Random Thoughts
The best beer requires the least advertising.
Over at the local military base, children of every color under the sun play together at the daycare center, women are paid the same as men, and the potential of an individual is not limited by the job they applied for. It has been that way for a long time.
We don’t hear too much about all this good news because it would stunt the political energy that is taken from dividing people into groups and making various appeals to group members rather than treating people as individual citizens.
Platoon 3049
MCRD San Diego
25 June, 1979 - 14 Sept, 1979
Support The Troops?
Pay attention drones.
Keeping Dad (76) ready to go back in if it will help to avoid a draft.
The Republican Party disappoints me the most. They come off as anti-freedom and pro-war. Weird combo.
Part of their mission in life was to run the White House in such a way that voters would want to go into 2009 with another Republican administration in office- that didn’t happen.
Democrats seem more honest- they will come right out and say they want to raise the minimum wage, etc.
What do Republicans believe in?
and
War on Christmas- religious displays on government property-
How did it get this way?
People are not expected to agree on religion- even within a single faith, many varieties of churches may exist.
Some say the government should not involve itself in these matters.
Let's pick a time- like next July- when people are not about to celebrate Christmas- then let's talk.
There is a perception that as we travel around this country and run into "dry counties" or places that will not sell booze on Sunday- that this is because someone's church thinks it's wrong- and that is not good enough- until the authority of government is put in place to force all to comply. Ditto for gay marriage and possibly a few other responsible adult choices.
This perception may be wrong- let's hear from religious leaders as to how these perceptions may have developed, so we can have a better understanding before next Christmas.
Military service is honorable- We have the right to protest whether we send our Armed Forces to fight in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, etc. or not.
Military service is a proud thing, it doesn’t need to be unnecessarily glorified with statements like-
Or
“You have the right to make comments on a blog, and write letters to the editor because The Troops are fighting to give you that freedom.”
Or
The Troops allow us to have “The freedoms we take for granted.”
We do not live under a Totalitarian Regime where Individual Liberty must somehow be enabled by uniformed agents of the government.
Maybe if we had a draft in times of “War on Terror” there would be less impulse to worship and idolize The Troops.
Proclaiming a “National Commitment” to a “War on Terror” -and not having a draft- is to eliminate the checks and balances that come with broad based citizen involvement in US Foreign Policy.
“War” without a draft, is a lazy political shortcut.
If we want to smoke in a bar and order beers with a 20 year old girlfriend, or have our concealed carry permit honored on National Park’s lands- should we tell the Joint Chiefs of Staff?
Enjoying a Renewed Confidence - try to hold on until :40
War on Terror-
We are told “We must fight them over there so that we don’t have to fight them over here”
War on Drugs-
WTF?
The media only reports bad news about the war in Iraq?-
The White House has a Press Secretary, a Communications Director and the ability to hold daily press conferences. Our Armed Forces have Public Affairs people/Photojournalists in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, and Coast Guard.
The White House has a Press Secretary, a Communications Director and the ability to hold daily press conferences. Our Armed Forces have Public Affairs people/Photojournalists in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, and Coast Guard.
It has been the responsibility of our government from day one to keep us informed on all aspects of the war. We want to hear Uncle Sam’s version of events.
The Government Public Affairs machine is at work to get the word out on military recruiting via NASCAR. How about a more aggressive campaign to explain current events related to the effort in Iraq?
The government has done a better job explaining seat belt laws and how to line up to get a converter box to keep old TVs running than it has in passing along Iraq war information.
Individual Responsibility, Individual Liberty, Smaller, Limited Government-
After 20 years in The US Marines- where personal freedom and self expression were voluntarily limited in order to serve the greater good...
I got my hopes up- then looked out to see Federal raids on state sanctioned medical marijuana operations, the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, The REAL ID Act of 2005, The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 (there has been time to fix it), Concealed carry permits that become void when one crosses from their home state onto National Park lands, Federal Suspicionless Checkpoints, etc.
State’s Rights don’t seem to matter in these areas.
We hear from some that “The Troops” give us our freedoms- maybe we can ask The Joint Chiefs of Staff to take a look at lifting some of the restrictions we are facing.
If the troops really were meant to “give” us our freedoms- why don’t we see veteran’s groups like the American Legion or the VFW come out and raise hell on restrictions to individual liberty?
If it takes a Constitutional Amendment to Ban Gay Marriage- does that mean Gay Marriage would be legal without the Amendment?
It is un-American to divide people into groups of first and second class citizens.
Fireworks Safety Advisory-
The war in Iraq is going well- What is our dividend on that?
Iraq War Scapegoating-
If things don’t go well-
It will be the fault of those who want to “cut and run”, retreat, surrender, question The Generals, appease terrorists, don’t support the mission, etc.
It will be because the media only reports the bad news.
It will be because protesters “embolden the enemy”.
What if there were no scapegoats?
What if everyone supported The President, The Troops, and US Foreign Policy. What if the media did report the good news?
When we win the war in Iraq, how will life be better for Americans?
We are proud to have a local Drive-In Movie Theater
War on terror-
It will be easy to spot an attempted strike. Expect the bad guys to be sloppy- the packages they send will look like they were put together by drunken 3rd graders, or Wile E Coyote.
Foreign terrorists have not struck the homeland since 911, so our efforts overseas must be working?
Tall fences and men with guns guard sensitive weapons on our military bases. No such fences or guards at the day care centers. Soft targets are common. The bad guys are smart.
Why no attack between the 1st (‘93) WTC bombing and 911?
Not sure how much of a sense of security we should take from our efforts in distant lands. Not saying we should live in fear, just not ready to believe the “feel good” stuff we are told, and that we are doing a good job of using resources to eliminate the weak links out there.
Maybe we should use some imagination when it comes to homeland security.
Ever notice the phrase “no credible threat” is used in describing a situation we should be aware of in terms of a terrorist strike, but one that we shouldn’t worry too much about?
If the bad guys prefer the surprise attack, it only makes sense that we do not know about it before it happens.
Would bank robbers tell us the location of the bank they are going to hit next Tuesday afternoon?
We used a Navy missile to shoot down a spy satellite- can we use our technology to shut down terrorist websites?
A date of birth must be entered to view brewery websites-
like a bunch of teenage guys trying to check out the bikini team are going to back off because of an honor system that will accept a made-up birth-date?
P.S. - It is against the law for minors to consume alcohol. It is against the law for stores or bars to sell alcohol to minors. Drunk driving is against the law.
In the 1970’s we were able to figure out how to do some underage drinking with no influence or assistance whatsoever from the internet or beer company websites.
Military uniforms and vehicles are camouflaged in order to blend in, not stand out.
“Freedom Isn’t Free”, so let’s remove some of the restrictions on it here at home. Those restrictions were not put in place by terrorists or foreign governments.
Apartment Life-
Parking lots next to buildings should be banned because someone might mistake the gas pedal for the brake and plow through an exterior wall. Owners of parking lots that can be upgraded by installing highway style guard rails could make application for a temporary waiver.
At the start of ’99 I was a husband, stepfather, homeowner and career man in the Marine Corps. I was commuting almost an hour each way to and from work. We had a big dog.
By the end of July, none of that was true. I had drastically downsized my life.
As time went on, I found I enjoyed a simple life.
I never really tried again to be part of a mainstream lifestyle.
Jane Fonda says a 4 letter word on network TV- people are shook up- a boob is flashed at the Super Bowl half-time show- government swings into action to combat the atrocity- but in our “war on terror” we allow terrorists the freedom to use TV, and the internet to deliver threats, send images of hostages facing execution, etc.
I take my sense of identity more from being an individual, than from being a member of any group.
Bad- Victim Mentality
Worse- Politicians Embracing and Enabling the Victim Mentality
The half-time sports announcers haven’t made up their mind on wearing American flag lapel pins, but as long as the football teams have the flag stickers on the helmets I think we’ll be OK.
2008 Primary Elections-
Political discussions and considerations seem more about personalities, one political party vs. another, what church does a candidate belong to, are they a man or a woman, how much money can they raise, what is their ethnic heritage, who is their spouse- less about what anyone believes in or stands for. Certainly, individual responsibility and individual liberty are not a priority.
Political discussions and considerations seem more about personalities, one political party vs. another, what church does a candidate belong to, are they a man or a woman, how much money can they raise, what is their ethnic heritage, who is their spouse- less about what anyone believes in or stands for. Certainly, individual responsibility and individual liberty are not a priority.
Dividing people into groups-
If either of our major political parties makes a statement similar to: “We are working to reach out to black (or female or Latino, etc.) voters”, why doesn’t anyone come forward and say: “Wait a second, just because a person has any particular skin color, or is a man or a woman- that does not mean that they all think, act, behave and vote in the same manner”?
If either of our major political parties makes a statement similar to: “We are working to reach out to black (or female or Latino, etc.) voters”, why doesn’t anyone come forward and say: “Wait a second, just because a person has any particular skin color, or is a man or a woman- that does not mean that they all think, act, behave and vote in the same manner”?
It’s 2008- do not judge people by the color of their skin- unless you work on strategy for one of our major political parties.
We live in a world of passwords and PIN codes-which we can change daily. Our system of assigning a lifetime number to each person and using that number to create vulnerability is lazy. It should take more than raiding one’s mailbox to go on a fraudulent spending spree.
Sub-prime mortgage bailout-
Long before you bought your house- the local public library was chock-full of books on first-time home buying, real estate, money management, personal finance, investing, etc.
These references would have warned against gimmicky loans and the temptation to live beyond one’s means.
I believe in employer’s rights to restrict drug use on the job / reporting to work under the influence.
Politics, Government, Religion, Culture-
When will we stop dividing people into different groups and assigning a value to the members of each group?
When will we stop dividing people into different groups and assigning a value to the members of each group?
Most people seem to believe in freedom- in many cases- just not outside of their own personal choices.
Individual responsibility, and lots of freedom.
Imagine people deciding how to run their own lives and being OK with others deciding how to run theirs.
Peaceable, responsible, adult choices should be left to individuals to make.
Freedom is for everyone. Deciding how to act on that freedom should not require conformity to a “one size fits all” government mandate.
America- A Land of Freedom, Unless:
You want to buy a bottle of booze on Sundays or holidays, park for a few hours on public lands without paying a fee, smoke marijuana, plan your future without having to worry about upgrading the ID card in your wallet, marry your gay lover, wonder why men and not women must register for the draft, move about freely without running into federal suspicionless internal checkpoints, object to risking the exposure of your social security number in potential ID theft scenarios, want to go to the bar and order beers with your 20 year old girlfriend, want to sit on the beach and drink a beer, want to enjoy concealed carry on National Park’s lands, smoke in a bar, gamble on the web, or, want to have your concealed carry permit honored across state lines, etc.
We are working hard to spread freedom across the globe - maybe we should take some of the filters off of freedom here at home. Those filters weren’t put in place by terrorists or foreign governments.
Consequences and Incentives-
Take them away and you take the life out of people.
My girlfriend gets mad when I mock the TV during her shows. I passed through the room the other day as “The Biggest Loser” was on. The crisis among cast members was about whether they would be able to call home. Just then I wondered out loud about another guy getting blown up in Iraq.
DUI Checkpoints-
If you are driving a safe car in a safe manner- you should not be pulled over.
Politics-
#1 Divide people into groups
#2 Assign a value to members of each group
#3 Allow for any group to take on a sense of identity linked to “being a victim”
#4 Enable “us against them” posturing
#5 Throw out any sense of individual responsibility and individual liberty.
#6 Promote the idea that one personality- if elected, or re-elected to public office will open federal government doors to success and happiness for members of a group- this outcome is unattainable without one specific personality holding public office.
Negative Political Ads: NegativeAds.mp4
Why issue photo ID badges to school district employees if- wearing the badges is optional, and no spot checks are ever conducted to make sure the badge is matched with the person who is authorized to wear it?
I am a wannabe fisherman. I bring home more lures than fish.
I think about WWII often, because we hear many good things about the generation who fought that war. People lied about their age to serve. There was a draft. Women went in, along with movie stars and sports celebrities- the whole country understood and was involved in the war effort. School kids participated. Most people probably had a family member who served or at least knew people who did.
Much has changed since then.
Marketing Patriotism-
Any such thing as a modern Country Music Star who has served in the military?
When I was a kid, reality TV was The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau.
Marketing Patriotism-
Any such thing as a modern Country Music Star who has served in the military?
When I was a kid, reality TV was The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau.
Sloppy, Half-assed, Unprofessional, Late - Standard Procedure in Modern America
Iraq War-
Where are the homegrown freedom fighters, “minutemen”, militia, resistance movement, etc.? What side are they on?
My favorite movies are advertised on the french fry containers at my favorite fast food restaurants.
Iraq War-
Where are the homegrown freedom fighters, “minutemen”, militia, resistance movement, etc.? What side are they on?
My favorite movies are advertised on the french fry containers at my favorite fast food restaurants.
Customer Service
Support the Troops Slogan-
Is it used to justify US foreign policy?
Infomercial Script-
How come the T.V. half-time sports announcers stopped wearing their American Flag lapel pins?
Our Popular Culture-
Lazy - Foolish - Greedy. Contains 5% Real Juice.
Lower Drinking Age-
No one is promoting or defending the abuse of alcohol. It is un-American to divide people into groups of first and second class citizens. 18-20 year old adults should be able to legally use alcohol whether they are in the Armed Forces or not.
Support the Troops Slogan-
Is it used to justify US foreign policy?
Infomercial Script-
How come the T.V. half-time sports announcers stopped wearing their American Flag lapel pins?
Our Popular Culture-
Lazy - Foolish - Greedy. Contains 5% Real Juice.
Lower Drinking Age-
No one is promoting or defending the abuse of alcohol. It is un-American to divide people into groups of first and second class citizens. 18-20 year old adults should be able to legally use alcohol whether they are in the Armed Forces or not.
Peaceable, responsible, adult choices should be left to individuals to make.
Freedom is for everyone. Deciding how to act on that freedom should not require conformity to a “one size fits all” government mandate.
War-
Our country is not at war. Our Armed Forces are at war.
War-
Our country is not at war. Our Armed Forces are at war.
Childhood Obesity-
Not a problem when I was a kid- there was a Dad at home to put a boot up your ass if you got too lazy.
Neocon: A person who believes military service is inappropriate for their children or grandchildren.
Most bowel movements happen within 25 miles of home.
A Marine Grunt under the age of 21 can not legally drink a beer- think about that.
If a black person visits from Canada, Africa or Jamaica is that person an African American? Our media and popular culture would describe them as such.
Besides tradition- why is marijuana not just as legal as a glass of wine?
The government should employ teenage hackers to take down terrorist web sites.
Hostage Taking- Fighting back is an option.
The bad guys in Iraq might take less hostages if everyone over there was armed. It should be a requirement. Those refusing to carry a pistol would do so at their own risk and face the possibility of being sent home.
War on Christmas, traditional marriage, etc.-
If a person is strong and secure in their faith, why would they look to a retailer or public office holder to somehow validate that faith?
A Marine Grunt under the age of 21 can not legally drink a beer- think about that.
If a black person visits from Canada, Africa or Jamaica is that person an African American? Our media and popular culture would describe them as such.
Besides tradition- why is marijuana not just as legal as a glass of wine?
The government should employ teenage hackers to take down terrorist web sites.
Hostage Taking- Fighting back is an option.
The bad guys in Iraq might take less hostages if everyone over there was armed. It should be a requirement. Those refusing to carry a pistol would do so at their own risk and face the possibility of being sent home.
War on Christmas, traditional marriage, etc.-
If a person is strong and secure in their faith, why would they look to a retailer or public office holder to somehow validate that faith?
Religious faith is bigger, better and older than retail policy or public office holders. It is with us all day, each day. It is not to be rationed out just at special times. Be strong and secure in your faith, do not look to a retailer or public office holder to somehow validate your faith.
War Reporting-
Hundreds of military people are injured or killed by roadside bombs in Iraq. A blip in the news tells their story. Two reporters suffer serious injuries from a roadside bomb in Iraq and their stories are at the top of the news for days on end.
War-
What military tactics are we using to get the upper hand in Iraq?
T.V. -
The neutered father figure role is routine. The co-hosts on most morning network shows have it covered. Males as characters on shows and in advertising are frequently overweight, bumbling, dopey Dad types.
Human Resources-
Why are women not required to register for the draft?
One Nation Under God-
A government slogan implying how we should all think.
Favorite meaningless phrase:
“At the end of the day...”
I got my Bitch antibodies from my first ex-wife.
Medical Industrial Complex-
War Reporting-
Hundreds of military people are injured or killed by roadside bombs in Iraq. A blip in the news tells their story. Two reporters suffer serious injuries from a roadside bomb in Iraq and their stories are at the top of the news for days on end.
War-
What military tactics are we using to get the upper hand in Iraq?
T.V. -
The neutered father figure role is routine. The co-hosts on most morning network shows have it covered. Males as characters on shows and in advertising are frequently overweight, bumbling, dopey Dad types.
Human Resources-
Why are women not required to register for the draft?
One Nation Under God-
A government slogan implying how we should all think.
Favorite meaningless phrase:
“At the end of the day...”
I got my Bitch antibodies from my first ex-wife.
Medical Industrial Complex-
Every other Ad on T.V. is for some type of serious medication-
May cause: mild to severe spasms of the colon, bone loss, blackouts, internal bleeding, aneurisms, hyperventilation, persistent vomiting, chronic irritability, unsafe motor vehicle operation, partial but temporary blindness, weight gain, impaired motor skills, memory loss, brief bipolar episodes, nose bleeds, disruption of normal sleep patterns, motion sickness, mild convulsive disorders, hardening of the arteries, brain swelling, severe itching, profuse sweating, loss of balance, sudden and unexpected loss of bowel or bladder control, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, and sleepwalking. In rare cases patient may experience coma or even death.
If the “War on Terror” is a National Commitment, why is there No Draft?
Religious Freedom-
Churches are open seven days a week. People decide what is right for themselves, their families and their congregations. It is not about the authority of government or the promises of any politician- they come and they go.
Success and advancement in life is about individual performance, it is not granted or guaranteed by the government, a politician, an employer, or a labor union. “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”- Chinese Proverb
Caught in a Jam?
Take your sense of identity from being part of a victim class, rather than from being an individual. Tell ‘em your behavior is linked to “A Disease.”
Military man/womanpower-
911 was 7 years ago. We still have our National Guard and Reserves in Iraq. Some have done several tours. Some who have already served are being recalled. Shouldn’t the emergency phase of operations be over by now? Is 5 years long enough to put in place a sustainable policy? If those who have already completed an enlistment are being recalled, why is there no draft? A draft of able men and women without regard to social class would validate our commitment to war. Or Not.
Freedom-
Freedom is for everyone- even if they do not vote with, or worship with the majority.
Prisoners of War-
Old School of Military Thought: Treat your Prisoners of War humanely, and the enemy will stop fighting sooner.
Progress-
We put a man on the moon in ‘69 and we can’t figure out how to build competitive cars? Best Case Scenario- There is no job security. Everyone is always on probation.
The farther I live from an Interstate Highway the happier I am.
My family has been on Bainbridge Island for 100 years. In the 1970’s we rode the bus to public school and attended class with the bus driver’s kids. Imagine that.
Each one of us has the responsibility of choosing a financially sustainable lifestyle.
Sane, well adjusted people live in a world that has consequences. They would not have it any other way.
The problem with Alternative High School Programs is that after graduation, you will want to find an employer, landlord and Bank Loan Officer with an Alternative Program.
Failure vs. Success-
F’ up your life in America, and we will make a TV show about you.
Iraq War-
We will train third world security forces to do what we could not do with the world’s best Army and Marine Corps.
America-
A land of freedom in which the government has limited powers, especially in matters of religion.
I found myself starting to go bald and gray. I considered hair dyes, weaves, transplants, surgical procedures, medical treatments, etc. I was ready to try anything.
I decided to stick with friends who don’t care if I am bald and gray.
Effective, conservative use of military resources makes sense to me.
Iraq War- Credibility, Leadership, Integrity-
If we were talking about a formerly top ranked sports team or business operation, would 5 years be long enough to get things together and produce results without an emotional and defensive posture taking hold?
May cause: mild to severe spasms of the colon, bone loss, blackouts, internal bleeding, aneurisms, hyperventilation, persistent vomiting, chronic irritability, unsafe motor vehicle operation, partial but temporary blindness, weight gain, impaired motor skills, memory loss, brief bipolar episodes, nose bleeds, disruption of normal sleep patterns, motion sickness, mild convulsive disorders, hardening of the arteries, brain swelling, severe itching, profuse sweating, loss of balance, sudden and unexpected loss of bowel or bladder control, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, and sleepwalking. In rare cases patient may experience coma or even death.
If the “War on Terror” is a National Commitment, why is there No Draft?
Religious Freedom-
Churches are open seven days a week. People decide what is right for themselves, their families and their congregations. It is not about the authority of government or the promises of any politician- they come and they go.
Success and advancement in life is about individual performance, it is not granted or guaranteed by the government, a politician, an employer, or a labor union. “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”- Chinese Proverb
Caught in a Jam?
Take your sense of identity from being part of a victim class, rather than from being an individual. Tell ‘em your behavior is linked to “A Disease.”
Military man/womanpower-
911 was 7 years ago. We still have our National Guard and Reserves in Iraq. Some have done several tours. Some who have already served are being recalled. Shouldn’t the emergency phase of operations be over by now? Is 5 years long enough to put in place a sustainable policy? If those who have already completed an enlistment are being recalled, why is there no draft? A draft of able men and women without regard to social class would validate our commitment to war. Or Not.
Freedom-
Freedom is for everyone- even if they do not vote with, or worship with the majority.
Prisoners of War-
Old School of Military Thought: Treat your Prisoners of War humanely, and the enemy will stop fighting sooner.
Progress-
We put a man on the moon in ‘69 and we can’t figure out how to build competitive cars? Best Case Scenario- There is no job security. Everyone is always on probation.
The farther I live from an Interstate Highway the happier I am.
My family has been on Bainbridge Island for 100 years. In the 1970’s we rode the bus to public school and attended class with the bus driver’s kids. Imagine that.
Each one of us has the responsibility of choosing a financially sustainable lifestyle.
Sane, well adjusted people live in a world that has consequences. They would not have it any other way.
The problem with Alternative High School Programs is that after graduation, you will want to find an employer, landlord and Bank Loan Officer with an Alternative Program.
Failure vs. Success-
F’ up your life in America, and we will make a TV show about you.
Iraq War-
We will train third world security forces to do what we could not do with the world’s best Army and Marine Corps.
America-
A land of freedom in which the government has limited powers, especially in matters of religion.
I found myself starting to go bald and gray. I considered hair dyes, weaves, transplants, surgical procedures, medical treatments, etc. I was ready to try anything.
I decided to stick with friends who don’t care if I am bald and gray.
Effective, conservative use of military resources makes sense to me.
Iraq War- Credibility, Leadership, Integrity-
If we were talking about a formerly top ranked sports team or business operation, would 5 years be long enough to get things together and produce results without an emotional and defensive posture taking hold?
War-
When we win the war in Iraq, how will life be better in America?
