tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90343794603964061522024-02-19T16:42:20.943-08:00Stupid ScholarThe Stupid scholarAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comBlogger3000125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-78954637086238012032012-12-14T02:00:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.611-08:00Ravi Shankar – "Raga Ahir Bhairav"<br /><br />RIP. It would be hard to overstate Ravi Shankar's influence on introducing world music… to the world. He was an excellent musician, a true master, and also a good composer. I'm fond of his work with Phillip Glass, he did the music for early films of the great Indian filmmaker, Satyajit Ray, and Beatles fans are well aware of Shankar's influence on George Harrison. Still, for all the fusion Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-44044772110818183342012-12-13T23:58:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.600-08:00How to Read for Writers, by Vonnegut<br /><br /><br />A new book is out of Kurt Vonnegut's letters, and Slate has been running some selections. His advice to a friend slotted to teach at the Iowa Writers' Workshop is interesting (and gossipy), but I really enjoyed his term paper assignment. Apparently, Vonnegut "wrote his course assignments in the form of letters, as a way of speaking personally to each member of the class."<br /><br />November 30, 1965<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-67717172319356968852012-12-07T23:00:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.607-08:00Dave Brubeck Quartet – "Blue Rondo à la Turk"<br /><br />RIP. I have several Brubeck albums, and the man had a great run, performing 'til he was 88. This tune is one of his most famous, and also one of his best. <br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-57725089527548171252012-12-07T20:00:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.603-08:00Why We Can't Have Nice Things<br /><br /><br />Political battles do not occur in a vacuum, and the current scrum features several highly familiar elements. If you've been following the "austerity bomb" / "austerity crisis" news (better terms than "the fiscal cliff"), one of many striking features is the colossal bad faith of the Republicans. Steve Benen devised the nifty chart shown above breaking down how lopsided the current "deal" is.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-4137276667984175842012-12-07T18:53:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.597-08:00The Post-Election "What Republicans Should Do" RantPost-election analyses about what the Republican Party should change have been pretty popular recently, and it's been fun to see sharp bloggers poke holes in the most blind, hubristic or otherwise ridiculous "advice." Personally, while I'm happy to work with decent people who self-identify as conservative or Republican, that type of person is faaaar from the norm in the conservative base or Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-23958401782605369332012-12-07T10:56:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.591-08:00Bad Crippie!<a href="http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/06/ex-sailor-arrested-accused-of-attempting-to-hand-over-sub-secrets/?hpt=hp_c2">From CNN</a>: <br /><blockquote>A former U.S. Navy submarine warfare specialist has been arrested and charged with trying to give classified information about how to track U.S. submarines to people he thought were representatives of the Russian Federation - but who were actually FBI undercover agents, according to federal authorities. <br />Robert Patrick Hoffman II of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was arrested Thursday morning on an attempted espionage charge... <br />...According to the indictment, on October 21 Hoffman tried to hand over national defense information to people he thought were representatives of the Russian government, including classified information "that revealed and pertained to methods to track U.S. submarines, including the technology and procedures required."... <br />...Hoffman, 39, is described as a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Navy who was trained in cryptology and reached the rank of petty officer first class. He retired from active duty in November 2011. According to his biography released by the military, he served as a submarine warfare specialist.</blockquote>A picture of the goofball, identifying him as a former CT, along with a copy of the indictment is <a href="http://hamptonroads.com/2012/12/retired-sailor-charged-attempted-espionage">here</a>.<br /><br />A lot of times in treason cases like this, the prosecutors end up having to bargain away the death penalty in order to get the traitor's help in determining what he had previously given to the foreign country. In this case, since there's no evidence so far that the doofus was ever successful in passing along his information, prosecutors are under no such impediment. Also, since the guy's retired, he's <a href="http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ucmj.htm#802.%20ART.%202.%20PERSONS%20SUBJECT%20TO%20THIS%20CHAPTER">still subject to the UCMJ</a>. I say just run the case through a court martial and fast-track his appeals so we can carry out the sentence expeditiously -- despite the CNN article saying the maximum penalty is life, I'm sure the military could find a UCMJ article (like <a href="http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ucmj2.htm#906. ART. 106. SPIES">Article 106a</a>) that carries the death penalty. Does the military still use firing squads?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-16315049371933099642012-12-06T03:37:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.584-08:00Submarine Officers Earn Their Dolphins!I was excited to see the Navy website <a href="http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70940">front-page an article</a> about submarine officers earning their fish; no matter why they decided to do a story about it now, it's good to see young Sailors becoming Submariners get some positive press. Excerpt: <br /><blockquote>Three Sailors assigned to USS Maine (SSBN 741) and USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) became the first female unrestricted line officers to qualify in submarines Dec. 5. <br />Lt. j.g. Marquette Leveque, a native of Fort Collins, Colo., assigned to the Gold Crew of Wyoming, and Lt. j.g. Amber Cowan and Lt. j.g. Jennifer Noonan of Maine's Blue Crew received their submarine "dolphins" during separate ceremonies at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., and Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Wash. <br />In order to receive their dolphins, Leveque, Cowan and Noonan were required to qualify as Officer of the Deck and Engineering Officer of the Watch, perform damage control functions, and demonstrate satisfactory qualities of leadership. <br />Cowan, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Noonan, who hails from Boston, joined two other Blue Crew officers - Lt. j.g. James Barclay and Lt. j.g. John Schaeffer - in receiving their dolphins. Cowan was pinned by her husband, Naval Flight Officer Lt. Adam Cowan. Noonan chose a former Maine shipmate and mentor, Lt. Jason Brethauer, to pin her dolphins. Schaeffer decided to have Lt. Joe Westfall, a current shipmate from the Blue Crew, conduct his pinning. The Commanding officer of Maine's Blue Crew, Cmdr. William Johnson, pinned Barclay.</blockquote>They even included <a href="http://www.navy.mil/view_image.asp?id=140901">a picture</a> of the pinning: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lvDKqq3sKwmW55Q1G8QLfWG2WAKkn-xKTLhWutuna8t0LEysKSV6DjrcNuZHJrguKknrsPuKxlCeft_wGKWNtjP3P5BJM56RomMoEZfuQ5ch4vmEClQs_-wDZYogMMYK1NLDE_efkNZr/s1600/wyoming+dolphin+pinning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lvDKqq3sKwmW55Q1G8QLfWG2WAKkn-xKTLhWutuna8t0LEysKSV6DjrcNuZHJrguKknrsPuKxlCeft_wGKWNtjP3P5BJM56RomMoEZfuQ5ch4vmEClQs_-wDZYogMMYK1NLDE_efkNZr/s320/wyoming+dolphin+pinning.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><br />Because us old crusty retired types like nothing better than to tell new Submariners how it was back in the day, here's some unsolicited advice from one of your new brothers:<br /><br />1) The sea is a cruel mistress (or swain, as the case may be), who doesn't care if you <a href="http://bubbleheads.blogspot.com/2012/05/nuclear-navy-milestone-and-rant.html">went to the White House</a> as a non-qual; all she cares about is that you respect her.<br /><br />2) The rules of Submarining are written in blood. By earning your fish, you've proven that you have achieved the absolute minimum level of competence required to be trusted with the boat. There are still lots of rules for you to learn; don't ever think you know everything there is to know about how to safely and effectively operate a submarine. Violations of the rules can kill you -- or, even worse, those who work with you and trust you. Don't ever abuse the trust your Captain has shown by signing his name on your qual card.<br /><br />3) IMHO, the most effective Submariners are those who know, deep down, that they really are the best at what they do. Sure, you should show humility and good humor around your shipmates (lest no one want to work with you), but, in your most base essence, you should believe that you really are the best at what you do. And you have to be able to back it up.<br /><br />4) Always respect the boat and the crew. While the reactor may be the submarine's heart and the CO the boat's brain, the soul of a ship is made up of the blood, sweat, and tears of every man and woman who serves or has served on her. Never forget that your boat is alive, and if you love her, she may love you back.<br /><br />5) Congratulations and welcome to the Brother- and Sisterhood of the 'Phin. You've worked hard, and are now a member of one of the most elite groups of warriors in the world. In time, you may find you have more in common with Submariners from other countries than you do with some American civilians. Enjoy your accomplishment. Watch a movie every now and again. And get hot -- you're dink on Command Quals.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-51164862077534421362012-12-02T12:06:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.601-08:00Origin of Political CorrectnessHow the Left creates and maintains the Narrative, from the Marxist Frankfurt School to the takeover of academia and the development of Critical Theory, all in a handy, engaging discussion from Bill Whittle: <iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vrt6msZmU7Y" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><a href="http://youtu.be/vrt6msZmU7Y">Link to YouTube</a><br /><br />Read all about the hideous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankfurt_school">Frankfurt School here</a>. Note it became affiliated with Columbia University in 1935, and the infection of higher education in the US was complete. Here is just one example of how art, music, and all "studies" programs at universities have been corrupted or created with malice aforethought by these Marxist thinkers: <br /><blockquote><b>Philosophy of modern music</b> Adorno, a trained musician, wrote The Philosophy of Modern Music (1949), in which he, in essence, polemicizes against beauty itself ― because it has become part of the ideology of advanced capitalist society and the false consciousness that contributes to social domination. It hence contributes to the present sustainability of capitalism by rendering it "aesthetically pleasing" and "agreeable". Only avant-garde art and music may preserve the truth by capturing the reality of human suffering. Hence: <i>"[...]Musical language is polarized according to its extreme; towards gestures of shock resembling bodily convulsions on the one hand, and on the other towards a crystalline standstill of a human being whom anxiety causes to freeze in her tracks [...] Modern music sees absolute oblivion as its goal. It is the surviving message of despair from the shipwrecked."</i> This view of modern art as producing truth only through the negation of traditional aesthetic form and traditional norms of beauty because they have become ideological is characteristic of Adorno and of the Frankfurt School generally.</blockquote>The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Higher-Education-Encounter-Broadside-ebook/dp/B0088Q9TAU/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=ur2&qid=1344869282&s=digital-text&sr=1-1">higher education bubble</a> can't burst soon enough! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-4382183478850393372012-11-29T10:52:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.598-08:00Things Retired Submariners Do With Their KidsAs we do <a href="http://bubbleheads.blogspot.com/2008/12/ready-for-christmas.html">most years</a>, my family and I set up a gaudy, neighborhood-property-value-destroying Christmas display at our house: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTngEuzu-Pu7iF6f1JRh1gGqoVknCnFleeV9LqY6JHvKj359LZ_bEOvh6MALss6uGtVkzBiCYGI9Nxose3Up7aYcLWCLQox70np5N-f6WUjNp9p7zZqtyRXuig2t-Cw8izpoa13dM0klBZ/s1600/Christmas+House+2012+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTngEuzu-Pu7iF6f1JRh1gGqoVknCnFleeV9LqY6JHvKj359LZ_bEOvh6MALss6uGtVkzBiCYGI9Nxose3Up7aYcLWCLQox70np5N-f6WUjNp9p7zZqtyRXuig2t-Cw8izpoa13dM0klBZ/s320/Christmas+House+2012+002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />This year I went with the rare-yet-tasteless "triple lawn Santa" theme, and topped it off with intentionally-unsynchronized lights sets along the roof over the garage. Someone once asked me if there was any limit to how inartful I would sink; I decided that while I would go with the <a href="http://lifewithaveline.blogspot.com/2005/12/christmas-light-displays-poor-rudolph.html">"gutted reindeer hanging from a tree"</a> display if my wife would let me, I would draw the line at Santa on a cross.<br /><br />Meanwhile, over in Britain, a retired submarine CO's <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9686219/I-am-bitterly-bitterly-disappointed-retired-naval-officers-email-to-children-in-full.html">E-mail to his kids</a> expressing his disappointment with them has <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9686216/Former-submarine-captain-emails-children-to-say-he-is-bitterly-disappointed-in-them.html">gone viral</a>. Personally, I'm very proud of my children -- my daughter with a great job, one son who's graduating from college next month, and another who returns from a two year mission for our Church next week -- and I couldn't personally imagine going off on my kids the way Crews did, I would imagine there are people who are disappointed with their family.<br /><br />If given a choice between spending the holidays with your entire extended family or spending them deployed on the boat, which would you choose?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-23949196580524157142012-11-22T19:00:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.590-08:00Dido – "Thank You"<br /><br />A repeat, because it works so well for Thanksgiving. (Plus, I'm currently reading The Aeneid.)<br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-76770821651193416112012-11-22T10:05:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.608-08:00Meditation, Compassion and PTSD<br />Yesterday, NPR ran a good (and moving) story on the use of meditation to help veterans cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which afflicts roughly one in four veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Given a less cheery recent post on PTSD, and the spirit of the day, this seemed especially appropriate.) <br /><br />The Vietnam vets talk first. Some say they'd never even heard of PTSD Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-32839454360005146952012-11-19T12:05:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.592-08:00USS Delaware Chosen For Submarine Name<a href="http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=15694">From the DoD today</a>: <br /><blockquote>Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today that the next Virginia-class attack submarine will be named the USS Delaware. Dr. Jill Biden will sponsor the USS Delaware. A longtime Delaware educator and military mom, Dr. Biden started Joining Forces with First Lady Michelle Obama to encourage all Americans to recognize, honor and support military families. <br />Mabus named the future USS Delaware in honor of the first state in the Union. The name honors the great contributions and support Delaware has given the military through the years and pays homage to the state’s more than two centuries of naval heritage. <br />“I chose the name Delaware to honor the long-standing relationship between the Navy and our nation’s first state,” said Mabus. “It has been too long since there has been a USS Delaware in the fleet and this submarine will remind future deployed service members and state residents of their strong ties and many shared values for decades to come.”</blockquote>Although not mentioned in the article, I assume this name will be attached to SSN 791, the last Block III boat, scheduled for commissioning sometime around 2018.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-36947028841070516312012-11-16T07:42:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.595-08:00Drinking On BaseBack in the day, we'd hold "JO Retention Team" meetings at The Dive on SUBASE Groton. I wonder if boats are still doing those, and if they will be able to have them in the future following the <a href="http://www.navytimes.com/news/2012/11/ap-review-ordered-of-alcohol-served-at-groton-111512/">upcoming review of on-base drinking</a> ordered by the base commander (one of my old COs) in response to <a href="http://www.theday.com/article/20121115/NWS09/311159529/1018">an incident reported in <i>The Day</i></a>: <br /><blockquote>Capt. Marc W. Denno, the base commander, said the incident did not set a good example for junior sailors. <br />"That's probably why Command Master Chief Vatter decided it was in the best interest of everyone that he retire," he said. "We dealt with this quickly, at the appropriate level, and the effect was minimized." <br />According to a heavily redacted copy of the investigation, obtained by The Day through the Freedom of Information Act, Vatter drank seven or eight beers at a poker night May 18 at the Chief Petty Officers Club on the base. He and his wife then took a cab to the Wicked Pissa, the Gales Ferry bar formerly known as Legends Rock Bar. <br />While the names in the report were blanked out, witnesses told investigators that Vatter and his wife got into an argument and the couple began yelling and swearing at each other.</blockquote>I've always thought it's better to drink on base than off if we're looking to control alcohol-related incidents -- keep the more inexperienced drinkers within walking distance of their racks. What do you think?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-16318611451330189092012-11-15T23:45:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.586-08:00School of Seven Bells – "Night"<br /><br />The band solicited fan videos for this song, and this one was the winner. More information here.<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-6355663678880761772012-11-15T08:00:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.604-08:00Food Banks – November 2012With Thanksgiving fast approaching, this is a good time for those with the means to donate to their local food banks, or for those in need to get assistance. In my area, the Los Angeles food banks make a little go a long way. (A few years back, I started making an annual donation about this time of year.) The Feeding America site has a useful national food bank locator. Best wishes to all Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-10400858116381385012012-11-11T23:11:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.581-08:00Armistice Day 11/11/12(Click on the comic strip for a larger view.)<br /><br />In 1959, Pogo creator Walt Kelly wrote:The eleventh day of the eleventh month has always seemed to me to be special. Even if the reason for it fell apart as the years went on, it was a symbol of something close to the high part of the heart. Perhaps a life that stretches through two or three wars takes its first war rather seriously, but I still Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-78693742571247845092012-11-11T22:11:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.610-08:00Only the Faithless SufferIn past years for Armistice Day, we've looked at how denying loss can tragically lead to more loss. We've examined how eagerly a blind rage can be embraced. This year, I wanted to look at willful blindness. (It turns out that the Beltway establishment and the Religious Right are quite similar in that regard.)<br /><br />The Morality of Drone Strikes<br /><br />First, let's consider Joe Klein and his remarks in Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-16391990173574082852012-11-11T16:23:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.587-08:00First World War Poetry (11/11/12)The Guardian has a video of Sean Bean and Gemma Arterton reciting Wilfred Owen poems, with Sophie Okonedo doing the honors for Rupert Brooke. Head over for all four poems; here's one:<br /><br /><br /><br />In previous years, we've looked at the war poetry of Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon, and contrasting visions in "The Poetry of War." Rupert Brooke makes an appearance in "Demonizing the Enemy," as does OwenAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-19642524519963223882012-11-09T09:14:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.588-08:00Some News ItemsHere are some items of interest:<br /><br />1) Submarine arsonist Casey Fury <a href="http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121108/NEWS/121109747/-1/NEWSMAP">pled guilty</a> and faces a recommended 15 to 19 year sentence. Although I would have loved to see them go for life, I'm really hoping they put him on the hook for the $450 million in damage after he gets out, such that the maximum allowed portion of his post-prison income goes to restitution.<br /><br />2) A Russian Sierra II attack submarine (or "Seirra 2", <a href="http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/national/russian-attack-submarine-detected-off-florida-east-coast-according-to-us-defense-officials">according to ABC</a>) has been detected off the East Coast, and is <a href="http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/06/navy-detects-russian-sub-off-u-s-east-coast/">now heading home</a>. It's a good sign of US-Russian cooperation when they send their boats to us for our submarines to get their training in. Thanks, Vlad! I'm just hoping that boats returning from deployment don't get delayed from coming home to join in the fun.<br /><br />3) USS Boise (SSN 764), named after the capital of Idaho, celebrated the 20th anniversary of her commissioning this week, and <a href="http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70542">returned from deployment yesterday</a>, the day after the anniversary. I note with interest that she deployed on May 2nd, and returned from deployment on November 8th. I guess LANTFLT is adding 6 days to normal deployments nowadays. Here's <a href="http://www.wvec.com/my-city/norfolk/Submarine-Boise-returning-to-Norfolk-after-deployment-177637951.html">an article with a video</a>, and a picture:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObhDJ6jJMn0iCHNOlpU1icYwt0Nmub3Fa4M_5AL68nQOhlb7g0-N5J-o3jIIPstvKZq7nbXAr7unE69I4ERi-j0OMaf3J64MQO-r2YcUQHfRlYBGfQK-vGobIQatIdS5ne3KFUTrJNj20/s1600/Boise+2012+deployment+return.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObhDJ6jJMn0iCHNOlpU1icYwt0Nmub3Fa4M_5AL68nQOhlb7g0-N5J-o3jIIPstvKZq7nbXAr7unE69I4ERi-j0OMaf3J64MQO-r2YcUQHfRlYBGfQK-vGobIQatIdS5ne3KFUTrJNj20/s320/Boise+2012+deployment+return.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />4) The Iranians fired, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/09/world/meast/iran-fighter-jets/index.html?hpt=hp_t1">unsuccessfully</a>, on a U.S. drone over the Arabian Gulf. Having spent a deployment on a carrier in the Gulf and becoming very familiar with the <a href="http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/58228.pdf">Iranian claims of territorial waters vs. what we recognize</a> (the Iranians claim some "straight baseline" water more than 12 miles from their shore that we correctly state is not in accordance with international law), I have no doubt that 1) our drone was over international waters as we recognize them, and 2) the drone was over waters the Iranians wrongly claim. When we were seizing Iraqi tankers back in 2000, we'd board them in those "grey" area waters, since the Iranians gave the tanker skippers charts showing how they could stay in Iranian waters, and they included the portions that we didn't recognize. I'm glad to see we're continuing to defend the international standard in determining territorial water, and hope we don't back down from the mullahs.<br /><br />5) On a personal note, I just remembered I posted <a href="http://bubbleheads.blogspot.com/2008/11/i-got-my-first-tattoo-today.html">this</a> right after the election 4 years ago. Now cancer-free for 44 months. Thanks to all the readers who supported me back in the day and throughout the process.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-81526492527459517682012-11-09T00:15:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.613-08:00Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings – "This Land Is Your Land"<br /><br />Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings do Woody Guthrie? Just about the best pick possible for this week. (We ran with some other classics back in 2008.) <br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-91472138401681153802012-11-07T23:39:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.617-08:00Respect.<br /><br /><br />President Barack Obama fist-bumps custodian Lawrence Lipscomb in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building following the opening session of the White House Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth. December 3, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza).<br /><br />Lance Mannion posted this one over at his place. It's from this gallery. It's an old photo, but appropriate for the occasion. A little Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-89698735961839709182012-11-06T09:45:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.615-08:00Fighting Voter SuppressionWithout fail, one of the major parties has worked to expand the vote and the other has worked to suppress it. It's an important difference, especially because the voter suppression efforts of conservatives/Republicans have been in such glaring bad faith. I've seen multiple blogs post the infamous Paul Weyrich video from 1980 I linked earlier:<br /><br /><br /><br />The New York Times delivers a scathing editorial Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-85841093319723208572012-11-06T02:00:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.614-08:00Voting 2012 (CA Ballot Measures and More)The Election Protection site has a wealth of information on voting rights. Unfortunately, as usual, conservatives are trying to suppress the vote, and some Republican governors, legislatures and secretaries of state are really outdoing themselves – the *#&%@! scumbags. If you're challenged, or witness a problem, you can call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (or use their smartphone app if you've downloaded it).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-64348502339670202522012-11-05T23:57:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:32:18.606-08:00Voting and Political ActivismThis being a presidential election year, it's time for the left-leaning blogosphere to have another fierce debate over whether to support Obama and the Democrats or vote for a third party. Self-described liberals, progressives, Democrats, independents, Greens, libertarians and others have weighed in (including actual socialists, not the people denounced as such on Fox News). Most blog readers Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9034379460396406152.post-11138050401348539102012-11-02T18:08:00.000-07:002012-12-17T21:32:18.583-08:00Changes At The TopToday, ADM Kirkland Donald <a href="http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70471">was relieved</a> by ADM John Richardson as the head of Naval Reactors. Also there's an election this upcoming Tuesday between the current Commander-in-Chief and an opponent who wants to significantly increase defense spending, including <a href="http://news.usni.org/news-analysis/news/both-obama-and-romney-proposals-don%E2%80%99t-meet-navy-requirements">increasing submarine procurement</a> to 3 <i>Virginia</i>-class boats a year.<br /><br />Discuss.<br /><br /><i>Update</i> 1220 04 November: For those who don't want to discuss national or NR politics, here are a couple of links you might like: A <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9602103/HMS-Conquerors-biggest-secret-a-raid-on-Russia.html">Cold War story</a> about a Northern Run by HMS Conqueror (S 48), and both the <a href="http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70473">official Navy story</a> and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49678306/ns/us_news-life/#.UJa_u8XR6So">an NBC News story</a> about the CO and XO, along with the CHENG and OPS, of USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) getting relieved in response to a drunken port call to Vladivostok a few months ago. ("Party on, Ivan!" "Party on, Joseph!") I just like any story about the Eng getting to have fun on a port visit.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16633478995955242611noreply@blogger.com