Sent to me from a dear friend...

Galactic Center of Milky Way Rises over Texas Star Party from William Castleman on Vimeo.

I have been through Ft. Davis, only to pass through on a tight schedule. I think of all the thousands of times I wanted to stop to explore a side road only to direct myself back on my straight and narrow path toward the end of my life with only circumstance and my sense of duty to guide me. Yet I miss things such as this. Bente, my dear friend, you remind me of the wonders of Nature and the Universe. I promise you I will take that next side road and seek said wonders.

EOD PLATOON SHOT

EOD PLATOON SHOT, originally uploaded by bryce_98034.

From the page: "Taken in Fallujah one day before we were ambushed in Ramadi, 6 of my men were killed that day, We went in Twelve Strong. I am now the only Surviving member of my EOD Platoon.

SEMPER FIDELIS MY BROTHERS"

The Primacy of Healing: Politics and Combat Stress in America

This is perhaps the best writing and analysis I have seen on the issues of readjustment after combat, PTSD and political activism. Boudreau (former Marine captain, OIF veteran) is obviously a very insightful and thoughtful man and I told him so through his web site (link follows essay). Please pass this along, as you think proper.

--Dave Collins

From the page: Iraq war combat veteran US Marine Dave McBee holds his two-year-old son Aiden McBee. Tyler E. Boudreau writes: 'combat stress is, in its own way, a political statement. It is a silent judgment of war (and of society), and that is why the understanding and treatment of it remain perpetually stifled.'"

This is a 'must read' for those who are interested in the nature of our combat veterans' issues upon returning home.

It always amazed me when I encountered people like this when I was in the Air Force. Sgt. Frank Gomes comes to mind. I remember sitting in the back of the flight line crew van at 2 a.m. having wide-ranging discussions on politics, culture and philosophy as the other guys looked on in bewilderment. Just like then, I once again have experienced an 'eye-opening.'

I remember my childhood friend telling about nights when he would be awakened by his WWII D-Day veteran dad's screams in the middle of the night as he relived his experience through nightmares. Only until years later did it occur to me why he might have had the garage closet stocked full of Jax beer. He was an honorable, stoic man who I only saw lose his temper once. It never, ever occurred to us to dilly-dally around if he told us to do something.

Rest in peace Mr. Lewis.

A Green Space - A Green Earth

This is a presentation from an online friend of mine. How wonderful it is to have a voice to go with the pictures I've seen. I use the geoid model data these scientists are collecting on a frequent basis through my land survey work.

Open-mindedness

Open-mindedness
Uploaded by totocacapouet

A look at some of the flawed thinking that prompts people who believe in certain non-scientific concepts to advise others who don't to be more open-minded

Prop 8 - The Musical Starring Jack Black as JC

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

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What does the gay community do when faced with religious oppression? Why, make a musical of course!

Folks, this is a good one.

Shrimp anyone? Or are you too busy getting your wife stoned?

What will YOU do for Veteran's Day?

This is a response I gave to the flickr.com comments from a picture posted by clfhcks

What's interesting is how the commentaries jump to conclusions about what he meant by 'BULL SHIT.'

From the page: "You guys fighting like a bunch of middle-school girls over a guy with your ad hominem diatribes, with the exception of wquatman. Not one of these comments are asking what these guys mean by their flag.

Folks, regardless of what that answer is, we need to pull together to support them not only while they are in harm's way, but when they return. Driving around with a yellow ribbon and attempting to slap down anyone who disagrees with your worldview does not serve our brave men and women in the least.


These guys are hurting. For every dead soldier there are 10 like this one who have returned with obvious wounds like this or not so obvious wounds. Stop this senseless bickering and give your support where it's needed as in veteran's benefits or just someone for these guys to talk to.

Honor the warrior, not the war"