December 7

66 years ago today the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. What amazes me is that a lot of people today have absolutely no idea regarding the details. Half couldn't even tell you were Pearl Harbor is.

The Jewish people held together and did not become absorbed into the various lands they were disbursed in for thousands of years because they remembered their heritage. During Passover they have a seder, which recites their history.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has a ceremony at their academy. Each day at sunset a chapter is read out of their history book (which has been meticulously recorded for over 200 years).

We need an American seder. We need to put together some kind of ritual that tells people about our founding, our wars, the events in history that have defined us as a nation. It also keeps us from making the same mistakes twice.

One thing about Pearl Harbor that has always intrigued me is the fact that the Japanese did not really plan it as a sneak attack. The Japanese diplomatic staff in Washington totally screwed the pooch - they were suppose to deliver an ultimatum to Roosevelt before the attack, but because of the slow decoding process, the Japanese ambassador didn't show up to the White House until after the attack.

Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto, the architect of Pearl Harbor, wasn't real thrilled about war with the United States. He went to Harvard and was Naval attache in Washington, so he had a unique understanding of what the U.S. was capable of. He said that he had 6 months, after that he had no expectation of winning a war with America.

After the attack, he learned about the diplomatic bungling. He was said to go into a deep depression. He told his staff (I don't have the exact quote) that the diplomatic bungling made the Pearl Harbor operation a sneak attack. He could think of nothing that would infuriate the American people more. He then said "We have awakened a sleeping giant and have instilled in him a terrible resolve". That is a direct quote.

He was right.

More on our troops

This is a copy of an email that is floating around. Both pictures are extremely powerful and speak for themselves. These were 1st and 2nd place in an international journalist award.

First Place

Todd Heisler

The Rocky Mountain News

When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport , Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac. During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport , Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Mar ines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home,' he said 'They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.'

Second Place

Todd Heisler

The Rocky Mountain News

The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. 'I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,' she said. 'I think that's what he would have wanted.'

Steve in Iraq

As mentioned in a previous post, Steve Tomasko is a friend of mine that just got back from Iraq. Here's a picture of him using night vision - the same stuff we use at the PD.

Deadburb - Where Beaver Cleaver meets The Stand (a re-run)

(This is an entry from a couple of years ago, but since : a) I thought that it was pretty good, and b) It's the only entry to generate 2 comments from outside people, I though that I would run it again.)

More stuff from Lileks. Actually, a pretty sad commentary. Richfield seems to have it's share of this type of thing. I remember when an 8 square block neighborhood was bought out for runway expansion at 28th Ave. and 66th St. - I think that it was around 1995. I used to drive through that neighborhood when I worked at Page Airways in the late 70's, making runs to Beek's Pizza. I drove through it about three nights before the bulldozers went through....it gave me the heeby jeebies.

Support our Troops

During the Second World War, my mother told me that every person in the United States knew of someone or was somehow involved with someone who had actually fought overseas. I'm beginning to see that now - everyone has a friend or relative that is or has been in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Last Friday evening, I went to a homecoming party for Steve Tomasko. Steve is a Reserve Officer with my department, who joined the National Guard and was deployed in Iraq for 15 months. It was great to have him home. Steve is a young guy, but I have seen a great deal of growing up with him. He is planning on going into Law Enforcement.

A few years ago, One of my officers - Corby Kohler - wanted to talk to me. Corby was in the also in the National Guard, and was quickly becoming one of thier premiere helicopter jocks. He had just gotten back from Blackhawk school. He came to me with a troubled soul. He told me that the Army had offered him a very lucrative full time position. He wasn't sure if he wanted to leave - he really enjoyed being a cop. We went over a lot of stuff. He eventually took the position. Captain Kohler is currently in Iraq.

While listening to the radio, I listened to a story about an organization called Operation Minnesota Nice. Thier mission is to give names of deployed soldiers to people so that the soldier could get a package, letter or email once in awhile. I signed up and drew the name of a soldier in Iraq - whose name I won't give because I haven't cleared it with him yet. I have sent a couple of packages and had a lot of email exchanges with him. To say that this young man is one of the most clear thinking people that I have ever known is an understatement. We are truly blessed to have such outstanding people willing to keep our asses out of the sling.

The aforementioned soldier told me that he knows of fellow soldiers that have been spat upon when they wore thier uniform at home. Honest to God, if ANY asshole did that in front of me, he would be eating soft foods until next Easter. I don't give a crap about what you think about the war, but you had damn well better be grateful to these young people that are willing to do what they do.

Taser Follies

One of the things that I have embarked on this past year is my certification as a Taser instructor. Our department decided to issue officers these great tools. I personally have been zapped twice, and I can tell you that it's not fun. The guy in the video tells the story in a most eloquent fashion.

I'm back

Yes, it has been a long time since I've added to this. Time to resume - A lot of shit has passed through the goose, and I'll have to update with a long future post.

God Save the Queen

My blog regarding the assinine comments of one of the Queen's loyal subjects compels me to remember one time that I was very proud of our British friends. In 1982 Argentina decided that it wanted the Falkland Islands. This is a series of Islands in the South Atlantic, not too far off of the coast of South America.

Argentina - besides being a Nazi - hiding banana republic, showed in this smooth move that they were not too bright, either. After Argentina took the islands, the British saddled up and sailed south. After 7 weeks, they kicked all of the Argintine asses into the Atlantic.

I remember listening to my short wave radio in the dead of night back in 1982. It was before the BBC was carried on MPR, thus this is where I got my taste for the venerable World Service. It was sometime after midnight on 4/25/82 at the top of the hour - through the up and down modulation from short wave I heard this: (Chimes of Big Ben) - This is London....The Chimes of Big Ben mark the top of the hour...BBC World Service....The following message was read from the Prime Minister: "The commander of the (Falklands) operation has sent the following message: ' Be Pleased to inform Her Majesty that the White Ensign flies along the Union Jack in South Georgia. God save the Queen'". It felt like 1942 instead of 1982.

More Cat Stuff

My favorite picture of my favorite cat.

Europeans - arrgghh!

Let me start this out by saying that I know that our British cousins - like us - have as many opinions as there are people. By and large, the UK has been our only real friend in this world since the 20's. That being said, I just heard something yesterday that made my blood boil.

At night I sometimes like to listen to the BBC World Service on MPR. The BBC is usually very objective - much more than their US counter - parts. They did have a commentary show on the other day, where one particular Briton said some outright assinine things. Again, I don't pin this on the BBC - or to all Britons by any means. My vitrol is directed at him. Indeed, that BBC show did exactly what it was designed to do - stir up controversy.

I wish I could remember his name, or where I could find the piece - I scoured the BBC website with little success.

His basic jist was that he was glad to be going back to Europe after visiting the US. He went on to say that the US, while being a great country (Heavily qualified by this guy) had lost it's soul and just didn't have those high and mighty European values.

He went on to say tht our society was highly competitive, and there was a huge gap between the winners (haves) and the losers (have nots). That we have turned our backs on the less fortunate and economically challenged (usually minorities), and that we had made little progress in our development of society from our post civil war days. He was so glad to be going back to Europe - where he could bask in the glow of the milk of human kindness.

WEELLLL - here's what I have to say:

Don't let the screen door hit you in the arse, Manfred. Yes, we are a competitive society - work hard, and you'll get what you deserve. Be a parasite or knucklehead (like the throngs in New Orleans that bitched about how the government wasn't helping them enough) and yes, your life may be on the crappy side. Unlike your eutopian Europe - where some poor bastard works his ass off and ends up giving half of his income to the government to help some sorry malcontent that has no interest in making an honest living.

Am I being cold? NO - obviously, there are good people out there that simply and honestly can't take care of themselves - and we need a safety net for them. HOWEVER, it's been my experience (being in the social services field) that most people on government assistance are scammers. And, Manfred here seems to imply that we spend nothing on public assistance. Where the hell has he been?

I have a clue for you, Manfred - it's this heartless, competition based country that bailed Europes collective ass out of not one but two world wars. I give credit to Winston Churchill and the Brits of the 1940's that held down the fort until we could get into the war, but even British veterans from that era will tell you that - if the U.S. had not entered the war when we did, the UK would either be : a) five feet under the North Atlantic, or b) a theme park for Hitler Youth.

Indeed, a lot of social observers, like Dennis Prager, predict that Europe will either be at war or completely Islamic by the next couple of generations. Why? because guys like Manfred are kinder and gentler, don't call things for what they are, and give most of (usually someone else's) peoples fortunes to the poor oppressed and downtrodden. And you know what? We'll be strapping on the gunbelts and heading across the Atlantic to bail Europe's ass out yet a third time. And what really frosts my ass, Manfred, is that it's going to be my kids that we'll probably have to deal with it. Still, I believe that it's the right thing to do, and - if I still have this mortal coil, I'll do whatever I can to support the war effort.

Indeed, Colin Powell had an eloquent reply to the Archbishop of Canterbury who called the United States on our tough guy image. Powell put the pompous ass in his place.

All of this being said - I don't hold Britain as a whole, or even the BBC, responsible for this kind of attitude. Manfred, on the otherhand, can go straight to Hell.

New Years Resolution

OK, OK - it's been 8 months since I've posted anything. Life happens when you make other plans. It's going to be different this year, by God - I will be adding more wit and wisdom (?!) here on a regular basis.

A few things have happened over the past 8 months. My wife and I bought a place up north. It's not on a lake, but it's close (walking distance) to about 5 lakes. It's a fairly nice year - round house on 2 1/2 acres - and I'm really looking forward to next spring.

Cassie went to UMD - and she's thriving. Tony went to Wayzata High, and he's getting straight A's .

Anyway - my next posts will be full of pictures and links - I just wanted to throw something up (poor choice of words) because of the lack of activity.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Never Forget

A friend sent me an email with this picture. This is Baker Company of the 1st Marine Division in Iraq. It refreshes our memory with regard to why we are there. Was Iraq involved in 9-11? Maybe. The point is invading Iraq is drying up the swamp so that the rat bastards who attacked us on 9-11 are kept off balance and eventually hunted down and eradicated from the earth with extreme prejudice. Another website that makes the point very well is Remember the Blood of Heroes. Like Darrell Worrly said in his song:

"The took the footage from my T.V.
They said it was too disturbing, for you and me
It'll just breed anger
That's what the experts say
If it were up to me I'd show it every day".

RHAPSODY Link

RHAPSODY Link - Something new I found - being able to link songs. This is one of my favorite texas blues examples from Stevie Ray Vaughn. Hope this works!

Cuban Cigars - The Holy Grail?

In my recent trip to Mexico I had the opportunity to sample - at length - cuban cigars. I had smoked what someone told me was a cuban a couple of years ago. I highly doubt that it was cuban, as you couldn't read the label, and it was by far one of the worst cigars that I had ever had. It tasted like dried horse shit, and drew like a broomstick. To say that it was rope would be a complement. Cuban cigars have been a hot topic by American cigar smokers - since they're outlawed here. I would submit that they are not all that they are cracked up to be.

The cubans that I had in Mexico were definitely good cigars - but I've had better from the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Honduras - even the good ol' U S of A. They had a strong flavor that was very good, but they weren't worth the 110 pesos (about 10 bucks) that I paid for them.

As I puffed on these products of Latin - American - Castro - Marxist- Leninism, I recalled a box of cigars that I bought a few years back - La Gloria Cubana. Literally - "The Glory of Cuba", there is a communist version on the Island of Palms, but don't confuse these with the new ones. This brand was started in Miami by a group of Cuban refugees that came across the water on the hood of a '54 Buick, so they know what they're doing. The started a factory in Miami, and recently opened a new one in Dominica. If you have a jones for a cuban, don't waste your money or risk breaking the law. In my humble opinion, a Gloria Cubana will be your smart choice.