This Kind of Crap blows my mind !!

 

Read this editorial:

Students should not get paid to take classes

“Should high school students have an opportunity to earn credits for a course that involves weapons training? Moreover, should they get paid to take the course?”

 

This is another example of a group of people that have their heads up their asses. School is meant to teach and instruct. This Editorial comes to us from the Moose Jaw Times. Apparently there is a group of pro peace groups that don't like the fact that students out west will have the opportunity take a reserve Co-op program, especially when that training will involve the use of weapons.

The Regina Peace Council has started circulating a petition to try and prevent the implementation of  a Co-op Program in Saskatchewan school boards. Now unless they do things differently out west, schools are intended to educate and train the future work force of this nation of ours. The Profession of Arms is also something that needs to be taught as well. when a person becomes a soldier he is not just going to the local armouries to carry a weapon and saying hey lets go shoot stuff ! They are making a conscious decision to place themselves in harms way for the betterment of the nation. Harm comes in may forms. It can come in the form of a disease such as Ebola, it can come in the form of a natural disaster, and yes it can come in the form of war. I wonder of these people in these groups realize there are many different sides to being a soldier and carrying a weapon is only one of those sides.

I also think that it is quite ironic that these groups have such a hard on for the common troop when it might be wiser and better idea to stop kids from taking science in school, because far more damage, and havoc have been caused by scientists and engineers  than GI Joe and GI Jane. Just to give an example, The Maxim Machine Gun revolutionized modern warfare, it was not created by a soldier but by an inventor, in reality an engineer, that learned his trade, I'm almost positive in a school. This is the same guy that has patents for mouse traps and curling irons.  Another item which we are all familiar with, the atomic bomb was initially created by a physicist, another scientist. These two inventions alone are responsible for the deaths of literally millions,, not to mention Zyclon B gas that killed millions on its own.    So why are we allowing science classes in our schools. I think  we should start a petition to eliminate science classes from our schools.

The Sad Truth

The Sad Truth

By Jack Profijt

The other morning my wife and were enjoying our customary cup of Joe while watching CTV news, just like we do every morning. We watched a segment of there morning program that waS spot lighting Canada's Special Operations Regiment or CSOR. The news broad casters were highlighting an upcoming segment of W5. In this particular segment the interviewing reporter was speaking with a US General about a training operation that CSOR is involved in Nigeria.  The General had made a comment that Canada's Special Forces personnel are some of the best in the world and that the Canadian public should be made more aware of what they do. My wife made the immediate comment that "No they shouldn't !"

Don't get us wrong, she supports the military 100%, but her rational is quit sound. The general population doesn't, appear to want to know about anything beyond "peace keeping". Peace keeping, is a nice term and make Canadians feel good about what there soldiers do. Anyone who has served in any kind of overseas force knows Peace Keeping is relative term, especially if there is no peace to keep. 

To me the sad truth is that Canadians don't want to know what there soldiers do or why they do what they  do. Many Canadians are quick to say that we are loved in Europe and the World over. However they are not so quick to acknowledge that the love they feel or the good will they experience while traveling was won off the backs of soldiers and their blood. There have been times where I have made that connection for many modern Canadian Citizens, the shocked expression that I receive implies that have irreparably insulted them, and have some how suggested something that is somehow un-canadian. The very thought of Canadians committing violence in the name of Canada by order of the Canadian Government, by Canadians appears to be repulsive to the average Joe on the street.  

Army confines 100 soldiers to base over missing equipment

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/08/us-army-equipment-stolen-idUSTRE8070O920120108?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews&rpc=986

Best of 2011: Team Canada visits troops in Afghanistan

http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/news-nouvelles/story-reportage-eng.asp?id=5273

Best of 2011: Army gets on board for equipment testing

http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/news-nouvelles/story-reportage-eng.asp?id=5687
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Family of Taliban-held GI Hopes for his Release

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MilitaryTopNewsStories/~3/-d4nFyvKq40/family-of-taliban-held-gi-hopes-for-his-release.html
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Texas Guardsmen Warn of Iranian Influence in Iraq

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MilitaryTopNewsStories/~3/kyzQbE07RoU/texas-guardsmen-warn-of-iranian-influence-in-iraq.html
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Tribute to the Canadian Soldiers of World War One

Don't Fence Me In - Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters

Social Media – Social Tool or Anarchists Weapon

This is a little off topic but still relevant. It appals me to see how quickly an ordered society can descend into Chaos? How can people that may have been neighbours and friends one day and then turn into mindless criminals the next? It is very disturbing to me the what I think may be considered normal society may in fact be an abnormal condition placed on society to maintain control.

If one considers social media in that context, is it a tool for good or evil? At what point does a tool like Twitter become dangerous to society at large? In the the modern age social media has the ability to make or break corporations, increase awareness of issues, and even topple governments. In reality Social Media has the ability to create and manipulate society. If we look at recent events like the G20 Summit riots in Toronto or more currently the Riots in London, we see the power that social media has to fuel a societies impulse.. Never before in history has so much unchecked power been given to the people. Could you imagine what some historical figures could have done had social media been in place. Imagine if Martin Luther King could reach millions the world over. Could you imagine a tweet that started “I have dream … “. Could you imagine  Nazi Germany with a propaganda machine centered around a group like Facebook.

Social Media is a tool and a weapon. In the hands of criminals, activists and politicians alike, sites like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are a godsend. The problem with unchecked power at any level, is that when we cross a line we don't realize it until its to late. Society being what it is, it is unable to be proactive and police itself. So unfortunately that puts law makers the world over in a position of playing catch up.

Now I'm sure you will get those groups out there that will say all of this violence is caused by social inequality and poverty and that putting a muzzle on Social Media sites is an assault on free speech.However, when you consider the deaths of innocent bystanders and the senseless destruction of property, it is clearly a power that has out grown its intended  purpose!

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• What Can Social Media Tell Us About American Society? [INFOGRAPHIC] (mashable.com)
• Facebook And Twitter Aren't To Blame For U.K. Riots (allfacebook.com)
• Social Media...a scapegoat (iamkevinhudson.wordpress.com)
• A Riot to Tweet? (whimsley.typepad.com)
• London riots: Why respectable people turned to looting (newscientist.com)
• UK riots: Why respectable people turned to looting (newscientist.com)
• UK riots: Why respectable people turned to looting (newscientist.com)
• Penny Red: Panic on the streets of London. (ambravernuccio.wordpress.com)
• A country in chaos (room4truth.com)
• Riots prompt social media review (bbc.co.uk)
• Minority Report - Predicting A Riot Is Impossible On Social Media (techcrunch.com)
• Fear and Loathing in Social Media (crawfordpr.com)
• UK's David Cameron Considers Banning Rioters from Social Media (themoderatevoice.com)
• British PM Misses Point of Social Media, Threatens Ban (readwriteweb.com)
• The Dark Side Of Social Media (stargroup1.com)
• London Riots and Social Media Duality (bigthink.com)
• 5 positive contributions social media made to the UK riots (robweatherhead.co.uk)
• Social Media's Mob: Disconnected From Riots' Reality? (paidcontent.org)

Canadian Forces secure staging base in Kuwait - CTV News

Image via Wikipedia

This is a great thing for the Canadian Forces. It shows forward thinking on the part of military planners and strategists. Canada’s military since the end of the Second World War has traditionally been small in comparison to other nations. However in recent years the Canadian  government has made substantial effort in procuring new and state of the art equipment. Improvements to weapons, vehicles and communications equipment has greatly improved Canada's overseas capabilities.
Basically the military and the government has taken an approach of more bang for their buck. In years gone by the the Military had been seen as a joke, but not anymore. This forward thinking plan for an Operating base in Kuwait increases Canada's capabilities, and deployment potential. I have no doubt that this is going to be a trend with the Canadian Military.  I expect to see more bases of this nature in other countries around the world.
It makes a lot of sense economically and politically to be able to react  quickly and efficiently to evolving situations. Canada's global interests around the world are increasing and with economic and environmental instability it seems like the smart way to go.
Canadian Forces secure staging base in Kuwait - CTV News

Related articles

• Canadian Forces secure staging base in Kuwait (ctv.ca)
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• Evicted by UAE, Ottawa secures alternate Afghan staging base in Kuwait (theglobeandmail.com)
• The military is a central actor in Canada’s story (theglobeandmail.com)
• Kuwait to serve as Afghan staging base (cbc.ca)
• Canadian military lands hub in Kuwait (news.nationalpost.com)
• Canadian soldiers have lower death rate than general public: study (news.nationalpost.com)
• Canada signs military base deal with Kuwait months after U.A.E. eviction (canada.com)
• Canada paid $6M to clean Cold War bases in Germany (ctv.ca)
• Canada to expand military reach with new facilities across globe (news.nationalpost.com)

To the Last Man...

Image by law_keven via Flickr

Today seams like any other day, the sun comes up, we get up, we go to work and the birds are singing. We all go about our daily lives in the routine that we have set for ourselves. However, there is something different about today although most people wont notice or even care.

No one felt when it happened, there was no awareness, there was no major fan fair or media frenzy or earth shattering announcement. What is different about today than just a few days ago is that the last Combat Veteran of the First World War has passed away.  Claude Choules has completed the role call and the last man is now present. All the ranks are now filled.

Lets think about that for a minute. There is no one left alive that can say that they fought in the Great War.  That conflict, more than any other shaped the world we live in today.  For the most part it was a war of empires, but for the common man, many believed on both sides that it was a duty and an honour to serve a nation. That war gave rise to the nuclease and causes that started the Second World War and once again many of the same soldiers went to war again. Just like Claude Choules.

I am not suggesting that any war is just or good, but the ideals that drove these men and women to the fight are things of the past. Things like duty, honour, respect, dignity and the simple belief that they were doing the right thing. These are the things that are the true loss with the passing of this great generation.

I am not really sure what to feel about the passing of a person I have never met. I am sure there are those that ask why  I should feel anything at all. I have to say that the indifference that is shown or even the lack of indifference is troubling to me. Indifference would imply that some thought was given to the subject, but even the thought is absent.

I suppose that is the fate if important people and events, to fade into obscurity with the passing of time. However even with time passing are the emotions and feelings that were expended almost 100 years ago any less important? Is the heart breaking lose of a loved one any less valuable today then it was then? Is the pride in victory and the despair in defeat any less important 100 years on? These are the types of questions that plague my mind. If these simple things have no relevance then the act of remembrance has no meaning. 

Related articles

• To the Last Man... (thetrenchline.blogspot.com)
• Claude Choules, 1901-2011 (theawl.com)
• Claude Choules, World War 1's Last Combat Veteran, Has Passed Away (rightpundits.com)
• RIP: Claude Stanley Choules (thedailywh.at)
• RIP Claude Stanley Choules (news.icanhascheezburger.com)
• Claude Stanley Choules, Last World War I Combat Veteran Dead At 110 (inquisitr.com)
• Claude Choules: a place in history (telegraph.co.uk)
• First World War hero Claude Stanley Choules dies at 110 (mirror.co.uk)
• Last British veteran of WW1 Claude Choules dies - Telegraph.co.uk (news.google.com)
• R.I.P. Claude Choules (neatorama.com)

I joined the Army because of a Women !!

The world is a different place now then when I joined the army so many years ago. It was 1986 and I had just turned 17 years old. The enemy in those days were the Russians and Communists then came Iraq  and now it is the terrorists and religious extremists.   I always told my mother and father that I was going to be in the Army in some fashion. By the time I had turned 12 years old my father no longer lived in our home and my mother was now a single mom.
For my mother it was tough going raising three kids and having an ex-husband that didn't pay much of any Child Support. My mother worked, and worked hard. She was never on welfare although the extra money would have  helped us out a bit. I never really saw my father that much. At first that was his doing then later on by my choice.

I had been in the Sea Cadets for a number of years until I hit 16 when my mother saw an advertisement in the local news paper. The local reserve unit was looking for new soldiers. She took me to the Armoury and I signed the line in November 1986. I had to wait until I was 17 years old, but shortly after that, life would never be the same.
I think that my mother was relived that I had actually taken that step. Although I didnt see it then, I think she noticed that there was something missing from my life. I think she felt she couldn't teach me some of the things I needed to learn. My father wasn't going to teach me, so she had to find a way.

I grew up hearing stories of the soldiers in my family, my grandfathers and uncles and even my mother  had there own stories of  life in the service. I m sure there were many things that  she believed I needed to know.  One of the things I am most thankful for and I do owe this to a tiny INDO immigrant woman, she found a way to make me strong. She found a way to give me the tools to meet life head on and to move forward under adversity and hardship.

I also think that she knew that I wouldn't be going to a community college or university, simply because there was no money to pay for it and because I just didn't do well in school. She needed me to find my way in the world and  to do that she lit the fire. It also helped that I got paid for my service, I mean a kid in High school that made  his own money lived like a king. But I think mom knew that would be the the case as well, once I got the feel for the green stuff there was no going back.

She pointed me in a direction that she knew I needed to go, her picking up that paper and geting me to go to the Armoury is one of those moments that we all have  in life. That moment in time we look back on and say that could have turned out different. Just a simple action can change an entire outlook on life and the things that happen in it.
Also my reasons for joining the army, are also personal. I could spend hours and hours writing about all the reasons why I am a soldier, but for now it will just have to do that it was the push of an Immigrant women  that set me on this path.

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Osama Bin Ladin Is Dead

Finally the day is here. The day that has been looked forward to for so long by so many is finally here.
I would like to say that this was an awsome bit of soldiering for those  Seals that conducted the Op. and for the support units that allowed them to carry out their historic mission. WELL DONE LADS!!!

Now to those who say that the USA has acted like God and dicided the the death of of a foregn national in a sovereign nation. I say Bull shit.

The USA has inacted the rule of law on criminal that has killed as many muslems as he has infedels. Osama Bin Laden chose to try and enforce his ideology on the world and he now has paid for that effort. Currently the eastern world is in termoil fighting and  dying for those exacte ideas that Bin Laden was trying to eradicate and compared to the will of satan.  The only good thing that I can say about Bin Laden is that he chose to meet his end with a weapon in his hand. At least in the end he showed some courage unlike the past years hiding and sending others to die as marters for the cause.

It was a grand bit of soldiering that brought a little peace to the World today.

Women In Combat

Image via Wikipedia

URL:  http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/should_t...

Should the U.S. military lift its ban on women in combat?



Not really sure why this is even an issue any more. Women in combat roles is common place in many countries, Canada included. For all the arguments that are put forth in this news story I can give you an argument against it. Women have been soldiers and covert operatives for centuries doing dangerous duty when the need arose. There have been women on battlefields since the beginning of time. They have looked after the dead and wounded and kept the industries running when men went to fight.

Yes combat requires a great amount of physical stamina to carry heavy loads. However it has been my experience that when a weapons system is to be deployed to the field, and it is of considerable weight, it is usually given to the person who can carry it. some men are also incapable of carrying those combat loads.

Good soldiers have adaptability drummed into their heads from the very first time they put on a uniform. The men and women of the US Armed Forces will adapt to women in combat roles. One day it will happen, its only a matter of time. Women have gathered intelligence and conducted counter surveillance for years. There are women firemen, police officers, tactical unit members, Search and Rescue Techs. this list is endless.

Why would you want to deny someone the right and privilege to serve their country based on their gender. It makes no sense that a women be denied the right to die in the service of her country because she is a women.



So only men can feel their heartstrings compelled to action when an enemy comes knocking?

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/btlzs

Libyans want the world to act

Image via Wikipedia

URL:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/03/07/libya-for...

I'm not sure how this is going to go. The #world is in a difficult position. Many Middle eastern states already accuse the west of interference in their affairs.

Would it be wise to openly take part in what is quickly becoming a civil war? Many Western armies are already involved in Afghanistan, could they take on another commitment that would place another drain on manpower and resources. It is not a stretch to think that in order to stay in power, #Gadhaf would resort to what ever measures are necessary to do so.

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/btf3t

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Canadian Soldier Recovered

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?cat=00&id=3726

Another Canadian WWI recovered, One that was once lost is now found. Lets give them all peace and the recognition they deserve.

Un necessary death

Just the other day, an old women fell in the snow and froze to death. she suffered from Alzheimers disease and was dis oriented. She went missing some time in the early hours of the morning and wasn't found until about four or five hours later.

The trouble I am having is that this woman was seen having difficulty, by two different people and neither one offered assistance of any kind. They never even attempted to call the police. An investigation by the local law enforcement agencies showed that this women had been clawing at the door of a neighbour.
She died alone, and in the cold, all because people are afraid to get involved.
This women died a needless death. The reason for her death wasn't because she had an illness, it was because we as a society have become jaded and fear full. She died because we have become a cynical and hateful society. There are many that would have gladly put the crazy women clawing at the door on video and then up loaded that to youtube or facebook, rather then lend assistance.

I think this is a very sad state of affairs, and sad . testament to what society has become.
"Freedom Is Not Free"

Veterans ombudsman fears medical files leaked - CTV News

 

Veterans ombudsman fears medical files leaked - CTV News

Hypocrisy

Image via WikipediaSoldiers as a rule are an easy going lot. They don't ask for much, and don't expect much in return. They don't want pity nor do they want scorn. They will only ask for what is fair and in most cases only take what is owed. They will do the biding of the nation and all that it asks. They will take life, and give theirs if necessary. When on Civie Street all soldiers will know another, sometimes without speaking a word, no introductions are required. All that is required for lifelong loyalty is that the enemy is met side by side and it doesn’t matter if you are black, white, Chinese, Hispanic or anything else, for that bond to exist. This form of respect is only known to those who serve. It is because of this bond that soldiers despise hypocrisy in all its forms. They hate those that say one thing and do another.
Soldiers are no angels; they drink, swear, get drunk and at times become rowdy. When they can, they live their life and find the small pleasures in things that most people take for granted, like dry socks or a stick of gum. They also train hard to do the things that need to be done when duty calls. Canadian soldiers are the devils that are hidden from sight only to be unleashed when fanciful words of politicians are no longer enough.
On the battle field they may only know each other for a few minutes, spending those precious seconds with faces planted in the same piece of dirt. They eat together, sleep together, care for each other and sometimes even cry together. They may not know each other by name, but they are all brothers, and now, in the modern world sisters too. They would give there last bit of food or water to another soldier. They gladly undergo this hardship for they believe, that the nation and the people that elected the government that sent them, are worth it. All they ask of the nation in return is that it stands behind them.
They wear Canada’s flag on their shoulder, but if you look closer you will see that it is stitched to their heart and soul. They wear it with pride and honour, but there are those that think their Canada was made by those thugs that burn cars and scream that the rule of law is oppressive. There are those in the seat of power that see the soldier as a drain on the country, especially if they become injured. It has been stated that it would be better if our soldiers die on the battlefield to save costs. But these same politicians have no problem asking the soldier to help protect them from the thugs that burn the cars.

God and the soldier
All men adore
In time of trouble,
And no more;
For when war is over
And all things righted,
God is neglected -
The old soldier slighted.

By, Anonymous

So, for politicians to argue on whether or not to compensate those that have paid a price for answering the call that they themselves issued, is very hypocritical.
There are those that believe that democracy and the rule of law is there only for when it is convenient, and to be hidden behind and made a mockery. They believe that the burning of police cars and damage to a city is justified and they think that civil unrest and destruction somehow translates into guaranteed rights and freedoms. Many of these people would be the first to mock and belittle a soldiers love and duty to Unit and country. But, these are the very same people that will cry “no blood for oil” as they plug in their iPods and laptops that draw electricity from the hydro plants that use the oil.
Soldiers bare their burdens with a black and sarcastic humour, and they are asked to do the things that only other soldiers know, but they smile and whip off a brisk salute and then turn and face the fog of war.
They don't do this because they want to be heroes or earn a piece of metal with coloured cloth attached. They do this so that the nation will continue and the joys that all free people have, live on. But when they return home the very people that sent them turn their backs and say your valour and sacrifice is only worth so much.
Why must a wounded soldier return home, to a place that he should be safe only to do battle again with the land he loves. Is it too much to ask that the men and women that enforce the will of the nation, be compensated in a fair and respectable way?