The New Look

I really like this one. Streamline and very easy on the eyes. The only problem is that there is no Edit Post button and I don't know how to add one. Other than that, I'm pleased.

Pay For That Funky Music, White Boy

Someone needs to stop these people. You know, Hitler would have loved the RISS, I mean AA. It's my music. I payed for it, I have the right to copy it to my computer. I have the right to make a mix CD for someone. Is it any wonder so many established and new bands have went away from Big Music and released their music on their own websites or Myspace? This is crazy.

The Winfrey Backlash?

It still remains to be seen whether or not Oprah will hurt or help Obama in his bid to become president, but for some of her disciples, I mean sheep, I mean fans, it didn't go over so well. This is the woman who supported author James Frey, Dr. Jan Adams and the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. She doesn't have the Midas touch.

Stay Tuned

Coming Tuesday, January 1 is a new layout for the blog. The wolf design that some seemed to like is gone. New year, new look.

Global Warming Will Wipe Out Conservatives

Just read this.

The future political map of America is likely to look a lot different, with much of the so-called “red” state region either gone or depopulated.

This ass is excited about this. Now, think about this. Replace "Conservatives" with "Blacks" in this piece. What do you think would happen? Do you think he would be in hot water?

The Big Bang

Christmas is like sex for men. The big build up, then POP... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Tell the world what you got. I got a VISA Giftcard that's allowed me to purchase Pink Floyd's The Wall Live CD and David Gilmour In Concert DVD. I also got a new wallet, which is kind of strange. I've had my wallet for around 10 years now. It's broken in, I know where everything is in it. It's my wallet. The new one is a different color, it's not layed out the same and it's stiff. It's not my wallet, yet. I got a nose hair trimmer, which I actually needed, AC/DC's new 3 disk DVD boxset, a neck massaging pillow(it's nice), a 360 game, a Hulk Hogan action figure and two Transformers. I keep toys, so what.

Now it's back to business as usual waiting for Christmas 2008.

Monday Hero

Before I get to this post, I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I hope you have fun, get lots of presents and don't eat too much. I will see you maybe Tuesday, but most likely Wednesday.

I'm posting this a few days early this week because I wanted to get it up before Christmas.

This week's hero was suggested by Cindy & Kathi


Each year, around this time, since 1992, the Arlington National Cemetery has something happen to it. It gets covered in vibrant green Christmas wreaths. The wreaths are donated by a man named Merrill Worcester who is the owner of the Worcester Wreath Co. in Maine. From the Worcester Wreath Co.'s website:

Each year Worcester Wreath donates Maine wreaths to adorn the headstones of those who serve and those who sacrificed to preserve our freedoms. In 2007, over 10,000 wreaths are destined for the annual wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington. In addition, 2,500 wreaths will be sent to Togus National Cemetery in Augusta, Maine. Worcester Wreath also donates ceremonial wreaths that will be used as part of the Wreaths Across America events at over 230 State and National veterans cemeteries all across the Country.

Sometimes a hero is one who sacrifices everything in their life to help others. And sometimes a hero is one who sacrifices nothing more than their time.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. To find out more about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I'd just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

Remember

After The Storm

The clean up begins. The tree in my front yard's not so bad. One limb and I can cut a lot of it by hand, but for the main part of the limb that fell and the tree in my backyard I'm going to need to find someone with a chainsaw. No telling when the city will be able to get around here to pick the mess up.

Now, I'm going to need all of you to wish me luck for I am going to be stupid and venture out tomorrow to the stores. I need to get of couple of things for Christmas plus stuff for Christmas dinner. Wal-Mart is going to be a madhouse. If I don't see you again, it's because I'm locked in a loony bin after suffering my nervous breakdown.

One last thing. There won't a Wednesday Hero next week. Instead it's going to be posted on Monday, Christmas Eve.

:UPDATE:
I survived Super Saturday. I knew it would crazy, and it was, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But that may be due to the weather. It was windy, cold and rainy. I guess it kept some people in. But I am finally done Christmas shopping. Now, one day of rest before the crazy starts up again. We have to celebrate on Christmas Eve this year because not everyone has Christmas day off.

I Gotta Admit That I'm A Little Bit Confused

Okay, which is it? Is Obama or Edwards in the lead?

----------------
Now playing: Pink Floyd - Dogs
via FoxyTunes

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Hero Was Suggested By Leo

SSgt. Mike Mills


On June 14, 2005 SSgt. Mike Mills's life was forever changed. The HETT(Heavy Equipment Transport System) he was riding in was hit by an IED. The attack resulted a cracked clavicle and scapula bones, dislocate shoulder, broken left hip, 4 out of 5 bones broken in his foot and being set on fire. The driver in the truck behind him ran with a cooler of melted ice which he threw on Sgt. Mills to put him out.

He spent three months in the Brooks Army Medical Center at Ft. Sam Houston, TX with the injuries listed above plus 2nd, 3rd and deep tissue burns to 31% of the left side of his body. The first thing he remembers thinking after the attack was that his soldiers needed him and he needed to get back to them.

"Then the guilt set in about what I did to my family. I've totally screwed that up. Look at me, no don't. I look hideous. How can I face my kids looking like this. They'll be embarrassed to be seen with me. What if they won't love me anymore? Speaking of love, my wife, oh my god. How can I expect her to stay with me. I'm not a man anymore. She's not going to want be intimate with a freak. What if I can't work, how do I support myself, my family.

I had the nightmares and couldn't sleep. I wasn't eating and was loosing weight. I didn't really care. If I didn't start eating, they where going to put the feeding tube back in. Who cares, I've totally screwed up my life anyways."

But he found out just how much is wife loved him, when she stood by his side throughout the entire ordeal. She was there for every wound dressing and even learned how to change the dressings herself.

SSgt. Mike Mills now runs the site For The Veteran... By A Veteran in which he helps veterans, soldiers and their families find information they may not have been given after their medical discharge or retirement.


Some may say that Mike gave his country more than enough when he was severely maimed by an IED on that fateful day of June 14, 2005, but Mike continues to give to his fellow servicemen, as well as to his nation!

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

7 New Dirty Terms

Back in the 70's, "comedian" George Carlin did a bit about 7 dirty words you can't say. I've decided to try and update Carlin's words to seven new terms you're not allowed to say.

Conservative
Not only is it a dirty word, but God help you if you are one

Terrorist
It has a negative connotation. They're freedom fighters or, if you're just a little less PC, extremists or radicals

Christ
You Bible thumper

Natural Climate Change
You Global Warming denier. Everyone knows man is killing the planet. How dare you disagree with the consensus

Trans Fat
Oh my God, we're all going to die

America(n)
People the world over are tired of us and don't want to have anything to do with us. A perfect example, the new G.I. Joe movie being made isn't about U.S. Soldiers, they're now a "Global Task Force" called Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity. No longer are they "The Real American Hero". Something tells me Cobra Commander will be American though.

Christmas
You close minded fool, it's Holiday now.

Violence At The Border

Border Patrol agents are firing tear gas and powerful pepper-spray weapons across the border into Mexico to repel what the agency says are an increasing number of attacks by assailants hurling rocks, bottles and bricks.

Isn't the job of the National Guard to protect us? So why haven't they been sent to the borders?

5 Whole Dollars?

Cops in Rancho Cordova, California are rewarding good drivers with $5 giftcards to Starbucks. $5? That'll buy what at Starbucks, a smell of their overpriced brown water?

Song Of The Day

The Rain Song by Led Zeppelin

It is the springtime of my loving - the second season I am to know
You are the sunlight in my growing - so little warmth I've felt before.
It isn't hard to feel me glowing - I watched the fire that grew so low.

It is the summer of my smiles - flee from me Keepers of the Gloom.
Speak to me only with your eyes. It is to you I give this tune.
Ain't so hard to recognize - These things are clear to all from
time to time.

Talk Talk - I've felt the coldness of my winter
I never thought it would ever go. I cursed the gloom that set upon us...
But I know that I love you so

These are the seasons of emotion and like the winds they rise and fall
This is the wonder of devotion - I see the torch we all must hold.
This is the mystery of the quotient - Upon us all a little rain must fall.

It Burns, It Burns

Today was the first day in which the sun came out since, I believe the weather said, October. I went outside and damn near went blind. It's been so gloomy I'd forgotten what the sun looked like.

Comments

Blogger has a new way of choosing who can comment on your blog. I'm not real sure how it works, so if you try to leave a comment and it won't let you just let me know and I'll fix it.

The Day The World Stood Still

The worst ice storm in state history. That's what they're calling it. I've heard somewhere between 500,000 & 1 million without power and I don't know how many have died as a result. It rolled in late Saturday night and, while the bad weather is over with, the system finally moved out yesterday. I lost power Monday morning and it came back on 36 hours later. I was one of the lucky ones. Some won't have power back on until sometime next week. The worst of the damage was to tree limbs. If someone has a tree that didn't lose a limb they're one of the lucky ones. You've heard the term "Winter Wonderland"? This was a Winter Wasteland. It actually would have looked quite nice, trees covered in white, had it not been ice and limbs strewn across yards and roads. The state has brought in electric crews from Texas, Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, the Dakotas and other states to help restore power. It'll be months before they're able to get everything repaired. And now, as a result of the storm, they're going to look at proposing to move power lines under ground. Uh, duh. And to top it all off, we have another storm moving in Friday night.

Freezing temps + no warm water - heat = 0 fun.

I lost the tree in my back yard. Every limb but one was taken down. And I have this huge Bradford Pear tree in my front yard. When it's in full bloom, there is nothing like it. The ice got a hold of it as well. It looked like it was split in half. But it came back, losing only one limb. Which is amazing. But I have no idea if it will make a comeback this spring or not. And and all, I was lucky. No real damage, except my fence was taken out by my neighbor's tree.

Wednesday Hero

I wasn't sure I would be able to get this up today. You no doubt know about the ice storm that's crippled Oklahoma. I'll have a post up tomorrow.

This Week's Hero Was Suggested By Louie

Bill Juneau
36 years old from Rush City, Minnesota
November 27, 2007

If there was one thing Bill Juneau loved as much as his country, it was his dog, Jake.

The accident-prone black Lab, who has been hit by two cars, had a toe amputated on his right paw and survived eating 42 candy bars in one sitting, once fell off a dock and through the ice on a lake while Juneau was hunting with his best friend, Dan Bock.

Bock said Juneau jumped into the icy, chest-deep water to save his dog.

"He threw that wet dog on the deck and sacrificed everything to save him," said Bock. "Bill's just that type of guy."

Juneau, a 10 year veteran of the Chisago County sheriff's deputy, was in Iraq helping to train Iraqi police recruits when his convoy was hit by and IED 50 miles outside Baghdad. A spokesperson for DynCorp, the private firm Juneau was working for, said Juneau was driving the lead vehicle in the large convoy that included U.S. Army personnel as well as members of the Iraqi National Police Force. The convoy was headed for a scheduled training mission. An Iraqi translator and a U.S. Army soldier sustained injuries in the blast as well.

His twin sister, Bridget Sura, said he wanted to help Iraqis rebuild their country and create better lives. "He would often sugar-coat the bad stuff, because he wanted us to know about the positive things," she said. "But we still worried every minute of every day." Another reason he joined was because he loved adventure, she said. While with the Chisago County Sheriff's Department, he started and led the country's SWAT team.

Jake, his dog, has been embraced by Juneau's sister's family. "He has more lives than a cat," Sura said, adding that they recently discovered a chocolate stash he'd hidden in his kennel.

"Jake is a part of my brother," she said. "He[Bill] will be missed by a lot of people. This will leave a hole in a lot of people's hearts."

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

Trek To The Troops

From Trekmovie.com:

Trek to the Troops, an organization that uses science fiction as a means to celebrate to the US Armed Forces, will be holding their 3rd Annual Meet-and-Greet on December 11th. Special guests at the event will include Tim Russ (VOY: Tuvok), Chase Masterson (DS9: Leeta), Natalija Nogulich (TNG: Adm. Nechayev) and Chris Doohan (son of James Doohan). Music will be performed by perennial Trek guest star Vaughn Armstrong’s Enterprise Blues Band. Organizers also promise "lovely models." The event will be held at the Bob Hope Hollywood USO at LAX in Los Angeles, California from 1pm to about 8pm. More information at the Trek to the Troops website.

Now that's cool.

Murder Is Funny

At least it is to some Penn State students who dressed up as Virgina Tech victims for Halloween.

We talked with one of the students who wore the costume. He said the outfits were worn to a small party and meant to be private.

"It's not that it was funny, it's that we are notorious and infamous in the state college, so we have to do things that push the envelope just for shock value," he said.

Faith & Politics

Mitt Romeney tries to defend his religious beliefs. Why? Why did he have to do this? Article VI of the U.S. Constitution states:

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States

CIA Exposed

Valerie Plame has stated that she will not pose nude for Playboy. Thank God.

Rise Of The Video Game

I've been watching this show on Discovery Channel called Rise Of The Video Game. It's a 5 part documentary that talks about the video game industry. How it started and where it's at today. On the episode that they aired yesterday dealt largely with how the U.S. Military, which is actually largely responsible for the industry, has used the medium as a tool for recruitment. What I found funny was that the same people who only a few years ago were the ones telling everyone that games like Grand Theft Auto were just games and that people complaining about the violence need to calm down are now complaining that military games such as Call Of Duty 4 could be ushering in a more militaristic future for the country. So, what happened to them just being games? When you're killing a cop it's just a game but when you're simulating military maneuvers it's a signal of a horrible tomorrow? One of the game creators on the show, the same one who made the game JFK: Reloaded, called them a tool to train kids for the Afghanistan and Iraq war. Wow.

Now in the interest of fairness I have to say that I myself am a game junkie. I love them. Have ever since the NES. I love GTA and Call Of Duty and Doom. And they're just games. They don't teach kids how to kill or vandalize property. Like I said, I've been playing ever since the NES days and I've never had the urge to jump on a turtle or drag race down the highway or beat a hooker with a baseball bat. It's not the games, it's the kids. And by proxy, it's the parents. Pay attention to what you're kids are doing. It's not up the government or the video game or music or movie industries. It's your job. "Oh, but Chris, kids can get these things off the internet without us knowing about it". Yes, but keep up with the technology. Learn how to use your computer to seen what games or music or movies they've downloaded. Learn how to maneuver around their 360 or PS3 and see what games they have on their HDD. If your 12 year old has a copy of Saints Row, get rid of it. If you can't do this then don't have these machines in your home.

And now, we have this mall shooting in Nebraska. I wonder how long it'll be before the media puts some of the blame on a movie or game this guy, and he is a guy despite the fact that some media outlets insist on calling him a kid, watched or played.

Wednesday Hero

This Week's Hero Was Suggested By Mark Bell


Marty and Sue Horn



Born in Philadelphia, Marty Horn spent 20 years in the Army as a Military Policeman, retiring in 1993 and going to work in Internet technologies. In 2003, his son Brian Horn deployed to Iraq. Trying to support their son’s unit, Marty and his wife Sue, who also served as in the Military Police, put together the concept of Any Soldier. In essence, Any Soldier is an effort to provide support and encouragement to those who are in harm’s way. Due to overwhelming requests for ready-made care packages on the AnySoldier.com site, Sue Horn started TreatAnySoldier.com.

Using his background in Internet technologies, Marty built and maintains the web site. The Any Soldier program slowly expanded to include other Army units. In 2004, the program opened up to include all service branches.. In 2005, the websites for AnyMarine.com., AnySailor.com, AnyAirman.com, and AnyCoastguardsman.com were launched.

In the words of the Any Soldier web site: "The success of Any Soldier has far exceeded expectations and continues to grow with the invaluable help and guidance of our supporters, board members and Support Team."

In the words of Marty Horn: "It is the supporters who deserve the credit."

Thanks to the efforts of Marty and Sue, their son Brian, and a dedicated staff, over 950,000 servicemen and women received support and encouragement they would never have been able to get through the Any Soldier program.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

A Great Analogy

This was in yesterday's comic strips. Pay attention to the highlighted panel. How true.

Star Trek Movie News 14

The official teaser trailer for Star Trek won't be out until next month, but TrekMovie.com has their own up at that link. I just watched it and, I must say, they did a very good job. I actually got goosebumps watching it. I have never been so excited about a movie. It's killing me that I have to wait another year for it.