RIP Frank Buckles

Sad news to report. Cpl. Frank Woodruff Buckles, who I posted about earlier this month, passed away on Sunday. He was one of three, and the last US, WWI veterans. Thank you for your service, Cpl. Buckles.

MCM

I hate to see this month end. There are so many I wasn't able to get to. Charlie Musselwhite, Buddy Guy, Etta James, Big Bill Morganfield and Omar & The Howlers for example. Oh well. Anywho, how could I end Bluesuary any other way than with my girl Koko? Oh My God, I love me some Koko Taylor. You get Willie Dixon making it so very cool then Ms. Koko steps in and shows us all how the Blues is meant to be sung.


Insane Asylum by Koko Taylor & Willie Dixon

We Are Pretty Gross

Ladies, for those of you who didn't have a younger brother, cousin, nephew or whatever, or a son, this is pretty accurate.  You don't want to know what I do did with mine.

Wednesday Hero

Cmd. David John Sperling
78 years old from Pensacola, Florida
Attach Squadron 153
April 3, 1929 - March 17, 2008


From the citation upon being awarded the Silver Star:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander David John Sperling (NSN: 0-555189), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as the Pilot of a jet aircraft while attached to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE (VA-153), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). On 25 October 1967, Commander Sperling flew as a major group leader in a coordinated Air Wing assault on the Phuc Yen Air Base near Hanoi, North Vietnam. Being the prime operating base for MiG fighter aircraft, Phuc Yen was defended by the most concentrated and formidable array of surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery and automatic weapons to be found in all of North Vietnam. Courageously leading his group of attack aircraft over 120 miles of hostile territory into this bastion of defensive armor, Commander Sperling exhibited outstanding airmanship and unwavering determination while maneuvering for the highly vulnerable attack position. In spite of the unprecedented barrage of surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft fire, he calmly established the essential bombing pattern and delivered his ordnance with exceptional accuracy on the revetted enemy airplanes to destroy or damage several parked MiG aircraft. His resolute actions and professional skill set the tone for the remainder of his force and succeeded in turning a potentially disastrous situation into a highly successful assault on the enemy. Commander Sperling's gallant and inspirational leadership upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Cmd. Sperling's obituary.

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 site, you can go here.

Democracy In The Middle East

Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide. - John Adams

Music Czar Monday

This band was so much better before they split up and it became one original member and two backup musicians. Smoking. The only way to describe this song. I honestly believe that Mato Nanji could have given SRV a run for his money.


Blues This Morning (Live) by Indigenous

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael

Petty Officer First Class Robert R. Scott
26 years old from Massillion, Ohio
December 7, 1941


Robert Raymond Scott joined the U.S. Navy in 1938. Was was assigned to the U.S.S. California and was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On December 7, 1941 the California was hit by a torpedo during the attack. While other personnel were evacuated, Machinist's Mate First Class Scott remained at his station. He didn't survive. For his actions he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. And the U.S. Navy named the destroyer escort USS Scott (DE-214) in his honor in 1943.

From his citation:

For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. The compartment, in the U.S.S. California, in which the air compressor, to which Scott was assigned as his battle station, was flooded as the result of a torpedo hit. The remainder of the personnel evacuated that compartment but Scott refused to leave, saying words to the effect "This is my station and I will stay and give them air as long as the guns are going."

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 site, you can go here.

Let Me Be Clear

So President Obama tried to sell his budget plan today and he talked about using a scalpel instead of a machete to make nothing cuts in spending. At which point I got the idea for some of my famous artwork, which I haven't done much of lately. I knew what I wanted but, since I'm unable to draw, I had to improvise. I tried finding a picture of what I wanted and use it. No. I tried using the standard shapes that Photoshop provides. No. So in the end I have to resort to describing it and letting you use your imagination. Sad, I know, but it's all I got. Okay, so picture it: it's a jungle with the caption "National Debt" and in it stands President Obama holding a scalpel labeled "Budget Plan" and he's saying either his standard "Let Me Be Clear" or "Hey, It's A Start". See, how awesome would that have been?

Music Czar Monday

What a great song. Why Jonny Lang isn't bigger I'll never know.


Dying To Live by Jonny Lang

WTF?

Pearl Harbor survivor found living in horrible conditions due to the abuse by his caregiver. You know, there's nothing I could say that would convey just how messed up this is. Read it and prepare to be extremely outraged.

h/t: Yankeemom

Fear Not The Muslim Brotherhood

One day, a scorpion looked around at the mountain where he lived and decided that he wanted a change. So he set out on a journey through the forests and hills. He climbed over rocks and under vines and kept going until he reached a river.

Read more »

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy

SSgt. Ronell Bradley


On Sept. 21, 2005, SSgt. Ronell Bradley gave two legs and part of a hand for his country when the Humvee he was riding in was hit by a roadside bomb and now he needs our help to get his handicapped-accessible home built. If you're in the Charlotte, South Carolina area you can help. You can read the piece here.

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 site, you can go here.

Too Damn High

Dear Cox Communications,

I've just been informed that starting next month you will be raising your fees which will be bringing my cable bill up another $6/month. Do you not realize that things are tough for just about everyone and that raising your rates will hurt a lot of people? I don't want to get rid of my cable service. I would honestly go a little more crazy than I already am if I had to. But with the way things are going it may have to be a bill that I cut before too long. I have a question for you. Why do I have to pay for channels such as OWN, CMT, MTV, Style, Logo and a whole host of others that I don't watch and I don't want? I'm not big on sports but I do like Fox Soccer Channel. But to get it I have to pay for a crap load of ESPN channels that I don't want. I don't watch MSNBC or CNN but I sure has shit have to pay for them. Why don't you let me choose the channels I want and pay only for those? You still get your money and I get a bill that I can afford.

Music Czar Monday

I loved Rockuary so much I decided to build on it and designate February as Bluesuary. I've only done two Blues tracks for MCM and both were on the same day to honor SRV. We're well overdue. Rock and Roll will always be my first love but nothing gets my juices flowing like a smokin' Blues track. Whether it's just one guy and his guitar singing the saddest song you've ever heard or a band just tearing it up. I love it. As a great man use to say, "The Blues gave us everything". So put your shades on and lay back because it's time to get cool. Also, be sure to check my Facebook or Twitter pages on Fridays. I'll be showcasing the roots of Led Zeppelin. Some of the original versions of songs they were "influenced" by and "borrowed" from. Also, Sunday nights. 8pm-12am Central time. Listen live to KMOD for The Smokehouse Blues. Awesome show.

Read more »

100

 

We miss you, Gipper.

Family Adopts Hero Dog

The parents of Pfc. Colton Rusk are adopting the bomb-sniffing dog who the military says loyally rushed to their son's side when he was fatally shot. The picture that's the site has may cause a few tears.

Wednesday Hero

Gunnery Sgt. Richard Romo


Gunnery Sgt. Richard Romo, team chief with Civil Affairs attached to 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, speaks to several Afghans during a patrol through the bazaar in Musa Qal'eh, Jan. 25. During the patrol the Marines inspected the location of an up-coming traffic circle in the bazaar.

Photo Courtesy United States Marine Corps.

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 site, you can go here.

America's Last WWI Veteran

Frank Woodruff Buckles, the last surviving American WWI vet, turned 110 today. What else can you say but awesome.