In a "LA Times" article by David S. Cloud, Shashank Bengali and Kin Dilanian, called Mali conflict exposes White House-Pentagon split, the world is informed on the war containing murky ties to Al Qaeda, creating havoc in West Africa.
"Although no one is suggesting that the groups pose an imminent threat to the United States, the French military intervention in Mali and a terrorist attack against an international gas complex in neighboring Algeria have prompted sharp Obama administration debate over whether the militants present enough of a risk to U.S. allies or interests to warrant a military response." Top American officials believe that without U.S reaction to acts of this sort of trouble, Mali will turn into another extremist terrorist base such as Afghanistan before September 11, 2001. Yet the Obama administration is unclear whether the Mali insurgents are members of the group Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, threaten the U.S.
The same top ranking officials worry about "being drawn into a messy and possibly long-running conflict against an elusive enemy in Mali, a vast landlocked country abutting the Sahara desert, just as U.S. forces are withdrawing from Afghanistan". Which would leave the United States further in dept for an unnecessary cause. Also what need is there to put the lives of our troops in danger when there is no direct threat to American soil to be found?
The French, who are already sending troops to fight off the insurgents have asked America for transportation of 500 to 600 armed troops, with vehicles and armour."The Pentagon is planning to begin ferrying additional French troops and equipment to Mali in coming days aboard U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo jets, according to Air Force Maj. Robert Firman, a Pentagon spokesman". Although the ideal runway is still being tested to see if it can withstand holding the weight of the massive C-17 cargo jet without crumbling away. If not there will be a secondary airport where troops will switch to another, smaller plane, to be transported the rest of their journey.
This article grabbed my attention immediately, for overseas affairs, such as wars, are very easy to get to the point of without reading an essay. If it isn't clear i am a very "to the point" person therefore the best reads follow those guidelines. Not only is this important for the fact people are dying, yet our country could become involved in a very short instance which could possibly affect me very directly. With the price of war, loved ones being shipped over, or even potentially myself going if it is drawn out long enough."I think the U.S. ambivalence about moving into Mali is very understandable," said Richard Barrett" This shows support from officials of the U.S becoming involved, thus proving my point.
In conclusion, with America on the toes of war, France already involve, this may be more of an immanent threat then perceived in those interviewed for this article.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
br #1 : Hogs in the Shadows
The book Hogs In The Shadows Aka Combat Stories from Marine Snipers in Iraq is just brief descriptions from a number of marine snipers. Something like short stories, these marines tell of their training and there combat. Milo S. Afong's Hogs In The Shadows portrayed the life as a marine sniper and the long road you must take to become one.
Hogs In The Shadows illustrates the bravery, conditioning, and the mental strength needed in these men known as snipers. Without bravery a sniper would most likely not prevail in his mission for the lack of confidence would hold him back. Without proper conditioning the struggle would be making it to the location of the mission and back to the safety of the base. Last but not least without mental strength it could drive a man mad knowing his job is to kill people and get himself or his teamates killed from his mistake.
Although this is less of a book and more of a journal full of short stories. Each sniper, or sniper team, has a chapter to describe either a mission or their training in great detail. The obstacles to overcome are tremendous but most feel rewarded when its all said and done.
Furthermore, the setting in this book creates a connection for me. All of the snipers are stationed somewhere in Iraq, as was my Uncle. They share the same jobs and the same duty. This interest me because my Uncle wasn't aloud to talk about his tours but this book may have answered some of my thoughts.
In conclusion, this was a very informative book, aswell as a good read. Hogs In The Shadows is highley reccomendable to any reader willing to be patient.
Hogs In The Shadows illustrates the bravery, conditioning, and the mental strength needed in these men known as snipers. Without bravery a sniper would most likely not prevail in his mission for the lack of confidence would hold him back. Without proper conditioning the struggle would be making it to the location of the mission and back to the safety of the base. Last but not least without mental strength it could drive a man mad knowing his job is to kill people and get himself or his teamates killed from his mistake.
Although this is less of a book and more of a journal full of short stories. Each sniper, or sniper team, has a chapter to describe either a mission or their training in great detail. The obstacles to overcome are tremendous but most feel rewarded when its all said and done.
Furthermore, the setting in this book creates a connection for me. All of the snipers are stationed somewhere in Iraq, as was my Uncle. They share the same jobs and the same duty. This interest me because my Uncle wasn't aloud to talk about his tours but this book may have answered some of my thoughts.
In conclusion, this was a very informative book, aswell as a good read. Hogs In The Shadows is highley reccomendable to any reader willing to be patient.
Monday, December 17, 2012
current connection
In a recent article by Graham Bowely in the NY Times entitled "10 Afghan Girls Killed in Old Mine Blast; Car Bomb Kills One in Kabul" Bowely tells how A suicide bomber driving a car packed with explosives targeted the compound of a private military contractor on the eastern outskirts of Kabul on Monday. Bowely informs his readers on two main ideas, 1. The devastation of these car bombings. 2.The amount of these explosions in this area.
The car bomb itself was targeted for a company called "Contrack International." With one dead and at least 15 injured, this car bombing caused havoc in the town of Kabul. The vehicle exploded in a small alley between the Contrack company and a carton factory, destroying walls on each side and defacing a two story building. When something like a car bomb, or a road side bomb happens, it leaves a scar on the community and it's surroundings, making it a very nervous place to be.
Among those of the wounded; the company country director, five Americans, and five Africans. The fact that innocent civilians, including the country director, were wounded just goes to show that something like this does not only affect the planned person, yet many random people can get hurt in the same manner. Officials say the company was American owned, but the company could not be reached to confirm this or other details about this attack.
The compound was close to a NATO base, Camp Phoenix, and other NATO installations. There were no coalition forces injured yet why wasn't support brought from these compounds with troops? Could this bombing have been prevented with tighter security? i believe so due to the fact that many have been prevented or stopped in the past. Security in an area like this would be a top priority for most companies and probably was for this one. Yet an explosion is very unpredictable epically from a side alley.
An event like this closely relates to me, for my uncle served in Iraq and had the constant fear or burden of car bombings, or road side bombings when traveling. When we talked he could not go in to specific detail, but there were many occurrences of bombings, shootings, and things of this sort.
Therefore, bombings affect more then one person, individually or as a group. The thoughts that go through someones mind that plans this must be horrible to even come up with such an idea as killing innocent people just for their radical beliefs.
The car bomb itself was targeted for a company called "Contrack International." With one dead and at least 15 injured, this car bombing caused havoc in the town of Kabul. The vehicle exploded in a small alley between the Contrack company and a carton factory, destroying walls on each side and defacing a two story building. When something like a car bomb, or a road side bomb happens, it leaves a scar on the community and it's surroundings, making it a very nervous place to be.
Among those of the wounded; the company country director, five Americans, and five Africans. The fact that innocent civilians, including the country director, were wounded just goes to show that something like this does not only affect the planned person, yet many random people can get hurt in the same manner. Officials say the company was American owned, but the company could not be reached to confirm this or other details about this attack.
The compound was close to a NATO base, Camp Phoenix, and other NATO installations. There were no coalition forces injured yet why wasn't support brought from these compounds with troops? Could this bombing have been prevented with tighter security? i believe so due to the fact that many have been prevented or stopped in the past. Security in an area like this would be a top priority for most companies and probably was for this one. Yet an explosion is very unpredictable epically from a side alley.
An event like this closely relates to me, for my uncle served in Iraq and had the constant fear or burden of car bombings, or road side bombings when traveling. When we talked he could not go in to specific detail, but there were many occurrences of bombings, shootings, and things of this sort.
Therefore, bombings affect more then one person, individually or as a group. The thoughts that go through someones mind that plans this must be horrible to even come up with such an idea as killing innocent people just for their radical beliefs.
Monday, November 12, 2012
opener, closer, sub-verb split
The construction of nuclear bombs, threatening many, kills trust between countries. For instance, Iran is in the process of building nuclear bombs which will cause Israel to attack. Using weapons of mass destruction, a tremendous war would erupt between major powers of the world. The construction or use of nuclear bombs can and eventually cause an outbreak, taking many lifes.
Monday, October 22, 2012
current connection
In a recent article by Veronique Greenword entitled "why bacteria, not humans, can live on caffine." Greenwood informs her readers on two topics: 1) why we cannot live on caffine 2) how we possibley could.
Humans cannot live on caffine because our stomachs do not have the correct bacteria to digest it. Therefore it simpley passes through the digestive tract unscathed. Yet the new found bacteria can digest it, and yes, does live on caffine, giving them energy as we would get from regular food.
Some scientist believe that we may not have the desired bacteria in our guts, yet our body may still posses it making it semi possible of us becoming caffine digestors. Although scientist believe it possible since it has not yet happened it will be left at little more then a hypothesis.
Although it may be possible to digest caffine, since we can't lets just go on eating so we can survive.
Humans cannot live on caffine because our stomachs do not have the correct bacteria to digest it. Therefore it simpley passes through the digestive tract unscathed. Yet the new found bacteria can digest it, and yes, does live on caffine, giving them energy as we would get from regular food.
Some scientist believe that we may not have the desired bacteria in our guts, yet our body may still posses it making it semi possible of us becoming caffine digestors. Although scientist believe it possible since it has not yet happened it will be left at little more then a hypothesis.
Although it may be possible to digest caffine, since we can't lets just go on eating so we can survive.
current connection
In a recent article by Fox News, entitled " Government report on secret flying saucer avaliable" Fox News exposes classified government plans from the early 50's that show plans and tests on a flying saucer. The article specifies on two main ideas : 1) Government plans for the saucer 2) Hopes and outcomes of the saucer.
In the article, it is explained that a flying saucer would be built for reconnaisance. It was expected to be able to travel at speeds of up to mach 4 and have a height of atleast 100,000 ft.
The U.S Airforce contracted a Canadian company to construct the craft. (Avro Aircraft Limited in Ontario) Should the fact that the government used a foriegn company to construct this craft imply the depth of secrecy?
Other articles, like this, have been ran many times over the years discussing secrets among the government or small organizations. Such articles, CIA Mind-Control Experiments by Nate Rawlings which tells of the CIA destroying files on mind control experiments said to be used for assassinations.
There were tests apperentley tested on this craft and the efficiency of the airframe at supersonic speed appears good and that of the engine reasonable. Yet apperentley, as it gained in altitude, it would start to wobble uncontrollably. Weapons were also considered on the craft so that it could then be used for bombing, intercepting, and reconnaisance.
So maybe it wasnt aliens all along, it was just government secretley testing new technology and people are overly gullable and dramatic.
In the article, it is explained that a flying saucer would be built for reconnaisance. It was expected to be able to travel at speeds of up to mach 4 and have a height of atleast 100,000 ft.
The U.S Airforce contracted a Canadian company to construct the craft. (Avro Aircraft Limited in Ontario) Should the fact that the government used a foriegn company to construct this craft imply the depth of secrecy?
Other articles, like this, have been ran many times over the years discussing secrets among the government or small organizations. Such articles, CIA Mind-Control Experiments by Nate Rawlings which tells of the CIA destroying files on mind control experiments said to be used for assassinations.
There were tests apperentley tested on this craft and the efficiency of the airframe at supersonic speed appears good and that of the engine reasonable. Yet apperentley, as it gained in altitude, it would start to wobble uncontrollably. Weapons were also considered on the craft so that it could then be used for bombing, intercepting, and reconnaisance.
So maybe it wasnt aliens all along, it was just government secretley testing new technology and people are overly gullable and dramatic.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
cc#2
In a recent article by Alex Rodriguez in the LA Times entitled "Pakistan sends former Taliban fighters to militant rehab." Rodriguez tells how former Taliban fighters participate in " deradicalization" programs, taking place in countries such as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, which are designated to re-educate former and present radical fighters bound against the U.S. One individual participating in the program, "Ahmed", claims "I would never admire what i did 11 years ago." and "It was a blunder on my part. I was immature, but it was my decision, and i am still paying the price for it." Rodriguez informs his readers on two main ideas, 1. How this helps these individuals 2. How many individuals were affected.
This program, in my opinion, seems to help the well being of those in the wrong by giving them a chance to make it right. Even the level of crimes committed may still be forgiven if stopped. The fact that it has helped one person could possibly have saved one thousand lives in the same time.
From a database of Afghan-trained fighters and extremists monitored by Pakistani authorities, 600 were selected to participate; about half of them agreed. Many had fought with the Afghan Taliban against the U.S.; others came from Pakistani militant groups seen by the West as a continuing threat, including Jaishe-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba, the organization behind the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, India, that resulted in more then 160 deaths.
To me, this is just one step closer to piece between radical members, foriegn and domestic, and those countries affected by acts of terror.
This program, in my opinion, seems to help the well being of those in the wrong by giving them a chance to make it right. Even the level of crimes committed may still be forgiven if stopped. The fact that it has helped one person could possibly have saved one thousand lives in the same time.
From a database of Afghan-trained fighters and extremists monitored by Pakistani authorities, 600 were selected to participate; about half of them agreed. Many had fought with the Afghan Taliban against the U.S.; others came from Pakistani militant groups seen by the West as a continuing threat, including Jaishe-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba, the organization behind the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, India, that resulted in more then 160 deaths.
To me, this is just one step closer to piece between radical members, foriegn and domestic, and those countries affected by acts of terror.
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