Carmichael's Position

Recognized for CUTTING DOWN the US FLAG?!!!

Damn Right!

Somewhere I missed this story when it happened back in October... Of course I could have been doing something else at the time... like "getting married."

But here's the poop for those others of you who missed the story.   Evidently an establishment in the Reno NV area was flying a Mexican flag OVER the US flag!  Supposedly the shop owner was flying the flags in this manner as a form of solidarity in the wake of raids on 11 area McDonald's restaurant leading to the arrest of more than 50 undocumented workers.

The flag flying garnered the attention of the local media and a news crew was dispatched to "get to the bottom" of things (and probably provide an excellent soapbox for the shop owner's protest).  Well what the News Crew captured that day was certainly unexpected... but in YHS view heart warming!  Here's the video: [link]

That's Army Veteran Jim Brossard taking ACTION!  That flag and what it represents deserves respect!  And men like Brossard recognize this, they've fought for our honor and still do!  There is NOTHING wrong with being an AMERICAN!  We do not have to apologize and constant Kowtow to every slap in the face we receive.  Yes the store owner has every right to mount a protest, but flying the American Flag in the United States in this fashion is Illegal!... for a reason! 

"If I hadn't done that, then I'm afraid it wouldn't have gotten done," he said. "I was ready and fully willing to accept any consequences, legally or any other, that might have come in my direction."

And I'm with Jim in that I think if you are willing to treat Old Glory without respect, you've lost your privilege to have her!

And it looks like the members of the USS Intrepid Association feel the same way... Because in a small ceremony Jim Brossard was presented with another US Flag, one that has flown proudly over the USS Intrepid.

GERALDA MILLER
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 11/21/2007

Veterans who served on the U.S.S. Intrepid aircraft carrier presented Jim Brossard with a certificate and flag for cutting down a U.S. flag that was flying beneath a Mexican flag at a Reno bar.

"To fly the American flag underneath the Mexican flag, it just defies everything," said Wayne Erven, West Coast representative of the U.S.S. Intrepid Association Inc. "Our flag goes on top. That's the honor we give our flag."

Erven of Pleasanton, Calif., gave Brossard the appreciation Tuesday at the James D. Hoff Peace Officer Memorial in Idlewild Park.  (Photo Caption:  Wayne Erven, center, prepares to give a flag that flew over the U.S.S. Intrepid in New York earlier this year to Jim Brossard, left. Looking on at right is Daryl Saldausky of Reno. Erven and Saldausky are members of the U.S.S. Intrepid Association Inc. Photo Credit: David B. Parker/RGJ)

"To go and pull that down, you've got more guts than brains maybe," Erven told Brossard.

And I find it also disturbing that...

Bob Fulkerson, state director for the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, said Brossard does not deserve to be rewarded for stealing property.

Uh... Try the word "Rescuing" or "Protecting the Honor of..." there Bob!

"I think what they're doing is rewarding criminal behavior, and they're rewarding violent behavior," Fulkerson said. "To me, that goes against our Constitution. That goes against the values of our country."

Uh... Yeah.... Well I guess I should consider the source...

Bravo Zulu Mr. Brossard!

Uuuuh Raaah!

Watch... You'll know!

 

Video link for those using aggregators to read Carmichael's Position . [Link]

HT: Giorgio

Yep... I Remember '94

"24" if it were filmed in '94! [Video Link]

That's nothing... Try reading Red Storm Rising now...  and to think, DVD was still 2 years away!

Ok, But How's a Sierra Hotel Fighter Pilot Supposed to Pick Up Babes with That Thing?

 

I mean really, outside of the Flight Suit, the hottest thing going for your properly decked out "Fighter Jock" is his (and it's hot on "her" too) helmet!  Remember "Mav"?  Well hell, Topgun would have had a whole different look to it with this thing....

 

Or the Blues "Cool Dude" dome cover...

 

probably more like something... well like this...

Oh sure... the technology is probably stellar (I mean being able to see through the floor is pretty damn cool...)!  But damn it... we're talking fighter pilot's egos here!  One must realize how fragile these guys can be.  Now the "Attack Guys" they probably have no problem at all with these helmets, after all Attack Guys had charm and character to fall back on.

But with Today's F/A community where the communities have blurred, and the Gemini (duality of man) nature of things it will be a tough fashion trend to cope with... I guess the rearview mirrors on the canopy rails will be focused outside the cockpit from here on out.

Haven't Posted Too Many Photos Lately... Here's a Dose

Been awhile since I've posted some pics... So here's a few random selections from fall here in Colorado.

Above... 2 views from my "Guest Bedroom" window.  Below... a view of the National League Colorado Rockies Rally in Downtown Denver from my former offices.

And a few of Sunsets...

 

New Gig at NuEnergen

Yesterday was my first day at NuEnergen.  And as with any new beginning it was mostly dedicated to establishing the infrastructure required to do my job; e-mail, IM, phone, "Where's the Head" you know the important things.

This looks like it is going to be a great experience.  Already I am digging into our contractual arrangements with our customers so I can insure we are taking care of them operationally.  We've got some great names in that corral.

Which leads me to answer the question many of you have asked of me.  What does NuEnergen (and you) do?

NuEnergen is an Energy Management Consulting Firm, we specialize in

• Energy Procurement
• Demand Response
• Renewable Energy Certificates

I will be wearing many hats here, primarily I am responsible for taking care of our customers, insuring they receive the service they expect along with the accurate reporting they need.  Oh and of course, the savings we are seeking on energy procurement.  Additionally I will be assisting on everything from Sales & Marketing to our IT and Web needs.  Good thing I won't be too busy!

I'll be writing more about NuEnergen and what we do as the weeks progress, but it is definitely a burgeoning industry and we appear to be in the right markets.  Time will obviously tell.

Many of you who know me are also well aware of my politics, which leads to a few more questions in your minds about "Carbon Footprints" - Green Energy- and Greenhouse Gas reductions and how I fit into that.

More on that to come.  I owe it to a friend of mine to actually dedicate a few more brain cells to addressing the perceived philosophical contradiction. 

Stay tuned...

Hey Al! You Catch'n this? Or is this Information a Bit too... Well... INCONVENIENT?

NASA Sees Arctic Ocean Circulation Do an About-Face
11.13.07

PASADENA, Calif. – A team of NASA and university scientists has detected an ongoing reversal in Arctic Ocean circulation triggered by atmospheric circulation changes that vary on decade-long time scales. The results suggest not all the large changes seen in Arctic climate in recent years are a result of long-term trends associated with global warming.

Yep, from the same NASA you claim as an independent scientific resource.

Reporting in Geophysical Research Letters, the authors attribute the reversal to a weakened Arctic Oscillation, a major atmospheric circulation pattern in the northern hemisphere. The weakening reduced the salinity of the upper ocean near the North Pole, decreasing its weight and changing its circulation.

"Our study confirms many changes seen in upper Arctic Ocean circulation in the 1990s were mostly decadal in nature, rather than trends caused by global warming," said Morison.

"While some 1990s climate trends, such as declines in Arctic sea ice extent, have continued, these results suggest at least for the 'wet' part of the Arctic -- the Arctic Ocean -- circulation reverted to conditions like those prevalent before the 1990s," he added.

Ok folks watch and learn as the Global Warming Extremists take to the airwaves discrediting where they can.  Remember, MAN! is at fault!  100% ALWAYS!!!! 

Why? Because if the gross affect of Global Warming is due to forces outside man's influence or creation... well then there pretty much is no need for a "CAUSE" now is there?  And what do causes gain?  Notoriety and MONEY!  Without cause, both go away. Back to the commune with you now...

Now There's a Milestone the MTV Generation Can be Proud to Call Their Own!

In the news today... from Breitbart.com

U.S. Sets Record in Sexual Disease Cases

ATLANTA (AP) - More than 1 million cases of chlamydia were reported in the United States last year—the most ever reported for a sexually transmitted disease, federal health officials said Tuesday.

"A new U.S. record," said Dr. John M. Douglas Jr. of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More bad news: Gonorrhea rates are jumping again after hitting a record low, and an increasing number of cases are caused by a "superbug" version resistant to common antibiotics, federal officials said Tuesday.

Syphilis is rising, too. The rate of congenital syphilis—which can deform or kill babies—rose for the first time in 15 years.

And yes, I do think our focus on Pop-Culture and the MTV (a)morality code has a lot to do with it.  Does that exonerate individuals from having to accept the responsibility for their actions?  Nope... I'm just not as hopefully optimistic as Dr. Khalil Ghanem when he expressed, "Hopefully we will not see this turn into a trend..."  Yeah... It's probably more of a "Fad." 

Curious... I'm thinking next time I call support, I'm pressing "2" for the "Spanish" help.

I had a problem today with McAfee screwing up my e-mail delivery.  I called Comcast originally who I had to tell what I had read in the various forums about my error message.  Then after not being able to get the problem to reoccur, he forwarded me to McAfee support.  OXYMORONIC!

After getting a hold of Ishtar,  I spent the next 5 minutes spelling Carmichael.

C-A-R-M---- No!...  "C"  No not "P"... "C"  I'm telling you minutes passed in the ol' "Spelling Dance."  Finally he go my name right.  To which he realized that I did indeed have McAfee but I purchased it through Toshiba and not Comcast.  "Yoooll hav to coll a differennt numbah tank you berry much!"

Well that different number started with the recording "Please have your credit card ready... you will be charged $2.14 per minute for McAfee support..."

SAY WHAT!!!!

Nice!  I just paid you for your dumbass virus protection, that is now screwing up my business and to get rectification I need to pay you more for your own screwed up product. 

Of course if any of the support guys are reading this, their first accusation of me would be "But you don't know if it was our product, Vista, or Outlook or Comcast screwing things up."  Answer = "Right Sparky!"  But because you have the $2.14/minute work-avoidance message on your support line, you're going to take my flack!

Now back to pressing #2 for Spanish.  I was talking to a buddy of mine at lunch and we came to the conclusion that we'll bet $10.00 that if I pressed #2 for Spanish the dude (or Dude-ette) on the other end of the phone would not only speak pretty good Spanish, but I bet better ENGLISH than Ishtar does! 

Customer Support is what I do, and when you lose sight of your customer... well hell you need to begin losing customers!  Good luck on my re-up McAfee!

Happy Birthday Marine Corps!

If you know a Marine, wish him or her a Happy Birthday today.  They're 232 years old today!

My Departure from NewsGator

As many of you now know tomorrow (11/9/07) marks my final day at NewsGator.  And it is with mixed emotion I greet this milestone.

My tenure at NewsGator began three and a half years ago when, at my weekly pool league, Greg Reinacker innocently enough asked me if I would be willing to work with him as his new idea for bringing RSS Feeds directly into MS Outlook was beginning to catch on.

"What's RSS?" I asked... and after a Sears Tower sized elevator pitch on the concept of NewsGator I said, uh... "Let me think about it..." 

"And... What the hell is a NewsGator?"

Obviously I agreed at some point to take Greg up on his offer.  I reported to work in April of '04 at the lavish 2nd floor office/loft of Greg's house... 

"Hey John, maybe we ought to look into getting you a desk or something to work at huh?... don't worry I have a desk chair you can use..."  Famous words to numb your butt by!

Anyway, NewsGator had begun.  Initially we envisioned an entirely different path than what has resulted now some 3+ years later... "No plan ever survives first contact" and all...  and NEVER survives VC advice! Right, Wrong or Indifferent!  We initially focused on providing a delivery mechanism for Premium "High Quality" full article content from known (and not so well known) publishers and writers.  Yeah that panned out!  Looked good on paper, but having to explain the dynamics of RSS and Feed Subscribing to, well... EVERYONE!... really took some time and creativity.

But for those with vision, the structural part of NewsGator and concept of information organization and access within Outlook as well as a web-based interface was intriguing.  And it was in June of '04 Greg decided to accept VC funding from Brad Feld and the folks at Mobius VC.  Wow!  Funding!

"Hey Greg, can I get another chair?" 

- "Yeah, go ahead and take one from the dining room table"

We then set our sites on expanding our employee count!  Cuz Greg was now having to hob-knob more and program less... We brought Lane into the office/ dining room suite at Casa de Reinacker... Let me tell you, Lane is awesome!  I have met no one better at rapidly sizing up a situation, formulating his assessment, compiling a cogent sentence to describe it, then deliver with properly cadenced inflection, dripping with sarcasm resulting in all around him on the floor with laughter!  We needed it then (and still do today). 

Lane's view of Greg's kitchen, and the "Old Growth Forest that used to be pizza in the refrigerator" was not one to be envied!  I was glad to have the loft, and Greg was happy I had taken to nailing his various '80's posters to his wall, instead of lying on the floor.  I still bet to this day that loft is the only room in his house to have anything hanging from the walls!

"Hey Lane, by the way, would you like an Office Chair instead of the Dining Room chair your in?"  Lane opted against "Iron Butt."  Smart man that Lane!

Over the years we continued to grow and continued to try to identify what we wanted to be when we grew up!  We eventually focused our efforts on an Enterprise Platform utilizing a centralized database of feeds, content, and community relevance data.  And those efforts continue to this day, albeit in much better digs than Greg's house!  And with many more employees!  3 office spaces later and employees numbering close to 70, NewsGator has indeed grown to become an influential player in the "Web 2.0" sandbox! 

As would be expected as employee #1 at a start-up, I have transitioned in roles at NewsGator from, Premium Content Solicitor, to Marketing Evangelist, to Cold Calling Outlook Sales Ferrengi, to Inside Sales Lacky, to Enterprise Sales Exec (securing our first 4 enterprise sales), to Director Client Services taking care of our 70+ Enterprise Customers and 20+(at the time) Private Label Media companies in their pursuit of Web 2.0 (always hated that moniker- lacks panache) initiatives.

Much fun has been had over these years and I am proud to say I was part of this fine team of people.  There is a phenomenal brain trust here and it will be tough to leave these fine folks.  But alas, I must move on my ADD has once again reared its head. 

I bid farewell to "Uncle NewsGator" and set sail for seas unknown, at a new company with familiar faces, in a new industry with boundless opportunity... and I hope a comfortable office chair!

Thanks Greg... it was one hell of a ride!

By the way... I still feel the Logo should have been something like this...

Jungle Grub is Now in the Amazon! .com that is!

That's right!  You all remember my mention about JungleGrub right? If not, go here!  Isn't it most appropriate that a product named "JUNGLE GRUB" is now available from the king of distribution and online retail "AMAZON!" 

Anyway, things are progressing wonderfully at Organic Nutrition, the parent of JungleGrub.  Steve and Teresa Brandt just sent me an e-mail outlining what's happening and what's gunna be happening in the coming months.  Trust me it is SUPER Exciting!!!  Sorry I cannot divulge everything here, some is still company confidential... heheh amazingly enough I'm included in that circle!  Nyah... Nyah.... I know a secret!

But what is not a secret, and should be yelled from the highest of our 14ers here in Colorado and even the 102 footer in Florida, is that Jungle Grub is now available on Amazon.com!!!

This is a HUGE success for Jungle Grub!  And should not be surprising to anyone who has tried either Berry Bamboozle or Peanut Butter Groove!  Well if you haven't tried either of these fine 100 calorie nutritious treats, you need to do yourself and your kids a favor... go here and buy yourself a box or 10!

Here is the URL for you to share with your friends...

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_seeall_2/002-1994505-0208864?ie=UTF8&rs=&keywords=jungle%20grub&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ajungle%20grub%2Ci%3Agrocery

Also, be sure to leave your favorable comments on the Amazon site, it certainly helps!  Having good product reviews on their website will help encourage people who have not had the opportunity to taste the bars (poor dears!) Taste is the most difficult feature to express in marketing a food product. Personal testimonials and recommendations provide people with 3^rd  party opinions and credibility.  So get to work!

And most of all, THANK YOU! 

Way to go Steve and "T"!!!!

This is why I have problems with how the "War" is reported.

I'm sure the AP, CNN, NBC the NYT and the usual suspects in the media were as giddy as a 5 year old waiting for Santa's visit on Christmas, waiting in grotesquely eager anticipation for the number 853 to arrive!  Knowing they would be able to publish the following headline!

"2007 Is Deadliest Year for US in Iraq"

BAGHDAD (AP) - The U.S. military on Tuesday announced the deaths of five more soldiers and one sailor, making 2007 the deadliest year for U.S. troops despite a recent downturn, according to an Associated Press count.

At least 853 American military personnel have died in Iraq so far this year—the highest annual toll since the war began in March 2003, according to AP figures.

The grim milestone passed despite a sharp drop in U.S. and Iraqi deaths here in recent months...

"Sharp Drop..." here's just how sharp! [From the Department of Defense]

 

And I might add that is with a significant increase in the number of Americans in country beginning in June!  Remember the much criticized "Surge" that had failed according to "Give-up" Harry?

Why the drop off?  Well it would appear based on IED explosions (what killed the 5 that triggered the "Headline Alarm!") the US and coalition forces have begun to succeed in their efforts to get to the cowards before they get to us!

Yes, it is truly tragic to have lost 853 Americans in the efforts to bring freedom to the people of Iraq, but to leverage their deaths to advance the questionable slant of the left and their media lap-dogs is a disgrace!

Look at the "Trend!"  our efforts are dramatically IMPROVING!!! or would that be detrimental to the nay-sayers and surrenderists? 

Now, excuse me... I have to go lick my cat's butt to get this taste out of my mouth!

Jury Duty

Dozens of minutes of raw boredom interrupted by seconds of intense boredom!  I'm sitting in the jury staging room with a couple hundred others waiting to hear my name called by the 20 something paralegal at the podium.  And this is just the first selection process.  If picked here I advance to the minor leagues where I have the pleasure of being interviewed by the two vultures... er I mean lawyers.

Yep, this looks like its going to take awhile.  At least I get to listen to the every 5 minute phone call placed by the all too considerate, borderline Tourette afflicted, divorce fodder mother in row 7, bitch about her deadbeat-lying-sumbitch!

Find entertainment where you can...

Ain't iPhones great!

More to come... I'm sure!

Uh.... What the..... Marketeering Gone Nutty?

This is what happens when you let "Marketing" run "Product Development!"

Why I Love Ben Stein

Looks like I have a book to buy...

-Nuff Said...

I Don't Care What Party You're Affiliated With... This is Funny!

HT to Jerah for the following:

Video Link for the above: [Link]

And for those of you un-initiated on the "Chocolate Rain" reference Obama makes in the spoof above... I provide the following... holding your dogs ears is highly recommended!

[Chocolate Rain Vid Link]