The aftermath of the vote in Scotland.

Timothy Nichols sent me a little snarky note about me not liking the outcome of the vote in Scotland.  I really don't care, I didn't make a prediction...but it would have been fun to watch the UK go ape shit.

Before you go ballistic, let me explain.

What you saw in Scotland is simply a "gentle" separatist movement.  We saw a re-run of Ukraine with people that don't have the ability to violently resist...or more precisely don't have the desire.  But its still ominous because while people like Timothy believe that this issue is done, I want to remind you of something said by UK Armed Forces Commentary Blog...

Even if the no wins, as i hope, it looks like it will be with a small majority from what i see, and this is still bad news. It is painful to see Scotland in this state, and so divided and eager to get out. Moreover, such a tight margin is a source of enduring uncertainty: will we go through a whole new drama in a few years time? How will this issue evolve? A break up would be a disaster, but the "neverendum" scenario that already some fear would be just as bad and in some ways worse.

Welcome to the "neverendum"...all the people in the UK that are patting themselves on the back this morning are missing the point.

A large part of your kingdom is pissed off.

Additionally the end results will probably be the same.  You don't  think that planning will stop for moving the nuclear missile sub base to Britain?  You don't think that the UK will turn inward?  You don't think that they've been diminished on the world stage?

The UK dodged a bullet but rarely is there just one round in a magazine. 

USMC puts out an Ebola Awareness video.

Ok.

THIS IS OMINOUS AS HELL!

WHY?

Because I was on active duty when the terrorists struck on 9/11.  I REMEMBER WELL that we received a flash message to our forces in the Pacific pushing us to increase security because chatter indicated that a terrorist attack was imminent.

We got hit later (the message went out in the summer...I'm gonna try and dig up the ALMAR that accompanied the message) but they missed the target.  They went after targets in New York and the Pentagon instead of our forces in the Pacific.

What has happened that made this announcement necessary?  What do they know that they're not telling us?

Rep. Chaffitz: Four Known Terrorists Were Apprehended at US Border in Texas on 9/10

This is the burning news on some of the sites that I frequent.

It would make sense that with porous borders, ISIS will be able to get inside the country with little problem.  All this does is reinforce the idea of carrying everyday.

Additionally since I've been using a Glock 26 w/10 round magazine, I'll use my adapter to start using G19 mags in it instead...along with a spare 15 rounder and keep a 33 rounder in my daily carry bag.

The incompetence of the people in D.C. is not to be underestimated.  Bovine waste product is bound to hit the fan sooner or later.  Its inevitable.

Liberating Kuwait

  Liberating Kuwait

Rushes....photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink

Romanian Battalion fighting for new Russia in Ukraine?

Thanks MC for the link.

Battalion soldiers arrived in Donetsk to strengthen the ranks of those who have taken today opolcheniya.V oath of allegiance to the self-proclaimed People's Republic of Donetsk were foreign volunteers. One of the Romanian soldiers told LifeNews, that a whole battalion of Bucharest joined the army DNR because they stand for independence in any of its manifestations.

Wow on two counts.

First, if Romanians actually are fighting for "new" Russia then we're seeing a new kind of dynamic that I can't even begin to figure out.

Second, the separatists consistent.  If the overthrow of the old govt was considered a "yearning" for people to be free then how can the "yearnings" of the separatist be considered a bad thing?

Overall I thought we were heading to an endgame but it looks like a few more chapters are being written.  My hope for an end to hostilities is beginning to look more and more naive.

UK Armed Forces Commentary expresses fear before the Scotland vote...

There is real fear and loathing in the UK right now.  You can hear it in Cameron's voice when he talks about the subject.  Now you can read it over at UK Armed Forces Commentary Blog.  But its even worse than that.  According to UKAFC even if they vote it down, the divisions will be even bigger and the pain will continue no matter what.  Read it here but check out this tidbit.

What worries me, and surprises me in the worst possible sense of the word, is that the result is so uncertain. It is scary to me that it is such a close race, and that there is such division, and that i hear people saying that the heart tells them to break out of the Union. Sincerely, i never imagined something like this.
Even if the no wins, as i hope, it looks like it will be with a small majority from what i see, and this is still bad news. It is painful to see Scotland in this state, and so divided and eager to get out. Moreover, such a tight margin is a source of enduring uncertainty: will we go through a whole new drama in a few years time? How will this issue evolve? A break up would be a disaster, but the "neverendum" scenario that already some fear would be just as bad and in some ways worse.

From a purely armed forces focused angle, the uncertainty resulting from a narrow victory would make me hesitate a hell of a lot in going ahead with investment in Faslane, in the shipyards, in the spaceport for which Leuchars is in the shortlist of possible locations. How can huge investments be made with the real risk of turning out being money burned soon afterwards? How can the future of the armed forces, already strapped for cash, be further tied to Scotland with the risk of even greater damage if this nightmare lives on?

On the other hand, of course, not making the investments and bring stuff south of the border would only reinforce the divisions. It looks like a Lose - Lose situation. Very scary.

This is getting beyond good.

I've said that the ramifications of vote that supports breaking away will reach far and wide.

I'm more convinced of that than ever.

Pass the popcorn.  Yes or no, this is gonna be good.  We're seeing a history altering event and few people realize it.