It’s been widely reported that U.S. Troops in Afghanistan are now carrying loaded weapons on base in response to the mounting threat of lethal attacks by ostensibly “friendly” troops (30 this year). Here’s the fine print via sofrep.com: “Nato Commander, U.S. Marine General John R. Allen has ordered all 90,000 troops at NATO headquarters and all bases across Afghanistan now to carry ‘loaded’ weapons around the clock. Nothing in the chamber, but they can carry a magazine in their gun now.” Not so locked and loaded now, eh Mr. Bond? Why didn’t soldiers carry loaded guns on base before? “We were more afraid of accidents than the enemy.” Now where have I heard that kind of thinking before? And how many lives will be lost before the Army directs its soldiers to carry one in the pipe?