Dear Ms. Cindy Williams;

I received this email as most of us do, from a friend who got it from another. I served in the Air Force for four years and I completely understand this airman's frustration. I almost never resend anything for fear of sending my friends and family info to someone who might use it for crap. This is the best way for me to let everyone know about the thinking in our current government. I did not write this, it is a re-posting, word for word, from an email I received.

I hope some of you resend it to others. If you want send them the link to this blog. By all means go ahead. That is why I posted it here instead of just sending it to a few friends and family.

I do not claim to be any kind of reporter, in fact, just the opposite. This is the first time I have even posted anything in a very long time.

I wonder what our response might be.

Begin forwarded message:

Military Pay:

CINDY WILLIAMS was appointed by Obama As an Assistant Director for NATIONAL SECURITY in the Congressional Budget Office...

This is an Airman's response to Cindy Williams' editorial piece in the Washington Times about MILITARY PAY, it should be printed in all newspapers across America .

Ms. Cindy William wrote a piece for the Washington Times denouncing the pay raise(s) coming service members' way this year citing that she stated a 13% wage increase was more than they deserve.

A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below. He ought to get a bonus for this.

"Ms Williams:

I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GI's earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account. Checking my latest earnings statement I see that I make $1,117.80 before taxes per month. After taxes, I take home $874.20. When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and $10,490.40 after.

I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host computer network. I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment. A quick check under jobs for "Network Technicians" in the Washington , D.C. area reveals a position in my career field, requiring three years experience in my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year. No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per annum............ I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions..

Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in her armed forces.

Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN ; I leave the choice of service branch up to you. Whatever choice you make though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience."

As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends meet while the primary breadwinner is gone. Obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the government has been giving them.

Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial favorites.. And when you're actually over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night, and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade whatever MRE's (meal-ready-to-eat) you manage to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor.

Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't be nearly long enough or often enough, but take what you can get and be thankful for it. You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you present in your open piece.

But, tomorrow from KABUL , I will defend to the death your right to say it.

You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment right and every other right you cherish...On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your collective noses at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people cringe. We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of civilian companies.

And you, Ms.. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve?

A1C Michael Bragg, Hill AFB AFNCC

IF YOU AGREE,

PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO

AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN.

Kitchen thoughts

I just emptied my dishwasher, which got me thinking (how that happens I'll never know), man I have a great pizza cutter. It's not new or space age, it just gets the job done without fail. Let's get past the fact that my affection for this utensil is unique. It started me thinking, what are my favorite kitchen apparati (correction it's apparatuses, the former is just more fun to say)? Here's the list.

1. The spoon -- a solid choice, very versatile.

2. The pizza cutter -- my pizza cutter is from an apartment in Texas. It's cut more pizza than I care to remember.

3. The non-stick anything -- Go Teflon.

4. The garbage disposal -- If you don't have to carry the wet pot or pan over the floor to throw away the crap no one ate it's a great thing. *Bonus* much less likely vermin will get into the garbage cans outside.

5. The refrigerator -- Anything need to be said there? OK, it keeps the beer cold. Has to be on the list.

Just a Quip..

"Skeptics are not exempt from normal human brain functions. It is a human tendency to become what you attack. Skeptics attack irrational thinkers and in the process become irrational."

I've just finished a book called God's Debris by Scot Adams. He is the guy who writes the cartoon strip Dilbert. I recommend it.

Thumbs up.

Sam, You are a better man than I.

This is a proclamation.

If I am to eat chicken, it will be boneless and skinless. If this also means I have to do the de-boning and de-skinning I will remain hungary (or eat a frozen pizza). Butchers earn their wage.

Hail to the King Baby.

The morning boredom has developed this next post. I have been lazily reading and searching this morning (basically wasting bandwidth, sorry Comcast)(I'm not really sorry). For whatever reason I have come across one of my favorite commericals in a long long time. I don't even know why, it just makes me laugh out loud when it's done every time I see it. I felt the need to share.






Just can't seem to go wrong with Mr. Bruce Campell.
Shop smart, shop S-Mart.

I Welcome Myself Back

I've done it. I have completed the sabbatical which left me in the desert of modern society. The Internet is on again in my household. I fully expect to loose all connection with the other family members again almost instantly. They might get an empty feeling in their tummies, which would cause them to pause for nourishment. Might say hi around that time.

The internet has missed me as well. I'd like to think so anyway. I say hello to my old friend, hello.

Whew! I made it back.




This is funny.

It was either this or finding a video of monkey flinging poo.

God love the internet.

No PC sucks I tell ya...

Here I sit, at the library. I now have a library card. This keyboard sucks and my newest emotion is kicking in "Paranoia". Are people looking over my shoulder? Why is that guy in the corner beating on the desk and his monitor turned away. Oh, there's recurring beat to his table tap. He's listening to his music. Maybe this is like in a coffee shop only I can't control my view. Blogging away wondering if I'm annoying someone with one of my mannerisms like so many of these others are driving me fucking nuts.

Here I sit, in the library, with new found motivation to replace the computer that is gone. I unplugged for a while, I moved and didn't turn on the cable or Internet for about 4 months. I thought it might do some good. It seems everyone is so dependent on all this stuff, I kind of wanted to see how I could handle it. If there were withdrawal symptoms. (I wish I would have brought some kind of sanitizer all of a sudden. The fella nearest me obviously is in the height of his disease. Who was at the shitty keyboard before me?) I really didn't have too bad of a problem being I could check email at work. Stuff like that. It hasn't hit me until I had to watch the Super Bowl on rabbit ears. MAN I miss HD! Now the need to do my taxes is upon me. I guess I will feel better at Beth's (the sister) house doing my taxes. (why does he always itch his nappy skull like that?)

I'm out of here, if I have to come back to the library to use a computer to post again I just won't post.

Wang Chung - New Music - More Music Videos

I wish I could proclaim, just once and mean it, "Everybody Wang Chung Tonight!". I haven't been in the right place at the right time to date, but I'm sure the day will come.

It all starts over from here

Welcome to the next year in the life...

I have an opportunity, it has to do with everything being different. In the coming year we will see how "different" will be. I will keep everyone informed.

Happy New Year

Moving!

I hate moving, where does all this stuff come from? I swear if there is one more thing.. oh wait, there's more.  What is this?  Why did I keep that?  Who in the world spent money on this?  Yet, I can't believe I'm the only one with it.

I don't understand.

The directions are only one man's opinion!

Business Time

I haven't been able to post much lately but this is too good not to spread around the entire world.



Thanks Ron.

This Should Never Happen

This ref should be fired.  Then he should be drawn and quartered.  This happened last weekend (October 18th) between So. Carolina and LSU (yep, the SEC). 

Should he get a jail cell next to Tim Donaghy? You be the judge.  

The Power of Tortilla

Tortillas are the greatest thing to come from south of the border.  

I use them all the time.  Not just for mexican food either.  I'm pretty sure you could make a PB & J in a tortilla.  All the benefits of bread without having to cut off the crust for the kids.  Whenever you eat bread with a meal, instead put your meal in a tortilla.  It might as well be referred to as "The Plateless Meal."  No dinner time dishes, if only I could cook product on the stove in a tortilla.  At the local watering hole, they offer a burger in a tortilla (a burger wrap , if you will).  I have taken it to the next step.  The glory of a chili burger without the mess on your shirt.  I'm telling you there's nothing you can't do.  I might put my entire Thanksgiving Dinner in a tortilla next month.  I bet I could do a restaurant serving everything in one.  Spaghetti, pot roast or whatever.  I've done it for years, you can't stop me.

I've spoken my peace..... Ol'e!

Police

I just finished watching Hard Rock Calling (in hi-def....can't beat hi-def). It's a show from time to time on the Mojo channel. It was the festival concert with The Police and Eric Clapton headlining. Every time I see The Police on TeeVee it reminds me how much better they are than most. I just can't come up with a better all time band. Of course I'm biased like everyone else, but I'm allowed. It's what makes me human. If I could find my cassettes I would of course throw in Synchronicity. My favorite from them, but they were all excellent.

Who else is on my list? It is very much dependent on my mood. I'm sure the Red Hot Chili Peppers are in the top 3 along with The Police. That third spot is sacred. I can't just occupy this spot with the flavor of the week and takes much time to consider. I'm thinking it could be Jane's Addiction. If not third they are in the top 10 for sure. The sounds of The Stone Roses are possibly there for third as well.

I stated once early in my blog entries that lists might be, from time to time, an easy entry. I have decided that if I make another list for a blog entry it will be about something tangible. I could pick up my high school chums' book and peruse the back pages to trigger memories of great great bands, but the top 10 should be there. Right there in your brain poking the inner ear for more when there is silence. Songs do that to me but not bands so much. The problem with songs doing that is people and so-called artists can be accidentally thrust into the limelight and make a song you thought was catchy ("Can't Touch This" for example, what the fuck was I thinking. Now sometimes without cause or action I feel the need to shuffle my body across the floor back and forth in a stance that Sumo Wrestlers stand just before wrapping their knuckles on the mat then running at each other and ..... never mind you get the picture.)

I guess what it comes down to is the List.
1. The Police
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers
3. Jane's Addiction
3a. The Stone Roses
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Here is where I stand. I will update this after much angst and some trepidation. I will inevitably let myself down on this list. I can't stand it.

By the way, GO RAYS! The hat will be worn tomorrow.

I'm Falling Behind

I have not posted anything in a while, I have have had a change in my life that doesn't allow me to get to the PC as often. I will, however, continue when I can as this should be only a temporary situation sans PC. I will also post when my mood improves.

Greatest Animated line

"Somebody poisoned the water hole!"

Toy Story

9-22-08

Update:

Perhaps I overstated myself with the word "Greatest". I will say, this line makes me laugh every single time I say it (as Woody would have). I'm thinking the alcoholic beverages I was consuming in combination with the PC readily available made me write something a little over the top. Please forgive the grandstanding.

Let Fries Rule.

I proclaim Steak and Shake french fries can not be beat!


At least by any other food chain. I will not throw my fries to the cock fighting ring against some "Ringer from Route 66" that only Ma and Pa Kettle know about.

This post was inspired by my lunch.

A nod to Gregory McDonald

Since I was a young, naive man I have loved the movies Fletch and Fletch Lives. Gregory McDonald has died. He wrote the books that preceded these movies, there was 9 in total in the series. I feel the need to tell a funny tale, Fletch Lives got me into trouble.

I was in the Air Force from 1988 to 1992. The security police at Cannon Air Force Base ran exercises about every month or two. They practiced making sure they could be ass holes if there was a war. It didn't take much practice, it was a prerequisite before joining, if you have the intelligence of a monkey. Anyway, I only had about three or four weeks before leaving the Air Force. When one entered the flightline, you had to show and display your ID authorizing to you be around the planes. The reason mine wasn't out was you couldn't wear it off the flightline.
I had watched Fletch Lives many times and the night before was one of those times. As I walked through the checkpoint, the Security Police ass bag made the perfect statement. "This is a secure area." I couldn't resist. I looked at the guy I was working with, smiled, and responded with "Well I'm happy for it, most people live in terrible neighborhoods." and kept on walking. My pal just starts laughing as I get my face slammed into a puddle because the SP's suck and have no sense of humor. What were they going to do, kick me out? I was already on my way out.

This is my story. Here is my homage to Gregory McDonald.



RIP

The First Episode of "Use That Word"

la·ment [luh-ment] 
–verb (used with object)
1. to feel or express sorrow or regret for: to lament his absence.
2. to mourn for or over.
–verb (used without object)
3. to feel, show, or express grief, sorrow, or regret.
4. to mourn deeply.
–noun
5. an expression of grief or sorrow.
6. a formal expression of sorrow or mourning, esp. in verse or song; an elegy or dirge.
[Origin: 1520–30; (n.) lāmentum plaint; (v.) lāmentārī, deriv. of lāmentum] —Related forms la·ment·er, noun la·ment·ing·ly, adverb —Synonyms 1, 2. bewail, bemoan, deplore. 3, 4. grieve, weep. 5. lamentation, moan. 6. monody, threnody.  (compliments of www.dictionary.com)

This word was used when I was reading an article on Yahoo! sports about the 10th anniversary of "Home Run 63".  The article is a nice reminder of what brought America back to baseball in 1998.  The author likes using many words with many syllables.  Reminds me of my high school days, trying to come up with different words that have a lot of syllables so we could say them quick while rocking our asses to each syllable.  The "buttrock" might as well be famous.  

Which allows me to use the word of the day.  I lament social "buttrocking".  To this day when I come across a word that make me smile, I'll take the moment to reflect.  But gone are the days of immature simplicity.  I don't think any of the people in my "social circle" (which include just a few) would enjoy this simple pleasure.  Then again, maybe everyone does it.  My friends and I should receive an award, maybe a Nobel Prize of some kind.  A VMA wouldn't do it justice,  I would've have to stand next to Brittany Spears. 

Maybe this is a list I could compose, that way everyone could read and "rock", I guess I'll have to think about that.  Lists seem to be a popular thing in the blogging world.  An easy entry I guess. 

This is the last one, I promise.

I won't show another, but this is funny.

More Trunk Monkey

This one is for you Beth