This is Sammy, for those of you that have read my blog you will remember Sammy’s run-in with the goose last year. (Here is a link to read it: http://wp.me/pmSGR-ie ) On days when the weather does not warrent a walk, Sammy uses his treadmill. Funny as it sounds, he really seems to like it. He goes right to it, jumps on and is ready to run!
I posted a couple of years ago something regarding gun ownership and the Second Amendment(click here to read). Here are some follow on thoughts:
OK, I admit it, the NRA is right, guns do not kill people, people kill people. Of course, you might at well say cars do not cause road fatalities, people cause road fatalities and accept that as true too. Let’s do that, let’s accept they are equally true and treat them as equals. Here are some of the points being considered recently on just how we make them equal:
You want to drive a car, you have to pass a written test.
How about passing a written test to own a gun?
You want to drive a car, you have to pass a driving proficiency
road test.
How about passing a shooting proficiency shooting range test?
You want to drive a car, you have to carry liability insurance.
How about carrying liability insurance to use a gun?
You want to drive a car, you follow the rules of the road.
How about setting the same sort of rule structure for responsible
gun ownership?
You want to drive anything other than a basic car, you must have
a special license, CDL & motorcycle, for example.
How about having special licenses for specialized weapons
like assault rifles?
We all know driving and gun ownership are not the same thing. Cars and guns serve very different purposes in our lives, but both carry risks and both enjoy some level of legal protection. Wile the right to drive is one of our unenumerated rights, gun ownership is written directly into our Constitution.
In fact, the Supreme Court decided gun ownership is a fundamental right, but that does not mean there are no rules regarding guns. After all, we do not treat
1920s machine-gun Ad
owning a Thomson sub-machine gun the same as owning a Remington Model 870 Wingmaster. There was a time when they were treated the same. Hell, back then you could buy the Thompson as easy as you could a BB-gun. It was decided that allowing automatic weapons in the general population was simply too dangerous, so we modified our fundamental right to own a gun with some rules.
That is not to say you cannot own machine gun now, you can. All you have to do is obtain the pertinent federal license and follow the special rules that come with owning a weapon like a machine gun. In other words, to exorcise the fundamental right to own a machine gun, you must exorcise the fundamental responsibilities that come with it.
Regulating driving a car aids in safe driving and promotes another fundamental right – to live. Regulating gun ownership is no different on that point. We recognize the differences between driving an 18-wheel semi tractor-trailer and a Toyota Prius by having regulations for each. All I ask is for gun ownership to be treated the same way. Does anyone really think owning weapons capable of killing dozens of fellow citizens in a minute is any less dangerous than a Tommy-gun?
I woke up this morning thinking I needed to make a resolution for the New Year. The more I thought about it, I began to understand I needed much more than that. No in years past, resolutions were made and resolutions were put aside, often before the end of the day’s football games. It’s not that resolutions are necessarily hard to keep, more the opposite really. The problem is they required nothing much off me, they were too small. I need something requiring commitment and dedication. I need a manifesto to challenge me to not take on the mundane conventions of life. Accepting, 
as true, Emerson’s quote, “Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist.[i]”Now, I am not talking about writing something mind-numbing and rambling that Ted Kaczynski would be proud of, or something to give Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto a run for its money. In the first, I am simply not that crazy; in the second, making some brash rhetorical political statement serves no one, especially me. My manifesto needs to be a hard kick to my rear and knock some common sense back into my head. It needs to be something I can read, over and over, to serve as a reminder to make life what I want it to be rather than what I assume is expected of me.
Our brains are often compared to computers. While a simplistic comparison, I do see the point. Still, we have a complexity of understanding computer scientists only dream of designing into their next Cray or IBM Big Blue offering. I think it is that ability to understand complex ideas and concepts that drove Emerson to his conclusions on self-reliance. I mean, why leave to others to figure out what is best for us, as individuals, when we have a brain of our own? We simply must use our brains and have confidence in our conclusions.
That is the tricky part though, making sure they are “our conclusions” and not some tailored and perverted idea pushed upon us by some media outlet. An outlet, by the way, that has an agenda having nothing to do with the free exchange of ideas, quite the opposite. Here is how I will make sure I am making up my own mind:
Ok, so there is my manifesto for the New Year. Pretty simple stuff really, just need to be consistent in performing it. See, consistency is the tricky part and consistency does not negate nonconformity. Emerson never said consistency is a bad thing, he said foolish consistency is bad. To quote again, “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.”[ii]
I will keep an open mind. I will not accept things at their face value. In a great sense, I have suffered from the little mind Emerson wrote. My mind has been little for far too long. Now, this year, this very day, that ends.
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 16,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 4 Film Festivals
As the United States looks to reduce its overall budget deficit, it is natural for conservatives and liberals to push for cuts in areas outside their own interests. Generally speaking, for conservatives, it’s social programs. For liberals, it’s defense spending. Over the next few weeks, I will be writing about various areas of cuts and try to step beyond the “politics as usual” and look for what is really going on. To that end, a look at a small sliver of proposed defense spending cuts sheds some light on the subject.
Andrea Shalal-Esa of Reuters reported on the effects of proposed cuts at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center, Lima Tank Plant, in Lima Ohio[i], on the local Lima economy. It is well worth your time to read her article as it takes spending cuts down to a personal level. While Andrea’s article is politically neutral, I think stories like this will be the fodder for the current political season. Unfortunately, both political camps will miss the point of her story; budget cuts have real impact on individuals.
Upon reflection though, I think the real culprit in this situation is the company running the Lima facility – General Dynamics. In the spirit of full disclosure, I am very fond of General Dynamics. I served in the US Navy’s Submarine Service and General Dynamics’ Electric Boat Division plays a large role in construction of safe and capable submarines. That is not to blame them for budget cuts but more in how they react to budget cuts. We must remember, our military is their customer. By extension, that makes our government and ultimately, “We The People” their customers.
In business, management has the responsibility to return to investors the maximum amount of profit. In the Lima case, they entered into a contract to run the facility for the government and produce tanks. With the winding down of two wars, we have a surplus of tanks. It is silly to spend over $6 million per tank on new ones, regardless of its impact on the Lima community. In business, you must make the products the customer needs, not the product you want them to buy. The question is not what can we do to keep the military buying unneeded tanks but what can we do to manufacture equipment at the facility until the military needs more tanks. Companies supplying our military have for far too long depended on increased sales to maintain their profitability. It is time that changes.
General Dynamics knows this. Their latest acquisition of IPWireless Inc. shows they understand the need to diversify. So how do we help them keep the Lima plant operational in the near-term? This is the question our politicians need to answer; this is where their rhetoric fails. The plant needs to remain operational in regards to manufacturing but idol in regards to building tanks.
The point is, it is not a political question as much as it is a one of practicality. We need the ability to manufacture tanks but we cannot afford to pay for tanks just to keep the plant working. Just off the top of my head, one obvious task the plant can take on is refitting and refurbishing tanks for overhaul. As the number return from our combat zones, they will overwhelm the depot-level repair facilities. Another task might be the recycling of tanks that reach the end of their planned life cycle. It is up to General Dynamics to find useful work to keep their employees working, not the federal government. Of course, it is in the government’s best interest to assist them in finding such tasking.
Another point to keep in mind when you hear a politician blast the opposing party for their lack of leadership on this particular issue, neither party shows any leadership. The conservatives simply want to keep buying new weapons, the budget be damned, and the liberals want to slash production without thinking about the long-term effect on our national security. Of course, I generalize but you get the point.
Today is Memorial Day. Perhaps it is fitting to take on this subject on a day we honor the brave men and women that have kept our nation safe since before we were even an independent country. We owe it to them, and the current men and women keeping us safe to spend each penny wisely. We must give them the equipment they need. We need to be frugal so we can afford to do just that. Wasteful spending is just as unpatriotic as not spending at all. We need companies like General Dynamics to do their part and keep the Lima plant open and working so, they can respond quickly when the demand for tanks returns. We need their creativity to find ways to keep it operational. This will make General Dynamics a true partner to our freedom and not just the beneficiary of unbridled defense spending.
[i] Shalal-Esa, Andrea. “U.S. Defense Cuts Hit Home at Ohio Tank Plant.” Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 24 May 2012. Web. 28 May 2012.
<http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/24/us-usa-defense-ohio-idUSBRE84N1DW20120524>.
I’ve written about Memorial Day before but it is a subject dear to my heart having learned while I served in the military just what sacrifice truly means. Oddly, this important day’s history is uncertain and it did not become a national day of remembrance until 1966. While other countries certainly honor their men and women that die in combat, we in the United States have a civic and moral duty to recognize the sacrifice that made us who we are.
No one knows just how Memorial Day started. There are many stories and over a dozen localities lay claim to being its birthplace. Here is what we do know: Towards the end of the US Civil War, around 1864, organized women’s groups in the South (the Confederate side) began decorating the graves of soldiers killed in the war. Soon, the practice migrated north (the Union side) and the US Army officially recognized the practice in 1867 with General John Logan’s General Order # 11[i].
New York was the first state to officially recognize a Memorial Day with virtually every other state following suit, but Memorial Day did not become a federally recognized holiday until 1967 when President Lyndon Johnson signed legislation into law. Sadly, it took the federal government 99 years to get with the program. If it took that long to establish something like honoring our war dead, is it any wonder why they can’t get anything done on difficult issues?
Perhaps the worst change to Memorial Day happened in 1968. The federal government saw fit to pass the Uniform Monday Holiday Act[ii](it did not take effect until 1971). The act changed the day to the last Monday in May, giving us the three-day weekend. As nice
Gen John Logan
as a three-day weekend is, it makes the day more about romping on the beach rather than honoring our lost heroes. I guess in the United States we have to invent a reason to take a holiday, I prefer the way the United Kingdom handles it by declaring a “bank holiday” and everyone just takes the day off. That way, we keep our special days special and get a break from work too.
Ok, so now you know just a bit about the history of the day. It is the history that inspired me to write my tribute poem to Memorial Day and the men and women it honors. Regardless of what you do tomorrow, take a few moments and give thanks to your fellow citizens that gave everything for you to have such a day.
Be it Southern widow’s pride
or the stroke of Logan’s pen -
the truth of it matters naught
the deeds – the fight – the daring
all sacrifice remembered
Lincoln’s “last full measure” paid
they are “the better angels”
no justice paid them with words
The price always understood.
Remember what this day’s for.
The brave, sacred few who gave,
their very bones are our brick -
their precious blood our mortar,
binding this nation as one.
They gave to us and gave all.
With bowed head I pray for them
to forever gently rest
and know we hold to the gift.
This land’s free by lives spent so
forget that not, not this day!
[i] HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868
The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, “of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion.” What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation’s gratitude, the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.
It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.
By order of
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief
N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General
Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.
[ii] “Uniform Monday Holiday Act.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 18 May 2012. Web. 27 May 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Monday_Holiday_Act>.
OK, I grant you most every guy on the planet thinks he knows how to grill a burger. The problem is they think they know. In reality, they know how to produce burgers closer to the charcoal briquette than a tasty burger worthy of a Memorial Day celebration. If not a briquette, then they hand you a burger that looks good until you bite into it and discover it’s really steak tartare. That might work for seared tuna, but in a burger, it leaves much to be desired.
Cooking ground beef on a grill presents its challenges. First off, if the patty is not put together right, it falls apart on the grill. Second, its shape will determine if you have a nice looking patty or something that looks like a scared puffer fish. Lastly, having the grill at a proper temperature ensures burgers are fully cooked and remain moist. Now, don’t let all that deter you, with a few easy tips anyone can rightly claim the title Grill
A Scared Puffer Fish
Master.
Let’s start with the grill. If you have a gas grill, the preparation is straightforward enough. Simply start your grill as normal but keep the top closed until the internal temperature reaches between 500° and 600°F. At this point, open the lid, keeping your face back as the heat will rush out, and then clean the grill grates using a metal bristle brush designed for that purpose. It is important to clean the grill when it is hot. Avoid using chemical cleaners on your grill as it leaves a residue and can give your burgers a sour taste. Let the heat do the work, the brush should simply knock off any “leftovers” from your last cookout. Once clean, use tongs and a wet paper towel to wipe the grates, then close the lid. Adjust the heat to between 500° and 550°F.
For a charcoal grill, it is the same process but you must let the coals heat completely before you begin cleaning. Most charcoal grills do not have thermometers so judging the coals is required. When all the coals have changed to a white ash color, use your tongs to arrange them in a bed that covers about half the grill area and replace the lid. Let it heat up for about 5 minutes, then clean and wipe the grate like a gas grill. The area without the coals will give you a warming area to keep your burgers hot without burning them or drying them out. On a gas grill, simply turn one of the end burners off or down to low for your holding area.
Now for the burgers, I like to use 80% lean ground chuck. Using anything leaner will leave you with dry, shoe leather. For the dieters out there, most of the fat will cook off in the grill. Besides, it is a holiday – give yourself a treat. If you can find it, a course ground chuck gives a better result and freshly ground beats the prepackaged grinds every time. Here is how I mix and cook my burgers for the grill:
One of the key steps is to make the depression in the patty’s center. This keeps the burger from acting like a puffer fish. Another point, the cooking times assumes you keep the grill above 500°F throughout the cooking process. A lower temperature grill will increase the cooking time and dry out the burgers. Cooking with this method will produce juicy and flavorful burgers. Of course, you are welcome to add any flavoring your troop likes but I recommend giving it a try as I suggest above before you start adding other things. You will be surprised as how tasty they are without all that other stuff.
Another key point to keep in mind, it is normally pretty warm outside when Memorial Day rolls around. Raw meat needs to be kept cold until cooked and even the rare burgers need to reach over 145°F to be safe. The warmer the food, the faster bacteria grows. The last thing you want is for a rare burger to make you sick on a holiday. It is truly a case of better safe than sorry.
Happy Memorial Day and please, please, please – remember just why we celebrate this day. Give thanks to the men and women who have sacrificed so much and continue to sacrifice themselves daily. That sacrifice is the reason we are able enjoy our freedom and a cookout in the first place.
