Happy New Year!

Sunday Kipling from The Warrior Class

'The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because He loves what is behind him.' -G. K. Chesterton

 "Angutivaun Taina"
 Song of the Returning Hunter (Esquimaux)
 http://thewarriorclass.blogspot.com/2012/12/sunday-kipling_30.html

Giving back and more…Meet MSGT Shayne Meder USAF (Ret)

The Retired Master Sergeant is a Facebook friend of mine. I got to see some of her work when I was at the 2102 MCAS Miramar Air Show in October.
There are some really nice pics at the link. Enjoy!
BTW, any of you airplane fans might want to add the Photorecon site to your favourites list. I did.
http://photorecon.net/giving-back-and-moremeet-msgt-shayne-meder-usaf-ret

Merry Christmas from The ORPO Clan! Crash Test Dummies and The First Noel

From the Great Plains of South Central Kansas to all  my few followers and readers everywhere, We wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and A Splendid New Year!

When Santa at the Mall Is Jewish – Forward.com

Got this little piece from a friend of mine in Chicago. Melissa is Jewish and has been helping me reestablish my own relationship with my faith.
All the credit is hers. I think all will enjoy the story at the link. 
When Santa at the Mall Is Jewish – Forward.com

Taliban Bingo

A rather funny little photograph for your enjoyment.

It's Funny!

Taps

Just found out today about this.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sanantonio/obituary.aspx?n=mark-carroll&pid=156620493&fhid=8892#.UNc2BvHqpk8.facebook
It is a few months old as we just found out.
Mark and I were in The Argonauts of VA-147 together.
One of the guys came up with a pic that was taken on The Good Ship Kitty Hawk when we were on our World Cruise during the Shellback Initiation.
Here it is.

AD3 Mark Carroll tying his boot on a spotting dolly. The CO and I are behind him.

Celtic Woman - Little Drummer Boy

Polish air force retires last An-2 transport

This was at Flight Global.
I do get to see one of these at Edwards AFB from time to time. It shows up for the USAF Test Pilot School.
These are amazing airplanes. Sixty years of service!
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-polish-air-force-retires-last-an-2-transport-380353/

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.


My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejewelled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crib, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her: “How could God let something like this happen?” (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said: “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?”

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbour as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit.

If not, then just discard it.... no one will know you did. But if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

We Owe Our Mothers .... My mother taught me about CHOICE. "Do you want me to stop this car?"

We Owe Our Mothers ....
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside.. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC.. "Because I said so, that's why."
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC . "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTION-ISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA ..
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION .
"Stop acting like your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"
24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
And my favorite:
25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you !"

Only you folks my age understand these profound statements!!!

But, there is one missing from this list~~my personal all time favorite!!

My mother taught me about CHOICE.
"Do you want me to stop this car?"

Here

Got in last night.
Thanks for the wishes Buck!

A note from the road

We rolled out of Cal City yesterday at mid day. Due to the necessities of travel we ended up only as far as Kingman AZ. Today we got to Grants NM. It was snowy on the Arizona Divide to Flagstaff. Cold......................
Then there was stopping at the Indian stores along I 40 looking for gifts for grandchildren.
Posting when possible.........................................................

Guest Post: On the Tragedy in Newtown CT

My friend Jennifer Myers Soliz had this one up on her Facebook page this morning.
It's go folks, regardless of your values and belief systems. Just a Mom and her views.

Oh. My. Goodness. Someone make the stupidity stop! I have seen video games, psych drugs, autism, working parents, public school, lack of gun control, and even God blamed for what happened yesterday. Just stop! I know we are all searching for answers after so many children and adults are slaughtered. I get that. It's beyond our abil

ity to comprehend because we are not mass murderers. Folks- I'm not going to pretend to be some philosopher with all the answers. I don't know why God allowed this to happen. I don't have spiritual eyes- I'm still here on earth. I won't see the spiritual forces until I get to the other side. This much I know: I absolutely believe the Bible- for more reasons than I can type with my thumbs on an FB status. That means I believe in unseen angels - some work for Almighty God and some for Satan. I believe in personal choice and responsibility. We choose to be swayed by good or evil. This mass murderer chose evil. Now- feeding young minds a constant diet of violence, sex etcetera is going to make them weaker against those forces, but don't blame music, movies, video games for all of that. They are about supply and demand. If people demand trash and are willing to pay for it, business will supply it. Don't blame psych drugs- some folks have chemical imbalances and they need those meds to live a somewhat normal life. I'm VERY pro natural, but sometimes our bodies need help. Don't blame guns- murders, rapes, robberies happen all the time without guns! I've worked with some criminals as I've walked this strange life of mine. Not a single one of them said they refused to have a gun because the gun was illegal. Funny thing about criminals- they don't seem to obey the law. Smh. And blaming God? I've seen comments that God was allowed in church where kids were molested, Hitler was a Christian, what God are we praying to who would allow this to happen, etc. *sigh* I'm not wanting to get into a long debate (and don't get long winded in the comments about it either as I know a few of you can) or details, but quite simply you either believe Christ died and rose again or you don't. You either believe God loves you (and He does) or you don't. I pray and hope that you do. Message me if you want to talk about it! God doesn't dictate that we follow Him. I believe the murders yesterday were of a person with a depraved heart. I will continue to pray for the first responders, families, loved ones, CT, and our nation. But taking the weapons away from law abiding citizens, meds away from those who need them, and blaming God are not the answers. May God comfort our nation, and may souls seek Him in the midst of this horror.

Rule 5 Patti Ann Browne

The Fox at Fox News.
That is all.

Presented with no further comment..................................................................
Credit goes to Reaganite Republican..........

Updated this morning: Family Tragedy: UPDATE: Janesville police release name of woman killed in apparent homicide -- GazetteXtra

The cause of death has been determined to be strangulation.
This is not supposed to happen in our family.............................It can happen to anyone............
The Missus is coping............................................................

The deceased is the cousin of Missus ORPO.
Prayers, please.
ORPO sends.
UPDATE: Janesville police release name of woman killed in apparent homicide -- GazetteXtra

Police say a Janesville woman found dead in the Fourth Ward was at the home of her estranged husband. According to a news release, Janesville police report that they found Tracy L. Moyer, 46, dead of an apparent homicide early today inside a house in the 300 block of West Racine Street.
According to a news release from the Janesville Police Department, police found Moyer dead in the home of her estranged husband, Krystopher R. R. Carlisle.
Carlisle was in the house too, and police reported he was in "medical distress." Carlisle is being treated at Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center, where he was in critical condition with undisclosed medical problems, a nurse supervisor at the hospital said.

The Missus' Aunt said this................is not supposed to happen in our family.........

Illegal immigrant gets kidney. For Free?

Really? Fucking Really!?!?!?!
This no good god damned wet gets one on the taxpayer's dime and I still have an empty space where my left kidney used to be?
What in the Fuck is going on? Would someone care to enlighten me? Please, some no good piece of shit liberal needs to answer up! This is fucking despicable on so many levels.
First and Foremost, I have actually done something for this country and this fucking criminal gets a free kidney and the care that requires?
That god damned, no good fucking camel jockey in the white house and his fucking no good minions in the cabinet are to blame. There is no excuse for this shit at all!
20 Fucking Years of Loyal and Dedicate Service to The Republic and this Shit is allowed to happen?

Illegal immigrant gets kidney

Middle East Facts & Fiction: Interview With a Biblical Scholar.

This was at Facebook by my friend Lainie Sloane from just over the hill in Valencia CA.
She is a contributor and member of the Politi-Chicks site here in California.
As always, make up your own mind.
I told her that I would put it up here and at Among The Joshua Trees.
Middle East Facts & Fiction: Interview With a Biblical Scholar

Locomotive Pr0n

From the Rail Pictures site.
The Norfolk Southern has this SD60E painted up in honour of all Veterans of The Armed Forces of The United States of America.
I salute the Norfolk Southern Railway!
http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/3/6/2/5362.1352409152.jpg

Navy admiral hints at jettisoning F-35 fighter - Washington Times

 

Washington Times from July. With the arresting hook being a bit short and other such problems, one does have to wonder.
But keep in mind that it is from July and the Aide has his take on the situation as well.
As always, make up your own mind.

Navy admiral hints at jettisoning F-35 fighter - Washington Times

Bob Costas addresses 'mistake' and gun control

 Curious case of foot in mouth disease. I quit watching the NFL fifteen years ago. No longer entertaining. More posturing and spectacle than anything.
That being said, we know he was a 'quality' sportscaster. I have had issues with his views though. I guess he and Whitlock have a clouded view of reality. Seems the football player had some issues. Sadly those lead to the death of a young lady.
No mention of anything resembling personal responsibility or accountability at all.
The link is to USA Today. It is a fish wrap that I do not read at all.

Bob Costas addresses 'mistake' and gun control

Sit Rep Update Part 1

The drought is over. I am the proud owner of a brand spanking new Acer Aspire One. It is a smaller laptop but I am digging it already. I have already loaded Firefox as my browser.
I am back, Ladies and Gentlemen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!