Now, I'm one of the folks on the deficit reduction/balance the budget band-wagon.  I know enough to know I don't fully understand economics as being preached at the federal level, and there's actually some sound arguments for having a small deficit.  (I don't recall them off hand, but I remember learning about them from one of my Master's classes ( Read more... )

While I didn't do much more than hold stuffed bunnies hostage in a vain attempt to get promoted to Lieutenant Colonel; I did serve for a bit.  Whether that was noble, selfish, or I was just a "tool of the man" is a decision the external observer will make based on his/her beliefs, knowledge, and priorities.

I don't expect paeans of praise, and I've ( Read more... )

Oooh Rah!


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It's been written (if you'll forgive both the bad paraphrase and the repetition) that veterans are folks who, at some point in their lives, wrote their country a "blank check" for their lives.

I'm fortunate, in that mine was never cashed.  Indeed, most never are.

But some are, and for their full value.

Tomorrow I'll be grilling some tasty foods and ( Read more... )

I stole this from Old NFO's site  oldnfo.blogspot.com/


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In no particular order of importance; I offer the following core dump from my "wetware":

1.  Succumbing to the cultural focus on "New Year's Resolutions," I vow...yet again...to lose some damn weight.  :)

2.  I'm currently a "Class-B bachelor" as my Lady-wife is in temporary residence in warmer climes; i.e., Florida.  There is no dark subtext to this ( Read more... )

I sat through I don't know how many hours of briefings on the Laws of Armed Conflict throughout my service; to include the applicable articles in the Geneva Conventions on POWs ( Read more... )

First, though it was yesterday:  Happy Birthday to the Marine Corps ( Read more... )

This will be a short one....I'll probably expand on it later ( Read more... )

I'm okay with protest.  If everyone agreed on everything the world might be a more peaceful place, but it'd damn sure be more boring and "progress" would probably plod a long at a glacial pace.

I get that many of the disputes in our society (e.g., abortion, homosexuality, religion, civil liberties) carry enormous emotional baggage and it takes some ( Read more... )