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You are here: Home / Silverman on Security / And Now a Word from the Professionals

And Now a Word from the Professionals

by Adam L Silverman|  January 16, 20174:35 pm| 59 Comments

This post is in: Silverman on Security, War

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I give you the USMC Small War’s Manual. You want to fight a rebellion? Lead a revolution? Overthrow tyranny? Counter an insurgency? Get to reading!

I’m personally going to the gym…

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59Comments

  1. 1.

    Baud

    January 16, 2017 at 4:42 pm

    If you’re more interested in large wars, may I suggest assassinating an archduke?

  2. 2.

    The Dangerman

    January 16, 2017 at 4:43 pm

    Donald: “Doesn’t matter if they are small as long as they have large bladders.”

    Me: “Sit back down, Donald; small WARS manual, Dude.”

  3. 3.

    Hal

    January 16, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    Comic book covers featuring Trump is the best thing I’ve seen all weekend.

    https://unquotabletrump.tumblr.com

  4. 4.

    Major Major Major Major

    January 16, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    You want to fight a rebellion? Lead a revolution? Overthrow tyranny? Counter an insurgency?

    Not really.

  5. 5.

    Baud

    January 16, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: Yeah, I have a feeling I’d have to spend time off the internet.

  6. 6.

    Schlemazel

    January 16, 2017 at 4:49 pm

    Does it cover polonium? How to use an umbrella?

  7. 7.

    bystander

    January 16, 2017 at 4:52 pm

    @Baud: Unless a certain orange sh*tgibbon just fortuitously happened to be in Pearl Harbor.

    ETA: that plan unfortunately jeopardizes innocent lives, so idea withdrawn on second thought.

  8. 8.

    Mnemosyne

    January 16, 2017 at 4:55 pm

    It looks like the new activist group I’m joining will probably be partnering up with Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network to get tips and training. Sorry, Adam!

  9. 9.

    JPL

    January 16, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    The other way to fight, is to have John Lewis mention that Trump only won with Russia’s help. just sayin

  10. 10.

    Woodrowfan

    January 16, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    what about the manual the CIA published for the Contras??

  11. 11.

    Baud

    January 16, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    @Mnemosyne: Good for you.

  12. 12.

    Major Major Major Major

    January 16, 2017 at 5:03 pm

    @Baud: and like, what would I even wear?

    My value is more in information warfare anyway.

  13. 13.

    Mnemosyne

    January 16, 2017 at 5:07 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    You could wear a pink hat.

  14. 14.

    Chris

    January 16, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    @Woodrowfan:

    what about the manual the CIA published for the Contras??

    Given the less than spectacular job they did in their mission of overthrowing the government, I say we don’t study what they studied.

  15. 15.

    Another Scott

    January 16, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    Interesting book. It’s a reprint of a manual from 1940 (568 page .pdf). E.g.

    During about 85 of the last 100 years, the Marine Corps has been engaged in small wars in different parts of the world. The Marine Corps has landed troops 180 times in 37 countries from 1800 to 1934. Every year during the past 36 years since the Spanish-American War, the Marine Corps has been engaged in active operations in the field. In 1929 the Marine Corps had two thirds of its personnel employed on expeditionary or other foreign or sea duty outside of the continental limits of the United States.

    It looks like 1941 was an anomaly when it comes to Congress actually declaring war, and maybe things since then have been, kinda, reverting to the mean…

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  16. 16.

    Major Major Major Major

    January 16, 2017 at 5:15 pm

    @Mnemosyne: walked right into that one.

  17. 17.

    Miss Bianca

    January 16, 2017 at 5:15 pm

    Seance with Grandpa Buffo: “Hey, I read the USMC Small Wars Manual! So, uh…how much of this stuff were you personally involved in? Christ, don’t break the pointer on the Ouija Board!”

    ETA: You know, after reading the manual, I bet I could guess!

  18. 18.

    Chris

    January 16, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    Huh. Facebook just suggested, out of the blue, that I repost Mike Pence’s status gushing over the inauguration. (Not even a hint of a connection to any person I know – it just appeared as a suggest post on my minifeed out of nowhere).

    I clicked on “Hide Post,” and when asked why, checked off “it’s offensive and/or inappropriate.”

    Well, it is.

  19. 19.

    Timurid

    January 16, 2017 at 5:19 pm

    I am shocked… SHOCKED… to find that corruption is going on here.

  20. 20.

    Mike in NC

    January 16, 2017 at 5:20 pm

    Trump won’t do no small wars, just yoooouge and very classy wars. With uniforms designed by Ivanka.

  21. 21.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    January 16, 2017 at 5:24 pm

    @Baud:

    If you’re more interested in large wars, may I suggest assassinating an archduke?

    “There is no stopping me now!”
    Archduke Franz Ferdinand, 27 June 1914

  22. 22.

    Busybody

    January 16, 2017 at 5:28 pm

    On Daily Kos, there’s a link to a long read article by Molly K. McKew.
    The article is in Politico Magazine published Jan.1,2017 (I think).
    It’s called Putin’s Real Long Game. It’s the clearest explanation that I’ve seen about what Putin is up to and Trump’s role in his plans. I don’t know how to link to it but it would be helpful if some clever person would do that.

  23. 23.

    Major Major Major Major

    January 16, 2017 at 5:28 pm

    @Chris: it probably guessed you were interested in American politics.

  24. 24.

    debbie

    January 16, 2017 at 5:30 pm

    When you’ve lost the B Street Band…

  25. 25.

    Baud

    January 16, 2017 at 5:31 pm

    @debbie: Hahahaha.

  26. 26.

    zhena gogolia

    January 16, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    @debbie:

    I agree with this commenter on that story: “it gives hope that if the entertainment community can reject him, so can we the majority of citizens who voted against him, can also continue to RESIST him. I take the little victories when I see them.”

  27. 27.

    Roger Moore

    January 16, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    @Mike in NC:

    With uniforms designed by Ivanka.

    I think Bannon will insist on Hugo Boss. You have to stick with the classics.

  28. 28.

    Baud

    January 16, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    @zhena gogolia: Unless they are all canceling because they aren’t getting paid.

  29. 29.

    zhena gogolia

    January 16, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    @Baud:

    I get the impression it’s more because of the public outcry.

    It’s easier to keep the pressure up when you see actual results.

  30. 30.

    zhena gogolia

    January 16, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    @Baud:

    But also some implied criticism from the E Street band, I guess.

  31. 31.

    Josie

    January 16, 2017 at 5:39 pm

    I’m researching the Mexican Revolution right now for the historical novel I’m writing. It certainly seems like something I would not want to take part in. Exciting to write about but not to live through.

  32. 32.

    p.a.

    January 16, 2017 at 5:39 pm

    Stupidity =/= treason, but it might as well.

  33. 33.

    Roger Moore

    January 16, 2017 at 5:44 pm

    @Baud:

    Unless they are all canceling because they aren’t getting paid.

    I’m sure Trump’s reputation for non-payment is helping to stiffen the spines of some of the people who are on the fence about performing for him.

  34. 34.

    debbie

    January 16, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    @zhena gogolia:

    Yes. I also liked Steven Van Zandt’s response:

    The E-Street band guitarist, Steven Van Zandt, wrote, “Nice guys. Met them. I wouldn’t say right or wrong. Up to them. But it’s naive to think one can separate Art and Politics. Art IS Politics.”

    Doubt I’d be able to stay that calm.

  35. 35.

    debbie

    January 16, 2017 at 5:57 pm

    @efgoldman:

    That’s how I read it. Doubt Steven would have any kind words for Mango Mussolini.

  36. 36.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    January 16, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    I think it’s telling that Trump can’t even get the dress up like an American flag Country singers. I’d would be willing to bet “Don doesn’t pay” reputation of Trump’s is a big part part it.

  37. 37.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    January 16, 2017 at 6:12 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: You could wear a tshirt with an alternative Gadsden flag.

  38. 38.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    January 16, 2017 at 6:14 pm

    Halp, please Adam – I can’t do links without moderation.

    And when you’ve lost the B Street Band… Miami Steve – as he was known before Artists Against Apartheid – has some experience with Art is Politics.

  39. 39.

    Ben Cisco (onboard the Defiant)

    January 16, 2017 at 6:31 pm

    @efgoldman: Yup. Every rejection, every repudiation, every denial is another straw on the pile that will eventually break the Ochre Ogre’s back.

  40. 40.

    Ruckus

    January 16, 2017 at 6:38 pm

    @Ben Cisco (onboard the Defiant):
    How are you doing?

  41. 41.

    Gvg

    January 16, 2017 at 6:49 pm

    @Baud: according to the article, they had a contract since 2013 with that venue, not Trump and they say they performed at both of Obama’s. They also say they didn’t want to disrespect Springsteen which makes sense as I think he could make things difficult for them. They still sound clueless and apolitical, but not rabid Trump supporters.

  42. 42.

    Ahasuerus

    January 16, 2017 at 6:57 pm

    @Busybody:
    Try this.

  43. 43.

    Fred

    January 16, 2017 at 7:01 pm

    Small wars. Small corrections.
    Oh that’s “Small mistakes,” Same thing

  44. 44.

    SiubhanDuinne

    January 16, 2017 at 7:10 pm

    @Timurid:

    Our own JPL has the dubious pleasure of being one of his constituents, which she’s mentioned more than once. I’m sure she’ll have some choice words.

    I don’t think Price has had his confirmation hearings yet, but I hope (futilely, I expect) that the Senators will really grill him on this and similar earlier investments.

  45. 45.

    SiubhanDuinne

    January 16, 2017 at 7:14 pm

    @Busybody:

    Probably someone else got there first — I’m just catching up with late-afternoon threads — but I think this is the article to which you referred. Haven’t read it yet, but bookmarked and flagged.

  46. 46.

    Steve in the ATL

    January 16, 2017 at 7:14 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: you pretending I don’t exist again?

  47. 47.

    debbie

    January 16, 2017 at 7:17 pm

    @Timurid:

    This is a new class of crime: Constructed Insider Trading. It should be just as illegal as the run-of-the-mill kind.

  48. 48.

    SiubhanDuinne

    January 16, 2017 at 7:21 pm

    @Enhanced Voting Techniques:

    I think it’s telling that Trump can’t even get the dress up like an American flag Country singers. I’d would be willing to bet “Don doesn’t pay” reputation of Trump’s is a big part part it.

    Are you talking about those little Jonbenét BooBoo singing/dancing girls? ISTR that their “manager” (father of one of them) was very bitter when they were invited to Iowa, in the deep midwinter, to perform for the T campaign. But whoever was the campaign manager then (Lewandowski, maybe?) wouldn’t pay them, cancelled the performance, and refused to reimburse any part of travel/accommodation expenses. Of course it was his own damn fault for trusting anyone associated with that campaign and not insisting on an ironclad contract, but it does tell you how T and his people operate.

    So I’m not surprised that he can’t get them for the inauguration. Fool me once….

  49. 49.

    SiubhanDuinne

    January 16, 2017 at 7:26 pm

    @Steve in the ATL:

    What’d I do now?

  50. 50.

    Steve in the ATL

    January 16, 2017 at 7:29 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Dude, I live in Tom Price’s district, as I frequently lament on this very blog.

  51. 51.

    SiubhanDuinne

    January 16, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    @Steve in the ATL:

    So sorry for the oversight, dude. I do vaguely remember your mentioning that, but I’ve known JPL a lot longer and we’ve discussed TP a lot more (I’ve never been one of his constituents, but I’ve known him professionally/socially for many many years).

    Forgive me. If I ever again have occasion to invoke his name, I won’t fail to mention you.

  52. 52.

    Steve in the ATL

    January 16, 2017 at 7:37 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    If I ever again have occasion to invoke his name, I won’t fail to mention you.

    Now you’re just being mean, but I’ll give you a pass since you used the possessive case before the gerund.

  53. 53.

    Busybody

    January 16, 2017 at 7:46 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne:
    Yep, that’s it.
    I’d like to know what you think of it when you read it
    Cheers, Busy

  54. 54.

    SiubhanDuinne

    January 16, 2017 at 8:54 pm

    @Busybody:

    Thx, probably not for another couple of hours, but check back later on either this thread or one of Anne Laurie’s early-morning posts.

  55. 55.

    SiubhanDuinne

    January 16, 2017 at 8:55 pm

    @Steve in the ATL:

    I’ll give you a pass since you used the possessive case before the gerund.

    It’s how I roll.

  56. 56.

    J R in WV

    January 16, 2017 at 9:41 pm

    @debbie:

    Thanks! That so sweet to hear! Lee Greenwood singing, Republicans in gowns and white tie dancing, just so classy. How will he do all three balls?

  57. 57.

    lol chikinburd

    January 16, 2017 at 10:38 pm

    @Woodrowfan: You mean this? I may or may not have a paper copy of a reprint of that one.

  58. 58.

    No One You Know

    January 16, 2017 at 11:39 pm

    @Hal: I wish Dave McKean could had been part of the collection. I rather fancy Trump as the Merv Pumpkinhead from Sandman.

  59. 59.

    Kent

    January 17, 2017 at 3:53 pm

    “I *am* big…it’s the pictures that got small” (Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard)

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