October 2005 - Posts
So, last night was the season finale of FX’s new show OVER THERE.
I have done other write-ups on this show but felt one more (for this season) was warranted. Yes, this is another write-up pointing out glaring mistakes in the show with regard to military customs and courtesies or standard operating procedures.
Two of them are small – but still annoying the third is something that has bothered me from the very first episode.
So here they are.
- Last night the Squad (Dead Street) was pulling security on a civilian convoy of what they thought was fuel but turned out to be 340 million dollars (printed in England and paid for by the US) in new Iraqi Denar. Anyway – from the moment the convoy rolled out the Company commander, Lt. Hunter, (who the company affectionately refers to as LT. Underpants) was riding in the armored vehicle perched in the gun turret manning the 50 cal.
Regardless of rank – the company commander would NEVER be perched in the open manning a weapon like that. Unless of course every other man in his vehicle other than the driver was killed and he was the last resort. Yes, the character is supposed to be this over zealous over the top gung-ho wanna-be Rambo – but he would STILL never be manning a position like that.
Not only because if the absolute obvious danger of putting your commander directly in the open but other than special circumstances – officers are trained/qualified with their basic issue weapon (M16) and a sidearm (usually a 9mm). Yes, I am sure there are numerous junior officers that go to the M60 or 50 cal range when their soldiers do and they fire ( and sometimes qualify) when thier soliders are done the qualification rounds. But that 50 cal is not an operational weapon of an officer.
- The closing of the show had the squad (and yes the two female drivers – which again would not be) sitting in the base camp around a fire drinking beers “strengthening the bonds of brotherhood” that are forged in war. The Squad Leader says to the guy who got the beers – “Where’d ya get the beer, Smoke?”
Okay, first of all – in a base camp or base cluster that is in the middle (or FRONT) of a hostile theatre – NO ONE would be sitting around an open fire as there would be noise and LIGHT discipline in effect. This (Noise and Light Discipline) essentially means (in regards to the light discipline part) – NO unfiltered flashlights, no use of headlights on vehicles that are not subdued or screened and NO OPEN FLAMES. As all of the previously mentioned give the opposing force (said ENEMY) a fixed target to zero in on.
Second, in this ever politically correct world, when the United States deploys to a foreign country (in war or otherwise) they observe the local (or regional) customs, courtesies and cultures of said country’s indigenous people. Now, I am not saying Soldiers, Marines, Airmen or Sailors are not drinking Apple wine or Prune hooch or even regular old beer on the down low in Iraq. But, they would certainly NOT be drinking a case of beer out in the open in the middle of a base camp (no matter how secluded the area seemed in the show).
Third, having said the above – the NCOIC (Non Commissioned Officer in Charge) of a Platoon or Squad would DEFINITELY not be fraternizing with his subordinates drinking the beer in question out in the open waiting for some chucklhead like LT Underpants to give him an Article 15
- This one has bugged me all season.
One of the squad members, Frank “Dim” Dumphy is the thinking soldier of the bunch. The one that struggles with the morality of it all. Not just the war – but life in general. He's the philosopher of the bunch.
Anyway, Dim is a college graduate. (Hence his nickname, Dim. He is supposed to be a graduate of Cornell and the Drill Sergeants in BASIC tagged him Dim as, even though he has a college degree he was still “dim” enough to join the Army.) If you are not in the military or simply unaware of recruiting procedures or how rank/pay grade is determined when someone enters the military this would float right by which is what, I am sure, the writers were hoping for.
Since the opening of the show they have never mentioned (to my knowledge) anything about Dim getting busted or in trouble enough that he lost rank.
This being said – if you have a college degree you come into the military one of two ways. If, while in college, you went through ROTC you come in as an officer (an O1 – 2nd Lieutenant). If you did not go through ROTC you do come in via the enlisted ranks (as did Dim) but you come in as an E4 Specialist. Dim is an E2 (Private). This is two pay grades below where he really would be.
I know it’s a little thing to the unaware – but it’s a glaring in your face mistake that really baffles me. How did this happen with all the consultants I am sure they have on staff.
In the military the idea of attention to detail is hammered home SO much that it becomes second nature. How could this detail have been overlooked by the consultants for an entire season?
Well, all of this being said. I will STILL watch this show if it gets picked up. The main reason being. There has never been, to my knowledge, a TV show about a particular war while the actual war was still going on. On top of this – there is no “stance” on the war as you would expect. It’s just supposed to be a portrayal of the lives, trials and tribulations of the soldiers fighting in a war and their family’s ability (or inability) to cope/function when they are left behind.
This morning on my drive in a car flipped over (4 times) on the opposite (Northbound) side of I-93 in Massachusetts.
In the few seconds that this occurred I had already resolved my self to the fact that I was going to stop and help (if I could). The guy in the truck in front of me apparently had the same idea. We both jumped on to the median (grass) of the southbound lanes did a little Link Hayes (Mod Squad reference) over the divider and ran to the car.
We got to the car, now resting on its roof, and notice it was useless to try anything from the drivers side as the entire side was caved in. So we ran around to the (almost pristine) passengers side and I yelled in “Are you ok!?”
I heard a reply (from a young lady hanging upside-down still in her seatbelt) “Yes, I’m fine PLEASE GET ME OUT OF HERE!” I told her “I can’t do anything for you until I know if you are hurt or not. Are you SURE you’re ok? Can you move both your arms and legs? Can you move your head and neck?”
She said “Yes, I swear I can move everything – I’m fine, PLEASE get me out of here!” I told her – OK everybody has called 911 (by this time there were 3 more people all with cell phones up to their ears) – the police and ambulance(s) are definitely on the way. I can’t get the door open – so I am going to have to smash the window. I want you to turn your head and cover your eyes.”
She said “Do whatever you have to just PLEASE get me out of here, I’m scared!” I told her “Ok, turn your head and cover your eyes.” She did – I turned so my back was facing her car and mule-kicked the front passenger side window in. (To be honest this was pretty cool – I got to SMASH someone’s car window and not get in troubleJ).
We (the guy in the truck and me) started brushing the glass away from the car and I told her “Ok, I want you to brace yourself with one hand and reach around with the other hand and release your seatbelt. You may drop – but you’re not going to drop more than a few inches – don’t be scared.” She did – I heard a little thump followed by her saying “Ouch!”
I told her to give me her hand and I slowly started to pull her out (Slowly since I wanted to make SURE if she was hurt and didn’t know it or caught on something I could stop). Just before her head was out the window I noticed she had no shoes on. I told her “OK, there’s a LOT of broken glass out here - - I want you to turn around if you can and we’ll pull you out that way. I will lift you over the glass and carry you away since you don’t have any shoes on.”
She said “OK.” Just as her boy was three quarters of the way out I told her (as I was on all fours next to her) “Now reach up and put your arm around my neck. I’m going to lift you like a groom does a bride.” She giggled (which was kinda funny) and said “Ok, does this mean we’re married?” I said “I don’t think my wife and kids would see it that way.”
So, now she’s out of the car I carry her over to the median divider rail and sit her on top of it. I pointed down the road (where you could now see the disco lights from the trooper and the Ambulance) and told her “Look, the police and ambulance are on their way. Just sit here and relax, there’s a lot of glass around – I’m gonna try to find your shoes.”
Meanwhile, the guy in the truck has pulled out the blanket she had in her car and wrapped her up.
The state trooper gets there. He asks her what happened – she tells him someone cut her off and she swerved to avoid him and lost control. So, the statie asks us “Did anyone see someone cut her off?” 3 guys all say no and tell him they pulled over after the fact. He told them they could leave. I told him “I saw the guy after he was in her lane and saw him not stop as she was crashing.” And the guy in the truck in front of me said “I saw the whole thing and she DEFINITELY got cut off.” So, the statie tells me – I need your name and info but your statement won’t be any good since you didn’t see the actual incident only the accident.”
So I give him my info and turn to the girl (who’s name I never got) and patted her on the shoulder and said “I know your day didn’t start off too well, but you’re ok and you have help now – so try to have a good day.” As I walked away she grabbed my arm and said “Thank you SO MUCH for helping me” and she gave me a kiss on the cheek.
Unfortunately – this girl was in pajamas and had a sweatshirt on - -I think she was just coming home from taking someone to work. What a crappy way to start your day. I don't even know this girl's name.
So, if you live in the Boston area and were on I-93 Northbound (just before Exit 42) and stuck in traffic (or caught in rubberneck traffic Southbound) – that is what happened.
How was your commute?
Cats may be allergic to humans
Cats are blamed for triggering asthma attacks in humans but veterinarians in Scotland say it may also work the other way around.
Irritants such as cigarette smoke, dusty homes and human dandruff can increase inflammation in feline lungs and worsen asthma in cats.
"There is a percentage of asthmatic cats whose asthma has been triggered by things people do, or possibly by people themselves," said Nicki Reed of the University of Edinburgh's Hospital for Small Animals.
"Cats with feline asthma syndrome can be made worse by living in a household where people smoke, or where there are other potential allergens or irritants."
In the first study of its kind in Britain, Dr Reed and her team are planning a trial involving 50 cats to determine whether a bacterium called Mycoplasma, which is found in human asthma patients, is also involved in the feline disease.
If it is, they hope it will lead to improved treatments for the one in about 200 cats that suffer coughs, wheezing and shortness of breath caused by asthma.
Pedigree oriental breeds such as Siamese cats are more prone to the respiratory problem than other cats, according to the researchers.
- Reuters
10 Truths We All Know About Each Other
10 TRUTHS BLACK AND HISPANIC PEOPLE KNOW, BUT WHITE PEOPLE WON'T ADMIT:
1. Elvis is dead.
2. Jesus was not white.
3. Rap music is here to stay.
4. Kissing your pet is not cute or clean.
5. Skinny does not equal sexy.
6. Thomas Jefferson had black children.
7. A 5 year old child is too big for a stroller.
8. N'SYNC will never hold a candle to the Jackson 5.
9. An occasional BUTT whooping helps a child stay in line.
10. Having your children curse you out in public is not normal.
10 TRUTHS WHITE AND BLACK PEOPLE KNOW, BUT HISPANIC PEOPLE WON'T ADMIT:
1. Hickey's are not attractive.
2. Chicken is food, not a roommate.
3. Jesus is not a name for your son.
4. Your country's flag is not a car decoration.
5. Maria is a name but not for every daughter.
6. Jump out and run is not in any insurance policies.
7. 10 people to a car is considered too many.
8. Buttoning just the top button of your shirt is a bad fashion statement.
9. Mami and Papi can't possibly be the nickname of every person in your family.
10. Letting your children run wildly through the store is not normal.
10 TRUTHS WHITE AND HISPANIC PEOPLE KNOW, BUT BLACK PEOPLE WON'T ADMIT:
1. O.J. did it.
2. Tupac is dead.
3. Teeth should not be decorated.
4. Weddings should start on time.
5. Your pastor doesn't know everything..
6. Jesse Jackson will never be President.
7. RED is not a Kool Aid flavor, it's a color.
8. Church does not require expensive clothes.
9. Crown Royal bags are meant to be thrown away.
10. Your rims and sound system should not be worth more than your car.
Today is my daughter’s (Hannah) 3rd birthday. She can’t read and she doesn’t go on the Internet, but I still wanted wish her a Happy Birthday!
So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIRDIE!
Hello World
It’s been a while – I was on vacation for a little while and I made a deal with myself that I wasn’t going to touch a computer the whole time – and I didn’t.
Anyway – after having a conversation about great scenes in movies this morning – I thought this was the opportune time to put up another Top 5 list - but since there are SO many great ones I think it’s next to impossible to whittle it down to just the Top 5.
So, here is a list of some of the better (and more memorable) movie scenes of all time (IMHO). This is certainly not a complete list – but some that jump into my head at first thought.
A Bronx Tale – The scene over at the social club when the bikers are told they can’t stay because they aren’t dressed properly. Sonny speaks to (what appears to be) the leader and agrees to let them stay for one beer. The bikers proceed to shake up their beers and spray them all over the bar and the bartender. Then Sonny walks to the front door locks it and walks back up to the leader and says “Now ya’s can’t leave”. The look on the leaders face is priceless – like he just dropped a cinderblock out of his arse. Then out of the back comes Sonny’s crew and they distribute a beating to the bikers like it was their job.
The Godfather II – The I KNOW it was YOU Fredo scene. When Michael grabs Fredo’s head and says “I know it was you Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart.” And gives him the kiss of death
The African Queen – The Queen vs. the Luisa scene - when Bogart (with Hepburn steering) is pushing The African Queen with the purpose of ramming and sinking the Luisa. The storm swells and capsizes/sinks The Queen. Bogart and Hepburn (Charlie and Rose) get separated. Then they get captured by the crew of the Luisa and they ask them to marry them before they kill them. The get married and just before they are about to be killed (hanged) there’s an explosion and the Luisa starts to go down. They hit the sunken hull of The African Queen and the torpedoes were detonated.
Clerks – The How Many Girls Have You Slept With scene – when Dante and Veronica are talking about how many girls Dante has been with. The conversation turns to Veronica and her escapades. She tells Dante she’s only slept with 3 guys (including him). A few minutes later we discover while she has only slept with 3 guys she went down on 37 guys. The conversation between the two of them and then the yelling across the parking lot was fantastic (not to mention Randall’s teasing of Veronica the next time he sees her).
A League of Their Own – The Are You Crying scene – Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) is chewing out Evelyn about missing the cut off man when she throws the ball in from right field. She starts crying and he explains to her that there in fact is NO CRYING IN BASEBALL...
Monty Python’s Meaning of Life – The puking scene with Mr. Creosote. When Terry Jones (as Mr. Creosote) just devours a ton of food and the maitre’d (John Cleese) asks him “How are we doing this afternoon” to wit Mr. Creosote replies “Better” “Better?” “Better get me a bucket, I’m going to frow up.” He spews all over the restaurant – a cleaning lady gets involved – it’s hilarious. The “wafer thin” mint finally does Mr. Creosote in – he explodes.
Tombstone – All Nighter scene – Where Wyatt comes into the bar and Virgil tells him that Doc has been at it for like 30 hours. Doc is just taking Ike and his buddy to the cleaners and Ike tells Doc that he has just won 12 hands in a row and that nobody is that is that lucky. To wit Doc says (in a drunken stooper) “Why IKE, whatever do you mean?”
Jaws – The Comparing scars scene – When Quint Brody and Hooper are sitting around getting drunk comparing scars – great scene that ends with the classic – “the thing about a shark, he’s got lifeless eyes” quote from Quint .
Papillon – The final escape scene – when Papillon (Steve McQueen) takes the dive off the cliff on Devil’s Island with the raft made of coconuts. He’s floating away with the attitude and notion that he finally beat them – he’s a free man.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest – The World Series Scene – when Nurse Ratched tells McMurphy that they can’t watch the series because not everyone wants to watch the series. McMurphy suggests they take a vote and if enough people say yes, they turn on the game. Nurse Ratched agrees. After an exhausting plea McMurphy finally gets enough votes, but Nurse Rathced tells him the opportunity has past and they can vote on it again tomorrow. McMurphy losses it and starts to call the game anyway. The inmates get into it and they are all jumping around - some brilliant early Nicolson there.
The Matrix – The Lobby Scene – When Neo and Trinity go to get Morpheus and Neo walks through the metal detector and it goes of. The lobby guard says – “Sir, are you carrying any metallic items?” Neo opens his trench coat to expose a veritable arsenal and the guard's jaw drops. Followed by one of the greatest gun battle scenes ever put on film.
Samson and Delilah – The temple destruction scene – the scene culminates with Samson standing between two pillars and he topples them with his mighty strength by pushing outward on them.
The Usual Suspects – The reveal scene. Where Kevin Spacey is sitting in the interrogation room at the police station and he goes through this elaborate description of the entire events and how they unfolded and how Keyser Soze was the mastermind. That’s all I’ll say incase someone actually hasn’t seen it – I don’t want to give up a spoiler.
Gladiator – The Hell Unleashed scene – in the opener when the Roman Legions are about to deal their final blow to Germania. Maximus turns and says “On my command, unleash hell.” And they do just that. One of the best sword/armor/calvary battle scenes ever shot.
Double tap on Gladiator here – The Botched Execution scene – when the Praetorian guards/soldiers ride Maximus out to execute him and he asks them to give him a “clean death, a soldier’s death.” They go to oblige and kneel him down. Just before they run him through he opens a can of whoop-ass on them. He deals the final blow to a Praetorian rider - he yells “PRAETORIAN!” and the rider’s attention is grabbed – he drops his canteen – pulls his sword and rides towards Maximus. Maximus takes a slash the left shoulder but is able to deliver a gut slitting death blow to the rider as he passes.
Saving Private Ryan – The D-Day Landing scene – When the Allied forces hit the beached at Normandy - - I simply can not do this scene justice by describing it – you have to see the movie. The scene/sequence is the first 20 minutes of the movie.
Remember the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York?
Do you remember the feeling that was in the air in this country (and globally at the time?)
Dr. J made what seemed to be an impossible move in Game 4 of the NBA finals on none other than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar by seemingly breaking the laws of gravity and , while hanging in mid air reached behind himself as he floated (what seemed to be) out of position for a shot and hit the reverse lay in.
The Empire Strikes back hit the theatres and the sci-fi community would never be the same. At the same time, Superman II, Stir Crazy, AIRPLANE! And the forever Classic The Shinning were all hitting the theatres.
Another Brick in the Wall and The Spinners’ Workin my Way Back to You were on the Rock and Motown stations.
On December 8 – one of the most prophetic lyricists was killed. Armed with a copy of J. D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye and a .38 revolver Mark David Chapman shot and killed John Lennon.
I was 10 years old and, even while all these things (and many more) were going on, I can still remember the feeling buzzing around the Winter Games and The United States Ice Hockey Team. The team, far younger than most others in the games – most notably the Goliath-like Soviet Union team not only fought to win one of the greatest games of hockey ever played defeating The Soviet Union 4-3 – they went on to beat Finland in the Finals and won GOLD. No one thought they could do it – but EVERYONE DID.
I remember hearing THE U.S HAS JUST BEATEN THE SOVIET UNION! THE U.S. HAS BEATEN THE SOVIET UNION!
There was such a feeling of accomplishment that even a 10 year old boy (and I am sure I wasn’t the only one) felt like he had just achieved the impossible.
What a time that was and what an incredible year in history it was.
I have been fortunate to live through and witness a great many things – I will enjoy talking about as many of them as possible with my children.
What prompted this nostalgic wave? I just finiished watching Miracle.
This weekend I saw History of Violence staring Viggo Mortensen and Maria Bello.
Over all, I liked this movie. It had an interesting plot line. But make no mistake – take the title for what it says – this is NOT a movie for you to bring the kids to see. Yeah I know – it’s Rated R - - but I am still saying – it’s not for the little ones.
Viggo Mortenson and Maria Bello play well off of one another. Their on screen relationship is a believable one.
The movie takes place in a small town in Indiana – Tom Stall (Mortenson) is a family man that owns the local diner. One evening two men come into the diner (no spoilers ahead – I will speak only of what you see in the trailers) and try to rob the place. A switch gets flicked in Tom Stall’s head (great acting by Mortenson and quality cinematography here because you can almost see the look in his eyes change.
Tom Stall seems to disappear and this machine takes him over. He doesn’t merely subdue the attackers – he takes them down in a manner that the people left in the diner are rendered utterly speechless.
The web of a possibility of a former life (or lifestyle) unfurls before us courtesy of two characters (Ed Harris and later William Hurt.
There were the only two flaws in this movie’s construction as far as I am concerned.
- I normally like Ed Harris and while his acting was pretty good – his dialect was a mess. He was supposed to have a Philadelphia accent. What he had sounded more like someone from Jersey either TRYING to sound like they were from Philly or someone from Jersey that was trying to hide the fact that they were from Jersey.
- William hurt- - - -sorry - -- -he’s just not the right fit period. He should never ever ever be cast as a “tough guy” Let alone the type of tough guy he was supposed to be. Don’t get me wrong – normally I have no problems with William Hurt - - but this was just not a believable fit.
Those two points aside - - I liked the movie.
While some folks may think the sex scenes were too graphic – I think they were perfect – they were a well don symbol of Tom stall before and after the realization.
I also do not believe the scenes with a violent tone were too graphic – I mean – the movie IS called History of Violence.
Overall – I’ll give it 2 ¾ stars - --I’d recommend it.
So, no one every said carjackers were smart, hell no one ever said carjackers were human. But MAN how DUMB do you have to be to roll up on some people that have obviously been sitting in a vehicle for a while and try to steal their car?
I imagine they made a phone call before they left their one room craphole apartment on this master crime spree. I’m willing to bet it went something like this:
Hello? Office of Charles Darwin? I'd like to speak to Mr. Darwin please. . . . .and I'm in a hurry.
“Hello, Mr. Darwin? I was wondering if you had any time to see me today?”
Nothing like allowing Darwin to thin the herd.
The Story
Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved
I can't say it enough - I HATE SPAM. SPAMMERS are TEH GEY!
SPAMMERS, to me, are the kid in high school that didn't have ANY friends but tried, as hard as possible; to be cool when ever there were people around them. : “Hey, look at me, look how cool I am. Can I hang out with you too!?”
Well SPAMMER, to you I say EAT IT!
Story of the ISP that won the judgement
On Thursday the 22nd, Robert Braver, an Oklahoma ISP owner who is a long time activist against both spam and junk faxes, received a default judgment of over $10 million against high profile spammer Robert Soloway and his company Newport Internet Marketing. Soloway has frequently been cited as one of the ten largest spammers in the world. . . . . .