I had lunch in a pub called The Cock and Pussy - the pub sign was a painting of a rooster fighting a cat, I kid you not. The guy at the next table over said to the waittress, "I'm having Spotted Dick. I know I'll regret it tomorrow, but I've earned it."

Whatever floats your boat, Mister. I don't have Spotted Dick, I don't ever want to have it, and I REALLY don't wanna know whatever it was you did to EARN Spotted Dick. I mean, REALLY people - "Too Much Information!"

. . . OK too much time on my hands . . . here's some street names in various towns found throughout England:

Find Bush Lane

Sandy Balls

Hornyold Rd

Fingringhoe

Shitterton

Hole of Horcum

Fanny Hands Lane

Cockshoot Close

Crotch Crescent

Cumming Court

Cocknmouth Close

Rimswell

Spanker Lane

Beaver Close

Dick Court

Lickfold Close

My favorite is Beaver Close . . . Today's Bird HERE- STORMBRINGER SENDS

FROM A CANADIAN HOUSEWIFE

2012-01-27T08:24:00.001Z

This letter to the editor surfaced in the STORMBRINGER mailbag. Apparently written by a Canadian woman, it also applies to the USA, UK and Australia. Written by a housewife in New Brunswick, Canada to her local newspaper - this is one ticked off lady . . . S.L.

"Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not, started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001 and have continually threatened to do so since?

Were people from all over the world, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan, across the Potomac from the capitol of the USA and in a field in Pennsylvania?

Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

Do you think I care about four U.S. Marines urinating on some dead Taliban insurgents?

And I'm supposed to care that a few Taliban were claiming to be tortured by a justice system of a nation they are fighting against in a brutal Insurgency.

I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East, start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere belief of which, is a crime punishable by beheading in Afghanistan.

I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head, while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.

I'll care when the cowardly so-called insurgents in Afghanistan, come out and fight like men, instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in Mosques and behind women and children.

I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of Nirvana, care about the innocent children within range of their suicide Bombs.

I'll care when the Canadian media stops pretending that their freedom of Speech on stories, is more important than the lives of the soldiers on the ground or their families waiting at home, to hear about them when something happens.

In the meantime, when I hear a story about a CANADIAN soldier roughing up an Insurgent terrorist to obtain information, know this:

I don't care.

When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank:

I don't care. Shoot him again.

When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed 'special' food, that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can absolutely believe, in your heart of hearts:

I don't care.

And oh, by the way, I've noticed that sometimes it's spelled 'Koran' and other times 'Quran.' Well, Jimmy Crack Corn you guessed it.

I don't care!!

If you agree with this viewpoint, pass this on to all your E-mail Friends. Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!

If you don't agree, then by all means hit the delete button. Should you choose the latter, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great Country! And may I add:

Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering, if during their life on earth, they made a difference in the world. But, the Soldiers don't have that problem.

I have another quote that I would like to share AND...I hope you forward All this.

One last thought for the day:

Only five defining forces have ever offered to die for you:

1. Jesus Christ

2. The British Soldier.

3. The Canadian Soldier.

4. The US Soldier, and

5. The Australian Soldier

One died for your soul, the other four, for you and your children's Freedom.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS THIS ON, AS MANY SEEM TO FORGET!

AMEN! GOD BLESS CANADA AND AMERICA.

I couldn't have said it better myself - read on (below) - STORMBRINGER SENDS

FOUND ON A SEABEE MESSAGE BOARD

2012-01-27T08:03:00.000Z

Piss on a Crucifix, and they'll call you an "Artist"

Piss on the American Flag, and they'll call you a Freedom of Speech "Constitutionalist"

Piss on a Police Car, and they'll call you an Occupy Wall Street "Freedom Lovin' 99 percenter"

Piss on a Taliban piece of shit that just tried to kill you and your fellow Marines, and they'll call you a "Villain"

Sure is a f*cked-up Administration we have running this great country!!!!!

Be sure to vote them ALL GONE in November!!!!!

Life Of Duty: Gunsite Academy

2012-01-27T07:45:00.000Z

Here's the new video from Life Of Duty correspondent Chuck Holton on the Gunsite Academy in Arizona. Gunsite is a cool organization that offers firearms training to elite military personnel, law enforcement officers and free citizens of the US. Enjoy - S.L.

EXCELLENT GUN ADVICE

2012-01-27T07:35:00.000Z

This little nugget of knowledge surfaced in the STORMBRINGER mailbag - S.L.

What is the smallest caliber you can trust to protect yourself?

My personal favorite defense gun has always been a Beretta Jetfire in .22 short. I have carried it for many years including while hiking. I never leave home without it.

Of course the first rule when hiking in the wilderness is to use the "Buddy System". This means you NEVER hike alone, you bring a friend, companion or even an in-law because if something happens there is someone to go get help.

I remember one time while hiking with my brother-in-law in northern Alberta and out of nowhere came this huge brown bear charging us and boy, was she mad. We must have been near one of her cubs.

Anyway, if I had not had my little Jetfire I would not be here today. Just one shot to my brother-in-law's knee cap and I was able to escape by just walking away at a brisk pace.

That's one of the best pistols in my collection . . .

Today's Bird HERE

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

2012-01-26T08:39:00.001Z

This is the Wattle

the Symbol of Our Land

You can Stick it in a Bottle

You can Hold it in your Hand

Australia!

Australia Day Birds HERE

COMBAT ETIQUETTE: How It's Done Right

2012-01-23T01:57:00.000Z

Kapitän zur See Hans Wilhelm Langsdorff (Iron Cross First Class, Iron Cross Second Class, Hanseatenkreuz) - 20 March 1894 – 19 December 1939

Kapitän Hans Langsdorff takes a smoke as he reads the morning newspaper on the morning before his death.

Men, Take Notice:

The dilemma faced by Captain Langsdorff, captain of Admiral Graf Spee the 'pocket battleship' that was the pride of the Third Reich's Kriegsmarine and scourge of British merchant shipping in the opening months of the Second World War.

The Graf Spee was renowned for being “faster than anything bigger, and bigger than anything faster”. Langsdorff zig-zagged across the Atlantic, sinking Allied merchant shipping all over the place, giving the impression that there was a large fleet of ships dedicated to this task.

Captain Langsdorff, however, was not a monster. Despite sinking over 50,000 tonnes of Allied shipping, in nine separate raids, Langsdorff ensured that not a single life - German or Allied - was lost in the process.

When he encountered Allied shipping, he would send a message to the unfortunate ship, telling them not to attempt to send out information by radio, with the threat of immediate sinking. Even when Allied captains defied this command and sent out messages, Langsdorff did not fire upon the ships, instead evacuating all souls on board to his supply ship, the Altmark, before scuttling the merchant ship peacefully. When faced with meeting the captains who had disobeyed his instructions, he personally commended them for making the right choice, despite the (perceived) risk to their own life.

Langsdorff's final engagement - the Battle of the River Plate. The battle itself was heroic enough and details can be found here. The most interesting part, however, came directly after the battle.

Graf Spee limped into Montevideo harbour in the neutral country of Uruguay, unseaworthy through the damage sustained in the fight against three Allied cruisers.

Intense political maneuvering in Montevideo by British and German diplomats followed. Graf Spee was able to be made just seaworthy but not able to restock her ammunition. Her magazine was severely depleted - about enough shells to last for about 20 minutes bombardment - against what he believed was a significant Allied presence in the international waters outside the estuary of the Plate. There was thus little chance that he could fight his way out of the Plate, let alone make it back to Germany.

Langsdorff tried to negotiate alternate solutions, but was ultimately forced to sail from Montevideo into international waters, towards the Allied fleet.

He therefore set sail. But while still in Uruguayan waters (and thus safe) he transferred almost all of his crew to German freight ships, and sailed out into the estuary of the Plate. A loud explosion was heard; Graf Spee burned and slipped under the water.

Langsdorff had scuttled his ship and escaped with his officers aboard a small craft. He had declined battle to prevent senseless loss of life, thus saving the lives of the 900 men under his command. His decision reportedly infuriated Adolf Hitler - who, like all tyrants, demanded of their subordinates obedience and self-sacrifice above and beyond.

Langsdorff wanted to go down with his ship, his negotiating skills were required to ensure that his crew received amnesty in Montevideo. After a couple of days, when Langsdorff had ensured that his crew were safe, he retired to his room, wrote letters to his wife and children, along with a suicide note, lay on the Imperial (not Nazi) ensign of his ship, and shot himself, symbolically going down with the vessel.

Langsdorff did not want to be accused of cowardice in refusing to face the enemy, and so had ended his own life, entwining his fate with that of his ship. He believed that “for a captain with a sense of honor, it goes without saying that his personal fate cannot be separated from that of his ship.”

It is evident that the British Naval officers of the time also agreed with this statement, for all those officers present in Montevideo at the time attended his funeral, and he was posthumously honoured by both sides in the battle for his gentlemanly conduct in battle.

"There are three things I like about being on an Italian cruise ship. First, their cuisine is unsurpassed. Second, their service is superb. And then, in time of emergency, there is none of this nonsense about women and children first."

– Winston Churchill

Right now I'm so mixed up I don't know if it's Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. What the Hell - some kind of hot bird is HERE

PROFESSIONAL READING LIST

2012-01-21T19:36:00.000Z

Interesting and insightful . . . S.L.

A Bright Shining Lie - Neil Sheehan

This passionate, epic account of the Vietnam War centers on Lt. Col. John Paul Vann, whose story illuminates America's failures and disillusionment in Southeast Asia. Vann was a field adviser to the army when American involvement was just beginning. He quickly became appalled at the corruption of the South Vietnamese regime, their incompetence in fighting the Communists, and their brutal alienation of their own people. Finding his superiors too blinded by political lies to understand that the war was being thrown away, he secretly briefed reporters on what was really happening.

A Man Called Intrepid - William Stevenson

The incredible World War II narrative of the hero whose spy network and secret diplomacy changed the course of history.

A Passage to India - E. M. Foster

A detailed look at the cultural differences between East and West through a tragic occurrence in colonial India. Written while England was still firmly in control of India, Forster's novel follows the fortunes of three English newcomers to India - Miss Adela Quested, Mrs. Moore, and Cyril Fielding - and the Indian, Dr. Aziz, with whom they cross destinies. The idea of true friendship between the races was a radical one in Forster's time, and he makes it abundantly clear that it was not one that either side welcomed.

A Question of Loyalty: Gen. Billy Mitchell and the Court Martial that Gripped the Nation - Douglas C. Waller

A superb and charismatic Signal Corps officer and innovative air tactician in WWI, Mitchell faced an internal conflict: should he be loyal to his superior officers, whom he regarded as almost treasonably incompetent, or to what he saw as his country's best interests, which included a vastly larger, united and independent air arm? The result was a famous court-martial, which Time magazine correspondent Waller makes extremely comprehensible and gripping to readers more than 75 years on.

After Bali: The Threat of Terrorism in Southeast Asia - Kumar Ramakrishna

This book critically analyses the specific threat of terrorism in Southeast Asia since the Bali blasts of 12 October 2002 and the US-led war on Iraq. It offers a comprehensive and critical examination of the ideological, socioeconomic and political motivations, trans-regional linkages, and media representations of the terrorist threat in the region, assesses the efficacy of the regional counter-terror response and suggests a more balanced and nuanced approach to combating the terror threat in Southeast Asia.

Allah's Torch: A Report from Behind the Scenes in Asia's War on Terror - Tracy Dahlby

Dahlby begins his journalistic account of his pre- and post-9/11 travels there with a study of religious conflict in the Moluccas in 1999. A reluctant interisland passenger along with several hundred Islamic jihadis, he meets a Moluccan elder statesman and his savvy daughter. On a later trip, he finds the country suffering from the aftereffects of 9/11 and American pressure to deal with what is inaccurately perceived as a monolithic jihadist movement—Indonesia's Islam, and its militant factions, are no more monolithic than any other aspect of the country.

Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage - Sherry Sontag, Christopher Drew, Annette Lawrence Drew

Little is known about American submarine espionage during the Cold War. These submerged sentinels silently monitored the Soviet Union's harbors, shadowed its subs, watched its missile tests, eavesdropped on its conversations, and even retrieved top-secret debris from the bottom of the sea.

Blink - The Power of Thinking Without Thinking Malcom Gladwell

Blink is about the first two seconds of looking--the decisive glance that knows in an instant. Gladwell campaigns for snap judgments and mind reading with a gift for translating research into splendid storytelling. Building his case with scenes from a marriage, heart attack triage, speed dating, choking on the golf course, selling cars, and military maneuvers, he persuades readers to think small and focus on the meaning of "thin slices" of behavior.

Charlie Wilson's War - The Extraordinary Story of How the Wildest Man in Congress and a Rogue CIA Agent Changed the History of Our Times - George Crile

No thriller writer would dare invent Wilson, a six-feet-four-inch Texas congressman, liberal on social issues but rabidly anti-Communist, a boozer, engaged in serial affairs and wheeler-dealer of consummate skill. Only slightly less improbable is Gust Avrakotos, a blue-collar Greek immigrant who joined the CIA when it was an Ivy League preserve and fought his elitist colleagues almost as ruthlessly as he fought the Soviet Union in the Cold War's waning years.

Chinese Foreign Relations: Power and Policy since the Cold War - Robert G. Sutter

China is rightly considered an emerging power in world affairs as Chinese leaders, backed by growing economic and military strength, engage in innovative diplomatic approaches that pave the way for China's international role. But this is only part of the story of China's rise. As Robert G. Sutter meticulously shows in this thoroughly updated and balanced assessment, the record of twists and turns in Chinese foreign relations since the end of the Cold War highlights a very different perspective. Domestic problems, nationalism, and security concerns continue to preoccupy Beijing, complicating China's influence and innovations in foreign affairs. On the international front, the actions of other powerful nations and growing dependence on the world economy complicate as well as enhance China's advance to international prominence.
Providing a comprehensive introduction to Chinese foreign relations, Sutter shows Chinese leaders exerting growing influence in world affairs but remaining far from dominant. Facing numerous contradictions and tradeoffs, they move cautiously to avoid major confrontations, costly commitments, or mistakes that could undermine their one-party rule as they deal with an international environment posing numerous challenges as well as opportunities for Chinese interests.

Code-Name Bright Light - The Untold Story of U.S. POW Rescue Efforts During the Vietnam War George J. Veith

An accounting of US Personnel Recovery Efforts during Vietnam. The author used multiple FOIA requests and extensive research to chronicle the triumphs and failure of DoD and DoS Personnel Recovery Efforts. A must read for commanders and staffs to see the evolution of PR during Vietnam and the correlation between the challenges then to the challenges we face now.

That's it for now - more to follow when I get a chance to come up for air. - STORMBRINGER SENDS

Today's Bird HERE

POSTSCRIPT

2012-01-21T04:07:00.001Z

I threw this thing up here on a dare - fact of the matter is I ran out of time today, and there isn't going to be much time for the next 48 - 75 hours. . .

I'm shipping out tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . STORMBRINGER SENDS

"Water Displacement #40"

2012-01-19T12:07:00.001Z

QUESTION: What is the main ingredient of WD-40?

Before you read to the end, does anybody know what the main ingredient of WD-40 is? Don't lie and don't cheat. WD-40. Who knows? Somebody? Anybody? B-U-E-L-L-E-R-?-?-?

I had a neighbor who bought a new pickup. I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason).

I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news. He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do . . . . probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open.

Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off. It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job whatsoever. I'm impressed!

WD-40 - who knew?

The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts.

WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. It's name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you . . . When you read the 'shower door' part, try it.

It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle! Then try it on your stove top . . . Viola! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.

WD-40 uses:

1. Protects silver from tarnishing.

2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.

3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.

4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.

5. Keeps flies off cows.

6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.

7. Removes lipstick stains.

8. Loosens stubborn zippers.

9. Untangles jewelry chains.

10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.

11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.

12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.

13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.

14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.

15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.

16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.

17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.

18. It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor. Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.

19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly. Use WD-40.

20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.

21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.

22. Rids skids on rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.

23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.

24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.

25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.

26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.

27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.

28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.

29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.

30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.

31. Removes splattered grease on stove.

32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.

33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.

34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).

35. Removes all traces of duct tape.

36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.

37. Florida 's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.

38. The favorite use in the state of New York , WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.

39. WD-40 attracts fish; spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose.

40. Use it for fire ant bites; it takes the sting away, immediately, and stops the itch.

41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls.

42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash.

43. If you sprayed WD-40 on a distributor cap, it displaces the moisture and allows the car to start.

P.S. The basic ingredient in WD-40 is . . .

. . . FISH OIL ! ! !

Today's Bird HERE

KEEL HAUL THE BASTARD

2012-01-18T12:35:00.002Z

"House Arrest" for Cowardly Captain who abandoned stricken Costa Concordia cruise liner ahead of passengers.

"What are you doing? Are you abandoning the rescue? Captain, this is an order, I am the one in charge now. You have declared abandoning ship. There are already bodies." - Coastguard officer's instructions to Francesco Schettino

Words fail to capture the magnitude of this disaster, caused by the actions of this idiot (above). The fact that the loss of life was so incredibly low - 29 deaths so far, eleven missing last count out of about 4200 has nothing to do with the actions of the Captain, who bolted like a rabbit at the first sign of trouble. In an earlier age, there would be no court case because he already would have paid for his dishonor with a single bullet to the brain, self-inflicted. - S.L.

Imagine the terrifying chaos as panic swept through the interior of the ship.

Italian military divers placing explosive breaching charges to create access holes.

Rescue & recovery divers entering the Costa Concordia.

The jumbled mess that awaits them in the interior.

Today's Bird HERE

THIS GUY LIKES GUNS

2012-01-17T14:36:00.001Z

Does anybody know the location of this cool mailbox?

Today's Birds HERE

THE ULTIMATE ANTI-OBAMA

2012-01-16T14:56:00.001Z

I suggest we run Pepe le Puw as the quintessential anti-Obama Republican candidate:

He's half-black and half-white.

Born & raised overseas - no known birth certificate.

Capable of charming Europeans.

Doesn't stink half as bad as any of the candidates we have now.

Comment?

ALLEN WEST ON THE MARINES INCIDENT:

2012-01-16T04:09:00.001Z

"Shut your mouth - War is Hell!"

And he's not the only one with balls - look who else has grown a pair:

Progressives Attack Dana Loesch For 'Cheering' Marines Pissing On Dead Taliban

Me, I say what's the big deal? Of course, I said that over the Abu Ghraib thing - worse things happen at frat parties. Proof of the pudding is that none of the soldiers indicted in the Abu Ghraib scandal were convicted for torture; sentences were handed down for taking souvenir photographs of prisoners - yes that's illegal under the Geneva Conventions - and the catch-all blanket charge 'prisoner abuse'. I was in Germany when Abu Ghraib broke and it was a scream listening to the Germans - of all people - getting all high and mighty and talking about atrocities. Like, they should know.

Let me go on the record here once more by endorsing the Blackjack Pershing technique - the Gold Standard of Muslim Terrorist Corpse Desecration.

Prior to World War I, General Pershing served in the Philippines, during the Moro Insurrection. At that time there were a number of terrorist attacks on the United States forces by Muslim extremists.

So General Pershing captured 50 Moro terrorists and had them tied to posts for execution. He then had his men bring in two pigs and slaughter them in front of the now horrified terrorists.

Muslims detest pork because they believe pigs are filthy animals. Some of them simply refuse to eat it, while others wont even touch pigs at all, nor any of their by-products. To them, eating or touching a pig, its meat, its blood, etc, is to be instantly barred from paradise (and those virgins) and be doomed to Hell.

The soldiers then soaked their bullets in the pigs blood, and proceeded to execute 49 of the terrorists by firing squad. The soldiers then dug a big hole, dumped in the terrorists bodies and covered them in pig blood, entrails, etc. They let the 50th man go. And for the next forty-two years, there was not a single Muslim extremist attack anywhere in the world.

THIS IS A WAR, ladies, not a sporting event, and the enemy we're up against wants to kill EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. To make it even MORE interesting, this enemy is not playing by anybody's rule book. This war is going to go on from now until the Second Coming and it doesn't matter to them a whit whether or not we follow the Law of Land Warfare. The fact that we do only serves to justify our treatment of captive terrorists to the rest of the world. Never mind the fact that the rest of the world equates Guantanamo to Auschwitz.

While we're on the subject - I've read the Geneva Convention, cover to cover, and the minimal requirements for a military tribunal for enemy prisoners accused of criminal acts - before or after their capture - is an officer to read the charges; this is the reason it is called a 'drumhead tribunal'. No mention of a judge, jury, or a legal defense - these are all legal niceties we provide in order to make it more palatable to the political class. I don't think there is any doubt that the terrorist tactics of the Taliban and al Qaeda enemy are criminal. Sentencing may be no harsher than the laws of the warring power under which the prisoners are being held - yes that means the death sentence may be handed out.

Nothing in there about dipping bullets in pig's blood, and when you think about it, urinating on corpses looks pretty weak compared to burying terrorists under a pile of pig's entrails.

"That's my story and I'm sticking to it" - STORMBRINGER SENDS

Today's Bird HERE

THIS IS COOL: BIGGEST TEAHUPOO EVER

2012-01-15T19:56:00.003Z

More Surfing Videos

Got this off BlogMeister Theo's site: LAST OF THE FEW - Go there early, and often. - S.L.

HELL YES FOR TEXAS ! ! !

2012-01-15T14:52:00.001Z

After the shooting at Lake Falcon by members of the Mexican drug cartels . . .

. . . Texas will no longer rely on the Federal Government to protect its citizens.

Six of these boats have been put into service along the border by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Looks like we're getting serious . . .

Today's Bird HERE

A VERY GOOD QUESTION

2012-01-15T14:09:00.001Z

Why is THIS okay . . .

. . . but THIS isn't?

Thanks to Chaz in Texas - STORMBRINGER SENDS

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AIRBRUSHES BRITAIN OUT OF EUROPE

2012-01-15T13:36:00.002Z

". . . nothing special about Britain . . . just the same as the other 190 countries in the world - shouldn’t expect special treatment."

From the UK Telegraph

Life Of Duty: Smokejumpers

2012-01-14T15:45:00.000Z

Here's NRA's Life Of Duty newly debuted “Smokejumper” full feature:

This profile closely follows the North Cascades smokejumpers as they fight some of our nation’s deadliest wildfires – a profession that few know exists, but one for which we all should be grateful. In this feature, you will learn about the history of the profession, the rigorous training involved and the dangerous obstacles these patriots face with each jump.

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SMOKEJUMPERS!

2012-01-14T15:39:00.000Z

The 555th - "Triple Nickel" - Parachute Infantry Regiment

The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion was an all-Black Airborne unit in the United States Army during World War II.

The 555th did not serve overseas during World War II. One of the reasons for this was the issue of segregation; European theater commanders "simply had no use" for the Black jumpers. The Asian theater was a different matter. Members of the 555th hoped to get into the war against the Japanese. According to Sergeant Walter Morris; "It was a secret mission called Operation Firefly. We thought we were going overseas to General MacArthur's theater". It wasn't until they arrived in Oregon, in May 1945 that they learned they'd be fighting the Japanese on the fire line in the Western United States.

During the winter of 1944–45, the Japanese sent 9000 fire balloons toward the western coast of North America; after three days, each balloon dropped an incendiary bomb. It was believed 1000 succeeded in reaching the United States, and 300 were witnessed. In order to conceal the efficacy of these attacks, the mission of the 555th was kept secret. In addition to fires started by the enemy incendiary devices, the 555th fought numerous other forest fires. Stationed at Pendleton Field, Oregon (site of initial training for the Doolittle's raid on Japan) with a detachment in Chico, California, unit members courageously participated in dangerous fire-fighting missions throughout the Pacific Northwest during the summer and fall of 1945. The group engaged in over 1200 missions, earning the nickname "Smoke Jumpers" in addition to "Triple Nickles." The only fatality in the unit died while jumping on 6 August 1945.

Members of the battalion are briefed before takeoff from Fort Dix in 1947.

The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion was nicknamed the "Triple Nickles" because of its numerical designation and the selection of 17 of the original 20-member "colored test platoon" from the 92nd Infantry (Buffalo) Division. Hence, the origin of the term Buffalo Nickles.

Three buffalo nickels joined in a triangle or pyramid is the identifying symbol of the 555th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

"Tiger" Ted Lowry - the only fighter to go the entire 10 rounds twice against future heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano, and who nearly handed Marciano the only loss of his career - served with the 555th during World War II.

Lowry suffered the indignity of riding in the back of a US military bus in which German prisoners were allowed to sit in front. He fought 144 professional bouts including several against eventual world champions and was knocked out just three times.

Respect:

Former members of the 555th Parachute Infantry Regiment "Smokejumpers" visiting the U. S. Forest Service in Washington, D. C., on March 26, 2010. L to R Sergeant Clarence H. Beavers, National Triple Nickles Association President Joe Murchison, Smokey the Bear, First Sergeant Walter Morris and Lt. Col Roger S. Walden. Photo: USDA Forest Service

Soon after returning to Camp Mackall in October 1945, the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion was transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, its home for the next two years. During this period the unit was attached to the elite 82d Airborne Division. When the battalion was inactivated on 15 December 1947, most of its personnel were reassigned to the division's organic 3d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

During my time in the Airborne, black paratroopers were sometimes referred to as "Smokejumpers" - a term which could be interpreted as disrespectful depending upon the tone, although I have heard black paratroopers proudly refer to themselves as "Smokejumpers".

Another use of the term was a white girl who went with blacks. "Debbie? Oh, you won't get anywhere with her; she's a Smokejumper." Needless to say, this is a term of derision- there is no doubt.

In the Army I served in there was no racism, thank God. This is not to say that racism and prejudice did not exist - indeed it did; both kinds (regular AND reverse). What I mean is, there was no segregation, racist policies or overt manifestation of racism. Prejudism is a problem that is always going to exist, anywhere and everywhere in every society on Earth - I don't care how enlightened you think you are. But in the Army I served in, we were all green - "Uncle Sam's Lean, Green, Fighting Machine" - and things always worked best when we overlooked the color thing and just got on with it; on and off duty.

In the Infantry squads and platoons I served in the 82d Airborne, and later on teams in Special Forces, skin color simply was not an issue. Sure, there were some racial standoffs, but this was the rare exception; not the rule. We worked together, fought together and went on R&R together. We even laughed openly about things like the "Smokejumper girl" phenomenon. Somehow, things always got worse whenever race became an issue.

- STORMBRINER SENDS

LARGEST POLICE BUST

2012-01-14T13:23:00.001Z

FOX NEWS CHANNEL TODAY REPORTED:

THE LARGEST POLICE BUST IN FLORIDA HISTORY . . .

Click HERE

"THE SCALES FELL FROM MY EYES"

2012-01-13T12:17:00.002Z

Obama in Baghdad: “didn't want to take pictures with any more soldiers."

Michael Hastings' new book The Operators jabs at what could be a vulnerable spot for the Obama Administration, the president's relationship with the troops.

The book describes a visit to Baghdad:

After the talk, out of earshot from the soldiers and diplomats, he starts to complain. He starts to act very un-Obamalike, according to a U.S. embassy official who helped organize the trip in Baghdad.

He’s asked to go out to take a few more pictures with soldiers and embassy staffers. He’s asked to sign copies of his book. “He didn’t want to take pictures with any more soldiers; he was complaining about it,” a State Department official tells me. “Look, I was excited to meet him. I wanted to like him. Let’s just say the scales fell from my eyes after I did. These are people over here who’ve been fighting the war, or working every day for the war effort, and he didn’t want to take fucking pictures with them?"

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Is anybody really surprised that the ONLY budget cut made by the same Administration that ran up 6 trillion of debt, involves cutting loose 500,000 troops?

- STORMBRINGER SENDS

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WHY I VOTE DEMOCRAT

2012-01-13T10:12:00.000Z

I vote Democrat because I believe oil companies' profits of 4% on a gallon of gas are obscene, but the government taxing the same gallon of gas at 15% isn't.

I vote Democrat because I believe the government will do a better job of spending the money I earn than I would.

I vote Democrat because Freedom of Speech is fine as long as nobody is offended by it.

I vote Democrat because I'm way too irresponsible to own a gun, and I know that my local police are all I need to protect me from murderers and thieves.

I vote Democrat because I believe that people who can't tell us if it will rain on Friday can tell us that the polar ice caps will melt away in ten years if I don't start driving a Prius.

I vote Democrat because I'm not concerned about millions of babies being aborted so long as we keep all death row inmates alive.

I vote Democrat because I think illegal aliens have a right to free health care, education, and Social Security benefits.

I vote Democrat because I believe that business should not be allowed to make profits for themselves. They need to break even and give the rest away to the government for redistribution as the Democrats see fit.

I vote Democrat because I believe liberal judges need to rewrite the Constitution every few days to suit some fringe kooks who would never get their agendas past the voters.

I vote Democrat because I think that it's better to pay billions to people who hate us for their oil, but not drill our own because it might upset some endangered beetle or gopher.

I vote Democrat because while we live in the greatest, most wonderful country in the world, I was promised "HOPE AND CHANGE".

I vote Democrat because my head is so firmly planted up my ass it's unlikely that I'll ever have another point of view.

Todays Bird HERE

BLAST FROM THE PAST

2012-01-12T17:06:00.000Z

Somebody sent these to me in an email . . . S.L.

Pictures of Tower Bridge During Construction Found in a Dumpster.

This is one of the London's most beloved landmarks as you've never seen her before; never-before-seen pictures of Tower Bridge unveiled after the stash of hundred-year-old prints were found in a dumpster in London.

Coinciding with the 125th anniversary of the bridge's foundation, the 50 sepia photos reveal in incredible detail the ingenuity behind one of the capital's most popular tourist destinations, which was the first bridge of its kind in the world.

The discarded were discovered in 2006 in a dumpster, by a caretaker looking after a building being converted into apartments. He wrapped them in brown paper, put them in a bag and stashed them under a bed.

The unique pictures, dating back to 1892, document the construction the iconic bridge, which at the time was a landmark feat of engineering nicknamed ‘The Wonder Bridge’.

Many of the sepia prints dating back to 1892 are in good condition. Several of the photographs are dated and clearly show how the bridge was put together over a space of eight years.

Memorable scenes include turn-of-the-century labourers taking orders from a site foreman in a bowler hat, and a shot of the bridge's original steam-powered engine room, which could open the bridge in less than a minute.

Tower Bridge remains one of the capital's most iconic structures and a tourist attraction today, 125 years after building started.

STORMBRINGER SENDS