Plan Mexico Ch. 1(readers’ advisory: esoteric military stuff)

[First published on L!, January 28, 2013] I’ve had opportunity to work overseas with many of Uncle Sam’s alphabet soup agencies (DEA, CIA, DOS, USAID, etc.) and have generally been underwhelmed by their lack of foreign language skills and understanding of the local culture. On the other hand they are filled with lot of really … Continue reading Plan Mexico Ch. 1(readers’ advisory: esoteric military stuff)

Winning the Peace (Ch. 4) Redux

Winning the Peace (WTP and/or WP – Willy Pete?), and the FAOs in the program are organized within each partner nation similarly to an infantry platoon reinforced. Platoon commander (O-5), platoon sergeant (E-8), corpsman, radio telephone operator (RTOs), squad leaders (O-4), fire team leaders (O-3), and grunts (enlisted advisors). The total number of individuals deployed … Continue reading Winning the Peace (Ch. 4) Redux

Donald in the Lions’ Den!

Did you SEE ā€˜em—Trump’s terrific speeches in the Bronx and at the Libertarian Convention? Two venues where he couldn’t possibly have known what would happen when he entered the arena, certainly had no reason to expect general approbation from the crowds. ā€œThe Bronxā€ is a byword for crime, violence, and lawlessness—yet there he is, on … Continue reading Donald in the Lions’ Den!