evolution

Here is a quick overview of the book previously cited on Evolution, “The Pentagon’s New Map.” In essence the book calls for a realignment of the Pentagon to face the new trend in combat and the new position that American forces find themselves in.

The American military is still based in a Cold War type strategy of being able to face one big opponent, this means China most likely today. The Pentagon has for most of the 90’s stated that its goal was to be able to fight to large scale conflicts in different areas of the world at the same time. While they were attempting to realize this, they continued to buy weapon systems for the big one. While this was going on, the military in the 90’s was being hauled all over creation fighting lesser includeds in “operations other than war”.

What the author suggests is that the American military start to divide itself based on use of the force. One force to be a major war fighting force, because the US military can pound any country at will. Iraq took six weeks and the Marines driving down the streets really upset some of those folks. And the other force would be to wage the peace, which as we all know the Pentagon isn’t very good at. But as the author suggests, we could be if we tried.

As you can imagine the book goes into much detail about historical nature of why things are like they are and strategic plans he suggests for the military. I found it a very interesting read and concur with most of his ideas. My suggestion is to pick it up.

If you’re one of the blog cognoscenti, you may have noticed that my TTLB Ecosystem ranking has jumped in two days from “Slithering Reptile” status to “Large Mammal”, a ranking jump of 4000 points.

This is false. I have two domains, evolution-nextstep.net and evolution-nextstep.com, which until now did not point to the same place and were cross-linked to high heaven.

Now they point to the same place, so the bulk of the links that count toward my current ranking are self-referential, causing an inflated reading. I’ve sent an e-mail; hopefully this will all get sorted out in time.

If you’re an NFL fan, check out this profile of Chiefs OG Will Shields — one who never attracts much media coverage, but who also has been to 10 Pro Bowls and seems destined for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

I have been receiving a glut of comment spam messages, which are becoming a pain to deal with. Thus, I have added an additional anti-spam layer to this site. You’ll now have to type a code, generated each time you call up the comment form. It’ll be right above the post comment button. It’ll be easy for you to type the code, but impossible for spam-generating robots.

I’ve tried it out; it doesn’t seem to be too onerous a burden to place on you, the readers. I just don’t want this to become a billboard for filthy, subhuman spammers.

Let me know if you have problems with this feature, or if you don’t like it.

UPDATE [20:43]: Now I’m out of beer.

UPDATE [21:47]: Beer shortage ameliorated. I also want to let you know that if you mistype the code you get and click the “Post comment” button, you’ll get an error and your comment will be eaten. I’m also working on an FAQ entry explaining it all.

UPDATE [01.07.2005 16:35]: I have edited this post to remove the link to the makers of this anti-spam measure; not to take credit away from the author of this software but to protect this site from increasingly-vengeful spammers.

I’ve not been blogging about current events (although there are plenty to talk about, both here in Kansas and elsewhere), because I’ve been playing with Christmas presents: a copy of Neverwinter Nights Gold Edition, a copy of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, a home theater system, a new set of knives, and an electric mixer. I also got some secret barbecue ingredients that I have yet to try.

Thanks to Michael for guest-posting while I was at home playing. I won’t take back the reins fully just yet — he’s working on a review of Prof. Thomas Barnett’s The Pentagon’s New Map, which I mentioned here.

I am off until next Tuesday. I’m sure I’ll find several things to write about between now and then.

To those of you running Wordpress blogs, I suggest the [name removed] plug-in. Judicious choices of words on the list of spam words in the Options > Discussion > Comment Moderation section can help you greatly restrict or even prevent most spam from ever being posted.

UPDATE [12/30/2004 14:34]: Keep trying, assholes.

UPDATE [01.07.2005 16:37]: I have edited this post to remove the link to the makers of this anti-spam measure; not to take credit away from the author of this software but to protect this site from increasingly-vengeful spammers.

Here is what looks to be an interesting read, Preserving Security and Democratic Freedoms in the War on Terrorism (PDF). This is the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism which is in Oklahoma City. They also have some other intersting historical terrorism information and links to the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 and investigations that followed.

DIRECTOR MUELLER APPOINTS THREE NEW ASSISTANT DIRECTORS

Washington, D.C. - FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III, today announced the appointments of three veteran FBI agents to Assistant Director (AD) positions – Thomas E. Bush III, AD, Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division, Willie T. Hulon, AD Counterterrorism Division, and Louis M. Reigel III, AD Cyber Division.

Director Mueller said, “These three Divisions are integral components of today’s FBI. Preventing terrorist attacks and addressing the evolving problem of cyber crime are top priorities, as is supporting our partners in state, local, tribal, and federal law enforcement. Tom Bush, Willie Hulon, and Louis Reigel are proven leaders who will serve the American people well in their new positions. I look forward to working closely with each of them.”

FBI Director Mueller, whom I really admire (you would too after reading his biography), has put some more people in charge. Here’s the thing: The Counterterrorism Division has already had 5 Assistant Directors since September 11, 2001. Hulon makes number six. My concern is that no one is staying there long enough to make changes if changes are needed. But, congrats to these guys and on behalf of the American people, do a great job.

There are links to relief organizations and volunteer efforts at TsunamiHelp.

Rather than go into a rambling post about an event to which I can add nothing, I’ve decided to provide you with links to news coverage of this colossal disaster — from Yahoo! News, the BBC, CNN, and Fox News.

All I will add is this: Much will be made in the coming hours and days about the lack of “warning” for the people affected by this disaster. I keep asking myself, “What could be done to prepare for and warn people about a disaster on this scale?” The answer I keep coming back to is “Nothing.”