What a great quote! LOL The more I hear about CAPT Phillips, the more I like him.
A Placid Man on Land, Caught in a Drama at Sea
By SERGE F. KOVALESKI and ABBY GOODNOUGH
Published: April 10, 2009
UNDERHILL, Vt. — At sea he is intense and resolute, so when Capt. Richard Phillips tried to escape his pirate captors Friday by leaping off their slow-moving lifeboat, some of his closest friends did not blink.
But at home, friends and relatives said, Captain Phillips, 53, is a consummate regular guy who worships Boston sports teams, particularly the Celtics, shoots hoops at the Y.M.C.A., plays golf with retirees and faithfully picks up muffins for Sunday brunch with his family. When he is away, plying dangerous ocean waters as a merchant ship captain, the image his neighbors here remember is of him placidly riding his lawnmower.
Now he is at the center of an extraordinary international incident. “When he went for that swim today, it didn’t surprise me at all,” said Peter Wakefield, who grew up with the captain outside Boston and visited him last month. “He’s got good intuition, and he’s a very determined guy.”
A few weeks ago, Captain Phillips was wrapping up three months of downtime with ordinary fun. He snowboarded during Mr. Wakefield’s visit, filled out brackets for a college basketball tournament pool and had a quiet farewell dinner with his extended family before heading back to sea.
“He has never been into big goodbyes,” said Tom Coggio, his brother-in-law, who lives nearby. “For Richard, it’s just a job.”
As Captain Phillips spent a third day as the lone hostage of Somali pirates who attacked his cargo ship Wednesday off the Horn of Africa, friends and relatives here in Underhill and around New England spoke of the two sharply contrasting sides of the man: the professional one, meticulous and highly competent; and the off-duty one, affable, humorous and content to play pickup basketball, go snowmobiling and do chores around the house.
“He was a different guy when he was out to sea,” Mr. Coggio said Friday. “He was very by-the-book.”
Captain Phillips grew up with seven brothers and sisters in Winchester, Mass., a close-knit town where his father coached high school basketball. He played varsity football, lacrosse and basketball, said Donald Carey, a childhood neighbor who recalled him as modest and wryly funny.
“Never any fanfare out of this guy,” said Mr. Carey, who has not seen the captain in years. “If you went to a picnic and forgot your lunch, he’d give you half of his.”
While Captain Phillips’s family hunkered down on Friday, the standoff near the coast of Somalia intensified as American naval reinforcements moved in. There were also reports that the four pirates, desperate to reach shore with their captive, also had called in additional vessels and men.
The French authorities, meanwhile, said they had sent forces to end a separate hostage-taking by pirates elsewhere off Somalia, one of the most notoriously lawless stretches of international waters. The operation left one hostage and two pirates dead.
American defense officials have so far been reluctant to take such an aggressive approach to rescuing Captain Phillips, who was seized when the pirates commandeered his American-flagged container ship, the Maersk Alabama. The Navy has asked F.B.I. officials trained in hostage negotiations for help.
A separate group of pirates on a hijacked German ship attempted to aid their comrades Saturday, but they were forced to return to the Somali coast when they failed to locate the drifting lifeboat. "We almost got lost because we could not find the bearing of the lifeboat," one pirate on the German ship told Reuters.
Mr. Coggio, whose sister, Andrea, married Captain Phillips in 1987 after they met in Boston, said that his brother-in-law had acknowledged the dangers of his job and spoke of the protocols and tools he and his crew had to repel pirates. “He has talked about air horns that would blow your ears out,” Mr. Coggio said, “or fire hoses that would knock you right down.”
Mr. Wakefield said Captain Phillips was used to working hard to get what he wanted. He drove a cab in Boston to pay his way through college, Mr. Wakefield said, at the University of Massachusetts and later at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he graduated in 1979.
“With eight kids, his parents couldn’t be sending everybody off to Harvard,” he said. “Nothing was ever given to him; everything he’s ever gotten, he had to work for.”
Despite his low-key demeanor at times, Mr. Wakefield and others said, Captain Phillips is a hard-charging athlete whose strength and agility could help him survive the ordeal. He plays a ferocious game of basketball — “one of these guys who was all over the court,” said Kevin Hatin, the fitness director at the Greater Burlington Y.M.C.A. — and he broke his neck trying to make a catch during an informal football game a while back.
“The doctors were like, ‘One more millimeter and you would have been a quadriplegic,’ ” Mr. Coggio recalled. “That was a blessing, and we could use another one like that right now.”
Captain Phillips has also refereed basketball games at a middle school and plays golf with a group of retirees at courses around the state. Barney Kelley, 75, said that on the golf course, the captain likes to tell stories about life at sea and jokes he heard on his trips.
“He talked mostly about the ocean, ships and boats,” Mr. Kelley said. “He loves what he does and I don’t think he would do anything else in life.”
Two of Captain Phillips’s brothers-in-law and a close friend here are also merchant seamen, Mr. Coggio said, and they are among the few people he socializes with at home.
But most of his attention goes to his wife, who is an emergency room nurse, and their college-age children, Mariah and Danny, Mr. Coggio and others said. He sticks close to his modest white house with a picket fence, doing the chores that mount in his absence.
“I know when he’s home his wife gives him a ‘Honey to-do list,’ ” Mr. Kelley said.
On Friday morning, Mr. Coggio recalled that the captain played his saxophone from time to time, although he was more shy about it than he was when he played in the high school band. He also enjoys listening to the blues and shares, with his wife, a liking of the blues singer Taj Mahal. But by the afternoon, Mr. Coggio and other family members appeared increasingly anxious about the escape attempt and the extended wait for good news.
Captain Phillips was in the water for a short time before the pirates hauled him back on board, said an American defense official who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to speak about the matter. He was not hurt, the official said.
But Catherine Coggio, his mother-in-law, was rattled.
“Just when we thought he was safe, this happens,” Ms. Coggio said, weeping as she spoke. “This is so terrible.”
Serge F. Kovaleski reported from Underhill, and Abby Goodnough from Boston. Sharon Otterman contributed reporting from New York, Elisabeth Bumiller from Washington, and Dirk Van Susteren from Underhill.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
I'm Going To Bed Any Second
But I had to throw this out here.
French hostages freed off Somalia
I have heard some say "Good on the French for taking it into their own hands." As a matter of fact, SB is one of them. I understand that sentiment. And for the record.....should I ever be in such a situation, feel free to blow up everything in sight. Do not take my wellbeing into account in the least. After all, that is the upside to having incurable, drug-resistant cancer.And I am sure the French military did the best they could. But they lost a hostage.
And not for nothing, but the couple who owned the yacht were repeatedly warned not to go there. What the eff? And they took their child. Assclowns.
Eagle1 addressed this episode here.
However, I am content to give talking a little more time in the matter of CAPT Phillips. I'd like my hostage back alive.
French hostages freed off Somalia
I have heard some say "Good on the French for taking it into their own hands." As a matter of fact, SB is one of them. I understand that sentiment. And for the record.....should I ever be in such a situation, feel free to blow up everything in sight. Do not take my wellbeing into account in the least. After all, that is the upside to having incurable, drug-resistant cancer.And I am sure the French military did the best they could. But they lost a hostage.
And not for nothing, but the couple who owned the yacht were repeatedly warned not to go there. What the eff? And they took their child. Assclowns.
Eagle1 addressed this episode here.
However, I am content to give talking a little more time in the matter of CAPT Phillips. I'd like my hostage back alive.
What A Bummer! But BZ CAPT Phillips!
I woke up this morning to FoxNews reporting that CAPT Phillips tried to eacape his captors and swim to the safety. Unfortunately, he was recaptured.
American Ship Captain Held Hostage Unsuccessfully Tries to Escape
As always, lots of really good info at Information Dissemination
Observing the Obama Administration Somali Piracy Policy
and Eagle Speak
Somali Pirates: Captain Of Maersk Alabama Still Held; Pirates, Navy Sending Reinforcements
where yet another stupid TV "expert" is called out for incorrectly identifying USS Bainbridge DDG-96.
Wonder if the TV people will wise up and do a little more research before discussing the next two ships set to arrive - USS Halyburton
& USS Boxer.
If any of them are reading here - I recommend a trip to Gal or Mark's place....or both before you start talking.
American Ship Captain Held Hostage Unsuccessfully Tries to Escape
As always, lots of really good info at Information Dissemination
Observing the Obama Administration Somali Piracy Policy
and Eagle Speak
Somali Pirates: Captain Of Maersk Alabama Still Held; Pirates, Navy Sending Reinforcements
where yet another stupid TV "expert" is called out for incorrectly identifying USS Bainbridge DDG-96.
Wonder if the TV people will wise up and do a little more research before discussing the next two ships set to arrive - USS Halyburton
& USS Boxer. If any of them are reading here - I recommend a trip to Gal or Mark's place....or both before you start talking.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
I'm Exhausted
I have to head to bed. We stayed out much too late. But it was a tough night. We went to Charlestown for a wake. The younger brother of one of Jen's crew had passed. I don't remember him. I know I saw him, but he was easily 15 years younger than me. I remember his sister Julie quite well and very fondly.
At dinner Jen and I talked about lots of stuff; the BU hockey game was on the TV and we were rooting hard for Jack Parker's boys......even if Jen gets mad if Jack doesn't call time out when she thinks he should.
The conversation between us moves like a leaf floating along a brook, moved by the current in different directions, from one topic to another, with lots of common places where we laugh at living much of the same experiences nine years apart (our age difference). Our mother has referred to us as her twins born nine years apart.
Yet strangely enough, despite how often we see each other and how much we talk - I can still learn something new. Jen told me a story about an incident at Pope John in her sophomore or junior year ...... that mirrored an incident my sophomore or junior year at Pope John. I was astonished.
I won't go into the details in this post, maybe someday, but it's late now. But it was a formative experience that always made me conscious of two things, well three really - First, don't make a decision until you hear both sides - Second, never trust anyone who singles out a group for the actions of one or two members - Third, never forget you are from Charlestown and you take care of your own.
So, you're thinking - "Get to the point Maggie." Ok, this business with the pirates and the Maersk Alabama and CAPT Phillips and the USS Bainbridge.
Of course, I am enamored of the Navy and dote on them to a ridiculous extent.
Of course, I am affronted that anyone would dare interfere with the peaceful transit of an American flagged ship.
Of course, I am furious that anyone is harassing a fellow Massachusetts native.
However, let us not forget that for all that we are disdainful of the "pirates" and their lawlessness - these aren't people who turned their back on civilization and chose to harm others merely out of greed and spitefulness. These are people whose current actions have grown out of a need to survive and protect what little they have. They live in a failed state. For all the bitching and moaning people do about the United States and direction this country is headed in - there isn't anyone here who would trade their worst day for a great day in Somalia.
The world turned their back on Somalia long ago. These pirates grew out of a ragtag group of sailors who were trying to stop illegal fishing in their territorial waters. Countries who have overfished their own waters know that can violate Somalia's waters with impunity. Somalia is also the helpless victim of illegal dumping of medical and possibly nuclear waste from Europe and China.
Most people are paying attention to the Horn of Africa piracy problem for the first time because Americans are involved and I understand that. Just don't come into this discussion now, with no background information - or only one side of the story - and talk smack.
I have listened to people, in person and on talk radio who talk absolute rubbish about this situation. The answer to the piracy problem is not arming merchant ships. The answer to this situation is not tricking CAPT Phillips' captors by paying ransom so you can shoot them later.
The answer to this problem, like with most problems, is much more complicated.
So to those who know very little about this; to those who ask "What is the Navy waiting for?".....
I would remind you of the very wise words of Mark Twain "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”
At dinner Jen and I talked about lots of stuff; the BU hockey game was on the TV and we were rooting hard for Jack Parker's boys......even if Jen gets mad if Jack doesn't call time out when she thinks he should.
The conversation between us moves like a leaf floating along a brook, moved by the current in different directions, from one topic to another, with lots of common places where we laugh at living much of the same experiences nine years apart (our age difference). Our mother has referred to us as her twins born nine years apart.
Yet strangely enough, despite how often we see each other and how much we talk - I can still learn something new. Jen told me a story about an incident at Pope John in her sophomore or junior year ...... that mirrored an incident my sophomore or junior year at Pope John. I was astonished.
I won't go into the details in this post, maybe someday, but it's late now. But it was a formative experience that always made me conscious of two things, well three really - First, don't make a decision until you hear both sides - Second, never trust anyone who singles out a group for the actions of one or two members - Third, never forget you are from Charlestown and you take care of your own.
So, you're thinking - "Get to the point Maggie." Ok, this business with the pirates and the Maersk Alabama and CAPT Phillips and the USS Bainbridge.
Of course, I am enamored of the Navy and dote on them to a ridiculous extent.
Of course, I am affronted that anyone would dare interfere with the peaceful transit of an American flagged ship.
Of course, I am furious that anyone is harassing a fellow Massachusetts native.
However, let us not forget that for all that we are disdainful of the "pirates" and their lawlessness - these aren't people who turned their back on civilization and chose to harm others merely out of greed and spitefulness. These are people whose current actions have grown out of a need to survive and protect what little they have. They live in a failed state. For all the bitching and moaning people do about the United States and direction this country is headed in - there isn't anyone here who would trade their worst day for a great day in Somalia.
The world turned their back on Somalia long ago. These pirates grew out of a ragtag group of sailors who were trying to stop illegal fishing in their territorial waters. Countries who have overfished their own waters know that can violate Somalia's waters with impunity. Somalia is also the helpless victim of illegal dumping of medical and possibly nuclear waste from Europe and China.
Most people are paying attention to the Horn of Africa piracy problem for the first time because Americans are involved and I understand that. Just don't come into this discussion now, with no background information - or only one side of the story - and talk smack.
I have listened to people, in person and on talk radio who talk absolute rubbish about this situation. The answer to the piracy problem is not arming merchant ships. The answer to this situation is not tricking CAPT Phillips' captors by paying ransom so you can shoot them later.
The answer to this problem, like with most problems, is much more complicated.
So to those who know very little about this; to those who ask "What is the Navy waiting for?".....
I would remind you of the very wise words of Mark Twain "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”
Marine acquitted of murder in Iraq slaying
Marine acquitted of murder in Iraq slaying
By ELLIOT SPAGAT, Associated Press Writer Elliot Spagat, Associated Press Writer 27 mins ago
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – A military jury on Thursday acquitted a Marine sergeant on charges of murdering an unarmed detainee during battle in Fallujah, Iraq. The jury also acquitted Sgt. Ryan Weemer of dereliction of duty in the November 2004 death.
The panel of eight Marines who served in Iraq or Afghanistan got the case Wednesday and deliberated more than four hours.
Weemer, of Hindsboro, Ill., could have faced a maximum sentence of life in prison and dishonorable discharge if convicted of murder. The maximum sentence for dereliction is six months in prison and a bad conduct discharge.
In closing arguments Wednesday, a defense attorney said the 26-year-old Weemer acted in self-defense.
The prosecutor, Capt. Nicholas Gannon, recounted that Weemer said in recorded interviews that he shot the man and told a squadmate that he would have to live with that for the rest of his life.
Weemer also said in interviews that he and other Marines shot a total of four men in a house after their squad suffered its first fatality.
"I can't bring you an autopsy report," Gannon said. "I don't have one, but we have a lot of evidence that shows you beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused shot an individual in the chest twice.... The killing was unlawful."
The prosecutor told jurors they should convict Weemer of lesser charges of voluntary manslaughter or assault if they acquit him of murder.
During the one-week court-martial, the defense argued that the government could not prove Weemer killed the unarmed captive because there are no bodies, no relatives complaining of a lost loved one and no forensic evidence.
Weemer's civilian attorney, Paul Hackett, said in his closing argument that Weemer fired while he and other Marines were trying to seize a house from insurgents. He recounted testimony and statements of Weemer's squadmates that portrayed a confusing scene.
"This was chaos!" he said. "(The detainees) were not cooperating. If they're not cooperating, they're not under control. If they're not under control, they pose a threat to these Marines."
Hackett told jurors to be skeptical of a 2006 recorded interview that Weemer gave to Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents in which he describes shooting the detainee. He said one agent was an experienced interrogator who knew how to wear Weemer down.
"It is a very, very, very complicated, confusing interview," Hackett said.
Weemer told two NCIS agents that he was covered with the blood of his best friend, who had been killed by a sniper, just before his squad leader ordered him to kill the prisoner, according to a tape recording played at the court martial.
"I grabbed a gun and took him to the back of the house," Weemer, 26, said on the tape. "I shot him twice in the chest."
Weemer said he argued with his squad leader, former Sgt. Jose Luis Nazario, before complying with the order to kill the man, who was taken prisoner when Marines stormed a house on the first day of the assault on Fallujah.
"I definitely wasn't the type to disobey an order," he said.
Last August, Nazario was acquitted in Riverside federal court of killing two prisoners and ordering Weemer and another Marine to each kill one.
Another sergeant, Jermaine Nelson, has pleaded not guilty to unpremeditated murder and dereliction of duty, but his court-martial has been indefinitely postponed because of a flurry of last-minute motions filed by his attorney.
By ELLIOT SPAGAT, Associated Press Writer Elliot Spagat, Associated Press Writer 27 mins ago
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – A military jury on Thursday acquitted a Marine sergeant on charges of murdering an unarmed detainee during battle in Fallujah, Iraq. The jury also acquitted Sgt. Ryan Weemer of dereliction of duty in the November 2004 death.
The panel of eight Marines who served in Iraq or Afghanistan got the case Wednesday and deliberated more than four hours.
Weemer, of Hindsboro, Ill., could have faced a maximum sentence of life in prison and dishonorable discharge if convicted of murder. The maximum sentence for dereliction is six months in prison and a bad conduct discharge.
In closing arguments Wednesday, a defense attorney said the 26-year-old Weemer acted in self-defense.
The prosecutor, Capt. Nicholas Gannon, recounted that Weemer said in recorded interviews that he shot the man and told a squadmate that he would have to live with that for the rest of his life.
Weemer also said in interviews that he and other Marines shot a total of four men in a house after their squad suffered its first fatality.
"I can't bring you an autopsy report," Gannon said. "I don't have one, but we have a lot of evidence that shows you beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused shot an individual in the chest twice.... The killing was unlawful."
The prosecutor told jurors they should convict Weemer of lesser charges of voluntary manslaughter or assault if they acquit him of murder.
During the one-week court-martial, the defense argued that the government could not prove Weemer killed the unarmed captive because there are no bodies, no relatives complaining of a lost loved one and no forensic evidence.
Weemer's civilian attorney, Paul Hackett, said in his closing argument that Weemer fired while he and other Marines were trying to seize a house from insurgents. He recounted testimony and statements of Weemer's squadmates that portrayed a confusing scene.
"This was chaos!" he said. "(The detainees) were not cooperating. If they're not cooperating, they're not under control. If they're not under control, they pose a threat to these Marines."
Hackett told jurors to be skeptical of a 2006 recorded interview that Weemer gave to Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents in which he describes shooting the detainee. He said one agent was an experienced interrogator who knew how to wear Weemer down.
"It is a very, very, very complicated, confusing interview," Hackett said.
Weemer told two NCIS agents that he was covered with the blood of his best friend, who had been killed by a sniper, just before his squad leader ordered him to kill the prisoner, according to a tape recording played at the court martial.
"I grabbed a gun and took him to the back of the house," Weemer, 26, said on the tape. "I shot him twice in the chest."
Weemer said he argued with his squad leader, former Sgt. Jose Luis Nazario, before complying with the order to kill the man, who was taken prisoner when Marines stormed a house on the first day of the assault on Fallujah.
"I definitely wasn't the type to disobey an order," he said.
Last August, Nazario was acquitted in Riverside federal court of killing two prisoners and ordering Weemer and another Marine to each kill one.
Another sergeant, Jermaine Nelson, has pleaded not guilty to unpremeditated murder and dereliction of duty, but his court-martial has been indefinitely postponed because of a flurry of last-minute motions filed by his attorney.
What I Woke Up To
Yeah, I know, I sleep a lot. Cancer, recovering from chemo, compromised immune system, lazy, whatever. Anyway, here's where we are on the Maersk Alabama.
Eagle1's update - Somali Pirates: Navy Destroyer on Scene of Hostage Event
Fox is reporting that the ship and it's contents is moving on the Mombassa. After all, it is food aid for Kenya and they can't hang around indefinitely. Still I am sure leaving the scene was really tough on that crew. There's really no way a group of people can live/work together like that and not be tight-knit. It must be like leaving family behind. I hope it is some consolation that the best this country has to offer, the United States Navy, is staying with CAPT. Phillips.
Eagle1's update - Somali Pirates: Navy Destroyer on Scene of Hostage Event
Fox is reporting that the ship and it's contents is moving on the Mombassa. After all, it is food aid for Kenya and they can't hang around indefinitely. Still I am sure leaving the scene was really tough on that crew. There's really no way a group of people can live/work together like that and not be tight-knit. It must be like leaving family behind. I hope it is some consolation that the best this country has to offer, the United States Navy, is staying with CAPT. Phillips.
April 9, 1939
Easter Sunday - Seventy years ago. Contralto Marian Anderson gave a free open-air concert before more than 75,000 people from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington after the Daughters of the American Revolution denied her use of Constitution Hall because of her race.
****In case you are too lazy to follow Stella's link in the comments -
Stella has left a new comment on your post "April 9, 1939":
You lit up my day with this one. Eleanor Roosevelt resigned from the DAR in protest of the way the organization discriminated against Anderson. Her resignation letter is brief and scathing. The Roosevelts were directly responsible for this historical performance. Thank you.
****In case you are too lazy to follow Stella's link in the comments -
Stella has left a new comment on your post "April 9, 1939":
You lit up my day with this one. Eleanor Roosevelt resigned from the DAR in protest of the way the organization discriminated against Anderson. Her resignation letter is brief and scathing. The Roosevelts were directly responsible for this historical performance. Thank you.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
USS Bainbridge Reaches Somali Coast
OK, one last post. I have to go to bed. I'm now on antibiotics, thanks to my most recent visit to the oncologist. Everytime I visit one of these docs and sit in their petri dish/waiting rooms, I pick up something.
Oh well, here's the latest from the BBC. I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and see what develops!
US warship reaches Somali coast
An American warship, the USS Bainbridge, has reached the area off the coast of Somalia where a cargo ship was seized by pirates a day earlier.
Please keep CAPT Richard Phillips and his family in your thoughts and prayers. I can't imagine how difficult this ordeal must be for them.
Oh well, here's the latest from the BBC. I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and see what develops!
US warship reaches Somali coast
An American warship, the USS Bainbridge, has reached the area off the coast of Somalia where a cargo ship was seized by pirates a day earlier.
Please keep CAPT Richard Phillips and his family in your thoughts and prayers. I can't imagine how difficult this ordeal must be for them.
Here's A Funny Coincidence
Guess what's been going on at the Naval War College in Newport?
NWC Explores Legal and Policy Issues at Piracy Workshop
NWC Explores Legal and Policy Issues at Piracy Workshop
NEWPORT, R.I. (April 8, 2009) Capt. Martin Klüver, German Navy, gives his presentation during the “Legal Expert’s Workshop on Maritime Piracy in the Horn of Africa” held at the Naval War College. The workshop brings together a select group of US and overseas naval officers, scholars, international organizations, and shipping industry representatives to discuss ways to develop new legal approaches for disrupting maritime piracy off the Horn of Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by MCC(AW/AC) Robert Inverso)LOL, the workshop concluded today.
Timing is everything.
Come On Gal - He's an Army Guy
Galrahn twittered '"Col. Jack Jacobs said on MSNBC the USS Bainbridge is an old nuclear cruiser"
I, of course, understand your frustration that someone would not know that the USS Bainbridge is a destroyer, lol...............but come on.........he's an Army guy. And an MOH recipient.
We can cut him some slack for not knowing that the USS Bainbridge CGN-25 was decomm'd in '96.
Meanwhile you should go over to ID for a great timeline and lots of good background.
Also, for the quick giggle - Abu Muqawama's At this moment, we can neither confirm nor deny that Steven Seagal played a role
I, of course, understand your frustration that someone would not know that the USS Bainbridge is a destroyer, lol...............but come on.........he's an Army guy. And an MOH recipient.
We can cut him some slack for not knowing that the USS Bainbridge CGN-25 was decomm'd in '96.
Meanwhile you should go over to ID for a great timeline and lots of good background.
Also, for the quick giggle - Abu Muqawama's At this moment, we can neither confirm nor deny that Steven Seagal played a role
Commodore William Bainbridge, USN, (1774-1833)
You know, the only way to describe this turn of events is..........poetic. To have the USS Bainbridge responding to an incidence of piracy is simply poetic.
From the Naval Historical Center -
William Bainbridge was born in Princeton, New Jersey, on 7 May 1774. He went to sea in the merchant marine in 1789 and was captain of a ship before reaching the age of twenty. Bainbridge was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy in August 1798. Though his first command, the schooner Retaliation, was captured by two much more powerful French frigates in November, Lieutenant Bainbridge was subsequently promoted to the rank of Master Commandant and then to Captain. During 1800-1803 he commanded the U.S. warships George Washington, Essex and Philadelphia during operations in the Mediterranean, but was taken prisoner with his entire crew when Philadelphia ran aground off Tripoli on 31 October 1803.
After regaining his freedom in 1805, Captain Bainbridge supervised naval facilities and the construction of gunboats and, while on leave, again served in the merchant marine. He returned from the last of his commercial voyages in 1812, shortly before the United States went to war with Great Britain. In September he was given command of the frigate Constitution, took her to sea on the second of her War of 1812 cruises, and destroyed HMS Java in battle on 29 December 1812. Bainbridge was stationed at Boston, in charge of building the ship of the line Independence, during most of the rest of the war. In July-November 1815, she was flagship of his squadron during an expedition to the Mediterranean to supress the renewed threat posed by the Barbary states.
Commodore Bainbridge was commander of Navy forces afloat at Boston for much of the rest of the decade, and in 1820-21 flew his flag in the ship of the line Columbus during another Mediterranean cruise. He was later Commandant of the Boston Navy Yard, served as a Naval Commissioner in 1825-1828 and then was Commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Bainbridge returned to the Boston command in 1832, but ill health forced him to leave that post in 1833. He died at Philadelphia on 27 June of that year.
The U.S. Navy has named four ships in honor of William Bainbridge, including: USS Bainbridge (1842-1863); USS Bainbridge (Destroyer # 1), 1902-1920; USS Bainbridge (DD-246), 1921-1945; and USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25, later CGN-25), 1962-1997.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As always, Princess Crabby appreciates all the effort made at the Naval Historical Center...but, baby, it's the Charlestown Navy Yard!
USS Bainbridge DDG 96 Video
So.....what pops up in my email a few minutes ago? A YouTube video about USS Bainbridge DDG 96. I have the best readers!
God speed CDR Frank Castellano and success to all the officers and Sailors aboard.
God speed CDR Frank Castellano and success to all the officers and Sailors aboard.
"Competence, Dedication, Discipline"
USS Bainbridge DDG-96
There is a destroyer headed to wrap up the Maersk Alabama matter. How fitting that it is the USS Bainbridge. William Bainbridge started out in the merchant service, much like CAPTs Phillips and Murphy.
Bainbridge was also CO of Old Ironsides during the War of 1812.
Some Guys From Mass Maritime....
.....tossed some Somali pirates in the drink!
******UPDATE******Capt. Phillips is being held hostage according to Fox.****
BZ, Capt. Richard Phillips & Capt. Shane Murphy and all the crew of the Maersk Alabama!
American Crew Regains Control of Hijacked Ship, One Pirate in Custody
For details the best sources are, of course, Eagle1 & Galrahn.
******UPDATE******Capt. Phillips is being held hostage according to Fox.****
BZ, Capt. Richard Phillips & Capt. Shane Murphy and all the crew of the Maersk Alabama!
American Crew Regains Control of Hijacked Ship, One Pirate in Custody
For details the best sources are, of course, Eagle1 & Galrahn.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Why Wasn't This Plane Shot Down?
Authorities: Pilot of stolen plane captured after fleeing on foot
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The pilot of a small Cessna 172 aircraft reported stolen from a Canadian flight school has been captured, authorities said.
The pilot reportedly stole a small Cessna 172 aircraft from a Canadian flight school, flew hundreds of miles across the Midwest, landed on a dirt road in Missouri late Monday and took off on foot, federal officials said.
Federal, state and local authorities launched a manhunt for the pilot, who was identified by the FBI as Adam Leon, 31, a native of Turkey who became a Canadian citizen last year, according to FBI spokesman Richard Kolko. He was formerly known as Yavuz Berke, though officials did not indicate a reason for the name change.
He was taken into custody at an Ellsinore grocery story after a brief manhunt, according to Missouri state police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
A federal law enforcement source said the pilot parked the plane under what appeared to be a bridge or culvert, apparently in an attempt to hide it.
The plane had been intercepted and tracked by U.S. military aircraft as it flew from Canada into U.S. airspace and meandered southward for several hours before landing, a Department of Homeland Security spokesman said.
It landed in the town of Ellsinore, population 360, in southern Missouri, a dispatcher with the Carter County Sheriff's Office said.
A spokesman for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said the pilot flew "erratically" over the course of the afternoon, at time reaching 14,000 feet in altitude, then dropping as low as 3,000 feet.
The Cessna departed the school in Ontario at about 3 p.m. ET and flew over Lake Superior less than half an hour later, according to NORAD officials. F-16 fighter jets intercepted the pilot near Michigan's upper peninsula border with Wisconsin at 4:43 p.m., and tracked the Cessna until its safe landing.
The NORAD spokesman, Mike Kucharek, said military pilots who intercepted the Cessna had tried repeatedly to get the pilot's attention and at one point, the pilot appeared to acknowledge that he saw the other aircraft.
"He looked at them," Kucharek said.
But the pilot had not communicated with NORAD or the Federal Aviation Administration, Kucharek added later in the evening. At 9:20 p.m., the pilot was believed to have had roughly 30 minutes of fuel left, Kucharek said.
"We don't want to suppose the motive of the individual," Kucharek told CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" after the landing. "But it certainly made a day for the professional pilots that were flying these missions and a very serious situation from a NORAD perspective."
Officials allowed the pilot "to play his hand" because they "[didn't] want to provoke the situation," Kucharek said.
A federal law enforcement official told CNN the pilot is a naturalized Canadian citizen, but declined to give his name or country of origin. The source said the pilot was a flight school student for a "brief" period and only clocked a few hours of flight time.
Canadian officials have received some information that the pilot is "not a happy individual," the official said.
The Cessna departed at about 3 p.m. ET and flew over Lake Superior less than half an hour later, according to NORAD officials. F-16 fighter jets intercepted the pilot near Michigan's upper peninsula border with Wisconsin at 4:43 p.m., and have tracked the Cessna since.
Earlier in the evening, the Wisconsin National Guard deployed two F-16s of its own in an attempt to get the pilot to establish communications with FAA air traffic controllers.
The state capitol in Madison, Wisconsin, was evacuated for less than an hour as a precaution.
FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said the plane was reportedly stolen from a flight school in Thunder Bay, Canada, and the pilot had been identified as a student at the flight school.
Both Lt. Cmdr. Gary Ross of NORAD and Brown of the FAA said the 14,000-feet altitude is above the level at which the FAA requires use of oxygen. Brown said it was not clear whether the Cessna had supplemental oxygen on board.
Ross says the plane is a long-range version of a Cessna 172. It was fully fueled, giving it about seven hours of flying time.
Ross said if NORAD officials believe the aircraft poses a threat, "we take seriously any intent to harm any of our citizens or critical infrastructure."
He added that "all options are on the table although we continue to move towards a resolution that doesn't call for [lethal force]."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SERIOUSLY?????????
Officials allowed the pilot "to play his hand" because they "[didn't] want to provoke the situation," Kucharek said.
Seriously? You didn't want to "provoke the situation"????
So, let me get this straight. In a post 9/11 world, NORAD let a guy born in Turkey, who, odds are was at least born Muslim (99% of Turks are Muslim) steal a plane in the country he had moved to (and changed his name in) and fly hundreds of miles into our country?
I have a headache.
Maybe Gates should cut all your fancy-shmancy toys out of the budget - computers, planes, radar. What the eff? You're not using it anyway. If you're just gonna sit with your thumb up your ass and watch it.....hell, all you need is a good pair of field glasses from LL Bean.
After all, what's the rush, just wait for him to land and then pick him up. I daresay, he wouldn't have been able to blend in with the local population in southern Missouri. Eventually the 360 people who live in Ellsinore would have noticed the Turk with the Canadian accent who didn't eat grits.
What's the big deal?
h/t Bigg Bill
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The pilot of a small Cessna 172 aircraft reported stolen from a Canadian flight school has been captured, authorities said.
The pilot reportedly stole a small Cessna 172 aircraft from a Canadian flight school, flew hundreds of miles across the Midwest, landed on a dirt road in Missouri late Monday and took off on foot, federal officials said.
Federal, state and local authorities launched a manhunt for the pilot, who was identified by the FBI as Adam Leon, 31, a native of Turkey who became a Canadian citizen last year, according to FBI spokesman Richard Kolko. He was formerly known as Yavuz Berke, though officials did not indicate a reason for the name change.
He was taken into custody at an Ellsinore grocery story after a brief manhunt, according to Missouri state police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
A federal law enforcement source said the pilot parked the plane under what appeared to be a bridge or culvert, apparently in an attempt to hide it.
The plane had been intercepted and tracked by U.S. military aircraft as it flew from Canada into U.S. airspace and meandered southward for several hours before landing, a Department of Homeland Security spokesman said.
It landed in the town of Ellsinore, population 360, in southern Missouri, a dispatcher with the Carter County Sheriff's Office said.
A spokesman for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said the pilot flew "erratically" over the course of the afternoon, at time reaching 14,000 feet in altitude, then dropping as low as 3,000 feet.
The Cessna departed the school in Ontario at about 3 p.m. ET and flew over Lake Superior less than half an hour later, according to NORAD officials. F-16 fighter jets intercepted the pilot near Michigan's upper peninsula border with Wisconsin at 4:43 p.m., and tracked the Cessna until its safe landing.
The NORAD spokesman, Mike Kucharek, said military pilots who intercepted the Cessna had tried repeatedly to get the pilot's attention and at one point, the pilot appeared to acknowledge that he saw the other aircraft.
"He looked at them," Kucharek said.
But the pilot had not communicated with NORAD or the Federal Aviation Administration, Kucharek added later in the evening. At 9:20 p.m., the pilot was believed to have had roughly 30 minutes of fuel left, Kucharek said.
"We don't want to suppose the motive of the individual," Kucharek told CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" after the landing. "But it certainly made a day for the professional pilots that were flying these missions and a very serious situation from a NORAD perspective."
Officials allowed the pilot "to play his hand" because they "[didn't] want to provoke the situation," Kucharek said.
A federal law enforcement official told CNN the pilot is a naturalized Canadian citizen, but declined to give his name or country of origin. The source said the pilot was a flight school student for a "brief" period and only clocked a few hours of flight time.
Canadian officials have received some information that the pilot is "not a happy individual," the official said.
The Cessna departed at about 3 p.m. ET and flew over Lake Superior less than half an hour later, according to NORAD officials. F-16 fighter jets intercepted the pilot near Michigan's upper peninsula border with Wisconsin at 4:43 p.m., and have tracked the Cessna since.
Earlier in the evening, the Wisconsin National Guard deployed two F-16s of its own in an attempt to get the pilot to establish communications with FAA air traffic controllers.
The state capitol in Madison, Wisconsin, was evacuated for less than an hour as a precaution.
FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said the plane was reportedly stolen from a flight school in Thunder Bay, Canada, and the pilot had been identified as a student at the flight school.
Both Lt. Cmdr. Gary Ross of NORAD and Brown of the FAA said the 14,000-feet altitude is above the level at which the FAA requires use of oxygen. Brown said it was not clear whether the Cessna had supplemental oxygen on board.
Ross says the plane is a long-range version of a Cessna 172. It was fully fueled, giving it about seven hours of flying time.
Ross said if NORAD officials believe the aircraft poses a threat, "we take seriously any intent to harm any of our citizens or critical infrastructure."
He added that "all options are on the table although we continue to move towards a resolution that doesn't call for [lethal force]."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SERIOUSLY?????????
Officials allowed the pilot "to play his hand" because they "[didn't] want to provoke the situation," Kucharek said.
Seriously? You didn't want to "provoke the situation"????
So, let me get this straight. In a post 9/11 world, NORAD let a guy born in Turkey, who, odds are was at least born Muslim (99% of Turks are Muslim) steal a plane in the country he had moved to (and changed his name in) and fly hundreds of miles into our country?
I have a headache.
Maybe Gates should cut all your fancy-shmancy toys out of the budget - computers, planes, radar. What the eff? You're not using it anyway. If you're just gonna sit with your thumb up your ass and watch it.....hell, all you need is a good pair of field glasses from LL Bean.
After all, what's the rush, just wait for him to land and then pick him up. I daresay, he wouldn't have been able to blend in with the local population in southern Missouri. Eventually the 360 people who live in Ellsinore would have noticed the Turk with the Canadian accent who didn't eat grits.
What's the big deal?
h/t Bigg Bill
Sometime Last Night......
.... I rolled over 100,000 visitors.
The person came from a Stanford University computer through a picture of the NYT headline about the Korean War truce being signed.
The person came from a Stanford University computer through a picture of the NYT headline about the Korean War truce being signed.
So Far So Good
I went to Jordan for the Aredia, a bone strengthener that you get via a two hour IV. When I showed up and checked in, I asked if there was an insurance copay. "No, there are no copays with your policy for chemo." That rocked me back a little. I hadn't thought about this as chemo. After all, there is nothing wrong with my bones. They are giving this to me as a precaution. They are sure the cancer will begin to attack my bones and supposedly this puts me in a better position.
So I settled into a comfortable geri chair and opened my book. It was warm there and the only channel that comes in that deep in the hospital is Magic 106.7.
I had a lot of trouble concentrating on the book. I couldn't think of the names of the songs playing behind my head. I thought, "What if I'm not smart anymore?" I kept pushing that thought out of my mind and texting Jen about how the whole thing blows. Next thing I knew, I was asleep.
Other than sucking the life out of me. It's fine. I am slow moving, but not sick, like Zometa.
The kitchen sink sprang a leak, but Frankie and his friends handled it. The sink has never been replaced in the 27 years I've been here. It's porcelain and all nicked and scuffed. They bought a new sink. Now they want a new counter top. Yikes! So far though I've only spent $95.00. The counter top shouldn't be much more and it had to be done.
I fell asleep after Jack and now I am awake again. I forgot the magnesium.
Oh well, more Nyquil, then back to bed to try again.
So I settled into a comfortable geri chair and opened my book. It was warm there and the only channel that comes in that deep in the hospital is Magic 106.7.
I had a lot of trouble concentrating on the book. I couldn't think of the names of the songs playing behind my head. I thought, "What if I'm not smart anymore?" I kept pushing that thought out of my mind and texting Jen about how the whole thing blows. Next thing I knew, I was asleep.
Other than sucking the life out of me. It's fine. I am slow moving, but not sick, like Zometa.
The kitchen sink sprang a leak, but Frankie and his friends handled it. The sink has never been replaced in the 27 years I've been here. It's porcelain and all nicked and scuffed. They bought a new sink. Now they want a new counter top. Yikes! So far though I've only spent $95.00. The counter top shouldn't be much more and it had to be done.
I fell asleep after Jack and now I am awake again. I forgot the magnesium.
Oh well, more Nyquil, then back to bed to try again.
Monday, April 06, 2009
This Isn't Fair
I have a head cold. That's not a big deal. But today, I am supposed to get the stupid Aredia. I have held them at bay with this nonsense since the horrid experience with Zometa just before New Year's Eve. But they have been so cooperative in not trying cripple me with more chemo, I have in on this.
I got back to work on Thursday and was talking about the Aredia and someone, I can't remember who said "Well make sure you don't have a cold when you do it."
And now I do. If I remember who that was they are in trouble.
Of course, it had to happen. Now that I am off chemo, it is obvious that every time I go to a doctors office I get a little bug.
The Air Force pointed out that elementary schools full of germy little kids are more a petri dish than hospitals and I laughed "Who is going to let me near their kids?" He agreed I had a point.
Anyway, now I worry that the head cold will be exacerbated by the Aredia. I have nothing to base that on short of how sick I got New Year's Eve because I had a head cold that day too.
Oh well, orange juice and soup are the order of the day.
I got back to work on Thursday and was talking about the Aredia and someone, I can't remember who said "Well make sure you don't have a cold when you do it."
And now I do. If I remember who that was they are in trouble.
Of course, it had to happen. Now that I am off chemo, it is obvious that every time I go to a doctors office I get a little bug.
The Air Force pointed out that elementary schools full of germy little kids are more a petri dish than hospitals and I laughed "Who is going to let me near their kids?" He agreed I had a point.
Anyway, now I worry that the head cold will be exacerbated by the Aredia. I have nothing to base that on short of how sick I got New Year's Eve because I had a head cold that day too.
Oh well, orange juice and soup are the order of the day.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Meet My New Friend CAPT Lineberry
Navy Capt. Robert G. Lineberry, CP09 mission commander has been apprised of my importance....or warned about me....lol, depends in how you look at it.
USNS Comfort Departs for Four-Month Humanitarian Mission
We'll be following Jim Dolbow -
“Live Blogging from the USNS Comfort (T-AH-20)"
Later on we will follow Beth Wilson of Homefront in Focus
USNS Comfort Departs for Four-Month Humanitarian Mission
We'll be following Jim Dolbow -
“Live Blogging from the USNS Comfort (T-AH-20)"
Later on we will follow Beth Wilson of Homefront in Focus
It's Good To Know I Didn't Waste All Those Saturday Afternoons
When I was young and there were no plans and the weather outside was inhospitable (and some times when it was very nice), I would watch John Wayne movies.
In Harm's Way
Operation Pacific
They Were Expendable
My favorites were the Navy pics, but I also loved the westerns. Although to be perfectly honest, I didn't appreciate "The Searchers" until I was an adult. Really I think it was his best. "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" on the other hand.....I never came to appreciate. It's just too ridiculous that Vera Miles (or anyone) would pick stupid goofy Jimmy Stewart over John Wayne. Preposterous really.
Anyway, over on FB, I was having a little back and forth with Murray from the Castle.
Maggie: "When is your birthday?"
Murray: "26th, me and John Wayne."
Maggie: "LOL! How did you know that I was such a big fan that I would instantly know that was May?"
Murray: "Everyone loves the Duke. Or voted for Obama."
Maggie: "LOL! So all those Saturday afternoons mooning over the Duke in his dress whites in "Operation Pacific" or "In Harm's Way" were the gods grooming me to vote against Obama in '08?"
Murray: "Yep."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's all clear to me now!
BTW, go read this post at his place.
In Harm's Way
Operation Pacific
They Were Expendable
My favorites were the Navy pics, but I also loved the westerns. Although to be perfectly honest, I didn't appreciate "The Searchers" until I was an adult. Really I think it was his best. "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" on the other hand.....I never came to appreciate. It's just too ridiculous that Vera Miles (or anyone) would pick stupid goofy Jimmy Stewart over John Wayne. Preposterous really.
Anyway, over on FB, I was having a little back and forth with Murray from the Castle.
Maggie: "When is your birthday?"
Murray: "26th, me and John Wayne."
Maggie: "LOL! How did you know that I was such a big fan that I would instantly know that was May?"
Murray: "Everyone loves the Duke. Or voted for Obama."
Maggie: "LOL! So all those Saturday afternoons mooning over the Duke in his dress whites in "Operation Pacific" or "In Harm's Way" were the gods grooming me to vote against Obama in '08?"
Murray: "Yep."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's all clear to me now!
BTW, go read this post at his place.
You Know The Song....
"I can't give you anything but love, baby....."
Well that's where I am. My stupid cancer has me working very little (although it gets better every day) and so money is tight.
So.....that means that I have very little to throw in this pot.
But since I am very fond of the recipient.....I want to do what I can and drive some traffic that way.
Someone very special needs a little hand. A Sailor no less! Anything would be great.
Go here and read the story at Neptunus Lex. Good on him for getting the ball rolling.
Then follow the link in the "Update" at the bottom of the post and throw a few bucks into the fund.
Well that's where I am. My stupid cancer has me working very little (although it gets better every day) and so money is tight.
So.....that means that I have very little to throw in this pot.
But since I am very fond of the recipient.....I want to do what I can and drive some traffic that way.
Someone very special needs a little hand. A Sailor no less! Anything would be great.
Go here and read the story at Neptunus Lex. Good on him for getting the ball rolling.
Then follow the link in the "Update" at the bottom of the post and throw a few bucks into the fund.
USCGC Mackinaw Tends Winter Buoy
Ok, I had to listen twice before I got most of this. I guess I have to work on my Coast Guard skills.
Anyway, this is from my friends at DODvClips.
Holy Moly! Imagine Being This Brave?
Debbie Wasserman Schultz shows steely resolve in grueling cancer battle
But thoughts about cancer didn't consume her. "I remember how she was only half out of anesthesia and she was on the BlackBerry," says her brother, Steve Wasserman, an assistant U.S. attorney in Washington, who was with her during the mastectomy.
Nine days after that surgery in February 2008, she hosted a fundraiser for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, while getting pain medication from a pump hidden in her purse.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am in awe of such bravery. I was astonished as I watched Chris Wallace interviewed her for the FoxNews Sunday "Power Player of the Week"
But thoughts about cancer didn't consume her. "I remember how she was only half out of anesthesia and she was on the BlackBerry," says her brother, Steve Wasserman, an assistant U.S. attorney in Washington, who was with her during the mastectomy.
Nine days after that surgery in February 2008, she hosted a fundraiser for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, while getting pain medication from a pump hidden in her purse.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am in awe of such bravery. I was astonished as I watched Chris Wallace interviewed her for the FoxNews Sunday "Power Player of the Week"
Remembering The Victims of La Belle Discotheque
April 5, 1986
The first story
2 DIE IN BOMB BLAST AT WEST BERLIN DISCO
Later it became clear that it was three and two of them were American servicemen.
Sgt Kenneth T. Ford
Sgt James E. Goins
The first story
2 DIE IN BOMB BLAST AT WEST BERLIN DISCO
Later it became clear that it was three and two of them were American servicemen.
Sgt Kenneth T. Ford
Sgt James E. Goins
Newt & Mark Sanford on FoxNews Sunday
"Are you saying President Gingrich have taken out that missile?"
"Yes"
The Armorer tells us all to chill. So I asked -
"How many people do I have to take out in the line of succession so that ADM Keating becomes POTUS. He's calm, he's firm, he's smart, he's armed. In other words, he is my Dad but 14 years younger. And my Dad is way too far down the line."
Gingrich wants us preparing to either stop or deal with an EMP. There's another book I have to read!
Gingrich also cautions against repeating the mistakes of the Carter Administration. He thinks it's very dangerous to have a "fantasy foreign policy".
"Yes"
The Armorer tells us all to chill. So I asked -
"How many people do I have to take out in the line of succession so that ADM Keating becomes POTUS. He's calm, he's firm, he's smart, he's armed. In other words, he is my Dad but 14 years younger. And my Dad is way too far down the line."
Gingrich wants us preparing to either stop or deal with an EMP. There's another book I have to read!
Gingrich also cautions against repeating the mistakes of the Carter Administration. He thinks it's very dangerous to have a "fantasy foreign policy".
That Mark Steyn Is A Funny Bastid
Lot's of people are talking about the Obama-bow. Les called me today - "Did Obama really bow to the King of Saudi Arabia??" I sent him a pic and video.
Villainous Company has great commentary with other stuff pulled in.
But Mark Steyn's three line post at NRO was the best -
Villainous Company has great commentary with other stuff pulled in.
But Mark Steyn's three line post at NRO was the best -
Friday, April 03, 2009
It's Come to This [Mark Steyn]
President Obama apologizes to Europe.
I think I preferred him when he had his butt in the air and was staring at King Abdullah's shoes.
(As George V, rex et imperator 1910-36, said, "Only waiters bow at the waist.")
04/03 12:25 PMShare
Saturday, April 04, 2009
That's Right!
It's tuna in the tuna bowl!!! After work Jen, Grace, Debbie and I met up at my parent's house. I had tuna (my Dad buys the premium stuff in the gold can) on toast. 
Jennifer had a grilled cheese, Grace had turkey and Debbie had a smorgasbord of snacky things. My father wanted her to try his new jam "Smucker's Orchard Finest". 
When she liked the strawberry, he brought out the blueberry. Then he went to the back hall and got some triple berry thing. She had some chips and Cheeze-Its. When Grace mentioned having pizza earlier in the day, Debbie demanded to know how she missed that. I can only laugh at all this because she is as thin as a rail even though she eats like a puppy.
After a cleanup that lasted almost as long as the meal.....lol. Not my fault, my Dad kept bringing things out! Anyway, we went into the parlour to watch "Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day".
Silly, but we liked it.
All in all, a very good evening.
But then I came home.
Frankie and his crew had left me a sink full of dirty dishes. Ok, I got that cleaned up.
I flipped on SNL and the opening skit was just depressing. Obama explaining how he would decide which businesses would survive and which would close.....willingly, he hoped. Otherwise by force. Brrrr!
So I popped over to the computer to blog about the tuna bowl when I got the Washington Post alert about the damn North Koreans. Now I have to pop over to see what various members of the Naval blogosphere have to say about this.
Gal - North Korea Launches Rocket
Newt explains why you need to pay attention.
Jennifer had a grilled cheese, Grace had turkey and Debbie had a smorgasbord of snacky things. My father wanted her to try his new jam "Smucker's Orchard Finest". When she liked the strawberry, he brought out the blueberry. Then he went to the back hall and got some triple berry thing. She had some chips and Cheeze-Its. When Grace mentioned having pizza earlier in the day, Debbie demanded to know how she missed that. I can only laugh at all this because she is as thin as a rail even though she eats like a puppy.After a cleanup that lasted almost as long as the meal.....lol. Not my fault, my Dad kept bringing things out! Anyway, we went into the parlour to watch "Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day".
Silly, but we liked it.
All in all, a very good evening.
But then I came home.
Frankie and his crew had left me a sink full of dirty dishes. Ok, I got that cleaned up.
I flipped on SNL and the opening skit was just depressing. Obama explaining how he would decide which businesses would survive and which would close.....willingly, he hoped. Otherwise by force. Brrrr!
So I popped over to the computer to blog about the tuna bowl when I got the Washington Post alert about the damn North Koreans. Now I have to pop over to see what various members of the Naval blogosphere have to say about this.
Gal - North Korea Launches Rocket
Newt explains why you need to pay attention.
I Can Neither Confirm.....
...nor deny that this a picture of Mini-Eggs on my desk at work.
My cousin Jessica said on my Facebook wall - "So, back to chocolate...whatever you do do not read the nutrition label of Cadbury Mini Eggs. I was horrified."
My response was that you just have to look on the bright side -
See? 6% of your daily calcium!
My cousin Jessica said on my Facebook wall - "So, back to chocolate...whatever you do do not read the nutrition label of Cadbury Mini Eggs. I was horrified."My response was that you just have to look on the bright side -
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 12 eggs / 40g
Amount per Serving
Calories 200
Calories from Fat 81 % Daily Value * Total Fat 9g 14% Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 30mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 28g 9%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 27g
Protein 2g 4%
Vitamin A 0%
Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 6%
Iron 0%
Est. Percent of Calories from:
Fat 40.5%
Carbs 56.0%
Protein 4.0%
See? 6% of your daily calcium!
My Birthday Gift From Gracie
I took a few pics to share, but you know they were all shaky and blurry. So I brought it into work and Rachael took some for me.
As one might guess, a Navy girl who lives 800 feet from the Atlantic Ocean likes a beach theme.
Rachael was so impressed with this that she made sure to take a pic of the border so people who are crafty could appreciate Grace's mad skills. 
When I saw what she had embroidered on the back - "I love you once, I love you twice, I love you more than Coke & ice" I got the tiniest bit verklempt. When Tommy was a baby I read or heard a rhyme somewhere "I love you once, I love you twice, I love you more than beans & rice". I thought that was ridiculous! What don't I love more than beans and rice? It must have been some southern thing, lol. Anyway, I changed it to something more meaningful. Now Coke & ice..........there's something to love. Picture a perfect summer day relaxing in the yard with a nice glass of Coke & ice.....mmmmmm.
As one might guess, a Navy girl who lives 800 feet from the Atlantic Ocean likes a beach theme.Rachael was so impressed with this that she made sure to take a pic of the border so people who are crafty could appreciate Grace's mad skills. When I saw what she had embroidered on the back - "I love you once, I love you twice, I love you more than Coke & ice" I got the tiniest bit verklempt. When Tommy was a baby I read or heard a rhyme somewhere "I love you once, I love you twice, I love you more than beans & rice". I thought that was ridiculous! What don't I love more than beans and rice? It must have been some southern thing, lol. Anyway, I changed it to something more meaningful. Now Coke & ice..........there's something to love. Picture a perfect summer day relaxing in the yard with a nice glass of Coke & ice.....mmmmmm. So you would know you were important if I loved you more than that! I said it to both my babies, all of Grace's babies and Frankie's babies too.
Thank you Gracie. it's perfect.
A Grownup In South Carolina
Can we get one of these in Massachusetts?
Rejecting Aid, One Governor Irks His Own
By SHAILA DEWAN
Published: April 3, 2009
COLUMBIA, S.C. — For a millionaire, Gov. Mark Sanford has a reputation for frugality that borders on the extreme.
Former employees say he has been known to require his staff to use both sides of a Post-it note. When Mr. Sanford was a congressman, he slept on a futon in his office and returned his housing allowance. And when, after he moved into the Governor’s Mansion here, tax collectors declared his family’s home on Sullivan’s Island a secondary residence subject to a higher tax rate, he appealed and won.
Now, with his threat to refuse more than $700 million in federal money to stimulate the economy, Mr. Sanford’s contrarian streak is taking him from South Carolina, which is second only to Michigan in unemployment, to the national stage.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wow, just cause he has money, he doesn't waste it. How astonishing! LOL The NYT has to be staffed with trust fund babies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Without the money, predicted State Senator Hugh K. Leatherman Sr., the chairman of the Finance Committee and a Republican, there would be “budgetary Armageddon.” Public schools would lose an estimated 3,000 jobs, including 1,500 teaching positions. Prisons could be forced to release thousands of inmates. Tuition and class sizes would increase at universities, which have already suffered larger budget cuts than any other state system this year, according to Harris Pastides, the president of the University of South Carolina.
Mr. Sanford said those forecasts were intended to scare people and were based on the faulty assumption that no other savings could be found in the budget.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You see this is what happens in Massachusetts all the effing time.
Someone tries to be the grownup and cut some pork.
Someone tries to explain the state budget is hideously bloated and it hurting taxpayers.
Someone tries to say.....institute a tax cut.
And Deval and his minions and all the state legislators and all of those who feed at the public trough scream! "There will be no money for schools - every child will suffer!" "There will be no money for municipalities - we will have to lay off cops and firefighters!"
BS!
Their problem is that there will be no money to hire neighbors for do nothing jobs.
Their problem is there will be no money for people who double their pensions.
Sanford didn't fall for it. He wasn't cowed by the extreme rhetoric of those who live like parasites off of tax money.
In the end the majority of Massachusetts voters fell for the scare tactic and let Deval keep the money.
Guess what, firefighters still got laid off, but fortunately there was enough money so Deval didn't have to honor the hiring freeze.
Rejecting Aid, One Governor Irks His Own
By SHAILA DEWAN
Published: April 3, 2009
COLUMBIA, S.C. — For a millionaire, Gov. Mark Sanford has a reputation for frugality that borders on the extreme.
Former employees say he has been known to require his staff to use both sides of a Post-it note. When Mr. Sanford was a congressman, he slept on a futon in his office and returned his housing allowance. And when, after he moved into the Governor’s Mansion here, tax collectors declared his family’s home on Sullivan’s Island a secondary residence subject to a higher tax rate, he appealed and won.
Now, with his threat to refuse more than $700 million in federal money to stimulate the economy, Mr. Sanford’s contrarian streak is taking him from South Carolina, which is second only to Michigan in unemployment, to the national stage.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wow, just cause he has money, he doesn't waste it. How astonishing! LOL The NYT has to be staffed with trust fund babies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Without the money, predicted State Senator Hugh K. Leatherman Sr., the chairman of the Finance Committee and a Republican, there would be “budgetary Armageddon.” Public schools would lose an estimated 3,000 jobs, including 1,500 teaching positions. Prisons could be forced to release thousands of inmates. Tuition and class sizes would increase at universities, which have already suffered larger budget cuts than any other state system this year, according to Harris Pastides, the president of the University of South Carolina.
Mr. Sanford said those forecasts were intended to scare people and were based on the faulty assumption that no other savings could be found in the budget.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You see this is what happens in Massachusetts all the effing time.
Someone tries to be the grownup and cut some pork.
Someone tries to explain the state budget is hideously bloated and it hurting taxpayers.
Someone tries to say.....institute a tax cut.
And Deval and his minions and all the state legislators and all of those who feed at the public trough scream! "There will be no money for schools - every child will suffer!" "There will be no money for municipalities - we will have to lay off cops and firefighters!"
BS!
Their problem is that there will be no money to hire neighbors for do nothing jobs.
Their problem is there will be no money for people who double their pensions.
Sanford didn't fall for it. He wasn't cowed by the extreme rhetoric of those who live like parasites off of tax money.
In the end the majority of Massachusetts voters fell for the scare tactic and let Deval keep the money.
Guess what, firefighters still got laid off, but fortunately there was enough money so Deval didn't have to honor the hiring freeze.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Let's Celebrate!
Today was the local oncologist. We went over tests, etc.
And.............
I am free for three months with him as well!
No blood tests, no office visits.
I was nice and agreed to Aredia quarterly. I told him that I didn't want to be completely horrid, just rather difficult.
In the beginning the "number" was everything. When they saw the IgA was 5948 it was a big deal, stage IIIA. Then there was the whole battle to get it down. But now, with some context......
After all I still have no symptoms of the cancer and as near as I can figure the tests that set off this alarm (elevated total protein, low albumin, anemia, etc.) have been present for at least three years.
In 10 months of testing my blood they see my kidneys are fine.
So I have won!!! I have brought both of them around to my point of view - that there is no value in giving me problems to fight a cancer that isn't hurting me.
So now I have three months to further heal from the chemo. Three months to concentrate on losing all the weight I gained. Three months to see what all these nutritional supplements (extra "D", curcumin, cinnamon, etc) can do to possibly fight my cancer naturally.
Tonight there will be pasta and chocolate (no, not on the same plate). Jen and I will watch "The Unit", we are three episodes behind.
Then tomorrow starts three months of Atkins and the gym and lots of water and all my vitamins.
And.............
I am free for three months with him as well!
No blood tests, no office visits.
I was nice and agreed to Aredia quarterly. I told him that I didn't want to be completely horrid, just rather difficult.
In the beginning the "number" was everything. When they saw the IgA was 5948 it was a big deal, stage IIIA. Then there was the whole battle to get it down. But now, with some context......
After all I still have no symptoms of the cancer and as near as I can figure the tests that set off this alarm (elevated total protein, low albumin, anemia, etc.) have been present for at least three years.
In 10 months of testing my blood they see my kidneys are fine.
So I have won!!! I have brought both of them around to my point of view - that there is no value in giving me problems to fight a cancer that isn't hurting me.
So now I have three months to further heal from the chemo. Three months to concentrate on losing all the weight I gained. Three months to see what all these nutritional supplements (extra "D", curcumin, cinnamon, etc) can do to possibly fight my cancer naturally.
Tonight there will be pasta and chocolate (no, not on the same plate). Jen and I will watch "The Unit", we are three episodes behind.
Then tomorrow starts three months of Atkins and the gym and lots of water and all my vitamins.
Congratulations, Col. Paul Funk
Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, Fort Hood and III Corps commander, pins a Legion of Merit on Col. Paul Funk, III Corps chief of staff during a farewell ceremony on Tuesday at the III Corps.BZ Col. Funk! And it's always good to see my friend Rick.
What Donut?
Jen & I went to breakfast at our favorite place. We had bacon and cheese omelets, no home fries, like good little Atkins girls.
On our way to our jobs in our separate cars, we swing through the DD for tea to go. I was first, I ordered a large hot tea, two bags, two splenda and a donut. I drive around the corner to pay. The guy hands me the donut first (Jen can't see me), I hand him a five and ask if the woman in the car behind me got tea. I have enough to cover her tea. He says "Yes, do you want to pay for that?" I say yes and he keeps my change. "Thanks, don't tell her about the donut."
I drive away and head for work.
I am enjoying my donut and in comes a text "Thanks for the tea. I know about the donut."
What?????
I read it to the office and Rachael advises me to pop the last of it in my mouth and say "What donut?"
I send back a text "Donut? What donut? I don't have a donut. What a finkah!"
Jen calls laughing "He didn't fink. I rolled up and he handed me the tea and said 'The lady in the car ahead already paid for it.' I laughed and told him you were my sister and this must be a bribe. That you must have gotten something you shouldn't have. He said 'I don't know anything about that!' and looked upset. I laughed and told him not to worry. But then when I was moving the cup I realized it was coffee and had to go back. I went inside and while he was getting the tea he said 'Your sister is going to think I told on her and I messed up your tea, I'm having a bad day.' So I just told him 'At least you're not a finker."
It was a good donut. It's fun to be bad.
On our way to our jobs in our separate cars, we swing through the DD for tea to go. I was first, I ordered a large hot tea, two bags, two splenda and a donut. I drive around the corner to pay. The guy hands me the donut first (Jen can't see me), I hand him a five and ask if the woman in the car behind me got tea. I have enough to cover her tea. He says "Yes, do you want to pay for that?" I say yes and he keeps my change. "Thanks, don't tell her about the donut."
I drive away and head for work.
I am enjoying my donut and in comes a text "Thanks for the tea. I know about the donut."
What?????
I read it to the office and Rachael advises me to pop the last of it in my mouth and say "What donut?"
I send back a text "Donut? What donut? I don't have a donut. What a finkah!"
Jen calls laughing "He didn't fink. I rolled up and he handed me the tea and said 'The lady in the car ahead already paid for it.' I laughed and told him you were my sister and this must be a bribe. That you must have gotten something you shouldn't have. He said 'I don't know anything about that!' and looked upset. I laughed and told him not to worry. But then when I was moving the cup I realized it was coffee and had to go back. I went inside and while he was getting the tea he said 'Your sister is going to think I told on her and I messed up your tea, I'm having a bad day.' So I just told him 'At least you're not a finker."
It was a good donut. It's fun to be bad.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Happy 116th Anniversary CPOs!
April 1st is the anniversary of the grade of Chief Petty Officer, created in 1893.
To read more about "History of the Chief Petty Officer Grade" go here.
And of course, the number one place to learn everything you need to know about CPOs is "The Goat Locker"
The picture is courtesy of the MCPON's PAO on Twitter.
Story Number: NNS090331-04Release Date: 3/31/2009 9:47:00 AM
From Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SS/SW) Rick D. West
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- On the occasion of the chief petty officers' 116th birthday, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (SS/SW) Rick D. West sent the following March 30.
"On April 1st, our entire mess will pause to celebrate the 116th birthday of the United States Navy chief petty officer. Traditionally, this is a time for each of us to look at the honored traditions of our mess and the heritage associated with it.
In the days leading up to our birthday, I've taken some time to read up on many of my predecessors. One I'd like to discuss with you this year is our fifth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, MCPON Billy Sanders.
Twenty five years ago, MCPON Sanders was leading an enlisted force that was gradually downsizing, and he was stressing a need to keep our ranks filled with the best possible people.
He turned his attention to the senior enlisted and said that there was no room for mediocrity. He addressed the entire group and told the master chiefs, senior chiefs and chiefs that, "it's clear from your years of service that you have made a career decision to remain in the Navy — that's not enough.
It's time to be a professional military man or woman.""It's time," Sanders wrote, "to be Navy."
What a statement, and look at how relevant it is today as we reach the end of a time where our force has grown smaller. Leadership at the CPO level has never been more important, and Sanders' words still apply.
I'd recommend each of you take the time to read up on the history of our mess. I think you'll find, as I did, that the lessons from our past have remained current to this day.
Happy birthday shipmates. I really appreciate the hard work you do every single day.
Don't forget those who have gone before us and the standards they set for us all. Keeping our heritage alive is a Mess responsibility.
Thank you for your leadership.
Anchor up and hooyah Navy chiefs!!"
Thank You
To a reader/commenter, B. Walthrop. He read this post and thought he might help. He sent me an Excel spreadsheet that while I can't figure out how to upload it here, was a big help. It let me take a step back and see a pattern I couldn't see before.
Wow! These Sailors really are helpful.
The AirForce chimed in with -
Wow! These Sailors really are helpful.
The AirForce chimed in with -
Hey Princess,
From your chart, I would sell NEMC and buy Jordan. Or figure out if you had that cold when you were tested...or are you just testy.
From My Email
Thanks George!
A US Congressman was seated next to a little girl on the airplane when the Congressman turned to her and said, 'Let's talk. I've heard that flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger.'
The little girl, who had just opened her book, closed it slowly and said to the stranger, 'What would you like to talk about?".
'Oh, I don't know,' said the stranger. 'How about the banking crisis?' and he smiles.
"OK, " she said. 'That could be an interesting and timely topic. But let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff - grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, and a horse produces clumps of dried grass. Why do you suppose that is?'
The Congressman, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, ''Hmmm, I have no idea.''
To which the little girl replies, ''Do you really feel qualified to discuss banking when you don't know shit?"
A US Congressman was seated next to a little girl on the airplane when the Congressman turned to her and said, 'Let's talk. I've heard that flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger.'
The little girl, who had just opened her book, closed it slowly and said to the stranger, 'What would you like to talk about?".
'Oh, I don't know,' said the stranger. 'How about the banking crisis?' and he smiles.
"OK, " she said. 'That could be an interesting and timely topic. But let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff - grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, and a horse produces clumps of dried grass. Why do you suppose that is?'
The Congressman, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, ''Hmmm, I have no idea.''
To which the little girl replies, ''Do you really feel qualified to discuss banking when you don't know shit?"
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
A Great Commentary On Word Play
One of the things I have found most irritating about the new Administration are the word games.
Dropping some words - "terrorism", "intelligence", "analysis", "mission" and "attacks".
So "terrorism" is now "man-caused disasters"? WTF?
That's why I was so amused by this from "War On Terror News"
While we try to stay out of the emotional side of the argument to a great extent, we're not exactly politically correct either. Even OurName has been banned by the new administration. And the only suggestion we received on a new one was "Crusade 2.0" which would have spawned a whole new article, but the IT monsters ate it after a great deal of work.
Personally, I'm hoping he names it Operations Globally Relatively to Assigned Service Missions, so I can become the ORGASM News. Otherwise, I'm sticking to this one.
Dropping some words - "terrorism", "intelligence", "analysis", "mission" and "attacks".
So "terrorism" is now "man-caused disasters"? WTF?
That's why I was so amused by this from "War On Terror News"
While we try to stay out of the emotional side of the argument to a great extent, we're not exactly politically correct either. Even OurName has been banned by the new administration. And the only suggestion we received on a new one was "Crusade 2.0" which would have spawned a whole new article, but the IT monsters ate it after a great deal of work.
Personally, I'm hoping he names it Operations Globally Relatively to Assigned Service Missions, so I can become the ORGASM News. Otherwise, I'm sticking to this one.
I Might Have To Give Up Sailors
...and start dating doctors. I know that sounds drastic, but figuring out all these tests is kicking my ass.
Look at this stupid graph. How am I supposed to figure this shit out if the difference between labs is so drastic?
Tuesday the 24th I go to NEMC & the IgA is 4190, a big jump. Wednesday the 25th I go to the local lab affiliated with Jordan & the IgA is 3776.
WTF?
So to try to compare apples to apples -
22 JAN @ NEMC 3340
24 MARCH @ NEMC 4190then
25 FEB @ Jordan 3464
25 MARCH @ Jordan 3776
Of course, in the end, this discussion is academic. I am not going back on chemo until they get desperate enough (or smart enough) to get my Dad to make me.
And the glucose result didn't make sense either.
On the days leading up to the 24th I ate well and on the actual date I hadn't eaten anything.
NEMC Glucose result = 117. Which, depending on your reference range, is high or the high end of normal.
The evening of the 24th we go out to celebrate my three month repreive on chemo. Carbs, sugar, alcohol....the works!
Jordan glucose result the next morning? 100. I don't get it.
But both test results and labs agree that my red blood count finally crept into the low end of normal.
Monday, March 30, 2009
The SecDef Needs To Get More Sleep
What the efff?????????????
Of course we are prepared to do anything we need to do.
What are you doing throwing Tim under the bus?
Why didn't Gates go back and correct the question?
Are we prepared? YES Are we going to do this right now? No
Red Herring
OK, I wasn't (and wouldn't want to be) in Katherine Ann Powers mind. I don't know that her motive when participating in Patrolman Walter Schroeder's murder was to assist William Ayers.
I do know that Patrolman Schroeder is dead. His children orphans.
I do know that the FBI (on their own website) labels Katherine Ann Powers as a member of the Weather Underground.
I do know that William Ayers is the admitted leader of the Weather Underground.
I do know that Ayers admits that he wishes he had done more.
I do know that Ayers said "Guilty as Hell, free as a bird. America is a great country" at the end of Fugitive Days.
Should Ayers have a forum to spew from?
No.
Ayers is a terrorist.
I do know that Patrolman Schroeder is dead. His children orphans.
I do know that the FBI (on their own website) labels Katherine Ann Powers as a member of the Weather Underground.
I do know that William Ayers is the admitted leader of the Weather Underground.
I do know that Ayers admits that he wishes he had done more.
I do know that Ayers said "Guilty as Hell, free as a bird. America is a great country" at the end of Fugitive Days.
Should Ayers have a forum to spew from?
No.
Ayers is a terrorist.
Remember Walter Schroeder
Family and friends of Patrolman Walter Schroeder will be meeting up at Boston College on Commonwealth Avenue tonight. All are welcome. Ayers may not be speaking on the grounds, but many still think Patrolman Schroeder's life should be honored.
If you can make it and support the memory of a hero tonight at 5 pm that would be great. I will try to make it, but I don't think I can be there by 5.
As more details become available, I will link to them, but I would guess the most up-to-date info will be on Michael Graham's blog.
Patrolman Walter Schroeder is a hero who rushed to answer an alarm at a bank robbery. He gave his life trying to save others.
Patrolman Walter A. Schroeder
Boston Police Department Massachusetts
End of Watch: Thursday, September 24, 1970
Biographical InfoAge: 42
Tour of Duty: 19 years
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, September 24, 1970
Weapon Used: Rifle; M-1
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Patrolman Schroeder was shot and killed while responding to a silent alarm at a bank at 9:20 am. The bank was being robbed by a gang of anti-Vietnam War activists. As he exited his cruiser and walked towards the bank a gang member who was across the street opened fire on him with a rifle, striking him in the back several times. Patrolman Schroeder was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.The trigger man was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, but has been denied parole each time. The other gang members were all sentenced to prison but are now mostly freed.Patrolman Schroeder's brother, Detective John Schroeder, was shot and killed while working for the same agency on November 30, 1973.Patrolman Schroeder had been with the agency for 19 years and was survived by his wife and nine children.
If you can make it and support the memory of a hero tonight at 5 pm that would be great. I will try to make it, but I don't think I can be there by 5.
As more details become available, I will link to them, but I would guess the most up-to-date info will be on Michael Graham's blog.
Patrolman Walter Schroeder is a hero who rushed to answer an alarm at a bank robbery. He gave his life trying to save others.
Patrolman Walter A. Schroeder
Boston Police Department Massachusetts
End of Watch: Thursday, September 24, 1970
Biographical InfoAge: 42
Tour of Duty: 19 years
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, September 24, 1970
Weapon Used: Rifle; M-1
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Patrolman Schroeder was shot and killed while responding to a silent alarm at a bank at 9:20 am. The bank was being robbed by a gang of anti-Vietnam War activists. As he exited his cruiser and walked towards the bank a gang member who was across the street opened fire on him with a rifle, striking him in the back several times. Patrolman Schroeder was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.The trigger man was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, but has been denied parole each time. The other gang members were all sentenced to prison but are now mostly freed.Patrolman Schroeder's brother, Detective John Schroeder, was shot and killed while working for the same agency on November 30, 1973.Patrolman Schroeder had been with the agency for 19 years and was survived by his wife and nine children.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
And the Whining Begins!
University cancels Ayers speaking engagement due to safety concerns
Published in the Thursday, March 26, 2009 Edition of
By Matthew DeLuca
News Editor
Bill Ayers, known for his involvement in the Weather Underground as well as for his work as an education theorist was to speak at Boston College Monday before the event was canceled by the University on Friday. The event had been organized by Americans for Informed Democracy (AID).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
University Spokesman Jack Dunn said that Karl Bell, assistant dean in the Office for Student Development, met with the event organizers during the day on Friday to inform them that protests of the event had been organized by, among others, Boston Police and family members of Boston Police Sergeant Walter Shroeder, who was allegedly killed by members of the Weather Underground in September of 1970. The Boston Globe reported that Shroeder was shot by William Gilday in the course of a bank robbery in Brighton. Ayers was never convicted of implication in the crime.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1st Bravo Zulu to the BPD for getting out in front of this - Never Forget
2nd "convicted of implication in the crime"? What?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The event's organizer's were "disappointed " by the event's last-minute cancellation. "BC is setting a dangerous precedent by canceling this event. In the past, administrators have cancelled events that they see as being at odds with Jesuit, Catholic ideals. Now, a new precedent has been set which permits the cancellation of any event that is at odds with the ideals of BC's wealthy and largely conservative donors," said Melissa Roberts, vice president of the BC College Democrats and A&S '09. "A university should be a place where students can hear all ideas, not just popular or profitable ones."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seriously? You think it was about money? Seriously?
This is something I always find comical. Person "A" expresses their opinion. Person "B" expresses an opposing viewpoint. This is the give and take of a free society, right? Until Person "A" starts crying about Person "B" suppressing their "freedom of speech"!!! What?
Grow up.
To those at BC who issued this invitation for Ayers to speak - if you thought it was right for him to speak, you would have publicized it. Your website calls attention to all your other proposed speakers, but no mention about Ayers. Why? Because you know it was wrong. You were hiding it. You cries that your freedoms are being suppressed are pathetic.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Commenters - If you wish to comment, remain civil and you will be published. This blog has comment moderation and I use it. My place, my rules.
Published in the Thursday, March 26, 2009 Edition of
By Matthew DeLuca
News Editor
Bill Ayers, known for his involvement in the Weather Underground as well as for his work as an education theorist was to speak at Boston College Monday before the event was canceled by the University on Friday. The event had been organized by Americans for Informed Democracy (AID).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
University Spokesman Jack Dunn said that Karl Bell, assistant dean in the Office for Student Development, met with the event organizers during the day on Friday to inform them that protests of the event had been organized by, among others, Boston Police and family members of Boston Police Sergeant Walter Shroeder, who was allegedly killed by members of the Weather Underground in September of 1970. The Boston Globe reported that Shroeder was shot by William Gilday in the course of a bank robbery in Brighton. Ayers was never convicted of implication in the crime.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1st Bravo Zulu to the BPD for getting out in front of this - Never Forget
2nd "convicted of implication in the crime"? What?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The event's organizer's were "disappointed " by the event's last-minute cancellation. "BC is setting a dangerous precedent by canceling this event. In the past, administrators have cancelled events that they see as being at odds with Jesuit, Catholic ideals. Now, a new precedent has been set which permits the cancellation of any event that is at odds with the ideals of BC's wealthy and largely conservative donors," said Melissa Roberts, vice president of the BC College Democrats and A&S '09. "A university should be a place where students can hear all ideas, not just popular or profitable ones."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seriously? You think it was about money? Seriously?
This is something I always find comical. Person "A" expresses their opinion. Person "B" expresses an opposing viewpoint. This is the give and take of a free society, right? Until Person "A" starts crying about Person "B" suppressing their "freedom of speech"!!! What?
Grow up.
To those at BC who issued this invitation for Ayers to speak - if you thought it was right for him to speak, you would have publicized it. Your website calls attention to all your other proposed speakers, but no mention about Ayers. Why? Because you know it was wrong. You were hiding it. You cries that your freedoms are being suppressed are pathetic.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Commenters - If you wish to comment, remain civil and you will be published. This blog has comment moderation and I use it. My place, my rules.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
I Missed Earth Hour!
But not "Human Achievement Hour"!
I read about it in a post over at the Castle.
Leave it to BCR to come up with the best comment on a scientific/technological issue.
By bad cat robot on March 28, 2009 11:54 AM
I'm going to light up the house like it's Christmas, and celebrate Human Achievement Hour. I will work on my computer, that has more calculational ability than the entire Apollo program, listen to music on CDs, possibly watch a movie on a DVD, make a call on my cell phone, watch my motion-sensor outdoor lights switch on to point out a trespasser, and not die of appendicitis, food poisoning, or cholera. And if any sanctimonious twit complains about my ecological crime, I will fire up my DEATH RAY which has a carbon footprint roughly the size of Manhattan.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then someone seriously thought My Darling Chief sounded lonely! LOL Are you kidding?
Anyway, this was my response to all -
By Maggie on March 28, 2009 11:22 PM
Where do I start!!!! BCR - I love Human Achievement Hour and their video rocked!Bill, "Enemy at the Gates of 1283 E. McGovern Dr." was also a big hit. I had planned to light my house up like Christmas for Earth Hour/Human Achievement Hour, but was late getting home from a family gathering. So does it count that I was driving - well speeding really, over the Mystic River bridge, blasting ColdPlay, window down, heated seat switched on?Of course my house was actually lit up like Christmas because Frankie had friends over for some basketball game. Every light, the TV, the computer, the fridge running full steam chilling & dispensing Bud, the microwave & oven serving up appropriate snacks.Sam - it's a rough crowd baby - better put on your pads. My Darling Chief is never lonely! He has more women in more ports than any ten Sailors....and I would know, I have an advanced degree in the study of the mating habits of the American Sailor.
I read about it in a post over at the Castle.
Leave it to BCR to come up with the best comment on a scientific/technological issue.
By bad cat robot on March 28, 2009 11:54 AM
I'm going to light up the house like it's Christmas, and celebrate Human Achievement Hour. I will work on my computer, that has more calculational ability than the entire Apollo program, listen to music on CDs, possibly watch a movie on a DVD, make a call on my cell phone, watch my motion-sensor outdoor lights switch on to point out a trespasser, and not die of appendicitis, food poisoning, or cholera. And if any sanctimonious twit complains about my ecological crime, I will fire up my DEATH RAY which has a carbon footprint roughly the size of Manhattan.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then someone seriously thought My Darling Chief sounded lonely! LOL Are you kidding?
Anyway, this was my response to all -
By Maggie on March 28, 2009 11:22 PM
Where do I start!!!! BCR - I love Human Achievement Hour and their video rocked!Bill, "Enemy at the Gates of 1283 E. McGovern Dr." was also a big hit. I had planned to light my house up like Christmas for Earth Hour/Human Achievement Hour, but was late getting home from a family gathering. So does it count that I was driving - well speeding really, over the Mystic River bridge, blasting ColdPlay, window down, heated seat switched on?Of course my house was actually lit up like Christmas because Frankie had friends over for some basketball game. Every light, the TV, the computer, the fridge running full steam chilling & dispensing Bud, the microwave & oven serving up appropriate snacks.Sam - it's a rough crowd baby - better put on your pads. My Darling Chief is never lonely! He has more women in more ports than any ten Sailors....and I would know, I have an advanced degree in the study of the mating habits of the American Sailor.
What A Great Time!
After Tim's Mass (where I was lucky not to be sitting with my sisters - too dangerous), most of us went out to eat. Tim's daughter and stepson and their spouses graciously invited us to join them at a local restaurant. My mother; her brother Jim and his wife Connie and their eldest daughter Martine; my sisters; my Uncle John's daughter Maryellen and son Michael at a table for 14. I can't remember a time where I got to sit across from Maryellen and talk, she was older than me, so we didn't see much of each other growing up. She grew up across the street on the first floor of a triple decker her parents owned with our Uncle Joe on the second floor. I spent many pleasant evenings on their front stoop where Joe and john told me about the family, Charlestown, WWII - my history. Maryellen brought some documents that were eagerly passed around - marriage certificates, death certificates, citizenship papers, most belonging to my gradfather's mother. Maryellen isn't online, but she is going to get stuff scanned and emailed to us. We love this stuff. I've just emailed some of the stuff I have to Tim's daughter.
It's late and I have to go to bed, but again, a really great family day. Even if it started off a little crazy (Jen & I were running late - but made it in plenty of time), and the Mass was the source of some giggling - which is why it was good I was sitting with my Uncle Kevin and not my sisters.
Jen, Grace and I lost some points today. It's always a double loss when it happens in or because of Mass. We have to admit, we are kind of snobby about Mass and how things are done anytime we are not at St. Francis. But we were nearly hysterical in the car. The Host was in some kind of beaten silver bowl, like a cereal bowl. Grace and Martine and I were talking about it and Jen seemed perplexed. She went to Communion - how did she miss it, Grace demanded to know. LOL! Jen is the queen of blocking! If there is something Jen doesn't want to see....she just doesn't. Then we asked if she saw that the Wine was in a tumbler instead of a chalice.....lol, noooooooo. After Communion, the Eucharistic ministers walked over to the priest? deacon? to put the cereal bowls back in the Tabernacle and it took a long time. I leaned over to my Uncle Kevin and said "Do you think he forgot the combination?". I know I lost points there. then afterwards Grace tells me she thought it looked like a microwave....Jen and I laughed so hard I almost drove off the road! Jen says that if they really replay you life story like a movie like "Defending Your Life" we are screwed. We can never defend that! There were other comments that I am too ashamed to type here. Needless to say, I have no hope of getting through the Pearly Gates....I have no chance unless there is a back door that Sister Terence or Mama Kelley can open for me.
After dinner we went out to Terry's car. She had a few of her Dad's paintings that she was giving to anyone who wanted them. Jen picked a really lovely picture that I will post a pic of soon.
Needless to say, today was another example of why, when you add my life all together - the stupid cancer, the reaction to the stupid chemo, the financial difficulties it's all caused......I am still one of the luckiest people I know.
It's late and I have to go to bed, but again, a really great family day. Even if it started off a little crazy (Jen & I were running late - but made it in plenty of time), and the Mass was the source of some giggling - which is why it was good I was sitting with my Uncle Kevin and not my sisters.
Jen, Grace and I lost some points today. It's always a double loss when it happens in or because of Mass. We have to admit, we are kind of snobby about Mass and how things are done anytime we are not at St. Francis. But we were nearly hysterical in the car. The Host was in some kind of beaten silver bowl, like a cereal bowl. Grace and Martine and I were talking about it and Jen seemed perplexed. She went to Communion - how did she miss it, Grace demanded to know. LOL! Jen is the queen of blocking! If there is something Jen doesn't want to see....she just doesn't. Then we asked if she saw that the Wine was in a tumbler instead of a chalice.....lol, noooooooo. After Communion, the Eucharistic ministers walked over to the priest? deacon? to put the cereal bowls back in the Tabernacle and it took a long time. I leaned over to my Uncle Kevin and said "Do you think he forgot the combination?". I know I lost points there. then afterwards Grace tells me she thought it looked like a microwave....Jen and I laughed so hard I almost drove off the road! Jen says that if they really replay you life story like a movie like "Defending Your Life" we are screwed. We can never defend that! There were other comments that I am too ashamed to type here. Needless to say, I have no hope of getting through the Pearly Gates....I have no chance unless there is a back door that Sister Terence or Mama Kelley can open for me.
After dinner we went out to Terry's car. She had a few of her Dad's paintings that she was giving to anyone who wanted them. Jen picked a really lovely picture that I will post a pic of soon.
Needless to say, today was another example of why, when you add my life all together - the stupid cancer, the reaction to the stupid chemo, the financial difficulties it's all caused......I am still one of the luckiest people I know.
The Last Of My Grandfather's Brothers
Today I will gather with the rest of my mother's family and say goodbye to my Uncle Tim. He passed nearly two months ago. I am not entirely sure why there was this delay, but no matter.
He was the last of the Kelleys.
Timothy D. Kelley, 89, of Nashua, died February 2, 2009 at the Courville of Nashua following a brief illness.
He was born in Charlestown, MA on January 29, 1920, son of the late Michael & Mary (Doherty) Kelley. He grew up in Charlestown, graduated from Charlestown High School and lived there until he was in his 30’s, enjoying many good times with his seven brothers and a sister. Tim was married on April 5, 1957 to Madeline B. Baker and the couple moved to Somerville, MA where they lived for many years, until moving to Hudson NH in 1993. Mr. Kelley was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Madeline B. Kelley, who died on April 20, 2007. In addition to his beloved wife, Madeline, he was predeceased by his seven brothers and his sister.
As a young adult, Tim worked as a draftsman before joining the military. He was a WWII veteran of the United States Air Force and served as a Staff Sergeant in the Air Corp. At one point in WWII, six of the eight Kelley brothers, including Tim, were all actively serving in the military. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Tim joined the Boston Police Force and rose to the rank of Sergeant. He enjoyed police work, was a good cop and had many friends both on and off the police force. Tim retired from the police force in 1981 after serving 27 years for the City of Boston. He was also a longtime member of the Boston Police Union and the VFW.
While living in Charlestown, MA he was a communicant of St. Francis de Sales. After moving to Hudson he was a communicant of St. John’s the Evangelist, attending services for many years. In his retirement, Tim loved walking for exercise especially with his little dog “Lady”, crossword puzzles, singing and Bing Crosby records. He was also a talented artist in his later years and enjoyed working in oil, acrylic, charcoal and pastel media, producing many beautiful pieces of artwork.
Mr. Kelley’s family includes his children, Theresa A. Kelley and her husband L. Mark Pilant of Litchfield, Stanley R. Murphy and his wife Vicki Maxant of Harvard, MA and Richard T. Murphy of Southbridge, MA; two grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
SERVICES: A Memorial Mass will be held at Saint John the Evangelist Church, 23 Library Street, Hudson, NH 03051 on Saturday March 28, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. Private Interment prayers and burial were held at Woodlawn Cemetery on February 14, 2009.
SERVICES: A Memorial Mass will be held at Saint John the Evangelist Church, 23 Library Street, Hudson, NH 03051 on Saturday March 28, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. Private Interment prayers and burial were held at Woodlawn Cemetery on February 14, 2009.
The DAVIS FUNERAL HOME in Nashua is in charge of arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.davisfuneralhomenh.com.
Friday, March 27, 2009
William Ayers To Speak At Boston College
***UPDATE****The protests from normal people have caused Boston college to withdraw the Ayers invitation. Thank you Michael Graham!!!****
Ayers will be speaking at the Lyons Dining Hall, Monday March 30th at 6 pm.
This event is getting almost NO publicity. Boston College is ashamed and rightly so. The mainstream media is silent on this issue. If it weren't for Michael Graham on the radio and in his blog, no one would be aware of this. Well, outside of those students who invited him to speak.
The greatest irony? The Ayers is speaking on “The State of Democracy in America: Education Reform and Civic Engagement”. Civic engagement? From a man who advocated bombing federal buildings? From a man who would have bombed a dance at Fort Dix if he had had the chance?
Good. God.
If I can I will try to get up there and protest. I have missed a lot of work lately and with more doctor's appopintments coming up, I don't have a lot of leeway. But I want to try.
Go read Graham's two posts - here and here.
This lecture is co-sponsored with the Lynch School of Education Dean for Undergraduates, the AHANA Leadership Council, The Americans for Informed Democracy, and the College Democrats.
This video explains what Ayers wanted to happen at Fort Dix in 1970. Thank God he didn't succeed, but he did try.
Ayers will be speaking at the Lyons Dining Hall, Monday March 30th at 6 pm.
This event is getting almost NO publicity. Boston College is ashamed and rightly so. The mainstream media is silent on this issue. If it weren't for Michael Graham on the radio and in his blog, no one would be aware of this. Well, outside of those students who invited him to speak.
The greatest irony? The Ayers is speaking on “The State of Democracy in America: Education Reform and Civic Engagement”. Civic engagement? From a man who advocated bombing federal buildings? From a man who would have bombed a dance at Fort Dix if he had had the chance?
Good. God.
If I can I will try to get up there and protest. I have missed a lot of work lately and with more doctor's appopintments coming up, I don't have a lot of leeway. But I want to try.
Go read Graham's two posts - here and here.
This lecture is co-sponsored with the Lynch School of Education Dean for Undergraduates, the AHANA Leadership Council, The Americans for Informed Democracy, and the College Democrats.
This video explains what Ayers wanted to happen at Fort Dix in 1970. Thank God he didn't succeed, but he did try.
South Park Explains How Bailouts Work
This vid was in my email from Boquisucio and it only makes sense that they would have the inside scoop over there at South Park.....after all the new Secretary of the Treasury is from the cast of the show......Timmah!!!!
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