Uh, no...

Will Smith - Love ya Willie. Think you're a great actor. Love your films. Wasn't hot on Prince of Bell Air, but to each his own.

Comments like this will not get you invited to Xmas Dinner:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/wenn/20071223/ten-smith-hitler-was-a-good-person-c60bd6d_1.html

What really stood out is:
He says, "Even Hitler didn't wake up going, 'Let me do the most evil thing I can do today'.
"I think he woke up in the morning and using a twisted, backwards logic, he set out to do what he thought was 'good'. Stuff like that just needs reprogramming."

Wrong, Big Willie Style. Little Adolf and the rest of his goose-stepping minions were evil.

To state for the record (and I have actually studied and have been tested on this subject - so at least myu professor would probably grant me some degree of authority on this subject), Adolf Hitler was evil. I don't hink any amount of post- modern, PC, moral relativistic, The View watching horsesh-t is going to change the fact that you don't accidentally wind up killing a good fraction of 100,000,000 people, Jews, Gypsies, Communists and French soldiers alike.

Hitler was a bad, bad man. Will - idea - next movie, play a scientist that looks like you and goes back in time to 1943 - in the Reich itself - maybe Western Poland, or Berlin itself. Make sure you get some historians to write this movie. See how long your character lasts...

Or will your character "get jiggy" in an extermination camp? (historian's note - by "get jiggy" I mean a suffering, lingering death by exposure to Zyklon-B)

Will - just a note - take one more step in the direction of Holocaust denial (you-re edging in that direction) and I'll stop going to your movies or buying your DVD's.

Or to make up for it - make a movie about a tank destroyer company (unit id escapes me right now), going up against Panzers...

Come on Will, I want to see I am Legend, I just haven't had time... Now I'm not so sure...

If done right - I'd pay to see that

A good weekend is upon us.

I plan on skiing with my daughter on Saturday AM. Borther Moose and The Future Mrs. Moose ("Tiny Fists of Fury") and a few of their friends might join us as well. Sunday will see me at the world famous Snowbird Resort - shreddin' it propper.

Monday, I pick up the oldest friend in the world. We have a few days of fun ready for them!

So, gentle readers, my already light posting will probably continue to be light.

So - really - no change.

All the best,

Crazed "Up with People!" American , out.

A Different Christmas Poem

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My Daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps started to dream.

The sound wasn’t loud, and it wasn’t too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn’t quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow,

My soul gave a tremble; I struggled to hear;
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, my wife and my child.

“What are you doing?” I asked without fear,
“Come in this moment, it’s freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!”

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts…
To the windows that danced with a warm fire’s light
Then he sighed and he said, “It’s really all right.”

I’m out here by choice. I’m here every night.
It’s my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I’m proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at Pearl on a day in December.”
Then he sighs, “that’s a Christmas Gram always remembers.”

“My Dad stood his watch in the jungles of ‘Nam,
And now it is my turn, and so, here I am.
I’ve not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he’s sure got her smile.”

Then he bent and carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white and blue…an American flag.
“I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another.
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother…

Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.
So go back inside,” he said, ”harbor no fright.
Your family is waiting and I’ll be all right.”

“But isn’t there something I can do, at the least.
Give you money,” I asked, “or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you’ve done,
For being away from your wife and your son.”

Then his eyes welled a tear that held no regret,
“Just tell us you love us and never forget.
To fight for you rights back at home while we’re gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, no matter standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.”

Please send this around to whomever you can. Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due our US servicemen and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let’s try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.


LCDR Jeff Giles, SC
USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC
Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq


Hear, hear, Commander...
***Credit where Credit is due Department Memo:***
Poached directly from www.deanesmay.com - all credit goes to Dean and Trudy (except the authorship - that's to LCDR Giles)

Today

Today I attended the second session of my Church - the 1st Church of Crom - Sermon of the Sunday Morning Turns.

Probably had one of the purest hour on skis that I've had in a while. Snow was perfect the air, bitingly cold (it was 7 when I awoke), the sky... well, you can see the sky, that perfect blue / purple.

It was, I might say, spiritual.

Hell, they've only got two runs open... I hope I can get a morning like this when they have all 155 open.

I love winter.

Crazed American, out.

New blog - you must read it

You must go and check out my oldest friend in the world's blog.

Escape From Peoria

If you read it, maybe he will write more.

(don't push him too hard, though - he's in the process of getting his MBA, and he's coming to the Mountain Redoubt in a couple of weeks, so cut him some slack, gentle readers)...

Almost not my week

So my favorite Collegiate football team gets deservedly squished by the all time rival...

My personal favorite on Dancing with the Stars loses out...

(related) I never thought, in my wildest dreams that I'd ever root for a Spice Girl (and a Russian!)...

Got a weird "ghost in the machine" in the network at my work...

and, it's only Tuesday.

But... it is finally snowing...

Praise be to Crom, Buddah, Allah, Muhammad (PBUH), Mr. Jesus H. Christ, Yaweh, Gaia, Earth Mother Goddess, Jehovah, Little Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Zeus, Odin, Ullir, Jupiter, the Zoroastrian god, Krishna, Kali, Vishnu, take your pick of various Shinto deities - and any of the other ones I left out. Please keep it up.

Crazed American, out.

Hail Alma Mater Dear...

No, not that one. Army plays Navy Next week.

FSU v Florida.

Ugly game, made all the worse by CBS commentators practical verbal fellatio of Tim Teabow.

FSU lost. Florida has a decent team. Something makes me think that the more the media builds up Saint Tim "Second Coming of Christ and all around good human being, protector of lost children and champion of feeble people" Teabow (PBUH), the larger chance there is that the rest of the Florida team may begin to resent it, or (Heaven forbid) the All Hallowed TT begins to believe the hype.

Don't get me wrong - he's good, probably the best College Quarterback I've seen in a long time, but he's not perfect. Couple of times, FSU's defense was able to rattle him up, but Florida's admittedly formidable offensive line beat them back and gave the "Son of a Saviour" a bit of breathing room.

Next time I watch the FSU Florida game with the sound muted, Metallica blaring in the background.

Good Game - sh-tty commentary - Tim Teabow did not win that game by himself (although he certainly helped the process along - Florida's whole squad showed up and PLAYED. Next year will probably suck as well for us Noles, but still - Go 'Noles! Seminole Pride and all.

Cismesia - scored all of FSU's points - plus that un-fu-kin' believable 60 yard FG... get that man another donut (Krispy Creme's on West Tennessee St in Tallahassee - they probably know him by name)) to add to the potbelly (or as Moose likes to say: "a kicker's physique"). He's worth it.

So it's a little more subdued tonight at the Mountain Redoubt (the Seminole Flag flys at half staff - Old Glory flies as high as ever)...

Crazed American, Out.

PS - Crazed American and Princess Crazed American got our first day on mountain today. Tomorrow is day 2.

Crom be praised.

Cost of Oil

Quick note on my thoughts on the price of oil:

I think this sucks - we are criticized for "fighting for oil", yet we are criticized when the price shoots through the roof.

The USA suffers through these high oil prices at the whim of the global market.

Oil Prices could be dropped significantly if we explored for and tapped our own, not inconsiderable oil supplies.

Brazil just announced that they have a supply of oil larger than that of Saudi Arabia...

In a sum - there is far more oil than some would like for you to believe. I remember Ms. Falk's kindergarten class at Herbrich Elementary School in Fairlawn, OH, back when Jimmy Carter ruled the roost, and it said that "by the late 1990's there won't be any more oil"

...and we were going into an ice age

...and we'd be able to take vacations on the moon

...and we'd have a colony on Mars

...and we'd have flying cars

The Price of gasoline, on the other hand is directly affected by the refinery capacity of any given nation and the world, for that matter. Here in the US there ain't been a refinery built in, what, 30 years?

So if we built a few more refineries and drilled for some of own oil, we'd be fine, right?

Wrong - this is all an effect of the Global Economy (which I am thinking might not be such a good thing). We'd first have to divest ourselves of the global economy and begin production of all of the things we get from overseas - t-shirts, electronics, toys, etc. That would cripple the lower developing countries of the planet where all of the cheap labor resides.

Globalism is raising the standard of living in the developing countries and lowering the standard of living in the developing countries, so we are all heading for a rather mediocre stabilising point, economically. I, for one, being the Crazed American and an unapologetic nationalist, do not want to see that happen.

"Good Fences make Good Neighbors" - - someone once said...

That's all right now-

Crazed American, out.

Thoughts

Got a few quick snippets of thought / opinion to throw out there:

1) Pakistan - Attn: General Musharraf and Ms. Bhutto - both of you need to take a step back and talk about things. You are a nuclear armed nation and I'm afraid the Crazed American and a billion Indians (not to mention a billion or so Screamin' Red Chinese) are paying real close attention to your arguments. General, I know for face saving reasons you can't speak openly with her, so call her on a damn cell phone. Work it out already. I say again, you're making me (a non nuclear power) and The Indians (a nuclear power that hates you anyway) and the Chinese (those nuclear armed people downwind for fallout purposes) are all getting nervous the longer your little power shuffle takes. Talk amongst yourselves, or kill the other one - just get it done and please be a tad more stable in the future.

2) Iraq - seems to be going a little better. I fervently hope for continued success in the future.

3) Iran - got a lot more quiet out of them since Israel showed the Syrians that Russian Air Defence Artillery systems are still overpriced and under effective. The silence is 'a- thunderous"

4) I can't stand Hillary Rodham Clinton. Barack Obama seems to be an old fashioned naive socialist, but he can give a good speech. John Edwards is laughable. Which takes us to:

5) Republican Candidates - I'm not thrilled with Rudolph Giuliani, or Mitt Romney (due to their questionable records on Second Amendment issues - I like both of them much more than I like HRC). Still like Fred Thompson, but I do wish he'd up the intensity of his campaign, just a little. Ron Paul is not my cup of tea, but again, if it was him vs. Hillary, it'd be him.

6) The United States Congress (Democratic Leadership) - what a bunch of whining, ineffectual losers. Will their Bush Derangement Syndrome extend to the next President of the United States if he is a Republican?

7) Jeb Bush candidacy in 2012 - I for one am a tad tired of the whole Clinton - Bush thing. You mean to tell me that in a country of almost 400,000,000, there aren't more than two families who can put people up to run effectively for president? This will go doubly true if Hillary wins the White House in Nov 08.

8) Illegal Immigration - still a major problem, still nothing done. Simple, step - shut the damn border down (like any other country on the face of the earth). Set up plenty of legal ports of entry. Guest worker program or expand the current visa programs. Then deal with addressing those currently in country.

9) Taxes - something has got to be done to streamline the US Tax code. Flat tax, consumption tax, whatever. Real progress has to be made on this issue

10) US Debt - something has GOT to be done. The budget has got to be set so there can be some debt relief, and soon. Attention US government, if you do not have the revenue for a program, cut the damn program. If the debt went down, the rest of the world might stop their flight from the US dollar which is making it more expensive for every American to live. If the American economy collapses, then the world economy isn't going to do that much better.

Here's a plan:
After Bush's tax cuts, US federal revenue is around $2,000,000,000,000 per year. Decide that the US government will spend $600,000,000,000 on debt reduction, cap expenditures on defense at $500,000,000,000, spend $600,000,000,000 on Social Security, and run the rest of the government on $300,000,000,000. No more deficits. If some bureaucrats have to lose their jobs, sorry. I'd also incentivize budget reduction inside the federal government. Let's say a manager of a department in the Health and Human Services department can figure out a way to reduce his budget by $2,000,000 per year, while still doing the department's job. I'd throw that bureaucrat a bonus of 1% of the savings - that's $20,000 he gets - tax free.

Somethings got to give - I just hope it's the debt and not the overall American economy.

Well, that's all I've got at the moment. Thanks for reading this today.

Crazed American, out.

Almost a month

Since my last post.

Fear not, loyal reader(s). The Crazed American toils mightily at for a new employer.

So far, this Crazed American is far happier than at the previous employer. I actually have been able to shut my cell phone off at night. This, alone is fabulous.

Also, I volunteered to come in this Saturday to swap out a UPS on our corporate core switches. They suggested that I not trouble myself, and wait until Monday, during business hours. Huzzah!

I'm still going to do it on Saturday, Mrs. Crazed American and the Little Crazed American have an appointment, so I can come in and do it.

Should only take 5 minutes (knock on wood). We'll see...

By the way, the Crazed American will try to discourse on the state of world affairs sometime this weekend, although Brother Moose is planning a bash at his new casa on Saturday afternoon, so we shall see.

Also, the Crazed American plans on offering to Crom this weekend, in the hopes that he deigns to drop us some white stuff (snow) on the Mountain Redoubt this weekend. I will be sad if I do not have to shovel the driveway this weekend.

Also, happy Veteran's Day - early!

Crazed American, out.

So I've been a litle slow...

...in posting. But my typical 20 minutes of free time on Sunday mornings gives me a chance to put a few lines down.

Things that have been hoovering up all of my free time:
1) Getting a new job (start next Monday)
2) Wrapping things up with the old employer
3) Getting ready for ski season
4) Trying to be an attentive husband and Dad (that take up a shocking amount of time)
5) spending a few moments every so often sitting on the new "Negative Energy Zone" (new sectional sofa)

Been asked quite a lot by my current co-workers why I am leaving the employ of my current employer. To which I respond, "More money, every other Monday off, employer provided ski pass with powder mornings and lunch runs, career advancement opportunities, can ride my bike to work, and I don't have to spend two weeks in Vegas every May".

To which they reply, almost to a man, "Your new job still hiring?"

I will begin working for a small company soon, I have already let them know of a trip in a few weeks to Vegas (not my idea, but still should be fun, as I plan to do little but lavish attention on Mrs. Crazed American, sit by the pool and read some books), and a visit by the Crazed American's oldest friend, and original blog reader, I'm a World Traveler....

A visit, for which I am more than slightly stoked.

I shall reintroduce my oldest friend to the glories of winter sports (he has never skied on shaped skis before...). I shall endeavor to get my liver into some semblance of shape. Needless to say, we may do just a "little" bit of drinking...

I am also going to do my da-nedest to make winter sports pleasant for the new bride of Mr. World Traveler. My reasoning is (I have proof that this works) if I make it more enjoyable for her, the two of them will make it a habit to come on out. A win-win for everybody!

I will try to post more, as this coming week I just have loose ends at current employer to tie up. After that, I will have to spend quite a bit of time making a good impression on new employer. Then ski season starts...

So - we'll see

Crazed American, out.

Heath Care / $$$

For all of my loyal readers (I think we're back down to two) I have found an excellent treatise on the state of "health care" in America.

http://jewishworldreview.com/0907/steyn092407.php3

Mark Steyn really nails it.

I reall liked this bit:
That last category is the one to watch: Americans 18-34 account for 18 million of the army of the "uninsured." Look, there's a 22-year-old, and he doesn't have health insurance! Oh, the horror and the shame! What an indictment of America!

And this:
So, out of 45 million uninsured Americans, 9 million aren't American, 9 million are insured, 18 million are young and healthy. And the rest of these poor helpless waifs trapped in Uninsured Hell waiting for Hillary to rescue them are, in fact, wealthier than the general population. According to the Census Bureau's August 2006 report on "Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage," 37 percent of those without health insurance — that's 17 million people — come from households earning more than $50,000. Nineteen percent — 8.7 million people — of those downtrodden paupers crushed by the brutal inequities of capitalism come from households earning more than $75,000.

Someone in our goverment not telling us the truth?!? LEaving out the details of statistics that their entire program is based on? Say it ain't so.

Socialism has never worked when it has been tried. National Socialism in Germany was by no means a model. (sorry, the Nazis were socialists - not "right wingers") Neither was the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics a standard to look to. Medical care has moments of nightmarishness in Socialist countries (i.e. Britian and Canada).

The American system is by no means perfect - true we have some issues - but it's a damn sight better than having the US government getting more involved. By the way, if you are sick and go to an emergency room - you will get treated. Period. End of story. All Americans have 24-7 access to health care. It may not be cheap, it sure as hell ain't free to the American Taxpayer, but odds are you won't be left in the waiting room for weeks to die.

As a certain Presidential Candidate (that the Crazed American is definitely trending towards) said (I'm paraphrasing):

Any government powerful enough to do anything for you, is certainly powerful enough to do anything TO you.

Also, if we do go with some mandatory health care system - just how in the name of Mr. Jesus H. Christ can we expect to pay for it? HillaryCare is listed at $110 Billion a year (That's $110,000,000,000). It's a federal program. There's no way in my flag-waving mind that I can imagine that to: A) not go up even before it's implemented, and B) Not increase by 3-5% per year. In ten years we're lookign at over $150,000,000,000 per year. Twenty years out, national health care will cost (at a conservative guess) of ONE QUARTER OF A TRILLION DOLLARS per anum. Just to see the number of zeros: $250,000,000,000. Why not just give ever man, woman and child in the US $1,000 annually? Do my taxes get to go up over a thousand dollars in a year, every year?

I for one don't think it rational to bankrupt my child and for that matter my child's children's children just to satisfy some American's belief that Health Care is a right (not one listed in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights, but who is counting?).

Freedom is what made this country great. Freedom to belive in what you want, to do what you want, to suceed and to fail. It's the freedom to do what you want.

Keep in mind that Congress currently has to extend our debt limit by $850,000,000,000 within the next couple of weeks. That's just to pay the interest on what debt we already have. Befiore some of you immediately have a knee jerk reaction and say that it's all Bush's fault, keep in mind that if Congress actually paid attention to control spending, and corruption and waste, we might be a tad better off. 'Cause right now we are looking at $10,000,000,000,000 in debt. All of the government is at fault. All of them are equally to blame.

So I'm going to have to go to a goverment decided doctor or not be able to work.
I'm going to have a crippling tax bill. (probably won't be able to avoid that one)
I can be prosecuted for ThoughtCrime. (already happened)
I will be told what to eat, and drink (food rationing) to keep me "healthy"
I will have my electricity and gasoline rationed for the good of the (you don't think that'll happen? What d'ya think will happen if someone like minded to Al Gore takes office with a like minded Congress?)
I'll be under constant surveilence, electronic and visual (already happened)
I'll have my water rationed (I live in the west)
How else would it be different from living in a socialist oligarchic utopia?
What else am I forgetting?

Where's the reset button?

WTF, over?

So I haven’t been real consistent about the whole “regular posting” thing.

But this one moved me to get a typin’!

(via http://wizbangblog.com/)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article2461421.ece

So, lemme get this straight…

Little while back the Syrians complained that Israel over flew their airspace.

Then it be came known that Israel did, indeed over fly Syrian airspace. Also, the Israelis admitted to dropping fuel tanks.

Then it leaked out and has become known that, OK, we didn’t drop fuel tanks, we dropped earth penetrating laser and satellite guided bombs, that were probably guided in by Israeli commandos who were inside Syria.

Against a Syrian / Iranian / North Korean NUCLEAR WEAPONS LAB, in Syria.

The Israelis are acting like it’s no big deal. They Syrians, and their brand spanking new Russian Air Defense Network that just got installed, aren’t screaming about it. Estimates are that around 100 people, Syrians and North Koreans, were turned into chunky salsa by the attack.

Yet this gets almost no coverage in the American media?

When the Crazed American heard ‘bout all of this, he spilled his coffee.

???

Hello? Anyone?

WTF?

I ask why is there no coverage of:
1) an illicit Nuclear Weapons Program by the Syrians and North Koreans
2) an Israeli military operation to eliminate a “clear and present danger”
3) Russian made (Syrian Operated) Air Defenses suck
4) Israeli ground attack pilots still have what it takes
5) Was this a dress rehearsal for a strike against Iranian nuke ops?
6) Any comment from the Honorable Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D – California) for giving aid and comfort to a country (anyone remember her much lauded visit to Syria, a while back) that was either developing, or storing offensive nuclear material?
7) Anyone think that if we looked in Syria we might find a bunch of Chemical and Bio Weapons with Iraqi manufacturing and date codes from the late 80’s to late 90’s? I mean if they were willing to possibly store stuff for the North Koreans, you mean to tell me that they wouldn’t do the same for a fellow Baathist (the Late Saddam Hussein Al- Tikriti)?!?

Most importantly – why has there been such a silence about this? Normally there’d be UN condemnation, protests in the street in Damascus, Gaza and Tehran, and a bevy of American politicans decrying such a blatantly hostile act. But now – nothing?

Me thinks the Syrians and North Koreans (and our Speaker of the House, sadly) are scared that the Israelis may have one thing that seriously put a hole into their plans – evidence and / or prisoners.

Way to go Israel. The Crazed American tips his hat to you…

Sunday AM Gun Control Post

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article2409817.ece

Even the British are starting to wonder if their "enlightened" gun control policy is so "enlightened".

Many thanks to Instapundit.

It's is now official...

Fred Thompson is running for President...

Video of the announcement of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno:
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NzE0ZWU2NGVlMWE2ZGU5Yzk2MDEwOWQ1ZjUxOTAwNWY=

Right now, the Crazed American is on the Thompson bandwagon. If, for no other reason than what the commentator Jim Geraghty (http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NWM2MTQ5Y2ZkNzNiMjk1OThjZTZkOGE2MTZmZDcwMmQ=) said:

"Is it just me, or does Thompson come across as a guy who just doesn't give enough of a hoot to pander? There was nothing artificial about him, nothing prepackaged. Not only does he not smell of desperate effort to be liked by the audience, he seems like he's equally happy with winning or with going home to a happy life with Jeri, the kids, and playing an authority figure in whatever upcoming television project Dick Wolf has. This does not seem like a man who will flip-flop depending on political winds; if you don't like him... he really doesn't seem to care."

This is why the Crazed American likes him. He does not give the impression of being hungry for power. He does seem to share the Crazed American's devotion to the Constitution of the US of A. He seems to love this country and it's people, and it's traditions.

For your consideration: Fred on Federalism: http://www.fred08.com/Principles/PrinciplesSummary.aspx?View=Federalism

Finally - someone who understands what Federalism should be!
Huzzah!

Time will indeed tell. The Crazed American will carry this man's water until he gives me a reason not to. It is still really early in any normal campaign season.

But, ultimately the Crazed American wants all other Americans to do the smart thing... I just want people to spend a little bit of time, and read up on the candidates, and vote your conscience. Just vote for someone who might actually represent you...

Crazed American, out.

My name is the Crazed American...

...I was a HALO: Combat Evolved junkie.

Operative work was, "WAS".

Albeit in the easiest of modes, I completed the game. Kicked the tail of the Covenant and the Flood.

Cool game. Still wondering if Larry Niven got anything for that game...

I'll try to post a little more frequently - at least until ski season kicks off - middle Novemeber.

Crazed American, out.

Monday Morning Patriotic Shot-in-the-arm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBflQLa75C8

Via Ace of Spades (http://ace.mu.nu/archives/236884.php) and "And Still I Persist" (http://and-still-i-persist.com/?p=332)

American War Poetry.

Good Monday Morning!

Good job!

Beautiful Launch - keep it up, STS-118!

Godspeed...

Alright NASA, Crazed American has given you a hard time in past posts.

Not today.

I'd like to wish the Crews (flight, ground and control) all the best and hope that this mission is as boring and uneventful as possible!

All the best!

Happy Birthday!

Bullfrog (being one of my four or five readers gets you all sorts of special perks, don’t it?)! Huzzah! Hope you are having a great birthday! Mrs. Crazed American and I will try to give you a call tonight. You’re old as me again! How’s that 33 years feeling?

Have a cold one for me! I’ll have one for you!

Crazed American, out!

Dammit!

From the Article: http://www.sptimes.com/2007/07/17/Business/Cigarmakers_in_a_pani.shtml


As part of an increase in tobacco taxes designed to pay for children's health insurance, the nickel-per-cigar tax that has ruled the industry could rise to as much as $10 per cigar.

"I'm not sure in the history of man, since our forefathers founded the country in 1776, that there's ever been a tax increase of 20,000 percent," said Newman, who runs the Tampa business founded by grandfather Julius Caesar Newman. "They had the Boston Tea Party for less than this."

Indeed, Eric, indeed. Although I doubt you’ll find many Cigar Smokers who are willing to throw boxes of Cuesta-Rey’s into Tampa Bay.

The Crazed American still has one vice. That is an occasional good cigar. By occasional, I mean once every six months, if. If the prices of premium cigars (the kind I smoke) go up by $10 per stick, I will officially quit. Unofficially, I will put Glenn Frey on the stereo, buy a “cigarette” boat and sing the smuggler’s blues.

This all goes to pay for Children's Health Care - what happens when everybody stops smoking?

Not smart, Uncle Sam, but why am I surprised?

Crazed “Partagas Smoker” American, out.

So sorry, ladies...

...I am afraid that as of this afternoon:

Moose is spoken for...

Congratulations, Broseph!!!


(to everyone else, my baby brother got himself engaged this afternoon - at Cecret Lake, none the less!)

Hooray!
Huzzah!

One HAPPY Crazed American,

Out.

Get this...

http://www.local6.com/technology/13675075/detail.html

I guess I need to rail against NASA again...

I mean, come on!

Surely you can spell the name of one of your space shuttles? I mean really - you've only got three of them left... maybe they should hold a meeting... If this is the state of quality control... Who's in charge over there? Mrs. McGillicuddy's 2nd grade class? I know spelling isn't high on the list of abilities with engineers, but, really.

Sad. They're all glad that I ain't President.

This is priceless...

The Crazed American about laughed hiself hoarse reading this one:

Hats off to Iowahawk, once again!

http://iowahawk.typepad.com/iowahawk/2007/07/that-didnt-go-s.html

For the Record:

The Crazed Amercian likes Dave Mustaine and Megadeth

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=11697

'specially now. He dislikes the UN almost as much as I do...

Tip of ye olde hat to Ace of Spades HQ http://ace.mu.nu/

Out.

Oh Good...

Am I the only one who might see any connection here:

El Presidente might be mulling an Iraq pullout:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/09/washington/09prexy.html?ex=1184558400&en=5c73fe8d47ee4675&ei=5099&partner=TOPIXNEWS

(Although that is from the New York Times – Multiple Grains of Salt needed)

And then:

Turkey puts 140K troops on the border of The Kurdish Territories in Northern Iraq: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070709/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_turkey_1


Is that because we are viewed as weak and the Turks feel it necessary to prevent chaos and / or an Independent Kurdistan on it’s border?

One possible scenario: We begin a pull out from Iraq and the Turks step in (at least into Northern Iraq). I’d love to be under Turkish occupation (Armenia anyone?)… Something tells me that the Turk-men won’t be the benevolent occupiers that we are.

Jiminy Christmas, this could get “interesting” real frikkin’ quick.


***Topic Change***
Live Earth – Complete hypocrisy. Anyone who did watch it (I watched at two separate times (Police – they actually sounded terrible Sting’s voice faltered a couple of times and they just sounded off – Smashing Pumpkins – not so good) gain any awareness of the “looming climate crisis”.

Apparently I am not alone in my disdain for Live Earth. Who did this event help, exactly? Did anyone gain awareness or a fire to go out and do something for the environment?

I think Instapundit.com said it best (in relation to the hundreds of thousands of miles traveled by the performers and promoters in aircraft and the hundreds of tons of waste and estimated 71,000 tons of additional carbon that this event produced) and I’ll paraphrase (it’s my new catch phrase by the way and what I will use anytime: I will start thinking that “climate change” is a crisis, when people who are calling it a crisis start acting like it’s a crisis.

What was the title of the event?

Live Earth: You Gotta Make Carbon to Prevent Carbon?!?

Who did this make money for?

Someone said that Live Earth would have had to plant something north of 100,000 trees to offset the amount pollution produced by this event? I for one have not heard of Live Earth volunteers out planting trees.

Carbon neutral my a$$...

Geez. All hail the “church of the green”

Self Reflection

The Crazed American used to think that he was concerned for his fellow man. I used to think that I was above finding mirth in the misfortune of any other human being.

Apparently not.

Then I realized I am perfectly capable of laughing at the intense suffering dumb ass Islamofacist Terrorist wannabees. I am not laughing at the misfortune of the heroic Scottish Cabbie:

For your perusal - http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_headline=i-kicked-burning-terrorist-so-hard-in-balls-that-i-tore-a-tendon-in-my-foot--&method=full&objectid=19401382&siteid=66633-name_page.html

But I read this and about spewed coffee all over my keyboard.

Corollary - terrorists are well advised to steer clear of Scotland in the future.

From Instapundit (http://www.instapundit.com/)

Also, just as a side note, I am very glad that those would be martyrs for Allah had not clue as to the necessity of an oxidizer in a fuel - air explosion.

Thank heaven that this round of car bomber were idiots.

Climate Change Refutation?

Take this Al Gore:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/450392,CST-EDT-REF30b.article

From the above article:

American Meteorological Society's Journal of Climate reported, "Glaciers are growing in the Himalayan Mountains, confounding global warming alarmists who recently claimed the glaciers were shrinking and that global warming was to blame."

Sept. 16, 2002, issue of New Scientist reports, "Africa's deserts are in 'spectacular' retreat . . . making farming viable again in what were some of the most arid parts of Africa."

…according to a 2005 study in the Journal of Glaciology, "the Greenland ice sheet is thinning at the margins and growing inland, with a small overall mass gain."

U.N. Climate Change panel reported in February 2007 that Antarctica is unlikely to lose any ice mass during the remainder of the century.

How much does Al Gore stand to make if we all get climate obsessed?

Greedy ba$+@rd.

What happens if it all of a sudden gets cooler? By a lot for an extended period of time?

I for one plan on holding his rhetorical “feet to the ice”.

For all the Ranting...

All the bickering and all the dumb-a$$ politics...

Every now and then it's good to sit back and be reminded that there are Americans out there who deserve to be recognized for the magic that they do.

Please watch the following - I dare you not to be moved.

http://mfile.akamai.com/21772/wmv/gannett.download.akamai.com/21772/streaming/wmv/hancockportraits.asx

For the record, it blurred the Crazed American's hawk- like vision.

Do something for a soldier: www.soldiersangels.com
http://www4.army.mil/outreach/support/
www.uso.org

Better yet - Fly a flag this July 4. If you happen to see a Soldier (Sailor, Airman or Marine) during travelling anytime soon, thank 'em and buy 'em a beer.

Crazed American, out.

“Fairness” Doctrine

The Crazed American is for free speech of all types, even the ones I do not like.

The Crazed American thinks that any limits on free speech (save the “Fire!” in a movie theatre) are evil and against that which the United States of America stands for.

Instating any type of “fairness” doctrine on anyone is an infringement of free speech, especially over private individuals and for profit businesses (TV Stations and radio). Fairness doctrine should definitely apply to public radio and PBS and NPR (all tax payer funded).

But then, we already regulate and punish “wrong thought” don’t we? (answer: Yes - “Hate Crimes” – why don’t we just punish the crime – not the thoughts that were responsible as well?)

Getting to be almost enough to make a guy start lending credence to crazy conspiracy theories about our Globalist Overlords incrementally stripping away our American liberties…

Big Brother, where Art Thou?

No Longer Carrying Water

Atention:

The Crazed American had given a lot of leeway to the GOP and El Presidente.

No longer. It is obvious that we no longer live in a republic. The "mob" (not La Cosa Nostra - but the old Roman Mob) runs things now. We are ruled by people who are taking advantage of the fact that the American population and electorate is lazy and complacent.

Without change and soon, I fear for our contined future as an independent nation.

To state again - I have a degree in International Relations - and all evidence I have ever seen has formed my opinion that "globalism" is bad. It tends to reduce all to the average and extinguishes the fire that drive individuals to greatness... Globalism is just socialism on a LARGE scale...

Not good. Never vote for an incumbet again... I certainly will not be...

Why I am against the Amnesty (Comprehensive Immigration Bill)

Reason # 45,324

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZjZhM2YzNDljZjM4MTIyZDFkZmZmMTNlNmExMjY0NjE=

Reparations for Nazis, and Fascist Italians. F-ckin’ serious. Read it. What effect would this have on anyone we turned over to the Israelis or war crimes tribunals? Don't get me wrong - what we did to Japanese Americans(Citizens - good percentage born and raised here - a good number couldn't speak Japanese) was WRONG AND RACIST (internment camps). We didn't do that to Germans and Italians - that's not what this is about - this is about actual "enemy-aliens" - people of German and Italian Citizenry (Swatstikas on their passports, folks) at the time.

Also good Summary here: http://ace.mu.nu/archives/231070.php

What was that song that the British band played during the surrender ceremonies at Yorktown? “The World Turned Upside Down”?

The Crazed American has written both of his Senators, his Representative and the President (What good it will do).

Can you?

Climate Change: Part 453,876

Before anyone goes broke on buying your Al Gore approved Global Carbon Offsets, read the following:

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/comment/story.html?id=597d0677-2a05-47b4-b34f-b84068db11f4&p=4

I still hold to my adage that “consensus don’t make things true”, this is evidence to the consensus that humans are irreversibly causing global warming…

What if in 20 years we enter another “mini- ice age”? Will Al Gore be championing CO2 producing activities? Will Propoents of a carbon tax refund the money? Will coal come back into vogue as an energy source?

Will millions die as a result of coolling patterns that kill off food crops?

I’m not throwing out my parkas yet…

More intelligent discussion and scientific debate is all I ask…

A Call, a Challenge…

I call upon my loyal readers (all three of you): DO NOT, UNLESS YOU HAVE A VERY SOUND REASON, VOTE FOR AN INCUMBENT AGAIN.

Sample reasons to vote for an incumbent:
1) They have done exactly what you would have done on every issue (i.e. they have REPRESENTED your views to a T)
2) They have personally come to your house and have either pulled you out of a fire, given CPR to your child, or rescued your cat stuck in a tree.
3) Are related to you and have done 1) and 2)

Other than that, I say it is high time to get new people in there. New people take time to corrupt. I’d say vote for anyone other than who is in there now. How could Joe’s off the street do a worse job of running the government?

We have:
1) The makings of an Interior Security Ministry (Dept of Homeland Defense) – with that an eventual crumbling of rights and liberties
2) A Department of Defense that cannot defend (damn good at projecting power, but in my opinion, had been demonstrably unable to defend the US)
3) The Federal Government is about to go bankrupt. $8.8 trillion in debt? Why is it we never hear of Debt Reduction, but always deficit reduction?
4) A government that seems happy to grant citizenship to people who broke the law. While making it more difficult for law-abiding immigrants to get here and contribute to the American dream (not send it home to Mexico)

We, the American electorate, have no one to blame but ourselves. We’ve let the problem get this bad. Our Founders made a mistake (big one) when putting together our little Republic. They didn’t count on voter apathy. Guess they figured tha the Voters would get what they wanted and deserved. Well then, I guess they were right…

Vote ‘em out. All of them. Call it the Legal Revolution of ’08. The Spirit of Ought Eight… Replace them with anyone else (that has never served before), Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, Communists, at this point, I don’t give a flying fu-k who. As long as they agree to the whole “…Support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign or DOMESTIC…”

‘Cause them jokers that’re in there now are sure not helping anything, other than themselves…

Many thanks to Ace of Spades for getting me fired up this Sunday AM.http://ace.mu.nu/archives/230353.php

Crazed American, Out.

Father's Day

The Crazed American would like to take a moment, in light of it being Father's Day weekend, to reflect on his own Father. Simply put, Dad is the standard by which I hold myself and others (and I cringe when I find myself lacking). In my "Personal Dictionary", Dad is synonymous with "Manhood", Honor, and Family. Dad has (to steal a line from 1997's As Good As It Gets) made "...me want to be a better man." Viewing my childhood with the view of hindsight, I lived a comfortable and safe growing up, where I never wanted for a thing, ever (Fischofer's 1968 Mustang with the 289, aside - but then I did get a memorable set of wheels...). I felt that my brother and I were the center of my parents world, everything else was secondary. That was a humbling lesson and that lesson has stuck with me. A man's child or children are the most important things in the world. Nothing, at anytime, should compromise their well being, if the Father has anything to say about it.

Morality was never relative. I would like to think that I was taught right from wrong. I had a moral compass by which I have charted and navigated my whole life. Forget school, my Dad taught me every valuable skill I posses. The single two most valuable skills I ever learned were: 1) Initiative - he who has it wins, and 2) Decisiveness - sometimes even a bad decision is better than no decision. Other critical skills - the ability to wield a hammer or circular saw, diagnose (if not fix) car trouble, fix virtually anything, public speaking, proper sight picture, breath control, trigger squeeze, stashing chocolate chip cookies, the proper position of attention and hand salute and the indispensable value of artillery (King of Battle).

Found myself reflecting that I can never, ever, call my Father-in-law "Dad". Just can't do it, 'tis an alien thing. Was asked to a while back - had to decline. He ain't my Dad. That position is already filled quite competently.

Now that I am a Dad myself, I have found myself questioning every time that my daughter becomes challenging, "What would Dad do?" That's usually enough to meet the challenge and get it resolved. I have always wanted to be a Dad, now it's up to me to do as good a job as mine did. 'Cause not only is he my father, so he has my respect, but he's also my friend. That means, in my humble opinion, the bar is set pretty damn high.

Thanks, Dad. See you on Sunday.

I lit a fire!!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/06/15/space.shuttle.ap/index.html

Apparently the powers that be at NASA got wind of the "Notice" that the Crazed American had put them on and:

"Cosmonauts Fyodor Yurchikhin and Oleg Kotov pulled off the feat by bypassing a power switch with a cable to get two out of three computer connections running."

They fixed the g-dda-ned thing with a set of jumper cables.

Brilliant.

Any one else wondering two things? 1)Jumper cables - they fixed a multi-billion dollar SPACE STATION with jumper cables?!?!?!?!!? WTF? and 2) Just where the hell did they get pair of jumper cables?

(I know the answer to #2. They weren't jumper cables like the Crazed American has in the back of his Low Emission Vehicle. I'm sure they were fashioned out of something else. Cosmonauts are a resourceful bunch)


***TOPIC CHANGE***

Finally got a chance to see the actioner "Smokin' Aces". Not a bad flick with a damn good cast and good acting.

***TOPIC CHANGE***

I would like to state that the United States Air Force has officially made me sad. Alas, my local Air Force Base is not having an Air Show this year. I have to wait until next year. Da-n it.

***TOPIC CHANGE***
The next Star Trek Movie had better not suck. Note to Movie Executives: The Crazed American is a BIG fan of the Original Series. Tread lightly with thy "re imagining", lads - don't re imagine too much...

NASA - On Notice by the Crazed American

Attention: NASA


If the Space Station gets evacuated and then crispy anytime soon, I will be on the bandwagon with all of the people shouting :"Conspiracy!"

It is no secret that NASA wants out of that ridiculously expensive installation of dubious scientific value that whizzes around the Earth. NASA wants out of it because 1) it's expensive, 2) it's of little real value and 3) the only reason NASA is keeping the Space Shuttle in Service is to continue construction of the orbital lab. If there was no space station, for some reason or the random spiked computer, then NASA could immediately mothball the three remaining Orbiters (Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavor) and save itself mucho dinero.

I mean there is more computational power in the laptops that the Astronauts all carry than in the stations computer systems, you mean to tell me there isn't a way to "patch" a laptop in the station's network?!? If not, why not? That pretty f-cking stupid, to put it plainly.

I find that, in a word, disgusting. First of all, it will drive an even bigger wedge between us and Russia (who have spent a lot of money on the continued construction), and also, it will effectively shoot American Space Exploration in the foot. America will not have (until the much vaunted Orion CEV's come on line - IF they are on time [big IF]), the ability to have a manned presence in space for YEARS. Second of all, it will lend credence to those people who believe in Conspiracy theories. Third, it sends yet another message that when the going gets tough, America takes its toys, and crying, goes home. I would understand if pulled out and left the Russkies holding the bag, and then Ivan decides to cluster bomb Johnson Space Center (late at night after the janitors have all gone home). That sounds fair to me.

If we want out of the ISS so damn bad that we are willing to spike the Russian computers to back handedly get out of it, it speaks ill of our country. Why not just say - "we're getting out of it - Space Shuttles and launch facilities are up for sale - if anyone wants 'em, pay us some dough and they're yours - and we'll throw in our keys to the ISS."

So to sum up, the Russians built a crappy computer and then the Americans, knowing it was sensitive to EM interference (read the below abcnews.go.com story) ran some high power, high interference solar panels into it. Conspiracy? Or sheer numb-nuts stupidity? One or the other. If NASA hadn't "lawn- darted" that multi billion Mars Probe by having one design team use metric and the other English measurements in programming, I'd say it was conspiracy - so part of me wants it to be conspiracy because I hope that NASA isn't that f-cking stupid.

Here's hoping that the Russian and American Techs and Scientists and engineers are able to fix this issue and they can get that damn thing finished...

I'm not saying that this is definitely what is happening, but with the Space Shuttles falling apart, and the costs of the ISS are continuing to spiral up, and then all of a sudden power surges from solar panels cause Russians to freak out, I am saying something doesn't quite smell right. So notice is hereby given.

Sources for this rant:
Google: NASA wants out of the ISS

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=3281714&page=1

Been a while...

Apologies to all four of my loyal readers.

The Crazed American has been busier than the proverbial one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest.

In the past month, I have: Set up and executed a trade show in a 10,000 sq foot trade show booth, spent two weeks in Las Vegas, stood with my oldest friend when he got hitched, and added to my family (a new cute 7 lbs cat).

With that done, I am now free bestow the gift of my opinions upon the world, once again.

So my quick takes on a number of topics:
1) Priorities of the IOC (International Olympic Committee are COMPLETELY F--KED UP.
Evidence: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?view=BLOGDETAIL&grid=F11&blog=yourview&xml=/news/2007/06/08/view08a.xml
To Sum up: BMX biking and Skateboarding are going to be Olympic Sports - but Women's Ski Jumping is not?!? Seriously, what a bunch of tools.

2) Orson Scott Card's Empire, not a bad book, once you get past the fact that damn few people in the US Military call the SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon, M249) by the name of it's parent design, the FN Herstal Minimi. Raises interesting and gripping questions about the possibility of a new American Civil War. My take - I very much doubt that an American Civil War could immediately devolve into a shooting war, just for the sheer fact that the American Left is officially against private firearm ownership. The American Right, on the other hand is all about private firearm ownership (and that, ladies and gentlemen is why the Crazed American is a single issue Republican - I may not be "Right" about everything, but I could never throw my hat in with a group or party that officially wants to take away my rights - especially the right to defend myself) and would have scads of ready infantry - and ladies and gentlemen, infantry wins wars. The book is excellent, merely for the afterword. Card is a "Democrat" but I like the way he thinks. Overall recommendation - read it - it's a good lounge by the pool, brain candy kind of book, with just enough thought provoking to make it interesting.

3) Illegal Immigration Bill - died a painful death in the Senate. Attention people who want to give the people who are here illegally a path to citizenship: A good number of them (I'd say the Majority of them ) do not want American Citizenship - they are proud of their Mexican heritage, and send all of their money back home, to their families. The Crazed American knows quite a few "Undocumented Immigrants" or, as they like to refer to themselves as "Illegal Aliens", and none of them would be here if economic conditions in Mexico were the slightest bit better. So in a perfect world, the USA should annex Mexico. I mean paying to bring Mexico up to our standard of living would be fantastically expensive, but since the Federal debt is so big Stephen Hawking has to be brought in periodically to describe it, does it really matter? Or a sensible "Guest Worker" Program could be enacted. People would have to return to their home country, and then armed with a sponsorship from an employer, apply for a Worker Visa. Then a background check would be completed, if the applicant had been found to be guilty of a crime (let's say of being in the US Illegally), they would pay a fine of $5-10K (and a suspended sentence - mess up once and - deported!) and then given a two year visa, renewable. If the applicant had been found to have committed any other crime, no admission granted. In terms of citizen ship, they are allowed to enter the pool of applicants, just like anyone else. No voting rights issued, but other than that, they'd get the same rights as anyone else here on a visa . Also put real investigation and enforcement teeth into Identity Theft Laws. Any feedback?

4) Win the war in Iraq already. As Glenn Beck said, "Either fight it to win it, or get the hell out." Follow the Powell Doctrine "Overwhelming force and fight to win." Of course, if we had followed the Powell Doctrine to begin with, I doubt we'd have this problem...

5) El Presidente should fire the Attorney General. Anyone who enough of an idiot to let the legal execution of Presidential Power become a "scandal" has no place in the administration of our country - I mean, come on...

6) I am annoyed by people who call El Presidente a "Conservative". He is NOT A CONSERVATIVE. But then again, I'm not either. I'm a Libertarian at heart, I guess. Small Government that exists to defend the country, make sure the food supply is safe, punish rapists, child molesters, thieves and murderers, and leave me the hell alone.

7) Globalism sucks. If it wasn't for Globalism, gas would be cheaper. I'm not advocating isolationism, but healthy national sovereignty, is not a bad thing.

That's all for now...

Out
The Crazed American

Peggy Noonan agrees with me!

Peggy Noonan - Former Speechwriter for the Great One (PBUH) - that's Ronald Reagan for all of those uninitiated with the Crazed American.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110010023

1st Paragraph - right off the bat - she agrees with me!

And I doth quote:
"They stood earnestly in a row, combed, primped and prepped, as Nancy Reagan gazed up at them with courteous interest. But behind the hopeful candidates, a dwarfing shadow loomed, a shadow almost palpable in its power to remind Republicans of the days when men were men and the party was united. His power is only increased by his absence. But enough about Fred Thompson."

I mean really - The Crazed American has one choice for President - some one who can deliver a speech that will inspire and someone who people will definitely think twice about f---ing with.

George W. Bush is not dual enough. Follow me for a second of drunken blogging here for a second (Jameson's Irish Whiskey). Presidents - in fact all leaders in a Republican (I mean the governmental system - not the party) have to be dual. They have to be likable, but they also have to be scary when they need to be. Take a Roosevelt (Teddy or Franklin) at one minute they could be chompin' on a cigar, telling the American people how bully the Panama Canal or the New Deal might be, the next minute they are ordering the commencement of the Manhattan Project in order to kill hundreds of thousands of Germans or Japanese or Russians... The current Commander in Chief has, in my humble opinion hurt his standing in the world, because he is not mean enough. I happen to believe that GWB is a spiritual man, not above the random invasion or two, but incapable, as his father was (and President Clinton, for that matter) of getting to the theatre that is the "Most Powerful Man in the World". Reagan was able to do "it". John Kennedy was able to do it, Nixon, Johnson, Harry "Atomic" Truman - all had "it". Franklin Delano "American Dictator" Roosevelt definitely had "it" - and by it I mean that ability to scare the ever- living bejeesus out of people. I know for a fact that none of the current candidates for President of the United States have "it".

There is a certain quality of theatre to leadership and command. Without the ability to inspire people and make them do things that they might not want to do, it definitely helps to have knowledge of theatre, amongst other things. I am of the mind that actors (as long as they have proven brains and skills other than "Acting") are perfect and almost unbeatable politicians. They can read an audience and maximize their message to that audience. People who are not skilled in the arts of performance can not hope to compete with someone trained in the arts of theatre and human psychology.

But enough of that.

*** Next Topic***
Tonight, before hitting a glass of the ol' Crazed American favorite: Jameson's Irish Whiskey, the Crazed American polished off a bottle of Echelon Pinot Noir (2005). I shall now don the hat of wine critic. I found it to be like about any other Pinot, save for the overtones of vinegar and turpentine. For the sake of full disclosure, not the first bottle of Echelon Pinot that the Crazed American has sampled, in fact I purchased this bottle with high hopes, as the last bottle I enjoyed with Mrs. Crazed American was quite good. Perhaps this bottle had been stored improperly. So be warned, fair readers, Echelon had one bad bottle in the bunch. (By the way, I did drink the whole bottle over the course of two nights, and it was better the second night, but not by much).

Well, I think that about does it. To sum up this evenings two posts, Peggy Noonan agrees with me, and Echelon Vineyards of California gets one more chance, and Deep Impact is a damn good movie (even though because of it and it alone, the Crazed American had a fear of Asteroid Induced Tsunami).

Crazed American, out.

Morgan Freeman for President

Don't think that it is coincidence that TBS put Deep Impact on TV tonight.

In comparison to the rather lackluster Republican debates tonight, a fictional, kick ass (at once reassuring and kind, the next minute telling the people that crimes "against people and property will be dealt with - harshly...") President made them all seem, well- petty.

Kudos to the brilliant strategist Fred Thompson, for not entering the race, yet. I watched some of the debate, and said, "Fred could answer that question with a simple glare..."

In my humble opinion, he won the debate and didn't even have to foot the bill for air fare to California.

He damn well better run...

Fredrick D. Thompson (POTUS) / Colin Powell (VPOTUS) - a DREAM ticket.

Martian SUV's

Alternatively titled: Who has the corner on the Mars Carbon offset Market? For the record – the Crazed American does not really believe in coincidence… http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1720024.ece

One should be able to go out into one's local planetarium or find an obliging observatory, and check this one out. Since CO2 Ice has a much lower sublimation point, and goes from solid to gas (without much pressure placed on the CO2 gas - and Mars atmosphere is frighteningly shy of pressure), it would definitely be evidence pointing in the direction that if the Martian CO2 Ice Cap continues to sublimate, it may mean that the sun is putting out more energy that we think... in a form our primitive monkey brains haven't quite deduced?

I also have it on good authority that the Martian water Ice Cap is also in a permafrost layer in the soil, so it too, will be affected, albeit at a much slower rate... That would mean visible melting of certain spots - and certain pictures exist of Martian fluid seeps - whether that be water or some other fluid...

Check out my fellow blogspot'er: http://copernicusworkbench.blogspot.com/2007/01/more-images-concerning-recent-martian.html

Also related - anyone have a line on how much CO2 was released by the most recent forest fire in Georgia? Particulate matter?

Log it or it will burn. You'd think that people concerned with climate change would be all in favor of responsible forest management (and by that the Crazed American means responsible and limited logging, deadfall clearing, and overall responsible forestry - definitely NOT clear cutting - man, I hate that).

The Crazed American is expecting a hot summer, possibly hotter than last year. Do I interpret that as a portent of doom?

Nope.

Things are shaping up! 'Tis a happy Sunday AM...

Alternately titled: Communication - Fred Thompson is an effective communicator - whether in the written word or speaking.

Or, when he is asked in a few months his poinion on tax policy - he can direct the questioner to -(http://opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009940) - by all means read them. (props to Instapundit.com)

For the record the Crazed American is very anti- big government and taxes. I am not alien to paying my fair share, but fair share of exactly what? Also the Crazed American is a BIG FAN of the whole: reduced taxes = more government revenue idea (one that is actually backed up by hard data in recent years) - again - read the article by the Next President of the United States of America (if I have anything to say about it).

Fred Thompson for President. FINALLY a candidate I could get behind - only if he would announce (but I also understand how ridiculously far out from the primaries we actually are).

I am going to be sad if President Fred doesn't run.

My biggest problem with the Current Denizen of the Executive Mansion, is that the man is not a communicator. Decisions get made and the man on top is either disposed not to, or cannot communicate his orders effectively to the population. Every time he gives a speech, the words make sense, but the delivery is usually cringe worthy. Neither he, or his father was an exceptional orator, by any stretch of the imagination. Bill Clinton is an excellent orator. Hence his popularity, no matter the overall opinion of his presidency.

Fred Thompson knows how to reach an audience. He definitely can deliver a speech. The Crazed American believes in a "theatre of command". As has been evidenced by the past six years, when a president is capable of effectively communicating his ideas, goals, and commands to the people he governs, he was damned effective. Look at his approval ratings up to and through the invasion of Iraq. He effectively communicated his ideas and goals (whether you agree with them or not - or whether you believe in them or not). POTUS (President of the United States) was on top - and the people under him supported him. He had a specific goal in mind and delegated authority to SecDef and the Joint Chiefs to get it done - he takes the responsibility for success or failure, though. Say what you want about Iraq, the operation to take the country over was a feat of modern arms. There is ample criticism of the Occupation that has been written by far more eloquent and erudite folks than I. It's still not over - though...

My criticism of playing politics (on both sides) with funding of soldiers in the field will wait for another day.

My point is that I believe there should be an effective communicator in the White House. Also I believe that a Commander in Chief should also look like a bulldog that is chewing on a mouthful of shrapnel and carpet tacks. Pictures say a thousand words, and Fred Thompson looks like a commander in chief.

At least that's what I'm thinking this fine Sunday AM...

Out.

Musings

I had every intention of sitting down tonight and regaling you all (all four of you) with the Crazed American’s take on one of the hottest controversies that is gripping America these days – and by that I don’t mean the whole Don “I am a complete Ass” Imus / Rutgers flap – no I mean the whole “piston or direct gas impingement operating system of Assault Rifles” controversy – the one that I am sure has been keeping you all up at night…

But, by way of an excellent blog “What would John Wayne Do?” (http://churchoftheduke.blogspot.com/), I am reminded to inform my dedicated readers of an absolutely excellent blog called “Eject! Eject! Eject!” (www.ejectejecteject.com) Written by a guy named Bill Whittle, he posts not as frequently as most of his readers would like, but when he does – what a doozy.

For all fans of Conspiracy theories – and fans of conspiracy theorists I humbly beseech thee to read: http://www.ejectejecteject.com/archives/000140.html

Never before have I read such a mighty use of Occam’s Razor.

Both of the above blogs are highly recommended.

I will add them to the list to the right as soon as I get around to remembering how…

By the way – piston all the way…http://www.armytimes.com/projects/flash/2007_02_20_carbine/

That's all - for now...

Out

Give me a f---in' break...

Global warming Part II

http://en.rian.ru/world/20070403/62999935.html

Attention Global Government Types:

This kind of s#!+ may fly in Belgium, but try that here in the good ol’ US of A and I will personally pay my 20 Euro “Carbon Tax” in 7.62 x 33mm currency. I apologize in advance for the "greenhouse gases" that might be released in the "payment" of the currency.

See, I even used the metric system.

Taxing Barbeques? That is patently ridiculous. My dear friends – that is cooking meals. That is how the VAST majority of the “developing”, “developed”, “un-developed”, Western (Eastern, Southern, and Northern) American cooks their meals.

Time to give props to the boys and girls at Castle AAARGH! (www.thedonovan.com) – as they so poetically put it:

“If Novosti isn't the Russian equivalent of the Onion - then this is Good Reason #44 to own a MANPAD (Man portable air defense missile - i.e., Stinger). H/t, Dusty.”

For a few minutes last week, I thought that there might be some credence to the Anthropogenic Global Warming argument. But then I realized that any behavior that Humans partake in can now be considered a contributor to “greenhouse gas” emissions.

I shall now take out the Patented “Crystal Sphere of the Crazed American” and tell you the future.

In a few years exercise will be considered polluting. You do release a great deal more CO2 when jogging, right? Medical doctors, please weigh in.

Sex? Heavy breathing – could ruin the planet. Not to mention it could lead directly to more and more breathers who will shamelessly respirate.

For the love of Jimminy Freaking Christmas, it is one series of small steps from:

BBQ is bad for the planet, because it releases more CO2
Exercise is bad for the planet, because it releases more CO2
Sex is bad for the planet, because it releases more CO2
Breathing is bad for the planet, because it releases more CO2

So... who’s going to volunteer to commit suicide for the good of the planet?

(for those of you who don't believe that a series of small steps like the above might happen, try experiencing a "nanny state" bureucracy - you'll be frightened)

The Crazed American has a long list of people he’d like to nominate… for the good of the planet…

Anthropogenic Global Warming: The Crazed American has a solution!

(AGW = human caused global warming)

Al Gore! Al Gore!

A solution is at hand. Halleluja!

Just Google “Atmospheric Effects of Limited Nuclear Exchange” – What a wealth of info!

All we have to do is just piss off one of the smaller “runt” nuclear nations (Nuke North Korea! For the Polar Bears!), and lob a few Minuteman III W80’s in there. I’ll be skiing again in no time!

I mean seriously, if the problem is as bad as you say it is – we’re all going to die anyway…

Allow me to reiterate – I do not believe in the Inconvenient Truth, especially when Inconvenient facts didn’t make it into the PowerPoint. I for one am much more interested in fact.

A quick primer for all the proponents and evangelists of the Anthropogenic Global Warming religion:

Science = search for fact
Philosophy / religion / ideology = search for truth
Philosophy / religion / ideology = based on consensus
Science = not based on consensus, based on verifiable experimentation and peer review (99.9999 of the scientists in the world could say that something was true and one could say that they were wrong, and that one would be right, if he could back up arguments with demonstrable evidence)

Also – just a real quick one: why is there evidence of ice cap melting on Mars? Secret bases set up by Halliburton at the behest of our evil commander in chief to choke out the peace loving, communally living, socialist Martians? Or is the sun putting out maybe just a little more energy. Or is it something else all together?

I don’t claim to know, and I doubt there is anyone out there that can claim that they do and be able to prove (beyond doubt) it.

I think pollution is bad. The Crazed American drives a certified "low emission vehicle". So does Mrs. Crazed American. I recycle aluminum, glass and plastic. I am the guy who will pick up litter in a park, or while hiking in the woods. I am all for trying to live in harmony with nature. I am a conservationist. Hell, I have literally hugged trees before. I love the outdoors and get really mad when I see people messing with Mother Nature.

The Global Warming / Climate Change issue is not going to be decided by a symposium, or a conference or by a collection of scientists and politicians. I really doubt that there is going to be any real change in human behavior, if - and it is a BIG if, human behavior is affecting the global climate. The descision is going to be made by scientists who can prove to other scientists and the rest of the population that there is an issue...

Al Gore, what if it is the sun putting out more energy than it used to? Stars funtion in cycles, especially main sequence G-Types like the one we spend out time spinning around. What if the sun's going through a hot flash? Global carbon taxes, and other nanny state, socialist efforts seem pretty silly when it comes to the power of a star.

How little we know and how fu—ing arrogant we can be.

Rant over, out.

300 - the Crazed American's take...

300
Movie review

The Crazed American is a nut for movies (less of a nut now, ever since I stopped working for a video store chain that rhymes with Mocktuster)

300 is excellent, escapist fantasy, grounded in reality. Well acted. Gerard Butler and Lena Hadley were excellent. The relationship between King Leonidas and Queen Gorgo was the foundation of the film.

I’m sure historians with no sense of wonder will bitch and moan about the accuracy of the film.

As others have said, and I will reiterate –

THIS FILM IS BASED ON A GRAPHIC NOVEL (really long comic book) BASED ON A 1962 MOVIE, THE 300 SPARTANS.

The film took liberty with history, true – but in the end, the heroic and savage Spartans were just as dead as they were at the end of the battle of the Hot Gates. The Persians were just as “victorious”, and the Greek states had time to raise an effective ground army and Navy to drive the Persians out of Greece.

Attention snooty historians: You couldn’t get your students to remember a place called Thermopylae. Now people understand what (for the most part – minus the naval wizardry of the Athenian Thmistocles) happened on the ground there. “Few stood against many.”

I dug the flick greatly. Kudos to the cast and crew.

This is not a movie for children. 15-16 year olds that are thinking about a military career – yes. They should see it.

Younger than that – parents who take kids that young should be slapped in the head.

Overall, politically, I think it says interesting things about the American Public.
I have drawn interesting conclusions. I think Americans still like to win, and still like to see nobility in the face of adversity. So there…

Finally… Well almost

Fred Thompson – Actor, Senator, Lawyer (the Crazed American won’t belabor that point…)

Presidential Candidate. He has not decided – but hasn’t shut the door.

I think this could be a darn good thing. At this point, Fred has the Crazed American’s vote.

In my humble opinion, America needs something right now – something we haven’t had in a while. Since Bill Clinton, at least – and he had his own problems…

America needs inspiring leadership. “An honest to G-d, no bullshit assessment”, of things, big and small. I mean this dude has told Clint Eastwood and Bruce Willis to f—k off. (In the Line of Fire and Die Hard 2: Die Harder). In the Crazed American’s opinion he would only be cooler if somehow he had told The Duke (PBUH) or The King (PBUH) to take a flying leap.

Having heard two recent presidents speak in person, I can honestly say both of them put me to sleep (President Bush the Elder in 1992 and President Clinton in 1993). President Clinton is actually a fine orator, but the day I saw him, a) I had to be there; b) my leave had been revoked and I was looking forward to a few weeks extra calculus whilst my classmates frittered away the time with booze and bikini clad females; and c) it was a really pleasant summer day along the Hudson, tailor made for a nap.

Fred Thompson is riveting. Don’t believe me – watch any of the 200,000 Law and Order shows and tell me that he isn’t a commanding figure. Watch Hunt for Red October and tell me that he isn’t commanding as an Admiral.

He has political experience – 2 term senator from Tennessee. Damn good Senator by all accounts – I can’t find a single website that says anything negative about him (although if he officially throws in his hat – they’ll probably come right on out of the woodwork). Decided not to run for another term – he got sick of politics… Good for him.

Mr. Thompson – give it some thought. There are those of us out here who’d like someone of your gravitas in the job. I’d also like to hear a president give a speech without me cringing at what might come out of his (or her – the Crazed American has no problem with the idea of a female chief executive). I, along with a number of people I know, long for inspiring, no- bullshit leadership, and all that entails. I know it’s a nasty thing to do to your family – but – your country needs a leader like you.

***UNRELATED TOPIC***
Tonight (1910 local) the Crazed American will attend a showing of 300. I long for a film that unabashedly depicts superiority of Western Civilization. The Crazed American is also an unrepentant stickler for historical accuracy. The Crazed American understands that this film is an ADAPTATION OF A GRAPHIC NOVEL. I have studied the battle, and I know that any movie could not possibly replicate any battle. I have also read the Graphic Novel. I like Gerard Butler, the actor who plays King Leonidas of Sparta. I understand that King Xerxes of Persia was probably not a 8 foot tall multi- sexual garbed only in body piercings. Although that the time I’m sure the Persian populace thought of him as 8 foot tall. I am interested to see the depiction of the elite Persian Heavy Infantry, known as the immortals.

If I am right this movie could have been made by both Spartan and Persian propogandists…
Soon I shall find out…

Out.

Musings at Angels 3

Written: 03 March 2007 AD 30,000 feet agl, somewhere over Eastern Washington...

Greetings, dear readers!

I write to you from the passenger compartment of a Canadair CRJ900. I am a paragon of the consumer driven technological age. I am uncomfortably wedges in the aisle seat next to a man who is very overweight. As I write this, listen via a pair of snappy Brookstone $20 ear buds, to the glorious tunes of the Wicked Tinkers (Loud). If you do not know of the ‘Tinkers, your loss. They have three CD’s of which I have two – the aforementioned Loud and Banger for Breakfast.

If you do not know, the Crazed American loves all things Scottish. Scotch, ‘pipes, kilts, ridiculously huge swords, certain movies by Mel Gibson, Sir Sean Connery and all of his works. An interesting thing, the Crazed American’s Lineage… I am a mutt of the British Iles. Family’s been in the US for frikkin’ ever. Mother’s and Father’s side of the family fought on both sides of the Revolutionary War. Mom’s side apparently was a Red Coat Officer, nonetheless. But I digress – ‘tis along way back to the mountain redoubt… The Crazed American is partially Scot, partially English, and a whole load o’ Irish (both Grandmothers). Strangely enough, I’m not a huge fan of the Irish Pipes. What I am a fan of is the sound of Scot Pipes and the sound of the Bronze Age Irish Horn. If you have never heard of such a thing – get either of the aforementioned CD’s.

Please, o loyal readers of the Crazed American, do not settle for copies, go see them live too! An experience. They get all gussied up – blue paint and all, then they play like banshees. Glorious.

The Crazed American has to report on a curious experience that befell him this day. My day was to start at “o’ dark thirty” with a trip to the local international airport. All was well. I did board my flight, was ready to go. The plane taxied out to the appointed spot on the runway. The pilot brought the aircraft to full take off power. Immediately the engines powered down, the pilot quickly took the plane off of the runway and told us that he needed to “reboot the aircraft.”

Apparently the CRJ700 we were on was running XP SP1 – the “reboot” didn’t’t work. We went back to the gate, a technician came on board, looked at the gauges in the cokpit for a minute and then deplaned everyone. Within minutes, the flight was cancelled. Took another flight to get to my business meeting, three hours late – could only spend an hour at the meeting before I had to run back to the aiport to cath the flight that I am on currently.

The Captain has announced that the Crazed American shall arrive home early. The Crazed American is not an angry American. For today the Crazed American is 33 years of age. I am not quite sure of the whole celebration of the day of birth. For me it was truly the first day as an independent American (as in breathing on my own), but the Crazed American feels that birthdays should be a celebration of the people that brought us here. Today, the Crazed American thanks his Parents, the two people that made all of this possible, even this blog. Thank them o loyal readers! (All three of you – you know who you are)

Not to mention being 33 is giving me a weird kind of feeling. Two important historical figures stand out in my worldview. Both Alexander T Great and Mr. Jesus H. Christ both shuffled off their mortal coil whence they were 33… Here’s hoping that I do not follow in those footsteps. Not to mention, the Crazed American has no wsh to be in charge of the world, Current or Ever-after, regardless….

Speaking of Alexander T Great – could someone, please, make a good movie about his conquest of the whole frikkin’ world? It really was not a big deal, back then if the Manly Commanding General had boyfriends and girlfriends… it was fairly crucial that he got the fu—in’ job done.

That brings the Crazed American onto his next topic – Gays in the military. Having had a little military experience myself, and keeping myself at least knowledgable of all things green (Go Army! Beat the Hell out of Navy!) The Crazed American goes on the record stating that I would not give a da-n what the sexual preference of the individual next to me in the foxhole was. I have served in coed units. An old adage, “After nine days in the field it is impossible to smell any worse.” When you get to that point you recognize the human form in a very utilitarian way Thats not to say that there aren’t a few over-sexed types who think about nothing else. If sexual advances, male or female become an issue, it is the soldier’s responsibility to report it to the chain of command, and let the tortured wheels of bureaucracy do their thing. Homosexuality obviously didn’t adversely affect the unit cohesion and discipline of the Macedonian, Greek or Roman Armies. Get over it and grow up. I have known individuals in the US Army who set off the “Gaydar” in a big way – you know what? They were hard working, dedicated, patriotic and (Crazed American’s highest praise coming up next:) COMPETENT SOLDIERS WHO WERE TACTICALLY AND TECHNICALLY PROFICIENT. With who they achieve corporal bliss with is their own fu—in’ business – pun intended!

COMPLETELY UNRELATED TOPIC:
Congratulations, SNAKE SHIT (Ancient Serpent 6). Well done!
You and TOO TALL deserved it The fact that neither of you felt you deserved it means that you should get an Oak Leaf Cluster for that Itty Bitty Star Spangled Ribbon. (What’s it like to have Generals and Admirals salute you?)
When I met your old boss in 1992 at the Southeastern Hudson Institute of Technology (when does he get his?) – he spoke very highly of you and your men. Tried to instill into us future Infantry Officers the need to work as a team – and when your team is comprised completely of hereoes, your command can become a thing of legend.
America will live for a thousand years thanks to men like Abe Freemen and Bruce Crandall.
READERS: If you do not understand what the hell I am typing, get your lazy, uneducated, sheltered twinkle toed asses to the book store and buy We Were Soldiers Once, And Young…, by LTG Harold G. Moore and Joseph Galloway. The Crazed American when he was a larval solder in the US Army, was blessed to be able to have lunch with those two fine men..
The Crazed American displays what few in Hollywood can accurately replicate, an accurately performed Hand Salute.

POLITICAL RANT:
Democrats are, for the most part, corrupt di—heads. Republicans are, for the most part corrupt “sh-t for brains”.
The Crazed American is going to now launch into a political platform statement for when he eventually get fed up with the bullsh-t and runs for office (Please read and try to read between the lines – as with much in life, it’s not a contradiction if both sides are right):
· I am pro life – but understand that in some cases it is justified and should be safe and legal.
· I am pro choice – but vehemently against “partial birth”
· I am independent.
· I believe that “Globalism” is a really bad thing. National Sovereignty is crucial to the successful continuance of American, Russian, British, Chinese, Japanese, Kenyan, etc. culture. Multiculturalism takes away all the special- ness of people and reduces us all to a lower, lesser level. If I go to Ireland to visit the Proto-Crazed Americans, I want to experience the culture of the motherland, not visit with a bunch of “global citizens:
· Good Fences make good neighbors.
· I do not believe that a North American Union would be successful, nor should it be tried. I do not believe that the whole would be nearly as strong as the constituent parts. Let Mexico be Mexico, friends in defense of our shared continent, but not to the detriment of the US and / or Canada.
· I am Pro Immigrant, but in favor of a militarized border with Canada and Mexico
· I am for sensible Immigration policy – a Guest worker program would suit me, but automatic citizenship sounds problematic at best.
· I am against open borders – hundreds of thousands of drugs get smuggled into this country every year – what if someone included a NBC weapon ( that’s not Must-See TV)
· I am for limited government
· I am against the Nanny State
· I am for responsible gun ownership – no new laws are needed – the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is critical to the functioning of a free and independent state
· I am against onerous taxation
· I am for the summary execution of political officials or appointees who have been convicted of: defrauding the American Taxpayer, embezzlement, or any other form of corruption
· I am for debt reduction.
· I am against wasteful spending.
· I am for keeping the US Armed forces the most powerful force on the planet.
· I am an adherent of the Powell Doctrine
· I believe that Empires, from time to time have to “Act Imperial” i.e. getting Roman on their asses.
· I am for exploration of the oceans, and the heavens
· I do not believe in the “Inconvenient Truth”
· I am against pollution and for getting rid of petrochemicals as the primary method fo powering our world.
· I am for a responsible, independent press. A press that informs and does not make opinions of editorial staff into the news.
· I call for a return of the “Editorial Commentary” banner to newscasts
· I am against a press controlled merely by ratings
· Polling should be abolished. For if polls are the arbiter of decisions, then the pollsters and pundits are the most powerful people on the planet.