I truly believe friendship is at the core of a man's personal style.  Who we hang out with and how we treat them says so much about us as an individual. 

On my blog, I constantly exploit Erik and talk about our friendship.  I want to talk about my other best friend Steven, aka Hazel Eyes.  Hazel Eyes is also a Navy Leiutenant and a Explosive Ordanace Offier like Straight-ish boy.  He's currently stationed in Italy.

Hazel Eyes is my ace!  I don't know anyone like him.  He is just a great person.  He is always voluteering for different causes and I don't think I've ever heard him say a negative word about anyone.  A damn goody two shoes!  He is a free spirit and don't dare him to do something embarrassing because you'll lose everytime.

Steven is who I turn to when I want talk about truly personal things and have a good man cry!  Steven was actually the first person to give me money to start Disco Valante Clothing.  I want to publicly thank him and let him know I love him very much.

For some reason, Steven thinks he can be a thug or a tough guy.  Could someone please tell him guys with hazel eyes and that play with babies are not bad boys.  By the way, that's chewing gum foil in his mouth and a painted on beard.

the

 WOW!

Hammerspace

I've noted too that many of the apologists for our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan have never served in the military, they've never been warriors and that is the missing piece for them. I believe that this warrior phase is necessary and until it's embraced and celebrated a man can never be whole. One cannot be peace until one has been at war. I cannot experience redemption until I have been a sinner and the most powerful redemptions are the fruit of the biggest sinners. It all belongs.

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,Say to the LORD, "My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust."God will rescue you from the fowler's snare, from the destroying plague,Will shelter you with pinions, spread wings that you may take refuge; God's faithfulness is a protecting shield. You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day, Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at noon. Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, near you it shall not come. You need simply watch; the punishment of the wicked you will see. You have the LORD for your refuge; you have made the Most High your stronghold. No evil shall befall you, no affliction come near your tent. For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways. With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the asp and the viper, trample the lion and the dragon. Whoever clings to me I will deliver; whoever knows my name I will set on high. All who call upon me I will answer; I will be with them in distress; I will deliver them and give them honor. With length of days I will satisfy them and show them my saving power.

--Psalm 91

1st Session 

H. R. 4927To authorize and request the President to award the Medal of Honor to Danny P. Dietz, formerly of Littleton, Colorado, for acts of valor on June 28, 2005, while fighting against the Taliban in Konar Province, Afghanistan.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

December 19, 2007

Mr. TANCREDO introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILLTo authorize and request the President to award the Medal of Honor to Danny P. Dietz, formerly of Littleton, Colorado, for acts of valor on June 28, 2005, while fighting against the Taliban in Konar Province, Afghanistan.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION AND REQUEST FOR AWARD OF MEDAL OF HONOR TO DANNY DIETZ FOR ACTS OF VALOR WHILE FIGHTING AGAINST THE TALIBAN IN KONAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN.

(a) Authorization- The President is authorized and requested to award the Medal of Honor under section 3741 of title 10, United States Code, to Danny Dietz, formerly of Littleton, Colorado, for the acts of valor described in subsection (b).(b) Action Described- The acts of valor referred to in subsection (a) are the actions of Danny P. Dietz on June 28, 2005, in Konar Province, Afghanistan, while fighting against the Taliban, when, as a Petty Officer 2nd Class in the United States Navy, he demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger, fighting valiantly against the numerically superior and positionally advantaged enemy force. After the crash of a Chinook rescue helicopter sent to extract his team from the area, Dietz advanced on the enemy in an attempt to reach a location where he could establish radio communications. Although mortally wounded, Dietz held his position, fighting back the enemy to give one of his SEAL team members an opportunity to escape.(c) Waiver of Time Limitations- The award under subsection (a) may be made without regard to the time limitations specified in section 3744(b) of title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation established by law or regulation with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the Army.

CONGRADULATIONS PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS DIETZ.

 I HAVE BEEN TO THE MEMORIAL, VERY NICE!

For those of you that serve in a foreign country and don't really have anyone here (stateside) to turn to, please know that there are plenty of people back here that care for and love you. Please stick it out as best as you can. Check out the local USO or call to get in touch with someone from that organization to give you the help and support you need. Pray to God the Father Almighty to bring you home safely. I proclaim your safety with the power of Psalm 91. May you find yourself home safe in the arms of your mother country (The USA) soon. May you be able to have fun and enjoy time with your families.

War is not beautiful and leaves permanent scars that can be smoothed over, but never undone. Please be sure to address any issues with the appropriate facilities to ensure that your mental health as well as your physical health is in order so that you may live full and productive lives. Again, I appreciate your sacrifice to keep our country FREE. I will NEVER take that right for granted.

God Bless all of you. I too speak the words that are best described by country singer Lee Greenwood in his song. "I am proud to be a American, where at least I know I 'm free...".

Come home safe, come home free. We look forward to your safe returns.

Sincerely,

Joseph R. Mays
Former US Marine
1982-1990
"Semper Fidelis"

After graduating from the US Naval Academy and serving as a military officer, this US Navy Leiutenant is leaving the military after 11 years of service.  Disco Valante's resignation letter was approved! 

It will definetly be strange not wearing a uniform and not having people call me "Sir" all the time.  However, now I can be a wreckless and care free guy.

Big party to follow!

Do you still feel like they aren't telling you something? Well you are right.

Secret to marketing yourself into a good job is a GOOD ATTITUDE. Finding a new job after 4, 8 or 22 years in the military is daunting. What do employers want? What is it they are looking for in the resume and in the interview?

Hiring managers want you to show them that you are excited to be there, and that you have the right attitude to solve their problems-- YOU ARE THE SOLUTION!

STATE OF THE ART

The first thing is technology. Most time saving technology is transformational. New software and hardware means potentially radical shifts in how work is processed and conducted. No one knows more about continually upgrading to the best-of-the-best better than the military. Our careers have been solely focused on being cutting edge.

CLOCKLESS WORK DAY

You may not believe this, but outside of the military life is very similar to the opening scenes of the "Flintstones": the bird whistles and everyone immediately "Yabba Dabba Doos" it down the tail of the mastadon to a race for the parking lot.

Employees that can understand the employers priority to accomplish goals rather than fill up time sheets will be very impressive indeed. That is why veterans are needed in the civilian sector. Military knows how to "put the mission" as a priority.

SOLVE PROBLEMS

Employers don't hire staff to fill up space or be robots. They want employees that are going to identify inefficiencies and solve problems. All employees should be identifying problems in the company, good employees should bring solutions to solve those problems at the same time.

BUILD THE TEAM

If there is one thing that become very obvious about the power structure of civilian companies is that leadership is a "sink or swim" situation. Why? Because rare are managers and supervisors trained in how to deal and motivate people. Military members can bring that team spirit to any workplace that will have a positive transformation to the entire company.

AIM HIGH

A hard transitional fact of life is that most civilians don't look at a company as a ladder for promotion. Most employees are either happy in the position they are at, or expect that their next promotion will also translate into a new job at a different company.

Showing company loyalty and a thirst for added responsibility are never ignored in today's market.

MULTIPLE SKILLS

Just like the military, companies need to do more with less resources. That is why specialists are needed, but those with multiple specialties get hired. Having a diverse set of skills that compliment your primary job skill is what sets most military jobseekers apart.

Central Military Commission may refer to either the State CMC, or to the Party CMC. But there is no need for confusion - both commissions are identical in membership. The function of a political commissar is described here.

Previous Changes (during and after 17th Congress, according to hoover.org)

July 13, 2008

Russia is considering aiming nuclear weapons at Western Europe for the first time since the end of the cold war.

Defense sources in Moscow say among the schemes being discussed to counter US plans to station a missile defense shield in Europe is the possible deployment of ballistic missiles in Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave between the EU countries of Lithuania and Poland, The Times Online reported.

A Russian parliamentary committee visited the enclave 10 days ago to look into how a new generation of nuclear missiles could be based there, the report added.

If a deployment does take place, then it would greatly increase tensions in Europe between Moscow and Washington.

Only last week, the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice signed an agreement in Prague to build a radar station in the Czech Republic.

A deal with Poland is in the works to host a base for 10 interceptor rockets on its border with Russia. The agreement is expected to be signed later this year.

Moscow is strongly opposed to the shield, saying that it is part of an aggressive US military expansion into its own backyard.

A source with close connections to the Russian defense ministry said, "One of the main steps under consideration is a redeployment of nuclear missiles to Kaliningrad and Belarus. These missiles would be pointed at Europe. It would be a perfectly legitimate step. If America wants to expand its military capabilities in Europe, then we have the right to act accordingly".

The source also went on to question the US claim that the shield was intended to intercept missiles only from the so-called rogue states. He said, "How would Washington feel if we placed interceptor missiles on Cuba or Venezuela?"

Experts said the threat of deploying missiles in Kaliningrad was largely aimed at strengthening the opposition to the shields in Poland and the Czech Republic. Experts went on to add that Russia would have to build new long-range ground-based ballistic missiles since it has destroyed most of its Soviet-era arsenal.

U.S. troops to hold exercises in Georgia, Ukraine

AFP
July 14, 2008


Georgian soldiers take part in war games with their US, Armenian, Azerbaijani and Ukrainean counterparts at the Vaziani training area on the outskirts of Tbilisi.

US troops on Monday began military exercises near the Russian border in ex-Soviet Ukraine and were poised to launch them in Georgia, amid tense relations between Moscow and Washington, officials said.

A ceremony inaugurating the Sea Breeze-2008 NATO exercise was held off Ukraine’s Black Sea coast, a Ukrainian defence ministry spokeswoman said, against anti-NATO protests and a hostile reaction from officials in Russia.

The NATO exercises "will increase political and military tensions in Europe as a whole," Sergei Mironov, speaker of the upper house of the Russian parliament, was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency in Moscow.

Sea Breeze-2008, which lasts until July 26, will also include forces from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Macedonia and Turkey, officials said.

Separate military exercises dubbed Immediate Response-2008 are due to start in Georgia on Tuesday with Armenian, Azerbaijani, Ukrainian and US troops taking part, a Georgian defence ministry spokeswoman said.

"The US-Georgia joint exercises will be held at the Vaziani military base" less than 100 kilometres (60 miles) from the Russian border with a total of 1,650 servicemen taking part, said the spokeswoman, Nana Intskirveli.

Russia to ‘neutralise’ US missile defence threat: report

AFP
July 14, 2008

Russia’s military is ready to “neutralise” any threat to its nuclear deterrent from US missile defence sites in Europe, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak said Monday, according to Interfax news agency.

Read Full Article Here

Leon Walker is a TNTalk! writer. To find out more about Leon, check out our writers page.

-

The "N" word: are you kidding me? Are those people actually having what they believe are substantive discussions in our national media about who is, and who is not permitted to use the “N” word? There is also another camp out there that apparently believes it should never be used by anyone. Ever!

I don’t think this could ever be a question of propriety. And I don’t think there can be a sweeping indictment of those who chose to continue to use it. My opinion here does not cost anything and it’s worth the price. So it is not particularly important to me if you think me wrong. Because this is still America isn’t it? I’m not wrong about that am I?

I will resist my temptation to get on my historical soap box but I do invite you to recall that American thing about “free speech”. And by the way, that “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” thing. That applies to you alone and your rights alone. If no laws are being broken, we don’t get to dictate what others say or do in America. That’s how we roll.

In my life I have experienced some curious and striking ambiguity with regard to race. Let me begin by sharing that I began my “unofficial” undergraduate studies on “race” began while attending two predominantly White Catholic Schools growing up. In my nearly exclusively Black neighborhood we referred to people only as Black or White and we had a single derogatory word that we used in reference to each race. I’m guessing I would have been in about fourth of fifth grade when I began to learn that there were actually many other ethnically specific derogatory tags. There were numerous ethnicities represented in my schools. Italians, Irishmen, Poles, Hispanics, Germans and a number of other eastern and central Europeans. Along with a few Blacks. Bottom line… they all have their “N” words too. All I will say further about this is that in Catholic School I learned an equal measure about both the godly and the ungodly.

In earned my “unofficial” graduate credential on “race” in our United States Navy. I have to say that it was an absolutely bizarre blessing. Not only were all of the aforementioned ethnic groups again represented they were my friends and brethren in a trail mix of Americana that I still periodically reflect upon and savor. I spent twenty years and twenty minutes in the Navy and I was fortunate to spend the first half of my career as an enlisted guy. As a young sailor I lived in a world where the sanctity and pride in the team or unit transcended all else. Make no mistake, the things we said among “just us” were light years beyond today’s universe of propriety. We casually used ethnically specific words and phrases that could only be described as ghastly! So much so, that if I related some of them today it would be shocking and scarcely believable. Recently and quite unexpectedly I was drawn back to that time while watching the new HBO Series “Generation Kill”. The interesting thing about this was that then, and today it has never mattered. Except to say that through it all, and experiences beyond, I learned to see the soul of a man. I know this because at sea and in conflicts and bench clearing brawls and at weddings and funerals, we were always one. For all of the potential faults, these experiences broadened my racial field of vision. My associations of today are appropriately reflective and I am eternally grateful for that.

I have a thorough grasp of the concepts of respect and propriety and the many other important even grave aspects of life. I know something about war first hand. I have many times seen, and I understand both death and danger. I know the difference between words and works. I understand that there can be a “huge” difference between lack of exposure, immaturity and ignorance versus racism or hate. One must also appreciate culture, including its influence or bias, when considering such matters.

I am fortunate to have never lived in a veritable “ethnic bubble” and I know quite a bit about people. The one common factor is that they are not perfect. I am compelled to make it clear that I do not condone or encourage hurtful or even insensitive “words” between people and I do not allow myself to be verbally victimized. But neither do I habitually or spontaneously leap forth to stand in judgment without invitation or good reason. Why? Because I do not always pretend to know from whence such comments come, nor how they are intended in full content and context. Let me say that again: “I do not always pretend to know from whence such comments come, nor how they are intended in full content and context.” Nor could I possibly understand what impulses, experiences and thoughts inspire words within another person. More importantly, experience has taught me that words however seemingly insensitive or misguided are not always the measure of the heart and soul within. Things are not always the way they seem.

Should anyone be remotely interested in my assessment of the current discussion on “that word”, I will say this first: “A loose tongue is not the same as a barrel of a gun.” So let’s all take a collective deep breath followed by a perspective pill. In my experience it pays to be continually watchful but you generally need not concern yourself with the obnoxious big mouth. Including those on talk radio or the network news. Why in the world would you overlook your positive ethnic experiences (nearly all of us must certainly have them) or devalue your own reasoning in favor of theirs?

We are just simply the result of our molded experiences and the associated emotional impacts. I had never understood or watched a round of golf in my entire life until Tiger Woods came along. So it took me until my forties to learn what a bogie and a birdie are. This suggests to me that “understanding and appreciation, present themselves when we present ourselves the opportunity to understand and appreciate.” And so it goes with race.

Sure the race discussion can compel us to squirm and scratch our heads sometimes. But I can tell you something we never have to scratch my heads about. We are all Americans. Yes, there are fools and hopeless intolerants out there, and they too are Americans. Rules are rules! So if you are inclined, when among the reasonably minded, the race discussion can be had. At the very least some level of understanding and appreciation may result. I have been fortunate enough to calmly have it and more than once. Yep me, the guy who decades past, received, and spewed “all of the worst words” like the good sailor I was. Now, clinging to no claim of perfection or political aspiration, I provide this admission without concern or remorse. Why? Because I still get the occasional Christmas card or phone card from some of those “multiethnic friends” from a time long ago. Speaking secretively of unspeakable times and places and reminding me that he once covered my butt, or laughing about the memory of the time I covered his. Most importantly, at the end of the day, I now know that it was never about what was said, and neither was it about race. Only opportunity and experiences yielding appreciation and understanding as measured by the ultimate instrument. Lifelong friendships.

America is like level 10 on the 3D computerized cultural chess game. And if you don’t know the rules it can drive you crazy. I typically get pretty involved in assessing and attempting to understand issues of national importance. And I have two preliminary litmus tests. First, I ask myself are any laws being broken or citizens being placed at risk. Secondly I consider weather my life, liberty and pursuit of happiness are being jeopardized. And if the answers to the above questions are no, then I have a motto that I try to adhere to. “I don’t get it but I’m ok with it”. I seek to celebrate every citizen’s right to live their life according to their dreams and aspiration “and within their cultural and socioeconomic comfort level” and I welcome them as my American brethren. And if any American thinks that their interpretation of what is appropriate in another’s life, language, love, worship or culture will ever become the common national standard, I dare say they will be continually mired in disappointment. America is the ultimate cultural experiment.

I believe that in many aspects of life, the impressions we absorb and the marks we make on others are most clearly visible in our “actions” rather than anything else. So let me conclude by sharing a final bit of valued personal guidance that I received from my Grandmother: “If you want to know what a person is made of, don’t watch what they say, watch what they do”.

For me that is germane in both daily life and particularly in politics.

Watch what they do…

L. A. Walker, © Leon A. Walker

België heeft de verkoop van drie marineschepen aan Bulgarije afgerond. Voor 54 miljoen euro koopt de Bulgaarse marine van België twee fregatten en een mijnenjager over. Dat werd uit goede bron vernomen.

Het gaat om de fregatten Wielingen (F910) en Westdiep (F911), die in oktober 2007 na meer dan dertig jaar uit dienst werden genomen, en de mijnenjager Myosotis (M922).

"De verkoop is rond, er moeten alleen nog wat administratieve formaliteiten worden afgerond", aldus een Defensie-woordvoerder.

In 2005 kocht Bulgarije van de Belgische marine al het fregat de Wandelaar en herdoopte het in Drazki ("De Moedige"). Bulgarije koopt de schepen aan om het Bulgaarse leger te laten overeenstemmen met de "normen en taken" van de NAVO, waar het in 2004 lid van werd.
Bron: HLN.be

Allee vooruit... :-)

Pssst: ;-)
De nieuwe Bulgaarse namen worden:
BNS Wielingen -> BGS Verni
BNS Westdiep -> BGS Gordi
BNS Myosotis -> BGS Tsibar

Navy Officer, originally uploaded by richiesoft.

A navy officer marches along the parade route at London Pride 2008

Spc. Kisha Makerney
23 years old from Fort Towson, Oklahoma
120th Engineers, Oklahoma Army National Guard

Spc. Kisha Mackerney isn't being profiled today because of something she did on the battlefield. She's being profiled because her spirit and determination. In 2002, Makerney joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard out of a sense of patriotism, because, as she put it, "I love our country and our people." Between 2004 and 2005, she served in Iraq as a gunner and helped provide battalion security. She returned home in early 2005 and was in a terrible motorcycle accident on June 25, 2005. The front wheel of her brand new bike had blown out and sent her flying into a highway sign. She looked up at her now mangled bike and was angry. That's when she noticed that her left leg below the knee was missing. The first thing she thought of when she saw her leg was that her military career was over.

Makerney pulled herself out of the ditch that she had landed in and was able to flag down a passing motorist. She was taken a hospital in Hugo, Oklahoma before being flown to Dallas, Texas.

As soon as word spread about her accident, her fellow soldiers, her second family, rallied and rushed to her bedside. "Even before I was out of surgery they were waiting in the halls," she said.

Continue reading Spc. Kisha Makerney's story here. There are some despicable comments by a few readers on the story. Just ignore them.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Apparently, when Gen. Carlson made his ultimatum to the military forces in New England to back him, disarm, or leave, most of the Navy vessels in New England ports put to sea.  There were a few destroyer exceptions (some up in Bath, ME on refits), but pretty much, we're without a Navy (we still have our Coasties, God Bless 'em).  One of the ships (or in this case boat) that didn't leave was the USS Alabama (SSBN 731).  The Alabama is an Ohio-class ballistic missile nuclear submarine.  She'd just been put in dry-dock at Electric Boat in Groton to be converted from a ballistic missile sub (SSBN) to a cruise-missile sub (SSGN).  Apparently she still had her nuclear-tipped Trident missiles on-board.

According to the Coastie who related the story, the captain and crew of the Alabama wanted to get her the hell out of New England.  The EB workers and managers said she wasn't safe to sail.  So on Tuesday night, a chunk of the crew broke into the EB dry-dock, re-floated their boat and headed out into the Thames River.  Turns out, the EB mechanics knew what they were talking about.  The boat started taking on water as soon as it hit the river and lost power before they cleared Fisher's Island.

A couple of Coast Guard cutters from the Academy went out and helped some tugboats pull her back up-river.  There was some 'discussion' between the Navy folks at the sub base, the Electric Boat people, and the Coasties.  Admiral Burhoe (Superintendent of the Academy) had the boat tied-up at the Academy's docks.

Apparently there is now a commission from the UN and EU meeting in New London to oversee the transfer of remaining nukes from New England territory to the US 'mainland' without anymore hijinks.  The Europeans are understandably a little nervous about the threat of civil war in a country with 30,000 nuclear weapons (all except the Russians who must be loving this I imagine).

“I understand the hardship that service to our great country often places on families.  Among the most difficult things servicemen and women have to do is leave their families for months at a time and adapt to frequent re-location,” Gov. Blunt said. “This interstate compact will make transition easier and less stressful for students and parents.”

Last month Gov. Blunt signed House Bill 1678, sponsored by Representative David Day, authorizing Missouri to enter into the Interstate Compact on Education Opportunity for Military.  The compact is a multi-state agreement to ease transitions into new schools for military children whose parents are transferred from one duty-station to another by making enrollment and class placement easier, increasing access to extracurricular activities, providing common-sense provisions to facilitate on-time graduation, and increasing information sharing between school districts.

The compact went into effect when signed by 10 states.  Missouri is one of the 10 states to join the compact together with Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, and Oklahoma.

Gov. Blunt will establish a state council to coordinate the state’s participation.  The council will include the Commissioner of Education, a superintendent of a school district with a high concentration of military dependents, a representative from a military installation, one representative from both the legislative and executive branches of government, and other members as deemed necessary.

Gov. Blunt will also designate a compact commissioner to administer and manage the state’s participation in the compact.  The compact commissioner will represent, and vote on behalf of, the state at the interstate commission meetings of all member states.

Gov. Blunt is a strong advocate for Missouri veterans and their families.  Following what he called an appalling protest at the funeral of Specialist Edward Lee Myers, the governor signed legislation that protects Missouri families’ right to honor their loved ones and makes it clear Missouri will not tolerate protests that disrupt those who are mourning the loss of a military hero.  Gov. Blunt also signed legislation that established the Stolen Valor Act to put in law fit punishment for those who impersonate our military heroes.

In 2006, Gov. Blunt signed legislation to enact additional protections for veterans of the War on Terror to ensure that their jobs, wages and benefits are kept for them during the time they are called to serve our country.  Last year the governor signed legislation that increases the penalties for employers who fail to comply with the legislation.

Gov. Blunt has witnessed firsthand the dedication and commitment that Missouri troops make every day to protect and defend our freedom with visits to Iraq, Afghanistan and the Mexican Border.

Gov. Blunt graduated from the United States Naval Academy and went on to serve as an Engineering Officer aboard the USS JACK WILLIAMS (FFG-24) and as the Navigator and Administration Officer on the USS PETERSON (DD-969).  Lieutenant Commander Blunt was mobilized to Commander Naval Activities United Kingdom in October of 2001 after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

It's only been 5 months and 12 days since my mom died (not that I'm counting) and my brother left for the Navy boot camp yesterday. Sometimes, the grief is sort of overwhelming. But most of the time I am excited for my brother to embark on this adventure. He's never left home (is 20 years old now) and I think this adventure will be quite a learning experience for him. The hope is that he will learn life lessons there that we (as a family) could never have taught him (you just can't learn some things from family, no matter how often they try to tell you or show you). I'm scared that he will become less of who he is but perhaps that's a sacrifice of growing up and hopefully it will be a good experience for him over all. I guess I'm just a little protective and hate the idea of him failing or being hurt.

The learning curve for both our family and him are steep the past few months, but as the Dalai Lama says, "The period of greatest gain in knowledge and experience is the most difficult period in ones life. Through a difficult period you can learn; you can develop inner strength, determination, and courage to face the problems." He's so wise! And what my mom would have said at times like these, "This too shall pass." Both words of wisdom that I hold onto when I am feeling overwhelmed.

Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers

These three US Navy Arleigh Burke Class guided missile destroyers can adorn your wall as a poster or framed art print. Find them and other great seapower images at our own patriotic art gallery.

It is not just SUV-drivers who are feeling the pain at the pump. Imagine trying to fill up an AEGIS-Class destroyer every few weeks:-)

See what the US Navy is doing to reign in fuel costs by saving 1.14 million barrels of oil this year.

What the Associate Press was a little less dramatic about the same report, but was quick to point out in their headlines that the facts of the story were claims solely by the "Dems."

I don't know how facts provided by DFAS can be politicized, but the associate press made it happen.

What is factually true is that DFAS and the VA dragged their feet on processing claims and eventually subcontracted the work out to (of all people) Lockheed Martin. Now I am no rocket scientist, but apparently the rocket scientists at Lockheed Martin aren't accountants and social workers-- so I guess it all evens out.

Spokesman Tom LaRock said DFAS has processed more than 229,000 claims and paid out more than $149 million in entitlements. The office has established "a reliable and repeatable process enabling us to adjudicate incoming claims within 30 days of receipt," he said.

Lockheed Martin spokesman Keith Mordoff said in an e-mailed statement that the company has remained "committed to the timely and accurate payment to veterans, and we have performed quality assurance in accordance with the terms of our contract.

"At no time have we sacrificed quality for speed," he added.

Lockheed Martin was hired because of the growing number of claims. As new retro-active claims,  and newly retired service members and disabled veterans add their names to the pile (as high as 84,000 in the past year)-- apparently Lockheed Martin decided to be diplomatic and sacrifice quality as well as speed. The House committee, led by none other than Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), questions the accuracy of the claims paid and the work done.

According to the House investigation, officials reached their goal only after lowering their standards. DFAS, the Pentagon's accounting arm, was concerned about the number of errors in Lockheed Martin's work, but eventually suspended its own quality control procedures to prevent further program delays, Democrats claim.

"While the subcommittee majority staff does not know how many erred payments were sent, we do not believe that DFAS knows either," the report concludes.

Lockheed Martin was paid $19 million to fix the problem, and didn't charge a dime for screwing it up.

On a side note: I might laud Mr. Kucinich for his vigilance on this veteran's issue. DFAS is based in Cleveland, which is in his district, and so he may feel some proximal responsibility to the subject. However, the congressman just can't leave the slate on a positive note. He has apparently decided to draw up articles of impeachment against President Bush.

I do not wish to comment on the validity of his claims, or comment on the effectiveness of Mr. Bush's presidency. I want to comment on the "why" of Mr. Kucinich's efforts. Mr. Bush is essentially a lame duck president. The only good this will do (and we saw it didn't do any good against President Clinton) is to further polarize Americans.

Even the other democrats in the House have said that they want to use Kucinich's impeachment for election reform. If anyone cared about election reform, they would have done it... um...after the last election!

These stories do have a connection. Our government has become egocentric. It supports the troops as long as they are fighting to keep policies and government contracts in tact. It cares about election reform when it politically convenient. It awards contracts to companies that have no business getting them, because those companies heavily influence elections.

We have a government that is busy filling its pockets while it watches the rest of the country spiral into a recession that feeds on itself.