Carmichael's Position

US Marines Not Welcomed in Berkeley California

I put this on the Tailhook Daily Briefing also:

"The Marines don't belong here, they shouldn't have come here, and they should leave..." 

This is not a quote from some Afghani rebel, or some Iraqi insurgent.  No, these are the words of the MAYOR! of Berkeley California (still a United States city last I checked...)

Seriously though, is anyone really surprised by this? 

From the Contra Costa Times:

Berkeley Council Says Marine Recruiting Center is not Welcome

BERKELEY, Calif.—Local officials in this liberal city say it's time for the U.S. Marines to move out.

The City Council voted 8-1 Tuesday to tell the Marines their downtown recruiting station is not welcome and "if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome guests."...

Not surprising to many readers of my site, our Marines are pretty accustomed to the status of "Uninvited and Unwelcomed Guests". Seldom however is this the prevailing opinion anywhere between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans! 

But wait there's more!

...In a separate item, the council voted, also 8-1, to give protest group Code Pink a parking space in front of the recruiting office once a week for six months and a free sound permit for protesting once a week.

..."I believe in the Code Pink cause. The Marines don't belong here, they shouldn't have come here, and they should leave," said Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates....

I commented on another of my favorite blogger's site on this subject, "Wouldn't this equate to giving a 'Reserved' parking space to the Neo-Nazis outside of a synagogue?

The entire Bay Area of the great state of California has melded into a melting pot of pacifists and the more vile, "passive aggressive's" toward those who CHOOSE to defend the freedoms we all enjoy in our great nation.

Must be nice to relax in the Barko-Lounger of freedom provided by those who serve!  And then snipe at those who do!

But alas I would not worry about our Brother's in Green.  They are fairly used to, and conditioned to be amidst Hostile Situations!

I think Chesty said it best:

It is a good thing our Marines understand Semper Fidelis because the self proclaimed intellectuals of Berkeley obviously need to study up on their Latin.

Good Night Chesty Wherever You Are...

Illegal Immigrants to Receive Rebate Funds Too! Remember Folks, You Read it Here First!

Remember last week when I was a bit critical of our Lawmakers use of the word "REBATE" referring to the economic stimulus handout coming not to soon to a mailbox near you?  [Link] I said, fully intending it to be somewhat tongue in cheek,

"For those who did not pay any income tax, you will be receiving a "Hand-Out" of $300.00 negotiated by the "Government knows best" Socialist Democratic Party Leaders Infamous.  As a purchase of your vote in the upcoming election.  Negotiations are still in process to insure that all "Undocumented Residents" are compensated as well (remember, your vote matters too!)..."

I meant that as a somewhat sarcastic stab at our nation's Socialist Democrat party and their willingness to "Accept" not just "Tolerate" every special interest known to man and beast (and vegetable and mineral... many of which are voting members of the Democrat party too.) And cater accordingly.

Well, fast forward to today and the following headline from the Politico:

Lou Dobbs alert: Illegal immigrants may get rebates

"In their bipartisan zeal to quickly cut a deal on an economic stimulus bill, GOP lawmakers overlooked something that will certainly inflame the conservative base _ illegal immigrants could receive a tax rebate check from the government.

The text of the House passed bill contains language making "non resident aliens"  -illegal immigrants-  ineligible for the tax rebates. But every year, hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants use individual taxpayer identification numbers, known as ITINs, to file income tax returns with the IRS. These ID numbers are used instead of Social Security numbers. There are no exact statistics for how many illegal immigrants file tax returns, but this New York Times story from last year details the significant increase in use of ITINs.  This story also lays out the issue.

Immigration advocates point out that many legal immigrants use ITINs, so it would be impossible to outlaw rebates for everyone who uses this form of ID in tax returns.

And our Colorado Representative Ken Salazar expressed the following, illustrating his complacency relating to Illegal Immigration in the United States:

"The reality is that those who filed a tax return will be eligible" for tax rebates of $600 to $1,200, said Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.). "This [issue] has not been addressed" by the senators writing the bill.

Wow!  This is screwed up in so many ways!   A humorous metaphor escapes me.

Gene Pool Flotsam

What's wrong with this picture?  Other than... These guys are probably Engineering Students!  (Reminds me of one of my best friend's college roommate and how he heated the bathtub!)

HT: REX

But I Do My Best Work In There!

I've be told before, that I do my best work sittn' on the porcelain throne!  I'm pretty sure those who offered that opinion did not mean it as a complement.  But in reality I think many would be surprised how many "Innovative Ideas" were arrived at as a result of a few minutes of semi-uninterrupted "Private Time".

So I had to laugh today upon hearing about a Plaque Brad Feld, the Primary VC at my former company NewsGator, paid to have installed at a Bathroom in one of the University of Colorado's new buildings.

Brad contributed $25,000 to have the honor of a restroom in the University of Colorado Alliance for Technology, Learning and Society, (ATLAS) building named after him.  The Plaque reads:

"The best ideas often come at inconvenient times. Don't ever close your mind to them."

I like that... Brad continues to do things that, usually when we are drinking with our buddies, many of us simply talk about doing .  Action! 

Investor buys naming rights to University of Colorado restroom

BOULDER, Colo.—Venture capitalist Brad Feld hopes that using the men's room named in his honor will be an inspirational experience.

... Feld, managing director at Foundry Group and Mobius Venture Capital, both based in Boulder, said he wanted a plaque "to inspire people as they walk in to do their business."

Some of his best ideas have come while he's on the toilet or in the shower, he said. "It's a good time to reflect. It's a quiet moment."

That last sentence is debatable in certain circumstances, but otherwise...

I tell you... All the more reason to find a idea or invention that you can take to market to become EXTREMELY WEALTHY!!!  So you can do these types of things.  I'm just not sure which breeds which? Does money breed eccentricity or the other way around?

Time for me to think this through a bit... pass the prunes!

Vocabulary Lesson!... "REBATE"

re·bate  (rbt)

• n.  A deduction from an amount to be paid or a return of part of an amount given in payment.
• A partial refund following a purchase.
• : a return of a part of a payment
• n 1: a refund of some fraction of the amount paid [syn:discount]

Ok those definitions are gathered from 4 separate and distinct sources across the net.  Not one of the definitions or thesaurus look-ups connects the word Rebate with "Hand-Out".

Functionally the word rebate by definition implies discount on amount previously paid or due to be paid!

So how in the hell can the giving -- That's right "GIVING" -- $300.00 to people who did not pay one dime (or were they expected to!) toward an Income Tax be described as a REBATE!!!!

Tax Rebates Deal Announced

Individuals who pay income taxes would get up to $600, working couples $1,200 and those with children an additional $300 per child under the agreement. Workers who make at least $3,000 but don't pay taxes would get $300 rebates.

Quit parsing words you elected twits!  The proper statement would and should be:

Tax Rebate and Welfare Hand-Out Announced

American Income Tax payers (not those evil rich and corporations from whom our paychecks come from...) will be receiving a $600.00 Rebate on their 2007 income tax.  And an additional $300.00 per miniature "House Ape" you decided to conceive.

Albeit not a fair percentage based on the amount of what each individual actually contributed to the government coffers; No...  rather an arbitrary amount established by "We-not-the people" to allow the bourgeoisie to acquire a new xBox 360, iPhone or similar device (maybe two!). 

For those who did not pay any income tax, you will be receiving a "Hand-Out" of $300.00 negotiated by the "Government knows best" Socialist Democratic Party Leaders Infamous.  As a purchase of your vote in the upcoming election.  Negotiations are still in process to insure that all "Undocumented Residents" are compensated as well (remember, your vote matters too!)

This will serve to stimulate our already prosperous economy for at least a couple of days in May and June 2008 when we have long forgotten that the Dow Industrials lost a few hundred points for a few days in January (which, the savvy investor recognized as equating to nothing more than his favorite components going on SALE! And purchased as many new stocks as he could.)  Alas it was certainly not reported this way by the hyper-sensationalistic-sky-is-falling pinko liberal economically ignorant free media outlets!

My God!  How can we expect to advance as a country when we Marketeeringly Spin everything we say!  If it looks like crap, smells like crap, squishes like crap... it's the AMERICAN WAY!

Taking Donations!

I'm making it official, to anyone who would like to contribute, I will be glad to accept your donations to the "Let's Send John Into Space" fund!  The "Let's Make Sure He Stays There" fund is different!  We have about a year and a half to raise the funds! 

All I need is $200,000 +/- not sure what £100,000 currently converts to... I'm only about $200,000 short right now.

Hell, I promise to even write about my trip! It's sure to thrill my dozens of readers!   If you're really nice I might even publish pictures!!!

Here's the story from "This is London"

"The Virgin Galactic spacecraft, which was being unveiled in New York today, is already under construction. Test flights are expected to begin in June, with commercial flights starting 12 months later."

...Once the mother ship reaches 50,000 feet, which was the cruising altitude of Concorde, the spaceship is released and its rocket is fired, accelerating the craft up to 2,500mph, and taking it to 110km, officially making its passengers astronauts.

If you would like to find an address to contribute to or if the fine folks at Virgin Galactic would like to offer up a trip for a "Regular Joe" or "Regular John" in this case(coffee and Raisin Bran will help with being defined as 'Regular') just leave your interest in contributing in the comments section.  I'll reply in private.  Or maybe in public... we'll see!

Continuing Education

I'm pretty much a generalist.  I kind of wade knee deep through the kiddie-pool of knowledge that exists on this earth.

Do I consider myself a smart man?  Yeah I guess so... Knowledgeable???  Well, depends on the topic.  Knowing that the times I've considered myself an idiot can fill an encyclopedic volume!  So one of my goals this year is to expand my knowledge in a number of arenas.  Now,  "expand"  means exploring ideas and experiences I have little prior knowledge of, as well as dig a bit deeper into those areas I do.  Hopefully in this pursuit, I will become a better person.  For myself and those whom I interact with.

I am looking this way due to a number of recent changes in my world where I am feeling more and more behind the curve.

Some changes in the last year:

• New House (first time ever purchasing a house for me)
• New Wife (same chick for the past 10 years...formalized it!)
• New Job (Working for a previous boss, in a new industry!)
• Became Editor and continue to write for a Blog for a fairly well known Naval Aviation Association

On top of this I still want to remain proficient in:

• Racquetball (Less whelts more aces!)
• Golf (it can wait until the temperature outside reaches par at least!)
• Pool (Our team is in the running to go to Nationals if we can get through a couple of qualifier rounds)
• Photography (I now have a copy of Photoshop CS3 on my computer!)
• Writing (The three blogs I work with - soon to be four-- ought to suffice)
• Aviation History (add to that getting back model building)
• Now (frigg'n) HALO!  Damn Tommy!

And now adding to those: 

• I need to read more
• History
• Management
• Leadership (NOT synonymous with the previous term)
• Entertainment (heheh not just Clancy!)
• Philosophy (Covered the works of Epictetus)
• Need to DO more around the house! Projects include:
• Finish my basement
• Media room
• Pool Table
• Bedroom
• Bathroom
• Learn more about wood working and other construction stuff (would probably help with the basement stuff!)
• Back to the GYM!  Gett'n flabby!  Well for me anyway!  And I have no plans on cutting back on my eating!

So what's the problem?  Outside of time and money?... NO GOALS SET!

I have strayed too far away from my Goal and task lists!  When I detail what I need to do (by when!-- that makes it a goal!) I usually am much more productive and efficient!  Proved today when I felt a bit overwhelmed by my workload and the number of projects that I am juggling, kind of lost the bubble on the status of each.  I took the time to write down... that's right the old fashion way... with pencil and legal pad!... the tasks I needed to accomplish today.  It was 20+ entries long.   All are complete as of now!  That is not to say more tasks were not created for tomorrow and future dates, there are now more due to today's business operations and unexpected surprises.  But writing them down helps!

Right now, I am beginning to expand my horizons by reading a number of books,

• Entertainment = Act of Treason by Vince Flynn
• Leadership= It's Your Ship by Captain Michael Abrashoff (I Highly Recommend this one!)
• And finally an author requested I review a book of his on the Battle of Midway, which I'll identify in another article, probably over on
The Tailhook Daily Briefing.

So excuse me while I write some more stuff down! 

Blue Angels Coming Back To Colorado This Year!

I know it is only January, but I definitely have reason to look forward to September now!

The Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron will be once again performing at Grand Junction's Walker Field.  I know what I'll be doing the weekend of September 27-28!  I'll probably be part of the Colorado Tailhook Association contingent expected to be there in force.  And certainly partaking in the already planned 7th annual Cattle Barons BBQ at Hans and Kathy's!

Looks like some good old regular stops have also returned to the flight schedule for this season; MCAS Miramar for one, the aforementioned Grand Junction (which if you haven't been there is a great venue to watch the Blues!) and for many, probably one of the biggest surprises is the return of the Blue Angels to San Francisco (Oct. 11-12), where every year the opposition to the annual performance gains a louder and louder voice.  However, by most factual accounting that voice is of an extremely vocal Anti-Military borderline Anti-American minority.  Damn Commies!

Anyway, as always the Blue Angles demonstrate some of the highest quality flying one will ever have the opportunity to experience.  I say "experience" because you feel as much as see the flight demo!  Six F/A-18C's in "Full Blower" flying 18 inches (THAT'S RIGHT NOT A TYPO 18 INCHES) apart is awe inspiring and heart pounding!

So if you have never been, I cannot recommend enough to find a show nearest you and bring the friends and family!  I do recommend that your kids be a minimum of 8 or 9 for their attention span.  Also, is is commonly HOT! out on the apron with little to no shade, so bring sunscreen, dress cool and wear a hat (wide brims recommended)!

 

Here's the show schedule:

MARCH

08          NAF El Centro, California
15 - 16   Sacramento, California
29 - 30   NAS Meridian, Mississippi

APRIL

05 - 06   NAS Kingsville, Texas
12 - 13   Smyrna, Tennessee
19 - 20   Peoria, Illinois
26 - 27   Vidalia, Georgia

MAY

10 - 11   Barksdale AFB, Bossier City, Louisiana
16 - 18   Andrews AFB, Maryland
21          USNA, Annapolis, Maryland
23          USNA Fly-By, Annapolis, Maryland
24-25     Jones Beach, New York

JUNE

07 - 08   MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina
14 - 15   Quebec City
21 - 22   Davenport, Iowa
28 - 29   Huntsville, Alabama

JULY

05 - 06   Traverse City, Michigan
12          Pensacola Beach, Florida
19 - 20   Duluth, Minnesota
26 - 27   Twin Falls, Idaho

AUGUST

02 - 03   Seattle, Washington
08 - 10   Fairchild AFB, Spokane, Washington
16 - 17   Chicago, Illinois
30          Cleveland, Ohio

SEPTEMBER

01          Cleveland, Ohio
06 - 07   NAS Brunswick, Maine
13 - 14   Eau Claire, Wisconsin
20 - 21   NAS Oceana, Virginia
27 - 28   Grand Junction, Colorado

OCTOBER

04 - 05   MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California
11 - 12   San Francisco, California
18 - 19   Little Rock, AFB, Arkansas
25 - 26   NAS Jacksonville, Florida

NOVEMBER

01 - 02   Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas
08 - 09   Kennedy Space Center, Florida
15          NAS Pensacola, Florida

Schedule is subject to change without notice and is
weather permitting, for everyone's safety.

 

The Future of Screen Interaction Technology

Computer,TV, HDDVD, what ever your poison, this is the next technological step in the process.

http://www.perceptivepixel.com/

Video:

We are already seeing advanced touch screen technology in Apple iPhones and iPods and Microsoft's Surface.  But expect the explosion over the next coupla!  Find your investments where you can!

JungleGrub is Now in Costco!

Now there is something to cheer about!

Many of you know I have been assisting Steve and Teresa Brandt, the founders of Organic Nutrition mostly in the form of some gentle business cheerleading and encouragement as well as building the JungleGrub News Blog for them. 

Well through Steve's dedication and perseverance JungleGrub Snack Bars are now available a select COSTCO stores in Southern California (sorry to the rest of my national readership... although I'm sure Steve and "T" won't mind if you go to your local COSTCO manager and request they too begin to stock JungleGrub... just say'n).

 

For those of you who do not know...

JungleGrub Snack Bars are the brain child of Steve and Teresa Brandt, two exceptionally brilliant and determined people!  And these bars are AWESOME!

           

What's so special about JungleGrub? 

Well, for starters... these bars were from the ground up created with kids in mind! That's why they are certified USDA organic.

That means nothing has been genetically altered or fed growth hormones and of course grown without the use of pesticides.  Bottom line - its straight forward food. When you see the USDA logo it should put you at ease that you won’t find things like High Fructose Corn Syrup in the ingredients.

And unlike other nutritional snack bars these do not taste like the bottom of your Gym Shoe with the texture of a Roofing Shingle!  No!  JungleGrub is sweet, fruity, appetizing and best of all easy to eat!  When you bite into a JungleGrub you can actually sink your teeth into one... you don't have to take out insurance on your teeth as you try to visegrip your way through them!

The other cool thing about JungleGrub is that each bar is currently only 100 calories!  That equates to just 15 minutes bowling, 30 minutes playing Frisbee, 18 minutes golfing or playing 13 hands of cards.  More importantly these bars help you accomplish these types of activities rather than require these types of activities!

For example, here's the nutritional label for Berry Bamboozle (my favorite)

More details can be found here: Link

So if you happen to live in So Cal and want to try some of these outstanding bars for yourself, or get some for your kids... BTW... They are great Lunchbox stuffers and Gym Bag stuffers for those of you pursuing your New Year's Resolutions!... Just head on down to your closest Costco on the date listed below and visit the JungleGrub Endcap!  You could even meet Steve and "T"!

PLEASE COME AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO BUY PRODUCT AND SUPPORT THE EVENTS!

• Week 1 January 3rd – 6^th
• Location: San Juan Capistrano
• Address: 33961 Doheny Park Rd,
• San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
• http://www.priceviewer.com/costco_locations/429-California.html
• Week 2 January 10th – 13th
• Location: Tustin 2 (there are 2 stores in Tustin)
• Address: 2700 Park Ave,
• Tustin, CA 92782
• [no link available for this new store]
• Week 3 January 17th-20th
• Location: Laguna Market Place
• Address: 27220 Heather Ridge Rd.,
• Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
• http://www.priceviewer.com/costco_locations/690-California.html
• Week 4 January 24th-27th
• Location: Irvine
• Address: 115 Technology Dr,
• Irvine, CA 92618
• http://www.priceviewer.com/costco_locations/454-California.html

For those of you not in SoCal, JungleGub is also available on Amazon.com [LINK].

Touching...

Go here: http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2008/01/andy-olmsted.html

Read ALL of it! 

"Vista continues to improve..." Duh, can't help but to!

From my friend Glenn Berry from his Blog "Glen Berry's SQL Server Performance"...

If you are running Windows Vista, you should consider applying these two updates from Microsoft.

First is the December 2007 Windows Vista Application Compatibility Update that fixes lots of issues with 3rd party and Microsoft applications.  Second is "An update that improves the performance, responsiveness, and reliability of Windows Vista is available", which fixes issues with hibernation and improves disk I/O performance (by up to 15%).

Windows Vista continues to improve and mature.

Duh...  It can't help but to improve!  Am I going to download the updates?  You bet!  Like a cancer patient going to Mexico in hopes of the miracle cure, I am praying that the upgrade will miraculously convert my OS to XP or MAC OS "Leopard"! And like those desperate afflicted souls, I too am anticipating I will be disappointed in the outcome, and my Vista infliction will continue.  Hmmm, wonder what the side effects will be?  

In this political year where perception is EVERYTHING!  Microsoft is losing the Perception War of quality and usability.  Hell, Window's ME is looking appealing compared to Vista!  I have been, as well as thousands of others, very frustrated with "Vista."  It is cumbersome, slow, hogs the RAM, and I too have run into numerous incompatibility problems relating to installation and reinstallation of various software applications! 

I just bought a Toshiba Satellite X205 T7100 1.8 w/2 gig of RAM.  It has Vista Home Premium on it.  Ohhh for XP!  I have a severe case of "Buyer's Remorse," and I'm telling you my next computer acquisition is going to be a MAC!  If I'm going to have to relearn an OS, it might as well be a GOOD OS!

I KNEW IT!!!!!.... I Just Knew It!

They are NOT Exempt!!!!

Myth Busters to the rescue again!

HT: Grouchy Old Cripple (a site worth the daily visit!  Not just for the "Saturday Boobage"... of course that doesn't hurt none neither now does it!)

Would this be an "Apple iPoo'd" ?

Sorry Bored...  Oh and what ever you do... DON'T CLICK THIS LINK!