I really wish things would move along faster in our current struggle against the insurgents and Al Qaeda thugs in Iraq. Based on that, I have a few humble suggestions that should be considered.
1. Body Armor: As our valiant Democratic leadership has pointed out, the current administration just doesn't care how well protected our troops are. The current Interceptor Body Armor with ESAPI plates only covers about 30% of the vital areas of our soldiers. Luckily, the current armor does have back plates, which helps with the Democratic leadership because it ensures our forces stay safe while retreating. We really need a new body armor solution that provides plate coverage over 100% of their bodies. That way, Nancy Pelosi can rest assured that our forces are 100% protected, even when kneeling and groveling while apologizing for our unnecessary war of aggression. In addition, recent Al Qaeda terrorist attacks have included the use of chlorine gas, so a fully encapsulated helmet with a built in gas mask would be ideal. To save money on procurement, we should not produce this armor in sizes for short troopers.
2. Camouflage: The Army has moved to the ACU pattern, which seems to be only effective if our soldiers try to hide inside discount fabric stores or retail furniture outlets. In all honesty though, fratricide is often as big a killer as anything else, so we should just give up on camouflage altogether, and ensure our new battle armor comes with a glossy white finish. That way, it will be obvious where our guys are at, so we don’t accidentally drop some JDAMS on them. This will also help the press and Iraqi stringers working for Rueters/Al Qaeda more easily identify our troops so we can get maximum press coverage for the rest of the war.
3. Weapons: Our current force uses M-4's and M-16/A4's. While moderately decent, they are not near bad ass enough to inspire instant fear in our foes. Many want to move back to a 7.62mm round, but that makes for much higher ammo bulk (much better stopping power though). What is really needed is a rifle capable of hurling bolts of plasma thousands of times (say the length of 3-6 full cinema length movies) without ever needing to be reloaded. These weapons should also be small, in case our special forces ever need to establish a counter insurgency in an area populated by boreal 3 foot tall teddy bear looking critters. For max shock and awe, their beams should be either red or blue, depending on which side they are being used by (we should establish a Geneva convention process for determining who gets each color in any conflict). Finally, these "blaster" rifles should be fully capable of being "set for stun," so that National Guard units will be capable of state mobilizations to slap down hippies in any major future protests.
4. Vehicles: Our vehicles are simply too close to the ground, which makes IED's and EFP's much too effective. We need to develop a method to eliminate this threat, by creating armored transports that actually use giant mechanical legs to walk above the ground. We could have little two legged ones for the cavalry scouts and big huge four legged ones to replace the bradleys in our heavy mechanized units. We should set up a test range in Antarctica for these new systems, so we can ensure they can be tested in the toughest conditions on Earth, someplace where the odds of survival for a lone human at night is like 260,000:1, depending on which R2 unit you ask.
5. Respect: Like or not, our front line commanders in Iraq are looked at as sheiks by the local community. Unfortunately, fear is a very important motivator in the Arab world, and to be honest, when a battalion commander goes to a meeting with the locals, he needs to be feared and respected. "Lieutenant Colonel" or "Red Devil-6" just don't cut it folks. From now on, the US Army needs to replace the name of the rank 0-5, "Lieutenant Colonel," with the new rank "Darth."
6. Naval Power Projection: While most would agree that the Nimitz class aircraft carrier is 90,000 tons of American diplomacy, nobody in Iran or Pakistan seems to be listening to our F/A-18 laced entendre. What is really needed is a fully functional battle station, capable of destroying worlds. Say, something that would look like a small moon to a burned out cultist in brown robes. In addition, the contracts to produce this "Death Star" should be an exclusive non-foreign bid, with extra care to make sure that Boskans are NEVER allowed work on the contract, PERIOD.
7. National Command Authority: Unlike most, I don't have a lot of beef with President Bush. However, I am getting tired of him get beat to a pulp by his "loyal" opposition and the way, way, way too conservative National Press. He keeps getting roughed up bad, and simply shrugs with that "golly gee, shucks, I still ain't gonna leave Iraq" look on his face. Once more, I'm down with that, but the chummy, down home Mr Nice Guy shit needs to end. Our president needs to embrace the dark side, become a Sith Lord, and be able to hurl blue lightning bolts while choking out Senator Harry Reed from across the room. When some French diplomat or Palestinian envoy tries talking some crap about the Middle East Peace process, he can always retort, "you don't realize the power of the dark side. Now release your anger!" If he could replace the Vice President with an acrobatic, dual sword wielding demon with an 8th dan in Tae Kwon Do, then that would be an added bonus.
… or we could buck up and decide to win, realizing that soldiers win wars, not gadgets, and our soldiers are true warriors that WILL win.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Current Events, July 2007
1) I guess you learn something every day. I always knew Dennis Kucinich was not exactly my favorite politician. Reading through Drudge today, I find out not only is he a vegan (not a science fiction alien, actually a person who won't eat any animal related product, ie meat, cheese, milk, baby seal pudding, etc), but he just got checked into the hospital for food poisoning. The rich irony here, is that if one was to visit PETA's website, it is full of great reading material that insists how superior a vegan diet is. Yummy, pass me the 100% organic tofu faux bologna. Not. Sorry guys, I'll stick to my totally macked out on steroids and antibiotics chicken breasts and genetically engineered grains. It's more nutricious, actually has less chance of leading to food poisoning, and is more efficient on land use. I am green, but only where it counts, the bottom line.
2) On a related note, I am glad the Al Gore has done so well for mother Earth that he has earned the right to serve a threatened species at his daughter's wedding (that's Chilean Sea Bass). I got in a fight with wifey when I said most of the people at the live aid concert were hyprocrits and charlatans. I wonder what would make me think that way. I give up. I have three wonderful daughters though, so I am already making my plans. The oldest shall have sea turtle stew, the middlest shall have a delicious baked manatee florentine with basil and red wine sauce, and the youngest shall have rosticery bald eagle topped with a wonderful truffle and white wine reduction.
3) Sub-Prime: The market is still getting very scared about the sub-prime mortgage issue. It has definately put a crimp on the major investment banks, and my Goldman Sachs position is suffering. Funny thing is, they are still making boatloads of money. Still, perception is reality on the street.
4) My boy Hugo Chavez is using his fat petro bucks to double down on even more Russian military equipment. In this case, Kilo class subs and maybe some better air defense systems. My odd prediction for the future is a post Castro revolution that will be opposed by Chavez and we will have a nice little miniature conflict in the Carribean in five years. Don't worry though, it won't last real long.
5) Big hands for our men and women overseas. The surge is going very well militarily. You never hear that on the news. I actually read one account of Jarheads in Ramadi getting bored becuase its so quiet. The progress in Al Anbar (my old stomping grounds) is astounding. The rat lines in from Syria are now a much less important threat. Arrowhead Ripper is winding down too. Mike Yon has had some excellent coverage and predicts the next hotspot will be Mosul, as the only major area where the bad guys might regroup. Keep an eye on the Balad to Mosul corridor. Keep an eye on the Strykers too, our modern day street-fighters.
1) I guess you learn something every day. I always knew Dennis Kucinich was not exactly my favorite politician. Reading through Drudge today, I find out not only is he a vegan (not a science fiction alien, actually a person who won't eat any animal related product, ie meat, cheese, milk, baby seal pudding, etc), but he just got checked into the hospital for food poisoning. The rich irony here, is that if one was to visit PETA's website, it is full of great reading material that insists how superior a vegan diet is. Yummy, pass me the 100% organic tofu faux bologna. Not. Sorry guys, I'll stick to my totally macked out on steroids and antibiotics chicken breasts and genetically engineered grains. It's more nutricious, actually has less chance of leading to food poisoning, and is more efficient on land use. I am green, but only where it counts, the bottom line.
2) On a related note, I am glad the Al Gore has done so well for mother Earth that he has earned the right to serve a threatened species at his daughter's wedding (that's Chilean Sea Bass). I got in a fight with wifey when I said most of the people at the live aid concert were hyprocrits and charlatans. I wonder what would make me think that way. I give up. I have three wonderful daughters though, so I am already making my plans. The oldest shall have sea turtle stew, the middlest shall have a delicious baked manatee florentine with basil and red wine sauce, and the youngest shall have rosticery bald eagle topped with a wonderful truffle and white wine reduction.
3) Sub-Prime: The market is still getting very scared about the sub-prime mortgage issue. It has definately put a crimp on the major investment banks, and my Goldman Sachs position is suffering. Funny thing is, they are still making boatloads of money. Still, perception is reality on the street.
4) My boy Hugo Chavez is using his fat petro bucks to double down on even more Russian military equipment. In this case, Kilo class subs and maybe some better air defense systems. My odd prediction for the future is a post Castro revolution that will be opposed by Chavez and we will have a nice little miniature conflict in the Carribean in five years. Don't worry though, it won't last real long.
5) Big hands for our men and women overseas. The surge is going very well militarily. You never hear that on the news. I actually read one account of Jarheads in Ramadi getting bored becuase its so quiet. The progress in Al Anbar (my old stomping grounds) is astounding. The rat lines in from Syria are now a much less important threat. Arrowhead Ripper is winding down too. Mike Yon has had some excellent coverage and predicts the next hotspot will be Mosul, as the only major area where the bad guys might regroup. Keep an eye on the Balad to Mosul corridor. Keep an eye on the Strykers too, our modern day street-fighters.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Investment Update
OK, due to the requests of my vast readership, I am recommitting to posting quality opinion, analysis, and bullshit. I have been busy of late, mostly concentrating on work, military duties, and investing. Based on that, I shall take this time to give you an update on my opinion of the economy and investing.
Outlook: Wow, a lot of things are turning around. We are seemingly in a bit of a Bull Market. I am a little more in cash than I wish (about 25%), mostly because I have taken some profit and was a little slow putting money back to work. I took advantage of this week's fast bear raid on the big boards was a good chance to do some quick buying. I think we are generally in a growth cycle, however, I am very wary of discretionary spending businesses right now. It looks like the consumer is getting beat down a little, but business are using strong balance sheets and relatively low interest to start buying and there is a lot of growth overseas. I think oil will peak out in a few weeks and then sell off, unless WWIII breaks out in the Persian Gulf.
Sectors Snap: I like Oil and Gas Services, Technology (Devices, Software and Storage), Some Staples, Industrials, Investment Banking. I like defense and energy as well, but think a little caution should be shown, as they could turn pretty fast. I don't like healthcare, discretionary spending (resturants, retailers, etc), autos, or airlines.
How I have fared: First off, GSK was my big loser, getting popped with the Advnadia scare. I have lost some here and am using current strength of the broad market to get out gracefully. Big winners: UL (who woulda thunk), VZ, SLB, and CBAK. I am looking to move out of GD because of limited up side and move into CRDN. I am still trying to figure out how much I want to keep my GE stock. It's good as healthcare diagnostics, aircraft engines, and oil/gas infrastructure are big plays with a very global GE, but CAT and some other players are looking nice too and I can't lose diversification. I have recently picked up some NTAP to help ride the tech rally a bit and am also trying to start building a position with ADM, which should be very profitable with lower corn prices and higer gas prices. I am still building a position in Goldman Sachs. I am a little embarrased by my current MSFT position, and I have played around with HPT (a Hotel REIT), but have decided I don't want to do the effort to keep my analysis up on that stock so I will be selling it off. I might start a position in CVS or RAD to take over GSK funds. I am selling my oil (USO) off slowl as it rallies, having not made my mind up what to do with that cash as yet.
Overall Strategy: "Foot half in the grave" I want some strong growth by getting behind some serious momentum picks (SLB, ADM, VLO, CRDN, NTAP, GS), while keeping some of my defensive plays on the table because I still think things can turn (UL, CVS or RAD, VZ, GE). I'll keep you posted.
Outlook: Wow, a lot of things are turning around. We are seemingly in a bit of a Bull Market. I am a little more in cash than I wish (about 25%), mostly because I have taken some profit and was a little slow putting money back to work. I took advantage of this week's fast bear raid on the big boards was a good chance to do some quick buying. I think we are generally in a growth cycle, however, I am very wary of discretionary spending businesses right now. It looks like the consumer is getting beat down a little, but business are using strong balance sheets and relatively low interest to start buying and there is a lot of growth overseas. I think oil will peak out in a few weeks and then sell off, unless WWIII breaks out in the Persian Gulf.
Sectors Snap: I like Oil and Gas Services, Technology (Devices, Software and Storage), Some Staples, Industrials, Investment Banking. I like defense and energy as well, but think a little caution should be shown, as they could turn pretty fast. I don't like healthcare, discretionary spending (resturants, retailers, etc), autos, or airlines.
How I have fared: First off, GSK was my big loser, getting popped with the Advnadia scare. I have lost some here and am using current strength of the broad market to get out gracefully. Big winners: UL (who woulda thunk), VZ, SLB, and CBAK. I am looking to move out of GD because of limited up side and move into CRDN. I am still trying to figure out how much I want to keep my GE stock. It's good as healthcare diagnostics, aircraft engines, and oil/gas infrastructure are big plays with a very global GE, but CAT and some other players are looking nice too and I can't lose diversification. I have recently picked up some NTAP to help ride the tech rally a bit and am also trying to start building a position with ADM, which should be very profitable with lower corn prices and higer gas prices. I am still building a position in Goldman Sachs. I am a little embarrased by my current MSFT position, and I have played around with HPT (a Hotel REIT), but have decided I don't want to do the effort to keep my analysis up on that stock so I will be selling it off. I might start a position in CVS or RAD to take over GSK funds. I am selling my oil (USO) off slowl as it rallies, having not made my mind up what to do with that cash as yet.
Overall Strategy: "Foot half in the grave" I want some strong growth by getting behind some serious momentum picks (SLB, ADM, VLO, CRDN, NTAP, GS), while keeping some of my defensive plays on the table because I still think things can turn (UL, CVS or RAD, VZ, GE). I'll keep you posted.
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