The United States Army is celebrating its latest technological advancement on the battlefield — the new XM25 grenade launcher or, as many soldiers have affectionately nicknamed it, “The Punisher.”

The weapon was first used last December and has since seen action in at least nine engagements, disrupting two insurgent attacks on observation posts, taking out two PKM machine gun positions and destroying four ambush sites, the Army Times reports.

One such engagement... http://www.theblaze.com/stories/u-s-soldiers-love-the-armys-new-punisher...

The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) reminds residents of the Golden State that donating to The California Veterans Homes Fund is easy. Simply write the amount you wish to donate to The California Veterans Homes Fund (Code 417) under “Voluntary Contributions” of the California Resident Income Tax Return 2010 540 2EZ, and “Contributions” under form 540 and 540A http://www.taxes.ca.gov/income_tax/forms.shtml.

AB 1088 (Fletcher) established The California Veterans Homes Fund, a voluntary contribution fund to finance programs and services at California’s Veterans Homes located in Barstow, Chula Vista, Fresno, Lancaster, Redding, Ventura, West Los Angeles and Yountville via the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Accounts provided for by Section 1048 of the Military and Veterans Code.

Several activities and programs at the Veterans Homes of California are financed through the veterans homes’ Morale, Welfare and Recreation Accounts. State law provides for the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Accounts to accumulate proceeds from prisoner-of-war license plate issuance revenue, donations to the fund, and funds derived from the estates of deceased members.

So during the current 2010 tax season, remember the service and sacrifice of our Nation’s veterans by donating to The California Veterans Homes Fund via your California income tax returns. Your contribution will go a long way in making our veterans’ stay in our veterans homes pleasant and life affirming. We owe it to them as an expression of gratitude for their patriotic and exemplary service.

Welcome to the Global Issues and Terorism Blog site.
My name is Mark Trimble, I am a retired Law Enforcement Operations/Special Operations Commander. I have spent over a decade researching and studying Radical Islam and Terrorism. I work as an Independant Security Contractor during which time I have traveled to the Middle East to train with and be briefed by Israeli Military Intelligence,Israeli Intelligence, Shin Bet, Israel Defense Forces, and high level members of the Israeli goverment. I have spent time in terrorist controlled areas of Gaza and the West Bank. I have also trained with members of the United States Army Special Operations Forces who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The premise of this Blog is to report terrorist activity in the U.S. and Internationally, and to evaluate the threat that activity represents worldwide.
Thank you for taking the time to review the Blog site. I welcome your comments and questions which can be addressed to globalissues@fillmoregazette.com

The Egyptian Revolution and the Muslim Brotherhood

The posture of the protests in Egypt has quickly changed over the past week. The protest movement started out as a legitimate positive pro freedom movement. This movement has been co-opted by the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) and turned violent.
The MB was founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna. Its expressed stated purpose was to 1) Implement Sharia Law worldwide, 2) Establish the Global Islamic State (caliphate). Former MB Supreme Guide Muhammed Akef stated in 2004, his "complete faith that Islam will invade Europe and America." In 2001, the MB publication in London, called Risalat al-Ikhwan stated as its cover slogan: "Our Mission:World Domination." The MB has been one of the most anti-Western, jihadist supporting organizations in the Middle East for decades. They believe and have taught that Islam is the only answer, and violent jihad is the way. Osama bin Laden was recruited into the MB by a Syrian school teacher, and his deputy, Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri was also a a part of the Brotherhood until they joined forces to build the terrorist group al-Qaeda, an even more violent and radical Islamist group.

A person who has been been pushed to the forefront to take over leadership in Egypt is Mohamed ElBaradei. He is a Nobel laureate, who was born to a middle class family in Cairo in 1942. He was largely educated in the West. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Cairo; and he went on to earn an advanced degree in Switzerland and later a Ph.D. in International Law from New York University.
From 1997 to 2009 he was the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is the United Nations nuclear watchdog. During that time the Iranians repeatedly lied to ElBaradei's face about the the development of their nuclear enrichment program. He either allowed the Iranians to lie to him or he did not know the differance. During those 12 years Iran dramatically accelerated their enrichment program in direct violation of U.N. resolutions and international law. Irans stated purpose for development of the nuclear bomb is to destroy Israel and the United States.
ElBaradei never indicated any concern as Iran built three secret nuclear facilities during those years. He seemed to never know or express care over Iran's nuclear ambitions until intelligence agencies called his attention to them.
ElBaradei in an interview with CNN on January 30th, 2011 flatly denied that the Muslim Brotherhood is a fundamentalist Islamic organization, claiming that this was "a myth that was sold by Mubarak (current Egyptian president) regime." He went on to deny that if the Brotherhood gained control of the Egyptian government they wouldn't create a radical Islamic regime that would be similar to what happened in Iran in 1979. In an interview with the German publication, Der Spiegel, ElBraradei said: "We should stop demonizing the Muslim Brotherhood," adding that "they have not committed any acts of violence in five decades. They too want change. If we want democracy and freedom, we have to include them instead of marginalizing them."
Egypt receieves the second most U.S. aid of any country in the Middle East, and their military possesses U.S. weapons.
If ElBaradei is placed in leadership in Egypt, with his history of either being inept or intentionally looking the other way has Iran developed its nuclear enrichment program, this could further destabilize an already fragile Middle Eastern region. He has been an apologist for Iran saying, "building trust" and more "negotiations" will actually stop Iran from getting the bomb and using it for their publically stated intent to destroy the U.S. and Israel.

An entire crew of a B-29 (12 aviators) was rescued by a US submarine after their plane was shot down in 1944/5 70 miles off the coast of Japan. The entire rescue was filmed in color video but then sat in a guy's closet until now. This is a story from a Denver TV station (11/11/2010) of one of those rescued aviators to whom the video was delivered. It also shows their transfer to another submarine that is likely headed back to port before the one that accomplished the rescue

http://www.openmyeyeslord.net/UltimateFreedom.htm

Arnold Schwarzenegger
California State Governor

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the death of Spc. Matthew W. Ramsey of Quartz Hill:

“Specialist Matthew Ramsey was a committed soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country safe. Maria and I were deeply saddened to learn of his death, and we join all Californians in recognizing and remembering his bravery and selflessness. Our thoughts and prayers are with Matthew’s family during this difficult time.”

Ramsey, 20, died November 29 in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an insurgent attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY.

In honor of Spc. Ramsey, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

SACRAMENTO – Governor Schwarzenegger and the California Department of Veterans Affairs through it Operation Welcome Home initiative has partnered with six-time Heavyweight UFC Champion Randy Couture to reach out to recently returning veterans and connect them with the benefits and services they have earned.

“If we are going to reach out to the new generation of veterans who grew up with computers and the internet, we have to capitalize on those technologies to make sure they know about the services and benefits they have earned,” said Roger Brautigan, secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs.

In a new Public Service Announcement released today on YouTube and Facebook, Randy Couture encourages veterans to connect with their benefits by signing up for information through Operation Welcome home at the Facebook page. The video can be viewed on YouTube and Facebook at one of the following links: www.youtube.com/operationwelcomehome and on www.facebook.com/operationwelcomehome

Additionally the Department implemented a new mobile application for the Droid platform smart phones that allow veterans to sign up for Operation Welcome Home and to get information about the closest resource for services and benefit assistance. The mobile application can be found at the Droid App store: http://www.appbrain.com/app/calvet/com.tcs.android.owhapp

Since the Governor launched Operation Welcome home the CalVet Department through its nine regional teams statewide, has connected with more than 34,000 veterans and made more than 54,000 referrals to services and benefits including 17,302 for employment benefits, 13,801 for education benefits, and more than 5,000 referrals for mental health related to PTSD and TBI.

There are more than 2 million veterans living in California today and every year approximately 30,000 new veterans return home to this state. The purpose of Operation Welcome Home is to connect those returning veterans to the services and benefits that they have earned through their honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States. The California Department of Veterans Affairs provides services to veterans through state-run veterans homes, through its farm and home loan program and through its advocacy division that represents and advises veterans as they work through the benefits process of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass..

Step forward now, Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?'
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear..
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'

Author Unknown~

If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the Military,
Please pass this on and pray for our men and women
Who have served and are currently serving our country
And pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom....

 WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!
God Bless Our Military

Written By Helen Weathers, Latent Print Expert training Afghanistan nationals in fingerprint technology

It has been over 2 years since I came to Afghanistan. Since 2008 I have now seen many, many soldiers go home under the cover of an American flag. Some would say it gets easier with each one we say goodbye to, yet it doesn’t. I have now come back for my 3rd deployment in as many years. I have sacrificed seeing my daughter grow up. I first left when she was 4 months old and now she is well over 2 ½ now. I have missed many of my son’s soccer games, school events, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween and his 10th birthday. Yet in my heart, I know I will be home soon to feel the arms of my children around me. I know I will make it to see their smiles again. I wish that more of the American people can grasp the duty of a Soldier, Airman, Marine, Sailor or Coast Guardsman. They give their lives for the freedom of the American people selflessly and would lay their life down for me, you or a stranger as I have seen. This conflict we are in, or war or whatever you choose to call it, has no end in sight. We can’t change where we are or how we got here. But I look to the future and I am humble that I am doing but a small part to allow a service member to share the warmth of a family hug around them when they return home. Regardless of your political views or opinions about where our military is or what they are doing, remember those fallen heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this love of the American flag and what it stands for. Keep them in your hearts and prayers until they all come home.

Helen Weathers
Latent Print Expert

California’s Operation Welcome Home:
Operation Welcome Home is the nation’s first statewide campaign to connect with all returning veteran to determine their needs and connect them with the benefits and services that can help them transition successfully from the battle front to the home front.

The mission of California’s Operation Welcome Home is to directly connect with the 30,000 veterans annually returning to California so they can access the benefits they have earned and the services they may need to transition successfully from military service to civilian life. Governor Schwarzenegger targeted $20 million to hire veterans to directly reach out and connect with these returning veterans. This operation, one of the most comprehensive collaboration of services in the nation, will break down government silos and allow veterans straightforward and easy access to benefits and services including:
• Employment and Job Training Assistance;
• Unemployment Benefits;
• Education Opportunities;
• Housing Assistance;
• Health Care Needs;
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits; and
• Support for Families.

California is working harder than ever to ensure that all returning veterans are connected to the benefits and services available to them. Operation Welcome Home brings state, federal and local government agencies together with private sector service providers, non-profit organizations and volunteers to reach out to every veteran as they leave the military service and return home to their communities.

Responsiveness of Government: Breaking Down the Silos:
Operation Welcome Home consolidates the efforts of governmental agencies and departments, non-governmental entities and volunteer organizations into Regional Outreach Teams. By developing nine Regional Outreach Teams across the state, the California Department of Veteran Affairs is building a unique network of outreach organizations that will directly touch veterans throughout the State. With service providers, volunteers, and government entities working together, resources can be managed and targeted with greater efficiency. Each team will meet the individual and unique needs of every new veteran throughout the community by partnering with:

The California Department of Veterans Affairs; California Military Department; California Labor and Workforce Development Agency; California Employment Development Department; California Volunteers; California Department of Mental Health; California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs; County Veteran Service Officers; Veterans Service Organizations; U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs; and a network of mental health professionals and community organizations.

Creating the CalVet Corps:
To establish this outreach effort, the California Labor Workforce and Development Agency and the Employment Development Department used the $20 million identified by Governor Schwarzenegger to hire over 300 veterans statewide. The CalVet Corps member directly contacts California’s returning veterans individually at least four times in the first six months of separation from active duty. These CalVet Corps members directly assist veterans with employment and unemployment information and are referral specialist for the Regional Outreach effort that include the County Veteran Service Officers in partnership with County Mental Health Directors that provide information on veterans services such as mental health or substance abuse treatment or applying for state and federal veterans benefits.

Recruiting Volunteers:
California Volunteers will utilize a $560,000 AmeriCorps grant to recruit 80 part-time AmeriCorps members who will coordinate efforts with the County Veteran Service Officers. Governor Schwarzenegger also envisions recruiting volunteers throughout the state in order to assist nongovernmental and community based organizations that assist veterans. California Volunteers, a Cabinet agency, is coordinating a statewide recruiting effort matching volunteers with organizations serving veterans for Operation Welcome Home.

Achievements of Operation Welcome Home:
As of November 02, 2010,
• Collected 34,531 reintegration forms with contact information on each returning veteran.
• Made more than 53,777 referrals* to services and benefits including:
o 9,785 to employment services
o 10,019 to one stop services and training
o 5,485 to unemployment insurance benefits
o 2,849 to VA compensation/disability claim
o 5,966 to health care services
o 2,849 to Traumatic Brain Injury/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) counseling and services
o 8,993 to education benefits
o 3,187 to housing services
o 3,419 to financial services and
o 1,234 to legal services
*A veteran may have been given multiple referrals
Source: CDVA – CalVet Corps System Database

Moving Forward:
Operation Welcome Home shifts the pendulum from requiring the veteran to find the service he/she thinks they need to bringing the veteran to the benefit and services he/she has earned and may need. The goal is to be more aggressive in outreach to veterans who might not be aware of available services or avoid seeking services out of frustration of government bureaucracy. Success in this initiative will result in decreasing veteran homelessness numbers; decreasing veteran unemployment rates; increasing participation in federal VA programs, federal unemployment benefits and federal VA’s compensation and pension programs; increasing the number of veterans in California colleges and universities; and increasing early detection of mental illness such as PTSD which can impact suicide rates, domestic violence, and homelessness.

Honoring Those Who Served:
Governor Schwarzenegger has committed and targeted an unprecedented amount of resources and services to California’s 2.1 million veterans and specifically the recently returning veterans. In addition to Operation Welcome Home, the governor has:
• Expanded civil service preference points for veterans looking for jobs in state service;
• Increased higher education coordination with the “Troops to College” initiative;
• Targeted millions of dollars in grants to help newly discharged veterans find jobs;
• Connected thousands of veterans to employers through the “Honor a Hero, Hire a Vet” job fairs;
• Kept the construction of five new state veteran homes on track; and
• Expanded home ownership opportunities through the CalVet Home Loan Program to all veterans.

Arnold Schwarzenegger
California State Governor

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the deaths of Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Broehm of Flagstaff, AZ and Lance Cpl. Brandon W. Pearson of Arvada, CO:

“The deaths of Lance Corporal Matthew Broehm and Lance Corporal Brandon Pearson are a great loss for California and the nation. Their sacrifice on behalf of our country is a solemn reminder of the value of our freedoms. Maria and I continue to pray for all of our men and women in uniform and we extend our thoughts and prayers to the families of these brave Marines during this difficult time.”

Broehm, 22, and Pearson, 21, died November 4 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. They were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.

In honor of Lance Cpl. Broehm and Lance Cpl. Pearson, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

Arnold Schwarzenegger
California State Governor

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the death of Staff Sgt. Jordan B. Emrick of Hoyleton, IL:

“Maria and I join Staff Sergeant Jordan Emrick’s fellow Marines and his family in honoring his service to this country and sacrifice for our freedoms. We extend our thoughts and prayers to Jordan’s loved ones as they mourn the passing of this brave and dedicated Marine.”

Emrick, 26, died November 5 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.

In honor of Staff Sgt. Emrick, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

Arnold Schwarzenegger
California State Governor

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the death of Lance Cpl. Randy R. Braggs of Sierra Vista, AZ:

“Lance Corporal Randy Braggs devoted his life to serving our country with courage, pride and honor. He answered a noble calling for which he deserves our deepest gratitude. On behalf of all Californians, Maria and I extend our thoughts and prayers to Randy’s family, friends and fellow Marines during their time of mourning.”

Braggs, 21, died November 6 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.

In honor of Lance Cpl. Braggs, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

Arnold Schwarzenegger
California State Governor

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the death of Spc. Diego A. Solorzanovaldovinos of Huntington Park, CA:

“Specialist Diego Solorzanovaldovinos made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. Maria and I are grateful for his service and deeply saddened by the loss of his life. As they remember and mourn the passing of this courageous soldier, our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Diego’s family, friends and fellow service members.”

Solorzanovaldovinos, 24, died October 29 in Landstuhl, Germany of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit on October 27 with small arms fire in the Yahya Khel district in Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY.

In honor of Spc. Solorzanovaldovinos, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

Van Nuys, California; November 1, 2010 - CafePress, the leading source for custom printed products, has launched a special initiative to generate support for Operation Gratitude with customizable holiday cards. Cause-minded consumers can now send holiday cards customized with their own photos and text and benefit our Military at the same time.

With each customer purchase of a charity card, CafePress will donate 10% of the sale to Operation Gratitude to support its current mission of sending 50,000 Holiday Care Packages to U.S. troops deployed in harm's way.

To support Operation Gratitude, CafePress users simply select one of the cards designed especially for the organization at http://www.cafepress.com/make/operation_gratitude-holiday-photo-cards. Then, they can easily customize it by uploading a personal photo and adding a festive message. Once they select from two types of high-end, textured paper and set their preferred quantity, they can send their holiday cheer on its way to friends and family.

"This is a wonderful way for our supporters to send their personal holiday greetings and also spread the word about Operation Gratitude," said Carolyn Blashek, founder of the non-profit Military Support organization. "And each greeting card purchase helps us send another care package to a Service Member who will be far from home for the holidays-that makes these cards extra special."

"At CafePress, we know how passionate and active our customers are when it comes to giving back to the charities close to their hearts especially during the holidays" said CafePress Vice President of Marketing Amy Maniatis. "With the launch of our stationary line, we saw the opportunity to use our unique platform to allow customers to both participate in a long-standing tradition of sending photo holiday cards as well as give back to the charity and cause close to their hearts."

To create a holiday photo card to benefit Operation Gratitude, please visit http://www.cafepress.com/make/operation_gratitude-holiday-photo-cards.

About Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in harm's way. Our mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and express to our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people. Each package contains donated product valued at ~$125 and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. For safety and security, assembling of packages occurs at the Army National Guard armory in Van Nuys, California. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 560,000 packages to American Military deployed overseas. The 600,000th package will be assembled and shipped on December 11, 2010.

Learn more about Operation Gratitude by visiting:
Web: http://www.OperationGratitude.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/OpGratitude
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OperationGratitude
Blog: http://OpGrat.wordpress.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/OpGrat