NOTES from the BIG CHAIR

Leah Kaminsky on the commute to-and-from work in London.
See here at World Defense Review.

Westy and Winds...
Check out this morning's edition of The State. There, I share a few thoughts about Gen. Westmoreland, how I came to know him, and what he said to me. Pick up a copy of today's paper, or read it here.
Also, Joe Katzman at WindsOfChange.net interviews me about World Defense Review.
Read it here.

WTSjr

I knew him. Interviewed him twice: Once for George magazine (John Kennedy Jr. interviewed Gen. Giap and I interviewed Gen. Westmoreland for a combined feature on 30th anniversary of the TET Offensive), once as a stringer working on a national election story for U.S. News & World Report .
Chatted with him many times.
More to come.

WTSjr

Two excellent pieces...
Folks, if you do nothing else before lunchtime today, please take a moment to read the following two pieces just published at WORLD DEFENSE REVIEW: One by Leah Kaminsky on the aftermath of the London bombings. The other by Jeff Quinton on the BRAC issue.
Oh, and while you're there, check out stories by Richard Marcinko, Alma Bond, and yours truly, as well as many of the latest headlining news stories from around the world.

Much more to come.

WTSjr

The premier edition of WORLD DEFENSE REVIEW, a brand new global military/defense publication, was published this morning and is available online at worlddefensereview.com. There you'll find stories by Richard "Rogue Warrior" Marcinko, Alma H. Bond, yours truly, and others. There's much more in the que, so stay tuned!

Each of us at WORLD DEFENSE REVIEW come from different experiences, so we have different approaches in our understanding of global conflict and defense issues. We see our responsibilty as being able to provide our readers with updated features and commentary from our own writers, as well as headlining news and information from a variety of the world's top English-language news media.

Again, check us out at worlddefensereview.com, and email any comments to wthomassmithjr -at- yahoo.com or wtsjr -at- reportingwar.com.

I know, I know, blogging has taken a back seat to other "paying" pursuits, lately, but something new and exciting is on the way... so, stay tuned.

Been away from the blogging since July 4, and a lot has happened over the past 48 hours.
I don't know what I could possibly say beyond what has already been said, so I'll just leave you all for the time-being with what has been - all of my life - one of my favorite verses:

"Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!
"Britons never, never, never shall be slaves!"

Semper Fi,
WTSjr

I'm not going to get into a lengthy discussion of why we celebrate Independence Day and what it's all about.
Frankly, if you don't know - and you are old enough to read this - then you should not have a voice, a vote, much less an opinion about anything related to this nation's affairs.
For those of us who do know - and are eternally grateful to those men who "with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence," mutually pledged "to each other" their "lives," their "fortunes," and their "sacred honor." - you might want to take a moment and reread this great document as part of your July 4th celebration.
Also, check out the comments over at Michelle Malkin's (which is where the following image comes from).

Oh, and for a little fun, I'm reminded of a recent trip I made to the flag and banner store here in the capital city. Read here.
Semper Fi,
WTSjr