Major K.

Happy Birthday Beautiful!

She is the light of my life and I miss her like crazy.  It is her birthday today, and I am currently watching her on the Yahoo Messenger webcam as I type this.  She looks great.  This is her second birthday in a row that I have missed.  The first one I was in Texas going through pre-deployment training.  This time I am here.  I never want to miss another one.  She has handled all this in a manner that is nothing short of exemplary.  In about six weeks I will return to her for my "mid-tour" leave which will coincide with the birth of our Son.  Did I mention that she looks great?!  I am a very lucky man.  Happy Birthday My Love!

The View from Here

The URL for the Red Cross website with donation instructions is posted in several places here including the Division HQ.  Many soldiers here have donated to Hurricane Katrina Relief funds, and it is good to see.  On the internet and on the TV's in the chow hall, I have read and watched the constant stream of reports about the devastation, the political infighting and the Monday-morning-quarterbacking by news people.  Tim Russert's browbeating of the Director of Homeland Security comes to mind as particularly annoying.  The hurricane coverage has been a bigger topic of discussion here than the hurricane itself.  Pretty much everyone I have spoken to has the same reaction - embarassing and disgusting.  I am glad that New York did not react this way to 9/11.  Moltenthought has some good logisitcal points that should be obvious, but judging by the endless carping they were not.  The USA is the richest country in the world and we looked like a bunch of spoiled brats.  You know you look pathetic when Afghanistan is offering you $100,000 to help out.  I could go on, but the writing has already been done.  Bill Whittle has a great essay that everyone should read.  I could not agree with it more.  What tribe are you in?

Put up or Shut up

I wish the politicians and news reporters would quit mugging for the microphone to express their dissatisfaction and sympathy and actually do something other than lay blame.  They can start by opening up their checkbooks, or better yet, getting in that pickup truck they used for their last "man of the people" photo-op with a tool box and some bottled water and head for Louisiana or Mississippi.  Rolling up of sleeves is also advised.  I am kind of stuck here for now, so I am sending a check to Catholic Charities.  TTLB has an excellent list of places to contribute with links and phone numbers.

Who is this clown?

His/Her/Its IP address is: 10.31.12.15.  It has posted comments under the names Cindy West, Jim Zeal, and Armystud.  I wonder where this troll came from as he is hiding behind the anonymity of multiple bogus e-mail addresses.  As usual, it lacks the cojones to even send me an e-mail, but hurls insults on the web.  I invite you, whoever you are, to send me an e-mail and tell me exactly what makes me a bad officer.  As I am no longer with the Nightstalkers, if by the remote chance you happen to be one, have at it.  I can not harm you professionally.  Have the guts to identify yourself and call me out.  I doubt you are or ever were in the service, as you cannot even show a modicum of courage, even in "cyberspace."   Or, if you prefer, we can discuss my alleged narcissism and poor leadership in person.  Anytime, Anywhere...

Where do these trolls come from?