Randomness

A quick note about the cartoon first. I hear Democrats, in this state anyway, say they're going to relieve the tax burden by taxing companies. But what that does is 1) drive companies out of state (or Federally, out of the country) to avoid the extra taxes, 2) slow down the economy by lowering profits (which companies use to reinvest, expand, hire new employees, etc), and 3) the taxes are still paid by individual consumers, they get passed through the company and onto the consumer in the form of higher prices on goods. Democrats also oppose tax decreases and are in favor of tax increases, even when decreasing the percentage of tax taken actually increases the dollar amount of tax collected. Why are Democrats so bad at economics, perpetually?

Soccer again last night. For the first time we were playing full strength, well, without subs still. Then early in the first half Andy came down chin first on an opponent's head and split his chin open. He had to leave to get stitches. We hope you're doing ok Andy. Then we were a man down for the rest of the game. However, we did pretty decent considering, only losing 2-1. Pam, Sam, and I went out for a pint after the game. We found a nice corner pub called Kuma's Korner. On their menu it says "death to bud light - seriously". They also refuse to serve miller light, or any other awful light beer. All they had were wonderful micro brews. Ahh, I'm home. Its only a block from where we play, so I have a feeling I'll be back.

In other news, you think your boss is bad? This guy shot his employees for asking for a raise. See the link for the article. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,291489,00.html

Tonight, Sam, Erika, and new baby Owen are due over for dinner. Sam's promised to introduce us to Settler's of Catan (board game). I've heard a lot about it, and quite a few people are addicted to it so I've heard. So I'm excited, well, and excited for my wife's wonderful cooking too. I've also got a bottle of Greg Norman Cabernet Merlot. Marcelo introduced us to it a few months back and I've been looking forward to trying it again. Who knew golfers were so good at wine making? Here's his website: http://www.shark.com/gnestates/index.php

The day after...

Our soccer team got demolished last night. Yeah, we're just playing for fun, and we're not supposed to care if we win or lose, yadda yadda. But, its definately no fun to lose 9 or so (we lost count) to nothing. We did hold them scoreless in the first half, but our lack of subs, playing a man down, and playing sick caught up with us and it became a scoring frenzy. Hopefully we'll have everyone back next week.

Found a new link: http://www.michaelyon-online.com/. Its a reporter who is former Army Special Forces, and is independant of any news agency. He's actually funded by readers to stay in Iraq and report. Very good, first hand reporting. He goes on missions, and in his latest report, has to pick up a rifle to help his squad out in a tough situation.


The following story is courtesy of my sister-in-law Tiffany, enjoy:

A Wake Up Call From Luke AFB, AZ
Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were.
A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall. When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must have stung quite a bit.
The complaint: "Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 a.m., a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special? Any response would be appreciated."
The response: Regarding "A wake-up call from Luke's jets" (Letters, Thursday): On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship flyby of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day. At 9 a.m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the flyby, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured. A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects. The letter writer asks, "Whom do we thank for the morning air show?" The 56th Fighter Wing will call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.
Lt. Col. Scott Pleus CO 63rd Fighter Squadron Luke AFB

The Surge

So the surge is now officially a month in, and a new interim report looks good. Gen. Petraeus says things are going well, with captured or dead terrorist leaders. Baquaba and Anbar all but cleaned up. Al Qaeda is becoming a stench in the nostrils of Iraqis more everyday.

Yet the Democrats call the war lost, and the surge a failure. At what point is this defeatist, lying, backstabbing stance no longer political posturing but endangering to our troops, our national security, or even treason (propaganda aid to the enemy)?

Summertime Blues

So, I remarked to Ashley this morning that the only good thing about summer was that it ended with the start of fall. I'm not a big fan of the heat and humidity, actually I can handle the heat if it didn't have the humidity. Its been in the 70's lately due to thunderstorms, but the humidity has been up making the cooler temperatures wasted.

Check out the new quote also.

A Passing

My maternal Grand-mother, Irene Tucker, passed away in her sleep early Monday morning. She and my Grandfather Eugene lived in Kansas until retirement. They then moved to Montana. My Grandmother was a cowgirl, painted, wrote poetry, gardened (her favorite was the yellow rose), and was full of life. Most importantly, she loved the Lord, and saw His hand at work in the world around her. She conveyed what she saw in her oils and words. Grandad Tucker passed away three years ago, and Grandma Tucker was my last surviving grandparent.

Whenever I think of Grandma Tucker, I will always remember when she and Grandad were watching me while Mom and Dad where at the hospital for the birth of Elise. I was 3 at the time, and for whatever reason I upset and I talked back to her, and then hit her. Now something you need to know about Grandma Tucker is that she didn't take disrespect from anyone. Well, you can imagine the beating I got. Who knew an old lady could move so fast? But, I did learn my lesson. Thanks Grandma, see you soon!

End of the First Week

End of my first week at the new job. Learned a lot, that's for sure, but able to contribute from my experience and MBA as well. We start 8 on 8 soccer Monday, looking forward to that. Even if I am out of shape, I'll be glad to have some time to play again finally.


Silly Democrats, they made trumped up charges to indict Libby with to get back at Bush for not doing things their way. Then they get upset when he pardons him from something he never did. I don't think the Democrats currently in power want to play fair. Whatever they do is right, and whatever the right does is wrong. (pun intended) I just wish the Republicans in power would grasp this concept and stop pretending the Democrats can be negotiated and compromised with.

Day 2

Day 2 at my new job. The view is great. But the picture was taken yesterday just before the thunderstorm. That's the Chicago River. From the other side of the office you can see Lake Michigan.

Last Day of Work!

Well, not last day ever, but last day at LDC. I start with Perry and Associates monday. I'm excited. It will be a totally different work environment and job responsibilities, plus commuting downtown everyday.

Saw Transformers this week, recommend it highly. Ashley says its the best movie she's ever seen.

Sorry no postings for so long. I was out of town with my annual 2 weeks in Wisconsin for the Guard. During the same time, Ashley went home to Texas to visit family. Her brother Joseph was home from his deployment with the Navy to Japan.

I hope everyone had a good 4th, and I hope to blogging more regularly again.