I've hinted a bit, and am pleased to pass along the following:

Soldiers' Angels

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Best-Selling Authors Provide Autographed Books to Support Project Valour-IT

Seven noted authors have stepped up to support Project Valour-IT by donating autographed books for auction, and more are anticipated to join them. The books are being auctioned on eBay to help raise money to help Soldiers' Angels provide adaptive laptops to wounded or disabled service members. 

David Weber, David Drake, John Ringo, David J. Williams, Dean Ing, Mark L. Van Name, and Travis "Doc" Taylor have all agreed to provide works for auction as part of the annual fundraiser, which kicked off on Veterans Day and ends Thanksgiving Day. The works are being auctioned on the eBay Giving Works listings (seller spliffslips) with the money raised going directly and fully to the Project Valour-IT fund.

Currently, there are seven items up for bid on eBay: 

The Last Centurion by John Ringo. 

The Quantum Connection by Travis S. Taylor.

Warp Speed by Travis S. Taylor.

Von Neuman's War by John Ringo and Travis S. Taylor (autographed by Travis S. Taylor only).

The Complete Hammer's Slammers Volume 1 by David Drake.

Vorpal Blade by John Ringo and Travis S. Taylor (autographed by Travis S. Taylor only).

Slanted Jack by Mark L. Van Name. 

Works by David Weber, Dave Williams, and Dean Ing will be posted for auction soon. The end time for each auction is different, so please check each listing to determine its end date. 

John Ringo is a New York Times best-selling author with more than a million copies of his works in print. A veteran (Airborne!), he is known for his solo "Posleen" and "Ghost" series, as well as his "Empire of Man" series co-authored with David Weber. 

Travis S. "Doc" Taylor is a rising light in the science fiction sky. He's earned not only a Ph.D. in optical science and engineering, but Master's degrees in physics, aerospace engineering, and astronomy and a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering as well. The author of several books, he may be best known for the "Looking Glass" series co-authored with John Ringo. The start of a series of video interviews with Taylor can be found here

David Drake is the New York Times best-selling author of the "Hammer's Slammers" series. Having written on a variety of subjects, his Hammer's Slammers work is based on his service in Vietnam and he is known to describe the series as the 11th Armored Cavalry with ray guns. The start of a series of video interviews with Drake can be found at here. 

Mark L. Van Name is an author who also runs a technology assessment company in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. A former Executive Vice President for Ziff Davis Media and national technology columnist, he's published over a thousand computer-related articles in addition to his "Slanted Jack" series and numerous short stories. The start of a series of video interviews with Van Name can be found here.

David Weber is the New York Times best-selling author of the acclaimed "Honor Harrington" series. The author of multiple best-selling books and series, he has seen his works develop a world-wide reach and following. The start of a series of video interviews with him can be found here.

David J. Williams is another rising star in the science fiction universe. Born in Hertfordshire, England, he now resides in Washington, DC. Mirrored Heavens is his first novel.

Dean Ing is the author of multiple science fiction and techno-thriller novels. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he earned a doctorate in communications and worked in aerospace engineering. He served on the Citizen's Advisory Council on National Space Policy. 

Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. Technology supplied includes:
Voice-controlled Laptops - Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery.

Wii Video Game Systems - Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions.

Personal GPS - Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to TBI and severe PTSD.

The experience of Major Chuck Ziegenfuss, a partner in the project who suffered serious hand wounds while serving in Iraq, illustrates how important these laptops and other technologies can be to a wounded service member's recovery.

Established in 2003, Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) non-profit providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as veterans and military families. For more information, see www.soldiersangels.org or call 626-529-5114. Tax ID# 20-0583415

Just a suggestion, but you may want to keep checking to see what seller spliffslips is putting up new...

First, about the way forward in Iraq, read this AAR by General (ret) Barry McCaffrey evaluated by John Donovan over at Argghhh!

The security situation is clearly still subject to sudden outrage at any moment by Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) or to degradation because of provocative behavior by the Maliki government. However, the bottom line is a dramatic and growing momentum for economic and security stability which is unlikely to be reversible. I would not characterize the situation as fragile. It is just beyond the tipping point.
• Daily attacks hit a high of 180+ in July of 2007--- they are now down to 20+ per day.
• Civilian deaths dropped from 3700 per month in Dec 2006 --- to 400 + in October 2008.
• US military deaths dropped from 110 in May of 2007---to 10 in October 2008.
• Iraqi Security Forces KIA dropped from 310 in June 2007--- to 50 in October 2008.)

c. The genius of the leadership team of Ambassador Ryan Crocker, General Dave Petraeus, and Secretary of Defense Bob Gates has turned around the situation from a bloody disaster under the leadership of Secretary Rumsfeld to a growing situation of security. Ambassador Crocker will be very, very difficult to replace in February 2009. We are fortunate that General Ray Odierno has stepped in to take Joint command of MNF-I. He is very experienced, knows all the players and has sophisticated situational awareness. The Iraqis trust him enormously--- they refer to him as the “big man with the quiet voice.”

General McCaffrey should be the only realistic choice for President-Elect Obama.  Independent.  Trustworthy.  Serves up his opinion for all to see, no hedging, no BSing.  This is the guy who has been right time and time again about the war.

Next, about the way forward in Afghanistan, over at Small Wars Journal, here is an article by the editors of SWJ about how we can execute a Surge Strategy in Afghanistan.

...Although the goal of executing a surge in Afghanistan would be similar in nature to that of Iraq, the challenges presented by a larger, rural-based population with unique tribal dynamics, a harsher geography, and an enemy operating from bases outside the country will require a different focus and force structure...

Go check them out so we are clear about the way forward.

Apparently, the Obama-elect administration is going to meet with the Iraq Veterans Against the War.  Now, while there may be one or two decent and well-intentioned folk among them, as whole, they generally are charlatans and liars (hence their dire need to testify to Congress NOT under oath).

TSO at This Ain't Hell is all over them.

Here's one of their posters.  "Send McCain back to his cage in Hanoi"

Mad as hell, are you?

Me too.

So why in the !@#$ing @#$% sweet @#$%Ing @#%% is President-Elect Obama considering meeting with these folks who have been collosally incorrect in their judgement and found completely lacking in character and honesty?

More at This Ain't Hell...But You Can See It From Here.  Go and read the whole piece about IVAW...

A soldier peers through an M-4 carbine scope while providing overwatch security in Tal Afar, Iraq, Nov. 13, 2008. The Army recently received final delivery of 473,000 carbines.    U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N Bailey

More here.

Michèle Flournoy is a senior associate at CSIS. In January 2007, she cofounded and was named president of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), a venture dedicated to advancing a strong, centrist national security strategy. Prior to joining CNAS, she was a senior adviser at CSIS, where she worked on a broad range of defense policy and international security issues. Previously, she was a distinguished research professor at the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University (NDU), where she founded and led the university’s Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) working group, which was chartered by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to develop intellectual capital in preparation for the Department of Defense’s 2001 QDR. Prior to joining NDU, she was dual-hatted as principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and threat reduction and deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy. In that capacity, she oversaw three policy offices in the Office of the Secretary of Defense: Strategy; Requirements, Plans, and Counterproliferation; and Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasian Affairs. Ms. Flournoy was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service in 1996, the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service in 1998, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award in 2000. In addition to several edited volumes and reports, she has authored dozens of articles on international security issues. Ms. Flournoy holds a B.A. in social studies from Harvard University and an M.Litt. in international relations from Balliol College, Oxford University, where she was a Newton-Tatum scholar. She is a member of the Aspen Strategy Group, the Council on Foreign Relations, the International Institute of Strategic Studies, and the Executive Board of Women in International Security. She is a former member of the Defense Policy Board and the Defense Science Board Task Force on Transformation.

I would like more executive experience but I read a few things she wrote and I found nothing odd and some solid thinking. He could certainly do worse, such as the execrable F John Kerry.

Thoughts anyone?

This is the second time in the last few months that the DoD has been caught issuing a photograph to the media that was digitally altered. In September, they issued two photos of slain soldiers that were obviously identical beyond the face, name, and rank.

The army insists that it did nothing wrong, as its policy only prohibits issuing edited photos that misrepresent the facts of an event. The AP insists that submitting altered photos for any reason damages the credibility of photos distributed by the military.

This is the second time in the last few months that the DoD has been caught issuing a photograph to the media that was digitally altered. In September, they issued two photos of slain soldiers that were obviously identical beyond the face, name, and rank.

The army insists that it did nothing wrong, as its policy only prohibits issuing edited photos that misrepresent the facts of an event. The AP insists that submitting altered photos for any reason damages the credibility of photos distributed by the military.

Prechter will be on at 12:15PM Eastern and Cavanaugh will be on at 1:15PM Eastern.

The Scott Horton Show airs Monday through Friday from 12PM-2PM Eastern on KAOS 92.7FM. Additional feeds and archives available at Antiwar Radio.

Prechter will be on at 12:15PM Eastern and Cavanaugh will be on at 1:15PM Eastern.

The Scott Horton Show airs Monday through Friday from 12PM-2PM Eastern on KAOS 92.7FM. Additional feeds and archives available at Antiwar Radio.

"BAGHDAD -- The US military has barred Iraqi interpreters working with American troops in Baghdad from wearing ski masks to disguise themselves, prompting some to resign and others to bare their faces even though they fear it could get them killed.

We are a professional Army and professional units don't conceal their identity by wearing masks," Lt. Col. Steve Stover, a spokesman for the U.S. military, wrote in an e-mail. He expressed appreciation for the service and sacrifice of the interpreters but said those dissatisfied with the new policy "can seek alternative employment."

I'm sorry Steve, you f**king idiot, but your desire and whichever idiot flag officer you represent's desire for conformity and uniformity is not important enough to get better men than you killed. If you are so hell bent on having uniform looking terps then haul your FOB sitting ass out among the populace and let's see how you fare.

Mindless jag offs like these led me to early retirement. Same kind of assholes tell SF team guys to shave their beards in A-Stan.

Navy SEAL w/ hood on to obscure his f**king identity so he won't be targeted and killed like our brave interpreters. Damn you dumb Steve.

UPDATE: The Wolf points out a beard story from the Stan.

Why I love writing for BLACKFIVE. People like April, she gets us.

Tell us how you really feel.

Ouch.

I'm sorry Steve, you f**king idiot, but your desire and whichever idiot flag officer you represent's desire for conformity and uniformity is not important enough to get better men than you killed. If you are so hell bent on having uniform looking terps then haul your FOB sitting ass out among the populace and let's see how you fare.

Mindless jag offs like these led me to early retirement. Same kind of assholes tell SF team guys to shave their beards in A-Stan.

I love Blackfive.