Reinke Faces Life

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5027557/Green-Beret-died-trying-save-comrades-deadly-ambush.html

REVEALED – Full story of deadly Niger ambush: Hero Green Beret Sgt. La David Johnson died going BACK into the kill zone to save comrades… as survivors fought for their lives for TWO HOURS until French fighter jets reached them

• Sgt. La David Johnson was in an armed pick-up truck when the ambush started
• His vehicle was in front of the Land Cruiser carrying Sgt. Bryan C. Black, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah W. Johnson, Sgt. La David Johnson and Staff Sgt. Dustin M. Wright
• Johnson and his vehicle escaped the fire of 50 ISIS militants but then went back
• They were trying to save the other four US men when they were all struck Sgt. La.’s body was eventually given back to Nigerien troops by a village elder
• That same village elder is suspected of stalling the troops before the ambush 
• The October 3 attack in Tongo Tongo, Niger, has been shrouded in secrecy 
• Sgt. Johnson’s widow revealed this week that she still did not know how he died
• The new details were revealed on Friday by an unnamed US official
• Questions remain over why the lightly armed unit of just 42 soldiers was sent on a dangerous mission to capture an ISIS target with so few men and weapons 
• The official revealed the men were meant to have back-up but it could not go with them at the last minute
• Instead of being called back to base, they were told to proceed with the mission 

By Jennifer Smith For Dailymail.com
PUBLISHED: 16:43 EDT, 28 October 2017 | UPDATED: 00:55 EDT, 29 October 2017

*** begin quote ***

They searched through the night for on October 2 then, on October 3, stopped in Tongo Tongo which is known to have links to the terror group. The soldier said that after meeting the village chief, he tried to stop them from leaving. 

*** and ***

Questions which must now be answered include whether the men should ever have been told to proceed with the mission with no surveillance, no back-up and limited weaponry and ammunition. 

It has also shed light on the US military’s presence in Africa which was largely unrecognized until recently.

U.S. forces have been in the country intermittently for more than two decades. Currently, some 800 U.S. service members are supporting a French-led mission to defeat the Islamic State, al-Qaeda and Boko Haram in West Africa.

Another 5,000 or so are in the Middle East. In five years, the number of US commandos in Africa has tripled from only 450 in 2012. 

*** end quote ***

(1) Was that “village chief” delaying or attempting to save our grunts? Once someone determines that, EITHER WAY he should be appropriately rewarded (i.e., a bullet or a thank you).

(2) Why the <synonym for the act of procreation> are our troops in Africa for two decades? What is our strategic national issue?

Argh!

It’s up to us vet to “explain” to our elected officials what the “ground truth” is —  bring all the girls, boys, women, and men home now! If the politicians think it’s so important, then let them make a case for it. I doubt it will “fly”, but let’s have that conversation.

Argh!

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http://insider.foxnews.com/2017/10/17/judge-napoltano-american-people-deserve-know-obamas-role-bowe-bergdahl-prisoner-swap

Judge Nap: American People Need to Know Obama’s Role in Bergdahl Prisoner Swap

*** begin quote ***

Bergdahl was captured and held by the Taliban after leaving his remote post in Afghanistan in 2009.

After five years, the Taliban released Bergdahl in a prisoner swap for five detainees at Guantanamo Bay.

His punishment will be decided by a judge at a hearing starting October 23.

Judge Andrew Napolitano said he’s “furious” that this isn’t going to trial, because there are so many aspects about this case that the American people have the right to know about.

*** end quote ***

Six good men dead. Five terrorists released. And “We, The Sheeple” will never get the truth.

Why did BHO44 and Susan Rice praise him? Is he crazy? 

Is the fix in to sweep this all under the proverbial rug?

Argh!

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https://www.lowes.com/l/in-store-services.html

Military Discount Program

Lowe’s established the 10% Military Discount to extend our gratitude to the men and women who have served or are currently serving our country in the US armed forces¹. 

To receive the Everyday 10% Military Discount, you must: 

Be currently serving in, or a veteran² of the US armed forces or be the immediate family member³ 

and 

Enroll in the program online. Lowe’s uses a trusted third party to verify eligibility status for online enrollment and may require additional documentation or proof of eligibility. 

The Military Discount is established for personal purchases and cannot be used for previous sales or the purchase of gift cards or services⁴ including product installations. It cannot be used with any other offer, coupon, promotion, discount, Lowe’s Low Price Guarantee, special price programs such as Lowe’s volume or special discount programs or on LowesForPros.com purchases. Extended Protection Plans, fees or taxes are also excluded from the Military discount. Offer is not redeemable for cash, is nontransferable, cannot be combined with manager discretion price adjustments or Lowe’s credit discount offers, such as but not limited to, Lowe’s Consumer Credit Card 5% Off Every Day discount. 

We reserve the right to cancel or modify this program at any time at our sole discretion. We also reserve the right to revoke enrollment status based on evidence of misuse.

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http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/reagan-d-day.htm

*** begin quote ***

The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead or on the next. It was the deep knowledge — and pray God we have not lost it — that there is a profound, moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest. You were here to liberate, not to conquer, and so you and those others did not doubt your cause. And you were right not to doubt.

You all knew that some things are worth dying for. One’s country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for, because it’s the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man. All of you loved liberty. All of you were willing to fight tyranny, and you knew the people of your countries were behind you.

*** end quote ***

Sigh, like so many of the battles / “victories” of WW2, the first casualty of war maybe truth, but the second is surely the veterans.

As a pro-peace little L libertarian, I want to ensure that all these fine youngsters — girls and boys; never old politicians and bureaucrats — are not “wasted” in “chicken hawk” psuedo-wars where the objectives are unknown, the interests are confused, and the rationale is either based on “spin” aka lies or abject falsehoods.

We can trace the causes of WW2 directly to FDR and back to Wilson. Americans meddling in European affairs ended a long tradition of “Minding Our Own Business”. Wilson signed for the Federal Reserve that ensure the Gooferment would never lack for “money”. The American empire was set in motion by Teddy Roosevelt who encouraged an imperialistic Japan. And, all manner of “big Gooferment” was traceable to Lincoln and the War of Northern Aggression.

So here we sit on our “D-Day”, wondering how do we get out of this mess?

Will we have the courage of the “boys of Point Du Hoc” and confront the villains in the “District of Corruption” and say “no more”!

Let’s bring all the girls, boys, women, and men home now! We have so many politicians and bureaucrats to send in their place if it’s really needed!

That’s the way to honor the dead and maimed of Normandy!

Dona Nobis Pacem

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2017-May-22

Ferdinand J. Reinke:

Thank you for submitting the Mitchel Square Washington Heights-Inwood War Memorial to memorials for our website! Much appreciated.

Once our Judge Advocate has approved it, we will be able to publish it on our website. Thank you.

Julie Campbell
The American Legion
317-630-1298

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Hard to believe that there’s no inventory of Veterans’ Memorials.

[TIP ‘o’ the HAT to: Steve T for the lead]

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Sounds like a great idea. Have to see if Planet Fitness Keene wants to participate.

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Podcast #279: Why Exercising in a Group Is the Best Medicine For Vets (and Civilians)

By Brett on Feb 16, 2017 01:35 pm

In recent years, several new veterans organizations have popped up to help our men and women in uniform transition from the service to civilian life. Instead of providing a place where veterans can get together to drink, these new organizations are looking to offer vets a sense of meaning and mission that they often lose after they hang up their uniform. My guest today is head of one of these new organizations. His name is J.J. Pinter and he’s the Deputy Director of Team Red, White, and Blue (Team RWB for short) — a veterans organization with the goal of getting vets and civilians together to work out.

Today on the show, J.J. and I discuss the issues facing vets that Team RWB is trying resolve, such as getting them reintegrated back into their community and staving off feelings of depression. We then discuss why Team RWB decided to make fitness their primary focus and why exercising with other people is one of the best remedies for melancholy and malaise. Finally, J.J. and I talk about why it’s so important for civilians to interact and connect with our vets and how they can do so through Team RWB.

Show Highlights

• What is Team RWB? What sets it apart from other veterans organizations?
• How Team RWB got its start
• Why organized fitness is filling a need that veterans aren’t getting from other organizations
• How exercising together helps curb some of the negative effects of PTSD, depression, and other issues that plague veteran’s upon returning home
• Why so few vets return to their hometown upon returning from service
• The kind of fitness programs that Team RWB chapters are engaging in
• Why it’s important to get civilians involved in a veterans organization
• The benefits that civilians realize when joining a vets organization
• The community service projects that Team RWB undertakes
• The importance of community service to a returning veteran
• Why the original model and vision for Team RWB didn’t work
• The dearth of good leadership in America, and how veteran’s can help fill that gap
• The approach that Team RWB takes to leadership development and training
• How civilians and vets alike can get involved with Team RWB

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http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/days-marine-true-finest-hours-article-1.356353

Last days for Marine were true Finest hours 

• NYPD officer Susan Porcello’s big heart gave elderly Marine Gaspar Musso friends and care in his final days.

Denis Hamill Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 6:49 PM

*** begin quote ***

Sometimes when old Marines die they do fade away into unmarked graves in Potter’s Field.

Such might have been the case for Gaspar Musso, USMC 925050, who fought in the Battle of Tinian in the Marianas Islands in 1944 and who died Nov. 15 at age 84 in a Brooklyn nursing home.

Enter Police Officer Susan Porcello, a PBA delegate at the 68th Precinct in Bay Ridge and one of those big-hearted New Yorkers who still make this the best city on Earth.

“No way was I going to let this brave old Marine who fought for his country in WWII get buried in Potter’s Field,” she says.

*** end quote ***

When you read this story, see if the same things come to mind?

• For all the “bad cop” stories, this one will convince you that they are not ALL bad.
• How many of “our” vets are just “lost” here at home?
• What can “we” do to ensure that they are all treated this humanely?
• There was no link to defer the funeral expenses. Maybe no help was needed.
• Could that hospital administrator be any more callous?
• Kudos to the officers of the 68 Precinct for their support.

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A sad day in the USA’s history. Caused by the treachery of FDR. A lot of death, dismemberments, and disruptions. Caused the Baby Boom and all its associated problems. Disrupted families for decades to come. I feel that it changed my life and my attitude towards life at a very very young age. It certainly changed the USA by empowering Big Gooferment. And, it all could have been avoid if the various leaders were less egotistical and manipulative. 

Requiescat In Pacem to the people that died there on that day.

A special place in Hell for the politicians and bureaucrats.

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http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/11/11/at-arlington-national-cemetery-americas-heroes-are-never-buried-alone.html

MILITARY
At Arlington National Cemetery, America’s heroes are never buried alone
Published November 11, 2016  FoxNews.com

*** begin quote ***

Whether it’s in the rain, snow or sweltering heat, no matter what branch of America’s armed services is being honored at Arlington National Cemetery, there is one thing that remains constant – they will never be buried alone.

The fallen servicemen and women’s funerals are attended daily by the Arlington Ladies, a group of volunteers who cover all Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard burials at the historic cemetery in Virginia.

“Some veterans or their families learn about the Arlington Ladies and think that they need to schedule us, and that is never the case,” Air Force Arlington Lady Sandra Griffin said in an AARP video released this week in honor of Veterans Day. “Regardless of the situation whether there is family or not, we’ll always be there,” she said.

*** and ***

On any given weekday at Arlington, as many as 30 war dead and veterans are laid to rest, according to AARP Bulletin.

In addition to the funeral rituals of a honor guard, rifle volley, the playing of taps and the presentation of a folded American flag, the Arlington Ladies speak to the families of the fallen and hand over envelopes to their next of kin.

Inside the envelopes? A condolence card from the armed service’s chief of staff and a handwritten note from the Arlington Lady, usually written after researching the service member’s life online.

*** end quote ***

Well done, ladies. At a time when talk is cheap, their actions say it all.

Brings a tear to the eye of this grumpy fat old white guy injineer.

As I’ve said before, when there is a KIA, the funeral should be attended by the politicians that “represent” that “casualty”. That means both of the Senators and the Representative should meet the family and grieve with them. Maybe then they’d be more considerate of how they use them as props for their political ambitions and “great” ideas.

Argh!

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TEEN_AGING_COMBAT_VETERANS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-11-10-15-35-48

Nov 10, 3:35 PM EST
CALIFORNIA TEEN DEDICATES LIFE TO FINDING WORLD WAR II VETS
BY JOHN ROGERS ASSOCIATED PRESS

*** begin quote ***

LOS ANGELES (AP) — For as long as he can remember, Rishi Sharma’s heroes haven’t been sports stars or movie stars or any other kind of stars. They’ve been the U.S. combat veterans who won World War II.

Alarmed that even the youngest of them are now in their 90s and dying each day by the hundreds, the Southern California teenager has launched a campaign to try to ensure each one’s legacy.

“I’m on a mission to in-depth film interview a World War II combat veteran every single day,” the earnest 19-year-old says after a recent afternoon spent in the living room of William R. Hahn of Los Angeles, where Sharma mined the 93-year-old’s memories for hours.

*** end quote ***

An admirable effort.

I wish that I had captured the stories of all my relatives, some of whom were vets.

A great project by a son of immigrants.

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http://www.infocobuild.com/books-and-films/social-science/the-color-of-war.html

The Color of War

The Color of War is a History Channel documentary series narrated by Peter Coyote, presenting fresh perspectives on the day-to-day experience of World War II. Using a striking assemblage of color footage and photographs from national archives and private collections, the Color of War opens fresh perspectives on the day-to-day from every possible front. From the first draftees thrown into the breach to the sheer boredom between battles to the uniforms worn and the objects carried, this unparalleled saga is further illuminated by letters and diaries, communiques from the battlefield, and the sounds and songs of the era.

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Some of the film seems to show “war crimes”.

Argh!

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http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=6a89b73599e68a4cdf6730e21&id=4363b82cec&e=35ecb7286c

Why politicians hate Armistice Day but love Veterans Day Retweet

By Perry Willis

Veterans Day is Friday, November 11th. It used to be called Armistice Day. It was a day that remembered the moment when the First World War ended on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. Armistice Day was a valuable holiday. It constantly reminded people of the biggest mistake that politicians ever made… 

A world war fought over absolutely nothing!

Alas, the politicians could not abide such a reminder of their own folly, and so Armistice Day was eventually changed to something the politicians could exploit — Veterans Day. Whereas Armistice Day highlighted the dangers of militarism and interventionism, Veterans Day promotes these schemes. Yes, the holiday includes appreciation for soldiers past and present, but it’s also used by politicians to tell…

A Big Lie

Politicians exploit Veterans Day (and Memorial Day too) to claim that they used our soldiers to defend freedom. But is that really true? We’re going to stress-test this claim between now and November 11th. We’ll review our wars and interventions one-by-one and ask the following questions…

• Was the war necessary to defend America?
• Did the politicians use our veterans to defend freedom or harm freedom?
• Did the war make things better or worse?

We believe the evidence is overwhelming that the politicians’ wars have…

• Made America less safe
• Harmed freedom
• Made the world worse, on balance
• Injured and destroyed veterans for little benefit

But you’ll be be able to judge for yourself as we present the evidence. We do this because…

We want to prevent the loss of more young lives in useless wars

Alas, experience has taught us that we’re not allowed to speak the truth on Veterans Day or Memorial Day. It’s okay to lie about our wars on those days. The lies are greeted with enthusiasm. But the truth is met with howls of outrage and shouted down. And so…

If the truth must be silent on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, that’s all the more reason for it to be proclaimed loudly on the days before. That’s what we intend to do between now and November 11th.

If our case convinces you, please share it with others. Start a conversation about the correct way to honor veterans and the war dead. We believe it should be possible to honor their courage and mourn their loss, without telling lies about how they were used. We hope you’ll consider our case in the days ahead.

———-
Perry Willis is the co-founder of Downsize DC and the co-creator of the Zero Aggression Project

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This is subtle change that I never realized until this pointed it out to me.

Argh!

Let’s bring all the girls, boys, women, and men home now! We have so many politicians and bureaucrats to send in their place if it’s really needed!

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*** begin quote ***

VA Suicide Hotlines Abandoned – source National Review On-Line 

World Suicide Prevention Week recently came and went invisibly-again. Society these days seems more emotionally investing in facilitating suicides of the ill and disabled than preventing theirs and those of other despairing people. But preventing the suicides of our military veterans has been one of the few exceptions, with a great deal of time and energy devoted the prevention cause.

Alas, VA bureaucrats apparently remain indifferent to the suicide prevention cause with 1/3 of the calls to hotlines going unanswered. According to a CBS story:

– More than one-third of calls to a suicide hotline for troubled veterans are not being answered by front-line staffers because of poor work habits and other problems at VA, according to the hotline’s former director.

– Some hotline workers handle fewer than five calls per day and leave before their shifts end, even as crisis calls have increased sharply in recent years, said Greg Hughes, the former director of V A’s V eterans Crisis Line.

– Hughes said in an internal email that some crisis line staffers “spend very little time on the phone or engaged in assigned productive activity.” Coverage at the crisis line suffers “because we have staff that routinely request to leave early,” he said.

Is it any wonder people are rapidly losing faith in our institutions?

*** end quote ***

This should be a national disgrace.

22 military suicides per day was number I’ve heard.

This should be SOMEBODY’S priority.

If not DOD, then VA.

Argh!

I know, let stop creating these cases, by bringing all the girls, boys, women, and men home now!

(We have so many UNCARING politicians and bureaucrats to send in their place if it’s really needed!)

Dona Nobis Pacem

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2016-Jul-04

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/06/30/vietnam-captain-recalls-trick-that-faked-enemy-saved-lives-and-earned-medal-honor.html?intcmp=features

AMERICAN LEGENDS
Vietnam captain recalls trick that faked the enemy, saved lives and earned Medal of Honor
By Carole Glines  Published June 30, 2016  FoxNews.com

*** begin quote ***

A U.S. helicopter finally arrived, and Bucha directed the evacuation of the wounded. When the enemy withdrew the next morning, he learned that his team had killed more than 150 North Vietnamese.

But 10 Americans in his platoon had also died.

When he learned he would receive the Medal of Honor, Bucha told a sergeant, “I don’t deserve it.”

*** end quote ***

Hopefully, the lesson for today is not to waste these brave men’s lives for trivial purposes.

Bring all the girls and boys home now and send all the politicians and bureaucrats to replace them.

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2016-Jun-06

https://www.army.mil/d-day/

*** begin quote ***

On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which, “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe. The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler’s crack troops.

*** end quote ***

How many folks will remember this fateful day?

The fact is that it was probably necessary for the events at the time. 

One can not underestimate the courage and bravery that it took to hit those beaches.

When you hear that today’s students demand “safe spaces” from ideas that upset them, think of those men who created the “safe space” they enjoy.

Argh!

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2016-May-30

Speaking in Oslo in 1964, Martin Luther King declared:

Man’s proneness to engage in war is still a fact. But wisdom born of experience should tell us that war is obsolete. There may have been a time when war served as a negative good by preventing the spread and growth of an evil force, but the destructive power of modern weapons eliminated even the possibility that war may serve as a negative good. If we assume that life is worth living and that man has a right to survive, then we must find an alternative to war.

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*** begin quote ***

Memorial Weekend is upon us. Please keep our military and all the folks that were affected by the Memorial Day floods in your prayers. 

*** end quote ***

To all the ersatz patriots out on the internet, the best way to “celebrate” Memorial Day is to stop creating more vets!

Dona Nobis Pacem

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I made my own meme for Facebook. Feel free to share.

# – # – # – # – #  2016-May-30 @ 09:10  

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/30/us/report-finds-sharp-increase-in-veterans-denied-va-benefits.html?_r=0

Report Finds Sharp Increase in Veterans Denied V.A. Benefits
By DAVE PHILIPPSMARCH 30, 2016

*** begin quote ***

The rising proportion of ineligible veterans is largely due to the military’s increasing reliance on other-than-honorable discharges, which have been used as a quick way to dismiss troubled men and women who might otherwise qualify for time-consuming and expensive medical discharges.

The G. I. Bill instructed the veterans agency to care for veterans if their service was “other than dishonorable.” The agency interpreted this as excluding “other than honorable” discharges.

*** end quote ***

Three things jump off the page at me:

(1) Isn’t it convenient that they interpret the law to reduce the “veterans” expense!

(2) Once a vet is in the fight and gets hurt, why are they excluded from care? If they’d have been left home, then they might not have had that bad experience.

(3) Isn’t it all about money?

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FROM Mike Berger’s March Bugle Blasts

Appeals judges reverse punishment for senior VA execs – source Military Times

*** begin quote ***

VA officials’ attempt to punish a pair of high-ranking executives over mismanagement issues has been knocked down by appeals judges who ruled the department’s other disciplinary moves have been too inconsistent to justify punishing those two. The news comes a month after Justice Department officials announced they would not charge the two women with any criminal activity, despite accusations from the IG the executives manipulated the hiring practice and unjustly pocketed about $400,000 in federal funds.

*** end quote ***

Argh!

The corruption in Gooferment and its inability to “police” itself is demonstration that it’s immoral, ineffective, and inefficient. As well as untrustworthy.

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https://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/12/walter-e-block/women-military/

Women in the Military
By Walter E. Block
December 21, 2015

*** begin quote ***

There is another focus from which to view this new initiative of promoting female participation in the military other than the libertarian. This is the biological. Women are the limitation of population, and its growth. It is not for nothing that the farmer keeps 50 cows and one bull, rather than the reverse. If there were 50 bulls, 49 of them would be superfluous. If there were one cow, all the bulls in the world could not by one iota increase the size of the flock.  In other words, females, at the margin, are much more important for increasing the size of the human race. They are the precious limitation on population growth. Why is the latter to be preferred?  That is because in order to create another Mozart, or Mises, or Einstein, or Rothbard, or Salk, or Bach, or Gates, we need millions of new babies. The more of them the better. If we are ever to occupy the Moon and Mars and eventually colonize worlds in other solar systems, we shall need lots of human beings. But in order to accomplish this goal, women, not men, are required (always at the margin). Men are relatively speaking, good cannon fodder. Women are too important, again from this biological point of view, to be wasted in any such manner. In World War Two, the Russians and the Germans inflicted heavy blows on each other.  There were hardly any healthy men left standing afterwards of child-bearing age. Yet, after this conflagration, they were never missed, at least not in terms of population growth. Any woman who wanted to become pregnant, such is the human condition, had little or no difficulty achieving this goal. Imagine, instead, that this war had been fought only or mainly by females, with the males taking on the role of civilians (in those quaint times, non-combatants were less targeted than in the modern era). Then, there would have been hardly any healthy women left upright afterwards. What would have happened to the population in these two countries? To ask this is to answer it: there would have been virtually no new generation.

*** end quote ***

Bottom line: Bring all the girls and boys home now!

And, women are too valuable to waste in the military.

Barefoot and pregnant is NOT the message.

Keep them safe because without them there ain’t no human race.

If that makes me a “neanderthal”, then I guess I am.

Argh!

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“In this circa 1925 photograph, the poem “In Flanders Fields” is shown in downtown South Bend, in the Christmas window display at Robertson Brothers Co., a department store that eventually became known as Robertson’s …” ““In Flanders Fields the poppies blow, between the crosses row on row…” begins the poem “In Flanders Fields.” Written by a Canadian physician, Lt. Col. John McCrae, it was composed on May 3, 1915, after the funeral of his friend and fellow soldier, Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. It was later published in the London magazine Punch on Dec. 8, 1915, exactly 99 years ago.” South Bend Tribune. 

Now a hundred years, and humanity STILL has not learned.

Dona Nobis Pacem

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2015-Nov-11

As a stateside vet from 1970-1973 during the Viet Nam ‘war”, I am keenly aware of all the KIAs, MIAs, the maimed, and those forever changed vets. I think that the way society treats them — dusts them off for Veterans Day and then puts their problems out of sight and mind back in the closet until next year — is hypocritical.

When the “Wounded Warriors” charity has to advertise to help them, that’s a symptom of the problem. When we let politicians and bureaucrats — of both parties — send the future vets to war without a vote, that’s a symptom of the problem. When the politicians are too busy to ‘welcome’ every returning vet and ‘bury’ every body coming home, that’s a symptom of the problem.

So please don’t “thank me for my service”, in the grand scheme of things, my sacrifice was so modest compared to the others, it’s not worth mentioning. Instead use that effort to solve some of the problems. Most notably, demand that the politicians and bureaucrats bring the girls and boys home immediately like Ron Paul suggested in the last two Presidential campaigns.

On Wall Street, there’s an old maxim that so true and applies here. “When in a hole, stop digging!” You want to honor all the Vets, stop making new ones. We should not be sending girls and boys to fight unless the Congress votes an old fashioned declaration of war because our liberty is the threatened and we have no choice.

Dona Nobis Pacem!

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https://www.newsmax.com/Politics/ben-carson-no-need-veterans/2015/08/26/id/672110/

Ben Carson: ‘We Don’t Need a Department of Veterans Affairs’

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Finally someone talking some sense about the way we care for the girls and boys coming home as well as the “old vets”. Phoenix and Memphis are a disgrace and probably just the tip of the iceberg.

We need some old First Sergeants in charge of the system.

Argh!

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