Coast Guard and NASCAR

The Coast Guard has had a very successful year sponsoring the Coast Guard Racing Team. The main driver, Kevin Harvick, is running away with the Busch Series Championship. So, I was very disappointed to see the following pop up on the message board.

R 201903Z SEP 06 ZUI ASN-A00263000041
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-C//
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS //N05700//
ALCOAST 474/06
COMDTNOTE 5700
SUBJ: COAST GUARD "21" RACE TEAM SPONSORSHIP
1. RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING HAS BEEN A GREAT PARTNER TO THE COAST
GUARD. DRIVERS KEVIN HARVICK AND JEFF BURTON HAVE DELIVERED
ASTOUNDING PERFORMANCE, AND HAVE REPRESENTED THE COAST GUARD WELL,
BOTH ON AND OFF THE TRACK. THEY WON SEVEN RACES, AND KEVIN HARVICK
IS ON PATH TO NOT ONLY WIN THE DRIVERS POINT CHAMPIONSHIP, BUT ALSO
TO SET A RECORD FOR THE LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY IN THE HISTORY OF
THE BUSCH SERIES. THEY HAVE HELPED RAISE THE AWARENESS OF THE
COAST GUARD, AND MILLIONS OF RACE FANS NOW ASSOCIATE US WITH THEIR
SUCCESS.
2. UNFORTUNATELY, WE CANNOT CONTINUE THIS SPONSORSHIP FOR THE 2007
NASCAR SEASON DUE TO COMPETING FISCAL DEMANDS. THIS WAS A VERY
DIFFICULT DECISION, BUT WE MUST REMAIN READY TO MEET CURRENT AND
FUTURE MISSION EXECUTION REQUIREMENTS. NEW ACQUISITIONS, SHORE
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS, INCREASED OPERATING COSTS AND EXPANDING
MISSION DEMANDS REQUIRE US TO CONTINUALLY REASSESS ALL FUNDING
PRIORITIES.
3. OUR NASCAR SPONSORSHIP WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE END OF THE
2006 RACING SEASON, WHICH CONCLUDES NOVEMBER 18TH AT THE MIAMI-
HOMESTEAD SPEEDWAY. I ENCOURAGE ALL MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD
FAMILY TO CHEER KEVIN HARVICK ON AS HE CLINCHES THE SERIES
CHAMPIONSHIP. PLEASE JOIN ME IN THANKING RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING
FOR GIVING US SUCH AN EXCITING, SUCCESSFUL, AND REWARDING 2006
SEASON.
4. INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.
5. ADMIRAL THAD W. ALLEN, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
BT
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Happy Birthday Air Force!

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FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-C//
TO HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC
ALCOAST
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UNCLAS //N01000//
ALCOAST 470/06
COMDTNOTE 1000
SUBJ: 59TH BIRTHDAY OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
1. ON BEHALF OF ALL COAST GUARD MEMBERS, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO WISH
THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE A HAPPY 59TH BIRTHDAY.
2. SINCE SEPTEMBER 18, 1947, THE AIR FORCE HAS WELL FULFILLED ITS
MISSION OF DELIVERING SOVEREIGN OPTIONS FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE UNITED
STATES AND ITS GLOBAL INTERESTS. WHETHER DELIVERING HUMANITARIAN AID
TO VICTIMS OF HURRICANE KATRINA AND THE TSUNAMIS IN ASIA, OR
DESTROYING A BATTLEFIELD THREAT IN AFGHANISTAN OR IRAQ, THE ADHERENCE
TO YOUR CORE VALUES: "INTEGRITY FIRST, SERVICE BEFORE SELF, AND
EXCELLENCE IN ALL YOU DO" IS EVIDENT IN THE ACTIONS OF YOUR DEDICATED
AIRMEN.
3. WE WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS IN YOUR MISSIONS. WE ARE PROUD TO
SERVE WITH YOU. SEMPER PARATUS.
4. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
5. ADM T.W. ALLEN, COMMANDANT, UNITED STATES COAST GUARD.
BT
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RIP Admiral Kime

FORMER COAST GUARD COMMANDANT DIES

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Coast Guard today announced the death of Adm. J.William Kime, 72, Coast Guard commandant from 1990 to 1994, who succumbed to cancer earlier this morning."

This is a very sad day for the Coast Guard," said Adm. Thad Allen, commandant of the Coast Guard. "The Coast Guard lost a close member ofour family, and America has lost a great leader.

In the wake of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Adm. Kime pioneered how the Coast Guard now prevents and responds to oil and hazardous chemical spills, significantly minimizing the environmental damage caused by such spills. His legacy can be seen today in how the Coast Guard responds to a broad range of threats and hazards to our maritime, homeland, and national security interests."

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Valerie, their children, and the entire Kime family during this very difficult time,"Allen said.

Kime was nominated to become the 19th commandant of the Coast Guard by President George Bush and, following Senate confirmation, he relieved Adm. Paul A Yost, Jr., on May 31, 1990. Kime's official Coast Guardbiography can be found at
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/JWKimeBio.html

Kime will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Admiral Kime was the Commandant when I enlisted in the Coast Guard. Fair Winds and Following Seas Admiral.

Two Shipmates Have Crossed the Bar

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the tragic loss of two of our shipmates. LT Jessica Hill of St. Augustine, Florida, and BM2 Steven Duque of Miami, Florida, lost their lives in the line of duty while conducting diving operations from CGC HEALY during an icebreaking mission approximately 600 miles Northwest of Barrow, Alaska. Despite all efforts by the crew of HEALY, they could not be revived after being rescued from the water in distress.

Our highest priority now is to fully support the family, friends and shipmates of LT Hill and BM2 Duque during this difficult time. Both members were single without children, and their respective family members have been notified. I have directed the District and Area commanders to provide whatever support services are necessary for the families and crew of HEALY. HEALY is returning to Barrow where we will be better able to assist them. Two concurrent investigations will be conducted to help determine the circumstances surrounding this accident.

In my conversation with HEALY’s commanding officer, CAPT Doug Russell, this afternoon, I expressed my personal condolences to him and his crew and pledged my support for them while they deal with this loss. CAPT Russell spoke proudly of LT Hill and BM2 Duque. LT Hill was on her second Coast Guard tour serving as the Marine Science Officer aboard HEALY. She was a graduate of University of Western Alabama. BM2 Duque enlisted in the Coast Guard in 2002, and served both afloat and ashore prior to being assigned as one of HEALY’s divers.

This loss is a reminder to all of us that we operate in a hazardous environment and must remain vigilant. It also reminds us that Coast Guard men and women serve our Nation proudly across the reaches of the globe to preserve and protect our national maritime safety, security and stewardship interests. LT Hill and BM2 Duque made the ultimate sacrifice. We are proud of their selfless service and honor them by our continued dedication to the important work we do for the American people.

Please join Secretary Chertoff, me, and all who serve in uniform in taking a moment today to reflect on the loss of these two brave and heroic members of our Coast Guard family in whatever way you find most appropriate. Please keep their families, friends and shipmates in your thoughts and prayers in the days to come. Details on memorial services and how you can express your condolences to the families of LT Hill and BM2 Duque will be provided when available.

Admiral Thad Allen

Happy Birthday Coast Guard!

R 042300Z AUG 06 ZUI ASN-A00217000001
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
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UNCLAS //N01000//
ALCOAST 403/06
SUBJ: COAST GUARD DAY
1. TODAY MARKS THE 216TH BIRTHDAY OF OUR COAST GUARD. THIS
ANNIVERSARY OFFERS US A MOMENT TO CELEBRATE OUR RICH HISTORY,
REFLECT ON OUR PAST AND FOCUS ON OUR FUTURE. THE COAST GUARD'S
UNIQUE LEGACY AS AMERICA'S LIFESAVER AND MARITIME GUARDIAN EVOLVED
FROM THE SELFLESS COURAGE AND UNFLINCHING DETERMINATION OF OUR
PREDECESSORS. IT IS IN THEIR HONOR THAT WE CELEBRATE TODAY.
2. IN 1790, CONGRESS AUTHORIZED SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
ALEXANDER HAMILTON TO BUILD A FLEET OF TEN CUTTERS TO SECURE OUR
FREEDOM AND PROTECT OUR COAST. FOR THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS, THE
REVENUE MARINE WAS THE NATION'S ONLY NAVAL FORCE. OVER TIME, IT
EVOLVED AND ACQUIRED NEW RESPONSIBILITIES TO MEET THE GROWING NEEDS
OF A DEMOCRACY IN THE EARLY YEARS OF A NEW NATION.
3. THE WORLD HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY SINCE 1790 AND CONTINUES TO
CHANGE WITH EVERY DAY. THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM, THE MARITIME
TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ACT, THE HOMELAND SECURITY ACT, THE
NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR HOMELAND SECURITY, AND THE NATIONAL STRATEGY
FOR MARITIME SECURITY HAVE GIVEN THE COAST GUARD ADDITIONAL AREAS
OF MISSION EMPHASIS. MEETING THOSE NEW MARITIME SECURITY DEMANDS,
WHILE SUSTAINING THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE OF THE PUBLIC WE SERVE IN
PRESERVING OUR MARITIME SAFETY AND EXERCISING OUR MARITIME
STEWARDSHIP DUTIES, REQUIRES US TO CONTINUALLY CHALLENGE OURSELVES
AND IMPROVE THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS. BY FOCUSING ON SUPERIOR
MISSION EXECUTION IN ALL THAT WE DO, OUR ACTIVE DUTY, RESERVE,
CIVILIAN AND AUXILIARY MEN AND WOMEN ARE MEETING THESE CHALLENGES
HEAD ON, OFTEN TIMES IN UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE WAYS. I AM PROUD OF
THESE TREMENDOUS EFFORTS AND YOUR HARD WORK.
4. WITH THE ARRIVAL OF OUR 217TH YEAR OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE, WE
CAN LOOK FORWARD TO THE PROMISE OF MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
AMERICA, AND EVEN MORE CHALLENGES. I REAFFIRM MY COMMITMENT TO
EACH OF YOU ON THIS SPECIAL DAY TO ENSURE THAT OUR COAST GUARD MEN
AND WOMEN ARE THE MOST VERSATILE WORK FORCE IN GOVERNMENT, EQUIPPED
WITH THE MOST CAPABLE FLEET OF SHIPS, AIRCRAFT AND BOATS, ALONG
WITH THE MOST EFFECTIVE SYSTEMS THAT WILL SUPPORT THEM. WE HAVE AN
EXTRAORDINARY LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE AS AMERICA'S COAST GUARD. WE
WILL BUILD ON THAT LEGACY. WE WILL RISE TO MEET THE CHALLENGES
FACING US. AND WE WILL REMAIN ALWAYS READY.
5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND SEMPER PARATUS!
6. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
7. ADM T. W. ALLEN, COMMANDANT, SENDS.

The Electoral College

The Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial page has a defense of the Electoral College. Here's a snippet;

Constitutional drafters created the Electoral College as a check on the ability of large states to run roughshod over smaller siblings in presidential elections. They wanted rural interests to receive attention on a par with the much more populous urban centers. Their plan worked. During the 2000 election, for example, voters in a state such as West Virginia proved as critically important as those in Orange County, California. In the midst of a hard-fought election, presidential candidates must understand Appalachian poverty every bit as much as that in inner-city ghettos when putting together a state-by-state coalition that equals 270 electoral votes.

Read the rest here.

Food For Thought

I just started reading His Master's Voice by Stanislaw Lem. I came across an interesting question posed by the narrator;

It turns out, however, that freedom of expression sometimes presents a greater threat to an idea, because forbidden thoughts may circulate in secret, but what can be done when an important fact is lost in a flood of imposters, and the voice of truth becomes drowned out in an ungodly din? When that voice, though freely resounding, cannot be heard, because the technologies of information have led to a situation in which one can receive best the message of him that shouts the loudest, even when the most falsely?

Coast Guard Change of Command

R 251740Z MAY 06 ZUI ASN-A00145000027
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-C//
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS //N01321//
ALCOAST 299/06
COMDTNOTE 1321
SUBJ: COMMANDANTS CHANGE OF COMMAND
1. TODAY I RELIEVED ADMIRAL THOMAS COLLINS AS COMMANDANT. WE HONOR
HIS 38 YEARS OF EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE NATION. HE LED THE COAST
GUARD THROUGH TIMES OF SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE AND CHANGE, INCLUDING
THE TRANSITION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
NORTHCOM, THE SWIFT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MARITIME TRANSPORTATION
SECURITY ACT, HISTORIC INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PEOPLES
REPUBLIC OF CHINA, AND THE UNPRECEDENTED RESPONSE TO THE 2005
HURRICANES. WE WISH HIM WELL AND THANK HIM FOR A JOB WELL DONE IN
SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY AND HUMANITY. I ALSO EXTEND MY SINCERE
APPRECIATION TO MRS. NANCY COLLINS FOR HER SUPPORT DURING ADMIRAL
COLLINS DISTINGUISHED CAREER.
2. CONCURRENT WITH THIS ALCOAST I AM SENDING AN EMAIL, MY FIRST
SITREP, TO ALL HANDS AND TO OUR MANY PARTNERS, OUTLINING MY INTENT.
A PERSONAL VIDEO MESSAGE FROM ME, ALONG WITH THIS SITREP, CAN BE
ACCESSED ON THE COAST GUARD INTERNET HOME PAGE AT WWW.USCG.MIL IN
THE COMMANDANTS CORNER AND ON THE OURCG TAB OF CGCENTRAL AT
HTTP://CGCENTRAL.USCG.MIL. IN THE FUTURE YOU WILL RECEIVE ALL
HANDS MESSAGES DIRECTLY FROM ME VIA SEVERAL CHANNELS, INCLUDING ALL
HANDS GENERAL MESSAGES AND THESE WEBSITES. MY PERFORMANCE GOAL IS
TO ENSURE RECEIPT BY ALL MEMBERS, O-10 TO E-1, IN TWENTY-FOUR
HOURS.
3. I AM EXTRAORDINARILY PROUD OF YOU AND OUR SERVICE. I AM
GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO SERVE YOU AND THE
NATION.
4. ALL HAZARDS, ALL THREATS, ALWAYS READY...SEMPER PARATUS.
5. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
6. ADMIRAL THAD ALLEN, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
BT
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How Not To Call For Help

The last case that I had ended up with everyone safe and sound but tired because they spent the whole night on their boat. They didn't have to but they did what so many boaters are doing these days; relying on a cell phone as their only means of communication. Here's a quick synopsis of the case.

Three men ages 19-22 went out on the bay in a 35 year old 18' boat to do some fishing. Some time that night, they ran out of gas. They called 911 on their cell phone and got the Virginia State Police at 9:50 pm. They told the dispatcher that they were broken down near Langley Air Force Base and the call was lost. The call was too short for the phone information to be captured. The VSP called us and we asked Langley Fire Department to send their boat out to investigate. They didn't see anything.

Then Hampton 911 called us around 10:10 pm saying that they had gotten a call from the same guys. They got a little more information from the boat. Now we knew that they were out of gas. Hampton was dispatching their police boat and fire boat. The 911 system was unable to calculate a position of the call though. They did get a phone number and called the carrier, T-Mobile, to find out who the owner was. We got the owner's name and address but he wasn't listed in the phone book so we couldn't call his house. So here's how I found a phone number for him;
1. Looked up the address on the countie's online tax maps.
2. Identified the owner.
3. Called owner, she didn't live there. It was rented and she gave me the tenant's phone number.
4. Called tenant. The boater didn't live there but the tenant was his uncle.
5. Boater lives next door to the uncle with his mother.
6. Uncle has mother call me back.
This took about 45 minutes.

By this time, we were getting concerned that we hadn't found them yet so we launched Station Cape Charles to search. Meanwhile, I called T-Mobile again to get more information about the call. Unfortunately, the technician could only tell me that the phone was currently turned off so he couldn't "ping" it. Since the phone was roaming, he couldn't tell me what tower had picked up the signal.

The mother called back to say that she found out who might be on the boat with her son. She had a cell phone number for one of them. I called the number but got the voice mail. It is now around midnight and the area around Langley has been saturated. We request a helicopter from Elizabeth City, NC to search.

At 1:20, they call 911 again. This time, it's a different phone number that calls. It's the same number the mother gave me. I call Verizon to find out more. This time I am able to get tower information which leads me to expand the search area to part of the bay. As the helo is searching this area, they have a bird strike and have to land at Langley AFB to inspect the airframe. They are able to get back up and resume the search and find the boaters around 5:30 am. The boats are vectored in and tow the boat back to the marina.

OK, so that wasn't a quick synopsis. But it wasn't a quick case. If the guys on the boat had a VHF Marine radio and flares, this would have been a quick case. Here's why cell phones shouldn't replace a radio on a boat;

1. Cell phone companies place towers to get the best coverage over LAND not water. I've been on a boat in sight of a cell phone tower and had no signal.

2. If you call the Coast Guard with a cell phone, no one else can hear you. If you call us with a marine radio, everyone near you with a radio can hear you tell us that you are in trouble. These guys are closer to you than we are.

3. We cannot home in on a cell phone signal. We can use direction finding equipment to home in on any VHF Marine signal though.

Cell phones are a great backup but VHF Marine radio is the best way to get help while you are on the water.

Another great thing to have is towing insurance. The three companies that I know of who offer it are TowBoat US, Sea Tow and Vessel Assist. (I'm not endorsing a company here.)

The other great thing to do is file a float plan. The Coast Guard Auxiliary had a great site where you can download the form.

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The Daily Press editorial board wonders if we should seek reimbursement from these guys for the search since they went out unprepared. The only figures that I have is a HH-60 helicopter costs $11,000 per hour. My "billing rate" is around $65/hour. So, we're already up to a hefty chunk of change before we add the boats.

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Submitted to the Virginia Blog Carnival.

In Memoriam

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FM COMLANTAREA COGARD PORTSMOUTH VA//ACS/AO/AOF/AOFP//
TO ALLCOGARD LANT
BT
UNCLAS
SUBJ: REMEMBERING A COAST GUARD HERO - DC3 NATHAN BRUCKENTHAL
1. 24 APRIL 2006 MARKS THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOSS OF DC3
NATHAN BRUCKENTHAL AND TWO USN SAILORS WHO WERE KILLED IN THE LINE
OF DUTY WHILE CONDUCTING MARITIME INTERCEPT OPERATIONS (MIO) IN THE
NORTH ARABIAN GULF.
2. DC3 BRUCKENTHAL WAS A PROUD COAST GUARDSMAN WHO SERVED HIS
COUNTRY AND HIS FELLOW MAN WITH HONOR AND COMPASSION. HE WILLINGLY
ENTERED INTO HARMS WAY TO PROTECT OUR NATION AND HIS FELLOW
SERVICEMEN FROM TERRORISTS AND TO ASSIST THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ AS THEY
PURSUE FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY. AS A MEMBER OF TACLET SOUTH, HE
EXEMPLIFIED HONOR, RESPECT AND MOST ESPECIALLY, DEVOTION TO DUTY.
3. THE ANNIVERSARY OF THIS INCIDENT PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT
OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO REFLECT ON THE DANGEROUS LAW ENFORCEMENT,
HOMELAND SECURITY AND NATIONAL DEFENSE MISSIONS OUR PEOPLE PREPARE
TO PERFORM EACH AND EVERY DAY. WHETHER IT BE MIO IN THE PERSIAN
GULF, AMIO AND COUNTER-DRUG BOARDINGS IN THE ATLANTIC AND CARIBBEAN
OR HOMELAND SECURITY BOARDINGS WITHIN OUR BORDERS, THE THREATS
FACING OUR OPERATIONAL PERSONNEL ARE GREATER NOW THAN EVER BEFORE.
DESPITE THE PERCEIVED ROUTINE NATURE OF THESE MISSIONS, IT IS
CRITICAL FOR US TO REMAIN EVER VIGILANT AND ALERT AS WE CONTINUE TO
PERFORM THESE VITAL NATIONAL SECURITY MISSIONS. OUR ADVERSARIES
ARE CONTINUOUSLY LOOKING FOR OUR WEAKNESSES AND SIGNS OF
COMPLACENCY THAT THEY CAN EXPLOIT FOR THEIR BENEFIT.
4. ON THIS DAY PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO REMEMBER DC3
BRUCKENTHAL, REMIND OUR PEOPLE OF THE POTENTIAL THREATS THAT ARE
ALWAYS LURKING IN THE SHADOWS, AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTINUE TO BE
ATTENTIVE, PROFESSIONAL AND SAFE. OUR NATION DEPENDS ON US.
5. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
BT
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America's Most Wanted All Star

There is a Coastie in the running for America's Most Wanted All Stars. He is BM2 John Anthony. His wife explains why he was nominated for this award;

We were headed out for ice cream on a Saturday with my then 11 month old son. I saw a plan flying pretty low over Grand Traverse Bay and pointed it out to John. We both shrugged it off until we saw the blast of water. We made a crazy U turn in the middle of the highway. I stayed with my son and John dove into the water.
When he got to the pilot, he was conscious, but was struggling with his harness. John got him free and brought him to the surface.

So, here's the link to vote.

Not Dead Yet

I'm still here. My muse is UA right now. I'll get back in the saddle again soon.

Help Wanted

Want to be a Game Warden? The Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries has announced they are going to hire 20 new Game Wardens this year. Click here to get more information on the job and hiring process.

Stanislaw Lem

I just read that Stanislaw Lem has died. He was a great science fiction writer although he didn't like that title. My first exposure to his works was Star Diaries. I was a collection of short stories following the same intrepid space traveler, Ijon Tichy. My favorite fact about Tichy is that while traveling, he would bake his potatoes in the nuclear pile that powered his rocket.


His most famous book was Solaris which was made into a pretty good movie with George Clooney.


Here are some more picks from his works. For a more complete list, here's a link to Stanislaw Lem's works. Happy reading!

Ensign Delays A Vice Admiral

Senator Ensign (R-NV) has put a hold on VADM Thad Allen's nomination to be the next Commandant. From the Washington Post;

WASHINGTON -- Republican Sen. John Ensign of Nevada, a former veterinarian who criticized pet evacuation efforts after Hurricane Katrina, is blocking the promotion of a Coast Guard vice admiral who headed the hurricane recovery.

So, does the hold have something to do with pets? No. The Senator is mad at FEMA. What does that have to do with the Coast Guard? Tidewater Muse has the inside scoop.
It looks like the Muse beat CNN by half an hour!

Roe Effect

Here in Tidewater, Virginia we had a horrible crime committed a few weeks ago. A woman who was 9 months pregnant was found in a car dealer's parking lot with a gunshot wound to her abdomen. She was rushed to the nearest trauma center but her baby died. She was due to give birth that day.

As police tried to find the shooter, her story started to fall apart. Eventually, she confessed to shooting herself. It was interesting to see local columnist, Tamara Dietrich condemn the act while trying to keep her pro-abortion credentials intact. Her column was called "Justice Cried." I can't get it online anymore. The other newspaper in the area, The Virginian Pilot, doesn't seem to have editorialized on the matter.

Now the Commonwealth's Attorney is having a hard time finding any crime to charge her with. The only thing they've been able to come up with is illegally inducing an abortion, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and filing a false police report. She can't be charged with killing a fetus because the code outlaws killing the "fetus of another." I am just dumbfounded that the Code of Virginia has such a glaring gap and this woman may just get off scott free. That's what she's counting on, when interviewed on TV she said that she's "been punished enough."

I wonder how Chad Dotson would prosecute this case.

Links,
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=100336&ran=212974
http://www.dailypress.com/news/opinion/dp-87065sy0mar16,0,3705573.story (second letter)
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=100614&ran=69553
http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-81182sy0mar12,1,1638004.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=tammy+skinner&btnG=Search+News

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Submitted to the Virginia Blog Carnival

Warning!

Don't click here!

Oklahoma Suicide Bomber

Did you hear about the suicide bomber whose bomb went off prematurly outside of the University of Oklahoma's football stadium? Neither had I.

The initial report was; "One person was killed in an explosion in a traffic circle about 100 yards from a packed football stadium at the University of Oklahoma on Saturday night."

Michelle Malkin is on it.

UPDATE: Where's the MSM?

UPDATE 2: Michelle Malkin has an update on the case here.

Richmond Follies

I miss the Richmond Times-Dispatch. For years, the antics of the elected officials in the City of Richmond made politics in Southside Virginia seem normal and, yes, refreshingly boring. The hunger strikes, shady business deals and junkets to Jamaica made for wonderfully entertaining reading. Things have quieted down there now that some jail sentences were handed down and the hoi polloi were allowed to elect their mayor. That took care of the City Council.

Now, enter the school board. A few months ago, the school board chairman was discovered to have submited his dating profile on a gay pr0n site. (Link to the newspaper article, not the site.) Now, that same member was found with marijuana while going through security at the Richmond Internation Airport. Don't worry, it was strictly for "medicinal purposes."

It might be time to see if I can get the Richmond paper delivered to Tidewater.

Another Odd Quiz

You belong in Time Enough For Love.
You are older than you look.
Your wit and wisdom are prized by others.
People throw themselves on you, begging to be with you.


Which Heinlein Book Should You Have Been A Character In?
brought to you by Quizilla

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Hat tip Castle Argghhh!!!