When you get to OUTLAW PLATOON, plan time to complete it in one or two sittings, because it is difficult to put it down. I recommend planning time soon. It was the same way with HORSE SOLDIERS, HOUSE TO HOUSE, AND LONE SURVIVOR. Which is unusual for me --- I usually skip back and forth between 2 or 3 books. Ray Porter, who also narrated HOUSE to HOUSE does a fantastic job with the narration of OUTLAW PLATOON for audible.com. Yeah, I love those unabridged audible books. I still purchase the hard copy or kindle editions, as I am the queen of marking and flagging passages.

70% plus voter turnout in Tunisia. Historic day.

Could this become the "one straw too many?" Who will retaliate against Iran, first --- Saudi or Israel?

Jordan: re What happened? Did he sneak in . . ." he's been living, and being arrested twice in Corpus Christi, and Round Rock TEXAS (8 miles from my house, about 1/2 mile from I-35, otherwise known as drug delivery alley). Son has been arrested at least once for some drug related something or other. Iran has been known as ALWAYS using go separate "thugs" and paying them to do their international dirty work. IRAN Quds were attempting to set up contact with Mexico drug cartels to become their "thugs" of choice for now. Iranian Quds are not stupid. Who else has more experience and proven ability to hit anyone they want in the US than the Mexican cartels. Southern border situation is not just a political allusion.

Go NAVY ! ! !

Saw the video, somewhere. Loved the visual. Ahhhhhhh ! ! ! !

Jorge, thank you for sharing your story. This is what it takes to make sure those of us that can only read about the Cuban legacy get the real stories. --- Rejenia

The only easy day was yesterday. OH GOD NO!!! Takur Ghar, Sawtalo Sar, and many un-named TICs. Fair Winds and Following SEAs ...

Please get your facts correct. You tried to sound factual to the wrong two ladies. First there are no "Afghani" THEY are Afghans. I won't even get into tribes, probably over your head. The Taliban were overthrown, because they refused international requests to expel AQ and bin Laden. (Yeah,FCPTK, Blackfive, and I know all about Pashtunwali.) Not enough space here to list the civil war battles, yes backed by US that overthrew TB. When "foreign fighters" are killed as they attack, do you believe these "foreign fighters" are closet TB? NO, they are AQ, and coming to Afghanistan, setting up camps, and sending out "hit squads" as AQ has trained them. Have you seen the tapes they send out showing their "new camps" in the rubble (sometimes not very messed up) of the buildings our troops left for the villager goat herders to use? We're not the ones making war on "the goat herders." The TB have not separated from AQ ! Back on July 11,ISAF was beginning to define the enemy in Afghanistan. At that time, ISAF stated that it was hunting a Taliban commander involved in facilitating the movement of Lashkar-e-Taiba fighters into Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan. Since then, in 11 press releases, ISAF has mentioned the presence of al Qaeda, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Arabs, Chechens, Pakistanis, and 'foreign fighters' in the provinces of Kunduz, Paktia, Zabul, Khost, Farah, Kunar, Nangarhar, and Ghazni. According to several US military officials, the term 'foreign fighter' is a catchall phrase used to describe al Qaeda. One of the first press releases stated that "Arab, Chechen and Pakistani fighters" were killed during a raid and battle in Paktia province. The second press release said that "an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan sub-commander" who led attacks on police stations and facilitated weapons in Kunduz province was among those targeted (it is unclear if he was killed, an inquiry with ISAF is pending). The mention of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan sub-commander is interesting, as this is just the third time ISAF has mentioned the al Qaeda-linked Central Asian terror group in its press materials [previous mentions were in August 2009 and in September 2009]. Based on the ISAF press releases alone, it appears that the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan has a presence in Kunduz and Takhar provinces. Are you talking about the Goat Herders from June 28, 2005?

President Obama is in good company. Sunday morning, on CNN's State of the Union with Candy Crowley, Nancy Pelosi said something about "now that we have apprehended Osama bin Laden". so much for those security briefings.

I know it may seem a small thing, but have you heard very much on the radio handouts, and up tick in radio stations out in the Pech Valley areas, and down South?

I've been gritting my teeth all day over this AGAIN ! ! !

Dither # (Oh, I've lot count) "We need to make sure we have a viable partner in Afghanistan". Hmmmm Let's review. Biden doubled back to partner with Karzai into abiding by the commission's findings and hold a run off election. CHECK Mark in the viable partnering category. Abdullah partners by pulling out, and attempting to make more waves for US administration. Okay, does not sound like a viable partner, so ---- voila ! ! ! We have a viable partner --- Karzai NOW WHAT ?!?!?!?! Do not confuse this in any shape and form as an endorsement of the Karzai govt., just trying to "figure" out loud.

Bob, CSM Robert Wilson of 3-61 CAV, 4-4 ID, is not on the base that was attacked, but at the headquarters FOB for 6-4 CAV. Last deployment we called it Raiderland. They are in the same Korengal/Pech Valley region. A Command Sergeant Major is THE MAN to make sure his men are well cared for. Plus, we have his assurances, and he has been more than a man of his word thus far. You can send things to CSM Wilson with all confidence.

They can't get enough helicopters to bring in supplies ! ! ! Supporting Barge Matal took a toll on the back up support in July. SEND more helicopters, and send enough troops to cover the operations we've got going.

http://www.oaoa.com/video/?videoId=40406515001&lineupId=1184431737 this is the link for a video of parts of the Cpt Meadows funeral services from the Odessa news service. Cpt Meadows grew up in the Bastrop/Elgin, TEXAS area, near Austin. Flags and all commercial signs in the area carried condolences, in Elgin and Bastrop. I know Marines from all over the area convened on the Midland/Odessa area---sharing motel rooms, and vehicles. They sat with Capt Meadows 24/7, until the services. The services were held in the Confederate AF Hanger at the Midland/Odessa Regional Airport. Reports numbered the attendance at over 1000. Capt Meadows was laid to rest in Greenwood, a small but tight community south of the Midland/Odessa area. The same week Staff Sgt. Michael Chance Murphrey of the Abilene/Snyder/Clyde, Texas area was also killed in Afghanistan. SSgt Murphrey was laid to rest in the Abilene area. I live in the Austin area, and grew up in West Texas. These areas are both close knit areas and communities. The Big Country of Abilene and the High Skies of West Texas were all dimmed a bit this week. RIP Cpt Meadows and SSgt Murphrey.

Jim, your review is right on the mark. It took several attempts to finish the preview copy of Jeremiah's book. I do not know him as well as you do, but just being with him the few short hours made it difficult to bear witness to his pain. No one but another VET could have written the review as you have. I'm still working on more ways for Jeremiah to be able to reach out to others. They deserve to hear his whole story, and he deserves all the accolades for his continuing battles. God bless all of you, as you continue to bless each other.

Say hello for me. I was privileged to read an advance proof copy of our friend's book, and be around for a small bit of the bonding with other VETs. (Keep 'em comfortable in the back of a great big bus, and you can literally take them places they'd never go on their own. LOL) Ditto on Gryp's comments concerning getting Marines attention with the book. Only a Vet can get the attention of another Vet, and a Marine can get the attention of another Marine. So, for my TX Marines, I've got the hard cover pre-ordered. After I whop em up the side of the head with the book(and run), it'll still be in readable shape. These warriors are national treasures, and Americans don't give up on our heroes.

Warrior Legacy Foundation has used #shiftypowers, and it has caught on Sooooo those on twitter, use the following TIME FOR REMEMBRANCE: Shifty Powers, of Band of Brothers fame, died last month. Make MONDAY Shifty's memorial day #shiftypowers SPREAD IT! Keep posting it, Rt (Retweet all those that use #shiftypowers) link tweets to blogs mentioning Shifty Power's death, and some history of the 101st Band of Brothers, and use #shiftypowers. We may not be able to by pass Walter Cronkite, or Harry Potter on the Trending Topics, but surely we can surpass MJ. SPREAD IT ! ! !

#BOBMemDay it is then, I put out one tweet. I'll really get on it tonight with emails, etc. We've got some good tweeps already in your comments. I still plan on linking my tweets, FB hits, and emails to THIS POST. In case I'm too obtuse --- it's #BOBMemDay on Twitter for Band of Brothers Memorial Day.

I propose we set aside this Monday, July 20, as our own Shifty Powers Memorial Day on Twitter, Facebook, and emails. Through RT, FB sharing, and spreading the news with email, we will be honor a warrior who continued serving till his last days. By honoring Shifty Powers, we will honor all his Band of Brothers. Your post is a great place to start. Connect to this post, and let's put #BOBMemDay on the World's web radar.

Keeping our service members in prayers even more than usual. All with our gratitude and prayers.

The story of the Haqqani network is a story of US’s failed strategies, and misunderstanding of Afghanistan. The Haqqani are a powerful Pashtun family network. Jalaluddin Haqqani, a powerful warlord, was one of the major rebel leaders, and a major mujahideen leader. As with most warlords, his allegiance cannot be bought, but can be rented. He had worked with the CIA at one point, against the Russians. After the civil war, he allied the Haqqani alternately with the Taliban, and is said to have very close ties with al Qaeda. It has been said he was holding talks to move away from the Taliban and Osama bin Laden, and ally with the CIA and the central government. BUT, at the insistence of an opponent the US military (working separately from the CIA) arrested his brother, Ibrahim. He immediately cut off talks and hardened his place as an enemy of America. They are an exceptionally well organized and brutal family. It is said that Jalaluddin Haqqani’s three sons have taken over command of the military operations of the family militia. They now are one of the largest influential networks along both sides of the Pakistan border. It has been rumored that Jalaluddin may have died. He is believed to be over 70. His oldest son, Sirajuddin, is believed to be the defacto leader of the network, now. The younger generation has become more brutal, and more sophisticated in their attacks. They run training camps for local and foreigners, and have aligned themselves even more closely with the Afghan/Pak Taliban, and al Qaeda. Jalaluddin was one of the warlords mentioned that the Karzai government believed could be brought into the central government. The same thing is not said of his son Sirajuddin. The network has been responsible for many of the criminal activities in the border areas (both south and east) and their network seems to be spreading farther into central Afghanistan provinces. Several of the plots for bombings in Europe and the plots against airlines coming from London were cooked up in the Haggani training camps. The Haqqani are experienced and growing. That's a broad quick answer to your question. Who are the Haqqani? The whole story has as many twists and turns as a switchback goat trail in the Kush Hindu's.