Love Is the Reason For the Fight
Love Is the Reason For the Fight
GCV Finds AI and We're All the Better For It?
(Editor’s Note: This might not be for everyone. I’m playing around with some AI for the first time. If you don’t like it, tell me why in the comments, and I can adjust fire accordingly)
Howdy,
Yep. I haven’t been writing my “daily rant” every day. What can I say? I had to take a knee. It happens even to “maniacs” like myself who still like to train like they did as a young man.
Today was the first day I’ve felt okay in a while, to be totally honest. My life is an emotional roller coaster from 15 August to 11 September. In between that month is the fall of Afghanistan, Jesse’s death (I spoke to his mom today), and then 9-11.
Phew.
Oh boy.
I feel a little bit emotionally abused. LOL. War, it’s a mother fucker for sure. But, you know what, I’m crying a lot more, so I got that going for me.
LOL.
I just screwed around with AI for the first time. Jesus, I’m so old. LOL.
Anyway, this is my declaration to lighten the mood around here.
Some days, I’ll come in fighting, but others I won’t. What can I tell you — I’m grumpy for a reason.
I made another investment in myself today and feel great about it. I will go to my sweet little bougie CrossFit (2020Fit4Life) while also going back into training at RevGym. RevGym is quite possibly the most amazing gym in the world. It has everything.
Bruh, I can bring my weapon into RevGym to train. Ooooooh.
I started going to Rev in January, but I missed CrossFit, which is silly but fuck it. I love CrossFit. I like seeing people go hard. It’s inspiring. Plus, I can go anywhere in the world with a CrossFit gym.
I’ve been to CrossFit gyms in Afghanistan (Kandahar Air Crossfit), Israel (CrossFit Tel-Aviv), Osan Air Force Base, the Republic of Seoul, Korea, Al Udeid AirForce Base (Qatar), Manas Air Base (Kyrgyzstan), and other bases in Europe, Asia, and throughout the United States.
I cannot even list them all. CrossFit was everywhere I went, and it was the closest I could get to my time doing tactical fitness in Ghorak, Kandahar. I’ll say one thing about Green Berets; they will fucking mock the shit out of you if you can’t hang.
SFC Will Marshall’s initial salvo to Capt Will Selber (it was my fifth combat deployment) was to give me shit because I was a bit overweight.
Look, I was with Green Berets in fucking Ghorak, Kandahar. The fact that I didn’t arrive in excellent shape was a liability for him. And he had no problem telling a superior officer he wasn’t hacking it.
God bless that Senior NCO.
Humility comes in all shapes and sizes. I learned a lot about myself during that year in Afghanistan.
I immediately realized that I would have to contribute in other ways, so I took my job as a governor’s advisor very seriously.
The first Ghorak district governor I “advised” was illiterate. I believe the man’s name was Akhunzada (who knows?), and he’s probably — almost certainly — dead (GREAT JOB AMERICA).
And I was frustrated with him. He didn’t give a motherfuck about me and what I had to say. And, shit, who can blame him (somewhere, the lovely Charity is smiling and saying, “Yep, what an asshole.”)
So, it took me about two months to gain his trust. I did it by helping him make phone calls to his boss in Kandahar City, and I also helped him write angry letters to Provincial Governor Tooryali Wesa.
LOL.
I was his scribe. That old bandit couldn’t write a lick. But he let loose.
“You tell Tooryali Wesa that he don’t know FUCK about Kandahar”
Technically, that’s true because the governor was from Canada, so point for Akhunzada.
Now, I delivered that motherfucking message for him. And Governor Wesa paid more attention to us after I put his motherfucking ass on blast for not paying attention to Ghorak, Kandahar.
GHORAK, KANDAHAR FOR LIFE
Unfortunately, Akhunzada got fired for a man called Daru. Daru is most undoubtedly dead (THANKS AMERICA). I saw him once during my final year, but he’s gone black on comms. While we were in Ghorak, his brother was killed by the Taliban, though it could’ve been a political dispute gone astray.
In Afghanistan, politics is a bloodsport for real. You think we’re whard Sometimes, your opponents get hung from the streets so everyone can see them.
Imagine growing up in a country where that happened less than a decade ago.
Where was I?
Oh yes. . . Ghorak.
So, then I had Daru. Daru was a former Taliban commander that General Raziq flipped to the “good guys.” I’m sorry, I no longer believe the US government is the “good guys.” When you abandon your allies and then work with Al Qaeda, well, then everything is up for debate—right?
Anyway….Daru is an interesting guy—a former Taliban commander who had American blood on his hand. Now, the ODA team leader did not like this—and I get it. I really do. He wasn’t my first pick.
But, meh, like I told him, “You’re the Green Beret, bro. But I’ve worked with worse in Baghdad. We used to confiscate our IPs phones so they wouldn’t call out our movements to the insurgents. At least he’s not working for them anymore?”
I liked ol’ Daru. I have pics, but until I get 100% confirmation that he’s dead, I will let AI give you what he looks like.
Now old Daru didn’t exactly get along with Haji Zahir Khan, the leader of the Popalzai tribe. Daru was new, and nobody really gave a shit what he said. Poor Daru.
But theylearned to get along somehow. Kinda.
What’s the point of the little trip down memory lane? Hmmmm……
Let’s just say that when I work out, I let myself time travel and remember. So now I have my CrossFit gym (2020 Fit) and my fighting gym (RevGym). I need it. Yes, I need to work out twice a day.
Some men retire and buy a new car. I retired and received a year’s worth of training from a former federal agent.
Retirement is grand.
That money will help me become lethal again. Because we’re going to gear up for another Op. We helped save Ahmadullah, and we’re going to help save my friend’s sister.
Just a reminder from this week:
But it is not too late. The U.S. and its allies still have a moral obligation to the Afghan people, particularly the women who are now living in fear for their lives. While a full-scale military intervention may not be politically feasible, other ways exist to engage with Afghanistan. The U.S. can provide asylum to at-risk women, fund NGOs that continue to operate in the country, and apply diplomatic pressure on the Taliban to respect human rights. The international community must not turn its back on Afghanistan now when the stakes are higher than ever.
The story of the colonel’s sister is a testament to the broken promises of American intervention in Afghanistan. Her suffering is a direct result of the failure of the U.S. and its allies to protect the people they once swore to defend. But it is also a call to action—a reminder that Afghanistan's fight for human rights is far from over. Afghan women are crying out for help, and the world must listen.
We’re going to help the colonel’s sister.
Because at GCV+F, we fight alongside our Afghan allies.
We don’t leave OUR people behind.
We don’t care if you’re pro-Biden, pro-MAGA, pro-NRF, pro-AUF, pro-AFF, or pro-whatever.
If you’re anti-TB, then you’re part of Zmoong Andiwalaan. Andiwalaan is Pashto for my tribe and my people. A lot of “leaders” say they know Afghanistan, but they don’t know shit.
And if some “leaders” don’t like our approach, they should learn about intelligence operations before speaking.
An Ass Kicking
Look, I established my Never Trump bonafides long ago. I write for The Bulwark, not The Dispatch (though I do read The Dispatch religiously). I’m Dispatch in the streets, but Bulwark in the sheets (did that work?) Regardless, I’m no fan of Trump. You could call me a Liz Cheney Democrat
Nevertheless, have you ever seen a bigger ass-kicking in American debate history? Well, since the last one where President Joe Biden shit the bed on national television. Shitting the bed is a technical term.
And yet again, the Ladies are outshining the men. Nancy Pelosi did the world a huge favor and killed Biden.
So, it will be my meta narrative that Pelosi killed Biden and Harris likely killed Trump in that debate.
Thank you, ladies! Seriously, I’ve changed a lot in the last few years. Seriously! I had a baby! And she’s a fucking pistol! Dear Baby Jesus! I’m more nervous about screwing things up with her than with any 4-star general I’ve ever briefed.
I have a boss, baby!
I’m starting to lean into this whole feminism thing late in life. I have no problem with women being in charge.
Dear Baby Jesus, have you seen how the men have been leading? W? LOL. I like ol’ W. I think he was a good man who made a lot of mistakes—but haven’t we all? I don’t know. In light of Trump, he was a good, decent man who didn’t quite meet the moment. YMMV.
Then came President Obama. And look, I didn’t vote for the man, but whatever. He was fine. The Afghan policy sucked a lot. Like A LOT. Like wow, that was awful. But, overall, hey, you know nothing life-altering.
Then, when I was at Air Command and Staff College, something unimaginable happened.
LOL
Like, what the fuck, the game show host? WHAT THE FUCK? WAIT? WHAT?
Hell, G*d, HELP ME. I EVEN VOTED FOR HILLARY FUCKING CLINTON!
Who was married to the pre-Trump?
I was willing to give Trump a chance, but then you know this happened.
Then, the Dems, G*d bless them, nearly nominated this man against Trump.
Great idea, but don’t worry. In came President Joe Biden, whom I supported rather enthusiastically, to my great discredit.
So, it was between Trump versus Biden. And I was STILL GOING TO VOTE FOR BIDEN!
But, God bless you, Speaker Pelosi!
So, now we have Vice President Harris, whom
and I both endorsed not too long ago, though we asked for a different VP (and I still think she would’ve been the better pick)
So I’m Pro Harris/Walz. If you’re not, no big deal. That’s just how I like to roll. But honestly, I despise both parties. They call me Grumpy for a reason!
But you do you, booboo!
Great DDT, But a Bad Day
I had a wonderful day with my daughter. She’s the light of my life. We woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but I took her on a run. I may have been wearing my combat vest while I pushed her.
She enjoyed the ride in style, my princess.
Then we went to her swimming academy. I went to the wrong location, but luckily I left early, so I had time to go a little fast. But, people, I’ve graduated from like 3-5 tactical driving courses, so you know.
We can execute at high levels.
So, I was late, but only by a minute. The principal was brought to swimming lessons secure.
After that, my friends and I took General Selber to Half Price Bookstore. General Selber needed some books to feed that M240B for a brain. So, I, a mere Lt Col (ret), immediately took her to Half Price Bookstore.
LOL.
Then, after we bought her $75 worth of books, I snagged some chocolate ice cream for Princess Selber, formerly known as General Selber, but the lady wishes to be called whatever the hell she wants. If you have a problem with it, I’m her G*d damn knight, and I don’t play.
I even bought her a little book for feminists. I shit you not.
After that, I grabbed some ice cream, came home, and handed her over to her excellent ABA instructor, who has my daughter reading at 3 1/2 years old.
My daughter is the future. So, does that make the future female?
I guess so.
I’m old. Frankly, a lot of us have failed in the last twenty years.
So, I’m leaning into this whole center-left type of Red Dog Democrat thing. A Liz Cheney Democrat? Does that exist? Am I welcome here? LOL. Life is such a gift, my friends.
Don’t get it twisted; I’m still a Grumpy Combat Veteran!
Next 2 Weeks
We’re going to throttle back on operations here at GCV. We must completely stand up our new Non-Profit dedicated to helping Afghans succeed in the United States. More to follow.
I also need to finish my memoirs and send them to Benjamin Parker, whom Jonathan V. Last called “The Natural.”. We will aim to have an article every day, but it won’t happen some days. I promise I will do at least 500 push-ups if that happens.
We’re excited to have all of you here. G*d bless you. G*d bless your families. And spend time with them this weekend. Ultimately, all we have in this life is our family—and our people.
Zmoong Andiwalaan.
I love you man! Never know what I'm in for when I start reading your ramblings. Sometimes I cry, other times I laugh, or I get angry, and occasionally all three, either in succession or simultaneously. It's a real rollercoaster getting these brief peaks into your battered and weary mind. Nothing but respect! And many hugs for your wise and beautiful princess...
I had a chance to see a conversation between historian Heather Cox Richardson (Letters from an American) and Connie Schultz (journalist - Hopefully Yours Substack -- and wife of Senator Sherrod Brown) at a fundraiser Thursday night.
It was a GREAT discussion. I wrote about one of the most interesting things Richardson said in a comment on another Substack, relating to the strange bedfellows we all find ourselves hanging out with these days:
"One of the most interesting discussion topics was about the political realignment the country is going through. Heather linked it to another point in our history, leading up to the election of Lincoln in 1860. People who were on opposing sides became allies, much like we see happening today. A new party was born.
"We don't know yet what may happen because we're still in the middle of it. But it's big and will be something we'll look back on in 10, 15 or 20 years and say, "I was there."