Bruce Walker:Willing Serfs of the Slave Press

Freedom of the Press, like almost all our constitutional protections, has been murdered by the courts and the Left. Those who view slave masters like Castro as "liberators" have no notion of what freedom really means. The Left does not want the responsibility of freedom, especially in the arena of facts, ideas, and opinions. What we have today in America are willing serfs of The Slave Press. It exists solely to expand the power of the Left, and the Left exists only to grasp power and to choke liberty.

CJ at A Soldier's Perspective On PTSD Stigma

A Soldier's Perspective blog has a great post up on PTSD. He declares the social stigma on seeking help for PTSD over. An must read article for today:

Why am I writing all of this? Well, for the same reason I started this blog – to get it off my chest. To "tell someone without having to tell anyone." It makes me feel better – a little. The last thing I want/need is sympathy or people feeling sorry for me. I'm no victim here! I don't want special attention, help, or pawing. I don't need pats on the back and I don't want to be a poster child. I don't want money, congressional testimony, or the support of VoteVets or IVAW who want to politicize these issues. I want other Soldiers to realize that the Army is serious about removing the stigma. I have a problem! And I'm still "Army Strong" in spite of it! Don't believe me? Screw up and I'll still nail your arse to the wall and start shooting darts. I'll still put you in the front leaning rest for a decade or "until I get tired." I can still pass my PT test, qualify expert on my weapon, and meet my daily suspenses (thanks to Outlook's "tasks" function).

There's nothing weak about me because I'm having these issues. I can still lead by example, accomplish the mission, and take care of my Soldiers. And if my Soldiers feel like they can't trust me or serve under me, tough! Suck it up until your ETS or call your branch manager and get the hell out of here. Thankfully, I have good Soldiers who embody the Warrior Ethos and Army Values. They see that I'm still very much in control as "Top."

The stigma is hereby dead. I challenge all leaders to understand this and apply it where they can. Our troops need to understand that there is nothing weak about seeking help. I know because it has been much harder to acknowledge these issues than to hide them. It's been a lot harder knowing I may very well be ending my career by admitting that I'm not all there mentally. Talking about this now after 15+ years – and prior to being eligible for retirement benefits – is probably the hardest thing I've ever done. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried. I am, but I trust the Army on its word and I'm challenging that mentality. And as I do so, I will be documenting most of my progress here. There are still a great many issues I will probably never feel comfortable talking about, but I owe to others out there that may be trying to hide their problems for fear of losing their jobs or risking their reputation. I need to lead by example. And if I can do it, so can you!

Lance Cpl. Darhele With The One Five in Helmand

Marine Lance Cpl. Sukhvir Darhele, with the one five, provides security during a patrol with Afghan National Army soldiers through the Nawa District bazaar in Helmand Province,U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. William Greeson

Marine orc hunters in the Helmand Valley

Marine Sgt. Ryan Pettit, left and Cpl. Matthew Miller, Two Eight, engage orcs with rifle fire during in the Helmand Valley.

Netanyahu: Only Israel Can Put The Kingdom of the Orcs into the Hurt Locker

by Steve Rosen/ Middle East Forum------If Israel does not eliminate the Iranian threat, no one will, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday. "Israel is not like other countries. We are faced with security challenges that no other country faces, and our need to provide a response to these is critical, and we are answering the call...These are not regular times. The danger is hurtling toward us. The real danger in underestimating the threat...My job is first and foremost to ensure the future of the state of Israel ... the leadership's job is to eliminate the danger. Who will eliminate it? It is us or no one." "Our relationship with the United States is of great importance," Netanyahu said. "Our situation today is different from our situation between 1996 and 1999. Our priorities must be inline with national security needs and we must unite in order to deflect the danger. The Defense Minister and I are working in coordination; he is not conducting an independent policy."

Photos by Sgt. Pete Thibodea USMC Combat Photog Helmand Province

Top-The CO of Golf two eight-Capt Matthew Martin, second bivouac somewhere in the Helmand Valley, third, watchful eyes out for orcs, fourth...letting the dogs out for air.Sgt. Ryan Steinbacher, two eight, after an exhausting day a brief pause only with nightfall watches will be set, 50 percent watch most likely.

Obama: On the Side of the Enemies of Freedom and Rule of Law

Hope and Change You Can Believe In, America.

"Obama's position on Honduras is part of an emerging, and very sad, pattern. His bogus catch-phrases may vary ("meddling," "illegal," or whatever), but the result always seems to be the same. Whether the venue is Honduras, Russia, or Iran, Obama instinctively sides, in the first instance, with the enemies of freedom and the rule of law. And it doesn't hurt at all if that party is also hostile towards the U.S." The Power Line

Term Limits for All Congressional Offices

A new organization has formed in North Carolina, by committed citizens, with this intent.

From the Alliance for Bonded Term Limits:

“To begin its important work, the Alliance for Bonded Term Limits has incorporated and made application for recognition as a Part 501(c)(3) tax-advantaged entity. ABTL will exert a nonpartisan effort, because we realize that entrenched cronyism and corruption are not limited to one political party or region. ABTL will be guided by experienced leadership, dedicated to returning integrity to the election process.
The Alliance for Bonded Term Limits, Inc. has been constituted to explore and develop a process under which candidates for public office can assure constituents that they will work diligently in the public interest instead of building long careers rife with self-interest. We will provide a technique to strengthen campaign promises beyond a glib assurance that “my word is my bond” with the more substantive commitment that “My Bond is My Word.” Sincere candidates can demonstrate their resolve by voluntarily bonding their promises of limited tenure in office in advance of the election, by use of personal assets. The assets will be forfeited to charity if the promise is broken.
This country does not need a Constitutional Amendment or a Federal Law to bring fresh ideas to Washington; we need dedicated citizens who will travel to Congress with a real commitment to return home after a finite time in office. Our nation needs to return to the citizen legislatures expected by our Founders and retire the career politicians and their patrician lifestyles. Let the political class return to the real world to live by the rules they have made for others.”

A 10

A-10's flyover over Independence Hall this July 4thPhoto by Staff Sgt. Sharilyn Wells

Robert Strange McNamara Dead

Damn. How lucky can you get. Died in his sleep. At 93. The man I voted most responsible for the death of Marine Sgt. Tom Young in Hue and next to my favorite Uncle, Walter Cronkite, voted Most Wanted Balls nailed to my garage door, died in his sleep. SoniaHennie! God is, indeed in His Infinie Wisdom, most merciful. Bob knew, way long before anyone else, that Vietnam was a loser. Major Loser. Bob McNamara had his chance to speak up,when he resigned his post as LBJ's chief pettyflogger, and say that the war in Vietnam was unwindable. Instead,Bob McNamara choked. Bob McNamara decided,to accept LBJ's good boy-keep your mouth shut medal and depart on to a successful career as an European elite hot shot president of the World Bank and write his goddamn books and die in his sleep. Had your Chance Bob. Mucked It. . Dinosaur Marines can, indeed, be dated by the bloody unforgiving angst they still carry about the men, leaders as we are now wont to say, who led their men to hell and then bailed out on them with their goddamn golden parachutes. But, then, it was all about career moves. Wasn't it, Bob? Career Moves. Kinda like our current POTUS. Hey Bob, when you see Tom, tell him all about how you "fought a personal war with yourself over Vietnam." yead bob. you do that.