This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here

Author: Hondo

  • Recognition Well Deserved

    One of the primary reasons our military exists is to provide security.  That’s true whether you’re talking about the nation in general, or to specific individuals or facilities in a combat zone.

    Sometimes people die doing that job.  And while that hurts – especially for the family and friends of those lost – it’s something that can’t always be prevented.  It’s a risk inherent to the profession.

    Over time, memories of such sacrifices fade.  The fact of such sacrifices, while not forgotten, dims in or is lost to society’s collective memory.

    In November 2004, two Kansas ARNG soldiers – SFC Clayton Wisdom and SGT Don Clary – were KIA in Iraq.   They died when a suicide bomber attacked a convoy transporting a group of staff members from the Iraq Survey Group and the Defense Intelligence Agency.

    SFC Wisdom and SGT Clary were among those providing security for the convoy.  During convoy operations they’d placed their vehicle between the convoy and another vehicle, preventing it from approaching the rest of the convoy.  They were killed when the suicide bomber in that other vehicle detonated his bomb.

    Their remains were repatriated.  Their funerals were held.  The matter, while not forgotten, faded from our memory.

    That’s simply the norm.  And that’s normally where the story would end.

    Except this time, someone they were protecting thought their sacrifice should be publicly recognized – and the memory of that sacrifice preserved for posterity.

    The Defense Intelligence Agency maintains a memorial for those Agency personnel who died in line of duty at their Headquarters on Joint Base Anacosta-Bolling.  DIA has announced it will add SFC Wisdom’s and SGT Clary’s name to that memorial to honor their sacrifice, as they were killed while defending DIA personnel.

    Thanks for remembering, DIA.  Many thanks.

     

    Note:  the first two links show SFC Wisdom and SGT Clary as SSG Wisdom and SPC Clary; the last linked article indicates their ranks as SFC and SGT, respectively.  Apparently both received posthumous promotions.

  • Oh, Sh!t – Here We Go Again. Solyndra Part III, Anyone?

    Or Part IV.  Or maybe Part V – hell, I’ve lost count.

    Energy Dept. Seeks Company to Turn Sunshine Into Gasoline

    No, I’m not kidding.

    The process was apparently discovered by a Federal lab in Albuquerque in 2007.  It produces hydrocarbons that are precursors to motor fuels from CO2, sunlight, and (presumably) a catalyst.  At the time of discovery, it was estimated to be “15 to 20 years” away from being market-ready.

    Yeah, the process works – on a lab “proof-of-concept” prototype.  But that’s far different than an economically-viable industrial production line.  And the last time I checked, 2007 was 6 years ago rather than “15 to 20”.  I seriously doubt the process will be producing fuel at anything resembling competitive costs any time soon.

    Here we go again.  Looks like we’ll now have $23/gal “sunshine-gas” for DoD vehicles to go with that $25/gal bio-fuel oil for ships.  Just the thing for an era of declining DoD budgets, eh?

    I wonder which “friend of the Administration” will get the contract for this financial boondoggle and obvious example of cronyism critical and important research effort?

    This looks more to me like just another example of the current Administration steering Federal dollars for “clean energy” to political allies and cronies as a payback rather than a serious effort at clean energy.  Further, their track record to date with “green” projects does nothing but support that impression.

    But what do I know?

  • One Less Terrorista

    Pakistani Taliban leader  Hakimullah Mehsud is dead.  The Taliban confirmed his death yesterday.

    He was reportedly taken out, along with 4 other militants, by a US RPA strike.

    Mehsud was reportedly involved in the suicide bombing that killed 7 CIA personnel at FOB Chapman, Afghanistan, in December, 2009.  Sometimes payback is . . . good.  Very good.

    Nice shooting, guys.  Good riddance.

    Enjoy your 72 virgins, Hakimullah:


  • And In the “Gee, What a Surprise” Department . . .

    Volt sales drop 32% in October

    GM blamed the drop in sales on “declining gas prices”.

    An underpowered, poorly-designed, poorly-built, short range “gas saving” $40,000 Adam Sandler Mobile (warning – link is DEFINITELY NSFW or around children) that wasn’t worth half what people paid to buy it and was overhyped from day one whose sales fall by 1/3 when gas prices fall 15% or so.  Gee – who could have predicted that?

    In contrast, sales of a well-designed and well-built competitor – Toyota’s trendy car for the smug and arrogant, the “Prickmobile” (AKA the Prius) – rose 7% in October.  And Toyota’s Prickmobile doesn’t have a huge government subsidy backing it, either.

    I’d say YGBSM – but I’m dead serious.

    Look, I’m OK with people driving a hybrid or other “energy efficient” vehicle if that’s their choice.  But I don’t think they deserve any “special reward” for doing so – they get their reward every time they get fuel.  And I really hate people trying to sell me a turd sandwich while telling me it’s a delicious hamburger.  The Volt was government-subsidized turd sandwich from day one.

    “Well done”, GM.  Next time, listen to the market instead of some community organizer with no clue about real-world business or economics.

  • Just When You Thought You’d Seen It All . . .

    . . . you see something that makes you realize you haven’t.

    ‘Healthy Ho’s Party’: ObamaCare Registration Drive For Prostitutes

    (Additional details can be found here.)

    Yeah, it was in the SF area and was co-ed.  It was sponsored by a “sex-worker” prostitute and/or madam calling herself “Siouxie Q”.  About 40 reportedly signed up at her “gala”.

    Sheesh.  Now the government is subsidizing the sex trade – a typically all-cash business whose employees often operate illegally and report at best a fraction of their actual income.

    What’s next?  A “Healthy Hitmen” party sponsored by a Mafia Don?

  • “Bullsh!t! Put Yer Bullsh!t Stories Right Heah . . . . “

    Some folks seem to want an open thread today so they can swap “No Sh!t” (wink, wink) stories.  Well, here ya go.

    Pile it as high and deep as yer lil’ hearts’ desire.  (smile)

  • About That Little “IRS Thing” . . . .

    Well, things sometimes move slowly in an investigation.  That’s especially true when those in charge seem to be “slow-rolling” things or ignoring blatant wrongdoing.

    But not everybody is “marking time”.  It seems that we have two different media organizations who are continuing to investigate this possible criminal conspiracy issue.  They’ve identified at least one – and likely two – IRS insiders who leaked confidential IRS information about conservative groups to the Administration’s political allies and/or other unauthorized persons.  And they’ve also identified at least one of the recipients of this unlawfully disclosed information – who later made it public.

    One of these organizations, National Review Online, has identified the individual who unlawfully leaked donor list information for the National Organization for Marriage.  This information was used by Romney’s political enemies during the 2012 Presidential campaign.

    National Review has not yet publicly disclosed the identity of the IRS source for the leak.  However, they have identified the recipient:  Matthew Meisel, a former associate of Romney at Bain & Company, who presumably has an axe to grind.  Meisel in turn passed this information along to others who were not authorized to receive it – specifically, to the “Human Rights Campaign” – thus making the information public.

    The second media organization, the Washington Examiner, has obtained e-mails identifying the individual who leaked tax return information about multiple conservative groups (including the American Future Fund and the American Issues Project) to the Federal Election Commission.  This information does not appear to have been used during the 2012 Presidential campaign; however, the disclosure of this information was nonetheless unlawful.   And it also raises an interesting question:  why would the FEC ask for information regarding groups that had applied for, but not yet received, tax-exempt status?

    The Washington Examiner has not publicly identified the specific individuals who received this information.  However, they have identified the leak’s source:  one each Ms. Lois Lehrner.

    If you’re thinking that name rings a bell – you’re right.  Lois Lehrner is indeed the former senior official at the IRS who was at or near the center of this controversy from day one.

    It’s unclear if the two leaks had the same source.  The articles seem to indicate they likely don’t, but until National Review Online identifies the source of the leaks to Meisel, we won’t know that for certain.

    If I were Lerner and Meisel – and anyone else directly involved – I think I’d consult with legal counsel pronto.  If what’s alleged is correct, they may have some ‘splainin’ to do in court.  Unauthorized public disclosure of confidential IRS tax information by anyone appears to be a Federal crime under 26 USC 6103(a).  And doing so apparently is a Federal felony.

    Stay tuned.

  • Looks Like Joe Was Right

    Well, there he goes again.

    The other day, the POTUS blamed “bad apple insurers” for the rise in premiums under the AHCA.  This in spite of the fact that it was the increased AHCA coverage requirements that caused the rise in premiums.  And the fact that regulations promulgated by his administrations HHS Secretary made it virtually impossible for a plan to remain grandfathered.  And in spite of the fact that his own advisors knew – and presumably told him – that millions would lose their existing insurance under the AHCA for exactly these reasons.

    In fact, this seems to be a pattern from the current Administration:  when problems occur, claim they didn’t or shamelessly blame others for your own failings.  According to this Administration, “Benghazi was because of an inflammatory film.”  “We couldn’t get anyone there in time to help.”  “We didn’t know about Fast and Furious when we testified before Congress”.  “No, the IRS didn’t target conservatives and rubber-stamp political allies and those with connections.” “No, we won’t monitor phone conversations of US citizens.”  “We don’t know how many signed up for the ACHA.”

    And don’t even get me started on the other “whoppers” the Administration has told about the ACHA – like keeping existing insurance and doctors if you’re satisfied with them, for starters.  That would take all day.

    Joe caught a lot of grief about his public statement.  But yeah, now it sure looks like Joe was right.

    No, not Joe the VP and his nonsense about shotguns.  Joe Wilson.