In the New York Times Magazine section, page 29, Sunday, August 12, 2018, article: “War without End,” examines the demoralization of 17 years of war on U.S. combat soldiers objecting to the length of the conflict and how it is being fought (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/magazine/war-afghanistan-iraq-soldiers.html). The most haunting picture is of a U.S. soldier on patrol the [...]
The following is an Amazon review: "So many of us, as we finished college undisturbed by service in the military, could not get our high school friends to talk about their experiences in Vietnam. Instead, they suffered alone, giving us only a glimpse of the personal story of war, or maybe their shrapnel wounds. Neither [...]
In the San Francisco Chronicle, August 2, 2018, article: “Islamic State surrenders after rout by Taliban,” (https://www.sfgate.com/world/article/Taliban-surge-routs-Islamic-State-in-northern-13123963.php) examines how the Taliban have routed ISIS in Northern Afghanistan. Last week, I blogged about the Taliban entered negotiations with a U.S. representative, something ISIS would never entertain. Could this be the door to finishing the 17 years [...]
In the New York Times, July 29, 2018 article: “New Tactic in Afghanistan Urges Retreat,” (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/28/world/asia/trump-afghanistan-strategy-retreat.html) examines U.S armed forces being centralized in the heaviest population centers, the cities. The purpose is to protect military forces from attacks at isolated and vulnerable outposts, focusing on protecting cities and other populated areas. Does anyone remember Vietnam, [...]
Need a fast page turner for vacation, this is it. The following quotes an Amazon review of my novel, "Curse of the Coloring Book: "This book is a page-turner that reads like suspenseful fiction--but in the end it informs the reader about the true nature of war and the realities of being a soldier that [...]
The most striking casualty of the Trump/Republicans vs. Democrat political war is the Democrats failure to acknowledge when Trump has a valid point. Cases in point: 1. Iran. In the San Francisco Chronicle article, Wednesday, July 25, 2018, Defense secretary backs Trump’s tough talk on Iran (https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/James-Mattis-backs-Trump-s-aggressive tone-13101321.php?cmpid=gsa-sfgate-result) examines how Shiite Iran has been backing [...]
A 2016 Veterans Administration found that 20 veterans a day commit suicide. That is 600 people a month and 7,200 people a year, or a small town. This tragedy needs to be addressed and skills learned in the military applied to civilian uses. Basic Training and Advanced Infantry training cost the taxpayer $73,000. This is [...]
In the San Francisco Chronicle, July 17th, 2018, page A-3, article, “Militants accelerate attacks against state,” (https://www.sfgate.com/world/article/Militants-accelerate-attacks-against-Afghan-forces-13079396.php) examines how the Taliban stormed a police check point in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province, killing 7 police officers. Earlier, a suicide bomber on foot attacked a Rural Development Ministry, killing 7, wounding 15. Last month, a suicide bomber [...]
In the New York Times, Sunday International section, page 13, article: “Video Shows Abuse by Afghan Forces,” (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/13/world/asia/afghanistan-video-abuse.html) examines how Afghan forces were videotaped abusing bound and wounded bodyguards of a powerful northern milita-commander arrested by U.S. supported government. The video, filmed by members of the security forces, shows soldiers kicking bloodied detainees and stepping [...]
In the San Francisco Chronicle, July 7, 2018, article: “Army quietly discharges recruits who had hoped to win citizenship,” (https://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Army-quietly-discharges-recruits-who-had-hoped-to-13058309.php) examines immigrant U.S. Army Reservists and recruits who enlisted in the military with a promised path to U.S. citizenship who are being discharged leaving their status questionable. The Army has failed to explain why some [...]
Howard has been heard on over 550 stations during his top-market 18 interview radio campaign.
April, 2018 – Meet the PTSD Chef
Jan 2017 – Midwest Book Review, Reviewer’s Book Watch
Dec 8, 2017 – Grandma’s Ideas, Review Curse of the Coloring Book
Dec 3, 2017 – Veterans Today News, Review of Curse of the Coloring Book
Nov 20, 2017 – Jim Blasingame Radio Show, The truth and evolution of post traumatic shock syndrome
Nov 20, 2017 – Jim Blasingame Radio Show, 20 Vets a Day
Middle East: No plan, Time to Leave
Trump Reversing Military Court-martial Bad Idea
Save the Iraqis Who Collaborated with U.S. Forces
Save the Kurds that Helped U.S. Forces From Death Sentence