Retro = Cool

Hey, if you haven't already purchased yours, make sure to while supplies last. The newest in cellular and retro cool technology. The Retro-Cellular Handset!

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/7830/

Quote of the Day

I thought this was an interesting Quote for us all to consider. Whether you are Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Buddist, or an Individual, it is important to note why much of the world is at war with one another. In fact, some could argue that beliefs, are the only thing that cause war.

"What weighs nothing and yet is powerful enough to start a war? A belief." Unknown

Airman's words fly shop into chaos, improve productivity

A recent slip of the tounge by a young Airman First Class (we will call him Airman Topo Map) slipped the normally peaceful 366 Logistics Readiness Squadrons Air Terminal Operations Flight into utter chaos. On Monday afternoon a certain Staff Sergeant (we will call him Sgt. Chuck Taylor left shoe) asked Airman Topo Map how close he was to getting his flightline drivers licsense. At the time Topo Map was surfing the internet and looking up some phat' scores on his home team. (Cuz dats whats we do back in da crib ya know) Without even looking up from the screen he replied "I'm workin on it". SSgt Chuck Taylor left shoe responded by telling him "It sure doesn't look like it, you need to be working on it instead of looking at this crap"
"Hold on man"
"What the $#@# did you just say!! In my office now!!
"Ok oK in a second man"
"I SAID IN MY OFFICE NOW YOU WILL NOT DISRESPECT ME!!"
At this point Topo Map got off his ass, and proceeded to get a quite complete chewing of the hind quarters by SSgt Chuck Taylor left shoe, TSgt Belt Buckle and MSgt Doritos Bag. Afterwards a harsh silence fell over the entire shop and people vacated the scene like cockroaches. Now a new sense of edginess has fallen over the shop, with rumors of harsh punishment to come for infractions and laziness. When asked later about the incident SSgt Chuck Norris left shoe replied "Damn kid, just lucky we weren't in Iraq or I would have instituted some wall to wall counseling."
"Yes jolly o we need to bring that back" said Pippin
"Shut up Pippin"
A1C Topo Map had this to say about the incident "Well you know I was workin on it, but not very hard, I know I disrepected him but he didn't need to yell at me like that. I mean I'm just a dumb airman. Maybe next time a NCO tells me to do something I'll do it then and not be a moron."
Mr. Real Mckenzies came forward with this statement "I think this is what this place really needed. It been a long time since there has been a real good chewing of the posterior around here"
"Right 'o' chaps" said Pippin
"Shut up Pippin"
Since then workers make themselves busy through out the day, not wanting to be seen sitting around. The same forklift has been checked out and washed at least 5 times today. Training gets done on time now.
"Sgt. Chuck Taylor left shoe struck me a usually a quite kind of guy, didn't really expect him to get loud like that, don't want to piss him off no way." said SrA Lord of the Rings DVD
New to the Air Force Airman Basic Obe Won Kenobi thought "He is my supervisor I hope he doesn't freak out on me like that."
"I'm glad I had such a impression on the airmen, this way they are acutally more productive. You would be amazed what taking away someones weekend or making them stay late will do. But seriously what do I care I'm out in May... yeah. Hell yeah." Said SSgt Chuck Taylor left shoe.

Christmas Gone Wild

If you think you have seen it all on Christmas, think again. This is an example of "Taking it too far". You have to admire the people that did this though:

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000263069055/ - Click on the picture series to view Clark Griswold times 2.

Attention all Birds!

ATTENTION ALL BIRDS

Official Department of Homeland Insecurity Memo:

Due to a heightened state of alert concerning the bird flu virus, the Department of Homeland Insecurity has determined that birds will no longer be offered unrestricted access to United States airspace.

As of January 1, 2006, all migratory birds will be required to arrive at international airports where Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) personnel will check for proper travel documentation and clear the birds for entry into the United States, provided they are not carrying undeclared fruit, which is even more dangerous than bird flu.

All birds wishing to enter this country will be required to carry passports, proof of immunizations, and entry visas. Birds who do not have visas will be charged (ducks will be billed) a flat $250 entry fee which must be paid three separate times, at three different government offices, after standing in three different lines as per standard INS regulations.
All undocumented birds shall hereforth be deemed "terrorists."

Birds entering U.S. airspace without proper authorization will be escorted by military aircraft to the nearest landing facility.

Birds("terrorists") that approach the Pentagon or White House will be fired upon with bird-seeking air-to-air missiles. All such violence will be televised by Fox News in a glitzy special entitled "Terror from above!"

The Department of Homeland Insecurity is requesting that all hunters and N.R.A. members assemble on the U.S. / Mexico border and shoot anything that appears to be flying. This includes UFOs, which are required to be videotaped with low-resolution video cameras held by people experiencing epileptic seizures.

Birds attempting to illegally cross the U.S. / Canada border in order to gain entry will be rounded up by volunteer bird watchers armed with high-powered binoculars and delivered to Tyson Foods' Guantanamo Bay Division for interrogation at the hands of experienced bird torturers. (Torture photos will be posted online by Dick Cheney.)

Parrots that unquestioningly repeat everything they hear may be offered jobs as reporters covering the White House beat.

Birds who attempt to impersonate chickens will be eaten by Morgan Spurlock.

Birds whose migratory patterns are disrupted by this Homeland Insecurity action will be offered assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), which is standing by with five thousand tons of ice that was never delivered to hurricane Katrina victims and still hasn't completely melted.

All bird houses owned by U.S. citizens must be registered with federal officials under Chapter IV, Section 8 of the Patriot Act.

Citizens caught harboring undocumented birds in undeclared bird houses will be deemed "enemy combatants" and subjected to the whims of Tyson Foods foul interrogators.

All birds made of white meat are hereby requested to report to their nearest INS facility for processing into Chicken McNuggets.Questions about these policies should be directed to the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's food pyramid website, which has the same answer for everyone: "Drink more milk."

Thank you for your compliance,
- The Department of Homeland Insecurity, Multiplication Division

Authored by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger.
http://www.NewsTarget.com/013054.html

Quote of the Day - Special Edition

This Quote of the day is for Ben. Since he thinks they are "Super Cool".

"Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right." Henry Ford

still rockin' on

Well.....hmmmm haven't written anything in a long time. Have I had any adventures lately, that can even become to compare with my posts from Iraq? I mean you can't really top the streets of Iraq in terms of sheer adrenaline. Nothing like an IED to get the heart pumping, or to know how big the line between life and death is. (About this big _______) Most of my posts are usually stories that deal with my life or tied to it some how, not deep philosophical stuff like Bryan and his "quote of the day" (which are usually super cool yeah). I think my time over there has really given me a new outlook on life. I sure appreciate things a whole lot more, (hot women, cold beer) but just not appreciating things. Over there I was the Lead Guntruck Commander. What I did was control the convoy in all terms. I was the master of my domain. I spotted the IEDs, the gunmen on the sandy knoll, I set the pace for the convoy, I lead from the front. I noticed everything. I still do. It is called hyper alertness. I'm not looking for IEDs or the such, but when I see something I truely see it. It is really just paying more attention to my surroundings. It surely makes enjoying the outdoors a whole cooler experience. So I'm still rockin' on. I really have enjoyed my time back. It took a little getting used to, but at least I'm not wigging out every time a car comes speeding at me from a intersecting road any more. Camping, hiking , what have you its been great. I would really like to thank my family and friends for being so supportive while I was deployed and since I have gotten back. Thanks for listening to my slurred stories and just being there for me. Trust me you haven't heard them all. Well bring on the Snow and lets go tear up some Freshie!!

Whistler your next!

The Death of Compassionate Conservatism

I had to share this with everyone. This comes from a Christian magazine, but applies to everyone. They make a VERY good point.


Hearts & Minds - The death of compassionate conservatism
by Jim Wallis

Last week, I spoke with other religious leaders at a pressconference in the U.S. Capitol, urging the House ofRepresentatives to oppose cuts in social services in theirbudget bill. When it was over, we walked to the rotunda to offera prayer for our nation and its leaders, that they would do theright thing for people in poverty. Suddenly, we were face toface with Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and took theopportunity to deliver our message directly to him. He listenedpolitely, but offered little response.

The House is scheduled to begin debate tomorrow on its budgetbill, which includes $54 billion in cuts. On the table are cutsof $9.5 billion in Medicaid - by requiring co-pays for pregnantwomen and children for the first time; $8 billion in fostercare, child support enforcement, and aid to the disabled; and$844 million in the Food Stamps Program, which would prevent300,000 people from receiving food stamps. Forty thousandchildren would be cut from reduced-price school lunches.Lawmakers intend to follow these with a further cut of $70billion in taxes that will primarily benefit the top 3% oftaxpayers. The message from Congress is that in response toHurricane Katrina, we're going to cut services for the poor, cuttaxes for the rich, and increase deficits for our children and grandchildren.

These plans for deep cuts to social supports, paid for by taxcuts for the wealthiest, are contrary to the national prioritieswe need to protect our most vulnerable citizens. We need strongmoral leadership in Congress, especially during this time ofwar, record deficits, rising poverty and hunger, and naturaldisasters. Cutting food stamps and health care that meet thebasic needs of poor families is an outrage. Cutting socialservices to pay for further tax cuts for the rich is a moraltravesty that violates biblical priorities. The House leadershipseems to be saying they literally want to take food from themouths of children to make rich people richer. If this ideologyand politics of rich over poor prevails and our leaders fail togovern from a set of moral values, then the religious communitymust conclude that compassionate conservatism is dead.

As this battle for the budget unfolds, I am calling on membersof Congress, some of whom make much out of their faith, to startBible studies before they cast votes to cut services that willfurther harm the weakest in our nation. They should focus on thegospel imperative - what Jesus tells us about our obligations tothe "least of these." Some of them have heard the slogan "Whatwould Jesus do?" Now they should ask, "What would Jesus cut?"Budgets are moral documents, and they reflect our nationalpriorities and values. In the name of social conscience, fiscalresponsibility, equal opportunity, protecting our communities,and the very idea of a common good, the upcoming budget voteswill be closely watched by people of faith.

I urge you to read the alert that follows, pick up your phone,and call your member of Congress. Tell him or her to showpolitical will in standing up for the least of these, as Jesusreminds us.

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

Call Rep. Simpson now, toll-free:
(800) 426-8073 (Thank you, American Friends Service Committee).
The House of Representatives will vote on this immoral budgetproposal as early as Thursday of this week, and a one-minutecall from you and others could mean the difference between a"yea" or a "nay" vote from Rep. Simpson. Dialingthe number above will get you to the Capitol switchboard. Whenyou reach an operator, ask for Rep. Simpson, andwhen connected, say something like:

"As a person of faith from Idaho, I urge Rep.Simpson to vote "no" on this immoral budget billthat cuts $54 billion in vital services to vulnerable people,including Medicaid, foster care, food stamps, and child support.These cuts will hurt survivors of Katrina and countless workingfamilies. Along with proposed tax cuts for the super-wealthy,these are the wrong priorities at the wrong time."

Since Sliced Bread!

Have you ever had a great idea on how to change America for the better? Have you ever wished there was a way to get your idea across and really try to make a difference with it? Well, now there is a way! Maybe. I came across a company that really intrigued me with what they were doing. The company is called Since Sliced Bread (http://www.sinceslicedbread.com/) . They are asking anyone and everyone to submit their ideas for a better America. Not only that, they really want to implement the changes that are submitted. The catch? Thousands of people are sending in their ideas, and only one will be chosen. The upside? If you are smart/fortunate enough to get the winning idea, they will pay you $100,000 dollars. Fire up the motors and start submitting!

Slow it down a bit - Follow your dream

The world is a crazy place, and moves at a pace similar to that of a honey bee. The harder you work, the more you are rewarded. The more money you make, the happier you will be. Can we all agree this is true? Do we all believe in this “system”? Personally, I would like to think not. I would like to think that we have it all wrong. That our current system of work for money, get paid. Don’t get paid, don’t have enough money, get stressed. And since the majority of us don’t seem to have enough money, instead we spend our lives stressing out about it, and possibly not living the lives we were meant to.

Last year I was inspired by a group of people that happened to pass through my small town. They were camped in the park across the street from my house, and on the side of their trailer was painted a large logo that read, www.10mph.com .

What these people were doing was amazing. They quit their corporate jobs to pursue their dream. They decided to throw “conventional wisdom” out the door, and pursue what was in their hearts. Not only that, they decided to include the world, and hopefully inspire them to do the same.

If you haven’t already, check out what these guys are doing. They are well on their way to completing their documentary about America. I think you will enjoy reviewing their trailer.

Click here to learn more

Quote of the Day

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." Walt Disney

Quote of the Day

"Cherish your visions and your dreams, as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements." Napoleon Hill

Do what I say, not what I do

This is just another article highlighting and proving the absolute error American's made in electing George W. Bush. So far, he has more qualities of evil than that of what he tries to make us think. Even when listening to NPR the other day, the only good reason it gave for Bush nominating Harriet Miers was that "They Share a common Faith". BS!!! Read below.

By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
Published: October 19, 2005

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 (Iraq News Agency) - A delegation of Iraqi judges and journalists abruptly left the U.S. today, cutting short its visit to study the workings of American democracy. A delegation spokesman said the Iraqis were "bewildered" by some of the behavior of the Bush administration and felt it was best to limit their exposure to the U.S. system at this time, when Iraq is taking its first baby steps toward democracy.



Friedman Responds to Reader


The lead Iraqi delegate, Muhammad Mithaqi, a noted secular Sunni judge who had recently survived an assassination attempt by Islamist radicals, said that he was stunned when he heard President Bush telling Republicans that one reason they should support Harriet Miers for the U.S. Supreme Court was because of "her religion." She is described as a devout evangelical Christian.

Mithaqi said that after two years of being lectured to by U.S. diplomats in Baghdad about the need to separate "mosque from state" in the new Iraq, he was also floored to read that the former Whitewater prosecutor Kenneth Starr, now a law school dean, said on the radio show of the conservative James Dobson that Miers deserved support because she was "a very, very strong Christian [who] should be a source of great comfort and assistance to people in the households of faith around the country."

"Now let me get this straight," Judge Mithaqi said. "You are lecturing us about keeping religion out of politics, and then your own president and conservative legal scholars go and tell your public to endorse Miers as a Supreme Court justice because she is an evangelical Christian?

"How would you feel if you picked up your newspapers next week and read that the president of Iraq justified the appointment of an Iraqi Supreme Court justice by telling Iraqis: 'Don't pay attention to his lack of legal expertise. Pay attention to the fact that he is a Muslim fundamentalist and prays at a Saudi-funded Wahhabi mosque.' Is that the Iraq you sent your sons to build and to die for? I don't think so. We can't have our people exposed to such talk."

A fellow delegation member, Abdul Wahab al-Unfi, a Shiite lawyer who walks with a limp today as a result of torture in a Saddam prison, said he did not want to spend another day in Washington after listening to the Bush team defend its right to use torture in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unfi said he was heartened by the fact that the Senate voted 90 to 9 to ban U.S. torture of military prisoners. But he said he was depressed by reports that the White House might veto the bill because of that amendment, which would ban "cruel, inhuman or degrading" treatment of P.O.W.'s.

"I survived eight years of torture under Saddam," Unfi said. "Virtually every extended family in Iraq has someone who was tortured or killed in a Baathist prison. Yet, already, more than 100 prisoners of war have died in U.S. custody. How is that possible from the greatest democracy in the world? There must be no place for torture in the future Iraq. We are going home now because I don't want our delegation corrupted by all this American right-to-torture talk."

Finally, the delegation member Sahaf al-Sahafi, editor of one of Iraq's new newspapers, said he wanted to go home after watching a televised video conference last Thursday between soldiers in Iraq and President Bush. The soldiers, 10 Americans and an Iraqi, were coached by a Pentagon aide on how to respond to Mr. Bush.

"I had nightmares watching this," Sahafi said. "It was right from the Saddam playbook. I was particularly upset to hear the Iraqi sergeant major, Akeel Shakir Nasser, tell Mr. Bush: 'Thank you very much for everything. I like you.' It was exactly the kind of staged encounter that Saddam used to have with his troops."

Sahafi said he was also floored to see the U.S. Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan agency that works for Congress, declare that a Bush administration contract that paid Armstrong Williams, a supposedly independent commentator, to promote Mr. Bush's No Child Left Behind policy constituted illegal propaganda - an attempt by the government to buy good press.

"Saddam bought and paid journalists all over the Arab world," Sahafi said "It makes me sick to see even a drop of that in America."

By coincidence, the Iraqi delegates departed Washington just as the Bush aide Karen Hughes returned from the Middle East. Her trip was aimed at improving America's image among Muslims by giving them a more accurate view of America and President Bush. She said, "The more they know about us, the more they will like us."

The Honest Food Guide

Hey Everyone, here is something that I've posted on my other website, but not here yet. I really wanted to let you know of this so you can print it and save it for yourself. Its called the HONEST food guide. Please note that this food guide is actually based on real foods that will actually benefit you, and not big industry specifically.

It is high quality, so please print yourself a copy by clicking here!

Nobel Prize Winner in Idaho - Helping Dogs with Low Self Esteem Everywhere

It has been a few days since I've been able to post anything, but when I read this article, I knew I needed to share it with the world. There are few times in history when people make such a large contribution that it simply cannot be ignored by the public. Please take this time to read about one of society's and especially Idaho's greatest inventors:

Click here to read the article

Why Help Never Arrived

I had to share this. It explains so much!

Quote of the Day

“Widening roads to overcome congestion is like loosening our belt to solve obesity.” John Norquist, former mayor of the U.S.city of Milwaukee and president of the Congress for New Urbanism. (Green Future, May/June 2005)

Click Here to read more quotes of the day, and other good stuff I like to keep track of.

Coming Home

Well here I am. The tour in Iraq is finally over. Finished the last mission. The next and last time I go out the wire will be on a airplane. Then on to Kuwait for a couple days, then to Baltimore. RON in Baltimore, with lots and lots of booze. Strippers!!! Or probably only two or three beers before I'm wasted. After Baltimore on to Boise. Finally home. Its been a long journey, one that started in the chilly winter month of Febuary and is ending in the chilly(at least in the states, its still hot as hell over here) month of October. From Camp Bullis, Texas to Tikrit, Iraq. Finally over. No more getting having to carry a weapon and ammo every where you go. No more wearing this damn helmet. No more tan, khaki and brown. No more sand. No more constantly being on edge. No more getting shot at. No more scanning for IEDs, no more getting blown up!!! No more Chow Hall!!! YEEEAAAH. As far as I'm concerned Iraq can kiss my ass. For a area that was supposed to be the birthplace of civilization these people sure are backwards. Where the United States was standards of living, sanitation, economically, cultural ect. back in the 1800s this place is today. It truely is Just Another Third World Arabian Shit Hole. It will be a little wierd coming home. Especially for the first couple days. Driving is going to be crazy. Be driving down the middle of the road, trying to run vehicles off the road, cussing at pedestrians, blaring the horn at everything, freaking out when someone puts on a turn signal. Yelling at the passenger to "Call that stuff on the side of the road in!!" "Hey get that guy". Scanning for IEDs or looking at bystanders suspiciously. Call the cops over some "suspicious looking roadkill". Might be a little intense for a while, a little wild eyed. I'll calm down after a while though. Just need some fresh mountain air and to see my friends and family again and I'll be as right as rain. A couple good brews wouldn't hurt either. I look forward to seeing every one in a couple days.
Ben



OUT

I am ALIVE

I am alive. I am the bringer of light against the darkness of evil. I am the sword wielder. I am the eyes of the eagle that sees the evil that is hidden from us. I am the master and at the same time the student. I am the healer, but not the injured. I am the navigator who takes the right path. I stay cool where others grow heated. I see through all the bullshit to see that it really is all bullshit, even calling it bullshit is bullshit. Most importantly I am alive.

New Orleans: What you didn’t see...

The images we often see, The images we rarely see, and The difference.

Much of the United States and the world has been focused on the tragedy and sorrow of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast as of late. The unimaginable damage and destruction is overwhelming. It goes to show that nothing is forever, and no matter how much you protect yourself and your nation, no matter how many steps you take to combat terror, there is always the chance for loss and death. Nature can be just as destructive as anything in this world. However, Nature is something we can't avoid or predict. Anger and violence is. It is unfortunate that so much attention is being put towards the unfortunate, and non-avoidable event in the Gulf Coast, and there isn't as much fuss over the man made, and completely avoidable DISASTER caused by the very nation struck by hurricane Katrina. Click on the link below to read a wonderful article by Jurrian Kamp of Ode Magazine on this topic.

Click Here for the Entire article