Summa Minutiae

Constant Peg: MiGs over Nevada

Here are some photos of the recently-declassified 4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron, based at Tonopah Test Range north of Las Vegas. How they got the MiGs is still classfied.

Posted by Bill White at 7:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

A Jesuit and Pvt. Beauchamp

Rev. Paul W, McNellis, SJ at Democracy Project provides a helpful moral analysis of Pvt. Beauchamp's recent foray into fiction: Pvt. Beauchamp: Proud of Being Ashamed?

Posted by Bill White at 2:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Obscenity

My mind boggles every time I recall that the world headquarters of institutional anti-Semitism is hosted by the United States on some swank riverside property in New York City.

Posted by Bill White at 6:16 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Our late unpleasantness reconsidered

I've been reading Andrew Bostom's compendium on Muslim jihad through the millenia. It's heavy going with page after relentless page of slavery, slaughter, rape, degradation and on and on. For a break, I picked up the memoirs of Confederate Colonel John Mosby, the "Gray Ghost", perhaps America's most successful guerilla fighter. He was an engaging writer. It's hard not to be charmed by affecting and quietly well-written passages such as these on his childhood:

When I was a child my father bought a farm near Charlottesville, in Albemarle, on which I was raised. I recollect that one day I went with my father to our peach orchard on a high ridge, and he pointed out Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, on a mountain a few miles away, and told me some of the history of the great man who wrote the Declaration of Independence.

And this, on visiting the site of his childhood schoolhouse:

A few years ago I visited the spot in company with Bartlett Bolling, who was with me in the war. There was nothing left but a pile of rocks - the remains of the chimney. The associations of the place raised up phantoms of the past. I am the only survivor of the children who went to school there. I went to the spring along the same path where I had often walked when a barefooted schoolboy and got a drink of cool water from a gourd. There I first realized the pathos of the once popular air, "Ben Bolt"; the spring was still there and the running brook, but all of my schoolmates had gone.

Anyways, what I considered on reading the first chapters of Col. Mosby's memoirs is that I've always respected the good men on the "other side", but have somehow conceived a disdain for them because of the side for which they fought. But after reading Dr. Bostom's accounts of truly inhuman warfare, I rather like these men, Col Mosby, Gen'ls Lee & Longstreet, all those who fought honorably and well. They may have chosen the wrong side (I carefully refrain from saying they did choose the wrong side) but once they chose it, they fought for their homes and people in the best way men can fight, and I'll honor them for that. Perhaps we can learn from these good Americans in our thousand-year struggle against Islam.

Posted by Bill White at 9:58 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Charles II Martel

Someone at al-Reuters issued a death threat against LGF proprietor and jazz guitarist Charles Johnson. In return, he did a bit of web sleuthing to track down the culprit and got the jihadi-wannabe sacked. This has earned Charles and what someone imagines is his Zionist internet army the enviable title "the most powerful enemies Muslims have faced in a thousand years." Some guys have all the luck.

Posted by Bill White at 7:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

The time-traveler

Stephen Green says, "I beg you to read the whole thing."

Posted by Bill White at 9:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Uh oh

Now they've done gone and ticked me off...

See here for context.

Posted by Bill White at 9:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Allah's avenging angels

At least, that's what the grateful mayor of Tall ’Afar, Iraq, calls 'em. Back in the States they're known as the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, based at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Here's one of the mayor's more pedestrian paragraphs:

God bless this brave Regiment; God bless the families who dedicated these brave men and women. From the bottom of our hearts we thank the families. They have given us something we will never forget. To the families of those who have given their holy blood for our land, we all bow to you in reverence and to the souls of your loved ones. Their sacrifice was not in vain. They are not dead, but alive, and their souls hovering around us every second of every minute. They will never be forgotten for giving their precious lives. They have sacrificed that which is most valuable. We see them in the smile of every child, and in every flower growing in this land. Let America, their families, and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life.

Posted by Bill White at 10:16 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Our ancient foe

One of 'em, at least. Here's an incomplete listing of Muslim terrorist attacks carried out since September 11, 2001. 3061 and counting.

And anytime is a good time to review Belloc's chapter on Islam.

Posted by Bill White at 2:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

To my Senator

Here's a little note I just sent to Senator Dick Durbin, Democrat of Illinois:

Dear Senator Durbin,

You have my heartfelt thanks for your recent comparison of American soldiers to Nazis, KGB sadists and Pol Pot's inhuman minions. Perhaps your illuminating speech on the Senate floor will finally inform enough citizens of Illinois that you should be returned as soon as possible to a harmless position in the private sector.

Many thanks, and best wishes for your return to private life at your next election -

Charles White
[Small Town], Illinois

Posted by Bill White at 5:41 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

D-Day

Remember today to pray for our fallen soldiers.

Men of the 16th Infantry Regiment rush toward the shelter of amphibious tanks at the water's edge of Easy Red sector, Omaha Beach, on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Posted by Bill White at 6:18 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Lutheran insurgents in Minnesota!

Hilarious, especially if you've ever followed the news from Lake Wobegon.

Lutheran clerics deliver fiery pancake breakfast sermons! Enraged farm wives clad in their traditional sweater vests and Disney jackets!

Posted by Bill White at 11:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Photographs of the Great War

Here's a fascinating collection of photographs, including several dozen in color, taken of soldiers in World War I. One caption reads,

These are the men who are said in the present war to have repeated the famous charge made by their ancestors at Waterloo a century ago. Each infantryman, grasping the stirrup of a cavalryman of the Scots Greys, kept pace with the horses, as the two regiments rushed with terrific momentum against the hostile lines.

"...at Waterloo a century ago." This really brought home for me the immense distance from us of the first World War - fought at a time when Waterloo was only a century in the past, now almost two centuries. These photos generally focus on small groups of soldiers in military scenes unchanged since Roman times: a group of soldiers sacked out on a pile of straw, men washing in a stream or gathered around a fire, soldiers tending a horse pulling a wagon.

Posted by Bill White at 8:11 PM | Comments (0)

Every Marine needs a tampon

The story of a Marine in Iraq who mistakenly received a care package intended for a female.

... I am absolutely amazed by the ingenuity of our Marines, and can't believe that something that started out as a mistake ended up saving someone's life. My sister said she doesn't believe in mistakes. She said that God had a plan all along. She believes that female care package was sent to Marine X to save our Marine. Either way ladies our efforts have boosted the morale of many Marines, provided much needed items for our troops, AND saved the lives of a Marine! God bless each of you for your efforts and hard work, and God bless our Marines!

Posted by Bill White at 7:27 AM | Comments (1)

Silly me

Way back a year and a half ago when the liberation of Iraq began, I expected the American news media to cover all the good we'd be doing after the liberation. There's plenty of good being done, but the newspaper and TV folks ain't interested. The United States Central Command is the source for news about American and coalition liberators in Iraq.

Posted by Bill White at 9:44 AM | Comments (0)

Five sonnets for Patriot Day

Lane Core Jr. presents five sonnets in memoriam.

By the way, September 11 has been designated Patriot Day:

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2003, as Patriot Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services and candlelight vigils. I also call upon the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day. In addition, I call upon all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes on that day and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent victims who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Posted by Bill White at 9:43 PM | Comments (1)

The big picture

Here's a good Big Picture analysis of our responsibilities in the post-Cold War world, and an innovative look at "Bush hatred" and domestic politics. Hat tip: Charles.

Posted by Bill White at 6:26 AM | Comments (1)

Introduction to the Caucasus

If I recall correctly (it's been 10 years), John Le Carre's novel Our Game makes a decent introduction to Ossetia, Ingushetia and the rest. Beslan, site of the recent massacre of children by Muslim terrorists, is in Ossetia, which promises to be in the headlines more often in the coming years.

Similarly, George MacDonald Fraser's delighfully decadent Flashman was mentioned as an introduction to Afghanistan in late 2001.

Posted by Bill White at 9:36 PM

New targets

Is your local public school as vulnerable to attack as this one? As Mark Shea might say, reason #321641546 to homeschool.

UPDATE: Fortunately, the good guys are already thinking about this.

UPDATE 2: Other good guys are thinking about the technical side of the problem: turning urban SWAT teams into de-facto military units with improved breaching, disregard for officer safety and no liability. "Navy SEALs don't get sued."

Posted by Bill White at 8:11 PM | Comments (3)

Surrounded

Grab a map of Iran and its neighbors. Isn't it interesting that Iran is practically surrounded by new American military bases to the north, east, south and west? Might come in handy someday soon.

Axis of Evil: Iraq, Iran, North Korea.

Posted by Bill White at 6:29 PM

The EMP time machine

I'm always struck by something when I'm reading pre-1900 history: it was a world without electricity. We had a full-grown civilization that reached sublime heights, all without, say, air conditioners, phones, light bulbs, gas engines, refrigerators, all those things that we'd be hard-pressed to do without today. If we could indulge in the standard sci-fi fantasy of traveling back in time, we'd find things mighty inconvenient and uncomfortable from the lack of all we've become accustomed to in the last hundred years.

An EMP could put us all back there in a moment:

No American would necessarily die in the initial attack, but what comes next is potentially catastrophic. The pulse would wipe out most electronics and telecommunications, including the power grid. Millions could die for want of modern medical care or even of starvation since farmers wouldn't be able to harvest crops and distributors wouldn't be able to get food to supermarkets. Commissioner Lowell Wood calls EMP attack a "giant continental time machine" that would move us back more than a century in technology to the late 1800s.

Posted by Bill White at 10:36 AM

Remember the ol' Axis of Evil?

Iraq, Iran and North Korea - seemed like a motley collection at the time. Well, what's left of the axis is still kicking:

By Con Coughlin (Filed: 27/06/2004)

Western intelligence officials are examining reports that Iran's Revolutionary Guards attempted to cover up a nuclear accident that occurred during the delivery of a secret shipment of weapons-grade uranium from North Korea.

The accident allegedly caused Teheran's new £260 million international airport to be sealed off by Revolutionary Guard commanders within hours of its official opening on May 9.

UNITED NATIONS June 29, 2004 — The U.S. government has expelled two Iranian security guards working at Iran's U.N. mission, citing activities "incompatible with their stated duties" diplomatic language for spying.

The guards were taking photos of infrastructure, modes of transportation and New York City landmarks, a U.S. official said Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity. They were the third set of Iranian guards caught taking pictures.

I say it's time to kick some more ass, Mr. Bush.

Posted by Bill White at 10:18 PM | Comments (6)

Santiago Matamoros!

Saint James the Moor-slayer. Vide for background, and here's a google search.

Posted by Bill White at 7:40 PM

Small Wars Manual

The Marine Corps' 1940 classic Small Wars Manual is now available for download as a pdf file. Vide.

Posted by Bill White at 5:58 PM

"We choose death, while you choose life."

That quote from a Muslim death-worshipper should resonate with Christians and Jews. It's one of many money quotes from Mr. Bush's speeches this morning at the White House:

There is no dividing line--there is a dividing line in our world, not between nations, and not between religions or cultures, but a dividing line separating two visions of justice and the value of life. On a tape claiming responsibility for the atrocities in Madrid, a man is heard to say, "We choose death, while you choose life." We don't know if this is the voice of the actual killers, but we do know it expresses the creed of the enemy. It is a mindset that rejoices in suicide, incites murder and celebrates every death we mourn. And we who stand on the other side of the line must be equally clear and certain of our convictions. We do love live, the life given to us and to all. We believe in the values that uphold the dignity of life, tolerance and freedom, and the right of conscience. And we know that this way of life is worth defending. There is no neutral ground--no neutral ground--in the fight between civilization and terror, because there is no neutral ground between good and evil, freedom and slavery, and life and death.

Read the whole thing. Who wrote this?

By the way, the White House's website looks sorta like a blog.

Posted by Bill White at 3:49 PM

That's MISTER Terrorism to you, buddy

Some fun over at the EU.

Posted by Bill White at 6:17 AM

Spain is already dead

Spain's death-knell sounded long before the train bombings in Madrid, however. No country in the world is more determined to disappear. The country's fertility rate of 1.12 live births per female is the lowest in the world. As recently as 1975, at the death of strongman Francisco Franco, the fertility rate stood at 3 births per female in 1976. By 2050 Spain will have lost a quarter of its population. Germany and Italy, whose fertility rates fell earlier than Spain's, will lose a third, according to economist Anthony Scholefield.

Quoted at Jihad Watch.

Posted by Bill White at 2:14 PM | Comments (1)

Upcoming elections worldwide

Vide. As Charles at LGF said, "Perhaps we should start a pool to pick which country will be first hit by Islamic terrorism near an election, following Spain's capitulation."

Posted by Bill White at 10:24 AM

Bomb the Vote

Looks like the Islamic terrorists' new "bomb the vote" strategy paid off for them - the Socialists have taken Spain's government in today's elections. My predictions:

• look for attempts to mount a similar bombing campaign in America in the weeks before the November election in order to ensure (they hope) the election of Mr. Kerry;
• if the threat level is raised in the weeks before the election, count on the Dhimmi-crats to start bitching about the administration using the threat of terrorism as a political tool to win the election.

Posted by Bill White at 4:34 PM | Comments (3)