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Author: TriSec    Date: 03/11/2014 10:13:34

Good Morning.

Today is our 4,538th day in Afghanistan.

We'll start this morning as we always do; with the latest casualty figures from our ongoing war, courtesy of Antiwar.com:

US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 2,312
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 1,112

We find this morning's Cost of War passing through:

$ 1, 517, 618, 850, 000 .00



Now, I have a lot of things kicking around, but this fairly leaped off the page at me this morning. Yeah, I'm sure that will help.


While a lot of the focus in post-regime change Ukraine has been on neo-Nazi parties, today’s eye-opening comments come from the moderate Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR), as one of their members of parliament is calling for the nation to launch a new nuclear weapons program.

MP Pavlo Rizanenko dubbed Ukraine’s post-Soviet disarmament a “big mistake,” saying the nation thought it was getting a pledge for unconditional military aid from the United States and Britain as part of the deal.

The Budapest Memorandum had all the signatories promising to respect Ukraine’s political independence, but did not oblige any of the signatories to attack anyone else.

At its founding, Ukraine had 1,900 nuclear warheads. The last of those arms were exported in June 1996, and Ukraine is now a non-nuclear weapons signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Ukraine’s interim government is arguing that Russia’s deployment of troops to the Crimea to secure a referendum on secession violates the memorandum, though Russia has a pact with Ukraine to keep up to 25,000 troops in the Crimea.


I'm going to continue on with another disjointed story. I've been sitting on this one for a while, but somehow this hasn't quite made it through the pipeline to the blog. So here it is as a freestanding story; presented without comment.


TOKYO — After a night of partying in Hiroshima City, the woman agreed to share a room at the Tokyo Inn Hotel with the U.S. Marine.

As soon as the door closed, the tryst turned violent, she told investigators. He tore her clothes off, forced her to perform oral sex on him and then raped her, she said.

The Marine claimed the sex was consensual. But he also acknowledged that she “might have perceived it as a rape,” an October 2011 investigative report said.

There would be no prison sentence, though. At a summary court-martial, a forum for adjudicating minor offenses, he was found guilty of adultery and failure to obey an order. He was fined $978 and busted to E-1, the military’s lowest rank.

The case is one of more than 1,000 reports of sex crimes involving U.S. military personnel based in Japan between 2005 and early 2013. The documents, obtained by The Associated Press through a Freedom of Information Act request, open a rare window into the opaque world of military justice and show a pattern of random and inconsistent judgments.

The AP analysis found the handling of allegations verged on the chaotic, with seemingly strong cases often reduced to lesser charges. In two rape cases, commanders overruled recommendations to court-martial and dropped the charges instead.

In one case filed in 2010, a woman alleged that a sailor raped her. Later, she confronted him in a recorded conversation. She accused him of pushing her down “for sex purposes,” after which he apologized for hurting her “in that way.”

An Article 32 hearing, the military’s version of a grand jury, recommended a court-martial on rape charges, but the commanding officer said no. The charges were dropped.

The Associated Press originally sought the records for U.S. military personnel stationed in Japan after attacks against Japanese women raised political tensions there. The documents might now give weight to members of Congress who want to strip senior officers of their authority to decide whether serious crimes, including sexual assault cases, go to trial.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who leads the Senate Armed Services’ personnel subcommittee, said Sunday the records are “disturbing evidence” that there are commanders who refuse to prosecute sexual assault cases.

The AP story “shows the direct evidence of the stories we hear every day,” said Gillibrand, who leads a group of lawmakers from both political parties pressing for further changes in the military’s legal system.


I've also got this...and after reading the above story, one has to wonder if there is some kind of link between the two. Lowering your standards can never end well...and the military is not going to be the place to identify and treat those that might need help, either.


Almost one in five U.S. soldiers had a common mental illness, such as depression, panic disorder or ADHD, before enlisting in the Army, according to a new study that raises questions about the military’s assessment and screening of recruits.

More than 8 percent of soldiers had thought about killing themselves and 1.1 percent had a past suicide attempt, researchers found from confidential surveys and interviews with 5,428 soldiers at Army installations across the country.

The findings, published online Monday in two papers in JAMA Psychiatry, point to a weakness in the recruiting process, experts said. Applicants are asked about their psychiatric histories, and those with certain disorders or past suicide attempts are generally barred from service.

“The question becomes, ‘How did these guys get in the Army?’ ” said Ronald Kessler, a Harvard University sociologist who led one of the studies.

A third study looked at the increased suicide rate among soldiers from 2004 to 2009. The study, which tracked almost one million soldiers, found that those who had been deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq had an increased rate of suicide.

But it also found that the suicide rate among soldiers who had never deployed also rose steadily during that time. The study did not explain the cause.

The Pentagon did not make officials available Monday to discuss the studies.


There's more, but I think I'm going to stop. I was looking over the Stars and Stripes sideboard this morning - the "Most Read" section has another four stories about sex crimes in the military....what the hell is going on around here, anyway?
 

66 comments (Latest Comment: 03/11/2014 23:31:44 by BobR)
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Comment by TriSec on 03/11/2014 10:15:28
No, not a bonus click; more of a housekeeping item this morning. I may swing by for a visit at lunch. Nevertheless, I want to get this out there; this weekend I'll be out with the troop at Camp Sayre in Milton, so there's a Saturday blog there for the taking. Anyone interested?



Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2014 13:20:03
Morning

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2014 13:20:54
Morning all.

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 13:38:59
good morning!



Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 13:45:01
About the second story in todays blog.

The story itself is bad enough, but to be honest, I have a problem with the writers at the AP.
He tore her clothes off, forced her to perform oral sex on him and then raped her, she said.
As soon as he forced oral sex, THAT was RAPE.

How can we truly address the ongoing issues of rape -- not just in the military -- when we can't even acknowledge that ANY forced sex act is rape???

I know it's probably not a big deal, but it should be. Rape victims deserve better.


Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 13:49:22
Ok, this is Cosmic in its awesome factor!



Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2014 14:00:25
Quote by Raine:
Ok, this is Cosmic in its awesome factor!



Isn't she adorable! So smart too


Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 14:06:35
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Ok, this is Cosmic in its awesome factor!



Isn't she adorable! So smart too

I see great things in Delilah's future!

Comment by Scoopster on 03/11/2014 14:08:17
Mornin' all..

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 14:10:49
http://i.imgur.com/tKtvVmf.gif


Comment by Will in Chicago on 03/11/2014 14:21:40
Good morning, everyone!!! I hope that everyone is well.

I think that we need to take a long look at what is happening on our military bases. I question the need for so many bases in so many countries. Based on what TriSec posted here, I am surprised that not even more Japanese citizens are demanding US military bases out of the country.

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 14:22:12
John Melendez is actually a great guest on the show.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2014 14:41:53
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Ok, this is Cosmic in its awesome factor!



Isn't she adorable! So smart too

I see great things in Delilah's future!



I'm thinking she might get an autographed copy of one of NDT's books directly from his hand and in 30 years time she might be hosting the next iteration of Cosmos!

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 14:50:21
Quote by Mondobubba:
I'm thinking she might get an autographed copy of one of NDT's books directly from his hand and in 30 years time she might be hosting the next iteration of Cosmos!
I Was thinking that as well!

Cosmos 3.0: Reboot, with your host Dr. Delilah


Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 15:13:54


WOW!

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2014 15:15:13
Quote by Raine:
http://i.imgur.com/tKtvVmf.gif



I love this!

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 15:15:23
Watching Marianne Williamson on FSTV is interesting. At times. her arms are crossed, and she looks very guarded and then she gets to a point, and she becomes very animated.



Comment by Will in Chicago on 03/11/2014 15:15:33
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
I'm thinking she might get an autographed copy of one of NDT's books directly from his hand and in 30 years time she might be hosting the next iteration of Cosmos!
I Was thinking that as well!

Cosmos 3.0: Reboot, with your host Dr. Delilah



I would like to see this in my old age.


Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 15:16:00
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
http://i.imgur.com/tKtvVmf.gif



I love this!
Of all people, I knew you would!


Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 15:17:17
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
http://i.imgur.com/tKtvVmf.gif



I love this!
Of all people, I knew you would!
and tonite when you can listen, watch this gif while listening to the Bach music played on the electric guitar video I just posted.

it is AWESOME!


Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2014 15:27:54
Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2014 15:29:23
Will after I got some sleep yesterday, I went out for a drive in what used to be the country in St Johns County (one south of where I am) I saw like 3 schools being built. Have you looked into their school system?

Comment by Scoopster on 03/11/2014 15:38:34
Quote by Mondobubba:
Heeeeey Scooooop!

Yeaaahhh..

We've already heard the guy posing in the photos is gonna get a tournament ban for a very long time. Not sure about the photographer tho.

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 15:38:45
I really like the questions Jackie is asking on the show.

I like John and Marianne, but this is getting a little preachy.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 03/11/2014 15:45:44
Quote by Mondobubba:
Will after I got some sleep yesterday, I went out for a drive in what used to be the country in St Johns County (one south of where I am) I saw like 3 schools being built. Have you looked into their school system?



No, as I have not really focused on Florida. I have only limited funds to apply for new teaching licenses and no one to really stay with in Florida. In the good news, I am applying to a ton of things in Boston, where a friend will let me stay for a bit.

I will check out St. Johns County.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2014 16:08:09
Damn my head hurts. I slept like crap last night and the night before. Screw you, Daylight Savings Time. Screw you!

Comment by clintster on 03/11/2014 16:10:29
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
I'm thinking she might get an autographed copy of one of NDT's books directly from his hand and in 30 years time she might be hosting the next iteration of Cosmos!
I Was thinking that as well!

Cosmos 3.0: Reboot, with your host Dr. Delilah


And this is what I get for setting my blog feed to show the newest posts first. Before I scrolled down, I thought this was somehow about the radio show host Delilah. For some reason I can't imagine her hosting a science program dealing with the origins and wonders of the universe.

Speaking of "Cosmos", I am brewing up a column for Thursday based on the show and... well, I'll just hold off until then. :)

Comment by clintster on 03/11/2014 16:11:59
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Will after I got some sleep yesterday, I went out for a drive in what used to be the country in St Johns County (one south of where I am) I saw like 3 schools being built. Have you looked into their school system?



No, as I have not really focused on Florida. I have only limited funds to apply for new teaching licenses and no one to really stay with in Florida. In the good news, I am applying to a ton of things in Boston, where a friend will let me stay for a bit.

I will check out St. Johns County.


Will, if I may, I'd also suggest Teach Georgia. It's coming up on peak hiring season here.

Comment by livingonli on 03/11/2014 16:20:23
Good day, folks. It's up to 57 now and see if we can finally melt that 4-inch patch of ice still in the driveway.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2014 16:32:29
Quote by clintster:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Will after I got some sleep yesterday, I went out for a drive in what used to be the country in St Johns County (one south of where I am) I saw like 3 schools being built. Have you looked into their school system?



No, as I have not really focused on Florida. I have only limited funds to apply for new teaching licenses and no one to really stay with in Florida. In the good news, I am applying to a ton of things in Boston, where a friend will let me stay for a bit.

I will check out St. Johns County.


Will, if I may, I'd also suggest Teach Georgia. It's coming up on peak hiring season here.


Clint, same goes for you if you don't mind moving to the weirdest state in America.


Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2014 16:42:29
*sigh* Ed's let the crazy out

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2014 17:03:52
Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2014 17:15:06



yea, I've got a neighbor who was bitching about his health ins while we were shoveling out from the last snow. Said he was paying like 900-ish a month for his family (which by the way is what our people pay per month for a family of 4). Asked him if he went on healthcare.gov, he said no he won't go there. Told him he was being silly for not using it as a research tool to get a better price. All he kept saying was it was a lie the they could keep their doctor. Told he might want to use google not Fox to find out the facts about that.

Don't get me wrong I like Ken, he's a nice guy but has totally bought all the talking points. At some point all I can do it point him in a direction its up to him to do the work, I have too much stuff on my own plate to deal with.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/11/2014 17:15:17

Related.. she's not stupid, she's blatantly lying.
Boonstra is the ex-wife of Mark Boonstra, the former Washtenaw County GOP chairman whom Gov. Rick Snyder appointed to the Michigan Court of Appeals in 2012. Julie Boonstra said she’s never been a political person beyond advocating for lower-cost oral chemotherapy treatment in Washington.


Comment by Will in Chicago on 03/11/2014 17:22:01
Quote by clintster:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Will after I got some sleep yesterday, I went out for a drive in what used to be the country in St Johns County (one south of where I am) I saw like 3 schools being built. Have you looked into their school system?



No, as I have not really focused on Florida. I have only limited funds to apply for new teaching licenses and no one to really stay with in Florida. In the good news, I am applying to a ton of things in Boston, where a friend will let me stay for a bit.

I will check out St. Johns County.


Will, if I may, I'd also suggest Teach Georgia. It's coming up on peak hiring season here.



I will check both. (I guess I can figure out living arrangements if I get hired. I do have an older second cousin in Atlanta.) Assuming I can find something in Metro Jacksonville or Metro Atlanta, how far is too far to go for a job? (I assume that I will have a car sometime soon.)


By the time I am done in a few minutes, I will have applied to a total of 23 teaching jobs alone in the Boston Public schools.


Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 18:04:32
Quote by clintster:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
I'm thinking she might get an autographed copy of one of NDT's books directly from his hand and in 30 years time she might be hosting the next iteration of Cosmos!
I Was thinking that as well!

Cosmos 3.0: Reboot, with your host Dr. Delilah


And this is what I get for setting my blog feed to show the newest posts first. Before I scrolled down, I thought this was somehow about the radio show host Delilah. For some reason I can't imagine her hosting a science program dealing with the origins and wonders of the universe.

Speaking of "Cosmos", I am brewing up a column for Thursday based on the show and... well, I'll just hold off until then. :)
Awesome!

So can I assume you will be taking Thursday?

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 18:06:27
Quote by wickedpam:
*sigh* Ed's let the crazy out

oh?

I was out dog walking. What (do I dare ask?) did I miss?

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 18:08:24
Quote by wickedpam:



yea, I've got a neighbor who was bitching about his health ins while we were shoveling out from the last snow. Said he was paying like 900-ish a month for his family (which by the way is what our people pay per month for a family of 4). Asked him if he went on healthcare.gov, he said no he won't go there. Told him he was being silly for not using it as a research tool to get a better price. All he kept saying was it was a lie the they could keep their doctor. Told he might want to use google not Fox to find out the facts about that.

Don't get me wrong I like Ken, he's a nice guy but has totally bought all the talking points. At some point all I can do it point him in a direction its up to him to do the work, I have too much stuff on my own plate to deal with.
I think you did the right thing.

All you can do is offer suggestions and alternatives.


Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 18:10:03
Quote by Mondobubba:
Clint, same goes for you if you don't mind moving to the weirdest state in America.



After last November, Virginia can officially say that it's losing the race.

But don't count it out completely, she might make a comeback...

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 18:19:09
It's not OUR deer. :face palm:
There was a question as to which side of the river the animal was found. That left police agencies trying to figure out who was dealing with the incident.

At first, Virginia State Police said they weren’t handling the case — even though the deer was first spotted on their side.

“That deer crossed over from Virginia into Maryland, and when he did we let them handle it,” said a dispatcher with the Virginia State Police who asked not to be identified because he wasn’t authorized to speak on the matter.


Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2014 18:28:51
So here is the inspirational quote for this week's company weight loss challenge:

"Nothing tastes like thin feels." Google it.





Oopsie!

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 18:34:09
Quote by Mondobubba:
So here is the inspirational quote for this week's company weight loss challenge:

"Nothing tastes like thin feels." Google it.





Oopsie!



seriously?

Comment by Will in Chicago on 03/11/2014 18:41:30
What days this week need a blog?

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2014 18:41:54
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Heeeeey Scooooop!

Yeaaahhh..

We've already heard the guy posing in the photos is gonna get a tournament ban for a very long time. Not sure about the photographer tho.
That was just a bit mean, IMO.

I wonder if the guy in the photo ever had his crack photographed.


Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2014 18:42:21
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:



yea, I've got a neighbor who was bitching about his health ins while we were shoveling out from the last snow. Said he was paying like 900-ish a month for his family (which by the way is what our people pay per month for a family of 4). Asked him if he went on healthcare.gov, he said no he won't go there. Told him he was being silly for not using it as a research tool to get a better price. All he kept saying was it was a lie the they could keep their doctor. Told he might want to use google not Fox to find out the facts about that.

Don't get me wrong I like Ken, he's a nice guy but has totally bought all the talking points. At some point all I can do it point him in a direction its up to him to do the work, I have too much stuff on my own plate to deal with.
I think you did the right thing.

All you can do is offer suggestions and alternatives.



its a shame too, he's a smart guy

Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2014 18:43:48
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
*sigh* Ed's let the crazy out

oh?

I was out dog walking. What (do I dare ask?) did I miss?


the plane that's lost, Ed's theory is that its been hijacked and on some little hidden runway - that opened the flood gates for the tin foil hat brigade.


Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2014 18:44:39
Quote by Will in Chicago:
What days this week need a blog?



Thursday, I think. Clint is doing Friday? (please correct me if I'm wrong)

Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2014 18:46:39
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Heeeeey Scooooop!

Yeaaahhh..

We've already heard the guy posing in the photos is gonna get a tournament ban for a very long time. Not sure about the photographer tho.
That was just a bit mean, IMO.

I wonder if the guy in the photo ever had his crack photographed.


felt kind of bad for those guys


Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2014 18:49:04



Oh the 90s