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

WEDNESDAY, 14 MARCH AD 2007

1144L MDT

Yeah, I'm back. Spring is nearing. I can feel it. And I love it.

Hugh Hewitt's is shamlessly self-promoting his book on former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. Find out more about here and here.

I updated a few pages on the web sites. I had comments about the picture of Coach Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning. Today I posted a old USSR stamp on both front pages. Don't know what it says. Looks kinda neat, though.

More later, maybe.

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH

MONDAY, 5 FEBRUARY AD 2007

0912L MST

FINALLY, MY COLTS HAVE WON A SUPER BOWL!!!!

Yeah, I know. It is actually their second, but since they moved to Indy this is their first. Coach Dungy's first. Peyton Manning and the Blue Crew's first (except for Adam Vinateri who's been to four!!! I am happy for my team, from the owner Jim Irsay, to Bill Polian, to Coach D, to everyone there. I am happy for the city of Indianapolis, who took a team that was about to get taken over by the state of Maryland by the rule of eminent domain. Read this at Wikipedia for more. I am happy for the Great State of Indiana!!! I wish the best for the Chicago Bears, who is my second favorite team. If the owners don't raise Lovie Smith's pay and sign him for a long term deal, they are pretty dumb.

Yesterday was tinged with disappointment from not being selected for promotion. I don't know what I'll do now. God allows things to happen in our lives for a reason. A reason or purpose greater than ourselves. I'll have to do a lot of soul searching. Maybe more later.

By the way, Coach D is my newest hero!!!

Later, tater.

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH

TUESDAY, 9 JANUARY AD 2007

1927L MST

I'm back, not like you give a darn. Yeah, I'm talkin' to you!!!

I've got a list of 52 resolutions floating around somewhere. Perhaps I'll reveal one a week. Probably not.

Colts go up against the Ravens in Baltimore on Saturday. Doesn't look good.

Just posting to let you know I'm still here.

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH

WEDNESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER AD 2006

2003L MST

One of my favorite web sites for news about sports is FOX Sports. In it, under the NFL, is a weekly scoring of the power rankings of teams in the National Football League. My Colts continue to maintain the number 1 rank. FOX notes that the Colts are the first team in NFL history to go 9-0 in consecutive seasons and that the Colts have won 31 of the last 34 games. In their words:

What's that incredible record tell us? That Indianapolis is a really great team from September-December.

Hopefully that will continue Sunday when the Colts go to big D and face Terrell Owens and that team down there, what's their name again?

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH