Agree -government abuse and the 4th (among other) Amendments should be the focus. UJ and his cohorts are channeling Yon by focusing on 2nd tier issues. Reports of IRS Agents training with M-16/AR-15 rifles and some are still gazing at their naval asking, "Duh, well was he really SF". Who gives a shit? Wait until more facts are known then make a ONE paragraph post about it. Not especially cordially, Ron

If the NSA targeted ONLY Islamic Extremists and known associates I would not be as concerned. And I most emphatically do no trust ANY Government entity under the control or influence of BHO or his minions. I'm not even sure how much I trust our military anymore, at least on the senior levels. Troopers, yeah, anyone else, not so much.

Totally agree with NJSoldier. "I'm far more interested our domestic spy agency than this guy's MOS. I thought only the bad guys had a Stassi or NKVD." A hell of lot more important than attacks on Snowden. Too many of the others here have the Michael Yon syndrome.

Yeah, heard and read the same myopic stuff in 1970 -from a few local grunts and all the way to Nixon and McNamara. AF is gone, the only question is how many more troops are we going to let be killed there. How long will those "Positive Changes" last when we are gone?

When was the last time the Corp turned down the chance to get a new plane? Not bloody recently.

Many, or at least some, of this sites hosts are less than fans of Mr. Yon. Unfortunate as Michael has some excellent and unique insight into what is happening in Iraq and the AF. And, unlike others, he is "boots on the ground", and has been for years. Does he get off the reservation sometimes -sure. That ought not detract from the totality of the information he provides.

Mr. Sparkle: Using "The Kill Team" scam piece in RS is a low blow. If certain events occured, they were certainly very limited and certainly NOT condoned by any person of responsible authority. RS is not what I would use as a proof source, and as you well know, RS is (are most mags), all about increasing readership, not accuracy. I think I stated my position fairly well - we pull out, any tribal leader that supports persons exporting violence loses his life, and the continued existence of the village. Our taking over an area today, leaving, and having it go back to our enemy is nuts. I still vividly remember VN and DO NOT want a repeat. My guess is that most of the readership here was not in uniform during our SEA adventure -I was. Your statement of "..doped up Afghan army or child raping police force..." That is the AF's problem, and once again, no, I do not give a damn. It is thier problem, they solve it, or we permanently solve it for them, province by province. A bit simplistic I admit, but I want us to stop wasting blood and money in a futile effort.

BS. Salt the earth on every tribe/province/region that sends our supports those that kill Americans. Or, turn the whole fracking place into a glass parking lot. I-do-not-care-about-the-AF's. At all! We need to get the hell out -what, substantially, materially and of a long-lasting benefit have we accomplished in the last then years there? Other than make a good start for another black wall with a list of names to be put on the DC Mall.

Valeri, you assume that BHO has the best interests of this country at heart. Faulty assumpion IMO.

" This seems to be the gathering wisdom and the question for us remains, so what did we get out of this?" We've been hosed. Time to smoke a cigarette.

What an extraordinary talent. Her playing of Ave Maria is equally moving. Thank you very much for sharing. V/R

While I do support SA (and SA is the only decal on any of my vehicles), I still send my own CARE packages to the Troops.

When I attended the annual Candlight Ceremony for our SEA POW/MIA, arranged by the USMC Reserve and the local Rolling Thunder Chapter, each of were requested to take one of the luminaries at the end of the event. Mine is dedicated to those that have fought, and are fighting, in the Global War on Terrorists. It will remain on my front porch, lit, thru the Holidays. Never Forget

Congrats to SGT Strickland and a hearty pat on the back to COB6. Men such as these are what keeps our Country strong. Very sincere thanks to both Father & Son! Merry Christmas guys.

The Golden Knights jumped at the Harnett County Veterans Ceremony. Very Cool. HC being Fort Bragg territory helped I'm sure. One of the guys had almost 600 (SIX HUNDRED) jumps. Amazing.

Marsh, do you have any data to support your claim? I would not have wanted homosexuals to serve when I was in, and my impression is that while REMF are in favor of it, combat troops are not.

Thanks for the video Grim. Would not have been a fun mountain to hump.

Gross net loss of 7 seats held by veterans. 37 Dems 76 Repubs for the 112th Congress. 60 Dems 60 Repubs for the 111th Congress Would like the total to grow, though I surely like the ratio..

I love the idea of a Veterans Caucus.

We've certainly paid the price to give the I's a chance -up to them now. Hopefully the Kurds are in a position to kick Sunni or Shia butt if they try to force their hand. I don't read much about the Kurds anymore other than an occasional reference from Mr. Totten about them.

I do like Ms. Hamm. Smart as a whip and danged pretty. Have only met her a few times but she was delightful to speak with. Did I mention she is smart? Nice post.

While waiting in line to vote, there were a number of people in line taking literature from the politicians. So many comments were being made by these soon-to-be voters about how they weren't sure who to vote for so perhaps they could use the information on the hand-outs to help them make an "informed" choice. What a joke. It is not very hard to make an informed choice. Download a sample ballot and spend a few hours of research on how the candidates actually voted, not what they say. For those that don't have a voting record, look at their lifestyles, what have they accomplished, who is endorsing them. Wish there were a way to prequalify one in order to get to vote, make voting compulsory, eliminate straight party voting, extend the voting period from one day to three days.

OSD, internally: no more coddling of Muslims who want special treatment. You don't like my drawing cartoons of your wargod? Too Bad, go move to Saudi Arabia. You do not like having to remove the burka to get a drivers license? Again, too bad, but you are more than welcome to move to SA. Externally: I would be more than happy to turn parts of Sandland into glass. Go visit Dearborn, MI and tell me this culture should be allowed to exist in America. Dearborn was an "Ozzie & Harriet" city untill the Arab Muslims moved there.

Given that there are somewhere around 4 million Muslims in America (estimates seem to range from a low of just under 2 million to a high of 7 million), I find it a bit challenging to effusively thank a few (literally a few) that are patriotic Americans without also cursing the other millions of Muslims in America that are not. IMO the only reason most Muslims are "Moderate" is because the Extremist Muslims do not have the upper hand yet. West, that "problem" that you lightly speak of, and that UJ glosses over, is an existential one. Tell me, how do you think those patriotic Americans that are Muslims would be treated by the "Moderate" Muslim community were ther actions known?

Thanks, Pinch, for sharing this. And for both Mr. Grez and his son -my gratitude. This type of event happens so often all over our country. Wish it did not have to, though since life is as it is, it is strengthening to know that honor and appreciation abound. With Respects,