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

Author: thebesig

  • Monday Musings Thread

    Here’s a thread for you guys to post random thoughts to start your work week. I’ll get things started…

    “They will take their lies to the grave!” We consistently see evidence of this here and elsewhere. Let’s start with a recent example.

    Colt Bulot, phony Army Ranger, showed us last week that he never learns from his mistakes. After being called out, again, on his continued embellishment, he doubled down. Never mind that his documentation doesn’t support his claims.

    So, Colt Bulot rapidly flipped through the pages of the phony/embellisher playbook. Driven by control and desperation, he ripped a page out and ran with it. The result? His phony medical screening form:

    Colt Bulot says:
    November 16, 2018 at 1:58 pm

    Screw you idiots you want proof? you couldn’t handle the proof but here is my medical graduation from signed by the doc that cleared me after graduating Ranger school. Now suck on it and back the hell off before I have to contact my lawyer again. SSG Colt Bulot, REAL HERO, signing off.

    http://files.constantcontact.com/1ba25797701/8ea2a55c-7e1b-49ce-8303-2586568554ef.png.

    Where else have we seen manufactured proof before?

    Well, after downloading his PDF documentation, I did a “split documents” operation. I pulled the top page into a separate document, then rotated it. His so-called “evidence” actually damaged his claims further.

    As many in the community pointed out last week, inconsistencies torpedoed his “proof”.

    For example, he dated the form “November 7, 1982”. The medical history form he used; However, was revised effective October, 2018.

    Colt Bulot signed the form with a date that existed outside of his military service dates.

    Additionally, those in the know pointed out that there were no “medical graduation medical screenings” for Ranger training. If anything, the screening would’ve been done prior to training.

    Now, a look at the form itself shows additional discrepancies.

    Blocks 1 through 4 show blacked out information. However, the way the blackout is done appears random. Colt Bulot more than likely left most of those blocks blank, and then did the blackout. With no words to guide his actions, they show a “drift”. This should’ve exposed a part of the words being blocked out.

    The examination “took place” at the Army Ranger School’s location. As was noted, the screening would’ve taken place at the previous unit. If they required this form, it would’ve been a part of a packet taken to the school, for review by a local surgeon.

    Perhaps those that have been through this course could shed more light on this part.

    In 1982, the “Xs” would’ve looked different. Although he lists “apply for Ranger school” as the purpose of the examination, it shows his “usual occupation” as “Ranger”.

    Onto the “screening” portion.

    He chose “yes” for some of the questions. Collectively, they’d have a high chance of disqualifying him from consideration for any “secret squirrel” operations. His screening would’ve risked his being declared “nondeployable”.

    The comments section would’ve focused on medical issues. This includes answers to the doctor’s questions not addressed above.

    Fitness for a specific duty would’ve been coached in terms of medical readiness. If someone has issues that could potentially impact their performance, and the doctor gives a positive recommendation, he’s potentially putting his/her neck on the chopping block.

    If something happened to the person being screened, while at the recommended unit, and it could be traced to one of the “yes” answers, then fingers would be pointing to the doctor. So, the statement about “risks of severe harm” being accepted, is very suspect.

    Cult Bulot lists “Apply for Ranger’s school” for the purpose. Yet, the healthcare coordinator states that Colt Bulot completed Army Ranger School at Fort Benning. Which is it?

    In reality, if they accepted a previously filled form, the comments would’ve been left blank. Then, after he went through all of the screening, and the doctor was looking at the results of his labs and examination, the doctor would hand write the commentary.

    Then, if a recommendation was required, the doctor would provide a recommendation based on the results.

    It’s unlikely that he’d recommend “promotion to clandestine operations”. He may not necessarily state whether someone completed a school or not. There’s a good chance that the doctor wouldn’t say that “risks are accepted” given the “yes” responses on this form.

  • Twenty Percent of Army Generals not Deployable in 2016

    This was the status as of 2016. Given the scandals that were occurring, involving Generals and Admirals, this study was inevitable. One of the things that they found was that out of every five generals, one was not eligible to deploy.

    This is only a part of the overall readiness issue, where officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel have nondeployable Soldiers among them. From USA Today:

    Data for 2016 showed that 83.5 percent of Army soldiers were deemed medically ready to deploy, the lowest rate among the services. The Marine Corps led with 90.2 percent followed by the Navy at 90.1 percent and the Air Force at 88.8 percent. The rate for active-duty, ready-to-deploy generals, not including the Reserve or National Guard, was 79.6 percent. For active-duty soldiers overall, the figure was 84 percent, and the Army’s goal is 85 percent.

    The top factors for failing to meet the standard was being overdue for an annual physical or dental exam, a relatively easy fix.

    Readiness is a big issue. As indicated in the quote, simple things like being updated with regards to medical and dental exams is important to being declared “able to deploy”. This is also a concern among the reserve components.

    Service members being deployable is one of the things that the Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, is tackling. You can read more here.

  • Female Soldier Completes Special Forces Selection

    AnotherPat sends us an article listing a milestone for women in the military. Others here have posted about women accomplishing firsts… Starting in the combat arms community, and working into the Special Forces community.

    Now we have a female Soldier that recently completed selection, and qualified to continue on to the Q Course. From the Army Times:

    The Green Berets are one of the last Army communities not to have female soldiers assigned. Since the combat exemption lifted, hundreds of women have joined the infantry community, several have been assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment, and more than a dozen have earned the Ranger tab.

    This Soldier will complete additional training depending on her rank prior to going to the Q course. For example, if she’s a specialist, she’ll go to Basic Leader Course (previously known as PLDC). Her information isn’t being released, due to the nature of what she’s hoping to qualify for.

    Based on what they’ve accomplished so far, we’re looking at a continuing trend of female Soldiers making inroads. As long as they, along with their male counterparts, are meeting the training standards, this is something to be applauded. Their success would help others to follow in their footsteps.

    You can read details at Army Times and Fayetteville Observer.

  • SEAL Murders ISIS fighter, Holds Ceremony on Scene

    In the PSYOP community, a joke goes around about how a PSYOP team could “Go rogue”. Psychological Operations teams are attached to units to provide PSYOP support to the unit’s commander. Not permanently assigned, they could fall though the cracks if they don’t keep engaged. Of course, this doesn’t involve violations of war crimes, laws, or regulations. The team just “does its own thing”. Not encouraged.

    What’s definitely frowned upon is going rogue with regards to violating the rules of land warfare. In this situation, we have a Navy SEAL who murdered an ISIS combatant, then conducted an enlistment ceremony in the area.

    Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher would’ve been eligible to retire, from active duty, next year. Instead, he’s looking at another future. From NBC San Diego:

    U.S. Navy prosecutors accuse Gallagher of premeditated murder for the stabbing death of an injured ISIS fighter who they estimate was about 15 years old.

    And

    On Wednesday, the Navy outlined its evidence including cell phone photos that show Gallagher holding the severed head of the fighter during a reenlistment ceremony.

    According to the article, Gallagher was ranked as number one SEAL chief, his platoon was also ranked as number one. He once had the option to either retire proudly, or continue his service facing better opportunities than others.

    Underneath the high praises; however, those who served with him associated him with poor judgement. This includes shooting into Iraqi civilians.

    The New York Times was graphic with its description:

    But now, less than a year later, Special Operations Chief Gallagher, 39, is locked in the brig, facing charges that during that same deployment — his eighth — he shot indiscriminately at civilians, killed a teenage Islamic State fighter with a handmade custom blade, and then performed his re-enlistment ceremony posing with the teenager’s bloody corpse in front of an American flag.

    Navy SEALs who were with him reported the things that he did, to include:

    * Being reckless
    * Being bloodthirsty
    * Firing into crowds of noncombatants
    * Shooting a walking girl
    * Shooting an old man
    * Threatening to kill those that intended to report these events

    It got to the point that his own team members messed with his weapon’s accuracy. They also benefited civilians with warning shoots to give them a chance to escape. His actions took away from efforts needed to engage the enemy.

    You could read more here and over here. Good reads. The above photo is from the New York Times.

  • Army Rejects Enlistment from Falsely Accused Man

    AnotherPat sends us an injustice that reminds us of the Kavanaugh Hearings. One argument, advanced during this hearing, was that his accuser should be believed despite lack of evidence. They tried pushing this mantra even when her witnesses rejected her account.

    Unfortunately, this isn’t restricted to the Kavanaugh Hearings. We’ve heard, or read, of cases where people were falsely accused of crimes that they didn’t commit. Their lives ended up being turned inside out. Then, we learned that their accusers were wrong. They made a false accusation.

    Christopher Precopia is no stranger to false accusations. He went to the recruiter’s office to apply for enlistment. Then, he received the bad news. The Army wasn’t going to let him enlist due to a violent offense from his past. Except, he didn’t commit that crime.

    From The Washington Post:

    In oral and written statements to police, his accuser detailed how Precopia had forced his way into her home, pushing her to the ground before punching her in the face and slicing her with the box cutter.

    The cops arrested him. Since this was a phony charge, he didn’t have any idea on why he was being arrested. He had a warrant for his arrest in another county, one that he couldn’t name. He was even told to “Not act like he didn’t know”.

    His accuser claimed that he assaulted her in her home, which was 70 miles away from where he was actually at. This costed him a day in jail, money required to post a $150,000 bond, emotional pain, as well as resources and man hours to clear his name.

    Turned out that his mom had a group photo done, that included him, taken during the time of the alleged attack. He was looking at serious prison time for an act that he didn’t commit. This is enough to give his family, and him a shudder thinking about what could’ve happened had that picture not been taken.

    You could read the details in the above link, or here.

    The above photo is from the Washington Post.

  • Federal Judge Orders Acosta’s Badge Restored

    A federal judge sided with CNN and with Jim Acosta with regards to restoring Acosta to White House press briefings. The argument is still ongoing in court though. Jim Acosta is having his access temporarily restored while this case is being argued.

    From USA today:

    U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, said the White House had violated Acosta’s Fifth Amendment right to due process by suspending his press badge without explanation or a chance for CNN to appeal the decision.

    Kelly said White House officials couldn’t say who made the decision or how. The judge ordered the government to restore the credential while the rest of the case — which drew a slew of support from other media outlets, including USA TODAY — is argued.

    Jim Acosta, as you know, appears hostile to President Trump, and to his policies. He advances a narrative about how his job is to cover the President. There’s a professional way to do that. Jim Acosta does it like a liberal activist.

    Of course, there are those, among the media, trying to spin the White House’s actions as “arbitrary”. For example, just booting people who express a view that the administration doesn’t like, or booting people that the administration identifies as coming from fake news.

    Never mind that Jim Acosta, after already getting more questioning time, refused to yield to other reporters and their questions. He was given sufficient time to allow the other reporters a chance to ask their questions. Then, when a young woman, an intern, reached for the microphone, he resisted her efforts.

    Many in the mainstream media are happy about this ruling. The European Union internet version of this story shows a tidbit about how a lawyer… Who helped the Republicans during the 2000 recount fiasco… Is helping CNN in this case.

  • Midweek Open Thread

    Happy Humpday everyone, it’s the middle of the week again! Thanksgiving is next week!

    Onto “DU news”, a plan to get President Trump “unhinged“:

    Originally posted by Moostache:

    His ego would start tearing him apart if people kept chanting “Trump’s a Chump” in a kind of rebuttal to “Lock Her Up”…he’d try to play it off, but the longer and more frequently flash mobs hit him with it, the more unhinged he’d become…

    Yes, big crowds with phones ready to record these NPCs acting unhinged. In Georgia, cries you won’t hear from another set of NPCs if this would result in a Republican having a fighting chance:

    Originally posted by babylonsister:

    Voting rights advocates have won a string of victories in Georgia, and Republicans are now banned from certifying the election before Friday. Abrams needs to pick up roughly 20,000 votes to force a runoff because Democrats aren’t going to give up without a fight.

    Dems are now complaining about how the demands to stop the recount in Florida would disenfranchise the thousands of absentee military votes. Wasn’t it the Democrat party that scrutinized these same votes when these votes helped the Republican? They probably don’t care about those military votes, just those votes that would give them the results that they want.

    Meanwhile, a psychiatrist, who hasn’t evaluated President Trump in the proper setting like his medical team has, provides an “opinion” of the President:

    Originally posted by Chauncey Devega of Salon:

    Donald Trump is also a habitual liar who is at war with the truth and empirical reality. For Trump the world (and reality) must be bent to his will. His supporters love him because of all these traits and behaviors, not despite them. Their adoration for Trump is almost libidinal.

    This isn’t the only NPC that claims that those who support President Trump are doing so due to “Cult of Personality”… And not because we actually agree with many of his policies.

    Ocasio Cortez just might be a problem for the Democratic Party:

    Originally posted by redstatebluegirl:

    Now she is breaking with New York leaders on the Amazon headquarters. She is itching for a fight and will make us look like morons. This is a two year win people, we did not win the Senate, we did not win the White House. She could be a lightening rod for the right, someone needs to take her aside and tell her to temper herself. Of course Bernie won’t but someone in the Democratic Party should.

    She, and Bernie, represent the where the Democratic Party is rapidly heading. Given that a healthy percentage of millennials have no issues with socialism, we could expect more like them being elected.

  • Midweek Open Thread

    Your thoughts on the election results?

    I downloaded a sample ballot for my city. We had one contest for the Senate, and another for the House of Representatives, a couple of constitutional amendment proposals for the state constitution, and the rest of the options were for local offices.

    Even though I knew the party affiliations of the candidates running for federal office, I still looked through their websites.

    No party affiliation was listed for local candidates. But, there was a roundabout way to identify their leanings.

    Candidates for mayor and city Council… If they appeared to buy into the “sea-level rise” canard, their names became toxic. Making it easier for people to start and operate a business via practical economic solutions? That got my vote.

    Candidates for Board of Education… If they argued in favor of returning merit-based incentives like designating the valedictorian, allowing more leeway to give zeros for not submitting a homework, allowing for point penalizing for below standard work, etc., they got my vote.

    One candidate’s comment regarding sea-level rise related problems… Clearing out canals. Now, if the sea levels are rising, and our city is looking at becoming a part of the sea floor, how exactly is clearing out canals, or more dredging operations, going to solve the problem?

    Is that supposed to lower sea levels from the city?

    Tragically, in this local area, as well as in local areas across the country, many low information voters go full NPC on important topics like this.

    Sea-level “rise” isn’t the problem.

    The ground has a limited ability to naturally process rain water. Once the ground’s saturation/absorb rate is reached, water starts ponding. Result? Water ponds above the ground, flooding occurs. This should be a bases for arguing for improving our drainage systems.

    Then we have the issue involving high and low tide, but that’s an ongoing process.

    The above photo is from Smithsonian Magazine.