Arktinen Jenkki

Oh snap! Politics is back

2009-02-12T09:18:00.004+01:00

Readers,

I haven't used this blog to write any political arguments in some years. However, I've broken my silence in response to an article calling for the arrest of Michael Phelps. My response to the article's author, Mr. Dan Calabrese:

Rational Application of the Law or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Penalized Real Criminals

Mr. Calabrese,

I pretty sure smoking pot is not, in fact, illegal. While possession would be, taking a “bong hit” I would suspect, is not. By arresting Phelps, Americans who support archaic marijuana policy will likely see their support deteriorate. Arresting Phelps will not only remind Americans that even you can get high and win gold medals, but it is completely unfair to prosecute a celebrity when a common citizen would never be charged for such an act.

Lest we forget how government resources were used to prosecute Bill Clinton over lying about a blowjob while Al-Qaeda prepared its attacks. Obviously, Clinton's indiscretion seems paltry in comparison to the problems we face in 2009. Maybe our focus should have been elsewhere in 1998, perhaps asking the tough questions about our embassy bombings in East Africa.

The fact is, the sheriff is appeasing the Conservative types (i.e. South Carolina voters) who think smoking marijuana is akin to joining the Taliban. He’ll never arrest Phelps and is clearly playing lip service to the constituents so he can appear “tough on crime.”

When it comes to this issue in particular, we are far behind most Western countries in the application of our laws. The United States suffers from much greater problems than kids smoking pot at universities. South Carolina, in fact, has the nation’s highest violent crime rate and their law enforcement officers are certainly better utilized fighting actual crime.

My younger brother, a former Marine, suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and smokes marijuana to stave off the side-effects from the masses of prescription medication he is forced to take. Clearly, I don’t think that marijuana should be illegal; however, like you say, that debate is for another time.

The fact is, our resources are better spent fight crimes that have victims. Certainly, you wouldn’t advocate a police officer giving a citation for jaywalking when an assault was occurring nearby. In the same respect, South Carolina’s law enforcement officers are more useful patrolling the crime-ridden streets of the Palmetto state.

We’ve got a long way to come in this country before we take the moral high ground and be proud again of American values. This starts with education, good social policies and the prioritization of our legal system. Once we stop suing towns for their manger scene and arresting our citizens because they want to smoke a joint, all Americans will be better served.

However, keep up the ranting. I really hope this issue gains even more steam than it all ready has to this point. The marijuana legalization issue will certainly get some support, but most importantly, the issue of how we use our law enforcement personnel. As an American taxpayer, I don’t want my hard-earned money going to pay for people getting put in jail for smoking pot. If America were a safer country, then your arguments would have more merit. However, call me an idealist, but I’d rather the police be arresting murders, rapists, child abusers, stalkers and politicians.

Jason Ward
Rodenbach, Germany

<< Jesus can do anything. Cool.

The Official NFL Widget

2009-01-05T13:13:00.001+01:00

Emiliana Torrini in Amsterdam - 2006

2008-11-10T21:15:00.001+01:00

Congratulations President-elect Obama!

2008-11-05T05:07:00.002+01:00

19 Oktober 2008 im Heidelberg

2008-10-23T03:57:00.003+02:00

Emiliana Torrini

2008-10-11T00:35:00.001+02:00

The Office's Rainn Wilson (Dwight) as his favorite characters

2008-10-10T13:47:00.001+02:00

Clockwise from top left: MacGyver, Captain Jean-Luc Pickard, Pauley Gualtieri (Sopranos), Xena the Warrior Princess

video store

2008-10-10T13:45:00.001+02:00

Flying to Finland tomorrow.......

2008-08-11T00:39:00.003+02:00

.. a picture worth a thousand smiles

2008-08-09T11:37:00.006+02:00

I've always been a big New York Jets fan, but until the past couple of days I've always approached new seasons with high hopes, coupled with a sobering reality that a mediocre season likely lays ahead. Not this year!

For the first time ever, I feel that my team will be among the best in the league. The Jets are very good at keeping games close going into the 3rd quarter, but we never had the QB play to consistently come from behind or pile on points to extend a lead. That all changes with the acquisition of Brett Farve, one of the best quarterbacks to ever play professional football.

I suppose I need to start thinking Slingbox!

Paulie the Biologist

2008-08-09T11:24:00.000+02:00

...a better shade of Green

2008-08-07T08:38:00.003+02:00

Brett Farve has just been traded to my New York Jets. Life is good. I guess I have to go buy Madden '09 now.....

My response to a GOP volunteer request

2008-08-05T22:46:00.005+02:00

Kelly,

Absolutely not. For one, I have joined the US Air Force and I currently live in Germany. More importantly, George Bush's policies and the Republican party's acquiescence to these policies have forced me to register as a Democrat and vote for Obama in 2008. North Carolina's Republicans have proven themselves to be more concerned with rubber-stamping the presidency of Maharaja Bush at the expense of the citizens of North Carolina and the United States as a whole. I've got a brother who recently developed multiple sclerosis (MS) and issues such as a universal health care and medical marijuana are very important to me these days. The Republican party is decades behind on these issues, with only Ron Paul being a voice of logic on the latter. It's time that Republicans wake up to the realities of the 21st century. If we can provide the people of Iraq and Afghanistan with universal health care, then my God, I think my brother, a former Marine, college graduate and law school student, deserves this as well.

Kelly, you should join me over here on this side. It's actually not "dark" at all and quite refreshing to support a party, although with their share of morons, focused on the important issues this election cycle (energy, healthcare, Iraq withdrawal). If Republicans spent a tenth the time on any of these issues as they spend legislating their "perceived" morality, then our country would be in much better shape this year.

Sen Obama is young and energizing large numbers of people to register and get involved in the political process. Smart politicking dictates that the Republicans roll out a candidate that is focused on America of 2008. Are you kidding me, John McCain? I'd be donating part of my paycheck every week and taking leave to come back to the States to campaign for Ron Paul, but the Republican party gave this brilliant man no support at all. The Republican party has fell decades behind, and now it is time to try and see what some European style socialism can do for our great land.

Please remove my email address from any future mailings,

Jason Ward

-----Original Message-----

From: Kelly Hook [mailto:kmhook@ncsu.edu]

Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2008 18:13

Hello,

My name is Kelly Hook and on behalf of the Republican National

Committee and the NCGOP I would like to thank-you for your help in

prior years with local, state and national elections. As I'm sure you

know, this is a very important year for Republicans and we need a lot

of help to ensure we maintain a strong presence in local, state and

national affairs. The Republican National Committee asks you to please

volunteer some of your time during this election season. Your help is

urgently needed in the race for Governor of North Carolina, the

Senate, and the election of our President. If you would like to

volunteer your time or are curious about how you can help in another

way, please call 919-866-2527 or e-mail me at kmhook@ncsu.edu. Every

little bit helps.

Thank-you so much,

-Kelly

Kelly M. Hook

Regional Victory Director

Kmhook@ncsu.edu

919-866-2527

2008-08-04T21:48:00.000+02:00

London

2008-08-04T21:44:00.003+02:00

London, UK

Bronx, NYC

24 July in Berlin

2008-07-29T18:22:00.002+02:00

Death Cab for Cutie - July 9, 2008 - Köln, Germany

2008-07-03T16:46:00.001+02:00

My next show...... Live Music Hall in Köln, Germany!

...you will be missed

2008-06-15T03:06:00.002+02:00

When I was about 13, my grandmother introduced me to politics in the form of Sunday morning talk shows. I can remember clearly watching "Meet the Press" many Sunday mornings in her small kitchen in Clark, NJ. Even after my grandmother passed in 1996, I still kept the habit of watching this show whenever I got the chance. Now, living in Germany, I catch it on the Podcast, but it is still a Sunday ritual. Albeit, a Sunday afternoon one here.

Tim Russert, the host of "Meet the Press" since 1991, passed away on Friday in Washington, DC. I never got the chance to meet him, but he had this amazing gift that made one felt like they had. There is no television journalist I respected more.

He will be missed.

Tim Russert (1950-2008)

2008-06-08T14:53:00.001+02:00

Not going to happen, but how great would this be?

BarakObama.com

Tonight - Feist at Jahrhunderthalle in Frankfurt, Germany

2008-06-01T13:51:00.002+02:00

1,2,3,4........Jason is out the door!
Sleepless long nights
That is what my youth was for...

Now, to the Autobahn in a few minutes for this show!

Portishead - Brussels, Belgium - 8 May 2008

2008-05-13T12:55:00.003+02:00

Only the best show ever......

The Global War on Something

2008-04-29T01:22:00.001+02:00

19.4.08 - Pitching @ Ramstein AB, Germany

2008-04-24T00:57:00.003+02:00

Terrible weather, but we had a great time at the 2008 Under the Lights softball tournament.....

Rilo Kiley - Silver Lining

2008-04-02T11:36:00.000+02:00

2008-03-10T13:59:00.005+01:00

Al Qaeda Also Fed Up With Ground Zero Construction Delays

2007-12-22T12:16:00.001+01:00

Al Qaeda Also Fed Up With Ground Zero Construction Delays

International Scandal: Don Cheadle Planned Darfur Genocide To Create Film Role

2007-12-22T12:07:00.000+01:00

International Scandal: Don Cheadle Planned Darfur Genocide To Create Film Role

Thank goodness for term limits!

2007-12-18T00:40:00.001+01:00

"Wow! Brazil is big." --George W. Bush, after being shown a map of Brazil by Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 6, 2005

Universal Health Care Worldwide

2007-12-18T00:26:00.000+01:00

It's good to see that the US can fund Universal Health Care programs in Iraq and Afghanistan

Dave Matthews - Stay or Leave - NYC

2007-12-17T23:56:00.000+01:00

Just ignore the morning morons during the first few seconds

Morocco next month

2007-10-25T15:38:00.001+02:00

My trip to Morocco next month will be my first venture into Africa... can't wait!

Maastricht, Netherlands

2007-10-25T14:41:00.001+02:00

The Postal Service - Such Great Heights

2007-10-23T10:44:00.000+02:00

Emilíana Torrini - Amsterdam - 21.3.05

2007-10-23T10:35:00.000+02:00

Анна Степановна Политковская

2007-10-07T11:57:00.001+02:00

Anna Politkovskaya
30.8.58 - 7.10.07

o.j. stole my tickets

2007-10-06T21:10:00.000+02:00

Last week, before the Oregon-Cal State game, ESPN Gameday was broadcast here in Germany on AFN. For those who don't know, Gameday is basically a program where football "experts" analyse game tape, make predictions and talk about college football.

I wasn't really paying much attention to it until I spotted a sign that an Oregon student was carrying in the background and clearly visible on national, and international, television: "O.J. Stole My Tickets." Hilarious.

I began looking around and there were tons of joke signs everywhere. These Oregon fans are very clever. Here are some links to the signs of the day:

OneClickSportsBlog

The Balding Report

Flight of the Conchords

2007-09-30T07:43:00.000+02:00

...and these guys have a show on HBO

Now this is progress

2007-09-30T06:17:00.000+02:00

Living in Germany has tremendous benefits and I would not change a thing right now. I miss friends, family and, of course, my beloved Jets. Although, a face to face meeting is best, I'm able to stay in touch with family via my Lingo VOIP phone, and notwithstanding the time difference, it is great to call the States for free whenever I feel the urge.

Now, my Jets. The Armed Forces Network (AFN) feels that is must showcase every Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys game every Sunday neglecting my precious "Green and White." However, while being a "Google kid" (or so she says) the other day, I discovered a greater invention than sliced bread - streaming IP TV and access to Pennington & Co. (and every other NFL game) every Sunday. I was also able to watch my Mets move back in to 1st place today! Super!

http://myp2p.eu/NFL.htm - Sports Listings

http://www.sopcast.com/download/ - Program for viewing the beautiful, brilliant technology

Now, this does require a decent Internet connection to stream. They say I need 1MB upload to stream properly, but I am watching unbroken streams with no where near those speeds. However, some of the higher bit rate channels do not work with my connection. Of course, there is the Slingbox, but the little TV I actually watch doesn't make this very economical for my needs.

So, tomorrow, at 19:00 local (1pm EST) I will throw on this great Jets hoodie, open a Warsteiner, grill up some brats and watch my boys destroy Buffalo, albeit on a 4" screen.

Thank You

2007-07-26T23:28:00.001+02:00

WTF man?

2007-06-21T03:18:00.000+02:00

I have been trying to avoid writing about politics any more on this blog, but the story I read today really hit a nerve and I need to vent.

President Bush vetoed a spending bill for embryonic stem-cell research today. This marks the second time Mr. Bush has used executive powers to squash federal funding for much-needed research.

Where is this compassionate Conservatism?

Mr. Bush has been vocally skeptical out the potential for embryonic stem cells to help cure disease. Well, this is why it is called "research". (Read ARPANET)

Now, I must admit, I have a family member with MS, so this issue affects me more so than most people. However, it is quite clear that a majority of Americans, even a good percentage of Republicans, feel that stem cell research is long overdue. It is time to wake up to the realities of the public's feelings on this issue. Not to mention the fact that it is 2007, and forgive me if I haven't held onto archaic moral arguments that some people can't seem to shake (see "that guy", above).

My grandmother is 85 years old, and the Republicans will not get her vote for the first time ever in 2008 directly due to the President's unwillingness to federally fund embryonic stem cell research. This is a devout, Christian woman who is going to do something she never would have dreamed of 8 years ago - vote for a Democrat. That is, of course, if Guiliani doesn't soon stop pandering to the Republican base and begin to start being the Rudy of old - a soft liberal in all the right places.

Although personally affected by this veto, my opinion would and has been the same for as long as I can remember regarding this stem cell issue. Anyone who knows me will easily see that I'm no leftist. Maharaja Bush is just out of touch with this issue. He could at least throw the proletariat a couple of crumbs in the way of funding.

If bureaucrats can purchase Redskins tickets, lap dances and Vodka/Red Bulls with their government travel cards, then it is not too much to ask to fund research that has the potential to ease the pain and suffering of Americans and their families.

This research has the potential to cure stubborn illnesses and diseases allowing those afflicted to heal and live full, vibrant lives. Those healed can get back to their lives, make a family and procreate.... Now isn't that a pro-life stance?

...This really pisses me off. I was liking that Emiliana Torrini post at the top of my blog

Emilíana Torrini

2007-06-15T15:32:00.000+02:00

Emilíana Torrini is one of my favourite singer/songwriters and I was thrilled to find a French web site that has plenty of downloadable live performances recorded in superb quality. The Hamburg show is especially good and at 192kb/s, it is one of the best recording here.

Emilíana Torrini's Wikipedia Entry
Emilíana Torrini's Web Site

hohenecken, deutschland

2007-06-13T13:00:00.000+02:00

2007-06-13T12:59:00.001+02:00

after some hiatus..

2007-05-07T10:42:00.000+02:00

I'm up in Finland right now taking a few days leave and enjoying this small holiday. Now living in Vogelweh, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. It is very nice there, but a bit strange to be in Europe surrounded by Americans. Generally, they are really good people who appreciate where they've been assigned, so no complaints there.

Work is good. The people in my shop are great - this is quite a relief.

Food is good. Autobahn is close. Weather is perfect. And the beer is terrific!

Although I have only been in Germany a few weeks, it feels like home all ready. I've always been very comfortable in Europe and this has turned out to be a great posting thus far.

I'll hopefully be writing a bit more, but for now, Näkemiin!

Deutschland it is.....

2006-12-16T22:09:00.000+01:00

I received my assignment this past week for my first permanent duty station.. And voila, I have been assigned to Kapaun Air Station, a satellite site about 5km from Ramstein Air Force Base in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Incredible! German posting, satellite site and the best perk of all: a 25Euro flight away from Tampere, Finland. In fact, the R/T bus ride to Frankfurt-Hahn airport will cost me more than the flight itself to Finland.

I received my 1st job selection and my 2nd assignment preference. Wit 5 job choices and 16 assignment picks, I have been blessed to receive both a terrific job (SATCOM) and an assignment that will make this Airman a happy camper indeed.

...merry christmas to all

Keesler Air Force Base, MS

2006-10-06T02:18:00.000+02:00

Hey folks...

I'm here at Keesler Air Force base in Biloxi, MS studying 'Electronic Principles', a prerequisite course for my satellite training at the US Army Signal Center at Ft. Gordon in Augusta, GA...

And yes, I am in the Air Force, but my satellite training is at this base... It may be a good thing though to be part of a small Air Force contingent on an Army base - we'll see soon enough. I'm scheduled to graduate from EP (electronic principles) on 27 Nov, but they are going to try and expedite that so we can finish before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Anyway, I can't wait to get out of here... It is much to hot in Mississippi for my liking. I just logged on to my assignment system to check on where I go post technical school, but still no listing. I'm crossing my fingers hoping for Germany or the UK.

I better get going....everything is so busy here. I really haven't stopped much since August 1st when I stepped off the plane in San Antonio....

Oh, by the way.... I did indeed receive BMT honor graduate as well as marksman...sweet! However, for those who know what I'm talking about - no drill team or rope at tech school...no interest at all!

"Sir, 338th drill team REPORTS!" -- Oh, hell no!

just a moment in Basic Military Training

2006-09-09T21:45:00.000+02:00

I've got a base liberty today and finally access to a computer. It feels so strange to connect yet again, albeit with Uncle Sam's oversight.

I will officially become a US Air Force Airman on Monday, the 11th of September. This date obviously holds special significance. I will graduate on Friday, the 15th of September and head to technical school at Keesler Air Force base in Biloxi, MS on Sunday the 18th.

I shot 43 of 50 targets at the shooting range and qualified as a marksman and I am pretty confident I will receive honor graduate as well. MY MTI (military training instructor) seems to like me, so I suspect that I will have that 4th ribbon.

Anyway, I will have my computer again sometime shortly after the 18th and I will again plug in.... Until then... HUA!....hehe

Holiday is over, and now the US Air Force

2006-07-27T22:51:00.000+02:00

So, Tuesday I will fly to San Antonio, Texas and begin six weeks of US Air Force boot camp. Going to Finland was great. That trip put me in a state of bliss and made me feel content with my decision to enter military service. I'm ready to go and just hope that these six weeks go by fast and I can start my satellite training. Obviously, I will not be posting until late September sometime, if then.

To everyone who has wished me good luck - thanks, it means a lot to me. Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their summer and I'll be back in the fray soon enough.. The next thing I post should be a graduation picture in my spiffy new uniform - sweet!

Jason Ward

Tampere - 20.7.06

2006-07-25T00:42:00.000+02:00

Iitu and Annika

2006-07-20T00:40:00.000+02:00

Stockholm Trip - 16-18.7

2006-07-20T00:36:00.000+02:00

..at last, Suomalainen kesä

2006-07-05T07:33:00.000+02:00

11-23.7

To my Finns - see you next week!

..from my hiatus

2006-06-23T17:15:00.000+02:00

Hello everyone!

Back again after a long reprieve. Been busy getting ready for the Air Force and these days I spend more time exercising than at my PC...

I'm going to Tampere, Finland on July 10th (be there on the 11th after the flight and time change) and I'll be back on the 23rd. I leave for Air Force boot camp on August 1st, and this trip will be very therapeutic. I can't wait to get there. It has been 4 years since I traveled to Finland in the summer. My last 4 trips have been in the winter with -20C temperatures every time. I do like that, but Finland is a magical place in the summer. A Finnish summer night is the most beautiful thing in nature I have ever experienced and being gone so long will bring back wonderful memories - the kind of memories and feelings that are difficult to sense when I was visiting every summer from 99-02.

To my Finns... Enjoy your Juhannus this weekend and be safe... Wish I was there with you... Will be soon enough after you've had time to recover from this weekend...

To all my Yanks.... Enjoy your summer as well... I'm looking further to doing my duty and perpetuating US hegemony for all, well, for us at least :-)

I'm going to Finland, again...

2006-05-23T06:07:00.000+02:00

Yes, I just took a trip to Tampere in January, but I need my dose badly. I've recently broken up with my girlfriend and I leave for Air Force boot camp on August 1st...

This can mean only thing...... I've got to take a trip... Probably in early July...

I'd love to come for Midsummer, but I don't think I'll be able to find a reasonable ticket for Juhannus.

Congressman Fucks Own Wife Out Of Political Necessity

2006-05-12T05:34:00.000+02:00

WASHINGTON, DC—Seeking reelection in 2008, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) will limit himself to sexual activity with his wife, Libby. "I love my wife and would never do anything that would weaken our sacred bond of marriage, or reduce my constituents' faith in me," said Doggett, who faces fierce competition in the next election due to recent redistricting. "Libby's been right at my side, and instrumental in my political career, through all our years of marriage." Seeing no possible negative ramifications, Doggett allows himself to jerk off while thinking about Naomi Watts.

Kofi Annan Places 4,000-Pound Wreath On Mass Grave

2006-05-12T05:33:00.000+02:00

no pasaran!

2006-05-05T23:19:00.000+02:00

Great blog!

Illegal Immigrants Returning To Mexico For American Jobs

2006-05-05T23:04:00.000+02:00

MEXICO CITY—As dozens of major American corporations continue to move their manufacturing operations to Mexico, waves of job-seeking Mexican immigrants to the United States have begun making the deadly journey back across the border in search of better-paying Mexican-based American jobs.

"I came to this country seeking the job I sought when I first left this country," said Anuncio Reyes, 22, an undocumented worker who recrossed the U.S. border into Mexico last month, three years after leaving Mexico for the United States to work as an agricultural day laborer. "I spent everything I had to get back here. Yes, it was dangerous, and I miss my home. But as much as I love America, I have to go where the best American jobs are."
Read the rest at the Onion....

in other news..

2006-05-04T06:52:00.000+02:00

I am officially in the US Air Force - at least the delayed enlistment program. I spoke with my recruiter today and he expects to give me a date of departure sometime within the next week. Nothing is certain, but I expect to leave sometime this summer, probably in August. Here's the jobs I picked:

Satellite, Wideband and Telemetry Systems
F-16, F-117, RQ-1 and CV-22 Avionics Systems Apprentice
F-15/F-111 Avionics Systems Apprentice, Attack Control Systems
Ground Radar Systems
General Electronics Career

I'm really hoping for the SAT job. It seems to be the most interesting, although I can't complain about working on jets either.

I'll have to go to San Antonio for 6 weeks for boot camp. Then it is off to technical school for 6-9 months, probably in Biloxi or somewhere in Texas. After that it is off to my first duty station... Here are my tentative picks:

5 Overseas:
Germany, Iceland, England, Italy, Japan

5 Domestic:
McGuire - NJ (I grew up close to that base, so that'll preempt the "Why Jersey?" comments)
Dover, Delaware (Close to NJ, Many flight to Europe)
Mountain Home, Idaho (Always been interested in Idaho, no reason)
Peterson, Colorado
Ellsworth, South Dakota (I visit Finland every winter, so that's that)

Honestly, I don't really care where I get sent as long as it is not Goldsboro, NC or somewhere in the stifling heat. I'm much more comfortable in -20 than in +90, so a cold climate would be ideal.... Until next time...

new and improved

2006-05-04T06:45:00.000+02:00

I've redesigned Something Creative... It was lacking some background color and CSS menus... The Flash is still there, but the movie now has a top border and a bottom border that contains the CSS-styled navigation bar... I had some Flash menus built earlier, but InternetExploiter was giving me problems. Naturally, everything was working fine in Firefox.

Quite an improvement from the original, if I don't say so myself - which I do of course..:)

I know I'm still an ametuer, but they are coming together quite well...

Ideal Lawn Care

2006-05-02T02:11:00.000+02:00

Here's the latest site I've put together. This is Ideal Lawn Care, a Charlotte company specializing in custom lawn and landscape work.

Save the world, ignore global warming

2006-04-08T22:25:00.000+02:00

By Bjorn Lomborg
(Filed: 12/12/2004)

Global warming has become the obsession of our time. From governments and campaigners meeting for the climate summit in Buenos Aires right now we hear the incessant admonition: making global warming our first priority is the moral test of our age.

Yet they are wrong. Global warming is real and caused by CO2. The trouble is that the climate models show we can do very little about the warming. Even if everyone (including the United States) did Kyoto and stuck to it throughout the century, the change would be almost immeasurable, postponing warming by just six years in 2100.

Likewise, the economic models tell us that the cost is substantial. The cost of Kyoto compliance is at least $150billion a year. For comparison, the UN estimates that half that amount could permanently solve the most pressing humanitarian problems in the world: it could buy clean drinking water, sanitation, basic health care and education to every single person in the world.

Click to read the rest of the article.........

2006-04-08T03:21:00.000+02:00

Air Force News

2006-04-08T02:43:00.000+02:00

I finally received final approval today for enlistment in the US Air Force. I spent most of the day at Shaw AFB in South Carolina and then I rode back to Charlotte and signed most of my papers. On Thursday, I'll take my physical, sit down with the job counselor, sign my contract and swear in.

Projected Job Selections:

2E1X1 - SATELLITE, WIDEBAND, AND TELEMETRY SYSTEMS

2A3X2 - F-16, F-117, RQ-1, AND CV-22 AVIONIC SYSTEMS

2A3X1 - A-10, F-15, AND U-2 AVIONICS SYSTEMS

2E0X1 - GROUND RADAR SYSTEMS

6C0X1 - CONTRACTING

Electronics Aptitude Area

Pyhäjärvi, Tampere

2006-04-05T06:50:00.000+02:00

Tom DeLay To Pursue Corruption In Private Sector

2006-04-05T05:54:00.000+02:00

STAFFORD, TX—Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who is facing several ethics violations and felony charges, announced Tuesday that he will resign from Congress in order to concentrate on corruption in the private sector. "I can say with a clear lack of conscience that, after 21 years of public disservice, I have done everything I could to the American people," DeLay said in a televised statement to constituents. "I have a lot to offer the corporate world, such as money laundering and influence-peddling." DeLay added that, before assuming his new irresponsibilities, he looks forward to spending more time alienating his family and cheating on his wife.

-- The Onion

Trigger Happy TV

2006-03-30T04:32:00.000+02:00

Trigger Happy TV is a brilliant British hidden camera television show, created, produced by and starring Dom Joly.

For example, outside of a pornographic shop, a crowd has gathered, complete with horn players and a television crew. When a customer leaves the shop fanfare erupts and an interviewer tells the person they are the millionth customer.

Click here to watch a montage of Trigger Happy Clips....Enjoy!

William F. Buckley vs. Noam Chomsky (1969)

2006-03-25T19:11:00.000+01:00

The Super Adventure Club

2006-03-23T04:32:00.000+01:00

I've just finished watching the first post-Chef South Park where the Scientologists are now a group of child-molesters called the "Super Adventure Club". Hahaha.......

"Chef, you've been brainwashed"............

In the end of the episode, Chef falls off a cliff and impales himself on a small tree, only to be eaten by a coyote and a grizzly bear as he lies in agony. Kyle gives a eulogy where he says something like: "We shouldn't be mad at Chef for leaving us - we should be mad at that fruity little club for scrambling his brains."

The last scene has the Scient...., I mean Super Adventure Club reviving Chef to life and turning the departed character into Chef Vader, complete with suit and shiny, black Chef's hat.

This is going to be great... I like South Park, but I really hate Scientology and I can't wait to see what Matt Stone and Trey Parker have in store for them.

South Park 'declares war' on Scientology

2006-03-22T22:08:00.000+01:00

Sweeeeeeeet!.....

The creators of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, have declared war on the Church of Scientology. Last week, Isaac Hayes, the long-time voice of the Chef character, quit after the South Park creators sanctioned an episode called 'Trapped in the Closet', which blasts the Church of Scientology and questioned the sexuality of Tom Cruise, the world's most famous Scientologist.

Mr. Hayes quit due to religious 'intolerance and bigotry.' Because, of course, this was the first time South Park had ever made fun of religion:

Jesus' cable-access show

Red Hot Catholic Love

Mormon episode where the background music is “dum, dum, dum”

Constant anti-Semetic statements coming out of Cartman's mouth

This new-found religious sensitivity was only realized when Mr. Hayes' 'religion' was targeted.

The 'Trapped in the Closet' episode was never re-aired, a rerun is rumored to have been shelved after pressure from Scientology's lunatic #1, Tom Cruise. It was a huge mistake to try and censure this episode, now the libertarian-minded South Park creators have declared 'war on Scientology'.

""So, Scientology, you may have won THIS battle, but the million-year war for earth has just begun! Temporarily anozinizing our episode will NOT stop us from keeping Thetans forever trapped in your pitiful man-bodies," the 'South Park' creators said in an article, blending a parody of megalomaniac overtones, nonsense words and cult-like apocalyptic concepts.

They go on to say: "Curses and drat! You have obstructed us for now, but your feeble bid to save humanity will fail! Hail Xenu!!!"

Tom Cruise and Scientology to not have attempted to block the airing of this critical episode and just ignored it – 'grin and bear it'. Now, the so-called “Church of Scientology” is going to reap the wrath of South Park. Instead of being the butt of jokes every once in a while, Scientology will now become a regular punching bag until the day the show ends... And judging by this show's success thus far, that may be a while.

Oh, here is that episode - thank God for the Internet!

Rise and Fall of the Third Reich

2006-03-18T06:38:00.000+01:00

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by journalist William L. Shirer was the first definitive history of Nazi Germany in English.

Shirer, a radio reporter for CBS, covered Germany for many years until December 1940, when increasing Nazi censorship of his broadcasts made work impossible for him. This 1245 page book, first published in 1960 by Simon & Schuster, Inc. and still in print, colors its historically accurate information with denunciation of the evils of Nazism and tyranny.

The book is based largely on the captured documents of the Third Reich, including the diaries of propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels and General Franz Halder. Other sources include.....click to read the rest

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No need for comments from me. This is a great book and well worth the time to get through the 1200 or so pages.

1st daughter in my book

2006-03-16T20:30:00.000+01:00

I have seen photos of the President's twin daughters before, but I suppose I've never really paid too much attention to them. I ran into this photo a few minutes ago and I was taken aback. President Bush's daughter, Barbara, is downright gorgeous. That's a nice-looking girl right there...

Beautiful, powerful, Yale graduate, and from what I can tell she is likely an intelligent girl as well.. Not a bad combination at all... I better not say anymore, her pop will be my boss soon enough..

It's called racketeering in America

2006-03-16T05:14:00.000+01:00

I was reading a recent post on Finland for Thought, and the blog's creator, Phil, really hit a sore spot with me on his post about Finnish television licenses. The government of Finland charges €200.70 (appx. $240) per year to use your personal television in their lovely country. Now, what does this $20 per month get me, you ask? The right to watch 3 television stations, one being government owned, of course. These are commercial-laden, heavily-propagandized, usually showing extremely boring programming.

These TV fees are a total scam, just another way to enrich the Finnish state at the taxpayers expense. Taxes are high enough all ready and I do not understand how the government of Finland can justify this. YLE, MTV3 and Nelonen run commercials on their channels and I always thought that advertising pays for operations. Besides, there is nothing on late at night except for those ridiculous text message shows and more advertisements. With all the money the government is making on television fees, why can't they run SM-Liiga hockey games? SCAM...SCAM...SCAM... I suspect the Finnish government would argue that the fees go towards the digital features. However, the digital enhancements are not that impressive and I suspect Finland has been taxing TV usage long before these digital features came into existence.

How is it that here in America, where taxes are significantly lower, the government can figure out how to fund channels such as PBS that I can turn on at 2:00 and watch a great 'American Experience', 'Frontline' or 'Nova?' I can put up an aerial, and yes, watch 'Law and Order' and sit through 10 minutes of commercials that pay for the programming without the fear of some government agency coming to my door and demanding a fee. I can also pay $50 a month and get 130+ satellite channels on DirectTV with TiVo.

I guess advertising can't pay for all the programming since Finns don't have much disposable income left after 'Uncle Sammu' gets a hold. If the Finnish government could figure out a way to track radio reception, then I'm sure they would figure out a way to tax that as well. Unfortunately, most televisions are not very portable, and the government will tax anything they possibly can. If a radio weighed 30kg and stayed in the living room, there would be radio inspectors as well.

It's wrong and 1984 is closing in quickly on Finland. Many years ago, I had a friend that refused to open the door for a television inspector. Two days later, the police showed up at his door and discovered his 'growing operation' in the sauna. Now, because of Finland's centralized system, he has a police record for marijuana initiated by a television inspector.. Should he have been growing pot in his sauna? That is a matter of personal opinion, I suppose. Should a random visit by a bureaucrat from television inspections led to the raid? Hell no! It is a Brave New World, indeed!

America has many problems and there are certainly things we could learn from Finland and its citizens. But personal freedoms are something Finns just should not lecture Americans on. The individual freedoms are somewhat lacking in Finland and this wonderful country suffers because of it. The television issue is just of microcosm of personal liberty issues as a whole. The fact that Finland's citizens don't reject this fee and boycott the license all together just shows how far gone individualism really is in this fine Nordic state.

When the government can dictate how you manage your personal life, what cartoons should and shouldn't be printed, where people must live - it really is a slippery slope and I hope the recent rise in support for Kokoomus shows that Finns are starting to regain their foothold and are beginning to say, "enough of this, we want our lives back. Now fuck off, Moominmamma”

Aamulehti - 19.1.06

2006-03-06T06:33:00.000+01:00

I am misquoted in this piece.. Hell, I've never even been to Las Vegas.. Anyway, this is from the "Kulttuuri' (Culture) section of the Tampere, Finland newspaper, Aamulehti. This is from Thursday, January 19, 2006...

Minority Suspect

2006-03-05T23:39:00.000+01:00

Click on picture for a hilarious clip from 'Family Guy'

Der Untergang

2006-03-03T00:14:00.000+01:00

Der Untergang (2004; international English title Downfall) is a German film depicting the final days of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany in 1945. The movie was written by Bernd Eichinger and directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel. The film is based on the eponymous book by historian Joachim Fest about Hitler's final days, pieces of Albert Speer's memoirs, and the memories of Traudl Junge, secretary of Adolf Hitler; in addition, it loosely conveys events described in the memoirs of Siegfried Knappe.

Best war movie I have ever seen! #45 All Time according to IMDB

Tampere, Hide your Daughters

2006-03-01T17:33:00.000+01:00

On my birthday, May 9th, former US President Bill Clinton will be speaking in my favorite Finnish town, Tampere. Happy Birthday to me, huh? Only 790 Euro to hear this guy speak.. Na..

It is a sickness to want to hear the sound of your own voice as much as Bill does. Between him and Jimmy Carter it's a wonder anyone else can ever get a word in. You may think I don't like Clinton, but that's not really the case. The 1990s were pivotal times and Clinton could have been a great President. But he wasn't. Bill Clinton is the master of 'lip service'. He talks about every imaginable problem facing America and the world, but when it comes time for action he is just not there. It's not dislike, just disappointment.

Clinton had the opportunity to be one of the great Presidents in recent times, but he squandered his opportunities. Clinton's greatest achievement is what? The Brady Bill. Don't Ask, Don't Tell.... I suppose if someone is a gay, anti-gun Navy Seal then Clinton was a huge success. But for most of us Americans, all he did was get us into a security nightmare. So, now that I think about it - I do dislike him. Save your money folks.. If you want to see Mr. Clinton, I'm sure he can be found after the seminar in a dark corner at this familiar Tampere location:

Two Days Before the Day After Tomorrow

2006-03-01T07:09:00.000+01:00

Vote Libertarian!

Finland takes Silver

2006-02-26T16:21:00.000+01:00

The men's hockey team of Finland lost to Sweden 3-2 in the gold medal game a few moments ago in Torino, Italy at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. This was the first lost for Finland (7-1), who gave up 3 goals in a game for the first time in these winter Olympics.

Winning a silver medal is a great achievement and nothing to be ashamed about, but fellas.... Sweden... How frustrating! Canada, USA, Czech..those teams are fine to lose to, but not Sweden. Not for Finns.

Regardless, a great year for Finland and Olympic ice hockey.

The Fog of War

2006-02-23T04:41:00.000+01:00

The Fog of War is a documentary by Errol Morris about the life and times of former US Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara. McNamara served Presidents Kennedy and Johnson from 1961 to 1968 during such dramatic events as the Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. Of course, the 1960's was also the height of the Cold War with the Soviets.

In this film, Mr. McNamara answers questions that many Americans have been asking for 35 years. He details his life from his earliest memories, through college, the Army, CEO of Ford Motor Company, and eventually Secretary of Defense.

McNamara's intellect and technical ability are certainly something to be respected. McNamara's analytical abilities have influenced everything from the Firebombing of Japan, mass production of seat belts in automobiles to Cold War and World Bank policies. Love him or hate him, there is no denying his proficiency and the mark he has left on America and the world at large.

Robert McNamara attempted to use logic to solve the realities of a dangerous world. I respect this and I believe he did the best he could considering the pressures and circumstances he was faced with. I hope many people, especially older Americans, take a look at this film. It may answer some questions individuals have been asking for over three decades.

It's only treason in Minnesota

2006-02-22T04:01:00.000+01:00

As a patriotic American, I will break from my nationalism tomorrow morning when I sit down to watch the United States play Finland in Ice Hockey at the Olympic games in Italy. Guess I'll be waving the white and blue tomorrow.. Better off anyway, I don't like Reds.

Besides, I live in North Carolina and no one cares about ice hockey here anyhow...GO SUOMI ja Tappara!

Free Speech in Austria

2006-02-21T00:40:00.000+01:00

In a defeat for free speech, British historian David Irving was jailed today in Austria on the charge of 'Denying the Holocaust.' Irving was sentenced to 3 years in jail by an Austrian court. While this denial and previous statements by Irving have offended many, jailing an ignorant historian is a serious breach of free speech.

With Europe reeling from the recent Danish cartoon issue and using free speech arguments to justify their solidarity, it is completely hypocritical to jail a Holocaust denier. Apparently, free speech in the EU means only expressing opinions that are 'politically correct.'

Holocaust denial can only be defeated with truth and facts. Jailing a man for Holocaust denial is tantamount to the Nazis jailing individuals for philosophical and political differences. This sentence will only polarize Irving's supporters and do nothing to quell Holocaust denial. Leaders in the EU and Israel should publicly decry this judgment.

The Klu Klux Klan is a perfect example of the dangers of hampering free speech. In the early 20th century, steps were taken to prosecute Klan members and control their activities. As a result, support for the Klan increased as much of their activity festered underground. Only when the courts started allowing the Klan their free speech and let them demonstrate in public did their influence subside. By allowing the Klan into public view, the Klan exposed themselves for what they were - a group of uneducated, racist bigots whose exposure and public profile led to their demise.

David Irving is a disgrace to his profession and deeply insensitive to the sufferings of wartime Jews, Gypsies, Homosexuals and others that the Nazis persecuted. However, to jail Mr. Irving is entirely counterproductive to free speech a modern society. He didn't incite violence or threaten anyone, he merely said some ridiculous things that deserve ridicule, not prison. Austria has a guilty past and it seems they are somehow trying to absolve themselves of some blame with this ridiculous law and even more absurd trial.

Europe's Last Dictator

2006-02-20T01:55:00.000+01:00

While Europeans are quick to criticize the United States for its capitalistic short-comings, few seem to be bothered by the modern-day dictatorship that thrives in Belarus. Alexander Lukashenko, the 'President' of Belarus, has led the Eastern European nation since 1994 with policies reminiscent of Cold War Communism.

In 1996, he disbanded parliament, which had been seeking to impeach him, and also strengthened his control over the judiciary system. Former political opponents have 'disappeared' while others have been forced abroad or underground. Lukashenko has closed down several opposition newspapers and increased the power of the Belarusian KGB. The state of affairs is such that the Belarusian secret police have not even bothered changing KGB to something more benign as the Russians have done with the post-Soviet FSB.

Frequently blaming the West for Belarus' internal problems, Lukashenko moved beyond rhetoric to take a more active stance of supporting countries in conflict with the West. During the late 1990s, Belarus exported about $400 million worth of armaments annually to an assortment of countries including Iran, Sudan, Iraq - which received anti-aircraft weapons and training - and Yugoslavia. Following the Iraq war of 2003, the United States announced that several high-ranking Iraqi officials had been issued Belarusian passports.

The UN and EU are dealing with Belarus the same way they attempt to solve everything else. Namely, by publishing bureaucratic reports that constantly utter the phrase, "we are deeply concerned." While it's certain this sort of language has Lukashenko shaking in his boots, he has yet to resign due to these 'harsh' pressures from the International Community. So, next time a European badgers you over Guantanamo Bay, kindly remind them of their friend Alexander lurking in the 'back yard'.

O' Canada (Voi, Kanada)

2006-02-19T23:35:00.000+01:00

Finland continued its undefeated hockey play at this year's Olympic games with a 2-0 shutout win over the favored Canadians. First period goals by Teemu Selänne and Niko Kapanen gave Finland an early 2-0 lead that they never relinquished. Finland is now 4-0 in the 2006 Winter Games and plays its last preliminary round game against Germany on Tuesday at 15:35 local time.

With today's win, Finland has clinched Group A in the preliminary rounds. Men's Play-offs Quarterfinals begin on Wednesday, February 22. -- Hyvää!

Wannseekonferenz

2006-02-19T10:35:00.000+01:00

From time to time, I will feature a particular film, book or other piece of media that I have found interesting. The picture above is a promotional ad for the HBO film, Conspiracy. This film is a recreation of the Wannsee Conference in Berlin on 20.1.42.

The Wannsee Conference was a high level ministerial meeting of Nazi German civilian government and SS officials convened by Reinhard Heydrich, to bring together the leaders of the German organizations whose cooperation was necessary to carry out the Nazi plan to kill the Jewish population of Europe and to make it clear to these other German ministers that this "Final Solution of the Jewish Question" was a strategic imperative of the Third Reich. The conference was held during World War II on January 20, 1942 in the Wannsee Villa overlooking the Wannsee lake in southwestern Berlin.

I originally saw this film when it premired a few years on HBO. This film was very powerful and certainly took an unexpected, emotional toll on me that evening. I highly recommend this film to anyone with some knowledge of WWII German history. As this film tries to stick to the original minutes of Wannssee Confere (Wannseekonferenz), some historical knowledge will certainly help understand this film better.

Kenneth Branagh as SS General Reinhard Heydrich

Here's to pessimistic Finns, hyvin Suomen Jääkiekkoliitto

2006-02-19T09:04:00.000+01:00

Last month, while in Finland, I asked several of my friends what they thought about Finnish Ice Hockey in Torino this year. Almost all responded with something like, "This Finnish team will suck, cause we have taken some injury to goalkeepers and...... OK, we will play terrible, I think"

Well, the Finnish team has looked quite impressive in these first few games. Furthermore, with the USA and Canada losing games they should be winning, I would say Finnish chances of taking a gold or silver are looking pretty good right now.

I love my TiVo - haven't missed a minute....GO SUOMI

Words of Wisdom from Theodore Kaczynski?

2006-02-17T23:10:00.000+01:00

I just want to put out a disclaimer here and say that I do not support the "Unabomber', his methods or his general ideological concepts. However, I've just been reading his manifesto on Wikisource and his critique on modern leftism is scathing and frankly, completely on point in my opinion.... Click here for the full text of 'Industrial Society And Its Future' aka. The Unabomber Manifesto'. Here are some selected portions of the section: 'Feelings of Inferiority'

11. When someone interprets as derogatory almost anything that is said about him (or about groups with whom he identifies) we conclude that he has inferiority feelings or low self-esteem. This tendency is pronounced among minority rights advocates, whether or not they belong to the minority groups whose rights they defend. They are hypersensitive about the words used to designate minorities. The terms "negro," "oriental," "handicapped" or "chick" for an African, an Asian, a disabled person or a woman originally had no derogatory connotation. "Broad" and "chick" were merely the feminine equivalents of "guy," "dude" or "fellow." The negative connotations have been attached to these terms by the activists themselves. Some animal rights advocates have gone so far as to reject the word "pet" and insist on its replacement by "animal companion." Leftist anthropologists go to great lengths to avoid saying anything about primitive peoples that could conceivably be interpreted as negative. They want to replace the word "primitive" by "non literate." They seem almost paranoid about anything that might suggest that any primitive culture is inferior to our own. (We do not mean to imply that primitive cultures ARE inferior to ours. We merely point out the hypersensitivity of leftish anthropologists.)

13. Many leftists have an intense identification with the problems of groups that have an image of being weak (women), defeated (American Indians), repellent (homosexuals), or otherwise inferior. The leftists themselves feel that these groups are inferior. They would never admit it to themselves that they have such feelings, but it is precisely because they do see these groups as inferior that they identify with their problems. (We do not suggest that women, Indians, etc., ARE inferior; we are only making a point about leftist psychology).

15. Leftists tend to hate anything that has an image of being strong, good and successful. They hate America, they hate Western civilization, they hate white males, they hate rationality. The reasons that leftists give for hating the West, etc. clearly do not correspond with their real motives. They SAY they hate the West because it is warlike, imperialistic, sexist, ethnocentric and so forth, but where these same faults appear in socialist countries or in primitive cultures, the leftist finds excuses for them, or at best he GRUDGINGLY admits that they exist; whereas he ENTHUSIASTICALLY points out (and often greatly exaggerates) these faults where they appear in Western civilization. Thus it is clear that these faults are not the leftist's real motive for hating America and the West. He hates America and the West because they are strong and successful.

16. Words like "self-confidence," "self-reliance," "initiative", "enterprise," "optimism," etc. play little role in the liberal and leftist vocabulary. The leftist is anti-individualistic, pro-collectivist. He wants society to solve everyone's needs for them, take care of them. He is not the sort of person who has an inner sense of confidence in his own ability to solve his own problems and satisfy his own needs. The leftist is antagonistic to the concept of competition because, deep inside, he feels like a loser.

21. Leftists may claim that their activism is motivated by compassion or by moral principle, and moral principle does play a role for the leftist of the oversocialized type. But compassion and moral principle cannot be the main motives for leftist activism. Hostility is too prominent a component of leftist behavior; so is the drive for power. Moreover, much leftist behavior is not rationally calculated to be of benefit to the people whom the leftists claim to be trying to help. For example, if one believes that affirmative action is good for black people, does it make sense to demand affirmative action in hostile or dogmatic terms? Obviously it would be more productive to take a diplomatic and conciliatory approach that would make at least verbal and symbolic concessions to white people who think that affirmative action discriminates against them. But leftist activists do not take such an approach because it would not satisfy their emotional needs. Helping black people is not their real goal. Instead, race problems serve as an excuse for them to express their own hostility and frustrated need for power. In doing so they actually harm black people, because the activists' hostile attitude toward the white majority tends to intensify race hatred.

23. We emphasize that the foregoing does not pretend to be an accurate description of everyone who might be considered a leftist. It is only a rough indication of a general tendency of leftism.

I highlighted that last part because, above all, I agree with that completely. I have left-wing friends and I would not attribute these characteristics to their personalities. In addition, I hold some leftist feelings myself on certain issues, however, I think Kaczynski is right on target in describing establishment liberalism.

2006-02-17T22:53:00.000+01:00

Koskenkorva

LOVE/HATE relationship

2006-02-17T22:05:00.000+01:00

I met her two months ago in Matthews, NC, quite unexpectedly. I really wasn't looking for something different, but alas, I couldn't take my eyes off her. It was 'Love at First Sight', so to speak. It has been a good month.... Full of ups and downs.

When we first met, she was a bit naive to the outside world, but I loved her right away. She was a bit difficult to deal with at first, as I have been used to others, simpler and easier to understand. Regardless of any confusion, her lines were right and she felt comfortable in my hands.

I even took her to Finland with me last month on her first trip to Europe. She should have been at home there, as her parents grew up near Helsinki and her grandparents were born in the next town over from Tampere. We had some difficulties in Finland from the very beginning. I thought she would be open and comfortable, in this, her native land. But no, things were not working from the beginning and I quickly had to find another to satisfy my needs during this trip.

Of course, the moment I get back to the States her whole attitude changes. She opens up and is quite comfortable with me again. Just like a woman to embarrass you in front of your friends. Oh well, I'll see if I can work on her and maybe she'll get another Scandinavian holiday, but if not, I can always pick up a local.

In a couple years, when I'm looking for a new one, I should really take my time and make sure that I look past the exterior and see what's going on inside.... But hey, I really do love my new Nokia 6670, she's great! -- Damn operator lock!