M2

Looks good, maybe even better than Lone Survivor! The First Images of Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle in “American Sniper”

Only the USAF would force a group of people out one door while slamming another shut on those who want to leave!

MODERATOR NOTE: OK, enough about the police video. Please move on to something else. Thanks!

It is accurate, most departments train officers to keep individuals in their vehicle. Traffic stops are one of the most statistically dangerous activities known to law enforcers, no two are the same and they are never “routine.” Keeping people in the vehicle allows the officer to check out the interior of the car, all occupants inside, and most importantly their hands ("always watch the hands!"). As a matter of fact, most trainers advocate approaching the passenger-side of the vehicle to get a better look inside. That is what the Force Science Institute recommends.

Spend some time on patrol with a police officer and you might understand the situation better. There is no other profession, even being in the military, that puts people at personal risk as much as law enforcement. It's an everyday thing. Not saying that the shooting was justified, but I do understand both sides of the equation. I help train police officers, from cadets to personal protection details, and have learned a lot about police tactics. It's been a real eye-opener, and I realize that while such a response may seem excessive to most civilians; the reaction was one of personal survival more than anything. Hesitation will get you killed in that line of work faster than anything, and there is a mantra in law enforcement that goes "action before reaction." I am also not saying the civilian's move to his vehicle should have been cause for the shooting, but it was sudden and just exactly how was the officer suppose to know he was going for his license and not a weapon? Trust me, there have been numerous examples of the latter, as some of the videos posted have shown. Cops are people too, people who want to go home to their families and children at the end of their shifts the same way we in the military want to go home after a deployment. They also make honest mistakes, like many in the military have done; but not for nefarious reasons. I think that is the case here, and as sad as it is; such incidents occur and will continue to occur on a regular basis. I strongly advise everyone to think about their actions during a police stop, I doubt the civilian who was shot every considered that such a drastic move could be interpreted as a threat but from the officer's perspective it was. It is like one aspect of having a concealed carry license, the law in Texas states that CHL holders have to inform a police officer that they are carrying if asked for ID; but one thing several officers have suggested to me was never to use the word "gun" because that is what officers are trained to yell when they discover a firearm. If a second officer is present, and hears that word; he/she may not realize who said it and react as if it was a warning. I was actually pulled over for speeding in the Jeep (as ridiculous of a concept that is!) a few weeks ago and I simply told the constable I was carrying when I handed him my CHL. I also had my hands on the steering wheel and made no sudden moves during the stop (I did find it odd in the above video that the officer allowed the individual to exit his vehicle, that is not normal procedure). If it had been at night, I would have turned on the dome light as well. These are small things that make a bit difference, as an officer never knows what situation they are walking in to during a traffic stop; and if you honestly put yourselves in their shoes you might understand why they are so defensive to such sudden actions by people!

I was talking about his image with the military. He cares about how he looks to the ignorant masses that support him, not those in uniform...

"Perception that Obama doesn't like the military?!?" It's a well documented fact, and antics like this doesn't do him any favors in the eyes of those who wear or have worn the uniform. Article 88 notwithstanding, I don't think he even cares. It doesn't seem to bother him that he isn't showing the proper customs and courtesies to the Marines...

If only they were as brave combating extremists in their country! Saudi Tire Change

I think STRATFOR nailed it on their analysis despite not picking one side or the other...

I don't see any negatives, and support has been increasing...

Yep. Apparently Elvis' JetStar named Hound Dog II is also up for sale... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2677689/Graceland-remove-Presleys-old-airplanes.html

No kidding, could that dude be a bigger pussy? He needs a couple A-10 runs directed towards him, then he'll really shit his diaper!

I have the accompanying book to that series from when I was stationed in the UK from 82-84...it goes into more detail and shows what another three who weren't on the TV version went through. One each to Phantoms, Jaguars and Lightnings.

Sad.

WTF is up with this chick?!?

The "official" explanation as to why there has been no comment from the White House... Pure bullshit, in my opinion.

Army Maj. Gen. Harold Greene killed in Afghanistan Rest in peace.

Here ya go...

Many countries that have had conscription (national service) have given up the practice (the UK abolished theirs in 1960, as did Australia in 1972; and France "suspended" theirs in 2001 as did Germany in 2011). Note that not all involved military service, my German cousin served as a firefighter for several years in lieu of joining the Army. William F. Buckley wrote an interesting book (more like a long essay) on national service titled 'Gratitude' in which he advocated national service as a prerequisite to receiving government aid (e.g. student loans, college grants, etc.) or other benefits. Thus, it isn't mandatory but somewhat "highly encouraged!" Buckley offered this idea nearly 25 years ago, and while society has changed during that time (we were able to support two MRCs without needing military conscription, and are in the midst of a drawdown of the services), I still see the benefits of such a program. Perhaps not to the extent that Buckley proposed, but something that would work these days... Cheers! M2

WTF?

Maybe not in the same sense as Audie Murphy, but anyone who serves and sacrifices for the benefit of our nation is a hero to me...