Mazurland Blog

It Was 39 Years Ago Today

No, not "Sgt. Pepper taught the Band to play"--that was 71 years ago by the song, and 41 years ago in actual time.

Actually, on May 14, 1969, Chevrolet Motor Division halted production of the Chevrolet Corvair.

Only 6000 units were produced in 1969, and they were delivered to dealers complete with a certificate for the purchaser giving them 150.00 off the price of their NEXT Chevrolet vehicle for buying one. (885.00 adjusted for inflation).  That's how afraid Chevrolet was that the cars would sit on the lots.

At the GM Willow Run Assembly facility, there was much intrigue early in the morning of the 14th of May, 1969. All of the chassis that were left were already on the line, and most of them were nearly finished.  GM was determined that NOBODY would own "The Last Corvair Built"--though casino magnate Bill Harrah wanted it for one of his many automotive museums. The car VIN'ed as the Last was removed from the line in the middle of the night, taken to a remote part of the facility and cut up with torches and scrapped.

The national press was present and the TV cameras were rolling as the last 2 cars came off the line. The last was #5999, as 6000 was already in the scrap bin. When it was started to roll it off the line, it wouldn't start.  Some quick adjustments under the engine lid and it sputtered and coughed to life, and rolled off the line. Those of us who love the car were convinced that #5999, and Corvair production, went "kickin' and screamin" to it's final demise.

What became of #5999? It ended up in the hands of a Corvair Nut and personal friend of mine, Mark Corbin of Galion, OH.  He donated the car to the Corvair Preservation Foundation about 15 years ago, and some thousands of man-hours and dollars were put into the car to bring it back to showroom condition.  It is displayed at some car conventions, and resides at the Corvair Heritage Museum in Ypsilanti, MI.

A total of 1,835,170 Corvair units were produced. 48,927 were built in GM Canada's facility in Oshawa, Ont.  and all were cars.  US Production at Willow Run and Los Angeles produced 1,659,022 cars, and the St. Louis Foward Control Assembly Plant built 127,221 Corvair powered vans (Corvan Panel and Greenbriar Window) and Rampside and Loadside Pickup Trucks.

For anyone growing up in the early 60's, the Corvair was the smallest American car made.  It looked different, and it WAS different. Gasoline powered heaters were standard on 1960 models, and optional on the trucks and vans.  A rear mounted, dual carburated pancake 6 cylinder AIR COOLED engine powered all models, except performance models that either had 4 2bbl Carbs, or one Weber side-draft carb with a turbo. Turbo models could pump 180 horses to the wheels--keep in mind the car weighed from 1800-2100lbs at the curb depending on options. (The 307 Olds/Buick in my 83 Riviera--curb weight 5000 lbs, had 140 HP)

It was engineered about 20 years ahead of itself, so things it needed like rubber seals that would hold up to engine heat and not leak oil hadn't been perfected yet.  And it "looked cool", and the convertible models WERE cool.  A styling change in 1965 made them even better yet.

The car had its flaws. Swing-axle rear end on the 60-64 models made tire pressures lower than normal required, or the car had a tendency to "swap ends", especially on wet or icy roads. A transverse leaf spring was added across the rear suspension in 1964 to control this.  But the car had been singled out by Ralph Nader as "Unsafe". The Corvair got a whole 2 pages in his book "Unsafe at any Speed", but Ralph wanted GM's ass, and thought the Corvair was the way to get it.  Unfortunately at the time the Chairman of GM, Edward Cole, had been president of Chevrolet Division in the late 50's, and the Corvair was HIS idea, which he came up with while designing tank engines during WW2.

The Corvair became, and still is, the first automobile tested for safety by a US government entity. And in all of the areas tested, outperformed both of its competitors, the Plymouth Valiant and the Ford Falcon.  So much for Ralphie.

In 1965 the car had undergone a complete suspension remodel, new styling and more powerful engines to try and compete with the upstart Ford Mustang.  But by the end of 65 it was obvious that folks were more comfortable with the water-pumping engine in the Mustang, and Chevrolet began design of the Camaro to compete with the Mustang. And the Corvair Death Watch began. 

Almost all of GM's management realized continuation of Corvair production past 1965 would be counter-productive and probably a loser financially.  But the car had developed a following, and Ed Cole told the board not in so many words; Are we going to let a punk like Nader and the Government tell us what we can build?.  So production continued.

The Corvair had many firsts.  First air cooled rear engined American car, first compact car offered by GM, first US car with unibody suspension(no frame), first car with 4 wheel independently adjustable suspension (65-69 models), Only GM Namplate to be produced as a 2dr and 4dr Post Sedan, 2 and 4door Pillarless Hardtop, Convertible, Pickup and Van--and that's just the beginning. 

The Corvair was "The Car of Tomorrow, built Yesterday", and SCCA Racers call it "The American Porsche" even today.

So what does Hank care about all this? 

I was always enthralled by Corvairs. I thought they looked cool, they were different.  Growing up I always wanted one. When I was 17 I could have had a beautiful 64 4dr--in it's 1973 garage kept condition it would be worth about 12 grand today, and I could have bought it for 400.00--Dad said "It's a Death Trap, you're not getting one".  But just as Wayne Campbell looked at the Stratocaster and said "Oh yes, It will be mine", someday I knew I'd get one.  And one came along just in time.

I had to go to the junkyard and buy new seats for my 80 Toyota Corolla in 1987, we got hit from behind and both the seat backs broke.  At Western Enterprises salvage in Livingston Parish, LA I saw a 66 sitting in the front row.  Opened the engine bay and looked and smelled it :"Hey--this things been running!"  I got both the Toyota seats and the Corvair for 300.00. My wife wanted 250.00 too, so she bought an electric typewriter. The typewriter was obsolete in 3 years--Sold the first corvair 6 years later for 500.00.

I used the restoration and learning the ins and outs of this peculiar auto to keep my mind occupied as I fought for self control I lost abusing a popular chemical of the day. working on the car, reading about it, networking with other owners gave me something to do besides think about my mental cravings.  Turns out I replaced one addiction for another.  Since 1987 I've owned about 10 Corvairs.  never paid more than 800.00 for one. It's a great fun car to drive.  You get lots of looks, waves, horn toots, and "thumb ups" as you go down the road. Can't gas it up or take it to the store without someone coming over to talk to you about it. Lots of folks in their 60's, 50's and even 40's remember the car fondly.

And Here's the absolute Bottom Line. Here are the compact cars that Chevrolet division has used to TRY and replace the Corvair.

Vega/Chevette/Spectrum/Sprint/Geo Metro/Aveo.  Ever drive any of these pieces of shit?  Not ONE of these cars filled the void left by the Corvair, or even comes close.

When I can assemble some, I'll post some pictures of my present batch of Corvairs.  I have 2 Panel Vans awating restoration (a 63 and a 64), a 65 Monza 2dr HT that only needs paint and interior now, and a 62 Rampside Pickup --1 of only 4102 produced that year. 

Blubber Update

I'll be too busy tomorrow (2 months on Nutrisystem) to post---Yard Sale for the Marine Corps League in the morning, and a trip to Sparta,NC (about 2.5 hours away) for a MCL Charter Presentation ceremony to a new Detachment in the late afternoon.

Starting Weight--349.6lbs on March 10

09 May @ 0700--313 lbs.

Lost 36.6 lbs in 59 days, or a little over a half a pound a day.

63 Lbs to go to short term Goal weight of 250

128 to get to Marine Corps Max weight of 185.

Still a "disgusting fat body" as any Marine DI would attest.  But I've reached the point where I need to put more holes in belts, and I need a new pair of black trousers for my MCL uniform, they're getting way too big!  I've not been able to put in the exercise I needed to this week, but I'll be back at it next week.  After I get my last shipment of Nutrisystem this month, I need to send back the indedible stuff that they send (you get to request your 28 day supply, but the free week they pick for you), I'll have about another 6-7 weeks on the program. 

With that I should be able to get under 300, and hopefully down to 285. That would put me at 100lbs overweight by USMC standards.  Another 85 lbs and I should be able to get into my Navy uniform, which my wife thinks is impossible, but she's pullin for me.

Busy Busy Busy

Sorry I've not done too much writing, but things have been keeping me occupied.  Thursday I took a 1/2 day off to cook for the monthly meeting of Lincoln County Vietnam Veterans.  I made spaghetti---Scratch made sauce, homemade meatballs, and 2 different types of Italian Sausage---some from Wegmans, and the GOOD stuff, from Scime's on Delaware near Tacoma, for you Buffalo types.  Some salad and garlic bread, and I got the result I was looking for. 

People from "Around Here" have never eaten GOOD Italian food, and what passes for GOOD "Around Here" reminds me of Italian food like I ate on the USS Saratoga, where they were cooking for about 6000 people. I got comments like "best I think I've ever had", "you should go into the catering business", etc.  I just told the guys that when you've never eaten proper Italian-American food, it's a new experience.  I'm on Nutrisystem, so I didn't eat any of it.  I told the guys that if they wanted the recipe for the sauce, just watch "The Godfather, part I",  I just listened to what Capo Pete Clemenza said when he was making sauce in the movie, and did that.  Comes out pretty good too.

Friday was Vietnam Era Veteran's Recognition Day in Lincolnton, and we had 2 Army MOH recipients at a dinner for 400 County veterans who served (any branch or time) between 1961-1975. I had to be the "Chow Line Master at Arms", and keep everyone "tightened up" and the line moving.  I cut out early because I knew I'd be hearing the same speeches again on Saturday, and did some errands in town.

Saturday, after doing regular SAT AM stuff like trash and branches to the Landfill, and a run to town for dropping off dry cleaning and picking up some grub, I re-donned my MCL uniform with a clean shirt and headed over to West Lincoln High School for the Navy JROTC Awards ceremony.  I gave out Challenge Coins to the parents of the cadets who are graduating and joining the Marine Corps.   The school is about 1/2 mile down from my house.   

Back home for a quick change and out to the other end of the county for a "pig pickin' " with my good friends Mike and Rick Howie.  They put on 2 a year.

Sunday brought the yard work, a trip to Lowe's for some gear, and a workout at the YMCA. I forced myself to stay swimming laps after 30 min, hoping to do a full hour, until some kid who WASN'T wearing rubber swim pants decided to take a dump in the pool.   Spent the evening doing laundry and watching the first season episodes of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" from 1955.  EXCELLENT TV---start ordering these old series dvd's from Netflix and you'll probably do what I did, cancelled all but basic service on my cable. What they show on HBO/Cinemax/Showtime/TMC  just isn't worth what they charge anymore.

Back to work today for a rest.  But 58 calls in 7 hours isn't much of a rest. 

I'll comment Wednesday on the NC Primary Election

Foolishness and Ignorance of (some) Americans

It isn't in the Constitution, but I believe there IS a Consitiutional right to be an ignorant F**ktard in this country. I mean, with some of the stuff people write on the Internet, it's the only rational explanation.

I can understand that the ignorant and foolish among us don't understand Global Terrorism, the true meaning of Jihad, the goal of the Jihadists to eliminate Israel and  establish a planet covering Islamic Caliphate, etc. 

I also understand, or at least relate to, many on the political left that believe that our war against these forces of evil in Afghanistan and Iraq, among other places is bungling and intrigue whose fault lies at the feet of our President.  However, when our Warriors are mentioned, even most of the whackjobs say they support our Troops, especially those that are wounded.

The Marine Corps, in forming their Wounded Warrior Regiment, with Battalions at Camps Lejuene and Pendelton, have led the way in the care and treatment of returning wounded warriors from the fields and sands of SW Asia.  The Marine Corps League started the Marines Helping Marines Program, which assists these returning heroes in getting basic personal needs, and also to help relatives come to the hospitals to visit them, or for them to get transportation home to recuperate that they don't have to pay for out of pocket.  Mazurland (by Marty) has donated to this program.

I guess I'm kind of a "gossip junkie", from way back in the 70's when PEOPLE magazine first came out.   Now of course, the Internet has the "Buzz" from across the country much faster.  And for this type of news, I go to 2 websites. The Superficial, and Perez Hilton.com

Normally I wouldn't give the person behind the nom de plume Perez Hilton the time of day, as he's one of those "Flaming" type homosexuals, who is constantly in your face with his orientation.  But the guy has the scoop, and he always seems to have it first.  Perez doesn't wax political very often, sticks to gossip.  But he IS behind the troops.

He recently posted to his readers about another group that does what Marines Helping Marines does for ALL branches of the service, called the Wounded Warrior Project. No scam, many wounded warriors end up endorsing the help that they receive from the group.  Perez exhorted his readers to "donate to this very worthwhile cause".

Here's just a sample of some of the responses he got.

Don't give a f**k about America's troops---/I got my own problems.---/Our soldiers are NOT warriors. They are dumb barbarians killing innocent citizens for oil.---/They Fought for freedom? Don't make me laugh. They fought so George W Bush could get his grubby hands on THEIR oil.---/Your husband is a moron for even signing up. Why do you think when signing up they are called "privates"? It's cause they're OWNED. Why do you think they're given dog tags? Cause they are DOGS. ---/The only people in the military are people that couldn't get real jobs/

And the REAL killer diller:

Heros? HA! Since when does killing innocent Afghani people = a hero? All of you people with family in the service think they are God's gift to this country. Get over yourselves. Like I said before I DON'T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT AMERICA'S TROOPS! They signed up to kill people.

You can read the rest Over Yonder, but I'd recommend a good dose of anti-emetic first.

BTW, those who posted positively about this topic were mostly family members of Marines, or Marines themselves.  The cross that says "The most feared fighting force ever seen on this planet" is not an easy one to carry, but those serving today, and the veterans who served before them, carry it with joy.

Welcoming our Warriors Home

Chris reminded me in his comment on my last post that our Vietnam warriors didn't get much of a reception when they got home.  He's right.  Most of them had epithets hurled at them, along with baggies of dog shit.  They were called every nasty thing that you can think of.  Worst part of it, was that most of the Soldiers and Marines who served in Vietnam were DRAFTED.  Is it no wonder that 40 odd years after they returned they still harbor resentment??

Our modern warriors have been taught their history. That's why the Desert Storm Victory Parade in DC was led off by a huge cadre of Vietnam Veterans, organized by the Vietnam Veterans of America.  It might have taken a couple of dozen years, but when America finally had another land victory by force of arms, we remembered to recognize and honor our Vietnam vets FIRST.  For many of them, it was the first time anyone had ever shown them any appreciation for what they endured. And they DID endure.

I traveled to Severn, MD last month for the Marine Corps League Mid-East Division Conference.  Severn is about 10 miles from BWI Airport, where planeloads of our Warriors fly in from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Some of us early arrivals were in the hospitality room enjoying an adult beverage, when the Mid-East Division National Commandant came in and said ---Anyone want to go out to BWI and welcome our warriors back to the USA??  Like he had to ask.  A plane load was about 40 minutes out.

We jumped in some vans and headed to the airport.  We stood on the sides of a long hallway, where the troops would come in through large double doors.  We knew that of the 246 troops hitting USA soil for the first time in over a year, there would be only 12 Marines, but to a veteran, it makes no difference.  We Marine Corps Leaguers were in our Red Blazers and Red fore and aft caps (Pisscutters) so we were very noticeable in the front rank of the crowd, which consisted of family members, Legionaires, VFW's, Amvets, and about 10 other national veteran's groups--some of which I never heard of .  There had to be 700 people in this space. 

And the troops came in---straight from the field.. Some still had sand on their boots, rifles in hand, and carrying very heavy backpacks, helmets and seabags.  The place went wild. Applause, cheering, screaming like I've not heard since I last saw a recording of a Beatles concert.  The looks on their faces told it all. And I'll swear there wasn't a dry eye in the house.  A huge Marine --he had to be 6' 6", saw me and the FMF Corpsman's pin on my lapel and said SEMPER FI, DOC!!!  And I stuck out my hand and said SEMPER FI!! Welcome Home Marine!!, And he PICKED ME UP and danced down the hallway with me for about 10 feet.  I had just started my diet so at 349, picking me up at ALL is a trick.  When he set me down I told him---I know EXACTLY how you feel, I did this 24 years ago!  He replied to me "It's great to still be alive, in once piece, and back in the USA."  I know how THAT feels too. Nothing feels better to return to the land of Cold Beer, 7-11, and the best country on the planet. 

If you're going to be in the Baltimore/Washington DC area, and you'd like to welcome home America's Best, let me know and I'll put you in touch with the Marine Corps League people who make sure the airport is full of veterans and supporters for these heroes.

When I Get Fed Up

There are things I like to look at to "get my mind right" after dealing with people like the Ron Paul taint lickers at FNY, or just reading comments on blogs that are so negative about our country, our military and those who sacrifice their youth, and sometimes their lives so the asshats that inhabit this country can be asshats.

This is one of the things I have to look at when I get so fed up I could just puke my guts out, thinking about what and how much I gave up in the 1/5th of my life that I gave to my country. And the putrid breathing scumbags that I sacrificed my youth for.  Hell, I could have gone to college and law school, and spent the rest of my life pontificating about how I'm right, and the world is wrong!

What Blogging Is--And What Some Think It Is.

Lots of people have blogs. Blogs are places you can write your "Random Thoughts", for others to see and comment on. That's what makes the Blogosphere so large. You name the subject, and there's probably a blog for it written by someone, somewhere on the planet.

But our pals at Free New York look at blogging (no surprise) from a whole different perspective. Here's what they think Blogging is:

Author makes a post.  If you want to comment, you must have "Facts" and "make your Argument".   Perhaps this comes from JO being a lawyer, I don't know.   What I do know is High School was over 33 years ago, and I never WAS on the debate team.  But I'm a full grown 51 year old man, and I have my opinions on lots of subjects.  And I can give them without citing Lew Rockwell.com, The Ron Paul Newsletters and the Mises Institute as the source of my "held opinion", if you will.

But I didn't realize that you couldn't make a comment on a blog that is simply your own opinion.  You can of course, unless you're one of JO's cabal of libertarian wing-nuts. 

For example---One of the "FNY Cabal"  makes a post on the "Ron Paul Smear"---not any longer the fault of the Media, but from the CATO institute and the people who fund it.  God freakin' forbid that Ron Paul "Smeared" himself because he's a doddering senile moron with ideas that turned off the American Public like a light switch.

If you want to Comment, you are expected to "state your facts" and "make a cogent argument".  If you just want to say, for example-- RON PAUL S**KS---then you must refute all the reasons that Ron Paul DOESN'T S**K, and then present all your arguments, backed up by "the facts" that Ron Paul DOES S**K.

What, in all the various kinds of bovine fecal effluvia  that permeates the planet, is THAT bullshit is beyond me.

I also had to explain what a "Tinfoil Hat" was to JO today.  So I guess it's true that paranoid schizophrenics don't know that they cover their windows and their heads with tinfoil to keep the "NEW WORLD ORDER" from energizing the living room telescreen to further indoctrinate them with Neo-Conservative propaganda--It just makes them feel better !!!

And here I was looking for something to post about......

Another Loonion Exposed

I get beat up in the WNY blogosphere by Liberals about "the Loonions", formerly known as Labor Unions.

Can't help it, I have my reasons.  I've been a member of 2 different unions. The last was for the hourly non-nursing employees of Sheehan Memorial Hospital on Michigan Av in Buffalo.  I don't have any hatred for them, they're just not needed anymore.

In days gone by, when my great grandparents got here "Fresh off the Boat" from Germany's Polish Corridor, they worked 6 days a week, 12-14 hours a day in the steel mills.  There was nothing like

Occupational Health and Safety programs, like the ones OSHA enforces in today's workplace/Employee Benefit programs like disability insurance, sick days with pay, health insurance for the worker and his family, retirement plans overseen by ERISA. No NLRB to referee disputes between workers and management---Buck the Boss, look for a new job was the way 120 years ago. 

Unions HAD A PURPOSE back then.  When the unions began bargaining for the workers, they were getting what we today would consider the bare minimums of worker health and safety, the 40 hour week, protection from baseless firings,and minimum benefit plans.

These days, there are (unfortunately) BIG GOVERNMENT programs that enforce workplace standards for everyone.  Which makes the unions pretty worthless.  The only people who want the unions to stay in place are what's left of the Unionized Labor in America, which has shrunk exponentially since the 50's, to less than 30% of all US workers---And of course, the Unions themselves.  I just can't see giving a Union dues to basically do nothing.

WNY has the largest percentage of unionized workers in NY, which is the state with the highest percentage of unionized workers.  So getting my ass busted about unions is no surprise.  And it is deeply ingrained in the people that they just can't get along without unions, even though an estimated 300,000 union jobs have been lost in the area, they just don't get it.   One of my friends in Buffalo, on the death of Ronald Reagan had only one comment---"He was a Union Buster"---talking about the Air Traffic Controllers in 1981.  I mean, forget about he ended the Cold War and broke the back of our 45 year enemy the Soviet Union without firing a shot--"HE WAS A UNION BUSTER" was all he could come up with.

The area has just recently finished a wave of criminal convictions regarding the Laborers Union in Niagara Falls, and it's connections with Organized Crime. 

And now this, printed from the AP in the Seattle Times.......

A dozen leaders and members of a construction union were arrested Tuesday and charged with a decade of attacks against nonunion workers and their families, and prosecutors said some of the crimes were aided by the local's access to state motor vehicle records.

The president of Operating Engineers Local 17, Mark Kirsch, was among those charged with extortion and racketeering after a five-year investigation. The union, headquartered in Buffalo, operates in six western New York counties.

At job sites where non-Local 17 members were hired, union members caused more than $1 million in damage to more than 40 pieces of heavy machinery by pouring sand and grinding compound into the oil systems, breaking windows, destroying tires and cutting fuel lines, investigators said.

U.S. Attorney Terrance Flynn said investigators were particularly unnerved by the union's ability to run potential victims' license plates through the state Department of Motor Vehicles database to obtain personal information, including their wives' names and addresses.

The union had an account with DMV that was meant to allow it to ensure its own vehicles were properly registered and inspected, but the account was abused on several occasions, Flynn said. The practice abruptly stopped after investigators required the DMV to conduct an audit in 2006, he said.

A DMV spokesman had not heard about the allegations Tuesday and said he would look into them.

The U.S. Department of Labor, state police and FBI have been investigating the local since 2003; investigators say they traced criminal activity from 1997 to the present day. They allege threats and violence happened everywhere from the smallest house demolition to projects at high-profile sites, such as Ralph Wilson Stadium and Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

"It has caused losses in the millions economically ... and ultimately it has deprived western New York of vibrant economic growth," said Buffalo FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Laurie Bennett.

On one occasion, defendant James Minter III, a union organizer, told a worker entering a work site in July 2005, "Tell Tara you're going to be a little late tonight,'" referring to the worker's wife, the indictment said. In 2006, a Local 17 picketer allegedly yelled to a Uniland Development Co. representative that he was going to sexually assault his wife, naming the street the man lived on.

The president of one business reluctant to sign a collective bargaining agreement with Local 17 was stabbed in the neck and had his tires slashed in December 2002, according to the indictment. A little more than a month later, defendant Carl Larson, a union organizer, tried to persuade the businessman to sign the agreement. The conversation is recounted in court documents:

"What are the positives? You guys slash my tires, stab me in the neck, try to beat me up in a bar. What are the positives to signing? There are only negatives," the alleged victim said.

"The positives are that the negatives you are complaining about would go away," Larson responded.

A woman who answered two calls at the union's headquarters in the Buffalo suburb of Lakeview Tuesday declined to comment and said no one else was available. She did not know whether a lawyer had been retained to represent union members.

The indicted union members were taken into custody during a 5:30 a.m sweep of their homes. They include Gerald Franz Jr., who is listed on the union Web site as treasurer; Jeffery Peterson, listed as financial secretary, and Thomas Freedenberg, recording secretary. All are scheduled to appear in federal court Thursday. The most serious counts against them carry a maximum 20-year prison sentence.

Kirsch, Minter, Larson, Franz and Peterson all declined to comment when reached at their homes Tuesday and did not say whether they had lawyers. A number for Freedenberg could not be located.

But get on a Buffalo Blog and mention this?  They'll tear ya limb from limb. 

Ask Your Favorite Democrat

A co-worker sent me a link yesterday, and I had to wait until this AM to listen to it--no speakers allowed at work.

Makes you want to contact just about any leading Democrat Politician in this country and ask them---

So, were you BORN A LYING,MANIPULATIVE HYPOCRITE, or is it just something you learned out in the street?

Take ye a lookie see at THIS, and then see what you think

Blubber Update

Beginning Weight March 10--349.6lbs 

This morning April 10 ---325.2lbs (I have a digital bariatric scale)

24.4 lbs lost in 30 days.

This of course doesn't mean Gunny Ermey wouldn't scream in my face

"YOU'RE STILL A DISGUSTING F**KING FAT BODY" !!! 

Because he would ---because it's still true.  Even if I hit my goal weight of 250 by the end of the year, I would still be 65 lbs overweight by Marine Corps standards. I was 225 in 1984 when I was discharged. I slacked off the PT and diet when I knew I wouldn't have to re-enlist--because in the Corps if you're overweight, you don't get to re-enlist. 

But a motivated person doesn't let the facts hold them back. I'm fighting a hell of a tide---advancing age, slowing metabolism, hypoglycemic drugs that add weight as a side effect, family history.

My doctor says that "Metabolic Syndrome" is a real disorder, and armed with that information you just have to slug it out.   

One thing I know now for sure is what a bariatric physician said once on TV.  "THE FAT YOU EAT, IS THE FAT YOU GET TO WEAR".  not only where it looks disgusting on your body, but inside your arteries--including those that supply blood to your heart.

Can only wait and see for May 10 to see how much more I manage to lose.

One for the "Good Guys"

From the weekly Sgt. Grit newsletter---messages of,by and for Marines and their families..  You can get this yourself---need a little gung-ho goosin'?  go  HERE!!! NOW DO IT, MAGGOT!!! DO IT NOW!!!!

Today I kept the peace - I wanted to say stuff - but I promised Dee Mills Gold Star mom that I would stand Silent to honour our troops. Code pink and the rest of the Crazies hit our little town of Brooksville today. A few of us moms stood out there with our Support the Troops banners. We were not protesting them; we were not supporting the war, or protesting against it. We were there, with our heads held proud as mothers of United States of America Service Men and Women. We prayed in the parking lot for guidance. I did not go as a Blue Star Representative. I left that shirt at home. I did wear my Army Mom T-Shirt, and my sons "corpsman Doc hat from the Marines" and another pin that said my son is in the Navy. I handed out Army Strong pins to anyone in the group that had an Army member. We marched forward. Just a little band of us mums, against the hate mongers! We were happy to see the Tampa Marine Moms join us.

The protesters said they were there for Peace. What a joke! I thought these were supposed to be Peace people. I was called every name you can think of today, by those so called Peace people. They did everything they could possibly do to antagonize us, and get us fighting, they yelled in our faces, screamed obscenities and called us names. We sung God Bless America and the National Anthem. I can't carry a tune in a bucket, so I hope I hurt their ears. Our police were wonderful. Our Marine Gold Star Mom Dee Mills was not taking any lip from anyone, and she was attacked verbally again and again. She was out there as our leader and we are darn proud of her. Our police came to our rescue when we were being constantly harassed. We were peaceful, but they were militant. I have never seen such hateful people in my life. There was nothing peaceful about this bunch. They were truly disgusting. I was honored today to stand beside a bunch of mothers who had children serve, who are serving, or who had children die, to support freedom in America and all over the world. God bless each and every one of them. They stood proud in Brooksville, Florida today.
(jan zabel mother of 2 who serve)

How Simple Is It?

Is it this?

 

Or THIS

OR Possibly--Just this

Thanks to Former Buffalo Evening News Cartoonist Tom Toles, also Stuart Carlson and Nick Anderson, all posted at Slate.com--"ATTRIBUTION"  Sum-a-B**TCH, eh?

And thanks to Mike "Orange" Stagner at Marines.tws.com for this possibility  MAKE SURE YOU CLICK ON THE PICTURE!!!!

"Hokey Joe" Wolf to Retire

I got this SJCI E-Newsgram from Mr. Bob Scott--Our Religion 12 teacher, now Principal of St. Joe's.

After 46 years of dedicated service to St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, Joe Wolf '57 has decided to retire after investing his whole life in St. Joe's. Following graduation from Niagara University in 1962, Joe returned to St. Joe's to teach and coach. He was appointed athletic director in 1966, and worked to expand the athletics program at St. Joe's whereby the school currently offers 16 different sports and numerous athletic activities in which students can compete. In 2007, he was named State Catholic High School Athletic Director of the Year by the New York State Athletic Administrators Association and received the John D. Burns Memorial Award for Outstanding Support and Devotion to High School Football by the Western New York Certified Football Association. He was named St. Joe's “Man of the Year” in 1986, was inducted into the St. Joe's Sports Hall of Fame in 1996, and was also inducted as a distinguished alumnus into the Signum Fidei Society in 1999 - currently serving as a member of the Signum Fidei Society Selection Committee. St. Joe's would like to offer Joe our sincere thanks for his dedication and commitment to the school, knowing that St. John Baptist de La Salle will remain in his heart . . . forever!

In the years before and during much of the year that we had Mike Wallace bio-documentaries  teaching us American history on film  while "Hokey" Joe Wolf was giving Phil Scaffidi a massage---or whatever the hell he was doing, I thought the guy was a jock, and a joke. 

However, it turned out that Joe Wolf wasn't as "Hokey" as most of us first imagined. Unlike many who would walk out after Joe turned on the projector and left the class, I stayed around. Even on the day when he showed us the movie on "Abner Doubleday and the Invention of Baseball".  In the 73-74 school year Joe was Baseball coach, and many thought he just didn't have anything to show that day.  I watched the movie.  Damned if there wasn't an essay question on the Regents Exam on that same topic.  During the exam I called Joe over to my desk and just pointed at the question.  He asked me "Did you stay and watch the movie?" I nodded that I had. He just smiled.

Fact is, Joe had been teaching American History so long he knew EVERY question that the State used on the exam. And so he used the films he showed to TEACH THE EXAM.   I'm a big history buff and always have been.  But I never figured I'd get a 100 on any Regents exam--I did in American History.

Send a positive thought Joe's way---I think he deserves it.

Capt. Jeb F. Seagle Det #1265 Memorial Race

Friends of Mazurland

           The Capt. Jeb F. Seagle Detachment # 1265, Marine Corps League is sponsoring a race at the East Lincoln Speedway on May 24th in Stanley, North Carolina.

           The race is for the "Stars of Tomorrow" division, which consists of 15 and 16 year olds.  These dirt ovals in the Southland has been the birthplace of many of todays NASCAR Champions, including well known names such as Ralph, Dale and Dale (jr) Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Darrell and Michael Waltrip, Mark Martin, Ned and Dale Jarrett and names from yesteryear like Lee and Richard Petty, Junior Johnson, the Allisons, and more. 

         The Marine Corps League is sponsoring the prize money for the race, as well as a cash donation to go to the overall series champion at the end of the season.  WE NEED SPONSORS!

        You can co-sponsor a lap (name printed for that lap in the program) for 10.00, or a business card size ad for 25.00  The Capt. Jeb F. Seagle Det. is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization, incorporated in North Carolina. All donations are 100% tax deductible, and receipts will be issued to all contributors for IRS reporting purposes. All Mazurland contributors will get a copy of the race program in the mail. 

For more info you can "Wander over Yonder"  to the Speedway website for general information on the track, and for specific information on the race, "Lookie yo-self rat cheer".   

Proceeds from the race will go into our general fund for philanthropy to Marines, their families, and other servicemen and veterans in need. I will make a post later today with our "Brag Sheet" of accomplishments in the last 13 months.

UPDATE: Send any lap sponsor Donations--10.00 or Business Card size Ad 25.00 to

CAPT. JEB F. SEAGLE DET #1265

C/O 406 SHOAL RD,LINCOLNTON NC 28092

I will send a receipt to you for your donation.   If you have a business card, send it and we will scan it for the program.

any questions---send e-mail to kaczmarek@charter.net

Blubber Update

Started 10 March --349.6 lbs---

This morning---329.0 lbs

Twenty down, 80 to go

You Wanted It, You Got It

Like I don't have enough stress in my life: now DR. MENGELE Marty wants a post from everyone on one day!

Reminds me of

T'was the day of the Kings Castration,

And the people were throwing shit at random.

But Random ducked, and the King caught a turd in the face.

SHIT!!!! cried the King,

And the countryside squatted and groaned.

To which the Queen noted: BALLS!  If I had 2, I'd be the KING!!!

Now I've only about 20 minutes to write something so I can leave work and go to a Legion post about 20 miles away to attend a Marine Corps League Officer Installation.

John McCain made an incredible speech on foreign policy today at the Los Angeles World Affairs Council. I'm looking forward to watching the whole thing.  McCain was near dead last on my choices for POTUS, mostly because I'm unimpressed with his views on trade with Mexico and Canada, the porous southern border of the US, because of his stands on what HE calls "Torture" at GTMO.  (Compared to what HE went through at the Hanoi Hilton, those Johnny Jihads are relaxing on a docked cruise ship, and he KNOWS it.)

Here's whatcha do:

Go "Over Yonder" And read the whole sum'b*tch.    That attribution should keep Commandant Hoess  Marty straight for the day. 

I'll read it all tonight and we can discuss it in comments.

One Polish Hiney saved to get in the S**T another day

Jihadist Humor--Afghani Style

As one who was born and raised a Yankee, but have been a South'ron  all but four years of the last 33, I enjoy the "blue collar", or as it is sometimes called, "redneck" style of humor.   This is a nice play on Jeff Foxworthy's "You might be a Redneck" schtick.

Marty will have to excuse the lack of attribution, but it is sometimes impossible to attribute or give credit to something funny a friend sends to you in an e-mail.  So for lack of anything substantive, a HT to Master Gunnery Sgt. Steven "Top" Reep USMC (RET) for this chuckle, which also is quite ironic---from his "Recon Brothers Joke List".

YOU MIGHT BE A TALIBAN IF...

1. You refine heroin for a living,  but you have a  moral objection to beer.
 

2. You own a $3,000 machine gun and $5,000 rocket launcher,  but you can't afford shoes.

 
3. You have more wives than teeth.
 

4. You wipe your butt with your bare  left hand,  but consider bacon 'unclean.'


5. You think vests come in two styles:  bullet-proof and suicide.

 
  6. You can't think of anyone you haven't declared Jihad against.

 
  7. You consider television dangerous,  but routinely carry explosives in your clothing.



8. You were amazed to discover that cell phones have uses other than setting off roadside

     bombs.

9. You've ever uttered the phrase,  'I love what you've done with your cave.'



10. You have nothing against women and think every man should own at least one.



11. You bathe at least monthly whether necessary or not.



12. You've always had a crush on your neighbor' goat.

R.I.P. Jackson Armstrong

Jack Armstrong passed away on Saturday, March 22, at age 63 at his home in High Point, North Carolina. 

Buffalonians remember him best as the 6-10PM radio jock at WKBW-AM 1520 from 1971-1973.  With his drawn out delivery of "Jackson Armstrong, YOUR LEEEEEEADER!"  Jack was IMO the best AM jock in Buffalo in the early and mid 70's.

A Native of North Carolina, Jack started as Jack Larsh at age 14 At WCHL in Chapel Hill, NC, and got his break at WAYS "BIG WAVES" AM in Charlotte in 1965 as the "all night man" from 11pm-6am.  It was in Charlotte that he polished his schtick that brought him twice to Buffalo, as well as gigs at CHUM Radio in Toronto, KFI 640 in Los Angeles, and many places around the country.  After 6 years at WMQX FM in Greensboro NC, Jack returned to Buffalo in 2003 at WWKB, which was a general talk station.  In 2006 when WWKB went to a "Liberal Talk" format (ONLY IN BUFFALO), they put him on the unemployment line.

If the 2 eldest Mazur Brothers dust off their memory, they will remember when Chuck Mangione played a short gig at St Joe's in 1973.  Jackson Armstrong came with him. I believe the noise the student body made when he made his signature delivery was louder than at any sporting event I ever heard in the Gym. 

If you go to Wikipedia, you'll see that Jack led the life of a radio personality---like Harry Chapin's DJ in "WOLD", he was up and down the dial, across the country and into Canada, over a 40 year career.

Rest easy Jack, you'll be alive in the minds of thousands for years to come.  Thanks for the music.

Enjoy your Easter Sunday

Until we hear from the Mazurland Religious Desk,  Here's hoping you all have a great Easter Sunday.  Some pictures from those of  you with kids out looking for eggs or baskets would be appropriate.  Until those are posted.....

We've  Got Riester--

Every Easter....

We've got Riester....

Who could ask for anything more?

NNA---It's EVERYWHERE

It IS St. Patrick's Day

And I went away for 3 days, come back on the fourth--St Patrick's Day, and what has Mazurland wrought?

Nothing. Nichts. Nada, not a sausage---BUGGER ALL!.

Of course, most Mazurlanders are Polish Catholic--so, what do WE care?   

In my case, not much.  Didn't wear green, working 10 AM -7PM this week, no parties, no green beer(No No on Nutrisystem)

But, the rest of Mazurland MAY be doing something, let's hear about it!!

Open thread.

SPITZER RESIGNS

He didn't have to, not yet at least. He COULD have waited for the Southern District to get the indictments. He is TRYING to use resigning as leverage against indictment.  I doubt that dog will get off the porch to hunt.

I spent the time since I read the news trying to think of something succinct to say, but Blackhedd @ Red State Blog put it so succinctly and in so few words, I'm hoping OCD ANAL   Marty won't mind a short cut-n-paste.

Eliot Spitzer is the absolute embodiment of abusive power. In the guise of "doing what's right for the people," he destroyed a huge number of fully-earned reputations. And he did it not by enforcing laws, because as a rule none were broken. He did it only by threatening to prosecute. He is the man that the Bill of Rights was written to protect us against.

And his purpose was nothing more than to build for himself, with the critical assistance of a starstruck media, a personal brand as the man who "cleaned up" Wall Street.

And before the amazed eyes of everyone whose life he damaged, the people of New York State swallowed it, hook line and sinker.

Through the serendipity of an unsuspected personal weakness, the Republic has today dodged a whole fusillade of bullets.

The greatest irony of history is that it never celebrates evil averted. Please, everyone, always remember that today, a day on which an evil man was prevented from doing great harm in the future, is just as historic as any day on which a good man receives the power to do great good.

Then, there's this---From Empire.com HT to Alan Bedenko, everyone's favorite Buffalo Pundit

 

UPDATE: Just in case you want to read the whole post from RS by Blackhedd, and to ensure Marty can move his bowels later (Removing the knot from his butt), take ya a gander Rat Cheer, I reckon you'll find it.

IT'S DAY 436 IN NEW YORK

And Eliot Spitzer, who stated "EVERYTHING CHANGES ON DAY ONE" after he was elected Governor of our home state of New York, is FLAT ON HIS ASS.

Bad enough that up to day 434, NOTHING had changed in NYS, on day 435 it was announced that the Governor had been in a Mayflower hotel room in DC under the name of one of his campaign contributors, doing "The Wild Thing" with an overpriced hooker.

Before I digress further, let me express my deep empathy for Mrs. Spitzer and her children. They are victims here.  And after seeing Mrs. Spitzer's pictures, I don't see why the buttmunch mule was  "kickin' in another stall".

Not that extramaritial affairs aren't the regular for Democratic government leaders in our country, this one has some special twists to it that likely mean "Curtains" for the Spitzer Administration. 

Of course, the best part of this is that there's NO innuendo. The Feds have all of this on wiretaps.

First, the "wielder of the hook" crossed state lines to keep the appointment with Spitzer. That's a violation of the Mann Act, which is a Federal beef.  That in itself is pretty bad, but what's worse is this:

These call girls are VERY expensive, up to 3100.00 an hour or higher depending on the rating given the escort by the service, Emperor Club VIP.  And how Federal Wiretap ID Client #9 (aka the Governor of NY) paid for the services of these girls (THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME) seems to be possibly mixed up in some wire-fraud and money laundering allegations. 

Bill Clinton proved that it doesn't matter who you have sex with, or if you're married or not when you're doing it, if you're a Democrat--NO PROBLEMO, MAN!  He was just then placed in the Democratic Pantheon of immoral pervert pols like Ted Kennedy, Barney Frank, Gerry Stubbs, Gary Hart, this list is almost endless.  ONLY REPUBLICANS resign over sexual scandals.   So as I asked on Buffalo Pundit---Why the hell doesn't Spitzer just "Clinton" this thing and get back to work?   

Well when it comes to other federal charges, like money laundering and wire fraud and Mann Act violations, Spitzer didn't borrow Slick Willie's teflon suit, and charges which will likely be brought and will probably stick.  And the Feds will say, as Don Corleone did "That I do not forgive".

Worst part of this debacle is that state politics and policy in NYS have been the cause of the states slow decline over the last 25 years, and a continuance of that failure in Albany has caused the even steeper decline of the Central and Western parts of the state, which is now approaching critical mass.

One thing that almost every pundit, blogger, reporter, and citizen in CNY and WNY knows is that until Albany Reforms---We cannot.

This scandal and the fall of Spitzer--in his former job as NYS AG was called the "Sheriff of Wall Street" by the NY Times, has set the state back another step.  The next step will ALSO be a step back, as LT Govenor Patterson is the biggest opponent of gun ownership that NYS has ever seen in such a powerful position.

Could this be the tsunami wave that breaks NYS?  Stay tuned. 

Time To Lose Some Blubber

Nope, It's not Flubber, it's BLUBBER.

As Dr Tarquin Chris will tell you, oral hypoglycemic drugs have a side effect---WEIGHT GAIN.  Which is sad because most people with Type II Diabetes have it because they have gained too much weight. 

Best way to stay in excellent shape is to be in the Marine Corps. Unfortunately, the Marine Corps won't take me back. I DID try, right after 9/11/01 when I wasn't diabetic yet.

But all I got was "Doc, we love ya--but you're too old, too fat, and too sick". And I was only around 280 lbs then. I even asked---Can't I come back, go over there and  just stay "In the rear, with the gear? I can't STAND not being in on this fighting!!!"  But I was 44 already, and at that time you had to be under 36 to get back in.  NOW they'd take me, but since 9/11 I've added diabetes and cardiac issues to my hypertension and high cholesterol issues. 

The Elder Brothers Mazur remember me as a big guy, but not TOO big.  I was 6 feet tall, and weighed about 200 lbs when I graduated from high school.  The Marines got me from a sedentary 260 down to 180 in less than 8 months.  But my current job does not allow me to run up and down mountain ranges all day eating nothing but Tuna, Rice and Kimchee--and carrying 90-100 lbs of crap on my back.  So THAT idea is out.

I weighed 265 when I quit smoking in 92. by 95 I was 300. I weighed 304 when I went on Phen-Phen in 1996. Got down to 240 in 3 months. Of course they took it off the market, only damn thing that ever worked for me. By 99 I was back to 290-300.  Stayed between 280-300 until 03 when Diabetes kicked in.  I've been up to 350 twice since then and managed to get back to 300.

But since 11/06 (after 2 cardiac hospitalizations) I've gone from 309 to 349.  All factors under control by medication, but 350 is WAY too heavy for me, and I'm certainly not comfortable.  Serious exercise is out of the question. Dr Chris can tell you the strains that kind of excess weight puts on every body system.

So I've decided to give Nutri-System a try.  I've considered it since the late 80's, from time to time. It sure as hell isn't cheap.  But it DOES work. After questioning many people who lost lots of weight with Nutrisystem, I found that most went back to their old eating habits, and gained it all back. 

At this late date, I've come to the conclusion that if I want to stay alive, there can be NO GOING BACK to a steady diet of comfort food. I'm handicapped, as the Mazurs are, of having been raised in the "Comfort Food capital of the planet".  But I recently spoke to someone who gave me a revelation.

There's a lady in my town who is a lifeguard at the YMCA where I try to exercise (Swimming mostly). She is 5"7 and weighed over 400lbs when she got the bypass surgery. She lost 235 lbs, and has kept it off for 4 years. I figured she must have a secret, so I asked her if I could talk with her about it. (She had been in the newspaper.)  She told me that basically she eats portions and food similar to Nutri-system 6 days a week, exercises at least 5 days a week, and has 3 "Comfort Food Meals" per week, usually on the weekend.

I discussed Nutri-system vs Bypass surgery (the Navy would have paid for the surgery).  She told me she was lucky in that she doesn't have a lot of side effects.  But she told me "You don't look like the kind of guy who can live on Baby Food for 3 months."  She's RIGHT.  My wife's best friend here had it and has some of the side effects too.  I took a pass on the surgery and borrowed off my life insurance to do N/S for 3 months. My insurance agent said it was the best reason he'd heard in a couple of years to borrow the cash out of a policy.

So that's my plan. 3 months on the Program (and I'll get an extra 2 weeks of food at the end), Then eating the fruit and vegetables (that I've never cared for since BIRTH)  and small portions of everything else 6 days a week, continue exercising,(which should become easier as I get lighter) and allowing myself to eat like a Polish Buffalonian one day on the weekend.

Started today. I'm sure as hell not hungry.  And I've "Got My Mind Right" as Cool Hand Luke would say vis a vis staying with the program. They do their best to make it easy to do. I'll be keeping Mazurland advised every couple of weeks.  Let's see what happens.   

Time for a little fun

From our friends at the FNY Blog

01/17/07 Ostrowski writes---[Full disclosure. I only met Ron Paul once and AM NOT INVOLVED IN HIS CAMPAIGN IN ANY WAY (Emphasis Hank's). I only know what I read on the web.]

03/05/08 Ostrowski writes--- I WAS TOO BUSY GETTING RON ON THE BALLOT IN NY TO GO TO NH (emphasis Hank's)

Now there's TRUE UN-INVOLVEMENT IF I EVER HEARD IT!!!! 

01/14/2007 Ostrowski writes One of the things I love about Ron Paul running for President is how he makes mince meat of the political spectrum.

Yeah, Both the Republican and Democratic Parties are blooded and lying in shreds!!!  HWSNBN'ed ripped them a new ass!

01/13/07 The Ron Paul Buzz is Incredible         REALLY?

01/13/07 Ostrowski Writes  Ron Paul is thinking about running for President. This is not a joke. The stars are aligning. 

THE STARS SPELLED OUT---YOU'RE WASTING YOUR TIME,YOU DODDERING OLD MORON!

01/13 Ostrowski writes Everybody who values individual liberty over collectivism is absolutely giddy about the prospect of a Ron Paul presidency.  Ron Paul has a couple of traits that separate him from the mainstream politicians.

So, I guess there's only 2 kinds of people on the planet.  libertarians, and Communists. I'm so giddy I nearly peed myself! Oh, he has a couple of traits all right. 

1. He stuffs bills in Congress with Pork for his district in Texas, and knowing that the bill will pass regardless of how he votes, votes NO---then campaigns on "I NEVER VOTE YES ON PORK BILLS".  But he still totes the Bacon back to Texas---Total Hypocrite.

2.He looks at the world as if it's 1786.  SOME TRAITS.

I could go on for about 2 weeks if I went through the entire archive, but why bother?  The only thing less dead than the R** P**L Revolution is the old fool himself.

when commenting today on FNY Blog, I asked one of JO's newest mush-heads--"Aren't you the ignoramus who told me less than a week ago that the R**P**l campaign was just warming up?  To which he replies in part:

"the greater movement that he inspired is going to have a long term impact. You just wait and see."
to which I replied "And my Daddy can beat up Your Daddy".  These youn'uns can really be ignorant tools.

Mazurlanders beware---the invasion of the moRons will not be far behind.

UPDATE---03/05/08 Ostrowski Writes:

But if you combine: media blackout; neocon smear and incompetent campaign staff, you have a formula for defeat.

THESE are the reasons for the defeat of the moldy libertarian from Texas.

Couldn't have ANYTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH

being out of touch with 99% of the electorate/obsession with moldy Austrian Economic Theory/Acting like an idiot in debates/Espousing whack-a-doo foreign policy opinions/taking money from Neo Nazis, or anything else. 

HURRY---RUN---IT'S THE NEOCONS AND THEIR SMEAR---THEY'RE GOING TO EMASCULATE US ALL!!!!

Sheesh.

Capt. Jeb F. Seagle Memorial Day Race

Marty mentioned he wanted some more Hank in Hank's posts. 

Marty---As is often said, "Don't wish for something too hard, you just might get it"

At my Marine Corps League detachment meeting last night, we unveiled our major fundraiser for the year.

AFAIK, Chris is the only Mazurlander (besides myself, of course) to venture into the Carolinas, the birthplace of NASCAR.  Charlotte is to NASCAR what Vatican City is to the Holy Mother Church.  The NASCAR museum is now being built here, Lowe's Motor Speedway (Formerly Charlotte MS) is here, along with a new NHRA Dragstrip being built behind it. Across the street is a dirt track for the Legend Series Cars.  And of course there is Mooresville, NC --a mere 12 miles from my desk at work--34 miles from the house, which is "RACE CITY USA"--Home of race shops with names even non-NASCAR fans have heard-- Hendrick Motorsports,Dale Earnhardt Inc, Roush Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, etc., etc.

There are more small dirt tracks in and around this area that one can shake a stick at. Dirt tracks are the uterus of NASCAR, if you will. Almost every driver on the circuit started in a dirt track car, be it modified, sprint, or legends cars. 3 Generations of Earnhardts have raced on NC dirt, as well as 4 generations of Pettys, 2 generations of Allisons, and other names you've heard like Junior Johnson, Cale Yarborough, Darrell and Michael Waltrip, and Jeff Gordon.

Saturday afternoons spent in the pits and Saturday nights on the track is weekly entertainment in these here parts from April to November. During the racing, the fights in the pits, and the fights in the stands (including the occasional "Cat-Fight" ) keep the off duty County boys busy, and provides and additional level of entertainment.  If it rains, you get the Johnny Cash full treatment--"The Mud, the Blood, and the Beer".  Ah, for the simple pleasures.

As Marines, we're always looking for a way to exploit something to bring in cash for our philanthropic causes. My Adjutant/Paymaster isn't a racer, but he's a dirt track fan. And he broke his tail putting this race together.

I'll only briefly describe what we're doing for now, a more comprehensive advertisement will appear soon, linked to this post as well as the links you'll find at the bottom of this post. 

Our Detachment is sponsoring a race at the East Lincoln Motor Speedway, a dirt oval in eastern Lincoln County, NC.  The race is for the Junior Division, known as "Stars of Tomorrow". 15 and 16 year olds, just over legal age to drive on the street, racing modified Ford Mustangs (mostly early 90's models with 4 cyl engines, heavily modified). 

General information on the race can be found by looking raat cheer, and also over yonder.

We have set up a system so any individual can help by co-sponsoring a lap for 10.00, or being a bronze, silver or gold race sponsor. Sponsorships go into the Race Program.

Not now, but soon, the call will come out for Mazurlanders, and Friends of Mazurland, to crack those wallets, let the dust and the moths out, and make a tax deductible contribution.

If we don't see you here later, we'll see you later, ya hear?

The Wisdom Of Barbara Bush

The Press never much cared for Barbara Bush. She was the opposite of the 1st lady to replace her.  When she would be asked questions about policy, her reply would be "My husband is President, not me--ASK HIM".  She never gave news conferences, issued policy statements, or tried to be Co-President.

Got this in an e-mail---Seen it around. But considering Mrs. Bush's age, I thought the sentiment and the picture very telling.

Anyone want to argue with her?  If you're a man, you best not.

Liberal Idea to Support the Troops

We always hear how the Lefties "Hate the War, but Love the Troops" ---Well Code Pink's done put that dog to rest.

But sometimes, they come up with an idea that might help save innocent lives.

This latest one could work, but we have to find out how well the human troop replacements will fare in the desert heat of "The Sandbox", aka Iraq.

What do Y'all think? We can even get them to stand on the Yellow Footprints at Parris Island!

John H. Noyes and "America's Only Hope"

You might ask yourself--Who the Hell is John Humphrey Noyes?  And what does he have to do with "HWSNBN"?

John Noyes was the founder of the Oneida Community--an offshoot religious group that came to Oneida, NY in 1848. Adopted Communism as a way of life, and also practiced what was called Complex Marriage, Male Continence, Mutual Criticism, and Ascending Fellowship

Here's some brief explanations of what the Community was about. (from the NY History Net, and from the book "My Father's House", by Pierrepont Noyes)

Noyes' teachings were practiced here by the community. The main teaching which received the most criticism was that of "Complex Marriage." In Complex Marriage, every man was married to every woman and vice versa. This practice was to stay only within the community and had to stay within two main guidelines. The first was that before the man and woman could cohabit, they had to obtain each other's consent through a third person or persons. Secondly, no two people could have exclusive attachment with each other because it would be selfish and idolatrous. Any two people found in any such situation would be separated and not allowed to see each other for a certain length of time.

Another teaching practiced at the Oneida Community was that of "Male Continence," which was a type of birth control. In the practice of Male Continence, "a couple would engage in sexual congress without the man ever ejaculating, either during intercourse or after withdrawal." Noyes justified this practice because his wife Harriet in the first six years of their marriage had five difficult childbirths, four of which were premature and resulted in the deaths of the children. Noyes came to the conclusion that where an unwanted pregnancy occurred, there was a waste of the man's seed and that it was no different in practice to masturbation. With the implementation of Male Continence, which lasted from 1848 to 1868, some forty children were born in the community of about two hundred and fifty people.

Another teaching practiced along these same lines was that of "Ascending Fellowship." Ascending Fellowship was set up to properly introduce the virgins into Complex Marriage. This practice also worked to prevent the young members from falling in love with each other and from limiting their range of affection to just the younger members. The main people picked to care for the virgins were people who were considered to be closer to God. These people were of course older and had a special title which was that of Central Member. These Central Members were allowed their pick of a partner over which they would have the responsibility of spiritual guidance. It usually worked that the male Central Member would pick any female virgin of his choice. Due to her lower order, she was compelled to accept. In the case of the female Central Member, they were usually past the age of menopause, and when they chose their male virgin, they were obligated to honor the request. The reason women past menopause were chosen was so that as they taught the younger men Male Continence, they would not have to worry about unwanted pregnancies.

The fourth major teaching practiced was that of "Mutual Criticism." Mutual Criticism was established to assure the integrity of the community by conformity to Noyes' morality. The way in which Mutual Criticism worked was that a member, under communal control, was subjected to criticisms of either a committee or the whole community. The criticisms were usually directed toward the "member's bad traits (those thoughts or acts that detracted from family unity), and an individual could be put through a shameful, humiliating experience." Only Noyes himself would not go through this unless he decided to, because he felt that a group should not criticize their leader.

Pretty Freaky,eh?  And this all happened about 3 hours east of Buffalo.  But as all experiments like this one that began in the religious revival period between the War of 1812 and the Civil War, it was doomed.

Over the years from 1849 to 1879, "the community remained true to its original ideals." Problems started to occur in 1876 when Noyes tried to hand over leadership to his son, Dr. Theodore Noyes, who was an agnostic. Not only was the fact that he was an agnostic bad enough, but he ran the community with a tight fist which was resented by the people. It got so bad that John Humphrey Noyes himself had to come back from Wallingford where he was living to put things back in order. By then it was too late, factions within the community had already formed, some even with the opposition on the outside. And then in 1879, due to the opposition and hostility from the surrounding communities, Noyes, who had already withdrawn from active leadership, felt compelled to abandon the system of Complex Marriage. Even though Noyes wanted to keep the community together after this, some living married and others celibate (not preferred), problems occurred.

Many of the members quickly got married, but since Complex Marriage was such an integrated part of their lives, the community could not settle down to their normal style of living. In 1880, a committee was appointed "to consider the advisability of re-organizing upon a joint-stock basis." In January of 1881 the joint-stock company, called the "Oneida Community, Limited," was set up and the Oneida Community was abandoned.

In the book, Pierrepont Noyes said that his father then stood "In the ashes of his life's work, and proclaimed Victory".

I was looking through the latest from the FNY istas, and found a post that proclaimed "THIS IS A GREAT BLOG"--they DO have a high falutin' opinion of themselves. But I noticed that about the last 30 or so posts had ZERO to do with "HWSNBN".  So I asked

Is the R** P**l revolution over? Jesus I sure hope so.

It seems that fewer and fewer posts contain references to America’s Only Hope.

To which one of the acolyte Ronulans replied:"Actually, it’s been a tremendous victory. The candidacy has done more to spread libertarian philosophy than the last thirty years of effort from others. Key is the number of young people introduced to it this year. They’re the ones who will be carrying the burden of entitlements and they’ll be the generation that finally scales it back."  And one of JO's musheads also chimed in with

"The Fred Thompson Revolution is dead as a doorknob but the RP Revolution is just getting warmed up."

Yeah--And I'm 18, handsome and well hung.  Then he added"

"But why don’t we agree to disagree and focus our energies on our common ground?"

Sorry---Anyone whose mind sees that HWSNBN's campaign is "Just warming up" at this late date is not mentally oriented in all spheres to have any rational discussion with.

JO added a comment in this thread that said: "In 1950 there were 10 Libertarians."   Well today there's what, a couple hundred.  SO?

I'm waiting for Obama to get the nomination so I can ask the moRons all about how Republicans handed Hillary the White House, which is one of their Mantra-like chants they do in front of RP's picture, and burning insence.  Don't look like the Democrats want her in there.  But it will of course be the fault of the Conservative Republicans.

The HWSNBN website shows pictures of all the R Candidates with the slogan --there were 11, now there are 3.

Yep---Mc Cain with almost 1000 delegates, Huckster with around 250, and the moRon from Texas with less than 10---But He's still in it---Freakin douchebag--too stupid to quit.

Installation of Officers

Or, What I did Last Saturday

Our Elected officers L-R

Ed House (Major RET 20 years ) Judge Advocate, Steve Reep (Master Gunnery Sgt Retired 31 years) Jr Vice Commandant, Hank Kaczmarek (Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (Fleet Marine Forces) 10 years--Commandant,Bob Tallent(Draftee Lance Cpl, 2 years) Sr. Vice Comandant. With back to Picture--Installing Officer Bruce Rakefeldt, Adjutant, Department of North Carolina.

" Passing of the Gavel" from the Installing officer to the Commandant.  I have a cover with a Gold Peak when I am functioning as a State Officer, But so my Marines don't think I'm putting on Airs, I wear my red Detachment Commandant Cover when functioning as Commandant of my Detachment.

Do your job too well, and you'll end up doing more--my District Vice Commandant's picture from the Department Website.

We also Salute our Fallen Comrades.

The SSgt is walking in front of me, and my Chaplain and Ass't Chaplain. Firing team behind

A "Present Arms" to our fallen Marine Brother. Veteran of Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the Korean War.  Weapons are M-1 Garand Rifles with special adaptors to fire blank rounds.  3 spent casings for the 3 volleys are put into the folded flag that is presented to the family.

Sure keeps me off the streets.

libertarianism makes you stupid

Look at Ron Paul.

Libertarianism Makes You Stupid

Seth Finkelstein