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“Liberty must at all hazards be supported.”- Thomas Jefferson, 1765 June 28, 2012

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With the coming US presidential elections, I am going to intermix the normal blog posts with some US history and political thoughts.  The 4th of July in Park City, Utah (where we live) is a time of parties, fun and parades.  I am always a bit dismayed when I casually ask people what the 4th is celebrating.  While it is called ‘Independence Day’ there are a number of people who don’t appear to recognize the origins or the purpose of the 4th of July. Wow!..In a nutshell, Independence Day is a celebration of “our violently breaking free from the bonds of the shackles of our imperialistic British oppressors”…OK..that may simply be colorful way I describe it to my British friends to get them riled up but it is indeed a celebration of our ‘independence’ from British rule.

The revolution had been brewing for years with King George imposing oppressive taxes and other laws.  “No Taxation without Representation” (an Irish phrase) was adopted by the colonists and adapted in 1765 when local politician James Otis famously said: “Taxation without representation is tyranny”.   (more…)

“Al Qeada’s Arab Spring”- Guest Post by Charlie Jacobs June 19, 2012

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Inspire (Fifth Edition)This is a guest post by Charlie Jacobs.  Charlie is completing his Master’s Dissertation and he had commented on a previous post. He has some interesting information and insight so I have invited him to publish a post. He has a brand new blog you can read here.  Enjoy!

In the Fifth Edition of its English-language online magazine released in March 2011 al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula decided to discuss the Arab Spring. The main areas of discussion were the events of the Arab Spring, the Western view of ‘al-Qaeda’s Arab Spring’ and where the revolutions should head next.

The Tsumani of Change

“The friends of America and Israel are being mopped out one after the other.” Al-Qaeda’s view of the Arab Spring is viewed through the trans national prism of defeating the influence of its enemies within the Islamic world. The fall of Mubarak was historic for the region but was also “a day that exposed America’s two-faced policy on democracy.” (more…)

“There I was bro!”…a rant about Military Fakers, Poseurs, and Frauds June 7, 2012

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Sometimes I hear a story that compels me to comment on this blog even thought it is not related to risk or security.  America’s Got Talent contestant Timmy Poe stuttered his way through his interview and brought tears to many eyes with his claims of being ‘wounded’ in combat and being a decorated war veteran with a Bronze Star.  Well, wasn’t it a surprise to learn he has apparently lied about his combat experience, wounds, and decoration?  In short..no combat, no Purple Heart and no Bronze Star.  C’mon man!  There is no shame in service of any sort.  If you are a cook…own it.  If you are a cop…own it.  If you were a medic…OWN IT.

I have now worked for two different people who claimed military honors that they fabricated. (more…)

May 31, 2012

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Chinese counterfeit parts in DOD…CyberEspionage..things are heating up.

Hidden Film Restored- “Let There Be Light” ; John Huston Directed May 25, 2012

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I just read this story and had to pass on.  In 1947 John Huston (director of Maltese Falcon, among others) directed a short film on solders returning from WWII and suffering from what was then called ShellShock.  It was a breakthrough in that it showed black and white solders mixing freely in therapy and sports and showed soldiers suffering from what we now call PTSD.  The film can be downloaded for FREE from the National Film Preservation Society: (more…)