I think we're about to see a huge repeat of history. Those who don't know their history are doomed to repeat it (sorta like the credit crisis...do a google of the S&L Bailout from the 80's). Carter came from no where and had a similar grass roots background, but no real exposure to leading in business or politics. If you look at most political failures, whether it's W, Carter, or most others, it's inexperience leading to appointing the wrong people to important positions. Reagan and Bush Sr surrounded themselves with bright people and had outside barometers (e.g. Nancy Reagan) and they did well. Inexperience tends to lead to the problems Clinton often had. The economy hummed along and everyone ignored the failing Foreign Policy (e.g. keeping North Korea, India, etc from going nuclear) and constant sideshows (e.g. "I did not have sex with that woman").

So why will Obama win? The perfect storm brewed and McCain seems to have the same problem as Bush Sr. Communication. Joe Plumber is late to the game but a prime example. Why should I buy a $250,000 business when I know I instantly have a target? Let's put it another way, if you believe Obama's got a great plan to tax the rich more and "spread their success", then you've got to be a fan of the current financial market bailout. We're taking from those who are successful, meaning businesses and rich people making money, and giving to those who aren't successful (today) like AIG, and the ilk. Didn't this approach work well for Russia, China, Cuba....oh wait, that's right. It didn't. Enter Joe SixPack Plumber. I'm rewarded for staying where I am now, but if I increase my chance of success by buying this business I increase my taxes automatically. I've personally owned my own business, so I really don't believe Obama when he says 95% are below. If you have a retail store, you need close to $200k in annual income just to meet overhead (taxes, payroll, utilities, etc). My rent alone was close to $50k annually for prime retail in Southern California, but I digress. Although I don't care for McCain or Obama, McCain's actual rhetoric has the better chance of turning things around, however that message doesn't make it across Joe Q. Public.

The perfect storm has also risen to give Obama the edge. The economy has hit several storms. Everyone laughed at Dubya (Bush) when he was a presidential candidate in 1999 and said we were about to see a contraction in the market. I guess he actually did pay attention to some MacroEconomics classes during his MBA. I saw it, my mom saw it while working on Wall St, and yet, everyone in the news thought the "irrational exuberance" would continue. The bubble burst, and the skid began. Then energy started to play it's hand. Warren Buffet started heavily investing in energy in the early 90s. Hmmmm....why? At the time gas was still around $1.40, so why? As I've always said about Wall St, "He who has the best information wins," and he saw the rapid expansion of overseas demand for energy. We haven't invested in new sources of energy in decades: so when demand spikes with no relief valve for supply, what happens?? Welcome to $4 a gal gas. It's here to stay unless we find a relief in supply (drill for more, alt sources, less regulatory burdens, etc). But energy and the bubble bursting wasn't enough, Wall St had a taste for double digit returns and started undervaluing risk. Enter subprime lending... Stage is set and the cast is in motion for a great tragedy... I saw it. People were willing to give us crazy money to buy our house and it was way to easy to "verify income". A highschool drop out could forge the documents and "qualify" for a $500k home. The well was poisoned when those loans got repackaged with more traditional, stable loans, and this brought the "good guys" down with the bad guys. Of course, none of this has anything to do with the president, but most people aren't smart enough to know this. Obama says we need to regulate and create more oversight, yet we had some of the most restrictive regulations in history leading up to the Savings S&L crisis. What unleashed the 2 decades of thriving economy afterwards? De-regulation. You saw it in S&L, airlines, and telecommunications (Baby Bell breakup). However, people buy into this "change" and "dream" notion that an inexperienced guy beats out decades of experience. They did it with Carter and they'll do it with Obama. Ignore the 16 years of success in financial markets, but we'll associate the Republicans, W, and McCain with the last 2. Funny thing is this: The president has no real influence over regulation, financial markets, or any of the failures we see today (with the exception of the perceived failures in Iraq and Afghanistan...he's directly responsible for foreign policy).

People want change and I can't blame them. However, perception is reality. If you paint the picture and people buy it, then it's real. Clinton made the economy strong (nevermind Volker or Greenspan), Reagan tore down the wall (nevermind Congress approving billions in defense spending and the bankrupt model of communism), and Carter is a foreign policy/economic genius (bwaahahahahahahaa....I can't believe I wrote that). I mean, Carter's got a Nobel Peace Prize, right?

I'll just leave this one parting shot: Get your this W-4 out, no matter how much money you make, because you're going to be paying more taxes after next year when Obama wins. It happened with Carter and Clinton, and it's about to happen again. The democrats control the House and Senate, and with the Presidency, they'll probably try to make much of Obama's plan happen. Health care will die a quick death as it did with Clinton, but we'll see class warfare and redistribution of wealth. Government and spending will rise, while your after-tax dollars drop (when adjusted for inflation). When you're bummed that you work harder to make less, be happy!! Obama helped you share your success!! YEAH YOU!!

Hola!!! I haven't posted in quite some time, but today I have some free time :)

I was reading this article when I hit this quote at the end,

"The act of defiance from this small group of people is not popular," said Sun Weide, a spokesman for the Beijing Olympic organizing committee. "It will definitely be criticized by people who love peace and adore the Olympic spirit. Their attempt is doomed to failure."

The subtle beauty of arrogance is the ignorance of what's about to come. It's like watching the video clip of a bad accident the SECOND time through. You know it's coming, and you're cringing...just waiting.. BAMO!!!! Someone's life completely changed with no warning.

So my musings now are: How long till they figure out it's not "a small number of people who feel this way?" Will they figure it out? How many countries will have the fortitude to make human rights an issue and boycott the olympics? Who will it be? Will China actually change or will this be quickly forgotten in a few years?

I'm not really versed in Chinese history, so I'm not really able to make an educated guess. However, my gut feeling is this may just embarass them enough to make some moderate changes. I do think future Olympic Site Committees will give more thought into host nations and their world image before approving a site like China again. 2056 Olympics in North Korea, anyone?

The AF has decommissioned the last of the Peacekeeper missiles. This was an ICBM that could put 10 nuclear, megaton warheads into just about any continent in the world in a matter of minutes. For those who don't know the cold war history, it was our counter to Russia who surpassed us in the # of warheads per ICBM.

SALT I tried to limit the number of nukes and warheads, and President Carter gave away the farm with SALT II. Reagan was wise enough to realize the SALT II put us at a severe disadvantage (in terms of deterrence). GWB finally pulled us practically all the way out with deploying a test ICBM intercept program on the west coast (US Army runs it at Vandenberg AFB). In my opinion, we needed it because North Korea is right around the corner from the capability to plant a nuke in San Diego. Sure the program has some issues, but most do when they're new (reference: Osprey, Patriot, etc).

Since pulling out, we were also able to upgrade the 1950's era mechanical radar up in Alaska. Now we have a much better Phased Array system watching our eastern neighbors.

Just thought I'd share.

Yahoo article pops up after I thought to myself, "Funny, dont see much press coverage of pro-war rallies". I have to agree with the Marine who, like me, hasn't served in the Middle East but doesn't want my service used against it. I can't begin to explain the betrayal and sadness to hear that your mom took part in an anti-war rally only a matter of days after returning from officer school and getting commissioned. Actually, I could begin, but won't.

If it didn't appear too disingenuous, I'd say it seems everyone has an opinion about things they know nothing about. The more capability we have to communicate, the more overused it becomes. I like the blog from someone on the war front (major thanks to RW for his JE link) but yet people like Michael Moore gets more play, yet has less experience and education.

I'd post something more, but I'm at the end of a 14 hour work day and don't feel like typing more.

Sir Iqbal Sacranie, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said, "It's absolutely vital that the utmost care is taken to ensure that innocent people are not killed due to overzealousness." Anyone see the irony in this statement?? Too bad a few hundred of his comrades haven't gotten this memo.

This just in...water is wet, and with the clouds clearing, I see the sky is still blue.

This is a personal journal entry, so sorry, no geeky, business or valuable info to be found here today.

I'm just so burnt out. It seems like I bust my ass for everyone but me. You could say that I'm burning the candle at both ends and the middle by holding a full time job, owning a tanning salon with my wife, pulling Guard duty, finishing up a Masters in Software Engineering, and trying to be a dad/husband. The thing is, I do these things for others, except for Guard Duty.

Is is wrong to volunteer for a military deployment to "simplify life"?

What do you do when you spend every waking moment trying to make others happy, but you just get more grief the harder you try?

I'm happy with where I am, but I'm told, "You need an engineering degree to get where I want you." OK, so I go to school to get another MS. I don't mind and enjoy learning about software engineering. But then, when I need to do homework, or when chores back up, I'm told I don't contribute?

I'm told "you're a partner" but many suggestions I make for the business is usually met with open hostility?

I used to race my supercharged Trans Am. Now I drive a Hyundai with oversteer so bad I take corners at half the speed and still border on not under control. I have a sportbike but haven't been on a twisty in 4 months. I used to have saltwater tanks, and now all the gear (minus tanks sold long ago at garage sales) sits on shelves in the garage. I enjoy woodworking, but haven't touched the power tools except for 12 hour marathon sessions to renovate the salon (lot less personally satisfying than building nice, Honduran Mohangony cabinets for home).

Mid life crisis? No. I'm not regretting anything or would necessarily do anything differently. Just wish I'd be appreciated...

Thanks for listening....off to do the hour commute home...

Yahell is running a story about the different variations of dead people voting. In Florida, a woman who mails in her absentee ballot on the same day a soldier in Iraq does will see different outcomes if they both died before the election. Who's vote doesn't count? The soldiers. Yet his buddy who died right next to him, who is from Tennessee (apologies if I get the state wrong...read the article) DOES get his vote counted from absentee ballot.

Not that any of these freak voting scenarios really matter one way or the other to me, but I thought it was a bizarre twist.

Again, my apologies for a political JE. Man, I can't wait until Nov 4 (since the lawyers will be muckying everything up Nov 3). Only thing is, I REALLY don't want to listen to Kerry talk for 4 or 8 years. I was thankful when Gore lost because I didn't want to feel "lectured to" for 4 years (plus package deal with Tipper and the record labeling...yes I'm still irritated by that...and yes...that was back in 1985 or so).

Thought anyone who is curious might appreciate an update and I have a question maybe someone here can answer.

I finished up Space and Missile training for Air Force officers. I apologize for not keeping up to date with the daily journal, since I think RedWarrior and a couple others were intersted. I moved from a hotel with WiFi and had some academic difficulties. The two combined meant I spent most free time studying. I ended up with a mid-90's average, but my goal was to be eligible for Distinguished Graduate. Unfortunately, being a father, full time worker, and full time grad student meant my body is not as fit. When fitness is now a part of the "judgement process" for DG, an overweight, early 30s body just doesn't compete well with 22 year olds. I did double my fitness score in the eight weeks, and I've since kept up the gym routine (at the expense of family time). I also beat all but one of the other 30-somethings. Next time my goal is to DG (I have another class coming) and do the 1.5 mile in under 12 minutes. My personal all time best is 13:30..I've been a 15 year soccer player with great bursts being my strength, but no endurance or long distance running, meaning anything over 100 yards has been a weakness.

Starting back up on Software Engineering. Another goal is to pull a first A in this grad school. I had quite a few in my MBA, but I've started this MS degree behind (no prereqs or previous classes in software). Fortunately, the next class is on ASP.NET, so I have some background in the area.

Finally, my wife is buying a tanning salon. It's something she's wanted to do for awhile, and we have enough saved up to get a loan for the remainder (2nd mortgage, no SBA bullshit thank you). So I've been racking the brain to remember all the training I got in Finance and Accounting as I read the last 4 years of financials and tax papers from the seller. We've retained and seen a lawyer and visit a CPA tomorrow (backup in case we've missed something). In addition, I'm looking to make it a high tech salon. I've gotten cameras and will soon purchase a video card with digital recording/streaming software. We'll put in DSL (no cable ISP avail) and stream. My question is this: Anyone ever dabbled in setting up a barebones Linux machine as a proxy? The shop uses Windows so I know its not secure, but it makes us $$ so it needs to be 100% reliable, 100% of the day. The second question: Anyone know of software/hardware that takes an incoming stream from the internet and will send it out a composite video out on a PCs card? The reason I ask is it would be really cool to take the web-based video feed, and send it to a modulator I have at home. This means I could turn on any TV in the house to channel 119 and watch the cam live in the tanning salon. Cool for a geek!

Enough for now. Just glad to post a non political JE.

John

I haven't posted yet on this topic, because I wanted to find a reference to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Specifically, a negative comment about a superior officer is a serious offense that results in punishment. However, I can't find the reference and I want to mention this before I lose interest.

I can't make the statement, "Captain SoAndSo is a coward and a liar," in a public setting without serious, legal consequences. An officer's integrity must be spotless. In fact, Lt Gen Hubert R. Harmon, the first US Air Force Academy Superintenent, established an honor code that is emphasized in all Air Force sources of commissioning officers. The honor code reads, "I will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate those who do."

With that said, I take exceedingly great exception to Army Gen. Wesley Clark statement Bush, "scrambled and used his family's influence to get out of hearing a shot fired in anger". The more I look into this comment, and Kerry in general, the more morally bankrupt their camp appears. Do I say this to say Bush is perfect or in anyway make him look better? No. Consider the Democrat camp, and what they say and do.

DraftClark2004.com reports,(sorry for cache copy, his site blocks requests from my IP directly)

Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., a decorated veteran of the Korean War who is backing Clark, said the former NATO supreme commander "is Teflon to the question of being a patriot." Democrats "need someone who'll stand up with Bush and doesn't have to say, 'I'm as patriotic as you are, now let's debate the issues,'" Rangel said. Funny, I don't hear him moving past the patriotic issue. Now let's move on to the next leader, Dean. Vietnamwar.com reports,

February 1970, with the Vietnam War raging, 21-year-old Howard Dean carried a set of X-rays and a letter from a Manhattan orthopedist named Hudson Wilson to Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, where U.S. military doctors determined that he was not fit for military service because of a back condition called spondylolisthesis. Dean was classified 1Y, according to military records, meaning he was exempt from service for the duration of the war and free to head to Colorado after his Yale graduation, where he skied at Aspen and poured concrete. Spondylolisthesis is a condition caused by an unfused vertebra. When diagnosed nearly four years earlier, he was cleared to participate in all sports except long-distance running."I didn't try to get out of the draft," Dean has said. "I had a physical."

Those in glass houses should not throw stones is a common saying in our culture. I don't understand why Kerry's camp is making such a large issue about military service in general. Kerry openly spoke out against the Vietnam war and called the leaders (of those times) cowards. The very leaders who approved his awards and decorations during the war. He points to those who didn't go, when his camp has people in the same boat. Have we forgotten it was President Carter, a keynote speaker at the DNP Convention, who pardoned thousands that illegally avoided service by going up to Canada?

The final exception is to the implication that serving the in Air National Guard in some way equates to avoiding "real" military service. I will admit that when I was active duty I did not know much about the Guard and Reserve elements. However, now I know that at least a third of every servicemember in Iraq comes from the Guard or Reserve. Maybe that wasn't the case with Vietnam, as I couldn't find a list of deaths in Vietnam which mention Guard, but there are two fatal flaws with the criticism of Bush. 1. Serving as a commissioned officer in the Guard is still military service that reports to the Governor and President. The president could have called the Guard unit Bush was in to the war front. 2. They call the integrity of Bush's leaders into question. If Bush was AWOL or someway fraudulent, his leadership would have been responsible for documenting and correcting it.

I apologize for making all my journals political in nature. It wasn't the original intent, but it's what has been on my mind. Off to bed...start a new block of instruction in training to become a Satellite Operations Officer.

I am eventually becoming more and more like the people whom I read about on Slashdot. I've often followed links to journals, thinking, "My journal would never be that detailed or worthwhile."

Welp, I'm not sure if it was a former thought of humility, or a supersized current ego, but I thought some, one, or maybe no one would be interested in the day to day happenings of a "New" officer entering the career field of Space and Missiles in the Air Force.

I was active duty AF, and enlisted in this same career field, however enlisted don't learn missiles. They have converted a lot of jobs from officers to enlisted, but I have a feeling the guys who "turn keys" on the nukes will always be officers. So this is the reason I am attending a class I already attended and a school I formerly taught a class within

Enjoy!

I was doing a little research into Carter, after reading the AP account of his words last night (at the convention). His words about, "leaders being trustworthy" and, "leaders being misled", instantly brought back memories of the Iran hostages, the botched rescue, his cabinet scandals and the double digit inflation.

So I started doing a little digging, and found this timeline. I won't go into a synopsis of what I found (which sticks much to the above recollections), but I wish events of those days had stuck.

Ignoring the SALT II treaty which gave the Soviets a huge tactical advantage with nukes (e.g. we were limited to current stockpiles with 2 or 3 warheads, meanwhile they were allowed to continue with 10 warhead missiles), there were multiple stories from abroad in those days that held promise. Iranian Shaw was at the Whitehouse, and later President Carter spends the New Year in Iran, while toasting the Shaw as, "an island of stability in the troubled region". Egyptian president visits and addresses Israel. America hands off any interest in the Panama Canal. Relations are normalized with China.

The point I'm trying to illuminate is that the world had hopeful events transpiring. It's sad that things have actually regressed from those days. I could easily dismiss it by saying it's terrorists and those who peddle fear, arms, drugs, and the like. However, I am afraid the root cause is really beyond my current comprehension of world events.

Coming around to domestic issues, which I do feel I can lend some level of confidence, the one thing that has not changed is the Democrats doom and gloom message. Taking from notes on Carter's 'Malaise' speech, he basically blamed the American people for the downfalls of his policy decisions. He was quick to find problems and talk about the inequities of life, but short on answers. Hence, it seems a sad irony that he is pointing a jagged finger at the President who has taken the most action in over 10 years. Isolationism consistently proves throughout history to be a failure. Speaking many words, but taking no action, has also proven to be a failure. Carter was eventually handed his ass on a platter by Reagan, who offered hope and optimism. Regardless of your opinion on all his policies, his legacy is accredited with ending the Cold War. He was "just an actor," so how do we know a "Party-Frat" boy from Texas can't do the same??

With that said, I can understand the anti-war movement and some people's disdain for President Bush, but at least be fair and point out he's stuck to his beliefs, been consistent and positive in outlook. Even if it's a bit naive to take Bush's claim, "We're safer now," on face value, I will take that optimistic outlook over the "bitch and moan" mentality that the other side offers. Coming full circle, it just seems ironic that Carter didn't learn this lesson from his own failures.

I read a quote from Norman Schwarzkopf that, "retired generals should never miss an opportunity to remain silent concerning matters for which they are no longer responsible." I'd say I respect former Presidents who refrain from criticizing current leaders. They (former leaders) don't lay awake at night, knowing their decisions still sway world events and the deaths of innocent sons and daughters.

Air Force Personnel lists the Air and Space Campaign Medal may be awarded to, "members of the United States Air Force who, after 24 March 1999, participated in or directly supported a significant U.S. military operation designated by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force". I'm not sure if this means I'll ever be allowed in the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), but at least it means us Space-Weenies get some sort of recognizion. Our unit was awarded this medal a few months ago.

I started to write this JE with the intention of tooting the space-based weapon system "horn". However it seemed to be the antithesis of why I serve, or really, why most of the military serve. So I have deleted most of it to keep the focus on serving. My heart and prayers are with US military who are overseas, away from family or in harms way.

John

The AP is reporting that Bush's new records show a few months of service and flesh out some of the details of his ANG service in Alabama during 1972.

I suspect my opinion will be considered biased, but I'd defend anyone, such as Kerry, Edwards, or even Ross Perot, if they have a similar background.

The reason is because I'm in exactly the same boat (previously and will be in the near future). I enlisted in the ANG in December of '02. I left for Officer Training in March of '03 and spent a little over a month on "active duty status". Just like Bush, I didn't drill every month of the year. Similarly, I will have orders in hand to report to Active Duty again, very soon. Since every day on active duty counts as points, it is up to me if I still drill during the remainder of 2004. I could conceivably not drill the rest of the year, because of the number of days I will be active duty will meet my commitment for the year. In order for a year of service to count towards duty time and retirement, you must accrue so many points based upon your duty status. Several weeks in Active Duty will fulfill all the points you need for the entire year.

Hence, this is why the White House is saying he didn't need to serve because of training. I might not serve. My employer pays the difference between my civilian pay, and duty pay. Since I make well over 50% more (as a civilian), any extra duty days I pick up by drilling during the active duty period, will just decrease how much my civilian employer pays. I actually like drilling less during the rest of the year (not on active duty) because I drive 250 miles, each way, to pull duty. Let me clarify... I like drilling, but dislike the drive.

Anyway, hope this was helpful for anyone not familiar with the Guard.
Take Care,
John

One of my favorite skits of all time, from Saturday Night Live, is now deemed "homophobic". In a article about Gov Schwarzenegger, the chairman of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus and some others have deemed saying "girlie man" is homophobic and degrading of women. Hmmm...yes, SNL is so Homophobic I'm positive they wouldn't run a whole series of cartoons, skits and characters based upon them. I guess the upside to this is that I was forced to look up the word misogynist, as I thought it was part of a physical exam or something.

I guess if these people are serious (which I'm certain they're not) than it means if I say State Sen. Sheila Kuehl is a "manly girl", than I hate men!! Would that make me heterophobe? I hate me again!! Drats!! Cursed are my loins and urges!!

On a serious note, for anyone who has been in a critical thinking, this seems a prime example of a fallacy we see all to often in politics.

Commissioned and Non-commissioned officers in the Air Force are encouraged during Professional Military Education to "Re-Blue". Re-Blue'ing means to stop your daily activities, or what have you, and reflect on why you wear a uniform. More specifically, ask, "What does wearing this uniform mean to ME?"

It's an introspective time to analyze your priorities, thoughts, activities, and see how they align with your core values. The Air Force's core values (recently, badly misquoted on a Discovery or other TV show I was barely watching) are Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All You Do.

I won't bore you with the details, but here is the life of a Marine that not only "Re-Blued" me, but gave pause to everything I value in life. There is a commercial, it may have been the Army or Navy, which asked the question, "Would someone make a movie about your job, and if so would you watch it?" If you take the time to read his entire account of military service and civilian life, you will not be disappointed. Resist the urge to skim. Read the whole thing, and don't skip the civilian life afterwards. I think you'll find it to be a very rewarding read.

Lately I seem to like to end my postings or journal entries with a parting thought. Here is one of many statements made that really cut to the essence of armed conflict and the tough choices to be made.

Today one hears men with their revisionist speeches, trying to say the bomb was never necessary, that Japan would have surrendered anyway. To them I would ask; "How many battles did you fight with the Japanese. How many men have you seen die? How many men and women have you seen raped and tortured in a manner that even the German's found repulsive. How did you become an expert when you weren't even born when this happened. How many thousands of Americans would you have been willing to sacrifice, simply to find out if the Japanese would have surrendered without the bomb. I say to you, before you attemp to judge the man who actually had that awsome responsibility, please engage your brain before opening your mouth. (Source of Original Quote)

Thanks for reading,
John