It's Your Ship & BTW, Book Tag You're It! October 15, 2006

As many of you have heard me say it the past, I'm really not into this "internet tag" phenonenom that seems to be impossible to avoid. As a general rule I don't participate, but this week I received a tag that was a bit different and could be cool for all involved if you choose your "victims" properly. LOL That said.....here we go.

I've been Book Tagged by Ditsy Daisy. So here goes...

The "rules"

1. Grab the nearest book. If you are currently reading something, that'll be fine too.

2. Open the book to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the text of the next 4 sentences on your Blog along with these instructions.

5. Don't you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet I know that is what you were thinking!

6. Tag 5 people

"It's Your Ship" by Capt. D. Michael Abrashoff, USN

Actually I didn't consider it rivalry; I didn't have any rivals. I was in competition only with myself, to have the best ship we possibly could. Inevitably, however, other commanders chaffed when the Benfold kept topping them, and whether I wanted it or not, rivalries emerged. To be honest, I enjoyed winning and I wasn't sensitive enough to avoid gloating, but I will return to discuss that further.

I am tagging David, Missy, Jenny, Rich, and Perry

If any of you guys are interested in the book, here's a little more coherent description...

Against the backdrop of today's U.S. Navy, Captain Abrashoff took over command of the USS Benfold, a key player in our Navy's Persian Gulf/Middle East operations. It was a ship armed with every cutting edge system available, but only some of the productivity. Capt Abrashoff realized that responsibility for improving performance rested with him. But first, he had to improve his own leadership skills. Within mere months he created a crew of confident and inspired problem solvers that were eager to take the initiative AND responsibility for their actions. From achieving amazing budgetary cost savings to holding SAT Exams 40 miles off the Iraqi coast to winning the highest gunnery scores in the Pacific Fleet, Capt Abrashoff's extrodinary tenure as CO of the Benfold not only sent shockwaves throughout the Navy, but also changed the business practices of many Fortune 500 companies. If you're a business owner, in management, or contemplating starting a business, this is a book that is not only entertaining, but very educational and well worth reading.

And with that.........I have a football game to go watch. You guys have a great weekend and we'll visit again soon!

TIL NEXT TIME.........

Picture Of The Week, July 30, 2006

SOMEWHERE IN THE PERSIAN GULF--The details of a recently declassified military program were released today as the Navy announced it's "Al Qaeda Catch and Release Program." The first participant of the program was a senior Taliban/Al Qaeda fighter who the Navy captured in 2003 and questioned extensively for 6 months aboard an unnamed aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf.

After determining he held no futher valuable information, he was released. As a humanitarian gesture, senior naval officials gave the Al Qaeda fighter, who was also a high ranking Taliban Army officer, 50 dollars in American cash and a 1962 Ford Fairlane. The above photo of the departure ceremony shows the crew of the unnamed carrier bidding their unsightly guest a fond farewell.

(Originally posted on 7-30-06 on Yahoo 360)

For America's Heros on Armed Forces Day, May 20, 2006

Here's something I received today from a fellow veteran and thought it would be good to share with everyone on this Armed Forces Day!

For those who have laid in fox holes, carried guns, marched for hours,
For those who have had cold sleepless nights,endless days of discomfort,
For those who have endured the agony of war for my sake,

Thank you.

For those who have gently kissed a loved one goodbye,
and with a tear looked back for a last time,
For those who have found courageto carry the sword of liberty,
For those who have flown with the eagle,
For those who have landed on foreign soil,
Taking freedom to other countries while keeping freedom in ours,

Thank you.

For those who have lost limbs,lives and loved ones,
For those who have lost friends, sisters, brothers, mothers, and fathers,
For those who have sacrificed and gave their all for freedom's sake,

Thank you.

For those who have found the courage to stand,
For those who have reached out a hand for their fallen comrade,
For those who give freedom to strangers ,and a hope for peace,
For those who sacrifice all they love, and pay the price for freedom,

Thank you.

This Armed Forces Day....to all the veterans who have protected our nation and our freedoms through the years, to all the men and women still serving around the world today, to all the family members here at home who faithfully and patiently await their return, and to each and every American who has supported our men and women in uniform without question,

Thank you!!!

Because without you....none of what we have today would be possible!

(originally posted 5-20-06 on Yahoo 360)

Winners and Losers, March 25, 2006

Odds and Ends from the Week Gone By!

Winner: The United States Navy

Chalk another one up for the good guys! It was announced this past week that while on duty with the multinational maritime security force (in the southern Persian Gulf/Indian Ocean region), two US Navy warships...the USS Cape St George and the USS Gonzalez intercepted another suspected pirate vessel off the coast of Somalia in the Indian Ocean. Automatic weapons fire was exchanged, but no US servicmen were injured in the incident. One suspected pirate was killed, five injured, and 12 more taken into custody. A cache of automatic weapons and at least 1 RPG were confiscated. The USS Cape St George and the USS Gonzalez are homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.

Loser: The American Moviegoing Public

It would seem that Cindy Sheehan's proverbial 15 minutes of fame still isn't over. Now we learn that Susan Sarandon will play the lead role in a soon to be filmed Sheehan bio-pic. I would say it's a safe bet you won't hear much in this movie about son Casey's heroism and patriotism. Nor will we see much about how most of her family has condemned her actions and distanced themselves from her. I guess this movie is a good reason not to spend money at the theatre and rent a dvd from Blockbuster instead.

Winner: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R) Tennessee

It would seem that Americans concerned with border security and the continued increase in illegal immigration have finally gotten the attention of those "other Americans" that have no respect for the rule of law. Today we saw several protests against proposed legislation from Senator Frist. The only question I would have for the gentleman from Tennessee...."Why do we need new legislation when there are already laws on the books concerning immigration issues? Why is it so unreasonable for us to expect the government to enforce already establish law instead wasting "your time" and "our money" creating more law that probably never be enforced either?"

Loser: State of Texas

Ok...I'm gonna preface this one by saying that I know I'm probably gonna catch some flack from some of you for this one......but here goes anyway. The State of Texas has decided, in its infinite wisdom, that an adult of legal drinking age can be arrested for having one or two too many, even while they're still inside the bar. Forget designated drivers, forget walking home, calling a cab, or taking an elevator three floors up to your hotel room. If you hit .09 on a breathalizer inside a drinking establishment in the Lone Star State, you're going in the pokie no questions asked. This is a bad idea for a number of reasons not the least which is that this will drive people to have more private parties in remote areas where they can't be observed and less likely to conduct themselves in a responsible manner (ie: designated drivers, cabs, and so on). Finally, If you can't get drunk in a bar then where? Don't you dare say home, because if this is allowed to stand, there's a real good chance that's where they're going to try and come look next. The theory of preventing crime before it occurs by arresting the potential offender without just cause before he or she ever commits an offense just doesn't wash in a free society. As long as the person isn't causing a disturbance or being a hazard to himself or others LEAVE HIM/HER ALONE!

(originally posted 3-25-06 on Yahoo 360)

My U.A.E. Experience, March 19, 2006

MY U.A.E. EXPERIENCE

Here we are some two or three weeks past the “official demise” of the U.A.E. port deal and I am still hearing about this debate on TV. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!! While I’m not entirely sure how I feel about a company owned by a foreign government having “operational management” control over a vital part of our national infrastructure, I am absolutely certain that the United Arab Emirates has been unfairly characterized in the media by knee jerk reactionaries who have never experienced first hand life in the U.A.E or taken the time to find about anything about its people. In the wake of 9/11 and knowing the state of port security in the United States, it is understandable that some people would be nervous at the prospect of an Arab owned company having such a presence in the US. However, I believe that a lot of that mistrust and paranoia leveled toward the U.A.E. is misplaced. I say this in part because of my personal experiences in that country during the first Gulf War.

While assigned to the USS Midway, we spent ¾ of Desert Shield and all of Desert Storm in the Gulf region. That time included a two-week period around Christmas of 1990. During that week, I had the opportunity to spend several days with a family from the port city of Abu-Dhabi. Except for their religion (yes they were Islamic), this family was much like any average American family. Mom, Dad, and their two children lived their daily lives with all the same wants, needs, and desires. Both Mom and Dad had jobs they attended to every day. The mother also attended classes at the local university. Both children attended school everyday too. And dad worked hard at his job at the Port of Abu Dhabi to provide for his family. They also had they same worries about their country that we currently have for ours. So needless to say, considering the tensions of that time period, they were very happy to see the American presence in the Middle East. As they proudly showed us their community and introduced us to their culture, friends, and family…. it became obvious to me that, at least in that part of the Middle East, we were not viewed as evil intruders the way many would have us believe. It was a real eye opening experience for a person who had been accustomed to thinking that these people were not to be trusted. That’s not to say there weren’t people there who didn’t like the United States. There certainly was a fair share of those too, but that is not enough to condemn an entire country. Every country, even the United States, has a segment of its population that loves to hate (i.e.: Cindy Sheehan, Michael Moore, Timothy McVay, and the list goes on).

The real shocker came on Christmas Eve, when this Arab family prepared a traditional Christmas dinner complete with all the trimmings. I don’t think I have to remind anyone of the significance of this. Yes you read right. This was an Islamic family in an Arab nation preparing a ham dinner in celebration of a Christian holiday for American service members. They even went out and bought gifts for us. That night, this same scenario played out in homes all over the city. All because they wanted to show us how much they appreciated what we were doing. Everywhere we went during our stay there, people were going out of their way to make us feel welcome and thank us for our sacrifices.

While it’s true that there are some very distinct differences between our two nations, there are many more things that we have in common. When I see people who should know better (our elected leaders to start with) succumb to the typical knee jerk paranoid type reactions, well, it’s just plain disappointing. Equally disappointing was the way this whole deal was presented to the American people. I don't think there is any doubt in anyones mind that it could've been handled a whole lot better.

Like I said before, I’m not sure how I feel about that port deal. Maybe it would’ve been ok, maybe not. Not that it really matters now since it’s a dead issue, but it sure would have been nice to see and hear a legitimate discussion based on fact. Instead, all we got was a lot hysteria, misinformation, and in some cases downright prejudice and in many respects that’s the most disappointing part of all.

(originally posted 3-19-06 on Yahoo 360)

Update on Previous Posts, February 17, 2006

HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND!!!!

We'll start off tonight by wishing everyone a happy Presidents Day Weekend. For some of us that also translates into a three day weekend. So Enjoy!!!!

I have had a few questions about some of the things I've mentioned in previous posts, so I thought I'd answer a few of those questions tonight.

UPDATE #1: A couple of folks asked about our cats that I wrote about in the entry titled "Broken Glass=My Superiority." The short answer is no, they haven't broken anymore glass. However, I am looking at a new computer monitor tonight as a result of the escapades of one of our two "furry ones." Our previous monitor was the 15" HP monitor that came with the system when we bought it. It was big and bulky in typical HP style. As a result, it put out a fair amount of residual heat. Every winter our oldest cat, "Mandu", is always looking for a nice warm place to curl up. Despite our best efforts, it is next to impossible to keep her off the top of the monitor. We resigned ourselves to cleaning the monitor more often rather than constantly fighting her. Well, that all ended on Wednesday when she decided to barf on the back of the monitor. I'll spare you all the details, but suffice to say, tonight we have a brand new 17 inch digital flatscreen. No more cat on the monitor and a much better picture. Two hundred+ dollars later we can finally laugh about it. I'm just trying to figure out what smelled worse....the fried electronics or the warm cat barf.

UPDATE #2: Some of you having been asking about the email I sent to San Francisco City Supervisor Gerado Sandoval. Well, much as I expected, I never heard a peep! Not even a whimper. Unless confronted directly, people like him usually won't respond. I did a little research on him though and found out that he is a supporter of La Raza. LaRaza is a Latino Civil Rights organization. Among other things, this group supports the return of huge portions of California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas back to Mexico. Maybe this explains Supervisor Sandoval's stance regarding the military. Makes about as much sense as anything else I've heard this week. Either way, I don't expect to hear from him or his office. If I do, I'll post his reply for you guys to see.

and finally UPDATE #3: Yesterday I wrote about the Navy NASCAR effort. After a little more research, I've discovered that TEAM NAVY will be on the track again this season. After the departure of David Stremme from Fitz-Bradshaw Racing, the Navy signed a deal with JRMOTORSPORTS . Yes that "JR" Motorsports as in Dale Earnhardt "JR." The Navy will be sponsoring the #88 Chevy Monte Carlo (see picture above) driven by Busch Series rookie Mark McFarland. McFarland qualified the Navy ride 25th for tomorrows Hershey's Kissables 300. We'll be watching. It should be some fun!!!

(originally posted 2-17-06 on Yahoo 360)

Equal Time-NASCAR Style, February 16, 2006

EQUAL TIME

Okay, about a week ago, I posted an entry about the beginning of the new NASCAR season where I made mention of Joe Nemechek and included a photo of the Army sponsored 01 car. Well, being a NAVY veteran, I should have known that some of my Navy pals would be standing by ready to give me unlimited amounts of grief....and they did! Shame on me! LOL

This photo is of the #14 Navy sponsored Dodge driven by David Stremme for Fitz-Bradshaw Racing in the Nascar Busch Series. This photo was taken mid-season last year. Since then David Stremme has moved on to the Nextel Cup Series driving the #40 car for Chip Gnassi Racing. Currently, the #14 car has no sponsor as the Navy has apparently opted for other marketing options, but has left open the possiblity of returning to Nascar at a later date and in a limited role. We'll keep our fingers crossed.

(originally posted 2-16-06 on Yahoo 360)

Shocked and Disgusted, February 14, 2006

SHOCKED AND DISGUSTED!

Just when I think I've heard and seen everything there is to see and hear, there's one more lunatic lurking around the corner waiting to shock me yet again.

I just finished watching the early airing of the Hannity and Colmes show on the Fox News Channel. I am still so dumbfounded at what I heard on that show tonight that I still am trying to comprehend it. But here it is in a nutshell. The topic tonight was the USS Iowa and the current attempt to find a new home for the historic battleship, where it will become a museum and a memorial. By federal law, it has to stay in the State of California as a condition of it release into private ownership. So the two cities attempting to get the Iowa into their communities are Stockton and San Francisco. For obvious reasons, San Francisco is a much more logical choice. More than half of San Francisco's three million plus residents agree as evidenced by recent (unscientific) polls by both AOL and by a local talk radio station. Tonight Hannity and Colmes had various proponets of the museum on to talk about the ship and why they support the USS IOWA Museum being placed in San Francisco along the waterfront. Then came the final guest of the night, City Superviser Gerardo Sandoval of District 11. Sandoval is one of the eight supervisors who opposed the project during it's last vote. He was pretty much what I expected from a San Francisco city politician. He spewed the typical liberal rhetoric that we're all to used to hearing. But then toward the end of the segment he made a statement which appeared to come from out of nowhere. Both Hannity and Colmes seemed surprised and shocked at the statement which is the reason for this posting tonight.

Supervisor Sandoval said on national television that The United States would be a much better country if we had no military. I almost went through the flippin' roof! Even Alan Colmes, one of the most liberal hosts on television today, couldn't believe what he was hearing. He gave Sandoval several opportunities to retract the statement and everytime asked Sandoval repeated his belief that the United States would be better off without a military. So Alan Colmes, God Bless him, called him on it and said in not so many words that he was out of his mind. I know I was certainly coming out of mine.

I then immediately went on line, found the website for the city of San Francisco and the page for Supervisor Sandoval and promptly sent an email ( which he may or may not see) that says most everything else that went through my mind as I watched this insanity unfold in front of me. Below is the email I sent:

Date:	Tue, 14 Feb 2006 19:48:06 -0800 (PST)
From:	"Mark Chase"
Subject:	Tonight's Television Appearance
To:	Gerardo.Sandoval@sfgov.org

Supervisor Sandoval,

As a resident of Northern California and a veteran of the United States Navy, I must say that I have never been as ashamed of and embarrassed for a elected political official as I am of and for you tonight. I just finished watching the early broadcast of the Hannity and Colmes broadcast and their coverage of the USS Iowa situation. When they announced you were coming on the show, I fully expected all the left wing, liberal propaganda that the bay area has become famous for around the world. But I am absolutely dumbfounded and disgusted that you would suggest the United States shouldn't even have a military. What language do you suppose I would be writing this email in if the United States had no military? Japanese? Spanish? German? or maybe Russian? No...wait, if the United States didn't have a military, there's a real good chance that in what your view of what America should be, none of us would have the freedom and liberty write emails or voice our opinions on any topic. Tonight you have dishonored and disrespected the very people that preserve your right to lead the type of life you have today. You should be ashamed and embarrassed. You owe the people of the United States, the United States Military, the people of the Great State of California, and most of all the people of San Francisco a very public and sincere apology for your behavior tonight on national television.

One last thing.....As part of your closing statement you said that most of San Francisco agrees with your stand on the military. I'm here to tell you that I think you are dead wrong. San Francisco is a beautiful city with a lot offer it's residents as well as its visitors. It's also a very liberal city, but it's population is not stupid. There is no doubt that war for whatever reason is distasteful, ugly, and not something to be wished for. But some sometimes it's necessary to preserve the liberty that, again, gives you the right to publicly embarrass yourself as you have tonight. I think that's something that most of San Francisco would agree with as well.

Respectfully,
M.Chase
Oroville, California

For better or worse that is it. If any of you would like to voice your opinion to Supervisor Sandoval, he can be reached at Gerardo.Sandoval@sfgov.org His web page is
www.sfgov.org/site/bdsupvrs_index.asp?id=4643 and if any of you would like to see the repeat of the actual broadcast, it comes on again tonight at 2 am on the east coast, 1 am cst, midnight in the mountain time zone, and 11 pm on the west coast.

(originally posted 2-14-06 on Yahoo 360)