Tailhook Daily Briefing

Nothing to fear But Political Correctness Itself!

Apparently we are so afraid of our own politically correct, gender-race-religion-neutral shadow the 5 sided puzzle palace cannot even attribute probable motivations in the Ft. Hood massacre.  From Time Magazine:

The Fort Hood Report: Why No Mention of Islam?

The U.S. military's just-released report into the Fort Hood shootings spends 86 pages detailing various slipups by Army officers but not once mentions Major Nidal Hasan by name or even discusses whether the killings may have had anything to do with the suspect's view of his Muslim faith. And as Congress opens two days of hearings on Wednesday into the Pentagon probe of the Nov. 5 attack that left 13 dead, lawmakers want explanations for that omission.

John Lehman, a member of the 9/11 commission and Navy Secretary during the Reagan Administration, says a reluctance to cause offense by citing Hasan's view of his Muslim faith and the U.S. military's activities in Muslim countries as a possible trigger for his alleged rampage reflects a problem that has gotten worse in the 40 years that Lehman has spent in and around the U.S. military. The Pentagon report's silence on Islamic extremism "shows you how deeply entrenched the values of political correctness have become," he told TIME on Tuesday. "It's definitely getting worse, and is now so ingrained that people no longer smirk when it happens." [more]

Leadership in the military is taught the principles of being "apolitical" when making decisions, analyzing actions, and identifying future strategies.  "Apolitical" is not synonymous with 'politically correct." If FACTS are avoided in an effort to 'not offend' we are negligent to our troops, our oaths, and our country.  PC has no place in after action reports!  Period!

-JC

Your thoughts?

USS Enterprise (CVN-79): Petition Update

Readers here will recall the petition we launched last July when it came to light that there was a "sense" of Congress motion passed that the next ship following the Gerald Ford (CVN-78) should be named after Barry Goldwater. You will recall we were, well, less than enthusiastic (to put it charitably) that yet another capitol ship was going to be named after a politician, when there was a prospect we'd be without an Enterprise in the fleet of carriers envisioned post-2013 (CVN-65's presumed decom).

Evidently, many more of you feel the same way - emphatically so by the comments on the petition. At almost 6 months to go, we are closing in on 2,000 signatures (1,986 as of 18 Jan 2010). Outstanding as that is, I'd like to see if that can be doubled in the remaining six months. My intention is to print out the petition for delivery to the Secretary of the Navy, CNO and Senator Webb (my senator and a former SECNAV), hopefully in person, as a direct and tangible "sense" of both our nation and friends abroad (check the countries of some of the signers). But that's not all - I want to do this before the 50th Anniversary of the christening and launch of the current USS Enterprise (24 Sept 1960).

Time is pressing - there are no namings for a carrier slated for this year, but that is no guarantee that something won't be pulled behind closed doors. Just take a look at this document and see what is in the wings: RS22478_20091223_Navy-Ship-Names_23Dec09 (downloads PDF)

So please, lend a hand, post an article or link, advocate, write your Senators and Representatives.

Write SECNAV.

Let's see if we can get 4,000 - 5,0000 or more signatures on this petition! (ed. BTW, we are one of the top 10 petitions at epetitions.net! - SJS)

Let our effort be the very definition of the word — and in the spirit of the ship we would see named “ENTERPRISE”!

Take Comfort People of Haiti, the US Navy and Marines are on the way!

Once again the United State Navy and Marine Corps are called upon to assist in helping the distressed people of the world. 

This time, not to oust a tyrant or occupying force, but to lend aid and comfort to a hurting people. 

Much to the chagrin of organizations like Code Pink, often times the best equipped and trained force for good is indeed the United States Military!  As of today, the United States is deploying thousands of Sailors and Marines and their extremely valuable logistics equipment.

A quick snapshot of the forces being deployed include:

 

• USS Carl Vinson (deploying with over 19 helos – HS-7 & HS-15)
• USS Bataan
• USS Fort McHenry
• USS Carter Hill
• USS Underwood
• USS Normandy
• USS Higgins
• The USNS Comfort

On top of this, C-2A Greyhounds from the Rawhides of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 are on the job delivering all manner of supplies and rations.

I would be remiss in not mentioning our brothers from the 82nd Airborne Division, our cousins in the Coast Guard, and our friends at the 27SOW deploying their MC-130W Combat Spear assets.

It is tragic that this response is even necessary, but it is reassuring to know we are ready and able! 

Good luck all, and bless you in your efforts!  You and the people of Haiti will be in our thoughts and prayers!