Who Really Deserves a Silver Star? - The military's unfair awards system. By Owen West of Slate
A well reasoned and interesting article, as a former enlisted infantryman, I couldn't help but agree with the assertion made my author. What I found especially profound was Gen. George C. Marshall's remarks to President Roosevelt in a memo on Feb. 3, 1944 explaining the need for the medal :
"The fact that the ground troops, infantry in particular, lead miserable lives of extreme discomfort and are the ones who must close in personal combat with the enemy, makes the maintenance of their morale of great importance ... particularly the infantry riflemen who are now suffering the heaviest losses, air or ground ... and enduring the greatest hardships."
Mr. West gathers up some great points, quotes and details to present a very reasonable approach to the problem that has been simmering under the military surface far too long.
Note : A statistic I found very telling was that support staff outnumber rifleman 6-to-1.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Catastrophic Success - The worse Iraq gets, the more we must be winning. By William Saletan, Slate magazine
Catastrophic Success - The worse Iraq gets, the more we must be winning.
This recent article in Slate by William Saletan focuses on some of the seemingly contradictory actions taken by the current administration, such as "Bush's arguments made the wisdom of cutting taxes unfalsifiable. In good times, tax cuts were affordable. In bad times, they were necessary." where Saletan makes a point how this type of approach covers all of the outcomes. It certainly justifies the tax breaks no matter what the economic conditions are at the time. (except maybe, no tax breaks if the economy is just "so-so")
Aside from the various points he makes about the administration's contradictory statements often within the same paragraph or sentence. What I really find fasinating is the use of the language in the national debate on the Iraqi war, tax breaks, or even evironmental policy. Consider the now popular phrase, "Catastrophic Success" ... if there were ever a contradiction in terms, this would be it. While I think at first glance, these types of word combinations nomially referred to as "oxymorons". I can't help but wonder if perhaps these may be a little different. Maybe, because we are supposed to take them seriously?
Are there other examples in popular culture or current language which are similar? As I collect these types of terms and/or phrases, I will try to post them here.
This recent article in Slate by William Saletan focuses on some of the seemingly contradictory actions taken by the current administration, such as "Bush's arguments made the wisdom of cutting taxes unfalsifiable. In good times, tax cuts were affordable. In bad times, they were necessary." where Saletan makes a point how this type of approach covers all of the outcomes. It certainly justifies the tax breaks no matter what the economic conditions are at the time. (except maybe, no tax breaks if the economy is just "so-so")
Aside from the various points he makes about the administration's contradictory statements often within the same paragraph or sentence. What I really find fasinating is the use of the language in the national debate on the Iraqi war, tax breaks, or even evironmental policy. Consider the now popular phrase, "Catastrophic Success" ... if there were ever a contradiction in terms, this would be it. While I think at first glance, these types of word combinations nomially referred to as "oxymorons". I can't help but wonder if perhaps these may be a little different. Maybe, because we are supposed to take them seriously?
Are there other examples in popular culture or current language which are similar? As I collect these types of terms and/or phrases, I will try to post them here.
- Catastropic Success
- Malicious Compliance
- ???
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
What the heck *is* emo anyway?
What the heck *is* emo anyway?
One of the benefits working at a liberal arts college is the exposure to a variety of new ideas, new concepts, and new music. At least, new terms for musical genres...
I noticed that my college radio station, WWPV, had a show which featured punk, ska & emo. I said "What the heck is emo?"
Well, the web provides. In this case, literally, a web page using my interogative as its title.
Now, some of this stuff does seem familiar from a long time ago but that would be dating himself.
:-)
One of the benefits working at a liberal arts college is the exposure to a variety of new ideas, new concepts, and new music. At least, new terms for musical genres...
I noticed that my college radio station, WWPV, had a show which featured punk, ska & emo. I said "What the heck is emo?"
Well, the web provides. In this case, literally, a web page using my interogative as its title.
Now, some of this stuff does seem familiar from a long time ago but that would be dating himself.
:-)
Article discussing a former Army public affairs officer experiences in Iraq.
Krohn's Rules is an interesting article profiling a retired US Army officer Charles Krohn experiences as deputy chief of public affairs for the Army and spokesman and media adviser for the Program Management Office (PMO) in Baghdad which heads up the Iraqi recontruction effort.
A partisan Republican, an idealist, a Vietnam vet, infantryman and a straight-talking Army officer, I look forward to reading more about his observations and opinions on the Iraqi reconstruction efforts.
I found one of his quotes to be quite reassuring :
"The thought of, 'Let's not tell them the full story,' I won't be part of that. I simply won't. The truth always comes out anyway."
A partisan Republican, an idealist, a Vietnam vet, infantryman and a straight-talking Army officer, I look forward to reading more about his observations and opinions on the Iraqi reconstruction efforts.
I found one of his quotes to be quite reassuring :
"The thought of, 'Let's not tell them the full story,' I won't be part of that. I simply won't. The truth always comes out anyway."
Great Quote & the Upcoming Iraqi Elections
Great Quote & the Upcoming Iraqi Elections
From The Intel Dump blog by Phillip Carter, there is a great quote from Havard President and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers :
"In the history of the world, no one has ever washed a rented car."
While the senitments behind the quote certainly apply to the upcoming Iraqi elections, I just love the quote in general. I can think of a variety of situations where having a feeling of ownership is a critical requirement for a successful enterprises and ventures of nearly any kind. Consider the realm of ethics or community, if people feel vested in a particular area or sphere of interaction, they will more likely behave in an polite and ethical manner. At least, I would hope so.
From The Intel Dump blog by Phillip Carter, there is a great quote from Havard President and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers :
"In the history of the world, no one has ever washed a rented car."
While the senitments behind the quote certainly apply to the upcoming Iraqi elections, I just love the quote in general. I can think of a variety of situations where having a feeling of ownership is a critical requirement for a successful enterprises and ventures of nearly any kind. Consider the realm of ethics or community, if people feel vested in a particular area or sphere of interaction, they will more likely behave in an polite and ethical manner. At least, I would hope so.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Baghdad Year Zero (Harpers.org)
Baghdad Year Zero (Harpers.org) is a very interesting article written by Naomi Klein, a well known journalist.
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