Marching Post

I've Moved

2008-02-08T19:27:00.000-08:00

I have switched over to WordPress. I felt I needed something more powerful and have outgrown Blogger. It was good while it lasted, though.

Marching Post

Updates

2008-02-08T09:38:00.000-08:00

Well, I thought I'd get a quick post written before my Solid Mechanics class(Oh, the fun that is Mechanical Engineering). I'm thinking of moving over to WordPress. It seems more professional and I have commenting and statistics all in one place, which is nice. And since they'll convert all of my Blogger posts, it should be easy. I'm looking into it, so nothing definite at this point.

Midwinter Formal is coming up tomorrow, so I'll probably put some pictures up when I get the chance. I want to start posting more photos on this blog. I've taken up photography as a bit of a hobby and have all kinds of subject matter to cover here at The Institute.

I have run across a couple of my Brother Rats' blogs. They've been added to the blog roll. I'm surprised it took me that long to find one of them, considering he's an electrical engineer and we've been working on our Class' website together. Speaking of which, it should be up and online shortly. I can't wait, because then we can start fussing with it and adding content. I'll keep y'all updated.

Kipling Fridays

2008-01-03T14:28:00.000-08:00

Seems I was a bit off in posting a bit o' Kipling this Friday. Can you forgive me, all 2 of you reading this blog(Hi, Mom!)?

Anchor Song

Heh! Walk her round. Heave, ah, heave her short again!
Over, snatch her over, there, and hold her on the pawl.
Loose all sail, and brace your yards aback and full --
Ready jib to pay her off and heave short all!
Well, ah, fare you well; we can stay no more with you, my love --
Down, set down your liquor and your girl from off your knee;
For the wind has come to say:
"You must take me while you may,
If you'd go to Mother Carey
(Walk her down to Mother Carey!),
Oh, we're bound to Mother Carey where she feeds her chicks at sea!"

Heh! Walk her round. Break, ah, break it out o' that!
Break our starboard-bower out, apeak, awash, and clear!
Port -- port she casts, with the harbour-mud beneath her foot,
And that's the last o' bottom we shall see this year!
Well, ah, fare you well, for we've got to take her out again --
Take her out in ballast, riding light and cargo-free.
And it's time to clear and quit
When the hawser grips the bitt,
So we'll pay you with the foresheet and a promise from the sea!

Heh! Tally on. Aft and walk away with her!
Handsome to the cathead, now; O tally on the fall!
Stop, seize and fish, and easy on the davit-guy.
Up, well up the fluke of her, and inboard haul!
Well, ah, fare you well, for the Channel wind's took hold of us,
Choking down our voices as we snatch the gaskets free.
And it's blowing up for night,
And she's dropping light on light,
And she's snorting under bonnets for a breath of open sea,

Wheel, full and by; but she'll smell her road alone to-night.
Sick she is and harbour-sick -- Oh, sick to clear the land!
Roll down to Brest with the old Red Ensign over us --
Carry on and thrash her out with all she'll stand!
Well, ah, fare you well, and it's Ushant slams the door on us,
Whirling like a windmill through the dirty scud to lee:
Till the last, last flicker goes
From the tumbling water-rows,
And we're off to Mother Carey
(Walk her down to Mother Carey!),
Oh, we're bound for Mother Carey where she feeds her chicks at sea!

Parade

2008-01-02T11:17:00.000-08:00

Fridays at the Mother I, as she is affectionately known, are always a great day. The week is winding to a close, and as soon as each Cadet gets finished with his or her classes, they can look forward to a short break from lectures and labs until Monday. Also, when the whether is good, there is an afternoon parade. Usually much grumbling comes from the throats of each Cadet. One more thing to fill up their already busy schedules. But still, the Corps begins preparations for Parade, except for those who have found a way out of it.

Usually poorly shaven, shoes unshined, belt drooping below the waist, the First Class Private is a master of working the system, The Game as it is referred to by Cadets and Administration alike, and the First Class Private plays the game better than anyone else. But even the most unkempt Cadet makes sure that he can shave using his shoes as a mirror, that his brass could be used to summon aircraft, his drill and rifle manual is crisp and clean, and that his feet are never out of step.

Each Cadet hopes and prays for rain, snow, even some horrible catastrophic event, just so they can hear those magical words over the turn out system: "Parade is cancelled." But to the Corps' chagrin, and despite the best efforts of the rain dancers, the only turn out to be heard is "Parade will form up at 1635 hours." You can't always get what you want and soon enough 1635(4:35 PM) rolls around and every cadet, from Hardcore Alpha to Cold Steel Charlie to Hard Charging Hotel, form up and prepare for an hour of drill and ceremonies.

*More pictures and whatnot after the jump.

Kipling Fridays

2007-11-03T12:21:00.000-07:00

This week it's Tommy. An ode to the love of the military during times of great peril, but in good, peaceful times, the citizenry is filled with a certain antipathy towards the rough men who keep them out from under the yoke of oppression. Just some more Rudyard Kipling to start the weekend off on the right foot. Have a good one.

"I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.

You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!"

Kipling Fridays

2007-10-26T12:17:00.000-07:00

The title of this one is A Ballade of Burial. A little Kipling, if you're interested. I'm a wee bit of a fan, I hope you are, too.

"If down here I chance to die,
Solemnly I beg you take
All that is left of "I"
To the Hills for old sake's sake,
Pack me very thoroughly
In the ice that used to slake
Pegs I drank when I was dry --
This observe for old sake's sake.

To the railway station hie,
There a single ticket take
For Umballa -- goods-train -- I
Shall not mind delay or shake.
I shall rest contentedly
Spite of clamour coolies make;
Thus in state and dignity
Send me up for old sake's sake.

Next the sleepy Babu wake,
Book a Kalka van "for four."
Few, I think, will care to make
Journeys with me any more
As they used to do of yore.
I shall need a "special" brake --
'Thing I never took before --
Get me one for old sake's sake.

After that -- arrangements make.
No hotel will take me in,
And a bullock's back would break
'Neath the teak and leaden skin
Tonga-ropes are frail and thin,
Or, did I a back-seat take,
In a tonga I might spin, --
Do your best for old sake's sake.

After that -- your work is done.
Recollect a Padre must
Mourn the dear departed one --
Throw the ashes and the dust.
Don't go down at once. I trust
You will find excuse to "snake
Three days' casual on the bust."
Get your fun for old sake's sake.

I could never stand the Plains.
Think of blazing June and May
Think of those September rains
Yearly till the Judgment Day!
I should never rest in peace,
I should sweat and lie awake.
Rail me then, on my decease,
To the Hills for old sake's sake."

On Personal Honor

2007-10-18T03:33:00.000-07:00

Many people talk about personal honor; about things like responsibility, trustworthiness, integrity, and the like, but it seems few in this day and age still abide by any kind of personal honor code. The first day as a Rat here and the Virginia Military Institute, you are taught the Honor Code and it is drilled into your head: "A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do." The last part is usually the hardest to abide by. It goes against everything we're taught as humans to turn in our friends, even family members, when they have done wrong. We are all to willing to forgive. The clause against toleration is even harder at The Mother I. The bond between Cadets, especially Brother Rats, is so strong that many are torn between their duty to protect their BRs and to uphold the standards of the Institute, but in the end, the Honor Code wins out.

At The Institute, the Honor Code is sacred. Those found guilty of violating it are immediately excommunicated and cut-off from everything VMI-related. They are escorted off Post and what few personal effects they own are returned to them. It is the only cardinal sin, of which there is no forgiveness, no penance, no punishment with which to absolve yourself of your sins. The only retribution for putting personal gain before personal honor is swift dismissal.

The Code is guarded jealously by the Corps of Cadets, and it's chief administrators are the Honor Court. The Court consists of one President, three Vice Presidents, and two Prosecutors, all of whom are First Classmen. There are also six Assistant Prosecutors, all Second Classmen, who are the primary investigative arm of the Court. And just like any judicial body in the United States there is a jury, selected from the Corps, who make the final decision, based on the evidence presented them, on the guilt of the individual. And should that individual be found guilty, they are immediately dismissed.

Once they are dismissed, the Corps is then informed in the form of a Drum Out. In the days of the Old Corps, the guilty would be brought before the Corps and would be marched down Letcher Avenue(the main thoroughfare through Post) between a line of the Corps and out Limits Gates. But the public humiliation and shame drove far too many guilt-ridden individuals to take their lives before they should be accused of an Honor violation. Now, the Corps is awakened at 3:33 in the morning by the sound of a long drum roll and the lead drummer screaming "Death Before Dishonor!" The Honor Court then marches into the middle of the courtyard of Old Barracks and announces that the guilty has put personal gain above personal Honor and has been dismissed. Their name will never again be mentioned inside the walls of Barracks and they will never again be allowed to set foot on Post.

And while the rest of the world may crumble in its corruption and in the dishonesty of its officials, the Institute soldiers on, set in its ways and upholding those spartan values which have proven to be so important in life.

Death Before Dishonor!

Name Change

2007-10-17T16:53:00.000-07:00

I've finally figured out what I want to name this blog: "Marching Post." This one may take some explaining, though. Here at The Institute, we have a tradition of a standing guard team 24/7 during the school year. It dates back to the days when the Institute was an active armory and was guarded by the Virginia Militia. Anyway, one of the positions on the guard team is that of the sentinels, a group of individuals who stand in the two courtyards in Barracks and watch over the Corps making sure nothing amiss transpires. This tends to be nothing more than long periods of boredom, with a few interesting occurrences interspersed throughout. That's how it seems with this website at times. It seems that I just sit here watching the goings on of the internet and really only post about the interesting things that only happen occasionally. So there you have it, the new moniker.

Cold Iron

2007-08-25T21:51:00.000-07:00

A wee bit of Kipling if'n you're interested. Why? Because I haven't posted in a while and I felt it fitting. Taken shamelessly from this website, which is a repository of all the poems Kipling wrote. "Kipling?" You ask. Yes, Rudyard Kipling, I'm a bit of a fan.

Gold is for the mistress -- silver for the maid --
Copper for the craftsman cunning at his trade."
"Good!" said the Baron, sitting in his hall,
"But Iron -- Cold Iron -- is master of them all."

So he made rebellion 'gainst the King his liege,
Camped before his citadel and summoned it to siege.
"Nay!" said the cannoneer on the castle wall,
"But Iron -- Cold Iron -- shall be master of you all!"

Woe for the Baron and his knights so strong,
When the cruel cannon-balls laid 'em all along;
He was taken prisoner, he was cast in thrall,
And Iron -- Cold Iron -- was master of it all!

Yet his King spake kindly (ah, how kind a Lord!)
"What if I release thee now and give thee back thy sword?"
"Nay!" said the Baron, "mock not at my fall,
For Iron -- Cold Iron -- is master of men all."

"Tears are for the craven, prayers are for the clown --
Halters for the silly neck that cannot keep a crown."
"As my loss is grievous, so my hope is small,
For Iron -- Cold Iron -- must be master of men all!"

Yet his King made answer (few such Kings there be!)
"Here is Bread and here is Wine -- sit and sup with me.
Eat and drink in Mary's Name, the whiles I do recall
How Iron -- Cold Iron -- can be master of men all!"

He took the Wine and blessed it. He blessed and brake the Bread.
With His own Hands He served Them, and presently He said:
"See! These Hands they pierced with nails, outside My city wall,
Show Iron -- Cold Iron -- to be master of men all."

"Wounds are for the desperate, blows are for the strong.
Balm and oil for weary hearts all cut and bruised with wrong.
I forgive thy treason -- I redeem thy fall --
For Iron -- Cold Iron -- must be master of men all!"

"Crowns are for the valiant -- sceptres for the bold!
Thrones and powers for mighty men who dare to take and hold!"
"Nay!" said the Baron, kneeling in his hall,
"But Iron -- Cold Iron -- is master of men all!
Iron out of Calvary is master of men all!"

Bonne Jour Des Peres

2007-06-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

That's French, if you didn't know. For those not taken to speaking the language of the former Roman province of Gaul, the above means "Happy Father's Day," loosely translated. And that is my wish to all those fathers out there who may be reading this, and especially to my own. Here is a little history about said holiday, and contrary to popular belief it wasn't started by the greeting card companies as a gimmick to sell more cards. Who woulda thunk it?

Also, if I may, I'll point you towards Blackfive's and let you read a very inspiring story about a father's love for his son. The saga of the Hoyt family is one to really embolden the spirit, and kinda puts things into perspective. And if'n you felt the need, you could always donate to Team Hoyt over at their website. That's it for now. A happy Father's Day to all and especially to those fathers deployed away from their families.

Name Change

2007-06-05T21:32:00.001-07:00

I've been pondering recently about changing the name of this site. The Silent Republican just doesn't have the same ring to it anymore. It doesn't convey my current set of circumstances. It was quite fitting back on the Left Coast where I was quite in the political minority, and honestly gathered quite a bit of pleasure out of it, from time to time. But that's beside the point. The real problem is that I can't figure out what to change the name to. So, I pose the question to you, my faithful readers(all three of you). What should this site be called?

It's Been A Year?

2007-06-02T20:35:00.000-07:00

Already? As I'm sitting here and typing this in my new home here on the East Coast -- Charlotte, North Carolina to be exact -- tired from unpacking all of the moving boxes, I finally realized how fast time has flown. Amazing isn't it that only a year ago I was counting down the days until the end my career in government-mandated education and preparing to start college. Only ten months ago I had completed my first day as a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. A scant five months ago I was Broken Out and finally a member of the Class of 2010; and then just last month, as of about 1400 hours on 16 May, I had officially completed my first year of college.

Now, I am living 3000 miles away from Los Angeles, California in beautiful North Carolina. I got home late on a Thursday night and was gone by Saturday afternoon, trucking down that long journey known as life. Sorry to sound a bit cliche, but it seemed to fit, what with the five days spent driving across the US of A. You really don't get a good grasp of just how huge this great land is until you drive across it.

So now begins something new; a new chapter in the story, if you will. I'll miss my friends but I was ready to move on from Los Angeles, at least that's what I tell myself. There are parts of me that will always yearn to be back in the City of Angels, in my old neighborhood, hanging out with my friends from high school. But I know that it can never be like it was before. I remember coming home from VMI over Christmas furlough and feeling like visitor in my home. It seemed like there was some great chasm between myself and all my friends. They hadn't changed a bit, but I certainly had. VMI had become my home and I had made new friends. VMI felt like home and I remember actually missing it while I was home, missing the companionship of the mutual suffering my BRs endured. But such is the way of the world, and everything changes eventually. Just to think, three years from now, I will be a college graduate all set to take on whatever challenge life sets before me.

In The Home Stretch

2007-05-11T14:03:00.000-07:00

I'm constantly amazed at how fast time flies. Next Wednesday, 16 May, is Graduation Day, the end of the 2006-2007 school year here at The Institute. It marks the end of my first year here and the end of my Dykes' time here. I'm absolutely astounded at how I've come in one year's time. So, to give you a little taste of what this first year, my Rat Year, has been like here are a few videos:

This first one was produced by an upperclassman for our Rat book.

This next one is something one of my Brother Rats put together, more comical than anything, but still a look into our sometimes absurd lives.

Happy Easter!

2007-04-08T20:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter, everyone. Christ is risen. And for my Jewish readers, happy Passover. Not much new up, I know. I've been finding it tough to write lately. Don't know why. If you're in the mood for a very interesting movie, try watching Stranger Than Fiction, starring Will Ferrell. Good movie, like watching a Kurt Vonnegut novel.

Advice

2007-02-15T14:48:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine from high school who I have not really kept in touch with, sad I know, just recently e-mailed me and asked me to write about my experiences in college. A strange request, but apparently it's for a class project. I said "yes," naturally. Who am I to refuse a friend, and it also gave me some motivation to write, something I've been lacking lately.

Now the topic is a bit of a doozie. Apparently this friend of mine wanted me to write about "Reasons Not to Go to College and Why I Went," and she wanted me to describe some events or information that I felt I should've been told before starting my time here at The Institute. It left me scratching my head for a while. I cannot begin to think of any reason other than personal preference why not to go to college. Honestly, a college education opens up so many doors and provides so many opportunities. So, I guess that's the end of that question.

Now on to the really hard part, describing one event or piece of information that I felt I should have been informed of before Matriculation. Well, there are tons of things I wish I knew before I came here, but then something is lost in translation when you are simply told of all of the hardships a Rat must endure, and believe me I was well informed, but no amount of words could really describe the torment of a sweat party, or the absolute jubilation and happiness of being Broken Out. The Ratline is just one of those things that you need to experience and either you make it or you don't, but there is no shortage of help to succeed.

And to choose one event out of the multitude of experiences I have had here is almost impossible. From Meeting Cadre to The Crucible to swearing in as a Cadet and charging across the Field of Lost Shoes as the Corps had back in 1864 during the Battle of New Market; those first couple of weeks alone were almost a whirlwind of excitement and new experiences. Toss in my first college football game, the many sweat parties, forced marches, the twenty mile march to New Market, Resurrection Week, and finally Break Out, not to mention the many small things in between like just hanging out with my Brother Rats; and the list to choose from starts to get long. So, after scratching my head for a few days, and being unable to come to a definite conclusion on which single memory to include, I decided instead to just dish out some advice. But know that your experiences might vary and advice is worth what you pay for it.

If you do choose to join the ranks of the Virginia Military Institute, know these things: It will be hard, mentally and physically. You will be pushed past any limit you thought you had. There will be times where you wish that you chose an easier path, but know in these times that pain and suffering do not last forever and this will only make you stronger. Keep your head up and stick it out, the rewards are worth the blood, sweat and tears. Yes, there will be tears. Know that nothing can compare to the happiness of Break Out, except maybe Ring Figure. Give it everything you have and never look back, you will not be disappointed. Trust your BRs and help them. Lean on them when times get rough; they will help you through it. Be proud, you are among the few who chose the path less traveled. During Hell Week, keep you ears and eyes open, your mouth shut, and your butt in neutral.

Just my two cents.

Break Out!!!!

2007-01-26T17:33:00.000-08:00

Eighteen weeks. That's how long it took. Eighteen weeks of blood, sweat, and tears, pleasure and pain; and let us not forget, hard work. Eighteen weeks starting on 19 August 2006 and ending on 20 January 2007. Eighteen weeks to go from a gaggle of prospective cadets to Rats and then to 4th Classmen. Eighteen weeks culminating in one long, final day of Hell called Break Out. One last day of physical and mental challenges that would make even the toughest individuals in our class think about quitting, giving up, packing it in and calling it a day. And whenever that thought crossed our minds, we looked to our Brother Rats beside us, and drew strength knowing that if they could keep going, we could too. But I'm getting ahead of myself, allow me to tell the story of how the Class of 2010 became a class.

It started as any other week returning from Christmas furlough. We were greeted with a sweat party and fell back into the normal routine we had just left three short weeks before. But this was different, rumors abounded and were passed through the network that was the Rat Mass of 2007+3. Rumors of the end, rumors of Break Out, of our final trials and tribulations. Some said it was still a far way off, others held out hope that it was soon, others said that this was to be our last week. We were excited.

That Saturday we awoke, but instead of our normal day-to-day uniforms(called Class Dyke) we donned boots, BDUs, field jackets, and grabbed our rifles for an early morning rifle run. But before this run we were shuffled inside Jackson Memorial Hall(the chapel/meeting hall for the Corps) and were given a speech by the Rat Disciplinary Committee(RDC: in charge of running the Ratline) president and the Commandant of Cadets, both saying that we had been at this a long time, and that in these coming weeks we were to prove ourselves if we wanted to ever see the end of the Ratline. We were told that that day could have been the end, but we had screwed up, let our Dykes(1st Classmen assigned to each Rat who help mentor them through their first year in exchange for menial tasks) down, and had not proven ourselves. But this speech and the rifle run only served to further excite us, as we could now see the light at the end of the tunnel.

That next Sunday, Virgin Night was held. This was the final session that the RDC
held its final sweat party, and all those who had not attended one of the previous sessions were invited. They returned exhausted, but in one of the greatest shows of unity up to that date, they all strained and shouted "BROTHER RAT!!!! *clap-clap*" at the top of their lungs as they returned to their rooms. This stirred the rest of the Rats, those not invited, to start shouting along, and soon almost the entirety of the Rat Mass was shouting, together. And so ended the first night, the beginning of Resurrection Week, our final week as Rats.

That Monday saw more suffering. We all reported to our Dykes rooms at noon, to be pushed. To be screamed at and strained, by our Dykes, our friends, those whom we trusted, and those very same people we did not want to disappoint by going about this final week lackadaisically. That afternoon saw all those Rats who did not play an NCAA sport doing more PT with the RDC. And that night we all crawled into our racks, exhausted. And so ended the second day of the Resurrection.

Tuesday saw us being awoken early, for a sweat party. This particular party was provided to us by the 3rd Class. We put out, not wanting to disappoint, and went to breakfast exhausted. At noon we returned to our Dykes rooms for another round of abuse, and we received it. That night we once again crawled into our racks dead tired. And this was the third day of the Resurrection.

Wednesday began like most days of the week, but it would not end that way. We returned to our Dykes rooms and pushed some more but we were happy. We were getting closer, and we knew it. We could feel the end drawing nearer and we were elated. That night we received a sweat party hosted by the 2nd Class. We put out once again, and once again returned to our racks for much needed sleep. And so ended our fourth day.

Our fifth day was to see more of the same. Non-NCAA athlete Rats were subjected to more PT with the RDC, but other than that, the heat was turned down and we were allowed to rest, but that would not last for long. That night at Taps saw the end of the fifth day of the Resurrection, and we all went to sleep with dreams of being 4th Classmen dancing in our heads.

Friday. The second to last day. The end was near, we could sense it, but we would not get off easily, nor did we expect to. At noon we suffered through one last push session with our Dykes. We pushed until our arms felt as if they were about to fall off, and then we pushed some more, until we collapsed, we could not get bogged down now. We got a reprieve that afternoon with Parade canceled, but that night was to hold special surprises for us. We were all told to go to the wrestling match that evening, so we went, but we did not pay much attention to the game. We enjoyed the company of our Brother Rats, and hardened our hearts for what was to come. After the wrestling match we were given a sweat party, this time by our Dykes. Here we were worked half-death, but we kept going. Some puked, others passed out, more still could barely make it back to barracks. But as we returned we strained and shouted "BROTHER RAT! *clap-clap*" at the top of our lungs. We were delirious, and no amount of yelling from the RDC could deter us, we were going to finish this out together, or die trying. And so ended the sixth day of the Resurrection of the Rat Mass of 2007+3. We went to bed and slept, for we knew the next morning was to come early and we would need all the sleep and energy we could get.

And indeed the morning of the 20th came early. We awoke to the sound of gunfire and explosives in the courtyard. And soon the RDC was kicking in our doors. Telling us to get out on the stoops and strain. We then ushered down to the Cocke Hall gymnasium for a sweat party, this time hosted by Cadre, our tormentors from Hell Week. We were physically wasted from the week, but somehow managed to survive the party. We then went to breakfast, where we forced ourselves to eat, knowing that we would need the calories to make it over what was to come. From there we returned to Barracks to meet Cadre who then ran us through nine different stations of various exercises, like running up and down five flights of stairs continuously or doing lunges around the basketball stadium or doing 220-yard sprints around the indoor track. Things along these lines. And after those four hours of physical torment we returned to Barracks, dead tired. But this was not the end. The end was still a distant fantasy.

We returned to a sweat party hosted by the 2nd and 3rd Classes. They offered to show the way to our salvation from being Rats; to help turn us into 4th Classmen. And so they purged our sins. Then we stumbled back up to our rooms to change into BDUs for the next trial set before us; and we rested.

After changing we headed down to lunch, where if we did not clean out the mess hall, we certainly came close. From there we returned to Jackson Memorial Hall, where we had sat the previous Saturday and received a pep talk from the President of the 1st Class. He asked us if we wanted to Break Out, and all he got in return was a n earth-shattering "YES, SIR!!!" He left it at that and we moved on to our next trial, a sandbag run. We ran a mile and a half with 20 pound sandbags. Some struggled, but we kept them going, pushed them, encouraged them, kept them going; because that is what Brother Rats are supposed to do. And then when we reached our destination, Jordan's Point(a park beside the Maury River on the North end of Post), we were treated to a nice long session of sandbag PT. We lifted those damned sandbags in every different manner that our Cadre and the RDC could think of. Our arms grew tired, until we could no longer lift the sandbags. We were drenched in sand by the leaking bags. Sand went everywhere. We panted for breath, struggled, suffered, but found the strength and solidarity to keep going, because we would not fail our Brothers beside us. We could not fail.

We worked out with those sandbags for what seemed like an eternity, and then we were told to drop them and form up around the RDC president. He asked us if we wanted to Break Out, and received the same answer as the 1st Class president, "YES, SIR!!!" He asked us again, and received the same answer yet again, "YES, SIR!!" But this time he was satisfied. And he told us we had but one final test, one last hurdle, one last seemingly insurmountable objective. . .

Season's Greetings

2006-12-23T11:18:00.000-08:00

Since I probably won't get a chance to post before Christmas, I just wanted to let all of my readers(yes, all four of you) know that I'm thankful for your support. Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and have a great New Year.

Keydet Football

2006-12-16T12:00:00.000-08:00

I haven't had much to write about lately, mainly because I've been extremely busy, what with the Ratline and all. But since I have very little energy to contemplate world events, I figured I would at least write about something that relates to the beloved Institute. So tonight, dear reader, let's discuss Keydet Football. Now, as I write this, I am sitting in the J. Smith Ferebee Lounge, overlooking Foster Stadium, and witnessing one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. I wish you could see the sunset, what with all of it's red, yellow, and purple hues, just painted upon the sky, and making House Mountain look all the more majestic. The best I can do is give you a glimpse of what the view looks like during the daytime.

Now, if you've never been to a Keydet game, then it's somewhat difficult to explain to you what they're like. They're special to say the least. The entire Corps is always in attendance, and they are LOUD. A game in Foster Stadium is like no other football game in the world, just like VMI football is unique.

Every game starts with the Corps marching into Foster Stadium and onto Alumni Memorial Field. They then present the colors and fall out into the stands. The Corps sits as a group, with the Rats sitting as a group. And when people say that the "Corps roots the LOUDEST," they aren't kidding. It does indeed. The sound is deafening; a mixture of the Band, the Corps, and all of the fans. I can barely put into words the noise made. And the heckling, the heckling is second to none. If the Corps is unhappy with what is going on on the field, it will let you know. A referee makes a bad call, then expect jeering and booing from the sea of cadet gray. If the team is struggling, then the Corps will do its absolute best to cheer them on. And when we score, it's complete pandemonium. But, when the final whistle sounds, and Little John sounds for the last time, a reverent silence falls over the crowd as the team forms up in front of the Corps, and Keydets past and present stand and sing the Doxology.

Another peculiarity about Keydet Football is that no matter how the team does in game, as long as they fight to the very bitter end, the players are congratulated. The Alumni are always proud, and the Corps always supportive. I have never been a part of a program that got congratulated when it lost, nor who's fans were excited over a 1-10 season. Football here is definitely special, and something that no place other than VMI could achieve. Football here is all about hard, physical, disciplined play. As the saying goes, "Real men run the ball," and here at VMI, we indeed have real men. ONE CORPS, ONE TEAM!

Calling All Personnel. . . .

2006-12-13T05:16:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody, yes all three of you actually read my blog on a regular basis, I have a favor to ask. "What might that be?" You say. Well, Op-For Blog is getting obliterated by the competition for the 2006 Weblog Awards and need more votes. So, since they're such nice guys, and talented writers, go over and follow the link and vote for Op-For as the best MilBlog out there. Oh, and a number of those guys are in my Dykeline, so they can strain me whenever they want. . . wait, on second thought, I strain all the time anyway. Well, nevermind that, go and vote for Op-For.

And for those of you who are regular readers and have been angry for the lack of updates, I apologize. More will be coming shortly, I promise. That is all, carry on.

Status Check

2006-09-30T00:06:00.000-07:00

I am now a little over a month into my cadetship here at the Virginia Military Institute. I am still a Rat. I will be a Rat for a long time, but it will end some time. Life is hard for those of us living on the Fourth Stoop. We get little sleep, are constantly being pushed past our limits, and are being challenged with very rigorous academics. But we are coming together as a class; as Brother Rats. We have lost some, because they couldn't make the cut, did not want to be here, had problems that prevented them from staying here, or a combination of the above. But we do not mourn their departure, we have no time to do so, we just soldier on, where others failed.

This all started when I signed this book. The Matriculation Book is signed by all those incoming freshman. It holds a record of all those who have ever begun their cadetship here. When I signed the book I officially became a Rat. Shortly thereafter, I formed up with the rest of the Charlie Company Rats.

We then marched back to Barracks where we met our Cadre, the upperclass Cadets charged with training us into proficient members of the Corps. We formed up in New Barracks Courtyard and soon the drums began and Cadre marched in. The members of the Old Corps who were around formed up on the stoops above us and caused all kinds of commotion. The next thing we knew, Cadre members were swarming around us, screaming and yelling. And so began the blur that was Hell Week. During this week we were taught how to drill, how to do rifle manual, how to wear the various uniforms of The Institute, and other necessary skills. We were also pushed far past our physical limits. The week was capped off by The Rat Crucible, an afternoon of purely physical trials and tribulations. We were all half-dead by the end, some more than others, but we were all happy that we had made it over this hurdle.

The first week of academics wasn't too bad. Things quieted down quite a bit. We started seeing Cadre less and less and I got to walk-on to the football team. My classes are enjoyable and are a thousand times better than most of my high school courses. And our lives slowly began to follow a daily rythm.

Soon we were off to New Market to learn about the battle there that was fought by the Cadets who came before us. Ten Cadets died there, or from wounds recieved during the battle. The Battle of New Market marks the only time in history that a student body has fought as one unit in pitched battle. And on that day, after being sworn in as the Cadets of the Virginia Military Institute, we charged accross the Field of Lost Shoes just like the Cadets who have come before us.

And after this month or so has flown by, and I have been through hell, and have more still to go through, I find that I am glad that I have come to The Institute, or "Mother I" as we call it. It feels like home. And though it may be hard, I take pride in the fact that I have taken the road less traveled. And now, I must bid you good night, dear reader, as I have a football game tommorrow. It is our Homecoming game against James Madison University. Rah Virginia Mil!

Beginning The Journey

2006-08-17T22:59:00.000-07:00

Well, this is the last post I am probably going to make from The Mac for a while, maybe forever. In the wee hours of tommorrow morning I am heading to the airport to take a flight to Dulles. I am finally heading to college. High School is behind me. And ahead of me is life's grand adventure. On Saturday I begin my first tentative steps towards becoming an Institute Man when I matriculate with the rest of the Rat Mass of 2007+3. I am ready for the hardships and the trials and tribulations. Let them come and make a man out of me.

But, I am saddened to go. I am leaving behind my friends and family. I am leaving behind my stomping grounds. I am leaving behind my life as I know it. But I will always have the memories, that is something that can never be taken from me. They will stick with me and always provide me comfort even when things are at their bleakest. And things will become hard and bleak. But, nothing worth doing or having is easy, and after I go through these hardships, I know I will emerge and different and far better person for it.

So dear reader, I bid you adieu for a short while. I am off to be broken down and reforged. I shall shed the mantle of boyhood and my civilian ways, and I shall adopt those of a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. Rah Virginia Mil, rah rah rah. Thank you some very much for your support.

"You May Be Whatever You Resolve To Be."

Guess Where I Am

2006-07-10T19:57:00.000-07:00

This is the view from my room:

This is another great picture:

A picture of my room:

The building I'm staying in:

Can you guess now? How about one more? Okay. One of the best pictures I have ever taken:

Post your answers in the comments. If you need it, THESE GUYS can help you out.

Finally!

2006-06-08T20:41:00.000-07:00

Ding dong, Zarqawi's dead. And apparently, he was betrayed by his own men. Good riddance to bad garbage. Here's Blackfive's take on all of this. And he is even kind enough to provide us with the strike video. And here's what LTCDR SMASH has to say. Oh, and Mudville sould be included, too. But it appears that the Loony Left is at it again. And there is more over at Soldier's Perspective.

Well, that's it from people more eloquent and knowledgeable about these things. I just want to extend my thanks and congratulations to the men and women responsible for pulling off such a successful mission. You all did America proud! And on a sidenote, it appears that I need to make some changes and updates to my blogroll.

Great Speech

2006-06-04T22:32:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to put this up for a week or so now, but have had others things to worry about. So I decided to put it up tonight.

This is possibly one of the best speeches I have heard and read in a while. Here is a link to the audio portion. It is the graduation speech delivered by Donald Rumsfeld to the Class of 2006 at the Virginia Military Institute. It is a very moving speech. Hat Tip to Charlie and John over at Op-For. Oh, and while we're on the subject of VMI, read this about "Stonewall" Jackson.

Memorial Day Links

2006-05-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

Some blog entries that I have come across deserve recognition, and I think that I can help by directing my measly amount of traffic their way. So here's some stuff you need to read:

"They Did God's Work" by Ben Stein(HAT TIP:Blackfive)

Remember and Memorial Day: A Mother Remembers. Both from LT SMASH.

Celebrating Memorial Day. From Neptunus Lex.

I: A Tribute To The Fallen. More at A Soldier's Perspective.

CDR SALAMANDER has a great Memorial Day post.

Words From The Fallen as provided by Greyhawk.

Thank a veteran today, and remember what Memorial Day is all about. May all fo those who gave their lives Rest In Peace.

Memorial Day

2006-05-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

Today is a day for remembering the fallen. Those who gave their lives in the service of their country. Those who committed the final act of devotion to their country and to their brothers in arms. Never forget them for they died for us. They sacrificed so that we may be free. Thank you. Also, don't forget those currently serving, who make sacrifices on a daily basis to keep us safe. God Bless America.

History of Memorial Day Below is the Presidential Radio Address for 2006.

Good morning. This Memorial Day weekend, Americans pay tribute to those who have given their lives in service to our Nation. America is free because generations of young Americans have been willing to sacrifice to defend the country they love, so their fellow citizens could live in liberty.

This weekend, I am visiting some of the brave men and women who will soon take their own place in the defense of our freedom -- the 2006 graduating class at West Point. This was the first class to arrive at West Point after the attacks of September the 11th, 2001. Each of them came to West Point in a time of war, knowing all the risks and dangers that come with wearing our Nation's uniform. And the reality of that war has surrounded them since their first moments at the Academy. Thirty-four times since they arrived at West Point, they have observed a moment of silence to honor a former cadet fallen in the war on terror.

One of those former cadets was First Lieutenant Rob Seidel, a 2004 West Point graduate who gave his life in Iraq earlier this month. Rob grew up in Maryland, and as a child he and his family made frequent visits to the Civil War battlefield at Gettysburg, and from his earliest days he dreamed of serving in the U.S. Army. He deployed to Iraq with the 10th Mountain division and was killed by a bomb in Baghdad. His father says this about Rob: "He loved his family, and believed in God, and he loved his country, and he was willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of his country."

We live in freedom because of young Americans like Lieutenant Rob Seidel. And in recent days in Iraq, we've seen what their sacrifices have made possible. A week ago, the new Prime Minister of Iraq announced the formation of a national unity government. British Prime Minister Tony Blair recently visited Baghdad to meet with Prime Minister Maliki and Iraq's new leaders, and this week he came to the United States to give me his impressions. Prime Minister Blair told me that Iraq's new leaders are determined to rid their country of terrorism, unite Iraqis as one people, and deliver peace and prosperity for all their citizens.

The formation of a democratic government in Iraq marks a victory for the cause of freedom in the Middle East. It is a victory for millions of Iraqis who defied the terrorists and cast their ballots in three elections last year. It is a victory for the Iraqi Security Forces, who fought and bled for this moment, and now have a democracy worthy of their sacrifice. And it is a victory for the American, British, and other coalition forces who removed a murderous dictator who threatened the world. Because of their courage and sacrifices, Iraq has a free government that will be a strong and capable ally in the global war on terror.

The new government in Iraq is also a defeat for the terrorists, who fought the arrival of a free and democratic Iraq with all the hateful power they could muster. Now, a day that they feared has arrived. The terrorists can kill the innocent, but they cannot stop the advance of freedom. We can expect the terrorists to continue bombing and killing, but something fundamental has changed: The terrorists are now fighting a free and constitutional government. They are at war with the people of Iraq. The Iraqi people and their new leaders are determined to defeat this enemy, and so is the United States of America.

This Memorial Day weekend, we remember First Lieutenant Seidel and the brave Americans of every generation who have given their lives for freedom, liberated the oppressed, and left the world a safer and better place. And the best way to honor America's fallen heroes is to carry on their fight, defend our freedom, and complete the mission for which they gave their lives.

Thank you for listening.

Blogwatch

2006-05-07T16:28:00.001-07:00

Been doing some reading in the blogsphere lately. Trying desperately to rejoin the blogging masses, even though it's been hard to find the time and motivation to do so lately. So the first order of the day is an article over at JihadWatch about our Founding Fathers and the Muslim world, and from reading it, it seems that not much has changed in the past 250 years.(HT: Chapomatic) Also, for those who don't yet know, the gentlemen at The Officers' Club(VMI grads, by the way) have moved on to greener pastures and are now blogging over at Op-For.com. It's the same outstanding examples of hard-hitting bloggerism(can't quite call it journalism) that you have come to expect, but in a shinier, new package.

GWA.45 is currently pondering why Socialism refuses to die. An interesting read, long, but interesting nonetheless. If you like history and politics, like I do, then you'll like this article. I also tip my hat to The Geek, when I point you all towards this little gem about liberals. Well, not just any type of liberals, as some can be quite, what's the word, sane; but the John Kerry-types, the ones who are so out of touch with mainstream America that it boggles the mind. And I must admit, I have visited certain bastions of liberal thought *cough*the huffington post*cough*, but more for my own personal enjoyment as I find ti fun to mess with them. Too bad they usually censor my comments. It's hard when you have to spread truth and reason to people who don't want to hear it.

And as is the case many times when I run out of things to blog about, I will link you to Neptunus Lex, as he usually has something up everyone's alley, if the musings of a former fighter pilot are your particular cup of tea. And so that he can benefit from ~~my minimal~~all of my traffic, I will point out that he has commentaries on the recent immigration boycotts and the moussai verdict. That is all, carry on.

College Decision: VMI

2006-04-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

After visiting both VMI and The Citadel last week, I have finally made my decision for college. I have given it a lot of thought and have come to, what was in the end, an easy decision. I have decided to accept my appointment and go to school at the Virginia Military Institute. And what was the deciding factor? The attitudes of each school.

But, in order to better understand how I came to this resolution, you first must understand my infatuation with the military environment. My love of the military system is that it instills discipline, self-reliance, teamwork, trust, attention to detail, and creates bonds between classmates that are everlasting. There is nothing like mutual suffering to bring people together, as I have experienced in those long, hot summer football practices. But that is its entire purpose, to help in the creation of the "whole man," by teaching him the skills he needs to succeed in life. But when this purpose if lost or forgotten, cast aside if you will, then the system becomes nothing more than an instrument to torture and abuse the lower-classmen, who are usually referred to as Rats, plebes or knobs. Now, let us return to the narrative.

When the family and I arrived at VMI, the campus was absolutely splendid. The Dogwoods were in full bloom and there wasn't a stormcloud in sight. To be honest, it was a beautiful Spring day. When we entered the Admissions Office, we were greeted by the secretary and my admissions counselor. She immediately took me alone into a beautiful post-bellum former living room that had been converted into an office. There, we talked about what I wanted to do at VMI, she asked me questions about what other colleges I was accepted to and my background, and she answered any questions I had. After receiving my intinerary for the numerous meetings I would have that day, and then headed over to Alumni Memorial Field and especially Cormack Field House, to talk to the head football coach. Unfortunately, he was in a meeting that conflicted with my schedule, but the secretary there assured me he would be around all day and I could meet with him later on when the team was practicing. From there I went on to meet the head of the Mechanical Engineering Department. Except, he wasn't available either. He had to go teach a class. So the former head of the department gladly met with me and let me know everything I wanted to know about being an engineer at VMI. He also told my dad where all of the good rivers and streams were. My father appreciated that, being the avid fisherman that he is. From there we took a tour of The Post, as it is called. The tour was led by a Cadet First Class, who was inciteful and funny. He related to us the history of The Post and provided his own personal anecdotes. In all, I think he gave a much better glimpse at life on Post than most other people we met.

We departed from the tour early in order to make it to a meeting with a representative for the NROTC department. The Lieutenant who we met with was articulate and smart and answered just about every question I had. From there we found our way back over to Cocke Hall, where the football team was working out and where we hoped to meet with the head football coach, Jim Reid. If anything stands out in my whirlwind of meetings at VMI, it is my meeting with Coach Reid. He did not mention what position I would play or stats, instead he gave me the long and short of the entire VMI experience. He talked about teamwork and embracing the VMI process. He talked about how it would take commitment and desire to make it through VMI and how he expected more from his players in everything, not just football. He talked about what it would take to make it through to graduation. He told me what to expect when I matriculated in the fall. He was honest, and he spoke like VMI was already a championship-level team, when he was really just starting to build the team. He was confident and charismatic. He was a prototypical football coach. Oh, and he thinks I should play fullback.

Overall, the people at VMI were helpful and hammered home the fact that they were there to educate the students and help them in any way possible. Everything was neatly organized and everyone was squared-away. The same cannot be said of The Citadel. Before we even arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, El Cid was already losing major points.

The people at The Citadel had never returned any of our phone calls to confirm our appointments with the various representatives of the college. When we finally arrived at The Citadel, we got in touch with an employee from the admissions office, we found out that our schedule had been rearranged. I was already disappointed in what I was seeing and hearing from The Citadel. While they could talk a mean game what with their newsletters and pamphlets and what not, they so far did not seem that organized and were not too good on the customer service. But I figured that they were just really busy, since the school year was ending all. So after grabbing a quick bite to eat, we met up with my admissions representative, who walked us over to meet with the football team's recruiting coach. And I gotta tell you, this coach came nowhere close to Coach Reid. He talked about seeing my game film and if I didn't have film, then I probably wasn't going to stand a good chance of playing. He showed us the facilities and told us how money was not an issue and how they had all they needed. And then, for the coup de gras, we walked right by the head coach, and the recruiter couldn't even bother with introducing us to him. So far, The Citadel was trailing far behind VMI, but I was going to give them the benefit of the doubt until I finished my day of meetings, meetings, and more meetings.

From the football offices we headed over to the NROTC detachment's offices. While there, we heard the standard, come here and commission into the Navy. He told me how much I could benefit with a Citadel education and he answered my questions. He was probably the most helpful person at The Citadel. After the meeting with the Lieutenant from the NROTC detachment we took a cadet-guided tour. It was this tour that killed any chance that I was going to attend the Military College of South Carolina. The cadet was knowledgeable and answered our questions, but in answering one of them provided a look into the dark world of the fourth-class system. You see, The Citadel provides their knobs with the joys of the fourth-class system for the entirety of their freshman year, while VMI's only lasts for the first semester. Now, what is the purpose of VMI's fourth-class system? To teach self-discipline, attention to detail, and how to think under pressure. But, as mentioned earlier, it seems that The Citadel has forgotten the purpose of being a knob. When asked about being a knob, our tour guide has that knobs were lower than dirt, and that if he wanted to, he "could harass them(we had a few walking past us) right now if he wanted," until he was blue in the face. This was not environment I wanted to be a part of. I did not want to go to a military school where the military part of it was there only to harass and abuse the fourth-classmen. This did not teach them anything valuable about life, this only perpetuated the cycle of abuse because today's knobs would rise to cadre positions and would then abuse and harass tommorrow's knobs, and it would only continue until someone put a stop to it. There was no purpose to this military system. It did not help create the "whole man," it only created bullies. I was so taken aback that I nearly left then and there. I knew right there that The Citadel was not for me.

We left the tour and visited the Physics department. The man we met with was the next head of the department and he never once answered my questions directly. Instead he talked about how he was about to revolutionize astronomy and physics with his new automated telescope. I got the distinct feeling that he did not even care if I was in the room, he spent most of his time talking to my parents. VMI employees on the otherhand spent their time talking to me and pretty much only me. After talking with him, we talked with the secretary for the department and she informed me, in no uncertain terms, that if I wanted to be a Physics major, then I could not play football. I had seen and heard enough, I knew then and there that I did not want to attend The Citadel, it had nothing to offer me. VMI on the otherhand, had everything and a bag of chips, that I wanted in a college. They were going to be there for me, and would not let me fall through the cracks. Plus they offered a solid foundation and education for success in whatever field I worked in. So in short, in August I will embark on the next leg of this journey that is my life. It will be one of the toughest parts of my journey, but the pros far outweigh the cons and the rewards of the strife and discomfort will be tremendous. And as Coach Reid said, all I have to do is "Embrace The Process."

Woohoo!!

2006-04-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday to me! Yadda, yadda, yadda. Well today is my birthday. I turn the big One-Eight. So, now I can drive, buy tobacco products, enlist in the military, vote, and apply for credit cards. Now I have 1095 days until I can receive a CCW permit. Something to look forward to, I guess.

Oh, and to everyone else who was born on 20 April, except for one, happy birthday.

Idle Daydreaming

2006-04-17T18:18:00.000-07:00

I don't know when I first fell in love with the Aston Martin Vanquish, all I know, is it's been a while. So, for somewhere in excess of $70,000, you can own a beautiful piece of engineering. At least it gives me something to save up for. Just the daydreams of a soon-to-be man.

The Post

2006-03-20T20:17:00.000-08:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls. It is my great privilege and an honor to announce to you that I have received a conditional appointment to the Virginia Military Institute. Through my hours of hard work and hoping and wishing, I have gotten into my first choice of civilian(I guess you could say that) colleges. If it doesn't work out with the Naval Academy, looks like I'm going to be a Rat for a while. Woohoo!

Modern Day Crusades

2006-03-13T20:57:00.000-08:00

While I was cruising the internet today I stumbled upon a rather interesting piece written by Uncle Jimbo over at Blackfive's place. It is entitled "The Reverse Crusades". It's a good read that makes a whole lot of sense. But I disagree with Ol' Jimbo. I don't think the coming rift between the West and Islam is being propagated by any one person or group. Sure, while the actions of Osama bin Laden, the MSM's negative portrayal of the culture, and all of the hoopla over the Danish cartoons aren't helping things, this clash between two vastly different cultures has been coming for much longer than most of the people on this earth have been alive. This great war between the Muslim world and Western society has been coming since before 9/11, since before the taking of hostages in Tehran, since before the Middle East was divvied up way back in 1916. No this has it's roots back in the very early days of Islam.

Islam was spread upon the blade of the sword. It was spread by Mohammad in a series of holy wars, until a Muslim empire spread from southern Spain all the way to Indonesia. Many who were converted were the pagan bedouins. In fact, the shrine at Mecca was originally a pagan shrine that housed the holy artifacts of these bedouin tribesmen(in case you didn't know). In these holy wars, or jihads, Mohammad proclaimed that all the Muslim warriors who died while spreading Islam would be promised a spot in Paradise. Sound familiar? It should, because that is exactly what Osama bin Laden and his cronies have been telling young ~~brainwashed fools~~jihadists for years. It seems as if, OBL and his ilk see themselves as modern day Mohammads, called upon by Allah to spread Islam. Maybe I'm just stating the obvious.

They want nothing more than to convert us all to Shari'a Law and basically enslave us all under the banner of one giant caliphate. Or they will just kill all those resist. The one thing they will not do is allow our way of life and culture to continue. They are fueled by hate and have blinded their followers with religion. And I have yet to be impressed with this whole "silent majority" of moderate Muslims. There don't seem to be many of them in these violent protests against the Danish cartoons. One would think that some rational Muslim would eventually come to his senses and tell the protesters to pack it up and go home, but I guess they can't even do that. And because of this, everyday I grow less and less certain about these rumors of moderate Muslims. And that is a bad thing, because the fundamentalists are slowly turning this fight from a clash of civilizations to of religions. If the fundamentalists have their way this war will become a war not on terror, but on Islam, and I fear that if that happens, there will be no stopping World War III.

But that can be prevented if we act now. This is not an enemy that, in the event of their victory, would confine their act of oppression and violence to a small portion of the globe like the North Vietnamese, no they will move out globally. Al Qaeda is not a small organization. They act globally. We cannot lose this fight. And that's something I don't think many of those criticizing the United States and our allies seem to comprehend. This is a war unlike any other. It transcends borders and our enemy is not(at least publicly anyway) sponsored by other nation-states. We are fighting a different kind of enemy, which calls for different tactics, and sometimes they can be rather shady. And while I don't believe that any of our critics and those citizens of our country that dangle far left really want the terrorists to win, I think they simply are in denial. If you think about it, the harsh reality that there are evil people in the world that want to kill them simply for the freedoms they enjoy everyday and because they do not to conform to a certain religion, doesn't exactly fit in their world view where the only evil people are the CEO's of corporations and all forms of authority. I merely credit this to their ignorance and fear. We must make them aware that this is in their best interests, while we try to encourage the moderate Muslims to let their voices be heard. There is no other way. If we simply bomb them back to the Stone Age, this problem will simply resurface later on, unless we wipe out the Muslim religion and all of its followers forever, which make us no different than them. There must be change from within the Islamic community.

So, the way I see it is, the fundamentalists are no different than Saladin of old. So who are the Crusaders? Well, for all intents and purposes we are; the "civilized world." Instead of crusading in the name of God, we are crusading in the name of freedom, democracy, and the basic Rights of Man. We are a progressive force while Osama wants nothing more than to plunge us back into the Dark Ages. We have our work cut out for us. We must not fail.

Oh, and here is one voice of reason within the Muslim world. If only there were more and people were willing to listen.

Check This Out

2006-03-07T21:25:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of Google Videos, I provide you with this gem from one of my favorite shows that comes on the Discovery Channel every now and then: Top Gear. It is originally a show on the BBC but Discovery broadcasts it in the U.S. I really like the show, I think you can figure out why.

Going On Hiatus

2006-03-07T18:12:00.000-08:00

It seems that I am my own worst enemy when it comes to this blogging stuff. In just one short year I have already been burned out. Now is this to say that I am never going to blog again? Certainly not. But I am running short of ideas and I can't seem to figure out how to finish the posts that I start writing. As of right now, I have about six half-finished posts that I can't decide for the life of me where I was going with them.

So, seeing as I am super busy with my normal day-to-day activities and need a little time to recharge my batteries, I just want to say that things will be slow around here for the forseeable future. And as always, thanks for reading what I have to say. It means a lot.

It's Comin'

2006-02-28T22:06:00.000-08:00

I have something cooking postwise. I was hoping to publish it tonight but it's taking me a while to write so I hope I can get it up here tommorrow evening before I head off to CAP. Sorry for the delay. It'll be worth it, I promise.

Sincerely,
The Management

Blood Types

2006-02-23T22:16:00.000-08:00

So, while I was reading the blogs that are on my blogroll, I came across something interesting on The Primary Main Objective. It is an article that talks about the relationship between personality and blood type. Now, it may sound like a bunch of baloney, but hey, I thought I'd give it a shot. So here is my read out for my blood type.

Type-O people are warriors. They are outgoing, expressive, and passionate. They are highly motivated and natural leaders. Blessed with a strong physical presence, they aren't afraid to gamble because they are so convinced they will win. They are natural athletes. They tend to be obsessive in their quest for success, and this can make them boring to others.

So let's see. It says I am outgoing, expressive, passionate, and a warrior. Alright, the prediction is four-for-four. It also says I am strong physically, am high motivated, am a natural leader, and am a natural athlete. Huh, sounds kinda familiar, doesn't it? It also says that I am not afraid to take risks and that I can be a bit obsessive. I can't believe it, it's actually right. The above paragraph describes me to a tee. How weird.

Also, I would like you to check out Yankee Sailor and his piece on the difference between Red and Blue States.

Back In Town

2006-02-20T22:33:00.000-08:00

I got back today after being out of town this weekend. Went to Cadet Programs Conference up at Camp San Luis Obispo. I had a wonderful time at what was my last CPC as a cadet in Civil Air Patrol. It's rather strange, this being my last time. Considering I'm going off to college thousands of miles away in the fall, my cadet career in CAP is winding down to a close. The nearly five years that I have spent so far in the program have been some of the best years of my life. I have made some great friends that I will always be close with. I have done things that very few people get to do in their lifetime, let alone as a teenager. Actually, I've been saddened by the fact that I will be a cadet for only a few more months. A period in my life is ending, and a new one is only just begginning.

But I went as an officer, I goal I set for myself since I attended my first CPC. You see, we have a little banquet on the last night of the Conference where we present awards, eat, dance, and enjoy eachother's company. Before the banquet begins, the cadet officers escort the many ladies down a corridor lined with the many NCO's and Airmen; who all stand at attention as the officers pass. In handful of past Conferences that i have attended, I was always in the Airmen and NCO category and would have to wait my turn to enter the banquet hall. But this year, I was an officer.

As I entered the Embassy Suites thatloaned us their banquet facilities, late because I had been detained at Camp SLO due to various staff member duties that I had to take care of prior to leaving for the banquet, all of the Airmen and NCOs had already lined up, and my fellow officers were already escorting the pretty ladies toward the banquet hall. I quickly offered my arm to a very beautiful female Senior Member and we headed down the corridor. I will admit that I had to stifle a grin from forming on my face as the many cadets lining the walls snapped to attention as I passed. I was very proud of myself at that moment in time. I had set a goal and attained it. And as I passed, many of my comrades whispered compliments and greetings, a testament to the bonds made between fellow cadets. The night went well, and I found it hard to say good-bye to my friends when I left to come home late this morning.

So on that note, I think I will close-up for the night. But before I go, I'll point you towards a musical gem I found on the site of a prospective college: Oh, Shenandoah.

First Bloggiversary

2006-02-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

I've been a tad busy lately and haven't had much to blog about. "No!" You say, absolutely incredulous that I couldn't possibly have posted recently. 'Tis true though dear reader, 'tis true. But I just realized that today is my first bloggiversary. Yeah, so I've been around this here internet for a whole year now. Wow, time sure does fly.

A whole year ago I was cruising along happily after spending the previous fall winning the 2004 Los Angeles City Section Championship. I was still naive enough to think that the Naval Academy would be busting down doors to get their hands on me. Boy was I wrong! I was also still dreaming of starting my senior season. I was wrong about that, too. I also thought that I was invincible. And, you guessed it, I got that one wrong. Let's just say I got a lot of stuff wrong in my youthful optimism. But not despair, a lot of stuff I got right.

I've been accepted to The Citadel, and both VMI and Virginia Tech are very interested in having attend their schools. The Academy is still in the equation and I still stand a particularly good chance of getting in. I have earned the General Billy Mitchell Award in Civil Air Patrol, a very large accomplishment. I finished my senior season as the Practice Player of the Year and a huge part of the team. I am also popular, I mean like "rockstar" popular. Yeah, I'm a big man on campus.

It's been a pretty good year. I'm excited about what this year will bring. I'm also very optimistic.

I'm An Ossifer!

2006-02-01T22:57:00.000-08:00

Guess who's a freshly minted Cadet Second Lieutenant? I am! Woohoo! I got promoted tonight and now I get to change most of the insignia on my uniform and spend some money to add stuff to it. yay. So anyway, I thought I'd share some pictures.

Here is the before picture. I was a Cadet Chief Master Sergeant and a handsome one at that, too.

Here is a picture of me during the promotion process. The goofy look on my face is from me desperately trying not to smile while at attention. It didn't help that the Director of Drug Demand Reduction was tellign jokes.

Here is the after photo. And I'm still handsome as ever.

NOTE: As soon as I have the opportunity to photoshop these pictures more, I am going to change them. the color needs some adjustment and I need to crop them a bit.

What's All This Then?

2006-01-29T23:03:00.000-08:00

How evil are you?

Well now. Huh. Gotta say that I don't know how this happened. Well, maybe Chuck Norris can explain this to me. Happy Lazy Sunday to y'all.

What? Blogging Goodness?

2006-01-27T20:35:00.000-08:00

So I'm trying my best to get back into posting regularly, and it seems to be working somewhat. I've definitely had a lot more to write about and actually will have so more time as I finish everything for college. So no more coasting along for me. Also, I have attracted some new readers who don't wish to divulge their perosnal info. That's cool. But my curiousity about who these mystery readers are is totally piqued. Perhaps they could send an e-mail my way? Perhaps.

By now I'm sure y'all have heard and read about the whole Joel Stein fiasco. I won't say much more, other than he is a total ~~asshole~~jerk. Better yet I'll let Uncle Jimbo say it all. In the off-chance that you have not read this controversial piece of prose, here is the link to it.

Also, Sgt. B. of The Gun Line, has created a comical look at the USMC via cartoons. They are entitled SGT REMINGTON. Good stuff. Chap and CDR SALAMANDER also have plenty of good stuff. In case you didn't notice I have also added two new blogs to the Ol' Blog Roll. Check them out. Well that's it for now. Y'all come back now y'hear.

More Good News

2006-01-26T21:00:00.000-08:00

So there I was at my weekly Civil Air Patrol meeting. Now I joined way back in 2001. I've been doing this for going on five years now. I have had many wonderful experiences that I wouldn't trade for the world. I have ridden in a KC-135 while it refueled a squadron of F-16s high over the Arizona desert; and gotten up close and personal with and F-117 Nighthawk(Stealth Fighter), and have done many other things. I am proud to wear the uniform of the USAF Auxiliary and will continue to wear for as long as I am able. But I digress.

So there I am, preparing Tango Flight[Equivalent of a platoon.] for a big inspection in a couple of weeks. Tango Flight is my flight. I am their Flight Commander and I am responsible for turning them into outstanding Cadets. I honestly love my job too. I love watching my cadets go from being raw FNG's to being competent cadets in the greatest unit in the whole of the Civil Air Patrol, Captain Jay Weinsoff Cadet Squadron 3. It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of this fine institution. But still I digress.

Again, here I am watching a few NCOs-in-training drill my flight around and offering them advice so as to help them along their path to becoming a fine NCO and leader. As I go about my business, our First Sergeant happens to pop up beside me. I greet him and shake his hand because we are good friends and have been through quite a bit together. We were both working on earning our General Billy Mitchell Awards and had so far completed the exam and physical fitness requirements. all we had left to do was take our Promotion Review Boards(PRB). Well he inquires of me, "Would you like to take your PRB tonight?"

I am dumbfounded at his question. I was not as prepared as I thought I should be and I had not even gotten around to arranging it for the next, what with my schedule full with trainign and what not. So we, the 1stSgt. and I, dash over to our CO, a Cadet Major in all of his glory, and he asks me the same question I had just been asked. I was still in quite a bit of shock and let slip something along the lines of "Oh, crud. . . .", but in rougher language mind you. Well, my CO informs me that I either take it tonight, or wait indefinitely until all participating parties can be arranged again. I inform him that I'll do it tonight; a "full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes!" moment if I have ever had one. So I return to my flight until it is deemed time to proceed with my ~~Keelhauling~~PRB. While I stand and wait, I go over my uniform and make doubly sure it is up to standards. I also wait and worry. I was so anxious I thought I was going to vomit, but it turned I just had to relieve myself. Slowly the minutes pass until it is time to bring my flight inside of our offices(the base messhall) for a class on whatnot; the details being foggy as I spent most of my energy worrying about my PRB. Until I was informed that there may not be enough time to administer the ~~flogging~~PRB tonight.

"WHAT! You mean I spent all this time worrying and I can't even do it?!!" was my reply, naturally. At this point I have gone from fingernail-biting anxiety to absolute rage. How Dare They! So after the class is over I calmly ask the senior member of the board, if in fact he could find it in his heart and schedule to still proceed with my PRB this evening. At this point I could give you the short answer, but that wouldn't be any fun now would it? He said yes and we made haste to prepare for the grilling that would soon commence. I stood outside the dorrway to the room I was to be interviewed in and took many a deep breath. Finally, I was summoned in. I reported smartly -- to the wrong person. Oh sweet Jesus, I must be the biggest fool ever. Oh, well at least try to salvage what you can because this ship is going to sink fast. So they asked me a few questions and I stumbled and tripped over my tongue answering some of the easiest questions ever, like what it your current rank and what award are you doing this for. They then asked me to have a seat, I guess to make it easier for them to roast me over na open flame. Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?, I thought to myself. I had no idea they were going to turn the heat up a little more. They then proceeded to the harder questions and had me sweating a river. They asked me everything they could think of, and I responded as best I could. After they ran out of ideas, I thanked them for their time and excused myself from the room and walked out feeling dejected. I thought I had bombed it it, but I wasn't about to show it. No, not me; not the rough, tough, Cadet Chief Master Sergeant who drill, lead, and swear with the best of them. Nope, I wasn't going to do it. I wasn't going to show how bad I felt inside. But hey, at least I went down swinging and that's what counts and I'd always get a second shot.

So I finished out the meeting and wandered over to one of the members of the board, and asked him how I had done. Well we had a nice long discussion on what I could have done better and what to do in the future. And then he told me something wonderful. You wanna know what it is? Of course you do. He told me I had passed and that I had earned my Mitchell Award and that next week I will be promoted from Cadet Chief Master Sergeant(*sniffle*) to Cadet Second Lieutenant.

The Citadel

2006-01-24T21:09:00.000-08:00

Guess who just got academically accepted by The Citadel. If you guessed that I did, then you are correct. I suspect I will have a hard decision ahead of me.

Awards Banquet

2006-01-21T20:32:00.000-08:00

The BHS football team had our annual awards banquet this past Wednesday. It was a night of fun, food, and friends. We handed out all of the Varsity letters as well as the Scholar Athlete awards. I received both. We also handed out individual honors, such as Most Valuable Player and the like. While I did not receive any of the "flashy" awards, I did receive a game ball. Now the game ball has special meaning among my ilk. After a game, the game ball is usually given to the player who has done something extraordinary on the field to distinguish themselves or who has been invaluable in a big win. Suffice it to say, you lose a lot of balls after a while. So our head coach, in all of his wisdom, decided to hand out game balls at the end of the season so the team would have enough footballs to play and practice with.

So when it got time to hand out game balls, I wasn't expecting much. I hadn't really contributed much during our games and wasn't exactly a star athlete. But somehow, my name got brought up during the discussion of who should get the various awards. So I ended up receiving the Practice Player of the Year Award for 2005. I was stoked about that, but as Coach made his little speech about how I helped the team by giving it everything I had everyday, something struck me as odd. With all of the other players, he made no mention of their future, except in vague specualtion. The kind of things like ". . .So-and-so gave 100 percent out on the field and that kind of attitude will carry him far in life. . ." or something similar. But when it came to me, he was very specific. "His hard work and dedication will carry him far in life, and next year he will be playing football at either VMI or the Naval Academy."

And that's when it hit me. I have set myself out for a different path in life. Not to sound cliche but it is a path less traveled by. Very few of my teammates were even casually interested in the military, let alone actually planning on attending some of the top miliatry schools in the country. And as I walk this lonely road to whatever glory rests at its end, I wonder, what how my life might turn out if I take the easier road, beaten into the ground by the many feet of those who choose to merely eke out an existence and leave no mark on the world. And yes, my path is harder. It will test my limits and try to break me. It will test me physically, mentally, and spiritually, but I would have it no other way, because I know that if were to take the easy way out, I would spend my whole life wondering what might have been and would regret the decision until my dying day. So I'm just going to keep on walking down this road and I'll what comes of it.

Second Chance

2006-01-13T23:56:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody! It is my great good fortune to inform y'all that I have been given a second chance to receive an appointment to the United States Naval Academy! How awesome is that? Apparently, my congressman had a file on me saying that i wanted to attend the Academy but had nothing else. So I was contacted to see what was the deal. The aide in charge of nominations called me up and asked me whether or not I was still interested in attending, of course my answer was yes, and said that he would be happy to send in my packet and have the congressman give me a nomination.

For those unfamiliar with my story, I have always dreamed of going to the Academy. Ever since I was a little kid, I have wanted to attend and graduate from The Boat School. So, last summer I sent in my preliminary application and crossed my fingers hoping to be viewed as a worthy candidate. Unfortunately, my hopes and dreams were shattered when I received a letter stating that I was not competitive as an applicant because my GPA and SAT/ACT scores were not high enough. They suggested I try to raise them and resubmit my application.

Well, I took the SAT again and I did worse on it the second time around. So I took the ACT. I did alright on the ACT, but mediocrity wasn't going to get me a spot at the Academy, so I decided to chalk this one up to experience and move on. So I pursued other avenues of higher education accompanied by the kick-assedness U.S. Navy. This is why, dear reader, that I now have an application for an NROTC scholarship, both VMI and Virginia Tech application, as well as a couple to other schools all pending final review and approval. It is an understatement to say that I had forgotten about the Academy. I figured I gave my best shot, came up short, and hey let other guys go, a commission's still a commission.

That was all until tonight when a wonderful former Marine, if there is even such a thing, called me and asked if I was still interested and said he would do what was neccessary for me to receive a nomination and would try to help me get into the Academy. Whether this all pans out or not, this guy is THE MAN. Oh, and Congressman Berman is definitely getting my vote. Wish me luck everyone!

P.S. I also want to apologize for the lack of blogging goodness. I have sort of been bare of ideas and have been lazy and not wanted to put the time and effort into writing long posts. But I promise, there is more to come very soon.

Goin' To School In Virginia

2005-12-22T23:30:00.000-08:00

written while in North Carolina

Today, the parents and I loaded up my grandmother's car and headed North towards Virginia. We planned to take the day and visit two colleges that I am applying to: Virginia Tech and the Virginia Military Institute. Both offer an outstanding education and a chance to continue my football career, and it's all in a military environment, but I wanted to see the campuses. So there we went, off to do a little sightseeing. Unfortunately, there weren't going to be any cadets or staff around to talk to or provide a formal tour, as most had already left for the holidays. But at least, I could see the campuses and get a feel for what the university would be like.

So after a four hour drive, we finally arrived on the grounds of VMI, in beautiful Lexington. I was instantly struck with awe at the age of the place and its aethstetics. The buildings are designed like fortresses, like castles of ancient lore. I could see the history just looking at the buildings; from its days as an armory, to its destruction in the Civil War, to today, when it is ranked as one of the best Liberal Arts colleges in the nation.

Our first stop on campus was the admissions office, just to see if there was someone there to provide a tour or answer a few questions, but the building was completely empty. So we headed on over to the Marshall Museum and Library. The Marshall Museum houses many relics documenting the history of the Virginia Military Institute and its graduates, as well as memorabilia from one of its greatest alumni, General George C. Marshall. We didn't have enough time to wander around the museum, but my mother did find time to purchase a VMI Christmas-tree ornament.

After we left the Museum, my parents went off to retrieve the car while I marched across the vast parade grounds towards the barracks. As I did so, I could almost feel the uniform of a Keydet on my back and I envisioned myself as a cadet. One of the few and proud cadets, as VMI only has 1300 students and only 22,000 or so living alumni. I left that day with a sense of awe.

After leaving Lexington, my parents and I drove South down I85 for ninety minutes to Blacksburg, home of the Virginia Poltechnic Institute and State University, otherwise known as Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech has a program called the Corps of Cadets that is basically a school within a school, as it provides the miliatry academy experience but provides all of the advantages of a civilian university. As I lurked around the Corps barracks trying to see if anyone was home, I actually ran into the Commandant of Cadets who showed me around, including one of the rooms, and we chatted about the VTCC experience. And while it was interesting and impressive, I couldn't help think that it was missing something.

What that something is, I can't tell you. Maybe it's the lack of history or prestige. Maybe it's fact that it is not totally immersive. Whatever it is, it is the presence of that je ne sais ce qui at VMI that impresses me. Mybe it is the quality of alumni. While I'm sure that the alumni of VTCC are outstanding, it is that extra drive and ambition and loyalty of the VMI alums that left a mark on me. They are cut from a different cloth. They try and try and try some more until the accomplish their goals. They are unwaiverable and have a greater sense of honor and respect and integrity than I think anyone I have ever met. It is these qualities that set them apart and I dream everyday of being a man of that caliber.

So, it looks like I'm probably going to school in Virginia.

Darn, Got Tagged By Another One

2005-12-19T16:32:00.000-08:00

Well, I haven't updated my blog in a while. I guess y'all are wonderin' why? I've been rather busy filling out college applications a what not and getting my NROTC and AFROTC stuff in order. But now everyone can thank Tyler for forcing me to respond to another one of those annoying meme's. Thanks buddy.

5 Weird Facts About Myself

NOISES & LIGHT: I am very sensitive to noise and light. If it is not just the right brightness in a room I can't stand it. If there is some annoying noise, I can't stand. Oh, and it's much worse when I'm trying to sleep.

FOOD:I love to eat. Yes, you heard me right, I absolutely love to eat. I like the satisfaction of being full and the entire activity of eating. Maybe it's not weird, but there ya go.

SMELLS:I like weird smells. I love the smell of gasoline and diesel fuel. I absolutely, positively am swept off my feet by the wafting aroma of jet fuel. Oh, and I really enjoy the smell of gunpowder. Oooh, and that smell after you put out a match; that's just awesome.

CRACKER: I crack my knuckles a lot. It's a nervous habit. I also roll my neck to hear the vertebrae crack. Oh, and since I have messed up thumbs from playing football, I tend to crack them all the time when I'm bored. Some people find it annoying, others find it disgusting, I think it's relaxing.

EYEBALLS: My pupils are mismatched. One is bigger than the other. Been like that since I was born. That's probably the weirdest thing about me.

I don't really feel like passing this one on. If you want to take a stab at it feel free to knock yourself out. Me, I'm just going to relax and watch TV. Happy Holidays. Oh, and my apologies to Steve. Sorry buddy, didn't get here fast enough.

Whoopee!

2005-12-17T22:36:00.000-08:00

Today I was interviewed for the NROTC Scholarship and it went very well. The recruiters thought I was an excellent candidate and is going to do what he can to help me get a scholarship. So I should know if I'm going to get it sometime around February. Wish me luck.

Oh, and I apologize for the lapse in posting recently, but I have been swamped with college applications and big school projects so I haven't had a lot of time. But now I'm on Christmas Break so I should have more time. Also, I'm going back to North Carolina for the holidays so I might be able to post from there with some pictures of my favoritest place on earth. But just in case, have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukah, a Jolly Kwanzaa, and a Happy New Year.

Shut Up Already!

2005-12-09T19:01:00.000-08:00

No, that is not directed at you loyal readers, so please don't be alarmed. El Capitan has had enough with all the politicians and the media with their careless talk about the war and our tactics. IT'S TIME FOR THEM TO SHUT UP!. El Capitan would also like for all bloggers that are able to link back and help spread the word. Good on him.

It's Over

2005-11-28T20:34:00.000-08:00

Yep, that's right, it's over, my high school football career is over. At first I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe my career was going to end so abruptly as a 39-34 loss to the dreaded, and often ~~hated~~loathed, T-A-F-T. I'm told it's a four letter word in certain circles. But back on topic. As I watched the last seconds tick off the clock, I was in denial. I was in denial as I walked that long line to shake the enemies' hands. I was in denial as I knelt down on one knee to hear Head Coach Croson tell us that we played our hearts out and that we just came up short. He told us he was proud of us. And he told us Happy Thanksgiving.

But I began to grieve as I realized that this must surreal of moments was in fact real. That no, this was no horrible nightmare; and no, I was not goign to wake up. And then, dear readers, do you know what I did? I wept. I wept in sorrow. I wept because a stage in my life was over. I wept because what I have worked so hard on these past three years is gone, and I'll never get it back. I wept like a man. And sometimes, when you put all of your heart and soul into something, it leads to very strong opinions and powerful emotions; and sometimes it is just necessary to cry.

But as I headed back to the bus I realized something. I realized that football has given so much, that there was nothing for me to be sad about. I am stronger and more fit than I ever was before I started playing. I'm tougher and I truly understand the meaning of hard work. I have more friends than I have ever had. And my teammates are not just my friends, no they're something more; they're my brothers. There is nothing I wouldn't do for them and there is nothing they wouldn't do for me. We share a sacred bond that none of us will forget and that very few others will understand. And as I got on that bus, I stood up as straight as I could and I told them that. I told them that I loved them, and that they were some of the best friends I ever had. And on that quiet bus ride back to Birmingham we told bared our souls to eachother and remembered the good times.

A little later on, after I had hugged all my teammates with that manly hug reserved only for men who have been through a lot together and shaken the hands of all my coaches, I walked out of the locker room into the cool night air. And as I did, I thought of the good times and all the wonderful memories I have. I remembered dancing to the Temptations and other oldies music in the weight room before a game; I remembered all the dirty jokes we used to tell eachother during practice; and I remembered that feeling of satisfaction after putting in a good day's work with my friends. And as I walked out of that locker room that I knew so well, I puffed out my chest a little, stood up a little straighter, and I cried. This time I cried out of joy. And as the tears fell down my face, I let out one big giant "PATRIOTS!" and listened to it echo across the athletic field.

I guess you can't win them all, but it sure would be nice to have won this one. I guess that's just how the Play-Offs go sometimes. At least I still have some great memories though. Once a Patriot. Always a Patriot.

And if you really want to know what football is all about, then CHECK THIS OUT.

Rematch!

2005-11-23T13:19:00.000-08:00

Tonight we are playing Taft for a second time. Wish us luck. Time to shut 'em down, shut 'em out, and shut 'em up. LEAVE NO DOUBT

Go BHS Patriots Football!

UPDATE: We lost last night. More on that later when I get the chance to put it all in words. Oh, and expect another Season In review, but maybe in just one part this time.

Marking One More Milestone

2005-11-21T21:38:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday we played Narbonne High School. For me it was my final time to face them on the football field, but that Thursday marked one more milestone in my lackluster football career. It was the last time I will ever play in Tom Bradley Stadium. I have a lot of memories in Tom Bradley Stadium. I guess over three years one tends to accrue a lot memories, some good, some bad, some just reminding you of how it used to be.

Tom Bradley Stadium was built in the early Eighties when Los Angeles was selected to host the Olympics. It was built at Birmingham High School as a place for the athletes to train. Birmingham was chosen because it had a large campus and plenty of room to put in a new stadium with a brand-spankin'-new rubber track and modern facilities. It was named after the Mayor of Los Angeles at the time, Tom Bradley, who was instrumental in allocating the funds for the project and providing the initial oomph in getting it started. But anyway, I digress.

It was in Tom Bradley Stadium that I suffered my first loss on our Junior Varsity as a Sophomore. Not only was it my first loss, but it was also my first football game, ever. It was in Tom Bradley Stadium that I made so many great memories practicing and playing with my teammates on the 2004 Varsity team, who after long hours of hard work won the Los Angeles City Championship. It was in Tom Bradley Stadium that I ran a 26-second 200-meter dash. Not great, but for a guy who weighed 215 pounds and used to run it in 35 seconds, it was quite an accomplishment. It was in Tom Bradley Stadium that I worked and sweated over the off-season so that I could play a lot my senior year. Tom Bradley Stadium has a lot of sentimental value to me. Soemtimes, when I close my eyes, I can picture myself on the field; making big blocks and devastating tackles. I can see myself recovering a fumble and returning it for a touchdown. I can hear the crowd and I can smell the smoke from the grill by the concession stand. I can feel the grass under my cleats and I can smell the stink of my sweat and shoulder pads. I can hear the screams from my brothers and my enemies. I can hear the hits being delivered. And when I open my eyes I wish I was there. I wish I could be a star player. I wish for once, I could start. I just wish I could get off of these damned sidelines more. But I know, that as far as my High School career is concerned, that will never happen.

But God, will I miss it. I'll miss the roars and cheers of the crowd. I'll miss the sound of the band. I'll miss the rush from the fact that 2000-plus people showed-up just to come and watch me and my teammates. And to win! Oh, to soar to innumerable heights, to climb the tallest mountains, to feel like your are invincible. Oh, sweet victory. And to lose. To be crushed in utter defeat. To drop to the lowest lows, to feel insignificant and unworthy of even the slightest happiness. And then to climb back onto that proverbial horse and exact some kind of vengeance on your next opponent. Oh, how I will miss this. I will miss this way of life so much. It is truly something special.

And to know that it will all be ending soon, oh if only I had just a little more time. But it will only leave me lusting after more, and I will never be satisfied. But I do have the advice of our Quarterback from 2004, Andrew Miramontes, who told me one day, while waxing nostalgic, to "Enjoy it while it last, 'cause it doesn't last long, and it'll be over be fore you know it." So, that is how I will spend my final moments of High School Football. I will make the most of it. And dear reader, is that not all that we can do in life. We must enjoy it while it lasts, because one day, it will all be over.

Some Gun Info From Iraq

2005-11-19T16:35:00.000-08:00

Rusty Shackleford has a Marine's thoughts about our weapons from Iraq over at The Jawa Report(HAT TIP:Tyler). Seems like we need to return to the 7.62mm NATO-standard rounds we used to use. Also, we're winning and raining doom down on the Jihadists. Good news. Go read it if you're interested in gun talk. Anybody got the time or money to send our servicemen and women some old M1 Garands and M14s, looks like they need them.

Surefire also has a letter from a sergeant in the 101st Airborne about Iraq. Go read it. I also suggest you stop by and read what Chap has written over the past week or so. The Good Commander Salamander has something, too. It's about sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. That's about it in my partof the blogosphere.

So we won our final regular season game against Chatsworth two weeks ago, and that allowed us to make it to the play-offs this week. Well, we played Narbonne and beat them, so now we're preparing for our second-round play-off game against Taft. Time for a little revenge.

Some Heavy Stuff On My Mind

2005-11-15T21:59:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about the future a lot lately. Why? I can't say exactly. Maybe it's because I'm scared of what lays before me in life, or maybe it's because I'm in my last year in High School, or maybe I'm just crazy. Whatever it is, I've been doing in nonetheless.

Well, today I was perusing through a booklet about what VMI had to offer me, and to say the least I am very impressed. Sure doesn't help that I have also impressed their Director of Admissions as well as a few alumni. My size, football ability, and championship ring impressed them, too. But back to the topic at hand. A good friend of mine saw it and said they had offered him a full-ride scholarship, but that he turned it down. I asked him why and he said that they were too strict and that i was crzy to want to go there. And that got me thinking. So I've been mulling over the notion that I am really crazy for wanting to go to a military academy. But am I? Am I really that crazy for wanting to give up my free-time and freedom and many other privileges for college? Am I really crazy to want to put myself through that kind of abuse? Am I?

No, that can't be the case. I can't be truly crazy for wanting to make myself into an outstanding man. To do something that few have doen and that few want to do. I can't be crazy for wanting to be part of something storied and steeped in tradition. No, that can't possibly make me crazy. Delusioned maybe, but no outright insane.

But then my mind wandered into a new direction with this argument. Does wanting to go into the military make me crazy? After hearing so much on the news about the how many hate the U.S. Military and seeing the lack of support for the men and women in the armed forces. After being exposed to so much negativity I truly wonder whether it is the right thing to do. Does wanting to put myself in harm's way make me crazy? Does wanting to defend the country of my birth and everything she embodies make me crazy? Does wanting to sign away my life, because that's what it would be, I want a career in the military, make me crazy?

No, I couldn't possibly. Wanting to be part of something so great isn't crazy. Wanting to work with outstanding, honorable, responsible people a crazy man does not make. Wanting to make something special of my life is by no means crazy. And this is something I want to do. It is the only thing I want to do. It has been the only thing I have ever wanted to do. I want to serve my country. I want to know at the end of the day that I have accomplished something. I want to do something that few want to do. I want to know that when it comes my turn to bid this mortal coil farewell, that I did something with my life beside working in a cubicle from nine-to-five for forty years and then retiring. I want to truly live before I die. And that can't make me crazy. In fact, it's not even close.

And with honor and brotherly loyalty like THIS, I know I'll be well taken care of and so will my family.

Veteran's Day

2005-11-11T23:18:00.000-08:00

Happy Veteran's Day everyone. Go thank a veteran for his service. And for that matter, go thank an active duty member for his service too. Or her service as the case may be. Know what, I'm just going to post a blanket statement on here.

Attention all past or present members of the American Armed Forces. Thank you very much for your service. May God bless you and your family. And may all those who have given their lives in the name of freedom and liberty and democracy and all those things that we love and take for granted rest in peace.

Homecoming

2005-11-07T21:17:00.000-08:00

So, last Friday we played our ninth game this season against Granada Hills, and we won 33-14. But the fun didn't end there, it was our Homecoming game after all, so a dance naturally followed that next evening.

So me, a few football players, and plenty of the regular school went to celebrate our victory at our Homecoming Dance on Saturday,and I got to tell you, it was fun(with a capital F). The dance floor was packed. The gym was sweltering hot. The music was way too loud for anyone's good. Oh, and there were plenty of good-looking girls in very hot dresses. So, yeah, I think it goes without saying that yours truly, being the ruggedly-handsome, dashingly debonair, and all-around heartbreaker that I am, just had to dance with a few ladies. Well, I did. Oh, and I must say, a wonderful time was had by all.

So On to things more serious. Have you stopped by The Gun Line lately? If not, you may have missed this post about faith. I must say, it's very good. And good ol' Chap has a great post about Mr. Rogers. Man, I've been away too long. Also, both Froggy and CDR Salamander have excellent posts about the goings-on in France.

So I think I'll sign-off for now. I need to finish a couple draft posts that I have been writing, seems like forever, now. Oh, man do I wish I could vote tommorrow.

Random Quiz Results

2005-11-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

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You scored as James Bond, Agent 007. James Bond is MI6's best agent, a suave, sophisticated super spy with charm, cunning, and a license's to kill. He doesn't care about rules or regulations and somewhat amoral. He does care about saving humanity though, as well as the beautiful women who fill his world. Bond has expensive tastes, a wide knowledge of many subjects, and his usually armed with a clever gadget and an appropriate one-liner.
Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0
created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Combat Infantry. Your a combat infantry soldier,a grunt, a dogface, a footslogger. While some say your common, your a really a disciplined person who realizes the importantce of working in a team, and in reality you and your comrades get most of the work done. This country needs more people like you. Your a brave selfless person. And I salute you. TEN-HUT
Which soldier type are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

Checking In

2005-11-01T20:48:00.000-08:00

So, here's a recap of the past two weeks. One, we got blown out by Taft 25-0. We then worked hard and played Cleveland and whooped their asses 56-7. We are now preparing for our homecoming game this Friday against Granada Hills. I've been very busy and have been putting-off blogging for a while. Also, i haven't had much to write about. So please bare with me during these doldrums.

Time Sure Does Fly

2005-10-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

You know, normally I wouldn't say this, but "GO WHITE SOX!". As a Cubs fan, I don't make a regular habit of rooting for the Sox, but hey, when you've done as well as they have, you deserve a little ~~hatred~~respect. At least it isn't all that bad; they are from Chicago, right? Right.

So, you may be wondering, what's on the schedule for tommorrow? Well, hey, I have a football game. Against who, you might ask? Against our archrivals, Taft High School. It's a very big game because it will decide who wins our league championship, so there is a lot riding on this game. Here's how we match-up. So, wish me luck tommorrow night. I hope you'll be rooting for #75.

GO BHS PATRIOTS!

What's Going On

2005-10-16T22:57:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought I'd just give y'all a little update about what's happening in my life. Right now, I'm enjoying football. I'm enjoying the days of my senior season and living each day as if it was my last. Last Friday night we beat El Camino Real High School 44-14, improving our record to 2-4-0. While not the best record we've ever had, it's no less respectable, considering we've played the toughest pre-League schedule in the state. Next Friday we will be facing our archrivals, the Taft Toreadors. It will be a huge game, with attendance somewhere around 3,000. It'll be fun.

I am also in the process of applying to colleges. With my dream of going to the Academy pretty much in shambles, I have set my sights on colleges elsewhere. So far I have narrowed my choices down to three that have shown a lot of interest. They are Virginia Tech, specifically the Corp of Cadets, The Citadel, and Virginia Military Institute. They're all top notch schools, so it looks like I'm going to have a blast no matter where I go.

So, yeah, I guess life is pretty good right now. I hope you're all in good health when you read this. Have a good morning, good day, good afternoon, good evening, and good night.

Where To Watch Us

2005-10-09T13:11:00.000-07:00

So, we lost on Friday, but at least we learned some valuable lessons in the process. We were also on TV, but having lost, I don't know whether that's a good thing or not. Well, at least I got to play, so it wasn't all that bad. So anyway, you might want to watch our game, well you can. You can watch the latest Birmingham @ Dorsey Game or you can watch the 2004 City Championship Game, and it's all on streaming webcast. Cool huh?

I'm Gonna Be On TV!

2005-10-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

So, since we lost our last game against Hart High School, we're now 1-3, which kinda sucks. But, everything is looking up. The coaches have seen the error of their ways and have put yours truly in the depth chart at nose guard. Also, tommorrow night we play Dorsey High School at 7:00 PM(that's 1900 hours for all you military folks), which is a rematch of the City Championship from last year, which we won. And here's the kicker: we get to play on the television. So, you all get to see my pretty face. I know that one's getting a few laughs out there in the world community. So, anyway, it promises to be a good game. If you happen to live in Los Angeles you can watch the game on LA36 at 10:00 PM or can watch it online at LA36.org. So I'm gonna get to have a little bit of fun in about 22 hours and some odd minutes. Wish me luck and I hope you'll be rootin' for the Patriots on this one.

Go BHS Patriots Football!

Uncle Sam's Misguided Children

2005-09-28T21:45:00.000-07:00

Which branch of military service should you join?

You Should Join The Marine Corps

Ready to fight by sea and by land, you belong in the Marine Corps.

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

No Freakin' Way!?

In Twenty Years

2005-09-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

I had to write an English paper the other day. I thought it was pretty good, or at least good enough to warrant being posted on my blog. So, a little backstory. Basically I had to pretend that I was attending my twenty-year high school reunion, and my teacher wanted us to write about where we thought we would be in twenty years. So, I hope you enjoy.

------------------------------------------------------------

Our story begins with our hero: a well-groomed man in his late thirties. His hair is cut to the point where he is almost bald, his mustache is trimmed neatly, and his uniform is squared away. He is driving to his twenty year high school reunion, in a mustang he rented at the airport. He looks up in his rear-view mirror and thinks to himself, “Man, I never thought I would come this far in twenty years.” He shakes his head in disbelief and smiles the smile of a man who was born good-natured.

He remembers back to the day he graduated from high school, and the whole world lay before him. He remembers when he went off to college, and the tears in his mother's eyes as he said good-bye when he dropped his parents off at the airport. He remembers the freedom of being on his own and the important lessons learned in college and ROTC. He remembers the day he entered flight school and the day he received his wings. He reaches a stoplight and glances down at his chest and looks at those beautiful golden wings pinned there.

His memories then carry him away to the day he met the most beautiful woman in the world and the day he made her his wife. He is drifts to the births of his wonderful children, who bring so much joy to his life.

He also remembers the bad times. The death of his best friend in a horrible plane crash. The great ocean that is his memory, drag him to his great travels. He remembers his times in the Middle East, Italy, Spain, Japan, Korea, and many others ports of call. Most of all, he remembers the ocean. The majestic mistress that dominates his life. He remembers the beauty of the salty air and the cool waters of the Pacific.

He finally reaches his destination, Birmingham High School. As he steps out of his car, it brings back the memories of days long past. A time when life seemed easier and his potential endless. He spots an old friend and teammate. “Hi, there. How you been?” His old chum inquires as to his identity. “Oh, my name is Andrew Miller."

We Finally Won!

2005-09-24T22:16:00.000-07:00

Woohoo! We won! It was a great game. Very close with lots of excitement. But those silly Crespi Celts(we all just call 'em the Critters) weren't any match for us and we beat them 28-27. Told you it had a lot of excitement. We scored the last touchdown of the game with 6, count'em, 1-2-3-4-5-6, seconds left on the clock, and then we made a successful two-point conversion. Ah heck, y'all can just read about it.

Tommorrow Night

2005-09-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

I have a big test tommorrow; and I sure hope I pass. You see, I've been studying all week and so have my classmates and it would mean the world to us if we passed. The test covers the offense, defense, and special teams of Crespi High School. We, the team I mean, have been busting our butts to beat these guys and try not to repeat the loss of last week. These guys aren't all that fast, but they are pretty big. We have plays that they have no way of stopping, so if everything works, we can run those all night. But I do know one thing for certain, we do NOT want to lose another game. So we're going to see how it goes. Wish us Luck. Also, I'm on the kick return now, so I'm going to get to play more.

Also, one final thing. I found soemthing on the internet that I think everyone should see. You can find it HERE. You may need tissues.

Go BHS Patriots!

Coming Attractions

2005-09-19T23:01:00.000-07:00

Hi All! Sorry, but it looks like I'm going to be posting more infrequently than I would like for a while. I know, you want more, but my schedule at the moment is just plain hectic. Anyway, I'm going to have a really good post up soon, so don't worry. I also have a bunch of ideas for posts so there will be more coming. Everything is just completely crazy right now, so, when it settles down I'll start posting more frequently.

We Lost. . . Again

2005-09-17T23:05:00.000-07:00

So, we lost. And when I say we lost, I mean, we got our butts handed to us. But our second-string did very well. In fact, when Valencia thought that we had given up, and had put their second and third-string players, we ran the ball right down their throats for two touchdowns, two successful conversions, and we forced them to put their first-string guys back out. This loss has really shocked us, and made us very angry. it has also forced the coaching staff to re-evaluate who they have in the starting line-up. My D-Line coach even went so far as to deliver an ultimatum. He said that anyone who shows that they can play and do what has to get done, will start. So what does this mean? Well, for one, it means that I may have another chance at earning a starting position, and two, it means that we are going to have to do some soul searching. We as a team, though young, are going to have to figure out if we have what it takes to win a championship, to see if we are willing to put in the hard work it's going to take to accomplish our goals. And one of those goals is to be able to play another game HERE. We'll see what happens on Monday.

Friday Night Lights

2005-09-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

Tonight we're playing Valencia High School. They are yet another good team, so we're in for a hard game, but I have confidence in our team. Wish us luck.

Also, I've been very busy these past two weeks with school and football, so posting has ben light. Hopefully I'll be able to return to the swing of things this weekend and everything will calm down soon.

Go BHS Patriots Football!

Never Forget

2005-09-11T22:14:00.000-07:00

Never Forget Those Who Died This Day in 2001. Never Forget Who Is Responsible For The Loss Of Life. Never Forget The Tremendous Acts Of Heroism. Never Forget What This Country Stands For. Never Yield To the Terrorists.

It may have been four years ago, but our resolve must not waiver. We must not falter. We must stay the course and finish the job that we have started. We must continue to hunt down these terrorists where they live and bring the fight to them. We must hunt them until there is not a single one left and hopefully in the process we can spread democracy through the world. Today is a day for reflection and remembrance. Let us never forget what happened or history will repeat itself. God Bless America and may He protect all those who are proteting us. May he also protect those who are desperately trying to build their own democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan. God Bless you and your family.

Saturday Review

2005-09-10T21:32:00.000-07:00

so, I went in for films and weights today. Every Saturday, we review game film in order to put this week behind us and to critique how we did and try to learn from our mistakes. So, perhaps you're wondering what the score of Friday night's game was? It was Birmingham High School 22, Notre Dame 27. We could have won, and would have if we had had just one more minute on the clock. They beat us with their kicker. His name is Kai Forbath. Perhaps you've heard of him. He's one of the best kickers in the country and can kick sixty yard field goals. And he kicked a couple of real long ones on Friday. So, I'm probably pretty bummed right now, huh? No, not really. Sure, it sucks to lose, but we played a great game against a great team, and we came close to beating them. In short, we silenced a bunch of our critics on Friday and we earned a little respect, which is hard to do. So, I'm rather pleased.

Oh, I also got a new e-mail address. It's at GMAIL, and boy howdy is it way cool. I have a few invites, so if you'd like to check GMAIL out for yourself, just let me know. I have to go now. It's late, I'm tired, and I don't want to sleep all day tommorrow. Good Night.

Big Game Tommorrow

2005-09-08T22:46:00.000-07:00

Just checking in. This week has been very hectic. The first week of school always is. Anyway, I've been extremely busy settling in to all my classes and getting ready for the school year. And to add to the mayhem, I'm also preparing for one of the biggest games of the season -- tommorrow night. But everything is fine. My teachers are great and my class schedule hasn't been horribly messed-up as they have been in years past. So everything seems to be working out just fine.

But I digress. I mainly came on tonight to talk about Notre Dame High School; our opponents for our first game of the season. Notre Dame is ranked fourth in the state and twenty-third in the nation. They are a GREAT team. They are well disciplined, big, fast, strong, and talented. They do nopt mess around on the field. Hence, they are the perfect team to start the season with. Either we beat them, or they kick us in the teeth. Either way, it hones our football skills. Tommorrow night will be a trial by fire, no ifs, ands, or buts. We can't make any mistakes and we have to be well-disciplined and play to the best of our ability in order to win. I rather not comment on how I think we're going to do right now because I don't want to jinx it.

I will say though that I am nervous and very anxious. I always am before a game. I get butterflies that feel as if they're ripping insides apart while I'm suiting up. It's very nerve wracking getting ready and waiting around for the excitement to begin. But the second I get on that field, all becomes quiet, the butterflies disappear, and I become all business. Go Patriots!

I'm back

2005-09-05T22:55:00.000-07:00

I'm back. Sorry for the long absence, I've been rather sick lately and it just drained all my energy. Also, the worst of it hit me on Friday, the day of our annual Blue & Gold game. So I had to play rough & tough football while sick. But I had fun, and did pretty well. I seem to be getting better, so I should be ready for school tommorrow.

Oh, by the way, I'm starting school tommorrow. Guess what else? I'm going to be a Senior. Woohoo! I'm starting my final year in High School. Time sure does fly. I remember when I was a Freshman starting high school, not but three years ago. And i remember leaving the hellhole that was my middle school only three months before that. High School jas been a great experience for me. I have reconnected with old friends and I joined the football team, which was one of the best things I have ever done with my life. This is my final year in High School and possibly my final season playing football. So I'm going to make the most of it, because in 180 short days, I'm going to be out. In 180 short days I'm going to be on my own. i'm going to be done with school, hopefully headed to college and NROTC, or maybe even the Academy, but I'm not going to count my chickens before they hatch. I might even have to fall back on Plan C, which is to enlist and go Special Forces or Force Recon. But there are much worse things than serving your country.

So tommorrow, I'm going to wake up early, eat breakfast, freshen up, and catch a ride to school with my friend. I really enjoy riding to school with my friend. It's a great way to start the day. But that's a story for another day. Right now, i'm going to bid y'all buenos noches. Oh, before I leave, the folks down in Louisiana and Mississippi need our help. I ask you to do what you can, even if it just means sending a prayer their way. They need all the help we can give them. If you want to send aid, I suggest starting with the American Red Cross.

Untitled Post

2005-08-30T00:19:00.000-07:00

JP(aka BFN) is back.HAT TIP: ~K. I don't have much tonight, but what I do have is good. And guess what? They have all been supplied by Blackfive. First is an article from Conservative Propaganda about the Code Pink protesters over at Walter Reed Military Hospital. If you wonder about what kind of people are part of the protest for Code Pink, then read this article. Also good if you want to hear the great news coming from the Counter-Protesters. And then rounding out the Blogwatch is another Blackfive piece about the treatment of OIF and OEF Vets in college.

Also, because of Tyler over at .45 Caliber Justice I have been wasting my time with more of these silly quizzes. So enjoy them, as I feel like posting soem results.

Hot shot
You scored 69 Jargon Knowledg!

Too much JAG, Over There, MASH, Black Hawk Down and Tom Clancy novels have gotten to you. Either that, or you're from another branch of service other than the Army or going through ROTC, or a military child. Whichever way, your knowledge of military innards is quite impressive, but not there yet. You need to know the finer points of our lingo, the stuff we say everyday that books don't record, nor movies that show. Military lingo is part of a culture that ever-breathing, ever-living, and always changes like marching cadence.

Here's some hints for you guys.

Your K-Pot is your kevlar helmet; a POG is a 'Person other than Grunt', Sick Call is definitely time to skip out on morning PT; Kiwi may be a fruit and animal, but is definitely not a nickname for a bad soldier, so Kiwi for this purpose is boot shine; and getting smoked is definitely not being rolled up into a joint. That would just hurt.

And now a picture of our favorite Boot Camp Trainee gone mad... "GOMER PYLE"

My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 75% on Lingo Knowledge

Link: The Military Jargon Test written by Medic91w on OkCupid Free Online Dating

Hmmm. I don't like that. I thought I was more fimilar with military jargon than that.

Free Market Paradise
Your nation's freedom (60% overall): 30% civil rights, 80% economy, and 70% political.

Civil Rights: Below average

Economy: Above average

Political Freedoms: Above average

This is the least common type of nation/government in NationStates.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 9% on civil_rights
You scored higher than 92% on economy
You scored higher than 76% on politic_freedom
You scored higher than 69% on overall_freedom

Link: The Rule a Country Test written by Renegade_Master on OkCupid Free Online Dating

I am so NOT a communist. Woohoo! And now for the test that started all this silliness. . . .

Armed and Dangerous
Congratulations! You scored 88%!

You made it out, alive and well supplied. You probably even kept most of your party alive too. You know what to look for, what to take, and when to just run. You even feel a strange inkling to go back. If you did, you'd probably do just fine.

My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 95% on survivalpoints

Link: The Zombie Scenario Survivor Test written by ci8db4uok on Ok Cupid

Armed. . . AND dangerous. Sounds like fun.

Vercingetorix
You scored 74 Wisdom, 50 Tactics, 60 Guts, and 45 Ruthlessness!

Leader of the Gauls, a chieftain of the Arverni. He was the leader of the great revolt against the Romans in 52 BC. Julius Caesar, upon hearing of the trouble, rushed to put it down. Vercingetorix was, however, an able leader and adopted the policy of retreating to heavy, natural fortifications and burning the Gallic towns to keep the Roman soldiers from living off the land. Caesar and his chief lieutenant Labienus lost in minor engagements, but when Vercingetorix shut himself up in Alesia and summoned all his Gallic allies to attack the besieging Romans, the true brilliance of Caesar appeared. He defeated the Gallic relieving force and took the fortress. Vercingetorix was captured and, after gracing Caesar's triumphal return to Rome, was put to death.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 94% on Wisdom
You scored higher than 23% on Tactics
You scored higher than 49% on Guts
You scored higher than 45% on Ruthlessness

Link: The Which Historic General Are You Test written by dasnyds on Ok Cupid

Huh. How interesting. I thought the results would be more along the lines of Washington or Lee. But oh well, a great Gallic general will do.

John Wayne
You scored 52% Tough, 9% Roguish, 23% Friendly, and 14% Charming!

You, my friend, are a man's man, the original true grit, one tough talking, swaggering son of a bitch. You're not a bad guy, on the contrary, you're the ultimate good guy, but you're one tough character, rough and tumble, ready for anything. You call the shots and go your own way, and if some screwy dame is willing to accept your terms, that's just fine by you. Otherwise, you'll just hit the open trail and stay true to yourself. You stand up for what you believe and can handle any situation, usually by rushing into the thick of the action. You're not polished and you're not overly warm, but you're a straight shooter and a real stand up guy. Co-stars include Lauren Bacall and Maureen O'Hara, tough broads who can take care of themselves.

Find out what kind of classic dame you'd make by taking the
Classic Dames Test.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 92% on Tough
You scored higher than 31% on Roguish
You scored higher than 26% on Friendly
You scored higher than 17% on Charming

Link: The Classic Leading Man Test written by gidgetgoes on Ok Cupid

'Nuff said! Thanks for putting up with some silliness tonight. Fair winds and following seas.

Touching Poem

2005-08-27T17:39:00.000-07:00

I found a very touching poem over at Mudville. You can find it here. Make sure you bring plenty of tissues, and have a nice day. :^)

Great Day For Football

2005-08-26T23:12:00.000-07:00

Today was awesome. We had a little scrimmage/social gathering for the team. All the parents came to watch and were harangued by my mother and the ol' head coach about why our team is so great and why they should support us. Got a whole lot of playing time, too. Looks like I'm not going to be starting in game #1, but that can change, at least I'm going to get to play, and that's what counts -- even if it is on the Field Goal team. I was hoping to get some pictures, but the cameraman of the family (aka My Dad) was unexpectedly volunteered to film the team for game film and was unable to get any, but that's alright. In fact the whole world is alright. I'm currently sitting here blogging, in the dark(which is how I like it); late at night while everybody else is asleep. The quiet solitude provides a great atmosphere for reflection, as well as listeninng to James Taylor and other folk music. And speaking of folk music, if you like that particular genre then perhaps you should check out Bindlestiff Records. It is run by a man named Brian Holbrook , who is also an artist for the label, and is a great source of folk music. You might know Mr. Holbrook better by his pseudonym, Goldfalcon. It's good music, trust me.

Also, HOLY SMOKES! I am past 2000 visitors for the site. Outstanding! Frankly, I'm amazed that I even have one visitor. Thank you very much to all those who have helped me out here. A special thank you to ~K(who has been a big regular guest, and has offered good advice), to Mustang23(without whom, none of the Jerky craziness would have been possible), JP(aka BFN), Goldfalcon(who's been a big supporter), Tyler(who's a regular), Neptunus Lex(I don't believe an explanation is needed), IdahoJoe, and anybody else who I may have forgotten. If you are a new visitor, welcome, and stay as long as you like.

Have a nice weekend everyone. I going to continue relaxing and listening to folk music, and anything else that comes up in my iTunes player.

Just Checking In

2005-08-24T22:42:00.000-07:00

I'm very tired today. I need to get some sleep so I can get up before noon. It's hard for me though. I come from a family full of night owls, so it's easy for me to stay up very late. Anyway, I thought I'd at least post something short. Have you heard about the whole Lance Armstrong steroids debate? Sounds like the French are just jealous of an American's superiority. They just need to face the music and realize that there is no beating a man who survived cancer. It. Just. Can't. Be. Done. Oh, and make sure Kevin over at the Cammand T.O.C. doesn't get his grimy hands on this post, or else you can expect another one of these. Seems some people can't take a joke, but I don't worry about people such as him. If you need any evidence of his character, just go spelunking through Goldfalcon's archives.

I also found Froggy's comments about the dreaded V-word and Sen. Hagel's comments on that topic. Very interesting. Also, can anyone explain the whole "Able Danger" thing to me, I'm confused? That should do it for now. It's now time for me to inspect my eyelids for leaks. G'Night.

Today Was A Good Day

2005-08-22T22:25:00.000-07:00

Well, today was a good day. It was pretty easy, which my knee must have liked because it didn't hurt that much. It only hurt while I was stretching and while I was lifting, which is a big improvement. I made some great blocks, and some not so great blocks, but the good ones outweighed the bad ones, which means I'm improving, which is a good thing. I also found out one of my coaches is former US Army Special Forces and I had an interesting discussion with him inbetween sets. But that's enough about football for today, there are more important things going on. First and foremost, is that SMASH is in need of a new job. Go help him out if you can. It also seems that my comments have been rather empty lately. No big deal, just hoping that it's because everyone is busy. Hope y'all are doing well, would hate to have anything bad happen to anyone.

Blackfive has another of his Someone You Should Know posts up. It is about Casey Sheehanand his valorous actions in Iraq. Forget his mother's actions for a while and go read this post. It is very moving. Thank you very much Specialist Sheehan, your country appreciates your sacrifice.

Neptunus Lex pointed me towards this little piece about those America-haters in Hollywood. It rings very true also. Perhaps you don't fully understand what I'm getting at, perchance a quote would help.

Look at Hollywood now. Sean Penn goes to Iraq and apologizes for American war crimes. Hollywood’s patron saint is Michael Moore, its liturgy his package of lies, the movie “Fahrenheit 9/11.” When this film had its Hollywood premiere, the red carpet was choked with stars just dying to make an anti-Bush statement. We’re talking about movie stars who know basically nothing about politics. To call them fools would be generous. I have spent time with too many of these people, and believe me, if you’re not talking about how beautiful or how talented they are, the conversation sort of just dies.

It is, I kid you not, a badge of honor in Hollywood to hate America. These airheads who have amassed millions through the free market economy constantly spout nonsense about the need for a Scandinavian style socialist government. They don’t even know that the Scandinavian countries are economic basket cases. I’m not making this up. They actually cruise Sunset Strip in their Bentleys and accuse Republicans of being greedy.

From everything I've ever experienced, those in Hollywood are self-involved, hypocritical, arrogant, uninformed, ignorant, communist-leaning, democracy-hating, hippies. You can be addicted to cocaine and molest children AND still get a job in Hollywood, provided of course you fit the description of hippie liberal, who votes Democratic every time. This is not a false stereotype, not a broad generalization, it is the truth. Provided there are a few exceptions, but Conservatism is a mortal sin in Hollywood. If you are a Republican in hollywood, you will be blacklisted. Everyday, I have to deal with people who have been brainwashed by the likes of Michael Moore, George Clooney, Hanoi jane Fonda, and the various other DNC shills and mouthpieces for peace, love, unity/communism, the downfall of America and democracy, anti-zionism/anti-semitism, and everything else that stupid that liberals have said. And quite frankly, I'M SICK AND TIRED OF IT!

I'm fed up with the ignorance and the hatred towards America. I'm sick of the anarchists and nihilists. I'm sick of the bigots and racists and terror apologists. I'm sick of everytime I open my mouth to comment on politics and my worldview, getting called a babykiller, warmonger, dumbass, Bush drone, greedy, Capitalist, Zionist, racist, Ku Klux Klan, world terrorist, fascist, Nazi, haliburton supporting simpleton. I am almost never countered by rational thought or any proper evidence, it is always an ad hominem attack. There are a few exceptions, and I welcome those discussions. But really all I want to do is get out of Los Angeles and as far away from these people as possible. That's why, when I turn eighteen, I'm going to a college in the Midwest or on the East Coast, or in the South, and if I can't get into a college I'm joining the military. Anything, to get away from these nutcases. And thus ends my little rant.

And getting back to my blogwatch, it seems that El Capitan was involved in a car crash. I'm glad he and his son got away with just a few scratches and bruises and nothing major. Bruises and cuts and scrapes heal easily, paralysis and and death don't. Glad no one was hurt. The cars don't look that bad either, totalled no doubt, but no that badly. At least, coming from me. I totalled my dad's truck a lot worse than that, and was lucky to walk away alive. . . . . But that's a tale for another day. Also, for all those wondering about the quote "useful idiots", I have an article to clear up any misconception. Thanks, Chap.

So I think that will do it for tonight. I need to get some sleep for the Double Day tommorrow. Gute Nacht. God Bless America and all those brave souls who protect her. To all you soldiers, sailors, airmen, and especially Marines, sleep peacefully tonight, your service is appreciated and we are all praying for you. Hang in there, you're all doing great things. La buona notte ed il dio benedicono.

About NCOs

2005-08-18T22:30:00.000-07:00

The other day I got an email from one of the cadets in my squadron that really brightened up my day and made me feel good inside. The cadet in question has been suffering from low self-esteem and I, along with many of my fellow staff members, have been trying to make him realize just how good a cadet he actually is. No matter what we tried(and we tried everything we could think of), nothing seemed to work. Well, I, along with my colleague of many a year, managed to talk him into going to Encampment. Encampment is Civil Air Patrol's version of basic training. It is a week of learning everything you need to know to be a CAP cadet and it really builds character. It is one of the most memorable weeks of my life, and I will never forget how proud I was to stand out on the paradegrounds of Camp San Luis Obispo graduating from Encampment. We, me and my former flight commander and current deputy commander(me being my unit's XO), figured that Encampment would work wonders for his confidence. We wanted to make him realize how good a cadet he is. He has natural leadership ability and I have always liked him. I've sort of taken him under my wing to make sure he gets by alright. And no joke, I think he will make an outstanding NCO or officer.

Most of our staff went to staff this year's Encampment and they made sure they would keep an eye on my protege. I would have gone, but Encampment fell right in the middle of Fall Camp, and I couldn't go. But if I didn't have football in the way, I would return in a heartbeat, so I could pass along everything I've learned to someone who is just starting out in the program.

Anyway, back to the story at hand. So, my trainee got back and sent me one of the greatest e-mails I have ever gotten. He said that it was one of the most memorable weeks of his entire life. Unfortunately I haven't been able to talk to him face-to-face yet, so I'll update when I do, but he seems so much more confident. It is my sincerest hope that Encampment has shown him he is much better than he realized.

But this is what being a Non-Commisioned Officer is all about. An NCO is in the thick of it, leading those around him, unlike an officer who commands and orders but always stays somewhat distant from the troops. An NCO is more of a big brother. He is a mentor, someone who knows what to do and gets the job done. If all else fails, if you have no idea what is going on, if you need assistance, then find an NCO. I love it. I love leading those under me. It holds its own special rewards. I like to see those that I have trained do well, and I hate to see them fail. It is almost like being a parent. You become attached to them, because you held their hand as they first learned how to march in formation. You taught them to shine their shoes. You showed them how to wear the uniform properly. And you always hope to see the day when those you trained move up the ranks and take your place. It fills you with a lot of pride, to know that that's one of your former cadets that is now the commander of this or that squadron.

But more than that, I always like taking a special interest in the hard cases. Those, like my protege, who have problems. I don't know why, but helping them overcome obstacles and realize their own potential is very fulfilling. And that's why I love being an NCO. I like helping others, it makes me feel good.

Some Somber Reflection

2005-08-17T21:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I must have made somebody angry. That's the only way I can figure it because today I re-injured my knee. I got blindsided during a tackling drill, mid-stride. So my body went with the direction of the hit, and my right leg stayed firmly planted, torquing my knee. So know I can barely walk without suffering through excruciating pain. But hey, at least i made it through practice while a bunch of other guys went to the sidelines to ice injuries far less severe than mine. So, I think it's ofiicial, I'm either tougher than I thought, or I am stoo stupid to realize I need to get off my feet.

If you frequent this blog, then you probably know that I want to go into the military when I am older, hopefully to fly planes. If you didn't know, then you do now. Anyway, that's just a little background information. I've covered the topic of why i want to serve many a time before. The most exhaustive and in my opinion, best, being found HERE. Well, tonight I want to talk about something different, but still related to that topic. As I was perusing the various blogs that I read, I came across a few posts that got me thinking along the lines of service. The first being one from Uncle Jimbo. He wrote a letter from Casey Sheehan to his mom, I think you should read it. It's very poignant and tugs deeply at the heartstrings. I then fell upon one of Goldfalcon's posts about how the military takes care of its own.

That brought me to my first, and I hope only(though I know that's not going to be the case), military funeral. Last August, around this time, my grandfather passed away. While my family had known this was coming, due to his failing health, it didn't hit us any lighter. My grandfather had put in twenty-one years in the Army Air Corps and later United States Air Force, serving honorably and with distinction in World War II and Korea. It was decided on very quickly that he was to have a funeral with full military honors. So, I, along with my mother and father, made the journey back to Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina, where numerous generations of my kin are buried and where many more of my living relatives reside.

I wanted to pay tribute to my grandfather the best I could. So I wore my best Class A Blues, complete with marksmans badge and CAC shoulder chord. I had hoped to be in the real, honest-to-God military when he finally took the last flight home, so I could show him that I had taken my place in the long line of veterans in my family. That I had filled in my place in our proud military tradition and heritage. But I'll never get the chance. So I did what I could to honor the man who instilled in me my dream to serve and love of country. And the more I think about and look back on the time we spent together, the more I realize what a profound effect he had on me.

The day of the funeral was absolutely beautiful. It was hot and humid, but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It was decided that I along with my cousins would act as pallbearers, and I carried his casket with as much military bearing and solemn dignity as I could muster. It was the best I could do. I also delivered a eulogy. I tried my best to say what I thought was most representative of the man I knew as my Papa. A man of honor, who loved God, his family, his country, and the land from whence he came, and to which he was returned. He loved to fly, and most of all, he loved life. To this day I don't know how I managed through it without crying, but I was told that there wasn't a dry eye in the room when I was done. After the church services, we moved outside to the church's cemetery where my grandfather was laid to rest. This where the local American Legion honor guard took to its duties. I stood at rigid attention throughout most of it, as it was the only thing I could do to keep myself from crying over the loss of one of my heroes.

The commander, who was also a chaplain, delivered a beautiful sermon, and said some very kind words about my grandfather. But the greatest honor he bestowed his friend and compatriot, was to fold the American flag draped across my grandfather's casket and present it to my grandmother. I have nevere held a salute longer, with less discomfort as I did when "Pre-SENT. . . ARMS!" was called. I watched as the flag was folded; with the tenderest care, as if it was a child. Some of the kindest words on behalf of my Papa, came when the flag was presented to his wife. They went like this, "On behalf of the president of the United States and a very grateful country, I present with this flag." After that came the most beautiful version of Taps I think I have ever heard. It nearly brought me to tears, but the crack of the M1 Garands quickly got my attention. The first volley that was fired nearly made me jump out of my skin. The gun salute seemed almost endless, each shot resonating through the thick summer air. I'm sure it could be heard for miles around. After the final salute, as is the custom, each pallbearer passed in front of the casket to pay their final respects and place their corsages upon the casket. When it was my turn, I slowly walked in front of it, placed my corsage on top, said a very quiet prayer and good-bye, and rendered my Papa with one of the best, most-textbook, crispest salute I could. It was my final salute to him. A final good-bye.

Soon after all of the pallbearers said good-bye, the pastor delivered burial rites, and in the middle of it, a group of cows in the pasture next door decidd to start mooing. It was almost as if the cows were paying their final respects to an old farmboy. I thought it fitting. The pastor then finished the burial, and the funeral was over.

And so ended my first involvment in a military funeral. I hope that I will not have to attend many more. But if I do, then I will happily do my best to furnish the utmost dignity and respect due to a servicemen who received his fiinal discharge papers.And one day, in the near future, when I am in the military, I will return graveside, to let Major Ned Miller, USAF(ret.) know that I have picked up the sword and shield to protect what I believe in and to do my duty. To take my place in history.

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
No 412 squadron, RCAF
Killed 11 December 1941

More Fun Tommorrow

2005-08-16T23:02:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely exhausted tonight. It sure doesn't help that I'm sick, and I sucked it up an entire practice. But it really affected my game. I was just completely out of it today, which is always strange, and usually incurs coach's wrath on me. But that's the past, and I have tommorrow to make it up. And we have a Double Day tommorrow, which means I get to enjoy a practice at the wee hours of 9:30 in the morning, which is very early, considering I sleep until at least 11:00 during the summer. But the blogging is probably going to be light tommorrow(could I use that word anymore), because I'm going to be at school all day, and then I'm going to be at my CAP meeting until, probably 2130, so I've got a busy day.

Well, today was a defensive day, and I have to say, there are few rushes I have found that can equal or exceed the rush of playing defense. Defense is not like Offense. It requires little mental effort and is just about purely physical. It is the closest thing I have found to being an absolute caveman. The rush is indescribable. The only thing on your mind is getting to the ball; no ifs, ands, or buts. And like a wild animal on the hunt, your senses are all at the ready. You're keyed up and ready to destroy anyhting that gets in your way. Many times this can lead to fouls, unsportsmanlike conduct, and off-sides flags, not because the players are bad players but because they are in a totally different mindset; one that makes it hard to control one's temper or agressiveness. And to make a tackle, to catch your prey, is equal to a chemical high.

Just my thoughts. See y'all later.

Getting There

2005-08-15T23:02:00.001-07:00

Today saw the beginning of the third week of Fall Camp. We're slowly inching our way towards the season. Also, my knee did pretty well. It only took until blocking circuits for it to start hurting, so it's getting better. Baby steps, after all. Also, over the weekend, my dad and I upgraded the Ol' Mac, and it is now better than ever. It sports a speedy 1.2 gigaherz processor, a brand-spanking-new DVD RW/CD RW drive, and is now running on OS X Tiger. It's pretty sweeeet. Anyway, I thought I'd link y'all to all the good stuff out there. Why? Because I'm just a nice guy like that. No, I'm just kidding. The reality of it is, if I didn't link, I'd have little if anything to write about. So let's get to it, shall we?

It seems Balckfive has discovered a rather nefarious scheme of the liberals. Just despicable is all I can say. Also a good reason I don't read Daily Kos(no link neccessary, or warranted). Again, as always, Black5 hits the issue square on the nose, which is why i frequent his blog. That, and he insulted a French general. On a related topic, Froggy delves into the warrior psyche. Very interesting stuff. I saw a lot of myself in his description. A very good read.

Poor Neptunus Lex. It seems he had a run-in with a very arrogant liberal, in church. I'm sorry, but skewed worldviews aside, church is no place for politics. Check your political affiliation at the door please, and coem and worship the good Lord. On a similar tangent, is a church really the house of God, or is it more liek the foyer? Sorry, re-reading that question, I now realize how silly it is. Please forgive the author's mind's tendency to wander.

And now, time for soemthing completely different. A little monty Python never hurt anything. And for something equally as silly, take a look at what ElCapitan did. Sorry kiddies, but you might have to wait a while to read(and possibly to undertsand) this one. He also brings us heartening news about progress in Iraq. Oh, and Chapomatic has a link to something snarky. Also, I think this whole "Political Correctness" thing has gone too far. But that might just be me. I mean, I'm a rough, tough, male, teenager who plays football; I have tendencies towards rough language(not around any of my coaches, mind you, as that would bring unwanted push-ups) and dirty jokes, oh, and remarks about the fairer sex, many of which are unprintable on this website. And finally, for those wondering, Greyhawk provides the definition of American. Good night.

Nursing My Knee

2005-08-11T22:11:00.000-07:00

Well, hello again everyone. This is going to be rather short tonight, as I am tired and need to study for my Algebra 2 final tommorrow. I am also in an goodly amount of pain because I messed up my knee at practice today. I took a helmet diagonally to the back of my right knee, and it hurts to put any weight on it. I don't think I did anything major,but I did enough to cause some pain. Hey, football's a rough sport, and like any rough sport, you're bound to get a little banged up. The only thing I am really worried about is it swelling to the size of a melon. Other than that, I'm doing pretty well. Thanks everybody for the reassuring words the other day.

I'm going to start off with some links to some charities which are doing some very good things for the troops.First up is VALOUR I.T., which is providing voice-to-print and voice controlled software to wounded troops, as well as laptops to use it on. Next is the Special Operations Warrior Association. And then there is GI-Bracelet.org which helps out our troops and you can even get a rubber wristband in return for your donation. I believe in this cause enough that i have their logo and link in my sidebar. That'll do it for now, I'm thinking of putting together a list of all the different charities on this site. Maybe, later, when I have more time. Good Night.

The Space Program

2005-08-10T22:39:00.000-07:00

You know, I've been thinking, why the hell are we wasting our money on NASA when it's not accomplishing anything? It seems we've lost interest, as a nation, in the vast unexplored territories of space. The very thing that made America what it is, our wanderlust, has been lost in the space program. It's become more about low orbit, scientific missions. The astronauts aboard the space shuttle have become mere high tech babysitters. We have seen it fit to cut the NASA budget so much, that, were we to want to go to the moon tommorrow, we would be unable. Well, how do we as a nation, set about to pull the space program out of the rut it is in?

Well, first off, spend more money. The budget needs to be expanded if any gains are to be made. The money just simply isn't there to improve the situation, whether it is due to political infighting or just apathy. Before any other changes can be made, the neccessary funds must be provided. This is the biggest test of loyalty for the American people. If they are willing to put up the cash, then maybe, just maybe, there might be hope. For a couple decades now, we Americans have been trying to stay partially committed in space travel, an endeavour that requires total committment. We must decide whether we are willing to accept the risks involved, and if we are, completely commit ourselves, if not, cut ourselves loose and shut it down completely.

Second, the space shuttle has to go! It is severely outdated, and we must update and take full advantage of all the technology that has been developed from the shuttle program. It has had a successful run, and now its time has passed. There needs to be new, cheaper methods of space travel. Many projects that showed immense promise were scrapped, due to lack of money. Experimental aircraft testing needs to start back up. There are too many things that we can benefit from it. If we can develop an easy way to achieve hypersonic flight, then we can come that much closer to more practical spaceflight. Also, the private and commercial area is going to end up providing radical innovations like they always do. I think if we can have both operating easily, it would be beneficial to everybody. The private arena can revolutionize low orbit stuff, and astro-tourism, while NASA can focus on the scientific end of the spectrum.

And finally, whatever happened to the badass astronauts and balls-to-the-wall flying? Honestly, space flight has become boring. I no longer care when the shuttle launches and when it lands and what it does in between. I was more excited to learn about the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs in school than I was to learn about spiders in zero-g. We need someone like JFK to set lofty goals in a set deadline, as that is the only way things will get done. We need something that will force us to move forward, and break us free of this post Space Race malaise. As much as I hate to sound cliche, we need to go to Mars and we need to return to the moon. The benefits far exceed the risks. I'll leave you with the words of the man who got us into the whole space exploration business in the first place.

No man can fully grasp how far and how fast we have come, but condense, if you will, the 50,000 years of man's recorded history in a time span of but a half century. Stated in these terms, we know very little about the first 40 years, except at the end of them advanced man had learned to use the skins of animals to cover them. Then about 10 years ago, under this standard, man emerged from his caves to construct other kinds of shelter. Only 5 years ago man learned to write and use a cart with wheels. Christianity began less than 2 years ago. The printing press came this year, and then less than 2 months ago, during this whole 50-year span of human history, the steam engine provided a new source of power.

Newton explored the meaning of gravity. Last month electric lights and telephones and automobiles and airplanes became available. Only last week did we develop penicillin and television and nuclear power, and now if America's new spacecraft succeeds in reaching Venus, we will have literally reached the stars before midnight tonight.

This is a breathtaking pace, and such a pace cannot help but create new ills as it dispels old, new ignorance, new problems, new dangers. Surely the opening vistas of space promise high costs and hardships, as well as high reward.

So it is not surprising that some would have us stay where we are a little longer to rest, to wait. But this city of Houston, this State of Texas, this country of the United States was not built by those who waited and rested and wished to look behind them. This country was conquered by those who moved forward-and so will space.

William Bradford, speaking in 1630 of the founding of the Plymouth Bay Colony, said that all great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage.

If this capsule history of our progress teaches us anything, it is that man, in his quest for knowledge and progress, is determined and cannot be deterred. The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not, and it is one of the great adventures of all time, and no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in this race for space.

Those who came before us made certain that this country rode the first waves of the industrial revolutions, the first waves of modern invention, and the first wave of nuclear power, and this generation does not intend to founder in the backwash of the coming age of space. We mean to be a part of it - we mean to lead it. For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace. We have vowed that we shall not see space filled with weapons of mass destruction, but with instruments of knowledge and understanding.

Yet the vows of this Nation can only be fulfilled if we in this Nation are first, and, therefore, we intend to be first. In short, our leadership in science and in industry, our hopes for peace and security, our obligations to ourselves as well as others, all require us to make this effort, to solve these mysteries, to solve them for the good of all men, and to become the world's leading space-faring nation.

We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people. For space science, like nuclear science and all technology, has no conscience of its own. Whether it will become a force for good or ill depends on man, and only if the United States occupies a position of pre-eminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theater of war. I do not say that we should or will go unprotected against the hostile misuse of space any more than we go unprotected against the hostile use of land or sea, but I do say that space can be explored and mastered without feeding the fires of war, without repeating the mistakes that man has made in extending his writ around this globe of ours.
. . . . . . . . .
We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.

-- John Fitzgerald Kennedy

My Outlook Is Optimistic

2005-08-08T22:20:00.000-07:00

I had a rather reassuring conversation with my mentor and former Physics teacher, this morning. He has a way of setting things in perspective for me. I guess it's because of his vast life experience. In fact, you can go to his website. Well, we were shooting the breeze and my Academy admissions problems came up. I told him what had happened, but he just said that I should keep trying and that it won't be the end of the world if I don't to the Academy, and go NROTC. Very reassuring our chat was. And the more I think about, the less worried I am about not going to Annapolis. Sure it would be great to have the experience and play Navy Football, but it isn't neccessary. I think this has been blessing in a way. It has served as a proverbial "gutcheck," to see if a career in the Navy is really what I want, and I've come to the realization that it is, and I am willing to do whatever it takes.

I have been getting letters from a whole bunch of civilian colleges(all with NROTC programs) who would love for me to come to their college. I am sure I will also get letters from college scouts once the football season starts, too. As long as I am a pilot in the U.S. Navy, I'll be happy. So right now, I'm pretty content. The world is turning on it's axis just right, and today has been okay. Life goes on. So, I'm tired and the only thing I can think of right now is checking my eye lids for leaks, so I'm gonna sign-off here. But, before I go, I want to say that all Marines and Soldiers and Sailors and Airmen and Coasties are a blessing from God to this great land. The sheer fact that we have men and women who are willing to lay their lives down for freedom is awe-inspiring. So I want to leave y'all with this, a letter to a fallen Marine's mother.(Courtesy of Blackfive)

Why Was It My Son Had to Die?

To the families of the brave Ohio Marines

Why was it my son had to die,

To preserve some truth? To hide a lie?

Why did my country ask of me,

To sacrifice my hopes so totally?

Why must one home give up so much,

Among the few to feel death’s touch?

Why was it my son had to die?

Please let me know, please tell me why.

Your son died in a valiant cause,

To save our way of rights and laws,

To keep the light of freedom glowing,

To keep the rights of freemen flowing,

To keep our tall torch burning bright

Against the terror, against its night.

Your son gave up his valiant best,

To save our ways, preserve the rest.

True, politics is a darkened art,

Devouring lives of those with heart,

The heart to give their very best,

To serve, protect we helpless rest.

But, Lord, we’re thankful some will serve

We multitudes, who lack their nerve.

They take up arms and fight our foes,

Bearing bloody burdens for our woes.

Why was it my son had to die?

Why must I be the one to cry?

Because you are one of the few,

Who raised a son who truly knew,

Our freedom’s price is paid in blood,

Young men must die to stay the flood,

To keep the terror wolves at bay,

To save us all, preserve our way.

Why was it my son had to die?

Because your son was one fine guy.

Russ Vaughn
2d Bn, 327th Parachute Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division
Vietnam 65-66

TGIF

2005-08-05T21:56:00.000-07:00

Well, I survived the first week of Fall Camp, now just four more to go. The team's coming together pretty nicely, though. I've been promised a spot on the defensive line, because I can "do many things and get the job done," so it looks like I will possibly be playing D-Tackle and End, aside from my usual duties as a Nose Guard. Also, our Offensive Line is progressing rapidly, too, and is farther ahead than last year's O-Line was, which means good things. I think we have a good shot at repeating the City title but, I don't want to jinx it.

Well, I promised pictures of my gear, so I've included a couple in this post. I'll put up better ones tommorrow when the sun comes up and I have better lighting. I also thought I'd provide a few links to some interesting stuff, like I always do. First, I want to wish ~K good health, since her son was recently ill. I'm glad everything worked out and everyone is doing well. I sure did miss her comments; her kind words always brighten up my day. I've had my tonsils removed, due to chronic tosilitis, so I know what her child went through. It's not a walk in the park, I can assure you.

Also, The 'Phibian provides us with an interesting article about the French. It seems some of them have realized the horrid state that they are in. Next up is Chap with some news about nukes which is very interesting. Have you ever stopped by The Gun Line? If not, do so now. I have a link in my sidebar. Sgt. B can really turn a phrase, as evidenced HERE. So I think that will do it for this evening. Catch y'all later.

Me Tired

2005-08-02T21:57:00.000-07:00

Hard practice today. Me very tired. Me not write well when me tired. Me not use good grammar or proper syntax. My verbs not conjugated correctly. Well, those first sentences were probably a waste of electrons. Anyway, we had a very hard practice today. We did some conditioning so it just wore me out. So, me no bloggy tonight. I will however link you to The Jump Blog to listen to Goldfalcon's new hit single Wings On A Prayer. Go listen, that's an order. Do it now, or else we'll just do Up-&-Downs 'til we're blue in the face. Nah, I kid, I kid. So have a good evening, day, afternoon, or whatever you're having when you read this. See you tommorrow. Oh, and I'll have pictures of me with my pads tommorrow.

A Beginning Of Sorts

2005-08-01T23:00:00.000-07:00

Well today marked the first day of Fall Camp for football. I'm tired, sore, and extremely happy. There is nothing better than doing something you love with your friends. And tommorrow it gets even better because we get issued pads, so we get to hit soon. I'm really excited and can't hardly wait for the season to begin. But I know it will be here soon enough, so no worries. Right now I'm just going to sit back, relax, and enjoy the cool night air, because it has been unbearably hot out here in L.A. Anyway, I saw The Island on Saturday and I have to say that it was pretty good. It definitely had some similar themes as Logan's Run but it could stand on it's own two feet. Oh, and the hoverbikes are totally awesome.

I thought I'd link y'all to soem noteworthy articles and what not. Seems that Bolton got appointed without all of the hassles of Congress. Bush just waited until our Representatives and Senators went on vacation to appoint him. Frankly, I don't see what all the fuss was about, i think Bolton will do a good job and maybe he can knock some sense into the flunkies in the UN. Also, Al Gore has announced the launch of his news network. Great, another liberally biased news channel, just what the world needs. Oh, and it seems that Chuck is doing better and even got to meet someone special. Go wish him health and happiness and see who had the audacity to go visit him.

I'll end this on a rather sad note. Froggy had the opportunity to attend the funeral of Petty Officer James E. Suh. He chronicles it, and it is very touching. It nearly made me cry. Well, I stumbled upon some poetry while clearing out my desk today, and I thought it was appropriate.

Comrade

I rush to my fallen comrade,
his side quickly draining blood.
I finally reach him,
after dodging bullets that hung in the air like gnats.
I administer morphine to try to ameliorate the pain.
His wounds gape at me.
His screams are contrite and filled with penitence,
every word he gasps,
he apologizes for running into the fight.
I tell him it will be alright.
I plead with god for mercy,
let this one man live,
don't take him now,
not like this.
I throw his over my shoulder,
and head toward safety.
The medic looks him over,
and valiantly does what he can.
But his efforts are futile.
And in that land,
of the shifting sands,
I lose a friend.

--- William Cooper, Jr.

A Season in Review(part 3)

2005-07-30T17:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's done. Finally! The event you've all been waiting for. . . .the final part of A Season In Review. If you need to have your memory jogged, then here's PART 1 and PART 2.

Air Warriors

2005-07-26T20:16:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back. Sorry for the lack of posts, but I've been busy. I've had school to worry about as well as, most of the time I spend on the internet each day has been spent on Air Warriors. It is quite possibly one of the coolest forums I have ever been a part of. It's also filled with a bunch of Naval Aviators to converse with and gain much knowledge from. I've also been kind of bored. Since we are on our last break until August 1st, the last one and a half weeks has been boring. No football, no hanging out with the guys on a daily basis, and no carrying on and getting into trouble(usually involving the girls volleyball team or similar group) with my teammates. At least next Monday we'll be back at it, having fun in the sun in pads!!!!!. Anyway, I don't know what to write about, so I think a blog watch is in order.

Well start off with Uncle Jimbo and his piece on terrorism and the war in Iraq. Very interesting> I know a few liberals who need to read this. And if you've ever wondered what our servicemen do while not fighting the enemy, then GO HERE. It also seems that SGT B has been riled up by the new hippity-hop language the kids are speaking nowadays. Perhaps you have too? Me, being one of those kids who speak the hippity-hop language, I don't notice it all that often, but even I agree that it gets carried way too far sometimes. Oh, and I gues we all need some silliness right now, so why don't you go see what El Capitan is going to use as his tombstone. Oh, and before I forget, Chuck's back. Go wish him well.

Anbody ever had a Sobe? They're good. I suggest picking one up. Been drinking them straight for a couple days now. Good stuff. These cars are, to quote Peter Griffin, "Freakin' Sweet!" I would love to have the 911 Turbo S in a beautiful red. 444 hp and a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds. Oh, if only it didn't cost nearly $200,000 dollars(US). Well, someday I'll own a beasty monstrosity of an automobile like that, and when I do, watch out.

Anybody Else Worried?

2005-07-22T22:30:00.000-07:00

Does THIS worry anyone else? It was intended to help with drug trafficking and stretched across the Canadian border to a house in Washington. This raises some serious national security issues. If there's one of these, then couldn't it be possible that there are more? Yes, there probably are. No serious drug runner is going to spend all this time and money to build just one, especially if this one was compromised and watched over by the Feds. There have to be more and this begs the question, just how many more are there that we don't know about?

This also raises some serious implications over how terrorists might use these tunnels. They would make an excellent means to smuggle arms or operatives into the country right under our noses. Also, if they ever do decide to use the N.B.C. option, ome of these tunnels would be a means to bring a weapon into the United States. Scary Stuff! So how do we stop this from happening? I don't think we have a 100% effective way to stop this. This is something that is hard to detect. I'm open to any ideas from the military crowd out there.

In other news, GWA.45 has an interesting post about guns and which one would make a great home defense weapon for a newbie who doesn't shoot too often. It's interesting to say the least. Also, does THIS offend anyone else? I bet if it bashed liberals it would already be burining in a dumpster right now. But it's not, and the liberals here in California just have no decency. It just makes me sick and very angry sometimes. Anyway, that's gonna do it for today. See you tommorrow.

Thank Goodness!

2005-07-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

I am 14% Hippie.

What? Am I a Republican? Why did I even bother taken this test?! I guess I’ll back to my George W. Bush fan club and tell them I just wasted 10 minutes of my life. At least I don’t stink, man.

Take the
Hippie Test
@ FualiDotCom

Thank goodness. I can't possibly imagine what would have happened if I had scored otherwise. Thanks Tyler. I have been very, very busy lately, so sorry for the light posting. I'm planning on putting up the rest of Season up tonight or tommorrow, depends on when I have time. I'd like to thank everyone for their kind comments and support over my rejection by the Academy, but no worries, I'm just gonna get back on that horse. I have been listening to Goldfalcon's music a lot, and I have to say, it's pretty darned good. Right up there with Bob Dylan, James Taylor, and Willie Nelson. It has that folk sound to it, which I enjoy. Why don't you all go visit him and take a listen? Just click on the little gray jukebox application in the upper right hand corner. Guarantee you won't be dissapointed. Also, anybody else forget what Day It Was? A Couple Of Americans landed about 36 years ago today. Makes you proud to be American doesn't it?

Hey, When You're Knocked Off That Horse. . .

2005-07-16T15:29:00.000-07:00

. . . You've got to get back on. I got a letter back from the Academy today. It contained nothing but bad news. Apparently I am currently not competitive enough to be a candidate for admission. I'm down but by no means am I out. It said that if my SAT or ACT score was higher and/or I improved my GPA, I would be more likely to be selected. So, I know what I have to do, and now is the time to do it. I'll reapply in a couple months and see what happens.

Go Navy! Beat Army!

Thoughts On Service

2005-07-15T22:00:00.000-07:00

When I first got on the internet tonight, and did my usual blog reading and email checking, I had nothing to write about. If you can believe that. I know, I know, as a blogger I should always have something to write about, well, today, me not so much. Anyway, I came up with a couple of comments here and there. I think my best was probably over at SMASH's on his article about the USS Iowa. It's a shame to see a good memorial to the servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice, turned into a partisan agenda-advancing debacle. But then, the liberals in San Francisco never were much to value military service. It's almost as bad as the whole WTC Memorial Plans. But I digress(been doing that a lot lately). It all put me in a very contemplative mood. And when I read THIS and THIS, which got me thinking and gave me something to blog about. Go figure. Oh, and don't forget to drop by The Jump Blog and take a listen to Goldfalcon's song, My Pretty Ones and the rest of his musical works".

I got to thinking about why I want to serve. Truly, deep down, why I want to risk my life, for little pay, and, it seems sometimes, for little recognition. It's in my blood, I guess. I have had a relative in just about every single American war since the Revolution. I am a son of the American Revolution, son of the Confederacy, and native-born American. Service calls out to me. For me, the uniform is a part of me. I want to protect freedom and liberty and the rights that I so wholeheartedly believe in. But I know that when I do actually see action, these things will not motivate me. What will, is the thoughts of my friends and family back home. The men and women who stand beside me in the fight for freedom. That is what will keep me going, during tough times and when fear grips me.

If I cannot become a pilot, I will become a SEAL, I have pondered this over and over and it is the only thing that would satisfy my adrenalin addiction. My way of thinking is, if I can't fly the planes, then I'm gonna jump out of them. I want to stand against the enemy side by side with rough men, who I can trust with my life. And if I can't go to college and become an officer, then I am going to enlist into the Army of Marines, and go straight into the fray. I'll try to be Special Forces or Force Recon if I can, but the key thing is to serve.

I want to be tested. I want to join the ranks of fellow patriots who have fought for what they believe in. I want to be the next generation to follow the family tradition. I want to join those overseas and fight the enemy of country and to take the battle to him and show him the extent of the United States' resolve. I want to fight for my beliefs. I don't want to be remembered for be a sissy who couldn't stand up for his convictions. Sometimes a man has to what a man has to do. I want to live life and leave my mark upon the world. I don't want to be confined to a life of regret for paths never taken and area never explored. I want to be talked about as a patriot and a real man.

And if I should die while serving my country, I want no one to weep for me, for I died doing what I loved. I died among men and women of honor who did everything they could. I died nobly on the battlefield, proving myself. I don't want anyone to blame the president, the DOD, or any of my higher-ups for my death. If you must blame someone, blame the enemy. There are no fingers to be pointed, I chose this lifestyle. I chose to serve my country, and place my life on the line so that others could sleep peacefully in their beds at night. So that mothers could tell their children that ask them about terror, that everything is going to be alright, because there are men and women like me out in the front lines serving and making the ultimate sacrifice. There are those ready to do violence on their behalf so that apple pie, baseball, football, NASCAR, freedom, democracy, and the American Dream could flourish on our shores. And when I die, bury me in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, in St. John's cemetery. Bury me with my kin, with fellow soldiers and airmen and marines and sailors, who came before me. Tell my story for all to hear. Tell them I died for them, so that they could be free. Have no bitterness in your heart, no anger in your soul, plot no revenge. And when my time comes, raise the flag high, for all to see, and say a silent prayer for those fighting and dying in foreign lands for your safety.

Just some thoughts from a seventeen year old who wants to serve his country.

A Short Rant

2005-07-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry, everyone, no more Season tonight. I have some stuff to get off my chest first. Also, I promoted to Cadet Chief Master Sergeant tonight, finally. So now everyone has to call me Chief. And after seeing a whole bunch of Army recruiting commercials and in the past sitting through a few recruiting lectures, I have to say, the Army needs to make some changes. I am currently drafting up what I think could save the U.S. Army a lot of trouble in the recruiting battle. And I've got to tell ya, it has nothing to do with clueless mothers begging that their child not serve. (HAT TIP:Jack Army) It's probably gonna take a massive overhaul of the entire battle plan. But anyway, I digress.

I think I have finally figured out why the Europeans are so damn angry at us Americans. They're jealous. At least, that's the only way I can figure it. For more than a few centuries, they were on top of the world. They had empires stretching the globe and were major cultural centers. And when those empires started to crumble, and when those cultural centers began to shift to other countries, the Europeans were kicked out of the spotlight and replaced by newer countries, like the United States.

Ohh! And has anyone tried the new Coke Zero? I have and I gotta tell you, it's an improvement on the original. 0 calories, 0 fat, 0 carbs, and 0 complaints from Coach Croson for me drinking it. Woohoo! I find that it's more refreshing than normal Coke and I like the taste. Good stuff, in fact, you might want to go buy yourself a pack and stock your fridge. I know that's what I'm doing.

A Season In Review (part 2)

2005-07-08T21:41:00.000-07:00

Here is more of the season continued. Now you get to find out what happened in the rest of our pre-league games. Enjoy.

A Quick Blogwatch

2005-07-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. I'm gonna bring you all a quick blogwatch for now and then later tonight I'm going to post more of the season, so don't worry. I sent in my Academy application in yesterday, so wish me luck. Now it's time to get to the blog watch.

It's got a lot to do with the reaction to the London attacks yesterday, so don't get bored, I promise it's going to be great. First up is Neptunus Lex with an interesting look into what these terrorists want. All I can say is that it isn't good. Goldfalcon has his response to the attacks. And then Uncle Jimbo weighs in with his two cents about the rest of Europe. He also advocates profiling those YAMMs, which is the only way to prevent these attacks. He also explains who we're fighting for those who need some clarification. Apparently the script for the new James Bond Movie has been leaked.

I think the only way we're ever going to stop terrorism is to wipe it's causes and proponents off the face of the earth. Osama needs to go, the extremists in Iran need to go, Zarqawi needs to go, and those preaching hatred and all things un-Muslim and wrapping it in Islamic ideas needs to go. The only way I can see this happening is if we get rid of the notion that war is fair and gentle that has creeped into our collective mindset. War is not civilized, never has been, never will be. It is savage and barbaric and violent. That is why we trust and train professionals to do it for us. It's time to remove the kid gloves and Geneva convention because our enemy isn't abiding by these policies. They MURDER innocent women and children for Heaven's sake! What's civilized about that? It's time to hit these bastards where they eat, sleep, and live. We need to take the fight to them. We need to blow up their training facilities in the dark of night. We need to put a .50 caliber bullet through their leaders' heads in a crowded market place. We need to blow up their homes. We need to kidnap their friends and associates and hold them for ransom and then kill them. We need to scare them, and if we use some of their tactics against them, they will be scared. Better yet, if we can pull it off without them knowing who it was, they will become paranoid and through the right psychological warfare tactics and the spread of disinformation they might even start to fight amongst eachother and rip themselves apart. If all else fails, we can always turn the Middle East and all terrorist-harboring nations into glass-floored, self-lighting parking lots.

A Season In Review

2005-07-07T21:53:00.000-07:00

This is a piece I wrote a couple of months ago about the 2004 BHS football season. I wanted to do it because I needed to put the season down on paper, for my own reflection and for posterity. I didn't want to focus on the individual players because I felt it would cheapen our overall effort, so I focused more on how the team progressed as the season rolled along. I am really pleased with what I came away with. So enjoy this story.

My Heart Goes Out Across The Pond. . .

2005-07-07T11:23:00.000-07:00

These terror attacks have angered me enough to blog. I just gotta say, terrorists and Osama, if you're reading this, then one welcome to my site and get the hell off and two, y'all F***ED UP BIG TIME on this one. If you thought that the Brits were going to roll over, oooooh boy howdy were you mistaken. Never underestimate the resolve of the British! They put up one helluva fight during our War for Independence and if the Nazis and Hitler couldn't take them down, you stupid terrorists aren't going to do it either. Expect to get a couple smart bombs delivered via first-class mail, or maybe a knock on your door by the friendly neighborhood SAS. Blackfive has some commentary. SMASH has some TOO. So, word to your moms, we're coming to drop bombs. God Save The Queen! Hoist the Union Jack! And Send Tony A Thank You!

(CUE MUSIC) Terrorists, Terrorists, Whatcha Gonna Do? Whatcha Gonna Do When We Come For You?(COOL GUITAR SOLO)(END MUSIC)

A Small Update In A New Direction

2005-07-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

Howdy y'all! Well, it's summer and I have summer school(started today) and I'm actually not that angry about it. I only have one class from 0800 to 1000 and there are a lot of my friends in the class, so it shouldn't be too bad. Also, I have more time to blog now, so expect more to come. But there's a catch, there's always a catch. I am running thin on political and military commentary, you may have noticed, since my blog has turned into a sess pool of ranting and personal updates. Maybe you didn't. Or, maybe you just didn't care 'cause you like me so much.

Anyway, I've decided to start showcasing some of my writing for your reading pleasure, and I'd like to know what others think of my writing pieces. I'll try to put up part of one tommorrow, so don't be surprised if I only have one post on the page soon. Also, is anyone else scared of the "Church" of Scientology. Some more info can be found HERE. These nutjobs make me want to go out and arm myself to teeth. They scare me. If only I wasn't prevented from owning a gun by the darn Muckadoos in California didn't prevent me from owning one. Oh, well. More good stuff to come, so stay tuned.

Marching Post

I've Moved

Marching Post

Updates

Kipling Fridays

Parade

Read more!

Kipling Fridays

Kipling Fridays

On Personal Honor

Death Before Dishonor!

Name Change

Cold Iron

Bonne Jour Des Peres

Name Change

It's Been A Year?

In The Home Stretch

Happy Easter!

Advice

Break Out!!!!

Read more!

Season's Greetings

Keydet Football

Calling All Personnel. . . .

Status Check

Beginning The Journey

"You May Be Whatever You Resolve To Be."

Guess Where I Am

Finally!

Great Speech

Read more!

Memorial Day Links

Memorial Day

Blogwatch

College Decision: VMI

Woohoo!!

Idle Daydreaming

The Post

Modern Day Crusades

Check This Out

Going On Hiatus

It's Comin'

Blood Types

Back In Town

First Bloggiversary

I'm An Ossifer!

What's All This Then?

What? Blogging Goodness?

More Good News

The Citadel

Awards Banquet

Second Chance

Goin' To School In Virginia

Darn, Got Tagged By Another One

5 Weird Facts About Myself

Whoopee!

Shut Up Already!

It's Over

Rematch!

Go BHS Patriots Football!

Marking One More Milestone

Some Gun Info From Iraq

Some Heavy Stuff On My Mind

Veteran's Day

Homecoming

Random Quiz Results

Checking In

Time Sure Does Fly

GO BHS PATRIOTS!

What's Going On

Where To Watch Us

I'm Gonna Be On TV!

Go BHS Patriots Football!

Uncle Sam's Misguided Children

In Twenty Years

We Finally Won!

Tommorrow Night

Go BHS Patriots!

Coming Attractions

We Lost. . . Again