Sorry, but until I can get this disgusting comment spam under control, I have to use comment moderation. I will not edit or delete reader comments, but it may cause a few hours delay before they appear.
Thanks for understanding.
UPDATE: No, I changed my mind. I might have found a different short term fix. Comments are subject to moderation without notice if that fix does not hold….
I apologize. I got spammed with some pretty disgusting porn sites in my comments. I have deleted them and will seek ways to block future attacks.
Sorry if anyone was offended.
Apparently my last name makes “cream cry”. I could be worse I suppose. Check your name here.
hat tip: Ann Althouse.
Powerline has an interesting report concerning the Tsunami relief efforts. Read it here.
Here’s the money quote, from a Dutch diplomat:
The US military has arrived and is clearly establishing its presence everywhere in Banda Aceh. They completely have taken over the military hospital, which was a mess until yesterday but is now completely up and running. They brought big stocks of medicines, materials for the operation room, teams of doctors, water and food. Most of the patients who were lying in the hospital untreated for a week have undergone medical treatment by the US teams by this afternoon. US military have unloaded lots of heavy vehicles and organize the logistics with Indonesian military near the airport. A big camp is being set up at a major square in the town. Huge generators are ready to provide electricity. US helicopters fly to places which haven’t been reached for the whole week and drop food. The impression it makes on the people is also highly positive; finally something happens in the city of Banda Aceh and finally it seems some people are in control and are doing something. No talking but action. European countries are until now invisible on the ground. IOM staff (note: this is a USAID-funded organization) is very busy briefing the incoming Americans and Australians about the situation.
As if we needed yet one more reason to be proud of our men and women in the military….
UPDATE: Just in case anyone thought I was unduly harsh in my criticism of the French, here is their take on the US relief efforts (as expressed in Le Monde)
hat tip: belgravia dispatch
Pretty busy day at work today as I try and finish out some projects before closing the door on my career with the Department of Education.
Yesterday, my new employer advised that I would need to get an “Official Passport” and a special visa. I knew about the visa, but thought my tourist passport would be sufficient. I called the Korean embassy and they said I needed the official passport and DoD ID to get the visa I need. Well, I won’t have the ID until I report for duty in Korea. A nice catch-22. So, today I find out how to apply for the official passport and learn they will also process my visa application. Which pleased me much.
Anyway, I completed the paperwork and took the metro to the office that handles the passports. Of course, security said I needed an escort to go upstairs to the passport office (a Dept. of ED ID just doesn’t have much cache I guess). So, I call upstairs for the escort and am told someone would be right down. After 15 minutes of standing there, I called again. “Someone will be down in a minute” I was advised. 10 minutes later the phone rings at security and the guard says “yeah, he’s down here.” Apparently, the passport office thought I was waiting in the 8th floor lobby. Never figured out why they would think that since you can’t move in that building without an escort or an official DoD ID. Anyway, I am not ragging on the need for security of course, but I was pretty frustrated by the point. Finally, a young female GI appeared to take me upstairs. She was apologetic for the mix-up and I was not about to hassle a soldier, even unarmed. I said this was my first taste of “hurry up and wait” my daughter had told me was a staple of Army life. The soldier just smiled.
So, they take me to this conference room, told me to sign in and said someone would be with me soon. There are two other people in the room, one with her head down on the table trying to nap. It is now a quarter to 12 and the person on the list ahead of me had signed in at 10. Oh no, I figured this is going to be a nightmare. But 5 minutes later a nice woman appeared and took me away to process my paperwork. Only took about 10 minutes and I was out of there.
Took the Metro back to my office and there is a message on my voice mail from the woman who had processed my application. “Didn’t you leave your tourist passport? I need that to submit with your application.” I call her back and said “no, I didn’t leave my passport. I am going to need it if the official passport is not back by my January 22 departure date.” So, we agreed that I would drop my birth certificate off in the morning and she would submit that in lieu of the passport.
So, I am almost back to square one. The Korean embassy website says you can enter the country as a tourist for 30 days without a visa. Provided you have a return ticket. Which, since I am going to be in country for 2 years I don’t have. Anyway, it will work out. I will call the embassy tomorrow and see what can be done in my circumstances.
The other thing I did at work was go through my word documents and archived email to see what needed to be saved. I came across some email from my dear friend Linda, who died last year from breast cancer. Of course, I am saving all those to keep with me, but I did get pretty choked up reading them again.
She was something special, and I am going to find a way to honor her memory once I get my emotions under control.
So that was my day. How about yours?
David Price nails Sean Penn in this post over at espresso roast. Go have a read, you won’t be disappointed…..
A couple of interesting editorials in today’s NY Times. John Miller succinctly demonstrates why France is not even worthy of our contempt.
France is a third-rate has been. And like any spoiled child should be ignored. It was a laugh to hear John Kerry talk about soliciting France’s support in Iraq. What do they have to offer, a broken down aircraft carrier with a few obsolete Mirage fighters? Hell, they have got more than they can handle with their unilateral, non-UN approved, intervention in Ivory Coast. France has nothing left these days but delusions of grandeur.
The other editorial was submitted by a French expat living in New York. He can’t understand why France is considered such a joke to most Americans. I guess my short answer to him would be “um, perhaps because France IS a joke.” A sad joke indeed.
Anyway, I recommend you read both editorials (and it is not often I can recommend anything in the NYT).
Sister Toldjah links to this column from the Nashville Tennessean that tells, as Paul Harvey might say, the rest of the story.
The sad thing is this shouldn’t be NEWS, but if all I read was the Washington Post I might be inclined to think nothing good was happening in Iraq these days. (From Arthur Chernkoff via Roger L. Simon)
We are about to turn the corner folks, and the next milestone will come on January 30.
UPDATE: Nice post on this topic over at Dean’s World. Go and see.
ANOTHER UPDATE: If you are REALLY interested in what’s happening in Iraq you won’t find anything more definitive than this.
Although I remain virtually clueless about what I might expect during my upcoming Korean adventure, I imagine my attempts to communicate with the locals will be rife with peril. Still, this example is really funny. Let’s hope I can demonstrate a similar sense of humor about what had to be an embarassing circumstance. And no, I do not expect I will EVER be having this kind of conversation…..
Over at Captain’s Quarters is a post concerning the apparent growing enthusiasm of Iraqis for this months elections, notwithstanding the violence intended to intimidate voters from exercising their right to choose who will lead their government.
This election will be the turning point in the long road to establishing a democratic foothold in the middle east and will represent a key victory in the war on terror.
It is rare to hear good news reported in the MSM about our efforts in Iraq. Just as the naysayers were proven wrong in Afghanistan, the Iraqi people will show the world that given the option and opportunity, they will choose freedom over tyranny.
UPDATE: The link is fixed. Sorry ’bout that.
Cao has a very impressive post on her blog talking about groups like the ACLU who have gone beyond mere opposition to U.S. policy to actual support of the enemies who would see us dead. I have long held the view that a frightening number of the mainstream left in America have crossed the line from healthy dissent to advocating on behalf of terrorists. The blame America first crowd is sad; those cheering on the “freedom fighters” as they kill our soldiers and pro-democracy Iraqis are dangerous. Whether these people are mere dupes as portrayed in “Team America” or just full of hate for what America stands for seems to me to be a distinction without meaning. Blatant attempts to undermine the will of the American people to fight those sworn to destroy us is tantamount to providing comfort and support to the enemy in a time of war. Recognizing the enemy among us and exposing their agenda is a critical front in the war on terror.
Happy New Year everyone!
Maybe it’s the residual impact from spending hours alone on the open road, but I find myself reflecting on the past this morning. Specifically those long ago years when I was living in Oklahoma. At the time I was so wrapped up in my own unhappiness that I could not see the beauty and all the positive aspects of the country lifestyle. I absconded with a few pictures from my parent’s photo albums and was reminded that I actually had a lot of fun in those days. Recalling the horse shows, cattle auctions, softball, camping, canoeing, and friends I made–makes me wonder why I was in such a hurry to leave.
I do remember my reasons. I recall watching the news and feeling like I was not connected to the outside world. I thought happiness would be found through a big promotion. I simply did not value the simple pleasures of what that life had to offer. And so I left it all behind and never really looked back. Until now.
I don’t know that I would call it looking back in regret. South Carolina was great too. And I would not have reached the top of my profession without moving to the DC area. I guess what I regret was not enjoying my Oklahoma life as much as I should have while I was living it. I know my kids really benefited from living on the farm and those years helped them become the successful people they grew up to be. They at least were happy there. Moving to Oklahoma after my divorce was the best decision I could have made, but I remember thinking at the time I should never have left Arizona.
And that I guess leads to my current insight on this New Years morning. I never really had a plan for life, I just reacted to it. Whenever I reached a crossroad, I chose a direction and followed the road without a clue as to where it might take me. I guess it is natural to wonder about the paths that would have led to a different life, but you only get to live the life you chose. No mulligans. But I have been extremely fortunate and blessed. Good people got hurt along the way, and for that I am truly sorry. But the roads I have taken have led to some great adventures and life-altering experiences. A fool’s luck perhaps, but even though I could never have imagined what my life would turn out to be, it has been a very nice ride.
So it is time to look forward again. This year brings a new road in Seoul, Korea. And it will be an adventure with an uncertain outcome for sure. But before I put the Oklahoma chapter of my life back on the shelf, I want to thank those people who made it a very special time. Mom and dad of course, but also everyone else who let a city boy be part of their life. And especially my guardian angel Linda who thought Oklahoma was heaven on earth and was always there to keep me sane. I miss you my friend.
Geez, that was quite a ramble. My point (if there is one) is just to say I have discovered that it is important to take the time to enjoy the life you are living even as you chase rainbows. I think I missed the best part of Oklahoma and it is only in looking back that I realize that should have allowed myself to be happy there.
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game
–Joni Mitchell
Safe and sound. Memphis to Stafford in 14 hours……
I’ll be back with more next year!
Made it to Memphis on the long drive home. Gonna try and make it the rest of the way back to Stafford, VA tomorrow. If all goes well I can do it in less than 15 hours. When I was younger I could (and did) drive all night long—now I can feel it in my body after 8 hours or so….well, I am just gonna suck it up and put the cruise control on 74 mph and roll down I-40…..
It was a little melancholy leaving Oklahoma today. Had a great but too brief visit with the parents. When I get back from Korea my folks should be all settled into their new South Carolina homestead. Don’t know that I will have any call to spend much time in good ol’ OK. Lots of nice memories and good friends from my days there. Well, the world keeps on spinning and the only constant is that things change. We move on, but I guess we also leave a little bit of ourselves behind.
It’s late, I’m tired, and have been true to my desire to post some words here each day. I’m at a hotel with wireless Internet, and it took me a while to figure out how to get my new laptop to find the network. I have no clue when it comes to these technical niceties…but I did persevere. And this post is YOUR reward. Yeah, I’m generous to a fault. I know.
You know, spending time with the parents is nice. Relaxing. Slow pace. We took a drive through downtown Eufaula (which is nice in a quaint kind of way). Had lunch on the lake. Went to Wal-Mart to purchase a couple of DVDs. Then I hooked up the DVD player we gave them for Christmas and we watched Fried Green Tomatoes. I have seen it several times, but I still enjoy it. First time for the folks and they got a kick out of it too. I have also been going through picture boxes and selecting some photos from the distant days of my youth to bring home. Oh, and had a great pork roast for dinner.
So, not much blog material in there, but sometimes real life is like that (which is something to be thankful for). Like everyone else we are just blown away by the devastation and loss of life from the Tsunamis. The horror these people are experiencing is simply beyond comprehension. And the carping about whether the US is stingy or whether the President should have had a press conference sooner is so dispicable in the face of this tragedy that it does not dignify refutation. It just sickens me that such small minds are even given a forum in the midst of worldwide grief.
Goodnight.
Made it safe and sound to my folks place. Although I never lived in this house, I did live in Oklahoma and Arkansas for a few years in 80’s. I spent the evening looking at photo albums and tripping down memory lane. There might be a post about my country lifestyle all those years ago. But not tonight. It’s late, I’m tired, and working with a dial-up connection is frustrating.
Back tomorrow.
I am staying at the “Best” Western motel here in Jackson. All I can say is if this is the best, then I would HATE seeing the Good Western. Well, I chose to stay here for the free high speed Internet access and that works. Who needs wash cloths anyway?
Home of Casey Jones. You can read about the wreck that made him famous here.
But being in Jackson brings to mind the poem. As a child my father would read us poetry, and this was always among my favorites:
Come all you rounders that want to hear
The story of a brave engineer.
Casey Jones was the rounder’s name,
On a six eight wheeler, boys, he won his fame.
Casey Jones mounted to his cabin,
Casey Jones with his orders in his hand
Casey Jones mounted to his cabin,
And he took his farewell trip to that promised land.
The caller call Casey at half past four,
He kissed his wife at the station door,
He mounted to the cabin with the orders in his hand,
And he took his farewell trip to that promised land.
When he pulled up that Reno hill,
He whistled for the crossing with an awful shrill;
The switchman knew by the engine’s moan
That the man at the throttle was Casey Jones.
He looked at his water and his water was low;
He looked at his watch and his watch was slow;
He turned to his fireman and this is what he said,
“Boy, we’re going to reach Frisco, but we’ll all be dead.”
“So turn on your water and shovel in your coal,
Stick you head out the window, watch those drivers roll;
I’ll drive her till she leaves the rail,
For I’m eight hours late by that Western Mail.
When he was within six miles of the place,
There number four stared him straight in the face.
He turned to his fireman, said “Jim you’d better jump,
For there’re two locomotives that are going to bump.
Casey said just before he died,
“There’re two more roads I would like to ride.”
The fireman said, “Which ones can they be?”
“Oh the Northern Pacific and the Santa Fe.”
Mrs. Jones sat at her bed a-sighing
Just to hear the news that her Casey was dying.
“Hush up children, and quit your crying’,
For you’ve got another poppa on the Salt Lake Line.”
Authorship is often attributed to the fireman and friend of Jones, Wallace Saunders. That seems to be pretty much in dispute, but whatever the source, the story of Engineer Casey Jones is now well-established in the annals of American folklore.
Anyway, I drove 12 hours today to get here. The weather cooperated, cold but dry. Well, after Nashville there were still some slick spots in the road from the Christmas storm and the trees still had ice in the branches. But no problems. In fact I saw a beautiful southern Virginia sunrise near Charlottesville and a great sunset as I pulled into Jackson.
Several times during the drive I thought about how truly wonderful this country of ours is and how much I am going to miss it. Well, it will be here when I get back, and I am taking some beautiful memories with me. Which is all have from this trip since the one thing I forgot to pack was my digital camera. Damn.
On to Eufaula, Oklahoma tomorrow to see the parents. More from there.
A poem from a Vietnam vet. Posted at Pass The Ammo.
I think it captures the overall theme of my posting this week….
“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”George Orwell
There’s a character trait that’s decided by fate
Comes sadly to many, far too faint, far too late.
They won’t face the aggressor, stand up to his ire
They have not the will to fight his fire with fire.
So they bend over backwards to see all sides as fair,
Till they’re faced with dragon breath fire in their hair.
Like our brethren in France, who’d know better than we,
Yet seem never to learn, seem doomed never to see.
Yes, it seems there are some who’re determined by fate,
To possess not the courage to step up to the plate,
Who shrink from all threat because nothing’s worth war.
But how can they know lest they’ve been there before?
Thank God some have courage, the will, yes, the grace,
To stand for the shirkers, stand strong in their place.
Thank God we have stalwarts who’ll stand for us all,
Who will rise to the challenge at their nation’s call.
The faint-hearted, who fear, whose reaction is flight,
Have no comprehension of those who will fight.
To hide their own trepidation they attempt to demean
The rough men, who defend them, as barbaric, obscene.
Yet these rough men stand ready, hard weapons to hand,
To put placaters behind them, draw a line in the sand,
To preserve for the peaceniks what they won’t defend,
So their own unearned freedom won’t perish, won’t end.
To appeasers, rough men are coarse government tools.
To rough men, appeasers are dumb delusional fools.
Russ Vaughn
2d Bn, 327th Parachute Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division
Vietnam 65-66
(via Parrot Check)