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

Category: “The Floggings Will Continue Until Morale Improves”

  • 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.

  • Some Additional Information

    This “Special” post is for those who were complaining and moaning about Pres. Trump not showing up for the Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11.

    The information provided below should straighten up the issue of Trump’s not being at Arlington, but probably won’t have any effect on those who are complaining.

    Veterans Day was Sunday, November 11, not Monday. Yesterday was Monday, Nov. 12.

    Trump was back by Sunday NIGHT and the event took place during the DAY on Sunday, November 11. I’ll keep repeating that until it sinks in.

    As I understand it, NIGHT follows DAY. So if he didn’t get back until Sunday NIGHT, how was he to be there during the DAY?? Magic beans or something?

    According to his schedule for Nov. 11, 2018:

    For anyone who doesn’t understand what “local” time means, in this case, local means French time. EST means Eastern Standard Tume USA

    8:50 AM EST President Schedule – The President departs Paris, France, en route to Suresnes, France (1:50 pm Local – France)

    9:10 AM EST President Schedule – The President arrives at Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial (2:10 pm Local – France)   American Cemetery and Memorial, Suresnes, France

    9:15 AM EST President Schedule – The President attends the American Commemoration Ceremony at Suresnes American Cemetery hosted by the Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission (2:15 pm Local – France)

    10:25 AM EST The President and THE FIRST LADY depart Orly, France, en route to Washington, D.C. ( 3:25 pm Local – France)

    6:40PM EST The President and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Joint Base Andrews (That’s a little over an 8 hour flight.)

    6:50PM EST The President and THE FIRST LADY depart Joint Base Andrews en route to the White House

    7:00 PM  EST President Schedule The President and the First Lady arrive at the White House

    The information posted above comes from the President’s schedule which is publicly available for anyone who bothers to look it up.

    The Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was held and aired at on November 11, 2018 at 10:48 AM EST on C-SPAN 1.

    It’s real easy to criticize someone in that job.  Since we don’t have teleportation available just yet, it’s another small step to find fault with someone who is several thousand miles away on another continent marking an alliance with France that endured all the way through World War I and World War II and through to the end of the Cold War.

    Maybe the President could get a ride in the Tardis from the Doctor.

    Just in case anyone is wondering, it’s a minimum 8 hour flight from the USA to Europe or Europe to the USA. I’ve made that round trip twice. Once you turn right at Greenland and you’re over the Atlantic, it’s boring until you get near Ireland.

    I don’t even vaguely think Trump is perfect, but he is tough and he knows how to get things done.

    Maybe Trump should just have himself cloned. Then he could be in two places at the same time.

    I do not care whether or not you like Trump. That’s your business.

    But when you just jump on something and throw it at me and complain  — it’s still your problem, but for some reason you have to make it mine.

    Since you can’t be bothered to find things out, and I do the research….

  • Random Open Thread

    Random Open Thread

    Uncle Sam wants you — to play video games for the US Army

    The Army is putting together a team of video gamers from within its ranks to try to reach young Americans in the digital worlds where they spend much of their time.

    More than 15 years after launching “America’s Army,” a first-person shooter game aimed at enlisting real world soldiers, the Army is calling for active duty troops and reservists to compete in video gaming tournaments, or esports, in one of its latest recruiting efforts.

    The move follows the Army’s failure this year, for the first time in more than a decade, to meet the fiscal year target for bringing in new soldiers as it seeks to expand its ranks to more than 500,000 in the next four years.

    The Army is also creating a “functional fitness” team to compete in CrossFit athletic events and is reportedly looking to spruce up recruiting efforts with more bonuses, more recruiters, better furniture and a new slogan to replace “Army Strong.”

    The service plans to hold tryouts for a variety of electronic games, said Staff Sgt. Ryan Meaux, an Army recruiter, in a Facebook video on Wednesday.

    Officials had highlighted the team on social media late last week, after a Twitter account was created in its name, and are expected to answer questions about it in an “Ask Me Anything” session on the social media platform Reddit on Friday at 6 p.m. Central time.

    Webpages would soon be set up with details about joining the esports and fitness teams, but “the content is still in the works,” said Army Recruiting Command spokeswoman Kelli Bland, in an email late Thursday.

    Members of the teams will be part of the Army’s Marketing and Engagement Team based at Fort Knox, Ky., and will operate much like the Golden Knights parachute team and Army Marksmanship Unit, traveling to various events and competing for the Army, Bland said. The Army will cover the cost of any certifications, competitions and other requirements, she said.

    “They will be in a support role to help young people see soldiers in a different light and understand the many different roles people can have in the Army (and) help the Army address the growing disconnect with society,” she said.

     

     

    Read the entire article here:

    Uncle Sam wants you — to play video games for the US Army

     

     

  • The Emergency Call of All Time

    Some time back, someone in a town in Florida called the police about a coconut containing an IED sitting at the street end of his driveway.  A police car did show and the police officer did test the alleged coconut IED with his foot, but apart from that, it seemed unremarkable, until the following transcript was found in someone’s mailbox.

    Emergency 911, what is your emergency?

    I have a coconut IED in my front yard.

    What? You have a coconut in your front yard, sir?

    No, no, it’s a coconut with an IED in it.

    You have an IED in your possession?

    No! No! It’s a coconut with an IED in it!  And my bushes are rustling, too!

    I want to understand what you’re saying, sir, but it’s a bit unclear. Could you repeat what you’ve told me, clearly and slowly, so that the recording is very clear?

    I have a coconut in my front yard with an IED in it. It was put there by someone.

    Okay, well, do you know who put it there, sir?

    I think so.

    Okay, well, can you tell me, who was it?  Was it Bigfoot? Was it a wookie? A yeti?

    No, I believe it was put there by a seal.

    Excuse me, sir – by a what?

    By a seal.

    By a seal?

    Yes.

    Okay, well, what kind of seal was it, sir?  There are several species of seal, you know. Could you be specific?

    I believe it was a Navy seal.

    A Navy seal?  I didn’t know the Navy had seals.  Are you talking about a harbor seal? I think the circus left town a few weeks ago. They didn’t report any escaped seals.

    No! No! A Navy seal.  The seal team guys. You know what I mean – the special forces guys.

    I’m afraid I’m not familiar with any of the Navy’s animal training programs, sir, but I can find out if any of their trained animals have escaped and are wandering around with coconuts.

    You aren’t taking me seriously.  You’re just a horrible person.  I’m a taxpayer and I –!

    Sir, I’m just doing my job and trying to be very clear about your call.  Now if you’ll explain what you mean by Navy seal, I can –!

    Oh, fuck it, you bitch!

    Sir, there’s no need to be rude. I’ll send an officer to check the coconut and warn him that there might be seals in the neighborhood. Thank you for calling.  Good-bye.

  • For the Whiners Who Whine About Everything

    What’s the matter? Someone piss in your Cheerios this morning?

    Motorcade Would Disrupt Traffic by JILL COLVIN, Associated Press

    PARIS (AP) — Stung by criticism for not attending an event honoring U.S. military dead, the White House says President Donald Trump didn’t want to disrupt Paris roadways for a last-minute motorcade to a cemetery in northern France.

    https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2018-11-11/trump-visit-to-us-cemetery-in-france-canceled-due-to-rain

    Trump had been scheduled to lay a wreath and observe a moment of silence Saturday at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial, located adjacent to Belleau Wood and about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Paris. The White House cited weather conditions that grounded the president’s helicopter for the cancellation.

    In the wake of criticism that Trump didn’t travel by car to the event, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement Sunday that noted the weather and “near-zero visibility” as well as concerns that a motorcade on short notice would have required closing substantial portions of area roadways.

    “President Trump did not want to cause that kind of unexpected disruption to the city and its people,” Sanders said. She also said the trip to Aisne-Marne was 2½ hours each way by car. – Article.

    The determination to ground Marine One, the president’s helicopter, due to bad weather is made by the Marine Corps and the White House Military Office, which then presents the recommendation to the White House in collaboration with the Secret Service, according to a Secret Service official. – Article.

    Fine with me. I don’t know that it makes a difference to anyone other than those who have nothing better to do than nitpick everything from the First Lady’s shoes to which way the wind blows.

    Some people are simply not happy, period. Whiners gotta whine, and there are people who’d complain if you gave them a brand new rope to dangle from.

     

     

  • Army Retro Uniform OKd for 2020

    Well, it’s official: the U.S. Army is going retro to its World War II “pinks and greens” for officers by 2020, as was discussed on TAH last year.  The remainder of the force has until 2028 to change from current blue uniforms to the Army greens.

    https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/11/11/for-veterans-day-the-army-has-a-present-a-long-awaited-new-service-uniform/

    The Army Blues will revert to being strictly a formal dress uniform.

    From the article: The standard uniform set-up will require pants and brown leather oxfords for both men and women. Women will have the option to wear a pencil skirt and pumps. Everyone will also be able to buy a leather bomber jacket as an outerwear option.

    The rest of the Army would have until 2028 to pick up the new uniform, the release said.

    I’ll take the bomber jacket and change the pencil skirt to an A-line skirt, which is more attractive of chubby girls, and you’ve got a hit.

    Now if we can just persuade the Army that Hello! Kitty pink camo will keep everyone safe from The Bad Guys, we’ll be fine.

  • Latest News re: the VA

    For today’s VA, it’s the best of times and the worst of times – By: Leo Shane III  

    Full story is here:    https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2018/11/08/for-todays-va-its-the-best-of-times-and-the-worst-of-times/

    WASHINGTON — In a White House press conference Wednesday, amid a host of other topics, President Donald Trump stated thatbecause of his leadership “our vets are doing better than they’ve ever done.”

    Yet his critics contend that over the last eight months, the Department of Veterans Affairs has never been in more disarray, with a confusing series of leadership scandals and management overhauls further diminishing public faith in the institution.

    They both may be right.

    “It really is the tale of two VAs right now: It’s the best of times, it’s the worst of times,” said Melissa Bryant, chief policy officer for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

    “We’ve had major legislative victories years in the making. But a lot of what we have seen in 2018 has been political theater, unfortunately.”

    This Veterans Day, VA leaders once again find themselves at a critical moment for the department. Trump just signed into law the largest VA budget ever, topping $200 billion. Congress has given him nearly every major piece of legislation on veterans policy he has requested, including new rules that make it easier to fire poorly performing VA workers and reforms that aim to speed up the benefits claims process.

    But as deadlines loom for implementing numerous health care and management initiatives, Democrats in the House are already preparing new scrutiny over how policy decisions are being made inside VA and what unplanned side effects those changes will have.

    The rest of the article is at the link up above. It’s a long article, but well worth a read. It covers all the issues we’ve been seeing for the last 6 years. I have yet to have any issues with the VA, but like any other collective health care system, there are many good things about it and likewise, bad things. The FHCC I go to is fine, and the wait times are brief, for now, but it that could be because it also serves an active duty military base. I’d prefer to stick with a known quantity than have to choose a provider whose patient agenda is governed by XX minutes allowed, which does happen in the Medicare system.

     

  • Random Open Thread

    Random Open Thread

    1980 Chevrolet Corvette Four Door

    A California shop apparently built six all total, and this is the reddest of them all.
    Do not attempt to adjust screen settings on your mobile device or PC monitor. What you are seeing is real, and depending on how you feel about custom creations such as this, that could be a good thing or the stuff of nightmares. In either case, NBS Auto Showroom in Milpitas, California can set you up with all the details on this 1980 Chevrolet Corvette four-door and how to buy it, if you’re so inclined. Presumably, the sales team will also have some logic behind its asking price of—wait for it—$217,203. Mind you, that’s not an even $217,200, but $217,200 and three extra dollars. Or to put it another way, it’s nearly double the cost of a new Corvette ZR1. Then again, you can’t take three friends for a ride in a ZR1.

    We do know some stuff about this very curious Corvette. The ad says it’s factory original, but some Google research tells us it was built back in the late 1970s by a Pasadena-based company called California Custom Coach. Super Chevy actually has a good article that covers this crazy four-door Corvette plan, but for our purposes, know that only six were built and this red example could be one of only two left.

    Each car was made by basically fusing two Corvettes together—T-tops and all—with the rear glass opening to make this a five-door hatchback sports car 30 years before the Porsche Panamera was born. This particular car is reported as having just 20,000 miles, though a photo of the odometer actually shows 21,006 miles. It’s very red inside and out, and actually, the rear bucket seats don’t look that uncomfortable. The sales description doesn’t offer much else in the way of details, save for the standard-issue, used-car terms like excellent condition, fully loaded, and so forth. It’s listed as having paperwork available, and that it’s completely original. In this case, that would mean a 5.7-liter V8 connected to a four-speed automatic, making roughly 200 horsepower.

    Read it here: 1980 Chevy Corvette Four Door Can’t Be Unseen, Seeks $217k

    Buy it here: NBS Auto Showroom