Let’s try a series called weekend reading, and this one will be #1 (in hopes that there will be more).  It’s our foray into instantly-blogging rather than trying to carefully craft single article releases for our readers.  It may succeed, or it may fail due to lack of discipline.

First off, there is a relatively new blog called The Afpak Channel with the AfPak Daily Brief.  They have a long list of notable bloggers, and were kind enough to link The Captain’s Journal.  We appreciate the link, and the AfPak Daily Brief is certainly worth checking out.

Second, Reuters is carrying a concise but well done history of the Taliban.  Sit down in a hardback chair with a cup of coffee and take this one on.

Third, The CSM has a piece taking on the issue of drones, and whether the direct targeting of Taliban and AQ leaders is legal?  The Captain’s Journal has absolutely no problem with targeting Taliban and AQ leaders, but let’s perform a thought experiment for a moment.  The whole tactic rests upon death from above targeted towards known HVTs, while those HVTs themselves aren’t holding a weapon or posing a threat.  Didn’t General Kearney want to charge a couple of Army snipers with murder a while back who did the same thing?  How about this idea.  Let’s apply the same rules of engagement to the generals and CIA chieftains making the decisions during drone strikes as we do the Soldiers and Marines in the field.  That’s fair, isn’t it?  If not, then why not?  Can you make a case that this isn’t fair?

Fourth, Richard North at Defence of the Realm is required reading every day.  His latest piece awaits the howls that are sure to come when the Brits lose their 200th soldier in Afghanistan.  Neither we nor Richard likes tracking this, and Richard doesn’t like to see British casualties.  But that’s why Richard always argues for more troops, better equipment and better strategy.  Richard is the conscience of the military bloggers / new media in the UK.  You can always turn to him for unvarnished prose.

Fifth, there is our own loyal reader Warbucks who might have to change his vacation plans to the mountains of Afghanistan based on our advice to chase the Taliban into the mountains.

Sixth, I had wondered how long it would take PETA to weigh in protesting the practice of using live pigs to train Marines on the amelioration of battle injuries (see also this).  No, advancements in technology would be be able to replace this.  No amount of technology can be used in lieu of the use of live anesthetized pigs due to the anatomical similarities.   What would PETA have us do – lose more Marines and keep the pigs alive?  Nothing these people do is serious.  They’re good for entertainment, and that’s about it.

Lastly, enjoy Dave Matthews telling us about Stella and Alligator Pie.