Archive for January 12, 2009

An expensive but incredible advantage

Posted: January 12, 2009 by datechguy in opinion/news, war
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In the book Ship of the Line C.S. Forester’s Hornblower has this thought:

As part of the programme for training his men into fighting machine it would be invaluable to give them firing practice while actually under fire from the enemy—no one knew better than Hornblower the difference between being fired at and not being fired at. He found himself in the act of thinking that one or two unimportant casualties might be worth receiving in these circumstances as part of the crew’s necessary experience

When you look at the US Army and those who say it is wounded and battered there is one thing that is completely overlooked. As of today the Department of Defense has confirmed 4858 deaths in the 7 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. That is about 700 a year or just over 2 a day. In terms of war that’s pretty low.

To give you an idea at Cold Harbor the US army lost 1700 men dead in 15 minutes on one day. Or a better example in Korea with 480,000 Americans engaged we lost 36,000 men dead in 3 years.

The end result for the Army? We now have an army with solid fighting experience. Urban warfare, insurgent warfare, desert warfare, in mountain warfare etc etc etc. We have a huge core of troops who have preformed under fire magnificently. That experience and esprit can’t be purchased. I pity any enemy who has to face they men and women. They will be outclassed. No army on the planet can compare to this.

In addition these men and women will be the teachers of our children who will serve, hopefully in peacetime. It is their experience that will not only make them better soldiers but will help keep them alive. Our foes will think twice before facing them and us. This will save many thousands of lives and will likely preempt actions against us and our friends saving tens of thousands.

That result will be the finest tribute to the fallen that can be made.

Silver worth less than base metal?

Posted: January 12, 2009 by datechguy in hobbies
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An interesting oddity was revealed to me at the flea market this week.

The local coin dealer tells me that the 2008 Silver Proof set is actually selling for less than the Regular 2008 Proof set.

As you can see if you follow the links the regular set is sold out, apparently people bought them due to hard times so the mint is sold out. The sets are selling online for about $65, while the silver sets are still available for $45 direct.

No idea is that will remain the case but there is always the 2008 Uncirculated set available from the mint…while they last.

BTW did you know they were making quarters of the territories and DC? I didn’t.

Where have I heard that before?

Posted: January 12, 2009 by datechguy in opinion/news, war
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You might remember this concerning the war from some weeks ago:

This is a strategic move by Iran and a smart one…

…Unfortunately no matter what happens even a total Israeli victory the winner here is Iran. As long as the world is talking about Gaza and rocket attacks and responses they are not touching the ongoing building of Nukes by Iran. I think this is all a sucker punch to keep the heat elsewhere. If Israel is hitting Gaza and or Lebanon they are not hitting Iranian nuke sites. They are buying time with Arab rather than Persian lives.

Today Hot air has this post linking to this story from the from the Jerusalem Post:

Iran is exerting heavy pressure on Hamas not to accept the Egyptian proposal for a cease-fire with Israel, an Egyptian government official said on Sunday.

The official told The Jerusalem Post by phone that two senior Iranian officials who visited Damascus recently warned Hamas leaders against accepting the proposal.

I wonder why? The Captain has an answer:

Why do they want Hamas to keep provoking Israel? The Egyptian official speaking with the Post believes they want to distract the world from their nuclear program, but I’d bet the Iranians have Israel specifically in mind. The rest of the world won’t stop Iran from producing nuclear weapons, but Israel probably will, if given the chance. Iran wants Hamas to fight an open war with Israel to keep the IDF from attacking its nuclear sites in the near term.

What does that mean for Iranian nukes? It suggests that the Iranians are closer to actual production than people have estimated prior to now. Hamas’ sudden desire to lift the cease-fire in late December, using a November 4th incident as the supposed provokation for their rationalization, makes a lot of sense in that context. The Iranians would worry most about covert strikes as they near completion of their effort, and they need Israel tied up for months, not weeks, to keep them distracted.

I’d say he’s likely spot on. I wouldn’t want to be the leader of Israel who has to make that decision. It’s not going to be a lot of fun for the president elect either. There will be a big party in 8 days but in 9 days the party will be over and Joe Biden’s prediction will come true in a hurry.

Still time to vote at Newsday

Posted: January 12, 2009 by datechguy in baseball
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The Baseball Hall of Fame voting is being announced today. via Baseball musings there is still time to vote in Newsday’s poll before it happens.

I voted for Henderson, Blyleven, Dawson, Murphy and Rice.

Toughest exclusions John, Raines.

Who I would have liked to vote for because they are personal favorites but don’t deserve it, Baines and Trammell.

If the poll is correct then only Henderson gets in.

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