RE: [ihc] IH Garand rifle?

["Mac @ TRIAD" <mac@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

## >> I really do second Dennis's thoughts about our veterans. I enjoyed
## >> Diane Sawyer's interview with Jessica Lynch last night. However, I am
## >> still appalled by the Army's adoption of the M16 as the rifle of
## >> choice for its personnel.  The connection here is that Jessica's
## >> weapon jammed before she fired it, and consequently she never fired a
## >> round.

most of the folks in that particular firefight didn't get any shots off.  of
those that did, their weapons jammed within the firing of a very few rounds,
and those that did not jam (less than half a dozen) were out of ammunition
shortly.  each person carried one magazine of 30 rounds.  that isn't much
when the stuffing hits the air recirculation device.  those people were hung
out to dry and that's all there is to it.

there's a LOT of stuff we know now because of where we are (Pfc. Lynch is
from *here*) that we're not allowed to share, and oh how i'd like to tell
everything i know so that *everybody* knows everything...  but i'm glad that
more of the truth is coming out now.   i can't wait to see what the total
sum of truth is made public, and how much of that is incorporated in the
upcoming movie.

## >> The Kalishnikovs and AK 47's didn't jam out there in the desert.
## >> Colonel Hackworth of "About Face" fame during the Vietnam War accused
## >> the defense department of, at best stupidity, and at worst  not
## >> giving a damn about what happened to its men, in regard to making and
## >> keeping the M-16 as the rifle of choice.

there are a *lot* of folks who agree with this assessment.  unfortunately,
none of those people are in a position to change the decision.  those stupid
things jam just going out to do field exercises here.  it's dusty here, but
not THAT dusty.  Becca carries the M249, which is knows as the "SAW" (squad
assault weapon), and it can pump out a serious volume of 5.56 rounds in a
short period of time (normal combat loadout is three 200-round magazines)...
IF it doesn't jam.  which it does.  regularly.

## >> The IH connection is that the M1 was a very fine rifle, and even if
## >> IH made the worst of the lot, I treasure my piece of crap.

if i had one, i would treasure it too.  but then...  i treasure *all*
firearms, and the right to keep and bear them.  i'm not a gun nut, and i
don't own anything modern (the reality is that i cannot be trusted with a
firearm), but the right to do so is important and i'm glad that the rest of
you out there exercise this right when i cannot.

incidentally, the only firearm i own is an 1862 Navy .36 (yes the real
thing) from the Confederate Army that hasn't been fired in living memory.
some relative or other passed it down and somehow it managed to get into my
hands.  i have no idea if it even works, nor do i care to find out.  it's a
living piece of history, and important for that fact alone, if nothing else.

## >> Somebody told me today that it's veterans not preachers who give us
## >> freedom of religion, it's veterans not Jesse Jackson that give us
## >> freedom of speech, it's veterans not lawyers that give us the right
## >> of a fair trial .... Well you get the point.  Thank you veterans and
## >> those who are not yet veterans, but are working on it.

HEAR HEAR!  i'll pass this message on to the folks here.  this kind of
appreciation means more than most other things around this place.  it isn't
often that people tell a soldier "thank you", and it carries a LOT of weight
when it happens.  we had this one lady shouting "thank you" over and over
and over when Becca's unit came home.  this lady didn't even have a soldier
in that unit, she was just there to express her appreciation, it turns out
she goes out and does that for *all* returning soldiers.  there were tears
on many of the faces as they passed by her while she was shouting.

## >> Mac, glad for your sake it wasn't the Becca MacBryghde story on TV.
## >> Mac, have you ever tried pronouncing your last name?

thank you, Hoffs.  i'm glad it wasn't her story too.  when this whole thing
went public, they'd already gotten their orders here and were just waiting
for an airplane to carry them to the war.  scary stuff.  knowing they'd be
driving those same roads under the same conditions (ZERO protection from
Third Infantry Division)...  frightening.  i'm very grateful that they made
it home safe and sound, and truly sorry for those that did not, and for
those who are still over there, carrying out their duty.  i hope they're
brought home soon, and i hope that they stay safe untill that day comes.  it
angers me to hear the continuing rise of casualties since the "cessation of
hostilities".  our people are still over there, still fighting, still dying,
and for what?  i'm glad it's not Becca, but i really wish it wasn't anybody
at all.

and no, i've never tried to pronounce my last name.  it's all i can do to
remember how to spell it, much less try to say it.  i'm just not that
talented.  why do you think everybody calls me Mac?  <grin>

--Mac

---------------------------------------------------------------
Take care and be well, all thee and thine;

May the Hamr lend thee Strength and Courage,
May the Twin Ravens lend thee Wisdom and Guidance,
May the Wolves Guard and Protect thee, and
May the Light of Harmony ever shine brightly upon thee and thine,
Through all thy Life's Journeys, from this life unto the next!

Hail the Gods and Goddesses of our Folk!
Wassail!

Krystof "Mac" MacBryghde
TyrGothi

http://master.triad.ath.cx/
---
This message is certified Virus Free.  However;
Don't take *my* word for it, check it yourself.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.538 / Virus Database: 333 - Release Date: 2003-11-10