GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 6.17.2014 >>>

Sectarian violence reached Iraq's capital of Baghdad late Monday while Sunni militant forces grew closer to the city, The New York Times reports.

Nearly 300 armed American forces are being positioned in and around Iraq to help secure U.S. assets as President Barack Obama nears a decision on an array of options for combating fast-moving Islamic insurgents, including airstrikes or a contingent of special forces.

The aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush and five other warships are in the Persian Gulf. Hundreds of Marines and dozens of copters are on standby for whatever President Obama orders.

As ISIS marches closer to Baghdad, the world's leading sponsor of terrorism, Iran, is offering the Iraqi government the use of its army and spies.

The Iraq Situation Report: Institute for the Study of War Iraq Update

Iraq refugees flee Mosul.

Capitol Hill calling for US military action in Iraq

U.S. and Iranian officials discussed Iraq briefly on the margins of talks in Geneva on Iran's nuclear program.

The case for doing nothing in Iraq.

Pakistan army in for the long haul in offensive against Taliban.

Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford: U.S. hikes surveillance on Pakistan border.

A House panel would impose new restrictions on the transfer of enemy combatants from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a reflection of congressional anger over President Obama's swap of five Taliban leaders for an American soldier held captive for five years in Afghanistan.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) called for the federal government to use "incentive fee contracts" in military procurement programs rather than "award fee contracts," after reports that Lockheed Martin was still receiving bonuses despite not meeting contract goals.

China will strive to eventually push the United States out of Southeast and Northeast Asia.

America's growing list of frenemies.

This is what would happen if Earth stopped spinning right now.

Too Much Free Time: A map of Game of Thrones if it were set in the USA.

Comedian Tracy Morgan's condition upgraded to fair.

10 potentially great TV shows that never aired.

Why did NBC reportedly pay Chelsea Clinton $600,000 a year?

The FBI's official guide to Twitter slang.

Curious about the 1949 equivalent of a Kardashian? LIFE magazine had it covered.

Six TV casts who look the most different out of costume.

Poseidon is saying "would you stop being clowns and GET OFF MY LAWN!"

LINK: Original photo by Rick Rzepka

TUESDAY, JUNE 17 2014 >>>

1. The Gypsters is a band that, whether or not they intended it, reminded us of bands like Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show and the Fugs, even though they stylistically don't quite connect. Like the aforementioned bands, the Gypsters are serious about making music, but their songs sometimes lend themselves to trenchant observations about life and what it means to make music for a living. Let's take their song "$250 Fine" for an example; after a cacophony of punk and horn bursts, a voice comes in: "$250 fine (that's the noise ordinance). $250 fine (violation)." Then another prolonged squall. ... Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on The Gypsters in the Music and Culture section, then catch the band with Noise Toys at 10 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

2. The Grand Cinema screens The Unknown Known, which consists primarily of Donald Rumsfeld, Bush's Secretary of Defense from 2001 to 2006, answering questions posed off-camera by Errol Morris: No one else is interviewed. The film also draws from the 20,000 memos that Rumsfeld dictated over a four-decade-long political career. Rumsfeld himself gamely reads excerpts from the memos, which recipients nicknamed "snowflakes." Catch it at 1:40 and 6:35 p.m.

3. King's Books will discuss Two Boys Kissing - a book that captures the struggle and the history of the LGBT past and melds it with the present and the future - at its monthly Banned Book Club meeting at Doyle's Public House at 7 p.m. The other struggle will be trying to discuss the book at Doyle's during the World Cup and St. Practice Day hoopla (5 p.m. Guinness salute, Fields of Clover band at 8 p.m.).

4. The Electric Magpie show dashes of Canned Heat peak out from underneath the layers of Zombies, Turtles and Kinks. Pastoral folk-rock trades blows with heavy blues, and the trilling organs are there the whole way, planting squiggly ear worms in the listener. The Electric Magpie are signed to the Lolipop Records label, a California hub of psych-rock revivalists. Northern will be host to a 7 p.m. showcase of fellow Lolipop Records labelmates, including the far-out haze of Mystic Braves, the moody stomp of Corners, and the shoegaze-leaning fuzz of Burning Palms.

5. You are getting sleepy, v-e-r-y sleepy. Now, go see the hypnotist show at 8 p.m. inside the Red Wind Casino. Whether a skeptic or believer, the show will be sure to entertain with its comedy, rock and roll and outrageous hypnosis, like people sneezing and having orgasms(!) when Ron Stubbs, the man behind the magic, utters the word "pepper."

LINK: Tuesday, June 17 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

What started out as a night off from work quickly turned into a life-saving mission when three Army medical professionals prevented a female diner from choking at a restaurant in Radcliff, Ky. June 7.

"We went to Applebee's as a group and we were about to watch the last race of the Triple Crown ... but then during the race we overheard someone say ‘is that person choking' and so we all began to look around," explained 2nd Lt. Jordan Flynn, an Army nurse who recently graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with his commission. Knox is stationed at Fort Knox for the summer to provide medical support for the Leader Development and Assessment Course.

"We saw her husband giving her the Heimlich but he wasn't successful so we ran over to help," he continued.

2nd Lt. Kelby Tidey, another nurse, as well as Col. Brian McGlinch, an Army physician who was at the restaurant separately, joined Flynn.

Read more...

Grammy Award-winning performer, songwriter and producer Kristian Bush really does actually sing; it's just been little awhile. Bush is well known and lauded as a multi-award winning songwriter and musician; yet other performers sing his words. But these days, as a solo artist, currently on a tour to promote his new songs, Bush is cozying up to the mic. And for the performer, singing, playing and performing is extra sweet.

Bush has been writing and performing music for more than two decades. In the early 1990s, he formed a folk-rock act called Billy Pilgrim with fellow writer and performer Andrew Hydra. Billy Pilgrim was successful and brought acclaim and accomplishment to the pair. However, it was another important pairing that really put Bush's career in overdrive.

This summer Bush is out on the road performing on the 2014 "Put Your Soul In It Tour," with a stop right here in South Puget Sound. Bush is the featured performer at the 2014 JBLM FreedomFest being held July 4 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Bush takes the main stage at 6:30 p.m. and will entertain audiences until 8 p.m. According to the performer's website, he will perform with a five-piece band including Rebecca and Megan Lovell of roots duo, Larkin Poe.

Read more...

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 6.18.2014 >>>

The CIA and other spy agencies are scrambling to close intelligence gaps as they seek ways to support possible military or covert action against the leaders of the al-Qaida-inspired militant group that has seized parts of Iraq and threatens Baghdad's government.

ISIS hits Iraq's biggest oil refinery.

Iran's president vowed to defend Shi'ite holy sites in Iraq as Sunni fighters hold control of the main cities across the north. 

Why Delta Force waited so long to grab a Benghazi ringleader.

Former deputy CIA director Mike Morell suggested the sooner Benghazi suspect Ahmed Abu Khattala gets to the United States, the more likely he will have provided intelligence to U.S. officials. 

Iraq: Exhibit A for why Obama's new counterterrorism strategy won't work.

Iraqi premier Maliki gaining strength as Shiites rally behind him.

Opinion: US air power won't defeat ISIS.

Hillary Clinton: She warned the Obama administration against working with Iran to handle the unraveling situation in Iraq and attributes Banghazi statement to "fog of war."

The latest international crisis may be a terrorist land offensive in Iraq, but concerns about China's ambitions clearly dominate those thinking about strategies for the US Navy.

Issues await next U.S. Marine Corps commandant.

Lockheed F-35 bulkhead cracks solution proposed.

Defense giants score poorly on arms development.

Army senior leaders posit that communications technology is being developed and put into use inside the Army before its vulnerability to cyber-attacks has been fully evaluated.

Air Force C-130s land at Lielvarde Air Base for first time.

Incredible video of wild Alaskan brown bear chilling out with a camper.

Here's how to cut a cake perfectly, according to science.

Audiences are liars, and the media organizations who listen to them without measuring them are dupes.

YouTube will begin pulling indie musicians from the site blocking any artist on a label that refused the company's licensing terms for its forthcoming subscription music service.

Boardwalk Empire to jump ahead seven years for its final season.

In many ways, Season 4 of Louie felt like a call and response between Louis C.K. and the Internet.

So good ...

LINK: Original photo courtesy of 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18 2014 >>>

1. We red-blooded Americans like our meat smoked, cooked long and slow until it's tender enough to be cut with a sharp glance. Travel with us to the town of Steilacoom to hear Pat Maddock, championship pitmaster with Pacific Northwest BBQ Association and Kansas City Barbecue Society, share secrets of competition barbecue we can use behind our office building. Maddock covers barbecue types, smoke woods, rubs, sauces, cookers and meats, and demonstrates the way competition chefs prepare winning pork ribs at 6 p.m. We salute you, Pat Maddock!

2. The Museum of Glass has invited visiting artist Donald Lipski to hang out in the Hot Shop for the week. Lipski is a sculptor known for his poetic combining and altering of existing things and for his enigmatic installation works. Things fire up at 10 a.m.

3. From 5:15 to 6:30 p.m., why not get up off your booty and commune with Tacoma on foot? Downtown On the Go hosts another Walk Tacoma events. Tonight, it walks in the name of public art. Participants will join Pacific Avenue Streetscape artist Elizabeth Connor for a 1.5 mile walking route in downtown Tacoma starting at Fireman's Park. After the walk, participants are invited to attend a social event with food and drinks at The Forum. There is no need to pre-register for the event, simply meet in the park.

4. The Four Beer Horsemen ride into the area tonight.Fort George Brewery unloads its beers at the ParkWay Tavern beginning at 5 p.m.Boundary Bay Brewing Company makes its way to the Puyallup River Alehouse for a 6-9 p.m. party of beers, giveaways, raffle prizes and dollar tacos. Double Mountain Brewery swings through The Swiss Restaurant & Pub for a 6-9 p.m. brewer's night and raffle. Deschutes Brewing Co. bursts through the Pint Defiance doors for a 5-7 p.m. hoopla.

5. The country genre nowadays often seems to favor superstar pop-artists, and one can also admit that it has lost a lot of original flavor and a great amount of heart and soul. The Twang Junkies are loaded with original flavor and soul. The Tacoma band moseys up to the bar with Cash, Haggard, Hank and Earle on one side and Jagger, Lennon, Bowie and Gibb on the other, then taking the Jazzbones stage at 8:30 p.m. with their own blend of alt-country: a Southern twang bass with a hint of indie rock.

LINK: Wednesday, June 18 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Clover Park School District tells us an awesome story before heading out on summer break. ...

Soldiers from the 514th Medical Company stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) helped students at Tillicum Elementary with reading, math, science and other subjects at least once a month this year. Tillicum has always had a partnership with a medical brigade at JBLM but the visits weren't on a regular basis. Capt. Jonathan Williams, commander of the company, started working with Tillicum principal Taj Jensen in 2013 to see if they could organize the visits on a regular basis to provide some consistency for the students. Anywhere from a dozen to two dozen soldiers visit each month.

Read more...

Last night was the big reveal for the upcoming 2014/15 season for the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Olympia. Normally, Publisher Pappi Swarner attends such shindigs, but this year I pulled up my big girl panties and represented the Weekly Volcano.

And by representing, I mean drinking one too many IPAs on tap, dropping a meatball from Budd Bay Café catering and openly weeping at the beautiful cello performance by Lian Eytinge, recipient of the first annual Washington Center Scholarship for Arts. Sometimes PMS and fancy shindigs don't always go together. ...

Anyhoo, new Executive Director Jill Barnes was a great hostess; she interjected chuckles at just the right time, and roused the audience for the sneak peek at all the awesomeness for the upcoming Washington Center season.

Through my tear-stained notes, I quote her as saying, "We created a combo ensuring a variety of performances. There is truly something for everyone."

And that is indeed the truth.

There will be national touring musicals, such as Memphis, a story about a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer ready for her big break, and Decades, celebrating the music and history of the '50s, '60s and '70s.

The upcoming Washington Center season will include holiday fun such as An Irish Christmas, which explores mythology and tradition through music, dance and storytelling, and the classic White Christmas sing-a-long.

And there is even The World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, featuring 15 cats and 10 dogs, all rescued from animal shelters!

Re-occurring performances such as the always-popular Capitol Steps, poking fun at current political affairs, and the Silent Movie, Jazz and Black Box comedy series are also in the queue.  

With so much fun in store, it is impossible to list all of the amazing performance this season, so please visit www.washingtonperformingarts.org for more information.

WASHINGTON CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, 512 Washington St., Olympia, 360.753.8585

The Department of Defense announced today 17 servicemembers have been recovered from a C-124 Globemaster aircraft that was lost on Nov. 22, 1952.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Lawrence S. Singleton, Pvt. James Green, Jr., and Pvt. Leonard A. Kittle; U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Earl J. Stearns; U.S. Navy Cmdr. Albert J. Seeboth; U.S. Air Force Col. Noel E. Hoblit, Col. Eugene Smith, Capt. Robert W. Turnbull, 1st Lt. Donald Sheda, 1st Lt. William L. Turner, Tech. Sgt. Engolf W. Hagen, Staff Sgt. James H. Ray, Airman 1st Class Marion E. Hooton, Airman 2nd Class Carroll R. Dyer, Airman 2nd Class Thomas S. Lyons, Airman 2nd Class Thomas C. Thigpen, and Airman 3rd Class Howard E. Martin have been recovered and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors.

On Nov. 22, 1952, a C-124 Globemaster aircraft crashed while en route to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, from McChord Air Force Base, Washington. There were 11 crewmen and 41 passengers on board. Adverse weather conditions precluded immediate recovery attempts. In late November and early December 1952, search parties were unable to locate and recover any of the service members.

On June 9, 2012, an Alaska National Guard (AKNG) UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crew spotted aircraft wreckage and debris while conducting a training mission over the Colony Glacier, immediately west of Mount Gannett. Three days later another AKNG team landed at the site to photograph the area and they found artifacts at the site that related to the wreckage of the C-124 Globemaster. Later that month, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) and Joint Task Force team conducted a recovery operation at the site and recommended it continued to be monitored for possible future recovery operations. In 2013, additional artifacts were visible and JPAC conducted further recovery operations.

DoD scientists from the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) used forensic tools and circumstantial evidence in the identification of 17 service members. The remaining personnel have yet to be recovered and the crash site will continued to be monitored for future possible recovery.

SEE ALSO

Today's military news in the Morning Joe

Think Like a Man Too uses the same sequel-titling pun as Look Who's Talking Too, which makes sense, seeing as both films are about a bunch of talking babies - though, in the case of Kevin Hart, it's basically just all screaming.

Here we are, gazing into the abyss that is the sequel to the film adaptation of Steve Harvey's odious relationship advice book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man. This is the rare bit of self-help book that manages to reduce both sexes to their basest stereotypes. Men are pigs; so women must know how to think like them, so as to better combat their piggishness. Women, however, must remain pure and true, despite the gender warfare being ignited by this very book. See what I mean?

The first film, Think Like a Man, existed in a strange universe where not only did Steve Harvey's book exist, but all women read it and utilized its tips to torment their suitors. Once men caught on, they surreptitiously tried to counter by double-bluffing that they were really sweet guys, and no one ever said anything honest forever and ever the end.

There's not much more to say about the trailer for this sequel, except to emphasize that it may be the loudest trailer you'll find this side of a Transformers movie. What I will say is that, with the current climate of men's rights activists rearing their ugly heads in increasingly damaging ways, any film that hinges its plot on the "battle of the sexes" is fundamentally part of the problem.

There's nothing wrong with mediocre movies, like this one likely is, but once toxic gender politics come in to play, there's just no way of viewing this piece of work as anything other than queasy and woefully ignorant.