Adam,

While I certainly don’t condone the slaughter of Dolphins, I also don’t condone foreigners i.e. Americans and UK folks interferring with a culture they may not understand.

I see no good end to this, but it may be time for Americans to start taking care of their own household. My son just returned from Iraq and he told me that they all hated us even though occasionally they would pretend friendliness to gain favor, or business.

Just my 2 cents.

Tom

ROFL, did you see the guy pop up behind the anchor? Unbelievable. I never knew that you all take such a risk when you aren’t in wartime situations.

I understand what you are saying Tom, it just makes me sick that those cute dolphins are being slaughtered.

I can watch Greta all night long, listen to stories about murder, read true crime novels, but any show where animals are killed breaks my heart. I think I need therapy LOL!!!

Kind of makes you think the property owner is up to no good acting like that, thinking they were reporting something about him; just like the dolphin slayers.
You’re safe Here, but be careful out There!

re; the property owner….
Makes ya wonder which acre of “pot” he was hiding! or which one he just smoked! *L* What a lunatic.

I just cant imagine all the stories you could tell Adam, but i sure do enjoy hearing about them.

Adam, please warn us next time you send us to such a horrible site like the dolphins story. I love those animals and can’t bear to think they are being hunted. I don’t want humans to suffer but I don’t think God put us on this earth to abuse it’s helpless.

I understand Americans do stick our noses into more than we should, but we are also the ones the world turns to when in need. The first film I saw coming out of the sunami a man stuck his head into the camera and hollered, where is America. No one had had time to get to the area. The world thinks we have unlimited money and watch what comes out of Hollywood and thinks we are all like that.

As for the property owner, I’m like the others, what was he hiding? Bet he didn’t know it was live. ) Hope his neighbors told him how silly he was, well, maybe not. He doesn’t seem the type to tell him he did a silly thing.

Enjoy your down time, CA can’t stay quite for long. )))

Hi Adam et al,

Thanks for sharing the clip to the nutty neighbor and his paranoia with the newsguy. I sometimes forget, save for you Adam (who always seems to be right in the middle of danger or a fracas somewhere) that reporters are laying themselves out there both physically and mentally trying to get to the news to the rest of the world.

I appreciate that!

But that guy was hiding something for sure.

As for the dolphin story….Ever since I saw a network morning program show what hunters do in killing and clubbing seals in Alaska (and not warning the viewing audience at 7 o’clock in the morning about the graphic nature of the story), I have chosen not to watch such news stories. I can’t bring myself to do it.

I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now…but just haven’t had the nerve to post. I guess now’s the time, eh?

Metoo,

You’re right that they always turn to us when they need something, but at the same time they resent us for it. My son spent a total of 27 months in Iraq and they either hate us, or try and use us to their own advantage…so perhaps it’s time for a little “personal responsibility” and let some of these folks pull “themselves up by their bootstraps”. After all America isn’t exactly what it used to be…I could leave my car unlocked…my house unlocked…and walk down the street without fear; and I’m not talking Mayberry here, I’m talking about Dallas.

All I’m saying is we need to get our own house in order before we try and be the world’s pokicemen.

Tom

Hi Tom,

I would never try to dispute what your saying about your son’s time in Iraq, but I wonder what he did and where he served? My husband and brother where both in Iraq….my husband as an O6 and my brother as an E5….and both came back very glad they were there to help…and both commented on how positive the experiences were in working with the Iraqi’s.

Was that positive atmosphere because they were using us to their advantage….I can’t say, but I know we’re not responsible for other people’s reactions to our offers of help. If we’re called to help, we should help. The rest is up to them.

But I also agree….we do have a lot to do to clean up our own ‘home’ (to use your phrase). I am very careful where I let my children go….who they hang out with and what they do. I refuse to give them cellphones and they are extremely limited in their internet use. I, too, am fearful about what they will encounter. And you’re right….it never used to be that way.

Jennifer,

I’m really not at liberty to say what my son did especially since he still has about 2 months to go, just as I’m still not allowed to say what I did when I served all those years ago, but most of his time was spent in the Baghdad area. I’d also like to add that my son is a good Christian who harbors no ill will to others. he simply told me what he saw. I will admit that many of the very young children were open to the soldiers, but my son saw nothing but corruption, deceit, and hatred. Perhaps he wouldn’t be so negative if he hadn’t been stop-lossed for 15 months.

Wow, a full bird Colonel…that would make him a Brigade Commander wouldn’t it, I’m afraid my rank vs command isn’t what it used to be. I was just a Sgt back in the day. My Father a Gunny, one son a SPC the other a SFC.

I’m glad your guys had a positive experience with the Iraqis…maybe those same Iraqis will step up and defend their own country from insurgents.

I’m glad your guys are home safe and sound.

Tom

I completely understand what you’re saying….and I’m so sorry your son hasn’t been treated as well as he should have been.

As for my husband, believe it or not, he’s a Captain in the Navy…recalled to Active Duty by the Civil Affairs Brigade in the Army. The Lord allowed him to be placed in Baghdad for such a time as this, so he could help the country rebuild. He was glad to be there to help and felt he had an impact. But I’m not naive, I know he was treated well because of his rank. I know it’s not the same for everyone.

And yes…the country does need to step up…take everything our men and women have taught them and use it….implement the courses of action presented to them and live the way they ought. But unfortunately, I don’t think it will be so.

I pray your son stays safe and comes home soon. And thank you for your well wishes.

Jennifer,

Thank you for your well wishes…never considered Navy although I know they serve as well, and my middle son, who is now deceased, was in cryptography in the Navy. I do know that a Capt in the Navy is the equivalent of a Colonel, I think. but the rest of the Navy ranks are tough for me.

Please forgive me if I seemed too harsh, but having your son basically a prisoner because he was stop-lossed is a hard pill to swallow.

On a lighter note I did make the equivalent of O5 in the GS arena before I retired.

Tom

Poor Marvin in the first video- he was just trying to cover the story and give the firefighters a boost and this a– jumps in- (did they get him for assault?) Mr. Macho jerk!

And Kathy- I found the dolphin slaughter to be so disturbing too- I am the same way- animals, I am a cry baby- I feel like the girl from Heroes- I almost didn’t watch it all- I can’t handle seeing such beautiful creatures as the dolphins being slaughtered- and these people must know it is wrong- why are they hiding it? I use to swim with the dolphins- in Puerto Vallarta- I love to watch them- I am upset- to say the least- as I am about what is going on in Bangladesh- I would not make a good reporter- I fall apart too easy-
I freaked out when I watched Planet in Peril- the Thailand coverage-

And I am with you Jennifer- I hear about animal abuse and I turn the channel- My blood turns into rage- A couple months ago, while driving, I saw a guy hitting his dog as he was walking- I stopped my car, with my cell in my hand, I threatened him- (not even knowing if he had a gun)
I foster dogs- and I have been like this my whole life-

If Michael Vick was still playing for the Falcons, I would not be going to the game on December 23-

Tom- my praise to your son- Americans sometimes are looked as The Ugly American-

Adam- Cinco De Mayo? Did you ever go to Puebla? I studied at The University of the Americas for a few semesters-

http://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm-

Jennifer- I am glad you are posting- I just was telling a friend of mine how much I have learned from this blog- This is educational versus sensationalism-

I tried the link and the page would not display- darn-

The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico, and especially in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people think, Mexico’s Independence Day, which is actually September 16.

and periodically clean my condo —— You clean?

I just read the posts again- yes- what was Mr. Macho hiding? Moonshine by the looks of him?

Wait… what did I miss… what did Hugo do?

The dolphin story was a tear jerker (you owe me a box of kleenex Adam).

And that guy that popped up behind the reporter looked like a nut! I don’t know how you reporters do it… like you Adam, getting tear gassed in Venezuela, the drug lords, hurricanes, wars, nutty FOX News fans (like me)…then there’s Olaf and Steve

I wish I could have seen the seen the video of you and your photographer fighting off the guys that jumped you while on air… no wait, the lady hitting you with her umbrella would be more entertaining hahahaha!!!!!!!!

That is a sad story regarding the dolphins………I’m a beach bum when I’m not working and I love waching and swimming with those animals. But, the weekend shouldn’t have to end on a sour note, although the Redskins lost………..so here is something to cheer you up…………unless your commuting to work tomorrow:

If the link doesn’t work I’ll post another way to get to it

John-

NICE!! Thanks for the link.
That was fun.

Adam

Adam-

and what makes this celebration a joke, half the people who are drinking Corona’s don’t even have a clue as to what happened- (I drink Bohemia when in Mexico)

We use to go to the Zocalo on the 16th of September to hear the President yell out- Viva Mexico- Viva la Independencia- so from this, I am able to distinguish these two dates-

And Adam- remember Los Niños Héroes (the “Boy Heroes” or “Heroic Cadets”) were six teenage military cadets who died defending Mexico at Mexico City’s Chapultepec Castle (then serving as the Mexican army’s military academy) from invading U.S. forces in the 13 September 1847 Battle of Chapultepec.

People who visit the Castle there in Mexico City, are not aware of this.

Oh in reference to Hugo- are you talking about his comment about the oil costing us 200 dollars a gallon if the US does not stay out of his way and Iran’s? Where is the King of Spain when I need for him to tell Chavez to shut up!

Karen- Adam owes me a box of kleenex too- the dolphin with the blood on his head made me wince-

John- going to check out your link-

John-
were you flying the plane or driving the car?

I was the little old lady-

coying and send the link to my brothers and email friends- thanks

If we’re going to talk about Mexico, my favorite place is Horsetail Falls close to Monterrey. I first went there in 1968 and it was beautiful, of course it’s been a while since I’ve been there and who knows what it’s like now. Of course most travelers to that area have to go through Nuevo Laredo which is completely different than the last time I went. Even Monterrey has about twice the population since I was there. Caveat emptor.

Tom

Loved that video!!!

Tom-
speaking of Nuevo Laredo- Our friend Adam is going to do a story about Los Zetas and post for us? He has this done in writing on a preceding post-

good word- caveat emptor- (buyer beware) I had to to do some interpreting at the Justice Court here in Surprise- and this was the issue- caveat emptor- (a lemon car)

I just read an article on MSN-
Cute but pesty
A look at India’s growing monkey problem
(the pictures were a hoot)- I don’t think I would want of these monkeys to bite me- check out their teeth-

oops- he has this down in writing

I feel for the people in Bangladesh- Nov. 19: Cyclone affected villagers grieve in Patargata, 200 kilometers (125 miles) south of Dhaka, Bangladesh

My brothers live in Washington State- so I keep my eyes open for news-
SAO PAULO, Brazil – The body of a former Washington State University basketball star was found in a dense thicket in central Brazil, police said on Monday, two weeks after he was reported missing.

Police spokesman Norton Luiz said by telephone that police found the body of Tony Harris on Sunday after an anonymous tip. He was playing for Universo, a professional team based in Brasilia, the country’s capital.

The body was “slumped against a tree in an Army training ground and with the shoelace of one of his sneakers wrapped around his neck,” Luiz said. “We believe he may have committed suicide because it appears the body fell from one of the tree’s branches, although we are not ruling out homicide.”

I just read Chavez is doing his fourth run to Iran-

Susan,

Is Adam going to Nuevo Laredo, or has he been and doing a story about it? If the Cadillac Bar and Restaurant is still there I highly reccomend it. Great food and Margueritas(sp?).

Tom

Don’t worry about the spelling Tom…..after a couple of those no one cares anyway. FYI, it’s spelled just like it sounds, Margarita and comes from the name Margeret in spanish.
Makes you wonder what she was like…….

John,

Oh man there are so many funny and irresponsible responses I could make about your last sentence, but I will restrain myself. I do think this is a G rated blog. As for the spelling, we Southerners like to extend our vowels which is why I probably used the ue instead of just a “boring” a. Yeah right!

Speaking of margAritas I think I’ll head over to La Playa and have some good food and even better margaritas.

To heck with it…she was..nevermind. :>)

Tom

*giggling*
I’ve been lurking on this conversation! I can see serious trouble if you two start talking about margANDrita!
thanks for the laugh, mondays stink at work

So Adam…where’s our next pic? *S*

Patty,

At one time when I was both young and crazy, I did know both a Marg and a Rita, but sadly those days are gone so I’ll to have to settle for just being crazy and having a margarita, or 6. :>)

Tom

Tom…:-) I hear that!
as the song goes…those were the days my friend..

Patty,

I loved that song, but currently with the chaos and insanity going on I think maybe Buffalo Springfield might be more appropriate…”there’s something happening here, what it is isn’t exactly clear”.

:>) Tom

…”We better stop, hey, what’s that sound
Everybody look what’s going down”

” There’s a difference in living…..and living well.”

George Strait

Right on Patty,

I think I had too many English classes…I believe it should be “ain’t exactly clear” instead of isn’t. :>)

Those were indeed the days. Thanks for getting me to think of those times.

Tom

EVERYONE-

I happen to like forever young. I actually love music and have more than 6,000 songs on my iPod. Everything from Old school R&B to big band to country. Listening to it now. Tim McGraw’s ‘If you are reading this.’
Amazing song.

Adam

Adam,

I too love music, but I’m afraid I’m pretty much locked into the 60’s and early 70’s…”The day the music died”.

However, I do like some of the older country songs by folks like Patsy Cline and Hank Williams.

Tom

Great balls of fire- I have probably hundreds of Cd’s- including classical music- love all music- including reggae-

Here is my caption for the below- Jail House Rock

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Michael Vick surrendered to U.S. marshals Monday and will remain in jail until his sentencing on a dogfighting charge in three weeks.

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 10 but turned himself in because he anticipates a prison term on the federal dogfighting conspiracy charge, according to a court document. Vick could be sentenced to up to five years in prison.
“From the beginning, Mr. Vick has accepted responsibility for his actions, and his self-surrender further demonstrates that acceptance,” Billy Martin, one of Vick’s lawyers, said in a statement. “Michael wants to again apologize to everyone who has been hurt in this matter, and he thanks all of the people who have offered him and his family prayers and support during this time.”

Vick is being held at Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw until his sentencing, U.S. marshals told The Associated Press. The mixed-gender facility houses about 450 inmates.

— and if this SOB doesn’t do his five years, my hate mail will be everywhere on the internet as these were when this whole thing came down- I receive newsletters from Ingrid from PETA- I am always signing their petitions-

Los Zetas are kidnapping, killing, (drug commandos) and moving far into this country-

This should have read- Los Zetas, drug commandos, are kidnapping, killing and moving far into this country-

sorry- haste makes waste

Susan,

Is Adam going to Nuevo Laredo, or has he been and doing a story about it? If the Cadillac Bar and Restaurant is still there I highly reccomend it. Great food and Margueritas(sp?).

Tom

Who knows where Adam will land next- but a couple weeks ago I was watching Glenn Beck and he brought up Los Zetas and the Merida Initiative- He talked about how these- Los Zetas are kidnapping, killing, (drug commandos) and moving far into this country- I was so pissed, I blogged the next day- Adam told me to hang in for he was going to do some coverage on this-

http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/august2005/140805borderwars.htm

Somehow two of my posts got screwed up- the one that reads 10:10 I wrote after the one which reads 10:13- but it reads as I wrote it before the 10:13? see technology has flaws too-

Anyhow- 10:13 came first- I realized I had written -

Los Zetas are kidnapping, killing, (drug commandos) and moving far into this country-

I meant to say this-

Los Zetas, drug commandos, are kidnapping, killing and moving far into this country-

In reference to Michael dog killer-

I saw on the news how he had been certified through PETA for completing a six hour class on treatment of dogs-

Well me, just the small voice here, wrote Ingrid a nasty letter about this six hour class- and she responded- she told me the news had it all wrong- he never received this certification-

This idiot would be killing more dogs- aside from torturing them because of lack of performance, if he had not been busted-

“Michael wants to again apologize to everyone who has been hurt in this matter…”

Everyone who has been hurt? You stupid moron- how about the dogs?

Ha- I hope his cell mate loves dogs!

I rest my case-

To Adam: et al

I love our blog thing- small in numbers- respectful to each and one- diversity- fun- and you are so fair to answer to one or two of us or more to make it known to us, you have an interest in us-

thanks-

and good night-

Adam,

I so agree with Susan…with no interaction between the blogger and the posters it is no longer a blog, it is a lecture, or an editorial where ideas cannot be discussed.

I thank you for your interaction, even though we may occasionally disagree….from what I’ve seen so far it’s been polite and respectful…if occasionally raucous. :>)

Thank you,

Tom

Hi Tom-

Posted this in another one- but check this one out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bgmG5hQjig

Tom-

I would rather blog with people of which I can read their comments than having to filter through 1,000 comments of which maybe fifty have some substance.

Here is another intersting article

updated 7:30 p.m. MT, Mon., Nov. 19, 2007
WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury has opened an investigation into the shooting deaths of 17 Iraqi citizens in September by Blackwater private security employees guarding a U.S. Embassy convoy in Baghdad, ABC News reported Monday.

ABC said on its Web site that several Blackwater guards were subpoenaed in the probe by the grand jury in Washington.—

I have been watching this one—-

Post your comments-
What do you think of Blackwater?

Oh Susan,

You may not want to go there. If I was 10 years younger I’d be there and my sons wouldn’t. It’s a sad thing to be rejected for age. I can fire a M-16 or M-4 as well as anyone…well, as long as it’s beyond 40 or 50 feet….if it gets any closer then I’d have to put on these ridiculous reading glasses. I actually contacted Blackwater and the pay is fantastic, but of course so are the risks. I have no doubts that there are some guys who may be “cowboys”, but it’s a dangerous place.

The first thing I told my son on his first deployment was “shoot first and we’ll hire a lawyer later”. I still beleive that.

Tom

http://www.goddessworkout.com/save.html ·

can fire a M-16 or M-4 as well as anyone…

I have no clue how to fire anything-

I hate guns- I just hate killing- I can’t imagine being in a war would I have to make this decision-
It is something I could not do-

And more power to those who can- thanks goodness, I am not having to make these decisions for myself-

As for my own personal security, for a break in from some psyho- I will grab the butcher knife which is with me..

charityguide.org/volunteer/vacation/bottlenose-dolphins.htm

Adam-

You are right about guns- my dad had them too- isn’t it sad how one has to have one to defend themselves?

Here is an article I found this morning- speaking of endangered species-
updated 2:33 a.m. MT, Mon., Nov. 19, 2007
SHIMONOSEKI, Japan – A Japanese whaling fleet sailing toward waters off Antarctica to kill protected humpback whales was itself the target of a hunt Monday by environmental activists who vowed to disrupt the expedition.

Greenpeace said its protest ship Esperanza was searching for the fleet south of Japanese territorial waters and would shadow the ships to the South Pacific to try to reduce their catch.

“It’s a large ocean, but we’re going to track them down,” expedition member Dave Walsh told The Associated Press by telephone Monday.

In a statement, Greenpeace expedition leader Karli Thomas added that “the whaling fleet must be recalled now. If it is not, we will take direct, non-violent action to stop the hunt.”

The Japanese fleet was embarking on the country’s largest whaling expedition, targeting protected humpbacks for the first time since the 1960s. In a farewell ceremony Sunday for the four-ship expedition, officials told a crowd at the southern Japanese port of Shimonoseki that Japan should preserve its whale-eating culture.

“They’re violent environmental terrorists,” mission leader Hajime Ishikawa said. “Their violence is unforgivable … We must fight against their hypocrisy and lies.”

Families waved little flags emblazoned with smiling whales and the crew raised a toast with cans of beer, while a brass band played “Popeye the Sailor Man.”

The whalers plan to kill up to 50 humpbacks in what is believed to be the first large-scale hunt for the once nearly extinct species since a 1963 moratorium in the Southern Pacific put the giant marine mammals under international protection.

The mission also aims to take as many as 935 minke whales and up to 50 fin whales in what Japan’s Fisheries Agency says is its largest-ever scientific whale hunt. The expedition lasts through April.

Japan says it needs to kill the animals in order to conduct research on their reproductive and feeding patterns.

Alleged cover for commercial whaling
While scientific whale hunts are allowed by the International Whaling Commission, or IWC, critics say Japan is simply using science as a cover for commercial whaling.

Ken Findlay, a whale biologist at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, said the humpback population was recovering but said he was worried Japan would kill whales from vulnerable breeding grounds like those off New Zealand.

He also said Japan’s hunting methods were unnecessarily cruel. Japanese whalers sometimes chase wounded animals for hours, he said.

“I don’t think firing a harpoon at a whale and then dragging it next to the ship is ethical,” Findlay said. “You question the necessity of that. It’s not research.”

Interactive

A look at some of the more popular whales

An IWC moratorium on commercial whaling took effect in 1986, but Japan — where coastal villages have hunted whales for hundreds of years — has killed almost 10,500 mostly minke and Brydes whales under research permits since then. Tokyo has argued unsuccessfully for years for the IWC to overturn the moratorium.

Hunt growing quickly
The Japanese hunt, which puts meat from the whales on the commercial market, is growing rapidly despite an increasingly vocal anti-whaling movement. This winter season’s target of up to 1,035 whales is more than double the number the country hunted a decade ago.

Japan argues that it should have the right to hunt whales as long as they are not in danger of extinction.

The American Cetacean Society estimates the humpback population has recovered to about 30,000-40,000 — about a third of the number before modern whaling. The species is listed as “vulnerable” by the World Conservation Union.

Adam…ditto what Tom (November 20th, 2007 at 12:16 am) said. I also enjoy having my mind “stretched” out of the little box i live in

Susan,

Guns, which should be referred to as weapons,(check out “Full Metal Jacket”) are the only things that allow you to do what you do on this blog….freedom of speech came at a high price. I wish it wasn’t so, but war and the terrible results of war are the reason America is great. If we aren’t vigilant it will occur again and I’m afraid…not for myself, but for my children and grand children… that America is going to have to make some serious decisions soon. I won’t go beyond that. Everyone will have to decide for themselves. I am not omniscient, I’ve just been around a while.

Tom