A South African's experience in the British Army in Iraq

This is some of the most emotive multimedia that I have ever seen. I was meant to blog about this piece when it was released on The Times, but got sidetracked.Astounding. It is refreshing to see things in Iraq from the perspective of a South African and not an American or Iraqi.See for yourself:The Times caption:

A tour in Iraq that ended in tragedy. WARNING: VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED!

Brought to you by: The Times MultimediaThis video was a dramatic and effective part of Carly and Gregor's presentation at the Captivate conference.

Gays shouldn't be in the army

Wow, I had never heard of Chris Crocker before. Until today that is.Do yourself a favour and have a laugh at this young fellow, visit youtube and search for his name. Watch some of his ranting. The Britney vids are my favourite and the most scary of the lot.In the video below he goes on about gay people not having to fight in the war. It's an interesting thought but hard to take seriously coming from him/her:

Sniper in Afghanistan Goes Mental From Over 2000ft

I received an email today containing the following video. First let me share the text from the email:

Canadian Sniper in Afghanistan.These video shots are not made through the shooter's telescopic sight...they are made looking through the spotter's scope. The spotter lies right next to the sniper and helps the sniper to find and home in on the target.The sniper is using a 50 caliber rifle. A 50 cal. round is about 7-8 inches long and the casing is about an inch in diameter. The bullet itself is one-half inch in diameter and roughly one and one-half inches long.Pay close attention to the beginning of the video. A Taliban is lying on top of the peak in front of you... when you hear the shot fired.... watch what happens. The sniper is also about a half mile away... or more.A Canadian sniper in Afghanistan has been confirmed as hitting an enemy soldier at a range of 2,310 meters, the longest recorded and confirmed sniper shot in history. The previous record of 2,250 meters was set by US Marine sniper Carlos Hathcock in Vietnam in 1967. The Canadian sniper was at an altitude of 8,500 feet and the target, across a valley, was at 9,000 feet. Canadian sniper units often operated in support of US infantry units, which were grateful for their help. The record lasted only one day, until a second Canadian sniper hit an enemy soldier at 2,400 meters (8000 feet).The Canadian snipers fire special .50-calibre McMillan tactical rifles, which are bolt-action weapons with five-round magazines. The Canadian snipers were the only Canadian troops operating without helmets or flak jackets as they had too much other equipment to carry. Each three-man team has one sniper rifle, three standard rifles (Canadian C7s), one of them with a 203mm grenade launcher.

I am not claiming that any of it is true or untrue but I do think that it is absolutely incredible, astounding and frightening to think what a sniper is capable of.On top of all of this, I personally know a sniper in the British Army. He is in fact one of the top snipers currently in the British Army. He holds the record for the most accurate shot or something or other. It is frightening what these people are capable of and capable of putting away in a dark place.Imagine witnessing some guys head fly off his shoulders and then returning home to a nice warm meal cooked by your mother and getting in to bed with your girlfriend? A bit out of my capacity I think.This discussion (is it a discussion if I'm talking to myself?) can easily venture in to apartheid territory and conscription back in the day. But I wont go there unless I'm asked.

One Day of Silence For The USA, How Many For Africa?

I just read on Tylers' blog about a call for one day of silence on April 30th for those who dies in Virginia.Forget it. I outright refuse to observe this. I am saddened by the event as I have stated already but refuse to acknowledge this American rubbish. Why should I in Africa observe a day of non-blogging or "silence" for 30 Americans who died at the hands of one of their own? It is shameful what that freaking psychopath did but I am in South Africa, I am trying to make sense of the thousands, hundreds of thousands that die everyday in Africa and other countries because of trade restraints, Western Capitalists exploiting the people of Africa and others who have tried to take over countries around the world such as Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Vietnam.What about those people? What about the millions of innocents that America has trudge on to get what they want, to gain political, economical and geographical strength? Please. Keep your silence of one day and try taking it on for all of those innocent people that have been massacred by Westerners over the years.I am sorry that I am ranting but it really pisses me off when ignorance meets tragedy and more ignorance ensues. Get a grip on the world America, learn where Africa is, figure out your history and feel the pain of the millions that have suffered at the hands of your apparent "fight for freedom".

Comfort amidst war

I received this picture via email. Maybe you've seen it, maybe you haven't. Very interesting.

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Saddam gets it

Saddam Hussein has been handed the death penalty. He has been handed the knot. And I guess it's no big surprise really to anyone who knows almost anything about politics and the U.S of A.He was found guilty of murder, forced deportation and torture. The interesting and strange thing I find, it is fairly obvious, is that he is being put to death for crimes that took place more than 20 years ago. Rather late than never I always say. Hey?Look at him in all his great glory. This picture is courtesy of Sky News as well as the info above.But (yes there's always a but) Jen sent me another article, something a bit more interesting, another take on things, if you will. I'm gonna give you the abridged version here. Read the full story if you like. And it goes a little something like this:

1. It'll make the security situation worse.
2. It'll make Saddam a martyr.
3. The court has also awarded a death sentence to itself.
4. The trial's fairness is dubious.
5. The new regime is squandering a chance to prove it's better than the old one.
6. The death penalty is just wrong.

In short, if Saddam gets it (and he will) then groups rallying for Saddam will lose it, worse than Saddam loses it. They will go absolutely mental all up in there and shit will hit the fan-eth. Civil unrest is certainly on the cards. Saddam looks shit hot, albeit dead, for dying for his cause. His supporters grow stronger and braver and others become more cautious and confused. The involved prosecutors, judges and families are sure to pay for their insolence. Some have already died (murdered if you choose) and others surely will. Death penalties are morally questionable. Aren't they? And finally, the trial wasn't all that legit now was it?I think this can be seen as a small victory on the battle field but a great loss for the war.*Certain inserts have been lifted from Dominic Knight. Follow the link above for the full story.

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