On the road again…

Well, so much for my time at home… sigh…


Back on the road and I get a call half way to my destination from my bank…

Not good…

Even worse, it appears there are fraudulent charges on my credit card!!! Just @$&(* lovely…

So now my card is cancelled and I’m waiting on a replacement from the bank to be FEDEX’ed to my hotel… Hmmm, I’ve got a buck forty, guess I’m eating cheep tonight…

Folks, whether you travel a lot or not, I’d STRONGLY recommend you have your credit cards and bank cards put on fraud alert/watch! This is the second time in two years this has happened to me, once overseas and once here in the States. Is it a PITA when you want to make a large purchase? Yes… Is it worth it if your card gets frauded? Hell YES!!!

I will not be charged for any of the false charges 🙂 OBTW, all of them were under $50 dollars, two of the three were Internet charges, and one was a bar in Nevada! Kinda hard to do, since I’m on the East Coast…

A couple of pics to brighten up the day/night/whateverthehelltimeitis…

Art Deco Claymore- An up close and personal look at the damage caused by a Claymore mine! Yep, you ALWAYS want to make sure “Front Faces Enemy”. Those 100 steel balls can do a “bit” of damage!!!

If you can read this- Friend of mine had a problem with 4 wheelers cutting his fences and riding on his pasture land illegally last year… What is not shown in the photo is the steel plate target lying on the ground 🙂 It apparently works, since he hasn’t had any more problems with 4 wheelers or snowmobiles…

Now back to your regular programming… Blogging will probably be light the rest of the week…

Yep, they’re ALL nuts…

Since I was actually “home” this weekend, I took Ambulance Driver up on his invite to drive up to Baltimore and meet he and a few more folks at the EMS get together up there. Of course when I get there, I get introduced as the old fossil to another old fossil… sigh… Lou runs the EMS Museum and publishes books for EMS training and others, in addition to being one of the original medics at Baltimore Shock Trauma. We get to talking and find out we know people in common from 30 years ago! I finally got to meet Eipjunky, TOTWTYTR, and Medic 3 who were also there. Mad Dog had set up a meet at the Nest (across the street from the Conference Center) so we decamped to there and the beer and stories began…

And yes, medic humor is almost as bad as military humor, with more specifics… which I will NOT go into since my kids occasionally read this blog… Others showed up including Sam from On the Clock, and some whom I didn’t get a handle/blog/name for, but all were in the EMT/Paramedic field.

And like most blog meets, there were three, four, maybe five simultaneous conversations going on, running the gamut from lines from poems, to movies, to guns, to shooting, to getting shot, to places, to bar fights, to the proverbial runs from hell, to beer, food, and damn near everything in between! In other words a GOOD time!

Once again I am amazed at the quality of folks who are the other thin blue line that keep our asses alive and get us to the hospital in emergencies! While they may grouse, bitch and moan, and work for peanuts; they are also putting their respective asses on the line for us every day, on every call 24/7/365. For that I thank you!!!

Now some of y’alls OTHER interests… well… 🙂 Pink dresses???

They’re at it again…

Well, the Hildabeast struck again…


“Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers and civilians. So, yes, I feel very strongly we have a co-responsibility.”…

…The United States needs to stop the flow of guns, body armor and night-vision goggles to the cartels, Clinton said.

“These criminals are outgunning the law enforcement officials,” she said.

“When you go into a gunfight or are trying to round up these bad guys and they have military-style equipment that is much better than yours, you start out at a disadvantage. Since we know the vast majority of that comes from our country, we are going to help stop it from getting there in the first place.” Source: CNN

Although she KNOWS this is not true, she’s putting that crap out there to support the AWB we all know the Lightbringer and Holder are going to try to push through… And OBTW, At a meeting of the Senate Homeland Security Committee yesterday, committee Chairman Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said he requested an additional $380 million in funds for enhanced border protection. But Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said she thought that the agency’s existing funds would cover the costs of the administration’s increased presence in the border region. “These actions so far are designed to be budget-neutral,” she said. “What I have done is identify other activities that are less urgent … to be able to move these resources where I think they are needed most.”

Another little digression, we were talking at lunch yesterday about where the country is heading, and an interesting point was brought up- Argentina!

Think about it- The Perons were are similar to the Obamas- Political messiahs, revolutionaries for “change”, and they are the leaders of the pack that are plundering this country to pay back their supporters (unions), giving their supporters more and more power (can we say card check?) and penalizing their opponents. In the mean time, Eva (Michelle) was/is the darling of the media, while being vindictive, secretive and hiding her true feelings. Meanwhile, they spent Argentina into the poor house, which the STILL have not really recovered from.


Just remember, “Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it”

High Jumper…

This is from GW in 2003, it shows the inherent danger of working on a flight deck in the BEST of times… Day, VFR, CQs in a workup phase off Norfolk. What you will see is the PLAT video of an F-18 landing and catching the #3 wire (qualifies as a good landing), however as the cable runs out, you will see a brown cloud to the left of the picture. That is the cable parting under load.


You will then see the F-18 go off the bow (pointy end), the canopy blow and the pilot eject (that’s the little splash of flame that goes up). Note the white tow bar on the left side of the frame that seems to move by itself. It was struck by the cable end and moves significantly even though it is attached to the nosewheel of the aircraft.

In the replay, you will see one yellow shirt (the hook man) jump twice, he is jumping the pieces of the cable as it snaps back. The other two people and three more that are not captured in the video were injured and later medically evacuated from the GW, but all survived.

This is why the flight deck is considered one of the most dangerous places in the world to work. You HAVE to keep your head on a swivel, and be alert ALL of the time. Since there is a high noise level, you are basically on your own for your survival… You can imagine what potentially could have happened if this had been at night.


Please say a prayer for all our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen who are deployed world wide to keep us safe.

What to do… What to do…

Woke up at 0 dark 30 as usual, tried to get back to sleep, but got woke up again by the maids at 0730 (on a SATURDAY no less)…


Quick SSS, and stumble down to breakfast- Sunny California my ass, it’s in the 50’s overcast and windy…

Lemme see, golf? Nope- too cold and windy, as bad as I play fuggedaboutit!

Go sailing? Nope- no boat, see above on weather, plus no jacket…

Hmmm, what’s in the paper? Ohhh Shiny!!! Gun SHOW 🙂 Yep, that’ll work!

Take my happy ass down and off I go up to Del Mar- Uh oh… 1 mile backup just to get off at the exit, now ALL these people can’t possible be going to the gun show CAN THEY???

/grumble/ 30 minutes to literally go two miles to the gun show parking lot, AND get charged $9 for parking!!! Yep, welcome to Kalifornia!!!

Now go jump in line, hurry up and wait; but I ‘know’ how to do this 🙂 Some interesting conversations about guns, liberty and ammunition as we move slowly to the entrance, a few folks bringing things to sell, but no where near what I’m used to seeing at Tulsa… NRA at the front, join the NRA get a free entry, they’re doing pretty good too!

Woof… crowded at the front door! Oh, no wonder, first set of tables in the door is ammo seller, and they are packed at least five deep all the way around the tables! Probably 5-600 tables total, whole bunch of jewelry/junk/Shamwow stuff…

Definitely Kalifornia prices!!! Old Colts SAA’s $3-5000, a table full of 03A3, M-1, and M-1 carbines, $1700-$7000, bunch of knife sellers, a couple of safe sellers (they are busy!), two tables of MREs (Why???), cheapo flashlights, more cheapo knives, magazines, oddball ammo, another couple of tables of ammo, $400 for 500 rounds XM193 .223; lots of personal defense pistol ammo at HIGH prices, with box limits… sigh…

Obligatory old uniform sellers, Chinese gun cases, cheapo holsters, empty ammo boxes, 3 for $12, Jerky… yechhh! NASTY jerky… phuti…

BOOKS! Lots of books 🙂

Damn, high priced books too!!! First edition Elmer Keith and Jeff Cooper over $130 each, lots of how to gunsmithing, reloading, bits/pieces/parts tables.

Oh, a table selling AR-15s (don’t know how they are doing that); basic Rock River that was $950 last November is now $1895! Sigh…

Oh yeah, and LOTS of people! Young, old, male, female, at least a couple of three generation groups, which are nice to see; single women shopping for pistols too!

And everybody is very polite too! I see this at every gun show, and I’m impressed at how polite folks can be… Of course, an armed society is a polite society 🙂

Spent a few minutes talking to the Calguns.net folks, good guys working hard for gun rights in an uphill battle out here… Drop by and give them some support if you have time!

What I didn’t see- Tables with long guns, or multiple tables of semi-autos from dealers… Interesting…

Okay, the dogs are barking, nothing that I can’t live without, I’m outta here…

Now back to the regularly scheduled “stuff”…

Now Hear This…

Liberty Call – Liberty Call. Liberty Commences at 16:00 for Sections 2 & 3- One of the best sounds to hear over the 1MC 🙂

Here are a couple of our Grey Ships coming back in after a week at sea! One “smallboy” a DDG and one Oiler coming back to 32nd Street in San Diego!


Also, here are a couple of lazy ducks… after all this IS Kalifornia! Note- They are sitting on the rope across the pool at the hotel, floating a little and just lazing about!

For those that have not seen it, go over to Conservative Scalawag and view the Lightbringer’s address to the Iranians… After you watch it, come back and tell me what is missing from the background. I ‘think’ you will be as pissed as I am!!!

And there is a new entry in the blog sphere courtesy of Lawdog and Farm Girl that is worth a look and a read… TOTUS!

Go Enjoy! Y’all have a good weekend ya hear! 🙂 I’m going to curl up in the hotel with a book and a beer…

Neat piece of history…


A friend of mine haunts yard sales, estate sales and auto shows to find old automotive memorabilia. Every once in a while, he gets a real find…

In this case, a post card from a Ford dealer to a customer in 1929! You may wonder why I’m posting it, well a couple of reasons, for one it’s a neat piece of history, for another, the prices!!! Oh yeah, and it cost a whole one cent to send 🙂

And here is the back of the card- Note the cars being discussed! I checked and they are no longer in business, but if they were, I’d find a Model T, take it in and ask for THOSE prices… 🙂

Where does it end???

We fought back and won this round, but I’m afraid of what ELSE is coming… It is becoming clear the Lightbringer’s administration is coming after Veterans. Hellva note considering what veterans have given to keep this country free and safe!!!
WASHINGTON (March 18, 2009) – The leader of the nation’s largest veterans organization applauded President Obama for dropping his plan to bill private insurance companies for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries.

“We are glad that President Obama listened to the strong objections raised by The American Legion and veterans everywhere about this unfair plan,” said National Commander David K Rehbein of The American Legion. “We thank the administration for its proposed increase in the VA budget and we are always available to assist by providing guidance to ensure a veterans health care system that is worthy of the heroes that use it.”

Following a meeting this afternoon with The American Legion and other veterans service organizations, the White House announced that it will no longer considering billing insurance companies or veterans for their service-connected disabilities.

“Although we disagreed with the proposal, additional revenue streams are needed by VA,” Rehbein said. “I strongly encourage Congress and the administration to allow VA to begin billing Medicare for the treatment of Medicare-eligible nonservice-connected veterans. They paid into Medicare for their entire working careers and should be able to use it in the medical system that was built specifically for them.”

With a current membership of 2.6 million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and the mentoring of youth. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

MOAA and all the other military organizations (VFW, FRA, NCOA) also chimed in on this…

This proposal and others causing the military and veterans to pay additional medical fees (up to $570M/yr) was one of the big “savings” the administration was counting on…

It’s not bad enough that we really don’t get a lot in retired pay, after not having made a whole lot of money as career military personnel, but this bunch of clowns wants to take us to the woodshed yet again… sigh…

Pelosi is at it again! Now she’s pandering to the illegal aliens by saying enforcing immigration laws against them is Un-American! At a meeting with illegal aliens in the audience, and referring to work site enforcement actions by ICE agents, Pelosi said, “We have to have a change in policy and practice and again … I can’t say enough, the raids must end. The raids must end.

“You are special people. You’re here on a Saturday night to take responsibility for our country’s future. That makes you very, very patriotic.”

SAY WHAT???

“I was embarrassed by what she said,” said Rick Oltman, with Californians for Population Stabilization, an anti-illegal immigrant group. “Exhorting illegal aliens for taking responsibility for our country’s future…. In fact, sitting there in the audience…. I really resented that comment.”

“I think it was pandering to the crowd but also insulting to American citizens who consider themselves to be patriotic, who obey the rule of law,” said Oltman, who shot a video of the rally.

WTFO? Where does this bitch get off???

And one more… Congresscritter Dodds signed out the amendment to the CRAP bill that ALLOWED the AIG bonus to be paid, and Geithner was the architect in the meetings last year to set up the bailout of AIG, where these bonus were discussed and now he claims he only heard of them LAST WEEK??? And the Lightbringer is on TV saying nobody in his adminstration was responsible???

Yo Barry- Geithner IS YOUR TREASURY SECRETARY! He IS responsible…

I wish somebody would REALLY investigate those sanctimonious sumbitches Frank and Dodds and the rest of the banking committees, because I’ll bet $$ to donuts they knew about the whole mess and figured they could get away with it…

Good and bad…

The Good- At least the market has stopped its free fall! For today at least… sigh… My 401K “might” now be a 102K….

It appears a few people out in fly over country are being a little more proactive about their displeasure with the new president…

The bad- Well, I guess one would have to say this really qualifies as truth in advertising

On a more prosaic note- The National Park Service (NPS) has announced its intention to ban traditional ammunition containing lead in all its parks. The move will push hunters to use more costly bullets made of tungsten, copper, and steel. The restrictions, set to take effect by the end of 2010, were announced without regard to science and without soliciting feedback from sportsman’s groups.
So much for science… I guess that only applies for stem cells…

A Shipboard Life, part 3…

Quality of Life

1. Invite 200 to 1000 of your ‘not so closest’ friends to come over. Board up all the windows and doors to your house for six months. After 6 months take down the boards. But, since you’re on duty, wave at your family through the front window of your home. You and one third of the ‘friends’ can’t leave until the next day.

2. Shower, eat, and sleep with the above mentioned friends never more than an arm’s length away. Instruct 10% of the ‘friends’ NOT to shower on a regular basis and an additional 10% NOT to change clothes more than once a month.

3. Cook all your food blindfolded, groping for any spice and seasoning you can reach. Fry everything and serve cold. Note: You must not gain weight on this diet while locked in the house for six months or you will be single out for the ‘fat boy’ program.

4. Have your neighbor collect all your mail for a month. Instruct them to lose every fifth item and to send every other week’s mail randomly to Japan or Italy.

5. Spend $20,000 on a satellite system for your TV, but only watch CNN and the Weather Channel.

6. Every two weeks have your fifth grade son cut your hair with dull hedge clippers. Have him say each time, “It’s a new style. I’m practicing until it comes out right.”

7. Sew back pockets to the front of your pants.

8. Work at McDonalds for four years. Do the same routine boring job day in and out. Do NOT get promoted.

9. Needle gun (compressed air powered impact device for paint chipping) the aluminum siding on your house after your neighbors have gone to bed.

10. Instruct your doctor to only dispense “aspirin” (APC – all purpose capsule) to you no matter what the ailment or complaint.

11. Gather all the neighborhood washing and mix the clothing in a pile. Rip off every other button, pour bleach directly on the pile, stuff the washing machine to maximum capacity, DO NOT separate by colors. Partially dry items and redistribute the “clean” items in a random fashion.

12. On the hottest, most humid day of the year, close all the doors and windows in your house, remove all fans for preventive maintenance and disassemble the air conditioner. On the coldest day of the year disable your heating system for maintenance. All family members must wear sweaters, heavy coats and gloves indoors to keep ice from forming on body parts. If going outdoors for any occasion everyone must appear uniform. If one person doesn’t have a coat and gloves, all must go without.

13. Stand in line for an hour to buy a candy bar and soda, only to find out the store is out of sodas and the candy bar is melted from heat.

14. Cut the ends out of two juice cans, place them over your ears to distort the sound while watching your TV.

15. Do your laundry using only the rinse cycle with paint thinner for detergent. Dry for 10 minutes and randomly redistribute.

16. Serve “Stuffed Cabbage Rolls” for dinner and the next evening strip off the cabbage leaves and serve the same thing, calling it “Beef Porcupines.”

17. Simulate being in drydock by leaving a 55 gallon drum of fish and crab parts under your bedroom window for three weeks. Have the kids needle gun (compressed air powered impact device for paint chipping) your exterior bedroom wall from 6 am to 6 pm and at random times throughout the night.

18. Have total strangers decide what 10 movies you can watch for the next month and show only these movies.

19. The day before the quarterly Physical Readiness Test (PRT) get Yellow Fever and Typhoid shots. Hold a safety stand down immediately following PRT on the importance of hygiene, physical conditioning, and proper diet and nutrition. After the safety stand down, hold a picnic featuring hot dogs and hamburgers (rollers and sliders) plus lots of greasy fries.