Zikan's Blog - 2old2play

But wait, there's more!

So the other shoe has finally dropped and my wife and two daughters went down to the bug last night. Who would have thought something so dainty could make such a big mess. With all the females in the house out of commission, guess who gets to do all the cleaning - or what passes for cleaning anyway?

(yes, it's me, silly)

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Stomach flu + Thanksgiving feast = BIG mess

Thursday night around 11:30, the following was overheard being broadcast from my brain:

Attention Digestive System, a level 4 emergency has been declared. All contents of the alimentary canal must be expelled from the body immediately! Please use the nearest available exit. You have 15 minutes to comply. Thank you for cooperation and have nice day.

And so began 36 hours of misery. All told 3 adults and 3 kids (which bounced back rather quickly - oh to be young again) and 3 bathrooms were out of commission.

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Memorial Day 2008

Always Remember

This time of year, you will often here people say "never forget". But I prefer to flip it around and phrase it "always remember". Forgetting is a passive action, and one may not even know that they have forgotten something. Remembering is active. It is something you have to set aside time to do. Today is the day for setting aside some time to remember those that have fallen in service to their country. Below is a list of all US service members that have died from my state of Ohio since last Memorial Day. Each line contains the date they were killed, their age, and a few details of their passing. The link is to their Faces of the Fallen profile which is hosted by The Washington Post should you wish to read a little bit more about them. The profile also often contains links to obituaries, news articles, and a site where you can leave a note of your own.

Spec. Keith V. Nepsa, US Army [2-Jun-07] 21 - Roadside bomb near Qayyarah, Iraq
Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Kuglics, USAF [5-Jun-07] 25 - Roadside bomb Kirkuk, Iraq
Sgt. Cory M. Endlich, US Army [9-Jun-07] 23 - KIA Taji, Iraq
Airman 1st Class Eric M. Barnes [10-Jun-07] 20 - IED attack 100 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq
Maj. Kevin H. Sonnenberg, USAF [15-Jun-07] 42 - Jet crashed during takeoff about 50 miles north of Baghdad, Iraq
Spec. Zachary A. Grass, US Army [16-Jun-07] 22 - IED Rashidiyah, Iraq
Cpl. Derek C. Dixon, USMC [26-Jun-07] 20 - KIA vehicle checkpoint Anbar Province, Iraq
1st Lt. Christopher N. Rutherford, US Army [2-Jul-07] 25 - IED Balad, Iraq
Sgt. Keith A. Kline, US Army [5-Jul-07] 24 - IED Baghdad, Iraq
Spec. Anthony M.K. Vinnedge, ARNG [5-Jul-07] 24 - Non-combat related injuries Radwaniyah Palace Complex, Iraq
Cpl. Joshua S. Harmon, US Army [22-Aug-07] 20 - Helicopter crash Multaka, Iraq
Sgt. 1st Class Daniel E. Miller, US Army [24-Aug-07] 43 - Humvee accident Herat, Afghanistan
Spec. Edward L. Brooks, US Army [29-Aug-07] 25 - IED Ramadi, Iraq
Spec. Jason J. Hernandez, US Army [7-Sep-07] 21 - IED Mosul, Iraq
Pfc. Christian M. Neff, US Army [19-Sep-07] 19 - IED Baghdad, Iraq
Capt. Roselle M. Hoffmaster, US Army [20-Sep-07] 32 - Non-combat related injuries Kirkuk, Iraq
Cpl. Benjamin C. Dillon, US Army [7-Oct-07] 22 - KIA Northern Iraq
Spec. Samuel F. Pearson, US Army [10-Oct-07] 28 - Rocket attack Baghdad, Iraq
Staff Sgt. Jonathon L. Martin, US Army [22-Nov-07] 33 - Wounds suffered from an IED on 9-Nov Jisr Naft, Iraq
Spec. Jon M. Schoolcraft III, US Army [19-Jan-08] 26 - IED Taji, Iraq
Lance Cpl. James F. Kimple [2-May-08] 21 - KIA Anbar Province, Iraq
Pvt. Branden P. Haunert, US Army [18-May-08] 21 - IED Tikrit, Iraq

One last quick note, Memorial Day is for remembering those that have fallen. While I, or probably any other veteran, appreciate being thanked for our service, today is not the day for that. Today is for remembering in your own way, those who are not here to be thanked.

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The Answer

"A primary purpose of the educational system is to train school children in good citizenship, patriotism and loyalty to the state and the nation as a means of protecting the public welfare,"
-- Justice H. Walter Croskey

Justice H. Walter Croskey of theSecond District Court of Appeal for the state of California wrote the above in an official decision for a case that answered whether parents can legally “home school” their children. Justice Croskey was quoting from a 1961 case on a similar issue. A story on this decision can be found here and concerns the courts interpretation of the current Education Code for the state of California. Even more chilling than the above is this quote which ends the article that asserts that public schools are not primarily a place of education but instead help children by "being in a place daily where they would be observed by people who had a duty to ensure their ongoing safety." Huh? I'm pretty sure I, as a parent, have a duty to ensure their safety. This boils down to a very simple standard - who's children are they and who is ultimately responsible for them? If the ultimate arbiter is "society", then the above quote makes sense. Making better citizens makes for a better society and all of society benefits from institutionalization of the young and impressionable - for a while. The next logical step would be for children to be assigned by the state (in other words conception would require screening and licensing) and only those deemed compliant would be allowed to reproduce. I, for one, am very uncomfortable with this kind of society. If the decision of the court stands and this law is not repealed, I think that you will find a lot of very smart people that love their children moving out of the state as quickly as they are able.

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Pop Quiz

Guess the country for this quote:

"A primary purpose of the educational system is to train school children in good citizenship, patriotism and loyalty to the state and the nation as a means of protecting the public welfare"

Answer posted at the end of the day.

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A tasty puzzle

For the "Geek in You" or for that special geek in your life I present:

Geek Test 001

I will not currently be revealing how well I did on said test ...

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Ironic Statement of the Day

"It really is unbelievable that Mother Nature can create that much devastation. We need your prayers."

- Macon County Mayor Shelvy Linville on the recent tornadoes and storms that devastated his region.

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Basic problem solving

Here is the problem statement: Farms are having difficulties when they hire illegal immigrants in that if there is a chance of an INS raid, the workers do not come to work for fear of being deported. This causes a drop in productivity and ultimately profitability for the farm.

* My Solution: Quit hiring illegal immigrants. Do more thorough checks on the documentation provided by your employees and make sure that they are legally allowed to work in the United States before you hire them.

* Alternate Solution: Do not allow immigration raids. Create a 'safe harbor' area where illegal immigrants can come and work without the fear of being rounded up and deported.

Perhaps it's just me, but I think that it is going to be very difficult to find a solution to our immigration challenges in the United States when he have whole municipalities that are prepared to go on record as defying Federal law.

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The Mystery Revealed!

I didn't really expect anyone to get it - unless they had actually spent time there themselves (and I guess no one else here has). You may have noticed that the building has no windows and is surrounded by a chainlink fence creating a sort of 'no mans land' around it. It was the USAF crypto school at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. Now why does this make me happy/sad? When I went through this school in the late 80s we were one of the last (if not the last) to go through it. I recently decided to check in and see how things were going in the wonderful world of crypto and was suprised to find out that not only was my squadron disbanded and my old base closed, but my entire wing (1st Space Wing) no longer existed. The closest thing that remained was all the way at the command level (Space Command). Not only that but my AFSC (Air Force Specialty Code, MOS in most other branches) no longer exists. So not only is there no one in the service doing the same job as I trained for, there isn't even anyone that would share the same unit history. The only discussions on the web boards for people with similar pasts are guys that went through in the 60s and 70s. Guess it's kind of making me feel old.

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Mystery Photo

Can anyone identify the mystery location in my blog banner? I'll wait a day for responses and then post what it is and why it makes me happy/sad.

Update 1:

The name of the image is 'school', the 1004 is my member id here at 2old2play. I named the image school to give a hint but the real secret is what kind of school and where?

Update 2:

As alluded to by the post in Off-Topic, this is from my Air Force days.

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Words fail me

It is so sad that children think that being a pop-star is the most important thing they can achieve with their lives. I guess that is where post-modernism is leading us.

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Quote of the Day

"Against terrorism, what's needed is not a war. It is, as France has done for many years, a determined fight based on vigilance at all times and effective cooperation with our partners."
...
"It is the duty of France and Europe to show that the clash of civilizations is not inevitable," he said. "No one retains this wisdom, inherited from our history, as we, French and Europeans, do," he said.
-- French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin

Two questions here. First, what is the difference between a war and a determined fight? Second, the only reason France has any wisdom or history left is because of the 'determined fight' of America and her allies who declared 'war' on the aggressors of the time.

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Memorial Day

Memorial Day is always an emotional time, but this years is a little more poignant as it is the first Memorial Day since our local reserve unit the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, returned from service in Iraq. This is the unit that lost 20 members in the course of three days last August. You can read more of their story here. At the memorial ceremony this past March, the Battalion Commander gave the following remarks which are quoted here in their entirety since they pretty well sum up what Memorial Day is all about and also include the names of the fallen:

Today we pause to honor thirteen American service men…thirteen brothers-in-arms…thirteen friends. Their lives touched us; their deaths sadden us and their heroism inspires us.

What I have to say will be far less eloquent than the heartfelt tributes just given and pales in comparison to the sacrifice made by these valiant men, but to remain silent--to squander an opportunity to praise these American heroes--would be a travesty. Today we join with many grateful people throughout the world to thank these brave men for giving their lives for us. Trusted, respected, and loved, these men were unique individuals whose courage, honor and commitment will forever be remembered.

In this morning’s ceremony we paid our respects to thirteen incredibly courageous and selfless men. Our homage is both appropriate and right; but our debt is not paid. Tomorrow and every day hence, we must continue to honor these fallen warriors by protecting the innocent and eliminating the terrorists. We must accomplish our mission; because when all is said and done, our actions will be our most enduring memorial to these noble men.

During World War II, another trying time in our nation’s history, President Franklin Roosevelt eulogized a fallen American solider by saying, “He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die [that] freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it he lives--in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.” These stirring words ring true for each of the gallant men honored here today.

Staff Sergeant Ivy, Staff Sergeant Goodwin, Sergeant Cepeda, Sergeant Marzano, Corporal Derga, Corporal Tremblay, Lance Corporal Davids, Lance Corporal Erdy, Lance Corporal Graham, Lance Corporal Grant, Lance Corporal Grez, Private First Class Dixon and Hospital Corpsman Third Class Wiener:

May they rest in peace; may God bring comfort to those who mourn them; and may they never be forgotten.

Semper Fidelis.

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Aid and Comfort

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-10-nsa_x.htm

It appears the latest fad these days to try and get the Government to trust you so that you can learn some secrets and then run and blab them to the press as quickly as you can. Apparently, Article III Section III of the Constitution does not count as long as you do not have your name printed in the newspaper. Apparently we learned nothing from Hanoi Jane and the Winter Soldier Congressional testimony?

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Clueless school officials

Here is an article about how kids can get around Internet filters set up by schools.

The quote that, once again, chaps my hide:

... Ryan didnt face disciplinary action. "Its against our acceptable-use policy, but hes not going to quit trying, (and this way) we can keep learning."

Imagine that, he was not punished for breaking the rules, so he is going to do it again. Whod have thunk it?!?

I have to wonder if these people are complete idiots. Do they not listen to the news? Do they not know that bad people lurk out there on the Internet hoping to find little rebels like Ryan so they can do naughty things? How about explaining to Ryan why those restrictions are in place, and notifying him that if he ever violates the terms of use again, he will be permanently banned from using the schools computers. Give him a week or two suspension from the Internet so he has time to think about it and realize that you are serious.

The thing that was the most disturbing to me, was how random it was that he finally got caught. That the technology expert was not pro-actively monitoring students activity and teachers/aides are not monitoring things more carefully is inexcusable.

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