Emergency Disarmament

I haven't heard this report from anywhere else in the blogosphere apart from David Codrea's The War on Guns- residents of New Orleans taking shelter in the Superdome from Hurricane Katrina were stopped before going in and searched. Their firearms- amongst many more items- were confiscated.

When asked why a fingernail file was confiscated, one of the privates replied "Fingernail files have a point on them. We just think it will be safer."

I immediately thought of the survival fiction piece Lights Out, which details efforts to disarm civilians following a national crisis. Kind of scary to see that fiction is not so far removed from fact.

Slightly more surreal is that the incident has been highlighted by none other than Pravda, in an ever so slightly hysterical piece-

"a few might take their right to keep and bear arms seriously, when everyone knows that only government employees deserve self-protection, not their citizen 'bosses.' The constitution doesn't apply when the government thinks it can make you safer by judging you, disarming you, and denuding you of your rights."

True Patriot

BlackFive has done it again, this time with a post on Airman Kelemwork Tarriku-Shotts, formerly of Ethiopia. Rescued from poverty and brought to America for life-saving medical treatment, Tarriku-Shotts was then adopted and raised in the USA- and she chose to join the Air Force-

“I joined the Air Force because I wanted to grow up,” she said. “Patriotically, I wanted to (dedicate) some years to all those who fought for the freedom I am enjoying now. I am very proud (to be a servicemember).”


Airman Tarriku-Shotts understands what it's all about. Go read it all.

Blair's Forgotten Medal

Tony Blair gets a lot of support in the States for his support of America during the War on Terrorism- despite his being an appalling lefty weasel when it comes to domestic politics. Well, that support should come to an end. Tony was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal- "the highest expression of the appreciation of the American people"- more than two years ago and he has still not bothered to collect it.

Mr Blair believes that being seen to receive his medal would be politically disastrous, especially among members of his own party. As one Labour MP put it: “As far as many of us are concerned, if Tony takes that medal it would be like taking an award from Satan.”

Blair would be better served honouring this great gift that has been bestowed upon him by the United States rather than pandering to the worst elements of his own Party- equating America with Satan? Who are these people- cohorts of Bin Laden?

Here is the case put forward for Blair to get his act together and accept the medal with great eloquence by Daniel Finklestein-

He must go because the American people need to know how much we value their friendship. He must go because the tide of anti-American feeling in this country needs to be confronted. He must go because he should be proud, not ashamed, that he said yes when our allies came to call and asked whether, after all the support they have given us, we might reciprocate. He must go because the commitment to spread democracy around the world is a brave and noble one. He must go as a bold statement to the enemies of liberty everywhere that those who defend freedom are bound together and are resolute.

The Lesson From New Orleans

The situation in New Orleans has gone from bad to worse with widespread looting. Fortunately, this is happening in the United States of America and so civilians have the opportunity to protect themselves, their property and even their neighbourhoods with their own privately held firearms.

While the lawless try to seize whatever they can, good citizens stand by to protect their loved ones and their homes- enabled by the guns that they own. A right denied to the vast majority here in the UK. This is a shining example of just why the Second Amendment must be protected- because the police and even National Guard can only do so much- even at the best of times. In a situation like this, it is up to individual citizens to step up to the breech and take charge. Without their arms to level the playing field, these people would be at the mercy of the worst that society has produced.

Waltzing Hogtilda

It looks like Australia is facing a feral hog problem, with the Queensland critters getting bigger and braver in their search for food. This particular specimen, no doubt a distant relative of Hogzilla, tipped the scales at 270kg- the average hog in this part of the world is supposed to be between 60-150kg. His massive size is attributed to a diet of sugar cane and bananas. It took a team of three hunters and three dogs over three hours to track and kill "Hogtilda".

Free Muslims Speak Up

I got an email today from the Free Muslims Against Terrorism condemning the latest terrorist attack in Israel.

The Free Muslims Coalition rejects arguments such as the one made by Islamic Jihad to justify killing Israeli civilians and calls on American Muslim leaders to publicly condemn terrorism against Israelis and Jews.

The Free Muslims Coalition recognizes that American Muslim organizations have become more aggressive in condemning terrorism over the last few months. However, the Free Muslims believe that it is essential for American Muslim organizations to specifically condemn terrorism against Israel by HAMAS, Islamic Jihad and other terrorist organizations.

They go on to add- This is not to say that American Muslims cannot condemn Israeli policies or Israel's treatment of Palestinians. However, Israel's policies should never be used to justify terrorism against Israelis and Jews.

Emphasis mine. Good for them to speak out on this.

Iraq Moves On

Chrenkoff's essential Good News in Iraq is up again. This week there's also this post which makes for even better reading- a recent poll in Iraq shows that 88% of people will take part in a vote on the constitution. 84% support giving women the same rights as men, 60% said that a minimum of 25% mandatory representation of women in the assembly was sufficientwhile 21% said that the minimum number should be raised to 33%. So over a fifth want more women to be in the assembly! As if that wasn't promising enough, the GNFI reports that more and more Sunnis are getting involved in the democratic process- sure a lot of them will vote "no" on the constitution- but that's not the point. The point is that they are now seeing that the fight has to take place at the ballot box- not with a car bomb.

Despite all the doom and gloom coming from the MSM and the left-wing, things in Iraq are getting better by the day. Life goes on. One thing I would like to point out is that the Left constantly harps on about "imposing" democracy- can't they see that we're not imposing anything, we're giving it a chance to flourish? There's a big difference. I wonder what excuse they'll come up with now to not see the progress being made now that the Sunnis have seen the inevitability of them joining in the political process?

As always, Chrenkoff has done a sterling job- there's an awful lot of good news there but it is worth reading it all.

My Life

I live like a king. I'm not rich (far from it) and I don't recall ever having to pick a wife from 20,000 dancing topless teenage virgins, like the King of Swaziland does. However, I do have a wonderful wife and two beautiful daughters. To illustrate just how well my wife looks after me consider this- today she cooked my lunch while I sat here at the computer, brought it in to me and then went to fix herself something. A few moments later she returned and apologised for not bringing me a drink with my food. How amazing is she?

Damn, but I love her.

Coffee Full of Anti-Oxidants

Thank heavens for good news! It seems that coffee can deliver more health benefits than fruit or veg thanks to its levels of anti-oxidants. In addition,

"Studies have associated coffee drinking with a reduced risk of liver and colon cancer, type two diabetes and Parkinson's disease."

Time for a "hot wet".

Soccer Un-Islamic

LGF reports that a Saudi cleric has declared football un-Islamic. I wonder what response this will receive from Scotland's Rangers football team? They did produce replica team shirts available without the beer company sponsor logo for their Muslim supporters. In the light of this fatwa are they now going to do the Islamic thing and put the logo back? After all they should do their bit to encourage the Muslim fans to "indulge in jihad and other constructive activities that could help the Muslim ummah" rather than waste their time with soccer.

Unborn Children Feel No Pain?

Blogs for Bush raises a question mark over the veracity of the recent study published in the JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) which alleged that unborn children do not feel any pain until the final stages of pregnancy. The reason? Because the researchers involved in the study include a medical student who once worked for NARAL and the director of an abortion clinic. The medical student, by the way, was the lead author of the research. Perhaps I'm unaware of how the medical world works but I would have thought that a fully qualified doctor would have been leading the study with students perhaps helping out- not the other way round?

Now, the research may or may not prove to be true but the JAMA did not disclose this information when the study was published in their pages. The problem of course is that while this study may yet be discredited, the media will not give that story the light that it deserves. It may get a mention buried deep in the papers but many more people will here this story than will ever hear of any future retraction. In essence, the damage is done and the pro-abortion propaganda (if this is what it is) is out there. Regardless of how the rest of the story plays out, whether or not these researchers are exposed for peddling false results, the pro-abortion effort has won a victory. The no-pain meme has escaped.

I've just been doing a little reading up on this and it seems that this research comes at a time when,

"advocates are pushing for foetal pain laws aimed at curtailing abortion. Proposed federal legislation would require doctors to provide foetal pain information to women seeking abortions when foetuses are at least 20-weeks-old, and to offer women foetal anesthesia at that stage of the pregnancy. A handful of American states have enacted similar measures."

A foetal pain researcher at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Dr Kanwaljeet Anand,who is of the opinion that foetuses as young as 20 weeks old feel pain, had this to say on the matter-

"This is going to inflame a lot of scientists who are very, very concerned and are far more knowledgeable in this area than the authors appear to be. This is not the last word - definitely not."

In fact, the general consensus is that unborn children can feel pain from 24 weeks on- because it is at this stage that a connection is made between the cortext and the hypothalamus. This new study on the other hand asserts that pain can only be felt from 29 weeks. The idea is that the pain can only truly be experienced in the higher brain or cortex, not in the hypothalamus. There is, of course, dissent from this view. Some doctors believe that as early as 17 weeks the nervous system is developed enough that an unborn child might feel pain. Professor Vivette Glover from Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital in London argues that,

""I think that the evidence is that the system is starting to form by 20 weeks, maybe by 17 weeks. Given there is a possibility (that a foetus can feel pain) we should give the foetus the benefit of the doubt."

Dr. Anand, by the way, has given testimony that foetuses can feel severe pain by 20 weeks-

"increased heart rate, blood flow and hormone levels in response to pain...The physiological responses have been very clearly studied. The fetus cannot talk ... so this is the best evidence we can get"...Anand said that studies have shown that fetuses have the "anatomical structure" to feel pain and respond to "tactile and touch stimuli from very, very early in gestation"...Anand said that fetuses at 20 weeks gestation have a "rudimentary consciousness" and studies have shown "intermittent" brain wave activity at that time."

This article also cites the work of Anand, but the author (an assistant professor who was asked to provide testimony on behalf of Planned Parenthood to the Virginia State Senate) moves to dismiss his findings. First, his summary of foetal development-

"Behavioural responses to touch reflect the changing maturity of the fetal nervous system. At 7.5 weeks' gestation, reflex responses to touch begin. At this point touching the peri-oral region results in a bending of the head. The palms of the hands become sensitive to stroking at 10.5 weeks, and the rest of the body and legs become sensitive at approximately 13.5 weeks. Shortly after the development of sensitivity, repeated skin stimulation results in hyperexcitability and a generalised movement of all limbs. These generalised movements give way to more refined and coordinated movements after about 26 weeks' gestation."

From this it's plainly obvious that an unborn child can react to touch from about seven and a half weeks- the body and legs are sensitive to touch from thirteen and a half weeks. What we're being told in essence is that a foetus can feel touch from this age- and yet we're still being asked to believe that pain is something that can only be experienced on a much higher level of consciousness than mere touch. I would have thought that being able to feel something- having your hand stroked for instance- and reacting to it suggested a form of development sufficiently advanced to also experience pain. Is it necessary to attain a high level of consciousness to experience pain? I don't think so- pain seems to me to be one of the most basic signals of life and being able to "experience it fully" doesn't seem to me to require a high level of consciousness. We're not talking about some lofty notion like love here. Are these people also arguing that animals cannot experience pain because they can't "appreciate it fully"?

Amongst his criticisms of Anand is this-

The most that can be said of biological development in the 20-week fetus is that the fetus has an incomplete 'pain alarm'. Although this alarm allows for some defensive reactions it is highly unlikely to allow for an experience of pain; incomplete alarms tend not to ring.

And this-

Anand ignores the importance of psychological development for the ultimate conscious experience of pain. When a primary care-giver points to a spot and asks 'does that hurt?', he or she is beginning the process of enabling an internal discrimination and with it experience. It is difficult to imagine the undifferentiated existence prior to any symbolic labelling, but it could be like looking at a vast TV screen with the entire world's information upon it from a distance of one-inch. With no means of making the necessary discriminations all that will be observed is a great buzzing mass of meaningless sound and colour. Before a symbolic system such as language, an individual will not know that something in front of them is large or small, hot or cold, red or green and so on.

In other words, ignore the development in the 20-week old unborn child (because there is further development still to occur) and then accept that a child cannot feel pain because of its "undifferentiated existence prior to labelling". I guess then that when a newly born child cries, it's not because it's cold and hungry- how could it be without "symbolic labelling"? Remember, he's arguing that you can't feel hot or cold without language.

I have a word for this, but instead I'll say, "Balderdash." To argue that you can't have an experience of something without the ability to label it is patently absurd. That an adult might attempt to use such an argument is mind-boggling. The argument is cited however to dismiss the physical signs of pain experiecned by unborn children- it can't be real pain, they argue, because foetuses are not real people. Only a real, fully developed person can experience pain. The notion that must be held is that pain is not a basic message delivered by the nervous system, like touch, but something altogether more nebulous which requires a higher level of consciousness to be "experienced" rather than just "felt".

This is why we can be so positive that the fetus does not feel pain. Not only has the biological development not yet occurred but also the post-birth environment, so necessary to the development of experience, has not yet made itself felt.

Got that? He claims that any unborn cild, regardless of age, cannot feel pain because it has not yet been exposed to life after birth. He does not state at which stage of development pain can be said to be felt- is it at the moment of birth? Plainly no, because he argues that there is no language. So when is it? Three months, six months, a year? Can a child only be said to truly understand pain when it can signal where it is sore? In essence what we're being asked to believe is that something is not real to an individual unless it has at least a basic understanding of language.

If you're in any doubt as to the author's position and rationale behind his absurd arguments consider this-

There is no question that both D&X and D&E are physically brutal procedures. Even as someone fully committed to abortion access 'as late as necessary', the thought of dangling an alive and healthy late-term fetus out of the womb before collapsing its skull, or tearing it apart with forceps and fingers, causes pause. But unwanted pregnancy, including unwanted late pregnancy, is a fact of life. To deny women access to the abortions they need only swaps the brutality of abortion for the brutality of denying women's autonomy and forcing them to become mothers.

Got that too? "Forcing" a woman to become a mother is as brutal as crushing the skull of a late-term child after it has partially been born. This is slightly off the point- the age at which an unborn child can feel pain- but it bears looking at. He's saying that what's essentially the murder of a child is less important than the fact that a woman might find herself a mother. I can see that procedures like this might be necessary of some medical emergency but that's not the argument being put forward here- the argument is that an unborn child is incapable of feeling pain in any way and their lives are therefore forfeit. The same argument, I believe, lies behind this current research- which dismisses the generally held medical opinion that an unborn child can feel pain from between 24-26 weeks.

KS-23 Shotgun

This is a Russian military/tactical pump action shotgun- known as the KS-23 or KS-23M. Though it's shown with a removable buttstock it seems to be primarily used without it fitted. The odd thing about that is that this is a 4 gauge, not a 12. I've done a quick Google on the weapon and I can find virtually no information on it- so if you know more or have any more images of it, please do let me know. I'm intrigued. The solid slug it fires is said (by a Jane's Gun Recognition Guide) to be powerful enough to shatter an engine block. Anyone have more info?

UPDATE- Just found this info at the previously unheard of Nation Master-

A 23mm Russian shotgun firing the 'Barricade' slug, also used to launch various nonlethal grenade-related weapons. It comes in three models, the fixed-stock KS-23, the folding-stock KS-23M, and the bullpup box magazine-fed KS-23K. The Vektor CR-21 has a typical bullpup configuration. ...

Also available is the TOZ-123, a civilianized version of the KS-23 in four-gauge.

UPDATE 2 - "The weapon is so powerful that a direct shot of a rubber baton from such a beast to a human being closer to 40 metres would kill him. The barrels of these toys are made out of the barrels of discarded/whitdrawn from service 23mm aircraft cannons. The main use of the KS-23 is anti-runaway-vehicles and anti-barricades, and this is done by using 23mm shells that are HIGH-EXPLOSIVE. The ammo normally used in the KS-23 to defeat vehicle engines or to breach through barricades and/or armored doors is something that I can only ressemble to the grenades fired by the M41-A pulse rifle of the Colonial Marines in the movie "Aliens". The Russians themselves cannot decide whether call the KS-23 a "large combat shotgun" or a "hand-held small-caliber grenade launcher": the 23mm shell of the KS-23 is more similar to a grenade, in dimensions, engineering and effects, than to a standard shotgun shell. The cartridges are so big that the KS-23, even if it's large a bit in its standard versions, holds no more than 4 rounds; only difference is the KS23-K, the bull-pup of the series, which is pump-action (all others are semi-auto) and holds 6 shells."

UPDATE 3 - An entry also at Modern Firearms.

Walter Reed to be closed

As Walter Reed Hospital comes into the limelight because of the tasteless anti-war protests there, the news that the facility is to be closed had been somewhat ignored. Coming as part of a larger cross-services restructuring, the services offered by the facility will be moved to the National Naval Medical Centre at Bethesda. The expanded centre will be known as Walter Reed. The rationale behind the closing is-

The commission said care at Walter Reed, which has treated presidents and foreign leaders as well as veterans and soldiers, is considered first-rate but the facility is showing its age.
"Kids coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, all of them in harm's way, deserve to come back to 21st century medical care," said commission Chairman Anthony Principi. "It needs to be modernized."

N.I. News

A couple of local stories today.

First off, here's what happens when you appease terrorists- members of the IRA may end up serving in the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The IRA, if you didn't know, is the same terrorist group which carried out a system of deliberate assassinations of police officers during their campaign. Exactly what this country needs- thugs in uniform. At the moment the IRA and other terrorist groups continue to "police" their own communities, which usually involved knee-cappings. The IRA are essentially an organised crime gang now- their control is usually aimed at controlling their own criminal interests, particularly the drug trade.

Second, is more heartening news - 36 people have been arrested and 17 foreign nationals have been detained across the province on immigration offences and are facing deportation. The remainder are being investigated. Whether this is part of a UK-wide campaign aimed at curtailing illegal immigrants I'm not sure but at least it's a sign that something is being done. The targeting of Nigerians may have something to do with the fact that a number of Nigerians have been involved in criminal activity here- I worked briefly for one of the banks here and we were warned about fraud being carried out by a Nigerian gang.

Of the number apprehended twenty four of them were illegal entrants.

It had to happen

Just yesterday I left a comment at Red Hot Cuppa Politics musing on the "Vietnamisation" of the anti-war movement in Amercia, now that they have begun a shameless protest outside of the Walter Reed medical facility. I wondered how long it would be before some moonbat celebrity turned up for a photo op in Iraq with the "insurgents" (right before they got their head chopped off that is).

How surprised was I then to learn that Hanoi Jane is going to give a speech to introduce traitor Galloway, Saddam's apologist, to an audience in Wisconsin. A collaboration between the old and new.

My concern is that the anti-war movement is going to degenerate into something altogether nastier. It's bad enough that they're protesting in front of wounded troops in a hospital, but even now they claim to be "doing it for the troops". Sure.

I wonder how much longer it will be before the modicum of civility vanishes altogether?

Wonder Woman

Time to brighten the blog up a bit and so here's (another) Adam Hughes' picture- this time of a rather contented looking Wonder Woman. Enjoy.

Friday Afternoon Round Up

I did have a nicely written post just about completed when uber-browser Firefox crashed and I lost it all. So much for Blogger's "recover post" option too. Insert strong language here. Repeat.

Instead, here's a quick run down of the items I was most interested today.

Fjordman reports that India refuses Arab backing in its run for a seat on the UN Security Council in return for cutting off ties with Israel. Good for India, say I.

LGF tells us that Palestinian health officials fear for a health crisis in Gaza, following the Israeli withdrawal. They demand Israel continues to dish out medical treatment. Somehow, I can't see that happening anytime soon. Perhaps they'd have been better off spending all that cash on medicine and medical supplies instead of weapons?

Speaking of which, two Qassam rockets have been launched into Israeli territory already and the PA has met with terrorist organisations (should that be other terrorist organisations?) to agree to continue "resistance" to Israel until they withdraw from all "occupied territories", i.e. all of Israel.

Perhaps the fact that it's now up to them to run Gaza and provide for all the people living there, the steam might run out of the terrorist movement a little when the citizens start wondering why they can afford rockets but not basic medical care? Then again, given that the PA refuses to disarm Hamas or Islamic Jihad that seems doubtful. Particularly when the culture we're talking about holds views like this (when talking about a female suicide bomber)-

"Losing a son affects the soul many times more than losing a daughter in our society. Losing even 10 daughters is not as bad as losing one son. That's how it is in our society. A son is more dear to the parents than a daughter...When Wafa Idris did this (October 2003 bombing of the Arab-owned restaurant Maxim in Haifa, Israel, which killed 19), she played a role, I think, in the shaping of a new culture among Palestinian girls. She has become a source of pride. Many girls, for various reasons, wanted to play the same role..."

Turning now to Iraq, where Murdoc points out an environmental success- the return of the marshes drained by Saddam Hussein, up from 10% to 37% coverage in the space of three years.

We also have the good news of the Constitution, although Robert Spencer's Dhimmi Watch is less than enthused. Blogs for Bush has more positive analysis, pointing out that while the document does include - No law can be passed that contradicts the undisputed rules of Islam- the operative term here seems to be "undisputed". How long can anything remain undisputed in the presence of lawyers? BFB also points out this-

Article (14): Iraqis are equal before the law without discrimination because of gender, ethnicity, nationality, origin, color, religion, sect, belief, opinion or social or economic status.

How can that not be cause to celebrate? There's hard work being done now but the steps forward are happening, despite the blackest and most pessimistic views of those on the Left. Perhaps if they would acknowledge the successes when they happen we'd be more inclined to listen to those not on the moonbat-fringe. Or is that the other way round- are the rational liberals the fringe now?

Back to the US now for a brief note on the person camped out near a certain ranch in Crawford, thanks to Jawa Report- speaking of the men who killed her son in Iraq: "Freedom Fighters from other countries are going in."

Got that? The men who killed her son are "freedom fighters". Meanwhile her backers, Code Pink, are organising the protests going outside the Walter Reed medical facility in Washington where wounded troops are being treated. Of course, they claim to be doing it for the troops. By the way, be sure to check out the article over at Red Hot Cuppa Politics on the crosses representing the fallen on display in Crawford. As Frau Budgie points out we know of She-who-must-not-be-named and at least one other anti-war mother while at least seventeen pro-war families have removed crosses bearing the names of their sons and put them in Fort Qualls. So, as she asks, how many of those crosses are there legitimately in the anti-camp with the knowledge of the families of those who fell?

And finally, traitor Galloway is set to speak at an anti-war rally. That's George Galloway MP, buddy of Saddam Hussein- which set me to wondering, is the reason they're anti-war because they want dictator Saddam back in power? They keep saying no, but when they invite Galloway to speak, you have to question their motives.

Kurilla Update

Kim du Toit seems to be as disgusted with the performance of the 5.56mm "poodle-shooter" in Iraq as I am- so he has decided to purchase a Kimber Desert Warrior .45ACP for LTC Kurilla. Why not head on over to Kim's site and kick in a few bucks to help buy this brave soldier a gift.

While you're at it, why not donate a few dollars to Soldiers' Angels- go and read the post by Some Soldier's Mom and you'll realise that the Angels do a wonderful job in helping not only the wounded servicemen and women, but also their families back home-

I speak with Patti Bader (a true Saint on Earth!) from Soldiers Angels who gave me more information and comfort in the span of a 10 minute telephone conversation than I have ever experienced. She has mobilized (along with Blackfive) the Soldiers Angels worldwide network and tells me things that will happen, things to do, what the Army will do and what we (they) will do to help... that a Soldiers Angel will be in Germany to meet our son, comfort him, bring him necessities and a message of love from his mom... and another Angel will be waiting if he comes to Walter Reed Army Medical... they'll do whatever they have to in order to bring comfort and aid to our soldier -- to ALL our soldiers -- their motto is "May No Soldier Go Unloved." I tell you honestly that I could not have made it through last night without the assurance and calm of the Angels. (Go to their site right now and GIVE! GIVE! GIVE! Money, time, services, miles, volunteer...)

Not much else I can add to that except- head on over there and donate what you can!

The British Tax System

The last thing I could ever claim expertise in is economics, but even I know that a ridiculously high rate of taxation that renders small increases in income negligable will serve to destroy any motivation to work harder. What's the point when the extra money you do earn is taken off you?

Via Tim Worstall comes this article by Stumbling and Mumbling on the British taxation system. I have personal experience of this- some years ago I got a low-paying job doing data entry. Fuelled by strong coffee and boredom, I worked hard and soon got promotion to the role of Supervisor of the office. Despite the pay rise I ended up only a few pounds a week better off and with twice the workload. I can see how many people would wonder at the point of putting in extra effort for virtually no reward.

Take a married couple with two children under 11 and pre-tax earnings of £200 a week. If they get a better job, raising their earnings to £300 a week, by how much does their net income rise?

You'll be surprised. It's only £8.52. Yep, out of that extra hundred quid a week, they get to keep less than a tenner. That sounds really bad but think of how it works out over a year. They're earning an extra £5200 but they get to keep a grand total of £443.04. Less than five hundred pounds out of over five thousand.

The situation isn't much better for those earner a bit more.

Higher earners face only slightly lower deduction rates. If a couple’s income rises from £500 to £600, they get to keep all of £23.45.

The British government sure does know how to create a highly motivated, hard working population. Needless to say there are rumblings for a flat tax rate here. It certainly looks like it couldn't be any worse than the situation we have now.

LTC Erik Kurilla

Michael Yon's latest post - Gates of Fire - is up. In it he details the mission on which Deuce Four's LTC Kurilla was shot. Fortunately, Kurilla is doing okay- he was hit in the arm and both legs. As per usual Yon's writing is superlative and he is hip deep in the action in which Kurilla was injured.

Though I have never met the man I have the utmost respect for LTC Kurilla from reading of his exploits (I think that's the most apt term to apply to the man) in Mosul. He seems to be the very personification of an excellent officer. During the contact he was shot on he continued to fight back and then, when help arrived, continued to give orders to ensure that the area was secure.

I know I don't need to say it but I will anyway- go and read Yon's dispatch.

Seemingly everytime Yon reports in it seems that there is an example of the ineffectiveness of the current issue cartridge, the puny 5.56mm. This time is no exception-

"Prosser shot the man at least four times with his M4 rifle. But the American M4 rifles are weak--after Prosser landed three nearly point blank shots in the man's abdomen, splattering a testicle with a fourth, the man just staggered back, regrouped and tried to shoot Prosser."

Prosser had to ditch his rifle and engage the terrorist hand-to-hand. Evidence, if any more were needed, that American troops deserve to have a replacement issued ASAP. Or at the very least more effective ammo- LeMas' blended metal ammo would not be amiss. The 5.56mm is simply endangering the lives of troops.

Yon also tells us that the terrorist involved in the attack was arrested in December- with enough evidence to send him to prison for a long time. For some reason, the Iraqi court released him.

Unbelievable.

Kurilla is doing okay by all accounts- Kim du Toit is keeping track of his progress and also getting together some sort of care package for him- so head on over and make a donation.

I'll end now with Yon's words on Kurilla-

Kurilla had gone on missions every single day for almost a year. Talking with people downtown. Interfacing with shop owners. Conferencing with doctors. Drinking tea with Iraqi citizens in their homes. Meeting proud mothers with new babies. It's important to interact and take the pulse of a city in a war where there is no "behind the lines," no safe areas. It's even dangerous on the bases here.

In order for leaders of Kurilla's rank to know the pulse of the Iraqi people, they must make direct contact. There's a risk in that. But its men like Kurilla who can make this work. Even and especially in places like Mosul, where it takes a special penchant for fighting. A passion for the cause of freedom. A true and abiding understanding of both its value and its costs. An unwavering conviction that, in the end, we will win.