The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Cogadh No Sìth

Posted on | November 11, 2010 | 116 Comments

by Smitty

Stacy has greased the skids here, but there will be a hiatus in regular blogging activity for the Smitty portion of this blog duo at the close of this post. I hold orders to activate in mid-November and report to Kabul, Afghanistan in time for Christmas. Bandwidth, and latitude for skylarking online will not exist until the end of 2011.

The attentive may recall that I’m a Navy reservist, and Afghanistan hasn’t much coast. Welcome to the modern, double-Jointed world, where Semper Gumby (always flexible) is the watchword.  Have you supported Project Valor-IT yet?

As a staff REMF, it’s unlikely that I’ll be in harm’s way. This is really one year in an isolated locale, supporting the a few doughty Americans.  Should some sort of combat situation come upon me, there in the capital, things shall have gone really awry. Unlikely. Also, as a 40-something ship driver from the Navy, there is no interest in reliving my non-existent Rambo days. Let’s be crystal clear on that. Besides PowerPoint, I’ll be doing staff officer sorts of things.

But don’t thank me; thank Americans, from the Founding Fathers forward to the Tea Parties, to my electrician brother-in-law who just runs around fixing things all day. The exceptional American dedication to individualism, the ideals of the Constitution, and the courageous soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in whose bigger footsteps I follow make it all worth it. I’ve benefitted so much from the American people, educationally and otherwise. Thus, it’s with a sense of gratitude to you that I depart on this set of orders, finishing out my Navy Reserve career in active duty style.

The post title is a bit of Gaelic meaning “War or Peace:”

Probably the best known playing of Cogadh no Sìth was at the Battle of Waterloo when Piper Kenneth MacKay of Tongue played the tune. Kenneth MacKay was a piper with the 79th Cameron Highlanders. As his regiment was forming a square to defend themselves against the charging French Cuirassiers, the proudest cavalry of its day, Kenneth MacKay stepped outside the square and took up his pipe to play Cogadh no Sith. And there outside the square he marched despite the repeated charges of the French cavalry, all the while playing Cogadh no Sìth.

So, the tune is a Piobaireachd, which is either a sort of beautiful tone poem, done correctly, or a regrettable disaster if I’m the one working out on it. But “War or Peace” was also a poem, a tiny fragment of which survives, in its sweet, fatalistic Scottish glory:

Cogadh no sith, cogadh no sith,
‘S coma leam, ‘s coma leam,
Cogadh no sith;
Marbhar sa cogadh,
No crochar an sith mi.

In English:

War or peace, war or peace,
Alike to me, alike to me,
War or peace;
I will be killed in the war
Or hanged in the peace.

The “War or Peace” link concludes:

The words complemented the mindset of the Cameron clan who were accustomed to rally to the cry:

Chlanna nan con thigibh a so’s gheib sibh feail.

Probably that rhymes in Gaelic. In English, it’s:
‘Come, you sons of hounds, and I will give you flesh’.

And that the attitude that must be presented to the enemies of liberty; Taliban in Afghanistan, or  Progressives closer to home. Thinking you stupid, they will continue to say that you ‘vote against your own interest’, and turn down their bread-and-circus substitutes for Liberty.  Liberty ain’t cheap, and rejecting Progressivism may resemble pain for a while. That’s not pain. That’s Socialist weakness leaving the country, and don’t let these liars sell you otherwise.  Stand and deliver, the way a Progressive cannot, for, at heart, modern Progressivism is a synonym for cowardice.

If I’ve done you any favors, I’d ask that you make this the single most linked post in this blog’s history.  I do have one other project that I want to get out, and something for Pearl Harbor day, but the regular features I’ve been doing are in a hangfire for the nonce.

Yes, there is a ‘Dread Post’ positioned in Draft, backdated to November 2009. Pray that Stacy lacks occasion to publish it.

Now, you sunny beaches know how I feel.

Bookmark and Share
Category: Uncategorized

Comments

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →
  • KennyR

    Good luck and God speed!

  • http://twitter.com/obis_sister Obi’s Sister

    Godspeed Chris. You’ll be a the top of my prayer list until you safely return. You have all my stuff – stay in touch if you can.

    Linking in 3… 2… 1…..

  • Anonymous

    And we’ll do all we can to End the Godforsaken Fed during your temporary absence!

    I second that motion.

  • Anonymous

    And we’ll do all we can to End the Godforsaken Fed during your temporary absence!

    I second that motion.

  • Anonymous

    And we’ll do all we can to End the Godforsaken Fed during your temporary absence!

    I second that motion.

  • YankeePhil

    And in honor of the Navy……
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw

  • Pingback: Smitty - An Officer and a Gentleman | The Lonely Conservative

  • http://twitter.com/lonelycon lonely conservative

    I’m not crying, just sniffing since I have a cold.

    I’ll keep you in my prayers, Smitty.

  • Pingback: God Bless Our Troops: Veterans Day Video Tribute « Frugal Café Blog Zone

  • http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ Proof

    We’ll miss you, Smitty! Keep your head down, you hear? Come back safe.

  • Anonymous

    Amen and bravo, my brother. When it comes to bastards, remember: you may take them with you, but leave none behind.

    J.

  • Agnes B. Bulllock

    Go with God, Smitty. You have our prayers and our thanks!

  • Pingback: Civil War or Uncivil Peace : The Other McCain

  • Neomom

    Godspeed

  • http://www.uncoverage.net GoldenEagle4444

    Watch yer top-knot, bro. You’ll be in our prayers until your safe return.

  • Hrexec1

    Been there, done that – Just got home in early Sept. after heading out to KAF and FOB Leatherneck for about 10 months – flew from Qalat in the East to Herat in the Northwest and everywhere in between….stay sharp and you should be fine…

    Send me an e-mail if you want more info on what worked & what was not so fun hrexec1@hotmail.com

    SK1

  • Anonymous

    Be safe and thank you.

  • http://www.thepiratescove.us/ William_Teach

    Oh, my. Your safety will be in our prayers, Smitty. God bless you for all you do to protect this country. We’ll be awaiting your return safe and raring to blog!

  • http://twitter.com/RightKlik RightKlik

    Godspeed!

  • Pingback: Thursday Rule 5 “Were’s Smitty?” Edition. Soon You Can Say “Afghanistan” » Pirate's Cove

  • Pingback: Veterans Day News: Smitty Called Up For Duty « The Prudence Paine Papers

  • Pingback: Smitty may God bless you « Da Techguy's Blog

  • Pingback: Cogadh No Sìth « Si Vis Pacem

  • http://ifyouseekpeace.wordpress.com/ Ran

    God Bless, Smitty.

  • The Conservative Lady

    God Bless You and thank you for your service. Be safe.

  • http://twitter.com/LilacSundayBlog Lilac Sunday

    God bless you, Smitty.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001509060021 Toaster Crisp

    Quoted and linked at http://greenmnts.blogspot.com/.

    Fair winds and smooth seas Smitty.

  • Pingback: “It Ain’t Right for a Sailor To Be Serving on Land.”

  • http://twitter.com/PatinMichigan RightWingMole

    Smitty,

    I haven’t always agreed with some crap, that went on this blog. Like when I tossed under the damn bus by your “Boss” here. But I wish you nothing but the best over in the sand pit. Be safe, do your thing and get the hell outta there alive.

    Thank you very much for your service man, and yes, I still consider you a good friend.

    As for that “Dread” post. Even I, the backslidden, pissed off at Church Baptist will be praying for you.

    God Speed Chris,

    -Patrick Adkins

  • Pingback: Smitty Goes To Kabul « Common Sense Political Thought

  • MrPaulRevere

    I usually avoid posting a comment unless I have something original to say, but I’ll throw this on the pile: Godspeed and best of luck to you Smitty, your rock solid support of the traditional American way of life was/ is much appreciated and will be missed.

  • Pingback: Smitty to Deploy « Obi's Sister

  • Pingback: dustbury.com » Call answered

  • http://crystalclearconservative.com Crystal Clear Conservative

    Godspeed, Smitty! Thank you for your service.

  • Bob Reed

    Godspeed Smitty, best of luck for your upcoming assignment.

    Fair winds and following seas…

  • http://twitter.com/Leftcoastrebel Left Coast Rebel

    I second T Christopher here, my hat is tipped to you for your service. May God protect you and Godspeed my friend!

  • http://www.anti-republicanculture.com Howard Towt

    Smitty:

    “Don’t let the bastards get you down!”

    You are linked at Anti-Republican Culture.

  • Pingback: Smitty, Good Luck and Godspeed…. « The Minority Report

  • T.L. Davis

    For all you have done for me, Smitty, I commit you to your new endeavor and wish you luck. Your service to our nation is valued and appreciated.

  • Pingback: Smitty, Good Luck and Godspeed…. | RedState

  • Pingback: Blogger Smitty Called Up–Godspeed Sir!

  • http://www.serr8d.blogspot.com/ Serr8d

    You’re a good man, Mr. Smitty. Thanks! for your service. We’ll be looking forward to your safe return next year.

  • http://blog.stixblog.com stix1972

    Good Luck and God Speed

  • Pingback: iCogadh No Sìth/i « Thatmrgguy's Blog

  • Kryppic

    Yep. As an DAR I am in it.

  • Pingback: I Come From The Internet

  • Pingback: Smitty, Good Luck and Godspeed... | Parcbench

  • http://woodstermangotwood.blogspot.com/ Woodsterman

    I just bet you make everyone very proud !

  • Pingback: GOD SPEED: SMITTY SHIPS OUT TO AFGHANISTAN – suzyrice.com

  • Anonymous

    Godspeed, Smitty! Keep your head down and your powder dry, and come back safely when your tour of duty is complete. You and your family will be in our prayers until your safe return.

    Thank you for your service, sir – it is appreciated!

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →
Performance Optimization WordPress Plugins by W3 EDGE