Normblog had 3 interesting posts today:

1. He notes the passing of the actress Jean Simmons. As Grim has a habit of noting the cultural ideals and what not of classic Hollywood films, it seems appropriate to note some of Simmons' movies:
Guys and Dolls

I have a soft spot for this movie, having been in the play in high school. Marlon Brando, unfortunately, cannot carry a tune to save his life.

The Robe

Nice smile as there as they're being led off to get martyred. This is the sort of movie that nobody would get caught dead making anymore, but seemed to be a staple of 1950's Hollywood.

Elmer Gantry

This is a interesting film that can be looked at a number of ways. I'll leave it each to get what they want from it.

But it shows I think, how Simmons was one of those 'visions of beauty' that Grim was on about.

RIP

2. Norm also notes Martin Amis behaving badly. Pleading it was 'just satire' is both weak and craven.

3. Norm also notes the British government behaving badly. Which I suppose, is nothing particularly new, but as he notes, the cynicism is rich. Neat trick if you can pull it off.

...“You probably have time to put on pants, Sir.”

LT G relates his and his platoon's experiences during the recent Mahdi army 'revolt' in Iraq.

I want to send SSG Bulldog more milkbones.

Rules of Engagement.

In which, LT G appears to finally decide that asking forgiveness is a better choice than asking permission.

It's no fun being in charge.

They don't call it the suck for nothing.

LT G got dumped. I saw that in peacetime, and it sucked then. At least he's taking better than his CPT did.

Home is where the heart is. Or something like that.

LT G makes a pit stop and goes. Back. Out. There.

Things aren’t right here, anymore. Or maybe we’re the ones who aren’t right, anymore. I don’t know. Either way, it’s time to go. Time to go back out there. Where the Wild Things Are. Where the paranoia is justified. Where we now know comfort. Where we ride and die and die to ride and ride to die like every scout before us intent on making his way home or making his way to Fiddler’s Green, and no other options exist. Where we fixate on an edge we can’t describe or even prove exists, but feel every time we leave the wire because it sends our senses spinning into a poisonous clarity only the transcendent and reckless drug addicts should ever have to comprehend. We don’t do it for the thrills, though. And we don’t do it for our country, either. Not like we thought we would. We do it because we’re doing it and it seems like we’ve always been doing it so we will continue to do it for the same reason. Only the simplicity of that statement matters. We continue our movement back out there. Where we belong.

Way to channel Paul Baumer. I think I'm beginning to worry about the LT. Well, at least his mom knows what's on his mind. I guess that's something.

“A man that tall must be able to see the whole world.”

LT G and his troops conduct a presence patrol somewhere in Iraq.

Men against fire.

LT G gets shot at for the first time.

War is war is war.

LT G needs some sleep.

By the Numbers.

Good job, Soldier. Have a safe trip home.

Price less:

• 1,200 additional Category I (CAT I) Mine Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) vehicles: $623 Million.
• Navy Multiband Terminal (NMT): $20 Million.
• Long lead items in support of the production of Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV): $13.6 Million.
• Repair of up to 250 AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) guidance and control sections: $8.6 Million.
• Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) for Phase II of the T-45 Hot Section Reliability Improvement Program: $7.2 Million.
• Supplies in support of the Navy's Ships Stores Program: $33 Million.
• Eight Universal Modular Mast (UMM) Systems: $6.5 Million.
• Maintenance, repair, and operations supplies: $107 Million.
• AH-64D Apache Longbow Fire Control Radar Programs: $28.8 Million.
• PATRIOT engineering services: $13.8 Million.
• Construction of Permanent Party Barracks: $13.5 Million.
• System technical support for the Abrams Tank Program: $11.5 Million.
• Contract to upgrade, fabricate, assemble, integrate, test, and deliver the Air and Missile Defense Planning Control Systems to the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command: $8 Million.
• Chameleon Phase VI Program: $5.4 Million.
• C-17 Automated Test Equipment : $12.5 Million.
• Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Launch Capability (ELC) contract: $9.5 Million.
• Global Broadcast Service (GBS) program: $7.5 Million.
• 74 embedded Global Positioning/Inertial Production Units (Installs) for the CH-47F (700 and MH-47 (4) platforms, 4 Mounts for the MH-47 platform, 3 Spares for the F/A-18 platform, and 167 Contractor Depot Repairs (CDRs) for the H-1W (67), CH-47F (25), HH-60J (5), and F-15/F-16 (70) platforms: $7.4 Million.
• Form-fit-function for obsolete subassemblies in the F-15 Avionics Intermediate Shop (AIS) Antenna Test Station (ATS) and Enhanced Aircraft Radar Test Station (EARTS): $5.5 Million.
• LHA 6 Amphibious Assault Ship: $2.4 Billion.
• Long-term contract for support of 44 weapons systems of the T/AV8B Harrier aircraft: $258 Million.
• P-3C sustainment, modification and installation program: $133 Million.
• Nine Extremely High Frequency (EHF) Satellite Communications Follow-On Terminal Communication Groups and 17 ship Antenna Groups: $27 Million.
• Supply and distribution of food and non-food products: $2.8 Billion.
• Sole source items on engine lines: $10.9 Million.
• Fuel: $6.5 Million.
• Wide area surveillance platform: $12.2 Million.
• Light Aircraft Missile Protection (CELAMP) system: $9.8 Million.

Most capable Army, Navy & Air Force in the history of Civilization: Priceless.