fauxtography round-up

Much has been discovered about AP and Reuters photographers doctoring or staging photos related to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. I have not trusted the MSM for a very long time, but this is ridiculous.

little green footballs leads the charge.

Glenn Reynolds TCS Daily article here.

Mary Kathrine Ham at Townhall.com here.

Michelle Malkin's coverage here, here, here, here, and here.

More from Allahpundit at Hot Air plus video.

Powerline blog.

And I could go on.... Search for yourself, but I've had my disgusted fill.

rainy morning

I grew up in Pheonix, and then lived for five years in Colorado, so my whole life has been spent in dry climates with less than green foliage. Now living in Mississippi, the humidity has taken some getting used to, as well as not being able to see the horizon most of the time and no mountains in sight. But being from a place that does not get much rain, I really enjoy those grey days that are fairly common here. This morning while walking the dog, it was cooler than it has been in the last couple of weeks, low clouds slightly sprinkled on us, and fog made the trees seem even more green, practically forescent. It made me happy, a great way to start the day. Not the greatest weather for flying, but perfect for taking a morning stroll.

putting iraq losses into context

Guest blogger Voolfie over at Blonde Sagacity applies *gasp* logic to the number of servicemen we have lost in Iraq. Please do not get me wrong, one is too many, but being that I have promised to give my life in service to this country, I think I can criticize those who wrongly present the facts about those that actually have given their lives. A sample:

So, what is the context that we’re missing? Is it the weather we had at the time these soldiers were lost? (NOTE: I use "soldier" as a generic term, I am not ignoring or downplaying the efforts and sacrifices of marines, sailors or airmen) Is it the color clothing they were wearing? Is it their political affiliation? No. The only context that makes any sense is the military and historical context of their deaths. Only by comparing their loss with similar losses in similar situations can we measure ‘how bad’ these losses are.

To that end, please consider some other facts which can reasonably be compared to the one at issue in order to give us the proper context:

We’ve lost twenty-five hundred personnel in three and a half years of combat in Iraq. However...

-We lost an average of around 12,000 soldiers every month during WWII.

-We lost 2,500 soldiers in just eight hours at Normandy in 1944

-We lost 19,000 soldiers on Okinawa in three months in 1945

When these facts are placed side-by-side with the fact of our losses in Iraq, it becomes quite clear that, while tragic as every lost life is, we are doing damned well at keeping our people safe over there.

The whole post here.

how deadly is serving in iraq?

The Washington Post has a breakdown of how dangerous serving in Iraq really is, and apparently not as dangerous as living in Philly. I think it is interesting that Army lieutenants have the highest mortality rate of any rank in the Army, and African American servicemen have a 30 to 40 percent lower risk of death than all others. Another tidbit:

The death rate of American troops in Vietnam was 5.6 times that observed in Iraq. Part of the reduction in the death rate is attributable to improvements in military medicine and such things as the use of body armor. These have reduced the ratio of deaths to wounds from 24 percent in Vietnam to 13 percent in Iraq.

Definatly an interesting read.

Story via Instapundit.

kentucky aircraft crash

A Delta connection flight Comair 5191, a CRJ-200, crashed at Blue Grass Airport, Lexington, Kentucky on its way to Atlanta today. I'm watching the Fox News coverage now. One survivor so far, possibly the first officer, and they are reporting there was fire involved. Apparently, the aircraft crashed at the end of runway 8-26, the shorter of the two runways at Blue Grass. Officials are not saying that was the takeoff runway. There are no indications that terrorism was involved. I will be updating.

Initial story via Forbes.

Fox News story here.

UPDATE: First Officer James Polehinke is in critical condition at the University of Kentucky hospital. I does not appear that weather was a factor. The majority of deaths are fire related.

The airport diagram of Blue Grass airport here. Runway 8-26 is only 3500 feet long. CRJ-200's need 5,800 to 6,200 feet to takeoff, specs here.

a milestone

Well, I did not think this would come for quite a long time, but I've hit 50 posts and 2,000 views this last week. I know in comparison to the blogs I read that I'm small time, but this is probably the longest I have stuck with something I did not have to do. I want to extend a big thanks to all of you who read and comment. I truely appreciate your input. I hope to get better and better at this gig, so stay tuned!

more than just flying

I think most people do not realize how much goes into military flying. Its not all fun, we do not hang out in the locker room or go play volleyball in our jeans when we feel like it. Out of a 12 hour day. I usually fly 3 hours if I'm lucky. The rest is all briefings, teaching, and entirely too much paper work. But that's what it takes to create the country's next generation of warfighters. Dedicated people who sacrifice their time and talents to give to others.

a tribute, five years later

2,996 is a website that is remembering the 9/11 victims. On Sept 11th, bloggers will post one specific person of the 2996 in rememberance of all that lost their lives that day. You will see a blog from me that day in honor of a fellow American. Explanation from the site:

2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.

On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggers will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11. Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.

We will honor them by remembering their lives, and not by remembering their murderers.

If you would like to help out, either by pledging to post a tribute on your own blog, or by offering your services to promote this cause, just leave a comment here and I’ll email you the name of a victim.

Then, on 9/11/2006, you will post a tribute to that victim on your blog.

But, and this is critical, the tributes should celebrate the lives of these people, –kind of like a wake. Over the last 5 years we'’ve heard the names of the killers, and all about the victim'’s deaths. This is a chance to learn about and celebrate those who died. Forget the murderers, they don'’t deserve to be remembered. But some people who died that day deserve to be remembered 2,996 people.

Thank you,

D.Challener Roe

Please join here. An "I remember" button here.

into the wild blue yonder

I'm off today on my first cross country. Should be interesting. Destin, FL and Athens, GA, so if you see a chick pilot like me say hello!

we stand ready

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." George Orwell

Thankfully one of those people is Lt Col Randolph C. White. Video of him speaking to a graduation at Fort Benning via Hot Air. Be inspired.

dhimmitude

As we watch Islamic terrorism daily, I hope most people desire to know exactly the kind of people we are up against. I am currently reading The Legacy of Jihad, edited by Andrew Bostom. Excellent read, especially for anyone who wants to know the historical context of the current Islamofascist movement. In particular, it focuses on dhimmis, or those people who lived under Muslim rule but are not Muslim themselves. Michelle Malkin's blog has highlighted recent instances of dhimmitude. She is currently on vacation, but guest blogger Diana West has more on the subject here. She sums up recent events:

So here we are. Britain narrowly averts another 9/11 that was to have been caused by British Muslim terrorists, and British Muslim leaders take the opportuity to press forward a political agenda (ending GB-US cooperation abroad, and urging the adoption of sharia at home) that could only please the terrorists. What happens next will tell us how deeply into dhimmitude Great Britain really is.

But oh, wait, Islamic history is "spotless". Diane, I look forward to reading more.

ridiculously horrible

Anyone who surfs through tv channels has probably seen Laguna Beach on Mtv. Its one of those programs, you start watching, and hate, but just cannot stop. Well, I randomly came across this, and there is no other way to describe it than hideous.

who would think flying could be boring?

So I have been teaching students for about a month now. It has all been contact flying, so many, many patterns, aerobatics, pretty much basic flying maneuvers. As the students get better and better, I fly less and less. I see the same maneuvers two or three times a day, and there are not that many ways to mess them up to give much variety either. Any instructor will tell you that it is the good students that you have to watch closely, because they will get in worse situations that a mediocre student, or maybe its harder to see it coming. All I know is that right now, I hate contact, and I could go for a formation solo, or three.... Please tell me it gets better.

prelude to world war?

Events in the Middle East are appearing strangely similar the 1930s appeasement of European fascism. Tigerhawk asks, "What will it take to militarize the West?" and his commenters have some excellent input. His fellow blogger CardinalPark has another take. Both reference a John Bachelor article from the NY Sun. Robert Tracinski also argues the inevitability of war. All via Instapundit.

I hope and pray that some big event does not force us into a war of world proportions. On the other hand, I am skeptical that the majority of Americans and Europeans will come to their senses and stand up against the Islamofascist bullies. Here is a decent editorial along those same lines from the Rocky Mountain News, via RealClear Politics.

rocky mountain high

Last weekend I took my first vacation since I started pilot training (except Christmas) to attend a wedding in Colorado. It was beautiful, and it allowed me to see friends I have not seen since I left Colorado a year and a half ago. I even enjoyed some Starbucks, hiked the Front Range, and just enjoyed the mountains. I did not realize how much I missed it all until I was there once again. Refreshing to say the least. I really have to travel more. You would think a pilot could pull that off! More photos here. I am already planning a winter getaway to snowboard. The only thing better than the Rockies is the Rockies covered in snow, and me boarding down them. Almost as good as flying.

wizbang! can ok go

I am a frequent viewer of Wizbang! blog, but who knew they have their thumbs in so many pies? Politics, sports, TV... I discovered Wizbang!TV today, only to see another awesome video from one of my favorite bands, OK go. Enjoy




And who can forget their first video, these guys are just so great. Oh, and the bald guy is not the lead singer, he's the drummer. Despite that fact, I think he is perfect for the lead role he plays in both videos.



I have always wanted to learn that dance, these guys really did it. The shorts are a really nice touch boys. Here's another. You guys are animals!