Posted on 05/25/2010 7:42:06 PM PDT by MestaMachine
The best war journalist of our time has been kicked out of Afghanistan...
Let the administration boot Helen Thomas out of her seat in the front of a White House press conference and there would be outrage. Remove Jonathan Karl from the Capitol and media would revolt. Kick Andrea Kremer off Sunday Night Football and there would be pandemonium.
And yet nobody in the media seems to have much of a problem with Michael Yon being removed from the front lines by Obama/General McChrystal. Yon has openly stated the problems in Afghanistan right now and how we could lose this war, unless changes are made. He has been critical of the current rules of engagement that have put our troops in danger and could actually make this war like the Vietnam that the leftist media claimed it was early and often when Bush was president (it’s strange you don’t hear those comparisons from them anymore).
Yon’s reward? He’s lost his embed status, banished to Bangkok. Yon could return but his access might be limited and you can’t just pop in and out of that theater like it’s the neighborhood movie palace. Mess with Yon enough and his resources wear thin, but his patience will not. You will not stop this Marine. He is the ultimate warrior for those who fight and die for this country. His reports are honest, chilling, gripping and are as reflective of the battles they represent as anything I have ever read. But this administration is making it as difficult for him to do his job. You can’t believe this is by accident. The most critical battle in Afghanistan is about to take place, the battle for Kandahar, and the voice of the American soldier is not allowed in.
(Excerpt) Read more at bigjournalism.com ...
(((((Marine_Uncle)))))
Thank you!
And if you happen to know any good, budding investigative reporters, amateur or pro who write on things military, please let me know! (I don’t think Yon is in my reach. ;-)
He banned Popeyes so the poor SOBs out on the line could actually get food and ammo.
We have such crap logistics into the sandbox - space wated on FOB-bait can now be used to move real war fighting material.
Don’t get me wrong, this General is the worst kind of political animal, but he is no idiot.
His boss OTOH.....
Why do people keep assuming the bolt is locked to the rear? Follow me here. Soldier picks up weapon, charges it (bolt ends at the forward position), closes dust cover, inserts magazine. In order to fire, Soldier must charge the weapon again to go “red.” Yes, it takes only a couple of seconds, but in an ambush, that can mean all the difference, not to mention, if you’re trying to be stealthy at all, it’s going to make a nice loud clacking sound that’ll give you away immediately.
This is a stupid policy, there is no reason for it, it’s idiot “leadership” trying to please other idiot “leadership.” If you can’t trust your Soldiers with loaded weapons, then you shouldn’t be sending them out the wire, period.
So exactly what is going on in Thailand? If you know more than we are being told, please tell us because we don’t really know anything except what the msm is reporting.
It seems to me that Michael Yon, or anyone out of their element, would have no real choice but to report only what he sees and hears from whoever his contacts are.
And we do not have access to the inner sanctum to be able to guage fairly what is going on.
All we know is that the insurgency is backed by a former PM and that this guy is not a good guy.
If you know something different, please tell us. I am serious.
Ping request for MestaMachine.
They shouldn’t be doing this to Yon.
That's the reason Yon was reassigned. Obambi is going on vacation and doesn't want to get interrupted with bad news, like the Christmas day bomber interrupting his surf n soak Christmas vacation. O won't be at any Memorial Day ceremony this year. I pray for our troops in harms way and the thought they are being led by incompetence is just sickening.
wow.
McChrystal shot that “award” down. It was a proposal from a British general. McChrystal said it was unnecessary.
But if you hold the bolt release (on the opposite side of the button) when you charge it, the bolt will stay back. Then you can insert a mag, and just a touch on the bolt release will slam it forward and chamber a round. Keep the safety off and you're ready in a nanosecond. At least... that's the way I would do it.
I'm not saying it's the best way to go. All I'm saying is that it's not necessarily that big of a difference. By the time you could bring it up and get sights on a target, there would be a round in the chamber. All told... it just doesn't help much with AD's either. I'm not sure what they're really trying to accomplish other than some BS PC news bite.
whoops. meant to kill the italics after the first para. Goofed it.
Seems to me like the difference btw life and death in an ambush.
Holy crap, that was Yon? That NCO who dropped the malfunctioning weapon was my current BDE Command Sergeant Major. He ran up and beat the offending haji to death with his MICH.
You’re right, but the motives for banishing Yon are very suspect. It does NOT engender a sense of confidence in the goings-on in Afghanistan or the leadership.
BTTT
Yes, you can lock the bolt to the rear, but it only takes a slight smack to send the bolt forward, putting the rifle on red status accidentally, therefore not meeting the commander’s intent. Possibly an AD, too (though unlikely).
No, I stand by my statement that if you can’t trust your Soldiers with loaded weapons then you shouldn’t send them out the wire.
When did he shoot it down? And where? Do you have a link for it? I try to keep up on this, but I am sure not perfect. Would appreciate your info, please.
Thanks for the input. Tet? Lord, I hope not. We won. Press, ala uncle walter said we lost. I will never, ever forgive what they did to our Vets from that era.
That is why I am fighting so hard against this PC insanity that threatens to bring us down like a house of cards. We have treason going on. bam does not want victory. Bad enough to be sabotaged by the media. But to be sabotaged by our own _resident is beyond abhorrent.
Page 10 of the 24MAY “Army Times”: “Medal For Not Firing? McChrystal shoots down proposal of new award”
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