Time to wake up...

Hope this finds everyone doing great and getting ready for the holidays. I think I saw the other day that it is only like 48 or 49 days until Christmas....Oh Boy, I gotta get busy shopping! Well, I always say I will be better about blogging and we can all see how that is working out for me...I'll say it again, I'll try to be better. Lets see, how about a quick catch up since Sept.11th and then I'll get on my soapbox for a little while. I have been pretty busy at work helping to get the unit ready for deployment to Afghanistan as well as take care of day to day flying operations and keeping our people safe. I have been on a couple of short motorcycle rides with my family and friends and most recently, I have been experimenting with my camera some more. When I was in Spain, I met a school teacher who happened to be a very good photographer, her enthusiasm for photography made me want to take it up as a hobby and learn to take really good photos. When I got home, I bought a Nikon D60 and I am still trying to learn how to use it. I see that they have a 'Nikon D60 for Dummies book' and I think that might be the book for me. I did take the photo at the top of the post, it was at the National Historic Site in Fort Smith.

Let's see, what else is going on...oh yeah, I'm also working with my Dad and Uncle to put on a Triumph motorcycle even in April. The Ozark Mountain Rat Raid should be a great time. Check out http://www.ozarkratraid.com/ if you're interested in coming. It will be at The Hub motorcycle resort in Marble Falls, AR. Even if you don't own a Triumph motorcycle but are interested, you are more than welcome to come.

Now it;s time for my soapbox. If you've not yet been labeled a conservative radical or extreme right winger by Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats, keep reading and you just might be thrown in that catagory. ha ha It's seriously time for Americans to wake up. In recent elections, republicans won several seats, I hope that is a sign that America is tired of the current administration screwing everything up. I was recently watching Fox news, and they reported that some people were planning a protest of the current healthcare proposal and that Speaker Pelosi was going to block their entrance to the House. I like the quote the reported used...when she said "This is the peoples house!" Washington DC does not belong to Nancy Pelosi, it belongs to you and me, it's our house! Since I'm on the issue of healthcare, I am wondering, did we hear anything about this when the Republicans were in office...Uhhh...NO! That's because it wasn't an issue, the Democrats made it an issue. I also saw where Mrs Pelosi had the original wording changed so that members of Congress do not have to take the public option, Hmmm....if it's good enough for the general public, why isn't it good enough for Pelosi and congress? We need some people with common sense to run for public office, because right now our Country is on the next freight train to disaster!

Speaking of people running for office...my friend Mark Darr is running for Lt Governor. This guy has common sense and he listens to the people. I believe Mark will be a perfect match for this job, plus I want to be able to say to him "Ello Govinah" in my worst English accent! ha ha Seriously...Take a look at his website http://www.markdarr.com/ to see what he is all about.

I need to ask a question, because I'll be the first to tell you, I don't understand how big money works but why is the economy in the tank? Is it really in the tank or is that just what the media and the Democrats want us to believe? As far as I can tell, people are still buying things, companies are still selling things, so what's the big deal...maybe someone can explain it to me someday but it seems like the big wheel is still spinning just fine. Here is a perfect example of giving in to the hype. My dad works for a company, JW Measurement, they are an oil and gas company. The company is making money, in fact my dad recently recieved an order that would result in the company making about 3/4 of a million dollars off one sale, yet they closed the Van Buren store and put 4 people out on the street to look for jobs. Maybe I would make a terrible business person, but seems to me if my company was making money, I would try to keep people employed and grow my business? Just doesn't make sense to me!

So, I guess you can tell, how I feel about the state of our Country right now, I hope that if you feel the same, you will let your voice be heard during the next elections. People, "WAKE UP!" it's perfectly acceptable to voice your opinion when something isn't right. It's your right as part of that document that is slowly being thrown by the wayside, you know the one I'm talking about?...The Constitution of the United States of America. I'll leave you with one other photo that I took at the Historic Site. It's an old wooden flagpole and cannon that overlooks where the Poteau and Arkansas rivers come together. It's a reminder of the sacrifices that our forefathers made to make our Country great, hopefully the current day Democrats won't destroy it.

Take Care and God Bless...

Mike