Change is in the Air (not the Obama kind)
by Clint on Feb.24, 2010, under Personal
My schedule is filled up these days with two day trips: Day 1–Early airport show, fly most of the day, sleep in a hotel bed. Day 2–Early airport show, fly most of the day, sleep in my own bed. Workout. Day 3 & Day 4–Do it all over again. Workout. Threee days off–Workout, Workout, Workout.
My Workout duration, intensity and frequency have steadily increased over the last month. The goal? I have one. Unfortunately, my beloved blog is not the time or the place to share. However, when the time comes to use my physical fitness, I will be ready.
Transitions can be scary. They can also be a welcome change in life. We are in the midst of a transition–albeit, somewhat unexpected, a good one. God is in control. I have to keep reminding myself of that fact. For a pilot who thrives on “control,” that statement is not always easy to make.
Unfortunately, amidst all of this fun, the.outer.marker has been a little neglected lately. I will continue to post when time permits and update our life changes (as much as I can divulge) for the few who follow.
CN
Why I Choose to Support Israel
by Clint on Feb.13, 2010, under Founding Fathers, Iran, Israel, Nuclear, Terrorism, War on Terror
Recently, I joined the “Friends of Israel” network. For me, the reasons are personal and also the fact that I firmly believe that our future as a blessed country hinges, on a large part, in how we support Israel.
Recently, Rep. Michelle Bachmann spoke to the Republican Jewish Coalition in L.A. This is a partial transcript of what she had to say:
“I am convinced in my heart and in my mind that if the United States fails to stand with Israel, that is the end of the United States . . . [W]e have to show that we are inextricably entwined, that as a nation we have been blessed because of our relationship with Israel, and if we reject Israel, then there is a curse that comes into play. And my husband and I are both Christians, and we believe very strongly the verse from Genesis [Genesis 12:3], we believe very strongly that nations also receive blessings as they bless Israel. It is a strong and beautiful principle.
Right now in my own private Bible time, I am working through Isaiah . . . and there is continually a coming back to what God gave to Israel initially, which was the Torah and the Ten Commandments, and I have a wonderful quote from John Adams that if you will indulge me [while I find it] . . . [from his February 16, 1809 letter to François Adriaan van der Kemp]:
I will insist that the Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation. If I were an atheist, and believed in blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations. If I were an atheist of the other sect, who believe or pretend to believe that all is ordered by chance, I should believe that chance had ordered the Jews to preserve and propagate to all mankind the doctrine of a supreme, intelligent, wise, almighty sovereign of the universe, which I believe to be the great essential principle of all morality, and consequently of all civilization.
. . . So that is a very long way to answer your question, but I believe that an explicit statement from us about our support for Israel as tied to American security, we would do well to do that.”
John Adams understood the importance of a strong U.S./Israeli coalition during a time where Islamic Extremism was an afterthought to modern society. Fast forward to today: the core of Islamic Extremism is to eradicate the State of Israel and those who support them; we are fully engaged in a fight not only for Israel’s survival, but our own survival. Undermining Israel and their fight against oppressive Islamic regimes undermines our own War on Terrorism (or whatever Obama wants to call it these days), which thereby threatens our very existence in a world that wants nothing more than to see Israel and the United States destroyed.
TeamObama and progressives better get on board with this idea before it’s too late.
Here is my TOP THREE list of things TeamObama can do right now to support Israel:
1. Support Iranian Dissidents. This will undermine the Iranian regime, who has publicly stated that they intend to wipe Israel off the map.
“The leader of the free world should never remain silent when people are seeking freedom, certainly the way they are in Iran,” says Ilan Berman, vice president of the American Foreign Policy Council.
2. Stop Iran from Enriching Uranium using ANY MEANS NECESSARY. Sanctions are clearly not working. China, Russia and Europeans are clearly undermining U.S.-led sanctions. When sanctions don’t work, when negotiations don’t bring the desired outcome, military force should not be taken off the table. The clock is ticking and Iran is on the five yard line.
3. Reverse your call for unilateral nuclear disarmament of Israel. This is absurd. Telling one of your closest allies to disarm themselves from their nuclear weapons. From American Thinker:
“This is naïve beyond belief and is identical to arguments made in the Arab world that justify their pursuit of nuclear weapons because Israel has nuclear weapons. We all know how such a program would operate in the real world: Western, open nations such as Israel would be stripped of the capability of nuclear weapons; dictatorships, such as Iran, would continue to operate their secret programs.
Israel’s nuclear arsenal has helped offset the strategic peril that comes from being surrounded by much larger nations openly declaring their goal of its destruction. Obama’s call would unilaterally work to disarm Israel.”
Seraphic Secret has more great thoughts on the Israeli/United States relationship.
We are steadily giving up our leadership of the free world.
Snowmageddon in God’s Country!!!
by Clint on Feb.11, 2010, under Personal
It is an established fact. Texas is God’s Country!!
Today in God’s Country we had the opportunity to experience a surreal amount of snow for these parts. As I’m sitting here typing this, 5.75 inches of snow has fallen today and forecasts are calling for another 2 inches.
For those of you who experience snowfall amounts like this every day during winter (ahem…CJ) this might not seem like much news. But, whenever you get released from work early because of the weather, it’s a big deal…especially when its because of winter weather.
I flew in from Chihuahua, Mexico to be greeted at DFW by 200 foot ceilings and 1/2 mile visibility (barely above our minimums to get in). When we finally saw the runway it was embedded in snow–something I have never seen as long as I have been flying out of DFW. After hanging around the airport for an hour or so, I got word from the Captain that our next flight to Knoxville had been cancelled, adding to the list of already-canceled flights out of DFW.
Leaving work early, I met my wife at one of our favorite breakfast spots (because breakfast is my favorite meal any time of the day, especially on Snowmageddon-in-Texas Day). I couldn’t miss the opportunity to get some pictures on my way home to prove to you doubters that us Texans actually get some real winter weather down here.
So without further adieu, here are some of the pictures I took on my iPhone. Most of them were taken not far from my house at a nearby lake.
God’s Country–TEXAS….
This was the first picture that greeted me this morning from my wife when I landed at DFW. Tacoma, our nine year old Husky was a little bewildered with all the snow, so she decided that the best place for her to sit was on the patio table on the deck. Seeing this while on the road, definitely put a huge smile on my face.
The ramp at B Terminal at DFW, where deicing threatened to slow operations way down today.
AA Boeing 767 sitting at the gate as a Super 80 taxis in the slush on the taxiway.
Snowman on the table at one of our favorite breakfast spots, Cafe Brazil.
Off the dock at White Rock Lake.
This is my street...looks like something out of, um, Michigan...
My truck...this is what this Baby is built for!! Al Gore--take note...try driving a Prius in this weather.
This could have been taken in the Ardennes where the Battle of the Bulge took place. But it's not--it's in the heart of Dallas in God's Country-Texas.
Pedestrian bridge overlooking White Rock.
Nice day for a swim in the lake...for the ducks.
Home sweet home. It might not be much, but it's mine and it's perfect for a day like today...the roof doesn't leak, the heat keeps it warm and it invites me in every time I get back from a long trip.
25 Reasons Why Obama Is Not Leading This Country Well (Reasons 1-5)
by Clint on Feb.09, 2010, under Congress, Eric Holder, Health Care, Leader, Obama, Politics, Transparency, Tyranny
In Obama’s decision-making, a wide range of influences
Washington Post.com
“As for what Obama reads online, his advisers said he looks for offbeat blogs and news stories, tracking down firsthand reporting and seeking out writers with opinions about his policies.”
Really?
Because if that is the case, maybe he might have gotten the message by now that Americans are a little angry by the way he is making decisions as leader of the free world.
In case you happen to stumble upon my blog in all your spare time, President Barack Hussein Obama, let me once again run down IN DETAIL 25 Reasons why we don’t like how your leading our country (Reasons 1-5):
Administrative
1. Your Broken Promise To Keep Lobbyists Out of Your Administration. Thus far, you have made around 40 “exceptions.”
“President Obama has more than 40 former lobbyists working in senior positions in his administration despite his statement during the State of the Union that he has, “excluded lobbyists from policymaking jobs.”
Here is a list of lobbyists you have retained in your administration, in case you have already forgotten. The list is long and distinguished.
2. Two Words: Eric Holder. Who said this:
“Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards.”
Oh yeah? Watch this video, then tell me that again.
…I’m not done with Holder…more to come on him.
3. Skipping the Ball Honoring the Medal of Honor Recipients. UNACCEPTABLE.
“Barack Obama became the first U.S. president to skip out on the Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball since its inception in 1953.”
And your the “Commander-In-Chief.” Sad.
4. Using Czars for EVERYTHING. Your use of Executive-appointed Czars is a blatant disregard for the Constitutionality of these positions. By comparison, President Reagan only had one Czar. These people are accountable only to you, able to make policy decisions that affects the lives of every U.S. citizen, and collects huge salaries compliments of me, the taxpayer.
- Afghanistan Czar – Richard Holbrooke
- AIDS Czar - Jeffrey Crowley
- Auto Czar – Steve Rattner
- Auto Recovery Czar – Ed Montgomery
- Border Czar - Alan Bersin
- California Water Czar – David J. Hayes
- Car Czar – Ron Bloom
- Central Region Czar – Dennis Ross
- Climate Czar – Todd Stern
- Cyber Czar – TBD
- Domestic Violence Czar – Lynn Rosenthal
- Drug Czar - Gil Kerlikowske
- Economic Czar - Paul Volcker
- Energy and Environment Czar – Carol Browner
- Faith-Based Czar - Joshua DuBois
- Government Performance Czar – Jeffrey Zients
- Green Jobs Czar – TBD (Formerly Van Jones)
- Great Lakes Czar – Cameron Davis
- Guantanamo Closure Czar – Daniel Fried
- Health Czar - Nancy-Ann DeParle
- Information Czar – Vivek Kundra
- Intelligence Czar - Dennis Blair
- Mideast Peace Czar – George Mitchell
- Pay Czar – Kenneth R. Feinberg
- Regulatory Czar – Cass R. Sunstein
- Science Czar – John Holdren
- Stimulus Accountability Czar – Earl Devaney
- Sudan Czar – J. Scott Gration
- TARP Czar – Herb Allison
- Technology Czar – Aneesh Chopra
- Terrorism Czar – John Brennan
- Urban Affairs Czar – Adolfo Carrion Jr.
- War Czar – Douglas Lute
- Weapons Czar – Ashton Carter
- WMD Policy Czar – Gary Samore
Where is the Gone-to-Far Czar?
5. Transparency and Open Government.
“My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government.” (www.whitehouse.gov)
Really? Let’s Break it down:
- Personal Records
I guess your exempt from this order. If I tried hiding my birth certificate, criminal records and school records when I look for my next job I doubt I would get hired. I guess if your the President of the United States your exempt from having to produce your records.
“In recent days, Obama made a surprising admission: the healthcare negotiations have fallen short of his standard for openness. He told ABC’s Diane Sawyer that healthcare was an ‘ugly process and it looks like there are a bunch of backroom deals’.”
Maybe Robert Gibbs can shed some light on how you really feel about the transparency in the Administration during the Healthcare Debate:
“The president feels very comfortable with the amount of transparency that we’ve had,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in July.
“The $328,835 snapshots of an Air Force One backup plane buzzing lower Manhattan last week will not be shown to the public, the White House said yesterday.”
“We have no plans to release them,” an aide to President Obama told The Post, refusing to comment further.
“President Obama has embraced Bush administration justifications for denying public access to White House visitor logs even as advisers say they are reviewing the policy of keeping secret the official record of comings and goings.”
-Firing of Inspector General Gerald Walpin
“After being briefed today on President Obama’s firing last week of Gerald Walpin, Inspector General of the Corporation for National and Community Service, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said the president did not abide by the same law that he co-sponsored – and she wrote – about firing Inspectors General. . . . “The legislation which was passed last year requires that thepresident give a reason for the removal,” [McCaskill said]. McCaskill, a key Obama ally, said that the president’s stated reason for the termination, “Loss of confidence’ is not a sufficient reason.”
This is a long (but not by any means comprehensive) list of opportunities you had to be transparent, but weren’t.
So much for transparency in your administration.
NEXT We Will discuss your Domestic Policy Decisions….it’s an even longer list of usurpations!!
One Delta Charlie
by Clint on Feb.04, 2010, under Dallas Cowboys, Flying
Yesterday we were flying in from Leon, Mexico staying busy trying to find a patch of smooth air when the following conversation caught my attention:
Houston Center Controller: One Delta Charlie, do you have any Cowboys on board?
One Delta Charlie Pilot: Ugh, negative [pause]. But we have Jerry on board.
Houston Center Controller: Tell him all the guys down here at Houston Center say “Hello” and wish they were going to the Super Bowl this year.
One Delta Charlie Pilot: Roger, will let him know. We also have some Cowboy Cheerleaders onboard, do you have a message for them?
Before the controller even had a chance to Answer:
Random Pilot A: Give them my number!
Random Pilot B: Mine too!!
Random Pilot C: How about drinks tonight?
Random Pilot D: Better yet, ask them if they’re interested in joining the Mile High Club!
Silence.
But we knew everyone on frequency was laughing as hysterically as we were.
Count on a bunch of pilots to take it to that level.
Jerry’s ride: A Gulfstream-V. Only the best.
Let’s make a deal!…with the Devil
by Clint on Jan.28, 2010, under Afghanistan, Bush, Obama, Terrorism, War on Terror
Around the Web: Taliban, corruption, development:
“Ministers from more than 50 governments and representative from an array of international organizations will gather in London Thursday for a conference regarding Afghanistan. One of the issues to be discussed will be negotiations with the Taliban.”
This article goes on to point out that they will be reaching out to “moderate” Taliban who are engaged in the conflict out of economic necessity, rather than ideological.
Since when has the Taliban been labeled “moderate”?
It’s now justifiable to be a part of the Taliban if it is economically beneficial for you to do so. Why not just join the Taliban, kill Americans and civilians and call yourself a “moderate” terrorist?
How will this UN “plan” distinguish between a moderate and an extremist Taliban?
So many questions to this strategy and not many answers. Another failed strategy in the making. TeamObama is sending Hillary to sort it all out on behalf of the U.S–rest assured, she will provide some clarity.
In the end, this is negotiating with Terrorism, pure and simple. This is just another example of the world pursuing diplomacy out of a position of weakness. We see it, these animals see it and now the United States will be engaged in it. Enemies take note: we will now pay you off in order to avoid conflict.
How would have World War II turned out if we decided to negotiate with “moderate” Nazi’s? Do you think that would have worked out well for us?
The message should be this: “If you are Taliban, we do not distinguish between “moderate” and “extremist.” You will be held accountable for your associations and your actions. In fact, our Predators are overhead right now with a couple Hellfire missiles-you can explain your “moderate” ideology to them.”
I want Bush back.
Not Just Another Flight
by Clint on Jan.27, 2010, under Bush, Flying, Laura Bush, Obama, Secret Service
Every now and then I get the opportunity to fly VIPs wherever they need to go. Today I had that opportunity–but, it wasn’t just another VIP.
Escorted onto our airplane this morning by four Secret Service Agents was former First Lady Laura Bush. There was obvious buzz around the gate as personnel with badges and Agents were preparing for her arrival into the terminal and down the jetbridge. After all the the other passengers were seated, she boarded the flight as low profile as possible–no fanfare and no recognition. The passenger list for this flight did not include her real name as that would have obviously drawn too much attention.
Because of her status, we were also required to permit one of the Secret Service Agents to jumpseat in the cockpit with us. It was intriguing to get insight into the post-Presidential social activities of the President and First Lady–who they hang out with, the places they go and what they do to fill their time. Although the Agent was very professional, it was clear that he was less than happy to see how our new President is distinguishing himself compared to how “G-Dub” conducted business–that was something all of us in the cockpit could agree on…as is usually the case.
Prior to my experience this morning, I have always held a high regard for Mrs. Bush. Classy. Reserved. Supportive of her husband. A champion of reading, childhood education and women’s rights–things that are very relevant and matter to our society. She is the model of an American woman.
Although the Captain decided to fly that particular leg to Pensacola even though it was my turn (go figure), I worked the communications and made all the PA’s like a good First Officer.
After landing, Mrs. Bush, who was the first one off the plane, stuck her head in the cockpit and thanked us and told us that we had done a good job. Although I would have loved to post a picture with us and the First Lady, her schedule did not permit it and understandably she is bombarded with such requests and cannot fulfill every one. But, I was proud that I had the opportunity to fly her where she needed to go. I wish I could say that I was handpicked to fly her because of my superior aviation skills, but that wasn’t the case. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Flying her to where she needed to go, getting her there on time and doing so in a high degree of professionalism is enough for me to be proud of what I did today. Afterall, there aren’t many people that can say they were the First Lady’s Pilot.
The Dollar Bubble
by Clint on Jan.25, 2010, under Economy, Inflation, Misery Index, Unemployment
I wrote about the “Misery Index” about a week ago and referenced The National Inflation Association. The following video is a bit long, but explains in easy-to-understand terms why we are facing a catostrophic collapse of our dollar which will make this last year-and-a-half’s recession look like a birthday party.
The Misery Index = Unemployment + Inflation. If we reach “hyperinflation” as these experts in this video are predicting, the Misery Index will affect every one of us.
Do we really need more Government spending on Entitlement programs, bailouts and stimulus packages? Our entire way of life is in jeopardy because of these wreckless fiscal policies. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has been key to underwriting these policies. He needs to go.
WAKE UP PRESIDENT OBAMA, BERNANKE AND CAPITOL HILL!!!
GB has also posted precious metal analysis here, here and here.
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