September 5, 2008 By CJ
Posted in Military News
CBC Radio has produced a new series called The Nerve. I was recently interviewed for the program. Being a lover of music and and in light of what my duties were in Iraq, I was asked to contribute to the show. Here’s a brief description:
Jowi Taylor surveys the entwined histories of war and music. Military music is meant to stir the blood. In order to achieve this, some instruments, some compositions, some sounds are more favoured than others. The Israelites used trumpets to bring down the walls of Jericho. Coppola’s Apocalypse Now helicopters played Ride of the Valkyries, which was based on an actual practice used during the Vietnam War - and is used today as part of the “Thunder Run” strategy in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Scots went to war with bagpipes. And every army has a band. And music can also be an instrument of torture, as happens today, when the U.S. Army uses music to “forcibly interrogate” its prisoners.
From pipes, to drums, to thunder runs, The Nerve 3 takes a serious look at the dark side of music.
To be fair, I don’t believe that music is “an instrument of torture” by any means. It’s a MEANS to achieving results, but not torture. I do understand that torture means different things to different people. If I had to listen to Puff Daddy for hours at a time, I’d feel tortured too. I’m sure listeners of the YouServed podcasts on BlogTalkRadio.com feel tortured listening to my heavy metal!
I haven’t listened to the show yet, so I can’t say how the interview will be used. I do have a copy of the entire raw interview on disc in case I get misquoted or taken out of context. I don’t expect that to happen, but I think I’ve become skeptical of just about everyone - especially if they’re interviewing ME!
The Nerve: Episode 3 The Pipe, the Drum and the Thunder Run (Music & War), airs on Sat. Sept. 20 at 12 PM (1:00 AT, 1:30 NT) on Radio 2 & Sun. Sept. 21 at 8 PM (8:30 NT) on Radio 1 at CBC Radio. If you’d like to listen to a part of the exclusive interview, click HERE and scroll down to my photo. You’ll see a link to the interview. It’s about 28 minutes long so grab a Hot Pocket and Diet Dr. Pepper and relax.
No Comments »
September 2, 2008 By CJ
Posted in Military News
Paul Gigot is an editor for the Wall Street Journal and moderator of the Fox News program, Journal Editorial Report. He recently denigrated our heroic National Guard during his program. This is P.J. Degross’s response:
Fox news should be ashamed of the comments made by your Paul Gigot on the Journal Editorial show on August 30, 2008. During a conversation regarding the VP selection of Sarah Palin by John McCain, the subject of her qualifications came up…one of the guests stated that she was highly qualified and that she was the Commander of the National Guard in Alaska……Paul Gigot’s response was ” I don’t think she would want to use that, afterall the National Guard is not exactly the 82nd Airborne!!!”
Evidently Mr. Paul Gigot has not been informed about the number of National Guard men and women from every state in the union that have served numerous tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, the number that are still deployed and those beautiful lives that were lost in combat defending their country. It is apparent that he has no knowlege of the training or dedication of each and every member of the National Guard or the sacrifices of their families left behind…Sir, these are Citizen Soldiers…the highest calibre of Men and Women you will find…for Mr. Paul Gigot to insult them with his comments is despicable…he owes them all a public apology for his flip and degrading comments.
Fox News, the ball is in your court…lets see what you will do….your Network used to be the “Fair and Balanced” network….put your money where your mouth is…lets honor our National Guard members in the United States deployed and serving at home.
Sincerely,
P.J. Degross
Webofsupport.com Soldier Adoption Program
Carson City, NV
You can email the program at jer@foxnews.com. You can also read the entire interview HERE.
1 Comment »
September 1, 2008 By CJ
Posted in Military History, Military News
To be honest I got most of the this directly from the White House, but not a bit of it in fictitious or false.
Today, in remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, President and Mrs. Bush will participate in a moment of silence at the White House and deliver remarks at the dedication of the Pentagon memorial. Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, President Bush recognized the threat posed by terrorists and took action to protect Americans and defeat violent extremism. Because of the actions taken by President Bush, America is safer, more secure, and winning the War on Terror. Seven years later:
* 50 million people have been liberated, and two totalitarian regimes have been removed;
* The al Qaeda network has been weakened;
* We have not experienced another attack on American soil;
* Our military has been transformed to meet the challenges of the 21st century;
* We have expanded our intelligence capabilities to confront today’s enemy; and
* We have created new and essential institutions needed to wage the War on Terror, including the Department of Homeland Security and Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
We Have Been On The Offense Against Our Enemies Since The 9/11 Attacks. Hundreds of al Qaeda leaders and operatives have been captured or killed, including 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, who is currently awaiting trial by a Military Commission. The United States also apprehended several leading figures in the al Qaeda East Africa network through intelligence sharing and military action.
Since 9/11, more than two dozen terrorists and supporters have been convicted in the United States of terrorism-related crimes. Several key financiers and facilitators of terrorism have been isolated and captured, while more than 400 individuals and entities have had their assets frozen and isolated from the U.S. financial system.
President Bush took the fight to violent extremists in Iraq and Afghanistan and across the world so that we do not have to fight them on American soil. The United States and its coalition partners removed al Qaeda’s safe haven in Afghanistan and al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq, including in its former stronghold of Anbar Province. The United States also acted to prevent al Qaeda safe havens from emerging in the Horn of Africa and Southeast Asia.
There have been no attacks on American soil since 9/11, and the United States and our allies have disrupted key terrorist plots around the world. The President has built a 90-nation coalition to fight terrorism. The United States has partnered with nations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America on intelligence sharing and law enforcement coordination to break up terrorist networks and bring terrorists to justice. Some of our counterterrorism victories include the following:
* September 2007: German authorities disrupted a terrorist cell that was planning attacks on military installations and facilities used by Americans in Germany. The Germans arrested three suspected members of the Islamic Jihad Union, a group that has links to al Qaeda and supports al Qaeda’s global jihadist agenda.
* September 2007: Danish authorities disrupted a cell, which included an al Qaeda-trained individual, planning terrorist attacks using explosives.
* June 2007: Four individuals were charged with plotting to blow up major fuel tanks at JFK Airport. Three of the individuals have been arrested, and the United States is pursuing extradition of the fourth.
* May 2007: The FBI arrested six al Qaeda-inspired individuals plotting to kill soldiers at Fort Dix Army Base in New Jersey. The plotters purchased weapons for the attack, which they had been planning since January 2006.
* August 2006: British authorities disrupted a plot to blow up passenger airplanes flying from the UK to the United States.
Ø The United States supported the creation of a democratic Afghan government and fostered broad international support for Afghanistan through NATO and the U.N. Afghanistan has ratified a new democratic Constitution with strong protections for women’s rights and civil liberties; held the country’s first Presidential election; and held the first free and fair legislative elections since 1969. Today, six million Afghans are attending school, and 85 percent of Afghans have access to basic health care. The United States has committed over $10 billion in 2008 and 2009 for political and economic development. The Afghan government is preparing for the next round of elections in 2009 with U.S. and international assistance.
Ø Iraq is now a young democracy and an ally in fighting terrorists. The President’s decision to send an additional 30,000 soldiers and Marines into Iraq as part of the “surge” has resulted in improved security conditions that have opened up space for political and economic advances. Iraq has seen meaningful progress, but this progress is fragile and there will be challenging times ahead. This success has fostered the appropriate conditions for Iraqi authorities to take the lead in all security operations for Anbar province.
Ø President Bush persuaded Libya to dismantle its Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) programs and renounce terrorism, leading to a normalization of our relationship with Libya. Just last week, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a historic visit to Libya, making her the highest ranking U.S. official to visit the country since 1957.
Ø The President worked with the international community to isolate the regime in Tehran, and won support for three U.N. Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions on Iran because of its failure to suspend its uranium enrichment and other proliferation sensitive activities.
President Bush has teamed with international partners to prevent the proliferation of WMDs. We have expanded international efforts to deny terrorists access to advanced conventional weaponry and to WMDs, their delivery systems, and related materials.
The President worked with Congress to implement reforms and create the institutions needed to wage the War on Terror. The President also integrated and unified intelligence gathering; disrupted terrorist financing; and created new legal and law enforcement frameworks to combat terrorism and deny safe haven to terrorist groups. The President:
Ø Transformed the United States military to meet the challenges of the 21st century. President Bush provided our military with the tools, equipment, and resources to combat terrorism and other new challenges. We started moving American forces from Cold War garrisons in Europe and Asia so they can deploy more quickly to any region of the world to confront emerging threats.
Ø Strengthened our ability to protect the American people by directing the most extensive security reorganization of the Federal Government since 1947. President Bush and his Administration have enhanced our homeland security and counterterrorism infrastructure through the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC), the Homeland Security Council (HSC), and U.S. Northern Command, a Department of Defense combatant command focused on homeland defense and civil support.
· DHS consolidated 22 Federal entities and 180,000 employees under one roof to foster a comprehensive, coordinated approach to protecting the U.S. homeland. DHS and FBI, in partnership with Federal, State, and local authorities, created a national network of 66 fusion centers in 48 states to facilitate information sharing on terrorist threats and operational planning.
· The NCTC leads our Nation’s effort to combat terrorism at home and abroad by analyzing the threat, sharing that information with our partners, and integrating all instruments of national power to ensure unity of effort.
· The ODNI coordinates and integrates and leads the work of the Intelligence Community as a unified enterprise, led by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), to ensure information is shared among intelligence and law enforcement professionals.
· The TSC maintains the Government’s consolidated list of suspected terrorists and individuals with terrorist links and helps get this information into the hands of State and local law enforcement.
· HSC ensures coordination of all homeland security-related activities among executive departments and agencies and promotes the effective development and implementation of homeland security policies.
Ø Modernized the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to provide the tools needed to win the War on Terror and protect America from another attack. This vital legislation allows our law enforcement and intelligence professionals as well as future administrations with the ability to quickly and effectively monitor the plans of terrorists outside the United States, while respecting the privacy and liberties of the American people.
Ø Strengthened our defenses to protect the American people by implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Together with Congress, the President restructured and reformed the Federal government to focus resources on counterterrorism and took the necessary steps to improve the Nation’s homeland security.
The President Has Implemented Programs To Secure Our Homeland And Fight The War On Terror
The President and his Administration have increased border and transportation security. President Bush is implementing an effective system of layered defense by strengthening the screening of people and goods overseas and by tracking and disrupting the international travel of terrorists. The President:
Ø Created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). TSA instituted a process to screen every commercial air passenger in the country, launched credentialing initiatives to strengthen our ability to identify passengers, and expanded the Federal Air Marshal program. We have hardened cockpit doors, armed pilots to defend the flight deck, and strengthened air cargo security.
Ø Enhanced U.S. port security and increased scanning for radiological and nuclear threats. The President coordinated Federal, State, local, and industry port partners through the establishment of formalized Area Maritime Security Committees and Plans that clarify roles and responsibilities. Today, more than 98 percent of all containers entering the supply chain via U.S. seaports are scanned for potential radiological and nuclear threats – prior to 9/11, zero percent were scanned.
Ø Increased containerized cargo screening overseas. We have worked with our international partners to employ the Container Security Initiative in 58 foreign seaports, screening 86 percent of all U.S.-destined containerized cargo being screened overseas before it enters the U.S. supply chain.
Ø Increased border security and interior enforcement funding more than 110 percent and equipped the Border Patrol with better technology and new infrastructure. We have also added more than 8,000 border patrol agents. The Administration has constructed hundreds of miles of fencing and vehicle barriers along America’s southern border and is moving toward the goal of 670 miles by the end of the year.
No Comments »
August 31, 2008 By CJ
Posted in Military News
Like the last time, our National Guard is prepared for the worst as Gustav gets closer to making landfall later this week. I just wanted to share a few pictures of their preparations. I hope to have an interview up this week (hopefully live) on the You Served Podcast with a member of the unit.
Army Staff Sgt. Michael H. Majeau, a supply sergeant with the Louisiana National Guard’s 204th Theater Airfield Operations Group, unloads a pallet of packaged meals in Hammond, La., for soldiers activated in conjunction with the approach of Hurricane Gustav, Aug. 29, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Stephanie J. Cross, Louisiana State Aviation Command.
U.S. Army Spc. Cory R. Prince checks a radio, Aug. 28, 2008, to make sure it is working properly in preparation for possible hurricane relief operations after Gustav makes landfall. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nathaniel P. Orphey.
Army Pfc. Seth D. Watkins, Army Spc. Donovan Q. Lemieux, and Army Sgt. 1st Class Todd F. Stremlau of of the Louisiana National Guard’s 204th Theater Airfield Operations Group load tents on a tactical vehicle in Hammond, La., Aug. 29, 2008, as part of preparations for the expected landfall of Hurricane Gustav. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Stephanie J. Cross, Louisiana State Aviation Command.
Spc. Joseph P. Gauthier of Natchitoches, La., member of Detachment 1, A Co., 199th Leadership Brigade Support Battalion, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, in Colfax, La., gives the thumbs up to Soldiers working to fill a Palletized Load System water hippo. U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Rebekah L. Malone, 225th Engineer Brigade Unit Public Affairs Representative.
Members of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team stage their vehicles next to the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Aug. 29, 2008. The soldiers are activated for security missions in support of hurricane operations throughout the state. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael L. Owens, 241st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
Members of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team stage their vehicles next to the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Aug. 29, 2008. The soldiers are activated for security missions in support of hurricane operations throughout the state. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael L. Owens, 241st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
Members of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team stage their vehicles next to the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Aug. 29, 2008. The soldiers are activated for security missions in support of hurricane operations throughout the state. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael L. Owens, 241st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
U.S. military vehicles are staged and ready, Aug. 28, 2008, to bring clean water in the event that water becomes scarce after Gustav, expected to be a Category 3 hurricane, makes landfall. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nathaniel P. Orphey.
Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, Louisiana adjutant general, talks to reporters about the Louisiana National Guard’s preparedness for hurricane operations at the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Aug. 29, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael L. Owens, 241st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
Sgt. Michael Slaytert osses a water hose to Spc. Joseph P. Gauthier as they prepare a tanker that could be used to provide drinking water to coastal residents if Tropical Storm Gustav hits. The Soldiers are members of Detachment 1, A Co., 199th Leadership Brigade Support Battalion, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, in Colfax, La.
No Comments »
August 29, 2008 By CJ
Posted in Military News
I know: “Not another IVAW attack piece.” Yup, that’s right. But, they just do the dumbest things and I can’t help myself to discuss the ignorance. This time, they “protested” at the DNC, otherwise known as “home base” for the anti-war movement. If you ask me, it’s like protesting against PETA to force them to stop wearing furs.
IVAW started their absurd little charade by marching to the convention location in formation. They then stood in formation until someone from Obama’s campaign came out and agreed to let them speak on the podium! hehe. I so wish they would have allowed that. Supposedly, someone did come out and bring in a couple of the members, Jeff Key and psycho Liam Madden, were led into the stadium and met with members of Obama’s campaign.
The ignorant Soldiers, none of which I saw wearing infantry blue on their branch insignia or cords, then staged fake patrols through the city. I can’t emphasize enough how silly these people looked traipsing through the streets of Denver with their hands up to represent their weapons. You’ll have to watch their video yourself here.
Does the IVAW leadership and sheepish followers really think we’re that stupid? There are videos ALL OVER THE PLACE of Soldiers in patrols on the streets of Iraq. I challenge you to find videos of REAL Soldiers patrolling even remotely similar to the way these morons were. Then, they upped the ante of silliness by adding in angry crowds. To quell the riots, the “Soldiers” pointed their hands weapons at the angry crowd. This breaks all the conventional wisdom and TTP elements trained in any military I’m aware of. That’s because the reality of this is that probably very few of these “Soldiers” have ever even participated in a combat patrol. They broke just about every rule of combat patrols on the books.
I’m not even going to address the illegality of some of the uniforms worn during the event. I’ll save that for someone who really thinks these people represent anything but a Tom and Jerry episode.
3 Comments »
August 24, 2008 By CJ
Posted in Military History, Military News
I’ve been fighting to get the truth out to the public about as long as I’ve been back from Iraq. I’ve tired greatly from the “Bush Lied, People Died” crap that seems to have taken a chokehold on the anti-war mantra! The problem is that Bush didn’t lie about anything and definitely didn’t kill Soldiers. Those Soldiers were killed by terrorists, insurgents, and the Iraqi Army under Saddam Hussein.
Randall Hoven has a great article on the American Thinker called Who Lied About Iraq? He dispels a lot of the myths that I’ve been combatting for a few years myself. It’s good to know that I’m in good company. So, in the spirit of Obama’s “Fight The Smears” website, I offer you Hoven’s words:
The False Story
“The United States invaded Iraq based on false premises. The administration orchestrated a public relations drive to prove that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and connections to the 9/11 terrorists - both proved false.” USA Today
While these two sentences came from USA Today, they describe the words behind the music of the “Bush lied, people died” meme echoing throughout the media chambers since at least 2004. The lies in just these two sentences are almost Shakespearian in their layered texture. The statement even lays out a false premise in accusing the Bush administration of using false premises. If lying is an art, our media have mastered it.
The Premise
Our invasion of Iraq was not based on a public relations drive; it was based on Public Law 107-243, otherwise known as the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq, passed by the 107th Congress in October of 2002 . (Herein referred to as the “Authorization”.) It passed the House with a vote of 296 to 133 (by 69%) and the Senate with a vote of 77 to 23 (by 77%), including 58% of Senate Democrats. In short, it was overwhelming; it was bipartisan; and it was law.
Did the Authorization try to “prove that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction”? Was that proved false?
No and no.
Did the Authorization try to “prove that Iraq had connections to the 911 terrorists”? Was that proved false?
Again, no and no.
What are some of those “other things” that made Iraq in “materiel and unacceptable breach of its international obligations”?
* Iraq agreed to a cease-fire when it surrendered in Desert Storm in 1991. It was in “direct and flagrant violation of the cease-fire.”
* Iraq agreed to eliminate its WMD programs in 1991. It was later caught continuing those programs, concealing them and thwarting weapons inspectors to the point of kicking them out of the country.
* Iraq agreed to “end its support for international terrorism” in 1991. It continued to “aid and harbor” international terrorist organizations, including those “that threaten the lives and safety of United States citizens.”
* Iraq “engaged in brutal repression of its civilian population.”
* Iraq refused “to release, repatriate, or account for non-Iraqi citizens wrongfully detained by Iraq, including an American serviceman.”
* Iraq failed “to return property wrongfully seized by Iraq from Kuwait.”
* Iraq attempted “to assassinate former President Bush.”
* Iraq fired “on many thousands of occasions on United States and Coalition Armed Forces engaged in enforcing the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.”
* Iraq persisted in violating multiple United Nations resolutions. Congress authorized the President “to use United States Armed Forces pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 678 (1990) in order to achieve implementation of Security Council Resolution 660, 661, 662, 664, 665, 666, 667, 669, 674, and 677.”
If Saddam’s Iraq was not an “outlaw regime,” then there is no such thing.
I’ve only provided some excerpts here, so you’ll have to read his article to get the whole story. I guarantee you’ll be educated.
4 Comments »
