Happy Veterans Day & Thank you

November 11th, a day that we as a Nation take time to recognize all who have stepped up and said “I will serve.  I will sign that line and give back to my Country.”  It is a time when our Nation says thank you.  I could go on a completely different tangent and say the everyday should be Veterans day, because without the Veteran we have nothing that we enjoy on a daily basis.  I will save that for another time on the soapbox or maybe a podcast episode.

This post is to do nothing more than to say “thank you” and I am humbled and forever grateful to each and every Veteran.  Regardless if you served in combat or peace time, what you did for this country allowed us the freedom that we wake up in everyday.  Obviously, I am slanted in my favorite branch (insert OOHRAH and SEMPER FI!!!!), but everyone who has worn a uniform should hold their head high and be proud of the challenge they accepted.

I come from a family that has had family members in wars doing back to the Civil War.  We are a military family, just like many others.  We are proud of our service and have unwavering  support of our troops.

I want to spotlight two of those family members, both Sailors.  One in World War II and one in Vietnam.  One I never met and one that is the greatest man that I have ever known.  

My Grandfather, Tom Ellis.   17 year old country boy from the hills of Tennessee, who joined the Navy and ended up in the Pacific shooting down Japanese airplanes.  My Grandfather passed away before I was born.  I grew up hearing stories of this epic Man’s Man.

The other Sailor I want to acknowledge is another boy that left home at 17 to join the Navy.  Eventually ending up off the coast of a little island in the South China Sea.  You may have heard of it, Vietnam. 

This man was the epitome of a man, husband and Father.  He lived his life his way and led his family by example. he never wavered in his responsibilities.  He taught me to love our Country and to respect our Veterans.  He raised a boy that also left home at 17 to join the Corps.  He was a Sailor to the bone and proud of it.  His son loves his Corps with every fiber of his body.  They had multiple verbal sparring matches regarding the rivalry of the Navy and the USMC.  Above all they had respect for each other and each other’s service.  That Sailor is my Dad.  Though he is gone, the lessons he taught me I still use everyday.  Not bad for a Sailor.

The Veterans Day before he passed away, my Dad, Son and I were asked to participate in a Veterans Day television broadcast.  We were asked because of the three generations.  I had been interviewed the year before.  I told them then that my Dad was a Vietnam Veteran and my son was on active duty in the USMC at the time.  So the following year they asked all three of us.  My Dad carried most of the interview.  He spoke bluntly.  He talked about how we are the greatest nation in the world and how he felt every young man should serve in the military.

At the end of the interview, the host asked my Dad that since he was a Sailor, what did he think about having a son and a grandson in the Marine Corps.  He answered in true Sailor fashion, “I figured they couldn’t make it in the Navy!”  And that is how a Sailor starts a bar fight in every clime and place that Marines are!

 

I love you Dad.  I love you Grandpa.  Thank you for your service.

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: #DIthepodcast, #mchawes, #navy, #USMC, #unitedstatesmarinecorps, #semperfi, #veteransday, #veterans

Youth Deer Hunting and Maddie's 1st Deer

Every Fall scads if hunters hit the woods in the attempts to harvest the ever elusive white tail deer.  Hunters tell their stories and enjoy the fun that “Deer Camp” provides.  A few weeks before the mass exodus to the woods takes place, the best kind of hunting experience takes place in Missouri, the youth hunt.  It is a weekend that is set aside just for the youth.  This is a chance to spend some quality time, one on one, with your child.  It is a time to put down the iPads and other electronics and get into the woods.  If you get lucky, you might even bring a deer home.

I am fortunate for many blessings in my life.  I was blessed with a Father that started taking me into the woods when I was 8 years old and teaching me to hunt.  Later in life I found less and less time to hunt.  The basics things in life took the place of time in the woods.  If it wasn’t work, it was my pro wrestling schedule or it was other activities that prevented me from getting into woods to hunt.

In the summer of 2012, my Father suddenly passed away, ripping an unfillable hole in the very fabric of my life.  As the months passed and depression did not, I began to search for ways to make feel close to my Dad again, even though he was gone.  I decided to head back in to the woods.  I found this time in the tranquility of nature brought me an inner peace.  I also learned that all of my children wanted to learn how to hunt.  I  jumped at the chance.

 

 The youth hunt of 2014 gave me the first chance to deer hunt with my two girls, Madison and Marli.  We had no success.  Maddie had a chance, but didn’t take the shot.  She was hard on herself because of it.  My son harvested his first deer during rifle season.  He was 22 and it was his first year hunting.  The ultra competitiveness of Madison made it even harder on her for not taking the shot.

   Fast forward to the youth hunt 2015, she has had a year to think about her failure to bag a deer the year before.  She boldly stated she would  shoot a deer this year.  She went as far to say she wanted jerky and steaks made from the meat.  I told her she may want to focus on dropping a       deer first before she thinks about she is going to have it processed.

The first day of the youth hunt we could only hunt for 4 hours in the morning due to volleyball games that afternoon.  On the second day we were back in the woods by 5:30 in the morning.  I asked her how long she wanted to hunt that day.  She tells me that we are staying till dark.  She says, “I will sit here for three days if i have to.  I am not leaving till I shoot a deer."

In all total we racked up 11 and a half hours before anything happened.  At 5:00 pm the sun began to drop out of the sky.  we hadn’t seen anything.  But, then it changed quickly as it does while deer hunting.  I look out the back window of the blind and I see two deer running directly at us.  I let her know what is coming.  Madison spins around and begins to take aim.  The deer in front stops about 5 feet from the blind.  I’m telling her to take the shot.  She doesn’t.  The deer then takes a few steps back and now is standing about 10 feet away.  Boom! She pulls the trigger.

I can see her breathing rapidly.  I can see her shaking.  I ask her if it dropped.  She says no.  I tell her to keep watching it.  I see it run about 100 yards and stop.  We work the bolt action on her Remington .243 and wait.  The deer stands there for a couple minutes and then slowly walks away and out of sight.  There was no chance for another another shot.  I am thinking this was the 2nd deer and not the one she shot at.  I tell her we are going to wait for a few minutes and then we will look for a blood trail.  Time passes slowly until we emerge from the blind.  I start looking and there is not a single drop of blood. Anywhere. we keep looking and nothing.  I am starting to think she didn’t land her shot.  After several minutes and finding nothing, I break the bad news to her, she missed.

She is absolutely heart broken.  She begins to cry.  I explain to her buck fever and tell her that it happens all the time.  Maddie was having no part of my consoling her.  We began to discuss things that maybe could have been done better and how to improve before she takes her next shot.  She was listening, but I could tell the only thing on her mind was that she had missed.  After another 20 minutes she asks if we can go look for blood again.  I explained to her there was not enough daylight left to hunt and go look for blood.  She tells me the deer leaned to the side when she shot.  She says, “I know I hit it.”  I  tell her to take me to exactly where she saw the deer run.

We make our way down the hill about 100 yards.  We hear something big in the leaves.  I tell her to take the rifle in case it was another deer.  It was just light enough to take one more shot.  As she is coming back to me to get the rifle, she squeals, “there it is! It’s down!”  Brown on the ground. It took one more shot to finish off the deer.  Immediately following the final shot, she began to cry again.  I’m thinkingI just lost my hunting buddy.  The realization of “I just killed an animal.”  I ask her, “what’s wrong? Are you sad?”  Through the tears and a shaking voice she says, “No! I’m happy!”  She then runs up and hugs me.  Now I was fighting back the tears. There’s no crying in hunting.

While we stood there I could here the leaves rustling.  That’s because her legs were shaking.  She grabbed a leg and helped me drag the button buck up the hill and onto the trail.  She didn’t shy away from the field dressing either.

Maddie is already talking about rifle season.  She can’t wait to get back into the woods.  She is hooked.  She loves deer hunting.  The moment of her first deer is something we will never forget.  Her little sister Marli is now saying she plans on hitting the woods with us for hunting season.  If you have kids and you are a hunter, take them with you.  You will never forget it.

Thank you Dad for taking me.  You sure would be proud.

 

Technorati Tags: #deerhunting, #youthhunt, #missouriwhitetail, #mchawes, #firstdeer

Podcasts - What are you listening to?

Podcasts and blogs are nothing new.  It is a platform that turns just about anyone into a “writer” or a “broadcaster”.  I have them both.  If you are reading this, well you found the blog.  I will talk about the podcast in a minute.  It has been a long time since I have updated either one of them.  They take time.  When you have young kids involved in sports, a wife, a job etc., well life gets in the way.  

The intent is to make some regular updates to the blog and get the podcast back on the “air”.  It has been over a year since the latest episode of the DI - The Podcast.  I will explain that in an upcoming podcast.  

Let’s talk about Podcasts.  There are some really good ones out there.  You can locate just about any of them on iTunes.  I have a few favorites. If you haven’t ever given them a chance, I encourage you to do so.  The streaming podcasts have taken over the streaming music in my office at work.

 

Here are some links to a few of the best that I have found.  I encourage you to give them a shot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.podcastone.com/Steve-Austin-Show

Live from Hollywood, CA by way of the Broken Skull Ranch, Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer, Action Movie/TV star, Steve Austin lets loose on these no-holds barred, explicit versions of the program. Steve gets down and dirty with Hollywood celebrities, past wrestling buddies, present pros, MMA fighters, athletes, movie stuntmen and from time to time, you the working man (or woman).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.podcastone.com/The-Ross-Report

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross, considered the greatest announcer in wrestling history, brings his incredible celebrity roster of friends, his insight and analysis of today's wrestling stars and storylines, and YOU to his weekly discussion of everything squared circle. Join in the fun as Good Ol' JR takes your calls, makes a few of his own, and spreads the wrestling love around the globe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.podcastone.com/Steve-Austin-Show-Clean

Live from Hollywood, CA by way of the Broken Skull Ranch, Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer, Action Movie/TV star, Steve Austin talks about anything and everything that pops into his brain. In this Network friendly version of the show Steve shares tales from his new life, unbelievable past adventures, talks to pro wrestling pals...you name it, Steve's on it.

Ok, not everything I listen to is about pro wrestling.  I dig some true crime.

 

 

 

http://swordandscale.com/

Sword and Scale is an internet radio show and website covering the dark underworld of crime and the criminal justice system’s response to it.  The show and website were launched January 1st, 2014 and feature stories of murder, abduction, rape and even more bizarre forms of crime.  It’s the purest form of true-crime where nothing is off the table.  Everything from 911 calls to court testimony, interviews with victims and sometimes with perpetrators give listeners a 360 degree look at the entire story.  Told from the narrator’s point of view, Sword and Scale goes beyond the news clips and the sensationalist headlines to give listeners the whole story and deeper insight into the cases it covers than any other medium.

 

 

 

http://serialpodcast.org/  Is he guilty or not?  Listen and see what you think.  I suggest you start this when you have some time, because you won’t want to turn it off.

and if you love SERIAL (like everyone) listen to the follow up podcast http://undisclosed-podcast.com/

OK here comes the shameless self promotional plug - 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.spreaker.com/user/di-thepodcast also you can find me on iTunes.  This is one is mine and you never know what I will be talking about and who I will be offending.  I warn you don’t be thinned skinned.  You have been warned.

and well one more wrestling one,

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www1.play.it/audio/wooooo-nation-with-ric-flair/  Add a little Flair to your life by joining the Nature Boy every week as he talks pro wrestling, sports, tells stories like only he can, and interviews his celebrity friends. No topic is off limits for Flair during his weekly CBS podcast. Come join WOOOOO! Nation!

 

Technorati Tags: #DIthepodcast, #jimross, #ricflair, #steveaustin, #stonecoldpodcast, #swordandscale, #undisclosed, #wooonation, #woooooo, podcasts, serialpodcast, #truecrime

Cauliflower "Hot Wings" - I even like them!

The past year as many of you know had me in the get healthy or else category.  It has also forced me to quit eating like a garbage disposal and find some healthier choices.  This posed another problem - I don’t like that many vegetables.  I had to find a way to eat them.  I love to eat and I love to eat a lot!  I am also a person who has to have that flavor explosion when I eat.  I can’t eat the same bland, non crunchy, non spicy foods.  I know me, I won’t stick to that. Since last July, I have found a bunch of recipes that I can live with and actually have grown to like them.

This past weekend, while being snowed in I found one that I love, cauliflower hot wings.  It is super easy and gives me that spicy hot taste.  Here is the recipe I followed and it worked for me.

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 1 cup general purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• wing sauce
• season (to taste)

Mix the cup of flour with the cup of water.  Break the cauliflower into florets and dip into the flour/water mix.  This will help the wing sauce stick to the florets.  Then put the florets on a cookie sheet and bake at 450 for 15 minutes.  At the 15 minute mark turn the florets over and bake for 15 more minutes for a total of 30 minutes.  Then take the florets out and place them in a container you can toss them in with the wing sauce.  Once they are coated, back in the oven for 10 more minutes.  Another recipe I found suggested to fry the cauliflower in teaspoon of olive oil, making them crunchier.  I don’t know if that works, I haven’t tried it yet.

 

 

I am not a huge cauliflower fan, but these things were delicious.  I suggest giving them a try if you are looking for something healthy with a kick to it.

Semper Fi!

Technorati Tags: diabetes, cauliflower, hot wings, cauliflower hot wings, healthy choice, beat diabetes, jarhead, eating right

Old Man Winter Visits Missouri

Let me start by saying I am no fan of the cold weather.  When I was younger it couldn’t get cold enough for me.  However as time has went on, I would be happy with a constant 65 degrees.  I think that would be about right.  Regardless, 2014 has started off with a nice big blast of the white stuff.  It looks like it is going to be around for a few days.  So, for all of you that live in those places where the snow doesn’t hit, here is a picture to show you what is going on in Missouri right now.

Diabetes - You are on the clock!

A few weeks back I did the first post revealing that I was a diabetic.  I didn't put it out there for attention. I am also not one those people that every time they walk briskly to the other room they post the details of their "workout".  I did it because I had to do something to make myself accountable to - me.  It was probably the first time that I admitted I was a diabetic.  Honestly, I was embarrassed.  I had let myself get to a point where my over indulgence of everything was catching up to me.  It now was causing health issues.  The real bitch of it was I didn't feel bad.  I knew I was overweight, but hey I have always been a big guy.  After my bad test results and some real nice scare tactics by the doctors, things have changed drastically.

Since August, I am down 17lbs. (that was two weeks ago at my Dr. appointment).  I am down more since then.  I have been taken off one of the diabetic medicines that I was on.  My blood sugar is ranging from 100 to 120 on the average.  I have completely changed the stuff that I shovel into my mouth.  I have eaten more green stuff since August than I have my entire life.  I still drive by White Castle every morning to and from work.  I can hear the angelic voices of those belly bombers calling my name, but I don't stop.  The biggest change is exercise.  Instead of making excuses, I make time to get on the treadmill or go to the track.  It has become a priority.  I want to be around to walk my girls down the aisle some day.

The endocrinologist that I see is the bomb.  He is not rude but he doesn't beat around the bush.  The first appointment he tells me you have fat around your belly, your blood sugar is out of control and what do you want me to do about it?  He added, this is on you and you are in control.  I will help you, but you have to do it.  When I went back for my follow up, he took me off one med and told the goal in the next few months is to have me off of everything.  It is the first doctor that I have been to who I don't feel they work for the drug company.

The bottom line is this, I got my self to that point and now I am taking the responsibility to get myself back where I need to be.  If I can do it, anyone can do it.

 

Semper Fi!

I will beat Diabetes!

I have always lived large.  I have enjoyed things and enjoyed them in mass quantities.  That also meant the way that I like to eat.  I was always young and healthy and figured that I could abuse my body as much as I wanted to and none of it would ever catch up with me.  There is a cruel joke that life plays on you, it lets you have all the fun you want when you are young and you seem to bounce back in no time.  However, there comes a time that you must start to pay the piper.  The old injuries you never took care of start to come back to haunt you.  It becomes harder to take a few pounds off when you need to.  I think most of us in that 40+ club have discovered we can't quite party like we used (nor do we want to).

Don't get my wrong I am not saying I am ready to be carted off to the glue factory.  I am still feel young.  I feel great.  I feel as strong as a horse.  Except for the few aches and pains that I have and these are expected after the years as a Marine, football player and almost ten years as a professional wrestler, I feel good.  That is where the shock came in.  A couple years ago my doctor tells me I am borderline diabetic, watch what I eat and take these pills twice a day.  I think no problem and to be honest never really changed anything that I did lifestyle wise.  This was 2 years ago.  My weight was close to 350 pounds.  I knew I was big but I felt fine.  Even though I have a long history of heart problems on both sides of the family, I felt I kept an eye on those things and was never really worried about diabetes. 

Last June 25, my Father passed away unexpectedly.  It is not the best way to lose weight, but I shed about 30 or so pounds from stress/anxiety/depression.  About 2 months ago i was having some test run at the VA, a basic physical.  The doctors tell me that my diabetes was OUT OF CONTROL.  So I went from borderline to out of control.  To say this was a little shocking would be an understatement.  I start hearing things like insulin,endocrinologist and diabetic counselor.  I am thinking WTF!  It was time for some soul searching.  It was time for a change.  I have three wonderful kids and if I want to be around for them, I needed to make some changes, immediately.

That was 2 months ago.  In the past 2 months I have seen an endocrinologist and a diabetic counselor.  I have changed my diet drastically.  I weighed this afternoon and was at 299 lbs., the first time I have seen that number in over a decade.  I have lowered my blood sugar numbers and I have been walking a couple miles each day.  I still have a long way to go.

But, I WILL beat diabetes!

Technorati Tags: diabetes

Happy Birthday Marines

Born in a tavern, Tun tavern to be exact, 237 years ago this November 10th.  From this bar room birth has grown the greatest fighting force the World has ever known.  Fewer than 1% of the entire American population, past and present, have worn the beloved Eagle, Globe and Anchor and earned the title of United States Marine.

I am honored to have earned the right to claim the title Marine and I am even more humbled to have had the honor to have served with the Marines that I was stationed with.  To this day Marines that I met my first night on the Depot have remained some of the closest, most loyal friends that I have.  The Marines that I served along side of during Desert Storm and then back to the Stumps together, I still talk with on a daily basis.

SDI Sgt. Romans, DI Sgt Buck, DI Sgt Hughes, DI Sgt Dillman (not pictured DI Sgt Harris)

The Drill Instructors of Platoon 2054, Hotel Company, June 1990

When I stepped off the bus and onto the Yellow Footprints on June 4, 1990, I had no idea how much my life would forever be transformed. It was changed for the better.  12 and a half weeks later when I marched across the Parade Deck, I don’t think I fully realized the magnitude of the sacred fraternity I was now a part of.  I was yet to realize that I would be able to share experiences with World War II era Marines as well as my fellow Marines and everyone in between.

As Marines there are many times when we meet other Marines that even if there are decades that separate our times in service, we still have a common ground.  A bond.  A bond that unless you are a part of the Big Green Rifle Club, you will truly never get it.

It takes a different type of individual to be a Marine.  We are are proud of that.  In fact, we boast of the very nature of our difference.  There is a saying, “The Marine Corps is not for everyone.  If it was it would be the Army.”

I am also one of those Marines who also have the honor to say they are the proud parent of a U.S. Marine.  My son is a Lance Corporal.  He has been in about 18 months.  He is currently serving in Afghanistan.  I can’t begin to put into words what it was like to see him walk across the very same Parade Deck that I did and earn his entry into the club.

So as Marines all over the world celebrate their 237th birthday, I say thank you for your service, allowing me to earn the title and Happy Birthday ~ Semper Fidelis.

In memory of Senior Drill Instructor Sgt. Ervin Romans and Sergeant Major Robert R. Higle

         DI Sgt Romans                                                                               SgtMaj. Higle

Are You Freakin’ Kidding Me? Sugary Drink Law

I am so glad that there is a politician that is out there looking out for the best interest of the people. I want to thank New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on his very thoughtful, Hitler like move to protect New Yorkers from the evils of Big Gulps and other greater than 16 oz size sodas. This hits pretty high on the “you gotta be shitting me” scale.

The New York City health board passed the approval today and the law will go in to full effect in 6 months unless it is blocked by a judge. The buffoon Bloomberg tweeted out today “NYC’s new sugary drink policy is the single biggest step any gov’t has taken to curb obesity,” he wrote. “It will help save lives.” This new policy, I find shocking on so many levels. Here is another quote from of the Medical board members that supported this, Pamela Brier, the president of Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn and a member of the health board, said she recognized that “there a lot of unhappy people” who oppose the plan. But she praised the health department for the proposal, saying that New Yorkers would adjust to the smaller sizes. “Over time, it does become the new norm,” she said. 

I understand obesity is an issue and especially with the children of this country. I also realize that we are only talking about soda. Right? Wrong!!! I think there is a more larger issue here that is being swept under the carpet. The dictation by the government of what you can drink. What is next? There was a party before that began restricting what their people could and could not do. They begin directing every movement in their life. They decided what goods were for sale, what you could read, what you could write, what music you could create, etc. Does it sound familiar? Kinda sounds like that radical little guy with the box moustache doesn’t it? How scary is the quote by Brier, “there is a lot of unhappy people” and “over time, it becomes the new norm.” That is scary.

Now do I feel like we are on the verge of goose stepping through the streets because of a sugary drink ban? No. But I do feel it is another right that we are giving up as Americans. I also feel that we have been doing just that, giving up rights, for quite awhile now. It is a very dangerous and slippery slope. Once you start, “overtime it becomes the new norm”. Where does it end? Our great country was founded on ideology of fighting for our freedoms. Now, we give them up one at a time.

The whole idea of a ban of this nature seems like an episode of The Family Guy and a crazy idea by Mayor West. It is another example of government thinking they know what is better for you than what you do. This is similar to the Nancy Pelosi statement in regard to the presented health care bill, “just vote for it and then we can read it later.” She might as well have said we know what is best just shut up, pass it and allow us to dictate more of your life.

I know the “purpose” of this bill is to curb obesity. I know that with all of the diet programs, workout programs, health clubs, health messages, health awareness and even our revered first lady Michelle Junk in the Trunk and her campaign against child obesity; this ban will be the thing that makes it all work. It is the final pebble on the scale of health and obesity, tipping it to the health side. It is absolutely absurd. Within this bill you buy as many 16oz beverages that you want and if you are in a restaurant you can have as many refills as you want. I love this part of it. That is like saying by getting rid of wine glasses and only having shot glasses will cure alcoholism.

To sell this bill of goods as a health issue is a steaming bucket of crap. What’s scarier than a bunch of fat people with sodas? I will tell you a country full of people that have surrendered their freedom choice and their rights to their government. Now that is scary.

Voter ID laws–You’re Damn Right You Should Have One

Voter ID laws, maybe I am just not smart enough or too blind to see the big picture on this one. I also fail to see why these laws are racist or discriminatory against the old or the poor. Someone please explain, because I don’t get it. You walk into vote, show your ID, get your ballot and off to your little booth to cast your vote. I cannot believe there are people that are against this process. I guess if you are into Chicago style politics of “vote early and often”.

I think we have all heard stories of the voting corruption that goes on in every election. The stories of voter impersonation or the number of “dead” voters that still cast a vote are talked about during every election. But thought of just walking in and saying, hey I am_________ and I am here to vote is crazy. There is a huge faction out there making the claim it is just not right to have to show your ID to vote and it is taking voter’s rights back decades if you have to. The claims that it could sway the Presidential election and the hundreds of thousands if not millions that would not be able to vote are a crock. I have a simple solution, get a freaking ID!

A quick Google search of “things I need an ID for” came back with some pretty amusing results. Here are just a few:

1. Get on an airplane

2. Get something notarized

3. Open a bank account

4. Register for college

5. Apply for Food Stamps

6. Apply for Medicaid

7. Apply for Unemployment

8. Cash a check

9. Get a mortgage

10. Get married

11. Get a job

12. Buy alcohol

13. Buy cigarettes or tobacco

14. Buy a firearm

15. Use a Credit Card

16. Rent an apartment

17. Be admitted in the hospital

18. To buy Sudafed

19. To get on an airplane

20. Enter most large office buildings

21. To get into Warner Bros., Sony Entertainment, and Universal Pictures.

22. To acquire a Visa to travel outside the country, and to re-enter the country at the border.

23. return a item to a retail store, 

24. To rent a movie

25. Join the military

26. Test drive a car

27. Get into a bar (some of us)

28. Oh yeah , to REGISTER to vote

Kinda funny isn’t it? I want to make sure we know where to come to if you don’t return your movie or if you buy too much allergy/cold medicine so I need to see you ID. What you are here to vote for the leaders of our country and the people that will make laws that we have to live by, no ID required c’mon in and do what you, whoever you are, need to do.

Wake up folks! There are some serious issues here.

Sick of political ads, time for some changes

It is election year and we are in full swing of the bombardment of political hate ads.  I am a very passionate person in regard to my beliefs and my political points of view.  With that being said, I think I would rather eat a boiling bucket of vomit than hear another as from either party.  It is absolute insane the amount of money that is spent for these campaigns and the time that is wasted.

A recent poll showed 72% of Americans are tired of hearing and seeing these ads.  I am no MIT math major but I am pretty sure that is a majority of us!  It starts with the preliminary elections and the candidates just ass slam people in their same party.  They tell us just how inhuman these people are and why they should be the one for the office.  Then once it is whittled down to the lucky one the onslaught of attack ads go into maximum overdrive.  The bottom feeders from each party go on the hunt to dig up anything they can and then put their spin on it.  It is then plunged down our throats like a backed up public restroom.

I think there should be some changes when it comes to campaigning.  Here are a few thoughts:

You can only campaign two weeks prior to the election.  If you break the time line rule, you are removed from the race.

Campaign funds should come out of your pocket.  The money that is spent is obscene.  The 2008 election cost 1.3 billion in 2008, the most expensive campaign yet.  The election before that cost almost 900 million bucks.  For a country that has so many homeless, starving medical needs and a deficit of $15,874,365,457,260 ( as of July 2012 ) I think we could find better things for our money.  If people want to make their contributions they can donate to one of those causes in the name of their party.

If the candidates are going to have to tell all, they should have to tell the last time they went grocery shopping, filled up their own gas tank, drove in rush hour, had to work a holiday, had to set a family budget up because the ends aren’t quite meeting or actually had a job.  If they are a President of the people shouldn’t we know when they actually did anything like the everyday people they are supposed to be representing?

As soon as they make an asinine claim like they created the internet, they are a war hero or their family’s political sway landed them in the National Guard and not a war zone, the campaign is done and they are removed.  When they are dishing out a 5 course meal of dung their aspirations should be cancelled.

If you robo call me, send me spam email or hang something on my door, I get to personally punch you in the face.

Well, these are just a few of my random thoughts on political campaigning and remember, “Friends don’t let friends vote Democratic.”

So does that make you a racist?

Did you know that if you don’t like Obama, you are a racist?  That’s a fact if you believe what much of the liberal media says.  I am not sure at what point our society decided that you were no longer entitled to your own personal opinions, thoughts or beliefs.  I guess in a way you are, but if it doesn’t fit the criteria of the politically correct BS; then you are a hate monger, a racist, a gun toting, bible thumping radical.  I have a really hard time identifying with that thought process.

I don’t like Obama.  I never have and I never will.  Contrary to what the media likes to push, that doesn’t make me a racist.  I don’t like him because of his beliefs and the things he stands for.  I do not believe in abortion.  I do not believe that we should buy into a socialist belief with our money.  I do not want bigger government.  I do not believe in establishing a social program for every deadbeat that refuses to get of their ass and work, when they are fully capable.  When it comes down to it we just don’t see things the same way.  If you noticed not one of those things that I said above has anything to do with the color of his skin.  I would not care if he was white, yellow or purple, I would not support him.

I have been stewing over this post for a couple of weeks now.  This isn’t about being a Republican or a Democrat.  I will be writing those posts in a few days.  It is about being a human being and being allowed to have your own personal beliefs.  That doesn’t come with an asterisk at the end saying you can have those thoughts as long as they agree with the mainstream or popular opinion.  I guess I will stand outside of that line because a lot of main are not of the popular persuasion but of what I feel is right.  Right and popular are rarely bed partners.

I recently posted on my FB page the following political joke:

Immediately there was the “Don’t you think that is a bit racist” response.  This resulted in many opinions being stated by several people about the comment.  But to answer your question, no I don’t think it is a bit racist.  None what so ever.  Nowhere on the post does it say he’s an idiot because he’s black.  A quick Google search of the terms George Bush and Village Idiot produced a plethora of results:

 

I guess this picture is a of a confused racist.  Pretty stupid right?

I am not sure what the benefit of ANYONE playing the race card is.  It is detrimental to everyone.  Racists on either side of the coin are the idiots.  I am not going to say there are not racial issues.  There are and they have been around for a long time.  I am also going to say that we all could improve on that front.  The mindset of treating someone different because they do not look like us (who ever us is) is wrong.

However, we as a society have allowed ourselves to be segregated while trying to fight segregation.  If you say you don’t like Obama you are a racist and you are placed in that category.  If you say support the right to bear arms, you are a gun toting radical.  If you are a Christian, you become a Bible thumping, hate mongering homophobe.  Just because you believe in something doesn’t make you a radical, it just means you have your own personal beliefs.

Our country as a whole has made great strides in racial equality and acceptance of diversity.  We have a long, long way to go.  Because we are all different, from different cultures and form our own opinions it is what helps make this the greatest country in the World.  However we are not doing ourselves any favors by classifying everyone a radical or a racist because their opinion doesn’t agree with yours.

 

The Three Stooges Movie – Loved it!

I will be the first to say one the things that I hate to see is someone trying to imitate the Three Stooges.  It is usually like a bad Elvis impersonation.  There is something special about the Stooges that make them unique, an institution of their own.  When I heard there was going to be a Stooges movie, I was not really crazy about the idea.  I knew I would go see it.  I expected it that it would just be bad.

I also want to add my girls absolutely love the Stooges like I do. We watch them any chance that we can catch the reruns on TV.  So it was decided this afternoon would be McHawes family day at the movies, to see the Stooges.  We all loved it!  I laughed through the whole film.  The actors nailed their roles as Moe, Larry and Curly.  The mannerisms were dead on.  Don’t get me wrong this was no Godfather style epic motion picture.  It was the Stooges and it was exactly what is was supposed to be, funny.

If you are a Stooge fan, go see it.  You will enjoy it.

BuzzNet Tags: Three Stooges movie,Three Stooges,Moe,Larry,Curly

An emotional Marine Corps love song, it warms my heart

Those of you who know me, know that I am a soft hearted ol’ Marine.  During the past weekend my son, who is also a US Marine played a very emotional love song for me that another Marine had written and sung.  I derived great pleasure from this video and I think many of you will as I have.

It tells the tale of relationship of a Marine from love at first sight all the way till the trip to the after life.  Please give it a watch and let me know what you think.

For those of you that it offends, well, get over it.  I laughed like I had lost my mind.  Semper Fi!