"I’m tired of being told that I have to 'spread the wealth around' to people who don’t have my work ethic. I’m tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy or stupid to earn it."
Nodding your head?
Read the rest.
12 March 2009
Midnight Duty
At midnight, if we're not on a flight we're supposed to total and close out the daily logsheet and start a fresh one for the next day. The logbook is in the BK117 parked 75 feet from the back door of our base, so at midnight I walk out and grab it to get this task done. One night this week I stepped out the back door and in the low light caught a glimpse of subtle movement to my right.
Seeing what it was stopped me dead in my tracks. Click and big:
He/she didn't seem too disturbed by my presence. I don't know much about skunks but I assume their eyesight is good, so I can only assume he/she had great confidence in skunk defense and wasn't too concerned about anything I might do!
I stepped back through the door and grabbed my camera.
Pepe LePew was still there upon my return and ignored me as I got within 10 feet to take these pics.
What's it take to get one riled up enough to make you sorry you approached it?
Seeing what it was stopped me dead in my tracks. Click and big:
He/she didn't seem too disturbed by my presence. I don't know much about skunks but I assume their eyesight is good, so I can only assume he/she had great confidence in skunk defense and wasn't too concerned about anything I might do!
I stepped back through the door and grabbed my camera.
Pepe LePew was still there upon my return and ignored me as I got within 10 feet to take these pics.
What's it take to get one riled up enough to make you sorry you approached it?
11 March 2009
My Light At The End Of The Tunnel-
Well, the image is now broken so you'll have to let me paint you the photo Camerapilot saw and commented on before it went away:
Two old geezers are sitting on a park bench next to a beautiful pond. One says,
My wife asked 'Whatcha doin' today'?
'Nothin'.
'That's what you did yesterday!'
'I wasn't finished.'
Perfect!
Two old geezers are sitting on a park bench next to a beautiful pond. One says,
My wife asked 'Whatcha doin' today'?
'Nothin'.
'That's what you did yesterday!'
'I wasn't finished.'
Perfect!
Go, Tiger!
Why have we not heard about this?
"ARMY Brat" Tiger Woods was asked to speak at pre-inauguration festivities at the Lincoln Memorial. I think those that invited him may have been surprised by his words:
"I grew up in a military family -- and my role models in life were my Mom and Dad, Lt. Col. Earl Woods.
My dad was a Special Forces operator and many nights friends would visit our home. They represented every branch of service, and every rank. In my Dad, and in those guests, I saw firsthand the dedication and commitment of those who serve. They come from every walk of life. From every part of our country. Time and again, across generations, they have defended our safety in the dark of night and far from home.
Each day -- and particularly on this historic day -- we honor the men and women in uniform who serve our country and protect our freedom. They travel to the dangerous corners of the world, and we must remember thatfor every person who is in uniform, there are families who wait for them to come home safely.
I am honored that the military is such an important part, not just of my personal life, but of my professional life as well. The golf tournament we do each year here in Washington is a testament to those unsung heroes. I am the son of a man who dedicated his life to his country, family and the military, and I am a better person for it.
In the summer of 1864, Abraham Lincoln, the man on whose memorial we stand, spoke to the 164th Ohio Regiment and said: "I am greatly obliged to you, and to all who have come forward at the call of their country."
Just as they have stood tall for our country -- we must always stand by and support the men and women in uniform and their families.
Thank you, and it is now my pleasure to introduce the U.S. Naval Glee Club."
Truth to power!
Thanks Tiger.
(I heard it on Boortz, and verified it on Snopes.com)
"ARMY Brat" Tiger Woods was asked to speak at pre-inauguration festivities at the Lincoln Memorial. I think those that invited him may have been surprised by his words:
"I grew up in a military family -- and my role models in life were my Mom and Dad, Lt. Col. Earl Woods.
My dad was a Special Forces operator and many nights friends would visit our home. They represented every branch of service, and every rank. In my Dad, and in those guests, I saw firsthand the dedication and commitment of those who serve. They come from every walk of life. From every part of our country. Time and again, across generations, they have defended our safety in the dark of night and far from home.
Each day -- and particularly on this historic day -- we honor the men and women in uniform who serve our country and protect our freedom. They travel to the dangerous corners of the world, and we must remember thatfor every person who is in uniform, there are families who wait for them to come home safely.
I am honored that the military is such an important part, not just of my personal life, but of my professional life as well. The golf tournament we do each year here in Washington is a testament to those unsung heroes. I am the son of a man who dedicated his life to his country, family and the military, and I am a better person for it.
In the summer of 1864, Abraham Lincoln, the man on whose memorial we stand, spoke to the 164th Ohio Regiment and said: "I am greatly obliged to you, and to all who have come forward at the call of their country."
Just as they have stood tall for our country -- we must always stand by and support the men and women in uniform and their families.
Thank you, and it is now my pleasure to introduce the U.S. Naval Glee Club."
Truth to power!
Thanks Tiger.
(I heard it on Boortz, and verified it on Snopes.com)
10 March 2009
Dow Up 300!
The Market finds out President Bozama probably DOES NOT have the votes to pass this disastrous budget...
Presidential advisor Warren Buffet chastises the President(?) for many of his planned actions...
And the Market responds with a rise of 300 points.
Coincidence?
What will the Dow be at Friday's close?
Presidential advisor Warren Buffet chastises the President(?) for many of his planned actions...
And the Market responds with a rise of 300 points.
Coincidence?
What will the Dow be at Friday's close?
Wrong Again, Ol' Wx Breath!
I worked last night. When I left work this morning the temperature was 67 degrees and the forecast was for temps to drop all day long, reaching a night-time low of 35 tonight. Blustery wind and the possibility of severe weather always accompanies temperature changing this quickly.
Now it's almost 1800 hours and as I'm heading back to work I'm wondering why I left the lining in my jacket. It's 75 degrees outside, and although it has been gusty/windy all day, we've not had a drop of rain.
I'm glad I don't have to depend on these guys to give me accurate information!
(What am I saying?!!)
Now it's almost 1800 hours and as I'm heading back to work I'm wondering why I left the lining in my jacket. It's 75 degrees outside, and although it has been gusty/windy all day, we've not had a drop of rain.
I'm glad I don't have to depend on these guys to give me accurate information!
(What am I saying?!!)
Destroying Our Economy
Roger Kimball shares the new 12-step program to insure our economy goes into the pooper.
Has the Bozama administration missed any?
(The comments are enlightening and funny.)
Has the Bozama administration missed any?
(The comments are enlightening and funny.)
Ammunition Scarcity
I've been more than a little surprised at the difficulty I've encountered finding ammuniton for my new rifle. Yesterday I bit the bullet (Ha!) and placed an order for 1,000 rounds for the gun.
(It's back-ordered and won't be delivered until late April.) Buying in bulk that way lowers the price per round considerably, but with shipping and taxes it's still expensive... almost 50 cents per round!
If our President succeeds in convincing everyone the U.S. is a horrible place to conduct business and our economy collapses, you and I will need these things to survive:
Food, water, shelter, and money.
And by money, I don't mean greenbacks. The greenback dollar will be valuable only because they're made of paper and will be convenient for starting fires for cooking or heating.
In a collapse, "money" will be material things you have that others need. You'll use those things to acquire things they have that you need. Money will be stuff like excess food, gold, or ammunition. I'm gonna continue to buy ammunition as an insurance policy, along with extra canned goods. Sister Mommanurse suggested another good idea- powdered milk.
I did a little poking around tonight, still wondering about the ammunition shortage I have encountered. While investigating, I found this article, which pretty much verifies what I had heard from others. Two things surprised me about the article:
-Specifically mentioned is the bank robbery CJ alluded to as the pivotal incident that caused local police to make the decision to increase their firepower.
-Take a look at the date the entry was published... August 2007.
This problem has been ongoing now for at least 18 months with no end in sight.
I think I'll buy stock in Remington and Winchester!
(It's back-ordered and won't be delivered until late April.) Buying in bulk that way lowers the price per round considerably, but with shipping and taxes it's still expensive... almost 50 cents per round!
If our President succeeds in convincing everyone the U.S. is a horrible place to conduct business and our economy collapses, you and I will need these things to survive:
Food, water, shelter, and money.
And by money, I don't mean greenbacks. The greenback dollar will be valuable only because they're made of paper and will be convenient for starting fires for cooking or heating.
In a collapse, "money" will be material things you have that others need. You'll use those things to acquire things they have that you need. Money will be stuff like excess food, gold, or ammunition. I'm gonna continue to buy ammunition as an insurance policy, along with extra canned goods. Sister Mommanurse suggested another good idea- powdered milk.
I did a little poking around tonight, still wondering about the ammunition shortage I have encountered. While investigating, I found this article, which pretty much verifies what I had heard from others. Two things surprised me about the article:
-Specifically mentioned is the bank robbery CJ alluded to as the pivotal incident that caused local police to make the decision to increase their firepower.
-Take a look at the date the entry was published... August 2007.
This problem has been ongoing now for at least 18 months with no end in sight.
I think I'll buy stock in Remington and Winchester!
09 March 2009
Wear Your Seat Belt!
...Especially if you're stupid enough to run from law enforcement.
(Warning- Heed the warnings.)
(Warning- Heed the warnings.)
An Open Letter To Great Britain
I'm sorry.
Sorry for the fact that President Bozama returned the beautiful Bust of Winston Churchill you gave us after 9/11...
Sorry he gave Prime Minister Gordon a bunch of cheesy DVD's that won't even work on the players sold in your country...
Sorry his administration made comments indicating our relationship with your country is "just nothing special, really".
Please realize, almost half our voting population saw this coming.
WE DIDN'T VOTE FOR HIM!
Hang on Great Britain. All this will get better soon.
Sorry for the fact that President Bozama returned the beautiful Bust of Winston Churchill you gave us after 9/11...
Sorry he gave Prime Minister Gordon a bunch of cheesy DVD's that won't even work on the players sold in your country...
Sorry his administration made comments indicating our relationship with your country is "just nothing special, really".
Please realize, almost half our voting population saw this coming.
WE DIDN'T VOTE FOR HIM!
Hang on Great Britain. All this will get better soon.
The Voice of Many Today
I put off watching this video.
I shouldn't have.
"...That I will support and defend the Contstitution of the United States agains all enemies, foreign AND DOMESTIC;"
I shouldn't have.
"...That I will support and defend the Contstitution of the United States agains all enemies, foreign AND DOMESTIC;"
Road Kill
During Summertime back in my bicycle riding-newsboy days, you'd often smell them before you'd see them...
Some critter that had challenged an automobile and lost. The collision would most generally explode the animal, pushing entrails outside its body...
A buffet for the flies and maggots.
This guy's face looked like that.
Both eyes were there, but his nose, mouth, and jaw were gone.
His lower face looked like exactly like the disemboweled animals I smelled, then rode passed as a youth. First responders surmised he was drunk and passed out in the middle of the road, just over the crest of a hill. Whoever struck him may not have seen him... may not have known they'd run over a human being.
Oddly, these first responders were on their way to pick up another patient when they happened upon our patient lying in the road. They had to call out another ambulance to respond to the first call they were dispatched for...
This guy needed them much more. This guy was dying.
The landing zone was oriented in such a way that I had to land with the tail rotor facing the ambulance. Dangerous. I secured the LongRanger's flight controls and positioned myself behind the aircraft to tackle anyone who might approach the tail. That put me near the back door of the ambulance. When I was sure the dust had settled and the situation was under control I walked to the side door of the ambulance to watch my flight nurse at work. A warm night, the side door was open for cross-ventilation. As you can imagine, this guy looked ghastly. My nurse was desperately trying to insert a tube in his windpipe to establish a secure airway for him. She was struggling, sweating, frustrated. She had no landmarks to use to tell what was windpipe, what was crushed meat.
I looked at the guy's eyes...
They were pleading for help. My nurse continued frantically trying to help him.
Slowly... ever so slowly, the pleading look left his eyes and became blank. Ground EMS folks started CPR on him while my nurse continued her attempt to establish a clear airway for this poor guy.
She failed.
Some flights will bother me forever.
This was one of 'em.
Some critter that had challenged an automobile and lost. The collision would most generally explode the animal, pushing entrails outside its body...
A buffet for the flies and maggots.
This guy's face looked like that.
Both eyes were there, but his nose, mouth, and jaw were gone.
His lower face looked like exactly like the disemboweled animals I smelled, then rode passed as a youth. First responders surmised he was drunk and passed out in the middle of the road, just over the crest of a hill. Whoever struck him may not have seen him... may not have known they'd run over a human being.
Oddly, these first responders were on their way to pick up another patient when they happened upon our patient lying in the road. They had to call out another ambulance to respond to the first call they were dispatched for...
This guy needed them much more. This guy was dying.
The landing zone was oriented in such a way that I had to land with the tail rotor facing the ambulance. Dangerous. I secured the LongRanger's flight controls and positioned myself behind the aircraft to tackle anyone who might approach the tail. That put me near the back door of the ambulance. When I was sure the dust had settled and the situation was under control I walked to the side door of the ambulance to watch my flight nurse at work. A warm night, the side door was open for cross-ventilation. As you can imagine, this guy looked ghastly. My nurse was desperately trying to insert a tube in his windpipe to establish a secure airway for him. She was struggling, sweating, frustrated. She had no landmarks to use to tell what was windpipe, what was crushed meat.
I looked at the guy's eyes...
They were pleading for help. My nurse continued frantically trying to help him.
Slowly... ever so slowly, the pleading look left his eyes and became blank. Ground EMS folks started CPR on him while my nurse continued her attempt to establish a clear airway for this poor guy.
She failed.
Some flights will bother me forever.
This was one of 'em.
08 March 2009
No Hitting Beneath The Belt!
Gotta be fair, folks!
Conservatives gritted their teeth at much of the stuff said about GWB, knowing it was biased or misreported. We all saw how what was reported could be slanted just by omitting certain details. I can't do that... honor is an important thing. When I say/write something, it's important for me to know you can depend on me to relay the truth. If I find I have shared a lie with you, I'll report that and apologize as soon as I'm aware.
Recently there has been a set of videos shown on many blogs comparing the reaction of our Marines to President Bush with their reaction to President(?) ) Obama. If you read blogs avidly you've already seen it. It's pretty striking...
GWB walks into the room and there is an uproar. Obama enters the room to Marines standing at attention while "Hail to the Chief" is played. We are supposed to surmise from the comparison that the troops love Bush... Obama... not so much. At the time I first saw the comparison I thought to myself, "That's two entirely different situations." The troops are not at the position of attention when GWB enters the room, and therefore are free to react as they wish. Troops at attention are statues... eyes fixed to the front, arms locked to the side, heels together and at a 45 degree angle.
So it was an affirmation of my concerns when the Mudville Gazette echoed my thoughts in this report. Go read and see what you think.
And don't lower yourself to the level of hate we have witnessed over the last 8 years, folks. This guy is beginning to self-destruct and needs no help from us to accomplish it.
Conservatives gritted their teeth at much of the stuff said about GWB, knowing it was biased or misreported. We all saw how what was reported could be slanted just by omitting certain details. I can't do that... honor is an important thing. When I say/write something, it's important for me to know you can depend on me to relay the truth. If I find I have shared a lie with you, I'll report that and apologize as soon as I'm aware.
Recently there has been a set of videos shown on many blogs comparing the reaction of our Marines to President Bush with their reaction to President(?) ) Obama. If you read blogs avidly you've already seen it. It's pretty striking...
GWB walks into the room and there is an uproar. Obama enters the room to Marines standing at attention while "Hail to the Chief" is played. We are supposed to surmise from the comparison that the troops love Bush... Obama... not so much. At the time I first saw the comparison I thought to myself, "That's two entirely different situations." The troops are not at the position of attention when GWB enters the room, and therefore are free to react as they wish. Troops at attention are statues... eyes fixed to the front, arms locked to the side, heels together and at a 45 degree angle.
So it was an affirmation of my concerns when the Mudville Gazette echoed my thoughts in this report. Go read and see what you think.
And don't lower yourself to the level of hate we have witnessed over the last 8 years, folks. This guy is beginning to self-destruct and needs no help from us to accomplish it.
Two Degrees Via B-24
You may remember this post.
Refresh your memory, then grab your tissues and go here.
Soon they'll all be gone.
And the world will be worse for their loss.
Thanks TWD, for the lead.
Refresh your memory, then grab your tissues and go here.
Soon they'll all be gone.
And the world will be worse for their loss.
Thanks TWD, for the lead.
Obama's Misery Index, March Update-
Well now...
I'll admit I think the our world will soon be an ugly place...
She agrees, but thinks it will be much worse than I.
I'll admit I think the our world will soon be an ugly place...
She agrees, but thinks it will be much worse than I.
EMS Radio- Stuff That Irritates Me
While fling-winging over your head I'm listening to at least four radios-
Two of 'em are VHF aviation radios like all other pilots have in their aircraft.
One of 'em is a VHF/UHF radio tuned to our dispatch frequency.
Another is a VHF/UHF radio we use to talk to hospitals, Police, and various EMS agencies.
Needless to say, there are times when the radio traffic is overwhelming. But it's fun and interesting to listen to the frequency most EMS agencies use to talk to hospitals, and hear what sort of patients they are transporting. (Sometimes we hear calls regarding a patient that will obviously need our services later.)
But for those of you involved in EMS operations, there are some things that have become pet peeves...
Here are a few, (with my thoughts following) :
"We're lookin' at sinus tach. on the monitor."
Really? You're seein' that on the monitor?
Take a look at the O2 gauge. What rhythm do ya see there?
"Patient has a past history of an MI."
Past history? Interesting. What about the patient's future history? (That information would be much more valuable to the patient, wouldn't it?)
(This, from the receiving hospital.)
"Continue transport. Awaiting your arrival."
Continue transport?
Really? We thought we might drop this patient off at the Hooter's and go see if someone else needs our services more urgently! And please, don't just sit around and wait for us to arrive. Pick up a broom or mop and clean the place up while waiting for our arrival!
Ahh.
I feel better now.
Two of 'em are VHF aviation radios like all other pilots have in their aircraft.
One of 'em is a VHF/UHF radio tuned to our dispatch frequency.
Another is a VHF/UHF radio we use to talk to hospitals, Police, and various EMS agencies.
Needless to say, there are times when the radio traffic is overwhelming. But it's fun and interesting to listen to the frequency most EMS agencies use to talk to hospitals, and hear what sort of patients they are transporting. (Sometimes we hear calls regarding a patient that will obviously need our services later.)
But for those of you involved in EMS operations, there are some things that have become pet peeves...
Here are a few, (with my thoughts following) :
"We're lookin' at sinus tach. on the monitor."
Really? You're seein' that on the monitor?
Take a look at the O2 gauge. What rhythm do ya see there?
"Patient has a past history of an MI."
Past history? Interesting. What about the patient's future history? (That information would be much more valuable to the patient, wouldn't it?)
(This, from the receiving hospital.)
"Continue transport. Awaiting your arrival."
Continue transport?
Really? We thought we might drop this patient off at the Hooter's and go see if someone else needs our services more urgently! And please, don't just sit around and wait for us to arrive. Pick up a broom or mop and clean the place up while waiting for our arrival!
Ahh.
I feel better now.
07 March 2009
OH. MY. GOD.
Six weeks.
Do you yet realize how much trouble we are in?
Somebody wake me from this nightmare.
President Bozama!
Do you yet realize how much trouble we are in?
Somebody wake me from this nightmare.
President Bozama!
"Truth? YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!"
The truth is here, and the healing will begin when we know the mistakes we've made.
Tweet-tweet!
From comments about my initial Facebook experience below, both TWD and Jinksto have suggested I need to open a "Twitter" account. I'm so ignorant, I have to ask-
I have two email accounts and check both several times a day.
I "instant message" with most folks I really care about via MSN Instant Messenger.
I communicate and share thoughts with many of those same folks via this blog.
I've now, at the suggestion of others, taken the foray into "Facebook".
Folks that may need desperately to contact me can do so using any of the above listed lines of communication, or they can simply call. (And if you are a "friend" through Facebook, you also have my telephone number!)
Now I need to "Tweet"?
Is there a really a gap in my life that I need "Twitter" to fill?
Inquiring minds want to know!
I have two email accounts and check both several times a day.
I "instant message" with most folks I really care about via MSN Instant Messenger.
I communicate and share thoughts with many of those same folks via this blog.
I've now, at the suggestion of others, taken the foray into "Facebook".
Folks that may need desperately to contact me can do so using any of the above listed lines of communication, or they can simply call. (And if you are a "friend" through Facebook, you also have my telephone number!)
Now I need to "Tweet"?
Is there a really a gap in my life that I need "Twitter" to fill?
Inquiring minds want to know!
It's Good To Be Friends With Your Gunsmith
A month ago I bought a new M-1 Carbine.
Had I known how hard it would be to procure ammunition for the gun, I might have chosen another rifle. Finding ammo for this piece has been, to this point, impossible. I've heard/read all sorts of reasons for the shortage, but this one sounds most plausible:
Many small police agencies are beginning to experience what the large city forces have experienced for years... outlaws or gangs armed with weaponry that make a .357 Revolver seem like pretty small potatoes. These Police forces are buying rifles like the M-1 to carry in their patrol cars. They need ammunition for those weapons, to include practicing with them. The .30 caliber carbine ammunition is made for only one gun: the M-1 carbine or its clones.
(Sound reasonable, CJ?)
For all intents, with no ammunition for the rifle it might as well be a baseball bat 'cause the only way I could hurt someone with it would be to use it as a club. Heck, the ball bat would actually be a far better weapon!
But today my friend the gun dealer smiled as I walked through his door. He had lied to several people when they asked if he had any .30 carbine ammunition, and secreted three boxes of 50 rounds each for me. Today I bought the ammo and two 30-round magazines, and left the store a happy (but less wealthy) camper.
I can now use my neat little rifle for something other than a doorstop. Let's commence with the shooty fun!
Had I known how hard it would be to procure ammunition for the gun, I might have chosen another rifle. Finding ammo for this piece has been, to this point, impossible. I've heard/read all sorts of reasons for the shortage, but this one sounds most plausible:
Many small police agencies are beginning to experience what the large city forces have experienced for years... outlaws or gangs armed with weaponry that make a .357 Revolver seem like pretty small potatoes. These Police forces are buying rifles like the M-1 to carry in their patrol cars. They need ammunition for those weapons, to include practicing with them. The .30 caliber carbine ammunition is made for only one gun: the M-1 carbine or its clones.
(Sound reasonable, CJ?)
For all intents, with no ammunition for the rifle it might as well be a baseball bat 'cause the only way I could hurt someone with it would be to use it as a club. Heck, the ball bat would actually be a far better weapon!
But today my friend the gun dealer smiled as I walked through his door. He had lied to several people when they asked if he had any .30 carbine ammunition, and secreted three boxes of 50 rounds each for me. Today I bought the ammo and two 30-round magazines, and left the store a happy (but less wealthy) camper.
I can now use my neat little rifle for something other than a doorstop. Let's commence with the shooty fun!
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