Monday, July 19, 2010

“Corpse in Armor” in the Real World

Have you read Martin McPhillps’ counter-terrorism thriller Corpse in Armor?  I have, and most recently posted some thoughts on McPhillips’ book under the heading “Corpse in Armor” - Buy It, Read It, Understand It.

In a review just posted at the Western Rifle Shooters Association, you can read this.

A hell of a ride, placing the reader in almost the same position as the characters, as all try to anticipate the OpFors’ (no, that is not a possessive apostrophe fault) next moves, while at the same trying to determine just exactly what is going on.

In other words—a thriller, in the best sense of the genre.

And as such, a perfect stealth device to get people who should be thinking about bigger issues than beach novels to do so.

While in a recent review at RicketyClick you can read this.

The action is compelling, though, and the overall pattern is unmistakable to anyone who pays attention to news beyond the papers and cable TV; anyone who owns a gun for self-defense; anyone who refuses to believe that America is the worst nation ever to foul the planet. You find yourself nodding, time and again, but you wish you didn’t have to: the symptoms are dire, the diagnosis is clear, and the prognosis is not good.

This file presents a scenario that is perhaps somewhat outdated, even optimistic — for instance, the President is merely uninvolved, neither a serious suspect nor appallingly incompetent. Nevertheless, this is the war we’re in. You understand that in essence, the enemies of America are portrayed accurately; some aspects have played out in the news since this was compiled. (bold by ed.)

Pay particular attention to the words in bold, above, as you read the following, which is taken from a Washington Post piece titled TOP SECRET AMERICA - A hidden world, growing beyond control.

The top-secret world the government created in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, has become so large, so unwieldy and so secretive that no one knows how much money it costs, how many people it employs, how many programs exist within it or exactly how many agencies do the same work.

These are some of the findings of a two-year investigation by The Washington Post that discovered what amounts to an alternative geography of the United States, a Top Secret America hidden from public view and lacking in thorough oversight. After nine years of unprecedented spending and growth, the result is that the system put in place to keep the United States safe is so massive that its effectiveness is impossible to determine.

McPhillips book, Corpse in Armor, captures the essence of this “top secret America, hidden from public view,” and the unknown individuals moving sliently within.  The WAPO piece moans over this “alternative geography” within America and those traveling within, McPhillips’ book maps the geography, and brings the individuals hidden from view to life.

Posted by John Venlet on 07/19 at 11:37 AM
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A History “Discovery” While Off Grid

Over the past seven days, I have not read much beyond topo maps, and the lays of trout in small, fast streams while exploring the U.P. of Michigan.

What I’ve read since returning to the grid, deals with a bit of history, and this is because I “discovered” this.

image

The photograph is a bit difficult to view; I’m no photographer and one hundred and twenty-nine (129) years have weathered away the sharpness of the marks; but what the photo shows is the following carved into that rock:

Aug. 17 1881
Simon Denomie

What cannot be seen in that photo, are the words “Bayfield Wisconsin,” as they are carved into the face of the rock, and they have weathered more than the above date and name.

I had climbed over this particular rock four times, which is alongside a ten (10) foot drop waterfall, unawares that anything was carved on the rock, and upon climbing back down the fourth time, I noted what appeared to be a letter carved into the rock, and close examination revealed the above.

Since returning to my home late Friday, I’ve been researching this, and have found that Simon Denomie was a Lake Superior Chippewa Indian, former postmaster of Assinins, Michigan (1894), not far from where I was exploring in the U.P., and he was also a recipient of congressional legislation dealing with Indian affairs, amongest other bits and pieces of information.  I have also found out that this carving into the rock though “known” about, its exact location was unknown, as was what exactly was carved into the rock.

I’ve also reached out via email regarding this “discovery,” which has resulted in contact with the Chairman of the Mackinac Bands of the Chippewa and Ottawa Indians, and with Simon Denomie’s great-granddaughter, and they are very excited about this historical record of their ancestor, and that I reached out to inform them of this.

I, also, am excited about this “discovery,”  corresponding with Simon’s ancestors, and that I have been personally invited by the Chairman of the Mackinac Bands of the Chippewa and Ottawa Indians to the Rendezvous at the Straits this August.

Just thought I’d share this with you.

Posted by John Venlet on 07/19 at 09:05 AM
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Futility of Voting

I no longer vote.  Many individuals may state that because I do not vote my opinions do not hold water, or, that I am not allowed to register my disdain for governmental programs, politicians, or what have you in matters regarding the State.

I do not vote because, after much consideration, I have come to the conclusion it is immoral, but here is another opinion which notes the futility of voting.

There have been several occasions when the American people have voted for smaller government; most notably in 1972, 1980 and 1994. But it really doesn’t matter. You can vote for limited government, but you can’t get it; the political class won’t let you. This is not to assert the silly proposition that there is no major difference between Democrats and Republicans. The fiscal disaster that we have witnessed since the Democrats took control of Congress in 2007 proves the contrary. But still: experience shows that voting for Republicans hasn’t been enough to offset the power of the political class.

Historical, empirical evidence proves the futility of voting, and also supports the statement that Slaves Cannot Vote Themselves Free.

The quote in this post was taken from a PowerLine post titled A Dangerous Disaffection which I linked via InstaPundit.

Posted by John Venlet on 07/19 at 07:19 AM
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