There's Something on the Wing!

And it ain't patriotism.

Thanks for the Memory to Michelle Malkin.

Some of you may remember the entry I made regarding Greyhound's treatment of a Marine. I never did hear any follow-up on that one. Apparently, however, Greyhound isn't alone in its idiocy. Michelle links to one of my favorite blogs, Marine Corps Moms, who in turn link to the Benton Courier, and a Letter to the Editor (sort of):

This letter is NOT to the editor. This letter is to the young female soldier from Benton, who I had the privilege to meet this past Friday evening as we were both trying to get home to Arkansas. Returning from a business trip to New Jersey, I was changing planes in Cincinnati when we met. I had just boarded Delta Flight 6281 (operated by Chautauqua Airlines, a Delta Connection Carrier), Delta's last flight of the evening to Little Rock, when you came onboard and sat down in front of me. I, along with other passengers who had already boarded, listened while you shared your story with us. Having spent [more than] six months in Iraq, you were traveling home to Arkansas. While in Iraq, you had been under enemy fire frequently - on many occasions, several times a day. You had lost two fellow soldiers from your post, and just recently (watched) another lose a leg. You were exhausted from two days of travel, having flown from Iraq to Kuwait, from Kuwait to the Netherlands, from the Netherlands to Cincinnati Š but you were excited and happy, because Cincinnati to Little Rock meant you would be home, just in time for your youngest child's second birthday. You had 18 days' leave remaining before returning to Iraq.

This letter is also to the well-dressed, middle-aged woman who boarded the plane late, who through some administrative error had been assigned the same seat as the soldier. Your behavior made it obvious to me and those around me that you had no intention of handling the situation in a mature way. You approached the flight attendant and demanded "your seat." As the flight attendant worked with the gate crew to try and resolve the issue, the soldier was asked to leave the plane. Shortly thereafter, you returned. When I inquired as to whether you were aware that the individual who had previously been in "your seat" was a soldier traveling home from Iraq on leave to see her family, your verbatim response was, "So what Š I'm a victim from Chicago! What's the difference?" All within earshot were dumbfounded. It was apparent that you have no appreciation for your fellow Americans who leave home and family and risk their lives wearing the uniform of the United States military.

This letter is also to Delta Airlines. When I, along with several others onboard, approached the Chautauqua flight attendant volunteering to give up one of our seats for the soldier, she left to ask the pilot if that could be arranged, then returned to inform me that the pilot was discussing it with "ops." I overheard part of her ensuing conversation with the pilot, where he conveyed the message that Delta would not permit a paying passenger to be replaced with a "non-rev" Š so, in the end, the decision which caused the soldier to spend yet another night away from home was a financial one. Why, instead, don't soldiers like this one get preferential treatment from Delta instead of being placed last on the list? I am, and have been for many years, a Delta Medallion frequent flier, and may continue to fly Delta when appropriate. However, in spite of Delta's well-publicized financial difficulties, if it is your corporate policy to prioritize profit margin over principled corporate citizenship, then I will be a vocal opponent of any federal financial aid to Delta Airlines.

This letter is also to those in the U.S. military responsible for placing this soldier and all like her in this situation in the first place. As a small businessman, I understand fiscal responsibilities and expect taxpayers' money to be stewarded wisely. I cannot believe, though, that there are not better ways to save money than having our military personnel traveling to and from combat situations on leave flying on commercial airlines under this type of arrangement. Does this policy apply to the military decision-makers as well? Will it take you three days to get home on leave if and when you are ever again asked to serve in combat?

As I was deplaning in Little Rock, the flight attendant handed me a folded piece of paper and personally thanked me for offering my seat to the soldier. Walking through the terminal, I read the note she had written. The youngest of her six children, her only son, was joining the Army. She was expressing her hopes that, in the event he was ever placed in a similar situation, he would be treated differently or at least know that there were those who appreciated his service.

Back to the young soldier: Because you were asked to leave the plane, you did not see that there were numerous volunteers willing to give up their set for you. You only heard the one ingrate who had no appreciation for the sacrifices you are making for all of us. That was no way to be welcomed home to America. I was both ashamed to have been a part of what happened and angry that, in spite of our efforts, there was nothing the other passengers and I could do to help you. Again, this letter is first and foremost to you. It is my intention that it appears in the media before your return to Iraq, so that you will know your efforts are appreciated and that you are sincerely welcomed home by most, if not all, of us. I hope we get another opportunity to do just that. May God bless you and keep you safe.

Michael E. Nelson

Warren

Well said, Mr. Nelson. Good for you and your fellow passengers for the effort. shame on that woman.

And shame on Delta for stabbing a young soldier serving her country in the back. I'll never fly Delta again. (And with the financial trouble they're in, let's hope that before long, NOONE ever flies Delta again)!

Courtesy of Michelle, here is a site where you can tell Delta what unpatriotic scum they are.

Four Days

Go Ducks!

The Last Political Career to Die for a Lie

Thanks for the Memory to Rusty at MyPetJawa.

Remember this essay I linked to the other day? The one about how Kerry's campaign was in trouble in part because Vietnam vets want some payback for the way they were treated when they returned from the war?

Well, Mr. Kerry, reap the whirlwind:

KERRY LIED . . . while good men died
A gathering of Vietnam veterans from across America

Where: Upper Senate Park, Washington, D.C. It is easy to get to, shady and pretty, with a great view of the Capitol dome in back of the speaker's platform. THIS IS A NEW LOCATION AS OF 7/17/04

When: Sunday, Sept 12, 2004 2:00-4:00 PM (EDT)

Why: To tell the truth about Vietnam veterans.
To counter the lies told about Vietnam veterans by John Kerry

All Vietnam veterans and their families and supporters are asked to attend.Other veterans are invited as honored guests.

NOTE: Bring a blanket or lawn chairs. None will be provided.

PLEASE NOTE: WHILE THIS RALLY IS CONDUCTED IN HONOR OF AND ON BEHALF OF VIETNAM VETERANS, EVERYBODY IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND! PLEASE COME AND BRING A FRIEND!

Payback, she is, how do you say it....

A Note to Susan Estrich

I just read your essay, and have only one thing to say to you:

There are new treatments for the symptoms of menopause that really work. Ask your doctor for more information, or call the number on your screen.

Aborted on the Fourth of July

Thanks for the Memory to the Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler.

Remember that Tom Cruise movie, "Born on the Fourth of July", about a Viet Nam vet who returns only to protest against the war?

Sound familiar?

Well, if this essay is accurate, John Kerry is gonna wish he'd picked a different role model.

Pretty Much Says it All

Before It's Too Late

Thought I'd share one of my favorite grilling recipes, while it's still warm enough to grill.

Bear in mind, this one is not very precise, I just kinda wing it. But here goes:

Oregon Filbert-Encrusted Steelhead

(For those not in the PNW, filbert=hazelnut, and you can use salmon instead of steelhead)

4 6-8 oz steelhead filets, skin on
1/3 cup honey
salt (pinch)
pepper (to taste)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dill weed
1 cup chopped raw filberts
2 cedar planks, soaked in water

Mix honey and spices. Place the filets skin down, 2 to a plank. coat in honey mixture, sprinkle until coated with nut crumbs, saving about 1/4. Place on grill, cook until steelhead is firm but not quite done. As fish cooks, openings will appear in the nut crust. Use the extra nuts to fill spaces. When fish is almost done, remove from grill and place under red hot broiler for 1- 1.5 minutes, just long enough to finish toasting the nuts. Serve with mixed greens, mashed or pan fried potatos and a bottle of Pinot Noir.

We Ain't Talkin' About Fabric Softener!

Thanks for the Memory to Ace of Spades HQ.

During presidential elections, there is usually a phenomenon known as Bounce. The idea is, the momentum and publicity of a party's convention gives the party's candidate a boost in the polls.

This year, President Bush was struggling in the polls against Kerry in the days leading up to the DNC. It was predicted that he'd slip even further after Kerry announced the selection of Edwards as his running mate, it was an expected "Mini-bounce." It failed to materialize. Not to worry, folks! said the Donkeys. We still have the Convention! The DNC came and went, and guess what? No discernable bounce. But the Dem-wits had an explanation for this, too. There is no bounce they said, Neo-Matrix-Like. The electorate is so partisan, there aren't enough undecideds left to provide a bounce. Kerry didn't get one, and neither will Bush. Then came the RNC, and before President Bush even spoke, the polls tossed the Dimocrats this curveball:

A MEGA-BOUNCE!

One has to wonder what the bounce will look like after Thursday night.

George Bush is like Tigger: Bouncing is what he does bestest.

Quote of the Day

This letter over at Marine Corps Moms prompted me to select the following quote for today:

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

-- John Stuart Mill

UPDATE:
Thanks for the Memory to the esteemed Michelle Malkin.

If you follow the link I gave at the top of the post to Marine Corps Moms, you'll find it's a letter from the mother of a young marine, reacting to the protests in NYC, especially to the sight of protestors carrying coffins representing US Casualties. Well, Jen Martinez has another letter, this time from a soldier, expressing similar views.

It comes down to this, it would seem. The servicemembers and their families recognize that the protestors have the right to express their opinions. But they resent what they perceive as the protestor's lack of respect for the fact that it's those very soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen whose sacrifices make possible the freedoms the protestors are exercizing. They resent being used as political pawns by the protestors, and they want people to know they don't agree with them. They volunteered willingly to serve, and serve is what they want to do.

Read the letters. Think about the words. And thank God Almighty he blessed us with people as noble as these servicemembers and their families.

One Dead President a Year Is Enough

Thanks for the memory to readers Chris W and USMT at the Rottie:

Apparently former President Bill Clinton may have suffered a heart attack and is undergoing bypass surgery.

I have little respect for the man as a political figure, and despised his presidency, but I would never wish him harm. If you read my earlier post, you know I speak from experience when I say that Chelsea's too young to bury her father.

Pray for him and his family, please.

Blog Plug

OK, I ain't Glenn Reynolds, and this ain't no Instalaunch, but I do realize that my handful of loyal readers are a bright bunch and good judges of horseflesh, so to speak. So I'm telling you about one of your own.

Less than an hour ago, I got an email from reader Keith in Mt. View, asking permission to link to this blog from his. I was a bit amused, since I consider that the linker is doing the linkee a favor. But I respected the politeness, granted permission, and offered to return the favor if he'd send me his link. He complied, and I followed it, only to realize I'd been there, and liked what I saw. Then I notice only one of his entries has a comment, and it's from ME!!!!

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS WORLD???????

This guy's blog is well-layed out and well-written. He's bright, well-travelled, well-informed, and writes well. For pete's sake, people! go read it! NOW!!!!!

A Little Piece of My Heart

I have developed a very weird habit in the last few years, for a specific reason. I suppose it's my little share of the world's insanity. To understand the habit, you need to understand its history.

In July of 2001, while preparing to move to Oregon, my wife and I were forced to live for some time in a very tiny 24-foot RV. One morning I was very ill, so I stayed home from work. The Redhead had things she needed to do to prepare for work, and was making a lot of noise, so I called my dad to ask if I could nap at my parent's RV for the morning. He said yes. Before I left, I decided to go for a little swim, I figured it would help me feel better. After that, my wife sent me on an errand. While on the errand, my father called to see when I would be there. My wife told him I'd be there soon.

I finished the error, then left our RV for my parents' RV park. When I got to the RV, my dad was sleeping in his favorite chair, a western novel he'd been reading still in his hands. I decided to wake him to let him know I was there.

Except he wasn't sleeping. He was dead. I called 911, administered CPR until the fire department arrived, and they tried for some time to revive him, but it was useless. He probably died instantly of a massive heart attack.

So this is the habit I've developed since then: Any time I wake in the night, and my wife or my dog is sleeping too soundly, I have a tendency to nudge them, just a bit, not enough to intentionally wake them completely, but enough to make them stir, just so I know they're actually just asleep. You can imagine how annoying this is to them. I'd been getting better about it, but with a baby on the way, I caught myself doing it to the dog several times last night.

I'm gonna be a basket case once the kid arrives.

Political Greeting Cards?

I kid you not. I was in Fred Meyer last night, buying a birthday card for my nephew, when I saw them.

Only in Oregon.

But they were funny.

First card:
Outside: Happy Birthday from President Nader
Inside: And the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, and....

Second card:
Outside: What do you get when you cross Dennis Kucinich and Joe Lieberman?
Inside: 3% of the vote and a bad haircut.

We Love You Too, New York

In the opening moments of his speech last night, Governor Pataki praised a group of Oregonians who travelled to NYC in the weeks after 9/11 to help sustain the NY tourism industry.

Well, we do understand how important tourism can be to a local economy. We would have difficulty surviving without it.

But I couldn't have been prouder. Great moment.

My Shot Left Foot

Thanks for the Memory to VodkaPundit and Darth Apathy.

Aside from the veracity of his claims and their bearing on his qualifications for the Presidency, one of the primary reasons so many veterans take issue with John Kerry, and one of the reasons the Swift Boat Vets for the Truth have come after him so hard has to do with his anti-war activities after the war. They feel he has defamed them and dishonored their service and their memory. Many would like to hear him apologize. Recently President Bush suggested to Brit Hume that that would be a good idea for Kerry. Kerry's Response? "There will be no apology."

I guess his theory is, if he shoots himself in the OTHER foot, then it'll even things out and his campaign won't limp as badly. It doesn't work like that, Johnny.

He was already slipping in the polls among veterans. I wouldn't be surprised if he polls as low as 25% after this.

You Might Be From The Pacific Northwest If:

1. You know the state flower (Mildew).
2. You feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash.
3. Use the statement "sun break" and know what it means.
4. You know more than 10 ways to order coffee.
5. You know more people who own boats than air conditioners.
6. You feel overdressed wearing a suit to a nice restaurant.
7. You stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" signal.
8. You believe that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain.
9. You can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Veneto's
10. You know the difference between Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye salmon.
11. You know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Oregon, and Willamette.
12. You consider swimming an indoor sport.
13. You can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food.
14. In winter, you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark-while only working eight-hour days.
15. You never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.
16. You are not fazed by "Today's forecast: showers followed by rain," and “Tomorrow's forecast: rain followed by showers."
17. You cannot wait for a day with "showers and sun breaks."
18. You have no concept of humidity without precipitation.
19. You know that Boring is a town in Oregon and not just a state of mind.
20. You can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you cannot see through the cloud cover.
You notice that "the mountain is out" when it is a pretty day and you can actually see it.
22. You put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.
23. You switch to your sandals when it gets about 60, but keep the socks on.
24. You have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.
25. You think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists.
26. You knew immediately that the view out of Frasiers window was a fake.
27. You buy new sunglasses every year, because you can't find the old ones after such a long time.
28. You measure distance in hours.
29. You often switch from "heat" to "a/c" in the same day.
30. You use a down comforter in the summer.
31. You carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them.
32. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit under a raincoat.
33. You know all the important seasons: Almost Winter; Winter; Still Raining (aka Spring); Road Construction (Summer); Deer & Elk season (Fall).
34. You go to the coast, never the beach.

UPDATE: #34 contributed by fellow conservative AND Nor'wester Stephen of Doggerrel Pundit.

Somebody Had to Say It

A while back, I got a trackback from an excellent blog called Naked Villainy (I've been meaning to thank them, I probably will today). Ever since, I've read it and found it to be well-written and frighteningly in agreement with me on some obscure things.

That was especially borne out today, when they did something I've wanted to do for some time: Go ballistic on the California Cows commercials.

To take things a step further, not only do I agree with their deconstruction of the "Happy Cow" argument, I can tell you from experience, I am unimpressed with the quality of California cheese, especially sharp cheddar, my personal favorite.

Now I'm biased, but I think that in respect to both what constitutes happy cows, and what constitutes good cheese, a better option would be that offered by the Tillamook County Creamery Association, a favorite here in Oregon and an annual contender in national competitions. Their Black Label Extra Sharp White Cheddar is evilly good. Small craft cheesemakers are beginning to pop up all over the state, but Tillamook manages to put out large quantities of high quality cheese thanks to a cooperative agreement with the dairies in their area, an area whose annual rainfall and mild coastal climate makes for lush, green grass year round for the cows.

Shot Down By a Flyer

Originally posted at 7:16 AM PDT, 1 September, 2004.

Thanks for the Memory to Russ at TacJammer. Russ got this from Blackfive.

It was looking for a while like the focus on the RNC would divert attention from the issue of Kerry's Viet Nam service and all the controversy surrounding it. But today, WorldNetDaily released an article detailing the contents of an anti-war flyer distributed by VVAW back in Kerry's day. A picture of the actual flyer can be seen at Perry on Politics.

I'll say here essentially what I said on Blackfive's blog:

As a civilian, I make a conscious effort to maintain a certain level of respect towards the military. I recognize that for over 200 years now, the sacrifices made by the men and women of the armed services have afforded me the freedoms I enjoy as an American. For this reason, I feel that it is incumbent upon those of us who cannot or do not serve to show them our gratitude and respect, in two ways: By how we treat those individuals, and how we treat the freedoms they've bought us. That's where this whole John Kerry thing throws me in to conflict.

For starters, under normal circumstances I would not feel qualified to comment on the service record of anyone who has served. That's disrespectful of me as someone who has never and will never serve. This is part of my policy of showing respect towards servicemembers and veterans.

But this issue touches on the other, perhaps more important policy of treating the freedoms I enjoy because of those servicemembers with respect. To me this means defending them (to a lesser extent than the military, but still vital) when necessary and possible, and exercizing those freedoms responsibly.

Perhaps the greatest of those freedoms, the one which carries the greatest power and necessity for responsible exercize, and the one that is both a right and a duty, is the right to vote. If we all fail to vote, if we all throw our rights away, then the sacrifices of the military are in vain. They died to make us free, let us act as free men should.

Now we have an election in which John F Kerry has presented himself as a candidate for the presidency of the United States of America. As part of his campaign, he has presented his record asd a veteran as proof of his qualifications for the job. This makes his service record an issue I am now willing to consider and comment on, since in my mind, the obligation of respect for the rights easrned takes precedence over the obligation of respect for the individual who served those rights. If Kerry tells me that his Vietnam service is a reason to vote for him, then I should make an effort to weigh that claim. I find it wanting.

Furthermore, I feel that this flyer shows disrespect for his fellow servicemembers, which is in istelf almost inexcusable. If he were truly, as he believed, showing greater respect for freedom by doing this, it might be different. But the antiwar movement of which he was a part was encouraging the defeat of the forces of freedom, and encourasging the North Vietnamese. In this, the flyer violates both obligations.

I would be doing the same by voting for him.

Update:

Thanks to Vic at Darth Apathy, I now have a copy of the flyer to view here:



Update II:
9:56 AM PDT, 2 September, 2004

Reader vnjagvet over at Blackfive's blog weighed in with a vet's point of view. He puts it so well, I obtained his permission to reprint the comments here:

Ask five VN Vets whether they think John Kerry is fit to be commander in chief in 2004. One might say yes. Duck from the reaction of the rest.

Here's why:

The undisputed facts really show:

First: Kerry is at best a serial exaggerator who stakes his campaign on the premise that 4 months service in Vietnam as a junior officer over thirty years ago demonstrates beyond doubt that he is qualified to command our troops in war. His four months prove no such thing, and his “defenses” over the last month prove he cannot lead anyone to get a straight story out regarding why that service was so much better than the 2.5 million who served there that he should be elected President. Moreover, his failure to authorize disclosure of his complete record demonstrates he does not want this truth to come out.

Second: Kerry's overt anti war activities while still a commissioned officer in the United States Naval Reserve (he was not discharged until 1978) consisted at bottom of delivering the talking points of the People's Republic of North Vietnam with his unqualified endorsement before the United States Senate and elsewhere. In so doing he gave the unmistakable appearance of corroborating enemy propaganda the likes of which had not been seen since Axis Sally. It has not been seen since.

Third, and most important, he has given voice from 1966 to the present to a philosophy that the United States should look to the European community (particularly France and Germany) for the best way to defend its national interests, and to preserve, protect and defend the the United States. That is the one thread that has been consistent throughout his political career.
In my opinion, such a man is truly unfit to command our troops in the ongoing war against the Islamic Radicals who, since at least 1993 have sought to destroy us.

I believe internal polling reveals that an overwhelming majority of those who have been and are now "in harm's way" passionately believe this. If you don't believe me, ask them.

Thank you for your comments, vnjagvet, and thanks especially for your service.

Home and Away

Recently the Redhead Who is to be Feared and I took a drive to the coast for seafood and fresh air. While there, we met a couple visiting from New Jersey. In the midst of their effusive praise for the beauty of Oregon, they observed that you don't see that many Oregon license plates outside the state. the gentleman theorized that it's because there's so much to see and do here, Oregonians don't feel the need to cross state lines.

Interesting theory. I wonder if there's ever been a study or survey done on the ratio of states' populations that travel to other states versus those who stay nearer home. I'll have to do a google search one of these days, if I ever get the time.

Update:

Thanks for the Memory to Mom.

The same day I posted this, my mom then sent me an email pointing out that USAToday has rated Florence, Oregon the best place in the country to retire.

I'm a bit too young to be thinking about retirement yet, but I can tell you, Florence is a great place tio visit at the very least. It's about an hour west of me on the coast, and it's pretty much the border town between Oregon's South Coast and Central Coast. South of Florence lie the Oregon Dunes, to the north the Coast Range returns to the sea and PCH rises up to skirt sheer cliffs and fir-covered mountains. Sea Lion Caves and Heceta Head Lighthouse are within 20 minutes drive. One of the oddest and most interesting things to see in Florence is the Darlingtonia Wayside, where you'll find an entire bog filled with carnivorous pitcher plants (Darlintonia california), also known as the hooded cobra lily. Also, Moe's, famous for its clam chowder, and a great waterfron shopping district.

Quote of the Day

"Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay--and claims a halo for his dishonesty."

-- Robert A. Heinlein