May 19, 2005
Hebrew Anthropology
Written across the wall of the cave were the following symbols:
It was considered a unique find and the writings were said to be at least three thousand years old! The piece of stone was removed, brought to the museum, and archaeologists from around the world came to study the ancient symbols. They held a huge meeting after months of conferences to discuss the meaning of the markings.
The President of the society pointed to first drawing and said: "This is a woman. We can see these people held women in high esteem. You can also tell they were intelligent, as the next symbol is a donkey, so they were smart enough to have animals help them till the soil. The next drawing is a shovel, which means they had tools to help them."
Even further proof of their high intelligence is the fish which means that if a famine hit the earth and food didn't grow, they seek food from the sea. The last symbol appears to be the Star of David which means they were evidently Hebrews. The audience applauded enthusiastically.
Then a little old Jewish man stood up in the back of the room and said, "Idiots, Hebrew is read from right to left......
It says: 'Holy Mackerel, Dig The Ass On That Woman'
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 08:28 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Tomb of the Unknown
With all thats been going on, I felft it was only right to revisit an old subject.
TOPIC: Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the
tomb of the Unknowns and why?
21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the
highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his
return walk and why? 21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1
3. Why are his gloves wet? His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the
rifle.
4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time
and if not, why not? He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb.
After his march across the path, he executes an about face
and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.
5. How often are the guards changed? Guards are changed every thirty minutes,
twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to? For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be
between 5' 10" and 6'! 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30." Other
requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the
tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on
or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the
rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in
any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on
their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only
400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their
lives or give up the wreath pin. The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat
and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the
top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.
There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty
in front of a full-length mirror. The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor
watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid
to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are
and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe
E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most
decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for
guard duty.
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our
US Senate/House took 2 days off ; with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC
evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the
hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They
respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin,
marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding
the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be
afforded to a serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously,
24/7, since 1930.
God Bless and keep them.
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 03:07 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
May 18, 2005
Joke of the Day
Well, I've posted two "serious" posts, it's time to lighten up with just a little humor, courtesy of Catfish.
Jamaican Fireman A Jamaican fireman came home from work,one day and said to his wife,
"Y ' know sumpin, we have a wonderful new
system at de fire station." "Bell 1 rings - we put on our jackets.
"Bell 2 rings - we slide down de pole.
"Bell 3 rings - we jump on de ingine and
we's ready to go. From now on,
when I say, 'Bell 1 '
.....I want you to strip naked.
When I say, 'Bell 2 '
.....you jump on de bed.
When I say, 'Bell 3 '
.....we's gonna mek love all tru de night." The next night, he came home and shouted,
"Bell 1 "
.....and the wife stripped naked.
"Bell 2 "
.....and she jumped on the bed.
"Bell 3 "
.....and they started to make love. After a few minutes, the wife yelled out,
"Bell 4 ." "What de hell is 'Bell 4 '?" he asked. She replied,
....."Roll out more hose, mon,
you ain't nowhere near da fire!!!!!!!
And here's another one, from Bob: Cowboy in a Gay Bar A cowboy walks into a bar two steps when he realizes it's a gay bar. What the heck," he says to himself, "I really want a drink." When the gay
waiter approaches, he says to the cowboy, "What's the name of your willy?" The cowboy says, "Look, I'm not into any of that. All I want is a drink." The gay waiter says, "I'm sorry but I can't serve you until you tell me the
name of your willy. Mine for instance is called NIKE, for the slogan 'Just Do It.' That guy down at the end of the bar calls his SNICKERS, because 'It really Satisfies." The cowboy looks dumbfounded, so the bartender tells him he will give him a second to think it over. So the cowboy asks the man sitting to his left who is sipping on a beer, Hey bud, what's the name of yours?" The man looks back and says with a smile, "TIMEX." The thirsty cowboy asks, Why Timex?" The fella proudly replies, " 'Cause it takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin!'" A little shaken, the cowboy turns to two fella's on his right, who happen to
be sharing a fruity Margarita and says, "So, what do you guys call yours?" The first man turns to him and proudly exclaims, "FORD, because 'Quality is Job One'." Then he adds, "Have you driven a Ford lately?" The guy next to him then says, "I call mine CHEVY, 'Like A Rock!' " And gives a wink! Even more shaken, the Cowboy has to think for a moment before he comes up with a name for his manhood. Finally, he turns to the bartender and exclaims, "The name of my willy is SECRET, Now give me a beer." The bartender begins to pour the cowboy a beer,
but with a puzzled look asks, "Why Secret?" The cowboy says, "Because it's 'STRONG ENOUGH FOR A MAN, BUT MADE FOR A WOMAN!!!!!!!"
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 02:51 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
STOP the Idiocy NOW!
Many people are, RIGHTFULLY, complaining about the current state of the National Budget. It is a monster out of all control. If a private person or corporation were to conduct their financial life in the manner the Federal government has over the last century or so, they would be charged in a court of law for gross malfeasence and sentenced to a lengthy jail term upon conviction.
The fact is, MOST of the expenditures undertaken by Congress aren't even Constitutional!Don't believe me? check out Article One,Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution, where the general powers given to Congress are enumerated. (for those that can't seem to use Google, due to their government school education, I've posted said Article/Section in the extended entry) Remember, under the 10th Amendment, Congress is FORBIDDEN to excersize any power not specifically authorised by the Constitution...so how is it that Congress routinely does just that? By the power of an activist Judiciary...a Judiciary that has set as precedent that Congress has that authority to enact any number of (unconstitutional) programs under the auspices of the Interstate Commerce Clause. (thats clause number three of Article 1,Section 8 of the constitution btw) which states: (Congress has the power)To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;; and the General Welfare Clause (Article 1 Section 8, clause 1), which states:The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; How has this situation come to pass you ask? The original purpose of the Commerce Clause was primarily a means to eliminate trade barriers among the states. During the (Revolutionary) war, the 13 colonies formed a union under the Articles of Confederation (177
whereby "Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled." The Treaty of Paris (1783) that ended the war between the colonies and Great Britain recognized 13 sovereign nations.
A key failing of the Articles of Confederation was the propensity of states to erect protectionist trade barriers. When the Framers met in Philadelphia in 1787 and wrote the constitution that governs us today, they addressed that failure through the commerce and the privileges and immunities clauses that created a national free-trade zone.
The trouble is that in the last 60 to 80 years, the federal Judiciary has made almost everything fall under the purview of the IC & GW clauses, giving Congress power far in excess of that envisioned by the founding fathers.
The Genii is out of the bottle, and no one today can seriously even imagine a return to a government such as we were governed under for the first hundred + years of our country's existance....but we had better try to curtail some of the more egregious examples of Federal unconstitutional overreaching of power if we wish to survive as a free nation.
Article 1-- Section 8 lays out the power granted to the Congress in 18 easily understood clauses, but by imputing "penumbras" and "emmanations" to these two clauses, allowing that they grant more power than they actually do, the judiciary has turned our government into something unrecognizable by any of the writers of that same Constitution.
What does all this have to do with the federal budget? Just this; IF we curtailed the government to those powers actually granted it under the Constitution, over half to three quarters of the current budget allocation expenditures would disappear. Use that money to pay off the current debt, repeal the Income tax law, and go to a National Sales tax (Fair Tax!!) and you would see a blossoming of prosperity and freedom not seen since the Revolution it'self.
To paraphrase an Icon of the Left; "you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one; I hope someday you'll join us, and all our country will live as one, in freedom".
"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite."
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 02:03 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
The Speech Bush SHOULD be giving..
One of my best Blog-buddies, RWR, has written the speech that GW SHOULD be giving, instead of continuing to appease the likes of Vincente Faux. I'm reposting it here, w/o prior permission (forgive me R!), because I think he hit the nail on the head, and it's important to spread the word, and due to Blogsnots fickle nature, didn't want to risk losing it on just a link.
Here it is:My fellow Americans: Today, I stand before you in recognition of a problem we have been trying to solve for a long time. All but one of the terrorists who attacked our country in 2001 were here illegally, and many who come across our borders every year are here with less than good intentions. In April of this year, a group of patriotic American citizens gathered to help patrol the Arizona border with Mexico. Armed only with cell phones, these great Americans helped to significantly reduce the flow of illegal immigration in the areas they patrolled. Meanwhile, our servicemen and women are busy with the formidible task of taking the war to the terrorists, forcing these evildoers and the rogue regimes that support them to fight in their own territory, and bringing the blessings of Freedom to those who they have oppressed. For this, they deserve our unending praise, support, and admiration. But the War on Terror cannot be won by our soldiers alone. Like our own Revolution, our citizens must participate in the protection of our homeland. Huge tasks such as hunting down dangerous terrorists should be left to our honorable soldiers; but more simple ones, such as securing our borders, will require the help of every patriotic American. Today, I call on all Americans to be on the lookout for suspicious activity. If you live in a border state, use your right to peacefully assemble to gather in areas where illegal crossings take place. Alert the INS and the Border Patrol of the activities of people entering the country illegally. Help anyone who is sick, and feed anyone who is hungry, but use your power as Americans to couple this compassion with zeal for the protection of our liberty and the security of our borders. America has, for many years, been known as the Land of Opportunity. Unfortunately, many have sought to seek the opportunity to use our good nature in an attempt to destroy us. It is time for every American to stand tall and participate in guarding those freedoms which are, and always will be, dear to us and what we stand for. God bless you, and God bless America.Now if George would just use the Cojones he's demonstrated he DOES possess in this area,(that of illegal immigration) it would ease some of the doubts some of us are feeling towards him. (There is also the issue of his out-of-control spending requests, but that's a whole other post entirely...)
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 12:41 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Another Marine Honored in his Sacrifice
CPL. Brandon Strassler, USMC forwarded me this e-mail, and I think it exemplifies everything that is right about the honor held between all members of the Armed Services, whether they be Marines, Soldiers , or Sailors.
That this particular service member was not even human matters not a whit, he was still a MARINE. And as CWO Zorba stated, the reason WHY they are there is unimportant in the moment, what IS important is in the HOW they are there that matters above all else. _Marine's K-9 honored: 'One of their own'_ ()on Sunday, May 8, 2005. | Chief Warrant Officer PETER ZORBA Squadron
HMM-764
"The Moonlighters" Dear Friends and Family,
Weather is beginning to climb up into the 100s now. With the heat comes the
dust and sandstorm season here, so many of our days are spent working and
living in an orange haze of diffused sunshine, wind, heat and dust that
gets everywhere and covers everything (aircraft, equipment, skin, teeth,
weapons, even the food in the chow hall). We're all glad to be at the two-month mark, though it feels more like our
ninth. Hard to believe we were home at all sometimes … that we haven't been
here, doing what we do, day after day - night after night - all along. Still,
morale is high and both the Marines and the helicopters we're flying are
doing well, in spite of long hours and high operational tempo. It must go hand in hand. The busier you are, the faster time goes. The
faster time goes, the happier you are. Needless to say, most everyone tries to
stay as busy as possible. The days are long, but the weeks are flying (no pun
intended). I want to tell you all a quick story, and if any of you know me at all …
then you know I love a good story! But I think this story says something about
the organization that I am a small part of here. Last time I wrote, I described the Marines, in particular the young men and
women here with me that I am so proud to serve with. Many of you responded
that you were touched by the knowledge, or at least depiction of those
kids …
those heroes, for that is what they are. But, I digress. A couple weeks ago I flew a night mission into Baghdad. Baghdad is a big
city, and where we actually flew into, whether it would be a name you'd
recognize from the news or not, doesn't really matter. Suffice to say that I
fly into Baghdad almost every night, but this night's mission was a special ASR
(assault support request). A Marine K-9 had been killed and another dog wounded earlier in the day and
we were going there to pick up the dead K-9, the wounded K-9 and their
Marine handlers. How these Marines were attacked, whether in contact with
insurgents, a sniper or an improvised explosive device (IED), we never
knew. We took off from our base and flew through the dark, star-clustered Arabian
night in an open combat spread. Radios crackled and disembodied voices
rolled through my helmet. The lights of small towns scattered across the desert
floor, illuminated with a green glow through my NVG's (night vision
goggles) passed below us and in and out of my gun sights. At about midnight we were on short final into a small LZ with battle-scarred
concrete walls, and a hardened outpost with a bullet-riddled watchtower. As
we touched down, I hopped out the back of our helicopter and watched as our
"dash 2" landed about 40 feet to our 7 o'clock. The LZ was dark and no one was around. Through my NVG's I could see the
Marines in the tower, and the bunker at its base, watching us, not really
thrilled to see us there, two phrogs spinning on the deck inside their
perimeter.
And why would they be, as we presented a wonderfully enhanced target for
indirect fire (IDF) in their position. Not that they don't take IDF often
enough,just that we were now an added bonus to any one already predisposed to 'throwing' a few mortars or RPG's our way … and theirs! We waited. Five minutes. Ten minutes. After 15 minutes, with still no sign
of anyone, or any dogs, the crew began to grow a little uneasy:
"We're here, where the hell are they?"
"Goddamnit. Who the … is running this place."
"Do you see anybody, gunner?"
"Negative, sir."
"… If we don't see anybody soon, let's get dash 2 out of here, so at least
there's only one of us on the deck here in case we take incoming. You copy
that (call sign)." "Roger that. Copy all." Just then a door of a small industrial looking building about a hundred
meters away, opened and I could see Marines moving awkwardly towards us.
They were carrying their rifles with their outside hands and with the inside
hand, each held the edge of a body bag. Behind them followed another Marine with a shouldered rifle, MOLLIE pack, and his hands were on the back of the bag. But this Marine's hands held the trailing edge of the body bag more like a
priest would grasp a holy cloth or a child his mother's hem, not really
supporting any weight, just holding on. As they loaded the body bag into our
bird, I took the young Marine's pack and stowed it and then got him buckled in. The wounded K-9 and his handler were loaded into dash 2, and I sat back down
behind my .50 cal and called us clear of wires and trees as we lifted into
the night sky. Once airborne, and on the go, out of the cultural lighting from over the
town, I looked back to see a big Marine, head in his hands, sitting in
darkness, bent over the body of his dog. That was a long flight. My pilot, a battle-hardened colonel, kept asking me
"How's our boy doing?" as if he were a worried parent checking on his child.
He handed me back a small package of chocolate chip cookies he'd been
saving for the return to base. "Give 'em to our boy. He's had a rough day of it." I unhooked my gunner's belt and walked back to the young man. I put my hand on his shoulder, handed him the cookies and patted him on the back, smiling
some compassionate, but dumb, smile there in the dark, 300' somewhere over Iraq. What else can you do? When we touched back down at our base, the passenger/cargo terminal sent a
vehicle out for the dogs. I helped the Marine with his gear, out away from
our rotor arc, and then ran back up the ramp and into our bird just in time to
grab one of the terminal guys as he was reaching for the body of our
Marine, thinking it was just another piece of gear. "Hey man - what the … are you doing?!" I yelled over the engine noise.
"Leave him alone. We'll get him." The crew chief and I reverently bent over and
gently lifted the body bag and carried it out of our plane. I have carried
body bags before here, and I was surprised by how light this one was.
I placed my arms under the dog's body and gently set him down in the
vehicle. And then, out of sheer habit, I petted the poor pup on the shoulder … or maybe it was his hip. His body was still soft, even inside the thick black
polyethylene bag. As I turned to head back to my plane, I was face to face
with the fallen Marine's master. The young corporal looked at me, he had seen me pet his dog, and I like to
think he saw how reverently we carried his fallen comrade's body out of the
plane, but maybe not. Red eyes and a sad, exhausted face were eclipsed by a
smile of gratitude as he shook my hand and mouthed the words "thank you."
Then he was gone and we were back on the plane and set to lift. Once back on our line after we had shut down, we all sat down in the back.
It was quiet and no one really spoke until the colonel asked, "Did you take
care of our boy? Was he hurting too bad? Did you do right by the pup? Did
we treat them both with the respect and honor they deserved?" "Yes sir." I replied...last year while we were here, the brevity code for
friendly KIA was "Angels." I don't know what it is this time for OIF III,
but it is a very fitting term. So I told the colonel "Yes, sir, the 'Angel' was
carried with respect, and treated with dignity and compassion, as was his
handler." The colonel liked this and we all agreed that the dog was a
Marine … as much as any of us. But on another level, that kid had not only lost his partner, but he'd lost
his dog, a dog that I am sure he loved and that loved him back. That had
touched us all deep down somewhere, where you're still a kid yourself. We
were proud to have been able to do what we did for this fellow Marine, this
'Angel', and each of us would willingly do it again any time. That's what Marines
do. I guess what I am saying is that we continually hear the question asked,
"Why we are here?" I heard a Marine say yesterday, "Don't ask me why I am here.
I don't make our country's policy, I execute policy." I guess to me "why" is
not really that important. What is important is 'how' I am here. To me, this story illuminates that
"how," by showing the nature of the Corps that makes Marines what they are,
and in turn, is made what it is by the Marines devoted to it and to each other.
I am part of an organization that believed it was important enough to send
two helicopters and their crews, into harms way in order to retrieve the
body of one of its fallen. It made no difference that the Marine killed in
action was a dog and not a man, what does matter is that each one of us involved felt the same. To us, not only was it a warranted and reasonable utilization of Marines,
Marine Corps assets and resources, but the risk to eight Marines and two
aircraft was far outweighed by a pervading sense of honor, commitment and
espirit de corps. Why else am I here, if not to go get a boy and his dog - both of whom are fellow Marines. Few things here have been as important as that mission to me, and to my crew as well. That's "how" we are. Semper,
Peter Job Well Done, Chief Zorba, Semper Fi.
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 11:17 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Is Mike Crook Dead?
Linda atSomething, and Half of Something has the scoop on a story about Michael Crook, the blogger alleged to be behind the disgusting site, Forsake the Troops.
It was alleged on the site that Mr. Crook had been severely beaten by two supposed members of the military for his inflamatory rhetoric against those that serve in the United States Armed Forces, and that he later died of those injuries.The site was shut down to "prevent furthur violence against those that would speak the truth about the military". Only problem is that the local police don't know anything about it....It appears that Michael is playing another one of his attention gathering games. I don't wish harm to any human being...but in Michaels case, I think I would be willing to make an exception. He has earned any approbation he receives through the dint of his own putrid actions.
HERE is the Marine Corps response via the Marine Times.
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 05:11 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
My Starwars Sign
Star Wars Horoscope for Taurus |
 You like material possessions and love to win at games. You hate being bossed around or losing. You may succumb to your physical strength when upset. Star wars character you are most like: Chewbacca |
Hmmmm; Maybe Mamamontezz was right when she called me a big hairy-assed ape? Surprisingly, the attributes listed do fit me pretty well. Now if someone could just recommend a good barbor.....
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 02:22 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
"I'm OK; I'm waiting for my attorney"
This article written by Burt Springer is geared toward a LEO involved in a shooting incident, but it offers good advice that should be followed by ANYONE who has been put in the unenviable position of having had to utilize deadly force in self protection.
While Mr. Springer is correct in stating that:"Remember, society does not like police shootings and you must expect to go through the steps society and your department dictates if you shoot someone." As true as that is, society likes civilian shootings even less, and the common citizen doesn't have the support system that a LEO has after a shooting incident. If you are involved in a shooting incident, the best thing you can do is KEEP your big trap SHUT. Retain counsel as soon as you possibly can, BEFORE answering any questions. When you are being questioned (with your legal counel present), keep your answers to the point, and don't elaborate. Do NOT offer any opinions and don't offer any information not specifically asked for in the questions put to you. Remember always that these people are not your friends. Most investigators are fair and just trying to dispassionatly ascertain the the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident, but you can never be sure if you might have been unlucky enough to draw one of the "civilians have no right to protect themselves" GFW types, always assume that you have. Tell the truth, and tell it like it was as simply as possible. LISTEN to your attorney and follow his advice, that's what your paying him for.
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 02:04 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Insurgents go high-tech
Seems that the insurgents Islamofacists are not adverse to using high tech training techniques in training their sniper forces to a higher effective proficiency. They are also using the net as a tool for recruitment of suicide bombers.
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 01:31 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
May 17, 2005
Dog Blogging
Go ahead....MAKE MY DAY!
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 08:10 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Mad Wife Disease
A guy was sitting quietly reading his paper when his wife walked up behind
him and whacked him on the head with a magazine.
Lou written on it," she replied. "Two weeks ago when I went to the races, Laura Lou was the name of one of
the horses I bet on," he explained. "Oh honey, I'm sorry," she said. "I should have known there was a good
explanation." Three days later he was watching a ball game on TV when she walked up and
hit him in the head again, this time with the iron skillet, which knocked
him out cold. When he came to, he asked, "What the hell was that for?" She replied, "Your horse called."
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 01:20 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
May 16, 2005
Newsweek: 15 fatalities Abu Gharib: 0 fatalities
Austin Bay Blog has an excellant post up on the Newsweek fiasco.
Comparing the results of this "reporting" to the incidents at Abu Gharib is, IMO, a pretty fair assesment. Abu Gharib was never anything more than a felony mistreatment of prisoners until the MSM blew it out of proportion in it's anti-American zeal. The people responsible are being justly punished for their parts in that sordid Fraternity hazing affair. Now the shoe is on the other foot, and a heretofor respected member of the MSM went off without properly investigating the facts, and as a result, people DIED, and incalcuable damage has occurred in Western/Islamic relations. With that one story, Newsweek has destroyed any of the good that the actions of our troops engaged in trying to help war torn nations rebuild their infrastructure, and has given theThey did not hold to the basic journalistic standards, and as a result, at least 15 people have DIED, hundreds more have been injured, and international relations have been set back at least a year. Will there be an outcry to impeach the Editor in Chief of Newsweek? Will those reporters be tried and punished appropriatly for their parts in this fiasco? I won't be holding my breath.
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 12:59 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Apologies
Apologies for the paucity of posting here recently. It just seemed as if everything I tried to write was a self-serving pity party, and that is one of the things I most despise.
I think that I may have had an interreaction between my "usual" meds and a couple of drugs I have been taking for a bout of Bronchitis; that coupled with the extreme stress we've been experiencing lately....is it any wonder that I'm a semi-basket case? But that's not of value for the edification of you, the reader, on the weighty issues of the day, for which, I'm sure you come here to get MY take on. (/sarcasm off) I apologise. I will endeavor to try to regain my interest in the world outside my personal sphere as soon as I can and once again gird myself for battle against the forces of Idiotarianism that seem to be so rampant today. Just as soon as these meds wear off, and some of the problems are resolved. I really appreciate all the thoughts and prayers you've sent my way, they really do give me hope of a better day dawning. Thank you all for that.Posted by: Delftsman3 at 12:24 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
May 13, 2005
A day in the life
Go here for a video of one incident in the day of the life of a Marine in combat.
The video was filmed by some Air Force Joint Tactical Air Controllers
(JTAC) in Tal Afar, west of Mosul. They were with a Marine Advisor Support Team - they are attached to Iraqi units and help train their forces on a day- to-day basis - who where in a fairly sustained firefight in the streets of Tal Afar with about 3 Anti-Iraqi Forces (AIF). They set their video camera on the bumper of their Up-Armored HMMWV which they were using for cover.
You can hear them shooting back and forth. The rounds you can hear are from the Marines and the ones you hear pinging against the side of the vehicle with no accompanying pop are from the AIF.
just launched the Maverick. You can hear it come in and see it strike
the vehicle the AIF were using for cover.
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 12:14 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
May 10, 2005
Very Sad...
If condoms had sponsors, you might find them packaged
like these:
Sad! Very, very sad.................... THERE'S A LOT OF SADNESS IN THE WORLD!
Right now, as you read this, 17 Million Americans are having SEX! And you're on the computer!
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 12:43 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
May 09, 2005
Just Damn! Update
I just got off the phone with the claims department of my Insurance carrier, wondering why they hadn't called about the demolition derby that took out all our transportation the other night.
The reason why they didn't call? The adjuster determined that since we didn't carry collision, and the driver that caused all this mayhem to our lives couldn't be identified,so it wouldn't be covered by uninsured motorist, that the claim wasn't actionable and just closed it. Didn't think it important that, just maybe, WE would like to know the status of the claim..... So tell me, just WHAT have I been paying this company $1,800 a year for the last ten years for?! It's obvious that a party unknown caused the damage, and I always believed thats what uninsured motorist coverage was for. Had we been driving the vehicles, we could have at least gotten a plate number, and been covered, but because this POS got drunk and/or high, destroyed THREE parked vehicles at 3:15 in the morning, with no eye witnesses present, we don't get ONE RED CENT. I've got a call into my agent to see if there isn't something to be done....if not, I guess the next step is to try to get legal counsel, and file a complaint with the State Insurance Board. In the meantime, we don't have any means of transportation, and no means of getting any in the near future, But I want to thank all of our friends that are keeping us in their prayers, with your moral support, we will endure and overcome, somehow, even if the path isn't clear at the moment. I won't mention the name of the Insurance carrier....but if you Google "the Brickyard 400", you may just be able to guess..."Good Hands" indeed. Good at picking pockets, at the least. UPDATE: Talked to my agent...lost what had been a very friendly business relationship. He informed me that under Indiana law, an insurance company is precluded from paying on an uninsured driver policy unless they are able to identify the driver. I just wonder what special lobby got a law like that passed? SO let's see...I followed the law and carried the most coverage I could afford to keep myself legal under the law. I have lost my total transportation ablility to a (probably) drunk (and/or car thief) driver, ( who I'm almost positive didn't bother to waste HIS money on insurance) that didn't have the guts to face his actions, and the law precludes my carrier to make me whole because of that annonimoty(sic)? I can only come to the conclusion that the inmates are truly running the nuthouse. I will never buy insurance again. I'll just let the other poor sucker's carrier cover his loss, and deal with them trying to collect from me. By not saddleing myself with an outrageous monthly payment, I may actually have some small amount for them to collect. At the least, I'll have enough to pay at least one or two utility bills on time every month, for a change. Hell, an extra $1800 a year is almost enough to put my daughter back into Parochial school, and her education is certainly more important than the mandates of the STATE machine that operate in a manner that only penalizes the law abiding and allows the guilty to go scott free. They say that this type of law keeps the premiums down for thePosted by: Delftsman3 at 04:29 PM | Comments (15) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Gun conrol debate
Abigail A. Kohn, an anthropologist trained at the University of California at San Francisco, bravely waded into the gun control battle with Shooters: Myths and Realities of America’s Gun Cultures (Oxford University Press). She has some pretty good insights into the gun control issue. I don't agree with all of her conclusions, but she has made a fair and honest assessment and provides a good starting point for discussion between the two sides.
I do feel that she doesn't adequately realize the utter intransegience of the GFW's ultimate goal of total confiscation of firearms, but maybe thats just my personal biases showing. I do agree that gun owners must show more public support for programs that have shown to be capable of reducing violent crime, and we as responsible gun owners have to do a better job in letting the public know that most gun owners do support more education/training in the shooting arts. Most of us are NOT wild eyed radicals that believe that just because ownership is a right guarenteed to us by our Constitution, that that absolves us of providing/participating in the needed training to carry a weapon safely and in a socially responsible manner.The problem is that the GFW's have used every opportunity to use any such program as a furtherance of their ultimate goal of the total banning and consfiscation of personal firearms. EVERY "compremise" made by responsible owners has led to furthur restrictions on their ability to own/carry a firearm, so is it any wonder that we look at any new compremises in rights vs restrictions with a suspicious eye? "Burned once, it's your fault, burned twice, and I have to take the blame" is the attitude, and it's a well founded fear, given past experience. The programs, such as the Boston experiment mentioned, focused on the illegal side of the gun isssue, and thats where the focus SHOULD be. The GFW's seem to want to focus much more on restricting the law abiding, knowing that they will only be successful in restricting the honest citizen, not the criminal. Unless and until they can honestly admit that fact, we can never have an honest and open debate.
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 06:03 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Drugs and Illegals
We've all heard the apologists for the illegals coming over our Southern border; "they're just the poorest of the poor, seeking to make a better life for their families"--and many of them may fit that profile...but, as at least one of the brave men acting as a Minuteman found out, there is a significant percentage of these people that have no interest in anything but the high profits that drug smuggling brings. And that the situation in many sections of the border is an continous cycle of these vermin.
These illegals are not afraid of the border patrol, in fact, they USE the border patrol as a cost free "travel agency" to return to their bases in Mexico, thus increasing the amount of profit they make from their activity. In essence, YOU, the taxpayer, are helping fund their activities. Read the story that Mr. Hart has to tell of the living conditions that honest citizens living near the border have to exist under; where a single mother has to "clear" her house before bringing her child in. Where another mother has to fear confrontations with smugglers parking in her driveway, making her for all practical intent, a prisoner in her own home after dark. Where the issue of gun control is a not debated among the residents of the community, where gun control as they understand it is truly "hitting what you aim at". And for all it's touted restrictions, the Patriot Act doesn't even address the area.(and for those trolls that want to know, NO, I am NOT in favor of many of the provisions of the act, but that is another post altogether.) WE THE PEOPLE need to start to wake up to what is happening on our southern border. We need to hold the government accountable for border security, and if it continues to fail so miserably in it's duty to do so, WE must take that responsiblity on ourselves. They may call it vigilantism, but the fact remains that vigilanti's only arise when they feel that the appointed officials aren't doing the job expected of them. The Minutemen ARE NOT vigilanti's; they are trying to bring attention to the utterly disgraceful ineffectiveness of the legal authorities BEFORE the need for vigilantism becomes almost a necessity for the safety of the legal residents of this part of the country. Remember also, if the smugglers have made it such a routine to smuggle drugs into the country, just how much of a leap is it before they are contracted to bring in NBC agents for terrorist use?, indeed, in many cases, these agents would be EASIER to bring in, due to the very small amounts needed to pose a significant threat. Effective border enforcement begins at the top levels, and President Bush has been severely inept in instituting the proper level of border enforcement. Indeed, it's almost as if he were trying to cater to the whim of those that encourage and profit from this travesty, aka Vincente Fox and his corrupt government, rather than upholding his Constitutional duties to keep our borders secure from foreign enemies. Make no mistake, Mexico is our enemy in this arena. We need to hold his feet to the fire in this area. It is our duty as free citizens to become informed on this issue, and to hold our government responsible for doing what it was elected to do. And if the government doesn't, or can't do it, we must do it for ourselves. We must come to realize that we are really engaged in a war that may determine the continued existance of our country, a war just as real and as serious as the war in Iraq, albeit an almost silent war up till now. If we don't fight it with all the determination and force we can muster, we may just as well concede defeat and prepare to wear the chains of those who would enslave us. As for me and mine, we will never wear those chains, we will fight with all the weapons at our disposal, with words and education at the present time, and if/when it comes to it, with guns, in the final extreme. Better to perish fighting for an ideal than aquiesing to the whims of tyrants and the lawless.
Posted by: Delftsman3 at 12:05 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
May 07, 2005
Just DAMN it ALL
As Mamamontezz and I were trying to take our beauty sleep last night, we were disturbed by a horrendous crash out side our bedroom wall, followed by the sound of tires screeching in the night. I jumped up and looked out the window and didn't see anything but my car....but my car wasn't in the same position that I had parked it in....
I hurriedly got dressed and went out to see what was what. Our "driveway" is a wide strip of blacktop parallel to the street and our house. When we had gone to bed, we had had three of our vehicles parked there in a nice neat row. Now those three vehicles were pushed together in a very discouraging mass. Some (probably drunk) jackass had struck the first car on the left rear, taking out the quarter panel and puling the rear end out about a foot; pushing it into the center of the second car (MY BAAAABY WAHHH!!) and crushing in the entire left side and springing the trunk, then pushing it into the left rear quarter panel of the third car, smashing it into the wheel well so hard that it sprang both the trunk and the hood. It's obvious that the frames of all three cars are sprung, and at the age of these cars, I am fairly sure that the insurance company will total all three of them. (And depending on if they use Blue Book value or replacement value, I may not get enough of a settlement from all three to buy one decent replacement.) The piece of scum that did this damage then just tore off into the night...I'm certain he had heavy damage to the front of his Oldsmobile, as he left his grill lying under my poor Chrysler, but it wasn't heavy enough to prevent him from leaving the scene like a bat out of hell. Must be the "luck of the drunk". The police came to make a report, but without a witness and description of the vehicle, there isn't much more they could do than just take a report. The officer was called off taking the report twice on a run of "shots fired" in the near area...I wonder just how thorough a job that report will be, having been taken in between two other, more perilouse incidents. And no, I not faulting the officer one little bit. I've been in that position during my tenure as a LEO, and I know how things are prioritized, and that with the (lack of) information availible, my situation, understandably, went to the bottom of the list. My insurance provider was supposed to have an adjuster out to look at the carnage between 8 Am and 2 Pm today...it's now 4:30 Pm, and I haven't heard from him yet....oh, well, I can't go anywhere anyway, since ALL of my vehicles are trashed. So I'm stuck in the citidal, with no liquid refreshment, and a rapidly declining number of cigarettes, and no means of replenishing them. Think I'm, in a bad mood? You would be correct. This may be the straw the broke the camels back. I feel truly sorry for anyone that ticks me off in the slightest way in the next couple of days, I'm not sure that I am in an entirely sane state of mind, and I may just demonstrate the phrase "going Postal" on their person. Trolls BEWARE! Mamamontezz did have one observation that eases the pain a little bit; had those cars not been parked there, that asshole may very well have driven his car into our bedroom. So it could have been worse. At least Mama and I are unscathed physically, if not mentally. Trust her to find the silver lining...now do you wonder why I married her?Posted by: Delftsman3 at 10:41 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
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