Capt Lex tries to convince us he has brain lock. Not a chance for the master poet/author and philospher of all things Naval Aviation related….

I, on the other hand, sometimes think like that, yet, via the magic of the net (invented by Al Gore), lo and behold, things of interest just appear….

For example: Last night while looking for pictures of ships, I came across a poem, in hand written an illustrated form, that speaks to the fine life of the legendary destroyerman. A creature of iron constitution, a stomach that can handle greasy food in a hurricane/typhoon, eagle eyes (correctable to 20/20 and not color blind, but possibly partly deaf from too many gun shoots or years as the MPA/CHENG/DCA/ELECO/AUXO/B DIV, etc), and a sense of dark humor of their own.

The larger version is here, but difficult to read.

Fear not, my few readers….Here it is in more legible form, even if it lacks the character of the original graphics.

Destroyer Life
by Berton Braley

There’s a roll and a pitch a heave and a hitch
to the nautical gait they take,
For they’re used to the cant of decks aslant
as the white toothed breakers break,
On the sides that thrum like a beaten drum
to the thrill of the turbines might,
As the knife-bow leaps thru the yeasty deeps
with the speed of a shell in flight.

Oh their scorn is quick for the crews that stick
to a battleship steady “floor,”
And they love the lurch of their own frail perch
at thirty five knots or more.
They don’t get much of the drill and such that battleship sailors do,
But sail the seas in their dungarees,
a grimy destroyer crew.

They needn’t climb at sleeping time
it to a hammock that sways and bumps,
Don’t leap, Kerplunk! In a cozy bunk
that quivers and bucks and jumps.
They hear the sound of seas that pound
on the quarter inch plates of steel,
And close their eyes to the lull abyes
of creaking sides and steel.

They’re a husky crowd and vastly proud
of the slim grey craft they drive.
Of the roaring flues and hammering screws
that make her a thing alive.
They love the lunge of the surge and plunge
and the mark of her smoke screens, too
As they sail the seas in their dungarees,
a grimy destroyer crew.

Back to Neptunus Lex for a moment and some analysis:

After he made his rhetorical post, he made two more and has already made three today. Go figure.

From Black Five, a post about a project to have each of the 2996 victims from 9/11/2001 to have a blogger each post a tribute (on 9/11, of course).

This link will get you there. Take a few moments, fellow bloggers, to sign up, and then connect your life with one that was cut short.

The cost involved is your time and your compassion, nothing more. There only to the 1100s….so there are plenty of names left.

A few months ago, I finally decided the blog needed to “grow up.”

Summary: Do your homework, and pick a place to host your blog and DON’T MOVE! It’s worse than changing email addresses!

Details for those without much to do:

I paid for a doamain and left the free service of Blogger. I yeaned for the improvements I saw in WordPress. I began a blog at WordPress (also free), and decided it would give me some additional capabilities to separate posts by self-defined categories, but, I was concerend that there may be control issues down the line, so I went to a paid for domain. I got a great deal, they offered WordPress blogging software and away I went.

Things wnet smoothly on setting up the blog, but….then I figured all the other sites who linked with me would need to be updated. The challenge: What blogs were they?

I left the old blog intact, for history, and many of the obvious links from other places would come there. I also could check at Technorati to see where the inbound links originated. There were quite a few. I began the emailing to the bigger ones, at first, requesting that the next time they were doing link maintenance to check and please update my blog’s address. Some did, some did not. You know, like asking all your family to update your email links in Outlook….’nuff siad.

One issue is not all links are actually direct links from those blogs and I embarassed myself once (but found a great blog….) when I sent an email and I wasn’t on the owner’s blogroll. So, scratching my head, I realized I had been linked from their blog because, they, as I, had signed up for like minded weblog groups, and their site now linked back to the master list at some other website….

So….I sent a few emails to the owners of the groups, asking for updates….not one of those have been changed. Well, looking at the Sitemeter for the original blog, not many people went there anyhow, but a few popped in from that source….

Now, several months later, the old blog does get hit, and, depsite putting a large banner in the header saying the site has moved and a link to the new blog, it just isn’t too successful.

There is another issue, and I’m sure it’s assocoatied with WordPress somehow: I used to generate a lot (well, ok, most all) of my traffic by taking advantage of the Open Posts at Mudville Gazette. I did this before using HaloScan by sending manual trackbacks. It was great for the ego, seeing people “show up” and better when the meter logged them in for more than 0 seconds. Now, despite following the directions for WordPress for trackbacks, my posts don’t show up at Mudville Gazette, and even trying standalone trackback programs, I still get an error message back. The strange thing is the inclusion of links for many, but not all other sites have worked. I’m still wondering about this (any hints would be good. Email or comments are welcomed!).

So, as I was trending upwards in readership, which gave me a sense of accomplishment, I’ve dropped off to about 1/2 the hits a month on the new blog. I still have a significant amount of hits on the old site, but combined, I’m still not where I used to be.

Anyhow, that’s my sad tale. If you’re not blogging yet, I hope this helps you in making some decisions about planning your first steps into the blogosphere more successful in the long run.

Good MORNING, Bloggers!

So what’s new in your news? How about the “big boys” discover blogs?

Sun Micro Systems CEO, Jonathon Schwartz is the first Fortune 500 CEO to have his own blog….

I’m sure many of the other 499 will be following in his footsteps very soon….What about it, Bill Gates? It’s not like you haven’t “borrowed” an idea from Sun, Apple, etc some company or person before….

And, you, small time bloggers, thought you were behind the power curve….

Unpaid Ad (for my own post): While you’re here: Captain B, of the USMC! (OOOORAH!) has a great idea….get a full page ad in a major newspaper for the 4th of July, supporting the troops. Details here!

I struggled last night to determine a way you label the type of information we now deal with on a more and more frequent basis. The “news” items, in the MSM and in more informal forums such as the ‘net, suddenly appear. The little flags in the back of your brain are rasied…something stinks about it, and then the Army of Davids comes out of the woodwork to discredit/disprove the presented “story.”

Examples (because I’m trying to discuss concepts here, at least a few examples are needed to connect the dots):

• Dan Ra^ther’s Texas Air National Guard memo in fall 2004 (C’mon…Word XP in the early 70s?)
• Murder charges leveled at 1st Lt Ilario Pantano, USMC
• The roving bands of murderers in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina
• The Duke Lacrosse Team rape case (allegations by the first women are not being supported by the original statements by the second woman to the police that nothing happened and the credit card and phone records for one of the suspects)
• Everyone’s very special friend, Jesse McBeth, the Special Forces Ranger (who served a total of a few days in the Army before being discharged)
• The supposed Israeli shelling of Palestinian families on the beach (Palestinian explosives laid to deter landings on the beach?)
• The faked massacre by US Army troops where MSM outlets used a photo of a group of civilians executed by Islamic terrorists, captioned as thought the Army had sent or had allowed the troops to do that.
• A Variant form, part truth, part lies, but plenty enought to poison the well: The Haji Girl song. It’s really about terrorists killing their own family in an effort to kill US troops, not about US troops indiscriminately killing innocent Arabs

Common thread: Stories, quickly “tossed” at the public in a shrill manner, or with highly energized words. Some have been proven to have been hoaxes, others are looking very much like they will meet the same end….but…not before they are widely circulated around the globe. They are, much like a flashbang grenade, designed to take over your senses to thoroughly and long enough that you do not see the others slipping into position to secure you, hence the title of the post.

In thinking this through, I realized that the blogging community, so powerful in bringing reality to the table in many of these cases, can only react to such a forcible attack on the truth. In the meantime, the horses have left the barn. we are doing a great job of telling how the horses got loose, and that we surveyed the area, assessed the situation and determined, with cold and unflapable logic, that the gate needed closing and we have done that. The good news: No more horses will get loose. On the other side of the issue, we’d have to become omnicient in order to have posts up in advance, and imbedded electronics just aren’t that capable yet.

Impact statement of such tactics:
In the case of the proven to be a fake Army Special Forces Ranger, I wondered how the words of Jesse McBeth, dicussing how they were told to massacre innocent men, women and children were echoed in the days leter major release of the Haditah story about a week ago. I dislike conspiracy theories, but could his video taped interview have been purposely “placed” to add credibility to the soon to some re-reporting of an indiscriminate rampage by American troops? You know, just another little weight on the scale.

Once it hit the street, particularly on YouTube, you can bet those who already believed this type of behavior was happening, and those who never thought about it, but could call it logical when asked, got their hands on the files of the interview, and then forwarded them on to other like minded people and organizations. Same with the Ra^ther TXANG memo. The blogosphere jumped up, within an hour (for the TXANG memo) and called the niche experts to arms, yet the enemy was already racing from the area, the false message, delivered from “credible sources,” was planted. Like the storeis of the anarchy in New Orleans, and the absense of any governmental forces, they placed a perception, taken as truth even now half a year later, in the minds of those who have come to demand instant delivery of everything in society. Our need for instant gratification has driven the methodolgy for the delivery systems (CNN, Fox, MSNBC, etc). This format is now the accepted style, so we extrapolate that all reported is correct, we quickly, feeling the need to be “included” in all discussions on all topics, make sweeping judgments, more often than not devoid of any personal understanding and there you have it: “I BELIEVE!”

Taking the deliverer to task is still necessary, but the masses have moved on beyond the Da Vinci Code contreversies, and now are worried about reacting to tropical storms as though they were Category 5 hurricanes, while a state governor declares he’d rather be overly prepared then not doing enough. He, too, is driven by not being “Nagined” an losing his political stature, at the expense of cajoling many millions to leave home, but not before they empty the grocery stores shelves and gas station’s tanks, to then have to use cold hard cash for hotels, camp ground, and the stuff you buy when you get to your friend/relative’s house on high ground, to make amends for your intrusion.

That’s it:

Background Noise: SMASH! “BANG!”
You: “I CAN”T SEE! I CAN”T SEE!” (said loudly over the ringing in the ears)
Reporter/Newscaster: “Don’t worry! We’re here from the MSM to tell you what’s happening while you are temporarily blinded!”
“MARINES MASSACRE IN INNOCENT IRAQIS IN COLD BLOOD”
You: “NO! NOT OUR GUYS!”
R/N: “OH, yes…I know you don’t want to believe it, but…Jesse McBeth said he did it with the Special Forces Rangers, as ordered by his superiors!”
Y: “Sounds fishy to me.”
R/N: “Nope, it’s true. Jack Murtha (who was highly decorated in Vietnam and don’t you dare question him on his patriotism) Said they are MURDERERS! and he was one of them once.”
Uncle Jimbo/Matt/Smash/Bill Roggio/Steve Shippert: “Hey! That R/N is full of crap and besides, we need to let the system run it’s course before we start yelling about firing squads.”
R/N: “Don’t listen to those whining bloggers. They just wish they got our salaries, so they’ll try to make us out as liars.”

I think you can extend and revise without objection where that type of discussion has gone in actual cases.

Some amount of mental energy will go into this this weekend, trying to see what the counter may be. I think a good start will be the full page ad in a major newpaper on July 4th. Putting forth the good done, and real “support the troops” messages will begin to push back, but I’m sure there’s more that can be done.

Comments anyone? (is this mic on?)

Welcome LGF Lizards….You may fire when ready (comments are open).

I went to the trouble to get this domain name and hosting, and I keep blogging via my Blogger account. Lazy me.

I’ll be spending some time in the near future pulling together the data from the “beginners” blog I have over to this blog.

In the mean time, I’ll begin with this next post as the first post (well, besides this one) that was not previously posted “over there.”

Much of my writing lately has been discussing the experience of the first MilBlogging Conference held 4/22/06 in DC. Jump over there and read up, and follow the links to the many other bloggers who were there and have covered their experiences.

Part I

Editorial note: I thought I was in it Saturday during the conference, but I found it Monday driving home….

The comments from the conference are mulitplying (go figure!) and posted at Andi’s World. Great reads all, but the best one is this one from Steve Schippert from Threats Watch just goes to show you how a simple effort can help someone else.

I added Black Five’s discussion at the top of the entries, for I think it’s worth keeping in our thoughts as we blog: What is the “max range” of your blog?

I’ve had a little time to think over the MilBlogging Conference adventure. Here is some detail to go with a “take away” point:

From Part I:

Top levels “take away” points:

1) “Stay in your lane” is good guidance. Blog on what you know. With a rule like that, you should be bulletproof if a question is posed about how factual your commentary is.

In regards to that direction, have you noticed how hard it is to tell the person who just told you their story that they are wrong? If they told you another person’s story, it can be picked apart. When it’s yours to tell, just what will they say? Nada…or they’ll just whip out the ad hominum stuff and tell you how stupid you are. So…stick with what you know for sure.

The focus of 2/3rds of the Conference day was essentially discussions centered on blogging issues dealing with current world ops in the GWoT. Certainly, that provides an essential foundation for future MilBlogging, for the comments on “think carefully about who is reading this blog” is a fitting framework for all other blogging for the community (not a bad idea for everyone else, too…what if kids on MySpace posted based on what their parent’s reaction would be…but I digress).

I see several subdivisions of MilBlogs and by wrtiing this, I think it will help frame what people are doing, as well as maybe someone reading this will realize they may have a part to play as well.

1) MilBlogs that are fundimentally daily diaries. Smash and CJ got their starts there, and so much of the active duty blogs today are in this “model.” At the conference, CJ admitted this was his venting method during his time in theater, and Smash initially did it to get the word back home to his family (he has since matured, or “evolved” to being our BlogDaddy, so I’m looking for a present at Christmas this year). Begun as coping mechanisms, they are, in fact, history being recorded from a first person’s view, with out the Monday Morning Quarterbacking. One other blog like this of note is no longer active, the 365 and a Wakeup blog of Capt Danjel Bout, CA National Guard, but is one of the finest pieces of writing I have found.

2) MilBlogs that are designed as support networks, out in the open bulletin boards. The panel discussion on this topic was amazing. The power of the Internet, combined with some family members wanting information, turned these early seekers into mentors for spouses and parents all over the country. Carla, of Some Soldier’s Mom and Deb of Marine Corps Moms are two like this. Included in this area would be blogs such as Soldier’s Angels.

3) MilBlogs written by non-active duty people with significant “discrete knowledge” and usually are analysis/commentary on geo-political/military matters. Not constrained by DoD rules, and also “out of the loop” of current tactical/startegic info, these blogs stand to be a powerful part of the “Army of Davids” that Col Austin Bay referenced several times during his conference remarks. The insight provided by these blogs can help either the MSM or just plain old citizens understand the issues in military operations more consisely. Threats Watch is one of these, and the work of Bill Roggio at The Fourth Rail is another of note. I would also put Eagle Speak here, for he runs a great blog on stuff that tends to the leagl side of maritime affairs, with piracy being a major topic these days.

4) Personal historical MilBlogs. Cheaper and easier than publishing a book, and you don’t need an editor to tell you to do parts over…lots of veterans fit here, such as much of my current work. I have also found it quite rewarding to document storeis of many of the older vets I find.

5) Organizational blogs designed particularly to support the troops. There are many, but at the moment I’m thinking it’s pretty late and I can continue this discussion later.

As far as the blogs mentioned above, I linked them for some quick examples, but I know there are many more that fall into the same groupings. My blogroll has plenty of them to pick from.

That’s about enough for the moment. Again, as I got taught: to tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them. Here’s the wrap up: By categorizing the main discussions of MilBlogs, I think it will help each blogger frame where “their lane” may be, and therefore keep the work applicable and effective in the greater discussions of our society. I also think the rest of the world will better know where to go to read, and some of them will realize they are an intergral part of the MilBlog community, they just haven’t taken the time to get going yet. Later, it will help subdivide our networking for any efforts we undertake.

Comments welcome.

Part II

I can’t help but feel something pretty powerful happened yesterday, and, with luck, years from now, about 150 of us can say “back at the first conference, we wore jeans and T-Shirts…none of this fancy black tie stuff was allowed!”

While the air of informality reigned, it was the meeting and greeting and putting faces to text, followed by exciting conversation and thought provoking panel discussions.

Top levels “take away” points:

1) “Stay in your lane” is good guidance. Blog on what you know. With a rule like that, you should be bulletproof if a question is posed about how factual your commentary is.

2) Don’t underestimate the “max effective range” of your comments. The well placed furor over Fran’s Steakhouse lease began when FbL’s not very big readership blog made those fateful remarks, that, within days, became national level news in the MSM! Other stories were told that indicated similar results, in the most unexpected manner.

3) Your stories relating to military life and issues can be a powerful factor in closing the gap between the military/ex-military and the non-serving public. Share them wisely.

4) A lady who does marketing for a living indicated the rise of the blogosphere pretty much coincides with the declining readership of the dead tree media. One more powerful point: They don’t augment their understanding of events with blogs, they turn to the blogs for info. Take a moment to soak that one in.

5) She also said psychology studies show when a message of fear is delivered via TV, the viewer connects “better” with the message, which also makes the viewer more attentive to the commercials. That means the fear produces better results for the advertisers, which means the show/network can make more dollars this way. It pays to make us fearful….

6) Chuck Z says he’s upset that the MSM doesn’t tell the bad. Interesting point that makes you go “HUH?” until you hear the rest. He told of an insurgent who gunned down his own nephew so he could get a shot at two of Chuck’s sergeants. That was never in the news. Other examples followed that one.

7) Also from Chuck Z, he says it’s a great feeling to walk into a wounded service person’s room and bring them a laptop that makes a significant change in their life. Valour-IT – it’s making a difference in a big way.

8) Given the changing sources of sought out information coming from blogs, we bloggers have become “accidental journalists.” I’d say not only is that interesting, it also should give us some reason to not repeat those mistakes we complain about the MSM making, lest we fall victim to them ourselves as time passes and this form of info sharing becomes part of the MSM of the future.

9) Our efforts provide “individuals with discrete knowledge.” Back to take away lesson 1: Use it wisely, particularly by staying in your area of expertise. Resist the urge to pretend you know more than you do.

More to come. I’m still enroute home and visiting.

Some earlier info…

The first session is over and the discussion was centered on the purpose and (implied) the responsibility of MilBloggers. I’m sure the main site is going to cover this well.

The side discussions have been interesting. After thinking Neptunus Lex was this completely amazing writer of the “Rythyms” blogvel, I now know he has had assistance from a ghost….well, it’s still good anyhow, and I understand how the ghost writing made the detail of another area fit the overall “look and feel” of reality the Lex so masterfully weaves into the online story.

More later, but this is “from my perspective,” something that was highlighted as to what we can do best in the MilBlogging universe.

Part I

Lesson learned: When you are having the first conference and the population is largely those who don’t post their pictures, tell everyone to bring one of those spring steel crickets, like they used with the airborne troops on D-Day.

Got there at 8PM, the bar was packed and no one was discernably standing at the entrance, with a box of “Hello, My Name Is” stickers. I got a drink and stood back doing the visual sweep. I did notice a couple in one of the side halls, the women looking ever so slightly familiar. Another guy wandered in and leaned against the door frame, looking around. I told him he’d have to push up to the bar to get help. He said “I’m supposed to be meeting a group of people here at 8:30, but we don’t know what each other look like.” DING, DING, DING! It was DadManly. Hand shake, a chuckle, and then I approached the couple. It was Smash and spouse. Buzz Patterson zipped thru, and then we began to form up quickly. Andi had a stack of blank white name tags and the obligatory fat black pen, and those of us who had filled one table made ours. I then slef-appointed and figured the best way to meet everyone was to be the name tag person. Lots and lots of people showed up. Lots of good conversations, and nice to put faces and real names to the reading….

The discussions were from ackward, like “ummm…I haven’t read your blog…” to discussions on the status of books, self funded trips to the ‘Stan, and “I’m glad to see you here.”

It’s late. Chap: Too bad you’re on TAD, because there are a few people here you’d really enjoy.

More later (no promise as to when)!