On My Soapbox

Accountability at Arlington

By Jamie McIntyre on Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Accountability at Arlington

UPDATE: As predicted both Arlington Cemetery Superintendent John Metzler and Deputy Superimdent Thurman Higginbotham are being reprimanded and fired. Secretary of the Army John McHugh will brief the media today at 2 p.m. EDT in the DoD Briefing Room, Pentagon 2E973. McHugh will discuss the findings and actions he will undertake resulting from the Army Inspector General review of management and operations at Arlington.

Oops! My Bad!

By Jamie McIntyre on Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Oops!  My Bad!

Despite the accolades showered over Umpire Jim Joyce and Pitcher Armando Galarraga for their respective displays of class, generally speaking society as a whole is not very forgiving of mistakes. And in today’s increasingly litigious and often vindictive climate, anyone’s admission of fault could lead to disastrous, expensive, and potentially career-ending consequences.

More Funny Business

By Jamie McIntyre on Friday, April 30th, 2010

More Funny Business

Advice to Jay Leno who is performing at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner Saturday night: The bad news is, if the dinner stays on schedule, you will get on just about 10 o’clock, which I understand is not a great time for you. On the other hand, the good news is you’ll be on C-Span, which these days, is running well ahead of CNN in the ratings.

Toyota: A Neutral Observation

By Jamie McIntyre on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Toyota: A Neutral Observation

With all the discussion of the hazard of runaway Toyotas, why does no one seem to mention the easy way to save lives. I find it astonishing that any driver of a modern car could be unaware that to disengage the engine from the drive train you simply PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL.

Mullen Proves His Mettle

By Jamie McIntyre on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Mullen Proves His Mettle

At the end of the day, that IS what the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” debate comes down to, ending discrimination. You either believe gays should be discriminated against, or you don’t. I believe they should not be. Not in the U.S. military, or anywhere else.

Where were the Ospreys? Update: On the Way!!!

By Jamie McIntyre on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Where were the Ospreys? Update: On the Way!!!

The U.S. Marine Corps has spent billions developing a revolutionary heli-plane that would be capable of speeding to any corner of the world, and then shift into helicopter mode to deliver troops and heavy equipment to the most remote and rugged terrain. So why wasn’t the V-22 Osprey used to get first responders to Haiti in the crucial first 24–48 hours, when they could have saved countless additional lives?

Walter Reed Commander Responds

By Jamie McIntyre on Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Walter Reed Commander Responds

Maj. Gen. Carla Hawley-Bowland, Commanding General of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center responds to complaints of slow repairs to heat, hot water at Mologne House, where wounded warriors and their families stay during recovery.

Cold Comfort — Heat, Hot Water Woes at Walter Reed

By Jamie McIntyre on Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Cold Comfort — Heat, Hot Water Woes at Walter Reed

As if Walter Reed didn’t have image problems already. A plumber can’t fix a faulty valve and wounded warriors and their families at “Hotel Aftermath” are without hot water for days during the New Year’s cold snap. A review is underway.

In the Skies, Terror in Disguise?

By Jamie McIntyre on Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

In the Skies, Terror in Disguise?

So here was a man who should have been on the terrorist watch list, who bought his one-way ticket for cash, and had no luggage, but yet apparently did not get any extra attention upon departing Amsterdam. Hello??? And the response is to force of passengers squirm in their seats with no access to bathroom facilities while banning their iPods? Not to mention the prospect of digital strip searches.

Army Probes Where Bodies Are Buried– UPDATED

By Jamie McIntyre on Friday, November 13th, 2009

Army Probes Where Bodies Are Buried– UPDATED

The Army’s civilian boss is ordering an investigation into allegations of accountability lapses, poor record keeping and unspecified “other issues,” at Arlington National Cemetery.