Back in November I had reason to sign up for a Google Alert on the keywords "Green Beret".  I was pointed toward a very interesting article from a year or two back and wanted to be aware if any others came up in that series.  Since then I've had quite the learning experience.  One never knows what a Google Alert will pull up, does one?

For instance, there was the libel suit regarding the book Expendable Elite: One Soldier's Journey into Covert Warfare.  This one's been interesting to me not just on the military angle but also as a writer.  I have my thoughts on the whole situation, but I'll keep mah mouth shut.  For now.  (Hey, maybe I should write a book about it.  *wry grin*)

Then there was the whole Clay Aiken thing.  Oh my word.  What some people will do for attention.  No matter what I think about the whole concept (and those who know me well can probably guess what I think about it!), I say kudos to Clay for keeping his mouth shut.  (Maybe he should write a book.  heh heh)

>>DISCLAIMER: since originally posting this entry, I have taken the time to read the following blog, specifically this entry on the blog discussed below.  Do not, I repeat, DO NOT visit the blogs below if you are not fully prepared to read about, and see photos of, real war.  This was hard, even on someone like me.  This fellow can write.  Wow...can he write.  But the topic isn't appropriate for some of my blog visitors; I know it will be upsetting for some of you.  That said...carry on.<<<

There's also the Michael Yon deal.  Interesting.  Veddy interesting.  Again, we come down to the journalist issue.  My first ponderings were about his credentials, which I hadn't bothered to check into as yet.  Now I'll have to, with this new one about the copyright issues related to a "drafted" photo.  Looks like I'm gonna have to scoot over there and read his blog.  My fear, though, is that it's going to be as addictive to me (if not more so) as Kevin Sites' "In the Hot Zone" blog. 

I lied.  I didn't wait to "scoot".  As I draft this, I have Yon's blog open in another window.  Just looking at the photos on the front page reminds me of why I stopped watching local news after the "Bite of Seattle" riots back in 1998.  I watched one news report during the WTO riots of '99.  (Again, those of you who know me well know the reasons for that too.) 

There's the rub.  You want to be informed, but you don't want to "know" what really goes on when our soldiers are deployed to places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia and so on. 

I suggest we all find out.  This isn't the Vietnam era.  It's not just about the vocal minority.  It's time the silent majority took the time to learn what's going on and become more vocal.

See what ya can learn from a Google Alert?