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

Author: Hondo

  • “Washington, DC wanted some cases … I sent seven”

    The title above was indeed an IRS employee speaking about the recent IRS scandal.  You remember – that little “rogue employee” brouhaha where Tea Party and other targeted conservative groups submitting for tax-exempt status were deliberately slow-rolled or obstructed while liberal or well-connected political allies of the POTUS got expedited treatment?. 

    For full details, read the UK Daily Mail article.  It’s really quite interesting.

    The statement was made about events occurring at the IRS connected to the scandal in 2010.  While not conclusive, this – and other information in the article – suggests knowledge of the scandal by IRS higher-ups as well as possible central direction of same from DC.

    But remember – no need for anyone to pay much attention to this little flap.  It’s nothing anyone should worry about.  This was all the work of a couple of “rogue employees” acting on their own, remember?  The Administration said so, so it must be true.  Right?

    Yeah, right.  More like, “That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.”

  • An Interesting Bit of US Military History

    Poke around on the Internet enough, and you learn new things. Sometimes you even learn something useful. (smile)

    We often hear people refer to the Purple Heart as the US military’s “oldest decoration”. It turns out that statement is only partially true.

    While the Purple Heart is the oldest US military decoration still in use, the Purple Heart was not the first US military decoration or medal awarded to members of the Continental Army.  It was also not the first awarded to recognize exceptional performance of duty.

    The Purple Heart was first awarded in 1782 as the “Badge of Military Merit”.  However, a number of other US medals were authorized by the Continental Congress, struck, and awarded that predate the Purple Heart.  Most of these do not appear to qualify as military decorations per se; rather, they were awarded to single individuals, had varying criteria, and had varying designs.  They also appear to have been without a means of suspension to allow them to be worn with a uniform or civilian clothing; they were more like large coins than military decorations.  In short, these medals appear to have been commemorative medals issued as a Congressional “thank you” to specific individuals by name (indeed, on several the individual being honored was portrayed), but not intended to be worn by the recipient as a military decoration.

    However, one medal authorized by the Continental Congress exists that predates the Badge of Military Merit and which does appear to qualify as a military decoration.  That medal has a standard design, had specific criteria, and was awarded to multiple individuals for exceptional performance of duty.  This medal also has a suspension ring – and was thus clearly intended to be worn by the individual.  That decoration is the Fidelity Medallion, authorized by act of the Congressional Congress and awarded in 1780 – two years before the Badge of Military Merit.

     

    The Fidelity Medallion (AKA the “Andre Capture Medallion”)

     

    The Fidelity Medallion was awarded to three enlisted personnel of the Continental Army, all members of the New York militia:  Privates John Paulding, Isaac Van Wart, and David Williams. They received this award for capturing Major John Andre – the British recruiter, “handler”, and courier for US traitor and spy Benedict Arnold.  For this reason the Fidelity Medallion is sometimes called the “Andre Capture Medallion”.

    Since it was authorized by the Continental Congress for exceptional performance in connection with a specific act, only those three Fidelity Medallions were awarded.  It was never awarded again and is now considered obsolete.  However, it does appear to meet the criteria of a military decoration awarded for exceptional performance of duty.  And it predates the Badge of Military Merit – the forerunner of today’s Purple Heart – by roughly two years.

    Even though the above qualifies as trivia, IMO this info is interesting as US military history.  And it might not be completely useless trivia, either.  Knowing it might even allow you to win a libation or two in a friendly wager while socializing. (smile)

  • “Two Rogue Employees”, Eh?

    Originally the current Administration blamed the ever-expanding IRS scandal on the actions of “two rogue employees”.  Well, that number now appears to be just a little bit low.

    CNN is reporting that the true number might well be much higher.  Apparently the IRS has identified 88 employees who may have documents relevant to the unlawful selective targeting of conservative political groups based on ideological grounds.  The IRS has advised these employees to preserve all such documents for investigative purposes.  Disposition of such documents now will violate Federal records laws and could constitute obstruction of justice.

    How many of these 88 employees were active participants in the conspiracy and how many may have merely received documents relating to same is not yet known.  However, the sheer number of persons potentially involved – nearly 90 IRS employees, with perhaps more yet to be uncovered – is a strong indication that the original Administration position that the scandal was the result of the actions of “two rogue employees” is an utter canard.

    The large scope of document collection efforts is now cited by the IRS as the reason for delay in turning over relevant documents concerning the scandal to the House Ways and Means Committee.  The original deadline set by the Committee was May 21.

    Stay tuned.  This could get even more interesting.

  • IRS Scandal Update – 31 May 2013

    Another periodic update on that seemingly-endless IRS scandal:

    • The former IRS Commissioner at the heart of the scandal, Douglas Shulman, met with the POTUS a minimum of 157 times before he was “fired” due to the scandal left office.  This is almost twice as many times as the POTUS met with any other Cabinet official during that same period.  (Shulman’s boss, Treasury Secretary Gertner, met with the POTS less than 50 times during the same period; the Attorney General, Eric Holder, only 62 times.)   In contrast, the previous IRS Commissioner met once with the previous POTUS in four years.  That’s one helluva lot of meetings. I wonder what they talked about?
    • There are indications that at least five pro-Israel groups may have been targeted for IRS “attention” for political reasons – specifically, because they disagreed with the current Administration regarding aspects of US policy towards Israel.
    • It also is looking as if the IRS may well have targeted conservative groups and individuals more broadly than previously thought.  Substantial anecdotal evidence is now appearing that tends to support this theory.  Further, the Treasury Department IG official investigating the matter “recently acknowledged that he’s looking into other watch lists created by IRS employees.”
    • And, finally:  the IRS appears to have promoted one of those “rogue” employees directly involved in the political targeting of conservative groups.  Hey, that’s some serious discipline for violating the law!  That will certainly teach him a lesson!

    Gee – “watch lists” made up of people who would get additional IRS “attention” because they oppose the  POTUS or his policies.  That sounds familiar . . . where have I heard of that before?  What was it called . . . ?

    Oh yeah –  I remember.  That was about 40 years ago.  It was called the President’s “enemies list”.

    But remember:  nothing to see here, folks; move along.  “Pay no attention to the man behind the screen.”

  • More Pending Congressional “Help”

    Every once in a great while, Congress actually steps in and makes DoD get something right.   The 1999 Kosovo BSM Fiasco is a primary example.  In reaction to the USAF’s abuse of the BSM during the Kosovo conflict, Congress acted and made it a legal requirement for someone to actually deploy and receive hostile fire/imminent danger pay in order to receive a Bronze Star. In that case, Congressional “help” was indeed sorely needed.

    It now looks like Congress may again try to “help” DoD fix a problem.  But this time I’m not so sure the “cure” is either necessary or appropriate.

    Apparently Congressman Rob Wittman, R-VA, has introduced legislation that would put an Army officer in charge of the Army National Cemeteries (Arlington and the Soldiers’ and Airman’s  Home National Cemeteries).  The impetus is doubtless  the serious issues noted recently at Arlington National Cemetery.

    At first glance this seems like a good idea.  But on reflection I’m not so sure it’s appropriate.  In fact, the more I think about it the more I’m convinced that the proper answer is, “Bad idea, sir.”

    The military’s mission isn’t to run cemeteries. The military’s mission is to fight and win the nation’s wars.  Things that detract from that focus, for whatever good reason, are IMO counterproductive.

    In an era of declining resources, tasking the military with yet another requirement that must by law be filled by a senior officer who is needed elsewhere simply doesn’t make sense.  If that requirement isn’t military-unique (or necessary to support potential deployment to combat) and can be met by someone not in uniform, then it probably should be.   We have too few serving in uniform today to fill actual requirements as it is.  That’s why we have so damn many contractors deployed in combat zones supporting the force.

    Further, Representative Wittman’s proposal is IMO nothing but a classic “feel good” knee-jerk response that frankly accomplishes little other than good PR.  Civilians today run all other US national cemeteries.  Those cemeteries are run well or poorly not because of the type of clothing worn by the individuals working at those cemeteries.  Rather, they’re run well or poorly because of the quality of the individuals working at those cemeteries.

    If the current incumbent at Arlington isn’t doing the job well enough, they can indeed be replaced with someone who can.  But IMO we simply don’t need to create yet another inside-the-beltway billet for a soon-to retire O6 (or above)  to do that.

    Just my opinion, for what it’s worth.

  • Some Good News from the GWOT

    A couple of good news items today from the war on terror.

    French police have apparently captured the man believed responsible for the daytime knife attack on a French soldier in the La Défense shopping mall/transportation center west of Paris last week.  The man captured is 21 years old and has been identified only as “Alexander D”.

    In case anyone was wondering:  yes, the arrested man is an adherent of Islam  – French authorities characterized him as a recent convert.  The Paris public prosecutor has indicated that investigators believe he “acted in the name of his religious ideology” while committing the crime.   The suspect apparently first came to French authorities’ attention in 2009, and was believed to have “become more radical” roughly 3 months ago.

    In other news, Pakistani authorities have reported that at least four senior Pakistani Taliban militants were killed by a “US drone strike” in the North Waziristan region.  One of the dead was reportedly Wali-ur-Rehman, deputy head of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).  Rehman was the TTP’s most senior military commander and is believed to have been the primary planner and coordinator of their military operations during the past several years.

    Rehman’s demise is not yet confirmed.  TTP has denied that Rehman was killed, but has admitted other militants were killed in the attack.

    Rehman has a long history of coordinating attacks in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.   He is believed to have masterminded the 2008 bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad that killed 50 as well as a 2009 attack on a US base in Khost that killed 7 US personnel.  The Pakistani government  has offered a bounty on Rehman since 2009.

    May Rehman already be acting as Shay’tan’s personal sex-slave, and may he continue to do so for  eternity.

  • A Forgotten Hero Remembered

    In 1892, Luke M. Griswold died.  He was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Springfield, MA.

    Griswold had been a sailor.  He had been in the US Navy, and had served in the Civil War. 

    Griswold was far from common, however.  He was a Medal of Honor recipient. 

    Sadly, he was also a forgotten Medal of Honor recipient.  His grave was a common and plain one.  Indeed, there was not even a headstone marking his life and passing.  Instead, only a stone with the engraved number “297” marked his resting place.

    For over 120 years, that was the situation.  And that’s how things would have probably stayed.  Except . . . one man found that unacceptable.

    Some years ago, J. Donald Morfe of Baltimore, MD – an Army veteran – learned that the final resting places for many Medal of Honor recipients were not marked with proper headstones.  He found this troubling.

    Since learning of that sad situation Morfe, working together with other volunteers, has convinced various government or private organizations to fund proper headstones for many these heretofore unmarked heroes.  They’ve arranged markers for 220 so far.  Griswold’s was the latest.

    Some might ask, “Why this is important?” 

    The answer is simple:  “Poor is the Nation that has no Heroes, but beggared is the Nation that has, and forgets them.”

    Kudos, Mr. Morfe.  Many thanks.

  • Another Is Home from Korea

    The remains of a soldier missing since Korea were identified earlier this year.  Regrettably, I missed that fact at the time and did not note it here at TAH.

    PFC Weldon A. Davis, B Battery, 38th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, US Army, formerly of Tioga, TX, was lost during operations against Chines Communist forces south of the Ch’ongch’on River, North Korea, on 30 November 1950.  He was last seen in the vicinity of Somindong, North Korea.

    US POWs released in 1953 during “Operation Big Switch” reported that PFC Davis had in fact been captured alive, but had died in captivity in January 1951 of malnutrition and pneumonia.  PFC Davis’ remains were not among those returned to US custody after the war.

    Excavation in 2005 by a joint US-North Korean team at a secondary burial site in Unsan County, North Korea, discovered human remains.  These remains were returned to US control and repatriated.  Modern forensic techniques and circumstantial evidence positively identified the remains as those of PFC Davis in January of this year.

    Rest in peace, my elder brother-in-arms.  Welcome home at last.

    . . .

    Over 73,600 US personnel remain unaccounted for from World War II; over 7,900 US personnel remain unaccounted for from the Korean War; and over 1,640 remain unaccounted for in Southeast Asia.  If you are a relative of one of the individuals listed here (World War II – critical need), listed here (Korea), or listed here (Southeast Asia) – please read this link to see if you qualify to submit a mtDNA sample.

    If you qualify to submit a mtDNA sample, please submit one.  By submitting a mtDNA sample you may be able to help identify US remains that have been recovered and repatriated but not yet positively identified.

    Everybody deserves a proper burial.  That’s especially true for those who gave all in the service of this nation.