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.

Charles Davidson Kratz

Amy and I are pleased to announce the arrival of Charles Davidson Kratz, born on Wednesday, June 18 around 1:45 AM! He is 22.5 inches long and weighed in at 8 lbs, 4 oz.

He is named after my father Charles, and Davidson is a last name that was in Amy's family going back a very long time. We are going to call him Charlie.

Click on www.kneka.com/CKratz061808.exe and save for a slideshow of pictures that our photographer friend Kneka took. Turn your sound on for music. This will only work on a PC, not a Mac. To exit the slideshow, hit escape.

There will be more details later, and more pictures later!

June 6, 1944

From "On This Day" on the BBC's website (the link is in the list to the right).

1944: D-Day marks start of Europe invasion

Thousands of Allied troops have begun landing on the beaches of Normandy in northern France at the start of a major offensive against the Germans.

Thousands of paratroops and glider-borne troops have also been dropped behind enemy lines and the Allies are already said to have penetrated several miles inland.

The landings were preceded by air attacks along the French coast.

About 1,300 RAF planes were involved in the first wave of assaults then 1,000 American bombers took up the attack dropping bombs on targets in northern France.

---

"Dawn revealed the astonishing sight of serried ranks of ships heaving over the horizon and passing in wave after wave, packed to capacity with soldiers and weaponry"

---

People's War memories »

The Prime Minister Winston Churchill has told MPs that Operation Neptune - the codename for the Normandy landings - is proceeding "in a thoroughly satisfactory manner".

He said the landing of airborne troops was "on a scale far larger than anything there has been so far in the world" and had taken place with extremely little loss.

The assault began shortly after midnight under the command of General Bernard Montgomery.

Timing of the Normandy landings was crucial. They were originally scheduled to take place in May - then postponed until June and put off again at the last minute for 24 hours by bad weather.

Upwards of 4,000 ships and several thousand smaller craft crossed the Channel to the northern coast of France.

Enemy reports say the landings took place between the port of Le Havre and the naval base at Cherbourg.

King George VI broadcast a message last night warning of the "supreme test" the Allies faced and he called on the nation to pray for the liberation of Europe.

The Allied naval commander, Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, said the landings had taken the Germans completely by surprise. There were no enemy reconnaissance planes out and the opposition of coastal batteries was much less than expected.

He added: "There was a slight loss in ships but so slight that it did not affect putting armies ashore.

"We have got all the first wave of men through the defended beach zone and set for the land battle."

A statement broadcast from Berlin at midday said the German troops were "nowhere taken by surprise". It said many parachute units were wiped out on landing or taken prisoner.

Hits were also scored on battleships and on landing craft from the "guns of the Atlantic Wall" - the German defensive positions.

President Franklin D Roosevelt told a news conference the invasion did not mean the war was over.

He said: "You don't just walk to Berlin, and the sooner this country realises that the better."

In Context
The Normandy landings were the beginning of Operation Overlord - or the invasion of German-occupied Europe.

Originally planned to take place on 1 May 1944, the operation was postponed a month to allow time to gather more troops and equipment. The timing was important to allow for the right weather, a full moon, and tidal conditions.

To keep the destination of the landings secret, a deception plan Operation Fortitude was mounted which led the Germans to believe the main target was the Pas de Calais, much farther east.

When the landings finally began there were only 14 of the 58 German divisions in France facing the Allies. While there was stiff resistance at other beaches, Omaha was the only one where the success of the Allied mission was in serious doubt.

The invasion of Normandy was the largest amphibious assault ever launched. It involved five army divisions in the initial assault and over 7,000 ships. In addition there were 11,000 aircraft.

In total 75,215 British and Canadian troops and 57,500 US troops were landed by sea on D-Day. Another 23,400 were landed by air.

By 11 June the Allies had secured the Cotentin Peninsula beyond Cherbourg but progress continued slowly as the Germans put up fierce resistance. The end of the Normandy campaign came with the destruction of the German 7th Army in the Falaise pocket in August.

Although the Allies had reached the German frontier by September they decided to re-group during the winter, because of the failure of Market-Garden and the setback in the battle of the Bulge, and the invasion of Germany only began in January 1945.

Memorial Day

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - Arlington National Cemetery, VA


Arlington National Cemetery, VA



WWII Memorial, National Mall, Washington DC



Memorial to E Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division, near the Bois-Jacques, Foy, Belgium. (the outfit featured in "Band of Brothers")
Memorial at Bastogne, Belgium in honor of those in the Battle of the Bulge, 1944

The American Cemetery of the Ardenne, Belgium

Don't complain about the baseball season...

Some things to ponder...

Periodically I hear someone say that the reason they don't like baseball is because the season is so long. Let's put this in perspective. Compare the 2008 Presidential election cycle. The first primaries in the nation were about two months before spring training even started. A World Series champion will be crowned a couple of weeks before the November election. And that's just the "official" election season. By the time November rolls around, candidates will have been campaigning for nearly a year and a half. Are you weary of the obsession with the election? I am, and I am even a recovering political junkie. Do you think the American public is weary of election coverage? Go to cnn.com and foxnews.com and click on the "Most Read" articles and see how many articles are listed there that are about the election. So, I'm tired of the election already, and my cynicism of politicians grows by the second.

I simply shudder at the possibility of a McCain/Romney ticket. I honestly wouldn't know who to vote for in that situation.

I find it insulting that I get requests for campaign donations from multi-millionaires. It's especially insulting to me since I already pay a portion of their salary (around $170k), and they're currently not working, and haven't been working since who knows when. If you saw your company CEO panhandling outside your office, would you give him any money?

It's idiotic to me that a Congressional panel would question big oil about their profits considering the high gas prices. The federal government rakes in something like 65 cents per gallon, while big oil profits about 8 cents a gallon. Maybe U.S. citizens should form a panel to question Congress about not working for their own money.

If Obama wins the Dem ticket, this will be the first time since 1976 that a Clinton or a Bush has NOT been on a Presidential ticket in some capacity.

Obama, Clinton, and McCain come from a legislative body that boasts a 18.7% approval rating with a 80% disapproval rating (as of yesterday, 5/21). Think we're going to get a good President?

Are the feds going to use our tax dollars to bail out the airline industry again? U.S. Airways is predicted to go bankrupt very soon - mostly due to the legendary and stunning leadership of CEO Doug Parker.

Why does the war in Iraq and Afghanistan seem to be a "non-issue" in this election?

How much does increasing gas prices actually affect you? Figure out how many miles you drive on average in a year. Divide that figure by your average gas mileage. That result gives you the total gallons per year you consume. Now, if you want to figure out how much a 25 cent increase in the price of gas affects you on a monthly basis, multiply your total yearly gallons consumed by .25, then divide that number by 12. For example, for every one dollar gas goes up, I pay $55.56 per month more. If we're pinched because of an extra $55 per month, gas probably isn't our biggest problem. (not that I like paying $3.62/gallon, don't get me wrong)

The IRS has sent some stimulus checks to the wrong addresses. If the IRS came to audit those same people, do you think they would be able to find the correct address on the first try?

Arizona governor Janet Napolitano re-named a Phoenix landmark to commemorate a fallen Iraq war veteran on the basis that she was Native American. Why is the only "official" tribute (that I know of) to the Navajo Code Talkers in all of Arizona is in a Burger King in Kayenta? And why is there no significant monument in Arizona (that I know of) that commemorates Ira Hayes - a Native American who was in Joe Rosenthal's famous flag raising photo on Iwo Jima? Hayes eventually died of his emotional wounds from Iwo - face down in a mud puddle south of Phoenix late one night after a drunken card game. I have the utmost respect for our veterans, but you don't do things like that simply for political expediency.

Since the conspiracy theorists claim that W didn't win the last election, does that mean he can run again?

I said in a prior posting in February that I would abstain from a political posting until mid-November. Well, I lied. I followed the example of politicians (sorry, I digress). So, this is (was) the "mid-November" political posting. My prediction - either way we get a useless chump for President, no need for another posting about the election...

Baby Update

Here is a picture of Amy and baby in front of baby stuff. Everything is going well, which we are thankful for. Only 4 more weeks! At least until the "official" due date (June 13). So needless to say, the packed overnight bags will be sitting beside the door by the end of this week. Yes, we're probably jumping the gun, after all, this is our first time!

On This Day...

Article from BBC - on this day in 1945.

1945: Germany signs unconditional surrender

Germany has signed an unconditional surrender bringing to an end six years of war in Europe, according to reports from France.

This evening the Ministry of Information has confirmed that an official statement declaring the end of the war, will be made simultaneously in London, Washington and Moscow tomorrow.

The day has been declared a national holiday to mark Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). The following day (9 May) will also be a national holiday.

The BBC's Thomas Cadett watched the official signing at a schoolhouse in Reims, northeastern France, which serves as the advance headquarters of the supreme commander in Europe, General Dwight D Eisenhower.

He said the signing, which took place in the early hours of this morning, was carried out "on a cold and businesslike basis."

Afterwards, he said General Gustav Jodl, of Germany, spoke briefly, saying the Germans had given themselves up "for better or worse into the victors' hands".

The document was signed by General Bedell Smith for the Allied commander, General Ivan Susloparov for Russia and General Francois Sevez for France.

It seems General Eisenhower tried to delay the release of the details of the surrender because of the difficulty of arranging a simultaneous declaration in London, Washington and Moscow.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the Soviet leader Marshal Joseph Stalin and United States President Harry S Truman have now agreed to make the official announcement of the end of the war at 1500 BST tomorrow.

Mr Churchill will broadcast his announcement from the Cabinet room at 10 Downing Street.

It was from this same room that previous Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced Britain was at war with Germany on 3 September 1939.

Until today the German surrender has been piecemeal.

The German 1st and 19th Armies have capitulated in the south. The 25th Army has surrendered in the western Netherlands and Denmark has been celebrating its first day of freedom from occupation.

Earlier today, German forces in Norway also surrendered.

The final capitulation has been delayed by the new Fuehrer, Grand Admiral Doenitz. After the death of Adolf Hitler last week, he announced his intention to continue the fight against the British and Americans as long as they hampered his battle with the Russians.

It appears it did not take him long to realise further resistance was useless.

This evening the King sent a telegram to the Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight Eisenhower congratulating the troops for carrying out their duties with "valour and distinction".

His message continued: "How unbounded is our admiration for the courage and determination which, under wise leadership, have brought them to their goal of complete and crushing victory."

Some WWII pics from the National Archives

Occasionally, I will post WWII pictures that I found at the National Archives II in Maryland (the Archives I building is in Washington DC). I highly recommend any person interested in any kind of history visit the Archives. It is simply fascinating. There are hundreds of thousands of photos in the Still Pictures Room, and the staff in there is wonderful to work with.




The above color picture is of Merode Castle after the Battle of the Bulge. This castle is literally across the road from my friend Albert's home in Merode, Germany. Shock waves from the bombing of this castle damaged some of Albert's barn and also put a few shrapnel dings in the brick of his home (see below picture). The barn has at least 2 diagonal cracks in it currently. I was excited to find the color photo of Merode Castle at the Archives. I sent a copy of it to Albert. Ironically, the photo is mis-labeled as a "chateau somewhere in Belgium" at the Archives. Many photos are mis-labeled, as you could imagine. This castle still stands, and if you look at the satellite imagery in google earth at Merode, Germany, the moat is greenish in color, and is fairly simple to find as Merode is not that large of a village.



The picture below is of a couple of men that were in charge of getting Coca-Cola to the men in the front. Behind them is a stack of thousands of Coca-Cola bottles. Photo taken in Brussels, Belgium. This is why Coca-Cola beats Pepsi badly in the world-wide market as cold Coke was offered for 5 cents a bottle anywhere in the world for the US servicemen in the 1940's.


The official Signal Corp explanation on the back of the photo below is as follows: "28 NOV 44. German nurse and officer, both prisoners, in their POW cages, await shipment to the rear. They are married. Epinal Area, France." (my comment: November 28, 1944 is slightly before the massive German offensive in the Ardenne)