GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.29.14 >>>

A pair of back-to-back bombs ripped through an outdoor market northeast of Baghdad today, killing at least 17 people and wounding 42.

Negotiators from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have arrived in Ukraine to try and win the release of an international observer team that has been held hostage by separatist forces in the town of Slavyansk in the eastern Ukraine since April 25.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu assured Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel during a phone call yesterday that Russian forces would not invade Ukraine, according to the Pentagon. 

The U.S. will focus on economic sanctions against Russia and put Ukraine's pleas for U.S. weaponry on the backburner.

North Korea conducted live-fire artillery drills near its disputed western sea boundary today.

How will the Ukraine crisis affect the defense budget? The more US Reps. Mac Thornberry of Texas and Rick Larsen of Washington state spoke yesterday, the more clear it became just how far apart the former's Republican Party and the latter's Democratic Party stand on national security issues.

While Obama scored points with skeptical Asian allies simply by showing up, not everything followed the White House plan. 

Foreign Policy: From bad to none.

U.S. Special Operations Command issued a formal request for "Advancement of Technologies in Equipment for Use by U.S. Special Operations Forces."

The mystery jets that were spotted over Amarillo, Texas, and Wichita, Kan. earlier this year are in fact Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bombers on a training sortie.

Army increases in-flight situational awareness for rapid response forces.

Marine dirt bike "gangs" of Afghanistan.

The U.S. Navy announced a record $17.645 billion contract to build 10 new SSN 774 Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines.

Defense Department CIO Teri Takai is set to step down in the coming days.

Report backs The New York Times op-ed piece linking vets to hate groups.

Amazing timelapse of massive 7-ft long Lego Serenity spaceship.

This bastard kills more humans than all the deadliest animals combines.

A 3,500-year-old NYC monument is being cleaned with freaking lasers.

Craig Ferguson is leaving The Late Late Show.

The Daily Show just hired a new correspondent.

Showtime put the premiere of its new monster-themed series, Penny Dreadful, on YouTube.

If Jedis from Star Wars fought wizards from Harry Potter, who wins?

Finally: Check out a comprehensive list of all of Don Draper's clients on Mad Men.

It's a looking glass into the past...

LINK: Original photo by Spc. Mike MacLeod

The Seattle Mariners professional baseball team hosted its 13th annual Salute to Armed Forces event April 26 during a game against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field.

The festivities kicked off an hour prior to the game, with a special pre-game program that honored U.S. Armed Forces, veterans and military service supporting organizations.

"We feel strongly that it is appropriate and important to pay tribute to the men and women who serve our country in the military," said Seattle Mariners Director of Public Information Rebecca Hale.  "The biggest change over the years is how inclusive it has become to all the branches of the military, as well as veterans and disabled veterans groups now being represented. Our goal is to be as inclusive as we can be and to pay tribute to as many individuals and organizations as we can."

A member from each branch of the military - Army Staff Sgt. Rodney Greenway; Marine Corps Sgt. Ariel Hargave; Navy Master at Arms 1st Class Joseph Reyes; Air Force Reserve Maj. Marc Miller; Coast Guard Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Jason Gale; and Washington National Guard Staff Sgt. Jason Fox - lined up along the baseline prior to the game to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

"It feels pretty good right now, knowing that I will be throwing out a first pitch," said Fox, who works with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment.  "It will be a little interesting, trying to throw a pitch in my service uniform, but I think I can get it accomplished."

>>> Col. William Krueger receives a commemorative plaque on behalf of the U.S. Air Force from the Seattle Mariners during the Salute to Armed Forces Night at Safeco on April 26. Photo credit: Gary Lott

>>> Col. Jeremy Horn, Washington National Guard, receives a plaque from the Seattle Mariners. Photo credit: Gary Lott

This was just the beginning of a night dedicated to America's men and women in uniform.

The Mariners also presented officers from each of the U.S. military branches with a  commemorative plaque. Those receiving plaques were: Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, U.S. Army; Maj. Gen. David Berger, U.S. Marine Corps; Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar, U.S. Navy; Col. William Krueger, U.S. Air Force; Capt. Matthew Miller, U.S. Coast Guard; and Col. Jeremy Horn, Washington National Guard, on behalf of Brig. Gen. John Tuohy.

The Joint Base Lewis-McChord I Corps Army Band performed the National Anthem, and the colors were presented by the U.S. Joint Service Honor Guard. "Taps" was performed by Army Spc. Raymond Deleon, and during the 7th Inning Stretch, Tech. Sgt. Alfredo "Freddie" Garza of the U.S. Air Force Reserve performed "God Bless America."  

Along with the many military representatives on the field, organizations including the Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Washington State Guard and Reserve and the USO were introduced during the pregame ceremony.

Organization representatives handled the honorary duties of delivering the lineup cards and game balls.

Fans had the opportunity to support the USO by bidding on silent auction items such as autographed baseballs, game-used items and other memorabilia.

>>> Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Army I Corps Band performs the National Anthem before the Seattle Mariners played the Texas Rangers April 26. Photo credit: Gary Lott

>>> Washington National Guardsmen Staff Sgt. Jason Fox, Bravo Company, 1-161, throws out one of the six ceremonial first pitches at the 13th Annual Mariners Salute to Armed Forces. Photo credit: Gary Lott

"Because we are located in a community that is close to so many military installations, we recognize that there are a lot of fans who are associated with the military," Hale said. Discounted tickets for the game - as low as $11 - were available to members of the military.

 "This year, we have made the discount a blanket 10 percent for all remaining games. So if you're coming from Whidbey, or Bremerton or JBLM, it might be a little easier to come on a Friday night or a weekend than a week night," Hale continued.  "Offering a discount is one small way we can show our appreciation to the men and women, and their families, who have served our nation."

Military personnel receive 10 percent off select main, terrace and view-level seats for all home game tickets on the Mariners 2014 home schedule. Tickets are available at mariners.com/tickets.

"I'm honored and blessed that I'm actually able to come out and do something like this to support my unit," Fox said. "A lot of us have been out on deployments overseas and seen some bad things. It's nice to see that [the Mariners] recognize what we have done, as well as what the service members in the past have done." 

SEE ALSO McChord security forces reservist sings during Mariners' Salture to Services game

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.25.14 >>>

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk accused Russia of wanting to start a third world war. 

President Obama encountered setbacks to two of his most cherished foreign-policy projects on Thursday, as he failed to achieve a trade deal that undergirds his strategic pivot to Asia and the Middle East peace process suffered a potentially irreparable breakdown.

Be Afaird: China can't control North Korea.

North Korea represents a threat not just to Asia but to the United States, Pres. Obama said today, as he and South Korea's President Park Geun-hye warned they would respond firmly to any "provocations".

Rates of suicide in the military were slightly worse during the war years than what the Pentagon previously reported, according to new calculations released by Defense Department officials today.

Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas) said the former watchdog at the Department of Homeland Security should be fired and possibly prosecuted if allegations over his misconduct are true

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) called on Congress to pass the Military Justice Improvement Act to address military sexual assaults.

U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command's effort to grasp morale problems and outline steps to improve the nuclear community is moving beyond missileers to bomber crews.

The Navy will conduct a battle exercise off the West Coast next month that could help determine whether another 22 more EA-18G Growler aircraft will be built.

Group links military to cyber, robotics innovators.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel got a first-hand look at a life-size robot Tuesday that resembles Hollywood's "Terminator," the latest experiment by the Pentagon's hi-tech researchers.

Boeing has worked to offer the Navy an escape hatch from the costly Joint Strike Fighter program.

Many retirees and active duty families may stop shopping on base if DoD is allowed to slash commissary budgets.

The Army has taken a step toward officially acknowledging "humanists" among other faiths and belief systems, ending years of resistance to the idea.

Probe of Army general calls insular military culture into question.

Video: The science of tsunamis.

Time unveiled its annual "Influential People" feature.

Three digital images produced by Andy Warhol have been recovered on floppy discs.

Awesome: Giant robot sound effect slippers make your cyborg fantasies come true.

Take a journey into Homer's brain and push the boundaries of animation.

Ronald McDonald has gone a (still-creepy) wardrobe change.

Finally: What if Forrest Gump were a Wes Anderson film?

Keep your chin up ...

Original photo by Sgt. 1st Class Roger Dey

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.19.14 >>>

U.S. ground troops to be sent to Poland and Estonia.

The U.S. Army plans to retire 798 aircraft and transfer AH-64 Apaches from the Guard to active duty units.

How the U.S. made its problem with Putin worse.

The U.S. Senate's top Republican said America should send weapons to the Ukrainian military as that country teeters on the brink of war with Russia.

How to navigate the East China Sea dispute between Japan and China.

Marine to receive Navy Cross for heroism in Afghanistan.

Air Force Wounded Warrior program officials announced the names of the athletes to represent the Air Force during the 2014 Warrior Games and the Invictus Games.

SOCOM lists Iron Man suit collaborators.

One of the most advance undersea drones contracted by the U.S. Navy is getting the workout of its robotic life this week as it plunges ever deeper into the Indian Ocean in search of missing Malaysian Airline's flight MH370's locator.

Navy destroyer USS Zumwalt christened at Bath Iron Works.

Oh good: Lab is missing 2,000 vials of the deadly SARS virus.

MIT scientists have invented a new invisible mirror that can show reflections but also be see through like a window.

Eric Wareheim, Aziz Ansari and Jason Woliner mix humor and food with their new web series Food Club.

The PBS show Pioneers of Television is back for another season, and the premiere is about standup comedians who transitioned to TV, including Jerry Seinfeld, Roseanne Barr, Bob Newhart and others.

Here it is: The new Orange is the New Black trailer.

Game of Thrones season four is officially the season of Jaime Lannister GIFs.

Men climb real life version Games of Thrones' northern ice wall.

Finally: The fastest way to take off your T-shirt.

Be sure to get a workout in today ...

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.18.14 >>>

U.S., EU, Ukraine and Russia have agreed to talks.

Supreme Allied Commander Europe and four-star chief of US European Comman, Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove says armed attackers in Ukraine are Russian troops in disguise.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel pledged more non-lethal U.S. aid to Ukraine's military.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff will try to persuade senators they risk a crisis if they don't slow growth in military compensation.

Pentagon moves to block Russian spy plane in American skies.

Anger and dismay at stalled Guantanamo 9/11 trial.

Soldiers have options to explore before Army restructure.

Air Force researchers test Google Glass for battlefield use.

Navy report could clear way for Marines' move from Okinawa to Guam.

A fourth member of the Navy has been charged with conspiracy to commit bribery in a multimillion-dollar scheme involving a Singapore-based defense contractor accused of providing cash, vacations, electronics and prostitutes in exchange for classified information.

Why there will be a robot uprising.

The price tag for the Lockheed Martin F-35 joint strike fighter, the Pentagon's most expensive weapons program, increased $7.4 billion in 2013.

Methane hydrate, colloquially known as Fire Ice, is being discussed as the energy of the future.

Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic talk about their one-night-only reunion at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony (and afterward).

Turntable snowboard brings the party to the slopes.

Watch the latest Louie promo.

Spend the night in a treehouse.

List: Star Wars facts you may not already know.

Finally: 16 Delicious Facts About Peeps.

Bring High Tide Harry's to the South Sound now!

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.17.14 >>>

President Vladimir Putin accused the authorities in Kiev of plunging the country into an "abyss".

Obama says Russia realizes U.S. military is "significantly superior."

The Obama administration has removed all operational combat tanks from Europe and key strike aircraft, limiting the options for a show of force to bolster eastern NATO allies as Russia contemplates invading Ukraine.

Stronger U.S. economic sanctions urged against Russia.

Poland's defense minister is calling for a larger U.S. and NATO military presence in his country to deter the type of Russian aggression occurring in eastern Ukraine.

DoD quietly expanding U.S. Africa Command missions.

The U.S. Navy is about to transform almost everything.

The U.S. electric power grid is vulnerable to cyber and physical attacks.

For the first time since 1995, a team representing the 25th Infantry Division took home top honors at the David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition.

Army lab teams up with Boston Marathon to prevent heat injury.

Pentagon is working on advanced, speedy, stealthy, next-gen drones.

Scientists learn how to generate solar power in the dark.

Fox network has removed all traces of the military-themed comedy Enlisted from its spring schedule.

If you spend enough time on the Internet you'll eventually encounter a conspiracy theory.

Google X's Rapid Evaluation Team looked into building a space elevator.

Dude builds Spider-Man's webslinger using an electromagnetic launcher.

The most haunted place in the world is for sale.

Jon Hamm sniffs condescendingly at your Megan Draper/Sharon Tate rumors, so time to put your theories to rest. Or is it?

How South Korea promotes a TV show ...

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.15.14 >>>

Ukraine anti-terrorist crackdown begins.

First women move to Army platoon artillery jobs.

The Pentagon plans for more drones in more places.

The U.S. Air Force is shuffling the command of several key programs, including missile systems and its new tanker plane.

The Navy's Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf doesn't have an effective long-distance missile for ship-to-ship engagements.

Pentagon condemns "provocative" Russian military action against U.S. Navy ship.

How the Internet could have predicted the invasion of Ukraine.

The Pentagon is looking at new ways to disperse its forces throughout the Asia-Pacific as military planners explore alternatives to the large US super bases in the region vulnerable to cruise missile strikes.

President Obama will deliver this year's commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Every type of equipment the U.S. military has at its disposal is on sale at the Gomrok bazaar in south Tehran's Razi Square, the merchants say.

Army bids farewell to its tireless advocate, Dr. Joseph W. Westphal.

National Guard soldiers remember Boston Marathon.

The U.S. Navy, in its fiscal 2015 budget proposal, said it wants to cancel a planned buy of 29 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters in 2016.

The Department of Defense announced today that it has undertaken a comprehensive review of the military justice system.

Ms. Veteran America uses title to tell Army story, support homeless female veterans.

The most normal states in America.

Check out David Cronenberg's new flick, Maps to the Stars.

A lot of people really killed it at Coachella.

The 12 best long takes in movie history.

List: Geeky things you can buy on Etsy.

Finally: Roundup of weird TV merchandise for sale.

Then there's this ...

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.14.14 >>>

Iran's semi-official Fars news agency is reporting that the country has temporarily called off a plan to dispatch warships to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Asia-Pacific naval market is heating up, with massive quantities of new ships to boost regional navies in coming years.

China has begin installing sensitive hydrophones on the floor of the China Seas in an effort to detect and track submarines belonging to the U.S. and its allies.

Let Asia go nuclear.

After Ukraine, conventional deterrence will be the main purpose of NATO's armed forces.

U.S. defense secretary Chuck Hagel's straight talking in Asia gets results.

After battling Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, al Qaeda, the Taliban, forest fires, hurricanes and floods, America's Army is now fighting itself.

Aggregate tonnage alone doesn't win naval battles in the modern era, and suggesting otherwise is dangerous.

Fast and light: Army overhauls its gear strategy.

The Army is considering certifying some of its attack helicopters to operate from ships as the service looks to broaden the role it would play in an Asia-Pacific battle.

The Army is conducting a complete re-assessment of its NCO education system for the first time since 1976.

The Army's Ready and Resilient Campaign is now focusing on "intervention," not on "bystander" behaviors.

Army leaders are providing "under the oak tree" counseling, to improve their Soldier's health and resilience.

Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Michael Barrett issued a letter to all marines trying to explain his recent congressional testimony in which he said marines preferred better equipment over high pay and that lowering pay raises would improve discipline.

Here's your daily dose of paranoia fuel and an excuse to be outraged all wrapped up in one.

Airmen shave their heads to support fallen pilot's ailing son.

Top companies want to hire veterans.

11 cool new products.

Glow-in-the-dark roads finally exist outside of Hot Wheels.

Here's a spoiler-filled recap of last night's Thrones.

Mad Men Season 7 premiere recap.

Vintages photos of spring breakers.

List: Great music videos from 1995.

Good news: Robert Downey Jr. is now on Twitter.

Finally: Zooey Deschanel to unveil a clothing line.

Who wants to see a steam-belching butterchimney?

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.12.14 >>>

Armed pro-Russian militants raised the Russian flag in an eastern Ukrainian city today, deepening a stand-off with Moscow which, Kiev warned, was dragging Europe closer to a "gas war" that could disrupt supplies across the continent. 

Derek Chollet, assistant secretary of defense for International Security Affairs, told Congress Russia's annexation of Crimea will affect and perhaps even reshape the NATO alliance.

More amphibious forces are needed in the Pacific says the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler.

Defense civilian layoffs won't be pleasant, but they are necessary.

The move from Joint Base Lewis-McChord to Fort Knox is the first step in Cadet Command's overall initiative to transform the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program of instruction.

Out of fuel, out of time and once chance to land on the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower.

John McCain, the senior senator from Arizona and former Republican presidential candidate added his voice to the growing chorus of lawmakers seeking to block the Pentagon's plans to retire the A-10 attack plane.

Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Michael Barrett told Congress that marines and sailors care less about pay and benefits than they do about having the best training and tools for the job.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden today announced several new initiatives designed to strengthen support for military caregivers.

Optimizing brain health can have immense benefits for readiness, resiliency and the health of soldiers.

Twitter, Facebook and other types of social media are contributing to global instability.

Video: Gen. Dempsey sings with Bret Michaels during the Military Child of the Year gala.

If only there was a high-tech way to replace your flat, expressionless gaze with a digital approximation of human warmth. Well, search no more. AgencyGlass is here.

Awesome video game will let you fully live your space pilot dreams.

SPRZ NY is a clothing line that features shirts, jackets, pants, dresses, tote bags, bandanas inspired by Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollockand other artists.

Deer Teen Me is a website on which authors pen letters to their teen selves.

Here is the perfect male and female body according to male and females.

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 3.10.14 >>>

Medal of Honor recipient Capt. William Swenson is back on active duty at I Corps on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The tensions are high in eastern Ukraine. About 40,000 Russian troops are massed on the border.

U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, NATO's top military commander in Europe, opened the door to deploying U.S. troops to Eastern Europe to counter Russian moves.

The destroyer Donald Cook is set to enter the Black Sea today amid tensions over eastern Ukraine.

Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., warned that supplemental wartime funding, which the Army has said it needs well after the war in Afghanistan ends, may not be forthcoming.

Afghan probe begins in attack on AP journalists.

The vice chief of staff of the Army told senators "greater risk" must be accepted in the Army's modernization programs in the near term due to financial constraints.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond Chandler lists soldiers' "top five" concerns.

The Army and the National Guard are at war over the Guard's Apache helicopters, and both sides are turning to Congress for backup.

General Dynamics begins work on special ops vehicle.

U.S. Navy officers in the Pacific fleet say the service's Littoral Combat Ship may lack the speed, range and electronic warfare capabilities needed to operate in Asian waters.

The U.S. Navy is integrating a Hellfire missile onto the Littoral Combat Ship as a way to give the platform more fire-power.

The U.S. Navy has begun testing "smart" rocket launchers aboard MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.

The U.S. Navy is in the very early stages of developing a new destroyer -- called the Future Surface Combatant.

The Army & Exchange Service is warning military shoppers about scammers posing as service members offering to broker the sale of used boats, cars and motorcycles through the Exchange.

Watch eight BASE jumps from eight famous buildings.

Future Teasing: Peaople are naming their kids after Game of Thrones characters.

The Game of Thrones theme song sung by goats.

Beautiful animated gifs

Jack White's new music video is all about science.

Test: Which music era do you belong in?

Movie action kid returns ...