Is The US Military Insulting Native Americans?

If you're easily offended (or stupid) you'll probably be upset to learn the name of this helicopter.

Seriously, you guys. Not from the Onion.

Identifying our powerful weapons and victorious campaigns with those we subjugated serves to lighten the burden of our guilt. It confuses violation with a fair fight.

It is worse than denial; it is propaganda. The message carried by the word Apache emblazoned on one of history’s great fighting machines is that the Americans overcame an opponent so powerful and true that we are proud to adopt its name. They tested our mettle, and we proved stronger, so don’t mess with us. In whatever measure it is tribute to the dead, it is in greater measure a boost to our national sense of superiority. And this message of superiority is shared not just with U.S. citizens but with those of the 14 nations whose governments buy the Apache helicopters we sell. It is shared, too, with those who hear the whir of an Apache overhead or find its guns trained on them. Noam Chomsky has clarified the moral stakes in provocative, instructive terms: “We might react differently if the Luftwaffe were to call its fighter planes ‘Jew’ and ‘Gypsy.’ ”

So let me get this straight: Even though no one is offended by the "Apache" helicopter, it's still offensive? Is this like the tree falling in the woods thing?

What's more, I always thought these names were compliments to tribes that have been traditionally recognized for their military prowess. Every time I think that I haven't seen the stupidest politically correct idea, you crazy kids out there in "I'm Offended Land" always manage to outdo yourselves.

It's going to be hard to top the weapons-grade-stupid that Mr. Simon Waxman has unleashed with this piece.

150th Anniversary of The Battle of Manassas

You may be more familiar with this battle as the "Battle of Bull Run". The reason for the different names is that during the war, the North generally named a battle after the closest river, stream or creek and the South tended to name battles after towns or railroad junctions. Hence the Confederate named this battle after Manassas Junction and the Union named this battle after the nearby stream of Bull Run.

Additionally, this battle was the famous moment when General Thomas J. Jackson's brigade arrived late in the afternoon and reinforced the Confederate flank just at the right instant. As the Third Brigade of the Confederates (led by South Carolinian General Bee) was falling back, General Bee famously shouted to his men:

Here is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer. Rally behind the Virginians!

The Confederate forces then regrouped, and routed the Union forces from the field. Thereafter, General Jackson was known by his famous nom de guerre of "Stonewall" Jackson.

One Hundred and Fifty years ago, today.