An Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) maneuvers into position on approach, while preparing to enter the well deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge and her embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are on a scheduled deployment conducting Maritime Security Operations in the Persian Gulf. www.navy.mil

An F/A-18 Hornet launches from the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Reagan is currently underway in the Pacific Ocean conducting Tailored Ships Training Availability (TSTA). www.navy.mil

Green Flag of War

Why is it that Islam has resorted to terrorism as a means of war or politics? The spread of Islam has always been in the sphere of military conquest. Her sudden and decisive rise in the 7th century would suddenly launch Islam as the Middle Eastern and Medieval force to reckon with. Consolidating her hold in Arabia, Islam would spread by military campaign into present day Iraq, Syria, Iran and Egypt. From there the green flag of Islam would spread over North Africa and into Spain in the West and from Iran into India in the East. Always by military conquest her expansion would remain unchecked until suffering military defeat in France by the Germanic Franks and by Roman Byzantine armies in present day Turkey.

The history of Islam is the history of war. The Hellenistic world of North Africa and the Middle East could not stop her advance and once conquered by military force couldn't do much except abide by the rules of the victor. As the Bedouin tribes of Islam conquered the Greek speaking world of North Africa she would come to inherit much of the ancient knowledge of the Classical World from astrology to mathematics to architecture. Islam did not tolerate Helene culture for long and thus all manuscripts written in the ancient tongue of Koine Greek were either to be translated into the Arabic language or face being destroyed by the religious zealots of Mohammed.

As time marched forward, Islam would come under the sword of barbaric peoples themselves by Seljuk Turks of Central Asia and the Mongols of the Orient. The Turkic peoples eventually would find Islam to their liking and would embrace it as any good barbarian would for in the holy book of the Koran murder, rape and pillaging were codified and embraced as virtue. The Mongols, however, were not so enlightened. Islam had brushed up against the East through Central Asia along the ancient silk road and encountered their worst nightmare. The Mongol invasions devastated Islam in the East, slaughtering the Moslem peoples in Central Asia and putting whole cities to the sword. Massive genocide was visited upon the Islamic world as the Mongols conquered Central Asia and with their conquering armies consumed all of Persia, and eventually sacked Baghdad wiping out the Medieval Islamic Abbasid empire forever.

As the Mongols settled in the for the long haul, they too would find Islam an acceptable religion and would themselves be converted to the Mohammedan faith. The Mongol empire in the Middle East through military conquest absorbed what was left of the Moslem religion and would lend her tenacious mentality to the Seljuk tribes who would eventually be the last rising star of the Umma in the form of the Ottoman Turks. The Ottomans were considered to be the Caliph, or successor to Mohammed, and were the standard-bearers of all things Moslem. They would come to vanquish Islam's ancient enemy, the Byzantines, by invading the Balkans and sacking that ancient and medieval city of Constantinople. The year was 1453.

Since the Fall of Byzantium, Islam has petrified into its current state of affairs. Even though it found glory at the expense of Eastern Orthodox Christianity by conquering Constantinople, she would lose Andalusia as Spain came under Catholic Christian rulership. Shortly thereafter, the New World would be discovered by Christian Europe and the rise of America would become the preeminent event of world history for 500 years. World War One which began in 1914 finally broke the brittle Ottoman Empire into petty disparate states into which we see the present "modern" Middle East today. Turkish revolutionaries ultimately abolished the Ottoman Sultanate in 1924 and no single entity has represented Islam as the Caliph since.

Islam spread by means of military campaigns not by enlightened self-interest. Her influence is commensurate with her battlefield victories. However, since 1453 Islam has not been able to keep up with Occidental nor Oriental military tactics, arms and strategy. She has been on the losing end of military campaigns waged against her and thus has seen her influence wane. So inept are her armies, she couldn't even defeat the pitiful little state of Israel when the Jew himself finally rose up to create a nation-state after World War II not seen in history since 70 AD. Thus, terrorism is now the preferred method of advancing the cause of Islam not just against the West but throughout the world from Southern Russia to India to Africa and all points in-between.

Terrorism is politics by other means. Fastened to the Islamic religion which preaches the cult of death, it has become the terror of our times. How far will Islam reach and how low will its adherents stoop to accomplish its goals is anyone's guess. She wages terror against the world and the world will have to make a historical decision which will not be pleasant to those who live and die under the green flag of Islam.

A Naval Aviator, assigned to the "Gunslingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero Five (VFA-105), gives a thumbs up after completing post-flight checks in the cockpit of his F/A-18C Hornet on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). www.navy.mil

Aircraft handlers signal to the aircrew of an EA-6B Prowler, assigned to the "Zappers" of Electronic Warfare Squadron One Three Zero (VAQ-130), shortly after a successful arrested recovery aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman is currently conducting carrier qualifications in the Atlantic Ocean. www.navy.mil

Dangerous Liaisons

Islamic terrorism is a state-sponsored enterprise. The Middle Eastern states use terrorism as means to accomplish their political agenda. There have been many occaisions where Iraq's intelligence agency where used to meet and extend their helping hand with known terrorists such as Abu Nidal and Osama Bin Laden and I suspect other nations such as Syrian and Pakistani Intelligence have their hands in the cookie jar of international terrorism as well.

Moslems simply don't get up from bed and decide to blow up something in the name of Allah. All terror attacks are well planned in advance with operatives trained and conditioned mentally and physically for their murderous rampage. A target is assigned for destruction and is simply a matter of political timing that ultimately determines the day and hour of their demise. The human "smart-bomb" is typically young and immersed in Islamic doctrines of "martydom", which no other religion/cult practices, and completely alienates himself from friends, family and society so as to keep his date with destiny both a secret as well as to isolate any latent feelings that might "interfere" with his mission.

Suicide bombing is a "fire and forget" weapon for the trigger man who is typically older and has been trained by military and intelligence agencies in the Islamic world. Once the target has been "acquired" he gives the order to those who will martyr themselves and then himself slips out of town and even out of country and returns to "base" for an after action report and perhaps more training. The cycle repeats itself and thousands of Islamic men and women are involved in these terror operations from providing safe houses and building bombs to money laundering and recruitment.

What is the best defense? Well, for starters the best defense is a good offense. The War on Terror-States is ultimately the best solution in the long-run to thwart the use of terrorism as means of political intercourse. Islamic nations will have to dismantle their infrastructre that supports international terrorism or face the possibility that they will be visited by the combined might of the American Armed Forces. The War on Terror may take a number of years before its through, so how are we to defend ourselves in the short-run?

A number of policy changes will have to be implemented in the name of National Security:

1) All Islamic males will be barred from entering the United States from foreign countries and those currently here on visa's will be identified and deported back to whence they came.

2) All Islamic "schools" will be closed in the United States.

3) All Islamic Mosques will be monitored for potential subversive and seditious activities. If they are found to be actively engaged in subversive activities against the American State then they will be closed as well and their "imams" jailed or deported.

4) A policy identifying Islam not as a "religion of peace" but as a "cult of death" and to recognize the entire Islamic community in the United States as a liability which if the US is hit again on the scale of another 9/11, will have to be forcibly relocated to desert camps and interned for the duration of the war.

Up to this moment we have treaded very carefully in both foreign and domestic policies regarding the War on Terror and to Arab/Islamic sensitivities, however, a time may come sooner than later where Americans will have to act more aggresively and proactively and shed the surrender mentality of leftwing ideaology that has impaired our cause and prevented us from defeating the terror of our times.

The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), left, steams in company with a combined U.S. Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) task group during the underway phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT). The task group includes, clockwise from Boxer, the guided missile frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60), the Malaysian frigate RMN Lekiu and the Malaysian corvette Laksamana Muhammad Amin (F214). Malaysia is the 3rd phase of CARAT 2005, which is a regularly scheduled series of bilateral military training exercises with several Southeast Asia nations designed to enhance interoperability of the respective sea services. www.navy.mil

Back to the Crusades

I keep hearing from Islamic terrorists and their apologists that the Crusades launched in the 11th and 12th centuries was done in the name of "Christianity". Even anti-Christians have latched themselves on this canard like a leech on flesh. I know the history of the Crusades may appear "complicated" and it would be easy to just say "its just those Christians" who slaughtered innocents in the Holy Land and Jerusalem, however, let me summarize for you, the Crusades:

Basically, the Crusades were waged in the name of the Emporer of Constantinople! Not Christianity. The Byzantine armies suffered a terrible defeat in 1071 at Manzikert in Northern Turkey by Moslem Turks and the Emporer was hard pressed to raise a replacement army. Since his armies were mostly mercenary in nature at home, he desparately sent out the call via the Pope in Rome in more distant CATHOLIC lands to come and create buffer states to protect what was left of the Byzantine Empire.

If the Frankish knights would come over and conquer the Moslem territories from Northern Turkey all the way down to Egypt and if they made, and this is important to understand, the Emporer their LIEGE LORD or Overlord then the Byzantines vis a vis the Emporer of Constantinople would allow them safe passage through his Kingdom to wage war against the Islamic usurpers over the CLASSICAL WORLD which included present day Israel and Jerusalem.

The Pope was pleased by this invitation from the Emporer because it would serve his interest to be the Eastern Orthodox Christian's LIEGE LORD himself in spiritual matters. Thus, between the Emporer of Constantinople and the POPE, their interests to maintain and perhaps ingratiate their own power both in political and spiritual matters would be mutually served.

Thus, in order to entice Western Catholic knights, the call went out from Rome about the need to "restore" Jerusalem to Christian suzerainty and the Pope, in typical Islamic fashion if I may be so bold, issued a "fatwa" of sorts that if "Christian" knights fought under the banner of the Red Cross while "Crusading" for the Emporer, then their "sins" would be absolved and if they fell fighting in the "Holy Land" then they would go straight to Heaven. An absurd and very un-Christian doctrine in its entirety.

Nevertheless, Jerusalem was taken in 1099 by the Frankish knights which is truly amazing, militarily speaking, considering the long and isolated lines of communication. The Frankish Knights were supported by smaller contingents of Norman, English and German barons and nobles for about 200 years thereafter.

The Emporers gamble did payoff for it put off the fall of Byzantium for about 200 years, more or less. The Crusaders were led at one point by a Byzantine Nobleman during a civil war for succession to the throne in Constantinople and in a bloody and riotous coup occupied by Frankish Crusaders for about 70 years before the throne was restored to Byzantine Rule. Constantinople eventually fell to Islam in the 15th Century. You will note since the Emporer of Constantinople is no longer with us, there has been no CALL TO CRUSADE since.

Nothing about the Crusades had anything to do with Christianity. It had everything to do with the Emporer in Constantinople. In order to protect what was left of Byzantium, the Emporer was depending on buffer states forged out of war in Eastern Turkey and the "Holy" land through the military power of Norman and Frankish knights. Islam eventually, through war, conquered the Crusader States.

Thus, ends the lesson.

This is London

International terrorism strikes again. Over 50 murdered and nearly 700 injured in clearly what was a barbaric act carried out by cowards themselves in the heart of London this day. Terrorism is politics by other means. Ostensibly violent and ruthless, it is meant to intimidate and cower those in positions of power. Ironically, those in power are often not the ones targeted, however, their constituents are fair game. In this case, Prime Minister Blair was spared this attack on his own person but Londoners instead would be the "sacrificial" lamb to the slaughter.

International terrorism is a State-Sponsored enterprise. It is well planned in advance and timed to inflict the maximum psychological effect which in turn is designed to produce a political outcome favorable to the antagonist. In this case, this murderous outrage bears all the hallmarks of Islamic-State- Supported-Terrorism. No other group in the world today utilizes bombing techniques both by remote control and by kamikaze other than Islamic terrorists. No doubt certain countries in the Islamic Arabic world have deployed their terror teams to all the capitols around the Western World as sleeper cells to activate at the most propitious moment they feel will do their political bidding.

Why would they attack London now? Clearly, they have calculated that the Left will take advantage of Blairs weaker political position since his re-election and hope that if London falls under repeated terror attacks like today, then Tony Blair himself will come under enormous pressure to resign in political defeat clearing the way for a more passive Labor leader to steer the United Kingdom away from the War on Terror. Clearly, we have had certain rebellious Laborite leaders in London today stating that it was Tony Blairs fault for this attack because he followed George Bush into Iraq. Tony Blair has been a great ally for the United States in Europe and if the Jihadists can dislodge America's strategic ally, Great Britain, then America indeed will have been weakened herself in Europe and the Middle East.

We must also consider that Britain announced only recently that the British troops stationed in Southern Iraq will be moving out of Basra and moving into Afghanistan for operations there. Perhaps certain countries like Pakistan or Iran want to remind the British people that they will suffer further bloodshed by expanding their war against Osama Bin Laden and his Al Qaida network in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan. Or more plausible is that the Pakistani Intelligence Service is the backbone of the international jihad conspiracy against the West and the movement of more troops to Afghanistan by the British was a realization that the center of gravity for Osama Bin Ladin's terrorist network vis a vis Pakistani Intelligence lies somewhere in between Kabul and Islamabad.

We will see if this more modern version of the "Battle of Britain" will reveal the fortitude and indomitable spirit of the English people to endure black and terrible days ahead or if indeed, like Spain before her, she will succumb to fear and intimidation and throw-out Prime Minister Blair for his support of the United States of America in her War on Terror.

Admiral James B. Stockdale: Dec 23, 1923 - July 5, 2005

Formal portrait of Rear Adm. James B. Stockdale in full dress white uniform. He is one of the most highly decorated officers in the history of the Navy, wearing twenty six personal combat decorations, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Distinguished Service Medals, two Purple Hearts, and four Silver Star medals in addition to the Medal of Honor. Later he obtained the rank of Vice Admiral, and is the only three star Admiral in the history of the Navy to wear both aviator wings and the Medal of Honor. - www.navy.mil

Enduring Freedom

It is fitting that Admiral Stockdale would receive his PCS (permanent change of station) orders to Heaven today in light of the events surrounding the operation to locate fallen comrades (Navy Seals) in Afghanistan this week. Naturally, we pray for the families who have lost their loved ones in the most noble of all professions and we thank Admiral Stockdale and his family for their service to our nation.

These brave men who have endured hardship and peril so that we may live safely and in freedom deserve our most hallowed respect. The United States of America would not exist today were it not for the fortitude and dedication of our fighting men from Valley Forge in 1777 to the Hindu Kush in 2005. The loss of our loved ones in the field of battle is a constant and painful reminder that freedom is compensated by blood. Their deaths are never in vain when it is America that is kept free from the tyrannies of the world.

They who have passed from time to eternity now eagerly await the resurrection of their bodies and will someday in the glory of their white uniform, fashioned to clothe their beautiful physiques will Pass-in-Review with Jesus Christ as their Commanding General before the Angelic Hosts as befitting a conquering army.

Sic transit gloria mundi - Thus passes away the glory of the world.

T-45A Goshawk trainer aircraft, assigned to Training Air Wings One and Two (TW-1, TW-2), chocked and chained to the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) prior to the day's first launch and recovery evolution. The T-45A Goshawk is used for intermediate and advanced portions of the Navy pilot training program for jet carrier aviation and tactical strike missions. Truman is currently at sea conducting carrier qualifications. - www.navy.mil

Soldiers from the 13th Field Artillery Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division, fire a rocket from a Multiple Launch Rocket System in central Iraq. - DefenseLINK

The British Royal Air Force aerial demonstration team, the Red Arrows, conduct a fly-by during the World War II celebrations at the Whitehaven Maritime Festival. The festival commerates the British & American Naval connections when John Paul Jones himself successfully attacked this port, the last time England has been invaded since 1778, along with the 60th anniversary celebrations remembering World War II. - www.navy.mil

Two F/A-18C Hornets, assigned to the "Blue Diamonds" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Four Six (VFA-146), and two F/A-18F Super Hornets, assigned to the "Black Knights" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Five Four (VFA-154), perform a fly-by over USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to mark the completion of the final combat missions flown over Iraq for Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9). - www.navy.mil

Stars and Stripes Forever

As we celebrate our Independence from Britain this July 4th, I return to the idea regarding the uniqueness of the United States of America. A nation where Christianity is prevalent, a nation whereby the government is restricted by a constitution, a nation in arms from a highly advanced military to an armed citizenry. A commercial system, at least in most states, encourages free-enterprise. Senatus Populusque Americana.

Furthermore, what country in the entire world has enshrined the rights of THEIR citizens in the form of a Bill of Rights recognizing our GOD-GIVEN right to free speech, the bearing of arms, freedom of religion and the right to private property? Yes, many nations have various forms and shadows of the real thing but certainly have not duplicated our governing system as one might come to expect. Perhaps like individuals, nations take on their own personality and we shouldn't expect them to be exactly like us which is all the more reason to celebrate this great and glorious nation that is America.

Constitution, Commerce and Christianity are the three "C's" that has made this nation the great power that it is today. As the intellectual, political, commercial and religious elites in this country continue to fornicate with the mistress of socialism perhaps we in this great realm will renew our vows to our first love, Lady Liberty.

Pray for our leaders that they may be reminded by God himself that they are responsible to lead us into the light of liberty, if not, then Christ himself who has given them their power, will take away their thrones and raise up a Defender of the people in their place.

Long live the Republic!