TUESDAY, 27 OCTOBER AD 2009

1654L MDT

I have been listening to the news. Struck by the availability of information by paper, radio, television, internet, and the spoken word, there is a tidal wave of data that assaults us daily. This causes me to place a serious question for your consideration: Where have you placed your trust? The follow up question is who do you trust?

I am letting this post set for a week and I'll give you my views on 6 NOV 2009.

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH

FRIDAY, 23 OCTOBER AD 2009

1143L MDT

I have finished a reading a book on Tuesday and working on a second. I am currently reading the book A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. As I read, I am taken by the motto of the Stark clan: Winter is coming. The fact today is winter is coming in many ways. Here winter is a matter of weeks away. Snow is already falling in much of Colorado. Are you ready for winter? The ice, the snow, and, worst of all, the biting, biting cold.

Not just the fact the seasons are changing, but the fact that the institutions that we have had to rely on are changing makes me think we are in for a long, hard winter. It is hard to believe in anyone or anything without having to verify their words and deeds before trusting them. When two of the three American car companies are sitting in the White House, when many banks have the stamp of approval of the US government, when the government is growing by leaps and bounds, it is time for you to evaluate yourself and what you believe. Can people rely on you? Can they trust you? When things get bad, are you one of the valiant ones or one of the followers?

Winter is coming. How will you fare through it?

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH

MONDAY, 20 APRIL AD 2009

1835L MDT

Okay. Maybe I'm not the most rivetting guy on the planet. Perhaps not everyone wants to read my point of view.

Hmmm. That's all valid.

Since this is the time for HOPEANDCHANGE, let's get started with the first blog of the year. Normally, I'd put this all in one of the pages of the nebulous web site hrhsmith.com, which will always be around. Let me throw up all this stuff all over you.

First, I don't like HOPEANDCHANGE. In nearby Greeley, the Democrats put up a billboard touting several of their candidates, most of whom are now part of the ruling class. Their sign ended by saying, "Vote for change. Change is good." I'm like Dilbert. If change is so good, you go first. Many of these folks are saying that capitalism is bad. To a large extent, their criticism is valid. Just look at the profits that the oil companies gained when gas prices topped 4 bucks a gallon. What people don't talk about is that government gained just as much of the largess of capitialism as buisness does. What is more heinous is that government usually doesn't earn it. It takes. And takes. And takes. Capitalism may be bad, but all the other systems are so much worse. I almost wanted to shred that crappy copy of Newsweek that said "We're all socialists now." Like that's something to be looking forward with glee? Negative, Ghost Rider. Hey you clods at Newsweek!!! Some of still believe that capitalism is a good thing and will not take this sudden change of economic philosophy lightly.

Second, what does HOPEANDCHANGE mean to my profession, the military? Almost certainly, budgets in the military are gonna get cut. When Democrats rule, the military deals with the old adage "Do more with less." As people I work with point out, you can't do that. You do less with less. And where does those trillions of dollars go?

Finally, I think the USA will weather this storm. It may take months or years, but we will get through it.

Glad to always be an American,

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH

SATURDAY, 15 NOVEMBER AD 2008

2108L MST

So there I was, 37 feet under water, saying to myself, "Self, why are we doing this again???" Sucking of the precious air that was all but forced into my lungs, they had turned of the lights topside in the crater at Homestead Resort in Utah. I thought I would be afraid, that I would panic. Panic is bad. Very bad and very deadly.

I hovered there with three of my classmates and my instructor from A-1 SCUBA in Englewood, Colorado. Breathing in and out, in and out, in and out. Never hold your breath. Keep the regulator within reach. Watch what your instructor does. Take care of your buddy. Never dive alone.

I am doing this because I turn 41 tomorrow. I am doing this because I love it. I love the new folks I meet. I love the skills that I learn. I love the sensation of being weightless and floating. I love the confidence it builds within me.

I will be an advanced open water SCUBA diver tomorrow. I love that, too.

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH

THURSDAY, 24 JULY AD 2008

1618L MDT

When I go anywhere today, I always look for concerts that have the musicians that I love. I enjoy a wide range of music, from classical to the music of the 21st century. The music I love the most is bluegrass. What? That didn't surprise you? You think I'm a hick anyways? That maybe so, Chowderhead, but let me tell you that the late Deadhead hisself, Jerry Garcia, was a masterful BLUEGRASS performer. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Where was I? Oh, yeah. I have been listening to a great deal of bluegrass. I have seen a few of them live in concert, too. From Ralph Stanley to Cherryholmes to Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder  to The Bluegrass Patriots to Uncle Earl to Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, I think the state of Bluegrass in 2008 is alive and well and just getting better as the days go by. I still listen to the legends of bluegrass (Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, et cetera) as much as I can, via the LP, cassette, CD, or the wonderful world of the world wide web. Their music is as alive as it was when they played it. The musicians of today are continuing the tradition of great bluegrass. If you get a chance, go to Courtney Pitre's awesome show, Bluegrass Highway, and hear for yourself. Take a look at YouTube and type in bluegrass.

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH

WEDNESDAY, 23 JULY AD 2008

1735L MDT

Whining about problems aren't going to solve them. Those who oppose drilling or even using oil are ignorant of the problems this stand create more problems than they solve. How large a solar collector are you going to make to help fly a F-22? How much wind can you power a tank? If it weren't for nuclear energy, the USS Ronald Reagan would still be in drydock. Right now, not many politicians bother to listen to Americans. They know what's best for you, you see. They are so much smarter than you. They cater to the will of the squeaky wheel class, those that are loud and proud, and those with MONEY. That's the bottom line. Money. I know I don't have a quick fix solution. Neither do any of you. I agree with using all sources of energy. Solar? Sure. Wind? OK. Nuclear? You betcha. American oil and coal? Uhh... yes! T. Boone Pickens has a plan. What's the problem with exploring it? Sure beats the decision right now which is do nothing and hope it gets you control of all government. Congress, President Bush already lifted the executive restriction on oil drilling. Get your dang butts to work... or else be looking for a new job.

Brief asides:

I had just finished two books in two days. Yesterday I finished John Paul The Great: Remembering a Spiritual Father by Peggy Noonan and today finished A Different Drummer: My Thirty Years with Ronald Reagan by Michael K. Deaver. Both books are amazing reads and very moving. I loved them.

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH

MONDAY, 14 JULY AD 2008

2356L MDT

I am not going to apologize for being away, though there are some of you out there that were glad I was gone. Well, screw you. I'm back.

I had some clowns post spam on the blog as well as quite insulting statements. I am fine with insults. I ask that you keep it clean, as this is MY blog, not yours. I reserve and use the right to edit/delete any and all posts. To show that I am fair and balancedI have left the precious post of Wendy M. You'll have to look for it.

Since I've been gone, the primary presidential candidates have been winnowed down to 2 (4 counting Barr and Nader). I currently dislike the choices, one especially more than the others. Maybe in a future post I'll tell you who I like. Not now.

In regards to a comment that I received regarding Atlas Shrugged and Jihad Watch, here are their links again. Here are more that I know some of you love: Rush Limbaugh, Hugh Hewitt, Dennis Prager, Laura Ingraham, and FOX News.

I'll do my best to update some of the sites, but don't hold your breath.

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH

SUNDAY,  11 NOVEMBER AD 2007

2222L MST

I want to wish all my fellow US military members, past and present, a happy and peaceful Veteran's Day. I wish that for all the readers of my postings as well.

 My Colts gave away a win to the Chargers, just like they gave it away to them stinkin' Patriots. Peyton Manning had 6 interceptions, Adam Viniteri missed two field goals, and my team gave it away. Enjoy the win, Chargers and Charger fans. You shouldn't have won.   Having said that, good job coming back, Colts.

I really don't know why I write this stuff. Nobody reads it. I am sure if my family and friends read this they'll use against me. Tough. I like it, even if I am my only reader.

I want to promote two very good blogs tonight: Atlas Shrugged, which is run by the amazing Pamela Geller (hope I got her name right), and Robert Spencer's blog, Jihad Watch. There is a massive amount of information that you'll never see the dinosaur media touch with a thousand foot pole. Take a look for yourself.

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH

TUESDAY, 06 NOVEMBER AD 2007

1741L MST

 Okay you clods. You fans of the New England Patriots. Let me get this off my chest right now. Y'all are the number one team in the NFL... Right now. Tom Brady is a great quarterback. Heck, he's even promoting a perfume. Randy Moss is a great receiver. I can't say anything bad about him. Bill Bellichump is a... Well, I won't go into that. I was quite angry that my team gave up the ghost in the fourth quarter against the almight Patriots. That was Sunday. Enjoy your win. Enjoy the media (most of them, especially the Mickey Mouse ESPN, located right up there in New England) adulation and glorification. Because, as a wise man once said, "This, too, shall pass." What that game on Sunday showed me was even though the Colts had fumbled badly, the Patriots weren't perfect, either. Tom Terrific throwing two interceptions? The defensive line permitting Joe Addai to take that pass to the end zone? Hmmm. Didn't look like the unbeatable team you claim they are.

By the way, thanks very much for the fire in the belly. As your team rests it up wherever they go to enjoy their week off, my Colts will be going to San Diego to play the Chargers. We'll see how much they spiral down. And I look forward to the Colts coming back to Foxboro and repeating what they did the last time they met. You do remember that, don't you? AFC championship???

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH

SATURDAY, 25 AUGUST AD 2007

0059L MDT

Long time, no hear, huh, people? Hope this entry finds you all healthy and wealthy.

Are you buying a Powerball ticket? 300 million bucks would be really nice, wouldn't it?

I plan on blogging daily from this point forward. (Stop me if you have heard this before.) Life has been quite busy and I am still going through thousands of e-mails. That's what happens when you go away multiple times.

I just updated my web sites at hrhsmith.com and michaelbsmith.net. I'll be revamping them completely in the next several months.

I've been quite disappointed (read disgusted) in lots of people lately. I am an optomistic realist and try to see the best in others. Right now, I haven't seen a lot of good lately. More on this later, maybe, if I feel like it.

Yesterday I spent some great time attending the third annual Greeley Bluegrass Roundup. Among some of the bands there were Boulder County's Stanleytones and the awesome Bluegrass Patriots out of Fort Collins. They were great! There were other bands there and they were good, too. I was disappointed in the turn out of bluegrass fans. There weren't a lot of folks there. Maybe there will be more tomorrow. At least, I hope so. This is a really good opportunity to hear some real good music.

I know there ain't a whole lot of people coming to this blog. I'm kinda doing it for you faithful out there, the three of you anyway, but I'm doing it mostly for me. Selfish, ain't I? Well, in the words of a Creedance Clearwater Revival song, "Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself."

I want to give my best to Rob M. and Ed V. who are in harm's way and maybe reading this. God bless and keep you guys.

Scooter says, "Mewahhh!" I don't know what that means, but I guess I got to go. E-mail me if you like. Go Colts! Go Hoosiers! Go Panthers!

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH