RE: UN Resolution on Lebanon

Lebanon has a total population of 3.8 million people with a total landmass of 10,400 sq /km.source CIA fact Book

The largest UN Peacekeeping Force is 17,992 Peace Keepers in the Dem Rep of Congo, which has 2.3 million sq/km and a population of 62 million. IMHO Little more than "Window Dressing" to show that "someone" is solving the problem.

15,000 UN Peace Keepers for Southern Lebanon is a significant, and IMHO realistic commitment source UN

Sea story, anyone?

Complete with flying fighters in foreign climes? Strange chow, glimpses of history and vertical departures?

Enough sturm und drang for a bit, you can't be serious all the time. Go on - Live a little.

Here's a teaser, for the unconvinced:

I broke out of the clouds first, because being the flight lead, that’s the nature of things. I looked over and down to check my wingie’s position in the gloom below, and if I tell you will you believe me? That in all my years of flying I don’t know that I ever saw such a wondrously beautiful thing as the glow inside that cloud deck resolve itself all suddenly into an FA-18 leaping from the clouds like a beast darting from a snare, highlighted against the darkness and contrasted with the suns dying rays like a rocket ship, herself in full grunt, the afterburners lighting up the cloud and the sky. It made my heart skip, and if I’d had a camera at that moment to take a picture you’d all know my name by now, because that’s how famous I’d be for the taking of it.

If that doesn't bring you over, we don't want you ;-)

IDENTIFYING THE ENEMY

I started wondering why so many Americans just don't get the nature of the War on Terror... even outside the Afghanistan & Iraq Theatres...

I posit that there are three principle reasons: No set field of battle or timeline (short memories), . a disconnect from the soldiers who fight on the front line and remoteness from danger... and an inability to put a name or face to the enemy...

(and I have two little rants in closing, as well...) at my place HERE

Iran presses Shi'ites to step up Iraq attacks

via Reuters

NEW YORK, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Iran is pressing Shi'ite militias to step up attacks against the U.S.-led forces in Iraq in retaliation for the Israeli assault on Lebanon, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq told The New York Times in an interview. Khalilzad told the Times Iranian incitement had led to a surge in mortar and rocket attacks on the Green Zone, now the seat of the Iraqi government and the American Embassy.

Off to Mothballs

USS Robin (MHC-54) getting towed to Beaumont, Texas, to join the mothball fleet and make room in the Navy for the littoral combat ships (LCS )ships.

Really.

That's what is says here.

H/T: Glenn Germaine of Seaward Services. That's his tug in front, towing Robin.