COUNTERCOLUMN: All Your Bias Are Belong to Us

Jason, I went to that link and browsed through the comments. My observation as follows:

Reading your blog is a joy. You have opinions, but you explain why you come to those conclusions and try to back it up with factual information.

Pale Rider and his friends are more interested in shooting down your positions by demeaning you--as if being a fiddler has any bearing one way or another on what you have to say. They attack the messenger because they find it easier than attacking the message. I'd guess that Pale Rider hasn't bothered to read through your archives either.
 

Sure, but you could be this guy (or the non-mils who wrote and edited the piece, whichever's worse):
http://www.local6.com/news/6652276/detail.html
 

Sooo, it's okay for a self described "MI weenie" to slam Jason (a combat vet), but it's not okay for a combat infantry vet to slam Murtha (a combat vet).

Alrighty then.

3 posts in 9 minutes. Impressive.
 

Jason,

I only have a comment pertaining to the thread you referred to in your post. A comment Pale Rider made was:

"The military doesn't work this way. We don't have rogues out there freelancing shit. That's the stuff of Hollywood."

Pale Rider,

There is a difference between "freelancing" and compartmentalization. It is quite possible the Special Operations community took on a role separate from the "conventional" community on this one. The SOF community has a completely separate chain of command that is purposely not answerable to the conventional chain in some cases (depending on the mission), so there may have been a lack of communication. One hand could do something the other was not aware of vis a vis the discussion on the other blog.

To dismiss Jason's opinion out of hand shows your lack of knowledge of the SOF community and the nature of their business. I don't know your credentials other than as a self-professed MI guy, so I don't want to assume you know nothing; but by your comments, I am fairly certain you haven't been in Special Ops. Jason's view may be less of a Hollywood inspired view than you think.

I concede that a NG Infantry commander may not be an SME on the particulars of SOF planning, but certainly his view from a conventional Infantyman's perspective is a salient one. The conventional Infantry constantly interacts with SOF forces who transit (and live within) their assigned sphere of influence. The SOF have broad autonomy to conduct operations within a conventional Commander's AO without the need for his direct consent; and although the SOF personnel often stand to benefit by coordinating with the Conventional forces on the ground, that is sometimes not the case. This causes frustration on the part of the Conventional commander, and "head butting" occurs. Same principles apply on a broader scale. I believe Jason's comments were tainted by his personal experiences; so by virtue of his personal experience, Jason is qualified to make his comments.

Bottom line on the "propaganda" theme: Iraq needs a comprehensive IO campaign (I believe the word "propaganda" incorrectly conveys to the layman that the information is misleading or untruthful; in this case the info was neither) to unite the freedom loving people of Iraq. Strictly conjecture: if the conventional forces weren't aggressive enough in promulgating a consistent and pervasive IO message, then perhaps the SOF folks were in a position to do so, but I don't believe any leaks came from that community. Nor do I believe the effort was unnecessary or ill-conceived. The Iraqis need to know that We are there for them, and that there is hope for them to live in peace; and there must be a way to convey that message to them. Can anyone else come up with a better idea?

Bottom line on your attitude towards Jason: who the fuck are you anyway? What are your credentials beyond someone who is willing to hassle another with personal attacks? If you have an argument, make it. Otherwise go back into your hole and think about how Jason is a warrior and you are still a support-pogue.
 

Pale Rider,

You mean the same Pale Rider who rides on the SIGINT analyst horse of death? Blast the enemy by keyboards and close combat. Oh yeah.

I've spent a good portion of my career in Special Operations. Do you know why they formed JSOC? Do you know their reporting channels? If not, I'd suggest you check it out before you sound off again. Their chain of command was specifically designed to bypass the bureaucracy of the conventional Army. I imagine they have a pretty decent capability to do all sorts of stuff. Oh...and by the way, my wife worked in a mountain in Colorado once upon a time...you know the one with all the blast doors? And I can assure you that the General who JSOC reports to isn't there.

The "white" SOF chain isn't the same as conventional either. Let's see...in CENTCOM (wartime) the chain goes like something like this:

-Commander in Chief et al (formerly known as the National Command Authority)
-SOCOM (for Joint SOF) -USASOC (for Army SOF); NAVSPECWAR (for Navy); etc.
-CENTCOM (combatant commander)
-SOCCENT
-CJSOTF
///end///

Now...that isn't the same as peacetime, nor is it the same as the conventional forces. Conventional Forces have to report to a different chain up to the CENTCOM commander. If you are in the 82nd ABN DIV, you have XVIII Airborne Corps, FORSCOM, MNCI, MNFI,etc., etc. to contend with in your chain. And understand that just because a unit is chopped over to the CENTCOM AOR, doesn't mean they can forget about their normal chain. So confusion reigns supreme sometimes. Bottom line is the SOF chain is in fact DIFFERENT.

Now if you were a humble enlisted analyst (not even a 98G listener) you were probably secluded in your little SCIF, grumbling because Sarge made you shine your boots. Don't lecture me on the Army. If you were attached to a Group, you were relegated to the MID with the rest of the mushrooms, or maybe sat in a team house and told to mind your business. Don't front like some kind of expert to me.

You have your opinion about Murtha, fine. Jason can say what he wants about Murtha. I think the Murtha overstepped his bounds too. I don't care what he did before or does afterwards. I don't care if he is a veteran or not. I know dudes with BSMs w/ V device who talk shit...that doesn't mean I think it's proper.

And as far as the gay porn nick...if you want to come over here and massage my thighs, I would really appreciate it...but in the mean time, once again, shut yer pie hole.
 

Man, you're too funny! Dunno what got your panties all in a bunch. As far as I'm concerned, I'm over the whole Murtha flap.

This isn't an army blog. This is MY blog. I don't use my rank on it. I'll mention my experience if it's relevant to a point. Otherwise not. It started out as a war diary anyway.

The CIB logo itself is public domain, and was very much en pointe, as used. You yourself - for reasons I can't fathom - thought my branch was material.

My words on this blog are fair game for criticism. So are Murtha's remarks on the record as a member of Congress. As George Washington said, "When we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen."

Slam me all you likem but I won't call good soldiers "pogues." I've seen too many "pogues" bleeding in an aid station. Good soldiers are good soldiers, and we need them in every branch, at all levels of command.

And Pale Rider - try the decaf. :-)

Jason
 

"But an officer calling a Congressman a coward and an idiot? Now, if you want to defend that, go ahead."

I'll defend his right to do that for him. All of us here in the USA have the right to express our opinions of our government. Jason doesn't give that right up because he served. If anything, he's earned the right to criticize his government more than the civilian population.

I have no comment on Murtha's bravery or intelligence, but I recognize politically idiotic actions when I see them, and Murtha's have been exceptionally idiotic of late. His statements about the morale of our troops were baseless, as voiced by those same returning troops. His efforts are counterproductive to the efforts of his nation as a whole, and there's no way a rational/intelligent person couldn't see that.
 

What's with this guy's homoerotic obsession?
 

Pale rider is either a troll posing as Intel, or he reinforces the old saw about Military Intelligence being an oxymoron.
 

Nice blog YOU got there, Pale Tech Support Guy. Great work on all those posts. I see why it's so important for you to bring the Other Guy down, what with the closely reasoned arguments and all.

I'd give your trolling a 7.6 on the USENET scale.

Sure do love me some Murtha, though. Guy's effort in Somalia did wonders for us, yup. At least in Somalia he was consistent, and his initial position could be well defended and even properly cautious; too bad his final position caused AQ to decide the US was a paper tiger.

*plonk*
 

Hi Pale Rider! No, I was merely impressed that you posted 3 times in 9 minutes, with overlapping material. Nothing else better to do? Hyperactive? Beats me.

And I don't remember anyone except you mentioning anything close to a babyoil party.
 

What's that dude's obsession with saying you "resigned your commission during wartime"? And he seems to have some kind of inferiority complex because he mentions your CIB and "scare badges" as if he were jealous.

Pale Rider: from your tone you seem to be a typical example of a former soldier who aspired to be a warrior, but was unable or unwilling to put out the effort to do so. It's clear to everyone that you have an inferiority complex when, instead of engaging in the debate, you talk about oiling my johnson and wearing a thong. You make me laugh. I suppose you think my ego can't take your silly pokes? I hang out with all kinds of folks; they don't have to be "tabbed" to be cool. I might even hang out with you, even though you seem go in for some homoerotic nitwittery. Come on Pale Rider, if you like men and are proud of it, just come out and say it ;)

Once again...if you have a valid point to make, please make it. I can stop the personal joust if will.

Bottom line: Jason served his time in war, and as a National Guard member he can do what ever he wants when his time is up. What does his current status have to do with his personal opinion? The man is probably a successful investor who happened to serve his nation during time of war. That is very honorable to me. If the man earned a CIB, he can put that up for all to see. It shows he has been there and done that. If he happens to get a little ad revenue on the side with his blog, what's wrong with that?
 

I resigned my commission?

That's news to me.

So how come I'm still signed for this $5 million dollar property book?
 

Your crack "certainly not a brave thing, is it?" is pretty funny.

I generally don't make a practice of letting anonymous posters lecture me on bravery.

By the way - your grasp of UCMJ regulations ranges from tenuous to incompetent. Here's a clue, for starters: I am in no way subject to the UCMJ.
 

Pole Rider is a dipshit of biblical proportions. Ban him from your comment section from now on.

I really don't know what his point is. "Commercial venture"? What difference does that make? And as long as a soldier is not in uniform he can participate in political free speech in any venue, and say whatever he likes about a sitting Congressman. I will find the regulation concerning political speech and post it here if Pole Rider decides to pipe up again. What you are doing is %100 protected free-speech. Your blog is not an OPSEC risk, nor is it seditious in any way. Keep on doing what you are doing.

Also, why don't you post Pole Rider's IP address on here so I can have a look at it. Thanks.

Shot over,
T
 

Well, here are the issues:

There is an article in the UCMJ, Article 88, which prohibits commissioned officers from using offensive or derisive language toward the President, the Vice President, the Cabinet level officers, and Congress. It also prohibits the use of such language regarding state political office holders IN THE STATE IN WHICH THE OFFICER IS PRESENT.

There is also a DoD policy memo which prohibits active duty service members from participating in partisan campaigns or holding political office (except in certain circumstances at the municipal level.)

You can read it here:

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/html2/d134410x.htm

Pale Rider's reach exceeds his grasp on several different levels.

1.) I am not on active duty. I am therefore not subject to the DoD policy memo. In fact, there have been several members of congress who have simultaneously held reserve commissions in the Armed Forces of the United States (Notably, Senator Gary Hart, for instance.)

It's difficult to imagine a policy which allows reserve component officers to become members of Congress and doesn't allow them to engage in political activities.

Second, the prohibition against using derisive language toward Congress in UCMJ article 88 applies only toward Congress as an institution. The protections of the article do not attach to individual members of Congress.

Third, Pale Rider is absolutely and unequivocably wrong in trying to assert that I am subject to the UCMJ. That was true when I was on active duty. It is also true if I am on federal orders, for instance, at Annual Training. It is not true at any other time. It is not even true during a drill weekend.

As I said - his grasp of the law here is simply incompetent.

I am, however, subject to the FCMJ, the Florida Code of Military Justice, at any time I am not on active duty. The FCMJ closely parallels the UCMJ, however, and may contain its own version of Article 88. But the prohibition would still not attach to individual members of Congress, at any rate.

Pale Rider's jousting at windmills.

He's not the first, though. When I was in Iraq, I had some critical observations, and some right winger wrote a letter ratting me out to Donald Rumsfeld.

I also had some readers in the Pentagon who liked the blog at the time - specifically in the Department of reserve affairs, and were happy to have some independent and uncolored input concerning the integration of the Active and Reserve components in combat.

Pale Rider, are you associated with the Democratic National Committee? Is your posting here motivated by that affiliation?
 

Ooops: It's Article 888, not 88.

And this DoD policy memo 1325.6, concerning dissent and protest activities by members of the armed forces is relevant as well.

Obviously, Pale Rider isn't familiar with what it contains. It does, on the whole, affirm the basic rights of freedom and expression under the first amendment for service members, consistent with the need for good order and discipline in the ranks.

While the memo predates blogs (it's from 1996,) It does specifically allow for the publishing of underground newspapers "off post" and on our own time.

It also specifically states that the mere criticism of officials or policies (except as specifically prohibited by law as in Art. 888) is not by itself grounds for adverse action on the part of commanders.

I would encourage Pale Rider to broaden his fund of information and perspective, which is at present quite limited.

I would also encourage him to take up a hobby. But not one in which he is likely to injure himself, like crocheting or needlepoint. Maybe something involving Nerf.
 

Well, again, I think you need to do a bit more studying, because you just don't know how the Army works.

For one thing, the IG isn't even in the chain of command, and has no authority except that delegated to him or her by the commander.

At the moment your fingers are typing out checks your fund of information can't cash. For that reason, you aren't in a position to make an informed judgement about who's "ate up" and who isn't.

Feel free to write anyone you want. But do yourself a favor and review laws regarding defamation torts before proceeding. You're heading towards some thin ice.
 

"Try that one on the 1SG."

Dude. You're pretty funny.

Again, I encourage you to learn just a little bit more about how the Army works. Well, make that a lot more.

For instance, I don't report to a 1SG. He's not in my chain of command (though commanders are in 1SG's chain of command).

Second, even with regard to enlisted personnel, the 1SG doesn't decide how to balance unit needs v. 1st amendment issues.

Commanders do.
 

No. Pale Rider hasn't seen much at all.
 

"A Defense Hawk like Murtha?"

Thanks for the laugh PaleRider. Brightened my morning. Hell, it'll probably brighten his too when he reads that joke of a 'letter' you penned for him.

Or he'll think to himself, "Well, I've got at least ONE of them fooled"
 

Pole Rider,

Isn't it hard to type while you're rotating on your boyfriend's lap?

Can't you see, the more you write, the more you look like an idiot? Jason articulated the regulations clearly, and you continue to come back with more bullshit. You lost. Your point is not valid and you look foolish. You are annoying; and whatever amusement I was initially getting from your rants has completely turned to disgust. Please crawl back under whatever rock you came out of. You really can't afford to believe you are completely anonymous. Do you believe in Karma?
 

Jason,

This is my last comment to this tool. I tried to be civil, even after he talked about oiling up my Johnson....but here goes...

"You really can't afford to believe you are completely anonymous. Do you believe in Karma?" is not a threat.

If I had said something about stomping your ass, perhaps you could have a claim, but I did not.

The sad thing is that you would never say the things you have to my face. I could be wrong though...were you threatening me? Come on over to where I am and we can talk about it. Seems like you need some gentle persuasion to understand things more clearly. Nothing like a little reality check to get your azimuth straight.
 

Wow someone wuvs Congress-critter Murtha. Smoochie smoochie Pale rider.
 

Pole Rider,

You are such a choad. The funny thing about this conversation is that I know you wouldn't say any of this to my face. I didn't threaten you, but you will definitely know it if I do.

Another thing about threats. If you want to threaten someone, make sure you're in it for real. I mean, you need to come hard and fast, because I don't think you understand what it's like in the real world when you screw with people who are willing to screw back. You can't touch my retirement, nor can anyone else. I have honorable service and have paid my fair share of dues. The last thing I'm worried about is some dipshit like you running your cock-holster.

This is my last response to you.

Cheers,
TBone
 

Jason,

sorry about the previous. I finally realized that you are moderating comments. That guy just pisses me off so bad that I want to wring his neck.

Cheers,
T
 

Alright, nobody's really threatening anybody else with physical harm.

Pale Rider - at ease with the homoerotic imagery, will ya? You're embarrassing yourself enough as it is.
 

By the way, Pale Rider - If you knew what I know, and you had seen the things I had seen and the things T Bone and hundreds of thousands of others had seen - especially those who left the gate regularly - you wouldn't be saying the things you say about being in theater.

A little more discretion is in order. I'm fair game for criticism for the things I write here on this site. But there are a lot of people reading this who've seen more than both of us put together, and you slight them, too, with your ignorance.

Don't be the fool in the Proverbs.
 

"Ya'll just got trolled."

Wow, how impressive. Never saw anyone brag about trolling on a website, this is a first.

"Thank the Lord up in Heaven I never married a brokedick combat arms jackass."
"...dickless wonders."

Yeah, I mean, these guys were only in the infantry. How difficult is that? Take and hold ground. No sweat, right? No reason to respect the guys putting rounds downrange and receiving fire back at them, right?

Say bye bye to any shred of good reputation you might have had left.

(And look, not a negative comment against females in there!)
 

"Said another limpdicked asshole who was too afraid to use his own name..."

Said someone who goes by the moniker of "Pale Rider."

Yeah, that's not hypocritical at all.
 

Pale Rider = IP 155.2.1.6 = hqisa.anser.org = arlington va

Are you really supposed to be hassling people on the internet during work hours? I'm sure the sysadmin would like to get an official query into a "spammer" originating from your fixed IP address. And BTW, I think harrassment of the type you are conducting on the internet is now a prosecutable offense.

Please stop being silly. You are way beyond funny at this point. And please don't come to my blog and try to troll me again. Thanks.
 

Jason,

Pale Rider works at:

Advanced National Strategies and Enabling Results (ANSER)
2900 South Quincy Street, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22206

Their motto is: "Defending America...Protecting Americans"

Now imagine if her/his supervisor were to hear that Pale Rider was coming on someone's blog and harrassing/threatening people in the name of several different Left leaning organizations during work hours. What would you do if you found out one of your employees was engaging in this type of behavior? Certainly a reprimand...perhaps even shitcan them. Especially when they went over the logs and saw that this person was continuously engaged in non-work related activities on the internet. Wow...wouldn't that be special?
 

"...refuse to be intimidated by hate mongerers."

I don't recall intimidating you, nor was that the intention of any of my posts.

"So if I put up my real name and address, how long before the likes of you and Tboner come and try to rape me? Viagra does wonders for rapists--get some!"

Two points. One, that's slander; maybe that's why I don't use my e-mail address in your presence. I don't recall mentioning anything along those lines. The first to mention anything of the sort was you. You're a really sick person, I'm sorry for you.

Secondly, I don't need Viagra. I'm 21 years old and a college student.

Have fun trolling on websites and screaming "rapist" at every male commenter that you come across. I'm done here. No reason to be dealing with someone as messed up in the head as you.
 

Yo, Mr. Jason

Didn't this chick pale rider say she didn't use her pers info because of fear of being raped?

Didn't you just post her personal info? after wannting to wring her neck?

Just sayin'...

Something happens within a few blocks of that place to a woman, hmmm...cops might have a questio or two for ya....hmmmmm
 

Nope, I never said I wanted to wring her neck.

I may consider legal action for defamation per se, as she made several assertions that were both false and defamatory, including allegations that I had violated the UCMJ (allegations of criminal conduct are generally considered prima facie evidence of defamation, unless the allegations are actually true) and that I had resigned my commission in time of war.

A lot of people read that.

Both charges are not even remotely arguable.

I'll also explore whether liability may attach to her employer as well.

I have no interest in damaging or destroying her career, but unfortunately, it may be unavoidable since her employer would likely have to be involved in the discovery process.

I will be removing the post with her employer's address on it when I get home later, though, as it's not necessary here.

I don't delete comments as a matter of policy, but in this case I'll make an exception.

It's really too bad she didn't take the hint when I suggested she look into laws concerning defamation before continuing.

And everybody needs to take a chill pill, and stay above her usual level of discourse.

Thanks.
 

This is TBone...

Just to clear things up. I said to Jason concerning Pale Rider's harrassment:

"...sorry about the previous. I finally realized that you are moderating comments. That guy just pisses me off so bad that I want to wring his neck."

I made that remark privately to Jason, falsely assuming that he had started to moderate comments. Yet even when read in public forum, the message was clearly intended for Jason's ear to highlight my frustration towards Pale Rider's inflammatory commentary. I never threatened Pale with violence.

Additionally, Pale Rider was anonymous and was assumed by all to be a man at the time we made the comment. No one threatened Pale Rider with anything. Well, I suppose inviting him overseas to see me might be considered threatening if he considered the potential cost of the trip a threat...hehe. So, if you follow the string you can see that Pale Rider was in fact threatening Jason with all manners of things, including "outting" him to his command or some other such nonsense.

Bottom line. Pale Rider was the one who started and continue the harrassment on Jason's site, then proceeded to come over to my site and troll me there. That type of activity is unacceptable and shouldn't be tolerated.

Tech info: Pale Rider's IP address is publically available everytime he/she trolls and harrasses someone. Insert IP address in an IP resolver and up comes the name of his/her server, complete with address, etc. Pale Rider volunteered his location in the first place. Nothing secret about it and available to everyone on the net. That is why people shouldn't harrass others on the net. I personally asked Pale Rider to cease and desist the personal attacks, and implored him to stay on point. It was his choice to stay on the course he was on.
 

Well, the "moderate comments" feature's not working for some reason, so I can't manipulate anything unless I delete the whole post. I've never deleted a post yet (unless it was a duplicate).

I'll try again, this AM on a different computer.
 

Jeez Jason,
First time I've gone to your comments page, even tho' I've been reading you, and emailing you, since you were still in country, Iraq.
I'm at a total loss why somebody unwilling to say who he is, Pale Rider, has his knickers in such a twist regarding your opinion of Murtha.
He's losing this whole discussion, but, like any Michael Moore acolyte, he seems to feel repetiveness equals truth and clarity.
Granted, my military service, USN, ended on my 21st birthday, August '63, so I have no, repeat, no combat experience. Fortunately, I do have some common sense and rational thought capabilities left.
Pale, Sir/Madam/Transgendered whatever, would seem to be something you are beyond!
Jason, thank you for your continuing class act of replying to this troll as if he had something of interest to pass on to your readers/public at large or any other group larger that his local indymedia hate site.
Mike Daley
Real Name, real public email:
Mikhal_@hotmail.com
64 years old, 6'0" 190#'s and I've not been in DC since '78, but you're welcome to come to Jackson, CA and kick my ass, heh!
Pale, you're pathetic, at best!
 

Wow, that was pretty hot, do you think he might end up on randyblue some time?
 

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