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Author: TriSec    Date: 08/22/2017 10:12:23

Good Morning.

I was fully prepared to write an old-school blog today, specifically to remind us about the cost in blood and treasure we've spent in Afghanistan.

I'll still note that today is our 5,798th day in Afghanistan.

We're reaching the point where it's about to become a generational war. Somebody born in 2001 (like Javi) will be graduating high school in 2019...and there's every indication that we'll still be there at that time.


Nevertheless, Mr. Trump's speech last night was surprisingly lucid. Oh, of course it's short on specifics, but still...a military veteran friend of mine who is an extremely vocal critic of the President online has called this "possibly his best speech".

Where do we go from here? It's anybody's guess. Will any good come of this? Also difficult to say, but since nothing good has come out of Afghanistan since the Soviets invaded in 1979, that would seem unlikely.

But of course, even if we do ramp up in Afghanistan again, it doesn't seem like we'll be able to make anything out of it. Unfortunately, the United States Navy has recently become the 'Gang that Couldn't Sail Straight".

I've been following these stories off and on for what seems like years. An extraordinarily large number of US Navy commanders have been relieved of duty over the last few years, due to varying levels of incompetence, loss of confidence, and of course good old fashioned sexual misconduct.

But until this year, very few sailors have died because of faulty commands. The USS McCain crash yesterday is the fourth incident this year.

Now, I'm a sailor myself. (inshore; not blue-water, there is a difference). But watching the news last night, the speculation was that there is a lack of basic seamanship among the Navy these days - modern recruits are spending too much time below-decks looking at radar scopes instead of actually being outside looking with their own eyes for vessels or other hazards.

The US Navy has actually suspended operations for a few days here to figure out what's wrong. Which won't be helping our Afghanistan strategy any.




 
 

25 comments (Latest Comment: 08/22/2017 20:31:36 by Mondobubba)
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Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/22/2017 12:38:50
Good morning, bloggers!!

I am saddened for the families of our sailors who have to ask what is going on?

I was busy with a lesson plan last night, so I did not listen to Trump's speech. It may have been a good speech by someone who has spent a good chunk of his life performing before cameras. However, Afghanistan seems to be a war without end. Perhaps we can have a diplomatic solution but that would require working with the international community, something that Trump seems to despise.

As for myself, I have students but the schedules are still being adjusted. It will be a little bit before we do more than some evaluations, focusing on the school's core values and the like before getting into teaching literature. (Many students in Gary won't be back until after Labor Day.)

Comment by Scoopster on 08/22/2017 12:43:54
Mornin' all..

Even the President saw it, but in a move that is not a complete surprise, he looked directly at the sun without any glasses. Perhaps the most impressive thing any President has ever done.
- Tucker Carlson


Comment by Scoopster on 08/22/2017 12:45:15
If his retinae tore apart, people would praise him for doing the job of President blind.



Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/22/2017 12:50:35
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all..

Even the President saw it, but in a move that is not a complete surprise, he looked directly at the sun without any glasses. Perhaps the most impressive thing any President has ever done.
- Tucker Carlson



If only the Rude Pundit could have taken over the broadcast on Fox at that point. Tucker Carlson's lips are so firmly planted inside of Trump's rear end that one must ask how the man breathes.

Comment by wickedpam on 08/22/2017 13:11:48
Morning

Didn't watch last night, I hate seeing that face, hearing that voice. Rather it just be filtered through Steph and you guys.

Comment by Scoopster on 08/22/2017 13:51:46
This dude on twitter just called the alt-right movement "playing a game" and the overwhelming response by society against it to be "cheating" because "shutting down ideas is against the rules".

WE ARENT PLAYING A FUCKING GAME HERE ASSHOLE. WE DONT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOUR IDEAS. IT'S YOUR BEHAVIOR THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE IN OUR SOCIETY AND WE ARE JUST FUCKING TIRED OF IT.

Comment by Raine on 08/22/2017 14:04:48
Quote by Scoopster:
This dude on twitter just called the alt-right movement "playing a game" and the overwhelming response by society against it to be "cheating" because "shutting down ideas is against the rules".

WE ARENT PLAYING A FUCKING GAME HERE ASSHOLE. WE DONT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOUR IDEAS. IT'S YOUR BEHAVIOR THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE IN OUR SOCIETY AND WE ARE JUST FUCKING TIRED OF IT.

PREACH!


and

Good morning my dears.

Comment by Raine on 08/22/2017 14:05:37
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning

Didn't watch last night, I hate seeing that face, hearing that voice. Rather it just be filtered through Steph and you guys.

Bob and I watched the Giants lose to the Browns.

I totally hear you, Mala.

Comment by Raine on 08/22/2017 14:06:10
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all..

Even the President saw it, but in a move that is not a complete surprise, he looked directly at the sun without any glasses. Perhaps the most impressive thing any President has ever done.
- Tucker Carlson



Please tell me he was joking?

Comment by BobR on 08/22/2017 14:11:06
I've been shocked by the number of naval vessels running into things. How do you miss a tanker or container ship?

Comment by Raine on 08/22/2017 14:11:31
ICYMI from last night,

Shep Smith is fantastic!




Comment by Mondobubba on 08/22/2017 14:18:17
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning

Didn't watch last night, I hate seeing that face, hearing that voice. Rather it just be filtered through Steph and you guys.

Bob and I watched the Giants lose to the Browns.

I totally hear you, Mala.


Yeah, I watched "The Accountant."

Comment by Mondobubba on 08/22/2017 14:19:25
Also, FU Florida weather. We are totally being trolled by the bright blue sky with a few nice, white puffy clouds today.

Comment by wickedpam on 08/22/2017 14:26:53
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning

Didn't watch last night, I hate seeing that face, hearing that voice. Rather it just be filtered through Steph and you guys.

Bob and I watched the Giants lose to the Browns.

I totally hear you, Mala.


Yeah, I watched "The Accountant."


Ghosts of Sheppardstown was on my tv XD

Comment by Mondobubba on 08/22/2017 14:41:13
Comment by Scoopster on 08/22/2017 15:42:40
Comment by Mondobubba on 08/22/2017 16:06:28


Way to troll the entire Internet, Guardian.

Comment by TriSec on 08/22/2017 16:17:48
TriSec has been rather tight-lipped regarding Papa TriSec of late. I have ranted.



Comment by Raine on 08/22/2017 16:18:28
Comment by BobR on 08/22/2017 16:21:49
Quote by TriSec:
TriSec has been rather tight-lipped regarding Papa TriSec of late. I have ranted.


ugh... so sorry your father is having to go through this

Comment by Raine on 08/22/2017 16:58:25
Quote by TriSec:
TriSec has been rather tight-lipped regarding Papa TriSec of late. I have ranted.

I can't believe you are all going through this.


Comment by TriSec on 08/22/2017 17:39:46
So, I've just bought a bicycle.

Not just any kind - it's one of the newfangled electric-assist bikes. Max range 30 miles, top speed about 20 mph.

We're only one car these days, and the MBTA Red Line at Alewife is a mere 6 miles away. I can zip over there and catch the train to work when Mrs. TriSec needs the car.

It's also only about 12 miles to the shop via a bike-safe route. (Re: not I-90.)

Comment by TriSec on 08/22/2017 18:45:03
Say, I have just learned that a couple of Obamas (Malia and her dad) have been spotted in Harvard Square as she moves in for freshman year!

Comment by Mondobubba on 08/22/2017 18:57:10
So, about the Secret Service being broke by next month. I saw something that projects they are going to be out of money as 9/30. That is the end of the Federal fiscal year. Now, my question is this; are those overtime caps calendar year or fiscal year? Not that Turdly isn't bankrupting the agency, I just want to know.

Comment by Mondobubba on 08/22/2017 20:31:36
I just love it when people I love are racially profiled by the TSA.