I have had a Blackberry Phone/PDA for over 2 yrs. I loved it for it's functionality and ease of use. I had the Bold 9000. My Blackberry moved me from text message based communication and social networking into full function web based modernism. There were a few hiccups along the way. My first unit had an antenna problem that was resolved by exchanging the unit for a new one at the store where I bought it. The next problem was a mail exchange when all external sounds (alerts, ring tones etc.) just quit one day. The third one was a year ago when a Superbowl party resulted in a beer soaking and a cracked screen. Finally, the little trackball that controls everything on the unit gave out. Yes, I cleaned it, many times, it was just worn out. This happened to be about the time that AT&T let me know that my contract period was up and I could upgrade to another phone at a much reduced price. Hello new phone.
After many hours of comparing features and price I settled on an Android phone by HTC. Every time I hear "Android" I think of Commander Data from Star Trek: Next Generation. Android is the operating system offered by Google. Yeah I know. I'm not really not that big of a Google New World Order fan but the Android phones do have pluses. Now if I can master all the new quirky features I think I will be happy for a long while.
The touch-screen is new to me. I have always kind of considered myself a button pusher as far as devices go. The larger screen makes for easier reading by my old tired eyes. This new device also has an 8 megapixel camera. That's some seriously sharp photos. It also can record video in HD.
Applications are abundant. Weather, Twitter, Facebook, stocks and who knows what I have yet to discover. They seem to download and install seamlessly. Now If I can just find where they all went on the device maybe I can use them all. I just need more time to explore, but that's half the fun of a new device. Isn't it?
I'll let you know loudly if I experience any major problems. Right now the honeymoon is still on.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Friday, July 23, 2010
Shirley Shirley Shirley
Shirley Sherrod will no doubt go down in recent history as one of the dumbest people on the earth. To say the least, she had a golden egg and threw it away because she couldn't keep her mouth SHUT.
Shirley was thrust into the limelite when a video surfaced of her apparently admitting to racist activity many years ago. The Whitehouse and the Dept. of Agriculture panicked. They wanted her to resign immediately. The hell with letting her answer the charges or offer an explanation, "QUIT NOW" Shirley was what she was told. She complied. (Mistake number one)
Mistake number two was when she wasted no time going on National News shows and telling all that the order to quit came from the Whitehouse. Shirley should have kept off the television and made NO statements at all except through an attorney. She had a huge wrongful termination lawsuit on her hands. It could have set her up for life. I guess Shirley would rather speak her mind.
Once the entire transcript of the video speech was made public, Shirley was supported and defended by FOX NEWS and Glenn Beck. But that wasn't to Shirley's liking. She again opened her mouth and BLAMED Fox News for the whole thing. Shirley was now starting to look a little silly. She could have saved herself again by just shutting the hell up. But NO! Motor mouth Shirl had more to say.
By now the President was looking bad, the USDA Secretary was looking bad and all they could do was offer apologies to Shirley. But that was still not enough for old Shirley. Now she wanted an audience with the President so she could educate him on how things were in the rural south.
Still, having been apologized to and offered a new job, Shirley was not done yet. She spent some time on the air with Anderson Cooper. To his credit, he let her speak out. And speak she did. It seems now that Miss Shirley may in fact be a racist after all. With a little prompting from Anderson Cooper she opined that Andrew Briebart, who posted the video in the first place, was a racist and probably wanted all blacks to be slaves again. Andrew has his faults. He is an attention whore. He sometimes doesn't think things through completely. But He is not a racist and has no racist agenda.
Yes Shirley. All you had to do was shut the hell up. Now you look completely ridiculous.
Shirley was thrust into the limelite when a video surfaced of her apparently admitting to racist activity many years ago. The Whitehouse and the Dept. of Agriculture panicked. They wanted her to resign immediately. The hell with letting her answer the charges or offer an explanation, "QUIT NOW" Shirley was what she was told. She complied. (Mistake number one)
Mistake number two was when she wasted no time going on National News shows and telling all that the order to quit came from the Whitehouse. Shirley should have kept off the television and made NO statements at all except through an attorney. She had a huge wrongful termination lawsuit on her hands. It could have set her up for life. I guess Shirley would rather speak her mind.
Once the entire transcript of the video speech was made public, Shirley was supported and defended by FOX NEWS and Glenn Beck. But that wasn't to Shirley's liking. She again opened her mouth and BLAMED Fox News for the whole thing. Shirley was now starting to look a little silly. She could have saved herself again by just shutting the hell up. But NO! Motor mouth Shirl had more to say.
By now the President was looking bad, the USDA Secretary was looking bad and all they could do was offer apologies to Shirley. But that was still not enough for old Shirley. Now she wanted an audience with the President so she could educate him on how things were in the rural south.
Still, having been apologized to and offered a new job, Shirley was not done yet. She spent some time on the air with Anderson Cooper. To his credit, he let her speak out. And speak she did. It seems now that Miss Shirley may in fact be a racist after all. With a little prompting from Anderson Cooper she opined that Andrew Briebart, who posted the video in the first place, was a racist and probably wanted all blacks to be slaves again. Andrew has his faults. He is an attention whore. He sometimes doesn't think things through completely. But He is not a racist and has no racist agenda.
Yes Shirley. All you had to do was shut the hell up. Now you look completely ridiculous.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Why Hate Sarah?
I find it interesting and quite puzzling that many people profess a hatred of Sarah Palin. Not so much the neanderthal left but many from the right. These right minded, patriotic, conservatives that for some reason spew vile things when Sarah's name is even mentioned. Sarah Palin represents the morals, ideals and tough stance that most true conservatives have longed for in a Presidential Candidate. So why the hate?
I took the time to read Sarah's book "Going Rogue." In it I found strength, fierce patriotism, love of family and God and common sense far and away above what most of our political leaders possess. She shows a passion for weeding out corruption, restoring openness and insisting on HONOR from our leaders. These aren't things to hate.
I can only guess that some are sidetracked by the mid-western voice. Or perhaps the "By Golly' soccer Mom persona. I ask you; are those the things that are really important? Or is the message what really counts? Read the mission statements from your 9-12 Groups. Compare your Conservative values to her message. Look beyond the attractive face and the hype from the Presidential campaign and examine the REAL Sarah Palin.
It is important that we as conservatives don't allow the non-issues to sidetrack us. There is a long and hard road ahead to restore the true American Dream as it was written by our founders.
On this Fourth Day of July, let's re-commit to the values and the message. Leave the pettiness behind.
I took the time to read Sarah's book "Going Rogue." In it I found strength, fierce patriotism, love of family and God and common sense far and away above what most of our political leaders possess. She shows a passion for weeding out corruption, restoring openness and insisting on HONOR from our leaders. These aren't things to hate.
I can only guess that some are sidetracked by the mid-western voice. Or perhaps the "By Golly' soccer Mom persona. I ask you; are those the things that are really important? Or is the message what really counts? Read the mission statements from your 9-12 Groups. Compare your Conservative values to her message. Look beyond the attractive face and the hype from the Presidential campaign and examine the REAL Sarah Palin.
It is important that we as conservatives don't allow the non-issues to sidetrack us. There is a long and hard road ahead to restore the true American Dream as it was written by our founders.
On this Fourth Day of July, let's re-commit to the values and the message. Leave the pettiness behind.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Is Scott Brown For Real?
Scott Brown stunned the nation with his win over a Democrat in the Massachusetts Senate race. But who is Scott Brown REALLY? Is he a RINO (Republican In Name Only) or is he a true conservative? Does he believe in the fundamentals values of the Tea Party Supporters or is he riding in on a wave of anti-Obama sentiment? We won't really know who Scott Brown is until he is put to the test on a crucial vote.
If he caves to party pressure or accepts a Nelson-esque bribe, then he is no different than any other run of the mill politician in DC. However, if he stands his ground and votes with common sense and a moral conscience then he may in fact be for real.
This country needs representation that is for the people not for the system. We need representation that refuses to accept pork style payoffs in exchange for a vote and knows when enough is enough and is willing to stand up and say so in a LOUD voice.
Time will tell if Scott Brown is for real. In the mean time, we must keep looking for those Independent, truth seeking, moral, constitutionalists that can lead us out of the Progressive Hell that we are headed towards.
Question with boldness!
If he caves to party pressure or accepts a Nelson-esque bribe, then he is no different than any other run of the mill politician in DC. However, if he stands his ground and votes with common sense and a moral conscience then he may in fact be for real.
This country needs representation that is for the people not for the system. We need representation that refuses to accept pork style payoffs in exchange for a vote and knows when enough is enough and is willing to stand up and say so in a LOUD voice.
Time will tell if Scott Brown is for real. In the mean time, we must keep looking for those Independent, truth seeking, moral, constitutionalists that can lead us out of the Progressive Hell that we are headed towards.
Question with boldness!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Bloodbath in November?
I don't see the victory by Scott Brown (R) for Massachusetts Senate as the turning point in the fight against the progressive Liberals. I see it as a warning shot. Conservative Independents have been called names, slandered, belittled and in some cases flat out ignored for months and even years. The Progressives see us as dumb, racist and incapable of free thought and the ability to mobilize effectively.
With the election of Brown some ears perked up on Progressives. They did not expect him to win against the powerful Democratic party in Massachusetts. They did not believe that voters would turn out in numbers with a common goal. They did not believe that some of their own would turn against them. They did not think Conservatives could load the gun, much less pull the trigger. Now they know. The warning shot was fired.
How do they respond? That is the big question now. Do they drop back, assess the battlefield and adjust their strategies? Or do they double up their efforts, forging ahead full throttle?
We already know they lie, cheat, hide behind closed doors and attack in the middle of the night. We know their playbook. They have followed it every step of the way. The next move will be to forge ahead as if nothing has changed. But is HAS changed.
With the election of Brown, Conservative Independents, Tea Partiers, 9-12 Members and just plain common sense people know that if we stand strong, hold to our beliefs and act responsibly, we can make a big difference.
Brown was a warning shot. If things continue on their course with this administration, November will be a bloodbath.
With the election of Brown some ears perked up on Progressives. They did not expect him to win against the powerful Democratic party in Massachusetts. They did not believe that voters would turn out in numbers with a common goal. They did not believe that some of their own would turn against them. They did not think Conservatives could load the gun, much less pull the trigger. Now they know. The warning shot was fired.
How do they respond? That is the big question now. Do they drop back, assess the battlefield and adjust their strategies? Or do they double up their efforts, forging ahead full throttle?
We already know they lie, cheat, hide behind closed doors and attack in the middle of the night. We know their playbook. They have followed it every step of the way. The next move will be to forge ahead as if nothing has changed. But is HAS changed.
With the election of Brown, Conservative Independents, Tea Partiers, 9-12 Members and just plain common sense people know that if we stand strong, hold to our beliefs and act responsibly, we can make a big difference.
Brown was a warning shot. If things continue on their course with this administration, November will be a bloodbath.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Meet Me In St Louis
My wife and I recently made a vacation trip to St Louis. I have been through there many times while delivering freight back and forth across the country but my wife had never been. She suggested going there instead of Atlanta. Turns out it was a good choice because at the time we left on vacation, Atlanta was under water and I am not a great swimmer.
We had reserved a rental car to use while we were there but it turns out it was so small that she quickly named it a "Piece of a car." I just called it "The Beast." It fit well in those small parking garage slots that hotels have. I don't know if I could trade my dignity and my lower back for "good gas mileage." It was fine for short hops around town but that hour and a half ride into the countryside to a winery convinced me that I needed to have reserved a suburban.
We did the usual tourist stuff around town like climbing into that little claustrophobic cell that takes you to the top of the Arch. The Arch is an amazing feat of engineering. It was built in about two years in the early sixties. We still have a hole in the ground in NYC where the towers fell eight years ago.
Our best dining experience was in an area of town called "The Hill." We made reservations at a four star Italian place called "Giovanni's" Of course I hadn't brought a jacket but they accommodated us anyway. Dinner was going well until I spilled my wife's tea onto the table and into her purse. Who the hell puts a tall ice tea glass on a saucer anyway? I later learned that Oprah has eaten at the restaurant. I bet she didn't have the veal like I did. It was delicious.
We visited a couple of casinos of course while in town. Actually we did well enough at the poker tables that we recouped what we spent on dinner at Giovanni's and then some. I feel better about not having a jacket for dinner. It may take a while to feel better about the tea in the purse.
We had reserved a rental car to use while we were there but it turns out it was so small that she quickly named it a "Piece of a car." I just called it "The Beast." It fit well in those small parking garage slots that hotels have. I don't know if I could trade my dignity and my lower back for "good gas mileage." It was fine for short hops around town but that hour and a half ride into the countryside to a winery convinced me that I needed to have reserved a suburban.
We did the usual tourist stuff around town like climbing into that little claustrophobic cell that takes you to the top of the Arch. The Arch is an amazing feat of engineering. It was built in about two years in the early sixties. We still have a hole in the ground in NYC where the towers fell eight years ago.
Our best dining experience was in an area of town called "The Hill." We made reservations at a four star Italian place called "Giovanni's" Of course I hadn't brought a jacket but they accommodated us anyway. Dinner was going well until I spilled my wife's tea onto the table and into her purse. Who the hell puts a tall ice tea glass on a saucer anyway? I later learned that Oprah has eaten at the restaurant. I bet she didn't have the veal like I did. It was delicious.
We visited a couple of casinos of course while in town. Actually we did well enough at the poker tables that we recouped what we spent on dinner at Giovanni's and then some. I feel better about not having a jacket for dinner. It may take a while to feel better about the tea in the purse.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Fly By
Received the following in an E-mail forwarded to me by my Father, a retired USAF officer. I am not clear on who the originator is but felt it needed passing along.
Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were.
A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall.When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must Have stung quite a bit.
The complaint:Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M, a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special? Any response would be appreciated.
The response: Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four- ship fly by of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day. At 9 a.m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend.
Based on the letter writer's recount of the fly by, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured..
A four-ship fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.
The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning air show?' The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.
Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF
p.s. After a little research I have found that the last paragraph was not part of the original response and that the writer of the response was Lt. Col. Scott Pleus, USAF.
Also, when the original writer of the noise complaint learned what the
fly by was for, he wrote an apology that was published, also in the AZ
Republic.
Here is the lowdown on this story. Snopes: Fly By
Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were.
A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall.When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must Have stung quite a bit.
The complaint:Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M, a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special? Any response would be appreciated.
The response: Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four- ship fly by of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day. At 9 a.m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend.
Based on the letter writer's recount of the fly by, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured..
A four-ship fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.
The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning air show?' The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.
Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF
p.s. After a little research I have found that the last paragraph was not part of the original response and that the writer of the response was Lt. Col. Scott Pleus, USAF.
Also, when the original writer of the noise complaint learned what the
fly by was for, he wrote an apology that was published, also in the AZ
Republic.
Here is the lowdown on this story. Snopes: Fly By
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