Letters to the Editor
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Theatre Voice Over:
Mystery Science Theater?
-- William Timberman
Yeah. It sounded like the one that looks like he's wearing a raccoon mask.
http://www.mst3kinfo.com/history/images/crew.jpg
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Chickens Coming Home To Roost
An example of the costs of the Bush Administration arrogance in believing that it can, as was bragged about in the first term, "create its own reality". After a while nobody believes you anymore.
Sad when you think that a version advanced by the Iranians appears to many in the world as more credible than that of the US.
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Unduly provocative?
This puts me very much in mind of the many incidents* between the US and Soviet navies in the cold war. One, in particular, involved the USS Caron in innocent transit in the Black Sea being actually rammed (well, sideswiped anyway) by a Soviet ship. There was video of that incident, but it happened in 1988, so I can't find it on der Google. There is a still photo from just before the collision here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Caron_(DD-970).
Point being, as "provocations" go, this one is pretty mild. This is not to say that the small craft posed no threat to the larger ships -- they obviously had the potential to do so -- but to call the Iranian maneuvers "reckless" is a bit of a reach, based on the video that I have seen.
* So many, in fact, that in 1972 the US and USSR came to a special agreement designed to help avoid them, called the Incidents at Sea, or IncSea, agreement. http://www.state.gov/t/ac/trt/4791.htm.
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--Anonymous @03:38 PM
"Finally, to ApacheTrout, I want to thank you for complying with USS Underwood's instructions. However, I want to make it clear that until the moment you turned away, you were a mortal threat approaching that ship, and they had every right to train weapons on you. Your line: "My mom didn't even look like a terrorist" was probably meant in jest, but was important. We do not profile."
That was me. ApacheTrout was just a minnow who was sorely out of his depth. I don't normally respond to Anon posts but in your case I have made an exception.
First, thank you for your service. I served in the USN when ships were wooden and men were of steel. Well, not quite that long ago but it was during the period when Sen. John McCain's daddy was CinC of the Naval Pacific Command. I had the opportunity to meet him and it was indeed an honor.
It heartens me to no end when a ranking member of our armed forces takes the time and opportunity to digest news and opinion of a political stripe different than what would normally seem to be on the menu of a naval officer.
Indeed, the reference to Mom was indeed in jest and there was never a question as to whether I would comply with the order from Underwood. I don't blame them for being jittery. As I have posted previously, it's my belief that in this case, our ships would have had ample cause to destroy whatever threats availed themselves to them, especially in a war zone.
Having said that, it seems to me, and I believe you will agree, that these sort of "chicken" games aren't something unexpected and aren't something really unusual. IMO, The hamfisted way the administration has handled it, however, has done more harm than good. Frankly, I can't see any reason why this incident was even made public...unless it was to serve another purpose than to inform the American public that it happened. There has been speculation here, some by me, that indicates Mr. Bush's trip to the middle east had something to do with the release of the story and the (muddled) tape. I cannot imagine that story and tape being released except upon the suggestion of and permission granted by the highest level of our government. Certainly, no member of the Armed Forces would release that information without authorization from his civilian bosses. Do you dispute this?
Finally, Welcome to the forum. It would be nice if you would pick a handle and stick around for a while (unless, of course, you are a Ringknocker).
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That was a comedy
I remember that it didn't end well, unlike The Russians Are Coming, which I much preferred.
-- William Timberman
And it was: "The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming!"
Jonathan Winters was great in that. So was Arkin and everyone, really. But "Bedford" is pattterned after Moby Dick and it was directed by Kubrick's long time producer. Excellent B&W film and Dr. Strangelove came out that same year. See the two of them in a double feature some time.
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It's not Father's Day--gads. I blame war and dysfunctional haters...
But if it was Fathers Day in The Military, I'd say to the Mr. Tantrum's commander-in-chief,
Tell the right-winger trolls,
it's time to grow up before,
DEATH. Hope the bugs don't,
BITE. huh.
o, a jungle scorpion once bit me.
o, a silly ole flashback remembrance.
o, a gop is just a bunch of Screwballs!
o, I wanted to get that off my failing mind.
o, LIES. REST. Skip to my Lu my darling Clementine.
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Why Paul & Kucinich Were Banned from the Last Debates
Aycharaych writes:
"AI
" 'Of all the candidates, in both parties, only Rep. Ron Paul, a 10-term Republican congressman from Texas, has warned about the dangers of another Gulf of Tonkin-style incident.'"
"Expect a deafening silence here also about Ron Paul's stance on this subject."
Well, Aycharaych, you're no doubt right, but you have to understand that Paul is highly dangerous.
He actually believes in the inviolability of the US Constitution, is someone who doesn't think that the Bill of Rights is "quaint" and "obsolete."
And like Dennis Kucinich, he doesn't think that America's true geo-political role is that of slavering, whip-and-chain-equipped World Dominatrix.
That's why Fox Noise banned Paul from the last Republican candidate debate.
That's why ABC Noise banned Kucinich from the last Democratic candidate debate.
Kucinich and Paul are, as LWM and his quavering ilk clearly see, like, you know, "nutjobs."
KR
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Reckless
Point being, as "provocations" go, this one is pretty mild. This is not to say that the small craft posed no threat to the larger ships -- they obviously had the potential to do so -- but to call the Iranian maneuvers "reckless" is a bit of a reach, based on the video that I have seen.
As Jebbie can probably attest to, with the kind of ordinance available to the ship's company in that situation, "reckless" is a good word for it. Considering the type of boats, the latest MK 15 Phalanx CIWS mod would have turned them into dust in seconds.
Block 1B Phalanx Surface Mode (PSUM) upgrade allows engagement of small, high-speed, maneuvering surface craft and low, slow-moving aircraft, and hovering helicopters. This upgrade incorporates a thermal imager, an automatic acquisition video tracker, and a stabilization system for the imager, providing both day and night detection of threats. The thermal imager improves the system's ability to engage anti-ship cruise missiles by providing more accurate angle tracking information to the fire control computer. Additionally, the FLIR assists the radar in engaging some ASCM’s bringing a greater chance of ship survivability. The thermal imager Automatic Acquisition Video Tracker (AAVT) and stablilization system provide surface mode and electro-optic (EO) angle track. Operational evaluation of Block 1B, conducted aboard USS Underwood (FFG-36) and the Self-Defense Test Ship, was completed in August 1999. According to Phalanx Program Office plans, Block 1B will be installed in 11 other FFG-7 CORT ships between June 2000 and July 2002.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/systems/mk-15.htm
This is stupid:
U.S. Navy Ships Return Fire on Suspected Pirates
Story Number: NNS060318-01
Release Date: 3/18/2006 12:18:00 PM
From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs
ABOARD USS CAPE ST. GEORGE, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) returned fire on a group of suspected pirates in the Indian Ocean, killing one and wounding five, approximately 25 nautical miles off the central eastern coast of Somalia in international waters at 5:40 a.m. local time, March 18.
Cape St. George, a guided-missile cruiser, and Gonzalez, a guided-missile destroyer, were conducting maritime security operations in the area as part of Combined Task Force 150, a maritime coalition task force currently led by Royal Netherlands Navy Commodore Hank Ort, when they spotted a suspect vessel towing two smaller skiffs heading west toward the coast. As Gonzalez’s boarding teams prepared to conduct a routine boarding of the suspect vessel, the two Norfolk, Va.-based Navy ships noticed the group of suspected pirates were brandishing what appeared to be rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers.
The suspected pirates then opened fire on the Navy ships. Cape St. George and Gonzalez returned fire with small arms in self-defense.
One suspected pirate was killed and a fire ignited aboard the main suspect vessel. Boarding teams from Cape St. George and Gonzalez took 12 other suspects into custody, including the five injured. The Navy boarding teams also confiscated an RPG launcher and automatic weapons. No U.S. Sailors were injured in the engagement.
The Navy ships are providing medical treatment to the wounded suspects, continuing search and rescue efforts for any additional suspects and collecting further evidence from the vessel and skiffs. Royal Netherlands Navy medical personnel, including a medical doctor, are en route to assist from HNLMS Amsterdam.
Coalition forces conduct maritime security operations under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that all commercial shipping can operate freely while transiting the region.
On March 15, the United Nations Security Council encouraged naval forces operating off the coast of Somalia to be vigilant and take action against piracy. Pirate attacks against aid ships have hindered UN efforts to provide relief to the victims of a severe drought in the area.
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=22784