Life in the Air Force

Baby Girl

2005-12-21T09:12:00.000-08:00

I'm having a girl!! Audrey Grace

Hiatus

2005-09-27T12:31:00.000-07:00

I probably will not be blogging much if at all for the next 6 weeks or so. I will be going to Airman Leadership School on Thursday. I have to go to ALS before I can pin on my Staff Sergeant stripe in December. Its going to be like getting re-blued (or like going back to basic without the yelling)!!

Hindsight is 20/20

2005-09-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

I’m sick of everyone tossing around the blame for Hurricane Katrina. Why must someone be to blame? It was a hurricane from Mother Nature, how can it be anyone’s fault that the Gulf Coast was hit by a Cat 4 Hurricane? If you must blame someone, blame God. He rules our earth and for some divine reason, brought about Hurricane Katrina. Maybe to punish us for laughing at Mother Nature’s strength? Maybe it is to show us mortals here on Earth that we are not invincible? Maybe it is the fault of all mankind for our cockiness and pride. Who ever thought that something like this hurricane could happen in this day and age? New Orleans is reduced to a third world country in living conditions. Did anyone believe that was possible in America? No, we thought we could beat Mother Nature. But the entire world has been proven wrong… again. How many lessons do we need?

While there may have been some bad decision-making on the part of the Louisiana Government, why do we have to try and place blame at their feet? At the time, I’m sure they thought they were doing what was best. Or maybe they still held onto the belief that nothing, not even a Cat 4 hurricane, could bring about the kind of destruction and devastation that Hurricane Katrina did. Maybe that is why they made the decisions they did. But that is the fault of all mankind’s hubris, not one or two people. As if they wanted this to happen. I’m sure, if they could, they would go back in time and make different decisions and would do anything in their power to save even one person’s life from this tragedy. Unless you are a completely corrupt person, no one would wish this kind of destruction on anyone… therefore I’m sure if they had known the results of their decisions beforehand, they would have made different ones. I firmly believe that everyone acted with the best interest of the people in mind. They did the best they could, how can we fault them for that? I’m sure that many people are regretting decisions they have made, but there is nothing to be done right now, except to learn lessons for next time and focus on rebuilding the lives and the city that was shattered. Hindsight is 20/20. And never underestimate the power of Mother Nature. I just don’t think it’s fair to blame anyone for a natural disaster.

No one was spared in this tragic and destructive storm. Rich and poor, black and white, everyone from that region has lost something or someone, there was no discrimination. Mother Nature does not believe in discrimination. Some believe that the slow response was because of race or because the majority of the population left behind were poor. What a bunch of hogwash! In crises like these, you see the American people band together with no regard for race, religion, sex, etc. It is a sight to see! We Americans, so divided, come together for a common cause… to save people and help rebuild lives! It is the only good thing that comes from these times of sadness… Quite similar to 9/11.

There are many examples throughout time of mankind’s hubris… and many examples of mankind being taught a serious lesson about cockiness. How about Titanic? They didn’t even think lifeboats for all the passengers were worth taking up extra deck space. We look back now and we think how could they have been so stupid and thoughtless?? But we have the knowledge of the horrible sinking of Titanic. Had we been around in the days of the Titanic, we might have thought the lifeboats were a waste as well. The word “Unsinkable” permeated their minds so that they truly believed that nothing in the world could sink the mighty Titanic. How pompous is that? To think, that a man-made ship was immune to Mother Nature’s strength! How arrogant! Mankind would have to be shown, again, that we are not invincible. Once again, Mother Nature is in control. Once we think we can control Mother Nature is when our first mistake is made. We have to be reminded that we are only humans, capable of many things, but still weak compared to the force of Mother Nature. Why should anyone take seriously reports of icebergs, when Titanic is unsinkable? Everyone believed it. In reality, it was quite easy to sink the Titanic. In hindsight, we think, how stupid?? “If only” this, “If only” that. All the things that could have been done to save all those innocent lives!! In the aftermath of the Titanic sinking of course the blame had to be placed on someone and it was. But why? If the Captain had known the fate of the Titanic, no doubt he would have made different decisions. If Bruce Ismay had known, he wouldn’t have ordered the Titanic to go even faster through icy waters, but these people acted out of cockiness. “If only” these people had believed in the powers of Mother Nature and mankind’s invincibility, thousands of lives would have been saved!

All we can do from these disasters is to learn from them… there is no point in placing blame. Thousands of people have already suffered enough. The bottom line is that Hurricane Katrina was a catastrophe. Learn from the mistakes and move on. Stop blaming everyone!!!

Letter to Airmen from the Chief of Staff

2005-09-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF
WASHINGTOfll, DC
2 September 2005

To the Airmen of the United States Air Force,

We are a Nation at war. Today marks the 1,426th day we've been fighting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. World War II lasted 1,347 days. We've now been fighting the Global War on Terror for 2 1/2 months longer than World War II. From the day DESERT STORM kicked off, January 17th 1991, the Air Force has been in continuous combat. For 14 years our enemies have shot at us and for 14 years we've returned the favor. But no matter how long the road, we must never lose our focus on winning this fight.

Today, we are engaged more than ever... from across the globe to here at home. From taking the fight to the enemy in Iraq; to rebuilding lives in the wake of hurricane Katrina; to controlling satellites on the other side of the world; to fighting forest fires in the Rockies; to patrolling the skies over America -you can be proud of the work your Air Force is doing to protect our country. I'm incredibly proud to be a member of an Air Force family that has over 106,000 Airmen assigned or deployed in 64 countries, on every continent, and in every time zone throughout the world.

We have handled each and every task brought before us with lethal efficiency, because ofyou. It is an honor to work and fight alongside you in service to our Republic. The 684,000 active, Reserve, Guard, and civilians of the United States Air Force are truly a total force. We stand alongside our Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine brethren ready to answer the Nation's call. We fight together. We triumph together. Our promise to the joint team is that as Airmen we will always be the best in the world at what we do: dominating Air and Space from 1 inch above the ground to 100,000 miles above the earth.

Today, we have three major challenges facing our Air Force. First and foremost is accomplishing the combatant tasks the President and Secretary of Defense assign. The tasks will be ones we've done before and ones we've never undertaken. Second, we must preserve that which makes us the most feared air force in the world- our people. Our culture of excellence must continue to develop Airmen... Airmen who are the most adaptable, most skilled, most professional, and most lethal the world has ever known. Third, we face the difficult task of operating the oldest inventory in the history of the United States Air Force. My senior leadership will work to break this vicious cycle. I need you, our Airmen on the line, to continue making the mission happen.

As we work towards a more secure, more peaceful tomorrow... look around. Behind us you'll see a proud, rich heritage. And in front of us is a limitless horizon. So let's push it up, go to work and make the mission happen.

T. MICHAEL MOSELEY
General, USAF
Chief of Staff

Hurricane Katrina

2005-09-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

I got this message from Andi’s World… http://www.andisworld.typepad.com/

From the battlefield to the disaster-zone. The following e-mail was received from Chaplain Craig Combs - author of "The Iraq Journals" that are published here at WBAP.com

Dear friends and supporters,

As with all of you, I have been struck with the reality of the incredible devastation and heartache caused by Hurricane Katrina. As I pondered what it must feel like to have your home, your car and pretty much all that you own simply wiped from the face of the earth and no place of your own to go to and no means to get there, it hit me: “Even Soldiers in the middle of a desert combat zone have it better than these 100’s of 1000’s of people!” We still have electricity and water and food and transportation. We even have air conditioning, for crying out loud! As I pondered what we could do besides pray, one of my Soldiers said, “Hey Chaplain, we need to send all the stuff we’ve gotten in these care packages back to the US for all those people who have nothing.”

Leave it to the selfless and sacrificial enlisted Soldiers to come up with such a generous and thoughtful idea. God bless ‘em!

Well, we may not be able to send the extra stuff we have back, but I thought I would at least write you and ask a favor. Since we Soldiers really have all we need, and especially since we are on the short end of our deployment, I would like to ask you to start sending your thoughtful and incredible care packages intended for us to the people ravaged by the hurricane. You have all been so generous and the Soldiers have been overwhelmed by your generosity and thoughtfulness. But we all agree that we are not in need like these people are in need. They are desperate. They really could use all the personal hygiene and food items and other helpful things you have all been sending. What a way to continue your patriotism and support for America.

Thanks again for your generosity from all our Soldiers. Don’t forget, as I’m sure you haven’t, to pray for those affected by the hurricane as you’re praying for all of us. Prayer and support of those in need in not only an American ideal, it is a Christian one. God bless you all for all you do to make us feel so appreciated for what we do.

From the heart,
Ch Craig Combs

Does the United States of America have the best troops in the world, or what?

I'd have to agree with the above statement...

New Orleans

2005-09-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

My friend lives in Lafayette which is about 2 hours west of New Orleans. I was pretty scared for her and her family before Hurricane Katrina hit because I wasn’t sure if they would be affected by the storms path or not. I wasn’t sure exactly how far away Lafayette was from New Orleans, but I knew it was fairly close. Turns out that Lafayette was barely affected by the storm itself, but they are very much affected by the aftermath of the storm. Lafayette and the small towns around it are now flooded with refugees from New Orleans. The population has doubled there!! She told me they even had to close a local Albertson’s for fear of being robbed!
Since the storm, I have not been able to contact her. Every time I call it says the phone line is busy and to call back again. I knew by then that she was most likely ok since she was in Lafayette, but I wasn’t so sure about her fiancé who is in the Air Force Guard. I knew he would have been called up to go to New Orleans and was probably there during the storm. Well I was finally able to talk to her a couple days ago when she called me. Thank God she and her family are all ok. Her fiancé was in New Orleans during the storm... and in the aftermath, as the city began to flood, he was trapped in a flooded building for a few days. My friend, not knowing whereabouts in New Orleans he was, tried calling his unit. They told her he was safe and gave her the location of where he was at. Even if she had no way of contacting him, at least she knew he was safe. Well, he was safe, but he was not at the location his unit had thought, as my friend soon found out. He was finally able to get through to her on his cell phone and it turned out that he was not where he was thought to have been. The truth was, they had no idea where he was! She called the unit back and told them where he really was, but they refused to believe her, insisting that he was at the first location they had told her. By then, I’m sure the unit was quite sick of her as she had already called numerous times at that point. Finally, since they still refused to believe where he was, she finally had him call his unit himself.
I’m just so relieved and thankful that she and her family are ok. I know one other person that lives in New Orleans, but I do not have a number to contact him even if I wanted to. I pray that he is ok…
My friend joked with me on the phone saying, “Aren’t you glad you got to see New Orleans when you did?” “Yes”, I said, “I really am, but I’ll see it again someday soon.” I had gone to visit her for New Year’s in 2004. It was my very first time in New Orleans. For some reason, I have always wanted to go to New Orleans. It seemed like a very interesting city and I was very interested and curious about its history and architecture. New Orleans did not disappoint me. I absolutely LOVED New Orleans… its culture, its architecture, its history, its food, just the oldness of it intrigued me. And, of course, the partying.
We were there during the Sugar Bowl between LSU and Oklahoma. What an amazing night that was! It was like Mardi Gras, only better. There were fans everywhere, decked out in red/white or purple/yellow, cheering on the corners or booing the opposite teams, but all in good fun. I did not personally have a favorite to win, but I figured since my friend was from LA, I might as well be an LSU fan for the night. So we went and bought some LSU shirts and cheered along with the LSU fans. I’ve never seen such hard core team spirit before that night. What a blast we had!! When I had originally planned on coming there, we were looking for hotels in the French Quarter and couldn’t figure out why everything was so expensive. We had no idea the Sugar Bowl was that week!! My time in New Orleans was definitely one of the best in my life.
Since the Hurricane that destroyed so much and battered New Orleans, I have wondered if the town would ever be the same as when I was there. Besides worrying about my friend and all the millions of people affected by Hurricane Katrina, I was also worried about the fate of New Orleans itself. What will become of this historic city? To wipe it away, would be such a terrible shame. Many polls say that the majority of people believe New Orleans cannot be repaired. I disagree… I know they will rebuild New Orleans to its former glory. Luckily, many historic sites and buildings were spared, what does that tell you? New Orleans is here to stay!

From the Chief

2005-08-31T11:27:00.000-07:00

Osama bin Laden and people like him are not at war against our Army or our Marines or our Air Force or our Navy. They are at war against our way of life, and we need to remember that. They want us all dead. Not because they have a better vision of what to do with their populations or how to elevate the human spirit or serve their people better. It's only because we're different, because we're free, becasue we vote, because we have an opinion and because we're allowed to express it.

Gen. John P. Jumper
Air Force Chief of Staff

I am an American

2005-08-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

I am an American
I owe you no apologies nor will I accept those apologies made for me by others.
If you dislike me—you dislike me not for What I am but for what you are not.
By my own sweat, I have created a lifestyle which I desire for all men.
To the world I have shared my wealth and given my blood, not because of obligation—but by my free will.
I have fed the hungry of the world. Many bit my hand; I used the other hand.
I defeated my enemies in battle, then pulled them up from the ashes of defeat.
Once strong, they again attacked; I turned the other cheek.
Though I am strong, I have never used my strength to rule others.
But do not misjudge me, I will not allow the fear of my own strength to become my weakness.
If you wish to rise, I will give you a helping hand.
But by the grace of God, and I'll first be damned, if I'll let you drag me down so that we may be equal.
D. Ault

Pictures

2005-08-30T15:13:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Casey in Iraq who is a TACP.... sorry I can't remember what it stands for right now.

That is me in the middle with a couple of my maintenance buddies.

This is our smoke pit on the side of the HAS (Hardened Aircraft Shelter). Our planes are kept in there as well as my office (thank goodness!). Not much can get through these babies. At night we like to climb to the top of the HAS to relax, smoke, talk, whatever. Sometimes our F-16s were dropping bombs outside the base and we sat up there to see if we could hear them and feel the vibrations, which we did.
And for fun some of the maintenance guys developed a sledding sport... they would take a metal trash can lid and literally sled down the HAS. No one had the guts to start at the top of the HAS (its a lot steeper than it looks). But in case you can't see it in the picture, there is a ledge at the bottom where all the chairs are positioned... as they came flying down the HAS that little ledge would launch them into the air and then promptly landed them on their asses, or on their faces or in the trees or in the bushes. The only funny thing about it, was the image of flying ragdolls slamming into the ground! Personally, it does not seem like that much fun and I told them they were idiots plenty of times to no avail. But they LOVED their sledding game, even though they finished the day with bruises and cuts. Finally the commander had to ban the game as too many people were getting hurt. Go figure!

Hurry up and Wait

2005-08-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of standing on the flight line for Gen Idhe's finne flight. Which means Gen Idhe is leaving Nellis and his finne flight is his last time flying as part of Nellis AFB before he moves on to bigger and better things.
Following the finne flight was a BBQ for anyone and everyone which included a free meal for airman. I went since I hadn't eaten lunch yet and was hungry for some BBQ burgers. But of course, in typical military fashion, going to the BBQ entailed a whole lot of waiting. I'm sure everyone knows the standard military mantra "hurry up and wait". And the food afterward was just a bribe to get us there. After standing around inside the hangar for 15 minutes we were sent out to the flight line to await Gen Idhe's return. They had us line up on the flight line and stand in the baking hot sun for about 30 minutes. By this time, most of us were grumbling about the fact that we are always waiting on some general. It seems once past the rank of Lt Col, there is no longer a need for a watch or for puncuality. But, hey, he is a general after all, I guess that is worth waiting for. Well finally his jet landed and as he taxied by our line, we all saluted in a wave as he taxied by us. As he exited the jet he was greeted with fireman's hoses and champagne.
To tell the honest truth, I only went for the free food, but that ended up taking an hour and a half out of my day. I promise I'm not complaining, I'm used to these types of things being in the military. The good thing about these functions is that I always run into people I haven't seen in a while. That day I ran into a bunch of folks from my last squadron and was reminded again how glad I am that I am no longer in that squadron!

Fabulous Quote

2005-08-28T18:30:00.000-07:00

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
--- John Stuart Mill
--- English economist & philosopher (1806 - 1873)

I absolutely LOVE this quote that I got from another site, Curiouser and Curiouser, in which I am a guest blogger. Check it out if you get a chance, the link is on my blogroll. Isn't this quote fabulous?

Iraqi Woman

2005-08-27T13:00:00.000-07:00

Click on the title to check out this site... there is an audio track from an Iraqi woman on a radio show who is now an American citizen. It is posted under "Code Pink Podcast". She talks about how hard it was under Saddam's regime and how thankful she is to Bush and our American troops for fighting for them. I wish all the wacky liberals could hear this. I wish Cindy Sheehan could listen to this. It brought tears to my eyes.

My Guest Blog

2005-08-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

I have been invited to guest write on another blog called Curiouser and Curiouser. Click on the title to view. Thanks!

Friend

2005-08-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

Click on the title to check out my friends new blog. He only has one post so far, but it is a good read.

Cindy's Lies

2005-08-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

Mom, Who Lost Son In Iraq, Talks About 'Disgusting' White House Private Meeting With Bush
Posted on: 7/5/2005 9:21:00 AM -
“Cindy Sheehan has already had her heart ripped into a million pieces by the illegal Iraqi war, losing the son she loved more than life itself only five days after he arrived in Baghdad in April 2004. There is nothing more painful or more heart breaking than a parent losing a child. And for Sheehan to lose her 24-year-old son, Casey, must have been like someone taking her very own heart and soul and, without warning, ripping them out and throwing them into the depths of hell. No one should have to experience such pain, but the cold reality of war is that someone’s child actually dies and there are actual parents left living with the hopeless task of trying to cope with the pain. And anyone with any semblance of a heart and soul knows a mother coping with such a loss needs all the help and understanding she can get.”

Poor, poor Cindy. I can’t even feel sorry for her because she is such a crazy bitch from hell. I guess I don’t have a heart. Let’s just help and understand poor Cindy Sheehan as she rips our country, our President, our troops, and her son to pieces. She sure has a fine way of showing her grief.

“Anyone with the slightest bit of compassion knows a kind word or a shoulder to cry on helps a mother, who experienced the ultimate loss, get through another day when every day feels like it could be the end of the world.”

Compassion? Please… not for that crazy bitch. She does not seem to be grieving anymore. The only things she cares about is demoralizing a country, bashing our President and furthering the agenda of the leftists.

“So when Sheehan received an invitation to meet privately with President Bush at the White House two months after her son died, the least she could have expected was a bit of compassion or a kind word coming from the heart.”

And here is a quote from Cindy after she met with the President proving what a hypocrite she is. "I now know he's sincere about wanting freedom for the Iraqis," Cindy said after their meeting. "I know he's sorry and feels some pain for our loss. And I know he's a man of faith." When did she change her mind? Either she has been brainwashed by her “handlers” or she has completely gone off the deep end. Her crazy assertions and ideas remind me of the very terrorists we are fighting and their crazy ideals.

But what she encountered was an arrogant man with eyes lacking the slightest bit of compassion, a President totally "detached from humanity" and a man who didn’t even bother to remember her son’s name when they were first introduced.

First of all here is the comment from above again… "I now know he's sincere about wanting freedom for the Iraqis," Cindy said after their meeting. "I know he's sorry and feels some pain for our loss. And I know he's a man of faith." Does that sound like a man completely devoid of feeling, someone “detached from humanity”? Cindy said it herself. So which is it Cindy? How come its easier for me to believe her first comments on Bush than it is to believe the nonsense she is spouting now?

Instead of a kind gesture or a warm handshake, Sheehan said she immediately got a taste of Bush arrogance when he entered the room and "in a condescending tone and with a disgusting loud Texas accent," said: "Who we’all honorin’ here today?"
Bullshit, nonsense, and lies…
"His mouth kept moving, but there was nothing in his eyes or anything else about him that showed me he really cared or had any real compassion at all. This is a human being totally disconnected from humanity and reality. His eyes were empty, hollow shells and he was acting like I should be proud to just be in his presence when it was my son who died for his illegal war! It was one of the most disgusting experiences I ever had and it took me almost a year to even talk about it," said Sheehan in a telephone conversation from Washington D.C. where she was attending a July 4th anti-war rally.

Shall I paste her quote here again or do you get the point by now? That she is a lying sack of shit.
"I just couldn’t believe this was happening. It was so surreal and bizarre. Later I met with some of the other 15 or 16 families who were at the White House the same day and, sure enough, they all felt the same way I did.

Lying again Cindy!!! Jim Krause, 53, of Fairfield, lost his younger brother, Sgt. Elmer C. Krause, in April 2004, when his vehicle was ambushed by Iraqi insurgents. Jim Krause and his family was also at the white house with Cindy Sheehan when they met with President Bush. "When the president met with us he was very genuine, very real, very sincere," Krause said. "As the president walked into the room that day," Krause said, Bush saw his sister crying and came over and gave her a hug. "I proceeded to tell him about Elmer and what happened." Krause described to the president how his brother's body was found in a shallow grave with four other men and how his remains had to be identified using DNA. "His eyes watered up and started to tear when I told him that and he said, 'I'm so sorry,' and that Elmer was in a better place," Krause said.

"It’s interesting that they put us each in separate rooms. I heard this was done to prevent any type of group outburst and since it’s easier to control a situation when people are separated. Looking back, all I can say is that the meeting with Bush was one of the most disgusting experiences in my life.

Again more lies! The Sheehans said they enjoyed meeting the other families of fallen soldiers, sharing stories, contact information, grief and support. For some, grief was still visceral and raw, while for others it had melted into the background of their lives, the pain as common as breathing. Cindy said she saw her reflection in the troubled eyes of each. "It's hard to lose a son," she said. "But we (all) lost a son in the Iraqi war." The trip had one benefit that none of the Sheehans expected. For a moment, life returned to the way it was before Casey died. They laughed, joked and bickered playfully. For the first time in 11 weeks, they felt whole again. "That was the gift the president gave us, the gift of happiness, of being together," Cindy said.
Does that sound like a “disgusting experience” to you? No it sounds like a rewarding and beneficial experience to me. And these words are direct quotes from Cindy’s own blasphemous mouth.

"Americans need to wake up and we need to put public pressure on our leaders to end this illegal war," said Sheehan, adding that if the public remains passive, recent statements by Donald Rumsfeld that the war may last another 12 years will come true. "We can’t let these people continue to murder our children and also continue murdering innocent Iraqi citizens, now totaling more than 100.000.

I think you need to go back to school, Cindy, and get an education before you try spouting your mouth on political affairs that you know nothing about.

Sheehan was unexpectedly invited on the CNN Larry King Show June 28, but expressed concern and outright anger over the fact she was only given 82 seconds to be "the token anti-war peace speaker" in an hour show which essentially contained a pro war message from all the other guests.

Media whore!! See we know what it’s all about for you!

"I finally got to speak for my 82 seconds (all the time Larry King Live could spare for the peace message) about how this war is a catastrophe and how we should bring the troops home and quit forcing the Iraqi people to pay for our government's hubris and quit forcing innocent children to suffer so we can allegedly fight terrorism somewhere besides America. How absolutely racist and immoral is it to take America's battles to another land and make an entire country pay for the crimes of others? To me, this is blatant genocide.
"After my brief advocacy for peace, my position was refuted by another mom whose son was killed in Iraq in 2003, saying she "totally disagrees" with me and "feels sorry" for me.
"Well, you know what? I ache for her blindness and for the millions of ‘sheeple’ who have had the wool pulled over their eyes by this bunch of hypocritical, bad shepherds who are running a disastrous herd over the world. I have distressing news for the ‘Soccer Safety Moms’ and the ‘NASCAR Dads’ who are such ardent supporters of this administration and war:
"Your grandchildren and children who will be entering Kindergarten this fall will be fighting George's endless war if he gets his way and is allowed to continue spreading the cancer of imperialism in the Middle-East….
"Think about it when you tuck your child into bed tonight."

After reading this article for the first time, I was filled with so much hatred and disgust for Cindy Sheehan, it brought tears to my eyes. Tears of frustration, sadness, hurt and most of all, overwhelming ANGER. Not only am I angry, but also so frustrated that I’m just one person. How I wish that the words I write might affect even one person and make them see what we are doing in this war and in the world is right. It is good and noble. And that our country is led by a great human being… someone who is to be respected. I know without a doubt President Bush would lay down his own life for the good of this country and its people. He has already proven that he would die for his country, if need be, as he is a veteran himself. And only one of nineteen American Presidents to serve in the military. One of the reasons I have always loved Pres Bush and the reason I voted for him twice, was because of the passion in his eyes when he spoke. Passion for family, God and country that anyone could see clearly in his eyes. There are no “empty shells”.
But I can’t help feeling demoralized after reading Cindy Sheehan’s lies and knowing that people actually believe her and side with her. I may be young yet, but I have a good grasp on this war and our reasons for being there… if only because I have been there myself and have seen our reasons for fighting first-hand. It’s hard for me to believe that so many otherwise good and level-headed people can be fooled by the nonsense and blasphemies coming from this ignorant woman’s mouth. Not to mention her blatant lies in regards to her meeting with President Bush. There are plenty of words from her own mouth describing President Bush as sincere and genuine when now she is making up lies. It makes me feel a bit hopeless and demoralized that myself and so many others are sacrificing so much for this woman by serving our country and she can’t see the truth. I’m utterly astonished that someone could be this totally blind to reality.
But then I remember one of the greatest experiences of my life when I first came home from Iraq. A bunch of friends and I went down to the Las Vegas "Strip" to celebrate our return to American soil. We were at a dueling piano bar and it somehow became known that we were in the military. Before we knew it, we were up on stage as they congratulated our service and sang to us "God Bless the USA". That was when it hit me that I was back in the good ol' US of A and how much I loved this country and the good Americans in it. I was pretty choked up and emotional. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. The feelings I felt up there on the stage were something so phenomenal, I couldn't even begin to convey them in words. Everyone in the bar (minus one or two idiots who walked out) stood up and sang with us. When it was over, people came up to us congratulating us, shaking our hands and some even gave us money to buy ourselves a drink at the bar on them. One man offered to buy every military member in the bar free shots on him all night long.
When random people see that I'm wearing a uniform in the grocery store, at the gas station, anywhere I go, and go out of their way to shake my hand and congratulate me, then I do have hope for our country. When I see cars with "Support the Troops" stickers and American flags waving then I realize that we are right, they are wrong. The evil that has possessed some people will fail. The good guys always win. We will prevail Cindy! Your evil words won't change anything. You are only condemning yourself! We will win the war on terror, we will establish a secure democracy in Iraq, and your words cannot destroy a nation.
Cindy Sheehan speaks nothing but lies, lies, lies! It’s so sickening. She is delusional. I think she may be possessed by the devil. At this point I can’t find it in my heart to give her even an ounce of sympathy for her noble and brave son. But I do sympathize with Casey, for if he could see his mother now, I believe he'd be filled with shame. It scares me that I can be so filled with hatred for someone I have never even met. I can feel the heat coursing through my veins when I think of Cindy Sheehan and everything she believes. She is on an equal par to the terrorists who killed her valiant son. She might as well have killed Casey herself with the lies and the mockery she is making of his sacrifice for our great country of America.

Bush Raps Anti-War Protesters

2005-08-24T08:43:00.000-07:00

No plans to meet with activist Cindy Sheehan
Wednesday, August 24, 2005; Posted: 2:06 a.m. EDT (06:06 GMT)

"DONNELLY, Idaho (AP) -- President Bush suggested Tuesday that anti-war protesters such as Cindy Sheehan, who want the troops brought home immediately, do not represent the views of most U.S. military families and are "advocating a policy that would weaken the United States."
Bush said most military families have a different viewpoint than Sheehan. "She doesn't represent the view of a lot of families," he told reporters."

Damn straight she doesn’t!!!! I don’t know anybody personally who wears this uniform that does not agree with what we are doing.
Cindy Sheehan does NOT REPRESENT ME!!!!!! She is an insult to every American troop serving in our great United States Military. If she were reading this, I’d tell her this: Don’t you tell me that what I’m doing is pointless! Don’t you tell me that my friends who were wounded sacrificed for nothing! Cindy Sheehan you make me sick! I serve my country, my President, and ignorant fools like you Cindy Sheehan! The only reason you are able to protest against this war is because of me and people like me… people who possess passion, bravery, and complete unselfishness, unlike you. Cindy Sheehan try living what our American troops live in Iraq every day! Hate the President all you want to, but we chose this. We chose to suffer for fools like you! Your son CHOSE to die for his country, if need be, when he signed on the dotted line as did I and thousands of others!! And I’ll tell you this too, I would gladly die for my country and my President. People like you… well I’m not so sure I’d willingly die for you or people like you.

"We owe them something. We will finish the task that they gave their lives for ... by staying on the offensive against the terrorists, and building strong allies in Afghanistan and Iraq that will help us win and fight -- fight and win the war on terror," he told the VFW convention.

Well said President Bush!!!!!!!

Go Fresno State Bulldogs!!!

2005-08-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

http://gobulldogs.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/fres-m-footbl-body.html Fresno State Football homepage.

Bush vows to stay course in Iraq

2005-08-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

Invoking 9/11, president takes case for war on the road

Tuesday, August 23, 2005; Posted: 5:03 a.m. EDT (09:03 GMT)

"SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (CNN) -- With his public approval ratings falling and antiwar demonstrations mounting near his Texas home, U.S. President George W. Bush on Monday tried to rally support for the war in Iraq by arguing the conflict is "a vital part" of the war against terrorism.
Speaking in Utah before U.S. military veterans, President Bush acknowledged the deaths of more than 1,860 U.S. troops in Iraq since the 2003 invasion that toppled Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
"We will honor their sacrifice by staying on the offensive against the terrorists -- by building strong allies in Afghanistan and Iraq that will help us fight and win the war on terror," he said.
Bush said the war in Iraq is part of a battle that began with the September 11, 2001 attacks on U.S. soil. Addressing the national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the U.S. president said "a policy of retreat and isolation will not bring us safety."
But the protests that have overshadowed his month-long Texas vacation followed him even to the state of Utah, a Republican Party stronghold. Salt Lake City's Democratic mayor denounced what he called Bush's "deceitful, disastrous" policies.
Recent polls indicate a majority of Americans now consider the invasion a mistake, and Bush's own popularity has suffered as the war in Iraq, more than two years old, continues.
A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll conducted August 5-7 found that 54 percent of those surveyed thought the 2003 invasion of Iraq was a mistake.
In Bush's own Republican Party, Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Nebraska, a possible presidential candidate, said the war in Iraq has destabilized the Middle East and is looking more like the Vietnam conflict in which he fought a generation ago.
Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold, of Wisconsin, another possible candidate for president, said Bush failed in his speech "to give the American people a realistic assessment of where we stand today, and where we should be going."
Bush is expected to speak Wednesday to a National Guard group in Idaho.
President Bush Monday expressed confidence that Americans would remain "steadfast and determined" in Iraq.
He said the United States is fighting there to prevent it from becoming a haven for terrorists, as Afghanistan was for al Qaeda under the now-deposed Taliban. And he said American efforts have borne fruit, with Iraqis electing a transitional government in January and struggling to write a constitution this week.
"Terrorists are trying to block the rise of democracy in Iraq, because they know a free Iraq will deal a decisive blow to their strategy to achieve absolute power," he said.
Critics have long said the president's efforts to link Iraq to the September 11 attacks are disingenuous. The September 11 commission's report found no evidence that Iraq had any operational relationship with al Qaeda.
Additionally, the CIA concluded in February Iraq has now become a training ground for terrorists who wish to attack U.S. troops -- a haven critics say did not exist before Saddam Hussein's ouster.
How can anyone say that Iraq is not linked to the Al Qaeda? Who cares if they aren’t linked? There are still terrorists in Iraq who are targeting Americans AND the Iraqis. A good portion of the terrorists in Iraq are foreign fighters from anywhere and wherever. Saddam congratulated Usama for the attacks on the World Trade Centers. That is enough reason by itself. This is a war on terrorism and there is terrorism aplenty in Iraq. That’s just one reason. And a good one. They are the ones killing our troops everyday. Does anyone really think that the attacks would end if we left Iraq? At least we are occupying them in their own country and keeping it out of America.
"There was no tie between Iraq and [al Qaeda leader Osama] bin Laden, and that is one of the greatest lies of this administration," Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson told CNN.
Traitor!
Utah voters cast ballots for Bush by a nearly 3-1 margin last November. But hundreds of protesters turned out in Salt Lake City's Pioneer Park at Anderson's urging, rallying about four blocks away from the VFW convention.
Demonstrators carried signs that read "Exit strategy needed," "Republicans for Peace" and "When Clinton lied, nobody died." A man in a Bush mask walked through the crowd, while a man next to him carried a sign that read "I'm with stupid."
Anderson blasted the "fabricated rationale" for the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam, saying the Bush administration's arguments for war have shifted from removing weapons of mass destruction that turned out not to have existed to establishing a democratic state that will foster change in the Middle East.
President Bush hasn’t lied. If he thought there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and there weren’t, how is that a lie? EVERYBODY thought there were!!!!! EVERYONE wanted to go to war with Iraq!!!!! Now people are saying that Bush was lying? Please. Anyway, just because we didn’t find them does not mean that they weren’t planning on it. Does not mean there weren’t plans in place or ongoing research in the matter. No matter how you cut the cloth the end conclusion is the same: Saddam needed to be taken out of power. He should have been taken out back during Desert Storm. He was killing millions of people with chemical weapons. Hasn’t anyone heard of the abuses he inflicted on his people? Are we supposed to stand by and watch? Furthermore, who cares that our focus has shifted from finding WMD to establishing a democratic stable state in Iraq? What would they have us do? Go to war, hunt for WMD and then leave them to pick up the pieces? Leave them to establish security and rebuild their country?
"We need to extract ourselves from Iraq while not abandoning the people of Iraq, due to the horrendous war in that country," he told the demonstration.
Isn’t that a contradiction? How are we supposed to extract ourselves without abandoning the people? If we extract ourselves, that means we are gone, which means we are abandoning the people! Duh! Get a clue Anderson! Anyway, after Desert Storm our troops remained in Kuwait right up until Iraqi Freedom was started. What was the purpose then? To enforce the No Fly Zones. Our troops had been there for over 10 years already. Hasn’t anyone heard of Operations Southern and Northern Watch? It is basically the same thing now. Right now things are still heated, but it will calm down as the Iraqis begin to stand on their own feet and the security improves. Eventually we won’t need as many troops deployed and they can start coming home. How come no one has said anything about Afghanistan? When we first started there after 9/11 it was a hotbed just like Iraq, but it calmed down as time passed and the security improved!! We’re still there after nearly 4 years and will probably stay for another few years at least. If we left Afghanistan or Iraq now, all the sacrifices America and its people have made and the lives lost so far would be a waste!!!! We would not have solved a thing! All of our time and effort down the drain. And the terrorists won’t leave us alone just because we leave! They will only attack us on our own soil again!

Cindy Sheehan

2005-08-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

Monday, August 22, 2005; Posted: 11:47 a.m. EDT (15:47 GMT)

Crawford protests

"The Iraq issue has followed Bush into his planned five-week vacation in Crawford, where dozens of antiwar demonstrators have set up a makeshift camp near his ranch.
The protesters are led by Cindy Sheehan, whose son, Casey, was killed in Iraq in April 2004.
Hundreds of white crosses commemorating U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq are now planted just outside Bush's property, and the demonstrators drew support Sunday from folk singer Joan Baez.
"I think Cindy and the women have impeccable credentials -- no matter how hard people try to slander and assassinate their personalities, it is impeccable credentials," Baez said. "I think they simply can't be not listened to."
Sheehan, the founder of Gold Star Families for Peace, began camping outside Bush's Crawford home on August 6 in hopes of having a second meeting with the president.
The first occurred in 2004, when Bush met with families of those killed in Iraq at Fort Lewis, Washington.
She left Thursday to tend to her mother, who suffered a stroke last week, but says she will return to "Camp Casey" if possible.
Meanwhile, in downtown Crawford, more Bush supporters arrived at a pro-Bush camp, The Associated Press reported.
As of Sunday afternoon, more than 150 people had visited the pro-Bush camp, which features a large tent with "God Bless Our President!" and "God Bless Our Troops" banners, the AP reported.
The pro-Bush camp is called "Fort Qualls," for Marine Lance Cpl. Louis Wayne Qualls, 20, who was killed in action last fall in Falluja, the AP said. Qualls' father, Gary Qualls of Temple, Texas, said the anti-war demonstrators are being disrespectful to soldiers.
White House officials concede Sheehan's vigil has drawn much more attention than they anticipated."

I think Cindy Sheehan is nothing but an ignorant fool! It never ceases to amaze me how blind some people are! What does she really think is going to happen by protesting outside President Bush's ranch? What is she going to solve? She can't bring back her son, she needs to accept it. The only thing she is really doing is insulting every single member of the Armed Forces AND their families. Does she really think that because of her, just one measly person, that he is going to end the war? It's hilarious!! A completely ridiculous and absurd idea!! To the point of almost being funny, if it wasn't so damn maddening!

If she doesn't think this country is worth dying for, then she needs to go somewhere else. That is Un-American. Too many people are fighting with their lives at stake for dumb broads like herself... not to mention her own son who died for the likes of her and her kind. And she's going to insult that kind of bravery and selflessness? Wouldn't I just love to give her a piece of my mind??!!! She is the scum of the earth and doesn't deserve to live in our great country of freedom. She is a disgrace!

But I am so glad that people are fighting back. The sad thing is that I doubt she'll ever see the truth. She's too blinded by grief and selfishness from losing her son. Like she is the only one who has lost a loved one. Not to mention she's being led like a puppy dog by her "handlers" who see an easy opportunity in Cindy to further their own anti-war agenda through a weak, ignorant and grief-stricken mother. But I'm sure she's just loving the fame and celebrity she has gotten by disgracing her son and all other Armed Forces members because of her anti-war protests. I just want to know how she sleeps at night?

Thanks

2005-08-21T02:03:00.000-07:00

I just want to thank NYGirl for your comment from my blog entry "Just My Opinion"... it means a lot... especially to know that there are people who feel the same way I do. Its encouraging. So thanks and I hope you come back to check out my site. I have already linked you on my page because of the great comment you wrote on "Soldiers Against Cindy Sheehan" and the comment you left on my blog.

Iraqi Sunset

2005-08-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

Iraqi Sunset

Just My Opinion

2005-08-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

I’ve been reading about all of the anti-war protests that have been going on around the country… I don’t think anything pisses me off more than these ignorant people protesting what they know nothing about. How about Cindy Sheehan who is taking her son’s death and turning it around into a negative thing. She is taking what he did for his country, something that is noble and good, and smashing it into the ground. What a waste to think that he went and fought for his country, died for his country and his own mother is telling people that it was a waste? She is taking her son’s death and exploiting him for her own personal gain.
How come people can’t see what we are doing over there? People always bitch about the starving people in Africa and how the U.S. isn’t doing enough to help, but what would happen to the Iraqis if we were to just pull out and leave them to the wolves? They need us… we are doing good things!! If these people were to take the time and read some of the blogs I’ve seen maybe they’d think a little differently about the positive effect we are having on the majority of the Iraqi populace. The little, small gestures of goodwill that make a difference in the lives of the Iraqis. Imagine this… that one good deed could change the course of that persons life for the better. I believe that is what our troops are doing everyday. Reaching out to as many as they can and making a lasting impression on their lives.
Of course the media doesn’t help. And these people are basing their opinions off of what they see in the news. Another car bomb today, another IED, another so-called prisoner abuse… that’s all they see, but what about the children that come running up to our troops wearing Army T-Shirts and hoping for a small gift? What about the Iraqis that line up on the streets waving and cheering as an American convoy drives by? What about all those things that we are doing that is making life livable for the Iraqis? We went to war with Iraq to protect all American citizens whom most have never in their lives had to experience the kind of fear and hardship the Iraqis live everyday. Yes, we went there to protect America, but we also went to help a country in need. A country whose people were being murdered and tortured. What kind of people would we be if we stood by and watched just like we did for the first part of WWII while the Jews were being persecuted and murdered? We are a selfish nation. Before the war, Iraq was out of sight and out of mind. Who cared what was going on over there? Who cares that people were being murdered? As long as it doesn’t personally affect us, then who cares? People are only pissed now that they can’t force it to the back of their minds anymore. People are forced to see what is going on beyond their own sheltered cocoon. And now people care because it personally affects us, because now our people are being killed. Our sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers and sisters. But they are dying because they chose to, because they want to fight for what is right, because they want to fight for America and for everything we embody…. They are dying for something noble and good. To die for somebody else, to die for a cause greater than you, what is more unselfish and courageous than that? How can anyone belittle that?

2005-08-17T14:29:00.000-07:00

One of Saddam's palaces in Baghdad
Kuwaiti Towers

Iraqi Sunrise

2005-08-16T16:22:00.000-07:00

Sun rising from behind HAS (Hardened Aircraft Shelter)

Old Kuwait Memories

2005-08-16T10:48:00.000-07:00

I found a short summary that I wrote on my time in Kuwait. This deployment was back in 2001/2002, but I still thought it was relevant to post. I worked with the Predator UAV. This deployment to Ali Al Salem was right after 9/11 and we were going there to replace the folks who had packed up the site and headed to Pakistan immediately after 9/11 to set up a new base there to begin OEF.

Deployment to Ali Al Salem, Kuwait November 2001-February 2002

It wasn’t long after September 11, 2001 and up until then Predator had been working OSW (Operation Southern Watch) in Kuwait. At that time, OSW was the Predator’s only mission. OSW was a mostly boring mission. Predator was still a widely unknown platform at that time. Nobody was very familiar with our capabilities or our limitations which made for an interesting deployment. You know, a very typical military style deployment... where it seems everyone has their head stuck so far up their ass they don't know the difference between north and south. You know how your told to do one thing and then five minutes later told to do another contradicting the first.
I was still brand new to the squadron and to the military at that time. When September 11 happened I didn’t even know what the World Trade Centers were or the Taliban, much less their significance. So we were sent to Kuwait to rebuild our Predator Ops cell and resume the OSW mission. That meant we had to fly everything that was needed for a full predator operation to Kuwait with us.
I was lucky enough (or unlucky enough) to fly on a C-17 that left Nellis AFB on 15 November with a GCS and various other equipment on board including approximately 60 personnel. Some people say that C-17s are not too bad to ride in... maybe not, compared to a C-130, but they are not comfortable when you are in it for 3 days, I don't care who you are. It was winter and freezing cold on board and there was no room! Nobody told me to bring a pillow or a blanket! I froze my ass off!!! And the ringing in my ears was about to make me insane! I had maybe two feet to stretch out on the floor between the jump seat and the GCS. We were very cramped, to say the least. The longest stretch of the flight was 11 hours from Charleston to Sigonella, Italy and what hell that was! We got to hang out a little while in Sigonella before heading to Bahrain. Again in typical military fashion, something is always bound to go wrong. Everyone has heard the phrase, "Hurry up and Wait". There were some problems with the aircraft and we were forced to wait on the runway until it was fixed. Of course, they told us it would only be an hour, but that hour soon turned out to be 14 hours. In which time, we were not allowed to be put in billeting for the night because they kept saying the aircraft would be fixed “soon”... Every hour they would come and tell us, "one more hour". So there we sat on the runway in the middle of the night playing Blackjack in the middle of Bahrain. Finally we continued on our way to Kuwait and arrived sometime in the afternoon. They put us straight to work rebuilding our ops cell. The place looked like it had been ravaged and abandoned for ages! We spent the first week or so rebuilding the ops cell, which consisted of handmade desks and handmade wood floors and walls. It wasn't much for sure, but finally, we were able to resume the mission. The majority of the time we couldn’t fly in OSW because of the weather and the OSW mission was greatly overshadowed by the importance of the OEF mission. We used to sit in the ops cell and watch the real-time Predator feed like it was the latest action movie.

2005-08-14T20:55:00.002-07:00

Balad, Iraq

2005-08-14T20:55:00.001-07:00

Balad, Iraq

2005-08-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

Balad, Iraq Sept 04

Promotion

2005-08-12T10:46:00.000-07:00

After waiting since May, I finally found out Tuesday morning that I was promoted to Staff Sergeant!! I was in complete shock as I was really not expecting to make it. This was my second time testing for the promotion and was crushed a year ago when I didn't make it. This year I had told myself that I didn't care whether or not I made it, but of course I did. Because not making it means that I have failed. So imagine my excitement when the commander called me into his office Tuesday morning and said "Congratulations". It is still a bit surreal to me... I mean I didn't study that hard, or at least not as hard as I could have and this is somehting I've been waiting for and working towards for the last 2-3 years!