The Weeks Following D-Day

Since the 65th anniversary of D-Day was just a few days ago, I just wanted to write a little bit about the weeks that followed D-Day.

In the weeks following D-Day, the Allies faced a challenge that they did not expect - the Norman hedgerows. In Normandy, hedgerows divided fields, were centuries old, generally taller than a man, were a tangled mess of roots and soil, had full size trees growing on top of them, and the fields they protected needed to be cleared of German resistance. The Allies assumed that the Norman hedgerows were similar to the English hedgerows, but they weren't. English hedgerows were much shorter in size. Aerial surveillance photographs of Normandy and western France didn't show the height of these hedgerows, since the photographs were typically taken at high noon, so there were very few shadows to utilize to estimate height.

Once the Allies broke out from the beachheads, they were confused as to how to root the Germans out of these formidable defensive positions. Tanks tried to climb over the hedgerows, but that left their belly exposed, and Germans were there waiting with their panzerfausts (translated "iron fist") and panzershrek bazookas. The Allied front lines were very disorganized, many times soldiers found themselves hurling grenades over the hedgerows at Germans just on the other side - and vice versa. The Allies couldn't just bypass the German forces, as it would leave their flank exposed. There was typically an "entrance" to a field in the middle of the hedgerow, and the Germans would set up their machine guns in order to meet anybody coming into the field with a vicious cross-fire. The Germans were experts at static defensive positions, and placed their weapons in extremely effective positions. So the Allies needed to find a different way to get into the fields without giving the Germans the benefit of the angles of fire. Enter American ingenuity. American combat engineers took the German-made tetrahedron defensive obstacles from the beaches (see picture), cut them apart, and welded them into a sort of crude plow to attach to the front of Allied tanks (see picture). This way, tanks could break through the hedgerow without exposing its vulnerable underside, infantry could follow behind under the cover of the tank, and clear the field of resistance. This worked with great success, but the time line that the Allied generals had for getting to Paris got pushed back for weeks.

For more information - just type "Normandy hedgerows" into a google image search - the results show many pictures from 1944 as well as present-day photos. Also, for more reading about the fighting in hedgerow country - read Ambrose's Citizen Soldiers.

tetrahedron beach defenses

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hedgerow tank plow

Bomb Found in Berlin

Unexploded WWII bomb found at German museum site

Fri Apr 24, 6:02 pm ET

BERLIN – German police say a World War II bomb uncovered during construction at the Neues Museum in central Berlin has caused evacuations and traffic jams.

Police would not confirm reports that the apartment of Chancellor Angela Merkel, who lives nearby, needed to be evacuated.

A Berlin police statement says the 220-pound (100-kilogram) unexploded bomb appears to be a type used by the Russians during the war. Officers evacuated a 985-foot (300-meter) area around the bomb Friday afternoon, disrupting nearby train and streetcar service.

The statement said experts were working to dispose of the bomb Friday evening.

Unexploded bombs from World War II are still found frequently in Germany. Disposing of them sometimes involves precautionary evacuations like Friday's.

Healthy Energy!

Have you been looking for a product that combines your daily recommended allowance for vitamins and minerals with insanely healthy energy? Are you concerned about your health?

If so, let me tell you about Verve! Verve is the insanely healthy energy drink that is taking the energy drink market by storm. However, there is a huge difference between Verve and your typical energy drink. Verve contains the eastern “superfruit” mangosteen, has other insanely healthy nutrients, and contains your daily RDA of Vitamins C, D3, E, B6, B12, along with many others. And, did I mention that it tastes great? Verve completely shatters the mold of the typical energy drink!

Verve is produced by Vemma Nutrition Company, based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Vemma is an acronym for Vitamins, Essential Minerals, Mangosteen, and Aloe. Vemma is currently sold in over 30 countries!

Vemma is also sold in a convenient fridge brick - 30 bottles of 2 ounce daily shots. Vemma is a liquid supplement, so there is no choking down 22 pills per day to get the same nutrition. It supports a healthy heart, creates energy, supports your immune system, supports your healthy digestive system, and is an extremely powerful antioxidant. Verve combines a daily dose of Vemma along with several natural sources of energy.

Both Amy and I have been taking Vemma for quite a while, but it’s only now that we want to tell you about it, since we now believe in it!

Amy’s story… Just after Jeremy and I were married in 2005, I started experiencing some health problems. Eventually, my doctor diagnosed me with IBS and GERD. I was getting monthly ultrasounds to track a couple of fibroid cysts on my ovaries, and by 2007 I had had candida albicans on and off for almost a year. Plus, I had no energy to keep up any type of exercise regimen, even a daily walk, despite all the caffeine I was drinking. Meanwhile, my hectic life wasn’t going away, and the frustration of not feeling my best while still having to perform at optimum levels was mounting. Then my dad gave me a bottle of Vemma. Without knowing that I was struggling with my health, he gave me the vitamins and minerals that my body needed to fix itself. I don’t remember how long it took for me to start feeling better, but I can tell you that eventually, my symptoms went away. I’m not even kidding—many of the complaints that I thought I was going to have to deal with for the rest of my life cleared up and I felt better than I had for years.

Then, as you know, I got pregnant last year. The only supplement that didn’t make me feel like throwing up was Mangosteen and Minerals. Many of the typical physical problems associated with pregnancy simply didn’t occur for me—even though the books assured me that I would have the same problems that I used to be plagued with! Heartburn, constipation, even morning sickness just didn’t happen.


Jeremy’s story… I have been taking Vemma and Verve for nearly 8 months. Prior to taking it on a daily basis, I had serious stomach cramps periodically, and since taking it, the stomach cramps are no more! Also, I might add that I haven’t been sick since starting on Vemma! I have more energy, and overall, I just feel better - not that I was even sick in the first place!

Vemma was rated the “Best Overall Superjuice” in Men’s Health magazine (December 2008 edition, page 100)! It has also been endorsed by Dr. Mehmet Oz in Esquire magazine (March 2008 edition, page 82), and is also the official energy drink of the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Coyotes.

TO ORDER VERVE: go to http://www.myverve.com/amykratz.
TO ORDER VEMMA: go to http://www.myvemma.com/amykratz.

Vemma and Verve have a 100% empty bottle satisfaction guarantee, but on top of that, OUR GUARANTEE TO YOU is that I personally will refund the tax and shipping if you choose to return Vemma or Verve for any reason.

We are looking forward to a new product called Vemma Next that Vemma will be rolling out in fall of 2009. It will be a blend for children from ages 2 through 12 that will taste like an orange creamsicle! For each case of Vemma Next sold, a case will be donated to various charitable organizations that help children.

Vemma also offers the opportunity to earn an income for simply sharing the word with others. When you visit our websites above, read up about how you can get paid! There are no fees to becoming a Vemma member. Whatever your goals may be, to simply earn enough to pay for your monthly product use all the way up to leaving your “day job” - let us help you - refuse to participate in the recession! Join us to ride the wave of momentum!

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I Miss Real Country Music...

For those of you that know me well, you would know that I'm a big time country music fan. I've not listened to country for a couple of years, mainly due to the fact that KNIX and KMLE here in Phoenix have gone to a top 40 format. Seems like 50% of the time, when I turn the dial to these stations, either Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, or Taylor Swift is on. I don't want to hear Keith Urban singing about crying in his white zinfandel, Taylor Swift singing about lost loves at such a young age, or Rascal Flatts singing about well, just about anything stupid like they're so fond of doing. I'm a country traditionalist at heart, and to stomach the majority of so-called "country music" on the radio is next to impossible.

It just seems as though a lot of these new "artists" don't respect the tradition of the people who came before them, like Hank Williams, the Statler Brothers, etc... And to not respect the tradition of country music when you claim to be a country musician is not honorable, in my opinion.

I miss hearing George Strait and Randy Travis every time I turn on the radio. Strait's first hit, "The Chair", was released in 1981. I just can't imagine 20 years from now, listening to some of these pop artists they play on current country radio, but yet "Unwound" still sounds fresh to me. Strait keeps churning out hits. After seeing him in concert four times, I figured out a couple of years ago, that he could give two full length shows with just number one hits, and not repeat the same song. Strait doesn't need any lights or smoke to make a good show. Just get up there and perform good music. Plus, he lives what he sings. Very unusual for these days. There are still musicians that respect the tradition however - Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson, to name a couple.

I don't know, maybe I'm getting old, or just sentimental, but I just can't imagine kicking back with a beer on the back porch and listening to Keith Urban like I can listening to Strait.

Long live The Man.

Luke Days 2009

Luke Air Force Base hosts an open house/air show called Luke Days every year - free to the public. There are many static displays of jets and planes. The world famous Thunderbirds perform at the end of the show. I had never gone, so Amy and I decided we would go and take Charlie. We met our friend Gerald there, and we all had a good time. We weren't able to stay for the Thunderbirds, but saw plenty of fun things! There is almost always some kind of plane our helicopter in the air at all times. Below are pictures from Luke Days.

F-16 flight line.
Amy and Charlie enjoying the show!

A "heritage" fly by. F22 Raptor, P51, A10 Warthog, and British WWII-era fighter.

Nose of B1 bomber in foreground, speck in the sky is an F22 Raptor. The Raptor was very loud, and Charlie slept through it (with the help of mom's hand over his ears).

Strolling along in the bomb bay of a B52 bomber.


Charlie and Dad in front of "Sentimental Journey", a WWII B17 bomber that still flies.


Charlie and Dad in front of dual .50 caliber tail guns of the "Sentimental Journey".

While we were going back to our car, we were treated to a dust storm off of the desert. I think we can all still taste the grit. Ugh.

Bailout Counter

2008
Bear Stearns - $30,000,000,000
Fannie/Freddie - $200,000,000,000
AIG - $150,000,000,000
Auto Industry - $25,000,000,000
TARP - $700,000,000,000
Citigroup - $247,500,000,000
Chrysler/GM - $17,400,000,000

2009 (proposed)
Economic Recovery Package - $789,000,000,000
Geithner Proposed TARP Overhaul - $1,000,000,000,000

Total: $3,158,900,000,000

Did anybody actually think the madness was going to stop after early October 2008 when TARP was passed?

I finally updated my blog!

Charlie chewing on his finger.

We were blessed by a rainbow on Christmas Day!

Christmas Day

Charlie trying to eat the wrapping paper.

Charlie with Aunt Deb at Laughlin.

Mom and Charlie.

Charlie, his Uncle Marc, and his cousin Allison

A recent sunset

Did he actually eat any of this?

AZ Congressman Jeff Flake's Washington Post Editorial

A Way Out of the Wilderness

Well, we Republicans have just made history. Not the type of history we wanted to make, mind you, but history nonetheless. Not only did we lose the White House but, after losing our House and Senate majorities in 2006, we followed it up last night with even steeper losses in Congress.

In January, Democrats will enjoy lopsided congressional ratios not seen since the 1970s. Let's face it: We Republicans are now, by any reasonable measurement, deep in the political wilderness.

The temptation for Republican members of Congress today will be to assume the role of the post-Watergate Republicans of 1974 and accept minority status as a permanent condition. Indeed, the terrain is more difficult for us now than it was in 1992. Then, Republicanism was still largely defined by the Reagan years. Today the party is defined in the public mind by the Bush presidency. We've got a steep hill to climb.

Much of the backroom maneuvering and media speculation in the coming weeks will focus on identifying new standard-bearers for the party. This is important, and after a second straight drubbing, the House Republican leadership should be replaced. But the far more critical task is determining what standard these new leaders will bear.

I suggest that we return to first principles. At the top of that list has to be a recommitment to limited government. After eight years of profligate spending and soaring deficits, voters can be forgiven for not knowing that limited government has long been the first article of faith for Republicans.

Of course, it's not the level of spending that gets the most attention; it's the manner in which the spending is allocated. The proliferation of earmarks is largely a product of the Gingrich-DeLay years, and it's no surprise that some of the most ardent practitioners were earmarked by the voters for retirement yesterday. Few Americans will take seriously Republican speeches on limited government if we Republicans can't wean ourselves from this insidious practice. But if we can go clean, it will offer a stark contrast to the Democrats, who, after two years in training, already have their own earmark favor factory running at full tilt.

Second, we need to recommit to our belief in economic freedom. Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations" may be on the discount rack this year, but the free market is still the most efficient means to allocate capital and human resources in an economy, and Americans know it. Now that we've inserted government deeply into the private sector by bailing out banks and businesses, the temptation will be for government to overstay its welcome and force the distribution of resources to serve political ends. Substituting political for economic incentives is not the recipe for economic recovery.

Most House Republicans opposed the recent bailout and will be in a strong position to promote economic freedom over central planning as the Obama administration stumbles from industry to industry trying to determine which is small enough to be allowed to fail and which is not. Since timetables will be in vogue, perhaps Republicans could even insist on a timetable for getting the government out of the private sector.

There are, of course, other pillars of the Republican standard -- strong national defense, support for traditional values and the Second Amendment -- but these are not areas where voters question Republican bona fides. In any event, as we have seen over the past several months, economic woes tend to subsume other concerns. We shouldn't complain. We can now play our strongest hand.

In some respects, raising a new standard was made easier by yesterday's rout. The Republican Party is not bound by election-year promises made by its presidential nominee. More important, the party is finally untethered from the ill-fitting and unworkable big-government conservatism that defined the Bush administration.

This is not to say that it will be an easy transition. Congressional Republicans picked up some unattractive habits over the years in an effort to hold on to power. Whether it was relying on the redistricting process to help us choose our constituents, using the appropriations process as an ATM or passing legislation -- such as a generous prescription drug benefit and a bloated farm bill -- to pacify individual constituencies, these habits and voting patterns will be hard to break.

But there is reason for Republicans to feel optimism. Politically, America remains a center-right country, and America loves a chastened and repentant sinner. As surely as the sun rises in the east, the Democrats will overreach.

As long as we Republicans are willing to admit our folly, get back to first principles and work like there's no tomorrow, we've got 'em just where we want 'em.

It's almost over!

I'm thankful that this election season is almost over.  If this Presidential election was any precedent, the media will start obsessing about the 2012 election sometime in March of 2010, and they'll tell us again that this is the most important election of our time.  And then again, it will appear as if there isn't any other news in the whole world for that period of time.

My "official" predictions...

Obama wins presidency.

Democrats retain control of House and Senate, but Senate will not be filibuster-proof.

There will not be any coupons in the paper for "post election stress disorder" from psychologists like there was in 2004.  

More (!) pics of Charlie...

Charlie enjoying being liberated from most of his clothes. 

Charlie and his dreaded "tummy time".

Charlie's first "hike" with Dad and Mom - up the mountains just east of our house.

Story time with Mom!

NOT from theonion.com

(from yahoo news)

Online divorcee jailed after killing virtual hubby

Oct 23, 2008

TOKYO: A 43-year-old Japanese woman whose sudden divorce in a virtual game world made her so angry that she killed her online husband's digital persona has been arrested on suspicion of hacking, police said Thursday.

The woman, who is jailed on suspicion of illegally accessing a computer and manipulating electronic data, used his identification and password to log onto popular interactive game "Maple Story" to carry out the virtual murder in mid-May, a police official in northern Sapporo said on condition of anonymity, citing department policy.

"I was suddenly divorced, without a word of warning. That made me so angry," the official quoted her as telling investigators and admitting the allegations.

The woman had not plotted any revenge in the real world, the official said.

She has not yet been formally charged, but if convicted could face a prison term of up to five years or a fine up to $5,000.

Players in "Maple Story" raise and manipulate digital images called "avatars" that represent themselves, while engaging in relationships, social activities and fighting against monsters and other obstacles.

The woman used login information she got from the 33-year-old office worker when their characters were happily married, and killed the character. The man complained to police when he discovered that his beloved online avatar was dead.

Camping!

We took Charlie on his very first camping trip this past weekend.  We went up to the Mogollon Rim, north of Payson, right around Clints Well.  We went to an actual campground (as Amy and I usually go dispersed camping), which was very nice.  The weather was low 70's for the high, and mid 40's for the low.  Amy and I enjoyed ourselves, and Charlie really liked being outside.  He didn't really seem to mind the cold when we had to change his diaper.  Oh, and for those of you who were wondering - he takes going to the potty while camping in stride.  

Below are pictures from our trip.

Olympics

What a great Olympics! The biggest story was obviously Michael Phelps, winning a record 8 golds. The 100m fly win was amazing, and the photographic evidence was just released showing he actually did win. Being a swimmer in high school, I just think the guy is a freak of nature (as is Dara Torres).

Another favorite story of mine was the one of May and Walsh improving on their consecutive win streak. Now THAT'S a dynasty.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica left us wondering how fast he could have gone in the 100m. The guy practically trotted across the finish line.

Amy and I were wondering why the track and field athletes wore less while the swimmers wore more.

I conveniently "forgot" to watch men's basketball. I could really care less what a bunch of thugs like Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd "accomplished" in the name of representing the United States. It seems as though there was limited discretion in the selection of that team. Bring back the college guys.

Remember when the father came out of the stands in Athens to help his injured son complete his track run? I don't think there was really any story like that in this year's Olympics. At least I didn't see it. Prove me wrong in the comments section of the blog.

If you're wondering why there's some events in the Olympics that you don't think qualify as sports, remember, they're the Olympic "games", not the Olympic "sports"!! Bring on the competitive puzzle assembling people (just kidding).

I'm still puzzled by the Olympic Committee's decision to hold the games in Beijing (the whole committee should be fired, they're all paid off anyway). Everyone knew that they wouldn't improve China's way they handle human rights, and that they would break every promise they made. What next, Olympics in Dubai?

See you in London.

More Charlie Pics (imagine that)!

Charlie peacefully sleeping.


Daddy pointing out the dangers of the Arizona high desert at a rest stop near the New Mexico/Arizona border.

Charlie after a bath - wearing a gift from Aunt Danise!

Tired Daddy and tired Charlie.

Charlie with Grandpa McDowell.

Charlie's subconscious Hulk Hogan pose while sleeping.

More Charlie Pics

Congratulations to Jim Koch!!

Congratulations to brewer Jim Koch and the Boston Beer Company (maker of Samuel Adams) for apparently just becoming the largest American-owned brewery by default. Not bad for only 24 years of brewing. Since Anheuser-Busch just accepted Belgian brewing giant InBev's offer of $50B, I think that leaves Sam Adams as the largest. Coors is now managed out of Canada (by Molson), and Miller is now managed out of South America.

I've always said that Sam Adams is the best mass-produced American beer out there. Sam Adams Light is probably the closest tasting light beer to the original. Sam Adams' line of 20 beers are phenomenal - one of my fall favorites being Cherry Wheat. There is simply not a beer they produce that is bad.

Bottoms up!

Survival Tip on July 10th

To get you prepared for the X-Files movie coming out shortly...

Amy bought me this Survival Tips desk calendar that I've referenced before (see my blog from March 9th). This one is from July 10th.

How to foil an alien abduction.

1. Control your thoughts. Do not think of anything violent or upsetting - the extraterrestrial biological entity (EBE) may have the ability to read your mind.

2. Resist verbally. Firmly tell the EBE to leave you alone.

3. Resist mentally. Picture yourself enveloped in a protective shield of white light, or in a safe place. Telepathic EBEs may get the message.

4. As a last resort, go for the EBE's eyes - you will not know what its other more sensitive areas are.

1776 and America

1776 was when the American declared her independence from England. Independence was not gained until a couple of years later until after the Revolution was won by an army who came very close to losing many times. A friend loaned me the unabridged audiobook version of David McCullough's 1776, which was phenomenal. Even though I'm a history buff, there are many things that I just didn't know about that happened at that time. I highly recommend either reading or listening to the unabridged version, which is narrated in the author's own voice.

So amidst the fireworks, hotdogs, BBQs, and parades, stop and think what it is that you love about America. Yes, we have our problems - we are a nation at war, but all that is in the news is what products give off more carbon dioxide, high gas prices, and the cost of corn (even though none of this is rationed like in other war times). There are plenty other problems to talk about and work through, but I don't have the next week to sit here and write about it. I can sit here and write virtually whatever I want in this blog. I can accidentally throw a green glass bottle into a white glass recycling bin without getting fined thousands of dollars. I can own a firearm. I have the right to vote. I have the right to criticize the President without fear for my life. I have the opportunity to succeed in my business. There are many rights and freedoms that we have, but many are taken for granted.

There is no other nation that I'd rather be from.