Haiti 2010 = Somalia 1993?

No infrastructure, minimal food, water, and authority. American military forces deployed to distribute aid and enforce order. A local population that expects aid quickly, and seems to be getting more violent as those expectations aren't, and probably cannot, be met.

At some point, there will be riots when food isn't handed out quickly or widely enough. A bad situation when those handing out the food are armed; someone will try to push their way through, or take a weapon during a riot, and shots will be fired.

I don't believe this will end with happy locals smiling while they open the MREs on camera in the end. And we'll be lucky to exit that sad nation without losses of our own.

The Joys of Dog Ownership

Nothing sets off a Friday evening like coming home from a long day at work to find that all three dogs decided bladder control just isn't that important.

But they're still better than a critter that shits in box then walks all over your kitchen countertops.

Sometimes Good Enough is Just Fine

It's absolutely fine to critique young physicians in their fellowship when you're the established physician who is demonstrating techniques in a procedure. But it may be wise to accept the fellow's placement of a needle and then a guide wire into a major vein if it's within acceptable parameters, even if it's not exactly the spot you prefer to place it. Because when he does it the first time, then has you pull it out, tell him exactly where it should go, and lecture on the technique to do so, but it takes you a quarter-hour and a lot more attempts to actually achieve the same thing..............

Let's just say I'm sure he'll remember you.

Ugly Gun Sunday

Long before there were freakish mega-destructive video game weapons, there was the Colt Defender Mark I.

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A design that was finalized in 1967,the gun had eight 12 inch barrels were joined together around a central axis. Overall length was 17.75 inches with a weight of 8.6 pounds. The weapon was fabricated with an aluminum alloy receiver with steel inserts covered in an epoxy paint finish. But, there was little military interest, and attempts at civilian sales we unsuccessful.

That might be different today. I have a feeling there's a lot of young men who would buy one of these if they were featured in some of the major First Person Shooter games.

Respect

A story about the lack of it, and those who still embody it. Good for the young soldier (above, at the service). I'd consider it an honor to meet him, and to buy he and his girlfriend a steak dinner if they're ever in the neighborhood.

Ugly Gun Sunday

I vote we distribute lots of these in Yemen. Warheads fused for five meters, and lots of propellant.

Training

As I type this, it is 5 degrees (Fahrenheit- I'm old, so sue me) in Moscow, Russia. On the other side of the wall I'm next to, it is -15. Fueled by a steady diet of beer and cheese, the Midwesterner is perfectly adapted to winter combat conditions. Thus, in preparing for deployment to Afghanistan (Kabul temperature, 34 degrees; positively balmy) I will continue working on the diet that has made me the optimal combat machine I am today- Sam Adams and string cheese. Of which I've already had several. Cheers!