"How can John McCain fix the economy. When he doesn't think it's broken?"
Guess we are reverting to Monica Lewinsky's boyfriend's mantra..."it's the economy stupid!"
I hear pundits decrying the pitifulness of the economy, today, but you know, I don't see that.
The best selling vehicles up here appear to be SUVs, and not necessarily the little ones.
I am also aware of the number of large SUVs running around with after market chrome wheels and tires.
I guess the old adage that if you tell a lie enough people will begin to believe it, is still true.
Everywhere I look, these days, I am overwhelmed with the lies of the poli-tic-ians, in order to bring this country to her knees.
My oath of enlistment covered enemies foreign and domestic...how long are we gonna allow the enemy of our livelihood and all that we hold sacred to run amok?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Excerpt from Sgt Grit newsletter
To my military mind, this is a great letter...
When you stop and think about it, "Semper Fidelis" means "Always Faithful"...and it goes way beyond just being faithful to the Corps...the words I remember from my sixteen years there were: "God, country and Corps".
Remember the words of JFK? Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. How different that sounds than what we are hearing, today, from presidential and con-gressional wannabees.
Here is the letter...if you want more, please go to http://www.grunt.com .
Dear Sgt. Grit
Marines seldom lose their composure and are inclined to be rather stoic in general. I include myself in that group, but I need to confess to losing mine twice in the same day.
I work as a deck hand (Combination boatswain's mate and machinist's mate) on some of Chicago's architectural cruise boats during the season, and last weekend we had two of the days you wish you could bottle up and then open again in mid- February. We were sailing nearly full each trip, so we were on the lookout for wheelchairs and how to handle their logistics.
I looked up from tearing tickets, and I spotted a young man seated in wider model. He was missing one leg below the knee and the other above the knee. He had three other guests with him.
The woman who was obviously his mother was wearing a gray USMC sweatshirt. When I tried to get him down our usual rampway, chair was too wide for the ramp, so I had to put in the wider one.
While I was wheeling him down the wide ramp, I asked if he was a Marine. He said: "That's right, 2/3." I said "1/4" and asked him if he was an 0311. He said "Yeah, what's your MOS?" I told him "0302." He wasn't familiar with that one, so I told him I was an infantry officer.
I wheeled his chair up to the place that had the best view, and I noted that he only had a t-shirt on. After we seated all the guests and pulled away from the dock, I got my jacket out of the pilot house and went up to give it to him to wear: after all, it gets chilly out there in the concrete canyons. When I went to hand him my jacket, I realized he was also blind in both eyes.
After I checked on the rest of the guests, I went back to talk to Eric, our bartender. He asked me if I was OK, and I told him about the guy in the wheelchair and how he was younger than my son. Eric was surprised to watch me try to keep from losing it. "Wow" was about all he could offer. What could he say, anyway?
Then we started discussing what a guy like that can do for a living. After the cruise, I helped get the Marine ashore, and he held out my jacket. "Semper Fi", I said: he smiled and said "Oorah."
That's when it hit me. This guy didn't want pity, or even compassion. He was ready with neither eyes nor legs to take on the world again on his own terms. All he wanted was a chance to prove it. What can a guy like that do for a living? Nearly anything he sets his mind to.
Later on, I was again boarding passengers when a neatly dressed lady wearing a small blue-bordered white pin walked up. I was wearing my sunglasses, so the colors weren't too clear. I asked if she had a son in the military.
"Had", she said, "Actually, that's a gold star." Sure enough, along with her gold star pin, she was wearing a tiny Eagle Globe and Anchor. She appeared to be a typical Marine Mom: you know, "Return with your shield or on it." She obviously didn't want anybody to feel sorry for her either. I lost it again.
So where do we get people like this? I think they come from America's very heart and soul. They're everyday Americans who had a job to do and did it to the best of their ability. These Marines, their families, and their friends deserve our good cheer, and our commitment to helping them make it on their own again. Handouts? What for? Pity? Why? So if you're in the position to hire folks for your business, don't forget the Vet. Especially, don't forget wounded Vets like that 2/3 Marine.
Semper FidelisKB
When you stop and think about it, "Semper Fidelis" means "Always Faithful"...and it goes way beyond just being faithful to the Corps...the words I remember from my sixteen years there were: "God, country and Corps".
Remember the words of JFK? Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. How different that sounds than what we are hearing, today, from presidential and con-gressional wannabees.
Here is the letter...if you want more, please go to http://www.grunt.com .
Dear Sgt. Grit
Marines seldom lose their composure and are inclined to be rather stoic in general. I include myself in that group, but I need to confess to losing mine twice in the same day.
I work as a deck hand (Combination boatswain's mate and machinist's mate) on some of Chicago's architectural cruise boats during the season, and last weekend we had two of the days you wish you could bottle up and then open again in mid- February. We were sailing nearly full each trip, so we were on the lookout for wheelchairs and how to handle their logistics.
I looked up from tearing tickets, and I spotted a young man seated in wider model. He was missing one leg below the knee and the other above the knee. He had three other guests with him.
The woman who was obviously his mother was wearing a gray USMC sweatshirt. When I tried to get him down our usual rampway, chair was too wide for the ramp, so I had to put in the wider one.
While I was wheeling him down the wide ramp, I asked if he was a Marine. He said: "That's right, 2/3." I said "1/4" and asked him if he was an 0311. He said "Yeah, what's your MOS?" I told him "0302." He wasn't familiar with that one, so I told him I was an infantry officer.
I wheeled his chair up to the place that had the best view, and I noted that he only had a t-shirt on. After we seated all the guests and pulled away from the dock, I got my jacket out of the pilot house and went up to give it to him to wear: after all, it gets chilly out there in the concrete canyons. When I went to hand him my jacket, I realized he was also blind in both eyes.
After I checked on the rest of the guests, I went back to talk to Eric, our bartender. He asked me if I was OK, and I told him about the guy in the wheelchair and how he was younger than my son. Eric was surprised to watch me try to keep from losing it. "Wow" was about all he could offer. What could he say, anyway?
Then we started discussing what a guy like that can do for a living. After the cruise, I helped get the Marine ashore, and he held out my jacket. "Semper Fi", I said: he smiled and said "Oorah."
That's when it hit me. This guy didn't want pity, or even compassion. He was ready with neither eyes nor legs to take on the world again on his own terms. All he wanted was a chance to prove it. What can a guy like that do for a living? Nearly anything he sets his mind to.
Later on, I was again boarding passengers when a neatly dressed lady wearing a small blue-bordered white pin walked up. I was wearing my sunglasses, so the colors weren't too clear. I asked if she had a son in the military.
"Had", she said, "Actually, that's a gold star." Sure enough, along with her gold star pin, she was wearing a tiny Eagle Globe and Anchor. She appeared to be a typical Marine Mom: you know, "Return with your shield or on it." She obviously didn't want anybody to feel sorry for her either. I lost it again.
So where do we get people like this? I think they come from America's very heart and soul. They're everyday Americans who had a job to do and did it to the best of their ability. These Marines, their families, and their friends deserve our good cheer, and our commitment to helping them make it on their own again. Handouts? What for? Pity? Why? So if you're in the position to hire folks for your business, don't forget the Vet. Especially, don't forget wounded Vets like that 2/3 Marine.
Semper FidelisKB
Monday, October 27, 2008
Token gun stuff
Saturday, I went out and threw some lead down range.
The Glock 32 is getting better used to me, and I am pretty much staying in the black. Only down point is the grip seems too small. I have been told there are extensions available, just haven't gotten a round tuit yet.
Then ran a hundred rounds thru the Rock Island .38 Super. What a surprise, I didn't really think I was gonna like this gun, cuz, I didn't get along with the 1911's they issued in the Corps.
The sights are a little small for this ole cuss, but she is steady, and keeps them rounds in close proximity to the center of the target.
The other day, Kim du Toit ran a post on the Taurus Thunderbolt, .357. Its a rifle chambered in .357, and .38 special, with a fourteen round capacity.
Now, that is right up my alley. With a Smith & Wesson 686, I can stock up lotsa ammo for .357 and .38 and can use it with either weapon.
The Glock 32 is getting better used to me, and I am pretty much staying in the black. Only down point is the grip seems too small. I have been told there are extensions available, just haven't gotten a round tuit yet.
Then ran a hundred rounds thru the Rock Island .38 Super. What a surprise, I didn't really think I was gonna like this gun, cuz, I didn't get along with the 1911's they issued in the Corps.
The sights are a little small for this ole cuss, but she is steady, and keeps them rounds in close proximity to the center of the target.
The other day, Kim du Toit ran a post on the Taurus Thunderbolt, .357. Its a rifle chambered in .357, and .38 special, with a fourteen round capacity.
Now, that is right up my alley. With a Smith & Wesson 686, I can stock up lotsa ammo for .357 and .38 and can use it with either weapon.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Polls, damn polls
This morning's fare on the front page of online Argus Leader definitely shows the bias of the left leaning mindset, with a poll that asks the question:
"Do you think a new president can turn the economy around?"
As per usual, the question is posed incorrectly... the question should be asked:
"Do you think a new president can have an affect on the economy?"
Think about it...
Ronald Reagan showed us how the economy could rebound by reducing taxes. Unfortunately, con-gress increased social spending to outstrip any benefit gained by the tax reduction, and today, President Reagan is reviled as having grown the deficit.
Jimmy Carter showed us how a president could affect the economy. If you lived through his presidency, you will remember well.
B Hussein O has promised to raise taxes, PERIOD!
He is on record as saying he would like gasoline to cost $5.00 a gallon at the pump.
He has put us on notice that he is inclined to redistribute wealth, so the non-producers have as much as the producers.
How long will it be, when O Hussein becomes president before those of us who do, decide not to do anymore?
Well, I guess the president has some impact on the economy, but the nasty little secret that no one wants to discuss is how much con-gress critters affect the economy.
In ten days we will learn how our future will be playing out.
Will we continue to be a country where everyone has the possibility of being the best they can be, and bettering themselves and their environment; or will we become another good idea that has become another layer on the ash heap of history?
"Do you think a new president can turn the economy around?"
As per usual, the question is posed incorrectly... the question should be asked:
"Do you think a new president can have an affect on the economy?"
Think about it...
Ronald Reagan showed us how the economy could rebound by reducing taxes. Unfortunately, con-gress increased social spending to outstrip any benefit gained by the tax reduction, and today, President Reagan is reviled as having grown the deficit.
Jimmy Carter showed us how a president could affect the economy. If you lived through his presidency, you will remember well.
B Hussein O has promised to raise taxes, PERIOD!
He is on record as saying he would like gasoline to cost $5.00 a gallon at the pump.
He has put us on notice that he is inclined to redistribute wealth, so the non-producers have as much as the producers.
How long will it be, when O Hussein becomes president before those of us who do, decide not to do anymore?
Well, I guess the president has some impact on the economy, but the nasty little secret that no one wants to discuss is how much con-gress critters affect the economy.
In ten days we will learn how our future will be playing out.
Will we continue to be a country where everyone has the possibility of being the best they can be, and bettering themselves and their environment; or will we become another good idea that has become another layer on the ash heap of history?
Moment of reflection
Every now and then, I receive an excellent blessing through my morning Bible reading and devotions.
This morning is one of those days, and I would like to take the liberty of sharing what caught my attention today from Mrs. Chas E. Cowman's "Streams In The Desert, Vol 2", Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1966.
October 25
We believe and know that Jesus is the Christ. (John 6:68.)
Dr. W. B. HINSON speaks from one of his memorable sermons regarding the fact of Jesus in history.
"I seem to stand on the top of a hill up which I have been climbing all my life; and I seem to be about to tell you that which I have been all my life learning. He is a fact and not a fiction on the pages of history.
"Tacitus, a Roman historian in the first century, spoke of Jesus in this fashion: 'There appeared one Jesus.' He incidentally alluded to the Christ. But nineteen centuries have emphasized the adjective there, and they have spoken of one Jesus.
"In the second century, Lucius, a Greek satirist, gave his brief mention of Jesus when he satirically said - 'Jesus the Great.' But those same nineteen centuries have underscored again and again the adjective in that phrase, and they call Jesus the Great.
"And in century one, four men - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - wrote the story of Jesus, an altogether wonderful story. they tell of His birth, babyhood, boyhood, young manhood. They tell how He talked, indeed how He looked. They tell how He acted, walked, and gestured, sat down, stood up. They tell all about Him. It is the most intimate story of a life. They tell how He died, how He was buried and where, how He rose again, how He ascended to heaven. And the wonderful record of that life that occupies only one-fourth of my New Testament has done more in the world than all the other books that were ever written.
"The historian Lecky, certainly an unprejudiced man, has told how there has more good come from this story than from all the words ever spoken by all the others who ever talked. Those gospels are history.
"John Stuart Mill, of England, said, It is no use denying the historical Christ.' Not it is little use; but it is no use denying it. and the greatest of all French skeptics said, 'It would take a Jesus to forge a Jesus.'
The Apostle Paul has written some history about Jesus. We call them his Epistles. And he stands at the head of an army so large I cannot stop even to mention the names of its officer, who eulogize the Christ. For if you go to Shakespeare, who they say is the greatest uninspired man who ever lived, Shakespeare talks about 'the acres over which walked the blessed feet of Him who for our advantage was nailed to the bitter cross.'
"And if you listen to Gladstone he tells you how in the New Testament the soft note swells to a mighty paen affirming that Jesus is God's Son and the world's Saviour.
"And if you listen to the great German you will find him saying, 'Christ is the holiest among the mighty, and the mightiest among the holy.'
"But most of all I think I love to remember Charles Lamb, the gentle and much afflicted soul. He said, 'Yes, if Shakespeare came in, we should all stand up, but if Jesus Christ came in we should all kneel.'
"Ah, yes, He is a fact. It does not matter what some little professor in some little school says to the contrary. He is a fact and not a fiction, on the pages of history!" (Adapted from "The Christ We Forget," by W. B. Hinson.)
This morning is one of those days, and I would like to take the liberty of sharing what caught my attention today from Mrs. Chas E. Cowman's "Streams In The Desert, Vol 2", Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1966.
October 25
We believe and know that Jesus is the Christ. (John 6:68.)
Dr. W. B. HINSON speaks from one of his memorable sermons regarding the fact of Jesus in history.
"I seem to stand on the top of a hill up which I have been climbing all my life; and I seem to be about to tell you that which I have been all my life learning. He is a fact and not a fiction on the pages of history.
"Tacitus, a Roman historian in the first century, spoke of Jesus in this fashion: 'There appeared one Jesus.' He incidentally alluded to the Christ. But nineteen centuries have emphasized the adjective there, and they have spoken of one Jesus.
"In the second century, Lucius, a Greek satirist, gave his brief mention of Jesus when he satirically said - 'Jesus the Great.' But those same nineteen centuries have underscored again and again the adjective in that phrase, and they call Jesus the Great.
"And in century one, four men - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - wrote the story of Jesus, an altogether wonderful story. they tell of His birth, babyhood, boyhood, young manhood. They tell how He talked, indeed how He looked. They tell how He acted, walked, and gestured, sat down, stood up. They tell all about Him. It is the most intimate story of a life. They tell how He died, how He was buried and where, how He rose again, how He ascended to heaven. And the wonderful record of that life that occupies only one-fourth of my New Testament has done more in the world than all the other books that were ever written.
"The historian Lecky, certainly an unprejudiced man, has told how there has more good come from this story than from all the words ever spoken by all the others who ever talked. Those gospels are history.
"John Stuart Mill, of England, said, It is no use denying the historical Christ.' Not it is little use; but it is no use denying it. and the greatest of all French skeptics said, 'It would take a Jesus to forge a Jesus.'
The Apostle Paul has written some history about Jesus. We call them his Epistles. And he stands at the head of an army so large I cannot stop even to mention the names of its officer, who eulogize the Christ. For if you go to Shakespeare, who they say is the greatest uninspired man who ever lived, Shakespeare talks about 'the acres over which walked the blessed feet of Him who for our advantage was nailed to the bitter cross.'
"And if you listen to Gladstone he tells you how in the New Testament the soft note swells to a mighty paen affirming that Jesus is God's Son and the world's Saviour.
"And if you listen to the great German you will find him saying, 'Christ is the holiest among the mighty, and the mightiest among the holy.'
"But most of all I think I love to remember Charles Lamb, the gentle and much afflicted soul. He said, 'Yes, if Shakespeare came in, we should all stand up, but if Jesus Christ came in we should all kneel.'
"Ah, yes, He is a fact. It does not matter what some little professor in some little school says to the contrary. He is a fact and not a fiction, on the pages of history!" (Adapted from "The Christ We Forget," by W. B. Hinson.)
Recently read
Last night I read Vince Flynn's latest book, "Extreme Measures".
WOW!!!
I am a fan of Vince's but this tome has to be one of his very best.
It isn't nice, or right, to tell the story here, but I can guarantole you, if you read it, you gonna be enthused.
My favorite author in this genre is still Tom Clancy, tho I don't know if he has gone into retirement or not.
In "Extreme Measures" Vince Flynn takes an enormous step toward unseating Tom Clancy as my favorite author.
WOW!!!
I am a fan of Vince's but this tome has to be one of his very best.
It isn't nice, or right, to tell the story here, but I can guarantole you, if you read it, you gonna be enthused.
My favorite author in this genre is still Tom Clancy, tho I don't know if he has gone into retirement or not.
In "Extreme Measures" Vince Flynn takes an enormous step toward unseating Tom Clancy as my favorite author.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Sometimes my mind does wander...
It would appear that summer is most likely over...
The past couple of days have been rain and 30 - 40 degree temperatures.
Latest word from the radio weather guessers is prolly some snow tonite or tomorrow, tho tomorrow's temp is sposed to be in the 40 - 50 range.
My thought was, hurray, the humiditty is gone, but then I realized, that rain is 100% humiditty...
Okay, so, there is a difference...specially when you realize that 89% humiditty and 95 degree temps spells humongous creature uncomfortableness, yeah, speaken for myself, here.
And so, life goes on, one season continues to follow another, and day continues to follow night, day after day, week after week, month after month, ad infinitum...
How interesting to wake up and realize, that next month I will be 63, and my baby, in another week will be 23...the old adage of failing to see the forest for the trees, seems to say something to me here.
Ah, well, just a little mind wandering to take a break from the cacophonous electioneering that has been banging on our sensibilities for the past eight, twelve years. Yeah, familiarity does breed contempt.
But, you know what?
Winter is again following autumn, and soon the spring rains and new life will begin sprouting, and we will again realize that our days are in God's hands.
It is the Almighty, who has created this world, created us, and all the creatures we are familiar with, and it is this same Creator God, that sustains this old creation day after day, week after week, month after month, ad infinitum.
I am reminded of the song that says:
There is peace in the midst of my storm tossed life;
There's an anchor, there's a rock to cast my faith upon...
Jesus rides in my vessel, so I'll feel no alarm,
He gives me peace in the midst of my storm.
Thank You Jesus, for the new life, and the blessing of the Holy Spirit.
The past couple of days have been rain and 30 - 40 degree temperatures.
Latest word from the radio weather guessers is prolly some snow tonite or tomorrow, tho tomorrow's temp is sposed to be in the 40 - 50 range.
My thought was, hurray, the humiditty is gone, but then I realized, that rain is 100% humiditty...
Okay, so, there is a difference...specially when you realize that 89% humiditty and 95 degree temps spells humongous creature uncomfortableness, yeah, speaken for myself, here.
And so, life goes on, one season continues to follow another, and day continues to follow night, day after day, week after week, month after month, ad infinitum...
How interesting to wake up and realize, that next month I will be 63, and my baby, in another week will be 23...the old adage of failing to see the forest for the trees, seems to say something to me here.
Ah, well, just a little mind wandering to take a break from the cacophonous electioneering that has been banging on our sensibilities for the past eight, twelve years. Yeah, familiarity does breed contempt.
But, you know what?
Winter is again following autumn, and soon the spring rains and new life will begin sprouting, and we will again realize that our days are in God's hands.
It is the Almighty, who has created this world, created us, and all the creatures we are familiar with, and it is this same Creator God, that sustains this old creation day after day, week after week, month after month, ad infinitum.
I am reminded of the song that says:
There is peace in the midst of my storm tossed life;
There's an anchor, there's a rock to cast my faith upon...
Jesus rides in my vessel, so I'll feel no alarm,
He gives me peace in the midst of my storm.
Thank You Jesus, for the new life, and the blessing of the Holy Spirit.
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