Manns Medium

For those Marines who survived this “supposedly hazing, assaults and physical abuse” when it was thought to be the best way to train and condition Marines so that they would be better able to survive wars and what they saw in them as well as survive longer in a prisoner of war (POW) camp than those not exposed to this type of training, we say now how much of a wimp those who now cry when their little bitty feelings get hurt are draining this nation of macho men with balls.  We now use this as the reason so many are committing suicide and begging to get out once they get in or refusing to even joins in the first place.  We do this because we survived it and if we can survive it, then those in the news crying like a little bitty baby should be able to survive it as well but what we miss is that not everyone is like us and to hold ourselves as perfect examples of how others should act is definitely a clear definition of arrogance.  So are we now to display Marines as arroga...

We understand that some of you wish nothing more than to help and reduce the burden this disorder has on those that they occupy but before you can help, you must first understand just what is happening to that person you love so much and would give anything to help but can’t.  First you must realize that it is not all about you and stop thinking that you are failing because you can’t help.  It is and always will be about the person suffering but when you switch it and make it all about you, the help that you could have given is no longer welcomed by the one who is doing the suffering.  If you wish to help, I mean truly want to help then listen closely as I tell you what you can do. First get over yourself and realize that only those who want help will take it and not everyone who asks for help really want it.  The best you can do in this situation is to listen without judging and without conversation.  Just listen as they talk because the more they talk the...

The Islamic State rose into power not because of what they did but because of the sudden and great interest shown by the public about them and what they were all about.  It’s troop levels grew because of the lack of richness in the country, the lack of advancement of its society, the lack of leadership within its ranks and most importantly because of a few who saw an opportunity to get rich quick by jumping on the “infidels bandwagon”.  They used the fear of the people to accept them and grant them overlords to the sparse freedoms that they had.  We made them larger than life by all the reporting and the touting of their power.  Countries trembled at the very mention of their name and citizens turned on one another to avoid their deadly rampage but what many forgot and only a few knew, the Islamic State is just like any other organization in the world.  You hit them hard and heavy with a consistency that only a country like the United States can.  You hit ...

An article titled “ Minnesota man accused of conspiring to help Islamic State ” written by Jeff Baenen for the Associated Press details how another Minnesota man was captured by FBI and charged with conspiring to help the Islamic State.  It reports that “ Another Minnesota man has been charged with conspiring to help the Islamic State.  Abdirizak Mohamed Warsame, 20, of Eagan was charged Wednesday by criminal complaint with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.  Court documents allege Warsame tried to help other young men from Minnesota's Somali community travel to Syria to fight for the Islamic State. Nine others in that group have already been charged, authorities say.  According to an FBI special agent's affidavit, one man who was planning to leave for Syria appointed Warsame to replace him as "emir," or leader, of the group. "As the new emir, Warsame immediately encouraged those with passports and money to travel to Syri...

The majority of American veterans do not wish a “hand-out” or to be dependent upon anyone except themselves but today’s “go-getters” seem determined to ignore the veteran’s need for dignity and think that just by throwing money at them, they will soon melt away.  Many “go-getters” seemed determined to not fix the problems faced by veterans because what would they have to run on if they do.  Much that could be done to restore a veteran’s dignity and possible reduce suicides, homelessness and high unemployment among the very group many claim to support, is not being done and one has got to wonder why.  This desire to just sit on your hands and complain instead of doing all that you can do to make real change has now infected many who served or are currently serving.  Consider these situations:  A Marine with over 9 years in Law Enforcement is seems not as an equal to a civilian with 3 years.  The civilian will be featured first for any top job within law e...

For years now veterans have been complaining that civilians does not get the mindset of a vet and some have went as far as to plug in former military members in certain section of their businesses hoping to put an end to that argument.  Still the issues of vets seem to survive and many even multiply and grow larger than they once were.  The newest crop of veteran’s organization has stepped up to solve one or more of the issues but still cannot seem to make a dent in the much larger issue.  The largest issue is the missing link between military life and the civilian world.  The largest issue is losing that “ Esprit  de Corps” that many feel when they serve with a group of others that they know will have their backs or watch their six.  The largest issue is hearing that there is support of the troops but failing to see this support in the area most needed and the key to their transition.  The veteran needs to see, touch and feel that support that has gu...

I used to be a little confused as to why some veterans took offense to people thanking them for their service then I read this article and it hit me like a ton of bricks.  The article is titled “ The biggest and most disruptive layoffs in America are coming from the military ” written by Lydia DePillis in it we learn that “ The Army has already discharged 80,000 troops. The next 40,000 will be harder, especially for the communities that depend on them.  As troops poured into the Army base at Fort Drum, the rural area developed at a breakneck pace. With help from state tax breaks, developers built 3,800 units of brand-new housing and 600 hotel rooms. Troops depended on the local hospital system, which received $100 million in upgrades. The school system took on thousands more students. In an area where the last big industry — paper mills — had disappeared decades ago, the infusion of people and cash was welcome.  Now, however, the citizens of Jefferson County are bracing ...

We could all see this day coming, at least those who were not so enamored with ISIL/ISIS.  We all knew that the bombings were going to eventually have the intended affect even if our own media would not admit or report it.  We knew that they day would come when Muslims would finally get tired of being associated with ISIL/ISIS and their way of damaging the religion.  We knew that eventually, those who truly have the power to rid this planet of ISIL/ISIS would finally step up and do so; all we needed to do is show and demonstrate a little faith.  We knew this and I think this article by Jacob Siegel titled “ The Real Target of ISIS’s Child-Soldier Execution Video ” proves it. The article reports “The latest ISIS shock tactic—using a young boy to shoot at point-blank range a ‘spy’ for Israel—is aimed at stifling internal dissent amid reported infighting and losses in Iraq.  In ISIS’s ongoing war in Iraq and Syria, the group regularly publicizes its killing of...

As a retired U.S. Marine who served from 1981 till 1991, I am amazed at how often those with thoughts of revisiting the Christian Crusades occupy our control centers when it comes to saber rattling, fear mongering and cowboy justice.  I am amazed because I wish to think that we have hired the best and the brightest to occupy the seats of government and therefore wonder how so many could be led by the nose by those who have little to no risk involved in the decisions that they push or make. In an article titled “Netanyahu Warns Congress Iran Deal Guarantees Nuclear Arms ” written by Jonathan Ferziger for Bloomberg News, Mr. Ferziger reports that “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, directly challenging President Barack Obama in a speech to U.S. lawmakers, said an emerging agreement with Iran would backfire and ensure the Islamic Republic gains a nuclear arsenal.  “That deal would not prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons -- it would all but guarantee that Ira...

I keep hearing of some who wishes to push this idea that those within the ISIL camp may have a legitimate reason for hating America and The West but still cannot find it within my heart to accept such a premises.  I find it hard because I know of so many more groups and sections of people who have a much more legitimate case for hating America but will never turn to joining a group which seems bent on destruction instead of construction. Those who pushes ISIL justification say that it is because America invaded their sovereign country and killed their citizens but correct me if I am wrong, did not those who appear to be at the head of this group not invade other countries?  These justified saints are not being bombed because they peacefully protested their leaders and murdered no innocents.  These justified saints are not ordained by higher power with the rights and authority to bully, intimidate and kill those who may stand in opposition of them.  These justifi...

So many are frustrated and confused as to what we have to do to defeat ISIL and many are considering that all that is necessary is to cut off the head of the snake but today, it has occurred to me that this is and never will be the way ISIL will ever get defeated.  Some are correct that military force is necessary but it will never end them.  Some are correct that it will take a diplomatic answer to solve this issue but that alone is also not the case.  So with that, quite a few are confused and frustrated so they lash out at anyone or anything else that is marginally offensive to them in order to find a place for their frustrated-laced anger.  So what do we do?  First we need to understand the problem before we can find the solution. The first thing, I think we need to teach ourselves is ISIL is not one main operating group but a series of self-lead branches which follow their own brand of justice.  The overall message may be the same but the actions ...

I was wondering when big oil was going to launch their fight to convince people that they should demand higher gas prices so that they could get back to making record profits but I did not think a CIA Insider would be used to initiate that effort.  I would have thought some bought-off politician would have been the spark that started the fuse but I guess it goes to show, big oil is not afraid to use whatever and whomever they must to achieve their goals. I get this from reading and article titled “ CIA Insider: “Forget Iran, Iraq, Ukraine, and Syria this is where WWIII will start ” which appears on Keith Fitzgerald’s website Total Wealth Research.com which states “Should the rise of conflicts across the Middle East and Ukraine serve as a warning sign that something much more dangerous is approaching?  According to Jim Rickards, the CIA’s Asymmetric Warfare Advisor, the answer is yes.  In a startling interview he reveals that all 16 U.S. Intelligence Agencies have beg...

Not many ordinary Americans can say that they were the key to finally  bringing  down ISIL but a Texas man may just be the key that authorities have been looking for  to finally dismantle the group.  Much is known about ISIL but still more could be learned.  It was always rumored that their financing came from several cloaked and dagger institution and individuals but this slight oversight by those who have terrorized many may just be that loose thread. In an article titled ” Texas Plumber Isn't Sure How Extremists In Syria Ended Up With His Work Truck ” by Ryan Grenoble for The Huffington Post, it is reported that “a Texas plumber says he has no idea how his company's work truck ended up in the hands of Islamic extremists in Syria. The truck, a black Ford F-250 with the logo for Texas City's Mark-1 Plumbing emblazoned on the door, appeared in a tweet posted Monday by the Ansar al-Deen Front, a jihadist group operating near Aleppo. In the photo, a man ...

It is widely reported that the primary foundational text for Islam, the Quran, tells its followers that there are no intermediaries between God and the individual but countries hell-bent on controlling those that they govern does not wish this to be so.  They have been fooling Muslims for so long now and have racked up wealth beyond belief that to have it questioned now means extreme measures must be taken.  According to an article written by Caryle Murphy for GlobalPost titled “ Atheism explodes in Saudi Arabia, despite state-enforced ban ” the time has come where many who were supposed to be leading people to God are driving them away.  Man may believe that it is okay to live in mansions and have more money than they could ever spend while their fellow human beings struggle to make a decent living but it is becoming even clearer to many that this is not God’s way at all.  Finally, we are beginning to see that what is proclaimed to be God’s will has been easily dis...

In this era of people using religion to hide behind while they commit acts not recognized as decent and good by any Bible, I thought I could never be amazed at the lengths Satan would go but I learned today that I was wrong. In an article titled “ Jihadis take their kids to war; moms fight back” it is being reported that what “started out as a father-and-son trip to Kosovo's western mountains in July. It turned into a months-long ordeal for an 8-year-old boy who was taken to war-torn Syria by his jihadi father.”  It was further reported that “Extremists in Syria are apparently encouraging jihadis traveling to join them to bring children, intent upon proving they can establish an Islamic caliphate, compete with devout families. In addition to the fighters who sometimes bring their children, teenage girls and young women from Europe and elsewhere have been targeted for jihad and ultimately enlisted to help in babysitting, according to interviews with security officials and famil...

No matter how many times I say this, it appears to go unheard in our massive but small community of readers and seekers of knowledge.  One can only assume that those who need to read articles like this are not or are simply refusing to accept what is said. The question still remains the confusion of how a group that many call a group of rag-tag radicals can operate in such an efficient military manner.  There are those who still cannot fathom how this is possible.  Well once again, let us attempt to make it clear.  You can operate in an efficient military manner if you are able to secure and enlist the help of those with military proficiency in their background.  All you need to do is offer them enough money to sell you their very souls and even give up their lives.  See, many who fight for ISIL or other groups, do not truly care about their philosophy, they only care about the number of trips to the bank that they can make.  The old saying “eve...

For some time now, I have been a very vocal critic of the Veteran’s Administration, not because what they refused to do but for the things that they have not done.  With the news today, I may have to re-think my stiff opposition to their procedures and step back enough to see that in many places where I feel they have failed, there are those that they appear to have either taken the lead. Where they appear to have taken the lead is found in this article from the VA Office of Economic Opportunity in which they report that “the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry (UA), who launched the Veterans in Piping (VIP) accelerated welding training program in 2008.  This program, which began in Washington State, trains and certifies Veterans to meet union standards for welding.  The VIP program is truly a grassroots effort comprised of local educational institutions, equipment suppliers, partner contractors, and support from ...

For years, I have been advised not to speak on a subject that I have no knowledge in, no experience with or no idea of.  I heard these suggestions and for many things, they were right.  I would often find myself speaking about something that I did not educate myself about before opening that hole underneath my nose.  I've gotten much better at that now but this same truth should hold for those who are supposed to be much better informed that the public on these matters.  Should not this also apply to them and when they get it wrong, backwards or just plain flub the whole thing,  shouldn't  others correct that mistake? For you to make more sense about that to which I speak, I am talking about the constant armchair quarterbacking of the ISIL strategy.  Many are talking about what someone else is doing wrong but none of them pointing out the failing of the other person are making any effort to search for a solution themselves.  Th...

It is always been a question as to where all these radical groups who truly hate America came from.  Now the homegrown ones, we know when, how and why they were created but the mystery about foreign haters always perplexed us that are until now. The extreme hatred of this nation can be traced back 31 years beginning with the  Beirut  Bombing when the Honorable Ronald Reagan was in the White House, George H.W. Bush was by his side and Richard (Dick) Cheney was in his ear.  Want proof of what I say, consider this. Prior to October 23 rd , 1983, President  Reagan  had Okayed shelling from the waters of Lebanon villages without discretion.  Killing women and children because he wanted to “teach them a lesson”.  The brains of the administration decided to give those angered by this shelling a target so they sent over Marines to act as peace keepers, tying their hands and making the Rules of Engagement policy so tight tha...

For some time now, people like John McCain and Lindsey Graham has been trying desperately to push this country into another long, drawn-out war in the Middle East.  A war, I must say, in which they will not have an active role in and have to dodge one bullet but will see the less that 1 percent having to re-engage if for no other reason than strictly political and try to make up for the lies that many helped spread to get us into Iraq in the first place. Some have avoided catering to their egos but still there are those who just can’t seem to help but seek their advice when it comes to things dealing with war as if their bad judgment of the past meant nothing.  The thousands of American lives lost do not seem to bother those who run straight to those cheerleaders.  Now Lindsey Graham is screaming like a little school girl who got her scarf caught in the car door as the vehicle was pulling off.  He’s saying that ISIL needs to be dealt with before they come over h...