U.S. military OKs use of online social media

Ha! They used Twitter to announce it's okay to use Facebook and vice versa.

Washington (CNN) -- U.S. military personnel are officially allowed to tweet.

That's the upshot of the Pentagon's long-awaited policy on rank and file personnel using online social media, unveiled Friday. The new rules authorize access to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social media Web sites from nonclassified government computers -- as long as such activity doesn't compromise operational security or involve prohibited activities or Web sites.

Until now, the military's various branches and departments had differing policies regarding social media use. The Marine Corps, for instance, prohibited use of social media sites from its computers in 2007, according to the Pentagon.

The Pentagon announced the policy Friday via social media such as Facebook and Twitter, in addition to using the Department of Defense's Web site, said spokesman Bryan Whitman.

Palin blames the military

By GottaLaff

Blaming the military should ingratiate her to servicemen and women everywhere:

(click on image to enlarge)

Yes, it's the fault of the U.S. Air Force that she didn't meet, greet, quit halfway and blow off her adoring fans. Why does she hate our troops? But at least she's going to hold a public event in Alaska... somewhere.

Mudflats takes it from here:

All eyes will refocus on Alaska to see how we react to our former governor who quit her job to go on a book tour, return to Alaska looking for love ON that very book tour. The question is, where will this supposed future public event be?

But wait! There's more Barbie McLipSchmutz fun! Celtic Diva posts her livetweets of Not Ghost Writer's latest book signing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, a must-read.

Preview: Her friends were the only people of color there. One member of that family was a 13-year-old girl who was wearing an Obama tee shirt and managed to get a wrist band. Guess how she was treated?

Kim Chatman, who filed the AK Fund Trust Ethics Complaint that should have gone to a hearing by now, decided to take her three teenagers and get some signatures from Palin.

Now click on over to Celtic Diva's place and read the details.

Video- CNN: Frum and Cottle slam right-wing attacks on Obama's West Point speech

Video- Matthews: Obama "went to maybe the enemy camp tonight" at West Point

"Impeach Obama" tee at Palin Fort Bragg event

By GottaLaff

Support the troops and their commander in chief! Barbie McLipSchmutz brings out the best in people, does she not?

She was allowed to hold the event as a private citizen who was not campaigning, a Fort Bragg spokesman said. [...]

Palin's father, who greeted visitors as his daughter signed copies of the book, said in an interview that Obama's handling of the military was "scary."

He also said this. Oops.

But his daughter isn't scary? After all, she inspires things like this:

G.R. Quinn, 58, a veteran who spent 20 years in the military, wore an "Impeach Obama" shirt. He blasted the president for closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, for the plan to hold a key Sept. 11 terrorism trial in New York and for Obama's handling of the military overseas.

"He's so wishy-washy about Afghanistan," Quinn said, adding he hopes more troops will be sent there.

Mr. Quinn, you got your wish.

H/t: DAKGirl, Celtic Diva

Army asks Palin not to give speech at book signing

What a fracking boondoogle. Why didn't someone think this thru before they (rather uniquely) approved it? First they worried about the crowds (which I'm sure could still be a problem), and now they're worried what Caribou Barbie will say. Easy way to fix it. (PS- The video is priceless)

FORT BRAGG, N.C.—Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin promises to limit her enthusiasm during her visit to North Carolina's Fort Bragg.

The former Republican vice presidential candidate planned to sign copies of her new memoir at a post store Monday. Army officials say Palin will not make a speech, pose for photos, or personalize notes in the books she signs.

The Army worried Palin's appearance would prompt political grandstanding against President Barack Obama. That fear initially led post commanders to keep news organizations from covering Palin's appearance, though the restrictions were later dropped.

Fort Bragg spokesman Tom McCollum tells WTVD-TV that sales of Palin's book at the post store have been weak so far.

Video- President Obama Leads Troop Rally at Osan Air Base, South Korea

Army Fears Anti-Obama Politics At Palin Event

So why is she doing a fracking book signing on two military bases anyway?

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The U.S. Army now says it will allow media limited access to Sarah Palin's appearance at Fort Bragg.

Army officials had said they would prohibit coverage of Palin's on-post event, saying it would turn into political grandstanding against President Barack Obama.

(snip)

Fort Bragg spokesman Col. Billy Buckner said members of the media will not be allowed to interview the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee and will be barred from talking to her supporters on post.

Buckner said the setup will allow reporters their right to access while preventing the event from turning political.

As the diary on Kos asks-

Would Michael Moore ever be allowed to hold a book signing on a military base? What about John Edwards, Al Gore, even Colin Powell would not be allowed to have press conferences. Who ever approved this should be FIRED.

Hasan Was Worried About Results of HIV Test

By GottaLaff

The suspected gunman in the massacre at Fort Hood, Texas, Nov. 5, 2009, was identified by ABC News as Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. He appears here in a Defense Department photograph.

(Handout)

Jumping to conclusions before an entire story is out is typical of reportage these days. It's irresponsible and it serves nobody well.

It seems to happen every time there is a big breaking news story, followed by correction after correction. Meantime, the original imprint has effectively made its way into the narrative, and it's no easy task to undo the damage.

That occurred to me as I noticed the Hasan reporting unfold, so I thought I'd share.

That said, we're finding out more about the Ft. Hood shooter:

Major Nidal Hasan seemed worried about the results of an HIV blood test taken a week before the Fort Hood shooting rampage, according to federal investigators piecing together background details on Hasan's life.

The information came from a member of the Fort Hood medical staff who was in the building where Hasan is accused of opening fire on November 5 and killing 13 people.

I have a feeling future revelations will take us in an entirely new direction. I have a source who has suggested that a few twists and turns are in store. We'll see if he's onto something soon enough.

H/t: Jason Leopold

Video- Kristol: No trial for Hasan, 'They should just go ahead and convict him and put him to death'

Bill's been around long enough, you think he'd know how these things work.

Video- Glenn Beck Calls Military Behind Obama During Speech "Props"

Because I knew you needed some crazy.

Video- President Obama Speaks To Troops In Alaska

Video- President's Weekly Address: Tragedy at Fort Hood

Video- Foxers want to know if it's time for "special debriefings," "special screenings" of Muslim officers

NBC: 7 dead, 12 injured in Fort Hood shooting

MSNBC saying that it happened in two locations at Fort Hood. More as I get it.

At least seven people are dead and 12 wounded in a shooting at Fort Hood in Texas, the base's public affairs office told NBC News on Thursday.

The official would not give his name nor additional details. It was unknown whether victims are soldiers or civilians. One gunman was reportedly in custody and another was on the loose, NBC News said.

The base was reportedly on lockdown. Two nearby school districts were also being locked down.

Texas Rep on MSNBC now, Tamryn saying two of the victims may have been a woman and a child. Local tv says gunmen were in uniform.

They finally went there, speculating on terrorism because there may be 3 shooters.

**General just gave update. 12 killed including shooter, 31 wounded, two other shooters arrested. All three shooters were military.

Obama drops in at Marine base in Hawaii to say Merry Christmas

What a nice guy.

KANE'OHE BAY — Before sitting down to his own Christmas dinner yesterday, President-elect Barack Obama spent about an hour shaking hands and taking pictures with more than 100 Marines and sailors gathered for a Christmas Day meal.

"I just wanted to say 'Hi,' " Obama said to service members, shortly after walking into Anderson Hall at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, where mostly single Marines and sailors had convened for a Christmas feast of ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and other holiday favorites.

Israel asks U.S. for arms, air corridor to attack Iran

By GottaLaff

clipped from haaretz.com

A satellite image of Iran's uranium enrichment plant in Natanz. (AP)

We all hate rejection. This is one time rejection would be welcome:

The security aid package the United States has refused to give Israel for the past few months out of concern that Israel would use it to attack nuclear facilities in Iran included a large number of "bunker-buster" bombs, permission to use an air corridor to Iran, an advanced technological system and refueling planes. [...]

Their rejection would make it very difficult for Israel to attack Iran, if such a decision is made. [...]

An attack on Iran would apparently require passage through Iraqi air space. For this to occur, an air corridor would be needed that Israeli fighter jets could cross without being targeted by American planes or anti-aircraft missiles. The Americans also turned down this request. According to one account, to avoid the issue, the Americans told the Israelis to ask Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for permission, along the lines of "If you want, coordinate with him."

Not now, dear. Ask your father, I'm busy rigging elections.

However, it appears that in compensation for turning down Israel's "offensive" requests, the U.S. has agreed to strengthen its defensive systems. [...] The system would double to 2,000 kilometers the range of identification of missiles launched from the direction of Iran, and would be connected to an American early warning system.

The system is to be operated by American civilians as well as two American soldiers. This would be the first permanent U.S. force on Israeli soil.

A senior security official said the Americans were preparing "with the greatest speed" to make good on their promise, and the systems could be installed within a month.

The good news?

However, Jerusalem now assumes that likelihood of this possibility [of an attack] is close to nil, and that Bush will use the rest of his time in office to strengthen what he defines as the Iraqi achievement, following the relative success of American efforts there over the past year and a half.

"The Iraqi achievement." That's some legacy.