So, I Have Lost All Desire To Continue Posting

I cannot force myself to write anything. It's not there isn't enough to write about, just I don't have the passion that I once did. Things may change between now and next year. But once my domain comes up for renewal next February, this site will revert back to rightwingchamp.blogspot.com. I've been spending my time exploring the world of photography. I do plan to start up a new site dedicated to photography. Currently, the website is taspicsphotography.blogspot.com. As some of the regular readers will know, it will be mostly dedicated to my air show photography.

Don't be a stranger, head on over and check it out. I will be posting my Thunder Over Louisville and National Museum of the United States Air Force photos there soon.

A quick note about Thunder Over Louisville. If you've never been there, I highly suggest going at least once. The air show itself was one of the best I've seen. But...the fireworks were AMAZING!

Peacenik Jackasses And Dennis Kucinich Targeting Air Show Displays

For those of you that read this dumpy blog occasionally, know that I'm a big fan of air shows. I love the aerial displays of our nation's armed forces. The air shows also feature displays on the ground from the armed forces which are used as a recruiting tool. One of those is the Virtual Army Experience. If anyone has played the multi-player game by the Army called America's Army, it's like that except kicked up a notch. For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, it's essentially a virtual battlefield where you are in a virtual war. You can find more info here.

Now here's where the jackasses come into play. The "Northeast Ohio chapter of the Veterans For Peace" is objecting to the display because apparently it "glorifies violence".

Mary Reynolds Powell of Cleveland, a former Army nurse in Vietnam who heads the local chapter of Veterans for Peace, said the Army exhibit offended her group because putting people in a Humvee and giving them a rifle to shoot at human-sized figures on a wraparound video screen glorifies violence.

"I am pleased the exhibit is not coming this year and I attribute that to the wide-scale community response to it a year ago," Powell said.

Supposedly; they had some kind of boycott thing last year at the Cleveland National Air show. I didn't see it or I would've let my feeling be known. This year they've succeeded because the Army is not sending the display to Cleveland, even though it's been there the past two years.

Of course; Dennis "I play with aliens" Kucinich had to chime in. He is also requesting Congress to discontinue funding for the display.

"War," said Kucinich, "is not a game. The Virtual Army Experience is an unfortunate recruiting tool. Our community suffers enough violence, without having it minimized. I am glad that the proponents of the VAE have acknowledged the public opposition to their exhibit and have decided to bypass Cleveland, but simulating war for recruitment purposes is controversial in all communities."

I'm sure this "wide-scale community response" and "public opposition" amounts to about 10 people.

Cleveland Air Show Executive Director Chuck Newcomb isn't buying the peaceniks blather.

The Army has not indicated it has any intention of sending it, said Newcomb, who said he would have been notified if it was coming. Newcomb said that 60,000 to 80,000 people attend the air show each year, and the only complaints were from the veterans group.

He said this year's show will include airborne acrobatics from the Air Forces Thunderbirds stunt flying team and appearances by the Marine Corps Harrier plane, which is known for its ability to take off and land vertically. He said every armed services branch recruits at the air show, and the military planes are sent to Cleveland as a recruiting tool.

Newcomb said he visited the Virtual Army Experience and did not find it objectionable.

"We're about airplanes," he said. "The display was just that: a display."

The Virtual Army Experience is, in reality, no different than other war games such as HALO, Call of Duty, etc. Everything is life-sized and features a hummer that doesn't move. I really wish these people would get on a plane and head straight for the nearest skein of geese. There's no need for emergency assistance.

SSgt. Dragonslayer Is Now On His Way Home From His 3rd Iraq Deployment

He landed in Maine about 10am this morning, flew to March AFB, & then bussed to Camp Pendleton to turn in equipment. He's now on his way to his home at Yuma MCAS. His wife and I have been friends for many years. She's been going 100mph today in anticipation of his return.

We would like to thank those who took the time to email him. Even if he didn't reply, he still received and appreciated them. He usually only had access to internet once a week and spent a majority of that time instant messaging his wife and kids.

And now for the traditional welcome home banner that I made for him. The original is much bigger and she sets it as the desktop background on the computer.

Upcoming Schedule

***UPDATED 03/25/09***

While I'm getting my political thoughts in order, I figured I would write a post about my summer air schedule.

I finally got the camera I've been wanting. Shopping during a recession definitely has its perks. I got $1300 worth of camera equipment for less than $1000. My new setup is a Sony a-300, 18-70mm & 75-300mm lens, 8GB Sandisk Extreme III compact flash cards, camera bag, extra battery, & tripod. When set in burst mode, the camera will take 3.5 pics per second. The high speed CF card allows me to pretty much shoot continuously in burst mode.

I don't have any pics of "my" camera, so I will post images of it I found on the internet.

 

First pic is of camera body and 18-70mm lens

 

Second pic is of the 75-300mm lens extended

 

Last pic is of the 75-300mm lens attached to camera body.

Shortly after I bought the camera, I decided to try out the zoom on the 75-300mm lens. A nearly full moon provided the perfect opportunity.

 

Now on to the schedule. Lucky for me, there seems to be no shortage of air shows within a 3hr drive. I may not make all of these, but I'm gonna try my hardest. Of course, finances play a huge role. The schedule below includes just the demonstrations. There are many aircraft that are static displays which you can walk through or look in to. I've also marked the shows with free admission with a " * "

April 18th-Thunder Over Louisville * (this is definite now. Already booked the hotel)

Not only is the F-22 Raptor scheduled to be there, but at the end of the show they have the largest fireworks display in the U.S. Also featuring the B-2 Stealth Bomber (I almost wet my pants when I seen this), F-18 Hornet, A-10.

June 5-7 Indianapolis Air Show (had to drop this show, one too many hotel costs)

Featuring USN Blue Angels, A-10, AV-8B Harrier, & nice collection of WWII warbirds.

June 20-21 Wings Over Pittsburgh (911th AW Pittsburgh)* (this show was canceled due to lack of funding. Yeah, I know. Gov't can spend $300M to study field mice and $1B+ on frisbee golf courses, but can't support a military open house.)

Featuring USN Blue Angels & US Army Sky Soliders Cobra Demo Team

June 26 National Museum of the United States Air Force & Wright-Patterson AFB Tattoo *

The museum contains the history of the USAF and some aircraft there are the only ones in existence. The Tattoo has live bands, including the USAF band, fly-overs of aircraft that I'm not going to see at air shows and small demos. It finishes off with a $100,000 fireworks display.

July 18-19 Thunder Over Michigan (this is definite since I already bought the tickets)

I've already bought my tickets for this show. Unfortunately; Dayton air show was the same weekend. ToM wins out big time. Featuring USN Blue Angels, gathering of C-130 Hercs, WWII re-enactment, Vietnam warbirds, and WWII warbirds. On a side note, if you would like to make sure our WWII aircraft are maintained and restored to preserve our aviation history, please consider donating to the Yankee Air Museum.

August 8-9 Thunder Over The Valley (910th AW Youngstown)* No website yet (this show is on the verge of being dropped. Unless they add something spectacular, we're going to have to skip it. It's too long of a drive to see something we're going to see at other shows.)

I believe this is the first air show here in 20yrs. Featuring USAF Thunderbirds, US Army Golden Knights parachute team, & Air Force Reserve Jet Car.

August 22-23 Selfridge Air Show (127th Wing Michigan ANG)* (This show is almost a definite)

Featuring USAF Thunderbirds, F-15 Strike Eagle, F-16 Viper, F-18 Super Hornet, A-10 Thunderbolt, KC-135 Strato Tanker, CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Blackhawk, Mig-17, B-25, C-47, F-104 Starfighters, &  Tora! Tora! Tora! Pearl Harbor re-enactment.

August 29-30 Northwest Ohio Air Show (Toledo)

This is a small air show compared to the others I have planned. The only military aircraft appearing may be the F-16s from the ANG base near by. Other notables, US Army Sky Soldiers & Misty Blues all woman parachute team. Recently added Red Star & Dragon. Seen them at Cleveland '08, really good performance.

September 5-7 Cleveland National Air Show (This show is a definite since I've already bought the tickets.)

Already bought my tickets for this show too. Featuring USAF Thunderbirds, AV-8B Harrier, F-18 Hornet, C-130 Herc, US Army Golden Knights parachute team, Wingwalking, B-17 Memphis Belle, & Shockwave Jet Truck,

October 17-18 NAS Oceana Air Show (website partially updated for 2009)*

Not much info has been released yet, but year in and year out, this is one of the best air shows in the world. I have no reason to believe 2009 will be any different.

So that concludes my 2009 schedule. Of course, it's still early and there may be additions and/or subtractions to each show.

Photos from my previous air shows can be found at picasaweb.google.com/taspics

Obama's New Auto Industry Task Force Shuns Cars From Big 3 Automakers

I found this little gem on Drudge.

The Detroit Free Press has conducted an investigation on what vehicles the current 8 members and 10 aides of the "Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry" regularly drive.

Among the eight members named Friday to the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry and the 10 senior policy aides who will assist them in their work, two own American models. Add the Treasury Department's special adviser to the task force and the total jumps to three.

I wonder what the UAW thugs think about this. After all, they spent all that money from the employees union dues to help elect this hack of a president, and the task force doesn't even purchase "American" autos.

I personally don't have a problem with people purchasing Honda's or Toyota's. In reality, they are more "American" made than many of the autos from the Big 3 automakers. I remember seeing a thing on Fox News a while ago where they were talking about how "American" the Big 3 autos actually are. For example, the Ford Ranger is made with 80% foreign labor and/or parts. The Big 3 is outsourcing work and Toyota and Honda are "insourcing" work. Just something to think about.

RINO's & Dems Screw The American People Yet Again; Agree On $879B Spending Bill

Is there no end to how many times these useless RINO's will bend over and take it from democrats? It appears everyone in Washington is hell bent on bankrupting the country. Now we have billions of dollars going to reimburse the democrat voters. There's already rumors that China will quit buying Treasury bonds. So who is supposed to fund this waste of money now?

With job losses soaring nationwide, Senate Democrats reached agreement with a small group of Republicans Friday night on an economic stimulus measure at the heart of President Barack Obama's plan for combating the worst recession in decades.

[...]

Democratic leaders expressed confidence that the concessions they had made to Republicans and moderate Democrats to trim the measure had cleared the way for its passage. No final vote was expected before Monday.

Officials put the cost of the bill at $827 billion, including Obama's signature tax cut of up to $1,000 for working couples, even if they earn too little to pay income taxes. Also included are breaks for homebuyers and people buying new cars. Much of the new spending would be for victims of the recession, in the form of unemployment compensation, health care and food stamps.

I knew Obama would screw things up, but I never imagined he could screw up so much, so fast.

I'll Be Back

As you may have noticed, I've taken some time off. I can't really explain why. I think it was a sense of defeatism. My Conservative mentor, who has been very active in politics for many years, understood why I quit writing. He felt the same way after Nixon's resignation. There's been several things I've wanted to write about, but the "what difference does it make" thought kept popping into my head. I have barely read any political sites and tried to avoid the news as much as possible. It just made me sick to even think about it.

But I'm slowly but surely getting over it. With our new jackass-in-chief and his tranny wife now occupying the White House, there will be plenty to write about.

So with that, I will leave you with some links to read over.

 

This Ain't Hell- Obama blows off Medal of Honor recipients

Ace of Spades- Whence the First Lady's Dress?

My favorite comment about Michelle Obama's dress: "Looks like a bride fell into a pile of used tissues at a peep show. And rolled around."

Countdown until Obama leaves Office

URGENT! Project Valour-IT Needs Your Donations For Injured Troops

The Soldiers Angels Project Valour-IT provides laptops to severely injured members of all the armed forces. These are troops who have either disabled or lost hands, arms, eyesight, etc that would prevent them from using a computer. The Department of Defense provides voice activated software for them to use the laptop. It's just one more way to help those providing our freedom. Can you think of a better reason to give your donations?

Every cent raised for Project Valour-IT goes directly to the purchase and shipment of laptops and other technology for severely wounded service members. As of November 2008, Valour-IT has distributed over 2700 laptops to severely wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines across the country, and is now expanding its mission to include other technology that supports physical and psychological recovery.

Valour-IT accepts donations in any amount to support our mission, but also offers a sponsorship option for laptops.  An individual or organization may sponsor a wounded soldier by completely funding the cost of a laptop and continuing to provide that soldier with personal support and encouragement throughout recovery. This has proved to be an excellent project for churches, groups of coworkers or friends, and members of community organizations such Boy Scouts.

Originally Valour-IT provided the voice-controlled software that accompanies the laptops, but now works closely with the Department of Defense Computer/electronic Accommodations Program (CAP): CAP supplies the adaptive software and Valour-IT provides the laptop.  In addition, DoD caseworkers serve as Valour-IT’s “eyes and ears” at several medical centers, identifying patients in need of laptops and other technological support for their recovery.

My team is the Army team. I chose the Army team because I personally know many soldiers in the Army, many of them being to Iraq at least once. One of them was my cousin who was injured in a roadside bomb explosion on his Bradley. He suffered burns on his face, neck, and hands. The story is here.

To donate to the Army team, it's right here below:

If you wish to donate to other branches, click here

U.S. Marines & Their Families Lead Humanitarian Mission In Iraq

Despite what you may have heard or think, there is actually good things occurring in Iraq. The Border Transition Team 4222 Marines mission is to train Iraqi Security Forces in Anbar Province, Iraq. It then grew to also providing medical and dental aid for Iraqi civilians. SSgt. Dragonslayer's wife told me about this project that her friend started. They get donations of toys, clothes, non-perishable foods, etc, and send them to The BTT 4222 Marines, who then give them to Iraqi families.

If you would like to donate something, or would like more information about what is needed, please click the "Donate Now" button below to automatically send an email or the email is iraqmission@gmail.com. Someone will be in touch with you shortly

Here is some of the article from the Marines website:

Their mission is to train, mentor and advise Iraqi Security Forces on Anbar’s border, but the Marines of Border Transition Team 4222 don’t forget to provide help to western Anbar’s civilian population.

“Helping them out helps the mission out greatly, as far as winning them over,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class John H. Holscher, corpsman, BTT 4222. “Turning them from the impression that the military is bad, that all we do is kick in doors and cause hell, it’s not like that at all. We’re trying to help them.”

The transition team headed up a small civil affairs engagement here Oct. 24 to provide local Iraqis with medical, dental and logistical aid. Though it’s not part of their primary mission, team members here have learned that reaching out to the Iraqi people will make them more likely to reach out to Marines.

“It’s important we gain their trust, if we have their trust they’ll talk to us and tell us where (foreign fighters) are, and we’re able to eradicate any insurgent presence,” said Gunnery Sgt. Rob T. Mantilla, operations chief. “It provides safety for us to maintain contact with these people; we keep them safe and they keep us safe.”

[...]

“This is the face of Iraq right here, you could see it in their faces that we make a difference to them, one at a time. And if that’s what it takes, then that’s what we have to do,” said Mantilla, 36, Jersey City, N.J.

The project kick-started when Mantilla talked to his girlfriend about the dismal living conditions of a few of the more isolated Iraqi families. She took it on herself to contact different stateside associations, looking for donations of clothes and food.

“(Mantilla) just told me about how the kids had barely anything, so I decided to go on (the internet) and post an ad for all unwanted stuffed animals and toys,” said Erika C. Duke, 25, Escondido, Calif. “Everyone responded, (and) wanted to give me shoes, clothes and toys.”

Mantilla told other team members about Duke’s success, and the idea snowballed from there. Soon the team’s loved ones combined their efforts.

“People started writing home and things just started flowing in from back home, with lots of support from friends and family, and the whole inspiration was to help the locals out,” said Capt. Will D. Whaley, operations officer.

An outpouring of aid filled one of the Marines’ huts. Brown boxes filled to the breaking point with aid. Some bundles of clothes were separated by size and tied off with inspirational messages written in Arabic.

“It just to teach them that, although we have cultural differences, and maybe have a different belief system, we’re still goodhearted people that care for other people,” said Whaley, 32, Phoenix.

The locals thanked their visitors with chai tea and hummus bread. Kids ran around the Marines, laughing, playing with their new toys and trying on new clothes.

Here's some pictures of the kids getting the donated food, clothes and toys.

From Iraq Mission

From Iraq Mission

From Iraq Mission

From Iraq Mission

From Iraq Mission

From Iraq Mission

From Iraq Mission

From Iraq Mission

From Iraq Mission

From Iraq Mission

Obama's Plan To Make A Bad Economy Much Worse

I was reading a post over at Ace Of Spades and they had linked to Obama's transitional website, change.gov. The agenda part of the website had been scrubbed after some interesting information appeared. But, thanks to Google, we have a cached page.

The interesting tidbit I found was that Obama wants to raise minimum wage to $9.50/hr.

Increase the Minimum Wage: As president, Obama will raise the minimum wage to $9.50 an hour by 2011 and index it to inflation so full-time workers can earn a living wage that allows them to raise their families and pay for basic needs such as food, transportation, and housing – things so many people take for granted.

Now combine this minimum wage increase with the higher taxes he plans to impose on business. This is just another cost that is passed on to the consumer. That $9.50 is not going to make your life easier when prices increase because of higher taxes and higher wages.

That's CHANGE we can believe in.

U.S. Treasury Submits To Islam, Shariah-Compliant Finance

Am I the only one that thinks the world is going to end up as a giant train wreck?

The U.S. Treasury Department is submitting to Shariah - the seditious religio-political-legal code authoritative Islam seeks to impose worldwide under a global theocracy.

[...]

"Islamic banking" is a euphemism for a practice better known as "Shariah-Compliant Finance (SFC)." And it turns out that this week the Treasury will be taking officials from various federal agencies literally to school on SFC.

The department is hosting a half-day course entitled "Islamic Finance 101" on Thursday at its headquarters building. Treasury's self-described "seminar for the policy community" is co-sponsored with the leading academic promoters of Shariah and SCF in the United States: Harvard University Law School's Project on Islamic Finance. At the very least, the U.S. government evidently hopes to emulate Harvard's success in securing immense amounts of Wahhabi money in exchange for conforming to the Islamists' agenda. Like Harvard, Treasury seems utterly disinterested in what Shariah actually is, and portends.

Unfortunately, such submission - the literal meaning of "Islam" - is not likely to remain confined long to the Treasury or its sister agencies. Thanks to the extraordinary authority conferred on Treasury since September, backed by the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), the department is now in a position to impose its embrace of Shariah on the U.S. financial sector. The nationalization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Treasury's purchase of - at last count - 17 banks and the ability to provide, or withhold, funds from its new slush-fund can translate into unprecedented coercive power.

Concerns in this regard are only heightened by the prominent role Assistant Treasury Secretary Neel Kashkari will be playing in "Islamic Finance 101." Mr. Kashkari, the official charged with administering the TARP fund, will provide welcoming remarks to participants. Presumably, in the process, he will convey the enthusiasm about Shariah-Compliant Finance that appears to be the current party line at Treasury.

There's much more to this article. Head over to the Washington Times commentary to read the rest.

 

h/t: Pat Dollard

Who Is Obama's Chief Of Staff, Rahm Emanuel?

He appears to be a bit mentally unstable.

At a dinner to celebrate President Clinton's first election victory, Mr Emanuel began to name those who he believed had earned his enmity. As he listed the names of those he saw as traitors, he grabbed a steak knife, stood up and began plunging the knife into the table and shouting "Dead! Dead! Dead!" after each name.

"When he was done, the table looked like a lunar landscape," one witness recalled. "It was like something out of The Godfather. But that's Rahm for you."

Nor was this an isolated incident – one pollster who fell out with Mr Emanuel received a rotting fish in the post as a warning not to cross him again.

The Most Amazing Thing Ever! Stunt Plane Loses Wing

In the air shows I've been to, there's been some close calls. The year before I went to Dayton's show, a pilot crashed and died. But this video is one of the most amazing things I've seen. The pilot loses a wing during his performance...watch what happens next.

 

***UPDATE 11/8/08***

You know the saying "if it's too good to be true, it probably is"? Well this video is a product of good editing. It's an R/C plane until the very end, then a real plane is put in.

No one is more disappointed than I am.

What Happens To The Obama Supporters?

 

h/t: Jawa & This ain't Hell

I Woke Up With An Ugly

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