The Morris Dees Strategy: Waging Economic War on Terrorism.

     In the early days of this War on Terror, the talking heads and bureaucrats touted the new and unique ways such a conflict would be fought: that assets of the military and law enforcement would work in conjunction to prosecute the war. Why not add lawyers to the mix?

I have great faith in the ability of those soul-less, shape-shifting creatures of the night we call attorneys to find a way forward in devising a strategy of international litigation, to bring civil suits in various countries, or perhaps somehow in American courtrooms, against go those individuals or groups who train, harbor, provide aide to, radicalize, or provide the venue (mosques, private residences) for radicalizing  persons or groups who go on to commit acts of terror.  Groups or individuals who are the subject of these kinds of suits would have to spend huge amounts of money defending against the charges and, if unsuccessful, would be required to pay the resulting judgements. 

     Morris Dees' Southern Poverty Law Center successfully used a similar strategy to break the back of the KKK and Neo-nazi hate groups. If we view Al Quidea as just a hate group on a grand scale, why can’t it work in this 21rst Century kind of war? 

     Some who choose to commit acts of terror are motivated by cash incentives from various sources and these are often passed on to loved ones left behind to improve their lot in life. If would-be terrorists could see that families of those committing acts of terror are going broke defending themselves in civil trials for receiving assets from terror-related sources, there would surely be some level of deterrent factor.

     Clerics who become aware of radical elements in their communities might be quicker to identify these rouge actors to police if they knew that their own land and other assets could be seized to pay civil judgements if they are connected to terrorists.  If not, they may at least tell would-be terrorists to find other digs, making it harder for them to conduct business. The fear of loss and the suspicion this strategy of civil litigation for terror might raise within the more radical elements of society can also be deemed a method of psychological warfare.

     In the end, seizing assets to pay huge awards for civil damage stemming from terrorism may not solve the problem, but any impact at all is a good thing and it would provide a symbolic way of striking back at terrorists.  

Of related interest:

 

On the trail of al-Shabab’s Kenyan recruitment 'pipeline' By Peter Taylor BBC News

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-24263357


‘Misha,’ the man accused of radicalizing Boston Marathon bomber, denies influence
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/man-accused-radicalizing-boston-bomber-breaks-silence-article-1.1330008 


Banned Muslim cleric likely radicalized Woolwich attacker
http://www.timesofisrael.com/banned-muslim-cleric-suspected-of-radicalizing-woolwich-attacker/ 
 

Space Cowboys meets Terminator: the F-16 as UCAV

     The US Air Force has just successfully tested a remote-piloted F-16. Brilliant, but why? Press coverage indicates they may be used as target drones for pilots to train putting holes in, but there are even greater possibilities for this breakthrough. Numerous stories about drone pilot shortages and how the Air Force isn't sure about how to recruit for these roles. The question whether they should be using huge cash bonuses to lure fighter pilots to become drone pilots or if they should finding computer gamers for these positions seems to be hotly contested at the Pentagon. Perhaps using the F-16 as a viable alternate to the Reaper and the Predator solves this problem. While these drones have certain advantages like being able to remain on station for hours until needed, the F-16 as Uninhabited Air Combat Vehicle (UCAV) can carry a cannon and significantly more ordinance. Furthermore, the improved fuel economy that would come from removing the cockpit canopy and life support systems would allow the jet to remain airborne longer.

Three points to consider before you dismiss the idea:

1. There are hundreds of trained, vetted, experienced, retired F-16 pilots who would leap at the chance to serve again.

2. Further cost savings for the D.O.D could be found in the privatizing of this role. A Private Military Company offering pilots as contracted technicians saves the government on the cost of recruiting, training, vetting, and most importantly frees them of the burden of providing the kinds of health, education, and retirement benefits they have to provide to military pilots.

3. Surplus F-16's are numerous. A cursory look at satellite photos of Davis-Monthan Air Force base earlier today (who knows when the photo was actually taken) revealed well over two hundred F-16's sitting in storage. That is the the equivalent of several squadrons of planes, already paid, for that could now be retrofitted with the necessary hi-tech hardware for a fraction of the cost of new drones.


Of course it is still early days, but could the wave of the future be a blast from the past? 

For Further Reading:

F-16 Uninhabited Air Combat Vehicles by Kenneth E. Thompson, Major, USAF

An Insular Society by Choice?

      In case you missed it, Mo Farah is apparently new to running, or at least that's the word in America. The gaffee last week by a local news presenter perfectly illustrates the insular attitude so common in the states. One can forgive a farmer working under the regime of Kim Jong Un who may be unfamiliar with world events, but in a twenty-first century western nation, can there be any excuse for ignorance? It isn't difficult to find people who can describe in detail everything that happened last week on the latest reality show, but discovering someone who can find Iran on a map, who can tell you what is going on in Congress, or in this case, who can simply conduct a bit of research before the broadcast is rare, indeed. To be fair, many in America probably cannot name any three of thier own gold medalists, let alone those form outside the US.
     By complacency or indifference, are Americans not willfully wasting the hard-won gift of the free press and if that is so, how far behind is the decline of quality American journalism?

"Novice" Runner Mo Farah's Interview.

Jaywalking segment with Jay Leno:

 Chris Morrow, an Australian comic used to conduct similar man-on-the-street interviews on the satirical program CNNNN, tapped into the same vein of comedy gold.

    
For further reading:
   
The Insular American

A Free Press Isn't Free

Reporters Without Borders

 

What's In A Name?

In addition to mastering the bayonet and potato peeler, my military years required learning to speak acronymese. Some reading this may understand what is meant when I say that two PFCs from DIVARTY were TDY to the ROK, where they served with KATUSAs. Or, for those more nautically inclined, I could tell you about the two LDOs from the GW who had trouble with their POV coming back from PSD at the NAS across town. Acronyms might have their place and purpose, but should be designed in such away that they inspire respect and do not detract from the item, program, or organization they are meant to represent. I just can't be the only one sniggering when Colombia's FARC makes the news. As one who could never keep a straight face when the Sunday school teacher spoke of Balaam and his talking ass, these acronyms also struck me as amusing:

Leaking Underground Storage Tanks

Building Officials Association of Texas

Dust and Aerosol Measurement Feasibility Test

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front

Even when people think an acronym may not be enough, the chosen company or product name might have been better planned. Need examples? Try:

Thin layer chromatography plates company

For your next party

Sports drink

Lost in Translation?

I'll probably never be asked to join the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, but I suppose I can start my own organization. Any one care to join my Twisted Writers And Thespians Society?

Bush 4.0

      Just when you thought it was safe to back in the polling booth, yet another scion of Bush (S.O.B, anyone?) has surfaced. I give you George Prescott Bush, son of Jeb, nephew of Dubya, and grandson of Bush '41, the man so statesman-like that he once barfed on the Japanese Prime Minister. Look for the Republicans to shamelessly romance the Hispanic voter with candidates like this latest product of the Bush Brand. We can expect to hear more from GPB, obviously. The real question is if he has the courage to establish his own clear vision and stand on his own merit or will he, through self-interest, become a willing GOP lapdog?

Missing Mr. Kruschev

    

      Remember the Cold War? It was in all the papers. Those were halcyon days when cheerful slogans like “Better dead than red,” and “Kill a Commie for mommy” tugged at our heart strings. We knew the Rooskies and fellow travelers were hell-bent on taking over the world and it was our job as good ol’ God-fearing capitalists to destroy them all and make the world safe for democracy. Then what the hell happened? I remember going out for coffee one Thursday in 1989 and when I got back to my desk, the Berlin wall was in ruins, regular flights from New York to Moscow began leaving every day, and every kook from Waziristan to Priest River, Idaho gained access to Soviet miltary hardware. Suddenly, Iran and North Korea are nuclear contenders and space-program hopefuls, Kalsnikov-wielding insurgents are running amok all over Asia and North Africa, and a week in America just isn’t complete without a report of a mass shooting.   

     Who knew that the years when everyone was gearing up for nuclear winter were actually the good old days?  Oh, for the paranoia and simplicity of the missile envy era!

Mischief in Mali: My, How Quickly Things Change!

     O.K, I'm guilty and the charge is complacency.  All the links below were compiled last week when I started writing a little piece on the war in Mali. Work intervened and I put the post aside to finish later. After all, what difference does a few days make when writing about a conflict in a country most can't find on a globe, right? How wrong I was. When I switched off my computer, a dusty little nowhere was being looked after by an African Union Force whilst those in the west, it seemed, weighed their options. Experts said intervention before September was unlikely. Suddenly, it seems, French combat troops are on the ground, their jets are attacking targets while nearby, US drones are buzzing around menacingly, and UK transport planes laden with supplies will be touching down in Mali probably as I write this. How bad is the situation on the ground if events have escalated this quickly?

Different challenges in Central African Rep., Mali
http://www.timesunion.com/news/world/article/Different-challenges-in-Central-African-Rep-Mali-4166816.php#photo-3978020


UN Security Council Authorizes Military Mission in Mali
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/20/world/africa/u-n--mali/index.html

North Mali "Terrorist" Havens Threaten 
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/14/us-africa-security-idUSBRE86D05W20120714

http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2012/07/14/role-libya-leads-havoc-mali/ctEqyCGqpYJe9n4QzBQ2LJ/story.html

Mauritanian and Malian Forces Raid
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13917344

African Union Chair to Meet Harper as Canada  Mulls Support For Mali
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/African+Union+chair+meet+Harper+Canada+mulls+support+Mali/7782205/story.html