In Training

Milbloggies!

It's the MILbloggies awards, for the best milblogs of 2005!  All the instructions are on the MILbloggies page of www.milblogging.com.  Just go register - it'll take you all of 10 seconds - go find the milblogs you know and love, and add them to your favorites list on milblogging.com.  Simple!  Easy!  Fun! 

And no, I'm not just saying this so you'll vote for me.... although, you know it's cool if you wanna, you know... vote for me.  It's a great way to support the troops and their families that are working hard every single day.  Y'all should be keeping an eye on www.milblogging.com anyway! 

Vote Vote Vote!  Fun Fun Fun!

Moveon.org sucks

Michelle Malkin has a post, and some links dealing with Moveon.orgs latest idiotic attempt at screwing the way the American public views our newest fight for freedom.  They have some new propaganda movie out that shows crying wives and "American" soldiers having un-fun Thanksgiving in Iraq.   

This picture is taken from the video, let's all try and guess what's wrong with it - I'm thinkin' Universal Soldier would know....

Now that you've guessed, check out Michelle's post.  You can even watch the video, if you're so inclined.

Home Safe

Royal's home.  Safe and sound.  And safe.  I'm so thankful!  We talked for about 2 hours this evening, it was the best.

Looks like we might be able to see each other in early January for 2 weeks.  If it works out, it will have been 4 1/2 months since the last time we saw each other.   I'm so glad to say that it gets easier, and there is no one more worth it than he is! 

Welcome home, darlin'

Finally a movie I can pay to watch

Remember when I said I love Michael Yon, and said y'all should support him?

Remember when I said Bruce Willis was freakin' awesome and you should buy his movies? 

GUESS WHAT!! 
Bruce Willis is looking to make a pro-war, pro-American movie centered on Deuce Four, the soldiers Michael Yon has reported on while in Iraq.  Sweet. 
You can read Michael Yon's awesome posts here.
You can read a Great Article Here on the movie news

Can't wait.

RM "Bullying" Update

The Telegraph has a more detailed article HERE with quotes from the author of the videotape, a former RM NCO, and other "military sources." 

Most say that initiations are normal and supposed to be fun. They are not meant to abuse or humiliate.  Heck, even the Earl of Wessex was made to wade through an ice cold river naked.  If he can do it, anyone can do it.

Nakedness is "par for the course" for Royal Marine Commandos. But, sorry ladies, women cannot be Royal Marines.  I know, I just checked.  They wanna be naked all by their lonesome.   But you can be in the British Army! 

Royal Marine Screw Up

It appears that the Royal Marines are in some hot water.

A videotape has surfaced that shows around 40 naked (and probably smashed) Royal Marine Commandos surrounding 2 other naked Royal Marines who are fighting. Fighting with what look like plastic mats around their arms so they cannot bend them.  According to the BBC News Article, two of what seem to be (I know, I know, they don't really know anything yet) non-commissioned officers wearing "women's frillies" order the men to begin fighting with their hands.  One does not want to, so he's kicked in the head and apparently knocked unconscious.  YIKES.

It's also reached the U.S., as ABC News just posted a story.

All of Britain is appalled.  The Ministry of Defence has said, "The Royal Marines take these allegations extremely seriously and have a zero-tolerance policy on bullying and harassment"
Colonel Bob Stewart, former commander of forces in Bosnia, has said a lot of things, but I'll leave you with this quote: "Why are they naked, for goodness sake?"

BBC Royal Marines Profile - not in depth, but if you want a very quick rundown.

Better yet, check out the Official RM site.

Meet the Marines Days

Every year the Royal Marine Commandos host 'Meet the Marines'.  According to the Meet the Marines 05 site, people can "conduct climbing and abseiling, Take a ride in the Royal Marines Commando high speed raiding assault boats Have an introduction to unarmed combat and Self Defence Try weapon handling and Participate in Paintball." 

Ministry of Defence Article - with quotes by some students who attended

Peterborough Today Article - author experienced being a Royal Marine Commando for that day

YOU’LL GET DIRTY AND WET, PERHAPS THE ODD BRUISE, PERHAPS SCARED - ARE YOU UP FOR IT?
~ From Royal Marine Adventure Days

Thieves

I'm a little late on this story, but it is fascinating.  A 75 year-old jewel thief has been stealing for about 50 years now.  She has no regrets, she loves her life! 
Style & Cunning Allowed Her to Confuse Store Clerks

I would never even dream of being a jewel thief... except that, well, who didn't want to be Cary Grant as John Robie in To Catch a Thief?  Actually, who didn't want to be Cary Grant in just about anything.  But that's another post.

More on great robberies, thieves, and heists?  Check out the Crime Library, one of my favorite sites. 

Amazing Beliefs Part 2

IMAO has up "Amazing Beliefs" Part 2, by Michael Williamson.
Clickity Click Click and enjoy!

I actually read these to my friends, they're very patient with me and my independent, opinionated nature!

Canada and Exopolitics

Eh, when is anything nowadays not our fault as Americans?  Apparently we're gonna start a war with the universe.  Wow.  Oh, and exopolitics is basically political relations with extraterrestrials.  I just learned that.  I'm going to use it in a sentence later today. 

This is not a joke, even though you'll want to laugh.

"Hellyer warned, "The United States military are preparing weapons which could be used against the aliens, and they could get us into an intergalactic war without us ever having any warning. He stated, "The Bush administration has finally agreed to let the military build a forward base on the moon, which will put them in a better position to keep track of the goings and comings of the visitors from space, and to shoot at them, if they so decide."

Via posts by lgf and Smash