"Fog of War"

are you kidding me ?

I have to thank an old friend of mine who tried to defend Hegseth’s “Fog of War” claim yesterday for todays rant.

Here’s the scene. Our Naval Battle Group with it’s vast resources was following a small boat that President Trump claims is crewed by “Narco-Terrorists” and the cargo is dangerous drugs headed for America…a claim he makes with ZERO evidence presented to Congress or us. He just says it’s true.

This small boat, with 11 crew according to reports was 1,000 miles from Key West. Our Sec War, Pete Hegseth, says “kill them all”.

The Admiral on the scene orders this boat hit. It capsizes and 2 of the crew are clinging on for dear life trying to survive. The Admiral orders another hit. The surviving crew are killed and the boat/cargo is destroyed leaving no evidence.

This is Goliath totally smashing David.

As far as we can tell the small boat crew brandished no weapons. There was no direct or indirect threat to US Naval crew or vessels.

Now this event has gone from “Fake News” to “Yes we did it” to the Admiral was caught up in the “fog of war” from Sec War Pete Hegseth. I’m impressed that Pete even knows the term “fog of war” , but someone may have brainstormed that excuse for him…he does know how to read teleprompter.

Let’s just look at “Fog of War” as an excuse for killing all of the crew. What could he possibly be referring to ? The small boat was clearly imaged on a large monitor the Admiral and weapons staff were viewing. They ID’d 11 crew. No fog. They fired and hit the target. They could discern the boat was not totally destroyed and that there were 2 survivors. No Fog. I’ve documented this technology and process, in the FLIR demo plane, using this kind of image system. You can read a license plate number from miles away on the hi-def monitor. No fog…even if there is, the image sensor cuts through it..and works on a moonless night.

The real fog of war is being a US Army Colonel ordered to attack rebels on the other side of a 40 acre cornfield, at 6AM, literally in the fog. You can’t see 4 feet in front of you once you enter the corn…but you can hear and feel cannon fire all around you. I’ve actually experienced this filming a re-enactment and for the first time filming a living history scenario, I was concerned for my own safety. But I was in there with no way out. Just follow the faux troops out into the open, where rebels will mow you down.

art by Keith Rocco (that looks a LOT like our video)

The casualties in the real battle of Antietam on this part of the field were over 50% for most units on both sides and there was much confusion. There were attacks and counter attacks for over an hour. Thousands of soldiers. The orders were transmitted by bugle calls and drum beats…and the soldiers could not tell who was who. This part of the battle ended because of the size of the carnage, shear exhaustion and lack of ammo on both sides. The battle would continue to rage for 10 more hours moving south toward the river adding many more regiments and ended after sunset…with 23,110 killed, wounded and missing. There was a lot of fog of war that day and unprecedented death. If Gen. McClellan had the use of the Admiral’s technology, he could have seen how to attack and deploy to destroy RE Lee’s army. But he didn’t have that advantage.

On Saturday Dec 6 over 1,000 volunteers will place and light 23,110 luminaries across the battlefield to honor their sacrifices. Pete I invite you to come experience this epic scale of the trauma of war. I can send you a VIP pass. The Old Guard from Arlington will be there to fire a 21 gun salute and play taps at sunset.

Meanwhile back in the Caribbean, on the air conditioned bridge of a high tech warship, sipping coffee and eating donuts the Admiral looks at his monitor and makes a decision. I’ve been on the bridge of a US warships and seen & recorded how this works…but not with any “bad guys” nearby. This is what it looks like.

Bridge

They took another shot and “killed them all”, destroyed the boat and any cargo and left NO evidence trail for Military Intelligence to follow.

So, who is responsible ? is the media question of the day. All of them I say. Trump for ordering this bogus operation, Hegseth for his “kill them all” and the Admiral for ordering the 2nd tap. Sadly the crew who pulled the trigger may also have legal responsibility.

If you are REALLY trying to stop Narco-Terrorism Mr. President you don’t blow up all of the evidence. You seize the drugs and the crew which our Coast Guard does every day all over the world.

drugs

Then you find out where their base is and who the bosses are. Actually if we can pinpoint all of these little boats we should be able to follow them and know where their “safe” harbor is. You put assets on the ground, do video and audio surveillance and find the kingpins and the supply line. Then you actually can deal with narco-terrorists….well if that’s you authentic goal.

If it’s not, you convince your Sec War to “kill them all” and get an Admiral to do just that. Trump is hoping to push Madura into a corner with his saber rattling and graphically killing some people that will get news coverage. Then you pressure Madura, getting him to agree to your control of his vast oil reserves. Which is your real goal…but you can’t say that out loud.

But maybe your plan unravels, because it’s so obvious and so illegal that even the Republicans in the Senate who confirmed Hegseth now want to ask questions about a possible war crime.

Pete did you have to use a popular kids book as a part of your smoke and mirrors gambit ? Shame on you. What were you thinking… “I love the smell of cocaine burning in the morning” ? Cue ride of the Valkyries…I’m sure you love Wagner. Even Duvall’s surfing obsessed Col. Kilgore spared brave “Dink” soldiers, even while spreading out his cards of death….and yes we have interviewed Duvall at his home about his role as RE Lee.

If “Fog of War” is the best you’ve got we are in serious trouble. No wonder Putin put on fatigues and threatened Europe and NATO.

Now Mark Kelly’s video looks like a premonition from Macbeth’s witches. Trump and Hegseth are turning Kelley into a REAL strong opponent and genuine American hero by shining their light on him.

Sure Pete go ahead with your court martial plan of a real American hero…you may learn something you can use in your own future.

Mic drop.

Peace..and thanks Willy for the inspiration. I hope you read this and respond…