Room Clearing

So "back in the day" room clearing was one of our more dangerous operations - you went in fast, low, and simultaneous with a small team with sights on just about everything. Bottom line is no matter how skillfully executed you were totally exposed.

As expected some of the SOF are using some really high speed gadgetry to deal with this. But I just heard a new one from a SWAT member. They are using a snake with a camera on the end.

Talk about The Plumber!

Our LEO Brethren

Here's a shout-out and a salute to our law enforcement brothers. Went to the Police Expo in Atlantic City today and met some of our East Coast's Finest. We appreciate your service!

Drive On! Motivational Ranger Gear

Pete brought me some highly motivating gear :). First - a tactical drive-on cap with an IR American flag and the Ranger Crest on the back. Honestly it puts me in a positive kick-ass frame of mind - great stuff!

Second - a new generation Ranger PT shirt with the new 2nd Battalion logo - awesome! The "new" logo is inspired from the WWII Rangers, a diamond shape with the number "2" inside for 2nd Battalion. I always loved our PT uniforms but this is pretty high speed.

Gotta love it! :)

(Thanks Pete)

Happy Father's Day :)

Culture of Incarceration

We have created a culture of incarceration - the statistics are appalling. Last year 1 in every 100 American adults was in prison; 1 in every 30 men between 20-34 years old; 1 in every 9 black males between 20-34 years old. We have 5% of the world's population but nearly one-quarter of the world's prisoners. We have increased our incarceration of small-time drug use 10-fold since 1980.

At the same time we've opened up a front on our southern border that exposes us to new security threats - and say what you will but in my opinion Hillary Clinton was right to say that ultimately the demand for drugs comes from the US (and therefore gives fuel to the cartels which in turn exposes our security).

I will be thinking about drug policies and incarceration over the next period. Will check in with my thoughts then.

SuperPowers

If you could choose any superpower, which one would it be? Super strong? Fast? Invisible? Something to ponder...

Runoff in Iran?

Ahmedinajad and Mousavi in a runoff? You've gotta love how all the under-30's are getting out the vote for Mousavi...even have the election officials running scared - they kept the polls open until midnight to facilitate this record voter turnout - in my opinion they realize that they need to allow some of the social unrest to be expressed.

The rule is that if one candidate (of the 4) does not have more than 50%, then it's a runoff. Although the official state media was calling Ahmedinajad the clear winner, let's see what happens...

New Belleville Boots - Tactical Research Footwear

Launching this Monday, June 15 - preliminary buzz is positive - looking forward...

European Politics - Right Trend?

Interesting that the general trend in European elections has been a swinging to the right...many of our European brethren question the US's role in creating the global recession (and some question the entire Anglo-Saxon capitalist model)...but instead of swinging left, like Iceland did (to the max!) voters turned more conservative.

Bullish?

OK I admit I'm an optimist - typical entrepreneur - for me the glass tends to be 3/4 full. And I want to believe - I really want to believe! - that we've turned the corner on the economy. Lord knows most folks have been dramatically affected...

With oil prices doubling since February, equities up around 35% from the trough, and the general "sheep" all saying we're turning the corner...

And yet I see a propensity for risk that seems disproportionate for me and doesn't calibrate with the slaughter we've just been part of. Many many examples - but today in the Wall Street Journal was a discussion on the outlandish returns posted in "frontier" markets (cutting edge emerging markets).

Holding my breath...

Elections in Lebanon - Looking Good...

So far so good for the elections in Lebanon...We won't know officially until tomorrow but preliminary results are positive for the so called May 14 ruling bloc led by Saad Hariri (son of slain Prime Minister Rafik Hariri), with Hezbollah supported candidates seeking a majority.

Although a small country, it is a confederation of 19 religious sects - very interesting but also helped to plunge the country into civil war. In my opinion this election is one important signal on what's happening across the region in terms of moderation vs. extremism; and also regarding Iran's influence, who support Hezbollah and generally directly or indirectly have worked to undermine Arab governments to further their regional power.

Reportedly there has been record turnout for elections. Next stop - Iranian elections this Friday, June 12 - also creating tremendous excitement locally, and lots of interest regionally.

Let Freedom Ring!

D-Day Remembered

Today's the 65 year anniversary of D-Day. To all those that served - the "Greatest Generation" - I stand up and salute you! I am proud to draw my freedoms, heritage and way of life from you. You changed the course of history. This nation and so many others give our utmost respect and appreciation.

Everyday Valor

My friend - a Vietnam vet and successful architect - just told me a couple interesting stories. One of them is that he turned down 3 Purple Hearts - although offered - because he wasn't seriously wounded in combat and felt that it would lessen the honor for those who had been.

Yesterday he saw a returning soldier in line at the local deli. He could tell the soldier was fresh off the plane, dog tags and GI t-shirt and all. My friend welcomed him back, thanked him for his service, and then bought him lunch...and nobody else made a move or said a word!

Character - we can show valor every day

NBA Finals

The Magic - what a surprise! The Nuggets really grew on me over the playoffs, a lot of heart, but I was really rooting for the Cavs and LBJ - what an athlete!

(and to think, Kobe should have been a Net...)

What a Rush!

Can you imagine what Laird Hamilton feels when he is surfing a 100 foot (around 30 meter) wave?!? And what an intrepid spirit - imagine the first time he did it - "well, this should work, according to my calculations" - grab 'em and go!

Out the door!

Magnetic North - on the North Pole?!?

OK here's one for you, courtesy of my friend "The Man from Mars" - when you're on the North Pole what does your compass read?

Tune in tomorrow to find out...

Ah! Teenagers...

Need I say more?!?