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FEMA brought in 1500 travel trailers to be used for housing after hurricane Ivan last Fall. The local NPR station reports that 900 of those trailers were damaged by hurricane Dennis including 200 listed as destroyed.

I guess if our governor wants to experience the joy of hurricanes he’s going to have to provide his own trailer.

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Dave Neiwert has his vacation Orca report up, and I have enjoyed his encounters over the years.

A major problem for orcas and other mammals that live in the oceans are the large nets lost from the major fishing fleets, but we are reminded that other mammals, humans, can also be victims of these nets by the situation of the Russian rescue submersible off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The vessel is apparently entangled in a fishing net.

The CBC has an article, Reports conflict on whether stranded Russian mini-sub has been hooked, on the efforts to rescue the crew.

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Because of the large Marine presence it is not surprising that this report appeared on Sign On San Diego.

We are informed: “…the amphibious assault vehicle [AAV]- the Marine Corps’ signature transport – is designed to carry troops in water operations from ship to shore, then operate on the beach and inland…”, which makes its use in a desert hundreds of miles from any significant beach a bit of a problem.

Because it is required to be amphibious, the AAV uses lighter armor than the Army personnel carriers. This difference in armor results in much higher casualty rates among the Marines who encounter roadside bombs. Although the Marines make up a quarter of the forces in Iraq, 49% of the casualties in the last four months of 2004 were Marines.

My concern is: what happened to the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle? The article was published in December of 2000 and talks about a 2005 deployment. The AAAV offers more protection to the personnel inside, so what happened?

I would assume it was another victim of Rumsfeld’s “vision” for the military. His belief in his program, and his continuing spending decisions in the face of the reality of conditions in Iraq is getting people killed.

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BBC reports on a joint US-Belgian research project that may result one ‘cure all’ flu jab for life.

If this works as is currently anticipated, you will get a single shot and be protected from influenza viruses for life. This is a long-term possibility, not a “talk to your doctor so a large pharmaceutical company can make obscene profits” moment, but it is encouraging.

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In an exclusive report ABC asks if there are Rats in the Ranks?

Anyone who hasn’t figured out that the Iraqi army and police are thoroughly infiltrated by the insurgents is subject to having life support removed. It has been obvious for well over a year that the various Iraqi groups responsible for attacks know more about what is occurring than anyone in the Green Zone.

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CNN reports: Israeli soldier kills four Arab bus passengers.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon condemned the attack, calling it “a reprehensible act of a bloodthirsty Jewish terrorist who sought to attack innocent Israeli citizens.”

So now they need to start searching Israeli soldiers.

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As a former member of military intelligence I am not going to pretend that my view of the way the Busheviks have treated the military and intelligence personnel is unbiased. It is bad to enough to deal with the actions of “target” governments, without having to defend yourself from the actions of your own government.

I mentioned Larry Franklin when talking about the Plame investigation, so it was no surprise that he is one of those indicted along with AIPAC lobbyists in Pentagon probe.

The USS Liberty was attacked by Israel on 06/08/1967 while in international waters during the Six-Day War. Israel claimed that they attacked a clearly marked US navel vessel flying the US flag in daylight by mistake. Although Israel paid reparations, Israel’s supporters in Congress increased aid to Israel to cover the costs.

The USS Pueblo attacked by North Korea on 01/23/1968 while in international waters and not only was no penalty paid, they continue to use the Pueblo as a tourist attraction.

The USS Stark was attacked by an Iraqi air force Mirage fighter on 05/17/1987 in the Persian Gulf. Iraq paid no penalty and we continued to support them in the Iran-Iraq War.

The USS Cole was attacked by al Qaeda on 10/12/2000. Nothing was done about al Qaeda until after the 9/11 attacks.

American military personnel died in these attacks, and nothing was done. That’s how much support is given to the troops. Compare these reactions to what happened after four mercenaries were killed in an ambush in Fallujah.

No need to discuss the clearly marked US reconnaissance aircraft attacked or shot down while flying over international waters. You won’t find links for the majority of these events, because not only doesn’t the government not react, they rarely even bother to tell people that it has happened.

Really makes you want to go and enlist, doesn’t it. You don’t want to know what I think should be done with yellow ribbons.

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[™ Kevin Drum]

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New Kid

Chewing food is hard work.

[Edit: This “tuxedo” kitten appeared this afternoon on my front steps. It must be weening time and Mom brought him/her to the feeding station.]

Friday Ark

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