JMK is still here, folks. Today's food and gas prices are kicking JMK's ass. I'll post more if I have the strength. Stale bread is not the best diet.

We had a great run

I am an amateur historian, and understand the currents of time. For example, it is quite easy to recognize the fall of the great empires.  The Roman Empire fell, as its control of its territory became untenable. The same happened to the British Empire. Genghis Khan and his descendents controlled an empire larger than the current mass of the United States. None rule the world, because control was not sustainable.

The experiment of the United States of America was truly a fantastic moment in human history, where citizens had rights and the ability to choose their leaders, and to appropriately exercise the concept of free will.

As a historian, I am both fascinated and horrified to see that the experiment has been so short. History shows that no nation or no empire lasts. As much as it pains me, I recognize that the United States of America is on the road to join the Romans, the Brits, and the Mongols. I am grateful that in a thousand years that I will be able to say that I lived during the great administration of Ronald Reagan, but will also be able to unfortunately note that the President in 2013 accelerated our decline.

Essentially, the United States of America shined on the world stage for a short while, but could not defy history. It doesn’t matter if you rule harshly or try to be nice, the end is inevitable. Someday though, perhaps, my descendents will know that I lived during the final strength of the USA when Ronald Reagan expended his life to serve, and the downfall that began in 1993 and accelerated in 2009.

Politica Realitica

I never wanted to force any political viewpoint on my son, as I want him to be able think independently and make his own choices. I did, however, try to provide examples of situations that might apply to real life.

For example, I told him how socialism, while a wonderful feel good idea, actually works. Imagine a society in which everyone is equal, and everyone gets from the system a bowl of rice for dinner. It’s good, because everybody is treated equally and everybody gets the same amount. Until somebody wants more – it could be a fat guy or a lazy guy, but the bowl of rice just isn’t enough. While everybody else is working for their daily bowl of rice, the lazy guy doesn’t work but still wants rice. The “utopian” society has already distributed the lazy guy’s bowl of rice, assuming that lazy guy will produce equally to the rest.

Lazy guy doesn’t want to work for the collective effort, but he’s still hungry! So he goes and steals from the others.

Some of the people find that their daily ration is not satisfactory, so they clear a plot, toil, and grow their own rice. They not only then grow enough to feed their own family, but they have enough extra that they can sell to others.

Some of the others also found out that the daily bowl of rice was not satisfactory. They didn’t become thieves, because they realized that they could produce clothing or provide a form of sustenance by growing food, and in the meantime make a profit (no one works for free).

Lazy guy doesn’t work or contribute to the collective, and starves to death.

I am a Metal-American

Since people get so easily labeled these days, I figure that I should add our label. I am a Metal-American; I love the music genre of Heavy Metal. Many people have unfavorable views toward Metal-Americans. Please allow me to help dispel some of the biases against us: I don’t have any weird-ass tattoos, I don’t have piercings on my face, and I don’t worship satan. I’m just a regular guy that loves music that isn’t lame.

Are MY people perpetually destined to face discrimination? We are metal heads, and we deserve respect!   

Hindsight is 20/20

Hindsight is 20/20. Really? That is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. If hindsight is 20/20, and I am obviously not able to see it myself, can someone please tell me what would have happened if Hitler conquered England in 1941, instead of attacking Russia? Since MY hindsight is NOT 20/20, I'd like someone to tell me exactly how hindsight it 20/20. Thank you.

Headbangin' Patriots

One of the greatest pleasures in my life is attending heavy metal concerts with David (my son). In our attendance at many shows, I was pleasantly surprised to get a “shout out” from the performer on stage.

In the very first show that we went to together in Virginia (2005), Geoff Tate from Queensryche made it a point to thank the troops that go into harm’s way. Although it was in the summer and hotter than you know what, I got a chill of appreciation.

When we attended Mayhem Fest in 2011, Sully Erna from Godsmack similarly made a point to thank the troops. Excellent! The follow-up band Disturbed lead singer, David Draiman, also chose to thank the troops.

Aside from being fabulous heavy metal bands (and tremendously enjoying their performances), it was quite heartening to hear their thanks for the troops.

Patriotism exists everywhere; headbangers are no different!

Bill Maher disses Tim Tebow

Bill Maher made disparaging remarks about Tim Tebow in a tweet; it's too bad that people are so offended (or threatened) by Tim Tebow's faith. Tim Tebow doesn't come out and make nasty remarks about others, and perhaps that is why they fear his faith, behavior, and existence.

Of course, Bill Maher is one of our generation's great thinkers. In fact, he was quoted for his brilliance:

In the September 16th, 2010 Rolling Stone issue, Bill Maher is quoted as saying that "Peter Griffin (Family Guy) combines being supremely confident with having his head up his ass. Maybe it's because I see him in reruns when I go to bed; No matter what stupid thing I've done that day, I can fall asleep knowing that somebody's fucking dumber than me."

Oddly enough, I get the same satisfaction from Bill Maher's existence.

Disgusting Spectacle

I don’t think that anyone can dispute that the heinous actions of the Arizona shooter (Jared Loughner) are reprehensible and inexcusable. The subsequent politicization of the incident, though, is truly disgusting. Six people DIED.

I’ll bypass the ridiculous lamestream media accusations that talk radio inflamed the dumbass, given that he was an aficionado of the typical liberal heroes, Marx and Mao.

The nationally televised “memorial” for the “victims”, though, was quite disgusting. It was NOT a memorial, but it was a freaking political rally. Although I might expect polite applause for the recognition of a deceased’s life, the entire stadium of attendees cheered loud and long for the President. And then they cheered too many times during his speech.

I guess that I’m old fashioned, or perhaps I don’t know how to mourn, but I would never cheer during a memorial. I might applaud appropriately, but I wouldn’t cheer. The only time during the whole show that any respect was paid was when the death of the 9 year old girl was addressed. Other than that, the crowd cheered. I would not cheer in a memorial, but that’s just me.

The network ABC even gave it a name: “Together We Thrive”. A wonderful sentiment, but what in the hell does it have to do with what should be a solemn remembrance?

The President talked on and on (with the TOTUS, of course), never addressing that the killer was just a nut. Thanks, prez.

Citizen

I am not really concerned that our sitting President is Constitutionally ineligible to hold the job. I mean, technically, he is an American citizen. I thought that the so called “Birthers” were off base, but then the liberal support structure from Rolling Stone confirmed the reality: In the 14 October 2010 issue of Rolling Stone, the obviously political genius Matt Taibbi wrote that in the case of Tea Party supporters that “I’m an ordinary middle-aged guy who pays taxes and lives in the suburbs with his wife and dog. These are the kind of thoughts that go through your head as you listen to Tea Partiers expound at awesome length upon their cultural victimhood, surrounded as they are by
America-haters like you and me or, in the case of FOREIGN-BORN PRESIDENT Barack Obama, people who are literally not Americans in the way they are.” The aforementioned recognition of our “President’s” non-qualification to hold the job may be found on page 52 of the 14 October 2010 issue of Rolling Stone. Matt Taibbi is some kind of political genius, so his observation that our “President” is foreign born MUST be accurate.

A foreign born U.S. citizen is not an anomaly. My son was born in Seoul, Republic of Korea (ROK). As I am a U.S. citizen, David took upon U.S. citizenry. HOWEVER, certain protocols applied. I had 30 days from the day of his birth to go to the U.S. Embassy to report his birth, after which we received an official State Department document reporting the birth of a U.S. citizen overseas. For all of David’s future transactions, that OFFICIAL State Department document is that which verifies that he is a U.S. citizen.

Now, although barcan MIGHT actually be a U.S. citizen, his mother’s failure to adhere to proper protocol is the real point to be addressed. Yeah, he was born in Kenya. I guess it is all just a technicality, but that Hawaii birth certificate is all crap and a lie perpetrated on the American citizens.

Immigration:
My wife is an immigrant; obviously, I support LEGAL immigration. Any and every immigrant should go to the U.S. Embassy and stand in line for hours, deal with bureaucrats, and pay the exorbitant fees for the privilege of coming to America. Illegally crossing the border should not be rewarded. I am not anti-immigration; I am anti-stealing from we who FOLLOWED THE LAW.

I like Art Bell, but....

I like Art Bell, but....

Tonight I listened to a "classic" Art Bell program, from 1998. He mentioned that his "guest from the future" (2055) correctly predicted an earthquake and some other tragedy. He then went on to interview a dude that wants to freeze people (cryogenics) for future resurrection. He questioned the cryogenics dude for at least an hour about the process. Okay.

Why didn't he just ask the future dude about the success of cryogenics? The 2055 dude might actually know if it works or not, right?

The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy Strikes Again

Representative Charlie Rangel (D) New York is being attacked by the vast right wing conspiracy. Now, this cat “represents” some of the poorest and most “disenfranchised” Americans in his Harlem District. Of course, his only concern is to help the people in his district. Wait! What! He is under investigation for lining his own pockets at the expense of the downtrodden unfortunates that he claims to represent.

To understand how insidious the vast right wing conspiracy really is, one must only recall Hillary Clinton’s statement from 1998, when in defense of her husband she went on national TV and identified the heinous acts of the movement: Hillary stated that “the great story here for anybody willing to find it and write about it and explain it is this vast right-wing conspiracy that has been conspiring against my husband since the day he announced for president”. Now, it doesn’t matter that Bill Clinton went on to lie about his activities, subsequently humiliating the “first lady” and embarrassing the entire country, it was a all because of some attempt to discredit the sitting President (by the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy).

Here’s the real deal: I don’t care that Billy got a BJ in the Oval Office. According to the lamestream media, most Americans didn’t care, either. That being the case, if I were President, I’d have my own selection process for interns. Any auditioning candidate that left a stain on the blue dress would immediately be disqualified, if you know what I mean.

But back to the present: Charlie Rangel stated EMPHATICALLY that he’s done nothing wrong. BUT, when confronted with an investigation, he wants to plea bargain for a deal in which he doesn’t go to jail. Uuummm. Is that not tacitly an admission of guilt? Who knows? Maybe he’ll eventually share a cell with William Jefferson (D) Louisiana, the man who said that storing 100,000 dollars in one’s freezer is simply a means by which to ensure that he has cold cash.

Rolling Stone is such a Tool

Rolling Stone is such a tool.

The “firing” of Four Star General Stanley McChrystal is widely reported that he and/or his subordinates made many inappropriate remarks towards or against the administration and the flunkies on Capitol Hill. Vice-President Joe “Bite Me”? C’mon, they made fun of Vice President Dan Quayle for years; Joe Biden is a freaking train wreck.

Anyway, ya’ll know that when your boss is an incompetent, incapable, miserable jerk and that you don’t want to work for the slob, you just want to quit. But, if you quit, you forfeit all benefits. However, if you get fired, you can draw unemployment benefits that continue to grow and increase the federal deficit.

The same applies to General McChrystal. He could have stood up and said that those for whom he works are clueless fools and submitted his resignation, but he’d then be viewed in history as a General that quit during a significant conflict. However, by allowing Rolling Stone to print a “devastating expose” in which he or his subordinates make disparaging remarks about the clones in Washington and then allowing the Washington goons and the sycophant media express their indignation and outrage for being exposed as the worthless oxygen thieves that they really are, General McChrystal gets to retire with the knowledge that he didn’t quit, but that poorly placed stuffed shirts “forced” him to retire. He no longer works for a tool, he gets to enjoy his retirement, and he will historically be compared to General McArthur as a Wartime General that was “fired” by a President.

It was intentional, and Rolling Stone was the dupe.

Really?

I HATE working with co-workers that are too stupid to live were breathing not an autonomic function. Today, I overheard the administrative assistant (secretary) answer the phone and then say "Please wait a minute. Mr. Really Smart Guy, you have a call." Mr. Really Smart Guy's response: "On the phone?"

Really? In my mind I thought "NO, genius. Oddly enough, she called on the stapler today."

Dumbass.

The Man Who Laughs

I am totally, entirely, and until I die a headbanger (A guy who listens to heavy metal while vigorously nodding his head up and down). To my greatest satisfaction, my son David became a headbanger, as well. I did not raise him to be a headbanger; the first videotape and cassette tape that I presented to him was Michael Jackson’s HIStory. At some point, he discovered my metal music collection and then became a ‘banger himself.

We have had some excellent times together, since then. Our first concert together was Queensryche and Judas Priest, in Virginia. After that, we went to Ozzfest 2005, where we saw Rob Zombie, Iron Maiden and the original Black Sabbath lineup (Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward). In 2006 we went to see Iron Maiden in New Jersey, and then we went to a small club in Baltimore where Queensryche put on a stage presentation of ‘Operation Mind Crime’ parts one and two. In 2007 and 2008 we saw Rush in Raleigh and Charlotte. Interestingly, it was all on the ‘Snakes and Arrows’ tour. We missed 2009 because I was in Kuwait. In 2010, we went to Charlotte and saw the “Gruesome Twosome” show. Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie. At the age of 62, Alice Cooper still kicks ass!

We’ve seen Zombie twice and watched his movies. I never really thought about the meaning of any of his music, until I became curious about ‘The Man Who Laughs’. It is a nine minute song with orchestral accompaniment. As it turns out, the song is about a man that is disfigured, but the girl in story loves him because she can see his true nature while not seeing his unusual face (She is blind, and wonders why he’s always smiling. He is not smiling; those that kidnapped him disfigure children so that they can beg for money, and his face appears to always be smiling as a result). His name is Gwynplaine, and he is descended from royalty. When invited back in to the Royalty, he refuses to be royal, and wants to go with his love. His love dies, and he joins her in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.

I am no romantic, nor do I favor love stories. However, Rob Zombie made a song about “The Man Who Laughs”; I continue to listen to it (good drum solo) and am appreciative to learn about the background of “The Man Who Laughs”.

I’m listening to “Werewolf Women of the SS” right now, so don’t think that I’m some kind of pussy.

Much To My Chagrin...

I thought I came up with a clever nickname for the lying Presidential mouthpiece. I've listened to and watched Robert (Bob) Gibbs try his best to represent and explain the heinous and/or negligent actions of our most important American. When questioned repeatedly as to why our President has not appropriately responded to the spill of oil in the gulf, nearly each and every answer was "It's in the memo." "See the memo." "Read the memo." "I can't answer that, but it's in the memo."

Guess what? It's NOT in the memo. The current occupant of the Whitehouse has done nothing to address the problem, aside from sending lawyers. Maybe we can sue the problem into submission.

Anyway, after growing sick of listening to the mouthpiece, I thought "Damn, he sounds just like Baghdad Bob (The Iraqi spokesman that insisted all was well even as American bombs fell in the background and Saddam Hussein eventually lost his job.)"

Subsequently, I did a google search, and found that Gibbs has been labeled as Baghdad Bob for a long time, now. At first I was chagrined, but then I realized that the truth these days must be discovered, as it will be a long time if ever before the lamestream media addresses it.

I just hope that Americans will wake up and choose a non-Socialist President when the next chance rolls around.

Stream of Consciousness Addendum

This is another stream of consciousness I had forgotten about until I was driving the other day.

I was driving one day with David as we passed by a church that at one time had been a Kingdom Hall. David noticed that the sign had changed to another denomination and he asked, "Didn't that used to be a Kingdom Hall? I wonder what happened?" "Oh, I don't know. Maybe they had to enter the Jehovah's Witness Protection Program."

Stream of Consciousness

Memorial Day has proven to be a difficult time for me. In addition to thinking about the 20 years that my Vietnam Veteran Dad served and his passing, I think about my own brother that sacrificed 20 years of his life in the service of his country in the U.S. Navy and subsequently passed away. Grandfather Espinosa served in the Navy in WWII, and he’s gone too. Mom passed away on Memorial Day weekend, and therefore it is a rather painful time. Anyway, they’re all gone now, but have caused me to address stream of consciousness.

Stream of consciousness is when you say something right off of the top your head, and I’ve had some excellent ones. Check it out:

Today, David asked me if I have a day off tomorrow – I’m having beers and he knows that I don’t have beers if I have to work the next day. “I have a day off for Memorial Day.” Even before he asked, I said that Memorial Day is when we acknowledge the sacrifices of Grandpa, your Uncle Richard, and even my Grandpa Richard. “Our family has a long tradition of dying.” He didn’t think it was funny, but it’s true.

At any rate, I’ve had a few stream of consciousness moments that shall be recorded here:

During one winter in Korea, Yong was preparing some pork by cutting off all of the fat. She wondered “Why is there so much fat?” Just off of the top of my head I said “Well, it is winter. Animals put on fat because of the cold.” Was I correct? I don’t know, but I bet I am.

In a conversation with a sister she questioned why girls and boys bicycles are different. I said that “because females have a lower center of gravity than males, bicycles are designed to consider that”. Was I correct? I don’t know, but I bet I am.

The best stream of consciousness that I ever had came when I was sitting in the waiting room of the ID card facility at Fort Bragg, waiting with David to update his ID. We sat in the waiting room for such an inordinate amount of time that he eventually asked “why is this taking so long?” I am a veteran of sitting and waiting for government employees to do their job, but I needed to tell David why we had to wait. “ID cards are made of plastic. Do you know where plastic comes from?” “No, where?” “Well, plastic is made from a derivative of petroleum products. Essentially, oil. Do you know where oil comes from?” “Where?” “Well, millions of years ago, the dinosaurs died and eventually became the oil deposits from which we produce many products.” “”Okay. But, why are they taking so long?” “Oh. They’re in the back waiting for the dinosaur to die.”

The Passing of the King of Pop

The unexpected and unusual passing of Michael Jackson has caused me to evaluate my own favorites among celebrities and sports stars. I tend to favor those that are unusual, underdogs, or those that have been falsely accused. To wit: Michael Jackson was the greatest entertainer that ever lived, but he had to deal with false accusations against him and his behavior. The poor man never had a childhood; he was the front of a group (the Jackson Five) since an early age. Growing up as a pop star robbed him of his childhood. That he grew into a man that did unusual things such as creating his own amusement park and hanging out with kids came only because of his own desire to have a childhood. The people that accused him of untoward acts against children are only money-grubbers, and took advantage of the situation. Any truly sympathetic person can but see that he was only trying to live the childhood that he never had.

Dennis Rodman: One of the greatest basketball players of all time, but also a unique individual. So he wore a dress; does that offend anyone? Tattoos, piercings, suspensions for aggressive play? The man is a great individual that doesn’t have to live by anyone else’s expectations. His appearance as an alien on “Third Rock From the Sun”, with multi-colored hair and portraying an alien is right inline with his personality. A great man.

Kobe Bryant: Don’t mind that the cum from (at least) two other dudes is in the ginch; Kobe forced himself on me. She just wants money. I was never really a big Kobe fan, but the way he overcame the false accusation and got even better as a National Basketball Association ballplayer, to include winning the USA Gold Medal and the latest NBA Championship is worthy of admiration and great respect. He is now one of my favorite athletes.

Mike Tyson: He has a tattoo on his face; so what? The greatest heavyweight boxer ever was the victim of a setup. Think about it; he dominated the ranks and knocked out opponents in 90 seconds. Often was the time that taking a bathroom break would lead one to miss the entire fight. The powers that be in professional boxing needed to take him down for financial reasons. I don’t dispute that he did what he was accused of, but how many dingbats go to his hotel room at 3 AM and just want to talk? She was dispatched specifically to get Iron Mike in trouble and remove him from the heavyweight fighting arena. Heavyweight boxing has sucked ever since then.

Terrell Owens: The man is a living example of arrogance and has exhibited many reasons to be disliked. As a Cowboys fan, I found it to be quite distasteful when he danced on the Star. But, I admired his performance as an Eagle when he played in the Superbowl with a broken leg. I liked him as a Cowboy, too. The sports media is just too critical of the man.

Chris “Birdman” Andersen: He has spiky hair and sleeves of tattoos, but so what? His nearly two year suspension for “substance abuse” from the NBA is understandable. His return to prominence and helping lead the Denver Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals in 2009 is also something to admire.

Sean Penn: Used to beat up paparazzi that got too close. Good man.

Charlie Sheen: “You don’t pay the prostitute for sex. You pay the prostitute to leave after you’re finished”.

Barry Bonds: Did he use steroids? Probably. But, he also hit more Home Runs in one season and one career than any other baseball player. Unless and until accusations against him can be proven, he is the leader in both categories.

Vanessa Williams: She was stripped of her Miss USA title in 1984 for doing a nude spread in “Penthouse” magazine. Hell, if it were up to me, nudity would be one of the determining factors in choosing a winner.

The Anti-Communist Manifesto update

My anti-communist manifesto was published in the Army Times and in both the Pacific and Middle East versions of the Stars & Stripes. It feels nice to be a published author. What can I say? I rock.

Book Review: LONE SURVIVOR

Lone Survivor is the story of Marcus Luttrell, the one surviving Navy SEAL of a reconnaissance mission gone bad. On 27 June 2005, a four man Seal Team was inserted into the Hindu Kush (eastern Afghanistan) in order to conduct surveillance on a HVM (high value miscreant) of the Taliban/al Qaeda; their intent was to locate and then either capture or terminate the HVM or call in a larger force to conduct that mission. The story will sound familiar if you recall the SEAL Team that was discovered by locals; the team then had to decide whether to kill the locals or to let them go and risk compromise. After some heated discussion, they decided to let the goatherders go and try to exfil ASAP. Other than the attacks which the team had to endure, THAT is most intense part of the story. The fact that four Americans, well behind enemy lines and with no commo, had to factor in crucifixion in the American media made their decision that much more painful.

Luttrell tells a fascinating story, beginning with his preparations for and attendance at SEAL training. Although we've all read of the hardships of that school, it is still amazing to see what SEAL candidates must undergo. The book then transitions to Afghanistan, and the missions of SOF. When the recon mission goes to hell, the 4 SEALS have to fight up to 200 miscreants armed with AK-47s and RPGs. Another gut wrenching portion occurs when the QRF is launched, and the aircraft is shot down by an RPG. Even as you root for the SEALS, you know the tragic end. Or you think you do. Luttrell covers his own fortunate survival, and the friendly tribesmen that risked all to help him.

Throughout the book, Luttrell skewers the lefties and the liberal media. When you read this story, you'll know why. With hardass training, a lot of faith and some luck, Marcus Luttrell made it home to tell his story. It is engrossing, reveals details that few know, and is a quick page turner. I HIGHLY recommend it. And I'm not plugging wally world here, but the jacket price is $25.00 and I picked it up for $17.00.