RTFA: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/Story?id…

What, then, provoked one U.S. Marine to let himself be videotaped apparently flinging a yelping puppy over a cliff, bursting into laughter at the sound of the animal’s body hitting the ground below? The tape of the apparent incident has rocketed around the Internet, provoking a firestorm of criticism.

The motivation for such an act, if it did indeed occur, may be as complex and deep as the U.S. war that has dragged on for more than four years, experts told ABCNEWS.com. Chief among them: Having to live with the constant fear of being injured or killed might have led this Marine to take his aggression out on a defenseless animal, several psychologists said.

I disagree with the fundamental premise of the article: it’s not clear that this is cruelty. The puppy is obviously in a combat zone, so it’s no surprise that a US Soldier is nearby. It’s obvious that it is a soldier committing the act, and we’re well aware that animals are being used by terrorists.

This is just another instance of the predictable knee-jerk reaction of the liberal media and liberal blogging world. Pity for the puppy, scorn for the soldier. As usual, the liberals jump to conclusions, but I ask: what is the context? Literally, the tail wags this dog, and literally, this particular dog is headed over a cliff.

I must caution you against feeling for the puppy due to emotional reasons. It is a cute, cuddly, and innocent baby of an animal. However, if you allow yourself to think such thoughts, it will be impossible to view this situation in the proper context. How else can you reconcile the actions of this soldier with your beliefs, unless you kill the part of your soul that feels pity for the puppy.

Listen folks: we can’t conclude that this is cruelty, because we’re a nation at war. Feel pity for the soldier, not for some insignificant animal. I say that if it helps our soldiers, then throwing enemy puppies off a cliff is as patriotic as anything else. And another thing: let’s send our troops some body armor, too.

Well, maybe.

RTFA: http://www.centredaily.com/business/story/376478.h…

According to newly released FEC reports, Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul has received more military donations than the other three remaining Republican candidates combined.
“The latest numbers make it clear: the troops support Ron Paul,” said Ron Paul campaign chairman Kent Snyder. “Dr. Paul has worked his entire career working for veterans, and has many awards and endorsements due to his dedication to their cause.”
A search of the FEC database by employer reveals that Dr. Paul has received 1160 donations from military donors, nearly triple that of John McCain, and more than McCain, Mitt Romney, and Mike Huckabee combined.
Dr. Paul’s total military donations of $249 thousand are almost as much as the $260 thousand of combined donations received by the other five remaining candidates.

WOW

RTFA: http://www.yalerotc.org/Solomon.html

The 1996 Solomon Amendment provides for the Secretary of Defense to deny federal funding to institutions of higher learning if they prohibit or prevent ROTC or military recruitment on campus.

This law has been codified in 10 USC Sec. 983. Version in effect as of Jan 2000 shown here.

Apparently there have been some suggestions to deny federal funding for Columbia University based on this law.

RTFA: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070926/ap_on_go_ca_st…

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert Gates told Congress on Wednesday he is unhappy with the Pentagon’s oversight of its private contractors in Iraq, saying he’s dispatched a fact-finding team to investigate problems there.

“My concern is whether there has been sufficient accountability and oversight,” he told the Senate Appropriations Committee at a hearing called to discuss the administration’s request for additional war funding.

Gates said the Pentagon has sufficient legal authority to control its contractors. The issue, he said, is whether commanders have sufficient “means and resources” to exercise adequate oversight.

RTFA: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20070905/D8RFH6C00.html

A B-52 bomber was mistakenly armed with six nuclear warheads and flown for more than three hours across several states last week, prompting an Air Force investigation and the firing of one commander, Pentagon officials said Wednesday.
The incident was so serious that President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates were quickly informed and Gates has asked for daily briefings on the Air Force probe, said Defense Department press secretary Geoff Morrell. He said, “At no time was the public in danger.”

Very reassuring. Like my buddy said, “what’s the worst that could happen?”