How pixelated uniforms turned soldiers into walking targets

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The military has a major pixelation problem, and it doesn’t involve computers. New reports suggest that the U.S. Army’s pixelated camo uniform, introduced in 2004, is actually a monumental $5 billion blunder. Industry insiders are calling this a “fiasco,” and many are enraged that the Army took eight years to address the issue. (See the uniforms at right and below.) Here’s what you should know:

What’s wrong with the uniforms? The pattern is too easy to spot. Though the camouflage is supposed to help mask soldiers’ presence in the desert and more moderate terrain, soldiers everywhere are criticizing the pixelated gray-green Universal Camouflage Pattern, or UPC, “for standing out almost anywhere it’s been worn,” says Erik German at The Daily. The mixture of the Army’s gray-green color scheme with the pixel pattern turns out to be quite eye-catching — not a good quality in camouflage.

What kind of problems did these uniforms cause? It’s an “epic mistake that cost billions of dollars,” says Molly Oswaks at Gizmodo, “and, ostensibly, many lives.” Think about it, says Ubergizmo. Not only are the pixelated camouflage uniforms highly visible in their own right, but because the U.S. was bogged down fighting two wars, supply lines dragged, and many Army soldiers had the new pixelated gray-green fatigues, but old-school gear. So “soldiers were running around with desert-colored clothing, but their backpacks, vests, and body-armor would be colored differently with black or green,” essentially telling enemies where to shoot.” Full story at The Week. via How pixelated uniforms turned soldiers into walking targets.

July 5, 2012 0

Pastors, Politics, and the American Republic

John Piper writes:

For those reading from the States, today is Independence Day, the peak of America‘s summer. So in the midst of cookouts and fireworks, let’s do a quick dial back to the founders.

America and its founders. Now that’s a conversation folks can get passionate about, whether in political rhetoric or some Christian circles. However, beyond any dispute on the role Christianity played in those early days, we can say undoubtedly that public opinion in 1776 considered Christians beneficial to the American republic. In short, the consensus was that Christians bring a lot of societal good in a representative democracy.

The man who led the way in articulating this benefit was John Witherspoon, founding father, Presbyterian minister and president of Princeton University, among other things. Though he flies under the radar in many history classes, Witherspoon’s influence is significant. And while he embodied the major intellectual traditions of his day, he has a helpful word on the gospel’s influence in society.

Witherspoon contended that the contribution of “true religion” to the public order is the morality of its adherents. Or said another way, the gospel’s influence on society comes by the means of transformed lives.

And this influence is stewarded by the church’s pastors. Witherspoon writes,

The return which is expected from [pastors] to the community is, that by the influence of their religious government, their people may be the more regular citizens, and the more useful members of society. I hope none here will deny, that the manners of the people in general are of the utmost moment to the stability of any civil society. When the body of a people are altogether corrupt in their manners, the government is ripe for dissolution.

Good laws may hold the rotten bark some longer together, but in a little time all laws must give way to the tide of popular opinion, and be laid prostrate under universal practice. Hence it clearly follows, that the teachers and rulers of every religious denomination are bound mutually to each other, and to the whole society, to watch over the manner of their several members.1

How might pastors influence their people to be “the more useful members of society”? Or how might they “watch over the manner of their several members”? By “feed[ing] the saints with such meals that they go out strengthened and robust and able to do the study and do the courage and do the action needed as salt and light in this world.” via Pastors, Politics, and the American Republic – Desiring God.

July 5, 2012 0

8 thoughts while watching trainwrecks

Jon Swanson writes:

(First published July 19, 2011. And here’s the video version).

It happens to all of us. A friend, a family member, a coworker looks like they have picked the wrong track and are heading toward a trainwreck. Not physically, probably, but emotionally, spiritually, or relationally. I probably hear about more of these than many people because I’m one of the people that people talk to: “Jon, you’re a (social media) chaplain/pastor. You’ll know what to do. How do I stop them from wrecking everything?”

1. Maybe you are missing something. Probably not, but consider the possibility.

2. TV Movie endings are only in TV movies. If you want an intervention to always end with “How could I have been so foolish, I’m sorry, you were right,” you are going to be disappointed. Every time.

3. Humans almost always choose the short-term over the long-term. Even when the short-term looks painful, it’s because it is easier than the real hard work that would bring about long-term change.

4. Remorse and repentance aren’t the same thing. One is about getting caught. The other is about getting right. The first will only lead to avoidance. The second may lead to change.

5. Yelling almost never works. It just makes fingers go into ears.

6. Sin is fun like antifreeze is sweet. Both are delightful for the short term. And then kill you.

7. Self-destruction often isn’t evident to the self being destroyed. What looks obvious from the outside looks very different from the inside. Of course, the outside view can often see further down the track.

8. Consequence pain is often a good alarm clock. Sometimes people sleep through gentle warnings.

I know it hurts to watch. And you want to help. But sometimes the best help is to be around after the wreck. And to ask God for wisdom and clarity and the right words.

That’s what I do anyway.” via 8 thoughts while watching trainwrecks (from the archives).

July 5, 2012 1

Expectations

“Lower your expectations of earth. This isn’t heaven, so don’t expect it to be.” Max Lucado via Expect……………………...

July 5, 2012 3

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams die; This Day in History 7/4/1826

Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson writing the Declaration of independence (1776) were all of British descent. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On this day in 1826, former Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who were once fellow Patriots and then adversaries, die on the same day within five hours of each other.

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were the last surviving members of the original American revolutionaries who had stood up to the British empire and forged a new political system in the former colonies. However, while they both believed in democracy and life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, their opinions on how to achieve these ideals diverged over time.

Adams preceded Jefferson as president (1797-1800); it was during this time that their ideas about policy-making became as distinct as their personalities. The irascible and hot-tempered Adams was a firm believer in a strong centralized government, while the erudite and gentile Jefferson believed federal government should take a more hands-off approach and defer to individual states’ rights. As Adams’ vice president, Jefferson was so horrified by what he considered to be Adams’ abuse of the presidency–particularly his passage of the restrictive Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798–that he abandoned Adams and Washington for his estate at Monticello. There, he plotted how to bring his Republican faction back into power in the presidential election of 1800. After an exceptionally bitter campaign, in which both parties engaged in slanderous attacks on each other in print, Jefferson emerged victorious. It appeared the former friends would be eternal enemies.

After serving two presidential terms (1801-1809), Jefferson and Adams each expressed to third parties their respect the other and their desire to renew their friendship. Adams was the first to break the silence; he sent Jefferson a letter dated January 1, 1812, in which he wished Jefferson many happy new years to come. Jefferson responded with a note in which he fondly recalled when they were fellow laborers in the same cause. The former revolutionaries went on to resume their friendship over 14 years of correspondence during their golden years.

On July 4, 1826, at the age of 90, Adams lay on his deathbed while the country celebrated Independence Day. His last words were Thomas Jefferson still survives. He was mistaken: Jefferson had died five hours earlier at Monticello at the age of 82.” via Thomas Jefferson and John Adams die — History.com This Day in History — 7/4/1826.

History.com fails to mention that they both died 50 years to the day after signing the original Declaration of Independence…

July 4, 2012 2

ObamaCare v. RomneyCare

Visual Loop via ObamaCare v. RomneyCare.

July 4, 2012 0

Fun on the 4th of July

Holy Kaw! via Fun on the 4th of July [infographic]. If you can believe it, we live in a county where there is not a single parade or fireworks display on the 4th of July…

July 4, 2012 0

A Fourth of July channeling of Thomas Jefferson

Paul Brandus writes:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Thomas Jefferson’s glorious sentence from his Declaration of Independence — arguably the most influential sentence in the history of the English language — holds true to this day, and remains a beacon to all who cherish or yearn for the human rights he espoused. Abraham Lincoln considered that specific passage one of the most important things he ever read, and regarded it as the bedrock of his political philosophy.

Jefferson believed that the Declaration was his greatest accomplishment — even more so than being president of the United States. In fact, gaze upon his gravestone at Monticello (appropriately adorned with nickels left by visitors), and you wouldn’t even know that he was president:

“Here was buried Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, Father of the University of Virginia.” via A Fourth of July channeling of Thomas Jefferson – The Week.

July 4, 2012 6

Just in case you missed this for 7/4/2012

Happy Independence Day!!!

http://storify.com/e1evation/just-in-case-you-missed-this-for-7-4-2012

July 4, 2012 0

Half empty? Half full?

July 4, 2012 2

What Fireworks Look Like From A Bird’s-Eye View

Step 1: Strap a camera to a balloon. Step 2: Light some fireworks. Those are pretty much all the steps.

via What Fireworks Look Like From A Bird’s-Eye View.

July 4, 2012 0

Fireworks Displays Gone Horribly Stupidly Wrong

Get more here: Fireworks Displays Gone Horribly Stupidly Wrong | Happy Place.

July 4, 2012 0

50 Patriotic Women In Stars And Stripes

BuzzFeed – Latest. Get more here: 50 Patriotic Women In Stars And Stripes.

July 4, 2012 0

July 4th is an exception to the rule: when we sing the national anthem

July 4th is an exception to the rule: when we sing the national anthem, we almost always do it before a sporting event. This is somewhat fitting because successfully performing the anthem is practically an athletic feat.

A look at some of the most famous performances of the National Anthem: http://nyr.kr/MR9urK via July 4th is an exception to the rule: when we sing the national….