Disqus - Latest Comments for Asymmetric

Re: End of Milblogs or Blogging as Usual?

Asymmetric — Sat, 05 May 2007 18:59:47 -0000

Blogging is fun and all, but:

1. Blogging about fellow soldiers or their chain of command can have serious morale consequences. In Iraq, a fight almost broke out between two female soldiers after one read another's post on My Space.

2. The potential harm to the coalition effort from a soldier writing about his theater experiences is serious compared to any personal satisfaction a soldier may derive or perspective the public may glean from blogging. How can one avoid mentioning standard procedures or the constitution of their equipment when writing a diary? Even if aware of this danger, a quick, careless post after a difficult mission may lead to serious consequences.

A commander can't always rely on a soldier's discretion in these matters, either. Something a soldier may feel is acceptable may, in fact, not be. Remember, some soldiers in Iraq aren't old enough to drink in most states; a second, more mature opinion would aid them in exercising the appropriate level of restraint.

3. Not only operations, but families may be harmed or embarrassed. Does a wife or mother, already under great stress from their loved one's deployment, want to read a post about their family member on a blog? What if a soldier posts about an injury to his buddy and the injured soldier's family, after googling a name, reads it?

4. Soldiers are not reporters (unless you're job, specifically, is to release information to the press). A soldier's job is to execute the war.

5. Lastly, a soldier's opinion isn't necessarily more valuable than a civilian reporter's, although I understand when some, because of the great respect they give to military personnel (rightly, in my opinion), give more credence to a soldier's account than a to a reporter's, As natural a tendency as that is, a soldier's opinion may be as tainted by ideology or personal baggage as that of a civilian reporter.

In summary, in most cases, the proper time to write about one's combat experiences is after direct involvement in the conflict-like in a book.

http://www.nelsonguirado.com/index.php/Military...

Re: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End

Asymmetric — Sun, 27 May 2007 22:03:44 -0000

I'm puzzled by the fact that the three most difficult movies for me to understand (ever) are the ones that make up the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy. I wouldn't think three movies intended for the selct demographic of men and women from ages nine to ninety-three would be beyond my intellectual grasp, but there it is.

http://www.nelsonguirado.com/index.php/reviews/...

Re: Kevin Carr’s Weekly Audio Reviews! Holy Mother of African Babies!

Asymmetric — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 21:06:56 -0000

The movie was uninspired, so to speak. Steve Carill tried his best, but his talents are wated, having received zero funny lines from the writers. I thought it was "heartwarming," however.

My complete review

Re: US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation

Asymmetric — Sun, 13 May 2007 18:55:17 -0000

I don't like this stuff. It may not be wrong in the theological sense, but it violates standards of American etiquette. We know differences exist between religions, but we have to live together. I assume, when I travel our great land that I won't see "the Pope is the Antichrist" signs strewn along the highway- not that I'd go nuts or anything. Stay strong in your belief, defend and discuss, but don't antagonize. And, yes, I know some Muslims in some Muslim countries do bad things to non-Muslims. So what? We're not them.

Re: Event: Cuban Music @ ReBar, Thu, 1/25/07

Asymmetric — Thu, 03 May 2007 01:00:57 -0000

Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to let you know that I have a blog on Cuban music.

Cubanocast

www.nelsonguirado.com/index.php/cubanocast