Afghanistan is weak and unstable and Obama's decision is near.

In the late edition Washington Post this evening we read in an article entitled Obama’s decision on Afghanistan grows near, but not less complicated that the President’s decision is near, is still indecipherable from outside his inner circle and it will make or break his Presidency. You don’t say?

In this article Rocket hits outside luxury hotel in Afghan capital, we learn that all is not secure in Kabul, even on a basic level. Imagine that.  I am surprised, how about you? (NOT!!!)

In this story by the Associated Press as reported in the Washington Post, Iran to hold war games to protect nuclear sites, in just a few hours Iran will hold war games aimed at rehearsing an air defense of its nuclear sites.

Something tells me Israel is not afraid of these war games.  Just a guess, but I am gong to bet they are not impressed one bit.

In an Associated Press story reported by AOL News, Ex-Air Force Nurse Acquitted of Killing Patients, we finally get some good news about military health care.  I was beginning to despair of that notion.

In an article in today’s Politics Daily, Economists Say Stimulus Package Rescued Economy from Free Fall, non-aligned economists tell us that the bailout package saved us all from economic disaster although it has not created many jobs.

That is small consolation to the jobless.

From the BBC News tonight we learn the Hugo Chavez the President of Venezuela, in a way characteristic of the complete moron that he is proving to be,  has hailed several infamous terror figures as heros.

The article entitled Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez defends ‘Carlos the Jackal’ is a must-read for anyone with more than a third grade education who is interested in learning all there is to know about this wingnut.

Here is an excerpt.

"Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has defended jailed killer "Carlos the Jackal" and several world leaders he says are wrongly considered "bad guys".

In a speech to international socialist politicians, Mr Chavez said "Carlos", a Venezuelan, was not a terrorist but a key "revolutionary fighter".

He is serving a life sentence in France for murders committed in 1975.

Mr Chavez also hailed Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and the late Ugandan dictator Idi Amin."

The BBC also reports in this article, Shots have been fired at police in County Fermanagh, that the Irish Republican Army is apparently not dead as has been previously reported in the British press.

Hell, I could have told them that. Its a long story. You don’t want to know. They will never die.

Get informed and stay informed. An informed veteran is a comfort to his friends and a danger to his adversaries.

As a veteran it is your civic duty to help as best you can to govern this republic.  Having an informed opinion and corresponding frequently with your representatives in government is the best way to do that.

CWO3 Tom Barnes, USCG (Ret.)