In large cranes, there are warning labels all over the machine. They warn of pinch points, places to not step, overhead electrical hazards and the most important: The labels that warn those sitting in the seat to not attempt to operate the crane without training and experience.
We need that label for the desk in the White House. We need other labels all over the podiums of those attempting to convince us they're the best choice for President.
The last few days have convinced me we have a feckless, inexperienced, dangerous man in the White House and his foolishness is more dangerous than the most corrupt of dictators. That's a very uncomfortable thought. The train is racing out of control, and the engineer is thinking how wonderful it is to blow the horn.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Funeral Processions and Madness
I've driven in a few funeral processions. I'm determined I'll avoid that in the future.
It's not that I don't like funeral processions, it's I don't like the inconvenience to everyone else that's not part of the procession, the danger of traffic and the fact there are people with crummy attitudes, bad vision and distracted that are driving without paying attention to traffic lights. Even with a cop, it's still dangerous; especially for the cop.
So, lets have them at 3:00 am. Traffic is light, most of the drunks have gone home and there's not a great need for a special escort. Even if there is, the bright, flashing lights are more noticeable and the possibility of an accident is reduced.
But, what about the ceremony at the cemetery? They make light towers, that can illuminate a few acres with no problem. Just tell the preacher to speak a little louder so the mourners can hear him over the diesel engine of the light tower.
After that, everybody can go have breakfast at Denny's. Be sure to tip the wait staff and order something besides coffee. If you have to have a little snort of alcohol, I doubt anyone would object if you pour a shot in your coffee from your flask.....just be discrete.
It's not that I don't like funeral processions, it's I don't like the inconvenience to everyone else that's not part of the procession, the danger of traffic and the fact there are people with crummy attitudes, bad vision and distracted that are driving without paying attention to traffic lights. Even with a cop, it's still dangerous; especially for the cop.
So, lets have them at 3:00 am. Traffic is light, most of the drunks have gone home and there's not a great need for a special escort. Even if there is, the bright, flashing lights are more noticeable and the possibility of an accident is reduced.
But, what about the ceremony at the cemetery? They make light towers, that can illuminate a few acres with no problem. Just tell the preacher to speak a little louder so the mourners can hear him over the diesel engine of the light tower.
After that, everybody can go have breakfast at Denny's. Be sure to tip the wait staff and order something besides coffee. If you have to have a little snort of alcohol, I doubt anyone would object if you pour a shot in your coffee from your flask.....just be discrete.
Irony?
John Kerry is using the death of around 1500 people to promote his wish the United States attacks Syria. He's worried about these people, but if you look back in the early days of his journey into becoming a lying politician career, he didn't have anything to say about the deaths of thousands when the North Vietnamese began purging the citizens of the south to accomplish their goals. He was part of the process that led to these deaths, yet the media is quiet about this hypocrisy. They're also quiet about his congressional testimony that was found to be backed by lies.
Is this irony? No; this is what you get when people are not taken to task early in their careers and exposed as the hypocritical sacks of crap they really are.
A less polite society would throw him off a ship in the middle of the ocean.
Is this irony? No; this is what you get when people are not taken to task early in their careers and exposed as the hypocritical sacks of crap they really are.
A less polite society would throw him off a ship in the middle of the ocean.
Friday, August 30, 2013
The Mothball Fleet
A local town once hosted a mothball fleet of military ships. Eventually they were all moved, or sold for scrap. If you've never seen one, make an effort to visit, they're filled with history, which can leave for the scrappers on any given day.
When I was young, my father gathered my mother, and my brothers, for a trip to see the ship he served on during the Korean War. My memory of the event is hazy, but I always remembered how excited he was about pointing to his ship and was left with a number in the five hundreds imprinted in my mind.
A few months ago, my brother sent me an email, with the name of the destroyer, the number and links to websites with more information. The one site that really stuck in my mind was one with an honor roll of those that have passed. Finding my father's name brought back many memories and thoughts of his service.
My father told me very little about his time aboard the destroyer, but the two stories I remember will never be forgotten.
One was of steaming up and down the coast of Korea on patrol. With the orders of not firing, unless fired upon, they would watch old artillery canons rolled from caves, the firing crews attempt to direct a shell their way and return fire back at the empty location. The crews were quick to pull their canons back into hiding, so the efforts were futile for both.
The other was sailing through a typhoon. With the danger of losing the ship, all watertight bulkheads were secured, everybody was basically trapped in their compartment and men would hang from bulkheads as they ship would almost stand on end in the giant waves. The entire event must have been horrifying, especially when you add the vomit from all the seasick sailors.
Anyway, while my father was only one sailor, many, many more served on the ship and it was only one of thousands. The stories never told will be forever untold, since most of those that served on the older ships have passed, or will in too short of a time.
Here's a photo.
And the best link:
USS Twining DD540
If you have someone in your family that served, remember, and document, what they're willing to tell. You'll never regret your effort.
When I was young, my father gathered my mother, and my brothers, for a trip to see the ship he served on during the Korean War. My memory of the event is hazy, but I always remembered how excited he was about pointing to his ship and was left with a number in the five hundreds imprinted in my mind.
A few months ago, my brother sent me an email, with the name of the destroyer, the number and links to websites with more information. The one site that really stuck in my mind was one with an honor roll of those that have passed. Finding my father's name brought back many memories and thoughts of his service.
My father told me very little about his time aboard the destroyer, but the two stories I remember will never be forgotten.
One was of steaming up and down the coast of Korea on patrol. With the orders of not firing, unless fired upon, they would watch old artillery canons rolled from caves, the firing crews attempt to direct a shell their way and return fire back at the empty location. The crews were quick to pull their canons back into hiding, so the efforts were futile for both.
The other was sailing through a typhoon. With the danger of losing the ship, all watertight bulkheads were secured, everybody was basically trapped in their compartment and men would hang from bulkheads as they ship would almost stand on end in the giant waves. The entire event must have been horrifying, especially when you add the vomit from all the seasick sailors.
Anyway, while my father was only one sailor, many, many more served on the ship and it was only one of thousands. The stories never told will be forever untold, since most of those that served on the older ships have passed, or will in too short of a time.
Here's a photo.
And the best link:
USS Twining DD540
If you have someone in your family that served, remember, and document, what they're willing to tell. You'll never regret your effort.
Kerry Wants a Limited Attack
John Kerry wants a limited attack on Syria, which translates to: " Yes, I know the President I backed has less of clue than I imagined, but he hired me and I have no idea what to do, either."
Now lets add our new U.N. ambassador, who could probably make a few college kids cringe, with her knowledge of current events, but will have her ass handed to her in a bag, when the Russians are through with her.
To complete this, the people at the U.N. are talking about talking, which is what the U.N. is good for. After all, when a foreign government has nothing to offer the dumbass brother-in-law of a big financial donor, you make them an ambassoder. Talking is important, since there is nothing else they can be trusted with.
Meanwhile, in the real world, people are dying, governments are financing these deaths and our President has overloaded his ass with his mouth. He's talking about military action to a military that had all their funds cut.
So, now what happens? I imagine there will be some calls for more money for the military, which will be politically disastrous for some candidates of progressive flavor and the mid-terms will be a bloodbath for incumbents.
Will we go to war? No. We don't have the money, most in the government know it's a bad idea, so they'll sit on their hands and our President will probably go on vacation.
Now lets add our new U.N. ambassador, who could probably make a few college kids cringe, with her knowledge of current events, but will have her ass handed to her in a bag, when the Russians are through with her.
To complete this, the people at the U.N. are talking about talking, which is what the U.N. is good for. After all, when a foreign government has nothing to offer the dumbass brother-in-law of a big financial donor, you make them an ambassoder. Talking is important, since there is nothing else they can be trusted with.
Meanwhile, in the real world, people are dying, governments are financing these deaths and our President has overloaded his ass with his mouth. He's talking about military action to a military that had all their funds cut.
So, now what happens? I imagine there will be some calls for more money for the military, which will be politically disastrous for some candidates of progressive flavor and the mid-terms will be a bloodbath for incumbents.
Will we go to war? No. We don't have the money, most in the government know it's a bad idea, so they'll sit on their hands and our President will probably go on vacation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)