IED Damage
This video was taken by a U.S. soldier documenting several IED attacks on his patrols. Luckily for him and his buddies, nobody was hurt.
Watch Now
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
DISCOVERY TIMES CHANNEL DOCUMENTARY:
12/5/2006
In November 2006, more than 50 veterans of the U.S. armed forces from around the country were vying for seats in Congress. At no other time in history have so many veterans run for national office at the same time. The award-winning filmmaking team of Brent and Craig Renaud (OFF TO WAR) follow five of these veterans as they criss-cross their districts asking constituents for their vote.
TAKING THE HILL tells the story of a group of veterans, most with no prior political experience or aspirations, who have chosen political action as a means to further answer the call of service to their country. The two-hour world premiere of TAKING THE HILL will air on the Discovery Times Channel on December 12, 2006 at 9:00 PM ET/PT.
Beginning in February 2006, when U.S. Army veteran Mike Lyon brought together the veteran candidates in Washington, D.C.,in a loose coalition called the Band of Brothers 2006, the Renaud brothers have followed the candidates as they travel throughout their home states: Illinois, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. Although most of the veterans considered themselves politically independent or in some cases Republican, during their active military careers, they have come together this year to run as Democrats. From Eric Massa, a retired Navy commander in rural New York State; to Rick Bolanos, a Purple Heart recipient in Vietnam; to Tammy Duckworth, an Army captain who lost both her legs when a grenade hit her helicopter in Iraq, this documentary will follow the stories of these veterans as they head into their respective political battles.
Having spent much of their working lives in the military, these veterans do not have personal wealth to fund their campaigns, nor do they have the political connections it takes to easily raise the vast amounts of money necessary to compete politically at the national level. TAKING THE HILL is about a group of outsiders fighting political battles and motivated by a desire to serve their country -- not by going to war this time, but by going to Washington. TAKING THE HILL is produced by Downtown Community Television (DCTV) for the Discovery Times Channel. Brent Renaud and Craig Renaud direct and produce for DCTV. Diana Sperrazza is executive producer for the Discovery Times Channel; Jon Alpert is executive producer for DCTV. {Source: George Weber, 29 Nov 06]
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Force protection
Hunting Juba
"This is a photo of (William Davis) during a counter IED/sniper operation. I'm in an old industrial building in 'Downtown Baghdad.' I was in HHC, 515th FSB, 5th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Force Protection."
Submitted By: William Davis
CNN Sniper Video
From FP-5 Fire Power Forward
http://bdelapla.typepad.com/firepowerforward/
Salerno last year. This young Marine along with the entire 3/3 battalion left Afghanistan and after a short break were deployed to Iraq. After 7 months in the An Bar province, they were relieved by the 2/3 Marines and have recently redeployed to their home station in Hawaii.
I recently received the following email from the father of a 3/3 Marine that we had served with inTrinityhome1 Salerno last year. This young Marine along with the entire 3/3 battalion left Afghanistan and after a short break were deployed to Iraq. After 7 months in the An Bar province, they were relieved by the 2/3 Marines and have recently redeployed to their home station in Hawaii.
Recently CNN showed an insurgent video of the sniper killing of an American soldier in Iraq. The decision by CNN to air the film on national television was beyond bad judgement. Our anger turned to outrage when we found out the victim was 2nd Lt. Joshua Booth from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines. Not only are his pregnant wife, child, and parents forced to come to terms with the death of this twenty-three year old Marine, but they now know his final moments and violent death has been gratuitously aired for the world to witness. Bobbye and I know the video could easily have been of Daniel or any number of Marines we have come to know, since the killing took place in Haditha, Iraq.
I found CNN's explanation proved to be bland and devoid of substance. There are any number of guesses as to why CNN chose to air the insurgent video; however, in my judgement, none are of overriding value. I am further distressed the video has not been discussed and editorialized to any degree in the mainstream press.
I cannot imagine the WWII press airing footage sent to them by Nazi Germany or the Imperial Japanese Army depicting the killing of American soldiers in Europe or Marines on Iwo Jima. I've always believed the media's support for the troops never went much beyond ratings and their financial bottom line. 2nd Lieutenant Booth's killing, now aired on a world stage, reinforces my opinion.
I would ask everyone to consider making a conscious decision to boycott CNN in protest and avail yourselves of another national news source. Further, I would ask you to forward this email to friends and relatives for their consideration.
I have watched this bit of "journalism" when it was aired on CNN International last week and I have to say that it was disturbing at best. Of course it was preceded with all the warnings as to the graphic nature of what was about to be aired and a brief description of the decision process used in producing it. I found both to be lacking. The warnings took on the enticing nature of promotion and the justification was a weak attempt towards public service alluding to the emerging threat of a "new" shift in insurgent tactics in utilizing snipers.
I certainly share this father's outrage but I find CNN's motivations to be a bit different. Maybe it was a function of watching this piece on the international channel rather than with the domestic newscasters but I found the pandering to an anti-U.S. policy sentiment to be blatant and the timing of its release during the run-up to the mid-term elections less than coincidental.
I have to wonder if no other major news outlet aired these video pieces because they didn't have them or because they didn't find them news worthy. If they didn't have them, it leads to the question of how CNN came to possess these insurgent created items and why they would choose CNN to give them to. If everyone had them but only CNN showed them, it baffles me why many will continue to chastise Fox News for a pro-administration bias but proudly hail the credibility of what is fast becoming an American based Al-Jazeera.
My heart and utmost gratitude go out to the Booth family. To the 2/3; Semper Fi and come home safe. Those who truly care know all the good things that you are doing.
Unbelievable CNN hits New Low
Keep the faith. You and your soldiers families shouldn't have to endure that kind of propaganda from CNN the long deployments are hard enough. No news value and I frankly would expect this from Aljazeera. I will support your boycott but lets not stop there CNN has sponsors and they must be held accountable. I will post your letter at CWVA forum and blogs will try to spread word.
Sean P. Eagan
New York State Director
Cold War Veterans Association
From FP-5 Fire Power Forward
http://bdelapla.typepad.com/firepowerforward/
Salerno last year. This young Marine along with the entire 3/3 battalion left Afghanistan and after a short break were deployed to Iraq. After 7 months in the An Bar province, they were relieved by the 2/3 Marines and have recently redeployed to their home station in Hawaii.
I recently received the following email from the father of a 3/3 Marine that we had served with inTrinityhome1 Salerno last year. This young Marine along with the entire 3/3 battalion left Afghanistan and after a short break were deployed to Iraq. After 7 months in the An Bar province, they were relieved by the 2/3 Marines and have recently redeployed to their home station in Hawaii.
Recently CNN showed an insurgent video of the sniper killing of an American soldier in Iraq. The decision by CNN to air the film on national television was beyond bad judgement. Our anger turned to outrage when we found out the victim was 2nd Lt. Joshua Booth from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines. Not only are his pregnant wife, child, and parents forced to come to terms with the death of this twenty-three year old Marine, but they now know his final moments and violent death has been gratuitously aired for the world to witness. Bobbye and I know the video could easily have been of Daniel or any number of Marines we have come to know, since the killing took place in Haditha, Iraq.
I found CNN's explanation proved to be bland and devoid of substance. There are any number of guesses as to why CNN chose to air the insurgent video; however, in my judgement, none are of overriding value. I am further distressed the video has not been discussed and editorialized to any degree in the mainstream press.
I cannot imagine the WWII press airing footage sent to them by Nazi Germany or the Imperial Japanese Army depicting the killing of American soldiers in Europe or Marines on Iwo Jima. I've always believed the media's support for the troops never went much beyond ratings and their financial bottom line. 2nd Lieutenant Booth's killing, now aired on a world stage, reinforces my opinion.
I would ask everyone to consider making a conscious decision to boycott CNN in protest and avail yourselves of another national news source. Further, I would ask you to forward this email to friends and relatives for their consideration.
I have watched this bit of "journalism" when it was aired on CNN International last week and I have to say that it was disturbing at best. Of course it was preceded with all the warnings as to the graphic nature of what was about to be aired and a brief description of the decision process used in producing it. I found both to be lacking. The warnings took on the enticing nature of promotion and the justification was a weak attempt towards public service alluding to the emerging threat of a "new" shift in insurgent tactics in utilizing snipers.
I certainly share this father's outrage but I find CNN's motivations to be a bit different. Maybe it was a function of watching this piece on the international channel rather than with the domestic newscasters but I found the pandering to an anti-U.S. policy sentiment to be blatant and the timing of its release during the run-up to the mid-term elections less than coincidental.
I have to wonder if no other major news outlet aired these video pieces because they didn't have them or because they didn't find them news worthy. If they didn't have them, it leads to the question of how CNN came to possess these insurgent created items and why they would choose CNN to give them to. If everyone had them but only CNN showed them, it baffles me why many will continue to chastise Fox News for a pro-administration bias but proudly hail the credibility of what is fast becoming an American based Al-Jazeera.
My heart and utmost gratitude go out to the Booth family. To the 2/3; Semper Fi and come home safe. Those who truly care know all the good things that you are doing.
Unbelievable CNN hits New Low
Keep the faith. You and your soldiers families shouldn't have to endure that kind of propaganda from CNN the long deployments are hard enough. No news value and I frankly would expect this from Aljazeera. I will support your boycott but lets not stop there CNN has sponsors and they must be held accountable. I will post your letter at CWVA forum and blogs will try to spread word.
Sean P. Eagan
New York State Director
Cold War Veterans Association
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Cold War relic gets splashy redesign
Civil Defense insignia bows out after 67 years
By David Dunlap
New York Times News Service
Published December 1, 2006
Civil Defense insignia bows out after 67 years
By David Dunlap
New York Times News Service
Published December 1, 2006
The stark insignia of civil defense--a C and D forming a red circle in a white triangle on a blue disk--died Thursday after a long eclipse.
It was 67 years old and lived in the mind's eye of anyone who remembers air-raid drills, fallout shelters and metal drums filled with what had to be the stalest biscuits in the world.
It was 67 years old and lived in the mind's eye of anyone who remembers air-raid drills, fallout shelters and metal drums filled with what had to be the stalest biscuits in the world.
Its demise was announced by the National Emergency Management Association, the group that represents state emergency managers.
The CD insignia, which the association called "a relic from the Cold War," was eulogized by Richard Grefe, the executive director of the American Institute of Graphic Arts.
"The old mark fits in the same category of simplicity and impact occupied by the London Underground map," Grefe said.
Tom Geismar, a principal in Chermayeff & Geismar Studio, a design firm, said the insignia was "authoritative and appropriate for the serious work" of civil defense.
The insignia was born in 1939, said Michael Bierut, a partner in the Pentagram design firm. Its father was Charles Coiner, the art director of the N.W. Ayer advertising agency, who also designed the National Recovery Administration's blue eagle.
The CD insignia was called anachronistic in 1972 by the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency, successor to the Office of Civil Defense. "The image was World War II vintage," the agency said.
The EM symbol was endorsed by R. David Paulison, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, successor to the civil preparedness agency. He attended the announcement in Washington.
The new image was developed by Morrie Goodman, an emergency communications specialist and the senior managing director at AGG International, a marketing firm.
Goodman said he first tried to update the classic triangle, using EM initials, but wound up with something that looked like the America Online logo. He was then directed by the association to take a fresh approach.
In the new logo, the letters EM and the words "Public Safety, Public Trust" are wreathed in blue and gold arcs, symbolizing movement, and three gold stars, standing for the local, state and federal levels of disaster preparedness and response.
"We now have a new symbol of what our profession is all about," Goodman said.
Geismar sounded less sure. He said the stars and swooshes seemed "more appropriate to an upstart airline."
The CD insignia is survived by countless metal drums, still languishing in school basements, with biscuits that have become even staler.
Hector Ed Autry
Cold War Veterans Association
Kansas City, Missouri
The CD insignia, which the association called "a relic from the Cold War," was eulogized by Richard Grefe, the executive director of the American Institute of Graphic Arts.
"The old mark fits in the same category of simplicity and impact occupied by the London Underground map," Grefe said.
Tom Geismar, a principal in Chermayeff & Geismar Studio, a design firm, said the insignia was "authoritative and appropriate for the serious work" of civil defense.
The insignia was born in 1939, said Michael Bierut, a partner in the Pentagram design firm. Its father was Charles Coiner, the art director of the N.W. Ayer advertising agency, who also designed the National Recovery Administration's blue eagle.
The CD insignia was called anachronistic in 1972 by the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency, successor to the Office of Civil Defense. "The image was World War II vintage," the agency said.
The EM symbol was endorsed by R. David Paulison, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, successor to the civil preparedness agency. He attended the announcement in Washington.
The new image was developed by Morrie Goodman, an emergency communications specialist and the senior managing director at AGG International, a marketing firm.
Goodman said he first tried to update the classic triangle, using EM initials, but wound up with something that looked like the America Online logo. He was then directed by the association to take a fresh approach.
In the new logo, the letters EM and the words "Public Safety, Public Trust" are wreathed in blue and gold arcs, symbolizing movement, and three gold stars, standing for the local, state and federal levels of disaster preparedness and response.
"We now have a new symbol of what our profession is all about," Goodman said.
Geismar sounded less sure. He said the stars and swooshes seemed "more appropriate to an upstart airline."
The CD insignia is survived by countless metal drums, still languishing in school basements, with biscuits that have become even staler.
Hector Ed Autry
Cold War Veterans Association
Kansas City, Missouri
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