In the aftermath of Muhammad Ali’s death and the recent Havok Journal article about it, the determination about his worth in the veteran community centered on one facet, his stance on Vietnam and his personal refusal to serve. The term most often used? “Draft dodger.” And it’s been used lavishly. And the term has been used inappropriately.Consider first that the draft … [Read more...]
A Former FBI Agent’s Open Letter To “Sanctuary Cities”
Author's Note: This is an open letter to City of Newburgh, New York elected officials --- or any other locality’s so inclined legislative body --- regarding proposed “sanctuary city” establishment. _____The clearest way to show what the Rule of Law means to us in everyday life is to recall what has happened when there is no Rule of Law.” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower At a … [Read more...]
Clinton, Trump, and Our Willingness to Self-Delude and Play the Victim
This week has offered some poignantly clear examples of the general public’s ability to view the world with blinders that conveniently shield them from anything that may upset their sensibilities.In the first and most obvious case we have Hillary Clinton herself, who has shamelessly shifted blame of her loss in the presidential election to, well, everyone and, in the … [Read more...]
Government Orders Seizure of Firearms Ahead of Hurricane Irma
Kenneth Mapp, the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, has issued an order under Title 23. The governor's order directs the National Guard to seize “arms, ammunition, explosives, incendiary material and any other property that may be required by the military force for the performance of this emergency mission.”Read it for yourself, as originally reported by the Daily … [Read more...]
The Nurse Who Wouldn’t Draw (First) Blood
By Kevin WilsonBy now, you’ve all likely seen the video of the nurse in Utah who got arrested for refusing to let a cop draw blood from an unconscious patient. Just about everyone and their brother has dissected the video down to the microscopic level, analyzing every last detail trying to find some way to interpret it to support their point of view.For the three of … [Read more...]
Mattis vs. Trump: Just How High Are You, Slate Magazine?
By Kevin WilsonSo I did this piece last week about how we should all stop paying attention to clickbait from HuffPo and Slate and various other sites that take potshots at veterans to get views. If you didn’t get the chance to read it, I’ll summarize: don’t pay them any mind and you won’t pay them any money.And you know what? I had fully intended to stick to that, if … [Read more...]
Citizenship as a Practice, Not a Status
As a young man, I was fortunate enough to be involved with youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America. In the ‘Boy Scouts’, I learned various tasks the public has come to know: camping skills, marksmanship, and community service (those tin bins of popcorn won’t sell themselves!). Specifically, I recall earning merit badges (awards for completing specific … [Read more...]
Why So Much Hate for Nazis While Socialists and Communists Get a Pass?
Who is the greatest mass murderer in history and the personification of political evil? Everyone knows it’s Hitler, man!Read on, friends.As we’ve seen from media coverage lately, hating Nazis is pretty popular.Rightfully so, I say, given what they are and what they stand for.But why—and hear me out on this—is there so much more hate for Nazis than there is for … [Read more...]
Russia Hacking Considerations
The media’s craze surrounding possible Russian interference with the U.S. election through hacking isn’t going away anytime soon. Though the hype is primarily political, it’s important to separate fact from fantasy.Tangibly, the overarching processes that corporations and nation-states use to gain advantage over a competitor or adversary are quite common. It’s important to … [Read more...]
Is the National Debt Stifling Our Economy?
Is the National Debt Stifling Our Economy? by Marty Skovlund, Sr.Editor's Note: Marty Skovlund Jr. founded The Havok Journal. His father, Marty Sr., an Army veteran and all-around great man, was our #1 fan. He even wrote a few articles for us himself, this being one.Marty Sr. moved on to the big rally point in the sky yesterday. Our hearts are with Marty Jr. and … [Read more...]