fearless1stmarines’ Neighborhood

Note to Conservatives

The opposition is not interested in curing global warming, universal national health care insurance, or any other massive program except in how they help their underlying agenda. Whatever you want to call it, the net effect is statism or centralizing power to a government. Any government. If not the United States Congress or the Supreme Court or the presidency then to the United Nations. Someone who will take all personal responsibility off of the individual. Someone to blame for everything. This is why the conservative arguments are not making headway. This is why the conservative agenda is not capable of getting traction in our society.

The KISS Principle "Economics"

From the HotAir blog;

[We’ll never be foolish enough to allow a band of fanatics to use “peer review” to rule all dissenting opinion out-of-bounds, then declare themselves the proud owners of a mighty consensus. You global-warming fanatics underestimate how much youneeded those tactics to gain power. You’ll never have that kind of unchallenged authority again, because we will never stop demanding the raw data, and we’ll drown you in laughter when you mutter something about deleting it by accident. We will never forget that you began with a conclusion and sought to harvest data that supported it – the exact opposite of the scientific method.]

The majority of people everywhere now, do not want to be responsible and certainly do not want to be held responsible for the problems we face. Like little children they don't want to make sacrifices by their own will but would rather be told what they have to do or not do. Appealing to their reason simply will not have any effect on these desires unless and until you first address their emotionalism. They have no shame for the political tactics, the violence they instigate, the outright made up data they use to write studies and reports which support their arguments to get this agenda in place. The kiss of death to a conservative talking point is to base it on reason alone. You have to link it to the real and personal consequence involved for the individual you are trying to reach with your concerns. You don't even have to explain the reasons why you are concerned. Like a parent saying to a child, "Because I said so!" with its implied "-or else I'll spank you!" we simply have to rain consequences on the children for their own benefit. You have to be the grown-up to their irresponsible attitude and behavior the same way you'd be the grown up in the park when one unruly kid is behaving in a way that is dangerous to anyone else. You don't just tell 'em to knock it off, you ensure they knock it off. So must we be vigilant in correcting the childish agenda and liberal behavior. No longer can we afford to allow them to continue until the consequences of their arguments and policy fall on them because like children, they will continue until the damage is irreparable. "Stop swinging that stick, you're going to put someone's eye out!" "Stop increasing government and government spending, our economy is going to collapse. If you feel bad about the poor now, just imagine how you'll feel about the poor when you ARE homeless and hungry. If you feel bad about the uninsured now, just imagine how you'll feel when you can't get a needed operation because the waiting list is too long or they simply won't do it for you. If you feel bad about the damage done to the environment now, just imagine how you'll feel when there isn't any fuel to keep warm so your cherished trees are chopped down for firewood. If you're going to cause me to lose my job by your cap and trade bill, I'm coming to your house to find wood for my fire and food for my kids."

On the voter battleground, not usually in the halls of Congress, (though quite often this liberal disease is employed there as well especially with regard to the banking regulations) as evidenced by liberal talking points on Climategate, ACORN support, war support, and a slew of other damnable evidences, the liberal is not accountable to truth or shame. Regardless of climategate the peer reviewed studies are respected, regardless of ACORN's abuses they were a force for good in national policy, regardless of Democrat's congressional voter support for the war in Iraq it was an unnecessary war.

Some of the best conservative institutions are great at providing statistics and data we need for reason, but on the ground, out here in the battle for hearts and minds, reason is not the most effective weapon. Real or implied, immediate, and personal consequences are. Never leave a discussion on policy with anyone thinking a liberal policy is not immediately and personally consequential.

On the lighter side;

cid:1.2014998702@web82304.mail.mud.yahoo.com

Smoke and mirrors matter to the magician. With them he can make you believe what is not.

Speech and horrors matter to the politician. With them he can make you feel what is not.

Facts and data matter to the scientician. With them he can learn what is true and what is rot.

If he muddies the information, a magician certainly, a politician perhaps, a scientician he is not.

Smoke put in your eyes, Oh the discomfort and disabling of sight.

Smoke put in your arse, Oh the discomfort and disabling ensuing fight.

He who put smoke in my eyes has made me the fool.

He who put smoke in my arse is a fool to think I am fooled.

When I was in trouble, did he think to take advantage.

Now I'm awake, it would be no adage

my anger is unmeasured to recompense disadvantage

Oh look!, he's unconcious. We'd better employ his tobacco enema and resuscitate him.

I changed my phone settings.

TreeSweater
2 hours ago
3 comments

Maybe you can embiggen this enough actually to see it!

XmasCoffee

Prietoj
2 hours ago
Post a comment

On first break of the day at AAA ;-)

Obama

http://media.townhall.com/Townhall/Car/b/tmdsu09120420091206125747.jpg

Polar Bears falling out of the sky

A new video by environmentalist is really in bad taste. This link is to the video.

http://keetsa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/polar_bear.jpg

"An average European flight produces over 400 kg of greenhouse gasses for every passenger," a new activist ad proclaims. "That's the weight of an adult polar bear."

The ad, by the U.K. group Plane Stupid, makes its point by showing polar bears falling from the sky and bloodily impacting buildings and cars.

Daily Tweets

00:25 May go out for a late night gym session... #
00:25 Could just knock out Monday's routine tonight #
02:28 Long traffic light.... Wth? #
02:50 @Darla_Crane - great south park episode! :-) #
03:53 It's so easy for you to gloss over practical details that you ... More for Sagittarius twittascope.com/twittascope/?sign=9 #
11:07 Fell asleep a 0500 after watching Reservoir Dogs, phone went off at 1030. So much for sleeping in. Redli ne, shower, then lunch w/a friend. #
11:10 Glad I had my phone off or bday texts would've woken me up waaaay earlier. 5.5 hrs is better than 2.5 anyday. #
11:52 Beautiful day #
16:22 Just woke up from a nap, forgot to take my contacts out.... #
16:32 Quick text conversation with the exwife fragpic.com/35u4 #
16:49 @comparingapples - thank you! :-) #
16:50 68 degrees on a December afternoon, love it.. . #
17:50 @TheFisherbabe - haha! Well best bday would involve getting a Gibson SG Diablo & Explorer w/a Krank amp stack & crybaby wah pedal=win! #
17:53 RT @JoeNBC: After the Afghanistan surge, the US will have 72% of troops in Afghanistan. US=98,000 All other allies=38,000. #
17:55 Wonder how many of those troops are on their 2nd, 3rd, 4th plus tour or were recalled from inactive/reserve status? #
17:59 @TheFisherbabe - where's my holiday card? :-) #
18:20 #Dethklok - #DethAlbumII RT @GuitarHero: 2009 is coming to a close. What was your favorite album of the year? #MusicMonday #
18:29 It's so easy for you to gloss over practical details that you ... More for Sagittarius twittascope.com/twittascope/?sign=9 #
18:29 RT @Megadeth: METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH & ANTHRAX TO PERFORM TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY. lnk.ms/4tFtb #
19:13 @TheFisherbabe - yes ma'am! ;-) walked away from it for awhile, started playing again recently. Didn't realize how much I missed it. #
19:14 @TheFisherbabe - thank you (blushing). Extra? Whoa!!! Omg! ;-) #
20:28 Testing. #
21:09 My grandmother (dad's side) called earlier. She called to wish me happy bday.... Then blindsided me with the "when are you going to get ... #
21:10 married and give your dad grandkids?" question. Didn't know how to answer that. #
21:30 Somethings wrong with the 3G network, can't access internet on my iPhone. Have to switch it off. Hate edge network. Too slow #
21:31 @TheFisherbab e - love that game! #
21:52 @TheFisherbabe - nothing too exciting. Trying to learn a new song actually. You? #
21:54 @TheFisherbabe - I have all the GH games except for the last one to hit. Didn't buy DJ hero either. #
21:55 Nothing like listening to some Nirvana on a quiet Monday night. #
23:20 @TheFisherbabe - get some rest. Hope the rest of your eve is a very relaxing one! :-) #
23:49 @TheFisherbabe - yes ma'am. I am #
23:59 @TheFisherbabe - not yet lol. #

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Quick text conversation with the exwife

She took me out to lunch today for my birthday. She went through the surgery just last week. I thanked her for lunch, but the topic quickly changed to her breasts. Ha!

photo.jpg

It's Done! Loss for Government As Board of Inquiry Rules LtCol Chessani Not Guilty of Misconduct

Loss for Government As Board of Inquiry Rules LtCol Chessani Not Guilty of Misconduct

December 14, 2009

Chessani Case - Rob Muise BOI Cropped # 3 name ANN ARBOR, MI – Late last Friday afternoon (Eastern Standard Time), after three hours of deliberation, the military Board of Inquiry ruled LtCol Chessani was not guilty of misconduct and should not be demoted.

Nevertheless, the Board’s ruling produced a mixed result. It ruled Chessani must now retire because he displayed “substandard performance” by failing to conduct a more detailed investigation of the civilians killed as a result of the house clearing actions of four Marines after they were ambushed in Haditha, Iraq on November 19, 2005.

The Board’s decision came after a 1½ hour impassioned closing argument on behalf of LtCol Chessani made by Thomas More Law Center attorney Robert Muise. Muise argued Chessani was a scapegoat to appease the anti-war media and anti-war politician John Murtha. “Here’s your scapegoat. Here’s your fall guy, ” said Muise as he pointed at Chessani, who sat silently at the defense table.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented, “It’s indicative of the weakness of the government’s case that it could not prove misconduct at the Board hearing where the normal rules of evidence didn’t apply and the burden of proof was lessened. We are all greatly relieved that the Board ruled LtCol Chessani was not guilty of misconduct and should not be demoted, However, I believe the overwhelming evidence supported a total and complete exoneration of LtCol Chessani.”

Not one of LtCol Chessni’s superiors ─ including top generals ─ who received his report of dead civilians considered such deaths unusual. Not one ordered a further investigation. Instead, they commended him for a job well done. In fact, LtCol Chessani’s immediate superior told him that no investigation was needed because it was a bona fide combat action - consistent with the orders in effect at the time: no investigation of civilian deaths related to combat action. That order was changed in April, 2006, well after the Haditha incident.

LtCol Chessani’s commanding general, Major General Huck, reported up the chain of command, “I support our account and do not see the necessity for further investigation.” This same commanding General was allowed to retire without going to a Board of Inquiry, and he was allowed to retire as a Major General.

Consequently, not one of LtCol Chessani’s superiors faced, nor will they ever face, a court-martial or a Board of Inquiry for their actions in relation to November 19, 2005.

Of the eight Marines initially charged in the incident, six Marines, including Chessani, had criminal charges dismissed and one was acquitted. Only one Marine still faces criminal charges.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life. It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America. The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

Link to Board of Inquiry Order
http://www.thomasmore.org/downloads/sb_thomasmore/ChessaniBOIAugust2009.pdf

Lazy Man's Guide to Last-Minute Shopping

HapaLove
Yesterday
8 comments

Via MSN, Esquire magazine is running an article on the lazy man's guide to last-minute shopping for a girlfriend. It's a guide to finding the right gift in the stores a guy is already in. I always sigh when men's magazines give away bad ideas. (Btw, Men's Health seems to be the most accurate when it comes to women tips). So I am going to do my part for the men in my Vox neighborhood and improve upon Esquire's suggestions. :-) I am a Taurus... to a 't'... which means I can be rather picky about gifts.

Esquire tip: At the Grocery Store: Option No. 1
Get a gift bag and some tissue paper (look near the tops of the aisles) and fill it with miniature candies, gossip magazines, and a best-selling book that wasn't written by Dan Brown.

Hapa tip:
Don't even think about "wrapping" your girlfriend's present in a gift bag. The message a gift bag sends is "LAZY". It's ok if the gift is a really weird shape, but try to avoid it. If you must, go get it wrapped at a store or something. A gift, when presented beautifully, makes the recipient feel special.

Now, the grocery store isn't the best place to find a gift. But if you're stuck with that, let's hope it's a Whole Foods or a Bristol Farms. Then you can purchase some gourmet treats, such as truffle oil, imported cheeses, olives, etc. Or, if they have sushi-grade fish, you could purchase all the stuff necessary to make sushi, and maybe a non-scented candle, and have a romantic sushi dinner for two at home.

Not all women love gossip mags, so if she doesn't, then it kind of sends a message of, "I think you're superficial, and what else do chicks like, anyway?". And if you're gonna get candles, get them at a fancy store. Those grocery store candles do not smell or look like a gift.

Esquire: At the Grocery Store: Option No. 2
Cake mix, with which you then bake her a cake.

Hapa tip:
See number 1. If you want to buy her a cake, go to a European bakery. One that uses really good ingredients. For example, one of those boutique-y cupcake places, St. Tropez bakery... something more expensive than Duncan Hines. However, if you want to make the cake (nice touch!), find a recipe on Cook's Illustrated, or some good cooking magazine, and do that. Doesn't have to be a cake, but try to do it from scratch and pick a recipe that doesn't look overly complicated if you haven't cooked much before.

Esquire: At the Drugstore: Option No. 1
Most drugstores sell products from the high-end cosmetics company La Roche-Posay. Get her the moisturizer, body balm, and face wash.

Hapa:
Take a look at what she already uses -- cosmetics are highly personal. Or, if she's got any beauty/fashion mags lying around, flip through them to see if any pages are dog-eared for stuff she wants to buy. I do buy plenty of my cosmetics stuff from drugstores, but I would tend to buy Burts' Bees or various specific brands.

Esquire: At the Drugstore: Option No. 2
A gift bag filled with candy. Nothing fancy, the stuff she actually likes: candy.

Hapa:
Nah. Cupcakes. Or fancy chocolate (which cannot be purchased at a drug store). Another drug store option (if you must) would be a bunch of toiletries in travel size, in a travel bag -- if she travels. It's nice not to have a separate travel size of all your toiletries so you don't have to pack it each time. If she's into baths or relaxation, lavendar bath salts would be a pretty nice little gift, I think. Pack it up in a basket with a bottle of wine, an eye mask and some relaxing music.

Esquire: At the Hardware Store: Option No. 1
A flower (orchids are always nice) and a nice pot to transfer it to before you get home.

Hapa:
This is actually a good tip. It would be even better accompanied with a bottle of champagne! Btw, Home Depot will transfer the plant to the pot in the store for you (for free).

At the Hardware Store: Option No. 2
If you don't already live together, consider the symbolism of having a key made for her. No gift packaging required.

Hapa:
Not too bad, but this only works when you're asking her to move in to your house. Not really a Christmas thing. If you need another hardware store idea, maybe a wreath or a fruit tree (planted). And if she digs power tools (there are a lot of crafty women around), that would be an awesome gift.

Esquire: At Kmart: Option No. 1
A picture frame, into which you insert a picture of the two of you.

Hapa:
Well you'd better not give her the gift receipt, because then she'll know you shopped for her at Kmart. Actually, I'm cool with Kmart, but a picture of the two of you is a little on the cheesy side. We could improve this gift by doing a digital photo frame (also sold for cheap at Fry's Electronics), with some photos of the two of you, as well as photos of her and her friends and family. Then you score points for putting all the people she cares about (not just you) into the frame.

Esquire: Kmart: Option No. 2
A Wii.

Hapa:
That would actually be a pretty rad gift. I'd be stoked. You can get them for cheaper at Costco, though.

Esquire: At Kmart: Option No. 3
Several of the practical — and surprisingly attractive — Oxo Pop containers. Fill them — really fill them — with something she'll enjoy. Like candy. Or a note letting her know that her real gift is on the way.

Hapa:
I'd love this gift. However, if she's not into cooking, I wouldn't recommend it. But I really love those containers. Sometimes you can find these and other nice kitchen stuff for super cheap at T.J. Maxx, Marshall's and Ross.

Happy shopping!

5 Wise Tips for Busy Freelancers

excuse my weird color, underlined green text, but I forget which website I copied and pasted it from. It's very useful so I thought I would post it for all the freelance graphic artists out there. I'll post the source as soon as I can. Thanks.

Some of us fall into freelancing by accident. We lose or quit our jobs and the only kind of work we can find right away is freelance. We don’t realize that freelancing is somewhat of an art form that we can all become masters at. Instead our eye in only on the prize… in this case, money and paying the rent. What we should all learn is that freelancing can actually become a fantastic and fulfilling career move, as long as you remember the following basic wise words:

1) Build your skills and portfolio before quitting your day job
If you have the luxury of time to wait until you have built up your skills and portfolio before quitting your day job, then this is ideal. Make sure you are ready to put yourself out there immediately so you waste little time. If you are a graphic designer, a writer or a web designer, for example, you should have your skills honed and ready with a portfolio to show for it. If you dream of being a writer but have nothing to show for it yet, open your own blog.

2) Start/Continue networking and making friends
Don’t be a “No” man/woman. Helping out a friend almost always comes back around. So next time someone asks you to help them move or help them with a task they’re struggling with, help them out. Almost every job I have gotten was through connections. Having good connections is one of the most valuable things a freelancer can attain. If you don’t have any, open up a Facebook and Linkedin account and start right away. If you have some already, keep up with them regularly and build upon them.

3) Eliminate Clutter
This may sound like an unrelated tip but it’s actually quite important. Most freelancers work from their home or personal office space. If your home and personal office space is a mess, it will most likely reflect upon your work and general organization . Create a clean and clutter free surrounding for yourself so you can be comfortable and free to work without distraction. This also means your computer desktop, your email organization and your computer file organization. Do not let your emails accumulate and take control over your desktop environment.

4) Learn to single-task
If you’re generally a multi-tasker, it’s important to take it back to the basics and learn how to single-task. Multi-tasking is overrated and usually just causes confusion, stress and less accurate or poorer quality work. In order to successfully single-task, create a to-do list right away, have as few in-boxes as possible; one physical and one email is sufficient. If you have multiple email addresses that you use, be sure to direct them all to one main inbox. Another good tip is to plan your day in blocks to keep yourself organized and working efficiently.

5) Stop Procrastinating
Procrastination is something that debilitates us all, and it’s certainly not an easy thing to stop. The main reason why we all procrastinate is because we feel overwhelmed by a particular task or tasks, so make sure to eliminate all but the essential jobs. Create accountability. We put things off for ourselves but most of us hate to look bad to others. Use this simple feeling to drive your work quality and efficiency. Make sure to focus on the small steps, create a deadline and think one task at a time.