Speaking of media!

Yeah, one article reported - (AP NEWS, I think)-, stated that the Senate or House had a moment of silence for him. How about for Ed and Farrah. Oh yeah - how about for each military member who has passed on? Give me a freakin' break.

You would think all the problems of the world just stopped and went away cause of Jackson death, I didn't like him anyway and to get the media coverage that has been going on should be a crime, same as the charges against Jackson in 2005 and he got off scot free, yea right.

Off topic AGAIN...but thought Mike would like this one. Read it a couple times and maybe the liberal idiots will find it's not fear but vigilance that keeps this country safe.

USMC Rules for Gunfighting

Military.com | March 29, 2007

1. Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns.

2. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Your life is expensive.

3. Only hits count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.

4. If your shooting stance is good, you're probably not moving fast enough nor using cover correctly.

5. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.)

6. If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun.

7. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived.

8. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading, and running.

9. Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting standards will be more dependent on "pucker factor" than the inherent accuracy of the gun.

9.5 Use a gun that works EVERY TIME.

10. Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.

11. Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.

12. Have a plan.

13. Have a back-up plan, because the first one won't work.

14. Use cover or concealment as much as possible.

15. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.

16. Don't drop your guard.

17. Always tactical load and threat scan 360 degrees.

18. Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them).

19. Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH.

20. The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.

21. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

22. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.

23. Your number one Option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.

24. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not start with a ".4"

Thank you,

Only thing I am going to add is be sure of your target, no matter if its a can, box or deer, if you point a weapon at another human being like I was taught as a kid if your going to point at another person better be able to pull the trigger, thats not a game, its real and someone is going to lose. Everyone with the weapons must use the upmost caution where that gun is pointed.

I wont debate music but Micheal Jackson had an impact that rivals Elvis and Frank Sinatra. Older individuals cant and wont see it but I grew up in the era and saw the change myself. Yes, he was a bizaare character who I would not liked to have met.

Sorry, I grew up around your types and learned to see through the bravado. The tough exterior is just a facade. Those who pick the fight are usually the most insecure. My granddad in his younger years was one tough hombre and guess what he did not advertise it in any way. His guns were out of sight. He did not brag about being tough, a good fighter, or any insecure garbage. Hmmm.. and after being shot down over Rome during the time of Mussolini and single-handedly surviving long enough to get to Naples, he does not brag about.

Put away your hate for just a second and think about the milestones/Firsts that Michael Jackson brought to the Music Industry. You don't have to like him as a person but you can't sit there and deny that he made major contributions to the Musical world.

News is not solely meant for political banter, and definitely does not have to focus only on alleged terror threats.

If you disagree, then I suggest you enroll yourself in some journalism classes so that you can broaden your horizons when it comes to the Journalism practice.

I agree. With Bazooka..let me get that clear before I'm misquoted again. There should be REAL jounalism out there. Not this crap we have on most of the channels. I'm tired of hearing the BLAH BLAH BLAH for the talking heads.

Twil, I would be proud to have known your grandfather. I have learned from a long life in dangerous situations that it's not the mouthy one out in front, it's the quite one watching from the side. Police Officer, Combat MP, Bouncer, through it all I became a good judge of character and learned to watch the crowd. Knowing when to step in or when to let the music play were things that kept me safe. I learned it was quite worthless to stand there and threaten to kick someone's butt. Just walk up and punch them in the mouth. Get the point across and get the job done. I went to work every day as a cop, kevlar vest, loaded pistol and magazines, hand cuffs. Was all this because I wanted a fight, to arrest someone, to get in a shoot out? NO! I went prepared for the absolute worse day of my life, vigilant for what was going on around me. Checking my "6". Thanking GOD when I got home to my wife and kids. I did that for 14 years. 14 years of being watchful and vigilant to my surroundings, protecting those I worked for, the PUBLIC! Now, like then, I am vigialnt, not looking for a fight but ready if it happens. When it does, I will step forward and do what is necessary, with very little in the way of warning. Until that day I will search out those around me who share the same feelings of preserving lives with decisive action. Those who are willing to throw a little lead "down range" to preserve our way of life. Is this fear mongering? Hate speech? Paranoia? Nope, just being prepared in case crap hits the fan.

Hmmm.. and after being shot down over Rome during the time of Mussolini and single-handedly surviving long enough to get to Naples, he does not brag about it.

-- Posted by twilcox1978 on Tue, Jun 30, 2009, at 3:20 PM

My grandfather (my hero) was a general in WWII. He is a calm, cool customer who even at 83 could outwork most adults still.

Posted by twilcox1978 on Mon, Jun 29, 2009, at 12:27 PM

I'm really sorry Twil, but my Barbra Streisand (BS) meter is on the rise. You speak of your grandfather in the present tense. So I have to assume that he is still alive and out working most adults still at the age of 83.

Since World War II was fought between, 1939--45, that would mean your grandfather was 13 - 19ish years old during that war. I have known many Generals. But certainly none that young. Now George Armstrong Custer ( Of the Battle of the Little Bighorn fame) was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General during the Civil War at the age of 23. But after that war Custer was reduced back to the rank of captain. So perhaps (giving you the benefit of doubt) your grandfather achieved the rank of General through his battlefield heroism.

However, Audie Murphy ( you might know him as the "B" actor lead in the movie 'To Hell and Back', or a few other westerns) was perhaps the most decorated American soldier that served in the European Theater during WWII. But Murphy only achieved the rank of 1st. Lieutenant for his heroic efforts during that war.

So please Twil cross some more T's and dot a few more I's.

Have fun Mike!

my numbers may be off but I dont make this up. His name is Fred Porter of Shoup, Idaho. He is still alive and still plugging along. He does have Parkinson's but still manages to get by. I regard him as my hero. He is humble, practical, loving, and independent.

I am under the impression that we are pulling out of Iraq but who knows in today's world. As for Afghanistan that mess seems to be never ending.

Obama, I am 100% against socializing health care and most other things. Social Security is of a socialist construct but I would vote to keep it.

As for my Grandpa, he was promoted to Brigadier General sometime near the end of the war or shortly thereafter. I dont quiz him because he does not like to talk about it. He spent his time mainly in Italy and North Africa. Yes, our involvement in WWII was completely justified and if I had been a young man at that time I would have had no issue with enlisting. The fate of the free world was at stake unlike now.

The main lesson that I have learned from him over the years is that one does not have to brag to get respect. Being the "manly" man does not mean announcing to the world that you are the greatest thing since sliced bread. He is the stoic type like Tony Dungy from pro football. When he speaks, people listen. He has guns but does not display them or brag about them. He has some antiques that hopefully dont go to waste.

Overall, I think that CNN and others are focusing on the now and not the future. This debt seems out of sight, out of mind but that will soon not be the case. Americans and their leaders need to reset their priorities. Living the life of luxury is not a right given to everybody. This stimulus plan(s) is a way of letting everybody continue their lavish lifestyle that they enjoyed in the boom years. The boom is over and so times change.

I support Social Security but it is Socialist in terms of government spreading the wealth. I would like it to be the way that you describe but its a bit convoluted. I wont bore you nor anyone else with the economics but that is maybe why it is on the brink of failure.

Bazooka, the only thing getting spread comes off the back of a truck.

I have less money in my check because of higher taxes, even though I'm one of the "middle class". I work fewer hours because no one else has money to buy any thing. I can't get a loan for anything because I make less money and banks are not letting any moeny into the system. So tell me how this wealth spreading thing works.

Twil,

Your numbers & historical facts are still a little bit off. Your latest adjustment to your original claim that your grandfather was a General during WWII, still does not jive with military history. Your latest revision still claims that your grandfather was promoted to rank Brigadier General sometime near the end of the war or shortly thereafter. I would say sometime waaaaay after.

But that claim still insists that your grandfather was a General officer at the age of 20 something. This claim would make him the youngest General of the WWII era. I believe that honor rightfully goes to Mark Wayne Clark. But I could be wrong. Your grandfather may have done all off those great deeds, but he clearly did not accomplish them as a General officer during WWII.

If these claims were truly your grandpa's... I wouldn't talk or brag much about them either.....

But even if everything that you claimed about your grandfather were true. How; by extension, do those great deeds reflect on you? Twil what have you done personally for your country and the fate of the free world other than second guess with 20/20 hindsight from the sidelines?

I will leave you with your hero, and will not pursue this issue any further as long as you do not use your grandfathers accomplishments to justify your inexperience in real life views, and your subtle pooping on our nation's modern day warriors / heroes. For whatever their personal reasons are, these great men & women have answered our nations call and are performing tasks much bigger than themselves.

"How; by extension, do those great deeds reflect on you?"

Honestly, I respect them but he is my hero because of the way that he carries himself. I know relatively little about his time in the Army/Air Corps other than a few quick stories and the plaques up on the wall. I admire that he lives in a very remote, unforgiving place and still holds himself up with poise, independence, and an indomitable will. He is not a carpenter by trade but he figured out a way to build a carport and most of his home with little prior experience.

No, I chose not to enlist because of what my father told me about Vietnam. I had a choice and chose not to fight a war that would not benefit anyone. If there was an attack on our soil, I would be the first in line to enlist.

"I will leave you with your hero, and will not pursue this issue any further as long as you do not use your grandfathers accomplishments to justify your inexperience in real life views, and your subtle pooping on our nation's modern day warriors / heroes."

Say what you want but I bring him up to prove that not all "patriots" are arrogant, testosterone-pumped, insecure meatheads. There are those who served, fought, and still led honorable lives without looking for the fight. I respect today's Armed Service personnel. They are fine individuals as far as I have seen. I dont elevate myself because of my relationship to him. If it comes off as bragging, I apologize. I just think the world of him and like to show the world that people like him do exist and hopefully one day I can say that I was like him in some regards.

Can't fault Twil on his information. Another great hero a few years ago seemed to have it wrong as well. He went from getting "wounded" by a few grains of rice to having been dealt a serious injury delivered at the hands of a blood thirsty enemy. He gratefully accept the medals then tossed them over the fence onto the Whitehouse lawn because he detested the United States for sending him over to do a job he swore an oath to do. Then comes along the job of a lifetime. Leader of the Free World! Now he was a WAR HERO, wounded in action. NOW he wanted to be recognized for his bravery in the face of the enemy. How sickening it was to watch him speak about his brave acts of war, knowing at one time he detested the job he swore to do. Good thing a group of TRUE heroes rose up and denounced him for what he truly was. A group made up of people quite like Bazooka. Men who'd been there and done that and came home to lead peaceful lives, knowing they had done what their country had asked of them. They never asked for praise, medals, parades. They just wanted to be home with their friends and family, SAFE.

Men like these and the ones I had met over the weekend at the airport with that BEAUTIFUL B17 should be thanked for their quiet service to this country. Whether they were buck privates or 4 star generals they all need to be saluted and have their hand shaked for the sacrifice they gave for YOUR freedoms.

True Bazooka, maybe it's time for our youngsters to be given honest to God patriots as role models rather than the trash we seem to drag out of Chicago with ease. People like George Washington and Abe Lincloln. Eisenhower and Reagan. Men with guts and pride like John Glen and the rest of the original astronauts. Instead we give them "men" like Obama and Blagoiovich and Madoff.

We show our children on the news every night it's easier to be a big shot and lie, cheat and steal to get what you want instead of hard work and determination. A winning smile and a good line of BS will get your further in life than the sweat you put into something. There is no longer pride in a job well done.

What we have left is a nation of entitlements. A place where a hand up gets scoffed at because there was no hand out with it. We are a nation that no longer has pride of being AMERICANS. Instead we travel the globe giving out apologies and bowing to two bit "kings". For some reason we should feel ashamed of being patriotic. For loving our country and our soldiers that put their lives on the line to defend what God and our forefathers gave us. We should feel ashamed to call ourselves Christians even though the founders of this country did so based on Christian ideals, morals and ethics.

We should roll over and beg for the rest of the world to forgive our sins of the past. You know like saving Europe TWICE from tyranny. For pushing back an emperor bent on total domination in the far east. For facing down communism for 30 years in some of the worse spots on this planet. For being the worlds 911 call when crap hit the fan.

Somewhere along the line the word AMERICAN became a curse word. Something you didn't want to be called anymore. Someone decided that to be patriotic was akin to being a leper in Christ's time. That loving your country meant your were racist. Where clinging to your guns and religon meant your were backwoods and redneck. That it meant you probably wore white robes and burned crosses on the lawn.

Now we are expected to bow down to a government that thinks they have all the answers. If we stand up to them we are held out for ridicule. We are no longer allowed to have an independant thought. We will be told what to say, what to think. We are expected to be a nation of sheep. Letting our "leaders" decide what is best for us.

NOT ME!!!!! Not while I have one breath left, one bullet left. Not while I see my country through the eyes of our founders. Not while I see a nation that once was strong. Not while there are soldiers alive defending this nation, the constitution and tenants on which this great nation was founded. I refuse to be a sheep, a lemming. I refuse to be told what is best for me. The only one that makes that decision is ME! I may make mistakes along the way but they are my mistakes. I refuse to put my family in peril because someone else made a poor decision then failed to take the blame. Decide for your selves what you want. If you decide to be blinded and led along by the hand while this nation crumbels then that is for you. For me and the others that think like me, we will take whatever is left and rebuild it with the visions of our forefathers and the knowledge that has come along the way.

In response to some that think that I am fabricating some things. The man that I have spoken of was born in 1914. He assumed his rank of 1 star General sometime between the years 1946 and 1950. I was incorrect, he was a Colonel for the majority of his time in Italy/North Africa.

Americans have done great things and some not-so-great things. I feel that we still have the best country on earth. Our founding fathers were not god-like. They were flawed and had issues to work past just like we do today.