Carmichael's Position

Burger King Neglects the US Market Males!

So I learn today that there is a Brew-ha-ha down under about some Burger King Ads on Television.  I figure, yeah... New Zealanders are just as creeped out by "The King" as many of us here in the States are...

Wow! How wrong I was!

Nope it turns out they're a bit disturbed by this and ads like this! 

WHAT!? Are you kidding me!

If my options are between some creepy "Mister Rodger's, King Friday nightmare gone awry!"... or "Burger's Maxim style!"  Uh!  I'll take option "B"!  Hold the Pickle!

But evidently the Gratuity Police in New Zealand do not appreciate the complete Non-sequitor nature of selling burgers using babes in bikinis.  Go Figure!

The Advertising Standards Complaints Board, in decisions issued yesterday, found both commercials breached an industry code of practice forbidding the use of sex appeal simply to draw attention to a product.

Its decisions were in contrast to a board ruling last year that dismissed complaints against a Burger King advert featuring three young women on horses at a beach, and the food chain intends to appeal.

Burger King's management was unavailable but its Auckland advertising agency, Y&R, said it hoped to win support from the Advertising Standards Complaints Appeals Board for resumed screenings.

In one advertisement the women are depicted as wearing bikinis in professional jobs, and then dropping everything they are doing to ride to the nearest Burger King.

The other shows the women wearing bikinis while a voiceover tells viewers: "The BK girls share everything - their bed, their clothes, exercise equipment and a love of ice-sculpture and horses."

Ah well... Guess you New Zealanders will have to be content with This Guy!  Have It Your Way!

Wow, a Little Bit of Hail Here in Denver Today!

Now that's a storm!

About 1:30 this afternoon we had a bit of a hail storm blow through the Denver Metro:  Here's a few Pics and a Video of our "White May 29th"

Uh.... Good Luck With That, Cindy!

Quote from Cindy Sheehan on her "quitting the cause'...

"I'm going home for awhile to try and be normal,"

Laughed My Butt Off on that one!!!  That's like me going home and trying to be... uh... A Jar of Peanut Butter!

But wait there's more... She's so upset that the Democrats of this country (intelligent as they is...) won't push for her version of Utopia... that she's bidding farewell to America...(Oh to wish it were true!)

"Good-bye America ... you are not the country that I love and I finally realized no matter how much I sacrifice, I can't make you be that country unless you want it.

"It's up to you now."

That hurt!... Yeah, Right!

Cindy, the instrument has yet to be built that can measure my indifference to you and your opinion.  I hope you enjoyed your fame, much too much past your allotted 15 minutes... You can go now, its time for the grown-ups to talk!

This is What Monday is About! Remember?

The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. "I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it," she said. "I think that's what he would have wanted."  Todd Heisler, The Rocky Mountain News...

This was from last year, but the imagery is eternal! 

I want to offer my humble thanks and eternal gratitude to all who serve, all who sacrifice, and all who have paid the ultimate...  And especially to those family members who are left only with the memories of these heroes...

God Bless!

Yep... 41 is here... Funny, Feels the Same as 40!... Crap! Where'd that Year Go?

Wow, thirty-eleven... the twentieth anniversary of my 21st birthday is already here.  Amazing, if it were not for mirrors I would probably not have a clue I was a day over 27.

I've been thinking  a lot about what's supposed to happen from here on out, what things I want to make sure I accomplish with the unknown amount of time I'm alloted here on this fine planet.  And... well... that answer is not entirely clear.

What's confusing is making sure I delineate the differences between "Goals" and "Wishes."  And then how specific I really need or want to be.

I mean ideas such as "I want to make a Million Dollars"  is vague, undefined as to how, and not set within a date parameter therefore it is nothing more than a wish.  And as one of my previous mentors, Pierre Loubet was always fond of advising me about wishes, "Wish in one had and spit in the other... see which one fills up first!" a clear explanation of the practicality of "Wishing" for something.  My ambition is to find a way of honestly converting some of my Wishes into Goals, practical and more importantly attainable!

Some on the top of my mind within the next ten years! Now on the surface some of these may look to yon gentle reader as more than even wishes... possibly a "Pipe Dream" even... but not so fast!!! All of these I have some opportunity to accomplish, yes with help and probably a little luck but they are all possible!!! Seriously... I could end up married!... it could happen... REALLY! :

1. Get married... Long overdue... needs to happen... running out of creative excuses...etc...
2. Carrier Arrested Landing! ( I have so much admiration and respect for those who do it day in and day out, I just want to be able to say I've done it!)
3. Flight in the back of Blue Angel #7 (I promise I'll publish one hell of an article after that experience!!!)
4. Have a Million Dollars in the bank in 10 years (details to follow...)
5. Procrastinate less! (I'll start that tomorrow!)
6. Get my pilot's license.
7. Be able to make a $10,000.00 donation to charity without blinking an eye! (Poker losses do not = Charitable Cause!)
8. Play Pebble!
9. Have Fun! Enjoy the ride more than the desire to get to the destination!
10. ... Open...

I have been fortunate enough to be influenced by a number of mentors in my life and I expect I will be calling upon their collective influence and council for guidance.  People like: My Dad, My Mom, My Sister... My buddies: Stu, Scott, Steve, Tim, Ken, Jim Kilroy... Friends passed: Paul Storms... And business influences like Pierre Loubet, Sandy Hamilton, and Johnny Gianola... and Most of All, Ginger... all people I trust and respect.  And whether or not I have connections with them today, there is something, some word of wisdom or philosophy I will call upon to help guide me on the path I want to take, and the decisions I need to make.

And in visualizing this, I like the concept presented by my friend and co-worker, Nick Bradbury, in a recent post of his, where he expressed not exactly knowing how he wants to "Grow Old" rather he's identified more... "knowing how he doesn't want to grow old."

Like my father has conveyed:  "You gotta grow older, it's best to grow wiser, growing-up is optional!"

By the way... 41... and in good company!!!!!

• Cindy Crawford
• Téa Leoni
• Kiefer Sutherland
• John Cusack
• Billy Zane
• Salma Hayek

Back From Grand Junction

Wow what a fun weekend in Grand Junction at the Cattle Baron's Ball!  Rather than regurgitate all of the details here, allow me to point you to the "Other" weblog I have the honor of being the Editor of... [Link]

But I do want to call your attention to a few new galleries I've upped over at my Smug Mug account.  These are photos that I, Ginger and Kathy Schmoldt took of the Airshow for Mesa County "At Risk Youth" and then the two parties we attended at Hans and Kathy's house (the Cattle Baron's Ball and a more casual gathering the night after with friends and Tailhookers.

The Airshow

  More Airshow Photos here [Link]

The Cattle Baron's Ball

 

More Cattle Baron Ball Photos here [Link]

Here is another link of some of the beautiful scenery in the areas surrounding Grand Junction Colorado; including Colorado National Monument, the ride down hwy 144 to Gateway Colorado, and the car show we saw while there.

 

 

 

Busy in Grand Junction

I'm spending a few fine days in on the West Side of the great state Colorado, serving in my capacity as the Editor of "The Tailhook Daily Briefing." 

We're (Colorado Milehigh Tailhookers) putting on a few events out here on the western slope.  First an Airshow for the "At Risk" youth of Mesa County, then the leader of the Colorado Chapter, Hans Schmoldt put on a big shindig at his ranch.  What fun that was!  (Check out the details over at the Daily Briefing!)

I had the opportunity to eavesdrop on a number of great "There I was" stories by today's aviators, yesterday's aviators, and yes even one of the original Mercury 7 Astronauts, Scott Carpenter.

What fun!  And there promises to be more fun today... I'll keep you posted.

Here's some of the pics from the "Aircraft Petting Zoo" we offered yesterday.

   

 

 

     

 

If Nothing Else, Fred Looks Like He'll Be Entertaining!

A couple of friends sent this to me yesterday (thanks Ken and Giorgio).  Damned entertaining! 

Evidently this began when, according to the Drudge Report

Michael Moore sent a letter challenging Fred Thompson to debate. Typical MM babble about health care and  "Fidel's medical/workers paradise",blah blah, blah...

Breitbart.tv Exclusive: The confrontation over Cuba continues. Michael Moore has challenged Fred Thompson to a health care debate. At issue -- Moore's trip to Cuba and Thompson's criticism of that trip. Moore noted Thompson's evident favor for Cuban cigars as a possible violation of the trade embargo. Now, Thompson responds. Cigar in hand. :

Yep, Win or lose, I'm going to love watching this guy in debates and speeches.  It will be refreshing to have an articulate Republican once again.

And on the topic of cigars:  From another friend of mine... Here in Colorado we apparently only have one Handmade Cigar Maker... Who Knew?

The place is Palma Cigars, he specializes in Nicaraguan, Dominican, and even Brazilian with wrappers from all over the world.  But what is even cooler about Palma Cigars is that they operate a "Cigar to the Troops" program!    It is a non-profit foundation that sends hand rolled cigars to our troops service overseas. 

I cannot think of a better offering of support to our troops in the field than to let them know you're thinking of them.  Especially with Memorial Day coming.  Let our troops celebrate their victories (there are more victories taking place over there despite what the MSM wants you to believe) with a fine hand rolled cigar!  You'll put smiles on faces!

If you would like to contribute to the organization, you can contact Palma Cigars at 303-297-3244 or if you are in the Denver area, you can find them at 1309 22nd St.

Getting Out Once in Awhile...

Pre-Occupied, Rut...

That's what i find myself falling into periodically, I assume most of us do, especially once on the north side of 40.  I have to force myself to remember life is not all about the "Comfortable" routines that comprise our lives, we need to get out, experience, live a little.

Even on "Work Days" I find it important to take a break when able and go for a walk around the city. Fortunately Denver is a great city to do this, its safe, easy to access and actually quite eclectic in its offerings.  Its also beneficial to have a boss that too, enjoys taking a break to get some air and clear the mind.  Seriously there is a lot that can be gained in terms of mental refreshment by getting some air and seeing what the rest of the world (acute as it may be) is doing.

Last Friday I decided to go on a "Walkabout" during my lunch and take my camera along to share with you all some of the sights one can see in an hour.  This walk would be titled "Cranes, Trains and the River" if I had to apply a name to it... well take a look at the following pics and I think you'll get the idea...  Here's to Gett'n some air... I recommend you too try it sometime, and take a camera with you to share the sites, it's great motivation.

Enjoy...(comments below each one)

Above:  This image I shamelessly stole the idea from a co-worker of mine who took a great photo of this same building.

I know... A bit "Rainman-esque" but I liked the colors in this one...

Always wanted to take a shot like this... Next time I getting one with a train headed for me.

Again, the color contrast here was pretty cool, I increased the saturation a smidge to really highlight what I saw that day.

I could come up with some real creative "Photo-Snob" Bovine Scatology about the color composition juxtaposed against the symmetry presented by converging lines etc... but really I don't know squat about all that crap!  I just liked what I saw in the view finder, it looked good to me in a creative light.

Same thing here....

On this day, I thought the deep blue sky served as a great contrasting backdrop to a number of scenes.

The South Platte River... the melt has it running high right now.  Not a real artsy fartsy shot , more of a simple snap, but this was to show you all  where I was toolin' about.

The Above photo will probably make a really cool abstract, once I play around with it a bit in Photoshop.

This one was all about perspective...

Air Force Dog Fighting Fun!

Been around for awhile... But still VERY COOL! 

Hard to know who to cheer for... when NAVAIR is not involved!

Paris Hilton Going to Jail is a Great First Step to Rebuilding my Faith in Fairness

I had an intriguing conversation with a co-worker of mine last Friday.  Now understand that he and I do not oft see eye to eye, but that is not to say that we are not willing to listen to the ideas the other has on specific issues.

Our conversation that day ranged on a number of politically and sociologically charged topics (Guns, Crime, Drug Legalization, Race Relations, Government Suppression of Freedoms, Death Penalty...etc) yep pretty much every "third rail" you are always warned to avoid discussing in "social" situations.  Of course it has not been my nature to shy away from controversial subjects.  What I do not suffer is purposeless bickering  between ideologues with no hope of learning or educating.

I learned something this Friday.  After ranging on our subjects, I posed a question to him looking specifically for his perspective, as my coworker is of a different race than I and I am curious to learn of why the races unfortunately still have a lack of trust of each other.  Granted he does not (nor does he proclaim to) represent his race in his philosophic position -- no do I mine for that matter.  But I must recognize that he is probably more in tune to the focus of his race, in that I am sure he has heard more than I ever will about the root nature of the apparent distrust, of those who share his same skin color (once again, as I have mine). 

Please know that at no point was this conversation uncomfortable for either of us as far as I could tell.  We were both properly discussing challenging points of our society, and certainly not blaming each other for our society's ills.  Again this approach was very much appreciated.

So the bottom line here... and relating back to the title of this post...  I asked him what has to change in our society to affect real positive change for our respective races to continue our paths to better understanding each other, and putting aside our differences.

His reply... "A sense of FAIRNESS and RESPONSIBILITY!"

Fairness: Our government and our corporations have to really learn to be impartial, truly blind to race, creed, age, sex etc...  This applies to equal pay and opportunity for equally skilled individuals but more importantly in our government's (Local, City, State, Federal) enforcement of our country's laws!   We are a nation of LAWs not privilege.

Responsibility:  People have to stop being "Victims" or "Entitled" we need to be responsible for our actions no matter who we are, where we live, what color we are, what education we have, and how much money we make.  And understand that we are of our own making, we can make our lives better, we do not have to depend on others to hand it to us, nor do we deserve anything... we have to earn it, always!

I thought this perspective intriguing... I could see it... hell I've bitched about it too!  I think most of us have.  Every time we see a politician (regardless of party) not held accountable for the same laws they write.  Every time we watch a Charlatan, Hypocrite, Media  Narcissist the likes of Jessy and Al claim a cause that is truly not the case simply to intimidate and line their pockets... we all lose faith.  Every time those entrusted in our protection abuse that power and intimidate those in lesser social circles... we lose our faith.

And finally every time we watch a Professional Athlete, a Rock Star, Rap Star, or Movie Star get let off of a crime committed simply because of "Who They Are"... we lose faith... in the system we've collectively agreed to be governed by.  Fairness is paramount!  That is why JUSTICE is to be BLIND, it is to make no prejudice outside of the acute facts.

So when I see a judge make a ruling that Paris Hilton is not "Entitled" to softer treatment than that of a "Regular Joe - or Joanne" and she will serve time for her blatant disregard to following the laws of this land because she feels entitled, and above her responsibility... well... it just does my heart good! (although I would have liked to see her have to go immediately.)

It is events like these that cause me to look back on my challenging conversation that Friday, and recognize that yeah, it's minor in the grand scheme of things, but hell, its a start and if we continue down this path, we might stand a chance. 

Jus Say'n

Dangerous Directive Issued to Army Bloggers!

This is very disturbing...  From Blackfive, one of the best voices representing today's military interests in not just the blogosphere but the mass market.

The END of Military Blogging

5/2/2007 8:51:01 AM [blackfive@gmail.com (Pundit Review Radio)] 

The most excellent Noah Shachtman of Wired's Danger Room has a great article with lots of milblogger reaction to the new OPSEC regulations that will end military blogging as we know it.  Yes, that's right - the end of soldier blogging from the war zones. 

Army Squeezes Soldier Blogs, Maybe to Death
Noah Shachtman Email 05.02.07 | 2:00 AM 

The U.S. Army has ordered soldiers to stop posting to blogs or sending personal e-mail messages, without first clearing the content with a superior officer, Wired News has learned. The directive, issued April 19, is the sharpest restriction on troops' online activities since the start of the Iraq war. And it could mean the end of military blogs, observers say. 

Military officials have been wrestling for years with how to handle troops who publish blogs. Officers have weighed the need for wartime discretion against the opportunities for the public to personally connect with some of the most effective advocates for the operations in Afghanistan and Iraq -- the troops themselves. The secret-keepers have generally won the argument, and the once-permissive atmosphere has slowly grown more tightly regulated. Soldier-bloggers have dropped offline as a result... 

Read the whole piece.

What makes this OPSEC especially disturbing is that, good, factual first hand accounts are coming out of Iraq not via the Mainstream Media, rather from grunts in the field.  Their perspective is not sensationalistic bovine scatology, it is sincere commentary of the events they see happening all around them, put in the perspective not of some ideologue with an argument to make, but of a person who volunteered to serve our country in its best interest.  Often times it is made clear by these "milbloggers" that life is indeed difficult in theater.  Enforced more often than not by an air of sincere emotional editorial about the loss of... not a KIA statistic... but of a friend, a brother in arms, a poker buddy, the unit comedian.  Is this death leveraged for political purpose? No.  The loss is personal and conveys more power in its integrity than a New York Times embed could ever even fathom. 

This first person accounting of the War in Iraq and Afghanistan is not simply serving to titillate readers.  Not in the least.  It serves a much greater purpose, it informs the electorate in this Republic of information we need to make informed decisions, often times without the political axe to grind.   

I have said time and time again that I will more trust the unfettered words of a boot on the ground who may barely know the difference between a noun and a verb, but is willing to put his thoughts and observations out there for all of us to see through his eyes; the horrors, the glories, the humor, the sadness, and the compassion of war... Yep, I'll trust that perspective much more than a paid "J-school" trained "Journalist." God help us if we have to solely depend on CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, the NYT, Reuters, AP or yes even Fox as our eyes and ears on the ground in these conflicts. 

So yes, the new OPSEC regulations are misguided, and dangerous to the United States Mission in Iraq and Afghanistan.  And I fully concur with the prophetic thoughts expressed by Matt of Blackfive at last year's MilBlog conference (video captured here and WELL WORTH THE VIEW!) 

"If the Army restricts bloggers, all you will have are pissed-off dissident bloggers who are willing to take a risk...every Article-15  schlep will be blogging and all of the guys in this room who are trying to get the stories out, will not.  That'll be the end."

Spyware Bill Equates to a Good Start

But it needs more teeth!

In a report today on Market Watch:

                

Spyware bill gains momentum              

By Ruth Mantell, MarketWatch

Last Update: 2:40 PM ET May 2, 2007

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Consumers may get federal protection from computer criminals who steal their personal information as Congress seeks to safeguard the growing Internet commerce market.

On Wednesday, members of the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary approved by voice vote to favorably report the "Internet Spyware Prevention Act of 2007" -- without any amendments -- to the House floor, pushing it one step closer to becoming law. A day before, the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security approved the bill.

"Spyware is a serious and growing problem for American consumers and businesses. Thieves are using spyware to harvest personal information such as Social Security numbers and credit-card numbers for use in a variety of criminal enterprises," said U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., at the subcommittee hearing.

Spyware is a program placed in a computer through the Internet used to gather information about the computer's user -- without the user's knowledge. In 2006, consumers spent $2.6 billion trying to block or remove spyware from their computers, according to testimony at the hearing.

The act would impose a prison sentence of up to 5 years for using spyware in committing another federal crime, and up to a 2-year sentence for hacking into a computer and altering its security settings or obtaining personal information with the intent to defraud or injure the person or damage a computer.

5 years and 2 years?  That's all?   No! No! No! If you really want to put a dent into spyware, identity theft, phishing etc. the penalty has to be MUCH MORE severe!  I'm talking minimum (not "up to") 15 and 10 respectively.  And preferably in a cell with a 400lb overly amorous twidget lover named "Goober-Joe-Bob" who prefers to go by the name "Snookums"!

Seriously!  Great start, but please put some frigg'n teeth into it!  Make the threat of punishment for such a destructive act actually a deterrent to these predators!