Blood Stripe

The "blood stripe" runs down each trouser leg of the dress blues worn by noncommissioned officers, staff noncommissioned officers and officers. The solid red stripe became part of the uniform in 1849.

Today, it serves to honor the memory of fallen comrades.

Project Valour-IT

from Soldiers' Angels:

Project Valour-IT

 

 H/T:  Michelle Malkin  

Ultimate Thrill Ride

One of my most favorite things at WDW is  The Tower of Terror
 

But this tops even that:

A civilian joyriding with his Air Force pilot friend, accidentally grabbed the eject lever while trying to brace himself.

He was instantly fired through the aircraft's perspex canopy and blasted 320 ft (100m) into the sky by the rocket-powered chair.

He then floated down to the ground with a parachute that opened automatically.

Story Here

Holy Crow!!  What a ride!

And imagine the look on the pilot's face as the 'backseat' blasted off.

Don't Worry, Be Stupid

I read the Disney newsgroups because I'm a Disney freak and reading what others have to say about their experiences can be entertaining, enlightening... and sometimes infuriating.

Like this excerpt from a recent trip report:

Please be kind, this is my forst (sic) trip report.

The vacation: Myself, Wife, Daughter (age 8) and Son (age 5)

We went to the marina and rented two sea-racers.  The last time I rented a watercraft at WDW was when I was a teenager and it was a 1-person watersprite on Bay Lake.  Now that swimming in those waters is down-right dangerous, I was intrigued to find that the ond (sic) 1-person sea-racers had been replaced by two-person mini-boats.

After signing paperwork that I would not allow my son to pilot the boat, once out of sight of the dock, he took over and showed a pretty good level of piloting skill. He especially enjoyed yelling to people he saw that he was a "pirate pilot! We also enjoyed watching my wife try to pilot a boat for the first time in her life...a few rough spots and a near collision, but lots of fun.

So what's my problem with this?

# 1 : Letting the 5-year old pilot the craft after signing the paperwork specifically stating you wouldn't.  The paperwork is there to protect you, your family, the other guests, and Cast Members. Had you/your wife/your son had an accident I doubt your trip report would have been as 'cute' as you think it was.
 
Some example you're setting for your kids, buddy.

# 2 : The writer is a school teacher.

I wonder if the concepts of 'honesty' and 'personal responsibility' ever enter into his lesson plans?

Perhaps he is a 'social progressive educator' who believes that taking responsibility is for the other person who is always at fault anyway.

Fallen Hero: SSgt Olaf Schmid

Staff Sergeant Olaf 'Oz' Schmid, 30, a bomb disposal specialist who had defused more than 60 IEDs in Afghanistan, was KIA on his last day before two weeks of leave.

The U.K.Times OnLine

Requiescat in Pace, Soldier

Swine Flu For You

  How do you feel about the Gitmo 'detainees', formerly known as 'terror suspects', receiving H1N1 flu vaccine before American children?

   Think it's a joke?  Read on:

Pentagon to offer Swine Flu Vaccine to Terror Suspects

   Even if the 200+ 'detained terror suspects', including the 17 ordered to be set free,  do not accept the free inoculation, it is a matter of principle, not numbers.  

  All Americans who want a flu shot should get the vaccine before ANY terrorist.

Golf War

Did you know that Barack Hussein Obama, ten months in office, has already tied George Bush, 8 years in office, for the number of rounds of golf played?

That's Obama's first ten months vs. Bush's total 8 years in office.

Perhaps if Barack Hussein Obama spent less time playing golf (and making campaign trips*) he could actually do the business he was elected to do.

You know, like making decisions about the war in Afghanistan.  

Meanwhile, October was the bloodiest month for U.S. troops since the Afghan war began.

Yes, Barky, the war is still on, and No, you can't just vote 'present'.

*Barky's been to 22 fundraisers in ten months; Bush appeared in 6 during his first 12 months in office.


What If Bush Did ...