A Time for Reasoning

Good Evening,

Even though I have the pleasure of having my AIRBORNE Soldier home for the next week I am skipping posting about us. I am simply copying and pasting part of an article from PatriotPost.US I was reading. It just made me do a little deep thinking. Here is the partial text by Mark Alexander:

In a recent discussion with a colleague, I lamented the fact that too few American citizens understand their obligation, before all others, to support and defend our Constitution, much less, engender the ability to do so. She responded that, though she considered herself a conservative (mostly because she identifies closely with some conservative principles), understanding our Constitution was not her "passion."

My friend holds degrees from the nation's finest academic institutions and is professional in all her endeavors. However, like most Americans under 50 years of age, she never had a basic civics course and consequently has a difficult time articulating even the most fundamental constitutional principles.

The fact is, as Americans, we not only enjoy the rights affirmed by our Constitution, we have obligations to understand the mechanics of that affirmation in order to sustain it for our generation and those to come.

No matter what our calling, our occupation or our passion, we have a debt and duty as citizens to both learn about and support our Constitution, and we are obliged to do so above and before all other pursuits, for without constitutional Rule of Law, there are no other pursuits.

You can read the complete article here: Patriot Post.

Sometimes things don't always go right

There is a saying in families associated with police work, you may have heard it. It goes like this. Some days you get the "bear" some days the "bear" gets you. In Ohio, the "bear" most often refers to our State Troopers who wear a Smokey Bear like hat. In Ohio, they are know as tough but honest and absolutely hell on speeders. Traffic Enforcement IS their number one priority.

Sometimes, here in Ohio, the "bear" just refers to a situation. If you get the "bear" the situation turned out in your favor. If the "bear" gets you.....well you get the point.

In the photo to the left you will notice small brown spots on Specialist Jacob's neck. These are called riser burns. Something like floor burns for you jocks. In the 82nd AIRBORNE it is a sign something did not go quite right while "exiting a high performance military aircraft at an altitude of approximately 900 feet".

Now, I am not quite sure how all this happens. I believe the risers are the straps that hold the BIG silk like canopy to a harness that holds the paratrooper. Accordingly if you are not in the proper position while "exiting a high performance military aircraft" when the BIG silk like canopy is opened these straps may slide rapidly up your face and cheek and give you RISER BURNS!

I have been informed that said paratrooper WAS in the proper position when "exiting the high performance military aircraft". I can only imagine this was truly The Day the World Stood Still. At least for a second or two because that is the only thing I can think of that would cause the paratrooper to be out of position. We all know a paratrooper never does anything wrong!

Where is he NOW!

Ah, that's right fellow bloggers where is the elusive ABNPOPPA? You get two guesses. Keep in mind I just came back from Kansas City visiting Aaron, the elder, and grandchildren. Sarah, the daughter, lives four miles from the homestead. Jacob, the Warrior, lives at Fort Bragg (or where ever Uncle Sam tells him). Well for those who know me well, you guessed correctly. Fort Bragg. Hey! what good is having kids out of state if you can't go bother them once in a while!

Actually, most likely this will be my last trip for a while. My current employer, the world's largest retailer is cutting back hours in preparation for a big Christmas, yes, I said Christmas season. In order to not pay too much to their hard working employees they give us time off. Of course it is just before the season but none the less time off.

Not meant to offend any persons from West Virginia but the turnpike was a mess last night. Rain, trucks, idiots going 75MPH when the conditions dictated about 35. I had a dead man grip on the steering wheel for about 125 miles. Whine, whine my old arthritic hands hurt today from squeezing so hard for hanging on for dear life. Must of had an Angel on board or at least watching over me.

So far on this jaunt we have accomplished nearly NOTHING. Jacob says the ARMY has been working them long and hard. Just to prove his point he took about a two hour nap today. He got a 4 day weekend. Probably because the General knew I was coming. LOL. I tried to outdo him but failed. Tomorrow is Saturday and I WILL TRY HARDER!! We did manage breakfast at the Waffle House and picked up some manly groceries. Pop Tarts, chips, pop, etc. You know real healthy stuff. He mentioned something about mowing the lawn, fortunately, I was able to talk him out of it. It's not knee high yet.

Not sure what's in store for din din but I believe pizza was mentioned however so was BW3. Any body have a coin to toss?

Yo'al have a good weekend, I know I will!

Pops