Worth Checking Out

Mar 30, 2008 12:00 AM

This email came in from Milblogging.com, and I thought folks might be interested.  New documentary on Iraq this week - shot by a platoon of National Guard infantrymen.

NAS finally catches up with 17 years ago

Mar 12, 2008 12:00 AM

If you were around back in the early 1990s and dealing with the whole issue of sick Gulf War veterans, you may recall the name Jim Moss.  Moss did some research way back then which demonstrated a link between exposure to certain chemicals and symptoms remarkably similar to those reported by Gulf War veterans.

Wrong Door Drug Raid

Feb 01, 2008 09:58 AM

Wyoming police busted down the door of the wrong apartment when serving another no-knock search warrant. The good news is, nobody got hurt -- unlike the incident a couple weeks ago, where raiding drug task force members killed a mother and shot her 1 year old.

Whatever you are doing, stop and read this

Jan 23, 2008 12:00 AM

Mark Benjamin is my favorite reporter. He's been digging for years into all the crap that surrounds veterans issues and, in the end, has done a tremendous amount of good for the military and veterans. They ought to give him a medal. In any event, you need to read his latest article in Salon, which says almost nothing about veterans, but everything about the plight of investigative journalists.

Times Under Fire for Vets article

Jan 17, 2008 09:59 AM

On Sunday, the New York Times ran a lengthy article chronicling a series of homicides committed by Iraq and Afghanistan veterans over the last several years—more than 120 killings here in the United States. Now, the Times is under fire.

Reviving the Bonus March

Dec 07, 2007 02:14 PM

About ten years ago, I picked up a long out-of-print copy of Walter W. Water's account of the 1932 Bonus March. Waters was one of the leaders of the original group that travelled from Oregon to Washington, DC. The book had been out of print since before I was born, but is now back.

Irritated this morning (or why Chris Hedges pisses me off)

Dec 05, 2007 08:34 AM

About 2 days a week, I work from Cup a Joe Hillsborough in Raleigh, rather than driving all the way home after dropping my son off at school. This morning, I sat down at my table to see a copy of the Triangle Free Press which the previous occupant left behind. The headline: "Top Commanders Oppose Iran Attack."

Why there may still be hope in Iraq

Jun 26, 2007 11:21 AM

For me, the war in Iraq has never been about domestic politics. It's been about the incredible damage we did in 1991 by encouraging the Kurds and Shia to rebel against Saddam Hussein, then abandoning them to be massacred by their own government. For me the question about the war always centers around: how do we get to a viable end-state in Iraq where the people have a chance at a decent life. Dave Kilcullen over at Small Wars Journal has written an excellent piece which gives some hope to that possibility.

Nice editorial from soldier in Iraq

Jun 26, 2007 10:59 AM

Just read an excellent editorial written by a soldier serving in Iraq, addressing the constant handwringing in DC about how differing opinions might hurt our soldiers' feelings. For the record -- I share his view, and during the Gulf War protests didn't bother me at all -- even though I supported the war while I was there. In fact, protests reminded me that whatever their view, there were folks back home who realized that there was, in fact, a war going on.

Missing soldier's wife faces deportation

Jun 21, 2007 07:20 AM

Specialist Alex Jimenez, along with two other soldiers, was kidnapped by al-Qaeda in May. One of his fellow soldiers was later found dead, the other is still missing. In a video posted on the internet, AQ claims all three soldiers are dead. Here's the kicker: Jimenez's wife, Yaderlin, is facing deportation from the United States.

Prayer at Rumayla podcast reaches 1000 listeners

Jun 09, 2007 11:42 AM

A milestone of sorts. I was checking my stats this morning, and the individual episodes of Prayer at Rumayla have now reached or passed 1000 downloads for each episode. Nice to know folks are listening!

Republic - Chapter Ten

Jun 08, 2007 04:19 PM

“Gentlemen, I plan to run on a platform proposing that West Virginia secede from the United States.” The silence after his statement was long. If it hadn’t been for the banging of pots and pans in the back room, you might have heard the wind whisper outside. Murphy brought his water to his lips, leaned back in his chair, and studied Whitt in a very different light. That neither he nor Machen burst into laughter was a measure of just how angry they—and the rest of the town—were.

Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction

Jun 04, 2007 02:43 PM

Ok, so here's the deal. The biggest, most difficult idea to swallow in Republic is the idea that in the modern day, an actual secessionist movement from the United States could gain any adherents at all. I spent a lot of time in the book trying to make that concept both believable and realistic. Turns out, some folks in Vermont beat me to it.

Cost of war

May 31, 2007 11:25 PM

Cody Lyon has written a nice piece on the cost of war. Make sure you read down the bottom.

Plan B In Iraq - A recommendation for the way forward

May 31, 2007 10:30 PM

Major Fernando Lujan over at Small Wars Journal has posted both an interesting analysis of the current situation both in Iraq and politically at home, and made some recommendations for a way forward.

Prayer at Rumayla Podcast now complete

May 30, 2007 09:45 PM

Just a quick note to let folks know that I've just uploaded the final episode of Prayer at Rumayla: A Novel of the Gulf War.

You can check it out here or at Podiobooks.com

Republic: Chapter Nine

May 30, 2007 06:03 PM

Four agents from the DHS stood behind the gate in full combat gear, carrying rifles with grenade launchers slung under the barrels. A fifth stood to the side, digital camera in hand with a telescopic lens. He began shooting photographs of the townspeople as soon as they parked. Murphy ignored them, his face impassive. He stepped out of the truck, walked around the back where the agents couldn’t see him, and lifted an old pair of bolt cutters he’d thrown into it the night before.

Secret Plan for Iranian offensive in Iraq?

May 24, 2007 08:35 AM

According to The Guardian, Iran is quietly making moves for a major offensive in Iraq this summer, designed to force a speedy U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.

Republic: Chapter Eight (part 2)

May 19, 2007 10:31 AM

“Tell me the Russians didn’t take over while I had my back turned?” Elkins said. “The feds are out there taking pictures of everybody who comes in the building. What the hell is going on up there, Ken? Were you there when it happened?”

Republic Podcast going live

May 17, 2007 11:14 AM

As I wrap up the podcast of Prayer at Rumayla (there are now only two episodes left), I wanted to make sure that my 3 listeners knew there is something new coming. As of today, the first episode of Republic is now online.

Domestic spying details revealed

May 17, 2007 06:37 AM

The Washington Post ran a story yesterday that revealed more interesting information about the administration's massive spying domestic spying efforts. The story: after the Justice Department ruled the program illegal in 2004, the White House sent Andrew Card and Alberto Gonzales over to the hospital to strong-arm John Ashcroft into reversing the decision.

My War wins Blooker Prize

May 15, 2007 03:23 PM

If you haven't read Colby Buzzell's "My War," you need to stop what you are doing right now and go get it. Colby was one of the most prominent "Milbloggers" a couple of years back, when the phenomena was pretty new. His take on the war was pretty raw and honest, and turned into a bestselling book.

Republic: Chapter Eight (part 1)

May 11, 2007 11:28 PM

“Two federal agents were killed today in a raid gone bad,” the radio announcer said. “The Department of Homeland Security raided a closed computer manufacturing plant in Highview, West Virginia, after the plant was seized by a group accused of being anti-government terrorists. In the raid, two agents and five of the suspected terrorists were killed, and more wounded.”

Republic: Chapter Seven

May 09, 2007 08:30 AM

The sound of the helicopters still shook the walls, but now she heard a new sound: shouting, then a woman screaming. The agents must be in the main factory floor. Karen jumped at the sound of a shotgun blast. It was followed by a dozen more shots from a higher pitched weapon. Sounded like an M16. Somewhere downstairs, a woman screamed. Oh, Christ. Someone had shot at the feds!

Prayer at Rumayla earns spectacular review

May 07, 2007 07:21 AM

A few weeks ago I submitted Prayer at Rumayla: A Novel of the Gulf War for review to the Podler, a book review blog. Last night the review came back, and it was far better than I could have anticipated.

Republic: Chapter Six

May 04, 2007 08:21 AM

After she parked and began walking up the crowded street, two unfamiliar men in grey suits caught her attention. Both carried digital cameras and walked from vehicle to vehicle, taking photographs of the license plates. Karen stared in disbelief as the couple walking ahead of her noticed the two men and crossed the street to avoid encountering them. She stood watching the men as they went from car to car. Who the hell were they? Corporate security? Some kind of paid informants? With a burst of anger, she walked toward them.

OpSec trumps information operations

May 02, 2007 11:06 PM

Over the last several years, I've been a consistent reader of a number of military bloggers, as well as Iraqi bloggers, because I'm obsessed with the war and want to know what's actually happening on the ground. Over that time, much of what I read from both Iraqis and soldiers and marines serving in Iraq has had a deep impact on my views of the war.

Republic: Chapter Five

May 02, 2007 09:19 AM

“Well, for God’s sake, we’ve got to make people see it. The people in our district will be killed by this, with all the job losses in the last couple years. Even the high technology folks aren’t immune; Christ, my father got laid off along with everyone at his plant. He worked for his company for twenty years. His wife is dead, and he’s raising a son with a terminal illness that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to treat, and what will he do if this bill goes through? Don’t they understand what this will do to people?”

Republic: Chapter Four

Apr 30, 2007 03:14 PM

“Colonel Murphy.” Murphy looked up. One of the nurses. “Can you come to the desk for a moment, sir. We’ve got a small problem.” “Sure.” He followed her out to the desk. “Sir, I don’t know how to approach you with this—we got a call from the front office. They indicated your insurance coverage has been cancelled as of yesterday and that they will refuse to pay any claims.”

Prayer at Rumayla Podcast: Chapter Six, Part Two

Apr 28, 2007 10:45 AM

The second part of Chapter Six is now online

In this episode, Chet's company goes into combat at Battle Position 102 in Iraq, and Chet is reunited with his high school friend Julie.

Thinking Blogger

Apr 27, 2007 10:37 AM

To my surprise, Jen over at Did You Ever Get the Feeling has awarded me the Thinking Blogger Award. This came as a bit of a surprise, and may be a surprise to you as well considering that it was a month ago and I'm just now getting around to realizing what it's about...

Republic: Chapter Three (continued)

Apr 27, 2007 07:46 AM

Turville untied it, not thinking about what he was about to do, then walked toward the body, watching his step.

Jesus. She was exquisite: red hair splayed about, green eyes wide open, the dress gathered around her breasts; she looked like somebody’s prom date. It was creepy, looking at someone so beautiful lying there dead. Her skin was ivory pale.

Failure in Generalship

Apr 27, 2007 06:21 AM

Tom Ricks writes this morning in the Washington Post about a Army Lieutenant Colonel who has written a blistering attack on the Generals in our military in Armed Forces Journal.

Republic: Chapter Three (part one)

Apr 24, 2007 05:01 PM

“I didn’t sign up to be a single parent, you know.”

Knowing she was right, Morris couldn’t help biting back. “I guess you should have thought of that before you married an infantry officer.”

He turned away so he didn’t have to see her face harden; then marched upstairs to grab his always-packed alert bag. Her shout caught him by surprise.

“No, I should have thought of that before letting a drunk college boy get me pregnant!”

Prayer At Rumayla Podcast: Chapter Six, Part One

Apr 22, 2007 09:40 AM

The first part of Chapter Six is now online

In this episode, Chet arrives in New York City, searching for his high school friend Julie.

Republic: Chapter Two (Part Two)

Apr 20, 2007 09:22 AM

They said their goodbyes, and Murphy made his way out into the rain as the couple entered the unemployment office. In the car, he turned on the radio and heard the news: there had been a bombing in Arlington, Virginia, outside the Pentagon. Without a second thought, he dialed Valerie’s number in Washington.

America and shared sacrifice

Apr 18, 2007 11:20 PM

Not too long ago I made a couple of comments here pointing out the dissonance between those who serve in Iraq, who fight and die on our behalf, and those of who stay home...shopping. In light of the mass murder at Virginia Tech, and the ongoing carnage in Iraq, how is that a gap in blackberry service makes the front page of New York Times?

Republic: Chapter Two (1)

Apr 17, 2007 07:44 PM

She hung up the phone without replying. A dozen steps took her to Ambrose. “What is it?” He pointed at the television playing in the reception area. The words at the bottom of the screen told her all she needed to know: “Explosions at the Pentagon.”

Republic: Chapter One (continued)

Apr 16, 2007 08:11 AM

He looked around the crowded diner, and said, “This sure is going to hit Highview hard. Eight hundred families… I guess more than half the town worked at that plant.”

He didn’t finish the thought aloud. Desperate people tended to do desperate things.

Prayer at Rumayla Podcast: Chapter Five Part 3

Apr 15, 2007 10:08 AM

Thanks for stopping by, this is the final installment in chapter five.

In this episode, Chet Brown wakes up in jail and is confronted with a Vietnam veteran jailer who tries to talk him out of his despondency. In this chapter we also get the first real view of combat during the Gulf War.

Republic: Chapter 1, Part 1

Apr 15, 2007 08:23 AM

Murphy backed away from the fence. Half a dozen men stood on the hoods of two trucks, shouting at the plant manager’s back.

Murphy said in a tone he expected to be obeyed, “Captain Greenfield.” He motioned to Karen and they grabbed David by the arms. Murphy hadn’t been in an angry crowd like this since Iraq, and didn’t want to be in one now. This could get ugly real quick, and David didn’t need to be in the middle of it.

Republic: Prologue

Apr 14, 2007 09:52 AM

"Come on, old man, just give me the money," the man said. As he spoke, his whole body shuddered. Drug addict, Martha thought, Or he's really sick.

Walter grimaced. "All right, don't get your panties in a wad," he said, working the register. His eyes darted to Martha, then to something below the register.

With a smooth, quick motion, he reached beneath it and lifted a shotgun to his shoulder.

Republic: A Novel of America's Future

Apr 14, 2007 09:32 AM

Welcome to the America of the future: an intrusive federal government; economy going down the tubes; and terrorism, domestic and foreign, wracking our nation. In 2016 America has become a place of fear and suspicion. Terrorism and government crackdowns have brought on a cycle of spiraling inflation and unemployment. Basic civil liberties are at risk in a country changed, yet frighteningly familiar.

Chapter Five, Part Two now online

Apr 08, 2007 11:26 AM

Thanks for stopping by, this is the second installment in chapter five.

In this episode, Chet Brown arrives in a small town in West Virginia.

Welcome home

Apr 04, 2007 08:11 PM

Ok, so I'm a sucker. I've got two kids who get all bent out of shape when I take a day or two trip out of town once or twice a month. Hardly a sacrifice when I consider that for something like a million families have been separated from their loved ones for a year or more in his war, sometimes multiple times. When I think about what the military families in this country sacrifice -- especially knowing my nephew will soon be in the Marines -- it breaks my heart

What Does it feel like to kill?

Apr 04, 2007 12:00 AM

What does it feel like to kill?

For some reason, that question’s been on my mind a lot lately. With Chris going off into the Marine Corps later this year, it came up at my brother’s party last weekend. We were talking, and I said to him, “The one thing you have to be prepared for, is you may be put into a position where you have to kill someone.”

But what does that mean?

...More in the extended entry...

Chapter Five of Prayer at Rumayla Podcast now online

Apr 02, 2007 07:05 PM

Thanks for stopping by to check out chapter five. This is a long chapter and is split into three parts, with the first arriving this week.

At the beginning of chapter five, we find Chet Brown fleeing Atlanta after his disastrous meeting with his ex-fiance Amy and her new boyfriend Paul. We also begin to learn more about Chet's experience during the war.

Prayer at Rumayla eBook Now Available for Free Download

Apr 02, 2007 02:58 PM

Hello friends. I've mentioned here before that one of my projects for this year is a complete re-write and edit of my first novel, Prayer at Rumayla: A Novel of the Gulf War. As I work through it, it's become a very different work -- very different.

Another interesting bit from SWJ

Apr 01, 2007 11:22 PM

This is another interesting bit from Small Wars Journal:

Beyond a doubt our current administration has lost credibility with the American people (in both red and blue states) based on its inept management of the war. First there were no WMD, then the premature claim to victory, then denial that there was an insurgency, then there was no civil war, not to mention not having a plan for phase IV....

More below the fold...

Marines in Ramadi

Apr 01, 2007 09:58 AM

First, a brief bit of news. My nephew Christopher has been accepted in the United States Marine Corps, and swears in Monday. He's not sure when he'll leave for bootcamp, probably in June after he graduates high school. Sometimes it's hard to get my mind around that -- he was a toddler when I got home from Iraq. (more in the extended entry).

Prayer at Rumayla: Chapter Four now online

Mar 24, 2007 12:34 PM

Thanks for stopping by to check out chapter four. This chapter is 32 minutes, and follows Chet Brown as he struggles with his new platoon sergeant, then goes on leave and encounters his ex-fiance. That encounter is a major turning point in the book, but I won't get into how it turns out.

Wednesday Hero: Major Alan B. Rowe

Mar 21, 2007 07:12 AM

This Weeks Soldier Was Suggested By Jenn

Capt. Alan B. Rowe 35 years old from Hagerman, Idaho 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center September 3, 2004

Hometown Baghdad

Mar 20, 2007 06:57 AM

A few days ago I mentioned that the Hometown Baghdad project was coming along, with short films being produced about the lives of young Iraqis.

The first set of films are now online. More than worth checking out. Sadly, even though we're five years into the war, most Americans know little about Iraq and Iraqis. We can hope that this project -- which is being distributed for free online -- will help bridge that gap.

Check them out here.

Chapter Three (part two) finished

Mar 18, 2007 08:36 PM

Thanks again for stopping by to check out chapter three.

So far there have been several hundred downloads of the first two chapters, so I'd love to get some feedback from listeners. As I mentioned last time, I broke chapter three into two parts, because it came out to almost an hour. Part two is 24 minutes, and follows the arrival of a new platoon sergeant who shakes up Chet's platoon on his arrival.

Video trailer for Prayer at Rumayla

Mar 15, 2007 03:50 PM

So, lately a lot of publishers have been promoting their books with video trailers. Looking for your feedback here. Take a look, and please leave a comment! I may go through several iterations of this until it's right.

Hometown Baghdad

Mar 14, 2007 12:04 PM

Understanding what life is really like for Iraqis is critical. That's why I was so impressed when I found out about Hometown Baghdad, a short film series that is following the lives of a number of Iraqi 20-somethings. You can check out a preview here. Go see it.

 

Oops. Edited: I got a note from the producers, they aren't ready for the previews to be up yet. So, I've removed the link, but I'll post it again as soon as they are public!

 

Chapter Three (part one) of Prayer at Rumayla now online

Mar 13, 2007 09:51 AM

Thanks for stopping by to check out chapter three.

So far there have been several hundred downloads of the first two chapters, so I'd love to get some feedback from listeners. I've broken up chapter three into two parts, because it came out to almost an hour. Part one is 32 minutes, and follows Chet Brown as he returns to Fort Stewart and has to deal with the reality of a rapidly changing peacetime military.

Listen. Leave a comment. Tell a friend. That's all I ask. And I hope you enjoy it.

Troops getting screwed again

Mar 12, 2007 07:06 AM

If you don't read Mark Benjamin at Salon.com, you need to start. Today. For background, Mark is a former UPI reporter who has spent most of the last decade reporting on issues involving the troops and veterans. He's been a tireless supporter of the right thing, and originally wrote about the terrible conditions at Walter Reed more than two years before the Washington Post suddenly "broke" the story. There's more in the extended entry.

Finally, something I can agree on with Michelle Malkin

Mar 06, 2007 04:42 PM

I think I've mentioned before that I'm not a huge fan of Michelle Malkin. However, I'm sad to report that not only one, but two items on her blog recently caught my attention and I agreed with them. Maybe I'm getting older and more conservative (or older and slower) but it is important to keep an open mind. There's more:

Chapter Two of Prayer at Rumayla Podcast now online

Mar 05, 2007 11:07 AM

Thanks for stopping by to check out chapter two. Please note -- this chapter is not safe for children. It may not be safe for adults. It's been a couple years (more like five) since I've read it, and clearly I was, well.... Let's just say it's very explicit.

Audio Podcast: Prayer At Rumayla; A Novel of the Gulf War

Mar 01, 2007 09:29 PM

Over the next few weeks, I'll be reading Prayer at Rumayla: A Novel of the Gulf War in (most likely) nine episodes, one for each chapter plus the epilogue. It's a pretty short book, all in all, I'd anticipate about 4 hours (we'll see).

Title Woes

Mar 01, 2007 07:43 AM

One thing I've been putting off for more than three years is a decision about the title for "Murphy's War." I mean, obviously it has a title. But that's not the title I'm going to use for the final published form, because somebody beat me to it. Two somebodies, actually. The first, which I couldn't reasonably be expected to know about, is a 1971 book and movie starring Peter O'Toole. Given that I was born the same year it came out, well, who cares? More recently, a 2006 novel from Publish America used the same title.

Podiobooks -- authors distributing novels in podcasts

Mar 01, 2007 06:28 AM

This morning a post by M.J. Rose caught my eye -- a nice writeup in the New York Times about the growing phenomena of authors distributing their work in free podcasts.

Cover draft number 5

Feb 25, 2007 01:04 PM

This is another draft cover .... the photo is public domain, from Army public affairs. The theme is obvious.

And another one

Feb 24, 2007 06:53 PM

This is another variation on the same theme.

Cover art feedback

Feb 24, 2007 06:31 PM

Hello friends. Looking for some feedback on potential cover art for Murphy's War. Here's one of the possible covers. Please send some comments!

Sattelite photos

Aug 20, 2005 10:48 PM

Map

Aug 20, 2005 10:27 PM

Aerial photo of Ohashi camp

Aug 20, 2005 10:22 PM

I believe I've found the correct camp

Aug 20, 2005 10:10 PM

Too late

Aug 20, 2005 10:02 PM

Got the cable

Aug 20, 2005 09:40 PM

A trip to the archives

Aug 20, 2005 09:23 PM

A call from Texas

Aug 20, 2005 09:11 PM

The Lost Battalion

Aug 20, 2005 07:45 PM