Who Are You? What Do You Want? Where Are You Going? Whom Do You Serve – And Whom Do You Trust?!
Blackfive has LTC Randolph C. White Jr. delivering the graduation speech for the newest batch of Infantrymen to complete training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, on April 21st, 2006.
Absolutely the right thing to say at the right time. LTC White, thank you and your grunts for everything.
Open Thread:
Israel continues to take heat from the world and our own left wing here in the United States. All the while, Hezbollah continues to fire rockets into Israel from Lebanon.
Here’s your chance to vent.
What exactly should Israel do instead of attacking Hezbollah in Lebanon to stop these attacks on their homeland? You don’t want Israel to counter-attack? What’s your answer?
Winners:
1.) Mostly Cajun: “I didn’t order it. I thought YOU ordered it.”
2.) Cowboy Blob: “Get a load of that Wild Blue, yonder.”
3.) Our Own Sgt/Cpl Blondie: “When I said I don’t care if you paint it
$%#@ing Sky Blue….I DID”NT MEAN PAINT THE DAMN THING SKY &^$@ing BLUE.”
My own caption, though not in the running: “We’re cutting 40,000 people for THAT?!”
You might need A.A., N.A., and or alcohol/drug rehab if:
You and the lead guitarist in your rock ‘n’ roll band are refered to by Gerry Garcia as “The Toxic Twins.”
You’re the drummer for Guns ‘n’ Roses and Axel Rose tells you you’re too damn drunk.
More »
As you’re probably tired of hearing, I grew up in a relatively integrated neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago. I say relatively because it was still VERY Irish when I was a kid, but we had just about every nationality I can think of. Just across the backyard of our apartment building lived the Caba Family. They had escaped Cuba. (Pronounced “Coohbah”)
Memory is a funny thing, especially the memories of a family that smelled that wonderful. They were always spicy. Senior Caba (which he insisted we call him) was a jolly large man who could make his huge belly roll in undulating waves, completely fascinating. When he got off work we’d hang out at the Caba house (technically an apartment, but we called everyone’s apartment their house) with Ebito and Eva until he’d give us a wave or two. Every now and then he’d forget to put an overshirt on and would walk around in just his tank top undershirt (which we called Dago-Ts because…that’s what they were called) and we’d see the scars across his back. Being kids, we asked. He just smiled and said, “Be grateful mijos to live in such a wonderful country as America.” His wife, Senora Caba would get a wistful look in her eye and say, “He can’t live forever…someday our children will go back.” Being kids, we asked. She got a fierce look in her eye and said, “Castro!” and she spit…right there in her kitchen…she spit! Now you have to understand, that while their kitchen was and is the spiciest smelling place I’ve ever been in, it was immaculately clean. You would have never imagained.
So all I have to say to Val Prieto over at Babalu Blog is, “Testify brother…testify!“
Does anyone know how many Missiles/Rockets Hezbollah has fired into Israel to date?
The last count I saw was 2200 but that was earlier in the week.
Kind of blunts that whole “dispraportionate response” thing, huh?
One of the best behind the scenes looks at Hollywood, ever. It’s long, but it’s worth it.
Via Bill INDC.
If I don’t know or care who Glenn Greenwald is, does that mean I have to turn in my Blogger I.D. Card?
Da Winnahs:
1.) Adjustah: “Boy, I sure hope noone has a camera! I’d hate to end up in The Daily Brief’s caption contest!”
2.) Debby: “you know, they warned me something like this might happen when I took that course on nuclear reactors!”
3.) Sgt Mom: “The unfortunate result of answering one of those “enlargement” spam e-mail offers.”
Okay, the secret for maximum participation is something phallic. Interesting.
You walk into the cubicles and your Airmen are having a critical discussion on the evolution of the Green Power Ranger.
Your Airmen are listening to bands you’ve never ever ever heard of…ever.
You set up a shared folder in the organizational folders to dump all the different form letters that folks in the squadron need, and a Chief thinks you’re brilliant.
A Lt Col thinks it’s hilarious that someone “your age” would own a RAZR.
You realize that the training that the Air Force has been promising for your career field for the past ten years, has been stashed in some CBT Library that rarely works and that you’re never going to get classroom time for it. The upside? No TDY to Keesler.
You inspect dorm rooms and one of the younger senior NCOs calls you an asshole for writing “Clean me!” in the dust on one of his troops’ T.V. set. My thinking was…I didn’t count it as strike three and fail the little pig.
Michele and Turtle are into another meme.
Name 26 song titles that have had an impact on you. Emotionially, physically, sexually or mentally. Or, cause they just rocked.
OK. That’s easy.
But, they have to all be different bands.
Okay, open up iTunes, alphabetize by song name, let’s see what we come up with. Please remember that I’m following the criteria above. I’ll explain only those where you all have questions. Also realize that this could change tomorrow.
A – Angel From Montgomery – Bonnie Raitt with John Prine.
B – By My Side – Soundtrack of Godspell
C – Candy’s Room – Bruce Springsteen
D – Don’t Leave Me This Way – Thelma Houston
E – Excitable Boy – Warren Zevon
F – Fly Me To the Moon – Diana Krall
G – Get the Party Started – Pink
H – Head On – The Jesus and Mary Chain
I – In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel
J – Just Another Nervous Wreck – Supertramp
K – Kung Fu Fighting – Karl Lewis
L – Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye
M – Mysterious Ways – U2
N – Night Moves – Bob Seger
O – Ooby Dooby – Roy Orbison
P – Paranoid – Black Sabbath
Q – Queen of Hearts – Dave Edmunds
R – Run Riot – Def Leppard
S – Slit Skirts – Pete Townshend
T – Take Me Home Tonight – Eddie Money
U – Under Pressure – David Bowie and Queen
V – Viva Las Vegas – Elvis Presley
W – When I Write the Book – Nick Lowe
X – X Offender – Blondie
Y – Your Song – Elton John
Z – Zoot Suit Riot – Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
I’ve got at least six other songs that begin with “Z” in my library. I don’t know what the problem was. I’m just happy that I’ve got that Blondie Collection and that I really love that song.
And I’m thinking Pablo and Damian need to be tagged with this one.
After an absolutely killer performance of Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time, Dilana has completely won me over. It was between her, Lukas, Storm, and Toby up until tonight. Shot a shiver down my spine that I’m just not used to these days.
Amazing. I’m a fan.
1.) Paul: “If the pilot’s good, I mean if he’s reeeally sharp, he can barrel that thing in so low, oh it’s a sight to see. You wouldn’t expect it with a big ol’ plane like a ‘52, but varrrooom! The jet exhaust… frying chickens in the barnyard!”
2.) Rodney Dill: “OK, now which one is for ‘loser?’ I never seem to remember?”
3.) Chief: “The regulation 33G7-32-447 for toilet training is this wide and this thick and that is only volume one. The new manual will have 3 volumes for senior enlisted personel and above.”
After reading and watching some of the news today, let me see if I’ve got this straight:
After decades of cycles of being attacked, retaliating, told to quit winning, which allows their enemies to resupply and recruit new members and begin the cycle all over again, the rest of the world, including the Vatican, is pissed off because Israel isn’t fighting fair?
And Lebanon, who hasn’t lifted a finger to get the terrorists out of their own country, is bitching about Israel doing the job that they refuse to do, and is threatening to join the terrorists in repelling Israel should they come in to finish the job that they wouldn’t do?
Do I have that just about right?
Sometimes I’ve very proud to be an American and extremely proud of the fact that we seem to be the only country on the planet that’s on Israel’s side.
I’m curious…does that assume that the rest of the world is okay with Israel’s destruction? After a day like today, I have to wonder.
…and while I’m thinking about it, does this point of view make me a Republican, or just an asshole?
More than half of the airmen you know were born after you enlisted.
All of the lieutenants you meet were born after you enlisted.
You’re older than half of the Chiefs (E9s) in your unit.
The Chiefs you deal with on a regular basis are still jockeying for position.
You get briefed on new upcoming official Air Force policy changes to the network by a contractor instead of a military member from the Comm Squadron…and there were two in the room.
Your career field is cut by 50% across the board and yet still, no one is willing to admit that they’re phasing you out.
You call another Master Sergeant in another shop to to get some clarification on a policy, and they tell you that what you’re reading in black and white in an Air Force Instruction, doesn’t really say what it says.
Every contractor you meet realizes you’re retirement eligible and quits working the issue at hand and starts actively recruiting you. Flattering, yes, but I killed an hour yesterday getting a rundown on the benefits of being an investigator for security clearances.
Every time you work out to stay “fit to fight” something new begins to hurt…in places you didn’t know existed on your body.
You have to stretch your feet first thing in morning so you don’t gimp around for the first two hours of the day.
You haven’t gone more than a couple of months in the last three years without a waiver for some part of the physical fitness test.
You watch Military Fear Factor and two zoomies, a geek from AFRTS and a gal from Combat Camera beat two Marines in a physical challenge. This to me is a sign of the apocolypse. From the look on the Marines’ faces, they’d concur.
You realize that you yourself aren’t afraid of going to Iraq or Afghanistan, but that your family is absolutely terrified by the idea.
Some airman writes the Air Force Times to comment on the new t-shirts for the new Digi-Cammies and wins himself a four-day trip to D.C.. Somehow this is considered punishment. When is leadership going to realize that maintainers have no shame and that anytime out of the shop is a holiday?
———–
Add your own in the comments.
Things are happening so fast in and around Israel, it’s hard to get a handle on what’s happening. I mean just a couple weeks ago it was Hamas kidnapping Israeli soldiers out of Gaza and now we’ve got Hezbollah kidnapping Israeli soldiers and lobbing rockets across the border from Lebanon. It’s hard to know the players without a program.
And as I surf around the news sites this morning, I see calls for the West (translation, The United States) to step in and do something before Israel kills any more civillians or destroys more Lebanese infrastructure. Shakes my head a couple of times and gives it a biff with my hand. Come again?
What is happening in the Mid-East is proof that trust in the West will never help Muslims. –Some Guy named Hosan in Egypt quoted on the BBC Web Page.
Hosan, no offense Bro, but I would counter that what’s happening in the Mid-East is proof that trust of Fundamentalist Islam will never help Muslims.
There wasn’t enough crap going on in that part of the world, no, Iran and Syria decided that Hamas had a good idea and kicked it up a notch by getting Hezbollah involved and attacking from Lebanon. Now Iran and Syria get to giggle like the little instigators they are and wring their hands as they watch Lebanon destabilize, and Israel take shit, once again, for defending itself.
If the Muslim world doesn’t want any more innocents dying then they’re looking to the wrong country to help them out. It’s time, once and for all, that the Muslim world take responsibility for their more psychotic members and throw a choke chain on them. You want help from the U.S. in calming down Israel? Fine. You calm down Iran and Syria and maybe we can talk about it.
I once had a call from base housing in Hawaii asking me if I could calm down my wife over a particularly stupid circumstance that they had created. I told them, “Absolutely not.” He asked why? I told him, “Because I didn’t piss her off, you did.” And that’s the way I feel about Israel. We didn’t piss them off, it’s not our responsibility to calm them down.
We finally got around to seeing Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest this evening.
We had an absolute blast.
I’m sure some folks absolutely hated the ending but I laughed my butt off.
The most fun we’ve had at the movies so far this summer.
1. Adjustah: “I will not make stupid bets with the Sergeant Major. I will not make stupid bets with the Sergeant Major. I will not make stupid bets with the Sergeant Major…” And I know that you won’t believe this, but this was before I found out I won his contest.
2. Andrew V.: “Sergeant Miller is practicing so he can try out for the Cirque du Soleil.”
3. Tie. Sgt Schultz: “You put your left foot in…” RhinoKeeper: “…you put your left foot out…”
We’ll do it again come Friday.
Have at it in the comments.
Magni singing My Generation: Meh. I still think he sounds like he belongs in Vegas.
Jenny Galt singing Tainted Love: Started off slow but nice kick up a notch after the first chorus.
Jill Gioia singing Violet: She was really good last week, but then again she’s doing a song by Hole so I guess you’re supposed to be sound all fucked up. The wedding dress and cowboy boots is a bit too weird. And ya know, arguing with Dave Navarro about what Courtney Love looks like doing the song? Ummmm, now you not only suck, but your credibility really bites too.
Okay, after the first three I’m thinking that this week they’re saving the best for later in the show because so far, this isn’t impressing me one bit.
Zayra Alverez doing You Really Got Me: Again, liked her last week, but this week is kinda weird too. Very Bjork-ish without the charm. And do ya think that taking shots at the band’s age is really the best way to win their hearts? Ummmmmmm, not so much.
Chris Pierson singing Take me Out: Much better than last week, but I’m not sure if that’s the right song for auditioning for Supernova. I don’t know about the “not authentic” comments he’s getting from Navarro and the band. I don’t think he’s all that deep.
Dilana doing a goth take on Ring of Fire: Very ballsy choice taking on and changing Johnny Cash, but it worked for me. Enchanting. Something about her sucks me right in. She doesn’t have the best voice but has an intesity that ya just have to watch.
Josh Logan moans With Arms Wide Open: See at first I hated Creed, then I kind of liked them, and now I’m back to hating them. This is one of the few Creed songs I can still stand but this was mediocre.
Phil Ritchie If You Could Only See: I’m not sure what he’s doing here. He has brief moments of being kind of okay.
Storm Large kicks out Surrender: Love love love this gal’s voice and the way she sings. She ROCKS.
Patrice Pike and Heart Shaped Box: I never got Nirvana. She’s got a huge voice for a little thing but not that
Lucas Rossi softening up with Don’t Panic: For Coldplay it was good, but again, I’m not a huge Coldplay fan.
Ryan Star and Jumpin’ Jack Flash: It wasn’t a gas.
Dana Andrews and Born to Be Wild: Maybe it’s because of when I was born and raised, but this song bores me to tears anymore. She’s got a great voice but watching her reminds me of watching a lil kid playing rock star.
Toby Rand and Somebody Told Me: A killer version of The Killers tune. Great way to end the show.
I’m only voting for Toby, Storm and Dilana tonight. My bet, they’ll be in the final three at the end of the season.
“BOMBAY, India – Eight bombs hit Bombay’s commuter rail network during rush hour Tuesday evening, killing at least 147 people and wounding more than 400 in what authorities called a well-coordinated terrorist attack.”
There, now maybe Blog by ___________ (insert one of several names here) will stop comment spamming ancient posts with a story that’s been on every freaking news channel most of the day.
And no, this will not get you links nor will I ever do this again.
Yes, I like to link some of my favorite and least favorite blogger folks, but I reserve the right to link who I wish, not someone who’s just plain annoying.
Head on over to Faster Than The World for your Punk Rock fix. Michele and Turtle continue their polls and requests for inputs to their polls to most thoroughly cover the spread of Punk Rock throughout the decades. Me…I wasn’t paying much attention in the 80s and 90s so I have almost no idea what they’re talking about. I blame AFRTS.
Oh, and don’t forget to check out Rock Star Supernova tonight on CBS. I’ll have more on that tonight or tomorrow morning. Maybe we could cuss and discuss the folks. I’d live blog it but I’m in Mountain Time now so not may of us would be on the same track.
Winners on Monday.
Please Note: Due to the traditionally low number of posts between the contest and the winners, winners will now be posted on this post vs on a new, seperate, post on Monday.
Other caption Blogginess:
Winner:
Bill From Iowa: “Body english won’t fly that UAV, mister. Pull out! Pull out!”
I watched the first show of the new season tonight and I have to say, at least ten of the singers were too good to front a band with Tommy Lee.
But I’ve never been a fan. I mean the Pam Anderson video was impressive in a Bawm Chicka Bawm-Bawm kind of way, but as a musician…meh.
I’ll keep watching it though because at two of the girls and three of the guys have killer voices, and most of the gals are just plain HAWT in an authentic rock chick kind of way. And maybe I’m going through a midlife crisis, but I just find that makes me tingly in my happy places.
I know, I know, TMI Timmer, but hey, it’s been a hard day. Nothing like doing Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday all in one day.
…or at least some concessions, because you know, I ALWAYS get concessions when I act up.
That’s all I could think of when I heard the news about North Korea today.
Kim Jong Il *IS* Marvin the Martian in Mars Needs Women…North Korea Needs Rice.
WHOOSH….SPLASH. WHOOSH…SPLASH. WHOOSH…SPLASH. WHOOSH…SPLASH. WHOOSH…SPLASH. WHOOSH…SPLASH. This is making me angry, very very angry indeed. WHOOSH…SPLASH.
It is to laugh.
This thread over at FTTW got me thinking. (And post your first concert experience while you’re at it.)
How many different bands/songwriters have ripped off Neil Diamond?
The first one that comes to my mind is “What I Like About You” by The Romantics. I remember a DJ at “Crackers” in Vegas (great rock barn) back in ’85 used to fade “What I Like About You” right into “Cherry, Cherry” and my roommate freaked when he found out that was Neil Diamond. Actually, now that I think about it, my MOM freaked when she found out “her” Neil wrote “Cherry, Cherry.”
But I don’t know how many times I’ve heard a song and said to myself, “Wait a minute, that’s a Neil Diamond riff.”
So what else can you think of?
Going to be a crazy day tomorrow so thought I’d kick this off early.
Winners on Sunday. Might even do another on Sunday.
I know I normally do mil-related photos, but this one begged to be captioned.
Other caption blogginess:
Oh just leave a trackback for goshsakes.
Da Winnah!
Sgt Schultz: C’mon Pamela and Paula, do that again.
Yes, I’m posting the winner on the original post now. There’s just not enough cyberspace between the two to justify seperate posts.
Via Wizbang.
And I thought the President just listened to two kinds of music, Country and Western. Sunday Bloody Sunday.
I’m thinkin’ this will give Pablo nightmares.