Odds and Ends..............

Last night, the Commonwealth of Virginia put John Allen Muhammad to death for his part in the D.C. beltway sniper attacks. It would be simple enough to say good riddance to bad trash, but I couldn't help but think of the execution last night. I do have some questions in my mind about the death penalty. (the libertarian in me, no doubt) I have concerns that any group of people who can't run anything right (post office, V.A. and so on) have the power of life and death over convicted criminals. I have no doubts in my mind that some innocent people have been convicted and put to death for crimes they did not commit.

But I do also believe that the death penalty is justified and the right punishment for murder and other heinous crimes as long as there is no doubt whatsoever as to the guilt of the accused. There are some people who are so evil that they should not EVER be a part of humanity again. The problem with life imprisonment is that sometime it isn't for life. Here in N.C. we have about 20 people who are just about to get out of prison after receiving life sentences because they have received "good time" for behaving in prison.

I also think that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to criminals. I can guarantee you that John Allen Muhammad is about as deterred as he can get.

I just got back from attending a firearms instructor's conference at the North Carolina Justice Academy at Salemburg, I had a pretty good time, spent most of it attending armorer's classes. We worked on the Springfield Armory XD and it's 1911 clones and I am now a "certified armorer" whatever that means. Springfield puts out some fine weapons and if you are looking for a handgun, you could do a lot worse. However, they did do something that just "yanked my chain" Now most of you have no doubt figured out that I am old school to the max. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. So imagine my disgust when they handed me a 1911 and the first thing I saw was a safety lock inserted in the main spring housing. Yep, someone took the masterpiece of 'ol J.M. Browning and put a safety lock on it. You need a key to make it go "bang" Now you don't have to use the safety lock, but the very idea that someone felt the need to add one to one of the finest weapon`systems around just blows my mind. I guess it's a liability sop for the lawyers. (Damn 'em)

I also attended a seminar on Combat Mindset. It was a eye opening talk. The instructor challenged us to do a better job of preparing our trainees for combat, to train them to win, which we haven't been doing. Some of our terminology we use in training adds to this mindset such as the term, "To survive a gunfight" As the instruction said "Hell, you can be sitting in a wheelchair and eating your food through a straw and have survived, teach your people to WIN" We also talked about turning the "Me" generation into cops and the difficulties involved in doing that. The kids coming up into police work don't look at it as a avocation, but only a job. Most have NEVER even been in a school yard fight, so they do not have ANY concept of what it's like in the real world. So they don't react when they should and as a result get themselves or someone else killed. About 50 percent of the law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty never had the chance or took the opportunity to defend themselves. Unfortunately this trend may contiue or even get worse. I hope with all my heart not, but it doesn't look good.

November 10th 1918............

The war to end all wars ended at 11:00 A.M. on 11-11-18.

The guns fell silent worldwide in what until that time was the greatest bloodletting that ever been endured by mankind. The great nations of Europe were almost bled white by the losses of men and treasure. Great Britain, Germany, France and Russia lost almost an entire generation in the mud of the trenches. America came out fairly lightly, since we only entered the war in 1917, but our losses were significant if it was one of your loved ones who fell. America suffered 116,516 K.I.A.s and 204,002 W.I.A.

Armistice Day as it was called was changed by the Federal Government in 1954 to Veteran's Day to honor the service of all of America's Veterans. I think it is fitting and proper that this was done, since we already commemorate Memorial Day on which we honor those who have sacrificed their lives in the service of their country. Even though we do it on a day that commemorates the end of a war, in a way, it's a celebration of those who made it and survived. So go out of your way to thank a vet today. They earned it.

An in memory of those warriors who died in the period 1914-1918 I enclose the following epithet written on the tombstone of a British Soldier in Normandy,

"The King called, he answered. The King of Kings called, he answered."

Happy Birthday Marines................

My admiration for the entire U.S. Military knows no bounds, but I must admit that I have a special affection for the naval service, to include the Marine Corps. The U.S. Marines have a proud and storied history that dates back to November 10th 1775. I can't speak as well as others about the Corps so I will let others both Marine and Non-Marine speak in my place.

"A Marine should be sworn to the patient endurance of hardships, like the ancient knights; and it is not the least of these necessary hardships to have to serve with sailors."
- Field Marshal Montgomery

"Teufelhunden! (Devil Dogs)" -GERMAN SOLDIER'S nickname for the Marines they fought at BELLEAU WOOD in World War I

"The American Marines are terribly reckless fellows...they would make very good storm troopers."
- Unidentified captured German officer at Belleau Wood

"Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?" -GySgt. DANIEL DALY, USMC winner of two Congressional Medals of Honor (One of the Marines facing the above Germans)

"I have only two out of my company and 20 out of some other company. We need support, but it is almost suicide to try to get it here as we are swept by machine gun fire and a constant barrage is on us. I have no one on my left and only a few on my right. I will hold."
- 1stLt Clifton B. Cates, USMC, 96th Co., Another Marine the above Germans were facing at Belleau Wood.

"Marines are about the most peculiar breed of human beings I have ever witnessed. They treat their service as if it was some kind of cult, plastering their emblem on almost everything they own, making themselves up to look like insane fanatics with haircuts to ungentlemanly lengths, worshiping their Commandant almost as if he was a god, and making weird animal noises like a band of savages. They'll fight like rabid dogs at the drop of a hat just for the sake of a little action, and are the cockiest SOB's I have ever known. Most have the foulest mouths and drink well beyond man's normal limits, but their high spirits and sense of brotherhood set them apart and , generally speaking, of the United States Marines I've come in contact with, are the most professional soldiers and the finest men I have had the pleasure to meet."

- An Anonymous Canadian Citizen

Gone to Florida to fight the Indians. Will be back when the war is over.
Colonel Commandant Archibald Henderson, USMC
in a note pinned to his office door, 1836

You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth- and the amusing thing about it is that they are.
Father Kevin Keaney
1st Marine Division Chaplain
Korean War

The wonderful love of a beautiful maid,
The love of a staunch true man,
The love of a baby, unafraid,
Have existed since time began.

But the greatest of loves, The quintessence of loves.
even greater than that of a mother,
Is the tender, passionate, infinite love,
of one drunken Marine for another.

"Semper Fidelis"
General Louis H. Wilson
Commandant of the Marine Corps
Toast given at 203rd Marine Corps Birthday Ball
Camp Lejueune, N.C. 1978

I would like to close this post with a transcription of a letter written in 1800 by the Second Commandant of the Marine Corps W.W. Burrows to a young Marine Lt. who had been insulted by a naval officer.

Camp at Washing., Sept. 22, 1800

Lt. Henry Caldwell

Sir----

When I answer'd your letter, I did not Know what Injuries you had recieved on board the Trumbull....Yesterday the Secretary told me, that he understood one of the Lieutenants of the Navy had struck you. I lament that the Capt. of yr ship cannot Keep Order of her.......As to yourself I can only say, that a Blow ought never be forgiven, and without you wipe this Insult offer'd to the Marine Corps, you cannot expect to join our Officers.

I have permitted you to leave the ship.........That you may be on a equal Footing with the Captain, or any one who dare insult you or the Corps. I have wrote to Capt. Carmick, who is at Boston to call on you & be your friend. He is a Man of Spirit and will take care of you, but don't let me see you 'till you have wip'd away this Disgrace. It is my Duty to support my Officers and I will do it with my Life, but they must deserve it.

On board the Ganges, about 12 months ago, Lt. Gale was struck by an Officer of the Navy, the Capt. took no notice of the Business and Gale got no satisfaction on the Cruise; The moment he arrived he call'd the Lieut. out, and shot him; afterwards Politeness was restor'd.....

Yr obdt Svt,

W. W. Burrows

Lt. Col. Comdt, MC

U.S.S. New York..............

The U.S.S. New York (LPD-21) was commissioned today. May the blessings and protection of God be with the men and women who sail on her and may the crew and ship always enjoy fair seas and following winds.

"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way."
John Paul Jones

Ft. Hood

I don't think I can add anything worthwhile to what has already been said about this tragedy. I.M.H.O. I think that there should be one heck of a lot less speculation about the case until all the facts are in but I will make two observations.

First, were the powers that be asleep at the wheel? With all the statements he made, all his well documented actions, the shooter should have been under close surveillance at a bare minimum. Or was the military so scared of allegations racial profiling or giving the perception of being unfair that they ignored a bunch of red flags? Of course, hindsight is always 20/20 and it's real easy to second guess the folks on the scene, but damn, something went horribly wrong and we need to do some serious damage control here.

Second, I just can't get my head around what this treasonous dog did. I am not talking about his violating his oath before God, nor his oath to his country. Even worse, he violated a compact with his fellow soldiers. As a officer it was his duty to take care of the soldiers under his command, in return his soldiers take care of him. This has always been a understanding between soldiers since time immortal. To coldly murder your fellow soldiers because of religious or political beliefs is beyond the pale in my mind.

This sorry excuse for a human being should receive a exceedingly fair trial and the absolute finest legal representation available. Cost should be no object. Then when he is convicted, he should be sentenced to death. Once the sentence is carried out, his body should be wrapped in a pig skin, covered in quick lime and buried in a unmarked grave. Then all record of his name and history should be expunged never to be remembered again.

Today in History...............

In 1605...................

A early morning search of the cellars of the English Parliament building led to the discovery of 36 barrels of gunpowder and a man with slow match, and fuses. The man identified as Guido (Guy) Fawkes freely admitted that it was his intention to set off the fuse so that the powder when it exploded would destroy the House of Lords, all it's members, as well as King James the 1st who would be present. Fawkes was the "triggerman" of a plot by a group of Catholics who decided that the restrictions placed on their faith by the Parliament was too much to bear so they plotted the assassinations. Fawkes co-conspirators were quickly rounded up and "put to the question" (A term for torture) The net that the English government tossed out brought in quite a few priest, catholic laymen and others that might have been trouble to the King. Unfortunately there were innocent as well as guilty taken in. It did however crush for the time any attempts to restore the Catholic faith as the primary religion in England.

Today in England they still commemorate this event by searching the cellars of Parliament before it's opening as well as with the burning of the Guy. Children make life size dummies, place them on street corners and beg pennies from passers-by to buy fireworks. When darkness fell, the dummies were paraded in the neighborhoods then burned in bonfires to the accompaniment of fireworks, songs and chants. Up until recently, there was a VERY strong Anti-Catholic bias to the celebration which has been somewhat toned downed. I will close this post with a poem that was chanted during the burning of the Guy.

Remember, remember, the Fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason, and plot!
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent
To blow up King and Parliament.
Threescore barrels of powder below
To prove old England's overthrow.

By God's mercy, he was catch'd,
With dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa, boys, holloa, boys, make the bells ring.
Holloa, boys, holloa, boys, God save the King!
Hip, hip, huzzah!



A penny loaf to feed the Pope
A farthing o' cheese to choke him.
A pint of beer to rinse it down.
A faggot of sticks to burn him.

Burn him in a tub of tar.
Burn him like a blazing star.
Burn his body from his head.
Then we'll say ol' Pope is dead.
Hip hip hoorah! Hip hip hoorah hoorah!

Today in History.................

In 1862..............

North Carolina's own, Richard Gatling received a patent for the multiple barreled repeating firearm which bears his name. The basic design of the Gatling lives on in the main weapon of the A-10 aircraft as well as the various chain guns floating around out there.

In 1922...............

British archeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the Egyptian boy King Tutankhamen. The tomb which had been missed by looters, unlike most tombs was for the most part undisturbed. When Carter peered into the tomb through a small hole he had punched through the door, he was asked what he saw. He could only reply "Wonderful Things!!!" The artifacts that he recovered still delight and amaze the public to this day.

And for you old timers out there, the discovery also helped with the popularity of a young comedian named Steve Martin.....

In 1956...............

Overwhelming numbers of Russian armored vehicles and troops rolled into Hungary to begin crushing the anti-communist uprising that had began on October 23. Fighting continued until November 10 at which time resistance stopped. Over 200,000 Hungarians became refugees before the Soviets sealed the borders leaving their homes, friends and families to live in freedom.

In 1979................

The American Embassy in Tehran, Iran was take over by radical students who were by most accounts, controlled and directed by the Islamic government of Iran. 52 of the staff and diplomats that worked in the embassy were taken hostage and held for 444 days. The Iranians released the hostages almost to the minute that Ronald Reagan assumed the office of President of the United States.