Just thought I'd let you know.

Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions. - G. K. Chesterton

When will the crazy holiday shopping stop? Not to imply but the US was founded on Christian Values. Christmas has been on going, but since when and why have we become politically correct. Yes there are a multitude of religions practiced as with the respective holidays, but being political correct about Christmas and all is absurd. Yes we are a multicultural society, but to imply that we should be holdiay neutral is athesistic. I implore that although freedom of religion was one of the founding reasons of the United States, do heed and not read too much into such laws.

Since when did the US lose its thick skin and cater to the underdog? We use to be isolationist pre WWII and have become more diverse decades later. We have lost sight of values in the way of life leading towards over production, out sourcing, and the idiocrancies just don't add up.

Our lives are corporate and media driven we are sheep in game of greed and manipulation. How have we become the UnAmerican-American?

I end with,

"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson

btw this is just a random opinion of mine I am still reading both sides of the story as I've only browsed the talking points in the past. I am not going to jump to conclusions just yet. Whats with the hostility?

Also a Rasmussen Report on the term Merry Christmas here.

Yay finally got a school date.

No its not that kind. I finally have a tenative schedule of when I can finally reclass to Military Police. Although its not the best I will embrace the suck as it seems its hard to get a slot for a school at the unit. 1 month in San Luis Obispo, CA I'll think of it as the field problems I've had on Active Duty that were probably worse. (No cellphones, ipods, dvd player etc... well execpt for the TOC and S Shop guys...) Anyway I welcome the fact that I plausibly do the job I (re)enlisted into (I enlisted into the Reserves 6 months before I got out its difficult to explain). Afterwards all I want is Air Assault School, good leadership and not having to deal with the suck anymore. I think I still owe some on Murphy's Law. Karma is either going to catch up or be left in my dust trail.

Oh well SPQR my friends.

My first woes of the Fiscal Year...

Theres Smart, then theres Army Smart, the latter got the better half of me when I enlisted in the Reserves, and luck would laugh at me for being stuck in an office job again...

I recently got an email stating my reclassing slot was canceled a third/fourth time...

I am in a Boat unit that has a Staff Sergeant MP slot that I currently am in. Of course that being I am a Specialist its odd, although my contract has a paragraph and line number for me to be in that slot? Any how I've been doubting myself as I always get the Office type job and seriously lose touch with my original job training. In the coming months if I can I think I will try to transfer from this Aquatic Transportation BN and go to an MP company and earn my way up, instead of almost being guaranteed my 6... (sadly most my friends are E6(s) while some how my lack of leaders leading me has left me behind...) Partially its my fault, but nows the time for me to rebound.

I also am starting to miss MOUT, Stress fire and all the other Combat Arms type training I took for granted. My current unit doesn't do live fire shoot houses, maybe a glass house with blanks with old ALICE gear and A2 rifles...

I digress, I just want to reclass smoothly and want to do the job I signed up to do for once. Not to be like the coffee/typing guy in Blackhawk Down.

Spendatures...

Historically since the 1940s and the Great Depression, Tax Breaks and less spending worked.

California, This is all I want done at least for FY 2010...

Better education benefits for Veterans,
=>Programs like free college for vets like in Texas, Illinois and Oregon.
=>Treat the National Guard better at least pay them on time and give them better benefits.
=>Stop ridiculous pay raises and create a salary cap.
=>Higher education by the state should be unbias and free from opinonated views
=>If you want to take it out on something at least not on the troops, we sacrifice more than our own time and freedom so one can voice their own opinion, have some courtesy and respect please.
=>Reform CALTRANS some high use city streets have been poorly regulated and repaired...
=> Stop sending state budget money toward interest groups and fix the state first.

Transitions, Trials and Tribulations

I had my 3rd Drill earlier this month and come to think of it I have about another 3 weeks or so til my next drill. I'm not too sure if the Reserves act this way nationwide, but I've had my school canceled and reinstated followed recently by an email telling me that there were no slots? available... Originally I was not due to reclass to Military Police until July '10 but whatever first excuse was incorrect phone number listed for me... This devious error just prolongs my promotion and gets in the way of my career progression. I wish I was still active duty some times, I still don't miss the insanity I had put up with. I don't even pride myself on the 7 years luck I've had not deploying, I only lost 3 friends in theater, but still that doesn't warrant the fact that I should be stuck in a staff position my whole career. I feel like Captain Nixon in Band of Brothers... I know I'm losing out on some life experience. I distaste having a lucky strike, I've seen much corruption in Recruiting, put up with lab coats and their antics and wish things could go my way for once. In the end I guess somebody is looking out for me...

To my friends on active duty, I feel for you.

BTW how the hell did I end up in a staff position again and explain to me how I ended up being nondeployed in my 7.5 years on Active Duty?

The 2010 FJ Cruiser vs. 2010 4Runner

Well I've been eyeing the Trail Teams Edition FJ Cruiser for some time now. Come to think of it I stopped by the local dealer and found out the color looks like its going to be sandstorm. Then again on youtube Toyota has sprung out videos on the 5th Generation 4Runner, redesigning it and giving it a more off road/ trail look. The other SUV I'm interested in is the 4 Runner Trail Edition (Thats if a TRD off road edition is unavailable) For the features 4 Runner seems to be the one, but then the price for the full load options is roughly $5,000 more. Versatility, 3rd party customiziation and full offroading has to be the FJ by far. I'll just have to wait for the SF Auto Show to happen late November to see then test drive the new 4 Runner. I still prefer the FJ Cruiser hands down. Oh the waiting... so much waiting for so long, what can 2 months wait do? It can't hurt that much.

btw; I've already drove the H2/H3 for work, I've rode in the Wrangler(s) before and by far nothing beats the FJ or late 90's Land Cruiser. Land Rover is out of my league I think.

San Francisco International Auto Show
4 Runner
FJ Cruiser

Update 1:
Also there is a TRD Edition FJ Cruiser. Iceberg White

So its TRD FJ vs TT FJ vs 4Runner Trail Edition... FML the researching, the choices, all this waiting...

Reclassing

So henceforth I'm still a Scout, but I will need to reclass to MP soon. I'm in a SSG's position and I'm only a E4(P). My units training nco tells me its a 2 phase school (I know its OSUT) but its broken down to phase one being 9 weeks and phase two being 10 weeks. I'm thinking its the 10 week portion I attend. Remember I've been through Basic Training and my Job Training, so I should be coming in like any other prior service (Army). Other than that well I've been slacking on my European trip photos. Should be a while.
Army's Definition of 31B Military Police. In the meantime I'll just browse a forum and try to find the answer there.

The fun

I leave my last unit and amidst the drudgery my cohorts find ways to entertain themselves. Seems as though they're having fun. I must warn, if you are offended by vulgar language DO NOT click play.
field testing body armor

A short post

Since I'm using a satellite feed off a docked ship I'll keep this post brief. Turkey was fun and this river cruise is drawing to the end. One week til I'm stateside. Viking River Cruise that I'm on has a lot of retired people 5 people under 30 I think. I'll post pictures when I get stateside.

Auf Wiedersehen from Passau Germany.

Happy Independence Day!

I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be. ~Thomas Jefferson


Let us not forget how we earned our freedom and for those who sacrificed their time and lives so we can be who and what we are. Thank a veteran, Reservist, National Guard and/or a serving Service Member. Its not too late to adopt a deployed Soldier/Sailor/Marine/Airman at Soldiers Angels.

It is the Soldier who lets the public speak its mind. It is the Sailor who fends off those who oppose freedom. It is the right of the Marine to deliver a swift foothold in Freedom. It is the Air Force who helps pave way for the Soldier to fight so you can speak your mind.

I would celebrate 4th of July, but I got to catch a noon flight, as today I am flying to Istanbul, with a layover in Germany. Six days in Turkey then I head to Bucharest Romania for the first leg of a river cruise.

Let Freedom Ring.


Toujours Pret.

Tyler

adjustments

Like this new layout its kinda like retro San Jose Sharks. In the meantime busy week, packing and getting ready to fly out to Europe. Follow me on twitter to find out where :p.

A cynic is not merely one who reads bitter lessons from the past, he is one who is prematurely disappointed in the future. - Sidney J. Harris

Memorial Day Thoughts

The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us
…that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion;
that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain;
that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom;
and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
- from The Gettysburg Address by President Abraham Lincoln Nov 19, 1865

May we never forget those who sacrificed themselves so that we can be what we are today and for those who serve so we can remain that way.


btw 6 Days and I head home!

12 Days, almost single digits

Well as title says 12 days and this morning I get an email from my dad saying he'd be in LA for E3, thing is should I stay or should i just head home... hurdles the hurdles. I doubt I can get access to E3 anyway a 3 day pass is $500, maybe if I could use my dads... oh well, should be a smooth transition back to civilian life. BAH is SF is greater then San Jose so I think I'll switch schools.

Queue Benny Hill Theme

Been busy Future Combat Systems Train up, Gunnery Tables and getting ready to get out of Active Duty, planning on going to San Jose City College in the mean time. 35 days and then some.

Save the Bay to Breakers

Sign this petition at http://savebay2breakers.org

I support this petition. Why in the world have sponsors become so politically correct and take away a long standing tradition that makes Bay2Breakers stand out from the rest. Uniqueness is good, this policy of the sponsors has no right to take away what has and will always bring morale up in the City. San Francisco should also reconsider the sponsor and let tradition stand.


After the 1906 Quake in San Fran, around 1912 a race event was organized to boost morale, until recently alcohol, wheeled objects and floats were allowed, and yet a few mind you have pushed the limits of some and caused the sponsor and city to for take measures that impede on this long standing tradition. (Wiki entry here)

A few infractions is not enough to change policy and well narcissistic politically correct people get in the way of a great event that bolsters the morale. It is kind of like "How the Grinch stole Christmas" in its own way.

Please sign this petition to keep a great event in a very stubborn and liberally dominated city alive.

$13 and 1971 projects worth $23,194,447,831

So done watching Huckabee, for the weekly $13 stimulus directed to me, I'd probably spend it on something I get back to it later...

Anyway so California has the most projects getting money from the Spendulous (Formerly Stimulus) Bill... at 1971 projects ranging from radio upgrades for First Responders to road repair (which is desperate needed with the lowest bidder doing a horrible job continuing the cycle of repairing...) I do applaud Pasadena for sticking to legitimate projects and an estimate of $89,000. Los Angeles tops out at $7 mil and San Francisco just over $1mil... I'm surprise Berkeley is not on the list b/c California Memorial sits on a fault line and I've supported the Bears in the past. Just not the politics harassing service members b/c they don't like the war or the former president and taking it out on us. They have a right like Walnut Creek (Imposing its secular ways) but associating those who serve the country with something they don't like is wrong. We sacrificed our time and effort so "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf". And yes Socialism is Socialism even if it is masquerading as Democratic Socialism. Glad I'm goin into the Reserves, becoming a full time civilian probably would drive me crazy with all the absurditites happening these days. Yes the military gives one a different opinion regardless if one serving or a dependant. First and foremost cutting back on spending and tax cuts have worked in the past, as spending usually cause inflation and delaying the fact that the debt has increased (x)fold. Becoming Greener will have to wait until the slate is clean, and special interest groups will have to understand that there are limits, might as well get a Dog therapist to teach who is the boss. Change, yep that word, used and abused in all the wrong ways.


So getting back to the $13 I probably spend it either on some Soldier's Angels goods or Boodam and the Beav shirts. Supporting the Troops and a local Shirt Company started by Veterans. Then again maybe go to my local Hawaiian Resturant and order some Kalua Pork to remind me where the money came from. Every week.

From Randomness

Cavalry Colors, boots on a wire a tradition followed by those leaving the Service.


By the way, To check what your state or city is spending the stimulus money on check Stimuluswatch.org

Keep this in mind

Start off with this Quote:

And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever. - Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 18, 1781


º Our Tax payer money going out of country to fund abortions... (MSNBC)
º How many times have I heard "Crisis" this week... (24x) (White House Press release) blah fear mongering, Casablancaish.
º How exactly does Federal Contrastive funding help the economy? (CNSNews)
President Reagan instituted tax cuts which helped rebound the economy, yet like the quote Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely, Greedy Idiots will be Greedy Idiots. Its Human its our flaw, we've been letting other reward others for failures (ie Auto and Bank Execs).

It seems as it the far left was trying to embrace religion while having views that opposed the Bible and other religious teachings. And as if anything gets worse, here I am in El Paso Texas, a border town like Nogales and San Diego, I feel as if I am a foreigner in my own country. We as a nation have failed to integrate other cultures into our society. going back to the point. Walking into a Wal-Mart, my friend gets rear ended by a shopping cart while walking around. He brushed off like it was an accident, but the woman did it to him again and again until he moved out the way with out asking. I then go to a 7Eleven and get asked in Spanish at check out. I know Italian and a bit of Spanish, but I said come again and the woman got offended and brought her manager out to complain about me asking in English. Society as a whole seems to be taking the path of the movie "Idiocrasy". Look how Europe has a growing Arabian community and the decay of native European populace, and How Germany and France has failed to integrate minorities into society. Financially China had been quietly setting up shop by buying properties and opening banks like HSBC, Chinese American Bank, portions of Bank of America owned by Chinese Bank. Industrial & Commercial Bank of China and China Merchants Bank are among the few that asked the Federal Reserve to open stateside (Business Week). Not that I want to go back the Nationalist/Isolationist days but spending and printing money doesn't help rebuild or stimulate the economy, it hurts it in the long run. Tax Cuts are slow but proven. I leave it at that.

Scouts, Hapkido, and Steven Seagal

Yep... we are easily amused when asinine things happen while we wait.

This week in review, with quotes...

First off this quote: "Those Who Don’t Know Their History Are Doomed to Repeat It." Now look back wikipedia or google these types of government: Communism, Socialism, & Imperialism which are known to have failed. Keep Federalism alive that is the type of government we have and will have always. Spending more is like adding fuel to a fire already burning, or a slow leak in a dam, it serves no aid other then a quick and expensive fix that's not permanent. Ones way is not always the moral way or the right way. Corporations, Organizations, anything that represents a crucial infrastructure that has a voice have more pull then that of the average person. We have either become black sheep or lemmings. In a way "Absolute power corrupts absolutely", applies in this sense those groups and decision makers have lost sight of who they represent, us, a vast amount only look out for themselves and when mutual agreements or backing comes in play.

And it looks that whats been done so many can sleep peaceably is being undone, all because morality is being logic. As President Ted Roosevelt once said "If I must choose between righteousness and peace, I choose righteousness." (Gotta love the Cavalry) Big Brother is being sidelined by Animal Farm. Oh the humanity!?!

Enough with this, Scout training all week finally for once doing Cav stuff.
º Trucks all orignal 1985 issue HMMWVs starting to give out.
º Mounted Manuvers are awesome when you get air.
º I hope the policy doesn't change so I can enjoy a long paid leave before I get out.
º Couple more physicals and other stuff to go.
º Still Considering Army Reserves.

Wikipedia List of Forms of Government

Cavalry T-shirt Concept

Ideas, Suggestions, Comments?

Ignorance, Bliss and Mayhem... to ensue?

Forgive the Catcher in the Rye like writing but today I seem politically charged...

Republicans were told to Quit Listening to Limbaugh. Then the pundits would have a McCarthist like effect and thus induce group thought. With out a Yin no Yang, ergo because one is big the opposing has many to counter. But, with the advent of special interest group pushed ideals, it seems as if the aggressors are only thinking of now rather then later on down the road, like a druggie who needs a fix and has clouded judgement when committing a act. Or like tossing water into burning oil.

Fix problems by taking scarifices and cut backs until a proper fix is found. Take a look at the 90s economy in Japan and how the economy rebounded. (Guess what its about the size of California and w/o the $42B deficit.) referenced here thru tinyurl

I can't Gitmo... rather I would rather not see it closed, b/c of the bias coverage of the installation many just overlook the quality of life of Military Personnel. Food is a 1:6 ratio for Soldier to detainee. so $2 to $12.
On top of a white collar like prison treatment, the fact that the wire holds those that are a threat to society, our way of life and 2 formers arleady caught on tape threating us again...

Thats got to be a red light somewhere in everyones head. Human Rights, whats morally right for prisoners have to and need to be overlooked so those like I can have better intel in staying alive and letting those to live the way they chose to. We as Americans take things for granted and fail to come to terms because we've become ignorant and fueled by activism rather then logic.
On top of that, San Quintain and Pelican Bay hold many prisoners, but why strain prisons that are already over crowded.

War is hell, historically, those that fit the sterotype or profile have been treated wrongfully for (what some thought) the greater good.
º Brits during the Revolution
º Industialists supplying the south
º Japanese and Germans during World War II

Media can be labeled as the culprit, this day in age, information is relayed so fast and sources being shaky at best, giving poor reporting to misreporting.

We as humans tend to urn to be sympathetic to the underdog or supportive of the bias masses rather then chosing to be well informed and open minded.

Change is needed, but not when bias judgement is in play with activist groups, pork bellying officials and egotistic idiots running around.

Face it nothing is perfect or will ever be, Balance will always find its way in when something is leaning to one side no matter what it is.

CA an IOU and WTF...

Pork Belly Projects, needless spending, smug officals, activist groups, irresponsible people... Where is the Change? Since Gov Wilson and as a kid I have seen the states spendature go up with no sightor care of how to make up for all these projects. I know Political California (D) is Happy that their party is seated in the White House, but what good does it make when standards and rules are bent to benefit those who have their own agenda and blatent disregard for others..

The Rail Corridors Project, Green Initatives, animal treatment laws, they are all good ideas, but not when those responsible for the $42B deficit have done nothing to fix the problem, but to add more fuel to the flame by dumping stimulus money on a bad economy, time usually is the answer but not what most want to hear. Money is a quick fix like a drug it lasts so long until another hit is needed to get that high. From what I recall from my economics classes and teaching and history, time fixes the economy, look at Post Depression with the advent of WWII, the war industry created a boom in jobs. Then came complacency and the start of another rough spot which escalated with a lot of pork belly projects and activist imposed ideals like save the Canuck Geese which led to the down fall of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson...
Safety, job security and common sense all pushed aside so idealists and money hungry politics can live their lives feeling good, where the average citizen pays unknowingly these needless things...

For once I am happy I'm a Federal Employee, job security and knowing where my $ can take me. Although further schooling will take me away from this for short while, I feel as if I need to burst out of my safety bubble and experience Civilian life again.
I may or may not get an IOU from the state tax returns who knows.

Fox News Video Here

Vets and other stuff

just in...
IAVA and Ad Council pushed out a cool Budweiserish commercial for Vets; http://communityofveterans.org/
I've held staff jobs in Garrrision and never deployed, so I thank those who went in my place. My luck will not always be there for me. I plan to go straight into the Army Reserves right after I get out and go back into the Signal Corps as a 25B (IT specialist). Either do the Try 1 program (I year of drills and If I don't feel it I can get out [open to prior service with tine left on MSO only]) or do the 3 year enlistment and try my luck. If you ask why I do so, well I am too smart for Mainstream Army and I've been told I should of been an Officer. I just feel like I want a job like Chloe in 24 or McGee in NCIS, thats all so. To me its a stepping stone to my real goal. Another change in plans, see what I can get at Circuit City as they are going the same way "The Good Guys" and Tower Records have gone.

190 days left

Til the end of my term of service with the Army around the end of July. Otherwise 133 Days til I go on paid leave. And today shall be interesting with the inauguration, but I will probably focus more on 24 since I missed episodes 3 & 4 later on in the day. I digress, I've been busy; gunnery, working displays, commenting on equipment changes in the FCS program this pass couple of weeks. California on the otherhand, I missed two major events I wish that I could of been at, Macworld and the BSG auctions in Pasadena. And hopefully I will get my tax return from the state ($43 billion deficit), rumor mill saying after Feb 1st major delays in tax returns.

In other news, not all vets suck at life, as in the Hudson Miracle, the Cap'n was former Air Force and pulled off a picture perfect landing, most of these that I've youtube ended in planes cartwheeling (South African hijacking) or disintergration. We as Americans take many things for granted, we overlook many things and I think we lost sight of what we should be true too.