Everything I Needed to Know About COVID-19, I Learned in Kindergarten by Scott Faith “Wisdom from the mouths of babes.” In trying to absorb all of the (mis)information being thrown my way about the Chinese coronavirus/novel coronavirus/COVID-19/whatever we’re calling it these days, I’m reminded of Robert Fulghum’s seminal work, “All I Really Needed to Know, I Learned in … [Read more...]
Hong Kong: Harbinger of Southeast Asia’s Future
Hong Kong: Harbinger of Southeast Asia's Future by Anonymous This first appeared in the Havok Journal April 3, 2016. Police forces march in on crowds during the First Day of the Chinese New Year of the Monkey. Locals and tourists watch in shock as police begin man-handling food sellers, claiming lack of work permits. Within an hour, the scene degenerates into violent … [Read more...]
The North Korean Problem: “Leadership” by Herd Mentality
The North Korean Problem: "Leadership" by Herd Mentality by Leonard Benton It is ironic that political leaders in the United States imagine that negotiations will solve a problem when we have had 60 years of North Korean intransigence and not one measure from the United States, the United Nations, or anyone else has done one damn thing to control the weapons growth or the … [Read more...]
When “Humanitarian” Projects Aren’t
When "Humanitarian" Projects Aren’t by David Hartmann Engineers, especially civil engineers, build things. It’s what we do, and we consider each project, large or small, “our” project. Being a civil engineer in the Army engineer branch was especially rewarding. We played with bridge sets, construction equipment, and building parts. Army combat engineering also meant … [Read more...]
Climb a Thousand Mountains, but Screw One Goat: U.S. Military Investigations Explained
Climb a Thousand Mountains, but Screw One Goat: U.S. Military Investigations Explained by Michael St. Amand This first appeared in The Havok Journal December 8, 2015. The topic discussed remains just as relevant today. The tragic events in Kunduz, Afghanistan where a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) clinic was struck by an American AC-130 aircraft killing thirty innocent … [Read more...]
“Two Girls, One Cockroach” is a Game Show in Japan
"Two Girls, One Cockroach" is a Game Show in Japan by Scott Faith [Editor's Note: This first appeared in The Havok Journal November 19, 2015. It's just too insane NOT to republish] Japanese game shows are just weird. In one that recently came across my social media feed, a game show features a competition between two young woman in which they blow on opposite ends of … [Read more...]
Help Wanted: Mercenary
Help Wanted: Mercenary by Leonard Benton After the terrorist attack in Paris, fellow writer Pablo James told you how to join the French Foreign Legion if you really wanted to get into the fight. But there are some difficulties with that. You have to learn French for one thing. And it is a sincere commitment: The Legion doesn’t play. However, if you don’t want to … [Read more...]
China Will Eventually Enter the War on Terror. Don’t Expect It To Be on Our Side.
China Will Eventually Enter the War on Terror. Don't Expect It To Be on Our Side. By Dan Taub By now, everyone who follows the fight against terrorism will know that there was an unsuccessful VBIED attack in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in which a suicide bomber attempted to ram the embassy gates before detonating. This attack fortunately only managed to kill one person – the … [Read more...]
Russia Hacking Considerations
Russia Hacking Considerations by Matt James Editor's Note: This article first appeared in The Havok Journal in August 2017. Given what's going on in our country right now, it seems appropriate to republish it. 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 … [Read more...]
What’s Wrong with Huawei Seeking $1 Billion from Verizon for Patent Infringement?
What’s Wrong with Huawei Seeking $1 Billion from Verizon for Patent Infringement? by Matt Trevathan I disembarked my plane to fill my lungs with the thick, humid air of Guangzhou. Although it was still early morning, the heat was just to the point of “oppressive” as my undershirt began soaking up the sweat to provide some good old southern air conditioning. But I wasn’t in … [Read more...]
