Where is my God now ?

Where is my God now ? I speak metaphorically. I've been an agnostic most of my adult life. Don't hold to one theory or set of rules, but I still can't help but think there is something going on here bigger than just a random combining of atoms. And I look with a cynical eye at most things but yet cling to the hope that people are basically good. Maybe if just for myself. I want to be one of the Good Guys, wear the white hat. My biggest fear is that I'm not.
So I look to the world around me and force my thoughts to be positive. This really isn't that bad of a place.
But now I'm not so sure.
I used to refer to spree killers as The Beast. I had a nagging thought in the back of my brain that there's something making these people do this, they aren't just coming to this on their own if only because they are so much alike, even in their randomness. In my old blog I did some research on the subject and combined it with what I knew from my job (if you don't study the enemy, you can't defeat him) and really don't have an answer. That's what scared me the most. You can prepare for it, but you can't predict where and when. The Beast is at the advantage there. He controls the choices. For the most part, The Beast was random and infrequent. He took victims from all walks of life in many varied locations but they were spread out. No need to be paranoid. Yet that is fast becoming the past. Tenn., Alabama, NY, how many tomorrow, or next week. You call them Spree Killers, we call them Active Shooters, call them what you want but they're all psychos with guns dropped into a target rich environment. Al Qaida doesn't need to send terrorists, we're growing them right here. Back in the day, when I looked at Klebold and Harris (thankfully, below)I looked to train myself to be alert, to know what I needed to do should the Beast show its face, but there was always that little bit of complacency, that small place in the back of my mind that said it wouldn't happen hereIn a flash of a moment The Beast has become so prolific that even the best of the best aren't ready. Two of those killed in Oakland were SWAT. Two patrol officers down is not something surprising but the SWAT team took two dead and one wounded before they perforated the suspect. Maybe they too have become complacent. We keep trying to put some rationality to the world today. It just doesn't work like that anymore. Those three in Pittsburgh were killed over an argument that started when the dog pissed in the house.http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090405/ap_on_re_us/pittsburgh_shooting
Nobody can afford that anymore. Because even though those were major events, major incidents in our terminology, the smaller ones you don't hear about still continue, and even grow in their horrific nature. Like this one.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090405/ap_on_re_us/children_slain
Or, this one, which took me back a few seconds and was the first time I've been shocked in years.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090331/ap_on_re_us/sisters_slain
Even the veteran officers responding were so taken aback by The Beast in their presence, it took them a moment (too fucking long guys) to react appropriately. I think we've been anesthetized by the war and Combat News Network. Its terrible, but its over there. We turned our back on The Beast in our midst and now we pay for it almost daily. The answer ? I don't have one. You might ask your local police department as to whether they've undergone Active Shooter Training. If they haven't, any reason they have for that shortcoming (including budget) is retarded and a lie. Other than training your cops to counter the threat, take advantage of the Second Amendment like many here in the south. Keep your mind thinking as you walk down the dark street, "What would I do if....?" I play that game all the time. Keeps one sharp. You don't have to become paranoid, friends, you just have to be ready when and if the time comes that you meet The Beast.

Thinking of ressurecting this blog

One can always use a forum, even if its to an audience of one's self.

Sore losers these Republicans.....

George and the good old boys are sifting the details about troop withdrawals, having worked it out with the Iraqi guv'mint. Takes place over the next three years. http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20081129/wl_csm/osofa_1;_ylt=AvSDXYG89OwYInnD1ny_rmz5SpZ4
I must say it shows their stupidity, to think rational people wouldn't see this as an act of sabotage for the incoming Obama regime. They know the American people are sick of the death toll. They know we can't continue footing the monthly bill in billions of dollars. So come next month Obama will have to start from square one to make a new plan and a new agreement with the Iraqi government, all the while having to endure the Republicans screaming to the heavens that they already made the deal and Obama is screwing up. They're deliberately throwing a wrench in the spokes, disregarding the inevitable human cost in lives this type of politics provokes. Just like Vietnam. And what do the commanders say ? Well, their toads are saying that for security reasons it would take three years. But that doesn't wash. I was a soldier, I know units are designed to be moved much quicker than they would have you believe. And more recently I've looked over the Iraq situation more than once, and not the rhetoric, but moreso the facts. If Muqtaq and the rest of the spiritual leaders want us out of Iraq (hint: they do), a 6 month withdrawal would be practically bloodless if we were to ask them to call off the dogs. . What dicks. I'd slip my entire next paycheck to The Man if he were to just yank everyone out of there and tell those parasites to make it on their own. They have close to $100 billion in cash reserves yet pay nothing. Our people are dying performing patrols that they should be doing. Hmmmm. Sounds familiar. Just like other wars ? Bout done losing friends to that meatgrinder. We can go a bit more giving our money away to rich sheiks (the documented corruption over there is astronomical and they all granted themselves amnesty recently) but too many young people have died there. Like so many others before them. My but I do ramble.
Its funny. I'm still a conservative by nature. Just so disillusioned with the outgoing regime.

If you are able,
save for them a place inside of you
and save one backward glance when you are leaving
for the places they can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them,
though you may or may not have always.
Take what they have taught you with their dying
and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide and feel safe
to call the war insane,
take one moment to embrace
those gentle heroes you left behind.

Major Michael Davis O’Donnell, 1 January 1970, Dak To, Vietnam, Listed on February 7, 1978 as Killed In Action, March 24, 1970

Are they serious ?

As most of you (all three of you ?) who read this, I am definitely FOR private gun ownership and the rights of gun owners. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the way. HOWEVER...

Apparently we are to believe now that it is safe to take a gun into an airport in Georgia. Recently the Georgia governing body passed into law a statute allowing those with concealed weapons permits to carry a concealed firearm on public transit.

I see two ways to defeat this measure. First would be the laws both for and against to be contradictory, thus the new law should be held in abeyance until clarified. The second would be to declare the airport a business, which really it is anyway, just run by a government contractor. A business, in most all states that I know of, has the right to refuse service and access to whomever it deems necessary. If said business were to deny access and custom to concealed weapons licensees, they would not be able to legally come on the property. This would not be discriminating on the basis of race, color, creed, nor sexual orientation, and therefore should fly, so to speak.

Then we can use the same argument against the death penalty for this matter. The biggest argument being that the laws governing such and the system in place for such is fallible, thus innocent people may be put to death. While I am for the death penalty, I will admit that innocent people have been found guilty and given such a penalty. This is not speculation, it's fact. So now the same government also issues concealed permits. Anything run by humans is fallible, so who is to say that somebody who is mentally unstable has not already obtained a permit. Now you are saying that person can take it into an airport ? What happens on the day Starbucks isn't open early enough for him ? Will he then go to the airport ?

Apparently I left this one on the burner, thinking I had already published it. Apparently I'm mentally unfit to blog.

Meeting the minds half way

I must admit that the first thing that springs to my mind is something along the lines of agent provocateur, China has invaded Taiwan from within. How can two countries with such a history of fear and intent on domination come together like this ? (Though Wu Poh-Hsiung does look like the Grandfatherly type with his balding head and powder blue tie)

It has been said, quite a bit ago I might add, that China would stand as the next World Power, taking the place of the United States as the monitor of the world community. It was said that China was the only country with the resources and will to enforce a certain humanity over the constantly warring and struggling countries that make up this planet without having to take over said countries. I can't say whether they themselves could withstand the temptation to dominate and posses some five years ago, but perhaps if we take a close look at the way they handle their own current crisis internally and the results of their diplomacy with Taiwan, we might come to a better understanding of their present social psyche.

Already, before the tremors have subsided, Chinese officials have begun talk of allowing parents to have more children and what is to be done to help those in affected areas to rebuild. Further, some 5,000 orphans are already being held out for adoption. Officials at the lowest layer of government are questioning higher without fear of reprisal and those above them are listening. They want answers as to the destruction of so many schools and other infrastructure related issues. Clearly, not the China of Tienanmen Square, which would have written off the cries of protest, prehaps violently.

Its almost scary

I look into my Stat Counter every so often to see if anybody has read my stuff. For the most part, no, but I can't blame anybody but myself for being the boring old ranting fart that I am. I enjoy doing a blog entry now and again so it serves its purpose. What scares me though is this picture here. It was part of a blog entry I did in April of 2007. Most people who come to see me enter on the April page. Because if you were to look at the statistics you'll find that most of the people who find my blog are looking for this picture. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold dead on the floor (where they should be, of course). Why, I wonder. Are they pundits looking to illustrate their own thoughts and opinions on the subject matter ? Somehow the cynical side of me can't believe that. I think its more of a possibility that its just runts who idolize the two bastards. Mom, Dad ? What are your children looking at ?

Not sure if there is a threat there or not

Seems China is learning lessons from our military actions in Iraq (x2) and Afghanistan. According to the Spooks (that's law enforcement slang for the CIA) China is on a rapid advancement avenue for its military policy, upgrading their defense systems/tools and fine tuning their tactics. Guess the days of the human wave attack are over. Is this a threat ? Don't think so. I think instead its smart policy making, moving their nation up in the overall preparedness department. With so many internal problems right now, I just don't see the Chinese as wanting to start a program of expansion just yet. And with the Olympic Games and other feel good warm fuzzy one world/one people stuff going on just a few minutes from now, I'd say that China has an opportunity to take a respected position in the center of the world stage in diplomacy much like America has done in the past but can't do anymore because our leaders have run the finances into the ground. And who knows, maybe with their no nonsense approach to things (CEO puts radiator fluid into cat food and lead into children's toys-CEO dies shortly after the mistake is discoveredhttp://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/05/05/china-exports-poisoned-medicine-while-fda-cuts-back-labs/) they can clean up messes in ways that our system of government and weak hearted social conscience won't let us (hint- people don't die from water boarding, but then, the Chinese don't water board, they kill your family). So its with a healthy respect that I watch China as world events unfold. I won't turn my back on them either.