hackthis_archive | Entries tagged with this is your war too

Today is Veteran's Day. Unfortunately it's also been a right pisser for me. To that end I'd like to point everyone towards

maurheti's thoughtful post.

I'd also like to reiterate what someone else said today, "Veteran's Day is the one day of the year that effects everyone on this earth regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or location."

This world is built on wars. Everyone has been affected by one war or another.

I'll finish by doing something I don't normally do, which is reposting what I said last year on this date:

Today is Veterans Day. I thought about writing about my feelings about war in general. About how being a liberal wine-sipping communist dick-suck does not preclude my sense of awe and appreciation for all branches of the military. How serving your country is not a second-rate choice if you don't want to go to college. How passionate I am about Veterans Affairs, about volunteering to help people when they come back from serving overseas. About trying to make a point of saying "thank you" to servicemen and women, because this is their JOB. They aren't doing this to pay the rent, they're doing this because it's something they believe in. How many people can say they're doing something that they honestly believe in? And then I realized this isn't about me, this is about them.

This is about every man and woman who has chosen to go out in the world and put on a uniform in service of their country, of this country. This is simply to say THANK YOU for putting this country first. The United States/United Kingdom/Canada/Australia/France/Spain/New Zealand/Brazil/Mexico/Israel [insert your country here] is not perfect; it has problems and faults and dysfunction that would be Viagra for Freud, but you have seen past that. You go out every day, and to paraphrase Rudy Reyes "put on your Superman suit" and sacrifice for the bigger picture.

There is no greater service than the one you provide.

You are deeply appreciated, admired and respected.

THANK YOU.

Also, I know times are super hard, but if you have a few dollars (or books or extra hours in your week) please consider donating to one of the following:

Veterans UK

IAVA: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America: Volunteer, donate, or even just read up and think about what they're saying.

ReMind: The Bob Woodruff fund which gives to injured servicemen (and women) and their families.

Books for Soldiers, which accepts books, games and movies.

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which is the National Intrepid Center for Excellence, which treats servicemen with brain injuries

Military.com has a list of charitable organizations. Everything from Adopt a Platoon to Wounded Warriors Family Support and National Military Families Fund.

Current Mood: exhausted
Current Music: Kanye West 'Runaway'

For those of you not living in the USA or just too far gone in your World Cup haze a few days ago Rolling Stone magazine posted an article they will be publishing in their upcoming issue about Gen Stanley McChrystal. McChrystal, for those who don't know, is the man in charge of US military operations in Afghanistan.

The article, The Runaway General, was written by Michael Hastings, a reporter who embedded with McChrystal's team (Team America, no really, that's what they call themselves) for a month.

Now I know this sounds mighty familiar to Generation Kill people, or anybody who watches the nightly news, but something a little different occurred when this article was published.

Probably because this article took a rather different slant.

There is a fabulous line in the GK mini-series where Ray talks about being misunderstood by the liberal anti-war faction, or as he puts it: Dear Frederick, thank you for your nice letter, but I am actually a US marine who was born to kill. Clearly you have mistaken me for some wine sipping communist dick suck and although peace probably appeals to tree loving bisexuals like you and your parents, I happen to be a death dealing, blood crazed warrior who wakes up every day just hoping for the chance to dismember my enemies and defile their civilization. Peace sucks a hairy asshole. War is the motherfucking answer..

This is a bit extreme, but it goes to point about the potential difference in mind set between people who spend their lives protecting their country and someone who would be considered "a wine-sipping communist dick suck" who is most vocally against this war.

But let's be straight. Reporters are not required to be impartial. They are not required to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. They can say whatever they want as long as they've got the quotes to back them up. And Mr. Hastings did.

So when this article came out where McChrystal and Team America were reported to openly disagree and have derisory feelings toward his superiors, the people he runs OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) with, to be unable to muster support in his troops and perhaps have gotten away with things other people wouldn't get away with. Well. Things got real ugly.

Andrew Exum is smart. Repeatedly.

Nate Fick and Tom Ricks discuss the situation.

The LA Times breaks it down.

And all of this lead to a meeting with the White House. You can guess how that went down.

Stars and Stripes has a round up, of like, everything.

( The below is a comment I posted in Alethialia's LJ, which I decided to post here, because I want to remember some of these points later and because I want to talk about this if people are so inclined )

Thanks to

alethialia for inspiring me to actually get this down on print anyway and for providing the RS and NPR links so I didn't have to go digging through my email. Thanks to

maurheti for being my sounding board in all things military related and thanks to

serialkarma for being all, "Hey, your boy Nate is on my NPR."

Current Mood: indescribable

There have been 4,387 fatalities since the start of OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom).

While, 1,075 servicemen and woman have died in Operation Enduring Freedom.

36,757 of your countrymen have been injured mentally and physically in their service to the United States.

Every day we think of you and are grateful for all you have sacrificed for this country and not just on this Memorial Day. (link provided by

maurheti)

To anyone who has lost someone who has served: I am so very sorry for your loss.

To everyone who has served, or is serving now, to everyone who loves someone who is serving, or has served, who has supported a serviceman or woman emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially or just by thinking well of them and wishing them your best

THANK YOU

To anybody who's got $5 in their pocket and feels like donating, I'm a big supporter of:

* IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America). Donate here

* Wounded Warriors. Donate here.

* Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. Donate Here

And because nobody can do this on their own: milspouse.com; milspouse.org and National Military Family Association

Current Mood: thoughtful
Current Music: Foo Fighters 'All My Life'

1. According to

southland_tv you can get a FREE copy of Ben McKenzie's new movie "Johnny Got His Gun" for your high school. Um, this may be the only time I've wished I was back in high school. Is it January yet? I can haz new Southland now?

2. The World Cup begins in 36 days. Not that I am super duper excited or anything... OMG is it June 11th yet? Ahem. So, in anticipation, like, apparently

sparky77 has gotten into football. No, really, she's exploring the RPS side. Go on. Support her education. Convert her to the cause. Tell her exactly what she can expect next month. More of that, plus, you know, some nudity, sex, violence, sweatiness and groping. I don't understand how more people inside the US don't love football with an unholy passion (and by that I mean the real football, not that American thing where bruisers wrap themselves in toilet paper padding).

3. Dear

slodwick: Yes. Hottest First Lady Ever.

4. Dear

moneyfolder. I have listened to Tanlines 'Real Life.' I approve.

5. Dear

pinkfinity. Both Ari and I appreciate your patience. We're going to get there. Before the end of the year. By Hanukkah at the latest!

6. Dear flist: The Washington Post is doing a series of blogs called Impact of War about how the war(s) have affected the US from the point of the currently serving, the veterans, their families, their advocates and people who actually give a fuck. If you are at all interested in following it, I created a feed for

maurheti called

doyougiveafuck?

7. Did you lot know that George Clooney has a new movie coming out where he's an assassin and why did nobody tell me about it, because Assassin!George?! *swoon*

8. I cannot believe Sade is 51. FIFTY-ONE?! Most people don't look that good at 21! It's Dorian Grey syndrome!

9. Yesterday

sparky77 and I had a conversation about Zack Quinto, Matt Bomer and Lee Pace. I would not call myself a fan of any of these gentlemen (even though Lee was *amazing* in Soldier's Girl (for real, see that)) and the conversation only ensued because the people in my life have this bothersome habit of luring me into writing stuff for them about people I don't even like. For real.

sparky77: Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, and Joel Mchale are all going to be in the same movie together.

hackthis: If you're happy, I'm happy.

sparky77: I just approve of the Matt Bomer and Zachary Quinto friendship because I like the fact that they've stayed friends. There totally needs to be RPS about the Gay Texas Mafia of Hollywood.

hackthis: That's the Pink Mafia to you, and you can have them doing things that only people from Texas do. I do not know anybody from Texas, or I would help you. Also, Zack Quinto is from Texas?

sparky77: I think so. He went to school with Matt Bomer and I swear he's from texas too. Maybe I'm making that part up. Whatever. In my world, he's from Texas.

hackthis: [does some recon] I didn't think he was from Tejas with that accent, he was born in Pittsburgh. PA. He... ah ha! That's what I thought. He and Matt Bomer went to Carnegie Mellon together. You can write RPS where Matt takes Zach to Texas on vacation though. *pauses* you could make your own super pairing like I do! Zach Quinto and Matt Bomer. They were college fuck buddies and then 10 years later they're living the life in L.A. What? I am being helpful! Do not look at me like that.

hackthis: Shut up. Matt Bomer went to school with Lee Pace. Does he just have the gay mojo that attracts other gays?

sparky77: I really want to know about Matt, Lee, and Zach's school shenanigans

hackthis: No, Lee and Matt went to high school together. Matt and Zach went to college together. Also, Lee is very tall, so clearly Lee lost his virginity to Matt. No, I don't know how the tallness has any correlation to virginity but I felt like it should. Also, I think Lee was kind of gangly and Matt, you know, Matt's Matt and...he liked how uncoordinated Lee was. And then there was graduation.

(Why am I even doing IMDB research here to pretend this has some reality, thank you

slodwick).

Did you know Lee spent his early years in the Middle East? His dad's an *oilman*. So, Lee was rich AND awkward. For real? What's in the water in Texas (Ben McKenzie, Lee Pace, Eric Ladin, Matt Boomer)?

Anyway, graduation happened. Lee stayed in Houston to do acting (he and Matt were part of the same acting company), Matt went to Pittsburgh where he met Zach at Freshman Orientation.

I think Matt was used to being like, the coolest and the prettiest, Zach on the other hand, was weird and quirky and had eyebrows like catepillars and didn't give a shit. Matt liked him the minute he met him.

sparky77: Tell me more

hackthis: I have no more ideas. Um, the end.

And I post all of this to say that you should all go urge

sparky77 to write the super pairing of Zach Quinto/Matt Bomer because I'd like to read about it and she clearly has Texas knowhow that I am lacking, which makes this her baby.

Current Mood: restless
Current Music: V V Brown 'Shark in the Water'

Have you ever wondered what would happen if the military joined the Cult of Lady Gaga?

Wonder no longer. The fine men of the 82nd Airborne Division took it upon themselves to cover "Telephone" for your viewing pleasure. While they're stationed overseas. And it's complete with dances and costumes. Improvised costumes (it is the Army).

My only thought apart from stunned disbelief was, "You know, Ray Person would fucking love Gaga. And he'd be pissed that the Army got in there and defiled it." This is so up Ray's alley.

Read about the making of the video on The Smoking Gun

Current Mood: amused
Current Music: Babybird 'The F Word'

Today is Veterans Day. I thought about writing about my feelings about war in general. About how being a liberal wine-sipping communist dick-suck does not preclude my sense of awe and appreciation for all branches of the military. How serving your country is not a second-rate choice if you don't want to go to college. How passionate I am about Veterans Affairs, about volunteering to help people when they come back from serving overseas. About trying to make a point of saying "thank you" to servicemen and women, because this is their JOB. They aren't doing this to pay the rent, they're doing this because it's something they believe in. How many people can say they're doing something that they honestly believe in? And then I realized this isn't about me, this is about them.

This is about every man and woman who has chosen to go out in the world and put on a uniform in service of their country, of this country. This is simply to say THANK YOU for putting this country first. The USA is not perfect; it has problems and faults and dysfunction that would be Viagra for Freud, but you have seen past that. You go out every day, and to paraphrase Rudy Reyes "put on your Superman suit" and sacrifice for the bigger picture.

There is no greater service than the one you provide.

You are deeply appreciated, admired and respected.

THANK YOU.

Also, I know times are super hard, but if you have a few dollars (or books or extra hours in your week) please consider donating to one of the following:

IAVA: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America: Volunteer, donate, or even just read up and think about what they're saying.

ReMind: The Bob Woodruff fund which gives to injured servicemen (and women) and their families.

Books for Soldiers, which accepts books, games and movies.

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which is the National Intrepid Center for Excellence, which treats servicemen with brain injuries

Military.com has a list of charitable organizations. Everything from Adopt a Platoon to Wounded Warriors Family Support and National Military Families Fund.

Current Music: Nappy Roots 'Roun' the Globe'

Dear Generation Kill people:

I don't know if the name Tom Ricks [1] rings any bells, but it should, because he's the WSJ [2] war correspondent that pretty much convinced Nate (yes, that Nate) to join the Marines [3]. Anyway, Tom writes this blog called The Best Defense [4], which I've been reading for a while, because I like listening to educated people talk about the shit they're educated about and have experience with, which is not the same as listening to some ignorant blowhard tell you about his "theories". [5]

Today, Tom had a post about Obama rescinding 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and how he definitely thinks it's going to happen (GO TEAM BARACK!), but what really caught my attention was the last line of Tom's blog, which is this: The funny thing is, I am pretty sure I have met many openly gay people in the military.

And I read that, and you know, it makes you wonder. Because if I trust Tom Ricks about anything it's military policy, and if he's saying it's not all as under the covers as they're making it out to be... how would that play out, for, oh, say Nate*. Or Brad.

*FYI: Ricks is also a member of Harvard's Senior Advisory Council on the Project on U.S. Civil-Military Relations. How much do we want to bet that Nate's on there in some capacity?

[1] Tom Ricks
[2]Wall Street Journal
[3]Nate says so in One Bullet Away
[4] I've also created a feed

tomricks, because I like making my life easier.
[5] But that's a story for another day.

Current Mood: pensive
Current Music: T.I 'Live Your Life'

Dear Generation Kill,

You are the best thing fucking EVER. Hands down. Seriously. Nate. Ray. Pope. Garza. Walt. Brad. Doc. Rudy. You are the bomb shit. Unfortunately I am not allowed to watch you with other people anymore because I keep shrieking 'Fuckin' A!' and discussing Captain America's castration in glorious detail. Apparently this is disconcerting.

<3
Me

Dear Simon Clellan Jones,

I know some people aren't feeling the episodes you directed ('A Burning Dog' and 'Stay Frosty') but I say FUCK THAT NOISE. I thought 'Burning Dog' was my favorite episode thus far, but 'Stay Frosty' just blew that shit out of the water. ( Spoilering babbling here )

<3
Me

Dear Generation Kill Freaks,

I know you've all read Evan's book, but I cannot recommend Nate's book (One Bullet Away) highly enough. I have GK on my writing table, waiting to be read, but I'm reading Nate's first off of

silviakundera's advice that it would give me a better background of where everyone's coming from, and seriously? It's like I just got the key to a fucking cryptogram. I have learned in a whole new language. In the first 80 pages of Nate's book I've figured out more about GK than I ever would by reading GK alone. Also? I know the real Nate Fick is a conservative Republican, but I would totally hit that shit based on this book.

<3
Me

What am I supposed to do now that swimming is over? Oh noes! Where the fuck is the rowing? Why are they doing me like this? Wow. How hot is Guo JingJing?

Current Mood: crazy
Current Music: Skins 1.02

1. Dear Most Magnanimous Flist,

I know I've been talking about Generation Kill a lot, and if you don’t want to watch it, I understand [woe!] but I am asking you to please visit the Generation Kill website and click on the upper right hand link for TROOP DRIVE. HBO is willing to donate various needed items to the troops (magazines, health aids, books, phone cards), but they want you to help. All you have to do is click on what you want to donate and HBO will donate it in your name. It costs you nothing. They are even going to match it.. All you have to do is fill out your name and e-mail. You don't have to agree with the war to support the troops; this isn't about that at all. Please. Do it for them.

Thank you. Seriously
<3 Me.

2. ( On last night's Burn Notice. Obviously spoilerific )

3. In the TRUFAX category, the People magazine with the golden twins on the cover, also features a picture of Shiloh and Bradey and the twins. In said photo, Shiloh is wearing a white tee shirt that says GEORGE in big, black block letters.

No, I couldn't have made that up even if I tried.

4. I want to write something desperately, but once again I am being cockblocked by work.

Current Mood: hopeful
Current Music: Beyonce 'Crazy in Love'

So, the other day I had this poll where I asked if you lot would rather see Bruce/Harvey Dark Knight porn or Nate/Brad Generation Kill porn. I knew beforehand what the majority were probably going to say, but I was shocked, shocked that more of you aren't on the Generation Kill train. And I thought to myself, "Self, what we really need here is an example of The Pretty to get the fanpeople in line, because there are boys, sweaty, foul-mouthed boys living together in the desert and nobody seems to care! And it's written by David Simon!"

So, for the unitiated let me break it down. Generation Kill is a seven-part HBO miniseries about a Marine Recon division in Iraq at the beginning of the invasion, based on a book by Evan Wright. Real reople, real shit, maybe marginally tweaked for TV. See. That's the basics.

( Generation Kill: This battalion is trained to swim or parachute behind enemy lines, not to drive into attacks in Humvees. Their motto is 'Swift Silent Deadly' Also? Massive Pic Spam. SO not dial-up friendly. )

Current Mood: content
Current Music: Joseph Arthur 'I Donated Myself to the Mexican Army'

[Poll #1235142]

If I write the Generation Kill, I am also going to need someone who knows more about military jargon that I do. Everything I know can be summed up by Band of Brothers, ROE and MRE

ETA: That should be Fick and not Fisk, but the 's' and the 'c' are clearly too close together.

Current Music: TLC Crap

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idealists are the cruelest monsters of them all.

Educated Black Person, Esq., A.A., B.A., MBA, Ph.D., RN, NAACP, AAA

Entries tagged with this is your war too

Thank you.

Let's talk war.

In Your Honor (on Memorial Day).

see what had happened was...

I need a new tag called 'comedy gold'

Thank You

Now there's a POV.

You love me 'cause I shave my balls.

This that and the other.

Pimp of the Day: Generation Kill

This iz srs bzness.