Take me out of the ball game...

See, in the never changing world of high priced athletes, it continues to amaze me when someone gets canned because he can't get the job done... and then pitches a fit about the way he's being treated. My basis for this argument? The recent assignment of Danny Graves is what's provoked this latest flurry of wit and insight. For those of you who don't understand baseball as a business, it basically boils down to one simple thing. Despite eight years in the Cincinnati orginization, Danny Graves has been told that his services are no longer required. In other words, he's fired. Okay, maybe that sounds harsh, but the man gets paid a LOT of money to win ball games ( or actually save them for the starting pitcher) and he isn't getting it done. Even in the Marines, if you can't do the job you're history. Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against the man personally. I just want to see my hometown heros win every now and again... especially if they're leading by six runs in the ninth inning.

TAG!

Ok, my wife "tagged" me with this. I guess I'm supposed to finish five of the sentences below and then "tag" three others to continue the game. Slight problem with that... I don't know anybody! Oh well. Here's my list...

If I could be a scientist . . .
If I could be a farmer . . .
If I could be a musician . . .
If I could be a doctor . . .
If I could be a painter . . .
If I could be a gardener . . .
If I could be a missionary . . .
If I could be a chef . . .
If I could be an architect . . .
If I could be a linguist . . .
If I could be a psychologist . . .
If I could be a librarian . . .
If I could be an athlete . . .
If I could be a lawyer . . .
If I could be an inn-keeper . . .
If I could be a professor . . .
If I could be a writer . . .
If I could be a llama-rider . . .
If I could be a bonnie pirate . . .
If I could be an astronaut . . .
If I could be a world famous blogger . . .
If I could be a justice on any one court in the world . . .
If I could be married to any current famous political figure . . .

So, of the choices listed above I chose these.

If I could be an inn keeper I would run a bed and breakfast for rednecks. You'd have to help with the chores and kill your own food. Why would that be a vacation? I'd let you sleep in until 5:30 and your sheets wouldn't smell like cow patties. Plus, there'd be a rule that you can only have a maximum of two people in a bed, which would allow everyone to have a lot more elbow room. The water would be hot and fresh for everyone and I wouldn't bother you with modern distractions like phones, newspapers, or a TV. That way you could concentrate on your whittling during our group happy hour.

Okay, that one's a joke, but the next one's legit...

If I could be a doctor, I'd specialize in pediatrics. I would love to help little kids who have to be taught that it's okay to trust someone. How sad is that when we have to teach our kids it's okay to trust someone because they learn too quickly that trust can be broken and so will their little hearts. God, help me never break the trust of my children.

If I could be a lawyer, I'd defend churches from liberal groups who want separation of church and state (which is NOT mentioned in the Constitution by the way - it's a phrase used by Thomas Jefferson in a personal letter) but only as long as that means no church. It's funny how the people who want Jesus out of schools also want to dictate (yes, I said "dictate" like a dictator would do) to churches that they must hire gay activists and people who don't follow the church's teachings all in the name of "diversity and tolerance." Hey, Egghead! Why can't you tolerate me practicing my faith in a way that has no impact on your life?

If I could be a scientist, I'd figure out how to turn salt water into fuel and make the technology affordable so that I could start my own company. I'd sell after market engines that would be just as powerful (or more so) as the engines that come in your car. That way I could concentrate on the fuel economy stuff and leave the pretty designs to the big car companies. Also, if people have to buy American cars before they can get one of my engines (they'd be the wrong size to fit into foreign cars) it would help the domestic job market by keeping people employed.

If I could be a professor, I'd teach ethics at UC Berkeley. HAH! Can you see me teaching ethics at a liberal college like Berkeley? I'd get into so many arguments with my students and other professors that I'd either be fired within two minutes or I'd become the most popular professor on campus and a rallying point for all the conservatives within 100 miles.

Anyway... that's my list for now. If you'd like to copy the top part and put it on your own blog, please leave me a comment with your blog address so I can develop a friends list. Please? I don't have any friends. :-<

Fox News Alert

Over the objections of some of the members of my command, former Marine Lt Col Oliver North is in the wire. For those of you who don't get it, that means he's in our camp. He's here taping for his show on Fox News. If you are interested in watching to see what he comes up with, it might be a good idea to read a couple of his stories to get a feel for where he comes from. To that end, I've selected a couple of editorials that are currently available at www.foxnews.com. Enjoy. Keep an eye on his show on Fox News and see what he has to say about the First Battalion of the Fighting Fifth Marines.

Here is his commentary about a picture of a soldier cradling a dying child in his arms:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,155737,00.html

And these are his comments about the recent push toward the Syrian border:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,156700,00.html

Just for the record, Fox News did NOT pay me to mention this in my blog.

What's the deal?

OK, so I've been here for about two and a half months so far and I have to ask, "What's the deal?" What do you mean, Bill? I mean simply that I don't understand why the citizens of Ramadi don't step up and help themselves. We are here to help them learn to govern themselves and they seem to be willing to simply allow their lives to be manipulated like pawns in a chess game. No, strike that. It's more like marbles in a game of Chinese Checkers. There seems to me that there are more than two players and the "rules" have alot of sublties involved. On the surface of course, are the Multi-National Forces, led by America on one side and the terrorist insurgents (many of them from outside of Iraq) on the other, with the citizens of Ramadi caught in the middle. But that's not the whole story. When we roll through town, the townspeople are pro-America, until they disappear from our rearview mirror. Why? They don't want to get shot. When we leave, they turn pro-insurgents. Why? Again, they don't want to get shot. While I can understand the instinct for survival, I can't understand the logic. Survival, as an end to itself, is not enough. You have to stand for something or you will fall for anything. If you're an insurgent, then step up and we'll either capture or kill you in a quasi-fair fight. That way, your integrity is intact and we can clean this place up that much faster. If you're on our side, then talk to your friends and get out and vote! If you don't vote for your young government then, in my opinion, you don't have the right to bitch about it. Vote. Make your convictions known. Take a stand for crying out loud.

Cinco de Mayo

I'm just using "Cinco de Mayo" as my title. I don't really have anything relevant to say about today since it looked just like yesterday, and will probably look alot like tomorrow. Check that...

Did you see the news reports about the insurgents who were sent to their final reckoning when they attacked the multi-national forces in Ramadi yesterday? That was us. I guess the bad guys read our battalion logo, "Make Peace or Die" and opted for the latter. Works for me. The more of them we kill the fewer there will be to harass the decent people here who really just want to be left alone to live their own lives, and we can get out of here.v

I saw that Tony Blair is projected to win reelection as PM of England. Once again those who thought that a world leader had committed political suicide by supporting an invasion to rid the world of a despot are being proven wrong. There really are two types of people out there: those who see the world as being a conflict between right and wrong, good and evil, and are willing to take a stand for what they believe in; and those who "report" the news, but actually try to reshape the truth into a version that better fits their world view. Face it, the rest of the world does not think like some who spend their whole careers and even lives living in secluded communities and criticizing absolutely everything. Get over yourself, Hollywood. The terrorists won't attack you because you're not nearly as important as you think you are. If anything, they'd just as soon hire Alec Baldwin to be their spokesman. By the way, didn't he promise (I mean "threaten") to leave the country if President Bush was elected? That was over 4 1/2 years ago... why isn't he gone yet?

End of speech.

I got some pictures today of my kids from my mother in law. She had a great shot of little Leah at Christmas sitting next to her Mommy and completely fascinated with a little doll she'd gotten. It was great. Thanks, "Mom".

Why do I love my job?

This Marine epitomizes the reason I serve as a career planner. I could not be more proud of the Marines with whom I serve and who represent themselves and their country with honor, courage, and commitment every single day... come hell, high water, or the occasional freak sand storm.

Weather Bug

Last night I thought we were filming a remake of "The Wizard of Oz". The winds were blowing at about 40 miles an hour and there was lightning everywhere to boot. Then the rain started. Not just a nice light sprinkle like we had a couple days ago. This was rain that made EVERYTHING get wet. Water dripped through the roof in my bunk area, the generator shorted out, and we even had a corporal nearly drown in a large puddle. OK, that last part was a joke, but our electrical tech did get shocked when he tried to get the power back on. Oh well. This morning broke nice and clean and it was almost like the weather never happened, except for the puddles everywhere. You know... I know that I've posted about the rain before, but trust me... I'd rather post about the rain than about the 100+ degree weather I'm bound to be tired of by the time October gets here.