Small Talk
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23 March 2009
Gary Sinise is an incredible American. We were swapping some emails over the past week and I saw this article about his latest support for our troops: Commentary: We can't do enough for our veterans.
Gary mentioned to me that he will be heading back to Afghanistan this year (that’s predictable!), and I’ll try to take a quick break from slogging around the battlefields to see Gary while he’s there. Gary Sinise and Bruce Willis are among the few true movie stars who courageously supported our troops, even when Hollywood insiders were telling me that actors could lose jobs for supporting the troops. Laura Ingraham, during one of our live interviews, once asked about my Hollywood connections. Laura caught me by surprise and I denied connections. By that, I was really saying I don’t hang out in Hollywood, but technically my answer to Laura was incorrect.
I haven’t heard from Bruce lately, but am sure he’s out there and being as ornery as ever. Gary and Bruce have both traveled into harm’s way to visit troops and I will watch all their movies simply out of principle. (Plus they are great artists.)On to the grit of the war, ABC has more or less shut down its Iraq coverage as eyes continue to turn to Afghanistan. Other organizations have also dramatically scaled back or simply abandoned the Iraq saga. Most of the experienced war correspondents seem to have essentially burned out. Long-term front line coverage from Afghanistan likely will become increasingly rare even as the war heats up. On the other hand, unlike in Iraq, many westerners find it easy to live in Afghanistan for years on end, and so there remains a reservoir of foreigners living mostly in the more peaceful areas who might become ersatz reporters.
A team of folks are working on my photographic archives from Iraq and Afghanistan. They reported last week that so far I have shot about 250,000 photos in the wars. The team is not sure what the actual total number of images will turn out to be, but a quarter-million is their estimate. No wonder that my cameras keep breaking, and when I close my eyes, images of Iraq and Afghanistan flood in. Only a tiny fraction of those images have been published. Probably less than half of one percent. In fact, I probably have not even seen 95% of the photos I shot. Perhaps those photos will go down in history, along with those I will soon be sending back, as the largest personal archive of wartime photos. My current cameras make full-frame, 21 megapixel photos. The bodies are outfitted with the best glass on the market – creating extraordinarily high quality images.
From rumor control: reliable sources provided me such a chuckle that it seemed worth the laugh to pass it along.
The rumor: In Iraq, "Brigade Combat Teams" might be renamed to "Brigade Support Teams" so that President Obama can say there are no more "combat" troops in Iraq. This would be like calling your Rottweiler a Chihuahua because your condo does not allow Rottweilers. Pulling this off might require a Jedi Mind Trick. Call it what you like, Mr. President, but please don’t pull out the Rottweilers too quickly.
This WaPo article from Sunday discusses the problems of logistics to Afghanistan. Recently, I personally asked General Petraeus about this same matter. Logistics is a great Achilles heel in that war. General Petraeus seemed confident we can work through the logistics issues. Please read: General Urges Confidence in Ability to Supply Troops in Afghanistan.
The hints coming out of Washington tend to cause me to believe we will abandon Afghanistan. I’m making no personal comment one way or the other yet, other than Iraq was worth the effort and costs all the way around – so long as we cement that success. Afghanistan seems little more than a tar pit. I want to hear General Petraeus say success is achievable, and to at least set some white lines by what he defines as success. He’s one of the very few people who have both the experience and character that are required to accurately estimate the truth and then deliver the good, bad and the ugly. If General Petraeus puts his word behind it, I’m only one man but I’ll back him. That’s about all there is to say on Afghanistan.
In closing – last and definitely not least -- a message just came to me from retired 4-star General Barry McCaffrey. He is very concerned about Mexico. I would kindly suggest that radio interviewers and print journalists reach out to General McCaffrey through his website.
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Comments
IN THIS CENTURY THERE ARE ONLY TWO WAYS TO CONTROL THE WORLD
1. BY CONTROL OF THE WORLD'S OIL (IRAQ + IRAN + RUSSIA = 80%)
2. BY A WORLD-WIDE TERRORIST RELIGION
BY MOVING IN AHEAD OF RUSSIA BUSH PREVENTED WWIII
IF SADAM + IRAN HAD NUCLEAR WEAPONS WHAT WOULD HAVE THE US AND EUROPE DONE? RUSSIA COULD HAVE TAKEN THE WORLD BY TELEPHONE BY ALLOCATING OIL
I've heard men say that there is one, sticks closer than a brother
I came to learn "that one" to be, a military man..none other
I did not know until I saw the job these soldiers do
that there are none upon this earth as faithful, brave, or true
You've seen the films, you've heard the songs proclaiming their great deeds
but it is being in their presence that will bring you to your knees
It's easy to admire these men, to say nice things and cheer
Yet never know their private burdens, the private thoughts you never hear
So listen up, oh world today. I'll tell the truth...no spin
By lesser men unhindered...this war, no doubt, our mighty men will win
They stand for all that's good and true...the best that men can be
And so that leaves the lesser part...the likes of you and me
That these brave souls, united all, will die to keep us free
Understand the most amazing part is that they do it willingly
I've seen their souls, I've smelled their sweat, their brotherhood perceived
A stranger into their camp I came...their brother I did leave
If all could spend one day with them perhaps then all would see
without the likes of men like these our country ceases to be free
Upon their backs they carry guns, and all the gear of war
but it is the spirit in their hearts that will make our country soar
They are the best of America no matter what scoffers say
So let's all thank the one above for each of them today
And maybe while were at it we could join around their band
And by our own allegiance we can give our men a hand
Thank you our great military men wherever that you are
With men like you I have no doubt our country will go far
I've heard men say that there is one, sticks closer than a brother
I came to learn "that one" to be, a military man..none other
I did not know until I saw the job these soldiers do
that there are none upon this earth as faithful, brave, or true
You've seen the films, you've heard the songs proclaiming their great deeds
but it is being in their presence that will bring you to your knees
It's easy to admire these men, to say nice things and cheer
Yet never know their private burdens, the private thoughts you never hear
So listen up, oh world today. I'll tell the truth...no spin
By lesser men unhindered...this war, no doubt, our mighty men will win
They stand for all that's good and true...the best that men can be
And so that leaves the lesser part...the likes of you and me
That these brave souls, united all, will die to keep us free
Understand the most amazing part is that they do it willingly
I've seen their souls, I've smelled their sweat, their brotherhood perceived
A stranger into their camp I came...their brother I did leave
If all could spend one day with them perhaps then all would see
without the likes of men like these our country ceases to be free
Upon their backs they carry guns, and all the gear of war
but it is the spirit in their hearts that will make our country soar
They are the best of America no matter what scoffers say
So let's all thank the one above for each of them today
And maybe while were at it we could join around their band
And by our own allegiance we can give our men a hand
Thank you our great military men wherever that you are
With men like you I have no doubt our country will go far
BTW, the only comfort I get from the new administration, is that Gen. Petraeus is still in charge! Makes me feel better about my grandson going into the Army.
Well, could we expect anything less--or more--from an administration that, to paraphrase the famous observation, "is creating an economic desert and calling it 'prosperity.'"?
It is one of the few examples of Americans taking the lead for a change and endeavoring to make Our Troops proud of us, like they have made us proud of them.
To all the whiners who claim they are displaying their patriotism by criticising, abusing and disrespecting Our Troops:
Follow the example set by Mr. Sinise who correctly demonstrates patriotism, pride and love for Our Troops.
Do that, and I will be drawn to learn more about you, rather than repelled.
[BTW, I just read that Bruce has re-married.]
One of the most impressive sights I saw after we booted the Tali's out was a number of Afghanis sining and dancing in the street, strictly verboten under the T's. Pure joy on their faces showed me music was more important to them than religious strictures.
Stay safe Mike!
I was shocked to hear President Obama calling for an Afghanistan exit strategy a day or two back. The US surge hasn't arrived there yet and they are about to declare the date that the good guys are leaving. Isn't that taking your shoes off and jumping into the 'tar pit'?
The Indians are so worried about the security threat from the Taleban in Pakistan that they are moving the cricket cup final to England to keep everybody out of harms way. No kidding. Queen Victoria must be rolling in her grave.....and Ghandi....well, his ashes I suppose. A bit like the US having the Rosebowl at Wembley Stadium because the Canadians are getting uppity.
I'm very pleased to see the US Army are taking the southern border crisis seriously. I don't doubt for a minute that these gentlemen will guard and protect their homeland with skill and humanity. No doubt they'll be criticised for all and everything they do. Another bloody tar pit.
Thanks for everything you do Mike. You have a million fans around the world.
Ross Kemp is a well known TV actor in the UK, and has branched out in to documetries. Meeting some of the worlds most deadly gangs, and talking quite openly with them.
Two years ago he spent a few weeks with his fathers old regiment (the Anglians) as they went to Helmand Province for 6 months. He made a 6 part program about what happaned, in Hi Def too. Its on DVD if you can find it, if not I think its on You Tube or something similar. Last year he went back with a Scotish regiiment to see what had changed, filming again.
I have been out myself, and these programs came as close to being there as its possable to be. If you can find any of these programs (made by Sky, who are partners of Fox) I would urge everyone to watch them. It'll be a true eye opener to anyone who wants to know more about what we, all of us from every nation, are doing out there.
http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=358207&affid=100055
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been visiting and speaking about the Mexican drug war lately. Illegal drugs flow freely north into the USA and arms & ammunition flow freely south into Mexico to arm the drug lords.
This is all easily stopped by legalizing marijuana and decriminalizing cocaine. There is no moral or health argument that makes sense against this very simple solution. The War on Drugs was lost in the Prohibition era, and regardless of how many self righteous people deny it, the fact remains that people will always find a way to get high.
Annexing Mexico would also make alot of sense. They've already annexed us; we might as well return the favor.
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