Reminiscent of Hillary Clinton’s “deplorable†comments when she referred to supporters of then candidate Donald Trump, MSNBC analyst Malcolm Nance — and self-appointed counter-terrorism, cryptology, intelligence, interrogation and linguistics expert — has stated that all military persons that support the President are “not honorable.†As a retired Senior Chief (E-8), … [Read more…] about Opinion: A matter of honor and the fiction of Malcolm Nance
As I sat in church on Sunday morning, our Pastor asked the congregation if anyone had known a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice. Along with a few others, I stood. Yes, I have known several Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors, but one sticks out on this Memorial Day Weekend — the mission that claimed his life had a direct impact on my career and outlook on warfare. I … [Read more…] about Don McFaul: An unrecognized legacy
Eliminating the “head of the snake†does not defeat an enemy, despite recent comments to that effect made by former Lt. Col. (USMC) Oliver North in a Fox News discussion/commentary regarding ISIL/ISIS. A constant and direct assault on the body destroys the heart and will of an opponent. In World War I, WWII, Desert Storm, OEF, and OIF (in the latter two we screwed up the end … [Read more…] about OP-ED: War and boxing, an ISIS analogy
Over the weekend several veteran sponsored TV ads caught my attention. The most prominent being the VoteVets campaign where they are launching (actually launched on Aug 23) a half-million dollar campaign to oppose the idea of privatizing Veterans healthcare as opposed to continue to count on the much maligned Veterans Administration. While the ads were clear as to the reason … [Read more…] about The V.A. and veterans health care: A pro-option discussion
The concerns with Islam are far more significant than simply “radical jihadist†against the duality of western politics and ideology. It is an internal struggle that results in external consequences. Yet, with all the outrage and justifiable retaliations, religious reformation is not a new concept. Ask most people about the Christian Reformation and in all likelihood a brief … [Read more…] about Islam in reformation
The iPhone of dead San Bernardino terrorist Syed Rizwan Farook has been in the hands of the FBI for weeks now. So why hasn’t the intelligence been accessed and evaluated for the protection of Americans against possible future attacks and the prosecution of additional terrorist conspirators? Encryption? Not really. Ethics? Possibly. Public perception and future market share? … [Read more…] about Apple versus the FBI: How valuable is your personal privacy?
The “birthers” have returned this election, though President Obama is no longer the target. Despite much ballyhoo, there was little question that Barack Obama was born in Hawaii. That makes him a “natural-born citizen.” That term is now a growing concern for Republican candidate Ted Cruz. Like many, I had put little faith in the growing debate; the law of blood and/or the law … [Read more…] about Is Ted Cruz Eligible to be President?
In a tearful soliloquy worthy of a Golden Globe nomination, President Obama outlined a series of executive actions that he will issue in order to further his anti-Second Amendment agenda. While pontificating about his disdain for gun rights—playing the emotional strings of still-grieving parents and family members whose loved ones were the victims of criminals, not law-abiding … [Read more…] about President Obama’s Latest Push for Gun Control Will Just Drive More Gun Sales
Today, during morning military operations in the Helmand (or Hillmand) province, an unidentified U.S. special operations member was killed and a second U.S. soldier wounded in a firefight against the Taliban. A rescue/medevac helicopter arrived on scene to extract the soldiers to a secure area. While on the ground, the rescue helicopter came under mortar fire. An unconfirmed … [Read more…] about U.S. Special Operations Soldier Killed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan
Heroin overdose deaths have nearly quadrupled (2002-2013) in America according to the CDC. This quiet trend is continuing as we head into 2016. Recreational use is surpassing the heydays of the 1970s and the users/addicts are not restricted to race, gender, or economic demographic. Those affected include teenagers, housewives, and software engineers. The United Nations … [Read more…] about Not a Coincidence: Heroin Epidemic Corresponds to Rise of Taliban
Ramadi (and the entire Anbar Province) was at the center of brutal conflicts during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and continued to be caught in the middle of the subsequent vacuum following the United States’ withdrawal. Its location along the Euphrates River and the tri-border area that includes Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria makes it of great strategic importance, and its … [Read more…] about Ramadi: A Template for Iraqi Success?
Radio frequency and direction finding (RFDF) has been around since the early days of aviation. Today, communication intercept (COMINT), metadata collection, target and identification/location play a major role in special operations and in the War on Terror. Bulk collection is essential for developing the “big picture,†as satellites, national agencies, and tactical forces … [Read more…] about How to Hunt Down & Kill a Terrorist: Find, Fix, Finish
