OC Chuck

Happy 4th

2007-07-05T22:34:00.000-07:00

I went to the HB Parade on the 4th for the first time in years. We went to a friend of a friend’s house who lives on the route – I finally took them up on the offer. My preference in the past has been to celebrate by sleeping in, but my wife wanted to take the kid to the parade. We had a good time at a great location (thanks Taylors!). One thing of note: every time a military group went by, most people in the crowd on both sides of the street stood and applauded. It was nice to see (and do) that. Some of the groups were American Legion, Pearl Harbor Survivors (it seemed there were still quite a few), WWII Vets, Vietnam Vets, recent returnees from Afghanistan, and a reenactment group.

There was a group of four people in the parade displaying a “give peace a chance” banner that the crowd pretty much ignored, and a delegation of about 50 “Democrats in Orange County.” I wondered aloud if that were all of the democrats from OC. One could only hope...

My wife told me later she overheard a conversation from some teens where one asked another, “What is POW-MIA?,” pronouncing it as a word (there were a number of vehicles with those flags). After a bit, she had to explain that it meant “prisoner of war” and “missing in action.” Seemed sad that they didn’t know. She had a Vietnam MIA bracelet in High School (her dad was retired Navy).

We’ll probably go again next year.

Can you keep a secet?

2007-04-28T22:46:00.000-07:00

A father walks over to his 5-year old son in their living room and asks him, “Can you keep a secret?”

The boy says, “Yes.”

The dad tells him, “Okay, you know that today is mom’s birthday, right?”

“Uh huh,” the son answers.

“Well, while mom is out having lunch with her friends right now, I’m having something delivered for her birthday. Do you remember when I was coming home late from work recently?”

“Yeah, how come?”

“Because I was working overtime to earn some extra money. There is a painting at a local art store that I know mommy will love, but it costs a lot of money. I put the extra money in a secret place so it will be a surprise. Now I’m having the lady from the store come over to deliver it and hang it next to mommy’s dresser where she can look at it every day when she wakes up.”

“Can I watch the lady hang it?” the boy asks.

“Certainly,” says dad.

A knock comes at the door and its the lady from the art store. They all go into the bedroom and watch her hang the painting. The father pulls out an envelope from his sock drawer, uses the money in it to pay for the artwork and says to the son, “Don’t tell mommy that it costs a lot of money, because she might be upset that I spent so much. But she is worth it.”

“Okay, daddy,” he replies.

The father and son then leave to go pick up the mom from the restaurant. When they get there, they see her at the crowded restaurant, sitting at a patio table with all of her friends. The boy runs over to her and yells out, “Mommy, mommy! Daddy is keeping secrets from you, and he has money you don’t know about, and a lady was in your bedroom, and daddy said I could watch, and he gave her money, and he said not to tell you because you would be mad!.”

A hush fell over the restaurant.

“Oh,” the son remembers, “and he said she is worth it!”

The boy grew up to be a New York Times reporter.

Liberal Heads are Exploding

2007-03-12T22:26:00.000-07:00

Wow.

Hat tip: Wizbang

Is it Nov 08 Already?

2007-02-18T22:33:00.000-08:00

Since the presidential candidates are so eager to get the campaigning going, I guess I should keep track of some of the stuff going on.

My choices at this point, in order of electability are: Giuliani (gotta learn how to spell that one!), Romney, Hunter (as in Duncan). In order of preference (such as conservatism): Hunter, Romney, Giuliani.

Giuliani has some baggage but did some good stuff for NYC and showed a lot of character and strength on 9/11. His history with abortion rights should be taken care of with his stance on SCOTUS appointments, and I don't care so much about guns.

I've been impressed with Romney since the Salt Lake Olympics and the fact that he got elected as a Republican Governor in (M)assachusetts. But he has shown some 'blowin in the wind' tendencies.

Duncan Hunter appears to have all of the right Conservative stuff, at least as much as I've heard, but he is too much of an unknown. Plus, Reps rarely make it to the big dance.

I may bounce between Giuliani and Romney up to the primaries, but will almost certainly support whoever ends up as the Republican nominee (even if it is McCain - yeech!).

Update: Fred Thompson? Hmmm...

Update2: Yes, Fred.

Is Nothing Sacred?

2006-12-07T19:04:00.000-08:00

The other night, the family and I went to our City's civic center to watch the "lighting of the tree" and partake in the other activities of that evening. They had Santa Claus, Christmas carolers and choirs, a bell choir from a nearby church playing Christmas songs, a train (tram?) ride through a Christmas village, and some crafts for kids with Christmas decorations. (Recognize a theme here?)

Shortly after the festivities started came time for the major event. The incoming mayor started speechmaking, going on and on (with my son saying "Daddy, when are they going to light the Christmas tree?"). Then the sound of a motorcycle revving, and Santa is sighted, making his appearance to light the...

Freedom tree???

We didn't want to watch the lighting of a "Freedom" tree, we wanted to see the Christmas tree. Everything else there was "Christmas." Except for the tree. What was wrong with the tree?

Would there be someone there, while listening to the Christmas music, riding the Christmas train, sitting on Santa's lap, doing Christmas crafts, be offended by a "Christmas" tree?

We have what used to be known as a Christmas break - now it is a "holiday" break. If we had off for Ramadan, I wouldn't have a problem calling it "Ramadan break," or lighting a Ramadan tree, or eating Ramadan cookies, if that was what society did as a whole. If people want to walk around with dots on their foreheads, or wear orange robes and flowers, or ride bicycles while wearing suits, it doesn't offend me, knock yourselves out. But why can't my City have a Christmas tree?

I don't think we'll be going next year.

What ever happened to dialog?

2006-12-03T21:26:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I'm reading a post at WuzzaDem, and it has a link to another blog from the Left about Senator Webb not wanting to talk about his son at a party Bush is throwing for him and the other freshmen congresspeople. Someone named Dana from the Right side left five posts (partly talking about a trackback issue) and got banned. I decided to put in my 2 cents worth, being on my best behavior, trying to appreciate the points from the blog's author (who comments a LOT on her(?) own blog, BTW).

After I figured out that there was no way I would be taken seriously, I left some closing points, identifying that I would leave. A few posts later, after some arguments that had pretty much nothing to do with the previous discussion, the owner closed the thread. "The Mouth Breathers are leaving the usual offal on the thread, so I'm going to close it."

Maybe I'm leading a sheltered life, but on the blogs I visit regularly on the Right, they don't close the threads when they aren't getting their way. How many times do we hear that the Right is out of touch, devisive, heavy handed, etc., and it really seems that the Left are all of these things? They try to control the message, and when they can't, they shut it down. I'm a bit suprised the thread is still there.

At least I learned a new word.

Offal: n. All parts of an animal which are removed from the carcass when it is dressed for food, e.g. entrails, heart, liver, kidneys, head, tail.

According to to the above reference, I'm considered part of the stuff that made the animal tick, including the heart. Is that blog owner just an empty shell? I can accept that.

Book Recommendation - from Dear Abby?

2006-11-24T18:59:00.000-08:00

While perusing the funny pages on Friday (11/24) I came across the Dear Abby column, which I normally read to see what kind of goofy people are out there and what kind of therapy Abby thinks they need. At the end of today's column, she has an unsolicited note about a recommendation for a gift to give someone who "aspires for a career in news reporting."

Watchdogs of Democracy? by Helen Thomas.

What does Helen Thomas have to do with news reporting? Abby states that "The Lady in Red" "comments about what it takes to be a responsible journalist." I'm not sure Ms Thomas would know what responsible journalism was if it came in the form of Bill Clinton and kissed her on the lips. I think Abby would have been better off recommending therapy for the Bush Derangement Syndrome she suffers from.

Wouldn't "The Lady in Blue" be more appropriate? And the subtitle of the book - "The waning Washington Press Corps and how it has failed the public" - I couldn't agree more, especially her job.

Lunch with the Captain

2006-11-24T17:43:00.000-08:00

Had lunch today with Captain Ed from Captain's Quarters. Also met Patterico (and some other people who's names I don't remember- sorry!). The Admiral and his wife were there and the First Mate showed up later. A good time was had by all. (Good service from El Torrito - I don't know how the waitress got everything straight, especially with separate checks - and the restaurant was very accomodating to the group.)

I sat at the quieter end of the table and met some interesting people. Two people were educators - one was a secretary for LAUSD, the other an educator in the juvenile detention system. Another person was a retired consultant who worked with business and financial stuff (he had an interesting story about setting up a J.P. Getty foundation office that was in chaos). Then there was the guy who lived on his 45 foot boat and had lots of stories about life as a "transient" (as he was considered for the census).

There was no live blogging from the Captain. I also razzed him about his Minnesota shirt that was in Trojan colors! He thinks ND is going to win tomorrow - good luck.

To Wall or Not To Wall

2006-10-13T17:31:00.000-07:00

Consternation abounds about whether the U.S. should build a wall along its southern border with Mexico. The Mexican government certainly doesn't like it (makes it difficult to get rid of the undesirables?), those who rely on new illegal immigrants (really "aliens" but I'll go along with the popular term) for cheap labor aren't happy, and there are those who think it is just plain mean.

In a CQ post, I commented about this issue.

In order to operate in a free society, the rules in place must be followed (or changed). If not followed, then enforced. Obviously, the rules regarding immigration are not being followed, and it appears the U.S. public is not interested in changing them, so they must be enforced.
Therefore, a wall is needed. Ask Israel.

Comparison between the U.S./Mexico wall and the Berlin wall can only occur at the level that they are (were) both walls. The purposes and effects were completely different. If a comparison is to be made, compare the U.S. wall with the Israel/Palestine wall. The purpose is the same - keep people out who should not be entering (except that we don't have to worry about suicide bombers at this time). And hopefully the effect will be the same - less unauthorized movement across the border.

I've Got Your Proportional Response Right Here!

2006-07-31T21:22:00.000-07:00

I think I've figured out why people are calling for a Proportional Response from Israel attacking Hezbollah in Lebanon. I think they are still upset about getting spanked for sticking out their toungues at their moms.

I like the idea of "make the punishment fit the crime." When I said a forbidden word around my mom, she didn't say one back, she washed my mouth out with soap.

Professor Bainbridge has a parable that I think does not apply to the situation. Some guy is upset because someone else won't let him paddle up a creek, and his boatmate wants to torture those on the shore. My response better explains Israel's position.

Global Spinning?

2006-07-01T22:47:00.000-07:00

Some links to online articles dealing with Wierd Al and his 'consensus' of scientists:

http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110008220
http://www.canadafreepress.com/2006/harris061206.htm
http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=144504
http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=062806F

Who Says We Are Wasting Our Time In Iraq?

2006-06-06T20:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a column written by Amir Taheri that should quiet the political naysayers who complain about our presence in Iraq (if they would only pay attention to it). Some highlights:

"...in 1959, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1980, 1988, and 1990—long queues of Iraqis have formed at the Turkish and Iranian frontiers, hoping to escape." Since 2003, conservative estimates put more than 1.2 million Iraqis returning (not leaving), closing long-standing refugee camps.
1991 to 2003, few pilgrims visiting holy sites. 2005, estimated 12 million visitors, more than Mecca and Medina.
Iraqi Clerics returning and Iraqi Shiite seminaries filling up, providing an alternative to Qom in Iran.
Iraqi Dinar, in "freefall" during Saddm's rule, is making a comeback, gaining 18% against the dollar between 8/04 and 8/05.
Inflation was 70% in 2002, 25% in 2004. Unemployment was 60%, down to 30% in 2004
Iraq was dependent on the "Oil-for-food" scam under Saddam so the people could eat, now Iraq is exporting food grown by independent farmers who have reclaimed land previously confiscated.

Some debunking:

Iraq has no history of democracy. Iraq does have some democracy in its history. Between 1921 and 1958, Iraq had a "constitutional monarchy modeled on the United Kingdom, it had a bicameral parliament, several political parties (including the Baath and the Communists), and periodic elections that led to changes of policy and government. At the time, Iraq also enjoyed the freest press in the Arab world, plus the widest space for debate and dissent in the Muslim Middle East."
You can't force democracy on Iraq. Democracy is not being forced, the impediments have been (and are being) removed. It is the choice of the Iraqi people to form a democratic society, we are just helping.
Iraq is an 'artificial' country, democracy won't work. Artificial, meaning it was drawn up based on arbitrary borders, encompassing distinctly different peoples. Ok, but what country isn't? Also, Iraq was a founding member of the UN, older than all but two countries in the Arab League and "(t)wo-thirds of the 122 countries regarded as democracies by Freedom House came into being after Iraq’s appearance on the map."

1.5 million Iraqis voted in the first regional elections. More than 8 million in the first general election. More than 9 million in the Constitutional referendum. Second general election? 11 million. As much as 70%. In the U.S., a 50% turnout is HUGE, and we don't have the threat of death when we go to the polls.

More good stuff:

By September 2004, most schools and universities open. Sept. 2005, 8.5 million attending school and university, a national record.
January 2006, ALL 600 state owned hospitals and clinics in full operation, more in the private sector.
It is projected that by the end of 2006, Iraq will be producing its full OPEC quota of 2.8 million barrels of oil per day.

There is more, read it.

Update Shows how naive I am. I sent a link of this article to some liberal "friends" and the comments returned pointed out that the author is directly associated with an evil right-wing organization - therefore, 'thoroughly debunked.' No discussion on the contents, just guilt by association.

Oh well, I tried.

Bush Lied?

2006-03-22T22:31:00.000-08:00

So... Bush lied about WMDs?

Bush lied about a nuclear program?

Bush lied about connections to Al-Qaeda?

Don't tell the Kuwaitis!

Stupid Imams?

2006-03-12T23:18:00.000-08:00

I'm perusing the Sunday Commentary section in the Orange County Register*, where in the Readers React section I read a column by a S. Mahmood**. While "S" tries to blame the violence of the Muslims on the West, he/she includes the following paragraph:

It should not surprise us, therefore, that in the Muslim world today - whether in the Middle East or Pakistan - if your son fails at medicine, law, engineering and everything else, you make your son a cleric. Ignorance has begotten ignorance, and in a few hundred years the weakest minds in the Islamic world have become heirs to the Prophet [missing the PBUH - ed] himself.

Wow, they take their dummys and put them in religion, where they fight the dhimmis?

*Sunday, March 12, 2006, Commentary 3

**S. Mahmood, graduated with honors from the department of Near Eastern Studies at Cal Berkeley. Oh, that explains it.

Random Thoughts

2006-03-10T23:17:00.000-08:00

Driving home from work the other day, my mind wandered to an interesting thought (at least to me).

If you spend a long time at a company, or even an organization, chances are you will become some kind of a "local expert" at one or more things. Often, this is due to previous local experts leaving or taking on some level of responsibility. As time goes on, others become comfortable coming to you for advice and guidance.

Then something happens. The environment changes, technology changes, and you move on to something else. The activity surrounding your area of expertise suddenly increases, possibly to the point where it consumes a lot of your time. This would be due to a transfer of responsibility or charting a new course. People need to know what you know, what you did, why you did it, etc. It becomes somewhat annoying but satisfying at the same time. You can't spend the time you need on the other stuff you are supposed to do, but the "importance" of what you know is in high demand, making you feel important and vital.

But, before you know it, all of the activity disappears. No one wants your opinion on the subject anymore. Maybe someone will want to know why something was done before, but for the most part you are no longer involved. Even when you offer your services, at best people listen politely then move on. A sad realization sets in.

How you deal with it, I think, determines your outlook on life. You could become grumpy and disgruntled, or you can appreciate the experience and learn from it.

I try for the latter.

Peace in the Middle East?

2006-03-10T22:48:00.000-08:00

John Hawkins from Right Wing News, as one of his Q&A Fridays questions, addressed the question "What Will It Take To Make Peace Between The Israelis And Palestinians?"

Here was my response to his answer and the other commenters:

Read Ezekiel 38 and 39.

People will think there is peace in the region.
Then Russia, Iran, Ethiopia, Libya, and others will invade from the north. While they are in the Megiddo valley, a nuclear device will go off, killing all of the invaders in the valley. For seven months, the Israelis will bury the dead. Then specialists will search for skeletons, tag them, and make sure they are buried. There will be enough leftover weapons and fuel from the invaders to fuel Israel for seven years.

As they say, go read the rest for yourself.

Random Thoughs

2006-02-28T19:51:00.000-08:00

As I was running stuff through my head today on my way home from work, a weird thought came to me:

What if conservatives starting joining the ACLU? I mean, a lot of conservatives. Could they change the way that "organization" operated? Could it drift toward a "L"ibertarian agenda and away from a Socialism agenda?

Liberty = Libertarian?

Wouldn't that be something.

Major Milestone: My first commenter

2006-02-28T19:34:00.000-08:00

I have reached the pinnacle. I have attained nirvana. I am somebody. Someone has read my "blog" and left a comment.

Wow.

Ok, I'm over it now. Of course, I didn't notice until almost a week later.

Thanks Insider. If anyone else happens by amidst the tumbleweeds, check out Independent Sources (listed over there under my favorite blogs).

Useless trivia: There are no entries in MS Word Thesaurus for "amidst," but it does show up in the spell check. I looked it up in my dictionary to make sure it really was a word and I was using it correctly. The definition was "amid." But "amidst" popped into my head first so it wins out.

Cheney and his 'Big Shot' Lawyer Hunter Friend

2006-02-13T21:44:00.000-08:00

Ok, shouldn't the story be about the VP who shot someone? Or how the guy is doing? Or "what in the world is the VP doing walking around with a bunch of people with guns"?

No, its "How come it took 18 hours to tell the press and you didn't tell the WH press corpse first?"

And I didn't misspell that word.

Cartoon Capers

2006-02-13T21:31:00.000-08:00

After reading a bunch of posts and articles and listening to talking heads about the Cartoon Jihad, the common consensus seems to be that this is a freedom of speech issue. Baloney.

Just like the Newsweek (sorry, "NEWSWEEK") Koran story last year, the instigators were just looking for an excuse to riot. The cartoons were published four months ago, the "offender" apologized, and people are falling all over themselves trying to show how sensitive they are to the 'bent-out-of-shape' Islamist rioters, yet the burning goes on.

Its been a while since we heard about the French "youth" rioters, and the NEWSWEEK riots were a long time ago. Seems like the time was ripe to find something to be offended about. How about some 4 month old cartoons?

BTW, they had to make up some of the cartoons to make it look worse.

Figuring Stuff Out

2006-02-02T21:43:00.000-08:00

Ok, I've got some stuff up her and put up some links, so it doesn't quite look like it has tumbleweeds rolling through. The next challenge, should I choose to accept it, is to post about something every once in a while.

BTW, the template I chose for the blog is in dedication to a previous favorite blog, Chrenkoff, who was always my first read. (Its not exactly the same template, but it reminds me of what he had.) He was a Pole who lived in Australia, but knew a lot about what was going on in the States. He also published a set of rather lengthy posts called "Good News From..." that was one of the only sources about good stuff coming from Iraq and Afghanistan. You can still go there and check out a lot of specifics about those theaters of operation (check out the links down the right side of the page). A lot of great info on his page, but then he went and got a real job.

I'm a blogger now?

2006-02-02T19:55:00.000-08:00

Ok, I just wanted to get a login name for Scylla & Charybdis' blog, now I ended up with my own! There goes some of my free time.