The Tailgunner

Life is short

Nick.nospam@nospam.a13.com (Nick) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:29:00 -0700

Once again, I've been reminded about what's important in life.

Last week, my sister went in for a routine mammogram. Or so she thought. Turns out they found a lump of some kind, and decided that a biopsy was in order.

I didn't know this before, but it turns out that benign lumps are usually round and smooth, while the malignant ones are generally not. And of course, hers was oblong, etc.

Anyway, it turns out that it's benign, and nothing to worry about, but for about a week there, none of us knew. And of course, it's hard not to imagine the worst.

Life is short. Live it.

National Medal of Honor Day

Nick.nospam@nospam.a13.com (Nick) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Today is National Medal of Honor Day. Please take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by these amazing individuals in their service to our country.

Since September 11, 2001, five people have received the Medal of Honor for their efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. All were awarded posthumously.

Michael P. Murphy, Lieutenant, United States Navy.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as the leader of a special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005. While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy's team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers, who revealed their position to Taliban fighters. As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four-member team. Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force. The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of the team. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates. Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate, heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his Headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team. In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom. By his selfless leadership, courageous actions, and extraordinary devotion to duty, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Paul R. Smith, Sergeant First Class, United States Army.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army.

Jason Dunham, Corporal, United States Marine Corps.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander's convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Michael A. Monsoor, Master-At-Arms Second Class (Sea, Air And Land), United States Navy.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as automatic weapons gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29 September 2006. As a member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army Sniper Overwatch Element, tasked with providing early warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor distinguished himself by his exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element's position. Element snipers thwarted the enemy's initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor's chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. Instantly and without regard for his own safety, he threw himself onto the grenade to absorb the force of the explosion with his body, saving the lives of his two teammates. By his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Ross A. McGinnis, Private First Class, United States Army.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq, on 4 December 2006.

That afternoon his platoon was conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control sectarian violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown by an insurgent fell through the gunner's hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled "grenade," allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade's blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner's hatch to safety, Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion.

Private McGinnis' gallant action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private First Class McGinnis' extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Elders of Zion to Retire

Nick.nospam@nospam.a13.com (Nick) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:16:00 -0700

LOL. Look out Boca, here they come!

The Elders of Zion, the venerable and shadowy Jewish organization that controls the international banking industry, news media and Hollywood, has announced that it is disbanding so that members can retire to Florida and live out their golden years on the golf course.

“We had a good run,” said one senior Elder, reminiscing over old photographs of world leaders in his musty, wood-paneled office at an undisclosed location. “Maybe we ran the world for just a little too long. Anyway, now it’s Obama’s problem.”

After a humiliating year left most of its financial holdings, as well as the entire civilized world, on the verge of collapse, the organization has re-defined its mission in terms of bridge games and making it to restaurants for the Early Bird Special.

You won't have the Jews to kick around anymore. :-)

Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball

Nick.nospam@nospam.a13.com (Nick) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:35:00 -0700

Remember the Happy Fun Ball from SNL? It was The Toy Sensation that was sweeping the nation!

One of the many hilarious disclaimers was "Do Not Taunt Happy Fun Ball."

Check out this EULA from Mozy.com.

Do a search for Happy Fun Ball. :-)

A lawyer with a sense of humor! I love it!

Facebook in Real Life

Nick.nospam@nospam.a13.com (Nick) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:30:00 -0700

This is a pretty funny look at Facebook in real life. :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrlSkU0TFLs

Making the cut

Nick.nospam@nospam.a13.com (Nick) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:11:00 -0700

Well, the cancelled my project at work today, and they are laying off about a third of our group.

Fortunately, I somehow made the cut, and get to stay on. I guess I have people fooled better than I thought.

Odd thing is, no one that's left, including my boss, really knows what's going on, or what we are working on next. There was a meeting this morning outlining some new direction, which includes giving a facelift to the old system, but the plan is vague at best. I guess at least I still havea job.

They just started notifying the ones that are being let go.

I feel guilty for making the cut.

2008 Academy Awards Line of the Night

Nick.nospam@nospam.a13.com (Nick) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:03:00 -0700

Jennifer Aniston: Do you have some like special animated career strategy?

Jack Black: Oh yeah! Each year I do one Dreamworks project, then I take all of the money to the Oscars and bet it on Pixar.

:-)

Byrne and Eno

Nick.nospam@nospam.a13.com (Nick) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:31:00 -0700

Yeah, sure, I'm a little behind. But I'm just discovering the latest David Byrne / Brian Eno collaberation, and it's great stuff!

Lithium cover

Nick.nospam@nospam.a13.com (Nick) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:55:00 -0700

I've always loved The Polyphonic Spree. I've seen them more than a few times, and they are never been a dissapointment.

Unfortunately, I've never gotten to see them do this live. Too cool!

(be sure to watch in High Quality :-)

Economists all agree on the Stimulus, right?

Nick.nospam@nospam.a13.com (Nick) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:26:00 -0700

Apparently, just like the science on "global warming," the debate is over about the need for this so-called "stimulus package" that the government is trying to ram through. I mean, heck, Joe Biden was recently quoted as saying:

Every economist, as I’ve said, from conservative to liberal, acknowledges that direct government spending on a direct program now is the best way to infuse economic growth and create jobs.

So the debate is over, right? There aren't any respected economists who disagree, right? Well, not so fast. This is from a post on the Cato website by David Boaz:

Cato has just published a full-page ad in the New York Times with the names of some 200 economists, including some Nobel laureates and other highly respected scholars, who “do not believe that more government spending is a way to improve economic performance” — contrary to widespread claims that “Economists from across the political spectrum agree” on a massive fiscal stimulus package. Of course, many economists don’t like to sign joint statements, so this is only a fraction of stimulus opponents in the profession.

Well, what do you know. But why let a little thing like the facts get in the way. I mean, if you did that, you'd have to then look at the CBO's recent assessment of this fabulous stimulus bill, and it's impact on future GDP. If you mossy on down to Table 1, you'll see that they predict that this bill will cause NEGATIVE GDP GROWTH in the outlying years (from 2013-2019). In other words, Congress's own independent analysis of this bill is that it's will HURT THE ECONOMY.

But hey, there's no time for analysis and reflection. As Nancy Pelosi has told us on more than one ocassion, every month we delay, 500 Million Americans will lose their jobs.

One of these things is not like the others

Nick.nospam@nospam.a13.com (Nick) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:29:00 -0700

Say what?

Frequently Bought Together

Price For All Three: $306.97

This item: Sunbeam 2379 Mixmaster 300-Watt 12-Speed Stand Mixer with 2 Stainless-Steel Bowls Sunbeam
Apple iPod nano 4 GB Silver (3rd Generation)
Apple iPod shuffle 1 GB Silver (2nd Generation)

Tuesday Funny

Nick.nospam@nospam.a13.com (Nick) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:34:00 -0700

From my Family Guy daily canlendar:

You call those cheap implants boobs? Those aren't boobs! They're lies!

The Fierce Urgency of Pork

Nick.nospam@nospam.a13.com (Nick) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:50:00 -0700

Charles Krauthammer nails it again.

So much for the president who in his inaugural address two weeks earlier declared "we have chosen hope over fear." Until, that is, you need fear to pass a bill.

And so much for the promise to banish the money changers and influence peddlers from the temple. An ostentatious executive order banning lobbyists was immediately followed by the nomination of at least a dozen current or former lobbyists to high position.

The whole article is fully worth reading.

The All Tax-Cheat Cabinet

Nick.nospam@nospam.a13.com (Nick) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:03:00 -0700

Change I can believe in my ASS!

Who's he going to nominate next, Wesley Snipes? Willie Nelson?

Happy National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation

Nick.nospam@nospam.a13.com (Nick) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:40:00 -0700

Cause, you know, this will fix everything.

What's next, declaring World Peace?