Quote Log

Thanksgiving lends itself to a series of things that can probably only best be said around the holidays. This weekend in addition to yielding one successful deer hunt, an excellent Thanksgiving feast with good friends and good food also yielded several great quotes.
"I fell off my knees"
"I'm putting that whole thing in my mouth"
just to name a few...

I am now actually looking forward to Christmas!

North Korea and other Dilemma of State

North Korea... Fifty years of utter intransigence. I remember an intel brief received once where a briefer told the following. "To show his benevolence the great leader had a bicycle plant built near a village and gave all the villagers a bicycle. This just prior to a tour of the facility by foreign media. The villagers all wore their pins with the picture of the great leader and proudly pushed their new bicycles all over the village. You see the problem was that none of them had ever owned a bicycle and therefore no one knew how to ride. Such is the regime that now is pursuing nuclear weapons. (no secret this has been going on well before the current administration.) Such also is the regime that continually insists on bilateral negotiations with the U.S. That would be just wonderful as far a North Korea is concerned that allows them to pit themselves against the U.S. mano e mano or Kimche y Kimche (whatever the Korean equivalent is) This further allows North Korea to paint themselves as the poor little underdeveloped country trying to come into the modern era but being kept down by that global bully the U.S. Fortunately the state department is wise to this. Nonetheless this arguement has surfaced several times here in Berkeley east and is what I call the playground argument. The logic goes like this. The U.S. has nuclear weapons therefore who are we to tell anyone else they cant have them. In playground terms. Bobby has a stick, so it's not fair that I don't. The fallacy of such arguments can often be uncovered by carrying them to their extreme. So if Bobby has a stick and its only fair then that I also have a stick, shouldn't everyone have a stick? Or in the terms of the global nuclear playground. The U.S. has the bomb, Russia, France, Pakistan and India all have the bomb, Israel may but they aren't telling, besides they don't tend to play well with others anyway. So therefore shouldn't everyone have the bomb? Brilliant idea! I say the U.S. and Russia both reduce our arsenals by selling at fair market price nuclear weapons to anyone who will buy them. But wait that leaves out lesser developed countries who cant afford the weapon. So in the interest of fairness I say the world bank loan those countries the money to procure such weapons. Then the protesters at fill in the city here ______. Can add that to their list of debts to be forgiven.
There the world is now a much fairer place. I feel safer don't you?
So in effect some of the most educated minds I know are in fact arguing for nuclear proliferation. They don't like being told this very much nor do they like it having pointed out that in their disdain for the role the U.S. plays in the world they have fallen victim to fallacious logic.

In other events of note I can now get my car into my garage. No small feat

Happy Birthday

The Commandant of the Marine Corps'
2005 Birthday Message

On November 10th, 1775, the Second Continental Congress resolved to raise two battalions of Continental Marines marking the birth of our United States Marine Corps. As Major General Lejeune’s message reminds us, the ensuing generations of Marines would come to signify all that is highest in warfighting excellence and military virtue. Each November as Marines the world over celebrate the birth of our Corps, we pay tribute to that long line of “Soldiers of the Sea” and the illustrious legacy they have handed down to us.

This past year has been one of continuous combat operations overseas and distinguished service here at home—a year of challenges that have brought out the very best in our Corps. In Iraq and Afghanistan, Marine courage and mastery of complex and chaotic environments have truly made a difference in the lives of millions. Marine compassion and flexibility provided humanitarian assistance to thousands in the wake of the South East Asian tsunami, and here at home, Marines with AAVs, helicopters, and sometimes with their bare hands saved hundreds of our own fellow Americans in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Across the full spectrum of operations, you have showcased that Marines create stability in an unstable world, and have reinforced our Corps’ reputation for setting the standard of excellence.

The sense of honor, courage, and patriotism that epitomized those who answered that first call to arms two hundred and thirty years ago is still indelibly imprinted on our ranks today. In commemorating our anniversary, let us strengthen our ties to the past by paying homage to those who have gone before us. As we honor the sacrifices of our wounded and fallen comrades, our commitment to one another remains unshakable. We take special pride in the actions of the Marines now serving in harm’s way, and rededicate ourselves to the service of our Nation and our Corps.

Happy Birthday, Marines. Semper Fidelis, and Keep Attacking!

M. W. Hagee
General, U.S. Marine Corps


On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date, many thousand men have borne the name Marine. In memory of them, it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the Birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.

The record of our Corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence, the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation's foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war and in the long era of tranquility at home. Generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas [so] that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.

In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.

This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the Corps. With it we also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish, Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps.

Happy Birthday Brothers
And to absent friends. A toast

Semper Fi

Preacher

France

Okay so France is burning. The difference this time is that its not the Germans doing the burning. Paris burning? Well not really, its not the bit of France that causes us all to sigh but the parts of France no one really wants to acknowledge, most of all the French. The difference is that these riots were not sparked by a disaster or a lack of food and water but a lacking much more insidious and pervasive. even if now being perpetuated by opportunists and youngsters looking for a fun night out, the root cause lies deeper. I wonder how a country that prides itself on its egalitarian liberal values is having such a problem? It seems to me that the French political bodies are more concerned with the worlds perception of France then the internal dynamics that make a country viable in a global economy. The dynamic I think is not that much different then that of the Islamic world. Consider this, the typical middle eastern Muslim has little hope of ever bettering his condition, the number of books translated into Arabic in the recent past is paltry. The economy of South Korea now exceeds that of the entire middle east. South Korea used to be on par with Egypt. So what does all this have to do with riots in France? Consider the source of the unrest. Why is it a desperate Palestinian can be incited to suicide bomb a bus stop of civilians? Why is it that a desperate Russian or eastern European peasant does not? The difference,I believe is hope, hope provided by a democratic, truly democratic system, hope born of a belief in equal opportunity, hope born that the system will treat you fairly even if those within it do not. Which leads to another question about France and hope. Why is it that all those North Africans, Muslims, Turks, Poles, Tajiks, Uzbeks are in France? The answer is again I believe hope. A hope that has been dashed decidedly by policies that have decreased the French competitiveness on the worlds economic stage.
I do not want to sound self righteous here, our day may well be coming...
*** Note The Pentagons New Map, by Thomas Barnett, If you want to fact check me. I could look up the exact numbers and pages but I dont think he'll sue me for not giving exact numbers and I now have a wonderful little girl to awaken.

Marathon Complete

Done! Done, Done, Done Done, So Done!!! This my third and probably final Marathon was run on a brilliant day in DC. The weather was perfect, clear skies, light breeze, cool temps. Only problem the weather was so good everyone seemed to get dehydrated. It was without a doubt the hardest race I've run. By mile 12 I began to feel my legs, shuldn't have, by mile 18 I was in pain, by mile 23 I was in extreme pain which despite prior claims to the contrary was not extremely good. Nonetheless demonstrating again the triumph of Determination over intelligence I completed the race in 4:23 a mere two hours behind the winner! I'll catch him next year, wait didn't I just say there wasn't going to be a next year.
I also managed to make some really cool new friends, so I do wind up owing a debt of thanks to my bud, Pepe who chose the weekend I was to stay with him to elope and called me late the night I was to leave to tell me... However Rob and Kristen were champs and tolerated me not sleeping at all on Saturday, Up at 0530 on Sunday and then limping around the house all Sunday afternoon. Also champs were their two lovely daughters who were Sophies age and should they ever meet would be great friends. Heres to hoping someday they will. You guys are always welcome in Chapel Hill